nobodycansayitonme——butIlikeaextryquartatEasterorChristmastime，asisnat’ralwhenwe’regoin’theroundsa-
singin’，an’folksoffer’tyoufornothin’；orwhenI’ma-
collectin’thedues；an’Ilikeapintwi’mypipe，an’aneighbourlychatatMesterCasson’snowan’then，forIwasbroughtupi’theChurch，thankGod，an’ha’beenaparishclerkthistwo-an’-thirtyyear:Ishouldknowwhatthechurchreligionis。\"
\"Well，what’syouradvice，Joshua？Whatdoyouthinkshouldbedone？\"
\"Well，YourReverence，I’mnotfortakin’anymeasuresagain’theyoungwoman。She’swellenoughifshe’dletalonepreachin’；an’
Ihearasshe’sa-goin’awaybacktoherowncountrysoon。She’sMr。Poyser’sownniece，an’Idonnawishtosaywhat’sanywaysdisrespectfulo’th’familyatth’HallFarm，asI’vemeasuredforshoes，littlean’big，wellyiversin’I’vebeenashoemaker。Butthere’sthatWillMaskery，sirasistherampageousestMethodisascanbe，an’Imakenodoubtitwashimasstirredupth’youngwomantopreachlastnight，an’he’llbea-bringin’otherfolkstopreachfromTreddles’on，ifhiscombisn’tcutabit；an’Ithinkasheshouldbeletknowasheisnat’havethemakin’an’mendin’
o’churchcartsan’implemen’s，letalonestayin’i’thathousean’yardasisSquireDonnithorne’s。\"
\"Well，butyousayyourself，Joshua，thatyouneverknewanyonecometopreachontheGreenbefore；whyshouldyouthinkthey’llcomeagain？TheMethodistsdon’tcometopreachinlittlevillageslikeHayslope，wherethere’sonlyahandfuloflabourers，tootiredtolistentothem。TheymightalmostaswellgoandpreachontheBintonHills。WillMaskeryisnopreacherhimself，Ithink。\"
\"Nay，sir，he’snogiftatstringin’thewordstogetherwi’outbook；he’dbestuckfastlikeacowi’wetclay。Buthe’sgottongueenoughtospeakdisrespectfulabout’sneebors，forhesaidasIwasablindPharisee——a-usin’theBiblei’thatwaytofindnick-namesforfolksasarehiseldersan’betters！——andwhat’sworse，he’sbeenheardtosayveryunbecomin’wordsaboutYourReverence；forIcouldbringthemas’udswearashecalledyoua’dumbdog，’an’a’idleshepherd。’You’llforgi’emeforsayin’
suchthingsoveragain。\"
\"Betternot，betternot，Joshua。Letevilwordsdieassoonasthey’respoken。WillMaskerymightbeagreatdealworsefellowthanheis。Heusedtobeawilddrunkenrascal，neglectinghisworkandbeatinghiswife，theytoldme；nowhe’sthriftyanddecent，andheandhiswifelookcomfortabletogether。Ifyoucanbringmeanyproofthatheinterfereswithhisneighboursandcreatesanydisturbance，Ishallthinkitmydutyasaclergymanandamagistratetointerfere。Butitwouldn’tbecomewisepeoplelikeyouandmetobemakingafussabouttrifles，asifwethoughttheChurchwasindangerbecauseWillMaskeryletshistonguewagratherfoolishly，orayoungwomantalksinaseriouswaytoahandfulofpeopleontheGreen。Wemust’liveandletlive，’Joshua，inreligionaswellasinotherthings。Yougoondoingyourduty，asparishclerkandsexton，aswellasyou’vealwaysdoneit，andmakingthosecapitalthickbootsforyourneighbours，andthingswon’tgofarwronginHayslope，dependuponit。\"
\"YourReverenceisverygoodtosayso；an’I’msensableas，younotlivin’i’theparish，there’smoreupo’myshoulders。\"
\"Tobesure；andyoumustmindandnotlowertheChurchinpeople’seyesbyseemingtobefrightenedaboutitforalittlething，Joshua。Ishalltrusttoyourgoodsense，nowtotakenonoticeatallofwhatWillMaskerysays，eitheraboutyouorme。
Youandyourneighbourscangoontakingyourpotofbeersoberly，whenyou’vedoneyourday’swork，likegoodchurchmen；andifWillMaskerydoesn’tliketojoinyou，buttogotoaprayermeetingatTreddlestoninstead，lethim；that’snobusinessofyours，solongashedoesn’thinderyoufromdoingwhatyoulike。Andastopeoplesayingafewidlewordsaboutus，wemustnotmindthat，anymorethantheoldchurch-steeplemindstherookscawingaboutit。WillMaskerycomestochurcheverySundayafternoon，anddoeshiswheelwright’sbusinesssteadilyintheweekdays，andaslongashedoesthathemustbeletalone。\"
\"Ah，sir，butwhenhecomestochurch，hesitsan’shakeshishead，an’looksassouran’ascoxywhenwe’rea-singin’asI
shouldliketofetchhimarapacrossthejowl——Godforgi’eme——
an’Mrs。Irwine，an’YourReverencetoo，forspeakin’soaforeyou。An’hesaidasourChristmassingin’wasnobetternorthecracklin’o’thornsunderapot。\"
\"Well，he’sgotabadearformusic，Joshua。Whenpeoplehavewoodenheads，youknow，itcan’tbehelped。Hewon’tbringtheotherpeopleinHaysloperoundtohisopinion，whileyougoonsingingaswellasyoudo。\"
\"Yes，sir，butitturnsaman’sstomacht’heartheScripturemisusedi’thatway。Iknowasmucho’thewordso’theBibleashedoes，an’couldsaythePsalmsrightthroughi’mysleepifyouwastopinchme；butIknowbetternortotake’emtosaymyownsaywi’。ImightaswelltaketheSacriment-cuphomeanduseitatmeals。\"
\"That’saverysensibleremarkofyours，Joshua；but，asIsaidbefore——\"
WhileMr。Irwinewasspeaking，thesoundofabootedstepandtheclinkofaspurwereheardonthestoneflooroftheentrance-
hall，andJoshuaRannmovedhastilyasidefromthedoorwaytomakeroomforsomeonewhopausedthere，andsaid，inaringingtenorvoice，\"GodsonArthur——mayhecomein？\"
\"Comein，comein，godson！\"Mrs。Irwineanswered，inthedeephalf-masculinetonewhichbelongstothevigorousoldwoman，andthereenteredayounggentlemaninariding-dress，withhisrightarminasling；whereuponfollowedthatpleasantconfusionoflaughinginterjections，andhand-shakings，and\"Howareyou’s？\"
mingledwithjoyousshortbarksandwaggingoftailsonthepartofthecaninemembersofthefamily，whichtellsthatthevisitorisonthebesttermswiththevisited。TheyounggentlemanwasArthurDonnithorne，knowninHayslope，variously，as\"theyoungsquire，\"\"theheir，\"and\"thecaptain。\"HewasonlyacaptainintheLoamshireMilitia，buttotheHayslopetenantshewasmoreintenselyacaptainthanalltheyounggentlemenofthesamerankinhisMajesty’sregulars——heoutshonethemastheplanetJupiteroutshinestheMilkyWay。Ifyouwanttoknowmoreparticularlyhowhelooked，calltoyourremembrancesometawny-whiskered，brown-locked，clear-complexionedyoungEnglishmanwhomyouhavemetwithinaforeigntown，andbeenproudofasafellow-
countryman——well-washed，high-bred，white-handed，yetlookingasifhecoulddeliverwellfrom’theleftshoulderandfloorhisman:Iwillnotbesomuchofatailorastotroubleyourimaginationwiththedifferenceofcostume，andinsistonthestripedwaistcoat，long-tailedcoat，andlowtop-boots。
