 Chapter 24 A Journey to London seemed to us in those bygone days as hazardous and dark and adventurous could be forced on any man. I mean, of course, a poor man. For to a great nobleman with ever so many outriders, attendants, and retainers, the risk was not so great, unless the highwaymen knew of their coming beforehand, and so combined against them. To a poor man, however, the risk was not so much from those gentlemen of the road, as from the more ignoble foot-pads, and the landlords of the lesser hostels, and the loose, unguarded soldiers, over and above the pitfalls and the quagmires of the way, so that it was hard to settle at the first out going, whether a man were wise to pray more for his neck or for his head. But nowadays it is very different. Not that highwaymen are scarce. In this, the reign of our good Queen Anne, for in truth they thrive as well as ever, albeit they deserve it not, being less upright and courteous. But that the roads are much improved, and the growing use of stage wagons, some of which will travel as much as forty miles in a summer day, has turned our ancient ideas of distance, almost upside down, and I doubt whether God be pleased with our flying so fast away from him. However, that is not my business, nor does it lie in my mouth to speak very strongly upon the subject, seeing how much I myself have done towards making of roads upon Exmoor. To return to my story, and in truth I lose that road too often, it would have taken ten King's Messengers to get me away from Plovers Barrows without one good-bye to Lorna, but for my sense of the trust and reliance which his Majesty had reposed in me. And now I felt most bitterly how the very arrangements which seemed so wise, and indeed ingenious, may by the force of events become our most fatal obstacles. For lo, I was blocked entirely from going to see Lorna, whereas we should have fixed it so that I might as well have the power of signalling my necessity. It was too late now to think of that, and so I made up my mind at last to keep my honour on both sides, both to the King and to the Maiden, although I might lose everything except a heavy heart for it. And indeed more hearts than mine were heavy, for when it came to the tug of parting my mother was like, and so was any, to break down altogether. But I bade them be of good cheer, and smiled in the briskest manner upon them, and said that I should be back next week as one of his Majesty's greatest captains, and told them not to fear me then. Upon which they smiled at the idea of ever being afraid of me, whatever dress I might have on. And so I kissed my hand once more, and rode away very bravely. But bless your heart, I could no more have done so than flown all the way to London, if Jeremy Stickles had not been there. And, not to take too much credit to myself in this matter, I must confess that when we will come to the turn in the road where the moor begins, and when to see the last of the yard, and the ricks and the poultry round them, and can, by knowing the place, obtain a glance of the kitchen window under the walnut tree. It went so hard with me, just here, that I even made pretense of a stone in ancient Smiler's shoe to dismount, and to bend my head awhile. Then, knowing that those I had left behind would be watching to see the last of me, and might have false hopes of my coming back, I mounted again with all possible courage, and rode after Jeremy Stickles. Jeremy, seeing how much I was down, did his best to keep me up with jokes and tales and light discourse, until, before he had ridden a league, I began to long to see the things he was describing. The air, the weather, and the thoughts of going to a wondrous place added to the fine company, at least, so Jeremy said it was, of a man who knew all London, made me feel that I should be ungracious not to laugh a little. And being very simple then, I laughed no more a little, but something quite considerable, though free from consideration, at the strange things Master Stickles told me, and his strange way of telling them. And so he became very excellent friends, for he was much pleased with my laughing. Not wishing to thrust myself more forward than need be in this narrative, I have scarcely thought it becoming all right to speak of my own adornments. But now, what with the brave clothes I had on, and the better ones still that were packed up in the bag behind the saddle, it is almost beyond me to forbear saying that I must have looked very pleasing. And many a time I wished, going along, that Lorna could only be here and there, watching behind a furs bush, looking at me and wondering how much my clothes had cost. For mother would have no stint in the matter, but had assembled at our house, immediately upon knowledge of what was to be about London, every man known to be a good stitcher upon our side of Exmoor, and for three days they had worked their best without stint of beer or cider according to the constitution of each. The result, so they all declared, was such as to create admiration and defy competition in London, and to me it seemed that they were quite right, though Jeremy Stickles turned up his nose, and feigned to be deaf in the business. Now be that matter as you please, for the point is not worth arguing. Certain it is that my appearance was better than it had been before. For being in the best clothes one tries to look and to act, so far as may be, up to the quality of them, not only for the fear of soiling them, but that they enlarge a man's perception of his value. And it strikes me that our sins arise, partly from disdain of others, but mainly from contempt of self, both working the despite of God. But men of mind may not be measured by such paltry rule as this. By dinnertime we arrived at Porlock, and dined with my old friend Master Pooke, now growing rich and portly. For though he had plenty of victors with us, we were not to begin upon them until all chance of victualling among our friends was left behind. And during that first day we had no need to meddle with our store at all, for as had been settled before we left home, we lay that night at Dunster in the house of a worthy tanner, first cousin to my mother, who received us very cordially, and undertook to return old smileer to his stable at Plover's Barrow's after one day's rest. Since we hired De Bridgewater, and from Bridgewater on De Bristo, breaking the journey between the two. But although the whole way was so new to me, and such a perpetual source of conflict, that the remembrance still abides with me as if it were but yesterday, I must not be so long in telling as it was in travelling, or you all wish me father, both because Lorna was nothing there, and also because a man in our neighbourhood had done the whole of it since my time, and feigned to think nothing of it. However, one thing in common justice to a person who has been reduced I am bound to mention, and this is, that being two of us, and myself of such magnitude, we never could have made our journey without either fight or running, but for the free past which dear Annie by some means, I know not what, had procured from Master Faggis. And when I let it be known by some hap, that I was the own cousin of Tom Faggis and honoured with his society, there was not a house upon the road that was proud to entertain me, in spite of my fellow traveller bearing the red badge of the King. I will keep this close, my son Jack, he said, having stripped it off with a carving knife. Your flag is the best to fly. The man who starved me on the way down, the same shall feed me fat going home. Therefore we pursued our way, in excellent condition, having striven upon the credit of that very popular highway man, and being surrounded with the regrets that he had left the profession, and sometimes begged to intercede that he might help the road again. For all the landlords on the road declared that now small ale was drunk, nor much of spirit called for because the farmers need not prime to meet only common riders, neither were these worth the while to get drunk with afterwards. Master Stickles himself undertook as an officer of the King's justices to plead this case with Squire Faggis, as everybody called him now, and to induce him for the general good to return to his proper ministry. It was a long and weary journey, although the roads of wondrous good on the far side of Bristol and scarcely any man need be bogged if he keep his eyes well open, save perhaps in Berkshire. In consequence of the past we had, and the Vintner's knowledge of it, we only met two public riders, one of whom made off straight way when he saw my companion's pistols and the stout carbine eyeball, and the other came to a parley with us, and proved most kind and affable when he knew himself in the presence of the cousin of Squire Faggis. God save you, gentlemen, he cried, lifting his hat politely. Many and many a happy day I have worked this road with him. Such times will never be again, but commend me to his love and prayers. King my name is, and king my nature. Say that, and none will harm you. And so he made off down the hill, being a perfect gentleman, and a very good horse he was riding. The night was falling very thick by the time it would come to Tyburn, and here the king's officer decided that it would be wise to halt, because the way was unsafe by night, across the fields to chairing village. I, for my part, was nothing loth, and preferred to see London by daylight. And, after all, it was not worth seeing, but a very hideous and dirty place, not at all like Exmoor. Some of the shops were very fine, and the signs above them fine are still so that I was never weary of standing still to look at them. But in doing this there was no ease, for before one could begin almost to make the meaning of them, either some of the wayfarers would bustle and scowl and draw their swords, or the owner, or his apprentice boys, would rush out and catch hold of me, crying, Bye! Bye! Bye! What do you lack? What do you lack? Bye! Bye! Bye! At first I mistook the meaning of this, for so we pronounced the word boy upon Exmoor, and I answered with some indignation. Siro, I am no by now, but a man of one and twenty years, and as for lacking, I lack naught from thee, except what thou hast not. Good manners. The only things that pleased me much were the River Thames and the Hall and Church of Westminster, where there are brave things to be seen and braver still to think about. But whenever I wandered in the streets, what with the noise the people made, the number of the coaches, the running of the footmen, and the swaggering of great courtiers, and the thrusting aside of everybody, many and many a time I longed to be back among the sheep again, for fear of losing temper. They were welcome to the wall for me, as I took care to tell them, for I could stand without the wall, which perhaps was more than they could do. Though I said this with the best intention, meaning no discourtesy. Some of them were vexed at it, and one young lord, being flushed with drink, drew his sword, and made at me. But I struck it up with my holy stick, so that it flew on the roof of the house, then I took him by the belt with one hand, and laid him in the kennel. This caused some little disturbance, but none of the rest saw fit to try how the matter might be with them. Now this being the year of our lord sixteen eighty-three, more than nine years and a half since the death of my father in the beginning of this history, all London was in a great ferment about the dispute between the court of the king and the city. The king, or rather perhaps his party, for they said that his majesty cared for little except to have plenty of money and spend it, was quite resolved to be supreme in the appointment of the chief officers of the corporation. But the citizens maintained that, under their charter, this right lay entirely with themselves, upon which a writ was issued against them for forfeiture of their charter, and the question was now being tried in the court of his majesty's bench. This seemed to occupy all the attention of the judges, and my case, which had appeared so urgent, was put off from time to time while the court and the city contended, and so hot was the conflict and hate between them that a sheriff had been fined by the king in a hundred thousand pounds, and a former lord mayor had even been sentenced to the pillory because he would not swear falsely. Hence the courtiers and the citizens scarce could meet in the streets with patience, all without railing and frequent blows. Now although I heard so much of this matter, for