--- /dev/null
+<Y 1874>
+<A T. HARDY>
+<T Madding Crowd(Penguin 1978)>
+<C i>
+<P 51>
+DESCRIPTION OF FARMER OAK -- AN INCIDENT
+When Farmer Oak smiled, the corners of his mouth
+spread till they were within an unimportant distance of
+his ears, his eyes were reduced to chinks, and diverging
+wrinkles appeared round them, extending upon his
+countenance like the rays in a rudimentary sketch of
+the rising sun.
+His Christian name was Gabriel, and on working
+days he was a young man of sound judgment, easy
+motions, proper dress, and general good character. On
+Sundays he was a man of misty views, rather given to
+postponing, and hampered by his best clothes and
+umbrella : upon the whole, one who felt himself to
+occupy morally that vast middle space of Laodicean
+neutrality which lay between the Communion people
+of the parish and the drunken section, -- that is, he went
+to church, but yawned privately by the time the con+
+gegation reached the Nicene creed,- and thought of
+what there would be for dinner when he meant to be
+listening to the sermon. Or, to state his character as
+it stood in the scale of public opinion, when his friends
+and critics were in tantrums, he was considered rather a
+bad man ; when they were pleased, he was rather a good
+man ; when they were neither, he was a man whose
+moral colour was a kind of pepper-and-salt mixture.
+Since he lived six times as many working-days as
+Sundays, Oak's appearance in his old clothes was most
+peculiarly his own -- the mental picture formed by his
+neighbours in imagining him being always dressed in
+that way. He wore a low-crowned felt hat, spread out
+at the base by tight jamming upon the head for security
+in high winds, and a coat like Dr. Johnson's ; his lower
+extremities being encased in ordinary leather leggings
+and boots emphatically large, affording to each foot a
+roomy apartment so constructed that any wearer might
+stand in a river all day long and know nothing of
+<P 52>
+damp -- their maker being a conscientious man who
+endeavoured to compensate for any weakness in his cut
+by unstinted dimension and solidity.
+Mr. Oak 'carried 'about him, by way of watch,+
+what may be called a small silver clock; in other
+words, it was a watch as to shape and intention, and
+a small clock as to size. This instrument being several
+years older than Oak's grandfather, had the peculiarity
+of going either too fast or not at all. The smaller
+of its hands, too, occasionally slipped round on the
+pivot, and thus, though the minutes were told with
+precision, nobody could be quite certain of the hour
+they belonged to. The stopping peculiarity of his
+watch Oak remedied by thumps and shakes, and he
+escaped any evil consequences from the other two
+defects by constant comparisons with and observations
+of the sun and stars, and by pressing his face close
+to the glass of his neighbours' windows, till he could
+discern the hour marked by the green-faced timekeepers
+within. It may be mentioned that Oak's fob being
+difficult of access, by reason of its somewhat high
+situation in the waistband of his trousers (which also
+lay at a remote height under his waistcoat), the watch
+was as a necessity pulled out by throwing the body to
+one-side, compressing the- mouth and face to a mere
+mass of- ruddy flesh- on account -of the exertion, and
+drawing up the watch by its chain, like a bucket from a
+well.
+But some thoughtfull persons, who had seen him
+walking across one of his fields on a certain December
+morning -- sunny and exceedingly mild -- might have
+regarded Gabriel Oak in other aspects than these. In
+his face one might notice that many of the hues and
+curves of youth had tarried on to manhood: there even
+remained in his remoter crannies some relics of the boy.
+His height and breadth would have been sufficient to
+make his presence imposing, had they been exhibited
+with due consideration. But there is a way some men
+have, rural and urban alike, for which the mind is more
+responsible than flesh and sinew : it is a way of curtail+
+ing their dimensions by their manner of showing them.
+And from a quiet modesty that would have become a
+vestal which seemed continually to impress upon him
+<P 53>
+that he had no great claim on the world's room, Oak
+walked unassumingly and with a faintly perceptible
+bend, yet distinct from a bowing of the shoulders.
+This may be said to be a defect in an individual if he
+depends for his valuation more upon his appearance
+than upon his capacity to wear well, which Oak did not.
+He had just reached the time of life at which " young'
+is ceasing to be the prefix of "man ' in speaking of one.
+He was at the brightest period of masculine growth,
+for his intellect and his emotions were clearly separated :
+he had passed the time during which the influence of
+youth indiscriminately mingles them in the character
+of impulse, and he had not yet arrived at the stage
+wherein they become united again, in the character of
+prejudice, by the influence of a wife and family. In
+short, he was twenty-eight, and a bachelor.
+The field he was in this morning sloped to a
+ridge called Norcombe Hill. Through a spur of this
+hill ran the highway between Emminster and Chalk+
+Newton. Casually glancing over the hedge, Oak saw
+coming down the incline before him an ornamental
+spring waggon, painted yellow and gaily marked,
+drawn by two horses, a waggoner walking alongside
+bearing a whip perpendicularly. The waggon was
+laden with household goods and window plants, and
+on the apex of the whole sat a woman, 'young-'and
+attractive. Gabriel had not beheld the sight for more
+than half a minute, when the vehicle was brought to a
+standstill just beneath his eyes.
+" The tailboard of the waggon is gone, Miss,' said the
+waggoner.
+"Then I heard it fall,' said the girl, in a soft, though
+not particularly low voice. "I heard a noise I could
+not account for when we were coming up the hill.'
+"I'll run back.' +
+" Do,' she answered. +
+The sensible horses stood -- perfectly still, and the
+waggoner's steps sank fainter and fainter in the distance.
+The girl on the summit of the load sat motionless,
+surrounded by tables and chairs with their legs upwards,
+backed by an oak settle, and ornamented in front by
+pots of geraniums, myrtles, and cactuses, together with
+<P 54>
+a caged canary -- all probably from the windows of the
+house just vacated. There was also a cat in a willow
+basket, from the partly-opened lid of which she gazed
+with half-closed eyes, and affectionately-surveyed the
+small birds around.
+The handsome girl waited for some time idly in her
+place, and the only sound heard in the stillness-was -the
+hopping of the canary up-and down the perches of its
+prison. Then she looked attentively downwards. It
+was not at the bird, nor at the cat; it was at an oblong
+package tied in paper, and lying between them. She
+turned her head to learn if the waggoner were coming.
+He was not yet in sight; and her-eyes crept back to
+the package, her thoughts seeming to run 'upon what
+was inside it. At length she drew the article into her
+lap, and untied the paper covering; a small swing
+looking-glass was disclosed, in which she proceeded to
+survey herself attentively. She parted her lips and
+smiled.
+It was a fine morning, and the sun lighted up to a
+scarlet glow the crimson jacket she wore, and painted
+a soft lustre upon her bright face and dark hair. The
+myrtles, geraniums, and cactuses packed around her
+were fresh and green, and at such a leafless season they
+invested the whole concern of horses, waggon, furniture,
+and girl with a peculiar vernal charm. What possessed
+her to indulge in such a performance in the sight of the
+sparrows, blackbirds, and unperceived farmer who were
+alone its spectators, -- whether the smile began as a
+factitious one, to test her capacity in that art, -- nobody
+knows ; it ended certainly in a real smile. She blushed
+at herself, and seeing her reflection blush, blushed the
+more.
+The change from the customary spot and necessary
+occasion of such an act -- from the dressing hour in a
+bedroom to a time of travelling out of doors -- lent to
+the idle deed a novelty it did not intrinsically possess.
+The picture was a delicate one. Woman's prescriptive
+infirmity had stalked into the sunlight, which had
+clothed it in the freshness of an originality. A
+cynical inference was irresistitle by Gabriel Oak as he
+regarded the scene, generous though he fain would have
+been. There was no necessity whatever for her looking
+in the glass. She did not adjust her hat, or pat her
+<P 55>
+hair, or press a dimple into shape, or do one thing to
+signify that any such intention had been her motive in
+taking up the glass. She simply observed herself as a
+fair product of Nature in the feminine kind, her thoughts
+seeming to glide into far-off though likely dramas in
+which men would play a part -- vistas of probable
+triumphs -- the smiles being of a phase suggesting that
+hearts were imagined as lost and won. Still, this was
+but conjecture, and the whole series of actions was so
+idly put forth as to make it rash to assert that intention
+had any part in them at all.
+The waggoner's steps were heard returning. She
+put the glass in the paper, and the whole again into its
+place.
+When the waggon had passed on, Gabriel withdrew
+from his point of espial, and descending into the road,
+followed the vehicle to the turnpike-gate some way
+beyond the bottom of the hill, where the object of his
+contemplation now halted for the payment of toll. About
+twenty steps still remained between him and the gate,
+when he heard a dispute. lt was a difference con+
+cerning twopence between the persons with the waggon
+and the man at the toll-bar.
+" Mis'ess's niece is upon the top of the things, and
+she says that's enough that I've offered ye, you great
+miser, and she won't pay any more.' These were the
+waggoner's words.
+"Very well ; then mis'ess's niece can't pass,' said the
+turnpike-keeper, closing the gate.
+Oak looked from one to the other of the disputants,
+and fell into a reverie. There was something in the
+tone of twopence remarkably insignificant. Threepence
+had a definite value as money -- it was an appreciable
+infringement on a day's wages, and, as such, a higgling
+matter ; but twopence -- -- " Here,' he said, stepping
+forward and handing twopence to the gatekeeper ; "let
+the young woman pass.' He looked up at her then;
+she heard his words, and looked down.
+Gabriel's features adhered throughout their form so
+exactly to the middle line between the beauty of St.
+John and the ugliness of Judas Iscariot, as represented
+in a window of the church he attended, that not a single
+lineament could be selected and called worthy either of
+distinction or notoriety. The redjacketed and dark+
+<P 56>
+haired maiden seemed to think so too, for she carelessly
+glanced over him, and told her man to drive on. She
+might have looked her thanks to Gabriel on a minute
+scale, but she did not speak them; more probably she
+felt none, for in gaining her a passage he had lost her
+her point, and we know how women take a favour of
+that kind.
+The gatekeeper surveyed the retreating vehicle.
+" That's a handsome maid ' he said to Oak
+" But she has her faults,' said Gabriel.
+" True, farmer. '
+"And the greatest of them is -- well, what it is
+always.'
+" Beating people down ? ay, 'tis so.'
+"O no.'
+" What, then ? '
+Gabriel, perhaps a little piqued by the comely
+traveller's indifference, glanced back to where he had
+witnessed her performance over the hedge, and said,
+" Vanity.'
+<C ii>
+<P 57>
+NIGHT -- THE FLOCK -- AN INIERIOR -- ANOTHER INTERIOR
+IT was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas"s, the
+shortest day in the year. A desolating wind wandered
+from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched
+the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of
+a few days earlier.
+ Norcombe Hill -- not far from lonely Toller-Down
+ -- was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by
+that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the
+indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.
+It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil -- an
+ordinary specimen of those smoothly-outlined protuber+
+ances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on
+some great day of confusion, when far grander heights
+and dizzy granite precipices topple down.
+The hill was covered on its northern side by an
+ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose
+upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its
+arched curve against the sky, like a mane. To-night
+these trees sheltered the southern slope from the keenest
+blasts, which smote the wood and floundered through
+it with a sound as of grumbling, or gushed over its
+crowning boughs in a weakened moan. The dry leaves
+in the ditch simmered and boiled in the same breezes,
+a tongue of air occasionally ferreting out a few, and
+sending them spinning across the grass. A group or
+two of the latest in date amongst the dead multitude
+had remained till this very mid-winter time on the twigs
+which bore them and in falling rattled against the trunks
+with smart taps:
+Betwenne this half-wooded, half naked hill, and the
+vague still horizon that its summit indistinctly com+
+manded, was a mysterious sheet of fathomless shade
+ -- the sounds from which suggested that what it con+
+cealed bore some reduced resemblance to features here.
+<P 58>
+The thin grasses, more or less coating the hill, were
+touched by the wind in breezes of differing powers, and
+almost of differing natures -- one rubbing the blades
+heavily, another raking them piercingly, another brushing
+them like a soft broom. The instinctive act of human+
+kind was to stand and listen, and learn how the trees
+to each other in the regular antiphonies of a cathedral
+choir; how hedges and other shapes to leeward them
+caught the note, lowering it to the tenderest sob; and
+how the hurrying gust then plunged into the south, to
+be heard no more.
+The sky was clear -- remarkably clear -- and the
+twinkling of all the stars seemed to be but throbs of
+one body, timed by a common pulse. The North Star
+was directly in the wind's eye, and since evening the
+Bear had swung round it outwardly to the east, till he
+was now at a right angle with the meridian. A
+difference of colour in the stars -- oftener read of than
+seen in England-was really perceptible here. The
+sovereign brilliancy of Sirius pierced the eye with a steely
+glitter, the star called Capella was yellow, Aldebaran and
+Betelgueux shone with a fiery red.
+To persons standing alone on a hill during a clear
+midnight such as this, the roll of the world eastward is
+almost a palpable movement. The sensation may be
+caused by the panoramic glide of the stars past earthly
+objects, which is perceptible in a few minutes of still+
+ness, or by the better outlook upon space that a hill
+affords, or by the wind, or by the solitude ; but whatever
+be its origin, the impression of riding along is vivid and
+abiding. The poetry of motion is a phrase much in
+use, and to enjoy the epic form of that gratification it
+is necessary to stand on a hill at a small hour of the
+night, and, having first expanded with a sense of differ+
+ence from the mass of civilised mankind, who are
+dreamwrapt and disregardful of all such proceedings at
+this time, long and quietly watch your stately progress
+through the stars. After such a nocturnal reconnoitre
+it is hard to get back to earth, and to believe that the
+consciousness of such majestic speeding is derived from
+a tiny human frame.
+Suddenly an unexpected series of sounds began to
+<P 59>
+be heard
+in this place up against the sky. They had a
+clearness which was to be found nowhere in the wind,
+and a sequence which was to be found nowhere in
+nature. They were the notes of Farmer Oak's flute.
+The tune was not floating unhindered into the open
+air : it seemed muffled in some way, and was altogether
+too curtailed in power to spread high or wide. It came
+from the direction of a small dark object under the
+plantation hedge -- a shepherd's hut -- now presenting
+an outline to which an uninitiated person might have
+been puzzled to attach either meaning or use.
+The image as a whole was that of a small Noah's
+Ark on a small Ararat, allowing the traditionary outlines
+and general form of the Ark which are followed by toy+
+makers -- and by these means are established in men's
+imaginations among their firmest, because earliest im+
+pressions -- to pass as an approximate pattern. The
+hut stood on little wheels, which raised its floor about a
+foot from the ground. Such shepherds' huts are dragged
+into the fields when the lambing season comes on, to
+shelter the shepherd in his- enforced nightly attendance.
+It was only latterly that people had begun to call
+Gabriel !Farmer' Oak. During the twelvemonth pre+
+ceding this time he had been enabled by sustained
+efforts of industry and chronic good spirits to lease the
+small shepp farm of which Norcombe Hill was a portion,
+and stock it with two hundred sheep. Previously he
+had been a bailiff for a short time, and earlier still a
+shepherd only, having from his childhood assisted his
+father in tending the floeks of large proprietors, till old
+Gabriel sank to rest.
+This venture, unaided and alone, into the paths of
+farming as master and not as man, with an advance of
+sheep not yet paid for, was a critical juncture with
+Gabriel Oak, and he recognised his position clearly.
+The first movement in his new progress was the lambing
+of his ewes, and sheep having been his speciality from
+his "youth, he wisely refrained from deputing -- the task
+of tending them at this season to a hireling or a novice.
+The wind continued to beat-about the corners of the
+hut, but the flute-playing ceased. A rectangular space
+of light
+<P 60>
+appeared in the side of the hut, and in the
+opening the outline of Farmer Oak's figure. He carried
+a lantern in his hand, and closing the door behind him,
+came forward and busied himself about this nook of the
+field for nearly twenty minutes, the lantern light appear+
+ing and disappearing here and there, and brightening
+him or darkening him as he stood before or behind it.
+Oak's motions, though they had a quiet-energy, were
+slow, and their deliberateness accorded well with his
+occupation. Fitness being the basis of beauty, nobody
+could-have denied that his steady swings and turns"
+in and- about the flock had elements of grace, Yet,
+although if occasion demanded he could do or think a
+thing with as mercurial a dash as can the men of towns
+who are more to the manner born, his special power,
+morally, physically, and mentally, was static, owing
+little or nothing to momentum as a rule.
+A close examination of the ground hereabout, even
+by the wan starlight only, revealed how a portion of
+what would have been casually called a wild slope had
+been appropriated by Farmer Oak for his great purpose
+this winter. Detached hurdles thatched with straw
+were stuck into the ground at various scattered points,
+amid and under which the whitish forms of his meek
+ewes moved and rustled. The ring of the sheep-bell,
+which had been silent during his absence, recommenced,
+in tones that had more mellowness than clearness, owing
+to an increasing growth of surrounding wool. This
+continued till Oak withdrew again from the flock. He
+ -- returned to the hut, bringing in his arms a new-born
+lamb, consisting of four legs large enough for a full+
+grown sheep, united by a seemingly inconsiderable mem+
+brane about half the substance of the legs collectively,
+which constituted the animal's entire body just at present.
+The little speck of life he placed on a wisp of hay
+before the small stove, where a can of milk was simmer+
+ing. Oak extinguished the lantern by blowing into it
+and then pinching the snuff, the cot being lighted
+by a candle suspended by a twisted wire. A rather
+hard couch, formed of a few corn sacks thrown carelessly
+down, covered half the floor of this little
+<P 61>
+habitation, and
+here the young man stretched himself along, loosened
+his woollen cravat, and closed his eyes. In about the
+time a person unaccustomed to bodily labour would have
+decided upon which side to lie, Farmer Oak was asleep.
+The inside of the hut, as it now presented itself, was
+cosy and alluring, and the scarlet handful of fire in
+addition to the candle, reflecting its own genial colour
+upon whatever it could reach, flung associations of
+enjoyment even over utensils and tools. In the corner
+stood the sheep-crook, and along a shelf at one side
+were ranged bottles and canisters of the simple prepara+
+tions pertaining to ovine surgery and physic; spirits of
+wine, turpentine, tar, magnesia, ginger, and castor-oil
+being the chief. On a triangular shelf across the corner
+stood bread, bacon, cheese, and a cup for ale or cider,
+which was supplied from a flagon beneath. Beside the
+provisions lay the flute whose notes had lately been
+called forth by the lonely watcher to beguile a tedious
+hour. The house was ventilated by two round holes,
+like the lights of a ship's cabin, with wood slides+
+The lamb, revived by the warmth' began to bleat'
+instant meaning, as expected sounds will. Passing
+from the profoundest sleep to the most alert wakefulness
+with the same ease that had accompanied the reverse
+operation, he looked at his watch, found that the hour+
+hand had shifted again, put on his hat, took the lamb
+in his arms, and carried it into the darkness. After
+placing the little creature with its mother, he stood and
+carefully examined the sky, to ascertain the time of
+night from the altitudes of the stars.
+The Dog-star and Aldebaran, pointing to the restless
+Pleiades, were half-way up the Southern sky, and between
+them hung Orion, which gorgeous constellation never
+burnt more vividly than now, as it soared forth above
+the rim of the landscape. Castor and Pollux will
+the north-west; far away through the plantation Vega
+and Cassiopeia's chair stood daintily poised on the
+uppermost boughs.
+<P 62>
+"One o'clock,' said Gabriel.
+Being a man not without a frequent consciousness
+that there was some charm in this life he led, he stood
+still after looking at the sky as a useful instrument, and
+regarded it in an appreciative spirit, as a work of art
+superlatively beautiful. For a moment he seemed
+impressed with the speaking loneliness of the scene, or
+rather with the complete abstraction from all its compass
+of the sights and sounds of man. Human shapes,interferences,
+troubles, and joys were all as if they were not, and there
+seemed to be on the shaded hemisphere of the globe no sentient being
+save himself; he could fancy them all gone round to the sunny side.
+ Occupied this, with eyes stretched afar, Oak gradually per+
+ceived that what he had previously taken to be a star low
+down behind the outskirts of the plantation was in reality no
+such thing. It was an artificial light, almost close at hand.
+ To find themselves utterly alone at night where company
+is desirable and expected makes some people fearful; but a
+case more trying by far to the nerves is to discover some
+mysterious companionship when intuition, sensation, memory,
+analogy, testimony, probability, induction -- every kind of
+evidence in the logician's list -- have united to persuade con+
+sciousness that it is quite in isolation.
+ Farmer Oak went towards the plantation and pushed
+through its lower boughs to the windy side. A dim mass under
+the slope reminded him that a shed occupied a place here,
+the site being a cutting into the slope of the hill, so that at
+its back part the roof was almost level with the ground. In
+front it was formed of board nailed to posts and covered with
+tar as apreservative. Through crevices in the roof and side
+spread streaks and spots of light, a combination of which made
+the radiance that had attracted him. Oak stepped up behind,
+where,leaning down upon the roof and putting his eye close
+to a hole, he could see into the interior clearly.
+ The place contained two women and two cows. By the side
+of the latter a steaming bran-mash stood in a bucket. One
+of the women was past middle age. Her companion was ap+
+parently young and graceful; he could form no decided opinion
+<P 63>
+upon her looks, her position being almost beneath his eye, so
+that he saw her in a bird's-eye view, as Milton's Satan first saw
+Paradise. She wore no bonnet or het, but had enveloped her+
+self in a large cloak, which was carelessly flung over her head
+as a covering.
+ "There, now we'll go home," said the elder of the two, resting
+ her knuckles upon her hips, and looking at their goings-on as
+a whole. "I do hope Daisy will fetch round again now. I have
+never been more frightened in my life, but I don't mind break+
+ing my rest if she recovers."
+ The young woman, whose eyelids were apparently inclined
+to fall together on the smallest provocation of silence,yawned
+in sympathy.
+ "I wish we were rich enough to pay a man to do these
+things," she said.
+ "As we are not, we must do them ourselves," said the other;
+"for you must help me if you stay."
+"Well, my hat is gone, however," continued the younger. "It
+went over the hedge, I think. The idea of such a slight wind
+catching it."
+ The cow standing erect was of the Devon breed, and was
+encased in a tight warm hide of rich Indian red, as absolutely
+uniform from eyes to tail as if the animal had been dipped in
+a dye of that colour, her long back being mathematically level.
+The other was spotted,grey and white. Beside her Oak now
+noticed a little calf about a day old, looking idiotically at
+the two women, which showed that it had not long been
+accustomed to the phenomenon of eyesight, and often turn+
+ing to the lantern, which it apparently mistook for the moon.
+inherited instinct having as yet had little time for correction
+by experience. Between the sheep and the cows Lucina had
+been busy on Norcombe hill lately.
+ "I think we had better send for some oatmeal," said the
+"Yes, aunt; and I'll ride over for it as soon as it is
+light. '
+" But there's no side-saddle.'
+<P 64>
+"I can ride on the other : trust me.'
+Oak, upon hearing these remarks, became more
+curious to observe her features, but this prospect being
+denied him by the hooding efect of the cloak, and by his
+aerial position, he felt himself drawing upon his fancy
+for their details. In making even horizontal and clear
+inspections we colour and mould according to the warts
+within us whatever our eyes bring in. Had Gabriel
+been able from the first to get a distinct view of her +
+countenance, his estimate of it as very handsome or
+slightly so would have been as his soul required a
+divinity at the moment or was ready supplied with one.
+Having for some time known the want of a satisfactory
+form to fill an increasing void within him, his position
+moreover affording the widest scope for his fancy, he
+painted her a beauty.
+By one of those whimsical coincidences in which
+Nature, like a busy mother, seems to spare a moment
+from her unremitting labours to turn and make her
+children smile, the girl now dropped the cloak, and
+forth tumbled ropes of black hair over a red jacket.
+Oak knew her instantly as the heroine of the yellow
+waggon, myrtles, and looking-glass : prosily, as the
+woman who owed him twopence.
+They placed the calf beside its mother again, took
+up the lantern, and went out, the light sinking down
+the hill till it was no more than a nebula. Gabriel
+Oak returned to his flock.
+<C iii>
+<P 65>
+A GIRL ON HORSEBACK -- CONVERSATION
+THE sluggish day began to break. Even its position
+terrestrially is one of the elements of a new interest,
+and for no particular reason save that the incident of
+the night had occurred there, Oak went again into
+the plantation. Lingering and musing here, he heard
+the steps of a horse at the foot of the hill, and soon
+there appeared in view an auburn pony with a girl on
+its back, ascending by the path leading past the cattle+
+shed. She was the young woman of the night before.
