Page:Shetland Folk-Lore - Spence - 1899.pdf/243

 cakes, together with an ample supply of fresh butter and eggs, made good eating. A reested (smoked) ham or a few legs of vivda gave variety to the bill of fare. On the table stood a couple of Dutch krooks, the contents of which cheered the hearts of those weather-beaten sons of toil.

The conversation, as may be supposed, turned chiefly on the fishing, each man recounting his experiences of the perils of the deep, and the hairbreadth escapes he had made. The wives, too, were relating to each other their own or some neighbour's experience with trows and witches, and their numerous seasons of anxious waiting while their goodmen were at sea. One of the oldest women was generally called upon to “cast a cup” for the young men, who were anxious to get a peep into the future, particularly in matters of love, and who were generally gratified by hearing of courtships, sporinsspörins [sic], and bridals.

As the contents of the krook was handed round, the conversation became