They hurried down into the sheltered valley . The sun had almost sunk behind Cherry Clack , the trodden ground by the cattle-gates was freezing at the edges , and the new-waked north wind blew the night on them from over the hills . They picked up their feet and flew across the browned pastures , and when they halted , panting in the steam of their own breath , the dead leaves whirled up behind them . There was Oak and Ash and Thorn enough in that year-end shower to magic away a thousand memories . So they trotted to the brook at the bottom of the lawn , wondering why Flora and Folly had missed the quarry-hole fox . Old Hobden was just finishing some hedge-work . They saw his white smock glimmer in the twilight where he faggoted the rubbish . ` Winter , he 's come , I reckon , Mus ' Dan , ' he called . ` Hard times now till Heffle Cuckoo Fair . Yes , we 'll all be glad to see the Old Woman let the Cuckoo out o ' the basket for to start lawful Spring in England . ' They heard a crash , and a stamp and a splash of water as though a heavy old cow were crossing almost under their noses . Hobden ran forward angrily to the ford . ` Gleason 's bull again , playin ' Robin all over the Farm ! Oh , look , Mus ' Dan -- his great footmark as big as a trencher . No bounds to his impidence ! He might count himself to be a man or -- or Somebody -- ' A voice the other side of the brook boomed : ' I wonder who his cloak would turn When Puck had led him round , Or where those walking fires would burn -- ' Then the children went in singing ` Farewell Rewards and Fairies ' at the tops of their voices . They had forgotten that they had not even said good-night to Puck . THE CHILDREN 'S SONG Land of our Birth , we pledge to thee Our love and toil in the years to be ; When we are grown and take our place , As men and women with our race . Father in Heaven Who lovest all , Oh , help Thy children when they call ; That they may build from age to age , An undefiled heritage . Teach us to bear the yoke in youth , With steadfastness and careful truth ; That , in our time , Thy Grace may give The Truth whereby the Nations live .
Teach us to rule ourselves alway , Controlled and cleanly XXXXX and day ; That we may bring , if need arise , No maimed or worthless sacrifice .
England Father Flora Gleason Mus cattle-gates impidence night playin trencher