midday
There are fields and fields . I never wish to know a better field than this one . I seldom go out much till the evening , but if business should take one along the hedge in the heat of the sun , there are as juicy and refreshing crabs to be picked up under a tree about half-way down the south side , as the thirstiest creature could desire . And when the glare and drought of midday have given place to the mild twilight of evening , and the grass is refreshingly damped with dew , and scents are strong , and the earth yields kindly to the nose , what beetles and lob-worms reward one 's routing ! I am convinced that the fattest and stupidest slugs that live , live near the brook . I never knew one who found out I was eating him , till he was half-way down my throat . And just opposite to the place where I furnished your dear mother 's nest , is a small plantation of burdocks , on the underside of which stick the best flavoured snails I am acquainted with , in such inexhaustible quantities , that a hedgehog might have fourteen children in a season , and not fear their coming short of provisions .