第18章
AdamandDinahITwasaboutthreeo’clockwhenAdamenteredthefarmyardandrousedAlickandthedogsfromtheirSundaydozing。Alicksaideverybodywasgonetochurch"butth’youngmissis"——sohecalledDinah——butthisdidnotdisappointAdam，althoughthe"everybody"
wassoliberalastoincludeNancythedairymaid，whoseworksofnecessitywerenotunfrequentlyincompatiblewithchurch-going。
Therewasperfectstillnessaboutthehouse。Thedoorswereallclosed，andtheverystonesandtubsseemedquieterthanusual。
Adamheardthewatergentlydrippingfromthepump——thatwastheonlysound——andheknockedatthehousedoorrathersoftly，aswassuitableinthatstillness。
Thedooropened，andDinahstoodbeforehim，colouringdeeplywiththegreatsurpriseofseeingAdamatthishour，whensheknewitwashisregularpracticetobeatchurch。Yesterdayhewouldhavesaidtoherwithoutanydifficulty，"Icametoseeyou，Dinah:I
knewtherestwerenotathome。"Butto-daysomethingpreventedhimfromsayingthat，andheputouthishandtoherinsilence。
Neitherofthemspoke，andyetbothwishedtheycouldspeak，asAdamentered，andtheysatdown。Dinahtookthechairshehadjustleft；itwasatthecornerofthetablenearthewindow，andtherewasabooklyingonthetable，butitwasnotopen。Shehadbeensittingperfectlystill，lookingatthesmallbitofclearfireinthebrightgrate。Adamsatdownoppositeher，inMr。
Poyser’sthree-corneredchair。
"Yourmotherisnotillagain，Ihope，Adam？"Dinahsaid，recoveringherself。"Sethsaidshewaswellthismorning。"
"No，she’sveryheartyto-day，"saidAdam，happyinthesignsofDinah’sfeelingatthesightofhim，butshy。
"There’snobodyathome，yousee，"Dinahsaid；"butyou’llwait。
You’vebeenhinderedfromgoingtochurchto-day，doubtless。"
"Yes，"Adamsaid，andthenpaused，beforeheadded，"Iwasthinkingaboutyou:thatwasthereason。"
Thisconfessionwasveryawkwardandsudden，Adamfelt，forhethoughtDinahmustunderstandallhemeant。Butthefranknessofthewordscausedherimmediatelytointerpretthemintoarenewalofhisbrotherlyregretsthatshewasgoingaway，andsheansweredcalmly，"Donotbecarefulandtroubledforme，Adam。IhaveallthingsandaboundatSnowfield。Andmymindisatrest，forIamnotseekingmyownwillingoing。"
"Butifthingsweredifferent，Dinah，"saidAdam，hesitatingly。
"Ifyouknewthingsthatperhapsyoudon’tknownow……"
Dinahlookedathiminquiringly，butinsteadofgoingon，hereachedachairandbroughtitnearthecornerofthetablewhereshewassitting。Shewondered，andwasafraid——andthenextmomentherthoughtsflewtothepast:wasitsomethingaboutthosedistantunhappyonesthatshedidn’tknow？
Adamlookedather。Itwassosweettolookathereyes，whichhadnowaself-forgetfulquestioninginthem——foramomentheforgotthathewantedtosayanything，orthatitwasnecessarytotellherwhathemeant。
"Dinah，"hesaidsuddenly，takingbothherhandsbetweenhis，"I
loveyouwithmywholeheartandsoul。IloveyounexttoGodwhomademe。"
Dinah’slipsbecamepale，likehercheeks，andshetrembledviolentlyundertheshockofpainfuljoy。HerhandswerecoldasdeathbetweenAdam’s。Shecouldnotdrawthemaway，becauseheheldthemfast。
"Don’ttellmeyoucan’tloveme，Dinah。Don’ttellmewemustpartandpassourlivesawayfromoneanother。"
ThetearsweretremblinginDinah’seyes，andtheyfellbeforeshecouldanswer。Butshespokeinaquietlowvoice。
"Yes，dearAdam，wemustsubmittoanotherWill。Wemustpart。"
"Notifyouloveme，Dinah——notifyouloveme，"Adamsaidpassionately。"Tellme——tellmeifyoucanlovemebetterthanabrother？"
DinahwastooentirelyreliantontheSupremeguidancetoattempttoachieveanyendbyadeceptiveconcealment。Shewasrecoveringnowfromthefirstshockofemotion，andshelookedatAdamwithsimplesincereeyesasshesaid，"Yes，Adam，myheartisdrawnstronglytowardsyou；andofmyownwill，ifIhadnoclearshowingtothecontrary，Icouldfindmyhappinessinbeingnearyouandministeringtoyoucontinually。IfearIshouldforgettorejoiceandweepwithothers；nay，IfearIshouldforgettheDivinepresence，andseeknolovebutyours。"
Adamdidnotspeakimmediately。Theysatlookingateachotherindelicioussilence——forthefirstsenseofmutualloveexcludesotherfeelings；itwillhavethesoulalltoitself。
"Then，Dinah，"Adamsaidatlast，"howcantherebeanythingcontrarytowhat’srightinourbelongingtooneanotherandspendingourlivestogether？Whoputthisgreatloveintoourhearts？Cananythingbeholierthanthat？Forwecanhelponeanotherineverythingasisgood。I’dneverthinko’puttingmyselfbetweenyouandGod，andsayingyououghtn’ttodothisandyououghtn’ttodothat。You’dfollowyourconscienceasmuchasyoudonow。"
"Yes，Adam，"Dinahsaid，"Iknowmarriageisaholystateforthosewhoaretrulycalledtoit，andhavenootherdrawing；butfrommychilhoodupwardsIhavebeenledtowardsanotherpath；allmypeaceandmyjoyhavecomefromhavingnolifeofmyown，nowants，nowishesformyself，andlivingonlyinGodandthoseofhiscreatureswhosesorrowsandjoyshehasgivenmetoknow。
Thosehavebeenveryblessedyearstome，andIfeelthatifIwastolistentoanyvoicethatwoulddrawmeasidefromthatpath，I
shouldbeturningmybackonthelightthathasshoneuponme，anddarknessanddoubtwouldtakeholdofme。Wecouldnotblesseachother，Adam，ifthereweredoubtsinmysoul，andifIyearned，whenitwastoolate，afterthatbetterpartwhichhadoncebeengivenmeandIhadputawayfromme。"
"Butifanewfeelinghascomeintoyourmind，Dinah，andifyoulovemesoastobewillingtobenearertomethantootherpeople，isn’tthatasignthatit’srightforyoutochangeyourlife？Doesn’tthelovemakeitrightwhennothingelsewould？"
"Adam，mymindisfullofquestioningsaboutthat；fornow，sinceyoutellmeofyourstronglovetowardsme，whatwascleartomehasbecomedarkagain。Ifeltbeforethatmyheartwastoostronglydrawntowardsyou，andthatyourheartwasnotasmine；
andthethoughtofyouhadtakenholdofme，sothatmysoulhadlostitsfreedom，andwasbecomingenslavedtoanearthlyaffection，whichmademeanxiousandcarefulaboutwhatshouldbefallmyself。ForinallotheraffectionIhadbeencontentwithanysmallreturn，orwithnone；butmyheartwasbeginningtohungerafteranequallovefromyou。AndIhadnodoubtthatI
mustwrestleagainstthatasagreattemptation，andthecommandwasclearthatImustgoaway。"
"Butnow，dear，dearDinah，nowyouknowIloveyoubetterthanyouloveme……it’salldifferentnow。Youwon’tthinko’going。
You’llstay，andbemydearwife，andIshallthankGodforgivingmemylifeasIneverthankedhimbefore。"
"Adam，it’shardtometoturnadeafear……youknowit’shard；
butagreatfearisuponme。Itseemstomeasifyouwerestretchingoutyourarmstome，andbeckoningmetocomeandtakemyeaseandliveformyowndelight，andJesus，theManofSorrows，wasstandinglookingtowardsme，andpointingtothesinful，andsuffering，andafflicted。IhaveseenthatagainandagainwhenIhavebeensittinginstillnessanddarkness，andagreatterrorhascomeuponmelestIshouldbecomehard，andaloverofself，andnomorebearwillinglytheRedeemer’scross。"
Dinahhadclosedhereyes，andafaintshudderwentthroughher。
"Adam，"shewenton，"youwouldn’tdesirethatweshouldseekagoodthroughanyunfaithfulnesstothelightthatisinus；youwouldn’tbelievethatcouldbeagood。Weareofonemindinthat。"
"Yes，Dinah，"saidAdamsadly，"I’llneverbethemant’urgeyouagainstyourconscience。ButIcan’tgiveupthehopethatyoumaycometoseedifferent。Idon’tbelieveyourlovingmecouldshutupyourheart——it’sonlyaddingtowhatyou’vebeenbefore，nottakingawayfromit。Foritseemstomeit’sthesamewithloveandhappinessaswithsorrow——themoreweknowofitthebetterwecanfeelwhatotherpeople’slivesareormightbe，andsoweshallonlybemoretenderto’em，andwishfultohelp’em。
Themoreknowledgeamanhas，thebetterhe’lldo’swork；andfeeling’sasorto’knowledge。"
Dinahwassilent；hereyeswerefixedincontemplationofsomethingvisibleonlytoherself。Adamwentonpresentlywithhispleading，"Andyoucandoalmostasmuchasyoudonow。I
