I marvel I never thought of such a masquerade before.

We will have a right merry time this joyous springtide.

How long dost thou purpose to remain in the greenwood thyself ?" "I know not," answered Cuthbert, as the pair strode southward together, quickly leaving behind the last houses of London, and striking away in the direction of the forest whither both were bound.

It was the last day in April: the soft south wind was blowing in their faces, the trees were beginning to hang out their tassels of tender green, the hawthorn was bursting into bloom and filling the air with its fragrance.

It was, in fact, the eve of one of those old-fashioned May Days which seem utterly to have gone by now, and all nature was rejoicing in the sweet exaltation of the happy springtide, full of the promises of the golden summer to come.
Cuthbert's heart swelled with delight as he looked about him and felt that the strife and bustle of the great city were at last shaken off.