ewel--just about a jewel!
Wel-a-well! 'Twas done for and among my own people, and--Father Roger was
right--I never knew such trouble or such triumph since. That's the nature
o' things. A dear--dear land.' He dropped his chin on his chest.

'There's your Father at the Forge. What's he talking to old Hobden about?'
said Puck, opening his hand with three leaves in it.

Dan looked towards the cottage.

'Oh, I know. It's that old oak lying across the brook. Pater always wants
it grubbed.'

In the still valley they could hear old Hobden's deep tones.

'Have it _as_ you've a mind to,' he was saying. 'But the vivers of her
roots they hold the bank together. If you grub her out, the bank she'll
all come tearin' down, an' next floods the brook'll swarve up. But have it
_as_ you've a mind. The mistuss she sets a heap by the ferns on her
trunk.'

'Oh! I'll think it over,' said the Pater.

Una laughed a little bubbling chuckle.

'What Devil's in _that_ belfry?' said Hal, with a lazy laugh. 'That should
be Hobden by his voice.'

'Why, the oak is the regular bridge for all the rabbits between the Three
Acre and our meadow. The best place for wires on the farm, Hobden says.
He's got two there now,' Una answered. '_He_ won't ever let it be
grubbed!'

'Ah, Sussex! Silly Sussex for everlastin',' murmured Hal; and the next
moment their Father's voice calling across to Little Lindens broke the
spell as St. Barnabas's clock struck five.

SMUGGLERS' SONG

_If you wake at midnight, and hear a horse's feet,_
_Don't go drawing back the blind, or looking in the street,_
_Them that asks no questions isn't told a lie._
_Watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!_

_Five and twenty ponies_
_Trotting through the dark;_
_Brandy for the Parson,_
_'Baccy for the Clerk_
_Laces for a lady, letters for a spy,_

_And watch the wall, my darling, while the Gentlemen go by!_

_Running round the woodlump if you chance to find_
_Little barrels, roped and tarred, all full of brandywined;_
_Don't you shout to come and look, nor take 'em for your play;_
_Put the brishwood back again,--and they'll be gone next day!_

_If you see the stableyard setting open wide;_
_If you see a tied horse lying down inside;_
_If your mother mends a coat cut about and tore;_
_If the lining's wet and warm--don't you ask no more!_

_If you meet King George's men, dressed in blue and re