A COTTESWOLD SUMMER BREEZE 193 



have basked on the overhanging edge ; there the 

 lizard has lain for long hours, gazing at the sun or 

 dozing ; and there, later on, the baby lizards, dark, 

 agile, and restless, wandered through the marjoram 

 and neighbouring plants. There the silent blind- 

 worm has peered forth to see whether the summer 

 shower had attracted the grey slug from its hiding- 

 place. Under the projecting ledge, whence most 

 soil has slipped, the gorgeous peacock butterfly 

 found a safe retreat, and there, clinging to a dark 

 root in the ceiling, he slept unnoticed by the 

 scampering mice, and safe from shrew and mole. 

 During the warmest sunny hours he has roamed 

 the valley, passed from clump to clump of favourite 

 flowers, sailed as high as the treetops, and glided 

 lazily down in a long detour around a glade. But 

 at the first sign of evening he returned to the 

 selected retreat, and shut his splendid wings. 

 There have I found and killed him, and spiked 

 him, with pins, in all the narrow ferocity of a 

 budding scientist. Now, when many years have 

 passed, and the hosts of pretty creatures that 

 were left in peace have blended into one pleasant 

 recollection, these mute victims come sailing down 

 14 



