第7章　

Arthurwincedunderthisspeech，forkeenoldMrs。Irwine’sopinionabouthimhadthedisagreeableeffectofasinisteromen。

This，tobesure，wasonlyanotherreasonforperseveringinhisintention，andgettinganadditionalsecurityagainsthimself。

Nevertheless，atthispointintheconversation，hewasconsciousofincreaseddisinclinationtotellhisstoryaboutHetty。Hewasofanimpressiblenature，andlivedagreatdealinotherpeople’sopinionsandfeelingsconcerninghimself；andthemerefactthathewasinthepresenceofanintimatefriend，whohadnottheslightestnotionthathehadhadanysuchseriousinternalstruggleashecametoconfide，rathershookhisownbeliefintheseriousnessofthestruggle。Itwasnot，afterall，athingtomakeafussabout；andwhatcouldIrwinedoforhimthathecouldnotdoforhimself？HewouldgotoEagledaleinspiteofMeg’slameness——goonRattler，andletPymfollowaswellashecouldontheoldhack。Thatwashisthoughtashesugaredhiscoffee；butthenextminute，ashewasliftingthecuptohislips，herememberedhowthoroughlyhehadmadeuphismindlastnighttotellIrwine。No！Hewouldnotbevacillatingagain——heWOULDdowhathehadmeanttodo，thistime。Soitwouldbewellnottoletthepersonaltoneoftheconversationaltogetherdrop。Iftheywenttoquiteindifferenttopics，hisdifficultywouldbeheightened。Ithadrequirednonoticeablepauseforthisrushandreboundoffeeling，beforeheanswered，"ButIthinkitishardlyanargumentagainstaman’sgeneralstrengthofcharacterthatheshouldbeapttobemasteredbylove。Afineconstitutiondoesn’tinsureoneagainstsmallpoxoranyotherofthoseinevitablediseases。Amanmaybeveryfirminothermattersandyetbeunderasortofwitcheryfromawoman。"

"Yes；butthere’sthisdifferencebetweenloveandsmallpox，orbewitchmenteither——thatifyoudetectthediseaseatanearlystageandtrychangeofair，thereiseverychanceofcompleteescapewithoutanyfurtherdevelopmentofsymptoms。Andtherearecertainalternativedoseswhichamanmayadministertohimselfbykeepingunpleasantconsequencesbeforehismind:thisgivesyouasortofsmokedglassthroughwhichyoumaylookattheresplendentfaironeanddiscernhertrueoutline；thoughI’mafraid，bytheby，thesmokedglassisapttobemissingjustatthemomentitismostwanted。Idaresay，now，evenamanfortifiedwithaknowledgeoftheclassicsmightbeluredintoanimprudentmarriage，inspiteofthewarninggivenhimbythechorusinthePrometheus。"

ThesmilethatflittedacrossArthur’sfacewasafaintone，andinsteadoffollowingMr。Irwine’splayfullead，hesaid，quiteseriously——"Yes，that’stheworstofit。It’sadesperatelyvexatiousthing，thatafterallone’sreflectionsandquietdeterminations，weshouldberuledbymoodsthatonecan’tcalculateonbeforehand。Idon’tthinkamanoughttobeblamedsomuchifheisbetrayedintodoingthingsinthatway，inspiteofhisresolutions。"

"Ah，butthemoodslieinhisnature，myboy，justasmuchashisreflectionsdid，andmore。Amancanneverdoanythingatvariancewithhisownnature。Hecarrieswithinhimthegermofhismostexceptionalaction；andifwewisepeoplemakeeminentfoolsofourselvesonanyparticularoccasion，wemustendurethelegitimateconclusionthatwecarryafewgrainsoffollytoourounceofwisdom。"

"Well，butonemaybebetrayedintodoingthingsbyacombinationofcircumstances，whichonemightneverhavedoneotherwise。"

"Why，yes，amancan’tverywellstealabank-noteunlessthebank-notelieswithinconvenientreach；buthewon’tmakeusthinkhimanhonestmanbecausehebeginstohowlatthebank-noteforfallinginhisway。"

"Butsurelyyoudon’tthinkamanwhostrugglesagainstatemptationintowhichhefallsatlastasbadasthemanwhoneverstrugglesatall？"

"No，certainly；Ipityhiminproportiontohisstruggles，fortheyforeshadowtheinwardsufferingwhichistheworstformofNemesis。Consequencesareunpitying。Ourdeedscarrytheirterribleconsequences，quiteapartfromanyfluctuationsthatwentbefore——consequencesthatarehardlyeverconfinedtoourselves。

Anditisbesttofixourmindsonthatcertainty，insteadofconsideringwhatmaybetheelementsofexcuseforus。ButI

neverknewyousoinclinedformoraldiscussion，Arthur？Isitsomedangerofyourownthatyouareconsideringinthisphilosophical，generalway？"

Inaskingthisquestion，Mr。Irwinepushedhisplateaway，threwhimselfbackinhischair，andlookedstraightatArthur。HereallysuspectedthatArthurwantedtotellhimsomething，andthoughtofsmoothingthewayforhimbythisdirectquestion。Buthewasmistaken。Broughtsuddenlyandinvoluntarilytothebrinkofconfession，Arthurshrankbackandfeltlessdisposedtowardsitthanever。Theconversationhadtakenamoreserioustonethanhehadintended——itwouldquitemisleadIrwine——hewouldimaginetherewasadeeppassionforHetty，whiletherewasnosuchthing。

Hewasconsciousofcolouring，andwasannoyedathisboyishness。

"Ohno，nodanger，"hesaidasindifferentlyashecould。"I

don’tknowthatIammoreliabletoirresolutionthanotherpeople；onlytherearelittleincidentsnowandthenthatsetonespeculatingonwhatmighthappeninthefuture。"

WasthereamotiveatworkunderthisstrangereluctanceofArthur’swhichhadasortofbackstairsinfluence，notadmittedtohimself？OurmentalbusinessiscarriedonmuchinthesamewayasthebusinessoftheState:agreatdealofhardworkisdonebyagentswhoarenotacknowledged。Inapieceofmachinery，too，I

believethereisoftenasmallunnoticeablewheelwhichhasagreatdealtodowiththemotionofthelargeobviousones。

PossiblytherewassomesuchunrecognizedagentsecretlybusyinArthur’smindatthismoment——possiblyitwasthefearlesthemighthereafterfindthefactofhavingmadeaconfessiontotherectoraseriousannoyance，incaseheshouldNOTbeablequitetocarryouthisgoodresolutions？Idarenotassertthatitwasnotso。Thehumansoulisaverycomplexthing。

TheideaofHettyhadjustcrossedMr。Irwine’smindashelookedinquiringlyatArthur，buthisdisclaimingindifferentanswerconfirmedthethoughtwhichhadquicklyfollowed——thattherecouldbenothingseriousinthatdirection。TherewasnoprobabilitythatArthureversawherexceptatchurch，andatherownhomeundertheeyeofMrs。Poyser；andthehinthehadgivenArthurabouthertheotherdayhadnomoreseriousmeaningthantopreventhimfromnoticinghersoastorousethelittlechit’svanity，andinthiswayperturbtherusticdramaofherlife。

Arthurwouldsoonjoinhisregiment，andbefaraway:no，therecouldbenodangerinthatquarter，evenifArthur’scharacterhadnotbeenastrongsecurityagainstit。Hishonest，patronizingprideinthegood-willandrespectofeverybodyabouthimwasasafeguardevenagainstfoolishromance，stillmoreagainstalowerkindoffolly。IftherehadbeenanythingspecialonArthur’smindinthepreviousconversation，itwasclearhewasnotinclinedtoenterintodetails，andMr。Irwinewastoodelicatetoimplyevenafriendlycuriosity。Heperceivedachangeofsubjectwouldbewelcome，andsaid，"Bytheway，Arthur，atyourcolonel’sbirthdayfetethereweresometransparenciesthatmadeagreateffectinhonourofBritannia，andPitt，andtheLoamshireMilitia，and，aboveall，the’generousyouth，’theherooftheday。Don’tyouthinkyoushouldgetupsomethingofthesamesorttoastonishourweakminds？"

Theopportunitywasgone。WhileArthurwashesitating，theropetowhichhemighthaveclunghaddriftedaway——hemusttrustnowtohisownswimming。

Intenminutesfromthattime，Mr。Irwinewascalledforonbusiness，andArthur，biddinghimgood-bye，mountedhishorseagainwithasenseofdissatisfaction，whichhetriedtoquellbydeterminingtosetoffforEagledalewithoutanhour’sdelay。

BookTwoChapterXVII

InWhichtheStoryPausesaLittle"THISRectorofBroxtonislittlebetterthanapagan！"Ihearoneofmyreadersexclaim。"HowmuchmoreedifyingitwouldhavebeenifyouhadmadehimgiveArthursometrulyspiritualadvice！Youmighthaveputintohismouththemostbeautifulthings——quiteasgoodasreadingasermon。"

CertainlyIcould，ifIhelditthehighestvocationofthenovelisttorepresentthingsastheyneverhavebeenandneverwillbe。Then，ofcourse，Imightrefashionlifeandcharacterentirelyaftermyownliking；Imightselectthemostunexceptionabletypeofclergymanandputmyownadmirableopinionsintohismouthonalloccasions。Butithappens，onthecontrary，thatmystrongesteffortistoavoidanysucharbitrarypicture，andtogiveafaithfulaccountofmenandthingsastheyhavemirroredthemselvesinmymind。Themirrorisdoubtlessdefective，theoutlineswillsometimesbedisturbed，thereflectionfaintorconfused；butIfeelasmuchboundtotellyouaspreciselyasIcanwhatthatreflectionis，asifIwereinthewitness-box，narratingmyexperienceonoath。

Sixtyyearsago——itisalongtime，sonowonderthingshavechanged——allclergymenwerenotzealous；indeed，thereisreasontobelievethatthenumberofzealousclergymenwassmall，anditisprobablethatifoneamongthesmallminorityhadownedthelivingsofBroxtonandHayslopeintheyear1799，youwouldhavelikedhimnobetterthanyoulikeMr。Irwine。Tentoone，youwouldhavethoughthimatasteless，indiscreet，methodisticalman。

Itissoveryrarelythatfactshitthatnicemediumrequiredbyourownenlightenedopinionsandrefinedtaste！Perhapsyouwillsay，"Doimprovethefactsalittle，then；makethemmoreaccordantwiththosecorrectviewswhichitisourprivilegetopossess。Theworldisnotjustwhatwelike；dotouchitupwithatastefulpencil，andmakebelieveitisnotquitesuchamixedentangledaffair。Letallpeoplewhoholdunexceptionableopinionsactunexceptionably。Letyourmostfaultycharactersalwaysbeonthewrongside，andyourvirtuousonesontheright。

