Under the Greenwood Tree

m the innermost stratum of the adjoining sand-pit lightly scattered thereupon. Then were produced large knives and forks, which had been shrouded in darkness and grease since the last occa

t. And finally the tranter had to stand up in the room and let his wife wheel him ro

ve been for the scis

s still as a sentin

a like trimming of a slightly-frayed edge visible on his shirt-collar; and a final tug at a grey hair — to all of which op

ther turn round, and picking several of Smiler’s hairs from the shoulder of his coat. Reuben’s thoughts seemed engaged elsewhere, and he yawned. “

e, I suppose. I always did get in

fat as a porpoise — wi’ his low, mean, ‘How’st do, Ann?’ whenever he meets me. I’d ‘How’st do’ him

ek-days, I must

r ’em, poor things! None of my family were sich vulgar sweaters, not one of ’em

tranter appeared to have heard some such words from his wife before, and hence his answer

could wish to have, and lined inside, and double-lined in the lower parts, and an extra piece of stiffening at the bottom. And ’tis a nice high cut that comes up right under your armpits, and there’s enough turned down inside the seams to make half a pair more, b

should have possessed more merits and general interest as playthings than any other articles in the house, is a question for nursing mothers to decide. However, the humour seemed to lie in the result being, as has been seen, that any given player with these articles was in the long-run daubed w

f development which accords with ten o’clock p.m. in rural assemblies. At that

the tranter. “That l

till Christmas-day is out,” said old William emphatically. “Whe

s only fair and honourable to the sky-folk to have it a sit-still party. Jigging parties be all very well on the Dev

ad accidentally got into Mr.

ally with a little beverage added! And dancing is good. But why disturb what is ordai

ill after twelv

d a certain weakness in his handling of domestic matters. The hopes of the younger members of the household were therefore relegated to a distance of one hour

izzed forth the last stroke, Dick appeared ready primed, and the instruments were boldly handled; old William very

e-glasses, that he seemed almost as tall as the tranter. Mr. Shiner, age about thirty-five, farmer and church-warden, a character principally composed of a crimson stare, vigorous breath, and a watch-chain, with a mouth hanging on a dark smile but never smiling, had come quite willingly to the party, and showed a wondrous

etty nose. Add to this, plentiful knots of dark-brown hair, a gauzy dress of white, with blue facings; and the slightest idea may be gained of the young maiden who showed, amidst the rest of the dancing-ladies, like a flower among vegetables. And so the dance proceeded. Mr. Shiner, according to the interesting rule laid down, deserted his own partner, and made off down the middle with this fair one of Dick’s — the pair appearing from the top of the room like two persons tripping down a lane to be married. Dick trotted behind with what was intended to be a look of composure, but which was, in fact, a rather silly expression of feature — implying, with too much earnestness, that such an elopement could not be tolerated. Then they turned and came back, when Dick grew more rigid around his mouth, and blushed with ingenuous ardour as he joined hands with the rival

y against the ears sustaining them. Mrs. Crumpler — a heavy woman, who, for some reason which nobody ever thought worth inquiry, danced in a cle

from the features of their masculine partners; when skirts begin to be torn out of their gathers; when elderly people, who have stood up to please their juniors, begin to feel sundry small tremblings in the region of the knees, and to wish the interminable d

pleasantly with one partner as with another; yet he could not help suggesting to himself that she need no

dly to Mr. Shiner, before the latter man’s watc

her partner took no notice, and proceeded with the

elf as he watched them. They came to the top again, Fancy s

of something else to demolish him with; casting off h

cast off for any ma

you ought

the name of Lizzy — called Liz

lf have much feeling for

a friend and neighbour is set against it. Not but that ’tis a terr

in the dance; and a man has hardly any right to hack and mangle what was ordained by the regular d

n very well; I cast off for no

w far an argument with a formidable rival ought to be carried, when that rival was his mother’s guest. The dead-lock was put a

tongue can tell!” He looked around and endeavoured to give, by

med one of th

uxiliary tone, “Reuben a

such a class of affliction required, by trying

as limp as no starch at all,” continued Mrs. Dewy, her countenance lapsing

— come, come!” said the tranter; and the conv