Ay, Pa'son Swancourt knows me pretty well from often driving over; and I know Pa'son Swancourt.' They emerged from the bower, swept round in a curve, and the chimneys and gables of the vicarage became darkly visible.

Not a light showed anywhere.

They alighted; the man felt his way into the porch, and rang the bell.
At the end of three or four minutes, spent in patient waiting without hearing any sounds of a response, the stranger advanced and repeated the call in a more decided manner.

He then fancied he heard footsteps in the hall, and sundry movements of the door-knob, but nobody appeared.
'Perhaps they beant at home,' sighed the driver.

'And I promised myself a bit of supper in Pa'son Swancourt's kitchen.