nothing else was talked of, and it seeming to me more important even than the church wardenship of O'er, I could not for the life of me tell which side I should take to. For all my sense of position and of confidence reposed in me and of my father's opinions lay heavily in one scale, while all my reason and my heart went down plump against injustice and seemed to win the other scale. Even so my father had been at the breaking out of the civil war when he was less than my age now and even less skilled in politics, and my mother told me after this, when she saw how I myself was doubting and vexed with myself for doing so, that my father used to thank God often that he had not been called upon to take one side or other, but might remain obscure and quiet, and yet he always considered himself to be a good sound royalist. But now as I stayed there only desirous to be heard and to get away, and scarcely even guessing yet what was wanted of me, for even Jeremy Stickles knew not or pretended not to know, things came to a dreadful pass between the king and all the people who dared to have an opinion. For about the middle of June the judges gave their sentence that the city of London had forfeited its charter, and that its franchise should be taken into the hands of the king. Scarcely was this judgment forth and all men hotly talking of it, when a far worse thing befell. News of some great conspiracy was spread at every corner, and that a man in the molting business had tried to take up the brewer's work and lop the king and the Duke of York. Everybody was shocked at this, for the king himself was not disliked so much as his advisors, but everybody was more than shocked, grieved indeed to the heart with pain at hearing that Lord William Russell and Mr Algonon Sydney had been seized and sent to the Tower of London upon a charge of higher treason. Having no knowledge of these great men, nor of the matter how far it was true, I had not very much to say about either of them or it, but this silence was not shared, although the ignorance may have been, by the hundreds of people around me. Such a commotion was a stir, such a universal sense of wrong, and stern resolve to write it, that every man grasped his fellow's hand and led him into the Vintners. Even I, although at that time given to excess intemperance and afraid of the name of cordials, was hard set, I do assure you, not to be drunk at intervals without coarse discourtesy. However, that, as Betty Mucksworthy used to say when I argued down and ready to take the mop for it, is neither here nor there. I have not to do with great history, and am sorry for those who have to write it, because they are sure to have both friends and enemies in it, and cannot act as they would towards them without damage to their own consciences. But as great events draw little ones, and the rattle of the churn decides the uncertainty of the flies, so this movement of the town, and elegance and passion, had more than I guessed at the time to do with my own little fortunes. For in the first place it was fixed, perhaps from downright consumely, because the citizens loved him so, that Lord Russell should be tried neither at Westminster, nor at Lincoln's Inn, but at the Court of Old Bailey, within the precincts of the city. This kept me hanging on much longer, because although the good nobleman was to be tried by the Court of Common Pleas, yet the officers of King's Bench, to whom I daily applied myself, were in council with their fellows, and put me off from day to day. Now I had heard of the law's delays, which the greatest of all poets, knowing much of the law himself, as indeed of everything, has specially mentioned, when not expected, among the many ills of life. But I never thought, at my years, to have such bitter experience of the evil, and it seemed to me that if the lawyers failed to do their duty, they ought to pay people for waiting upon them, instead of making them pay for it. But here I was, now in the second month, living at my own charges in the house of a worthy felmonger at the sign of the seal and squirrel, a butting upon the strained road which leads from Temple Bar to Charing. Here I did very well indeed, having a mattress of good skin-dressings, and plenty to eat every day of my life. But the butler was something to cry but, thrice at, according to a conceit of our school days, and the milk must have come from cows driven to water. However, these evils were light compared with the heavy bills sent up to me every Saturday afternoon, knowing how my mother had pinched to send me nobly to London, and had told me to spare for nothing but live bravely with the best of them. The tears very nearly came into my eyes as I thought while I ate of so robbing her. At length, being quite at the end of my money and seeing no other help for it, I determined to listen to Clark's no more but force my way up to the justices, and insist upon being heard by them, or discharged from my recognisance. For so they had termed the bond or deed which I had been forced to execute in the presence of a chief clerk or notary the very day after I came to London. And the purport of it was that on pain of a heavy fine, or escheatment, I would hold myself ready and present to give evidence when called upon. Having delivered me up to sign this, Jeremiah Stickles was quit of me, and went upon other business, not but what he was kind and good to me when his time of pursuits allowed of it. Chapter 25 A Great Man Attends to Business Having seen Lord Russell murdered in the fields of Lincoln's inn, or rather, having gone to see it, but turned away with the sickness and the bitter flood of tears, for a whiter and a nobler neck never fell before low beast, I strode away towards Westminster, cured of half my indignation at the death of Charles I. Many people hurried past me, chiefly of the more tender sort, revolting at the butchery. In their ghastly faces as they turned them back, lest the sight should be coming after them, great sorrow was to be seen, and horror and pity, and some anger. In Westminster Hall, I found nobody, not even the crowd of crawling violets who used to be craving ever more for employment or for payment. I knocked at three doors, one after other, of lobbies going out of it, where I had formally seen some officers and people pressing in and out, but for my travel I took nothing except some thumps from Echo. And at last an old man told me that all the lawyers were going to see the results of their own works in the fields of Lincoln's inn. However, in a few days' time I had better fortune, for the court was sitting and full of business to clear off the arrears of work before the lawyer's holiday. As I was waiting in the hall for a good occasion, a man with horsehair on his head and a long blue bag in his left hand touched me gently on the arm and led me into a quiet place. I followed him very gladly, being confident that he came to me with a message from the justiciaries, but after taking pains to be sure that none could overhear us, he turned on me suddenly and asked, Now, John, how is your dear mother? Worshipful sir, I answered him, after recovering from my surprise at his knowledge of our affairs and kindly interest in them. It is two months now since I have seen her. Would to God that I only knew how she is faring now, and how the business of the farm goes. Sir, I respect and admire you, the old gentleman replied, with a bow very low and gentile. Few young court gallants of our time are so reverent and dutiful. Oh, how I did love my mother. Here he turned up his eyes to heaven in a manner that made me feel for him, and yet with a kind of wonder. I am very sorry for you, sir, I answered most respectfully, not meaning to trespass on his grief, yet wondering at his mother's age, for he seemed to be at least three score. But I am no court gallant, sir, I am only a farmer's son, and learning how to farm a little. Enough, John, quite enough, he cried, I can read it in their countenance. Honesty is written there, and courage and simplicity. But I fear that in this town of London thou art apt to be taken in by people of no principle. Ah, me, ah, me, the world is bad, and I am too old to improve it. Then, finding him so good and kind and anxious to improve the age, I told him almost everything—how much I paid the felmonger, and all the things I had been to see, and how I longed to get away before the corn was ripening. Yet, how, despite of these desires, I felt myself bound to walk up and down, being under a thing called recognizance. In short, I told him everything, except the nature of my summons which I had no right to tell, and that I was out of money. My tale was told in a little archway, apart from other lawyers, and the other lawyers seemed to me to shift themselves, and to look askew like sheep through a hurdle when the rest are feeding. What? Good God! my lawyer cried, smiting his breast indignantly with a roll of something learned. In what country do we live? Under what laws are we governed? No case before the court whatever. No primary deposition so far as we are furnished, not even a king's writ issued, and here we have a fine young man dragged from his home and adoring mother during the height of agriculture at his own cost and charges. I have heard of many grievances, but this, the very worst of all. Nothing short of a royal commission could be warranty for it. This is not only illegal, sir, but most gravely unconstitutional. I had not told you worthy, sir, I answered him in a lower tone, if I could have thought that your sense of right would be moved so painfully. But now I must beg to leave you, sir, for I see that the door again is open. I beg you, worshipful sir, to accept, upon this he put forth his hand and said, Nay, nay, my son, not to, not to, yet looking away that he might not scare me. To accept, kind sir, my very best thanks and most respectful remembrances. And with that I laid my hand in his. And if, sir, any circumstances of business or of pleasure should bring you to our part of the world, I trust you will not forget that my mother and myself, if ever I get home again, will do our best to make you comfortable with our poor hospitality. With this I was hasting away from him, but he held my hand and looked round at me, and he spoke without cordiality. Young man, a general invitation is no entry for my fee-book. I have spent a good hour of business time in mastering their case and stating my opinion of it. And being a member of the bar, called six and thirty years ago by the honourable society of the inner temple, my fee is at my own discretion, albeit an honorarium. For the honour of the profession and my position in it, I ought to charge the at least five guineas, although I would have accepted one offered with good will and delicacy. Now I will enter it to my son, and half a crown for my clerk's fee. Saying this, he drew forth from his deep blue bag a red-book having class to it, and endorsed in gold letters fee-book. And before I could speak, being frightened so, he had entered on a page of it, to consideration of ease as stated by John Rydd, and advising thereupon two guineas. But sir, good sir, I stemmed forth, not having two guineas left in the world yet grieving to confess it. I knew not that I was to pay, learned sir. I never thought of it in that way. Ruins of God! In what way thought you that a lawyer listened to your rigmarole? I thought you listened from kindness, sir, and compassion of my grievous case, and a sort of liking for me. A lawyer like thee, young Kermdudgeon, a lawyer afford to feel compassion gratis, either thou art a very deep nave, or the greenest of all greenhorns. Well, I suppose I must let thee off for one guinea, and the clerk's fee. A bad business, a shocking business. Now if this man had continued kind and soft, as when he heard my story, I would have pawned my clothes to pay him, rather than leave a debt behind, although contracted unwittingly. But when he used harsh language so, knowing that I did not deserve it, I began to doubt within myself whether he deserved my money. Therefore I answered him with some readiness, such as come sometimes to me, although I am so slow. Sir, I am no Kermdudgeon. If a young man had called me so, it would not have been well with him. This money shall be paid, if due, albeit I had no desire to incur the debt. You have advised me that the court is liable for my expenses so far as they be reasonable. If this be a reasonable expense, come with me now to Lord Justice Jeffries, and receive from him the two guineas, or, it may be, five, for the