PARTTHETHIRD——SUMMER
　　CHAPTERI：DRIVINGOUTOFBUDMOUTH
　　Aneasybendofneckandgracefulsetofhead;fullandwavybundlesofdark—brownhair;lightfalloflittlefeet;prettydevicesontheskirtofthedress;cleardeepeyes;inshort，abunchofsweets：
　　itwasFancy！Dick’sheartwentroundtoherwitharush。
　　ThescenewasthecornerofMaryStreetinBudmouth—Regis，neartheKing’sstatue，atwhichpointthewhiteangleofthelasthouseintherowcutperpendicularlyanembayedandnearlymotionlessexpanseofsaltwaterprojectedfromtheouterocean——to—daylitinbrighttonesofgreenandopal。DickandSmarthadjustemergedfromthestreet，andthereontheright，againstthebrilliantsheetofliquidcolour，stoodFancyDay;andsheturnedandrecognizedhim。
　　DicksuspendedhisthoughtsoftheletterandwonderathowshecametherebydrivingclosetothechainsoftheEsplanade——incontinentlydisplacingtwochairmen，whohadjustcometolifeforthesummerinnewcleanshirtsandrevivifiedclothes，andbeingalmostdisplacedinturnbyarigidboyrattlingalongwithabaker’scart，andlookingneithertotherightnortheleft。HeaskedifsheweregoingtoMellstockthatnight。
　　"Yes，I’mwaitingforthecarrier，"shereplied，seeming，too，tosuspendthoughtsoftheletter。
　　"NowIcandriveyouhomenicely，andyousavehalfanhour。Willyecomewithme？"
　　AsFancy’spowertowillanythingseemedtohavedepartedinsomemysteriousmanneratthatmoment，Dicksettledthematterbygettingoutandassistingherintothevehiclewithoutanotherword。
　　Thetemporaryflushuponhercheekchangedtoalesserhue，whichwaspermanent，andatlengththeireyesmet;therewaspresentbetweenthemacertainfeelingofembarrassment，whicharisesatsuchmomentswhenalltheinstinctiveactsdictatedbythepositionhavebeenperformed。Dick，beingengagedwiththereins，thoughtlessofthisawkwardnessthandidFancy，whohadnothingtodobuttofeelhispresence，andtobemoreandmoreconsciousofthefact，thatbyacceptingaseatbesidehiminthiswayshesuccumbedtothetoneofhisnote。Smartjoggedalong，andDickjogged，andthehelplessFancynecessarilyjogged，too;andshefeltthatshewasinameasurecaptureIandmadeaprisoner。
　　"Iamsomuchobligedtoyouforyourcompany，MissDay，"heobserved，astheydrovepastthetwosemicircularbaysoftheOldRoyalHotel，whereHisMajestyKingGeorgetheThirdhadmanyatimeattendedtheballsoftheburgesses。
　　ToMissDay，creditinghimwiththesameconsciousnessofmastery——aconsciousnessofwhichhewasperfectlyinnocent——thisremarksoundedlikeamagnanimousintentiontosootheher，thecaptive。
　　"Ididn’tcomeforthepleasureofobligingyouwithmycompany，"
　　shesaid。
　　TheanswerhadanunexpectedmannerofincivilityinitthatmusthavebeenrathersurprisingtoyoungDewy。Atthesametimeitmaybeobserved，thatwhenayoungwomanreturnsarudeanswertoayoungman’scivilremark，herheartisinastatewhicharguesratherhopefullyforhiscasethanotherwise。
　　Therewassilencebetweenthemtilltheyhadleftthesea—frontandpassedabouttwentyofthetreesthatornamentedtheroadleadingupoutofthetowntowardsCasterbridgeandMellstock。
　　"ThoughIdidn’tcomeforthatpurposeeither，Iwouldhavedoneit，"saidDickatthetwenty—firsttree。
　　"Now，Mr。Dewy，noflirtation，becauseit’swrong，andIdon’twishit。"
　　Dickseatedhimselfafreshjustashehadbeensittingbefore，arrangedhislooksveryemphatically，andclearedhisthroat。
　　"Really，anybodywouldthinkyouhadmetmeonbusinessandwerejustgoingtocommence，"saidtheladyintractably。
　　"Yes，theywould。"
　　"Why，youneverhave，tobesure！"
