ode into the church, hit, in the process, on the hat, back, and
breast with cowslips, hurled at him by the over-excited school children.
They could not be restrained till the proper time by their equally
excited mistress, who, like the rest of the feminine community present,
was ready to fall down and worship the proud handsome man who had just
passed into the church.

The cheering ceased, as the rectory party were seen to cross over to the
chancel door, and the people crowded into the building. There had not
been such a congregation--"no, not since Sir Murray's father and
mother--Heaven rest 'em!--were married in that very church," said the
oldest inhabitant, who wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his smock-frock
as he recalled the day.

"And how drunk you did get that day, up ta castle, Joey!" said a crony.

"Well, yes, lad, I did--I did," said the oldest inhabitant. "But, then,
castle ale is stark drink, lad, and old Barnes Thorndike used to brew
good stuff."

"Nought like what they have there now, lad," said the other old lad,
both speakers being over eighty; and comfortably seated as they were
upon a tombstone, patiently waiting the conclusion of the ceremony, with
one exception, they were now the only occupants of the churchyard.

"Well, I don't know, lad; but we'll try it, by and by--by and by. We'll
get a lift up ta castle, some gate or other, and see how things are, for
such days as this don't come often."

"Nay, not often," said the other. "But it's open house up there to-day,
and there's to be fine doings after the squire's gone with his lady."

"Where are they going, lad?"

"Oh, furren parts, sure; so my boy Jack tells me."

"And he's agoin' too--ain't he?"

"Ay, lad. He's Sir Murray's head man now, and he's to be butler when
they come back; and butlers keep keys, and there'll be a rare taste or
two--eh?"

"Ay; and my Fan's gal, Jenny, she's going, you know--my grandchild as
has been at parson's. She's going with her young missus; and strikes
me, neighbour, as young Jack Gurdon's thinking about her a good deal.
Jane's mother twitted her with it, and the gal laughed; and there might
be more strange things come to pass than for they two to come to be
butler and housekeeper up ta old place."

The old men chuckled and blinked at one another upon the tombstone, for
a few minutes, and then one spoke:

"Ain't they a long time getting of it done?"

"Two parsons, lad," said the other. "Takes two