Dinner-TimeWHENAdamheardthathewastodineupstairswiththelargetenants，hefeltratheruncomfortableattheideaofbeingexaltedinthiswayabovehismotherandSeth，whoweretodineinthecloistersbelow。ButMr。Mills，thebutler，assuredhimthatCaptainDonnithornehadgivenparticularordersaboutit，andwouldbeveryangryifAdamwasnotthere。
AdamnoddedandwentuptoSeth，whowasstandingafewyardsoff。
\"Seth，lad，\"hesaid，\"thecaptainhassenttosayI’mtodineupstairs——hewishesitparticular，Mr。Millssays，soIsupposeit’udbebehavingillformenottogo。ButIdon’tlikesittingupabovetheeandmother，asifIwasbetterthanmyownfleshandblood。Thee’tnottakeitunkind，Ihope？\"
\"Nay，nay，lad，\"saidSeth，\"thyhonour’sourhonour；andiftheeget’strespect，thee’stwonitbythyowndeserts。ThefurtherI
seetheeaboveme，thebetter，solongastheefeel’stlikeabrothertome。It’sbecauseo’thybeingappointedoverthewoods，andit’snothingbutwhat’sright。That’saplaceo’
trust，andthee’taboveacommonworkmannow。\"
\"Aye，\"saidAdam，\"butnobodyknowsawordaboutityet。I
haven’tgivennoticetoMr。Burgeaboutleavinghim，andIdon’tliketotellanybodyelseaboutitbeforeheknows，forhe’llbeagoodbithurt，Idoubt。People’ullbewonderingtoseemethere，andthey’lllikeenoughbeguessingthereasonandaskingquestions，forthere’sbeensomuchtalkupanddownaboutmyhavingtheplace，thislastthreeweeks。\"
\"Well，theecanstsaytheewastorderedtocomewithoutbeingtoldthereason。That’sthetruth。Andmother’ullbefineandjoyfulaboutit。Let’sgoandtellher。\"
Adamwasnottheonlyguestinvitedtocomeupstairsonothergroundsthantheamounthecontributedtotherent-roll。Therewereotherpeopleinthetwoparisheswhoderiveddignityfromtheirfunctionsratherthanfromtheirpocket，andoftheseBartleMasseywasone。Hislamewalkwasratherslowerthanusualonthiswarmday，soAdamlingeredbehindwhenthebellrangfordinner，thathemightwalkupwithhisoldfriend；forhewasalittletooshytojointhePoyserpartyonthispublicoccasion。
OpportunitiesofgettingtoHetty’ssidewouldbesuretoturnupinthecourseoftheday，andAdamcontentedhimselfwiththatforhedislikedanyriskofbeing\"joked\"aboutHetty——thebig，outspoken，fearlessmanwasveryshyanddiffidentastohislove-
making。
\"Well，MesterMassey，\"saidAdam，asBartlecameup\"I’mgoingtodineupstairswithyouto-day:thecaptain’ssentmeorders。\"
\"Ah！\"saidBartle，pausing，withonehandonhisback。\"Thenthere’ssomethinginthewind——there’ssomethinginthewind。
Haveyouheardanythingaboutwhattheoldsquiremeanstodo？\"
\"Why，yes，\"saidAdam；\"I’lltellyouwhatIknow，becauseI
believeyoucankeepastilltongueinyourheadifyoulike，andIhopeyou’llnotletdropawordtillit’scommontalk，forI’veparticularreasonsagainstitsbeingknown。\"
\"Trusttome，myboy，trusttome。I’vegotnowifetowormitoutofmeandthenrunoutandcackleitineverybody’shearing。
Ifyoutrustaman，lethimbeabachelor——lethimbeabachelor。\"
\"Well，then，itwassofarsettledyesterdaythatI’mtotakethemanagemento’thewoods。Thecaptainsentformet’offeritme，whenIwasseeingtothepolesandthingshereandI’veagreedto’t。Butifanybodyasksanyquestionsupstairs，justyoutakenonotice，andturnthetalktosomethingelse，andI’llbeobligedtoyou。Now，letusgoon，forwe’reprettynighthelast，Ithink。\"
\"Iknowwhattodo，neverfear，\"saidBartle，movingon。\"Thenewswillbegoodsaucetomydinner。Aye，aye，myboy，you’llgeton。I’llbackyouforaneyeatmeasuringandahead-pieceforfigures，againstanymaninthiscountyandyou’vehadgoodteaching——you’vehadgoodteaching。\"
Whentheygotupstairs，thequestionwhichArthurhadleftunsettled，astowhowastobepresident，andwhovice，wasstillunderdiscussion，sothatAdam’sentrancepassedwithoutremark。
\"Itstandstosense，\"Mr。Cassonwassaying，\"asoldMr。Poyser，asisth’oldestmani’theroom，shouldsitattopo’thetable。
Iwasn’tbutlerfifteenyearwithoutlearningtherightsandthewrongsaboutdinner。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidoldMartin，\"I’ngi’enuptomyson；I’mnotenantnow:letmysontakemyplace。Th’ouldfoulksha’hadtheirturn:theymunmakewayfortheyounguns。\"
\"Ishouldha’thoughtthebiggesttenanthadthebestright，morenorth’oldest，\"saidLukeBritton，whowasnotfondofthecriticalMr。Poyser；\"there’sMesterHoldsworthhasmorelandnoranybodyelseonth’estate。\"
\"Well，\"saidMr。Poyser，\"supposewesaythemanwi’thefoulestlandshallsitattop；thenwhoevergetsth’honour，there’llbenoenvyingonhim。\"
\"Eh，here’sMesterMassey，\"saidMr。Craig，who，beinganeutralinthedispute，hadnointerestbutinconciliation；\"theschoolmasteroughttobeabletotellyouwhat’sright。Who’stositattopo’thetable，Mr。Massey？\"
\"Why，thebroadestman，\"saidBartle；\"andthenhewon’ttakeupotherfolks’room；andthenextbroadestmustsitatbottom。\"
Thishappymodeofsettlingthedisputeproducedmuchlaughter——asmallerjokewouldhavesufficedforthatMr。Casson，however，didnotfeelitcompatiblewithhisdignityandsuperiorknowledgetojoininthelaugh，untilitturnedoutthathewasfixedonasthesecondbroadestman。MartinPoysertheyounger，asthebroadest，wastobepresident，andMr。Casson，asnextbroadest，wastobevice。
Owingtothisarrangement，Adam，being，ofcourse，atthebottomofthetable，fellundertheimmediateobservationofMr。Casson，who，toomuchoccupiedwiththequestionofprecedence，hadnothithertonoticedhisentrance。Mr。Casson，wehaveseen，consideredAdam\"ratherliftedupandpeppery-like\":hethoughtthegentrymademorefussaboutthisyoungcarpenterthanwasnecessary；theymadenofussaboutMr。Casson，althoughhehadbeenanexcellentbutlerforfifteenyears。
\"Well，Mr。Bede，you’reoneo’themasmountshup’ardsapace，\"hesaid，whenAdamsatdown。\"You’veniverdinedherebefore，asI
remember。\"
\"No，Mr。Casson，\"saidAdam，inhisstrongvoice，thatcouldbeheardalongthetable；\"I’veneverdinedherebefore，butIcomebyCaptainDonnithorne’swish，andIhopeit’snotdisagreeabletoanybodyhere。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidseveralvoicesatonce，\"we’regladye’recome。
Who’sgotanythingtosayagain’it？\"
\"Andye’llsingus’Overthehillsandfaraway，’afterdinner，wonnaye？\"saidMr。Chowne。\"That’sasongI’muncommonfondon。\"
\"Peeh！\"saidMr。Craig；\"it’snottobenamedbysideo’theScotchtunes。I’venevercaredaboutsingingmyself；I’vehadsomethingbettertodo。Amanthat’sgotthenamesandthenaturo’plantsin’sheadisnalikelytokeepahollowplacet’holdtunesin。Butasecondcousino’mine，adrovier，wasararehandatrememberingtheScotchtunes。He’dgotnothingelsetothinkon。\"
\"TheScotchtunes！\"saidBartleMassey，contemptuously；\"I’veheardenougho’theScotchtunestolastmewhileIlive。They’refitfornothingbuttofrightenthebirdswith——that’stosay，theEnglishbirds，fortheScotchbirdsmaysingScotchforwhatI
know。Givetheladsabagpipeinsteadofarattle，andI’llanswerforitthecorn’llbesafe。\"
\"Yes，there’sfolksasfindapleasureinundervallyingwhattheyknowbutlittleabout，\"saidMr。Craig。
\"Why，theScotchtunesarejustlikeascolding，naggingwoman，\"
Bartlewenton，withoutdeigningtonoticeMr。Craig’sremark。
\"Theygoonwiththesamethingoverandoveragain，andnevercometoareasonableend。Anybody’udthinktheScotchtuneshadalwaysbeenaskingaquestionofsomebodyasdeafasoldTaft，andhadnevergotanansweryet。\"
