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 



