Butthepositionlastreached——thechimney—corner——was，afterall，themostattractivesideoftheparallelogram。Itwaslargeenoughtoadmit，inadditiontoGeoffreyhimself;Geoffrey’swife，herchair，andherwork—table，entirelywithinthelineofthemantel，withoutdangeroreveninconveniencefromtheheatofthefire;andwasspaciousenoughoverheadtoallowoftheinsertionofwoodpolesforthehangingofbacon，whichwerecloakedwithlongshredsofsoot，floatingonthedraughtlikethetatteredbannersonthewallsofancientaisles。
　　Thesepointswerecommontomostchimneycornersoftheneighbourhood;butonefeaturetherewaswhichmadeGeoffrey’sfiresidenotonlyanobjectofinteresttocasualaristocraticvisitors——towhomeverycottagefiresidewasmoreorlessacuriosity——buttheadmirationoffriendswhowereaccustomedtofireplacesoftheordinaryhamletmodel。Thispeculiaritywasalittlewindowinthechimney—back，almostoverthefire，aroundwhichthesmokecreptcaressinglywhenitlefttheperpendicularcourse。Thewindow—boardwascuriouslystampedwithblackcircles，burntthereonbytheheatedbottomsofdrinking—cups，whichhadrestedthereafterpreviouslystandingonthehotashesofthehearthforthepurposeofwarmingtheircontents，theresultgivingtotheledgethelookofanenvelopewhichhaspassedthroughinnumerablepost—offices。
　　Fancywasglidingabouttheroompreparingdinner，herheadincliningnowtotheright，nowtotheleft，andsingingthetipsandendsoftunesthatsprangupinhermindlikemushrooms。ThefootstepsofMrs。Daycouldbeheardintheroomoverhead。Fancywentfinallytothedoor。
　　"Father！Dinner。"
　　Atallsparefigurewasseenadvancingbythewindowwithperiodicalsteps，andthekeeperenteredfromthegarden。Heappearedtobeamanwhowasalwayslookingdown，asiftryingtorecollectsomethinghesaidyesterday。Thesurfaceofhisfacewasfissuredratherthanwrinkled，andoverandunderhiseyeswerefoldswhichseemedasakindofexterioreyelids。Hisnosehadbeenthrownbackwardsbyablowinapoachingfray，sothatwhenthesunwaslowandshininginhisface，peoplecouldseefarintohishead。Therewasinhimaquietgrimness，whichwouldinhismomentsofdispleasurehavebecomesurliness，haditnotbeentemperedbyhonestyofsoul，andwhichwasoftenwrongheadednessbecausenotalliedwithsubtlety。
　　Althoughnotanextraordinarilytaciturnmanamongfriendsslightlyricherthanhimself，heneverwastedwordsuponoutsiders，andtohistrapperEnochhisideaswereseldomconveyedbyanyothermeansthannodsandshakesofthehead。Theirlongacquaintancewitheachother’sways，andthenatureoftheirlabours，renderedwordsbetweenthemalmostsuperfluousasvehiclesofthought，whilstthecoincidenceoftheirhorizons，andtheastonishingequalityoftheirsocialviews，bystartlingthekeeperfromtimetotimeasverydamagingtothetheoryofmasterandman，strictlyforbadeanyindulgenceinwordsascourtesies。
　　BehindthekeepercameEnoch（whohadbeenassistinginthegarden）
　　atthewell—consideredchronologicaldistanceofthreeminutes——anintervalofnon—appearanceonthetrapper’spartnotarrivedatwithoutsomereflection。Fourminuteshadbeenfoundtoexpressindifferencetoindoorarrangements，andsimultaneousnesshadimpliedtoogreatananxietyaboutmeals。
　　"Alittleearlierthanusual，Fancy，"thekeepersaid，ashesatdownandlookedattheclocks。"ThatEzekielSaunderso’thineistearingonaforeThomasWoodagain。"
　　"Ikeptinthemiddlebetweenthem，"saidFancy，alsolookingatthetwoclocks。
　　"BettersticktoThomas，"saidherfather。"There’sahealthybeatinThomasthatwouldleadamantoswearbyenoffhand。Heisastrueasthetowntime。Howisityourstap—motherisn’there？"
　　AsFancywasabouttoreply，therattleofwheelswasheard，and"Weh—hey，Smart！"inMr。RichardDewy’svoicerolledintothecottagefromroundthecornerofthehouse。
　　"Hullo！there’sDewy’scartcomeforthee，Fancy——Dickdriving——
　　aforetime，too。Well，asktheladtohavepot—luckwithus。"