+Gabriel instantly thought of the hat she had mentioned
+as having lost in the wind; possibly she had come to
+look for it. He hastily scanned the ditch and after
+walking about ten yards along it, found the hat among the
+leaves. Gabriel took it in his hand and returned to his
+hut. Here he ensconced himself, and peeped through
+the loophole in the direction of the riders approach.
+She came up and looked around -- then on the other
+side of the hedge. Gabriel was about to advance and
+restore the missing article when an unexpected per+
+formance induced him to suspend the action for the
+present. The path, after passing the cowshed, bisected
+the plantation. It was not a bridle-path -- merely a
+pedestrian's track, and the boughs spread horizontally
+at a height not greater than seven feet above the ground,
+which made it impossible to ride erect beneath them.
+The girl, who wore no riding-habit, looked around for
+a moment, as if to assure herself that all humanity was
+out of view, then dexterously dropped backwards flat
+upon the pony's back, her head over its tail, her feet
+against its shoulders, and her eyes to the sky. The
+rapidity of her glide into this position was that of a
+kingfisher -- its noiselessness that of a hawk. Gabriel's
+eyes had scarcely been able to follow her. The tall lank
+pony seemed used to such doings, and ambled
+<P 66>
+along unconcerned. Thus she passed under the level boughs.
+The performer seemed quite at home anywhere
+between a horse's head and its tail, and the necessity
+for this abnormal attitude having ceased with the
+passage of the plantation, she began to adopt another,
+even more obviously convenient than the first. She had
+no side-saddle, and it was very apparent that a firm
+seat upon the smooth leather beneath her was un+
+attainable sideways. Springing to her accustomed
+perpendicular like a bowed sapling, and satisfying her,
+self that nobody was in sight, she seated herself in the
+manner demanded by the saddle, though hardly expected
+of the woman, and trotted off in the direction of Tewnell
+Mill.
+Oak was amused, perhaps a little astonished, and
+hanging up the hat in his hut, went again among his
+ewes. An hour passed, the girl returned, properly
+seated now, with a bag of bran in front of her. On
+nearing the cattle-shed she was met by a boy bringing
+a milking-pail, who held the reins of the pony whilst
+she slid off. The boy led away the horse, leaving the
+pail with the young woman.
+Soon soft spirts alternating with loud spirts came
+in regular succession from within the shed, the obvious
+sounds of a person milking a cow. Gabriel took the
+lost hat in his hand, and waited beside the path she
+would follow in leaving the hill.
+She came, the pail in one hand, hanging against her
+knee. The left arm was extended as a balance, enough
+of it being shown bare to make Oak wish that the event
+ha happened in the summer, when the whole would
+have been revealed. There was a bright air and manner
+about her now, by which she seemed to imply that the
+desirability of her existence could not be questioned;
+and this rather saucy assumption failed in being offensive,
+because a beholder felt it to be, upon the whole, true.
+Like exceptional emphasis in the tone of a genius, that
+which would have made mediocrity ridiculous was an
+addition to recognised power. It was with some
+surprise that she saw Gabriel's face rising like the
+moon behind the hedge.
+The adjustment of the farmer's hazy conceptions of
+her
+<P 67>
+charms to the portrait of herself she now presented
+him with was less a diminuition than a difference. The
+starting-point selected by the judgment was. her height
+She seemed tall, but the pail was a small one, and the
+hedge diminutive; hence, making allowance for error
+by comparison with these, she could have been not
+above the height to be chosen by women as best. All
+features of consequence were severe and regular. It
+may have been observed by persons who go about the
+shires with eyes for beauty, that in Englishwoman a
+classically-formed face is seldom found to be united
+with a figure of the same pattern, the highly-finished
+features being generally too large for the remainder of
+the frame ; that a graceful and proportionate figure of
+eight heads usually goes off into random facial curves.
+Without throwing a Nymphean tissue over a milkmaid,
+let it be said that here criticism checked itself as out
+of place, and looked at her proportions with a long
+consciousness of pleasure. From the contours of her
+figure in its upper part, she must have had a beautiful
+neek and shoulders ; but since her infancy nobody had
+ever seen them. Had she been put into a low dress
+she would have run and thrust her head into a bush.
+Yet she was not a shy girl by any means; it was merely
+her instinct to draw the line dividing the seen from the
+unseen higher than they do it in towns.
+That the girl's thoughts hovered about her face
+and form as soon as she caught Oak's eyes conning the
+same page was natural, and almost certain. The self+
+consciousness shown would have been vanity if a little
+more pronounced, dignity if a little less. Rays of male
+vision seem to have a tickling effect upon virgin faces
+in rural districts ; she brushed hers with her hand, as if
+Gabriel had been irritating its pink surface by actual
+touch, and the free air of her previous movements was
+reduced at the same time to a chastened phase of
+itself. Yet it was the man who blushed, the maid not
+at all.
+" I found a hat,' said Oak.
+" It is mine,' said she, and, from a sense of proportion,
+kept down to a small smile an inclination to laugh dis+
+tinctly : "it flew away last night.'
+" One o'clock this morning ? '
+<P 68>
+" Well -- it was.' She was surprised. " How did you
+know ? ' she said.
+" I was here.'
+" You are Farmer Oak, are you not ? '
+" That or thereabouts. I'm lately come to this place.'
+" A large farm ? ' she inquired, casting her eyes round,
+and swinging back her hair, which was black in the
+shaded hollows of its mass; but it being now an hour
+past sunrise, the rays touched its prominent curves with
+a colour of their own.
+" No ; not large. About a hundred.' (In speaking
+of farms the word "acres ' is omitted by the natives, by
+analogy to such old expressions as "a stag of ten.')
+' "I wanted my hat this morning,' she went on.
+had to ride to Tewnell Mill.'
+"Yes you had.'
+"How do you know?'
+"I saw you!
+"Where?' she inquired, a misgiving bringing every
+muscle of her lineaments and frame to a standstill.
+"Here-going through the plantation, and all down
+the hill,' said Farmer Oak, with an aspect excessively
+knowing with regard to some matter in his mind, as he
+gazed at a remote point in the direction named, and then
+turned back to meet his colloquist's eyes.
+A perception caused him to withdraw his own eyes
+from hers as suddenly as if he had been caught in a
+theft. Recollection of the strange antics she had
+indulged in when passing through the trees, was suc+
+ceeded in the girl by a nettled palpitation, and that' by
+a hot face. It was a time to see a woman redden who
+was not given to reddening s a rule; not a point in
+the milkmaid but was of the deepest rose-colour. From
+the Maiden's Blush, through all varieties of the Provence
+down to the Crimson Tuscany, the countenance of Oak's
+acquaintance quickly graduated ; whereupon he, in con+
+siderateness, turned away his head.
+The sympathetic man still looked the other way, and
+wondered when she would recover coolness sufficient to
+justify him in facing her again. He heard what seemed
+to be the flitting of a
+<P 69>
+dead leaf upon the breeze, and
+looked. She had gone away.
+With an air between that of Tragedy and Comedy !
+Gabriel returned to his work.
+Five mornings and evenings passed. The young
+woman came regularly to milk the healthy cow or to
+attend to the sick one, but never allowed her vision to
+stray in the direction of Oak's person. His want of
+tact had deeply offended her -- not by seeing what he
+could not help, but by letting her know that he had
+seen it. For, as without law there is no sin, without
+eyes there is no indecorum; and she appeared to feel
+that Gabriel's espial had made her an indecorous woman
+without her own connivance. It was food for great regret
+with him; it was also a contretemps which touched into
+life a latent heat he had experienced in that direction.
+The acquaintanceship might, however, have ended in
+a slow forgetting, but for an incident which occurred at
+the end of the same week. One afternoon it began to
+freeze, and the frost increased with evening, which drew
+on like a stealthy tightening of bonds. It was a time
+when in cottages the breath of the sleepers freezes to
+the sheets; when round the drawing-room fire of a
+thick-walled mansion the sitters' backs are cold, even
+whilst their faces are all aglow. Many a small bird went
+to bed supperless that night among the bare boughs.
+As the milking-hour drew near, Oak kept his usual
+watch upon the cowshed. At last he felt cold, and
+shaking an extra quantity of bedding round the yeaning
+ewes he entered the hut and heaped more fuel upon
+the stove. The wind came in at the bottom of the door,
+and to prevent it Oak laid a sack there and wheeled the
+cot round a little more to the south. Then the wind
+spouted in at a ventilating hole -- of which there was one
+on each side of the hut.
+Gabriel had always known that when the fire was
+lighted and the door closed one of these must be kept
+open -- that chosen being always on the side away from
+the wind. Closing the slide to windward, he turned to
+open the other; on second -- -thoughts the farmer con+
+sidered that he would first sit down leaving both
+closed for a minute or two, till the temperature of the
+hut was a little raised. He sat down.
+<P 70>
+His head began to ache in an unwonted manner, and,
+fancying himself weary by reason of the broken rests of
+the preceding nights, Oak decided to get up, open the
+slide, and then allow himself to fall asleep. He fell
+asleep, however, without having performed the necessary
+preliminary.
+How long he remained unconseious Gabriel never
+knew. During the first stages of his return to percep+
+tion peculiar deeds seemed to be in course of enactment.
+His dog was howling, his head was aching fearfully --
+somebody was pulling him about, hands were loosening
+his neckerchief.
+On opening his eyes he found that evening had sunk
+to dusk in a strange manner of unexpectedness. The
+young girl with the remarkably pleasant lips and white
+teeth was beside him. More than this -- astonishingly
+more -- his head was upon her lap, his face and neck
+were disagreeably wet, and her fingers were unbuttoning
+his collar.
+"Whatever is the matter?' said Oak, vacantly.
+She seemed to experience mirth, but of too insignifi+
+cant a kind to start enjoyment.
+"Nothing now', she answered, "since you are not
+dead It is a wonder you were not,suffocated in this
+hut of yours.'
+"Ah, the hut ! ' murmured Gabriel. "I gave ten
+pounds for that hut. But I'll sell it, and sit under
+thatched hurdles as they did in old times, curl up
+to sleep in a lock of straw! It played me nearly the
+same trick the other day .! ' Gabriel, by way of emphasis,
+brought down his fist upon the floor.
+"It was not exactly the fault of the hut,' she ob+
+served in a tone which showed her to be that novelty
+among women -- one who finished a thought before
+beginning the sentence which was to convey it. " You
+should I think, have considered, and not have been so
+foolish as to leave the slides closed.'
+"Yes I suppose I should,' said Oak, absently. He
+was endeavouring to catch and appreciate the sensation
+of being thus with her, his head upon her dress, before
+the event passed on into the heap of bygone things.
+He wished she knew his impressions ; but he would as
+soon have thought of carrying an odour in a net as of
+attempting to convey the intangibilities
+<P 71>
+of his feeling
+in the coarse meshes of language. So he remained
+silent.
+She made him sit up, and then Oak began wiping
+his face and shaking himself like a Samson. "How
+can I thank 'ee ? ' he said at last, gratefully, some of the
+natural rusty red having returned to his face.
+ " Oh, never mind that,' said the girl, smiling, and
+allowing her smile to hold good for Gabriel's next
+remark, whatever that might prove to be.
+"How did you find me?"
+"I heard your dog howling and scratching at the
+door of the hut when I came to the milking (it was so
+lucky, Daisy's milking is almost over for the season, and
+ I shall not come here after this week or the next). The
+dog saw me, and jumped over to me, and laid hold of
+my skirt. I came across and looked round the hut the
+very first thing to see if the slides were closed. My
+uncle has a hut like this one, and I have heard him tell
+his shepherd not to go to sleep without leaving a slide
+open. I opened the door, and there you were like
+dead. I threw the milk over you, as there was no
+water, forgetting it was warm, and no use.'
+"I wonder if I should have died ? ' Gabriel said, in a
+low voice, which was rather meant to travel back to
+himself than to her.
+"O no," the girl replied. She seemed to prefer a
+less tragic probability ; to have saved a man from death
+'involved talk that should harmonise with the dignity of
+such a deed -- and she shunned it.
+"I believe you saved my life, Miss -- -- I don!t know
+your name. I know your aunt's, but not yours.'
+" I would just as soon not tell it -- rather not. There
+is no reason either why I should, as you probably will
+never have much to do with me.'
+ " Still, I should like to know.'
+" You can inquire at my aunt's -- she will tell you.'
+'My name is Gabriel Oak.'
+"And mine isn't. You seem fond of yours in
+speaking it so decisively, Gabriel Oak.'
+<P 72>
+" You see, it is the only one I shall ever have, and I
+must make the most of it.'
+" I always think mine sounds odd and disagreeable.'
+"I should think you might soon get a new one.'
+"Mercy ! -- how many opinions you keep about you
+concerning other people, Gabriel Oak.
+"Well Miss-excuse the words-I thought you
+would like them But I can't match you I know in
+napping out my mind upon my tongue. I never was
+very clever in my inside. But I thank you. Come
+give me your hand!'
+She hesitated, somewhat disconcerted at Oak's old+
+fashioned earnest conclusion. to a dialogue lightly
+carried on."Very well,' she said, and gave him her
+hand, compressing her lips to a demure impassivity.
+He held it but an instant, and in his fear of being too
+demonstrative, swerved to the opposite extreme, touching
+her fingers with the lightness of a small-hearted person.
+" I am sorry,' he said, the instant after.
+" What for?'
+"You may have it again if you like; there it is.'
+She gave him her hand again.
+Oak held it longer this time -- indeed, curiously long.
+"How soft it is -- being winter time, too -- not chapped
+or rough or anything!' he said.
+"There -- that's long enough,' said she, though with+
+out pulling it away "But I suppose you are thinking
+you would like to kiss it? You may if you want to.'
+"I wasn't thinking of any such thing,' said Gabriel,
+simply ; "but I will'
+"That you won't!' She snatched back her hand.
+Gabriel felt himself guilty of another want of tact.
+"Now find out my name,' she said, teasingly; and
+withdrew.
+<C iv>
+<P 73>
+GABRIEL'S RESOLVE -- THE VISIT -- THE MISTAKE
+THE only superiority in women that is tolerable to the
+rival sex is, as a rule, that of the unconscious kind ; but
+a superiority which recognizes itself may sometimes
+please by suggesting possibilities of capture to the
+subordinated man.
+This well-favoured and comely girl soon made appre+
+ciable inroads upon the emotional constitution of young
+Farmer Oak.
+Love, being an extremely exacting usurer (a sense of
+exorbitant profit, spiritually, by an exchange of hearts,
+being at the bottom of pure passions, as that of exorbi+
+tant profit, bodily or materially, is at the bottom of
+those of lower atmosphere), every morning Oak's feelings
+were as sensitive as the money-market in calculations
+upon his chances. His dog waited for his meals in a
+way so like that in which Oak waited for the girl's
+presence, that the farmer was quite struck with the
+resemblance, felt it lowering, and would not look at the
+dog. However, he continued to watch through the
+hedge for her regular coming, and thus his sentiments
+towards her were ideepened without any corresponding
+effect being produced upon herself. Oak had nothing
+finished and ready to say as yet, and not being able
+to frame love phrases which end where they begin ;
+passionate tales -- +
+ -- -Full of sound and fury
+ -- -signifting nothing -- +
+he said no word at all.
+By making inquiries he found that the girl's name
+was Bathsheba Everdene, and that the cow would go
+dry in about seven days. He dreaded the eight day.
+At last the eighth day came. The cow had ceased
+to give milk for that year, and Bathsheba Everdene
+came up the hill no more. Gabriel had reached a
+pitch of existence he never
+<P 74>
+could have anticipated a
+short time before. He liked saying 'Bathsheba' as a
+private enjoyment instead of whistling; turned over his
+taste to black hair, though he had sworn by brown ever
+since he was a boy, isolated himself till the space he
+filled in a possible strength in an actual weakness. Marriage
+transforms a distraction into a support, the power of
+which should be, and happily often is, in direct pro+
+portion to the degree of imbecility it supplants. Oak
+began now to see light in this direction, and said to
+himself, "I'll make her my wife, or upon my soul I shall
+be good for nothing .! '
+All this while he was perplexing himself about an
+errand on which he might consistently visit the cottage
+of Bathsheba's aunt.
+He found his opportunity in the death of a ewe,
+mother of a living lamb. On a day which had a
+summer face and a winter constitution-a fine January
+morning, when there was just enough blue sky visible to
+make cheerfully-disposed people wish for more, and an
+occasional gleam of silvery sunshine, Oak put the lamb
+into a respectable Sunday basket, and stalked across the
+fields to the house of Mrs. Hurst, the aunt -- George,
+the dog walking behind, with a countenance of great
+concern at the serious turn pastoral affairs seemed to be
+taking.
+Gabriel had watched the blue wood-smoke curling
+from the chimney with strange meditation. At evening
+he had fancifully traced it down the chimney to the
+spot of its origin -- seen the hearth and Bathsheba
+beside it -- beside it in her out-door dress; for the
+clothes she had worn on the hill were by association
+equally with her person included in the compass of his
+affection; they seemed at this early time of his love a
+necessary ingredient of the sweet mixture called Bath+
+sheba Everdene.
+He had made a toilet of a nicely-adjusted kind -- of a
+nature between the carefully neat and the carelessly
+ornate -- of a degree between fine-market-day and wet+
+Sunday selection. He thoroughly cleaned his silver
+watch-chain with whiting, put new lacing straps to his
+boots, looked to the brass eyelet-holes,
+<P 75>
+ went to the
+inmost heart of the plantation for a new walking-stick,
+and trimmed it vigorously on his way back; took a new
+handkerchief from the bottom of his clothes-box, put
+on the light waistcoat patterned all over with sprigs
+of an elegant flower uniting the beauties of both rose
+and lily without the defects of either, and used all the
+hair-oil he possessed upon his usually dry, sandy, and
+inextricably curly hair, till he had deepened it to a
+splendidly novel colour, between that of guano and
+Roman cement, making it stick to his head like mace
+round a nutmeg, or wet seaweed round a boulder after
+the ebb.
+Nothing disturbed the stillness of the cottage save
+ the chatter of a knot of sparrows on the eaves; one
+might fancy scandal and rumour to be no less the
+staple topic of these little coteries on roofs than of
+those under them. It seemed that the omen was an
+unpropitious one, for, as the rather untoward commence+
+ment of Oak's overtures, just as he arrived by the garden
+gate, he saw a cat inside, going into various arched shapes
+and fiendish convulsions at the sight of his dog George.
+The dog took no notice , for he had arrived at an age
+at which all superfluous barking was cynically avoided
+as a waste of breath -- -in fact he never barked even
+at the sheep except to order, when it was done with
+an absolutely neutral countenance, as a sort of Com+
+mination-service, which, though offensive, had to be
+gone through once now and then to frighten the flock
+for their own good.
+A voice came from behind some laurel-bushes into
+which the cat had run:
+"Poor dear! Did a nasty brute of a dog want to
+kill it; -- did he poor dear !'
+"I beg your pardon,' said Oak to the voice, 'but
+George was walking on behind me with a temper as
+mild as milk.'
+Almost before he had ceased speaking, Oak was
+seized with a misgiving as to whose ear was the recipient
+of his answer. Nobody appeared, and he heard the
+person retreat among the bushes.
+Gabriel meditated, and so deeply that he brought
+small furrows into his forehead by sheer force of
+reverie. Where the
+<P 76>
+issue of an interview is as likely
+to be a vast change for the worse as for the better,
+any initial difference from expectation causes nipping
+sensations of failure. Oak went up to the door a little
+abashed : his mental rehearsal and the reality had had
+no common grounds of opening.
+Bathsheba's aunt was indoors. " Will you tell Miss
+Everdene that somebody would be glad to speak to
+her ?'said Mr. Oak. (Calling one's self merely Some+
+body, without giving a name, is not to be taken as
+an example of the ill-breeding of the rural world: it
+springs from a refined modesty, of which townspeople,
+with their cards and announcements, have no notion
+whatever.)
+Bathsheba was out. The voice had evidently been
+hers.
+" Will you come in, Mr. Oak ? '
+"Oh, thank 'ee, said Gabriel, following her to the
+fireplace. "I've brought a lamb for Miss Everdene.
+I thought she might like one to rear; girls do.'
+" She might,' said Mrs. Hurst, musingly ; " though
+she's only a visitor here. If you will wait a minute,
+Bathsheba will be in.'
+" Yes, I will wait,' said Gabriel, sitting down. " The
+lamb isn't really the business I came about, Mrs. Hurst.
+In short, I was going to ask her if she'd like to be
+married.'
+"And were you indeed ?'
+" Yes. Because if she would, I should be very glad
+to marry her. D'ye know if she's got any other young
+man hanging about her at all ?'
+"Let me think," said Mrs. Hurst, poking the fire
+superfluously.... " Yes -- bless you, ever so many young
+men. You see, Farmer Oak, she's so good-looking, and
+an excellent scholar besides -- she was going to be a
+governess once, you know, only she was too wild. Not
+that her young men ever come here -- but, Lord, in the
+nature of women, she must have a dozen ! '
+" That's unfortunate,' said Farmer Oak, contemplating
+a crack in the stone floor with sorrow. "I'm only an
+every-day sort of man, and my only chance was in being
+the first comer... , Well, there's no use in my waiting,
+for that was all I came about: so I'll take myself off
+home-along, Mrs. Hurst.'
+When Gabriel had gone about two hundred yards
+along the
+<P 77>
+down, he heard a "hoi-hoi .! " uttered behind
+him, in a piping note of more treble quality than that
+in which the exclamation usually embodies itself when
+shouted across a field. He looked round, and saw a girl
+racing after him, waving a white handkerchief.
+Oak stood still -- and the runner drew nearer. It was
+Bathsheba Everdene. Gabriel's colour deepened: hers
+was already deep, not, as it appeared, from emotion,
+but from running.
+"Farmer Oak -- I -- ' she said, pausing for want of
+breath pulling up in front of him with a slanted face
+and putting her hand to her side.
+"I have just called to see you ' said Gabriel, pending
+her further speech.
+"Yes-I know that,! she said panting like a robin,
+her face red and moist from her exertions, like a peony
+petal before the sun dries off the dew. "I didn't know
+you had come to ask to have me, or I should have come
+in from the garden instantly. I ran after you to say --
+that my aunt made a mistake in sending you away from
+courting me -- -- -- '
+Gabriel expanded."I'm sorry to have made you
+run so fast, my dear,' he said, with a grateful sense of
+favours to come. "Wait a bit till you've found your
+breath.'
+" -- It was quite a mistake-aunt's telling you I had
+a young man "already,'- Bathsheba went on. " I haven't
+a sweetheart at all -- and I never had one, and I thought
+that, as times go with women, it was such a pity to send
+you away thinking that I had several.'
+"Really and truly I am glad to hear that.!' said .=
+Farmer Oak, smiling one of his long special smiles, and
+blushing with gladness. He held out his hand to take
+hers, which, when she had eased her side by pressing
+it there, was prettily extended upon her bosom to still
+her loud-beating heart. Directly he seized it she put
+it behind her, so that it slipped through his fingers like
+an eel. "
+"I have a nice snug little farm,' said Gabriel, with
+half a degree less assurance than when he had seized
+her hand.
+"Yes ; you have.'
+"A man has advanced me money to begin with, but
+still, it
+<P 78>
+will soon be paid off and though I am only an
+every-day sort of man, I have got on a little since I was
+a boy.' Gabriel uttered "a little' in a tone to-show
+her that it was the complacent form of "a great deal.'
+He continued : " When we be married, I am quite sure
+I can work twice as hard as I do now.'
+ He went forward and stretched out his arm again.
+Bathsheba had overtaken him at a point beside which
+stood a low stunted holly bush, now laden with red
+berries. Seeing his advance take the form of an attitude
+threatening a possible enclosure, if not compression, of
+her person, she edged off round the bush.
+" Why, Farmer Oak,' she said, over the top, looking
+at him with rounded eyes, "I never said I was going to
+marry you.'
+" Well -- that is a tale .! ' said Oak, with dismay. " To
+run after anybody like this, and then say you don"t
+want him ! '
+"What I meant to tell you was only this,' she said
+eagerly, and yet half conscious of the absurdity of the
+position she had made for herself -- "that nobody has
+got me yet as a sweetheart, instead of my having a
+dozen, as my aunt said; I hate to be thought men's
+property in that way, though possibly I shall be had
+some day. Why, if I'd wanted you I shouldn't have
+run after you like this ; 'twould have'been the forwardest
+thing ! But there was no harm in 'hurrying to correct
+a piece of false news that had been told you.'