counsel you have given me to deny his jurisdiction. With these words I took his arm to lead him, for the door was open still. In the name of God, boy, let me go. Worthy sir, pray, let me go. My wife is sick, and my daughters dying. In the name of God, sir, let me go. Nay, nay, I said, having fast hold of him. I cannot let thee go unpaid, sir. Right is right, and thou shalt have it. Ruin is what I shall have, boy, if you drag me before that devil. He will strike me from the bar at once, and starve me, and all my family. Here, lad, good lad, take these two guineas. Thou hast despoiled the spoiler. Never again will I trust mine eyes for knowledge of a greenhorn. He slipped two guineas into the hand which I had hooked through his elbow, and spoken an urgent whisper again, for the people came crowding around us. For God's sake, let me go, boy. Another moment will be too late. Learned, sir, I answered him. Twice he spoke, unless I err. Of the necessity of a clerk's fee is a thing to be lamented. To be sure, to be sure, my son, you have a clerk as much as I have. There it is. Now I pray thee, take to the study of the law. Possession is nine points of it which thou hast of me. Self-possession is the tenth, and that thou hast more than the other nine. Being flattered by this, and by the feeling of the two guineas in half-crown, I dropped my hold upon Councillor Kitch, for he was no lesser man than that, and he was out of sight in a second of time, wig, blue-bag, and family. And before I had time to make up my mind what I should do with his money, for, of course, I meant not to keep it, the crier of the court, as they told me, came out, and wanted to know who I was. I told him, as shortly as I could, that my business lay with his Majesty's bench, and was very confidential. Upon which he took me inside with warning, and showed me to an under-clerk, he showed me to a higher one, and the higher-clerk to the head one. When this gentleman understood all about my business, which I told him without complaint, he frowned at me very heavily, as if I had done him an injury. John Rid, he asked me with a stern glance, Is it your deliberate desire to be brought into the presence of the Lord Chief Justice? Surely, sir, it has been my desire for the last two months and more. Then, John, thou shalt be, but mind one thing, not a word of thy long detention, or thy mayest get into trouble. How, sir, for being detained against my own wish, I asked him, but he turned away, as if that matter were not worth his arguing, as indeed I suppose it was not, and led me through a little passage to a door with a curtain across it. Now, if my Lord cross-question you, the gentleman whispered to me, answer him straight out truth at once, for he will have it out of thee. And mind, he loves not to be contradicted, neither can he bear a hangdog look. Take little heed of the other two, but note every word of the middle one, and never make him speak twice. I thanked him for his good advice, as he moved the curtain and thrust me in, but instead of entering, withdrew, and left me to bear the brunt of it. The chamber was not very large, though lofty to my eyes, and dark with wooden panels round it. At the further end were some raised seats, such as I have seen in churches, lined with velvet and having broad elbows and a canopy over the middle seat. There were only three men sitting here, one in the centre and one on each side, and all three were done up wonderfully with fur and robes of state, and curls of thick grey horse-hair crimped and gathered and plattered down to their shoulders. Each man had an oak desk before him, set at a little distance and spread with pens and papers. Instead of writing, however, they seemed to be laughing and talking, or rather, the one in the middle seemed to be telling some good story, which the others received at approval. By reason of their great peruchs, it was hard to tell how old they were, but the one who was speaking seemed the youngest, although he was the chief of them. A thick-set, burly and bulky man, with a blotchy broad face and great square jaws, and fierce eyes full of blazers, he was one to be dreaded by gentle souls, and to be abhorred by the noble. Between me and the three Lord Judges, some few lawyers were gathering up bags and papers and pens and so forth from a narrow table in the middle of the room, as if a case had been disposed of and no other were called on. But before I had time to look round twice, the stout fierce man aspired me, and shouted out with a flashing stare, How now, countryman, who art thou? May it please your worship, I answered him loudly. I am John Rydd, of Owah Parish, in the Shire of Somerset, brought to this London some two months back by a special messenger, whose name is Jeremy Stickles, and then bound over to be at hand and ready when called upon to give evidence in a matter unknown to me, but touching the peace of our Lord the King and the well-being of his subjects. Three times I have met our Lord the King, but he has said nothing about his peace, and only held it towards me, and every day, save Sunday, I have walked up and down the Great Hall of Westminster, all the business part of the day, expecting to be called upon, yet no one hath called upon me. And now I desire to ask your worship whether I may go home again. Well done, John, replied his Lordship, while I was panting with all this speech. I will go bale for thee, John, thou hast never made such a long speech before, and thou art a spunky Britain, or thou couldst not have made it now. I remember the matter well, and I myself will attend to it, although it arose before my time, he was but newly Chief Justice. But I cannot take it now, John. There is no fear of losing thee, John, any more than the Tower of London. I grieve for his Majesty's Exchequer after keeping thee two months or more. Nay, my Lord, I crave your pardon. My mother has been keeping me. Not a groat have I received. Spank, is it so, his Lordship cried, in a voice that shook the cobwebs, and the frown on his brow shook the hearts of men, and mine as much as the rest of them. Spank, is his Majesty come to this, that he starves his own approvers? My Lord, my Lord, whispered Mr. Spank, the Chief Officer of Evidence. The sing has been overlooked, my Lord, among such grave matters of treason. I will overlook thy head, foul Spank, on a spike from Temple Bar, if ever I hear of the like again. Vile violet, what art thou paid for? Thou hast swindled the money thyself, foul Spank, I know thee, though thou art new to me. Bitter is the day for thee that ever I came across thee. Answer me not, one word more, and I will have thee on a hurdle. And he swung himself to and fro on his bench, with both hands on his knees, and every man waited to let it pass, knowing better than to speak to him. John Red, said the Lord Chief Justice, at last recovering a sort of dignity, yet daring Spank from the corners of his eyes to do so much as look at him. Thou hast been shamefully used, John Red. Answer me not, boy, not a word, but go to Master Spank, and let me know how he behaves to thee. Here, he made a glance at Spank, which is worth at least ten pounds to me. Be thou here again tomorrow, and before any other case is taken, I will see justice done to thee. Now be off, boy, thy name is rid, and we are well rid of thee. I was only too glad to go after all this tempest, as you may well suppose, for if ever I saw a man's eyes become two holes for the devil to glare from, I saw it that day, and the eyes were those of the Lord Chief Justice Jeffries. Mr. Spank was in the lobby before me, and before I had recovered myself, for I was vexed with my own terror, he came up, sidling and forwarding to me with a heavy bag of yellow leather. Good Master Red, take it all, take it all, and say a good word for me to his Lordship. He hath taken a strange fancy to thee, and thou must make the most of it. We never saw man meet him eye to eye so, and yet not contradict him, and that is just what he loveth. Abide in London, Master Red, and he will make thy fortune. His joke upon thy name proves that, and I pray you remember, Master Red, that the Spanks are sixteen in family. But I would not take the bag from him, regarding it as a sort of bribe to pay me such a lump of money, without so much as asking how great had been my expenses. Therefore I only told him that if he would kindly keep the cash for me until the morrow, I would spend the rest of the day in counting, which is always sore work with me, how much it had stood me in board and lodging, since Master Stickles had rendered me up, for until that time he had borne my expenses. In the morning I would give Mr Spank a memorandum, duly signed and attested by my landlord, including the breakfast of that day, and in exchange for this I would take the exact amount from the yellow bag, and be very thankful for it. If that is thy way of using opportunity, said Spank, looking at me with some contempt, thou wilt never thrive in these times, my lad. Even the Lord Chief Justice can be little help to thee, unless thou knowest better than that, how to help thyself. It mattered not to me. The word approver stuck in my gorge as used by the Lord Chief Justice, for we looked upon an approver as a very low thing indeed. I would rather pay for every breakfast, and even every dinner, eaten by me since here I came, than take money as an approver. And indeed I was much disappointed at being taken in that light, having understood that I was sent for as a trusty subject and humble friend of his majesty. In the morning I met Mr Spank waiting for me at the entrance, and very desirous to see me. I showed him my bill made out in fair copy, and he laughed at it and said, Take it twice over, Master Rid, once for thine own sake, and once for his majesties, as all his loyal tradesmen do, when they can get any. His Majesty knows and is proud of it, for it shows their love of his countenance, and he says, Then how can I grumble at giving twice, when I give so slowly? Nay, I will take it but once, I said. If his Majesty loves to be robbed, he need not lack of his desire, while the Spanks are sixteen in family. The clerks smiled cheerfully at this, being proud of his children's ability, and then, having paid my account, he whispered, He is all alone this morning, John, and in rare good humour. He has been promised the handling of poor Master Algernon Sidney, and he says he will soon make a republic of him, for his state shall shortly be headless. He is chuckling over his joke like a pig with a nut, and that always makes him pleasant. John read, my lord. Without he swung up the curtain bravely, and according to special orders, I stood face to face and alone with Judge Jeffries. End of Chapter 25 Chapter 26 of Lorna Dune This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Lorna Dune by R. D. Blackmore Chapter 26 John is drained and cast aside His lordship was busy with some letters, and did not look up for a minute or two, although he knew that I was there. Meanwhile, I stood waiting to make my vow, afraid to begin upon him and wondering at his great bull head. Then he closed his letters, well pleased with their import, and fixed his bold broad stare on me, as if I were an oyster opened, and he would know how fresh I was. May it please your worship, I said. Here I am, according to order, awaiting your good pleasure. Thou art made to wait, John, more than order. How much dost thou tip the scales to? Only twelve score pounds, my lord, when I be in wrestling, Trim, and sure I must have lost weight here fretting so long in London. Ha, ha! Much fret is there in thee! Has his majesty seen thee? Yes, my lord, twice, or even thrice, and he made some jest concerning me. A very bad one, I doubt not. His humour is not so dainty as mine, but apt to be coarse and unmenally. Now, John, or Jack, by the look of thee, thou art more used to be called. Yes, your worship, when I am with old Molly and Betty Moxworthy. Peace, thou forward violet! There is a deal too much of thee. We shall have to try short commons with thee, and thou art a very long common. Ha, ha! Where is that rogue spank? Spank must hear that by and by. It is beyond thy great thick head, Jack. Not so, my lord, I have been at school, and had very bad jokes made upon me. Ha, ha! It hath hit thee hard, and face it would be hard to miss thee, even with a harpoon. And thou lookest like to blubber now. Capital in faith! I have thee on every side, Jack, and thy sides are manyfold, manyfolded at any rate. Thou shalt have double expenses, Jack, for the wit thou hast provoked in