Turningroundtotakeachair，CaptainDonnithornesaid，\"Butdon’tletmeinterruptJoshua’sbusiness——hehassomethingtosay。\"
\"HumblybeggingYourHonour’spardon，\"saidJoshua，bowinglow，\"therewasonethingIhadtosaytoHisReverenceasotherthingshaddroveouto’myhead。\"
\"Outwithit，Joshua，quickly！\"saidMr。Irwine。
\"Belike，sir，youhavenahearedasThiasBede’sdead——drowndedthismorning，ormorelikeovernight，i’theWillowBrook，again’
thebridgerighti’fronto’thehouse。\"
\"Ah！\"exclaimedboththegentlemenatonce，asiftheywereagooddealinterestedintheinformation。
\"An’SethBede’sbeentomethismorningtosayhewishedmetotellYourReverenceashisbrotherAdambeggedofyouparticulart’allowhisfather’sgravetobedugbytheWhiteThorn，becausehismother’ssetherheartonit，onaccountofadreamasshehad；an’they’dha’cometheirselvestoaskyou，butthey’vesomuchtoseeafterwiththecrowner，an’that；an’theirmother’stookonso，an’wants’emtomakesureo’thespotforfearsomebodyelseshouldtakeit。An’ifYourReverenceseeswellandgood，I’llsendmyboytotell’emassoonasIgethome；an’
that’swhyImakeboldtotroubleyouwi’it，HisHonourbeingpresent。\"
\"Tobesure，Joshua，tobesure，theyshallhaveit。I’llrideroundtoAdammyself，andseehim。Sendyourboy，however，tosaytheyshallhavethegrave，lestanythingshouldhappentodetainme。Andnow，goodmorning，Joshua；gointothekitchenandhavesomeale。\"
\"PooroldThias！\"saidMr。Irwine，whenJoshuawasgone。\"I’mafraidthedrinkhelpedthebrooktodrownhim。IshouldhavebeengladfortheloadtohavebeentakenoffmyfriendAdam’sshouldersinalesspainfulway。Thatfinefellowhasbeenproppinguphisfatherfromruinforthelastfiveorsixyears。\"
\"He’saregulartrump，isAdam，\"saidCaptainDonnithorne。\"WhenIwasalittlefellow，andAdamwasastrappingladoffifteen，andtaughtmecarpentering，IusedtothinkifeverIwasarichsultan，IwouldmakeAdammygrand-vizier。AndIbelievenowhewouldbeartheexaltationaswellasanypoorwisemaninanEasternstory。IfeverIlivetobealarge-acredmaninsteadofapoordevilwithamortgagedallowanceofpocket-money，I’llhaveAdamformyrighthand。Heshallmanagemywoodsforme，forheseemstohaveabetternotionofthosethingsthananymanIevermetwith；andIknowhewouldmaketwicethemoneyofthemthatmygrandfatherdoes，withthatmiserableoldSatchelltomanage，whounderstandsnomoreabouttimberthananoldcarp。I’vementionedthesubjecttomygrandfatheronceortwice，butforsomereasonorotherhehasadisliketoAdam，andIcandonothing。Butcome，YourReverence，areyouforaridewithme？It’ssplendidoutofdoorsnow。WecangotoAdam’stogether，ifyoulike；butIwanttocallattheHallFarmonmyway，tolookatthewhelpsPoyseriskeepingforme。\"
\"Youmuststayandhavelunchfirst，Arthur，\"saidMrs。Irwine。
\"It’snearlytwo。Carrollwillbringitindirectly。\"
\"IwanttogototheHallFarmtoo，\"saidMr。Irwine，\"tohaveanotherlookatthelittleMethodistwhoisstayingthere。JoshuatellsmeshewaspreachingontheGreenlastnight。\"
\"Oh，byJove！\"saidCaptainDonnithorne，laughing。\"Why，shelooksasquietasamouse。There’ssomethingratherstrikingabouther，though。IpositivelyfeltquitebashfulthefirsttimeIsawher——shewassittingstoopingoverhersewinginthesunshineoutsidethehouse，whenIrodeupandcalledout，withoutnoticingthatshewasastranger，’IsMartinPoyserathome？’I
declare，whenshegotupandlookedatmeandjustsaid，’He’sinthehouse，Ibelieve:I’llgoandcallhim，’Ifeltquiteashamedofhavingspokensoabruptlytoher。ShelookedlikeSt。
CatherineinaQuakerdress。It’satypeoffaceonerarelyseesamongourcommonpeople。\"
\"Ishouldliketoseetheyoungwoman，Dauphin，\"saidMrs。Irwine。
\"Makehercomehereonsomepretextorother。\"
\"Idon’tknowhowIcanmanagethat，Mother；itwillhardlydoformetopatronizeaMethodistpreacher，evenifshewouldconsenttobepatronizedbyanidleshepherd，asWillMaskerycallsme。Youshouldhavecomeinalittlesooner，Arthur，tohearJoshua’sdenunciationofhisneighbourWillMaskery。Theoldfellowwantsmetoexcommunicatethewheelwright，andthendeliverhimovertothecivilarm——thatistosay，toyourgrandfather——tobeturnedoutofhouseandyard。IfIchosetointerfereinthisbusiness，now，ImightgetupasprettyastoryofhatredandpersecutionastheMethodistsneeddesiretopublishinthenextnumberoftheirmagazine。Itwouldn’ttakememuchtroubletopersuadeChadCranageandhalfadozenotherbull-headedfellowsthattheywouldbedoinganacceptableservicetotheChurchbyhuntingWillMaskeryoutofthevillagewithrope-endsandpitchforks；andthen，whenIhadfurnishedthemwithhalfasovereigntogetgloriouslydrunkaftertheirexertions，Ishouldhaveputtheclimaxtoasprettyafarceasanyofmybrotherclergyhavesetgoingintheirparishesforthelastthirtyyears。\"
\"Itisreallyinsolentoftheman，though，tocallyouan’idleshepherd’anda’dumbdog，’\"saidMrs。Irwine。\"Ishouldbeinclinedtocheckhimalittlethere。Youaretooeasy-tempered，Dauphin。\"
\"Why，Mother，youdon’tthinkitwouldbeagoodwayofsustainingmydignitytosetaboutvindicatingmyselffromtheaspersionsofWillMaskery？Besides，I’mnotsosurethattheyAREaspersions。
IAMalazyfellow，andgetterriblyheavyinmysaddle；nottomentionthatI’malwaysspendingmorethanIcanaffordinbricksandmortar，sothatIgetsavageatalamebeggarwhenheasksmeforsixpence。Thosepoorleancobblers，whothinktheycanhelptoregeneratemankindbysettingouttopreachinthemorningtwilightbeforetheybegintheirday’swork，maywellhaveapooropinionofme。Butcome，letushaveourluncheon。Isn’tKatecomingtolunch？\"
\"MissIrwinetoldBridgettotakeherlunchupstairs，\"saidCarroll；\"shecan’tleaveMissAnne。\"
\"Oh，verywell。TellBridgettosayI’llgoupandseeMissAnnepresently。Youcanuseyourrightarmquitewellnow，Arthur，\"
Mr。Irwinecontinued，observingthatCaptainDonnithornehadtakenhisarmoutofthesling。
\"Yes，prettywell；butGodwininsistsonmykeepingitupconstantlyforsometimetocome。IhopeIshallbeabletogetawaytotheregiment，though，inthebeginningofAugust。It’sadesperatelydullbusinessbeingshutupattheChaseinthesummermonths，whenonecanneitherhuntnorshoot，soastomakeone’sselfpleasantlysleepyintheevening。However，wearetoastonishtheechoesonthe30thofJuly。Mygrandfatherhasgivenmecarteblancheforonce，andIpromiseyoutheentertainmentshallbeworthyoftheoccasion。Theworldwillnotseethegrandepochofmymajoritytwice。IthinkIshallhavealoftythroneforyou，Godmamma，orrathertwo，oneonthelawnandanotherintheballroom，thatyoumaysitandlookdownuponuslikeanOlympiangoddess。\"