+"Oh, no -- no harm at all." But there is such a thing
+as being too generous in expressing a judgment impuls+
+ively, and Oak added with a more appreciative sense
+of all the circumstances -- ' Well, I am not quite certain
+it was no harm.'
+"Indeed, I hadn't time to think before starting
+whether I wanted to marry or not, for you'd have been
+gone over the hill.'
+" Come,' said Gabriel, freshening again ; "think a
+minute or two. I'll wait a while, Miss Everdene. Will
+you marry me? Do, Bathsheba. I love you far more
+than common!'
+"I'll try to think,' she observed, rather more timor+
+ously ; "if I can think out of doors; my mind spreads
+away so.'
+"But you can give a guess.'
+<P 79>
+"Then give me time.' Bathsheba looked thought+
+fully into the distance, away from the direction in which
+Gabriel stood.
+"I can make you happy,' said he to the back of her
+head, across the bush. "You shallo have as piano in a
+year or two -- -farmers' wives are getting to have pianos
+now -- and I'll practise up the flute right well to play
+with you in the evenings.'
+" Yes ; I should like that.'
+"And have one of those little ten-pound" gigs for
+market -- and nice flowers, and birds -- cocks and hens
+I mean, because they be useful,' continued Gabriel,
+feeling balanced between poetry and practicality.
+"I should like it very much.'
+"And a frame for cucumbers -- like a gentlman and
+lady.'
+"Yes.'
+"And when the wedding was over, we'd have it put
+in the newspaper list of marriages.'
+" Dearly I should like that ! '
+"And the babies in the births -- every man jack of
+'em! And at home by the fire, whenever you look up,
+there I shall be -- and whenever I look up' there will
+be you.'
+"Wait wait and don't be improper .!'
+Her countenance fell, and she was silent awhile.
+He regarded the red berries between them over and
+over again, to such an extent, that holly seemed in
+his after life to be a cypher signifying a proposal of
+marriage. Bathsheba decisively turned to him.
+"No;' 'tis no use,' she said. 'I don't want to marry
+you. '
+' Try.'
+"I have tried hard all the time I've been thinking;
+for a marriage would be very nice in one sense.
+People would talk about me, and think I had won my
+battle, and I should feel triumphant, and' all that,
+But a husband -- -- ' - +
+" Well .! '
+" Why, he'd always be there, as you say; whenever
+I looked up, there he'd be.'
+" Of course he would -- I, that is.'
+<P 80>
+" Well, what I mean is that I shouldn't mind being
+a bride at a wedding, if I could be one without having
+a husband. But since a woman can't show off in that
+way by herself, I shan't marry -- at least yet.'
+' That's a terrible wooden story.'
+At this criticism of her statement Bathsheba made
+an addition to her dignity by a slight sweep away
+from him.
+"Upon my heart and soul, I don't know what a
+maid can say stupider than that,' said Oak. "But
+dearest,' he continued in a palliative voice, "don't be
+like it !.' Oak sighed a deep honest sigh -- none the
+less so in that, being like the sigh of a pine plantation,
+it was rather noticeable as a disturbance of the atmo+
+sphere. " Why won't you have me ? ' he appealed,
+creeping round the holly to reach her side.
+" I cannot,' she said, retreating.
+"But why ?' he persisted, standing still at last in
+despair of ever reaching her, and facing over the
+bush.
+' Because I don't love you.'
+" Yes, but -- -- '
+She contracted a yawn to an inoffensive smallness,
+so that it was hardly ill-mannered at all. "I don't love
+you,' she said.'
+"But I love you -- and, as for myself, I am content
+to be liked.'
+" O Mr. Oak -- that's very fine ! You'd get to
+despise me.'
+"Never,' said Mr Oak, so earnestly that he seemed
+to be coming, by the forceof his words, straight
+through the bush and into her arms. "I shall do one
+thing in this life -- one thing certain -- that is, love you,
+and long for you, and keep wanting you till I die.' His
+voice had a genuine pathos now, and his large brown
+hands perceptibly trembled.
+"It seems dreadfully wrong not to have you when
+you feel so much!' she said with a little distress, and
+looking hopeleely around for some means of escape
+from her moral dilemma. " H(ow I wish I hadn't run
+after you!' However she seemed to have a short cut
+for getting back to cheerfulness, and set her face to
+signify archness. "It wouldn't do, Mr Oak. I want
+somebody to tame me; I am too independent ; and
+you would never be able to, I know.'
+<P 81>
+Oak cast his eyes down the field in a way implying
+that it was useless to attempt argument.
+" Mr. Oak,' she said, with luminous distinctness and
+common sense, " you are better off than I. I have
+hardly a penny in the world -- I am staying with my
+aunt for my bare sustenance. I am better educated
+than you -- and I don't love you a bit: that's my side
+of the case. Now yours: you are a farmer just begin+
+ing; and you ought in common prudence, if you marry
+at all (which you should certainly not think of doing
+at present) to marry a woman with money, who would
+admiration.
+"That's the very thing I had been thinking myself !'
+he naively said.
+Farmer Oak had one-and-a-half Christian character
+istics too many to succeed with Bathsheba : his humility,
+and a superfluous moiety of honesty. Bathsheba was
+decidedly disconcerted,
+"Well, then, why did you come and disturb me?'
+she said, almost angrily, if not quite, an enlarging red
+spot rising in each cheek.
+" I can't do what I think would be -- would be -- -- '
+" Right ? '
+" No : wise.'
+" You have made an admission now, Mr. Oak,' she
+exclaimed, with even more hauteur, and rocking her
+head disdainfully. 'After that, do you think I could
+marry you? Not if I know it.'
+He broke in passionately ! "But don't mistake me
+like that! Because I am open enough to own what
+every man in my shoes would have thought of, you
+make your colours come up your face, and get crabbed
+with me. That about your not being good enough for
+me is nonsense. You speak like a lady -- all the parish
+notice it, and your uncle at Weatherbury is, I have
+heerd, a large farmer -- much larger than ever I shall
+be. May I call in the evening, or will you walk along
+with me o' Sundays? I don't want you to make-up
+your mind at once, if you'd rather not.'
+<P 82>
+" No -- no -- I cannot. Don't press me any more --
+don't. I don't love you -- so 'twould be ridiculous,'
+she said, with a laugh.
+No man likes to see his emotions the sport of a
+merry-go-round of skittishness. " Very well,' said Oak,
+firmly, with the bearing of one who was going to give '
+his days and nights to Ecclesiastes for ever. "Then
+I'll ask you no more.'
+<C v>
+<P 83>
+DEPARTURE OF BATHSHEBA -- A PASTORAL TRAGEDY
+THE news which one day reached Gabriel, that Bath+
+sheba Everdene had left the neighbourhood, had an
+influence upon him which might have surprised any
+who never suspected that the more emphatic the renun+
+ciation the less absolute its character.
+It may have been observed that there is no regula
+path for getting out of love as there is for getting in.
+Some people look upon marriage as a short cut that way,
+but it has been known to fail. Separation, which was
+the means that chance offered to Gabriel Oak by
+Bathsheba's disappearance though effectual with people
+of certain humours is apt to idealise the removcd object
+with others -- notably those whose affection, placid and
+regular as it may be flows deep and long. Oak belonged
+to the even-tempered order of humanity, and felt the
+secret fusion of himself in Bathsheba to be burning with
+a finer flame now that she was gone -- that was all.
+His incipient friendship with her aunt-had been
+nipped by the failure of his suit, and all that Oak learnt
+of Bathsheba's movements was done indirectly. It ap+
+peared that she had gone to a place called Weatherbury,
+more than twenty miles off, but in what capacity --
+whether as a visitor, or permanently, he could not
+discover.
+Gabriel had two dogs. George, the elder, exhibited
+an ebony-tipped nose, surrounded by a narrow margin
+of pink flesh, and a coat marked in random splotches
+approximating in colour to white and slaty grey ; but the
+grey, after years of sun and rain, had been scorched and
+washed out of the more prominent locks, leaving them
+of a reddish-brown, as if the blue component of the grey
+had faded, like the indigo from the same kind of colour in
+Turner's pictures. In substance it had originally been
+hair, but long contact with sheep seemed
+<P 84>
+to be turning
+it by degrees into wool of a poor quality and staple.
+This dog had originally belonged to a shepherd of
+inferior morals and dreadful temper, and the result was
+that George knew the exact degrees of condemnation
+signified by cursing and swearing of all descriptions
+better than the wickedest old man in the neighbourhood.
+Long experience had so precisely taught the animal the
+difference between such exclamations as 'Come in .! '
+and 'D -- -- ye, come in !.' that he knew to a hair's
+breadth the rate of trotting back from the ewes' tails
+that each call involved, if a staggerer with the sheep
+crook was to be escaped. Though old, he was clever
+and trustworthy still.
+The young dog, George's son, might possibly have
+been the image of his mother, for there was not much
+resemblance between him and George. He was learn+
+ing the sheep-keeping business, so as to follow on at
+the flock when the other should die, but had got no
+further than the rudiments as yet -- still finding an
+insuperable difculty in distinguishing between doing a
+thing well enough and doing it too well. So earnest
+and yet so wrong-headed was this young dog (he had no,
+name in particular, and answered with perfect readiness
+to any pleasant interjection), that if sent behind the
+flock to help them on, he did it so thoroughly that he
+would have chased them across the whole county with
+the greatest pleasure if not called off or reminded when
+to step by the example of old George.
+Thus much for the dogs. On the further side of
+Norcombe Hill was a chalk-pit, from which chalk had
+been drawn for generations, and spread over adjacent
+farms. Two hcdges converged upon it in the form of
+a V, but without quite meeting. The narrow opening
+left, which was immediately over the brow of the pit,
+was protected by a rough railing.
+One night, when Farmer Oak had returned to, his
+house, believing there would be no further necessity for
+his attendance on the down, he called as usual to the
+dogs, previously to shutting them up in the outhouse till
+next morning. Only one responded -- old George ; the
+other-could not be found, either in the house, lane, or
+garden. - Gabriel then remembered
+<P 85>
+that he had left the
+two dogs on the hill eating a dead lamb (a kind of meat
+he usually kept from them, except when other food-ran
+finished his meal, he went indoors to the luxury of a bed,
+which latterly he had only enjoyed on Sundays.
+It was a still, moist night. Just before dawn he was
+assisted in waking by the abnormal reverberation of
+familiar music. To the shepherd, the note of the sheep'
+chronic sound that only makes itself noticed by ceasing
+ever distant, that all is well in the fold. In the solemn
+This exceptional ringing may be caused in two ways -- +
+by the rapid feeding of the sheep bearing the bell, as
+when the flock breaks into new pasture, which gives it
+an intermittent rapidity, or by the sheep starting off in
+a run, when the sound has a regular palpitation. The
+experieced ear of Oak knew the sound he now' heard
+to be caused by the running of the flock with great
+velocity.
+He jumped out of bed, dressed, tore down the lane
+through a foggy dawn, and ascended the hill. The
+forward ewes were kept apart from those among which
+the fall of lambs would be later, there being two hundred
+of the latter class in Gabriel's flock. These two hundred
+seemed to have absolutely vanished from the hill. There
+were the fifty with their lambs, enclosed at the other end
+as he had left them, but the rest, forming the bulk of
+the flock, were nowhere. Gabriel called at the top of
+his voice the shepherd's call.
+" Ovey, ovey, ovey .! '
+Not a single bleat. He went to the hedge -- a gap
+had been broken through it, and in the gap were the
+footprints of the sheep. Rather surprised to find
+them break fence at this season, yet putting it down
+instantly to their great fondness for ivy in winter-time,
+of which a great deal grew in the plantation, he followed
+through the hedge. They were not in the plantation.
+He called again : the valleys and farthest hills
+<P 86>
+resounded
+as when the sailors invoked the lost Hylas on the Mysian
+shore ; but no sheep. He passed through the trees and
+along the ridge of the hill. On the extreme summit,
+where the ends of the two converging hedges of which
+we have spoken were stopped short by meeting the brow
+of the chalk-pit, he saw the younger dog standing against
+the sky -- dark and motionless as Napoleon at St.
+Helena.
+A horrible conviction darted through Oak. With
+a sensation of bodily faintness he advanced : at one
+point the rails were broken through, and there he saw
+the footprints of his ewes. The dog came up, licked
+his hand, and made signs implying that he expected
+some great reward for signal services rendered. Oak
+looked over the precipice. The ewes lay dead and dying
+at its foot -- a heap of two hundred mangled careases,
+representing in their condition just now at least two
+hundred more.
+Oak was an intensely humane man: indeed, his
+humanity often tore in pieces any politic intentions of
+his which bordered on strategy, and carried him on as
+by gravitation. A shadow in his life had always been
+that his flock ended in mutton -- that a day came and
+found every shepherd an arrant traitor to his defenceless
+sheep. His first feeling now was one of pity for the
+untimely fate of these gentle ewes and their unborn
+lambs.
+It was a second to remember another phase of the
+matter. The sheep were not insured. All the savings
+of a frugal life had been dispersed at a blow ; his hopes
+of being an independent farmer were laid low -- possibly
+for ever. Gabriel's energies, patience, and industry had
+been so severely taxed during the years of his life between
+eighteen and eight-and-twenty, to reach his present stage
+of progress' that no more seemed to be left in him. He
+hands.
+Stupors, however, do not last for ever, and Farmer
+Oak recovered from his. It was as remarkable as it was
+characteristic that the one sentence he uttered was in
+thankfulness : --
+'Thank God I am not married : what would she have
+done in the poverty now coming upon me ! '
+<P 87>
+Oak raised his head, and wondering what he could
+do listlessly surveyed the scene. By the outer margin
+of the Pit was an oval pond, and over it hung the
+attenuated skeleton of a chrome-yellow moon which
+had only a few days to last -- the morning star dogging
+her on the left hand. The pool glittered like a dead
+man's eye, and as the world awoke a breeze blew,
+shaking and elongating the reflection of the moon
+without breaking it, and turning the image of the star
+to a phosphoric streak upon the water. All this Oak
+saw and remembered.
+As far as could be learnt it appeared that the poor
+young dog, still under the impression that since he was
+kept for running after sheep, the more he ran after
+them the better, had at the end of his meal off the
+dead lamb, which may have given him additional energy
+and spirits, collected all the ewes into a corner, driven
+the timid creatures through the hedge, across the upper
+field, and by main force of worrying had given them
+momentum enough to break down a portion of the
+rotten railing, and so hurled them over the edge.
+George's son had done his work so thoroughly that
+he was considered too good a workman to live, and was,
+in fact, taken and tragically shot at twelve o'clcck that
+same day -- another instance of the untoward fate which
+so often attends dogs and other philosophers who
+follow out a train of reasoning to its logical conclusion,
+and attempt perfectly consistent conduct in a world
+made up so largely of compromise.
+Gabriel's farm had been stocked by a dealer -- on the
+strength of Oak's promising look and character -- who
+was receiving a percentage from the farmer till such
+time as the advance should be cleared off Oak found+
+that the value of stock, plant, and implements which
+were really his own would be about sufficient to pay his
+debts, leaving himself a free man with the clothes he
+stood up in, and nothing more.
+<C vi>
+<P 88>
+THE FAIR -- THE JOURNEY -- THE FIRE
+TWO months passed away. We are brought on to a
+day in February, on which was held the yearly statute
+or hiring fair in the county-town of Casterbridge.
+At one end of the street stood from two to three
+hundred blithe and hearty labourers waiting upon Chance
+ -- all men of the stamp to whom labour suggests nothing
+worse than a wrestle with gravitation, and pleasure
+nothing better than a renunciation of the same among
+these, carters and waggoners were distinguished by
+having a piece of whip-cord twisted round their hats;
+thatchers wore a fragment of woven straw; shepherds
+held their sheep-crooks in their hands; and thus the
+situation required was known to the hirers at a
+glance.
+In the crowd was an athletic young fellow of some+
+what superior appearance to the rest -- in fact, his
+superiority was marked enough to lead several ruddy
+peasants standing by to speak to him inquiringly, as to
+a farmer, and to use 'Sir' as a finishing word. His
+answer always was,
+'I am looking for a place myself -- a bailiff's. Do
+Ye know of anybody who wants one ?'
+Gabriel was paler now. His eyes were more medi+
+tative, and his expression was more sad. He had
+passed through an ordeal of wretchedness which had
+given him more than it had taken away. He had sunk
+from his modest elevation as pastoral king into the very
+slime-pits of Siddim ; but there was left to him a digni+
+fied calm he had never before known, and that indiffer+
+ence to fate which, though it often makes a villain of
+a man, is the basis of his sublimity when it does not.
+And thus the abasement had been exaltation, and the
+loss gain.
+In the morning a regiment of cavalry had left the
+town, and a sergeant and his party had been beating up
+for recruits through the four streets. As the end of the
+day drew on, and
+<P 89>
+he found himself not hired, Gabriel
+almost wished that he had joined them, and gone off to
+serve his country. Weary of standing in the market+
+place, and not much minding the kind of work he
+turned his hand to, he decided to offer himself in some
+other capacity than that of bailiff.
+All the farmers seemed to be wanting shepherds.
+Sheep-tending was Gabriel's speciality. Turning down
+an obscure street and entering an obscurer lane, he went
+up to a smith's shop.
+'How long would it take you to make a shepherd's
+crook ? '
+'Twenty minutes.'
+'How much ? '
+'Two shillings.'
+He sat on a bench and the crook was made, a stem
+being given him into the bargain.
+He then went to a ready-made clothes' shop, the
+owner of which had a large rural connection. As the
+crook had absorbed most of Gabriel's money, he
+attempted, and carried out, an exchange of his overcoat
+for a shepherd's regulation smock-frock.
+This transaction having been completed, he again
+hurried off to the centre of the town, and stood on the
+kerb of the pavement, as a shepherd, crook in hand.
+Now that Oak had turned himself into a shepherd, it
+seemed that bailifs were most in demand. However, two
+or three farmers noticed him and drew near. Dialogues
+followed, more or lessin the subjoined for: --
+'Where do you come from?'
+'Norcombe.'
+'That's a long way.
+'Fifteen miles.'
+'Who's farm were you upon last?'
+'My own.'
+This reply invariably operated like a rumour of
+cholera. The inquring farmer would edge away and
+shake his head dubiously. Gabriel, like his dog, was
+too good to be trustworthy,. and he never made advance
+beyond this point.
+It is safer to accept any chance that offers itself, and
+
+
+<P 90>
+extemporize a procedure to fit it, than to get a good
+shepherd, but had laid himself out for anything in the
+whole cycle of labour that was required in the fair. It
+grew dusk. Some merry men were whistling and
+singing by the corn-exchange. Gabriel's hand, which
+had lain for some time idle in his smock-frock pocket,
+touched his flute which he carried there. Here was
+an opportunity for putting his dearly bought wisdom
+into practice.
+He drew out his flute and began to play Jockey to
+the Fair' in the style of a man who had never known
+moment's sorrow. Oak could pipe with Arcadian
+sweetness and the sound of the well-known notes
+cheered his own heart as well as those of the loungers.
+He played on with spirit, and in half an hour had
+earned in pence what was a small fortune to a destitute
+man.
+By making inquiries he learnt that there was another
+fair at Shottsford the next day.
+'How far is Shottsford?'
+'Ten miles t'other side of Weatherbury.'
+Weatherbury!. It was where Bathsheba had gone
+two months before. This information was like coming
+from night into noon.
+'How far is it to Weatherbury ?'
+'Five or six miles.'
+Bathsheba had probably left Weatherbury long before
+this time, but the place had enough interest attaching
+to it to lead Oak to choose Shottsford fair as his next
+field of inquiry, because it lay in the Weatherbury
+quarter. Moreover, the Weatherbury folk were by no
+means uninteresting intrinsically. If report spoke truly
+they were as hardy, merry, thriving, wicked a set as
+any in the whole county. Oak resolved to sleep at
+Weatherbury -- -that -- night on his way to Shottsford,
+and struck out at once -- into the -- high road which had
+been recommended as the direct route to the village in
+question.
+The road stretched through water-meadows traversed
+by little brooks, whose quivering surfaces were braided
+along their centres, and folded into creases at the sides;
+or, where the flow was more rapid, the stream was pied
+with spots of white froth,
+<P 91>
+which rode on in undisturbed
+serenity. On the higher levels the dead and dry carcases
+of leaves tapped the ground as they bowled along helter+
+skelter upon the shoulders of the wind, and little birds
+in the hedges were rustling their feathers and tucking
+themselves in comfortably for the night, retaining their
+places if Oak kept moving, but flying away if he
+stopped to look at them. He passed by Yalbury-Wood
+where the game-birds were rising to their roosts, and
+heard the crack-voiced cock-pheasants' 'cu-uck, cuck,'
+and the wheezy whistle of the hens.
+By the time he had walked three or four miles every
+shape in the-landscape had assumed a uniform hue of
+blackness. He descended Yalbury Hill and could just
+discern ahead of him a waggon, drawn up under a great
+over-hanging tree by the roadside.
+On coming close, he found there were no horses
+attached to it, the spot being apparently quite deserted.
+The waggon, from its position, seemed to have been left
+there for the night, for beyond about half a truss of hay
+which was heaped in the bottom, it was quite empty.
+Gabriel sat down on the shafts of the vehicle and con+
+sidered his position. He calculated that he had walked
+a very fair proportion of the journey; and having been
+on foot since daybreak, he felt tempted to lie down upon
+the hay in the waggon instead of pushing on to the
+village of Weatherbury, and having to pay for a lodging.
+Eating his las slices of bread and ham, and drinking
+from the bottle of cider he had taken the precaution to
+bring with him, he got into the lonely waggon. Here
+he spread half of the hay as a bed, and, as well as he
+could in the darkness, pulled the other half over him
+by way of bed-clothes, covering himself entirely, and
+feeling, physically, as comfortable as ever he had been
+in his life. Inward melancholy it was impossible for
+a man like Oak, introspective far beyond his neighbours,
+to banish quite, whilst conning the present. untoward
+page of his history. So, thinking of his misfortunes,
+amorous and pastoral he fell asleep, shepherds enjoying,
+in common with sailors, the privilege of being able to
+summon the god instead of having to wait for him.
+<P 92>
+On somewhat suddenly awaking after a sleep of
+whose length he had no idea, Oak found that the waggon
+was in motion. He was being carried along the road
+at a rate rather considerable for a vehicle without
+springs, and under circumstances of physical uneadiness,
+his head being dandled up and down on the bed of
+the waggon like a kettledrum-stick. He then dis+
+tinguished voices in conversation, comig from the
+forpart of the waggon. His concern at this dilemma
+(which would have been alarm, had he been a thriving
+man; but -- misfortune is a fine opiate to personal terror)
+led him to peer cautiously from the hay, and the first
+sight he beheld was the stars above him. Charles's
+Wain was getting towards a right angle with the Pole
+star, and Gabriel concluded that it must be about nine
+o'clock -- in other words, that he had slept two hours.
+This small astronomical calculation was made without
+any positive effort, and whilst he was stealthily turning
+to discover, if possible, into whose hands he had fallen.
+Two figures were dimly visible in front, sitting with
+their legs outside the waggon, one of whom was driving.
+Gabriel soon found that this was the waggoner, and it
+appeared they had come from Casterbridge fair, like
+himself.
+A conversation was in progress, which continued
+thus : --
+'Be as 'twill, she's a fine handsome body as far's
+looks be concerned. But that's only the skin of the
+woman, and these dandy cattle be as-proud as a lucifer
+in their insides.'
+'Ay -- so 'a do seem, Billy Smallbury -- so 'a do seem.'
+This utterance was very shaky by nature, and more so
+by circumstance, the jolting of the waggon not being+
+without its effect upon the speaker's larynx. It came
+'from the man who held the reins.
+'She's a very vain feymell -- so 'tis said here and
+there.'
+'Ah, now. If so be 'tis like that, I can't look her in
+the face. Lord, no : not I -- heh-heh-heh .! Such a shy
+man as I be.!'
+'Yes -- she's very vain. 'Tis said that every night at
+going to bed she looks in the glass to put on her night+
+cap properly.'
+'And not a married woman. Oh, the world .!