Thenweshallseeataglancewhomwearetocondemnandwhomwearetoapprove。Thenweshallbeabletoadmire，withouttheslightestdisturbanceofourprepossessions:weshallhateanddespisewiththattrueruminantrelishwhichbelongstoundoubtingconfidence。"

But，mygoodfriend，whatwillyoudothenwithyourfellow-

parishionerwhoopposesyourhusbandinthevestry？Withyournewlyappointedvicar，whosestyleofpreachingyoufindpainfullybelowthatofhisregrettedpredecessor？Withthehonestservantwhoworriesyoursoulwithheronefailing？Withyourneighbour，Mrs。Green，whowasreallykindtoyouinyourlastillness，buthassaidseveralill-naturedthingsaboutyousinceyourconvalescence？Nay，withyourexcellenthusbandhimself，whohasotherirritatinghabitsbesidesthatofnotwipinghisshoes？

Thesefellow-mortals，everyone，mustbeacceptedastheyare:youcanneitherstraightentheirnoses，norbrightentheirwit，norrectifytheirdispositions；anditisthesepeople——amongstwhomyourlifeispassed——thatitisneedfulyoushouldtolerate，pity，andlove:itisthesemoreorlessugly，stupid，inconsistentpeoplewhosemovementsofgoodnessyoushouldbeabletoadmire——

forwhomyoushouldcherishallpossiblehopes，allpossiblepatience。AndIwouldnot，evenifIhadthechoice，betheclevernovelistwhocouldcreateaworldsomuchbetterthanthis，inwhichwegetupinthemorningtodoourdailywork，thatyouwouldbelikelytoturnaharder，coldereyeonthedustystreetsandthecommongreenfields——ontherealbreathingmenandwomen，whocanbechilledbyyourindifferenceorinjuredbyyourprejudice；whocanbecheeredandhelpedonwardbyyourfellow-

feeling，yourforbearance，youroutspoken，bravejustice。

SoIamcontenttotellmysimplestory，withouttryingtomakethingsseembetterthantheywere；dreadingnothing，indeed，butfalsity，which，inspiteofone’sbestefforts，thereisreasontodread。Falsehoodissoeasy，truthsodifficult。Thepencilisconsciousofadelightfulfacilityindrawingagriffin——thelongertheclaws，andthelargerthewings，thebetter；butthatmarvellousfacilitywhichwemistookforgeniusisapttoforsakeuswhenwewanttodrawarealunexaggeratedlion。Examineyourwordswell，andyouwillfindthatevenwhenyouhavenomotivetobefalse，itisaveryhardthingtosaytheexacttruth，evenaboutyourownimmediatefeelings——muchharderthantosaysomethingfineaboutthemwhichisNOTtheexacttruth。

Itisforthisrare，preciousqualityoftruthfulnessthatI

delightinmanyDutchpaintings，whichlofty-mindedpeopledespise。Ifindasourceofdelicioussympathyinthesefaithfulpicturesofamonotonoushomelyexistence，whichhasbeenthefateofsomanymoreamongmyfellow-mortalsthanalifeofpomporofabsoluteindigence，oftragicsufferingorofworld-stirringactions。Iturn，withoutshrinking，fromcloud-borneangels，fromprophets，sibyls，andheroicwarriors，toanoldwomanbendingoverherflower-pot，oreatinghersolitarydinner，whilethenoondaylight，softenedperhapsbyascreenofleaves，fallsonhermob-cap，andjusttouchestherimofherspinning-wheel，andherstonejug，andallthosecheapcommonthingswhicharethepreciousnecessariesoflifetoher——orIturntothatvillagewedding，keptbetweenfourbrownwalls，whereanawkwardbridegroomopensthedancewithahigh-shouldered，broad-facedbride，whileelderlyandmiddle-agedfriendslookon，withveryirregularnosesandlips，andprobablywithquart-potsintheirhands，butwithanexpressionofunmistakablecontentmentandgoodwill。"Foh！"saysmyidealisticfriend，"whatvulgardetails！

Whatgoodisthereintakingallthesepainstogiveanexactlikenessofoldwomenandclowns？Whatalowphaseoflife！Whatclumsy，uglypeople！"

Butblessus，thingsmaybelovablethatarenotaltogetherhandsome，Ihope？Iamnotatallsurethatthemajorityofthehumanracehavenotbeenugly，andevenamongthose"lordsoftheirkind，"theBritish，squatfigures，ill-shapennostrils，anddingycomplexionsarenotstartlingexceptions。Yetthereisagreatdealoffamilyloveamongstus。IhaveafriendortwowhoseclassoffeaturesissuchthattheApollocurlonthesummitoftheirbrowswouldbedecidedlytrying；yettomycertainknowledgetenderheartshavebeatenforthem，andtheirminiatures——flattering，butstillnotlovely——arekissedinsecretbymotherlylips。Ihaveseenmanyanexcellentmatron，whocouldhaveneverinherbestdayshavebeenhandsome，andyetshehadapacketofyellowlove-lettersinaprivatedrawer，andsweetchildrenshoweredkissesonhersallowcheeks。AndIbelievetherehavebeenplentyofyoungheroes，ofmiddlestatureandfeeblebeards，whohavefeltquitesuretheycouldneverloveanythingmoreinsignificantthanaDiana，andyethavefoundthemselvesinmiddlelifehappilysettledwithawifewhowaddles。

Yes！ThankGod；humanfeelingislikethemightyriversthatblesstheearth:itdoesnotwaitforbeauty——itflowswithresistlessforceandbringsbeautywithit。

Allhonourandreverencetothedivinebeautyofform！Letuscultivateittotheutmostinmen，women，andchildren——inourgardensandinourhouses。Butletuslovethatotherbeautytoo，whichliesinnosecretofproportion，butinthesecretofdeephumansympathy。Paintusanangel，ifyoucan，withafloatingvioletrobe，andafacepaledbythecelestiallight；paintusyetofteneraMadonna，turninghermildfaceupwardandopeningherarmstowelcomethedivineglory；butdonotimposeonusanyaestheticruleswhichshallbanishfromtheregionofArtthoseoldwomenscrapingcarrotswiththeirwork-wornhands，thoseheavyclownstakingholidayinadingypot-house，thoseroundedbacksandstupidweather-beatenfacesthathavebentoverthespadeanddonetheroughworkoftheworld——thosehomeswiththeirtinpans，theirbrownpitchers，theirroughcurs，andtheirclustersofonions。Inthisworldtherearesomanyofthesecommoncoarsepeople，whohavenopicturesquesentimentalwretchedness！Itissoneedfulweshouldremembertheirexistence，elsewemayhappentoleavethemquiteoutofourreligionandphilosophyandframeloftytheorieswhichonlyfitaworldofextremes。Therefore，letArtalwaysremindusofthem；thereforeletusalwayshavemenreadytogivethelovingpainsofalifetothefaithfulrepresentingofcommonplacethings——menwhoseebeautyinthesecommonplacethings，anddelightinshowinghowkindlythelightofheavenfallsonthem。Therearefewprophetsintheworld；fewsublimelybeautifulwomen；fewheroes。Ican’taffordtogiveallmyloveandreverencetosuchrarities:Iwantagreatdealofthosefeelingsformyevery-dayfellow-men，especiallyforthefewintheforegroundofthegreatmultitude，whosefacesIknow，whosehandsItouchforwhomIhavetomakewaywithkindlycourtesy。Neitherarepicturesquelazzaroniorromanticcriminalshalfsofrequentasyourcommonlabourer，whogetshisownbreadandeatsitvulgarlybutcreditablywithhisownpocket-knife。ItismoreneedfulthatIshouldhaveafibreofsympathyconnectingmewiththatvulgarcitizenwhoweighsoutmysugarinavilelyassortedcravatandwaistcoat，thanwiththehandsomestrascalinredscarfandgreenfeathers——moreneedfulthatmyheartshouldswellwithlovingadmirationatsometraitofgentlegoodnessinthefaultypeoplewhositatthesamehearthwithme，orintheclergymanofmyownparish，whoisperhapsrathertoocorpulentandinotherrespectsisnotanOberlinoraTillotson，thanatthedeedsofheroeswhomIshallneverknowexceptbyhearsay，oratthesublimestabstractofallclericalgracesthatwaseverconceivedbyanablenovelist。

AndsoIcomebacktoMr。Irwine，withwhomIdesireyoutobeinperfectcharity，farashemaybefromsatisfyingyourdemandsontheclericalcharacter。Perhapsyouthinkhewasnot——asheoughttohavebeen——alivingdemonstrationofthebenefitsattachedtoanationalchurch？ButIamnotsureofthat；atleastIknowthatthepeopleinBroxtonandHayslopewouldhavebeenverysorrytopartwiththeirclergyman，andthatmostfacesbrightenedathisapproach；anduntilitcanbeprovedthathatredisabetterthingforthesoulthanlove，ImustbelievethatMr。Irwine’sinfluenceinhisparishwasamorewholesomeonethanthatofthezealousMr。Ryde，whocametheretwentyyearsafterwards，whenMr。Irwinehadbeengatheredtohisfathers。Itistrue，Mr。RydeinsistedstronglyonthedoctrinesoftheReformation，visitedhisflockagreatdealintheirownhomes，andwassevereinrebukingtheaberrationsoftheflesh——putastop，indeed，totheChristmasroundsofthechurchsingers，aspromotingdrunkennessandtoolightahandlingofsacredthings。ButIgatheredfromAdamBede，towhomItalkedofthesemattersinhisoldage，thatfewclergymencouldbelesssuccessfulinwinningtheheartsoftheirparishionersthanMr。Ryde。Theylearnedagreatmanynotionsaboutdoctrinefromhim，sothatalmosteverychurch-goerunderfiftybegantodistinguishaswellbetweenthegenuinegospelandwhatdidnotcomepreciselyuptothatstandard，asifhehadbeenbornandbredaDissenter；andforsometimeafterhisarrivalthereseemedtobequiteareligiousmovementinthatquietruraldistrict。"But，"saidAdam，"I’veseenprettyclear，eversinceI

wasayoungun，asreligion’ssomethingelsebesidesnotions。Itisn’tnotionssetspeopledoingtherightthing——it’sfeelings。

It’sthesamewiththenotionsinreligionasitiswithmath’matics——amanmaybeabletoworkproblemsstraightoffin’sheadashesitsbythefireandsmokeshispipe，butifhehastomakeamachineorabuilding，hemusthaveawillandaresolutionandlovesomethingelsebetterthanhisownease。Somehow，thecongregationbegantofalloff，andpeoplebegantospeaklighto’

