TheNight-SchoolandtheSchoolmasterBartleMassey’swasoneofafewscatteredhousesontheedgeofacommon，whichwasdividedbytheroadtoTreddleston。AdamreacheditinaquarterofanhourafterleavingtheHallFarm；
andwhenhehadhishandonthedoor-latch，hecouldsee，throughthecurtainlesswindow，thattherewereeightornineheadsbendingoverthedesks，lightedbythindips。
Whenheentered，areadinglessonwasgoingforwardandBartleMasseymerelynodded，leavinghimtotakehisplacewherehepleased。Hehadnotcomeforthesakeofalessonto-night，andhismindwastoofullofpersonalmatters，toofullofthelasttwohourshehadpassedinHetty’spresence，forhimtoamusehimselfwithabooktillschoolwasover；sohesatdowninacornerandlookedonwithanabsentmind。ItwasasortofscenewhichAdamhadbeheldalmostweeklyforyears；heknewbyhearteveryarabesqueflourishintheframedspecimenofBartleMassey’shandwritingwhichhungovertheschoolmaster’shead，bywayofkeepingaloftyidealbeforethemindsofhispupils；heknewthebacksofallthebooksontheshelfrunningalongthewhitewashedwallabovethepegsfortheslates；heknewexactlyhowmanygrainsweregoneoutoftheearofIndiancornthathungfromoneoftherafters；hehadlongagoexhaustedtheresourcesofhisimaginationintryingtothinkhowthebunchofleatheryseaweedhadlookedandgrowninitsnativeelement；andfromtheplacewherehesat，hecouldmakenothingoftheoldmapofEnglandthathungagainsttheoppositewall，foragehadturneditofafineyellowbrown，somethinglikethatofawell-seasonedmeerschaum。
Thedramathatwasgoingonwasalmostasfamiliarasthescene，neverthelesshabithadnotmadehimindifferenttoit，andeveninhispresentself-absorbedmood，Adamfeltamomentarystirringoftheoldfellow-feeling，ashelookedattheroughmenpainfullyholdingpenorpencilwiththeircrampedhands，orhumblylabouringthroughtheirreadinglesson。
Thereadingclassnowseatedontheforminfrontoftheschoolmaster’sdeskconsistedofthethreemostbackwardpupils。
AdamwouldhaveknownitonlybyseeingBartleMassey’sfaceashelookedoverhisspectacles，whichhehadshiftedtotheridgeofhisnose，notrequiringthemforpresentpurposes。Thefaceworeitsmildestexpression:thegrizzledbushyeyebrowshadtakentheirmoreacuteangleofcompassionatekindness，andthemouth，habituallycompressedwithapoutofthelowerlip，wasrelaxedsoastobereadytospeakahelpfulwordorsyllableinamoment。
Thisgentleexpressionwasthemoreinterestingbecausetheschoolmaster’snose，anirregularaquilinetwistedalittleononeside，hadratheraformidablecharacter；andhisbrow，moreover，hadthatpeculiartensionwhichalwaysimpressesoneasasignofakeenimpatienttemperament:theblueveinsstoodoutlikecordsunderthetransparentyellowskin，andthisintimidatingbrowwassoftenedbynotendencytobaldness，forthegreybristlyhair，cutdowntoaboutaninchinlength，stoodrounditinascloseranksasever。
\"Nay，Bill，nay，\"Bartlewassayinginakindtone，ashenoddedtoAdam，\"beginthatagain，andthenperhaps，it’llcometoyouwhatd-r-yspells。It’sthesamelessonyoureadlastweek，youknow。\"
\"Bill\"wasasturdyfellow，agedfour-and-twenty，anexcellentstone-sawyer，whocouldgetasgoodwagesasanymaninthetradeofhisyears；buthefoundareadinglessoninwordsofonesyllableahardermattertodealwiththanthehardeststonehehadeverhadtosaw。Theletters，hecomplained，wereso\"uncommonalike，therewasnotellin’’emonefromanother，\"thesawyer’sbusinessnotbeingconcernedwithminutedifferencessuchasexistbetweenaletterwithitstailturnedupandaletterwithitstailturneddown。ButBillhadafirmdeterminationthathewouldlearntoread，foundedchieflyontworeasons:first，thatTomHazelow，hiscousin，couldreadanything\"rightoff，\"
whetheritwasprintorwriting，andTomhadsenthimaletterfromtwentymilesoff，sayinghowhewasprosperingintheworldandhadgotanoverlooker’splace；secondly，thatSamPhillips，whosawedwithhim，hadlearnedtoreadwhenhewasturnedtwenty，andwhatcouldbedonebyalittlefellowlikeSamPhillips，Billconsidered，couldbedonebyhimself，seeingthathecouldpoundSamintowetclayifcircumstancesrequiredit。Soherehewas，pointinghisbigfingertowardsthreewordsatonce，andturninghisheadononesidethathemightkeepbetterholdwithhiseyeoftheonewordwhichwastobediscriminatedoutofthegroup。
TheamountofknowledgeBartleMasseymustpossesswassomethingsodimandvastthatBill’simaginationrecoiledbeforeit:hewouldhardlyhaveventuredtodenythattheschoolmastermighthavesomethingtodoinbringingabouttheregularreturnofdaylightandthechangesintheweather。
ThemanseatednexttoBillwasofaverydifferenttype:hewasaMethodistbrickmakerwho，afterspendingthirtyyearsofhislifeinperfectsatisfactionwithhisignorance，hadlately\"gotreligion，\"andalongwithitthedesiretoreadtheBible。Butwithhim，too，learningwasaheavybusiness，andonhiswayoutto-nighthehadofferedasusualaspecialprayerforhelp，seeingthathehadundertakenthishardtaskwithasingleeyetothenourishmentofhissoul——thathemighthaveagreaterabundanceoftextsandhymnswherewithtobanishevilmemoriesandthetemptationsofoldhabit——or，inbrieflanguage，thedevil。Forthebrickmakerhadbeenanotoriouspoacher，andwassuspected，thoughtherewasnogoodevidenceagainsthim，ofbeingthemanwhohadshotaneighbouringgamekeeperintheleg。Howeverthatmightbe，itiscertainthatshortlyaftertheaccidentreferredto，whichwascoincidentwiththearrivalofanawakeningMethodistpreacheratTreddleston，agreatchangehadbeenobservedinthebrickmaker；andthoughhewasstillknownintheneighbourhoodbyhisoldsobriquetof\"Brimstone，\"therewasnothingheheldinsomuchhorrorasanyfurthertransactionswiththatevil-smellingelement。Hewasabroad-chestedfellow。withafervidtemperament，whichhelpedhimbetterinimbibingreligiousideasthaninthedryprocessofacquiringthemerehumanknowledgeofthealphabet。Indeed，hehadbeenalreadyalittleshakeninhisresolutionbyabrotherMethodist，whoassuredhimthattheletterwasamereobstructiontotheSpirit，andexpressedafearthatBrimstonewastooeagerfortheknowledgethatpuffethup。
Thethirdbeginnerwasamuchmorepromisingpupil。Hewasatallbutthinandwiryman，nearlyasoldasBrimstone，withaverypalefaceandhandsstainedadeepblue。Hewasadyer，whointhecourseofdippinghomespunwoolandoldwomen’spetticoatshadgotfiredwiththeambitiontolearnagreatdealmoreaboutthestrangesecretsofcolour。Hehadalreadyahighreputationinthedistrictforhisdyes，andhewasbentondiscoveringsomemethodbywhichhecouldreducetheexpenseofcrimsonsandscarlets。ThedruggistatTreddlestonhadgivenhimanotionthathemightsavehimselfagreatdealoflabourandexpenseifhecouldlearntoread，andsohehadbeguntogivehissparehourstothenight-school，resolvingthathis\"littlechap\"shouldlosenotimeincomingtoMr。Massey’sday-schoolassoonashewasoldenough。
