"Why，thatbluefrockyouworelastweek。"
　　"Doesn’tsetwellroundtheneck。Icouldn’twearthat。"
　　"ButIshan’tcare。"
　　"No，youwon’tmind。"
　　"Well，thenit’sallright。Becauseyouonlycarehowyoulooktome，doyou，dear？Ionlydressforyou，that’scertain。"
　　"Yes，butyouseeIcouldn’tappearinitagainverywell。"
　　"Anystrangegentlemanyoumidmeetinyourjourneymightnoticethesetofit，Isuppose。Fancy，meninlovedon’tthinksomuchabouthowtheylooktootherwomen。"Itisdifficulttosaywhetheratoneofplayfulbanterorofgentlereproachprevailedinthespeech。
　　"Wellthen，Dick，"shesaid，withgood—humouredfrankness，"I’llownit。Ishouldn’tlikeastrangertoseemedressedbadly，eventhoughIaminlove。’Tisournature，Isuppose。"
　　"Youperfectwoman！"
　　"Yes;ifyoulaythestresson’woman，’"shemurmured，lookingatagroupofhollyhocksinflower，roundwhichacrowdofbutterflieshadgatheredlikefemaleidlersroundabonnet—shop。
　　"Butaboutthedress。Whynotweartheoneyouworeatourparty？"
　　"Thatsetswell，butagirlofthenameofBetTallor，wholivesnearourhouse，hashadonemadealmostlikeit（onlyinpattern，thoughofmiserablycheapstuff），andIcouldn’twearitonthataccount。Dearme，IamafraidIcan’tgonow。"
　　"Oyes，youmust;Iknowyouwill！"saidDick，withdismay。"Whynotwearwhatyou’vegoton？"
　　"What！thisoldone！Afterall，IthinkthatbywearingmygrayoneSaturday，IcanmaketheblueonedoforSunday。Yes，Iwill。A
　　hatorabonnet，whichshallitbe？WhichdoIlookbestin？"
　　"Well，Ithinkthebonnetisnicest，morequietandmatronly。"
　　"What’stheobjectiontothehat？Doesitmakemelookold？"
　　"Ono;thehatiswellenough;butitmakesyoulookrathertoo——youwon’tmindmesayingit，dear？"
　　"Notatall，forIshallwearthebonnet。"
　　"——Rathertoocoquettishandflirtyforanengagedyoungwoman。"
　　Shereflectedaminute。"Yes;yes。Still，afterall，thehatwoulddobest;hatsAREbest，yousee。Yes，Imustwearthehat，dearDicky，becauseIoughttowearahat，youknow。"
　　PARTTHEFORTH——AUTUMN
　　CHAPTERI：GOINGNUTTING
　　Dick，dressedinhis’second—best’suit，burstintoFancy’ssitting—
　　roomwithaglowofpleasureonhisface。
　　Itwastwoo’clockonFriday，thedaybeforehercontemplatedvisittoherfather，andforsomereasonconnectedwithcleaningtheschoolthechildrenhadbeengiventhisFridayafternoonforpastime，inadditiontotheusualSaturday。
　　"Fancy！ithappensjustrightthatitisaleisurehalfdaywithyou。Smartislameinhisnear—foot—afore，andso，asIcan’tdoanything，I’vemadeaholidayafternoonofit，andamcomeforyoutogonuttingwithme！"
　　Shewassittingbytheparlourwindow，withabluefrocklyingacrossherlapandscissorsinherhand。
　　"Gonutting！Yes。ButI’mafraidIcan’tgoforanhourorso。"
　　"Whynot？’Tistheonlyspareafternoonwemaybothhavetogetherforweeks。"
　　"Thisdressofmine，thatIamgoingtowearonSundayatYalbury;——
　　IfinditfitssobadlythatImustalteritalittle，afterall。I
　　toldthedressmakertomakeitbyapatternIgaveheratthetime;
　　insteadofthat，shediditherownway，andmademelookaperfectfright。"
　　"Howlongwillyoube？"heinquired，lookingratherdisappointed。
　　"Notlong。Dowaitandtalktome;come，do，dear。"
　　Dicksatdown。Thetalkingprogressedveryfavourably，amidthesnippingandsewing，tillabouthalf—pasttwo，atwhichtimehisconversationbegantobevariedbyaslighttappinguponhistoewithawalking—stickhehadcutfromthehedgeashecamealong。
　　Fancytalkedandansweredhim，butsometimestheanswersweresonegligentlygiven，thatitwasevidentherthoughtslayforthegreaterpartinherlapwiththebluedress。
　　Theclockstruckthree。Dickarosefromhisseat，walkedroundtheroomwithhishandsbehindhim，examinedallthefurniture，thensoundedafewnotesontheharmonium，thenlookedinsideallthebookshecouldfind，thensmoothedFancy’sheadwithhishand。
　　Stillthesnippingandsewingwenton。
　　Theclockstruckfour。Dickfidgetedabout，yawnedprivately;