　　Thiswasashakybeginning。Hechoppedround，andsaidcheerily，asamanwhohadresolvednevertospoilhisjollitybylovingoneofwomankind——"Well，howareyougettingon，MissDay，atthepresenttime？Gaily，Idon’tdoubtforamoment。"
　　"Iamnotgay，Dick;youknowthat。"
　　"Gailydoesn’tmeandeckedingaydresses。"
　　"Ididn’tsupposegailywasgailydressed。Mightyme，whatascholaryou’vegrown！"
　　"Lotsofthingshavehappenedtoyouthisspring，Isee。"
　　"Whathaveyouseen？"
　　"O，nothing;I’veheard，Imean！"
　　"Whathaveyouheard？"
　　"Thenameofaprettyman，withbrassstudsandacopperringandatinwatch—chain，alittlemixedupwithyourown。That’sall。"
　　"That’saveryunkindpictureofMr。Shiner，forthat’swhoyoumean！Thestudsaregold，asyouknow，andit’sarealsilverchain;theringIcan’tconscientiouslydefend，andheonlyworeitonce。"
　　"Hemighthavewornitahundredtimeswithoutshowingithalfsomuch。"
　　"Well，he’snothingtome，"sheserenelyobserved。
　　"NotanymorethanIam？"
　　"Now，Mr。Dewy，"saidFancyseverely，"certainlyheisn’tanymoretomethanyouare！"
　　"Notsomuch？"
　　Shelookedasidetoconsidertheprecisecompassofthatquestion。
　　"ThatIcan’texactlyanswer，"sherepliedwithsoftarchness。
　　Astheyweregoingratherslowly，anotherspring—cart，containingafarmer，farmer’swife，andfarmer’sman，joggedpastthem;andthefarmer’swifeandfarmer’smaneyedthecoupleverycuriously。Thefarmerneverlookedupfromthehorse’stail。
　　"Whycan’tyouexactlyanswer？"saidDick，quickeningSmartalittle，andjoggingonjustbehindthefarmerandfarmer’swifeandman。
　　Asnoanswercame，andastheireyeshadnothingelsetodo，theybothcontemplatedthepicturepresentedinfront，andnoticedhowthefarmer’swifesatflattenedbetweenthetwomen，whobulgedovereachendoftheseattogiveherroom，tilltheyalmostsatupontheirrespectivewheels;andtheylookedtooatthefarmer’swife’ssilkmantle，inflatingitselfbetweenhershoulderslikeaballoonandsinkingflatagain，ateachjogofthehorse。Thefarmer’swife，feelingtheireyesstickingintoherback，lookedoverhershoulder。Dickdroppedtenyardsfurtherbehind。
　　"Fancy，whycan’tyouanswer？"herepeated。
　　"BecausehowmuchyouaretomedependsuponhowmuchIamtoyou，"
　　saidsheinlowtones。
　　"Everything，"saidDick，puttinghishandtowardshers，andcastingemphaticeyesupontheuppercurveofhercheek。
　　"Now，RichardDewy，notouchingme！Ididn’tsayinwhatwayyourthinkingofmeaffectedthequestion——perhapsinversely，don’tyousee？Notouching，sir！Look;goodnessme，don’t，Dick！"
　　ThecauseofhersuddenstartwastheunpleasantappearanceoverDick’srightshoulderofanemptytimber—wagonandfourjourneymen—
　　carpentersreclininginlazyposturesinsideit，theireyesdirectedupwardsatvariousobliqueanglesintothesurroundingworld，thechiefobjectoftheirexistencebeingapparentlytocriticizetotheverybackboneandmarroweveryanimateobjectthatcamewithinthecompassoftheirvision。ThisdifficultyofDick’swasovercomebytrottingontillthewagonandcarpenterswerebeginningtolookrathermistybyreasonofafilmofdustthataccompaniedtheirwagon—wheels，androsearoundtheirheadslikeafog。
　　"Sayyouloveme，Fancy。"
　　"No，Dick，certainlynot;’tisn’ttimetodothatyet。"
　　"Why，Fancy？"
　　"’MissDay’isbetteratpresent——don’tmindmysayingso;andI
　　oughtnottohavecalledyouDick。"
　　"Nonsense！whenyouknowthatIwoulddoanythingonearthforyourlove。Why，youmakeanyonethinkthatlovingisathingthatcanbedoneandundone，andputonandputoffatamerewhim。"
　　"No，no，Idon’t，"shesaidgently;"buttherearethingswhichtellmeIoughtnottogivewaytomuchthinkingaboutyou，evenif——"