Itwastouchingtoseethesethreebigmen，withthemarksoftheirhardlabouraboutthem，anxiouslybendingoverthewornbooksandpainfullymakingout，\"Thegrassisgreen，\"\"Thesticksaredry，\"\"Thecornisripe\"——averyhardlessontopasstoaftercolumnsofsinglewordsallalikeexceptinthefirstletter。Itwasalmostasifthreeroughanimalsweremakinghumbleeffortstolearnhowtheymightbecomehuman。AndittouchedthetenderestfibreinBartleMassey’snature，forsuchfull-grownchildrenastheseweretheonlypupilsforwhomhehadnosevereepithetsandnoimpatienttones。Hewasnotgiftedwithanimperturbabletemper，andonmusic-nightsitwasapparentthatpatiencecouldneverbeaneasyvirtuetohim；butthisevening，asheglancesoverhisspectaclesatBillDownes，thesawyer，whoisturninghisheadononesidewithadesperatesenseofblanknessbeforethelettersd-r-y，hiseyesshedtheirmildestandmostencouraginglight。
Afterthereadingclass，twoyouthsbetweensixteenandnineteencameupwiththeimaginarybillsofparcels，whichtheyhadbeenwritingoutontheirslatesandwerenowrequiredtocalculate\"off-hand\"——atestwhichtheystoodwithsuchimperfectsuccessthatBartleMassey，whoseeyeshadbeenglaringatthemominouslythroughhisspectaclesforsomeminutes，atlengthburstoutinabitter，high-pitchedtone，pausingbetweeneverysentencetorapthefloorwithaknobbedstickwhichrestedbetweenhislegs。
\"Now，yousee，youdon’tdothisthingabitbetterthanyoudidafortnightago，andI’lltellyouwhat’sthereason。Youwanttolearnaccounts——that’swellandgood。Butyouthinkallyouneeddotolearnaccountsistocometomeanddosumsforanhourorso，twoorthreetimesa-week；andnosoonerdoyougetyourcapsonandturnoutofdoorsagainthanyousweepthewholethingcleanoutofyourmind。Yougowhistlingabout，andtakenomorecarewhatyou’rethinkingofthanifyourheadswereguttersforanyrubbishtoswillthroughthathappenedtobeintheway；andifyougetagoodnotionin’em，it’sprettysoonwashedoutagain。Youthinkknowledgeistobegotcheap——you’llcomeandpayBartleMasseysixpencea-week，andhe’llmakeyoucleveratfigureswithoutyourtakinganytrouble。Butknowledgeisn’ttobegotwithpayingsixpence，letmetellyou。Ifyou’retoknowfigures，youmustturn’emoverinyourheadsandkeepyourthoughtsfixedon’em。There’snothingyoucan’tturnintoasum，forthere’snothingbutwhat’sgotnumberinit——evenafool。Youmaysaytoyourselves，’I’monefool，andJack’sanother；ifmyfool’sheadweighedfourpound，andJack’sthreepoundthreeouncesandthreequarters，howmanypennyweightsheavierwouldmyheadbethanJack’s？’Amanthathadgothisheartinlearningfigureswouldmakesumsforhimselfandwork’eminhishead。
Whenhesatathisshoemaking，he’dcounthisstitchesbyfives，andthenputapriceonhisstitches，sayhalfafarthing，andthenseehowmuchmoneyhecouldgetinanhour；andthenaskhimselfhowmuchmoneyhe’dgetinadayatthatrate；andthenhowmuchtenworkmenwouldgetworkingthree，ortwenty，orahundredyearsatthatrate——andallthewhilehisneedlewouldbegoingjustasfastasifhelefthisheademptyforthedeviltodancein。Butthelongandtheshortofitis——I’llhavenobodyinmynight-schoolthatdoesn’tstrivetolearnwhathecomestolearn，ashardasifhewasstrivingtogetoutofadarkholeintobroaddaylight。I’llsendnomanawaybecausehe’sstupid:
ifBillyTaft，theidiot，wantedtolearnanything，I’dnotrefusetoteachhim。ButI’llnotthrowawaygoodknowledgeonpeoplewhothinktheycangetitbythesixpenn’orth，andcarryitawaywith’emastheywouldanounceofsnuff。Sonevercometomeagain，ifyoucan’tshowthatyou’vebeenworkingwithyourownheads，insteadofthinkingthatyoucanpayforminetoworkforyou。That’sthelastwordI’vegottosaytoyou。\"
Withthisfinalsentence，BartleMasseygaveasharperrapthaneverwithhisknobbedstick，andthediscomfitedladsgotuptogowithasulkylook。Theotherpupilshadhappilyonlytheirwriting-bookstoshow，invariousstagesofprogressfrompot-
hookstoroundtext；andmerepen-strokes，howeverperverse，werelessexasperatingtoBartlethanfalsearithmetic。HewasalittlemoreseverethanusualonJacobStorey’sZ’s，ofwhichpoorJacobhadwrittenapageful，allwiththeirtopsturnedthewrongway，withapuzzledsensethattheywerenotright\"somehow。\"Butheobservedinapology，thatitwasaletteryouneverwantedhardly，andhethoughtithadonlybeenthere\"tofinishoffth’
alphabet，like，thoughampusand(&)wouldha’doneaswell，forwhathecouldsee。\"
Atlastthepupilshadalltakentheirhatsandsaidtheir\"Good-
nights，\"andAdam，knowinghisoldmaster’shabits，roseandsaid，\"ShallIputthecandlesout，Mr。Massey？\"
\"Yes，myboy，yes，allbutthis，whichI’llcarryintothehouse；
andjustlocktheouterdoor，nowyou’renearit，\"saidBartle，gettinghisstickinthefittingangletohelphimindescendingfromhisstool。Hewasnosooneronthegroundthanitbecameobviouswhythestickwasnecessary——theleftlegwasmuchshorterthantheright。Buttheschool-masterwassoactivewithhislamenessthatitwashardlythoughtofasamisfortune；andifyouhadseenhimmakehiswayalongtheschoolroomfloor，andupthestepintohiskitchen，youwouldperhapshaveunderstoodwhythenaughtyboyssometimesfeltthathispacemightbeindefinitelyquickenedandthatheandhisstickmightovertakethemevenintheirswiftestrun。
Themomentheappearedatthekitchendoorwiththecandleinhishand，afaintwhimperingbeganinthechimney-corner，andabrown-
and-tan-colouredbitch，ofthatwise-lookingbreedwithshortlegsandlongbody，knowntoanunmechanicalgenerationasturnspits，camecreepingalongthefloor，wagginghertail，andhesitatingateveryotherstep，asifheraffectionswerepainfullydividedbetweenthehamperinthechimney-cornerandthemaster，whomshecouldnotleavewithoutagreeting。
\"Well，Vixen，wellthen，howarethebabbies？\"saidtheschoolmaster，makinghastetowardsthechimney-cornerandholdingthecandleoverthelowhamper，wheretwoextremelyblindpuppieslifteduptheirheadstowardsthelightfromanestofflannelandwool。Vixencouldnotevenseehermasterlookatthemwithoutpainfulexcitement:shegotintothehamperandgotoutagainthenextmoment，andbehavedwithtruefemininefolly，thoughlookingallthewhileaswiseasadwarfwithalargeold-fashionedheadandbodyonthemostabbreviatedlegs。
\"Why，you’vegotafamily，Isee，Mr。Massey？\"saidAdam，smiling，ashecameintothekitchen。\"How’sthat？Ithoughtitwasagainstthelawhere。\"
