"nay, the major has been abed this hour or more," said the lady of the scarlet petticoat; "and it would be to little purpose to disturb him to-night, seeing his evening draught was of the strongest. but he is a kind-hearted man, and it would be as much as my life's worth to let a kinsman of his turn away from the door. you are the good old gentleman's very picture, and i could swear that was his rainy-weather hat. also he has garments very much resembling those leather small-clothes. but come in, i pray, for i bid you hearty welcome in his name."