IN THE MIDLANDS. 95 



We did not whistle as we went, and I have already intimated 

 that we were not exactly light-hearted. Not at any rate 

 until we had plodded upstairs into our snug sitting-room. 



Ah ! what a friendly friend a blazing wood fire is ! How 

 the flames seem to wink at you, and how the crackling and 

 sputtering suggest somebody laughing and nudging you 

 under the fifth rib ! Why, a ten pound note, or three fives 

 at the outside, would have purchased the entire furniture of 

 that cosy room, outside of whose window the sign swung and 

 creaked. But it was a palace to us, though the branches 

 scratched the window as if they were] angry fishwomen 

 clawing at a husband's face. There was a storm brewing 

 south-eastward, and the rising jwind made mad work with 

 such few leaves as were left upon the branches, while the 

 day faded out in the sullenest of moods. 



What more suitable time for relishing the warm chamber, 

 loose slippers, cleanly spread tea-table, and savoury ham 

 and eggs ! AVe made love to the Dresden shepherdess in 

 china on the mantelpiece, and admired the cheap hunting 

 scenes on the walls ; and as, tumbling out the winches to 

 wind the sodden lines round the chair backs — never neglect 

 that precaution, Mr. Pikefisher — we'^tumbled also the Cow- 

 perian pocket edition out of the wallet, what more natural 

 than that, thawing into good humour, we should hold forth 

 in recitation ? 



My companion, the " Gay Comrade " of our first chapter, 

 rather prides himself upon his elocutionary gifts and graces. 

 The shadows of the wood fire flickered about his curly head 

 in the darkening room, as he extended his right arm and in 

 commanding tones began — 



" Now stir the fire, and — " 



