SEA AND SKY AND WAVING GREEN 
157 
and almost meet, making chequered sunbeams glint through 
the branches, and causing leafy shadows to fall on the 
ground. And still the hedge-banks speak, for they are 
clothed with glossy fronds of Hartstongue and Polystichum 
angulare, intermingled with moss, ivy, and other creepers, 
and with brambles of blackberry and dog-rose. Now, on oar 
right, another gateway gives a peep of open country — sloping 
meadows and hill-side, with cattle gently feeding. A few feet 
more, and on our left we get another peep of tree-covered 
hill-side and upland meadow. Then steeply down runs and 
winds our lane, whilst overhanging still are trees and hedge- 
top shrubs, nursing under the congenial shelter dog-rose 
and blackberry tendril, whilst hid amongst the mass of vege- 
tation on the hedge-bank Hartstongue fronds still peep out. 
In a moment more we get other peeps on our left and then on 
our right of meadow and upland. Passing on by mossy tree 
trunks and mossy stones in the hedge-bank, touched by 
trailing sprays of ivy, and long tender shoots of blackberry, 
we turn sharply round to the left, our lane now widening, 
whilst in front of us are hill, wood-side, and coppice. On — 
winding still. But now w r e are approaching the end of this 
charming lane, and the sunlight comes in in a flood, giving 
brilliance to the blue of the pimpernel, and to the colours of 
the other wild flowers which here clothe the green border of 
the pathway, whilst the delicious odour of thyme and wild 
balm come to us with the breeze which floats over the hedge 
on our right. 
