since Eden. 'Twas gladness but to see them. And all, moreo'er, was so well with Lord Robert, who,

l the winds a-singing. All at once comes my lord, and sets his hand on my shoulder. Then

that she is out

ce, "The Queen hath sen

our I must be gone. Say naught to thy mistress. I will go don a sui

at we heard the voice of my lady without, and she sang a song of the spr

O!

wslips

und's all g

eedwel

up s

t seems t

lady-

lver

the son

humb

rts w

s me for

rip, th

if y

will lend

ass i

ack, bl

rest in th

, old man as I was, and bending down his head upon it. And I did stay him wit

But when she noted the soldierly fashioning of his dress, and the sword girt at his thigh, she opened her lips as though to cry

nto him, "Tell m

Sweetheart, my Queen hath bidden me c

h naught, on

Go not! Else wilt thou kill me." And so spea

ian, do tilt pell-mell into Lord Robert, who hat

old him all. Never a word said he, but went straightway and got up

t there was ne'er a thought in the breast of any for

d himself for the earl (having acquainted the Queen with the circumstances-and he being, moreover, so g

ady when their child was born, but

ted. And even it was said that the Queen mourned for him, and did

ning sky, so pales the orb of sorrow bef

rs would spring to my lady's eyes heard she but his n

I, leaning from the window that overlooks th

ves-the red mule-pinks, and dame's-violets, such as are sweet o' evenings, but marvellous fair to look upon both by sunlight and moonlight. And the south wall was all thick with

at my lady's kirtle was all of white and gold, like the lilies, knotted in her waistband), she looked up on a sudden, and lo! there was the master coming along over the grass t

t and face; ay, and withal over her very bosom. And she put up one white hand, with he

id pleasure him both far and near. And when he was approached, he stood, still wi

n arm, and smiled right knowingly; whereat my lord did pluck the great plume out o' his hat and lay it a

child to her, and pressed them agains

in our hearts that we tu

IER LASS

WOR

d Turnip, before the "Red D

ish a bath in his own sack, for that he served us in a foul jerkin? By'r lay'kin, those were days! Well, well, to meet thee thus! Though, believe it or not, as thou wilt, I had such a pricking i' my thumbs but an hour gone that I was of a mind to roar you like any babe with a pin in his swaddling-bands. Thou wast my beau-peer i' those times; and we are kin by profession, moreover. How be Mistress Turnip

my old pate how that thou hast not been in these parts since my Keren could 'a' walked under a blackberry-bramble without so much as tousling her tresses. Well, a grew up a likely lass, I can tell thee! Sure thou mindest why we-my wife and I-did come to call her Keren? Go to! Thou dost! 'Tis the jest o' th' place to this day. Well, then, if thou dost not, I'll be at the pains o' telling thee; for methinks 'twas a wise thought. We did christen her Keren-Happuch; "for," quoth my wife, "when that we be pleased with her, we can call her Keren-which is as sweet-sounding a name as a maid can have; and, on the other hand, when we be wroth with her, we can call her Happuch-which sure would be a rough name even for thy trotting mare Bellibone." Ha! ha! And thereby, comrade, hangs another tale, as Master Shakespeare was wont to say.

, with what breath there was left to her. "By my troth, I think s

n as a holly leaf, by my troth. So be it. 'Twas one day nigh unto Martlemas that old Butter did

her little brown arms akimbo-quoth she, "Since the Lord hath not made m

er tongue, and a peppery temper, jade; a

t, I'm glad I have 't not," quoth she; for she had heard it read, in some meeting whither her mother would sometimes take her, of how the fowls o' the air did lod

Master Shakespeare known of 't, how he would 'a' fashioned it into a jolly play. Tell thee of 't? What! art in earnest?

hast thou e'er seen so crack-brain a wench as my Keren! Lord! it set thy head to swimming did she but enter a room. She had no more stability o' motion than a merry-go-round; and she was that brown, a bun looked pale i' th' comparison, when she did lift it to her mouth to eat it. A strapping jade, and strong as any lad o' her age i' th' village. In her seeming she took neither after her mother nor after me, though she was a comely wench as wenches go-hair as black as a January night in stormy weather, and eyes as big and as bright and as yellow (o' my word)-as yellow as two crown pieces! They looked out from under her thick eyebrows like sunlight peeping from a heavy cloud. And she was made like a lad for suppleness. Taller than her mother by head and shoulders, and within a full inch o' my forelock. By'r lay'kin!

, sweet Mist

not looki

u li

with his mouth as wide as

t," saith she, "when all the w

id fall a-gr

s thee I praise, and not thy name. And I will

either to lose or to wi

g and all (though I would 'a' laid two cows and a lamb they couldn't 'a' reache

the seat o' his breeches and the collar o' his jerkin, and did souse him head first into the

swear on th' book). And when she caught sight o' me she too fell a-laughing, and quoth she to me, "I have spoiled a good brew for thee, father, but 'twas worth the paying for." And therewith she did out with the worth o' the sack from her purse, which she always carried in her bosom, after a fashion inherited from her mother, and counted down the silver into my hand. I took it, for I

a primrose that hath but just ventured out on a day in early spring. Moreover, she was a timid, sweet-voiced creature-the kind o' wench that makes even a weak man feel strong, ye mind, comrade. But a was ne'er o'er-civil to my lass. Neither did Keren waste

hile that she was on a visit to her aunt in Dancing Marston, and that he had come to Pebworth to wed with her. All would 'a' been well had not it come to Keren's ears how that Mistress Ruth said that she would bring Master Hacket