　　DickonenteringmadeapointofimplyingbyhisgeneralbearingthathetookaninterestinFancysimplyasinoneofthesameraceandcountryashimself;andtheyallsatdown。Dickcouldhavewishedhermannerhadnotbeensoentirelyfreefromallapparentconsciousnessofthoseaccidentalmeetingsoftheirs：butheletthethoughtpass。Enochsatdiagonallyatatableafaroff;underthecornercupboard，anddrankhisciderfromalongperpendicularpintcup，havingtallfir—treesdoneinbrownonitssides，Hethrewoccasionalremarksintothegeneraltideofconversation，andwiththisadvantagetohimself;thatheparticipatedinthepleasuresofatalk（slightasitwas）atmeal—times，withoutsaddlinghimselfwiththeresponsibilityofsustainingit。
　　"Whydon’tyourstap—mothercomedown，Fancy？"saidGeoffrey。
　　"You’llexcuseher，MisterDick，she’salittlequeersometimes。"
　　"Oyes，——quite，"saidRichard，asifhewereinthehabitofexcusingpeopleeveryday。
　　"Shed’belongtothatclassofwomankindthatbecomesecondwives：
　　arumclassrather。"
　　"Indeed，"saidDick，withsympathyforanindefinitesomething。
　　"Yes;and’tistryingtoafemale，especiallyifyou’vebeenafirstwife，asshehey。"
　　"Verytryingitmustbe。"
　　"Yes：youseeherfirsthusbandwasayoungman，wholethergotoofar;infact，sheusedtokickupBob’s—a—dyingattheleastthingintheworld。AndwhenI’dmarriedherandfounditout，Ithought，thinksI，"’Tistoolatenowtobegintocure’e;"andsoIletherbide。Butshe’squeer，——veryqueer，attimes！"
　　"I’msorrytohearthat。"
　　"Yes：there;wivesbesuchaprovokingclasso’society，becausethoughtheybeneverright，theybenevermorethanhalfwrong。"
　　Fancyseemeduneasyundertheinflictionofthishouseholdmoralizing，whichmighttendtodamagetheairy—fairynaturethatDick，asmaidenshrewdnesstoldher，hadaccreditedherwith。HerdeadsilenceimpressedGeoffreywiththenotionthatsomethinginhiswordsdidnotagreewithhereducatedideas，andhechangedtheconversation。
　　"DidFredShinersendthecasko’drink，Fancy？"
　　"Ithinkhedid：Oyes，hedid。"
　　"Nicesolidfeller，FredShiner！"saidGeoffreytoDickashehelpedhimselftogravy，bringingthespoonroundtohisplatebywayofthepotato—dish，toobviateastainontheclothintheeventofaspill。
　　NowGeoffrey’seyeshadbeenfixeduponhisplateforthepreviousfourorfiveminutes，andinremovingthemhehadonlycarriedthemtothespoon，which，fromitsfulnessandthedistanceofitstransit，necessitatedasteadywatchingthroughthewholeoftheroute。Justasintentlyasthekeeper’seyeshadbeenfixedonthespoon，Fancy’shadbeenfixedonherfather’s，withoutpremeditationortheslightestphaseoffurtiveness;buttheretheywerefastened。
　　Thiswasthereasonwhy：
　　Dickwassittingnexttoherontherightside，andonthesideofthetableoppositetoherfather。Fancyhadlaidherrighthandlightlydownuponthetable—clothforaninstant，andtoheralarmDick，afterdroppinghisforkandbrushinghisforeheadasareason，flungdownhisownlefthand，overlappingathirdofFancy’swithit，andkeepingitthere。SotheinnocentFancy，insteadofpullingherhandfromthetrap，settledhereyesonherfather’s，toguardagainsthisdiscoveryofthisperilousgameofDick’s。Dickfinishedhismouthful;Fancyfinished，hercrumb，andnothingwasdonebeyondwatchingGeoffrey’seyes。Thenthehandsslidapart;
　　Fancy’sgoingoversixinchesofcloth，Dick’soverone。Geoffrey’seyehadrisen。
　　"IsaidFredShinerisanicesolidfeller，"herepeated，moreemphatically。
　　"Heis;yes，heis，"stammeredDick;"buttomeheislittlemorethanastranger。"
　　"O，sure。NowIknowenaswellasanymancanbeknown。Andyouknowenverywelltoo，don’tye，Fancy？"
　　Geoffreyputonatoneexpressingthatthesewordssignifiedatpresentaboutonehundredtimestheamountofmeaningtheyconveyedliterally。
　　Dicklookedanxious。
　　"Willyoupassmesomebread？"saidFancyinaflurry，theredofherfacebecomingslightlydisordered，andlookingassolicitousasahumanbeingcouldlookaboutapieceofbread。
　　"Ay，thatIwill，"repliedtheunconsciousGeoffrey。"Ay，"hecontinued，returningtothedisplacedidea，"wearelikelytoremainfriendlywi’Mr。Shinerifthewheelsd’runsmooth。"
　　"Anexcellentthing——averycapitalthing，asIshouldsay，"theyouthansweredwithexceedingrelevance，consideringthathisthoughts，insteadoffollowingGeoffrey’sremark，werenestlingatadistanceofabouttwofeetonhisleftthewholetime。
