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spirit； I never； never； never did。 Not more did master neither； no；
nor no one—never！’
For five minutes or thereabouts； Mrs Varden remained mildly
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opposed to all her husband’s prayers that she would oblige him by
taking a day’s pleasure； but relenting at length； she suffered
herself to be persuaded； and granting him her free forgiveness
（the merit whereof； she meekly said； rested with the Manual and
not with her）； desired that Miggs might come and help her dress。
The handmaid attended promptly； and it is but justice to their
joint exertions to record that； when the good lady came downstairs
in course of time； completely decked out for the journey； she really
looked as if nothing had happened； and appeared in the very best
health imaginable。
As to Dolly； there she was again； the very pink and pattern of
good looks； in a smart little cherry…coloured mantle； with a hood of
the same drawn over her head； and upon the top of that hood； a
little straw hat trimmed with cherry…coloured ribbons； and worn
the merest trifle on one side—just enough in short to make it the
wickedest and most provoking head…dress that ever malicious
milliner devised。 And not to speak of the manner in which these
cherry…coloured decorations brightened her eyes； or vied with her
lips； or shed a new bloom on her face； she wore such a cruel little
muff； and such a heart…rending pair of shoes； and was so
surrounded and hemmed in； as it were； by aggravations of all
kinds； that when Mr Tappertit； holding the horse’s head； saw her
come out of the house alone； such impulses came over him to
decoy her into the chaise and drive off like mad； that he would
unquestionably have done it； but for certain uneasy doubts
besetting him as to the shortest way to Gretna Green； whether it
was up the street or down； or up the right…hand turning or the left；
and whether； supposing all the turnpikes to be carried by storm；
the blacksmith in the end would marry them on credit； which by
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reason of his clerical office appeared； even to his excited
imagination； so unlikely； that he hesitated。 And while he stood
hesitating； and looking post…chaises…and…six at Dolly； out came his
master and his mistress； and the constant Miggs； and the
opportunity was gone for ever。 For now the chaise creaked upon
its springs； and Mrs Varden was inside； and now it creaked again；
and more than ever； and the locksmith was inside； and now it
bounded once； as if its heart beat lightly； and Dolly was inside； and
now it was gone and its place was empty； and he and that dreary
Miggs were standing in the street together。
The hearty locksmith was in as good a humour as if nothing had
occurred for the last twelve months to put him out of his way；
Dolly was all smiles and graces； and Mrs Varden was agreeable
beyond all precedent。 As they jogged through the streets talking of
this thing and of that； who should be descried upon the pavement
but that very coachmaker； looking so genteel that nobody would
have believed he had ever had anything to do with a coach but
riding in it； and bowing like any nobleman。 To be sure Dolly was
confused when she bowed again； and to be sure the cherry…
coloured ribbons trembled a little when she met his mournful eye；
which seemed to say； ‘I have kept my word； I have begun； the
business is going to the devil； and you’re the cause of it。’ There he
stood； rooted to the ground： as Dolly said； like a statue； and as Mrs
Varden said； like a pump； till they turned the corner： and when
her father thought it was like his impudence； and her mother
wondered what he meant by it； Dolly blushed again till her very
hood was pale。
But on they went； not the less merrily for this； and there was
the locksmith in the incautious fulness of his heart ‘pulling…up’ at
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all manner of places； and evincing a most intimate acquaintance
with all the taverns on the road； and all the landlords and all the
landladies； with whom； indeed； the little horse was on equally
friendly terms； for he kept on stopping of his own accord。 Never
were people so glad to see other people as these landlords and
landladies were to behold Mr Varden and Mrs Varden and Miss
Varden； and wouldn’t they get out； said one； and they really must
walk upstairs； said another； and she would take it ill and be quite
certain they were proud if they wouldn’t have a little taste of
something； said a third； and so on； that it was really quite a
Progress rather than a ride； and one continued scene of hospitality
from beginning to end。 It was pleasant enough to be held in such
esteem； not to mention the refreshments； so Mrs Varden said
nothing at the time； and was all affability and delight—but such a
body of evidence as she collected against the unfortunate
locksmith that day； to be used thereafter as occasion might
require； never was got together for matrimonial purposes。
In course of time—and in course of a pretty long time too； for
these agreeable interruptions delayed them not a little；—they
arrived upon the skirts of the Forest； and riding pleasantly on
among the trees； came at last to the Maypole； where the
locksmith’s cheerful ‘Yoho！’ speedily brought to the porch old
John； and after him young Joe； both of whom were so transfixed at
sight of the ladies； that for a moment they were perfectly unable to
give them any welcome； and could do nothing but stare。
It was only for a moment； however； that Joe forgot himself； for
speedily reviving he thrust his drowsy father aside—to Mr Willet’s
mighty and inexpressible indignation—and darting out； stood
ready to help them to alight。 It was necessary for Dolly to get out
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first。 Joe had her in his arms；—yes； though for a space of time no
longer than you could count one in； Joe had her in his arms。 Here
was a glimpse of happiness！
It would be difficult to describe what a flat and commonplace
affair the helping Mrs Varden out afterwards was； but Joe did it；
and did it too with the best grace in the world。 Then old John；
who； entertaining a dull and foggy sort of idea that Mrs Varden
wasn’t fond of him； had been in some doubt whether she might not
have come for purposes of assault and battery； took courage；
hoped she was well； and offered to conduct her into the house。
This tender being amicably received； they marched in together；
Joe and Dolly followed； arm…in…arm； （happiness again！） and
Varden brought up the rear。
Old John would have it that they must sit in the bar； and
nobody objecting； into the bar they went。 All bars are snug places；
but the Maypole’s was the very snuggest； cosiest； and completest
bar； that ever the wit of man devised。 Such amazing bottles in old
oaken pigeon…holes； such gleaming tankards dangling from pegs at
about the same inclination as thirsty men would hold them to their
lips； such sturdy little Dutch kegs ranged in rows on shelves； so
many lemons hanging in separate nets； and formi