Mr。Ryde。Ibelievehemeantrightatbottom；but，yousee，hewassourish-tempered，andwasforbeatingdownpriceswiththepeopleasworkedforhim；andhispreachingwouldn’tgodownwellwiththatsauce。Andhewantedtobelikemylordjudgei’theparish，punishingfolksfordoingwrong；andhescolded’emfromthepulpitasifhe’dbeenaRanter，andyethecouldn’tabidetheDissenters，andwasadealmoresetagainst’emthanMr。Irwinewas。Andthenhedidn’tkeepwithinhisincome，forheseemedtothinkatfirstgo-offthatsixhundreda-yearwastomakehimasbigamanasMr。Donnithorne。That’sasoremischiefI’veoftenseenwiththepoorcuratesjumpingintoabitofalivingallofasudden。Mr。Rydewasadealthoughtonatadistance，Ibelieve，andhewrotebooks，butasformath’maticsandthenaturo’

things，hewasasignorantasawoman。Hewasveryknowingaboutdoctrines，andusedtocall’emthebulwarksoftheReformation；

butI’vealwaysmistrustedthatsorto’learningasleavesfolksfoolishandunreasonableaboutbusiness。NowMesterIrwinewasasdifferentascouldbe:asquick！——heunderstoodwhatyoumeantinaminute，andheknewallaboutbuilding，andcouldseewhenyou’dmadeagoodjob。Andhebehavedasmuchlikeagentlemantothefarmers，andth’oldwomen，andthelabourers，ashedidtothegentry。YouneversawHIMinterferingandscolding，andtryingtoplayth’emperor。Ah，hewasafinemanaseveryouseteyeson；

andsokindto’smotherandsisters。ThatpoorsicklyMissAnne——

heseemedtothinkmoreofherthanofanybodyelseintheworld。

Therewasn’tasoulintheparishhadawordtosayagainsthim；

andhisservantsstayedwithhimtilltheyweresooldandpottering，hehadtohireotherfolkstodotheirwork。"

"Well，"Isaid，"thatwasanexcellentwayofpreachingintheweekdays；butIdaresay，ifyouroldfriendMr。Irwineweretocometolifeagain，andgetintothepulpitnextSunday，youwouldberatherashamedthathedidn’tpreachbetterafterallyourpraiseofhim。"

"Nay，nay，"saidAdam，broadeninghischestandthrowinghimselfbackinhischair，asifhewerereadytomeetallinferences，"nobodyhaseverheardmesayMr。Irwinewasmuchofapreacher。

Hedidn’tgointodeepsperitialexperience；andIknowtheresadealinaman’sinwardlifeasyoucan’tmeasurebythesquare，andsay，’Dothisandthat’llfollow，’and，’Dothatandthis’llfollow。’There’sthingsgooninthesoul，andtimeswhenfeelingscomeintoyoulikearushingmightywind，astheScripturesays，andpartyourlifeintwoa’most，soyoulookbackonyourselfasifyouwassomebodyelse。Thosearethingsasyoucan’tbottleupina’dothis’and’dothat’；andI’llgosofarwiththestrongestMethodisteveryou’llfind。Thatshowsmethere’sdeepsperitialthingsinreligion。Youcan’tmakemuchoutwi’talkingaboutit，butyoufeelit。Mr。Irwinedidn’tgointothosethings——hepreachedshortmoralsermons，andthatwasall。Butthenheactedprettymuchuptowhathesaid；hedidn’tsetupforbeingsodifferentfromotherfolksoneday，andthenbeaslike’emastwopeasthenext。Andhemadefolkslovehimandrespecthim，andthatwasbetternorstirringuptheirgallwi’beingoverbusy。Mrs。Poyserusedtosay——youknowshewouldhaveherwordabouteverything——shesaid，Mr。Irwinewaslikeagoodmealo’victual，youwerethebetterforhimwithoutthinkingonit，andMr。Rydewaslikeadoseo’physic，hegrippedyouandworretedyou，andafterallheleftyoumuchthesame。"

"Butdidn’tMr。Rydepreachagreatdealmoreaboutthatspiritualpartofreligionthatyoutalkof，Adam？Couldn’tyougetmoreoutofhissermonsthanoutofMr。Irwine’s？"

"Eh，Iknowna。Hepreachedadealaboutdoctrines。ButI’veseenprettyclear，eversinceIwasayoungun，asreligion’ssomethingelsebesidesdoctrinesandnotions。Ilookatitasifthedoctrineswaslikefindingnamesforyourfeelings，soasyoucantalkof’emwhenyou’veneverknown’em，justasamanmaytalko’

toolswhenheknowstheirnames，thoughhe’sneversomuchasseen’em，stilllesshandled’em。I’veheardadealo’doctrinei’mytime，forIusedtogoaftertheDissentingpreachersalongwi’

Seth，whenIwasalado’seventeen，andgotpuzzlingmyselfadealaboutth’ArminiansandtheCalvinists。TheWesleyans，youknow，arestrongArminians；andSeth，whocouldneverabideanythingharshandwasalwaysforhopingthebest，heldfastbytheWesleyansfromtheveryfirst；butIthoughtIcouldpickaholeortwointheirnotions，andIgotdisputingwi’oneo’theclassleadersdownatTreddles’on，andharassedhimso，firsto’

thissideandtheno’that，tillatlasthesaid，’Youngman，it’sthedevilmakinguseo’yourprideandconceitasaweapontowaragainstthesimplicityo’thetruth。’Icouldn’thelplaughingthen，butasIwasgoinghome，Ithoughtthemanwasn’tfarwrong。

Ibegantoseeasallthisweighingandsiftingwhatthistextmeansandthattextmeans，andwhetherfolksaresavedallbyGod’sgrace，orwhethertheregoesanounceo’theirownwillto’t，wasnoparto’realreligionatall。Youmaytalko’thesethingsforhoursonend，andyou’llonlybeallthemorecoxyandconceitedfor’t。SoItooktogoingnowherebuttochurch，andhearingnobodybutMr。Irwine，forhesaidnotningbutwhatwasgoodandwhatyou’dbethewiserforremembering。AndIfounditbetterformysoultobehumblebeforethemysterieso’God’sdealings，andnotbemakingaclatteraboutwhatIcouldneverunderstand。Andthey’repoorfoolishquestionsafterall；forwhathavewegoteitherinsideoroutsideofusbutwhatcomesfromGod？Ifwe’vegotaresolutiontodoright，Hegaveitus，I

reckon，firstorlast；butIseeplainenoughweshallneverdoitwithoutaresolution，andthat’senoughforme。"

Adam，youperceive，wasawarmadmirer，perhapsapartialjudge，ofMr。Irwine，as，happily，someofusstillareofthepeoplewehaveknownfamiliarly。Doubtlessitwillbedespisedasaweaknessbythatloftyorderofmindswhopantaftertheideal，andareoppressedbyageneralsensethattheiremotionsareoftooexquisiteacharactertofindfitobjectsamongtheireverydayfellowmen。Ihaveoftenbeenfavouredwiththeconfidenceoftheseselectnatures，andfindthemtoconcurintheexperiencethatgreatmenareoverestimatedandsmallmenareinsupportable；

thatifyouwouldloveawomanwithouteverlookingbackonyourloveasafolly，shemustdiewhileyouarecourtingher；andifyouwouldmaintaintheslightestbeliefinhumanheroism，youmustnevermakeapilgrimagetoseethehero。IconfessIhaveoftenmeanlyshrunkfromconfessingtotheseaccomplishedandacutegentlemenwhatmyownexperiencehasbeen。IamafraidIhaveoftensmiledwithhypocriticalassent，andgratifiedthemwithanepigramonthefleetingnatureofourillusions，whichanyonemoderatelyacquaintedwithFrenchliteraturecancommandatamoment’snotice。Humanconverse，Ithinksomewisemanhasremarked，isnotrigidlysincere。ButIherewithdischargemyconscience，anddeclarethatIhavehadquiteenthusiasticmovementsofadmirationtowardsoldgentlemenwhospoketheworstEnglish，whowereoccasionallyfretfulintheirtemper，andwhohadnevermovedinahighersphereofinfluencethanthatofparishoverseer；andthatthewayinwhichIhavecometotheconclusionthathumannatureislovable——thewayIhavelearntsomethingofitsdeeppathos，itssublimemysteries——hasbeenbylivingagreatdealamongpeoplemoreorlesscommonplaceandvulgar，ofwhomyouwouldperhapshearnothingverysurprisingifyouweretoinquireaboutthemintheneighbourhoodswheretheydwelt。Tentoonemostofthesmallshopkeepersintheirvicinitysawnothingatallinthem。ForIhaveobservedthisremarkablecoincidence，thattheselectnatureswhopantaftertheideal，andfindnothinginpantaloonsorpetticoatsgreatenoughtocommandtheirreverenceandlove，arecuriouslyinunisonwiththenarrowestandpettiest。Forexample，IhaveoftenheardMr。

Gedge，thelandlordoftheRoyalOak，whousedtoturnabloodshoteyeonhisneighboursinthevillageofShepperton，sumuphisopinionofthepeopleinhisownparish——andtheywereallthepeopleheknew——intheseemphaticwords:"Aye，sir，I’vesaiditoften，andI’llsayitagain，they’reapoorloti’thisparish——apoorlot，sir，bigandlittle。"Ithinkhehadadimideathatifhecouldmigratetoadistantparish，hemightfindneighboursworthyofhim；andindeedhedidsubsequentlytransferhimselftotheSaracen’sHead，whichwasdoingathrivingbusinessinthebackstreetofaneighbouringmarket-town。But，oddlyenough，hehasfoundthepeopleupthatbackstreetofpreciselythesamestampastheinhabitantsofShepperton——"apoorlot，sir，bigandlittle，andthemascomesforagoo’ginarenobetterthanthemascomesforapinto’twopenny——apoorlot。"

ChapterXVIII

Church"HETTY，Hetty，don’tyouknowchurchbeginsattwo，andit’sgonehalfafteronea’ready？HaveyougotnothingbettertothinkonthisgoodSundayaspooroldThiasBede’stobeputintotheground，andhimdrowndedi’th’deado’thenight，asit’senoughtomakeone’sbackruncold，butyoumustbe’dizeningyourselfasiftherewasaweddingi’stidofafuneral？"

"Well，Aunt，"saidHetty，"Ican’tbereadysosoonaseverybodyelse，whenI’vegotTotty’sthingstoputon。AndI’deversuchworktomakeherstandstill。"

