thoughtI，andforafewmomentsIfeltasifamountainhadbeenremovedfrommybreast；—"hereshecomesatlast，now，howshallIreceiveher？Oh，"thoughtI，"Iwillreceiveherrathercoolly，justasifIwasnotparticularlyanxiousabouther—that’sthewaytomanagethesewomen。"Thenextmomentthesoundbecameveryloud，rathertooloud，I

thought，toproceedfromherwheels，andthenbydegreesbecamefainter。Rushingoutofmytent，Ihurriedupthepathtothetopofthedingle，whereIheardthesounddistinctlyenough，butitwasgoingfromme，andevidentlyproceededfromsomethingmuchlargerthanthecartofIsopel。

Icould，moreover，hearthestampingofahorse’shoofatalumberingtrot。Thoseonlywhosehopeshavebeenwroughtuptoahighpitch，andthensuddenlycastdown，canimaginewhatIfeltatthatmoment；andyetwhenIreturnedtomylonelytent，andlaydownonmyhardpallet，thevoiceofconsciencetoldmethatthemiseryIwasthenundergoingI

hadfullymerited，fortheunkindmannerinwhichIhadintendedtoreceiveher，whenforabriefmomentIsupposedthatshehadreturned。

Itwasonthemorningafterthisaffair，andthefourth，ifI

forgetnot，fromthetimeofIsopel’sdeparture，that，asI

wasseatedonmystoneatthebottomofthedingle，gettingmybreakfast，Iheardanunknownvoicefromthepathabove—

apparentlythatofapersondescending—exclaim，"Here’sastrangeplacetobringaletterto；"andpresentlyanoldwoman，withabeltroundhermiddle，towhichwasattachedaleathernbag，madeherappearance，andstoodbeforeme。

"Well，ifIever！"saidshe，asshelookedabouther。"Mygoodgentlewoman，"saidI，"praywhatmayyoupleasetowant？""Gentlewoman！"saidtheolddame，"pleasetowant—

well，Icallthatspeakingcivilly，atanyrate。Itistrue，civilwordscostnothing；nevertheless，wedonotalwaysgetthem。WhatIpleasetowantistodeliveralettertoayoungmaninthisplace；perhapsyoubehe？""What’sthenameontheletter？"saidI，gettingup，andgoingtoher。

"There’snonameuponit，"saidshe，takingaletteroutofherscrip，andlookingatit。"ItisdirectedtotheyoungmaninMumper’sDingle。""Thenitisforme，Imakenodoubt，"saidI，stretchingoutmyhandtotakeit。"Pleasetopaymeninepencefirst，"saidtheoldwoman。"However，"

saidshe，afteramoment’sthought，"civilityiscivility，and，beingratherascarcearticle，shouldmeetwithsomereturn。Here’stheletter，youngman，andIhopeyouwillpayforit；forifyoudonotImustpaythepostagemyself。"

"Youarethepostwoman，Isuppose，"saidI，asItooktheletter。"Iamthepostman’smother，"saidtheoldwoman；

"butashehasawidebeat，IhelphimasmuchasIcan，andIgenerallycarryletterstoplaceslikethis，towhichheisafraidtocomehimself。""Yousaythepostageisninepence，"

saidI，"here’sashilling。""Well，Icallthathonourable，"

saidtheoldwoman，takingtheshilling，andputtingitintoherpocket—"here’syourchange，youngman，"saidshe，offeringmethreepence。"Praykeepthatforyourself，"saidI；"youdeserveitforyourtrouble。""Well，Icallthatgenteel，"saidtheoldwoman；"andasonegoodturndeservesanother，sinceyoulookasifyoucouldn’tread，Iwillreadyourletterforyou。Let’sseeit；it’sfromsomeyoungwomanorother，Idaresay。""Thankyou，"saidI，"butIcanread。""Allthebetterforyou，"saidtheoldwoman；"yourbeingabletoreadwillfrequentlysaveyouapenny，forthat’sthechargeIgenerallymakeforreadingletters；

though，asyoubehavedsogenteellytome，Ishouldhavechargedyounothing。Well，ifyoucanread，whydon’tyouopentheletter，insteadofkeepingithangingbetweenyourfingerandthumb？""Iaminnohurrytoopenit，"saidI，withasigh。Theoldwomanlookedatmeforamoment—

