Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy

PART FIRST

At Marygreen

Chapter 1

"The schoolmaster was leaving the village, and everybody seemed

sorry. The miller at Cresscombe lent him the small white tilted

cart and horse to carry his goods to the city of his destination,

about twenty miles off, such a vehicle proving of quite sufficient

size for the departing teacher's effects. For the schoolhouse

had been partly furnished by the managers, and the only

cumbersome article possessed by the master, in addition to the

packing case of books, was a cottage piano he had bought at

an auction during the year in which he thought of learning

instrumental music. But the enthusiasm having waned he

had never acquired any skill in playing, and the purchased

article had been perpetual trouble to him ever since in

moving house."