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and the grass were green； the air was musical with songs of birds；
and high above them all the lark poured out her richest melody。 In
shady spots； the morning dew sparkled on each young leaf and
blade of grass； and where the sun was shining； some diamond
drops yet glistened brightly； as in unwillingness to leave so fair a
world； and have such brief existence。 Even the light wind； whose
rustling was as gentle to the ear as softly…falling water； had its
hope and promise； and； leaving a pleasant fragrance in its track as
it went fluttering by； whispered of its intercourse with Summer；
and of his happy coming。
The solitary rider went glancing on among the trees； from
sunlight into shade and back again； at the same even pace—
looking about him； certainly； from time to time； but with no
greater thought of the day or the scene through which he moved；
than that he was fortunate （being choicely dressed） to have such
favourable weather。 He smiled very complacently at such times；
but rather as if he were satisfied with himself than with anything
else： and so went riding on； upon his chestnut cob； as pleasant to
look upon as his own horse； and probably far less sensitive to the
many cheerful influences by which he was surrounded。
In the course of time； the Maypole’s massive chimneys rose
upon his view： but he quickened not his pace one jot； and with the
same cool gravity rode up to the tavern porch。 John Willet； who
was toasting his red face before a great fire in the bar； and who；
with surpassing foresight and quickness of apprehension； had
been thinking； as he looked at the blue sky； that if that state of
things lasted much longer； it might ultimately become necessary
to leave off fires and throw the windows open； issued forth to hold
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his stirrup； calling lustily for Hugh。
‘Oh； you’re here； are you； sir？’ said John； rather surprised by
the quickness with which he appeared。 ‘Take this here valuable
animal into the stable； and have more than particular care of him
if you want to keep your place。 A mortal lazy fellow； sir； he needs a
deal of looking after。’
‘But you have a son；’ returned Mr Chester； giving his bridle to
Hugh as he dismounted； and acknowledging his salute by a
careless motion of his hand towards his hat。 ‘Why don’t you make
him useful？’
‘Why； the truth is； sir；’ replied John with great importance； ‘that
my son—what； you’re a…listening are you； villain？’
‘Who’s listening？’ returned Hugh angrily。 ‘A treat； indeed； to
hear you speak！ Would you have me take him in till he’s cool？’
‘Walk him up and down further off then； sir；’ cried old John；
‘and when you see me and a noble gentleman entertaining
ourselves with talk； keep your distance。 If you don’t know your
distance； sir；’ added Mr Willet； after an enormously long pause；
during which he fixed his great dull eyes on Hugh； and waited
with exemplary patience for any little property in the way of ideas
that might come to him； ‘we’ll find a way to teach you； pretty soon。’
Hugh shrugged his shoulders scornfully； and in his reckless
swaggering way； crossed to the other side of the little green； and
there； with the bridle slung loosely over his shoulder； led the horse
to and fro； glancing at his master every now and then from under
his bushy eyebrows； with as sinister an aspect as one would desire
to see。
Mr Chester； who； without appearing to do so； had eyed him
attentively during this brief dispute； stepped into the porch； and
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turning abruptly to Mr Willet； said；
‘You keep strange servants； John。’
‘Strange enough to look at； sir； certainly；’ answered the host；
‘but out of doors； for horses； dogs； and the likes of that； there an’t a
better man in England than is that Maypole Hugh yonder。 He an’t
fit for indoors；’ added Mr Willet； with the confidential air of a man
who felt his own superior nature。 ‘I do that； but if that chap had
only a little imagination； sir—’
‘He’s an active fellow now； I dare swear；’ said Mr Chester； in a
musing tone； which seemed to suggest that he would have said the
same had there been nobody to hear him。
‘Active； sir！’ retorted John； with quite an expression in his face；
‘that chap！ Hallo there！ You； sir！ Bring that horse here； and go and
hang my wig on the weathercock； to show this gentleman whether
you’re one of the lively sort or not。’
Hugh made no answer； but throwing the bridle to his master；
and snatching his wig from his head； in a manner so
unceremonious and hasty that the action discomposed Mr Willet
not a little； though performed at his own special desire； climbed
nimbly to the very summit of the maypole before the house； and
hanging the wig upon the weathercock； sent it twirling round like
a roasting jack。 Having achieved this performance； he cast it on
the ground； and sliding down the pole with inconceivable rapidity；
alighted on his feet almost as soon as it had touched the earth。
‘There； sir；’ said John； relapsing into his usual stolid state； ‘you
won’t see that at many houses； besides the Maypole； where there’s
good accommodation for man and beast—nor that neither； though
that with him is nothing。’
This last remark bore reference to his vaulting on horseback； as
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upon Mr Chester’s first visit； and quickly disappearing by the
stable gate。
‘That with him is nothing；’ repeated Mr Willet； brushing his wig
with his wrist； and inwardly resolving to distribute a small charge
for dust and damage to that article of dress； through the various
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