Now plums and spice, sugar and honey, square it among pies and
broth. Now or never must music be in tune, for the youth must dance
and sing to get them a heat, while the aged sit by the fire. The
country maid leaves half her market, and must be sent again, if she
forgets a pack of cards on Christmas eve. Great is the contention of
holly and ivy, whether master or dame wears the breeches. Dice and
cards benefit the butler; and if the cook do not lack wit, he will
sweetly lick his fingers."
I was roused from this fit of luxurious meditation, by a shout
from my little travelling companions. They had been looking out of the
coach windows for the last few miles, recognizing every tree and
cottage as they approached home, and now there was a general burst
of joy- "There's John! and there's old Carlo! and there's Bantam!"
cried the happy little rogues, clapping their hands.
At the end of a lane there was an old sober-looking servant in
livery, waiting for them; he was accompanied by a superannuated
pointer, and by the redoubtable Bantam, a little old rat of a pony,
with a shaggy mane and long rusty tail, who stood dozing quietly by
the road-side, little dreaming of the bustling times that awaited him.
I was pleased to see the fondness with which the little fellows
leaped about the steady old footman, and hugged the pointer; who
wriggled his whole body for joy.
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