\"Imeantobringoutmybestbrocade，thatIworeatyourchristeningtwentyyearsago，\"saidMrs。Irwine。\"Ah，IthinkI
shallseeyourpoormotherflittingaboutinherwhitedress，whichlookedtomealmostlikeashroudthatveryday；anditWAS
hershroudonlythreemonthsafter；andyourlittlecapandchristeningdresswereburiedwithhertoo。Shehadsetherheartonthat，sweetsoul！ThankGodyoutakeafteryourmother’sfamily，Arthur。Ifyouhadbeenapuny，wiry，yellowbaby，I
wouldn’thavestoodgodmothertoyou。IshouldhavebeensureyouwouldturnoutaDonnithorne。Butyouweresuchabroad-faced，broad-chested，loud-screamingrascal，IknewyouwereeveryinchofyouaTradgett。\"
\"Butyoumighthavebeenalittletoohastythere，Mother，\"saidMr。Irwine，smiling。\"Don’tyourememberhowitwaswithJuno’slastpups？Oneofthemwastheveryimageofitsmother，butithadtwoorthreeofitsfather’stricksnotwithstanding。Natureiscleverenoughtocheatevenyou，Mother。\"
\"Nonsense，child！Naturenevermakesaferretintheshapeofamastiff。You’llneverpersuademethatIcan’ttellwhatmenarebytheiroutsides。IfIdon’tlikeaman’slooks，dependuponitIshallneverlikeHIM。Idon’twanttoknowpeoplethatlookuglyanddisagreeable，anymorethanIwanttotastedishesthatlookdisagreeable。Iftheymakemeshudderatthefirstglance，I
say，takethemaway。Anugly，piggish，orfishyeye，now，makesmefeelquiteill；it’slikeabadsmell。\"
\"Talkingofeyes，\"saidCaptainDonnithorne，\"thatremindsmethatI’vegotabookImeanttobringyou，Godmamma。ItcamedowninaparcelfromLondontheotherday。Iknowyouarefondofqueer，wizardlikestories。It’savolumeofpoems，’LyricalBallads。’
Mostofthemseemtobetwaddlingstuff，butthefirstisinadifferentstyle——’TheAncientMariner’isthetitle。Icanhardlymakeheadortailofitasastory，butit’sastrange，strikingthing。I’llsenditovertoyou；andtherearesomeotherbooksthatyoumayliketosee，Irwine——pamphletsaboutAntinomianismandEvangelicalism，whatevertheymaybe。Ican’tthinkwhatthefellowmeansbysendingsuchthingstome。I’vewrittentohimtodesirethatfromhenceforthhewillsendmenobookorpamphletonanythingthatendsinISM。\"
\"Well，Idon’tknowthatI’mveryfondofismsmyself；butImayaswelllookatthepamphlets；theyletoneseewhatisgoingon。
I’vealittlemattertoattendto，Arthur，\"continuedMr。Irwine，risingtoleavetheroom，\"andthenIshallbereadytosetoutwithyou。\"
ThelittlematterthatMr。Irwinehadtoattendtotookhimuptheoldstonestaircase(partofthehousewasveryold)andmadehimpausebeforeadooratwhichheknockedgently。\"Comein，\"saidawoman’svoice，andheenteredaroomsodarkenedbyblindsandcurtainsthatMissKate，thethinmiddle-agedladystandingbythebedside，wouldnothavehadlightenoughforanyothersortofworkthantheknittingwhichlayonthelittletablenearher。
Butatpresentshewasdoingwhatrequiredonlythedimmestlight——
spongingtheachingheadthatlayonthepillowwithfreshvinegar。Itwasasmallface，thatofthepoorsufferer；perhapsithadoncebeenpretty，butnowitwaswornandsallow。MissKatecametowardsherbrotherandwhispered，\"Don’tspeaktoher；
shecan’tbeartobespokentoto-day。\"Anne’seyeswereclosed，andherbrowcontractedasiffromintensepain。Mr。Irwinewenttothebedsideandtookuponeofthedelicatehandsandkissedit，aslightpressurefromthesmallfingerstoldhimthatitwasworth-whiletohavecomeupstairsforthesakeofdoingthat。Helingeredamoment，lookingather，andthenturnedawayandlefttheroom，treadingverygently——hehadtakenoffhisbootsandputonslippersbeforehecameupstairs。Whoeverremembershowmanythingshehasdeclinedtodoevenforhimself，ratherthanhavethetroubleofputtingonortakingoffhisboots，willnotthinkthislastdetailinsignificant。
AndMr。Irwine’ssisters，asanypersonoffamilywithintenmilesofBroxtoncouldhavetestified，weresuchstupid，uninterestingwomen！Itwasquiteapityhandsome，cleverMrs。Irwineshouldhavehadsuchcommonplacedaughters。Thatfineoldladyherselfwasworthdrivingtenmilestosee，anyday；herbeauty，herwell-
preservedfaculties，andherold-fashioneddignitymadeheragracefulsubjectforconversationinturnwiththeKing’shealth，thesweetnewpatternsincottondresses，thenewsfromEgypt，andLordDacey’slawsuit，whichwasfrettingpoorLadyDaceytodeath。
ButnooneeverthoughtofmentioningtheMissIrwines，exceptthepoorpeopleinBroxtonvillage，whoregardedthemasdeepinthescienceofmedicine，andspokeofthemvaguelyas\"thegentlefolks。\"IfanyonehadaskedoldJobDummilowwhogavehimhisflanneljacket，hewouldhaveanswered，\"thegentlefolks，lastwinter\"；andwidowSteenedweltmuchonthevirtuesofthe\"stuff\"
thegentlefolksgaveherforhercough。Underthisnametoo，theywereusedwithgreateffectasameansoftamingrefractorychildren，sothatatthesightofpoorMissAnne’ssallowface，severalsmallurchinshadaterrifiedsensethatshewascognizantofalltheirworstmisdemeanours，andknewtheprecisenumberofstoneswithwhichtheyhadintendedtohitFarmerBritton’sducks。
Butforallwhosawthemthroughalessmythicalmedium，theMissIrwineswerequitesuperfluousexistences——inartisticfigurescrowdingthecanvasoflifewithoutadequateeffect。MissAnne，indeed，ifherchronicheadachescouldhavebeenaccountedforbyapatheticstoryofdisappointedlove，mighthavehadsomeromanticinterestattachedtoher:butnosuchstoryhadeitherbeenknownorinventedconcerningher，andthegeneralimpressionwasquiteinaccordancewiththefact，thatboththesisterswereoldmaidsfortheprosaicreasonthattheyhadneverreceivedaneligibleoffer。
Nevertheless，tospeakparadoxically，theexistenceofinsignificantpeoplehasveryimportantconsequencesintheworld。