　　"Butyouwantto，don’tyou？Yes，sayyoudo;itisbesttobetruthful。Whatevertheymaysayaboutawoman’srighttoconcealwhereherlovelies，andpretenditdoesn’texist，andthingslikethat，itisnotbest;Idoknowit，Fancy。Andanhonestwomaninthat，aswellasinallherdailyconcerns，shinesmostbrightly，andisthoughtmostofinthelong—run。"
　　"Wellthen，perhaps，Dick，Idoloveyoualittle，"shewhisperedtenderly;"butIwishyouwouldn’tsayanymorenow。"
　　"Iwon’tsayanymorenow，then，ifyoudon’tlikeit，dear。Butyoudolovemealittle，don’tyou？"
　　"Nowyououghtnottowantmetokeepsayingthingstwice;Ican’tsayanymorenow，andyoumustbecontentwithwhatyouhave。"
　　"ImayatanyratecallyouFancy？There’snoharminthat。"
　　"Yes，youmay。"
　　"Andyou’llnotcallmeMr。Dewyanymore？"
　　"Verywell。"
　　CHAPTERII：FURTHERALONGTHEROAD
　　Dick’sspiritshavingriseninthecourseoftheseadmissionsofhissweetheart，henowtouchedSmartwiththewhip;andonSmart’sneck，notfarbehindhisears。Smart，whohadbeenlostinthoughtforsometime，neverdreamingthatDickcouldreachsofarwithawhipwhich，onthisparticularjourney，hadneverbeenextendedfurtherthanhisflank，tossedhishead，andscamperedalongwithexceedingbriskness，whichwasverypleasanttotheyoungcouplebehindhimtill，turningabendintheroad，theycameinstantlyuponthefarmer，farmer’sman，andfarmer’swifewiththeflappingmantle，alljoggingonjustthesameasever。
　　"Botherthosepeople！Hereweareuponthemagain。"
　　"Well，ofcourse。Theyhaveasmuchrighttotheroadaswe。"
　　"Yes，butitisprovokingtobeoverlookedso。Ilikearoadalltomyself。Lookwhatalumberingaffairtheirsis！"Thewheelsofthefarmer’scart，justatthatmoment，joggedintoadepressionrunningacrosstheroad，givingthecartatwist，whereuponallthreenoddedtotheleft，andoncomingoutofitallthreenoddedtotheright，andwentonjerkingtheirbacksinandoutasusual。"We’llpassthemwhentheroadgetswider。"
　　Whenanopportunityseemedtoofferitselfforcarryingthisintentionintoeffect，theyheardlightflyingwheelsbehind，andontheirquarteringtherewhizzedalongpastthemabrand—newgig，sobrightlypolishedthatthespokesofthewheelssentforthacontinualquiveringlightatonepointintheircircle，andallthepanelsglaredlikemirrorsinDickandFancy’seyes。Thedriver，andownerasitappeared，wasreallyahandsomeman;hiscompanionwasShiner。BothturnedroundastheypassedDickandFancy，andstaredwithboldadmirationinherfacetilltheywereobligedtoattendtotheoperationofpassingthefarmer。DickglancedforaninstantatFancywhileshewasundergoingtheirscrutiny;thenreturnedtohisdrivingwithratherasadcountenance。
　　"Whyareyousosilent？"shesaid，afterawhile，withrealconcern。
　　"Nothing。"
　　"Yes，itis，Dick。Icouldn’thelpthosepeoplepassing。"
　　"Iknowthat。"
　　"Youlookoffendedwithme。WhathaveIdone？"
　　"Ican’ttellwithoutoffendingyou。"
　　"Betterout。"
　　"Well，"saidDick，whoseemedlongingtotell，evenattheriskofoffendingher，"Iwasthinkinghowdifferentyouinlovearefrommeinlove。Whilstthosemenwerestaring，youdismissedmefromyourthoughtsaltogether，and——"
　　"Youcan’toffendmefurthernow;tellall！"
　　"Andshoweduponyourfaceapleasedsenseofbeingattractiveto’em。"
　　"Don’tbesilly，Dick！YouknowverywellIdidn’t。"
　　Dickshookhisheadsceptically，andsmiled。
　　"Dick，IalwaysbelieveflatteryIFPOSSIBLE——anditwaspossiblethen。Nowthere’sanopenconfessionofweakness。ButIshowednoconsciousnessofit。"
　　Dick，perceivingbyherlookthatshewouldadheretoherstatement，charitablyforboresayinganythingthatcouldmakeherprevaricate。
