NB。——FURNITURE，COALS，POTATOES，LIVEANDDEADSTOCK，REMOVEDTOANY
　　DISTANCEONTHESHORTESTNOTICE。
　　Mr。Mayboldleantovertheparapetofthebridgeandlookedintotheriver。Hesaw——withoutheeding——howthewatercamerapidlyfrombeneaththearches，glideddownalittlesteep，thenspreaditselfoverapoolinwhichdace，trout，andminnowssportedateaseamongthelonggreenlocksofweedthatlayheavingandsinkingwiththeirrootstowardsthecurrent。Attheendoftenminutesspentleaningthus，hedrewfromhispocketthelettertohisfriend，toreitdeliberatelyintosuchminutefragmentsthatscarcelytwosyllablesremainedinjuxtaposition，andsentthewholehandfulofshredsflutteringintothewater。Herehewatchedthemeddy，dart，andturn，astheywerecarrieddownwardstowardstheoceanandgraduallydisappearedfromhisview。Finallyhemovedoff，andpursuedhiswayatarapidpacebackagaintoMellstockVicarage。
　　Nervinghimselfbyalongandintenseeffort，hesatdowninhisstudyandwroteasfollows：
　　"DEARMISSDAY，——Themeaningofyourwords，’thetemptationistoostrong，’ofyoursadnessandyourtears，hasbeenbroughthometomebyanaccident。Iknowto—daywhatIdidnotknowyesterday——thatyouarenotafreewoman。
　　"Whydidyounottellme——whydidn’tyou？DidyousupposeIknew？
　　No。HadIknown，myconductincomingtoyouasIdidwouldhavebeenreprehensible。
　　"ButIdon’tchideyou！Perhapsnoblameattachestoyou——Ican’ttell。Fancy，thoughmyopinionofyouisassailedanddisturbedinawaywhichcannotbeexpressed，Iloveyoustill，andmywordtoyouholdsgoodyet。Butwillyou，injusticetoanhonestmanwhoreliesuponyourwordtohim，considerwhether，underthecircumstances，youcanhonourablyforsakehim？——Yourseversincerely，"ARTHURMAYBOLD。"
　　Herangthebell。"TellCharlestotakethesecopybooksandthisnotetotheschoolatonce。"
　　Themaidtooktheparcelandtheletter，andinafewminutesaboywasseentoleavethevicaragegate，withtheoneunderhisarm，andtheotherinhishand。Thevicarsatwithhishandtohisbrow，watchingtheladashedescendedChurchLaneandenteredthewatersidepathwhichintervenedbetweenthatspotandtheschool。
　　Herehewasmetbyanotherboy，andafterafreesalutationandpugilisticfriskhadpassedbetweenthetwo，thesecondboycameonhiswaytothevicarage，andtheothervanishedoutofsight。
　　Theboycametothedoor，andanoteforMr。Mayboldwasbroughtin。
　　Heknewthewriting。Openingtheenvelopewithanunsteadyhand，hereadthesubjoinedwords：
　　"DEARMR。MAYBOLD，——Ihavebeenthinkingseriouslyandsadlythroughthewholeofthenightofthequestionyouputtomelasteveningandofmyanswer。Thatanswer，asanhonestwoman，Ihadnorighttogive。
　　"Itismynature——perhapsallwomen’s——toloverefinementofmindandmanners;butevenmorethanthis，tobeeverfascinatedwiththeideaofsurroundingsmoreelegantandpleasingthanthosewhichhavebeencustomary。Andyoupraisedme，andpraiseislifetome。Itwasalonemysensationsatthesethingswhichpromptedmyreply。
　　Ambitionandvanitytheywouldbecalled;perhapstheyareso。
　　"AfterthisexplanationIhopeyouwillgenerouslyallowmetowithdrawtheanswerItoohastilygave。
　　"Andonemorerequest。Tokeepthemeetingoflastnight，andallthatpassedbetweenusthere，foreverasecret。Wereittobecomeknown，itwouldutterlyblightthehappinessofatrustingandgenerousman，whomIlovestill，andshalllovealways。——Yourssincerely，"FANCYDAY。
　　ThelastwrittencommunicationthateverpassedfromthevicartoFancy，wasanotecontainingthesewordsonly：
　　"Tellhimeverything;itisbest。Hewillforgiveyou。"
　　PARTTHEFIFTH：CONCLUSION
　　CHAPTERI：’THEKNOTTHERE’SNOUNTYING’
　　Thelastdayofthestoryisdatedjustsubsequenttothatpointinthedevelopmentoftheseasonswhencountrypeoplegotobedamongnearlynakedtrees，arelulledtosleepbyafallofrain，andawakenextmorningamonggreenones;whenthelandscapeappearsembarrassedwiththesuddenweightandbrilliancyofitsleaves;
　　whenthenight—jarcomesandstrikesupforthesummerhistuneofonenote;whentheapple—treeshavebloomed，andtheroadsandorchard—grassbecomespottedwithfallenpetals;whenthefacesofthedelicateflowersaredarkened，andtheirheadsweigheddown，bythethrongofhoney—bees，whichincreasetheirhummingtillhummingistoomildatermfortheall—pervadingsound;andwhencuckoos，blackbirds，andsparrows，thathavehithertobeenmerryandrespectfulneighbours，becomenoisyandpersistentintimates。