won’taskyoutogotochurchwithmeofaSunday。Youshallgowhereyoulikeamongthepeople，andteach’em；forthoughIlikechurchbest，Idon’tputmysoulaboveyours，asifmywordswasbetterforyoutofollowthanyourownconscience。Andyoucanhelpthesickjustasmuch，andyou’llhavemoremeanso’making’emabitcomfortable；andyou’llbeamongallyourownfriendsasloveyou，andcanhelp’emandbeablessingto’emtilltheirdyingday。Surely，Dinah，you’dbeasneartoGodasifyouwaslivinglonelyandawayfromme。"
Dinahmadenoanswerforsometime。Adamwasstillholdingherhandsandlookingatherwithalmosttremblinganxiety，whensheturnedhergravelovingeyesonhisandsaid，inratherasadvoice，"Adamthereistruthinwhatyousay，andthere’smanyofthebrethrenandsisterswhohavegreaterstrengththanIhave，andfindtheirheartsenlargedbythecaresofhusbandandkindred。ButIhavenotfaiththatitwouldbesowithme，forsincemyaffectionshavebeensetabovemeasureonyou，IhavehadlesspeaceandjoyinGod。Ihavefeltasitwereadivisioninmyheart。Andthinkhowitiswithme，Adam。ThatlifeIhaveledislikealandIhavetroddeninblessednesssincemychildhood；andifIlongforamomenttofollowthevoicewhichcallsmetoanotherlandthatIknownot，IcannotbutfearthatmysoulmighthereafteryearnforthatearlyblessednesswhichI
hadforsaken；andwheredoubtentersthereisnotperfectlove。I
mustwaitforclearerguidance。Imustgofromyou，andwemustsubmitourselvesentirelytotheDivineWill。Wearesometimesrequiredtolayournaturallawfulaffectionsonthealtar。"
Adamdarednotpleadagain，forDinah’swasnotthevoiceofcapriceorinsincerity。Butitwasveryhardforhim；hiseyesgotdimashelookedather。
"Butyoumaycometofeelsatisfied……tofeelthatyoumaycometomeagain，andwemayneverpart，Dinah？"
"Wemustsubmitourselves，Adam。Withtime，ourdutywillbemadeclear。ItmaybewhenIhaveenteredonmyformerlife，Ishallfindallthesenewthoughtsandwishesvanish，andbecomeasthingsthatwerenot。ThenIshallknowthatmycallingisnottowardsmarriage。Butwemustwait。"
"Dinah，"saidAdammournfully，"youcan’tlovemesowellasI
loveyou，elseyou’dhavenodoubts。Butit’snaturalyoushouldn’t，forI’mnotsogoodasyou。Ican’tdoubtit’srightformetolovethebestthingGod’severgivenmetoknow。"
"Nay，Adam。Itseemstomethatmyloveforyouisnotweak，formyheartwaitsonyourwordsandlooks，almostasalittlechildwaitsonthehelpandtendernessofthestrongonwhomitdepends。
Ifthethoughtofyoutookslightholdofme，Ishouldnotfearthatitwouldbeanidolinthetemple。Butyouwillstrengthenme——youwillnothindermeinseekingtoobeytotheuttermost。"
"Letusgooutintothesunshine，Dinah，andwalktogether。I’llspeaknowordtodisturbyou。"
Theywentoutandwalkedtowardsthefields，wheretheywouldmeetthefamilycomingfromchurch。Adamsaid，"Takemyarm，Dinah，"
andshetookit。Thatwastheonlychangeintheirmannertoeachothersincetheywerelastwalkingtogether。Butnosadnessintheprospectofhergoingaway——intheuncertaintyoftheissue——
couldrobthesweetnessfromAdam’ssensethatDinahlovedhim。
HethoughthewouldstayattheHallFarmallthatevening。Hewouldbenearheraslongashecould。
"Hey-day！There’sAdamalongwi’Dinah，"saidMr。Poyser，asheopenedthefargateintotheHomeClose。"Icouldnathinkhowhehappenedawayfromchurch。Why，"addedgoodMartin，afteramoment’spause，"whatdostthinkhasjustjumpedintomyhead？"
"Summatashadnafartojump，forit’sjustunderournose。YoumeanasAdam’sfondo’Dinah。"
"Aye！hasteverhadanynotionofitbefore？"
"TobesureIhave，"saidMrs。Poyser，whoalwaysdeclined，ifpossible，tobetakenbysurprise。"I’mnotoneo’thoseascanseethecati’thedairyan’wonderwhatshe’scomeafter。"
"Theeneversaidstawordtomeaboutit。"
"Well，Iaren’tlikeabird-clapper，forcedtomakearattlewhenthewindblowsonme。Icankeepmyowncounselwhenthere’snogoodi’speaking。"
"ButDinah’llha’noneo’him。Dostthinkshewill？"
"Nay，"saidMrs。Poyser，notsufficientlyonherguardagainstapossiblesurprise，"she’llnevermarryanybody，ifheisn’taMethodistandacripple。"
"It’udha’beenaprettythingthoughfor’emt’marry，"saidMartin，turninghisheadononeside，asifinpleasedcontemplationofhisnewidea。"Thee’dstha’likedittoo，wouldstna？"
"Ah！Ishould。Ishouldha’beensureofherthen，asshewouldn’tgoawayfrommetoSnowfield，wellythirtymileoff，andmenotgotacreaturtolookto，onlyneighbours，asarenokintome，an’mostof’emwomenasI’dbeashamedtoshowmyface，ifmydairythingswarliketheir’n。Theremaywellbestreakybutteri’themarket。An’IshouldbegladtoseethepoorthingsettledlikeaChristianwoman，withahouseofherownoverherhead；andwe’dstockherwellwi’linenandfeathers，forIlovehernexttomyownchildren。An’shemakesonefeelsaferwhenshe’si’thehouse，forshe’slikethedrivensnow:anybodymightsinfortwoashadherattheirelbow。"
"Dinah，"saidTommy，runningforwardtomeether，"mothersaysyou’llnevermarryanybodybutaMethodistcripple。Whatasillyyoumustbe！"acommentwhichTommyfollowedupbyseizingDinahwithbotharms，anddancingalongbyhersidewithincommodiousfondness。
"Why，Adam，wemissedyoui’thesingingto-day，"saidMr。Poyser。
"Howwasit？"
"IwantedtoseeDinah——she’sgoingawaysosoon，"saidAdam。
"Ah，lad！Canyoupersuadehertostopsomehow？Findheragoodhusbandsomewherei’theparish。Ifyou’lldothat，we’llforgiveyouformissingchurch。But，anyway，sheisnagoingbeforetheharvestsuppero’Wednesday，andyoumustcomethen。There’sBartleMasseycomin’，an’happenCraig。You’llbesurean’come，now，atseven？Themissiswunnahaveitabitlater。"
"Aye，"saidAdam，"I’llcomeifIcan。ButIcan’toftensaywhatI’lldobeforehand，fortheworkoftenholdsmelongerthanI
expect。You’llstaytilltheendo’theweek，Dinah？"
"Yes，yes！"saidMr。Poyser。"We’llhavenonay。"
"She’snocalltobeinahurry，"observedMrs。Poyser。
"Scarcenesso’victual’ullkeep:there’snoneedtobehastywi’
thecooking。An’scarcenessiswhatthere’sthebiggeststockofi’thatcountry。"
Dinahsmiled，butgavenopromisetostay，andtheytalkedofotherthingsthroughtherestofthewalk，lingeringinthesunshinetolookatthegreatflockofgeesegrazing，atthenewcorn-ricks，andatthesurprisingabundanceoffruitontheoldpear-tree；NancyandMollyhavingalreadyhastenedhome，sidebyside，eachholding，carefullywrappedinherpocket-handkerchief，aprayer-book，inwhichshecouldreadlittlebeyondthelargelettersandtheAmens。
Surelyallotherleisureishurrycomparedwithasunnywalkthroughthefieldsfrom"afternoonchurch"——assuchwalksusedtobeinthoseoldleisurelytimes，whentheboat，glidingsleepilyalongthecanal，wasthenewestlocomotivewonder；whenSundaybookshadmostofthemoldbrown-leathercovers，andopenedwithremarkableprecisionalwaysinoneplace。Leisureisgone——gonewherethespinning-wheelsaregone，andthepack-horses，andtheslowwaggons，andthepedlars，whobroughtbargainstothedooronsunnyafternoons。Ingeniousphilosopherstellyou，perhaps，thatthegreatworkofthesteam-engineistocreateleisureformankind。Donotbelievethem:itonlycreatesavacuumforeagerthoughttorushin。Evenidlenessiseagernow——eagerforamusement；pronetoexcursion-trains，artmuseums，periodicalliterature，andexcitingnovels；proneeventoscientifictheorizingandcursorypeepsthroughmicroscopes。OldLeisurewasquiteadifferentpersonage。Heonlyreadonenewspaper，innocentofleaders，andwasfreefromthatperiodicityofsensationswhichwecallpost-time。Hewasacontemplative，ratherstoutgentleman，ofexcellentdigestion；ofquietperceptions，undiseasedbyhypothesis；happyinhisinabilitytoknowthecausesofthings，preferringthethingsthemselves。Helivedchieflyinthecountry，amongpleasantseatsandhomesteads，andwasfondofsaunteringbythefruit-treewallandscentingtheapricotswhentheywerewarmedbythemorningsunshine，orofshelteringhimselfundertheorchardboughsatnoon，whenthesummerpearswerefalling。Heknewnothingofweekdayservices，andthoughtnonetheworseoftheSundaysermonifitallowedhimtosleepfromthetexttotheblessing；likingtheafternoonservicebest，becausetheprayersweretheshortest，andnotashamedtosayso；forhehadaneasy，jollyconscience，broad-
