第8章　

AdamonaWorkingDayNOTWITHSTANDINGMr。Craig’sprophecy，thedark-blueclouddisperseditselfwithouthavingproducedthethreatenedconsequences。"Theweather"——asheobservedthenextmorning——

"theweather，yousee，’saticklishthing，an’afool’ullhiton’tsometimeswhenawisemanmisses；that’swhythealmanecksgetsomuchcredit。It’soneo’themchancythingsasfoolsthriveon。"

Thisunreasonablebehaviouroftheweather，however，coulddispleasenooneelseinHayslopebesidesMr。Craig。Allhandsweretobeoutinthemeadowsthismorningassoonasthedewhadrisen；thewivesanddaughtersdiddoubleworkineveryfarmhouse，thatthemaidsmightgivetheirhelpintossingthehay；andwhenAdamwasmarchingalongthelanes，withhisbasketoftoolsoverhisshoulder，hecaughtthesoundofjocosetalkandringinglaughterfrombehindthehedges。Thejocosetalkofhay-makersisbestatadistance；likethoseclumsybellsroundthecows’necks，ithasratheracoarsesoundwhenitcomesclose，andmayevengrateonyourearspainfully；butheardfromfaroff，itminglesveryprettilywiththeotherjoyoussoundsofnature。Men’smusclesmovebetterwhentheirsoulsaremakingmerrymusic，thoughtheirmerrimentisofapoorblunderingsort，notatalllikethemerrimentofbirds。

Andperhapsthereisnotimeinasummer’sdaymorecheeringthanwhenthewarmthofthesunisjustbeginningtotriumphoverthefreshnessofthemorning——whenthereisjustalingeringhintofearlycoolnesstokeepofflanguorunderthedeliciousinfluenceofwarmth。ThereasonAdamwaswalkingalongthelanesatthistimewasbecausehisworkfortherestofthedaylayatacountry-houseaboutthreemilesoff，whichwasbeingputinrepairforthesonofaneighbouringsquire；andhehadbeenbusysinceearlymorningwiththepackingofpanels，doors，andchimney-

pieces，inawaggonwhichwasnowgoneonbeforehim，whileJonathanBurgehimselfhadriddentothespotonhorseback，toawaititsarrivalanddirecttheworkmen。

ThislittlewalkwasaresttoAdam，andhewasunconsciouslyunderthecharmofthemoment。Itwassummermorninginhisheart，andhesawHettyinthesunshine——asunshinewithoutglare，withslantingraysthattremblebetweenthedelicateshadowsoftheleaves。Hethought，yesterdaywhenheputouthishandtoherastheycameoutofchurch，thattherewasatouchofmelancholykindnessinherface，suchashehadnotseenbefore，andhetookitasasignthatshehadsomesympathywithhisfamilytrouble。

Poorfellow！Thattouchofmelancholycamefromquiteanothersource，buthowwashetoknow？Welookattheonelittlewoman’sfaceweloveaswelookatthefaceofourmotherearth，andseeallsortsofanswerstoourownyearnings。ItwasimpossibleforAdamnottofeelthatwhathadhappenedinthelastweekhadbroughttheprospectofmarriagenearertohim。HithertohehadfeltkeenlythedangerthatsomeothermanmightstepinandgetpossessionofHetty’sheartandhand，whilehehimselfwasstillinapositionthatmadehimshrinkfromaskinghertoaccepthim。

Evenifhehadhadastronghopethatshewasfondofhim——andhishopewasfarfrombeingstrong——hehadbeentooheavilyburdenedwithotherclaimstoprovideahomeforhimselfandHetty——ahomesuchashecouldexpecthertobecontentwithafterthecomfortandplentyoftheFarm。Likeallstrongnatures，Adamhadconfidenceinhisabilitytoachievesomethinginthefuture；hefeltsureheshouldsomeday，ifhelived，beabletomaintainafamilyandmakeagoodbroadpathforhimself；buthehadtoocoolaheadnottoestimatetothefulltheobstaclesthatweretobeovercome。Andthetimewouldbesolong！AndtherewasHetty，likeabright-cheekedapplehangingovertheorchardwall，withinsightofeverybody，andeverybodymustlongforher！Tobesure，ifshelovedhimverymuch，shewouldbecontenttowaitforhim:

butDIDshelovehim？Hishopeshadneverrisensohighthathehaddaredtoaskher。Hewasclear-sightedenoughtobeawarethatheruncleandauntwouldhavelookedkindlyonhissuit，andindeed，withoutthisencouragementhewouldneverhaveperseveredingoingtotheFarm；butitwasimpossibletocometoanybutfluctuatingconclusionsaboutHetty’sfeelings。Shewaslikeakitten，andhadthesamedistractinglyprettylooks，thatmeantnothing，foreverybodythatcamenearher。

Butnowhecouldnothelpsayingtohimselfthattheheaviestpartofhisburdenwasremoved，andthatevenbeforetheendofanotheryearhiscircumstancesmightbebroughtintoashapethatwouldallowhimtothinkofmarrying。Itwouldalwaysbeahardstrugglewithhismother，heknew:shewouldbejealousofanywifehemightchoose，andshehadsethermindespeciallyagainstHetty——perhapsfornootherreasonthanthatshesuspectedHettytobethewomanheHADchosen。Itwouldneverdo，hefeared，forhismothertoliveinthesamehousewithhimwhenhewasmarried；

andyethowhardshewouldthinkitifheaskedhertoleavehim！

Yes，therewasagreatdealofpaintobegonethroughwithhismother，butitwasacaseinwhichhemustmakeherfeelthathiswillwasstrong——itwouldbebetterforherintheend。Forhimself，hewouldhavelikedthattheyshouldalllivetogethertillSethwasmarried，andtheymighthavebuiltabitthemselvestotheoldhouse，andmademoreroom。Hedidnotlike"topartwi’th’lad":theyhadhardlyeverybeenseparatedformorethanadaysincetheywereborn。

ButAdamhadnosoonercaughthisimaginationleapingforwardinthisway——makingarrangementsforanuncertainfuture——thanhecheckedhimself。"AprettybuildingI’mmaking，withouteitherbricksortimber。I’mupi’thegarreta’ready，andhaven’tsomuchasdugthefoundation。"WheneverAdamwasstronglyconvincedofanyproposition，ittooktheformofaprincipleinhismind:

itwasknowledgetobeactedon，asmuchastheknowledgethatdampwillcauserust。Perhapsherelaythesecretofthehardnesshehadaccusedhimselfof:hehadtoolittlefellow-feelingwiththeweaknessthaterrsinspiteofforeseenconsequences。Withoutthisfellow-feeling，howarewetogetenoughpatienceandcharitytowardsourstumbling，fallingcompanionsinthelongandchangefuljourney？Andthereisbutonewayinwhichastrongdeterminedsoulcanlearnit——bygettinghisheart-stringsboundroundtheweakanderring，sothathemustsharenotonlytheoutwardconsequenceoftheirerror，buttheirinwardsuffering。

Thatisalongandhardlesson，andAdamhadatpresentonlylearnedthealphabetofitinhisfather’ssuddendeath，which，byannihilatinginaninstantallthathadstimulatedhisindignation，hadsentasuddenrushofthoughtandmemoryoverwhathadclaimedhispityandtenderness。

