Near eighty year he was afoot and about , and ever getting ; but now he 's on the broad of his back , poor shrew , and no more lacketh ; and if his chattels came to a good friend , he would be merrier , methinks , in heaven . '' `` Come , Hatch , '' said Dick , `` respect his stone-blind eyes . Would ye rob the man before his body ? Nay , he would walk ! '' Hatch made several signs of the cross ; but by this time his natural complexion had returned , and he was not easily to be dashed from any purpose . It would have gone hard with the chest had not the gate sounded , and presently after the door of the house opened and admitted a tall , portly , ruddy , black-eyed man of near fifty , in a surplice and black robe . `` Appleyard '' -- the newcomer was saying , as he entered ; but he stopped dead . `` Ave Maria ! '' he cried . `` Saints be our shield ! What cheer is this ? '' `` Cold cheer with Appleyard , sir parson , '' answered Hatch , with perfect cheerfulness . `` Shot at his own door , and alighteth even now at purgatory gates . Ay ! there , if tales be true , he shall lack neither coal nor candle . '' Sir Oliver groped his way to a joint-stool , and sat down upon it , sick and white . `` This is a judgment ! O , a great stroke ! '' he sobbed , and rattled off a leash of prayers . Hatch meanwhile reverently doffed his salet and knelt down .
`` Ay , Bennet , '' XXXXX the priest , somewhat recovering , `` and what may this be ?
Come came doffed groped knelt rattled rob said sounded stopped