backedlikehimself，andabletocarryagreatdealofbeerorport-wine，notbeingmadesqueamishbydoubtsandqualmsandloftyaspirations。Lifewasnotatasktohim，butasinecure。Hefingeredtheguineasinhispocket，andatehisdinners，andsleptthesleepoftheirresponsible，forhadhenotkeptuphischaracterbygoingtochurchontheSundayafternoons？
FineoldLeisure！Donotbesevereuponhim，andjudgehimbyourmodernstandard。HeneverwenttoExeterHall，orheardapopularpreacher，orreadTractsfortheTimesorSartorResartus。
TheHarvestSupperAsAdamwasgoinghomeward，onWednesdayevening，inthesixo’clocksunlight，hesawinthedistancethelastloadofbarleywindingitswaytowardstheyard-gateoftheHallFarm，andheardthechantof"HarvestHome！"risingandsinkinglikeawave。
Fainterandfainter，andmoremusicalthroughthegrowingdistance，thefallingdyingsoundstillreachedhim，ashenearedtheWillowBrook。ThelowwesteringsunshonerightontheshouldersoftheoldBintonHills，turningtheunconscioussheepintobrightspotsoflight；shoneonthewindowsofthecottagetoo，andmadethema-flamewithaglorybeyondthatofamberoramethyst。ItwasenoughtomakeAdamfeelthathewasinagreattemple，andthatthedistantchantwasasacredsong。
"It’swonderful，"hethought，"howthatsoundgoestoone’sheartalmostlikeafuneralbell，forallittellsoneo’thejoyfullesttimeo’theyear，andthetimewhenmenaremostlythethankfullest。Isupposeit’sabithardtoustothinkanything’soverandgoneinourlives；andthere’sapartingattherootofallourjoys。It’slikewhatIfeelaboutDinah。Ishouldneverha’cometoknowthatherlove’udbethegreatesto’blessingstome，ifwhatIcountedablessinghadn’tbeenwrenchedandtornawayfromme，andleftmewithagreaterneed，soasIcouldcraveandhungerforagreaterandabettercomfort。"
HeexpectedtoseeDinahagainthisevening，andgetleavetoaccompanyherasfarasOakbourne；andthenhewouldaskhertofixsometimewhenhemightgotoSnowfield，andlearnwhetherthelastbesthopethathadbeenborntohimmustberesignedliketherest。Theworkhehadtodoathome，besidesputtingonhisbestclothes，madeitsevenbeforehewasonhiswayagaintotheHallFarm，anditwasquestionablewhether，withhislongestandquickeststrides，heshouldbethereintimeevenfortheroastbeef，whichcameaftertheplumpudding，forMrs。Poyser’ssupperwouldbepunctual。
GreatwastheclatterofknivesandpewterplatesandtincanswhenAdamenteredthehouse，buttherewasnohumofvoicestothisaccompaniment:theeatingofexcellentroastbeef，providedfreeofexpense，wastooseriousabusinesstothosegoodfarm-
labourerstobeperformedwithadividedattention，eveniftheyhadhadanythingtosaytoeachother——whichtheyhadnot。AndMr。Poyser，attheheadofthetable，wastoobusywithhiscarvingtolistentoBartleMassey’sorMr。Craig’sreadytalk。
"Here，Adam，"saidMrs。Poyser，whowasstandingandlookingontoseethatMollyandNancydidtheirdutyaswaiters，"here’saplacekeptforyoubetweenMr。Masseyandtheboys。It’sapoortaleyoucouldn’tcometoseethepuddingwhenitwaswhole。"
Adamlookedanxiouslyroundforafourthwoman’sfigure，butDinahwasnotthere。Hewasalmostafraidofaskingabouther；besides，hisattentionwasclaimedbygreetings，andthereremainedthehopethatDinahwasinthehouse，thoughperhapsdisinclinedtofestivitiesontheeveofherdeparture。
Itwasagoodlysight——thattable，withMartinPoyser’sroundgood-humouredfaceandlargepersonattheheadofithelpinghisservantstothefragrantroastbeefandpleasedwhentheemptyplatescameagain。Martin，thoughusuallyblestwithagoodappetite，reallyforgottofinishhisownbeefto-night——itwassopleasanttohimtolookonintheintervalsofcarvingandseehowtheothersenjoyedtheirsupper；forweretheynotmenwho，onallthedaysoftheyearexceptChristmasDayandSundays，atetheircolddinner，inamakeshiftmanner，underthehedgerows，anddranktheirbeeroutofwoodenbottles——withrelishcertainly，butwiththeirmouthstowardsthezenith，afterafashionmoreendurabletoducksthantohumanbipeds。MartinPoyserhadsomefaintconceptionoftheflavoursuchmenmustfindinhotroastbeefandfresh-drawnale。Heheldhisheadononesideandscreweduphismouth，ashenudgedBartleMassey，andwatchedhalf-wittedTomTholer，otherwiseknownas"TomSaft，"receivinghissecondplatefulofbeef。AgrinofdelightbrokeoverTom’sfaceastheplatewassetdownbeforehim，betweenhisknifeandfork，whichhehelderect，asiftheyhadbeensacredtapers。Butthedelightwastoostrongtocontinuesmoulderinginagrin——itburstoutthenextinstantinalong-drawn"haw，haw！"followedbyasuddencollapseintouttergravity，astheknifeandforkdarteddownontheprey。MartinPoyser’slargepersonshookwithhissilentunctuouslaugh。HeturnedtowardsMrs。PoysertoseeifshetoohadbeenobservantofTom，andtheeyesofhusbandandwifemetinaglanceofgood-naturedamusement。
"TomSaft"wasagreatfavouriteonthefarm，whereheplayedthepartoftheoldjester，andmadeupforhispracticaldeficienciesbyhissuccessinrepartee。Hishits，Iimagine，werethoseoftheflail，whichfallsquiteatrandom，butneverthelesssmashesaninsectnowandthen。Theyweremuchquotedatsheep-shearingandhaymakingtimes，butIrefrainfromrecordingthemhere，lestTom’switshouldprovetobelikethatofmanyotherbygonejesterseminentintheirday——ratherofatemporarynature，notdealingwiththedeeperandmorelastingrelationsofthings。
Tomexcepted，MartinPoyserhadsomeprideinhisservantsandlabourers，thinkingwithsatisfactionthattheywerethebestworththeirpayofanysetontheestate。TherewasKesterBale，forexample(Beale，probably，ifthetruthwereknown，buthewascalledBale，andwasnotconsciousofanyclaimtoafifthletter)，theoldmanwiththecloseleathercapandthenetworkofwrinklesonhissun-brownedface。WasthereanymaninLoamshirewhoknewbetterthe"natur"ofallfarmingwork？Hewasoneofthoseinvaluablelabourerswhocannotonlyturntheirhandtoeverything，butexcelineverythingtheyturntheirhandto。ItistrueKester’skneesweremuchbentoutwardbythistime，andhewalkedwithaperpetualcurtsy，asifhewereamongthe，mostreverentofmen。Andsohewas；butIamobligedtoadmitthattheobjectofhisreverencewashisownskill，towardswhichheperformedsomeratheraffectingactsofworship。Healwaysthatchedthericks——forifanythingwerehisfortemorethananother，itwasthatching——andwhenthelasttouchhadbeenputtothelastbeehiverick，Kester，whosehomelayatsomedistancefromthefarm，wouldtakeawalktotherick-yardinhisbestclothesonaSundaymorningandstandinthelane，ataduedistance，tocontemplatehisownthatchingwalkingabouttogeteachrickfromtheproperpointofview。Ashecurtsiedalong，withhiseyesupturnedtothestrawknobsimitativeofgoldenglobesatthesummitsofthebeehivericks，whichindeedweregoldofthebestsort，youmighthaveimaginedhimtobeengagedinsomepaganactofadoration。Kesterwasanoldbachelorandreputedtohavestockingsfullofcoin，concerningwhichhismastercrackedajokewithhimeverypay-night:notanewunseasonedjoke，butagoodoldone，thathadbeentriedmanytimesbeforeandhadwornwell。"Th’youngmeaster’samerrymon，"Kesterfrequentlyremarked；forhavingbegunhiscareerbyfrighteningawaythecrowsunderthelastMartinPoyserbutone，hecouldneverceasetoaccountthereigningMartinayoungmaster。IamnotashamedofcommemoratingoldKester。YouandI
areindebtedtothehardhandsofsuchmen——handsthathavelongagomingledwiththesoiltheytilledsofaithfully，thriftilymakingthebesttheycouldoftheearth’sfruits，andreceivingthesmallestshareastheirownwages。
