Page:An Old English Home and Its Dependencies.djvu/158

144 sent by the bishop to minister to us and do jist as us likes?" "Shure, b'aint no meanin' in words if that ain't it," responded another. "Us won't be pass'n-ridden," said a third. "Us'll break open the door," said a fourth. "And if he interferes, us'll scatt his little head open," said a fifth, "as us wrote he—you knaws."

Then came a bang against the tower door. Now there happened to be a little window close to the door, just large enough for a man to put his head, but not his shoulders, through. "I put on the lock, and I'll have it off," said the blacksmith. "I've brought a bar o' iron on purpose." Then the rector put his head through the window, and said, "Will you? Here's my little head, scatt that first." The men drew back disconcerted. He had gained the day, and established his authority over the ringers, and control of the belfry door. And now, in the same place, there is as well-conducted a set of ringers as may be found