The Argosy — page 287: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

270 A Dorsetshire Harvest Home. of eager little faces watching and peeping outside—children in sun- bonnets and pinafores, who belonged to the coast-guard and fishermen. They were invited in to swell the party, and, during the course of the evening, many other neighbours, unconnected with the farm, were added to the throng, which numbered at least nearly a hundred. It was dancing in earnest, and the high, pointed roof echoed with the convulsions of the planks.. The stalwart bailiff and his comely, silk-attired wife led off every dance, and showed what a ‘‘consistful practice” could effect. They were light of foot if heavy of shoe, and were never the first to bring either country-dance or reel to a close. It is worthy of remark, and possibly of imitation, that all the married couples danced together the whole evening, and appeared quite proud of one another. Also it is noteworthy that the young men and women rarely changed partners, but, making an early choice, clung to it. This harvest-home partnership not unfrequently ends in a matri- monial reel and life-long country-dance. | The dances were more vigorous than various. Some people, ovér- come by satiety, might have found the repetition of two or at most three figures during six hours even slightly tedious ; but these good folk did not. Down the middle, up the sides, and vis-a-vis went couple after couple, all at once, and with untiring zeal. The line of men footed it opposite the line of women with an ardour beyond praise. Now arms and toes, now arms and heels, advancing, retreating, and finally hob- nailing, with a resolution which, if not elegant, was not altogether ungraceful. The reels were equally successful; but that modern innovation, the polka, met with less general favour, and only a dozen couples or so attempted it. During an occasional pause, ‘hands all round, back again, and poussette”” was improvised for the children, who did their duty quite as well as their elders, and enjoyed doing it, which is more than we can all say. : Indeed, the children were scarcely bystanders at all; they made wonderful attempts at imitative steps outside the charmed circle of dancers, and every little foot was in motion, though restricted to small space. ‘Two ploughboys of about twelve or thirteen years old were especially persevering. With large felt hats stuck up in front, white smock-frocks, black trousers, and very loud shoes, they danced together all the evening. When they could squeeze themselves into the bottom of the country-dance, they were there ; when there was not room even for two flies at this magic spot, they became outsiders. A foot of space sufficed them, and, with eyes riveted on the dancers, arms stuck to their sides, and feet and legs in motion, they passed their evening quite agreeably. They were neither dull nor stolid look- ing, but content in their sphere, as long as it was needful they should ‘stick to it. When a proper opportunity occurred for a lift, they were ready, because they had been patiently observant, and bided their time. Gomicbooks.Gcom _ 2 ——