UNDER THE LEE OF NORFOLK SANDHILLS 311 



fanned into being, the smoke leaked out in many places and 

 half filled the building. During these operations a starling 

 and two sparrows entered through a hole in the roof to watch 

 operations, but as soon as we had obtained a fair grasp of the 

 solitary bell- rope they departed without staying for service. 



It will be a long time before that caU-to-prayer will be 

 forgotten. What the majority of the inhabitants of the 

 parish thought we know not and absolutely dare not inquire. 



The first intimation that the bell was moving was one 

 tremendous smack of the tongue, which sounded as though it 

 had cracked the metal ; this was followed by spasmodic clangs 

 and funeral tolling by way of variety ; the harder we tried to 

 get anything like a regular ring the more wildly afflicted the 

 music (?) seemed to be, until in despair we let go the rope to 

 rest a while. But this was not to be, for a few minutes after 

 we had desisted from the effort our friend arrived coughing 

 violently through the smoke and directed that the bell must 

 be kept going somehow for ten minutes at least. 



This was no joke. It was cold and a trifle damp in the 

 vestry. The place was full of smoke and we were no hands 

 at all at the art of bell-ringing ; besides, our host's remarks 

 were not complimentary to our efforts. We well, 



"In that sacred building there, we did not exactly swear, 

 But there are moments when one wants to be alone." 



Soon after this the congregation began to arrive and the 

 opportunity was taken of slipping back to the rectory for an 

 overcoat, the wisdom of which forethought was afterwards 

 appreciated. 



There were eleven of us all told to hear the opening words 

 concerning the wicked man and his wrath, and this number was 

 not increased as time went on. 



Five over-groomed children, the aforesaid Sunday-school 

 class, sat in the front benches. The gardener and a maidservant 

 from the Hall, who, alas ! were apparently more interested in 

 each other than in the service, occupied a pew below the rood- 

 screen ; a very rosy-cheeked farmer's daughter presided at a 