, spiteful cat! But I'll cut her claws for her! Do thou bide and mark me, father. Ay

e aloft in a throne made all o' dark red roses, and her dark curls crowned with a wreath o' corn and o' poppies, that shined in the sunlight like to gold strewn all with

nd me of naught so much as of a lamb trotting by the side of a forest doe-the one so meek

beam that follows a dark stream. And I saw that they talked together, and nodded as though agreeing on something, and looked together at my lass where she sat on her flower-throne with her poppy-crown, and her lips like poppies. And all at once she turned and saw them, and her lips parted over her white teeth in a sudden smile, as when a kirtle o' red silk dot

rees, and all the lads fallen to 't with their sickles, while that they were

man, but I do know that I can

rks young Hacket's sickle from his hand, and, having turned back the sl

brown arms the tumbling grain did fall like gold about her, so that she seemed to be trampling upon her treasures after a manner truly royal. Also a red came into her shadowy cheeks, like as though a scarlet flower tossed

l." And, behold! when I was come up to them with a drink o' water in a gourd, there was the blood falling down

y word, lass, thou art deeply

'tis nothing, and belike if thou look upon it 'twill spoil thy di

d I had torn a strip off of her kirtle wherewith to

erily believe thou thinkest

ould not believe my ears. "

'll lay thee my heifer, father, that Mistress Ruth's sweetheart co

ourtesy, and did get her back to t

to get to heaven, I was so taken aback with the hussy's cunning

he day after that he came, and yet a th

aking to Keren as she sat spinning i' th' door-way, "Happuch," s

Happuch," I did prick up my ears, as 't

ords to-day, mother," quoth th

y favors to the sweetheart o' an

is the sweetheart o' an

half so big as her child, was in nowise less valian

why?" sai

uch," saith my wife; whereat up sta

me?" saith she, hurling her spindle upon the floor, and tightening bot

h her mother, with all composure, looking at the lin

ping with her foot. "Why didst thou not

r Zebub is a suiting name for a woman, and, furthermore, that tho

at the girl was like to split wit

uch," sa

irl," saith I, hoping t

saith my

so that I would have neither my wife nor my daughter upon me,

bounce out o' the house without more ado, and spent that nigh

ight reason with her as to her treatment o' th' lass-"wife," saith I, amiably, and, as I thoug

d as for the why o' that wherefore, though thou shouldst smirk till doo

angered, as I think thou

e to keep thy co

y my vixen, and did spend more than

cket! and if e'er a woman was possessed o' a devil, 'twas just that lass o' mine then, comrade. She had caused young Hacket to cli

m going to sing thee a

b o' th' tree, and looked down on her. Now, as I live, down went that jade on her knees in the grass, and

Robin, w

s stale wit

do as o

, love, to

ll make l

other ma

eyes my R

ds own no

uscious

flower so f

obin, he

l's in lov

will you

n my kne

rd I'll

their swee

s I live

d me, Robin

ipe pomewater at her side, and takes her about the waist, and sets his mouth to hers (all in a twink, comrade; thou hadst not time

e that snail-coming new moon doth thrust out her

push him away that she did mightily relish his kisses; for, by my troth! had she sought to scuffle with

ng to scowl, "How now, thou

verity I do!" quoth he.

He pardon me if I be too free with His holy name!)-just, I say, as I was asking Him to show me in what wise to proceed, up goes her

gs on with Ruth Visor," saith she. "Thou'lt ne'er blind me with thy pretty sp

upon it with both his arms, and support his chi

marry her!" So saith he-every word o't. By my troth, comrade, an I had not had so much the advantage by having my nippers in my hand, I would 'a' thrashed him then and there. But, "fair play" b

hough I had often reasoned with Joe on account o' th' name, first because o' its irreverence, second on account o' th' horse not being that kind o' a horse, as 'twas a mare)-"for," saith I,

finished, I did pull down th' sleeves o' my shirt,

ere and sit u

halt see a hawk rest wings on a bull's back), and she kittles my throat with her long brown fingers, and hugs me about the neck (the jade! a knew I was for scolding her), and saith she, "Well, father, here be I." Methinks I can

e; "and now that here thou be," saith I

jade! a had a way with her to 'a' made Bess herself yearn for

ight she did," saith I; "for I saw thee strive to graft a

n a breath, and bouncing from my knee-"t

eing in some sort thy Creator, and thou having set up for thyself an Eden in my

swering me, thu

f an husband," quoth I, "to do both

saith she, "and I do pr

I, "is Davy Short h

ever lived!" quoth she; "a

on keeping my temper. "What dost thou

new link, 'tis that one," saith she. "And, w

Nanfan Speckl

name," quoth she,

eel Spittlewig

ackling body, a might hold together long enough to go through th

k Stirthepot, th

ith a witch ere a brewed a

to Reuben Puf

g up the pail wherein she had brought my victuals, "may thy first

g Edward with all my might, "by cock and pye!" said I, "an a wants him let a have him. 'Tis more than his dessert, I'll warrant," so quoth I. "And as for Dame Visor's hu

on if I have sauced thee; but dost no

orse, and sh

little col

ther, and ne'er will my

I had spat forth my mouth

, looking in at th' window, behold, there was that hussy Ruth a-plucking of Keren by th' kirtle, and Ke

eet, wench. This is neither

be in trouble o' some sort)

