Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 22, 2025
"Well, but what like is he?" "Oh, as to that, Sir, a man of ordinary shape, like yourself, in a plain blue coat and a wig shorter than ordinary; nothing about him to prepare you for the language he lets fly." "And," put in Arch'laus Spry, "he's taken lodgings down to Durgan with the Widow Polkinghorne, and eaten his dinner a fowl and a jug of cider with it.
There, of course, they had to unload again and wait for the ferry to bring them across to their own parish. It surprised the Parson a bit to find the ferry-boat lying ready by the shore and my grandfather standing there head to head with old Arch'laus Spry, that was constable of Mawnan parish. "Hallo, Calvin!" the Parson sings out. "This looks bad Mawnan and Manaccan putting their heads together.
And no sooner was she within the porch than who should come dandering along the road but Arch'laus Spry. The road, as you know, goes downhill after passing the parsonage gate, and holds on round the churchyard wall like a sunk way, the soil inside being piled up to the wall's coping. But, my grandfather being still behindhand with his job, his head and shoulders showed over the grave's edge.
"Missus," says he, "if the Parson's anywhere alive, we'll find 'en: and if that Frenchman be Old Nick himself, he shall rue the day he ever set foot in Manaccan parish! Come'st along, Arch'laus " He took Spry by the arm and marched him out and down the garden path. There, by the gate, what should his eyes light upon but his own stolen tools!
"In the midst of life we are in death," said Arch'laus Spry: "that's my opinion if you ask it." "Gone! Gone without his hat, like the snuff of a candle!" Mrs. Polwhele dropped into a chair and rocked herself and moaned. My grandfather banged his fist on the table. He never could abide the sight of a woman in trouble.
But I warn you, ladies and gentlemen, all, don't you take the law into your own hands over this distressin' case, but go to him meek-like an' say you want Arch'laus punished. That's all. Leastways, that's all, unless you ask my honest opinion on the breeches in question, which is, that I wouldn't put 'em astride a clothes-horse and call him a son o' mine."
"Oh oh oh!" squealed a voice inside the church. "Whatever was that," cries Arch'laus Spry, giving a jump. They both stared at the porch. "Oh oh oh!" squealed the voice again. "It certainly comes from inside," said Arch'laus Spry. "It's Mrs. Polwhele!" said my grandfather; "and by the noise of it she's having hysterics."
The evening was dusking down by this time, and Parson Polwhele, though a good bit puzzled, called to mind that his wife would be getting anxious to cross the ferry and reach home before dark: so he determined that nothing could be done before morning, when he promised Arch'laus Spry to look into the matter.
And from here to Falmouth what is it but a step?" "Let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains," said Arch'laus Spry solemn-like. "And me just home from Plymouth with a fine new roasting-jack!" chimed in Mrs. Polwhele. "As though the day of wrath weren't bad enough without that waste o' money! Run, Calvin run and tell the Vicar this instant no, no, don't leave me behind!
"He be rare and like his da when he's got the uglies," she said; "he'll look fine at the head o' the table to-night, will Arch'laus." "Parson Boase'll put Ishmael at the head of the table," announced Tom carelessly, with a sly glance at his mother. Annie whipped round at him in blank surprise, while even John-James paused in his washing-up and stood gaping over a dish.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking