"Stead's a good-hearted
lad, though clownish, and I'll do what I can for him."
CHAPTER IX.
WINTRY TIMES.
"Thrice welcome may such seasons be,
But welcome too the common way,
The lowly duties of the day."
There was of course much to do. Steadfast visited his hoard and took
from thence enough to purchase churn, spinning wheel, and the few
tools that he most needed; but it was not soon that Patience could
sit down to spin. That must be for the winter, and their only chance
of light was in making candles.
Rusha could gather the green rushes, though she could not peel them
without breaking them; and Patience had to take them out of her hands
and herself strip the white pith so that only one ribbon of green was
left to support it.
The sheep, excepting a few old ewes, were always sold or killed
before the winter, and by Blane's advice, Stead kept only three. The
butcher Oates took some of the others, and helped Stead to dispose of
four more in the market. Two were killed at different intervals for
home use, but only a very small part was eaten fresh, as a wonderful
Sunday treat, the rest was either disposed of among the neighbours,
who took it in exchange for food of other kinds; or else was salted
and dried for the winter's fare, laid up in bran in two great crocks
which Stead had been forced to purchase, and which with planks from
the half-burnt house laid over them served by turns as tables or
seats.
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