"
"I think I can answer for that, ma'am," the young carpenter said with
a quiet smile.
"Very well. Still, we had better have it settled. Will you go over
to-day and see her? and then by to-morrow Mr. Tallboys and I will have
talked the matter over and settled about the other points. Of course
you will tell her not to give notice until she has heard from you as
to what she is to say about me."
"Very well, ma'am. I will start at once."
"I can arrange about the character," Mr. Tallboys said when they were
alone. "I have a cousin in London, to whom I shall write and explain
the matter, and who will, I am sure, oblige me by writing to say that
Ann Sibthorpe is all that can be desired as a servant: steady, quiet,
industrious and capable. Well, I really congratulate you, Mrs. Conway.
At first I thought your project a hopeless one; now I think you have
every chance of success."
CHAPTER X.
ON DETACHMENT.
Ralph was soon at home in the regiment. He found his comrades a cheery
and pleasant set of men, ready to assist the newly-joined young
officers as far as they could. A few rough practical jokes were
played; but Ralph took them with such perfect good temper that they
were soon abandoned.
He applied himself very earnestly to mastering the mystery of drill,
and it was not long before he was pronounced to be efficient, and he
was then at Captain O'Connor's request appointed to his company, in
which there happened to be a vacancy for an ensign.
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