　　"Ayoungwoman’sfacewillturnthenorthwind，MasterRichard：myheartif’twon’t。"Dicklookedmoreanxiousandwasattentiveinearnestatthesewords。"Yes;turnthenorthwind，"addedGeoffreyafteranimpressivepause。"Andthoughshe’soneofmyownfleshandblood……"
　　"Willyoufetchdownabitofraw—mil’cheesefrompantry—shelf？"
　　Fancyinterrupted，asifshewerefamishing。
　　"Ay，thatIwill，chiel;chiel，saysI，andMr。ShineronlyaskinglastSaturdaynight……cheeseyousaid，Fancy？"
　　DickcontrolledhisemotionatthesemysteriousallusionstoMr。
　　Shiner，——thebetterenabledtodosobyperceivingthatFancy’sheartwentnotwithherfather’s——andspokelikeastrangertotheaffairsoftheneighbourhood。"Yes，there’sagreatdealtobesaiduponthepowerofmaidenfacesinsettlingyourcourses，"heventured，asthekeeperretreatedforthecheese。
　　"Theconversationistakingaverystrangeturn：nothingthat_I_
　　haveeverdonewarrantssuchthingsbeingsaid！"murmuredFancywithemphasis，justloudenoughtoreachDick’sears。
　　"Youthinktoyourself;’twastobe，"criedEnochfromhisdistantcorner，bywayoffillingupthevacancycausedbyGeoffrey’smomentaryabsence。"Andsoyoumarryher，MasterDewy，andthere’sanendo’t。"
　　"Praydon’tsaysuchthings，Enoch，"camefromFancyseverely，uponwhichEnochrelapsedintoservitude。
　　"Ifwebedoomedtomarry，wemarry;ifwebedoomedtoremainsingle，wedo，"repliedDick。
　　Geoffreyhadbythistimesatdownagain，andhenowmadehislipsthinbyseverelystrainingthemacrosshisgums，andlookedoutofthewindowalongthevistatothedistanthighwayupYalburyHill。
　　"That’snotthecasewithsomefolk，"hesaidatlength，asifhereadthewordsonaboardatthefurtherendofthevista。
　　Fancylookedinterested，andDicksaid，"No？"
　　"There’sthatwifeo’mine。Itwasherdoomtobenobody’swifeatallinthewideuniverse。Butshemadeuphermindthatshewould，anddidittwiceover。Doom？Doomisnothingbesideaelderlywoman——quiteachielinherhands！"
　　Amovementwasnowheardalongtheupstairspassage，andfootstepsdescending。Thedooratthefootofthestairsopened，andthesecondMrs。Dayappearedinview，lookingfixedlyatthetableassheadvancedtowardsit，withapparentobliviousnessofthepresenceofanyotherhumanbeingthanherself。Inshort，ifthetablehadbeenthepersonages，andthepersonsthetable，herglancewouldhavebeenthemostnaturalimaginable。
　　Sheshowedherselftopossessanordinarywoman’sface，iron—greyhair，hardlyanyhips，andagreatdealofcleanlinessinabroadwhiteapron—string，asitappeareduponthewaistofherdarkstuffdress。
　　"Peoplewillrunawaywithastorynow，Isuppose，"shebegansaying，"thatJaneDay’stableclothsareaspoorandraggedasanyunionbeggar’s！"
　　Dicknowperceivedthatthetableclothwasalittletheworseforwear，andreflectingforamoment，concludedthat’people’instep—
　　motherlanguageprobablymeanthimself。OnliftinghiseyeshefoundthatMrs。Dayhadvanishedagainupstairs，andpresentlyreturnedwithanarmfulofnewdamask—linentablecloths，foldedsquareandhardasboardsbylongcompression。Thesesheflounceddownintoachair;thentookone，shookitoutfromitsfolds，andspreaditonthetablebyinstalments，transferringtheplatesanddishesonebyonefromtheoldtothenewcloth。
　　"AndIsupposethey’llsay，too，thatsheha’n’tadecentknifeandforkinherhouse！"
　　"Ishouldn’tsayanysuchill—naturedthing，Iamsure——"beganDick。ButMrs。Dayhadvanishedintothenextroom。Fancyappeareddistressed。
　　"Verystrangewoman，isn’tshe？"saidGeoffrey，quietlygoingonwithhisdinner。"But’tistoolatetoattemptcuring。Myheart！
　　’tissogrowedintoherthat’twouldkillhertotakeitout。Ay，she’sveryqueer：you’dbeamazedtoseewhatvaluablegoodswe’vegotstowedawayupstairs。"
　　BackagaincameMrs。Daywithaboxofbrightsteelhorn—handledknives，silver—platedforks，carver，andallcomplete。Thesewerewipedofthepreservativeoilwhichcoatedthem，andthenaknifeandforkwerelaiddowntoeachindividualwithabang，thecarvingknifeandforkthrustintothemeatdish，andtheoldonestheyhadhithertousedtossedaway。
