Chapter One§

ON AN EVENING IN THE latter part of May a middle-aged nwm was

walking homeward from Shaston to the village of Marlott,in the adjoin-

ing Vale of Blakemore or Blackmoor．n伧pair of legs that carried him

were rickety,and there was a bias in his gait which inclined him some-

what to the left of a straight line．He occasionally gave a smart nod，as

if in confirmation of some opinion,though he Was not thinking of any-

thing in particular．An empt)r egg-basket Was slung upon his arm，the

nap of his hat was ruffled，a patch being quite worn away at its brim

where his thumb came in taking it off．Presently he was met by an

elderly parson astride on a gray mare，who,as he rode，hummed a

wandering tune．

。Good night t’ee，’said the man with the basket．

7Good night,Sir John,’said the parson．

The pedestrian,after another pace or two，halted，and turned round．

。Now,sir,begging your pardon；we met last market,day on this road

about this tinge?and、zaid“Good night“|and you made reply“Good

ni,2ht j Sir John“?as now．1

。I did，7 said the parson．

。And once before that—near a month ago．’

。I may have．’

。Then what might your meaning be in calling me“Sir Johnll these

different tinles，when I be plain Jack Durbeyfield，the haggler?7

The parson rode a step or two nearer．