It was the custom on Egdon to begin the preface to a story before absolutely entering the house, so as to be well in for the body of the narrative by the time visitor and visited stood face to face.
埃格敦荒原上有种习俗,上别人家去报告消息,要在还没有完全进门以前就把开场说起来,以便等到宾主面对面站着的时候,已经讲到消息的正文。