AttheHallFarmTHEfirstautumnalafternoonsunshineof1801——morethaneighteenmonthsafterthatpartingofAdamandArthurintheHermitage——wasontheyardattheHallFarm；andthebull-dogwasinoneofhismostexcitedmoments，foritwasthathourofthedaywhenthecowswerebeingdrivenintotheyardfortheirafternoonmilking。
Nowonderthepatientbeastsranconfusedlyintothewrongplaces，forthealarmingdinofthebull-dogwasmingledwithmoredistantsoundswhichthetimidfemininecreatures，withpardonablesuperstition，imaginedalsotohavesomerelationtotheirownmovements——withthetremendouscrackofthewaggoner’swhip，theroarofhisvoice，andtheboomingthunderofthewaggon，asitlefttherick-yardemptyofitsgoldenload。
ThemilkingofthecowswasasightMrs。Poyserloved，andatthishouronmilddaysshewasusuallystandingatthehousedoor，withherknittinginherhands，inquietcontemplation，onlyheightenedtoakeenerinterestwhentheviciousyellowcow，whohadoncekickedoverapailfulofpreciousmilk，wasabouttoundergothepreventivepunishmentofhavingherhinder-legsstrapped。
To-day，however，Mrs。Poysergavebutadividedattentiontothearrivalofthecows，forshewasineagerdiscussionwithDinah，whowasstitchingMr。Poyser’sshirt-collars，andhadbornepatientlytohaveherthreadbrokenthreetimesbyTottypullingatherarmwithasuddeninsistencethatsheshouldlookat\"Baby，\"thatis，atalargewoodendollwithnolegsandalongskirt，whosebaldheadTotty，seatedinhersmallchairatDinah’sside，wascaressingandpressingtoherfatcheekwithmuchfervour。Tottyislargerbymorethantwoyears’growththanwhenyoufirstsawher，andshehasonablackfrockunderherpinafore。Mrs。Poysertoohasonablackgown，whichseemstoheightenthefamilylikenessbetweenherandDinah。Inotherrespectsthereislittleoutwardchangenowdiscernibleinouroldfriends，orinthepleasanthouse-place，brightwithpolishedoakandpewter。
\"Ineversawtheliketoyou，Dinah，\"Mrs。Poyserwassaying，\"whenyou’veoncetookanythingintoyourhead:there’snomoremovingyouthantherootedtree。Youmaysaywhatyoulike，butI
don’tbelievethat’sreligion；forwhat’stheSermonontheMountabout，asyou’resofondo’readingtotheboys，butdoingwhatotherfolks’udhaveyoudo？Butifitwasanythingunreasonabletheywantedyoutodo，liketakingyourcloakoffandgivingitto’em，orletting’emslapyoui’theface，Idaresayyou’dbereadyenough。It’sonlywhenone’udhaveyoudowhat’splaincommonsenseandgoodforyourself，asyou’reobstinateth’otherway。\"
\"Nay，dearAunt，\"saidDinah，smilingslightlyasshewentonwithherwork，\"I’msureyourwish’udbeareasonformetodoanythingthatIdidn’tfeelitwaswrongtodo。\"
\"Wrong！Youdrivemepastbearing。Whatistherewrong，Ishouldliketoknow，i’stayingalongwi’yourownfriends，asareth’
happierforhavingyouwith’eman’arewillingtoprovideforyou，evenifyourworkdidn’tmorenorpay’emforthebito’
sparrow’svictualy’eatandthebito’ragyouputon？An’whoisit，Ishouldliketoknow，asyou’reboundt’helpandcomforti’theworldmorenoryourownfleshandblood——an’meth’onlyauntyou’vegotabove-ground，an’ambroughttothebrinko’thegravewellyeverywinterascomes，an’there’sthechildassitsbesideyou’ullbreakherlittleheartwhenyougo，an’thegrandfathernotbeendeadatwelvemonth，an’youruncle’ullmissyousoasneverwas——a-lightinghispipean’waitingonhim，an’
nowIcantrustyouwi’thebutter，an’havehadallthetroubleo’teachingyou，andthere’sallthesewingtobedone，an’Imusthaveastrangegellouto’Treddles’ontodoit——an’allbecauseyoumustgobacktothatbareheapo’stonesastheverycrowsflyoveran’won’tstopat。\"
\"DearAuntRachel，\"saidDinah，lookingupinMrs。Poyser’sface，\"it’syourkindnessmakesyousayI’musefultoyou。Youdon’treallywantmenow，forNancyandMollyarecleverattheirwork，andyou’reingoodhealthnow，bytheblessingofGod，andmyuncleisofacheerfulcountenanceagain，andyouhaveneighboursandfriendsnotafew——someofthemcometositwithmyunclealmostdaily。Indeed，youwillnotmissme；andatSnowfieldtherearebrethrenandsistersingreatneed，whohavenoneofthosecomfortsyouhavearoundyou。IfeelthatIamcalledbacktothoseamongstwhommylotwasfirstcast。IfeeldrawnagaintowardsthehillswhereIusedtobeblessedincarryingthewordoflifetothesinfulanddesolate。\"
\"Youfeel！Yes，\"saidMrs。Poyser，returningfromaparentheticglanceatthecows，\"that’sallaysthereasonI’mtositdownwi’，whenyou’veamindtodoanythingcontrairy。Whatdoyouwanttobepreachingformorethanyou’repreachingnow？Don’tyougooff，theLordknowswhere，everySundaya-preachingandpraying？
An’haven’tyougotMethodistsenowatTreddles’ontogoandlookat，ifchurch-folks’sfacesaretoohandsometopleaseyou？An’
isn’ttherethemi’thisparishasyou’vegotunderhand，andthey’relikeenoughtomakefriendswi’OldHarryagainassoonasyourback’sturned？There’sthatBessyCranage——she’llbeflauntingi’newfinerythreeweeksafteryou’regone，I’llbebound。She’llnomoregooninhernewwayswithoutyouthanadog’ullstandonitshind-legswhenthere’snobodylooking。ButIsupposeitdoesnamattersomuchaboutfolks’ssoulsi’thiscountry，elseyou’dbeforstayingwithyourownaunt，forshe’snonesogoodbutwhatyoumighthelphertobebetter。\"
TherewasacertainsomethinginMrs。Poyser’svoicejustthen，whichshedidnotwishtobenoticed，sosheturnedroundhastilytolookattheclock，andsaid:\"Seethere！It’stea-time；an’ifMartin’si’therick-yard，he’lllikeacup。Here，Totty，mychicken，letmotherputyourbonneton，andthenyougooutintotherick-yardandseeifFather’sthere，andtellhimhemustn’tgoawayagainwithoutcomingt’haveacupo’tea；andtellyourbrotherstocomeintoo。\"
Tottytrottedoffinherflappingbonnet，whileMrs。Poysersetoutthebrightoaktableandreacheddownthetea-cups。
\"Youtalko’themgellsNancyandMollybeingcleveri’theirwork，\"shebeganagain；\"it’sfinetalking。They’reallthesame，cleverorstupid——onecan’ttrust’emouto’one’ssightaminute。
Theywantsomebody’seyeon’emconstantifthey’retobekepttotheirwork。An’supposeI’millagainthiswinter，asIwasthewinterbeforelast？Who’stolookafter’emthen，ifyou’regone？
An’there’sthatblessedchild——something’ssuret’happentoher——
they’lllethertumbleintothefire，orgetatthekettlewi’
theboilinglardin’t，orsomemischiefas’ulllameherforlife；
an’it’llbeallyourfault，Dinah。\"
\"Aunt，\"saidDinah，\"Ipromisetocomebacktoyouinthewinterifyou’reill。Don’tthinkIwilleverstayawayfromyouifyou’reinrealwantofme。But，indeed，itisneedfulformyownsoulthatIshouldgoawayfromthislifeofeaseandluxuryinwhichIhaveallthingstoorichlytoenjoy——atleastthatI
shouldgoawayforashortspace。Noonecanknowbutmyselfwhataremyinwardneeds，andthebesetmentsIammostindangerfrom。
YourwishformetostayisnotacallofdutywhichIrefusetohearkentobecauseitisagainstmyowndesires；itisatemptationthatImustresist，lesttheloveofthecreatureshouldbecomelikeamistinmysoulshuttingouttheheavenlylight。\"
\"Itpassesmycunningtoknowwhatyoumeanbyeaseandluxury，\"
saidMrs。Poyser，asshecutthebreadandbutter。\"It’struethere’sgoodvictualenoughaboutyou，asnobodyshalleversayI
don’tprovideenoughandtospare，butifthere’severabito’
oddsan’endsasnobodyelse’udeat，you’resuretopickitout……butlookthere！There’sAdamBedea-carryingthelittleunin。Iwonderhowitishe’scomesoearly。\"
Mrs。Poyserhastenedtothedoorforthepleasureoflookingatherdarlinginanewposition，withloveinhereyesbutreproofonhertongue。
\"Ohforshame，Totty！Littlegellso’fiveyearoldshouldbeashamedtobecarried。Why，Adam，she’llbreakyourarm，suchabiggellasthat；setherdown——forshame！\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidAdam，\"Icanliftherwithmyhand——I’venoneedtotakemyarmtoit。\"
Totty，lookingasserenelyunconsciousofremarkasafatwhitepuppy，wassetdownatthedoor-place，andthemotherenforcedherreproofwithashowerofkisses。
\"You’resurprisedtoseemeatthishouro’theday，\"saidAdam。
\"Yes，butcomein，\"saidMrs。Poyser，makingwayforhim；\"there’snobadnews，Ihope？\"
