Clerkenwell is very disagreeable,
but we are obliged to live here."
"If Clerkenwell is so bad, all the more honour to you for your
triumph."
"Oh, I don't know about honour; my husband says it is simply my
nature."
"Nature! All the better. I could never live with anybody who was
always trying and trying and struggling. I believe in Nature. Don't
you?"
This was an abstract inquiry beyond Mrs. Zachariah's scope. "It is
some people's nature to like to be tidy," she contented herself with
observing; "and others do not care for it."
"Oh, perhaps it is because I am a soldier, and accustomed to order,
that I care for it above everything."
Mrs. Zachariah started for a moment. She reflected. She had
forgotten it--that she was talking to an officer in His Majesty's
service.
"Have you seen much fighting, sir?"
"Oh, well, for the matter of that, have had my share. I was at
Talavera, and suffer a good deal now in damp weather, from having
slept so much in the open air."
"Dear me, that is very hard! My husband is rheumatic, and finds
Tarver's embrocation do him more good than anything. Will you try it
if I give you some?"
"With profound gratitude.
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