me. Heavy goods, like heavy payment, is a proverb down our way, my lord. Ah, I hurt thee, I hurt thee, Jack. The harpoon has no tickle for thee. Now, Jack, well, having hauled thee hard, we will proceed to examine thee. Here, all his manner was changed, and he looked with his heavy brows bent upon me, as if he had never laughed in his life, and would allow none else to do so. I am ready to answer, my lord, I replied, if he asked me not beyond my knowledge, or beyond my honour. Had better answer me everything, lump! What has thou to do with honour? Now, is there in thy neighbourhood a certain nest of robbers, miscreants, and outlaws, whom all men fear to handle? Yes, my lord, at least I believe some of them be robbers, and all of them are outlaws. And what is your high sheriff about, that he doth not hang them all, or send them up for me to hang, without more to do about them? I reckon that he is afraid, my lord, it is not safe to meddle with them. They are of good birth, and reckless, and their place is very strong. Good birth! What was lord Russell of, lord Essex, and this Sidney? It is the surest airship to the block to be the chip of a good one. What is the name of this pestilent race, and how many of them are there? They are the dunes of bad-worthy forest, may it please your worship, and we reckon there be about forty of them beside the women and children. Forty dunes, all forty thieves, and women and children, thunder of God! How long have they been there, then? They may have been there thirty years, my lord, and indeed they may have been forty, before the great war broke out they came, longer back than I can remember. Aye, long before thou was born, John, good thou speakest plainly, woe betide a liar when so I get hold of him. You want me on the western circuit, by God, and you shall have me, when London traitors are spun and swung. There is a family called the Wickerhulls, and living very nithy, John. This, he said, in a sudden manner, as if to take me off my guard, and fixed his great, sick eyes on me, and, in truth, I was much astonished. Yes, my lord, there is, at least not so very far from us, Baron de Wickerhulls of Le Mena. Baron, ha, of the exchequer, a lad, and takeeth Jews instead of his majesty, somewhat which halts there ought to come a little further, I trial. It shall be seen, too, as well as the witch which makes it so to halt. Riotous knaves in West England, drunken outlaws, you shall dance, if ever I play pipe for you. John Rid, I will come to Owar Parish, and rout out the Owar of Babylon. Although your worship is so learned, I answered, seeing that now he was beginning to make things uneasy, your worship, though being chief justice, does little justice to us. We are downright good and loyal folk, and I have not seen, since here I came to this great town of London, any who may better us, or even come anire us in honesty and goodness and duty to our neighbours. For we are very quiet folk, not preting our own virtues. Enough, good John, enough! Nor was thou not that modesty is the maidenhood of virtue, lost even by her own approval. Now, has thou ever heard or thought that de Wickerhulls is in league with the dunes of Bagworthy? Saying these words rather slowly, he skewered his great eyes into mine, so that I could not think at all, neither look at him, nor yet away. The idea was so new to me, that it set my wits all wandering, and looking into me, he saw that I was groping for the truth. John Rid, though in eyes are enough for me, I see that hath never dreamed of it. Now, has thou ever seen a man whose name is Thomas Fagus? Yes, sir, many and many a time. He is my own worthy cousin, and I fear that he hath intentions. Here I stopped having no right there to speak about our any. Tom Fagus is a good man, he said, and his great square face had a smile which showed me he had met my cousin. Master Fagus hath made mistakes as to the title to property as lawyers often times may do, but take him all for all, he is a thoroughly straightforward man, presents his bill, and has it paid, and makes no charge for drawing it. Nevertheless we must tax his costs as of any other solicitor. To be sure, to be sure, my lord, was all that I could say, not understanding what all this meant. I fear he will come to the gallows, said the lord chief justice, sinking his voice below the echoes. Tell him this from me, Jack. He shall never be condemned before me, but I cannot be everywhere, and some of our justices may keep short memory of his dinners. Tell him to change his name, turn parson, or do something else to make it wrong to hang him. Parson is the best thing. He hath such command of features, and he might take his tithes on horseback. Now, a few more things, John Rid, and for the present I have done with thee. All my heart leaped up at this, to get away from London so, and yet I could hardly trust to it. Is there any sound round your way of disaffection to his Majesty, his most gracious Majesty? No, my lord, no sign, whatever. We pray for him in church, perhaps, and we talk about him afterwards, hoping it may do him good, as it is intended. But after that we have not to say, not knowing much about him, at least till I get home again. That is as it should be, John, and the less you say, the better. But I have heard of things in Taunton, and even nearer to you in Doverton, and even nigher still upon Exmoor, things which are of the pillory kind, and even more of the gallows. I see that you know nought of them. Nevertheless, it will not be long before all England hears of them. Now, John, I have taken a liking to thee, for never man told me the truth without fear or favour more thoroughly and truly than thou hast done. Keep thou clear of this, my son. It will come to nothing, yet many shall swing high for it. Even I could not save thee, John, rid if thou art mixed in this affair. Keep from the dunes, keep from the vicarhalza, keep from everything which leads beyond the sight of thy knowledge. I meant to use thee as my tool, but I see thou art too honest and simple. I will send a sharper down. But never let me find thee, John, either a tool for the other side, or a tube for my words to pass through. Here the Lord Justice gave me such a glare that I wished myself well rid of him, though thankful for his warnings, and seeing how he had made upon me a long abiding mark of fear, he smiled again in a jocular manner, and said, Now get thee gone, Jack. I shall remember thee, and I trow. Thou wilt'st not for many a day, forget me. My Lord, I was never so glad to go, for the hay must be in, and the ricks unsatched, and none of them can make spars like me, and two men to twist every hay-robe, and mother thinking it all right, and listening right and left to lies, and cheated at every pig she kills, and even the skins of the sheep to go—John, rid! I thought none could come nigh your folk in honesty and goodness and duty to their neighbours. Sure enough, my Lord, but by our folk I mean ourselves, not the men nor women neither, that will do, John, go thy way. Not men, nor women neither, are better than they need be. I wish to set this matter right, but his worship would not hear me, and only drove me out of court, saying that men were thieves and liars, no more in one place than another, but all alike all over the world, and women not far behind them. It was not for me to dispute this point, though I was not yet persuaded of it, both because my Lord was a judge and must know more about it, and also that being a man myself, I might seem to be defending myself in an unbecoming manner. Therefore I made a low bow, and went, in doubt as to which had the right of it. But though he had so far dismissed me, I was not yet quite free to go, inasmuch as I had not money enough to take me all the way to O'R, unless indeed I should go afoot, and beg my sustenance by the way, which seemed to be below me. Therefore I got my few clothes packed, and my few debts paid, all ready to start in half an hour, if only they would give me enough to set out upon the road with. For I doubted not, being young and strong, that I could walk from London to O'R in ten days, or in twelve at most, which was not much longer than horsework, only I had been a fool, as you will say when you hear it. For after receiving from Master Spank's the amount of the bill which I had delivered, less indeed by fifty shillings than the money my mother had given me, for I had spent fifty shillings and more in seeing the town and treating people, which I could not charge to his majesty. I had first paid all my debts there out, which were not very many, and then supposing myself to be an established creditor of the treasury for my coming needs, and already senting the country air, and for seeing the joy of my mother, what had I done but spent half my balance, I, and more than three-quarters of it, upon presence for Mother, and Annie, and Lizzie, John Fryer, and his wife, and Betty Moxworthy, Bill Dads, Jim Slowcomb, and in a word, half of the rest of the people at O'R, including all the snow family, who must have things good and handsome. And if I must, while I am about it, hide nothing from those who read me, I had actually bought for Lorna a thing the price of which quite frightened me, till the shopkeeper said it was nothing at all, and that no young man with a lady to love him could dare to offer her rubbish, such as the Jew sold across the way. Now the mere idea of beautiful Lorna ever loving me, which he talked about as patly, though of course I never mentioned her, as if it were a settled thing, and he knew all about it, that mere idea so drove me abroad, that if he had asked three times as much, I could never have counted the money. Now in all this, I was a fool, of course, not for remembering my friends and neighbours, which a man has a right to do, and indeed is bound to do, when he comes from London, but for not being certified first what cash I had to go on with. And to my great amazement, when I went with another bill for the victuals of only three days more, and a week's expense on the Homewood Road reckoned very narrowly, Master Spenck not only refused to grant me any interview, but sent me out a piece of blue paper, looking like a butcher's ticket, and bearing these words, and no more. John Rid, go to the devil, hear he will not when he may, when he will, he shall have nay. From this I concluded that I had lost favour in the sight of Chief Justice Jeffries, perhaps because my evidence had not proved of any value, perhaps because he meant to let the matter lie till cast on him. Anyhow, it was a reason of much grief, and some anger to me, and very great anxiety, disappointment, and suspense. For here was the time of the hay gone past, in the harvest of small corn coming on, and the trout now rising at the yellow sally, and the blackbirds eating our white-heart cherries, I was sure that I could not see them, and who was to do any good for mother, or stop her from weeping continually. And more than this, what was become of Lorna? Perhaps she had cast me away altogether, as a flouter and a changeling. Perhaps she had drowned herself in the black well. Perhaps, and that was worst of all, she was even married, child as she was, to that vile carver doon, if the doons ever cared about marrying. The last thought sent me down at once to watch for Mr. Spank again, resolved that if I could catch him, spanking my wood to a pretty good tune, although sixteen in family. However, there was no such thing as to find him, and the usher vowed, having orders, I doubt, that he was gone to the sea for the good of his health, having sadly overworked himself, and that none but a poor devil like himself, who never had handling of money, would stay in London, this foul, hot weather, which was likely to bring a plague with it. Here was another new terror for me, who had heard of the plagues of London, and the horrible things that happened, and so, going back to my lodgings at once, I opened my clothes and sought for spots, especially as being so long at a hairy felmongous. But finding none, I fell down and thanked God for that same, and vowed to start for a while to-morrow, with my carbine loaded, come will, come woe, come sun, come shower, though all the parish should laugh at me for begging my way home again, after the brave things said of my going, as if I had been the king's cousin. But I was saved, in some degree, from this lowering of my pride, and what mattered more, of mothers, for going down to Biow with my last crowned piece, after all demands were paid, a little shot and powder, more needful on the road almost, than