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。