TheDairyTHEdairywascertainlyworthlookingat:itwasascenetosickenforwithasortofcalentureinhotanddustystreets——suchcoolness，suchpurity，suchfreshfragranceofnew-pressedcheese，offirmbutter，ofwoodenvesselsperpetuallybathedinpurewater；suchsoftcolouringofredearthenwareandcreamysurfaces，brownwoodandpolishedtin，greylimestoneandrichorange-redrustontheironweightsandhooksandhinges。Butonegetsonlyaconfusednotionofthesedetailswhentheysurroundadistractinglyprettygirlofseventeen，standingonlittlepattensandroundingherdimpledarmtoliftapoundofbutteroutofthescale。
　　Hettyblushedadeeprose-colourwhenCaptainDonnithorneenteredthedairyandspoketoher；butitwasnotatalladistressedblush，foritwasinwreathedwithsmilesanddimples，andwithsparklesfromunderlong，curled，darkeyelashes；andwhileherauntwasdiscoursingtohimaboutthelimitedamountofmilkthatwastobesparedforbutterandcheesesolongasthecalveswerenotallweaned，andalargequantitybutinferiorqualityofmilkyieldedbytheshorthorn，whichhadbeenboughtonexperiment，togetherwithothermatterswhichmustbeinterestingtoayounggentlemanwhowouldonedaybealandlord，Hettytossedandpattedherpoundofbutterwithquiteaself-possessed，coquettishair，slylyconsciousthatnoturnofherheadwaslost。
　　Therearevariousordersofbeauty，causingmentomakefoolsofthemselvesinvariousstyles，fromthedesperatetothesheepish；
　　butthereisoneorderofbeautywhichseemsmadetoturntheheadsnotonlyofmen，butofallintelligentmammals，evenofwomen。Itisabeautylikethatofkittens，orverysmalldownyducksmakinggentleripplingnoiseswiththeirsoftbills，orbabiesjustbeginningtotoddleandtoengageinconsciousmischief——abeautywithwhichyoucanneverbeangry，butthatyoufeelreadytocrushforinabilitytocomprehendthestateofmindintowhichitthrowsyou。HettySorrel’swasthatsortofbeauty。
　　Heraunt，Mrs。Poyser，whoprofessedtodespiseallpersonalattractionsandintendedtobetheseverestofmentors，continuallygazedatHetty’scharmsbythesly，fascinatedinspiteofherself；andafteradministeringsuchascoldingasnaturallyflowedfromheranxietytodowellbyherhusband’sniece——whohadnomotherofherowntoscoldher，poorthing！——shewouldoftenconfesstoherhusband，whentheyweresafeoutofhearing，thatshefirmlybelieved，"thenaughtierthelittlehuzzybehaved，theprettiershelooked。"
　　ItisoflittleuseformetotellyouthatHetty’scheekwaslikearose-petal，thatdimplesplayedaboutherpoutinglips，thatherlargedarkeyeshidasoftroguishnessundertheirlonglashes，andthathercurlyhair，thoughallpushedbackunderherroundcapwhileshewasatwork，stolebackindarkdelicateringsonherforehead，andaboutherwhiteshell-likeears；itisoflittleuseformetosayhowlovelywasthecontourofherpink-and-whiteneckerchief，tuckedintoherlowplum-colouredstuffboddice，orhowthelinenbutter-makingapron，withitsbib，seemedathingtobeimitatedinsilkbyduchesses，sinceitfellinsuchcharminglines，orhowherbrownstockingsandthick-soledbuckledshoeslostallthatclumsinesswhichtheymustcertainlyhavehadwhenemptyofherfootandankle——oflittleuse，unlessyouhaveseenawomanwhoaffectedyouasHettyaffectedherbeholders，forotherwise，thoughyoumightconjureuptheimageofalovelywoman，shewouldnotintheleastresemblethatdistractingkittenlikemaiden。Imightmentionallthedivinecharmsofabrightspringday，butifyouhadneverinyourlifeutterlyforgottenyourselfinstrainingyoureyesafterthemountinglark，orinwanderingthroughthestilllaneswhenthefresh-openedblossomsfillthemwithasacredsilentbeautylikethatoffrettedaisles，wherewouldbetheuseofmydescriptivecatalogue？IcouldnevermakeyouknowwhatImeantbyabrightspringday。Hetty’swasaspring-tidebeauty；itwasthebeautyofyoungfriskingthings，round-limbed，gambolling，circumventingyoubyafalseairofinnocence——theinnocenceofayoungstar-
　　browedcalf，forexample，that，beinginclinedforapromenadeoutofbounds，leadsyouaseveresteeplechaseoverhedgeandditch，andonlycomestoastandinthemiddleofabog。
　　Andtheyaretheprettiestattitudesandmovementsintowhichaprettygirlisthrowninmakingupbutter——tossingmovementsthatgiveacharmingcurvetothearm，andasidewardinclinationoftheroundwhiteneck；littlepattingandrollingmovementswiththepalmofthehand，andniceadaptationsandfinishingswhichcannotatallbeeffectedwithoutagreatplayofthepoutingmouthandthedarkeyes。Andthenthebutteritselfseemstocommunicateafreshcharm——itissopure，sosweet-scented；itisturnedoffthemouldwithsuchabeautifulfirmsurface，likemarbleinapaleyellowlight！Moreover，Hettywasparticularlycleveratmakingupthebutter；itwastheoneperformanceofhersthatherauntallowedtopasswithoutseverecriticism；soshehandleditwithallthegracethatbelongstomastery。
　　"IhopeyouwillbereadyforagreatholidayonthethirtiethofJuly，Mrs。Poyser，"saidCaptainDonnithorne，whenhehadsufficientlyadmiredthedairyandgivenseveralimprovisedopinionsonSwedeturnipsandshorthorns。"Youknowwhatistohappenthen，andIshallexpectyoutobeoneoftheguestswhocomeearliestandleavelatest。Willyoupromisemeyourhandfortwodances，MissHetty？IfIdon’tgetyourpromisenow，IknowI
　　shallhardlyhaveachance，forallthesmartyoungfarmerswilltakecaretosecureyou。"
　　Hettysmiledandblushed，butbeforeshecouldanswer，Mrs。Poyserinterposed，scandalizedatthemeresuggestionthattheyoungsquirecouldbeexcludedbyanymeanerpartners。
　　"Indeed，sir，youareverykindtotakethatnoticeofher。AndI’msure，wheneveryou’repleasedtodancewithher，she’llbeproudandthankful，ifshestoodstillalltheresto’th’
　　evening。"
　　"Ohno，no，thatwouldbetoocrueltoalltheotheryoungfellowswhocandance。Butyouwillpromisemetwodances，won’tyou？"
　　thecaptaincontinued，determinedtomakeHettylookathimandspeaktohim。
　　Hettydroppedtheprettiestlittlecurtsy，andstoleahalf-shy，half-coquettishglanceathimasshesaid，"Yes，thankyou，sir。"
　　"Andyoumustbringallyourchildren，youknow，Mrs。Poyser；yourlittleTotty，aswellastheboys。Iwantalltheyoungestchildrenontheestatetobethere——allthosewhowillbefineyoungmenandwomenwhenI’mabaldoldfellow。"
　　"Ohdear，sir，that’ullbealongtimefirst，"saidMrs。Poyser，quiteovercomeattheyoungsquire’sspeakingsolightlyofhimself，andthinkinghowherhusbandwouldbeinterestedinhearingherrecountthisremarkablespecimenofhigh-bornhumour。
　　Thecaptainwasthoughttobe"veryfullofhisjokes，"andwasagreatfavouritethroughouttheestateonaccountofhisfreemanners。Everytenantwasquitesurethingswouldbedifferentwhenthereinsgotintohishands——therewastobeamillennialabundanceofnewgates，allowancesoflime，andreturnsoftenpercent。
　　"ButwhereisTottyto-day？"hesaid。"Iwanttoseeher。"
　　"WhereISthelittleun，Hetty？"saidMrs。Poyser。"Shecameinherenotlongago。"
　　"Idon’tknow。ShewentintothebrewhousetoNancy，Ithink。"
　　Theproudmother，unabletoresistthetemptationtoshowherTotty，passedatonceintothebackkitchen，insearchofher，not，however，withoutmisgivingslestsomethingshouldhavehappenedtorenderherpersonandattireunfitforpresentation。