even shoes or victuals. At the corner of the street I met my good friend, Jeremy Stickles, newly come in search of me. I took him back to my little room, mine at least till to-morrow morning, and told him all my story, and how much I felt aggrieved by it. But he surprised me very much, by showing no surprise at all. It is the way of the world, Jack. They have gotten all they can from thee, and why should they feed thee further? We feed not a dead pig, I chow, but baste him well with Brian and Rue. Nay, we do not victual him upon the day of killing, which they have done to thee. Thou art a lucky man, John. Thou hast gotten one day's wages, or at any rate, half a day, after thy work was rendered. God have mercy on me, John. The things I see are manyfold, and so is my regard of them. What use to insist on this, or make a special point of that, or hold by something set of old when a different mood was on? I tell thee, Jack, all men are liars, and he is the least one who presses not too hard on them for lying. This was all quite dark to me, for I never looked at things like that and never would own myself a liar, not at least to other people, nor even to myself, although I might to God sometimes, when trouble was upon me. And if it comes to that, no man has any right to be called a liar for smoothing over things unwitting through duty to his neighbour. Five pounds thou shalt have, Jack, said Jeremiah, suddenly, while I was all abroad with myself as to being a liar or not. Five pounds, and I will take my chance of ringing it from that great rogue's spank. Ten, I would have made it, John, but for bad luck lately. Put back your bits of paper, lad. I will have no acknowledgement. John Reed, no nonsense with me! For I was ready to kiss his hand to think that any man in London, the meanest and most suspicious place upon all God's earth, should trust me with five pounds without even a receipt for it. It overcame me so that I sobbed, for after all though big in body I am but a child at heart. It was not the five pounds that moved me, but the way of giving it, and after so much bitter talk the great trust in my goodness. Lorna Dune by R. D. Blackmore Chapter 27 Home Again at Last It was the beginning of wheat harvest when I came to Dunstertown, having walked all the way from London and being somewhat foot sore. For though five pounds was enough to keep me in food and lodging upon the road, and leave me many a shilling to give to far poorer travellers, it would have been nothing for horse-hire, as I knew too well by the prices Jeremiah Stickles had paid upon our way to London. Now I never saw a prettier town than Dunstertown that evening, for sooth to say I had almost lost all hope of reaching it that night, although the castle was long in view. But being once there, my troubles were gone, at least as regarded wayfaring, for mother's cousin, the worthy turner, with whom we had slept on the way to London, was in such indignation at the plight in which I came back to him, a foot and weary and almost shoeless, not to speak of upper things, that he swore then, by the mercy of God, that if the schemes are brewing round him against those bloody papers should come to any head or shape, and show good chance of succeeding, he would risk a thousand pounds as though it were a penny. I told him not to do it, because I had heard otherwise, but was not at liberty to tell one tenth of what I knew, and indeed had seen, in London-town. But of this he took no heed, because I only nodded at him, and he could not make it out, for it takes an old man, or at least a middle-aged one, to gnaw and wink with any power on the brains of other men. However, I think I made him know, that the bad state in which I came to his town, and the great shame I had wrought for him among the folk round the card-table at their lateral arms, was not to be even there, attributed to King Charles II, nor even to his councillors, but to my own speed of travelling, which had beat post-horses. For being much distraught in mind and desperate in body, I had made all the way from London to Dunster in six days and no more. It may be one hundred and seventy miles, I cannot tell to a furlong or two, especially as I lost my way more than a dozen times, but at any rate, there in six days I was, and most kindly they received me. The tanner had some excellent daughters, I forget how many, very pretty damsels, and well set up, and able to make good pastry. But though they asked me many questions, and made a sort of lord of me, and offered to dine my stockings which in truth required it, I fell asleep in the midst of them, although I would not acknowledge it, and they said, poor cousin, here's weary, and led me to a blessed bed, and kissed me all round like swans down. In the morning, all the X-mall hills, the thought of which had frightened me at the end of each day's travel, seemed no more than buttles to me, as I looked forth the bedroom window, and thanked God for the sight of them. And even so I had not to climb them, at least by my own labour. For my own worthy uncle, as we often call a parent's cousin, finding it impossible to keep me for the day, and owning indeed that I was right in hastening to my mother, vowed that walk I should not, even though he lost his Saturday hides from mine-head and from watch-it. Accordingly, he sent me forth on the very strongest nag he had, and the maidens came to wish me God-speed, and kissed their hands at the doorway. It made me proud and glad to think that after seeing so much of the world, and having held my own with it, I was come once more among my own people, and found them kinder, and more warm-hearted, I, and better looking too, than almost any I had happened upon in the mighty city of London. But how shall I tell you the things I felt, and the swelling of my heart within me, as I drew nearer and more near to the place of all I loved and owned, to the haunt of every warm remembrance, the nest of all the fledgling hopes, in a word, to home? The first sheep I beheld on the wall, with a great red J.R. on his side, for mother would have them marked with my name instead of her own as they should have been. I do assure you, my spirit leaped, and all my sight came to my eyes. I shouted out, Jam boy! for that was his name, and a rare hand he was at fighting, and he knew me, in spite of the stranger horse, and I leaned over and stroked his head, and swore he should never be mutton. And when I was past he set off at full gullet to call the rest of the J.Rs together, and tell them the young master was come home at last. But bless your heart and my own as well, it would take me all the afternoon to lay before you one-tenth of the things which came home to me in that one-half hour, as the sun was sinking in the real way he ought to sink. I touched my horse with no spur nor whip, feeling that my slow wits would go if the sights came too fast over them. Here was the pool where we washed the sheep, and there was the hollow that oozed away where I had shot three wild docks. Here was the peat-rick that hid my dinner when I could not go home for it, and there was the bush with the time growing round it, where Annie had found a great swarm of our bees. And now was the corner of the dry stone wall where the moor gave over in earnest, and the partridges whisked from it into the cornlands, and called that their supper was ready, and looked at our house and the ricks as they ran, and would wait for that comfort till winter. And there I saw, but let me go, Annie was too much for me, she nearly pulled me off my horse and kissed the very mouth of the carbine. I knew you would come, oh John, oh John, I have waited here every Saturday night, and I saw you for the last mile or more, but I would not come round the corner for fear that I should cry, John, and then not cry when I got you. Now I may cry as much as I like, and you need not try to stop me, John, because I am so happy. But you mustn't cry yourself, John. What will mother think of you? She would be so jealous of me. What mother thought, I cannot tell. Indeed, I doubt if she thought at all for more than half an hour, but only managed to hold me tight, and cry, and thank God now and then, but with some fear of his taking me if she should be too grateful. Moreover, she thought it was my own doing, and I also have the credit of it, and she even came down very sharply upon John's wife, Mrs. Fryer, for saying that we must not be too proud for all of it was the Lord's doing. However, dear mother was ashamed of that afterwards, and asked Mrs. Fryer's humble pardon, and perhaps I ought not to have mentioned it. Old Smiler had told them that I was coming, all the rest I mean, except any, for having escaped from his halter ring he was come out to graze in the lane a bit, when what should he see but a strange horse coming with young master and mistress upon him, for any must-needs get up behind me, there being only sheep to look at her. Then Smiler gave us a stare and a nay, with his tail quite stiff with amazement, and then, whether in joy or through indignation, he flung up his hind feet and galloped straight home and set every dog wild with barking. Now, me thinks, quite enough has been said concerning this mighty return of the young John Ridd, which was known up at Cosgate that evening, and feeling that I cannot describe it, how can I hope that any one else will labour to imagine it, even of the few who are able, for very few can have travelled so far, unless indeed that his trade it is, or very unsettled people, and even of those who have done so, not one in a hundred can have such a home as I had to come home to. Mother wept again with grief and some wroth, and so did any also, and even little Eliza, and all were unsettled in loyalty and talked about a republic, when I told them how I had been left without money for travelling homeward, and expected to have to beg my way, which farmers snow would have heard of. And though I could see they were disappointed at my failure of any promotion, they all declared how glad they were, and how much better they liked me to be no more than what they were accustomed to. At least my mother and Annie said so, without waiting to hear any more, but Lizzie did not answer to it until I had opened my bag and shown the beautiful present I had for her, and then she kissed me, almost like Annie, and vowed that she thought very little of captains. For Lizzie's present was the best of all—I mean, of course, except Lawners, which I had carried in my breast all the way, hoping that it might make her love me from having lain so long close to my heart. For I had brought Lizzie something dear, and a precious heavy book it was, and much beyond my understanding, whereas I knew well that to both the others my gifts would be dear for my own sake, and happier people could not be found than the whole of us were that evening. Much as I longed to know more about Lorna, and though all my heart was yearning, I could not reconcile it yet with my duty to mother and Annie, to leave them on the following day, which happened to be a Sunday. For lo, before breakfast was out of our mouths, there came all the men of the farm and their wives, and even the two crowboys, dressed as it going to Barnstaple Fair, to inquire how Master John was, and whether it was true that the king had made him one of his bodyguard, and if so, what was to be done with the belt for the championship of the West County's wrestling, which I had held now for a year or more, and none were ready to challenge it. Strange to say, this last point seemed the most important of all to them, and none asked who was to manage the farm, or answer for their wages, but all asked who was to wear the belt. To this I replied, after shaking hands twice over all round with all of them, that I meant to wear the belt myself, for the honor of Orr Parish, so long as ever God gave me strength and health to meet all comers, for I had never been asked to be bodyguard, and if asked, I would never have done it. Some of them cried that the king must be mazed not to keep me for his protection in these violent times of popery. I could have told them that the king was not in the least afraid of papus, but on the contrary very fond of them. However, I held my tongue, remembering what Judge Jeffries bade me. In church the whole congregation, man, woman, and child, except indeed the snow girls, who only looked when I was not watching, turned on me with one accord, and stared so steadfastly to get some reflection of the king from me that they forgot the time to kneel down, and the parson was forced