Itcanbeshowntoaffectthepriceofbreadandtherateofwages，tocallforthmanyeviltempersfromtheselfishandmanyheroismsfromthesympathetic，and，inotherways，toplaynosmallpartinthetragedyoflife。Andifthathandsome，generous-bloodedclergyman，theRev。AdolphusIrwine，hadnothadthesetwohopelesslymaidensisters，hislotwouldhavebeenshapedquitedifferently:hewouldverylikelyhavetakenacomelywifeinhisyouth，andnow，whenhishairwasgettinggreyunderthepowder，wouldhavehadtallsonsandbloomingdaughters——suchpossessions，inshort，asmencommonlythinkwillrepaythemforallthelabourtheytakeunderthesun。Asitwas——havingwithallhisthreelivingsnomorethansevenhundreda-year，andseeingnowayofkeepinghissplendidmotherandhissicklysister，nottoreckonasecondsister，whowasusuallyspokenofwithoutanyadjective，insuchladylikeeaseasbecametheirbirthandhabits，andatthesametimeprovidingforafamilyofhisown——heremained，yousee，attheageofeight-and-forty，abachelor，notmakinganymeritofthatrenunciation，butsayinglaughingly，ifanyonealludedtoit，thathemadeitanexcuseformanyindulgenceswhichawifewouldneverhaveallowedhim。
Andperhapshewastheonlypersonintheworldwhodidnotthinkhissistersuninterestingandsuperfluous；forhiswasoneofthoselarge-hearted，sweet-bloodednaturesthatneverknowanarroworagrudgingthought；Epicurean，ifyouwill，withnoenthusiasm，noself-scourgingsenseofduty；butyet，asyouhaveseen，ofasufficientlysubtlemoralfibretohaveanunwearyingtendernessforobscureandmonotonoussuffering。Itwashislarge-heartedindulgencethatmadehimignorehismother’shardnesstowardsherdaughters，whichwasthemorestrikingfromitscontrastwithherdotingfondnesstowardshimself；hehelditnovirtuetofrownatirremediablefaults。
Seethedifferencebetweentheimpressionamanmakesonyouwhenyouwalkbyhissideinfamiliartalk，orlookathiminhishome，andthefigurehemakeswhenseenfromaloftyhistoricallevel，orevenintheeyesofacriticalneighbourwhothinksofhimasanembodiedsystemoropinionratherthanasaman。Mr。Roe，the\"travellingpreacher\"stationedatTreddleston，hadincludedMr。
IrwineinageneralstatementconcerningtheChurchclergyinthesurroundingdistrict，whomhedescribedasmengivenuptothelustsofthefleshandtheprideoflife；huntingandshooting，andadorningtheirownhouses；askingwhatshallweeat，andwhatshallwedrink，andwherewithalshallwebeclothed？——carelessofdispensingthebreadoflifetotheirflocks，preachingatbestbutacarnalandsoul-benumbingmorality，andtraffickinginthesoulsofmenbyreceivingmoneyfordischargingthepastoralofficeinparisheswheretheydidnotsomuchaslookonthefacesofthepeoplemorethanoncea-year。Theecclesiasticalhistorian，too，lookingintoparliamentaryreportsofthatperiod，findshonourablememberszealousfortheChurch，anduntaintedwithanysympathyforthe\"tribeofcantingMethodists，\"makingstatementsscarcelylessmelancholythanthatofMr。Roe。AnditisimpossibleformetosaythatMr。Irwinewasaltogetherbeliedbythegenericclassificationassignedhim。Hereallyhadnoveryloftyaims，notheologicalenthusiasm:ifIwerecloselyquestioned，Ishouldbeobligedtoconfessthathefeltnoseriousalarmsaboutthesoulsofhisparishioners，andwouldhavethoughtitamerelossoftimetotalkinadoctrinalandawakeningmannertoold\"FeytherTaft，\"oreventoChadCranagetheblacksmith。Ifhehadbeeninthehabitofspeakingtheoretically，hewouldperhapshavesaidthattheonlyhealthyformreligioncouldtakeinsuchmindswasthatofcertaindimbutstrongemotions，suffusingthemselvesasahallowinginfluenceoverthefamilyaffectionsandneighbourlyduties。Hethoughtthecustomofbaptismmoreimportantthanitsdoctrine，andthatthereligiousbenefitsthepeasantdrewfromthechurchwherehisfathersworshippedandthesacredpieceofturfwheretheylayburiedwerebutslightlydependentonaclearunderstandingoftheLiturgyorthesermon。Clearlytherectorwasnotwhatiscalledinthesedaysan\"earnest\"man:hewasfonderofchurchhistorythanofdivinity，andhadmuchmoreinsightintomen’scharactersthaninterestintheiropinions；hewasneitherlaborious，norobviouslyself-denying，norverycopiousinalms-giving，andhistheology，youperceive，waslax。Hismentalpalate，indeed，wasratherpagan，andfoundasavourinessinaquotationfromSophoclesorTheocritusthatwasquiteabsentfromanytextinIsaiahorAmos。Butifyoufeedyouryoungsetteronrawflesh，howcanyouwonderatitsretainingarelishforuncookedpartridgeinafter-life？AndMr。Irwine’srecollectionsofyoungenthusiasmandambitionwereallassociatedwithpoetryandethicsthatlayalooffromtheBible。
Ontheotherhand，Imustplead，forIhaveanaffectionatepartialitytowardstherector’smemory，thathewasnotvindictive——andsomephilanthropistshavebeenso；thathewasnotintolerant——andthereisarumourthatsomezealoustheologianshavenotbeenaltogetherfreefromthatblemish；thatalthoughhewouldprobablyhavedeclinedtogivehisbodytobeburnedinanypubliccause，andwasfarfrombestowingallhisgoodstofeedthepoor，hehadthatcharitywhichhassometimesbeenlackingtoveryillustriousvirtue——hewastendertoothermen’sfailings，andunwillingtoimputeevil。Hewasoneofthosemen，andtheyarenotthecommonest，ofwhomwecanknowthebestonlybyfollowingthemawayfromthemarketplace，theplatform，andthepulpit，enteringwiththemintotheirownhomes，hearingthevoicewithwhichtheyspeaktotheyoungandagedabouttheirownhearthstone，andwitnessingtheirthoughtfulcarefortheeverydaywantsofeverydaycompanions，whotakealltheirkindnessasamatterofcourse，andnotasasubjectforpanegyric。
Suchmen，happily，havelivedintimeswhengreatabusesflourished，andhavesometimesevenbeenthelivingrepresentativesoftheabuses。Thatisathoughtwhichmightcomfortusalittleundertheoppositefact——thatitisbettersometimesNOTtofollowgreatreformersofabusesbeyondthethresholdoftheirhomes。
ButwhateveryoumaythinkofMr。Irwinenow，ifyouhadmethimthatJuneafternoonridingonhisgreycob，withhisdogsrunningbesidehim——portly，upright，manly，withagood-naturedsmileonhisfinelyturnedlipsashetalkedtohisdashingyoungcompaniononthebaymare，youmusthavefeltthat，howeverillheharmonizedwithsoundtheoriesoftheclericaloffice，hesomehowharmonizedextremelywellwiththatpeacefullandscape。
Seetheminthebrightsunlight，interruptedeverynowandthenbyrollingmassesofcloud，ascendingtheslopefromtheBroxtonside，wherethetallgablesandelmsoftherectorypredominateoverthetinywhitewashedchurch。TheywillsoonbeintheparishofHayslope；thegreychurch-towerandvillageroofsliebeforethemtotheleft，andfartheron，totheright，theycanjustseethechimneysoftheHallFarm。
