But wilt thou pardon me now? for thy chest, too, has
been rifled,
And, above all, I gave the dressing-gown — finest of
cotton,
Bright with Indian flowers, and lined with the finest
of flannel;
But it was thin, you know, and old, and quite out of
fashion."
But upon that, with a smile, out spake the excellent
landlord:
"Still, am I sorry to lose it, — the old gown made of
good cotton, —
Real East Indian stuff — one will not get such another.
Well! I wore it no more; for a man (so the world
will now have it),
Must at all hours of the day, in frock or dress-coat
exhibit,
And ever booted be; both slippers and caps are for-
bidden."
"Look!" replied the good wife, "there are some al-
ready returning,
Who, with the rest, saw the train; yet surely it now
must have passed by.
See how dusty are all their shoes, how glowing their
faces!
And with his handkerchief each wipes off the sweat
from his forehead.
Never may I in the heat, for such a spectacle, so far
Run and suffer! In truth the recital I find quite suffi-
cient."
Then, observed the good father, in tones of great
animation:
"Seldom hath such weather for such a harvest been
granted;
