Human Nature! 189 



awkward at it that Johnny has to come and help 

 her, his right arm almost passing round her as he 

 takes her place and gently moves her away. Before 

 they have got their water-pail up and unhooked, another 

 pair are there, and as they move homewards they 

 meet another pair ; and each young woman goes home 

 and tells that she saw So-and-so and So-and-so 

 walking out together, and that they will soon have a 

 marriage in the village, and the dance on the green 

 in honour of it. Under all disguise of circumstances 

 isn't human nature much the same all round ? The 

 village well is a sort of conservatory for these humble 

 folks, to which they retire to have a chat and quiet 

 fun. Verily, there is much human nature in man, 

 and in woman too. 



