第3章　

nobodycansayitonme——butIlikeaextryquartatEasterorChristmastime，asisnat’ralwhenwe’regoin’theroundsa-

singin’，an’folksoffer’tyoufornothin’；orwhenI’ma-

collectin’thedues；an’Ilikeapintwi’mypipe，an’aneighbourlychatatMesterCasson’snowan’then，forIwasbroughtupi’theChurch，thankGod，an’ha’beenaparishclerkthistwo-an’-thirtyyear:Ishouldknowwhatthechurchreligionis。"

"Well，what’syouradvice，Joshua？Whatdoyouthinkshouldbedone？"

"Well，YourReverence，I’mnotfortakin’anymeasuresagain’theyoungwoman。She’swellenoughifshe’dletalonepreachin’；an’

Ihearasshe’sa-goin’awaybacktoherowncountrysoon。She’sMr。Poyser’sownniece，an’Idonnawishtosaywhat’sanywaysdisrespectfulo’th’familyatth’HallFarm，asI’vemeasuredforshoes，littlean’big，wellyiversin’I’vebeenashoemaker。Butthere’sthatWillMaskery，sirasistherampageousestMethodisascanbe，an’Imakenodoubtitwashimasstirredupth’youngwomantopreachlastnight，an’he’llbea-bringin’otherfolkstopreachfromTreddles’on，ifhiscombisn’tcutabit；an’Ithinkasheshouldbeletknowasheisnat’havethemakin’an’mendin’

o’churchcartsan’implemen’s，letalonestayin’i’thathousean’yardasisSquireDonnithorne’s。"

"Well，butyousayyourself，Joshua，thatyouneverknewanyonecometopreachontheGreenbefore；whyshouldyouthinkthey’llcomeagain？TheMethodistsdon’tcometopreachinlittlevillageslikeHayslope，wherethere’sonlyahandfuloflabourers，tootiredtolistentothem。TheymightalmostaswellgoandpreachontheBintonHills。WillMaskeryisnopreacherhimself，Ithink。"

"Nay，sir，he’snogiftatstringin’thewordstogetherwi’outbook；he’dbestuckfastlikeacowi’wetclay。Buthe’sgottongueenoughtospeakdisrespectfulabout’sneebors，forhesaidasIwasablindPharisee——a-usin’theBiblei’thatwaytofindnick-namesforfolksasarehiseldersan’betters！——andwhat’sworse，he’sbeenheardtosayveryunbecomin’wordsaboutYourReverence；forIcouldbringthemas’udswearashecalledyoua’dumbdog，’an’a’idleshepherd。’You’llforgi’emeforsayin’

suchthingsoveragain。"

"Betternot，betternot，Joshua。Letevilwordsdieassoonasthey’respoken。WillMaskerymightbeagreatdealworsefellowthanheis。Heusedtobeawilddrunkenrascal，neglectinghisworkandbeatinghiswife，theytoldme；nowhe’sthriftyanddecent，andheandhiswifelookcomfortabletogether。Ifyoucanbringmeanyproofthatheinterfereswithhisneighboursandcreatesanydisturbance，Ishallthinkitmydutyasaclergymanandamagistratetointerfere。Butitwouldn’tbecomewisepeoplelikeyouandmetobemakingafussabouttrifles，asifwethoughttheChurchwasindangerbecauseWillMaskeryletshistonguewagratherfoolishly，orayoungwomantalksinaseriouswaytoahandfulofpeopleontheGreen。Wemust’liveandletlive，’Joshua，inreligionaswellasinotherthings。Yougoondoingyourduty，asparishclerkandsexton，aswellasyou’vealwaysdoneit，andmakingthosecapitalthickbootsforyourneighbours，andthingswon’tgofarwronginHayslope，dependuponit。"

"YourReverenceisverygoodtosayso；an’I’msensableas，younotlivin’i’theparish，there’smoreupo’myshoulders。"

"Tobesure；andyoumustmindandnotlowertheChurchinpeople’seyesbyseemingtobefrightenedaboutitforalittlething，Joshua。Ishalltrusttoyourgoodsense，nowtotakenonoticeatallofwhatWillMaskerysays，eitheraboutyouorme。

Youandyourneighbourscangoontakingyourpotofbeersoberly，whenyou’vedoneyourday’swork，likegoodchurchmen；andifWillMaskerydoesn’tliketojoinyou，buttogotoaprayermeetingatTreddlestoninstead，lethim；that’snobusinessofyours，solongashedoesn’thinderyoufromdoingwhatyoulike。Andastopeoplesayingafewidlewordsaboutus，wemustnotmindthat，anymorethantheoldchurch-steeplemindstherookscawingaboutit。WillMaskerycomestochurcheverySundayafternoon，anddoeshiswheelwright’sbusinesssteadilyintheweekdays，andaslongashedoesthathemustbeletalone。"

"Ah，sir，butwhenhecomestochurch，hesitsan’shakeshishead，an’looksassouran’ascoxywhenwe’rea-singin’asI

shouldliketofetchhimarapacrossthejowl——Godforgi’eme——

an’Mrs。Irwine，an’YourReverencetoo，forspeakin’soaforeyou。An’hesaidasourChristmassingin’wasnobetternorthecracklin’o’thornsunderapot。"

"Well，he’sgotabadearformusic，Joshua。Whenpeoplehavewoodenheads，youknow，itcan’tbehelped。Hewon’tbringtheotherpeopleinHaysloperoundtohisopinion，whileyougoonsingingaswellasyoudo。"

"Yes，sir，butitturnsaman’sstomacht’heartheScripturemisusedi’thatway。Iknowasmucho’thewordso’theBibleashedoes，an’couldsaythePsalmsrightthroughi’mysleepifyouwastopinchme；butIknowbetternortotake’emtosaymyownsaywi’。ImightaswelltaketheSacriment-cuphomeanduseitatmeals。"

"That’saverysensibleremarkofyours，Joshua；but，asIsaidbefore——"

WhileMr。Irwinewasspeaking，thesoundofabootedstepandtheclinkofaspurwereheardonthestoneflooroftheentrance-

hall，andJoshuaRannmovedhastilyasidefromthedoorwaytomakeroomforsomeonewhopausedthere，andsaid，inaringingtenorvoice，"GodsonArthur——mayhecomein？"

"Comein，comein，godson！"Mrs。Irwineanswered，inthedeephalf-masculinetonewhichbelongstothevigorousoldwoman，andthereenteredayounggentlemaninariding-dress，withhisrightarminasling；whereuponfollowedthatpleasantconfusionoflaughinginterjections，andhand-shakings，and"Howareyou’s？"

mingledwithjoyousshortbarksandwaggingoftailsonthepartofthecaninemembersofthefamily，whichtellsthatthevisitorisonthebesttermswiththevisited。TheyounggentlemanwasArthurDonnithorne，knowninHayslope，variously，as"theyoungsquire，""theheir，"and"thecaptain。"HewasonlyacaptainintheLoamshireMilitia，buttotheHayslopetenantshewasmoreintenselyacaptainthanalltheyounggentlemenofthesamerankinhisMajesty’sregulars——heoutshonethemastheplanetJupiteroutshinestheMilkyWay。Ifyouwanttoknowmoreparticularlyhowhelooked，calltoyourremembrancesometawny-whiskered，brown-locked，clear-complexionedyoungEnglishmanwhomyouhavemetwithinaforeigntown，andbeenproudofasafellow-

countryman——well-washed，high-bred，white-handed，yetlookingasifhecoulddeliverwellfrom’theleftshoulderandfloorhisman:Iwillnotbesomuchofatailorastotroubleyourimaginationwiththedifferenceofcostume，andinsistonthestripedwaistcoat，long-tailedcoat，andlowtop-boots。