　　ThesightofShiner，too，hadrecalledanotherbranchofthesubjecttohismind;thatwhichhadbeenhisgreatesttroubletillhercompanyandwordshadobscureditsprobability。
　　"Bytheway，Fancy，doyouknowwhyourquireistobedismissed？"
　　"No：exceptthatitisMr。Maybold’swishformetoplaytheorgan。"
　　"Doyouknowhowitcametobehiswish？"
　　"ThatIdon’t。"
　　"Mr。Shiner，beingchurchwarden，haspersuadedthevicar;who，however，waswillingenoughbefore。Shiner，Iknow，iscrazytoseeyouplayingeverySunday;Isupposehe’llturnoveryourmusic，fortheorganwillbeclosetohispew。But——Iknowyouhaveneverencouragedhim？"
　　"Neveronce！"saidFancyemphatically，andwitheyesfullofearnesttruth。"Idon’tlikehimindeed，andIneverheardofhisdoingthisbefore！IhavealwaysfeltthatIshouldliketoplayinachurch，butIneverwishedtoturnyouandyourchoirout;andI
　　neverevensaidthatIcouldplaytillIwasasked。Youdon’tthinkforamomentthatIdid，surely，doyou？"
　　"Iknowyoudidn’t，dear。"
　　"OrthatIcaretheleastmorselofabitforhim？"
　　"Iknowyoudon’t。"
　　ThedistancebetweenBudmouthandMellstockwastenorelevenmiles，andtherebeingagoodinn，"TheShip，"fourmilesoutofBudmouth，withamastandcross—treesinfront，Dick’scustomindrivingthitherwastodividethejourneyintothreestagesbyrestingatthisinngoingandcoming，andnottroublingtheBudmouthstablesatall，wheneverhisvisittothetownwasamerecallanddeposit，asto—day。
　　Fancywasusheredintoalittletea—room，andDickwenttothestablestoseetothefeedingofSmart。Infaceofthesignificanttwitchesoffeaturethatwerevisibleintheostlerandlabouringmenidlingaround，DickendeavouredtolookunconsciousofthefactthattherewasanysentimentbetweenhimandFancybeyondatranter’sdesiretocarryapassengerhome。HepresentlyenteredtheinnandopenedthedoorofFancy’sroom。
　　"Dick，doyouknow，ithasstruckmethatitisratherawkward，mybeingherealonewithyoulikethis。Idon’tthinkyouhadbettercomeinwithme。"
　　"That’sratherunpleasant，dear。"
　　"Yes，itis，andIwantedyoutohavesometeaaswellasmyselftoo，becauseyoumustbetired。"
　　"Well，letmehavesomewithyou，then。Iwasdeniedoncebefore，ifyourecollect，Fancy。"
　　"Yes，yes，nevermind！Anditseemsunfriendlyofmenow，butI
　　don’tknowwhattodo。"
　　"Itshallbeasyousay，then。"Dickbegantoretreatwithadissatisfiedwrinklingofface，andafarewellglanceatthecosytea—tray。
　　"Butyoudon’tseehowitis，Dick，whenyouspeaklikethat，"shesaid，withmoreearnestnessthanshehadevershownbefore。"Youdoknow，thatevenifIcareverymuchforyou，ImustrememberthatI
　　haveadifficultpositiontomaintain。Thevicarwouldnotlikeme，ashisschoolmistress，toindulgeinatete—a—teteanywherewithanybody。"
　　"ButIamnotANYbody！"exclaimedDick。
　　"No，no，Imeanwithayoungman;"andsheaddedsoftly，"unlessI
　　werereallyengagedtobemarriedtohim。"
　　"Isthatall？Then，dearest，dearest，whywe’llbeengagedatonce，tobesurewewill，anddownIsit！Thereitis，aseasyasaglove！"
　　"Ah！butsupposeIwon’t！And，goodnessme，whathaveIdone！"shefaltered，gettingveryred。"Positively，itseemsasifImeantyoutosaythat！"
　　"Let’sdoit！Imeangetengaged，"saidDick。"Now，Fancy，willyoubemywife？"
　　"Doyouknow，Dick，itwasratherunkindofyoutosaywhatyoudidcomingalongtheroad，"sheremarked，asifshehadnotheardthelatterpartofhisspeech;thoughanacuteobservermighthavenoticedaboutherbreast，astheword’wife’fellfromDick’slips，asoftsilentescapeofbreaths，withveryshortrestsbetweeneach。
　　"WhatdidIsay？"
　　"Aboutmytryingtolookattractivetothosemeninthegig。"
