, for the loss of a day's work at the mill was more than
fifty smiles could make up.

But she told me, above all things, not to do that. For old Master
Withypool was of that sort that he would stand for an hour with his
hands in his pocket for a half-penny, if not justly owing from him. But
nothing more angered him than a bribe to step outside of his duty. He
had plenty of money, and was proud of it. But sooner would he lose a
day's work to do a kindness, when he was sure of having right behind it,
than take a week's profit without earning it. And very likely that was
where the dark man failed, from presuming that money would do every
thing. However, there was nothing like judging for one's self; and if
I would like to be introduced, she could do it for me with the best
effect; taking as she did a good hundred-weight of best "households"
from him every week, although not herself in the baking line, but always
keeping quartern bags, because the new baker did adulterate so.

I thought of her father, and how things work round; but that they would
do without remarks of mine. So I said nothing on that point, but asked
whether Master Withypool would require any introduction. And to this
Mrs. Busk said, "Oh dear, no!" And her throat had been a little rough
since Sunday, and the dog was chained tight, even if any dog would bite
a sweet young lady; and to her mind the miller would be more taken up
and less fit to vapor into obstacles, if I were to hit upon him all
alone, just when he came out to the bank of his cabbage garden, not
so very long after his dinner, to smoke his pipe and to see his things
a-growing.

It was time to get ready if I meant to catch him then, for he always
dined at one o'clock, and the mill was some three or four meadows up the
stream; therefore as soon as Mrs. Busk had re-assured me that she was
quite certain of my enemy's departure, I took my drawing things and set
forth to call upon Master Withypool.

Passing through the church-yard, which was my nearest way, and glancing
sadly at the "fairy ring," I began to have some uneasiness about the
possible issue of my new scheme. Such a thing required more thinking
out than I had given to it. For instance, what reason could I give the
miller for asking so strange a thing of him? And how could the whole of
the valley be hindered from making the greatest talk about the stoppage
of their own beloved Moon, even if the Moon could be stopped without
every one of