AdammindedthelessaboutsittingbyMr。Casson，becausethispositionenabledhimtoseeHetty，whowasnotfaroffhimatthenexttable。Hetty，however，hadnotevennoticedhispresenceyet，forshewasgivingangryattentiontoTotty，whoinsistedondrawingupherfeetontothebenchinantiquefashion，andtherebythreatenedtomakedustymarksonHetty’spink-and-whitefrock。Nosoonerwerethelittlefatlegspusheddownthanuptheycameagain，forTotty’seyesweretoobusyinstaringatthelargedishestoseewheretheplumpuddingwasforhertoretainanyconsciousnessofherlegs。Hettygotquiteoutofpatience，andatlast，withafrownandpout，andgatheringtears，shesaid，\"Ohdear，Aunt，Iwishyou’dspeaktoTotty；shekeepsputtingherlegsupso，andmessingmyfrock。\"
\"What’sthematterwi’thechild？Shecanniverpleaseyou，\"saidthemother。\"Lethercomebythesideo’me，then。Icanputupwi’her。\"
AdamwaslookingatHetty，andsawthefrown，andpout，andthedarkeyesseemingtogrowlargerwithpettishhalf-gatheredtears。
QuietMaryBurge，whosatnearenoughtoseethatHettywascrossandthatAdam’seyeswerefixedonher，thoughtthatsosensibleamanasAdammustbereflectingonthesmallvalueofbeautyinawomanwhosetemperwasbad。Marywasagoodgirl，notgiventoindulgeinevilfeelings，butshesaidtoherself，that，sinceHettyhadabadtemper，itwasbetterAdamshouldknowit。AnditwasquitetruethatifHettyhadbeenplain，shewouldhavelookedveryuglyandunamiableatthatmoment，andnoone’smoraljudgmentuponherwouldhavebeenintheleastbeguiled。Butreallytherewassomethingquitecharminginherpettishness:itlookedsomuchmorelikeinnocentdistressthanillhumour；andthesevereAdamfeltnomovementofdisapprobation；heonlyfeltasortofamusedpity，asifhehadseenakittensettingupitsback，oralittlebirdwithitsfeathersruffled。Hecouldnotgatherwhatwasvexingher，butitwasimpossibletohimtofeelotherwisethanthatshewastheprettiestthingintheworld，andthatifhecouldhavehisway，nothingshouldevervexheranymore。Andpresently，whenTottywasgone，shecaughthiseye，andherfacebrokeintooneofitsbrightestsmiles，asshenoddedtohim。Itwasabitofflirtation——sheknewMaryBurgewaslookingatthem。ButthesmilewaslikewinetoAdam。
TheHealth-DrinkingWHENthedinnerwasover，andthefirstdraughtsfromthegreatcaskofbirthdayalewerebroughtup，roomwasmadeforthebroadMr。Poyseratthesideofthetable，andtwochairswereplacedatthehead。IthadbeensettledverydefinitelywhatMr。Poyserwastodowhentheyoungsquireshouldappear，andforthelastfiveminuteshehadbeeninastateofabstraction，withhiseyesfixedonthedarkpictureopposite，andhishandsbusywiththeloosecashandotherarticlesinhisbreechespockets。
Whentheyoungsquireentered，withMr。Irwinebyhisside，everyonestoodup，andthismomentofhomagewasveryagreeabletoArthur。Helikedtofeelhisownimportance，andbesidesthat，hecaredagreatdealforthegood-willofthesepeople:hewasfondofthinkingthattheyhadahearty，specialregardforhim。Thepleasurehefeltwasinhisfaceashesaid，\"MygrandfatherandI
hopeallourfriendsherehaveenjoyedtheirdinner，andfindmybirthdayalegood。Mr。IrwineandIarecometotasteitwithyou，andIamsureweshallalllikeanythingthebetterthattherectorshareswithus。\"
AlleyeswerenowturnedonMr。Poyser，who，withhishandsstillbusyinhispockets，beganwiththedeliberatenessofaslow-
strikingclock。\"Captain，myneighbourshaveputitupo’metospeakfor’emto-day，forwherefolksthinkprettymuchalike，onespokesman’sasgoodasascore。Andthoughwe’vemayhappengotcontrairywayso’thinkingaboutamanythings——onemanlaysdownhislandonewayan’anotheranother——an’I’llnottakeituponmetospeaktonoman’sfarming，butmyown——thisI’llsay，aswe’reallo’onemindaboutouryoungsquire。We’veprettynighallonusknownyouwhenyouwaralittleun，an’we’veniverknownanythingonyoubutwhatwasgoodan’honorable。Youspeakfairan’y’actfair，an’we’rejoyfulwhenwelookforrardtoyourbeingourlandlord，forweb’lieveyoumeantodorightbyeverybody，an’’ullmakenoman’sbreadbittertohimifyoucanhelpit。That’swhatImean，an’that’swhatweallmean；andwhenaman’ssaidwhathemeans，he’dbetterstop，forth’ale’ullbenonethebetterforstannin’。An’I’llnotsayhowweliketh’aleyet，forwecouldnawelltasteittillwe’ddrunkyourhealthinit；butthedinnerwasgood，an’ifthere’sanybodyhasnaenjoyedit，itmustbethefaultofhisowninside。An’asfortherector’scompany，it’swellknownasthat’swelcomet’alltheparishwhereverhemaybe；an’Ihope，an’weallhope，ashe’lllivetoseeusoldfolks，an’ourchildrengrowntomenan’
womenan’YourHonourafamilyman。I’venomoretosayasconcernsthepresenttime，an’sowe’lldrinkouryoungsquire’shealth——threetimesthree。\"
Hereuponagloriousshouting，arapping，ajingling，aclattering，andashouting，withplentifuldacapo，pleasanterthanastrainofsublimestmusicintheearsthatreceivesuchatributeforthefirsttime。ArthurhadfeltatwingeofconscienceduringMr。
Poyser’sspeech，butitwastoofeebletonullifythepleasurehefeltinbeingpraised。Didhenotdeservewhatwassaidofhimonthewhole？IftherewassomethinginhisconductthatPoyserwouldn’thavelikedifhehadknownit，why，noman’sconductwillbeartoocloseaninspection；andPoyserwasnotlikelytoknowit；and，afterall，whathadhedone？Gonealittletoofar，perhaps，inflirtation，butanothermaninhisplacewouldhaveactedmuchworse；andnoharmwouldcome——noharmshouldcome，forthenexttimehewasalonewithHetty，hewouldexplaintoherthatshemustnotthinkseriouslyofhimorofwhathadpassed。
ItwasnecessarytoArthur，youperceive，tobesatisfiedwithhimself。Uncomfortablethoughtsmustbegotridofbygoodintentionsforthefuture，whichcanbeformedsorapidlythathehadtimetobeuncomfortableandtobecomeeasyagainbeforeMr。
Poyser’sslowspeechwasfinished，andwhenitwastimeforhimtospeakhewasquitelight-hearted。
\"Ithankyouall，mygoodfriendsandneighbours，\"Arthursaid，\"forthegoodopinionofme，andthekindfeelingstowardsmewhichMr。Poyserhasbeenexpressingonyourbehalfandonhisown，anditwillalwaysbemyheartiestwishtodeservethem。Inthecourseofthingswemayexpectthat，ifIlive，Ishallonedayorotherbeyourlandlord；indeed，itisonthegroundofthatexpectationthatmygrandfatherhaswishedmetocelebratethisdayandtocomeamongyounow；andIlookforwardtothisposition，notmerelyasoneofpowerandpleasureformyself，butasameansofbenefitingmyneighbours。IthardlybecomessoyoungamanasIamtotalkmuchaboutfarmingtoyou，whoaremostofyousomucholder，andaremenofexperience；still，I
haveinterestedmyselfagooddealinsuchmatters，andlearnedasmuchaboutthemasmyopportunitieshaveallowed；andwhenthecourseofeventsshallplacetheestateinmyhands，itwillbemyfirstdesiretoaffordmytenantsalltheencouragementalandlordcangivethem，inimprovingtheirlandandtryingtobringaboutabetterpracticeofhusbandry。Itwillbemywishtobelookedonbyallmydeservingtenantsastheirbestfriend，andnothingwouldmakemesohappyastobeabletorespecteverymanontheestate，andtoberespectedbyhiminreturn。Itisnotmyplaceatpresenttoenterintoparticulars；Ionlymeetyourgoodhopesconcerningmebytellingyouthatmyownhopescorrespondtothem——
thatwhatyouexpectfrommeIdesiretofulfil；andIamquiteofMr。Poyser’sopinion，thatwhenamanhassaidwhathemeans，hehadbetterstop。ButthepleasureIfeelinhavingmyownhealthdrunkbyyouwouldnotbeperfectifwedidnotdrinkthehealthofmygrandfather，whohasfilledtheplaceofbothparentstome。Iwillsaynomore，untilyouhavejoinedmeindrinkinghishealthonadaywhenhehaswishedmetoappearamongyouasthefuturerepresentativeofhisnameandfamily。\"
PerhapstherewasnoonepresentexceptMr。IrwinewhothoroughlyunderstoodandapprovedArthur’sgracefulmodeofproposinghisgrandfather’shealth。Thefarmersthoughttheyoungsquireknewwellenoughthattheyhatedtheoldsquire，andMrs。Poysersaid，\"he’dbetternotha’stirredakettleo’sourbroth。\"Thebucolicminddoesnotreadilyapprehendtherefinementsofgoodtaste。
