Too Muck of a Good Tkiiig 231 



delayed his journey southward for a whole day 

 to enjoy them. Joseph Bates looked at him 

 with indifference when the Poet pointed him 

 out " The thieves are welcome to anything 

 they can get there," he said, pointing to the 

 tree : " that fruit's no mortal use to no one. But 

 they've had a lot more than their share this 

 year of what's good for us poor men and women," 

 he added ; " and if I may make so bold, Sir. I 

 would throw it out as that kind of thing should 

 not happen next year." 



The Parson came up the garden walk and 

 joined the group: the news of the Ring-ousel 

 had reached him. 



"There he is," said the Poet, "and there they 

 all are, taking my berries as they've taken 

 my fruit. And as far as I'm concerned they 

 may have it every bit ; but for my wife's sake 

 I must consent to a compromise, if there is 



one." 



"Well," said the Parson, "give them a tiihe 

 of all you have. Give them every tenth fruit 

 tree, and a corner of the strawberry bed As 

 for the rowan-berries, you must let them go." 