　　Geoffreyplacidlycutaslicewiththenewknifeandfork，andaskedDickifhewantedanymore。
　　Thetablehadbeenspreadforthemixedmiddaymealofdinnerandtea，whichwascommonamongfrugalcountryfolk。"Theparishionersabouthere，"continuedMrs。Day，notlookingatanylivingbeing，butsnatchingupthebrowndelftea—things，"arethelaziest，gossipest，poachest，jailestsetofanyeverIcameamong。Andthey’lltalkaboutmyteapotandtea—thingsnext，Isuppose！"Shevanishedwiththeteapot，cups，andsaucers，andreappearedwithatea—serviceinwhitechina，andapacketwrappedinbrownpaper。
　　Thiswasremoved，togetherwithfoldsoftissue—paperunderneath;
　　andabrilliantsilverteapotappeared。
　　"I’llhelptoputthethingsright，"saidFancysoothingly，andrisingfromherseat。"Ioughttohavelaidoutbetterthings，I
　　suppose。But"（heresheenlargedherlookssoastoincludeDick）
　　"Ihavebeenawayfromhomeagooddeal，andImakeshockingblundersinmyhousekeeping。"Smilesandsuavitywerethendispensedallaroundbythisbrightlittlebird。
　　Afteralittlemorepreparationandmodification，Mrs。Daytookherseatattheheadofthetable，andduringthelatterorteadivisionofthemeal，presidedwithmuchcomposure。Itmaycausesomesurprisetolearnthat，nowhervagarywasover，sheshowedherselftobeanexcellentpersonwithmuchcommonsense，andevenareligiousseriousnessoftoneonmatterspertainingtoherafflictions。
　　CHAPTERVII：DICKMAKESHIMSELFUSEFUL
　　TheeffectofGeoffrey’sincidentalallusionstoMr。ShinerwastorestrainaconsiderableflowofspontaneouschatthatwouldotherwisehaveburstfromyoungDewyalongthedrivehomeward。Andacertainremarkhehadhazardedtoher，inrathertoobluntandeageramanner，kepttheyoungladyherselfevenmoresilentthanDick。Onbothsidestherewasanunwillingnesstotalkonanybutthemosttrivialsubjects，andtheirsentencesrarelytookalargerformthancouldbeexpressedintwoorthreewords。
　　OwingtoFancybeinglaterinthedaythanshehadpromised，thecharwomanhadgivenupexpectingher;whereuponDickcoulddonolessthanstayandseehercomfortablytidedoverthedisagreeabletimeofenteringandestablishingherselfinanemptyhouseafteranabsenceofaweek。Theadditionalfurnitureandutensilsthathadbeenbrought（acanaryandcageamongtherest）weretakenoutofthevehicle，andthehorsewasunharnessedandputintheplotopposite，wheretherewassometendergrass。Dicklightedthefirealreadylaid;andactivitybegantoloosentheirtonguesalittle。
　　"There！"saidFancy，"weforgottobringthefire—irons！"
　　Shehadoriginallyfoundinhersitting—room，tobearouttheexpression’nearlyfurnished’whichtheschool—managerhadusedinhislettertoher，atable，threechairs，afender，andapieceofcarpet。This’nearly’hadbeensupplementedhithertobyakindfriend，whohadlentherfire—ironsandcrockeryuntilsheshouldfetchsomefromhome。
　　Dickattendedtotheyounglady’sfire，usinghiswhip—handleforapokertillitwasspoilt，andthenflourishingahurdlestickfortheremainderofthetime。
　　"Thekettleboils;nowyoushallhaveacupoftea，"saidFancy，divingintothehampershehadbrought。
　　"Thankyou，"saidDick，whosedrivehadmadehimreadyforsome，especiallyinhercompany。
　　"Well，here’sonlyonecup—and—saucer，asIbreathe！Whatevercouldmotherbethinkingabout？Doyoumindmakingshift，Mr。Dewy？"
　　"Notatall，MissDay，"saidthatcivilperson。
　　"——Andonlyhavingacupbyitself？orasaucerbyitself？"
　　"Don’tmindintheleast。"
　　"Whichdoyoumeanbythat？"
　　"Imeanthecup，ifyoulikethesaucer。"
　　"Andthesaucer，ifIlikethecup？"
　　"Exactly，MissDay。"
　　"Thankyou，Mr。Dewy，forIlikethecupdecidedly。Stopaminute;
　　therearenospoonsnow！"Shedivedintothehamperagain，andattheendoftwoorthreeminuteslookedupandsaid，"Isupposeyoudon’tmindifIcan’tfindaspoon？"
　　"Notatall，"saidtheagreeableRichard。
　　"Thefactis，thespoonshaveslippeddownsomewhere;rightundertheotherthings。Oyes，here’sone，andonlyone。Youwouldratherhaveonethannot，Isuppose，Mr。Dewy？"
　　"Rathernot。Ineverdidcaremuchaboutspoons。"