　　TheexteriorofGeoffreyDay’shouseinYalburyWoodappearedexactlyaswasusualatthatseason，butafranticbarkingofthedogsatthebacktoldofunwontedmovementssomewherewithin。
　　Insidethedoortheeyesbeheldagathering，whichwasararityindeedforthedwellingofthesolitarywood—stewardandkeeper。
　　Abouttheroomweresittingandstanding，invariousgnarledattitudes，ouroldacquaintance，grandfathersJamesandWilliam，thetranter，Mr。Penny，twoorthreechildren，includingJimmyandCharley，besidesthreeorfourcountryladiesandgentlemenfromagreaterdistancewhodonotrequireanydistinctionbyname。
　　Geoffreywasseenandheardstampingabouttheouthouseandamongthebushesofthegarden，attendingtodetailsofdailyroutinebeforethepropertimearrivedfortheirperformance，inorderthattheymightbeoffhishandsfortheday。Heappearedwithhisshirt—sleevesrolledup;hisbestnewnethergarments，inwhichhehadarrayedhimselfthatmorning，beingtemporarilydisguisedunderaweekdayapronwhilsttheseproceedingswereinoperation。Heoccasionallyglancedatthehivesinpassing，toseeifhiswife’sbeeswereswarming，ultimatelyrollingdownhisshirt—sleevesandgoingindoors，talkingtotranterDewywhilstbuttoningthewristbands，tosavetime;nextgoingupstairsforhisbestwaistcoat，andcomingdownagaintomakeanotherremarkwhilstbuttoningthat，duringthetimelookingfixedlyinthetranter’sfaceasifhewerealooking—glass。
　　Thefurniturehadundergoneattenuationtoanalarmingextent，everyduplicatepiecehavingbeenremoved，includingtheclockbyThomasWood;EzekielSaundersbeingatlastleftsolerefereeinmattersoftime。
　　Fancywasstationaryupstairs，receivingherlayersofclothesandadornments，andansweringbyshortfragmentsoflaughterwhichhadmorefidgetinessthanmirthinthem，remarksthatweremadefromtimetotimebyMrs。DewyandMrs。Penny，whowereassistingheratthetoilet，Mrs。Dayhavingpleadedaqueernessinherheadasareasonforshuttingherselfupinaninnerbedroomforthewholemorning。Mrs。Pennyappearedwithninecorkscrewcurlsoneachsideofhertemples，andabackcombstuckuponhercrownlikeacastleonasteep。
　　Theconversationjustnowgoingonwasconcerningthebanns，thelastpublicationofwhichhadbeenontheSundayprevious。
　　"Andhowdidtheysound？"Fancysubtlyinquired。
　　"Verybeautifulindeed，"saidMrs。Penny。"Ineverheardanysoundbetter。"
　　"ButHOW？"
　　"O，SOnaturalandelegant，didn’tthey，Reuben！"shecried，throughthechinksoftheunceiledfloor，tothetranterdownstairs。
　　"What’sthat？"saidthetranter，lookingupinquiringlyatthefloorabovehimforananswer。
　　"Didn’tDickandFancysoundwellwhentheywerecalledhomeinchurchlastSunday？"camedownwardsagaininMrs。Penny’svoice。
　　"Ay，thattheydid，mysonnies！——especiallythefirsttime。Therewasaterriblewhisperingpieceofworkinthecongregation，wasn’tthere，neighbourPenny？"saidthetranter，takingupthethreadofconversationonhisownaccountand，inordertobeheardintheroomabove，speakingveryloudtoMr。Penny，whosatatthedistanceofthreefeetfromhim，orratherless。
　　"Inevercanmindseeingsuchawhisperingastherewas，"saidMr。
　　Penny，alsoloudly，totheroomabove。"Andsuchsorrowfulenvyonthemaidens’faces;really，Ineverdidseesuchenvyastherewas！"
　　Fancy’slineamentsvariedininnumerablelittleflushes，andherheartpalpitatedinnumerablelittletremorsofpleasure。"Butperhaps，"shesaid，withassumedindifference，"itwasonlybecausenoreligionwasgoingonjustthen？"
　　"O，no;nothingtodowiththat。’Twasbecauseofyourhighstandingintheparish。ItwasjustasiftheyhadoneandallcaughtDickkissingandcolingyetodeath，wasn’tit，Mrs。Dewy？"
　　"Ay;that’twas。"
　　"Howpeoplewilltalkaboutone’sdoings！"Fancyexclaimed。
　　"Well，ifyoumakesongsaboutyourself，mydear，youcan’tblameotherpeopleforsinging’em。"
　　"Mercyme！howshallIgothroughit？"saidtheyoungladyagain，butmerelytothoseinthebedroom，withabreathingofakindbetweenasighandapant，roundshiningeyes，andwarmface。