\"Law？What’stheuseo’lawwhenaman’soncesuchafoolastoletawomanintohishouse？\"saidBartle，turningawayfromthehamperwithsomebitterness。HealwayscalledVixenawoman，andseemedtohavelostallconsciousnessthathewasusingafigureofspeech。\"IfI’dknownVixenwasawoman，I’dneverhaveheldtheboysfromdrowningher；butwhenI’dgotherintomyhand，I
wasforcedtotaketoher。Andnowyouseewhatshe’sbroughtmeto——thesly，hypocriticalwench\"——Bartlespoketheselastwordsinaraspingtoneofreproach，andlookedatVixen，whopokeddownherheadandturneduphereyestowardshimwithakeensenseofopprobrium——\"andcontrivedtobebroughttobedonaSundayatchurch-time。I’vewishedagainandagainI’dbeenabloodymindedman，thatIcouldhavestrangledthemotherandthebratswithonecord。\"
\"I’mgladitwasnoworseacausekeptyoufromchurch，\"saidAdam。\"Iwasafraidyoumustbeillforthefirsttimei’yourlife。AndIwasparticularlysorrynottohaveyouatchurchyesterday。\"
\"Ah，myboy，Iknowwhy，Iknowwhy，\"saidBartlekindly，goinguptoAdamandraisinghishanduptotheshoulderthatwasalmostonalevelwithhisownhead。\"You’vehadaroughbito’roadtogetoversinceIsawyou——aroughbito’road。ButI’minhopestherearebettertimescomingforyou。I’vegotsomenewstotellyou。
ButImustgetmysupperfirst，forI’mhungry，I’mhungry。Sitdown，sitdown。\"
Bartelwentintohislittlepantry，andbroughtoutanexcellenthome-bakedloaf；foritwashisoneextravaganceinthesedeartimestoeatbreadoncea-dayinsteadofoat-cake；andhejustifieditbyobserving，thatwhataschoolmasterwantedwasbrains，andoat-cakerantoomuchtoboneinsteadofbrains。Thencameapieceofcheeseandaquartjugwithacrownoffoamuponit。Heplacedthemallontherounddealtablewhichstoodagainsthislargearm-chairinthechimney-corner，withVixen’shamperononesideofitandawindow-shelfwithafewbookspiledupinitontheother。ThetablewasascleanasifVixenhadbeenanexcellenthousewifeinacheckeredapron；sowasthequarryfloor；andtheoldcarvedoakenpress，table，andchairs，whichinthesedayswouldbeboughtatahighpriceinaristocratichouses，though，inthatperiodofspider-legsandinlaidcupids，Bartlehadgotthemforanoldsong，whereasfreefromdustasthingscouldbeattheendofasummer’sday。
\"Now，then，myboy，drawup，drawup。We’llnottalkaboutbusinesstillwe’vehadoursupper。Nomancanbewiseonanemptystomach。But，\"saidBartle，risingfromhischairagain，\"I
mustgiveVixenhersuppertoo，confoundher！Thoughshe’lldonothingwithitbutnourishthoseunnecessarybabbies。That’sthewaywiththesewomen——they’vegotnohead-piecestonourish，andsotheirfoodallrunseithertofatortobrats。\"
Hebroughtoutofthepantryadishofscraps，whichVixenatoncefixedhereyeson，andjumpedoutofherhampertolickupwiththeutmostdispatch。
\"I’vehadmysupper，Mr。Massey，\"saidAdam，\"soI’lllookonwhileyoueatyours。I’vebeenattheHallFarm，andtheyalwayshavetheirsupperbetimes，youknow:theydon’tkeepyourlatehours。\"
\"Iknowlittleabouttheirhours，\"saidBartledryly，cuttinghisbreadandnotshrinkingfromthecrust。\"It’sahouseIseldomgointo，thoughI’mfondoftheboys，andMartinPoyser’sagoodfellow。There’stoomanywomeninthehouseforme:Ihatethesoundofwomen’svoices；they’realwayseithera-buzzora-squeak——
alwayseithera-buzzora-squeak。Mrs。Poyserkeepsatthetopo’thetalklikeafife；andasfortheyounglasses，I’dassoonlookatwater-grubs。Iknowwhatthey’llturnto——stinginggnats，stinginggnats。Here，takesomeale，myboy:it’sbeendrawnforyou——it’sbeendrawnforyou。\"
\"Nay，Mr。Massey，\"saidAdam，whotookhisoldfriend’swhimmoreseriouslythanusualto-night，\"don’tbesohardonthecreatursGodhasmadetobecompanionsforus。Aworking-man’udbebadlyoffwithoutawifetoseetoth’houseandthevictual，andmakethingscleanandcomfortable。\"
\"Nonsense！It’sthesilliestlieasensiblemanlikeyoueverbelieved，tosayawomanmakesahousecomfortable。It’sastorygotupbecausethewomenarethereandsomethingmustbefoundfor’emtodo。Itellyouthereisn’tathingunderthesunthatneedstobedoneatall，butwhatamancandobetterthanawoman，unlessit’sbearingchildren，andtheydothatinapoormake-shiftway；ithadbetterha’beenlefttothemen——ithadbetterha’beenlefttothemen。Itellyou，awoman’ullbakeyouapieeveryweekofherlifeandnevercometoseethatthehotterth’oventheshorterthetime。Itellyou，awoman’ullmakeyourporridgeeverydayfortwentyyearsandneverthinkofmeasuringtheproportionbetweenthemealandthemilk——alittlemoreorless，she’llthink，doesn’tsignify。TheporridgeWILLbeawk’ardnowandthen:ifit’swrong，it’ssummatinthemeal，orit’ssummatinthemilk，orit’ssummatinthewater。Lookatme！
Imakemyownbread，andthere’snodifferencebetweenonebatchandanotherfromyear’sendtoyear’send；butifI’dgotanyotherwomanbesidesVixeninthehouse，ImustpraytotheLordeverybakingtogivemepatienceifthebreadturnedoutheavy。
Andasforcleanliness，myhouseiscleanerthananyotherhouseontheCommon，thoughthehalfof’emswarmwithwomen。WillBaker’sladcomestohelpmeinamorning，andwegetasmuchcleaningdoneinonehour，withoutanyfuss，asawoman’udgetdoneinthree，andallthewhilebesendingbucketso’waterafteryourankles，andletthefenderandthefire-ironsstandinthemiddleo’thefloorhalfthedayforyoutobreakyourshinsagainst’em。Don’ttellmeaboutGodhavingmadesuchcreaturestobecompanionsforus！Idon’tsaybutHemightmakeEvetobeacompaniontoAdaminParadise——therewasnocookingtobespoiltthere，andnootherwomantocacklewithandmakemischief，thoughyouseewhatmischiefshedidassoonasshe’danopportunity。
Butit’sanimpious，unscripturalopiniontosayawoman’sablessingtoamannow；youmightaswellsayaddersandwasps，andfoxesandwildbeastsareablessing，whenthey’reonlytheevilsthatbelongtothisstateo’probation，whichit’slawfulforamantokeepasclearofashecaninthislife，hopingtogetquitof’emforeverinanother——hopingtogetquitof’emforeverinanother。\"
Bartlehadbecomesoexcitedandangryinthecourseofhisinvectivethathehadforgottenhissupper，andonlyusedtheknifeforthepurposeofrappingthetablewiththehaft。Buttowardstheclose，therapsbecamesosharpandfrequent，andhisvoicesoquarrelsome，thatVixenfeltitincumbentonhertojumpoutofthehamperandbarkvaguely。
\"Quiet，Vixen！\"snarledBartle，turningrounduponher。\"You’reliketheresto’thewomen——alwaysputtinginyourwordbeforeyouknowwhy。\"