to speak to them. If I coughed, or moved my book, or bowed, or even said, Amen, glances were exchanged which meant that he had learned in London town and most likely from his majesty. However, all this went off in time, and people became even angry with me for not being sharper, as they said, or smarter, or a wit more fashionable, for all the great company I had seen, and all the wondrous things wasted upon me. But though I may have been none the wiser by reason of my stay in London, at any rate I was much the better in virtue of coming home again. For now I had learned the joy of quiet, and the gratitude for good things round us, and the love we owe to others, even those who must be kind, for their indulgence to us. All this, before my journey, had been too much as a matter of course to me, but having missed it now I knew that it was a gift, and might be lost. Moreover, I had pined so much in the dust and heat of that great town, for trees and fields and running waters and the sounds of country life, and the air of country winds, that never more could I grow weary of those soft enjoyments, or at least I thought so then. To awake as the summer sun came slanting over the hilltops, with hope on every beam a dance to the laughter of the morning, to see the leaves across the window ruffling on the fresh new air, and the tendrils of the powdery vine turning from their beaded sleep, then the lustrous meadows far beyond the thatch of the garden wall, yet seen beneath the hanging scallops of the walnut tree, all awaking, dressed in pearl, all amazed at their own glistening, like a maid at her own ideas. Down them troop the lowing kind, walking each with a step of character, even as men and women do, get all alike with toss of horns and spread of udders ready. From them without a word we turn to the farmyard proper, seen on the right, and dryly strawed from the petty rush of the pitch paved runnel. Round it stand the snug outbuildings, barn, corn chamber, cider press, stables, with a blinkered horse in every doorway munching, while his driver tightens buckles, whistles and looks down the lane, dallying to begin his labor till the milkmaids be gone by. Here the cock comes forth at last, where has he been lingering? Eggs may tell tomorrow. He claps his wings and shouts cockadoodle, and no other cock dare look at him. Two or three go sidling off, waiting till their spurs be grown, and then the crowd of partlets comes, chattering how their lord has dreamed, and crowed at two in the morning, and praying that the old brown rat would only dare to face him. But while the cock is crowing still, and the pullet world admiring him, who comes up but the old turkey cock with all his family round him? Then the geese at the lower end begin to thrust their breasts out, and mum their down-bits, and look at the gander and scream shrill joy for the conflict, while the ducks in pond show nothing but tail, in proof of their strict neutrality. While yet we dread for the coming event, and the fight which would jar on the morning, behold the grandmother of sows, gruffly grunting right and left with muzzle which no ring may tame, not being matrimonial, hulks across between the two, moving all each side at once, and then all of the other side, as if she were chying down the middle, and afraid of spilling the salt from her. As this mighty view of lord hides each combatant from the other, gladly each retires and boasts how he would have slain his neighbor, but that old sow drove the other away, and no wonder he was afraid of her, after all the chicks she had eaten. And so it goes on, and so the sun comes, stronger from his drink of dew, and the cattle in the buyers, and the horses from the stable, and the men from cottage-door, each has had his rest and food, all smell alike of hay and straw, and every one must hide to work, be it drag or draw or delve. So thought I on the Monday morning, while my own work lay before me, and I was plotting how to quit it, void of harm to everyone, and let my love have work a little, hardest perhaps of all work, and yet assure sunrise. I knew that my first day's task on the farm would be strictly watched by everyone, even by my gentle mother, to see what I had learned in London. But could I let still another day pass for Lorna to think me faithless? I felt much inclined to tell dear mother all about Lorna and how I loved her, yet had no hope of winning her. Often and often I had longed to do this and have done with it. But the thought of my father's terrible death at the hands of the dunes prevented me, and it seemed to me foolish and mean to grieve mother, without any chance of my suit ever speeding. If once Lorna loved me, my mother should know it, and it would be the greatest happiness to me to have no concealment from her, though at first she was sure to grieve terribly. But I saw no more chance of Lorna loving me than of the man in the moon coming down, or rather of the moon coming down to the man, as related in old mythology. Now the merriment of the small birds, and the clear voice of the waters, and the lowing of cattle in meadows, and the view of no houses, except just our own and a neighbor's, and the knowledge of everybody around, their kindness of heart and simplicity, and love of their neighbor's doings. All these could not help or please me at all, and many of them were much against me, in my secret depth of longing and dark tumult of the mind. Many people may think me foolish, especially after coming from London, where many nice maids looked at me, on account of my bulk and stature, and I might have been fitted up with a sweetheart, in spite of my West Country twang and the smallness of my purse, if only I had said the word. But, nay, I have contempt for a man whose heart is like a shirt stud, such as I saw in London cards, fitted into one today, sitting bravely on the breast, plucked out on the morrow morn, and the place that knew it gone. Now what did I do but take my chance? Reckless whether anyone heeded me or not, only craving Lorna's heed, and time for ten words to her. Therefore I left the men of the farm far away as might be, after making them work with me, which no man round our parts could do, to his own satisfaction. And then, knowing them to be well weary, very unlike to follow me, and still more unlike to tell of me, for each had his London present, I strode right away, in good trust of my speed, without any more misgivings, but resolved to face the worst of it and to try to be home for supper. And first I went, I know not why, to the crest of the broken Highland, whence I had agreed to watch for any mark or signal, and sure enough at last I saw, when it was too late to see, that the white stone had been covered over with a cloth or mantle, the sign that something had arisen to make Lorna want me. For a moment I stood amazed at my evil fortune, that I should be too late in the very thing of all things on which my heart was set. Then, after eyeing sorrowfully every crick and cranny, to be sure that not a single flutter of my love was visible, off I set, with small respect either for my knees or neck, to make the round of the outer cliffs, and come up my old access. Nothing could stop me, it was not long, although to me it seemed an age, before I stood in the niche of rock at the head of the slippery water-course, and gazed into the quiet glen where my foolish heart was dwelling. Notwithstanding doubts of right, notwithstanding sense of duty, and despite all manly striving and the great love of my home, there my heart was ever dwelling, knowing what a fool it was and content to know it. Many birds came twittering round me in the gold of August. Many trees showed twinkling beauty as the sun went lower, and the lines of water fell from wrinkles into dimples. Little heeding, there I crouched, though with sense of everything that afterwards should move me, like a picture or a dream, and everything went by me softly while my heart was gazing. At last a little figure came, not insignificant, I mean, but looking very light and slender in the moving shadows, gently here and softly there, as a vague of purpose, with a gloss of tender movement in and out the wealth of trees and liberty of the meadow. Who was I to crouch or doubt or look at her from a distance? What matter if they killed me now, and one tear came to bury me? Therefore I rushed out at once, as if shotguns were unknown yet, not from any real courage, but from prisoned love burst forth. I know not whether my own Lorna was afraid of what I looked or what I might say to her or of her own thoughts of me. All I know is that she looked frightened when I hoped for gladness. Perhaps the power of my joy was more than maiden like to own, or in any way to answer to, and to tell the truth it seemed as if I might now forget myself, while she would take good care of it. This makes a man grow thoughtful unless, as some low fellows do, he believe all women hypocrites. Therefore I went slowly towards her, taken back in my impulse, and said all I could come to say with some distress in doing it. Mistress Lorna, I had hoped that you were in need of me. Oh, yes, but that was long ago, two months ago or more, sir, and saying this she looked away as if it all were over. But I was now so dazed and frightened that it took my breath away, and I could not answer, feeling sure that I was robbed and someone else had won her. And I tried to turn away, without another word, and go. But I could not help one stupid sob, though mad with myself for allowing it, but it came too sharp for pride to stay it, and it told a world of things. Lorna heard it, and ran to me, with her bright eyes full of wonder, pity, and great kindness, as if amazed that I had more than a simple liking for her. Then she held out both hands to me, and I took and looked at them. Master Red, I did not mean, she whispered very softly, I did not mean to vex you. If you would be loath to vex me, none else in this world can do it. I answered out of my great love, but fearing yet to look at her, my eyes not being strong enough. Come away from this bright place, she answered, trembling in her turn. I am watched and spied of late. Come beneath the shadows, John. I would have leaped into the valley of the shadow of death, as described by the late John Bunyan, only to hear her call me John, though Apollyon were lurking there and despair should lock me in. She stole across the silent grass, but I strode hotly after her. Fear was all beyond me now, except the fear of losing her. I could not but behold her manner as she went before me, all her grace and lovely sweetness and her sense of what she was. She led me to her own rich bower, which I told of once before, and if in spring it were a sight, what was it in summer glory? But although my mind had notice of its fairness and its wonder, not a heed my heart took of it, neither dwelt it in my presence more than flowing water. All that in my presence dwelt, all that in my heart was felt, was the maiden moving gently and afraid to look at me. For now the power of my love was abiding on her, new to her, unknown to her, not a thing to speak about, nor even to think clearly, only just to feel and wonder with a pain of sweetness. She could look at me no more, neither could she look away with a studied manner, only to let fall her eyes and blush and be put out with me and still more with herself. I left her quite alone, though close, though tingling to have hold of her. Even her right hand was dropped and lay among the mosses. Neither did I try to steal one glimpse below her eyelids. Life and death to me were hanging on the first glance I should win, yet I let it be so. After long or short, I know not, yet ere I was weary, ere I yet began to think or wish for any answer, Lorna slowly raised her eyelids, with a gleam of dew below them, and looked at me doubtfully. Any look with so much in it never met my gaze before. Darling, do you love me? Was all that I could say to her. Yes, I like you very much, she answered, with her eyes gone for me and her dark hair falling over, so as not to show me things. But do you love me, Lorna? Lorna, do you love me more than all the world? No, to be sure not, now why should I? In truth I know not why you should, only I hope that you did, Lorna. Either love me not at all, or as I love you forever. John, I love you very much, and I would not grieve you. You are the bravest and the kindest and the simplest of all men, I mean of all people. I like you very much, Master Ridd, and I think of you almost every day. That will not do for me, Lorna. Not almost every day, I