Then，attheendofthetable，oppositehismaster，therewasAlick，theshepherdandhead-man，withtheruddyfaceandbroadshoulders，notonthebesttermswitholdKester；indeed，theirintercoursewasconfinedtoanoccasionalsnarl，forthoughtheyprobablydifferedlittleconcerninghedgingandditchingandthetreatmentofewes，therewasaprofounddifferenceofopinionbetweenthemastotheirownrespectivemerits。WhenTityrusandMeliboeushappentobeonthesamefarm，theyarenotsentimentallypolitetoeachother。Alick，indeed，wasnotbyanymeansahoneyedman。Hisspeechhadusuallysomethingofasnarlinit，andhisbroad-shoulderedaspectsomethingofthebull-dogexpression——"Don’tyoumeddlewithme，andIwon’tmeddlewithyou。"Buthewashonesteventothesplittingofanoat-grainratherthanhewouldtakebeyondhisacknowledgedshare，andas"close-fisted"withhismaster’spropertyasifithadbeenhisown——throwingverysmallhandfulsofdamagedbarleytothechickens，becausealargehandfulaffectedhisimaginationpainfullywithasenseofprofusion。Good-temperedTim，thewaggoner，wholovedhishorses，hadhisgrudgeagainstAlickinthematterofcorn。Theyrarelyspoketoeachother，andneverlookedateachother，evenovertheirdishofcoldpotatoes；butthen，asthiswastheirusualmodeofbehaviourtowardsallmankind，itwouldbeanunsafeconclusionthattheyhadmorethantransientfitsofunfriendliness。ThebucoliccharacteratHayslope，youperceive，wasnotofthatentirelygenial，merry，broad-grinningsort，apparentlyobservedinmostdistrictsvisitedbyartists。Themildradianceofasmilewasararesightonafield-labourer’sface，andtherewasseldomanygradationbetweenbovinegravityandalaugh。NorwaseverylabourersohonestasourfriendAlick。Atthisverytable，amongMr。Poyser’smen，thereisthatbigBenTholoway，averypowerfulthresher，butdetectedmorethanonceincarryingawayhismaster’scorninhispockets——anactionwhich，asBenwasnotaphilosopher，couldhardlybeascribedtoabsenceofmind。However，hismasterhadforgivenhim，andcontinuedtoemployhim，fortheTholowayshadlivedontheCommontimeoutofmind，andhadalwaysworkedforthePoysers。Andonthewhole，Idaresay，societywasnotmuchtheworsebecauseBenhadnotsixmonthsofitatthetreadmill，forhisviewsofdepredationwerenarrow，andtheHouseofCorrectionmighthaveenlargedthem。Asitwas，Benatehisroastbeefto-nightwithaserenesenseofhavingstolennothingmorethanafewpeasandbeansasseedforhisgardensincethelastharvestsupper，andfeltwarrantedinthinkingthatAlick’ssuspiciouseye，foreveruponhim，wasaninjurytohisinnocence。
ButNOWtheroastbeefwasfinishedandtheclothwasdrawn，leavingafairlargedealtableforthebrightdrinking-cans，andthefoamingbrownjugs，andthebrightbrasscandlesticks，pleasanttobehold。NOW，thegreatceremonyoftheeveningwastobegin——theharvest-song，inwhicheverymanmustjoin。Hemightbeintune，ifhelikedtobesingular，buthemustnotsitwithclosedlips。Themovementwasobligedtobeintripletime；therestwasadlibitum。
Astotheoriginofthissong——whetheritcameinitsactualstatefromthebrainofasinglerhapsodist，orwasgraduallyperfectedbyaschoolorsuccessionofrhapsodists，Iamignorant。Thereisastampofunity，ofindividualgeniusuponit，whichinclinesmetotheformerhypothesis，thoughIamnotblindtotheconsiderationthatthisunitymayratherhavearisenfromthatconsensusofmanymindswhichwasaconditionofprimitivethought，foreigntoourmodernconsciousness。Somewillperhapsthinkthattheydetectinthefirstquatrainanindicationofalostline，whichlaterrhapsodists，failinginimaginativevigour，havesuppliedbythefeebledeviceofiteration。Others，however，mayrathermaintainthatthisveryiterationisanoriginalfelicity，towhichnonebutthemostprosaicmindscanbeinsensible。
Theceremonyconnectedwiththesongwasadrinkingceremony。
(Thatisperhapsapainfulfact，butthen，youknow，wecannotreformourforefathers。)Duringthefirstandsecondquatrain，sungdecidedlyforte，nocanwasfilled。
Here’sahealthuntoourmaster，Thefounderofthefeast；
Here’sahealthuntoourmasterAndtoourmistress！
Andmayhisdoingsprosper，Whate’erhetakesinhand，Forweareallhisservants，Andareathiscommand。
Butnow，immediatelybeforethethirdquatrainorchorus，sungfortissimo，withemphaticrapsofthetable，whichgavetheeffectofcymbalsanddrumtogether，Alick’scanwasfilled，andhewasboundtoemptyitbeforethechorusceased。
Thendrink，boys，drink！
Andseeyedonotspill，Forifyedo，yeshalldrinktwo，For’tisourmaster’swill。
WhenAlickhadgonesuccessfullythroughthistestofsteady-
handedmanliness，itwastheturnofoldKester，athisrighthand——andsoon，tilleverymanhaddrunkhisinitiatorypintunderthestimulusofthechorus。TomSaft——therogue——tookcaretospillalittlebyaccident；butMrs。Poyser(tooofficiously，Tomthought)interferedtopreventtheexactionofthepenalty。
Toanylisteneroutsidethedooritwouldhavebeenthereverseofobviouswhythe"Drink，boys，drink！"shouldhavesuchanimmediateandoften-repeatedencore；butonceentered，hewouldhaveseenthatallfaceswereatpresentsober，andmostofthemserious——itwastheregularandrespectablethingforthoseexcellentfarm-labourerstodo，asmuchasforelegantladiesandgentlementosmirkandbowovertheirwine-glasses。BartleMassey，whoseearswererathersensitive，hadgoneouttoseewhatsortofeveningitwasatanearlystageintheceremony，andhadnotfinishedhiscontemplationuntilasilenceoffiveminutesdeclaredthat"Drink，boys，drink！"wasnotlikelytobeginagainforthenexttwelvemonth。MuchtotheregretoftheboysandTotty:onthemthestillnessfellratherflat，afterthatgloriousthumpingofthetable，towardswhichTotty，seatedonherfather’sknee，contributedwithhersmallmightandsmallfist。
WhenBartlere-entered，however，thereappearedtobeageneraldesireforsolomusicafterthechoral。NancydeclaredthatTimthewaggonerknewasongandwas"allayssinginglikealarki’
thestable，"whereuponMr。Poysersaidencouragingly，"Come，Tim，lad，let’shearit。"Timlookedsheepish，tuckeddownhishead，andsaidhecouldn’tsing，butthisencouraginginvitationofthemaster’swasechoedallroundthetable。Itwasaconversationalopportunity:everybodycouldsay，"Come，Tim，"exceptAlick，whoneverrelaxedintothefrivolityofunnecessaryspeech。Atlast，Tim’snextneighbour，BenTholoway，begantogiveemphasistohisspeechbynudges，atwhichTim，growingrathersavage，said，"Letmealooan，willye？ElseI’llma’yesingatoonyewonnalike。"
Agood-temperedwaggoner’spatiencehaslimits，andTimwasnottobeurgedfurther。
"Well，then，David，ye’retheladtosing，"saidBen，willingtoshowthathewasnotdiscomfitedbythischeck。"Sing’Myloove’sarooswi’outathorn。’"
TheamatoryDavidwasayoungmanofanunconsciousabstractedexpression，whichwasdueprobablytoasquintofsuperiorintensityratherthantoanymentalcharacteristic；forhewasnotindifferenttoBen’sinvitation，butblushedandlaughedandrubbedhissleeveoverhismouthinawaythatwasregardedasasymptomofyielding。AndforsometimethecompanyappearedtobemuchinearnestaboutthedesiretohearDavid’ssong。Butinvain。Thelyricismoftheeveningwasinthecellaratpresent，andwasnottobedrawnfromthatretreatjustyet。
Meanwhiletheconversationattheheadofthetablehadtakenapoliticalturn。Mr。Craigwasnotabovetalkingpoliticsoccasionally，thoughhepiquedhimselfratheronawiseinsightthanonspecificinformation。Hesawsofarbeyondthemerefactsofacasethatreallyitwassuperfluoustoknowthem。
"I’mnoreadero’thepapermyself，"heobservedto-night，ashefilledhispipe，"thoughImightreaditfastenoughifIliked，forthere’sMissLyddyhas’emand’sdonewith’emi’notime。
Butthere’sMills，now，sitsi’thechimney-cornerandreadsthepaperprettynighfrommorningtonight，andwhenhe’sgottoth’
endon’the’smoreaddle-headedthanhewasatthebeginning。
He’sfullo’thispeacenow，astheytalkon；he’sbeenreadingandreading，andthinkshe’sgottothebottomon’t。’Why，Lor’
blessyou，Mills，’saysI，’youseenomoreintothisthingnoryoucanseeintothemiddleofapotato。I’lltellyouwhatitis:youthinkit’llbeafinethingforthecountry。AndI’mnotagain’it——markmywords——I’mnotagain’it。Butit’smyopinionasthere’sthemattheheado’thiscountryasareworseenemiestousnorBonyandallthemounseershe’sgotat’sback；forasforthemounseers，youmayskewerhalf-a-dozenof’ematonceasiftheywarfrogs。’"