Hettywascomingdownstairs，andMrs。Poyser，inherplainbonnetandshawl，wasstandingbelow。Ifeveragirllookedasifshehadbeenmadeofroses，thatgirlwasHettyinherSundayhatandfrock。Forherhatwastrimmedwithpink，andherfrockhadpinkspots，sprinkledonawhiteground。Therewasnothingbutpinkandwhiteabouther，exceptinherdarkhairandeyesandherlittlebuckledshoes。Mrs。Poyserwasprovokedatherself，forshecouldhardlykeepfromsmiling，asanymortalisinclinedtodoatthesightofprettyroundthings。Sosheturnedwithoutspeaking，andjoinedthegroupoutsidethehousedoor，followedbyHetty，whoseheartwasflutteringsoatthethoughtofsomeonesheexpectedtoseeatchurchthatshehardlyfeltthegroundshetrodon。

Andnowthelittleprocessionsetoff。Mr。PoyserwasinhisSundaysuitofdrab，withared-and-greenwaistcoatandagreenwatch-ribbonhavingalargecorneliansealattached，pendantlikeaplumb-linefromthatpromontorywherehiswatch-pocketwassituated；asilkhandkerchiefofayellowtoneroundhisneck；andexcellentgreyribbedstockings，knittedbyMrs。Poyser’sownhand，settingofftheproportionsofhisleg。Mr。Poyserhadnoreasontobeashamedofhisleg，andsuspectedthatthegrowingabuseoftop-bootsandotherfashionstendingtodisguisethenetherlimbshadtheirorigininapitiabledegeneracyofthehumancalf。Stilllesshadhereasontobeashamedofhisroundjollyface，whichwasgoodhumouritselfashesaid，"Come，Hetty——

come，littleuns！"andgivinghisarmtohiswife，ledthewaythroughthecausewaygateintotheyard。

The"littleuns"addressedwereMartyandTommy，boysofnineandseven，inlittlefustiantailedcoatsandknee-breeches，relievedbyrosycheeksandblackeyes，lookingasmuchliketheirfatherasaverysmallelephantislikeaverylargeone。Hettywalkedbetweenthem，andbehindcamepatientMolly，whosetaskitwastocarryTottythroughtheyardandoverallthewetplacesontheroad；forTotty，havingspeedilyrecoveredfromherthreatenedfever，hadinsistedongoingtochurchto-day，andespeciallyonwearingherred-and-blacknecklaceoutsidehertippet。Andthereweremanywetplacesforhertobecarriedoverthisafternoon，fortherehadbeenheavyshowersinthemorning，thoughnowthecloudshadrolledoffandlayintoweringsilverymassesonthehorizon。

YoumighthaveknownitwasSundayifyouhadonlywakedupinthefarmyard。Thecocksandhensseemedtoknowit，andmadeonlycrooningsubduednoises；theverybull-doglookedlesssavage，asifhewouldhavebeensatisfiedwithasmallerbitethanusual。

Thesunshineseemedtocallallthingstorestandnottolabour。

Itwasasleepitselfonthemoss-growncow-shed；onthegroupofwhiteducksnestlingtogetherwiththeirbillstuckedundertheirwings；ontheoldblacksowstretchedlanguidlyonthestraw，whileherlargestyoungonefoundanexcellentspring-bedonhismother’sfatribs；onAlick，theshepherd，inhisnewsmock-frock，takinganuneasysiesta，half-sitting，half-standingonthegranarysteps。Alickwasofopinionthatchurch，likeotherluxuries，wasnottobeindulgedinoftenbyaforemanwhohadtheweatherandtheewesonhismind。"Church！Nay——I’ngottensummatelsetothinkon，"wasananswerwhichheoftenutteredinatoneofbittersignificancethatsilencedfurtherquestion。I

feelsureAlickmeantnoirreverence；indeed，Iknowthathismindwasnotofaspeculative，negativecast，andhewouldonnoaccounthavemissedgoingtochurchonChristmasDay，EasterSunday，and"Whissuntide。"Buthehadageneralimpressionthatpublicworshipandreligiousceremonies，likeothernon-productiveemployments，wereintendedforpeoplewhohadleisure。

"There’sFathera-standingattheyard-gate，"saidMartinPoyser。

"Ireckonhewantstowatchusdownthefield。It’swonderfulwhatsighthehas，andhimturnedseventy-five。"

"Ah，Ioftenthinkit’swi’th’oldfolksasitiswi’thebabbies，"saidMrs。Poyser；"they’resatisfiedwi’looking，nomatterwhatthey’relookingat。It’sGodA’mighty’swayo’

quietening’em，Ireckon，aforetheygotosleep。"

OldMartinopenedthegateashesawthefamilyprocessionapproaching，andhelditwideopen，leaningonhisstick——pleasedtodothisbitofwork；for，likealloldmenwhoselifehasbeenspentinlabour，helikedtofeelthathewasstilluseful——thattherewasabettercropofonionsinthegardenbecausehewasbyatthesowing——andthatthecowswouldbemilkedthebetterifhestayedathomeonaSundayafternoontolookon。HealwayswenttochurchonSacramentSundays，butnotveryregularlyatothertimes；onwetSundays，orwheneverhehadatouchofrheumatism，heusedtoreadthethreefirstchaptersofGenesisinstead。

"They’llha’puttenThiasBedei’thegroundaforeyegettothechurchyard，"hesaid，ashissoncameup。"It’udha’beenbetterluckifthey’dha’buriedhimi’theforenoonwhentherainwasfallin’；there’snolikelihoodsofadropnow；an’themoonlieslikeaboatthere，dostsee？That’sasuresigno’fairweather——

there’samanyasisfalsebutthat’ssure。"

"Aye，aye，"saidtheson，"I’minhopesit’llholdupnow。"

"Mindwhattheparsonsays，mindwhattheparsonsays，mylads，"

saidGrandfathertotheblack-eyedyoungstersinknee-breeches，consciousofamarbleortwointheirpocketswhichtheylookedforwardtohandling，alittle，secretly，duringthesermon。

"Dood-bye，Dandad，"saidTotty。"Medoin’tochurch。Medotmynetlaceon。Divemeapeppermint。"

Grandad，shakingwithlaughteratthis"deeplittlewench，"slowlytransferredhissticktohislefthand，whichheldthegateopen，andslowlythrusthisfingerintothewaistcoatpocketonwhichTottyhadfixedhereyeswithaconfidentlookofexpectation。

Andwhentheywereallgone，theoldmanleanedonthegateagain，watchingthemacrossthelanealongtheHomeClose，andthroughthefargate，tilltheydisappearedbehindabendinthehedge。

Forthehedgerowsinthosedaysshutoutone’sview，evenonthebetter-managedfarms；andthisafternoon，thedog-rosesweretossingouttheirpinkwreaths，thenightshadewasinitsyellowandpurpleglory，thepalehoneysucklegrewoutofreach，peepinghighupoutofahollybush，andoverallanashorasycamoreeverynowandthenthrewitsshadowacrossthepath。

Therewereacquaintancesatothergateswhohadtomoveasideandletthempass:atthegateoftheHomeClosetherewashalfthedairyofcowsstandingonebehindtheother，extremelyslowtounderstandthattheirlargebodiesmightbeintheway；atthefargatetherewasthemareholdingherheadoverthebars，andbesidehertheliver-colouredfoalwithitsheadtowardsitsmother’sflank，apparentlystillmuchembarrassedbyitsownstraddlingexistence。ThewaylayentirelythroughMr。Poyser’sownfieldstilltheyreachedthemainroadleadingtothevillage，andheturnedakeeneyeonthestockandthecropsastheywentalong，whileMrs。Poyserwasreadytosupplyarunningcommentaryonthemall。Thewomanwhomanagesadairyhasalargeshareinmakingtherent，soshemaywellbeallowedtohaveheropiniononstockandtheir"keep"——anexercisewhichstrengthensherunderstandingsomuchthatshefindsherselfabletogiveherhusbandadviceonmostothersubjects。

"There’sthatshorthornedSally，"shesaid，astheyenteredtheHomeClose，andshecaughtsightofthemeekbeastthatlaychewingthecudandlookingatherwithasleepyeye。"Ibegintohatethesighto’thecow；andIsaynowwhatIsaidthreeweeksago，thesoonerwegetridofherthebetter，forthere’sthatlittleyallowcowasdoesn’tgivehalfthemilk，andyetI’vetwiceasmuchbutterfromher。"

"Why，thee’tnotlikethewomeningeneral，"saidMr。Poyser；

"theyliketheshorthorns，asgivesuchaloto’milk。There’sChowne’swifewantshimtobuynoothersort。"

"What’sitsinnifywhatChowne’swifelikes？Apoorsoftthing，wi’nomorehead-piecenorasparrow。She’dtakeabigcullendertostrainherlardwi’，andthenwonderasthescratchin’srunthrough。I’veseenenoughofhertoknowasI’llnivertakeaservantfromherhouseagain——allhugger-mugger——andyou’dniverknow，whenyouwentin，whetheritwasMondayorFriday，thewashdraggin’ontoth’endo’theweek；andasforhercheese，Iknowwellenoughitroselikealoafinatinlastyear。Andthenshetalkso’theweatherbein’i’fault，asthere’sfolks’udstandontheirheadsandthensaythefaultwasi’theirboots。"

"Well，Chowne’sbeenwantingtobuySally，sowecangetridofheriftheelik’st，"saidMr。Poyser，secretlyproudofhiswife’ssuperiorpowerofputtingtwoandtwotogether；indeed，onrecentmarket-dayshehadmorethanonceboastedofherdiscernmentinthisverymatterofshorthorns。"Aye，themaschooseasoftforawifemay’swellbuyuptheshorthorns，forifyougetyourheadstuckinabog，yourlegsmay’swellgoafterit。Eh！Talko’

legs，there’slegsforyou，"Mrs。Poysercontinued，asTotty，whohadbeensetdownnowtheroadwasdry，toddledoninfrontofherfatherandmother。"There’sshapes！An’she’sgotsuchalongfoot，she’llbeherfather’sownchild。"

"Aye，she’llbewellysuchaoneasHettyi’tenyears’time，on’yshe’sgotTHYcolouredeyes。Iniverrememberablueeyei’myfamily；mymotherhadeyesasblackassloes，justlikeHetty’s。"

"Thechild’ullbenonetheworseforhavingsummatasisn’tlikeHetty。An’I’mnoneforhavinghersooverpretty。Thoughforthemattero’that，there’speoplewi’lighthairan’blueeyesasprettyasthemwi’black。IfDinahhadgotabito’colourinhercheeks，an’didn’tstickthatMethodistcaponherhead，enoughtofrightenthecows，folks’udthinkherasprettyasHetty。"

