Mr。Macey，forexample，comingoneeveningexpresslytoletSilasknowthatrecenteventshadgivenhimtheadvantageofstandingmorefavourablyintheopinionofamanwhosejudgmentwasnotformedlightly，openedtheconversationbysaying，assoonashehadseatedhimselfandadjustedhisthumbs——
\"Come，MasterMarner，why，you’venocalltosita—moaning。You’readealbetterofftoha’lostyourmoney，nortoha’kepitbyfoulmeans。Iusedtothink，whenyoufirstcomeintotheseparts，asyouwerenobetternoryoushouldbe；youwereyoungeradealthanwhatyouarenow；butyouwereallaysastaring，white—facedcreatur，partlylikeabald—facedcalf，asImaysay。Butthere’snoknowing：itisn’teveryqueer—looksedthingasOldHarry’shadthemakingof——Imean，speakingo’toadsandsuch；forthey’reoftenharmless，like，andusefulagainstvarmin。Andit’sprettymuchthesamewi’you，asfurasIcansee。Thoughastotheyarbsandstufftocurethebreathing，ifyoubroughtthatsorto’
knowledgefromdistantparts，youmightha’beenabitfreerofit。
Andiftheknowledgewasn’twellcomeby，why，youmightha’madeupforitbycomingtochurchreg’lar；for，asforthechildrenastheWiseWomancharmed，I’vebeenatthechristeningof’emagainandagain，andtheytookthewaterjustaswell。Andthat’sreasonable；
forifOldHarry’samindtodoabito’kindnessforaholiday，like，who’sgotanythingagainstit？That’smythinking；andI’vebeenclerko’thisparishfortyyear，andIknow，whentheparsonandmedoesthecussingofaAshWednesday，there’snocussingo’
folksashaveamindtobecuredwithoutadoctor，letKimblesaywhathewill。Andso，MasterMarner，asIwassaying——forthere’swindingsi’thingsastheymaycarryyoutothefurendo’theprayer—bookaforeyougetbackto’em——myadviceis，asyoukeepupyoursperrits；forasforthinkingyou’readeepun，andha’gotmoreinsideyounor’ullbeardaylight，I’mnoto’thatopinionatall，andsoItelltheneighbours。For，saysI，youtalko’MasterMarnermakingoutatale——why，it’snonsense，thatis：it’udtakea’cutemantomakeatalelikethat；and，saysI，helookedasscaredasarabbit。\"
DuringthisdiscursiveaddressSilashadcontinuedmotionlessinhispreviousattitude，leaninghiselbowsonhisknees，andpressinghishandsagainsthishead。Mr。Macey，notdoubtingthathehadbeenlistenedto，paused，intheexpectationofsomeappreciatoryreply，butMarnerremainedsilent。Hehadasensethattheoldmanmeanttobegood—naturedandneighbourly；butthekindnessfellonhimassunshinefallsonthewretched——hehadnohearttotasteit，andfeltthatitwasveryfaroffhim。
\"Come，MasterMarner，haveyougotnothingtosaytothat？\"saidMr。Maceyatlast，withaslightaccentofimpatience。
\"Oh，\"saidMarner，slowly，shakinghisheadbetweenhishands，\"I
thankyou——thankyou——kindly。\"
\"Aye，aye，tobesure：Ithoughtyouwould，\"saidMr。Macey；\"andmyadviceis——haveyougotaSundaysuit？\"
\"No，\"saidMarner。
\"Idoubteditwasso，\"saidMr。Macey。\"Now，letmeadviseyoutogetaSundaysuit：there’sTookey，he’sapoorcreatur，buthe’sgotmytailoringbusiness，andsomeo’mymoneyinit，andheshallmakeasuitatalowprice，andgiveyoutrust，andthenyoucancometochurch，andbeabitneighbourly。Why，you’veneverhearedmesay\"Amen\"sinceyoucomeintotheseparts，andIrecommendyoutolosenotime，forit’llbepoorworkwhenTookeyhasitalltohimself，forImayn’tbeequiltostandi’thedeskatall，comeanotherwinter。\"HereMr。Maceypaused，perhapsexpectingsomesignofemotioninhishearer；butnotobservingany，hewenton。
\"Andasforthemoneyforthesuito’clothes，why，yougetamatterofapounda—weekatyourweaving，MasterMarner，andyou’reayoungman，eh，forallyoulooksomushed。Why，youcouldn’tha’
beenfive—and—twentywhenyoucomeintotheseparts，eh？\"
Silasstartedalittleatthechangetoaquestioningtone，andansweredmildly，\"Idon’tknow；Ican’trightlysay——it’salongwhilesince。\"
Afterreceivingsuchananswerasthis，itisnotsurprisingthatMr。Maceyobserved，lateronintheeveningattheRainbow，thatMarner’sheadwas\"allofamuddle\"，andthatitwastobedoubtedifheeverknewwhenSundaycameround，whichshowedhimaworseheathenthanmanyadog。
AnotherofSilas’scomforters，besidesMr。Macey，cametohimwithamindhighlychargedonthesametopic。ThiswasMrs。Winthrop，thewheelwright’swife。TheinhabitantsofRaveloewerenotseverelyregularintheirchurch—going，andperhapstherewashardlyapersonintheparishwhowouldnothaveheldthattogotochurcheverySundayinthecalendarwouldhaveshownagreedydesiretostandwellwithHeaven，andgetanundueadvantageovertheirneighbours——
awishtobebetterthanthe\"commonrun\"，thatwouldhaveimpliedareflectiononthosewhohadhadgodfathersandgodmothersaswellasthemselves，andhadanequalrighttotheburying—service。Atthesametime，itwasunderstoodtoberequisiteforallwhowerenothouseholdservants，oryoungmen，totakethesacramentatoneofthegreatfestivals：SquireCasshimselftookitonChristmas—day；whilethosewhowereheldtobe\"goodlivers\"wenttochurchwithgreater，thoughstillwithmoderate，frequency。
Mrs。Winthropwasoneofthese：shewasinallrespectsawomanofscrupulousconscience，soeagerfordutiesthatlifeseemedtoofferthemtooscantilyunlesssheroseathalf—pastfour，thoughthisthrewascarcityofworkoverthemoreadvancedhoursofthemorning，whichitwasaconstantproblemwithhertoremove。Yetshehadnotthevixenishtemperwhichissometimessupposedtobeanecessaryconditionofsuchhabits：shewasaverymild，patientwoman，whosenatureitwastoseekoutallthesadderandmoreseriouselementsoflife，andpastureherminduponthem。ShewasthepersonalwaysfirstthoughtofinRaveloewhentherewasillnessordeathinafamily，whenleechesweretobeapplied，ortherewasasuddendisappointmentinamonthlynurse。Shewasa\"comfortablewoman\"——good—looking，fresh—complexioned，havingherlipsalwaysslightlyscrewed，asifshefeltherselfinasick—roomwiththedoctorortheclergymanpresent。Butshewasneverwhimpering；noonehadseenhershedtears；shewassimplygraveandinclinedtoshakeherheadandsigh，almostimperceptibly，likeafunerealmournerwhoisnotarelation。ItseemedsurprisingthatBenWinthrop，wholovedhisquart—potandhisjoke，gotalongsowellwithDolly；butshetookherhusband’sjokesandjovialityaspatientlyaseverythingelse，consideringthat\"men_would_beso\"，andviewingthestrongersexinthelightofanimalswhomithadpleasedHeaventomakenaturallytroublesome，likebullsandturkey—cocks。