\"No，nothingbad，\"Adamanswered，ashewentuptoDinahandputouthishandtoher。Shehadlaiddownherworkandstoodup，instinctively，asheapproachedher。Afaintblushdiedawayfromherpalecheekassheputherhandinhisandlookedupathimtimidly。
\"It’sanerrandtoyoubroughtme，Dinah，\"saidAdam，apparentlyunconsciousthathewasholdingherhandallthewhile；\"mother’sabitailing，andshe’ssetherheartonyourcomingtostaythenightwithher，ifyou’llbesokind。ItoldherI’dcallandaskyouasIcamefromthevillage。Sheoverworksherself，andI
can’tpersuadehertohavealittlegirlt’helpher。Idon’tknowwhat’stobedone。\"
AdamreleasedDinah’shandasheceasedspeaking，andwasexpectingananswer，butbeforeshehadopenedherlipsMrs。
Poysersaid，\"Looktherenow！Itoldyoutherewasfolksenowt’
helpi’thisparish，wi’outgoingfurtheroff。There’sMrs。Bedegettingasoldandcas’altyascanbe，andshewon’tletanybodybutyougoa-nighherhardly。ThefolksatSnowfieldhavelearntbythistimetodobetterwi’outyounorshecan。\"
\"I’llputmybonnetonandsetoffdirectly，ifyoudon’twantanythingdonefirst，Aunt，\"saidDinah，foldingupherwork。
\"Yes，Idowantsomethingdone。Iwantyout’haveyourtea，child；it’sallready——andyou’llhaveacup，Adam，ify’arenaintoobigahurry。\"
\"Yes，I’llhaveacup，please；andthenI’llwalkwithDinah。I’mgoingstraighthome，forI’vegotaloto’timbervaluationstowriteout。\"
\"Why，Adam，lad，areyouhere？\"saidMr。Poyser，enteringwarmandcoatless，withthetwoblack-eyedboysbehindhim，stilllookingasmuchlikehimastwosmallelephantsarelikealargeone。
\"Howisitwe’vegotsighto’yousolongbeforefoddering-time？\"
\"IcameonanerrandforMother，\"saidAdam。\"She’sgotatouchofheroldcomplaint，andshewantsDinahtogoandstaywithherabit。\"
\"Well，we’llspareherforyourmotheralittlewhile，\"saidMr。
Poyser。\"Butwewonnaspareherforanybodyelse，on’yherhusband。\"
\"Husband！\"saidMarty，whowasatthemostprosaicandliteralperiodoftheboyishmind。\"Why，Dinahhasn’tgotahusband。\"
\"Spareher？\"saidMrs。Poyser，placingaseed-cakeonthetableandthenseatingherselftopouroutthetea。\"Butwemustspareher，itseems，andnotforahusbandneither，butforherownmegrims。Tommy，whatareyoudoingtoyourlittlesister’sdoll？
Makingthechildnaughty，whenshe’dbegoodifyou’dlether。
Youshannahaveamorselo’cakeifyoubehaveso。\"
Tommy，withtruebrotherlysympathy，wasamusinghimselfbyturningDolly’sskirtoverherbaldheadandexhibitinghertruncatedbodytothegeneralscorn——anindignitywhichcutTottytotheheart。
\"WhatdoyouthinkDinah’sbeena-tellingmesincedinner-time？\"
Mrs。Poysercontinued，lookingatherhusband。
\"Eh！I’mapoorunatguessing，\"saidMr。Poyser。
\"Why，shemeanstogobacktoSnowfieldagain，andworki’themill，andstarveherself，assheusedtodo，likeacreaturashasgotnofriends。\"
Mr。Poyserdidnotreadilyfindwordstoexpresshisunpleasantastonishment；heonlylookedfromhiswifetoDinah，whohadnowseatedherselfbesideTotty，asabulwarkagainstbrotherlyplayfulness，andwasbusyingherselfwiththechildren’stea。Ifhehadbeengiventomakinggeneralreflections，itwouldhaveoccurredtohimthattherewascertainlyachangecomeoverDinah，forsheneverusedtochangecolour；but，asitwas，hemerelyobservedthatherfacewasflushedatthatmoment。Mr。Poyserthoughtshelookedtheprettierforit:itwasaflushnodeeperthanthepetalofamonthlyrose。Perhapsitcamebecauseherunclewaslookingathersofixedly；butthereisnoknowing，forjustthenAdamwassaying，withquietsurprise，\"Why，IhopedDinahwassettledamongusforlife。Ithoughtshe’dgivenupthenotiono’goingbacktoheroldcountry。\"
\"Thought！Yes，\"saidMrs。Poyser，\"andsowouldanybodyelseha’
thought，ashadgottheirrightendup’ards。ButIsupposeyoumustbeaMethodisttoknowwhataMethodist’ulldo。It’sillguessingwhatthebatsareflyingafter。\"
\"Why，whathavewedonetoyou。Dinah，asyoumustgoawayfromus？\"saidMr。Poyser，stillpausingoverhistea-cup。\"It’slikebreakingyourword，welly，foryourauntneverhadnothoughtbutyou’dmakethisyourhome。\"
\"Nay，Uncle，\"saidDinah，tryingtobequitecalm。\"WhenIfirstcame，Isaiditwasonlyforatime，aslongasIcouldbeofanycomforttomyaunt。\"
\"Well，an’whosaidyou’deverleftoffbeingacomforttome？\"
saidMrs。Poyser。\"Ifyoudidnameantostaywi’me，you’dbetterneverha’come。Themasha’neverhadacushiondon’tmissit。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidMr。Poyser，whoobjectedtoexaggeratedviews。
\"Theemustnasayso；weshouldha’beenilloffwi’outher，Ladydaywasatwelvemont’。Wemunbethankfulforthat，whethershestaysorno。ButIcannathinkwhatshemunleaveagoodhomefor，togobackint’acountrywheretheland，moston’t，isnaworthtenshillingsanacre，rentandprofits。\"
\"Why，that’sjustthereasonshewantstogo，asfurasshecangiveareason，\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"Shesaysthiscountry’stoocomfortable，an’there’stoomucht’eat，an’folksarenamiserableenough。Andshe’sgoingnextweek。Icannaturnher，saywhatIwill。It’sallaysthewaywi’themmeek-facedpeople；
youmay’swellpeltabago’feathersastalkto’em。ButIsayitisnareligion，tobesoobstinate——isitnow，Adam？\"
AdamsawthatDinahwasmoredisturbedthanhehadeverseenherbyanymatterrelatingtoherself，and，anxioustorelieveher，ifpossible，hesaid，lookingatheraffectionately，\"Nay，Ican’tfindfaultwithanythingDinahdoes。Ibelieveherthoughtsarebetterthanourguesses，let’embewhattheymay。Ishouldha’
beenthankfulforhertostayamongus，butifshethinkswelltogo，Iwouldn’tcrossher，ormakeithardtoherbyobjecting。Weowehersomethingdifferenttothat。\"
Asitoftenhappens，thewordsintendedtorelieveherwerejusttoomuchforDinah’ssusceptiblefeelingsatthismoment。Thetearscameintothegreyeyestoofasttobehiddenandshegotuphurriedly，meaningittobeunderstoodthatshewasgoingtoputonherbonnet。
\"Mother，what’sDinahcryingfor？\"saidTotty。\"Sheisn’tanaughtydell。\"
\"Thee’stgoneabittoofur，\"saidMr。Poyser。\"We’venorightt’
interferewithherdoingasshelikes。An’thee’dstbeasangryascouldbewi’me，ifIsaidawordagainstanythingshedid。\"
\"Becauseyou’dverylikebefindingfaultwi’outreason，\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"Butthere’sreasoni’whatIsay，elseIshouldnasayit。It’seasytalkingforthemascan’tlovehersowellasherownauntdoes。An’megotsousedtoher！Ishallfeelasuneasyasanewshearedsheepwhenshe’sgonefromme。An’tothinkofherleavingaparishwhereshe’ssolookedon。There’sMr。Irwinemakesasmuchofherasifshewasalady，forallherbeingaMethodist，an’wi’thatmaggoto’preachinginherhead——
Godforgi’emeifI’mi’thewrongtocallitso。\"
\"Aye，\"saidMr。Poyser，lookingjocose；\"buttheedostnatellAdamwhathesaidtotheeaboutitoneday。Themissiswassaying，Adam，asthepreachingwastheonlyfaulttobefoundwi’Dinah，andMr。Irwinesays，’Butyoumustn’tfindfaultwithherforthat，Mrs。Poyser；youforgetshe’sgotnohusbandtopreachto。
I’llanswerforit，yougivePoysermanyagoodsermon。’Theparsonhadtheethere，\"Mr。Poyseradded，laughingunctuously。\"I
toldBartleMasseyonit，an’helaughedtoo。\"
\"Yes，it’sasmalljokesetsmenlaughingwhentheysita-staringatoneanotherwithapipei’theirmouths，\"saidMrs。Poyser。
\"GiveBartleMasseyhiswayandhe’dhaveallthesharpnesstohimself。Ifthechaff-cutterhadthemakingofus，weshouldallbestraw，Ireckon。Totty，mychicken，goupstairstocousinDinah，andseewhatshe’sdoing，andgiveheraprettykiss。\"
ThiserrandwasdevisedforTottyasameansofcheckingcertainthreateningsymptomsaboutthecornersofthemouth；forTommy，nolongerexpectantofcake，wasliftinguphiseyelidswithhisforefingersandturninghiseyeballstowardsTottyinawaythatshefelttobedisagreeablypersonal。
\"You’rerareandbusynow——eh，Adam？\"saidMr。Poyser。\"Burge’sgettingsobadwi’hisasthmy，it’swellifhe’lleverdomuchridingaboutagain。\"
\"Yes，we’vegotaprettybito’buildingonhandnow，\"saidAdam，\"whatwiththerepairsonth’estate，andthenewhousesatTreddles’on。\"
