Pursuingnorecognizedtrack，greatcarewasnecessaryinwalkinglesttheirfacesshouldcomeincontactwiththelow—hangingboughsoftheoldlime—trees，whichinmanyspotsformeddenseover—growthsofinterlacedbranches。
"Timeshavechangedfromthetimestheyusedtobe，"saidMail，regardingnobodycantellwhatinterestingoldpanoramaswithaninwardeye，andlettinghisoutwardglancerestontheground，becauseitwasasconvenientapositionasany。"Peopledon’tcaremuchaboutusnow！I’vebeenthinkingwemustbealmostthelastleftinthecountyoftheoldstringplayers？Barrel—organs，andthethingsnextdoorto’emthatyoublowwi’yourfoot，havecomeinterriblyoflateyears。"
"Ay！"saidBowman，shakinghishead;andoldWilliam，onseeinghim，didthesamething。
"More’sthepity，"repliedanother。"Timewas——longandmerryagonow！——whennotoneofthevarmitswastobeheardof;butitservedsomeofthequiresright。Theyshouldhavestucktostringsaswedid，andkeptoutclarinets，anddoneawaywithserpents。Ifyou’dthriveinmusicalreligion，sticktostrings，saysI。"
"Stringsbesafesoul—lifters，asfarasthatdogo，"saidMr。
Spinks。
"Yetthere’sworsethingsthanserpents，"saidMr。Penny。"Oldthingspassaway，’tistrue;butaserpentwasagoodoldnote：adeeprichnotewastheserpent。"
"Clar’nets，however，bebadatalltimes，"saidMichaelMail。"OneChristmas——yearsagonenow，years——Iwenttheroundswi’theWeatherburyquire。’Twasahardfrostynight，andthekeysofalltheclar’netsfroze——ah，theydidfreeze！——sothat’twaslikedrawingacorkeverytimeakeywasopened;andtheplayerso’’emhadtogointoahedger—and—ditcher’schimley—corner，andthawtheirclar’netseverynowandthen。Anicicleo’spethungdownfromtheendofeveryman’sclar’netaspanlong;andastofingers——well，there，ifye’llbelieveme，webadnofingersatall，toourknowing。"
"Icanwellbringbacktomymind，"saidMr。Penny，"whatIsaidtopoorJosephRyme（whotookthetreblepartinChalk—NewtonChurchfortwo—and—fortyyear）whentheythoughtofhavingclar’netsthere。
"Joseph，"Isaid，saysI，"dependupon’t，ifsobeyouhavethemtootingclar’netsyou’llspoilthewholeset—out。Clar’netswerenotmadefortheserviceoftheLard;youcanseeitbylookingat’em，"Isaid。Andwhatcameo’t？Why，souls，theparsonsetupabarrel—organonhisownaccountwithintwoyearso’thetimeI
spoke，andtheoldquirewenttonothing。"
"Asfaraslookisconcerned，"saidthetranter，"Idon’tformypartseethatafiddleismuchnearerheaventhanaclar’net。’Tisfurtheroff。There’salwaysarakish，scampishtwistaboutafiddle’slooksthatseemstosaytheWickedOnehadahandinmakingo’en;whileangelsbesupposedtoplayclar’netsinheaven，orsom’atlike’em，ifyemaybelievepicters。"
"RobertPenny，youwasintheright，"brokeintheeldestDewy。
"Theyshouldha’stucktostrings。Yourbrass—manisaraftingdog—
—wellandgood;yourreed—manisadabatstirringye——wellandgood;yourdrum—manisararebowel—shaker——goodagain。ButIdon’tcarewhohearsmesayit，nothingwillspaktoyourheartwi’thesweetnesso’themanofstrings！"
"Stringsforever！"saidlittleJimmy。
"Stringsalonewouldhaveheldtheirgroundagainstallthenewcomersincreation。"（"True，true！"saidBowman。）"Butclarinetswasdeath。"（"Deaththeywas！"saidMr。Penny。）"Andharmonions，"
Williamcontinuedinaloudervoice，andgettingexcitedbythesesignsofapproval，"harmonionsandbarrel—organs"（"Ah！"andgroansfromSpinks）"bemiserable——whatshallIcall’em？——miserable——"
"Sinners，"suggestedJimmy，whomadelargestrideslikethemen，anddidnotlagbehindliketheotherlittleboys。
"Miserabledumbledores！"
"Right，William，andsotheybe——miserabledumbledores！"saidthechoirwithunanimity。
Bythistimetheywerecrossingtoagateinthedirectionoftheschool，which，standingonaslighteminenceatthejunctionofthreeways，nowroseinunvaryinganddarkflatnessagainstthesky。
Theinstrumentswereretuned，andallthebandenteredtheschoolenclosure，enjoinedbyoldWilliamtokeepuponthegrass。
"Numberseventy—eight，"hesoftlygaveoutastheyformedroundinasemicircle，theboysopeningthelanternstogetaclearerlight，anddirectingtheirraysonthebooks。