my joy is in him. If thou takest him from me, better d

e on thee to say it o' an

wench-"shame to 'a' lost him, and shame that I s

to! I have not got him t

l and body-soul and body! And thou dost not care; and

is as clear in my mind as though '

hee to say so," s

about her, and would no

re to me than the heart in my wretched body! And a had vowed to wed me; and 'twas next month we were to be wed; and all so happy-my father and my mother so pleased, and his folks do like me well; and my wedding-gown all sewn and lain away, and the ribbons for my shoes, and some kickshaws for th' new house; and all we so glad, and all going s

r pan, and she looks down on th' hussy, as a horse might look do

ether or no thou s

r clasped hands to heaven-saith she, "

the cupboard. And again she stands, slowly wiping her hands on her apron, and looking down at th

thou wouldst

n! give me back my Ro

me to him for m

a word, still a-hiding of her face in her kirtle, and turns to go, a-feeling her way with one o' her little hands. But when she hath reached th' door, and hath got one foot on the threshold, up strides that lass

do with such a little ninny? There! dry your eyes. Ye shall have your Robin, never fear. God-a-mercy! at what

Heaven forgive me for all such words as e'er I

ather'll be coming home to sup erelong, and I would not he found thee thus. Away with thee! and fret no more: dost hear? If I hear that thou hast moped any furthe

avior that I had got me from th' lattice and was

alf drowned and is coming back to life. And I knew then, I knew then, comrade. I had thought a loved th' boy; and I knew then. So I got me out, without making any clatter, and I sat me down on a bench outside th' kitchen door to think 't over; and, by cock and pye, man, ne'er a thought could I think for th' tears in my eyes.

knowest the lane I mean, comrade: 't lies atween Cowslip Meadow and th' pool i' th' hollow-Sweethearts' Way, they call 't)-well, as I was getting o'er th' style-as I had just got me o'er by one leg, after this fashion, ye mind; as though this chair here were th

il," say I. "

ter pulling at my heels like as though a fiend had got him, a scuttles into th' thicket, for no cause, as I could see, but to give me th' benefit o' example. So in goes I after him. Scarce was I settled

me reason to believe that thou didst love me?" quoth he. "No more cause than I've given to twenty better than thee!" quoth she. "Shame on thee to say 't, thou bold-faced jig!" saith he; "shame on thee, I say! and so will say all honest folk when I tell 'em o' 't." "An thou tell it, the more fool thou," saith she; and a draws up her red lips into a circle as though a'd had a drawstring in 'em, and a stands and looks at him as a used to stand and look at her dam whe

e leans on him with all her pretty self, as though begging him to take her against her own will,

again!" And she leaps back from him, and points with her arm-as stiff and steady as th' tail o' a sportsman's dog-towards th' vil

ed teeth, like as 'twere a dog gnarling in his throat, "curse ye for a false jade!" saith he; "Curse ye for as black-hearted a

e, like th' eyes o' some dumb thing as cannot word its sorrow; and all at once she falls upon her knees, and thence upon her forehead on the ground, and afterwards to her whole length, with her strong hands grasping th' flowers and grass on either side o' her, and tearing them up with th' crackling noise that a horse makes when 't grazes. But no sound escapes her, whether a sigh or a groan. Well, well, comrade, I cry thee patie

rburdened doth get him to his feet, and she holds out both her arms i' th' direction where th' lad hath vanished,

she saith, "show me how to bear 't! My God, my God, show me how to bear 't." And she got to her feet, and sped down th' lane like one blind, running first into th' hawthorn bushes o' this side, then into th' quickset hedge o' th' other, and tearing out her loosened tresses on th' low-hanging branches o' th' pear-trees, so that I traced her by her hair i' th' twigs, like as thou wouldst tr

de, I will commemorate this our first meeting in eight years by confessing to thee that my wife (in thy ear, comrade)-that my wife was a scold. Sometimes I do verily think as how women like Mistress Lemon be sent unto men to

lding wife is not well paid for by a duteous daughter. Nay, I am sure o't. Methinks I would 'a' been

th' day whereon he and my Keren had 't so fierce i' Sweethearts' Way. And therein are two me

art o' sack with thee, comrad

s I sat by the fireside i' th' kitchen a-mending my tools (for 'twas on a Saturday night

ols, as I ha' said), "wife," quoth I, "

ith she. No m

y I think a lass is happier wed

of an apple so that thou couldst 'a' put his whole

having so snared her, "Right glad am I t

greater than Columbus," quoth she, "for thou'st

a-losing of my temper-"then

I will say as I ha' got the

hat if I did open my lips or move my hand 'twould be

ay'kin, wilt thou find a man good enoug

ther in this land nor that ot

ing of 'em how to use their wings," quoth she. "Or with one o' th' red men i' th' new country, to have them piebald red and white, like a cock-horse at Banbury Cross," qu

ads left her more to herself, and she would sit on th' bench by the cottage door and make little kickshaws by th' hour-elder-wood whistles, and dolls o' forked radishes, and what not. So quoth I, "Belike 'tis little Marjory Pebble," quoth I, and th' lass having her lap full o' my apron, I went and opened th' door. And there, comrade, a-kneeling in th' grass outside, with her head all hid in her kirtle, as she had kneeled two years agone on t'ot