　　"Youcouldn’thelplookingso，whetheryoutriedorno。And，Fancy，youdocareforme？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Verymuch？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andyou’llbemyownwife？"
　　Herheartquickened，addingtoandwithdrawingfromhercheekvaryingtonesofredtomatcheachvaryingthought。Dicklookedexpectantlyattheripetintofherdelicatemouth，waitingforwhatwascomingforth。
　　"Yes——iffatherwillletme。"
　　Dickdrewhimselfclosetoher，compressinghislipsandpoutingthemout，asifhewereabouttowhistlethesoftestmelodyknown。
　　"Ono！"saidFancysolemnly。
　　ThemodestDickdrewbackalittle。
　　"Dick，Dick，kissmeandletmegoinstantly！——here’ssomebodycoming！"shewhisperinglyexclaimed。
　　***
　　HalfanhourafterwardsDickemergedfromtheinn，andifFancy’slipshadbeenrealcherriesprobablyDick’swouldhaveappeareddeeplystained。Thelandlordwasstandingintheyard。
　　"Heu—heu！hay—hay，MasterDewy！Ho—ho！"helaughed，lettingthelaughslipoutgentlyandbydegreesthatitmightmakelittlenoiseinitsexit，andsmitingDickunderthefifthribatthesametime。
　　"Thiswillneverdo，uponmylife，MasterDewy！callingfortayforafeymelpassenger，andthengoinginandsittingdownandhavingsometoo，andbidingsuchafinelongtime！"
　　"Butsurelyyouknow？"saidDick，withgreatapparentsurprise。
　　"Yes，yes！Ha—ha！"smitingthelandlordundertheribsinreturn。
　　"Why，what？Yes，yes;ha—ha！"
　　"Youknow，ofcourse！"
　　"Yes，ofcourse！But——thatis——Idon’t。"
　　"Whyabout——betweenthatyoungladyandme？"noddingtothewindowoftheroomthatFancyoccupied。
　　"No;notI！"saidtheinnkeeper，bringinghiseyesintocircles。
　　"Andyoudon’t！"
　　"Notaword，I’lltakemyoath！"
　　"ButyoulaughedwhenIlaughed。"
　　"Ay，thatwasmesympathy;sodidyouwhenIlaughed！"
　　"Really，youdon’tknow？Goodness——notknowingthat！"
　　"I’lltakemyoathIdon’t！"
　　"Oyes，"saidDick，withfrigidrhetoricofpityingastonishment，"we’reengagedtobemarried，yousee，andInaturallylookafterher。"
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Ididn’tknowthat，andIhopeye’llexcuseanylittlefreedomofmine，Mr。Dewy。Butitisaveryoddthing;I
　　wastalkingtoyourfatherveryintimateaboutfamilymattersonlylastFridayintheworld，andwhoshouldcomeinbutKeeperDay，andweallthenfella—talkingo’familymatters;butneitheroneo’
　　themsaidamortalwordaboutit;knowenmetoosomanyyears，andI
　　atyourfather’sownwedding。’Tisn’twhatIshouldhaveexpectedfromanoldneighbour！"
　　"Well，tosaythetruth，wehadn’ttoldfatheroftheengagementatthattime;infact，’twasn’tsettled。"
　　"Ah！thebusinesswasdoneSunday。Yes，yes，Sunday’sthecourtingday。Heu—heu！"
　　"No，’twasn’tdoneSundayinparticular。"
　　"Afterschool—hoursthisweek？Well，averygoodtime，averypropergoodtime。"
　　"Ono，’twasn’tdonethen。"
　　"Comingalongtheroadto—daythen，Isuppose？"
　　"Notatall;Iwouldn’tthinkofgettingengagedinadog—cart。"
　　"Dammy——mightaswellhavesaidatonce，theWHENbeblowed！
　　Anyhow，’tisafineday，andIhopenexttimeyou’llcomeasone。"
　　Fancywasdulybroughtoutandassistedintothevehicle，andthenewlyaffiancedyouthandmaidenpassedupthesteephilltotheRidgeway，andvanishedinthedirectionofMellstock。
　　CHAPTERIII：ACONFESSION
　　Itwasamorningofthelattersummer—time;amorningoflingeringdews，whenthegrassisneverdryintheshade。Fuchsiasanddahliaswereladentilleleveno’clockwithsmalldropsanddashesofwater，changingthecolouroftheirsparkleateverymovementoftheair;andelsewherehangingontwigslikesmallsilverfruit。
　　Thethreadsofgardenspidersappearedthickandpolished。Inthedryandsunnyplaces，dozensoflong—leggedcrane—flieswhizzedoffthegrassateverystepthepassertook。