Vixenreturnedtoherhamperagaininhumiliation，andhermastercontinuedhissupperinasilencewhichAdamdidnotchoosetointerrupt；heknewtheoldmanwouldbeinabetterhumourwhenhehadhadhissupperandlightedhispipe。Adamwasusedtohearhimtalkinthisway，buthadneverlearnedsomuchofBartle’spastlifeastoknowwhetherhisviewofmarriedcomfortwasfoundedonexperience。OnthatpointBartlewasmute，anditwasevenasecretwherehehadlivedprevioustothetwentyyearsinwhichhappilyforthepeasantsandartisansofthisneighbourhoodhehadbeensettledamongthemastheironlyschoolmaster。Ifanythinglikeaquestionwasventuredonthissubject，Bartlealwaysreplied，\"Oh，I’veseenmanyplaces——I’vebeenadealinthesouth，\"andtheLoamshiremenwouldassoonhavethoughtofaskingforaparticulartownorvillageinAfricaasin\"thesouth。\"
\"Nowthen，myboy，\"saidBartle，atlast，whenhehadpouredouthissecondmugofaleandlightedhispipe，\"nowthen，we’llhavealittletalk。Buttellmefirst，haveyouheardanyparticularnewsto-day？\"
\"No，\"saidAdam，\"notasIremember。\"
\"Ah，they’llkeepitclose，they’llkeepitclose，Idaresay。ButIfounditoutbychance；andit’snewsthatmayconcernyou，Adam，elseI’mamanthatdon’tknowasuperficialsquarefootfromasolid。\"
HereBartlegaveaseriesoffierceandrapidpuffs，lookingearnestlythewhileatAdam。Yourimpatientloquaciousmanhasneveranynotionofkeepinghispipealightbygentlemeasuredpuffs；heisalwayslettingitgonearlyout，andthenpunishingitforthatnegligence。Atlasthesaid，\"Satchell’sgotaparalyticstroke。IfounditoutfromtheladtheysenttoTreddlestonforthedoctor，beforeseveno’clockthismorning。
He’sagoodwaybeyondsixty，youknow；it’smuchifhegetsoverit。\"
\"Well，\"saidAdam，\"Idaresaythere’dbemorerejoicingthansorrowintheparishathisbeinglaidup。He’sbeenaselfish，tale-bearing，mischievousfellow；but，afterall，there’snobodyhe’sdonesomuchharmtoastoth’oldsquire。Thoughit’sthesquirehimselfasistoblame——makingastupidfellowlikethatasorto’man-of-all-work，justtosaveth’expenseofhavingaproperstewardtolookafterth’estate。Andhe’slostmorebyillmanagemento’thewoods，I’llbebound，than’udpayfortwostewards。Ifhe’slaidontheshelf，it’stobehopedhe’llmakewayforabetterman，butIdon’tseehowit’sliketomakeanydifferencetome。\"
\"ButIseeit，butIseeit，\"saidBartle，\"andothersbesidesme。
Thecaptain’scomingofagenow——youknowthataswellasIdo——
andit’stobeexpectedhe’llhavealittlemorevoiceinthings。
AndIknow，andyouknowtoo，what’udbethecaptain’swishaboutthewoods，iftherewasafairopportunityformakingachange。
He’ssaidinplentyofpeople’shearingthathe’dmakeyoumanagerofthewoodsto-morrow，ifhe’dthepower。Why，Carroll，Mr。
Irwine’sbutler，heardhimsaysototheparsonnotmanydaysago。
Carrolllookedinwhenweweresmokingourpipeso’SaturdaynightatCasson’s，andhetoldusaboutit；andwheneveranybodysaysagoodwordforyou，theparson’sreadytobackit，thatI’llanswerfor。Itwasprettywelltalkedover，Icantellyou，atCasson’s，andoneandanotherhadtheirflingatyou；forifdonkeyssettoworktosing，you’reprettysurewhatthetune’llbe。\"
\"Why，didtheytalkitoverbeforeMr。Burge？\"saidAdam；\"orwasn’thethereo’Saturday？\"
\"Oh，hewentawaybeforeCarrollcame；andCasson——he’salwaysforsettingotherfolksright，youknow——wouldhaveitBurgewasthemantohavethemanagementofthewoods。’Asubstantialman，’
sayshe，’withprettynearsixtyyears’experienceo’timber:it’udbeallverywellforAdamBedetoactunderhim，butitisn’ttobesupposedthesquire’udappointayoungfellowlikeAdam，whenthere’shiseldersandbettersathand！’ButIsaid，’That’saprettynotiono’yours，Casson。Why，Burgeisthemantobuytimber；wouldyouputthewoodsintohishandsandlethimmakehisownbargains？Ithinkyoudon’tleaveyourcustomerstoscoretheirowndrink，doyou？Andasforage，whatthat’sworthdependsonthequalityo’theliquor。It’sprettywellknownwho’sthebackboneofJonathanBurge’sbusiness。’\"
\"Ithankyouforyourgoodword，Mr。Massey，\"saidAdam。\"But，forallthat，Cassonwaspartlyi’therightforonce。There’snotmuchlikelihoodthatth’oldsquire’udeverconsentt’employme。Ioffendedhimabouttwoyearsago，andhe’sneverforgivenme。\"
\"Why，howwasthat？Younevertoldmeaboutit，\"saidBartle。
\"Oh，itwasabito’nonsense。I’dmadeaframeforascreenforMissLyddy——she’sallaysmakingsomethingwithherworsted-work，youknow——andshe’dgivenmeparticularordersaboutthisscreen，andtherewasasmuchtalkingandmeasuringasifwe’dbeenplanningahouse。However，itwasanicebito’work，andIlikeddoingitforher。But，youknow，thoselittlefrigglingthingstakeadealo’time。Ionlyworkedatitinoverhours——oftenlateatnight——andIhadtogotoTreddlestonoveran’overagainaboutlittlebitso’brassnailsandsuchgear；andIturnedthelittleknobsandthelegs，andcarvedth’openwork，afterapattern，asniceascouldbe。AndIwasuncommonpleasedwithitwhenitwasdone。AndwhenItookithome，MissLyddysentformetobringitintoherdrawing-room，soasshemightgivemedirectionsaboutfasteningonthework——veryfineneedlework，JacobandRachela-
kissingoneanotheramongthesheep，likeapicture——andth’oldsquirewassittingthere，forhemostlysitswithher。Well，shewasmightypleasedwiththescreen，andthenshewantedtoknowwhatpayshewastogiveme。Ididn’tspeakatrandom——youknowit’snotmyway；I’dcalculatedprettyclose，thoughIhadn’tmadeoutabill，andIsaid，’Onepoundthirty。’Thatwaspayingforthemater’alsandpayingme，butnonetoomuch，formywork。Th’
oldsquirelookedupatthis，andpeeredinhiswayatthescreen，andsaid，’Onepoundthirteenforagimcracklikethat！Lydia，mydear，ifyoumustspendmoneyonthesethings，whydon’tyougetthematRosseter，insteadofpayingdoublepriceforclumsyworkhere？SuchthingsarenotworkforacarpenterlikeAdam。Givehimaguinea，andnomore。’Well，MissLyddy，Ireckon，believedwhathetoldher，andshe’snotoverfondo’partingwiththemoneyherself——she’snotabadwomanatbottom，butshe’sbeenbroughtupunderhisthumb；soshebeganfidgetingwithherpurse，andturnedasredasherribbon。ButImadeabow，andsaid，’No，thankyou，madam；I’llmakeyouapresento’thescreen，ifyouplease。I’vechargedtheregularpriceformywork，andIknowit’sdonewell；andIknow，beggingHisHonour’spardon，thatyoucouldn’tgetsuchascreenatRosseterundertwoguineas。I’mwillingtogiveyoumywork——it’sbeendoneinmyowntime，andnobody’sgotanythingtodowithitbutme；butifI’mpaid，I
can’ttakeasmallerpricethanIasked，becausethat’udbelikesayingI’daskedmorethanwasjust。Withyourleave，madam，I’llbidyougood-morning。’Imademybowandwentoutbeforeshe’dtimetosayanymore，forshestoodwiththepurseinherhand，lookingalmostfoolish。Ididn’tmeantobedisrespectful，andI
spokeaspoliteasIcould；butIcangiveintonoman，ifhewantstomakeitoutasI’mtryingtooverreachhim。Andintheeveningthefootmanbroughtmetheonepoundthirteenwrappedinpaper。ButsincethenI’veseenprettyclearasth’oldsquirecan’tabideme。\"