　　countedtheknotsinthetable，yawnedpublicly;countedthefliesontheceiling，yawnedhorribly;wentintothekitchenandscullery，andsothoroughlystudiedtheprincipleuponwhichthepumpwasconstructedthathecouldhavedeliveredalectureonthesubject。
　　SteppingbacktoFancy，andfindingstillthatshehadnotdone，hewentintohergardenandlookedathercabbagesandpotatoes，andremindedhimselfthattheyseemedtohimtowearadecidedlyfeminineaspect;thenpulledupseveralweeds，andcameinagain。
　　Theclockstruckfive，andstillthesnippingandsewingwenton。
　　Dickattemptedtokillafly，peeledalltherindoffhiswalking—
　　stick，thenthrewthestickintothescullerybecauseitwasspoilt，producedhideousdiscordsfromtheharmonium，andaccidentallyoverturnedavaseofflowers，thewaterfromwhichraninarillacrossthetableanddribbledtothefloor，whereitformedalake，theshapeofwhich，afterthelapseofafewminutes，hebegantomodifyconsiderablywithhisfoot，tillitwaslikeamapofEnglandandWales。
　　"Well，Dick，youneedn’thavemadequitesuchamess。"
　　"Well，Ineedn’t，Isuppose。"Hewalkeduptothebluedress，andlookedatitwitharigidgaze。Thenanideaseemedtocrosshisbrain。
　　"Fancy。"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Ithoughtyousaidyouweregoingtowearyourgraygownalldayto—morrowonyourtriptoYalbury，andintheeveningtoo，whenI
　　shallbewithyou，andaskyourfatherforyou？"
　　"SoIam。"
　　"AndtheblueoneonlyonSunday？"
　　"AndtheblueoneSunday。"
　　"Well，dear，Isha’n’tbeatYalburySundaytoseeit。"
　　"No，butIshallwalktoLongpuddlechurchintheafternoonwithfather，andsuchlotsofpeoplewillbelookingatmethere，youknow;anditdidsetsobadlyroundtheneck。"
　　"Inevernoticedit，and’tislikenobodyelsewould。"
　　"Theymight。"
　　"ThenwhynotwearthegrayoneonSundayaswell？’Tisasprettyastheblueone。"
　　"Imightmakethegrayonedo，certainly。Butitisn’tsogood;itdidn’tcosthalfsomuchasthisone，andbesides，itwouldbethesameIworeSaturday。"
　　"Thenwearthestripedone，dear。"
　　"Imight。"
　　"Orthedarkone。"
　　"Yes，Imight;butIwanttowearafreshonetheyhaven’tseen。"
　　"Isee，Isee，"saidDick，inavoiceinwhichthetonesofloveweredecidedlyinconveniencedbyaconsiderableemphasis，histhoughtsmeanwhilerunningasfollows："I，themanshelovesbestintheworld，asshesays，amtounderstandthatmypoorhalf—
　　holidayistobelost，becauseshewantstowearonSundayagownthereisnottheslightestnecessityforwearing，simply，infact，toappearmorestrikingthanusualintheeyesofLongpuddleyoungmen;andInotthere，either。"
　　"Thentherearethreedressesgoodenoughformyeyes，butneitherisgoodenoughfortheyouthsofLongpuddle，"hesaid。
　　"No，notthatexactly，Dick。Still，yousee，Idowant——tolookprettytothem——there，that’shonest！ButIsha’n’tbemuchlonger。"
　　"Howmuch？"
　　"Aquarterofanhour。"
　　"Verywell;I’llcomeininaquarterofanhour。"
　　"Whygoaway？"
　　"Imidaswell。"
　　Hewentout，walkeddowntheroad，andsatuponagate。Herehemeditatedandmeditated，andthemorehemeditatedthemoredecidedlydidhebegintofume，andthemorepositivewashethathistimehadbeenscandalouslytrifledwithbyMissFancyDay——that，sofarfrombeingthesimplegirlwhohadneverhadasweetheartbefore，asshehadsolemnlyassuredhimtimeaftertime，shewas，ifnotaflirt，awomanwhohadhadnoendofadmirers;agirlmostcertainlytooanxiousaboutherfrocks;agirl，whosefeelings，thoughwarm，werenotdeep;agirlwhocaredagreatdealtoomuchhowsheappearedintheeyesofothermen。"Whatshelovesbestintheworld，"hethought，withanincipientspiceofhisfather’sgrimness，"isherhairandcomplexion。Whatshelovesnextbest，hergownsandhats;whatshelovesnextbest，myself，perhaps！"
　　Sufferinggreatanguishatthisdisloyaltyinhimselfandharshnesstohisdarling，yetdisposedtopersevereinit，ahorriblycruelthoughtcrossedhismind。Hewouldnotcallforher，ashehadpromised，attheendofaquarterofanhour！Yes，itwouldbeapunishmentshewelldeserved。Althoughthebestpartoftheafternoonhadbeenwastedhewouldgonuttingashehadintended，andgobyhimself。
