When we had our pageant, the grass didnt recover
tillautumn .
There it was, black, swollen, ontop of them.
Streatfield to exorcizethis evil, to extend the protection of his
cloth.
Nothing was heard but the chump of jaws and the
chink ofglasses.
Therewas a time, Sir John, when you and I were
always first on top. Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us God save the KingThe
notes died away.
Time went on and on like the hands ofthe kitchen
clock.
How long was she going to keep them waiting? This
is death, death, death, she noted in themargin of her mind; when illusion fails.
They folded their hands in the traditional manner as if they wereseated in
church.
Then again, as the play or pageantproceeded, my
attention was distracted.
They dont need to dress up if its present
time.
Or for the matter of that book learning;or skilful
practice on pianos; or laying on of paint.
Time went on and on like the hands ofthe kitchen
clock. I call upon one of the young ladies for a song.
Manresa reproved her little boy,her surly
hero.
Always some coldeye crawled over the surface like a
winter blue-bottle! Where theminer sweats, and the maiden faith is rudely
strumpeted. Excited by the uproar, scurrying and worrying, here they
came!
It might be true, perhaps, of theVictorians; but
surely not of ourselves? And buying shares in the market to sell em.
Thats the man, Cobbet ofCobbs Corner, who wins all
the prizes at all the shows.
Lets hope to God thats the end, said Giles gruffly.
Coming back from a Ball,past the clock at Hyde Park Corner, dyou remember the feel
of whitegloves?
And little England, still a child, sucked a
peppermint drop out ofa bag. Be it never so humble,theres no place like
Ome.
Therewas a time, Sir John, when you and I were
always first on top. My father remembered the old Duke in the Park. All you can see
of yourselves is scraps, orts and fragments?
They weresuspended, without being, in limbo. Isa,
whose eyes had been wandering, shook her head.