Thenpassedforthintothequietnightanancientandtime—wornhymn，embodyingaquaintChristianityinwordsorallytransmittedfromfathertosonthroughseveralgenerationsdowntothepresentcharacters，whosangthemoutrightearnestly：
"RememberAdam’sfall，OthouMan：
RememberAdam’sfallFromHeaventoHell。
RememberAdam’sfallHowhehathcondemn’dallInHellperpetualTherefortodwell。
RememberGod’sgoodnesse，OthouMan：
RememberGod’sgoodnesse，Hispromisemade。
RememberGod’sgoodnesse;
HesentHisSonsinlesseOurailsfortoredress;
BenotafraidInBethlehemHewasborn，OthouMan：
InBethlehemHewasborn，Formankind’ssake。
InBethlehemHewasborn，Christmas—dayi’themorn：
OurSaviourthoughtnoscornOurfaultstotake。
GivethankstoGodalway，OthouMan：
GivethankstoGodalwayWithheart—mostjoy。
GivethankstoGodalwayOnthisourjoyfulday：
Letallmensingandsay，Holy，Holy！"
Havingconcludedthelastnote，theylistenedforaminuteortwo，butfoundthatnosoundissuedfromtheschoolhouse。
"Fourbreaths，andthen，"O，whatunboundedgoodness！"numberfifty—
nine，"saidWilliam。
Thiswasdulygonethrough，andnonoticewhateverseemedtobetakenoftheperformance。
"Goodguideus，surely’tisn’ta’emptyhouse，asbefellusintheyearthirty—nineandforty—three！"saidoldDewy。
"Perhapsshe’sjistcomefromsomemusicalcity，andsneersatourdoings？"thetranterwhispered。
"’Odrabbither！"saidMr。Penny，withanannihilatinglookatacorneroftheschoolchimney，"Idon’tquitestomachher，ifthisisit。Yourplainmusicwelldoneisasworthyasyourothersortdonebad，a’b’lieve，souls;sosayI。"
"Fourbreaths，andthenthelast，"saidtheleaderauthoritatively。
"’Rejoice，yeTenantsoftheEarth，’numbersixty—four。"
Attheclose，waitingyetanotherminute，hesaidinaclearloudvoice，ashehadsaidinthevillageatthathourandseasonforthepreviousfortyyears——"AmerryChristmastoye！"
CHAPTERV：THELISTENERS
Whentheexpectantstillnessconsequentupontheexclamationhadnearlydiedoutofthemall，anincreasinglightmadeitselfvisibleinoneofthewindowsoftheupperfloor。Itcamesoclosetotheblindthattheexactpositionoftheflamecouldbeperceivedfromtheoutside。Remainingsteadyforaninstant，theblindwentupwardfrombeforeit，revealingtothirtyconcentratedeyesayounggirl，framedasapicturebythewindowarchitrave，andunconsciouslyilluminatinghercountenancetoavividbrightnessbyacandlesheheldinherlefthand，closetoherface，herrighthandbeingextendedtothesideofthewindow。Shewaswrappedinawhiterobeofsomekind，whilstdownhershouldersfellatwiningprofusionofmarvellouslyrichhair，inawilddisorderwhichproclaimedittobeonlyduringtheinvisiblehoursofthenightthatsuchaconditionwasdiscoverable。Herbrighteyeswerelookingintothegreyworldoutsidewithanuncertainexpression，oscillatingbetweencourageandshyness，which，assherecognizedthesemicirculargroupofdarkformsgatheredbeforeher，transformeditselfintopheasantresolution。
Openingthewindow，shesaidlightlyandwarmly——"Thankyou，singers，thankyou！"
Togetherwentthewindowquicklyandquietly，andtheblindstarteddownwardonitsreturntoitsplace。Herfairforeheadandeyesvanished;herlittlemouth;herneckandshoulders;allofher。
Thenthespotofcandlelightshonenebulouslyasbefore;thenitmovedaway。
"Howpretty！"exclaimedDickDewy。
"Ifshe’dbeenralewexworkshecouldn’tha’beencomelier，"saidMichaelMail。
"AsnearathingtoaspiritualvisionaseverIwishtosee！"saidtranterDewy。
"O，sichInever，neversee！"saidLeaffervently。
Alltherest，afterclearingtheirthreatsandadjustingtheirhats，agreedthatsuchasightwasworthsingingfor。
"NowtoFarmerShiner’s，andthenreplenishourinsides，father？"
saidthetranter。
"Wi’allmyheart，"saidoldWilliam，shoulderinghisbass—viol。
FarmerShiner’swasaqueerlumpofahouse，standingatthecornerofalanethatranintotheprincipalthoroughfare。Theupperwindowsweremuchwiderthantheywerehigh，andthisfeature，togetherwithabroadbay—windowwherethedoormighthavebeenexpected，gaveitbydaytheaspectofahumancountenanceturnedaskance，andwearingaslyandwickedleer。To—nightnothingwasvisiblebuttheoutlineoftheroofuponthesky。