　　"ThenI’llhaveit。Idocareaboutthem。Youmuststirupyourteawithaknife。Wouldyoumindliftingthekettleoff，thatitmaynotboildry？"
　　Dickleapttothefireplace，andearnestlyremovedthekettle。
　　"There！youdiditsowildlythatyouhavemadeyourhandblack。Wealwaysusekettle—holders;didn’tyoulearnhousewiferyasfarasthat，Mr。Dewy？Well，nevermindthesootonyourhand。Comehere。
　　Iamgoingtorinsemine，too。"
　　Theywent’toabasinshehadplacedinthebackroom。"ThisistheonlybasinIhave，"shesaid。"Turnupyoursleeves，andbythattimemyhandswillbewashed，andyoucancome。"
　　Herhandswereinthewaternow。"O，howvexing！"sheexclaimed。
　　"There’snotadropofwaterleftforyou，unlessyoudrawit，andthewellisIdon’tknowhowmanyfurlongsdeep;allthatwasinthepitcherIusedforthekettleandthisbasin。Doyouminddippingthetipsofyourfingersinthesame？"
　　"Notatall。AndtosavetimeIwon’twaittillyouhavedone，ifyouhavenoobjection？"
　　Thereuponheplungedinhishands，andtheypaddledtogether。Itbeingthefirsttimeinhislifethathehadtouchedfemalefingersunderwater，Dickdulyregisteredthesensationasratheraniceone。
　　"Really，Ihardlyknowwhicharemyownhandsandwhichareyours，theyhavegotsomixeduptogether，"shesaid，withdrawingherownverysuddenly。
　　"Itdoesn’tmatteratall，"saidDick，"atleastasfarasIamconcerned。"
　　"There！notowel！Whoeverthinksofatoweltillthehandsarewet？"
　　"Nobody。"
　　"’Nobody。’Howverydullitiswhenpeoplearesofriendly！Comehere，Mr。Dewy。Nowdoyouthinkyoucouldliftthelidofthatboxwithyourelbow，andthen，withsomethingorother，takeoutatowelyouwillfindunderthecleanclothes？BeSUREdon’ttouchanyofthemwithyourwethands，forthethingsatthetopareallStarchedandIroned。"
　　Dickmanaged，bytheaidofaknifeandfork，toextractatowelfromunderamuslindresswithoutwettingthelatter;andforamomentheventuredtoassumeatoneofcriticism。
　　"Ifearforthatdress，"hesaid，astheywipedtheirhandstogether。
　　"What？"saidMissDay，lookingintotheboxatthedressalludedto。
　　"O，Iknowwhatyoumean——thatthevicarwillneverletmewearmuslin？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，Iknowitiscondemnedbyallordersinthechurchasflaunting，andunfitforcommonwearforgirlswho’vetheirlivingtoget;hutwe’llsee。"
　　"Intheinterestofthechurch，Ihopeyoudon’tspeakseriously。"
　　"Yes，Ido;butwe’llsee。"Therewasacomelydeterminationonherlip，verypleasanttoabeholderwhowasneitherbishop，priest，nordeacon。"IthinkIcanmanageanyvicar’sviewsaboutmeifhe’sunderforty。"
　　Dickratherwishedshehadneverthoughtofmanagingvicars。
　　"Icertainlyshallbegladtogetsomeofyourdelicioustea，"hesaidinratherafreeway，yetmodestly，asbecameoneinapositionbetweenthatofvisitorandinmate，andlookingwistfullyathislonelysaucer。
　　"SoshallI。Nowisthereanythingelsewewant，MrDewy？"
　　"Ireallythinkthere’snothingelse，MissDay。"
　　Shepreparedtositdown，lookingmusinglyoutofthewindowatSmart’senjoymentoftherichgrass。"Nobodyseemstocareaboutme，"shemurmured，withlargelosteyesfixedupontheskybeyondSmart。
　　"PerhapsMr。Shinerdoes，"saidDick，inthetoneofaslightlyinjuredman。
　　"Yes，Iforgot——hedoes，Iknow。"DickprecipitatelyregrettedthathehadsuggestedShiner，sinceithadproducedsuchamiserableresultasthis。
　　"I’llwarrantyou’llcareforsomebodyverymuchindeedanotherday，won’tyou，Mr。Dewy？"shecontinued，lookingveryfeelinglyintothemathematicalcentreofhiseyes。
　　"Ah，I’llwarrantIshall，"saidDick，feelinglytoo，andlookingbackintoherdarkpupils，whereupontheywereturnedaside。
　　"Imeant，"shewenton，preventinghimfromspeakingjustashewasgoingtonarrateaforciblestoryabouthisfeelings;"ImeantthatnobodycomestoseeifIhavereturned——noteventhevicar。"
　　"Ifyouwanttoseehim，I’llcallatthevicaragedirectlywehavehadsometea。"
　　"No，no！Don’tlethimcomedownhere，whateveryoudo，whilstIaminsuchastateofdisarrangement。Parsonslooksomiserableandawkwardwhenone’shouseisinamuddle;walkingabout，andmakingimpossiblesuggestionsinquaintacademicphrasestillyourfleshcreepsandyouwishthemdead。Doyoutakesugar？"