Turningroundtotakeachair，CaptainDonnithornesaid，"Butdon’tletmeinterruptJoshua’sbusiness——hehassomethingtosay。"

"HumblybeggingYourHonour’spardon，"saidJoshua，bowinglow，"therewasonethingIhadtosaytoHisReverenceasotherthingshaddroveouto’myhead。"

"Outwithit，Joshua，quickly！"saidMr。Irwine。

"Belike，sir，youhavenahearedasThiasBede’sdead——drowndedthismorning，ormorelikeovernight，i’theWillowBrook，again’

thebridgerighti’fronto’thehouse。"

"Ah！"exclaimedboththegentlemenatonce，asiftheywereagooddealinterestedintheinformation。

"An’SethBede’sbeentomethismorningtosayhewishedmetotellYourReverenceashisbrotherAdambeggedofyouparticulart’allowhisfather’sgravetobedugbytheWhiteThorn，becausehismother’ssetherheartonit，onaccountofadreamasshehad；an’they’dha’cometheirselvestoaskyou，butthey’vesomuchtoseeafterwiththecrowner，an’that；an’theirmother’stookonso，an’wants’emtomakesureo’thespotforfearsomebodyelseshouldtakeit。An’ifYourReverenceseeswellandgood，I’llsendmyboytotell’emassoonasIgethome；an’

that’swhyImakeboldtotroubleyouwi’it，HisHonourbeingpresent。"

"Tobesure，Joshua，tobesure，theyshallhaveit。I’llrideroundtoAdammyself，andseehim。Sendyourboy，however，tosaytheyshallhavethegrave，lestanythingshouldhappentodetainme。Andnow，goodmorning，Joshua；gointothekitchenandhavesomeale。"

"PooroldThias！"saidMr。Irwine，whenJoshuawasgone。"I’mafraidthedrinkhelpedthebrooktodrownhim。IshouldhavebeengladfortheloadtohavebeentakenoffmyfriendAdam’sshouldersinalesspainfulway。Thatfinefellowhasbeenproppinguphisfatherfromruinforthelastfiveorsixyears。"

"He’saregulartrump，isAdam，"saidCaptainDonnithorne。"WhenIwasalittlefellow，andAdamwasastrappingladoffifteen，andtaughtmecarpentering，IusedtothinkifeverIwasarichsultan，IwouldmakeAdammygrand-vizier。AndIbelievenowhewouldbeartheexaltationaswellasanypoorwisemaninanEasternstory。IfeverIlivetobealarge-acredmaninsteadofapoordevilwithamortgagedallowanceofpocket-money，I’llhaveAdamformyrighthand。Heshallmanagemywoodsforme，forheseemstohaveabetternotionofthosethingsthananymanIevermetwith；andIknowhewouldmaketwicethemoneyofthemthatmygrandfatherdoes，withthatmiserableoldSatchelltomanage，whounderstandsnomoreabouttimberthananoldcarp。I’vementionedthesubjecttomygrandfatheronceortwice，butforsomereasonorotherhehasadisliketoAdam，andIcandonothing。Butcome，YourReverence，areyouforaridewithme？It’ssplendidoutofdoorsnow。WecangotoAdam’stogether，ifyoulike；butIwanttocallattheHallFarmonmyway，tolookatthewhelpsPoyseriskeepingforme。"

"Youmuststayandhavelunchfirst，Arthur，"saidMrs。Irwine。

"It’snearlytwo。Carrollwillbringitindirectly。"

"IwanttogototheHallFarmtoo，"saidMr。Irwine，"tohaveanotherlookatthelittleMethodistwhoisstayingthere。JoshuatellsmeshewaspreachingontheGreenlastnight。"

"Oh，byJove！"saidCaptainDonnithorne，laughing。"Why，shelooksasquietasamouse。There’ssomethingratherstrikingabouther，though。IpositivelyfeltquitebashfulthefirsttimeIsawher——shewassittingstoopingoverhersewinginthesunshineoutsidethehouse，whenIrodeupandcalledout，withoutnoticingthatshewasastranger，’IsMartinPoyserathome？’I

declare，whenshegotupandlookedatmeandjustsaid，’He’sinthehouse，Ibelieve:I’llgoandcallhim，’Ifeltquiteashamedofhavingspokensoabruptlytoher。ShelookedlikeSt。

CatherineinaQuakerdress。It’satypeoffaceonerarelyseesamongourcommonpeople。"

"Ishouldliketoseetheyoungwoman，Dauphin，"saidMrs。Irwine。

"Makehercomehereonsomepretextorother。"

"Idon’tknowhowIcanmanagethat，Mother；itwillhardlydoformetopatronizeaMethodistpreacher，evenifshewouldconsenttobepatronizedbyanidleshepherd，asWillMaskerycallsme。Youshouldhavecomeinalittlesooner，Arthur，tohearJoshua’sdenunciationofhisneighbourWillMaskery。Theoldfellowwantsmetoexcommunicatethewheelwright，andthendeliverhimovertothecivilarm——thatistosay，toyourgrandfather——tobeturnedoutofhouseandyard。IfIchosetointerfereinthisbusiness，now，ImightgetupasprettyastoryofhatredandpersecutionastheMethodistsneeddesiretopublishinthenextnumberoftheirmagazine。Itwouldn’ttakememuchtroubletopersuadeChadCranageandhalfadozenotherbull-headedfellowsthattheywouldbedoinganacceptableservicetotheChurchbyhuntingWillMaskeryoutofthevillagewithrope-endsandpitchforks；andthen，whenIhadfurnishedthemwithhalfasovereigntogetgloriouslydrunkaftertheirexertions，Ishouldhaveputtheclimaxtoasprettyafarceasanyofmybrotherclergyhavesetgoingintheirparishesforthelastthirtyyears。"

"Itisreallyinsolentoftheman，though，tocallyouan’idleshepherd’anda’dumbdog，’"saidMrs。Irwine。"Ishouldbeinclinedtocheckhimalittlethere。Youaretooeasy-tempered，Dauphin。"

"Why，Mother，youdon’tthinkitwouldbeagoodwayofsustainingmydignitytosetaboutvindicatingmyselffromtheaspersionsofWillMaskery？Besides，I’mnotsosurethattheyAREaspersions。

IAMalazyfellow，andgetterriblyheavyinmysaddle；nottomentionthatI’malwaysspendingmorethanIcanaffordinbricksandmortar，sothatIgetsavageatalamebeggarwhenheasksmeforsixpence。Thosepoorleancobblers，whothinktheycanhelptoregeneratemankindbysettingouttopreachinthemorningtwilightbeforetheybegintheirday’swork，maywellhaveapooropinionofme。Butcome，letushaveourluncheon。Isn’tKatecomingtolunch？"

"MissIrwinetoldBridgettotakeherlunchupstairs，"saidCarroll；"shecan’tleaveMissAnne。"

"Oh，verywell。TellBridgettosayI’llgoupandseeMissAnnepresently。Youcanuseyourrightarmquitewellnow，Arthur，"