"Nay，nay，"saidMr。Poyser，withratheracontemptuousemphasis，"theedostnaknowthepintsofawoman。Themen’udniverrunafterDinahastheywouldafterHetty。"

"WhatcareIwhatthemen’udrunafter？It’swellseenwhatchoicethemostof’emknowhowtomake，bythepoordraggle-tailso’wivesyousee，likebitso’gauzeribbin，goodfornothingwhenthecolour’sgone。"

"Well，well，theecanstnasaybutwhatIknowedhowtomakeachoicewhenImarriedthee，"saidMr。Poyser，whousuallysettledlittleconjugaldisputesbyacomplimentofthissort；"andtheewasttwiceasbuxomasDinahtenyearago。"

"Iniversaidasawomanhadneedtobeuglytomakeagoodmissisofahouse。There’sChowne’swifeuglyenoughtoturnthemilkan’savetherennet，butshe’llniversavenothinganyotherway。

ButasforDinah，poorchild，she’sniverlikelytobebuxomaslongasshe’llmakeherdinnero’cakeandwater，forthesakeo’

givingtothemaswant。Sheprovokedmepastbearingsometimes；

and，asItoldher，shewentcleanagain’theScriptur’，forthatsays，’Loveyourneighbourasyourself’；’but，’Isaid，’ifyoulovedyourneighbournobetternoryoudoyourself，Dinah，it’slittleenoughyou’ddoforhim。You’dbethinkinghemightdowellenoughonahalf-emptystomach。’Eh，IwonderwheresheisthisblessedSunday！Sittingbythatsickwoman，Idaresay，asshe’dsetherheartongoingtoallofasudden。"

"Ah，itwasapitysheshouldtakesuchmegrimsintoherhead，whenshemightha’stayedwi’usallsummer，andeatentwiceasmuchasshewanted，andit’udniverha’beenmissed。Shemadenooddsinth’houseatall，forshesatasstillathersewingasabirdonthenest，andwasuncommonnimbleatrunningtofetchanything。IfHettygetsmarried，theed’stliketoha’Dinahwi’

theeconstant。"

"It’snousethinkingo’that，"saidMrs。Poyser。"YoumightaswellbeckontotheflyingswallowasaskDinahtocomean’liveherecomfortable，likeotherfolks。Ifanythingcouldturnher，I

shouldha’turnedher，forI’vetalkedtoherforahouronend，andscoldedhertoo；forshe’smyownsister’schild，anditbehovesmetodowhatIcanforher。Buteh，poorthing，assoonasshe’dsaidus’good-bye’an’gotintothecart，an’lookedbackatmewithherpaleface，asiswellylikeherAuntJudithcomebackfromheaven，Ibeguntobefrightenedtothinko’theset-

downsI’dgivenher；foritcomesoveryousometimesasifshe’dawayo’knowingtherightso’thingsmorenorotherfolkshave。

ButI’llnivergiveinasthat’s’causeshe’saMethodist，nomorenorawhitecalf’swhite’causeiteatsouto’thesamebucketwi’

ablackun。"

"Nay，"saidMr。Poyser，withasnearanapproachtoasnarlashisgood-naturewouldallow；"I’mnoopiniono’theMethodists。It’son’ytradesfolksasturnMethodists；younuverknewafarmerbittenwi’themmaggots。There’smaybeaworkmannowan’then，asisn’tovercleverat’swork，takestopreachin’an’that，likeSethBede。ButyouseeAdam，ashasgotoneo’thebesthead-pieceshereabout，knowsbetter；he’sagoodChurchman，elseI’dneverencouragehimforasweetheartforHetty。"

"Why，goodnessme，"saidMrs。Poyser，whohadlookedbackwhileherhusbandwasspeaking，"lookwhereMollyiswiththemlads！

They’rethefield’slengthbehindus。HowCOULDyoulet’emdoso，Hetty？Anybodymightaswellsetapictur’towatchthechildrenasyou。Runbackandtell’emtocomeon。"

Mr。andMrs。Poyserwerenowattheendofthesecondfield，sotheysetTottyonthetopofoneofthelargestonesformingthetrueLoamshirestile，andawaitedtheloiterersTottyobservingwithcomplacency，"Deynaughty，naughtyboys——medood。"

ThefactwasthatthisSundaywalkthroughthefieldswasfraughtwithgreatexcitementtoMartyandTommy，whosawaperpetualdramagoingoninthehedgerows，andcouldnomorerefrainfromstoppingandpeepingthaniftheyhadbeenacoupleofspanielsorterriers。Martywasquitesurehesawayellow-hammerontheboughsofthegreatash，andwhilehewaspeeping，hemissedthesightofawhite-throatedstoat，whichhadrunacrossthepathandwasdescribedwithmuchfervourbythejuniorTommy。Thentherewasalittlegreenfinch，justfledged，flutteringalongtheground，anditseemedquitepossibletocatchit，tillitmanagedtoflutterundertheblackberrybush。Hettycouldnotbegottogiveanyheedtothesethings，soMollywascalledonforherreadysympathy，andpeepedwithopenmouthwherevershewastold，andsaid"Lawks！"whenevershewasexpectedtowonder。

MollyhastenedonwithsomealarmwhenHettyhadcomebackandcalledtothemthatherauntwasangry；butMartyranonfirst，shouting，"We’vefoundthespeckledturkey’snest，Mother！"withtheinstinctiveconfidencethatpeoplewhobringgoodnewsareneverinfault。

"Ah，"saidMrs。Poyser，reallyforgettingalldisciplineinthispleasantsurprise，"that’sagoodlad；why，whereisit？"

"Downineversuchahole，underthehedge。Isawitfirst，lookingafterthegreenfinch，andshesatonth’nest。"

"Youdidn’tfrightenher，Ihope，"saidthemother，"elseshe’llforsakeit。"

"No，Iwentawayasstillasstill，andwhisperedtoMolly——didn’tI，Molly？"

"Well，well，nowcomeon，"saidMrs。Poyser，"andwalkbeforeFatherandMother，andtakeyourlittlesisterbythehand。Wemustgostraightonnow。Goodboysdon’tlookafterthebirdsofaSunday。"

"But，Mother，"saidMarty，"yousaidyou’dgivehalf-a-crowntofindthespeckledturkey’snest。Mayn’tIhavethehalf-crownputintomymoney-box？"

"We’llseeaboutthat，mylad，ifyouwalkalongnow，likeagoodboy。"

Thefatherandmotherexchangedasignificantglanceofamusementattheireldest-born’sacuteness；butonTommy’sroundfacetherewasacloud。

"Mother，"hesaid，half-crying，"Marty’sgoteversomuchmoremoneyinhisboxnorI’vegotinmine。"

"Munny，mewanthalf-a-touninmybots，"saidTotty。

"Hush，hush，hush，"saidMrs。Poyser，"dideveranybodyhearsuchnaughtychildren？Nobodyshalleverseetheirmoney-boxesanymore，iftheydon’tmakehasteandgoontochurch。"

Thisdreadfulthreathadthedesiredeffect，andthroughthetworemainingfieldsthethreepairofsmalllegstrottedonwithoutanyseriousinterruption，notwithstandingasmallpondfulloftadpoles，alias"bullheads，"whichtheladslookedatwistfully。

Thedamphaythatmustbescatteredandturnedafreshto-morrowwasnotacheeringsighttoMr。Poyser，whoduringhayandcornharvesthadoftensomementalstrugglesastothebenefitsofadayofrest；butnotemptationwouldhaveinducedhimtocarryonanyfield-work，howeverearlyinthemorning，onaSunday；forhadnotMichaelHoldsworthhadapairofoxen"sweltered"whilehewasploughingonGoodFriday？Thatwasademonstrationthatworkonsacreddayswasawickedthing；andwithwickednessofanysortMartinPoyserwasquiteclearthathewouldhavenothingtodo，sincemoneygotbysuchmeanswouldneverprosper。

"Ita’mostmakesyourfingersitchtobeatthehaynowthesunshinesso，"heobserved，astheypassedthroughthe"BigMeadow。"

"Butit’spoorfoolishnesstothinko’savingbygoingagainstyourconscience。There’sthatJimWakefield，astheyusedtocall’GentlemanWakefield，’usedtodothesameofaSundayaso’

weekdays，andtooknoheedtorightorwrong，asiftherewasnaytherGodnordevil。An’what’shecometo？Why，Isawhimmyselflastmarket-daya-carryingabasketwi’orangesin’t。"

"Ah，tobesure，"saidMrs。Poyser，emphatically，"youmakebutapoortraptocatchluckifyougoandbaititwi’wickedness。Themoneyasisgotso’sliketoburnholesi’yourpocket。I’dniverwishustoleaveourladsasixpencebutwhatwasgoti’therightfulway。Andasfortheweather，there’sOneabovemakesit，andwemustputupwi’t:it’snothingofaplaguetowhatthewenchesare。"

Notwithstandingtheinterruptionintheirwalk，theexcellenthabitwhichMrs。Poyser’sclockhadoftakingtimebytheforelockhadsecuredtheirarrivalatthevillagewhileitwasstillaquartertotwo，thoughalmosteveryonewhomeanttogotochurchwasalreadywithinthechurchyardgates。Thosewhostayedathomewerechieflymothers，likeTimothy’sBess，whostoodatherowndoornursingherbabyandfeelingaswomenfeelinthatposition——

thatnothingelsecanbeexpectedofthem。

ItwasnotentirelytoseeThiasBede’sfuneralthatthepeoplewerestandingaboutthechurchyardsolongbeforeservicebegan；

thatwastheircommonpractice。Thewomen，indeed，usuallyenteredthechurchatonce，andthefarmers’wivestalkedinanundertonetoeachother，overthetallpews，abouttheirillnessesandthetotalfailureofdoctor’sstuff，recommendingdandelion-

tea，andotherhome-madespecifics，asfarpreferable——abouttheservants，andtheirgrowingexorbitanceastowages，whereasthequalityoftheirservicesdeclinedfromyeartoyear，andtherewasnogirlnowadaystobetrustedanyfurtherthanyoucouldseeher——aboutthebadpriceMr。Dingall，theTreddlestongrocer，wasgivingforbutter，andthereasonabledoubtsthatmightbeheldastohissolvency，notwithstandingthatMrs。Dingallwasasensiblewoman，andtheywereallsorryforHER，forshehadverygoodkin。

Meantimethemenlingeredoutside，andhardlyanyofthemexceptthesingers，whohadahummingandfragmentaryrehearsaltogothrough，enteredthechurchuntilMr。Irwinewasinthedesk。

