aiting in the road," said Gregory. "Then fetch
them in too," said the young clergyman. And Janet and Robert and Jack
and Horace were brought in.

"Now," said the young clergyman, "have some tea." And he rang the bell
and ordered enough tea for eight.

When the girl had gone, he asked for full particulars, and then gave
his verdict.

"'Fresh woods and pastures new.'"

"Oh, rubbish!" said Vernon. "I've always learned 'fresh fields and
pastures new.'"

"That's what I say," said Mary.

"And so do I," said Robert and Horace.

"I think YOU'RE right," said Janet to the young clergyman.

"Well," he said, "I'll look it up." And he began to hunt for Milton on
his shelves.

"Oh, not yet!" said Vernon. "Let's have some fun first. Let's see who
are the 'fielders' and who are the 'wooders.' All 'fielders' this way."

Mary, Robert, and Horace ranged themselves beside him, leaving Janet
and Jack with the young clergyman, whom Vernon called Rod.

Gregory looked at both sides, and did not move.

"Haven't you any views about it?" asked Vernon.

"No," said Gregory; "I never heard the thing before. What does it
matter?"

"Very well, then," said Rod; "here's the tea. You pour it out for us. I
like three lumps of sugar in mine. Now," he continued, "the rout of the
'fielders' is about to begin. Of course it's 'woods.' Why, I can see
the word now in Milton's own handwriting, as I used to see it in the
Library at Trinity."

"I'm so sure it's 'fields,'" said Vernon, "that I declare myself
willing to go without cake for tea if it isn't."

"Will you put half a crown in the plate next Sunday if it's 'woods'?"
said Rod.

"Oh, I say, that's a bit stiff," said Vernon. "Half a crown?"

"Very well, then," said Rod, "two bob. Will you put two bob in the
plate next Sunday if it's 'woods'?"

"Yes, I will," said Vernon. "But if it's 'fields,' what will you do?
You mayn't take a shilling out?"

"No," said Rod; "if it's 'fields' I'll eat my best hat."

"I hope it's fields,'" said Gregory.

"Horrid little boy!" said Rod. "But now we'll see."

He opened Milton slowly, and turned over the pages of "Lycidas." "Ha!
ha!" he said; "no cake for Charles Vernon, Esquire, and two bob for
Mother Church. And my best hat saved. Listen:

"'At last he rose and twitch'd his mantle blue:
To-morrow to fresh woods, and pastures new.'"

"No cake!" groaned Vernon. "Repulsive children!" he continued
tragically. "Why did you knock at this unhap