We had all kinds of games in Our Field.  Shops—­for there were quantities of things to sell—­and sometimes I was a moss-merchant, for there were ten different kinds of moss by the brook, and sometimes I was a jeweller, and sold daisy-chains and pebbles, and coral sets made of holly berries, and oak-apple necklaces; and sometimes I kept provisions, like earth-nuts and mallow-cheeses, and mushrooms; and sometimes I kept a flower-shop, and sold nosegays and wreaths, and umbrellas made of rushes, I liked that kind of shop, because I am fond of arranging flowers, and I always make our birthday wreaths.  And sometimes I kept a whole lot of shops, and Richard and Sandy bought my things, and paid for them with money made of elder-pith, sliced into rounds.  The first shop I kept was to sell cowslips, and Richard and Sandy lived by the brook, and were wine merchants, and made cowslip wine in a tin mug.

The elder-tree was a beauty.  In July the cream-coloured flowers were so sweet, we could hardly sit under it, and in the autumn it was covered with berries; but we were always a little disappointed that they never tasted in the least like elderberry syrup.  Richard used to make flutes out of the stalks, and one really did to play tunes on, but it always made Perronet bark.

Richard’s every-day cap had a large hole in the top, and when we were in Our Field we always hung it on the top of the tallest of the two stile-posts, to show that we were there; just as the Queen has a flag hung out at Windsor Castle, when she is at home.

We played at castles and houses, and when we were tired of the houses, we pretended to pack up, and went to the seaside for change of air by the brook.  Sandy and I took off our shoes and stockings and were bathing-women, and we bathed Perronet; and Richard sat on the bank and was a “tripper,” looking at us through a telescope; for when the elder-stems cracked and wouldn’t do for flutes, he made them into telescopes.  And before we went down to the brook we made jam of hips and haws from the hedge at the top of the field, and put it into acorn cups, and took it with us, that the children might not be short of rolypolies at the seaside.

Whatever we played at we were never disturbed.  Birds, and cows, and men and horses ploughing in the distance, do not disturb you at all.

We were very happy that summer:  the boys were quite happy, and the only thing that vexed me was thinking of Perronet’s tax-money.  For months and months went on and we did not save it.  Once we got as far as twopence half-penny, and then one day Richard came to me and said, “I must have some more string for the kite.  You might lend me a penny out of Perronet’s stocking, till I get some money of my own.”

So I did; and the next day Sandy came and said, “You lent Dick one of Perronet’s coppers; I’m sure Perronet would lend me one,” and then they said it was ridiculous to leave a half-penny there by itself, so we spent it in acid drops.