　　FancyDayandherfriendSusanDewythetranter’sdaughter，wereinsuchaspotasthis，pullingdownaboughladenwithearlyapples。
　　ThreemonthshadelapsedsinceDickandFancyhadjourneyedtogetherfromBudmouth，andthecourseoftheirlovehadrunonvigorouslyduringthewholetime。Therehadbeenjustenoughdifficultyattendingitsdevelopment，andjustenoughfinesserequiredinkeepingitprivate，tolendthepassionanever—increasingfreshnessonFancy’spart，whilst，whetherfromtheseaccessoriesornot，Dick’shearthadbeenatalltimesasfondascouldbedesired。ButtherewasacloudonFancy’shorizonnow。
　　"Sheissowelloff——betterthananyofus，"SusanDewywassaying。
　　"Herfatherfarmsfivehundredacres，andshemightmarryadoctororcurateoranythingofthatkindifshecontrivedalittle。"
　　"Idon’tthinkDickoughttohavegonetothatgipsy—partyatallwhenheknewIcouldn’tgo，"repliedFancyuneasily。
　　"Hedidn’tknowthatyouwouldnotbetheretillitwastoolatetorefusetheinvitation，"saidSusan。
　　"Andwhatwasshelike？Tellme。"
　　"Well，shewasratherpretty，Imustown。"
　　"Tellstraightonabouther，can’tyou！Come，do，Susan。Howmanytimesdidyousayhedancedwithher？"
　　"Once。"
　　"Twice，Ithinkyousaid？"
　　"IndeedI’msureIdidn’t。"
　　"Well，andhewantedtoagain，Iexpect。"
　　"No;Idon’tthinkhedid。Shewantedtodancewithhimagainbadenough，Iknow。EverybodydoeswithDick，becausehe’ssohandsomeandsuchaclevercourter。"
　　"O，Iwish！——Howdidyousaysheworeherhair？"
　　"Inlongcurls，——andherhairislight，anditcurlswithoutbeingputinpaper：that’showitisshe’ssoattractive。"
　　"She’stryingtogethimaway！yes，yes，sheis！AndthroughkeepingthismiserableschoolImustn’twearmyhairincurls！ButIwill;Idon’tcareifIleavetheschoolandgohome，Iwillwearmycurls！Look，Susan，do！isherhairassoftandlongasthis？"
　　Fancypulledfromitscoilunderherhatatwineofherownhair，andstretcheditdownhershouldertoshowitslength，lookingatSusantocatchheropinionfromhereyes。
　　"Itisaboutthesamelengthasthat，Ithink，"saidMissDewy。
　　Fancypausedhopelessly。"Iwishminewaslighter，likehers！"shecontinuedmournfully。"Buthersisn’tsosoft，isit？Tellme，now。"
　　"Idon’tknow。"
　　Fancyabstractedlyextendedhervisiontosurveyayellowbutterflyandared—and—blackbutterflythatwereflittingalongincompany，andthenbecameawarethatDickwasadvancingupthegarden。
　　"Susan，here’sDickcoming;Isupposethat’sbecausewe’vebeentalkingabouthim。"
　　"Well，then，Ishallgoindoorsnow——youwon’twantme;"andSusanturnedpracticallyandwalkedoff。
　　Enterthesingle—mindedDick，whoseonlyfaultatthegipsying，orpicnic，hadbeenthatoflovingFancytooexclusively，anddeprivinghimselfoftheinnocentpleasurethegatheringmighthaveaffordedhim，bysighingregretfullyatherabsence，——whohaddancedwiththerivalinsheerdespairofeverbeingabletogetthroughthatstale，flat，andunprofitableafternooninanyotherway;butthisshewouldnotbelieve。
　　Fancyhadsettledherplanofemotion。ToreproachDick？Ono，no。
　　"Iamingreattrouble，"saidshe，takingwhatwasintendedtobeahopelesslymelancholysurveyofafewsmallappleslyingunderthetree;yetacriticalearmighthavenoticedinhervoiceatentativetoneastotheeffectofthewordsuponDickwhensheutteredthem。
　　"Whatareyouintroubleabout？Tellmeofit，"saidDickearnestly。"Darling，Iwillshareitwith’eeandhelp’ee。"
　　"No，no：youcan’t！Nobodycan！"
　　"Whynot？Youdon’tdeserveit，whateveritis。Tellme，dear。"
　　"O，itisn’twhatyouthink！Itisdreadful：myownsin！"
　　"Sin，Fancy！asifyoucouldsin！Iknowitcan’tbe。"