ChapterVI
TheHallFarmEVIDENTLYthatgateisneveropened，forthelonggrassandthegreathemlocksgrowcloseagainstit，andifitwereopened，itissorustythattheforcenecessarytoturnitonitshingeswouldbelikelytopulldownthesquarestone-builtpillars，tothedetrimentofthetwostonelionesseswhichgrinwithadoubtfulcarnivorousaffabilityaboveacoatofarmssurmountingeachofthepillars。Itwouldbeeasyenough，bytheaidofthenicksinthestonepillars，toclimboverthebrickwallwithitssmoothstonecoping；butbyputtingoureyesclosetotherustybarsofthegate，wecanseethehousewellenough，andallbuttheverycornersofthegrassyenclosure。
Itisaveryfineoldplace，ofredbrick，softenedbyapalepowderylichen，whichhasdisperseditselfwithhappyirregularity，soastobringtheredbrickintotermsoffriendlycompanionshipwiththelimestoneornamentssurroundingthethreegables，thewindows，andthedoor-place。Butthewindowsarepatchedwithwoodenpanes，andthedoor，Ithink，islikethegate——itisneveropened。Howitwouldgroanandgrateagainstthestonefioorifitwere！Foritisasolid，heavy，handsomedoor，andmustoncehavebeeninthehabitofshuttingwithasonorousbangbehindaliveriedlackey，whohadjustseenhismasterandmistressoffthegroundsinacarriageandpair。
Butatpresentonemightfancythehouseintheearlystageofachancerysuit，andthatthefruitfromthatgranddoublerowofwalnut-treesontherighthandoftheenclosurewouldfallandrotamongthegrass，ifitwerenotthatweheardtheboomingbarkofdogsechoingfromgreatbuildingsattheback。Andnowthehalf-
weanedcalvesthathavebeenshelteringthemselvesinagorse-
builthovelagainsttheleft-handwallcomeoutandsetupasillyanswertothatterriblebark，doubtlesssupposingthatithasreferencetobucketsofmilk。
Yes，thehousemustbeinhabited，andwewillseebywhom；forimaginationisalicensedtrespasser:ithasnofearofdogs，butmayclimboverwallsandpeepinatwindowswithimpunity。Putyourfacetooneoftheglasspanesintheright-handwindow:whatdoyousee？Alargeopenfireplace，withrustydogsinit，andabareboardedfloor；atthefarend，fleecesofwoolstackedup；inthemiddleofthefloor，someemptycorn-bags。Thatisthefurnitureofthedining-room。Andwhatthroughtheleft-handwindow？Severalclothes-horses，apillion，aspinning-wheel，andanoldboxwideopenandstuffedfullofcolouredrags。Attheedgeofthisboxthereliesagreatwoodendoll，which，sofarasmutilationisconcerned，bearsastrongresemblancetothefinestGreeksculpture，andespeciallyinthetotallossofitsnose。
Nearitthereisalittlechair，andthebuttendofaboy’sleatherlong-lashedwhip。
Thehistoryofthehouseisplainnow。Itwasoncetheresidenceofacountrysquire，whosefamily，probablydwindlingdowntomerespinsterhood，gotmergedinthemoreterritorialnameofDonnithorne。ItwasoncetheHall；itisnowtheHallFarm。Likethelifeinsomecoasttownthatwasonceawatering-place，andisnowaport，wherethegenteelstreetsaresilentandgrass-grown，andthedocksandwarehousesbusyandresonant，thelifeattheHallhaschangeditsfocus，andnolongerradiatesfromtheparlour，butfromthekitchenandthefarmyard。
Plentyoflifethere，thoughthisisthedrowsiesttimeoftheyear，justbeforehay-harvest；anditisthedrowsiesttimeofthedaytoo，foritiscloseuponthreebythesun，anditishalf-
pastthreebyMrs。Poyser’shandsomeeight-dayclock。Butthereisalwaysastrongersenseoflifewhenthesunisbrilliantafterrain；andnowheispouringdownhisbeams，andmakingsparklesamongthewetstraw，andlightingupeverypatchofvividgreenmossontheredtilesofthecow-shed，andturningeventhemuddywaterthatishurryingalongthechanneltothedrainintoamirrorfortheyellow-billedducks，whoareseizingtheopportunityofgettingadrinkwithasmuchbodyinitaspossible。Thereisquiteaconcertofnoises；thegreatbull-dog，chainedagainstthestables，isthrownintofuriousexasperationbytheunwaryapproachofacocktoonearthemouthofhiskennel，andsendsforthathunderingbark，whichisansweredbytwofox-
houndsshutupintheoppositecow-house；theoldtop-knottedhens，scratchingwiththeirchicksamongthestraw，setupasympatheticcroakingasthediscomfitedcockjoinsthem；asowwithherbrood，allverymuddyastothelegs，andcurledastothetail，throwsinsomedeepstaccatonotes；ourfriendsthecalvesarebleatingfromthehomecroft；and，underall，afineeardiscernsthecontinuoushumofhumanvoices。
Forthegreatbarn-doorsarethrownwideopen，andmenarebusytheremendingtheharness，underthesuperintendenceofMr。Goby，the\"whittaw，\"otherwisesaddler，whoentertainsthemwiththelatestTreddlestongossip。ItiscertainlyratheranunfortunatedaythatAlick，theshepherd，haschosenforhavingthewhittaws，sincethemorningturnedoutsowet；andMrs。Poyserhasspokenhermindprettystronglyastothedirtwhichtheextranurnberofmen’sshoesbroughtintothehouseatdinnertime。Indeed，shehasnotyetrecoveredherequanimityonthesubject，thoughitisnownearlythreehourssincedinner，andthehouse-floorisperfectlycleanagain；ascleanaseverythingelseinthatwonderfulhouse-
place，wheretheonlychanceofcollectingafewgrainsofdustwouldbetoclimbonthesalt-coffer，andputyourfingeronthehighmantel-shelfonwhichtheglitteringbrasscandlesticksareenjoyingtheirsummersinecure；foratthistimeofyear，ofcourse，everyonegoestobedwhileitisyetlight，oratleastlightenoughtodiscerntheoutlineofobjectsafteryouhavebruisedyourshinsagainstthem。Surelynowhereelsecouldanoakclock-caseandanoaktablehavegottosuchapolishbythehand:
genuine\"elbowpolish，\"asMrs。Poysercalledit，forshethankedGodsheneverhadanyofyourvarnishedrubbishinherhouse。
HettySorreloftentooktheopportunity，whenheraunt’sbackwasturned，oflookingatthepleasingreflectionofherselfinthosepolishedsurfaces，fortheoaktablewasusuallyturneduplikeascreen，andwasmoreforornamentthanforuse；andshecouldseeherselfsometimesinthegreatroundpewterdishesthatwererangedontheshelvesabovethelongdealdinner-table，orinthehobsofthegrate，whichalwaysshonelikejasper。