think, but every instant of my life, of you. For you I would give up my home, my love of all the world beside, my duty to my dearest ones. For you I would give up my life, and hope of life beyond it. Do you love me so? Not by any means, said Lorna. No, I like you very much, when you do not talk so wildly, and I like to see you come as if you would fill our valley up, and I like to think that even carver would be nothing in your hands. But as to liking you like that, what should make it likely? Especially when I have made this signal, and for some two months or more you have never even answered it. If you like me so ferociously, why do you leave me for other people to do just as they like with me? To do as they liked? Oh, Lorna, not to make you marry carver! No, Master Ridd, be not frightened so, it makes me fear to look at you. But you have not married carver yet? Say quick, why keep me waiting so? Of course I have not, Master Ridd. Should I be here if I had, thank you, and allowing you to like me so and to hold my hand, and make me laugh as I declare you almost do sometimes, and at other times you frighten me? Did they want you to marry carver? Tell me all the truth of it. Not yet, not yet. They are not half so impetuous as you are, John. I am only just seventeen, you know, and who is to think of marrying. But they wanted me to give my word and be formally betrothed to him in the presence of my grandfather. It seems that something frightened them. There is a youth named Charles Worth Dune, everyone calls him Charlie, a headstrong and a gay young man, very gallant in his looks and manner, and my uncle, the counselor, chose to fancy that Charlie looked at me too much, coming by my grandfather's cottage. Here Lorna blushed so that I was frightened and began to hate this Charlie more, a great deal more than even carver Dune. He had better not, said I, I will fling him over it if he dare. He shall see thee through the roof, Lorna, if at all he see thee. Master Ridd, you are worse than carver. I thought you were so kind-hearted. Well, they wanted me to promise, and even to swear a solemn oath, a thing I have never done in my life, that I would wed my eldest cousin, this same carver Dune, who is twice as old as I am, being thirty-five and upwards. That was why I gave the token that I wish to see you, Master Ridd. They pointed out how much it was for the peace of all the family, and for my own benefit, but I would not listen for a moment, though the counselor was most eloquent, and my grandfather begged me to consider, and carver smiled his pleasantest, which is a truly frightful thing. Then both he and his crafty father were forusing force with me, but Sir Ensor would not hear of it, and they have put off that extreme, until he shall be past its knowledge, or at least beyond preventing it. And now I am watched and spied and followed, and half my little liberty seems to be taken from me. I could not be here speaking with you, even in my own nook and refuge, but for the aid and skill and courage of dear little Gwennie Carfax. She is now my chief reliance, and through her alone I hope to baffle all my enemies, since others have forsaken me. Tears of sorrow and reproach were lurking in her soft dark eyes, until in fewest words I told her that my seeming negligence was nothing but my bitter loss and wretched absence far away, of which I had so vainly striven to give any tidings without danger to her. When she heard all this, and saw what I had brought from London, which was nothing less than a ring of pearls with a sapphire in the midst of them, as pretty as could well be found, she let the gentle tears flow fast, and came and sat so close beside me that I trembled like a folded sheep at the bleeding of her lamb. But recovering comfort quickly, without more ado, I raised her left hand and observed it with a nice regard, wondering at the small blue veins and curves and tapering whiteness and the points it finished with. My wonders seemed to please her much, herself so well accustomed to it and not fond of watching it. And then, before she could say a word, or guess what I was up to, as quick as ever I turned hand in a bout of wrestling, on her finger was my ring, sapphire for the veins of blue, and pearls to match white fingers. Oh, you crafty master ridd, said Lorna, looking up at me, and blushing now a far brighter blush than when she spoke of Charlie. I thought you were much too simple ever to do this sort of thing. No wonder you can catch the fish, as when first I saw you. Have I caught you, little fish? Or must all my life be spent in hopeless angling for you? Neither one nor the other, John, you have not caught me yet altogether, though I like you dearly, John, and if you will only keep away I shall like you more and more. As for hopeless angling, John, that all others shall have until I tell you otherwise. With the large tears in her eyes, tears which seemed to me to rise partly from her want to love me with the power of my love, she put her pure bright lips, half smiling, half prone to reply to tears, against my forehead lined with troubled doubt and eager longing, and then she drew my ring from off that snowy twig her finger, and held it out to me, and then, seeing how my face was falling, thrice she touched it with her lips and sweetly gave it back to me. John, I dare not take it now, else I should be cheating you. I will try to love you dearly, even as you deserve and wish. Keep it for me just till then. Something tells me I shall earn it in a very little time. Perhaps you will be sorry then, sorry when it is all too late to be loved by such as I am. What could I do at her mournful tone but kiss a thousand times the hand which she put up to warn me, and vow that I would rather die with one assurance of her love, than without it live forever with all beside that the world could give. Upon this she looked so lovely, with her dark eyelashes trembling and her soft eyes full of light and the color of clear sunrise mounting on her cheeks and brow, that I was forced to turn away, being overcome with beauty. Dearest darling love of my life, I whispered through her clouds of hair. How long must I wait to know? How long must I linger, doubting whether you can ever stoop from your birth and wondrous beauty to a poor, coarse hind like me, an ignorant, unlettered human? I will not have you revile yourself, said Lorna very tenderly, just as I had meant to make her. You are not rude and unlettered, John. You know a great deal more than I do. You have learned both Greek and Latin, as you told me long ago, and you have been at the very best school in the west of England. None of us but my grandfather and the counselor, who is a great scholar, can compare with you in this. And though I have laughed at your manner of speech, I only laughed in fun, John. I never meant to vex you by it, nor knew that it had done so. Not you say, Convex me, dear, I answered, as she leaned towards me in her generous sorrow. Unless you say, Be gone, John rid, I love another more than you. Then I shall never vex you, John. Never I mean by saying that. Now, John, if you please, be quiet. For I was carried away so much by hearing her calling me John so often, and the music of her voice, and the way she bent toward me, and the shadow of soft weeping in the sunlight of her eyes, that some of my great hand was creeping in a manner not to be imagined, and far less explained, toward the lifeless, wholesome curving underneath her mantlefold, and out of sight and harm, as I thought, not being her front waist. However, I was dashed with that, and pretended not to mean it, only to pluck some lady fern, whose elegance did me no good. Now, John, said Lorna, being so quick that not even a lover could cheat her, and observing my confusion more intently than she need have done. Master John rid, it is high time for you to go home to your mother. I love your mother very much from what you have told me about her, and I will not have her cheated. If you truly love my mother, said I very craftily, the only way to show it is by truly loving me. Upon that she laughed at me in the sweetest manner, and with such provoking ways, and such come-and-go of glances, and beginning of quick blushes, which she tried to laugh away, that I knew, as well as if she herself had told me, by some knowledge, void of reasoning and the sureer for it, I knew quite well, while all my heart was burning hot within me, and mine eyes were shy of hers, and her eyes were shy of mine, for certain and for ever this I knew, as in a glory, that Lorna Dune had now begun, and would go on to love me. End of Chapter 28. Recording by Michelle Harris. Leaping leads to reveling, although I was under interdict for two months from my darling, one for your sake, one for mine she had whispered with her head withdrawn, yet not so very far from me. Lighter heart was not on X more than I bore for half the time, and even for three quarters. For she was safe, I knew that daily by a mode of signals well contrived between us now, on the strength of our experience. I have nothing now to fear, John, she has said to me as we parted. It is true that I am spied and watched, but Gwynny is too keen for them. While I have my grandfather to prevent all valence and little Gwynny to keep watch on those who try to watch me, and you above all others, John, ready at a moment, if the worst comes to the worst, this neglected Lorna Dune was never in such case before. Therefore, do not squeeze my hand, John, I am safe without it, and you do not know your strength. I knew my strength right well. Heal and volley scarcely seemed to be step and landing for me. Theorcy's cattle I will play with, making them go backward and afraid of hurting them, like John Fry with hysteria. Even rooted trees seemed to me, but as sticks I could smite down, except for my love of everything. The love of all things was upon me, and a softness to them, and a sense of having something even such as they had. Then the golden harvest came, waving on the broad hillside, and nestling in the quiet nooks scooped from out the fringe of wood. A wealth of harvest such as never gladdened all our countryside since my father ceased to reap, and his sickle hung to rust. There had not been a man on Exmo fit to work that reaped hook since the time its owner failed, in the prime of life and strength before a sterner reaper. But now I took it from the wall where mother proudly stored it while she watched me, hardly knowing whether she should smile or cry. All the parish was assembled in our upper courtyard, for we were to open the harvest that year, as had been settled with farmers Nicholas and with Jasper Keebie, who held the third on Little Farm. We started in proper order, therefore as our practice is, first the parser Joshua Bowden went his gown in cassock with the parish Bible in his hand, and a sickle strapped behind him. As we strolled along well and stoutly, being a man in substance, all of our family came next. Our leading mother with one hand, in the other bearing my father's hook, and with a loaf of our own bread and a keg of cider upon my back. Behind us Annie and Lizzie walked wearing wreaths of corn flowers set out very prettily, such as mother would have worn if she had been a farmer's wife instead of a farmer's widow. Being as she was, she had no dormant except that her widow's hood was off, and her hair allowed to flow as if she had been a maiden, and very rich bright hair it was in spite of all her troubles. After us the maidens came milk maids and the rest of them with Betty mux worthy at their head, scolding even now because they would not walk fiftly, but they only laughed at her and she knew was no good to scold with all the men behind them. Then the snows came trooping forward, farmer Nicholas in the middle walking as if he would rather walk to a wheat field of his own, yet content to follow lead because he knew himself the leader and signalling every now and then to the people here and there as if I were nobody, but to see his three great daughters strong and handsome winches making upon either side as if somebody would run off with them this was the very thing that taught me how to value Lorna and her pure simplicity. After the snows came Jasper Keebie and his wife knew married and a very honest pair they were upon only a hundred acres and a right of common after these the men came hotly without decent order trying to spy the girls in front and make good jokes about them at which their wives laughed heartily being jealous when alone perhaps and after these men and their wives came all the children