Mr。Irwinecontinued，observingthatCaptainDonnithornehadtakenhisarmoutofthesling。

"Yes，prettywell；butGodwininsistsonmykeepingitupconstantlyforsometimetocome。IhopeIshallbeabletogetawaytotheregiment，though，inthebeginningofAugust。It’sadesperatelydullbusinessbeingshutupattheChaseinthesummermonths，whenonecanneitherhuntnorshoot，soastomakeone’sselfpleasantlysleepyintheevening。However，wearetoastonishtheechoesonthe30thofJuly。Mygrandfatherhasgivenmecarteblancheforonce，andIpromiseyoutheentertainmentshallbeworthyoftheoccasion。Theworldwillnotseethegrandepochofmymajoritytwice。IthinkIshallhavealoftythroneforyou，Godmamma，orrathertwo，oneonthelawnandanotherintheballroom，thatyoumaysitandlookdownuponuslikeanOlympiangoddess。"

"Imeantobringoutmybestbrocade，thatIworeatyourchristeningtwentyyearsago，"saidMrs。Irwine。"Ah，IthinkI

shallseeyourpoormotherflittingaboutinherwhitedress，whichlookedtomealmostlikeashroudthatveryday；anditWAS

hershroudonlythreemonthsafter；andyourlittlecapandchristeningdresswereburiedwithhertoo。Shehadsetherheartonthat，sweetsoul！ThankGodyoutakeafteryourmother’sfamily，Arthur。Ifyouhadbeenapuny，wiry，yellowbaby，I

wouldn’thavestoodgodmothertoyou。IshouldhavebeensureyouwouldturnoutaDonnithorne。Butyouweresuchabroad-faced，broad-chested，loud-screamingrascal，IknewyouwereeveryinchofyouaTradgett。"

"Butyoumighthavebeenalittletoohastythere，Mother，"saidMr。Irwine，smiling。"Don’tyourememberhowitwaswithJuno’slastpups？Oneofthemwastheveryimageofitsmother，butithadtwoorthreeofitsfather’stricksnotwithstanding。Natureiscleverenoughtocheatevenyou，Mother。"

"Nonsense，child！Naturenevermakesaferretintheshapeofamastiff。You’llneverpersuademethatIcan’ttellwhatmenarebytheiroutsides。IfIdon’tlikeaman’slooks，dependuponitIshallneverlikeHIM。Idon’twanttoknowpeoplethatlookuglyanddisagreeable，anymorethanIwanttotastedishesthatlookdisagreeable。Iftheymakemeshudderatthefirstglance，I

say，takethemaway。Anugly，piggish，orfishyeye，now，makesmefeelquiteill；it’slikeabadsmell。"

"Talkingofeyes，"saidCaptainDonnithorne，"thatremindsmethatI’vegotabookImeanttobringyou，Godmamma。ItcamedowninaparcelfromLondontheotherday。Iknowyouarefondofqueer，wizardlikestories。It’savolumeofpoems，’LyricalBallads。’

Mostofthemseemtobetwaddlingstuff，butthefirstisinadifferentstyle——’TheAncientMariner’isthetitle。Icanhardlymakeheadortailofitasastory，butit’sastrange，strikingthing。I’llsenditovertoyou；andtherearesomeotherbooksthatyoumayliketosee，Irwine——pamphletsaboutAntinomianismandEvangelicalism，whatevertheymaybe。Ican’tthinkwhatthefellowmeansbysendingsuchthingstome。I’vewrittentohimtodesirethatfromhenceforthhewillsendmenobookorpamphletonanythingthatendsinISM。"

"Well，Idon’tknowthatI’mveryfondofismsmyself；butImayaswelllookatthepamphlets；theyletoneseewhatisgoingon。

I’vealittlemattertoattendto，Arthur，"continuedMr。Irwine，risingtoleavetheroom，"andthenIshallbereadytosetoutwithyou。"

ThelittlematterthatMr。Irwinehadtoattendtotookhimuptheoldstonestaircase(partofthehousewasveryold)andmadehimpausebeforeadooratwhichheknockedgently。"Comein，"saidawoman’svoice，andheenteredaroomsodarkenedbyblindsandcurtainsthatMissKate，thethinmiddle-agedladystandingbythebedside，wouldnothavehadlightenoughforanyothersortofworkthantheknittingwhichlayonthelittletablenearher。

Butatpresentshewasdoingwhatrequiredonlythedimmestlight——

spongingtheachingheadthatlayonthepillowwithfreshvinegar。Itwasasmallface，thatofthepoorsufferer；perhapsithadoncebeenpretty，butnowitwaswornandsallow。MissKatecametowardsherbrotherandwhispered，"Don’tspeaktoher；

shecan’tbeartobespokentoto-day。"Anne’seyeswereclosed，andherbrowcontractedasiffromintensepain。Mr。Irwinewenttothebedsideandtookuponeofthedelicatehandsandkissedit，aslightpressurefromthesmallfingerstoldhimthatitwasworth-whiletohavecomeupstairsforthesakeofdoingthat。Helingeredamoment，lookingather，andthenturnedawayandlefttheroom，treadingverygently——hehadtakenoffhisbootsandputonslippersbeforehecameupstairs。Whoeverremembershowmanythingshehasdeclinedtodoevenforhimself，ratherthanhavethetroubleofputtingonortakingoffhisboots，willnotthinkthislastdetailinsignificant。

AndMr。Irwine’ssisters，asanypersonoffamilywithintenmilesofBroxtoncouldhavetestified，weresuchstupid，uninterestingwomen！Itwasquiteapityhandsome，cleverMrs。Irwineshouldhavehadsuchcommonplacedaughters。Thatfineoldladyherselfwasworthdrivingtenmilestosee，anyday；herbeauty，herwell-

preservedfaculties，andherold-fashioneddignitymadeheragracefulsubjectforconversationinturnwiththeKing’shealth，thesweetnewpatternsincottondresses，thenewsfromEgypt，andLordDacey’slawsuit，whichwasfrettingpoorLadyDaceytodeath。

ButnooneeverthoughtofmentioningtheMissIrwines，exceptthepoorpeopleinBroxtonvillage，whoregardedthemasdeepinthescienceofmedicine，andspokeofthemvaguelyas"thegentlefolks。"IfanyonehadaskedoldJobDummilowwhogavehimhisflanneljacket，hewouldhaveanswered，"thegentlefolks，lastwinter"；andwidowSteenedweltmuchonthevirtuesofthe"stuff"

thegentlefolksgaveherforhercough。Underthisnametoo，theywereusedwithgreateffectasameansoftamingrefractorychildren，sothatatthesightofpoorMissAnne’ssallowface，severalsmallurchinshadaterrifiedsensethatshewascognizantofalltheirworstmisdemeanours，andknewtheprecisenumberofstoneswithwhichtheyhadintendedtohitFarmerBritton’sducks。

Butforallwhosawthemthroughalessmythicalmedium，theMissIrwineswerequitesuperfluousexistences——inartisticfigurescrowdingthecanvasoflifewithoutadequateeffect。MissAnne，indeed，ifherchronicheadachescouldhavebeenaccountedforbyapatheticstoryofdisappointedlove，mighthavehadsomeromanticinterestattachedtoher:butnosuchstoryhadeitherbeenknownorinventedconcerningher，andthegeneralimpressionwasquiteinaccordancewiththefact，thatboththesisterswereoldmaidsfortheprosaicreasonthattheyhadneverreceivedaneligibleoffer。

Nevertheless，tospeakparadoxically，theexistenceofinsignificantpeoplehasveryimportantconsequencesintheworld。

