Ben, as a sedate married man, gave himself largely to Mr. Hill's
society, until Mr. Terry came in to see his friend from the north, and
unfold his plans of an Irish tour. Later in the day Mr. Bangs rode over,
and made excuses for Matilda, who thought it wrong to go into society so
soon after her husband's death. Finally, the constable appeared in full
regimentals, with the stalwart Mrs. Rigby on his arm. That lady bestowed
on the faithless Ben a glance of withering contempt, but the constable
shook hands with him, as if he had been his greatest earthly benefactor.
It would take chapters to recite the goings on of that evening in either
end of the house, the jokes of father Hill, and the homilies of father
Pilgrim. Sylvanus dared and was slapped; and Timotheus followed his
example, but was more gently dealt with. Christie and Malvina, as
bridesmaids, had to inspect the trousseaus with Mrs. Hill. In spite of
Saul's protest against worldly amusements, the geographical cards were
produced, and the lady of the third-class county certificate swept the
board, although the constable maintained his right to Russia and India,
and Pilgrim pater easily secured all Palestine and Syria, owing to his
extensive study of Josephus, which he recommended to Mr.
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