Butthetoastcouldnotberejectedandwhenithadbeendrunk，Arthursaid，\"Ithankyou，bothformygrandfatherandmyself；andnowthereisonemorethingIwishtotellyou，thatyoumaysharemypleasureaboutit，asIhopeandbelieveyouwill。Ithinktherecanbenomanherewhohasnotarespect，andsomeofyou，I
amsure，haveaveryhighregard，formyfriendAdamBede。Itiswellknowntoeveryoneinthisneighbourhoodthatthereisnomanwhosewordcanbemoredependedonthanhis；thatwhateverheundertakestodo，hedoeswell，andisascarefulfortheinterestsofthosewhoemployhimasforhisown。I’mproudtosaythatIwasveryfondofAdamwhenIwasalittleboy，andI
haveneverlostmyoldfeelingforhim——IthinkthatshowsthatI
knowagoodfellowwhenIfindhim。Ithaslongbeenmywishthatheshouldhavethemanagementofthewoodsontheestate，whichhappentobeveryvaluable，notonlybecauseIthinksohighlyofhischaracter，butbecausehehastheknowledgeandtheskillwhichfithimfortheplace。AndIamhappytotellyouthatitismygrandfather’swishtoo，anditisnowsettledthatAdamshallmanagethewoods——achangewhichIamsurewillbeverymuchfortheadvantageoftheestate；andIhopeyouwillbyandbyjoinmeindrinkinghishealth，andinwishinghimalltheprosperityinlifethathedeserves。ButthereisastillolderfriendofminethanAdamBedepresent，andIneednottellyouthatitisMr。Irwine。I’msureyouwillagreewithmethatwemustdrinknootherperson’shealthuntilwehavedrunkhis。I
knowyouhaveallreasontolovehim，butnooneofhisparishionershassomuchreasonasI。Come，chargeyourglasses，andletusdrinktoourexcellentrector——threetimesthree！\"
Thistoastwasdrunkwithalltheenthusiasmthatwaswantingtothelast，anditcertainlywasthemostpicturesquemomentinthescenewhenMr。Irwinegotuptospeak，andallthefacesintheroomwereturnedtowardshim。ThesuperiorrefinementofhisfacewasmuchmorestrikingthanthatofArthur’swhenseenincomparisonwiththepeopleroundthem。Arthur’swasamuchcommonerBritishface，andthesplendourofhisnew-fashionedclotheswasmoreakintotheyoungfarmer’stasteincostumethanMr。Irwine’spowderandthewell-brushedbutwell-wornblack，whichseemedtobehischosensuitforgreatoccasions；forhehadthemysterioussecretofneverwearinganew-lookingcoat。
\"Thisisnotthefirsttime，byagreatmany，\"hesaid，\"thatI
havehadtothankmyparishionersforgivingmetokensoftheirgoodwill，butneighbourlykindnessisamongthosethingsthatarethemoreprecioustheoldertheyget。Indeed，ourpleasantmeetingto-dayisaproofthatwhenwhatisgoodcomesofageandislikelytolive，thereisreasonforrejoicing，andtherelationbetweenusasclergymanandparishionerscameofagetwoyearsago，foritisthree-and-twentyyearssinceIfirstcameamongyou，andIseesometallfine-lookingyoungmenhere，aswellassomebloomingyoungwomen，thatwerefarfromlookingaspleasantlyatmewhenIchristenedthemasIamhappytoseethemlookingnow。ButI’msureyouwillnotwonderwhenIsaythatamongallthoseyoungmen，theoneinwhomIhavethestrongestinterestismyfriendMr。ArthurDonnithorne，forwhomyouhavejustexpressedyourregard。Ihadthepleasureofbeinghistutorforseveralyears，andhavenaturallyhadopportunitiesofknowinghimintimatelywhichcannothaveoccurredtoanyoneelsewhoispresent；andIhavesomeprideaswellaspleasureinassuringyouthatIshareyourhighhopesconcerninghim，andyourconfidenceinhispossessionofthosequalitieswhichwillmakehimanexcellentlandlordwhenthetimeshallcomeforhimtotakethatimportantpositionamongyou。Wefeelalikeonmostmattersonwhichamanwhoisgettingtowardsfiftycanfeelincommonwithayoungmanofone-and-twenty，andhehasjustbeenexpressingafeelingwhichIshareveryheartily，andIwouldnotwillinglyomittheopportunityofsayingso。ThatfeelingishisvalueandrespectforAdamBede。Peopleinahighstationareofcoursemorethoughtofandtalkedaboutandhavetheirvirtuesmorepraised，thanthosewhoselivesarepassedinhumbleeverydaywork；buteverysensiblemanknowshownecessarythathumbleeverydayworkis，andhowimportantitistousthatitshouldbedonewell。AndIagreewithmyfriendMr。ArthurDonnithorneinfeelingthatwhenamanwhosedutyliesinthatsortofworkshowsacharacterwhichwouldmakehimanexampleinanystation，hismeritshouldbeacknowledged。Heisoneofthosetowhomhonourisdue，andhisfriendsshoulddelighttohonourhim。IknowAdamBedewell——Iknowwhatheisasaworkman，andwhathehasbeenasasonandbrother——andIamsayingthesimplesttruthwhenIsaythatIrespecthimasmuchasIrespectanymanliving。ButIamnotspeakingtoyouaboutastranger；someofyouarehisintimatefriends，andIbelievethereisnotoneherewhodoesnotknowenoughofhimtojoinheartilyindrinkinghishealth。\"
AsMr。Irwinepaused，Arthurjumpedupand，fillinghisglass，said，\"AbumpertoAdamBede，andmayhelivetohavesonsasfaithfulandcleverashimself！\"
Nohearer，notevenBartleMassey，wassodelightedwiththistoastasMr。Poyser。\"Toughwork\"ashisfirstspeechhadbeen，hewouldhavestarteduptomakeanotherifhehadnotknowntheextremeirregularityofsuchacourse。Asitwas，hefoundanoutletforhisfeelingindrinkinghisaleunusuallyfast，andsettingdownhisglasswithaswingofhisarmandadeterminedrap。IfJonathanBurgeandafewothersfeltlesscomfortableontheoccasion，theytriedtheirbesttolookcontented，andsothetoastwasdrunkwithagoodwillapparentlyunanimous。
Adamwasratherpalerthanusualwhenhegotuptothankhisfriends。Hewasagooddealmovedbythispublictribute——verynaturally，forhewasinthepresenceofallhislittleworld，anditwasunitingtodohimhonour。Buthefeltnoshynessaboutspeaking，notbeingtroubledwithsmallvanityorlackofwords；
helookedneitherawkwardnorembarrassed，butstoodinhisusualfirmuprightattitude，withhisheadthrownalittlebackwardandhishandsperfectlystill，inthatroughdignitywhichispeculiartointelligent，honest，well-builtworkmen，whoareneverwonderingwhatistheirbusinessintheworld。
\"I’mquitetakenbysurprise，\"hesaid。\"Ididn’texpectanythingo’thissort，forit’sagooddealmorethanmywages。ButI’vethemorereasontobegratefultoyou，Captain，andtoyou，Mr。
Irwine，andtoallmyfriendshere，who’vedrunkmyhealthandwishedmewell。It’udbenonsenseformetobesaying，Idon’tatalldeserveth’opinionyouhaveofme；that’udbepoorthankstoyou，tosaythatyou’veknownmealltheseyearsandyethaven’tsenseenoughtofindoutagreatdealo’thetruthaboutme。Youthink，ifIundertaketodoabito’work，I’lldoitwell，bemypaybigorlittle——andthat’strue。I’dbeashamedtostandbeforeyouhereifitwasnatrue。Butitseemstomethat’saman’splainduty，andnothingtobeconceitedabout，andit’sprettycleartomeasI’veneverdonemorethanmyduty；forletusdowhatwewill，it’sonlymakinguseo’thesperritandthepowersthatha’beengiventous。Andsothiskindnesso’yours，I’msure，isnodebtyouoweme，butafreegift，andassuchI
acceptitandamthankful。AndastothisnewemploymentI’vetakeninhand，I’llonlysaythatItookitatCaptainDonnithorne’sdesire，andthatI’lltrytofulfilhisexpectations。I’dwishfornobetterlotthantoworkunderhim，andtoknowthatwhileIwasgettingmyownbreadIwastakingcareofhisint’rests。ForIbelievehe’soneothosegentlemenaswishestodotherightthing，andtoleavetheworldabitbetterthanhefoundit，whichit’smybeliefeverymanmaydo，whetherhe’sgentleorsimple，whetherhesetsagoodbito’workgoingandfindsthemoney，orwhetherhedoestheworkwithhisownhands。There’snooccasionformetosayanymoreaboutwhatIfeeltowardshim:Ihopetoshowitthroughtheresto’mylifeinmyactions。\"
