Page:The Leadbeater Papers (1862) Vol 1.djvu/48

he had been killed by a fall from a castle), were devoured by my greedy eyes "with ever new delight."

But I leave this enchanting scene, and return upon my steps to the Burrow-gate, proceeding thence up the main street of the village, where the habitation of Joseph Wills first attracts us. Joseph was a man retired from business, who lived upon his income in a genteel, comfortable style, keeping what is called good company and a good table, and attentive to the cultivation of his land and garden, and to the provision of his household. He was elderly, rather low in stature, somewhat corpulent, and his nose large and carbuncled; he wore a gold-laced hat and waistcoat, and moved along the street with slow and stately pace, smoking out of a long, clean pipe. Thus arrayed, he frequently walked into his neighbours' houses, which opened with latches, and enquired what they had for dinner, at the same time poking his staff into the pot, for they mostly sat in their kitchens in the forenoons. This familiarity was of course not always acceptable. Sarah Fuller's servant ran in to warn her mistress of his approach: "Here's Mr. Wills, here's Mr. Wills!" but she was not quick enough. "Noble intelligence!" retorted Joseph, gravely, as he followed her. He had his singularities, but he was "respectable," and Elizabeth Shackleton piqued herself on being always on good terms with him. He encouraged and assisted her taste for gardening; he delighted in dandling her sweet little Rachael and receiving her caresses, and avoided the house for some time after death had taken from thence