Keren, honey. So so! What

one! he's gone! They've taken him to work on th' big seas-and our chil

to follow her unto its dam; and she half pulls and half carries th' wench into th' house, and seats her on a low stool i' th' chimney-corner, and kneels down aside of her. And when I be come with th' drink, she takes the cup out o' my hand, and makes th

e occurred to me how that the Lord might 'a' given such as could not provide for themselves a coat o' wool or o' hair that would 'a'

comrade. Not so? Well, drink, drink, then, that I may f

ame o' pity," so saith I-"what i' th' name o' pity is to become o' the poor la

ng those gold-colored eyes o' hers on mine (methinks they were coined o' th' same wedge as her heart o' gold)-"father," saith

ut that each one is blessed with a separate blessing!" And what with my love for her, and my admiring of her goodness, and my pride in her,

'er one o' your ticklish sort). I stood it bravely, however, seeing how she loved me, and kissed her too whensoever I

, and as how th' wench had a way o' managing her mother which sure none could 'a' had that were not of her own flesh). And that night, when her mother was retu

sy as ne'er had a civil word for any o' us! Thou hast given her bed-room under my roof without so muc

the lass, standing with one arm reached out across the door-way, like a

fe. "How? dost take any stray cat to kitten in

Then, changing all suddenly her tone, and dropping down her arm from the door, "Go an thou like," saith she, "to abuse the poor creature who hath come to ask thy help in time o' trouble; but ju

nto a chair, as though she would break it in pieces for very rage; but being waxed sulky, and her own w

ty a babe as e'er I clapt eyes on, and Keren a-dangling of him a

lass?" quoth she. "Wilt

aith the poor little dam

sh on a guinea-flower!" saith Ke

p o' th' babe's head (as 'twas permitted me

roken already these two years. And one day, as she kneels beside th' cradle-Ruth having gone to see her folks for th' day-I come in unknown to her, and stand to watch th' pretty sight. There kneels she, and Ruth's red shawl o'er her head to please th' child (Keren ne'er had any bright colors o' her own those days)-there kneels she, I say, beside the cradle, and kittles him with her nimble fingers, and digs him i' th' ribs after a fashion that would sure 'a' run me crazy (though it hath ne'er yet been proven what a young babe cannot endure at the hands o' women), and punches and pokes and worries him, for all th' world like a kitten worrying a flower. And he, lying on his back, kicks with both feet at her face, and winds all his hands in her long hair, and laughs, and bubbles, and makes merry, after the fashion o' a spring stream among many stones. And by-and-by a change falls o'er her, and she waxes very solemn, and sits down on th' floor by th' edge o' th' cradle, with one arm upon 't and her head on

e drops down his arms from about them, as though smitten from behind by a sword, and he staggers and leans against th' table, and lets fall his head upon his breast, staring straight in front o' him. But she stands looking upon him. And I got me out with all speed; so ne'er knew I more o' what passed between 'em, saving that he did take away Ruth with him th' next day, and she as happy as a bird whose mate hath co

g as like mine own as though th' mare's skin whereof mine was fashioned had, as 'twere, foaled a smaller one for th' lass-ha! ha!-and her sleeves rolled up from her brown arms, and th' cords a-standing out on them like th' veins in a horse's shoulder. And so would she stand, and work th' bellows at th' forge, until, what with th' red light from the fire on her face, and on her hair, and on her bare arms, I was minded o' th' angel that walked i' the fiery furnace with th' men in holy writ. And when a pounded away a

set o'er again. But th' lass ne'er gave out once. Late and early, fair weather or foul, a was at th' forge; and a came to be known for as good a smith as there was in all War

s a little lass-there rides up a young gallant, all dressed out in velvet and galloon, and a feather in 's hat, and lon

er Lass o' Piping P

et, and standing with crosse

saith she. "But my n

so sweet a lass,"

ned that old jest with s

arp o' tongu

my arms, not with my

e!" quoth he. "Thou dos

n for the shoeing o' thy horse," quoth she. "So, if thou

for thou hast run down and found my manners when that old hounds have failed." And to her he saith,

hoof in such wise that I could not 'a' done better in her place, though the Queen should ask me to sup afterwards at St. James's. But the stranger could not hold his tongue; and when he saw

hoof with th' hot shoe; "but if she consorts familiarly with such as be above her," so saith she, "me

oung child is trounced, "By my troth," saith he, "an thy brows be not worthy o' a corone

, and looking up at him as he sate again upon his horse

at my meaning with a commendable quickness. Well, and

lowly, and crossing of her arms

their manhood by speaking with insolence unto such honest maids as had never offered them affront." Whereupo

that a came again to th' forge,

' that we thought naught one way or th' other. But when a comes a third time, and yet a fourth and

th I. "But how wi

never fear,

ext time th' gallant comes riding up (that being th' seventh time in all, ye mind)-well, the next time up comes riding he, and

ell thou went for th' shoeing o' thy horse to Timothy Makeshift, as lives in Marigold Lane," saith she. "For if it come to th' ears o' others how that I will shoe a

and he doffs his hat as though my las

born unto th' life thou leadest; and here in thy presence I do ask thy father to bestow upon me th

him, and never so much as a glint o' red in her face. And saith she, "My lord," saith she, "if that thou meanest what thou hast said, thou hast forgotten thine estate and not remembered mine. Since God ha

