Explore "Jude the Obscure" by Thomas Hardy on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Walking somewhat slowly by reason of his concentration, the boy -- an ancient man in some phases of thought, much younger than his years in others -- was overtaken by a light-footed pedestrian, whom, notwithstanding the gloom, he could perceive to be wearing an extraordinarily tall hat, a swallow-tailed coat, and a watch-chain that danced madly and threw around scintillations of skylight as its owner swung along upon a pair of thin legs and noiseless boots. Jude, beginning to feel lonely, endeavoured to keep up with him.
"Well, my man! I'm in a hurry, so you'll have to walk pretty fast if you keep alongside of me. Do you know who I am?"