Page:Shetland Folk-Lore - Spence - 1899.pdf/203

 trows and witches, stories of smugglers, wrecks, and press-gang, together with more rational affairs both general and domestic. No finer specimen of the home talk of the olden time can be given than is contained in “Shetland Fireside Tales,” and the “Fireside Cracks” of the Shetland Times.

To the young and gay winter wore slowly away, and many a time and oft did old matrons answer the question, “Is it lang ta Yule?” At last the 20th of December (O.S.) dawns, and a look of joy and expectancy may be seen on every face. The “muckle wheel” is taken off the butt wall, and cairds and knucks, sweeries and reels, are laid aside for a season. The handmill is taken off the sile and turned upside down on the looder, lest during the helly days it should be driven widdershins by witch and warlock. The Yule peats are carried in, and a reested cow's head or sheep's head is laid in steep for the Byaena-Sunday brose.