"Well，youngman，"saidshe，"therearesome—especiallythosewhocanread—whodon’tliketoopentheirletterswhenanybodyisby，moreespeciallywhentheycomefromyoungwomen。Well，Iwon’tintrudeuponyou，butleaveyoualonewithyourletter。Iwishitmaycontainsomethingpleasant。

Godblessyou，"andwiththesewordsshedeparted。

Isatdownonmystone，withmyletterinmyhand。IknewperfectlywellthatitcouldhavecomefromnootherpersonthanIsopelBerners；butwhatdidthelettercontain？I

guessedtolerablywellwhatitspurportwas—aneternalfarewell！yetIwasafraidtoopentheletter，lestmyexpectationshouldbeconfirmed。ThereIsatwiththeletter，puttingofftheevilmomentaslongaspossible。AtlengthIglancedatthedirection，whichwaswritteninafineboldhand，andwasdirected，astheoldwomanhadsaid，totheyoungmanin"Mumpers’Dingle，"withtheaddition，near—，inthecountyof—Suddenlytheideaoccurredtome，that，afterall，thelettermightnotcontainaneternalfarewell；andthatIsopelmighthavewritten，requestingmetojoinher。Coulditbeso？"Alas！no，"presentlysaidForeboding。AtlastIbecameashamedofmyweakness。Thelettermustbeopenedsoonerorlater。Whynotatonce？Soasthebatherwho，foraconsiderabletime，hasstoodshiveringonthebank，afraidtotakethedecisiveplunge，suddenlytakesit，ItoreopentheletteralmostbeforeIwasaware。Ihadnosoonerdonesothanapaperfellout。I

examinedit；itcontainedalockofbrightflaxenhair。

"Thisisnogoodsign，"saidI，asIthrustthelockandpaperintomybosom，andproceededtoreadtheletter，whichranasfollows：—

"TOTHEYOUNGMANINMUMPERS’DINGLE。

"SIR，—Isendtheselines，withthehopeandtrustthattheywillfindyouwell，evenasIammyselfatthismoment，andinmuchbetterspirits，formyownarenotsuchasIcouldwishtheywere，beingsometimesratherhystericalandvapourish，andatothertimes，andmostoften，verylow。I

amatasea—port，andamjustgoingonshipboard；andwhenyougettheseIshallbeonthesaltwaters，onmywaytoadistantcountry，andleavingmyownbehindme，whichIdonotexpectevertoseeagain。

"Andnow，youngman，Iwill，inthefirstplace，saysomethingaboutthemannerinwhichIquittedyou。ItmusthaveseemedsomewhatsingulartoyouthatIwentawaywithouttakinganyleave，orgivingyoutheslightesthintthatIwasgoing；butIdidnotdosowithoutconsiderablereflection。

IwasafraidthatIshouldnotbeabletosupportaleave—

taking；andasyouhadsaidthatyouweredeterminedtogowhereverIdid，Ithoughtitbestnottotellyouatall；forIdidnotthinkitadvisablethatyoushouldgowithme，andIwishedtohavenodispute。

"Inthesecondplace，Iwishtosaysomethingaboutanofferofwedlockwhichyoumademe；perhaps，youngman，hadyoumadeitatthefirstperiodofouracquaintance，Ishouldhaveacceptedit，butyoudidnot，andkeptputtingoffandputtingoff，andbehavinginaverystrangemanner，tillI

couldstandyourconductnolonger，butdetermineduponleavingyouandOldEngland，whichlaststepIhadbeenlongthinkingabout；sowhenyoumadeyourofferatlast，everythingwasarranged—mycartanddonkeyengagedtobesold—andthegreaterpartofmythingsdisposedof。

