AfterthePreachingINlessthananhourfromthattime，SethBedewaswalkingbyDinah’ssidealongthehedgerow-paththatskirtedthepasturesandgreencorn-fieldswhichlaybetweenthevillageandtheHallFarm。
DinahhadtakenoffherlittleQuakerbonnetagain，andwasholdingitinherhandsthatshemighthaveafreerenjoymentofthecooleveningtwilight，andSethcouldseetheexpressionofherfacequiteclearlyashewalkedbyherside，timidlyrevolvingsomethinghewantedtosaytoher。Itwasanexpressionofunconsciousplacidgravity——ofabsorptioninthoughtsthathadnoconnectionwiththepresentmomentorwithherownpersonality——anexpressionthatismostofalldiscouragingtoalover。Herverywalkwasdiscouraging:ithadthatquietelasticitythatasksfornosupport。Sethfeltthisdimly；hesaidtohimself，\"She’stoogoodandholyforanyman，letaloneme，\"andthewordshehadbeensummoningrushedbackagainbeforetheyhadreachedhislips。
Butanotherthoughtgavehimcourage:\"There’snomancouldloveherbetterandleaveherfreertofollowtheLord’swork。\"Theyhadbeensilentformanyminutesnow，sincetheyhaddonetalkingaboutBessyCranage；DinahseemedalmosttohaveforgottenSeth’spresence，andherpacewasbecomingsomuchquickerthatthesenseoftheirbeingonlyafewminutes’walkfromtheyard-gatesoftheHallFarmatlastgaveSethcouragetospeak。
\"You’vequitemadeupyourmindtogobacktoSnowfieldo’
Saturday，Dinah？\"
\"Yes，\"saidDinah，quietly。\"I’mcalledthere。ItwasborneinuponmymindwhileIwasmeditatingonSundaynight，asSisterAllen，who’sinadecline，isinneedofme。Isawherasplainasweseethatbitofthinwhitecloud，liftingupherpoorthinhandandbeckoningtome。AndthismorningwhenIopenedtheBiblefordirection，thefirstwordsmyeyesfellonwere，’Andafterwehadseenthevision，immediatelyweendeavouredtogointoMacedonia。’Ifitwasn’tforthatclearshowingoftheLord’swill，Ishouldbeloathtogo，formyheartyearnsovermyauntandherlittleones，andthatpoorwanderinglambHettySorrel。I’vebeenmuchdrawnoutinprayerforheroflate，andI
lookonitasatokenthattheremaybemercyinstoreforher。\"
\"Godgrantit，\"saidSeth。\"ForIdoubtAdam’sheartissosetonher，he’llneverturntoanybodyelse；andyetit’udgotomyheartifhewastomarryher，forIcannathinkasshe’dmakehimhappy。It’sadeepmystery——thewaytheheartofmanturnstoonewomanoutofalltheresthe’sseeni’theworld，andmakesiteasierforhimtoworksevenyearforHER，likeJacobdidforRachel，soonerthanhaveanyotherwomanforth’asking。Ioftenthinkofthemwords，’AndJacobservedsevenyearsforRachel；andtheyseemedtohimbutafewdaysforthelovehehadtoher。’I
knowthosewords’udcometruewithme，Dinah，ifsobeyou’dgivemehopeasImightwinyouaftersevenyearswasover。Iknowyouthinkahusband’udbetakinguptoomucho’yourthoughts，becauseSt。Paulsays，’Shethat’smarriedcarethforthethingsoftheworldhowshemaypleaseherhusband’；andmayhappenyou’llthinkmeoverboldtospeaktoyouaboutitagain，afterwhatyoutoldmeo’yourmindlastSaturday。ButI’vebeenthinkingitoveragainbynightandbyday，andI’veprayednottobeblindedbymyowndesires，tothinkwhat’sonlygoodformemustbegoodforyoutoo。Anditseemstomethere’smoretextsforyourmarryingthaneveryoucanfindagainstit。ForSt。Paulsaysasplainascanbeinanotherplace，’Iwillthattheyoungerwomenmarry，bearchildren，guidethehouse，givenoneoccasiontotheadversarytospeakreproachfully’；andthen’twoarebetterthanone’；andthatholdsgoodwithmarriageaswellaswithotherthings。Forweshouldbeo’oneheartando’onemind，Dinah。WebothservethesameMaster，andarestrivingafterthesamegifts；
andI’dneverbethehusbandtomakeaclaimonyouascouldinterferewithyourdoingtheworkGodhasfittedyoufor。I’dmakeashift，andfendindoorandout，togiveyoumoreliberty——
morethanyoucanhavenow，foryou’vegottogetyourownlivingnow，andI’mstrongenoughtoworkforusboth。\"
WhenSethhadoncebeguntourgehissuit，hewentonearnestlyandalmosthurriedly，lestDinahshouldspeaksomedecisivewordbeforehehadpouredforthalltheargumentshehadprepared。Hischeeksbecameflushedashewentonhismildgreyeyesfilledwithtears，andhisvoicetrembledashespokethelastsentence。Theyhadreachedoneofthoseverynarrowpassesbetweentwotallstones，whichperformedtheofficeofastileinLoamshire，andDinahpausedassheturnedtowardsSethandsaid，inhertenderbutcalmtreblenotes，\"SethBede，Ithankyouforyourlovetowardsme，andifIcouldthinkofanymanasmorethanaChristianbrother，Ithinkitwouldbeyou。Butmyheartisnotfreetomarry。Thatisgoodforotherwomen，anditisagreatandablessedthingtobeawifeandmother；but’asGodhasdistributedtoeveryman，astheLordhathcalledeveryman，solethimwalk。’Godhascalledmetoministertoothers，nottohaveanyjoysorsorrowsofmyown，buttorejoicewiththemthatdorejoice，andtoweepwiththosethatweep。Hehascalledmetospeakhisword，andhehasgreatlyownedmywork。ItcouldonlybeonaveryclearshowingthatIcouldleavethebrethrenandsistersatSnowfield，whoarefavouredwithverylittleofthisworld’sgood；wherethetreesarefew，sothatachildmightcountthem，andthere’sveryhardlivingforthepoorinthewinter。Ithasbeengivenmetohelp，tocomfort，andstrengthenthelittleflockthereandtocallinmanywanderers；andmysoulisfilledwiththesethingsfrommyrisinguptillmylyingdown。Mylifeistooshort，andGod’sworkistoogreatformetothinkofmakingahomeformyselfinthisworld。I’venotturnedadeafeartoyourwords，Seth，forwhenIsawasyourlovewasgiventome，IthoughtitmightbealeadingofProvidenceformetochangemywayoflife，andthatweshouldbefellow-helpers；andIspreadthematterbeforetheLord。ButwheneverItriedtofixmymindonmarriage，andourlivingtogether，otherthoughtsalwayscamein——thetimeswhenI’veprayedbythesickanddying，andthehappyhoursI’vehadpreaching，whenmyheartwasfilledwithlove，andtheWordwasgiventomeabundantly。AndwhenI’veopenedtheBiblefordirection，I’vealwayslightedonsomeclearwordtotellmewheremyworklay。Ibelievewhatyousay，Seth，thatyouwouldtrytobeahelpandnotahindrancetomywork；
butIseethatourmarriageisnotGod’swill——Hedrawsmyheartanotherway。Idesiretoliveanddiewithouthusbandorchildren。Iseemtohavenoroominmysoulforwantsandfearsofmyown，ithaspleasedGodtofillmyheartsofullwiththewantsandsufferingsofhispoorpeople。\"
Sethwasunabletoreply，andtheywalkedoninsilence。Atlast，astheywerenearlyattheyard-gate，hesaid，\"Well，Dinah，I