Itcanbeshowntoaffectthepriceofbreadandtherateofwages，tocallforthmanyeviltempersfromtheselfishandmanyheroismsfromthesympathetic，and，inotherways，toplaynosmallpartinthetragedyoflife。Andifthathandsome，generous-bloodedclergyman，theRev。AdolphusIrwine，hadnothadthesetwohopelesslymaidensisters，hislotwouldhavebeenshapedquitedifferently:hewouldverylikelyhavetakenacomelywifeinhisyouth，andnow，whenhishairwasgettinggreyunderthepowder，wouldhavehadtallsonsandbloomingdaughters——suchpossessions，inshort，asmencommonlythinkwillrepaythemforallthelabourtheytakeunderthesun。Asitwas——havingwithallhisthreelivingsnomorethansevenhundreda-year，andseeingnowayofkeepinghissplendidmotherandhissicklysister，nottoreckonasecondsister，whowasusuallyspokenofwithoutanyadjective，insuchladylikeeaseasbecametheirbirthandhabits，andatthesametimeprovidingforafamilyofhisown——heremained，yousee，attheageofeight-and-forty，abachelor，notmakinganymeritofthatrenunciation，butsayinglaughingly，ifanyonealludedtoit，thathemadeitanexcuseformanyindulgenceswhichawifewouldneverhaveallowedhim。

Andperhapshewastheonlypersonintheworldwhodidnotthinkhissistersuninterestingandsuperfluous；forhiswasoneofthoselarge-hearted，sweet-bloodednaturesthatneverknowanarroworagrudgingthought；Epicurean，ifyouwill，withnoenthusiasm，noself-scourgingsenseofduty；butyet，asyouhaveseen，ofasufficientlysubtlemoralfibretohaveanunwearyingtendernessforobscureandmonotonoussuffering。Itwashislarge-heartedindulgencethatmadehimignorehismother’shardnesstowardsherdaughters，whichwasthemorestrikingfromitscontrastwithherdotingfondnesstowardshimself；hehelditnovirtuetofrownatirremediablefaults。

Seethedifferencebetweentheimpressionamanmakesonyouwhenyouwalkbyhissideinfamiliartalk，orlookathiminhishome，andthefigurehemakeswhenseenfromaloftyhistoricallevel，orevenintheeyesofacriticalneighbourwhothinksofhimasanembodiedsystemoropinionratherthanasaman。Mr。Roe，the"travellingpreacher"stationedatTreddleston，hadincludedMr。

IrwineinageneralstatementconcerningtheChurchclergyinthesurroundingdistrict，whomhedescribedasmengivenuptothelustsofthefleshandtheprideoflife；huntingandshooting，andadorningtheirownhouses；askingwhatshallweeat，andwhatshallwedrink，andwherewithalshallwebeclothed？——carelessofdispensingthebreadoflifetotheirflocks，preachingatbestbutacarnalandsoul-benumbingmorality，andtraffickinginthesoulsofmenbyreceivingmoneyfordischargingthepastoralofficeinparisheswheretheydidnotsomuchaslookonthefacesofthepeoplemorethanoncea-year。Theecclesiasticalhistorian，too，lookingintoparliamentaryreportsofthatperiod，findshonourablememberszealousfortheChurch，anduntaintedwithanysympathyforthe"tribeofcantingMethodists，"makingstatementsscarcelylessmelancholythanthatofMr。Roe。AnditisimpossibleformetosaythatMr。Irwinewasaltogetherbeliedbythegenericclassificationassignedhim。Hereallyhadnoveryloftyaims，notheologicalenthusiasm:ifIwerecloselyquestioned，Ishouldbeobligedtoconfessthathefeltnoseriousalarmsaboutthesoulsofhisparishioners，andwouldhavethoughtitamerelossoftimetotalkinadoctrinalandawakeningmannertoold"FeytherTaft，"oreventoChadCranagetheblacksmith。Ifhehadbeeninthehabitofspeakingtheoretically，hewouldperhapshavesaidthattheonlyhealthyformreligioncouldtakeinsuchmindswasthatofcertaindimbutstrongemotions，suffusingthemselvesasahallowinginfluenceoverthefamilyaffectionsandneighbourlyduties。Hethoughtthecustomofbaptismmoreimportantthanitsdoctrine，andthatthereligiousbenefitsthepeasantdrewfromthechurchwherehisfathersworshippedandthesacredpieceofturfwheretheylayburiedwerebutslightlydependentonaclearunderstandingoftheLiturgyorthesermon。Clearlytherectorwasnotwhatiscalledinthesedaysan"earnest"man:hewasfonderofchurchhistorythanofdivinity，andhadmuchmoreinsightintomen’scharactersthaninterestintheiropinions；hewasneitherlaborious，norobviouslyself-denying，norverycopiousinalms-giving，andhistheology，youperceive，waslax。Hismentalpalate，indeed，wasratherpagan，andfoundasavourinessinaquotationfromSophoclesorTheocritusthatwasquiteabsentfromanytextinIsaiahorAmos。Butifyoufeedyouryoungsetteronrawflesh，howcanyouwonderatitsretainingarelishforuncookedpartridgeinafter-life？AndMr。Irwine’srecollectionsofyoungenthusiasmandambitionwereallassociatedwithpoetryandethicsthatlayalooffromtheBible。

Ontheotherhand，Imustplead，forIhaveanaffectionatepartialitytowardstherector’smemory，thathewasnotvindictive——andsomephilanthropistshavebeenso；thathewasnotintolerant——andthereisarumourthatsomezealoustheologianshavenotbeenaltogetherfreefromthatblemish；thatalthoughhewouldprobablyhavedeclinedtogivehisbodytobeburnedinanypubliccause，andwasfarfrombestowingallhisgoodstofeedthepoor，hehadthatcharitywhichhassometimesbeenlackingtoveryillustriousvirtue——hewastendertoothermen’sfailings，andunwillingtoimputeevil。Hewasoneofthosemen，andtheyarenotthecommonest，ofwhomwecanknowthebestonlybyfollowingthemawayfromthemarketplace，theplatform，andthepulpit，enteringwiththemintotheirownhomes，hearingthevoicewithwhichtheyspeaktotheyoungandagedabouttheirownhearthstone，andwitnessingtheirthoughtfulcarefortheeverydaywantsofeverydaycompanions，whotakealltheirkindnessasamatterofcourse，andnotasasubjectforpanegyric。

Suchmen，happily，havelivedintimeswhengreatabusesflourished，andhavesometimesevenbeenthelivingrepresentativesoftheabuses。Thatisathoughtwhichmightcomfortusalittleundertheoppositefact——thatitisbettersometimesNOTtofollowgreatreformersofabusesbeyondthethresholdoftheirhomes。

ButwhateveryoumaythinkofMr。Irwinenow，ifyouhadmethimthatJuneafternoonridingonhisgreycob，withhisdogsrunningbesidehim——portly，upright，manly，withagood-naturedsmileonhisfinelyturnedlipsashetalkedtohisdashingyoungcompaniononthebaymare，youmusthavefeltthat，howeverillheharmonizedwithsoundtheoriesoftheclericaloffice，hesomehowharmonizedextremelywellwiththatpeacefullandscape。

Seetheminthebrightsunlight，interruptedeverynowandthenbyrollingmassesofcloud，ascendingtheslopefromtheBroxtonside，wherethetallgablesandelmsoftherectorypredominateoverthetinywhitewashedchurch。TheywillsoonbeintheparishofHayslope；thegreychurch-towerandvillageroofsliebeforethemtotheleft，andfartheron，totheright，theycanjustseethechimneysoftheHallFarm。