ThisgoodwholesomewomancouldhardlyfailtohaveherminddrawnstronglytowardsSilasMarner，nowthatheappearedinthelightofasufferer；andoneSundayafternoonshetookherlittleboyAaronwithher，andwenttocallonSilas，carryinginherhandsomesmalllard—cakes，flatpaste—likearticlesmuchesteemedinRaveloe。
Aaron，anapple—cheekedyoungsterofseven，withacleanstarchedfrillwhichlookedlikeaplatefortheapples，neededallhisadventurouscuriositytoemboldenhimagainstthepossibilitythatthebig—eyedweavermightdohimsomebodilyinjury；andhisdubietywasmuchincreasedwhen，onarrivingattheStone—pits，theyheardthemysterioussoundoftheloom。
\"Ah，itisasIthought，\"saidMrs。Winthrop，sadly。
TheyhadtoknockloudlybeforeSilasheardthem；butwhenhedidcometothedoorheshowednoimpatience，ashewouldoncehavedone，atavisitthathadbeenunaskedforandunexpected。
Formerly，hishearthadbeenasalockedcasketwithitstreasureinside；butnowthecasketwasempty，andthelockwasbroken。Leftgropingindarkness，withhisproputterlygone，Silashadinevitablyasense，thoughadullandhalf—despairingone，thatifanyhelpcametohimitmustcomefromwithout；andtherewasaslightstirringofexpectationatthesightofhisfellow—men，afaintconsciousnessofdependenceontheirgoodwill。HeopenedthedoorwidetoadmitDolly，butwithoutotherwisereturninghergreetingthanbymovingthearmchairafewinchesasasignthatshewastositdowninit。Dolly，assoonasshewasseated，removedthewhitecloththatcoveredherlard—cakes，andsaidinhergravestway——
\"I’dabakingyisterday，MasterMarner，andthelard—cakesturnedoutbetternorcommon，andI’dha’askedyoutoacceptsome，ifyou’dthoughtwell。Idon’teatsuchthingsmyself，forabito’
bread’swhatIlikefromoneyear’sendtotheother；butmen’sstomichsaremadesocomical，theywantachange——theydo，Iknow，Godhelp’em。\"
DollysighedgentlyassheheldoutthecakestoSilas，whothankedherkindlyandlookedverycloseatthem，absently，beingaccustomedtolooksoateverythinghetookintohishand——eyedallthewhilebythewonderingbrightorbsofthesmallAaron，whohadmadeanoutworkofhismother’schair，andwaspeepingroundfrombehindit。
\"There’slettersprickedon’em，\"saidDolly。\"Ican’tread’emmyself，andthere’snobody，notMr。Maceyhimself，rightlyknowswhattheymean；butthey’veagoodmeaning，forthey’rethesameasisonthepulpit—clothatchurch。Whatarethey，Aaron，mydear？\"
Aaronretreatedcompletelybehindhisoutwork。
\"Oh，go，that’snaughty，\"saidhismother，mildly。\"Well，whativerthelettersare，they’veagoodmeaning；andit’sastampashasbeeninourhouse，Bensays，eversincehewasalittleun，andhismotherusedtoputitonthecakes，andI’veallaysputitontoo；forifthere’sanygood，we’veneedofiti’thisworld。\"
\"It’sI。H。S。，\"saidSilas，atwhichproofoflearningAaronpeepedroundthechairagain。
\"Well，tobesure，youcanread’emoff，\"saidDolly。\"Ben’sread’emtomemanyandmanyatime，buttheyslipouto’mymindagain；themore’sthepity，forthey’regoodletters，elsetheywouldn’tbeinthechurch；andsoIprick’emonalltheloavesandallthecakes，thoughsometimestheywon’thold，becauseo’therising——for，asIsaid，ifthere’sanygoodtobegotwe’veneedofiti’thisworld——thatwehave；andIhopethey’llbringgoodtoyou，MasterMarner，forit’swi’thatwillIbroughtyouthecakes；andyouseethelettershaveheldbetternorcommon。\"
SilaswasasunabletointerpretthelettersasDolly，buttherewasnopossibilityofmisunderstandingthedesiretogivecomfortthatmadeitselfheardinherquiettones。Hesaid，withmorefeelingthanbefore——\"Thankyou——thankyoukindly。\"Buthelaiddownthecakesandseatedhimselfabsently——drearilyunconsciousofanydistinctbenefittowardswhichthecakesandtheletters，orevenDolly’skindness，couldtendforhim。
\"Ah，ifthere’sgoodanywhere，we’veneedofit，\"repeatedDolly，whodidnotlightlyforsakeaserviceablephrase。ShelookedatSilaspityinglyasshewenton。\"Butyoudidn’thearthechurch—bellsthismorning，MasterMarner？Idoubtyoudidn’tknowitwasSunday。Livingsolonehere，youloseyourcount，Idaresay；
andthen，whenyourloommakesanoise，youcan’thearthebells，morepartic’larnowthefrostkillsthesound。\"
\"Yes，Idid；Iheard’em，\"saidSilas，towhomSundaybellswereamereaccidentoftheday，andnotpartofitssacredness。TherehadbeennobellsinLanternYard。
\"Dearheart！\"saidDolly，pausingbeforeshespokeagain。\"ButwhatapityitisyoushouldworkofaSunday，andnotcleanyourself——ifyou_didn’t_gotochurch；forifyou’daroastingbit，itmightbeasyoucouldn’tleaveit，beingaloneman。Butthere’sthebakehus，ifyoucouldmakeupyourmindtospendatwopenceontheovennowandthen，——noteveryweek，incourse——I
shouldn’tliketodothatmyself，——youmightcarryyourbito’
dinnerthere，forit’snothingbutrighttohaveabito’summathotofaSunday，andnottomakeitasyoucan’tknowyourdinnerfromSaturday。Butnow，upo’Christmas—day，thisblessedChristmasasisevercoming，ifyouwastotakeyourdinnertothebakehus，andgotochurch，andseethehollyandtheyew，andheartheanthim，andthentakethesacramen’，you’dbeadealthebetter，andyou’dknowwhichendyoustoodon，andyoucouldputyourtrusti’Themasknowsbetternorwedo，seein’you’dha’donewhatitliesonusalltodo。\"
Dolly’sexhortation，whichwasanunusuallylongeffortofspeechforher，wasutteredinthesoothingpersuasivetonewithwhichshewouldhavetriedtoprevailonasickmantotakehismedicine，orabasinofgruelforwhichhehadnoappetite。Silashadneverbeforebeencloselyurgedonthepointofhisabsencefromchurch，whichhadonlybeenthoughtofasapartofhisgeneralqueerness；andhewastoodirectandsimpletoevadeDolly’sappeal。
\"Nay，nay，\"hesaid，\"Iknownothingo’church。I’veneverbeentochurch。\"
\"No！\"saidDolly，inalowtoneofwonderment。ThenbethinkingherselfofSilas’sadventfromanunknowncountry，shesaid，\"Coulditha’beenasthey’dnochurchwhereyouwasborn？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidSilas，meditatively，sittinginhisusualpostureofleaningonhisknees，andsupportinghishead。\"Therewaschurches——amany——itwasabigtown。ButIknewnothingof’em——
Iwenttochapel。\"
Dollywasmuchpuzzledatthisnewword，butshewasratherafraidofinquiringfurther，lest\"chapel\"mightmeansomehauntofwickedness。Afteralittlethought，shesaid——
\"Well，MasterMarner，it’snivertoolatetoturnoveranewleaf，andifyou’veniverhadnochurch，there’snotellingthegoodit’lldoyou。ForIfeelsosetupandcomfortableasniverwas，whenI’vebeenandheardtheprayers，andthesingingtothepraiseandgloryo’God，asMr。Maceygivesout——andMr。Crackenthorpsayinggoodwords，andmorepartic’laronSacramen’Day；andifabito’