Everythingwaslookingatitsbrightestatthismoment，forthesunshonerightonthepewterdishes，andfromtheirreflectingsurfacespleasantjetsoflightwerethrownonmellowoakandbrightbrass——andonastillpleasanterobjectthanthese，forsomeoftheraysfellonDinah’sfinelymouldedcheek，andlitupherpaleredhairtoauburn，asshebentovertheheavyhouseholdlinenwhichshewasmendingforheraunt。Noscenecouldhavebeenmorepeaceful，ifMrs。Poyser，whowasironingafewthingsthatstillremainedfromtheMonday’swash，hadnotbeenmakingafrequentclinkingwithherironandmovingtoandfrowhenevershewantedittocool；carryingthekeenglanceofherblue-greyeyefromthekitchentothedairy，whereHettywasmakingupthebutter，andfromthedairytothebackkitchen，whereNancywastakingthepiesoutoftheoven。Donotsuppose，however，thatMrs。Poyserwaselderlyorshrewishinherappearance；shewasagood-lookingwoman，notmorethaneight-and-thirty，offaircomplexionandsandyhair，well-shapen，light-footed。Themostconspicuousarticleinherattirewasanamplecheckeredlinenapron，whichalmostcoveredherskirt；andnothingcouldbeplainerorlessnoticeablethanhercapandgown，fortherewasnoweaknessofwhichshewaslesstolerantthanfemininevanity，andthepreferenceofornamenttoutility。ThefamilylikenessbetweenherandhernieceDinahMorris，withthecontrastbetweenherkeennessandDinah’sseraphicgentlenessofexpression，mighthaveservedapainterasanexcellentsuggestionforaMarthaandMary。Theireyeswerejustofthesamecolour，butastrikingtestofthedifferenceintheiroperationwasseeninthedemeanourofTrip，theblack-and-tanterrier，wheneverthatmuch-
suspecteddogunwarilyexposedhimselftothefreezingarcticrayofMrs。Poyser’sglance。Hertonguewasnotlesskeenthanhereye，and，wheneveradamselcamewithinearshot，seemedtotakeupanunfinishedlecture，asabarrel-organtakesupatune，preciselyatthepointwhereithadleftoff。
Thefactthatitwaschurningdaywasanotherreasonwhyitwasinconvenienttohavethewhittaws，andwhy，consequently，Mrs。
PoysershouldscoldMollythehousemaidwithunusualseverity。ToallappearanceMollyhadgotthroughherafter-dinnerworkinanexemplarymanner，had\"cleanedherself\"withgreatdispatch，andnowcametoask，submissively，ifsheshouldsitdowntoherspinningtillmilkingtime。Butthisblamelessconduct，accordingtoMrs。Poyser，shroudedasecretindulgenceofunbecomingwishes，whichshenowdraggedforthandhelduptoMolly’sviewwithcuttingeloquence。
\"Spinning，indeed！Itisn’tspinningasyou’dbeat，I’llbebound，andletyouhaveyourownway。Ineverknewyourequalsforgallowsness。Tothinkofagello’youragewantingtogoandsitwithhalf-a-dozenmen！I’dha’beenashamedtoletthewordspassovermylipsifI’dbeenyou。Andyou，ashavebeenhereeversincelastMichaelmas，andIhiredyouatTreddles’onstattits，withoutabito’character——asIsay，youmightbegratefultobehiredinthatwaytoarespectableplace；andyouknewnomoreo’
whatbelongstoworkwhenyoucomeherethanthemawkini’thefield。Aspooratwo-fistedthingaseverIsaw，youknowyouwas。Whotaughtyoutoscrubafloor，Ishouldliketoknow？
Why，you’dleavethedirtinheapsi’thecorners——anybody’udthinkyou’dneverbeenbroughtupamongChristians。Andasforspinning，why，you’vewastedasmuchasyourwagei’theflaxyou’vespoiledlearningtospin。Andyou’vearighttofeelthat，andnottogoaboutasgapingandasthoughtlessasifyouwasbeholdingtonobody。Combthewoolforthewhittaws，indeed！
That’swhatyou’dliketobedoing，isit？That’sthewaywithyou——that’stheroadyou’dallliketogo，headlongstoruin。
You’renevereasytillyou’vegotsomesweetheartasisasbigafoolasyourself:youthinkyou’llbefinelyoffwhenyou’remarried，Idaresay，andhavegotathree-leggedstooltositon，andneverablankettocoveryou，andabito’oat-cakeforyourdinner，asthreechildrenarea-snatchingat。\"
\"I’msureIdonnawantt’gowi’thewhittaws，\"saidMolly，whimpering，andquiteovercomebythisDanteanpictureofherfuture，\"on’yweallaysusedtocombthewoolfor’natMesterOttley’s；an’soIjustaxedye。Idonnawanttoseteyesonthewhittawsagain；IwishImayneverstirifIdo。\"
\"Mr。Ottley’s，indeed！It’sfinetalkingo’whatyoudidatMr。
Ottley’s。Yourmissistheremightlikeherfloorsdirtedwi’
whittawsforwhatIknow。There’snoknowingwhatpeopleWONNA
like——suchwaysasI’veheardof！Ineverhadagellcomeintomyhouseasseemedtoknowwhatcleaningwas；Ithinkpeoplelivelikepigs，formypart。AndastothatBettyaswasdairymaidatTrent’sbeforeshecometome，she’dha’leftthecheeseswithoutturningfromweek’sendtoweek’send，andthedairythralls，I
mightha’wrotemynameon’em，whenIcomedownstairsaftermyillness，asthedoctorsaiditwasinflammation——itwasamercyI
gotwellofit。Andtothinko’yourknowingnobetter，Molly，andbeenherea-goingi’ninemonths，andnotforwanto’talkingto，neither——andwhatareyoustanningtherefor，likeajackasisrundown，insteado’gettingyourwheelout？You’rearareunforsittingdowntoyourworkalittlewhileafterit’stimetoputby。\"
\"Munny，myiron’stwitetold；peaseputitdowntowarm。\"
Thesmallchirrupingvoicethatutteredthisrequestcamefromalittlesunny-hairedgirlbetweenthreeandfour，who，seatedonahighchairattheendoftheironingtable，wasarduouslyclutchingthehandleofaminiatureironwithhertinyfatfist，andironingragswithanassiduitythatrequiredhertoputherlittleredtongueoutasfarasanatomywouldallow。
\"Cold，isit，mydarling？Blessyoursweetface！\"saidMrs。
Poyser，whowasremarkableforthefacilitywithwhichshecouldrelapsefromherofficialobjurgatorytooneoffondnessoroffriendlyconverse。\"Nevermind！Mother’sdoneherironingnow。
She’sgoingtoputtheironingthingsaway。\"
\"Munny，Itould’iketodointodebarntoTommy，toseedewhittawd。\"
\"No，no，no；Totty’udgetherfeetwet，\"saidMrs。Poyser，carryingawayheriron。\"RunintothedairyandseecousinHettymakethebutter。\"
\"Itould’ikeabito’pum-take，\"rejoinedTotty，whoseemedtobeprovidedwithseveralrelaysofrequests；atthesametime，takingtheopportunityofhermomentaryleisuretoputherfingersintoabowlofstarch，anddragitdownsoastoemptythecontentswithtolerablecompletenessontotheironingsheet。
\"Dideveranybodyseethelike？\"screamedMrs。Poyser，runningtowardsthetablewhenhereyehadfallenonthebluestream。
\"Thechild’sallaysi’mischiefifyourback’sturnedaminute。
WhatshallIdotoyou，younaughty，naughtygell？\"
Totty，however，haddescendedfromherchairwithgreatswiftness，andwasalreadyinretreattowardsthedairywithasortofwaddlingrun，andanamountoffatonthenapeofherneckwhichmadeherlooklikethemetamorphosisofawhitesucklingpig。