　　"O，you’llgetthroughitwellenough，child，"saidMrs。Dewyplacidly。"Theedgeoftheperformanceistookoffatthecallinghome;andwhenonceyougetuptothechancelendo’thechurch，youfeelassaucyasyouplease。I’msureIfeltasbraveasasodgerallthroughthedeed——thoughofcourseIdroppedmyfaceandlookedmodest，aswasbecomingtoamaid。Mindyoudothat，Fancy。"
　　"AndIwalkedintothechurchasquietasalamb，I’msure，"
　　subjoinedMrs。Penny。"There，youseePennyissuchalittlesmallman，Butcertainly，Iwasflurriedintheinsideo’me。Well，thinksI，’tistobe，andheregoes！Anddoyoudothesame：say，’’Tistobe，andheregoes！’"
　　"Istheresuchwonderfulvirtuein’’Tistobe，andheregoes！’"
　　inquiredFancy。
　　"Wonderful！’Twillcarryabodythroughitallfromweddingtochurching，ifyouonlyletitoutwithspiritenough。"
　　"Verywell，then，"saidFancy，blushing。"’Tistobe，andheregoes！"
　　"That’sagirlforahusband！"saidMrs。Dewy。
　　"Idohopehe’llcomeintime！"continuedthebride—elect，inventinganewcauseofaffright，nowthattheotherwasdemolished。
　　"’Twouldbeathousandpitiesifhedidn’tcome，nowyouhesobrave，"saidMrs。Penny。
　　GrandfatherJames，havingoverheardsomeoftheseremarks，saiddownstairswithmischievousloudness——"I’veknownsomewould—beweddingswhenthemendidn’tcome。"
　　"They’vehappenednottocome，beforenow，certainly，"saidMr。
　　Penny，cleaningoneoftheglassesofhisspectacles。
　　"O，dohearwhattheyaresayingdownstairs，"whisperedFancy。
　　"Hush，hush！"
　　Shelistened。
　　"Theyhave，haven’tthey，Geoffrey？"continuedgrandfatherJames，asGeoffreyentered。
　　"Havewhat？"saidGeoffrey。
　　"Themenhavebeenknownnottocome。"
　　"Thattheyhave，"saidthekeeper。
　　"Ay;I’veknowedtimeswhentheweddinghadtobeputoffthroughhisnotappearing，beingtiredofthewoman。AndanothercaseI
　　knowedwaswhenthemanwascatchedinaman—trapcrossingOaker’sWood，andthethreemonthshadrunoutbeforehegotwell，andthebannshadtobepublishedoveragain。"
　　"Howhorrible！"saidFancy。
　　"Theyonlysayitonpurposetotease’ee，mydear，"saidMrs。Dewy。
　　"’Tisquitesadtothinkwhatwretchedshiftspoormaidshavebeenputto，"cameagainfromdownstairs。"YeshouldhearClerkWilkins，mybrother—law，tellhisexperiencesinmarryingcouplestheselastthirtyyear：sometimesonething，sometimesanother——’tisquiteheart—rending——enoughtomakeyourhairstandonend。"
　　"Thosethingsdon’thappenveryoften，Iknow，"saidFancy，withsmoulderinguneasiness。
　　"Well，really’tistimeDickwashere，"saidthetranter。
　　"Don’tkeeponatmeso，grandfatherJamesandMr。Dewy，andallyoudownthere！"Fancybrokeout，unabletoendureanylonger。"IamsureIshalldie，ordosomething，ifyoudo！"
　　"Neveryouhearkentotheseoldchaps，MissDay！"criedNatCallcome，thebestman，whohadjustentered，andthrewhisvoiceupwardthroughthechinksofthefloorastheothershaddone。
　　"’Tisallright;Dick’scomingonlikeawildfeller;he’llbehereinaminute。Thehiveo’beeshismothergie’denforhisnewgardenswarmedjistashewasstarting，andhesaid，"Ican’taffordtoloseastocko’bees;no，thatIcan’t，thoughIfainwould;andFancywouldn’twishitonanyaccount。"Sohejiststoppedtotingto’emandshake’em。"
　　"Agenuinewiseman，"saidGeoffrey。
　　"Tobesure，whataday’sworkwehadyesterday！"Mr。Callcomecontinued，loweringhisvoiceasifitwerenotnecessaryanylongertoincludethoseintheroomaboveamonghisaudience，andselectingaremotecornerofhisbestcleanhandkerchiefforwipinghisface。
　　"Tobesure！"
　　"Thingssoheavy，Isuppose，"saidGeoffrey，asifreadingthroughthechimney—windowfromthefarendofthevista。
　　"Ay，"saidNat，lookingroundtheroomatpointsfromwhichfurniturehadbeenremoved。"Andsoawkwardtocarry，too。’Twasath’artandacrossDick’sgarden;inandoutDick’sdoor;upanddownDick’sstairs;roundandroundDick’schammerstilllegswereworntostumps：andDickissoparticular，too。Andthestoresofvictualsanddrinkthatladhaslaidin：why，’tisenoughforNoah’sark！I’msureIneverwishtoseeachoicerhalf—dozenofhamsthanhe’sgotthereinhischimley;andtheciderItastedwasaveryprettydrop，indeed;——nonecoulddesireaprettiercider。"
　　"Theybefortheloveandthestalledoxboth，Ah，thegreedymartels！"saidgrandfatherJames。