troublecomes，IfeelasIcanputupwi’it，forI’velookedforhelpi’therightquarter，andgevmyselfuptoThemaswemustallgiveourselvesuptoatthelast；andifwe’ndoneourpart，itisn’ttobebelievedasThemasareaboveus’ullbeworsenorweare，andcomeshorto’Their’n。\"
PoorDolly’sexpositionofhersimpleRaveloetheologyfellratherunmeaninglyonSilas’sears，fortherewasnowordinitthatcouldrouseamemoryofwhathehadknownasreligion，andhiscomprehensionwasquitebaffledbythepluralpronoun，whichwasnoheresyofDolly’s，butonlyherwayofavoidingapresumptuousfamiliarity。Heremainedsilent，notfeelinginclinedtoassenttothepartofDolly’sspeechwhichhefullyunderstood——herrecommendationthatheshouldgotochurch。Indeed，Silaswassounaccustomedtotalkbeyondthebriefquestionsandanswersnecessaryforthetransactionofhissimplebusiness，thatwordsdidnoteasilycometohimwithouttheurgencyofadistinctpurpose。
Butnow，littleAaron，havingbecomeusedtotheweaver’sawfulpresence，hadadvancedtohismother’sside，andSilas，seemingtonoticehimforthefirsttime，triedtoreturnDolly’ssignsofgood—willbyofferingtheladabitoflard—cake。Aaronshrankbackalittle，andrubbedhisheadagainsthismother’sshoulder，butstillthoughtthepieceofcakeworththeriskofputtinghishandoutforit。
\"Oh，forshame，Aaron，\"saidhismother，takinghimonherlap，however；\"why，youdon’twantcakeagainyetawhile。He’swonderfulhearty，\"shewenton，withalittlesigh——\"thatheis，Godknows。He’smyyoungest，andwespoilhimsadly，foreithermeorthefathermustallayshevhiminoursight——thatwemust。\"
ShestrokedAaron’sbrownhead，andthoughtitmustdoMasterMarnergoodtoseesucha\"picturofachild\"。ButMarner，ontheothersideofthehearth，sawtheneat—featuredrosyfaceasameredimround，withtwodarkspotsinit。
\"Andhe’sgotavoicelikeabird——youwouldn’tthink，\"Dollywenton；\"hecansingaChristmascarrilashisfather’staughthim；andItakeitforatokenashe’llcometogood，ashecanlearnthegoodtunessoquick。Come，Aaron，stan’upandsingthecarriltoMasterMarner，come。\"
Aaronrepliedbyrubbinghisforeheadagainsthismother’sshoulder。
\"Oh，that’snaughty，\"saidDolly，gently。\"Stan’up，whenmothertellsyou，andletmeholdthecaketillyou’vedone。\"
Aaronwasnotindisposedtodisplayhistalents，eventoanogre，underprotectingcircumstances；andafterafewmoresignsofcoyness，consistingchieflyinrubbingthebacksofhishandsoverhiseyes，andthenpeepingbetweenthematMasterMarner，toseeifhelookedanxiousforthe\"carril\"，heatlengthallowedhisheadtobedulyadjusted，andstandingbehindthetable，whichlethimappearaboveitonlyasfarashisbroadfrill，sothathelookedlikeacherubicheaduntroubledwithabody，hebeganwithaclearchirp，andinamelodythathadtherhythmofanindustrioushammer\"Godrestyou，merrygentlemen，Letnothingyoudismay，ForJesusChristourSaviorWasbornonChristmas—day。\"
Dollylistenedwithadevoutlook，glancingatMarnerinsomeconfidencethatthisstrainwouldhelptoallurehimtochurch。
\"That’sChristmasmusic，\"shesaid，whenAaronhadended，andhadsecuredhispieceofcakeagain。\"There’snoothermusicequiltotheChristmasmusic——\"Harktheerolangilssing。\"Andyoumayjudgewhatitisatchurch，MasterMarner，withthebassoonandthevoices，asyoucan’thelpthinkingyou’vegottoabetterplacea’ready——forIwouldn’tspeakillo’thisworld，seeingasThemputusinitasknowsbest——butwhatwi’thedrink，andthequarrelling，andthebadillnesses，andtheharddying，asI’veseentimesandtimes，one’sthankfultohearofabetter。Theboysingspretty，don’the，MasterMarner？\"
\"Yes，\"saidSilas，absently，\"verypretty。\"
TheChristmascarol，withitshammer—likerhythm，hadfallenonhisearsasstrangemusic，quiteunlikeahymn，andcouldhavenoneoftheeffectDollycontemplated。Buthewantedtoshowherthathewasgrateful，andtheonlymodethatoccurredtohimwastoofferAaronabitmorecake。
\"Oh，no，thankyou，MasterMarner，\"saidDolly，holdingdownAaron’swillinghands。\"Wemustbegoinghomenow。AndsoIwishyougood—bye，MasterMarner；andifyoueverfeelanywaysbadinyourinside，asyoucan’tfendforyourself，I’llcomeandcleanupforyou，andgetyouabito’victual，andwilling。ButIbegandprayofyoutoleaveoffweavingofaSunday，forit’sbadforsoulandbody——andthemoneyascomesi’thatway’ullbeabadbedtoliedownonatthelast，ifitdoesn’tflyaway，nobodyknowswhere，likethewhitefrost。Andyou’llexcusemebeingthatfreewithyou，MasterMarner，forIwishyouwell——Ido。Makeyourbow，Aaron。\"
Silassaid\"Good—bye，andthankyoukindly，\"asheopenedthedoorforDolly，buthecouldn’thelpfeelingrelievedwhenshewasgone——
relievedthathemightweaveagainandmoanathisease。Hersimpleviewoflifeanditscomforts，bywhichshehadtriedtocheerhim，wasonlylikeareportofunknownobjects，whichhisimaginationcouldnotfashion。Thefountainsofhumanloveandoffaithinadivinelovehadnotyetbeenunlocked，andhissoulwasstilltheshrunkenrivulet，withonlythisdifference，thatitslittlegrooveofsandwasblockedup，anditwanderedconfusedlyagainstdarkobstruction。
Andso，notwithstandingthehonestpersuasionsofMr。MaceyandDollyWinthrop，SilasspenthisChristmas—dayinloneliness，eatinghismeatinsadnessofheart，thoughthemeathadcometohimasaneighbourlypresent。Inthemorninghelookedoutontheblackfrostthatseemedtopresscruellyoneverybladeofgrass，whilethehalf—icyredpoolshiveredunderthebitterwind；buttowardseveningthesnowbegantofall，andcurtainedfromhimeventhatdrearyoutlook，shuttinghimcloseupwithhisnarrowgrief。Andhesatinhisrobbedhomethroughthelivelongevening，notcaringtoclosehisshuttersorlockhisdoor，pressinghisheadbetweenhishandsandmoaning，tillthecoldgraspedhimandtoldhimthathisfirewasgrey。
NobodyinthisworldbuthimselfknewthathewasthesameSilasMarnerwhohadoncelovedhisfellowwithtenderlove，andtrustedinanunseengoodness。Eventohimselfthatpastexperiencehadbecomedim。
ButinRaveloevillagethebellsrangmerrily，andthechurchwasfullerthanallthroughtherestoftheyear，withredfacesamongtheabundantdark—greenboughs——facespreparedforalongerservicethanusualbyanodorousbreakfastoftoastandale。Thosegreenboughs，thehymnandanthemneverheardbutatChristmas——