mustseekforstrengthtobearit，andtoendureasseeingHimwhoisinvisible。ButIfeelnowhowweakmyfaithis。Itseemsasif，whenyouaregone，Icouldneverjoyinanythinganymore。I
thinkit’ssomethingpassingtheloveofwomenasIfeelforyou，forIcouldbecontentwithoutyourmarryingmeifIcouldgoandliveatSnowfieldandbenearyou。ItrustedasthestrongloveGodhasgivenmetowardsyouwasaleadingforusboth；butitseemsitwasonlymeantformytrial。PerhapsIfeelmoreforyouthanIoughttofeelforanycreature，forIoftencan’thelpsayingofyouwhatthehymnsays——
Indarkestshadesifsheappear，Mydawningisbegun；
Sheismysoul’sbrightmorning-star，Andshemyrisingsun。
Thatmaybewrong，andIamtobetaughtbetter。Butyouwouldn’tbedispleasedwithmeifthingsturnedoutsoasIcouldleavethiscountryandgotoliveatSnowfield？\"
\"No，Seth；butIcounselyoutowaitpatiently，andnotlightlytoleaveyourowncountryandkindred。DonothingwithouttheLord’sclearbidding。It’sableakandbarrencountrythere，notlikethislandofGoshenyou’vebeenusedto。Wemustn’tbeinahurrytofixandchooseourownlot；wemustwaittobeguided。\"
\"Butyou’dletmewriteyoualetter，Dinah，iftherewasanythingIwantedtotellyou？\"
\"Yes，sure；letmeknowifyou’reinanytrouble。You’llbecontinuallyinmyprayers。\"
Theyhadnowreachedtheyard-gate，andSethsaid，\"Iwon’tgoin，Dinah，sofarewell。\"Hepausedandhesitatedaftershehadgivenhimherhand，andthensaid，\"There’snoknowingbutwhatyoumayseethingsdifferentafterawhile。Theremaybeanewleading。\"
\"Letusleavethat，Seth。It’sgoodtoliveonlyamomentatatime，asI’vereadinoneofMr。Wesley’sbooks。Itisn’tforyouandmetolayplans；we’venothingtodobuttoobeyandtotrust。
Farewell。\"
Dinahpressedhishandwithratherasadlookinherlovingeyes，andthenpassedthroughthegate，whileSethturnedawaytowalklingeringlyhome。Butinsteadoftakingthedirectroad，hechosetoturnbackalongthefieldsthroughwhichheandDinahhadalreadypassed；andIthinkhisbluelinenhandkerchiefwasverywetwithtearslongbeforehehadmadeuphismindthatitwastimeforhimtosethisfacesteadilyhomewards。Hewasbutthree-and-twenty，andhadonlyjustlearnedwhatitistolove——tolovewiththatadorationwhichayoungmangivestoawomanwhomhefeelstobegreaterandbetterthanhimself。Loveofthissortishardlydistinguishablefromreligiousfeeling。Whatdeepandworthyloveisso，whetherofwomanorchild，orartormusic。
Ourcaresses，ourtenderwords，ourstillraptureundertheinfluenceofautumnsunsets，orpillaredvistas，orcalmmajesticstatues，orBeethovensymphoniesallbringwiththemtheconsciousnessthattheyaremerewavesandripplesinanunfathomableoceanofloveandbeauty；ouremotioninitskeenestmomentpassesfromexpressionintosilence，ourloveatitshighestfloodrushesbeyonditsobjectandlosesitselfinthesenseofdivinemystery。AndthisblessedgiftofveneratinglovehasbeengiventotoomanyhumblecraftsmensincetheworldbeganforustofeelanysurprisethatitshouldhaveexistedinthesoulofaMethodistcarpenterhalfacenturyago，whiletherewasyetalingeringafter-glowfromthetimewhenWesleyandhisfellow-labourerfedonthehipsandhawsoftheCornwallhedges，afterexhaustinglimbsandlungsincarryingadivinemessagetothepoor。
Thatafterglowhaslongfadedaway；andthepictureweareapttomakeofMethodisminourimaginationisnotanamphitheatreofgreenhills，orthedeepshadeofbroad-leavedsycamores，whereacrowdofroughmenandweary-heartedwomendrankinafaithwhichwasarudimentaryculture，whichlinkedtheirthoughtswiththepast，liftedtheirimaginationabovethesordiddetailsoftheirownnarrowlives，andsuffusedtheirsoulswiththesenseofapitying，loving，infinitePresence，sweetassummertothehouselessneedy。ItistoopossiblethattosomeofmyreadersMethodismmaymeannothingmorethanlow-pitchedgablesupdingystreets，sleekgrocers，spongingpreachers，andhypocriticaljargon——elementswhichareregardedasanexhaustiveanalysisofMethodisminmanyfashionablequarters。
Thatwouldbeapity；forIcannotpretendthatSethandDinahwereanythingelsethanMethodists——notindeedofthatmoderntypewhichreadsquarterlyreviewsandattendsinchapelswithpillaredporticoes，butofaveryold-fashionedkind。Theybelievedinpresentmiracles，ininstantaneousconversions，inrevelationsbydreamsandvisions；theydrewlots，andsoughtforDivineguidancebyopeningtheBibleathazard；havingaliteralwayofinterpretingtheScriptures，whichisnotatallsanctionedbyapprovedcommentators；anditisimpossibieformetorepresenttheirdictionascorrect，ortheirinstructionasliberal。Still——
ifIhavereadreligioushistoryaright——faith，hope，andcharityhavenotalwaysbeenfoundinadirectratiowithasensibilitytothethreeconcords，anditispossible——thankHeaven！——tohaveveryerroneoustheoriesandverysublimefeelings。TherawbaconwhichclumsyMollysparesfromherownscantystorethatshemaycarryittoherneighbour’schildto\"stopthefits，\"maybeapiteouslyinefficaciousremedy；butthegenerousstirringofneighbourlykindnessthatpromptedthedeedhasabeneficentradiationthatisnotlost。
Consideringthesethings，wecanhardlythinkDinahandSethbeneathoursympathy，accustomedaswemaybetoweepovertheloftiersorrowsofheroinesinsatinbootsandcrinoline，andofheroesridingfieryhorses，themselvesriddenbystillmorefierypassions。
PoorSeth！Hewasneveronhorsebackinhislifeexceptonce，whenhewasalittlelad，andMr。JonathanBurgetookhimupbebind，tellinghimto\"holdontight\"；andinsteadofburstingoutintowildaccusingapostrophestoGodanddestiny，heisresolving，ashenowwalkshomewardsunderthesolemnstarlight，torepresshissadness，tobelessbentonhavinghisownwill，andtolivemoreforothers，asDinahdoes。
ChapterIV
HomeandItsSorrowsAGREENvalleywithabrookrunningthroughit，fullalmosttooverflowingwiththelaterains，overhungbylowstoopingwillows。
Acrossthisbrookaplankisthrown，andoverthisplankAdamBedeispassingwithhisundoubtingstep，followedclosebyGypwiththebasket；evidentlymakinghiswaytothethatchedhouse，withastackoftimberbythesideofit，abouttwentyyardsuptheoppositeslope。
Thedoorofthehouseisopen，andanelderlywomanislookingout；butsheisnotplacidlycontemplatingtheeveningsunshine；
