Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/23

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MELLSTOCK-LANE.
9

ling nervelessly in the wind as if they were empty sleeves. This was Thomas Leaf.

'Where be the boys?' said Dick to this somewhat indifferently-matched assembly.

The eldest of the group, Michael Mail, cleared his throat from a great depth.

'We told them to keep back at home for a time, thinken they wouldn't be wanted yet awhile; and we could choose the tuens, and so on.'

'Father and grandfather William have expected ye a little sooner. I have just been for a run to warm my feet.'

'To be sure father did! To be sure 'a did expect us—to taste the little barrel beyond compare that he's going to tap.'

''Od rabbit it all! Never heard a word of it!' said Mr. Penny, small gleams of delight appearing upon his spectacle-glasses, Dick meanwhile singing parenthetically,

'The lads and the lasses a-sheep-shearing go.'

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