In the midst of this puzzle Dick joined the party, and the news which had caused such a convulsion among the ancient musicians was unfolded to him. “Well,” he said, blushing at the allusion to Miss Day, “I know by some words of hers that she has a particular wish not to play, because she is a friend of ours; and how the alteration comes, I don’t know.”
“Now, this is my plan,” said the tranter, reviving the spirit of the discussion by the infusion of new ideas, as was his custom—“this is my plan; if you don’t like it, no harm’s done. We all know one another very well, don’t we, neighbours?”
That they knew one another very well was received as a statement which, though familiar, should not be omitted in introductory speeches.
“Then I say this”—and the tranter in his emphasis slapped down his hand on Mr. Spinks’s shoulder with a momentum of several pounds, upon which Mr. Spinks tried to look not in the least startled—“I say that we all move down-along straight as a line to Pa’son Mayble’s when the clock has gone six to-morrow night. There we one and all stand in the passage, then one or two of us go in and spak to en, man and man; and say, ‘Pa’son Mayble, every tradesman d’like to have his own way in his workshop, and Mellstock Church is yours. Instead of turning us out neck and crop, let us stay on till Christmas, and we’ll gie way to the young woman, Mr. Mayble, and make no more ado about it. And we shall always be quite willing to touch our hats when we meet ye, Mr. Mayble, just as before.’ That sounds very well? Hey?”
“Proper well, in faith, Reuben Dewy.”
“And we won’t sit down in his house; ’twould be looking too familiar when only just reconciled?”
“No need at all to sit down. Just do our duty man and man, turn round, and march out—he’ll think all the more of us for it.”
“I hardly think Leaf had better go wi’ us?” said Michael, turning to Leaf and taking his measure from top to bottom by the eye. “He’s so terrible silly that he might ruin the concern.”
“He don’t want to go much; do ye, Thomas Leaf?” said William.
“Hee-hee! no; I don’t want to. Only a teeny bit!”