TherewerevariousopinionsaboutAdam’sspeech:someofthewomenwhisperedthathedidn’tshowhimselfthankfulenough，andseemedtospeakasproudascouldbe；butmostofthemenwereofopinionthatnobodycouldspeakmorestraightfor’ard，andthatAdamwasasfineachapasneedtobe。Whilesuchobservationswerebeingbuzzedabout，mingledwithwonderingsastowhattheoldsquiremeanttodoforabailiff，andwhetherhewasgoingtohaveasteward，thetwogentlemenhadrisen，andwerewalkingroundtothetablewherethewivesandchildrensat。Therewasnoneofthestrongalehere，ofcourse，butwineanddessert——
sparklinggooseberryfortheyoungones，andsomegoodsherryforthemothers。Mrs。Poyserwasattheheadofthistable，andTottywasnowseatedinherlap，bendinghersmallnosedeepdownintoawine-glassinsearchofthenutsfloatingthere。
\"Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Poyser？\"saidArthur。\"Weren’tyoupleasedtohearyourhusbandmakesuchagoodspeechto-day？\"
\"Oh，sir，themenaremostlysotongue-tied——you’reforcedpartlytoguesswhattheymean，asyoudowi’thedumbcreaturs。\"
\"What！youthinkyoucouldhavemadeitbetterforhim？\"saidMr。
Irwine，laughing。
\"Well，sir，whenIwanttosayanything，Icanmostlyfindwordstosayitin，thankGod。NotasI’ma-findingfautwi’myhusband，forifhe’samano’fewwords，whathesayshe’llstandto。\"
\"I’msureIneversawaprettierpartythanthis，\"Arthursaid，lookingroundattheapple-cheekedchildren。\"MyauntandtheMissIrwineswillcomeupandseeyoupresently。Theywereafraidofthenoiseofthetoasts，butitwouldbeashameforthemnottoseeyouattable。\"
Hewalkedon，speakingtothemothersandpattingthechildren，whileMr。Irwinesatisfiedhimselfwithstandingstillandnoddingatadistance，thatnoone’sattentionmightbedisturbedfromtheyoungsquire，theherooftheday。ArthurdidnotventuretostopnearHetty，butmerelybowedtoherashepassedalongtheoppositeside。Thefoolishchildfeltherheartswellingwithdiscontent；forwhatwomanwaseversatisfiedwithapparentneglect，evenwhensheknowsittobethemaskoflove？Hettythoughtthiswasgoingtobethemostmiserabledayshehadhadforalongwhile，amomentofchilldaylightandrealitycameacrossherdream:Arthur，whohadseemedsoneartoheronlyafewhoursbefore，wasseparatedfromher，astheheroofagreatprocessionisseparatedfromasmalloutsiderinthecrowd。
TheGamesTHEgreatdancewasnottobeginuntileighto’clock，butforanyladsandlasseswholikedtodanceontheshadygrassbeforethen，therewasmusicalwaysathand——forwasnotthebandoftheBenefitClubcapableofplayingexcellentjigs，reels，andhornpipes？And，besidesthis，therewasagrandbandhiredfromRosseter，who，withtheirwonderfulwind-instrumentsandpuffed-
outcheeks，werethemselvesadelightfulshowtothesmallboysandgirls。TosaynothingofJoshuaRann’sfiddle，which，byanactofgenerousforethought，hehadprovidedhimselfwith，incaseanyoneshouldbeofsufficientlypuretastetopreferdancingtoasoloonthatinstrument。
Meantime，whenthesunhadmovedoffthegreatopenspaceinfrontofthehouse，thegamesbegan。Therewere，ofcourse，well-soapedpolestobeclimbedbytheboysandyouths，racestoberunbytheoldwomen，racestoberuninsacks，heavyweightstobeliftedbythestrongmen，andalonglistofchallengestosuchambitiousattemptsasthatofwalkingasmanyyardspossibleononeleg——
featsinwhichitwasgenerallyremarkedthatWiryBen，being\"thelissom’st，springestfellowi’thecountry，\"wassuretobepre-
eminent。Tocrownall，therewastobeadonkey-race——thatsublimestofallraces，conductedonthegrandsocialisticideaofeverybodyencouragingeverybodyelse’sdonkey，andthesorriestdonkeywinning。
Andsoonafterfourociock，splendidoldMrs。Irwine，inherdamasksatinandjewelsandblacklace，wasledoutbyArthur，followedbythewholefamilyparty，toherraisedseatunderthestripedmarquee，whereshewastogiveouttheprizestothevictors。Staid，formalMissLydiahadrequestedtoresignthatqueenlyofficetotheroyaloldlady，andArthurwaspleasedwiththisopportunityofgratifyinghisgodmother’stasteforstateliness。OldMr。Donnithorne，thedelicatelyclean，finelyscented，witheredoldman，ledoutMissIrwine，withhisairofpunctilious，acidpoliteness；Mr。GawainebroughtMissLydia，lookingneutralandstiffinanelegantpeach-blossomsilk；andMr。IrwinecamelastwithhispalesisterAnne。Nootherfriendofthefamily，besidesMr。Gawaine，wasinvitedto-day；therewastobeagranddinnerfortheneighbouringgentryonthemorrow，butto-dayalltheforceswererequiredfortheentertainmentofthetenants。
Therewasasunkfenceinfrontofthemarquee，dividingthelawnfromthepark，butatemporarybridgehadbeenmadeforthepassageofthevictors，andthegroupsofpeoplestanding，orseatedhereandthereonbenches，stretchedoneachsideoftheopenspacefromthewhitemarqueesuptothesunkfence。
\"Uponmywordit’saprettysight，\"saidtheoldlady，inherdeepvoice，whenshewasseated，andlookedroundonthebrightscenewithitsdark-greenbackground；\"andit’sthelastfete-dayI’mlikelytosee，unlessyoumakehasteandgetmarried，Arthur。Buttakecareyougetacharmingbride，elseIwouldratherdiewithoutseeingher。\"
\"You’resoterriblyfastidious，Godmother，\"saidArthur，\"I’mafraidIshouldneversatisfyyouwithmychoice。\"
\"Well，Iwon’tforgiveyouifshe’snothandsome。Ican’tbeputoffwithamiability，whichisalwaystheexcusepeoplearemakingfortheexistenceofplainpeople。Andshemustnotbesilly；
thatwillneverdo，becauseyou’llwantmanaging，andasillywomancan’tmanageyou。Whoisthattallyoungman，Dauphin，withthemildface？There，standingwithouthishat，andtakingsuchcareofthattalloldwomanbythesideofhim——hismother，ofcourse。Iliketoseethat。\"
\"What，don’tyouknowhim，Mother？\"saidMr。Irwine。\"ThatisSethBede，Adam’sbrother——aMethodist，butaverygoodfellow。
PoorSethhaslookedratherdown-heartedoflate；Ithoughtitwasbecauseofhisfather’sdyinginthatsadway，butJoshuaRanntellsmehewantedtomarrythatsweetlittleMethodistpreacherwhowashereaboutamonthago，andIsupposesherefusedhim。\"
\"Ah，Irememberhearingabouther。ButtherearenoendofpeopleherethatIdon’tknow，forthey’regrownupandalteredsosinceIusedtogoabout。\"
\"Whatexcellentsightyouhave！\"saidoldMr。Donnithorne，whowasholdingadoubleglassuptohiseyes，\"toseetheexpressionofthatyoungman’sfacesofaroff。Hisfaceisnothingbutapaleblurredspottome。ButIfancyIhavetheadvantageofyouwhenwecometolookclose。Icanreadsmallprintwithoutspectacles。\"
\"Ah，mydearsir，youbeganwithbeingverynear-sighted，andthosenear-sightedeyesalwayswearthebest。Iwantverystrongspectaclestoreadwith，butthenIthinkmyeyesgetbetterandbetterforthingsatadistance。IsupposeifIcouldliveanotherfiftyyears，Ishouldbeblindtoeverythingthatwasn’toutofotherpeople’ssight，likeamanwhostandsinawellandseesnothingbutthestars。\"
\"See，\"saidArthur，\"theoldwomenarereadytosetoutontheirracenow。Whichdoyoubeton，Gawaine？\"
\"Thelong-leggedone，unlessthey’regoingtohaveseveralheats，andthenthelittlewiryonemaywin。\"
\"TherearethePoysers，Mother，notfaroffontherighthand，\"
saidMissIrwine。\"Mrs。Poyserislookingatyou。Dotakenoticeofher。\"
\"TobesureIwill，\"saidtheoldlady，givingagraciousbowtoMrs。Poyser。\"Awomanwhosendsmesuchexcellentcream-cheeseisnottobeneglected。Blessme！Whatafatchildthatissheisholdingonherknee！Butwhoisthatprettygirlwithdarkeyes？\"
\"ThatisHettySorrel，\"saidMissLydiaDonnithorne，\"MartinPoyser’sniece——averylikelyyoungperson，andwell-lookingtoo。
Mymaidhastaughtherfineneedlework，andshehasmendedsomelaceofmineveryrespectablyindeed——veryrespectably。\"