\"That’slikelyenough，that’slikelyenough，\"saidBartlemeditatively。\"Theonlywaytobringhimroundwouldbetoshowhimwhatwasforhisowninterest，andthatthecaptainmaydo——
thatthecaptainmaydo。\"
\"Nay，Idon’tknow，\"saidAdam；\"thesquire’s’cuteenoughbutittakessomethingelsebesides’cutenesstomakefolksseewhat’llbetheirinterestinthelongrun。Ittakessomeconscienceandbeliefinrightandwrong，Iseethatprettyclear。You’dhardlyeverbringroundth’oldsquiretobelievehe’dgainasmuchinastraightfor’ardwayasbytricksandturns。And，besides，I’venotmuchmindtoworkunderhim:Idon’twanttoquarrelwithanygentleman，moreparticularanoldgentlemanturnedeighty，andI
knowwecouldn’tagreelong。Ifthecaptainwasmastero’th’
estate，it’udbedifferent:he’sgotaconscienceandawilltodoright，andI’dsoonerworkforhimnorforanymanliving。\"
\"Well，well，myboy，ifgoodluckknocksatyourdoor，don’tyouputyourheadoutatwindowandtellittobegoneaboutitsbusiness，that’sall。Youmustlearntodealwithoddandeveninlife，aswellasinfigures。Itellyounow，asItoldyoutenyearsago，whenyoupommelledyoungMikeHoldsworthforwantingtopassabadshillingbeforeyouknewwhetherhewasinjestorearnest——you’reoverhastyandproud，andapttosetyourteethagainstfolksthatdon’tsquaretoyournotions。It’snoharmformetobeabitfieryandstiff-backed——I’manoldschoolmaster，andshallneverwanttogetontoahigherperch。Butwhere’stheuseofallthetimeI’vespentinteachingyouwritingandmappingandmensuration，ifyou’renottogetfor’ardintheworldandshowfolksthere’ssomeadvantageinhavingaheadonyourshoulders，insteadofaturnip？Doyoumeantogoonturningupyournoseateveryopportunitybecauseit’sgotabitofasmellaboutitthatnobodyfindsoutbutyourself？It’sasfoolishasthatnotiono’yoursthatawifeistomakeaworking-mancomfortable。Stuffandnonsense！Stuffandnonsense！Leavethattofoolsthatnevergotbeyondasuminsimpleaddition。Simpleadditionenough！Addonefooltoanotherfool，andinsixyears’
timesixfoolsmore——they’reallofthesamedenomination，bigandlittle’snothingtodowiththesum！\"
Duringthisratherheatedexhortationtocoolnessanddiscretionthepipehadgoneout，andBartlegavetheclimaxtohisspeechbystrikingalightfuriously，afterwhichhepuffedwithfierceresolution，fixinghiseyestillonAdam，whowastryingnottolaugh。
\"There’sagooddealo’senseinwhatyousay，Mr。Massey，\"Adambegan，assoonashefeltquiteserious，\"astherealwaysis。Butyou’llgiveinthatit’snobusinesso’minetobebuildingonchancesthatmayneverhappen。WhatI’vegottodoistoworkaswellasIcanwiththetoolsandmater’alsI’vegotinmyhands。
Ifagoodchancecomestome，I’llthinko’whatyou’vebeensaying；buttillthen，I’vegotnothingtodobuttotrusttomyownhandsandmyownhead-piece。I’mturningoveralittleplanforSethandmetogointothecabinet-makingabitbyourselves，andwinaextrapoundortwointhatway。Butit’sgettinglatenow——it’llbeprettynearelevenbeforeI’mathome，andMothermayhappentolieawake；she’smorefidgetynorusualnow。SoI’llbidyougood-night。\"
\"Well，well，we’llgotothegatewithyou——it’safinenight，\"
saidBartle，takinguphisstick。Vixenwasatonceonherlegs，andwithoutfurtherwordsthethreewalkedoutintothestarlight，bythesideofBartle’spotato-beds，tothelittlegate。
\"Cometothemusico’Fridaynight，ifyoucan，myboy，\"saidtheoldman，asheclosedthegateafterAdamandleanedagainstit。
\"Aye，aye，\"saidAdam，stridingalongtowardsthestreakofpaleroad。Hewastheonlyobjectmovingonthewidecommon。Thetwogreydonkeys，justvisibleinfrontofthegorsebushes，stoodasstillaslimestoneimages——asstillasthegrey-thatchedroofofthemudcottagealittlefartheron。Bartlekepthiseyeonthemovingfiguretillitpassedintothedarkness，whileVixen，inastateofdividedaffection，hadtwicerunbacktothehousetobestowaparentheticlickonherpuppies。
\"Aye，aye，\"mutteredtheschoolmaster，asAdamdisappeared，\"thereyougo，stalkingalong——stalkingalong；butyouwouldn’thavebeenwhatyouareifyouhadn’thadabitofoldlameBartleinsideyou。Thestrongestcalfmusthavesomethingtosuckat。There’splentyofthesebig，lumberingfellows’udneverhaveknowntheirABCifithadn’tbeenforBartleMassey。Well，well，Vixen，youfoolishwench，whatisit，whatisit？Imustgoin，mustI？
Aye，aye，I’mnevertohaveawillo’myownanymore。Andthosepups——whatdoyouthinkI’mtodowith’em，whenthey’retwiceasbigasyou？ForI’mprettysurethefatherwasthathulkingbull-
terrierofWillBaker’s——wasn’thenow，eh，youslyhussy？\"
(HereVixentuckedhertailbetweenherlegsandranforwardintothehouse。Subjectsaresometimesbroachedwhichawell-bredfemalewillignore。)
\"Butwhere’stheuseoftalkingtoawomanwithbabbies？\"
continuedBartle。\"She’sgotnoconscience——noconscience；it’sallruntomilk。\"
BookThreeChapterXXII
GoingtotheBirthdayFeastTHEthirtiethofJulywascome，anditwasoneofthosehalf-dozenwarmdayswhichsometimesoccurinthemiddleofarainyEnglishsummer。Norainhadfallenforthelastthreeorfourdays，andtheweatherwasperfectforthattimeoftheyear:therewaslessdustthanusualonthedark-greenhedge-rowsandonthewildcamomilethatstarredtheroadside，yetthegrasswasdryenoughforthelittlechildrentorollonit，andtherewasnocloudbutalongdashoflight，downyripple，high，highupinthefar-offbluesky。PerfectweatherforanoutdoorJulymerry-making，yetsurelynotthebesttimeofyeartobebornin。Natureseemstomakeahotpausejustthen:alltheloveliestflowersaregone；
thesweettimeofearlygrowthandvaguehopesispast；andyetthetimeofharvestandingatheringisnotcome，andwetrembleatthepossiblestormsthatmayruinthepreciousfruitinthemomentofitsripeness。Thewoodsareallonedarkmonotonousgreen；thewaggon-loadsofhaynolongercreepalongthelanes，scatteringtheirsweet-smellingfragmentsontheblackberrybranches；thepasturesareoftenalittletanned，yetthecornhasnotgotitslastsplendourofredandgold；thelambsandcalveshavelostalltracesoftheirinnocentfriskyprettiness，andhavebecomestupidyoungsheepandcows。Butitisatimeofleisureonthefarm——
thatpausebetweenhay-andcorn-harvest，andsothefarmersandlabourersinHayslopeandBroxtonthoughtthecaptaindidwelltocomeofagejustthen，whentheycouldgivetheirundividedmindstotheflavourofthegreatcaskofalewhichhadbeenbrewedtheautumnafter\"theheir\"wasborn，andwastobetappedonhistwenty-firstbirthday。Theairhadbeenmerrywiththeringingofchurch-bellsveryearlythismorning，andeveryonehadmadehastetogetthroughtheneedfulworkbeforetwelve，whenitwouldbetimetothinkofgettingreadytogototheChase。