ChapterVI

TheHallFarmEVIDENTLYthatgateisneveropened，forthelonggrassandthegreathemlocksgrowcloseagainstit，andifitwereopened，itissorustythattheforcenecessarytoturnitonitshingeswouldbelikelytopulldownthesquarestone-builtpillars，tothedetrimentofthetwostonelionesseswhichgrinwithadoubtfulcarnivorousaffabilityaboveacoatofarmssurmountingeachofthepillars。Itwouldbeeasyenough，bytheaidofthenicksinthestonepillars，toclimboverthebrickwallwithitssmoothstonecoping；butbyputtingoureyesclosetotherustybarsofthegate，wecanseethehousewellenough，andallbuttheverycornersofthegrassyenclosure。

Itisaveryfineoldplace，ofredbrick，softenedbyapalepowderylichen，whichhasdisperseditselfwithhappyirregularity，soastobringtheredbrickintotermsoffriendlycompanionshipwiththelimestoneornamentssurroundingthethreegables，thewindows，andthedoor-place。Butthewindowsarepatchedwithwoodenpanes，andthedoor，Ithink，islikethegate——itisneveropened。Howitwouldgroanandgrateagainstthestonefioorifitwere！Foritisasolid，heavy，handsomedoor，andmustoncehavebeeninthehabitofshuttingwithasonorousbangbehindaliveriedlackey，whohadjustseenhismasterandmistressoffthegroundsinacarriageandpair。

Butatpresentonemightfancythehouseintheearlystageofachancerysuit，andthatthefruitfromthatgranddoublerowofwalnut-treesontherighthandoftheenclosurewouldfallandrotamongthegrass，ifitwerenotthatweheardtheboomingbarkofdogsechoingfromgreatbuildingsattheback。Andnowthehalf-

weanedcalvesthathavebeenshelteringthemselvesinagorse-

builthovelagainsttheleft-handwallcomeoutandsetupasillyanswertothatterriblebark，doubtlesssupposingthatithasreferencetobucketsofmilk。

Yes，thehousemustbeinhabited，andwewillseebywhom；forimaginationisalicensedtrespasser:ithasnofearofdogs，butmayclimboverwallsandpeepinatwindowswithimpunity。Putyourfacetooneoftheglasspanesintheright-handwindow:whatdoyousee？Alargeopenfireplace，withrustydogsinit，andabareboardedfloor；atthefarend，fleecesofwoolstackedup；inthemiddleofthefloor，someemptycorn-bags。Thatisthefurnitureofthedining-room。Andwhatthroughtheleft-handwindow？Severalclothes-horses，apillion，aspinning-wheel，andanoldboxwideopenandstuffedfullofcolouredrags。Attheedgeofthisboxthereliesagreatwoodendoll，which，sofarasmutilationisconcerned，bearsastrongresemblancetothefinestGreeksculpture，andespeciallyinthetotallossofitsnose。

Nearitthereisalittlechair，andthebuttendofaboy’sleatherlong-lashedwhip。

Thehistoryofthehouseisplainnow。Itwasoncetheresidenceofacountrysquire，whosefamily，probablydwindlingdowntomerespinsterhood，gotmergedinthemoreterritorialnameofDonnithorne。ItwasoncetheHall；itisnowtheHallFarm。Likethelifeinsomecoasttownthatwasonceawatering-place，andisnowaport，wherethegenteelstreetsaresilentandgrass-grown，andthedocksandwarehousesbusyandresonant，thelifeattheHallhaschangeditsfocus，andnolongerradiatesfromtheparlour，butfromthekitchenandthefarmyard。

Plentyoflifethere，thoughthisisthedrowsiesttimeoftheyear，justbeforehay-harvest；anditisthedrowsiesttimeofthedaytoo，foritiscloseuponthreebythesun，anditishalf-

pastthreebyMrs。Poyser’shandsomeeight-dayclock。Butthereisalwaysastrongersenseoflifewhenthesunisbrilliantafterrain；andnowheispouringdownhisbeams，andmakingsparklesamongthewetstraw，andlightingupeverypatchofvividgreenmossontheredtilesofthecow-shed，andturningeventhemuddywaterthatishurryingalongthechanneltothedrainintoamirrorfortheyellow-billedducks，whoareseizingtheopportunityofgettingadrinkwithasmuchbodyinitaspossible。Thereisquiteaconcertofnoises；thegreatbull-dog，chainedagainstthestables，isthrownintofuriousexasperationbytheunwaryapproachofacocktoonearthemouthofhiskennel，andsendsforthathunderingbark，whichisansweredbytwofox-

houndsshutupintheoppositecow-house；theoldtop-knottedhens，scratchingwiththeirchicksamongthestraw，setupasympatheticcroakingasthediscomfitedcockjoinsthem；asowwithherbrood，allverymuddyastothelegs，andcurledastothetail，throwsinsomedeepstaccatonotes；ourfriendsthecalvesarebleatingfromthehomecroft；and，underall，afineeardiscernsthecontinuoushumofhumanvoices。

Forthegreatbarn-doorsarethrownwideopen，andmenarebusytheremendingtheharness，underthesuperintendenceofMr。Goby，the"whittaw，"otherwisesaddler，whoentertainsthemwiththelatestTreddlestongossip。ItiscertainlyratheranunfortunatedaythatAlick，theshepherd，haschosenforhavingthewhittaws，sincethemorningturnedoutsowet；andMrs。Poyserhasspokenhermindprettystronglyastothedirtwhichtheextranurnberofmen’sshoesbroughtintothehouseatdinnertime。Indeed，shehasnotyetrecoveredherequanimityonthesubject，thoughitisnownearlythreehourssincedinner，andthehouse-floorisperfectlycleanagain；ascleanaseverythingelseinthatwonderfulhouse-

place，wheretheonlychanceofcollectingafewgrainsofdustwouldbetoclimbonthesalt-coffer，andputyourfingeronthehighmantel-shelfonwhichtheglitteringbrasscandlesticksareenjoyingtheirsummersinecure；foratthistimeofyear，ofcourse，everyonegoestobedwhileitisyetlight，oratleastlightenoughtodiscerntheoutlineofobjectsafteryouhavebruisedyourshinsagainstthem。Surelynowhereelsecouldanoakclock-caseandanoaktablehavegottosuchapolishbythehand:

genuine"elbowpolish，"asMrs。Poysercalledit，forshethankedGodsheneverhadanyofyourvarnishedrubbishinherhouse。

HettySorreloftentooktheopportunity，whenheraunt’sbackwasturned，oflookingatthepleasingreflectionofherselfinthosepolishedsurfaces，fortheoaktablewasusuallyturneduplikeascreen，andwasmoreforornamentthanforuse；andshecouldseeherselfsometimesinthegreatroundpewterdishesthatwererangedontheshelvesabovethelongdealdinner-table，orinthehobsofthegrate，whichalwaysshonelikejasper。