ThestarchhavingbeenwipedupbyMolly’shelp，andtheironingapparatusputby，Mrs。Poysertookupherknittingwhichalwayslayreadyathand，andwastheworkshelikedbest，becauseshecouldcarryitonautomaticallyasshewalkedtoandfro。ButnowshecameandsatdownoppositeDinah，whomshelookedatinameditativeway，assheknittedhergreyworstedstocking。
\"Youlookth’imageo’yourAuntJudith，Dinah，whenyousita-
sewing。Icouldalmostfancyitwasthirtyyearsback，andIwasalittlegellathome，lookingatJudithasshesatatherwork，aftershe’ddonethehouseup；onlyitwasalittlecottage，Father’swas，andnotabigramblinghouseasgetsdirtyi’onecornerasfastasyoucleanitinanother——butforallthat，I
couldfancyyouwasyourAuntJudith，onlyherhairwasadealdarkerthanyours，andshewasstouterandbroaderi’theshoulders。Judithandmeallayshungtogether，thoughshehadsuchqueerways，butyourmotherandhernevercouldagree。Ah，yourmotherlittlethoughtasshe’dhaveadaughterjustcutoutaftertheverypatterno’Judith，andleaveheranorphan，too，forJudithtotakecareon，andbringupwithaspoonwhenSHEwasinthegraveyardatStoniton。Iallayssaidthato’Judith，asshe’dbearapoundweightanydaytosaveanybodyelsecarryingaounce。Andshewasjustthesamefromthefirsto’myrememberingher；itmadenodifferenceinher，asIcouldsee，whenshetooktotheMethodists，onlyshetalkedabitdifferentandworeadifferentsorto’cap；butshe’dneverinherlifespentapennyonherselfmorethankeepingherselfdecent。\"
\"Shewasablessedwoman，\"saidDinah；\"Godhadgivenheraloving，self-forgettingnature，andHeperfecteditbygrace。Andshewasveryfondofyoutoo，AuntRachel。Ioftenheardhertalkofyouinthesamesortofway。Whenshehadthatbadillness，andIwasonlyelevenyearsold，sheusedtosay，’You’llhaveafriendonearthinyourAuntRachel，ifI’mtakenfromyou，forshehasakindheart，’andI’msureI’vefounditso。\"
\"Idon’tknowhow，child；anybody’udbecunningtodoanythingforyou，Ithink；you’relikethebirdso’th’air，andlivenobodyknowshow。I’dha’beengladtobehavetoyoulikeamother’ssister，ifyou’dcomeandlivei’thiscountrywherethere’ssomeshelterandvictualformanandbeast，andfolksdon’tliveonthenakedhills，likepoultrya-scratchingonagravelbank。Andthenyoumightgetmarriedtosomedecentman，andthere’dbeplentyreadytohaveyou，ifyou’donlyleaveoffthatpreaching，asistentimesworsethananythingyourAuntJuditheverdid。Andevenifyou’dmarrySethBede，asisapoorwool-gatheringMethodistand’sneverliketohaveapennybeforehand，Iknowyouruncle’udhelpyouwithapig，andverylikeacow，forhe’sallaysbeengood-natur’dtomykin，forallthey’repoor，andmade’emwelcometothehouse；and’uddoforyou，I’llbebound，asmuchaseverhe’ddoforHetty，thoughshe’shisownniece。Andthere’slineninthehouseasIcouldwellspareyou，forI’vegotlotso’sheetingandtable-clothing，andtowelling，asisn’tmadeup。There’sapieceo’sheetingI
couldgiveyouasthatsquintingKittyspun——shewasararegirltospin，forallshesquinted，andthechildrencouldn’tabideher；and，youknow，thespinning’sgoingonconstant，andthere’snewlinenwovetwiceasfastastheoldwearsout。Butwhere’stheuseo’talking，ifyewonnabepersuaded，andsettledownlikeanyotherwomaninhersenses，i’steado’wearingyourselfoutwithwalkingandpreaching，andgivingawayeverypennyyouget，soasyou’venothingsavedagainstsickness；andallthethingsyou’vegoti’theworld，Iverilybelieve，’udgointoabundlenobiggernoradoublecheese。Andallbecauseyou’vegotnotionsi’
yourheadaboutreligionmorenorwhat’si’theCatechismandthePrayer-book。\"
\"Butnotmorethanwhat’sintheBible，Aunt，\"saidDinah。
\"Yes，andtheBibletoo，forthatmatter，\"Mrs。Poyserrejoined，rathersharply；\"elsewhyshouldn’tthemasknowbestwhat’sintheBible——theparsonsandpeopleashavegotnothingtodobutlearnit——dothesameasyoudo？But，forthemattero’that，ifeverybodywastodolikeyou，theworldmustcometoastandstill；
forifeverybodytriedtodowithouthouseandhome，andwithpooreatinganddrinking，andwasallaystalkingaswemustdespisethethingso’theworldasyousay，Ishouldliketoknowwherethepicko’thestock，andthecorn，andthebestnew-milkcheeeses’udhavetogo。Everybody’udbewantingbreadmadeo’tailendsandeverybody’udberunningaftereverybodyelsetopreachto’em，isteado’bringinguptheirfamilies，andlayingbyagainstabadharvest。Itstandstosenseasthatcan’tbetherightreligion。\"
\"Nay，dearaunt，youneverheardmesaythatallpeoplearecalledtoforsaketheirworkandtheirfamilies。It’squiterightthelandshouldbeploughedandsowed，andthepreciouscornstored，andthethingsofthislifecaredfor，andrightthatpeopleshouldrejoiceintheirfamilies，andprovideforthem，sothatthisisdoneinthefearoftheLord，andthattheyarenotunmindfulofthesoul’swantswhiletheyarecaringforthebody。
WecanallbeservantsofGodwhereverourlotiscast，butHegivesusdifferentsortsofwork，accordingasHefitsusforitandcallsustoit。IcannomorehelpspendingmylifeintryingtodowhatIcanforthesoulsofothers，thanyoucouldhelprunningifyouheardlittleTottycryingattheotherendofthehouse；thevoicewouldgotoyourheart，youwouldthinkthedearchildwasintroubleorindanger，andyoucouldn’trestwithoutrunningtohelpherandcomforther。\"
\"Ah，\"saidMrs。Poyser，risingandwalkingtowardsthedoor，\"I
knowit’udbejustthesameifIwastotalktoyouforhours。
You’dmakemethesameanswer，atth’end。Imightaswelltalktotherunningbrookandtellittostan’still。\"
ThecausewayoutsidethekitchendoorwasdryenoughnowforMrs。
Poysertostandtherequitepleasantlyandseewhatwasgoingonintheyard，thegreyworstedstockingmakingasteadyprogressinherhandsallthewhile。Butshehadnotbeenstandingtheremorethanfiveminutesbeforeshecameinagain，andsaidtoDinah，inratheraflurried，awe-strickentone，\"Ifthereisn’tCaptainDonnithorneandMr。Irwinea-comingintotheyard！I’lllaymylifethey’recometospeakaboutyourpreachingontheGreen，Dinah；it’syoumustanswer’em，forI’mdumb。I’vesaidenougha’readyaboutyourbringingsuchdisgraceupo’youruncle’sfamily。Iwouldn’tha’mindedifyou’dbeenMr。Poyser’sownniece——folksmustputupwi’theirownkin，astheyputupwi’
