"Lor' bless you—I should split 'em all to ribbons; I couldn't get my arms in. Blister 'em: all I wonder at is, they didn't take off my shirt. They have got my stockings. Shouldn't I like to catch 'em. If ever I do come across 'em, I wish 'em success."
Mary now came to the door with a bundle, for Jones—having heard the whole matter explained—had opened his heart, and sent the clothes; and when Sylvester had handed them over to Judkins, he left him to rejoin his aunt.
While at breakfast they, of course, spoke of nothing, thought of nothing, but the confusion so mysteriously created; but the more they endeavoured to guess the cause, the more deeply involved they became. They had scareely, however, finished their repast, when the reverend gentleman arrived, and when, with a look which denoted concern, he had greeted them with all his characteristic cordiality, Aunt Eleanor eloquently laid the case before him—connecting it ingeniously with the ghost-hunting party who appeared before her cottage the preceding night—and then asked him what he thought of the matter as it stood, and what course he imagined she ought to pursue.
Now the Reverend Mr. Rouse was a man of the world—that is to say, a man of the world in which he lived; a man possessing a most profound knowledge of the sphere in which he moved—he was a man of observation, as well as a man of reflection; and while his perceptive faculties were strong, he was conversant with, although unable to discover the etymology of, certain idioms which were constantly used by those around him. He knew, for example, what was meant by "a spree:" he moreover knew perfectly the meaning of "a lark:" he knew not whence they were derived, it is true—albeit he strongly inclined to the belief that they had one and the same Greek root: but being thus cognizant of their modern definition, he, after a pause, during which he reflected deeply, said, with all the solemnity which the nature and importance of the words demanded, "Will you do me the favour to send for Legge?"
"Certainly, my dear sir," replied Aunt Eleanor, who turned and rang the bell on the instant. ' Mary," she added, when the servant appeared, "as Judkins is busy, run and ask Mr. Legge to step over."
"Tell him I desire that he will come immediately," added the Pastor, with all that humility by which the order to which he belonged was at that particular period distinguished; and when Mary had left, he in silence proceeded to rehearse that highly important part which it was his intention to perform.
Legge, who was a man of business, and who, by virtue of attending to that business, was doing very well at the Crumpet and Crown, received Mary with his customary custom-winning smile; but when she had delivered not only her mistress's message, but that which the reverend gentleman had sent, his features assumed an expression of thought, and he said, as he passed his hand over his chin, "I wonder now what's in the wind."
"You'll hear all about it," returned Mary, promptly; "but do make haste, for they're anxious, I know."
Mrs. Legge then spoke to Mary, and asked her how she found herself,
