IthadbeensettledbetweenusthatweshouldexpecthimsoonafternoononthelastdayofDecember。FortheDoonesbeinglazyandfondofbed，asthemannerisofdishonestfolk，thesurestwaytoescapethemwastotravelbeforetheywereupandabout，to-wit，intheforenoonoftheday。Buthereinwereckonedwithoutourhost：forbeinginhighfestivity，asbecamegoodPapists，therobbersweretoolazy，itseems，totakethetroubleofgoingtobed；andforththeyrodeontheOldYear-morning，notwithanyviewofbusiness，butpurelyinsearchofmischief。
Wehadputoffourdinnertilloneo’clockwhichtomewasasadforegoing，andtherewastobeabravesupperatsixoftheclock，uponNewYear’s-eve；andthesingerstocomewiththeirlanthorns，anddoitoutsidetheparlour-window，andthenhavehotcuptilltheirheadsshouldgoround，aftermakingawaywiththevictuals。ForalthoughtherewasnobodynowinourfamilytobechurchwardenofOare，itwaswelladmittedthatwewerethepeopleentitledalonetothatdignity；
andthoughNicholasSnowewasinofficebyname，hemanageditonlybymother’sadvice；andaprettymesshemadeofit，sothateveryonelongedforaRiddagain，soonaseverIshouldbeoldenough。ThisNicholasSnowewastocomeintheevening，withhisthreetallcomelydaughters，strappinggirls，andwellskilledinthedairy；andthestorywasallovertheparish，onastupidconceitofJohnFry’s，thatI
shouldhavebeeninlovewithallthree，iftherehadbeenbutoneofthem。TheseSnowesweretocome，andcometheydid，partlybecauseMr。Huckabacklikedtoseefineyoungmaidens，andpartlybecausenonebutNicholasSnowecouldsmokeapipenowallaroundourparts，exceptoftheveryhighpeople，whomwedurstneverinvite。AndUncleBen，asweallknewwell，wasagreathandathispipe，andwouldsitforhoursoverit，inourwarmchimney-corner，andneverwanttosayaword，unlessitwereinsidehim；onlyhelikedtohavesomebodythereoveragainsthimsmoking。
NowwhenIcamein，beforeoneo’clock，afterseeingtothecattle——forthedaywasthickerthanever，andwemustkeepthecattlecloseathome，ifwewishedtoseeanymoreofthem——IfullyexpectedtofindUncleBensittinginthefireplace，liftingonecoverandthenanother，ashisfavouritemannerwas，andmakingsweetmouthsoverthem；forhelovedourbaconrarely，andtheyhadnogoodleeksatDulverton；andhewasamanwhoalwayswouldseehisbusinessdonehimself。Butthereinsteadofmyfindinghimwithhisquaintdryfacepulledoutatme，andthenshutupsharpnottobecheated——whoshouldrunoutbutBettyMuxworthy，andpokemewithasaucepanlid。