"But it seems that he wanted certain books on some mysterious science or black-art, and in order that the people hereabout should not know anything about his dark readings, he ordered 'em direct from London, and not from the Sherton book-seller.

The parcel was delivered by mistake at the pa'son's, and he wasn't at home; so his wife opened it, and went into hysterics when she read 'em, thinking her husband had turned heathen, and 'twould be the ruin of the children.

But when he came he said he knew no more about 'em than she; and found they were this Mr.Fitzpier's property.
So he wrote 'Beware!' outside, and sent 'em on by the sexton." "He must be a curious young man," mused the hollow-turner.
"He must," said Timothy Tangs.
"Nonsense," said Mr.Melbury, authoritatively, "he's only a gentleman fond of science and philosophy and poetry, and, in fact, every kind of knowledge; and being lonely here, he passes his time in making such matters his hobby." "Well," said old Timothy, "'tis a strange thing about doctors that the worse they be the better they be.

I mean that if you hear anything of this sort about 'em, ten to one they can cure ye as nobody else can." "True," said Bawtree, emphatically.

"And for my part I shall take my custom from old Jones and go to this one directly I've anything the matter with me.