They started in quest of the lodging, and at last found something that seemed to promise well, in Mildew Lane - a spot which to Jude was irresistible - though to Sue it was not so fascinating - a narrow lane close to the back of a college, but having no communication with it. The little houses were darkened to gloom by the high collegiate buildings, within which life was so far removed from that of the people in the lane as if it had been on opposite sides of the globe; yet only a thickness of wall divided them. Two or three of the houses had notices of rooms to let, and the newcomers knocked at the door of one, which a woman opened.

`Ah - listen!' said Jude suddenly, instead of addressing her.

`What?'

`Why the bells - what church can that be? The tones are familiar.'

Another peal of bells had begun to sound out at some distance off.

`I don't know!' said the landlady tartly. `Did you knock to ask that?'

`No; for lodgings,' said Jude, coming to himself.

The householder scrutinized Sue's figure a moment. `We haven't any to let,' said she, shutting the door.

Jude looked discomfited, and the boy distressed. `Now, Jude,' said Sue, `let me try. You don't know the way.'

They found a second place hard by; but here the occupier, observing not only Sue, but the boy and the small children, said civilly, `I am sorry to say we don't let where there are children'; and also closed the door.

The small child squared its mouth and cried silently, with an instinct that trouble loomed. The boy sighed. `I don't like Christminster!' he said. `Are the great old houses gaols?'

`No; colleges,' said Jude; `which perhaps you'll study in some day.'

`I'd rather not!' the boy rejoined.

`Now we'll try again,' said Sue. `I'll pull my cloak more round me.... Leaving Kennetbridge for this place is like coming from Caiaphas to Pilate! ... How do I look now, dear?'

`Nobody would notice it now,' said Jude.

There was one other house, and they tried a third time. The woman here was more amiable; but she had little room to spare, and could only agree to take in Sue and the children if her husband could go elsewhere. This arrangement they perforce adopted, in the stress from delaying their search till so late. They came to terms with her, though her price was rather high for their pockets. But they could not afford to be critical till Jude had time to get a more permanent abode; and in this house Sue took possession of a back room on the second floor with an inner closet-room for the children. Jude stayed and had a cup of tea; and was pleased to find that the window commanded the back of another of the colleges. Kissing all four he went to get a few necessaries and look for lodgings for himself.

When he was gone the landlady came up to talk a little with Sue, and gather something of the circumstances of the family she had taken in. Sue had not the art of prevarication, and, after admitting several facts as to their late difficulties and wanderings, she was startled by the landlady saying suddenly:

`Are you really a married woman?'