　　Heleapedoverthegate，andpushedupthelanefornearlytwomiles，tillawindingpathcalledSnail—Creepslopedupahillandenteredahazelcopsebyaholehikearabbit’sburrow。Inheplunged，vanishedamongthebushes，andinashorttimetherewasnosignofhisexistenceuponearth，saveanoccasionalrustlingofboughsandsnappingoftwigsindiverspointsofGrey’sWood。
　　NevermannuttedasDicknuttedthatafternoon。Heworkedlikeagalleyslave。Half—hourafterhalf—hourpassedaway，andstillhegatheredwithoutceasing。Atlast，whenthesunhadset，andbunchesofnutscouldnotbedistinguishedfromtheleaveswhichnourishedthem，heshoulderedhisbag，containingquitetwopecksofthefinestproduceofthewood，aboutasmuchusetohimastwopecksofstonesfromtheroad，strolleddownthewoodlandtrack，crossedthehighwayandenteredthehomewardlane，whistlingasbewent。
　　Probably，MissFancyDayneverbeforeorafterstoodsolowinMr。
　　Dewy’sopinionasonthatafternoon。Infact，itisjustpossiblethatafewmorebluedressesontheLongpuddleyoungmen’saccountwouldhaveclarifiedDick’sbrainentirely，andmadehimoncemoreafreeman。
　　ButVenushadplannedotherdevelopments，atanyrateforthepresent。Cuckoo—Lane，thewayhepursued，passedoveraridgewhichrosekeenlyagainsttheskyaboutfiftyyardsinhisvan。Here，uponthebrightafter—glowaboutthehorizon，wasnowvisibleanirregularshape，whichatfirstheconceivedtobeaboughstandingalittlebeyondthelineofitsneighbours。Thenitseemedtomove，and，asheadvancedstillfurther，therewasnodoubtthatitwasalivingbeingsittinginthebank，headbowedonhand。Thegrassymarginentirelypreventedhisfootstepsfrombeingheard，anditwasnottillhewasclosethatthefigurerecognizedhim。Upitsprang，andhewasfacetofacewithFancy。
　　"Dick，Dick！O，isityou，Dick！"
　　"Yes，Fancy，"saidDick，inaratherrepentanttone，andloweringhisnuts。
　　Sheranuptohim，flungherparasolonthegrass，putherlittleheadagainsthisbreast，andthentherebegananarrative，disjointedbysuchahystericalweepingaswasneversurpassedforintensityinthewholehistoryoflove。
　　"ODick，"shesobbedout，"wherehaveyoubeenawayfromme？O，I
　　havesufferedagony，andthoughtyouwouldnevercomeanymore！
　　’Tiscruel，Dick;no’tisn’t，itisjustice！I’vebeenwalkingmilesandmilesupanddownGrey’sWood，tryingtofindyou，tillI
　　wasweariedandwornout，andIcouldwalknofurther，andhadcomebackthisfar！ODick，directlyyouweregone，IthoughtIhadoffendedyouandIputdownthedress;’tisn’tfinishednow，andI
　　neverwillfinish，it，andI’llwearanoldoneSunday！Yes，Dick，Iwill，becauseIdon’tcarewhatIwearwhenyouarenotbymyside——ha，youthinkIdo，butIdon’t！——andIranafteryou，andI
　　sawyougoupSnail—Creepandnotlookbackonce，andthenyouplungedin，andIafteryou;butIwastoofarbehind。O，Ididwishthehorridbusheshadbeencutdown，sothatIcouldseeyourdearshapeagain！AndthenIcalledouttoyou，andnobodyanswered，andIwasafraidtocallveryloud，lestanybodyelseshouldhearme。ThenIkeptwanderingandwanderingabout，anditwasdreadfulmisery，Dick。AndthenIshutmyeyesandfelltopicturingyoulookingatsomeotherwoman，veryprettyandnice，butwithnoaffectionortruthinheratall，andthenimaginedyousayingtoyourself，"Ah，she’sasgoodasFancy，forFancytoldmeastory，andwasaflirt，andcaredforherselfmorethanme，sonowI’llhavethisoneformysweetheart。"O，youwon’t，willyou，Dick，forIdoloveyouso！"
　　ItisscarcelynecessarytoaddthatDickrenouncedhisfreedomthereandthen，andkissedhertentimesover，andpromisedthatnoprettywomanofthekindalludedtoshouldeverengrosshisthoughts;inshort，thatthoughhehadbeenvexedwithher，allsuchvexationwaspast，andthathenceforthandforeveritwassimplyFancyordeathforhim。Andthentheysetaboutproceedinghomewards，veryslowlyonaccountofFancy’sweariness，sheleaninguponhisshoulder，andinadditionreceivingsupportfromhisarmroundherwaist;thoughshehadsufficientlyrecoveredfromherdesperateconditiontosingtohim，"Whyareyouwanderinghere，I