shehasbeenwatchingwithdimeyesthegraduallyenlargingspeckwhichforthelastfewminutesshehasbeenquitesureisherdarlingsonAdam。LisbethBedeloveshersonwiththeloveofawomantowhomherfirst-bornhascomelateinlife。Sheisananxious，spare，yetvigorousoldwoman，cleanasasnowdrop。Hergreyhairisturnedneatlybackunderapurelinencapwithablackbandroundit；herbroadchestiscoveredwithabuffneckerchief，andbelowthisyouseeasortofshortbedgownmadeofblue-checkeredlinen，tiedroundthewaistanddescendingtothehips，fromwhencethereisaconsiderablelengthoflinsey-
woolseypetticoat。ForLisbethistall，andinotherpointstoothereisastronglikenessbetweenherandhersonAdam。Herdarkeyesaresomewhatdimnow——perhapsfromtoomuchcrying——butherbroadlymarkedeyebrowsarestillblack，herteetharesound，andasshestandsknittingrapidlyandunconsciouslywithherwork-
hardenedhands，shehasasfirmlyuprightanattitudeaswhensheiscarryingapailofwateronherheadfromthespring。Thereisthesametypeofframeandthesamekeenactivityoftemperamentinmotherandson，butitwasnotfromherthatAdamgothiswell-
filledbrowandhisexpressionoflarge-heartedintelligence。
Familylikenesshasoftenadeepsadnessinit。Nature，thatgreattragicdramatist，knitsustogetherbyboneandmuscle，anddividesusbythesubtlerwebofourbrains；blendsyearningandrepulsion；andtiesusbyourheart-stringstothebeingsthatjarusateverymovement。Wehearavoicewiththeverycadenceofourownutteringthethoughtswedespise；weseeeyes——ah，solikeourmother’s！——avertedfromusincoldalienation；andourlastdarlingchildstartlesuswiththeairandgesturesofthesisterwepartedfrominbitternesslongyearsago。Thefathertowhomweoweourbestheritage——themechanicalinstinct，thekeensensibilitytoharmony，theunconsciousskillofthemodellinghand——gallsusandputsustoshamebyhisdailyerrors；thelong-
lostmother，whosefacewebegintoseeintheglassasourownwrinklescome，oncefrettedouryoungsoulswithheranxioushumoursandirrationalpersistence。
Itissuchafondanxiousmother’svoicethatyouhear，asLisbethsays，\"Well，mylad，it’sgonesevenbyth’clock。Thee’tallaysstaytillthelastchild’sborn。Theewantsthysupper，I’llwarrand。Where’sSeth？Goneartersomeo’schapellin’，I
reckon？\"
\"Aye，aye，Seth’satnoharm，mother，theemaystbesure。
Butwhere’sfather？\"saidAdamquickly，asheenteredthehouseandglancedintotheroomonthelefthand，whichwasusedasaworkshop。\"Hasn’thedonethecoffinforTholer？There’sthestuffstandingjustasIleftitthismorning。\"
\"Donethecoffin？\"saidLisbeth，followinghim，andknittinguninterruptedly，thoughshelookedathersonveryanxiously。
\"Eh，mylad，hewentafftoTreddles’onthisforenoon，an’snivercomeback。Idoubthe’sgottoth’’WagginOverthrow’again。\"
AdeepflushofangerpassedrapidlyoverAdam’sface。Hesaidnothing，butthrewoffhisjacketandbegantorolluphisshirt-
sleevesagain。
\"Whatartgoin’todo，Adam？\"saidthemother，withatoneandlookofalarm。\"Theewouldstnagotoworkagain，wi’outha’inthybito’supper？\"
Adam，tooangrytospeak，walkedintotheworkshop。Buthismotherthrewdownherknitting，and，hurryingafterhim，tookholdofhisarm，andsaid，inatoneofplaintiveremonstrance，\"Nay，mylad，mylad，theemunnagowi’outthysupper；there’sthetaterswi’thegravyin’em，justastheelik’st’em。Isaved’emo’purposeforthee。Comean’ha’thysupper，come。\"
\"Letbe！\"saidAdamimpetuously，shakingheroffandseizingoneoftheplanksthatstoodagainstthewall。\"It’sfinetalkingabouthavingsupperwhenhere’sacoffinpromisedtobereadyatBrox’onbyseveno’clockto-morrowmorning，andoughttoha’beentherenow，andnotanailstruckyet。Mythroat’stoofulltoswallowvictuals。\"
\"Why，theecanstnagetthecoffinready，\"saidLisbeth。\"Thee’tworkthyselftodeath。It’udtaketheeallnighttodo’t。\"
\"Whatsignifieshowlongittakesme？Isn’tthecoffinpromised？
Cantheyburythemanwithoutacoffin？I’dworkmyrighthandoffsoonerthandeceivepeoplewithliesi’thatway。Itmakesmemadtothinkon’t。Ishalloverrunthesedoingsbeforelong。
I’vestoodenoughof’em。\"
PoorLisbethdidnothearthisthreatforthefirsttime，andifshehadbeenwiseshewouldhavegoneawayquietlyandsaidnothingforthenexthour。Butoneofthelessonsawomanmostrarelylearnsisnevertotalktoanangryoradrunkenman。
Lisbethsatdownonthechoppingbenchandbegantocry，andbythetimeshehadcriedenoughtomakehervoiceverypiteous，sheburstoutintowords。
\"Nay，mylad，mylad，theewouldstnagoawayan’breakthymother’sheart，an’leavethyfeythertoruin。Theewouldstnaha’
’emcarrymetoth’churchyard，an’theenottofollowme。I
shannaresti’mygraveifIdonnaseetheeatth’last；an’how’stheytolettheeknowasI’ma-dyin’，ifthee’tgonea-workin’i’
distantparts，an’Sethbelikegonearterthee，andthyfeythernotabletoholdapenfor’shandshakin’，besidesnotknowin’
wheretheeart？Theemunforgiethyfeyther——theemunnabesobitteragain’him。Hewaragoodfeythertotheeaforehetooktoth’drink。He’sacleverworkman，an’taughttheethytrade，remember，an’snivergenmeablownorsomuchasanillword——no，notevenin’sdrink。Theewouldstnaha’’mgototheworkhus——
thyownfeyther——an’himaswasafine-growedmanan’handyateverythin’amostastheeartthysen，five-an’-twenty’earago，whentheewastababyatthebreast。\"
Lisbeth’svoicebecamelouder，andchokedwithsobs——asortofwail，themostirritatingofallsoundswhererealsorrowsaretobeborneandrealworktobedone。Adambrokeinimpatiently。
\"Now，Mother，don’tcryandtalkso。Haven’tIgotenoughtovexmewithoutthat？What’sth’useo’tellingmethingsasIonlythinktoomuchoneveryday？IfIdidnathinkon’em，whyshouldIdoasIdo，forthesakeo’keepingthingstogetherhere？ButI
hatetobetalkingwhereit’snouse:Iliketokeepmybreathfordoingi’steado’talking。\"
\"Iknowtheedostthingsasnobodyelse’uddo，mylad。Butthee’tallayssohardupo’thyfeyther，Adam。Theethink’stnothingtoomuchtodoforSeth:theesnapp’stmeupifiverI
findfautwi’th’lad。Butthee’tsoangeredwi’thyfeyther，morenorwi’anybodyelse。\"
\"That’sbetterthanspeakingsoftandlettingthingsgothewrongway，Ireckon，isn’tit？IfIwasn’tsharpwithhimhe’dselleverybito’stuffi’th’yardandspenditondrink。Iknowthere’sadutytobedonebymyfather，butitisn’tmydutytoencouragehiminrunningheadlongtoruin。AndwhathasSethgottodowithit？TheladdoesnoharmasIknowof。Butleavemealone，Mother，andletmegetonwiththework。\"
Lisbethdarednotsayanymore；butshegotupandcalledGyp，thinkingtoconsoleherselfsomewhatforAdam’srefusalofthesuppershehadspreadoutinthelovingexpectationoflookingathimwhileheateit，byfeedingAdam’sdogwithextraliberality。
