146 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



On Twenty-fourth night the doors were all opened, 

 and a great deal of pantomimic chasing and driving 

 and dispersing of unseen creatures took place. Many- 

 pious ejaculations were uttered and iron was ostenta- 

 tiously displayed, " for Trows can never abide the sight 

 o' iron." The Bible was read and quoted. People 

 moved about in groups or couples, never singly, and 

 infants were carefully guarded as well as sained by 

 vigilant and learned " wise women." 



Alas, the poor Trows! their time of frolic and 

 liberty was ended, and on Twenty-fourth night they 

 retired to their gloomy abodes beneath the sod, seldom 

 finding opportunity to reappear again, and never with 

 the same licence, until the Yules returned. 



All that pantomime, all that invoking of holier 

 Powers, were but methods of "speeding the parting 

 guest," and mortals were rejoicing that the unbidden, 

 unwelcome grey-folk must depart. When day dawned 

 after Twenty-fourth night the Trows had vanished and 

 the -Yules were ended. 