Thefrontofthisbuildingwasreached，andthepreliminariesarrangedasusual。
"Fourbreaths，andnumberthirty—two，’BeholdtheMorningStar，’"
saidoldWilliam。
Theyhadreachedtheendofthesecondverse，andthefiddlersweredoingtheupbow—strokepreviouslytopouringforththeopeningchordofthethirdverse，when，withoutalightappearingoranysignalbeinggiven，aroaringvoiceexclaimed—
"Shutup，woll’ee！Don’tmakeyourblaringrowhere！Afellerwi’
aheadacheenoughtosplithisskulllikesaquietnight！"
Slamwentthewindow。
"Hullo，that’sa’uglyblowforwe！"saidthetranter，inakeenlyappreciativevoice，andturningtohiscompanions。
"Finishthecarrel，allwhobefriendsofharmony！"commandedoldWilliam;andtheycontinuedtotheend。
"Fourbreaths，andnumbernineteen！"saidWilliamfirmly。"Giveithimwell;thequirecan’tbeinsultedinthismanner！"
Alightnowflashedintoexistence，thewindowopened，andthefarmerstoodrevealedasoneinaterrificpassion。
"Drownen！——drownen！"thetrantercried，fiddlingfrantically。
"Playfortissimy，anddrownhisspaking！"
"Fortissimy！"saidMichaelMail，andthemusicandsingingwaxedsoloudthatitwasimpossibletoknowwhatMr。Shinerhadsaid，wassaying，orwasabouttosay;butwildlyflinginghisarmsandbodyaboutintheformsofcapitalXsandYs，heappearedtoutterenoughinvectivestoconsignthewholeparishtoperdition。
"Veryonseemly——very！"saidoldWilliam，astheyretired。"Neversuchadreadfulsceneinthewholeroundo’mycarrelpractice——
never！Andheachurchwarden！"
"Onlyadrapo’drinkgotintohishead，"saidthetranter。"Man’swellenoughwhenhe’sinhisreligiousframe。He’sinhisworldlyframenow。Mustaskentoourbitofapartyto—morrownight，I
suppose，andsoputeninhumouragain。Webearnomortalmanill—
will。"
TheynowcrossedMellstockBridge，andwentalonganemboweredpathbesidetheFroomtowardsthechurchandvicarage，meetingVosswiththehotmeadandbread—and—cheeseastheywereapproachingthechurchyard。Thisdeterminedthemtoeatanddrinkbeforeproceedingfurther，andtheyenteredthechurchandascendedtothegallery。
Thelanternswereopened，andthewholebodysatroundagainstthewallsonbenchesandwhateverelsewasavailable，andmadeaheartymeal。Inthepausesofconversationtherecouldbeheardthroughtheflooroverheadalittleworldofundertonesandcreaksfromthehaltingclockwork，whichneverspreadfurtherthanthetowertheywerebornin，andraisedinthemoremeditativemindsafancythatherehaythedirectpathwayofTime。
Havingdoneeatinganddrinking，theyagaintunedtheinstruments，andoncemorethepartyemergedintothenightair。
"Where’sDick？"saidoldDewy。
Everymanhookedrounduponeveryotherman，asifDickmighthavebeentransmutedintooneortheother;andthentheysaidtheydidn’tknow。
"Wellnow，that’swhatIcallverynastyofMasterDicky，thatI
do，"saidMichaelMail。
"He’veclinkedoffhome—along，dependupon’t，"anothersuggested，thoughnotquitebelievingthathehad。
"Dick！"exclaimedthetranter，andhisvoicerolledsonorouslyforthamongtheyews。
Hesuspendedhismusclesrigidasstonewhilstlisteningforananswer，andfindinghelistenedinvain，turnedtotheassemblage。
"Thetreblemantoo！Nowifhe’dbeenatenororcounterchap，wemightha’contrivedtheresto’twithouten，yousee。Butforaquiretolosethetreble，why，mysonnies，youmaysowellloseyour……"Thetranterpaused，unabletomentionanimagevastenoughfortheoccasion。
"Yourheadatonce，"suggestedMr。Penny。
Thetrantermovedapace，asifitwerepuerileofpeopletocompletesentenceswhenthereweremorepressingthingstobedone。
"Waseverheardsuchathingasayoungmanleavinghisworkhalfdoneandturningtaillikethis！"
"Never，"repliedBowman，inatonesignifyingthathewasthelastmanintheworldtowishtowithholdtheformalfinishrequiredofhim。
"Ihopenofataltragedyhasovertookthehad！"saidhisgrandfather。
"Ono，"repliedtranterDewyplacidly。"Wonderwherehe’sputthattherefiddleofhis。Whythatfiddlecostthirtyshillings，andgoodwordsbesides。Somewhereinthedamp，withoutdoubt;thatinstrumentwillbeungluedandspoiltintenminutes——ten！ay，two。"
"Whatinthenameo’righteousnesscanhavehappened？"saidoldWilliam，moreuneasily。"Perhapshe’sdrownded！"
