Jude the Obsure

Three days later, when Jude had recovered somewhat from the fearful

throbbing of his eyes and brain, but was still considerably confused

in his mind by what had been supplied to him by Arabella during

the interval--to keep him, jolly, as she expressed it--the quiet

convivial gathering, suggested by her, to wind Jude up to the

striking point, took place.

Donn had only just opened his miserable little pork and sausage

shop, which had as yet scarce any customers; nevertheless that party

advertised it well, and the Donns acquired a real notoriety among a

certain class in Christminster who knew not the colleges, nor their

works, nor their ways. Jude was asked if he could suggest any guest

in addition to those named by Arabella and her father, and in a

saturnine humour of perfect recklessness mentioned Uncle Joe, and

Stagg, and the decayed auctioneer, and others whom he remembered as

having been frequenters of the well-known tavern during his bout

therein years before. He also suggested Freckles and Bower o' Bliss.

Arabella took him at his word so far as the men went, but drew the

line at the ladies.

Another man they knew, Tinker Taylor, though he lived in the same

street, was not invited; but as he went homeward from a late job on

the evening of the party, he had occasion to call at the shop for

trotters. There were none in, but he was promised some the next

morning. While making his inquiry Taylor glanced into the back room,

and saw the guests sitting round, card-playing, and drinking, and

otherwise enjoying themselves at Donn's expense. He went home to

bed, and on his way out next morning wondered how the party went

off. He thought it hardly worth while to call at the shop for his

provisions at that hour, Donn and his daughter being probably not up,

if they caroused late the night before. However, he found in passing

that the door was open, and he could hear voices within, though the

shutters of the meat-stall were not down. He went and tapped at the

sitting-room door, and opened it.

"Well--to be sure!" he said, astonished.

Hosts and guests were sitting card-playing, smoking, and talking,

precisely as he had left them eleven hours earlier; the gas was

burning and the curtains drawn, though it had been broad daylight

for two hours out of doors.

"Yes!" cried Arabella, laughing. "Here we are, just the same. We

ought to be ashamed of ourselves, oughtn't we! But it is a sort of

housewarming, you see; and our friends are in no hurry. Come in, Mr.

Taylor, and sit down."