Chapman, who regarded him much as the ferret did the rat, declared
that the rabbits and hares would suffer from letting 'that there
chap' show his face here on any plea; and, moreover, gave a grunt
very like a scoff; at the idea of slumbers in the mullion rooms (as
they were called) being secured by his good offices.
And Chapman was right. The unaccountable noises broke out again--
screaming, wailing, sobbing--sounds scarcely within the power of cat
or rat, but possibly the effect of the wind in the old building. At
any rate, Griff could not stand them, and declared that sleep was
impossible when the wind was in that quarter, so that he must shift
his bedroom elsewhere, though he still wished to retain the outer
apartment, which he had taken pleasure in adorning with his special
possessions. My mother would scarcely have tolerated such fancies
in any one else, but Griff had his privileges.
CHAPTER X--OUR TUNEFUL CHOIR
'The church has been whitewashed, but right long ago,
As the cracks and the dinginess amply doth show;
About the same time that a strange petrifaction
Confined the incumbent to mere Sunday action.
So many abuses in this place are rife,
The only church things giving token of life
Are the singing within and the nettles without -
Both equally rampant without any doubt.'
F. R. HAVERGAL.
All Griff's teasing could not diminish--nay, rather increased--
Emily's excitement in the hope of seeing and identifying the sweet
cottage bonnet at church on Sunday.
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