　　pray？"duringthelatterpartoftheirwalk。Norisitnecessarytodescribeindetailhowthebagofnutswasquiteforgottenuntilthreedayslater，whenitwasfoundamongthebramblesandrestoredemptytoMrs。Dewy，herinitialsbeingmarkedthereoninredcotton;
　　andhowshepuzzledherselftillherheadacheduponthequestionofhowonearthhermeal—bagcouldhavegotintoCuckoo—Lane。
　　CHAPTERII：HONEY—TAKING，ANDAFTERWARDS
　　SaturdayeveningsawDickDewyjourneyingonfoottoYalburyWood，accordingtothearrangementwithFancy。
　　Thelandscapebeingconcave，atthegoingdownofthesuneverythingsuddenlyassumedauniformrobeofshade。TheeveningadvancedfromsunsettodusklongbeforeDick’sarrival，andhisprogressduringthelatterportionofhiswalkthroughthetreeswasindicatedbytheflutterofterrifiedbirdsthathadbeenroostingoverthepath。
　　Andincrossingtheglades，massesofhotdryair，thathadbeenformedonthehillsduringtheday，greetedhischeeksalternatelywithcloudsofdampnightairfromthevalleys。Hereachedthekeeper—steward’shouse，wherethegrass—plotandthegardeninfrontappearedlightandpaleagainsttheunbrokendarknessofthegrovefromwhichhehademerged，andpausedatthegardengate。
　　Hehadscarcelybeenthereaminutewhenhebeheldasortofprocessionadvancingfromthedoorinhisfront。ItconsistedfirstofEnochthetrapper，carryingaspadeonhisshoulderandalanterndanglinginhishand;thencameMrs。Day，thelightofthelanternrevealingthatsheboreinherarmscuriousobjectsaboutafootlong，intheformofLatincrosses（madeoflathandbrownpaperdippedinbrimstone——calledmatchesbybee—masters）;nextcameMissDay，withashawlthrownoverherhead;andbehindall，inthegloom，Mr。FredericShiner。
　　Dick，inhisconsternationatfindingShinerpresent，wasatalosshowtoproceed，andretiredunderatreetocollecthisthoughts。
　　"HereIbe，Enoch，"saidavoice;andtheprocessionadvancingfarther，thelantern’sraysilluminatedthefigureofGeoffrey，awaitingtheirarrivalbesidearowofbee—hives，infrontofthepath。TakingthespadefromEnoch，heproceededtodigtwoholesintheearthbesidethehives，theothersstandingroundinacircle，exceptMrs。Day，whodepositedhermatchesintheforkofanapple—
　　treeandreturnedtothehouse。Thepartyremainingwerenowlitupinfrontbythelanternintheirmidst，theirshadowsradiatingeachwayuponthegarden—plotlikethespokesofawheel。AnapparentembarrassmentofFancyatthepresenceofShinercausedasilenceintheassembly，duringwhichthepreliminariesofexecutionwerearranged，thematchesfixed，thestakekindled，thetwohivesplacedoverthetwoholes，andtheearthstoppedroundtheedges。Geoffreythenstooderect，andrathermore，tostraightenhisbackboneafterthedigging。
　　"Theywereapeculiarfamily，"saidMr。Shiner，regardingthehivesreflectively。
　　Geoffreynodded。
　　"Thoseholeswillbethegraveofthousands！"saidFancy。"Ithink’tisratheracruelthingtodo。"
　　Herfathershookhishead。"No，"hesaid，tappingthehivestoshakethedeadbeesfromtheircells，"ifyousuffocate’emthisway，theyonlydieonce：ifyoufumigate’eminthenewway，theycometolifeagain，anddieo’starvation;sothepangso’deathbetwiceupon’em。"
　　"IinclinetoFancy’snotion，"saidMr。Shiner，laughinglightly。
　　"Theproperwaytotakehoney，sothatthebeesbeneitherstarvednormurdered，isapuzzlingmatter，"saidthekeepersteadily。
　　"Ishouldlikenevertotakeitfromthem，"saidFancy。
　　"But’tisthemoney，"saidEnochmusingly。"Forwithoutmoneymanisashadder！"
　　Thelantern—lighthaddisturbedmanybeesthathadescapedfromhivesdestroyedsomedaysearlier，and，demoralizedbyaffliction，werenowgettingalivingasmaraudersaboutthedoorsofotherhives。SeveralflewroundtheheadandneckofGeoffrey;thendarteduponhimwithanirritatedbizz。