　　"Anddoyoucarrythebuttertomarketwhenyou’vemadeit？"saidtheCaptaintoHetty，meanwhile。
　　"Ohno，sir；notwhenit’ssoheavy。I’mnotstrongenoughtocarryit。Alicktakesitonhorseback。"
　　"No，I’msureyourprettyarmswerenevermeantforsuchheavyweights。Butyougooutawalksometimesthesepleasantevenings，don’tyou？Whydon’tyouhaveawalkintheChasesometimes，nowit’ssogreenandpleasant？Ihardlyeverseeyouanywhereexceptathomeandatchurch。"
　　"Auntdoesn’tlikemetogoa-walkingonlywhenI’mgoingsomewhere，"saidHetty。"ButIgothroughtheChasesometimes。"
　　"Anddon’tyouevergotoseeMrs。Best，thehousekeeper？IthinkIsawyouonceinthehousekeeper’sroom。"
　　"Itisn’tMrs。Best，it’sMrs。Pomfret，thelady’smaid，asIgotosee。She’steachingmetent-stitchandthelace-mending。I’mgoingtoteawithherto-morrowafternoon。"
　　Thereasonwhytherehadbeenspaceforthistete-a-tetecanonlybeknownbylookingintothebackkitchen，whereTottyhadbeendiscoveredrubbingastrayblue-bagagainsthernose，andinthesamemomentallowingsomeliberalindigodropstofallonherafternoonpinafore。Butnowsheappearedholdinghermother’shand——theendofherroundnoserathershinyfromarecentandhurriedapplicationofsoapandwater。
　　"Heresheis！"saidthecaptain，liftingherupandsettingheronthelowstoneshelf。"Here’sTotty！Bytheby，what’sherothername？Shewasn’tchristenedTotty。"
　　"Oh，sir，wecallhersadlyoutofhername。Charlotte’sherchristenedname。It’sanamei’Mr。Poyser’sfamily:hisgrandmotherwasnamedCharlotte。ButwebeganwithcallingherLotty，andnowit’sgottoTotty。Tobesureit’smorelikeanameforadogthanaChristianchild。"
　　"Totty’sacapitalname。Why，shelookslikeaTotty。Hasshegotapocketon？"saidthecaptain，feelinginhisownwaistcoatpockets。
　　Tottyimmediatelywithgreatgravityliftedupherfrock，andshowedatinypinkpocketatpresentinastateofcollapse。
　　"Itdotnotin’init，"shesaid，asshelookeddownatitveryearnestly。
　　"No！Whatapity！Suchaprettypocket。Well，IthinkI’vegotsomethingsinminethatwillmakeaprettyjingleinit。Yes！I
　　declareI’vegotfivelittleroundsilverthings，andhearwhataprettynoisetheymakeinTotty’spinkpocket。"Hereheshookthepocketwiththefivesixpencesinit，andTottyshowedherteethandwrinkledhernoseingreatglee；but，diviningthattherewasnothingmoretobegotbystaying，shejumpedofftheshelfandranawaytojingleherpocketinthehearingofNancy，whilehermothercalledafterher，"Ohforshame，younaughtygell！Nottothankthecaptainforwhathe’sgivenyouI’msure，sir，it’sverykindofyou；butshe’sspoiledshameful；herfatherwon’thavehersaidnayinanything，andthere’snomanagingher。It’sbeingtheyoungest，andth’onlygell。"
　　"Oh，she’safunnylittlefatty；Iwouldn’thaveherdifferent。
　　ButImustbegoingnow，forIsupposetherectoriswaitingforme。"
　　Witha"good-bye，"abrightglance，andabowtoHettyArthurleftthedairy。Buthewasmistakeninimagininghimselfwaitedfor。
　　TherectorhadbeensomuchinterestedinhisconversationwithDinahthathewouldnothavechosentocloseitearlier；andyoushallhearnowwhattheyhadbeensayingtoeachother。
　　AVocationDINAH，whohadrisenwhenthegentlemencamein，butstillkeptholdofthesheetshewasmending，curtsiedrespectfullywhenshesawMr。Irwinelookingatherandadvancingtowardsher。Hehadneveryetspokentoher，orstoodfacetofacewithher，andherfirstthought，ashereyesmethis，was，"Whatawell-favouredcountenance！Ohthatthegoodseedmightfallonthatsoil，foritwouldsurelyflourish。"Theagreeableimpressionmusthavebeenmutual，forMr。Irwinebowedtoherwithabenignantdeference，whichwouldhavebeenequallyinplaceifshehadbeenthemostdignifiedladyofhisacquaintance。
　　"Youareonlyavisitorinthisneighbourhood，Ithink？"werehisfirstwords，asheseatedhimselfoppositetoher。
　　"No，sir，IcomefromSnowfield，inStonyshire。Butmyauntwasverykind，wantingmetohaverestfrommyworkthere，becauseI’dbeenill，andsheinvitedmetocomeandstaywithherforawhile。"
　　"Ah，IrememberSnowfieldverywell；Ioncehadoccasiontogothere。It’sadrearybleakplace。Theywerebuildingacotton-
　　millthere；butthat’smanyyearsagonow。Isupposetheplaceisagooddealchangedbytheemploymentthatmillmusthavebrought。"
　　"ItISchangedsofarasthemillhasbroughtpeoplethere，whogetalivelihoodforthemselvesbyworkinginit，andmakeitbetterforthetradesfolks。Iworkinitmyself，andhavereasontobegrateful，fortherebyIhaveenoughandtospare。Butit’sstillableakplace，asyousay，sir——verydifferentfromthiscountry。"
　　"Youhaverelationslivingthere，probably，sothatyouareattachedtotheplaceasyourhome？"
　　"Ihadanauntthereonce；shebroughtmeup，forIwasanorphan。
　　Butshewastakenawaysevenyearsago，andIhavenootherkindredthatIknowof，besidesmyAuntPoyser，whoisverygoodtome，andwouldhavemecomeandliveinthiscountry，whichtobesureisagoodland，whereintheyeatbreadwithoutscarceness。
　　ButI’mnotfreetoleaveSnowfield，whereIwasfirstplanted，andhavegrowndeepintoit，likethesmallgrassonthehill-
　　top。"
　　"Ah，Idaresayyouhavemanyreligiousfriendsandcompanionsthere；youareaMethodist——aWesleyan，Ithink？"
　　"Yes，myauntatSnowfieldbelongedtotheSociety，andIhavecausetobethankfulfortheprivilegesIhavehadtherebyfrommyearliestchildhood。"
　　"Andhaveyoubeenlonginthehabitofpreaching？ForI
　　understandyoupreachedatHayslopelastnight。"
　　"Ifirsttooktotheworkfouryearssince，whenIwastwenty-
　　one。"
　　"YourSocietysanctionswomen’spreaching，then？"
　　"Itdoesn’tforbidthem，sir，whenthey’veaclearcalltothework，andwhentheirministryisownedbytheconversionofsinnersandthestrengtheningofGod’speople。Mrs。Fletcher，asyoumayhaveheardabout，wasthefirstwomantopreachintheSociety，Ibelieve，beforeshewasmarried，whenshewasMissBosanquet；andMr。Wesleyapprovedofherundertakingthework。
　　Shehadagreatgift，andtherearemanyothersnowlivingwhoarepreciousfellow-helpersintheworkoftheministry。Iunderstandthere’sbeenvoicesraisedagainstitintheSocietyoflate，butIcannotbutthinktheircounselwillcometonought。Itisn’tformentomakechannelsforGod’sSpirit，astheymakechannelsforthewatercourses，andsay，’Flowhere，butflownotthere。’"
　　"Butdon’tyoufindsomedangeramongyourpeople——Idon’tmeantosaythatitissowithyou，farfromit——butdon’tyoufindsometimesthatbothmenandwomenfancythemselveschannelsforGod’sSpirit，andarequitemistaken，sothattheysetaboutaworkforwhichtheyareunfitandbringholythingsintocontempt？"
　　"Doubtlessitissosometimes；fortherehavebeenevil-doersamonguswhohavesoughttodeceivethebrethren，andsometherearewhodeceivetheirownselves。Butwearenotwithoutdisciplineandcorrectiontoputacheckuponthesethings。
　　There’saverystrictorderkeptamongus，andthebrethrenandsisterswatchforeachother’ssoulsastheythatmustgiveaccount。Theydon’tgoeveryonehisownwayandsay，’AmImybrother’skeeper？’"
　　"Buttellme——ifImayask，andIamreallyinterestedinknowingit——howyoufirstcametothinkofpreaching？"
