old girl said it wouldn't do; intention good,
but want of flexibility; try the bassoon. The old girl borrowed a bassoon from
the bandmaster of the Rifle Regiment. I practised in the trenches. Got on, got
another, get a living by it!«
    George remarks that she looks as fresh as a rose, and as sound as an apple.
    »The old girl,« says Mr. Bagnet in reply, »is a thoroughly fine woman.
Consequently, she is like a thoroughly fine day. Gets finer as she gets on. I
never saw the old girl's equal. But I never own to it before her. Discipline
must be maintained!«
    Proceeding to converse on indifferent matters, they walk up and down the
little street, keeping step and time, until summoned by Quebec and Malta to do
justice to the pork and greens; over which Mrs. Bagnet, like a military
chaplain, says a short grace. In the distribution of these comestibles, as in
every other household duty, Mrs. Bagnet develops an exact system; sitting with
every dish before her; allotting to every portion of pork its own portion of
pot-liquor, greens, potatoes, and even mustard! and serving it out complete.
Having likewise served out the beer from a can, and thus supplied the mess with
all things necessary, Mrs. Bagnet proceeds to satisfy her own hunger, which is
in a healthy state. The kit of the mess, if the table furniture may be so
denominated, is chiefly composed of utensils of horn and tin, that have done
duty in several parts of the world. Young Woolwich's knife, in particular, which
is of the oyster kind, with the additional feature of a strong shutting-up
movement which frequently balks the appetite of that young musician, is
mentioned as having gone in various hands the complete round of foreign service.
    The dinner done, Mrs. Bagnet, assisted by the younger branches (who polish
their own cups and platters, knives and forks), makes all the dinner garniture
shine as brightly as before, and puts it all away; first sweeping the hearth, to
the end that Mr. Bagnet and the visitor may not be retarded in the smoking of
their pipes. These household cares involve much pattening and counter-pattening
in the back yard, and considerable use of a pail, which is finally so happy as
to assist in the ablutions of Mrs. Bagnet herself. That old girl reappearing
by-and-by, quite fresh, and sitting down to her needlework, then and only