ButGypwaswatchinghismasterwithwrinkledbrowandearserect，puzzledatthisunusualcourseofthings；andthoughheglancedatLisbethwhenshecalledhim，andmovedhisfore-pawsuneasily，wellknowingthatshewasinvitinghimtosupper，hewasinadividedstateofmind，andremainedseatedonhishaunches，againfixinghiseyesanxiouslyonhismaster。AdamnoticedGyp’smentalconflict，andthoughhisangerhadmadehimlesstenderthanusualtohismother，itdidnotpreventhimfromcaringasmuchasusualforhisdog。Weareapttobekindertothebrutesthatloveusthantothewomenthatloveus。Isitbecausethebrutesaredumb？
\"Go，Gyp；go，lad！\"Adamsaid，inatoneofencouragingcommand；
andGyp，apparentlysatisfiedthatdutyandpleasurewereone，followedLisbethintothehouse-place。
Butnosoonerhadhelickeduphissupperthanhewentbacktohismaster，whileLisbethsatdownalonetocryoverherknitting。
Womenwhoareneverbitterandresentfulareoftenthemostquerulous；andifSolomonwasaswiseasheisreputedtobe，I
feelsurethatwhenhecomparedacontentiouswomantoacontinualdroppingonaveryrainyday，hehadnotavixeninhiseye——afurywithlongnails，acridandselfish。Dependuponit，hemeantagoodcreature，whohadnojoybutinthehappinessofthelovedoneswhomshecontributedtomakeuncomfortable，puttingbyallthetid-bitsforthemandspendingnothingonherself。SuchawomanasLisbeth，forexample——atoncepatientandcomplaining，self-renouncingandexacting，broodingthelivelongdayoverwhathappenedyesterdayandwhatislikelytohappento-morrow，andcryingveryreadilybothatthegoodandtheevil。ButacertainawemingleditselfwithheridolatrousloveofAdam，andwhenhesaid，\"Leavemealone，\"shewasalwayssilenced。
Sothehourspassed，totheloudtickingoftheoldday-clockandthesoundofAdam’stools。Atlasthecalledforalightandadraughtofwater(beerwasathingonlytobedrunkonholidays)，andLisbethventuredtosayasshetookitin，\"Thysupperstan’sreadyforthee，whentheelik’st。\"
\"Donnatheesitup，mother，\"saidAdam，inagentletone。Hehadworkedoffhisangernow，andwheneverhewishedtobeespeciallykindtohismother，hefellintohisstrongestnativeaccentanddialect，withwhichatothertimeshisspeechwaslessdeeplytinged。\"I’llseetoFatherwhenhecomeshome；maybehewonnacomeatallto-night。Ishallbeeasierifthee’ti’bed。\"
\"Nay，I’llbidetillSethcomes。Hewonnabelongnow，Ireckon。\"
Itwasthenpastninebytheclock，whichwasalwaysinadvanceofthedays，andbeforeithadstrucktenthelatchwasliftedandSethentered。Hehadheardthesoundofthetoolsashewasapproaching。
\"Why，Mother，\"hesaid，\"howisitasFather’sworkingsolate？\"
\"It’snoneo’thyfeytherasisa-workin’——theemightknowthatwellanoofifthyheadwarnafullo’chapellin’——it’sthybrotherasdoesiverything，forthere’snivernobodyelsei’th’waytodonothin’。\"
Lisbethwasgoingon，forshewasnotatallafraidofSeth，andusuallypouredintohisearsallthequerulousnesswhichwasrepressedbyheraweofAdam。Sethhadneverinhislifespokenaharshwordtohismother，andtimidpeoplealwayswreaktheirpeevishnessonthegentle。ButSeth，withananxiouslook，hadpassedintotheworkshopandsaid，\"Addy，how’sthis？What！
Father’sforgotthecoffin？\"
\"Aye，lad，th’oldtale；butIshallgetitdone，\"saidAdam，lookingupandcastingoneofhisbrightkeenglancesathisbrother。\"Why，what’sthematterwiththee？Thee’tintrouble。\"
Seth’seyeswerered，andtherewasalookofdeepdepressiononhismildface。
\"Yes，Addy，butit’swhatmustbeborne，andcan’tbehelped。
Why，thee’stneverbeentotheschool，then？\"
\"School？No，thatscrewcanwait，\"saidAdam，hammeringawayagain。
\"Letmetakemyturnnow，anddotheegotobed，\"saidSeth。
\"No，lad，I’drathergoon，nowI’minharness。Thee’thelpmetocarryittoBrox’onwhenit’sdone。I’llcalltheeupatsunrise。
Goandeatthysupper，andshutthedoorsoasImayn’thearMother’stalk。\"
SethknewthatAdamalwaysmeantwhathesaid，andwasnottobepersuadedintomeaninganythingelse。Soheturned，withratheraheavyheart，intothehouse-place。
\"Adam’snivertouchedabito’victualsin’homehe’scome，\"saidLisbeth。\"Ireckonthee’sthedthysupperatsomeo’thyMethodyfolks。\"
\"Nay，Mother，\"saidSeth，\"I’vehadnosupperyet。\"
\"Come，then，\"saidLisbeth，\"butdonnatheeatethetaters，forAdam’ullhappenate’emifIleave’emstannin’。Helovesabito’tatersan’gravy。Buthe’sbeensosorean’angered，hewouldn’tate’em，forallI’dputten’embyo’purposeforhim。
An’he’sbeena-threatenin’togoawayagain，\"shewenton，whimpering，\"an’I’mfastsurehe’llgosomedawnin’aforeI’mup，an’niverletmeknowaforehand，an’he’llnivercomebackagainwhenoncehe’sgone。An’I’dbetterniverha’hadason，asislikenootherbody’ssonforthedeftnessan’th’handiness，an’
solookedonbyth’gritfolks，an’tallan’uprightlikeapoplar-tree，an’metobepartedfromhiman’niversee’mnomore。\"
\"Come，Mother，donnagrievethyselfinvain，\"saidSeth，inasoothingvoice。\"Thee’stnothalfsogoodreasontothinkasAdam’ullgoawayastothinkhe’llstaywiththee。Hemaysaysuchathingwhenhe’sinwrath——andhe’sgotexcuseforbeingwrathfulsometimes——buthisheart’udneverlethimgo。Thinkhowhe’sstoodbyusallwhenit’sbeennonesoeasy——payinghissavingstofreemefromgoingforasoldier，an’turnin’hisearnin’sintowoodforfather，whenhe’sgotplentyo’usesforhismoney，andmanyayoungmanlikehim’udha’beenmarriedandsettledbeforenow。He’llneverturnroundandknockdownhisownwork，andforsakethemasit’sbeenthelabourofhislifetostandby。\"
\"Donnatalktomeabout’smarr’in’，\"saidLisbeth，cryingafresh。
\"He’sset’sheartonthatHettySorrel，as’ullniversaveapenny，an’’ulltossupherheadat’soldmother。An’tothinkashemightha’MaryBurge，an’betookpartners，an’beabigmanwi’workmenunderhim，likeMesterBurge——Dolly’stoldmesoo’erando’eragain——ifitwarnaashe’sset’sheartonthatbitofawench，asiso’nomoreusenorthegillyfloweronthewall。An’
hesowiseatbookin’an’figurin’，an’nottoknownobetternorthat！\"
\"But，Mother，theeknow’stwecannalovejustwhereotherfolks’udhaveus。There’snobodybutGodcancontroltheheartofman。
Icouldha’wishedmyselfasAdamcouldha’madeanotherchoice，butIwouldn’treproachhimforwhathecan’thelp。AndI’mnotsurebutwhathetriestoo’ercomeit。Butit’samatterashedoesn’tliketobespoketoabout，andIcanonlypraytotheLordtoblessanddirecthim。\"
