the brim of his
imaginary hat again, and all the choir did the same. "About Michaelmas,
then, as far as you are concerned, sir, and then we make room for the
next generation."

"About Michaelmas," said the vicar.

CHAPTER V: RETURNING HOME WARD

"'A took it very well, then?" said Mail, as they all walked up the hill.

"He behaved like a man, 'a did so," said the tranter. "And I'm glad
we've let en know our minds. And though, beyond that, we ha'n't got much
by going, 'twas worth while. He won't forget it. Yes, he took it very
well. Supposing this tree here was Pa'son Mayble, and I standing here,
and thik gr't stone is father sitting in the easy-chair. 'Dewy,' says
he, 'I don't wish to change the church music in a forcible way.'"

"That was very nice o' the man, even though words be wind."

"Proper nice--out and out nice. The fact is," said Reuben
confidentially, "'tis how you take a man. Everybody must be managed.
Queens must be managed: kings must be managed; for men want managing
almost as much as women, and that's saying a good deal."

"'Tis truly!" murmured the husbands.

"Pa'son Mayble and I were as good friends all through it as if we'd been
sworn brothers. Ay, the man's well enough; 'tis what's put in his head
that spoils him, and that's why we've got to go."

"There's really no believing half you hear about people nowadays."

"Bless ye, my sonnies! 'tisn't the pa'son's move at all. That gentleman
over there" (the tranter nodded in the direction of Shiner's farm) "is at
the root of the mischty."

"What! Shiner?"

"Ay; and I see what the pa'son don't see. Why, Shiner is for putting
forward that young woman that only last night I was saying was our Dick's
sweet-heart, but I suppose can't be, and making much of her in the sight
of the congregation, and thinking he'll win her by showing her off. Well,
perhaps 'a woll."

"Then the music is second to the woman, the other churchwarden is second
to Shiner, the pa'son is second to the churchwardens, and God A'mighty is
nowhere at all."

"That's true; and you see," continued Reuben, "at the very beginning it
put me in a stud as to how to quarrel wi' en. In short, to save my soul,
I couldn't quarrel wi' such a civil man without belying my conscience.
Says he to father there, in a voice as quiet as a lamb's, 'William, you
are a' old aged man, as all shall be, so sit down in my easy-chair, and
rest yourself.' And down father zot. I could