ThemiddaysunwasstreamingintoHetty’sbedchamber，andtherewasnoblindtotempertheheatwithwhichitfellonherheadasshelookedatherselfintheoldspeckedglass。Still，thatwastheonlyglassshehadinwhichshecouldseeherneckandarms，forthesmallhangingglassshehadfetchedoutofthenextroom——
theroomthathadbeenDinah’s——wouldshowhernothingbelowherlittlechin；andthatbeautifulbitofneckwheretheroundnessofhercheekmeltedintoanotherroundnessshadowedbydarkdelicatecurls。Andto-dayshethoughtmorethanusualaboutherneckandarms；foratthedancethiseveningshewasnottowearanyneckerchief，andshehadbeenbusyyesterdaywithherspottedpink-and-whitefrock，thatshemightmakethesleeveseitherlongorshortatwill。Shewasdressednowjustasshewastobeintheevening，withatuckermadeof\"real\"lace，whichheraunthadlentherforthisunparalleledoccasion，butwithnoornamentsbesides；shehadeventakenouthersmallroundear-ringswhichsheworeeveryday。Buttherewassomethingmoretobedone，apparently，beforesheputonherneckerchiefandlongsleeves，whichshewastowearintheday-time，fornowsheunlockedthedrawerthatheldherprivatetreasures。Itismorethanamonthsincewesawherunlockthatdrawerbefore，andnowitholdsnewtreasures，somuchmorepreciousthantheoldonesthatthesearethrustintothecorner。Hettywouldnotcaretoputthelargecolouredglassear-ringsintoherearsnow；forsee！shehasgotabeautifulpairofgoldandpearlsandgarnet，lyingsnuglyinaprettylittleboxlinedwithwhitesatin。Oh，thedelightoftakingoutthatlittleboxandlookingattheear-rings！Donotreasonaboutit，myphilosphicalreader，andsaythatHetty，beingverypretty，musthaveknownthatitdidnotsignifywhethershehadonanyornamentsornot；andthat，moreover，tolookatear-
ringswhichshecouldnotpossiblywearoutofherbedroomcouldhardlybeasatisfaction，theessenceofvanitybeingareferencetotheimpressionsproducedonothers；youwillneverunderstandwomen’snaturesifyouaresoexcessivelyrational。Tryrathertodivestyourselfofallyourrationalprejudices，asmuchasifyouwerestudyingthepsychologyofacanarybird，andonlywatchthemovementsofthisprettyroundcreatureassheturnsherheadononesidewithanunconscioussmileattheear-ringsnestledinthelittlebox。Ah，youthink，itisforthesakeofthepersonwhohasgiventhemtoher，andherthoughtsaregonebacknowtothemomentwhentheywereputintoherhands。No；elsewhyshouldshehavecaredtohaveear-ringsratherthananythingelse？AndI
knowthatshehadlongedforear-ringsfromamongalltheornamentsshecouldimagine。
\"Little，littleears！\"Arthurhadsaid，pretendingtopinchthemoneevening，asHettysatbesidehimonthegrasswithoutherhat。
\"IwishIhadsomeprettyear-rings！\"shesaidinamoment，almostbeforesheknewwhatshewassaying——thewishlaysoclosetoherlips，itWOULDflutterpastthemattheslightestbreath。Andthenextday——itwasonlylastweek——ArthurhadriddenovertoRosseteronpurposetobuythem。Thatlittlewishsonaivelyutteredseemedtohimtheprettiestbitofchildishness；hehadneverheardanythinglikeitbefore；andhehadwrappedtheboxupinagreatmanycovers，thathemightseeHettyunwrappingitwithgrowingcuriosity，tillatlasthereyesflashedbacktheirnewdelightintohis。
No，shewasnotthinkingmostofthegiverwhenshesmiledattheear-rings，fornowsheistakingthemoutofthebox，nottopressthemtoherlips，buttofastentheminherears——onlyforonemoment，toseehowprettytheylook，asshepeepsatthemintheglassagainstthewall，withfirstonepositionoftheheadandthenanother，likealisteningbird。Itisimpossibletobewiseonthesubjectofear-ringsasonelooksather；whatshouldthosedelicatepearlsandcrystalsbemadefor，ifnotforsuchears？
Onecannotevenfindfaultwiththetinyroundholewhichtheyleavewhentheyaretakenout；perhapswater-nixies，andsuchlovelythingswithoutsouls，havetheselittleroundholesintheirearsbynature，readytohangjewelsin。AndHettymustbeoneofthem:itistoopainfultothinkthatsheisawoman，withawoman’sdestinybeforeher——awomanspinninginyoungignorancealightweboffollyandvainhopeswhichmayonedaycloseroundherandpressuponher，arancorouspoisonedgarment，changingallatonceherfluttering，trivialbutterflysensationsintoalifeofdeephumananguish。
Butshecannotkeepintheear-ringslong，elseshemaymakeheruncleandauntwait。Sheputsthemquicklyintotheboxagainandshutsthemup。Somedayshewillbeabletowearanyear-ringsshelikes，andalreadyshelivesinaninvisibleworldofbrilliantcostumes，shimmeringgauze，softsatin，andvelvet，suchasthelady’smaidattheChasehasshownherinMissLydia’swardrobe。Shefeelsthebraceletsonherarms，andtreadsonasoftcarpetinfrontofatallmirror。Butshehasonethinginthedrawerwhichshecanventuretowearto-day，becauseshecanhangitonthechainofdark-brownberrieswhichshehasbeenusedtowearongranddays，withatinyflatscent-bottleattheendofittuckedinsideherfrock；andshemustputonherbrownberries——
herneckwouldlooksounfinishedwithoutit。Hettywasnotquiteasfondofthelocketasoftheear-rings，thoughitwasahandsomelargelocket，withenamelledflowersatthebackandabeautifulgoldborderroundtheglass，whichshowedalight-brownslightlywavinglock，formingabackgroundfortwolittledarkrings。Shemustkeepitunderherclothes，andnoonewouldseeit。ButHettyhadanotherpassion，onlyalittlelessstrongthanherloveoffinery，andthatotherpassionmadeherliketowearthelocketevenhiddeninherbosom。Shewouldalwayshavewornit，ifshehaddaredtoencounterheraunt’squestionsaboutaribbonroundherneck。Sonowsheslippeditonalongherchainofdark-brownberries，andsnappedthechainroundherneck。Itwasnotaverylongchain，onlyallowingthelockettohangalittlewaybelowtheedgeofherfrock。Andnowshehadnothingtodobuttoputonherlongsleeves，hernewwhitegauzeneckerchief，andherstrawhattrimmedwithwhiteto-dayinsteadofthepink，whichhadbecomeratherfadedundertheJulysun。
ThathatmadethedropofbitternessinHetty’scupto-day，foritwasnotquitenew——everybodywouldseethatitwasalittletannedagainstthewhiteribbon——andMaryBurge，shefeltsure，wouldhaveanewhatorbonneton。Shelookedforconsolationatherfinewhitecottonstockings:theyreallywereveryniceindeed，andshehadgivenalmostallhersparemoneyforthem。Hetty’sdreamofthefuturecouldnotmakeherinsensibletotriumphinthepresent。Tobesure，CaptainDonnithornelovedhersothathewouldnevercareaboutlookingatotherpeople，butthenthoseotherpeopledidn’tknowhowhelovedher，andshewasnotsatisfiedtoappearshabbyandinsignificantintheireyesevenforashortspace。
Thewholepartywasassembledinthehouse-placewhenHettywentdown，allofcourseintheirSundayclothes；andthebellshadbeenringingsothismorninginhonourofthecaptain’stwenty-
