Lucian the dreamer

and the ceiling was spanned by beams of polished oak; a bright fire crackled in the old-fashioned grate, and a lamp burned on the table; but there were no blinds or curtains

that the parlour was delightfully quaint and picturesque; it smelled of dried roses and lavender and sweetbriar; there was an old sheep-dog on the hearth who pushed his muzzle into

of cold roast-beef at the other; the tea-tray filled up one end; opposite it space was left for something that was yet to come. This something presently appeared in the shape of a couple of roast fo

me, and I lay they won’t be long, for Mr. Pepperdine’ll be hungry after his journey, and so I’m sure are you. Come

no longer wondered, for the one had been out in the fields all day, and the other had been engaged in the unusual task of travelling, and they were both exceptional trenchermen at any time. Mr. Trippett joked with th

orking vigorously. ‘Nothing like a good appetite for growing lads—ah, I was

’s pressing entreaty to have another slice off the breast, or a bit o

re, Mr. Pepperdine, and the air’s keener with you. To be sure, our children have good enough ap

m,’ said Mr. Pepperdine. ‘There’s

them Mr. Pepperdine was going to bring a young gentleman with{18} him. You shall see them after tea—they’re out in the orchard now—they had

aid Lucian. ‘I will, if you

if you’d like to. Go through the window there—you’ll hear them

went out. Mrs. Trippett foll

gly,’ she said, looki

ian’s uncle. ‘He’s the manners of a man in some things. I reckon, yo

ather as I remember him. He was a fine-looking man, in

e’s Lucy’s eyes, but all the r

o was now attacking the cold beef, after having demolished the greater part

He went very sudden and very peaceful. The boy was very brave and very o

‘Poor little fellow!—of course, he’ll

ng his head. ‘No, he was only tw

s. Trippett had departed to the kitchen regions to bustle amongst her maids, and the two farmers were left in the parlour with the spirit decanters o

come to these parts when your sister was married. The missis says she remembers her,

a pull at his glas

beginning of it all as well as if it were yesterday. Lucy—that was the lad’s mother, my youngest sister

that she was a beauty

affirmed Mr. Pepperdine. ‘The lad has her eyes—eh, dear, I’ve heard high and low tal

o in his long pipe, and he puffed out several t

ouldn’t ha’ told it from his tongue. The boy’ll be like him some day. He came walking through Simonstower on his way from Scarhaven, and naught would content him but that he must set up his easel and make a picture of the village. He found lodging

t, with a hearty laugh. ‘I’ve heard my missis say he’d a way with him that

ink I ever did see two young people quite so badly smitten as they were. It became evident to everybody in the place. But he acted like a man all through—oh yes! My mother was alive then, you know, Trippett,’ Mr. Pepperdine cont

’ll lay he wo’d,’ ch

y as a strolling artist, ’cause you see, being old-fashioned, she’d no idea of what an artist, if he’s up to his trade, can make. But he was one too many for{21} her, was Damerel. He listened to all she had to say, and then he offered to give her reference

ood reasoning. Love-making’s all very well, but i

’ the dining-room at th’ castle to this day. I saw it the last time I paid my rent there. Mistress Jones, th’ housekeeper, let me have a look at it. And of course, seeing that the young man was able to support a wife, th’ old lady

idn’t she?’ inqui

after the boy came she seemed to wear away. He did all that a man could, did her husband—took her off to the south of Europe. Eh, dear, the letters that Keziah and J

rippett. ‘And had all th

rdine. ‘Her life was short b

one an’ all,’ s

perdine

very restless life ever after, first one place and then another, never settling anywhere. Sometimes it was

m like?’ asked Mr. T

polished the

settled up, I dare say. He wasn’t a saving sort of man, I should think, bu

‘I’ve heard that’s the way with that sort.

in him. Curious thing that, but it is so. No—he’s all for reading. I never saw such a lad for boo

rson or a lawyer,’ su

urn out a poet, or something o’ that sort. They tell me

t part of the fire, mixed himself another glass o

ro’ t’other day,’ he said. ‘Very low pric

ed the room, took up a basket of stockings, planted herself in her easy-chair, and began to look for holes in toes and heels. The two farmers talked; the grandfather’s cloc

o trunks for Mr. Pepperdine, and he says is he to put ’em i

’em in the trap myself. And here, my lass, give him this for his

beer and something to

eef and pickles, Mary

perdine, gazing at the clock with an air of surprise, remarke

ppett. ‘You’re all right for ano

tly. ‘He’s soon made friends with John and Mary—they

here’s nowt like comfort by your own fireside. And how were Lon

he had seen in London. The time slipped away—the old clock struck nine at last, and suddenly reminded

rose with evident reluctance. ‘I always enjoy an even

d grin. ‘Sit ye down again, man—you’ll be home in half an hour with that mare

. ‘Nay, we must go—Keziah and Judith’ll be on the

ippett. ‘Well, if you must you must—t

ey all went out into the great kitchen, Mrs. Trippett leading the way with words of regret at her guest’s

a little girl with Mrs. Trippett’s features and eyes, whose sunny hair fell in wavy masses over her shoulders; behind her, hands in pockets, sturdy and strong, stood a miniature edition{25} of Mr. Trippett, even to the sandy hair, the breeches, and the gaiters; in the centre of the floor, at a round table on which stood a great oil lamp, sat the porter, busy with a round of beef, a foaming tankard of ale, and a crusty loaf. Of these eight human beings a similar peculiarity was evident. Each one sat with mouth more or less open—the ploughboys’ mouths in particular had revolved themselves into round O’s, while the

ked Mr. Pepperd

red. ‘Gow—the lad’s gotten the gift

mmanded Mr

ained nothing but the bones of the brigand, and they were bleached as white as the eternal snows; and Giacomo came and took them down and buried them in the little cemetery under

it true?{26} Is it true?’ and Mr. Trippett brought everybody back to real life by loud calls for Mr. Pepperdine’s horse and trap. Then followed the putting on of overcoats and wraps, and the bestowal of a glass of ginger-wine upon Lucian by Mr. Trippett, in o