However，youngman，whenyoudidmakeit，IfranklytellyouthatIhadhalfamindtoacceptit；atlast，however，afterverymuchconsideration，Ithoughtitbesttoleaveyouforever，because，forsometimepast，Ihadbecomealmostconvinced，thatthoughwithawonderfuldealoflearning，andexceedinglyshrewdinsomethings，youwere—praydon’tbeoffended—attherootmad！andthoughmadpeople，Ihavebeentold，sometimesmakeverygoodhusbands，Iwasunwillingthatyourfriends，ifyouhadany，shouldsaythatBelleBerners，theworkhousegirl，tookadvantageofyourinfirmity；forthereisnoconcealingthatIwasbornandbredupinaworkhouse；notwithstandingthat，mybloodisbetterthanyourown，andasgoodasthebest；youhavingyourselftoldmethatmynameisanoblename，andonce，ifI

mistakenot，thatitwasthesamewordasbaron，whichisthesamethingasbear；andthattobecalledinoldtimesabearwasconsideredagreatcompliment—thebearbeingamightystronganimal，onwhichaccountourforefatherscalledalltheirgreatfighting—menbarons，whichisthesameasbears。

"However，settingmattersofbloodandfamilyentirelyaside，manythankstoyou，youngman，frompoorBelle，forthehonouryoudidherinmakingthatsameoffer；for，afterall，itisanhonourtoreceiveanhonourableoffer，whichshecouldseeclearlyyourswas，withnoflorinessnorchaffinit；but，onthecontrary，entiresincerity。Sheassuresyouthatsheshallalwaysbearitandyourselfinmind，whetheronlandorwater；andasaproofofthegood—willshebearstoyou，shesendsyoualockofthehairwhichshewearsonherhead，whichyouwereoftenlookingat，andwerepleasedtocallflax，whichwordshesupposesyoumeantasacompliment，evenastheoldpeoplemeanttopassacomplimenttotheirgreatfolks，whentheycalledthembears；thoughshecannothelpthinkingthattheymighthavefoundananimalasstrongasabear，andsomewhatlessuncouth，tocalltheirgreatfolksafter：evenasshethinksyourself，amongstyourgreatstoreofwords，mighthavefoundsomethingalittlemoregenteeltocallherhairafterthanflax，which，thoughstronganduseful，isratheracoarseandcommonkindofarticle。

"Andasanotherproofofthegood—willshebearstoyou，shesendsyou，alongwiththelock，apieceofadvice，whichisworthallthehairintheworld，tosaynothingoftheflax。

"FEARGOD，andtakeyourownpart。There’sBibleinthat，youngman：seehowMosesfearedGod，andhowhetookhisownpartagainsteverybodywhomeddledwithhim。AndseehowDavidfearedGod，andtookhisownpartagainstallthebloodyenemieswhichsurroundedhim—sofearGod，youngman，andnevergivein！Theworldcanbully，andisfond，provideditseesamaninakindofdifficulty，ofgettingabouthim，callinghimcoarsenames，andevengoingsofarastohustlehim：buttheworld，likeallbullies，carriesawhitefeatherinitstail，andnosoonerseesthemantakingoffhiscoat，andofferingtofightitsbest，thanitscattershereandthere，andisalwaysciviltohimafterwards。Sowhenfolksaredisposedtoill—treatyou，youngman，say，’Lordhavemercyuponme！’andthentipthemtoLongMelford，which，asthesayinggoes，thereisnothingcomparableforshortnessalltheworldover；andtheselastwords，youngman，arethelastyouwilleverhavefromherwhoisnevertheless，Youraffectionatefemaleservant，ISOPELBERNERS。

AfterreadingtheletterIsatforsometimemotionless，holdingitinmyhand。ThedaydreaminwhichIhadbeenalittletimebeforeindulging，ofmarryingIsopelBerners，ofgoingwithhertoAmerica，andhavingbyheralargeprogeny，whoweretoassistmeinfellingtrees，cultivatingthesoil，andwhowouldtakecareofmewhenIwasold，wasnowthoroughlydispelled。Isopelhaddesertedme，andwasgonetoAmericabyherself，where，perhaps，shewouldmarrysomeotherperson，andwouldbearhimaprogeny，whowoulddoforhimwhatinmydreamIhadhopedmyprogenybyherwoulddoforme。Thenthethoughtcameintomyheadthatthoughshewasgone，ImightfollowhertoAmerica，butthenIthoughtthatifIdidImightnotfindher；Americawasaverylargeplace，andIdidnotknowtheporttowhichshewasbound；

