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178
UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE.

the last retreat his coat-tails came in contact with the pen, and down it rolled, first against the back of the chair; thence turning a summersault into the seat; thence rolling to the floor with a rattle.

The vicar stopped for his pen, and the tranter, wishing to show that, however great their ecclesiastical differences, his mind was not so small as to let this affect his social feelings, stooped also.

'And have you anything else you want to explain to me, Dewy?' said Mr. Maybold from under the table.

'Nothing, sir. And, Mr. Mayble, you be not offended? I hope you see our desire is reason?' said the tranter from under the chair.

'Quite, quite; and I shouldn't think of refusing to listen to such a reasonable request,' the vicar replied. Seeing that Reuben had secured the pen, he resumed his vertical position, and added, 'You know,

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