"I remember you well enough when you used to be schoolmaster out at
Marygreen, and I one of your scholars. I used to walk up there from
Cresscombe every day, because we had only a mistress down at our
place, and you taught better. But you wouldn't remember me as I
should you?--Arabella Donn."
He shook his head. "No," he said politely, "I don't recall the name.
And I should hardly recognize in your present portly self the slim
school child no doubt you were then."
"Well, I always had plenty of flesh on my bones. However, I am
staying down here with some friends at present. You know, I suppose,
who I married?"
"No."
"Jude Fawley--also a scholar of yours--at least a night scholar--for
some little time I think? And known to you afterwards, if I am not
mistaken."
"Dear me, dear me," said Phillotson, starting out of his stiffness.
"YOU Fawley's wife? To be sure--he had a wife! And he--I
understood--"
"Divorced her--as you did yours--perhaps for better reasons."
"Indeed?"
"Well--he med have been right in doing it--right for both; for I soon
married again, and all went pretty straight till my husband died
lately. But you--you were decidedly wrong!"
"No," said Phillotson, with sudden testiness. "I would rather not
talk of this, but--I am convinced I did only what was right, and
just, and moral. I have suffered for my act and opinions, but I hold
to them; though her loss was a loss to me in more ways than one!"
"You lost your school and good income through her, did you not?"
"I don't care to talk of it. I have recently come back here--to
Marygreen. I mean."
"You are keeping the school there again, just as formerly?"
The pressure of a sadness that would out unsealed him. "I am there,"
he replied. "Just as formerly, no. Merely on sufferance. It was
a last resource--a small thing to return to after my move upwards,
and my long indulged hopes--a returning to zero, with all its
humiliations. But it is a refuge. I like the seclusion of the
place, and the vicar having known me before my so-called eccentric
conduct towards my wife had ruined my reputation as a schoolmaster,
he accepted my services when all other schools were closed against
me. However, although I take fifty pounds a year here after taking
above two hundred elsewhere, I prefer it to running the risk of
having my old domestic experiences raked up against me, as I should
do if I tried to make a move."