"I remember you well enough when you used to be schoolmaster out at

Marygreen, and I one of your scholars. I used to walk up there from

Cresscombe every day, because we had only a mistress down at our

place, and you taught better. But you wouldn't remember me as I

should you?--Arabella Donn."

He shook his head. "No," he said politely, "I don't recall the name.

And I should hardly recognize in your present portly self the slim

school child no doubt you were then."

"Well, I always had plenty of flesh on my bones. However, I am

staying down here with some friends at present. You know, I suppose,

Advertisement..

who I married?"

"No."

"Jude Fawley--also a scholar of yours--at least a night scholar--for

some little time I think? And known to you afterwards, if I am not

mistaken."

"Dear me, dear me," said Phillotson, starting out of his stiffness.

"YOU Fawley's wife? To be sure--he had a wife! And he--I

understood--"

"Divorced her--as you did yours--perhaps for better reasons."

"Indeed?"

"Well--he med have been right in doing it--right for both; for I soon

married again, and all went pretty straight till my husband died

lately. But you--you were decidedly wrong!"

"No," said Phillotson, with sudden testiness. "I would rather not

talk of this, but--I am convinced I did only what was right, and

just, and moral. I have suffered for my act and opinions, but I hold

to them; though her loss was a loss to me in more ways than one!"

"You lost your school and good income through her, did you not?"

"I don't care to talk of it. I have recently come back here--to

Marygreen. I mean."

"You are keeping the school there again, just as formerly?"

The pressure of a sadness that would out unsealed him. "I am there,"

he replied. "Just as formerly, no. Merely on sufferance. It was

a last resource--a small thing to return to after my move upwards,

and my long indulged hopes--a returning to zero, with all its

humiliations. But it is a refuge. I like the seclusion of the

place, and the vicar having known me before my so-called eccentric

conduct towards my wife had ruined my reputation as a schoolmaster,

he accepted my services when all other schools were closed against

me. However, although I take fifty pounds a year here after taking

above two hundred elsewhere, I prefer it to running the risk of

having my old domestic experiences raked up against me, as I should

do if I tried to make a move."




Most Popular