VII. 



A FLIGHT OF QUAILS. 



IT is one of the wonders and delights of 

 the moorland that here alone Nature pays 

 the first call, instead of demurely waiting 

 to be called upon. Near great towns she 

 is coy ; and even in the fields that abut on 

 villages, she shows but a few familiar aspects ; 

 while aloof on the open heath she reveals 

 herself unreservedly, like a beautiful woman 

 to her chosen lover. She exhibits all her 

 moods and bares all her secrets. This 

 afternoon, late, we were lounging on the 

 low window-seat by the lattice that gives 

 upon the purple spur of hillside, when sud- 

 denly a strange din as of half-human voices 

 aroused our attention. " Look, look ! " Elsie 



49 E 



