Arthurwincedunderthisspeech，forkeenoldMrs。Irwine’sopinionabouthimhadthedisagreeableeffectofasinisteromen。
This，tobesure，wasonlyanotherreasonforperseveringinhisintention，andgettinganadditionalsecurityagainsthimself。
Nevertheless，atthispointintheconversation，hewasconsciousofincreaseddisinclinationtotellhisstoryaboutHetty。Hewasofanimpressiblenature，andlivedagreatdealinotherpeople’sopinionsandfeelingsconcerninghimself；andthemerefactthathewasinthepresenceofanintimatefriend，whohadnottheslightestnotionthathehadhadanysuchseriousinternalstruggleashecametoconfide，rathershookhisownbeliefintheseriousnessofthestruggle。Itwasnot，afterall，athingtomakeafussabout；andwhatcouldIrwinedoforhimthathecouldnotdoforhimself？HewouldgotoEagledaleinspiteofMeg’slameness——goonRattler，andletPymfollowaswellashecouldontheoldhack。Thatwashisthoughtashesugaredhiscoffee；butthenextminute，ashewasliftingthecuptohislips，herememberedhowthoroughlyhehadmadeuphismindlastnighttotellIrwine。No！Hewouldnotbevacillatingagain——heWOULDdowhathehadmeanttodo，thistime。Soitwouldbewellnottoletthepersonaltoneoftheconversationaltogetherdrop。Iftheywenttoquiteindifferenttopics，hisdifficultywouldbeheightened。Ithadrequirednonoticeablepauseforthisrushandreboundoffeeling，beforeheanswered，\"ButIthinkitishardlyanargumentagainstaman’sgeneralstrengthofcharacterthatheshouldbeapttobemasteredbylove。Afineconstitutiondoesn’tinsureoneagainstsmallpoxoranyotherofthoseinevitablediseases。Amanmaybeveryfirminothermattersandyetbeunderasortofwitcheryfromawoman。\"
\"Yes；butthere’sthisdifferencebetweenloveandsmallpox，orbewitchmenteither——thatifyoudetectthediseaseatanearlystageandtrychangeofair，thereiseverychanceofcompleteescapewithoutanyfurtherdevelopmentofsymptoms。Andtherearecertainalternativedoseswhichamanmayadministertohimselfbykeepingunpleasantconsequencesbeforehismind:thisgivesyouasortofsmokedglassthroughwhichyoumaylookattheresplendentfaironeanddiscernhertrueoutline；thoughI’mafraid，bytheby，thesmokedglassisapttobemissingjustatthemomentitismostwanted。Idaresay，now，evenamanfortifiedwithaknowledgeoftheclassicsmightbeluredintoanimprudentmarriage，inspiteofthewarninggivenhimbythechorusinthePrometheus。\"
ThesmilethatflittedacrossArthur’sfacewasafaintone，andinsteadoffollowingMr。Irwine’splayfullead，hesaid，quiteseriously——\"Yes，that’stheworstofit。It’sadesperatelyvexatiousthing，thatafterallone’sreflectionsandquietdeterminations，weshouldberuledbymoodsthatonecan’tcalculateonbeforehand。Idon’tthinkamanoughttobeblamedsomuchifheisbetrayedintodoingthingsinthatway，inspiteofhisresolutions。\"
\"Ah，butthemoodslieinhisnature，myboy，justasmuchashisreflectionsdid，andmore。Amancanneverdoanythingatvariancewithhisownnature。Hecarrieswithinhimthegermofhismostexceptionalaction；andifwewisepeoplemakeeminentfoolsofourselvesonanyparticularoccasion，wemustendurethelegitimateconclusionthatwecarryafewgrainsoffollytoourounceofwisdom。\"
\"Well，butonemaybebetrayedintodoingthingsbyacombinationofcircumstances，whichonemightneverhavedoneotherwise。\"
\"Why，yes，amancan’tverywellstealabank-noteunlessthebank-notelieswithinconvenientreach；buthewon’tmakeusthinkhimanhonestmanbecausehebeginstohowlatthebank-noteforfallinginhisway。\"
\"Butsurelyyoudon’tthinkamanwhostrugglesagainstatemptationintowhichhefallsatlastasbadasthemanwhoneverstrugglesatall？\"
\"No，certainly；Ipityhiminproportiontohisstruggles，fortheyforeshadowtheinwardsufferingwhichistheworstformofNemesis。Consequencesareunpitying。Ourdeedscarrytheirterribleconsequences，quiteapartfromanyfluctuationsthatwentbefore——consequencesthatarehardlyeverconfinedtoourselves。
Anditisbesttofixourmindsonthatcertainty，insteadofconsideringwhatmaybetheelementsofexcuseforus。ButI
neverknewyousoinclinedformoraldiscussion，Arthur？Isitsomedangerofyourownthatyouareconsideringinthisphilosophical，generalway？\"
Inaskingthisquestion，Mr。Irwinepushedhisplateaway，threwhimselfbackinhischair，andlookedstraightatArthur。HereallysuspectedthatArthurwantedtotellhimsomething，andthoughtofsmoothingthewayforhimbythisdirectquestion。Buthewasmistaken。Broughtsuddenlyandinvoluntarilytothebrinkofconfession，Arthurshrankbackandfeltlessdisposedtowardsitthanever。Theconversationhadtakenamoreserioustonethanhehadintended——itwouldquitemisleadIrwine——hewouldimaginetherewasadeeppassionforHetty，whiletherewasnosuchthing。
Hewasconsciousofcolouring，andwasannoyedathisboyishness。
\"Ohno，nodanger，\"hesaidasindifferentlyashecould。\"I
don’tknowthatIammoreliabletoirresolutionthanotherpeople；onlytherearelittleincidentsnowandthenthatsetonespeculatingonwhatmighthappeninthefuture。\"
WasthereamotiveatworkunderthisstrangereluctanceofArthur’swhichhadasortofbackstairsinfluence，notadmittedtohimself？OurmentalbusinessiscarriedonmuchinthesamewayasthebusinessoftheState:agreatdealofhardworkisdonebyagentswhoarenotacknowledged。Inapieceofmachinery，too，I
believethereisoftenasmallunnoticeablewheelwhichhasagreatdealtodowiththemotionofthelargeobviousones。
PossiblytherewassomesuchunrecognizedagentsecretlybusyinArthur’smindatthismoment——possiblyitwasthefearlesthemighthereafterfindthefactofhavingmadeaconfessiontotherectoraseriousannoyance，incaseheshouldNOTbeablequitetocarryouthisgoodresolutions？Idarenotassertthatitwasnotso。Thehumansoulisaverycomplexthing。
TheideaofHettyhadjustcrossedMr。Irwine’smindashelookedinquiringlyatArthur，buthisdisclaimingindifferentanswerconfirmedthethoughtwhichhadquicklyfollowed——thattherecouldbenothingseriousinthatdirection。TherewasnoprobabilitythatArthureversawherexceptatchurch，andatherownhomeundertheeyeofMrs。Poyser；andthehinthehadgivenArthurabouthertheotherdayhadnomoreseriousmeaningthantopreventhimfromnoticinghersoastorousethelittlechit’svanity，andinthiswayperturbtherusticdramaofherlife。
Arthurwouldsoonjoinhisregiment，andbefaraway:no，therecouldbenodangerinthatquarter，evenifArthur’scharacterhadnotbeenastrongsecurityagainstit。Hishonest，patronizingprideinthegood-willandrespectofeverybodyabouthimwasasafeguardevenagainstfoolishromance，stillmoreagainstalowerkindoffolly。IftherehadbeenanythingspecialonArthur’smindinthepreviousconversation，itwasclearhewasnotinclinedtoenterintodetails，andMr。Irwinewastoodelicatetoimplyevenafriendlycuriosity。Heperceivedachangeofsubjectwouldbewelcome，andsaid，\"Bytheway，Arthur，atyourcolonel’sbirthdayfetethereweresometransparenciesthatmadeagreateffectinhonourofBritannia，andPitt，andtheLoamshireMilitia，and，aboveall，the’generousyouth，’theherooftheday。Don’tyouthinkyoushouldgetupsomethingofthesamesorttoastonishourweakminds？\"
Theopportunitywasgone。WhileArthurwashesitating，theropetowhichhemighthaveclunghaddriftedaway——hemusttrustnowtohisownswimming。
Intenminutesfromthattime，Mr。Irwinewascalledforonbusiness，andArthur，biddinghimgood-bye，mountedhishorseagainwithasenseofdissatisfaction，whichhetriedtoquellbydeterminingtosetoffforEagledalewithoutanhour’sdelay。
BookTwoChapterXVII
InWhichtheStoryPausesaLittle\"THISRectorofBroxtonislittlebetterthanapagan！\"Ihearoneofmyreadersexclaim。\"HowmuchmoreedifyingitwouldhavebeenifyouhadmadehimgiveArthursometrulyspiritualadvice！Youmighthaveputintohismouththemostbeautifulthings——quiteasgoodasreadingasermon。\"
CertainlyIcould，ifIhelditthehighestvocationofthenovelisttorepresentthingsastheyneverhavebeenandneverwillbe。Then，ofcourse，Imightrefashionlifeandcharacterentirelyaftermyownliking；Imightselectthemostunexceptionabletypeofclergymanandputmyownadmirableopinionsintohismouthonalloccasions。Butithappens，onthecontrary，thatmystrongesteffortistoavoidanysucharbitrarypicture，andtogiveafaithfulaccountofmenandthingsastheyhavemirroredthemselvesinmymind。Themirrorisdoubtlessdefective，theoutlineswillsometimesbedisturbed，thereflectionfaintorconfused；butIfeelasmuchboundtotellyouaspreciselyasIcanwhatthatreflectionis，asifIwereinthewitness-box，narratingmyexperienceonoath。
Sixtyyearsago——itisalongtime，sonowonderthingshavechanged——allclergymenwerenotzealous；indeed，thereisreasontobelievethatthenumberofzealousclergymenwassmall，anditisprobablethatifoneamongthesmallminorityhadownedthelivingsofBroxtonandHayslopeintheyear1799，youwouldhavelikedhimnobetterthanyoulikeMr。Irwine。Tentoone，youwouldhavethoughthimatasteless，indiscreet，methodisticalman。
