Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/106

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UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE.

'That's Dick,' said the tranter. 'That lad's crazy for a jig.'

'Dick! Now I cannot―really, I cannot allow any dancing at all till Christmas-day is out,' said old William emphatically. 'When the clock ha' done striking twelve, dance as much as ye like.'

'Well, I must say there's reason in that, William,' said Mrs. Penny. 'If you do have a party on Christmas-day-night, 'tis only fair and honourable to the Church of England to have it a sit-still party. Jigging parties be all very well, and this, that, and therefore; but a jigging party looks suspicious. O, yes; stop till the clock strikes, young folk―so say I.'

It happened that some warm mead accidentally got into Mr. Spinks's head about this time.

'Dancing,' he said, 'is a most strengthening, enlivening, and courting movement,

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