Theysawnoreasonforthatprematureentrance——whatcouldtheydoinchurchiftheyweretherebeforeservicebegan？——andtheydidnotconceivethatanypowerintheuniversecouldtakeitillofthemiftheystayedoutandtalkedalittleabout"bus’ness。"

ChadCranagelookslikequiteanewacquaintanceto-day，forhehasgothiscleanSundayface，whichalwaysmakeshislittlegranddaughtercryathimasastranger。Butanexperiencedeyewouldhavefixedonhimatonceasthevillageblacksmith，afterseeingthehumbledeferencewithwhichthebigsaucyfellowtookoffhishatandstrokedhishairtothefarmers；forChadwasaccustomedtosaythataworking-manmustholdacandletoapersonageunderstoodtobeasblackashewashimselfonweekdays；

bywhichevil-soundingruleofconducthemeantwhatwas，afterall，rathervirtuousthanotherwise，namely，thatmenwhohadhorsestobeshodmustbetreatedwithrespect。Chadandtheroughersortofworkmenkeptalooffromthegraveunderthewhitethorn，wheretheburialwasgoingforward；butSandyJim，andseveralofthefarm-labourers，madeagrouproundit，andstoodwiththeirhatsoff，asfellow-mournerswiththemotherandsons。

Othersheldamidwayposition，sometimeswatchingthegroupatthegrave，sometimeslisteningtotheconversationofthefarmers，whostoodinaknotnearthechurchdoor，andwerenowjoinedbyMartinPoyser，whilehisfamilypassedintothechurch。OntheoutsideofthisknotstoodMr。Casson，thelandlordoftheDonnithorneArms，inhismoststrikingattitude——thatistosay，withtheforefingerofhisrighthandthrustbetweenthebuttonsofhiswaistcoat，hislefthandinhisbreechespocket，andhisheadverymuchononeside；looking，onthewhole，likeanactorwhohasonlyamono-syllabicpartentrustedtohim，butfeelssurethattheaudiencediscernhisfitnessfortheleadingbusiness；

curiouslyincontrastwitholdJonathanBurge，whoheldhishandsbehindhimandleanedforward，coughingasthmatically，withaninwardscornofallknowingnessthatcouldnotbeturnedintocash。Thetalkwasinratheralowertonethanusualto-day，hushedalittlebythesoundofMr。Irwine’svoicereadingthefinalprayersoftheburial-service。TheyhadallhadtheirwordofpityforpoorThias，butnowtheyhadgotuponthenearersubjectoftheirowngrievancesagainstSatchell，theSquire’sbailiff，whoplayedthepartofstewardsofarasitwasnotperformedbyoldMr。Donnithornehimself，forthatgentlemanhadthemeannesstoreceivehisownrentsandmakebargainsabouthisowntimber。Thissubjectofconversationwasanadditionalreasonfornotbeingloud，sinceSatchellhimselfmightpresentlybewalkingupthepavedroadtothechurchdoor。Andsoontheybecamesuddenlysilent；forMr。Irwine’svoicehadceased，andthegrouproundthewhitethornwasdispersingitselftowardsthechurch。

Theyallmovedaside，andstoodwiththeirhatsoff，whileMr。

Irwinepassed。AdamandSethwerecomingnext，withtheirmotherbetweenthem；forJoshuaRannofficiatedasheadsextonaswellasclerk，andwasnotyetreadytofollowtherectorintothevestry。

Buttherewasapausebeforethethreemournerscameon:Lisbethhadturnedroundtolookagaintowardsthegrave！Ah！Therewasnothingnowbutthebrownearthunderthewhitethorn。Yetshecriedlessto-daythanshehaddoneanydaysinceherhusband’sdeath。Alongwithallhergrieftherewasmixedanunusualsenseofherownimportanceinhavinga"burial，"andinMr。Irwine’sreadingaspecialserviceforherhusband；andbesides，sheknewthefuneralpsalmwasgoingtobesungforhim。Shefeltthiscounter-excitementtohersorrowstillmorestronglyasshewalkedwithhersonstowardsthechurchdoor，andsawthefriendlysympatheticnodsoftheirfellow-parishioners。

Themotherandsonspassedintothechurch，andonebyonetheloiterersfollowed，thoughsomestilllingeredwithout；thesightofMr。Donnithorne’scarriage，whichwaswindingslowlyupthehill，perhapshelpingtomakethemfeelthattherewasnoneedforhaste。

Butpresentlythesoundofthebassoonandthekey-buglesburstforth；theeveninghymn，whichalwaysopenedtheservice，hadbegun，andeveryonemustnowenterandtakehisplace。

IcannotsaythattheinteriorofHayslopeChurchwasremarkableforanythingexceptforthegreyageofitsoakenpews——greatsquarepewsmostly，rangedoneachsideofanarrowaisle。Itwasfree，indeed，fromthemodernblemishofgalleries。Thechoirhadtwonarrowpewstothemselvesinthemiddleoftheright-handrow，sothatitwasashortprocessforJoshuaRanntotakehisplaceamongthemasprincipalbass，andreturntohisdeskafterthesingingwasover。Thepulpitanddesk，greyandoldasthepews，stoodononesideofthearchleadingintothechancel，whichalsohaditsgreysquarepewsforMr。Donnithorne’sfamilyandservants。YetIassureyouthesegreypews，withthebuff-washedwalls，gaveaverypleasingtonetothisshabbyinterior，andagreedextremelywellwiththeruddyfacesandbrightwaistcoats。

Andtherewereliberaltouchesofcrimsontowardthechancel，forthepulpitandMr。Donnithorne’sownpewhadhandsomecrimsonclothcushions；and，toclosethevista，therewasacrimsonaltar-cloth，embroideredwithgoldenraysbyMissLydia’sownhand。

Butevenwithoutthecrimsoncloth，theeffectmusthavebeenwarmandcheeringwhenMr。Irwinewasinthedesk，lookingbenignlyroundonthatsimplecongregation——onthehardyoldmen，withbentkneesandshoulders，perhaps，butwithvigourleftformuchhedge-

clippingandthatching；onthetallstalwartframesandroughlycutbronzedfacesofthestone-cuttersandcarpenters；onthehalf-dozenwell-to-dofarmers，withtheirapple-cheekedfamilies；

andonthecleanoldwomen，mostlyfarm-labourers’wives，withtheirbitofsnow-whitecap-borderundertheirblackbonnets，andwiththeirwitheredarms，barefromtheelbow，foldedpassivelyovertheirchests。Fornoneoftheoldpeopleheldbooks——whyshouldthey？Notoneofthemcouldread。Buttheyknewafew"goodwords"byheart，andtheirwitheredlipsnowandthenmovedsilently，followingtheservicewithoutanyveryclearcomprehensionindeed，butwithasimplefaithinitsefflcacytowardoffharmandbringblessing。Andnowallfaceswerevisible，forallwerestandingup——thelittlechildrenontheseatspeepingovertheedgeofthegreypews，whilegoodBishopKen’seveninghymnwasbeingsungtooneofthoselivelypsalm-tuneswhichdiedoutwiththelastgenerationofrectorsandchoralparishclerks。

Melodiesdieout，likethepipeofPan，withtheearsthatlovethemandlistenforthem。Adamwasnotinhisusualplaceamongthesingersto-day，forhesatwithhismotherandSeth，andhenoticedwithsurprisethatBartleMasseywasabsenttoo——allthemoreagreeableforMr。JoshuaRann，whogaveouthisbassnoteswithunusualcomplacencyandthrewanextrarayofseverityintotheglanceshesentoverhisspectaclesattherecusantWillMaskery。

IbeseechyoutoimagineMr。Irwinelookingroundonthisscene，inhisamplewhitesurplicethatbecamehimsowell，withhispowderedhairthrownback，hisrichbrowncomplexion，andhisfinelycutnostrilandupperlip；fortherewasacertainvirtueinthatbenignantyetkeencountenanceasthereisinallhumanfacesfromwhichageneroussoulbeamsout。AndoverallstreamedthedeliciousJunesunshinethroughtheoldwindows，withtheirdesultorypatchesofyellow，red，andblue，thatthrewpleasanttouchesofcolourontheoppositewall。

Ithink，asMr。Irwinelookedroundto-day，hiseyesrestedaninstantlongerthanusualonthesquarepewoccupiedbyMartinPoyserandhisfamily。Andtherewasanotherpairofdarkeyesthatfounditimpossiblenottowanderthither，andrestonthatroundpink-and-whitefigure。ButHettywasatthatmomentquitecarelessofanyglances——shewasabsorbedinthethoughtthatArthurDonnithornewouldsoonbecomingintochurch，forthecarriagemustsurelybeatthechurch-gatebythistime。ShehadneverseenhimsinceshepartedwithhiminthewoodonThursdayevening，andoh，howlongthetimehadseemed！Thingshadgoneonjustthesameaseversincethatevening；thewondersthathadhappenedthenhadbroughtnochangesafterthem；theywerealreadylikeadream。Whensheheardthechurchdoorswinging，herheartbeatso，shedarednotlookup。Shefeltthatherauntwascurtsying；shecurtsiedherself。ThatmustbeoldMr。

Donnithorne——healwayscamefirst，thewrinkledsmalloldman，peeringroundwithshort-sightedglancesatthebowingandcurtsyingcongregation；thensheknewMissLydiawaspassing，andthoughHettylikedsomuchtolookatherfashionablelittlecoal-

scuttlebonnet，withthewreathofsmallrosesroundit，shedidn’tminditto-day。Buttherewerenomorecurtsies——no，hewasnotcome；shefeltsuretherewasnothingelsepassingthepewdoorbutthehouse-keeper’sblackbonnetandthelady’smaid’sbeautifulstrawhatthathadoncebeenMissLydia’s，andthenthepowderedheadsofthebutlerandfootman。No，hewasnotthere；

yetshewouldlooknow——shemightbemistaken——for，afterall，shehadnotlooked。Soshelifteduphereyelidsandglancedtimidlyatthecushionedpewinthechancel——therewasnoonebutoldMr。

