SCENE--_An open space near Baymouth, the watering-place at which the
County Yeomanry have been going through their annual training. Along
one side of the ground is a row of drags and other carriages,
occupied by the local magnates; along another, the less distinguished
spectators stand in a thin line or occasional groups, waiting for the
review to begin. In the centre, the inspecting officer is judging the
best turned-out troop, while the remainder of the regiment are doing
nothing in particular._
_Yeomanry Non-Com._ (_who is leading an officer's horse and talking to
a female friend of his and her brother with the sense of conferring a
distinction upon them_). Ah, 'tis not all play this yere trainin',
I do assure ye. I've been so 'ard-worked all the week, with all the
writin' I've had to do at the orderly room and thet, I've 'ardly 'ad
time to _live!_ But I like it, mind ye, I like it more every year I
come out and so does my old 'errse, a' b'lieve. And there's this about
it too--the girls don't come errfter a feller!
_The Young Lady._ Well, I'm sure! Now _I_ should have thought when
you're in the Yeomanry, it was just what----
_The Y. N.-C._ Tain't so--not in my case--that's all I can tell ye.
_The Y. L._ (_with coquettish incredulity_). Oh, I daresay. With that
uniform, too! Why, I expect, if the truth was told, you know more than
one young lady who's glad enough to be seen about with you.
_The Y. N.-C._ (_complacently_). More than one! Why, theer wurr eight
I took out in a boat for a moonlight row on'y lawst night--nawn o'
_my_ seekin', but they wouldn't take no denial. _I_ didn't want to
be bothered with 'en. I've got other things to do besides squirin' a
passel o' wimmin folk about, I hev.
_The Y. L._ You conceited thing, you! If that's the way you go on, I
shan't talk to you any more!
_The Y. N.-C._ Well, you won't hev th' opportunity, for theer's the
Captain calling me up. So long--and take care o' yerselves!
[_He trots off, feeling that he has sufficiently impressed
them_.
_The Y. L._ (_to her brother, with the superiority that comes of a
finishing school with all the extras_). Distinctly "country," isn't
he?
_Her Brother._ Well, he can't help _that_. And he rides as straight as
any chap I know.
_The Y. L._ Oh, he's a real good fellow, I know that; still he _is_
just a little ---- I did hope I'd polished him up a little while we
were at the farm last summer; but there, I suppose you _can't_ put
refinement into some people!
_Another Young Lady_ (_to her_ Admirer). I can't make GEORGE out yet
among them all--can _you?_
_Her Admirer_ (_and_ GEORGE'S _rival_). Cawn't say as I've tried,
partickler. But there's one there in the rear rank that hes a look of
him; that one settin' all humped up nohow on his 'errse.
_The Adored One._ Oh, of course, if you're going to make out as GEORGE
can't sit on a horse!
_Her Admirer_ (_sulkily_). Well, I'd back myself to ride 'cross
country agen GARGE any day.
_The Adored One._ Then why don't _you_ join the Yeomanry, like _he_
has?
_Her Admirer_ (_who would if he could afford it_). Why? 'Cause 'taint
worth my while, if you want to know!
_The Adored One._ I'm sure it's a smart enough uniform--at least
GEORGE looks quite 'andsome in it.
_Her Admirer._ He didn't look very 'andsome when I see him on parade
this marnin'; the sun had peeled his nose a treat!
_The Adored One._ It's well there are _some_ who are willing to make
sacrifices for their country!