"Leavingtheirlanternsandinstrumentsinthebelfrytheyretracedtheirstepsalongthewatersidetrack。"AstrappingladlikeDickd’knowbetterthanletanythinghappenonawares，"Reubenremarked。
"There’ssuretobesomepoorlittlescramreasonfor’tstaringusinthefaceallthewhile。"Heloweredhisvoicetoamysterioustone：’Neighbours，haveyenoticedanysignofascornfulwomaninhishead，orsuchlike？"
"Notaglimmerofsuchabody。He’sasclearaswateryet。"
"AndDickysaidheshouldnevermarry，"criedJimmy，"butliveathomealwaysalongwi’motherandwe！"
"Ay，ay，mysonny;everyhadhassaidthatinhistime。"
TheyhadnowagainreachedtheprecinctsofMr。Shiner’s，buthearingnobodyinthatdirection，oneortwowentacrosstotheschoolhouse。Alightwasstillburninginthebedroom，andthoughtheblindwasdown，thewindowhadbeenslightlyopened，asiftoadmitthedistantnotesofthecarollerstotheearsoftheoccupantoftheroom。
Oppositethewindow，leaningmotionlessagainstabeechtree，wasthelostman，hisarmsfolded，hisheadthrownback，hiseyesfixedupontheilluminatedlattice。
"Why，Dick，isthatthee？Whatb’stdoinghere？"
Dick’sbodyinstantlyflewintoamorerationalattitude，andhisheadwasseentoturneastandwestinthegloom，asifendeavouringtodiscernsomeproperanswertothatquestion;andatlasthesaidinratherfeebleaccents——"Nothing，father。"
"Th’sttakelongenoughtimeaboutitthen，uponmybody，"saidthetranter，astheyallturnedanewtowardsthevicarage。
"Ithoughtyouhadn’tdonehavingsnapinthegallery，"saidDick。
"Why，we’vebeentraypsingandramblingabout，lookingeverywhere，andthinkingyou’ddonefiftydeathlythings，andherehaveyoubeenatnothingatall！"
"Thestupidnessliesinthatpointofitbeingnothingatall，"
murmuredMr。Spinks。
Thevicaragefrontwastheirnextfieldofoperation，andMr。
Maybold，thelately—arrivedincumbent，dulyreceivedhisshareofthenight’sharmonies。Itwashopedthatbyreasonofhisprofessionhewouldhavebeenledtoopenthewindow，andanextracarolinquicktimewasaddedtodrawhimforth。ButMr。Mayboldmadenostir。
"Abadsign！"saidoldWilliam，shakinghishead。
However，atthatsameinstantamusicalvoicewasheardexclaimingfrominnerdepthsofbedclothes——"Thanks，villagers！"
"Whatdidhesay？"askedBowman，whowasratherdullofhearing。
Bowman’svoice，beingthereforeloud，hadbeenheardbythevicarwithin。
"Isaid，’Thanks，villagers！’"criedthevicaragain。
"Oh，wedidn’thear’eethefirsttime！"criedBowman。
"Nowdon’tforheaven’ssakespoiltheyoungman’stemperbyansweringlikethat！"saidthetranter。
"Youwon’tdothat，myfriends！"thevicarshouted。
"Welltobesure，whatears！"saidMr。Pennyinawhisper。"Beatsanyhorseordogintheparish，anddependupon’t，that’sasignhe’sapropercleverchap。"
"Weshallseethatintime，"saidthetranter。
OldWilliam，inhisgratitudeforsuchthanksfromacomparativelynewinhabitant，wasanxioustoplayallthetunesoveragain;butrenouncedhisdesireonbeingremindedbyReubenthatitwouldbebesttoleavewellalone。
"Nowputtingtwoandtwotogether，"thetrantercontinued，astheywenttheirwayoverthehill，andacrosstothelastremaininghouses;"thatis，intheformofthatyoungfemalevisionwezeedjustnow，andthisyoungtenor—voicedparson，mybeliefisshe’llwindenroundherfinger，andtwisttheporeyoungfelleraboutlikethefigureof8——thatshewillso，mysonnies。"
CHAPTERVI：CHRISTMASMORNING
Thechoiratlastreachedtheirbeds，andsleptliketherestoftheparish。Dick’sslumbers，throughthethreeorfourhoursremainingforrest，weredisturbedandslight;anexhaustivevariationupontheincidentsthathadpassedthatnightinconnectionwiththeschool—windowgoingoninhisbraineverymomentofthetime。
Inthemorning，dowhathewould——goupstairs，downstairs，outofdoors，speakofthewindandweather，orwhatnot——hecouldnotrefrainfromanunceasingrenewal，inimagination，ofthatinterestingenactment。Tiltedontheedgeofonefoothestoodbesidethefireplace，watchinghismothergrillingrashers;buttherewasnothingingrilling，hethought，unlesstheVisiongrilled。Thelimprasherhungdownbetweenthebarsofthegridironlikeacatinachild’sarms;buttherewasnothinginsimiles，unlessSheutteredthem。Helookedatthedaylightshadowsofayellowhue，dancingwiththefirelightshadowsinblueonthewhitewashedchimneycorner，buttherewasnothinginshadows。