eventheAthanasianCreed，whichwasdiscriminatedfromtheothersonlyasbeinglongerandofexceptionalvirtue，sinceitwasonlyreadonrareoccasions——broughtavagueexultingsense，forwhichthegrownmencouldaslittlehavefoundwordsasthechildren，thatsomethinggreatandmysterioushadbeendonefortheminheavenaboveandinearthbelow，whichtheywereappropriatingbytheirpresence。Andthentheredfacesmadetheirwaythroughtheblackbitingfrosttotheirownhomes，feelingthemselvesfreefortherestofthedaytoeat，drink，andbemerry，andusingthatChristianfreedomwithoutdiffidence。
AtSquireCass’sfamilypartythatdaynobodymentionedDunstan——
nobodywassorryforhisabsence，orfeareditwouldbetoolong。
Thedoctorandhiswife，uncleandauntKimble，werethere，andtheannualChristmastalkwascarriedthroughwithoutanyomissions，risingtotheclimaxofMr。Kimble’sexperiencewhenhewalkedtheLondonhospitalsthirtyyearsback，togetherwithstrikingprofessionalanecdotesthengathered。Whereuponcardsfollowed，withauntKimble’sannualfailuretofollowsuit，anduncleKimble’sirascibilityconcerningtheoddtrickwhichwasrarelyexplicabletohim，whenitwasnotonhisside，withoutageneralvisitationoftrickstoseethattheywereformedonsoundprinciples：thewholebeingaccompaniedbyastrongsteamingodourofspirits—and—water。
ButthepartyonChristmas—day，beingastrictlyfamilyparty，wasnotthepre—eminentlybrilliantcelebrationoftheseasonattheRedHouse。ItwasthegreatdanceonNewYear’sEvethatmadethegloryofSquireCass’shospitality，asofhisforefathers’，timeoutofmind。ThiswastheoccasionwhenallthesocietyofRaveloeandTarley，whetheroldacquaintancesseparatedbylongruttydistances，orcooledacquaintancesseparatedbymisunderstandingsconcerningrunawaycalves，oracquaintancesfoundedonintermittentcondescension，countedonmeetingandoncomportingthemselveswithmutualappropriateness。Thiswastheoccasiononwhichfairdameswhocameonpillionssenttheirbandboxesbeforethem，suppliedwithmorethantheireveningcostume；forthefeastwasnottoendwithasingleevening，likeapaltrytownentertainment，wherethewholesupplyofeatablesisputonthetableatonce，andbeddingisscanty。TheRedHousewasprovisionedasifforasiege；andasforthesparefeather—bedsreadytobelaidonfloors，theywereasplentifulasmightnaturallybeexpectedinafamilythathadkilleditsowngeeseformanygenerations。
GodfreyCasswaslookingforwardtothisNewYear’sEvewithafoolishrecklesslonging，thatmadehimhalfdeaftohisimportunatecompanion，Anxiety。
\"Dunseywillbecominghomesoon：therewillbeagreatblow—up，andhowwillyoubribehisspitetosilence？\"saidAnxiety。
\"Oh，hewon’tcomehomebeforeNewYear’sEve，perhaps，\"saidGodfrey；\"andIshallsitbyNancythen，anddancewithher，andgetakindlookfromherinspiteofherself。\"
\"Butmoneyiswantedinanotherquarter，\"saidAnxiety，inaloudervoice，\"andhowwillyougetitwithoutsellingyourmother’sdiamondpin？Andifyoudon’tgetit……？\"
\"Well，butsomethingmayhappentomakethingseasier。Atanyrate，there’sonepleasureformecloseathand：Nancyiscoming。\"
\"Yes，andsupposeyourfathershouldbringmatterstoapassthatwillobligeyoutodeclinemarryingher——andtogiveyourreasons？\"
\"Holdyourtongue，anddon’tworryme。IcanseeNancy’seyes，justastheywilllookatme，andfeelherhandinminealready。\"
ButAnxietywenton，thoughinnoisyChristmascompany；refusingtobeutterlyquietedevenbymuchdrinking。
CHAPTERXI
Somewomen，Igrant，wouldnotappeartoadvantageseatedonapillion，andattiredinadrabjosephandadrabbeaver—bonnet，withacrownresemblingasmallstew—pan；foragarmentsuggestingacoachman’sgreatcoat，cutoutunderanexiguityofcloththatwouldonlyallowofminiaturecapes，isnotwelladaptedtoconcealdeficienciesofcontour，norisdrabacolourthatwillthrowsallowcheeksintolivelycontrast。ItwasallthegreatertriumphtoMissNancyLammeter’sbeautythatshelookedthoroughlybewitchinginthatcostume，as，seatedonthepillionbehindhertall，erectfather，sheheldonearmroundhim，andlookeddown，withopen—eyedanxiety，atthetreacheroussnow—coveredpoolsandpuddles，whichsentupformidablesplashingsofmudunderthestampofDobbin’sfoot。Apainterwould，perhaps，havepreferredherinthosemomentswhenshewasfreefromself—consciousness；butcertainlythebloomonhercheekswasatitshighestpointofcontrastwiththesurroundingdrabwhenshearrivedatthedooroftheRedHouse，andsawMr。GodfreyCassreadytoliftherfromthepillion。ShewishedhersisterPriscillahadcomeupatthesametimebehindtheservant，forthenshewouldhavecontrivedthatMr。GodfreyshouldhaveliftedoffPriscillafirst，and，inthemeantime，shewouldhavepersuadedherfathertogoroundtothehorse—blockinsteadofalightingatthedoor—steps。Itwasverypainful，whenyouhadmadeitquitecleartoayoungmanthatyouweredeterminednottomarryhim，howevermuchhemightwishit，thathewouldstillcontinuetopayyoumarkedattentions；besides，whydidn’thealwaysshowthesameattentions，ifhemeantthemsincerely，insteadofbeingsostrangeasMr。GodfreyCasswas，sometimesbehavingasifhedidn’twanttospeaktoher，andtakingnonoticeofherforweeksandweeks，andthen，allonasudden，almostmakingloveagain？
Moreover，itwasquiteplainhehadnorealloveforher，elsehewouldnotletpeoplehave_that_tosayofhimwhichtheydidsay。
DidhesupposethatMissNancyLammeterwastobewonbyanyman，squireornosquire，wholedabadlife？Thatwasnotwhatshehadbeenusedtoseeinherownfather，whowasthesoberestandbestmaninthatcountry—side，onlyalittlehotandhastynowandthen，ifthingswerenotdonetotheminute。
AllthesethoughtsrushedthroughMissNancy’smind，intheirhabitualsuccession，inthemomentsbetweenherfirstsightofMr。GodfreyCassstandingatthedoorandherownarrivalthere。
Happily，theSquirecameouttooandgavealoudgreetingtoherfather，sothat，somehow，undercoverofthisnoisesheseemedtofindconcealmentforherconfusionandneglectofanysuitablyformalbehaviour，whileshewasbeingliftedfromthepillionbystrongarmswhichseemedtofindherridiculouslysmallandlight。
Andtherewasthebestreasonforhasteningintothehouseatonce，sincethesnowwasbeginningtofallagain，threateninganunpleasantjourneyforsuchguestsaswerestillontheroad。Thesewereasmallminority；foralreadytheafternoonwasbeginningtodecline，andtherewouldnotbetoomuchtimefortheladieswhocamefromadistancetoattirethemselvesinreadinessfortheearlyteawhichwastoinspiritthemforthedance。