"Aye，aye，"saidMartinPoyser，listeningwithanairofmuchintelligenceandedification，"theyne’erateabito’beefi’
theirlives。Mostlysallet，Ireckon。"
"AndsaysItoMills，"continuedMr。Craig，"’Willyoutrytomakemebelieveasfurrinerslikethemcandoushalfth’harmthemministersdowiththeirbadgovernment？IfKingGeorge’udturn’emallawayandgovernbyhimself，he’dseeeverythingrighted。
HemighttakeonBillyPittagainifheliked；butIdon’tseemyselfwhatwewantwi’anybodybesidesKingandParliament。It’sthatnesto’ministersdoesthemischief，Itellyou。’"
"Ah，it’sfinetalking，"observedMrs。Poyser，whowasnowseatednearherhusband，withTottyonherlap——"it’sfinetalking。It’shardworktotellwhichisOldHarrywheneverybody’sgotbootson。"
"Asforthispeace，"saidMr。Poyser，turninghisheadononesideinadubitativemannerandgivingaprecautionarypufftohispipebetweeneachsentence，"Idon’tknow。Th’war’safinethingforthecountry，an’how’llyoukeepuppriceswi’outit？An’themFrenchareawickedsorto’folks，bywhatIcanmakeout。Whatcanyoudobetternorfight’em？"
"Ye’repartlyrightthere，Poyser，"saidMr。Craig，"butI’mnotagain’thepeace——tomakeaholidayforabit。Wecanbreakitwhenwelike，an’I’minnofearo’Bony，foralltheytalksomucho’hiscliverness。That’swhatIsaystoMillsthismorning。
Lor’blessyou，heseesnomorethroughBony！……why，Iputhimuptomoreinthreeminutesthanhegetsfrom’spaperalltheyearround。SaysI，’AmIagardenerasknowshisbusiness，orarn’tI，Mills？Answermethat。’’Tobesurey’are，Craig，’sayshe——
he’snotabadfellow，Millsisn’t，forabutler，butweaki’thehead。’Well，’saysI，’youtalko’Bony’scliverness；woulditbeanyusemybeingafirst-rategardenerifI’dgotnoughtbutaquagmiretoworkon？’’No，’sayshe。’Well，’Isays，’that’sjustwhatitiswi’Bony。I’llnotdenybuthemaybeabitcliver——he’snoFrenchmanborn，asIunderstand——butwhat’shegotat’sbackbutmounseers？’"
Mr。CraigpausedamomentwithanemphaticstareafterthistriumphantspecimenofSocraticargument，andthenadded，thumpingthetableratherfiercely，"Why，it’sasurething——andthere’sthem’ullbearwitnessto’t——asi’oneregimentwheretherewasonemana-missing，theyputtheregimentalsonabigmonkey，andtheyfithimastheshellfitsthewalnut，andyoucouldn’ttellthemonkeyfromthemounseers！"
"Ah！Thinko’that，now！"saidMr。Poyser，impressedatoncewiththepoliticalbearingsofthefactandwithitsstrikinginterestasananecdoteinnaturalhistory。
"Come，Craig，"saidAdam，"that’salittletoostrong。Youdon’tbelievethat。It’sallnonsenseabouttheFrenchbeingsuchpoorsticks。Mr。Irwine’sseen’emintheirowncountry，andhesaysthey’veplentyo’finefellowsamong’em。Andasforknowledge，andcontrivances，andmanufactures，there’samanythingsaswe’reafinesightbehind’emin。It’spoorfoolishnesstorundownyourenemies。Why，Nelsonandtherestof’em’udhavenomeriti’beating’em，iftheyweresuchoffalasfolkspretend。"
Mr。PoyserlookeddoubtfullyatMr。Craig，puzzledbythisoppositionofauthorities。Mr。Irwine’stestimonywasnottobedisputed；but，ontheotherhand，Craigwasaknowingfellow，andhisviewwaslessstartling。Martinhadnever"heardtell"oftheFrenchbeinggoodformuch。Mr。Craighadfoundnoanswerbutsuchaswasimpliedintakingalongdraughtofaleandthenlookingdownfixedlyattheproportionsofhisownleg，whichheturnedalittleoutwardforthatpurpose，whenBartleMasseyreturnedfromthefireplace，wherehehadbeensmokinghisfirstpipeinquiet，andbrokethesilencebysaying，ashethrusthisforefingerintothecanister，"Why，Adam，howhappenedyounottobeatchurchonSunday？Answermethat，yourascal。Theanthemwentlimpingwithoutyou。Areyougoingtodisgraceyourschoolmasterinhisoldage？"
"No，Mr。Massey，"saidAdam。"Mr。andMrs。PoysercantellyouwhereIwas。Iwasinnobadcompany。"
"She’sgone，Adam——gonetoSnowfield，"saidMr。Poyser，remindedofDinahforthefirsttimethisevening。"Ithoughtyou’dha’
persuadedherbetter。Nought’udholdher，butshemustgoyesterdayforenoon。Themissishashardlygotoverit。Ithoughtshe’dha’nosperritforth’harvestsupper。"
Mrs。PoyserhadthoughtofDinahseveraltimessinceAdamhadcomein，butshehadhad"noheart"tomentionthebadnews。
"What！"saidBartle，withanairofdisgust。"Wasthereawomanconcerned？ThenIgiveyouup，Adam。"
"Butit’sawomanyou’nspokewellon，Bartle，"saidMr。Poyser。
"Comenow，youcannadrawback；yousaidonceaswomenwouldnaha’
beenabadinventionifthey’dallbeenlikeDinah。"
"Imeanthervoice，man——Imeanthervoice，thatwasall，"saidBartle。"Icanbeartohearherspeakwithoutwantingtoputwoolinmyears。Asforotherthings，Idaresayshe’sliketheresto’
thewomen——thinkstwoandtwo’llcometomakefive，ifshecriesandbothersenoughaboutit。"
"Aye，aye！"saidMrs。Poyser；"one’udthink，an’hearsomefolkstalk，asthemenwar’cuteenoughtocountthecornsinabago’
wheatwi’onlysmellingatit。Theycanseethroughabarn-door，theycan。Perhapsthat’sthereasonTHEYcanseesolittleo’
thissideon’t。"
MartinPoysershookwithdelightedlaughterandwinkedatAdam，asmuchastosaytheschoolmasterwasinforitnow。
"Ah！"saidBartlesneeringly，"thewomenarequickenough——they’requickenough。Theyknowtherightsofastorybeforetheyhearit，andcantellamanwhathisthoughtsarebeforeheknows’emhimself。"
"Likeenough，"saidMrs。Poyser，"forthemenaremostlysoslow，theirthoughtsoverrun’em，an’theycanonlycatch’embythetail。Icancountastocking-topwhileaman’sgetting’stonguereadyan’whenheoutswi’hisspeechatlast，there’slittlebrothtobemadeon’t。It’syourdeadchickstakethelongesthatchin’。Howiver，I’mnotdenyin’thewomenarefoolish:GodAlmightymade’emtomatchthemen。"
"Match！"saidBartle。"Aye，asvinegarmatchesone’steeth。Ifamansaysaword，hiswife’llmatchitwithacontradiction；ifhe’samindforhotmeat，hiswife’llmatchitwithcoldbacon；
ifhelaughs，she’llmatchhimwithwhimpering。She’ssuchamatchasthehorse-flyistoth’horse:she’sgottherightvenomtostinghimwith——therightvenomtostinghimwith。"
"Yes，"saidMrs。Poyser，"Iknowwhatthemenlike——apoorsoft，as’udsimperat’emlikethepictureo’thesun，whethertheydidrightorwrong，an’saythankyouforakick，an’pretendshedidnaknowwhichendshestooduppermost，tillherhusbandtoldher。That’swhatamanwantsinawife，mostly；hewantstomakesureo’onefoolas’ulltellhimhe’swise。Butthere’ssomemencandowi’outthat——theythinksomucho’themselvesa’ready。An’
that’showitisthere’soldbachelors。"
"Come，Craig，"saidMr。Poyserjocosely，"youmungetmarriedprettyquick，elseyou’llbesetdownforanoldbachelor；an’youseewhatthewomen’ullthinkonyou。"
"Well，"saidMr。Craig，willingtoconciliateMrs。Poyserandsettingahighvalueonhisowncompliments，"Ilikeacleverishwoman——awomano’sperrit——amanagingwoman。"
"You’reoutthere，Craig，"saidBartle，dryly；"you’reoutthere。
Youjudgeo’yourgarden-stuffonabetterplanthanthat。Youpickthethingsforwhattheycanexcelin——forwhattheycanexcelin。Youdon’tvalueyourpeasfortheirroots，oryourcarrotsfortheirflowers。Now，that’sthewayyoushouldchoosewomen。Theircleverness’llnevercometomuch——nevercometomuch——buttheymakeexcellentsimpletons，ripeandstrong-
flavoured。"
"Whatdostsaytothat？"saidMr。Poyser，throwinghimselfbackandlookingmerrilyathiswife。
"Say！"answeredMrs。Poyser，withdangerousfirekindlinginhereye。"Why，Isayassomefolks’tonguesareliketheclocksasrunonstrikin’，nottotellyouthetimeo’theday，butbecausethere’ssummatwrongi’theirowninside……"
Mrs。Poyserwouldprobablyhavebroughtherrejoindertoafurtherclimax，ifeveryone’sattentionhadnotatthismomentbeencalledtotheotherendofthetable，wherethelyricism，whichhadatfirstonlymanifesteditselfbyDavid’ssottovoceperformanceof"Mylove’sarosewithoutathorn，"hadgraduallyassumedaratherdeafeningandcomplexcharacter。Tim，thinkingslightlyofDavid’svocalization，wasimpelledtosupersedethatfeeblebuzzbyaspiritedcommencementof"ThreeMerryMowers，"