\"Aye，thee’tallaysreadyenoughatprayin’，butIdonnaseeastheegetsmuchwi’thyprayin’。Theewotnagetdoubleearnin’so’
thissideYule。Th’Methodies’llnivermaketheehalfthemanthybrotheris，forallthey’rea-makin’apreacheronthee。\"
\"It’spartlytruththeespeak’stthere，Mother，\"saidSeth，mildly；\"Adam’sfarbeforeme，an’sdonemoreformethanIcaneverdoforhim。GoddistributestalentstoeverymanaccordingasHeseesgood。Buttheemustnaundervallyprayer。Prayermaynabringmoney，butitbringsuswhatnomoneycanbuy——apowertokeepfromsinandbecontentwithGod’swill，whateverHemaypleasetosend。IftheewouldstpraytoGodtohelpthee，andtrustinHisgoodness，theewouldstnabesouneasyaboutthings。\"
\"Unaisy？I’mi’th’righton’ttobeunaisy。It’swellseenonTHEEwhatitisnivertobeunaisy。Thee’tgi’awayallthyearnin’s，an’niverbeunaisyasthee’stnothin’laidupagain’arainyday。IfAdamhadbeenasaisyasthee，he’dniverha’hadnomoneytopayforthee。Takenothoughtforthemorrow——takenothought——that’swhatthee’tallayssayin’；an’whatcomeson’t？
Why，asAdamhastotakethoughtforthee。\"
\"Thosearethewordso’theBible，Mother，\"saidSeth。\"Theydon’tmeanasweshouldbeidle。Theymeanweshouldn’tbeoveranxiousandworretingourselvesaboutwhat’llhappento-
morrow，butdoourdutyandleavetheresttoGod’swill。\"
\"Aye，aye，that’sthewaywi’thee:theeallaysmakesapecko’
thyownwordsouto’apinto’theBible’s。Idonnaseehowthee’ttoknowas’takenothoughtforthemorrow’meansallthat。
An’whentheBible’ssuchabigbook，an’theecanstreadallthro’t，an’ha’thepicko’thetexes，Icannathinkwhytheedostnapickbetterwordsasdonnameansomuchmorenortheysay。
Adamdoesnapickathat’n；Icanunderstan’thetexashe’sallaysa-sayin’，’Godhelpsthemashelpstheirsens。’\"
\"Nay，Mother，\"saidSeth，\"that’snotexto’theBible。ItcomesoutofabookasAdampickedupatthestallatTreddles’on。Itwaswrotebyaknowingman，butoverworldly，Idoubt。However，thatsaying’spartlytrue；fortheBibletellsuswemustbeworkerstogetherwithGod。\"
\"Well，how’mItoknow？Itsoundslikeatex。Butwhat’sth’
matterwi’th’lad？Thee’thardlyatin’abito’supper。Dostnameantoha’nomorenorthatbito’oat-cake？An’theelookstaswhiteasaflicko’newbacon。What’sth’matterwi’thee？\"
\"Nothingtomindabout，Mother；I’mnothungry。I’lljustlookinatAdamagain，andseeifhe’llletmegoonwiththecoffin。\"
\"Ha’adropo’warmbroth？\"saidLisbeth，whosemotherlyfeelingnowgotthebetterofher\"nattering\"habit。\"I’llsettwo-threesticksa-lightinaminute。\"
\"Nay，Mother，thankthee；thee’tverygood，\"saidSeth，gratefully；andencouragedbythistouchoftenderness，hewenton:\"LetmeprayabitwiththeeforFather，andAdam，andallofus——it’llcomfortthee，happen，morethantheethinkst。\"
\"Well，I’venothin’tosayagain’it。\"
Lisbeth，thoughdisposedalwaystotakethenegativesideinherconversationswithSeth，hadavaguesensethattherewassomecomfortandsafetyinthefactofhispiety，andthatitsomehowrelievedherfromthetroubleofanyspiritualtransactionsonherownbehalf。
Sothemotherandsonkneltdowntogether，andSethprayedforthepoorwanderingfatherandforthosewhoweresorrowingforhimathome。AndwhenhecametothepetitionthatAdammightneverbecalledtosetuphistentinafarcountry，butthathismothermightbecheeredandcomfortedbyhispresenceallthedaysofherpilgrimage，Lisbeth’sreadytearsflowedagain，andsheweptaloud。
Whentheyrosefromtheirknees，SethwenttoAdamagainandsaid，\"Wiltonlyliedownforanhourortwo，andletmegoonthewhile？\"
\"No，Seth，no。MakeMothergotobed，andgothyself。\"
MeantimeLisbethhaddriedhereyes，andnowfollowedSeth，holdingsomethinginherhands。Itwasthebrown-and-yellowplattercontainingthebakedpotatoeswiththegravyinthemandbitsofmeatwhichshehadcutandmixedamongthem。Thoseweredeartimes，whenwheatenbreadandfreshmeatweredelicaciestoworkingpeople。ShesetthedishdownrathertimidlyonthebenchbyAdam’ssideandsaid，\"Theecanstpickabitwhilethee’tworkin’。I’llbringtheeanotherdropo’water。\"
\"Aye，Mother，do，\"saidAdam，kindly；\"I’mgettingverythirsty。\"
Inhalfanhourallwasquiet；nosoundwastobeheardinthehousebuttheloudtickingoftheoldday-clockandtheringingofAdam’stools。Thenightwasverystill:whenAdamopenedthedoortolookoutattwelveo’clock，theonlymotionseemedtobeintheglowing，twinklingstars；everybladeofgrasswasasleep。
Bodilyhasteandexertionusuallyleaveourthoughtsverymuchatthemercyofourfeelingsandimagination；anditwassoto-nightwithAdam。Whilehismuscleswereworkinglustily，hismindseemedaspassiveasaspectatoratadiorama:scenesofthesadpast，andprobablysadfuture，floatingbeforehimandgivingplaceonetotheotherinswiftsucession。
Hesawhowitwouldbeto-morrowmorning，whenhehadcarriedthecoffintoBroxtonandwasathomeagain，havinghisbreakfast:hisfatherperhapswouldcomeinashamedtomeethisson’sglance——
wouldsitdown，lookingolderandmoretotteringthanhehaddonethemorningbefore，andhangdownhishead，examiningthefloor-
quarries；whileLisbethwouldaskhimhowhesupposedthecoffinhadbeengotready，thathehadslinkedoffandleftundone——forLisbethwasalwaysthefirsttoutterthewordofreproach，althoughshecriedatAdam’sseveritytowardshisfather。
\"Soitwillgoon，worseningandworsening，\"thoughtAdam；
\"there’snoslippinguphillagain，andnostandingstillwhenonceyouvebeguntoslipdown。\"Andthenthedaycamebacktohimwhenhewasalittlefellowandusedtorunbyhisfather’sside，proudtobetakenouttowork，andprouderstilltohearhisfatherboastingtohisfellow-workmenhow\"thelittlechaphadanuncommonnotiono’carpentering。\"Whatafineactivefellowhisfatherwasthen！WhenpeopleaskedAdamwhoselittleladhewas，hehadasenseofdistinctionasheanswered，\"I’mThiasBede’slad。\"HewasquitesureeverybodyknewThiasBede——didn’themakethewonderfulpigeon-houseatBroxtonparsonage？Thosewerehappydays，especiallywhenSeth，whowasthreeyearstheyounger，begantogooutworkingtoo，andAdambegantobeateacheraswellasalearner。Butthencamethedaysofsadness，whenAdamwassomewayoninhisteens，andThiasbegantoloiteratthepublic-houses，andLisbethbegantocryathome，andtopourforthherplaintsinthehearingofhersons。Adamrememberedwellthenightofshameandanguishwhenhefirstsawhisfatherquitewildandfoolish，shoutingasongoutfitfullyamonghisdrunkencompanionsatthe\"WaggonOverthrown。\"Hehadrunawayoncewhenhewasonlyeighteen，makinghisescapeinthemorningtwilightwithalittlebluebundleoverhisshoulder，andhis\"mensurationbook\"inhispocket，andsayingtohimselfverydecidedlythathecouldbearthevexationsofhomenolonger——hewouldgoandseekhisfortune，settinguphisstickatthecrosswaysandbendinghisstepsthewayitfell。ButbythetimehegottoStoniton，thethoughtofhismotherandSeth，leftbehindtoendureeverythingwithouthim，becametooimportunate，andhisresolutionfailedhim。Hecamebackthenextday，butthemiseryandterrorhismotherhadgonethroughinthosetwodayshadhauntedhereversince。