　　Enochthrewdownthelantern，andranoffandpushedhisheadintoacurrantbush;Fancyscuddedupthepath;andMr。Shinerflounderedawayhelter—skelteramongthecabbages。Geoffreystoodhisground，unmovedandfirmasarock。Fancywasthefirsttoreturn，followedbyEnochpickingupthelantern。Mr。Shinerstillremainedinvisible。
　　"Havethecratersstungye？"saidEnochtoGeoffrey。
　　"No，notmuch——on’yalittlehereandthere，"hesaidwithleisurelysolemnity，shakingonebeeoutofhisshirtsleeve，pullinganotherfromamonghishair，andtwoorthreemorefromhisneck。Therestlookedonduringthisproceedingwithacomplacentsenseofbeingoutofit，——muchasaEuropeannationinastateofinternalcommotioniswatchedbyitsneighbours。
　　"Arethoseallofthem，father？"saidFancy，whenGeoffreyhadpulledawayfive。
　　"Almostall，——thoughIfeeloneortwomorestickingintomyshoulderandside。Ah！there’sanotherjustbegunagainuponmybackbone。Youlivelyyoungmortals，howdidyougetinsidethere？
　　However，theycan’tstingmemanytimesmore，poorthings，fortheymustbegettingweak。Theymidaswellstayinmetillbedtimenow，Isuppose。"
　　Ashehimselfwastheonlypersonaffectedbythisarrangement，itseemedsatisfactoryenough;andafteranoiseoffeetkickingagainstcabbagesinablunderingprogressamongthem，thevoiceofMr。Shinerwasheardfromthedarknessinthatdirection。
　　"Isallquitesafeagain？"
　　Noanswerbeingreturnedtothisquery，heapparentlyassumedthathemightventureforth，andgraduallydrewnearthelanternagain。
　　Thehiveswerenowremovedfromtheirpositionovertheholes，onebeinghandedtoEnochtocarryindoors，andonebeingtakenbyGeoffreyhimself。
　　"Bringhitherthelantern，Fancy：thespadecanbide。"
　　GeoffreyandEnochthenwenttowardsthehouse，leavingShinerandFancystandingsidebysideonthegarden—plot。
　　"Allowme，"saidShiner，stoopingforthelanternandseizingitatthesametimewithFancy。
　　"Icancarryit，"saidFancy，religiouslyrepressingallinclinationtotrifle。Shehadthoroughlyconsideredthatsubjectafterthetearfulexplanationofthebird—catchingadventuretoDick，andhaddecidedthatitwouldbedishonestinher，asanengagedyoungwoman，totriflewithmen’seyesandhandsanymore。FindingthatShinerstillretainedhisholdofthelantern，sherelinquishedit，andhe，havingfoundherretainingit，alsoletgo。Thelanternfell，andwasextinguished。Fancymovedon。
　　"Whereisthepath？"saidMr。Shiner。
　　"Here，"saidFancy。"Youreyeswillgetusedtothedarkinaminuteortwo。"
　　"Tillthattimewillyelendmeyourhand？"Fancygavehimtheextremetipsofherfingers，andtheysteppedfromtheplotintothepath。
　　"Youdon’tacceptattentionsveryfreely。"
　　"Itdependsuponwhooffersthem。"
　　"Afellowlikeme，forinstance。"Adeadsilence。
　　"Well，whatdoyousay，Missie？"
　　"Itthendependsuponhowtheyareoffered。"
　　"Notwildly，andyetnotcareless—like;notpurposely，andyetnotbychance;nottooquicknoryettooslow。"
　　"Howthen？"saidFancy。
　　"Coollyandpractically，"hesaid。"Howwouldthatkindoflovebetaken？"
　　"Notanxiously，andyetnotindifferently;neitherblushingnorpale;norreligiouslynoryetquitewickedly。"
　　"Notatall。"
　　GeoffreyDay’sstorehouseatthebackofhisdwellingwashungwithbunchesofdriedhorehound，mint，andsage;brown—paperbagsofthymeandlavender;andlongropesofcleanonions。Onshelveswerespreadlargeredandyellowapples，andchoiceselectionsofearlypotatoesforseednextyear;——vulgarcrowdsofcommonerkindlyingbeneathinheaps。Afewemptybeehiveswereclusteredaroundanailinonecorner，underwhichstoodtwoorthreebarrelsofnewciderofthefirstcrop，eachbubblingandsquirtingforthfromtheyetopenbunghole。
　　Fancywasnowkneelingbesidethetwoinvertedhives，oneofwhichrestedagainstherlap，forconvenienceinoperatinguponthecontents。Shethrusthersleevesaboveherelbows，andinsertedhersmallpinkhandedgewisebetweeneachwhitelobeofhoneycomb，performingtheactsoadroitlyandgentlyasnottounsealasinglecell。Thencrackingthepieceoffatthecrownofthehivebyaslightbackwardandforwardmovement，sheliftedeachportionasitwasloosenedintoalargeblueplatter，placedonabenchatherside。