firstbirthday，andtheworkhadallbeengotdonesoearly，thatMartyandTommywerenotquiteeasyintheirmindsuntiltheirmotherhadassuredthemthatgoingtochurchwasnotpartoftheday’sfestivities。Mr。Poyserhadoncesuggestedthatthehouseshouldbeshutupandlefttotakecareofitself；\"for，\"saidhe，\"there’snodangerofanybody’sbreakingin——everybody’llbeattheChase，thievesan’all。Ifwelockth’houseup，allthemencango:it’sadaytheywonnaseetwicei’theirlives。\"ButMrs。Poyseransweredwithgreatdecision:\"IneverleftthehousetotakecareofitselfsinceIwasamissis，andIneverwill。
There’sbeenill-lookingtrampsenoo’abouttheplacethislastweek，tocarryoffeveryhaman’everyspoonwe’ngot；andtheyallcolloguetogether，themtramps，asit’samercytheyhannacomeandpoisonedthedogsandmurderedusallinourbedsaforeweknowed，someFridaynightwhenwe’ngotthemoneyinth’housetopaythemen。Andit’slikeenoughthetrampsknowwherewe’regoingaswellaswedooursens；forifOldHarrywantsanyworkdone，youmaybesurehe’llfindthemeans。\"
\"Nonsenseaboutmurderingusinourbeds，\"saidMr。Poyser；\"I’vegotaguni’ourroom，hannaI？andthee’stgotearsas’udfinditoutifamousewasgnawingthebacon。Howiver，iftheewouldstnabeeasy，Alickcanstayathomei’theforeparto’theday，andTimcancomebacktow’rdsfiveo’clock，andletAlickhavehisturn。TheymayletGrowlerlooseifanybodyofferstodomischief，andthere’sAlick’sdogtoo，readyenoughtosethistoothinatrampifAlickgiveshimawink。\"
Mrs。Poyseracceptedthiscompromise，butthoughtitadvisabletobarandbolttotheutmost；andnow，atthelastmomentbeforestarting，Nancy，thedairy-maid，wasclosingtheshuttersofthehouse-place，althoughthewindow，lyingundertheimmediateobservationofAlickandthedogs，mighthavebeensupposedtheleastlikelytobeselectedforaburglariousattempt。
Thecoveredcart，withoutsprings，wasstandingreadytocarrythewholefamilyexceptthemen-servants。Mr。Poyserandthegrandfathersatontheseatinfront，andwithintherewasroomforallthewomenandchildren；thefullerthecartthebetter，becausethenthejoltingwouldnothurtsomuch，andNancy’sbroadpersonandthickarmswereanexcellentcushiontobepitchedon。
ButMr。Poyserdroveatnomorethanawalkingpace，thattheremightbeaslittleriskofjoltingaspossibleonthiswarmday，andtherewastimetoexchangegreetingsandremarkswiththefoot-passengerswhoweregoingthesameway，speckingthepathsbetweenthegreenmeadowsandthegoldencornfieldswithbitsofmovablebrightcolour——ascarletwaistcoattomatchthepoppiesthatnoddedalittletoothicklyamongthecorn，oradark-blueneckerchiefwithendsflauntingacrossabrand-newwhitesmock-
frock。AllBroxtonandallHayslopeweretobeattheChase，andmakemerrythereinhonourof\"th’heir\"；andtheoldmenandwomen，whohadneverbeensofardownthissideofthehillforthelasttwentyyears，werebeingbroughtfromBroxtonandHayslopeinoneofthefarmer’swaggons，atMr。Irwine’ssuggestion。Thechurch-bellshadstruckupagainnow——alasttune，beforetheringerscamedownthehilltohavetheirshareinthefestival；andbeforethebellshadfinished，othermusicwasheardapproaching，sothatevenOldBrown，thesoberhorsethatwasdrawingMr。Poyser’scart，begantoprickuphisears。ItwasthebandoftheBenefitClub，whichhadmusteredinallitsglory——
thatistosay，inbright-bluescarfsandbluefavours，andcarryingitsbannerwiththemotto，\"Letbrotherlylovecontinue，\"
encirclingapictureofastone-pit。
Thecarts，ofcourse，werenottoentertheChase。Everyonemustgetdownatthelodges，andthevehiclesmustbesentback。
\"Why，theChaseislikeafaira’ready，\"saidMrs。Poyser，asshegotdownfromthecart，andsawthegroupsscatteredunderthegreatoaks，andtheboysrunningaboutinthehotsunshinetosurveythetallpolessurmountedbytheflutteringgarmentsthatweretobetheprizeofthesuccessfulclimbers。\"Ishouldha’
thoughttherewasnasomanypeoplei’thetwoparishes。Mercyonus！Howhotitisouto’theshade！Comehere，Totty，elseyourlittleface’ullbeburnttoascratchin’！Theymightha’cookedthedinnersi’thatopenspacean’savedthefires。IshallgotoMrs。Best’srooman’sitdown。\"
\"Stopabit，stopabit，\"saidMr。Poyser。\"There’sth’waggincomingwi’th’oldfolksin’t；it’llbesuchasightaswonnacomeo’eragain，tosee’emgetdownan’walkalongalltogether。Youremembersomeon’emi’theirprime，eh，Father？\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidoldMartin，walkingslowlyundertheshadeofthelodgeporch，fromwhichhecouldseetheagedpartydescend。\"I
rememberJacobTaftwalkingfiftymileaftertheScotchraybels，whentheyturnedbackfromStoniton。\"
Hefelthimselfquiteayoungster，withalonglifebeforehim，ashesawtheHayslopepatriarch，oldFeytherTaft，descendfromthewaggonandwalktowardshim，inhisbrownnigbtcap，andleaningonhistwosticks。
\"Well，MesterTaft，\"shoutedoldMartin，attheutmoststretchofhisvoice——forthoughheknewtheoldmanwasstonedeaf，hecouldnotomittheproprietyofagreeting——\"you’reheartyyet。Youcanenjoyyoursento-day，for-allyou’reninetyan’better。\"
\"Yoursarvant，mesters，yoursarvant，\"saidFeytherTaftinatrebletone，perceivingthathewasincompany。
Theagedgroup，undercareofsonsordaughters，themselveswornandgrey，passedonalongtheleast-windingcarriage-roadtowardsthehouse，whereaspecialtablewaspreparedforthem；whilethePoyserpartywiselystruckacrossthegrassundertheshadeofthegreattrees，butnotoutofviewofthehouse-front，withitsslopinglawnandflower-beds，oroftheprettystripedmarqueeattheedgeofthelawn，standingatrightangleswithtwolargermarqueesoneachsideoftheopengreenspacewherethegamesweretobeplayed。ThehousewouldhavebeennothingbutaplainsquaremansionofQueenAnne’stime，butfortheremnantofanoldabbeytowhichitwasunitedatoneend，inmuchthesamewayasonemaysometimesseeanewfarmhouserisinghighandprimattheendofolderandlowerfarm-offices。Thefineoldremnantstoodalittlebackwardandundertheshadowoftallbeeches，butthesunwasnowonthetallerandmoreadvancedfront，theblindswerealldown，andthehouseseemedasleepinthehotmidday。ItmadeHettyquitesadtolookatit:Arthurmustbesomewhereinthebackrooms，withthegrandcompany，wherehecouldnotpossiblyknowthatshewascome，andsheshouldnotseehimforalong，longwhile——nottillafterdinner，whentheysaidhewastocomeupandmakeaspeech。
ButHettywaswronginpartofherconjecture。NograndcompanywascomeexcepttheIrwines，forwhomthecarriagehadbeensentearly，andArthurwasatthatmomentnotinabackroom，butwalkingwiththerectorintothebroadstonecloistersoftheoldabbey，wherethelongtableswerelaidforallthecottagetenantsandthefarm-servants。AveryhandsomeyoungBritonhelookedto-