Donnithornerubbinghisspectacleswithhiswhitehandkerchief，andMissLydiaopeningthelargegilt-edgedprayer-book。Thechilldisappointmentwastoohardtobear。Shefeltherselfturningpale，herlipstrembling；shewasreadytocry。Oh，whatSHOULDshedo？Everybodywouldknowthereason；theywouldknowshewascryingbecauseArthurwasnotthere。AndMr。Craig，withthewonderfulhothouseplantinhisbutton-hole，wasstaringather，sheknew。ItwasdreadfullylongbeforetheGeneralConfessionbegan，sothatshecouldkneeldown。TwogreatdropsWOULDfallthen，butnoonesawthemexceptgood-naturedMolly，forherauntandunclekneltwiththeirbackstowardsher。Molly，unabletoimagineanycausefortearsinchurchexceptfaintness，ofwhichshehadavaguetraditionalknowledge，drewoutofherpocketaqueerlittleflatbluesmelling-bottle，andaftermuchlabourinpullingthecorkout，thrustthenarrowneckagainstHetty’snostrils。"Itdonnasmell，"shewhispered，thinkingthiswasagreatadvantagewhicholdsaltshadoverfreshones:theydidyougoodwithoutbitingyournose。Hettypusheditawaypeevishly；butthislittleflashoftemperdidwhatthesaltscouldnothavedone——itrousedhertowipeawaythetracesofhertears，andtrywithallhermightnottoshedanymore。Hettyhadacertainstrengthinhervainlittlenature:shewouldhaveborneanythingratherthanbelaughedat，orpointedatwithanyotherfeelingthanadmiration；shewouldhavepressedherownnailsintohertenderfleshratherthanpeopleshouldknowasecretshedidnotwantthemtoknow。

Whatfluctuationstherewereinherbusythoughtsandfeelings，whileMr。Irwinewaspronouncingthesolemn"Absolution"inherdeafears，andthroughallthetonesofpetitionthatfollowed！

Angerlayveryclosetodisappointment，andsoonwonthevictoryovertheconjectureshersmallingenuitycoulddevisetoaccountforArthur’sabsenceonthesuppositionthathereallywantedtocome，reallywantedtoseeheragain。Andbythetimesherosefromherkneesmechanically，becausealltherestwererising，thecolourhadreturnedtohercheeksevenwithaheightenedglow，forshewasframinglittleindignantspeechestoherself，sayingshehatedArthurforgivingherthispain——shewouldlikehimtosuffertoo。Yetwhilethisselfishtumultwasgoingoninhersoul，hereyeswerebentdownonherprayer-book，andtheeyelidswiththeirdarkfringelookedaslovelyasever。AdamBedethoughtso，asheglancedatherforamomentonrisingfromhisknees。

ButAdam’sthoughtsofHettydidnotdeafenhimtotheservice；

theyratherblendedwithalltheotherdeepfeelingsforwhichthechurchservicewasachanneltohimthisafternoon，asacertainconsciousnessofourentirepastandourimaginedfutureblendsitselfwithallourmomentsofkeensensibility。AndtoAdamthechurchservicewasthebestchannelhecouldhavefoundforhismingledregret，yearning，andresignation；itsinterchangeofbeseechingcriesforhelpwithoutburstsoffaithandpraise，itsrecurrentresponsesandthefamiliarrhythmofitscollects，seemedtospeakforhimasnootherformofworshipcouldhavedone；as，tothoseearlyChristianswhohadworshippedfromtheirchildhoodupwardsincatacombs，thetorch-lightandshadowsmusthaveseemednearertheDivinepresencethantheheathenishdaylightofthestreets。Thesecretofouremotionsneverliesinthebareobject，butinitssubtlerelationstoourownpast:nowonderthesecretescapestheunsympathizingoberver，whomightaswellputonhisspectaclestodiscernodours。

ButtherewasonereasonwhyevenachancecomerwouldhavefoundtheserviceinHayslopeChurchmoreimpressivethaninmostothervillagenooksinthekingdom——areasonofwhichIamsureyouhavenottheslightestsuspicion。ItwasthereadingofourfriendJoshuaRann。Wherethatgoodshoemakergothisnotionofreadingfromremainedamysteryeventohismostintimateacquaintances。

Ibelieve，afterall，hegotitchieflyfromNature，whohadpouredsomeofhermusicintothishonestconceitedsoul，asshehadbeenknowntodointoothernarrowsoulsbeforehis。Shehadgivenhim，atleast，afinebassvoiceandamusicalear；butI

cannotpositivelysaywhetherthesealonehadsufficedtoinspirehimwiththerichchantinwhichhedeliveredtheresponses。Thewayherolledfromarichdeepforteintoamelancholycadence，subsiding，attheendofthelastword，intoasortoffaintresonance，likethelingeringvibrationsofafinevioloncello，I

cancomparetonothingforitsstrongcalmmelancholybuttherushandcadenceofthewindamongtheautumnboughs。Thismayseemastrangemodeofspeakingaboutthereadingofaparishclerk——amaninrustyspectacles，withstubblyhair，alargeocciput，andaprominentcrown。ButthatisNature’sway:shewillallowagentlemanofsplendidphysiognomyandpoeticaspirationstosingwoefullyoutoftune，andnotgivehimtheslightesthintofit；

andtakescarethatsomenarrow-browedfellow，trollingaballadinthecornerofapot-house，shallbeastruetohisintervalsasabird。

Joshuahimselfwaslessproudofhisreadingthanofhissinging，anditwasalwayswithasenseofheightenedimportancethathepassedfromthedesktothechoir。Stillmoreto-day:itwasaspecialoccasion，foranoldman，familiartoalltheparish，haddiedasaddeath——notinhisbed，acircumstancethemostpainfultothemindofthepeasant——andnowthefuneralpsalmwastobesunginmemoryofhissuddendeparture。Moreover，BartleMasseywasnotatchurch，andJoshua’simportanceinthechoirsufferednoeclipse。Itwasasolemnminorstraintheysang。Theoldpsalm-tuneshavemanyawailamongthem，andthewords——

Thousweep’stusoffaswithaflood；

Wevanishhencelikedreams——

seemedtohaveacloserapplicationthanusualinthedeathofpoorThias。Themotherandsonslistened，eachwithpeculiarfeelings。Lisbethhadavaguebeliefthatthepsalmwasdoingherhusbandgood；itwaspartofthatdecentburialwhichshewouldhavethoughtitagreaterwrongtowithholdfromhimthantohavecausedhimmanyunhappydayswhilehewasliving。Themoretherewassaidaboutherhusband，themoretherewasdoneforhim，surelythesaferhewouldbe。ItwaspoorLisbeth’sblindwayoffeelingthathumanloveandpityareagroundoffaithinsomeotherlove。Seth，whowaseasilytouched，shedtears，andtriedtorecall，ashehaddonecontinuallysincehisfather’sdeath，allthathehadheardofthepossibilitythatasinglemomentofconsciousnessatthelastmightbeamomentofpardonandreconcilement；forwasitnotwrittenintheverypsalmtheyweresingingthattheDivinedealingswerenotmeasuredandcircumscribedbytime？Adamhadneverbeenunabletojoininapsalmbefore。Hehadknownplentyoftroubleandvexationsincehehadbeenalad，butthiswasthefirstsorrowthathadhemmedinhisvoice，andstrangelyenoughitwassorrowbecausethechiefsourceofhispasttroubleandvexationwasforevergoneoutofhisreach。Hehadnotbeenabletopresshisfather’shandbeforetheirparting，andsay，"Father，youknowitwasallrightbetweenus；IneverforgotwhatIowedyouwhenIwasalad；youforgivemeifIhavebeentoohotandhastynowandthen！"Adamthoughtbutlittleto-dayofthehardworkandtheearningshehadspentonhisfather:histhoughtsranconstantlyonwhattheoldman’sfeelingshadbeeninmomentsofhumiliation，whenhehadhelddownhisheadbeforetherebukesofhisson。Whenourindignationisborneinsubmissivesilence，weareapttofeeltwingesofdoubtafterwardsastoourowngenerosity，ifnotjustice；howmuchmorewhentheobjectofourangerhasgoneintoeverlastingsilence，andwehaveseenhisfaceforthelasttimeinthemeeknessofdeath！

"Ah！Iwasalwaystoohard，"Adamsaidtohimself。"It’sasorefaultinmeasI’msohotandouto’patiencewithpeoplewhentheydowrong，andmyheartgetsshutupagainst’em，soasI

can’tbringmyselftoforgive’em。Iseeclearenoughthere’smorepridenorloveinmysoul，forIcouldsoonermakeathousandstrokeswithth’hammerformyfatherthanbringmyselftosayakindwordtohim。Andtherewentplentyo’prideandtempertothestrokes，asthedevilWILLbehavinghisfingerinwhatwecallourdutiesaswellasoursins。MayhapthebestthingIeverdidinmylifewasonlydoingwhatwaseasiestformyself。It’sallaysbeeneasierformetoworknortositstill，buttherealtoughjobforme’udbetomastermyownwillandtemperandgorightagainstmyownpride。Itseemstomenow，ifIwastofindFatherathometo-night，Ishouldbehavedifferent；butthere’snoknowing——perhapsnothing’udbealessontousifitdidn’tcometoolate。It’swellweshouldfeelaslife’sareckoningwecan’tmaketwiceover；there’snorealmakingamendsinthisworld，anymorenoryoucanmendawrongsubtractionbydoingyouradditionright。"

Thiswasthekey-notetowhichAdam’sthoughtshadperpetuallyreturnedsincehisfather’sdeath，andthesolemnwailofthefuneralpsalmwasonlyaninfluencethatbroughtbacktheoldthoughtswithstrongeremphasis。Sowasthesermon，whichMr。

IrwinehadchosenwithreferencetoThias’sfuneral。Itspokebrieflyandsimplyofthewords，"Inthemidstoflifeweareindeath"——howthepresentmomentisallwecancallourownforworksofmercy，ofrighteousdealing，andoffamilytenderness。

Allveryoldtruths——butwhatwethoughttheoldesttruthbecomesthemoststartlingtousintheweekwhenwehavelookedonthedeadfaceofonewhohasmadeapartofourownlives。Forwhenmenwanttoimpressuswiththeeffectofanewandwonderfullyvividlight，dotheynotletitfallonthemostfamiliarobjects，thatwemaymeasureitsintensitybyrememberingtheformerdimness？

Thencamethemomentofthefinalblessing，whentheforeversublimewords，"ThepeaceofGod，whichpassethallunderstanding，"seemedtoblendwiththecalmafternoonsunshinethatfellonthebowedheadsofthecongregation；andthenthequietrising，themotherstyingonthebonnetsofthelittlemaidenswhohadsleptthroughthesermon，thefatherscollectingtheprayer-books，untilallstreamedoutthroughtheoldarchwayintothegreenchurchyardandbegantheirneighbourlytalk，theirsimplecivilities，andtheirinvitationstotea；foronaSundayeveryonewasreadytoreceiveaguest——itwasthedaywhenallmustbeintheirbestclothesandtheirbesthumour。

Mr。andMrs。Poyserpausedaminuteatthechurchgate:theywerewaitingforAdamtoComeup，notbeingcontentedtogoawaywithoutsayingakindwordtothewidowandhersons。

