Nothing more was said about the delayed visit, but just as we were on the point of departure, and Cicely had already taken the reins, he said to her, as if it were an afterthought, 'Tell your mother, I s'pose I must look down that way next week.' We passed swiftly through the little hamlet; the children had gathered by a gateway to watch us.

Though so far from the world, they were not altogether without a spice of the impudence of the city arab.

A tall and portly gentleman from town once chanced to visit this 'coombe-bottom' on business, and strolled down the 'street' in all the glory of shining boots, large gold watch-chain, black coat and high hat, all the pomp of Regent-street; doubtless imagining that his grandeur astonished the rustics.

A brown young rascal, however, looking him up--he was a tall man--with an air of intelligent criticism, audibly remarked, 'Hum! He be very well up to his ankles--and then a' falls off!' That evening was one of the most beautiful I remember.

We all sat in the garden at Lucketts' Place till ten o'clock; it was still light and it seemed impossible to go indoors.