　　"Well，may—betheybe。Surely，"saysI，"thatcouplebetween’emhaveheapedupsomuchfurnitureandvictuals，thatanybodywouldthinktheyweregoingtotakeholdthebigendofmarriedlifefirst，andbeginwi’agrown—upfamily。Ah，whatabathofheatwetwochapswerein，tobesure，a—gettingthatfurnitureinorder！"
　　"Idosowishtheroombelowwasceiled，"saidFancy，asthedressingwenton;"wecanhearalltheysayanddodownthere。"
　　"Hark！Who’sthat？"exclaimedasmallpupil—teacher，whoalsoassistedthismorning，tohergreatdelight。Sheranhalf—waydownthestairs，andpeepedroundthebanister。"O，youshould，youshould，youshould！"sheexclaimed，scramblinguptotheroomagain。
　　"What？"saidFancy。
　　"Seethebridesmaids！They’vejustacome！’Tiswonderful，really！
　　’tiswonderfulhowmuslincanbebroughttoit。There，theydon’tlookabitlikethemselves，butlikesomeveryrichsisterso’
　　theirsthatnobodyknewtheyhad！"
　　"Make’emcomeuptome，make’emcomeup！"criedFancyecstatically;andthefourdamselsappointed，namely，MissSusanDewy，MissBessieDewy，MissVashtiSniff，andMissMercyOnmey，surgedupstairs，andfloatedalongthepassage。
　　"IwishDickwouldcome！"wasagaintheburdenofFancy。
　　Thesameinstantasmalltwigandflowerfromthecreeperoutsidethedoorflewinattheopenwindow，andamasculinevoicesaid，"Ready，Fancydearest？"
　　"Thereheis，heis！"criedFancy，titteringspasmodically，andbreathingasitwereforthefirsttimethatmorning。
　　Thebridesmaidscrowdedtothewindowandturnedtheirheadsinthedirectionpointedout，atwhichmotioneightearringsallswungasone：——notlookingatDickbecausetheyparticularlywantedtoseehim，butwithanimportantsenseoftheirdutyasobedientministersofthewillofthatapotheosisedbeing——theBride。
　　"Helooksverytaking！"saidMissVashtiSniff，ayoungladywhoblushedcream—colourandworeyellowbonnetribbons。
　　Dickwasadvancingtothedoorinapainfullynewcoatofshiningcloth，primrose—colouredwaistcoat，hatofthesamepainfulstyleofnewness，andwithanextraquantityofwhiskersshavedoffhisface，andhaircuttoanunwontedshortnessinhonouroftheoccasion。
　　"Now，I’llrundown，"saidFancy，lookingatherselfoverhershoulderintheglass，andflittingoff。
　　"ODick！"sheexclaimed，"Iamsogladyouarecome！Iknewyouwould，ofcourse，butIthought，Ohifyoushouldn’t！"
　　"Notcome，Fancy！Hetorwet，bloworsnow，herecomeIto—day！
　　Why，what’spossessingyourlittlesoul？Youneverusedtomindsuchthingsabit。"
　　"Ah，Mr。Dick，Ihadn’thoistedmycoloursandcommittedmyselfthen！"saidFancy。
　　"’TisapityIcan’tmarrythewholefiveofye！"saidDick，surveyingthemallround。
　　"Heh—heh—heh！"laughedthefourbridesmaids，andFancyprivatelytouchedDickandsmoothedhimdownbehindhisshoulder，asiftoassureherselfthathewasthereinfleshandbloodasherownproperty。
　　"Well，whoeverwouldhavethoughtsuchathing？"saidDick，takingoffhishat，sinkingintoachair，andturningtotheeldermembersofthecompany。
　　Thelatterarrangedtheireyesandlipstosignifythatintheiropinionnobodycouldhavethoughtsuchathing，whateveritwas。
　　"Thatmybeesshouldha’swarmedjustthen，ofalltimesandseasons！"continuedDick，throwingacomprehensiveglancelikeanetoverthewholeauditory。"And’tisafineswarm，too：Ihaven’tseensuchafineswarmforthesetenyears。"
　　"A’excellentsign，"saidMrs。Penny，fromthedepthsofexperience。
　　"A’excellentsign。"
　　"Iamgladeverythingseemssoright，"saidFancywithabreathofrelief。
　　"AndsoamI，"saidthefourbridesmaidswithmuchsympathy。
　　"Well，beescan’tbeputoff，"observedtheinharmoniousgrandfatherJames。"Marryingawomanisathingyoucandoatanymoment;butaswarmo’beeswon’tcomefortheasking。"
　　Dickfannedhimselfwithhishat。"Ican’tthink，"hesaidthoughtfully，"whatever’twasIdidtooffendMr。Maybold，amanI
　　likesomuchtoo。Herathertooktomewhenhecamefirst，andusedtosayheshouldliketoseememarried，andthathe’dmarryme，whethertheyoungwomanIchoselivedinhisparishorno。IjusthintedtohimofitwhenIputinthebanns，buthedidn’tseemtotakekindlytothenotionnow，andsoIsaidnomore。Iwonderhowitwas。"
　　"Iwonder！"saidFancy，lookingintovacancywiththosebeautifuleyesofhers——toorefinedandbeautifulforatranter’swife;but，perhaps，nottoogood。