\"Why，shehaslivedwiththePoyserssixorsevenyears，Mother；
youmusthaveseenher，\"saidMissIrwine。
\"No，I’veneverseenher，child——atleastnotassheisnow，\"saidMrs。Irwine，continuingtolookatHetty。\"Well-looking，indeed！
She’saperfectbeauty！I’veneverseenanythingsoprettysincemyyoungdays。Whatapitysuchbeautyasthatshouldbethrownawayamongthefarmers，whenit’swantedsoterriblyamongthegoodfamilieswithoutfortune！Idaresay，now，she’llmarryamanwhowouldhavethoughtherjustasprettyifshehadhadroundeyesandredhair。\"
ArthurdarednotturnhiseyestowardsHettywhileMrs。Irwinewasspeakingofher。Hefeignednottohear，andtobeoccupiedwithsomethingontheoppositeside。Buthesawherplainlyenoughwithoutlooking；sawherinheightenedbeauty，becauseheheardherbeautypraised——forothermen’sopinion，youknow，waslikeanativeclimatetoArthur’sfeelings:itwastheaironwhichtheythrivedthebest，andgrewstrong。Yes！Shewasenoughtoturnanyman’shead:anymaninhisplacewouldhavedoneandfeltthesame。Andtogiveherupafterall，ashewasdeterminedtodo，wouldbeanactthatheshouldalwayslookbackuponwithpride。
\"No，Mother，\"andMr。Irwine，replyingtoherlastwords；\"Ican’tagreewithyouthere。Thecommonpeoplearenotquitesostupidasyouimagine。Thecommonestman，whohashisounceofsenseandfeeling，isconsciousofthedifferencebetweenalovely，delicatewomanandacoarseone。Evenadogfeelsadifferenceintheirpresence。Themanmaybenobetterablethanthedogtoexplaintheinfluencethemorerefinedbeautyhasonhim，buthefeelsit。\"
\"Blessme，Dauphin，whatdoesanoldbachelorlikeyouknowaboutit？\"
\"Oh，thatisoneofthemattersinwhicholdbachelorsarewiserthanmarriedmen，becausetheyhavetimeformoregeneralcontemplation。Yourfinecriticofwomanmustnevershacklehisjudgmentbycallingonewomanhisown。But，asanexampleofwhatIwassaying，thatprettyMethodistpreacherImentionedjustnowtoldmethatshehadpreachedtotheroughestminersandhadneverbeentreatedwithanythingbuttheutmostrespectandkindnessbythem。Thereasonis——thoughshedoesn’tknowit——thatthere’ssomuchtenderness，refinement，andpurityabouther。Suchawomanasthatbringswithher’airsfromheaven’thatthecoarsestfellowisnotinsensibleto。\"
\"Here’sadelicatebitofwomanhood，orgirlhood，comingtoreceiveaprize，Isuppose，\"saidMr。Gawaine。\"Shemustbeoneoftheracersinthesacks，whohadsetoffbeforewecame。\"
The\"bitofwomanhood\"wasouroldacquaintanceBessyCranage，otherwiseChad’sBess，whoselargeredcheeksandblowsypersonhadundergoneanexaggerationofcolour，which，ifshehadhappenedtobeaheavenlybody，wouldhavemadehersublime。
Bessy，Iamsorrytosay，hadtakentoherear-ringsagainsinceDinah’sdeparture，andwasotherwisedeckedoutinsuchsmallfineryasshecouldmuster。AnyonewhocouldhavelookedintopoorBessy’sheartwouldhaveseenastrikingresemblancebetweenherlittlehopesandanxietiesandHetty’s。Theadvantage，perhaps，wouldhavebeenonBessy’ssideinthematteroffeeling。
Butthen，yousee，theyweresoverydifferentoutside！YouwouldhavebeeninclinedtoboxBessy’sears，andyouwouldhavelongedtokissHetty。
Bessyhadbeentemptedtorunthearduousrace，partlyfrommerehedonishgaiety，partlybecauseoftheprize。Someonehadsaidthereweretobecloaksandotherniceclothesforprizes，andsheapproachedthemarquee，fanningherselfwithherhandkerchief，butwithexultationsparklinginherroundeyes。
\"Hereistheprizeforthefirstsack-race，\"saidMissLydia，takingalargeparcelfromthetablewheretheprizeswerelaidandgivingittoMrs。IrwinebeforeBessycameup，\"anexcellentgrogramgownandapieceofflannel。\"
\"Youdidn’tthinkthewinnerwastobesoyoung，Isuppose，Aunt？\"
saidArthur。\"Couldn’tyoufindsomethingelseforthisgirl，andsavethatgrim-lookinggownforoneoftheolderwomen？\"
\"Ihaveboughtnothingbutwhatisusefulandsubstantial，\"saidMissLydia，adjustingherownlace；\"Ishouldnotthinkofencouragingaloveoffineryinyoungwomenofthatclass。Ihaveascarletcloak，butthatisfortheoldwomanwhowins。\"
ThisspeechofMissLydia’sproducedratheramockingexpressioninMrs。Irwine’sfaceasshelookedatArthur，whileBessycameupanddroppedaseriesofcurtsies。
\"ThisisBessyCranage，mother，\"saidMr。Irwine，kindly，\"ChadCranage’sdaughter。YourememberChadCranage，theblacksmith？\"
\"Yes，tobesure，\"saidMrs。Irwine。\"Well，Bessy，hereisyourprize——excellentwarmthingsforwinter。I’msureyouhavehadhardworktowinthemthiswarmday。\"
Bessy’slipfellasshesawtheugly，heavygown——whichfeltsohotanddisagreeabletoo，onthisJulyday，andwassuchagreatuglythingtocarry。Shedroppedhercurtsiesagain，withoutlookingup，andwithagrowingtremulousnessaboutthecornersofhermouth，andthenturnedaway。
\"Poorgirl，\"saidArthur；\"Ithinkshe’sdisappointed。Iwishithadbeensomethingmoretohertaste。\"
\"She’sabold-lookingyoungperson，\"observedMissLydia。\"NotatalloneIshouldliketoencourage。\"
ArthursilentlyresolvedthathewouldmakeBessyapresentofmoneybeforethedaywasover，thatshemightbuysomethingmoretohermind；butshe，notawareoftheconsolationinstoreforher，turnedoutoftheopenspace，whereshewasvisiblefromthemarquee，andthrowingdowntheodiousbundleunderatree，begantocry——verymuchtitteredatthewhilebythesmallboys。Inthissituationshewasdescriedbyherdiscreetmatronlycousin，wholostnotimeincomingup，havingjustgiventhebabyintoherhusband’scharge。
\"What’sthematterwi’ye？\"saidBessthematron，takingupthebundleandexaminingit。\"Ye’nswelteredyoursen，Ireckon，runningthatfool’srace。An’here，they’ngi’enyoulotso’goodgrogramandflannel，asshouldha’beengi’enbygoodrightstothemashadthesensetokeepawayfromsuchfoolery。Yemightsparemeabito’thisgrogramtomakeclothesforthelad——yewarne’erill-natured，Bess；Ine’ersaidthatonye。\"
\"Yemaytakeitall，forwhatIcare，\"saidBessthemaiden，withapettishmovement，beginningtowipeawayhertearsandrecoverherself。
\"Well，Icoulddowi’t，ifsobeyewanttogetridon’t，\"saidthedisinterestedcousin，walkingquicklyawaywiththebundle，lestChad’sBessshouldchangehermind。
Butthatbonny-cheekedlasswasblessedwithanelasticityofspiritsthatsecuredherfromanyranklinggrief；andbythetimethegrandclimaxofthedonkey-racecameon，herdisappointmentwasentirelylostinthedelightfulexcitementofattemptingtostimulatethelastdonkeybyhisses，whiletheboysappliedtheargumentofsticks。Butthestrengthofthedonkeymindliesinadoptingacourseinverselyastheargumentsurged，which，wellconsidered，requiresasgreatamentalforceasthedirectsequence；andthepresentdonkeyprovedthefirst-rateorderofhisintelligencebycomingtoadeadstandstilljustwhentheblowswerethickest。Greatwastheshoutingofthecrowd，radiantthegrinningofBillDownesthestone-sawyerandthefortunateriderofthissuperiorbeast，whichstoodcalmandstiff-leggedinthemidstofitstriumph。
