PREFACE
ThisstoryoftheMellstockQuireanditsoldestablishedwest—
gallerymusicians，withsomesupplementarydescriptionsofsimilarofficialsinTwoonaTower，AFewCrustedCharacters，andotherplaces，isintendedtobeafairlytruepicture，atfirsthand，ofthepersonages，ways，andcustomswhichwerecommonamongsuchorchestralbodiesinthevillagesoffiftyorsixtyyearsago。
Oneisinclinedtoregretthedisplacementoftheseecclesiasticalbandsmenbyanisolatedorganist（oftenatfirstabarrel—organist）
orharmoniumplayer;anddespitecertainadvantagesinpointofcontrolandaccomplishmentwhichwere，nodoubt，securedbyinstallingthesingleartist，thechangehastendedtostultifytheprofessedaimsoftheclergy，itsdirectresultbeingtocurtailandextinguishtheinterestofparishionersinchurchdoings。Undertheoldplan，fromhalfadozentotenfull—grownplayers，inadditiontothenumerousmoreorlessgrown—upsingers，wereofficiallyoccupiedwiththeSundayroutine，andconcernedintryingtheirbesttomakeitanartisticoutcomeofthecombinedmusicaltasteofthecongregation。Withamusicalexecutivelimited，asitmostlyislimitednow，totheparson’swifeordaughterandtheschool—
children，ortotheschool—teacherandthechildren，animportantunionofinterestshasdisappeared。
Thezestofthesebygoneinstrumentalistsmusthavebeenkeenandstayingtotakethem，asitdid，onfooteverySundayafteratoilsomeweek，throughallweathers，tothechurch，whichoftenlayatadistancefromtheirhomes。Theyusuallyreceivedsolittleinpaymentfortheirperformancesthattheireffortswerereallyalabouroflove。IntheparishIhadinmymindwhenwritingthepresenttale，thegratuitiesreceivedyearlybythemusiciansatChristmasweresomewhatasfollows：Fromthemanor—housetenshillingsandasupper;fromthevicartenshillings;fromthefarmersfiveshillingseach;fromeachcottage—householdoneshilling;amountingaltogethertonotmorethantenshillingsaheadannually——justenough，asanoldexecutanttoldme，topayfortheirfiddle—strings，repairs，rosin，andmusic—paper（whichtheymostlyruledthemselves）。Theirmusicinthosedayswasallintheirownmanuscript，copiedintheeveningsafterwork，andtheirmusic—bookswerehome—bound。
Itwascustomarytoinscribeafewjigs，reels，horn—pipes，andballadsinthesamebook，bybeginningitattheotherend，theinsertionsbeingcontinuedfromfrontandbacktillsacredandsecularmettogetherinthemiddle，oftenwithbizarreeffect，thewordsofsomeofthesongsexhibitingthatancientandbroadhumourwhichourgrandfathers，andpossiblygrandmothers，tookdelightin，andisinthesedaysunquotable。
Theaforesaidfiddle—strings，rosin，andmusic—paperweresuppliedbyapedlar，whotravelledexclusivelyinsuchwaresfromparishtoparish，comingtoeachvillageabouteverysixmonths。Talesaretoldoftheconsternationoncecausedamongthechurchfiddlerswhen，ontheoccasionoftheirproducinganewChristmasanthem，hedidnotcometotime，owingtobeingsnoweduponthedowns，andthestraitstheywereinthroughhavingtomakeshiftwithwhipcordandtwineforstrings。Hewasgenerallyamusicianhimself，andsometimesacomposerinasmallway，bringinghisownnewtunes，andtemptingeachchoirtoadoptthemforaconsideration。Someofthesecompositionswhichnowliebeforeme，withtheirrepetitionsoflines，half—lines，andhalf—words，theirfuguesandtheirintermediatesymphonies，aregoodsingingstill，thoughtheywouldhardlybeadmittedintosuchhymn—booksasarepopularinthechurchesoffashionablesocietyatthepresenttime。
August1896。
UndertheGreenwoodTreewasfirstbroughtoutinthesummerof1872
intwovolumes。Thenameofthestorywasoriginallyintendedtobe，moreappropriately，TheMellstockQuire，andthishasbeenappendedasasub—titlesincetheearlyeditions，ithavingbeenthoughtunadvisabletodisplaceforitthetitlebywhichthebookfirstbecameknown。
Inrereadingthenarrativeafteralongintervalthereoccurstheinevitablereflectionthattherealitiesoutofwhichitwasspunwerematerialforanotherkindofstudyofthislittlegroupofchurchmusiciansthanisfoundinthechaptersherepennedsolightly，evensofarcicallyandflippantlyattimes。Butcircumstanceswouldhaverenderedanyaimatadeeper，moreessential，moretranscendenthandlingunadvisableatthedateofwriting;andtheexhibitionoftheMellstockQuireinthefollowingpagesmustremaintheonlyextantone，exceptforthefewglimpsesofthatperishedbandwhichIhavegiveninverseelsewhere。
T。H。
April1912。
PARTTHEFIRST——WINTER
CHAPTERI：MELLSTOCK—LANE