Itissoveryrarelythatfactshitthatnicemediumrequiredbyourownenlightenedopinionsandrefinedtaste！Perhapsyouwillsay，\"Doimprovethefactsalittle，then；makethemmoreaccordantwiththosecorrectviewswhichitisourprivilegetopossess。Theworldisnotjustwhatwelike；dotouchitupwithatastefulpencil，andmakebelieveitisnotquitesuchamixedentangledaffair。Letallpeoplewhoholdunexceptionableopinionsactunexceptionably。Letyourmostfaultycharactersalwaysbeonthewrongside，andyourvirtuousonesontheright。
Thenweshallseeataglancewhomwearetocondemnandwhomwearetoapprove。Thenweshallbeabletoadmire，withouttheslightestdisturbanceofourprepossessions:weshallhateanddespisewiththattrueruminantrelishwhichbelongstoundoubtingconfidence。\"
But，mygoodfriend，whatwillyoudothenwithyourfellow-
parishionerwhoopposesyourhusbandinthevestry？Withyournewlyappointedvicar，whosestyleofpreachingyoufindpainfullybelowthatofhisregrettedpredecessor？Withthehonestservantwhoworriesyoursoulwithheronefailing？Withyourneighbour，Mrs。Green，whowasreallykindtoyouinyourlastillness，buthassaidseveralill-naturedthingsaboutyousinceyourconvalescence？Nay，withyourexcellenthusbandhimself，whohasotherirritatinghabitsbesidesthatofnotwipinghisshoes？
Thesefellow-mortals，everyone，mustbeacceptedastheyare:youcanneitherstraightentheirnoses，norbrightentheirwit，norrectifytheirdispositions；anditisthesepeople——amongstwhomyourlifeispassed——thatitisneedfulyoushouldtolerate，pity，andlove:itisthesemoreorlessugly，stupid，inconsistentpeoplewhosemovementsofgoodnessyoushouldbeabletoadmire——
forwhomyoushouldcherishallpossiblehopes，allpossiblepatience。AndIwouldnot，evenifIhadthechoice，betheclevernovelistwhocouldcreateaworldsomuchbetterthanthis，inwhichwegetupinthemorningtodoourdailywork，thatyouwouldbelikelytoturnaharder，coldereyeonthedustystreetsandthecommongreenfields——ontherealbreathingmenandwomen，whocanbechilledbyyourindifferenceorinjuredbyyourprejudice；whocanbecheeredandhelpedonwardbyyourfellow-
feeling，yourforbearance，youroutspoken，bravejustice。
SoIamcontenttotellmysimplestory，withouttryingtomakethingsseembetterthantheywere；dreadingnothing，indeed，butfalsity，which，inspiteofone’sbestefforts，thereisreasontodread。Falsehoodissoeasy，truthsodifficult。Thepencilisconsciousofadelightfulfacilityindrawingagriffin——thelongertheclaws，andthelargerthewings，thebetter；butthatmarvellousfacilitywhichwemistookforgeniusisapttoforsakeuswhenwewanttodrawarealunexaggeratedlion。Examineyourwordswell，andyouwillfindthatevenwhenyouhavenomotivetobefalse，itisaveryhardthingtosaytheexacttruth，evenaboutyourownimmediatefeelings——muchharderthantosaysomethingfineaboutthemwhichisNOTtheexacttruth。
Itisforthisrare，preciousqualityoftruthfulnessthatI
delightinmanyDutchpaintings，whichlofty-mindedpeopledespise。Ifindasourceofdelicioussympathyinthesefaithfulpicturesofamonotonoushomelyexistence，whichhasbeenthefateofsomanymoreamongmyfellow-mortalsthanalifeofpomporofabsoluteindigence，oftragicsufferingorofworld-stirringactions。Iturn，withoutshrinking，fromcloud-borneangels，fromprophets，sibyls，andheroicwarriors，toanoldwomanbendingoverherflower-pot，oreatinghersolitarydinner，whilethenoondaylight，softenedperhapsbyascreenofleaves，fallsonhermob-cap，andjusttouchestherimofherspinning-wheel，andherstonejug，andallthosecheapcommonthingswhicharethepreciousnecessariesoflifetoher——orIturntothatvillagewedding，keptbetweenfourbrownwalls，whereanawkwardbridegroomopensthedancewithahigh-shouldered，broad-facedbride，whileelderlyandmiddle-agedfriendslookon，withveryirregularnosesandlips，andprobablywithquart-potsintheirhands，butwithanexpressionofunmistakablecontentmentandgoodwill。\"Foh！\"saysmyidealisticfriend，\"whatvulgardetails！
Whatgoodisthereintakingallthesepainstogiveanexactlikenessofoldwomenandclowns？Whatalowphaseoflife！Whatclumsy，uglypeople！\"
Butblessus，thingsmaybelovablethatarenotaltogetherhandsome，Ihope？Iamnotatallsurethatthemajorityofthehumanracehavenotbeenugly，andevenamongthose\"lordsoftheirkind，\"theBritish，squatfigures，ill-shapennostrils，anddingycomplexionsarenotstartlingexceptions。Yetthereisagreatdealoffamilyloveamongstus。IhaveafriendortwowhoseclassoffeaturesissuchthattheApollocurlonthesummitoftheirbrowswouldbedecidedlytrying；yettomycertainknowledgetenderheartshavebeatenforthem，andtheirminiatures——flattering，butstillnotlovely——arekissedinsecretbymotherlylips。Ihaveseenmanyanexcellentmatron，whocouldhaveneverinherbestdayshavebeenhandsome，andyetshehadapacketofyellowlove-lettersinaprivatedrawer，andsweetchildrenshoweredkissesonhersallowcheeks。AndIbelievetherehavebeenplentyofyoungheroes，ofmiddlestatureandfeeblebeards，whohavefeltquitesuretheycouldneverloveanythingmoreinsignificantthanaDiana，andyethavefoundthemselvesinmiddlelifehappilysettledwithawifewhowaddles。
Yes！ThankGod；humanfeelingislikethemightyriversthatblesstheearth:itdoesnotwaitforbeauty——itflowswithresistlessforceandbringsbeautywithit。
Allhonourandreverencetothedivinebeautyofform！Letuscultivateittotheutmostinmen，women，andchildren——inourgardensandinourhouses。Butletuslovethatotherbeautytoo，whichliesinnosecretofproportion，butinthesecretofdeephumansympathy。Paintusanangel，ifyoucan，withafloatingvioletrobe，andafacepaledbythecelestiallight；paintusyetofteneraMadonna，turninghermildfaceupwardandopeningherarmstowelcomethedivineglory；butdonotimposeonusanyaestheticruleswhichshallbanishfromtheregionofArtthoseoldwomenscrapingcarrotswiththeirwork-wornhands，thoseheavyclownstakingholidayinadingypot-house，thoseroundedbacksandstupidweather-beatenfacesthathavebentoverthespadeanddonetheroughworkoftheworld——thosehomeswiththeirtinpans，theirbrownpitchers，theirroughcurs，andtheirclustersofonions。Inthisworldtherearesomanyofthesecommoncoarsepeople，whohavenopicturesquesentimentalwretchedness！Itissoneedfulweshouldremembertheirexistence，elsewemayhappentoleavethemquiteoutofourreligionandphilosophyandframeloftytheorieswhichonlyfitaworldofextremes。Therefore，letArtalwaysremindusofthem；thereforeletusalwayshavemenreadytogivethelovingpainsofalifetothefaithfulrepresentingofcommonplacethings——menwhoseebeautyinthesecommonplacethings，anddelightinshowinghowkindlythelightofheavenfallsonthem。Therearefewprophetsintheworld；fewsublimelybeautifulwomen；fewheroes。Ican’taffordtogiveallmyloveandreverencetosuchrarities:Iwantagreatdealofthosefeelingsformyevery-dayfellow-men，especiallyforthefewintheforegroundofthegreatmultitude，whosefacesIknow，whosehandsItouchforwhomIhavetomakewaywithkindlycourtesy。Neitherarepicturesquelazzaroniorromanticcriminalshalfsofrequentasyourcommonlabourer，whogetshisownbreadandeatsitvulgarlybutcreditablywithhisownpocket-knife。ItismoreneedfulthatIshouldhaveafibreofsympathyconnectingmewiththatvulgarcitizenwhoweighsoutmysugarinavilelyassortedcravatandwaistcoat，thanwiththehandsomestrascalinredscarfandgreenfeathers——moreneedfulthatmyheartshouldswellwithlovingadmirationatsometraitofgentlegoodnessinthefaultypeoplewhositatthesamehearthwithme，orintheclergymanofmyownparish，whoisperhapsrathertoocorpulentandinotherrespectsisnotanOberlinoraTillotson，thanatthedeedsofheroeswhomIshallneverknowexceptbyhearsay，oratthesublimestabstractofallclericalgracesthatwaseverconceivedbyanablenovelist。
AndsoIcomebacktoMr。Irwine，withwhomIdesireyoutobeinperfectcharity，farashemaybefromsatisfyingyourdemandsontheclericalcharacter。Perhapsyouthinkhewasnot——asheoughttohavebeen——alivingdemonstrationofthebenefitsattachedtoanationalchurch？ButIamnotsureofthat；atleastIknowthatthepeopleinBroxtonandHayslopewouldhavebeenverysorrytopartwiththeirclergyman，andthatmostfacesbrightenedathisapproach；anduntilitcanbeprovedthathatredisabetterthingforthesoulthanlove，ImustbelievethatMr。Irwine’sinfluenceinhisparishwasamorewholesomeonethanthatofthezealousMr。Ryde，whocametheretwentyyearsafterwards，whenMr。Irwinehadbeengatheredtohisfathers。Itistrue，Mr。RydeinsistedstronglyonthedoctrinesoftheReformation，visitedhisflockagreatdealintheirownhomes，andwassevereinrebukingtheaberrationsoftheflesh——putastop，indeed，totheChristmasroundsofthechurchsingers，aspromotingdrunkennessandtoolightahandlingofsacredthings。ButIgatheredfromAdamBede，towhomItalkedofthesemattersinhisoldage，thatfewclergymencouldbelesssuccessfulinwinningtheheartsoftheirparishionersthanMr。Ryde。Theylearnedagreatmanynotionsaboutdoctrinefromhim，sothatalmosteverychurch-goerunderfiftybegantodistinguishaswellbetweenthegenuinegospelandwhatdidnotcomepreciselyuptothatstandard，asifhehadbeenbornandbredaDissenter；andforsometimeafterhisarrivalthereseemedtobequiteareligiousmovementinthatquietruraldistrict。\"But，\"saidAdam，\"I’veseenprettyclear，eversinceI