butDavidwasnottobeputdownsoeasily，andshowedhimselfcapableofacopiouscrescendo，whichwasrenderingitdoubtfulwhethertherosewouldnotpredominateoverthemowers，whenoldKester，withanentirelyunmovedandimmovableaspect，suddenlysetupaquaveringtreble——asifhehadbeenanalarum，andthetimewascomeforhimtogooff。
ThecompanyatAlick’sendofthetabletookthisformofvocalentertainmentverymuchasamatterofcourse，beingfreefrommusicalprejudices；butBartleMasseylaiddownhispipeandputhisfingersinhisears；andAdam，whohadbeenlongingtogoeversincehehadheardDinahwasnotinthehouse，roseandsaidhemustbidgood-night。
"I’llgowithyou，lad，"saidBartle；"I’llgowithyoubeforemyearsaresplit。"
"I’llgoroundbytheCommonandseeyouhome，ifyoulike，Mr。
Massey，"saidAdam。
"Aye，aye！"saidBartle；"thenwecanhaveabito’talktogether。
Inevergetholdofyounow。"
"Eh！It’sapitybutyou’dsititout，"saidMartinPoyser。
"They’llallgosoon，forth’missisniverlets’emstaypastten。"
ButAdamwasresolute，sothegood-nightsweresaid，andthetwofriendsturnedoutontheirstarlightwalktogether。
"There’sthatpoorfool，Vixen，whimperingformeathome，"saidBartle。"IcanneverbringherherewithmeforfearsheshouldbestruckwithMrs。Poyser’seye，andthepoorbitchmightgolimpingforeverafter。"
"I’veneveranyneedtodriveGypback，"saidAdam，laughing。"HealwaysturnsbackofhisownheadwhenhefindsoutI’mcominghere。"
"Aye，aye，"saidBartle。"Aterriblewoman！——madeofneedles，madeofneedles。ButIsticktoMartin——IshallalwayssticktoMartin。Andhelikestheneedles，Godhelphim！He’sacushionmadeonpurposefor’em。"
"Butshe’sadownrightgood-natur’dwoman，forallthat，"saidAdam，"andastrueasthedaylight。She’sabitcrosswi’thedogswhentheyoffertocomeinth’house，butiftheydependedonher，she’dtakecareandhave’emwellfed。Ifhertongue’skeen，herheart’stender:I’veseenthatintimeso’trouble。She’soneo’thosewomenasarebetterthantheirword。"
"Well，well，"saidBartle，"Idon’tsayth’appleisn’tsoundatthecore；butitsetsmyteethonedge——itsetsmyteethonedge。"
TheMeetingontheHillADAMunderstoodDinah’shastetogoaway，anddrewhoperatherthandiscouragementfromit。Shewasfearfullestthestrengthofherfeelingtowardshimshouldhinderherfromwaitingandlisteningfaithfullyfortheultimateguidingvoicefromwithin。
"IwishI’daskedhertowritetome，though，"hethought。"Andyeteventhatmightdisturbherabit，perhaps。Shewantstobequitequietinheroldwayforawhile。AndI’venorighttobeimpatientandinterruptingherwithmywishes。She’stoldmewhathermindis，andshe’snotawomantosayonethingandmeananother。I’llwaitpatiently。"
ThatwasAdam’swiseresolution，anditthroveexcellentlyforthefirsttwoorthreeweeksonthenourishmentitgotfromtheremembranceofDinah’sconfessionthatSundayafternoon。Thereisawonderfulamountofsustenanceinthefirstfewwordsoflove。
ButtowardsthemiddleofOctobertheresolutionbegantodwindleperceptibly，andshoweddangeroussymptomsofexhaustion。Theweekswereunusuallylong:Dinahmustsurelyhavehadmorethanenoughtimetomakeuphermind。Letawomansaywhatshewillaftershehasoncetoldamanthatsheloveshim，heisalittletooflushedandexaltedwiththatfirstdraughtsheoffershimtocaremuchaboutthetasteofthesecond。Hetreadstheearthwithaveryelasticstepashewalksawayfromher，andmakeslightofalldifficulties。Butthatsortofglowdiesout:memorygetssadlydilutedwithtime，andisnotstrongenoughtoreviveus。
Adamwasnolongersoconfidentashehadbeen。HebegantofearthatperhapsDinah’soldlifewouldhavetoostrongagraspuponherforanynewfeelingtotriumph。Ifshehadnotfeltthis，shewouldsurelyhavewrittentohimtogivehimsomecomfort；butitappearedthatshehelditrighttodiscouragehim。AsAdam’sconfidencewaned，hispatiencewanedwithit，andhethoughthemustwritehimself。HemustaskDinahnottoleavehiminpainfuldoubtlongerthanwasneedful。Hesatuplateonenighttowriteheraletter，butthenextmorningheburntit，afraidofitseffect。Itwouldbeworsetohaveadiscouraginganswerbyletterthanfromherownlips，forherpresencereconciledhimtoherwill。
Youperceivehowitwas:AdamwashungeringforthesightofDinah，andwhenthatsortofhungerreachesacertainstage，aloverislikelytostillitthoughhemayhavetoputhisfutureinpawn。
ButwhatharmcouldhedobygoingtoSnowfield？Dinahcouldnotbedispleasedwithhimforit。Shehadnotforbiddenhimtogo。
Shemustsurelyexpectthathewouldgobeforelong。BythesecondSundayinOctoberthisviewofthecasehadbecomesocleartoAdamthathewasalreadyonhiswaytoSnowfield，onhorsebackthistime，forhishourswerepreciousnow，andhehadborrowedJonathanBurge’sgoodnagforthejourney。
Whatkeenmemorieswentalongtheroadwithhim！HehadoftenbeentoOakbourneandbacksincethatfirstjourneytoSnowfield，butbeyondOakbournethegreystonewalls，thebrokencountry，themeagretrees，seemedtobetellinghimafreshthestoryofthatpainfulpastwhichheknewsowellbyheart。Butnostoryisthesametousafteralapseoftime——orrather，wewhoreaditarenolongerthesameinterpreters——andAdamthismorningbroughtwithhimnewthoughtsthroughthatgreycountry，thoughtswhichgaveanalteredsignificancetoitsstoryofthepast。
Thatisabaseandselfish，evenablasphemous，spiritwhichrejoicesandisthankfuloverthepastevilthathasblightedorcrushedanother，becauseithasbeenmadeasourceofunforeseengoodtoourselves。Adamcouldneverceasetomournoverthatmysteryofhumansorrowwhichhadbeenbroughtsoclosetohim；hecouldneverthankGodforanother’smisery。AndifIwerecapableofthatnarrow-sightedjoyinAdam’sbehalf，Ishouldstillknowhewasnotthemantofeelitforhimself。Hewouldhaveshakenhisheadatsuchasentimentandsaid，"Evil’sevil，andsorrow’ssorrow，andyoucan’talterit’snaturbywrappingitupinotherwords。Otherfolkswerenotcreatedformysake，thatIshouldthinkallsquarewhenthingsturnoutwellforme。"
Butitisnotignobletofeelthatthefullerlifewhichasadexperiencehasbroughtusisworthourownpersonalshareofpain。
Surelyitisnotpossibletofeelotherwise，anymorethanitwouldbepossibleforamanwithcataracttoregretthepainfulprocessbywhichhisdimblurredsightofmenastreeswalkinghadbeenexchangedforclearoutlineandeffulgentday。Thegrowthofhigherfeelingwithinusislikethegrowthoffaculty，bringingwithitasenseofaddedstrength。Wecannomorewishtoreturntoanarrowersympathythanapainteroramusiciancanwishtoreturntohiscrudermanner，oraphilosophertohislesscompleteformula。
SomethinglikethissenseofenlargedbeingwasinAdam’smindthisSundaymorning，asherodealonginvividrecollectionofthepast。HisfeelingtowardsDinah，thehopeofpassinghislifewithher，hadbeenthedistantunseenpointtowardswhichthathardjourneyfromSnowfieldeighteenmonthsagohadbeenleadinghim。TenderanddeepashisloveforHettyhadbeen——sodeepthattherootsofitwouldneverbetornaway——hisloveforDinahwasbetterandmoreprecioustohim，foritwastheoutgrowthofthatfullerlifewhichhadcometohimfromhisacquaintancewithdeepsorrow。"It’slikeasifitwasanewstrengthtome，"hesaidtohimself，"toloveherandknowasshelovesme。Ishalllookt’
hertohelpmetoseethingsright。Forshe’sbetterthanIam——
there’slesso’selfinher，andpride。Andit’safeelingasgivesyouasorto’liberty，asifyoucouldwalkmorefearless，whenyou’vemoretrustinanotherthany’haveinyourself。I’vealwaysbeenthinkingIknewbetterthanthemasbelongedtome，andthat’sapoorsorto’life，whenyoucan’tlooktothemnearesttoyout’helpyouwithabitbetterthoughtthanwhatyou’vegotinsideyoua’ready。"
Itwasmorethantwoo’clockintheafternoonwhenAdamcameinsightofthegreytownonthehill-sideandlookedsearchinglytowardsthegreenvalleybelow，forthefirstglimpseoftheoldthatchedroofneartheuglyredmill。ThescenelookedlessharshinthesoftOctobersunshinethanithadintheeagertimeofearlyspring，andtheonegrandcharmitpossessedincommonwithallwide-stretchingwoodlessregions——thatitfilledyouwithanewconsciousnessoftheoverarchingsky——hadamilder，moresoothinginfluencethanusual，onthisalmostcloudlessday。