butIcouldfollowhertotheportfromwhichshehadsailed，andtherepossiblydiscovertheporttowhichshewasbound；

butIdidnotevenknowtheportfromwhichshehadsetout，forIsopelhadnotdatedherletterfromanyplace。Suddenlyitoccurredtomethatthepost—markontheletterwouldtellmefromwhenceitcame，soIforthwithlookedatthebackoftheletter，andinthepost—markreadthenameofawell—

knownandnotverydistantsea—port。Ithenknewwithtolerablecertaintytheportwhereshehadembarked，andI

almostdeterminedtofollowher，butIalmostinstantlydeterminedtodonosuchthing。IsopelBernershadabandonedme，andIwouldnotfollowher；"Perhaps，"whisperedPride，"ifIovertookher，shewouldonlydespisemeforrunningafterher；"anditalsotoldmeprettyroundly，providedI

ranafterher，whetherIovertookherornot，Ishouldheartilydespisemyself。SoIdeterminednottofollowIsopelBerners；Itookherlockofhair，andlookedatit，thenputitinherletter，whichIfoldedupandcarefullystowedaway，resolvedtokeepbothforever，butIdeterminednottofollowher。Twoorthreetimes，however，duringtheday，Iwaveredinmydetermination，andwasagainandagainalmosttemptedtofollowher，buteverysucceedingtimethetemptationwasfainter。IntheeveningIleftthedingle，andsatdownwithMr。Petulengroandhisfamilybythedoorofhistent；Mr。PetulengrosoonbegantalkingoftheletterwhichIhadreceivedinthemorning。"IsitnotfromMissBerners，brother？"saidhe。Itoldhimitwas。"Isshecomingback，brother？""Never，"saidI；"sheisgonetoAmerica，andhasdesertedme。""Ialwaysknewthatyoutwowereneverdestinedforeachother，"saidhe。"Howdidyouknowthat？"Iinquired。"Thedooktoldmeso，brother；youareborntobeagreattraveller。""Well，"saidI，"ifIhadgonewithhertoAmerica，asIwasthinkingofdoing，I

shouldhavebeenagreattraveller。""Youaretotravelinanotherdirection，brother，"saidhe。"Iwishyouwouldtellmeallaboutmyfuturewanderings，"saidI。"Ican’t，brother，"saidMr。Petulengro，"there’sapowerofcloudsbeforemyeye。""Youareapoorseer，afterall，"saidI；

andgettingup，Iretiredtomydingleandmytent，whereI

betookmyselftomybed，andthere，knowingtheworst，andbeingnolongeragitatedbyapprehension，noragonizedbyexpectation，Iwassoonburiedinadeepslumber，thefirstwhichIhadfallenintoforseveralnights。

CHAPTERXVII

ThePublic—house—LandlordonHisLegsAgain—ABlowinSeason—TheWayoftheWorld—TheGratefulMind—TheHorse’sNeigh。

ITwasratherlateonthefollowingmorningwhenIawoke。AtfirstIwasalmostunconsciousofwhathadoccurredontheprecedingday；recollection，however，bydegreesreturned，andIfeltadeepmelancholycomingoverme，butperfectlyawarethatnoadvantagecouldbederivedfromtheindulgenceofsuchafeeling，Isprangup，preparedmybreakfast，whichIatewithatolerableappetite，andthenleftthedingle，andbetookmyselftothegypsyencampment，whereIenteredintodiscoursewithvariousRomanies，bothmaleandfemale。

Aftersometime，feelingmyselfinbetterspirits，I

determinedtopayanothervisittothelandlordofthepublic—house。FromthepositionofhisaffairswhenIhadlastvisitedhimIentertainedrathergloomyideaswithrespecttohispresentcircumstances。IimaginedthatI

shouldeitherfindhimaloneinhiskitchensmokingawretchedpipe，orincompanywithsomesurlybailifforhisfollower，whomhisfriendthebrewerhadsentintothehouseinordertotakepossessionofhiseffects。