　　"Indeed，sir，Ididn’tthinkofitatall——I’dbeenusedfromthetimeIwassixteentotalktothelittlechildren，andteachthem，andsometimesIhadhadmyheartenlargedtospeakinclass，andwasmuchdrawnoutinprayerwiththesick。ButIhadfeltnocalltopreach，forwhenI’mnotgreatlywroughtupon，I’mtoomuchgiventositstillandkeepbymyself。ItseemsasifI
　　couldsitsilentalldaylongwiththethoughtofGodoverflowingmysoul——asthepebblesliebathedintheWillowBrook。Forthoughtsaresogreat——aren’tthey，sir？Theyseemtolieuponuslikeadeepflood；andit’smybesetmenttoforgetwhereIamandeverythingaboutme，andlosemyselfinthoughtsthatIcouldgivenoaccountof，forIcouldneithermakeabeginningnorendingoftheminwords。ThatwasmywayaslongasIcanremember；butsometimesitseemedasifspeechcametomewithoutanywillofmyown，andwordsweregiventomethatcameoutasthetearscome，becauseourheartsarefullandwecan’thelpit。Andthosewerealwaystimesofgreatblessing，thoughIhadneverthoughtitcouldbesowithmebeforeacongregationofpeople。But，sir，weareledon，likethelittlechildren，byawaythatweknownot。
　　Iwascalledtopreachquitesuddenly，andsincethenIhaveneverbeenleftindoubtabouttheworkthatwaslaiduponme。"
　　"Buttellmethecircumstances——justhowitwas，theverydayyoubegantopreach。"
　　"ItwasoneSundayIwalkedwithbrotherMarlowe，whowasanagedman，oneofthelocalpreachers，allthewaytoHetton-Deeps——
　　that’savillagewherethepeoplegettheirlivingbyworkinginthelead-mines，andwherethere’snochurchnorpreacher，buttheylivelikesheepwithoutashepherd。It’sbetterthantwelvemilesfromSnowfield，sowesetoutearlyinthemorning，foritwassummertime；andIhadawonderfulsenseoftheDivineloveaswewalkedoverthehills，wherethere’snotrees，youknow，sir，asthereishere，tomaketheskylooksmaller，butyouseetheheavensstretchedoutlikeatent，andyoufeeltheeverlastingarmsaroundyou。ButbeforewegottoHetton，brotherMarlowewasseizedwithadizzinessthatmadehimafraidoffalling，forheoverworkedhimselfsadly，athisyears，inwatchingandpraying，andwalkingsomanymilestospeaktheWord，aswellascarryingonhistradeoflinen-weaving。Andwhenwegottothevillage，thepeoplewereexpectinghim，forhe’dappointedthetimeandtheplacewhenhewastherebefore，andsuchofthemascaredtoheartheWordofLifewereassembledonaspotwherethecottageswasthickest，soasothersmightbedrawntocome。Buthefeltashecouldn’tstanduptopreach，andhewasforcedtoliedowninthefirstofthecottageswecameto。SoIwenttotellthepeople，thinkingwe’dgointooneofthehouses，andIwouldreadandpraywiththem。ButasIpassedalongbythecottagesandsawtheagedandtremblingwomenatthedoors，andthehardlooksofthemen，whoseemedtohavetheireyesnomorefilledwiththesightoftheSabbathmorningthaniftheyhadbeendumboxenthatneverlookeduptothesky，Ifeltagreatmovementinmysoul，andItrembledasifIwasshakenbyastrongspiritenteringintomyweakbody。
　　AndIwenttowherethelittleflockofpeoplewasgatheredtogether，andsteppedonthelowwallthatwasbuiltagainstthegreenhillside，andIspokethewordsthatweregiventomeabundantly。Andtheyallcameroundmeoutofallthecottages，andmanyweptovertheirsins，andhavesincebeenjoinedtotheLord。Thatwasthebeginningofmypreaching，sir，andI’vepreachedeversince。"
　　Dinahhadletherworkfallduringthisnarrative，whichsheutteredinherusualsimpleway，butwiththatsincerearticulate，thrillingtreblebywhichshealwaysmasteredheraudience。Shestoopednowtogatheruphersewing，andthenwentonwithitasbefore。Mr。Irwinewasdeeplyinterested。Hesaidtohimself，"Hemustbeamiserableprigwhowouldactthepedagoguehere:onemightaswellgoandlecturethetreesforgrowingintheirownshape。"
　　"Andyouneverfeelanyembarrassmentfromthesenseofyouryouth——thatyouarealovelyyoungwomanonwhommen’seyesarefixed？"hesaidaloud。
　　"No，I’venoroomforsuchfeelings，andIdon’tbelievethepeopleevertakenoticeaboutthat。Ithink，sir，whenGodmakesHispresencefeltthroughus，weareliketheburningbush:Mosesnevertookanyheedwhatsortofbushitwas——heonlysawthebrightnessoftheLord。I’vepreachedtoasroughignorantpeopleascanbeinthevillagesaboutSnowfield——menthatlookedveryhardandwild——buttheyneversaidanuncivilwordtome，andoftenthankedmekindlyastheymadewayformetopassthroughthemidstofthem。"
　　"THATIcanbelieve——thatIcanwellbelieve，"saidMr。Irwine，emphatically。"Andwhatdidyouthinkofyourhearerslastnight，now？Didyoufindthemquietandattentive？"
　　"Veryquiet，sir，butIsawnosignsofanygreatworkuponthem，exceptinayounggirlnamedBessyCranage，towardswhommyheartyearnedgreatly，whenmyeyesfirstfellonherbloomingyouth，givenuptofollyandvanity。Ihadsomeprivatetalkandprayerwithherafterwards，andItrustherheartistouched。ButI’venoticedthatinthesevillageswherethepeopleleadaquietlifeamongthegreenpasturesandthestillwaters，tillingthegroundandtendingthecattle，there’sastrangedeadnesstotheWord，asdifferentascanbefromthegreattowns，likeLeeds，whereIoncewenttovisitaholywomanwhopreachesthere。It’swonderfulhowrichistheharvestofsoulsupthosehigh-walledstreets，whereyouseemedtowalkasinaprison-yard，andtheearisdeafenedwiththesoundsofworldlytoil。Ithinkmaybeitisbecausethepromiseissweeterwhenthislifeissodarkandweary，andthesoulgetsmorehungrywhenthebodyisillatease。"
　　"Why，yes，ourfarm-labourersarenoteasilyroused。Theytakelifealmostasslowlyasthesheepandcows。Butwehavesomeintelligentworkmenabouthere。IdaresayyouknowtheBedes；
　　SethBede，bytheby，isaMethodist。"
　　"Yes，IknowSethwell，andhisbrotherAdamalittle。Sethisagraciousyoungman——sincereandwithoutoffence；andAdamislikethepatriarchJoseph，forhisgreatskillandknowledgeandthekindnessheshowstohisbrotherandhisparents。"
　　"Perhapsyoudon’tknowthetroublethathasjusthappenedtothem？Theirfather，MatthiasBede，wasdrownedintheWillowBrooklastnight，notfarfromhisowndoor。I’mgoingnowtoseeAdam。"
　　"Ah，theirpooragedmother！"saidDinah，droppingherhandsandlookingbeforeherwithpityingeyes，asifshesawtheobjectofhersympathy。"Shewillmournheavily，forSethhastoldmeshe’sofananxious，troubledheart。ImustgoandseeifIcangiveheranyhelp。"
　　Assheroseandwasbeginningtofoldupherwork，CaptainDonnithorne，havingexhaustedallplausiblepretextsforremainingamongthemilk-pans，cameoutofthedairy，followedbyMrs。
　　Poyser。Mr。Irwinenowrosealso，and，advancingtowardsDinah，heldouthishand，andsaid，"Good-bye。Ihearyouaregoingawaysoon；butthiswillnotbethelastvisityouwillpayyouraunt——
　　soweshallmeetagain，Ihope。"
　　HiscordialitytowardsDinahsetallMrs。Poyser’sanxietiesatrest，andherfacewasbrighterthanusual，asshesaid，"I’veneveraskedafterMrs。IrwineandtheMissIrwines，sir；Ihopethey’reaswellasusual。"
　　"Yes，thankyou，Mrs。Poyser，exceptthatMissAnnehasoneofherbadheadachesto-day。Bytheby，wealllikedthatnicecream-
　　cheeseyousentus——mymotherespecially。"
　　"I’mveryglad，indeed，sir。ItisbutseldomImakeone，butI
　　rememberedMrs。Irwinewasfondof’em。Pleasetogivemydutytoher，andtoMissKateandMissAnne。They’veneverbeentolookatmypoultrythislongwhile，andI’vegotsomebeautifulspeckledchickens，blackandwhite，asMissKatemightliketohavesomeofamongsthers。"
