Itisbeyondmeandaboveme，todiscussthesesubjects；andintruthIlovethelawrightwell，whenitdothsupportme，andwhenIcanlayitdowntomyliking，withprejudicetonobody。Loyal，too，totheKingamI，asbehoveschurchwarden；andreadytomakethebestofhim，ashegenerallyrequires。Butafterall，IcouldnotseeuntilIgrewmucholder，andcametohavesomepropertywhyTomFaggus，workinghard，wascalledarobberandfelonofgreat；whiletheKing，doingnothingatallasbecamehisdignity，wasliege-lord，andparamountowner；witheverybodytothankhimkindlyforacceptingtribute。
　　Forthepresent，however，Ilearnednothingmoreastowhatourcousin’sprofessionwas；onlythatmotherseemedfrightened，andwhisperedtohimnowandthennottotalkofsomething，becauseofthechildrenbeingthere；whereuponhealwaysnoddedwithasageexpression，andappliedhimselftohollands。
　　’NowletusgoandseeWinnie，Jack，’hesaidtomeaftersupper；’forthemostpartIfeedherbeforemyself；butshewassohotfromthewayyoudroveher。
　　Nowshemustbegrievingforme，andIneverlethergrievelong。’
　　Iwastoogladtogowithhim，andAnniecameslylyafterus。Thefillywaswalkingtoandfroonthenakedfloorofthestableforhewouldnotletherhaveanystraw，untilheshouldmakeabedforher，andwithoutsomuchasaheadstallon，forhewouldnothaveherfastened。’Doyoutakemymareforadog？’hehadsaidwhenJohnFrybroughthimahalter。Andnowsherantohimlikeachild，andhergreateyesshoneatthelanthorn。
　　’Hitme，Jack，andseewhatshewilldo。Iwillnotletherhurtthee。’Hewasrubbingherearsallthetimehespoke，andshewasleaningagainsthim。ThenI
　　madebelievetostrikehim，andinamomentshecaughtmebythewaistband，andliftedmecleanfromtheground，andwascastingmedowntotrampleuponme，whenhestoppedhersuddenly。
　　’Whatthinkyouofthat，boy？Haveyouhorseordogthatwoulddothatforyou？Ay，andmorethanthatshewilldo。IfIweretowhistle，by-and-by，inthetonethattellsmydanger，shewouldbreakthisstable-doordown，andrushintotheroomtome。Nothingwillkeepherfrommethen，stone-wal1orchurch-tower。Ah，Winnie，Winnie，youlittlewitch，weshalldietogether。’
　　Thenheturnedawaywithajoke，andbegantofeedhernicely，forshewasverydainty。Notahuskofoatwouldshetouchthathadbeenunderthebreathofanotherhorse，howeverhungryshemightbe。Andwithheroatshemixedsomepowder，fetchingitfromhissaddle-bags。WhatthiswasIcouldnotguess，neitherwouldhetellme，butlaughedandcalledit’star-shavings。’Hewatchedhereateverymorselofit，withtwoorthreedrinksofpurewater，ministeredbetweenwhiles；andthenhemadeherbedinaformI
　　hadneverseenbefore，andsowesaid’Good-night’toher。
　　Afterwardsbythefiresidehekeptusverymerry，sittinginthegreatchimney-corner，andmakingusplaygameswithhim。AndallthewhilehewassmokingtobaccoinamannerIneverhadseenbefore，notusinganypipeforit，buthavingitrolledinlittlesticksaboutaslongasmyfinger，bluntatoneendandsharpattheother。Thesharpendhewouldputinhismouth，andlayabrandofwoodtotheother，andthendrawawhitecloudofcurlingsmoke，andwenevertiredofwatchinghim。Iwantedhimtoletmedoit，buthesaid，’No，myson；itisnotmeantforboys。’ThenAnnieputupherlipsandasked，withbothhandsonhiskneesforshehadtakentohimwonderfully，’IsitmeantforgirlsthencousinTom？’