\"I’llbetapennythatnewhouseBurgeisbuildingonhisownbito’landisforhimandMarytogoto，\"saidMr。Poyser。\"He’llbeforlayingbybusinesssoon，I’llwarrant，andbewantingyoutotaketoitallandpayhimsomuchbyth’’ear。Weshallseeyoulivingonth’hillbeforeanothertwelvemont’sover。\"
\"Well，\"saidAdam，\"Ishouldliket’havethebusinessinmyownhands。Itisn’tasImindmuchaboutgettinganymoremoney。
We’veenoughandtosparenow，withonlyourtwoselvesandmother；butIshouldliket’havemyownwayaboutthings——Icouldtryplansthen，asIcan’tdonow。\"
\"Yougetonprettywellwi’thenewsteward，Ireckon？\"saidMr。
Poyser。
\"Yes，yes；he’sasensiblemanenough；understandsfarming——he’scarryingonthedraining，andallthat，capital。YoumustgosomedaytowardstheStonyshiresideandseewhatalterationsthey’remaking。Buthe’sgotnonotionaboutbuildings。Youcansoseldomgetholdofamanascanturnhisbrainstomorenoronething；it’sjustasiftheyworeblinkersliketh’horsesandcouldseenothingo’onesideof’em。Now，there’sMr。Irwinehasgotnotionso’buildingmorenormostarchitects；forasforth’
architects，theysetuptobefinefellows，butthemostof’emdon’tknowwheretosetachimneysoasitshan’tbequarrellingwithadoor。Mynotionis，apracticalbuilderthat’sgotabito’tastemakesthebestarchitectforcommonthings；andI’vetentimesthepleasurei’seeingaftertheworkwhenI’vemadetheplanmyself。\"
Mr。PoyserlistenedwithanadmiringinteresttoAdam’sdiscourseonbuilding，butperhapsitsuggestedtohimthatthebuildingofhiscorn-rickhadbeenproceedingalittletoolongwithoutthecontrolofthemaster’seye，forwhenAdamhaddonespeaking，hegotupandsaid，\"Well，lad，I’llbidyougood-byenow，forI’mofftotherick-yardagain。\"
Adamrosetoo，forhesawDinahentering，withherbonnetonandalittlebasketinherhand，precededbyTotty。
\"You’reready，Isee，Dinah，\"Adamsaid；\"sowe’llsetoff，forthesoonerI’mathomethebetter。\"
\"Mother，\"saidTotty，withhertreblepipe，\"Dinahwassayingherprayersandcryingeverso。\"
\"Hush，hush，\"saidthemother，\"littlegellsmustn’tchatter。\"
Whereuponthefather，shakingwithsilentlaughter，setTottyonthewhitedealtableanddesiredhertokisshim。Mr。andMrs。
Poyser，youperceive，hadnocorrectprinciplesofeducation。
\"Comebackto-morrowifMrs。Bededoesn’twantyou，Dinah，\"saidMrs。Poyser:\"butyoucanstay，youknow，ifshe’sill。\"
So，whenthegood-byeshadbeensaid，DinahandAdamlefttheHallFarmtogether。
IntheCottageADAMdidnotaskDinahtotakehisarmwhentheygotoutintothelane。Hehadneveryetdoneso，oftenastheyhadwalkedtogether，forhehadobservedthatsheneverwalkedarm-in-armwithSeth，andhethought，perhaps，thatkindofsupportwasnotagreeabletoher。Sotheywalkedapart，thoughsidebyside，andtheclosepokeofherlittleblackbonnethidherfacefromhim。
\"Youcan’tbehappy，then，tomaketheHallFarmyourhome，Dinah？\"Adamsaid，withthequietinterestofabrother，whohasnoanxietyforhimselfinthematter。\"It’sapity，seeingthey’resofondofyou。\"
\"Youknow，Adam，myheartisastheirheart，sofarasloveforthemandcarefortheirwelfaregoes，buttheyareinnopresentneed。Theirsorrowsarehealed，andIfeelthatIamcalledbacktomyoldwork，inwhichIfoundablessingthatIhavemissedoflateinthemidstoftooabundantworldlygood。IknowitisavainthoughttofleefromtheworkthatGodappointsus，forthesakeoffindingagreaterblessingtoourownsouls，asifwecouldchooseforourselveswhereweshallfindthefulnessoftheDivinePresence，insteadofseekingitwherealoneitistobefound，inlovingobedience。Butnow，Ibelieve，Ihaveaclearshowingthatmyworklieselsewhere——atleastforatime。Intheyearstocome，ifmyaunt’shealthshouldfail，orsheshouldotherwiseneedme，Ishallreturn。\"
\"Youknowbest，Dinah，\"saidAdam。\"Idon’tbelieveyou’dgoagainstthewishesofthemthatloveyou，andareakintoyou，withoutagoodandsufficientreasoninyourownconscience。I’venorighttosayanythingaboutmybeingsorry:youknowwellenoughwhatcauseIhavetoputyouaboveeveryotherfriendI’vegot；andifithadbeenorderedsothatyoucouldha’beenmysister，andlivedwithusallourlives，Ishouldha’counteditthegreatestblessingascouldhappentousnow。ButSethtellsmethere’snohopeo’that:yourfeelingsaredifferent，andperhapsI’mtakingtoomuchuponmetospeakaboutit。\"
Dinahmadenoanswer，andtheywalkedoninsilenceforsomeyards，tilltheycametothestonestile，where，asAdamhadpassedthroughfirstandturnedroundtogiveherhishandwhileshemountedtheunusuallyhighstep，shecouldnotpreventhimfromseeingherface。Itstruckhimwithsurprise，forthegreyeyes，usuallysomildandgrave，hadthebrightuneasyglancewhichaccompaniessuppressedagitation，andtheslightflushinhercheeks，withwhichshehadcomedownstairs，washeightenedtoadeeprose-colour。ShelookedasifshewereonlysistertoDinah。Adamwassilentwithsurpriseandconjectureforsomemoments，andthenhesaid，\"IhopeI’venothurtordispleasedyoubywhatI’vesaid，Dinah。PerhapsIwasmakingtoofree。I’venowishdifferentfromwhatyouseetobebest，andI’msatisfiedforyoutolivethirtymileoff，ifyouthinkitright。IshallthinkofyoujustasmuchasIdonow，foryou’reboundupwithwhatI
cannomorehelprememberingthanIcanhelpmyheartbeating。\"
PoorAdam！Thusdomenblunder。Dinahmadenoanswer，butshepresentlysaid，\"Haveyouheardanynewsfromthatpooryoungman，sincewelastspokeofhim？\"
DinahalwayscalledArthurso；shehadneverlosttheimageofhimasshehadseenhimintheprison。
\"Yes，\"saidAdam。\"Mr。Irwinereadmepartofaletterfromhimyesterday。It’sprettycertain，theysay，thatthere’llbeapeacesoon，thoughnobodybelievesit’lllastlong；buthesayshedoesn’tmeantocomehome。He’snoheartforityet，andit’sbetterforothersthatheshouldkeepaway。Mr。Irwinethinkshe’sintherightnottocome。It’sasorrowfulletter。HeasksaboutyouandthePoysers，ashealwaysdoes。There’sonethinginthelettercutmeagooddeal:’Youcan’tthinkwhatanoldfellowIfeel，’hesays；’Imakenoschemesnow。I’mthebestwhenI’veagoodday’smarchorfightingbeforeme。’\"
\"He’sofarash，warm-heartednature，likeEsau，forwhomIhavealwaysfeltgreatpity，\"saidDinah。\"Thatmeetingbetweenthebrothers，whereEsauissolovingandgenerous，andJacobsotimidanddistrustful，notwithstandinghissenseoftheDivinefavour，hasalwaystouchedmegreatly。Truly，IhavebeentemptedsometimestosaythatJacobwasofameanspirit。Butthatisourtrial:wemustlearntoseethegoodinthemidstofmuchthatisunlovely。\"
\"Ah，\"saidAdam，\"IliketoreadaboutMosesbest，inth’OldTestament。Hecarriedahardbusinesswellthrough，anddiedwhenotherfolksweregoingtoreapthefruits。Amanmusthavecouragetolookathislifeso，andthinkwhat’llcomeofitafterhe’sdeadandgone。Agoodsolidbito’worklasts:ifit’sonlylayingafloordown，somebody’sthebetterforitbeingdonewell，besidesthemanasdoesit。\"
Theywerebothgladtotalkofsubjectsthatwerenotpersonal，andinthiswaytheywentontilltheypassedthebridgeacrosstheWillowBrook，whenAdamturnedroundandsaid，\"Ah，here’sSeth。Ithoughthe’dbehomesoon。Doesheknowofyou’regoing，Dinah？\"
\"Yes，ItoldhimlastSabbath。\"
AdamrememberednowthatSethhadcomehomemuchdepressedonSundayevening，acircumstancewhichhadbeenveryunusualwithhimoflate，forthehappinesshehadinseeingDinaheveryweekseemedlongtohaveoutweighedthepainofknowingshewouldnevermarryhim。Thiseveninghehadhishabitualairofdreamybenignantcontentment，untilhecamequiteclosetoDinahandsawthetracesoftearsonherdelicateeyelidsandeyelashes。Hegaveonerapidglanceathisbrother，butAdamwasevidentlyquiteoutsidethecurrentofemotionthathadshakenDinah:heworehiseverydaylookofunexpectantcalm。SethtriednottoletDinahseethathehadnoticedherface，andonlysaid，\"I’mthankfulyou’recome，Dinah，forMother’sbeenhungeringafterthesightofyouallday。Shebegantotalkofyouthefirstthinginthemorning。\"
Whentheyenteredthecottage，Lisbethwasseatedinherarm-
chair，tootiredwithsettingouttheeveningmeal，ataskshealwaysperformedalongtimebeforehand，togoandmeetthematthedoorasusual，whensheheardtheapproachingfootsteps。