Arthurhimselfhadprovidedtheprizesforthemen，andBillwasmadehappywithasplendidpocket-knife，suppliedwithbladesandgimletsenoughtomakeamanathomeonadesertisland。Hehadhardlyreturnedfromthemarqueewiththeprizeinhishand，whenitbegantobeunderstoodthatWiryBenproposedtoamusethecompany，beforethegentrywenttodinner，withanimpromptuandgratuitousperformance——namely，ahornpipe，themainideaofwhichwasdoubtlessborrowed；butthiswastobedevelopedbythedancerinsopeculiarandcomplexamannerthatnoonecoulddenyhimthepraiseoforiginality。WiryBen’sprideinhisdancing——anaccomplishmentproductiveofgreateffectattheyearlyWake——hadneededonlyslightlyelevatingbyanextraquantityofgoodaletoconvincehimthatthegentrywouldbeverymuchstruckwithhisperformanceofhishornpipe；andhehadbeendecidedlyencouragedinthisideabyJoshuaRann，whoobservedthatitwasnothingbutrighttodosomethingtopleasetheyoungsquire，inreturnforwhathehaddoneforthem。YouwillbethelesssurprisedatthisopinioninsograveapersonagewhenyoulearnthatBenhadrequestedMr。Ranntoaccompanyhimonthefiddle，andJoshuafeltquitesurethatthoughtheremightnotbemuchinthedancing，themusicwouldmakeupforit。AdamBede，whowaspresentinoneofthelargemarquees，wheretheplanwasbeingdiscussed，toldBenhehadbetternotmakeafoolofhimself——aremarkwhichatoncefixedBen’sdetermination:hewasnotgoingtoletanythingalonebecauseAdamBedeturneduphisnoseatit。
\"What’sthis，what’sthis？\"saidoldMr。Donnithorne。\"Isitsomethingyou’vearranged，Arthur？Here’stheclerkcomingwithhisfiddle，andasmartfellowwithanosegayinhisbutton-hole。\"
\"No，\"saidArthur；\"Iknownothingaboutit。ByJove，he’sgoingtodance！It’soneofthecarpenters——Iforgethisnameatthismoment。\"
\"It’sBenCranage——WiryBen，theycallhim，\"saidMr。Irwine；
\"ratheraloosefish，Ithink。Anne，mydear，Iseethatfiddle-
scrapingistoomuchforyou:you’regettingtired。Letmetakeyouinnow，thatyoumayresttilldinner。\"
MissAnneroseassentingly，andthegoodbrothertookheraway，whileJoshua’spreliminaryscrapingsburstintothe\"WhiteCockade，\"fromwhichheintendedtopasstoavarietyoftunes，byaseriesoftransitionswhichhisgoodearreallytaughthimtoexecutewithsomeskill。Itwouldhavebeenanexasperatingfacttohim，ifhehadknownit，thatthegeneralattentionwastoothoroughlyabsorbedbyBen’sdancingforanyonetogivemuchheedtothemusic。
HaveyoueverseenarealEnglishrusticperformasolodance？
Perhapsyouhaveonlyseenaballetrustic，smilinglikeamerrycountrymanincrockery，withgracefulturnsofthehaunchandinsinuatingmovementsofthehead。Thatisasmuchliketherealthingasthe\"BirdWaltz\"islikethesongofbirds。WiryBenneversmiled:helookedasseriousasadancingmonkey——asseriousasifhehadbeenanexperimentalphilosopherascertaininginhisownpersontheamountofshakingandthevarietiesofangularitythatcouldbegiventothehumanlimbs。
Tomakeamendsfortheabundantlaughterinthestripedmarquee，Arthurclappedhishandscontinuallyandcried\"Bravo！\"ButBenhadoneadmirerwhoseeyesfollowedhismovementswithafervidgravitythatequalledhisown。ItwasMartinPoyser，whowasseatedonabench，withTommybetweenhislegs。
\"Whatdostthinko’that？\"hesaidtohiswife。\"Hegoesaspattothemusicasifhewasmadeo’clockwork。IusedtobeaprettygoodunatdancingmyselfwhenIwaslighter，butIcouldniverha’hititjusttoth’hairlikethat。\"
\"It’slittlematterwhathislimbsare，tomythinking，\"re-turnedMrs。Poyser。\"He’semptyenoughi’theupperstory，orhe’dnivercomejiggingan’stampingi’thatway，likeamadgrasshopper，forthegentrytolookathim。They’refittodiewi’laughing，Icansee。\"
\"Well，well，somuchthebetter，itamuses’em，\"saidMr。Poyser，whodidnoteasilytakeanirritableviewofthings。\"Butthey’regoingawaynow，t’havetheirdinner，Ireckon。Wellmoveaboutabit，shallwe，andseewhatAdamBede’sdoing。He’sgottolookafterthedrinkingandthings:Idoubthehasnahadmuchfun。\"
TheDanceARTHURhadchosentheentrance-hallfortheballroom:verywisely，fornootherroomcouldhaveheensoairy，orwouldhavehadtheadvantageofthewidedoorsopeningintothegarden，aswellasareadyentranceintotheotherrooms。Tobesure，astonefloorwasnotthepleasantesttodanceon，butthen，mostofthedancershadknownwhatitwastoenjoyaChristmasdanceonkitchenquarries。Itwasoneofthoseentrance-hallswhichmakethesurroundingroomslooklikeclosets——withstuccoangels，trumpets，andflower-wreathsontheloftyceiling，andgreatmedallionsofmiscellaneousheroesonthewalls，alternatingwithstatuesinniches。Justthesortofplacetobeornamentedwellwithgreenboughs，andMr。Craighadbeenproudtoshowhistasteandhishothouseplantsontheoccasion。Thebroadstepsofthestonestaircasewerecoveredwithcushionstoserveasseatsforthechildren，whoweretostaytillhalf-pastninewiththeservant-
maidstoseethedancing，andasthisdancewasconfinedtothechieftenants，therewasabundantroomforeveryone。Thelightswerecharminglydisposedincoloured-paperlamps，highupamonggreenboughs，andthefarmers’wivesanddaughters，astheypeepedin，believednoscenecouldbemoresplendid；theyknewnowquitewellinwhatsortofroomsthekingandqueenlived，andtheirthoughtsglancedwithsomepitytowardscousinsandacquaintanceswhohadnotthisfineopportunityofknowinghowthingswentoninthegreatworld。Thelampswerealreadylit，thoughthesunhadnotlongset，andtherewasthatcalmlightoutofdoorsinwhichweseemtoseeallobjectsmoredistinctlythaninthebroadday。
Itwasaprettysceneoutsidethehouse:thefarmersandtheirfamiliesweremovingaboutthelawn，amongtheflowersandshrubs，oralongthebroadstraightroadleadingfromtheeastfront，whereacarpetofmossygrassspreadoneachside，studdedhereandtherewithadarkflat-boughedcedar，oragrandpyramidalfirsweepingthegroundwithitsbranches，alltippedwithafringeofpalergreen。Thegroupsofcottagersintheparkweregraduallydiminishing，theyoungonesbeingattractedtowardsthelightsthatwerebeginningtogleamfromthewindowsofthegalleryintheabbey，whichwastobetheirdancing-room，andsomeofthesoberelderonesthinkingittimetogohomequietly。OneofthesewasLisbethBede，andSethwentwithher——notfromfilialattentiononly，forhisconsciencewouldnotlethimjoinindancing。IthadbeenratheramelancholydaytoSeth:Dinahhadneverbeenmoreconstantlypresentwithhimthaninthisscene，whereeverythingwassounlikeher。Hesawherallthemorevividlyafterlookingatthethoughtlessfacesandgay-coloureddressesoftheyoungwomen——justasonefeelsthebeautyandthegreatnessofapicturedMadonnathemorewhenithasbeenforamomentscreenedfromusbyavulgarheadinabonnet。ButthispresenceofDinahinhismindonlyhelpedhimtobearthebetterwithhismother’smood，whichhadbeenbecomingmoreandmorequerulousforthelasthour。PoorLisbethwassufferingfromastrangeconflictoffeelings。HerjoyandprideinthehonourpaidtoherdarlingsonAdamwasbeginningtobeworstedintheconflictwiththejealousyandfretfulnesswhichhadrevivedwhenAdamcametotellherthatCaptainDonnithornedesiredhimtojointhedancersinthehall。Adamwasgettingmoreandmoreoutofherreach；shewishedalltheoldtroublesbackagain，forthenitmatteredmoretoAdamwhathismothersaidanddid。
\"Eh，it’sfinetalkin’o’dancin’，\"shesaid，\"an’thyfathernotafiveweekin’sgrave。An’IwishIwartheretoo，i’stido’
bein’lefttotakeupmerrierfolks’sroomaboveground。\"
\"Nay，don’tlookatiti’thatway，Mother，\"saidAdam，whowasdeterminedtobegentletoherto-day。\"Idon’tmeantodance——I
shallonlylookon。Andsincethecaptainwishesmetobethere，it’udlookasifIthoughtIknewbetterthanhimtosayasI’drathernotstay。Andtheeknow’sthowhe’sbehavedtometo-day。\"
\"Eh，thee’tdoastheelik’st，forthyoldmother’sgotnorightt’hinderthee。She’snoughtbutth’oldhusk，andthee’stslippedawayfromher，liketheripenut。\"
\"Well，Mother，\"saidAdam，\"I’llgoandtellthecaptainasithurtsthyfeelingsformetostay，andI’drathergohomeupo’
thataccount:hewon’ttakeitillthen，Idaresay，andI’mwilling。\"Hesaidthiswithsomeeffort，forhereallylongedtobenearHettythisevening。
