Woodside. 75 



covered window of the school-house. At the bottom of the 

 hill the flying boys disperse, and when the keeper reaches 

 the four-wents way, not a soul except the jeering crowd of 

 children is in sight. A jeering crowd of children is not a 

 pleasant assemblage to be the butt of, and the soured keeper 

 angrily hastens back to his duty, vowing vengeance on his 

 tormentors. 



Three hours later the greater part of that group of 

 boys piously knelt in the choir in white surplices, praying 

 heartily, " Lead us not into temptation," and chestnuts 

 undoubtedly loomed visibly in mind, whilst, later on, as they 

 sang, the singing appeared to partake of the hymns of old, 

 which were raised as a psean of victory. Next morning, 

 however, after a stormy interview, in which " cancelling 

 indentures," "immoral behaviour," "scandalous example," 

 were conspicuous, and the loss of that princely salary of two 

 shillings per week was vaguely threatened, a dark eye 

 sparkled brightly, and a quiet, sympathetic voice said, " It's 

 a great shame to make you go to school on Sundays against 

 your wish," and it is needless to say those boys rarely went 

 again. Did Nature make bright sunshine, lovely flowers 

 and lovely nooks for lads to be engaged week-day and 

 Sunday in pretending to teach children almost as old as 

 themselves ? I, for one, do not believe it. Verily, I've been 

 dreaming on this stile ! It is getting late, but the visions of 

 former days, even at this far-off time, rouse my feelings to 

 rebellion against such unnatural action. 



Now down the hill we go, past the ivied school-house, 

 under the magnificent horse-chestnut tree by the side of the 

 road. How long, we wonder, can it be since here the 

 " Drooping chestnut buds began 