"Well，Mrs。Bede，"saidMrs。Poyser，astheywalkedontogether，"youmustkeepupyourheart；husbandsandwivesmustbecontentwhenthey’velivedtoreartheirchildrenandseeoneanother’shairgrey。"

"Aye，aye，"saidMr。Poyser；"theywonnahavelongtowaitforoneanotherthen，anyhow。Andye’vegottwoo’thestrapping’stsonsi’th’country；andwellyoumay，forIrememberpoorThiasasfineabroad-shoulderedfellowasneedtobe；andasforyou，Mrs。

Bede，whyyou’restraighteri’thebacknorhalftheyoungwomennow。"

"Eh，"saidLisbeth，"it’spoorluckfortheplattertowearwellwhenit’sbrokei’two。ThesoonerI’mlaidunderthethornthebetter。I’mnogoodtonobodynow。"

Adamnevertooknoticeofhismother’slittleunjustplaints；butSethsaid，"Nay，Mother，theemustnasayso。Thysons’ullnevergetanothermother。"

"That’strue，lad，that’strue，"saidMr。Poyser；"andit’swrongonustogivewaytogrief，Mrs。Bede；forit’slikethechildrencryin’whenthefathersandmotherstakethingsfrom’em。There’sOneaboveknowsbetternorus。"

"Ah，"saidMrs。Poyser，"an’it’spoorworkallayssettin’thedeadabovethelivin’。Weshallallonusbedeadsometime，I

reckon——it’udbebetteriffolks’udmakemuchonusbeforehand，i’stido’beginnin’whenwe’regone。It’sbutlittlegoodyou’lldoa-wateringthelastyear’scrop。"

"Well，Adam，"saidMr。Poyser，feelingthathiswife’swordswere，asusual，ratherincisivethansoothing，andthatitwouldbewelltochangethesubject，"you’llcomeandseeusagainnow，Ihope。

Ihannahadatalkwithyouthislongwhile，andthemissisherewantsyoutoseewhatcanbedonewithherbestspinning-wheel，forit’sgotbroke，andit’llbeanicejobtomendit——there’llwantabito’turning。You’llcomeassoonasyoucannow，willyou？"

Mr。Poyserpausedandlookedroundwhilehewasspeaking，asiftoseewhereHettywas；forthechildrenwererunningonbefore。

Hettywasnotwithoutacompanion，andshehad，besides，morepinkandwhiteaboutherthanever，forsheheldinherhandthewonderfulpink-and-whitehot-houseplant，withaverylongname——aScotchname，shesupposed，sincepeoplesaidMr。CraigthegardenerwasScotch。Adamtooktheopportunityoflookingroundtoo；andIamsureyouwillnotrequireofhimthatheshouldfeelanyvexationinobservingapoutingexpressiononHetty’sfaceasshelistenedtothegardener’ssmalltalk。Yetinhersecretheartshewasgladtohavehimbyherside，forshewouldperhapslearnfromhimhowitwasArthurhadnotcometochurch。Notthatshecaredtoaskhimthequestion，butshehopedtheinformationwouldbegivenspontaneously；forMr。Craig，likeasuperiorman，wasveryfondofgivinginformation。

Mr。Craigwasneverawarethathisconversationandadvanceswerereceivedcoldly，fortoshiftone’spointofviewbeyondcertainlimitsisimpossibletothemostliberalandexpansivemind；wearenoneofusawareoftheimpressionweproduceonBrazilianmonkeysoffeebleunderstanding——itispossibletheyseehardlyanythinginus。Moreover，Mr。Craigwasamanofsoberpassions，andwasalreadyinhistenthyearofhesitationastotherelativeadvantagesofmatrimonyandbachelorhood。Itistruethat，nowandthen，whenhehadbeenalittleheatedbyanextraglassofgrog，hehadbeenheardtosayofHettythatthe"lasswaswellenough，"andthat"amanmightdoworse"；butonconvivialoccasionsmenareapttoexpressthemselvesstrongly。

MartinPoyserheldMr。Craiginhonour，asamanwho"knewhisbusiness"andwhohadgreatlightsconcerningsoilsandcompost；

buthewaslessofafavouritewithMrs。Poyser，whohadmorethanoncesaidinconfidencetoherhusband，"You’remightyfondo’

Craig，butformypart，Ithinkhe’swellylikeacockasthinksthesun’sroseo’purposetohearhimcrow。"Fortherest，Mr。

Craigwasanestimablegardener，andwasnotwithoutreasonsforhavingahighopinionofhimself。Hehadalsohighshouldersandhighcheek-bonesandhunghisheadforwardalittle，ashewalkedalongwithhishandsinhisbreechespockets。IthinkitwashispedigreeonlythathadtheadvantageofbeingScotch，andnothis"bringingup"；forexceptthathehadastrongerburrinhisaccent，hisspeechdifferedlittlefromthatoftheLoamshirepeopleabouthim。ButagardenerisScotch，asaFrenchteacherisParisian。

"Well，Mr。Poyser，"hesaid，beforethegoodslowfarmerhadtimetospeak，"ye’llnotbecarryingyourhayto-morrow，I’mthinking。

Theglasssticksat’change，’andyemayrelyupo’mywordaswe’llha’moredownfallaforetwenty-fourhoursispast。Yeseethatdarkish-bluecloudthereupo’the’rizon——yeknowwhatImeanbythe’rizon，wherethelandandskyseemstomeet？"

"Aye，aye，Iseethecloud，"saidMr。Poyser，"’rizonorno’rizon。It’srighto’erMikeHoldsworth’sfallow，andafoulfallowitis。"

"Well，youmarkmywords，asthatcloud’ullspreado’ertheskyprettynighasquickasyou’dspreadatarpaulinoveroneo’yourhay-ricks。It’sagreatthingtoha’studiedthelooko’theclouds。Lordblessyou！Th’met’orologicalalmaneckscanlearnmenothing，butthere’saprettysighto’thingsIcouldletTHEM

upto，ifthey’djustcometome。Andhowareyou，Mrs。Poyser？——

thinkingo’getherin’theredcurrantssoon，Ireckon。You’dadealbettergether’emaforethey’reo’erripe，wi’suchweatheraswe’vegottolookforwardto。Howdoyedo，MistressBede？"Mr。

Craigcontinued，withoutapause，noddingbythewaytoAdamandSeth。"Ihopey’enjoyedthemspinachandgooseberriesasIsentChesterwithth’otherday。Ifyewantvegetableswhileye’reintrouble，yeknowwheretocometo。It’swellknownI’mnotgivingotherfolks’thingsaway，forwhenI’vesuppliedthehouse，thegardensmyownspekilation，anditisnaeverymanth’oldsquirecouldgetas’udbeequiltotheundertaking，letaloneaskingwhetherhe’dbewillingI’vegottorunmycalkilationfine，Icantellyou，tomakesureo’gettingbackthemoneyasIpaythesquire。Ishouldliketoseesomeo’themfellowsasmakethealmaneckslookingasfarbeforetheirnosesasI’vegottodoeveryyearascomes。"

"Theylookprettyfur，though，"saidMr。Poyser，turninghisheadononesideandspeakinginratherasubduedreverentialtone。

"Why，whatcouldcometruernorthatpicturo’thecockwi’thebigspurs，ashasgotitsheadknockeddownwi’th’anchor，an’

th’firin’，an’theshipsbehind？Why，thatpicturwasmadeaforeChristmas，andyitit’scomeastrueasth’Bible。Why，th’

cock’sFrance，an’th’anchor’sNelson——an’theytoldusthatbeforehand。"

"Pee——ee-eh！"saidMr。Craig。"Amandoesnawanttoseefurtoknowasth’English’ullbeattheFrench。Why，Iknowupo’goodauthorityasit’sabigFrenchmanasreachesfivefoothigh，an’

theyliveupo’spoon-meatmostly。Iknewamanashisfatherhadaparticularknowledgeo’theFrench。IshouldliketoknowwhatthemgrasshoppersaretodoagainstsuchfinefellowsasouryoungCaptainArthur。Why，it’udastonishaFrenchmanonlytolookathim；hisarm’sthickernoraFrenchman’sbody，I’llbebound，fortheypinchtheirsellsinwi’stays；andit’seasyenough，forthey’vegotnothingi’theirinsides。"

"WhereISthecaptain，ashewasnaatchurchto-day？"saidAdam。

"Iwastalkingtohimo’Friday，andhesaidnothingabouthisgoingaway。"

"Oh，he’sonlygonetoEagledaleforabito’fishing；Ireckonhe’llbebackagainaforemanydaysareo’er，forhe’stobeatallth’arrangingandpreparingo’thingsforthecomin’o’ageo’

the30tho’July。Buthe’sfondo’gettingawayforabit，nowandthen。Himandth’oldsquirefitoneanotherlikefrostandflowers。"

Mr。Craigsmiledandwinkedslowlyashemadethislastobservation，butthesubjectwasnotdevelopedfarther，fornowtheyhadreachedtheturningintheroadwhereAdamandhiscompanionsmustsay"good-bye。"Thegardener，too，wouldhavehadtoturnoffinthesamedirectionifhehadnotacceptedMr。

Poyser’sinvitationtotea。Mrs。Poyserdulysecondedtheinvitation，forshewouldhavehelditadeepdisgracenottomakeherneighbourswelcometoherhouse:personallikesanddislikesmustnotinterferewiththatsacredcustom。Moreover，Mr。CraighadalwaysbeenfullofcivilitiestothefamilyattheHallFarm，andMrs。Poyserwasscrupulousindeclaringthatshehad"nothingtosayagain’him，on’yitwasapityhecouldnabehatchedo’eragain，an’hatcheddifferent。"

SoAdamandSeth，withtheirmotherbetweenthem，woundtheirwaydowntothevalleyandupagaintotheoldhouse，whereasaddenedmemoryhadtakentheplaceofalong，longanxiety——whereAdamwouldneverhavetoaskagainasheentered，"Where’sFather？"

Andtheotherfamilyparty，withMr。Craigforcompany，wentbacktothepleasantbrighthouse-placeattheHallFarm——allwithquietminds，exceptHetty，whoknewnowwhereArthurwasgone，butwasonlythemorepuzzledanduneasy。Foritappearedthathisabsencewasquitevoluntary；heneednothavegone——hewouldnothavegoneifhehadwantedtoseeher。ShehadasickeningsensethatnolotcouldeverbepleasanttoheragainifherThursdaynight’svisionwasnottobefulfilled；andinthismomentofchill，bare，wintrydisappointmentanddoubt，shelookedtowardsthepossibilityofbeingwithArthuragain，ofmeetinghislovingglance，andhearinghissoftwordswiththateageryearningwhichonemaycallthe"growingpain"ofpassion。