tumbling picking flowers by the way and chatteling and asking questions as the children will there must have been three school of us take one for another and the lane was full of people when we were come to the big field gate where the first sickle was to be passing bolden heaved up the rail with the sleeves of his gown done green with it and he said that everybody might hear him though his breath was short in the name of the Lord amen amen so be it cried the clerk who was far behind being only a shoemaker then passing bolden read some verses from the parish bible telling us to lift up our eyes and look upon the fields already white to harvest and then he laid the bible down on the square head of the gatepost and despite his gown and cask three good swipes he cut off corn and laid them right in onwards all this time the rest was huddling outside the gate and along the lane not daring to interfere with parsing but whispered how well he did it when he had stole the corn like that mother entered leaning on me and we both said thank the Lord for all his mercies and these the first fruits of his hand and then the clerk gave out a song verse by verse done very well although he sneezed in the midst of it from a beard a wheat thrust up his nose by the rival cobbler at breeden and when the psalm was sung so strongly that the fox gloves on a bank were shaken like a charm of bells at it parsing took a stoop of cider and we all fell too at reaping of course i mean the men not women although i know that up the country women are allowed to reap and right well they reap it keeping roll for roll with men calmly and in due order yet me seems the men must ill attend to their own reaping hooks in fear least the other cut themselves being the weaker vessel but in our part women do what seems their proper business following well behind the men out of harm or the swinging hook and stupid with their breast and arms up they catch the swatches of corn where the reapers cast them and tucking them tightly together with a wisp laid under them this they fetch around and twist with a knee to keep it closed and low there is godly sheaf ready to set up in stokes after these the children come gather in each with his little self if the farmer be right minded until each half a bundle made as big as himself and longer and tumbles now and again with it in the deeper part of the stubble we the men keep marching onwards down the flank of the yellow wall with knees bent wide and left arm bowed and right arm flashing steel each man in his several place keeping down the rig or chime on the right side of the reaper in front and the left of the man that followed him each making father sweep and enrolled into the golden breath and depth each casting leftwards his rich clearance on his four goers double track so like half a wedge of wild foul two and fro we swept the field and when to either hedge we came sickles wanted wedding and those required more string and backs were in need of easing and every man had much to say and woman wanted praising then all returned to the other end with weeping hooks beneath our arms and dogs left to mine jackets but now will you believe me well or will you only laugh at me for even in a world of wheat when deep among the varnish crisp crispness of the jointed stalks and below the feather yielding of the graceful heads even as I gripped the swatches and swept the sickle around them even as I flung them by to rest on brother stubble through the whirling yellow world an eagerness a reaping came the vision of my love as with downcast eyes she wandered at my power of passion and then the sweet remembrance glow brighter than the sun through weed through my very depth of heart of how she raised those beaming eyes and ripened in my breast rich hope even now I could describe like high waves in the distance the rounded heads and folded shadows of the wood are back worthy perhaps she was walking in the valley and softly gazing up at them oh to be a bird just there I could see a bright miss hanging just above the doom glen perhaps it was shedding its drizzle upon her oh to be a drop of rain the very breeze which bowed the harvest to my bosom gently might have come direct from launder with her sweet voice laden all the flaws of air that wandered where they will around her fan her bright cheek play with lashes even revel in her hair and reveal her beauties man is but a breath we know what I was such breath as that but confounded I pondered with delicious dreams suspended with my right arm hanging frustrate and the giant sickle drooped with my left arm bow for clasping something more germane than wheat and my eyes not minding business but intent on distant woods confounded what are the men about and why am I left vaporing they have taken advantage of me the rogues they are gone to the hedge for the sight of jars they have had up the sled of bread and meat quite softly over the stubble and if I can believe my eyes so dazed with launder's image they are sitting down to an excellent dinner before the church clock has gone 11 John Fry you big villain I cried with John hanging up in the air by the scruff of his neck claw but holding still by his knife and fork and a goose leg in between his lips John Fry what mean you by this sir let me down or I can't tell you John answered with some difficulty so I let him come down and I must confess that he had reason on his side please your worship John called me so ever since I returned from London firmly believing that the king had made me a magistrate at least though I was to keep it secret Aziz as how you worship will took thinking of king's business in the middle of white rig and so as the lat come to a sale us had better save time by taking a dinner and here's be praise your worship and hops no offense with thick armed spoon full of viad tatties I was glad enough to accept a ladle full of fried potatoes and to make the best of things which is generally done by letting men have their own way therefore I managed to down with them although it was so early for according to all that I can find in a long life and a very one 12 o'clock is the real time for a man to have his dinner then the son is at his noon calling heart to look around and then the plants and leaves are turning each with a little leisure time before the work of the afternoon then is the balance of east and west and then the right and left side of a man are in due proportion and contribute fairly with harmonious fluids and the health of this modern life and it's reclaiming virtue are well set forth in our engine ride sunrise breakfast sun high dinner sundown sup makes a saint of a center wish the wheat falls world again ye have had good dinners give your massive mistress plenty to supply another and in truth we did reap well and fairly through the hold of that afternoon I not only keeping lee but keeping the men up to it we got through a matter of 10 acres or the sum between the shocks broke his light on wheat and plums then hung his red cloak on the clouds and fell into gray slumber seeing this we wiped our sickles and our breasts and foreheads and soon we're on a homeward roll looking forward to good supper of course all the reapers came at night to the harvest supper and parson bolden to say the grace as well as to help to call for us and some help was needed there I can well assure you for the reapers had brave appetites and most of their wives having babies were forced to eat as a duty neither failed they of this duty cut and come again was the order of the evening as it had been of the day and I had no time to ask questions but help meet and lotto gravy all the while our darling Annie with her sleeves tucked up and her calmly figure panting was running about with a bucket of tatis mashed with lard and cabbage even Lizzie had left her books and was serving out beer and cider while mother helped plum pudding largely on pewter plates with the mutton and all the time Betty Muxworthy was grunting in and out everywhere not having spaced the scold even but changing the dishes serving the meat poking a fire and cooking more but John Frye would not stir a peg except with his knife and fork having all the airs of a visitor and his wife to keep him eating till I thought there would be no end of it then having eaten all they could they prepared themselves with one accord for the business now of drinking but first they lifted the neck of corn dressed with ribbons gaily and set it upon the mount of peace each man with his horn of froth and then they sang a song about it everyone shouting in the course louder than a harvest thunderstorm somewhere in the middle of one verse and some at the end of the next one yet somehow all managed to get together in the mighty roar of the burden and if any farmer up the country would like to know ex more harvest song as sung in my time and will be sung long after I am gone at home low he I set it down for him admitting only the dialect which perchance might puzzle him ex more harvest song the corn oh the corn tis the ripened of the corn go unto the door my land and look beneath the moon thou's can't see beyond the wood rick how it is yellow tis the harvest in a week and the body must be shown the corn oh the corn and the yellow mellow corn he is to the corn with the cups upon the board we've been reaping all the day and we'll reap again the morn and fetch it home tomorrow yard and then we'll thank the Lord the wheat oh the wheat tis the ripened of the wheat all the day it has been hanging down his heavy head bowing over on our bosom with a beard of red tis the harvest and the value makes the labor sweet the wheat oh the wheat and the golden golden wheat here's to the wheat with the loaves upon the board we've been reaping all the day and we'll never be beat but fetch it all to tomorrow yard and then we'll thank the Lord the barley oh the barley and the barley is in prime all the date has been wrestling with his bristles brown waiting with his beard abowing till it can be mowed tis the harvest and the barley must abide its time the barley oh the barley and the barley ruddle brown here's to the barley with the beard upon the board we'll go a mowing soon as ever all the wheat is down when all is in the morn yard we'll stop and thank the Lord the oats oh the oats till the ripening of the oats all the day they have been dancing with their flakes of white waiting for the grilling hook to be the next delight tis the harvest let them dangle in their skirted coats the oats oh the oats and the silver silver oats here's to the oats with the black stone on the board we'll go among them when the barley has been laid in rows when all is home tomorrow yard we'll kneel and thank the Lord the corn oh the corn and the blessing of the corn come until the door my lads and look beneath the moon we can see on hill and valley how it is yellow with a breath of glory as when our Lord was born the corn oh the corn and the yellow corn thanks for the corn with our bread upon the board so shall we acknowledge it before we reap the morn with our hands to heaven and our knees unto the Lord now we sang this song very well the first time having the parish choir to lead us and the clarinet and the parson to give us the time with his cup and we sang it again the second time but not so but what you might praise it if you had been with us all the evening although the parson was gone then and the clerk was not fit to compare with him in the matter of keeping time but when that song was in his third singing i defy any man however sober to have made our one verse from the other or even the burden from the verses in as much as every man present a and woman too sang as became convenient to them in utterance both of words and tune and in truth there was much excuse for them because it was a noble harvest fit to thank the Lord for without his thinking us hypocrites for we had more land and wheat that year than ever we had before and twice the crop to the acre and i could not help now and then remembering in the midst of the merriment how my father in the church yard yonder would have gloried to behold it and my mother who had left us now happening to return just then being called to have her health drunk for the 20th time at least i knew by the sadness in her eyes that she was thinking just as i was presently the therefore i slipped away from the noise and mirror and smoking although of that last there was not much except from farmer nicolas and crossing the courtyard in the moonlight i went just to cool myself as far as my father's tombstone end of chapter 29 recording by daisy 55