Such was the advice of most of the divines of
the English Church in this time of eclipse; and though Stead, and
still less Patience, did not altogether follow the reasoning, they
obeyed, while aware that they incurred suspicion from the squire by
not coming to "the table."
The new woodward, Peter Pierce, was not one of the villagers as
usual, but had been a soldier in one of the regiments of the Earl of
Essex, in which Mr. Elmwood's eldest son had served.
Instead of succeeding to old Tomkins's lodge in the great wood, he
had a new one built for him, so as to command the opening of Hermit's
Gulley towards the village, and one of the Bristol roads. Could this
be for the sake of watching over anything so insignificant as the
Kentons?
The copse on their side of the brook was their own, free to do what
they chose with except cutting down the timber trees, but the further
side was the landlord's, as they had now to remember; and as, when
the brook was at its lowest, their pigs and goats were by no means
likely to recollect; though Steadfast was extremely anxious to give
no occasion for the mistrust and ill-will with which Pierce regarded
him, as a squatter, trespasser, and poacher, almost as a matter of
course, and likewise a prelatist and plotter.
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