beak, resembling a little model of a
fan-light over a street door, or one of the oval glasses out of a pair of
spectacles: which ornamental object has not that tenacious capacity of sticking
to its post that might be desired in an article long associated with the British
army. The old girl's umbrella is of a flabby habit of waist, and seems to be in
need of stays - an appearance that is possibly referable to its having served,
through a series of years, at home as a cupboard, and on journeys as a carpet
bag. She never puts it up, having the greatest reliance on her well-proved cloak
with its capacious hood; but generally uses the instrument as a wand with which
to point out joints of meat or bunches of greens in marketing, or to arrest the
attention of tradesmen by a friendly poke. Without her market- which is a sort
of wicker well with two flapping lids, she never stirs abroad. Attended by these
her trusty companions, therefore, her honest sunburnt face looking cheerily out
of a rough straw bonnet, Mrs. Bagnet now arrives, fresh-coloured and bright, in
George's Shooting Gallery.
    »Well, George, old fellow,« says she, »and how do you do, this sunshiny
morning?«
    Giving him a friendly shake of the hand, Mrs. Bagnet draws a long breath
after her walk, and sits down to enjoy a rest. Having a faculty, matured on the
tops of baggage-waggons, and in other such positions, of resting easily
anywhere, she perches on a rough bench, unties her bonnet-strings, pushes back
her bonnet, crosses her arms, and looks perfectly comfortable.
    Mr. Bagnet, in the meantime, has shaken hands with his old comrade, and with
Phil: on whom Mrs. Bagnet likewise bestows a good-humoured nod and smile.
    »Now, George,« said Mrs. Bagnet, briskly, »here we are, Lignum and myself;«
she often speaks of her husband by this appellation, on account, as it is
supposed, of Lignum Vitæ having been his old regimental nickname when they first
became acquainted, in compliment to the extreme hardness and toughness of his
physiognomy; »just looked in, we have, to make it all correct as usual about
that security. Give him the new bill to sign, George, and he'll sign it like a
man.«
    »I was coming to you this morning,« observes the trooper, reluctantly.
    »Yes, we thought you'd come to