u would have come on to
your head," said Grantly.

"It was a mercy," said Thumble. "But, sir, as it was, I came to the
ground with much violence. It was on Spigglewick Hill, where the road
is covered with loose stones. I see, sir, you have a gig and horse
here, with a servant. Perhaps, as the circumstances are so very
peculiar,--" Then Mr. Thumble stopped, and looked up into the major's
face with imploring eyes. But the major had no tenderness for such
sufferings. "I'm sorry to say that I am going quite the other way,"
he said. "I am returning to Silverbridge."

Mr. Thumble hesitated, and then made a renewed request. "If you would
not mind taking me to Silverbridge, I could get home from thence by
railway; and perhaps you would allow your servant to take the horse
to Barchester."

Major Grantly was for a moment dumbfounded. "The request is most
unreasonable, sir." said Mr. Crawley.

"That is as Major Grantly pleases to look at it," said Mr. Thumble.

"I am sorry to say that it is quite out of my power," said the major.

"You can surely walk, leading the beast, if you fear to mount him,"
said Mr. Crawley.

[Illustration: Mrs. Proudie's Emissary.]

"I shall do as I please about that," said Mr. Thumble. "And, Mr
Crawley, if you will have the kindness to leave things in the parish
just as they are,--just as they are, I will be obliged to you. It is
the bishop's wish that you should touch nothing." Mr. Thumble was by
this time on the step, and Mr. Crawley instantly slammed the door.
"The gentleman is a clergyman from Barchester," said Mr. Crawley,
modestly folding his hands upon his breast, "whom the bishop has
sent over here to take upon himself temporarily the services of the
church, and, as it appears, the duties also of the parish. I refrain
from animadverting upon his lordship's choice."

"And you are leaving Hogglestock?"

"When I have found a shelter for my wife and children I shall do so;
nay, peradventure, I must do so before any such shelter can be found.
I shall proceed in that matter as I am bid. I am one who can regard
myself as no longer possessing the privilege of free action in
anything. But while I have a room at your service, permit me to ask
you to enter it." Then Mr. Crawley motioned him in with his hand, and
Major Grantly found himself in the presence of Mrs. Crawley and her
younger daughter.

He looked at them both for a moment, and could trace much of the
lines of that face which he love