You know, Rupert, and Robert, and Hob, are all the
same name, Rudbryht, bright in speech.'
'And a hobbish fellow means a gentleman as clumsy as the lubber
fiend,' said Elizabeth.
'No doubt he wore hob-nails in his shoes,' said Rupert.
'And chimney hobs were so called, because his cream bowl was duly set
upon them,' said Anne.
'And he was as familiar as the Robin Redbreast,' said Elizabeth.
'And wore a red waistcoat like him, and like Herb Robert,' said Anne.
'As shabby as this flower,' said Elizabeth, gathering a ragged Robin
from the hedge.
'Well done, etymology,' said Rupert; 'now for syntax and prosody.'
'I hope we have been talking syntax all this time,' said Elizabeth;
'we will keep prosody for the evening, and then play at
Conglomeration.'
They now came to some bright green water-meadows, which bordered the
little stream as soon as it left the town. There was a broad dry
path by the river side, and as they walked along it, there was no
lack of laughter or merriment in anyone but Helen, and she could find
no amusement in anything she saw or heard.
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