Everythingwaslookingatitsbrightestatthismoment，forthesunshonerightonthepewterdishes，andfromtheirreflectingsurfacespleasantjetsoflightwerethrownonmellowoakandbrightbrass——andonastillpleasanterobjectthanthese，forsomeoftheraysfellonDinah’sfinelymouldedcheek，andlitupherpaleredhairtoauburn，asshebentovertheheavyhouseholdlinenwhichshewasmendingforheraunt。Noscenecouldhavebeenmorepeaceful，ifMrs。Poyser，whowasironingafewthingsthatstillremainedfromtheMonday’swash，hadnotbeenmakingafrequentclinkingwithherironandmovingtoandfrowhenevershewantedittocool；carryingthekeenglanceofherblue-greyeyefromthekitchentothedairy，whereHettywasmakingupthebutter，andfromthedairytothebackkitchen，whereNancywastakingthepiesoutoftheoven。Donotsuppose，however，thatMrs。Poyserwaselderlyorshrewishinherappearance；shewasagood-lookingwoman，notmorethaneight-and-thirty，offaircomplexionandsandyhair，well-shapen，light-footed。Themostconspicuousarticleinherattirewasanamplecheckeredlinenapron，whichalmostcoveredherskirt；andnothingcouldbeplainerorlessnoticeablethanhercapandgown，fortherewasnoweaknessofwhichshewaslesstolerantthanfemininevanity，andthepreferenceofornamenttoutility。ThefamilylikenessbetweenherandhernieceDinahMorris，withthecontrastbetweenherkeennessandDinah’sseraphicgentlenessofexpression，mighthaveservedapainterasanexcellentsuggestionforaMarthaandMary。Theireyeswerejustofthesamecolour，butastrikingtestofthedifferenceintheiroperationwasseeninthedemeanourofTrip，theblack-and-tanterrier，wheneverthatmuch-

suspecteddogunwarilyexposedhimselftothefreezingarcticrayofMrs。Poyser’sglance。Hertonguewasnotlesskeenthanhereye，and，wheneveradamselcamewithinearshot，seemedtotakeupanunfinishedlecture，asabarrel-organtakesupatune，preciselyatthepointwhereithadleftoff。

Thefactthatitwaschurningdaywasanotherreasonwhyitwasinconvenienttohavethewhittaws，andwhy，consequently，Mrs。

PoysershouldscoldMollythehousemaidwithunusualseverity。ToallappearanceMollyhadgotthroughherafter-dinnerworkinanexemplarymanner，had"cleanedherself"withgreatdispatch，andnowcametoask，submissively，ifsheshouldsitdowntoherspinningtillmilkingtime。Butthisblamelessconduct，accordingtoMrs。Poyser，shroudedasecretindulgenceofunbecomingwishes，whichshenowdraggedforthandhelduptoMolly’sviewwithcuttingeloquence。

"Spinning，indeed！Itisn’tspinningasyou’dbeat，I’llbebound，andletyouhaveyourownway。Ineverknewyourequalsforgallowsness。Tothinkofagello’youragewantingtogoandsitwithhalf-a-dozenmen！I’dha’beenashamedtoletthewordspassovermylipsifI’dbeenyou。Andyou，ashavebeenhereeversincelastMichaelmas，andIhiredyouatTreddles’onstattits，withoutabito’character——asIsay，youmightbegratefultobehiredinthatwaytoarespectableplace；andyouknewnomoreo’

whatbelongstoworkwhenyoucomeherethanthemawkini’thefield。Aspooratwo-fistedthingaseverIsaw，youknowyouwas。Whotaughtyoutoscrubafloor，Ishouldliketoknow？

Why，you’dleavethedirtinheapsi’thecorners——anybody’udthinkyou’dneverbeenbroughtupamongChristians。Andasforspinning，why，you’vewastedasmuchasyourwagei’theflaxyou’vespoiledlearningtospin。Andyou’vearighttofeelthat，andnottogoaboutasgapingandasthoughtlessasifyouwasbeholdingtonobody。Combthewoolforthewhittaws，indeed！

That’swhatyou’dliketobedoing，isit？That’sthewaywithyou——that’stheroadyou’dallliketogo，headlongstoruin。

You’renevereasytillyou’vegotsomesweetheartasisasbigafoolasyourself:youthinkyou’llbefinelyoffwhenyou’remarried，Idaresay，andhavegotathree-leggedstooltositon，andneverablankettocoveryou，andabito’oat-cakeforyourdinner，asthreechildrenarea-snatchingat。"

"I’msureIdonnawantt’gowi’thewhittaws，"saidMolly，whimpering，andquiteovercomebythisDanteanpictureofherfuture，"on’yweallaysusedtocombthewoolfor’natMesterOttley’s；an’soIjustaxedye。Idonnawanttoseteyesonthewhittawsagain；IwishImayneverstirifIdo。"

"Mr。Ottley’s，indeed！It’sfinetalkingo’whatyoudidatMr。

Ottley’s。Yourmissistheremightlikeherfloorsdirtedwi’

whittawsforwhatIknow。There’snoknowingwhatpeopleWONNA

like——suchwaysasI’veheardof！Ineverhadagellcomeintomyhouseasseemedtoknowwhatcleaningwas；Ithinkpeoplelivelikepigs，formypart。AndastothatBettyaswasdairymaidatTrent’sbeforeshecometome，she’dha’leftthecheeseswithoutturningfromweek’sendtoweek’send，andthedairythralls，I

mightha’wrotemynameon’em，whenIcomedownstairsaftermyillness，asthedoctorsaiditwasinflammation——itwasamercyI

gotwellofit。Andtothinko’yourknowingnobetter，Molly，andbeenherea-goingi’ninemonths，andnotforwanto’talkingto，neither——andwhatareyoustanningtherefor，likeajackasisrundown，insteado’gettingyourwheelout？You’rearareunforsittingdowntoyourworkalittlewhileafterit’stimetoputby。"

"Munny，myiron’stwitetold；peaseputitdowntowarm。"

Thesmallchirrupingvoicethatutteredthisrequestcamefromalittlesunny-hairedgirlbetweenthreeandfour，who，seatedonahighchairattheendoftheironingtable，wasarduouslyclutchingthehandleofaminiatureironwithhertinyfatfist，andironingragswithanassiduitythatrequiredhertoputherlittleredtongueoutasfarasanatomywouldallow。

"Cold，isit，mydarling？Blessyoursweetface！"saidMrs。

Poyser，whowasremarkableforthefacilitywithwhichshecouldrelapsefromherofficialobjurgatorytooneoffondnessoroffriendlyconverse。"Nevermind！Mother’sdoneherironingnow。

She’sgoingtoputtheironingthingsaway。"

"Munny，Itould’iketodointodebarntoTommy，toseedewhittawd。"

"No，no，no；Totty’udgetherfeetwet，"saidMrs。Poyser，carryingawayheriron。"RunintothedairyandseecousinHettymakethebutter。"

"Itould’ikeabito’pum-take，"rejoinedTotty，whoseemedtobeprovidedwithseveralrelaysofrequests；atthesametime，takingtheopportunityofhermomentaryleisuretoputherfingersintoabowlofstarch，anddragitdownsoastoemptythecontentswithtolerablecompletenessontotheironingsheet。

"Dideveranybodyseethelike？"screamedMrs。Poyser，runningtowardsthetablewhenhereyehadfallenonthebluestream。

"Thechild’sallaysi’mischiefifyourback’sturnedaminute。

WhatshallIdotoyou，younaughty，naughtygell？"

Totty，however，haddescendedfromherchairwithgreatswiftness，andwasalreadyinretreattowardsthedairywithasortofwaddlingrun，andanamountoffatonthenapeofherneckwhichmadeherlooklikethemetamorphosisofawhitesucklingpig。