Adam’sdoubtsandfearsmeltedunderthisinfluenceasthedelicateweblikecloudshadgraduallymeltedawayintotheclearblueabovehim。HeseemedtoseeDinah’sgentlefaceassuringhim，withitslooksalone，ofallhelongedtoknow。
HedidnotexpectDinahtobeathomeatthishour，buthegotdownfromhishorseandtieditatthelittlegate，thathemightaskwhereshewasgoneto-day。Hehadsethismindonfollowingherandbringingherhome。ShewasgonetoSloman’sEnd，ahamletaboutthreemilesoff，overthehill，theoldwomantoldhim——hadsetoffdirectlyaftermorningchapel，topreachinacottagethere，asherhabitwas。AnybodyatthetownwouldtellhimthewaytoSloman’sEnd。SoAdamgotonhishorseagainandrodetothetown，puttingupattheoldinnandtakingahastydinnerthereinthecompanyofthetoochattylandlord，fromwhosefriendlyquestionsandreminiscenceshewasgladtoescapeassoonaspossibleandsetouttowardsSloman’sEnd。Withallhishasteitwasnearlyfouro’clockbeforehecouldsetoff，andhethoughtthatasDinahhadgonesoearly，shewouldperhapsalreadybenearreturning。Thelittle，grey，desolate-lookinghamlet，unscreenedbyshelteringtrees，layinsightlongbeforehereachedit，andashecamenearhecouldhearthesoundofvoicessingingahymn。
"Perhapsthat’sthelasthymnbeforetheycomeaway，"Adamthought。"I’llwalkbackabitandturnagaintomeether，fartheroffthevillage。"Hewalkedbacktillhegotnearlytothetopofthehillagain，andseatedhimselfonaloosestone，againstthelowwall，towatchtillheshouldseethelittleblackfigureleavingthehamletandwindingupthehill。Hechosethisspot，almostatthetopofthehill，becauseitwasawayfromalleyes——nohouse，nocattle，notevenanibblingsheepnear——nopresencebutthestilllightsandshadowsandthegreatembracingsky。
Shewasmuchlongercomingthanheexpected。Hewaitedanhouratleastwatchingforherandthinkingofher，whiletheafternoonshadowslengthenedandthelightgrewsofter。Atlasthesawthelittleblackfigurecomingfrombetweenthegreyhousesandgraduallyapproachingthefootofthehill。Slowly，Adamthought，butDinahwasreallywalkingatherusualpace，withalightquietstep。Nowshewasbeginningtowindalongthepathupthehill，butAdamwouldnotmoveyet；hewouldnotmeethertoosoon；hehadsethisheartonmeetingherinthisassuredloneliness。Andnowhebegantofearlestheshouldstartlehertoomuch。"Yet，"
hethought，"she’snotonetobeoverstartled；she’salwayssocalmandquiet，asifshewaspreparedforanything。"
Whatwasshethinkingofasshewoundupthehill？Perhapsshehadfoundcompletereposewithouthim，andhadceasedtofeelanyneedofhislove。Onthevergeofadecisionwealltremble:hopepauseswithflutteringwings。
Butnowatlastshewasverynear，andAdamrosefromthestonewall。Ithappenedthatjustashewalkedforward，Dinahhadpausedandturnedroundtolookbackatthevillage——whodoesnotpauseandlookbackinmountingahill？Adamwasglad，for，withthefineinstinctofalover，hefeltthatitwouldbebestforhertohearhisvoicebeforeshesawhim。Hecamewithinthreepacesofherandthensaid，"Dinah！"Shestartedwithoutlookinground，asifsheconnectedthesoundwithnoplace。"Dinah！"Adamsaidagain。Heknewquitewellwhatwasinhermind。Shewassoaccustomedtothinkofimpressionsaspurelyspiritualmonitionsthatshelookedfornomaterialvisibleaccompanimentofthevoice。
Butthissecondtimeshelookedround。Whatalookofyearningloveitwasthatthemildgreyeyesturnedonthestrongdark-eyedman！Shedidnotstartagainatthesightofhim；shesaidnothing，butmovedtowardshimsothathisarmcouldclaspherround。
Andtheywalkedonsoinsilence，whilethewarmtearsfell。Adamwascontent，andsaidnothing。ItwasDinahwhospokefirst。
"Adam，"shesaid，"itistheDivineWill。MysoulissoknittoyoursthatitisbutadividedlifeIlivewithoutyou。Andthismoment，nowyouarewithme，andIfeelthatourheartsarefilledwiththesamelove。IhaveafulnessofstrengthtobearanddoourheavenlyFather’sWillthatIhadlostbefore。"
Adampausedandlookedintohersincereeyes。
"Thenwe’llneverpartanymore，Dinah，tilldeathpartsus。"
Andtheykissedeachotherwithadeepjoy。
Whatgreaterthingistherefortwohumansoulsthantofeelthattheyarejoinedforlife——tostrengtheneachotherinalllabour，torestoneachotherinallsorrow，toministertoeachotherinallpain，tobeonewitheachotherinsilentunspeakablememoriesatthemomentofthelastparting？
MarriageBellsINlittlemorethanamonthafterthatmeetingonthehill——onarimymorningindepartingNovember——AdamandDinahweremarried。
Itwasaneventmuchthoughtofinthevillage。AllMr。Burge’smenhadaholiday，andallMr。Poyser’s，andmostofthosewhohadaholidayappearedintheirbestclothesatthewedding。IthinktherewashardlyaninhabitantofHayslopespeciallymentionedinthishistoryandstillresidentintheparishonthisNovembermorningwhowasnoteitherinchurchtoseeAdamandDinahmarried，ornearthechurchdoortogreetthemastheycameforth。
Mrs。Irwineandherdaughterswerewaitingatthechurchyardgatesintheircarriage(fortheyhadacarriagenow)toshakehandswiththebrideandbridegroomandwishthemwell；andintheabsenceofMissLydiaDonnithorneatBath，Mrs。Best，Mr。Mills，andMr。Craighadfeltitincumbentonthemtorepresent"thefamily"attheChaseontheoccasion。Thechurchyardwalkwasquitelinedwithfamiliarfaces，manyofthemfacesthathadfirstlookedatDinahwhenshepreachedontheGreen。Andnowondertheyshowedthiseagerinterestonhermarriagemorning，fornothinglikeDinahandthehistorywhichhadbroughtherandAdamBedetogetherhadbeenknownatHayslopewithinthememoryofman。
BessyCranage，inherneatestcapandfrock，wascrying，thoughshedidnotexactlyknowwhy；for，ashercousinWiryBen，whostoodnearher，judiciouslysuggested，Dinahwasnotgoingaway，andifBessywasinlowspirits，thebestthingforhertodowastofollowDinah’sexampleandmarryanhonestfellowwhowasreadytohaveher。NexttoBessy，justwithinthechurchdoor，therewerethePoyserchildren，peepingroundthecornerofthepewstogetasightofthemysteriousceremony；Totty’sfacewearinganunusualairofanxietyattheideaofseeingcousinDinahcomebacklookingratherold，forinTotty’sexperiencenomarriedpeoplewereyoung。
IenvythemallthesighttheyhadwhenthemarriagewasfairlyendedandAdamledDinahoutofchurch。Shewasnotinblackthismorning，forherAuntPoyserwouldbynomeansallowsuchariskofincurringbadluck，andhadherselfmadeapresentoftheweddingdress，madeallofgrey，thoughintheusualQuakerform，foronthispointDinahcouldnotgiveway。SothelilyfacelookedoutwithsweetgravityfromunderagreyQuakerbonnet，neithersmilingnorblushing，butwithlipstremblingalittleundertheweightofsolemnfeelings。Adam，ashepressedherarmtohisside，walkedwithhisolderectnessandhisheadthrownratherbackwardasiftofacealltheworldbetter。Butitwasnotbecausehewasparticularlyproudthismorning，asisthewontofbridegrooms，forhishappinesswasofakindthathadlittlereferencetomen’sopinionofit。Therewasatingeofsadnessinhisdeepjoy；Dinahknewit，anddidnotfeelaggrieved。
Therewerethreeothercouples，followingthebrideandbridegroom:first，MartinPoyser，lookingascheeryasabrightfireonthisrimymorning，ledquietMaryBurge，thebridesmaid；
thencameSethserenelyhappy，withMrs。Poyseronhisarm；andlastofallBartleMassey，withLisbeth——Lisbethinanewgownandbonnet，toobusywithherprideinhersonandherdelightinpossessingtheonedaughtershehaddesiredtodeviseasinglepretextforcomplaint。
BartleMasseyhadconsentedtoattendtheweddingatAdam’searnestrequest，underprotestagainstmarriageingeneralandthemarriageofasensiblemaninparticular。Nevertheless，Mr。
Poyserhadajokeagainsthimaftertheweddingdinner，totheeffectthatinthevestryhehadgiventhebrideonemorekissthanwasnecessary。
