I knew the pale, elderly face, with the red-tipt nose, and the patch over
one eye, and likewise saw something characteristic in the old fellow's way of
standing under the arch of a gate, only revealing enough of himself to make me
recognize him as an acquaintance. He was a very shy personage, this Mr. Moodie;
and the trait was the more singular, as his mode of getting his bread
necessarily brought him into the stir and hubbub of the world, more than the
generality of men.
    »Yes, Mr. Moodie,« I answered, wondering what interest he could take in the
fact, »it is my intention to go to Blithedale tomorrow. Can I be of any service
to you, before my departure?«
    »If you pleased, Mr. Coverdale,« said he, »you might do me a very great
favor.«
    »A very great one!« repeated I, in a tone that must have expressed but
little alacrity of beneficence, although I was ready to do the old man any
amount of kindness involving no special trouble to myself. »A very great favor,
do you say? My time is brief, Mr. Moodie, and I have a good many preparations to
make. But be good enough to tell me what you wish.«
    »Ah, sir,« replied old Moodie, »I don't quite like to do that; and, on
further thoughts, Mr. Coverdale, perhaps I had better apply to some older
gentleman, or to some lady, if you would have the kindness to make me known to
one, who may happen to be going to Blithedale. You are a young man, sir!«
    »Does that fact lessen my availability for your purpose?« asked I. »However,
if an older man will suit you better, there is Mr. Hollingsworth, who has three
or four years the advantage of me in age, and is a much more solid character,
and a philanthropist to boot. I am only a poet, and, so the critics tell me, no
great affair at that! But what can this business be, Mr. Moodie? It begins to
interest me; especially since your hint that a lady's influence might be found
desirable. Come; I am really anxious to be of service to you.«
    But the old fellow, in his civil and demure manner, was both freakish and
obstinate; and he had now taken some notion or other into his head that made him
hesitate in his former design.
    »