NothingmoreentirelydifferingfromeitheroftheseanticipationscouldhavepresenteditselftomyviewthanwhatIsawaboutoneo’clockintheafternoon，whenIenteredthehouse。Ihadcome，thoughsomewhatinwantofconsolationmyself，toofferanyconsolationwhichwasatmycommandtomyacquaintanceCatchpole，andperhapslikemanyotherpeoplewhogotoahousewith"dropsofcompassiontremblingontheireyelids，"Ifeltratherdisappointedatfindingthatnocompassionwasnecessary。Thehousewasthrongedwithcompany，andcriesforaleandporter，hotbrandyandwater，coldginandwater，werenumerous；

moreover，nodesiretoreceiveandnottopayforthelandlord’sliquidswasmanifested—onthecontrary，everybodyseemeddisposedtoplaythemosthonourablepart：

"Landlord，here’sthemoneyforthisglassofbrandyandwater—domethefavourtotakeit；allright，rememberI

havepaidyou。""Landlord，here’sthemoneyforthepintofhalf—and—half—fourpencehalfpenny，ain’tit？—here’ssixpence；keepthechange—confoundthechange！"Thelandlord，assistedbyhisniece，bustledabout；hisbrowerect，hischeeksplumpedout，andallhisfeaturesexhibitingakindofsurlysatisfaction。Whereverhemoved，marksofthemostcordialamitywereshownhim，handswerethrustouttograsphis，norwerelooksofrespect，admiration，nay，almostofadoration，wanting。Iobservedonefellow，asthelandlordadvanced，takethepipeoutofhismouth，andgazeuponhimwithakindofgrinofwonder，probablymuchthesameashisancestor，theSaxonloutofold，putonwhenhesawhisidolThur，dressedinanewkirtle。Toavoidthepress，Igotintoacorner，whereonacoupleofchairssattworespectable—lookingindividuals，whetherfarmersorsow—gelders，Iknownot，buthighlyrespectable—looking，whowerediscoursingaboutthelandlord。

"Suchanother，"saidone，"youwillnotfindinasummer’sday。""No，norinthewholeofEngland，"saidtheother。

"TomofHopton，"saidthefirst："ah！TomofHopton，"echoedtheother；"themanwhocouldbeatTomofHoptoncouldbeattheworld。""Igloryinhim，"saidthefirst。"SodoI，"

saidthesecond，"I’llbackhimagainsttheworld。Letmehearanyonesayanythingagainsthim，andifIdon’t—"

then，lookingatme，headded，"haveyouanythingtosayagainsthim，youngman？""Notaword，"saidI，"savethatheregularlyputsmeout。""He’llputanyoneout，"saidtheman，"anyoneoutofconceitwithhimself；"then，liftingamugtohismouth，headded，withahiccough，"Idrinkhishealth。"Presentlythelandlord，ashemovedabout，observingme，stoppedshort："Ah！"saidhe，"areyouhere？I

amgladtoseeyou，comethisway。Standback，"saidhetohiscompany，asIfollowedhimtothebar，"standbackformeandthisgentleman。"Twoorthreeyoungfellowswereinthebar，seeminglysportingyokels，drinkingsherryandsmoking。

"Come，gentlemen，"saidthelandlord，"clearthebar，Imusthaveaclearbarformeandmyfriendhere。""Landlord，whatwillyoutake，"saidone，"aglassofsherry？Iknowyoulikeit。""—sherryandyoutoo，"saidthelandlord，"Iwantneithersherrynoryourself；didn’tyouhearwhatItoldyou？""Allright，oldfellow，"saidtheother，shakingthelandlordbythehand，"allright，don’twishtointrude—butIsupposewhenyouandyourfriendhavedone，Imaycomeinagain；"then，witha"sarvant，sir，"tome，hetookhimselfintothekitchen，followedbytherestofthesportingyokels。