\"Coom，child，thee’tcoomatlast，\"shesaid，whenDinahwenttowardsher。\"Whatdostmanebylavin’meaweekan’ne’ercoomin’a-nighme？\"
\"Dearfriend，\"saidDinah，takingherhand，\"you’renotwell。IfI’dknownitsooner，I’dhavecome。\"
\"An’how’stheet’knowiftheedostnacoom？Th’ladson’yknowwhatItell’em。Aslongasyecanstirhandandfootthementhinkye’rehearty。ButI’mnonesobad，on’yabitofacoldsetsmeachin’。An’th’ladsteasemesot’ha’somebodywi’met’dothework——theymakemeacheworsewi’talkin’。Ifthee’dstcomeandstaywi’me，they’dletmealone。ThePoyserscannawanttheesobadasIdo。Buttakethybonnetoff，an’letmelookatthee。\"
Dinahwasmovingaway，butLisbethheldherfast，whileshewastakingoffherbonnet，andlookedatherfaceasonelooksintoanewlygatheredsnowdrop，torenewtheoldimpressionsofpurityandgentleness。
\"What’sthematterwi’thee？\"saidLisbeth，inastonishment；
\"thee’stbeena-cryin’。\"
\"It’sonlyagriefthat’llpassaway，\"saidDinah，whodidnotwishjustnowtocallforthLisbeth’sremonstrancesbydisclosingherintentiontoleaveHayslope。\"Youshallknowaboutitshortly——we’lltalkofitto-night。Ishallstaywithyouto-
night。\"
Lisbethwaspacifiedbythisprospect。AndshehadthewholeeveningtotalkwithDinahalone；fortherewasanewroominthecottage，youremember，builtnearlytwoyearsago，intheexpectationofanewinmate；andhereAdamalwayssatwhenhehadwritingtodoorplanstomake。Sethsattheretoothisevening，forheknewhismotherwouldliketohaveDinahalltoherself。
Thereweretwoprettypicturesonthetwosidesofthewallinthecottage。Ononesidetherewasthebroad-shouldered，large-
featured，hardyoldwoman，inherbluejacketandbuffkerchief，withherdim-eyedanxiouslooksturnedcontinuallyonthelilyfaceandtheslightformintheblackdressthatwereeithermovinglightlyaboutinhelpfulactivity，orseatedclosebytheoldwoman’sarm-chair，holdingherwitheredhand，witheyeslifteduptowardshertospeakalanguagewhichLisbethunderstoodfarbetterthantheBibleorthehymn-book。Shewouldscarcelylistentoreadingatallto-night。\"Nay，nay，shutthebook，\"shesaid。
\"Wemuntalk。Iwantt’knowwhattheewascryin’about。Hastgottroubleso’thyown，likeotherfolks？\"
Ontheothersideofthewalltherewerethetwobrotherssolikeeachotherinthemidstoftheirunlikeness:Adamwithknitbrows，shaggyhair，anddarkvigorouscolour，absorbedinhis\"figuring\"；
Seth，withlargeruggedfeatures，theclosecopyofhisbrother’s，butwiththin，wavy，brownhairandbluedreamyeyes，asoftenasnotlookingvaguelyoutofthewindowinsteadofathisbook，althoughitwasanewlyboughtbook——Wesley’sabridgmentofMadameGuyon’slife，whichwasfullofwonderandinterestforhim。SethhadsaidtoAdam，\"CanIhelptheewithanythinginhereto-night？
Idon’twanttomakeanoiseintheshop。\"
\"No，lad，\"Adamanswered，\"there’snothingbutwhatImustdomyself。Thee’stgotthynewbooktoread。\"
Andoften，whenSethwasquiteunconscious，Adam，ashepausedafterdrawingalinewithhisruler，lookedathisbrotherwithakindsmiledawninginhiseyes。Heknew\"th’ladlikedtositfullo’thoughtshecouldgivenoaccountof；they’dnevercomet’
anything，buttheymadehimhappy，\"andinthelastyearorso，AdamhadbeengettingmoreandmoreindulgenttoSeth。Itwaspartofthatgrowingtendernesswhichcamefromthesorrowatworkwithinhim。
ForAdam，thoughyouseehimquitemasterofhimself，workinghardanddelightinginhisworkafterhisinborninalienablenature，hadnotoutlivedhissorrow——hadnotfeltitslipfromhimasatemporaryburden，andleavehimthesamemanagain。Doanyofus？
Godforbid。Itwouldbeapoorresultofallouranguishandourwrestlingifwewonnothingbutouroldselvesattheendofit——
ifwecouldreturntothesameblindloves，thesameself-
confidentblame，thesamelightthoughtsofhumansuffering，thesamefrivolousgossipoverblightedhumanlives，thesamefeeblesenseofthatUnknowntowardswhichwehavesentforthirrepressiblecriesinourloneliness。Letusratherbethankfulthatoursorrowlivesinusasanindestructibleforce，onlychangingitsform，asforcesdo，andpassingfrompainintosympathy——theonepoorwordwhichincludesallourbestinsightandourbestlove。NotthatthistransformationofpainintosympathyhadcompletelytakenplaceinAdamyet。Therewasstillagreatremnantofpain，andthishefeltwouldsubsistaslongasherpainwasnotamemory，butanexistingthing，whichhemustthinkofasrenewedwiththelightofeverynewmorning。Butwegetaccustomedtomentalaswellasbodilypain，without，forallthat，losingoursensibilitytoit。Itbecomesahabitofourlives，andweceasetoimagineaconditionofperfecteaseaspossibleforus。Desireischastenedintosubmission，andwearecontentedwithourdaywhenwehavebeenabletobearourgriefinsilenceandactasifwewerenotsuffering。Foritisatsuchperiodsthatthesenseofourliveshavingvisibleandinvisiblerelations，beyondanyofwhicheitherourpresentorprospectiveselfisthecentre，growslikeamusclethatweareobligedtoleanonandexert。
ThatwasAdam’sstateofmindinthissecondautumnofhissorrow。
Hiswork，asyouknow，hadalwaysbeenpartofhisreligion，andfromveryearlydayshesawclearlythatgoodcarpentrywasGod’swill——wasthatformofGod’swillthatmostimmediatelyconcernedhim。Butnowtherewasnomarginofdreamsforhimbeyondthisdaylightreality，noholiday-timeintheworking-dayworld，nomomentinthedistancewhendutywouldtakeoffherirongloveandbreast-plateandclasphimgentlyintorest。Heconceivednopictureofthefuturebutonemadeupofhard-workingdayssuchashelivedthrough，withgrowingcontentmentandintensityofinterest，everyfreshweek。Love，hethought，couldneverbeanythingtohimbutalivingmemory——alimbloppedoff，butnotgonefromconsciousness。Hedidnotknowthatthepoweroflovingwasallthewhilegainingnewforcewithinhim；thatthenewsensibilitiesboughtbyadeepexperienceweresomanynewfibresbywhichitwaspossible，nay，necessarytohim，thathisnatureshouldintertwinewithanother。Yethewasawarethatcommonaffectionandfriendshipweremoreprecioustohimthantheyusedtobe——thatheclungmoretohismotherandSeth，andhadanunspeakablesatisfactioninthesightorimaginationofanysmalladditiontotheirhappiness。ThePoysers，too——hardlythreeorfourdayspassedbuthefelttheneedofseeingthemandinterchangingwordsandlooksoffriendlinesswiththem。Hewouldhavefeltthis，probably，evenifDinahhadnotbeenwiththem，buthehadonlysaidthesimplesttruthintellingDinahthatheputheraboveallotherfriendsintheworld。Couldanythingbemorenatural？Forinthedarkestmomentsofmemorythethoughtofheralwayscameasthefirstrayofreturningcomfort。TheearlydaysofgloomattheHallFarmhadbeengraduallyturnedintosoftmoonlightbyherpresence；andinthecottage，too，forshehadcomeateverysparemomenttosootheandcheerpoorLisbeth，whohadbeenstrickenwithafearthatsubduedevenherquerulousnessatthesightofherdarlingAdam’sgrief-wornface。Hehadbecomeusedtowatchingherlightquietmovements，herprettylovingwaystothechildren，whenhewenttotheHallFarm；tolistenforhervoiceasforarecurrentmusic；tothinkeverythingshesaidanddidwasjustright，andcouldnothavebeenbetter。Inspiteofhiswisdom，hecouldnotfindfaultwithherforheroverindulgenceofthechildren，whohadmanagedtoconvertDinahthepreacher，beforewhomacircleofroughmenhadoftentrembledalittle，intoaconvenienthouseholdslave——thoughDinahherselfwasratherashamedofthisweakness，andhadsomeinwardconflictastoherdeparturefromthepreceptsofSolomon。Yes，therewasonethingthatmighthavebeenbetter；shemighthavelovedSethandconsentedtomarryhim。Hefeltalittlevexed，forhisbrother’ssake，andhecouldnothelpthinkingregretfullyhowDinah，asSeth’swife，wouldhavemadetheirhomeashappyasitcouldbeforthemall——howshewastheonebeingthatwouldhavesoothedtheirmother’slastdaysintopeacefulnessandrest。
\"It’swonderfulshedoesn’tloveth’lad，\"Adamhadsaidsometimestohimself，\"foranybody’udthinkhewasjustcutoutforher。
