He walked slowly along, and had almost reached Mr.Ambrose's pretty old red brick house, when he found himself face to face with the vicar's wife.

She presented an imposing appearance, as usual; her grey skirt, drawn up a little from the mud, revealed a bright red petticoat and those stout shoes which she regarded as so essential to health; she wore moreover a capacious sealskin jacket and a dark bonnet with certain jet flowers, which for many years had been regarded by the inhabitants of Billingsfield as the distinctive badge of a gentlewoman.

Mrs.Ambrose was wont to smile and say that they were indestructible and would last as long as she did.

She greeted Mr.Juxon cordially.
"How do you, Mr.Juxon--were you going to see us?
I was just going for a walk--perhaps you will come with me ?" Mr.Juxon turned back and prepared to accompany her.
"Such good news this morning, from John Short," she said.

"He has finished his examinations, and it seems almost certain that he will be senior classic.