wasayoungun，asreligion’ssomethingelsebesidesnotions。Itisn’tnotionssetspeopledoingtherightthing——it’sfeelings。
It’sthesamewiththenotionsinreligionasitiswithmath’matics——amanmaybeabletoworkproblemsstraightoffin’sheadashesitsbythefireandsmokeshispipe，butifhehastomakeamachineorabuilding，hemusthaveawillandaresolutionandlovesomethingelsebetterthanhisownease。Somehow，thecongregationbegantofalloff，andpeoplebegantospeaklighto’
Mr。Ryde。Ibelievehemeantrightatbottom；but，yousee，hewassourish-tempered，andwasforbeatingdownpriceswiththepeopleasworkedforhim；andhispreachingwouldn’tgodownwellwiththatsauce。Andhewantedtobelikemylordjudgei’theparish，punishingfolksfordoingwrong；andhescolded’emfromthepulpitasifhe’dbeenaRanter，andyethecouldn’tabidetheDissenters，andwasadealmoresetagainst’emthanMr。Irwinewas。Andthenhedidn’tkeepwithinhisincome，forheseemedtothinkatfirstgo-offthatsixhundreda-yearwastomakehimasbigamanasMr。Donnithorne。That’sasoremischiefI’veoftenseenwiththepoorcuratesjumpingintoabitofalivingallofasudden。Mr。Rydewasadealthoughtonatadistance，Ibelieve，andhewrotebooks，butasformath’maticsandthenaturo’
things，hewasasignorantasawoman。Hewasveryknowingaboutdoctrines，andusedtocall’emthebulwarksoftheReformation；
butI’vealwaysmistrustedthatsorto’learningasleavesfolksfoolishandunreasonableaboutbusiness。NowMesterIrwinewasasdifferentascouldbe:asquick！——heunderstoodwhatyoumeantinaminute，andheknewallaboutbuilding，andcouldseewhenyou’dmadeagoodjob。Andhebehavedasmuchlikeagentlemantothefarmers，andth’oldwomen，andthelabourers，ashedidtothegentry。YouneversawHIMinterferingandscolding，andtryingtoplayth’emperor。Ah，hewasafinemanaseveryouseteyeson；
andsokindto’smotherandsisters。ThatpoorsicklyMissAnne——
heseemedtothinkmoreofherthanofanybodyelseintheworld。
Therewasn’tasoulintheparishhadawordtosayagainsthim；
andhisservantsstayedwithhimtilltheyweresooldandpottering，hehadtohireotherfolkstodotheirwork。\"
\"Well，\"Isaid，\"thatwasanexcellentwayofpreachingintheweekdays；butIdaresay，ifyouroldfriendMr。Irwineweretocometolifeagain，andgetintothepulpitnextSunday，youwouldberatherashamedthathedidn’tpreachbetterafterallyourpraiseofhim。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidAdam，broadeninghischestandthrowinghimselfbackinhischair，asifhewerereadytomeetallinferences，\"nobodyhaseverheardmesayMr。Irwinewasmuchofapreacher。
Hedidn’tgointodeepsperitialexperience；andIknowtheresadealinaman’sinwardlifeasyoucan’tmeasurebythesquare，andsay，’Dothisandthat’llfollow，’and，’Dothatandthis’llfollow。’There’sthingsgooninthesoul，andtimeswhenfeelingscomeintoyoulikearushingmightywind，astheScripturesays，andpartyourlifeintwoa’most，soyoulookbackonyourselfasifyouwassomebodyelse。Thosearethingsasyoucan’tbottleupina’dothis’and’dothat’；andI’llgosofarwiththestrongestMethodisteveryou’llfind。Thatshowsmethere’sdeepsperitialthingsinreligion。Youcan’tmakemuchoutwi’talkingaboutit，butyoufeelit。Mr。Irwinedidn’tgointothosethings——hepreachedshortmoralsermons，andthatwasall。Butthenheactedprettymuchuptowhathesaid；hedidn’tsetupforbeingsodifferentfromotherfolksoneday，andthenbeaslike’emastwopeasthenext。Andhemadefolkslovehimandrespecthim，andthatwasbetternorstirringuptheirgallwi’beingoverbusy。Mrs。Poyserusedtosay——youknowshewouldhaveherwordabouteverything——shesaid，Mr。Irwinewaslikeagoodmealo’victual，youwerethebetterforhimwithoutthinkingonit，andMr。Rydewaslikeadoseo’physic，hegrippedyouandworretedyou，andafterallheleftyoumuchthesame。\"
\"Butdidn’tMr。Rydepreachagreatdealmoreaboutthatspiritualpartofreligionthatyoutalkof，Adam？Couldn’tyougetmoreoutofhissermonsthanoutofMr。Irwine’s？\"
\"Eh，Iknowna。Hepreachedadealaboutdoctrines。ButI’veseenprettyclear，eversinceIwasayoungun，asreligion’ssomethingelsebesidesdoctrinesandnotions。Ilookatitasifthedoctrineswaslikefindingnamesforyourfeelings，soasyoucantalkof’emwhenyou’veneverknown’em，justasamanmaytalko’
toolswhenheknowstheirnames，thoughhe’sneversomuchasseen’em，stilllesshandled’em。I’veheardadealo’doctrinei’mytime，forIusedtogoaftertheDissentingpreachersalongwi’
Seth，whenIwasalado’seventeen，andgotpuzzlingmyselfadealaboutth’ArminiansandtheCalvinists。TheWesleyans，youknow，arestrongArminians；andSeth，whocouldneverabideanythingharshandwasalwaysforhopingthebest，heldfastbytheWesleyansfromtheveryfirst；butIthoughtIcouldpickaholeortwointheirnotions，andIgotdisputingwi’oneo’theclassleadersdownatTreddles’on，andharassedhimso，firsto’
thissideandtheno’that，tillatlasthesaid，’Youngman，it’sthedevilmakinguseo’yourprideandconceitasaweapontowaragainstthesimplicityo’thetruth。’Icouldn’thelplaughingthen，butasIwasgoinghome，Ithoughtthemanwasn’tfarwrong。
Ibegantoseeasallthisweighingandsiftingwhatthistextmeansandthattextmeans，andwhetherfolksaresavedallbyGod’sgrace，orwhethertheregoesanounceo’theirownwillto’t，wasnoparto’realreligionatall。Youmaytalko’thesethingsforhoursonend，andyou’llonlybeallthemorecoxyandconceitedfor’t。SoItooktogoingnowherebuttochurch，andhearingnobodybutMr。Irwine，forhesaidnotningbutwhatwasgoodandwhatyou’dbethewiserforremembering。AndIfounditbetterformysoultobehumblebeforethemysterieso’God’sdealings，andnotbemakingaclatteraboutwhatIcouldneverunderstand。Andthey’repoorfoolishquestionsafterall；forwhathavewegoteitherinsideoroutsideofusbutwhatcomesfromGod？Ifwe’vegotaresolutiontodoright，Hegaveitus，I
reckon，firstorlast；butIseeplainenoughweshallneverdoitwithoutaresolution，andthat’senoughforme。\"
Adam，youperceive，wasawarmadmirer，perhapsapartialjudge，ofMr。Irwine，as，happily，someofusstillareofthepeoplewehaveknownfamiliarly。Doubtlessitwillbedespisedasaweaknessbythatloftyorderofmindswhopantaftertheideal，andareoppressedbyageneralsensethattheiremotionsareoftooexquisiteacharactertofindfitobjectsamongtheireverydayfellowmen。Ihaveoftenbeenfavouredwiththeconfidenceoftheseselectnatures，andfindthemtoconcurintheexperiencethatgreatmenareoverestimatedandsmallmenareinsupportable；
thatifyouwouldloveawomanwithouteverlookingbackonyourloveasafolly，shemustdiewhileyouarecourtingher；andifyouwouldmaintaintheslightestbeliefinhumanheroism，youmustnevermakeapilgrimagetoseethehero。IconfessIhaveoftenmeanlyshrunkfromconfessingtotheseaccomplishedandacutegentlemenwhatmyownexperiencehasbeen。IamafraidIhaveoftensmiledwithhypocriticalassent，andgratifiedthemwithanepigramonthefleetingnatureofourillusions，whichanyonemoderatelyacquaintedwithFrenchliteraturecancommandatamoment’snotice。Humanconverse，Ithinksomewisemanhasremarked，isnotrigidlysincere。ButIherewithdischargemyconscience，anddeclarethatIhavehadquiteenthusiasticmovementsofadmirationtowardsoldgentlemenwhospoketheworstEnglish，whowereoccasionallyfretfulintheirtemper，andwhohadnevermovedinahighersphereofinfluencethanthatofparishoverseer；andthatthewayinwhichIhavecometotheconclusionthathumannatureislovable——thewayIhavelearntsomethingofitsdeeppathos，itssublimemysteries——hasbeenbylivingagreatdealamongpeoplemoreorlesscommonplaceandvulgar，ofwhomyouwouldperhapshearnothingverysurprisingifyouweretoinquireaboutthemintheneighbourhoodswheretheydwelt。Tentoonemostofthesmallshopkeepersintheirvicinitysawnothingatallinthem。ForIhaveobservedthisremarkablecoincidence，thattheselectnatureswhopantaftertheideal，andfindnothinginpantaloonsorpetticoatsgreatenoughtocommandtheirreverenceandlove，arecuriouslyinunisonwiththenarrowestandpettiest。Forexample，IhaveoftenheardMr。
Gedge，thelandlordoftheRoyalOak，whousedtoturnabloodshoteyeonhisneighboursinthevillageofShepperton，sumuphisopinionofthepeopleinhisownparish——andtheywereallthepeopleheknew——intheseemphaticwords:\"Aye，sir，I’vesaiditoften，andI’llsayitagain，they’reapoorloti’thisparish——apoorlot，sir，bigandlittle。\"Ithinkhehadadimideathatifhecouldmigratetoadistantparish，hemightfindneighboursworthyofhim；andindeedhedidsubsequentlytransferhimselftotheSaracen’sHead，whichwasdoingathrivingbusinessinthebackstreetofaneighbouringmarket-town。But，oddlyenough，hehasfoundthepeopleupthatbackstreetofpreciselythesamestampastheinhabitantsofShepperton——\"apoorlot，sir，bigandlittle，andthemascomesforagoo’ginarenobetterthanthemascomesforapinto’twopenny——apoorlot。\"
ChapterXVIII
Church\"HETTY，Hetty，don’tyouknowchurchbeginsattwo，andit’sgonehalfafteronea’ready？HaveyougotnothingbettertothinkonthisgoodSundayaspooroldThiasBede’stobeputintotheground，andhimdrowndedi’th’deado’thenight，asit’senoughtomakeone’sbackruncold，butyoumustbe’dizeningyourselfasiftherewasaweddingi’stidofafuneral？\"