Todwellersinawoodalmosteveryspeciesoftreehasitsvoiceaswellasitsfeature。Atthepassingofthebreezethefir—treessobandmoannolessdistinctlythantheyrock;thehollywhistlesasitbattleswithitself;theashhissesamiditsquiverings;thebeechrustleswhileitsflatboughsriseandfall。Andwinter，whichmodifiesthenoteofsuchtreesasshedtheirleaves，doesnotdestroyitsindividuality。
OnacoldandstarryChristmas—evewithinlivingmemoryamanwaspassingupalanetowardsMellstockCrossinthedarknessofaplantationthatwhisperedthusdistinctivelytohisintelligence。
Alltheevidencesofhisnaturewerethoseaffordedbythespiritofhisfootsteps，whichsucceededeachotherlightlyandquickly，andbythelivelinessofhisvoiceashesanginaruralcadence：
\"WiththeroseandthelilyAndthedaffodowndilly，Theladsandthelassesa—sheep—shearinggo。\"
ThelonelylanehewasfollowingconnectedoneofthehamletsofMellstockparishwithUpperMellstockandLewgate，andtohiseyes，casuallyglancingupward，thesilverandblack—stemmedbircheswiththeircharacteristictufts，thepalegreyboughsofbeech，thedark—
crevicedelm，allappearednowasblackandflatoutlinesuponthesky，whereinthewhitestarstwinkledsovehementlythattheirflickeringseemedliketheflappingofwings。Withinthewoodypass，atalevelanythinglowerthanthehorizon，allwasdarkasthegrave。Thecopse—woodformingthesidesofthebowerinterlaceditsbranchessodensely，evenatthisseasonoftheyear，thatthedraughtfromthenorth—eastflewalongthechannelwithscarcelyaninterruptionfromlateralbreezes。
AfterpassingtheplantationandreachingMellstockCrossthewhitesurfaceofthelanerevealeditselfbetweenthedarkhedgerowslikearibbonjaggedattheedges;theirregularitybeingcausedbytemporaryaccumulationsofleavesextendingfromtheditchoneitherside。
Thesong（manytimesinterruptedbyflittingthoughtswhichtooktheplaceofseveralbars，andresumedatapointitwouldhavereachedhaditscontinuitybeenunbroken）nowreceivedamorepalpablecheck，intheshapeof\"Ho—i—i—i—i—i！\"fromthecrossinglanetoLowerMellstock，ontherightofthesingerwhohadjustemergedfromthetrees。
\"Ho—i—i—i—i—i！\"heanswered，stoppingandlookinground，thoughwithnoideaofseeinganythingmorethanimaginationpictured。
\"Isthatthee，youngDickDewy？\"camefromthedarkness。
\"Ay，sure，MichaelMail。\"
\"Thenwhynotstopforfellow—craters——goingtothyownfather’shousetoo，aswebe，andknowenussowell？\"
DickDewyfacedaboutandcontinuedhistuneinanunder—whistle，implyingthatthebusinessofhismouthcouldnotbecheckedatamoment’snoticebytheplacidemotionoffriendship。
Havingcomemoreintotheopenhecouldnowbeseenrisingagainstthesky，hisprofileappearingonthelightbackgroundliketheportraitofagentlemaninblackcardboard。Itassumedtheformofalow—crownedhat，anordinary—shapednose，anordinarychin，anordinaryneck，andordinaryshoulders。Whatheconsistedoffurtherdownwasinvisiblefromlackofskylowenoughtopicturehimon。
Shuffling，halting，irregularfootstepsofvariouskindswerenowheardcomingupthehill，andpresentlythereemergedfromtheshadeseverallyfivemenofdifferentagesandgaits，allofthemworkingvillagersoftheparishofMellstock。They，too，hadlosttheirrotunditywiththedaylight，andadvancedagainsttheskyinflatoutlines，whichsuggestedsomeprocessionaldesignonGreekorEtruscanpottery。TheyrepresentedthechiefportionofMellstockparishchoir。
Thefirstwasabowedandbentman，whocarriedafiddleunderhisarm，andwalkedasifengagedinstudyingsomesubjectconnectedwiththesurfaceoftheroad。HewasMichaelMail，themanwhohadhallooedtoDick。
ThenextwasMr。RobertPenny，boot—andshoemaker;alittleman，who，thoughratherround—shouldered，walkedasifthatfacthadnotcometohisownknowledge，movingonwithhisbackveryhollowandhisfacefixedonthenorth—eastquarteroftheheavensbeforehim，sothathislowerwaist—coat—buttonscamefirst，andthentheremainderofhisfigure。Hisfeatureswereinvisible;yetwhenheoccasionallylookedround，twofaintmoonsoflightgleamedforaninstantfromtheprecinctsofhiseyes，denotingthatheworespectaclesofacircularform。
ThethirdwasEliasSpinks，whowalkedperpendicularlyanddramatically。ThefourthoutlinewasJosephBowman’s，whohadnownodistinctiveappearancebeyondthatofahumanbeing。Finallycameaweaklath—likeform，trottingandstumblingalongwithoneshoulderforwardandhisbeadinclinedtotheleft，hisarmsdanglingnervelesslyinthewindasiftheywereemptysleeves。
ThiswasThomasLeaf。
\"Wherebetheboys？\"saidDicktothissomewhatindifferently—
matchedassembly。
Theeldestofthegroup，MichaelMail，clearedhisthroatfromagreatdepth。
\"Wetoldthemtokeepbackathomeforatime，thinkentheywouldn’tbewantedyetawhile;andwecouldchoosethetuens，andsoon。\"
