 in Alfredston, and as soon as he
had found a substitute for himself in his aunt's little business, he offered his
services to this man for a trifling wage. Here Jude had the opportunity of
learning at least the rudiments of freestone-working. Some time later he went to
a church-builder in the same place, and under the architect's direction became
handy at restoring the dilapidated masonries of several village churches round
about.
    Not forgetting that he was only following up this handicraft as a prop to
lean on while he prepared those greater engines which he flattered himself would
be better fitted for him, he yet was interested in his pursuit on its own
account. He now had lodgings during the week in the little town, whence he
returned to Marygreen village every Saturday evening. And thus he reached and
passed his nineteenth year.
 

                                       6

At this memorable date of his life he was, one Saturday, returning from
Alfredston to Marygreen about three o'clock in the afternoon. It was fine, warm,
and soft summer weather, and he walked with his tools at his back, his little
chisels clinking faintly against the larger ones in his basket. It being the end
of the week he had left work early, and had come out of the town by a roundabout
route which he did not usually frequent, having promised to call at a flour-mill
near Cresscombe to execute a commission for his aunt.
    He was in an enthusiastic mood. He seemed to see his way to living
comfortably in Christminster in the course of a year or two, and knocking at the
doors of one of those strongholds of learning of which he had dreamed so much.
He might, of course, have gone there now, in some capacity or other, but he
preferred to enter the city with a little more assurance as to means than he
could be said to feel at present. A warm self-content suffused him when he
considered what he had already done. Now and then as he went along he turned to
face the peeps of country on either side of him. But he hardly saw them; the act
was an automatic repetition of what he had been accustomed to do when less
occupied; and the one matter which really engaged him was the mental estimate of
his progress thus far.
    »I have acquired quite an average student's power to read the common ancient
classics, Latin in particular.« This was true, Jude possessing a facility in
that language which enabled him with great ease to himself to beguile his lonely
walks by imaginary conversations therein.
    »I have read two
