He ceased, and Parish held the costly fruit More closely cuddled. "Varmer" next spake out. "You know _me_, HODGE: I woo you not with gifts. Long generations have not altered me, And Parish Meetings shall not. Trust your boss, They're bosh, lad! Judge thou me by what I am, And you will find me fittest. But allow Those dashed Rad agitators to upset Our old relations, fill your mind with fudge Concerning healthier homes and higher wage. And it's all up with England, Me--and _You!_ Tip me the Pippin!" Parish cocked a snook, And held the apple tighter. As for him, The sleek mild grocer, Parish shut him up Almost 'ere he had spoken. "I promise thee A good cheap article and lots of tick----" But Parish said, "Talk not to me of tick! I shall not need 'un wi my whacking wage, And 'overflowing revenue'; new cottage, Allotment patch, three acres and a coo, And a' the rest o' 't. As for this here Pippin, I've grupped at last, 'tis mine, an' I dunno _As I won't have first bite at 'un mysel'!_" He spoke and laughed. I shut my eyes in fear, But when I look'd, Parish had raised his hand. And I beheld the Parson's angry eyes, The Farmer's furious glance, and, weazel-like, The glittering of the Grocer-man's amaze. * * * * * [Illustration: "THE JUDGMENT OF 'PARISH.'" _Hodge_ (_meditatively_). "GROCER-CHAP, PASSON, AND VARMER, EACH ON 'EM WANTIN' TH' APPLE. WELL,--I DUNNO AS I WON'T HAVE A BITE AT IT MYSELF!"] * * * * * LYRE AND LANCET. (_A Story in Scenes._) PART XXIII.--SHRINKAGE. SCENE XXXIII.--_The Yew Walk._ _Lady Maisie_ (_to herself, as she watches UNDERSHELL approaching_). How badly he walks, and what _does_ he mean by smiling at me like that? (_Aloud, coldly._) I am sorry, Mr. BLAIR, but I must leave you to finish your stroll alone; my maid has just told me---- _Undershell_ (_vehemently_). Lady MAISIE, I ask you, in common fairness, not to judge me until you have heard _my_ version. You will not allow the fact that I travelled down here in the same compartment with your maid, PHILLIPSON---- _Lady Maisie_ (_wide-eyed_). The _same!_ But _we_ came by that train. I thought you missed it? _Und._ I--I was not so fortunate. It is rather a long and complicated story, but---- _Lady Maisie._ I'm afraid I really can't listen to you _now_, Mr. BLAIR, after what I have heard from PHILLIPSON---- _Und._ I implore you not to go without hearing both sides. Sit down again--if only for a minute. I feel confident that I can explain everything satisfactorily. _Lady Maisie_ (_sitting down_). I can't imagine what there is to explain--and really I ought, if PHILLIPSON---- _Und._ You know what maids _are_, Lady MAISIE. They embroider. Unintentionally, I daresay, but still, they _do_ embroider.