　　"Alteredhismind，asfolkswill，Isuppose，"saidthetranter。
　　"Well，mysonnies，there’llheagoodstrongpartylookingatusto—
　　dayaswegoalong。"
　　"Andthebodyofthechurch，"saidGeoffrey，"willbelinedwithfemales，andarowofyoungfellers’heads，asfardownastheeyes，willbenoticedjustabovethesillsofthechancel—winders。"
　　"Ay，you’vebeenthroughittwice，"saidReuben，"andwellmidknow。"
　　"Icanputupwithitforonce，"saidDick，"ortwiceeither，oradozentimes。"
　　"ODick！"saidFancyreproachfully。
　　"Why，dear，that’snothing，——onlyjustabitofaflourish。Youbeasnervousasacatto—day。"
　　"Andthen，ofcourse，when’tisallover，"continuedthetranter，"weshallmarchtwoandtworoundtheparish。"
　　"Yes，sure，"saidMr。Penny："twoandtwo：everymanhitcheduptohiswoman，’ab’lieve。"
　　"Inevercanmakeashowofmyselfinthatway！"saidFancy，lookingatDicktoascertainifhecould。
　　"I’magreedtoanythingyouandthecompanylike，mydear！"saidMr。
　　RichardDewyheartily。
　　"Why，wedidwhenweweremarried，didn’twe，Ann？"saidthetranter;"andsodoeverybody，mysonnies。"
　　"Andsodidwe，"saidFancy’sfather。
　　"AndsodidPennyandI，"saidMrs。Penny："IworemybestBathclogs，Iremember，andPennywascrossbecauseitmademelooksotall。"
　　"Andsodidfatherandmother，"saidMissMercyOnmey。
　　"AndImeanto，comenextChristmas！"saidNatthegroomsmanvigorously，andlookingtowardsthepersonofMissVashtiSniff。
　　"Respectablepeopledon’tnowadays，"saidFancy。"Still，sincepoormotherdid，Iwill。"
　　"Ay，"resumedthetranter，"’twasonaWhiteTuesdaywhenI
　　committedit。MellstockClubwalkedthesameday，andwenew—
　　marriedfolkwenta—gayingroundtheparishbehind’em。EverybodyusedtowearsomethingwhiteatWhitsuntideinthemdays。Mysonnies，I’vegottheverywhitetrousersthatIwore，athomeinboxnow，Ha’n’tI，Ann？"
　　"YouhadtillIcut’emupforJimmy，"saidMrs。Dewy。
　　"Andweought，byrights，afterdoingthisparish，togoroundHigherandLowerMellstock，andcallatViney’s，andsoworkourwayhitheragainacrossHe’th，"saidMr。Penny，recoveringscentofthematterinhand。"DairymanVineyisaveryrespectableman，andsoisFarmerKex，andweoughttoshowourselvestothem。"
　　"True，"saidthetranter，"weoughttogoroundMellstocktodothethingwell。Weshallformaverystrikingobjectwalkingalonginrotation，good—now，neighbours？"
　　"Thatweshall：aproperprettysightforthenation，"saidMrs。
　　Penny。
　　"Hullo！"saidthetranter，suddenlycatchingsightofasingularhumanfigurestandinginthedoorway，andwearingalongsmock—frockofpillow—casecutandofsnowywhiteness。"Why，Leaf！whateverdostthoudohere？"
　　"I’vecometoknowifsobeIcancometothewedding——hee—hee！"
　　saidLeafinavoiceoftimidity。
　　"Now，Leaf，"saidthetranterreproachfully，"youknowwedon’twant’eehereto—day：we’vegotnoroomforye，Leaf。"
　　"ThomasLeaf，ThomasLeaf，fieuponyeforprying！"saidoldWilliam。
　　"IknowI’vegotnohead，butIthought，ifIwashedandputonaclaneshirtandsmock—frock，Imightjustcall，"saidLeaf;turningawaydisappointedandtrembling。
　　"Poorfeller！"saidthetranter，turningtoGeoffrey。"Supposewemustletencome？Hislooksareratheragainsten，andheisterriblesilly;but’ahaveneverbeeninjail，and’awon’tdonoharm。"
　　Leaflookedwithgratitudeatthetranterforthesepraises，andthenanxiouslyatGeoffrey，toseewhateffecttheywouldhaveinhelpinghiscause。
　　"Ay，letencome，"saidGeoffreydecisively。"Leaf，th’rtwelcome，’stknow;"andLeafaccordinglyremained。
　　Theywerenowallreadyforleavingthehouse，andbegantoformaprocessioninthefollowingorder：Fancyandherfather，DickandSusanDewy，NatCallcomeandVashtiSniff，TedWaywoodandMercyOnmey，andJimmyandBessieDewy。Theseformedtheexecutive，andallappearedinstrictweddingattire。ThencamethetranterandMrs。Dewy，andlastofallMr。andMrs。Penny;——thetranterconspicuousbyhisenormousgloves，sizeelevenandthree—quarters，whichappearedatadistancelikeboxingglovesbleached，andsatratherawkwardlyuponhisbrownhands;thishall—markofrespectabilityhavingbeensetuponhimselfto—day（byFancy’sspecialrequest）forthefirsttimeinhislife。
