Phœb[us]. Know you the Reaſon of this preſent Summons? […] / Merc[ury]. And Venus may know more than both of us, / For 'tis ſome Petticoat Affair I gueſs.

If your hound already counter-surfs and this doesn't help, turn to Chapter 10 for more help.

What’s that I saw on the beaufet in the other room? It never used to be there. A sort of withered corpse of a cake—not an old bride-cake surely?’

Andrewmas, for example, by which time ploughing should be completed; Martinmas when spare animals were slaughtered; St Luke's Day when the 'tupping' of ewes commenced, or Lady Day and Michaelmas when farm rents were due.