Afterus，themaidenscame，milkmaidsandtherestofthem，withBettyMuxworthyattheirhead，scoldingevennow，becausetheywouldnotwalkfitly。Buttheyonlylaughedather；andsheknewitwasnogoodtoscold，withallthemenbehindthem。
ThentheSnowescametroopingforward；FarmerNicholasinthemiddle，walkingasifhewouldratherwalktoawheatfieldofhisown，yetcontenttofollowlead，becauseheknewhimselftheleader；andsigningeverynowandthentothepeoplehereandthere，asifIwerenobody。Buttoseehisthreegreatdaughters，strongandhandsomewenches，makinguponeitherside，asifsomebodywouldrunoffwiththem——thiswastheverythingthattaughtmehowtovalueLorna，andherpuresimplicity。
AftertheSnowescameJasperKebby，withhiswife，new-married；andaveryhonestpairtheywere，upononlyahundredacres，andarightofcommon。Afterthesethemencamehotly，withoutdecentorder，tryingtospythegirlsinfront，andmakegoodjokesaboutthem，atwhichtheirwiveslaughedheartily，beingjealouswhenaloneperhaps。Andafterthesemenandtheirwivescameallthechildrentoddling，pickingflowersbytheway，andchatteringandaskingquestions，asthechildrenwill。Theremusthavebeenthreescoreofus，takeonewithanother，andthelanewasfullofpeople。Whenwewerecometothebigfield-gate，wherethefirstsicklewastobe，ParsonBowdenheaveduptherailwiththesleevesofhisgowndonegreenwithit；andhesaidthateverybodymighthearhim，thoughhisbreathwasshort，’InthenameoftheLord，Amen!’
’Amen!Sobeit!’criedtheclerk，whowasfarbehind，beingonlyashoemaker。
ThenParsonBowdenreadsomeversesfromtheparishBible，tellingustoliftupoureyes，andlookuponthefieldsalreadywhitetoharvest；andthenhelaidtheBibledownonthesquareheadofthegate-post，anddespitehisgownandcassock，threegoodswipeshecutoffcorn，andlaidthemrightendonwards。Allthistimetherestwerehuddlingoutsidethegate，andalongthelane，notdaringtointerferewithparson，butwhisperinghowwellhedidit。