Butshehadbetternothaveasked，forhegaveithertotry，andsheshutbotheyes，andsuckedatit。Onebreath，however，wasquiteenough，foritmadehercoughsoviolentlythatLizzieandImustthumpherbackuntilshewasalmostcrying。Toatoneforthat，cousinTomsetto，andtolduswholepagesofstories，notabouthisowndoingsatall，butstrangelyenoughtheyseemedtoconcernalmosteveryoneelsewehadeverheardof。Withouthaltingonceforawordoradeed，histalesflowedonwardasfreelyandbrightlyastheflamesofthewoodupthechimney，andwithnosmallervariety。Forhespokewiththevoicesoftwentypeople，givingeachpersonthepropermanner，andtheproperplacetospeakfrom；
　　sothatAnnieandLizzieranallabout，andsearchedtheclockandthelinen-press。Andhechangedhisfaceeverymomentso，andwithsuchpowerofmimicrythatwithoutsomuchasasmileofhisown，hemadeevenmotherlaughsothatshebrokehernewtenpennywaistband；andasforuschildren，werolledonthefloor，andBettyMuxworthyroaredinthewash-up。
　　NowalthoughMr。Fagguswassoclever，andgenerous，andcelebrated，Iknownotwhether，uponthewhole，wewereratherproudofhimasamemberofourfamily，orinclinedtobeashamedofhim。AndindeedIthinkthattheswayofthebalancehunguponthecompanywewerein。Forinstance，withtheboysatBrendon——forthereisnovillageatOare——Iwasexceedingproudtotalkofhim，andwouldfreelybragofmyCousinTom。Butwiththerichparsonsoftheneighbourhood，orthejusticeswhocameroundnowandthen，andweregladtorideuptoawarmfarm-house，oreventhewell-to-dotradesmenofPorlock——inaword，anysettledpower，whichwasafraidoflosingthings——withallofthemwewereveryshyofclaimingourkinshiptothatgreatoutlaw。
　　Andsure，Ishouldpity，aswellascondemnhimthoughourwaysintheworldweresodifferent，knowingasI
　　dohisstory；whichknowledge，methinks，wouldoftenleadustoletaloneGod’sprerogative——judgment，andholdbyman’sprivilege——pity。NotthatIwouldfindexcuseforTom’sdownrightdishonesty，whichwasbeyonddoubtadisgracetohim，andnocredittohiskinsfolk；
　　onlythatitcameaboutwithouthismeaninganyharmorseeinghowhetooktowrong；yetgraduallyknowingit。
　　Andnow，tosaveanyfurthertrouble，andtomeetthosewhodisparagehimwithoutallowanceforthetimeorthecrosseslaiduponhim，Iwilltellthehistoryofhim，justasifhewerenotmycousin，andhopingtobeheeded。AndIdefyanymantosaythatawordofthisiseitherfalse，orinanywaycolouredbyfamily。
　　Muchcausehehadtobeharshwiththeworld；andyetallacknowledgedhimverypleasant，whenamangaveuphismoney。Andoftenandoftenhepaidthetollforthecarriagecomingafterhim，becausehehademptiedtheirpockets，andwouldnotaddinconvenience。Bytradehehadbeenablacksmith，inthetownofNorthmolton，inDevonshire，aroughrudeplaceattheendofExmoor，sothatmanypeoplemarvelledifsuchamanwasbredthere。Notonlycouldhereadandwrite，buthehadsolidsubstance；apieceoflandworthahundredpounds，andrightofcommonfortwohundredsheep，andascoreandahalfofbeasts，liftinguporlyingdown。Andbeingleftanorphanwithallthesecaresuponhimhebegantoworkrightearly，andmadesuchafameattheshoeingofhorses，thatthefarriersofBarumwereliketolosetheircustom。AndindeedhewonagoldenJacobusforthebest-shodnaginthenorthofDevon，andsomesaythatheneverwasforgiven。
