^u A BARN 



tion, in a meadow bordering on a lonely lane. 

 There is a thatched shed behind the hedge, which 

 is the sleeping-place the fire burns some forty 

 yards away. Still another shines at night in an 

 open arable field, where is a barn. 



One day I observed a farmer's courtyard com- 

 pletely filled with groups of men, women, and 

 children, who had come travelling round to do the 

 harvesting. They had with them a small cart or 

 van not of the kind which the show folk use as 

 moveable dwellings, but for the purpose of carrying 

 their pots, pans, and the like. The greater number 

 carry their burdens on their backs, trudging afoot. 



A gang of ten or twelve once gathered round me 

 to inquire the direction of some spot they desired to 

 reach. A powerful-looking woman, with reaping- 

 hook in her hand and cooking implements over 

 her shoulder, was the speaker. The rest did not 

 appear to know a word of English, and her pro- 

 nunciation was so peculiar that it was impossible 

 to understand what she meant except by her ges- 

 tures. I suppose she wanted to find a farm, the 

 name of which I could not get at, and then per- 

 ceiving she was not understood her broad face 

 flushed red and she poured out a flood of Irish in 

 her excitement. The others chimed in, and the 

 din redoubled. At last I caught the name of a 

 town and was thus able to point the way. 

 7 -97- 



