248 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



11 That it is, and I am very glad to see it." 



This, by the way, might have been some 

 mischief that a perfect monster of a hedge- 

 hog had been at, and they had fixed him 

 securely, where they had found him at it, 

 for me to see. 



They would give us, by way of supper, a 

 very hearty and substantial late dinner ; for, as 

 the dame tells you, she " makes bide-shift with 

 a thumb piece, in the middle o' the day, and a 

 sup o' summut, for she doan't care to cook fur 

 herself, nor yit eat alone ; she likes to see the 

 whole roost on 'em goin' at it, hearty and 

 strong ; it ain't no good cookin' else." 



The master and his family are out all day 

 even the youngest one of the lot leaving the 

 mother at home to provide for them, unless 

 the eldest daughter takes the responsibility of 

 deputy dame. They are strong, active lasses, 

 all these woodland girls ; plenty of exercise, 

 fresh air, and plain living make them as active 

 as deer. Some of them are runners so swift 

 that it would take a good man to beat them. 

 Rebellious spirits have been found in families 

 from the earliest records handed down to us, 

 and some, of course, there were in the families 

 now under notice. 