What! dost thou think I can look on in patience and se

Keren Lemon can follow th' trade o' a farrier," saith she-every blessed word as I tell thee, comrade

at all times and in all weather, and somehow 't gets out i' th' village (though not through my lass, I warrant

e than its shell for an unhatched chick. 'Twas worry, worry, worry, from morn till night, and from night till morn it was worry, w

o be tossed in a blanket," quoth she, "and thou along w

ith I, "I ha' more descendan

" saith she, "and th' wench as very a pudding as e'er fell to pieces for w

sed!" saith I, and lef

box. And ere a could move, out steps a fine dame, with her hair all in hillocks, as 'twere, and a paling o' lace round about her head, like as 't had been a flower-garden, and a farthingale to 'a' covered th' big malt-pot with as little to-do as a hen covers an egg. And up comes she to th' door, and her tire-woman

o' Humfrey Lemon th

and I be he

wench they call th' Farrier Las

ning to think that she might 'a' knoc

h she, as she might 'a'

h I, "most like she's gone

d cause me to feel aught but good-"my good man,"

"thou art ahead o

, "I am the Lady

t," saith I; but ere I could further forget myse

en to th' dame she saith, "Your ladyship," saith she, "I am Keren

but not out o' hearing distan

nd he is determined in his purpose o' ruining his life and th' happiness o' his mother. Therefore I have come to thee, to ask that thou persistest in the course which thou hast begun," saith she. "And here," saith she, "is gold to hold thy tongue concerning my visit unto thee." And therewith she did count down ten

urchin who is at some spot on th' other side o' th' street; and he being come as fast as his little shanks would bring him,

hem return at once with my lady Balfour's carriage," so saith she. Then, th' lad having stuffed all 's doublet with th' gold, she sets him on 's feet, and off a scuttles on th' best-paid errand e'er chance

agonet did himself come to th' cottage th' very next day to see th' lass, and they had many

mankind, not in their birth or purses. I do ask thee, with all respect, to be my wife, and I am prepared to face th' anger o' my mother and o' th' Queen. Ay," saith he, his face gone r

ad not seen tears in h

ion atween us, there is atween us," saith she, "which would hold us as far apart as the sea doth hold this England which we live in and th' new country o' which thou didst speak. For," saith she-and

ee and kisses her long brown hand as though 't had

o' th' little lad and 's mother and father, and always was Ruth a-sending of pretty messages to Keren-h

th' way he used to treat th' lads that came to Amhurste to hire for under-gardeners. He would stand with 's owlish old visage a-set on 's hoe-handle, for all th' world like a fantastic head carved out o' a turnip and set on a stick, and a would let th' lad go on with 's story o' how Dame This commended him for that, and o' how Dame That commended him for this, and o' how a had worked under my lord So-and-So's head-gardener and in my lady So-and-So's own hot-houses; and when a had got through, never a word would old Butter say, but a

a bit puffed up with 's own importance, a's charity ne'er got

me arm, and how that 'twould not mend, up comes galloping a man, like one distraught, and a child on th' saddle afore him, and a flings himself down with th' chil

hath been bit by a mad dog! Help me

ny bull-calf with th' wound in 's little brown arm, and she sees where the beast hath bitten him. Then sets she him down again on my lap, and runs and fetches a bar o' iron and heats it i' th' forge till 'tis white-hot, and all th' time th' poor father a-sobbing, and kissing of th'

tween us, like a hawk that hath been smitten in mid-heaven. Then 'twas, comrade, that th' babe was left to endure his pain as best he might; never thought more did 's father give him that day; but he runs and lifts th' lass in 's strong arms, and bears her

is, and close against his breast, and she lying back in 's arms as though s

n thou wilt have me," quoth he. "I ha' come to marry

eat eyes not moving-saith she-only one word-"Ruth

er. "I know," he saith. "But all's

, like as when the sun doth shine suddenly through April ra

s I be t

be lying in th' arms o' him she loved, after all those w

t thou think thou art? Thou art i

is heaven,"

ome kickshaws i' th' village, that

hear? I will not. And a word o' persuasion i' thy ear, comrade: Mistress Lemon hath been dead this twelvemonth, comrade. Ah ha! Wilt a-come the now? That's well. And thou shalt hear that lass o' mine troll thee "Jog on, jog on,

RUMPET

OR

uary night in the

ace-Nurse Crumpet discovered seated on a settle-At her either knee lean the little

must, I must. Soft! Hold my fan betwixt thy dainty cheeks and the blaze, sweetheart, lest the fire-fiend witch thy roses into very poppy flowers. And thou, my lord, come closer to my side, lest the draught from the bay-window smite thee that thou howlest o' th' morrow with a crick i' thy neck. Well, well, be patient. All in time, in time. Soft, now!

rs would be but ill satisfied lovers un

mannerly lad, Humphrey. Do not thou hee

s he stood at the road-side to let me pass, and what with a root i' th' way, I all but lost my footing. Yet did I swing round alone, holding fast my jug, and ne'er one blessed drop o' water spilled I, for all my tripping. "By'r lay'kin!" quoth he, "thou'rt as light on thy feet as a May wind, and as I live I will dance the Barley Break w

o' the odds and ends o' ribbon and what not he had filched from me when my eyes were elsewhere. And Jock-but 'tis neither here nor there o' Jock. In those days thy grandmother had only one child, a little lass, the Lady Patience. And ne'er was man or maid worse named; for to call such a flibbertigibbet "Patience" were as though one should name a frisksome colt "Slumber," or christen a spring brook "Quiet." Patience, quotha! 'Twas patience in truth a body had need of, who was thrown at all with her little ladyship. But there was ne'er so beautiful a maiden born in all the broad land of England; nor will be again-not though London Tower be standing when the last trump sounds. Meseemed she was an elf-sprite, so tiny was she; and her face like a fair flower, so fresh and pure. Her hair was shed about her fa

