"Ay," said Tom, "but 'tis not for information 'gainst us the lieutenant hangs about the Parsonage. 'Tis for Miss Joan's bright eyes, I'm thinking."
"Pshaw!" said Ann, contemptuously.
"She's a handsome, winsome lady," went on Tom, "and all the gentlemen be raving mad about her shape and her fine eyes. So 'tis no such wonder if he's struck, too."
"Miss Joan's well enough," returned Ann, though in a rather grudging tone; "but I think the lieutenant's got something better to do than run after a lass just now. Leastways, if he hasn't, we can find him something!" she added with acerbity.
"Ho, ho, ho! That can we!" roared Ben the Blast, laughing lustily.
In the midst of his mirth, in which the other men joined, there was an interruption. Some one ran in panting, and apparently in sufficient disorder to warrant a feeling of alarm among the rest.
"Well, how now, Bill? What has frighted thee?" said Robin Cursemother; and his companions added their questions to the panting newcomer.
