Then began a regular siege. Stones showered upon the farmhouse roof, the shiver of broken glass tinkled through the dull roar of the attackers, groans and screams answered the bursting bang of the shot-gun. Men began to seize faggots from the wood-pile, and run with them towards the house. Then some tore up a haystack, but the wind caught the hay and blew it[Pg 12] everywhere, flinging swathes and streamers of it into the rioters' faces, giving them sudden armfuls of it, making their noses and eyes smart with the dust and litter.Holgrave looked at them an instant"It can't be done," said the young man in the open-work socks"it can't be done. And why should we want to do it?is not Nature the Mother and Nurse of[Pg 459] us all?and is it not best for us simply to lie on her bosom and trust her for our welfare?"
Director
"Good about the poll, m?aster, wurn't it?" he saidthe older men were always more cordial towards Reuben than the youngsters. They had seen how he could work."May He, in whose hands are the ends of the earth, preserve thee, my son, from evil. And oh! may He bless this house!""Wot!""Hello, Susan!""Sir Eustace!"