to have his time to himself: Muggledrone played allegretto,
Trumtwang allegro, Whistlerap presto, and Scrapesqueak prestissimo.
There was a kind of mathematical proportion in their discrepancy:
while Muggledrone played the tune four times, Trumtwang played
it five, Whistlerap six, and Scrapesqueak eight; for the latter
completely distanced all his competitors, and indeed worked his
elbow so nimbly that its outline was scarcely distinguishable
through the mistiness of its rapid vibration.

While the knight was delighting his eyes and ears with these
pleasant sights and sounds, all eyes were turned in one direction;
and Sir Ralph, looking round, saw a fair lady in green and
gold come riding through the trees, accompanied by a portly
friar in grey, and several fair damsels and gallant grooms.
On their nearer approach, he recognised the lady Matilda and her
ghostly adviser, brother Michael. A party of foresters arrived
from another direction, and then ensued cordial interchanges
of greeting, and collisions of hands and lips, among the Gamwells
and the new-comers,--"How does my fair coz, Mawd?" and "How does
my sweet coz, Mawd?" and "How does my wild coz, Mawd?" And "Eh!
jolly friar, your hand, old boy:" and "Here, honest friar:"
and "To me, merry friar:" and "By your favour, mistress Alice:"
and "Hey! cousin Robin:" and "Hey! cousin Will:"
and "Od's life! merry Sir Guy, you grow younger every year,"--
as the old knight shook them all in turn with one hand, and slapped
them on the back with the other, in token of his affection.
A number of young men and women advanced, some drawing,
and others dancing round, a floral car; and having placed a crown
of flowers on Matilda's head, they saluted her Queen of the May,
and drew her to the place appointed for the rural sports.