+"And 'a can play the peanner, so 'tis said. Can
+play so clever
+<P 93>
+that 'a can make a psalm tune sound as
+well as the merriest loose song a man can wish for.'
+'D'ye tell o't .! A happy time for us, and I feel quite
+a new man! And how do she play?'
+'That I dson't know, Master Poorgrass.'
+On hearing these and other similar remarks, a wild
+thought flashed into Gabriel's mind that they might
+be speaking of Bathsheba. There were, however, no
+ground for retaining such a supposition, for the waggon,
+though going in the direction of Weatherbury, might be
+going beyond it, and the woman alluded to seemed to be
+the mistress of some estate. They were now apparently
+close upon Weatherbury and not to alarm the speakers
+unnecessarily, Gabriel slipped out of the waggon unseen.
+He turned to an opening in the hedge, which he
+found to be a gate, and mounting thereon, he sat
+meditating whether to seek a cheap lodging in the
+village, or to ensure a cheaper one by lying under
+some hay or corn-stack. The crunching jangle of the
+waggon died upon his ear. He was about to walk on,
+when he noticed on his left hand an unusual light -- +
+appearing about half a mile distant. Oak watched it,
+and the glow increased. Something was on fire.
+Gabriel again mounted the gate, and, leaping down
+on the other side upon what he found to be ploughed
+soil, made across the field in the exact direction of the
+fire. The blaze, enlarging in a double ratio by his
+approach and its own increase, showed him as he drew
+nearer the outlines of ricks beside it, lighted up to great
+distinctness. A rick-yard was the source of the fire.
+His weary face now began to be painted over with a
+rich orange glow, and the whole front of his smock+
+frock and gaiters was covered with a dancing shadow
+pattern of thorn-twigs -- the light reaching him through
+a leafless intervening hedge -- and the metallic curve of
+his sheep-crook shone silver-bright in the same abound+
+ing rays. He came up to the boundary fence, and
+stood to regain breath. It seemed as if the spot was
+unocupied by a living soul.
+The fire was issuing from a long straw-stack, which
+was so
+<P 94>
+far gone as to preclude a possibility of saving it.
+A rick burns differently from a house. As the wind
+blows the fire inwards, the portion in flames completely
+disappears like melting sugar, and the outline is lost
+to the eye. However, a hay or a wheat-rick, well put
+together, will resist combustion for a length of time, if
+it begins on the outside.
+This before Gabriel's eyes was a- rick of straw, loosely
+put together, and the flames darted into it with lightning
+swiftness. It glowed on the windward side, rising and
+falling in intensity, like the coal of a cigar. Then a
+superincumbent bundle rolled down, with a whisking
+noise ; flames elongated, and bent themselves about
+with a quiet roar, but no crackle. Banks of smoke
+went off horizontally at the back like passing clouds,
+and behind these burned hidden pyres, illuminating
+the semi-transparent sheet of smoke to a lustrous yellow
+uniformity. Individual straws in the foreground were
+consumed in a creeping movement of ruddy heat, as
+if they were knots of red worms, and above shone
+imaginary fiery faces, tongues hanging from lips, glaring
+eyes, and other impish forms, from which at intervals
+sparks flew in clusters like birds from a nest,
+Oak suddenly ceased from being a mere spectator
+by discovering the case to be more serious than he had
+at first imagined. A scroll of smoke blew aside and
+revealed to him a wheat-rick in startling juxtaposition
+with the decaying one, and behind this a series of
+others, composing the main corn produce of the farm;
+so that instead of the straw-stack standing, as he had
+imagined comparatively isolated, there was a regular
+connection between it and the remaining stacks of the
+group.
+Gabriel leapt over the hedge, and saw that he was
+not alone. The first man he came to was running
+about in a great hurry, as if his thoughts were several
+yards in advance of his body, which they could never
+drag on fast enough.
+'O, man -- fire, fire ! A good master and a. bad
+servant is fire, fire .! -- I mane a bad servant and a good
+master O, Mark Clark -- come !- And you, Billy
+Smallbury -- and you, Maryann Money -- and you, Jan
+Coggan, and Matthew there!' Other figures now
+appeared behind this shouting man and among the
+smoke, and
+<P 95>
+Gabriel found that, far from being alone
+he was in a great company -- whose shadows danced
+merrily up and down, timed by the jigging of the
+flames, and not at all by their owners' movements.
+The assemblage -- -belonging to that class of society
+which casts its thoughts into the form of feeling, and
+its feelings into the form of commotion -- set to work
+with a remarkable confusion of purpose.
+'Stop the draught under the wheat-rick!' cried
+Gabriel to those nearest to him. The corn stood on
+stone staddles, and between these, tongues of yellow
+hue from the burning straw licked and darted playfully.
+If the fire once got under this stack, all would be
+lost.
+'Get a tarpaulin -- quick .! ' said Gabriel.
+A rick-cloth was brought, and they hung it like a
+curtain across the channel. The flames immediately
+ceased to go under the bottom of the corn-stack, and
+stood up vertical.
+'Stand here with a bucket of water and keep the
+cloth wet,' said Gabriel again.
+The flames, now driven upwards, began to attack
+the angles of the huge roof covering the wheat-stack.
+'A ladder,' cried Gabriel.
+'The ladder was against the straw-rick and is burnt
+to a cinder,' said a spectre-like form in the smoke.
+Oak seized the cut ends of the sheaves, as if he
+were going to engage in the operation of ' reed-drawing,'
+and digging in his feet, and occasionally sticking in the
+stem of his sheep-crook, he clambered up the beetling
+face. He at once sat astride the very apex, and began
+with his crook to beat off the fiery fragments which had
+lodged thereon, shouting to the others to get him a
+bough and a ladder, and some water.
+Billy Smallbury -- one of the men who had been on
+the waggon -- by this time had found a ladder, which
+Mark Clark ascended, holding on beside Oak upon the
+thatch. The smoke at this corner was stifling, and
+Clark, a nimble fellow, having been handed a bucket
+of water, bathed Oak's face and sprinkled him generally,
+whilst Gabriel, now with a long beech-bough in one
+hand, in addition to his crook in the other, kept
+sweeping the stack and dislodging all fiery particles.
+<P 96>
+On the ground the groups of villagers were still
+occupied in doing all they could to keep down the
+conflagration, which was not much. They were all
+tinged orange, and backed up by shadows of varying
+pattern. Round the corner of the largest stack, out
+of the direct rays of the fire, stood a pony, bearing a
+young woman on its back. By her side was another
+woman, on foot. These two seemed to keep at a
+distance from the fire, that the horse might not beome
+restive.
+'He's a shepherd,' said the woman on foot. 'Yes --
+he is. See how his crook shines as he beats the rick
+with it. And his smock-frock is burnt in two holes, I
+declare.! A fine young shepherd he is too, ma'am.'
+' Whose shepherd is he?' said the equestrian in a
+clear voice.
+'Don't know, ma'am.'
+ " Don't any of the others know ?'
+ " Nobody at all -- I've asked 'em. Quite a stranger,
+ they say.'
+ The young woman on the pony rode out from the
+shade and looked anxiously around.
+"Do you think the barn is safe ?" she said.
+"D'ye think the barn is safe, Jan Coggan ?' said
+the second woman, passing on the question to the
+nearest man in that direction.
+"Safe -now -- leastwise I think so. If this rick had
+gone the barn would have followed. 'Tis- that bold
+shepherd up there that have done the most good -- he
+sitting on the top o' rick, whizzing his great long-arms
+about like a windmill.'
+" He does work hard,' said the young woman on
+horseback, looking up at Gabriel through her thick
+woollen veil. "I wish he was shepherd here. Don't
+any of you know his name.'
+"Never heard the man's name in my life, or seed
+his form afore.'
+The fire began to get worsted, and Gabriel's elevated
+position being no longer required of him, he made as
+if to descend.
+"Maryann,' said the girl on horseback, "go to him
+as he comes down, and say that the farmer wishes to
+thank him for the great service he has done.'
+Maryann stalked off towards the rick and met
+Oak at the foot of the ladder. She delivered ber
+message.
+<P 97>
+" Where is your master the farmer ?' asked Gabriel,
+kindling with the idea of getting employment that
+seemed to strike him now.
+" 'Tisn't a master ; 'tis a mistress, shepherd.'
+" A woman farmer ? '
+"Ay, 'a b'lieve, and a rich one too .!' said a by"
+stander. " Lately 'a came here from a distance. Took
+on her uncle's farm, who died suddenly. Used to
+measure his money in half-pint cups. They say now
+that she've business in every bank in Casterbridge, and
+thinks no more of playing pitch-and-toss sovereign than
+you and I, do pitch-halfpenny -- not a bit in the world,
+shepherd.'
+"That's she, back there upon the pony,' said Mary+
+ann ;"wi'her face a-covered up in that black cloth with
+holes in it.'
+Oak, his features smudged, grimy, and undiscoverable
+from the smoke and heat, his smock-frock burnt-into
+holes and dripping with water, the ash stem of his sheep+
+crook charred six inches shorter, advansed with the
+humility stern adversity had thrust upon him up to
+the slight female form in the saddle. He lifted his
+hat with respect, and not without galantry: stepping
+close to her hanging feet he said in a hesitating voice, --
+" Do you happen to want a shepherd, ma'am ? '
+She lifted the wool veil tied round her face, and
+looked all astonishment. Gabriel and his cold-hearted
+darling, Bathsheba Everdene, were face to face.
+Bathsheba did not speak, and he mechanically
+repeated in an abashed and sad voice, --
+" Do you want a shepherd, ma'am ? '
+<C vii>
+<P 98>
+RECOGNITION -- A TIMID GIRL
+BATHSHEBA withdrew into the shade. She scarcely
+knew whether most to be amused at the singularity of
+the meeting, or to be concerned at its awkwardness.
+There was room for a little pity, also for a very little
+exultation : the former at his position, the latter at her
+own. Embarrassed she was not, and she" remembered
+Gabriel's declaration of love to her at Norcombe only
+to think she had nearly forgotten it.
+" Yes,' she murmured, putting on an air of dignity,
+and turning again to him with a little warmth of cheek ;
+" I do want a shepherd. But -- -- '
+" He's the very man, ma'am,' said one of the villagers,
+quietly.
+Conviction breeds conviction. " Ay, that 'a is,' said
+a second, decisively.
+"The man, truly .! ' said a third, with heartiness."
+" He's all there ! ' said number four, fervidly."
+Then will you tell him to speak to the bailiff, said
+Bathsheba.
+All "was practical again now. A summer eve and
+loneliness would have been necessary to give the
+meeting its proper fulness of romance.
+the palpitation within his breast at discovering that this
+Ashtoreth of strange report was only a modification of
+Venus the well-known and admired, retired with him to
+talk over the necessary preliminaries of hiring.
+The fire before them wasted away. "Men,' said
+Bathsheba, " you shall take a little refreshment after this
+extra work. Will you come to the house ?'
+"We could knock in a bit and a drop a good deal
+freer, Miss,
+<P 99>
+if so be ye'd send it to Warren's Malthouse,'
+replied the spokesman.
+Bathsheba then rode off into the darkness, and the
+men straggled on to the village in twos and threes -- Oak
+and the bailiff being left by the rick alone.
+"And now,' said the bailiff, finally, "all is settled, I
+think, about your coming, and I am going home-along.
+Good-night to ye, shepherd.'
+" Can you get me a lodging ? ' inquired Gabriel.
+'That I can't, indeed," he said, moving past Oak as
+a Christian edges past an offertory-plate when he does
+not mean to contribute. "If you follow on the road till
+you come to Warren's Malthouse, where they are all
+gone to have their snap of victuals, I daresay some of
+'em will tell you of a place. Good-night to ye, shepherd.'
+The bailiff who showed this nervous dread of loving
+his neighbour as himself, went up the hill, and Oak
+walked on to the village, still astonished at the ren+
+counter with Bathsheba, glad of his nearness to her, and
+perplexed at the rapidity with which the unpractised girl
+of Norcombe had developed into the supervising and cool
+woman here. But some women only require an emerg+
+ency to make them fit for one.
+Obligcd, to some extent, to forgo dreaming in order
+to find the way, he reachcd the churchyard, and passed
+round it under the wall where several ancient trees grew.
+There was a wide margin of grass along here, and
+Gabriel's footsteps were deadened by its softness, even
+at this indurating period of the year. When abreast of
+a trunk which appeared to be the oldest of the old, he
+became aware that a figure was standing behind it.
+Gabriel did not pause in his walk, and in another
+moment he accidentally kicked a loose stone. The noise
+was enough to disturb the motionless stranger, who
+started and assumed a careless position.
+It was a slim girl, rather thinly clad.
+" Good-night to you,' said Gabriel, heartily.
+" Good-night,' said the girl to Gabriel.
+The voice was unexpectedly attractive ; it was "the
+low and
+<P 100>
+dulcet note suggestive of romance ; common in
+descriptions, rare in experience.
+'I'll thank you to tell me if I'm in the way for
+Warren's Malthouse ? ' Gabriel resumed, primarily to gain
+the information, indirectly to get more of the music.
+"Quite right. It's at the bottom of the hill. And
+do you know -- -- ' The girl hesitated and then went
+on again. "Do you know how late they keep open
+the Buck's Head Inn?' She seemed" to be won by
+Gabriel's heartiness, as Gabriel had been won by her
+modulations.
+" I don't know where the Buck's Head is, or anything
+about it. Do you think of going there to-night ?'
+" Yes -- -- ' The woman again paused. There was
+no necessity for any continuance of speech, and the fact
+that she did add more seemed to proceed from an
+unconscious desire to show unconcern by making a
+remark, which is noticeable in the ingenuous when they
+are acting by stealth. " You are not a Weatherbury man ? '
+she said, timorously.
+' I am not. I am the new shepherd -- just arrived.'
+"Only a shepherd -- and you seem almost a farmer by
+your ways.'
+" Only a shepherd,' Gabriel repeated, in a dull cadence
+of finality. " His thoughts were directed to the past, his
+eyes to the feet of the girl; and for the first time he
+saw lying there a bundle of some sort. She may have
+perceived the direction of his face, for she said
+coaxingly, --
+" You won't say anything in the parish about having
+seen me here, will you -- at least, not for a day or two ?'
+"I won't if you wish me not to,' said Oak.
+"Thank you, indeed,' the other replied.'I am
+rather poor, and I don't want people to know anything
+about me.' Then she was silent and shivered.
+'You ought to have a cloak on such a cold night,'
+Gabriel observed. " I would advise 'ee to get indoors."
+"O no! Would you mind going on and leaving
+me ? I thank you much for what you have told me.'
+" I will go on,' he said ; adding hesitatingly, -- ' Since
+you are
+<P 101>
+not very well off, perhaps you would accept this
+trifle from me. It is only a shilling, but'it is all I have
+to spare.'
+' Yes, I will take it,' said the stranger, gratefully.
+She extended her hand ; Gabriel his. In feeling for
+each other's palm in the gloom before the money could
+be passed, a minute incident occurred which told much.
+Gabriel's fingers alighted on the young woman's wrist.
+It was beating with a throb of tragic intensity. He had
+frequently felt the same quick, hard beat in the femoral
+artery of -- his lambs when overdriven. It suggested a
+consumption too great of a vitality which, to judge from
+her figure and stature, was already too little.
+"What is the matter ?'
+" Nothing.'
+'But there is?'
+" No, no, no ! Let your having seen me be a.secret .! "
+' Very well ; I will. Good-night, again.'
+" Good-night.'
+The young girl remained motionless by the tree, and
+Gabriel descended into the village of Weatherbury, or
+Lower Longpuddle as it was sometimes called. He
+fancied that he had felt himself in the penumbra of a
+very deep sadness when touching that slight and fragile
+creature. But wisdom lies in moderating mere impres+
+sions, and Gabriel endeavoured to think little of this.
+<C viii>
+<P 102>
+THE MALTHOUSE -- THE CHAT -- NEWS
+WARREN'S Malthouse was enclosed by an old wall
+inwrapped with ivy, and though not much of the exterior
+was visible at this hour, the character and purposes of
+the building were clearly enough shown by its outline
+upon the sky. From the walls an overhanging thatched
+roof sloped up to a point in the centre, upon which rose
+a small wooden lantern, fitted with louvre-boards on all
+the four sides, and from these openings a mist was dimly
+perceived to be escaping into the night air. There was
+no window in front ; but a square hole in the door was
+glazed with a single pane, through which red, comfortable
+rays now stretched out upon the ivied wall in front.
+Voices were to be heard inside.
+Oak's hand skimmed the surface of the door with
+fingers extended to an Elymas-the-Somerer pattern, till
+he found a leathern strap, which he pulled. This lifted
+a wooden latch, and the door swung open.
+The room inside was lighted only by the, ruddy glow
+from the kiln mouth, which shone over ,the floor with
+the streaming, horizontality of the setting sun, and threw
+upwards the shadows of all facial irregularities in those
+assembled around. The stone-flag floor was worn into
+a path from the doorway to the kiln, and into undula+
+tions everywhere. A curved settle of unplaned oak
+stretched along one side, and in a remote corner was a
+small bed and bedstead, the owner and frequent occupier
+of which was the maltster.
+This aged man was now sitting opposite the fire, his
+frosty white hair and beard overgrowing his gnarled
+figure like the grey moss and lichen upon a leafless
+apple-tree. He wore breeches and the laced-up shoes
+called ankle-jacks; he kept his eyes fixed upon the
+fire.
+<P 103>
+Gabriel's nose was greeted by an atmosphere laden
+with the sweet smell of new malt. The conversation
+(which seemed to have been concerning the origin of the
+fire) immediately ceased, and every one ocularly criticised
+him to the degree expressed by contracting the flesh of
+their foreheads and looking at him with narrowed eye+
+lids, as if he had been a light too strong for their sight.
+Several exclaimed meditatively, after this operation had
+been completed : --
+"Oh, 'tis the new shepherd, 'a b'lieve.'
+"We thought we heard a hand pawing about the
+door for the bobbin, but weren't sure 'twere not a dead
+leaf blowed across,' said another. " Come in, shepherd ;
+sure ye be welcome, though we don't know yer name.'
+" Gabriel Oak, that's my name, neighbours.'
+The ancient maltster sitting in the midst turned up
+this -- his turning being as the turning of a rusty
+crane.
+"That's never Gable Oak's grandson over at Nor+
+combe -- never !. ' he said, as a formula expressive of
+surprise, which nobody was supposed to take literally'.
+'My father and my grandfather were old men of the
+name of Gabriel,' said the shepherd, placidly.
+"Thought I knowed the man's face as I seed him
+on the rick ! -- thought I did.! And where be ye trading
+o't to now, shepherd ? '
+" I'm thinking of biding here,' said Mr. Oak.
+"Knowed yer grandfather for years and years !'
+continued the maltster, the words coming forth of their
+own accord as if the momentum previously imparted
+had been sufficient.
+'Ah -- and did you! '
+" Knowed yer grandmother.'
+'And her too!'
+"Likewise knowed yer father when he was a child.
+Why, my boy Jacob there and your father were sworn
+brothers -- that they were sure -- weren't ye, Jacob ? '
+"Ay, sure,' said his son, a young man about sixty+
+five, with a semi-bald head and one tooth in the left
+centre of his upper jaw, which made much of itself by
+standing prominent, like a
+<P 104>
+milestone in a bank. 'But
+'twas Joe had most to do with him. However, my son
+William must have knowed the very man afore us --
+didn't ye, Billy, afore ye left Norcombe ? '
+"No, 'twas Andrew,' said Jacob's son Billy, a child
+of forty, or thereabouts, who manifested the peculiarity
+of possessing a cheerful soul in a gloomy body, and
+whose whiskers were assuming a chinchilla shade here
+and there.
+"I can mind Andrew,' said Oak, 'as being a man in
+the place when I was quite a child.'
+"Ay -- the other day I and my youngest daughter,
+Liddy, were over at my grandson's christening,' continued
+Billy. ' We were talking about this very family, and
+'twas only last Purification Day in this very world, when
+the use-money is gied away to the second-best poor
+folk, you know, shepherd, and I can mind the day
+because they all had to traypse up to the vestry -- yes,
+this very man's family.'
+' Come, shepherd, and drink. 'Tis gape and
+swaller with us -- a drap of sommit, but not of much
+account,' said the maltster, removing from the fire his
+eyes, which were vermilion-red and bleared by gazing
+into it for so many years. "Take up the God-forgive"
+me, Jacob. See if 'tis warm, Jacoh.'
+Jacob stooped to the God-forgive-me, which was a
+two-handled tall mug standing in the ashes, cracked
+and charred with heat : it was rather furred with ex"
+traneous matter about the outside, especially in the
+crevices of the handles, the innermost curves of which
+may not have seen daylight for several years by reason
+of this encrustation thereon -- formed of ashes accident+
+ally wetted with cider and baked hard; but to the mind
+of any sensible drinker the cup was no worse for that,
+being incontestably clean on the inside and about the
+rim. It may be observed that such a class of mug is
+called a God-forgive-me in Weatherbury and its vicinity
+for uncertain reasons ; probably because its size makes
+any given toper feel ashamed of himself when he sees
+its bottom in drinking it empty.
+Jacob, on receiving the order to see if the liquor was
+warm enough, placidly dipped his forefinger into it by
+way of thermometer, and having pronounced it nearly
+of the proper degree, raised the cup and very civilly
+attempted to dust some of the
+<P 105>
+ashes from the bottom
+with the skirt of his smock-frock, because Shepherd Oak
+was a stranger.
+"A clane cup for the shepherd,' said the maltster
+commandingly.
+"No -- not at all," said Gabriel, in a reproving tone
+of considerateness. "I never fuss about dirt in its pure
+state, and when I know what sort it is.' Taking the
+mug he drank an inch or more from the depth of its
+contents, and duly passed it to the next man.
+wouldn't think of giving such trouble to neighbours in
+washing up when there's so much work to be done in
+the world already,' continued Oak in a moister tone,
+after recovering from the stoppage of breath which is
+occasioned by pulls at large mugs.
+' A right sensible man,' said Jacob.
+" True, true ; it can't be gainsaid!.' observed a brisk
+young man -- Mark Clark by name, a genial and pleasant
+gentleman, whom to meet anywhcre in your travels was
+to know, to know was to drink with, and to drink with
+was, unfortunately, to pay for.
+"And here's a mouthful of bread and bacon that
+mis'ess have sent, shepherd. The cider will go down
+better with a bit of victuals. Don't ye chaw quite close,
+shepherd, for I let the bacon fall in the road outside as
+I was bringing it along, and may be 'tis rather gritty.
+There, 'tis clane dirt; and we all know what that is,
+as you say, and you bain't a particular man we see,
+shepherd.'
+" True, true -- not at all,' said the friendly Oak.
+'Don't let your teeth quite meet, and you won't feel
+the sandiness at all. Ah !. 'tis wonderful what can be
+done by contrivance .! '
+" My own mind exactly, neighbour.'
+" Ah, he's his grandfer's own grandson .! -- his grandfer
+were just such a nice unparticular man !.' said the maltster.
+" Drink, Henry Fray -- drink,' magnanimously said
+Jan Coggan, a person who held Saint-Simonian notions
+of share and share alike where liquor was concerned, as
+the vessel showed signs of approaching him in its gradual
+revolution among them.
+Having at this moment reached the end of a wistful
+gaze
+<P 106>
+into mid-air, Henry did not refuse. He was a man
+of more than middle age, with eyebrows high up in his
+forehead, who laid it down that the law of the world
+was bad, with a long-suffering look through his listeners
+at the world alluded to, as it presented itself to his
+imagination. He always signed his name 'Henery' --
+strenuously insisting upon that spelling, and if any
+passing schoolmaster ventured to remark that the second
+'e' was superfluous and old-fashioned, he received the
+reply that ' H-e-n-e-r-y' was the name he was christened
+and the name he 'would stick to -- in the tone of one
+to whom orthographical differences were matters which
+had a great deal to do with personal character.
+Mr. Jan Coggan, who had passed the cup to Henery,
+was a crimson man with a spacious countenance, and
+private glimmer in his eye, whose name had appeared
+on the marriage register of Weatherbury and neighbour+
+ing parishes as best man and chief witness in countless
+unions of the previous twenty years; he also very
+frequently filled the post of head godfather in baptisms
+of the subtly-jovial kind.
+" Come, Mark Clark -- come. Ther's plenty more
+in the barrel,' said Jan.
+"Ay -- that I will; 'tis my only doctor,' replied Mr.
