Flaymaking. 87

hedge. The next moment I started up and ran
down towards the haymaking field. I slipped in
unnoticed, and from behind a hay-cock I saw that
they were indeed “working for life,” pitching it
into carts, and raking after them. As I crouched
there, the farmer’s wife threw aside her rake, ex-
claiming that she must needs go and milk the cows,
for they had been hollering to her this half-hour ;
“but work you on, maids, for goodness sake, for
there’s the thunder begun.” Here was my oppor-
tunity, and taking up Mrs. Williams’ rake, I took
her place among the workers. Simon Williams,
who was pitching, observed me at once, but said
nothing until his father returned with his empty
cart from the haggart ; then I saw him go up and
speak to him. The farmer called to me, and said,
“ Look here, Reuben ; I’m glad you are better, but
we don’t want you no more——”

 

- I only

?

“No, sir,” I said, “it is not that

came I heard you were short of hands, and

 

I don’t think I did my day’s work that day, and I
thought if I could help a bit

”

 

“Oh, if that’s it, all right,’ said the farmer.
“Now, pitchers!” and the work went on again.

T had a tremendous nod from Tommy when he
first caught my eye, but we were all working too
hard to spare breath for speech,