Herbert Jenkins

“ It was nearly eleven o'clock before a sprinkling of houses warned them that they were approaching Barton Bridge. Soon the van was awakening echoes in drowsy, old High Street. Halfway along what is practically the only thoroughfare, stands the Blue Dragon, outside of which the driver instinctively pulled up, and he and Bindle clambered down, ostensibly to inquire the way. ”

“ Strict religious neutrality could not well be extended into the field of catering; the Church faction recoiled in horror from the thought of eating non-conformist sandwiches; while if the lemonade were to be of Church manufacture, it would mean that scores of dissenters would have a thirsty afternoon. It was Lady Knob-Kerrick who finally solved the problem by suggesting that the order be placed with a London caterer who, as a corporation, was not expected to have any religious convictions. ”

“ He indicated to Miss Slocum's horror-stricken gaze the form of Miss McFie, who was sitting on the ground, feet wide apart, hat awry, singing quietly to herself. It was Bindle, too, who fetched for Miss Slocum a glass of lemonade after which she seemed to see more with the others.
The Maypole Dance was in full progress when Lady Knob-Kerrick entered the meadow. Youths and girls, men and women staggered unsteadily round the gaily decorated scaffold-pole, that had been lent by Mr. Ash, the builder. ”

“ The man who had pursued and caught the girl was Mr. Marsh, the people's church-warden, a widower with grown-up daughters. With an air of stern determination, Lady Knob-Kerrick descended from her carriage and marched boldly round the screen. ”

“ Lady Knob-Kerrick distinguished many of her tenants among the fringe of stumbling humanity, and two of her own domestics. The principal object of the men dancers seemed to be to kiss each girl as they passed her, and that of the girls to appear to try and avoid the caress without actually doing so. The dance ended prematurely, there being none of the dancers any longer capable of preserving an upright position. ”

“ In a few seconds the attacking party had been hosed into a gasping, choking and struggling heap. Cocoanuts, wooden balls, sticks, bits of chairs, glasses and crockery rained upon them. The forces of Mammon gathered themselves together and retired in disorder. ”

“ With a happy look in his eyes, Bindle took a short drink, tasted the liquid critically, looked at Little, then with a puzzled expression emptied the glass at the second attempt.
“Wot d'yer call it, sir? It's new to me,” he remarked as he replaced his glass upon the counter.
“It hasn't got a name yet. I make it myself. It's not bad, eh?”
“It beats all I ever tasted. It ain't for suckin-babes though, sir. Pretty strong.”
“Yes. You said you had the lemonade for the Temperance Fête in there, didn't you?” inquired Little. ”

“ Er ... no ..." murmured Mr. Slocum; but Bindle had already refilled his glass and was doing a like service for Mr. McFie. When they left the stall it was arm-in-arm, and Mr, McFie directed his steps to the spot where, a few minutes previously, he had received so severe a shock; but the sport was over and the crowd had distributed itself elsewhere.
III
LADY KNOB-KERRICK drove round to the Fête ground to find the gate open and unattended and a tremendous clamor within. At first she thought that there had been an accident ”