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。