Thereuponthelandlord，takingabottleofalefromabasket，uncorkedit，andpouringthecontentsintotwolargeglasses，handedmeone，andmotioningmetositdown，placedhimselfbyme；then，emptyinghisownglassatadraught，hegaveakindofgruntofsatisfaction，andfixinghiseyesupontheoppositesideofthebar，remainedmotionless，withoutsayingaword，buriedapparentlyinimportantcogitations。Withrespecttomyself，Iswallowedmyalemoreleisurely，andwasabouttoaddressmyfriend，whenhisniece，comingintothebar，saidthatmoreandmorecustomerswerearriving，andhowsheshouldsupplytheirwantsshedidnotknow，unlessherunclewouldgetandhelpher。

"Thecustomers！"saidthelandlord，"letthescoundrelswaittillyouhavetimetoservethem，ortillIhaveleisuretoseeafterthem。""Thekitchenwon’tcontainhalfofthem，"

saidhisniece。"Thenletthemsitoutabroad，"saidthelandlord。"Buttherearenotbenchesenough，uncle，"saidtheniece。"Thenletthemstandorsitontheground，"saidtheuncle，"whatcareI；I’llletthemknowthatthemanwhobeatTomofHoptonstandsaswellagainonhislegsasever。"

Thenopeningasidedoorwhichledfromthebarintothebackyard，hebeckonedmetofollowhim。"Youtreatyourcustomersinratheracavaliermanner，"saidI，whenwewerealonetogetherintheyard。

"Don’tI？"saidthelandlord；"andI’lltreatthemmoresoyet；nowIhavegotthewhiphandoftherascalsIintendtokeepit。Idaresayyouareabitsurprisedwithregardtothechangewhichhascomeoverthingssinceyouwerelasthere。I’lltellyouhowithappened。Yourememberinwhatadesperateconditionyoufoundme，thinkingofchangingmyreligion，sellingmysoultothemaninblack，andthengoingandhangingmyselflikePontiusPilate；andIdaresayyoucan’thaveforgottenhowyougavemegoodadvice，mademedrinkale，andgiveupsherry。Well，afteryouweregone，I

feltallthebetterforyourtalk，andwhatyouhadmademedrink，anditwasamercythatIdidfeelbetter；formyniecewasgoneout，poorthing，andIwasleftaloneinthehouse，withoutasoultolookat，ortokeepmefromdoingmyselfamischiefincaseIwassoinclined。Well，thingsworeoninthiswaytillitgrewdusk，whenincamethatblackguardHunterwithhistraintodrinkatmyexpense，andtoinsultmeasusual；thereweremorethanadozenofthem，andaprettysettheylooked。Well，theyorderedaboutinaveryfreeandeasymannerforupwardsofanhourandahalf，occasionallysneeringandjeeringatme，astheyhadbeeninthehabitofdoingforsometimepast；so，asIsaidbefore，thingsworeon，andothercustomerscamein，who，thoughtheydidnotbelongtoHunter’sgang，alsopassedofftheirjokesuponme；for，asyouperhapsknow，weEnglishareasetoflowhounds，whowillalwaystakepartwiththemanybywayofmakingourselvessafe，andcurryingfavourwiththestrongerside。Isaidlittleornothing，formyspiritshadagainbecomeverylow，andIwasverilyscaredandafraid。AllofasuddenIthoughtofthealewhichIhaddrankinthemorning，andofthegooditdidmethen，soIwentintothebar，openedanotherbottle，tookaglass，andfeltbetter；soItookanother，andfeelingbetterstill，Iwentbackintothekitchen，justasHunterandhiscrewwereaboutleaving。

’Mr。Hunter，’saidI，’youandyourpeoplewillpleasetopaymeforwhatyouhavehad？’’Whatdoyoumeanbymypeople？’

saidhe，withanoath。’Ah，whatdoyoumeanbycallingushispeople？’saidtheclan。’Wearenobody’speople；’andthentherewasaprettyloadofabuse，andthreateningtoservemeout。’Well，’saidI，’Iwasperhapswrongtocallthemyourpeople，andbegyourpardonandtheirs。Andnowyouwillpleasetopaymeforwhatyouhavehadyourself，andafterwardsIcansettlewiththem。’’IshallpayyouwhenI

thinkfit，’saidHunter。’Yes，’saidtherest，’andsoshallwe。Weshallpayyouwhenwethinkfit。’’Itellyouwhat，’

saidHunter，’IconceivesIdosuchanoldfoolasyouanhonourwhenIcomesintohishouseanddrinkshisbeer，andgoesawaywithoutpayingforit；’andthentherewasaroaroflaughterfromeverybody，andalmostallsaidthesamething。’Nowdoyoupleasetopayme，Mr。Hunter？’saidI。