\"FatherandgrandfatherWilliamhaveexpectedyealittlesooner。I
havejustbeenforarunroundbyEweleaseStileandHollowHilltowarmmyfeet。\"
\"Tobesurefatherdid！Tobesure’adidexpectus——totastethelittlebarrelbeyondcomparethathe’sgoingtotap。\"
\"’Odrabbititall！Neverheardawordofit！\"saidMr。Penny，gleamsofdelightappearinguponhisspectacle—glasses，Dickmeanwhilesingingparenthetically——\"Theladsandthelassesa—sheep—
shearinggo。\"
\"Neighbours，there’stimeenoughtodrinkasightofdrinknowaforebedtime？\"saidMail。
\"True，true——timeenoughtogetasdrunkaslords！\"repliedBowmancheerfully。
Thisopinionbeingtakenasconvincingtheyalladvancedbetweenthevaryinghedgesandthetreesdottingthemhereandthere，kickingtheirtoesoccasionallyamongthecrumpledleaves。SoonappearedglimmeringindicationsofthefewcottagesformingthesmallhamletofUpperMellstockforwhichtheywerebound，whilstthefaintsoundofchurch—bellsringingaChristmaspealcouldbeheardfloatingoveruponthebreezefromthedirectionofLongpuddleandWeatherburyparishesontheothersideofthehills。Alittlewicketadmittedthemtothegarden，andtheyproceededupthepathtoDick’shouse。
CHAPTERII：THETRANTER’S
Itwasalonglowcottagewithahippedroofofthatch，havingdormerwindowsbreakingupintotheeaves，achimneystandinginthemiddleoftheridgeandanotherateachend。Thewindow—shutterswerenotyetclosed，andthefire—andcandle—lightwithinradiatedforthuponthethickbushesofboxandlaurestinusgrowinginclumpsoutside，anduponthebareboughsofseveralcodlin—treeshangingaboutinvariousdistortedshapes，theresultofearlytrainingasespalierscombinedwithcarelessclimbingintotheirboughsinlateryears。Thewallsofthedwellingwereforthemostpartcoveredwithcreepers，thoughthesewereratherbeatenbackfromthedoorway——afeaturewhichwaswornandscratchedbymuchpassinginandout，givingitbydaytheappearanceofanoldkeyhole。Lightstreamedthroughthecracksandjointsofoutbuildingsalittlewayfromthecottage，asightwhichnourishedafancythatthepurposeoftheerectionmustberathertoveilbrightattractionsthantoshelterunsightlynecessaries。Thenoiseofabeetleandwedgesandthesplinteringofwoodwasperiodicallyheardfromthisdirection;
andatsomelittledistancefurtherasteadyregularmunchingandtheoccasionalscurrofaropebetokenedastable，andhorsesfeedingwithinit。
Thechoirstampedseverallyonthedoor—stonetoshakefromtheirbootsanyfragmentofearthorleafadheringthereto，thenenteredthehouseandlookedaroundtosurveytheconditionofthings。
Throughtheopendoorwayofasmallinnerroomontherighthand，ofacharacterbetweenpantryandcellar，wasDickDewy’sfatherReuben，byvocationa\"tranter，\"orirregularcarrier。Hewasastoutfloridmanaboutfortyyearsofage，whosurveyedpeopleupanddownwhenfirstmakingtheiracquaintance，andgenerallysmiledatthehorizonorotherdistantobjectduringconversationswithfriends，walkingaboutwithasteadysway，andturningouthistoesveryconsiderably。Beingnowoccupiedinbendingoverahogshead，thatstoodinthepantryreadyhorsedfortheprocessofbroaching，hedidnottakethetroubletoturnorraisehiseyesattheentryofhisvisitors，wellknowingbytheirfootstepsthattheyweretheexpectedoldcomrades。
Themainroom，ontheleft，wasdeckedwithbunchesofhollyandotherevergreens，andfromthemiddleofthebeambisectingtheceilinghungthemistletoe，ofasizeoutofallproportiontotheroom，andextendingsolowthatitbecamenecessaryforafull—grownpersontowalkrounditinpassing，orruntheriskofentanglinghishair。ThisapartmentcontainedMrs。Dewythetranter’swife，andthefourremainingchildren，Susan，Jim，Bessy，andCharley，graduatinguniformlythoughatwidestagesfromtheageofsixteentothatoffouryears——theeldestoftheseriesbeingseparatedfromDickthefirstbornbyanearlyequalinterval。
SomecircumstancehadapparentlycausedmuchgrieftoCharleyjustprevioustotheentryofthechoir，andhehadabsentlytakendownasmalllooking—glass，holdingitbeforehisfacetolearnhowthehumancountenanceappearedwhenengagedincrying，whichsurveyledhimtopauseatthevariouspointsineachwailthatweremorethanordinarilystriking，forathoroughappreciationofthegeneraleffect。Bessywasleaningagainstachair，andglancingundertheplaitsaboutthewaistoftheplaidfrockshewore，tonoticetheoriginalunfadedpatternofthematerialastherepreserved，herfacebearinganexpressionofregretthatthebrightnesshadpassedawayfromthevisibleportions。Mrs。Dewysatinabrownsettlebythesideoftheglowingwoodfire——soglowingthatwithaheedfulcompressionofthelipsshewouldnowandthenriseandputherhanduponthehamsandflitchesofbaconliningthechimney，toreassureherselfthattheywerenotbeingbroiledinsteadofsmoked——amisfortunethathadbeenknowntohappennowandthenatChristmas—