\"Well，Aunt，\"saidHetty，\"Ican’tbereadysosoonaseverybodyelse，whenI’vegotTotty’sthingstoputon。AndI’deversuchworktomakeherstandstill。\"
Hettywascomingdownstairs，andMrs。Poyser，inherplainbonnetandshawl，wasstandingbelow。Ifeveragirllookedasifshehadbeenmadeofroses，thatgirlwasHettyinherSundayhatandfrock。Forherhatwastrimmedwithpink，andherfrockhadpinkspots，sprinkledonawhiteground。Therewasnothingbutpinkandwhiteabouther，exceptinherdarkhairandeyesandherlittlebuckledshoes。Mrs。Poyserwasprovokedatherself，forshecouldhardlykeepfromsmiling，asanymortalisinclinedtodoatthesightofprettyroundthings。Sosheturnedwithoutspeaking，andjoinedthegroupoutsidethehousedoor，followedbyHetty，whoseheartwasflutteringsoatthethoughtofsomeonesheexpectedtoseeatchurchthatshehardlyfeltthegroundshetrodon。
Andnowthelittleprocessionsetoff。Mr。PoyserwasinhisSundaysuitofdrab，withared-and-greenwaistcoatandagreenwatch-ribbonhavingalargecorneliansealattached，pendantlikeaplumb-linefromthatpromontorywherehiswatch-pocketwassituated；asilkhandkerchiefofayellowtoneroundhisneck；andexcellentgreyribbedstockings，knittedbyMrs。Poyser’sownhand，settingofftheproportionsofhisleg。Mr。Poyserhadnoreasontobeashamedofhisleg，andsuspectedthatthegrowingabuseoftop-bootsandotherfashionstendingtodisguisethenetherlimbshadtheirorigininapitiabledegeneracyofthehumancalf。Stilllesshadhereasontobeashamedofhisroundjollyface，whichwasgoodhumouritselfashesaid，\"Come，Hetty——
come，littleuns！\"andgivinghisarmtohiswife，ledthewaythroughthecausewaygateintotheyard。
The\"littleuns\"addressedwereMartyandTommy，boysofnineandseven，inlittlefustiantailedcoatsandknee-breeches，relievedbyrosycheeksandblackeyes，lookingasmuchliketheirfatherasaverysmallelephantislikeaverylargeone。Hettywalkedbetweenthem，andbehindcamepatientMolly，whosetaskitwastocarryTottythroughtheyardandoverallthewetplacesontheroad；forTotty，havingspeedilyrecoveredfromherthreatenedfever，hadinsistedongoingtochurchto-day，andespeciallyonwearingherred-and-blacknecklaceoutsidehertippet。Andthereweremanywetplacesforhertobecarriedoverthisafternoon，fortherehadbeenheavyshowersinthemorning，thoughnowthecloudshadrolledoffandlayintoweringsilverymassesonthehorizon。
YoumighthaveknownitwasSundayifyouhadonlywakedupinthefarmyard。Thecocksandhensseemedtoknowit，andmadeonlycrooningsubduednoises；theverybull-doglookedlesssavage，asifhewouldhavebeensatisfiedwithasmallerbitethanusual。
Thesunshineseemedtocallallthingstorestandnottolabour。
Itwasasleepitselfonthemoss-growncow-shed；onthegroupofwhiteducksnestlingtogetherwiththeirbillstuckedundertheirwings；ontheoldblacksowstretchedlanguidlyonthestraw，whileherlargestyoungonefoundanexcellentspring-bedonhismother’sfatribs；onAlick，theshepherd，inhisnewsmock-frock，takinganuneasysiesta，half-sitting，half-standingonthegranarysteps。Alickwasofopinionthatchurch，likeotherluxuries，wasnottobeindulgedinoftenbyaforemanwhohadtheweatherandtheewesonhismind。\"Church！Nay——I’ngottensummatelsetothinkon，\"wasananswerwhichheoftenutteredinatoneofbittersignificancethatsilencedfurtherquestion。I
feelsureAlickmeantnoirreverence；indeed，Iknowthathismindwasnotofaspeculative，negativecast，andhewouldonnoaccounthavemissedgoingtochurchonChristmasDay，EasterSunday，and\"Whissuntide。\"Buthehadageneralimpressionthatpublicworshipandreligiousceremonies，likeothernon-productiveemployments，wereintendedforpeoplewhohadleisure。
\"There’sFathera-standingattheyard-gate，\"saidMartinPoyser。
\"Ireckonhewantstowatchusdownthefield。It’swonderfulwhatsighthehas，andhimturnedseventy-five。\"
\"Ah，Ioftenthinkit’swi’th’oldfolksasitiswi’thebabbies，\"saidMrs。Poyser；\"they’resatisfiedwi’looking，nomatterwhatthey’relookingat。It’sGodA’mighty’swayo’
quietening’em，Ireckon，aforetheygotosleep。\"
OldMartinopenedthegateashesawthefamilyprocessionapproaching，andhelditwideopen，leaningonhisstick——pleasedtodothisbitofwork；for，likealloldmenwhoselifehasbeenspentinlabour，helikedtofeelthathewasstilluseful——thattherewasabettercropofonionsinthegardenbecausehewasbyatthesowing——andthatthecowswouldbemilkedthebetterifhestayedathomeonaSundayafternoontolookon。HealwayswenttochurchonSacramentSundays，butnotveryregularlyatothertimes；onwetSundays，orwheneverhehadatouchofrheumatism，heusedtoreadthethreefirstchaptersofGenesisinstead。
\"They’llha’puttenThiasBedei’thegroundaforeyegettothechurchyard，\"hesaid，ashissoncameup。\"It’udha’beenbetterluckifthey’dha’buriedhimi’theforenoonwhentherainwasfallin’；there’snolikelihoodsofadropnow；an’themoonlieslikeaboatthere，dostsee？That’sasuresigno’fairweather——
there’samanyasisfalsebutthat’ssure。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidtheson，\"I’minhopesit’llholdupnow。\"
\"Mindwhattheparsonsays，mindwhattheparsonsays，mylads，\"
saidGrandfathertotheblack-eyedyoungstersinknee-breeches，consciousofamarbleortwointheirpocketswhichtheylookedforwardtohandling，alittle，secretly，duringthesermon。
\"Dood-bye，Dandad，\"saidTotty。\"Medoin’tochurch。Medotmynetlaceon。Divemeapeppermint。\"
Grandad，shakingwithlaughteratthis\"deeplittlewench，\"slowlytransferredhissticktohislefthand，whichheldthegateopen，andslowlythrusthisfingerintothewaistcoatpocketonwhichTottyhadfixedhereyeswithaconfidentlookofexpectation。
Andwhentheywereallgone，theoldmanleanedonthegateagain，watchingthemacrossthelanealongtheHomeClose，andthroughthefargate，tilltheydisappearedbehindabendinthehedge。
Forthehedgerowsinthosedaysshutoutone’sview，evenonthebetter-managedfarms；andthisafternoon，thedog-rosesweretossingouttheirpinkwreaths，thenightshadewasinitsyellowandpurpleglory，thepalehoneysucklegrewoutofreach，peepinghighupoutofahollybush，andoverallanashorasycamoreeverynowandthenthrewitsshadowacrossthepath。
Therewereacquaintancesatothergateswhohadtomoveasideandletthempass:atthegateoftheHomeClosetherewashalfthedairyofcowsstandingonebehindtheother，extremelyslowtounderstandthattheirlargebodiesmightbeintheway；atthefargatetherewasthemareholdingherheadoverthebars，andbesidehertheliver-colouredfoalwithitsheadtowardsitsmother’sflank，apparentlystillmuchembarrassedbyitsownstraddlingexistence。ThewaylayentirelythroughMr。Poyser’sownfieldstilltheyreachedthemainroadleadingtothevillage，andheturnedakeeneyeonthestockandthecropsastheywentalong，whileMrs。Poyserwasreadytosupplyarunningcommentaryonthemall。Thewomanwhomanagesadairyhasalargeshareinmakingtherent，soshemaywellbeallowedtohaveheropiniononstockandtheir\"keep\"——anexercisewhichstrengthensherunderstandingsomuchthatshefindsherselfabletogiveherhusbandadviceonmostothersubjects。
\"There’sthatshorthornedSally，\"shesaid，astheyenteredtheHomeClose，andshecaughtsightofthemeekbeastthatlaychewingthecudandlookingatherwithasleepyeye。\"Ibegintohatethesighto’thecow；andIsaynowwhatIsaidthreeweeksago，thesoonerwegetridofherthebetter，forthere’sthatlittleyallowcowasdoesn’tgivehalfthemilk，andyetI’vetwiceasmuchbutterfromher。\"
\"Why，thee’tnotlikethewomeningeneral，\"saidMr。Poyser；
\"theyliketheshorthorns，asgivesuchaloto’milk。There’sChowne’swifewantshimtobuynoothersort。\"
\"What’sitsinnifywhatChowne’swifelikes？Apoorsoftthing，wi’nomorehead-piecenorasparrow。She’dtakeabigcullendertostrainherlardwi’，andthenwonderasthescratchin’srunthrough。I’veseenenoughofhertoknowasI’llnivertakeaservantfromherhouseagain——allhugger-mugger——andyou’dniverknow，whenyouwentin，whetheritwasMondayorFriday，thewashdraggin’ontoth’endo’theweek；andasforhercheese，Iknowwellenoughitroselikealoafinatinlastyear。Andthenshetalkso’theweatherbein’i’fault，asthere’sfolks’udstandontheirheadsandthensaythefaultwasi’theirboots。\"
\"Well，Chowne’sbeenwantingtobuySally，sowecangetridofheriftheelik’st，\"saidMr。Poyser，secretlyproudofhiswife’ssuperiorpowerofputtingtwoandtwotogether；indeed，onrecentmarket-dayshehadmorethanonceboastedofherdiscernmentinthisverymatterofshorthorns。\"Aye，themaschooseasoftforawifemay’swellbuyuptheshorthorns，forifyougetyourheadstuckinabog，yourlegsmay’swellgoafterit。Eh！Talko’
legs，there’slegsforyou，\"Mrs。Poysercontinued，asTotty，whohadbeensetdownnowtheroadwasdry，toddledoninfrontofherfatherandmother。\"There’sshapes！An’she’sgotsuchalongfoot，she’llbeherfather’sownchild。\"
\"Aye，she’llbewellysuchaoneasHettyi’tenyears’time，on’yshe’sgotTHYcolouredeyes。Iniverrememberablueeyei’myfamily；mymotherhadeyesasblackassloes，justlikeHetty’s。\"
