In Transit

           Theeighthchapterisexceedinglybrief,andrelatesthatGibbons,theamateurnaturalistofthedistrict,whilelyingoutonthespaciousopendownswithoutasoulwithinacoupleofmilesofhim,ashethought,andalmostdozing,heardclosetohimthesoundasofamancoughing,sneezing,andthenswearingsavagelytohimself;andlooking,beheldnothing. Yetthevoicewasindisputable. Itcontinuedtoswearwiththatbreadthandvarietythatdistinguishestheswearingofacultivatedman. Itgrewtoaclimax,diminishedagain,anddiedawayinthedistance,goingasitseemedtohiminthedirectionofAdderdean. Itliftedtoaspasmodicsneezeandended. Gibbonshadheardnothingofthemorning'soccurrences,butthephenomenonwassostrikinganddisturbingthathisphilosophicaltranquillityvanished; hegotuphastily,andhurrieddownthesteepnessofthehilltowardsthevillage,asfastashecouldgo.