, which was really a spacious coffer
by no means limited to the size of the foot. Pulling them on again
and lacing them to the very top, he proceeded on his way, more easy
in his head than under his soles.

His path converged towards that of the noisy company, and on coming
nearer he found to his relief that they were several Egdon people whom
he knew very well, while with them walked Fairway, of Blooms-End.

"What! Christian going too?" said Fairway as soon as he recognized the
newcomer. "You've got no young woman nor wife to your name to gie a
gown-piece to, I'm sure."

"What d'ye mean?" said Christian.

"Why, the raffle. The one we go to every year. Going to the raffle
as well as ourselves?"

"Never knew a word o't. Is it like cudgel-playing or other sportful
forms of bloodshed? I don't want to go, thank you, Mister Fairway,
and no offence."

"Christian don't know the fun o't, and 'twould be a fine sight for
him," said a buxom woman. "There's no danger at all, Christian.
Every man puts in a shilling apiece, and one wins a gown-piece for
his wife or sweetheart if he's got one."

"Well, as that's not my fortune there's no meaning in it to me. But I
should like to see the fun, if there's nothing of the black art in it,
and if a man may look on without cost or getting into any dangerous
wrangle?"

"There will be no uproar at all," said Timothy. "Sure, Christian, if
you'd like to come we'll see there's no harm done."

"And no ba'dy gaieties, I suppose? You see, neighbours, if so, it
would be setting father a bad example, as he is so light moral'd. But
a gown-piece for a shilling, and no black art--'tis worth looking
in to see, and it wouldn't hinder me half an hour. Yes, I'll come,
if you'll step a little way towards Mistover with me afterwards,
supposing night should have closed in, and nobody else is going that
way?"

One or two promised; and Christian, diverging from his direct path,
turned round to the right with his companions towards the Quiet Woman.

When they entered the large common room of the inn they found
assembled there about ten men from among the neighbouring population,
and the group was increased by the new contingent to double that
number. Most of them were sitting round the room in seats divided by
wooden elbows like those of crude cathedral stalls, which were carved
with the initials of many an illustrious drunkard of former times who
had passed his days and his nights between them, and