ButitwasAdam’sstrength，notitscorrelativehardness，thatinfluencedhismeditationsthismorning。Hehadlongmadeuphismindthatitwouldbewrongaswellasfoolishforhimtomarryabloomingyounggirl，solongashehadnootherprospectthanthatofgrowingpovertywithagrowingfamily。Andhissavingshadbeensoconstantlydrawnupon(besidestheterriblesweepofpayingforSeth’ssubstituteinthemilitia)thathehadnotenoughmoneybeforehandtofurnishevenasmallcottage，andkeepsomethinginreserveagainstarainyday。Hehadgoodhopethatheshouldbe"firmeronhislegs"byandby；buthecouldnotbesatisfiedwithavagueconfidenceinhisarmandbrain；hemusthavedefiniteplans，andsetaboutthematonce。ThepartnershipwithJonathanBurgewasnottobethoughtofatpresent——therewerethingsimplicitlytackedtoitthathecouldnotaccept；butAdamthoughtthatheandSethmightcarryonalittlebusinessforthemselvesinadditiontotheirjourneyman’swork，bybuyingasmallstockofsuperiorwoodandmakingarticlesofhouseholdfurniture，forwhichAdamhadnoendofcontrivances。SethmightgainmorebyworkingatseparatejobsunderAdam’sdirectionthanbyhisjourneyman’swork，andAdam，inhisoverhours，coulddoallthe"nice"workthatrequiredpeculiarskill。Themoneygainedinthisway，withthegoodwageshereceivedasforeman，wouldsoonenablethemtogetbeforehandwiththeworld，sosparinglyastheywouldalllivenow。Nosoonerhadthislittleplanshapeditselfinhismindthanhebegantobebusywithexactcalculationsaboutthewoodtobeboughtandtheparticulararticleoffurniturethatshouldbeundertakenfirst——akitchencupboardofhisowncontrivance，withsuchaningeniousarrangementofsliding-doorsandbolts，suchconvenientnooksforstowinghouseholdprovender，andsuchasymmetricalresulttotheeye，thateverygoodhousewifewouldbeinraptureswithit，andfallthroughallthegradationsofmelancholylongingtillherhusbandpromisedtobuyitforher。AdampicturedtohimselfMrs。Poyserexaminingitwithherkeeneyeandtryinginvaintofindoutadeficiency；

and，ofcourse，closetoMrs。PoyserstoodHetty，andAdamwasagainbeguiledfromcalculationsandcontrivancesintodreamsandhopes。Yes，hewouldgoandseeherthisevening——itwassolongsincehehadbeenattheHallFarm。Hewouldhavelikedtogotothenight-school，toseewhyBartleMasseyhadnotbeenatchurchyesterday，forhefearedhisoldfriendwasill；but，unlesshecouldmanagebothvisits，thislastmustbeputofftillto-

morrow——thedesiretobenearHettyandtospeaktoheragainwastoostrong。

Ashemadeuphismindtothis，hewascomingveryneartotheendofhiswalk，withinthesoundofthehammersatworkontherefittingoftheoldhouse。Thesoundoftoolstoacleverworkmanwholoveshisworkislikethetentativesoundsoftheorchestratotheviolinistwhohastobearhispartintheoverture:thestrongfibresbegintheiraccustomedthrill，andwhatwasamomentbeforejoy，vexation，orambition，beginsitschangeintoenergy。Allpassionbecomesstrengthwhenithasanoutletfromthenarrowlimitsofourpersonallotinthelabourofourrightarm，thecunningofourrighthand，orthestill，creativeactivityofourthought。LookatAdamthroughtherestoftheday，ashestandsonthescaffoldingwiththetwo-feetrulerinhishand，whistlinglowwhileheconsidershowadifficultyaboutafloor-joistorawindow-frameistobeovercome；orashepushesoneoftheyoungerworkmenasideandtakeshisplaceinupheavingaweightoftimber，saying，"Letalone，lad！Thee’stgottoomuchgristlei’thybonesyet"；orashefixeshiskeenblackeyesonthemotionsofaworkmanontheothersideoftheroomandwarnshimthathisdistancesarenotright。Lookatthisbroad-shoulderedmanwiththebaremusculararms，andthethick，firm，blackhairtossedaboutliketroddenmeadow-grasswheneverhetakesoffhispapercap，andwiththestrongbarytonevoiceburstingeverynowandthenintoloudandsolemnpsalm-tunes，asifseekinganoutletforsuperfluousstrength，yetpresentlycheckinghimself，apparentlycrossedbysomethoughtwhichjarswiththesinging。Perhaps，ifyouhadnotbeenalreadyinthesecret，youmightnothaveguessedwhatsadmemorieswhatwarmaffection，whattenderflutteringhopes，hadtheirhomeinthisathleticbodywiththebrokenfinger-nails——inthisroughman，whoknewnobetterlyricsthanhecouldfindintheOldandNewVersionandanoccasionalhymn；whoknewthesmallestpossibleamountofprofanehistory；andforwhomthemotionandshapeoftheearth，thecourseofthesun，andthechangesoftheseasonslayintheregionofmysteryjustmadevisiblebyfragmentaryknowledge。IthadcostAdamagreatdealoftroubleandworkinoverhourstoknowwhatheknewoverandabovethesecretsofhishandicraft，andthatacquaintancewithmechanicsandfigures，andthenatureofthematerialsheworkedwith，whichwasmadeeasytohimbyinborninheritedfaculty——togetthemasteryofhispen，andwriteaplainhand，tospellwithoutanyothermistakesthanmustinfairnessbeattributedtotheunreasonablecharacteroforthographyratherthantoanydeficiencyinthespeller，and，moreover，tolearnhismusicalnotesandpart-singing。Besidesallthis，hehadreadhisBible，includingtheapocryphalbooks；PoorRichard’sAlmanac，Taylor’sHolyLivingandDying，ThePilgrim’sProgress，withBunyan’sLifeandHolyWar，agreatdealofBailey’sDictionary，ValentineandOrson，andpartofaHistoryofBabylon，whichBartleMasseyhadlenthim。HemighthavehadmanymorebooksfromBartleMassey，buthehadnotimeforreading"thecomminprint，"asLisbethcalledit，sobusyashewaswithfiguresinalltheleisuremomentswhichhedidnotfillupwithextracarpentry。