+Clark, who, twenty years younger than Jan Coggan,
+revolved in the same orbit. He secreted mirth on all
+occasions for special discharge at popular parties.
+" Why, Joseph Poorgrass, ye han't had a drop! ' said
+Mr. Coggan to a self-conscious man in the background,
+thrusting the cup towards him.
+" Such a modest man as he is !. ' said Jacob Smallbury.
+" Why, ye've hardly had strength of eye enough to look
+in our young mis'ess's face, so I hear, Joseph ?'
+All looked at Joseph Poorgrass with pitying reproach.
+" No -- I've hardly looked at her at all,' simpered
+Joseph, reducing his body smaller whilst talking,
+apparently from a meek sense of undue prominence.
+"And when I seed her, 'twas nothing but blushes with
+me!'
+' Poor feller,' said Mr. Clark.
+"'Tis a curious nature for a man,' said Jan Coggan.
+<P 107>
+" Yes,' continued Jdseph Poorgrass -- his shyness,
+which was so painful as a defect, filling him with a
+mild complacency now that it was regarded as an
+interesting study. " 'Twere blush, blush, blush with
+me every minute of the time, when she was speaking
+to me.'
+"I believe ye, Joseph Poorgrass, for we all know ye
+to be a very bashful man.'
+"'Tis a' awkward gift for a man, poor soul,' said the
+maltster. "And ye have suffered from it a long time,
+we know.'
+"Ay ever since I was a boy. Yes -- mother was
+concerned to her heart about it -- yes. But twas all
+nought.'
+"Did ye ever go into the world to try and stop it,
+Joseph Poorgrass ? '
+"Oh ay, tried all sorts o' company. They took me
+to Greenhill Fair, and into a great gay jerry-go-nimble
+show, where there were women-folk riding round --
+standing upon horses, with hardly anything on but their
+smocks; but it didn't cure me a morsel. And then I
+was put errand-man at the Women's Skittle Alley at the
+back of the Tailor's Arms in Casterbridge. 'Twas a
+horrible sinful situation, and a very curious place for a
+good man. I had to stand and look ba'dy people in
+the face from morning till night; but 'twas no use -- I
+was just as-bad as ever after all. Blushes hev been
+in the family for generations. There, 'tis a happy pro+
+vidence that I be no worse.'
+" True,' said Jacob Smallbury, deepening his thoughts
+to a profounder view of the subject. "'Tis a thought
+to look at, that ye might have been worse; but even
+as you be, 'tis a very bad affliction for 'ee, Joseph. For
+ye see, shepherd, though 'tis very well for a woman,
+dang it all, 'tis awkward for a man like him, poor
+feller ? '
+" 'Tis -- 'tis,' said Gabriel, recovering from a medita+
+tion. " Yes, very awkward for the man.'
+" Ay, and he's very timid, too,' observed Jan Coggan.
+"Once he had been working late at Yalbury Bottom,
+and had had a drap of drink, and lost his way as he was
+coming home-along through Yalbury Wood, didn't ye,
+Master Poorgrass ? '
+" No, no, no ; not that story !' expostulated the
+modest man, forcing a laugh to bury his concern.
+<P 108>
+" -- -- And so 'a lost himself quite,' continued Mr
+Coggan, with an impassive face, implying that a true
+narrative, like time and tide, must run its course and
+would respect no man. "And as he was coming along
+in the middle of the night, much afeared, and not able
+to find his way out of the trees nohow, 'a cried out,
+" Man-a-lost!. man-a-lost !." A owl in a tree happened
+to be crying "Whoo-whoo-whoo !" as owls do, you
+know, shepherd ' (Gabriel nodded), " and Joseph, all
+in a tremble, said, " Joseph Poorgrass, of Weatherbury,
+sir.!"
+"No, no, now -- that's too much! ' said the timid
+man, becoming a man of brazen courage all of a sudden.
+"I didn't say sir. I'll tike my oath I didn't say " Joseph
+Poorgrass o' Weatherbury, sir." No, no ; what's right
+is right, and I never said sir to the bird, knowing very
+well that no man of a gentleman's rank would be
+hollering there at that time o' night. " Joseph Poor+
+grass of Weatherbury," -- that's every word I said, and
+I shouldn't ha' said that if 't hadn't been for Keeper
+Day's metheglin.... There, 'twas a merciful thing it
+ended where it did.'
+The question of which was right being tacitly waived
+by the company, Jan went on meditatively : --
+"And he's the fearfullest man, bain't ye, Joseph?
+Ay, another time ye were lost by Lambing-Down Gate,
+weren't ye, Joseph ? '
+"I was,' replied Poorgrass, as if there were some
+conditions too serious even for modesty to remember
+itself under, this being one.
+' Yes ; that were the middle of the night, too. The
+gate would not open, try how he would, and knowing
+there was the Devil's hand in it, he kneeled down.'
+'Ay,' said Joseph, acquiring confidence from the
+warmth of the fire, the cider, and a perception of the
+narrative capabilities of the experience alluded to.
+" My heart died within me, that time; but I kneeled
+down and said the Lord's Prayer, and then the Belie
+THE CHAT
+right through, and then the Ten Commandments, in
+earnest prayer. But no, the gate wouldn't open; and
+then I went on with Dearly Beloved Brethren, and,
+thinks I, this makes four, and 'tis all I know out of
+book, and if this don't do it nothing will, and I'm a
+lost man. Well, when I got to
+<P 109>
+Saying After Me, I
+rose from my knees and found the gate would open
+ -- yes, neighbours, the gate opened the same as ever.'
+ A meditation on the obvious inference wsas indulged
+in by all, and during its continuance each directed his
+vision into the ashpit, which glowed like a desert in
+the tropics under a vertical sun, shaping their eyes long
+and liny, partly because of the light, partly from the
+depth of the subject discussed.
+ Gabriel broke the silence. "What sort of a place
+is this to live at, and what sort of a mis'ess is she to
+work under?' Gabriel's bosom thrilled gently as he
+thus slipped under the notice of the assembly the inner+
+most subject of his heart.
+ "We d' know little of her -- nothing. She only
+showed herself a few days ago. Her uncle was took
+bad, and the doctor was called with his world-wide
+skill; but he couldn't save the man. As I take it,
+she's going to keep on the farm.
+ "That's abouyt the shape o't, 'a b'lieve,' said Jan
+uncle was a very fair sort of man. Did ye know en,
+be under 'em as under one here and there. Her
+uncle was a very fair sort of man. Did ye know 'en,
+shepherd -- a bachelor-man ? '
+ "Not at all.'
+ "I used to go to his house a-courting my first wife,
+Charlotte, who was his dairymaid. Well, a very good+
+hearted man were Farmer Everdene, and I being a
+respectable young fellow was allowed to call and see
+her and drink as much ale as I liked, but not to carry
+away any -- outside my skin I mane of course.'
+ "Ay, ay, Jan Coggan; we know yer maning.'
+ "And so you see 'twas beautiful ale, and I wished
+to value his kindness as much as I could, and not to
+be so ill-mannered as to drink only a thimbleful, which
+would have been insulting the man's generosity -- -- '
+ "True, Master Coggan, 'twould so,' corroborated
+Mark Clark.
+ " -- -- And so I used to eat a lot of salt fish afore
+going, and then by the time I got there I were as dry
+as a lime-basket -- so thorough dry that that ale would
+slip down -- ah, 'twould slip down sweet! Happy
+times! heavenly times! Such lovely drunks as I
+used to have at that house! You can mind, Jacob?
+You used to go wi' me sometimes.'
+<P 110>
+ "I can -- I can,' said Jacob. "That one, too, that
+we had at Buck's Head on a White Monday was a
+pretty tipple.'
+ "'Twas. But for a wet of the better class, that
+brought you no nearer to the horned man than you were
+afore you begun, there was none like those in Farmer
+Everdene's kitchen. Not a single damn allowed; no,
+not a bare poor one, even at the most cheerful moment
+when all were blindest, though the good old word of
+sin thrown in here and there at such times is a great
+relief to a merry soul.'
+ "True,' said the maltster. "Nater requires her
+swearing at the regular times, or she's not herself; and
+unholy exclamations is a necessity of life.'
+ "But Charlotte,' continued Coggan -- "not a word of
+the sort would Charlotte allow, nor the smallest item of
+taking in vain.... Ay, poor Charlotte, I wonder if she
+had the good fortune to get into Heaven when 'a died!.
+But 'a was never much in luck's way, and perhaps 'a
+went downwards after all, poor soul.'
+ "And did any of you know Miss Everdene's-father
+and mother?' inquired the shepherd, who found some
+difficulty in keeping the conversation in the desired
+channel.
+THE CHAT
+ "I knew them a little,' said Jacob Smallbury; "but
+they were townsfolk, and didn't live here. They've
+been dead for years. Father, what sort of people were
+mis'ess' father and mother?'
+ "Well,' said the maltster, "he wasn't much to look
+at; but she was a lovely woman. He was fond enough
+of her as his sweetheart.'
+ "Used to kiss her scores and long-hundreds o times,
+so 'twas said,' observed Coggan.
+ "He was very proud of her, too, when they were
+married, as I've been told,' said the maltster.
+ "Ay,' said Coggan. "He admired her so much that
+he used to light the candle three time a night to look
+at her.'
+ "Boundless love; I shouldn't have supposed it in the
+universe!' murmered Joseph Poorgrass, who habitually
+spoke on a large scale in his moral reflections.
+ "Well, to be sure,' said Gabriel.
+ "Oh, 'tis true enough. I knowed the man and
+woman both well. Levi Everdene -- that was the man's
+name, sure. ""Man,''
+<P 111>
+saith I in my hurry, but he were
+of a higher circle of life than that -- 'a was a gentleman+
+tailor really, worth scores of pounds. And he became
+a very celebrated bankrupt two or three times.'
+ "Oh, I thought he was quite a common man!.' said
+Joseph.
+ "O no, no! That man failed for heaps of money;
+hundreds in gold and silver.'
+ The maltster being rather short of breath, Mr. Coggan,
+after absently scrutinising a coal which had fallen among
+the ashes, took up the narrative, with a private twirl of
+his eye: --
+ "Well, now, you'd hardly believe it, but that man --
+husbands alive, after a while. Understand' 'a didn't
+want to be fickle, but he couldn't help it. The poor
+feller were faithful and true enough to her in his wish,
+but his heart would rove, do what he would. He spoke
+to me in real tribulation about it once. ""Coggan,''
+he said, ""I could never wish for a handsomer woman
+than I've got, but feeling she's ticketed as my lawful
+wife, I can't help my wicked heart wandering, do what
+I will.'' But at last I believe he cured it by making her
+take off her wedding-ring and calling her by her maiden
+name as they sat together after the shop was shut, and
+so 'a would get to fancy she was only his sweetheart, and
+not married to him at all. And as soon as he could
+thoroughly fancy he was doing wrong and committing
+the seventh, 'a got to like her as well as ever, and they
+lived on a perfect picture of mutel love.'
+ "Well, 'twas a most ungodly remedy,' murmured
+Joseph Poorgrass; "but we ought to feel deep cheerful+
+ness that a 'happy Providence kept it from being any
+worse. You see, he might have gone the bad road and
+given his eyes to unlawfulness entirely -- yes, gross un+
+lawfulness, so to say it.'
+ "You see,' said Billy Smallbury, "The man's will was
+to do right, sure enough, but his heart didn't chime in.'
+ "He got so much better, that he was quite godly
+in his later years, wasn't he, Jan ?' said Joseph Poor+
+grass. "He got himself confirmed over again in a more
+serious way, and took to saying ""Amen'' almost as loud
+as the clerk, and he liked to copy comforting verses
+from the tombstones. He used, too, to hold the money+
+plate at Let Your Light so Shine, and stand
+<P 112>
+godfather
+to poor little come-by-chance children; and he kept a
+missionary' box upon his table to nab folks unawares
+when they called; yes, and he would-box the charity+
+boys' ears, if they laughed in church, till they could
+hardly stand upright, and do other deeds of piety
+natural to the saintly inclined.'
+ "Ay, at that time he thought of nothing but high
+things,' added Billy Smallbury. "One day Parson Thirdly
+met him and said, ""Good-Morning, Mister Everdene; 'tis
+THE CHAT
+a fine day!'' ""Amen'' said Everdene, quite absent+
+like, thinking only of religion when he seed a parson+
+ "Their daughter was not at all a pretty chiel at that
+time,' said Henery Fray. "Never should have. thought
+she'd have growed up such a handsome body as she is.'
+ "'Tis to be hoped her temper is as good as her face.'
+ "Well, yes; but the baily will have most to do with
+the business and ourselves. Ah!' Henery gazed into
+the ashpit, and smiled volumes of ironical knowledge.
+ "A queer Christian, like the Devil's head in a cowl,
+ "He is,' said Henery, implying that irony must cease
+at a certain point. "Between we two, man and man, I
+believe that man would as soon tell a lie Sundays as
+working-days -- that I do so.'
+ "Good faith, you do talk!' said Gabriel.
+ "True enough,' said the man of bitter moods, looking
+round upon the company with the antithetic laughter
+that comes from a keener appreciation of the miseries
+of life than ordinary men are capable of. 'Ah, there's
+people of one sort, and people of another, but that man
+ -- bless your souls!'
+ Gabriel thought fit to change the subject. "You
+must be a very aged man, malter, to have sons growed
+mild and ancient' he remarked.
+ "Father's so old that 'a can't mind his age, can ye,
+father?' interposed Jacob. "And he growled terrible
+crooked too, lately' Jacob continued, surveying his
+father's figure, which
+<P 113>
+was rather more bowed than his own.
+"Really one may say that father there is three-double.'
+ "Crooked folk will last a long while,' said the maltster,
+grimly, and not in the best humour.
+ "Shepherd would like to hear the pedigree of yer
+life, father -- wouldn't ye, shepherd ?
+ "Ay that I should,' said Gabriel with the heartiness
+of a man who had longed to hear it for several months.
+"What may your age be, malter?'
+ The maltster cleared his throat in an exaggerated
+form for emphasis, and elongating his gaze to the
+remotest point of the ashpit! said, in the slow speech
+justifiable when the importance of a subject is so
+generally felt that any mannerism must be tolerated
+in getting at it, "Well, I don't mind the year I were
+born in, but perhaps I can reckon up the places I've
+lived at, and so get it that way. I bode at Upper Long+
+puddle across there' (nodding to the north) "till I were
+eleven. I bode seven at Kingsbere' (nodding to the
+east) "where I took to malting. I went therefrom to
+Norcombe, and malted there two-and-twenty years, and+
+two-and-twenty years I was there turnip-hoeing and
+harvesting. Ah, I knowed that old place, Norcombe,
+years afore you were thought of, Master Oak' (Oak smiled
+sincere belief in the fact). "Then I malted at Dur+
+nover four year, and four year turnip-hoeing; and
+I was fourteen times eleven months at Millpond St.
+Jude's ' (nodding north-west-by-north). "Old Twills
+wouldn't hire me for more than eleven months at a
+time, to keep me from being chargeable to the parish
+if so be I was disabled. Then I was three year at
+Mellstock, and I've been here one-and-thirty year come
+Candlemas. How much is that?"
+ "Hundred and seventeen,' chuckled another old
+gentleman, given to mental arithmetic and little con+
+versation, who had hitherto sat unobserved in a corner.
+ "Well, then, that's my age,' said the maltster, em+
+phatically.
+ "O no, father!' said Jacob. "Your turnip-hoeing
+were in the summer and your malting in the winter of
+the same years, and ye don't ought to count-both halves
+father.'
+<P 114>
+ "Chok' it all! I lived through the summers, didn't
+I? That's my question. I suppose ye'll say next I be
+no age at all to speak of?'
+ "Sure we shan't,' said Gabriel, soothingly.
+ "Ye be a very old aged person, malter,' attested Jan
+must have a wonderful talented constitution to be able
+to live so long, mustn't he, neighbours?'
+ "True, true; ye must, malter, wonderful;' said the
+meeting unanimously.
+ The maltster, being know pacified, was even generous
+enough to voluntarily disparage in a slight degree the
+virtue of having lived a great many years, by mentioning
+that the cup they were drinking out of was three years
+older than he.
+ While the cup was being examined, the end of
+Gabriel Oak's flute became visible over his smock-frock
+I seed you blowing into a great flute by now at Caster+
+bridge?'
+ "You did,' said Gabriel, blushingh faintly. "I've been
+in great trouble, neighbours, and was driven to it.
+take it careless-like, shepherd and your time will come
+tired?'
+ "Neither drum nor trumpet have I heard since
+Christmas,' said Jan Coggan. "Come, raise a tune,
+Master Oak!'
+ "That I will,' said Gabriel, pulling out his flute and
+putting it together. "A poor tool, neighbours; but
+such as I can do ye shall have and welcome.'
+ Oak then struck up "Jockey to the Fair,' and played
+that sparkling melody three times through accenting the
+notes in the third round in a most artistic and lively
+manner by bending his body in small jerks and tapping
+with his foot to beat time.
+ "He can blow the flute very well -- that 'a can,' said
+a young married man, who having no individuality worth
+mentioning was known as "Susan Tall's husband.' He
+continued, "I'd as lief as not be able to blow into a
+flute as well-as that.'
+<P 115>
+ "He's a clever man, and 'tis a true comfort for us to
+have such a shepherd,' murmured Joseph Poorgrass, in
+a soft cadence. "We ought to feel full o' thanksgiving
+that he's not a player of ba'dy songs 'instead of these
+merry tunes; for 'twould have been just as easy for God
+to have made the shepherd a loose low man -- a man of
+iniquity, so to speak it -- as what he is. Yes, for our wives'
+and daughters' sakes we should feel real thanks giving.'
+ "True, true, -- real thanksgiving!' dashed in Mark
+Clark conclusively, not feeling it to be of any conse+
+quence to his opinion that he had only heard about a
+word and three-quarters of what Joseph had said.
+ "Yes,' added Joseph, beginning to feel like a man in
+the Bible; "for evil do thrive so in these times that ye
+may be as much deceived in the clanest shaved and
+whitest shirted man as in the raggedest tramp upon the
+turnpike, if I may term it so.'
+ "Ay, I can mind yer face now, shepherd,' said
+Henery Fray, criticising Gabriel with misty eyes as he
+entered upon his second tune. "Yes -- now I see 'ee
+blowing into the flute I know 'ee to be the same man
+I see play at Casterbridge, for yer mouth were scrimped
+up and yer eyes a-staring out like a strangled man's --
+just as they be now.'
+ "'Tis a pity that playing the flute should make a man
+look such a scarecrow,' observed Mr. Mark Clark, with
+additional criticism of Gabriel's countenance, the latter
+person jerking out, with the ghastly grimace required by
+the instrument, the chorus of "Dame Durden!
+ "I hope you don't mind that young man's bad
+manners in naming your features?' whispered Joseph to
+Gabriel.
+ "Not at all,' said Mr. Oak.
+ "For by nature ye be a very handsome man,
+shepherd,' continued Joseph Poorgrass, with winning
+sauvity.
+ "Ay, that ye be, shepard,' said the company.
+ "Thank you very much,' said Oak, in the modest
+tone good
+<P 116>
+manners demanded, thinking, however, that
+he would never let Bathsheba see him playing the
+flute; in this severe showing s discretion equal to that
+related to its sagacious inventress, the divine Minerva
+herself.
+ "Ah, when I and my wife were married at Norcombe
+Church,' said the old maltster, not pleased at finding
+himself left out of the subject "we were called the
+handsomest couple in the neighbourhood -- everybody
+said so.'
+ "Danged if ye bain't altered now, malter,' said a voice
+with the vigour natural to the enunciation of a remark+
+ably evident truism. It came from the old man in the
+background, whose offensiveness and spiteful ways were
+barely atoned for by the occasional chuckle he con+
+tributed to general laughs.
+ "O no, no,' said Gabriel.
+ "Don't ye play no more shepherd ' said Susan Tall's
+husband, the young married man who had spoken once
+before. "I must be moving and when there's tunes
+going on I seem as if hung in wires. If I thought after
+I'd left that music was still playing, and I not there, I
+should be quite melancholy-like.'
+ "What's yer hurry then, Laban?' inquired Coggan+
+"You used to bide as late as the latest.'
+ "Well, ye see, neighbours, I was lately married to a
+woman, and she's my vocation now, and so ye see -- -- '
+The young man hated lamely.
+ "New Lords new laws, as the saying is, I suppose,'
+remarked Coggan.
+ "Ay, 'a b'lieve -- ha, ha!' said Susan Tall's husband,
+in a tone intended to imply his habitual reception of
+jokes without minding them at all. The young man
+then wished them good-night and withdrew.
+ Henery Fray was the first to follow. Then Gabriel
+arose and went off with Jan Coggan, who had offered
+him a lodging. A few minutes later, when the remaining
+ones were on their legs and about to depart, Fray came
+back again in a hurry. Flourishing his finger ominously
+he threw a gaze teeming with tidings just -- where his eye
+alighted by accident, which happened to be in Joseph
+Poorgrass's face.
+<P 117>
+ "O -- what's the matter, what's the matter, Henery?'
+said Joseph, starting back.
+ "What's a-brewing, Henrey?' asked Jacob and Mark
+Clark.
+ "Baily Pennyways -- Baily Pennyways -- I said so; yes,
+I said so!'
+ "What, found out stealing anything?'
+ "Stealing it is. The news is, that after Miss
+Everdene got home she went out again to see all was
+safe, as she usually do, and coming in found Baily
+Pennyways creeping down the granary steps with half a
+a bushel of barley. She fleed at him like a cat -- never
+such a tomboy as she is -- of course I speak with closed
+doors?'
+ "You do -- you do, Henery.'
+ "She fleed at him, and, to cut a long story short,
+he owned to having carried off five sack altogether, upon
+her promising not to persecute him. Well, he's turned
+out neck and crop, and my question is, who's going to
+be baily now?'
+ The question was such a profound one that Henery
+was obliged to drink there and then from the large
+cup till the bottom was distinctly visible inside. Before
+he had replaced it on the table, in came the young man,
+Susan Tall's husband, in a still greater hurry.
+ "Have ye heard the news that's all over parish?'
+ "About Baily Pennyways?'
+ "But besides that?'
+ "No -- not a morsel of it!' they replied, looking into
+the very midst of Laban Tall as if to meet his words
+half-way down his throat.
+ "What a night of horrors!' murmured Joseph Poor+
+grass, waving his hands spasmodically. "I've had the
+news-bell ringing in my left ear quite bad enough for a
+murder, and I've seen a magpie all alone!'
+ "Fanny Robin -- Miss everdene's youngest servant --
+can't be found. They've been wanting to lock up the
+door these two hours, but she isn't come in. And they
+don't know what to do about going to hed for fear of
+locking her out. They wouldn't be so concerned if she
+hadn't been noticed in such low spirits
+<P 118>
+these last few
+days, and Maryann d'think the beginning of a crowner's
+inquest has happened to the poor girl.'
+ "O -- 'tis burned -- 'tis burned!' came from Joseph
+Poorgrass's dry lips.
+ "No -- 'tis drowned!' said 'Tall.
+ "Or 'tis her father's razor!' suggested Billy Smallbury,
+with a vivid sense of detail.
+ "Well -- Miss Everdene wants to speak to one or two
+of us before we go to bed. What with this trouble about
+the baily, and now about the girl, mis'ess is almost wild.'
+ They all hastened up the lane to the farmhouse,
+excepting the old maltster, whom neither news, fire,
+rain, nor thunder could draw from his hole. There, as
+the others' footsteps died away he sat down again and
+continued gazing as usual into the furnace with his red,
+bleared eyes.
+ From the bedroom window above their heads Bath+
+sheba's head and shoulders, robed in mystic white, were
+dimly seen extended into the air.
+ "Are any of my men among you?' she said anxiously.
+ "Yes, ma'am, several,' said Susan Tall's husband.
+ "Tomorrow morning I wish two or three of you to
+make inquiries in the villages round if they have seen
+such a person as Fanny Robin. Do it quietly; there is
+no reason for alarm as yet. She must have left whilst
+we were all at the fire.'
+ "I beg yer pardon, but had she any young man court+
+ing her in the parish, ma'am?" asked Jacob Smallbury.
+ "I don't know,' said Bathsheba.
+ "I've never heard of any such thing, ma'am,' said
+two or three.
+ "It is hardly likely, either,' continued Bathsheba.
