SUNDAY AT HOME 13
mugs and an earthen jug filled with good ale stood ready, for
John was not one of those landless labourers in whom it was
presumptuous to drink anything more than penny ale. They all
sat down, and soon were supping noisily the thick pottage and
eating with it large hunks of a dark coloured bread. A good lump
of home-made green1 cheese followed, and with this and mugs
of the good ale they made their simple meal.
There was much to be done in the garden at this time of year,
and John and his sons spent part of the afternoon in weeding and
thinning out their cabbages. Some of their neighbours returned
to the meadows and continued their haymaking, but John knew
how much Sir William disliked this, and how often he had
spoken against Sunday work, unless it were absolutely necessary
to avoid spoiling the crop. Hence he stayed at home, and did a
little here and there to clear things up in his garden. In this way
the afternoon wore on, and when John went into the house he
found that his wife and daughter had gone off to Vespers at the
church. Sir William liked to see a good congregation at this
service, especially on Sundays, and most of the women, and a
considerable number of men, attended this short simple service
as the day began to close. John's sons, however, had but little
thought for this, for they were more interested in the pleasure
they hoped for a little later in the evening, and after a while
both left the house to forgather with their companions. When
Agnes returned, the evening meal was soon on the table, for
as it was Sunday they had already eaten the most substantial
meal of the day. Now they fared on a few eggs, a bit of oatcake
and some cheese. Both the women drank milk, but John refused
this, and said he preferred a mug of ale since some still remained
of his wife's last brewing.
As the shadows lengthened they left the house, and a short
walk brought them on to the green, which looked at its best in
the evening light, and already many of the villagers were there.
Soon, to the sound of a rebeck and pipe the dancing began, for
* Green=fresh, new.