Adam，youperceive，wasbynomeansamarvellousman，nor，properlyspeaking，agenius，yetIwillnotpretendthathiswasanordinarycharacteramongworkmen；anditwouldnotbeatallasafeconclusionthatthenextbestmanyoumayhappentoseewithabasketoftoolsoverhisshoulderandapapercaponhisheadhasthestrongconscienceandthestrongsense，theblendedsusceptibilityandself-command，ofourfriendAdam。Hewasnotanaverageman。Yetsuchmenashearerearedhereandthereineverygenerationofourpeasantartisans——withaninheritanceofaffectionsnurturedbyasimplefamilylifeofcommonneedandcommonindustry，andaninheritanceoffacultiestrainedinskilfulcourageouslabour:theymaketheirwayupwards，rarelyasgeniuses，mostcommonlyaspainstakinghonestmen，withtheskillandconsciencetodowellthetasksthatliebeforethem。Theirliveshavenodiscernibleechobeyondtheneighbourhoodwheretheydwelt，butyouarealmostsuretofindtheresomegoodpieceofroad，somebuilding，someapplicationofmineralproduce，someimprovementinfarmingpractice，somereformofparishabuses，withwhichtheirnamesareassociatedbyoneortwogenerationsafterthem。Theiremployerswerethericherforthem，theworkoftheirhandshaswornwell，andtheworkoftheirbrainshasguidedwellthehandsofothermen。Theywentaboutintheiryouthinflannelorpapercaps，incoatsblackwithcoal-dustorstreakedwithlimeandredpaint；inoldagetheirwhitehairsareseeninaplaceofhonouratchurchandatmarket，andtheytelltheirwell-dressedsonsanddaughters，seatedroundthebrighthearthonwinterevenings，howpleasedtheywerewhentheyfirstearnedtheirtwopencea-day。Otherstherearewhodiepoorandneverputofftheworkman’scoalonweekdays。Theyhavenothadtheartofgettingrich，buttheyaremenoftrust，andwhentheydiebeforetheworkisalloutofthem，itisasifsomemainscrewhadgotlooseinamachine；themasterwhoemployedthemsays，"WhereshallIfindtheirlike？"

AdamVisitstheHallFarmADAMcamebackfromhisworkintheemptywaggon——thatwaswhyhehadchangedhisclothes——andwasreadytosetouttotheHallFarmwhenitstillwantedaquartertoseven。

"What’stheegotthySundayclooseonfor？"saidLisbethcomplainingly，ashecamedownstairs。"Theeartnagoin’toth’

schooli’thybestcoat？"

"No，Mother，"saidAdam，quietly。"I’mgoingtotheHallFarm，butmayhapImaygototheschoolafter，sotheemustnawonderifI’mabitlate。Seth’ullbeathomeinhalfanhour——he’sonlygonetothevillage；sotheewutnamind。"

"Eh，an’what’stheegotthybestclooseonfortogototh’HallFarm？ThePoyserfolkssee’dtheein’emyesterday，Iwarrand。

Whatdostmeanbyturnin’worki’dayintoSundaya-that’n？It’spoorkeepin’companywi’folksasdonnaliketoseetheei’thyworkin’jacket。"

"Good-bye，mother，Ican’tstay，"saidAdam，puttingonhishatandgoingout。

ButhehadnosoonergoneafewpacesbeyondthedoorthanLisbethbecameuneasyatthethoughtthatshehadvexedhim。Ofcourse，thesecretofherobjectiontothebestclotheswashersuspicionthattheywereputonforHetty’ssake；butdeeperthanallherpeevishnesslaytheneedthathersonshouldloveher。Shehurriedafterhim，andlaidholdofhisarmbeforehehadgothalf-waydowntothebrook，andsaid，"Nay，mylad，theewutnagoawayangeredwi’thymother，an’hergotnoughttodobuttositbyhersenan’thinkonthee？"

"Nay，nay，Mother，"saidAdam，gravely，andstandingstillwhileheputhisarmonhershoulder，"I’mnotangered。ButIwish，forthyownsake，thee’dstbemorecontentedtoletmedowhatI’vemadeupmymindtodo。I’llneverbenootherthanagoodsontotheeaslongaswelive。Butamanhasotherfeelingsbesideswhatheowesto’sfatherandmother，andtheeoughtnatowanttoruleovermebodyandsoul。AndtheemustmakeupthymindasI’llnotgivewaytotheewhereI’vearighttodowhatIlike。

Soletushavenomorewordsaboutit。"

"Eh，"saidLisbeth，notwillingtoshowthatshefelttherealbearingofAdam’swords，"and’wholikestoseetheei’thybestcloosebetternorthymother？An’whenthee’stgotthyfacewashedascleanasthesmoothwhitepibble，an’thyhaircombedsonice，andthyeyesa-sparklin’——whatelseisthereasthyoldmothershouldliketolookathalfsowell？An’theesha’tputonthySundaycloosewhentheelik’stforme——I’llne’erplaguetheenomoorabout’n。"

"Well，well；good-bye，mother，"saidAdam，kissingherandhurryingaway。Hesawtherewasnoothermeansofputtinganendtothedialogue。Lisbethstoodstillonthespot，shadinghereyesandlookingafterhimtillhewasquiteoutofsight。ShefelttothefullallthemeaningthathadlaininAdam’swords，and，asshelostsightofhimandturnedbackslowlyintothehouse，shesaidaloudtoherself——foritwasherwaytospeakherthoughtsaloudinthelongdayswhenherhusbandandsonswereattheirwork——"Eh，he’llbetellin’meashe’sgoin’tobringherhomeoneo’thesedays；an’she’llbemissiso’erme，andImunlookon，belike，whilesheusestheblue-edgedplatters，andbreaks’em，mayhap，thoughthere’sne’erbeenonebrokesin’myoldmanan’mebought’ematthefairtwenty’earcomenextWhis-

suntide。Eh！"shewenton，stilllouder，asshecaughtupherknittingfromthetable，"butshe’llne’erknitthelad’sstockin’s，norfoot’emnayther，whileIlive；an’whenI’mgone，he’llbethinkhimasnobody’ullne’erfit’slegan’footashisoldmotherdid。She’llknownothin’o’narrowin’an’heelin’，I

warrand，an’she’llmakealongtoeashecannaget’sbooton。

That’swhatcomeso’marr’in’youngwenches。Iwargonethirty，an’th’feythertoo，aforewewarmarried；an’youngenoughtoo。

She’llbeapoordratchellbythenSHE’Sthirty，a-marr’in’a-

that’n，aforeherteeth’sallcome。"

Adamwalkedsofastthathewasattheyard-gatebeforeseven。

MartinPoyserandthegrandfatherwerenotyetcomeinfromthemeadow:everyonewasinthemeadow，eventotheblack-and-tanterrier——noonekeptwatchintheyardbutthebull-dog；andwhenAdamreachedthehouse-door，whichstoodwideopen，hesawtherewasnooneinthebrightcleanhouse-place。ButheguessedwhereMrs。Poyserandsomeoneelsewouldbe，quitewithinhearing；soheknockedonthedoorandsaidinhisstrongvoice，"Mrs。Poyserwithin？"

"Comein，Mr。Bede，comein，"Mrs。Poysercalledoutfromthedairy。ShealwaysgaveAdamthistitlewhenshereceivedhiminherownhouse。"Youmaycomeintothedairyifyouwill，forI

cannajustlyleavethecheese。"

Adamwalkedintothedairy，whereMrs。PoyserandNancywerecrushingthefirsteveningcheese。

"Why，youmightthinkyouwarcometoadead-house，"saidMrs。

Poyser，ashestoodintheopendoorway；"they’realli’themeadow；butMartin’ssuretobeinaforelong，forthey’releavingthehaycockedto-night，readyforcarryingfirstthingto-morrow。

I’vebeenforcedt’haveNancyin，upo’’countasHettymustgethertheredcurrantsto-night；thefruitallaysripenssocontrairy，justwheneveryhand’swanted。An’there’snotrustin’

thechildrentogetherit，fortheyputmoreintotheirownmouthsnorintothebasket；youmightaswellsetthewaspstogetherthefruit。"

AdamlongedtosayhewouldgointothegardentillMr。Poysercamein，buthewasnotquitecourageousenough，sohesaid，"I

couldbelookingatyourspinning-wheel，then，andseewhatwantsdoingtoit。Perhapsitstandsinthehouse，whereIcanfindit？"