ThestarchhavingbeenwipedupbyMolly’shelp，andtheironingapparatusputby，Mrs。Poysertookupherknittingwhichalwayslayreadyathand，andwastheworkshelikedbest，becauseshecouldcarryitonautomaticallyasshewalkedtoandfro。ButnowshecameandsatdownoppositeDinah，whomshelookedatinameditativeway，assheknittedhergreyworstedstocking。

"Youlookth’imageo’yourAuntJudith，Dinah，whenyousita-

sewing。Icouldalmostfancyitwasthirtyyearsback，andIwasalittlegellathome，lookingatJudithasshesatatherwork，aftershe’ddonethehouseup；onlyitwasalittlecottage，Father’swas，andnotabigramblinghouseasgetsdirtyi’onecornerasfastasyoucleanitinanother——butforallthat，I

couldfancyyouwasyourAuntJudith，onlyherhairwasadealdarkerthanyours，andshewasstouterandbroaderi’theshoulders。Judithandmeallayshungtogether，thoughshehadsuchqueerways，butyourmotherandhernevercouldagree。Ah，yourmotherlittlethoughtasshe’dhaveadaughterjustcutoutaftertheverypatterno’Judith，andleaveheranorphan，too，forJudithtotakecareon，andbringupwithaspoonwhenSHEwasinthegraveyardatStoniton。Iallayssaidthato’Judith，asshe’dbearapoundweightanydaytosaveanybodyelsecarryingaounce。Andshewasjustthesamefromthefirsto’myrememberingher；itmadenodifferenceinher，asIcouldsee，whenshetooktotheMethodists，onlyshetalkedabitdifferentandworeadifferentsorto’cap；butshe’dneverinherlifespentapennyonherselfmorethankeepingherselfdecent。"

"Shewasablessedwoman，"saidDinah；"Godhadgivenheraloving，self-forgettingnature，andHeperfecteditbygrace。Andshewasveryfondofyoutoo，AuntRachel。Ioftenheardhertalkofyouinthesamesortofway。Whenshehadthatbadillness，andIwasonlyelevenyearsold，sheusedtosay，’You’llhaveafriendonearthinyourAuntRachel，ifI’mtakenfromyou，forshehasakindheart，’andI’msureI’vefounditso。"

"Idon’tknowhow，child；anybody’udbecunningtodoanythingforyou，Ithink；you’relikethebirdso’th’air，andlivenobodyknowshow。I’dha’beengladtobehavetoyoulikeamother’ssister，ifyou’dcomeandlivei’thiscountrywherethere’ssomeshelterandvictualformanandbeast，andfolksdon’tliveonthenakedhills，likepoultrya-scratchingonagravelbank。Andthenyoumightgetmarriedtosomedecentman，andthere’dbeplentyreadytohaveyou，ifyou’donlyleaveoffthatpreaching，asistentimesworsethananythingyourAuntJuditheverdid。Andevenifyou’dmarrySethBede，asisapoorwool-gatheringMethodistand’sneverliketohaveapennybeforehand，Iknowyouruncle’udhelpyouwithapig，andverylikeacow，forhe’sallaysbeengood-natur’dtomykin，forallthey’repoor，andmade’emwelcometothehouse；and’uddoforyou，I’llbebound，asmuchaseverhe’ddoforHetty，thoughshe’shisownniece。Andthere’slineninthehouseasIcouldwellspareyou，forI’vegotlotso’sheetingandtable-clothing，andtowelling，asisn’tmadeup。There’sapieceo’sheetingI

couldgiveyouasthatsquintingKittyspun——shewasararegirltospin，forallshesquinted，andthechildrencouldn’tabideher；and，youknow，thespinning’sgoingonconstant，andthere’snewlinenwovetwiceasfastastheoldwearsout。Butwhere’stheuseo’talking，ifyewonnabepersuaded，andsettledownlikeanyotherwomaninhersenses，i’steado’wearingyourselfoutwithwalkingandpreaching，andgivingawayeverypennyyouget，soasyou’venothingsavedagainstsickness；andallthethingsyou’vegoti’theworld，Iverilybelieve，’udgointoabundlenobiggernoradoublecheese。Andallbecauseyou’vegotnotionsi’

yourheadaboutreligionmorenorwhat’si’theCatechismandthePrayer-book。"

"Butnotmorethanwhat’sintheBible，Aunt，"saidDinah。

"Yes，andtheBibletoo，forthatmatter，"Mrs。Poyserrejoined，rathersharply；"elsewhyshouldn’tthemasknowbestwhat’sintheBible——theparsonsandpeopleashavegotnothingtodobutlearnit——dothesameasyoudo？But，forthemattero’that，ifeverybodywastodolikeyou，theworldmustcometoastandstill；

forifeverybodytriedtodowithouthouseandhome，andwithpooreatinganddrinking，andwasallaystalkingaswemustdespisethethingso’theworldasyousay，Ishouldliketoknowwherethepicko’thestock，andthecorn，andthebestnew-milkcheeeses’udhavetogo。Everybody’udbewantingbreadmadeo’tailendsandeverybody’udberunningaftereverybodyelsetopreachto’em，isteado’bringinguptheirfamilies，andlayingbyagainstabadharvest。Itstandstosenseasthatcan’tbetherightreligion。"

"Nay，dearaunt，youneverheardmesaythatallpeoplearecalledtoforsaketheirworkandtheirfamilies。It’squiterightthelandshouldbeploughedandsowed，andthepreciouscornstored，andthethingsofthislifecaredfor，andrightthatpeopleshouldrejoiceintheirfamilies，andprovideforthem，sothatthisisdoneinthefearoftheLord，andthattheyarenotunmindfulofthesoul’swantswhiletheyarecaringforthebody。

WecanallbeservantsofGodwhereverourlotiscast，butHegivesusdifferentsortsofwork，accordingasHefitsusforitandcallsustoit。IcannomorehelpspendingmylifeintryingtodowhatIcanforthesoulsofothers，thanyoucouldhelprunningifyouheardlittleTottycryingattheotherendofthehouse；thevoicewouldgotoyourheart，youwouldthinkthedearchildwasintroubleorindanger，andyoucouldn’trestwithoutrunningtohelpherandcomforther。"

"Ah，"saidMrs。Poyser，risingandwalkingtowardsthedoor，"I

knowit’udbejustthesameifIwastotalktoyouforhours。

You’dmakemethesameanswer，atth’end。Imightaswelltalktotherunningbrookandtellittostan’still。"

ThecausewayoutsidethekitchendoorwasdryenoughnowforMrs。

Poysertostandtherequitepleasantlyandseewhatwasgoingonintheyard，thegreyworstedstockingmakingasteadyprogressinherhandsallthewhile。Butshehadnotbeenstandingtheremorethanfiveminutesbeforeshecameinagain，andsaidtoDinah，inratheraflurried，awe-strickentone，"Ifthereisn’tCaptainDonnithorneandMr。Irwinea-comingintotheyard！I’lllaymylifethey’recometospeakaboutyourpreachingontheGreen，Dinah；it’syoumustanswer’em，forI’mdumb。I’vesaidenougha’readyaboutyourbringingsuchdisgraceupo’youruncle’sfamily。Iwouldn’tha’mindedifyou’dbeenMr。Poyser’sownniece——folksmustputupwi’theirownkin，astheyputupwi’

theirownnoses——it’stheirownfleshandblood。Buttothinkofanieceo’minebeingcauseo’myhusband’sbeingturnedoutofhisfarm，andmebroughthimnofortinbutmysavin’s——"

