‘only my limbs are rather out of sorts, and I am wheeled about. With the exception of my limbs and my breath, howsoever, I am as hearty as a man can be, I’m thankful to say.’

I congratulated him on his contented looks and his good spirits, and saw, now, that his easy-chair went on wheels.

‘It’s an ingenious thing, ain’t it?’ he inquired, following the direction of my glance, and polishing the elbow with his arm.

‘It runs as light as a feather, and tracks as true as a mail-coach. Bless you, my little Minnie — my grand-daughter you know, Minnie’s child — puts her little strength against the back, gives it a shove, and away we go, as clever and merry as ever you see anything! And I tell you what — it’s