Therewasabuzzofvoicesthroughthehouse，asMissNancyentered，mingledwiththescrapeofafiddlepreludinginthekitchen；buttheLammeterswereguestswhosearrivalhadevidentlybeenthoughtofsomuchthatithadbeenwatchedforfromthewindows，forMrs。Kimble，whodidthehonoursattheRedHouseonthesegreatoccasions，cameforwardtomeetMissNancyinthehall，andconductherup—stairs。Mrs。KimblewastheSquire’ssister，aswellasthedoctor’swife——adoubledignity，withwhichherdiameterwasindirectproportion；sothat，ajourneyup—stairsbeingratherfatiguingtoher，shedidnotopposeMissNancy’srequesttobeallowedtofindherwayalonetotheBlueRoom，wheretheMissLammeters’bandboxeshadbeendepositedontheirarrivalinthemorning。
Therewashardlyabedroominthehousewherefemininecomplimentswerenotpassingandfemininetoilettesgoingforward，invariousstages，inspacemadescantybyextrabedsspreaduponthefloor；
andMissNancy，assheenteredtheBlueRoom，hadtomakeherlittleformalcurtsytoagroupofsix。Ontheonehand，therewereladiesnolessimportantthanthetwoMissGunns，thewinemerchant’sdaughtersfromLytherly，dressedintheheightoffashion，withthetightestskirtsandtheshortestwaists，andgazedatbyMissLadbrook（oftheOldPastures）withashynessnotunsustainedbyinwardcriticism。Partly，MissLadbrookfeltthatherownskirtmustberegardedasundulylaxbytheMissGunns，andpartly，thatitwasapitytheMissGunnsdidnotshowthatjudgmentwhichsheherselfwouldshowifshewereintheirplace，bystoppingalittleonthissideofthefashion。Ontheotherhand，Mrs。Ladbrookwasstandinginskull—capandfront，withherturbaninherhand，curtsyingandsmilingblandlyandsaying，\"Afteryou，ma’am，\"toanotherladyinsimilarcircumstances，whohadpolitelyofferedtheprecedenceatthelooking—glass。
ButMissNancyhadnosoonermadehercurtsythananelderlyladycameforward，whosefullwhitemuslinkerchief，andmob—caproundhercurlsofsmoothgreyhair，wereindaringcontrastwiththepuffedyellowsatinsandtop—knottedcapsofherneighbours。SheapproachedMissNancywithmuchprimness，andsaid，withaslow，treblesuavity——
\"Niece，IhopeIseeyouwellinhealth。\"MissNancykissedheraunt’scheekdutifully，andanswered，withthesamesortofamiableprimness，\"Quitewell，Ithankyou，aunt；andIhopeIseeyouthesame。\"
\"Thankyou，niece；Ikeepmyhealthforthepresent。Andhowismybrother—in—law？\"
ThesedutifulquestionsandanswerswerecontinueduntilitwasascertainedindetailthattheLammeterswereallaswellasusual，andtheOsgoodslikewise，alsothatniecePriscillamustcertainlyarriveshortly，andthattravellingonpillionsinsnowyweatherwasunpleasant，thoughajosephwasagreatprotection。ThenNancywasformallyintroducedtoheraunt’svisitors，theMissGunns，asbeingthedaughtersofamotherknownto_their_mother，thoughnowforthefirsttimeinducedtomakeajourneyintotheseparts；andtheseladiesweresotakenbysurpriseatfindingsuchalovelyfaceandfigureinanout—of—the—waycountryplace，thattheybegantofeelsomecuriosityaboutthedressshewouldputonwhenshetookoffherjoseph。MissNancy，whosethoughtswerealwaysconductedwiththeproprietyandmoderationconspicuousinhermanners，remarkedtoherselfthattheMissGunnswereratherhard—featuredthanotherwise，andthatsuchverylowdressesastheyworemighthavebeenattributedtovanityiftheirshouldershadbeenpretty，butthat，beingastheywere，itwasnotreasonabletosupposethattheyshowedtheirnecksfromaloveofdisplay，butratherfromsomeobligationnotinconsistentwithsenseandmodesty。Shefeltconvinced，assheopenedherbox，thatthismustbeherauntOsgood’sopinion，forMissNancy’smindresembledheraunt’stoadegreethateverybodysaidwassurprising，consideringthekinshipwasonMr。Osgood’sside；andthoughyoumightnothavesupposeditfromtheformalityoftheirgreeting，therewasadevotedattachmentandmutualadmirationbetweenauntandniece。EvenMissNancy’srefusalofhercousinGilbertOsgood（onthegroundsolelythathewashercousin），thoughithadgrievedherauntgreatly，hadnotintheleastcooledthepreferencewhichhaddeterminedhertoleaveNancyseveralofherhereditaryornaments，letGilbert’sfuturewifebewhomshemight。
Threeoftheladiesquicklyretired，buttheMissGunnswerequitecontentthatMrs。Osgood’sinclinationtoremainwithherniecegavethemalsoareasonforstayingtoseetherusticbeauty’stoilette。
Anditwasreallyapleasure——fromthefirstopeningofthebandbox，whereeverythingsmeltoflavenderandrose—leaves，totheclaspingofthesmallcoralnecklacethatfittedcloselyroundherlittlewhiteneck。EverythingbelongingtoMissNancywasofdelicatepurityandnattiness：notacreasewaswhereithadnobusinesstobe，notabitofherlinenprofessedwhitenesswithoutfulfillingitsprofession；theverypinsonherpincushionwerestuckinafterapatternfromwhichshewascarefultoallownoaberration；andasforherownperson，itgavethesameideaofperfectunvaryingneatnessasthebodyofalittlebird。Itistruethatherlight—brownhairwascroppedbehindlikeaboy’s，andwasdressedinfrontinanumberofflatrings，thatlayquiteawayfromherface；buttherewasnosortofcoiffurethatcouldmakeMissNancy’scheekandnecklookotherwisethanpretty；andwhenatlastshestoodcompleteinhersilverytwilledsilk，herlacetucker，hercoralnecklace，andcoralear—drops，theMissGunnscouldseenothingtocriticiseexceptherhands，whichborethetracesofbutter—making，cheese—crushing，andevenstillcoarserwork。ButMissNancywasnotashamedofthat，forevenwhileshewasdressingshenarratedtoheraunthowsheandPriscillahadpackedtheirboxesyesterday，becausethismorningwasbakingmorning，andsincetheywereleavinghome，itwasdesirabletomakeagoodsupplyofmeat—piesforthekitchen；andassheconcludedthisjudiciousremark，sheturnedtotheMissGunnsthatshemightnotcommittherudenessofnotincludingthemintheconversation。TheMissGunnssmiledstiffly，andthoughtwhatapityitwasthattheserichcountrypeople，whocouldaffordtobuysuchgoodclothes（reallyMissNancy’slaceandsilkwereverycostly），shouldbebroughtupinutterignoranceandvulgarity。Sheactuallysaid\"mate\"for\"meat\"，\"’appen\"for\"perhaps\"，and\"oss\"for\"horse\"，which，toyoungladieslivingingoodLytherlysociety，whohabituallysaid’orse，evenindomesticprivacy，andonlysaid’appenontherightoccasions，wasnecessarilyshocking。MissNancy，indeed，hadneverbeentoanyschoolhigherthanDameTedman’s：heracquaintancewithprofaneliteraturehardlywentbeyondtherhymesshehadworkedinherlargesamplerunderthelambandtheshepherdess；andinordertobalanceanaccount，shewasobligedtoeffecthersubtractionbyremovingvisiblemetallicshillingsandsixpencesfromavisiblemetallictotal。Thereishardlyaservant—maidinthesedayswhoisnotbetterinformedthanMissNancy；yetshehadtheessentialattributesofalady——highveracity，delicatehonourinherdealings，deferencetoothers，andrefinedpersonalhabits，——andlesttheseshouldnotsufficetoconvincegrammaticalfaironesthatherfeelingscanatallresembletheirs，Iwilladdthatshewasslightlyproudandexacting，andasconstantinheraffectiontowardsabaselessopinionastowardsanerringlover。