Butherheart’ssotakenupwithotherthings。She’soneo’thosewomenthatfeelnodrawingtowardshavingahusbandandchildreno’theirown。Shethinkssheshouldbefilledupwithherownlifethen，andshe’sbeenusedsotolivinginotherfolks’scares，shecan’tbearthethoughtofherheartbeingshutupfrom’em。Iseehowitis，wellenough。She’scutouto’differentstufffrommostwomen:Isawthatlongago。She’snevereasybutwhenshe’shelpingsomebody，andmarriage’udinterferewithherways——that’strue。I’venorighttobecontrivingandthinkingit’udbebetterifshe’dhaveSeth，asifIwaswiserthansheis——
orthanGodeither，forHemadeherwhatsheis，andthat’soneo’
thegreatestblessingsI’veeverhadfromHishands，andothersbesidesme。\"
Thisself-reproofhadrecurredstronglytoAdam’smindwhenhegatheredfromDinah’sfacethathehadwoundedherbyreferringtohiswishthatshehadacceptedSeth，andsohehadendeavouredtoputintothestrongestwordshisconfidenceinherdecisionasright——hisresignationeventohergoingawayfromthemandceasingtomakepartoftheirlifeotherwisethanbylivingintheirthoughts，ifthatseparationwerechosenbyherself。Hefeltsuresheknewquitewellenoughhowmuchhecaredtoseehercontinually——totalktoherwiththesilentconsciousnessofamutualgreatremembrance。Itwasnotpossiblesheshouldhearanythingbutself-renouncingaffectionandrespectinhisassurancethathewascontentedforhertogoaway；andyetthereremainedanuneasyfeelinginhismindthathehadnotsaidquitetherightthing——that，somehow，Dinahhadnotunderstoodhim。
Dinahmusthaverisenalittlebeforethesunthenextmorning，forshewasdownstairsaboutfiveo’clock。SowasSeth，for，throughLisbeth’sobstinaterefusaltohaveanywoman-helperinthehouse，hehadlearnedtomakehimself，asAdamsaid，\"veryhandyinthehousework，\"thathemightsavehismotherfromtoogreatweariness；onwhichgroundIhopeyouwillnotthinkhimunmanly，anymorethanyoucanhavethoughtthegallantColonelBathunmanlywhenhemadethegruelforhisinvalidsister。Adam，whohadsatuplateathiswriting，wasstillasleep，andwasnotlikely，Sethsaid，tobedowntillbreakfast-time。OftenasDinahhadvisitedLisbethduringthelasteighteenmonths，shehadneversleptinthecottagesincethatnightafterThias’sdeath，when，youremember，Lisbethpraisedherdeftmovementsandevengaveamodifiedapprovaltoherporridge。ButinthatlongintervalDinahhadmadegreatadvancesinhouseholdcleverness，andthismorning，sinceSethwastheretohelp，shewasbentonbringingeverythingtoapitchofcleanlinessandorderthatwouldhavesatisfiedherAuntPoyser。Thecottagewasfarfromthatstandardatpresent，forLisbeth’srheumatismhadforcedhertogiveupheroldhabitsofdilettantescouringandpolishing。Whenthekitchenwastohermind，Dinahwentintothenewroom，whereAdamhadbeenwritingthenightbefore，toseewhatsweepinganddustingwereneededthere。Sheopenedthewindowandletinthefreshmorningair，andthesmellofthesweet-brier，andthebrightlow-slantingraysoftheearlysun，whichmadeagloryaboutherpalefaceandpaleauburnhairassheheldthelongbrush，andswept，singingtoherselfinaverylowtone——likeasweetsummermurmurthatyouhavetolistenforveryclosely——oneofCharlesWesley’shymns:
EternalBeamofLightDivine，Fountainofunexhaustedlove，InwhomtheFather’sgloriesshine，Throughearthbeneathandheavenabove；
Jesus！thewearywanderer’srest，Givemethyeasyyoketobear；
Withsteadfastpatiencearmmybreast，Withspotlessloveandholyfear。
Speaktomywarringpassions，\"Peace！\"
Saytomytremblingheart，\"Bestill！\"
Thypowermystrengthandfortressis，Forallthingsservethysovereignwill。
Shelaidbythebrushandtookuptheduster；andifyouhadeverlivedinMrs。Poyser’shousehold，youwouldknowhowthedusterbehavedinDinah’shand——howitwentintoeverysmallcorner，andoneveryledgeinandoutofsight——howitwentagainandagainroundeverybarofthechairs，andeveryleg，andunderandovereverythingthatlayonthetable，tillitcametoAdam’spapersandrulersandtheopendesknearthem。Dinahdusteduptotheveryedgeoftheseandthenhesitated，lookingatthemwithalongingbuttimideye。Itwaspainfultoseehowmuchdusttherewasamongthem。Asshewaslookinginthisway，sheheardSeth’sstepjustoutsidetheopendoor，towardswhichherbackwasturned，andsaid，raisinghercleartreble，\"Seth，isyourbrotherwrathfulwhenhispapersarestirred？\"
\"Yes，very，whentheyarenotputbackintherightplaces，\"saidadeepstrongvoice，notSeth’s。
ItwasasifDinahhadputherhandsunawaresonavibratingchord。Shewasshakenwithanintensethrill，andfortheinstantfeltnothingelse；thensheknewhercheekswereglowing，anddarednotlookround，butstoodstill，distressedbecauseshecouldnotsaygood-morninginafriendlyway。Adam，findingthatshedidnotlookroundsoastoseethesmileonhisface，wasafraidshehadthoughthimseriousabouthiswrathfulness，andwentuptoher，sothatshewasobligedtolookathim。
\"What！YouthinkI’macrossfellowathome，Dinah？\"hesaid，smilingly。
\"Nay，\"saidDinah，lookingupwithtimideyes，\"notso。Butyoumightbeputaboutbyfindingthingsmeddledwith；andeventhemanMoses，themeekestofmen，waswrathfulsometimes。\"
\"Come，then，\"saidAdam，lookingatheraffectionately，\"I’llhelpyoumovethethings，andput’embackagain，andthentheycan’tgetwrong。You’regettingtobeyouraunt’sownniece，Isee，forparticularness。\"
Theybegantheirlittletasktogether，butDinahhadnotrecoveredherselfsufficientlytothinkofanyremark，andAdamlookedatheruneasily。Dinah，hethought，hadseemedtodisapprovehimsomehowlately；shehadnotbeensokindandopentohimassheusedtobe。Hewantedhertolookathim，andbeaspleasedashewashimselfwithdoingthisbitofplayfulwork。ButDinahdidnotlookathim——itwaseasyforhertoavoidlookingatthetallman——andwhenatlasttherewasnomoredustingtobedoneandnofurtherexcuseforhimtolingernearher，hecouldbearitnolonger，andsaid，inratherapleadingtone，\"Dinah，you’renotdispleasedwithmeforanything，areyou？I’venotsaidordoneanythingtomakeyouthinkillofme？\"
Thequestionsurprisedher，andrelievedherbygivinganewcoursetoherfeeling。Shelookedupathimnow，quiteearnestly，almostwiththetearscoming，andsaid，\"Oh，no，Adam！howcouldyouthinkso？\"
\"Icouldn’tbearyounottofeelasmuchafriendtomeasIdotoyou，\"saidAdam。\"Andyoudon’tknowthevalueIsetontheverythoughtofyou，Dinah。ThatwaswhatImeantyesterday，whenI
saidI’dbecontentforyoutogo，ifyouthoughtright。Imeant，thethoughtofyouwasworthsomuchtome，IshouldfeelIoughttobethankful，andnotgrumble，ifyouseerighttogoaway。YouknowIdomindpartingwithyou，Dinah？\"
\"Yes，dearfriend，\"saidDinah，trembling，buttryingtospeakcalmly，\"Iknowyouhaveabrother’shearttowardsme，andweshalloftenbewithoneanotherinspirit；butatthisseasonIaminheavinessthroughmanifoldtemptations。Youmustnotmarkme。
Ifeelcalledtoleavemykindredforawhile；butitisatrial——
thefleshisweak。\"
Adamsawthatitpainedhertobeobligedtoanswer。
\"Ihurtyoubytalkingaboutit，Dinah，\"hesaid。\"I’llsaynomore。Let’sseeifSeth’sreadywithbreakfastnow。\"
Thatisasimplescene，reader。Butitisalmostcertainthatyou，too，havebeeninlove——perhaps，even，morethanonce，thoughyoumaynotchoosetosaysotoallyourfemininefriends。Ifso，youwillnomorethinktheslightwords，thetimidlooks，thetremuloustouches，bywhichtwohumansoulsapproacheachothergradually，liketwolittlequiveringrain-streams，beforetheymingleintoone——youwillnomorethinkthesethingstrivialthanyouwillthinkthefirst-detectedsignsofcomingspringtrivial，thoughtheybebutafaintindescribablesomethingintheairandinthesongofthebirds，andthetiniestperceptiblebuddingonthehedge-rowbranches。Thoseslightwordsandlooksandtouchesarepartofthesoul’slanguage；andthefinestlanguage，I
believe，ischieflymadeupofunimposingwords，suchas\"light，\"
\"sound，\"\"stars，\"\"music\"——wordsreallynotworthlookingat，orhearing，inthemselves，anymorethan\"chips\"or\"sawdust。\"Itisonlythattheyhappentobethesignsofsomethingunspeakablygreatandbeautiful。Iamofopinionthatloveisagreatandbeautifulthingtoo，andifyouagreewithme，thesmallestsignsofitwillnotbechipsandsawdusttoyou:theywillratherbelikethoselittlewords，\"light\"and\"music，\"stirringthelong-