　　"Well，I’lltellher；shemustcomeandseethem。Good-bye，"saidtherector，mountinghishorse。
　　"Justrideslowlyon，Irwine，"saidCaptainDonnithorne，mountingalso。"I’llovertakeyouinthreeminutes。I’monlygoingtospeaktotheshepherdaboutthewhelps。Good-bye，Mrs。Poyser；
　　tellyourhusbandIshallcomeandhavealongtalkwithhimsoon。"
　　Mrs。Poysercurtsiedduly，andwatchedthetwohorsesuntiltheyhaddisappearedfromtheyard，amidstgreatexcitementonthepartofthepigsandthepoultry，andunderthefuriousindignationofthebull-dog，whoperformedaPyrrhicdance，thateverymomentseemedtothreatenthebreakingofhischain。Mrs。Poyserdelightedinthisnoisyexit；itwasafreshassurancetoherthatthefarm-yardwaswellguarded，andthatnoloitererscouldenterunobserved；anditwasnotuntilthegatehadclosedbehindthecaptainthatsheturnedintothekitchenagain，whereDinahstoodwithherbonnetinherhand，waitingtospeaktoheraunt，beforeshesetoutforLisbethBede’scottage。
　　Mrs。Poyser，however，thoughshenoticedthebonnet，deferredremarkingonituntilshehaddisburdenedherselfofhersurpriseatMr。Irwine’sbehaviour。
　　"Why，Mr。Irwinewasn’tangry，then？Whatdidhesaytoyou，Dinah？Didn’thescoldyouforpreaching？"
　　"No，hewasnotatallangry；hewasveryfriendlytome。Iwasquitedrawnouttospeaktohim；Ihardlyknowhow，forIhadalwaysthoughtofhimasaworldlySadducee。Buthiscountenanceisaspleasantasthemorningsunshine。"
　　"Pleasant！Andwhatelsedidy’expecttofindhimbutpleasant？"
　　saidMrs。Poyserimpatiently，resumingherknitting。"Ishouldthinkhiscountenanceispleasantindeed！Andhimagentlemanborn，and’sgotamotherlikeapicter。Youmaygothecountryroundandnotfindsuchanotherwomanturnedsixty-six。It’ssummat-liketoseesuchamanasthati’thedeskofaSunday！AsIsaytoPoyser，it’slikelookingatafullcropo’wheat，orapasturewithafinedairyo’cowsinit；itmakesyouthinktheworld’scomfortable-like。ButasforsuchcreatursasyouMethodissesrunafter，I’dassoongotolookataloto’bare-
　　ribbedruntsonacommon。Finefolkstheyaretotellyouwhat’sright，aslookasifthey’dnevertastednothingbetterthanbacon-swordandsour-cakei’theirlives。ButwhatdidMr。Irwinesaytoyouaboutthatfool’stricko’preachingontheGreen？"
　　"Heonlysaidhe’dheardofit；hedidn’tseemtofeelanydispleasureaboutit。But，dearaunt，don’tthinkanymoreaboutthat。HetoldmesomethingthatI’msurewillcauseyousorrow，asitdoesme。ThiasBedewasdrownedlastnightintheWillowBrook，andI’mthinkingthattheagedmotherwillbegreatlyinneedofcomfort。PerhapsIcanbeofusetoher，soIhavefetchedmybonnetandamgoingtosetout。"
　　"Dearheart，dearheart！Butyoumusthaveacupo’teafirst，child，"saidMrs。Poyser，fallingatoncefromthekeyofBwithfivesharpstothefrankandgenialC。"Thekettle’sboiling——
　　we’llhaveitreadyinaminute；andtheyounguns’ullbeinandwantingtheirsdirectly。I’mquitewillingyoushouldgoandseeth’oldwoman，foryou’reoneasisallayswelcomeintrouble，MethodistornoMethodist；but，forthemattero’that，it’sthefleshandbloodfolksaremadeonasmakesthedifference。Somecheesesaremadeo’skimmedmilkandsomeo’newmilk，andit’snomatterwhatyoucall’em，youmaytellwhichiswhichbythelookandthesmell。ButastoThiasBede，he’sbetterouto’thewaynorin——Godforgi’meforsayingso——forhe’sdonelittlethistenyearbutmaketroubleforthemasbelongedtohim；andIthinkit’udbewellforyoutotakealittlebottleo’rumforth’oldwoman，forIdaresayshe’sgotneveradropo’nothingtocomfortherinside。Sitdown，child，andbeeasy，foryoushan’tstirouttillyou’vehadacupo’tea，andsoItellyou。"
　　Duringthelatterpartofthisspeech，Mrs。Poyserhadbeenreachingdownthetea-thingsfromtheshelves，andwasonherwaytowardsthepantryfortheloaffollowedclosebyTotty，whohadmadeherappearanceontherattlingofthetea-cups，whenHettycameoutofthedairyrelievinghertiredarmsbyliftingthemup，andclaspingherhandsatthebackofherhead。
　　"Molly，"shesaid，ratherlanguidly，"justrunoutandgetmeabunchofdock-leaves:thebutter’sreadytopackupnow。"
　　"D’youhearwhat’shappened，Hetty？"saidheraunt。
　　"No；howshouldIhearanything？"wastheanswer，inapettishtone。
　　"Notasyou’dcaremuch，Idaresay，ifyoudidhear；foryou’retoofeather-headedtomindifeverybodywasdead，soasyoucouldstayupstairsa-dressingyourselffortwohoursbytheclock。Butanybodybesidesyourself’udmindaboutsuchthingshappeningtothemasthinkadealmoreofyouthanyoudeserve。ButAdamBedeandallhiskinmightbedrowndedforwhatyou’dcare——you’dbeperkingattheglassthenextminute。"
　　"AdamBede——drowned？"saidHetty，lettingherarmsfallandlookingratherbewildered，butsuspectingthatherauntwasasusualexaggeratingwithadidacticpurpose。
　　"No，mydear，no，"saidDinahkindly，forMrs。Poyserhadpassedontothepantrywithoutdeigningmorepreciseinformation。"NotAdam。Adam’sfather，theoldman，isdrowned。HewasdrownedlastnightintheWillowBrook。Mr。Irwinehasjusttoldmeaboutit。"
　　"Oh，howdreadful！"saidHetty，lookingserious，butnotdeeplyaffected；andasMollynowenteredwiththedock-leaves，shetookthemsilentlyandreturnedtothedairywithoutaskingfurtherquestions。
　　Hetty’sWorldWHILEsheadjustedthebroadleavesthatsetoffthepalefragrantbutterastheprimroseissetoffbyitsnestofgreenIamafraidHettywasthinkingagreatdealmoreofthelooksCaptainDonnithornehadcastatherthanofAdamandhistroubles。
　　Bright，admiringglancesfromahandsomeyounggentlemanwithwhitehands，agoldchain，occasionalregimentals，andwealthandgrandeurimmeasurable——thosewerethewarmraysthatsetpoorHetty’sheartvibratingandplayingitslittlefoolishtunesoverandoveragain。WedonothearthatMemnon’sstatuegaveforthitsmelodyatallundertherushingofthemightiestwind，orinresponsetoanyotherinfluencedivineorhumanthancertainshort-livedsunbeamsofmorning；andwemustlearntoaccommodateourselvestothediscoverythatsomeofthosecunninglyfashionedinstrumentscalledhumansoulshaveonlyaverylimitedrangeofmusic，andwillnotvibrateintheleastunderatouchthatfillsotherswithtremulousraptureorquiveringagony。
　　Hettywasquiteusedtothethoughtthatpeoplelikedtolookather。ShewasnotblindtothefactthatyoungLukeBrittonofBroxtoncametoHayslopeChurchonaSundayafternoononpurposethathemightseeher；andthathewouldhavemademuchmoredecidedadvancesifherunclePoyser，thinkingbutlightlyofayoungmanwhosefather’slandwassofoulasoldLukeBritton’s，hadnotforbiddenheraunttoencouragehimbyanycivilities。