TheanxietyaboutsisterPriscilla，whichhadgrownratheractivebythetimethecoralnecklacewasclasped，washappilyendedbytheentranceofthatcheerful—lookingladyherself，withafacemadeblowsybycoldanddamp。Afterthefirstquestionsandgreetings，sheturnedtoNancy，andsurveyedherfromheadtofoot——thenwheeledherround，toascertainthatthebackviewwasequallyfaultless。
\"Whatdoyouthinko’_these_gowns，auntOsgood？\"saidPriscilla，whileNancyhelpedhertounrobe。
\"Veryhandsomeindeed，niece，\"saidMrs。Osgood，withaslightincreaseofformality。ShealwaysthoughtniecePriscillatoorough。
\"I’mobligedtohavethesameasNancy，youknow，forallI’mfiveyearsolder，anditmakesmelookyallow；forshenever_will_haveanythingwithoutIhaveminejustlikeit，becauseshewantsustolooklikesisters。AndItellher，folks’ullthinkit’smyweaknessmakesmefancyasIshalllookprettyinwhatshelooksprettyin。ForI_am_ugly——there’snodenyingthat：Ifeaturemyfather’sfamily。But，law！Idon’tmind，doyou？\"PriscillahereturnedtotheMissGunns，rattlingonintoomuchpreoccupationwiththedelightoftalking，tonoticethathercandourwasnotappreciated。\"Theprettyunsdoforfly—catchers——theykeepthemenoffus。I’venoopiniono’themen，MissGunn——Idon’tknowwhat_you_have。Andasforfrettingandstewingaboutwhat_they_’llthinkofyoufrommorningtillnight，andmakingyourlifeuneasyaboutwhatthey’redoingwhenthey’reouto’yoursight——asItellNancy，it’safollynowomanneedbeguiltyof，ifshe’sgotagoodfatherandagoodhome：letherleaveittothemashavegotnofortin，andcan’thelpthemselves。AsIsay，Mr。Have—your—own—wayisthebesthusband，andtheonlyoneI’deverpromisetoobey。Iknowitisn’tpleasant，whenyou’vebeenusedtolivinginabigway，andmanaginghogsheadsandallthat，togoandputyournoseinbysomebodyelse’sfireside，ortositdownbyyourselftoascragoraknuckle；but，thankGod！myfather’sasobermanandlikelytolive；andifyou’vegotamanbythechimney—corner，itdoesn’tmatterifhe’schildish——thebusinessneedn’tbebrokeup。\"
Thedelicateprocessofgettinghernarrowgownoverherheadwithoutinjurytohersmoothcurls，obligedMissPriscillatopauseinthisrapidsurveyoflife，andMrs。Osgoodseizedtheopportunityofrisingandsaying——
\"Well，niece，you’llfollowus。TheMissGunnswillliketogodown。\"
\"Sister，\"saidNancy，whentheywerealone，\"you’veoffendedtheMissGunns，I’msure。\"
\"WhathaveIdone，child？\"saidPriscilla，insomealarm。
\"Why，youaskedthemiftheymindedaboutbeingugly——you’resoveryblunt。\"
\"Law，didI？Well，itpoppedout：it’samercyIsaidnomore，forI’mabaduntolivewithfolkswhentheydon’tlikethetruth。Butasforbeingugly，lookatme，child，inthissilver—colouredsilk——
Itoldyouhowit’udbe——Ilookasyallowasadaffadil。
Anybody’udsayyouwantedtomakeamawkinofme。\"
\"No，Priscy，don’tsayso。Ibeggedandprayedofyounottoletushavethissilkifyou’dlikeanotherbetter。Iwaswillingtohave_your_choice，youknowIwas，\"saidNancy，inanxiousself—vindication。
\"Nonsense，child！youknowyou’dsetyourheartonthis；andreasongood，foryou’rethecolouro’cream。It’udbefinedoingsforyoutodressyourselftosuit_my_skin。WhatIfindfaultwith，isthatnotiono’yoursasImustdressmyselfjustlikeyou。
Butyoudoasyoulikewithme——youalwaysdid，fromwhenfirstyoubeguntowalk。Ifyouwantedtogothefield’slength，thefield’slengthyou’dgo；andtherewasnowhippingyou，foryoulookedasprimandinnicentasadaisyallthewhile。\"
\"Priscy，\"saidNancy，gently，asshefastenedacoralnecklace，exactlylikeherown，roundPriscilla’sneck，whichwasveryfarfrombeinglikeherown，\"I’msureI’mwillingtogivewayasfarasisright，butwhoshouldn’tdressalikeifitisn’tsisters？
Wouldyouhaveusgoaboutlookingasifwewerenokintooneanother——usthathavegotnomotherandnotanothersisterintheworld？I’ddowhatwasright，ifIdressedinagowndyedwithcheese—colouring；andI’dratheryou’dchoose，andletmewearwhatpleasesyou。\"
\"Thereyougoagain！You’dcomeroundtothesamethingifonetalkedtoyoufromSaturdaynighttillSaturdaymorning。It’llbefinefuntoseehowyou’llmasteryourhusbandandneverraiseyourvoiceabovethesingingo’thekettleallthewhile。Iliketoseethemenmastered！\"
\"Don’ttalk_so_，Priscy，\"saidNancy，blushing。\"YouknowI
don’tmeanevertobemarried。\"
\"Oh，younevermeanafiddlestick’send！\"saidPriscilla，asshearrangedherdiscardeddress，andclosedherbandbox。\"Whoshall_I_havetoworkforwhenfather’sgone，ifyouaretogoandtakenotionsinyourheadandbeanoldmaid，becausesomefolksarenobetterthantheyshouldbe？Ihaven’tabito’patiencewithyou——
sittingonanaddledeggforever，asiftherewasneverafreshunintheworld。Oneoldmaid’senoughouto’twosisters；andIshalldocredittoasinglelife，forGodA’mightymeantmeforit。Come，wecangodownnow。I’masreadyasamawkin_can_be——there’snothingawantingtofrightenthecrows，nowI’vegotmyear—droppersin。\"
AsthetwoMissLammeterswalkedintothelargeparlourtogether，anyonewhodidnotknowthecharacterofbothmightcertainlyhavesupposedthatthereasonwhythesquare—shouldered，clumsy，high—featuredPriscillaworeadressthefacsimileofherprettysister’s，waseitherthemistakenvanityoftheone，orthemaliciouscontrivanceoftheotherinordertosetoffherownrarebeauty。Butthegood—naturedself—forgetfulcheerinessandcommon—senseofPriscillawouldsoonhavedissipatedtheonesuspicion；andthemodestcalmofNancy’sspeechandmannerstoldclearlyofamindfreefromalldisavoweddevices。
PlacesofhonourhadbeenkeptfortheMissLammetersneartheheadoftheprincipaltea—tableinthewainscotedparlour，nowlookingfreshandpleasantwithhandsomebranchesofholly，yew，andlaurel，fromtheabundantgrowthsoftheoldgarden；andNancyfeltaninwardflutter，thatnofirmnessofpurposecouldprevent，whenshesawMr。GodfreyCassadvancingtoleadhertoaseatbetweenhimselfandMr。Crackenthorp，whilePriscillawascalledtotheoppositesidebetweenherfatherandtheSquire。ItcertainlydidmakesomedifferencetoNancythatthelovershehadgivenupwastheyoungmanofquitethehighestconsequenceintheparish——athomeinavenerableanduniqueparlour，whichwastheextremityofgrandeurinherexperience，aparlourwhere_she_mightonedayhavebeenmistress，withtheconsciousnessthatshewasspokenofas\"MadamCass\"，theSquire’swife。Thesecircumstancesexaltedherinwarddramainherowneyes，anddeepenedtheemphasiswithwhichshedeclaredtoherselfthatnotthemostdazzlingrankshouldinducehertomarryamanwhoseconductshowedhimcarelessofhischaracter，butthat，\"loveonce，lovealways\"，wasthemottoofatrueandpurewoman，andnomanshouldeverhaveanyrightoverherwhichwouldbeacallonhertodestroythedriedflowersthatshetreasured，andalwayswouldtreasure，forGodfreyCass’ssake。AndNancywascapableofkeepingherwordtoherselfunderverytryingconditions。NothingbutabecomingblushbetrayedthemovingthoughtsthaturgedthemselvesuponherassheacceptedtheseatnexttoMr。Crackenthorp；forshewassoinstinctivelyneatandadroitinallheractions，andherprettylipsmeteachotherwithsuchquietfirmness，thatitwouldhavebeendifficultforhertoappearagitated。
Itwasnottherector’spracticetoletacharmingblushpasswithoutanappropriatecompliment。Hewasnotintheleastloftyoraristocratic，butsimplyamerry—eyed，small—featured，grey—hairedman，withhischinproppedbyanample，many—creasedwhiteneckclothwhichseemedtopredominateovereveryotherpointinhisperson，andsomehowtoimpressitspeculiarcharacteronhisremarks；sothattohaveconsideredhisamenitiesapartfromhiscravatwouldhavebeenasevere，andperhapsadangerous，effortofabstraction。
\"Ha，MissNancy，\"hesaid，turninghisheadwithinhiscravatandsmilingdownpleasantlyuponher，\"whenanybodypretendsthishasbeenaseverewinter，IshalltellthemIsawtherosesbloomingonNewYear’sEve——eh，Godfrey，whatdo_you_say？\"
Godfreymadenoreply，andavoidedlookingatNancyverymarkedly；
forthoughthesecomplimentarypersonalitieswereheldtobeinexcellenttasteinold—fashionedRaveloesociety，reverentlovehasapolitenessofitsownwhichitteachestomenotherwiseofsmallschooling。ButtheSquirewasratherimpatientatGodfrey’sshowinghimselfadullsparkinthisway。Bythisadvancedhouroftheday，theSquirewasalwaysinhigherspiritsthanwehaveseenhiminatthebreakfast—table，andfeltitquitepleasanttofulfilthehereditarydutyofbeingnoisilyjovialandpatronizing：thelargesilversnuff—boxwasinactiveserviceandwasofferedwithoutfailtoallneighboursfromtimetotime，howeveroftentheymighthavedeclinedthefavour。Atpresent，theSquirehadonlygivenanexpresswelcometotheheadsoffamiliesastheyappeared；butalwaysastheeveningdeepened，hishospitalityrayedoutmorewidely，tillhehadtappedtheyoungestguestsonthebackandshownapeculiarfondnessfortheirpresence，inthefullbeliefthattheymustfeeltheirlivesmadehappybytheirbelongingtoaparishwheretherewassuchaheartymanasSquireCasstoinvitethemandwishthemwell。Eveninthisearlystageofthejovialmood，itwasnaturalthatheshouldwishtosupplyhisson’sdeficienciesbylookingandspeakingforhim。
\"Aye，aye，\"hebegan，offeringhissnuff—boxtoMr。Lammeter，whoforthesecondtimebowedhisheadandwavedhishandinstiffrejectionoftheoffer，\"usoldfellowsmaywishourselvesyoungto—night，whenweseethemistletoe—boughintheWhiteParlour。
It’strue，mostthingsaregoneback’ardintheselastthirtyyears——
thecountry’sgoingdownsincetheoldkingfellill。ButwhenI
lookatMissNancyhere，Ibegintothinkthelasseskeepuptheirquality；——dingmeifIrememberasampletomatchher，notwhenI
wasafineyoungfellow，andthoughtadealaboutmypigtail。Nooffencetoyou，madam，\"headded，bendingtoMrs。Crackenthorp，whosatbyhim，\"Ididn’tknow_you_whenyouwereasyoungasMissNancyhere。\"
Mrs。Crackenthorp——asmallblinkingwoman，whofidgetedincessantlywithherlace，ribbons，andgoldchain，turningherheadaboutandmakingsubduednoises，verymuchlikeaguinea—pigthattwitchesitsnoseandsoliloquizesinallcompanyindiscriminately——
nowblinkedandfidgetedtowardstheSquire，andsaid，\"Oh，no——nooffence。\"
ThisemphaticcomplimentoftheSquire’stoNancywasfeltbyothersbesidesGodfreytohaveadiplomaticsignificance；andherfathergaveaslightadditionalerectnesstohisback，ashelookedacrossthetableatherwithcomplacentgravity。ThatgraveandorderlyseniorwasnotgoingtobateajotofhisdignitybyseemingelatedatthenotionofamatchbetweenhisfamilyandtheSquire’s：hewasgratifiedbyanyhonourpaidtohisdaughter；buthemustseeanalterationinseveralwaysbeforehisconsentwouldbevouchsafed。
Hissparebuthealthyperson，andhigh—featuredfirmface，thatlookedasifithadneverbeenflushedbyexcess，wasinstrongcontrast，notonlywiththeSquire’s，butwiththeappearanceoftheRaveloefarmersgenerally——inaccordancewithafavouritesayingofhisown，that\"breedwasstrongerthanpasture\"。
\"MissNancy’swonderfullikewhathermotherwas，though；isn’tshe，Kimble？\"saidthestoutladyofthatname，lookingroundforherhusband。
ButDoctorKimble（countryapothecariesinolddaysenjoyedthattitlewithoutauthorityofdiploma），beingathinandagileman，wasflittingabouttheroomwithhishandsinhispockets，makinghimselfagreeabletohisfemininepatients，withmedicalimpartiality，andbeingwelcomedeverywhereasadoctorbyhereditaryright——notoneofthosemiserableapothecarieswhocanvassforpracticeinstrangeneighbourhoods，andspendalltheirincomeinstarvingtheironehorse，butamanofsubstance，abletokeepanextravaganttablelikethebestofhispatients。TimeoutofmindtheRaveloedoctorhadbeenaKimble；Kimblewasinherentlyadoctor’sname；anditwasdifficulttocontemplatefirmlythemelancholyfactthattheactualKimblehadnoson，sothathispracticemightonedaybehandedovertoasuccessorwiththeincongruousnameofTaylororJohnson。ButinthatcasethewiserpeopleinRaveloewouldemployDr。BlickofFlitton——aslessunnatural。
\"Didyouspeaktome，mydear？\"saidtheauthenticdoctor，comingquicklytohiswife’sside；but，asifforeseeingthatshewouldbetoomuchoutofbreathtorepeatherremark，hewentonimmediately——
\"Ha，MissPriscilla，thesightofyourevivesthetasteofthatsuper—excellentpork—pie。Ihopethebatchisn’tnearanend。\"
\"Yes，indeed，itis，doctor，\"saidPriscilla；\"butI’llanswerforitthenextshallbeasgood。Mypork—piesdon’tturnoutwellbychance。\"
\"Notasyourdoctoringdoes，eh，Kimble？——becausefolksforgettotakeyourphysic，eh？\"saidtheSquire，whoregardedphysicanddoctorsasmanyloyalchurchmenregardthechurchandtheclergy——
tastingajokeagainstthemwhenhewasinhealth，butimpatientlyeagerfortheiraidwhenanythingwasthematterwithhim。Hetappedhisbox，andlookedroundwithatriumphantlaugh。
\"Ah，shehasaquickwit，myfriendPriscillahas，\"saidthedoctor，choosingtoattributetheepigramtoaladyratherthanallowabrother—in—lawthatadvantageoverhim。\"Shesavesalittlepeppertosprinkleoverhertalk——that’sthereasonwhysheneverputstoomuchintoherpies。There’smywifenow，sheneverhasananswerathertongue’send；butifIoffendher，she’ssuretoscarifymythroatwithblackpepperthenextday，orelsegivemethecolicwithwaterygreens。That’sanawfultit—for—tat。\"Herethevivaciousdoctormadeapatheticgrimace。
\"Didyoueverhearthelike？\"saidMrs。Kimble，laughingaboveherdoublechinwithmuchgood—humour，asidetoMrs。Crackenthorp，whoblinkedandnodded，andseemedtointendasmile，which，bythecorrelationofforces，wentoffinsmalltwitchingsandnoises。
\"Isupposethat’sthesortoftit—for—tatadoptedinyourprofession，Kimble，ifyou’veagrudgeagainstapatient，\"saidtherector。
\"Neverdohaveagrudgeagainstourpatients，\"saidMr。Kimble，\"exceptwhentheyleaveus：andthen，yousee，wehaven’tthechanceofprescribingfor’em。Ha，MissNancy，\"hecontinued，suddenlyskippingtoNancy’sside，\"youwon’tforgetyourpromise？
You’retosaveadanceforme，youknow。\"
\"Come，come，Kimble，don’tyoubetoofor’ard，\"saidtheSquire。
\"Givetheyoungunsfair—play。There’smysonGodfrey’llbewantingtohavearoundwithyouifyourunoffwithMissNancy。
He’sbespokeherforthefirstdance，I’llbebound。Eh，sir！whatdoyousay？\"hecontinued，throwinghimselfbackward，andlookingatGodfrey。\"Haven’tyouaskedMissNancytoopenthedancewithyou？\"
Godfrey，sorelyuncomfortableunderthissignificantinsistenceaboutNancy，andafraidtothinkwhereitwouldendbythetimehisfatherhadsethisusualhospitableexampleofdrinkingbeforeandaftersupper，sawnocourseopenbuttoturntoNancyandsay，withaslittleawkwardnessaspossible——
\"No；I’venotaskedheryet，butIhopeshe’llconsent——ifsomebodyelsehasn’tbeenbeforeme。\"
\"No，I’venotengagedmyself，\"saidNancy，quietly，thoughblushingly。（IfMr。Godfreyfoundedanyhopesonherconsentingtodancewithhim，hewouldsoonbeundeceived；buttherewasnoneedforhertobeuncivil。）
\"ThenIhopeyou’venoobjectionstodancingwithme，\"saidGodfrey，beginningtolosethesensethattherewasanythinguncomfortableinthisarrangement。
\"No，noobjections，\"saidNancy，inacoldtone。
\"Ah，well，you’realuckyfellow，Godfrey，\"saiduncleKimble；
\"butyou’remygodson，soIwon’tstandinyourway。ElseI’mnotsoveryold，eh，mydear？\"hewenton，skippingtohiswife’ssideagain。\"Youwouldn’tmindmyhavingasecondafteryouweregone——
notifIcriedagooddealfirst？\"
\"Come，come，takeacupo’teaandstopyourtongue，do，\"saidgood—humouredMrs。Kimble，feelingsomeprideinahusbandwhomustberegardedassocleverandamusingbythecompanygenerally。Ifhehadonlynotbeenirritableatcards！
Whilesafe，well—testedpersonalitieswereenliveningtheteainthisway，thesoundofthefiddleapproachingwithinadistanceatwhichitcouldbehearddistinctly，madetheyoungpeoplelookateachotherwithsympatheticimpatiencefortheendofthemeal。
\"Why，there’sSolomoninthehall，\"saidtheSquire，\"andplayingmyfav’ritetune，_I_believe——\"Theflaxen—headedploughboy\"——
he’sforgivingusahintaswearen’tenoughinahurrytohearhimplay。Bob，\"hecalledouttohisthirdlong—leggedson，whowasattheotherendoftheroom，\"openthedoor，andtellSolomontocomein。Heshallgiveusatunehere。\"
Bobobeyed，andSolomonwalkedin，fiddlingashewalked，forhewouldonnoaccountbreakoffinthemiddleofatune。
\"Here，Solomon，\"saidtheSquire，withloudpatronage。\"Roundhere，myman。Ah，Iknewitwas\"Theflaxen—headedploughboy\"：
there’snofinertune。\"
SolomonMacey，asmallhaleoldmanwithanabundantcropoflongwhitehairreachingnearlytohisshoulders，advancedtotheindicatedspot，bowingreverentlywhilehefiddled，asmuchastosaythatherespectedthecompany，thoughherespectedthekey—notemore。Assoonashehadrepeatedthetuneandloweredhisfiddle，hebowedagaintotheSquireandtherector，andsaid，\"IhopeI
seeyourhonourandyourreverencewell，andwishingyouhealthandlonglifeandahappyNewYear。Andwishingthesametoyou，Mr。Lammeter，sir；andtotheothergentlemen，andthemadams，andtheyounglasses。\"
AsSolomonutteredthelastwords，hebowedinalldirectionssolicitously，lestheshouldbewantinginduerespect。Butthereuponheimmediatelybegantoprelude，andfellintothetunewhichheknewwouldbetakenasaspecialcomplimentbyMr。Lammeter。
\"Thankye，Solomon，thankye，\"saidMr。Lammeterwhenthefiddlepausedagain。\"That’s\"Overthehillsandfaraway\"，thatis。Myfatherusedtosaytome，wheneverweheardthattune，\"Ah，lad，_I_
comefromoverthehillsandfaraway。\"There’samanytunesI
don’tmakeheadortailof；butthatspeakstomeliketheblackbird’swhistle。Isupposeit’sthename：there’sadealinthenameofatune。\"
ButSolomonwasalreadyimpatienttopreludeagain，andpresentlybrokewithmuchspiritinto\"SirRogerdeCoverley\"，atwhichtherewasasoundofchairspushedback，andlaughingvoices。
\"Aye，aye，Solomon，weknowwhatthatmeans，\"saidtheSquire，rising。\"It’stimetobeginthedance，eh？Leadtheway，then，andwe’llallfollowyou。\"
SoSolomon，holdinghiswhiteheadononeside，andplayingvigorously，marchedforwardattheheadofthegayprocessionintotheWhiteParlour，wherethemistletoe—boughwashung，andmultitudinoustallowcandlesmaderatherabrillianteffect，gleamingfromamongtheberriedholly—boughs，andreflectedintheold—fashionedovalmirrorsfastenedinthepanelsofthewhitewainscot。Aquaintprocession！OldSolomon，inhisseedyclothesandlongwhitelocks，seemedtobeluringthatdecentcompanybythemagicscreamofhisfiddle——luringdiscreetmatronsinturban—shapedcaps，nay，Mrs。Crackenthorpherself，thesummitofwhoseperpendicularfeatherwasonalevelwiththeSquire’sshoulder——luringfairlassescomplacentlyconsciousofveryshortwaistsandskirtsblamelessoffront—folds——luringburlyfathersinlargevariegatedwaistcoats，andruddysons，forthemostpartshyandsheepish，inshortnethergarmentsandverylongcoat—tails。