windingfibresofyourmemoryandenrichingyourpresentwithyourmostpreciouspast。
SundayMorningLISBETH’StouchofrheumatismcouldnotbemadetoappearseriousenoughtodetainDinahanothernightfromtheHallFarm，nowshehadmadeuphermindtoleaveherauntsosoon，andateveningthefriendsmustpart。\"Foralongwhile，\"Dinahhadsaid，forshehadtoldLisbethofherresolve。
\"Thenit’llbeforallmylife，an’Ishallne’erseetheeagain，\"
saidLisbeth。\"Longwhile！I’ngotnolongwhilet’live。An’I
shallbetookbadan’die，an’theecanstne’ercomea-nighme，an’Ishalldiea-longingforthee。\"
Thathadbeenthekey-noteofherwailingtalkallday；forAdamwasnotinthehouse，andsosheputnorestraintonhercomplaining。ShehadtriedpoorDinahbyreturningagainandagaintothequestion，whyshemustgoaway；andrefusingtoacceptreasons，whichseemedtohernothingbutwhimand\"contrairiness\"；andstillmore，byregrettingthatshe\"couldna’
ha’oneo’thelads\"andbeherdaughter。
\"Theecouldstnaputupwi’Seth，\"shesaid。\"Heisnacliverenoughforthee，happen，buthe’dha’beenverygoodt’thee——he’sashandyascanbeatdoin’thingsformewhenI’mbad，an’he’sasfondo’theBiblean’chappellin’astheeartthysen。Buthappen，thee’dstlikeahusbandbetterasisnajustthecuto’
thysen:therunnin’brookisnaathirstforth’rain。Adam’udha’
doneforthee——Iknowhewould——an’hemightcomet’liketheewellenough，ifthee’dststop。Buthe’sasstubbornasth’ironbar——there’snobendinghimnowaybut’sown。Buthe’dbeafinehusbandforanybody，betheywhotheywill，solooked-onan’socliverasheis。Andhe’dberarean’lovin’:itdoesmegoodon’yalooko’thelad’seyewhenhemeanskindtow’rtme。\"
DinahtriedtoescapefromLisbeth’sclosestlooksandquestionsbyfindinglittletasksofhouseworkthatkepthermovingabout，andassoonasSethcamehomeintheeveningsheputonherbonnettogo。IttouchedDinahkeenlytosaythelastgood-bye，andstillmoretolookroundonherwayacrossthefieldsandseetheoldwomanstillstandingatthedoor，gazingafterhertillshemusthavebeenthefaintestspeckinthedimagedeyes。\"TheGodofloveandpeacebewiththem，\"Dinahprayed，asshelookedbackfromthelaststile。\"Makethemgladaccordingtothedayswhereinthouhastafflictedthem，andtheyearswhereintheyhaveseenevil。ItisthywillthatIshouldpartfromthem；letmehavenowillbutthine。\"
LisbethturnedintothehouseatlastandsatdownintheworkshopnearSeth，whowasbusyinghimselftherewithfittingsomebitsofturnedwoodhehadbroughtfromthevillageintoasmallwork-box，whichhemeanttogivetoDinahbeforeshewentaway。
\"Thee’tseeheragaino’Sundayaforeshegoes，\"wereherfirstwords。\"Iftheewastgoodforanything，thee’dstmakehercomeinagaino’Sundaynightwi’thee，andseemeoncemore。\"
\"Nay，Mother，\"saidSeth。\"Dinah’udbesuretocomeagainifshesawrighttocome。Ishouldhavenoneedtopersuadeher。Sheonlythinksit’udbetroublingtheefornought，justtocomeintosaygood-byeoveragain。\"
\"She’dne’ergoaway，Iknow，ifAdam’udbefondonheran’marryher，buteverything’ssocontrairy，\"saidLisbeth，withaburstofvexation。
Sethpausedamomentandlookedup，withaslightblush，athismother’sface。\"What！Hasshesaidanythingo’thatsorttothee，Mother？\"hesaid，inalowertone。
\"Said？Nay，she’llsaynothin’。It’son’ythemenashavetowaittillfolkssaythingsaforetheyfind’emout。\"
\"Well，butwhatmakestheethinkso，Mother？What’sputitintothyhead？\"
\"It’snomatterwhat’sputitintomyhead。Myhead’snonesohollowasitmustgetin，an’noughttoputitthere。Iknowshe’sfondonhim，asIknowth’wind’scomin’inatthedoor，an’
that’sanoof。An’hemightbewillin’tomarryherifheknow’dshe’sfondonhim，buthe’llne’erthinkon’tifsomebodydoesnaputitinto’shead。\"
Hismother’ssuggestionaboutDinah’sfeelingtowardsAdamwasnotquiteanewthoughttoSeth，butherlastwordsalarmedhim，lestsheshouldherselfundertaketoopenAdam’seyes。HewasnotsureaboutDinah’sfeeling，andhethoughthewassureaboutAdam’s。
\"Nay，Mother，nay，\"hesaid，earnestly，\"theemustnathinko’
speakingo’suchthingstoAdam。Thee’stnorighttosaywhatDinah’sfeelingsareifshehasnatoldthee，andit’uddonothingbutmischieftosaysuchthingstoAdam。HefeelsverygratefulandaffectionatetowardDinah，buthe’snothoughtstowardsherthat’udinclinehimtomakeherhiswife，andIdon’tbelieveDinah’udmarryhimeither。Idon’tthinkshe’llmarryatall。\"
\"Eh，\"saidLisbeth，impatiently。\"Theethink’stso’causeshewouldnaha’thee。She’llne’ermarrythee；theemightstaswelllikehert’ha’thybrother。\"
Sethwashurt。\"Mother，\"hesaid，inaremonstratingtone，\"don’tthinkthatofme。Ishouldbeasthankfult’haveherforasisterastheewouldstt’haveherforadaughter。I’venomorethoughtsaboutmyselfinthatthing，andIshalltakeithardifevertheesay’stitagain。\"
\"Well，well，thentheeshouldstnacrossmewi’sayin’thingsarenaasIsaytheyare。\"
\"But，Mother，\"saidSeth，\"thee’dstbedoingDinahawrongbytellingAdamwhattheethink’stabouther。It’uddonothingbutmischief，forit’udmakeAdamuneasyifhedoesnafeelthesametoher。AndI’mprettysurehefeelsnothingo’thesort。\"
\"Eh，donnatellmewhatthee’tsureon；theeknow’stnoughtaboutit。What’sheallaysgoin’tothePoysers’for，ifhedidnawantt’seeher？Hegoestwicewhereheusedt’goonce。Happenheknowsnaashewantst’seeher；heknowsnaasIputsaltin’sbroth，buthe’dmissitprettyquickifitwarnathere。He’llne’erthinko’marryingifitisnaputinto’shead，an’ifthee’dstanyloveforthymother，thee’dstputhimupto’tan’notlethergoawayouto’mysight，whenImightha’hertomakeabito’comfortformeaforeIgotobedtomyoldmanunderthewhitethorn。\"
\"Nay，Mother，\"saidSeth，\"theemustnathinkmeunkind，butI
shouldbegoingagainstmyconscienceifItookuponmetosaywhatDinah’sfeelingsare。Andbesidesthat，IthinkIshouldgiveoffencetoAdambyspeakingtohimatallaboutmarrying；andIcounseltheenottodo’t。Theemay’stbequitedeceivedaboutDinah。Nay，I’mprettysure，bywordsshesaidtomelastSabbath，asshe’snomindtomarry。\"
\"Eh，thee’tascontrairyasthereston’em。IfitwarsummatI
didnawant，it’udbedonefastenough。\"
Lisbethrosefromthebenchatthis，andwentoutoftheworkshop，leavingSethinmuchanxietylestsheshoulddisturbAdam’smindaboutDinah。Heconsoledhimselfafteratimewithreflectingthat，sinceAdam’strouble，Lisbethhadbeenverytimidaboutspeakingtohimonmattersoffeeling，andthatshewouldhardlydaretoapproachthistenderestofallsubjects。Evenifshedid，hehopedAdamwouldnottakemuchnoticeofwhatshesaid。
SethwasrightinbelievingthatLisbethwouldbeheldinrestraintbytimidity，andduringthenextthreedays，theintervalsinwhichshehadanopportunityofspeakingtoAdamweretoorareandshorttocauseheranystrongtemptation。ButinherlongsolitaryhoursshebroodedoverherregretfulthoughtsaboutDinah，tilltheyhadgrownverynearthatpointofunmanageablestrengthwhenthoughtsareapttotakewingoutoftheirsecretnestinastartlingmanner。AndonSundaymorning，whenSethwentawaytochapelatTreddleston，thedangerousopportunitycame。
SundaymorningwasthehappiesttimeinalltheweektoLisbeth，forastherewasnoserviceatHayslopechurchtilltheafternoon，Adamwasalwaysathome，doingnothingbutreading，anoccupationinwhichshecouldventuretointerrupthim。Moreover，shehadalwaysabetterdinnerthanusualtoprepareforhersons——veryfrequentlyforAdamandherselfalone，Sethbeingoftenawaytheentireday——andthesmelloftheroastmeatbeforetheclearfireinthecleankitchen，theclocktickinginapeacefulSundaymanner，herdarlingAdamseatednearherinhisbestclothes，doingnothingveryimportant，sothatshecouldgoandstrokeherhandacrosshishairifsheliked，andseehimlookupatherandsmile，whileGyp，ratherjealous，pokedhismuzzleupbetweenthem——allthesethingsmadepoorLisbeth’searthlyparadise。