\"No！\"Adamsaidtohimselfto-night，\"thatmustneverhappenagain。It’udmakeapoorbalancewhenmydoingsarecastupatthelast，ifmypooroldmotherstoodo’thewrongside。Myback’sbroadenoughandstrongenough；Ishouldbenobetterthanacowardtogoawayandleavethetroublestobebornebythemasaren’thalfsoable。’Theythatarestrongoughttobeartheinfirmitiesofthosethatareweak，andnottopleasethemselves。’
There’satextwantsnocandletoshow’t；itshinesbyitsownlight。It’splainenoughyougetintothewrongroadi’thislifeifyourunafterthisandthatonlyforthesakeo’makingthingseasyandpleasanttoyourself。Apigmaypokehisnoseintothetroughandthinko’nothingoutsideit；butifyou’vegotaman’sheartandsoulinyou，youcan’tbeeasya-makingyourownbedan’
leavingtheresttolieonthestones。Nay，nay，I’llneverslipmyneckouto’theyoke，andleavetheloadtobedrawnbytheweakuns。Father’sasorecrosstome，an’slikelytobeformanyalongyeartocome。Whatthen？I’vegotth’health，andthelimbs，andthesperrittobearit。\"
Atthismomentasmartrap，asifwithawillowwand，wasgivenatthehousedoor，andGyp，insteadofbarking，asmighthavebeenexpected，gavealoudhowl。Adam，verymuchstartled，wentatoncetothedoorandopenedit。Nothingwasthere；allwasstill，aswhenheopeneditanhourbefore；theleavesweremotionless，andthelightofthestarsshowedtheplacidfieldsonbothsidesofthebrookquiteemptyofvisiblelife。Adamwalkedroundthehouse，andstillsawnothingexceptaratwhichdartedintothewoodshedashepassed。Hewentinagain，wondering；thesoundwassopeculiarthatthemomentheheardititcalleduptheimageofthewillowwandstrikingthedoor。Hecouldnothelpalittleshudder，asherememberedhowoftenhismotherhadtoldhimofjustsuchasoundcomingasasignwhensomeonewasdying。Adamwasnotamantobegratuitouslysuperstitious，buthehadthebloodofthepeasantinhimaswellasoftheartisan，andapeasantcannomorehelpbelievinginatraditionalsuperstitionthanahorsecanhelptremblingwhenheseesacamel。Besides，hehadthatmentalcombinationwhichisatoncehumbleintheregionofmysteryandkeenintheregionofknowledge:itwasthedepthofhisreverencequiteasmuchashishardcommonsensewhichgavehimhisdisinclinationtodoctrinalreligion，andheoftencheckedSeth’sargumentativespiritualismbysaying，\"Eh，it’sabigmystery；theeknow’stbutlittleaboutit。\"AndsoithappenedthatAdamwasatoncepenetratingandcredulous。Ifanewbuildinghadfallendownandhehadbeentoldthatthiswasadivinejudgment，hewouldhavesaid，\"Maybe；butthebearingo’
theroofandwallswasn’tright，elseitwouldn’tha’comedown\"；
yethebelievedindreamsandprognostics，andtohisdyingdayhebatedhisbreathalittlewhenhetoldthestoryofthestrokewiththewillowwand。Itellitashetoldit，notattemptingtoreduceittoitsnaturalelements——inoureagernesstoexplainimpressions，weoftenloseourholdofthesympathythatcomprehendsthem。
Buthehadthebestantidoteagainstimaginativedreadinthenecessityforgettingonwiththecoffin，andforthenexttenminuteshishammerwasringingsouninterruptedly，thatothersounds，iftherewereany，mightwellbeoverpowered。Apausecame，however，whenhehadtotakeuphisruler，andnowagaincamethestrangerap，andagainGyphowled。Adamwasatthedoorwithoutthelossofamoment；butagainallwasstill，andthestarlightshowedtherewasnothingbutthedew-ladengrassinfrontofthecottage。
Adamforamomentthoughtuncomfortablyabouthisfather；butoflateyearshehadnevercomehomeatdarkhoursfromTreddleston，andtherewaseveryreasonforbelievingthathewasthensleepingoffhisdrunkennessatthe\"WaggonOverthrown。\"Besides，toAdam，theconceptionofthefuturewassoinseparablefromthepainfulimageofhisfatherthatthefearofanyfatalaccidenttohimwasexcludedbythedeeplyinfixedfearofhiscontinualdegradation。
Thenextthoughtthatoccurredtohimwasonethatmadehimslipoffhisshoesandtreadlightlyupstairs，tolistenatthebedroomdoors。ButbothSethandhismotherwerebreathingregularly。
Adamcamedownandsettoworkagain，sayingtohimself，\"Iwon’topenthedooragain。It’snousestaringabouttocatchsightofasound。Maybethere’saworldaboutusaswecan’tsee，butth’
ear’squickerthantheeyeandcatchesasoundfrom’tnowandthen。Somepeoplethinktheygetasighton’ttoo，butthey’remostlyfolkswhoseeyesarenotmuchuseto’ematanythingelse。
Formypart，Ithinkit’sbettertoseewhenyourperpendicular’struethantoseeaghost。\"
Suchthoughtsastheseareapttogrowstrongerandstrongerasdaylightquenchesthecandlesandthebirdsbegintosing。Bythetimetheredsunlightshoneonthebrassnailsthatformedtheinitialsonthelidofthecoffin，anylingeringforebodingfromthesoundofthewillowwandwasmergedinsatisfactionthattheworkwasdoneandthepromiseredeemed。TherewasnoneedtocallSeth，forhewasalreadymovingoverhead，andpresentlycamedownstairs。
\"Now，lad，\"saidAdam，asSethmadehisappearance，\"thecoffin’sdone，andwecantakeitovertoBrox’on，andbebackagainbeforehalfaftersix。I’lltakeamouthfulo’oat-cake，andthenwe’llbeoff。\"
Thecoffinwassoonproppedonthetallshouldersofthetwobrothers，andtheyweremakingtheirway，followedclosebyGyp，outofthelittlewoodyardintothelaneatthebackofthehouse。
ItwasbutaboutamileandahalftoBroxtonovertheoppositeslope，andtheirroadwoundverypleasantlyalonglanesandacrossfields，wherethepalewoodbinesandthedog-roseswerescentingthehedgerows，andthebirdsweretwitteringandtrillinginthetallleafyboughsofoakandelm。Itwasastrangelymingledpicture——thefreshyouthofthesummermorning，withitsEdenlikepeaceandloveliness，thestalwartstrengthofthetwobrothersintheirrustyworkingclothes，andthelongcoffinontheirshoulders。TheypausedforthelasttimebeforeasmallfarmhouseoutsidethevillageofBroxton。Bysixo’clockthetaskwasdonethecoffinnaileddown，andAdamandSethwereontheirwayhome。
