'Winter, he's come, I reckon, Mus' Dan,' he called. 'Hard times now till Heffle Cuckoo Fair. Yes, we'll all be glad to see the Old Woman let the Cuckoo out o' the basket for to start lawful Spring in England.'
They heard a crash, and a stamp and a splash of water as though a heavy old cow were crossing almost under their noses.
Hobden ran forward angrily to the ford.
'Gleason's bull again, playin' Robin all over the Farm! Oh, look, Mus' Dan—his great footmark as big as a trencher. No bounds to his impidence! He might count himself to be a man or—or Somebody——'
A voice the other side of the brook boomed:
'I wonder who his cloak would turn When Puck had led him round, Or where those walking fires would burn——'
Then the children went in singing 'Farewell Rewards and Fairies' at the tops of their voices. They had forgotten that they had not even said good-night to Puck.
[a/]
THE CHILDREN'S SONG
Land of our Birth, we pledge to thee Our love and toil in the years to be; When we are grown and take our place, As men and women with our race.