Both wore their clothes
so easily--for he who wore them reversed had evidently been measured with
a view to this absurd fashion--that it was plain their dress was
habitual.
My father was alarmed as well as astounded, for he saw that what little
plan of a campaign he had formed must be reconstructed, and he had no
idea in what direction his next move should be taken; but he was a ready
man, and knew that when people have taken any idea into their heads, a
little confirmation will fix it. A first idea is like a strong seedling;
it will grow if it can.
In less time than it will have taken the reader to get through the last
foregoing paragraphs, my father took up the cue furnished him by the
second speaker.
"Yes," said he, going boldly up to this gentleman, "I am one of the
rangers, and it is my duty to ask you what you are doing here upon the
King's preserves."
"Quite so, my man," was the rejoinder. "We have been to see the statues
at the head of the pass, and have a permit from the Mayor of Sunch'ston
to enter upon the preserves. We lost ourselves in the thick fog, both
going and coming back."
My father inwardly blessed the fog. He did not catch the name of the
town, but presently found that it was commonly pronounced as I have
written it.
"Be pleased to show it me," said my father in his politest manner.
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