　　"Bothertheselittlemortals！"saidGeoffrey，whowasholdingthelighttoher，andgivinghisbackanuneasytwist。"IreallythinkImayaswellgoindoorsandtake’emout，poorthings！fortheywon’tletmealone。There’stwoastingingwi’alltheirmightnow。
　　I’msureIwondertheirstrengthcanlastsolong。"
　　"Allright，friend;I’llholdthecandlewhilstyouaregone，"saidMr。Shiner，leisurelytakingthelight，andallowingGeoffreytodepart，whichhedidwithhisusuallongpaces。
　　Hecouldhardlyhavegoneroundtothehouse—doorwhenotherfootstepswereheardapproachingtheoutbuilding;thetipofafingerappearedintheholethroughwhichthewoodlatchwaslifted，andDickDewycamein，havingbeenallthistimewalkingupanddownthewood，vainlywaitingforShiner’sdeparture。
　　Fancylookedupandwelcomedhimratherconfusedly。Shinergraspedthecandlestickmorefirmly，and，lestdoingthisinsilenceshouldnotimplytoDickwithsufficientforcethathewasquiteathomeandcool，hesanginvincibly—
　　"’KingArthurhehadthreesons。’"
　　"Fatherhere？"saidDick。
　　"Indoors，Ithink，"saidFancy，lookingpleasantlyathim。
　　Dicksurveyedthescene，anddidnotseeminclinedtohurryoffjustatthatmoment。Shinerwentonsinging"’Themillerwasdrown’dinhispond，Theweaverwashunginhisyarn，Andthed—ranawaywiththelittletail—or，Withthebroadclothunderhisarm。’"
　　"That’saterriblecrippledrhyme，ifthat’syourrhyme！"saidDick，withagrainofsuperciliousnessinhistone。
　　"It’snouseyourcomplainingtomeabouttherhyme！"saidMr。
　　Shiner。"Youmustgotothemanthatmadeit。"
　　Fancybythistimehadacquiredconfidence。
　　"Tasteabit，Mr。Dewy，"shesaid，holdinguptohimasmallcircularpieceofhoneycombthathadbeenthelastintherowoflayers，remainingstillonherkneesandflingingbackherheadtolookinhisface;"andthenI’lltasteabittoo。"
　　"AndI，ifyouplease，"saidMr。Shiner。Neverthelessthefarmerlookedsuperior，asifhecouldevennowhardlyjointhetriflingfromveryimportanceofstation;andafterreceivingthehoneycombfromFancy，heturneditoverinhishandtillthecellsbegantobecrushed，andtheliquidhoneyrandownfromhisfingersinathinstring。
　　SuddenlyafaintcryfromFancycausedthemtogazeather。
　　"What’sthematter，dear？"saidDick。
　　"Itisnothing，butO—o！abeehasstungtheinsideofmylip！HewasinoneofthecellsIwaseating！"
　　"Wemustkeepdowntheswelling，oritmaybeserious！"saidShiner，steppingupandkneelingbesideher。"Letmeseeit。"
　　"No，no！"
　　"JustletMEseeit，"saidDick，kneelingontheotherside：andaftersomehesitationshepresseddownherlipwithonefingertoshowtheplace。"O，Ihope’twillsoonhebetter！Idon’tmindastinginordinaryplaces，hutitissobaduponyourlip，"sheaddedwithtearsinhereyes，andwrithingalittlefromthepain。
　　ShinerheldthelightabovehisheadandpushedhisfaceclosetoFancy’s，asiftheliphadbeenshownexclusivelytohimself，uponwhichDickpushedcloser，asifShinerwerenotthereatall。
　　"Itisswelling，"saidDicktoherrightaspect。
　　"Itisn’tswelling，"saidShinertoherleftaspect。
　　"Isitdangerousonthelip？"criedFancy。"Iknowitisdangerousonthetongue。"
　　"Ono，notdangerous！"answeredDick。
　　"Ratherdangerous，"hadansweredShinersimultaneously。
　　"Imusttrytobearit！"saidFancy，turningagaintothehives。
　　"Hartshorn—and—oilisagoodthingtoputtoit，MissDay，"saidShinerwithgreatconcern。
　　"Sweet—oil—and—hartshornI’vefoundtobeagoodthingtocurestings，MissDay，"saidDickwithgreaterconcern。
　　"Wehavesomemixedindoors;wouldyoukindlyrunandgetitforme？"shesaid。
