"Well, lads will fight and sometimes it does them good," said the squire, who loved the old British game of boxing, and felt like supporting Glaze, who was a favourite of his. "A bad thing, stirring up the worst passions," replied the parson. "I doan't knaw about that," sturdily replied Glaze, encouraged by the squire's words. "This was a thing that 'ad to come off, and seeing as 'ow the little one 'as given the big un a much needed dressing down,--I think it proper, sir," and Glaze touched his cap. "Another case of the valiant Cornishman and the giant Cormoran, eh, Glaze?" said the squire, laughingly. "Aye, sir, 'tez so," said Glaze, as they passed on. CHAPTER XII CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTMAS PLAY "Come, bring with a noise, My merrie, merrie boys, The Christmas block to the firing; While my good dame, she, Bids ye all be free, And drink to your heart's desiring." --_Herrick._ There was bustle and activity in the parish. There was a chill in the air, the presage of the rapidly approaching Christmas time. House cleaning and baking occupied the time of the busy housewives. The small boy's eyes glistened as he watched the huge cakes, loaded with citron, currants, and coloured as yellow as gold with saffron, emerging from the oven and consigned, still steaming hot, to some secure place of retention. Then the bag-puddings--a most indigestible mass--yet sweet and toothsome, the pastries, pies, and fuggans, passed in regular order through the hands of the cook. There is activity among the male population as well as among the housewives. Small lads run hither and thither crying shrilly, "Pennorths of Christmas," and exhibiting evergreen, holly and mistletoe for sale. The farmers are preparing bands for saluting the apple trees. Youngsters are planning schemes for watching the oxen kneel. Singers are practising, night after night, the Christmas carols or "curls." Youths are preparing for the Christmas play of St. George and the Turk. Ande had been to Helston with the donkey and cart to purchase needed supplies, and in returning along the "Red Revver" road was allowing the animal to take his own gait. "'Allo, Ande, we want 'ee for St. George in the Christmas play," said a voice from the hedge. It was Puckinharn. "How art tha, Tommy! Up with 'ee and 'ave a ride. Who's in the company?" said Ande, all in one breath. "We doant knaw as yet, but thee must be St. George, that's settled," said Tommy, as he clambered up into the cart. "Well, if I'm to be St. George, we had better begin soon. Suppose we meet in our furze croft and get down to business this afternoon." "The very place," assented Tommy. The donkey was hurried on, while both lads planned and talked. That afternoon saw a crowd of the village boys assembled in the rough highland, "the croft," and after much debate the parts were assigned and practising begun.