\"Nay，nay，Iwonnaha’theedothat——theyoungsquire’ullbeangered。Goan’dowhatthee’torderedtodo，an’meandSeth’ullgowhome。Iknowit’sagrithonourfortheetobesolookedon——an’who’stobeprouderonitnorthymother？Hadnashethecumbero’rearin’theean’doin’fortheeallthese’ears？\"
\"Well，good-bye，then，Mother——good-bye，lad——rememberGypwhenyougethome，\"saidAdam，turningawaytowardsthegateofthepleasure-grounds，wherehehopedhemightbeabletojointhePoysers，forhehadbeensooccupiedthroughouttheafternoonthathehadhadnotimetospeaktoHetty。Hiseyesoondetectedadistantgroup，whichheknewtobetherightone，returningtothehousealongthebroadgravelroad，andhehastenedontomeetthem。
\"Why，Adam，I’mgladtogetsightony’again，\"saidMr。Poyser，whowascarryingTottyonhisarm。\"You’regoingt’haveabito’
fun，Ihope，nowyourwork’salldone。Andhere’sHettyhaspromisednoendo’partners，an’I’vejustbeenaskin’herifshe’dagreedtodancewi’you，an’shesaysno。\"
\"Well，Ididn’tthinko’dancingto-night，\"saidAdam，alreadytemptedtochangehismind，ashelookedatHetty。
\"Nonsense！\"saidMr。Poyser。\"Why，everybody’sgoin’todanceto-
night，allbutth’oldsquireandMrs。Irwine。Mrs。Best’sbeentellin’usasMissLyddyandMissIrwine’ulldance，an’theyoungsquire’ullpickmywifeforhisfirstpartner，t’opentheball:
soshe’llbeforcedtodance，thoughshe’slaidbyeversin’theChristmasaforethelittleunwasborn。Youcannaforshamestandstill，Adam，an’youafineyoungfellowandcandanceaswellasanybody。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidMrs。Poyser，\"it’udbeunbecomin’。Iknowthedancin’snonsense，butifyoustickateverythingbecauseit’snonsense，youwonnagofari’thislife。Whenyourbroth’sready-
madeforyou，youmunswallowthethickenin’，orelseletthebrothalone。\"
\"ThenifHetty’ulld’ancewithme，\"saidAdam，yieldingeithertoMrs。Poyser’sargumentortosomethingelse，\"I’lldancewhicheverdanceshe’sfree。\"
\"I’vegotnopartnerforthefourthdance，\"saidHetty；\"I’lldancethatwithyou，ifyoulike。\"
\"Ah，\"saidMr。Poyser，\"butyoumundancethefirstdance，Adam，elseit’lllookpartic’ler。There’splentyo’nicepartnerstopickan’choosefrom，an’it’shardforthegellswhenthemenstan’byanddon’task’em。\"
AdamfeltthejusticeofMr。Poyser’sobservation:itwouldnotdoforhimtodancewithnoonebesidesHetty；andrememberingthatJonathanBurgehadsomereasontofeelhurtto-day，heresolvedtoaskMissMarytodancewithhimthefirstdance，ifshehadnootherpartner。
\"There’sthebigclockstrikin’eight，\"saidMr。Poyser；\"wemustmakehasteinnow，elsethesquireandtheladies’ullbeinaforeus，an’thatwouldnalookwell。\"
Whentheyhadenteredthehall，andthethreechildrenunderMolly’schargehadbeenseatedonthestairs，thefolding-doorsofthedrawing-roomwerethrownopen，andArthurenteredinhisregimentals，leadingMrs。Irwinetoacarpet-covereddaisornamentedwithhot-houseplants，wheresheandMissAnneweretobeseatedwitholdMr。Donnithorne，thattheymightlookonatthedancing，likethekingsandqueensintheplays。Arthurhadputonhisuniformtopleasethetenants，hesaid，whothoughtasmuchofhismilitiadignityasifithadbeenanelevationtothepremiership。Hehadnottheleastobjectiontogratifytheminthatway:hisuniformwasveryadvantageoustohisfigure。
Theoldsquire，beforesittingdown，walkedroundthehalltogreetthetenantsandmakepolitespeechestothewives:hewasalwayspolite；butthefarmershadfoundout，afterlongpuzzling，thatthispolishwasoneofthesignsofhardness。ItwasobservedthathegavehismostelaboratecivilitytoMrs。Poyserto-night，inquiringparticularlyaboutherhealth，recommendinghertostrengthenherselfwithcoldwaterashedid，andavoidalldrugs。Mrs。Poysercurtsiedandthankedhimwithgreatself-
command，butwhenhehadpassedon，shewhisperedtoherhusband，\"I’lllaymylifehe’sbrewin’somenastyturnagainstus。OldHarrydoesnawaghistailsofornothin’。\"Mr。Poyserhadnotimetoanswer，fornowArthurcameupandsaid，\"Mrs。Poyser，I’mcometorequestthefavourofyourhandforthefirstdance；and，Mr。
Poyser，youmustletmetakeyoutomyaunt，forsheclaimsyouasherpartner。\"
Thewife’spalecheekflushedwithanervoussenseofunwontedhonourasArthurledhertothetopoftheroom；butMr。Poyser，towhomanextraglasshadrestoredhisyouthfulconfidenceinhisgoodlooksandgooddancing，walkedalongwiththemquiteproudly，secretlyflatteringhimselfthatMissLydiahadneverhadapartnerinHERlifewhocouldliftheroffthegroundashewould。
Inordertobalancethehonoursgiventothetwoparishes，MissIrwinedancedwithLukeBritton，thelargestBroxtonfarmer，andMr。GawaineledoutMrs。Britton。Mr。Irwine，afterseatinghissisterAnne，hadgonetotheabbeygallery，ashehadagreedwithArthurbeforehand，toseehowthemerrimentofthecottagerswasprospering。Meanwhile，allthelessdistinguishedcoupleshadtakentheirplaces:HettywasledoutbytheinevitableMr。Craig，andMaryBurgebyAdam；andnowthemusicstruckup，andthegloriouscountry-dance，bestofalldances，began。
Pityitwasnotaboardedfloor！Thentherhythmicstampingofthethickshoeswouldhavebeenbetterthananydrums。Thatmerrystamping，thatgraciousnoddingofthehead，thatwavingbestowalofthehand——wherecanweseethemnow？Thatsimpledancingofwell-coveredmatrons，layingasideforanhourthecaresofhouseanddairy，rememberingbutnotaffectingyouth，notjealousbutproudoftheyoungmaidensbytheirside——thatholidaysprightlinessofportlyhusbandspayinglittlecomplimentstotheirwives，asiftheircourtingdayswerecomeagain——thoseladsandlassesalittleconfusedandawkwardwiththeirpartners，havingnothingtosay——itwouldbeapleasantvarietytoseeallthatsometimes，insteadoflowdressesandlargeskirts，andscanningglancesexploringcostumes，andlanguidmeninlacqueredbootssmilingwithdoublemeaning。
TherewasbutonethingtomarMartinPoyser’spleasureinthisdance:itwasthathewasalwaysinclosecontactwithLukeBritton，thatslovenlyfarmer。Hethoughtofthrowingalittleglazedcoldnessintohiseyeinthecrossingofhands；butthen，asMissIrwinewasoppositetohiminsteadoftheoffensiveLuke，hemightfreezethewrongperson。Sohegavehisfaceuptohilarity，unchilledbymoraljudgments。
HowHetty’sheartbeatasArthurapproachedher！Hehadhardlylookedatherto-day:nowhemusttakeherhand。Wouldhepressit？Wouldhelookather？Shethoughtshewouldcryifhegavehernosignoffeeling。Nowhewasthere——hehadtakenherhand——
yes，hewaspressingit。Hettyturnedpaleasshelookedupathimforaninstantandmethiseyes，beforethedancecarriedhimaway。ThatpalelookcameuponArthurlikethebeginningofadullpain，whichclungtohim，thoughhemustdanceandsmileandjokeallthesame。Hettywouldlookso，whenhetoldherwhathehadtotellher；andheshouldneverbeabletobearit——heshouldbeafoolandgivewayagain。Hetty’slookdidnotreallymeansomuchashethought:itwasonlythesignofastrugglebetweenthedesireforhimtonoticeherandthedreadlestsheshouldbetraythedesiretoothers。ButHetty’sfacehadalanguagethattranscendedherfeelings。Therearefaceswhichnaturechargeswithameaningandpathosnotbelongingtothesinglehumansoulthatfluttersbeneaththem，butspeakingthejoysandsorrowsofforegonegenerations——eyesthattellofdeeplovewhichdoubtlesshasbeenandissomewhere，butnotpairedwiththeseeyes——perhapspairedwithpaleeyesthatcansaynothing；justasanationallanguagemaybeinstinctwithpoetryunfeltbythelipsthatuseit。ThatlookofHetty’soppressedArthurwithadreadwhichyethadsomethingofaterribleunconfesseddelightinit，thatshelovedhimtoowell。Therewasahardtaskbeforehim，foratthatmomenthefelthewouldhavegivenupthreeyearsofhisyouthforthehappinessofabandoninghimselfwithoutremorsetohispassionforHetty。
