86 CHRISTMAS 



Particularly is this so in war-time, for there are 

 fewer lights than usual, and then so many soldiers 

 walking about in couples or standing in groups 

 talking and laughing or saluting their officers as 

 they pass remind us of the Barons' Wars, when the 

 town was a large fortress and soldiers defended 

 the Castle. 



There is but one modern note, and yet even that 

 does not jar, for it is a picturesque one. A wide- 

 open entrance leads into the long, narrow, bril- 

 liantly-illuminated gallery of the penny bazaar, 

 gay with tinsel paper festoons and wreaths of 

 many-coloured tissue. The young lady behind the 

 counter tries to persuade a shy young soldier to 

 buy something for his sweetheart. " Oh, the 

 ladies won't any of them have anything to say 

 to me," he remarks with a touch of sadness in his 

 voice. I notice, however, that he speedily takes 

 the advice of his tormentor, and doubtless the 

 charming ornamental comb that he purchases will 

 baffle the obstinacy of the lady of his choice. 



Our village folk have all come to join in the 

 bustle and animation. I meet them carrying 

 baskets or fish-net bags in which to carry home 

 their purchases. They can hardly pass each other 

 in the narrow streets, so many are abroad to-night, 

 not only on foot but also in odd-shaped, badly- 

 hung carts and prehistoric gigs, that seem mostly 

 too high for the poor horses who struggle on be- 

 tween the shafts. 



Every one is in good spirits and merry jokes go 

 round, for the labouring man and some of the 

 farmers are amongst those few remaining people 



