Krindlesyke

Chapter 23

They used to gallop on their galloways, The reivers, dad says ...

(_The owl calls again, and is answered by its mate; and then they seem to be flying round and round Krindlesyke, hooting shrilly._)

RALPH: Oh, there it is again!

Grannie, I"m freckened ...

JUDITH: Its an ellerish yelling: I never heard ...

 

RALPH: What"s in the other room?

I want my dad and mammy.

JUDITH: You"re overtired.

Come, I"ll undress you, and tuck you into bed: And you"ll sleep sound, my lamb, as sound and snug As a yeanling in a maud-neuk.

NICHOLAS: I"ll ride! I"ll ride!

EPILOGUE

Ghosts of my fathers, where you keep On ghostly hills your ghostly sheep, Should you a moment chance to turn The pages of this book to learn What trade your offspring"s taken to, Because my exiled heart is true To your Northumbrian fells and you, Forgive me that my flocks and herds Are only barren bleating words.

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