The huntsman stood halfway up the knoll holding up his whip and the
gentlefolk rode up to him at a footpace; the hounds that were far off on the horizon turned away from the hare, and the whips, but not the
gentlefolk, also moved away.
And there were
gentlefolk around it, and other
gentlefolk sitting down.
This story deals with
gentlefolk, or with those who are obliged to pretend that they are
gentlefolk.
He should not forget, they said, that his father and mother were
gentlefolk, and painting wasn't a serious profession; it was Bohemian, disreputable, immoral.
Then it came in upon my mind that this was all his sorrow at my departure; and my conscience smote me hard and fast, because I, for my part, was overjoyed to get away out of that quiet country-side, and go to a great, busy house, among rich and respected
gentlefolk of my own name and blood.
The handsome old man, with black grizzled beard and thick silvery hair, stood motionless, holding a cup of honey, looking down from the height of his tall figure with friendly serenity at the
gentlefolk, obviously understanding nothing of their conversation and not caring to understand it.
These are what she calls
gentlefolk's airs, I suppose!
We've been found to be the greatest
gentlefolk in the whole county--reaching all back long before Oliver Grumble's time--to the days of the Pagan Turks--with monuments, and vaults, and crests, and "scutcheons, and the Lord knows what all.
In fact, the only reason why this is not the case still is that
gentlefolk and farmers have taken to other amusements, and have, as usual, forgotten the poor.
They are, in short, peasants, plain homely people, without any taint of disreputable blood, and, as the saying is, old rusty Christians, but so rich that by their wealth and free-handed way of life they are coming by degrees to be considered
gentlefolk by birth, and even by position; though the wealth and nobility they thought most of was having me for their daughter; and as they have no other child to make their heir, and are affectionate parents, I was one of the most indulged daughters that ever parents indulged.
So they made a gallant sight as they rode along side by side, and all the people shouted from where they crowded across the space from the
gentlefolk; so the Sheriff and his lady came to their place, where men-at-arms, with hauberk and spear, stood about, waiting for them.
In ways so delicate that the most sensitive pride could not resent the favor, these true
gentlefolk showed Polly their respect and regard, put many pleasures in her way, and when they paid her for her work, gave her also the hearty thanks that takes away all sense of degradation even from the humblest service, for money so earned and paid sweetens the daily bread it buys, and makes the mutual obligation a mutual benefit and pleasure.