day，inhighspiritsandabright-bluefrock-coat，thehighestmode——hisarmnolongerinasling。Soopen-lookingandcandid，too；butcandidpeoplehavetheirsecrets，andsecretsleavenolinesinyoungfaces。
\"Uponmyword，\"hesaid，astheyenteredthecoolcloisters，\"I
thinkthecottagershavethebestofit:thesecloistersmakeadelightfuldining-roomonahotday。Thatwascapitaladviceofyours，Irwine，aboutthedinners——toletthembeasorderlyandcomfortableaspossible，andonlyforthetenants:especiallyasIhadonlyalimitedsumafterall；forthoughmygrandfathertalkedofacarteblanche，hecouldn’tmakeuphismindtotrustme，whenitcametothepoint。\"
\"Nevermind，you’llgivemorepleasureinthisquietway，\"saidMr。Irwine。\"Inthissortofthingpeopleareconstantlyconfoundingliberalitywithriotanddisorder。Itsoundsverygrandtosaythatsomanysheepandoxenwereroastedwhole，andeverybodyatewholikedtocome；butintheenditgenerallyhappensthatnoonehashadanenjoyablemeal。Ifthepeoplegetagooddinnerandamoderatequantityofaleinthemiddleoftheday，they’llbeabletoenjoythegamesasthedaycools。Youcan’thindersomeofthemfromgettingtoomuchtowardsevening，butdrunkennessanddarknessgobettertogetherthandrunkennessanddaylight。\"
\"Well，Ihopetherewon’tbemuchofit。I’vekepttheTreddlestonpeopleawaybyhavingafeastfortheminthetown；
andI’vegotCassonandAdamBedeandsomeothergoodfellowstolooktothegivingoutofaleinthebooths，andtotakecarethingsdon’tgotoofar。Come，letusgoupabovenowandseethedinner-tablesforthelargetenants。\"
Theywentupthestonestaircaseleadingsimplytothelonggalleryabovethecloisters，agallerywhereallthedustyworthlessoldpictureshadbeenbanishedforthelastthreegenerations——mouldyportraitsofQueenElizabethandherladies，GeneralMonkwithhiseyeknockedout，Danielverymuchinthedarkamongthelions，andJuliusCaesaronhorseback，withahighnoseandlaurelcrown，holdinghisCommentariesinhishand。
\"Whatacapitalthingitisthattheysavedthispieceoftheoldabbey！\"saidArthur。\"IfI’mevermasterhere，Ishalldoupthegalleryinfirst-ratestyle。We’vegotnoroominthehouseathirdaslargeasthis。Thatsecondtableisforthefarmers’
wivesandchildren:Mrs。Bestsaiditwouldbemorecomfortableforthemothersandchildrentobebythemselves。Iwasdeterminedtohavethechildren，andmakearegularfamilythingofit。Ishallbe’theoldsquire’tothoselittleladsandlassessomeday，andthey’lltelltheirchildrenwhatamuchfineryoungfellowIwasthanmyownson。There’satableforthewomenandchildrenbelowaswell。Butyouwillseethemall——youwillcomeupwithmeafterdinner，Ihope？\"
\"Yes，tobesure，\"saidMr。Irwine。\"Iwouldn’tmissyourmaidenspeechtothetenantry。\"
\"Andtherewillbesomethingelseyou’llliketohear，\"saidArthur。\"LetusgointothelibraryandI’lltellyouallaboutitwhilemygrandfatherisinthedrawing-roomwiththeladies。
Somethingthatwillsurpsiseyou，\"hecontinued，astheysatdown。
\"Mygrandfatherhascomeroundafterall。\"
\"What，aboutAdam？\"
\"Yes；Ishouldhaveriddenovertotellyouaboutit，onlyIwassobusy。YouknowItoldyouIhadquitegivenuparguingthematterwithhim——Ithoughtitwashopeless——butyesterdaymorningheaskedmetocomeinheretohimbeforeIwentout，andastonishedmebysayingthathehaddecidedonallthenewarrangementsheshouldmakeinconsequenceofoldSatchellbeingobligedtolaybywork，andthatheintendedtoemployAdaminsuperintendingthewoodsatasalaryofaguineaa-week，andtheuseofaponytobekepthere。Ibelievethesecretofitis，hesawfromthefirstitwouldbeaprofitableplan，buthehadsomeparticulardislikeofAdamtogetover——andbesides，thefactthatIproposeathingisgenerallyareasonwithhimforrejectingit。
There’sthemostcuriouscontradictioninmygrandfather:Iknowhemeanstoleavemeallthemoneyhehassaved，andheislikelyenoughtohavecutoffpoorAuntLydia，whohasbeenaslavetohimallherlife，withonlyfivehundreda-year，forthesakeofgivingmeallthemore；andyetIsometimesthinkhepositivelyhatesmebecauseI’mhisheir。IbelieveifIweretobreakmyneck，hewouldfeelitthegreatestmisfortunethatcouldbefallhim，andyetitseemsapleasuretohimtomakemylifeaseriesofpettyannoyances。\"
\"Ah，myboy，itisnotonlywoman’slovethatis[twogreekwordsomitted]asoldAEschyluscallsit。There’splentyof’unlovinglove’intheworldofamasculinekind。ButtellmeaboutAdam。
Hasheacceptedthepost？Idon’tseethatitcanbemuchmoreprofitablethanhispresentwork，though，tobesure，itwillleavehimagooddealoftimeonhisownhands。
\"Well，IfeltsomedoubtaboutitwhenIspoketohimandheseemedtohesitateatfirst。Hisobjectionwasthathethoughtheshouldnotbeabletosatisfymygrandfather。ButIbeggedhimasapersonalfavourtomenottoletanyreasonpreventhimfromacceptingtheplace，ifhereallylikedtheemploymentandwouldnotbegivingupanythingthatwasmoreprofitabletohim。Andheassuredmeheshouldlikeitofallthings——itwouldbeagreatstepforwardforhiminbusiness，anditwouldenablehimtodowhathehadlongwishedtodo，togiveupworkingforBurge。Hesaysheshallhaveplentyoftimetosuperintendalittlebusinessofhisown，whichheandSethwillcarryon，andwillperhapsbeabletoenlargebydegrees。Sohehasagreedatlast，andIhavearrangedthatheshalldinewiththelargetenantsto-day；andI
meantoannouncetheappointmenttothem，andaskthemtodrinkAdam’shealth。It’salittledramaI’vegotupinhonourofmyfriendAdam。He’safinefellow，andIliketheopportunityoflettingpeopleknowthatIthinkso。\"
\"AdramainwhichfriendArthurpiqueshimselfonhavingaprettyparttoplay，\"saidMr。Irwine，smiling。ButwhenhesawArthurcolour，hewentonrelentingly，\"Mypart，youknow，isalwaysthatoftheoldfogywhoseesnothingtoadmireintheyoungfolks。I
don’tliketoadmitthatI’mproudofmypupilwhenhedoesgracefulthings。ButImustplaytheamiableoldgentlemanforonce，andsecondyourtoastinhonourofAdam。Hasyourgrandfatheryieldedontheotherpointtoo，andagreedtohavearespectablemanassteward？\"
\"Ohno，\"saidArthur，risingfromhischairwithanairofimpatienceandwalkingalongtheroomwithhishandsinhispockets。\"He’sgotsomeprojectorotheraboutlettingtheChaseFarmandbargainingforasupplyofmilkandbutterforthehouse。
ButIasknoquestionsaboutit——itmakesmetooangry。Ibelievehemeanstodoallthebusinesshimself，andhavenothingintheshapeofasteward。It’samazingwhatenergyhehas，though。\"
\"Well，we’llgototheladiesnow，\"saidMr。Irwine，risingtoo。
\"Iwanttotellmymotherwhatasplendidthroneyou’vepreparedforherunderthemarquee。\"
\"Yes，andwemustbegoingtoluncheontoo，\"saidArthur。\"Itmustbetwoo’clock，forthereisthegongbeginningtosoundforthetenants’dinners。\"
