CHAPTER XXXI
IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE

N a garden near the old bear-yard, among tall rose-

trees which would soon be in bloom, a merry com-
pany of men were sitting around a table which stood in
the angle of a quick-set hedge beside a path graveled
with white stones and bordered with mussel-shells.

There was a house hard by with creamy-white walls,
green-shuttered windows, and a red-tiled roof. The door
of the house was open, showing a little ruddy fire upon a
great hearth, kindled to drive away the damp; and in the
windows facing the garden there were lights shining
warmly out among the rose-trees.

The table was spread with ared damask cloth, on which
were a tray of raisins and nuts and a small rally of silver
cups. Above the table an apple-tree nodded its new
leaves, and from an overhanging bough a lantern hung
glowing like a great yellow bee.

There was a young fellow with a white apron and a
jolly little whisper of a whistle on his puckered lips going
around with a plate of cakes and a tray of honey-bowls;

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