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，forexampleBeale，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。Poysertooofficiously，Tomthoughtinterferedtopreventtheexactionofthepenalty。
　　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。Irwineandherdaughterswerewaitingatthechurchyardgatesintheircarriagefortheyhadacarriagenowtoshakehandswiththebrideandbridegroomandwishthemwell；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