\"Thechild’ullbenonetheworseforhavingsummatasisn’tlikeHetty。An’I’mnoneforhavinghersooverpretty。Thoughforthemattero’that，there’speoplewi’lighthairan’blueeyesasprettyasthemwi’black。IfDinahhadgotabito’colourinhercheeks，an’didn’tstickthatMethodistcaponherhead，enoughtofrightenthecows，folks’udthinkherasprettyasHetty。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidMr。Poyser，withratheracontemptuousemphasis，\"theedostnaknowthepintsofawoman。Themen’udniverrunafterDinahastheywouldafterHetty。\"
\"WhatcareIwhatthemen’udrunafter？It’swellseenwhatchoicethemostof’emknowhowtomake，bythepoordraggle-tailso’wivesyousee，likebitso’gauzeribbin，goodfornothingwhenthecolour’sgone。\"
\"Well，well，theecanstnasaybutwhatIknowedhowtomakeachoicewhenImarriedthee，\"saidMr。Poyser，whousuallysettledlittleconjugaldisputesbyacomplimentofthissort；\"andtheewasttwiceasbuxomasDinahtenyearago。\"
\"Iniversaidasawomanhadneedtobeuglytomakeagoodmissisofahouse。There’sChowne’swifeuglyenoughtoturnthemilkan’savetherennet，butshe’llniversavenothinganyotherway。
ButasforDinah，poorchild，she’sniverlikelytobebuxomaslongasshe’llmakeherdinnero’cakeandwater，forthesakeo’
givingtothemaswant。Sheprovokedmepastbearingsometimes；
and，asItoldher，shewentcleanagain’theScriptur’，forthatsays，’Loveyourneighbourasyourself’；’but，’Isaid，’ifyoulovedyourneighbournobetternoryoudoyourself，Dinah，it’slittleenoughyou’ddoforhim。You’dbethinkinghemightdowellenoughonahalf-emptystomach。’Eh，IwonderwheresheisthisblessedSunday！Sittingbythatsickwoman，Idaresay，asshe’dsetherheartongoingtoallofasudden。\"
\"Ah，itwasapitysheshouldtakesuchmegrimsintoherhead，whenshemightha’stayedwi’usallsummer，andeatentwiceasmuchasshewanted，andit’udniverha’beenmissed。Shemadenooddsinth’houseatall，forshesatasstillathersewingasabirdonthenest，andwasuncommonnimbleatrunningtofetchanything。IfHettygetsmarried，theed’stliketoha’Dinahwi’
theeconstant。\"
\"It’snousethinkingo’that，\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"YoumightaswellbeckontotheflyingswallowasaskDinahtocomean’liveherecomfortable，likeotherfolks。Ifanythingcouldturnher，I
shouldha’turnedher，forI’vetalkedtoherforahouronend，andscoldedhertoo；forshe’smyownsister’schild，anditbehovesmetodowhatIcanforher。Buteh，poorthing，assoonasshe’dsaidus’good-bye’an’gotintothecart，an’lookedbackatmewithherpaleface，asiswellylikeherAuntJudithcomebackfromheaven，Ibeguntobefrightenedtothinko’theset-
downsI’dgivenher；foritcomesoveryousometimesasifshe’dawayo’knowingtherightso’thingsmorenorotherfolkshave。
ButI’llnivergiveinasthat’s’causeshe’saMethodist，nomorenorawhitecalf’swhite’causeiteatsouto’thesamebucketwi’
ablackun。\"
\"Nay，\"saidMr。Poyser，withasnearanapproachtoasnarlashisgood-naturewouldallow；\"I’mnoopiniono’theMethodists。It’son’ytradesfolksasturnMethodists；younuverknewafarmerbittenwi’themmaggots。There’smaybeaworkmannowan’then，asisn’tovercleverat’swork，takestopreachin’an’that，likeSethBede。ButyouseeAdam，ashasgotoneo’thebesthead-pieceshereabout，knowsbetter；he’sagoodChurchman，elseI’dneverencouragehimforasweetheartforHetty。\"
\"Why，goodnessme，\"saidMrs。Poyser，whohadlookedbackwhileherhusbandwasspeaking，\"lookwhereMollyiswiththemlads！
They’rethefield’slengthbehindus。HowCOULDyoulet’emdoso，Hetty？Anybodymightaswellsetapictur’towatchthechildrenasyou。Runbackandtell’emtocomeon。\"
Mr。andMrs。Poyserwerenowattheendofthesecondfield，sotheysetTottyonthetopofoneofthelargestonesformingthetrueLoamshirestile，andawaitedtheloiterersTottyobservingwithcomplacency，\"Deynaughty，naughtyboys——medood。\"
ThefactwasthatthisSundaywalkthroughthefieldswasfraughtwithgreatexcitementtoMartyandTommy，whosawaperpetualdramagoingoninthehedgerows，andcouldnomorerefrainfromstoppingandpeepingthaniftheyhadbeenacoupleofspanielsorterriers。Martywasquitesurehesawayellow-hammerontheboughsofthegreatash，andwhilehewaspeeping，hemissedthesightofawhite-throatedstoat，whichhadrunacrossthepathandwasdescribedwithmuchfervourbythejuniorTommy。Thentherewasalittlegreenfinch，justfledged，flutteringalongtheground，anditseemedquitepossibletocatchit，tillitmanagedtoflutterundertheblackberrybush。Hettycouldnotbegottogiveanyheedtothesethings，soMollywascalledonforherreadysympathy，andpeepedwithopenmouthwherevershewastold，andsaid\"Lawks！\"whenevershewasexpectedtowonder。
MollyhastenedonwithsomealarmwhenHettyhadcomebackandcalledtothemthatherauntwasangry；butMartyranonfirst，shouting，\"We’vefoundthespeckledturkey’snest，Mother！\"withtheinstinctiveconfidencethatpeoplewhobringgoodnewsareneverinfault。
\"Ah，\"saidMrs。Poyser，reallyforgettingalldisciplineinthispleasantsurprise，\"that’sagoodlad；why，whereisit？\"
\"Downineversuchahole，underthehedge。Isawitfirst，lookingafterthegreenfinch，andshesatonth’nest。\"
\"Youdidn’tfrightenher，Ihope，\"saidthemother，\"elseshe’llforsakeit。\"
\"No，Iwentawayasstillasstill，andwhisperedtoMolly——didn’tI，Molly？\"
\"Well，well，nowcomeon，\"saidMrs。Poyser，\"andwalkbeforeFatherandMother，andtakeyourlittlesisterbythehand。Wemustgostraightonnow。Goodboysdon’tlookafterthebirdsofaSunday。\"
\"But，Mother，\"saidMarty，\"yousaidyou’dgivehalf-a-crowntofindthespeckledturkey’snest。Mayn’tIhavethehalf-crownputintomymoney-box？\"
\"We’llseeaboutthat，mylad，ifyouwalkalongnow，likeagoodboy。\"
Thefatherandmotherexchangedasignificantglanceofamusementattheireldest-born’sacuteness；butonTommy’sroundfacetherewasacloud。
\"Mother，\"hesaid，half-crying，\"Marty’sgoteversomuchmoremoneyinhisboxnorI’vegotinmine。\"
\"Munny，mewanthalf-a-touninmybots，\"saidTotty。
\"Hush，hush，hush，\"saidMrs。Poyser，\"dideveranybodyhearsuchnaughtychildren？Nobodyshalleverseetheirmoney-boxesanymore，iftheydon’tmakehasteandgoontochurch。\"
Thisdreadfulthreathadthedesiredeffect，andthroughthetworemainingfieldsthethreepairofsmalllegstrottedonwithoutanyseriousinterruption，notwithstandingasmallpondfulloftadpoles，alias\"bullheads，\"whichtheladslookedatwistfully。
Thedamphaythatmustbescatteredandturnedafreshto-morrowwasnotacheeringsighttoMr。Poyser，whoduringhayandcornharvesthadoftensomementalstrugglesastothebenefitsofadayofrest；butnotemptationwouldhaveinducedhimtocarryonanyfield-work，howeverearlyinthemorning，onaSunday；forhadnotMichaelHoldsworthhadapairofoxen\"sweltered\"whilehewasploughingonGoodFriday？Thatwasademonstrationthatworkonsacreddayswasawickedthing；andwithwickednessofanysortMartinPoyserwasquiteclearthathewouldhavenothingtodo，sincemoneygotbysuchmeanswouldneverprosper。
\"Ita’mostmakesyourfingersitchtobeatthehaynowthesunshinesso，\"heobserved，astheypassedthroughthe\"BigMeadow。\"
\"Butit’spoorfoolishnesstothinko’savingbygoingagainstyourconscience。There’sthatJimWakefield，astheyusedtocall’GentlemanWakefield，’usedtodothesameofaSundayaso’
weekdays，andtooknoheedtorightorwrong，asiftherewasnaytherGodnordevil。An’what’shecometo？Why，Isawhimmyselflastmarket-daya-carryingabasketwi’orangesin’t。\"
\"Ah，tobesure，\"saidMrs。Poyser，emphatically，\"youmakebutapoortraptocatchluckifyougoandbaititwi’wickedness。Themoneyasisgotso’sliketoburnholesi’yourpocket。I’dniverwishustoleaveourladsasixpencebutwhatwasgoti’therightfulway。Andasfortheweather，there’sOneabovemakesit，andwemustputupwi’t:it’snothingofaplaguetowhatthewenchesare。\"
Notwithstandingtheinterruptionintheirwalk，theexcellenthabitwhichMrs。Poyser’sclockhadoftakingtimebytheforelockhadsecuredtheirarrivalatthevillagewhileitwasstillaquartertotwo，thoughalmosteveryonewhomeanttogotochurchwasalreadywithinthechurchyardgates。Thosewhostayedathomewerechieflymothers，likeTimothy’sBess，whostoodatherowndoornursingherbabyandfeelingaswomenfeelinthatposition——
thatnothingelsecanbeexpectedofthem。
ItwasnotentirelytoseeThiasBede’sfuneralthatthepeoplewerestandingaboutthechurchyardsolongbeforeservicebegan；
thatwastheircommonpractice。Thewomen，indeed，usuallyenteredthechurchatonce，andthefarmers’wivestalkedinanundertonetoeachother，overthetallpews，abouttheirillnessesandthetotalfailureofdoctor’sstuff，recommendingdandelion-
tea，andotherhome-madespecifics，asfarpreferable——abouttheservants，andtheirgrowingexorbitanceastowages，whereasthequalityoftheirservicesdeclinedfromyeartoyear，andtherewasnogirlnowadaystobetrustedanyfurtherthanyoucouldseeher——aboutthebadpriceMr。Dingall，theTreddlestongrocer，wasgivingforbutter，andthereasonabledoubtsthatmightbeheldastohissolvency，notwithstandingthatMrs。Dingallwasasensiblewoman，andtheywereallsorryforHER，forshehadverygoodkin。
Meantimethemenlingeredoutside，andhardlyanyofthemexceptthesingers，whohadahummingandfragmentaryrehearsaltogothrough，enteredthechurchuntilMr。Irwinewasinthedesk。