d Humphrey in a brea

ry-loving bairns! But I must invent me a

not. We will ne'er like any as wel

ike white threads. Then would the light shoot and spin in her eyes, and her nostrils suck in and out, like those of a fretful horse. And she was fierce after the manner of a man rather than of a maid. Moreo'er, she was full a year younger than the Lady Patience; but she looked it not; rather did her ladyship look full two years younger than Mistress Marian. And I loved them both, and tried as a Christian not to prefer one before the other; but what with my lady's stealings of her arms about my neck as I sat at my stitchery, and popping of comfits in my pocket when I would be otherwise engaged, and teasings, and ticklings, and sundry other pretty witcheries which I do not at this day recall, I was fairly cozened into loving her the best. (Honey, I charge thee hold my fan betwixt thee and the fire.) But to continue.-Mistress Marian was aye courteous and kindly to me as heart could wish, and every night did she thank me i' th' prettiest fashion, when I had combed and unpinned her for the night; but, Lord! I had much ado to get Lady Patience combed or unpinned at all! First would she jump with both knees upon mine, and hug my very breath away; then, when I had at last coaxed her to get down, first she would perch on o

ine pearls, and my lord with her; but my two nurslings waxed shy at the last minute, and would not come down, but leaned and peered through the posts o' the stair-rail, and my little lady let fall one o' her shoes in her eagerness to glimpse at her new cousin. And straightway ran the lad and lifted the wee shoe, and looked upward, laughing, and my lord and lady having retired into the d

d his kiss as he had threatened (knowing as did I, that in ve

rts, and I after him, up and down corridors, in at half-open doors, out upon balconies, hither and thither, after the manner o' my little lady on her most unquiet days, till at last, for the sake o' peace, I did slyly lead him in the direction o' the great nursery. There, catching sight o' a little

nd had kissed her right heartily. Moreo'er, what I did most marvel at, was that she neither cuffed nor sought to cuff him, but dropt down her head until her hair made a veil before her face, and moved that foot whereon he had set her shoe, gently back and forth as though the leather was stiff to her ankle, and I saw that she looked at it from under her heavy hair. But Mistress Marian still held aloof, and chewed upon her dark locks like a heifer on its cud. And her eyes were every whit as dark and solemn as a very cow's. Then the young lord laughed a

ss and a lady both in one? Thou hast not even enough wit to make a

t not fashioned either as goddess or lady, therefore be my comrade, and we will fight together for the weal o' yon

nd I like thee too; therefore

hree fell presently a-chattering like linnets at sunr

m. In all their games Mistress Marian was the little lord's comrade, and wore a helmet o' silvered wood, and carried a wooden sword silvered to match her head-gear

and other wild beasts I know not how to name. Thrice was the little Lord of Radnor in dire straits at the claws o' goblin creatures. Three times did his comrade rescue him by thwacking upon the chair which did represent the dreadful beast, till I was in sore dread there would be n

me of war. And indeed it seemed a safe place, for there were two rusty bolts as big as my arm, one o' th' inside and one o' th' outside, and the creeping things hid all. As thou mightst think, it grew to be their favorite coigne for playing their dragon and princess trickeries. I would sit with my stitchery on a fallen log in the sunshine, while they ran in and out o' th' grewsome hole. But in all their frolicking my little lady could ne'er abide the sight o' their swords, and she pleaded ever for gentler games. One day (I shall

ade edgewise on the boy's pate, laying wide quite a gash above his left eyebrow, so that the blood trickled down his cheek. When she saw that, meseemed all the blood in he

Cross Knight into the bargain, and thou my lady forever. See! I will seal thee with my very blood!" and ere she could draw back, he had set also a cross on her white brow. She shuddered and fell a-weepin

ow in what horror my little lady

to con

Book of Job (God forgive me! but 't has ever seemed like that to me). And we set not eyes on him for eight years. Now in that time, lo! I was married, and my little lady and Mistress Marian in long kirtle

not so ready to talk o' him, only sometimes my little lady would pull down my head as I smoothed the bedclothes over her at night, and quoth she, "Nurse, dost think he will be much changed? My hair hath not dar

nor was to return the next week, and meseemed

but suffice it to say, my lord did cozen them

med hat was on her curls, and her hawk, Beryl, on her fist. And she turned and beheld him. Ne'er did I see verier light in earth or sky, than flashed int

as the ribbon in his sleeves; and when the falcon fretted and shook its bells, he did put out his hand and stroke it,

ves i' th' sunlight, and eyes like the amber drink when men hold it aloft ere quaffing, and his whole countenance bright and eager, and narrow like

ome a footman i' th' castle, did tell me of how he had seen her set forth

he beech-leaves made their heads as like as two crown pieces. Even as I was about to lift up my voice to halloo unto her, lo! my lord doth part the thick branches, and steps forth a little behind her, and stands watching her. And as he did st

self: "Ah, my little lord, so thou hast that trick with thee! God keep my little ladies! for if the tongue be a fire, how must it burn when such a wit doth wag it!" And I determined in my heart that by some means I would warn my lit

some filly when a hare jumps out before it, then stock-still stands she, and her face whit

again,

hild began to whimper and clutch at her kirtle, for she had loosened her hold of him, and he feared falli

on his dark-green doublet, as a white flower-leaf doth upon g

ng some two years a mother, my care was all for the poor little rogue on the deer-hound; 'twas a

ide, and my lady coaxed him o' th' other. Ever and anon my lord would look from the babe to my lady, and then from my lady to the babe. And a smile just lifted the corners o' his mouth, as sometimes a wind will just stir the leaves ere shaking them as with jollity. I foll

