96 WATERSIDE SKETCHES. 



Margaret of the ruddy cheeks and white apron at that 

 precise moment silently entered, bearing candles; with a 

 little shriek she observed : 



" Oh, no, sir, please don't ; them logs churkle dreadful, and 

 the sparks '11 pop out and you'll burn the carpet if you poke 

 the fire." 



The G. C., somewhat abashed at being caught in a tragic 

 attitude, at my laughter, and at being so ruthlessly brought 

 down into the ham-and-eggs atmosphere of every-day life, 

 pierced the poor woman straight in the eyes with a fearful 

 glance of Othelloish, Macbethical, and Hamletian power. 

 Then he resumed: 



" And close the shutters fast, 

 Let fall the curtains, wheel "- 



" I'll try," quoth Margaret, " to fast up the shuts, but I 

 know two of the hinges is broke, and the blind don't come 

 only half ways down." 



The reciter here found it convenient to gaze vacantly out 

 into the gloom and hum something until the handmaid had 

 descended into the lower regions, and then good humour- 

 ed ly, and with a fine sort of frenzy in his expression, he 

 finished the broken measure : 



" wheel the sofa round, 

 And while the bubbling and loud hissing urn 

 Throws up a steamy column, and the cups 

 That cheer but not inebriate, wait on each, 

 So let us welcome peaceful evening in." 



We forthwith welcomed according to our lights. The sofa, 

 weak and ruptured in the hind off castor, refused to be 

 wheeled ; the steaming column arose, not from the dear old 



