Мхи старої садиби

           Now,withthyoutsideandthyinside,thouarttheverymantowinayounggirl’sheart.Neverdoubtit!Itelltheeitshallbeso.Putbutaboldfaceonthematter,sigh,smile,flourishthyhat,thrustforththyleglikeadancing-master,putthyrighthandtotheleftsideofthywaistcoat,andprettyPollyGookinisthineown!"

           Allthiswhilethenewcreaturehadbeensuckinginandexhalingthevaporyfragranceofhispipe,andseemednowtocontinuethisoccupationasmuchfortheenjoymentitaffordedasbecauseitwasanessentialconditionofhisexistence.Itwaswonderfultoseehowexceedinglylikeahumanbeingitbehaved.Itseyes(foritappearedtopossessapair)werebentonMotherRigby,andatsuitablejuncturesitnoddedorshookitshead.Neitherdiditlackwordsproperfortheoccasion:"Really!Indeed!Praytellme!Isitpossible!Uponmyword!Bynomeans!Oh!Ah!Hem!"andothersuchweightyutterancesasimplyattention,inquiry,acquiescence,ordissentonthepartoftheauditor.Evenhadyoustoodbyandseenthescarecrowmade,youcouldscarcelyhaveresistedtheconvictionthatitperfectlyunderstoodthecunningcounselswhichtheoldwitchpouredintoitscounterfeitofanear.Themoreearnestlyitapplieditslipstothepipe,themoredistinctlywasitshumanlikenessstampedamongvisiblerealities,themoresagaciousgrewitsexpression,themorelifelikeitsgesturesandmovements,andthemoreintelligiblyaudibleitsvoice.Itsgarments,too,glistenedsomuchthebrighterwithanillusorymagnificence.