　　Now，whetherbyinadvertence，orwhetherbymischievousintention，theindividualityoftheYOUwassocarelesslydenotedthatbothDickandShinersprangtotheirfeetliketwinacrobats，andmarchedabreasttothedoor;bothseizedthelatchandliftedit，andcontinuedmarchingon，shouldertoshoulder，inthesamemannertothedwelling—house。Notonlyso，butenteringtheroom，theymarchedasbeforestraightuptoMrs。Day’schair，lettingthedoorintheoakpartitionslamsoforcibly，thattherowsofpewteronthedresserranglikeabell。
　　"Mrs。Day，Fancyhasstungherlip，andwantsyoutogivemethehartshorn，please，"saidMr。Shiner，veryclosetoMrs。Day’sface。
　　"O，Mrs。Day，Fancyhasaskedmetobringoutthehartshorn，please，becauseshehasstungherlip！"saidDick，alittleclosertoMrs。
　　Day’sface。
　　"Well，menalive！that’snoreasonwhyyoushouldeatme，I
　　suppose！"saidMrs。Day，drawingback。
　　Shesearchedinthecorner—cupboard，producedthebottle，andbegantodustthecork，therim，andeveryotherpartverycarefully，Dick’shandandShiner’shandwaitingsidebyside。
　　"Whichisheadman？"saidMrs。Day。"Now，don’tcomemumbudgetingsocloseagain。Whichisheadman？"
　　Neitherspoke;andthebottlewasinclinedtowardsShiner。Shiner，asahigh—classman，wouldnotlookintheleasttriumphant，andturnedtogooffwithitasGeoffreycamedownstairsafterthesearchinhislinenforconcealedbees。
　　"O——thatyou，MasterDewy？"
　　Dickassuredthekeeperthatitwas;andtheyoungmanthendetermineduponaboldstrokefortheattainmentofhisend，forgettingthattheworstofboldstrokesisthedisastrousconsequencestheyinvolveiftheyfail。
　　"I’vecomeonpurposetospeaktoyouveryparticular，Mr。Day，"hesaid，withacrushingemphasisintendedfortheearsofMr。Shiner，whowasvanishingroundthedoor—postatthatmoment。
　　"Well，I’vebeenforcedtogoupstairsandunrindmyself，andshakesomebeesouto’me"saidGeoffrey，walkingslowlytowardstheopendoor，andstandingonthethreshold。"Theyoungrascalsgotintomyshirtandwouldn’tbequietnohow。"
　　Dickfollowedhimtothedoor。
　　"I’vecometospeakawordtoyou，"herepeated，lookingoutatthepalemistcreepingupfromthegloomofthevalley。"Youmayperhapsguesswhatitisabout。"
　　Thekeeperloweredhishandsintothedepthsofhispockets，twirledhiseyes，balancedhimselfonhistoes，lookedasperpendicularlydownwardasifhisglancewereaplumb—line，thenhorizontally，collectingtogetherthecracksthatlayabouthisfacetilltheywereallintheneighbourhoodofhiseyes。
　　"MaybeIdon’tknow，"hereplied。
　　Dicksaidnothing;andthestillnesswasdisturbedonlybysomesmallbirdthatwasbeingkilledbyanowlintheadjoiningwood，whosecrypassedintothesilencewithoutminglingwithit。
　　"I’veleftmyhatupinchammer，"saidGeoffrey;"waitwhileIstepupandgeten。"
　　"I’llbeinthegarden，"saidDick。
　　Hewentroundbyasidewicketintothegarden，andGeoffreywentupstairs。ItwasthecustominMellstockanditsvicinitytodiscussmattersofpleasureandordinarybusinessinsidethehouse，andtoreservethegardenforveryimportantaffairs：acustomwhich，asissupposed，originatedinthedesirabilityofgettingawayatsuchtimesfromtheothermembersofthefamilywhentherewasonlyoneroomforlivingin，thoughitwasnowquiteasfrequentlypractisedbythosewhosufferedfromnosuchlimitationtothesizeoftheirdomiciles。
　　Thehead—keeper’sformappearedintheduskygarden，andDickwalkedtowardshim。Theelderpausedandleantovertherailofapiggerythatstoodontheleftofthepath，uponwhichDickdidthesame;
　　andtheybothcontemplatedawhitishshadowyshapethatwasmovingaboutandgruntingamongthestrawoftheinterior。
　　"I’vecometoaskforFancy，"saidDick。
　　"I’dasliefyouhadn’t。"
　　"Whyshouldthatbe，Mr。Day？"
　　"Becauseitmakesmesaythatyou’vecometoaskwhatyebe’n’tlikelytohave。Haveyecomeforanythingelse？"
　　"Nothing。"
　　"ThenI’lljusttell’eeyou’vecomeonaveryfoolisherrand。D’yeknowwhathermotherwas？"
　　"No。"
　　"Ateacherinalandedfamily’snursery，whowasfoolishenoughtomarrythekeeperofthesameestablishment;forIwasonlyakeeperthen，thoughnowI’veadozenotherironsinthefireasstewardhereformylord，whatwiththetimbersalesandtheyearlyfellings，andthegravelandsandsalesandonethingand’tother。
　　However，d’yethinkFancypickeduphergoodmanners，thesmoothturnofhertongue，hermusicalnotes，andherknowledgeofbooks，inahomelyholelikethis？"
　　"No。"
　　"D’yeknowwhere？"
　　"No。"
　　"Well，whenIwenta—wanderingafterhermother’sdeath，shelivedwithheraunt，whokeptaboarding—school，tillherauntmarriedLawyerGreen——amanassharpasaneedle——andtheschoolwasbrokeup。Didyeknowthatthenshewenttothetraining—school，andthathernamestoodfirstamongtheQueen’sscholarsofheryear？"
　　"I’veheardso。"
　　"AndthatwhenshesatforhercertificateasGovernmentteacher，shehadthehighestofthefirstclass？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，anddoyeknowwhatIliveinsuchamiserlywayforwhenI’vegotenoughtodowithoutit，andwhyImakeherworkasaschoolmistressinsteadoflivinghere？"
　　"No。"
　　"Thatifanygentleman，whoseeshertobehisequalinpolish，shouldwanttomarryher，andshewanttomarryhim，hesha’n’tbesuperiortoherinpocket。Nowdoyethinkafterthisthatyoubegoodenoughforher？"
　　"No。"
　　"Thengood—nightt’ee，MasterDewy。"
　　"Good—night，Mr。Day。"
　　ModestDick’sreplyhadfaltereduponhistongue，andheturnedawaywonderingathispresumptioninaskingforawomanwhomhehadseenfromthebeginningtobesosuperiortohim。
　　CHAPTERIII：FANCYINTHERAIN
　　Thenextsceneisatempestuousafternooninthefollowingmonth，andFancyDayisdiscoveredwalkingfromherfather’shometowardsMellstock。
　　Asinglevastgraycloudcoveredthecountry，fromwhichthesmallrainandmisthadjustbeguntoblowdowninwavysheets，alternatelythickandthin。Thetreesofthefieldsandplantationswrithedlikemiserablemenastheairwounditswayswiftlyamongthem：thelowestportionsoftheirtrunks，thathadhardlyeverbeenknowntomove，werevisiblyrockedbythefiercergusts，distressingthemindbyitspainfulunwontedness，aswhenastrongmanisseentoshedtears。Low—hangingboughswentupanddown;
　　highanderectboughswenttoandfro;theblastsbeingsoirregular，anddividedintosomanycross——currents，thatneighbouringbranchesofthesametreeswepttheskiesinindependentmotions，crossedeachother，orbecameentangled。
　　Acrosstheopenspacesflewflocksofgreenandyellowishleaves，which，aftertravellingalongdistancefromtheirparenttrees，reachedtheground，andlaytherewiththeirunder——sidesupward。
　　Astherainandwindincreased，andFancy’sbonnet——ribbonsleaptmoreandmoresnappishlyagainstherchin，shepausedonenteringMellstockLanetoconsiderherlatitude，andthedistancetoaplaceofshelter。ThenearesthousewasElizabethEndorfield’s，inHigherMellstock，whosecottageandgardenstoodnotfarfromthejunctionofthathamletwiththeroadshefollowed。Fancyhastenedonward，andinfiveminutesenteredagate，whichsheduponhertoesafloodofwater—dropsassheopenedit。
　　"Comein，chiel！"avoiceexclaimed，beforeFancyhadknocked：apromptnessthatwouldhavesurprisedherhadshenotknownthatMrs。
　　Endorfieldwasanexceedinglyandexceptionallysharpwomanintheuseofhereyesandears。
　　Fancywentinandsatdown。Elizabethwasparingpotatoesforherhusband’ssupper。
　　Scrape，scrape，scrape;thenatoss，andsplashwentapotatointoabucketofwater。
　　Now，asFancylistlesslynotedtheseproceedingsofthedame，shebegantoreconsideranoldsubjectthathayuppermostinherheart。
　　SincetheinterviewbetweenherfatherandDick，thedayshadbeenmelancholydaysforher。Geoffrey’sfirmoppositiontothenotionofDickasason—in—lawwasmorethanshehadexpected。Shehadfrequentlyseenherloversincethattime，itistrue，andhadlovedhimmorefortheoppositionthanshewouldhaveotherwisedreamtofdoing——whichwasahappinessofacertainkind。Yet，thoughloveisthusanendinitself，itmustbebelievedtobethemeanstoanotherendifitistoassumetherosyhuesofanunalloyedpleasure。AndsuchabeliefFancyandDickwereemphaticallydeniedjustnow。