296 THE VICARAGE. 



Daniel in the Den of Lions, and other Scripture 

 subjects, all richly painted in red and blue. The 

 family bible might also be seen on a table, reposing 

 on a piece of green baize, backed by a showy ja- 

 panned tea tray, and by its side was a pitcher 

 filled with fresh-gathered cowslips. 



The arrival of a party of six, eagerly calling for 

 dinner, put the landlady in a bustle. The Vicar's 

 trout, however, came to her aid, and she was able 

 to satisfy their appetites with a repast, which no 

 honest angler would think a bad one. They were 

 waited upon by their hostesses daughter, a girl of 

 about sixteen, as pretty, as innocent, and as honest, 

 as Walton's Maudlin. Her dress, which must be 

 described, for it was the becoming dress of the 

 peasantry of Devonshire, consisted of a linsey- 

 woolsey petticoat, a checquered handkerchief cover- 

 ing her bosom, black worsted stockings, thick 

 shoes, her arms being bare, and her petticoat pin- 

 ned up behind. Everything was pleasing to per- 

 sons inclined to be pleased. The bottled cider 

 was excellent, and was qualified by some of the 

 Vicar's wine, which had been considerately brought 

 in the car, and which added to the hilarity of the 

 party. 



The evening was now drawing to a close. The 

 horse was ordered to be harnessed, the bill was 

 paid, and they were preparing to take their de- 

 parture ; when the Vicar, as a lover of the piscatory 



