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- 2 Feb. ye 25 - The party did go off verrie weli. I did play a merrie jigge on the spinette, which did please all vastly; John bein verrie proud at my skill, he knowing well that I did larn off Mistress Prue, as well as to write and reckon monies. She did play some pretty bits, so we all verrie merrie. After we had all etten our fill, we to dancing; and Farmer Bliss did sing, as did divers others. Then Parson Jones did tell us a ghost tale that did make my hair to rise; but Mistress Liwy did laff and say it was batter, and we did pass the wine and all did get verrie merrie before they did go, in the early howers. John did bring in a big bowl of hot rum punch; and all did join hands and say good luck, then did touch glasses and drink our healths. Then all did go home, verrie full and well content. Then I to the kitchen, where I did find Sarah fast asleep, she bein tired. I do tell her to lie abed till six of the clock, which did please her. Then we to bed, as soon as John had looked to see what vittles were left, which I fear me was verrie little. 'WINTER" (Extracts from "The Garden" by V. Sackville West) Much toil, much care, much love and many years Went to the slow reward; a grudging soil Enriched or lightened following its needs; Potash and compost, stable dung, blood, bones; Spent hops in jade-green sacks, the auburn leaves Rotted and rich, the wood-ash from the hearth For sticky clay; all to a second use Turned in a natural economy. And many a robin perched on many a sod Watched double-trenching for his benefit Through the companionable russet days, But only knew the digger turned the worm For him, and had no foresight of the frost Later to serve the digger and his clod Through winter months, for limitations rule Robins and men about their worms and wars, The robin's territory; and man's God. But the good gardener with eyes on ground Lifted towards the sunset as he scrapes His tools at day's end, looks into the west, Examining the calm or angry sky To reckon next day's chance of fair or ill, Of labour or of idleness enforced. .../3