time。
\"Hullo，mysonnies，hereyoube，then！\"saidReubenDewyatlength，standingupandblowingforthavehementgustofbreath。\"Howtheblooddopuffupinanybody’shead，tobesure，a—stoopinglikethat！Iwasjustgoingouttogatetoharkforye。\"Hethencarefullybegantowindastripofbrownpaperroundabrasstapheheldinhishand。\"Thisinthecaskhereisadropo’therightsort\"（tappingthecask）;\"’tisarealdropo’cordialfromthebestpickedapples——Sansoms，Stubbards，Five—corners，andsuch——like——youd’mindthesort，Michael？\"（Michaelnodded。）\"Andthere’sasprinklingoftheythatgrowdownbytheorchard—rails——streakedones——railappleswed’call’em，as’tisbytherailstheygrow，andnotknowingtherightname。Thewater—ciderfrom’emisasgoodasmostpeople’sbestcideris。\"
\"Ay，andofthesamemaketoo，\"saidBowman。\"’Itrainedwhenwewrungitout，andthewatergotintoit，’folkwillsay。But’tison’yanexcuse。Wateredcideristoocommonamongus。\"
\"Yes，yes;toocommonitis！\"saidSpinkswithaninwardsigh，whilsthiseyesseemedtobelookingatthecaseinanabstractformratherthanatthescenebeforehim。\"Suchpoorliquordomakeaman’sthroatfeelverymelancholy——andisadisgracetothenameofstimmilent。\"
\"Comein，comein，anddrawuptothefire;nevermindyourshoes，\"
saidMrs。Dewy，seeingthatallexceptDickhadpausedtowipethemuponthedoor—mat。\"Iamgladthatyou’vesteppedup—alongatlast;
and，Susan，yourundowntoGrammerKaytes’sandseeifyoucanborrowsomelargercandlesthanthesefourteens。TommyLeaf，don’tyebeafeard！Comeandsithereinthesettle。\"
Thiswasaddressedtotheyoungmanbeforementioned，consistingchieflyofahumanskeletonandasmock—frock，whowasveryawkwardinhismovements，apparentlyonaccountofhavinggrownsoveryfastthatbeforehehadhadtimetogetusedtohisheighthewashigher。
\"Hee——hee——ay！\"repliedLeaf，lettinghismouthcontinuetosmileforsometimeafterhismindhaddonesmiling，sothathisteethremainedinviewasthemostconspicuousmembersofhisbody。
\"Here，Mr。Penny，\"resumedMrs。Dewy，\"yousitinthischair。Andhow’syourdaughter，Mrs。Brownjohn？\"
\"Well，IsupposeImustsayprettyfair。\"Headjustedhisspectaclesaquarterofaninchtotheright。\"Butshe’llbeworsebeforeshe’sbetter，’ab’lieve。\"
\"Indeed——poorsoul！Andhowmanywillthatmakeinall，fourorfive？\"
\"Five;they’veburiedthree。Yes，five;andshenotmuchmorethanamaidyet。Shedoknowthemultiplicationtableonmistakablewell。
However，’twastobe，andnonecangainsayit。\"
Mrs。DewyresignedMr。Penny。\"WonderwhereyourgrandfatherJamesis？\"sheinquiredofoneofthechildren。\"Hesaidhe’ddropinto—
night。\"
\"Outinfuel—housewithgrandfatherWilliam，\"saidJimmy。
\"Nowlet’sseewhatwecando，\"washeardspokenaboutthistimebythetranterinaprivatevoicetothebarrel，besidewhichhehadagainestablishedhimself，andwasstoopingtocutawaythecork。
\"Reuben，don’tmakesuchamesso’tappingthatbarrelasismostlymadeinthishouse，\"Mrs。Dewycriedfromthefireplace。\"I’dtapahundredwithoutwastingmorethanyoudoinone。Suchasquizzling—
—andsquirtingjobas’tisinyourhands！There，healwayswassuchaclumsymanindoors。\"
\"Ay，ay;Iknowyou’dtapahundredbeautiful，Ann——Iknowyouwould;twohundred，perhaps。ButIcan’tpromise。Thisisa’oldcask，andthewood’srottedawayaboutthetap—hole。ThehusbirdofafellerSamLawson——thateverIshouldcall’nsuch，nowhe’sdeadandgone，poorheart！——tookmeincompletelyuponthefeatofbuyingthiscask。’Reub，’sayshe——’aalwaysusedtocallmeplainReub，pooroldheart！——’Reub，’hesaid，sayshe，’thattherecask，Reub，isasgoodasnew;yes，goodasnew。’Tisawine—hogshead;thebestport—wineinthecommonwealthhavebeeninthattherecask;andyoushallhaveenfortenshillens，Reub，’——’asaid，sayshe——’he’sworthtwenty，ay，five—and—twenty，ifhe’sworthone;andanironhooportwoputroundenamongthewoodoneswillmakeenworththirtyshillensofanyman’smoney，if——’\"
\"IthinkIshouldhaveusedtheeyesthatProvidencegavemetouseaforeIpaidanytenshillensforajimcrackwine—barrel;asaintissinnerenoughnottobecheated。But’tislikeallyourfamilywas，soeasytobedeceived。\"
\"That’sastrueasgospelofthismember，\"saidReuben。
Mrs。Dewybeganasmileattheanswer，thenalteringherlipsandrefoldingthemsothatitwasnotasmile，commencedsmoothinglittleBessy’shair;thetranterhavingmeanwhilesuddenlybecomeoblivioustoconversation，occupyinghimselfinadeliberatecuttingandarrangementofsomemorebrownpaperforthebroachingoperation。
