FOURTH DAT. 115 



about five years since. It weighed eighteen 

 pounds. The whole village was in an uproar ; 

 old and young turned out to stare at the 

 water-wolf, and many a good wife who had 

 indulged in uncharitable suspicions of her 

 neighbours, as to the disappearance of her 

 young ducks and geese, saw who was more 

 likely to have been the culprit. 



J. Yes, I suppose the disappearance of 

 goslings and ducklings may often be thus 

 accounted for. [Re-enter hostess with the 

 replenished tankard, which she places on 

 the table ; noise of singing without.] 



H. It had better stand a few minutes, 

 sir. I hope the singing outside doesn't 

 disturb you ? 



S. Not at all, not at all. [Exit hostess.] 

 By the by, Julian, this will be a good op- 

 portunity for you to hear one of our coun- 

 try ditties. There 's a fellow singing with 

 the power of twenty parish clerks. [Look- 

 ing out of the window.] Ho, Simon ! 



