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spontaneous。 〃Such a cheap pair as 'twas too。 As big as any man
could wish to have； and lined inside； and double…lined in the lower
parts； and an extra piece of stiffening at the bottom。 And 'tis a
nice high cut that comes up right under your armpits； and there's
enough turned down inside the seams to make half a pair more；
besides a piece of cloth heft that will make an honest waistcoat
all by my contriving in buying the stuff at a bargain； and having it
made up under my eye。 It only shows what may be done by taking a
little trouble； and not going straight to the rascally tailors。〃
The discourse was cut short by the sudden appearance of Charley on
the scene； with a face and hands of hideous blackness； and a nose
like a guttering candle。 Why； on that particularly cleanly
afternoon； he should have discovered that the chimney…crook and
chain from which the hams were suspended should have possessed more
merits and general interest as playthings than any other articles in
the house； is a question for nursing mothers to decide。 However；
the humour seemed to lie in the result being； as has been seen； that
any given player with these articles was in the long…run daubed with
soot。 The last that was seen of Charley by daylight after this
piece of ingenuity was when in the act of vanishing from his
father's presence round the corner of the houselooking back over
his shoulder with an expression of great sin on his face； like Cain
as the Outcast in Bible pictures。
The guests had all assembled； and the tranter's party had reached
that degree of development which accords with ten o'clock P。M。 in
rural assemblies。 At that hour the sound of a fiddle in process of
tuning was heard from the inner pantry。
〃That's Dick；〃 said the tranter。 〃That lad's crazy for a jig。〃
〃Dick！ Now I cannotreally； I cannot have any dancing at all till
Christmas…day is out；〃 said old William emphatically。 〃When the
clock ha' done striking twelve； dance as much as ye like。〃
〃Well； I must say there's reason in that； William；〃 said Mrs。 Penny。
〃If you do have a party on Christmas…night； 'tis only fair and
honourable to the sky…folk to have it a sit…still party。 Jigging
parties be all very well on the Devil's holidays； but a jigging
party looks suspicious now。 O yes； stop till the chock strikes；
young folkso say I。〃
It happened that some warm mead accidentally got into Mr。 Spinks's
head about this time。
〃Dancing；〃 he said； 〃is a most strengthening； livening； and courting
movement； 'specially with a little beverage added！ And dancing is
good。 But why disturb what is ordained； Richard and Reuben； and the
company zhinerally？ Why； I ask； as far as that do go？〃
〃Then nothing till after twelve；〃 said William。
Though Reuben and his wife ruled on social points； religious
questions were mostly disposed of by the old man； whose firmness on
this head quite counterbalanced a certain weakness in his handling
of domestic matters。 The hopes of the younger members of the
household were therefore relegated to a distance of one hour and
three…quartersa result that took visible shape in them by a remote
and listless look about the eyesthe singing of songs being
permitted in the interim。
At five minutes to twelve the soft tuning was again heard in the
back quarters； and when at length the clock had whizzed forth the
last stroke； Dick appeared ready primed； and the instruments were
boldly handled； old William very readily taking the bass…viol from
its accustomed nail； and touching the strings as irreligiously as
could be desired。
The country…dance called the 'Triumph； or Follow my Lover；' was the
figure with which they opened。 The tranter took for his partner
Mrs。 Penny； and Mrs。 Dewy was chosen by Mr。 Penny； who made so much
of his limited height by a judicious carriage of the head；
straightening of the back； and important flashes of his spectacle…
glasses； that he seemed almost as tall as the tranter。 Mr。 Shiner；
age about thirty…five； farmer and church…warden； a character
principally composed of a crimson stare； vigorous breath； and a
watch…chain； with a mouth hanging on a dark smile but never smiling；
had come quite willingly to the party； and showed a wondrous
obliviousness of all his antics on the previous night。 But the
comely； slender； prettily…dressed prize Fancy Day fell to Dick's
hot； in spite of some private machinations of the farmer； for the
reason that Mr。 Shiner； as a richer man； had shown too much
assurance in asking the favour； whilst Dick had been duly courteous。
We gain a good view of our heroine as she advances to her place in
the ladies' line。 She belonged to the taller division of middle
height。 Flexibility was her first characteristic； by which she
appeared to enjoy the most easeful rest when she was in gliding
motion。 Her dark eyesarched by brows of so keen； slender； and
soft a curve； that they resembled nothing so much as two slurs in
musicshowed primarily a bright sparkle each。 This was softened by
a frequent thoughtfulness； yet not so frequent as to do away； for
more than a few minutes at a time； with a certain coquettishness；
which in its turn was never so decided as to banish honesty。 Her
lips imitated her brows in their clearly…cut outline and softness of
bend； and her nose was well shapedwhich is saying a great deal；
when it is remembered that there are a hundred pretty mouths and
eyes for one pretty nose。 Add to this； plentiful knots of dark…
brown hair； a gauzy dress of white； with blue facings； and the
slightest idea may be gained of the young maiden who showed； amidst
the rest of the dancing…ladies； like a flower among vegetables。 And
so the dance proceeded。 Mr。 Shiner； according to the interesting
rule laid down； deserted his own partner； and made off down the
middle with this fair one of Dick'sthe pair appearing from the top
of the room like two persons tripping down a lane to be married。
Dick trotted behind with what was intended to be a look of
composure； but which was； in fact； a rather silly expression of
featureimplying； with too much earnestness； that such an elopement
could not be tolerated。 Then they turned and came back； when Dick
grew more rigid around his mouth； and blushed with ingenuous ardour
as he joined hands with the rival and formed the arch over his
lady's head； which presumably gave the figure its name；
relinquishing her again at setting to partners； when Mr。 Shiner's
new chain quivered in every link； and all the loose flesh upon the
tranterwho here came into action againshook like jelly。 Mrs。
Penny； being always rather concerned for her personal safety when
she danced with the tranter； fixed her face to a chronic smile of
timidity the whole time it hasteda peculiarity which filled her
features with wrinkles； and reduced her eyes to little straight
lines like hyphens； as she jigged up and down opposite him；
repeating in her own person