Theysawnoreasonforthatprematureentrance——whatcouldtheydoinchurchiftheyweretherebeforeservicebegan？——andtheydidnotconceivethatanypowerintheuniversecouldtakeitillofthemiftheystayedoutandtalkedalittleabout\"bus’ness。\"
ChadCranagelookslikequiteanewacquaintanceto-day，forhehasgothiscleanSundayface，whichalwaysmakeshislittlegranddaughtercryathimasastranger。Butanexperiencedeyewouldhavefixedonhimatonceasthevillageblacksmith，afterseeingthehumbledeferencewithwhichthebigsaucyfellowtookoffhishatandstrokedhishairtothefarmers；forChadwasaccustomedtosaythataworking-manmustholdacandletoapersonageunderstoodtobeasblackashewashimselfonweekdays；
bywhichevil-soundingruleofconducthemeantwhatwas，afterall，rathervirtuousthanotherwise，namely，thatmenwhohadhorsestobeshodmustbetreatedwithrespect。Chadandtheroughersortofworkmenkeptalooffromthegraveunderthewhitethorn，wheretheburialwasgoingforward；butSandyJim，andseveralofthefarm-labourers，madeagrouproundit，andstoodwiththeirhatsoff，asfellow-mournerswiththemotherandsons。
Othersheldamidwayposition，sometimeswatchingthegroupatthegrave，sometimeslisteningtotheconversationofthefarmers，whostoodinaknotnearthechurchdoor，andwerenowjoinedbyMartinPoyser，whilehisfamilypassedintothechurch。OntheoutsideofthisknotstoodMr。Casson，thelandlordoftheDonnithorneArms，inhismoststrikingattitude——thatistosay，withtheforefingerofhisrighthandthrustbetweenthebuttonsofhiswaistcoat，hislefthandinhisbreechespocket，andhisheadverymuchononeside；looking，onthewhole，likeanactorwhohasonlyamono-syllabicpartentrustedtohim，butfeelssurethattheaudiencediscernhisfitnessfortheleadingbusiness；
curiouslyincontrastwitholdJonathanBurge，whoheldhishandsbehindhimandleanedforward，coughingasthmatically，withaninwardscornofallknowingnessthatcouldnotbeturnedintocash。Thetalkwasinratheralowertonethanusualto-day，hushedalittlebythesoundofMr。Irwine’svoicereadingthefinalprayersoftheburial-service。TheyhadallhadtheirwordofpityforpoorThias，butnowtheyhadgotuponthenearersubjectoftheirowngrievancesagainstSatchell，theSquire’sbailiff，whoplayedthepartofstewardsofarasitwasnotperformedbyoldMr。Donnithornehimself，forthatgentlemanhadthemeannesstoreceivehisownrentsandmakebargainsabouthisowntimber。Thissubjectofconversationwasanadditionalreasonfornotbeingloud，sinceSatchellhimselfmightpresentlybewalkingupthepavedroadtothechurchdoor。Andsoontheybecamesuddenlysilent；forMr。Irwine’svoicehadceased，andthegrouproundthewhitethornwasdispersingitselftowardsthechurch。
Theyallmovedaside，andstoodwiththeirhatsoff，whileMr。
Irwinepassed。AdamandSethwerecomingnext，withtheirmotherbetweenthem；forJoshuaRannofficiatedasheadsextonaswellasclerk，andwasnotyetreadytofollowtherectorintothevestry。
Buttherewasapausebeforethethreemournerscameon:Lisbethhadturnedroundtolookagaintowardsthegrave！Ah！Therewasnothingnowbutthebrownearthunderthewhitethorn。Yetshecriedlessto-daythanshehaddoneanydaysinceherhusband’sdeath。Alongwithallhergrieftherewasmixedanunusualsenseofherownimportanceinhavinga\"burial，\"andinMr。Irwine’sreadingaspecialserviceforherhusband；andbesides，sheknewthefuneralpsalmwasgoingtobesungforhim。Shefeltthiscounter-excitementtohersorrowstillmorestronglyasshewalkedwithhersonstowardsthechurchdoor，andsawthefriendlysympatheticnodsoftheirfellow-parishioners。
Themotherandsonspassedintothechurch，andonebyonetheloiterersfollowed，thoughsomestilllingeredwithout；thesightofMr。Donnithorne’scarriage，whichwaswindingslowlyupthehill，perhapshelpingtomakethemfeelthattherewasnoneedforhaste。
Butpresentlythesoundofthebassoonandthekey-buglesburstforth；theeveninghymn，whichalwaysopenedtheservice，hadbegun，andeveryonemustnowenterandtakehisplace。
IcannotsaythattheinteriorofHayslopeChurchwasremarkableforanythingexceptforthegreyageofitsoakenpews——greatsquarepewsmostly，rangedoneachsideofanarrowaisle。Itwasfree，indeed，fromthemodernblemishofgalleries。Thechoirhadtwonarrowpewstothemselvesinthemiddleoftheright-handrow，sothatitwasashortprocessforJoshuaRanntotakehisplaceamongthemasprincipalbass，andreturntohisdeskafterthesingingwasover。Thepulpitanddesk，greyandoldasthepews，stoodononesideofthearchleadingintothechancel，whichalsohaditsgreysquarepewsforMr。Donnithorne’sfamilyandservants。YetIassureyouthesegreypews，withthebuff-washedwalls，gaveaverypleasingtonetothisshabbyinterior，andagreedextremelywellwiththeruddyfacesandbrightwaistcoats。
Andtherewereliberaltouchesofcrimsontowardthechancel，forthepulpitandMr。Donnithorne’sownpewhadhandsomecrimsonclothcushions；and，toclosethevista，therewasacrimsonaltar-cloth，embroideredwithgoldenraysbyMissLydia’sownhand。
Butevenwithoutthecrimsoncloth，theeffectmusthavebeenwarmandcheeringwhenMr。Irwinewasinthedesk，lookingbenignlyroundonthatsimplecongregation——onthehardyoldmen，withbentkneesandshoulders，perhaps，butwithvigourleftformuchhedge-
clippingandthatching；onthetallstalwartframesandroughlycutbronzedfacesofthestone-cuttersandcarpenters；onthehalf-dozenwell-to-dofarmers，withtheirapple-cheekedfamilies；
andonthecleanoldwomen，mostlyfarm-labourers’wives，withtheirbitofsnow-whitecap-borderundertheirblackbonnets，andwiththeirwitheredarms，barefromtheelbow，foldedpassivelyovertheirchests。Fornoneoftheoldpeopleheldbooks——whyshouldthey？Notoneofthemcouldread。Buttheyknewafew\"goodwords\"byheart，andtheirwitheredlipsnowandthenmovedsilently，followingtheservicewithoutanyveryclearcomprehensionindeed，butwithasimplefaithinitsefflcacytowardoffharmandbringblessing。Andnowallfaceswerevisible，forallwerestandingup——thelittlechildrenontheseatspeepingovertheedgeofthegreypews，whilegoodBishopKen’seveninghymnwasbeingsungtooneofthoselivelypsalm-tuneswhichdiedoutwiththelastgenerationofrectorsandchoralparishclerks。
Melodiesdieout，likethepipeofPan，withtheearsthatlovethemandlistenforthem。Adamwasnotinhisusualplaceamongthesingersto-day，forhesatwithhismotherandSeth，andhenoticedwithsurprisethatBartleMasseywasabsenttoo——allthemoreagreeableforMr。JoshuaRann，whogaveouthisbassnoteswithunusualcomplacencyandthrewanextrarayofseverityintotheglanceshesentoverhisspectaclesattherecusantWillMaskery。
IbeseechyoutoimagineMr。Irwinelookingroundonthisscene，inhisamplewhitesurplicethatbecamehimsowell，withhispowderedhairthrownback，hisrichbrowncomplexion，andhisfinelycutnostrilandupperlip；fortherewasacertainvirtueinthatbenignantyetkeencountenanceasthereisinallhumanfacesfromwhichageneroussoulbeamsout。AndoverallstreamedthedeliciousJunesunshinethroughtheoldwindows，withtheirdesultorypatchesofyellow，red，andblue，thatthrewpleasanttouchesofcolourontheoppositewall。
Ithink，asMr。Irwinelookedroundto-day，hiseyesrestedaninstantlongerthanusualonthesquarepewoccupiedbyMartinPoyserandhisfamily。Andtherewasanotherpairofdarkeyesthatfounditimpossiblenottowanderthither，andrestonthatroundpink-and-whitefigure。ButHettywasatthatmomentquitecarelessofanyglances——shewasabsorbedinthethoughtthatArthurDonnithornewouldsoonbecomingintochurch，forthecarriagemustsurelybeatthechurch-gatebythistime。ShehadneverseenhimsinceshepartedwithhiminthewoodonThursdayevening，andoh，howlongthetimehadseemed！Thingshadgoneonjustthesameaseversincethatevening；thewondersthathadhappenedthenhadbroughtnochangesafterthem；theywerealreadylikeadream。Whensheheardthechurchdoorswinging，herheartbeatso，shedarednotlookup。Shefeltthatherauntwascurtsying；shecurtsiedherself。ThatmustbeoldMr。
Donnithorne——healwayscamefirst，thewrinkledsmalloldman，peeringroundwithshort-sightedglancesatthebowingandcurtsyingcongregation；thensheknewMissLydiawaspassing，andthoughHettylikedsomuchtolookatherfashionablelittlecoal-
scuttlebonnet，withthewreathofsmallrosesroundit，shedidn’tminditto-day。Buttherewerenomorecurtsies——no，hewasnotcome；shefeltsuretherewasnothingelsepassingthepewdoorbutthehouse-keeper’sblackbonnetandthelady’smaid’sbeautifulstrawhatthathadoncebeenMissLydia’s，andthenthepowderedheadsofthebutlerandfootman。No，hewasnotthere；
yetshewouldlooknow——shemightbemistaken——for，afterall，shehadnotlooked。Soshelifteduphereyelidsandglancedtimidlyatthecushionedpewinthechancel——therewasnoonebutoldMr。