　　Mr。Mayboldwasatthisinstantseencomingupthepath。
　　"There！That’shecoming！HowIwishyouwerenothereI——thatis，howawkward——dear，dear！"sheexclaimed，withaquickascentofbloodtoherface，andirritatedwithDickratherthanthevicar，asitseemed。
　　"Praydon’tbealarmedonmyaccount，MissDay——good—afternoon！"
　　saidDickinahuff，puttingonhishat，andleavingtheroomhastilybytheback—door。
　　Thehorsewascaughtandputin，andonmountingtheshaftstostarthesawthroughthewindowthevicar，standinguponsomebookspiledinachair，anddrivinganailintothewall;Fancy，withademureglance，holdingthecanary—cageuptohim，asifshehadneverinherlifethoughtofanythingbutvicarsandcanaries。
　　CHAPTERVIII：DICKMEETSHISFATHER
　　ForseveralminutesDickdrovealonghomeward，withtheinnereyeofreflectionsoanxiouslysetonhispassagesatarmswithFancy，thattheroadandscenerywereasathinmistovertherealpicturesofhismind。Wassheacoquette？Thebalancebetweentheevidencethatshedidlovehimandthatshedidnotwassonicelystruck，thathisopinionhadnostability。Shehadlethimputhishanduponhers;shehadallowedhergazetodropplumbintothedepthsofhis——hisintohers——threeorfourtimes;hermannerhadbeenveryfreewithregardtothebasinandtowel;shehadappearedvexedatthementionofShiner。Ontheotherhand，shehaddrivenhimaboutthehouselikeaquietdogorcat，saidShinercaredforher，andseemedanxiousthatMr。Mayboldshoulddothesame。
　　ThinkingthusashenearedthehandpostatMellstockCross，sittingonthefrontboardofthespringcart——hislegsontheoutside，andhiswholeframejiggingupanddownlikeacandle—flametothetimeofSmart’strotting——whoshouldheseecomingdownthehillbuthisfatherinthelightwagon，quiveringupanddownonasmallerscaleofshakes，thosemerelycausedbythestonesintheroad。Theyweresooncrossingeachother’sfront。
　　"Weh—hey！"saidthetrantertoSmiler。
　　"Weh—hey！"saidDicktoSmart，inanechoofthesamevoice。
　　"Th’sthauledherback，Isuppose？"Reubeninquiredpeaceably。
　　"Yes，"saidDick，withsuchaclinchingperiodattheendthatitseemedhewasnevergoingtoaddanotherword。Smiler，thinkingthisthecloseoftheconversation，preparedtomoveon。
　　"Weh—hey！"saidthetranter。"Itelltheewhatitis，Dick。Thattheremaidistakingupthythoughtsmorethan’sgoodforthee，mysonny。Thou’rtneverhappynowunlessth’rtmakingthyselfmiserableaboutherinonewayoranother。"
　　"Idon’tknowaboutthat，father，"saidDickratherstupidly。
　　"ButIdo——Wey，Smiler！——’Odrotthewomen，’tisnothingelsewi’
　　’emnowadaysbutgettingyoungmenandleading’emastray。"
　　"Pooh，father！youjustrepeatwhatallthecommonworldsays;
　　that’sallyoudo。"
　　"Theworld’saverysensiblefelleronthingsinjineral，Dick;verysensibleindeed。"
　　Dicklookedintothedistanceatavastexpanseofmortgagedestate。
　　"IwishIwasasrichasasquirewhenhe’saspoorasacrow，"hemurmured;"I’dsoonaskFancysomething。"
　　"Iwishsotoo，wi’allmyheart，sonny;thatIdo。Well，mindwhatbeestabout，that’sall。"
　　Smartmovedonasteportwo。"Supposingnow，father，——We—hey，Smart！——Ididthinkalittleabouther，andIhadachance，whichI
　　ha’n’t;don’tyouthinkshe’saverygoodsortof——of——one？"
　　"Ay，good;she’sgoodenough。Whenyou’vemadeupyourmindtomarry，takethefirstrespectablebodythatcomestohand——she’sasgoodasanyother;theybeallalikeinthegroundwork;’tisonlyintheflourishesthere’sadifference。She’sgoodenough;butIcan’tseewhatthenationayoungfellerlikeyou——wiacomfortablehouseandhome，andfatherandmothertotakecareo’thee，andwhosent’eetoaschoolsogoodthat’twashardlyfairtotheotherchildren——shouldwanttogoholleringafterayoungwomanfor，whenshe’squietlymakingahusbandinherpocket，andnottroubledbychicknorchiel，tomakeapoverty—stric’wifeandfamilyofher，andneitherhat，cap，wig，norwaistcoattoset’emupwith：bedrownedifIcanseeit，andthat’sthelongandtheshorto’t，mysonny。"
　　DicklookedatSmart’sears，thenupthehill;butnoreasonwassuggestedbyanyobjectthatmethisgaze。
