ed the release, angry with Roger Hall for not allowing
himself to be found visiting his sister, most angry with Alice for
giving him no reasonable cause for anger. The only person with whom he
was not angry was his unreasonable self.

"If it wasn't for Mistress yonder, I should be in twenty minds not to
tarry here," said Mary to Mistress Tabitha, whom she overtook in the
road as both were coming home from market. "I'd as lief dwell in the
house with a grizzly bear as him. How she can put up with him that meek
as she do, caps me. Never gives him an ill word, no matter how many she
gets; and I do ensure you, Mistress Hall, his mouth is nothing pleasant.
And how do you all, I pray you? for it shall be a pleasure to my poor
mistress to hear the same. Fares little Mistress Christabel any
better?"

"Never a whit, Mall; and I am at my wits' end to know what I shall next
do for her. She wearies for her Aunt Alice, and will not allow of me in
her stead."

Mary felt privately but small astonishment at this.

"I sent Friswith and Justine over to tarry with her, but she seemed to
have no list to keep them; they were somewhat too quick for her, I
reckon." By quick, Mistress Hall meant lively. "I'll tell you what,
Mary Banks--with all reverence I speak it, but I do think I could order
this world better than it is."

"Think you so, Mistress Hall? And how would you go to do it?"

"First business, I'd be rid of that Edward Benden. Then I'd set Alice
in her brother Roger's house, to look after him and Christabel. She'd
be as happy as the day is long, might she dwell with them, and had that
cantankerous dolt off her hands for good. Eh dear! but if Master Hall,
my father-in-law, that made Alice's match with Benden, but had it to do
o'er again, I reckon he'd think twice and thrice afore he gave her to
that toad. The foolishness o' folks is beyond belief. Why, she might
have had Master Barnaby Final, that was as decent a man as ever stepped
in leather--he wanted her: but Benden promised a trifle better in way of
money, and Master Hall, like an ass as he was, took up wi' him. There's
no end to men's doltishness [foolishness]. I'm homely, [plain-spoken]
you'll say, and that's true; I love so to be. I never did care for
dressing my words with all manner o' frippery, as if they were going to
Court. 'Tis a deal the best to speak plain, and then folks know what
you're after."

When that uncomfortable fortnight came to an