"No，I’veputitawayintheright-handparlour；butletitbetillIcanfetchitandshowityou。I’dbegladnowifyou’dgointothegardenandtellHettytosendTottyin。Thechild’ullruninifshe’stold，an’IknowHetty’slettin’hereattoomanycurrants。I’llbemuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Bede，ifyou’llgoandsendherin；an’there’stheYorkandLankesterrosesbeautifulinthegardennow——you’llliketosee’em。Butyou’dlikeadrinko’

wheyfirst，p’r’aps；Iknowyou’refondo’whey，asmostfolksiswhentheyhannagottocrushitout。"

"Thankyou，Mrs。Poyser，"saidAdam；"adrinko’whey’sallaysatreattome。I’dratherhaveitthanbeeranyday。"

"Aye，aye，"saidMrs。Poyser，reachingasmallwhitebasinthatstoodontheshelf，anddippingitintothewhey-tub，"thesmello’bread’ssweett’everybodybutthebaker。TheMissIrwinesallayssay，’Oh，Mrs。Poyser，Ienvyyouyourdairy；andIenvyyouyourchickens；andwhatabeautifulthingafarm-houseis，tobesure！’An’Isay，’Yes；afarm-houseisafinethingforthemaslookon，an’don’tknowtheliftin’，an’thestannin’，an’theworritin’o’th’insideasbelongsto’t。’"

"Why，Mrs。Poyser，youwouldn’tliketoliveanywhereelsebutinafarm-house，sowellasyoumanageit，"saidAdam，takingthebasin；"andtherecanbenothingtolookatpleasanternorafinemilchcow，standingupto’tskneesinpasture，andthenewmilkfrothinginthepail，andthefreshbutterreadyformarket，andthecalves，andthepoultry。Here’stoyourhealth，andmayyouallayshavestrengthtolookafteryourowndairy，andsetapatternt’allthefarmers’wivesinthecountry。"

Mrs。Poyserwasnottobecaughtintheweaknessofsmilingatacompliment，butaquietcomplacencyover-spreadherfacelikeastealingsunbeam，andgaveamilderglancethanusualtoherblue-

greyeyes，asshelookedatAdamdrinkingthewhey。Ah！IthinkItastethatwheynow——withaflavoursodelicatethatonecanhardlydistinguishitfromanodour，andwiththatsoftglidingwarmththatfillsone’simaginationwithastill，happydreaminess。Andthelightmusicofthedroppingwheyisinmyears，minglingwiththetwitteringofabirdoutsidethewirenetworkwindow——thewindowoverlookingthegarden，andshadedbytallGuelderroses。

"Havealittlemore，Mr。Bede？"saidMrs。Poyser，asAdamsetdownthebasin。

"No，thankyou；I’llgointothegardennow，andsendinthelittlelass。"

"Aye，do；andtellhertocometohermotherinthedairy。"

Adamwalkedroundbytherick-yard，atpresentemptyofricks，tothelittlewoodengateleadingintothegarden——oncethewell-

tendedkitchen-gardenofamanor-house；now，butforthehandsomebrickwallwithstonecopingthatranalongonesideofit，atruefarmhousegarden，withhardyperennialflowers，unprunedfruit-

trees，andkitchenvegetablesgrowingtogetherincareless，half-

neglectedabundance。Inthatleafy，flowery，bushytime，tolookforanyoneinthisgardenwaslikeplayingat"hide-and-seek。"

Therewerethetallhollyhocksbeginningtofloweranddazzletheeyewiththeirpink，white，andyellow；therewerethesyringasandGuelderroses，alllargeanddisorderlyforwantoftrimming；

therewereleafywallsofscarletbeansandlatepeas；therewasarowofbushyfilbertsinonedirection，andinanotherahugeapple-treemakingabarrencircleunderitslow-spreadingboughs。

Butwhatsignifiedabarrenpatchortwo？Thegardenwassolarge。Therewasalwaysasuperfluityofbroadbeans——ittooknineortenofAdam’sstridestogettotheendoftheuncutgrasswalkthatranbythesideofthem；andasforothervegetables，therewassomuchmoreroomthanwasnecessaryforthemthatintherotationofcropsalargeflourishingbedofgroundselwasofyearlyoccurrenceononespotorother。Theveryrose-treesatwhichAdamstoppedtopluckonelookedasiftheygrewwild；theywereallhuddledtogetherinbushymasses，nowflauntingwithwide-openpetals，almostallofthemofthestreakedpink-and-

whitekind，whichdoubtlessdatedfromtheunionofthehousesofYorkandLancaster。AdamwaswiseenoughtochooseacompactProvencerosethatpeepedouthalf-smotheredbyitsflauntingscentlessneighbours，andhelditinhishand——hethoughtheshouldbemoreateaseholdingsomethinginhishand——ashewalkedontothefarendofthegarden，whereherememberedtherewasthelargestrowofcurrant-trees，notfarofffromthegreatyew-treearbour。

Buthehadnotgonemanystepsbeyondtheroses，whenheheardtheshakingofabough，andaboy’svoicesaying，"Now，then，Totty，holdoutyourpinny——there’saduck。"

Thevoicecamefromtheboughsofatallcherry-tree，whereAdamhadnodifficultyindiscerningasmallblue-pinaforedfigureperchedinacommodiouspositionwherethefruitwasthickest。

DoubtlessTottywasbelow，behindthescreenofpeas。Yes——withherbonnethangingdownherback，andherfatface，dreadfullysmearedwithredjuice，turneduptowardsthecherry-tree，whilesheheldherlittleroundholeofamouthandherred-stainedpinaforetoreceivethepromiseddownfall。Iamsorrytosay，morethanhalfthecherriesthatfellwerehardandyellowinsteadofjuicyandred；butTottyspentnotimeinuselessregrets，andshewasalreadysuckingthethirdjuiciestwhenAdamsaid，"Therenow，Totty，you’vegotyourcherries。Runintothehousewith’emtoMother——shewantsyou——she’sinthedairy。Runinthisminute——

there’sagoodlittlegirl。"

Heliftedherupinhisstrongarmsandkissedherashespoke，aceremonywhichTottyregardedasatiresomeinterruptiontocherry-eating；andwhenhesetherdownshetrottedoffquitesilentlytowardsthehouse，suckinghercherriesasshewentalong。

"Tommy，mylad，takecareyou’renotshotforalittlethievingbird，"saidAdam，ashewalkedontowardsthecurrant-trees。

Hecouldseetherewasalargebasketattheendoftherow:Hettywouldnotbefaroff，andAdamalreadyfeltasifshewerelookingathim。Yetwhenheturnedthecornershewasstandingwithherbacktowardshim，andstoopingtogatherthelow-hangingfruit。

Strangethatshehadnotheardhimcoming！Perhapsitwasbecauseshewasmakingtheleavesrustle。Shestartedwhenshebecameconsciousthatsomeonewasnear——startedsoviolentlythatshedroppedthebasinwiththecurrantsinit，andthen，whenshesawitwasAdam，sheturnedfrompaletodeepred。Thatblushmadehisheartbeatwithanewhappiness。Hettyhadneverblushedatseeinghimbefore。

"Ifrightenedyou，"hesaid，withadelicioussensethatitdidn’tsignifywhathesaid，sinceHettyseemedtofeelasmuchashedid；"letMEpickthecurrantsup。"

