been
dipped in blood."

Christian drew a deep breath without letting it expand his body, and
Humphrey said, "Where has it been seen?"

"Not exactly here; but in this same heth. But 'tisn't a thing to
talk about. What do ye say," continued Fairway in brisker tones, and
turning upon them as if the idea had not been Grandfer Cantle's--"what
do you say to giving the new man and wife a bit of a song to-night
afore we go to bed--being their wedding-day? When folks are just
married 'tis as well to look glad o't, since looking sorry won't
unjoin 'em. I am no drinker, as we know, but when the womenfolk and
youngsters have gone home we can drop down across to the Quiet Woman,
and strike up a ballet in front of the married folks' door. 'Twill
please the young wife, and that's what I should like to do, for many's
the skinful I've had at her hands when she lived with her aunt at
Blooms-End."

"Hey? And so we will!" said Grandfer Cantle, turning so briskly that
his copper seals swung extravagantly. "I'm as dry as a kex with biding
up here in the wind, and I haven't seen the colour of drink since
nammet-time today. 'Tis said that the last brew at the Woman is very
pretty drinking. And, neighbours, if we should be a little late in
the finishing, why, tomorrow's Sunday, and we can sleep it off?"

"Grandfer Cantle! you take things very careless for an old man," said
the wide woman.

"I take things careless; I do--too careless to please the women! Klk!
I'll sing the 'Jovial Crew,' or any other song, when a weak old man
would cry his eyes out. Jown it; I am up for anything.

"The king' look'd o'ver his left' shoul-der',
And a grim' look look'-ed hee',
Earl Mar'-shal, he said', but for' my oath'
Or hang'-ed thou' shouldst bee'."

"Well, that's what we'll do," said Fairway. "We'll give 'em a song,
an' it please the Lord. What's the good of Thomasin's cousin Clym
a-coming home after the deed's done? He should have come afore, if so
be he wanted to stop it, and marry her himself."

"Perhaps he's coming to bide with his mother a little time, as she
must feel lonely now the maid's gone."

"Now, 'tis very odd, but I never feel lonely--no, not at all," said
Grandfer Cantle. "I am as brave in the night-time as a' admiral!"

The bonfire was by this time beginning to sink low, for the fuel had
not been of that substantial sort which can support a blaze long.
Most of the other fires within the wide horizon were als