　　Shewasaware，too，thatMr。Craig，thegardenerattheChase，wasoverheadandearsinlovewithher，andhadlatelymadeunmistakableavowalsinlusciousstrawberriesandhyperbolicalpeas。Sheknewstillbetter，thatAdamBede——tall，upright，clever，braveAdamBede——whocarriedsuchauthoritywithallthepeopleroundabout，andwhomherunclewasalwaysdelightedtoseeofanevening，sayingthat"Adamknewafinesightmoreo’thenaturo’thingsthanthoseasthoughtthemselveshisbetters"——sheknewthatthisAdam，whowasoftenrathersterntootherpeopleandnotmuchgiventorunafterthelasses，couldbemadetoturnpaleorredanydaybyawordoralookfromher。Hetty’ssphereofcomparisonwasnotlarge，butshecouldn’thelpperceivingthatAdamwas"somethinglike"aman；alwaysknewwhattosayaboutthings，couldtellherunclehowtopropthehovel，andhadmendedthechurninnotime；knew，withonlylookingatit，thevalueofthechestnut-treethatwasblowndown，andwhythedampcameinthewalls，andwhattheymustdotostoptherats；andwroteabeautifulhandthatyoucouldreadoff，andcoulddofiguresinhishead——adegreeofaccomplishmenttotallyunknownamongtherichestfarmersofthatcountryside。NotatalllikethatslouchingLukeBritton，who，whensheoncewalkedwithhimallthewayfromBroxtontoHayslope，hadonlybrokensilencetoremarkthatthegreygoosehadbeguntolay。AndasforMr。Craig，thegardener，hewasasensiblemanenough，tobesure，buthewasknock-kneed，andhadaqueersortofsing-songinhistalk；
　　moreover，onthemostcharitablesupposition，hemustbefaronthewaytoforty。
　　HettywasquitecertainherunclewantedhertoencourageAdam，andwouldbepleasedforhertomarryhim。Forthoseweretimeswhentherewasnorigiddemarcationofrankbetweenthefarmerandtherespectableartisan，andonthehomehearth，aswellasinthepublichouse，theymightbeseentakingtheirjugofaletogether；
　　thefarmerhavingalatentsenseofcapital，andofweightinparishaffairs，whichsustainedhimunderhisconspicuousinferiorityinconversation。MartinPoyserwasnotafrequenterofpublichouses，buthelikedafriendlychatoverhisownhome-
　　brewed；andthoughitwaspleasanttolaydownthelawtoastupidneighbourwhohadnonotionhowtomakethebestofhisfarm，itwasalsoanagreeablevarietytolearnsomethingfromacleverfellowlikeAdamBede。Accordingly，forthelastthreeyears——
　　eversincehehadsuperintendedthebuildingofthenewbarn——AdamhadalwaysbeenmadewelcomeattheHallFarm，especiallyofawinterevening，whenthewholefamily，inpatriarchalfashion，masterandmistress，childrenandservants，wereassembledinthatgloriouskitchen，atwell-graduateddistancesfromtheblazingfire。Andforthelasttwoyears，atleast，Hettyhadbeeninthehabitofhearingherunclesay，"AdamBedemaybeworkingforwagenow，buthe’llbeamaster-mansomeday，assureasIsitinthischair。MesterBurgeisintherighton’ttowanthimtogopartnersandmarryhisdaughter，ifit’struewhattheysay；thewomanasmarrieshim’ullhaveagoodtake，be’tLadydayorMichaelmas，"aremarkwhichMrs。Poyseralwaysfollowedupwithhercordialassent。"Ah，"shewouldsay，"it’sallveryfinehavingaready-maderichman，butmayhappenhe’llbeaready-madefool；andit’snousefillingyourpocketfullo’moneyifyou’vegotaholeinthecorner。It’lldoyounogoodtositinaspring-carto’yourown，ifyou’vegotasofttodriveyou:he’llsoonturnyouoverintotheditch。IallayssaidI’dnevermarryamanashadgotnobrains；forwhere’stheuseofawomanhavingbrainsofherownifshe’stackledtoageckaseverybody’sa-
　　laughingat？Shemightaswelldressherselffinetositback’ardsonadonkey。"
　　Theseexpressions，thoughfigurative，sufficientlyindicatedthebentofMrs。Poyser’smindwithregardtoAdam；andthoughsheandherhusbandmighthaveviewedthesubjectdifferentlyifHettyhadbeenadaughteroftheirown，itwasclearthattheywouldhavewelcomedthematchwithAdamforapennilessniece。ForwhatcouldHettyhavebeenbutaservantelsewhere，ifherunclehadnottakenherinandbroughtherupasadomestichelptoheraunt，whosehealthsincethebirthofTottyhadnotbeenequaltomorepositivelabourthanthesuperintendenceofservantsandchildren？ButHettyhadnevergivenAdamanysteadyencouragement。Eveninthemomentswhenshewasmostthoroughlyconsciousofhissuperioritytoherotheradmirers，shehadneverbroughtherselftothinkofacceptinghim。Shelikedtofeelthatthisstrong，skilful，keen-eyedmanwasinherpower，andwouldhavebeenindignantifhehadshowntheleastsignofslippingfromundertheyokeofhercoquettishtyrannyandattachinghimselftothegentleMaryBurge，whowouldhavebeengratefulenoughforthemosttriflingnoticefromhim。"MaryBurge，indeed！Suchasallow-facedgirl:ifsheputonabitofpinkribbon，shelookedasyellowasacrow-flowerandherhairwasasstraightasahankofcotton。"AndalwayswhenAdamstayedawayforseveralweeksfromtheHallFarm，andotherwisemadesomeshowofresistancetohispassionasafoolishone，Hettytookcaretoenticehimbackintothenetbylittleairsofmeeknessandtimidity，asifshewereintroubleathisneglect。ButastomarryingAdam，thatwasaverydifferentaffair！Therewasnothingintheworldtotempthertodothat。Hercheeksnevergrewashadedeeperwhenhisnamewasmentioned；shefeltnothrillwhenshesawhimpassingalongthecausewaybythewindow，oradvancingtowardsherunexpectedlyinthefootpathacrossthemeadow；shefeltnothing，whenhiseyesrestedonher，butthecoldtriumphofknowingthathelovedherandwouldnotcaretolookatMaryBurge。Hecouldnomorestirinhertheemotionsthatmakethesweetintoxicationofyounglovethanthemerepictureofasuncanstirthespringsapinthesubtlefibresoftheplant。Shesawhimashewas——apoormanwitholdparentstokeep，whowouldnotbeable，foralongwhiletocome，togiveherevensuchluxuriesasshesharedinheruncle’shouse。AndHetty’sdreamswereallofluxuries:tositinacarpetedparlour，andalwayswearwhitestockings；tohavesomelargebeautifulear-
　　rings，suchaswereallthefashion；tohaveNottinghamlaceroundthetopofhergown，andsomethingtomakeherhandkerchiefsmellnice，likeMissLydiaDonnithorne’swhenshedrewitoutatchurch；andnottobeobligedtogetupearlyorbescoldedbyanybody。Shethought，ifAdamhadbeenrichandcouldhavegivenherthesethings，shelovedhimwellenoughtomarryhim。
　　ButforthelastfewweeksanewinfluencehadcomeoverHetty——
　　vague，atmospheric，shapingitselfintonoself-confessedhopesorprospects，butproducingapleasantnarcoticeffect，makinghertreadthegroundandgoaboutherworkinasortofdream，unconsciousofweightoreffort，andshowingherallthingsthroughasoft，liquidveil，asifshewerelivingnotinthissolidworldofbrickandstone，butinabeatifiedworld，suchasthesunlightsupforusinthewaters。HettyhadbecomeawarethatMr。ArthurDonnithornewouldtakeagooddealoftroubleforthechanceofseeingher；thathealwaysplacedhimselfatchurchsoastohavethefullestviewofherbothsittingandstanding；
