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。\"