　　Astothat，Iknownomore，exceptthatmenarejealous。Butwhetheritwerethat，ornot，hefellintobittertroublewithinamonthofhisvictory；whenhistradewasgrowinguponhim，andhissweetheartreadytomarryhim。ForhelovedamaidofSouthmoltonacurrier’sdaughterIthinkshewas，andhernamewasBetsyParamore，andherfatherhadgivenconsent；andTomFaggus，wishingtolookhisbest，andbecleanofcourse，hadatailoratworkupstairsforhim，whohadcomeallthewayfromExeter。AndBetsy’sthingswerereadytoo——forwhichtheyaccusedhimafterwards，asifhecouldhelpthat——whensuddenly，likeathunderbolt，alawyer’swritfelluponhim。
　　Thiswasthebeginningofalaw-suitwithSirRobertBampfylde，agentlemanoftheneighbourhood，whotriedtoousthimfromhiscommon，anddrovehiscattleandharassedthem。AndbythatsuitoflawpoorTomwasruinedaltogether，forSirRobertcouldpayformuchswearing；andthenallhisgoodsandhisfarmweresoldup，andevenhissmitherytaken。Buthesaddledhishorse，beforetheycouldcatchhim，androdeawaytoSouthmolton，lookingmorelikeamadmanthanagoodfarrier，asthepeoplesaidwhosawhim。Butwhenhearrivedthere，insteadofcomfort，theyshowedhimthefaceofthedooralone；forthenewsofhislosswasbeforehim，andMasterParamorewasasound，prudentman，andahighmemberofthetowncouncil。ItissaidthattheyevengavehimnoticetopayforBetsy’swedding-clothes，nowthathewastoopoortomarryher。
　　Thismaybefalse，andindeedIdoubtit；inthefirstplace，becauseSouthmoltonisabusyplacefortalking；
　　andinthenext，thatIdonotthinktheactionwouldhavelainatlaw，especiallyasthemaidlostnothing，butuseditallforherweddingnextmonthwithDickVellacott，ofMockham。
　　AllthiswasverysoreuponTom；andhetookittoheartsogrievously，thathesaid，asabettermanmighthavesaid，beinglooseofmindandproperty，’Theworldhathpreyedonmelikeawolf。Godhelpmenowtopreyontheworld。’
　　Andinsoothitdidseem，forawhile，asifProvidencewerewithhim；forhetookraretollonthehighway，andhisnamewassoonasgoodasgoldanywherethissideofBristowe。Hestudiedhisbusinessbynightandbyday，withthreehorsesallinhardwork，untilhehadmadeafinereputation；andthenitwascompetenttohimtorest，andhehadplentyleftforcharity。
　　AndIoughttosayforsocietytoo，forhetrulylovedhighsociety，treatingsquiresandnoblemenwhomuchaffectedhiscompanytotheverybestfareofthehostel。AndtheysaythatoncetheKing’sJustitiaries，beinguponcircuit，acceptedhisinvitation，declaringmerrilythatifnevertruebillhadbeenfoundagainsthim，minehostshouldnowbequalifiedtodrawone。Andsothelandlordsdid；andhealwayspaidthemhandsomely，sothatallofthemwerekindtohim，andcontendedforhisvisits。LetitbeknowninanytownshipthatMr。Fagguswastakinghisleisureattheinn，andstraightwayallthemenflockedthithertodrinkhishealthwithoutoutlay，andallthewomentoadmirehim；whilethechildrenweresetatthecross-roadstogivewarningofanyofficers。OneofhisearliestmeetingswaswithSirRobertBampfyldehimself，whowasridingalongtheBarumroadwithonlyoneserving-manafterhim。TomFaggusputapistoltohishead，beingthenobligedtobeviolent，throughwantofreputation；whiletheserving-manpretendedtobealongwayroundthecorner。Thenthebaronetpulledouthispurse，quitetremblinginthehurryofhispoliteness。Tomtookthepurse，andhisring，andtime-piece，andthenhandedthembackwithaverylowbow，sayingthatitwasagainstallusageforhimtorobarobber。Thenheturnedtotheunfaithfulknave，andtrouncedhimrightwellforhiscowardice，andstrippedhimofallhisproperty。