+"For any lover of hers might have come to the house if
+he had been a respectable lad. The most mysterious
+matter connected with her absence -- indeed, the only
+thing which gives me serious alarm -- is that she was
+seen to go out of the house by Maryann with only her
+indoor working gown on -- not even a bonnet.'
+ "And you mean, ma'am, excusing my words, that a
+young
+<P 119>
+woman would hardly go to see her young man
+without dressing up,' said Jacob, turning his mental
+vision upon past experiences. "That's true -- she would
+not, ma'am.'
+ "She had, I think, a bundle, though I couldn't see
+very well,' said a female voice from another window,
+which seemed that of Maryann. "But she had no
+young man about here. Hers lives in Casterbridge, and
+I believe he's a soldier.'
+ "Do you know his name?' Bathsheba said.
+ "No, mistress; she was very close about it.'
+ "Perhaps I might be able to find out if I went to
+Casterbridge barracks,' said William Smallbury.
+ "Very well; if she doesn't return tomorrow, mind
+you go there and try to discover which man it is, and
+see him. I feel more responsible than I should if she
+had had any friends or relations alive. I do hope she
+has come to no harm through a man of that kind....
+And then there's this disgraceful affair of the bailiff --
+but I can't speak of him now.'
+ Bathsheba had so many reasons for uneasiness that
+it seemed she did not think it worth while to dwell
+upon any particular one. "Do as I told you, then'
+she said in conclusion, closing the casement.
+ "Ay, ay, mistress; we will,' they replied, and moved
+away.
+ That night at Coggan's, Gabriel Oak, beneath the
+screen of closed eyelids, was busy with fancies, and full
+of movement, like a river flowing rapidly under its ice.
+Night had always been the time at which he saw Bath+
+sheba most vividly, and through the slow hours of
+shadow he tenderly regarded her image now. It is
+rarely that the pleasures of the imagination will compen+
+sate for the pain of sleeplessness, but they possibly did
+with Oak to-night, for the delight of merely seeing her
+effaced for the time his perception of the great differ+
+ence between seeing and possessing.
+ He also thought of Plans for fetching his few utensils
+and books from Norcombe. The Young Man's Best
+Companion, The Farrier's Sure Guide, The Veterinary
+Surgeon, Paradise Lost, The Pilgrim's Progress, Robinson
+Crusoe, Ash's Dictionary, the Walkingame's Arithmetic,
+constituted his library;
+<P 120>
+and though a limited series, it was
+one from which he had acquired more sound informa+
+tion by diligent perusal than many a man of opportunities
+has done from a furlong of laden shelves.
+<C ix>
+<P 121>
+THE HOMESTEAD -- A VISITOR -- HALF-CONFIDENCES
+By daylight, the Bower of Oak's new-found mistress,
+Bathsheba Everdene, presented itself as a hoary build+
+ing, of the early stage of Classic Renaissance as regards
+its architecture, and of 'a proportion which told at a
+glance that, as is so frequently the case, it had once
+been the memorial hall upon a small estate around it,
+now altogether effaced as a distinct property, and merged
+in the vast tract of a non-resident landlord, which com+
+prised several such modest demesnes.
+ Fluted pilasters, worked from the solid stone,
+decorated its front, and above the roof the chimneys
+were panelled or columnar, some coped gables with
+finials and like features still retaining traces of their
+Gothic extraction. Soft Brown mosses, like faded
+velveteen, formed cushions upon the stone tiling, and
+tufts of the houseleek or sengreen sprouted from the
+eaves of the low surrounding buildings. A gravel walk
+leading from the door to the road in front was encrusted
+at the sides with more moss -- here it was a silver-green
+variety, the nut-brown of the gravel being visible to the
+width of only a foot or two in the centre. This circum+
+stance, and the generally sleepy air of the whole prospect
+here, together with the animated and contrasting state
+of the reverse facade, suggested to the imagination that
+on the adaptation of the building for farming purposes
+the vital principle' of the house had turned round inside
+its body to face the other way. Reversals of this kind,
+strange deformities, tremendous paralyses, are often seen
+to be inflicted by trade upon edifices -- either individual
+or in the aggregate as streets and towns -- which were
+originally planned for pleasure alone.
+ Lively voices were heard this morning in the upper
+rooms, the main staircase to which was of hard oak, the
+balusters, heavy as bed-posts, being turned and moulded
+in the quaint
+<P 122>
+fashion of their century, the handrail as
+stout as a parapet-top, and the stairs themselves con+
+tinually twisting round like a person trying to look over
+his shoulder. Going up, the floors above were found
+to have a very irregular surface, rising to ridges, sinking
+into valley; and being just then uncarpeted, the face
+of the boards was seen to be eaten into innumerable
+the opening and shutting of every door a tremble
+followed every bustling movement, and a creak accom+
+panied a walker about the house like a spirit, wherever+
+he went.
+ In the room from which the conversation proceeded,
+Bathsheba and her servant-companion, Liddy Small+
+bury were to be discovered sitting upon the floor, and
+sorting a complication of papers, books, bottles, and
+rubbish spread out thereon -- remnants from the house+
+hold stores of the late occupier. Liddy, the maltster's
+great-granddaughter, was about Bathsheba's equal in
+age, and her face was a prominent advertisement of the
+features' might have lacked in form was amply made up
+for by perfection of hue, which at this winter-time was
+the softened ruddiness on a surface of high rotundity
+and, like the presentations of those great colourists, it
+was a face which kept well back from the boundary
+between comeliness and the ideal. Though elastic in
+nature she was less daring than Bathsheba, and occa+
+sionally showed some earnestness, which consisted half
+of genuine feeling, and half of mannerliness superadded
+by way of duty.
+ Through a partly-opened door the noise of a scrubbing+
+brush led up to the charwoman, Maryann Money, a person
+who for a face had a circular disc, furrowed less by age
+than by long gazes of perplexity at distant objects. To
+think of her was to get good-humoured; to speak of
+her was to raise the image of a dried Normandy
+pippin.
+ "Stop your scrubbing a moment,' said Bathsheba
+through the door to her. "I hear something.'
+ Maryann suspended the brush.
+<P 123>
+ The tramp of a horse was apparent, approaching the
+front of the building. The paces slackened, turned in
+at the wicket, and, what was most unusual, came up
+the mossy path close to the door. The door was
+tapped with the end of a crop or stick.
+ "What impertinence!' said Liddy, in a low voice.
+"To ride up the footpath like that! Why didn't he
+stop at the gate? Lord! "tis a gentleman! I see the
+top of his hat.'
+ "Be quiet!' said Bathsheba.
+ The further expression of Liddy's concern was con+
+tinued by aspect instead of narrative.
+ "Why doesn't Mrs. Coggan go to the door?' Bath+
+sheba continued.
+ Rat-tat-tat-tat, resounded more decisively from Bath+
+sheba's oak.
+ "Maryann, you go!' said she, fluttering under the
+onset ot a crowd of romantic possibilities.
+ "O ma'am -- see, here's a mess!'
+ The argument was unanswerable after a glance at
+Maryann.
+ "Liddy -- you must,' said Bathsheba.
+ Liddy held up her hands and arms, coated with dust
+from the rubbish they were sorting, and looked implor+
+ingly at her mistress.
+ "There -- -Mrs. Coggan is going!' said Bathsheba,
+exhaling her relief in the form of a long breath which
+had lain in her bosom a minute or more.
+ The door opened, and a deep voice said --
+ "Is Miss Everdene at home?'
+ "I'll see, sir,' said Mrs. Coggan, and in a minute
+appeared in the room.
+ "Dear, what a thirtover place this world is!' con+
+tinued Mrs. Coggan (a wholesome-looking lady who
+had a voice for each class of remark according to the
+emotion involved; who could toss a pancake or twirl
+a mop with the accuracy of pure mathematics, and
+who at this moment showed hands shaggy with frag+
+ments of dough and arms encrusted with flour). "I
+am never up to my elbows, Miss, in making a pudding
+but one of two things do happen -- either my nose must
+needs begin
+<P 124>
+tickling, and I can't live without scratching
+ A woman's dress being a part of her countenance,
+and any disorder in the one being of the same nature
+with a malformation or wound in the other, Bathsheba
+said at once --
+ "I can't see him in this state. Whatever shall I do?'
+ Not-at-homes were hardly naturalized in Weatherbury
+farmhouses, so Liddy suggested -- "Say you're a fright
+with dust, and can't come down.'
+ "Yes -- that sounds very well,' said Mrs. Coggan,
+critically.
+ "Say I can't see him -- that will do.'
+ Mrs. Coggan went downstairs, and returned the
+answer as requested, adding, however, on her own
+responsibility, "Miss is dusting bottles, sir, and is quite
+a object -- that's why 'tis.'
+ "Oh, very well,' said the deep voice,' indifferently.
+"All I wanted to ask was, if anything had been heard
+of Fanny Robin?'
+ "Nothing, sir -- but we may know to-night. William
+Smallbury is gone to Casterbridge, where her young
+man lives, as is supposed, and the other men be inquir+
+ing about everywhere.'
+ The horse's tramp then recommenced and -retreated,
+and the door closed.
+ "Who is Mr. Boldwood?' said Bathsheba.
+ "A gentleman-farmer at Little Weatherbury.'
+ "Married?'
+ "No, miss.'
+ "How old is he?'
+ "Forty, I should say -- very handsome -- rather stern+
+looking -- and rich.'
+ "What a bother this dusting is! I am always in
+some unfortunate plight or other;' Bathsheba said,
+complainingly. "Why should he inquire aboat Fanny?'
+ "Oh, because, as she had no friends in her childhood,
+he took her and put her to school, and got her her
+place here under your uncle. He's a very kind man
+that way, but Lord -- there!'
+ "What?'
+ "Never was such a hopeless man for a woman!
+He's been
+<P 125>
+courted by sixes and sevens -- all the girls,
+gentle and simple, for miles round, have tried him. Jane
+Perkins worked at him for two months like a slave,
+and the two Miss Taylors spent a year upon him,
+and he cost Farmer Ives's daughter nights of tears
+and twenty pounds' worth of new clothes; but Lord --
+the money might as well have been thrown out of the
+window.'
+ A little boy came up at this moment and looked in
+upon them. This child was one of the Coggans who,
+with the Smallburys, were as common among the
+families of this district as the Avons and Derwents
+among our rivers. He always had a loosened tooth or
+a cut finger to show to particular friends, which he did
+with an air of being thereby elevated above the common
+herd of afflictionless humanity -- to which exhibition
+of congratulation as well as pity.
+ "I've got a pen-nee!' said Master Coggan in a
+scanning measure.
+ "Well -- who gave it you, Teddy?' said Liddy.
+ "Mis-terr Bold-wood! He gave it to me for opening
+the gate.'
+ "What did he say?'
+ "He said "Where are you going, my little man?''
+and I said, "To Miss Everdene's please;'' and he said,
+"She is a staid woman, isn't she, my little man?' and
+I said, ""Yes.'''
+ "You naughty child! What did you say that for?'
+ "Cause he gave me the penny!'
+ "What a pucker evrything is in!' said Bathsheba,
+discontentedly when the child had gone. 'Get away,
+thing! You ought to be married by this time, and not
+here troubling me!'
+ "Ay, mistress -- so I did. But what between the poor
+men I won't have, and the rich men who won't have me,
+I stand as a pelicon in the wilderness!'
+ "Did anybody ever want to marry you miss?' Liddy
+ventured to ask when they were again alone. "Lots of
+'em, i daresay.?'
+ Bathsheba paused, as if about to refuse a reply, but
+the temptation to say yes, since it was really in her
+power was irresistible by aspiring virginity, in spite of
+her spleen at having been published as old.
+<P 126>
+ "A man wanted to once,' she said, in a highly experi+
+enced tone and the image of Gabriel Oak, as the farmer,
+rose before her.
+ "How nice it must seem!' said Liddy, with the fixed
+features of mental realization. "And you wouldn't have
+him?'
+ "He wasn't quite good enough for me.'
+ "How sweet to be able to disdain, when most of us
+are glad to say, ""Thank you!'' I seem I hear it.
+""No, sir -- I'm your better,'' or ""Kiss my foot, sir; my
+face is for mouths of consequence.'' And did you love
+him, miss?'
+ "Oh, no. But I rather liked him.'
+ "Do you now?'
+ "Of course not -- what footsteps are those I hear?'
+ Liddy looked from a back window into the courtyard
+behind, which was now getting low-toned and dim with
+the earliest films of night. A crooked file of men was
+approaching the back door. The whole string of trailing
+individuals advanced in the completest balance of inten+
+tion, like the remarkable creatures known as Chain
+Salpae, which, distinctly organized in other respects, have
+one will common to a whole family. Some were, as
+usual, in snow-white smock-frocks of Russia duck, and
+some in whitey-brown ones of drabbet -- marked on the
+wrists, breasts, backs, and sleeves with honeycomb-work.
+Two or three womcn in pattens brought up the rear.
+ "The Philistines be upon us,' said Liddy, making her
+nose white against the glass.
+ "Oh, very well. Maryann, go down and keep them
+in the kitchen till I am dressed, and then show them in
+to me in the hall.'
+<C x>
+<P 127>
+HALF-AN-HOUR later Bathsheba, in finished dress,
+and followed by Liddy, entered the upper end of the old
+hall to find that her men had all deposited themselves on
+a long form and a settle at the lower extremity. She sat
+down at a table and opened th e time-book, pen in her
+hand, with a canvas money-bag beside her. From this
+she poured a small heap of coin. Liddy chose a
+position at her elbow and began to sew, sometimes
+pausing and looking round, or with the air of a privileged
+person, taking up one of the half-sovereigns lying before
+her and surveying it merely as a work of art, while
+strictly preventing her countenance from expressing any
+wish to possess it as money.
+ "Now before I begin, men,' said Bathsheba, "I have
+two matters to speak of. The first is that the bailiff is
+dismissed for thieving, and that I have formed a resolu+
+tion to have no bailiff at all, but to manage everything
+with my own head and hands.'
+ The men breathed an audible breath of amazement.
+ "The next matter is, have you heard anything of
+Fanny?'
+ "Nothing, ma'am.
+ "Have you done anything?'
+ "I met Farmer Boldwood,' said Jacob Smallbury, 'and
+I went with him and two of his men, and dragged New+
+mill Pond, but we found nothing.'
+ "And the new shepherd have been to Buck's Head,
+by Yalbury, thinking she had gone there, but nobody
+had seed her,' said Laban Tall.
+ "Hasn't William Smallbury been to Casterbridge?'
+ "Yes, ma'am, but he's not yet come home. He
+promised to be back by six.'
+ "It wants a quarter to six at present,' said Bathsheba,
+
+<P 128>
+looking at her watch. "I daresay he'll be in directly.
+Well, now then' -- she looked into the book -- "Joseph
+Poorgrass, are you there?'
+ "Yes, sir -- ma'am I mane,' said the person addressed.
+"I be the personal name of Poorgrass.'
+ "And what are you?'
+ "Nothing in my own eye. In the eye of other people
+ -- well, I don't say it; though public thought will out.'
+ "What do you do on the farm?'
+ "I do do carting things all the year, and in seed time I
+shoots the rooks and sparrows, and helps at pig-killing, sir.'
+ "How much to you ?'
+ "Please nine and ninepence and a good halfpenny
+where 'twas a bad one, sir -- ma'am I mane.'
+ "Quite correct. Now here are ten shillings in addi+
+tion as a small present, as I am a new comer.'
+ Bathsheba blushed slightly at the sense of being
+generous in public, and Henery Fray, who had drawn
+up towards her chair, lifted his eyebrows and fingers to
+express amazement on a small scale.
+ "How much do I owe you -- that man in the corner --
+what's your name?' continued Bathsheba.
+ "Matthew Moon, ma'am,' said a singular framework of
+clothes with nothing of any consequence inside them,
+which advanced with the toes in no definite direction
+forwards, but turned in or out as they chanced to swing.
+ "Matthew Mark, did you say? -- speak out -- I shall
+not hurt you,' inquired the young farmer, kindly.
+ "Matthew Moon mem' said Henery Fray, correct+
+ingly, from behind her chair, to which point he had
+edged himself.
+ "Matthew Moon,' murmured Bathsheba, turning her
+bright eyes to the book. "Ten and twopence halfpenny
+is the sum put down to you, I see?'
+ "Yes, mis'ess,' said Matthew, as the rustle of wind
+among dead leaves.
+ "Here it is and ten shillings. Now -the next -- Andrew
+Randle, you are a new man, I hear. How come you to
+leave your last farm?'
+<P 129>
+ "P-p-p-p-p-pl-pl-pl-pl-l-l-l-l-ease, ma'am, p-p-p-p-pl-pl+
+pl-pl-please, ma'am-please'm-please'm -- -- '
+ "'A's a stammering man, mem,' said Henery Fray in
+an undertone, "and they turned him away because the
+only time he ever did speak plain he said his soul was
+his own, and other iniquities, to the squire. "A can cuss,
+mem, as well as you or I, but 'a can't speak a common
+speech to save his life.'
+ "Andrew Randle, here's yours -- finish thanking me
+in a day or two. Temperance Miller -- oh, here's another,
+Soberness -- both women I suppose?'
+ "Yes'm. Here we be, 'a b'lieve,' was echoed in shrill
+unison.
+ "What have you been doing?'
+ "Tending thrashing-machine and wimbling haybonds,
+and saying ""Hoosh!'' to the cocks and hens when they
+go upon your seeds and planting Early Flourballs and
+Thompson's Wonderfuls with a dibble.'
+ "Yes -- I see. Are they satisfactory women?' she
+inquired softly of Henery Fray.
+ "O mem -- don't ask me! Yeilding women?' as
+scarlet a pair as ever was!' groaned Henery under his
+breath.
+ "Sit down.
+ "Who, mem?'
+ "Sit down,'
+ Joseph Poorgrass, in the background twitched, and
+his lips became dry with fear of some terrible conse+
+quences, as he saw Bathsheba summarily speaking, and
+Henery slinking off to a corner.
+ "Now the next. Laban Tall, you'll stay on working
+for me?'
+ "For you or anybody that pays me well, ma'am,'
+replied the young married man.
+ "True -- the man must live!' said a woman in the
+back quarter, who had just entered with clicking pattens.
+ "What woman is that?" Bathsheba asked.
+ "I be his lawful wife!' continued the voice with
+greater prominence of manner and tone. This lady
+called herself five-and-twenty, looked thirty, passed as
+thirty-five, and was forty. She was a woman who never,
+like some newly married, showed
+<P 130>
+conjugal tenderness in
+public, perhaps because she had none to show.
+ "Oh, you are,' said Bathsheba. "Well, Laban, will
+you stay on ?'
+ "Yes, he'll stay, ma'am!' said again the shrill tongue
+of Laban's lawful wife.
+ "Well, he can speak for himself, I suppose.'
+ "O Lord, not he, ma'am! A simple tool. Well
+enough, but a poor gawkhammer mortal,' the wife replied
+ "Heh-heh-heh!' laughed the married man with a
+hideous effort of appreciation, for he was as irrepressibly
+good-humoured under ghastly snubs as a parliamentary
+candidate on the hustings.
+ The names remaining were called in the same
+manner.
+ "Now I think I have done with you,' said Bathsheba,
+closing the book and shaking back a stray twine of hair.
+"Has William Smallbury returned?'
+ "No, ma'am.'
+ "The new shepherd will want a man under him,'
+suggested Henery Fray, trying to make himself official
+again by a sideway approach towards her chair.
+ "Oh -- he will. Who can he have?'
+ "Young Cain Ball is a very good lad,' Henery said,
+"and Shepherd Oak don't mind his youth?' he added,
+turning with an apologetic smile to the shepherd, who
+had just appeared on the scene, and was now leaning
+against the doorpost with his arms folded.
+ "No, I don't mind that,' said Gabriel.
+ "How did Cain come by such a name?' asked
+Bathsheba.
+ "Oh you see, mem, his pore mother, not being a
+Scripture-read woman made a mistake at his christening,
+thinking 'twas Abel killed Cain, and called en Cain,
+but 'twas too late, for the name could never be got rid
+of in the parish. "Tis very unfortunate for the boy.'
+ "It is rather unfortunate.'
+ "Yes. However, we soften it down as much as we
+can, and call him Cainey. Ah, pore widow-woman!
+she cried her heart
+<P 131>
+out about it almost. She was
+brought up by a very heathen father and mother, who
+never sent her to church or school, and it shows how
+the sins of the parents are visited upon the children,
+mem.'
+ Mr. Fray here drew up his features to the mild degree
+of melancholy required when the persons involved in
+the given misfortune do not belong to your own family.
+ "Very well then, Cainey Ball to be under-shepherd
+And you quite understand your duties? -- you I mean,
+Gabriel Oak?'
+ "Quite well, I thank you Miss Everdene,' said
+Shepard Oak from the doorpost. "If I don't, I'll
+inquire.' Gabriel was rather staggered by the remark+
+able coolness of her manner. Certainly nobody without
+previous information would have dreamt that Oak and
+the handsome woman before whom he stood had ever
+been other than strangers. But perhaps her air was
+the inevitable result of the social rise which had advanced
+her from a cottage to a large house and fields. The
+case is not unexampled in high places. When, in the
+writings of the later poets, Jove and his family are found
+to have moved from their cramped quarters on the peak
+of Olympus into the wide sky above it, their words show
+a proportionate increase of arrogance and reserve.
+Footsteps were heard in the passage, combining in
+their character the qualities both of weight and measure,
+rather at the expense of velocity.
+(All.) 'Here's Billy Smallbury come from Caster+
+bridge.'
+' And what's the news ? ' said Bathsheba, as William,
+after marching to the middle of the hall, took a hand+
+kerchief from his hat and wiped his forehead from its
+centre to its remoter boundaries.
+'I should have been sooner, miss,' he said, 'if it
+hadn't been for the weather.' He then stamped with
+each foot severely, and on looking down his boots were
+perceived to be clogged with snow.
+'Come at last, is it ?' said Henery.
+" Well, what about Fanny ? ' said Bathsheba.
+"Well, ma'am, in round numbers, she's run away with
+the soldiers,' said William.
+<P 132>
+" No; not a steady girl like Fanny ! '
+"I'll tell ye all particulars. When I got to Caster,
+bridge Barracks, they said, " The Eleventh Dragoon+
+Guards be gone away, and new troops have come."
+The Eleventh left last week for Melchester and onwards.
+The Route came from Government like a thief in the
+night, as is his nature to, and afore the Eleventh knew
+it almost, they wem on the march. They passed near
+here.'
+Gabriel had listened with interest. 'I saw them go,'
+he said.
+' Yes,' continued William, ' they pranced down the
+street playing "The Girl I Left Behind Me,' so 'tis
+said, in glorious notes of triumph. Every looker-on's
+inside shook with the blows of the great drum to his
+deepest vitals, and there was not a dry eye throughout
+the town among the public-house people and the name+
+less women !.'
+'But they're not gone to any war?'
+'No, ma'am; but they be gone to take the places
+of them who may, which is very close connected. And
+so I said to myself, Fanny's young man was one of the
+regiment, and she's gone after him. There, ma'am,
+that's it in black and white.'
+Gabriel remained musing and said nothing, for he
+was in doubt.
+'Well, we are not likely to know more to-night, at
+any rate,' said Bathsheba. 'But one of you had better
+run across to Farmer Boldwood's and tell him that
+much.'
+She then rose; but before retiring, addressed a few
+words to them with a pretty dignity, to which her
+mourning dress added a soberness that was hardly to
+be found in the words themselves.
+'Now mind, you have a mistress instead of a master
+I don't yet know my powers or my talents in farming;
+but I shall do my best, and if you serve me well, so
+shall I serve you. Don't any unfair ones among you
+(if there are any such, but I hope not) suppose that
+because I'm a woman I don't understand the difference
+between bad goings-on and good.'
+<P 133>
+(All.) 'Nom!.
+(Liddy.) 'Excellent well said.'
+'I shall be up before you are awake; I shall be
+afield before you are up ; and I shall have breakfasted
+before you are afield. In short, I shall astonish you all.
+(All.) 'Yes'm!'
+'And so good-night.'
+(All.) 'Good-night, ma'am.'
+Then this small-thesmothete stepped from the table,
+and surged out of the hall, her black silk dress licking
+up a few straws and dragging them along with a scratch+
+ing noise upon the floor. biddy, elevating her feelings
+to the occasion from a sense of grandeur, floated off
+behind Bathsheba with a milder dignity not entirely
+free from travesty, and the door was closed.