ThebookAdammostoftenreadonaSundaymorningwashislargepicturedBible，andthismorningitlayopenbeforehimontheroundwhitedealtableinthekitchen；forhesatthereinspiteofthefire，becauseheknewhismotherlikedtohavehimwithher，anditwastheonlydayintheweekwhenhecouldindulgeherinthatway。YouwouldhavelikedtoseeAdamreadinghisBible。
Heneveropeneditonaweekday，andsohecametoitasaholidaybook，servinghimforhistory，biography，andpoetry。Heheldonehandthrustbetweenhiswaistcoatbuttons，andtheotherreadytoturnthepages，andinthecourseofthemorningyouwouldhaveseenmanychangesinhisface。Sometimeshislipsmovedinsemi-
articulation——itwaswhenhecametoaspeechthathecouldfancyhimselfuttering，suchasSamuel’sdyingspeechtothepeople；
thenhiseyebrowswouldberaised，andthecornersofhismouthwouldquiveralittlewithsadsympathy——something，perhapsoldIsaac’smeetingwithhisson，touchedhimclosely；atothertimes，overtheNewTestament，averysolemnlookwouldcomeuponhisface，andhewouldeverynowandthenshakehisheadinseriousassent，orjustliftuphishandandletitfallagain。Andonsomemornings，whenhereadintheApocrypha，ofwhichhewasveryfond，thesonofSirach’skeen-edgedwordswouldbringadelightedsmile，thoughhealsoenjoyedthefreedomofoccasionallydifferingfromanApocryphalwriter。ForAdamknewtheArticlesquitewell，asbecameagoodchurchman。
Lisbeth，inthepausesofattendingtoherdinner，alwayssatoppositetohimandwatchedhim，tillshecouldrestnolongerwithoutgoinguptohimandgivinghimacaress，tocallhisattentiontoher。ThismorninghewasreadingtheGospelaccordingtoSt。Matthew，andLisbethhadbeenstandingclosebyhimforsomeminutes，strokinghishair，whichwassmootherthanusualthismorning，andlookingdownatthelargepagewithsilentwondermentatthemysteryofletters。Shewasencouragedtocontinuethiscaress，becausewhenshefirstwentuptohim，hehadthrownhimselfbackinhischairtolookatheraffectionatelyandsay，\"Why，Mother，theelook’strareandheartythismorning。
Eh，Gypwantsmet’lookathim。Hecan’tabidetothinkIlovetheethebest。\"Lisbethsaidnothing，becauseshewantedtosaysomanythings。Andnowtherewasanewleaftobeturnedover，anditwasapicture——thatoftheangelseatedonthegreatstonethathasbeenrolledawayfromthesepulchre。ThispicturehadonestrongassociationinLisbeth’smemory，forshehadbeenremindedofitwhenshefirstsawDinah，andAdamhadnosoonerturnedthepage，andliftedthebooksidewaysthattheymightlookattheangel，thanshesaid，\"That’sher——that’sDinah。\"
Adamsmiled，and，lookingmoreintentlyattheangel’sface，said，\"Itisabitlikeher；butDinah’sprettier，Ithink。\"
\"Well，then，iftheethink’sthersopretty，whyarn’tfondonher？\"
Adamlookedupinsurprise。\"Why，Mother，dostthinkIdon’tsetstorebyDinah？\"
\"Nay，\"saidLisbeth，frightenedatherowncourage，yetfeelingthatshehadbrokentheice，andthewatersmustflow，whatevermischieftheymightdo。\"What’sth’useo’settin’storebythingsasarethirtymileoff？Iftheewastfondenoughonher，theewouldstnalethergoaway。\"
\"ButI’venorightt’hinderher，ifshethinkswell，\"saidAdam，lookingathisbookasifhewantedtogoonreading。Heforesawaseriesofcomplaintstendingtonothing。Lisbethsatdownagaininthechairoppositetohim，asshesaid:
\"Butshewouldnathinkwelliftheewastnasocontrairy。\"Lisbethdarednotventurebeyondavaguephraseyet。
\"Contrairy，mother？\"Adamsaid，lookingupagaininsomeanxiety。
\"WhathaveIdone？Whatdostmean？\"
\"Why，thee’tneverlookatnothin’，northinko’nothin’，butthyfigurin，an’thywork，\"saidLisbeth，half-crying。\"An’dostthinktheecanstgoonsoallthylife，asiftheewastamancutouto’timber？An’whatwutdowhenthymother’sgone，an’nobodytotakecareontheeastheegett’stabito’victualcomfortablei’themornin’？\"
\"Whathastgoti’thymind，Mother？\"saidAdam，vexedatthiswhimpering。\"Icannaseewhatthee’tdrivingat。IsthereanythingIcoulddofortheeasIdon’tdo？\"
\"Aye，an’thatthereis。Theemight’stdoasIshouldha’
somebodywi’metocomfortmeabit，an’waitonmewhenI’mbad，an’begoodtome。\"
\"Well，Mother，whosefaultisitthereisnasometidybodyi’th’
houset’helpthee？Itisnabymywishastheehastastrokeo’
worktodo。Wecanaffordit——I’vetoldtheeoftenenough。It’udbeadealbetterforus。\"
\"Eh，what’stheuseo’talkingo’tidybodies，whentheemean’stoneo’th’wenchesouto’th’village，orsomebodyfromTreddles’onasIne’erseteyesoni’mylife？I’dsoonermakeashiftan’getintomyowncofflnaforeIdie，norha’themfolkstoputmein。\"
Adamwassilent，andtriedtogoonreading。ThatwastheutmostseverityhecouldshowtowardshismotheronaSundaymorning。
ButLisbethhadgonetoofarnowtocheckherself，andafterscarcelyaminute’squietnessshebeganagain。
\"Theemightstknowwellenoughwho’tisI’dliket’ha’wi’me。
ItisnamanyfolksIsendfort’comean’seeme。Ireckon。An’
thee’sthadthefetchin’onhertimesenow。\"
\"Theemean’stDinah，Mother，Iknow，\"saidAdam。\"Butit’snousesettingthymindonwhatcan’tbe。IfDinah’udbewillingtostayatHayslope，itisn’tlikelyshecancomeawayfromheraunt’shouse，wheretheyholdherlikeadaughter，andwhereshe’smoreboundthansheistous。Ifithadbeensothatshecouldha’marriedSeth，that’udha’beenagreatblessingtous，butwecan’thavethingsjustaswelikeinthislife。Theemusttryandmakeupthymindtodowithouther。\"
\"Nay，butIcannama’upmymind，whenshe’sjustcutoutforthee；an’noughtshallma’mebelieveasGoddidnamakeheran’
sendherthereo’purposeforthee。What’sitsinnifyaboutherbein’aMethody！It’udhappenwearoutonherwi’marryin’。\"
Adamthrewhimselfbackinhischairandlookedathismother。Heunderstoodnowwhatshehadbeenaimingatfromthebeginningoftheconversation。Itwasasunreasonable，impracticableawishasshehadeverurged，buthecouldnothelpbeingmovedbysoentirelynewanidea。Thechiefpoint，however，wastochaseawaythenotionfromhismother’smindasquicklyaspossible。
\"Mother，\"hesaid，gravely，\"thee’ttalkingwild。Don’tletmeheartheesaysuchthingsagain。It’snogoodtalkingo’whatcanneverbe。Dinah’snotformarrying；she’sfixedherheartonadifferentsorto’life。\"
\"Verylike，\"saidLisbeth，impatiently，\"verylikeshe’snoneformarr’ing，whenthemasshe’dbewillin’t’marrywonnaaxher。I
shouldnaha’beenformarr’ingthyfeytherifhe’dne’eraxedme；
an’she’sasfondo’theease’erIwaro’Thias，poorfellow。\"
ThebloodrushedtoAdam’sface，andforafewmomentshewasnotquiteconsciouswherehewas。Hismotherandthekitchenhadvanishedforhim，andhesawnothingbutDinah’sfaceturneduptowardshis。Itseemedasiftherewerearesurrectionofhisdeadjoy。Buthewokeupveryspeedilyfromthatdream(thewakingwaschillandsad)，foritwouldhavebeenveryfoolishinhimtobelievehismother’swords——shecouldhavenogroundforthem。Hewaspromptedtoexpresshisdisbeliefverystrongly——
perhapsthathemightcallforththeproofs，iftherewereanytobeoffered。
\"Whatdostsaysuchthingsfor，Mother，whenthee’stgotnofoundationfor’em？Theeknow’stnothingasgivestheearighttosaythat。\"
\"ThenIknownanoughtasgi’esmearighttosayastheyear’sturned，forallIfeelitfustthingwhenIgetupi’th’morning。
Sheisnafondo’Seth，Ireckon，isshe？ShedoesnawanttomarryHIM？ButIcanseeasshedoesnabehavetow’rttheeasshedaestow’rtSeth。Shemakesnomoreo’Seth’scominga-nighhernorifhewarGyp，butshe’sallofatremblewhenthee’ta-sittin’downbyheratbreakfastan’a-lookingather。Theethink’stthymotherknowsnought，butshewaraliveaforetheewastborn。\"
\"Buttheecanstnabesureasthetremblingmeanslove？\"saidAdamanxiously。
\"Eh，whatelseshoulditmane？Itisnahate，Ireckon。An’whatshouldshedobutlovethee？Thee’tmadetobeloved——forwhere’sthereastraighterclivererman？An’what’sitsinnifyherbein’
aMethody？It’son’ythemarigoldi’th’parridge。\"
Adamhadthrusthishandsinhispockets，andwaslookingdownatthebookonthetable，withoutseeinganyoftheletters。Hewastremblinglikeagold-seekerwhoseesthestrongpromiseofgoldbutseesinthesamemomentasickeningvisionofdisappointment。