Thatwassoondone，fortheyhadonlyfalleninatangledmassonthegrass-plot，andAdam，asheroseandgaveherthebasinagain，lookedstraightintohereyeswiththesubduedtendernessthatbelongstothefirstmomentsofhopefullove。

Hettydidnotturnawayhereyes；herblushhadsubsided，andshemethisglancewithaquietsadness，whichcontentedAdambecauseitwassounlikeanythinghehadseeninherbefore。

"There’snotmanymorecurrantstoget，"shesaid；"Ishallsoonha’donenow。"

"I’llhelpyou，"saidAdam；andhefetchedthelargebasket，whichwasnearlyfullofcurrants，andsetitclosetothem。

Notawordmorewasspokenastheygatheredthecurrants。Adam’sheartwastoofulltospeak，andhethoughtHettyknewallthatwasinit。Shewasnotindifferenttohispresenceafterall；shehadblushedwhenshesawhim，andthentherewasthattouchofsadnessaboutherwhichmustsurelymeanlove，sinceitwastheoppositeofherusualmanner，whichhadoftenimpressedhimasindifference。Andhecouldglanceathercontinuallyasshebentoverthefruit，whiletheleveleveningsunbeamsstolethroughthethickapple-treeboughs，andrestedonherroundcheekandneckasiftheytoowereinlovewithher。ItwastoAdamthetimethatamancanleastforgetinafter-life，thetimewhenhebelievesthatthefirstwomanhehaseverlovedbetraysbyaslightsomething——aword，atone，aglance，thequiveringofaliporaneyelid——thatsheisatleastbeginningtolovehiminreturn。Thesignissoslight，itisscarcelyperceptibletotheearoreye——hecoulddescribeittonoone——itisamerefeather-touch，yetitseemstohavechangedhiswholebeing，tohavemergedanuneasyyearningintoadeliciousunconsciousnessofeverythingbutthepresentmoment。Somuchofourearlygladnessvanishesutterlyfromourmemory:wecanneverrecallthejoywithwhichwelaidourheadsonourmother’sbosomorrodeonourfather’sbackinchildhood。

Doubtlessthatjoyiswroughtupintoournature，asthesunlightoflong-pastmorningsiswroughtupinthesoftmellownessoftheapricot，butitisgoneforeverfromourimagination，andwecanonlyBELIEVEinthejoyofchildhood。Butthefirstgladmomentinourfirstloveisavisionwhichreturnstoustothelast，andbringswithitathrilloffeelingintenseandspecialastherecurrentsensationofasweetodourbreathedinafar-offhourofhappiness。Itisamemorythatgivesamoreexquisitetouchtotenderness，thatfeedsthemadnessofjealousyandaddsthelastkeennesstotheagonyofdespair。

Hettybendingovertheredbunches，thelevelrayspiercingthescreenofapple-treeboughs，thelengthofbushygardenbeyond，hisownemotionashelookedatherandbelievedthatshewasthinkingofhim，andthattherewasnoneedforthemtotalk——Adamremembereditalltothelastmomentofhislife。

AndHetty？YouknowquitewellthatAdamwasmistakenabouther。

Likemanyothermen，hethoughtthesignsofloveforanotherweresignsoflovetowardshimself。WhenAdamwasapproachingunseenbyher，shewasabsorbedasusualinthinkingandwonderingaboutArthur’spossiblereturn。Thesoundofanyman’sfootstepwouldhaveaffectedherjustinthesameway——shewouldhaveFELTitmightbeArthurbeforeshehadtimetosee，andthebloodthatforsookhercheekintheagitationofthatmomentaryfeelingwouldhaverushedbackagainatthesightofanyoneelsejustasmuchasatthesightofAdam。HewasnotwronginthinkingthatachangehadcomeoverHetty:theanxietiesandfearsofafirstpassion，withwhichshewastrembling，hadbecomestrongerthanvanity，hadgivenherforthefirsttimethatsenseofhelplessdependenceonanother’sfeelingwhichawakenstheclingingdeprecatingwomanhoodevenintheshallowestgirlthatcaneverexperienceit，andcreatesinherasensibilitytokindnesswhichfoundherquitehardbefore。ForthefirsttimeHettyfeltthattherewassomethingsoothingtoherinAdam’stimidyetmanlytenderness。Shewantedtobetreatedlovingly——oh，itwasveryhardtobearthisblankofabsence，silence，apparentindifference，afterthosemomentsofglowinglove！ShewasnotafraidthatAdamwouldteaseherwithlove-makingandflatteringspeecheslikeherotheradmirers；hehadalwaysbeensoreservedtoher；shecouldenjoywithoutanyfearthesensethatthisstrongbravemanlovedherandwasnearher。ItneverenteredintohermindthatAdamwaspitiabletoo——thatAdamtoomustsufferoneday。

Hetty，weknow，wasnotthefirstwomanthathadbehavedmoregentlytothemanwholovedherinvainbecauseshehadherselfbeguntoloveanother。Itwasaveryoldstory，butAdamknewnothingaboutit，sohedrankinthesweetdelusion。

"That’lldo，"saidHetty，afteralittlewhile。"Auntwantsmetoleavesomeonthetrees。I’lltake’eminnow。"

"It’sverywellIcametocarrythebasket，"saidAdam"forit’udha’beentooheavyforyourlittlearms。"

"No；Icouldha’carrieditwithbothhands。"

"Oh，Idaresay，"saidAdam，smiling，"andbeenaslonggettingintothehouseasalittleantcarryingacaterpillar。Haveyoueverseenthosetinyfellowscarryingthingsfourtimesasbigasthemselves？"

"No，"saidHetty，indifferently，notcaringtoknowthedifficultiesofantlife。

"Oh，Iusedtowatch’emoftenwhenIwasalad。Butnow，yousee，Icancarrythebasketwithonearm，asifitwasanemptynutshell，andgiveyouth’otherarmtoleanon。Won’tyou？Suchbigarmsasmineweremadeforlittlearmslikeyourstoleanon。"

Hettysmiledfaintlyandputherarmwithinhis。Adamlookeddownather，buthereyeswereturneddreamilytowardsanothercornerofthegarden。

"HaveyoueverbeentoEagledale？"shesaid，astheywalkedslowlyalong。

"Yes，"saidAdam，pleasedtohaveheraskaquestionabouthimself。"Tenyearsago，whenIwasalad，Iwentwithfathertoseeaboutsomeworkthere。It’sawonderfulsight——rocksandcavessuchasyouneversawinyourlife。Ineverhadarightnotiono’rockstillIwentthere。"

"Howlongdidittaketogetthere？"

"Why，ittookusthebestparto’twodays’walking。Butit’snothingofaday’sjourneyforanybodyashasgotafirst-ratenag。Thecaptain’udgetthereinnineortenhours，I’llbebound，he’ssucharider。AndIshouldn’twonderifhe’sbackagainto-morrow；he’stooactivetorestlonginthatlonelyplace，allbyhimself，forthere’snothingbutabitofainni’

thatpartwherehe’sgonetofish。Iwishhe’dgotth’estateinhishands；that’udbetherightthingforhim，forit’udgivehimplentytodo，andhe’ddo’twelltoo，forallhe’ssoyoung；

he’sgotbetternotionso’thingsthanmanyamantwicehisage。

Hespokeveryhandsometometh’otherdayaboutlendingmemoneytosetupi’business；andifthingscameroundthatway，I’dratherbebeholdingtohimnortoanymani’theworld。"

