Page:Under the greenwood tree (1872 Volume 1).pdf/181

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INTERVIEW WITH THE VICAR.
167

'Yes; I see it is,' said the vicar, nodding aside to old William, who smiled.

'I thought ye mightn't know en without his bass-viol,' said the tranter apologetically. 'You see, he always wears his best clothes and his bass-viol a-Sundays, and it do make such a difference in an old man's look.'

'And who's that young man?' the vicar said.

'Tell the pa'son yer name,' said the tranter, turning to Leaf, who stood with his elbows nailed back to a bookcase.

'Please, Thomas Leaf, your holiness!' said Leaf, trembling.

'I hope you'll excuse his looks being so very thin,' continued the tranter deprecatingly, turning to the vicar again. 'But 'tisn't his fault, pore feller. He's rather silly by nater, and could never get fat; though he's a excellent tribble, and so we keep him on.'

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