I could not tell you what kind of eyes and hair they were, said Mr. Vincent, trying hard to speak indifferently, and quite succeeding so far as Phœbe Tozer was concerned; for who could venture to associate the minister of Salem, even as a victim, with the bright eyes of Lady Western? I thought it strange to see her there, whoever she was.
Oh, how insensible you are! murmured Phœbe, across the table. Perhaps, considering all things, it was not strange that Phœbe should imagine her own pink bloom to have dimmed the young pastors appreciation of other beauty.
But it was Mrs. Hilyard I inquired about, and not this Lady Lady what, Miss Phœbe? asked the reverend hypocrite; I dont profess to be learned in titles, but hers is surely a strange one. I thought dowager was another word for an old woman.
Shes a beautiful young creature, broke in the butterman. I maynt approve of such goings-on, but I cant shut my eyes. She deals with me regular, and I can tell you the shop looks like a different place when them eyes of hers are in it. Shes out of our line, and shes out of your line, Mr. Vincent, added Tozer, apologetically, coming down from his sudden enthusiasm, or I mightnt say as much as I do say, for shes gay, and always a-giving parties, and spending her life in company, as I dont approve of; but to look in her face, you couldnt say a word against her nor I couldnt. She might lead a man out of his wits, and I wouldnt not to say blame him. If the angels are nicer to look at, its a wonder to me! Having reached to this pitch of admiration, the alarmed butterman came to a sudden pause, looked round him somewhat dismayed, wiped his forehead, rubbed his hands, and evidently felt that he had committed himself, and was at the mercy of his audience. Little did the guilty Tozer imagine that never before not when giving counsel upon chapel business in the height of wisdom, or complimenting the sermon as only a chapel-manager, feeling in his heart that the seats were letting, could had he spoken so much to the purpose in young Vincents hearing, or won so much sympathy from the minister. As for the female part of the company, they were at first too much amazed for speech. Upon my word, Papa! burst from the lips of the half-laughing, half-angry Phœbe. Mrs. Tozer, who had been cutting bread with a large knife, hewed at her great loaf in silence, and not till that occupation was over divulged her sentiments.
Some bread, Mr. Vincent? said at last that injured woman: thats how it is with all you men. Niver a one, however you may have been brought up, nor whatever pious ways you may have been used to, can stand out against a pretty face. Thank goodness, we know better. Beautys but skin-deep, Mr. Vincent; and, for my part, I cant see the difference between one pair o eyes and another. I daresay I see as well out of mine as Lady Western does out o hers, though Tozer goes on about em. Its a mercy for the world, women aint carried away so; and to hear a man as is the father of a family, and ought to set an example, a-talking like this in his own
house! What is the minister to think, Tozer? and Phœbe, a girl as is as likely to take up notions about her looks as most? Its what I didnt expect from you.
La, mamma! as if there was any likeness between Lady Western and me! cried Phœbe, lifting a not-unexpectant face across the table. But Mr. Vincent was not equal to the occasion. In that locale , and under these circumstances, a tolerable breadth of compliment would not have shocked anybodys feelings; but the pastor neglected his opportunities. He sat silent, and made no reply to Phœbes look. He even at this moment, if truth must be told, devoted himself to the well-filled plate which Mrs. Tozers hospitality had set before him. He would fain have made a diversion in poor Tozers favour had anything occurred to him in the thrill of sudden excitement which Tozers declaration had surprised him into. As it was, tingling with anxiety to hear more of that unknown enchantress, whose presence made sunshine even in the buttermans shop, no indifferent words would find their way to Vincents lips. So he bestowed his attentions instead upon the comfortable supper to which everybody around him, quite unexcited by this little interlude, was doing full justice, and, not venturing to ask, listened with a palpitating heart.
You see, Mr. Vincent, resumed Mrs. Tozer, that title of the young Dowager has been given to Lady Western by them as is her chief friends in Carlingford. Such little things comes to our knowledge as they mightnt come to other folks in our situation, by us serving the best families. Theres but two families in Grange Lane as dont deal with Tozer, and one of thems a new-comer as knows no better, and the other a stingy old bachelor, as we wouldnt go across the road to get his custom. A well-kept house must have its butter, and its cheese, and its ham regular; but when theres but a man and a maid, and them nigh as bilious as the master, and picking bits of cheese as one never heard the name of, and as has to be sent to town for, or to the Italian shop, it stands to reason neither me nor Tozer cares for a customer like that.