"Perhapsthenewyoungwom——sch——MissFancyDaywillsinginchurchwithusthismorning，"hesaid。
Thetranterlookedalongtimebeforehereplied，"Ifancyshewill;
andyetIfancyshewon’t。"
Dickimpliedthatsucharemarkwasrathertobetoleratedthanadmired;thoughdeliberatenessinspeechwasknowntohave，asarule，moretodowiththemachineryofthetranter’sthroatthanwiththematterenunciated。
Theymadepreparationsforgoingtochurchasusual;Dickwithextremealacrity，thoughhewouldnotdefinitelyconsiderwhyhewassoreligious。Hiswonderfulnicetyinbrushingandcleaninghisbestlightbootshadfeatureswhichelevatedittotherankofanart。Everyparticleandspeckoflastweek’smudwasscrapedandbrushedfromtoeandheel;newblackingfromthepacketwascarefullymixedandmadeuseof，regardlessofexpense。Acoatwaslaidonandpolished;thenanothercoatforincreasedblackness;andlastlyathird，togivetheperfectandmirror—likejetwhichthehoped—forrencounterdemanded。
ItbeingChristmas—day，thetranterpreparedhimselfwithSundayparticularity。Loudsousingandsnortingnoiseswereheardtoproceedfromatubinthebackquartersofthedwelling，proclaimingthathewasthereperforminghisgreatSundaywash，lastinghalf—an—
hour，towhichhiswashingsonworking—daymorningsweremereflashesinthepan。Vanishingintotheouthousewithalargebrowntowel，andtheabove—namedbubblingsandsnortingsbeingcarriedonforabouttwentyminutes，thetranterwouldappearroundtheedgeofthedoor，smellinglikeasummerfog，andlookingasifhehadjustnarrowlyescapedawaterygravewiththelossofmuchofhisclothes，havingsincebeenweepingbitterlytillhiseyeswerered;
acrystaldropofwaterhangingornamentallyatthebottomofeachear，oneatthetipofhisnose，andothersintheformofspanglesabouthishair。
Afteragreatdealofcrunchinguponthesandedstonefloorbythefeetoffather，son，andgrandsonastheymovedtoandfrointhesepreparations，thebass—violandfiddlesweretakenfromtheirnook，andthestringsexaminedandscrewedalittleaboveconcert—pitch，thattheymightkeeptheirtonewhentheservicebegan，toobviatetheawkwardcontingencyofhavingtoretunethematthebackofthegalleryduringacough，sneeze，oramen——aninconveniencewhichhadbeenknowntoariseindampwintryweather。
ThethreeleftthedoorandpaceddownMellstock—laneandacrosstheewe—lease，bearingundertheirarmstheinstrumentsinfadedgreen—
baizebags，andoldbrownmusic—booksintheirhands;Dickcontinuallyfindinghimselfinadvanceoftheothertwo，andthetrantermovingonwithtoesturnedoutwardstoanenormousangle。
Atthefootofaninclinethechurchbecamevisiblethroughthenorthgate，or’churchhatch，’asitwascalledhere。Sevenagilefiguresinaclumpwereobservablebeyond，whichprovedtobethechoristerswaiting;sittingonanaltar—tombtopassthetime，andlettingtheirheelsdangleagainstit。Themusiciansbeingnowinsight，theyouthfulpartyscamperedoffandrattleduptheoldwoodenstairsofthegallerylikearegimentofcavalry;theotherboysoftheparishwaitingoutsideandobservingbirds，cats，andothercreaturestillthevicarentered，whentheysuddenlysubsidedintosoberchurch—goers，andpasseddowntheaislewithechoingheels。
ThegalleryofMellstockChurchhadastatusandsentimentofitsown。Astrangertherewasregardedwithafeelingaltogetherdifferingfromthatofthecongregationbelowtowardshim。Banishedfromthenaveasanintruderwhomnooriginalitycouldmakeinteresting，hewasreceivedaboveasacuriositythatnounfitnesscouldrenderdull。Thegallery，too，lookeddownuponandknewthehabitsofthenavetoitsremotestpeculiarity，andhadanextensivestockofexclusiveinformationaboutit;whilstthenaveknewnothingofthegalleryfolk，asgalleryfolk，beyondtheirloud—
