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scarlet holly…hocks growing under the windows。 I am sure they have been
sweet； true； kind years； and that his heart must be a quiet； peaceful place
just like his house and garden。
〃I was only eleven years old when I fell in love with my wife；〃 he told
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me as we sat on the seat under the lime…tree； he puffing cosily at his pipe； I
plaiting grasses for a hatband。
〃It was just before Sunday…school。 Her mother had dressed her all in
white muslin like a fairy； but she had stepped on the edge of a puddle； and
some of the muddy water had bespattered her frock。 A circle of children
had surrounded her； and some of the motherly little girls were on their
knees rubbing at the spots anxiously； while one of them wiped away the
tears that were running down her pretty cheeks。 I looked！ It was fatal！
I did not look again； but I was smitten to the very heart！ I did not speak
to her for six years； but when I did； it was all right with both of us； thank
God！ and I've been in love with her ever since； when she behaves herself！〃
That is the way they speak of love in Barbury Green； and oh！ how
much sweeter and more wholesome it is than the language of the town！
Who would not be a Goose Girl； 〃to win the secret of the weed's plain
heart〃？ It seems to me that in society we are always gazing at magic…
lantern shows； but here we rest our tired eyes with looking at the stars。
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CHAPTER XI
July 16th。
Phoebe and I have been to a Hen Conference at Buffington。 It was
for the purpose of raising the standard of the British Hen； and our local
Countess； who is much interested in poultry； was in the chair。
It was a very learned body； but Phoebe had coached me so well that at
the noon recess I could talk confidently with the members； discussing the
various advantages of True and Crossed Minorcas； Feverels； Andalusians；
Cochin Chinas； Shanghais； and the White Leghorn。 （Phoebe； when she
pronounces this word； leaves out the 〃h〃 and bears down heavily on the
last syllable； so that it rhymes with begone！）
As I was sitting under the trees waiting for Phoebe to finish some
shopping in the village； a travelling poultry…dealer came along and offered
to sell me a silver Wyandotte pullet and cockerel。 This was a new breed
to me and I asked the price； which proved to be more than I should pay for
a hat in Bond Street。 I hesitated； thinking meantime what a delightful
parting gift they would be for Phoebe； I mean if we ever should part；
which seems more and more unlikely； as I shall never leave Thornycroft
until somebody comes properly to fetch me； indeed； unless the 〃fetching〃
is done somewhat speedily I may decline to go under any circumstances。
My indecision as to the purchase was finally banished when the
poultryman asserted that the fowls had clear open centres all over； black
lacing entirely round the white centres； were free from white edging； and
each had a cherry…red eye。 This catalogue of charms inflamed my
imagination； though it gave me no mental picture of a silver Wyandotte
fowl； and I paid the money while the dealer crammed the chicks；
squawking into my five…o'clock tea…basket。
The afternoon session of the conference was most exciting； for we
reached the subject of imported eggs； an industry that is assuming
terrifying proportions。 The London hotel egg comes from Denmark； it
seems；I should think by sailing vessel； not steamer； but I may be wrong。
After we had settled that the British Hen should be protected and
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encouraged； and agreed solemnly to abstain from Danish eggs in any form；
and made a resolution stating that our loyalty to Queen Alexandra would
remain undiminished； we argued the subject of hen diet。 There was a
great difference of opinion here and the discussion was heated； the
honorary treasurer standing for pulped mangold and flint grit； the chair
insisting on barley meal and randans； while one eloquent young woman
declared； to loud cries of 〃'Ear； 'ear！〃 that rice pudding and bone chips
produce more eggs to the square hen than any other sort of food。
Impassioned orators arose here and there in the audience demanding
recognition for beef scraps； charcoal； round corn or buckwheat。 Foods
were regarded from various standpoints： as general invigorators； growth
assisters； and egg producers。 A very handsome young farmer carried off
final honours； and proved to the satisfaction of all the feminine poultry…
raisers that green young hog bones fresh cut in the Banner Bone Breaker
（of which he was the agent） possessed a nutritive value not to be expressed
in human language。
Phoebe was distinctly nervous when I rose to say a few words on
poultry breeding； announcing as my topic 〃Mothers； Stepmothers； Foster…
Mothers； and Incubators。〃 Protected by the consciousness that no one in
the assemblage could possibly know me； I made a distinct success in my
maiden speech； indeed； I somewhat overshot the mark； for the Countess in
the chair sent me a note asking me to dine with her that evening。 I
suppressed the note and took Phoebe away before the proceedings were
finished； vanishing from the scene of my triumphs like a veiled prophet。
Just as we were passing out the door we paused to hear the report of a
special committee whose chairman read the following resolutions：…
WHEREAS；It has pleased the Almighty to remove from our midst
our greatest Rose Comb Buff Orpington fancier and esteemed friend；
Albert Edward Sheridain； therefore be it
RESOLVED；That the next edition of our catalogue contain an
illustrated memorial page in his honour and
RESOLVED；That the Rose Comb Buff Orpington Club extend to the
bereaved family their heartfelt sympathy。
The handsome young farmer followed us out to our trap； invited us to
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attend the next meeting of the R。 C。 B。 O。 Club； of which he was the
secretary； and asked if I were intending to 〃show。〃 I introduced Phoebe
as the senior partner； and she concealed the fact that we possessed but one
Buff Orpington； and he was a sad 〃invaleed〃 not suitable for exhibition。
The farmer's expression as he looked at me was almost lover…like； and
when he pressed a bit of paper into my hand I was sure it must be an offer
of marriage。 It was in fact only a circular describing the Banner Bone
Breaker。 It closed with an appeal to Buff Orpington breeders to raise and