V. Through the Moonlight

           Thenexteveningthemummerswereassembledinthesamespot,awaitingtheentranceoftheTurkishKnight.

           “TwentyminutesaftereightbytheQuietWoman,andCharleynotcome.”

           “TenminutespastbyBlooms-End.”

           “Itwantstenminutesto,byGrandferCantle’swatch.”

           “And’tisfiveminutespastbythecaptain’sclock.”

           OnEgdontherewasnoabsolutehouroftheday.Thetimeatanymomentwasanumberofvaryingdoctrinesprofessedbythedifferenthamlets,someofthemhavingoriginallygrownupfromacommonroot,andthenbecomedividedbysecession,somehavingbeenalienfromthebeginning.WestEgdonbelievedinBlooms-Endtime,EastEgdoninthetimeoftheQuietWomanInn.GrandferCantle’swatchhadnumberedmanyfollowersinyearsgoneby,butsincehehadgrownolderfaithswereshaken.Thus,themummershavinggatheredhitherfromscatteredpointseachcamewithhisowntenetsonearlyandlate;andtheywaitedalittlelongerasacompromise.

           Eustaciahadwatchedtheassemblagethroughthehole;andseeingthatnowwasthepropermomenttoenter,shewentfromthe“linhay”andboldlypulledthebobbinofthefuelhousedoor.HergrandfatherwassafeattheQuietWoman.

           “Here’sCharleyatlast!Howlateyoube,Charley.”

           “’TisnotCharley,”saidtheTurkishKnightfromwithinhisvisor.“’TisacousinofMissVye’s,cometotakeCharley’splacefromcuriosity.Hewasobligedtogoandlookfortheheath-croppersthathavegotintothemeads,andIagreedtotakehisplace,asheknewhecouldn’tcomebackhereagaintonight.Iknowthepartaswellashe.