’Payyou！’saidHunter；’payyou！Yes，here’sthepay；’andthereuponheheldouthisthumb，twirlingitroundtillitjusttouchedmynose。Ican’ttellyouwhatIfeltthatmoment；akindofmadhousethrillcameuponme，andallI

knowis，thatIbentbackasfarasIcould，thenlungingout，struckhimundertheear，sendinghimreelingtwoorthreeyards，whenhefellonthefloor。Iwishyouhadbutseenhowmycompanylookedatmeandateachother。OneortwooftheclanwenttoraiseHunter，andgethimtofight，butitwasnogo；thoughhewasnotkilled，hehadhadenoughforthatevening。Oh，Iwishyouhadseenmycustomers；

thosewhodidnotbelongtotheclan，butwhohadtakenpartwiththem，andhelpedtojeerandfloutme，nowcameandshookmebythehand，wishingmejoy，andsayingas，how’I

wasabravefellow，andhadservedthebullyright！’Asfortheclan，theyallsaidHunterwasboundtodomejustice；sotheymadehimpaymewhatheowedforhimself，andthereckoningofthoseamongthemwhosaidtheyhadnomoney。

Twoorthreeofthemthenledhimaway，whilethereststayedbehind，andflatteredme，andworshippedme，andcalledHunterallkindsofdogs’names。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？"

"Why，"saidI，"itmakesgoodwhatIreadinaletterwhichI

receivedyesterday。Itisjustthewayoftheworld。"

"A’n’tit，"saidthelandlord。"Well，thata’n’tall；letmegoon。Goodfortuneneveryetcamealone。Inaboutanhourcomeshomemypoorniece，almostinhighsterrickswithjoy，smilingandsobbing。ShehadbeentotheclergymanofM—，thegreatpreacher，towhosechurchshewasinthehabitofgoing，andtowhosedaughtersshewaswellknown；andtohimshetoldalamentabletaleaboutmydistresses，andaboutthesnareswhichhadbeenlaidformysoul；andsowelldidshepleadmycause，andsostrongdidtheyoungladiesbackallshesaid，thatthegoodclergymanpromisedtostandmyfriend，andtolendmesufficientmoneytosatisfythebrewer，andtogetmysouloutofthesnaresofthemaninblack；andsureenoughthenextmorningthetwoyoungladiesbroughtmethefiftypounds，whichIforthwithcarriedtothebrewer，whowasmonstrouslycivil，sayingthathehopedanylittlemisunderstandingwehadhadwouldnotpreventourbeinggoodfriendsinfuture。Thata’n’tall；thepeopleoftheneighbouringcountyhearingasifbyartwitchcraftthatIhadlickedHunter，andwasongoodtermswiththebrewer，forthwithbegantocomeincrowdstolookatme，paymehomage，andbemycustomers。Moreover，fiftyscoundrelswhoowedmemoney，andwouldhaveseenmestarveratherthanhelpmeaslongastheyconsideredmeadownpin，rememberedtheirdebts，andcameandpaidmemorethantheyowed。Thata’n’tall；thebrewerbeingabouttoestablishastage—coachandthree，torunacrossthecountry，saysitshallstopandchangehorsesatmyhouse，andthepassengersbreakfastandsupasitgoesandreturns。Hewishesme—whomhecallsthebestmaninEngland—togivehissonlessonsinboxing，whichhesaysheconsidersafinemanlyEnglishart，andagreatdefenceagainstPopery—notwithstandingthatonlyamonthago，whenheconsideredmeadownpin，hewasinthehabitofrailingagainstitasablackguardpractice，andagainstmeasablackguardforfollowingit；soIamgoingtocommencewithyounghopefulto—morrow。"