CHAPTER VI 
"ALL IN YE MERR1E MONTH OF MAY" 
A merry time it is in May, 
When springeth the summer’s day, 
And damisels carols leadeth 
On greenwood fowls gredeth. 
Romance of Merlin. 
May i. — “ The rain it raineth every day.” Such a May- 
day, everything dripping, and so cold ! The morning opened 
with a snow shower, which ended in rain which never ceased 
falling all day. There is a Scottish tradition fairies may 
be seen of mortals on May-day. I hardly think the “ Good 
Neighbours ” will be abroad to-day, though this morning 
I did see a good many Pixy-stools, as the Devon folk call 
toadstools or fungi. Fairy-tables, the Welsh call them : a 
name which Boy also gives them. Here they are called 
Paddock or Padick-stools and Paddystools; Paddock or 
puddock meaning a toad or frog, probably from the 
Icelandic podda. I remember being told of a person who 
was much worried by many worries : “ He’s as comfortable 
as a puddock under a harrow.” Herrick, many of whose 
words I have recognised hereabouts, has a charming little 
“ Grace before Meat ” for a child, as follows : 
Here a little child I stand 
Heaving up my either hand, 
Cold as paddocks though they be, 
Here I lift them up to thee, 
For a benison to fall 
On our meat and on us all ! Amen. 
Boy asked why Toadstools had that name. “ Do toads sit 
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