　　"Foraboutthesamereasonthatyoudid，father，Isuppose。"
　　"Dangit，mysonny，thou’stgotmethere！"Andthetrantergaveventtoagrimadmiration，withthemienofamanwhowastoomagnanimousnottoappreciateartisticallyaslightrapontheknuckles，eveniftheywerehisown。
　　"Whetherorno，"saidDick，"Iaskedherathinggoingalongtheroad。"
　　"Cometothat，isit？Turk！won’tthymotherbeinataking！Well，she’sready，Idon’tdoubt？"
　　"Ididn’taskheranythingabouthavingme;andifyou’llletmespeak，I’lltell’eewhatIwanttoknow。Ijustsaid，Didshecareaboutme？"
　　"Piph—ph—ph！"
　　"Andthenshesaidnothingforaquarterofamile，andthenshesaidshedidn’tknow。Now，whatIwanttoknowis，whatwasthemeaningofthatspeech？"Thelatterwordswerespokenresolutely，asifhedidn’tcarefortheridiculeofallthefathersincreation。
　　"Themeaningofthatspeechis，"thetranterreplieddeliberately，"thatthemeaningismeanttoberatherhidatpresent。Well，Dick，asanhonestfathertothee，Idon’tpretendtodenywhatyoud’knowwellenough;thatis，thatherfatherbeingratherbetterinthepocketthanwe，Ishouldwelcomeherreadyenoughifitmustbesomebody。"
　　"Butwhatd’yethinkshereallydidmean？"saidtheunsatisfiedDick。
　　"I’mafeardIamnoto’muchaccountinguessing，especiallyasI
　　wasnottherewhenshesaidit，andseeingthatyourmotherwastheonly’oomanIevercam’intosuchclosequartersasthatwith。"
　　"Andwhatdidmothersaytoyouwhenyouaskedher？"saidDickmusingly。
　　"Idon’tseethatthatwillhelp’ee。"
　　"Theprincipleisthesame。"
　　"Well——ay：whatdidshesay？Let’ssee。Iwasoilingmyworking—
　　daybootswithouttaking’emoff，andwi’myheadhangingdown，whenshejustbrushedonbythegardenhatchlikeaflitteringleaf。
　　"Ann，"Isaid，saysI，andthen，——but，DickI’mafeard’twillbenohelptothee;forweweresucharumcouple，yourmotherandI，leastwaysonehalfwas，thatismyself——andyourmother’scharmswasmoreinthemannerthanthematerial。"
　　"Nevermind！"Ann，"saidyou。"
　　"’Ann，’saidI，asIwassaying……’Ann，’IsaidtoherwhenI
　　wasoilingmyworking—daybootswi’myheadhangingdown，’Woothaeme？’……WhatcamenextIcan’tquitecallupatthisdistanceo’
　　time。Perhapsyourmotherwouldknow，——she’sgotabettermemoryforherlittletriumphsthanI。However，thelongandtheshorto’
　　thestoryisthatweweremarriedsomehow，asIfoundafterwards。
　　’TwasonWhiteTuesday，——MellstockClubwalkedthesameday，everymantwoandtwo，andafineday’twas，——hotasfire，——howthesundidstrikedownuponmybackgoingtochurch！Iwellcanmindwhatabatho’sweatingIwasin，bodyandsoul！ButFancewillha’
　　thee，Dick——shewon’twalkwithanotherchap——nosuchgoodluck。"
　　"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"saidDick，whippingatSmart’sflankinafancifulway，which，asSmartknew，meantnothinginconnectionwithgoingon。"There’sPa’sonMaybold，too——that’sallagainstme。"
　　"Whatabouthe？She’sneverbeenstuffingintothyinnocentheartthathe’sinhovewithher？Lord，thevanityo’maidens！"
　　"No，no。Buthecalled，andshelookedathiminsuchaway，andatmeinsuchaway——quitedifferentthewayswere，——andasIwascomingoff，therewashehangingupherbirdcage。"
　　"Well，whyshouldn’tthemanhangupherbird—cage？Turkseizeitall，what’sthatgottodowi’it？Dick，thatthoubeestawhite—
　　lyveredchapIdon’tsay，butifthoubeestn’tasmadasacappel—
　　facedbull，letmesmilenomore。"
　　"O，ay。"
　　"Andwhat’sthinknow，Dick？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"
　　"Here’sanotherprettykettleo’fishforthee。Whod’yethink’sthebitterweedinourbeingturnedout？Didourpartytell’ee？"
　　"No。Why，Pa’sonMaybold，Isuppose。"
　　"Shiner，——becausehe’sinlovewiththyyoungwoman，andd’wanttoseeheryoungfiguresittingupatthatqueerinstrument，andheryoungfingersrum—strumminguponthekeys。"
　　AsharpadoofsweetandbitterwasgoingoninDickduringthiscommunicationfromhisfather。"Shiner’safool！——no，that’snotit;Idon’tbelieveanysuchthing，father。Why，Shinerwouldnevertakeaboldsteplikethat，unlessshe’dbeenalittlemadeupto，andhadtakenitkindly。Pooh！"
　　"Who’stosayshedidn’t？"