　　"’Tis，’tis！"saidtheyounglady，inaprettylittlefrenzyofsorrow。"Ihavedonewrong，andIdon’tliketotellit！Nobodywillforgiveme，nobody！andyouaboveallwillnot！……Ihaveallowedmyselfto——to——fl——"
　　"What，——notflirt！"hesaid，controllinghisemotionasitwerebyasuddenpressureinwardfromhissurface。"Andyousaidonlythedaybeforeyesterdaythatyouhadn’tflirtedinyourlife！"
　　"Yes，Idid;andthatwasawickedstory！Ihaveletanotherloveme，and——"
　　"GoodG——！Well，I’llforgiveyou，——yes，ifyoucouldn’thelpit，——
　　yes，Iwill！"saidthenowdismalDick。"Didyouencouragehim？"
　　"O，——Idon’tknow，——yes——no。O，Ithinkso！"
　　"Whowasit？"Apause。"Tellme！"
　　"Mr。Shiner。"
　　Afterasilencethatwasonlydisturbedbythefallofanapple，along—checkedsighfromDick，andasobfromFancy，hesaidwithrealausterity—
　　"Tellitall;——everyword！"
　　"Helookedatme，andIlookedathim，andhesaid，"Willyouletmeshowyouhowtocatchbullfinchesdownherebythestream？"AndI——
　　wantedtoknowverymuch——Ididsolongtohaveabullfinch！I
　　couldn’thelpthatandIsaid，"Yes！"andthenhesaid，"Comehere。"
　　AndIwentwithhimdowntothelovelyriver，andthenhesaidtome，"LookandseehowIdoit，andthenyou’llknow：Iputthisbirdlimeroundthistwig，andthenIgohere，"hesaid，"andhideawayunderahush;andpresentlycleverMisterBirdcomesandperchesuponthetwig，andflapshiswings，andyou’vegothimbeforeyoucansayJack"——something;O，O，O，Iforgetwhat！"
　　"JackSprat，"mournfullysuggestedDickthroughthecloudofhismisery。
　　"No，notJackSprat，"shesobbed。
　　"Then’twasJackRobinson！"hesaid，withtheemphasisofamanwhohadresolvedtodiscovereveryiotaofthetruth，ordie。
　　"Yes，thatwasit！AndthenIputmyhandupontherailofthebridgetogetacross，and——That’sall。"
　　"Well，thatisn’tmuch，either，"saidDickcritically，andmorecheerfully。"NotthatIseewhatbusinessShinerhastotakeuponhimselftoteachyouanything。Butitseems——itdoseemtheremusthavebeenmorethanthattosetyouupinsuchadreadfultaking？"
　　HelookedintoFancy’seyes。Miseryofmiseries！——guiltwaswrittentherestill。
　　"Now，Fancy，you’venottoldmeall！"saidDick，rathersternlyforaquietyoungman。
　　"O，don’tspeaksocruelly！Iamafraidtotellnow！Ifyouhadn’tbeenharsh，Iwasgoingontotellall;nowIcan’t！"
　　"Come，dearFancy，tell：come。I’llforgive;Imust，——byheavenandearth，Imust，whetherIwillorno;Iloveyouso！"
　　"Well，whenIputmyhandonthebridge，hetouchedit——"
　　"Ascamp！"saidDick，grindinganimaginaryhumanframetopowder。
　　"Andthenhelookedatme，andatlasthesaid，’AreyouinlovewithDickDewy？’AndIsaid，’PerhapsIam！’andthenhesaid，’I
　　wishyouweren’tthen，forIwanttomarryyou，withallmysoul。’"
　　"There’savillainnow！Wanttomarryyou！"AndDickquiveredwiththebitternessofsatiricallaughter。Thensuddenlyrememberingthathemightbereckoningwithouthishost："Unless，tohesure，youarewillingtohavehim，——perhapsyouare，"hesaid，withthewretchedindifferenceofacastaway。
　　"No，indeedIamnot！"shesaid，hersobsjustbeginningtotakeafavourableturntowardscure。
　　"Well，then，"saidDick，comingalittletohissenses，"you’vebeenstretchingitverymuchingivingsuchadreadfulbeginningtosuchamerenothing。AndIknowwhatyou’vedoneitfor，——justbecauseofthatgipsy—party！"Heturnedawayfromherandtookfivepacesdecisively，asifheweretiredofanungratefulcountry，includingherself"Youdidittomakemejealous，andIwon’tstandit！"Heflungthewordstoheroverhisshoulderandthenstalkedon，apparentlyveryanxioustowalktotheremotestoftheColoniesthatveryminute。