y be saplings, then trees. And in truth I knew thee by thy voice ere I look

But thou art g

e answered him without lifting he

know, coz? Proof, proof, I pray thee. Wilt thou not

nto his offer, and Jock having dinned it into my ears ever since our wedding-day, that all women were by nature eavesdrop

ruddy again, and she reached out her hand to him ac

as though he would pierce her lids with his gaze, for her eyes were down, and he saith, "Sweetheart, right gladly will I give this prett

left in dire terror o' his life, and he made up a piteous face, but the dog standing still, he fell to rattlin

ly, almost as rose-leaves unfurl i' th' sun, her white lids curled upward, and her blue eyes peered softly from her yellow locks like corn-flowers through ripe corn, there being a tear in each, as when a r

le rogue off of the hound's back, and lifts up his voice loud enow to be heard across the sea by the red men i' the new continent. And my lady runs and lifts him in

ill o' th' instant, I'll swear thou art a girl, a

is side, scabbard and all, and holds it while the urchin gets astride o't and pretends to ride. When my lord is tired o' stooping, he lifts the child again to his shoulder, and so do they conduct him back to hi

s, and sometimes from a window, and sometimes from a quiet coigne in the great hall (this ve

would coax Lord Ernle's big blood-hound "Valor" to come and lie beside her, she would sit more quiet, almost as though she were asleep. And she woul

ould shake her head, and smile i' th' fashion o' one who knows better than another. But she was a wondrous fair woman, in spite o' her own thinking, and shaped lik

rackets, and i' fecks 'twas a sight to see 'em at it! One day my little lady and Sir Rowland (who was a fair stripling, with curls near the color o' Mistress Marian's, and eyes the tinting o' the far sea on a rainy day) did wander off together, and Mistress Marian and my lord were left alone, seated on a rude bench under one o' th' great

locks and speak. "Comrade," saith he, "wilt thou call me an ass for my p

her eyes still in shadow, saith, "I pray thee say on, Ernl

ttle lady's hand at their first meeting, and he saith, "Comrade, for thou hast e'er been my true and loyal comrade, Marian-swee

in, but snatched it back quickly. And for one heart-beat she shut her eyes. My lord, who had stooped forward to lift her hat, saw none o' this, and when the hat was again upon her brow and its shad

at carried her she was as brave as any Cavalier that ever swung

w dost thou

ld it aloft and opened her hand, palm downward, that the

smyth is no more to Patience than-I a

awing her to him, and he said, "Nay, thou knowest how dear thou

call me Marian to-da

heek, but she started up with a little cry, saying, "By

d not find it, they did seat themselves again, he laughing and sayin

air swept out over the pillow, and thence to the floor, like a stream o' water that reflects a black cloud, but her eyes wide open, looking straight forward, as though at a ghost. And I stole off and sobbed myself to sleep, but not before I had awakened Jock, who did grunt, after

if the good God e'er sent happiness on earth, He did send it to my little lady and to his lordship. 'Twas at this time that Sir Rowland asked M

e across her brow. She put out one hand to keep him from her, and let it rest on his

"Is this

uld both live to see the

n. And when he was gone, for the firs

Ernle, and the long and the short o't was this: His lordship was ordered to ride forth to war, and my little lady only three months his wife. Now when this blow fell u

ers he did start to his feet, saying, "W

him, "He is

ll at once my little lady started up as from a spell, and went and got her arms about him, as in years gone by when she had hurt him with his own mock sword, and she cried out, "What is it? what is it?" Anon came Mistress Marian to his other side, and looked ov

ing, "Tell her, tell her, comrade." And he sank into a

oor of heaven. Ne'er since have I heard a woman utter such cries as those. And no one but Mistress Marian could in any wise appease her, for she would not

young babes. By-and-by she was calmer, and asked to see her lord. So Mistress Marian went out, but I remained on a low stool at the bed's foot. Lord Ernle entered, and she crept into his a

but God. O love, dost truly th

d her even more tenderly

almost in a whisper, "

ling, how dos

our days in peace and love." And she broke out all at once wilder than ever: "Ernle! Ernle! take me! I will go with thee!

k of his teeth, "I must!"

her for answer, lo!

she doth slip her arm through her husband's arm, and saith she, "Come for a walk, Ernle; I have much to say to thee." So they started forth together. Now I, fearful of many things, did follow at a little distance. As they walked she besought him again that he would take her and set

Patience, thou wil

an ill hour was I born, and I have not patience to support it! I thought that thou did

hen the shaft is smitten by lightning. And she cried out again, and said, "As there is a God in heaven, thou dost not love me, an thou canst go to war

ride. Over against the dark jags o' th' hills there ran a narrow streak of light, like a golden ribbon. And the brown clouds above and below it were like locks o' hair made wanton by the wind, which it as a fillet did seek to bind. But they twain walked ever on,

at would I not for thee?" And

thou enter first?-it is so dark." And she stood in th

ng here, sweetheart, but

here may be toads; and when thou art there, hallo

s a prisoner in the cave; I being rooted to the ground with astonishment, as fast as was ever the oak-tree under which I stood. At first he thought 'twas but one o' her pretty trickeries, and I heard his g

her head against the d

ing, I pray thee waste not what l

d again he spake, and his

aid, "canst thou je

wered him, sayi

ewhat, and he said, "

e. Where my forefathers did hide

d voice, "God wil

d-by he spoke again. "Darling," he saith, "