Hecouldnottrusthismother’sinsight；shehadseenwhatshewishedtosee。Andyet——andyet，nowthesuggestionhadbeenmadetohim，herememberedsomanythings，veryslightthings，likethestirringofthewaterbyanimperceptiblebreeze，whichseemedtohimsomeconfirmationofhismother’swords。
Lisbethnoticedthathewasmoved。Shewenton，\"An’thee’tfindoutasthee’tpoorlyaffwhenshe’sgone。Thee’tfonderonhernortheeknow’st。Thyeyesfollowherabout，wellyasGyp’sfollowthee。\"
Adamcouldsitstillnolonger。Herose，tookdownhishat，andwentoutintothefields。
Thesunshinewasonthem:thatearlyautumnsunshinewhichweshouldknowwasnotsummer’s，eveniftherewerenotthetouchesofyellowonthelimeandchestnut；theSundaysunshinetoo，whichhasmorethanautumnalcalmnessfortheworkingman；themorningsunshine，whichstillleavesthedew-crystalsonthefinegossamerwebsintheshadowofthebushyhedgerows。
Adamneededthecalminfluence；hewasamazedatthewayinwhichthisnewthoughtofDinah’slovehadtakenpossessionofhim，withanovermasteringpowerthatmadeallotherfeelingsgivewaybeforetheimpetuousdesiretoknowthatthethoughtwastrue。
Strange，thattillthatmomentthepossibilityoftheireverbeinglovershadnevercrossedhismind，andyetnow，allhislongingsuddenlywentouttowardsthatpossibility。Hehadnomoredoubtorhesitationastohisownwishesthanthebirdthatfliestowardstheopeningthroughwhichthedaylightgleamsandthebreathofheavenenters。
TheautumnalSundaysunshinesoothedhim，butnotbypreparinghimwithresignationtothedisappointmentifhismother——ifhehimself——provedtobemistakenaboutDinah。Itsoothedhimbygentleencouragementofhishopes。Herlovewassolikethatcalmsunshinethattheyseemedtomakeonepresencetohim，andhebelievedinthembothalike。AndDinahwassoboundupwiththesadmemoriesofhisfirstpassionthathewasnotforsakingthem，butrathergivingthemanewsacrednessbylovingher。Nay，hisloveforherhadgrownoutofthatpast:itwasthenoonofthatmorning。
ButSeth？Wouldtheladbehurt？Hardly；forhehadseemedquitecontentedoflate，andtherewasnoselfishjealousyinhim；hehadneverbeenjealousofhismother’sfondnessforAdam。Buthadheseenanythingofwhattheirmothertalkedabout？Adamlongedtoknowthis，forhethoughthecouldtrustSeth’sobservationbetterthanhismother’s。HemusttalktoSethbeforehewenttoseeDinah，and，withthisintentioninhismind，hewalkedbacktothecottageandsaidtohismother，\"DidSethsayanythingtotheeaboutwhenhewascominghome？Willhebebacktodinner？\"
\"Aye，lad，he’llbebackforawonder。HeisnagonetoTreddles’on。He’sgonesomewhereelsea-preachin’anda-prayin’。\"
\"Hastanynotionwhichwayhe’sgone？\"saidAdam。
\"Nay，butheaftengoestoth’Common。Theeknow’stmoreo’sgoingsnorIdo。\"
AdamwantedtogoandmeetSeth，buthemustcontenthimselfwithwalkingaboutthenearfieldsandgettingsightofhimassoonaspossible。Thatwouldnotbeformorethananhourtocome，forSethwouldscarcelybeathomemuchbeforetheirdinner-time，whichwastwelveo’clock。ButAdamcouldnotsitdowntohisreadingagain，andhesaunteredalongbythebrookandstoodleaningagainstthestiles，witheagerintenseeyes，whichlookedasiftheysawsomethingveryvividly；butitwasnotthebrookorthewillows，notthefieldsorthesky。Againandagainhisvisionwasinterruptedbywonderatthestrengthofhisownfeeling，atthestrengthandsweetnessofthisnewlove——almostlikethewonderamanfeelsattheaddedpowerhefindsinhimselfforanartwhichhehadlaidasideforaspace。Howisitthatthepoetshavesaidsomanyfinethingsaboutourfirstlove，sofewaboutourlaterlove？Aretheirfirstpoemstheirbest？Orarenotthosethebestwhichcomefromtheirfullerthought，theirlargerexperience，theirdeeper-rootedaffections？Theboy’sflutelikevoicehasitsownspringcharm；butthemanshouldyieldaricherdeepermusic。
Atlast，therewasSeth，visibleatthefartheststile，andAdamhastenedtomeethim。Sethwassurprised，andthoughtsomethingunusualmusthavehappened，butwhenAdamcameup，hisfacesaidplainlyenoughthatitwasnothingalarming。
\"Wherehastbeen？\"saidAdam，whentheyweresidebyside。
\"I’vebeentotheCommon，\"saidSeth。\"Dinah’sbeenspeakingtheWordtoalittlecompanyofhearersatBrimstone’s，astheycallhim。They’refolksasnevergotochurchhardly——themontheCommon——butthey’llgoandhearDinahabit。She’sbeenspeakingwithpowerthisforenoonfromthewords，’Icamenottocalltherighteous，butsinnerstorepentance。’Andtherewasalittlethinghappenedaswasprettytosee。Thewomenmostlybringtheirchildrenwith’em，butto-daytherewasonestoutcurlyheadedfellowaboutthreeorfouryearold，thatIneversawtherebefore。HewasasnaughtyascouldbeatthebeginningwhileI
waspraying，andwhilewewassinging，butwhenweallsatdownandDinahbegantospeak，th’youngunstoodstockstillallatonce，andbegantolookatherwith’smouthopen，andpresentlyheranawayfrom’smotherandwenttoDinah，andpulledather，likealittledog，forhertotakenoticeofhim。SoDinahliftedhimupandheldth’ladonherlap，whileshewentonspeaking；andhewasasgoodascouldbetillhewenttosleep——andthemothercriedtoseehim。\"
\"It’sapitysheshouldnabeamotherherself，\"saidAdam，\"sofondasthechildrenareofher。Dostthinkshe’squitefixedagainstmarrying，Seth？Dostthinknothing’udturnher？\"
Therewassomethingpeculiarinhisbrother’stone，whichmadeSethstealaglanceathisfacebeforeheanswered。
\"It’udbewrongofmetosaynothing’udturnher，\"heanswered。
\"Butiftheemean’stitaboutmyself，I’vegivenupallthoughtsasshecaneverbemywife。Shecallsmeherbrother，andthat’senough。\"
\"Butdostthinkshemightevergetfondenoughofanybodyelsetobewillingtomarry’em？\"saidAdamrathershyly。
\"Well，\"saidSeth，aftersomehesitation，\"it’scrossedmymindsometimeso’lateasshemight；butDinah’udletnofondnessforthecreaturedrawherouto’thepathasshebelievedGodhadmarkedoutforher。IfshethoughttheleadingwasnotfromHim，she’snotonetobebroughtunderthepowerofit。Andshe’sallaysseemedclearaboutthat——asherworkwastoministert’
others，andmakenohomeforherselfi’thisworld。\"
\"Butsuppose，\"saidAdam，earnestly，\"supposetherewasamanas’udletherdojustthesameandnotinterferewithher——shemightdoagooddealo’whatshedoesnow，justaswellwhenshewasmarriedaswhenshewassingle。Otherwomenofhersorthavemarried——that’stosay，notjustlikeher，butwomenaspreachedandattendedonthesickandneedy。There’sMrs。Fletcherasshetalksof。\"
AnewlighthadbrokeninonSeth。Heturnedround，andlayinghishandonAdam’sshoulder，said，\"Why，wouldstlikehertomarryTHEE，Brother？\"
AdamlookeddoubtfullyatSeth’sinquiringeyesandsaid，\"Wouldstbehurtifshewastobefondero’methano’thee？\"
\"Nay，\"saidSethwarmly，\"howcanstthinkit？HaveIfeltthytroublesolittlethatIshouldnafeelthyjoy？\"
Therewassilenceafewmomentsastheywalkedon，andthenSethsaid，\"I’dnonotionasthee’dsteverthinkofherforawife。\"
\"Butisito’anyusetothinkofher？\"saidAdam。\"Whatdostsay？Mother’smademeasIhardlyknowwhereIam，withwhatshe’sbeensayingtomethisforenoon。Shesaysshe’ssureDinahfeelsformemorethancommon，and’udbewillingt’haveme。ButI’mafraidshespeakswithoutbook。Iwanttoknowifthee’stseenanything。\"
\"It’sanicepointtospeakabout，\"saidSeth，\"andI’mafraido’
beingwrong；besides，we’venorightt’intermeddlewithpeople’sfeelingswhentheywouldn’ttell’emthemselves。\"
Sethpaused。
\"Buttheemightstaskher，\"hesaidpresently。\"Shetooknooffenceatmeforasking，andthee’stmorerightthanIhad，onlythee’tnotintheSociety。ButDinahdoesn’tholdwi’themasareforkeepingtheSocietysostricttothemselves。Shedoesn’tmindaboutmakingfolksentertheSociety，soasthey’refitt’enterthekingdomo’God。Someo’thebrethrenatTreddles’onaredispleasedwithherforthat。\"
\"Wherewillshebetheresto’theday？\"saidAdam。
\"Shesaidsheshouldn’tleavethefarmagainto-day，\"saidSeth，\"becauseit’sherlastSabbaththere，andshe’sgoingt’readouto’thebigBiblewi’thechildren。\"
Adamthought——butdidnotsay——\"ThenI’llgothisafternoon；forifIgotochurch，mythoughts’ullbewithherallthewhile。
Theymustsingth’anthemwithoutmeto-day。\"