PoorAdamwasledontospeakaboutArthurbecausehethoughtHettywouldbepleasedtoknowthattheyoungsquirewassoreadytobefriendhim；thefactenteredintohisfutureprospects，whichhewouldliketoseempromisinginhereyes。AnditwastruethatHettylistenedwithaninterestwhichbroughtanewlightintohereyesandahalf-smileuponherlips。

"Howprettytherosesarenow！"Adamcontinued，pausingtolookatthem。"See！Istoletheprettiest，butIdidnameantokeepitmyself。Ithinktheseasareallpink，andhavegotafinersorto’greenleaves，areprettierthanthestripeduns，don’tyou？"

Hesetdownthebasketandtooktherosefromhisbutton-hole。

"Itsmellsverysweet，"hesaid；"thosestripedunshavenosmell。

Stickitinyourfrock，andthenyoucanputitinwaterafter。

It’udbeapitytoletitfade。"

Hettytooktherose，smilingasshedidsoatthepleasantthoughtthatArthurcouldsosoongetbackifheliked。Therewasaflashofhopeandhappinessinhermind，andwithasuddenimpulseofgaietyshedidwhatshehadveryoftendonebefore——stucktheroseinherhairalittleabovetheleftear。ThetenderadmirationinAdam’sfacewasslightlyshadowedbyreluctantdisapproval。

Hetty’sloveoffinerywasjustthethingthatwouldmostprovokehismother，andhehimselfdislikeditasmuchasitwaspossibleforhimtodislikeanythingthatbelongedtoher。

"Ah，"hesaid，"that’sliketheladiesinthepicturesattheChase；they’vemostlygotflowersorfeathersorgoldthingsi’

theirhair，butsomehowIdon’tliketosee’emtheyallaysputmei’mindo’thepaintedwomenoutsidetheshowsatTreddles’onFair。Whatcanawomanhavetosetheroffbetterthanherownhair，whenitcurlsso，likeyours？Ifawoman’syoungandpretty，Ithinkyoucanseehergoodlooksallthebetterforherbeingplaindressed。Why，DinahMorrislooksverynice，forallshewearssuchaplaincapandgown。Itseemstomeasawoman’sfacedoesnawantflowers；it’salmostlikeafloweritself。I’msureyoursis。"

"Oh，verywell，"saidHetty，withalittleplayfulpout，takingtheroseoutofherhair。"I’llputoneo’Dinah’scapsonwhenwegoin，andyou’llseeifIlookbetterinit。Sheleftonebehind，soIcantakethepattern。"

"Nay，nay，Idon’twantyoutowearaMethodistcaplikeDinah’s。

Idaresayit’saveryuglycap，andIusedtothinkwhenIsawherhereasitwasnonsenseforhertodressdifferentt’otherpeople；butIneverrightlynoticedhertillshecametoseemotherlastweek，andthenIthoughtthecapseemedtofitherfacesomehowasth’acorn-cupfitsth’acorn，andIshouldn’tliketoseehersowellwithoutit。Butyou’vegotanothersorto’

face；I’dhaveyoujustasyouarenow，withoutanythingt’

interferewithyourownlooks。It’slikewhenaman’ssingingagoodtune——youdon’twantt’hearbellstinklingandinterferingwi’thesound。"

Hetookherarmandputitwithinhisagain，lookingdownonherfondly。Hewasafraidsheshouldthinkhehadlecturedher，imagining，asweareapttodo，thatshehadperceivedallthethoughtshehadonlyhalf-expressed。Andthethinghedreadedmostwaslestanycloudshouldcomeoverthisevening’shappiness。

FortheworldhewouldnothavespokenofhislovetoHettyyet，tillthiscommencingkindnesstowardshimshouldhavegrownintounmistakablelove。Inhisimaginationhesawlongyearsofhisfuturelifestretchingbeforehim，blestwiththerighttocallHettyhisown:hecouldbecontentwithverylittleatpresent。

Sohetookupthebasketofcurrantsoncemore，andtheywentontowardsthehouse。

Thescenehadquitechangedinthehalf-hourthatAdamhadbeeninthegarden。Theyardwasfulloflifenow:Martywaslettingthescreaminggeesethroughthegate，andwickedlyprovokingtheganderbyhissingathim；thegranary-doorwasgroaningonitshingesasAlickshutit，afterdealingoutthecorn；thehorseswerebeingledouttowatering，amidstmuchbarkingofallthethreedogsandmany"whups"fromTimtheploughman，asiftheheavyanimalswhohelddowntheirmeek，intelligentheads，andliftedtheirshaggyfeetsodeliberately，werelikelytorushwildlyineverydirectionbuttheright。Everybodywascomebackfromthemeadow；andwhenHettyandAdamenteredthehouse-place，Mr。Poyserwasseatedinthethree-corneredchair，andthegrandfatherinthelargearm-chairopposite，lookingonwithpleasantexpectationwhilethesupperwasbeinglaidontheoaktable。Mrs。Poyserhadlaidtheclothherself——aclothmadeofhomespunlinen，withashiningcheckeredpatternonit，andofanagreeablewhitey-brownhue，suchasallsensiblehousewivesliketosee——noneofyourbleached"shop-rag"thatwouldwearintoholesinnotime，butgoodhomespunthatwouldlastfortwogenerations。Thecoldveal，thefreshlettuces，andthestuffedchinemightwelllooktemptingtohungrymenwhohaddinedathalf-pasttwelveo’clock。Onthelargedealtableagainstthewalltherewerebrightpewterplatesandspoonsandcans，readyforAlickandhiscompanions；forthemasterandservantsatetheirsuppernotfaroffeachother；whichwasallthepleasanter，becauseifaremarkaboutto-morrowmorning’sworkoccurredtoMr。

Poyser，Alickwasathandtohearit。

"Well，Adam，I’mgladtoseeye，"saidMr。Poyser。"What！ye’vebeenhelpingHettytogetherthecurran’s，eh？Come，sityedown，sityedown。Why，it’sprettynearathree-weeksincey’hadyoursupperwithus；andthemissishasgotoneofherrarestuffedchines。I’mgladye’recome。"

"Hetty，"saidMrs。Poyser，asshelookedintothebasketofcurrantstoseeifthefruitwasfine，"runupstairsandsendMollydown。She’sputtingTottytobed，andIwanthertodrawth’ale，forNancy’sbusyyeti’thedairy。Youcanseetothechild。Butwhativerdidyouletherrunawayfromyoualongwi’

Tommyfor，andstuffherselfwi’fruitasshecan’teatabito’

goodvictual？"

Thiswassaidinalowertonethanusual，whileherhusbandwastalkingtoAdam；forMrs。Poyserwasstrictinadherencetoherownrulesofpropriety，andsheconsideredthatayounggirlwasnottobetreatedsharplyinthepresenceofarespectablemanwhowascourtingher。Thatwouldnotbefair-play:everywomanwasyounginherturn，andhadherchancesofmatrimony，whichitwasapointofhonourforotherwomennottospoil——justasonemarket-womanwhohassoldherowneggsmustnottrytobalkanotherofacustomer。

