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Which was received with a general shout。 The Drum was rather
drunk； by…the…bye； but； never mind。
'What a happiness it is； I'm sure；' said Trotty； 'to be so
esteemed！ How kind and neighbourly you are！ It's all along of my
dear daughter。 She deserves it！'
They were ready for a dance in half a second （Meg and Richard at
the top）； and the Drum was on the very brink of feathering away
with all his power； when a combination of prodigious sounds was
heard outside； and a good…humoured comely woman of some fifty years
of age； or thereabouts； came running in； attended by a man bearing
a stone pitcher of terrific size； and closely followed by the
marrow…bones and cleavers； and the bells； not THE Bells； but a
portable collection on a frame。
Trotty said； 'It's Mrs。 Chickenstalker！' And sat down and beat his
knees again。
'Married； and not tell me； Meg！' cried the good woman。 'Never！ I
couldn't rest on the last night of the Old Year without coming to
wish you joy。 I couldn't have done it； Meg。 Not if I had been
bed…ridden。 So here I am； and as it's New Year's Eve； and the Eve
of your wedding too； my dear； I had a little flip made； and brought
it with me。'
Mrs。 Chickenstalker's notion of a little flip did honour to her
character。 The pitcher steamed and smoked and reeked like a
volcano； and the man who had carried it； was faint。
'Mrs。 Tugby！' said Trotty； who had been going round and round her；
in an ecstasy。 … 'I SHOULD say； Chickenstalker … Bless your heart
and soul！ A Happy New Year； and many of 'em！ Mrs。 Tugby；' said
Trotty when he had saluted her； … 'I SHOULD say； Chickenstalker …
This is William Fern and Lilian。'
The worthy dame； to his surprise； turned very pale and very red。
'Not Lilian Fern whose mother died in Dorsetshire！' said she。
Her uncle answered 'Yes；' and meeting hastily； they exchanged some
hurried words together； of which the upshot was； that Mrs。
Chickenstalker shook him by both hands； saluted Trotty on his cheek
again of her own free will； and took the child to her capacious
breast。
'Will Fern！' said Trotty； pulling on his right…hand muffler。 'Not
the friend you was hoping to find？'
'Ay！' returned Will； putting a hand on each of Trotty's shoulders。
'And like to prove a'most as good a friend； if that can be； as one
I found。'
'O！' said Trotty。 'Please to play up there。 Will you have the
goodness！'
To the music of the band； and； the bells； the marrow…bones and
cleavers； all at once； and while the Chimes were yet in lusty
operation out of doors； Trotty； making Meg and Richard； second
couple； led off Mrs。 Chickenstalker down the dance； and danced it
in a step unknown before or since； founded on his own peculiar
trot。
Had Trotty dreamed？ Or； are his joys and sorrows； and the actors
in them； but a dream； himself a dream； the teller of this tale a
dreamer； waking but now？ If it be so； O listener； dear to him in
all his visions； try to bear in mind the stern realities from which
these shadows come； and in your sphere … none is too wide； and none
too limited for such an end … endeavour to correct； improve； and
soften them。 So may the New Year be a happy one to you； happy to
many more whose happiness depends on you！ So may each year be
happier than the last； and not the meanest of our brethren or
sisterhood debarred their rightful share； in what our Great Creator
formed them to enjoy。
End