\"Ah，whocanbelievesellers！\"saidoldMichaelMailinacarefully—
cautiousvoice，bywayoftiding—overthiscriticalpointofaffairs。
\"Nooneatall，\"saidJosephBowman，inthetoneofamanfullyagreeingwitheverybody。
\"Ay，\"saidMail，inthetoneofamanwhodidnotagreewitheverybodyasarule，thoughhedidnow;\"Iknoweda’auctioneeringfelleronce——averyfriendlyfeller’awastoo。AndsoonehotdayasIwaswalkingdownthefrontstreeto’Casterbridge，jistbelowtheKing’sArms，Ipasseda’openwinderandseehiminside，stuckuponhisperch，a—sellingoff。IjistnoddedtoeninafriendlywayasIpassed，andwentmyway，andthoughtnomoreaboutit。
Well，nextday，asIwasoilenmybootsbyfuel—housedoor，ifaletterdidn’tcomewi’abillchargingmewithafeather——bed，bolster，andpillers，thatIhadbidforatMr。Taylor’ssale。Theshim—facedmartelhadknocked’emdowntomebecauseInoddedtoeninmyfriendlyway;andIhadtopayfor’emtoo。Now，Iholdthatthatwascomingitveryclose，Reuben？\"
\"’Twasclose，there’snodenying，\"saidthegeneralvoice。
\"Tooclose，’twas，\"saidReuben，intherearoftherest。\"AndastoSamLawson——poorheart！nowhe’sdeadandgonetoo！——I’llwarrant，thatifsobeI’vespentonehourinmakinghoopsforthatbarrel，I’vespentfifty，firstandlast。That’soneofmyhoops’——
touchingitwithhiselbow——’that’soneofmine，andthat，andthat，andallthese。\"
\"Ah，Samwasaman，\"saidMr。Penny，contemplatively。
\"Samwas！\"saidBowman。
\"Especiallyforadrapo’drink，\"saidthetranter。
\"Good，butnotreligious——good，\"suggestedMr。Penny。
Thetranternodded。Havingatlastmadethetapandholequiteready，\"Nowthen，Suze，bringamug，\"hesaid。\"Here’slucktous，mysonnies！\"
Thetapwentin，andtheciderimmediatelysquirtedoutinahorizontalshoweroverReuben’shands，knees，andleggings，andintotheeyesandneckofCharley，who，havingtemporarilyputoffhisgriefunderpressureofmoreinterestingproceedings，wassquattingdownandblinkingnearhisfather。
\"There’tisagain！\"saidMrs。Dewy。
\"Deviltakethehole，thecask，andSamLawsontoo，thatgoodcidershouldbewastedlikethis！\"exclaimedthetranter。\"Yourthumb！
Lendmeyourthumb，Michael！Ramitinhere，Michael！Imustgetabiggertap，mysonnies。\"
\"Idditcoldinthidetehole？\"inquiredCharleyofMichael，ashecontinuedinastoopingposturewithhisthumbinthecork—hole。
\"Whatwonderfuloddsandendsthatchielhasinhisheadtobesure！\"Mrs。Dewyadmiringlyexclaimedfromthedistance。\"Ilayawagerthathethinksmoreabouthow’tisinsidethatbarrelthaninalltheotherpartsoftheworldputtogether。\"
Allpersonspresentputonaspeakingcountenanceofadmirationfortheclevernessalludedto，inthemidstofwhichReubenreturned。
Theoperationwasthensatisfactorilyperformed;whenMichaelaroseandstretchedhisheadtotheextremestfractionofheightthathisbodywouldallowof，tore—straightenhisbackandshoulders——
thrustingouthisarmsandtwistinghisfeaturestoamassofwrinklestoemphasizethereliefaquired。Aquartortwoofthebeveragewasthenbroughttotable，atwhichallthenewarrivalsreseatedthemselveswithwide—spreadknees，theireyesmeditativelyseekingoutanyspeckorknotintheboarduponwhichthegazemightprecipitateitself。
\"Whateverisfathera—bidingoutinfuel—housesolongfor？\"saidthetranter。\"Neversuchamanasfatherfortwothings——cleavingupolddeadapple—treewoodandplayingthebass—viol。’A’dpasshislifebetweenthetwo，that’awould。\"Hesteppedtothedoorandopenedit。
\"Father！\"
\"Ay！\"rangthinlyfromroundthecorner。
\"Here’sthebarreltapped，andwealla—waiting！\"
Aseriesofdullthuds，thathadbeenheardwithoutforsometimepast，nowceased;andafterthelightofalanternhadpassedthewindowandmadewheelingraysupontheceilinginsidetheeldestoftheDewyfamilyappeared。
CHAPTERIII：THEASSEMBLEDQUIRE
WilliamDewy——otherwisegrandfatherWilliam——wasnowaboutseventy;
yetanardentvitalitystillpreservedawarmandroughenedbloomuponhisface，whichremindedgardenersofthesunnysideofariperibstone—pippin;thoughanarrowstripofforehead，thatwasprotectedfromtheweatherbylyingabovethelineofhishat—brim，seemedtobelongtosometownman，sogentlemanlywasitswhiteness。
Hiswasahumorousandkindlynature，notunmixedwithafrequentmelancholy;andhehadafirmreligiousfaith。Buttohisneighbourshehadnocharacterinparticular。Iftheysawhimpassbytheirwindowswhentheyhadbeenbottlingoffoldmead，orwhentheyhadjustbeencalledlong—headedmenwhomightdoanythingintheworldiftheychose，theythoughtconcerninghim，\"Ah，there’sthatgood—heartedman——openasachild！\"Iftheysawhimjustafterlosingashillingorhalf—a—crown，oraccidentallylettingfallapieceofcrockery，theythought，\"There’sthatpoorweak—mindedmanDewyagain！Ah，he’sneverdonemuchintheworldeither！\"Ifhepassedwhenfortuneneithersmilednorfrownedonthem，theymerelythoughthimoldWilliamDewy。
