Лавка древностей

Chapter 53

           Theoldsexton,leaningonacrutch,wastakingtheairathiscottagedoor,andgavehergoodmorrow.

           ‘Youarebetter?’saidthechild,stoppingtospeakwithhim.

           ‘Aysurely,’returnedtheoldman.‘I’mthankfultosay,muchbetter.’

           ‘Youwillbequitewellsoon.’

           ‘WithHeaven’sleave,andalittlepatience.Butcomein,comein!’Theoldmanlimpedonbefore,andwarningherofthedownwardstep,whichheachievedhimselfwithnosmalldifficulty,ledthewayintohislittlecottage.

           ‘Itisbutoneroomyousee.Thereisanotherupabove,butthestairhasgothardertoclimbo’lateyears,andIneveruseit.I’mthinkingoftakingtoitagain,nextsummer,though.’

           Thechildwonderedhowagrey-headedmanlikehimoneofhistradetoocouldtalkoftimesoeasily.Hesawhereyeswanderingtothetoolsthathunguponthewall,andsmiled.

           ‘Iwarrantnow,’hesaid,‘thatyouthinkallthoseareusedinmakinggraves.’

           ‘Indeed,Iwonderedthatyouwantedsomany.’

           ‘Andwellyoumight.Iamagardener.Idigtheground,andplantthingsthataretoliveandgrow.Myworksdon’tallmoulderaway,androtintheearth.Youseethatspadeinthecentre?’

           ‘Theveryoldonesonotchedandworn?Yes.’

           ‘That’sthesexton’sspade,andit’sawell-usedone,asyousee.We’rehealthypeoplehere,butithasdoneapowerofwork.Ifitcouldspeaknow,thatspade,itwouldtellyouofmanyanunexpectedjobthatitandIhavedonetogether;butIforget‘em,formymemory’sapoorone.That’snothingnew,’headdedhastily.‘Italwayswas.

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