IN " THE GOOD OLD TIMES." 113 



gits here wun't hurt him. We've thruv on it, so 

 brush about like good uns." 



The snowy cloth is laid in the quaint, cool par- 

 lour, with its large china cupboard on one side, and 

 on the other an old oak table with the ponderous 

 family Bible, upon which always lies " father's " 

 spectacle-case. A few bright flowers gathered by 

 " darter " give a bright finish to the restful look ol 

 the room, which feels cool and pleasant to the old 

 squire after the morning's work. 



In and out flit mother and daughter, just showing 

 themselves for a moment, as they hope their guest 

 can put up with farmhouse fare. No doubt as to 

 that, the squire assures them heartily. When the 

 cloth has been removed, the master of The Coombe 

 appears in his church-going clothes, carrying a tray, 

 on which is a bottle and a long, deep glass. 



" Squire," he said, " I consider yer do me an hon- 

 our in eating an' drinking in my house. Will ye 

 oblige me by tasting my own special cider ? " 



This was manufactured entirely under the mas- 

 ter's eye ; in fact, mainly by himself from choicest 

 fruit that came from special trees, the pride of 

 Coombe orchard, carefully gathered. He always 



H 



