94 ON SURREY HILLS. 



friend, permit me to suggest that you are labouring 

 under some strange delusion. I am afraid that 

 you have somewhat overstepped the bounds of pru- 

 dence by too free indulgence in intoxicating liquor. 

 Allow me to go my way in peace.' 



" That so riled me that I took off my coat ; he 

 bolted, I after him. He could run, but so could I ; 

 and just as he was turning into the station he had 

 to accept a little more of my hospitality in the shape 

 of a kick that heaved him off the pavement. Then 

 I left him." 



" And what did mother say ? " I asked, when the 

 miller had finished his story. 



" Why, it made her that mad and cantankerous, 

 she did not go to church for some weeks, but took 

 to the little chapel instead. She's got over it now 

 though, but I ain't." 



On the borders of a trout stream, close to a farm, 

 I know a spot well where a vixen littered that was 

 well tended by Master Reynard. Very soon after 

 the cubs had done sucking, twenty-five ducks were 

 missing from the farm. They had gone down to the 

 stream, and never returned again. So close was 



