Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rewards and Fairies
the path even on the darkest night. ‘Where’s Cordery most up to his ears—spread his hands abroad, and jabbered in
going?’said Una.
French. ‘No comprenny?’ he said. ‘I’ll give it you in Low Ger-
‘Half-way to Newhaven,’said Dan. ‘Then he’ll meet the man.’ And he went off in another language, changing his voice
Newhaven coastguard and turn back. He says if coastguards and manner so completely that they hardly knew him for the
were done away with, smuggling would start up at once.’ same person. But his dark beady-brown eyes still twinkled
A voice on the beach under the cliff began to sing: merrily in his lean face, and the children felt that they did not
suit the straight, plain, snuffy-brown coat, brown knee-breeches,
‘The moon she shined on Telscombe Tye—
and broad-brimmed hat. His hair was tied ‘in a short pigtail
On Telscombe Tye at night it was—
which danced wickedly when he turned his head.
She saw the smugglers riding by,
‘Ha’ done!’ said Puck, laughing. ‘Be one thing or t’other,
A very pretty sight it was!’
Pharaoh—French or English or German—no great odds
which.’
Feet scrabbled on the flinty path. A dark, thin-faced man in ‘Oh, but it is, though,’ said Una quickly. ‘We haven’t be-
very neat brown clothes and broad-toed shoes came up, folgun German yet, and—and we’re going back to our French
lowed by Puck.
next week.’
‘Aren’t you English?’ said Dan. ‘We heard you singing just
‘Three Dunkirk boats was standin’ in!’
now.’
‘Aha! That was the Sussex side o’ me. Dad he married a
the man went on. ‘Hssh!’ said Puck. ‘You’ll shock these nice French girl out o’ Boulogne, and French she stayed till her
young people.’
dyin’ day. She was an Aurette, of course. We Lees mostly marry
‘Oh! Shall I? Mille pardons!’ He shrugged his shoulders al- Aurettes. Haven’t you ever come across the saying:
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