Theychoseashorterwayhomewards，whichwouldtakethemacrossthefieldsandthebrookinfrontofthehouse。AdamhadnotmentionedtoSethwhathadhappenedinthenight，buthestillretainedsufficientimpressionfromithimselftosay，\"Seth，lad，ifFatherisn’tcomehomebythetimewe’vehadourbreakfast，I
thinkit’llbeaswellfortheetogoovertoTreddles’onandlookafterhim，andtheecanstgetmethebrasswireIwant。Nevermindaboutlosinganhouratthywork；wecanmakethatup。Whatdostsay？\"
\"I’mwilling，\"saidSeth。\"Butseewhatcloudshavegatheredsincewesetout。I’mthinkingweshallhavemorerain。It’llbeasoretimeforth’haymakingifthemeadowsarefloodedagain。
Thebrook’sfineandfullnow:anotherday’srain’udcovertheplank，andweshouldhavetogoroundbytheroad。\"
Theywerecomingacrossthevalleynow，andhadenteredthepasturethroughwhichthebrookran。
\"Why，what’sthatstickingagainstthewillow？\"continuedSeth，beginningtowalkfaster。Adam’sheartrosetohismouth:thevagueanxietyabouthisfatherwaschangedintoagreatdread。HemadenoanswertoSeth，butranforwardprecededbyGyp，whobegantobarkuneasily；andintwomomentshewasatthebridge。
Thiswaswhattheomenmeant，then！Andthegrey-hairedfather，ofwhomhehadthoughtwithasortofhardnessafewhoursago，ascertaintolivetobeathorninhissidewasperhapseventhenstrugglingwiththatwaterydeath！ThiswasthefirstthoughtthatflashedthroughAdam’sconscience，beforehehadtimetoseizethecoatanddragoutthetallheavybody。Sethwasalreadybyhisside，helpinghim，andwhentheyhaditonthebank，thetwosonsinthefirstmomentkneltandlookedwithmuteaweattheglazedeyes，forgettingthattherewasneedforaction——forgettingeverythingbutthattheirfatherlaydeadbeforethem。Adamwasthefirsttospeak。
\"I’llruntoMother，\"hesaid，inaloudwhisper。\"I’llbebacktotheeinaminute。\"
PoorLisbethwasbusypreparinghersons’breakfast，andtheirporridgewasalreadysteamingonthefire。Herkitchenalwayslookedthepinkofcleanliness，butthismorningshewasmorethanusuallybentonmakingherhearthandbreakfast-tablelookcomfortableandinviting。
\"Thelads’ullbefinean’hungry，\"shesaid，half-aloud，asshestirredtheporridge。\"It’sagoodsteptoBrox’on，an’it’shungryairo’erthehill——wi’thatheavycoffintoo。Eh！It’sheaviernow，wi’poorBobTholerin’t。Howiver，I’vemadeadrapmoreporridgenorcommonthismornin’。Thefeyther’ullhappencomeinarterabit。Notashe’llatemuchporridge。Heswallerssixpenn’ortho’ale，an’savesahap’ortho’por-ridge——that’shiswayo’layin’bymoney，asI’vetoldhimmanyatime，an’amlikelytotellhimagainaforetheday’sout。Eh，poormon，hetakesitquietenough；there’snodenyin’that。\"
ButnowLisbethheardtheheavy\"thud\"ofarunningfootstepontheturf，and，turningquicklytowardsthedoor，shesawAdamenter，lookingsopaleandoverwhelmedthatshescreamedaloudandrushedtowardshimbeforehehadtimetospeak。
\"Hush，Mother，\"Adamsaid，ratherhoarsely，\"don’tbefrightened。
Father’stumbledintothewater。Belikewemaybringhimroundagain。Sethandmearegoingtocarryhimin。Getablanketandmakeithotasthefire。\"
InrealityAdamwasconvincedthathisfatherwasdeadbutheknewtherewasnootherwayofrepressinghismother’simpetuouswailinggriefthanbyoccupyingherwithsomeactivetaskwhichhadhopeinit。
HeranbacktoSeth，andthetwosonsliftedthesadburdeninheart-strickensilence。Thewide-openglazedeyesweregrey，likeSeth’s，andhadoncelookedwithmildprideontheboysbeforewhomThiashadlivedtohanghisheadinshame。Seth’schieffeelingwasaweanddistressatthissuddensnatchingawayofhisfather’ssoul；butAdam’smindrushedbackoverthepastinafloodofrelentingandpity。Whendeath，thegreatReconciler，hascome，itisneverourtendernessthatwerepentof，butourseverity。
TheRectorBEFOREtwelveo’clocktherehadbeensomeheavystormsofrain，andthewaterlayindeepguttersonthesidesofthegravelwalksinthegardenofBroxtonParsonage；thegreatProvenceroseshadbeencruellytossedbythewindandbeatenbytherain，andallthedelicate-stemmedborderflowershadbeendasheddownandstainedwiththewetsoil。Amelancholymorning——becauseitwasnearlytimehay-harvestshouldbegin，andinsteadofthatthemeadowswerelikelytobeflooded。
Butpeoplewhohavepleasanthomesgetindoorenjoymentsthattheywouldneverthinkofbutfortherain。Ifithadnotbeenawetmorning，Mr。Irwinewouldnothavebeeninthedining-roomplayingatchesswithhismother，andhelovesbothhismotherandchessquitewellenoughtopasssomecloudyhoursveryeasilybytheirhelp。Letmetakeyouintothatdining-roomandshowyoutheRev。
AdolphusIrwine，RectorofBroxton，VicarofHayslope，andVicarofBlythe，apluralistatwhomtheseverestChurchreformerwouldhavefounditdifficulttolooksour。Wewillenterverysoftlyandstandstillintheopendoorway，withoutawakingtheglossy-
brownsetterwhoisstretchedacrossthehearth，withhertwopuppiesbesideher；orthepug，whoisdozing，withhisblackmuzzlealoft，likeasleepypresident。
Theroomisalargeandloftyone，withanamplemullionedorielwindowatoneend；thewalls，yousee，arenew，andnotyetpainted；butthefurniture，thoughoriginallyofanexpensivesort，isoldandscanty，andthereisnodraperyaboutthewindow。
Thecrimsonclothoverthelargedining-tableisverythreadbare，thoughitcontrastspleasantlyenoughwiththedeadhueoftheplasteronthewalls；butonthiscloththereisamassivesilverwaiterwithadecanterofwateronit，ofthesamepatternastwolargeronesthatareproppeduponthesideboardwithacoatofarmsconspicuousintheircentre。Yoususpectatoncethattheinhabitantsofthisroomhaveinheritedmorebloodthanwealth，andwouldnotbesurprisedtofindthatMr。Irwinehadafinelycutnostrilandupperlip；butatpresentwecanonlyseethathehasabroadflatbackandanabundanceofpowderedhair，allthrownbackwardandtiedbehindwithablackribbon——abitofconservatismincostumewhichtellsyouthatheisnotayoungman。Hewillperhapsturnroundbyandby，andinthemeantimewecanlookatthatstatelyoldlady，hismother，abeautifulagedbrunette，whoserich-tonedcomplexioniswellsetoffbythecomplexwrappingsofpurewhitecambricandlaceaboutherheadandneck。SheisaserectinhercomelyembonpointasastatueofCeres；andherdarkface，withitsdelicateaquilinenose，firmproudmouth，andsmall，intense，blackeye，issokeenandsarcasticinitsexpressionthatyouinstinctivelysubstituteapackofcardsforthechess-menandimaginehertellingyourfortune。Thesmallbrownhandwithwhichsheisliftingherqueenisladenwithpearls，diamonds，andturquoises；andalargeblackveilisverycarefullyadjustedoverthecrownofhercap，andfallsinsharpcontrastonthewhitefoldsaboutherneck。Itmusttakealongtimetodressthatoldladyinthemorning！Butitseemsalawofnaturethatsheshouldbedressedso:sheisclearlyoneofthosechildrenofroyaltywhohaveneverdoubtedtheirrightdivineandnevermetwithanyonesoabsurdastoquestionit。