　　"Theproperwayisforthebridesmaidstowalktogether，"suggestedFancy。
　　"What？’Twasalwaysyoungmanandyoungwoman，armincrook，inmytime！"saidGeoffrey，astounded。
　　"Andinmine！"saidthetranter。
　　"Andinours！"saidMr。andMrs。Penny。
　　"Neverheardo’suchathingaswomanandwoman！"saidoldWilliam;
　　who，withgrandfatherJamesandMrs。Day，wastostayathome。
　　"Whicheverwayyouandthecompanylike，mydear！"saidDick，who，beingonthepointofsecuringhisrighttoFancy，seemedwillingtorenounceallotherrightsintheworldwiththegreatestpleasureThedecisionwaslefttoFancy。
　　"Well，IthinkI’dratherhaveitthewaymotherhadit，"shesaid，andthecouplesmovedalongunderthetrees，everymantohismaid。
　　"Ah！"saidgrandfatherJamestograndfatherWilliamastheyretired，"Iwonderwhichshethinksmostabout，Dickorherweddingraiment！"
　　"Well，’tistheirnature，"saidgrandfatherWilliam。"RememberthewordsoftheprophetJeremiah：’Canamaidforgetherornaments，orabrideherattire？’"
　　Nowamongdarkperpendicularfirs，liketheshaftedcolumnsofacathedral;nowthroughahazelcopse，mattedwithprimrosesandwildhyacinths;nowunderbroadbeechesinbrightyoungleavestheythreadedtheirwayintothehighroadoverYalburyHill，whichdippedatthatpointdirectlyintothevillageofGeoffreyDay’sparish;andinthespaceofaquarterofanhourFancyfoundherselftobeMrs。RichardDewy，though，muchtohersurprise，feelingnootherthanFancyDaystill。
　　Onthecircuitousreturnwalkthroughthelanesandfields，amidmuchchatteringandlaughter，especiallywhentheycametostiles，Dickdiscernedabrownspotfarupaturnipfield。
　　"Why，’tisEnoch！"hesaidtoFancy。"IthoughtImissedhimatthehousethismorning。Howisithe’sleftyou？"
　　"Hedranktoomuchcider，anditgotintohishead，andtheyputhiminWeatherburystocksforit。Fatherwasobligedtogetsomebodyelseforadayortwo，andEnochhasn’thadanythingtodowiththewoodssince。"
　　"Wemightaskhimtocalldownto—night。Stocksarenothingforonce，considering’tisourweddingday。"Thebridalpartywasorderedtohalt。
　　"Eno—o—o—o—ch！"criedDickatthetopofhisvoice。
　　"Y—a—a—a—a—a—as！"saidEnochfromthedistance。
　　"D’yeknowwhoIbe—e—e—e—e—e？"
　　"No—o—o—o—o—o—o！"
　　"DickDew—w—w—w—wy！"
　　"O—h—h—h—h—h！"
　　"Justa—ma—a—a—a—a—arried！"
　　"O—h—h—h—h—h！"
　　"Thisismywife，Fa—a—a—a—a—ancy！"（holdingheruptoEnoch’sviewasifshehadbeenanosegay。）
　　"O—h—h—h—h—h！"
　　"Willyecomeacrosstothepartyto—ni—i—i—i—i—i—ight！"
　　"Ca—a—a—a—a—an’t！"
　　"Whyn—o—o—o—o—ot？"
　　"Don’tworkforthefamilyno—o—o—o—ow！"
　　"NotniceofMasterEnoch，"saidDick，astheyresumedtheirwalk。
　　"Youmustn’tblameen，"saidGeoffrey;"theman’snothisselfnow;
　　he’sinhismorningframeofmind。Whenhe’shadagallono’ciderorale，orapintortwoofmead，theman’swellenough，andhismannersbeasgoodasanybody’sinthekingdom。"
　　CHAPTERII：UNDERTHEGREENWOODTREE
　　ThepointinYalburyWoodwhichabuttedontheendofGeoffreyDay’spremiseswasclosedwithanancienttree，horizontallyofenormousextent，thoughhavingnogreatpretensionstoheight。Manyhundredsofbirdshadbeenbornamidsttheboughsofthissingletree;tribesofrabbitsandhareshadnibbledatitsbarkfromyeartoyear;
　　quainttuftsoffungihadsprungfromthecavitiesofitsforks;andcountlessfamiliesofmolesandearthwormshadcreptaboutitsroots。Beneathandbeyonditsshadespreadacarefully—tendedgrass—plot，itspurposebeingtosupplyahealthyexercise—groundforyoungchickensandpheasants;thehens，theirmothers，beingenclosedincoopsplaceduponthesamegreenflooring。
　　Alltheseencumbranceswerenowremoved，andastheafternoonadvanced，theguestsgatheredonthespot，wheremusic，dancing，andthesingingofsongswentforwardwithgreatspiritthroughouttheevening。TheproprietyofeveryonewasintensebyreasonoftheinfluenceofFancy，who，asanadditionalprecautioninthisdirection，hadstrictlychargedherfatherandthetrantertocarefullyavoidsaying’thee’and’thou’intheirconversation，onthepleathatthoseancientwordssoundedsoveryhumiliatingtopersonsofnewertaste;alsothattheywerenevertobeseendrawingthebackofthehandacrossthemouthafterdrinking——alocalEnglishcustomofextraordinaryantiquity，butstatedbyFancytobedecidedlydyingoutamongthebetterclassesofsociety。