\"Ah，so’s——hereyoube！——Ah，MichaelandJosephandJohn——andyoutoo，Leaf！amerryChristmasall！Weshallhaveararelog—woodfiredirectly，Reub，toreckonbythetoughnessofthejobIhadincleaving’em。\"Ashespokehethrewdownanarmfuloflogswhichfellinthechimney—cornerwitharumble，andlookedatthemwithsomethingoftheadmiringenmityhewouldhavebestowedonlivingpeoplewhohadbeenveryobstinateinholdingtheirown。\"Comein，grandfatherJames。\"
OldJames（grandfatheronthematernalside）hadsimplycalledasavisitor。Helivedinacottagebyhimself，andmanypeopleconsideredhimamiser;some，ratherslovenlyinhishabits。HenowcameforwardfrombehindgrandfatherWilliam，andhisstoopingfigureformedawell—illuminatedpictureashepassedtowardsthefire—place。Beingbytradeamason，heworealonglinenapronreachingalmosttohistoes，corduroybreechesandgaiters，which，togetherwithhisboots，graduatedintintsofwhitish—brownbyconstantfrictionagainstlimeandstone。Healsoworeaverystifffustiancoat，havingfoldsattheelbowsandshouldersasunvaryingintheirarrangementasthoseinapairofbellows：theridgesandtheprojectingpartsofthecoatcollectivelyexhibitingashadedifferentfromthatofthehollows，whichwerelinedwithsmallditch—likeaccumulationsofstoneandmortar—dust。Theextremelylargeside—pockets，shelteredbeneathwideflaps，bulgedoutconvexlywhetheremptyorfull;andashewasoftenengagedtoworkatbuildingsfaraway——hisbreakfastsanddinnersbeingeateninastrangechimney—corner，byagardenwall，onaheapofstones，orwalkingalongtheroad——hecarriedinthesepocketsasmalltincanisterofbutter，asmallcanisterofsugar，asmallcanisteroftea，apaperofsalt，andapaperofpepper;thebread，cheese，andmeat，formingthesubstanceofhismeals，hangingupbehindhiminhisbasketamongthehammersandchisels。Ifapasser—bylookedhardathimwhenhewasdrawingforthanyofthese，\"Mybuttery，\"hesaid，withapinchedsmile。
\"Bettertryovernumberseventy—eightbeforewestart，Isuppose？\"
saidWilliam，pointingtoaheapofoldChristmas—carolbooksonasidetable。
\"Wi’allmyheart，\"saidthechoirgenerally。
\"Numberseventy—eightwasalwaysateaser——always。IcanmindhimeversinceIwasgrowingupahardboy—chap。\"
\"Buthe’sagoodtune，andworthaminto’practice，\"saidMichael。
\"Heis;thoughI’vebeenmadenoughwi’thattuneattimestoseizeenandtearenalltolinnit。Ay，he’sasplendidcarrel——there’snodenyingthat。\"
\"Thefirstlineiswellenough，\"saidMr。Spinks;\"butwhenyoucometo’O，thouman，’youmakeamesso’t。\"
\"We’llhaveanothergointoen，andseewhatwecanmakeofthemartel。Half—an—hour’shammeringatenwillconquerthetoughnessofen;I’llwarnit。\"
\"’Odrabbititall！\"saidMr。Penny，interruptingwithaflashofhisspectacles，andatthesametimeclawingatsomethinginthedepthsofalargeside—pocket。\"IfsobeIhadn’tbeenasscatter—
brainedandthirtingillasachiel，Ishouldhavecalledattheschoolhousewi’abootasIcamupalong。WhateveriscomingtomeIreallycan’testimateatall！\"
\"Thebrainhasitsweaknesses，\"murmuredMr。Spinks，wavinghisheadominously。Mr。Spinkswasconsideredtobeascholar，havingoncekeptanight—school，andalwaysspokeuptothatlevel。
\"Well，Imustcallwithenthefirstthingtomorrow。AndI’llemptmypocketo’thislasttoo，ifyoudon’tmind，Mrs。Dewy。\"Hedrewforthalast，andplaceditonatableathiselbow。Theeyesofthreeorfourfollowedit。
\"Well，\"saidtheshoemaker，seemingtoperceivethattheinteresttheobjecthadexcitedwasgreaterthanhehadanticipated，andwarrantedthelast’sbeingtakenupagainandexhibited;\"now，whosefootdoyesupposethislastwasmadefor？ItwasmadeforGeoffreyDay’sfather，overatYalburyWood。Ah，many’sthepairo’bootshe’vehadoffthelast！Well，when’adied，IusedthelastforGeoffrey，andhaveeversince，thoughalittledoctoringwaswantedtomakeitdo。Yes，averyqueernaturedlastitisnow，’ab’lieve，\"hecontinued，turningitovercaressingly。\"Now，younoticethatthere\"（pointingtoalumpofleatherbraddedtothetoe），\"that’saverybadbunionthathe’vehadeversince’awasaboy。Now，thisremarkablelargepiece\"（pointingtoapatchnailedtotheside），\"showsa’accidenthereceivedbythetreadofahorse，thatsquashedhisfoota’mosttoapomace。Thehorseshoecamfull—buttonthispoint，yousee。AndsoI’vejustbeenovertoGeoffrey’s，toknowifhewantedhisbunionalteredormadebiggerinthenewpairI’mmaking。\"
