'If they were to know you had come back, Mark, they'd have
a bonfire in the street, late as it is.'
'But they mustn't know it to-night, my precious soul,' said Mark; 'so
have the house shut, and the kitchen fire made up; and when it's all
ready, put a light in the winder, and we'll come in. One more! I long
to hear about old friends. You'll tell me all about 'em, won't you; Mr
Pinch, and the butcher's dog down the street, and the terrier over the
way, and the wheelwright's, and every one of 'em. When I first caught
sight of the church to-night, I thought the steeple would have choked
me, I did. One more! Won't you? Not a very little one to finish off
with?'
'You have had plenty, I am sure,' said the hostess. 'Go along with your
foreign manners!'
'That ain't foreign, bless you!' cried Mark. 'Native as oysters, that
is! One more, because it's native! As a mark of respect for the land we
live in! This don't count as between you and me, you understand,' said
Mr Tapley. 'I ain't a-kissing you now, you'll observe. I have been among
the patriots; I'm a-kissin' my country.'
It would have been very unreasonable to complain of the exhibition of
his patriotism with which he followed up this explanation, that it was
at all lukewarm or indifferent.
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