Hettymadehastetorunawayupstairs，noteasilyfindingananswertoheraunt’squestion，andMrs。PoyserwentouttoseeafterMartyandTommyandbringthemintosupper。

Soontheywereallseated——thetworosylads，oneoneachside，bythepalemother，aplacebeingleftforHettybetweenAdamandheruncle。Alicktoowascomein，andwasseatedinhisfarcorner，eatingcoldbroadbeansoutofalargedishwithhispocket-knife，andfindingaflavourinthemwhichhewouldnothaveexchangedforthefinestpineapple。

"Whatatimethatgellisdrawingth’ale，tobesure！"saidMrs。

Poyser，whenshewasdispensingherslicesofstuffedchine。"I

thinkshesetsthejugunderandforgetstoturnthetap，asthere’snothingyoucan’tbelieveo’themwenches:they’llsettheemptykettleo’thefire，andthencomeanhouraftertoseeifthewaterboils。"

"She’sdrawin’forthementoo，"saidMr。Poyser。"Theeshouldstha’toldhertobringourjugupfirst。"

"Toldher？"saidMrs。Poyser。"Yes，Imightspendallthewindi’

mybody，an’takethebellowstoo，ifIwastotellthemgellseverythingastheirownsharpnesswonnatell’em。Mr。Bede，willyoutakesomevinegarwithyourlettuce？Ayeyou’rei’therightnot。Itspoilstheflavouro’thechine，tomythinking。It’spooreatingwheretheflavouro’themeatliesi’thecruets。

There’sfolksasmakebadbutterandtrustentothesaltt’hideit。"

Mrs。Poyser’sattentionwasheredivertedbytheappearanceofMolly，carryingalargejug，twosmallmugs，andfourdrinking-

cans，allfullofaleorsmallbeer——aninterestingexampleoftheprehensilepowerpossessedbythehumanhand。PoorMolly’smouthwasratherwideropenthanusual，asshewalkedalongwithhereyesfixedonthedoubleclusterofvesselsinherhands，quiteinnocentoftheexpressioninhermistress’seye。

"Molly，Iniverknewyourequils——tothinko’yourpoormotherasisawidow，an’Itookyouwi’asgoodasnocharacter，an’thetimesan’timesI’vetoldyou……"

Mollyhadnotseenthelightning，andthethundershookhernervesthemoreforthewantofthatpreparation。Withavaguealarmedsensethatshemustsomehowcomportherselfdifferently，shehastenedherstepalittletowardsthefardealtable，whereshemightsetdownhercans——caughtherfootinherapron，whichhadbecomeuntied，andfellwithacrashandasplashintoapoolofbeer；whereuponatitteringexplosionfromMartyandTommy，andaserious"Ello！"fromMr。Poyser，whosawhisdraughtofaleunpleasantlydeferred。

"Thereyougo！"resumedMrs。Poyser，inacuttingtone，assheroseandwenttowardsthecupboardwhileMollybegandolefullytopickupthefragmentsofpottery。"It’swhatItoldyou’udcome，overandoveragain；andthere’syourmonth’swagegone，andmore，topayforthatjugasI’vehadi’thehousethistenyear，andnothingeverhappenedto’tbefore；butthecrockeryyou’vebrokesin’hereinth’houseyou’vebeen’udmakeaparsonswear——Godforgi’meforsayingso——an’ifithadbeenboilingwortouto’

thecopper，it’udha’beenthesame，andyou’dha’beenscaldedandverylikelamedforlife，asthere’snoknowingbutwhatyouwillbesomedayifyougoon；foranybody’udthinkyou’dgottheSt。Vitus’sDance，toseethethingsyou’vethroweddown。It’sapitybutwhatthebitswasstackedupforyoutosee，thoughit’sneitherseeingnorhearingas’ullmakemuchoddstoyou——anybody’udthinkyouwarcase-hardened。"

PoorMolly’stearsweredroppingfastbythistime，andinherdesperationatthelivelymovementofthebeer-streamtowardsAlick’slegs，shewasconvertingherapronintoamop，whileMrs。

Poyser，openingthecupboard，turnedablightingeyeuponher。

"Ah，"shewenton，"you’lldonogoodwi’cryingan’makingmorewettowipeup。It’sallyourownwilfulness，asItellyou，forthere’snobodynocalltobreakanythingifthey’llonlygotherightwaytowork。Butwoodenfolkshadneedha’woodenthingst’

handle。AndheremustItakethebrown-and-whitejug，asit’sniverbeenusedthreetimesthisyear，andgodowni’thecellarmyself，andbelikecatchmydeath，andbelaidupwi’

inflammation……"

Mrs。Poyserhadturnedroundfromthecupboardwiththebrown-and-

whitejuginherhand，whenshecaughtsightofsomethingattheotherendofthekitchen；perhapsitwasbecauseshewasalreadytremblingandnervousthattheapparitionhadsostronganeffectonher；perhapsjug-breaking，likeothercrimes，hasacontagiousinfluence。Howeveritwas，shestaredandstartedlikeaghost-

seer，andthepreciousbrown-and-whitejugfelltotheground，partingforeverwithitsspoutandhandle。

"Dideveranybodyseethelike？"shesaid，withasuddenlyloweredtone，afteramoment’sbewilderedglanceroundtheroom。"Thejugsarebewitched，Ithink。It’sthemnastyglazedhandles——theyslipo’erthefingerlikeasnail。"

"Why，thee’stletthyownwhipflyi’thyface，"saidherhusband，whohadnowjoinedinthelaughoftheyoungones。

"It’sallveryfinetolookonandgrin，"rejoinedMrs。Poyser；

"butthere’stimeswhenthecrockeryseemsalivean’fliesouto’

yourhandlikeabird。It’sliketheglass，sometimes，’ullcrackasitstands。WhatistobebrokeWILLbebroke，forIneverdroppedathingi’mylifeforwanto’holdingit，elseIshouldneverha’keptthecrockeryallthese’earsasIboughtatmyownwedding。AndHetty，areyoumad？Whativerdoyoumeanbycomingdowni’thatway，andmakingonethinkasthere’saghosta-

walkingi’th’house？"

Anewoutbreakoflaughter，whileMrs。Poyserwasspeaking，wascaused，lessbyhersuddenconversiontoafatalisticviewofjug-

breakingthanbythatstrangeappearanceofHetty，whichhadstartledheraunt。Thelittleminxhadfoundablackgownofheraunt’s，andpinneditcloseroundhernecktolooklikeDinah’s，hadmadeherhairasflatasshecould，andhadtiedononeofDinah’shigh-crownedborderlessnetcaps。ThethoughtofDinah’spalegravefaceandmildgreyeyes，whichthesightofthegownandcapbroughtwithit，madeitalaughablesurpriseenoughtoseethemreplacedbyHetty’sroundrosycheeksandcoquettishdarkeyes。Theboysgotofftheirchairsandjumpedroundher，clappingtheirhands，andevenAlickgavealowventrallaughashelookedupfromhisbeans。Undercoverofthenoise，Mrs。

PoyserwentintothebackkitchentosendNancyintothecellarwiththegreatpewtermeasure，whichhadsomechanceofbeingfreefrombewitchment。