+<C xi>
+<P 134>
+OUTSIDE THE BARRACKS -- SNOW -- A MEETING
+FOR dreariness nothing could surpass a prospect in the
+outskirts of a certain town and military station, many
+miles north of Weatherbury, at a later hour on this
+same snowy evening -- if that may be called a prospect
+of which the chief constituent was darkness.
+It was a night when sorrow may come to the
+brightest without causing any great sense of incongruity :
+when, with impressible persons, love becomes solicitous+
+ness, hope sinks to misgiving, and faith to hope : when
+the exercise of memory does not stir feelings of regret
+at opportunities for ambition that have been passed by,
+and anticipation does not prompt to enterprise.
+The scene was a public path, bordered on the left
+hand by a river, behind which rose a high wall. On
+the right was a tract of land, partly meadow'and partly
+moor, reaching, at its remote verge, to a wide undulating
+uplan.
+The changes of the seasons are less obtrusive on
+spots of this kind than amid woodland scenery. Still,
+to a close observer, they are just as perceptible ; the
+difference is that their media of manifestation are less
+trite and familiar than such well-known ones as the
+bursting of the buds or the fall of the leaf. Many are
+not so stealthy and gradual as we may be apt to
+imagine in considering the general torpidity of a moor
+or waste. Winter, in coming to the country hereabout,
+advanced in well-marked stages, wherein might have
+been successively observed the retreat of the snakes,
+the transformation of the ferns, the filling of the pools,
+a rising of fogs, the embrowning by frost, the collapse
+of the fungi, and an obliteration by snow.
+This climax of the series had been reached to-night on
+the aforesaid moor, and for the first time in the season
+its
+<P 135>
+irregularities were forms without features ; suggestive
+of anything, proclaiming nothing, and without more
+character than that of being the limit of something
+else -- the lowest layer of a firmament of snow. From
+this chaotic skyful of crowding flakes the mead and
+moor momentarily received additional clothing, only
+to appear momentarily more naked thereby. The vast
+arch of cloud above was strangely low, and formed as
+it were the roof of a large dark cavern, gradually sinking
+in upon its floor; for the instinctive thought was that
+the snow lining the heavens and that encrusting the
+earth would soon unite into one mass without any
+intervening stratum of air at all.
+We turn our attention to the left-hand characteristics ;
+which were flatness in respect of the river, verticality
+in respect of the wall behind it, and darkness as to
+both. These features made up the mass. If anything
+could be darker than the sky, it was the wall, and if any
+thing could be gloomier than the wall it was the river
+beneath. The indistinct summit of the facade was
+notched and pronged by chimneys here and there, and
+upon its face were faintly signified the oblong shapes
+of windows, though only in the upper part. Below,
+down to the water's edge, the flat was unbroken by
+hole or projection.
+An indescribable succession of dull blows, perplexing
+in their regularity, sent their sound- with difficulty
+through the fluffy atmosphere. It was a neighbouring
+clock striking ten The bell was in the open air, and
+being overlaid with several inches of muffling snow, had
+lost its voiee for the time.
+About this hour the snow abated : ten flakes fell
+where twenty had fallen, then one had the room of
+ten. Not long after a form moved by the brink of
+the river.
+By its outline upon the colourless background, a close
+observer might have seen 'that it was small. This was
+all that was positively discoverable, though it seemed
+human.
+The shape went slowly along, but without much
+exertion, for the snow, though sudden, was not as yet
+more than two inches deep. At this time some words
+were spoken aloud : --
+' One. Two. 'Three. Four. Five.'
+ Between each utterance the little shape advanced
+about half a dozen yards. It was evident now that
+the windows high
+<P 136>
+in the wall were being counted.
+The word 'Five' represented the fifth window from
+the end of the wall.
+Here the spot stopped, and dwindled smaller. The
+figure was stooping. Then a morsel of snow flew
+across the river towards the fifth window. It smacked
+against the wall at a point several yards from its mark.
+The throw was the idea of a man conjoined with the
+execution of a woman. No man who had ever seen bird,
+rabbit, or squirrel in his childhood, could possibly have
+thrown with such utter imbecility as was shown here.
+Another attempt, and another ; till by degrees the
+wall must have become pimpled with the adhering
+lumps of snow At last one fragment struck the fifth
+window.
+The river would have been; seen by day to be of
+that deep smooth sort which races middle and' sides
+with the same gliding precision, any irregularities of
+speed being immediately corrected by a small whirl+
+pool. Nothing was heard in reply to the signal but
+the gurgle and cluck of one of these invisible wheels --
+together with a few small sounds which a sad man
+would have called moans, and a happy man laughter --
+caused by the flapping of the waters against trifling
+objects in other parts of the stream.
+The window was struck again in the same manner.
+Then a noise was heard, apparently produced by
+the opening of the window. This was followed by a
+voice from the same quarter.
+'Who's there ? '
+The tones were masculine, and not those of surprise.
+The high wall being that of a barrack, and marriage
+being looked upon with disfavour in the army, assigna+
+tions and communications had probably been made
+across the river before tonight.
+"Is it Sergeant Troy?' said the blurred spot in the
+snow, tremulously.
+This person was so much like a mere shade upon
+the earth, and the other speaker so much a part of
+the building, that one would have said the wall was
+holding a conversation with the snow.
+<P 137>
+'Yes,' came suspiciously from the shadow. ' What
+girl are you ? '
+'O, Frank -- don't you know me ?' said the spot.
+'Your wife, Fanny Robin.'
+' Fanny !.' said the wall, in utter astonishment.
+'Yes,' said the girl, with a half-suppressed gasp of
+emotion.
+There was something in the woman's tone which is
+not that of the wife, and there was a mannerin the man
+which is rarely a husband's. The dialogue went on:
+'How did you come here ?'
+'I asked which was your window. Forgive me !. '
+"I did not expect you to-night. Indeed, I did not
+think you would come at all. It was a wonder you
+found me here. I am orderly to-morrow.'
+'You said I was to come.'
+' Well -- I said that you might.'
+'Yes, I mean that I might. You are glad to see me,
+Frank ? '
+' O yes -- of course.'
+' Can you -- come to me !.'
+'My dear Fan, no .! The bugle has sounded, the
+barrack gates are closed, and I have no leave. We are
+all of us as good as in the county gaol till to-morrow
+morning.'
+' Then I shan't see you till then .! ' The words- were
+in a faltering tone of disappointment.
+' How did you get here from Weatherbury ? '
+'I walked -- some part of the way -- the rest by the
+carriers.'
+' I am surprised.'
+' Yes -- so am I. And Frank, when will it 'be ? '
+' What ? '
+' That you promised.'
+" I don't quite recollect.'
+'0 You do! Don't speak like that. It weighs me
+to the earth. It makes me say what ought to be said
+first by you.'
+' Never mind -- say it.'
+'0, must I? -- it is, when shall we be married,
+Frank ? '
+" Oh, I " see. Well -- you have to get proper
+clothes.'
+"I have money. Will it be by banns or license ?'
+<P 138>
+" Banns, I should think.'
+" And we live in two parishes.'
+"Do we ? What then?'
+"My lodgings are in St. Mary's, and this is not. So
+they will have to be published in both.'
+"Is that the law?'
+" Yes. O Frank -- you think me forward, I am
+afraid .! Don't, dear Frank -- will you -- for I love you so.
+And you said lots of times you would marry me, and
+and -- I -- I -- I -- -- '
+ "Don't cry, now! It is foolish. If i said so, of
+course I will.'
+'And shall I put up the banns in my parish, and will
+you in yours?'
+"Yes'
+"To-morrow?'
+"Not tomorrow. We'll settle in a few days.'
+"You have the permission of the officers?'
+"No, not yet.'
+"O -- how is it? You said you almost had before
+you left Casterbridge.'
+"The fact is, I forgot to ask. Your coming like this
+I'll go away now. Will you qoDe,and seq be to-morroy
+is so sudden and unexpected.'
+"Yes -- yes -- it is. It was wrong of me to worry you.
+I'll go away now. Will you come and see me to-morrow,
+at Mrs. Twills's, in North Street? I don't like to come
+to the Barracks. There are bad women about, and they
+think me one.'
+"Quite,so. I'll come to you, my dean Good-night.'
+"Good-night, Frank -- good-night!'
+And the noise was again heard of a window closing
+The little spot moved away. When she passed the
+corner a subdued exclamation was heard inside the
+wall.
+"Ho -- ho -- Sergeant -- ho -- ho!' An expostulation
+followed, but it was indistinct; and it became lost amid
+a low peal of laughter, which was hardly distinguishable
+from the gurgle of the tiny whirlpools outside.
+<C xii>
+<P 139>
+FARMERS -- A RULE -- IN EXCEPTION
+THE first public evidence of Bathsheba's decision to
+be a farmer in her own person and by proxy no more
+was her appearance the following market-day in. the
+cornmarket at Casterbridge.
+The low though extensive hall, supported by beams
+and pillars, and latterly dignified by-the name of Corn Ex+
+change, was thronged with hot men who talked among
+each other in twos and threes, the speaker of the minute
+looking sideways into his auditor's face and concentrating
+his argument by a contraction of one eyelid during de+
+livery. The greater number carried in their hands
+ground-ash saplings, using them partly as walking-sticks
+and partly for poking up pigs, sheep, neighbours with
+their backs turned, and restful things in general, which
+seemed to require such treatment in the course of their
+peregrinations. During conversations each subjected
+his sapling to great varieties of usage -- bending it round
+his back, forming an"arch of it between his two hands,
+overweighting it on the ground till it reached nearly a
+semicircle; or perhaps it was hastily tucked under the
+arm whilst the sample-bag was pulled forth and a hand+
+ful of corn poured into the palm, which, after criticism,
+was flung upon the floor, an issue of events perfectly
+well known to half-a-dozen acute town-bred fowls which
+had as usual crept into the building unobserved, and
+waited the fulfilment of their anticipations with a high+
+stretched neck and oblique eye.
+Among these heavy yeomen a feminine figure glided,
+the single one of her sex that the room contained. She
+was prettily and even daintily dressed. She moved
+between them as a chaise between carts, was heard after
+them as a romance after sermons, was felt among them
+like a breeze among furnaces. It had required a little
+determination -- far more than she had at
+<P 140>
+first imagined
+ -- to take up a position here, for at her first entry the
+lumbering dialogues had ceased, nearly every face had
+been turned towards her, and those that were already
+turned rigidly fixed there.
+Two or three only of the farmers were personally
+known to Bathsheba, and to these she had made her
+way. But if she was to be the practical woman she had
+intended to show herself, business must be carried on,
+introductions or none, and she ultimately acquired con+
+fidence enough to speak and reply boldly to men merely
+known to her by hearsay. Bathsheba too had her
+sample-bags, and by degrees adopted the professional
+pour into the hand -- holding up the grains in her narrow
+palm for inspection, in perfect Casterbridge manner.
+Something in the exact arch of her upper unbroken
+row of teeth, and in the keenly pointed corners of her
+red mouth when, with parted lips, she somewhat
+defiantly turned up her face to argue a point with a
+tall man, suggested that there was potentiality enough
+in that lithe slip of humanity for alarming exploits of
+sex, and daring enough to carry them out. But her eyes
+had a softness -- invariably a softness -- which, had they
+not been dark, would have seemed mistiness; as they
+were, it lowered an expression that might have been
+piercing to simple clearness,
+Strange to say of a woman in full bloom and vigor,
+she always allowed her interlocutors to finish their state+
+ments before rejoining with hers. In arguing on prices,
+he held to her own firmly, as was natural in a dealer,
+and reduced theirs persistently, as was inevitable in a
+oman. But there was an elasticity in her firmness
+which removed it from obstinacy, as there was a naivete
+in her cheapening which saved it from meanness.
+Those of the farmers with whom she had no dealings
+by far the greater part) were continually asking each
+other, "Who is she?' The reply would be --
+"Farmer Everdene's niece; took on Weatherbury
+Upper Farm; turned away the baily, and swears she'll do
+verything herself.'
+The other man would then shake his head.
+<P 141>
+"Yes, 'tis a pity she's so headstrong,' the first would
+say. "But we ought to be proud of her here -- she
+lightens up the old place. 'Tis such a shapely maid,
+however, that she'll soon get picked up.'
+It would be ungallant to suggest that the novelty of
+her engagement in such an occupation had almost as
+much to do with the magnetism as had the beauty of
+her face and movements. However, te interest was
+eneral, and this Saturday's debut in the forum, whatever
+it may have been to Bathsheba as the buying and selling
+farmer, was unquestionably a triumph to her as the
+maiden. Indeed, the sensation was so pronounced that
+her instinct on two or three occasions was merely to
+valk as a queen among these gods of the fallow, like a
+little sister of a little Jove, and"to neglect closing prices
+altogether.
+The numerous evidences of-her power to attract were
+only thrown into greater relief by a marked exception.
+Women seem to have eyes in their ribbons for such
+matters as these. Bathsheba, without looking within
+a right angle of him, was conscious of a black sheep
+among the flock.
+It perplexed her first. If there had been a respect+
+able minority on either side, the case would have been
+most natural. If nobody had regarded her, she would
+have -- -taken the matter indifferently -- such cases had
+occurred. If eveybody, this man included, she would
+have taken it as a matter of course -- people had done
+so before. But the smallness of the exception made the
+mystery.
+She soon knew thus much of the recusant's appear+
+ance. He was a gentlemanly man, with full and
+distinctly outlined Roman features, the prominences
+of which glowed in the sun with a bronze-like richness
+of tone. He was erect in attitude, and quiet in
+demeanour. One characteristic pre-eminently marked
+him -- dignity.
+Apparently he had some time ago reached that
+entrance to middle age at which a man's aspect naturally
+ceases to alter for the term of a dozen years or so; and,
+artificially, a woman't does likewise. Thirty-five and
+fifiy were his limits of variation -- he might have been
+either, or anywhere between the two.
+It may be said that married men of forty are usually
+ready
+<P 142>
+and generous enough to fling passing glances at
+any specimen of moderate beauty they may discern by
+the way. Probably, as with persons playing whist for
+love, the consciousness of a certain immunity under
+any circumstances from that worst possible ultimate,
+the having to pay, makes them unduly speculative.
+Bathsheba was convinced that this unmoved person
+was not a married man.
+When marketing was over, she rushed off to Liddy,
+who was waiting for her -- beside the yellowing in which
+they had driven to town. The horse was put in, and
+on they trotted Bathsheba's sugar, tea, and drapery
+parcels being packed behind, and expeessing in some
+indescribable manner, by their colour, shape, and
+general lineaments, that they were that youmg lady+
+farmer's property, and the grocer's and drapers no
+more.
+" I've been through it, Liddy, and it is over. I shan't
+mind it again, for they will all have grown accustomed
+to seeing me there; but this morning it was as bad as
+being married -- eyes everywhere!'
+"I knowed it would. be,' Liddy said "Men be such
+a terrible class of society to look at a body.'
+"But there was one man who had more sense than
+to waste his time upon me.' The information was put
+in this form that Liddy might not for a moment suppose
+her mistress was at all piqued. "A very good-looking
+man,' she continued, "upright; about forty, I should
+think. Do you know at all who he could be?'
+Liddy couldn't think.
+"Can't you guess at all?' said Bathsheba with some
+disappointment.
+"I haven't a notion; besides, 'tis no difference, since
+he took less notice of you than any of the rest. Now,
+if he'd taken more, it would have mattered a great deal.'
+Bathsheba was suffering from the reverse feeling just
+then, and they bowled along in silence. A low carriage,
+bowling along still more rapidly behind a horse of un+
+impeachable breed, overtook and passed them.
+"Why, there he is!' she said.
+Liddy looked. "That! That's Farmer Boldwood --
+of course
+<P 143>
+'tis -- the man you couldn't see the other day
+when he called.'
+"Oh, Farmer Boldwood,' murmured Bathsheba, and
+looked at him as he outstripped them. The farmer had
+never turned his head once, but with eyes fixed on the
+most advanced point along the road, passed as uncon+
+sciously and abstractedly as if Bathshea and her charms
+were thin air.
+"He's an interesting man -- don't you think so?' she
+remarked.
+"O yes, very. Everybody owns it,' replied Liddy.
+"I wonder why he is so wrapt up and indifferent, and
+seemingly so far away from all he sees around him,'
+"It is said -- but not known for certain -- that he met
+with some bitter disappointment when he was a young
+man and merry. A woman jilted him, they say.'
+"People always say that -- and we know very well
+women scarcely ever jilt men; 'tis the men who jilt us.
+I expect it is simply his nature to be so reserved.'
+"Simply his nature -- I expect so, miss -- nothing else
+in the world.'
+"Still, 'tis more romantic to think he has been served
+cruelly, poor thing'! Perhaps, after all, he has! I
+"Depend upon it he has. O yes, miss, he has!
+feel he must have.'
+"However, we are very apt to think extremes of
+people. I -- shouldn't wonder after all if it wasn't a
+little of both -- just between the two -- rather cruelly
+used and rather reserved.'
+"O dear no, miss -- I can't think it between the
+two!'
+"That's most likely.'
+"Well, yes, so it is. I am convinced it is most likely.
+You may -- take my word, miss, that that's what's the
+matter with him.'
+<C xiii>\1a
+<P 144>
+SORTES SANCTORUM -- THE VALENTINE
+IT was Sunday afternoon in the farmhouse, on the
+thirteenth of February. Dinner being over, Bathsheba,
+for want of a better companion, had asked Liddy to
+come and sit with her. The mouldy pile was dreary
+in winter-time before the candles were lighted and the
+shutters closed ; the atmosphere of the place seemed
+as old as the walls; every nook behind the furniture
+had a temperature of its own, for the fire was not
+kindled in this part of the house early in the day;
+and Bathsheba's new piano, which was an old one
+in other annals, looked particularly sloping and out
+of level on the warped floor before night threw a
+shade over its less prominent angles and hid the
+unpleasantness. Liddy, like a little brook, though
+shallow, was always rippling; her presence had not so
+much weight as to task thought, and yet enough to
+exercise it.
+On the table lay an old quarto Bible, bound in
+leather. Liddy looking at it said, --
+"Did you ever find out, miss, who you are going to
+marry by means of the Bible and key ?,
+"Don't be so foolish, Liddy. As if such things
+could be.'
+" Well, there's a good deal in it, all the same.'
+' Nonsense, child.'
+" And it makes your heart beat fearful. Some believe
+in it; some don't; I do.'
+"Very well, let's try it,' said Bathsheba, bounding
+from her seat with that total disregard of consistency
+which can be indulged in towards a dependent, and
+entering into the spirit of divination at once. 'Go and
+get the front door key.'
+Liddy fetched it. 'I wish it wasn't Sunday,' she
+said, on returning. ' Perhaps 'tis wrong.'
+' What's right week days is right Sundays,' replied her
+mistress in a tone which was a proof in itself.
+<P 145>
+The book was opened -- the leaves, drab with age,
+being quite worn away at much-read verses by the fore'
+fingers "of unpractised readers in former days, where they
+were moved along under the line as an aid to the vision.
+The special verse in the Book of Ruth was sought out
+by Bathsheba, and the sublime words met her eye. They
+slightly thrilled and abashed her. It was Wisdom in
+the abstract facing Folly in the concrete. Folly in the
+concrete blushed, persisted in her intention, and placed
+the key on -the book. A rusty patch immediately upon
+the verse, caused by previous pressure of an iron
+substance thereon, told that this was not the first time
+the old volume had been used for the purpose.
+'Now keep steady, and be silent,' said Bathsheba.
+The 'verse was repeated; the book turned round ;
+Bathsheba blushed guiltily.
+'Who did you try ?' said Liddy curiously.
+'I shall not tell you.'
+'Did you notice Mr. Boldwood's doings in church
+this morning, miss ? 'Liddy continued, adumbrating by
+the remark the track her thoughts had taken.
+'No, indeed,' said Bathsheba, with serene indifference
+" His pew is exactly opposite yours, miss.'
+"I know it.'
+"And you did not see his goings on !,'
+Certainly I did not, I tell you.'
+Liddy assumed a smaller physiognomy, and shut
+her lips decisively.
+This move was unexpected, and proportionately dis
+concerting. " What did he do?' Bathsheba said perforce.
+"Didn't turn his head to look at you once all the
+service.
+"Why should he?' again demanded her mistress,
+wearing a nettled look. "I didn't ask him to.
+'Oh no. But everybody else was noticing you ; and
+it was odd he didn't. There, 'tis like him. Rich and
+gentlemanly, what does he care ? '
+Bathsheba dropped into a silence intended to ex+
+press that she had opinions on the matter too abstruse
+for Liddy's comprehension, rather than that she had
+nothing to say.
+"
+<P 146>
+Dear me -- I had nearly forgotten the valentine
+I bought yesterday,' she exclaimed at length.
+"Valentine ! who for, miss ? ' said Liddy. " Farmer
+Boldwood ?'
+It was the single name among all possible wrong
+ones that just at this moment seemed to Bathsheba
+more pertinent than the right.
+"Well, no. It is only for little Teddy Coggan.
+have promised him something, and this will be a pretty
+surprise for him. Liddy, you may as well bring me
+my desk and I'll direct it at once.'
+Bathsheba took from her desk a gorgeously illumin+
+ated and embossed design in post-octavo, which had
+been "bought on the previous market-day at the chief
+stationer's in Casterbridge. In the eentre was a small
+oval enclosure ; this was left blank, that the sender
+might insert tender words more appropriate to the
+special occasion than any generalities by a printer
+could possibly be.
+" Here's a place for writing,' said Bathsheba. 'What
+shall I put ?'
+" Something of this sort, I should think', returned
+Liddy promptly : --
+" The rose is red,
+ The violet blue,
+ Camation's sweet,
+ And so are you.'
+" Yes, that shall be it. It just suits itself to a chubby+
+faced child like him,' said Bathsheba. She ins.erted the
+words in a small though legible handwriting; enelosed
+the sheet in an envelope, and dipped her pen for the
+direction.
+"What fun it would be to send it to the stupid old
+Boldwood, and how he would wonder.! ' said the
+irrepressible Liddy, lifting her eyebrows, and indulging
+in an awful mirth on the verge of fear as she thought
+of the moral and social magnitude of the man contem+
+plated.
+Bathsheba paused to regard the idea at full length.
+Boldwood's had begun to be a troublesome image -- a
+species of Daniel in her kingdom who persisted in
+kneeling eastward
+<P 147>
+when reason and common sense
+said that he might just as well follow suit with the
+rest, and afford her the official glance of admiration
+which cost nothing at all. She was far from being
+seriously concerned about his nonconformity. Still,
+it was faintly depressing that the most dignified and
+valuable man in the parish should withhold his eyes,
+and that a girl like Liddy should talk about it. So
+Liddy's idea was at first rather harassing than piquant.
+" No, I won't do that. He wouldn't see any humour
+in it.'
+" He'd worry to death,' said the persistent Liddy.
+" Really, I don't care particularly to send it to
+Teddy,' remarked her mistress. " He's rather a naughty
+child sometimes.'
+" Yes -- that he is.'
+" Let's toss as men do,' said Bathsheba, idly. 'Now
+then, head, Boldwood ; tail, Teddy. No, we won't toss
+money on a Sunday that would be tempting the devil
+indeed.'
+"Toss this hymn-book; there can't be no sinfulness
+in that, miss.'
+'Very well. Open, Boldwood -- shut, Teddy. No;
+it's more likely to fall open. Open, Teddy -- shut,
+Boldwood.'
+The book went fluttering in the air and came down shut.
+Bathsheba, a small yawn upon her mouth, took the
+pen, and with off-hand serenity directed the missive to
+Boldwood.
+'Now light a candle, Liddy. Which seal shall we
+use? Here's a unicorn's head -- there's nothing in
+that. What's this ? -- two doves -- no. It ought to be
+something extraodinary, ought it not, Lidd? Here's
+one with a motto -- I remember it is some funny one,
+but I can't read it. We'll try this, and if it doen't
+do we'll have another.'
+A large red seal was duly affixed. Bathsheba looked
+closely at the hot wax to discover the words.
+'Capital!' she exclaimed, throwing down the letter
+frolicsomely. " 'Twould upset the solemnity of a parson
+
+<P 148>
+The same evening the letter was sent, and was duly
+returned to Weatherbury again in the morning.
+Of love as a spectacle Bathsheba had a fair knowledge;
+but of love subjectively she knew nothing.