　　ButnowMr。Fagguskeptonlyonehorse，lesttheGovernmentshouldstealthem；andthatonewastheyoungmareWinnie。Howhecamebyherheneverwouldtell，butIthinkthatshewaspresentedtohimbyacertainColonel，aloverofsport，andverycleverinhorseflesh，whoselifeTomhadsavedfromsomegamblers。WhenIhaveaddedthatFaggusasyethadneverbeenguiltyofbloodshedforhiseyes，andtheclickofhispistolatfirst，andnowhishighreputationmadeallhiswishesrespected，andthatheneverrobbedapoorman，neitherinsultedawoman，butwasverygoodtotheChurch，andofhotpatrioticopinions，andfullofjestandjollity，Ihavesaidasmuchasisfairforhim，andshownwhyhewassopopular。EverybodycursedtheDoones，wholivedapartdisdainfully。ButallgoodpeoplelikedMr。
　　Faggus——whenhehadnotrobbedthem——andmanyapoorsickmanorwomanblessedhimforotherpeople’smoney；
　　andallthehostlers，stable-boys，andtapstersentirelyworshippedhim。
　　Ihavebeenratherlong，andperhapstedious，inmyaccountofhim，lestatanytimehereafterhischaractershouldbemisunderstood，andhisgoodnamedisparaged；whereashewasmysecondcousin，andtheloverofmy——Butletthatbide。’Tisamelancholystory。
　　Hecameagainaboutthreemonthsafterwards，inthebeginningofthespring-time，andbroughtmeabeautifulnewcarbine，havinglearnedmyloveofsuchthings，andmygreatdesiretoshootstraight。Butmotherwouldnotletmehavethegun，untilheaverreduponhishonourthathehadboughtithonestly。Andsohehad，nodoubt，sofarasitishonesttobuywithmoneyacquiredrampantly。ScarcecouldIstoptomakemybulletsinthemouldwhichcamealongwithit，butmustbeofftotheQuarryHill，andnewtargetIhadmadethere。AndhetaughtmethenhowtoridebrightWinnie，whowasgrownsinceIhadseenher，butrememberedmemostkindly。AftermakingmuchofAnnie，whohadawondrouslikingforhim——andhesaidhewashergodfather，butGodknowshowhecouldhavebeen，unlesstheyconfirmedhimprecociously——awayhewent，andyoungWinnie’ssidesshonelikeacherrybycandlelight。
　　NowIfeelthatofthoseboyishdaysIhavelittlemoretotell，becauseeverythingwentquietly，astheworldforthemostpartdoeswithus。Ibegantoworkatthefarminearnest，andtriedtohelpmymother，andwhenIrememberedLornaDoone，itseemednomorethanthethoughtofadream，whichIcouldhardlycalltomind。
　　Nowwhocarestoknowhowmanybushelsofwheatwegrewtotheacre，orhowthecattlemilchedtillweatethem，orwhattheturnoftheseasonswas？Butmystupidselfseemedliketobethebiggestofallthecattle；forhavingmuchtolookafterthesheep，andbeingalwaysinkindappetite，Igrewfourincheslongerineveryyearofmyfarming，andamatteroftwoincheswider；untiltherewasnomanofmysizetobeseenelsewhereuponExmoor。Letthatpass：whatoddstoanyhowtallorwideIbe？ThereisnoDoone’sdooratPlover’sBarrowsandiftherewereIcouldnevergothroughit。Theyvexedmesomuchaboutmysize，longbeforeIhadcompletedit，girdingatmewithpaltryjokeswhosewitwasgoodonlytostayathome，thatI