　　thathewasconstantlyfindingreasonforcallingattheHallFarm，andalwayswouldcontrivetosaysomethingforthesakeofmakingherspeaktohimandlookathim。Thepoorchildnomoreconceivedatpresenttheideathattheyoungsquirecouldeverbeherloverthanabaker’sprettydaughterinthecrowd，whomayoungemperordistinguishesbyanimperialbutadmiringsmile，conceivesthatsheshallbemadeempress。Butthebaker’sdaughtergoeshomeanddreamsofthehandsomeyoungemperor，andperhapsweighstheflouramisswhilesheisthinkingwhataheavenlylotitmustbetohavehimforahusband。Andso，poorHettyhadgotafaceandapresencehauntingherwakingandsleepingdreams；bright，softglanceshadpenetratedher，andsuffusedherlifewithastrange，happylanguor。TheeyesthatshedthoseglanceswerereallynothalfsofineasAdam’s，whichsometimeslookedatherwithasad，beseechingtenderness，buttheyhadfoundareadymediuminHetty’slittlesillyimagination，whereasAdam’scouldgetnoentrancethroughthatatmosphere。Forthreeweeks，atleast，herinwardlifehadconsistedoflittleelsethanlivingthroughinmemorythelooksandwordsArthurhaddirectedtowardsher——oflittleelsethanrecallingthesensationswithwhichsheheardhisvoiceoutsidethehouse，andsawhimenter，andbecameconsciousthathiseyeswerefixedonher，andthenbecameconsciousthatatallfigure，lookingdownonherwitheyesthatseemedtotouchher，wascomingnearerinclothesofbeautifultexturewithanodourlikethatofaflower-gardenborneontheeveningbreeze。Foolishthoughts！Butallthishappened，youmustremember，nearlysixtyyearsago，andHettywasquiteuneducated——asimplefarmer’sgirl，towhomagentlemanwithawhitehandwasdazzlingasanOlympiangod。Untilto-day，shehadneverlookedfartherintothefuturethantothenexttimeCaptainDonnithornewouldcometotheFarm，orthenextSundaywhensheshouldseehimatchurch；butnowshethought，perhapshewouldtrytomeetherwhenshewenttotheChaseto-morrow——andifheshouldspeaktoher，andwalkalittleway，whennobodywasby！
　　Thathadneverhappenedyet；andnowherimagination，insteadofretracingthepast，wasbusyfashioningwhatwouldhappento-
　　morrow——whereaboutintheChasesheshouldseehimcomingtowardsher，howsheshouldputhernewrose-colouredribbonon，whichhehadneverseen，andwhathewouldsaytohertomakeherreturnhisglance——aglancewhichshewouldbelivingthroughinhermemory，overandoveragain，alltherestoftheday。
　　Inthisstateofmind，howcouldHettygiveanyfeelingtoAdam’stroubles，orthinkmuchaboutpooroldThiasbeingdrowned？Youngsouls，insuchpleasantdeliriumashersareasunsympatheticasbutterfliessippingnectar；theyareisolatedfromallappealsbyabarrierofdreams——byinvisiblelooksandimpalpablearms。
　　WhileHetty’shandswerebusypackingupthebutter，andherheadfilledwiththesepicturesofthemorrow，ArthurDonnithorne，ridingbyMr。Irwine’ssidetowardsthevalleyoftheWillowBrook，hadalsocertainindistinctanticipations，runningasanundercurrentinhismindwhilehewaslisteningtoMr。Irwine’saccountofDinah——indistinct，yetstrongenoughtomakehimfeelratherconsciouswhenMr。Irwinesuddenlysaid，"WhatfascinatedyousoinMrs。Poyser’sdairy，Arthur？Haveyoubecomeanamateurofdampquarriesandskimmingdishes？"
　　Arthurknewtherectortoowelltosupposethatacleverinventionwouldbeofanyuse，sohesaid，withhisaccustomedfrankness，"No，Iwenttolookattheprettybutter-makerHettySorrel。
　　She’saperfectHebe；andifIwereanartist，Iwouldpainther。
　　It’samazingwhatprettygirlsoneseesamongthefarmers’
　　daughters，whenthemenaresuchclowns。Thatcommon，round，redfaceoneseessometimesinthemen——allcheekandnofeatures，likeMartinPoyser’s——comesoutinthewomenofthefamulyasthemostcharmingphizimaginable。"
　　"Well，IhavenoobjectiontoyourcontemplatingHettyinanartisticlight，butImustnothaveyoufeedinghervanityandfillingherlittlenoddlewiththenotionthatshe’sagreatbeauty，attractivetofinegentlemen，oryouwillspoilherforapoorman’swife——honestCraig’s，forexample，whomIhaveseenbestowingsoftglancesonher。Thelittlepussseemsalreadytohaveairsenoughtomakeahusbandasmiserableasit’salawofnatureforaquietmantobewhenhemarriesabeauty。Aproposofmarrying，IhopeourfriendAdamwillgetsettled，nowthepooroldman’sgone。Hewillonlyhavehismothertokeepinfuture，andI’veanotionthatthere’sakindnessbetweenhimandthatnicemodestgirl，MaryBurge，fromsomethingthatfellfromoldJonathanonedaywhenIwastalkingtohim。ButwhenImentionedthesubjecttoAdamhelookeduneasyandturnedtheconversation。
　　Isupposethelove-makingdoesn’trunsmooth，orperhapsAdamhangsbacktillhe’sinabetterposition。Hehasindependenceofspiritenoughfortwomen——ratheranexcessofpride，ifanything。"
　　"ThatwouldbeacapitalmatchforAdam。HewouldslipintooldBurge’sshoesandmakeafinethingofthatbuildingbusiness，I’llanswerforhim。Ishouldliketoseehimwellsettledinthisparish；hewouldbereadythentoactasmygrand-vizierwhenIwantedone。Wecouldplannoendofrepairsandimprovementstogether。I’veneverseenthegirl，though，Ithink——atleastI’veneverlookedather。"
　　"LookathernextSundayatchurch——shesitswithherfatherontheleftofthereading-desk。Youneedn’tlookquitesomuchatHettySorrelthen。WhenI’vemadeupmymindthatIcan’taffordtobuyatemptingdog，Itakenonoticeofhim，becauseifhetookastrongfancytomeandlookedlovinglyatme，thestrugglebetweenarithmeticandinclinationmightbecomeunpleasantlysevere。Ipiquemyselfonmywisdomthere，Arthur，andasanoldfellowtowhomwisdomhadbecomecheap，Ibestowituponyou。"
　　"Thankyou。ItmaystandmeingoodsteadsomedaythoughIdon’tknowthatIhaveanypresentuseforit。Blessme！Howthebrookhasoverflowed。Supposewehaveacanter，nowwe’reatthebottomofthehill。"
　　Thatisthegreatadvantageofdialogueonhorseback；itcanbemergedanyminuteintoatrotoracanter，andonemighthaveescapedfromSocrateshimselfinthesaddle。ThetwofriendswerefreefromthenecessityoffurtherconversationtilltheypulledupinthelanebehindAdam’scottage。
　　DinahVisitsLisbethATfiveo’clockLisbethcamedownstairswithalargekeyinherhand:itwasthekeyofthechamberwhereherhusbandlaydead。
　　Throughouttheday，exceptinheroccasionaloutburstsofwailinggrief，shehadbeeninincessantmovement，performingtheinitialdutiestoherdeadwiththeaweandexactitudethatbelongtoreligiousrites。Shehadbroughtoutherlittlestoreofbleachedlinen，whichshehadforlongyearskeptinreserveforthissupremeuse。Itseemedbutyesterday——thattimesomanymidsummersago，whenshehadtoldThiaswherethislinenlay，thathemightbesureandreachitoutforherwhenSHEdied，forshewastheelderofthetwo。Thentherehadbeentheworkofcleansingtothestrictestpurityeveryobjectinthesacredchamber，andofremovingfromiteverytraceofcommondailyoccupation。Thesmallwindow，whichhadhithertofreelyletinthefrostymoonlightorthewarmsummersunriseontheworkingman’sslumber，mustnowbedarkenedwithafairwhitesheet，forthiswasthesleepwhichisassacredunderthebareraftersasinceiledhouses。Lisbethhadevenmendedalong-neglectedandunnoticeablerentinthecheckeredbitofbed-curtain；forthemomentswerefewandpreciousnowinwhichshewouldbeabletodothesmallestofficeofrespectorloveforthestillcorpse，towhichinallherthoughtssheattributedsomeconsciousness。Ourdeadareneverdeadtousuntilwehaveforgottenthem:theycanbeinjuredbyus，theycanbewounded；theyknowallourpenitence，allourachingsensethattheirplaceisempty，allthekisseswebestowonthesmallestrelicoftheirpresence。Andtheagedpeasantwomanmostofallbelievesthatherdeadareconscious。DecentburialwaswhatLisbethhadbeenthinkingofforherselfthroughyearsofthrift，withanindistinctexpectationthatsheshouldknowwhenshewasbeingcarriedtothechurchyard，followedbyherhusbandandhersons；andnowshefeltasifthegreatestworkofherlifeweretobedoneinseeingthatThiaswasburieddecentlybeforeher——underthewhitethorn，whereonce，inadream，shehadthoughtshelayinthecoffin，yetallthewhilesawthesunshineaboveandsmeltthewhiteblossomsthatweresothickuponthethorntheSundayshewenttobechurchedafterAdamwasborn。
