Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 23, 2025
"Never a spot so big as the splash on a guinea-flower!" saith Keren. "And ears like sea-shells." Well, ne'er saw thou a child grow as did that child. Meseemed he sprouted like corn after a rain; and in five months a was waxed so strong a could stand on 's feet a-holding to his mother's kirtle.
Next term the "girl teacher" for economy's sake we had them in summer when there were no big boys to thrash was astonished at my industry and wisdom, and as I could see, a little afraid of them. At the end of the first week I went home bursting with an idea that in secret I had long cherished. Aunt Keren was at tea, I remember, and the talk fell upon my work in school, giving me my opportunity.
'Tis more than his dessert, I'll warrant," so quoth I. "And as for Dame Visor's hussy, let her learn to bridle her tongue," quoth I. And 'twas just here that wench Keren did creep up and take me about the neck, as I was a-filing of King Edward's hoof. "Father," saith she, "I cry thee pardon if I have sauced thee; but dost not mind the rhyme thou art so fond of?
And, now that I think o' th' lass, comrade, I am not so sure that a scolding wife is not well paid for by a duteous daughter. Nay, I am sure o't. Methinks I would 'a' been wed twice, and each time to a shrew, could I but 'a' had my Keren o' one o' 'em. Ay, even so, even so.
But that evening as I came home, about the going down o' th' sun, I did hear voices i' th' kitchen, and, looking in at th' window, behold, there was that hussy Ruth a-plucking of Keren by th' kirtle, and Keren a-holding of a pan o' milk above her head, as though she had half a mind to souse her cousin in 't. And saith she, "Get to thy feet, wench. This is neither a church, nor am I th' Lord."
O' my word, man, th' old fellow was not far i' th' wrong. If e'er th' angel o' life did make an error i' th' distributing o' souls, 'twas on the night Keren was brought into this world. And a say that with a cause, moreover; for th' same night, mark you, one Mistress Mouldy, over the way, was brought to bed o' a man-child. That's neither here nor there. Herein doth lie the singularity.
He did not reply for a while, and then he said slowly: "Send the child to me, Susan; I will speak to her of this myself." "Ay, thou hadst best do so, for I might as well speak to the walls as to Keren Happuch," said Mistress Susan as she went on her way up the stairs, by no means pleased at the easy fashion in which her brother took this matter.
"Art thou th' Farrier Lass o' Piping Pebworth?" saith he. Saith she, arising to her feet, and standing with crossed arms like any man saith she, "Folks call me so," saith she. "But my name is Keren Lemon." "A sour name for so sweet a lass," saith th' gallant. "Would thou hadst sweetened that old jest with some new wit!" quoth she. "Thou art sharp o' tongue," saith he.
We did christen her Keren-Happuch; "for," quoth my wife, "when that we be pleased with her, we can call her Keren which is as sweet-sounding a name as a maid can have; and, on the other hand, when we be wroth with her, we can call her Happuch which sure would be a rough name even for thy trotting mare Bellibone." Ha! ha!
Is that almond paste ready, Keren Happuch? Then bring it quickly hither; and your manchet and sugar, Keziah, for the skins are ready to be stuffed."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking