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。