translation of Henry James until nearly eleven o'clock. However, by midnight I was asleep. It was full starlight when I awoke and jumped softly out of bed. Somebody was tapping at the front door. I put on a dressing-gown and slippers[Pg 7] and waited; but no servants were aroused by the persistent rapping. [Pg 7] After a moment I went to the window, raised it gently and looked out. A farmer with a lantern stood below. "Say, squire," he said, when he beheld my head, "I guess I'll have to ask for help. I'm on my way to market and my pig broke loose and I can't ketch him nohow." "Hush!" I whispered; "I'll come down." Very cautiously I unbarred the front door and stepped out into the lovely April starlight. In the road beyond my hedge stood a farm-wagon containing an empty crate. Near it moved the farmer, and just beyond his outstretched hands sported a playful pig. He was a black pig. Mine was white. Besides I went around to the pen and saw, in the darkness, my Oyster Bay retainer still on guard. So, it being a genuine case, I returned to the road. The farmer's dilemma touched me. What in the world was so utterly hopeless to pursue, unaided, as a coy pig at midnight. "If you will just stand there, squire, and sorter spread out your skirts, I'll git him in a jiffy," said the panting farmer. I did as I was bidden. The farmer approached; the pig pranced between his legs. [Pg 8] [Pg 8] "By gum!" exclaimed the protected of Ceres. But, after half an hour, the pig became over-confident, and the tiller of phosphites seized him and bore him, shrieking, to the wooden crate in the wagon, there depositing him, fastening the door, and climbing into his seat with warm thanks to me for my aid. I told the Brother to the Ox that he was welcome. Then, with heart serenely warmed by brotherly love and a knowledge of my own condescension, I retired to sleep soundly until Higgins came to shave me at eight o'clock next morning. "Beg pardon, sir,"
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