" Poor Joe! 



243 



bit better, easier like, but them troubles," he goes on 

 with a serious look, "wants a good share o' nursin'." 

 Poor Joe had fallen from a tree he had ascended after 

 some young owls — the branch gave way, and he fell 

 from a considerable height, breaking his arm and hurt- 

 ing the spine, and owing to cold, erysipelas had set in, 

 and Joe's friends were very anxious about him. I 

 express my sympathy for Joe, and bid Will Hartley 

 good day and pass on. 







Further on, how deliciously it winds, and ripples 

 and eddies, by little headlands, with their fortifications 

 in front of them of sedges, rushes, and no end of water- 

 weeds, and in the stiller little bays and reaches even 

 bands of water-lilies, spreading out their round, broad, 

 dark green leaves, with the wonderful white cup, 

 magically astir in its season, in the centre_ of them. 