Donnithornerubbinghisspectacleswithhiswhitehandkerchief，andMissLydiaopeningthelargegilt-edgedprayer-book。Thechilldisappointmentwastoohardtobear。Shefeltherselfturningpale，herlipstrembling；shewasreadytocry。Oh，whatSHOULDshedo？Everybodywouldknowthereason；theywouldknowshewascryingbecauseArthurwasnotthere。AndMr。Craig，withthewonderfulhothouseplantinhisbutton-hole，wasstaringather，sheknew。ItwasdreadfullylongbeforetheGeneralConfessionbegan，sothatshecouldkneeldown。TwogreatdropsWOULDfallthen，butnoonesawthemexceptgood-naturedMolly，forherauntandunclekneltwiththeirbackstowardsher。Molly，unabletoimagineanycausefortearsinchurchexceptfaintness，ofwhichshehadavaguetraditionalknowledge，drewoutofherpocketaqueerlittleflatbluesmelling-bottle，andaftermuchlabourinpullingthecorkout，thrustthenarrowneckagainstHetty’snostrils。\"Itdonnasmell，\"shewhispered，thinkingthiswasagreatadvantagewhicholdsaltshadoverfreshones:theydidyougoodwithoutbitingyournose。Hettypusheditawaypeevishly；butthislittleflashoftemperdidwhatthesaltscouldnothavedone——itrousedhertowipeawaythetracesofhertears，andtrywithallhermightnottoshedanymore。Hettyhadacertainstrengthinhervainlittlenature:shewouldhaveborneanythingratherthanbelaughedat，orpointedatwithanyotherfeelingthanadmiration；shewouldhavepressedherownnailsintohertenderfleshratherthanpeopleshouldknowasecretshedidnotwantthemtoknow。
Whatfluctuationstherewereinherbusythoughtsandfeelings，whileMr。Irwinewaspronouncingthesolemn\"Absolution\"inherdeafears，andthroughallthetonesofpetitionthatfollowed！
Angerlayveryclosetodisappointment，andsoonwonthevictoryovertheconjectureshersmallingenuitycoulddevisetoaccountforArthur’sabsenceonthesuppositionthathereallywantedtocome，reallywantedtoseeheragain。Andbythetimesherosefromherkneesmechanically，becausealltherestwererising，thecolourhadreturnedtohercheeksevenwithaheightenedglow，forshewasframinglittleindignantspeechestoherself，sayingshehatedArthurforgivingherthispain——shewouldlikehimtosuffertoo。Yetwhilethisselfishtumultwasgoingoninhersoul，hereyeswerebentdownonherprayer-book，andtheeyelidswiththeirdarkfringelookedaslovelyasever。AdamBedethoughtso，asheglancedatherforamomentonrisingfromhisknees。
ButAdam’sthoughtsofHettydidnotdeafenhimtotheservice；
theyratherblendedwithalltheotherdeepfeelingsforwhichthechurchservicewasachanneltohimthisafternoon，asacertainconsciousnessofourentirepastandourimaginedfutureblendsitselfwithallourmomentsofkeensensibility。AndtoAdamthechurchservicewasthebestchannelhecouldhavefoundforhismingledregret，yearning，andresignation；itsinterchangeofbeseechingcriesforhelpwithoutburstsoffaithandpraise，itsrecurrentresponsesandthefamiliarrhythmofitscollects，seemedtospeakforhimasnootherformofworshipcouldhavedone；as，tothoseearlyChristianswhohadworshippedfromtheirchildhoodupwardsincatacombs，thetorch-lightandshadowsmusthaveseemednearertheDivinepresencethantheheathenishdaylightofthestreets。Thesecretofouremotionsneverliesinthebareobject，butinitssubtlerelationstoourownpast:nowonderthesecretescapestheunsympathizingoberver，whomightaswellputonhisspectaclestodiscernodours。
ButtherewasonereasonwhyevenachancecomerwouldhavefoundtheserviceinHayslopeChurchmoreimpressivethaninmostothervillagenooksinthekingdom——areasonofwhichIamsureyouhavenottheslightestsuspicion。ItwasthereadingofourfriendJoshuaRann。Wherethatgoodshoemakergothisnotionofreadingfromremainedamysteryeventohismostintimateacquaintances。
Ibelieve，afterall，hegotitchieflyfromNature，whohadpouredsomeofhermusicintothishonestconceitedsoul，asshehadbeenknowntodointoothernarrowsoulsbeforehis。Shehadgivenhim，atleast，afinebassvoiceandamusicalear；butI
cannotpositivelysaywhetherthesealonehadsufficedtoinspirehimwiththerichchantinwhichhedeliveredtheresponses。Thewayherolledfromarichdeepforteintoamelancholycadence，subsiding，attheendofthelastword，intoasortoffaintresonance，likethelingeringvibrationsofafinevioloncello，I
cancomparetonothingforitsstrongcalmmelancholybuttherushandcadenceofthewindamongtheautumnboughs。Thismayseemastrangemodeofspeakingaboutthereadingofaparishclerk——amaninrustyspectacles，withstubblyhair，alargeocciput，andaprominentcrown。ButthatisNature’sway:shewillallowagentlemanofsplendidphysiognomyandpoeticaspirationstosingwoefullyoutoftune，andnotgivehimtheslightesthintofit；
andtakescarethatsomenarrow-browedfellow，trollingaballadinthecornerofapot-house，shallbeastruetohisintervalsasabird。
Joshuahimselfwaslessproudofhisreadingthanofhissinging，anditwasalwayswithasenseofheightenedimportancethathepassedfromthedesktothechoir。Stillmoreto-day:itwasaspecialoccasion，foranoldman，familiartoalltheparish，haddiedasaddeath——notinhisbed，acircumstancethemostpainfultothemindofthepeasant——andnowthefuneralpsalmwastobesunginmemoryofhissuddendeparture。Moreover，BartleMasseywasnotatchurch，andJoshua’simportanceinthechoirsufferednoeclipse。Itwasasolemnminorstraintheysang。Theoldpsalm-tuneshavemanyawailamongthem，andthewords——
Thousweep’stusoffaswithaflood；
Wevanishhencelikedreams——
seemedtohaveacloserapplicationthanusualinthedeathofpoorThias。Themotherandsonslistened，eachwithpeculiarfeelings。Lisbethhadavaguebeliefthatthepsalmwasdoingherhusbandgood；itwaspartofthatdecentburialwhichshewouldhavethoughtitagreaterwrongtowithholdfromhimthantohavecausedhimmanyunhappydayswhilehewasliving。Themoretherewassaidaboutherhusband，themoretherewasdoneforhim，surelythesaferhewouldbe。ItwaspoorLisbeth’sblindwayoffeelingthathumanloveandpityareagroundoffaithinsomeotherlove。Seth，whowaseasilytouched，shedtears，andtriedtorecall，ashehaddonecontinuallysincehisfather’sdeath，allthathehadheardofthepossibilitythatasinglemomentofconsciousnessatthelastmightbeamomentofpardonandreconcilement；forwasitnotwrittenintheverypsalmtheyweresingingthattheDivinedealingswerenotmeasuredandcircumscribedbytime？Adamhadneverbeenunabletojoininapsalmbefore。Hehadknownplentyoftroubleandvexationsincehehadbeenalad，butthiswasthefirstsorrowthathadhemmedinhisvoice，andstrangelyenoughitwassorrowbecausethechiefsourceofhispasttroubleandvexationwasforevergoneoutofhisreach。Hehadnotbeenabletopresshisfather’shandbeforetheirparting，andsay，\"Father，youknowitwasallrightbetweenus；IneverforgotwhatIowedyouwhenIwasalad；youforgivemeifIhavebeentoohotandhastynowandthen！\"Adamthoughtbutlittleto-dayofthehardworkandtheearningshehadspentonhisfather:histhoughtsranconstantlyonwhattheoldman’sfeelingshadbeeninmomentsofhumiliation，whenhehadhelddownhisheadbeforetherebukesofhisson。Whenourindignationisborneinsubmissivesilence，weareapttofeeltwingesofdoubtafterwardsastoourowngenerosity，ifnotjustice；howmuchmorewhentheobjectofourangerhasgoneintoeverlastingsilence，andwehaveseenhisfaceforthelasttimeinthemeeknessofdeath！
\"Ah！Iwasalwaystoohard，\"Adamsaidtohimself。\"It’sasorefaultinmeasI’msohotandouto’patiencewithpeoplewhentheydowrong，andmyheartgetsshutupagainst’em，soasI
can’tbringmyselftoforgive’em。Iseeclearenoughthere’smorepridenorloveinmysoul，forIcouldsoonermakeathousandstrokeswithth’hammerformyfatherthanbringmyselftosayakindwordtohim。Andtherewentplentyo’prideandtempertothestrokes，asthedevilWILLbehavinghisfingerinwhatwecallourdutiesaswellasoursins。MayhapthebestthingIeverdidinmylifewasonlydoingwhatwaseasiestformyself。It’sallaysbeeneasierformetoworknortositstill，buttherealtoughjobforme’udbetomastermyownwillandtemperandgorightagainstmyownpride。Itseemstomenow，ifIwastofindFatherathometo-night，Ishouldbehavedifferent；butthere’snoknowing——perhapsnothing’udbealessontousifitdidn’tcometoolate。It’swellweshouldfeelaslife’sareckoningwecan’tmaketwiceover；there’snorealmakingamendsinthisworld，anymorenoryoucanmendawrongsubtractionbydoingyouradditionright。\"
Thiswasthekey-notetowhichAdam’sthoughtshadperpetuallyreturnedsincehisfather’sdeath，andthesolemnwailofthefuneralpsalmwasonlyaninfluencethatbroughtbacktheoldthoughtswithstrongeremphasis。Sowasthesermon，whichMr。
IrwinehadchosenwithreferencetoThias’sfuneral。Itspokebrieflyandsimplyofthewords，\"Inthemidstoflifeweareindeath\"——howthepresentmomentisallwecancallourownforworksofmercy，ofrighteousdealing，andoffamilytenderness。
Allveryoldtruths——butwhatwethoughttheoldesttruthbecomesthemoststartlingtousintheweekwhenwehavelookedonthedeadfaceofonewhohasmadeapartofourownlives。Forwhenmenwanttoimpressuswiththeeffectofanewandwonderfullyvividlight，dotheynotletitfallonthemostfamiliarobjects，thatwemaymeasureitsintensitybyrememberingtheformerdimness？
Thencamethemomentofthefinalblessing，whentheforeversublimewords，\"ThepeaceofGod，whichpassethallunderstanding，\"seemedtoblendwiththecalmafternoonsunshinethatfellonthebowedheadsofthecongregation；andthenthequietrising，themotherstyingonthebonnetsofthelittlemaidenswhohadsleptthroughthesermon，thefatherscollectingtheprayer-books，untilallstreamedoutthroughtheoldarchwayintothegreenchurchyardandbegantheirneighbourlytalk，theirsimplecivilities，andtheirinvitationstotea；foronaSundayeveryonewasreadytoreceiveaguest——itwasthedaywhenallmustbeintheirbestclothesandtheirbesthumour。
