^^v'tJ nature's holiday. 



course our shot was defrayed at — "tlie little window." That was only 

 natural. A — hem ! 



Now for a curious little reminiscence of the " White Hart." Entering 

 the garden, we heard certain footsteps creeping stealthily behind us. On 

 turning round, our e^'es fell full upon a curious figure habited in fustian. 

 Thick-set was he, and I imagine uneasy in his mind. " Who are you f " said 

 I. " The waiter," replied he. "We have ordered," said I, "at the little window." 

 He then disappeared. Reappearing presently, he brought with him our 

 first course, — and vanished. We "waited" on ourselves afterwards; and 

 thought no more of the man in fustian. Had he forgotten us ? Listen ! 



When preparing to leave, our hand fell on the latch of the garden gate, 

 opening into the high road. It would not move ! The gate was secured ; 

 and so loere we, — by the man in fustian ! In one moment (Avhere he came 

 from I know not) this remarkable phenomenon appeared at our elbow. No 

 magician could have summoned him up more mysteriously. Bending him- 

 self into the figure of a half-moon, he contrived to deliver himself safely 

 of the words, — " W-a-i-t-e-r, Sir!" At the same instant, the gate flew open. 

 We both stared (well we might, at such an apparition !) What was to be 

 done? I dived into the recesses of my coat pocket for some penny-pieces ; 

 but before I could fish them up, my companion had forestalled me, and 

 slipped a piece oi real silver into the fustian " waiter's " hand. He clutched 

 it — his eye rolled — his jaw fell — his face became a reflex of many colours. 

 He was tongue-tied ; and actually staggered out of sight. I had remonstrated, 

 but it was — too late ! 



That this man was a stranger to silver, was evident ; and intense must 

 have been his agony Avhilst thinking how he should contrive to spend so 

 large a sum. I strongly suspect that a fit of apoplexy must have quickly 

 supervened; and much do I congratulate myself on not having been a 

 particeps critninis in so reprehensible a douceur. He may now be in a lunatic 

 asylum ! Who knows ? Alas, how much mischief may be done even with a 

 " little sixpence ! " Next time I visit the White Hart, I shall assuredly go 

 in masquerade. So much for this little episode. 



It is not my intention, nor will space admit of it, to describe the residue 

 of our day's ramble. Neither need I dwell upon the delight we mutually 

 experienced in each other's company. * * * On we went ; turning every 

 thing we saw into a subject of profitable conversation and contemplation. 

 From the minutest object in creation to the greatest, — Man, all in turn 

 occupied our mind and tongue. Nor were our external senses less happily 

 entertained. There was the aromatic fragrance of new-mown hay on every 

 side of us ; the sweet music of Zephyr, dancing gently among the fairy 

 leaves of the trees ; the tinkling of the sheep-bells in the near and far off 

 distance; and the lowing of oxen which were rejoicing (knee-deep in water) 

 in the meadows below. Then were our eyes refreshed by a sight of the golden 