　　Inadditiontothelocalmusicianspresent，amanwhohadathoroughknowledgeofthetambourinewasinvitedfromthevillageofTantrumClangley，——aplacelongcelebratedfortheskillofitsinhabitantsasperformersoninstrumentsofpercussion。Theseimportantmembersoftheassemblywererelegatedtoaheightoftwoorthreefeetfromtheground，uponatemporaryerectionofplankssupportedbybarrels。Whilstthedancingprogressedtheolderpersonssatinagroupunderthetrunkofthetree，——thespacebeingallottedtothemsomewhatgrudginglybytheyoungones，whoweregreedyofpirouettingroom，——andfortifiedbyatableagainsttheheelsofthedancers。Herethegaffersandgammers，whosedancingdayswereover，toldstoriesofgreatimpressiveness，andatintervalssurveyedtheadvancingandretiringcouplesfromthesameretreat，aspeopleonshoremightbesupposedtosurveyanavalengagementinthebaybeyond;returningagaintotheirtaleswhenthepausewasover。Thoseofthewhirlingthrong，who，duringtherestsbetweeneachfigure，turnedtheireyesinthedirectionoftheseseatedones，wereonlyabletodiscover，onaccountofthemusicandbustle，thataverystrikingcircumstancewasincourseofnarration——denotedbyanemphaticsweepofthehand，snappingofthefingers，closeofthelips，andfixedlookintothecentreofthelistener’seyeforthespaceofaquarterofaminute，whichraisedinthatlistenersuchareciprocatingworkingoffaceastosometimesmakethedistantdancershalfwishtoknowwhatsuchaninterestingtalecouldreferto。
　　Fancycausedherlookstowearasmuchmatronlyexpressionaswasobtainableoutofsixhours’experienceasawife，inorderthatthecontrastbetweenherownstateoflifeandthatoftheunmarriedyoungwomenpresentmightbedulyimpresseduponthecompany：
　　occasionallystealingglancesofadmirationatherlefthand，butthisquiteprivately;forherostensiblebearingconcerningthematterwasintendedtoshowthat，thoughsheundoubtedlyoccupiedthemostwondrouspositionintheeyesoftheworldthathadeverbeenattained，shewasalmostunconsciousofthecircumstance，andthatthesomewhatprominentpositioninwhichthatwonderfully—
　　emblazonedlefthandwascontinuallyfoundtobeplaced，whenhandingcupsandsaucers，knives，forks，andglasses，wasquitetheresultofaccident。Astowishingtoexciteenvyinthebosomsofhermaidencompanions，bytheexhibitionoftheshiningring，everyonewastoknowitwasquiteforeigntothedignityofsuchanexperiencedmarriedwoman。Dick’simaginationinthemeantimewasfarlesscapableofdrawingsomuchwontednessfromhisnewcondition。Hehadbeenfortwoorthreehourstryingtofeelhimselfmerelyanewly—marriedman，buthadbeenabletogetnofurtherintheattemptthantorealizethathewasDickDewy，thetranter’sson，atapartygivenbyLordWessex’sheadman—in—charge，ontheoutlyingYalburyestate，dancingandchattingwithFancyDay。
　　Fivecountrydances，including’HastetotheWedding，’tworeels，andthreefragmentsofhorn—pipes，broughtthemtothetimeforsupper，which，onaccountofthedampnessofthegrassfromtheimmaturityofthesummerseason，wasspreadindoors。AttheconclusionofthemealDickwentouttoputthehorsein;andFancy，withtheelderhalfofthefourbridesmaids，retiredupstairstodressforthejourneytoDick’snewcottagenearMellstock。
　　"Howlongwillyoubeputtingonyourbonnet，Fancy？"Dickinquiredatthefootofthestaircase。Beingnowamanofbusinessandmarried，hewasstrongontheimportanceoftime，anddoubledtheemphasisofhiswordsinconversing，andaddedvigourtohisnods。
　　"Onlyaminute。"
　　"Howlongisthat？"
　　"Well，dear，five。"
　　"Ah，sonnies！"saidthetranter，asDickretired，"’tisatalentofthefemaleracethatlownumbersshouldstandforhigh，moreespeciallyinmattersofwaiting，mattersofage，andmattersofmoney。"
　　"True，true，uponmybody，"saidGeoffrey。
　　"Yespakwithfeeling，Geoffrey，seemingly。"
　　"Anybodythatd’knowmyexperiencemightguessthat。"
　　"What’sshedoingnow，Geoffrey？"
　　"Claningoutalltheupstairsdrawersandcupboards，anddustingthesecond—bestchainey——athingthat’sonlydoneonceayear。’Ifthere’sworktobedoneImustdoit，’saysshe，’weddingorno。’"
　　"’Tismybeliefshe’saverygoodwomanatbottom。"
