 of a
rasher of bacon at the fire in the rusty grate; but as Phil has to sidle round a
considerable part of the gallery for every object he wants, and never brings two
objects at once, it takes time under the circumstances. At length the breakfast
is ready. Phil announcing it, Mr. George knocks the ashes out of his pipe on the
hob, stands his pipe itself in the chimney corner, and sits down to the meal.
When he has helped himself, Phil follows suit; sitting at the extreme end of the
little oblong table, and taking his plate on his knees. Either in humility, or
to hide his blackened hands, or because it is his natural manner of eating.
    »The country,« says Mr. George, plying his knife and fork; »why, I suppose
you never clapped your eyes on the country, Phil?«
    »I see the marshes once,« says Phil, contentedly eating his breakfast.
    »What marshes?«
    »The marshes, commander,« returns Phil.
    »Where are they?«
    »I don't know where they are,« says Phil; »but I see 'em, guv'ner. They was
flat. And miste.«
    Governor and Commander are interchangeable terms with Phil, expressive of
the same respect and deference, and applicable to nobody but Mr. George.
    »I was born in the country, Phil.«
    »Was you indeed, commander?«
    »Yes. And bred there.«
    Phil elevates his one eyebrow, and, after respectfully staring at his master
to express interest, swallows a great gulp of coffee, still staring at him.
    »There's not a bird's note that I don't know,« says Mr. George. »Not many an
English leaf or berry that I couldn't name. Not many a tree that I couldn't
climb yet, if I was put to it. I was a real country boy, once. My good mother
lived in the country.«
    »She must have been a fine old lady, guv'ner,« Phil observes.
    »Ay! and not so old either, five-and-thirty years ago,« says Mr. George.
»But I'll wager that at ninety she would be near as upright as me, and near as
broad across the shoulders.«
    »Did she die at ninety, guv'ner?« inquires Phil.
    »No. Bosh! Let her rest in peace, God bless her!« says the