\"There，Dauphin，tellmewhatthatis！\"saysthismagnificentoldlady，asshedepositsherqueenveryquietlyandfoldsherarms。
\"Ishouldbesorrytoutteraworddisagreeabletoyourfeelings。\"
\"Ah，youwitch-mother，yousorceress！HowisaChristianmantowinagameoffyou？Ishouldhavesprinkledtheboardwithholywaterbeforewebegan。You’venotwonthatgamebyfairmeans，now，sodon’tpretendit。\"
\"Yes，yes，that’swhatthebeatenhavealwayssaidofgreatconquerors。Butsee，there’sthesunshinefallingontheboard，toshowyoumoreclearlywhatafoolishmoveyoumadewiththatpawn。Come，shallIgiveyouanotherchance？\"
\"No，Mother，Ishallleaveyoutoyourownconscience，nowit’sclearingup。Wemustgoandplashupthemudalittle，mus’n’twe，Juno？\"Thiswasaddressedtothebrownsetter，whohadjumpedupatthesoundofthevoicesandlaidhernoseinaninsinuatingwayonhermaster’sleg。\"ButImustgoupstairsfirstandseeAnne。IwascalledawaytoTholer’sfuneraljustwhenIwasgoingbefore。\"
\"It’sofnouse，child；shecan’tspeaktoyou。Katesaysshehasoneofherworstheadachesthismorning。\"
\"Oh，shelikesmetogoandseeherjustthesame；she’snevertooilltocareaboutthat。\"
Ifyouknowhowmuchofhumanspeechismerepurposelessimpulseorhabit，youwillnotwonderwhenItellyouthatthisidenticalobjectionhadbeenmade，andhadreceivedthesamekindofanswer，manyhundredtimesinthecourseofthefifteenyearsthatMr。
Irwine’ssisterAnnehadbeenaninvalid。Splendidoldladies，whotakealongtimetodressinthemorning，haveoftenslightsympathywithsicklydaughters。
ButwhileMr。Irwinewasstillseated，leaningbackinhischairandstrokingJuno’shead，theservantcametothedoorandsaid，\"Ifyouplease，sir，JoshuaRannwishestospeakwithyou，ifyouareatliberty。\"
\"Lethimbeshowninhere，\"saidMrs。Irwine，takingupherknitting。\"IalwaysliketohearwhatMr。Rannhasgottosay。
Hisshoeswillbedirty，butseethathewipesthemCarroll。\"
IntwominutesMr。Rannappearedatthedoorwithverydeferentialbows，which，however，werefarfromconciliatingPug，whogaveasharpbarkandranacrosstheroomtoreconnoitrethestranger’slegs；whilethetwopuppies，regardingMr。Rann’sprominentcalfandribbedworstedstockingsfromamoresensuouspointofview，plungedandgrowledoverthemingreatenjoyment。Meantime，Mr。
Irwineturnedroundhischairandsaid，\"Well，Joshua，anythingthematteratHayslope，thatyou’vecomeoverthisdampmorning？
Sitdown，sitdown。Nevermindthedogs；givethemafriendlykick。Here，Pug，yourascal！\"
Itisverypleasanttoseesomementurnround；pleasantasasuddenrushofwarmairinwinter，ortheflashoffirelightinthechilldusk。Mr。Irwinewasoneofthosemen。Heborethesamesortofresemblancetohismotherthatourlovingmemoryofafriend’sfaceoftenbearstothefaceitself:thelineswereallmoregenerous，thesmilebrighter，theexpressionheartier。Iftheoutlinehadbeenlessfinelycut，hisfacemighthavebeencalledjolly；butthatwasnottherightwordforitsmixtureofbonhomieanddistinction。
\"ThankYourReverence，\"answeredMr。Rann，endeavouringtolookunconcernedabouthislegs，butshakingthemalternatelytokeepoffthepuppies；\"I’llstand，ifyouplease，asmorebecoming。I
hopeIseeyouan’Mrs。Irwinewell，an’MissIrwine——an’MissAnne，Ihope’saswellasusual。\"
\"Yes，Joshua，thankyou。Youseehowbloomingmymotherlooks。
Shebeatsusyoungerpeoplehollow。Butwhat’sthematter？\"
\"Why，sir，IhadtocometoBrox’ontodeliversomework，andI
thoughtitbutrighttocallandletyouknowthegoins-onasthere’sbeeni’thevillage，suchasIhannaseeni’mytime，andI’velivedinitmanandboysixtyyearcomeSt。Thomas，andcollectedth’EasterduesforMr。BlickbeforeYourReverencecomeintotheparish，andbeenattheringin’o’everybell，andthediggin’o’everygrave，andsungi’thechoirlongaforeBartleMasseycomefromnobodyknowswhere，wi’hiscounter-singin’andfineanthems，asputseverybodyoutbuthimself——onetakin’itupafteranotherlikesheepa-bleatin’i’th’fold。Iknowwhatbelongstobein’aparishclerk，andIknowasIshouldbewantin’
i’respecttoYourReverence，an’church，an’king，ifIwast’
allowsuchgoins-onwi’outspeakin’。Iwastookbysurprise，an’
knowednothin’onitbeforehand，an’Iwassoflustered，IwascleanasifI’dlostmytools。Ihannaslep’morenorfourhourthisnightasispastan’gone；an’thenitwasnothin’butnightmare，astiredmeworsenorwakin’。\"
\"Why，whatintheworldisthematter，Joshua？Havethethievesbeenatthechurchleadagain？\"
\"Thieves！No，sir——an’yet，asImaysay，itisthieves，an’a-
thievin’thechurch，too。It’stheMethodissesasisliketogetth’upperhandi’th’parish，ifYourReverencean’HisHonour，SquireDonnithorne，doesnathinkwelltosaythewordan’forbidit。NotasI’ma-dictatin’toyou，sir；I’mnotforgettin’myselfsofarastobewiseabovemybetters。Howiver，whetherI’mwiseorno，that’sneitherherenorthere，butwhatI’vegottosayI
say——astheyoungMethodiswomanasisatMesterPoyser’swasa-
preachin’an’a-prayin’ontheGreenlastnight，assureasI’ma-
stannin’aforeYourReverencenow。\"
\"PreachingontheGreen！\"saidMr。Irwine，lookingsurprisedbutquiteserene。\"What，thatpaleprettyyoungwomanI’veseenatPoyser’s？IsawshewasaMethodist，orQuaker，orsomethingofthatsort，byherdress，butIdidn’tknowshewasapreacher。\"
\"It’satruewordasIsay，sir，\"rejoinedMr。Rann，compressinghismouthintoasemicircularformandpausinglongenoughtoindicatethreenotesofexclamation。\"ShepreachedontheGreenlastnight；an’she’slaidholdofChad’sBess，asthegirl’sbeeni’fitswellyiversin’。\"
\"Well，BessyCranageisahearty-lookinglass；Idaresayshe’llcomeroundagain，Joshua。Didanybodyelsegointofits？\"
\"No，sir，Icannasayastheydid。Butthere’snoknowin’what’llcome，ifwe’ret’havesuchpreachin’sasthata-goin’oniveryweek——there’llbenolivin’i’th’village。ForthemMethodissesmakefolksbelieveasiftheytakeamugo’drinkextry，an’maketheirselvesabitcomfortable，they’llhavetogotohellfor’tassureasthey’reborn。I’mnotatipplin’mannoradrunkard
