CHAPTER VIII 



OUR NEIGHBOURS 



" Those tall grave dazzling Norse 

 High-cheeked, lank-haired." 



BROWNING, Sordello. 



OUR house stands about two hundred yards 

 to the south of the river, and out of sight of 

 the great Fos. But with a downward gust of 

 wind, its roar falls upon us like the rushing 

 of an express train through the vale. Close 

 to one corner of the house stands a large oak 

 tree, an unusual object in these latitudes. In 

 front is a small enclosed garden, where with 

 painful toil I have striven to cultivate such 

 hardy flowers as wiU endure ten months' neglect 

 and the rigours of the sunless winter. The 

 soil is very poor, being composed chiefly of 

 minute chips of granite brought down by the 

 river in far distant days ; yet if bad for garden- 

 ing it makes a dry and healthy foundation for 

 the house. Lupins flourish in it exceedingly, 

 and bloom with great luxuriance ; and this season 



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