b, and neither vell nor mark have been seen
of 'em since, though I reckon that this afternoon has brought 'em home
again man and woman--wife, that is. Isn't it spoke like a man,
Timothy, and wasn't Mis'ess Yeobright wrong about me?"

"Yes, it will do. I didn't know the two had walked together since
last fall, when her aunt forbad the banns. How long has this new
set-to been mangling then? Do you know, Humphrey?"

"Yes, how long?" said Grandfer Cantle smartly, likewise turning to
Humphrey. "I ask that question."

"Ever since her aunt altered her mind, and said she might have the
man after all," replied Humphrey, without removing his eyes from the
fire. He was a somewhat solemn young fellow, and carried the hook
and leather gloves of a furze-cutter, his legs, by reason of that
occupation, being sheathed in bulging leggings as stiff as the
Philistine's greaves of brass. "That's why they went away to be
married, I count. You see, after kicking up such a nunny-watch
and forbidding the banns 'twould have made Mis'ess Yeobright seem
foolish-like to have a banging wedding in the same parish all as if
she'd never gainsaid it."

"Exactly--seem foolish-like; and that's very bad for the poor things
that be so, though I only guess as much, to be sure," said Grandfer
Cantle, still strenuously preserving a sensible bearing and mien.

"Ah, well, I was at church that day," said Fairway, "which was a very
curious thing to happen."

"If 'twasn't my name's Simple," said the Grandfer emphatically. "I
ha'n't been there to-year; and now the winter is a-coming on I won't
say I shall."

"I ha'n't been these three years," said Humphrey; "for I'm so dead
sleepy of a Sunday; and 'tis so terrible far to get there; and when
you do get there 'tis such a mortal poor chance that you'll be chose
for up above, when so many bain't, that I bide at home and don't go at
all."

"I not only happened to be there," said Fairway, with a fresh
collection of emphasis, "but I was sitting in the same pew as Mis'ess
Yeobright. And though you may not see it as such, it fairly made my
blood run cold to hear her. Yes, it is a curious thing; but it made
my blood run cold, for I was close at her elbow." The speaker looked
round upon the bystanders, now drawing closer to hear him, with his
lips gathered tighter than ever in the rigorousness of his descriptive
moderation.

"'Tis a serious job to have things happen to 'ee there," said a woman
behind.

"'Ye are