Episode 11

A minute or two after a voice was heard round the corner of the building,mumbling,Ah,I used to be strong enough,but tis altered now!Well,there,Im as independent as one here and there,even if they do write squire after their names.

Whats the matter?said the vicar,as William Worm appeared;when the remarks were repeated to him.

Worm says some very true things sometimes,Mr.Swancourt said,turning to Stephen.Now,as regards that word "esquire."Why,Mr.Smith,that word "esquire"is gone to the dogs,--used on the letters of every jackanapes who has a black coat.Anything else,Worm?

Ay,the folk have begun frying again!

Dear me!Im sorry to hear that.

Yes,Worm said groaningly to Stephen,Ive got such a noise in my head that theres no living night nor day.Tis just for all the world like people frying fish:fry,fry,fry,all day long in my poor head,till I dont know wher Im here or yonder.There,God Amighty will find it out sooner or later,I hope,and relieve me.

Now,my deafness,said Mr.Swancourt impressively,is a dead silence;but William Worms is that of people frying fish in his head.Very remarkable,isnt it?

I can hear the frying-pan a-fizzing as naterel as life,said Worm corroboratively.

Yes,it is remarkable,said Mr.Smith.

Very peculiar,very peculiar,echoed the vicar;and they all then followed the path up the hill,bounded on each side by a little stone wall,from which gleamed fragments of quartz and blood-red marbles,apparently of inestimable value,in their setting of brown alluvium.Stephen walked with the dignity of a man close to the horses head,Worm stumbled along a stones throw in the rear,and Elfride was nowhere in particular,yet everywhere;sometimes in front,sometimes behind,sometimes at the sides,hovering about the procession like a butterfly;not definitely engaged in travelling,yet somehow chiming in at points with the general progress.