theirownnoses——it’stheirownfleshandblood。Buttothinkofanieceo’minebeingcauseo’myhusband’sbeingturnedoutofhisfarm，andmebroughthimnofortinbutmysavin’s——\"
\"Nay，dearAuntRachel，\"saidDinahgently，\"you’venocauseforsuchfears。I’vestrongassurancethatnoevilwillhappentoyouandmyuncleandthechildrenfromanythingI’vedone。Ididn’tpreachwithoutdirection。\"
\"Direction！Iknowverywellwhatyoumeanbydirection，\"saidMrs。Poyser，knittinginarapidandagitatedmanner。\"Whenthere’sabiggermaggotthanusialinyourheadyoucallit’direction’；andthennothingcanstiryou——youlooklikethestattyo’theoutsideo’Treddles’onchurch，a-starin’anda-
smilin’whetherit’sfairweatherorfoul。Ihannacommonpatiencewithyou。\"
Bythistimethetwogentlemenhadreachedthepalingsandhadgotdownfromtheirhorses:itwasplaintheymeanttocomein。Mrs。
Poyseradvancedtothedoortomeetthem，curtsyinglowandtremblingbetweenangerwithDinahandanxietytoconductherselfwithperfectproprietyontheoccasion。Forinthosedaysthekeenestofbucolicmindsfeltawhisperingaweatthesightofthegentry，suchasofoldmenfeltwhentheystoodontiptoetowatchthegodspassingbyintallhumanshape。
\"Well，Mrs。Poyser，howareyouafterthisstormymorning？\"saidMr。Irwine，withhisstatelycordiality。\"Ourfeetarequitedry；
weshallnotsoilyourbeautifulfloor。\"
\"Oh，sir，don’tmentionit，\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"Willyouandthecaptainpleasetowalkintotheparlour？\"
\"No，indeed，thankyou，Mrs。Poyser，\"saidthecaptain，lookingeagerlyroundthekitchen，asifhiseyewereseekingsomethingitcouldnotfind。\"Idelightinyourkitchen。IthinkitisthemostcharmingroomIknow。Ishouldlikeeveryfarmer’swifetocomeandlookatitforapattern。\"
\"Oh，you’repleasedtosayso，sir。Praytakeaseat，\"saidMrs。
Poyser，relievedalittlebythiscomplimentandthecaptain’sevidentgood-humour，butstillglancinganxiouslyatMr。Irwine，who，shesaw，waslookingatDinahandadvancingtowardsher。
\"Poyserisnotathome，ishe？\"saidCaptainDonnithorne，seatinghimselfwherehecouldseealongtheshortpassagetotheopendairy-door。
\"No，sir，heisn’t；he’sgonetoRossetertoseeMr。West，thefactor，aboutthewool。Butthere’sFatheri’thebarn，sir，ifhe’dbeofanyuse。\"
\"No，thankyou；I’lljustlookatthewhelpsandleaveamessageaboutthemwithyourshepherd。Imustcomeanotherdayandseeyourhusband；Iwanttohaveaconsultationwithhimabouthorses。
Doyouknowwhenhe’slikelytobeatliberty？\"
\"Why，sir，youcanhardlymisshim，exceptit’so’Treddles’onmarket-day——that’sofaFriday，youknow。Forifhe’sanywhereonthefarmwecansendforhiminaminute。Ifwe’dgotrido’theScantlands，weshouldhavenooutlyingfields；andIshouldbegladofit，forifeveranythinghappens，he’ssuretobegonetotheScantlands。Thingsallayshappensocontrairy，ifthey’veachance；andit’sanunnat’ralthingtohaveonebito’yourfarminonecountyandalltherestinanother。\"
\"Ah，theScantlandswouldgomuchbetterwithChoyce’sfarm，especiallyashewantsdairylandandyou’vegotplenty。Ithinkyoursistheprettiestfarmontheestate，though；anddoyouknow，Mrs。Poyser，ifIweregoingtomarryandsettle，Ishouldbetemptedtoturnyouout，anddoupthisfineoldhouse，andturnfarmermyself。\"
\"Oh，sir，\"saidMrs。Poyser，ratheralarmed，\"youwouldn’tlikeitatall。Asforfarming，it’sputtingmoneyintoyourpocketwi’
yourrighthandandfetchingitoutwi’yourleft。AsfurasI
cansee，it’sraisingvictualforotherfolksandjustgettingamouthfulforyourselfandyourchildrenasyougoalong。Notasyou’dbelikeapoormanaswantstogethisbread——youcouldaffordtoloseasmuchmoneyasyoulikedi’farming——butit’spoorfunlosingmoney，Ishouldthink，thoughIunderstan’it’swhatthegreatfolksi’Londonplayatmorethananything。FormyhusbandheardatmarketasLordDacey’seldestsonhadlostthousandsupo’thousandstothePrinceo’Wales，andtheysaidmyladywasgoingtopawnherjewelstopayforhim。ButyouknowmoreaboutthatthanIdo，sir。But，asforfarming，sir，Icannathinkasyou’dlikeit；andthishouse——thedraughtsinitareenoughtocutyouthrough，andit’smyopinionthefloorsupstairsareveryrotten，andtheratsi’thecellararebeyondanything。\"
\"Why，that’saterriblepicture，Mrs。Poyser。IthinkIshouldbedoingyouaservicetoturnyououtofsuchaplace。Butthere’snochanceofthat。I’mnotlikelytosettleforthenexttwentyyears，tillI’mastoutgentlemanofforty；andmygrandfatherwouldneverconsenttopartwithsuchgoodtenantsasyou。\"
\"Well，sir，ifhethinkssowello’Mr。PoyserforatenantIwishyoucouldputinawordforhimtoallowussomenewgatesfortheFivecloses，formyhusband’sbeenaskingandaskingtillhe’stired，andtothinko’whathe’sdoneforthefarm，and’sneverhadapennyallowedhim，bethetimesbadorgood。AndasI’vesaidtomyhusbandoftenandoften，I’msureifthecaptainhadanythingtodowithit，itwouldn’tbeso。NotasIwishtospeakdisrespectfulo’themashavegotthepoweri’theirhands，butit’smorethanfleshandblood’ullbearsometimes，tobetoilingandstriving，andupearlyanddownlate，andhardlysleepingawinkwhenyouliedownforthinkingasthecheesemayswell，orthecowsmaysliptheircalf，orthewheatmaygrowgreenagaini’
thesheaf——andafterall，atth’endo’theyear，it’slikeasifyou’dbeencookingafeastandhadgotthesmellofitforyourpains。\"
Mrs。Poyser，oncelaunchedintoconversation，alwayssailedalongwithoutanycheckfromherpreliminaryaweofthegentry。Theconfidenceshefeltinherownpowersofexpositionwasamotiveforcethatovercameallresistance。
\"I’mafraidIshouldonlydoharminsteadofgood，ifIweretospeakaboutthegates，Mrs。Poyser，\"saidthecaptain，\"thoughI
assureyouthere’snomanontheestateIwouldsoonersayawordforthanyourhusband。Iknowhisfarmisinbetterorderthananyotherwithintenmilesofus；andasforthekitchen，\"headded，smiling，\"Idon’tbelievethere’soneinthekingdomtobeatit。Bytheby，I’veneverseenyourdairy:Imustseeyourdairy，Mrs。Poyser。\"
\"Indeed，sir，it’snotfitforyoutogoin，forHetty’sinthemiddleo’makingthebutter，forthechurningwasthrownlate，andI’mquiteashamed。\"ThisMrs。Poysersaidblushing，andbelievingthatthecaptainwasreallyinterestedinhermilk-pans，andwouldadjusthisopinionofhertotheappearanceofherdairy。
\"Oh，I’venodoubtit’sincapitalorder。Takemein，\"saidthecaptain，himselfleadingtheway，whileMrs。Poyserfollowed。