naughty, and knoweth well that it is,

bring dishonor upon me, who have loved thee better than man

ife is more to m

the whispering of the night in the trees above us and the creeping of small creatures through the dry grass. 'Twas almos

ery fierce, and he saith, "Patience

pake neve

t me out to love thee, than k

st the door, until the big

y father and mother, who have been to me even as my own flesh and blood, I will never live with thee aga

e was

e in a cry exceeding sorrowful and bit

t thou with thy own hands take his manhood from thy husband to drag it through the mire? Patience, as I have shared thy childhood, as I have loved and cherished thy girlh

ck the bolt, but she would not. Now to this day when I do think of the fool that I was, not to run without her knowledge and bring the old lord, thy grandfather, or bide my time and unbar the door when she had gone, it seems as though I must hate myself for evermore. But as I pleaded with her, all at once there was something cold against my throa

this to man, or to woman, or to child,

arful oath, coward as I was, and to this day am I a craven when I think on 't. When I had sworn, she turned from me as t

thou dost not unbar the door o' th' instant, I will never hold speech with

We will be happy. 'Tis for that I keep thee here. Speak to me! Ern

nd again she called him, but a dead man speaks no more than spoke her lord. And at last sh

aving as with fever, and all they, her father, and mother, and Mistress Marian, thought that he had ridden away and lef

I had taken the oath, knowing that I would be torn in pieces ere I would betray my trust. When she was come to the door, she kneeled down and leaned her head against

nds for the bread and wine. It is near thee on the right o' th' door

t he would not answer her, she cast herself face down along the ground, and tore up the grass with her hands, and p

nswered the summons. And all they were amazed and looked at one another. The messenger said, moreover, "If that it cannot be proven

ll me as how 'twas already whispered in the village that the young lord had deserted the cause, and had set sail in secret for the New World. Upon this, I straightway swooned again. And

n the door until the morrow, for if she opened it ere then, she knew not but what matters might be righted, and her lord ride to the wars in spite o' all. When

eart! oh, my husband, have pity! If thou wilt never speak to me again, speak to me now. Say but my name, my silly, ill-bestowed name, 'Patience.' Nay, curse me, so I but hear thy voice. Call me what names thou wilt. In God's name, Ernle! In the name o' her who was once thy wife!" And as she knelt and pleaded as a woman with her God, behold! there stepped forth from the coppice Mistress Marian. She stood there like a figure cut in snow, for her kirtle was

s. And the two women stood and gazed into each other's faces, with their throats

e was as a voice that I had never heard,

word, but her

r an instant more, then dashed her

hand did touch the bolt, my lady was upon her like a little tiger, and she

stress Marian. And had not my lady been strong with despair, Mistress Marian could 'a' mastered her o' th' instant. But she fought like a she-wolf brought to bay, with teeth and talons too, and 'twas almost as though two of

o longer, but ran forward, crying to

dared not disobey. So I bound my lady's hands, she saying never a word, and when the girdle was fast knotted, Mistress Marian

oss the threshold, and across my lord as he lay there,

called him again and again. And at last she bade me come to her side, and when we had turned him upon his side so that his face was towards us, behold, he was dead. But Mistress Marian

u art free! Wake,

of God! Dost thou not see that neither

knees, leaning upon one arm.

body, and stirred no more, so that when they came to bear the poor young lord

n front o' me, and lifted up her poor fettered hands meekly, like a little child. And she said, "Nurse, I pray you tell

answer her

id, "Do th

head, for I co

her with a rush, as doth a wind that hath seemed to be gone for aye. And she snapt the girdle on her wrists like as it h

de to war. It is not yet too late. What there, nurse! My lord's charger! Run! run!" Then leaped

h God in

ing again upon the coals. But anon she dropped down beside him, and beat her forehead with the lower palms o' her hands, and she saith, "Well didst thou sign me with

a pretty way to punish me? He feigns it

s Marian, and would touch a stray lock into place, and once she bent over and kissed him, laughing softly, and nodding to herself very wisely. And she would sit that way, and roc

silence, broken only by the little Lady Dorothy's so

E

THE

Howard. Illustrated by Charles

here is no maid like Tony in all fiction; and she is, moreover, the only good thing, which is neither superlatively beautiful nor emphatically a bore, or both, that has come out of the

suddenly and too completely. It is consoling to know, however, that Miss Zschorcher is some day coming to America as Mrs. Eduard Maler.

haracterized throughout by keen and forcible phraseology and

phases of modern society, and the tale is t

ming, so refreshing, so droll. . . . Read this book once,

y enhance the interest of the novel

oward has adopted in this novelette is sure to find many

ers of the bright and dainty in literature. It is prettily

with not a little pathos, and it will we

is spirited and brisk. No one who commences this little book

HARPER & BROT

repaid, to any part of the United Stat

ANCE F.

pp. 592. 16mo

ed. pp. 540. 16

pp. 208. 16mo

386. 16mo, Cloth, $1

Sketches. pp. 340. 16mo, C

oolson's writing which invests all her character

es, and her skill and power are perceptible in the delineation of her heroines

may easily become the novel

style, and conspicuous dramatic power; while her skill in

on, and we put down the book with a sigh to think our pleasant task of reading it is finished. The author's lines must have fallen to her in very pleasant places; or she has, perhaps, within herself the wealt

HARPER & BROT

prepaid, to any part of the United Sta

riber'

tuation erro

otted lines under the corrections. Scroll the mou