TheseweretheincongruousthoughtsinhismindasheledMrs。
Poyser，whowaspantingwithfatigue，andsecretlyresolvingthatneitherjudgenorjuryshouldforcehertodanceanotherdance，totakeaquietrestinthedining-room，wheresupperwaslaidoutforthegueststocomeandtakeitastheychose。
\"I’vedesiredHettytorememberasshe’sgottodancewi’you，sir，\"saidthegoodinnocentwoman；\"forshe’ssothoughtless，she’dbelikeenoughtogoan’engageherselfforiverydance。SoItoldhernottopromisetoomany。\"
\"Thankyou，Mrs。Poyser，\"saidArthur，notwithoutatwinge。
\"Now，sitdowninthiscomfortablechair，andhereisMillsreadytogiveyouwhatyouwouldlikebest。\"
Hehurriedawaytoseekanothermatronlypartner，forduehonourmustbepaidtothemarriedwomenbeforeheaskedanyoftheyoungones；andthecountry-dances，andthestamping，andthegraciousnodding，andthewavingofthehands，wentonjoyously。
Atlastthetimehadcomeforthefourthdance——longedforbythestrong，graveAdam，asifhehadbeenadelicate-handedyouthofeighteen；forweareallverymuchalikewhenweareinourfirstlove；andAdamhadhardlyevertouchedHetty’shandformorethanatransientgreeting——hadneverdancedwithherbutoncebefore。
Hiseyeshadfollowedhereagerlyto-nightinspiteofhimself，andhadtakenindeeperdraughtsoflove。Hethoughtshebehavedsoprettily，soquietly；shedidnotseemtobeflirtingatallshesmiledlessthanusual；therewasalmostasweetsadnessabouther。\"Godblessher！\"hesaidinwardly；\"I’dmakeherlifeahappy’un，ifastrongarmtoworkforher，andahearttoloveher，coulddoit。\"
Andthentherestoleoverhimdeliciousthoughtsofcominghomefromwork，anddrawingHettytohisside，andfeelinghercheeksoftlypressedagainsthis，tillheforgotwherehewas，andthemusicandthetreadoffeetmighthavebeenthefallingofrainandtheroaringofthewind，forwhatheknew。
Butnowthethirddancewasended，andhemightgouptoherandclaimherhand。Shewasatthefarendofthehallnearthestaircase，whisperingwithMolly，whohadjustgiventhesleepingTottyintoherarmsbeforerunningtofetchshawlsandbonnetsfromthelanding。Mrs。Poyserhadtakenthetwoboysawayintothedining-roomtogivethemsomecakebeforetheywenthomeinthecartwithGrandfatherandMollywastofollowasfastaspossible。
\"Letmeholdher，\"saidAdam，asMollyturnedupstairs；\"thechildrenaresoheavywhenthey’reasleep。\"
Hettywasgladoftherelief，fortoholdTottyinherarms，standing，wasnotatallapleasantvarietytoher。ButthissecondtransferhadtheunfortunateeffectofrousingTotty，whowasnotbehindanychildofherageinpeevishnessatanunseasonableawaking。WhileHettywasintheactofplacingherinAdam’sarms，andhadnotyetwithdrawnherown，Tottyopenedhereyes，andforthwithfoughtoutwithherleftfistatAdam’sarm，andwithherrightcaughtatthestringofbrownbeadsroundHetty’sneck。Thelocketleapedoutfromherfrock，andthenextmomentthestringwasbroken，andHetty，helpless，sawbeadsandlocketscatteredwideonthefloor。
\"Mylocket，mylocket！\"shesaid，inaloudfrightenedwhispertoAdam；\"nevermindthebeads。\"
Adamhadalreadyseenwherethelocketfell，forithadattractedhisglanceasitleapedoutofherfrock。Ithadfallenontheraisedwoodendaiswherethebandsat，notonthestonefloor；andasAdampickeditup，hesawtheglasswiththedarkandlightlocksofhairunderit。Ithadfallenthatsideupwards，sotheglasswasnotbroken。Heturneditoveronhishand，andsawtheenamelledgoldback。
\"Itisn’thurt，\"hesaid，asheheldittowardsHetty，whowasunabletotakeitbecausebothherhandswereoccupiedwithTotty。
\"Oh，itdoesn’tmatter，Idon’tmindaboutit，\"saidHetty，whohadbeenpaleandwasnowred。
\"Notmatter？\"saidAdam，gravely。\"Youseemedveryfrightenedaboutit。I’llholdittillyou’rereadytotakeit，\"headded，quietlyclosinghishandoverit，thatshemightnotthinkhewantedtolookatitagain。
BythistimeMollyhadcomewithbonnetandshawl，andassoonasshehadtakenTotty，AdamplacedthelocketinHetty’shand。Shetookitwithanairofindifferenceandputitinherpocket，inherheartvexedandangrywithAdambecausehehadseenit，butdeterminednowthatshewouldshownomoresignsofagitation。
\"See，\"shesaid，\"they’retakingtheirplacestodance；letusgo。\"
Adamassentedsilently。Apuzzledalarmhadtakenpossessionofhim。HadHettyaloverhedidn’tknowof？Fornoneofherrelations，hewassure，wouldgiveheralocketlikethat；andnoneofheradmirers，withwhomhewasacquainted，wasinthepositionofanacceptedlover，asthegiverofthatlocketmustbe。Adamwaslostintheutterimpossibilityoffindinganypersonforhisfearstoalighton。HecouldonlyfeelwithaterriblepangthattherewassomethinginHetty’slifeunknowntohim；thatwhilehehadbeenrockinghimselfinthehopethatshewouldcometolovehim，shewasalreadylovinganother。ThepleasureofthedancewithHettywasgone；hiseyes，whentheyrestedonher，hadanuneasyquestioningexpressioninthem；hecouldthinkofnothingtosaytoher；andshetoowasoutoftemperanddisinclinedtospeak。Theywerebothgladwhenthedancewasended。
Adamwasdeterminedtostaynolonger；noonewantedhim，andnoonewouldnoticeifheslippedaway。Assoonashegotoutofdoors，hebegantowalkathishabitualrapidpace，hurryingalongwithoutknowingwhy，busywiththepainfulthoughtthatthememoryofthisday，sofullofhonourandpromisetohim，waspoisonedforever。Suddenly，whenhewasfaronthroughtheChase，hestopped，startledbyaflashofrevivinghope。Afterall，hemightbeafool，makingagreatmiseryoutofatrifle。Hetty，fondoffineryasshewas，mighthaveboughtthethingherself。
Itlookedtooexpensiveforthat——itlookedlikethethingsonwhitesatininthegreatjeweller’sshopatRosseter。ButAdamhadveryimperfectnotionsofthevalueofsuchthings，andhethoughtitcouldcertainlynotcostmorethanaguinea。PerhapsHettyhadhadasmuchasthatinChristmasboxes，andtherewasnoknowingbutshemighthavebeenchildishenoughtospenditinthatway；shewassuchayoungthing，andshecouldn’thelplovingfinery！Butthen，whyhadshebeensofrightenedaboutitatfirst，andchangedcolourso，andafterwardspretendednottocare？Oh，thatwasbecauseshewasashamedofhisseeingthatshehadsuchasmartthing——shewasconsciousthatitwaswrongforhertospendhermoneyonit，andsheknewthatAdamdisapprovedoffinery。Itwasaproofshecaredaboutwhathelikedanddisliked。Shemusthavethoughtfromhissilenceandgravityafterwardsthathewasverymuchdispleasedwithher，thathewasinclinedtobeharshandseveretowardsherfoibles。Andashewalkedonmorequietly，chewingthecudofthisnewhope，hisonlyuneasinesswasthathehadbehavedinawaywhichmightchillHetty’sfeelingtowardshim。Forthislastviewofthemattermustbethetrueone。HowcouldHettyhaveanacceptedlover，quiteunknowntohim？Shewasneverawayfromheruncle’shouseformorethanaday；shecouldhavenoacquaintancesthatdidnotcomethere，andnointimaciesunknowntoheruncleandaunt。Itwouldbefollytobelievethatthelocketwasgiventoherbyalover。Thelittleringofdarkhairhefeltsurewasherown；hecouldformnoguessaboutthelighthairunderit，forhehadnotseenitverydistinctly。Itmightbeabitofherfather’sormother’s，whohaddiedwhenshewasachild，andshewouldnaturallyputabitofherownalongwithit。
AndsoAdamwenttobedcomforted，havingwovenforhimselfaningeniouswebofprobabilities——thesurestscreenawisemancanplacebetweenhimselfandthetruth。HislastwakingthoughtsmeltedintoadreamthathewaswithHettyagainattheHallFarm，andthathewasaskinghertoforgivehimforbeingsocoldandsilent。
Andwhilehewasdreamingthis，ArthurwasleadingHettytothedanceandsayingtoherinlowhurriedtones，\"Ishallbeinthewoodthedayafterto-morrowatseven；comeasearlyasyoucan。\"
