io6 A KENTISH PARISH 



brook that is dammed back in a pool in the middle of 

 the exercise-yard. And there most methodically, 

 almost every tolerable morning about eleven, the 

 Squire mounts the cob that has been sent forward for 

 him, and starts upon a ride round his woods and home- 

 farm. His constitutional shyness may be confounded 

 with pride ; but he is rather the kindly companion 

 than the master with the keeper or forester or bailiff 

 who goes striding along by his stirrup. There are 

 some valued tenants, too, whose " forbears " have 

 clung for generations to the soil, who are looking out 

 anxiously for the greeting that almost invariably leads 

 on to a chat. Though there are seven-years' breaks in 

 all the leases, they know they are just as securely rooted 

 as the Godwin family itself; and should they come 

 under a passing cloud of misfortune, they count upon 

 the Squire to see them clear of it. 



The grand festivity at the place is the annual hunting 

 breakfast ; so much the better if there are two or more 

 of these. Then the hounds and horses are crowded on 

 the grand gravel sweep, and the long-drawn tables in 

 the hall, the great dining-room, and the morning-room 

 are a tight fit for the squadrons of guests. These 

 meets on the Oakenhurst lawn bring men to the hunt 

 who never turn out on any other occasion ; and 

 gentlemen who are given to craning at other times are 

 apt after these to take lines of their own, in place 

 of hustling each other at gates and gaps. In another 

 style there is the harvest-home : when the bailiff has 

 instructions to stretch a point, in the way of issuing his 



