deceive 'em as you could in my time."

"What they knowed then was not small," said John Upjohn. "Always a
good deal more than the men! Why, when I went courting my wife that is
now, the skilfulness that she would show in keeping me on her pretty
side as she walked was beyond all belief. Perhaps you've noticed that
she's got a pretty side to her face as well as a plain one?"

"I can't say I've noticed it particular much," said the hollow-turner,
blandly.

"Well," continued Upjohn, not disconcerted, "she has. All women under
the sun be prettier one side than t'other. And, as I was saying, the
pains she would take to make me walk on the pretty side were unending!
I warrant that whether we were going with the sun or against the sun,
uphill or downhill, in wind or in lewth, that wart of hers was always
towards the hedge, and that dimple towards me. There was I, too simple
to see her wheelings and turnings; and she so artful, though two years
younger, that she could lead me with a cotton thread, like a blind ram;
for that was in the third climate of our courtship. No; I don't think
the women have got cleverer, for they was never otherwise."

"How many climates may there be in courtship, Mr. Upjohn?" inquired a
youth--the same who had assisted at Winterborne's Christmas party.

"Five--from the coolest to the hottest--leastwise there was five in
mine."

"Can ye give us the chronicle of 'em, Mr. Upjohn?"

"Yes--I could. I could certainly. But 'tis quite unnecessary. They'll
come to ye by nater, young man, too soon for your good."

"At present Mrs. Fitzpiers can lead the doctor as your mis'ess could
lead you," the hollow-turner remarked. "She's got him quite tame. But
how long 'twill last I can't say. I happened to be setting a wire on
the top of my garden one night when he met her on the other side of the
hedge; and the way she queened it, and fenced, and kept that poor
feller at a distance, was enough to freeze yer blood. I should never
have supposed it of such a girl."

Melbury now returned to the room, and the men having declared
themselves refreshed, they all started on the homeward journey, which
was by no means cheerless under the rays of the high moon. Having to
walk the whole distance they came by a foot-path rather shorter than
the highway, though difficult except to those who knew the country
well. This brought them by way of Great Hintock; and passing the
church-yard they observed, as they talk