The three were brought forth into the yard, together, as it resounded
through the air. They knew its import well.
'D'ye hear?' cried Hugh, undaunted by the sound. 'They expect us!
I heard them gathering when I woke in the night, and turned over on
t'other side and fell asleep again. We shall see how they welcome the
hangman, now that it comes home to him. Ha, ha, ha!'
The Ordinary coming up at this moment, reproved him for his indecent
mirth, and advised him to alter his demeanour.
'And why, master?' said Hugh. 'Can I do better than bear it easily? YOU
bear it easily enough. Oh! never tell me,' he cried, as the other would
have spoken, 'for all your sad look and your solemn air, you think
little enough of it! They say you're the best maker of lobster salads in
London. Ha, ha! I've heard that, you see, before now. Is it a good
one, this morning--is your hand in? How does the breakfast look? I hope
there's enough, and to spare, for all this hungry company that'll sit
down to it, when the sight's over.'
'I fear,' observed the clergyman, shaking his head, 'that you are
incorrigible.'
'You're right. I am,' rejoined Hugh sternly. 'Be no hypocrite, master!
You make a merry-making of this, every month; let me be merry, too.
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