Chapter 6

           Mylady’stongueislikethemeadowblades,Thatcutyoustrokingthemwithidlehand.Nicecuttingisherfunction:shedividesWithspiritualedgethemillet-seed,Andmakesintangiblesavings.

           AsMr.Casaubon’scarriagewaspassingoutofthegateway,itarrestedtheentranceofaponyphaetondrivenbyaladywithaservantseatedbehind.Itwasdoubtfulwhethertherecognitionhadbeenmutual,forMr.Casaubonwaslookingabsentlybeforehim;buttheladywasquick-eyed,andthrewanodanda"Howdoyoudo?"inthenickoftime.InspiteofhershabbybonnetandveryoldIndianshawl,itwasplainthatthelodge-keeperregardedherasanimportantpersonage,fromthelowcurtsywhichwasdroppedontheentranceofthesmallphaeton.

           "Well,Mrs.Fitchett,howareyourfowlslayingnow?"saidthehigh-colored,dark-eyedlady,withtheclearestchiselledutterance.

           "Prettywellforlaying,madam,butthey’veta’entoeatingtheireggs:I’venopeaceo’mindwith’ematall."

           "Oh,thecannibals!Bettersellthemcheapatonce.Whatwillyousellthemacouple?Onecan’teatfowlsofabadcharacteratahighprice."

           "Well,madam,half-a-crown:Icouldn’tlet’emgo,notunder."

           "Half-a-crown,thesetimes!Comenow—fortheRector’schicken-brothonaSunday.HehasconsumedalloursthatIcanspare.Youarehalfpaidwiththesermon,Mrs.Fitchett,rememberthat.