　　"She’sterribledeep，then。"
　　Mrs。Pennyturnedround。"Well，’tishumpsandhollerswiththebestofus;butstillandforallthat，DickandFancystandasfairachanceofhavingabitofsunsheenasanymarriedpairintheland。"
　　"Ay，there’snogainsayingit。"
　　Mrs。Dewycameup，talkingtoonepersonandlookingatanother。
　　"Happy，yes，"shesaid。"’TisalwayssowhenacoupleissoexactlyintunewithoneanotherasDickandshe。"
　　"Whentheybe’n’ttoopoortohavetimetosing，"saidgrandfatherJames。
　　"Itellye，neighbours，whenthepinchcomes，"saidthetranter：
　　"whentheoldestdaughter’sbootsbeonlyasizelessthanhermother’s，andtheresto’theflockclosebehindher。Asharptimeforamanthat，mysonnies;averysharptime！Chanticleer’scombisa—cutthen，’abelieve。"
　　"That’sabouttheformo’t，"saidMr。Penny。"That’llputthestunsuponaman，whenyoumustmeasuremotheranddaughter’slaststotell’emapart。"
　　"You’venocausetocomplain，Reuben，ofsuchaclose—comingflock，"
　　saidMrs。Dewy;"forourswasastragglinglotenough，Godknows！"
　　"Id’knowit，Id’knowit，"saidthetranter。"Youbeawell—enoughwoman，Ann。"
　　Mrs。Dewyputhermouthintheformofasmile，andputitbackagainwithoutsmiling。
　　"Andiftheycometogether，theygotogether，"saidMrs。Penny，whosefamilyhadbeenthereverseofthetranter’s;"andalittlemoneywillmakeeitherfatetolerable。Andmoneycanbemadebyouryoungcouple，Iknow。"
　　"Yes，thatitcan！"saidtheimpulsivevoiceofLeaf，whohadhithertohumblyadmiredtheproceedingsfromacorner。"Itcanbedone——allthat’swantedisafewpoundstobeginwith。That’sall！
　　Iknowastoryaboutit！"
　　"Let’shearthystory，Leaf;"saidthetranter。"Ineverknewyouwerecleverenoughtotellastory。Silence，allofye！Mr。Leafwilltellastory。"
　　"Tellyourstory，ThomasLeaf，"saidgrandfatherWilliaminthetoneofaschoolmaster。
　　"Once，"saidthedelightedLeaf;inanuncertainvoice，"therewasamanwholivedinahouse！Well，thismanwentthinkingandthinkingnightandday。Atlast，hesaidtohimself;asImight，’IfIhadonlytenpound，I’dmakeafortune。’Atlastbyhookorbycrook，beholdhegotthetenpounds！"
　　"Onlythinkofthat！"saidNatCallcomesatirically。
　　"Silence！"saidthetranter。
　　"Well，nowcomestheinterestingpartofthestory！Inalittletimehemadethattenpoundstwenty。Thenalittletimeafterthathedoubledit，andmadeitforty。Well，hewenton，andagoodwhileafterthathemadeiteighty，andontoahundred。Well，by—
　　and—byhemadeittwohundred！Well，you’dneverbelieveit，but——
　　hewentonandmadeitfourhundred！Hewenton，andwhatdidhedo？Why，hemadeiteighthundred！Yes，hedid，"continuedLeaf;
　　inthehighestpitchofexcitement，bringingdownhisfistuponhiskneewithsuchforcethathequiveredwiththepain;"yes，andhewentonandmadeitATHOUSAND！"
　　"Hear，hear！"saidthetranter。"BetterthanthehistoryofEngland，mysonnies！"
　　"Thankyouforyourstory，ThomasLeaf，"saidgrandfatherWilliam;
　　andthenLeafgraduallysankintonothingnessagain。
　　Amidamedleyoflaughter，oldshoes，andelder—wine，Dickandhisbridetooktheirdeparture，sidebysideintheexcellentnewspring—cartwhichtheyoungtranternowpossessed。Themoonwasjustoverthefull，renderinganylightfromlampsortheirownbeautiesquiteunnecessarytothepair。TheydroveslowlyalongYalburyBottom，wheretheroadpassedbetweentwocopses。Dickwastalkingtohiscompanion。
　　"Fancy，"hesaid，"whywearesohappyisbecausethereissuchfullconfidencebetweenus。EversincethattimeyouconfessedtothatlittleflirtationwithShinerbytheriver（whichwasreallynoflirtationatall），Ihavethoughthowartlessandgoodyoumustbetotellmeo’suchatriflingthing，andtobesofrightenedaboutitasyouwere。Ithaswonmetotellyoumyeverydeedandwordsincethen。We’llhavenosecretsfromeachother，darling，willweever？——nosecretatall。"
　　"Nonefromto—day，"saidFancy。"Hark！what’sthat？"
　　Fromaneighbouringthicketwassuddenlyheardtoissueinaloud，musical，andliquidvoice—
　　"Tippiwit！swe—e—et！ki—ki—ki！Comehither，comehither，comehither！"
　　"O，’tisthenightingale，"murmuredshe，andthoughtofasecretshewouldnevertell。
　　Footnotes：
　　{1}This，alocalexpression，mustbeacorruptionofsomethinglessquestionable。