　　Butnowshehaddoneeverythingthatcouldbedoneto-dayinthechamberofdeath——haddoneitallherself，withsomeaidfromhersonsinlifting，forshewouldletnoonebefetchedtohelpherfromthevillage，notbeingfondoffemaleneighboursgenerally；
　　andherfavouriteDolly，theoldhousekeeperatMr。Burge’s，whohadcometocondolewithherinthemorningassoonassheheardofThias’sdeath，wastoodim-sightedtobeofmuchuse。Shehadlockedthedoor，andnowheldthekeyinherhand，asshethrewherselfwearilyintoachairthatstoodoutofitsplaceinthemiddleofthehousefloor，whereinordinarytimesshewouldneverhaveconsentedtosit。Thekitchenhadhadnoneofherattentionthatday；itwassoiledwiththetreadofmuddyshoesanduntidywithclothesandotherobjectsoutofplace。ButwhatatanothertimewouldhavebeenintolerabletoLisbeth’shabitsoforderandcleanlinessseemedtohernowjustwhatshouldbe:itwasrightthatthingsshouldlookstrangeanddisorderedandwretched，nowtheoldmanhadcometohisendinthatsadway；thekitchenoughtnottolookasifnothinghadhappened。Adam，overcomewiththeagitationsandexertionsofthedayafterhisnightofhardwork，hadfallenasleeponabenchintheworkshop；andSethwasinthebackkitchenmakingafireofsticksthathemightgetthekettletoboil，andpersuadehismothertohaveacupoftea，anindulgencewhichsherarelyallowedherself。
　　TherewasnooneinthekitchenwhenLisbethenteredandthrewherselfintothechair。Shelookedroundwithblankeyesatthedirtandconfusiononwhichthebrightafternoon’ssunshonedismally；itwasallofapiecewiththesadconfusionofhermind——thatconfusionwhichbelongstothefirsthoursofasuddensorrow，whenthepoorhumansoulislikeonewhohasbeendepositedsleepingamongtheruinsofavastcity，andwakesupindrearyamazement，notknowingwhetheritisthegrowingorthedyingday——notknowingwhyandwhencecamethisillimitablesceneofdesolation，orwhyhetoofindshimselfdesolateinthemidstofit。
　　AtanothertimeLisbeth’sfirstthoughtwouldhavebeen，"WhereisAdam？"butthesuddendeathofherhusbandhadrestoredhiminthesehourstothatfirstplaceinheraffectionswhichhehadheldsix-and-twentyyearsago。Shehadforgottenhisfaultsasweforgetthesorrowsofourdepartedchildhood，andthoughtofnothingbuttheyounghusband’skindnessandtheoldman’spatience。HereyescontinuedtowanderblanklyuntilSethcameinandbegantoremovesomeofthescatteredthings，andclearthesmallrounddealtablethathemightsetouthismother’steauponit。
　　"Whatartgoin’todo？"shesaid，ratherpeevishly。
　　"Iwanttheetohaveacupoftea，Mother，"answeredSeth，tenderly。"It’lldotheegood；andI’llputtwoorthreeofthesethingsaway，andmakethehouselookmorecomfortable。"
　　"Comfortable！Howcansttalko’ma’in’thingscomfortable？Leta-be，leta-be。There’snocomfortformenomore，"shewenton，thetearscomingwhenshebegantospeak，"nowthypoorfeyther’sgone，asI’nwashedforandmended，an’got’svictualforhimforthirty’ear，an’himallayssopleasedwi’iverythingIdoneforhim，an’usedtobesohandyan’dothejobsformewhenIwarillan’cumberedwi’th’babby，an’mademethepossetan’broughtitupstairsasproudascouldbe，an’carriedtheladaswarasheavyastwochildrenforfivemilean’ne’ergrumbled，allthewaytoWarsonWake，’causeIwantedtogoan’seemysister，aswardeadan’gonetheverynextChristmasase’ercome。An’himtobedrowndedinthebrookaswepassedo’erthedaywewarmarriedan’
　　comehometogether，an’he’dmadethemlotso’shelvesformetoputmyplatesan’thingson，an’showed’emmeasproudascouldbe，’causeheknow’dIshouldbepleased。An’hewartodiean’
　　menottoknow，buttobea-sleepin’i’mybed，asifIcarednanoughtaboutit。Eh！An’metolivetoseethat！An’usaswaryoungfolksonce，an’thoughtweshoulddorarelywhenwewarmarried。Leta-be，lad，leta-be！Iwonnaha’notay。IcarenaifIne’eratenordrinknomore。Whenoneendo’th’bridgetumblesdown，where’sth’useo’th’otherstannin’？Imay’swelldie，an’follermyoldman。There’snoknowin’buthe’llwantme。"
　　HereLisbethbrokefromwordsintomoans，swayingherselfbackwardsandforwardsonherchair。Seth，alwaystimidinhisbehaviourtowardshismother，fromthesensethathehadnoinfluenceoverher，feltitwasuselesstoattempttopersuadeorsoothehertillthispassionwaspast；sohecontentedhimselfwithtendingthebackkitchenfireandfoldinguphisfather’sclothes，whichhadbeenhangingouttodrysincemorning——afraidtomoveaboutintheroomwherehismotherwas，lestheshouldirritateherfurther。
　　ButafterLisbethhadbeenrockingherselfandmoaningforsomeminutes，shesuddenlypausedandsaidaloudtoherself，"I’llgoan’seearterAdam，forIcannathinkwherehe’sgotten；an’I
　　wanthimtogoupstairswi’meaforeit’sdark，fortheminutestolookatthecorpseislikethemeltin’snow。"
　　Sethoverheardthis，andcomingintothekitchenagain，ashismotherrosefromherchair，hesaid，"Adam’sasleepintheworkshop，mother。Thee’dstbetternotwakehim。Hewaso’erwroughtwithworkandtrouble。"
　　"Wakehim？Who’sa-goin’towakehim？Ishannawakehimwi’
　　lookin’athim。Ihannaseentheladthistwohour——I’dwellyforgotashe’de’ergrowedupfromababbywhen’sfeythercarriedhim。"
　　Adamwasseatedonaroughbench，hisheadsupportedbyhisarm，whichrestedfromtheshouldertotheelbowonthelongplaning-
　　tableinthemiddleoftheworkshop。Itseemedasifhehadsatdownforafewminutes’restandhadfallenasleepwithoutslippingfromhisfirstattitudeofsad，fatiguedthought。Hisface，unwashedsinceyesterday，lookedpallidandclammy；hishairwastossedshaggilyabouthisforehead，andhisclosedeyeshadthesunkenlookwhichfollowsuponwatchingandsorrow。Hisbrowwasknit，andhiswholefacehadanexpressionofwearinessandpain。Gypwasevidentlyuneasy，forhesatonhishaunches，restinghisnoseonhismaster’sstretched-outleg，anddividingthetimebetweenlickingthehandthathunglistlesslydownandglancingwithalisteningairtowardsthedoor。Thepoordogwashungryandrestless，butwouldnotleavehismaster，andwaswaitingimpatientlyforsomechangeinthescene。ItwasowingtothisfeelingonGyp’spartthat，whenLisbethcameintotheworkshopandadvancedtowardsAdamasnoiselesslyasshecould，herintentionnottoawakenhimwasimmediatelydefeated；forGyp’sexcitementwastoogreattofindventinanythingshortofasharpbark，andinamomentAdamopenedhiseyesandsawhismotherstandingbeforehim。Itwasnotveryunlikehisdream，forhissleephadbeenlittlemorethanlivingthroughagain，inafevereddeliriousway，allthathadhappenedsincedaybreak，andhismotherwithherfretfulgriefwaspresenttohimthroughitall。ThechiefdifferencebetweentherealityandthevisionwasthatinhisdreamHettywascontinuallycomingbeforehiminbodilypresence——strangelyminglingherselfasanactorinsceneswithwhichshehadnothingtodo。ShewasevenbytheWillowBrook；shemadehismotherangrybycomingintothehouse；andhemetherwithhersmartclothesquitewetthrough，ashewalkedintheraintoTreddleston，totellthecoroner。ButwhereverHettycame，hismotherwassuretofollowsoon；andwhenheopenedhiseyes，itwasnotatallstartlingtoseeherstandingnearhim。
