Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 7, 1896.djvu/209

 Rh because on the Day of Judgement one "will be weighed against the sins committed in the flesh, and one's very hair cuttings even may be required to turn the scale.

Washing hands.—Some people will not wash their hands in water that another has used, unless they first spit in it; otherwise the two would surely quarrel.

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Crowing hen.—The crowing of a hen is said to be very unlucky, and one so crowing would be killed at once — either in the ordinary way, or by smothering or burning. "The worse way, the better."

Flax, hens' eggs or salt borrowed, and not repaid, will cause the borrower to wander after death, until he, or she, repay them.

Luck.—If a spark from a fire burn a hole in the front of your dress, your luck is said to be before you; but if at the back, your luck is behind you, and you will have none in the time to come.

A house should never be swept out on the door, but up to the hearth; otherwise the luck will be swept out of the house.