Mr。andMrs。Poyserpausedaminuteatthechurchgate:theywerewaitingforAdamtoComeup，notbeingcontentedtogoawaywithoutsayingakindwordtothewidowandhersons。
\"Well，Mrs。Bede，\"saidMrs。Poyser，astheywalkedontogether，\"youmustkeepupyourheart；husbandsandwivesmustbecontentwhenthey’velivedtoreartheirchildrenandseeoneanother’shairgrey。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidMr。Poyser；\"theywonnahavelongtowaitforoneanotherthen，anyhow。Andye’vegottwoo’thestrapping’stsonsi’th’country；andwellyoumay，forIrememberpoorThiasasfineabroad-shoulderedfellowasneedtobe；andasforyou，Mrs。
Bede，whyyou’restraighteri’thebacknorhalftheyoungwomennow。\"
\"Eh，\"saidLisbeth，\"it’spoorluckfortheplattertowearwellwhenit’sbrokei’two。ThesoonerI’mlaidunderthethornthebetter。I’mnogoodtonobodynow。\"
Adamnevertooknoticeofhismother’slittleunjustplaints；butSethsaid，\"Nay，Mother，theemustnasayso。Thysons’ullnevergetanothermother。\"
\"That’strue，lad，that’strue，\"saidMr。Poyser；\"andit’swrongonustogivewaytogrief，Mrs。Bede；forit’slikethechildrencryin’whenthefathersandmotherstakethingsfrom’em。There’sOneaboveknowsbetternorus。\"
\"Ah，\"saidMrs。Poyser，\"an’it’spoorworkallayssettin’thedeadabovethelivin’。Weshallallonusbedeadsometime，I
reckon——it’udbebetteriffolks’udmakemuchonusbeforehand，i’stido’beginnin’whenwe’regone。It’sbutlittlegoodyou’lldoa-wateringthelastyear’scrop。\"
\"Well，Adam，\"saidMr。Poyser，feelingthathiswife’swordswere，asusual，ratherincisivethansoothing，andthatitwouldbewelltochangethesubject，\"you’llcomeandseeusagainnow，Ihope。
Ihannahadatalkwithyouthislongwhile，andthemissisherewantsyoutoseewhatcanbedonewithherbestspinning-wheel，forit’sgotbroke，andit’llbeanicejobtomendit——there’llwantabito’turning。You’llcomeassoonasyoucannow，willyou？\"
Mr。Poyserpausedandlookedroundwhilehewasspeaking，asiftoseewhereHettywas；forthechildrenwererunningonbefore。
Hettywasnotwithoutacompanion，andshehad，besides，morepinkandwhiteaboutherthanever，forsheheldinherhandthewonderfulpink-and-whitehot-houseplant，withaverylongname——aScotchname，shesupposed，sincepeoplesaidMr。CraigthegardenerwasScotch。Adamtooktheopportunityoflookingroundtoo；andIamsureyouwillnotrequireofhimthatheshouldfeelanyvexationinobservingapoutingexpressiononHetty’sfaceasshelistenedtothegardener’ssmalltalk。Yetinhersecretheartshewasgladtohavehimbyherside，forshewouldperhapslearnfromhimhowitwasArthurhadnotcometochurch。Notthatshecaredtoaskhimthequestion，butshehopedtheinformationwouldbegivenspontaneously；forMr。Craig，likeasuperiorman，wasveryfondofgivinginformation。
Mr。Craigwasneverawarethathisconversationandadvanceswerereceivedcoldly，fortoshiftone’spointofviewbeyondcertainlimitsisimpossibletothemostliberalandexpansivemind；wearenoneofusawareoftheimpressionweproduceonBrazilianmonkeysoffeebleunderstanding——itispossibletheyseehardlyanythinginus。Moreover，Mr。Craigwasamanofsoberpassions，andwasalreadyinhistenthyearofhesitationastotherelativeadvantagesofmatrimonyandbachelorhood。Itistruethat，nowandthen，whenhehadbeenalittleheatedbyanextraglassofgrog，hehadbeenheardtosayofHettythatthe\"lasswaswellenough，\"andthat\"amanmightdoworse\"；butonconvivialoccasionsmenareapttoexpressthemselvesstrongly。
MartinPoyserheldMr。Craiginhonour，asamanwho\"knewhisbusiness\"andwhohadgreatlightsconcerningsoilsandcompost；
buthewaslessofafavouritewithMrs。Poyser，whohadmorethanoncesaidinconfidencetoherhusband，\"You’remightyfondo’
Craig，butformypart，Ithinkhe’swellylikeacockasthinksthesun’sroseo’purposetohearhimcrow。\"Fortherest，Mr。
Craigwasanestimablegardener，andwasnotwithoutreasonsforhavingahighopinionofhimself。Hehadalsohighshouldersandhighcheek-bonesandhunghisheadforwardalittle，ashewalkedalongwithhishandsinhisbreechespockets。IthinkitwashispedigreeonlythathadtheadvantageofbeingScotch，andnothis\"bringingup\"；forexceptthathehadastrongerburrinhisaccent，hisspeechdifferedlittlefromthatoftheLoamshirepeopleabouthim。ButagardenerisScotch，asaFrenchteacherisParisian。
\"Well，Mr。Poyser，\"hesaid，beforethegoodslowfarmerhadtimetospeak，\"ye’llnotbecarryingyourhayto-morrow，I’mthinking。
Theglasssticksat’change，’andyemayrelyupo’mywordaswe’llha’moredownfallaforetwenty-fourhoursispast。Yeseethatdarkish-bluecloudthereupo’the’rizon——yeknowwhatImeanbythe’rizon，wherethelandandskyseemstomeet？\"
\"Aye，aye，Iseethecloud，\"saidMr。Poyser，\"’rizonorno’rizon。It’srighto’erMikeHoldsworth’sfallow，andafoulfallowitis。\"
\"Well，youmarkmywords，asthatcloud’ullspreado’ertheskyprettynighasquickasyou’dspreadatarpaulinoveroneo’yourhay-ricks。It’sagreatthingtoha’studiedthelooko’theclouds。Lordblessyou！Th’met’orologicalalmaneckscanlearnmenothing，butthere’saprettysighto’thingsIcouldletTHEM
upto，ifthey’djustcometome。Andhowareyou，Mrs。Poyser？——
thinkingo’getherin’theredcurrantssoon，Ireckon。You’dadealbettergether’emaforethey’reo’erripe，wi’suchweatheraswe’vegottolookforwardto。Howdoyedo，MistressBede？\"Mr。
Craigcontinued，withoutapause，noddingbythewaytoAdamandSeth。\"Ihopey’enjoyedthemspinachandgooseberriesasIsentChesterwithth’otherday。Ifyewantvegetableswhileye’reintrouble，yeknowwheretocometo。It’swellknownI’mnotgivingotherfolks’thingsaway，forwhenI’vesuppliedthehouse，thegardensmyownspekilation，anditisnaeverymanth’oldsquirecouldgetas’udbeequiltotheundertaking，letaloneaskingwhetherhe’dbewillingI’vegottorunmycalkilationfine，Icantellyou，tomakesureo’gettingbackthemoneyasIpaythesquire。Ishouldliketoseesomeo’themfellowsasmakethealmaneckslookingasfarbeforetheirnosesasI’vegottodoeveryyearascomes。\"
\"Theylookprettyfur，though，\"saidMr。Poyser，turninghisheadononesideandspeakinginratherasubduedreverentialtone。
\"Why，whatcouldcometruernorthatpicturo’thecockwi’thebigspurs，ashasgotitsheadknockeddownwi’th’anchor，an’
th’firin’，an’theshipsbehind？Why，thatpicturwasmadeaforeChristmas，andyitit’scomeastrueasth’Bible。Why，th’
cock’sFrance，an’th’anchor’sNelson——an’theytoldusthatbeforehand。\"
\"Pee——ee-eh！\"saidMr。Craig。\"Amandoesnawanttoseefurtoknowasth’English’ullbeattheFrench。Why，Iknowupo’goodauthorityasit’sabigFrenchmanasreachesfivefoothigh，an’
theyliveupo’spoon-meatmostly。Iknewamanashisfatherhadaparticularknowledgeo’theFrench。IshouldliketoknowwhatthemgrasshoppersaretodoagainstsuchfinefellowsasouryoungCaptainArthur。Why，it’udastonishaFrenchmanonlytolookathim；hisarm’sthickernoraFrenchman’sbody，I’llbebound，fortheypinchtheirsellsinwi’stays；andit’seasyenough，forthey’vegotnothingi’theirinsides。\"
\"WhereISthecaptain，ashewasnaatchurchto-day？\"saidAdam。
\"Iwastalkingtohimo’Friday，andhesaidnothingabouthisgoingaway。\"
\"Oh，he’sonlygonetoEagledaleforabito’fishing；Ireckonhe’llbebackagainaforemanydaysareo’er，forhe’stobeatallth’arrangingandpreparingo’thingsforthecomin’o’ageo’
the30tho’July。Buthe’sfondo’gettingawayforabit，nowandthen。Himandth’oldsquirefitoneanotherlikefrostandflowers。\"
Mr。Craigsmiledandwinkedslowlyashemadethislastobservation，butthesubjectwasnotdevelopedfarther，fornowtheyhadreachedtheturningintheroadwhereAdamandhiscompanionsmustsay\"good-bye。\"Thegardener，too，wouldhavehadtoturnoffinthesamedirectionifhehadnotacceptedMr。
Poyser’sinvitationtotea。Mrs。Poyserdulysecondedtheinvitation，forshewouldhavehelditadeepdisgracenottomakeherneighbourswelcometoherhouse:personallikesanddislikesmustnotinterferewiththatsacredcustom。Moreover，Mr。CraighadalwaysbeenfullofcivilitiestothefamilyattheHallFarm，andMrs。Poyserwasscrupulousindeclaringthatshehad\"nothingtosayagain’him，on’yitwasapityhecouldnabehatchedo’eragain，an’hatcheddifferent。\"
SoAdamandSeth，withtheirmotherbetweenthem，woundtheirwaydowntothevalleyandupagaintotheoldhouse，whereasaddenedmemoryhadtakentheplaceofalong，longanxiety——whereAdamwouldneverhavetoaskagainasheentered，\"Where’sFather？\"
Andtheotherfamilyparty，withMr。Craigforcompany，wentbacktothepleasantbrighthouse-placeattheHallFarm——allwithquietminds，exceptHetty，whoknewnowwhereArthurwasgone，butwasonlythemorepuzzledanduneasy。Foritappearedthathisabsencewasquitevoluntary；heneednothavegone——hewouldnothavegoneifhehadwantedtoseeher。ShehadasickeningsensethatnolotcouldeverbepleasanttoheragainifherThursdaynight’svisionwasnottobefulfilled；andinthismomentofchill，bare，wintrydisappointmentanddoubt，shelookedtowardsthepossibilityofbeingwithArthuragain，ofmeetinghislovingglance，andhearinghissoftwordswiththateageryearningwhichonemaycallthe\"growingpain\"ofpassion。