"Why，Hetty，lass，areyeturnedMethodist？"saidMr。Poyser，withthatcomfortableslowenjoymentofalaughwhichoneonlyseesinstoutpeople。"Youmustpullyourfaceadeallongerbeforeyou’lldoforone；mustnashe，Adam？Howcomeyouputthemthingson，eh？"

"AdamsaidhelikedDinah’scapandgownbetternormyclothes，"

saidHetty，sittingdowndemurely。"Hesaysfolkslooksbetterinuglyclothes。"

"Nay，nay，"saidAdam，lookingatheradmiringly；"IonlysaidtheyseemedtosuitDinah。ButifI’dsaidyou’dlookprettyin’em，Ishouldha’saidnothingbutwhatwastrue。"

"Why，theethought’stHettywaraghost，didstna？"saidMr。Poysertohiswife，whonowcamebackandtookherseatagain。"Theelook’dstasscaredasscared。"

"ItlittlesinnifieshowIlooked，"saidMrs。Poyser；"looks’ullmendnojugs，norlaughingneither，asIsee。Mr。Bede，I’msorryyou’vetowaitsolongforyourale，butit’scominginaminute。

Makeyourselfathomewi’th’coldpotatoes:Iknowyoulike’em。

Tommy，I’llsendyoutobedthisminute，ifyoudon’tgiveoverlaughing。Whatistheretolaughat，Ishouldliketoknow？I’dsoonercrynorlaughatthesighto’thatpoorthing’scap；andthere’sthemas’udbebetteriftheycouldmaketheirselveslikeheri’morewaysnorputtingonhercap。Itlittlebecomesanybodyi’thishousetomakefuno’mysister’schild，an’herjustgoneawayfromus，asitwenttomyhearttopartwi’her。

An’Iknowonething，asiftroublewastocome，an’Iwastobelaidupi’mybed，an’thechildrenwastodie——asthere’snoknowingbutwhattheywill——an’themurrainwastocomeamongthecattleagain，an’everythingwenttorackan’ruin，Isaywemightbegladtogetsighto’Dinah’scapagain，wi’herownfaceunderit，borderornoborder。Forshe’soneo’themthingsaslooksthebrightestonarainyday，andlovesyouthebestwhenyou’remosti’needon’t。"

Mrs。Poyser，youperceive，wasawarethatnothingwouldbesolikelytoexpelthecomicastheterrible。Tommy，whowasofasusceptibledisposition，andveryfondofhismother，andwhohad，besides，eatensomanycherriesastohavehisfeelingslessundercommandthanusual，wassoaffectedbythedreadfulpictureshehadmadeofthepossiblefuturethathebegantocry；andthegood-naturedfather，indulgenttoallweaknessesbutthoseofnegligentfarmers，saidtoHetty，"You’dbettertakethethingsoffagain，mylass；ithurtsyouraunttosee’em。"

Hettywentupstairsagain，andthearrivalofthealemadeanagreeablediversion；forAdamhadtogivehisopinionofthenewtap，whichcouldnotbeotherwisethancomplimentarytoMrs。

Poyser；andthenfollowedadiscussiononthesecretsofgoodbrewing，thefollyofstinginessin"hopping，"andthedoubtfuleconomyofafarmer’smakinghisownmalt。Mrs。Poyserhadsomanyopportunitiesofexpressingherselfwithweightonthesesubjectsthatbythetimesupperwasended，theale-jugrefilled，andMr。Poyser’spipealightshewasoncemoreinhighgoodhumour，andready，atAdam’srequest，tofetchthebrokenspinning-wheelforhisinspection。

"Ah，"saidAdam，lookingatitcarefully，"here’sanicebito’

turningwanted。It’saprettywheel。Imusthaveitupattheturning-shopinthevillageanddoitthere，forI’venoconvenenceforturningathome。Ifyou’llsendittoMr。Burge’sshopi’themorning，I’llgetitdoneforyoubyWednesday。I’vebeenturningitoverinmymind，"hecontinued，lookingatMr。

Poyser，"tomakeabitmoreconvenenceathomefornicejobso’

cabinet-making。I’vealwaysdoneadealatsuchlittlethingsinoddhours，andthey’reprofitable，forthere’smoreworkmanshipnormaterialin’em。IlookformeandSethtogetalittlebusinessforourselvesi’thatway，forIknowamanatRosseteras’ulltakeasmanythingsasweshouldmake，besideswhatwecouldgetordersforroundabout。"

Mr。PoyserenteredwithinterestintoaprojectwhichseemedasteptowardsAdam’sbecominga"master-man，"andMrs。Poysergaveherapprobationtotheschemeofthemovablekitchencupboard，whichwastobecapableofcontaininggrocery，pickles，crockery，andhouse-linenintheutmostcompactnesswithoutconfusion。

Hetty，oncemoreinherowndress，withherneckerchiefpushedalittlebackwardsonthiswarmevening，wasseatedpickingcurrantsnearthewindow，whereAdamcouldseeherquitewell。AndsothetimepassedpleasantlytillAdamgotuptogo。Hewaspressedtocomeagainsoon，butnottostaylonger，foratthisbusytimesensiblepeoplewouldnotruntheriskofbeingsleepyatfiveo’clockinthemorning。

"Ishalltakeastepfarther，"saidAdam，"andgoontoseeMesterMassey，forhewasn’tatchurchyesterday，andI’venotseenhimforaweekpast。I’veneverhardlyknownhimtomisschurchbefore。"

"Aye，"saidMr。Poyser，"we’vehearednothingabouthim，forit’stheboys’hollodaysnow，sowecangiveyounoaccount。"

"Butyou’llniverthinko’goingthereatthishouro’thenight？"

saidMrs。Poyser，foldingupherknitting。

"Oh，MesterMasseysitsuplate，"saidAdam。"An’thenight-

school’snotoveryet。Someo’themendon’tcometilllate——

they’vegotsofartowalk。AndBartlehimself’sneverinbedtillit’sgoneeleven。"

"Iwouldnahavehimtolivewi’me，then，"saidMrs。Poyser，"a-

droppingcandle-greaseabout，asyou’reliketotumbledowno’thefloorthefirstthingi’themorning。"

"Aye，eleveno’clock’slate——it’slate，"saidoldMartin。"I

ne’ersotupsoi’MYlife，nottosayasitwarnaamarr’in’，orachristenin’，orawake，orth’harvestsupper。Eleveno’clock’slate。"

"Why，Isituptillaftertwelveoften，"saidAdam，laughing，"butitisn’tt’eatanddrinkextry，it’stoworkextry。Good-night，Mrs。Poyser；good-night，Hetty。"

Hettycouldonlysmileandnotshakehands，forhersweredyedanddampwithcurrant-juice；butalltherestgaveaheartyshaketothelargepalmthatwasheldouttothem，andsaid，"Comeagain，comeagain！"

"Aye，thinko’thatnow，"saidMr。Poyser，whenAdamwasoutofonthecauseway。"Sittinguptillpasttwelvetodoextrywork！

Ye’llnotfindmanymeno’six-an’twentyas’ulldotoputi’theshaftswi’him。IfyoucancatchAdamforahusband，Hetty，you’llridei’yourownspring-cartsomeday，I’llbeyourwarrant。"

Hettywasmovingacrossthekitchenwiththecurrants，soheruncledidnotseethelittletossoftheheadwithwhichsheansweredhim。Torideinaspring-cartseemedaverymiserablelotindeedtohernow。