"Nay，dearAuntRachel，"saidDinahgently，"you’venocauseforsuchfears。I’vestrongassurancethatnoevilwillhappentoyouandmyuncleandthechildrenfromanythingI’vedone。Ididn’tpreachwithoutdirection。"

"Direction！Iknowverywellwhatyoumeanbydirection，"saidMrs。Poyser，knittinginarapidandagitatedmanner。"Whenthere’sabiggermaggotthanusialinyourheadyoucallit’direction’；andthennothingcanstiryou——youlooklikethestattyo’theoutsideo’Treddles’onchurch，a-starin’anda-

smilin’whetherit’sfairweatherorfoul。Ihannacommonpatiencewithyou。"

Bythistimethetwogentlemenhadreachedthepalingsandhadgotdownfromtheirhorses:itwasplaintheymeanttocomein。Mrs。

Poyseradvancedtothedoortomeetthem，curtsyinglowandtremblingbetweenangerwithDinahandanxietytoconductherselfwithperfectproprietyontheoccasion。Forinthosedaysthekeenestofbucolicmindsfeltawhisperingaweatthesightofthegentry，suchasofoldmenfeltwhentheystoodontiptoetowatchthegodspassingbyintallhumanshape。

"Well，Mrs。Poyser，howareyouafterthisstormymorning？"saidMr。Irwine，withhisstatelycordiality。"Ourfeetarequitedry；

weshallnotsoilyourbeautifulfloor。"

"Oh，sir，don’tmentionit，"saidMrs。Poyser。"Willyouandthecaptainpleasetowalkintotheparlour？"

"No，indeed，thankyou，Mrs。Poyser，"saidthecaptain，lookingeagerlyroundthekitchen，asifhiseyewereseekingsomethingitcouldnotfind。"Idelightinyourkitchen。IthinkitisthemostcharmingroomIknow。Ishouldlikeeveryfarmer’swifetocomeandlookatitforapattern。"

"Oh，you’repleasedtosayso，sir。Praytakeaseat，"saidMrs。

Poyser，relievedalittlebythiscomplimentandthecaptain’sevidentgood-humour，butstillglancinganxiouslyatMr。Irwine，who，shesaw，waslookingatDinahandadvancingtowardsher。

"Poyserisnotathome，ishe？"saidCaptainDonnithorne，seatinghimselfwherehecouldseealongtheshortpassagetotheopendairy-door。

"No，sir，heisn’t；he’sgonetoRossetertoseeMr。West，thefactor，aboutthewool。Butthere’sFatheri’thebarn，sir，ifhe’dbeofanyuse。"

"No，thankyou；I’lljustlookatthewhelpsandleaveamessageaboutthemwithyourshepherd。Imustcomeanotherdayandseeyourhusband；Iwanttohaveaconsultationwithhimabouthorses。

Doyouknowwhenhe’slikelytobeatliberty？"

"Why，sir，youcanhardlymisshim，exceptit’so’Treddles’onmarket-day——that’sofaFriday，youknow。Forifhe’sanywhereonthefarmwecansendforhiminaminute。Ifwe’dgotrido’theScantlands，weshouldhavenooutlyingfields；andIshouldbegladofit，forifeveranythinghappens，he’ssuretobegonetotheScantlands。Thingsallayshappensocontrairy，ifthey’veachance；andit’sanunnat’ralthingtohaveonebito’yourfarminonecountyandalltherestinanother。"

"Ah，theScantlandswouldgomuchbetterwithChoyce’sfarm，especiallyashewantsdairylandandyou’vegotplenty。Ithinkyoursistheprettiestfarmontheestate，though；anddoyouknow，Mrs。Poyser，ifIweregoingtomarryandsettle，Ishouldbetemptedtoturnyouout，anddoupthisfineoldhouse，andturnfarmermyself。"

"Oh，sir，"saidMrs。Poyser，ratheralarmed，"youwouldn’tlikeitatall。Asforfarming，it’sputtingmoneyintoyourpocketwi’

yourrighthandandfetchingitoutwi’yourleft。AsfurasI

cansee，it’sraisingvictualforotherfolksandjustgettingamouthfulforyourselfandyourchildrenasyougoalong。Notasyou’dbelikeapoormanaswantstogethisbread——youcouldaffordtoloseasmuchmoneyasyoulikedi’farming——butit’spoorfunlosingmoney，Ishouldthink，thoughIunderstan’it’swhatthegreatfolksi’Londonplayatmorethananything。FormyhusbandheardatmarketasLordDacey’seldestsonhadlostthousandsupo’thousandstothePrinceo’Wales，andtheysaidmyladywasgoingtopawnherjewelstopayforhim。ButyouknowmoreaboutthatthanIdo，sir。But，asforfarming，sir，Icannathinkasyou’dlikeit；andthishouse——thedraughtsinitareenoughtocutyouthrough，andit’smyopinionthefloorsupstairsareveryrotten，andtheratsi’thecellararebeyondanything。"

"Why，that’saterriblepicture，Mrs。Poyser。IthinkIshouldbedoingyouaservicetoturnyououtofsuchaplace。Butthere’snochanceofthat。I’mnotlikelytosettleforthenexttwentyyears，tillI’mastoutgentlemanofforty；andmygrandfatherwouldneverconsenttopartwithsuchgoodtenantsasyou。"

"Well，sir，ifhethinkssowello’Mr。PoyserforatenantIwishyoucouldputinawordforhimtoallowussomenewgatesfortheFivecloses，formyhusband’sbeenaskingandaskingtillhe’stired，andtothinko’whathe’sdoneforthefarm，and’sneverhadapennyallowedhim，bethetimesbadorgood。AndasI’vesaidtomyhusbandoftenandoften，I’msureifthecaptainhadanythingtodowithit，itwouldn’tbeso。NotasIwishtospeakdisrespectfulo’themashavegotthepoweri’theirhands，butit’smorethanfleshandblood’ullbearsometimes，tobetoilingandstriving，andupearlyanddownlate，andhardlysleepingawinkwhenyouliedownforthinkingasthecheesemayswell，orthecowsmaysliptheircalf，orthewheatmaygrowgreenagaini’

thesheaf——andafterall，atth’endo’theyear，it’slikeasifyou’dbeencookingafeastandhadgotthesmellofitforyourpains。"

Mrs。Poyser，oncelaunchedintoconversation，alwayssailedalongwithoutanycheckfromherpreliminaryaweofthegentry。Theconfidenceshefeltinherownpowersofexpositionwasamotiveforcethatovercameallresistance。

"I’mafraidIshouldonlydoharminsteadofgood，ifIweretospeakaboutthegates，Mrs。Poyser，"saidthecaptain，"thoughI

assureyouthere’snomanontheestateIwouldsoonersayawordforthanyourhusband。Iknowhisfarmisinbetterorderthananyotherwithintenmilesofus；andasforthekitchen，"headded，smiling，"Idon’tbelievethere’soneinthekingdomtobeatit。Bytheby，I’veneverseenyourdairy:Imustseeyourdairy，Mrs。Poyser。"

"Indeed，sir，it’snotfitforyoutogoin，forHetty’sinthemiddleo’makingthebutter，forthechurningwasthrownlate，andI’mquiteashamed。"ThisMrs。Poysersaidblushing，andbelievingthatthecaptainwasreallyinterestedinhermilk-pans，andwouldadjusthisopinionofhertotheappearanceofherdairy。

"Oh，I’venodoubtit’sincapitalorder。Takemein，"saidthecaptain，himselfleadingtheway，whileMrs。Poyserfollowed。