Nahum stared at his questioner. The villagers drew together, Runt winked at Coggins the butcher. Mr. Noakes looked annoyed, and stiffened his long, straight upper lip.
"You said?" began Nahum.
"I asked you if you had ever studied phrenology, the science of reading the mind through the skull."
"Well, I won't exactly say that I've been very deep into it, but——"
"Allow me," interrupted Eves, who had taken his cue. "Having only just returned to the village, you don't know my friend, Mr. Templeton, who has gone very deeply into loads of things, I assure you. Mr.—I think you said Nahum Noakes—you are really a splendid specimen for the phrenologist, and a little examination of your bumps——"
Nahum started back as Eves approached.
"It is quite painless, I assure you," said Eves, soothingly. "Mr. Templeton will only pass his hand gently over your head, and from the configuration of the cranium he will read your character like an open book."
"I don't think I need even touch your head," said Templeton. "If you will kindly just raise your hat—
"Give it a trial, Nahum," said Runt. At first puzzled, like the rest of the villagers, he had now risen to the situation, and was ready to lend his aid in its development.
"See if the young gen'l'man be right," added Coggins. "We all know 'ee, from a baby up'ard."