soundingminimsandchestnotes。Suchtopicsasthattheclerkwasalwayschewingtobaccoexceptatthemomentofcryingamen;thathehadadust—holeinhispew;thatduringthesermoncertainyoungdaughtersofthevillagehadleftoffcaringtoreadanythingsomildasthemarriageserviceforsomeyears，andnowregularlystudiedtheonewhichchronologicallyfollowsit;thatapairofloverstouchedfingersthroughaknot—holebetweentheirpewsinthemannerordainedbytheirgreatexemplars，PyramusandThisbe;thatMrs。Ledlow，thefarmer’swife，countedhermoneyandreckonedherweek’smarketingexpensesduringthefirstlesson——allnewstothosebelow——werestalesubjectshere。
OldWilliamsatinthecentreofthefrontrow，hisvioloncellobetweenhiskneesandtwosingersoneachhand。Behindhim，ontheleft，camethetreblesingersandDick;andontherightthetranterandthetenors。FartherbackwasoldMailwiththealtosandsupernumeraries。
Butbeforetheyhadtakentheirplaces，andwhilsttheywerestandinginacircleatthebackofthegallerypractisingapsalmortwo，Dickcasthiseyesoverhisgrandfather’sshoulder，andsawthevisionofthepastnightentertheporch—doorasmethodicallyasifshehadneverbeenavisionatall。Anewatmosphereseemedsuddenlytobepuffedintotheancientedificebyhermovement，whichmadeDick’sbodyandsoultinglewithnovelsensations。
DirectedbyShiner，thechurchwarden，sheproceededtothesmallaisleonthenorthsideofthechancel，aspotnowallottedtoathrongofSunday—schoolgirls，anddistinctlyvisiblefromthegallery—frontbylookingunderthecurveofthefurthermostarchonthatside。
Beforethismomentthechurchhadseemedcomparativelyempty——nowitwasthronged;andasMissFancyrosefromherkneesandlookedaroundherforapermanentplaceinwhichtodepositherself——
finallychoosingtheremotestcorner——Dickbegantobreathemorefreelythewarmnewairshehadbroughtwithher;tofeelrushingsofblood，andtohaveimpressionsthattherewasatiebetweenherandhimselfvisibletoallthecongregation。
EverafterwardstheyoungmancouldrecollectindividuallyeachpartoftheserviceofthatbrightChristmasmorning，andthetriflingoccurrenceswhichtookplaceasitsminutesslowlydrewalong;thedutiesofthatdaydividingthemselvesbyacompletelinefromtheservicesofothertimes。Thetunestheythatmorningessayedremainedwithhimforyears，apartfromallothers;alsothetext;
alsotheappearanceofthelayerofdustuponthecapitalsofthepiers;thattheholly—boughinthechancelarchwaywashungalittleoutofthecentre——alltheideas，inshort，thatcreepintothemindwhenreasonisonlyexercisingitslowestactivitythroughtheeye。
Bychanceorbyfate，anotheryoungmanwhoattendedMellstockChurchonthatChristmasmorninghadtowardstheendoftheservicethesameinstinctiveperceptionofaninterestingpresence，intheshapeofthesamebrightmaiden，thoughhisemotionreachedafarlessdevelopedstage。Andtherewasthisdifference，too，thatthepersoninquestionwassurprisedathiscondition，andsedulouslyendeavouredtoreducehimselftohisnormalstateofmind。Hewastheyoungvicar，Mr。Maybold。
ThemusiconChristmasmorningswasfrequentlybelowthestandardofchurch—performancesatothertimes。Theboysweresleepyfromtheheavyexertionsofthenight;themenwereslightlywearied;andnow，inadditiontotheseconstantreasons，therewasadampnessintheatmospherethatstillfurtheraggravatedtheevil。Theirstrings，fromtherecentlongexposuretothenightair，rosewholesemitones，andsnappedwithaloudtwangatthemostsilentmoment;
whichnecessitatedmoreretiringthanevertothebackofthegallery，andmadethegallerythroatsquitehuskywiththequantityofcoughingandhemmingrequiredfortuningin。Thevicarlookedcross。
Whenthesingingwasinprogresstherewassuddenlydiscoveredtobeastrongandshrillreinforcementfromsomepoint，ultimatelyfoundtobetheschool—girls’aisle。Ateveryattemptitgrewbolderandmoredistinct。Atthethirdtimeofsinging，theseintrusivefemininevoiceswereasmightyasthoseoftheregularsingers;infact，thefloodofsoundfromthisquarterassumedsuchanindividuality，thatithadatime，akey，almostatuneofitsown，surgingupwardswhenthegalleryplungeddownwards，andthereverse。
