lt free to go on, and
explain he had L70 laid by with the master, and how would she like him
for a husband.

And the girl told him to fetch her the money, and he asked his master
for it, and brought it to her. But as they were going upstairs, she
cried, "O John, I must go back, sure I've left my shutters undone, and
they'll be slashing and banging all night."

The butler said, "Never you trouble, I'll put them right." and he ran
back, while she took her feathers, and said: "By virtue of my three
feathers may the shutters slash and bang till morning, and John not be
able to fasten them nor yet to get his fingers free from them."

And so it was. Try as he might the butler could not leave hold, nor yet
keep the shutters from blowing open as he closed them. And he _was_
angry, but could not help himself, and he did not care to tell of it and
get the laugh on him, so no one knew.

Then after a bit the coachman began to notice her, and she found he had
some L40 with the master, and he said she might have it if she would
take him with it.

So after the laundry-maid had his money in her apron as they went
merrily along, she stopt, exclaiming: "My clothes are left outside, I
must run back and bring them in." "Stop for me while I go; it is a cold
frost night," said William, "you'd be catching your death." So the girl
waited long enough to take her feathers out and say, "By virtue of my
three feathers may the clothes slash and blow about till morning, and
may William not be able to take his hand from them nor yet to gather
them up." And then she was away to bed and to sleep.

The coachman did not want to be every one's jest, and he said nothing.
So after a bit the footman comes to her and said he: "I have been with
my master for years and have saved up a good bit, and you have been
three years here, and must have saved up as well. Let us put it
together, and make us a home or else stay on at service as pleases you."
Well, she got him to bring the savings to her as the others had, and
then she pretended she was faint, and said to him: "James, I feel so
queer, run down cellar for me, that's a dear, and fetch me up a drop of
brandy." Now no sooner had he started than she said: "By virtue of my
three feathers may there be slashing and spilling, and James not be able
to pour the brandy straight nor yet to take his hand from it until
morning."

And so it was. Try as he might James could not get his glass filled, and
there was s