OCTOBER IN BROADLAND. 109 



Several flocks follow in rapid succession; a number of wild geese are discerned 

 high aloft; and on a hawthorn hedge across the ' pightle' (small field) a number 

 of fieldfares are seen busily plucking the ripening berries ; and the note of the 

 redwing is heard. 



1 As to superstitions, there's a lot of queer notions still afloat (thank you, 

 landlord) Now then, sir, help yourself. You can't get fen-folk to do business on 

 a Friday those who follow the sea won't cross the bar, either, on that day, if they 

 can help it; and as to walking under a ladder, why, it's equally unlucky. Prim- 

 roses and poppies carried into a house are both bearers of bad luck, and for a 

 cuckoo to fly over it, well, they'd as lief see the father of lies do it. Don't meet 

 a cross-eyed party when you go to market; better stop at home. See three cuckoos 

 on a walk, and you'll have a death in the house ere long. Someone is sure to 

 die if peacocks' feathers are brought into the house. The hoot of an owl is 

 more than uncanny; a red bee flying in at the door or window portends the 

 arrival of a gentleman ; a white bee signifies a lady. 



6 1 could tell you a lot more. See ! I've quite a note-book full of folk-lore. But 

 the bacon's getting cold. Now then, landlord, some cheese and biscuits, please.' 



1 Believe me, faith in witchcraft hasn't yet died out, and the ' evil eye,' with- 

 out a doubt, blinks at times. 



' Did you see the landlord spit on the floor just now ? He no more wanted 

 to than I do ; that white horse driven by the house was the innocent cause of it. 

 It was lucky to expectorate. 



1 Our landlord is known as 4 Loper ' Grey. Ask in the village for Nathaniel, 

 and few will know him as such. Lope is Norfolk for stride, his long legs have 

 earned him his cognomen. Nicknames are all the go in Broadland; some peculiar 

 or curious personal characteristic, or even some exploit, irretrievably christens a 

 fellow. ' Prettymouth ' Hewitt, i Boxer' Brown, ' Grumpy ' Johnson, l Cadger' 

 Read, and a host of others might be cited. If you want to find a village notoriety, 

 make sure of his nickname rather than his family one, for it may be he's known 

 only by the former. 



6 As to dress, there's as much canvas and fustian about the Broadman as will 

 cover him, and a broad-brimmed felt hat, worn a la Mephistopheles, completes 

 his rig-out, barring his ' butes,' and boots they are, something like small cradles 

 for size and pattern, and as inartistic as an ironing box. 



' But the wind's gone down a bit. What say you to a row across the Broad?' 