Duringthehatterpartofthisspeech，Mr。Penny’slefthandwanderedtowardsthecider—cup，asifthehandhadnoconnectionwiththepersonspeaking;andbringinghissentencetoanabruptchose，allbuttheextrememarginofthebootmaker’sfacewaseclipsedbythecircularbrimofthevessel。
\"However，Iwasgoingtosay，\"continuedPenny，puttingdownthecup，\"Ioughttohavecalledattheschool’——herehewentgropingagaininthedepthsofhispocket——’toleavethiswithoutfail，thoughIsupposethefirstthingto—morrowwilldo。\"
Henowdrewforthandplaceduponthetableaboot——small，light，andprettilyshaped——upontheheelofwhichhehadbeenoperating。
\"Thenewschoolmistress’s！\"
\"Ay，noless，MissFancyDay;asneatalittlefigureoffunaseverIsee，andjusthusband—high。\"
\"NeverGeoffrey’sdaughterFancy？\"saidBowman，asallglancespresentconvergedlikewheel—spokesuponthebootinthecentreofthem。
\"Yes，sure，\"resumedMr。Penny，regardingthebootasifthatalonewerehisauditor;\"’tisshethat’scomehereschoolmistress。Youknowedhisdaughterwasintraining？\"
\"Strange，isn’tit，forhertobehereChristmasnight，MasterPenny？\"
\"Yes;butheresheis，’ab’lieve。\"
\"Iknowhowshecomeshere——soIdo！\"chirrupedoneofthechildren。
\"Why？\"Dickinquired，withsubtleinterest。
\"Pa’sonMayboldwasafraidhecouldn’tmanageusallto—morrowatthedinner，andhetalkedo’gettingherjisttocomeoverandhelphimhandabouttheplates，andseewedidn’tmakepigsofourselves;
andthat’swhatshe’scomefor！\"
\"Andthat’stheboot，then，\"continueditsmenderimaginatively，\"thatshe’llwalktochurchintomorrowmorning。Idon’tcaretomendbootsIdon’tmake;butthere’snoknowingwhatitmayleadto，andherfatheralwayscomestome。\"
There，betweenthecider——mugandthecandle，stoodthisinterestingreceptacleofthelittleunknown’sfoot;andaveryprettybootitwas。Acharacter，infact——theflexiblebendattheinstep，theroundedlocalitiesofthesmallnestlingtoes，scratchesfromcarelessscampersnowforgotten——all，asrepeatedinthetell—taleleather，evidencinganatureandabias。Dicksurveyeditwithadelicatefeelingthathehadnorighttodosowithouthavingfirstaskedtheownerofthefoot’spermission。
\"Now，neighbours，thoughnocommoneyecanseeit，\"theshoemaker，wenton，\"amaninthetradecanseethelikenessbetweenthisbootandthatlast，althoughthatissodeformedashardlytorecalloneofGod’screatures，andthisisoneofasprettyapairasyou’dgetforten—and—sixpenceinCasterbridge。Toyou，nothing;but’tisfather’svootanddaughter’svoottome，asplainashouses。\"
\"Idon’tdoubtthere’salikeness，MasterPenny——amildlikeness——afantasticallikeness，\"saidSpinks。\"But_I_han’tgotimaginationenoughtoseeit，perhaps。\"
Mr。Pennyadjustedhisspectacles。
\"Now，I’lltellyewhathappenedtomeonceonthisverypoint。YouusedtoknowJohnsonthedairyman，William？\"
\"Ay，sure;Idid。\"
\"Well，’twasn’toppositehishouse，butalittlelowerdown——byhispaddock，infronto’ParkmazePool。Iwasa—bearingacrosstowardsBloom’sEnd，——andhoandbehold，therewasamanjustbroughtouto’
thePool，dead;hehadun’rayedforadip，butnotbeingabletopitchitjusttherehadgoneinflopoverhishead。Menlookedaten;womenlookedaten;childrenlookedaten;nobodyknoweden。Hewascoveredwi’asheet;butIcatchedsightofhisvoot，justshowingoutastheycarriedenalong。’Idon’tcarewhatnamethatmanwentby，’Isaid，inmyway，’buthe’sJohnWoodward’sbrother;
Icansweartothefamilyvoot。’AtthatverymomentupcomesJohnWoodward，weepingandteaving，’I’velostmybrother！I’velostmybrother！’\"
\"Onlytothinkofthat！\"saidMrs。Dewy。
\"’Tiswellenoughtoknowthisfootandthatfoot，\"saidMr。Spinks。
\"’Tislong—headed，infact，asfarasfeetdogo。Iknowlittle，’tistrue——Isaynomore;butshowMEaman’sfoot，andI’lltellyouthatman’sheart。\"
\"Youmustbeaclevererfeller，then，thanmankindinjineral，\"saidthetranter。
\"Well，that’snothingformetospeakof，\"returnedMr。Spinks。\"A
manhivesandlearns。MaybeI’vereadaleafortwoinmytime。I
don’twishtosayanythinglarge，mindyou;butnevertheless，maybeIhave。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"saidMichaelsoothingly，\"andalltheparishknows，thatye’vereadsommatofeverythinga’most，andhavebeenagreatfillerofyoungfolks’brains。Learning’saworthything，andye’vegotit，MasterSpinks。\"
\"Imakenoboast，thoughImayhavereadandthoughtalittle;andI
know——itmaybefrommuchperusing，butImakenoboast——thatbythetimeaman’sheadisfinished，’tisalmosttimeforhimtocreepunderground。Iamoverforty—five。\"
Mr。Spinksemittedahooktosignifythatifhisheadwasnotfinished，nobody’sheadevercouldbe。
\"Talkofknowingpeoplebytheirfeet！\"saidReuben。\"Rotme，mysonnies，then，ifIcantellwhatamanisfromallhismembersputtogether，oftentimes。\"