Nowthishadneverhappenedbeforewithinthememoryofman。Thegirls，liketherestofthecongregation，hadalwaysbeenhumbleandrespectfulfollowersofthegallery;singingatsixesandsevensifwithoutgalleryleaders;neverinterferingwiththeordinancesofthesepractisedartists——havingnowill，union，power，orproclivityexceptitwasgiventhemfromtheestablishedchoirenthronedabovethem。
Agooddealofdesperationbecamenoticeableinthegallerythroatsandstrings，whichcontinuedthroughoutthemusicalportionoftheservice。Directlythefiddleswerelaiddown，Mr。Penny’sspectaclesputintheirsheath，andthetexthadbeengivenout，anindignantwhisperingbegan。
"Didyehearthat，souls？"Mr。Pennysaid，inagroaningbreath。
"Brazen—facedhussies！"saidBowman。
"True;why，theywereeverynoteasloudaswe，fiddlesandall，ifnotlouder！"
"Fiddlesandall！"echoedBowmanbitterly。
"Shallanythingsaucierbefoundthanunited’ooman？"Mr。Spinksmurmured。
"WhatIwanttoknowis，"saidthetranter（asifheknewalready，butthatcivilizationrequiredtheformofwords），"whatbusinesspeoplehavetotellmaidenstosinglikethatwhentheydon’tsitinagallery，andneverhaveenteredoneintheirlives？That’sthequestion，mysonnies。"
"’Tisthegalleryhavegottosing，alltheworldknows，"saidMr。
Penny。"Why，souls，what’stheuseo’theancientsspendingscoresofpoundstobuildgalleriesifpeopledowninthelowestdepthsofthechurchsinglikethatatamoment’snotice？"
"Really，Ithinkweuselessoneshadbettermarchoutofchurch，fiddlesandall！"saidMr。Spinks，withalaughwhich，toastranger，wouldhavesoundedmildandreal。Onlytheinitiatedbodyofmenheaddressedcouldunderstandthehorriblebitternessofironythatlurkedunderthequietwords’uselessones，’andtheghastlinessofthelaughterapparentlysonatural。
"Nevermind！Let’emsingtoo——’twillmakeitallthelouder——hee，hee！"saidLeaf。
"ThomasLeaf，ThomasLeaf！Wherehaveyoulivedallyourlife？"
saidgrandfatherWilliamsternly。
ThequailingLeaftriedtoleekasifhehadlivednowhereatall。
"Whenall’ssaidanddone，mysonnies，"Reubensaid，"there’dhavebeennorealharmintheirsingingiftheyhadletnobodyhear’em，andonlyjinedinnowandthen。"
"Noneatall，"saidMr。Penny。"ButthoughIdon’twishtoaccusepeoplewrongfully，I’dsaybeforemylordjudgethatIcouldheareverynoteo’thatlastpsalmcomefrom’emasmuchasfromus——
everynoteasif’twastheirown。"
"Knowit！ah，IshouldthinkIdidknowit！"Mr。Spinkswasheardtoobserveatthismoment，withoutreferencetohisfellowplayers——
shakinghisheadatsomeideaheseemedtoseefloatingbeforehim，andsmilingasifhewereattendingafuneralatthetime。"Ah，doIordon’tIknowit！"
Noonesaid"Knowwhat？"becauseallwereawarefromexperiencethatwhatheknewwoulddeclareitselfinprocessoftime。
"Icouldfancylastnightthatweshouldhavesometroublewi’thatyoungman，"saidthetranter，pendingthecontinuanceofSpinks’sspeech，andlookingtowardstheunconsciousMr。Mayboldinthepulpit。
"_I_fancy，"saidoldWilliam，ratherseverely，"Ifancythere’stoomuchwhisperinggoingontobeofanyspiritualusetogentleorsimple。"Thenfoldinghislipsandconcentratinghisglanceonthevicar，heimpliedthatnonebuttheignorantwouldspeakagain;andaccordinglytherewassilenceinthegallery，Mr。Spinks’stellingspeechremainingforeverunspoken。
Dickhadsaidnothing，andthetranterlittle，onthisepisodeofthemorning;forMrs。DewyatbreakfastexpresseditasherintentiontoinvitetheyouthfulleaderoftheculpritstothesmallpartyitwascustomarywiththemtohaveonChristmasnight——apieceofknowledgewhichhadgivenaparticularbrightnesstoDick’sreflectionssincehehadreceivedit。Andinthetranter’sslightly—cynicalnature，partyfeelingwasweakerthanintheothermembersofthechoir，thoughfriendlinessandfaithfulpartnershipstillsustainedinhimaheartyearnestnessontheiraccount。
CHAPTERVII：THETRANTER’SPARTY
DuringtheafternoonunusualactivitywasseentoprevailabouttheprecinctsoftranterDewy’shouse。Theflagstonefloorwassweptofdust，andasprinklingofthefinestyellowsandfromtheinnermoststratumoftheadjoiningsand—pitlightlyscatteredthereupon。Thenwereproducedlargeknivesandforks，whichhadbeenshroudedindarknessandgreasesincethelastoccasionofthekind，andbearingupontheirsides，"Shear—steel，warranted，"insuchemphaticlettersofassurance，thatthewarranter’snamewasnotrequiredasfurtherproof，andnotgiven。Thekeywasleftinthetapofthecider—
