READER, : heandI, theparsonandclerk, , Iwentintothekitchenofthemanor-house, whereMarywascookingthedinnerandJohncleaningtheknives, andIsaid—
"Mary, ." Thehousekeeperandherhusbandwerebothofthatdecentphlegmaticorderofpeople, towhomonemayatanytimesafelycommunicatearemarkablepieceofnewswithoutincurringthedangerofhavingone'searspiercedbysomeshrillejaculation, , andshedidstareatme: theladlewithwhichshewasbastingapairofchickensroastingatthefire, didforsomethreeminuteshangsuspendedinair; andforthesamespaceoftimeJohn'sknivesalsohadrestfromthepolishingprocess: butMary, bendingagainovertheroast, saidonly—
"Haveyou, Miss? Well, forsure!"
Ashorttimeaftershepursued—"Iseedyougooutwiththemaster, butIdidn'tknowyouweregonetochurchtobewed;" , whenIturnedtohim, wasgrinningfromeartoear.
"ItelledMaryhowitwouldbe," hesaid: "" (Johnwasanoldservant, andhadknownhismasterwhenhewasthecadetofthehouse, therefore, heoftengavehimhisChristianname)—"; andIwascertainhewouldnotwaitlongneither: andhe'sdoneright, , Miss!" andhepolitelypulledhisforelock.
"Thankyou, ." , , Icaughtthewords—
"She'llhappendobetterforhimnoronyo't' grandladies." Andagain, "Ifsheben'toneo' th' handsomest, she'snoanfaalandvarrygood-natured; andi' hiseenshe'sfairbeautiful, onybodymayseethat."
IwrotetoMoorHouseandtoCambridgeimmediately, tosaywhatIhaddone: , andthenshewouldcomeandseeme.