　　"Eh，mylad，mylad！"Lisbethburstoutimmediately，herwailingimpulsereturning，forgriefinitsfreshnessfeelstheneedofassociatingitslossanditslamentwitheverychangeofsceneandincident，"thee’stgotnobodynowbutthyoldmothertotormenttheeandbeaburdentothee。Thypoorfeyther’ullne’erangertheenomore；an’thymothermay’swellgoarterhim——thesoonerthebetter——forI’mnogoodtonobodynow。Oneoldcoat’ulldotopatchanother，butit’sgoodfornoughtelse。Thee’dstliketoha’awifetomendthyclothesan’getthyvictual，betternorthyoldmother。An’Ishallbenoughtbutcumber，a-sittin’i’th’
　　chimney-corner。Adamwincedandmoveduneasily；hedreaded，ofallthings，tohearhismotherspeakofHetty。Butifthyfeytherhadlived，he’dne’erha’wantedmetogotomakeroomforanother，forhecouldnomoreha’donewi’outmenoronesideo’
　　thescissarscandowi’outth’other。Eh，weshouldha’beenbothflungawaytogether，an’thenIshouldnaha’seenthisday，an’
　　oneburyin’’udha’doneforusboth。"
　　HereLisbethpaused，butAdamsatinpainedsilence——hecouldnotspeakotherwisethantenderlytohismotherto-day，buthecouldnothelpbeingirritatedbythisplaint。ItwasnotpossibleforpoorLisbethtoknowhowitaffectedAdamanymorethanitispossibleforawoundeddogtoknowhowhismoansaffectthenervesofhismaster。Likeallcomplainingwomen，shecomplainedintheexpectationofbeingsoothed，andwhenAdamsaidnothing，shewasonlypromptedtocomplainmorebitterly。
　　"Iknowtheecouldstdobetterwi’outme，fortheecouldstgowheretheelikedstan’marrythemastheelikedst。ButIdonnawanttosaytheenay，lettheebringhomewhotheewut；I’dne’eropenmylipstofindfaut，forwhenfolksisoldan’o’nouse，theymaythinktheirsenswellofftogetthebitan’thesup，thoughthey’ntoswallowillwordswi’t。An’ifthee’stsetthyheartonalassas’llbringtheenoughtandwasteall，whentheemightstha’themas’udmakeamanonthee，I’llsaynought，nowthyfeyther’sdeadan’drownded，forI’mnobetternoranoldhaftwhentheblade’sgone。"
　　Adam，unabletobearthisanylonger，rosesilentlyfromthebenchandwalkedoutoftheworkshopintothekitchen。ButLisbethfollowedhim。
　　"Theewutnagoupstairsan’seethyfeytherthen？I’ndoneeverythin’now，an’he’dliketheetogoan’lookathim，forhewarallayssopleasedwhentheewastmildtohim。"
　　Adamturnedroundatonceandsaid，"Yes，mother；letusgoupstairs。Come，Seth，letusgotogether。"
　　Theywentupstairs，andforfiveminutesallwassilence。Thenthekeywasturnedagain，andtherewasasoundoffootstepsonthestairs。ButAdamdidnotcomedownagain；hewastoowearyandworn-outtoencountermoreofhismother’squerulousgrief，andhewenttorestonhisbed。Lisbethnosoonerenteredthekitchenandsatdownthanshethrewherapronoverherhead，andbegantocryandmoanandrockherselfasbefore。Seththought，"Shewillbequieterbyandby，nowwehavebeenupstairs"；andhewentintothebackkitchenagain，totendhislittlefire，hopingthatheshouldpresentlyinducehertohavesometea。
　　Lisbethhadbeenrockingherselfinthiswayformorethanfiveminutes，givingalowmoanwitheveryforwardmovementofherbody，whenshesuddenlyfeltahandplacedgentlyonhers，andasweettreblevoicesaidtoher，"Dearsister，theLordhassentmetoseeifIcanbeacomforttoyou。"
　　Lisbethpaused，inalisteningattitude，withoutremovingherapronfromherface。Thevoicewasstrangetoher。Coulditbehersister’sspiritcomebacktoherfromthedeadafterallthoseyears？Shetrembledanddarednotlook。
　　Dinah，believingthatthispauseofwonderwasinitselfareliefforthesorrowingwoman，saidnomorejustyet，butquietlytookoffherbonnet，andthen，motioningsilencetoSeth，who，onhearinghervoice，hadcomeinwithabeatingheart，laidonehandonthebackofLisbeth’schairandleanedoverher，thatshemightbeawareofafriendlypresence。
　　SlowlyLisbethdrewdownherapron，andtimidlysheopenedherdimdarkeyes。Shesawnothingatfirstbutaface——apure，paleface，withlovinggreyeyes，anditwasquiteunknowntoher。Herwonderincreased；perhapsitWASanangel。ButinthesameinstantDinahhadlaidherhandonLisbeth’sagain，andtheoldwomanlookeddownatit。Itwasamuchsmallerhandthanherown，butitwasnotwhiteanddelicate，forDinahhadneverwornagloveinherlife，andherhandborethetracesoflabourfromherchildhoodupwards。Lisbethlookedearnestlyatthehandforamoment，andthen，fixinghereyesagainonDinah’sface，said，withsomethingofrestoredcourage，butinatoneofsurprise，"Why，ye’reaworkin’woman！"
　　"Yes，IamDinahMorris，andIworkinthecotton-millwhenIamathome。"
　　"Ah！"saidLisbethslowly，stillwondering；"yecomedinsolight，liketheshadowonthewall，an’spokei’myear，asIthoughtyemightbeasperrit。Ye’vegota’mostthefaceo’oneasisa-
　　sittin’onthegravei’Adam’snewBible。"
　　"IcomefromtheHallFarmnow。YouknowMrs。Poyser——she’smyaunt，andshehasheardofyourgreataffliction，andisverysorry；andI’mcometoseeifIcanbeanyhelptoyouinyourtrouble；forIknowyoursonsAdamandSeth，andIknowyouhavenodaughter；andwhentheclergymantoldmehowthehandofGodwasheavyuponyou，myheartwentouttowardsyou，andIfeltacommandtocomeandbetoyouintheplaceofadaughterinthisgrief，ifyouwillletme。"
　　"Ah！Iknowwhoy’arenow；y’areaMethody，likeSeth；he’stouldmeonyou，"saidLisbethfretfully，heroverpoweringsenseofpainreturning，nowherwonderwasgone。"Ye’llmakeitoutastrouble’sagoodthing，likeHEallaysdoes。Butwhere’stheuseo’talkin’tomea-that’n？Yecannamakethesmartlesswi’
　　talkin’。Ye’llne’ermakemebelieveasit’sbetterformenottoha’myoldmandiein’sbed，ifhemustdie，an’ha’theparsontopraybyhim，an’metositbyhim，an’tellhimne’ertomindth’
　　illwordsI’vegi’enhimsometimeswhenIwarangered，an’togi’
　　himabitan’asup，aslongasabitan’asuphe’dswallow。Buteh！Todiei’thecoldwater，an’usclosetohim，an’ne’ertoknow；an’mea-sleepin’，asifIne’erbelongedtohimnomorenorifhe’dbeenajourneymantrampfromnobodyknowswhere！"
　　HereLisbethbegantocryandrockherselfagain；andDinahsaid，"Yes，dearfriend，yourafflictionisgreat。Itwouldbehardnessofhearttosaythatyourtroublewasnotheavytobear。Goddidn’tsendmetoyoutomakelightofyoursorrow，buttomournwithyou，ifyouwillletme。Ifyouhadatablespreadforafeast，andwasmakingmerrywithyourfriends，youwouldthinkitwaskindtoletmecomeandsitdownandrejoicewithyou，becauseyou’dthinkIshouldliketosharethosegoodthings；butIshouldlikebettertoshareinyourtroubleandyourlabour，anditwouldseemhardertomeifyoudeniedmethat。Youwon’tsendmeaway？
　　You’renotangrywithmeforcoming？"
　　"Nay，nay；angered！whosaidIwarangered？Itwargoodonyoutocome。An’Seth，whydonnayegethersometay？Yewarinahurrytogetsomeforme，ashadnoneed，butyedonnathinko’gettin’
　　’tforthemaswantsit。Sityedown；sityedown。Ithankyoukindlyforcomin’，forit’slittlewageyegetbywalkin’throughthewetfieldstoseeanoldwomanlikeme……Nay，I’ngotnodaughtero’myown——ne’erhadone——an’Iwarnasorry，forthey’repoorqueechythings，gellsis；Iallayswantedtoha’lads，ascouldfendfortheirsens。An’thelads’ullbemarryin’——Ishallha’daughterseno’，an’toomany。Butnow，doyemakethetayasyelikeit，forI’ngotnotastei’mymouththisday——it’sallonewhatIswaller——it’sallgotthetasteo’sorrowwi’t。"