　　"Ido。"
　　"Themorefoolyou。"
　　"Why，fatherofme？"
　　"Hassheeverdonemoretothee？"
　　"No。"
　　"Thenshehasdoneasmuchtohe——rot’em！Now，Dick，thisishowamaidis。She’llswearshe’sdyingforthee，andsheisdyingforthee，andshewilldieforthee;butshe’llflingalookovert’othershoulderatanotheryoungfeller，thoughneverleavingoffdyingfortheejustthesame。"
　　"She’snotdyingforme，andsoshedidn’tflingalookathim。"
　　"Butshemaybedyingforhim，forshelookedatthee。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhattomakeofitatall，"saidDickgloomily。
　　"AllIcanmakeofitis，"thetrantersaid，raisinghiswhip，arranginghisdifferentjointsandmuscles，andmotioningtothehorsetomoveon，"thatifyoucan’treadamaid’smindbyhermotions，natured’seemtosaythou’stoughttobeabachelor。Clk，clk！Smiler！"Andthetrantermovedon。
　　DickheldSmart’sreinfirmly，andthewholeconcernofhorse，cart，andmanremainedrootedinthelane。Hewlongthisconditionwouldhavelastedisunknown，hadnotDick’sthoughts，afteraddingupnumerousitemsofmisery，graduallywanderedroundtothefactthatassomethingmustbedone，itcouldnotbedonebystayingthereallnight。
　　Reachinghomehewentuptohisbedroom，shutthedoorasifheweregoingtobeseennomoreinthislife，andtakingasheetofpaperanduncorkingtheink—bottle，hebeganaletter。Thedignityofthewriter’smindwassopowerfullyapparentineverylineofthiseffusionthatitobscuredthelogicalsequenceoffactsandintentionstoanappreciabledegree;anditwasnotatallcleartoareaderwhetherhethereandthenleftofflovingMissFancyDay;
　　whetherhehadneverlovedherseriously，andnevermeantto;
　　whetherhehadbeendyinguptothepresentmoment，andnowintendedtogetwellagain;orwhetherhehadhithertobeeningoodhealth，andintendedtodieforherforthwith。
　　Heputthisletterinanenvelope，sealeditup，directeditinasternhandwritingofstraightdashes——easyflourishesbeingrigorouslyexcluded。Hewalkedwithitinhispocketdownthelaneinstridesnotaninchlessthanthreefeetlong。Reachinghergateheputonaresoluteexpression——thenputitoffagain，turnedbackhomeward，toreuphisletter，andsatdown。
　　Thatletterwasaltogetherinawrongtone——thathemustown。A
　　heartlessman—of—the—worldtonewaswhatthejuncturerequired。
　　Thatheratherwantedher，andratherdidnotwanther——thelatterforchoice;hutthatasamemberofsocietyhedidn’tmindmakingaqueryinjauntyterms，whichcouldonlybeansweredinthesameway：
　　didshemeananythingbyherbearingtowardshim，ordidshenot？
　　Thisletterwasconsideredsosatisfactoryineverywaythat，beingputintothehandsofalittleboy，andtheordergiventhathewastorunwithittotheschool，hewastoldinadditionnottolookbehindhimifDickcalledafterhimtobringithack，buttorunalongwithitjustthesame。Havingtakenthisprecautionagainstvacillation，Dickwatchedhismessengerdowntheroad，andturnedintothehousewhistlinganairinsuchghastlyjerksandstarts，thatwhistlingseemedtobetheacttheveryfurthestremovedfromthatwhichwasinstinctiveinsuchayouth。
　　Theletterwasleftasordered：thenextmorningcameandpassed——
　　andnoanswer。Thenext。Thenext。Fridaynightcame。Dickresolvedthatifnoanswerorsignweregivenbyherthenextday，onSundayhewouldmeetherfacetoface，andhaveitalloutbywordofmouth。
　　"Dick，"saidhisfather，cominginfromthegardenatthatmoment——
　　ineachhandahiveofbeestiedinaclothtopreventtheiregress—
　　—"Ithinkyou’dbettertakethesetwoswarmsofbeestoMrs。
　　Maybold’sto—morrow，insteado’me，andI’llgowi’Smilerandthewagon。"
　　Itwasarelief;forMrs。Maybold，thevicar’smother，whohadjusttakenintoherheadafancyforkeepingbees（pleasantlydisguisedunderthepretenceofitsbeinganeconomicalwishtoproduceherownhoney），livednearthewatering—placeofBudmouth—Regis，tenmilesoff，andthebusinessoftransportingthehivesthitherwouldoccupythewholeday，andtosomeextentannihilatethevacanttimebetweenthiseveningandthecomingSunday。Thebestspring—cartwaswashedthroughout，theaxlesoiled，andthebeesplacedthereinforthejourney。