’It is so, Parson.’ ’In wet weather the fly does not appear, or the plant grows with sufficient rapidity to outstrip the ravages of the fly.’ ’To be sure, you are quite right, sir.’ This fact of the turnip-fly was one of the few scraps of agricultural information Parson Robbins had picked up, and he retailed it at tithe, club, and feoffee dinners. Then the landlord appeared at the inn door, and announced, ’All ready, gentlemen! sorry you have been kept waiting!’ At the moment that Nanspian and the parson entered, Langford arrived and went after them, without seeing the former, down the passage to the long room. The passage was narrow, tortuous, and dark. ’Wait a bit, gentlemen,’ said the host, ’one at a time through the door; his Reverence won’t say grace till all are seated.’ ’Here is a place, Master Langford,’ said Piper, ’on the right hand of the parson, with your back to the window. Go round his chair to get at it.’ Taverner took the place indicated. Then the Rector rapped on the table, and all rose for grace. As Langford rose he looked in front of him, and saw the face of Nanspian, who sat on the Rector’s left. Hillary had not observed him before, he was looking at the goose. When he raised his eyes and met the stare of Taverner, his face became mottled, whereas that of his brother-in-law turned white. Neither spoke, but sank into his place, and during dinner looked neither to right, nor left, nor in front. Only once did Taverner slyly peep at Hillary, and in that glimpse he noted his altered appearance. Hillary was oldened, fallen away, changed altogether for the worse. Then he drew forth his blue cotton pocket-handkerchief and cleared his nose. Neither relished his dinner. The goose was burnt and flavourless, the beef raw and tough, the potatoes under-boiled, the apple-tart lacked cloves, the plum-pudding was over-spiced, the cheese was tough, and the celery gritty. So, at least, they seemed to these two, but to these two alone. When the spirits were produced all eyes were turned on Hillary Nanspian, but he neither rose nor spoke. Taverner Langford was also mute. ’Propose the health of the chairman,’ whispered Piper into Hillary’s ear. ’I am people’s churchwarden,’ answered he sullenly. ’Propose the health of the chairman,’ said his right hand neighbour to Langford. ’I am a Dissenter,’ he replied. Then the Rector stood up and gave the health of the King, which was drunk with all honours. ’Shall we adjourn to the fire?’ asked he; ’each take his glass and pipe.’ Then up rose the Rector once again, and said, ’Ahem! Fill your glasses, gentlemen. Mr. Langford, I insist. No shirking this toast. You, Mr. Nanspian, need no persuasion. Ahem!’ Piper came round and poured spirits into Langford’s glass, then hot water.