　　"O，O，O，Dick——Dick！"shecried，trottingafterhimlikeapetlamb，andreallyseriouslyalarmedatlast，"you’llkillme！Myimpulsesarebad——miserablywicked，——andIcan’thelpit;forgiveme，Dick！AndIloveyoualways;andthosetimeswhenyoulooksillyanddon’tseemquitegoodenoughforme，——justthesame，Ido，Dick！Andthereissomethingmoreserious，thoughnotconcerningthatwalkwithhim。"
　　"Well，whatisit？"saidDick，alteringhismindaboutwalkingtotheColoniesinfact，passingtotheotherextreme，andstandingsorootedtotheroadthathewasapparentlynotevengoinghome。
　　"Whythis，"shesaid，dryingthebeginningofanewfloodoftearsshehadbeengoingtoshed，"thisistheseriouspart。FatherhastoldMr。Shinerthathewouldlikehimforason—in—law，ifhecouldgetme;——thathehashisrightheartyconsenttocomecourtingme！"
　　CHAPTERIV：ANARRANGEMENT
　　"ThatISserious，"saidDick，moreintellectuallythanhehadspokenforalongtime。
　　ThetruthwasthatGeoffreyknewnothingabouthisdaughter’scontinuedwalksandmeetingswithDick。WhenahintthatthereweresymptomsofanattachmentbetweenthemhadfirstreachedGeoffrey’sears，hestatedsoemphaticallythathemustthinkthematteroverbeforeanysuchthingcouldbeallowedthat，ratherunwiselyonDick’spart，whateveritmighthavebeenonthelady’s，theloverswerecarefultobeseentogethernomoreinpublic;andGeoffrey，forgettingthereport，didnotthinkoverthematteratall。SoMr。
　　ShinerresumedhisoldpositioninGeoffrey’sbrainbymerefluxoftime。EvenShinerbegantobelievethatDickexistedforFancynomore，——thoughthatremarkablyeasy—goingmanhadtakennoactivestepsonhisownaccountasyet。
　　"AndfatherhasnotonlytoldMr。Shinerthat，"continuedFancy，"buthehaswrittenmealetter，tosayheshouldwishmetoencourageMr。Shiner，if’twasconvenient！"
　　"Imuststartoffandseeyourfatheratonce！"saidDick，takingtwoorthreevehementstepstothesouth，recollectingthatMr。Daylivedtothenorth，andcomingbackagain。
　　"Ithinkwehadbetterseehimtogether。Nottellhimwhatyoucomefor，oranythingofthekind，untilhelikesyou，andsowinhisbrainthroughhisheart，whichisalwaysthewaytomanagepeople。
　　Imeaninthisway：IamgoinghomeonSaturdayweektohelptheminthehoney—taking。Youmightcometheretome，havesomethingtoeatanddrink，andlethimguesswhatyourcomingsignifies，withoutsayingitinsomanywords。"
　　"We’lldoit，dearest。ButIshallaskhimforyou，flatandplain;
　　notwaitforhisguessing。"Andtheloverthensteppedclosetoher，andattemptedtogiveheronelittlekissonthecheek，hislipsalightinghowever，onanoutlyingtractofherbackhairbyreasonofanimpulsethathadcausedhertoturnherheadwithajerk。"Yes，andI’llputonmysecond—bestsuitandacleanshirtandcollar，andblackmybootsasif’twasaSunday。’Twillhaveagoodappearance，yousee，andthat’sagreatdealtostartwith。"
　　"Youwon’twearthatoldwaistcoat，willyou，Dick？"
　　"Blessyou，no！WhyI——"
　　"Ididn’tmeantobepersonal，dearDick，"shesaid，fearingshehadhurthisfeelings。"’Tisaverynicewaistcoat，butwhatImeantwas，thatthoughitisanexcellentwaistcoatforasettled—downman，itisnotquiteonefor"（shewaited，andablushexpandedoverherface，andthenshewentonagain）——"forgoingcourtingin。"
　　"No，I’llwearmybestwinterone，withtheleatherlining，thatmothermade。Itisabeautiful，handsomewaistcoatinside，yes，aseveranybodysaw。Infact，onlytheotherday，Iunbuttonedittoshowachapthatverylining，andhesaiditwasthestrongest，handsomestliningyoucouldwishtoseeontheking’swaistcoathimself。"
　　"_I_don’tquiteknowwhattowear，"shesaid，asifherhabitualindifferencealonetodresshadkeptbacksoimportantasubjecttillnow。