Volume Ii Part 32 (2/2)

And the children run ? for with pelting fun The nuts fall thickly now.

”Some of the burrs are still shut tight ?

Some open with chestnuts three, And some nuts fall with no burrs at all ?

Smooth, s.h.i.+ny, as nuts should be.

”Oh, who can tell what fun it was To see the p.r.i.c.kly shower: To feel what a whack on head or back Was within a chestnut's power!

”To run beneath the shaking tree, And then to scamper away; And with laughing shout to dance about The gra.s.s where the chestnuts lay.

”With flowing dresses, and blowing hair, And eyes that no shadow knew, Like the growing light of a morning bright ?

The dawn of the summer blue!

”The work was ended ? the trees were stripped ?

The children were 'tired of play:'

And they forgot (but the squirrel did not) The wrong they had done that day.”

Whether it was from the reader's enjoyment or good giving of these lines, or from Edith's delight in them, he was frequently interrupted with bursts of laughter.

”I can understand _that_,” said Mr. Stackpole, ”without any difficulty.”

”You are not lost in the mysteries of chestnutting in open daylight,” said Mrs. Evelyn.

”Mr. Carleton,” said Edith, ”wouldn't you have taken the squirrel's chestnuts?”

”I believe I should, Miss Edith, if I had not been hindered.”

”But what would have hindered you? don't you think it was right?”

”Ask your friend, Miss Ringgan, what she thinks of it,” said he, smiling.

”Now, Mr. Carleton,” said Constance, as he threw down the magazine, ”will you decide that point of English between Miss Ringgan and me?”

”I should like to hear the pleadings on both sides, Miss Constance.”

”Well, Fleda, will you agree to submit it to Mr. Carleton?”

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