252 ADVENTURES AMONG BIRDS 



When the Psalms were read I tried, as an experiment, 

 by beginning the instant the minister ceased and 

 rattling off the words as fast as I could to keep up with 

 the others, but invariably I finished some words 

 behind. They had practised the trick too long for an 

 outsider accustomed to a different method. But he, 

 the old parish clerk, had never allowed himself to be 

 carried away by the torrent : his father had taught 

 him to go slowly, and slowly he would go to the end of 

 the chapter, in the old ancient way : in a clear high 

 but quavering voice, he distinctly enunciated each 

 word, each syllable, in a measured way, finishing 

 solemnly a good many words after the congregation. 

 The congregation had, so to speak, thrown him off, 

 or run away from him, but he would not give in and 

 gabble or slur anything ; he plodded religiously on, 

 unregarded but doing his own part of the service 

 decently and in order, under great difficulties. 



For me, a stranger and hater of gabblers, his presence 

 had made the service endurable and I was glad to make 

 his acquaintance. It was easily made on a week day : 

 dressed in his frayed and discoloured old clothes that 

 hung like sacks about him and rusty shapeless hat, he 

 was the most familiar figure in the village, in appearance 

 an animated scarecrow. He was also the busiest man 

 there. He kept fowls and grew fruit and vegetables in 

 his cottage garden and an allotment a little distance 

 away. Twice a week, on market day, he loaded his 

 little cart with his produce and went off to sell it at 

 the neighbouring town. His spare time was filled up 



