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reason Sir Muscovy loved to retire for meditation。 The cries grew lower
and softer as the birds approached each other； and they met at the corner
just under my window。 Instantly they put their two bills together and the
loud cries changed to confiding murmurs。 Evidently some hurried
questions and answers passed between them； and then Sir Muscovy
waddled rapidly by the quickest path； Miss Crippletoes following him at a
slower pace； and both passed out of sight； using their wings to help their
feet down the steep declivity。 The next morning； when I wakened early；
my first thought was to look out； and there on the sunny greensward where
they were accustomed to be fed； Sir Muscovy； Lady Blanche； and their
humble maid； Malardina Crippletoes； were scattering their own breakfast
before the bills of twelve beautiful golden balls of ducklings。 The little
creatures could never have climbed the bank； but must have started from
their nest at dawn； coming round by the brook to the level at the foot of
the garden； and so by slow degrees up to the house。
Judging from what I heard and knew of their habits； I am sure the
excitement of the previous morning was occasioned by the hatching of the
eggs； and that Lady Blanche had hastily sent her friend to call Sir
Muscovy； the family remaining together until they could bring the babies
with them and display their beauty to Phoebe and me。
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
CHAPTER X
July 14th。
We are not wholly without the pleasures of the town in Barbury Green。
Once or twice in a summer； late on a Saturday afternoon； a procession of
red and yellow vans drives into a field near the centre of the village。 By
the time the vans are unpacked all the children in the community are
surrounding the gate of entrance。 There is rifle…shooting； there is fortune…
telling； there are games of pitch and toss； and swings； and French bagatelle；
and； to crown all； a wonderful orchestrion that goes by steam。 The water
is boiled for the public's tea； and at the same time thrilling strains of
melody are flung into the air。 There is at present only one tune in the
orchestrion's repertory； but it is a very good tune； though after hearing it
three hundred and seven times in a single afternoon； it pursues one；
sleeping and waking； for the next week。 Phoebe and I took the Square
Baby and went in to this diversified entertainment。 There was a small
crowd of children at the entrance； but as none of them seemed to be
provided with pennies； and I felt in a fairy godmother mood； I offered
them the freedom of the place at my expense。
I never purchased more radiant good…will for less money； but the
combined effect of the well…boiled tea and the boiling orchestrion
produced many village nightmares； so the mothers told me at chapel next
morning。
* * *
I have many friends in Barbury Green； and often have a pleasant chat
with the draper； and the watch…maker； and the chemist。
The last house on the principal street is rather an ugly one； with
especially nice window curtains。 As I was taking my daily walk to the
post…office （an entirely unfruitful expedition thus far； as nobody has taken
the pains to write to me） I saw a nursemaid coming out of the gate；
wheeling a baby in a perambulator。 She was going placidly away from
the Green when； far in the distance； she espied a man walking rapidly
toward us； a heavy Gladstone bag in one hand。 She gazed fixedly for a
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
moment； her eyes brightening and her cheeks flushing with pleasure；
whoever it was； it was an unexpected arrival；then she retraced her steps
and； running up the garden… path； opened the front door and held an
excited colloquy with somebody； a slender somebody in a nice print gown
and neatly… dressed hair； who came to the gate and peeped beyond the
hedge several times； drawing back between peeps with smiles and
heightened colour。 She did not run down the road； even when she had
satisfied herself of the identity of the traveller； perhaps that would not
have been good form in an English village； for there were houses on the
opposite side of the way。 She waited until he opened the gate； the
nursemaid took the bag and looked discreetly into the hedge； then the
mistress slipped her hand through the traveller's arm and walked up the
path as if she had nothing else in the world to wish for。 The nurse had a
part in the joy； for she lifted the baby out of the perambulator and showed
proudly how much he had grown。
It was a dear little scene； and I； a passer…by； had shared in it and felt
better for it。 I think their content was no less because part of it had
enriched my life； for happiness； like mercy； is twice blessed； it blesses
those who are most intimately associated in it； and it blesses all those who
see it； hear it； feel it； touch it； or breathe the same atmosphere。 A
laughing； crowing baby in a house； one cheerful woman singing about her
work； a boy whistling at the plough； a romance just suspected； with its
miracle of two hearts melting into onethe wind's always in the west
when you have any of these wonder…workers in your neighbourhood。
I have talks too； sometimes； with the old parson； who lives in a quaint
house with 〃Parva Domus Magna Quies〃 cut into the stone over the
doorway。 He is not a preaching parson； but a retired one； almost the
nicest kind； I often think。
He has been married thirty years； he tells me； thirty years； spent in the
one little house with the bricks painted red and grey alternately； and the
scarlet holly…hocks growing under the windows。 I am sure they have been
sweet； true； kind years； and that his heart must be a quiet； peaceful place
just like his house and garden。
〃I was only eleven years old when I fell in love with my wife；〃 he told
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
me as we sat on the seat under the lime…tree； he puffing cosily at his pipe； I
plaiting grasses for a hatband。
〃It was just before Sunday…school。 Her mother had dressed her all in
white muslin like a fairy； but she had stepped on the edge of a puddle； and
some of the muddy water had bespattered her frock。 A circle of children
had surrounded her； and some of the motherly little girls were on their
knees rubbing at the spots anxiously； while one of them wiped away the
tears that were running down her pretty cheeks。 I looked！ It was fatal！
I did not look again； but I was smitten to the very heart！ I did not speak
to her for six years； but when I did； it was all right with both of us； thank
God！ and I've been in love with her ever since； when she behaves herself！〃
That is the way they speak of love in Barbury Green； and oh！ how
much sweeter and more wholesome it is than the language of the town！
Who would not be a Goose Girl； 〃to win the secret of the weed's plain
heart〃？ It seems to me that in society we are always gazing at magic…
lantern shows； but here we rest our tired eyes with looking at the stars。
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The Diary of a Goose Girl
CHAPTER XI
July 16th。
Phoebe and I have been to a Hen Conference at Buffington。 It was
for the purpose of raising the standard of