BehindthislastcouplecameMr。Irwine，gladatheartoverthisgoodmorning’sworkofjoiningAdamandDinah。ForhehadseenAdamintheworstmomentsofhissorrow；andwhatbetterharvestfromthatpainfulseed-timecouldtherebethanthis？Thelovethathadbroughthopeandcomfortinthehourofdespair，thelovethathadfounditswaytothedarkprisoncellandtopoorHetty’sdarkersoul——thisstronggentlelovewastobeAdam’scompanionandhelpertilldeath。
Therewasmuchshakingofhandsmingledwith"Godblessyou’s"andothergoodwishestothefourcouples，atthechurchyardgate，Mr。
Poyseransweringfortherestwithunwontedvivacityoftongue，forhehadalltheappropriatewedding-dayjokesathiscommand。
Andthewomen，heobserved，couldneverdoanythingbutputfingerineyeatawedding。EvenMrs。Poysercouldnottrustherselftospeakastheneighboursshookhandswithher，andLisbethbegantocryinthefaceoftheveryfirstpersonwhotoldhershewasgettingyoungagain。
Mr。JoshuaRann，havingaslighttouchofrheumatism，didnotjoinintheringingofthebellsthismorning，and，lookingonwithsomecontemptattheseinformalgreetingswhichrequirednoofficialco-operationfromtheclerk，begantohuminhismusicalbass，"Ohwhatajoyfulthingitis，"bywayofpreludingalittletotheeffectheintendedtoproduceintheweddingpsalmnextSunday。
"That’sabitofgoodnewstocheerArthur，"saidMr。Irwinetohismother，astheydroveoff。"Ishallwritetohimthefirstthingwhenwegethome。"
EpilogueITisneartheendofJune，in1807。TheworkshopshavebeenshutuphalfanhourormoreinAdamBede’stimber-yard，whichusedtobeJonathanBurge’s，andthemelloweveninglightisfallingonthepleasanthousewiththebuffwallsandthesoftgreythatch，verymuchasitdidwhenwesawAdambringinginthekeysonthatJuneeveningnineyearsago。
Thereisafigureweknowwell，justcomeoutofthehouse，andshadinghereyeswithherhandsasshelooksforsomethinginthedistance，fortheraysthatfallonherwhiteborderlesscapandherpaleauburnhairareverydazzling。Butnowsheturnsawayfromthesunlightandlookstowardsthedoor。
Wecanseethesweetpalefacequitewellnow:itisscarcelyatallaltered——onlyalittlefuller，tocorrespondtohermorematronlyfigure，whichstillseemslightandactiveenoughintheplainblackdress。
"Iseehim，Seth，"Dinahsaid，asshelookedintothehouse。"Letusgoandmeethim。Come，Lisbeth，comewithMother。"
Thelastcallwasansweredimmediatelybyasmallfaircreaturewithpaleauburnhairandgreyeyes，littlemorethanfouryearsold，whoranoutsilentlyandputherhandintohermother’s。
"Come，UncleSeth，"saidDinah。
"Aye，aye，we’recoming，"Sethansweredfromwithin，andpresentlyappearedstoopingunderthedoorway，beingtallerthanusualbytheblackheadofasturdytwo-year-oldnephew，whohadcausedsomedelaybydemandingtobecarriedonuncle’sshoulder。
"Bettertakehimonthyarm，Seth，"saidDinah，lookingfondlyatthestoutblack-eyedfellow。"He’stroublesometotheeso。"
"Nay，nay:Addylikesarideonmyshoulder。Icancarryhimsoforabit。"AkindnesswhichyoungAddyacknowledgedbydrumminghisheelswithpromisingforceagainstUncleSeth’schest。ButtowalkbyDinah’sside，andbetyrannizedoverbyDinah’sandAdam’schildren，wasUncleSeth’searthlyhappiness。
"Wheredidstseehim？"askedSeth，astheywalkedonintotheadjoiningfield。"Ican’tcatchsightofhimanywhere。"
"Betweenthehedgesbytheroadside，"saidDinah。"Isawhishatandhisshoulder。Thereheisagain。"
"Trusttheeforcatchingsightofhimifhe’sanywheretobeseen，"saidSeth，smiling。"Thee’tlikepoormotherusedtobe。
ShewasalwaysonthelookoutforAdam，andcouldseehimsoonerthanotherfolks，forallhereyesgotdim。"
"He’sbeenlongerthanheexpected，"saidDinah，takingArthur’swatchfromasmallsidepocketandlookingatit；"it’snighuponsevennow。"
"Aye，they’dhaveadealtosaytooneanother，"saidSeth，"andthemeeting’udtouch’embothprettyclosish。Why，it’sgettingontowardseightyearssincetheyparted。"
"Yes，"saidDinah，"Adamwasgreatlymovedthismorningatthethoughtofthechangeheshouldseeinthepooryoungman，fromthesicknesshehasundergone，aswellastheyearswhichhavechangedusall。Andthedeathofthepoorwanderer，whenshewascomingbacktous，hasbeensorrowuponsorrow。"
"See，Addy，"saidSeth，loweringtheyoungonetohisarmnowandpointing，"there’sFathercoming——atthefarstile。"
Dinahhastenedhersteps，andlittleLisbethranonatherutmostspeedtillsheclaspedherfather’sleg。Adampattedherheadandliftedheruptokissher，butDinahcouldseethemarksofagitationonhisfaceassheapproachedhim，andheputherarmwithinhisinsilence。
"Well，youngster，mustItakeyou？"hesaid，tryingtosmile，whenAddystretchedouthisarms——ready，withtheusualbasenessofinfancy，togiveuphisUncleSethatonce，nowtherewassomerarerpatronageathand。
"It’scutmeagooddeal，Dinah，"Adamsaidatlast，whentheywerewalkingon。
"Didstfindhimgreatlyaltered？"saidDinah。
"Why，he’salteredandyetnotaltered。Ishouldha’knownhimanywhere。Buthiscolour’schanged，andhelookssadly。However，thedoctorssayhe’llsoonbesetrightinhisowncountryair。
He’sallsoundinth’inside；it’sonlythefevershatteredhimso。Buthespeaksjustthesame，andsmilesatmejustashedidwhenhewasalad。It’swonderfulhowhe’salwayshadjustthesamesorto’lookwhenhesmiles。"
"I’veneverseenhimsmile，pooryoungman，"saidDinah。
"Buttheewiltseehimsmile，to-morrow，"saidAdam。"Heaskedaftertheethefirstthingwhenhebegantocomeround，andwecouldtalktooneanother。’Ihopesheisn’taltered，’hesaid，’Irememberherfacesowell。’Itoldhim’no，’"Adamcontinued，lookingfondlyattheeyesthatwereturnedtowardshis，"onlyabitplumper，asthee’dstarighttobeaftersevenyear。’Imaycomeandseeherto-morrow，mayn’tI？’hesaid；’IlongtotellherhowI’vethoughtofheralltheseyears。’"
"DidsttellhimI’dalwaysusedthewatch？"saidDinah。
"Aye；andwetalkedadealaboutthee，forhesaysheneversawawomanabitlikethee。’IshallturnMethodistsomeday，’hesaid，’whenshepreachesoutofdoors，andgotohearher。’AndI
said，’Nay，sir，youcan’tdothat，forConferencehasforbidthewomenpreaching，andshe’sgivenitup，allbuttalkingtothepeopleabitintheirhouses。’"
"Ah，"saidSeth，whocouldnotrepressacommentonthispoint，"andasorepityitwaso’Conference；andifDinahhadseenasI
did，we’dha’lefttheWesleyansandjoinedabodythat’udputnobondsonChristianliberty。"
"Nay，lad，nay，"saidAdam，"shewasrightandtheewastwrong。
There’snorulessowisebutwhatit’sapityforsomebodyorother。Mosto’thewomendomoreharmnorgoodwiththeirpreaching——they’venotgotDinah’sgiftnorhersperrit——andshe’sseenthat，andshethoughtitrighttosetth’exampleo’
submitting，forshe’snotheldfromothersortso’teaching。AndIagreewithher，andapproveo’whatshedid。"
Sethwassilent。Thiswasastandingsubjectofdifferencerarelyalludedto，andDinah，wishingtoquititatonce，said，"Didstremember，Adam，tospeaktoColonelDonnithornethewordsmyuncleandauntentrustedtothee？"
"Yes，andhe’sgoingtotheHallFarmwithMr。Irwinethedayafterto-morrow。Mr。Irwinecameinwhileweweretalkingaboutit，andhewouldhaveitastheColonelmustseenobodybuttheeto-morrow。Hesaid——andhe’sintherightofit——asit’llbebadforhimt’havehisfeelingsstirredwithseeingmanypeopleoneafteranother。’Wemustgetyoustrongandhearty，’hesaid，’that’sthefirstthingtobedoneArthur，andthenyoushallhaveyourownway。ButIshallkeepyouunderyouroldtutor’sthumbtillthen。’Mr。Irwine’sfineandjoyfulathavinghimhomeagain。"
Adamwassilentalittlewhile，andthensaid，"Itwasverycuttingwhenwefirstsawoneanother。He’dneverheardaboutpoorHettytillMr。IrwinemethiminLondon，forthelettersmissedhimonhisjourney。Thefirstthinghesaidtome，whenwe’dgotholdo’oneanother’shandswas，’Icouldneverdoanythingforher，Adam——shelivedlongenoughforallthesuffering——andI’dthoughtsoofthetimewhenImightdosomethingforher。Butyoutoldmethetruthwhenyousaidtomeonce，"There’sasortofwrongthatcanneverbemadeupfor。"’"
"Why，there’sMr。andMrs。Poysercominginattheyardgate，"
saidSeth。
"Sothereis，"saidDinah。"Run，Lisbeth，runtomeetAuntPoyser。
Comein，Adam，andrest；ithasbeenaharddayforthee。"
End