barrel，insteadofbeingcarriedinapocket。Andfinallythetranterhadtostandupintheroomandlethiswifewheelhimroundlikeaturnstile，toseeifanythingdiscreditablewasvisibleinhisappearance。
"StandstilltillI’vebeenforthescissors，"saidMrs。Dewy。
Thetranterstoodasstillasasentinelatthechallenge。
Theonlyrepairsnecessarywereatrimmingofoneortwowhiskersthathadextendedbeyondthegeneralcontourofthemass;aliketrimmingofaslightly—frayededgevisibleonhisshirt—collar;andafinaltugatagreyhair——toallofwhichoperationshesubmittedinresignedsilence，exceptthelast，whichproducedamild"Come，come，Ann，"bywayofexpostulation。
"Really，Reuben，’tisquiteadisgracetoseesuchaman，"saidMrs。
Dewy，withtheseverityjustifiableinalong—triedcompanion，givinghimanotherturnround，andpickingseveralofSmiler’shairsfromtheshoulderofhiscoat。Reuben’sthoughtsseemedengagedelsewhere，andheyawned。"Andthecellarofyourcoatisashametobehold——soplasteredwithdirt，ordust，orgrease，orsomething。
Why，wherevercouldyouhavegotit？"
"’Tismywarmnaterinsummer—time，Isuppose。IalwaysdidgetinsuchaheatwhenIbustleabout。"
"Ay，theDewysalwaysweresuchacoarse—skinnedfamily。There’syourbrotherBobjustasbad——asfatasaporpoise——wi’hishow，mean，"How’stdo，Ann？"wheneverhemeetsme。I’d"How’stdo"himindeed！Ifthesunonlyshinesoutaminute，therebeyouallstreamingintheface——Ineversee！"
"IfIbehotweek—days，ImustbehotSundays。"
"Ifanyofthegirlsshouldturnaftertheirfather’twillbeabadlook—outfor’em，poorthings！Noneofmyfamilyweresichvulgarsweaters，notoneof’em。But，Lord—a—mercy，theDewys！Idon’tknowhoweverIcam’intosuchafamily！"
"Yourwoman’sweaknesswhenIaskedyetojineus。That’showitwasIsuppose。"Butthetranterappearedtohaveheardsomesuchwordsfromhiswifebefore，andhencehisanswerhadnottheenergyitmighthaveshowniftheinquiryhadpossessedthecharmofnovelty。
"Youneverdidhooksowellinapairo’trousersasinthem，"shecontinuedinthesameunimpassionedvoice，sothattheunfriendlycriticismoftheDewyfamilyseemedtohavebeenmerenormalthanspontaneous。"Suchacheappairas’twastoo。Asbigasanymancouldwishtohave，andlinedinside，anddouble—linedinthelowerparts，andanextrapieceofstiffeningatthebottom。And’tisanicehighcutthatcomesuprightunderyourarmpits，andthere’senoughturneddowninsidetheseamstomakehalfapairmore，besidesapieceofclothheftthatwillmakeanhonestwaistcoat——
allbymycontrivinginbuyingthestuffatabargain，andhavingitmadeupundermyeye。Itonlyshowswhatmaybedonebytakingalittletrouble，andnotgoingstraighttotherascallytailors。"
ThediscoursewascutshortbythesuddenappearanceofCharleyonthescene，withafaceandhandsofhideousblackness，andanoselikeagutteringcandle。Why，onthatparticularlycleanlyafternoon，heshouldhavediscoveredthatthechimney—crookandchainfromwhichthehamsweresuspendedshouldhavepossessedmoremeritsandgeneralinterestasplaythingsthananyotherarticlesinthehouse，isaquestionfornursingmotherstodecide。However，thehumourseemedtolieintheresultbeing，ashasbeenseen，thatanygivenplayerwiththesearticleswasinthelong—rundaubedwithsoot。ThelastthatwasseenofCharleybydaylightafterthispieceofingenuitywaswhenintheactofvanishingfromhisfather’spresenceroundthecornerofthehouse——lookingbackoverhisshoulderwithanexpressionofgreatsinonhisface，likeCainastheOutcastinBiblepictures。
Theguestshadallassembled，andthetranter’spartyhadreachedthatdegreeofdevelopmentwhichaccordswithteno’clockP。M。inruralassemblies。Atthathourthesoundofafiddleinprocessoftuningwasheardfromtheinnerpantry。
"That’sDick，"saidthetranter。"Thatlad’scrazyforajig。"
"Dick！NowIcannot——really，IcannothaveanydancingatalltillChristmas—dayisout，"saidoldWilliamemphatically。"Whentheclockha’donestrikingtwelve，danceasmuchasyelike。"
"Well，Imustsaythere’sreasoninthat，William，"saidMrs。Penny。
返回顶部