\"Butstill，lookisagooddeal，\"observedgrandfatherWilliamabsently，movingandbalancinghisheadtillthetipofgrandfatherJames’snosewasexactlyinarightlinewithWilliam’seyeandthemouthofaminiaturecavernhewasdiscerninginthefire。\"Bytheway，\"hecontinuedinafreshervoice，andlookingup，\"thatyoungcrater，theschoolmis’ess，mustbesungtoto—nightwi’therest？
Ifherearisasfineasherface，weshallhaveenoughtodotobeup—sideswithher。\"
\"Whataboutherface？\"saidyoungDewy。
\"Well，astothat，\"Mr。Spinksreplied，\"’tisafaceyoucanhardlygainsay。Averygoodpinkface，asfarasthatdogo。Still，onlyaface，whenallissaidanddone。\"
\"Come，come，EliasSpinks，sayshe’saprettymaid，andhavedonewi’her，\"saidthetranter，againpreparingtovisitthecider—
barrel。
CHAPTERIV：GOINGTHEROUNDS
Shortlyafterteno’clockthesinging—boysarrivedatthetranter’shouse，whichwasinvariablytheplaceofmeeting，andpreparationsweremadeforthestart。Theoldermenandmusiciansworethickcoats，withstiffperpendicularcollars，andcolouredhandkerchiefswoundroundandroundthenecktilltheendcametohand，overallwhichtheyjustshowedtheirearsandnoses，likepeoplelookingoverawall。Theremainder，stalwartruddymenandboys，weredressedmainlyinsnow—whitesmock—frocks，embroideredupontheshouldersandbreasts，inornamentalformsofhearts，diamonds，andzigzags。Thecider—mugwasemptiedfortheninthtime，themusic—
bookswerearranged，andthepiecesfinallydecidedupon。Theboysinthemeantimeputtheoldhorn—lanternsinorder，cutcandlesintoshortlengthstofitthelanterns;and，athinfleeceofsnowhavingfallensincetheearlypartoftheevening，thosewhohadnoleggingswenttothestableandwoundwispsofhayroundtheiranklestokeeptheinsidiousflakesfromtheinterioroftheirboots。
Mellstockwasaparishofconsiderableacreage，thehamletscomposingitlyingatamuchgreaterdistancefromeachotherthanisordinarilythecase。Henceseveralhourswereconsumedinplayingandsingingwithinhearingofeveryfamily，evenifbutasingleairwerebestowedoneach。TherewasLowerMellstock，themainvillage;halfamilefromthiswerethechurchandvicarage，andafewotherhouses，thespotbeingratherlonelynow，thoughinpastcenturiesithadbeenthemostthickly—populatedquarteroftheparish。Amilenorth—easthaythehamletofUpperMellstock，wherethetranterlived;andatotherpointsknotsofcottages，besidessolitaryfarmsteadsanddairies。
OldWilliamDewy，withthevioloncello，playedthebass;hisgrandsonDickthetrebleviolin;andReubenandMichaelMailthetenorandsecondviolinsrespectively。Thesingersconsistedoffourmenandsevenboys，uponwhomdevolvedthetaskofcarryingandattendingtothelanterns，andholdingthebooksopenfortheplayers。Directlymusicwasthetheme，oldWilliameverandinstinctivelycametothefront。
\"Nowmind，neighbours，\"hesaid，astheyallwentoutonebyoneatthedoor，hehimselfholdingitajarandregardingthemwithacriticalfaceastheypassed，likeashepherdcountingouthissheep。\"Youtwocounter—boys，keepyourearsopentoMichael’sfingering，anddon’tyegostrayingintothetreblepartalongo’
Dickandhisset，asyedidlastyear;andmindthisespeciallywhenwebein\"Arise，andhail。\"BillyChimlen，don’tyousingquitesoravingmadasyoufainwould;and，allo’ye，whateveryedo，keepfrommakingagreatscuffleonthegroundwhenwegoinatpeople’sgates;butgoquietly，soastostrikeupallofasudden，likespirits。\"
\"FarmerLedlow’sfirst？\"
\"FarmerLedlow’sfirst;therestasusual。\"
\"And，Voss，\"saidthetranterterminatively，\"youkeephouseheretillabouthalf—pasttwo;thenheatthemetheglinandciderinthewarmeryou’llfindturnedupuponthecopper;andbringitwi’thevictualstochurch—hatch，asth’stknow。\"
Justbeforethechockstrucktwelvetheylightedthelanternsandstarted。Themoon，inherthirdquarter，hadrisensincethesnowstorm;butthedenseaccumulationofsnow—cloudweakenedherpowertoafainttwilight，whichwasratherpervasiveofthelandscapethantraceabletothesky。Thebreezehadgonedown，andtherustleoftheirfeetandtonesoftheirspeechechoedwithanalertreboundfromeverypost，boundary—stone，andancientwalltheypassed，evenwherethedistanceoftheecho’soriginwaslessthanafewyards。Beyondtheirownslightnoisesnothingwastobeheard，savetheoccasionalbarkoffoxesinthedirectionofYalburyWood，orthebrushofarabbitamongthegrassnowandthen，asitscamperedoutoftheirway。
Mostoftheoutlyinghomesteadsandhamletshadbeenvisitedbyabouttwoo’clock;theythenpassedacrosstheoutskirtsofawoodedparktowardthemainvillage，nobodybeingathomeattheManor。