o or three men in the world at any particular space o'
given time as has the power gi'en 'em by Nature to be fiddlers; that is
to say, as has all the qualities to be masters of the instryment. It is
so ordered as the best of qualities must be practised to be perfect,
and howsoever a man may be qualified to begin with, he must work hour by
hour and day by day for years afore he plays the fiddle."

"I look upon any such doctrine as a sinful crime," said Sennacherib.
"The fiddle is a recrehation, and was gi'en us for that end. So, in a
way, for them as likes it, is skittles. So is marvils, or kite-flyin',
or kiss-i'-the-ring. But to talk of a man sittin' on his hinder end, and
draggin' rosined hosshair across catgut hour by hour and day by day for
'ears, is a doctrine as I should like to hear Parson Hales's opinion on,
if ever it was to get broached afore him."

"Ruth," called the 'cello-player, as the girl reappeared, bearing a tray
with a huge jug and glasses, "come along with the beer. And when
we've had a drink, lads, well have a cut at the hallygro. It's marked
'vivaysy,' Reuben, an' it'll tek thee all thy time to get the twirls and
twiddles i' the right placen."

Ruth poured out a glass of beer for each of the players, and, having set
the tray and jug upon the grass, took up her former place and position
by the apple-tree.

"Wheer's your rosin, 'Saiah?" asked Sennacherib.

"I forgot to bring it wi' me," said Isaiah. "I took it out of the case
last night, and was that neglectful as I forgot to put it back again."

"My blessid!" cried Sennacherib, "I niver see such a man!"

"Well, well!" said the 'cello-player, "here's a bit. You seem to ha'
forgot your own."

"What's that got to do wi' it?" Sennacherib demanded. "I shall live to
learn as two blacks mek a white by-an'-by, I reckon. There niver was
a party o' four but there was three wooden heads among 'em." The girl
glanced over her arm, and looked with dancing eyes at the youngest of
the party. He, feeling Sennacherib's eye upon him, contrived to keep
a grave face. The host gave the word and the four set to work, Reuben
playing with genuine fire, and his companions sawing away with a dogged
precision which made them agreeable enough to listen to, but droll to
look at. Ruth, with her chin upon her dimpled arm, watched Reuben as he
played. He had tossed back his chestnut mane of hair rather proudly as
he tucked his violin beneath his chin, and had looked round o