+<C xiv>
+<P 149>
+EFFECT OF THE LETTER -- SUNRISE
+AT dusk, on the evening of St. Valentine's Day, Bold+
+wood sat down to supper as usual, by a beaming fire
+of aged logs. Upon the matel-shelf before him was
+a time-piece, surmounted by a spread eagle, and upon
+the eagle's wings was the letter Bathsheba had sent.
+Here the bachelor's gaze was continually fastening
+itself, till the large red seal became as a blot of blood
+on the retina of his eye; and as he ate and drank he
+still read in fancy the words thereon, although they
+were too remote for his sight --
+" MARRY ME.'
+The pert injunction was like those crystal substances
+which, colourless themselves, assume the tone of objects
+about them. Here, in the quiet of Boldwood's parlour,
+where everything that ,was not grave was extraneous,
+and where the atmosphere was that of a Puritan Sunday
+lasting all the week, the letter and its dictum changed'
+their tenor from the thoughtlessness of their origin to
+a deep solemnity, imbibed from their accessories
+now.
+Since the receipt of the missive in the morning,
+Boldwood had felt the symmetry of his existence to
+be slowly getting distorted in the direction of an ideal
+passion. The disturbance was as the first floating
+weed to Columbus -- the eontemptibly little suggesting
+possibilities of the infinitely great.
+The letter must have had an origin and a motive.
+That the latter was of the smallest magnitude com+
+patible with its existence at all, Boldwood, of course,
+did not know. And such an explanation did not
+strike him as a possibility even. It is foreign to a
+mystified condition of mind to realize of the mystifier
+that the processes of approving a course suggested by
+circumstance, and of striking out a course from inner
+impulse, would look the same in the result. The vast
+difference between
+<P 150>
+starting a train of events, and direct+
+ing into a particular groove a series already started, is
+rarely apparent to the person confounded by the
+issue.
+When Boldwood went to bed he placed the valen+
+tine in the corner of the looking-glass. He was
+conscious of its presence, even when his back was
+turned upon it. It was the first time in Boldwood's
+life that such an event had occurred. The same
+fascination that caused him to think it an act which had
+a deliberate motive prevented him from regarding it as
+an impertinence. He looked again at the direction.
+The mysterious influences of night invested the writing
+with the presence of the unknown writer. Somebody's
+some woman's -- hand had travelled softly over the
+paper bearing his name ; her unrevealed eyes had
+watched every curve as she formed it ; her brain had
+seen him in imagination the while. Why should
+she have imagined him ? Her mouth -- were the lips
+red or pale, plump or creased? -- had curved itself to a
+certain expression as the pen went on -- the corners had
+moved with all their natural tremulousness : what had
+been the expression ?
+The vision of the woman writing, as a supplement to
+the words written, had no individuality. She was a
+misty shape, and well she might be, considering that
+her original was at that moment sound asleep and
+oblivious of all love and letter-writing under the sky.
+Whenever Boldwood dozed she took a form, and com+
+paratively ceased to be a vision : when he awoke there
+was the letter justifying the dream.
+The moon shone to-night, and its light was not of
+a customary kind. His window admitted only a
+reflection of its rays, and the pale sheen had that
+reversed direction which snow gives, coming upward
+and lighting up his ceiling in an unnatural way, casting
+shadows in strange places, and putting lights where
+shadows had used to be.
+The substance of the epistle had occupied him but
+little in comparison with the fact of its arrival. He
+suddenly wondered if anything more might be found in
+the envelope than what he had withdrawn. He jumped
+out of bed in the weird light, took the letter, pulled out
+the flimsy sheet, shook the envelope -- searched it.
+Nothing more was there. Boldwood looked, as he
+<P 151>
+had a hundred times the preceding day, at the insistent red
+seal : " Marry me,' he said aloud.
+The solemn and reserved yeoman again closed the
+letter, and stuck it in the frame of the glass. In doing
+so he caught sight of his reflected features, wan in
+expression, and insubstantial in form. He saw how
+closely compressed was his mouth, and that his eyes
+were wide-spread and vacant. Feeling uneasy and dis+
+satisfied with himself for this nervous excitability, he
+returned to bed.
+Then the dawn drew on. The full power of the
+clear heaven was not equal to that of a cloudy sky at
+noon, when Boldwood arose and dressed himself. He
+descended the stairs and went out towards the gate of
+a field to the east, leaning over which he paused and
+looked around.
+It was one of the usual slow sunrises of this time of
+the year, and the sky, pure violet in the zenith, was
+leaden to the northward, and murky to the east, where,
+over the snowy down or ewe-lease on Weatherbury
+Upper Farm, and apparently resting upon the ridge, the
+only half of the sun yet visible burnt rayless, like a red
+and flameless fire shining over a white hearthstone.
+The whole effect resembled a sunset as childhood
+resembles age.
+In other directions, the fields and sky were so much
+of one colour by the snow, that it was difficult in a
+hasty glance to tell whereabouts the horizon occurred ;
+and in general there was here, too, that before-mentioned
+preternatural inversion of light and shade which attends
+the prospect when the garish brightness commonly in
+the sky is found on the earth, and the shades of earth
+are in the sky. Over the west hung the wasting moon,
+now dull and greenish-yellow, like tarnished brass.
+Boldwood was listlessly noting how the frost had
+hardened and glazed the surface of the snow, till it
+shone in the red eastern light wit-h the polish of marble;
+how, in some portions of the slope, withered grass-bents,
+encased in icicles, bristled through the smooth wan
+coverlet in the twisted and curved shapes of old
+Venetian glass; and how the footprints of a few birds,
+which had hopped over the snow whilst it lay in the
+state of a soft fleece, were now frozen to a short perma+
+<P 152>
+nency. A half-muffled noise of light wheels interrupted
+him. Boldwood turned back into the road. It was
+the mail-cart -- a crazy, two-wheeled vehicle, hardly
+heavy enough to resist a puff of wind. The driver held
+out a letter. Boldwood seized it and opened it, ex+
+pecting another anonymous one -- so greatly are people's
+ideas of probability a mere sense that precedent will
+repeat itself.
+"I don't think it is for you, sir,' said the man, when
+he saw Boldwood's action. "Though there is no name
+I think it is for your shepherd.'
+Boldwood looked then at the address --
+To the New Shepherd,
+Weatherbury Farm,
+Near Casterbridge.
+"Oh -- what a mistake !. -- it is not mine. Nor is it
+for my shepherd. It is for Miss Everdene's.' You had
+better take it on to him -- Gabriel Oak -- and say I opencd
+it in mistake."
+At this moment, on the ridge, up against the blazing
+sky, a figure was visible, like the black snuff in the
+midst of a candle-flame. Then it moved and began to
+bustle about vigorously from place to place, carrying
+square skeleton masses, which were riddled by the same
+rays. A small figure on all fours followed behind. The
+tall form was that of Gabriel Oak ; the small one that
+of George ; the articles in course of transit were hurdles.
+'Wait, 'said Boldwood. " That's the man on the hill.
+I'll take the letter to him myself."
+To Boldwood it was now no longer merely a letter to
+I another man. It was an opportunity. Exhibiting a
+face pregnant with intention, he entered the snowy field.
+Gabriel, at that minute, descended the hill towards
+the right. The glow stretched down in this direction
+now, and touched the distant roof of Warren's Malthouse
+whither the shepherd was apparently bent : Boldwood
+followed at a distance.
+<C xv>
+<P 153>
+THE scarlet and orange light outside the malthouse did
+not penetrate to its interior, which was, as usual, lighted
+by a rival glow of similar hue, radiating from the hearth.
+The maltster, after having lain down in his clothes
+for a few hours, was now sitting beside a three-leggcd
+table, breakfasting of bread and bacon. This was
+eaten on the plateless system, which is performed by
+placing a slice of bread upon the table, the meat flat
+upon the bread, a mustard plaster upon the meat, and
+a pinch of salt upon the whole, then cutting them
+vertically downwards with a large pocket-knife till wood
+is reached, when the severed lamp is impaled on the
+knife, elevated, and sent the proper way of food.
+The maltster's lack of teeth appeared not to sensibly
+diminish his powers as a mill. He had been without
+them for so many years that toothlessness was felt less
+to be a defect than hard gums an acquisition. Indeed,
+he seemed to approach the grave as a hyperbolic curve
+approaches a stmight line -- less directly as he got nearer,
+till it was doubtful if he would ever reach it at all.
+In the ashpit was a heap of potatoes roasting, and a
+boiling pipkin of charred bread, callcd 'coffee,' for the
+benefit of whomsoever should call, for Warren's was a
+sort of clubhouse. used as an alternative to the in!.
+"I say, says I, we get a fine day, and then down
+comes a snapper at night,' was a remark now suddenly
+heard spreading into the malthouse from the door, which
+had been opened the previous moment. The form of
+Henery Fray advanced to the fire, stamping the snow
+from his boots when about half-way there. The speech
+and entry had not seemed to be at all an abrupt begin+
+ning to the maltster, introductoy matter being often
+omitted in this neighbourhood, both from word and
+<P 154>
+deed, and the maltster having the same latitude allowed
+him, did not hurry to reply. He picked up a fragment
+of cheese, by pecking upon it with his knife, as a butcher
+picks up skewers.
+Henery appeared in a drab kerseymere great-coat,
+buttoned over his smock-frock, the white skirts of the
+latter being visible to the distance of about a foot below
+the coat-tails, which, when you got used to the style of
+dress, looked natural enough, and even ornamental -- it
+certainly was comfortable.
+Matthew Moon, Joseph Poorgrass, and other carters
+and waggoners followed at his heels, with great lanterns
+dangling from their hands, which showed that they had
+just come from the cart-horse stables, where they had
+been busily engaged since four o'clock that morning.
+"And how is she getting on without a baily?' the
+maltster inquired.
+Henery shook his head, and smiled one of the bitter
+smiles, dragging all the flesh of his forehead into a
+corrugated heap in the centre.
+" She'll rue it -- surely, surely ! ' he said " Benjy
+Pennyways were not a true man or an honest baily --
+as big a betrayer as Joey Iscariot himself. But to think
+she can carr' on alone! ' He allowed his head to swing
+laterally three or four times in silence. " Never in all my
+creeping up -- never! '
+This was recognized by all as the conclusion of some
+gloomy speech which had been expressed in thought
+alone during the shake of the head; Henery meanwhile
+retained several marks of despair upon his face, to
+imply that they would be required for use again directly
+he should go on speaking.
+'All will be ruined, and ourselves too, or there's no
+meat in gentlemen's houses!' said Mark Clark.
+'A headstrong maid, that's what she is -- and won't
+listen to no advice at all. Pride and vanity have ruined
+many a cobbler's dog. Dear, dear, when I think o' it,
+I sorrows like a man in travel ! '
+'True, Henery, you do, I've heard ye,' said Joseph
+Poorgrass in a voice of thorough attestation, and with
+a wire-drawn smile of misery.
+"'Twould do a martel man no harm to have what's
+under
+<P 155>
+her bonnet,' said Billy Smallbury, who had just
+entered, bearing his one tooth before him. "She can
+spaik real language, and must have some sense some+
+where. Do ye foller me ?'
+"I do: but no baily -- I deserved that place,' wailed
+Henery, signifying wasted genius by gazing blankly at
+visions of a high destiny apparently visible to him on
+Billy Smallbury's smock-frock. " There, 'twas to be, I
+suppose. Your lot is your lot, and Scripture is nothing;
+for if you do good you don't get rewarded according to
+your works, but be cheated in some mean way out of
+your recompense.'
+"No, no; I don't agree with'ee there,' said Mark
+Clark. God's a perfect gentleman in that respect.'
+"Good works good pay, so to speak it,' attested
+Joseph Poorgrass.
+A short pause ensued, and as a sort of entr'acte
+Henery turned and blew out the lanterns, which the
+increase of daylight rendered no longer necessary even
+in the malthouse, with its one pane of glass.
+"I wonder what a farmer-woman can want with a
+harpsichord, dulcimer, pianner, or whatever 'tis they d'call
+it?' said the maltster. 'Liddy saith she've a new one.'
+"Got a pianner?'
+"Ay. Seems her old uncle's things were not good
+enough for her. She've bought all but everything new.
+There's heavy chairs for the stout, weak and wiry ones
+for the slender; great watches, getting on to the size
+of clocks, to stand upon the chimbley-piece.'
+Pictures, for the most part wonderful frames.'
+" And long horse-hair settles for the drunk, with horse+
+hair pillows at each end,' said Mr. Clark. " Likewise
+looking-glasses for the pretty, and lying books for the
+wicked.'
+A firm loud tread was now heard stamping outside;
+the door was opened about six inches, and somebody on
+the other side exclaimed --
+"Neighbours, have ye got room for a few new-born
+lambs?'
+" Ay, sure, shepherd,' said the conclave.
+The door was flung back till it kicked the wall and
+trembled from top to bottom with the blow. Mr.
+Oak appeared in the
+<P 156>
+entry with a steaming face, hay+
+bands wound about his ankles to keep out the snow, a
+leather strap round his waist outside the smock-frock,
+and looking altogether an epitome of the world's health
+and vigour. Four lambs hung in various embarrassing
+attitudes over his shoulders, and the dog George, whom
+Gabriel had contrived to fetch from Norcombe, stalked
+solemnly behind.
+" Well, Shepherd Oak, and how's lambing this year,
+if I mid say it?' inquired Joseph Poorgrass.
+"Terrible trying," said Oak. "I've been wet through
+twice a-day, either in snow or rain, this last fortnight.
+Cainy and I haven't tined our eyes to-night.'
+"A good few twins, too, I hear ?'
+"Too many by half. Yes ; 'tis a very queer lambing
+this year. We shan't have done by Lady Day.'
+"And last year 'twer all over by Sexajessamine
+Sunday,' Joseph remarked.
+"Bring on the rest Cain,' said Gabriel, " and then run
+back to the ewes. I'll follow you soon.'
+Cainy Ball -- a cheery-faced young lad, with a small
+circular orifice by way of mouth, advanced and deposited
+two others, and retired as he was bidden. Oak lowered
+the lambs from their unnatural elevation, wrapped them
+in hay, and placed them round the fire.
+" We've no lambing-hut here, as I used to have at
+Norcombe,' said Gabriel, " and 'tis such a plague to bring
+the weakly ones to a house. If 'twasn't for your place
+here, malter, I don't know what I should do! this keen
+weather. And how is it with you to-day, malter? '
+" Oh, neither sick nor sorry, shepherd ; 'but no
+younger.'
+" Ay -- I understand.
+"Sit down, Shepherd Oak', continued the ancient man
+of malt. " And how was the old place at Norcombe,
+when ye went for your dog? I should like to see the
+old familiar spot ; but faith, I shouldn't" know a soul
+there now.'
+" I suppose you wouldn't. 'Tis' altered very much.'
+"Is it true that Dicky Hill's wooden cider-house is
+pulled down?'
+<P 157>
+" O yes -- years ago, and Dicky's cottage just above it.'
+"Well, to be sure!,
+" Yes ; and Tompkins's old apple-tree is rooted that
+used to bear two hogsheads of cider; and no help from
+other trees.'
+'Rooted? -- you don't say it! Ah! stirring times we
+live in -- stirring times.'
+"And you can mind the old well that used to be in
+the middle of the place? That's turned into a solid
+iron pump with a large stone trough, and all complete.'
+"Dear, dear -- how the face of nations alter, and
+what we live to see nowadays! Yes -- and 'tis the same
+here. They've been talking but now of the mis'ess's
+strange doings.'
+" What have you been saying about her?' inquired
+Oak, sharply turning to the rest, and getting very
+warm.
+" These middle-aged men have been pulling her over
+the coals for pride and vanity,' said Mark Clark; "but
+I say, let her have rope enough. Bless her pretty face
+shouldn't I like to do so -- upon her cherry lips!'
+The gallant Mark Clark here made a peculiar and well
+known sound with his own.
+" Mark,' said Gabriel, sternly, 'now you mind this !
+none of that dalliance-talk -- that smack-and-coddle style
+of yours -- about Miss Everdene. I don't allow it. Do
+you hear? '
+" With all my heart, as I've got no chance,' replied
+Mr. Clark, cordially.
+' I suppose you've been speaking against her? ' said
+Oak, turning to Joseph Poorgrass with a very grim
+look.
+"No, no -- not a word I -- 'tis a real joyful thing that
+she's no worse, that's what I say,' said Joseph, trembling
+and blushing with terror. " Matthew just said -- -- '
+" Matthew Moon, what have you been saying ? ' asked
+Oak.
+'I? Why ye know I wouldn't harm a worm -- no,
+not one underground worm ?' said Matthew Moon,
+looking very uneasy.
+"Well, somebody has -- and look here, neighbours.'
+Gabriel, though one of the quietest and most gentle
+men on earth, rose to the occasion, with martial
+promptness and vigour. "That's my fist.' Here he
+placed his fist, rather smaller in size than a common
+loaf, in the mathemarical centre of the maltster's little
+table, and with it gave a bump or two thereon, as if
+<P 158>
+to ensure that their eyes all thoroughly took in the
+idea of fistiness before he went further. "Now -- the
+first man in the parish that I hear prophesying bad of
+our mistress, why' (here the fist was raised and let fall
+as T'hor might have done with his hammer in assaying
+it) -- "he'll smell and taste that -- or I'm a Dutchman.'
+All earnestly expressed by their features that their
+minds did not wander to Holland for a moment on
+account of this statement, but were deploring the
+difference which gave rise to the figure ; and Mark
+Clark cried "Hear, hear; just what I should ha' said.'
+The dog George looked up at the same time after the
+shepherd's menace, and though he understood English
+but imperfectly, began to growl.
+" Now, don't ye take on so, shepherd, and sit down!'
+said Henery, with a deprecating peacefulness equal to
+anything of the kind in Christianity.
+"We hear that ye bc a extraordinary good and
+clever man, shepherd,' said Joseph Poorgrass with
+considerable anxiety from behind the maltster's bed+
+stead whither he had retired for safety. "'Tis a great
+thing to be clever, I'm sure,' he added, making move+
+ments associated with states of mind rather than body ;
+" we wish we were, don't we, neighbours ? '
+"Ay, that we do, sure,' said Matthew Moon, with
+a small anxious laugh towards Oak, to show how very
+friendly disposed he was likewise.
+" Who's been telling you I'm clever?' said Oak.
+"'Tis blowed about from pillar to post quite common,'
+said Matthew. " We hear that ye can tell the t1me as
+well by the stars as we can by the sun and moon,
+shepherd.'
+" Yes, I can do a little that way,' said Gabriel, as a
+man of medium sentiments on the subject.
+names upon their waggons almost like copper-plate,
+with beautiful flourishes, and great long tails. A
+excellent fine thing for ye to be such a clever man,
+shepherd. Joseph Poorgrass used to prent to Farmer
+James Everdene's waggons before you came, and 'a
+could never mind which way to turn the J's and E's
+ -- could ye, Joseph?' Joseph shook his head to express
+how absolute was
+<P 159>
+the fact that he couldn't. "And so
+you used to do 'em the wrong way, like this, didn't ye,
+Joseph ?' Matthew marked on the dusty floor with his
+whip-handle
+LAMES
+"And how Farmer James would cuss, and call thee a
+fool, wouldn't he, Joseph, when 'a seed his name
+looking so inside-out-like ?' continued Matthew Moon
+with feeling.
+'Ay -- 'a would,' said Joseph, meekly. " But, you see,
+I wasn't so much to blame, for them J's and E's be
+such trying sons o' witches for the memory to mind
+whether they face backward or forward ; and I always
+had such a forgetful memory, too.'
+"'Tis a bad afiction for ye, being such a man of
+calamities in other ways.'
+" Well, 'tis ; but a happy Providence ordered that it
+should be no worse, and I feel my thanks. As to
+shepherd, there, I'm sure mis'ess ought to have made
+ye her baily -- such a fitting man for't as you be.'
+"I don't mind owning that I expected it,' said Oak,
+frankly. ' Indeed, I hoped for the place. At the same
+time, Miss Everdene has a right to be own baily if
+she choose -- and to keep me down to be a common
+shepherd only.' Oak drew a slow breath, looked sadly
+into the bright ashpit, and seemed lost in thoughts not
+of the most hopeful hue.
+The genial warmth of the fire now began to stimulate
+the nearly lifeless lambs to bleat and move their limbs
+briskly upon the hay, and to recognize for the first time
+the fact that they were born. Their noise increased to a
+chorus of baas, upon which Oak pulled the milk-can from
+before the fire, and taking a small tea-pot from the pocket
+of his smock-frock, filled it with milk, and taught those of
+the helpless creatures which were not to be restored to
+their dams how to drink from the spout -- a trick they
+acquired with astonishing aptitude.
+"And she don't even let ye have the skins of the
+dead lambs, I hear?' resumed Joseph Poorgrass, his
+eyes lingering on the operations of Oak with the neces+
+sary melancholy.
+"I don't have them,' said Gabriel.
+"Ye be very badly used, shepherd,' hazardcd Joseph
+again, in
+<P 160>
+the hope of getting Oak as an ally in lamenta+
+tion after all. "I think she's took against ye -- that
+I do.'
+'O no -- not at all,' replied Gabriel, hastily, and a
+sigh escaped him, which the deprivation of lamb skins
+could hardly have caused.
+Before any further remark had been added a shade
+darkened the door, and Boldwood entered the malthouse,
+bestowing upon each a nod of a quality between friendli+
+ness and condescension.
+"Ah! Oak, I thought you were here,' he said. 'I
+met the mail-cart ten minutes ago, and a letter was put
+into my hand, which I opened without reading the
+address. I believe it is yours. You must excuse the
+accident please.'
+"O yes -- not a bit of difference, Mr. Boldwood --
+not a bit,' said Gabriel, readily. He had not a corre+
+spondent on earth, nor was there a possible letter coming
+to him whose contents the whole parish would not have
+been welcome to persue.
+Oak stepped aside, and read the following in an
+unknown hand: --
+" DEAR FRIEND, -- I do not know your name, but l think
+these few lines will reach you, which I wrote to thank you
+for your kindness to me the night I left Weatherbury in a
+reckless way. I also return the money I owe you, which
+you will excuse my not keeping as a gift. All has ended
+well, and I am happy to say I am going to be married to
+the young man who has courted me for some time -- Sergeant
+Troy, of the 11th Dragoon Guards, now quartered in this
+town. He would, I know, object to my having received
+anything except as a loan, being a man of great respecta+
+bility and high honour -- indeed, a nobleman by blood.
+ "I should be much obliged to you if you would keep the
+contents of this letter a secret for the present, dear friend.
+We mean to surprise Weatherbury by coming there soon
+as husband and wife, though l blush to state it to one nearly
+a strangen The sergeant grew up in Weatherbury. Thank+
+ing you again for your kindness,
+"I am, your sincere well-wisher,
+" FANNV ROBIN.'
+' Have you read it, Mr. Boldwood?' said Gabriel;
+"if not, you had better do so. I know you are interested
+in Fanny Robin.'
+<P 161>
+Boldwood read the letter and looked grieved.
+"Fanny -- poor Fanny! the end she is so confident
+of has not yet come, she should remember -- and may
+never come. I see she gives no address.'
+"What sort of a man is this Sergeant Troy?' said
+Gabriel.
+"H'm -- I'm afraid not one to build much hope upon
+in such a case as this,' the farmer murmured, "though
+he's a clever fellow, and up to everything. A slight
+romance attaches to him, too. His mother was a French
+governess, and it seems that a secret attachment existed
+between her and the late Lord Severn. She was married
+to a poor medical man, and soon after an infant was
+horn; and while money was forthcoming all went on
+well. Unfortunately for her boy, his best friends died;
+and he got then a situation as second clerk at a lawyer's
+in Casterbridge. He stayed there for some time, and
+might have worked himself into a dignified position of
+some sort had he not indulged in the wild freak of
+enlisting. I have much doubt if ever little Fanny will
+surprise us in the way she mentions -- very much doubt
+A silly girl! -- silly girl!'
+The door was hurriedly burst open again, and in
+came running Cainy Ball out of breath, his mouth red
+and open, like the bell of a penny trumpet, from which
+he coughed with noisy vigour and great distension of face.
+"Now, Cain Ball,' said Oak, sternly, "why will you
+run so fast and lose your breath so? I'm always telling
+you of it.'
+'Oh -- I -- a puff of mee breath -- went -- the -- wrong
+way, please, Mister Oak, and made me cough -- hok --
+hok!'
+"Well -- what have you come for?'
+"I've run to tell ye,' said the junior shepherd,
+supporting his exhausted youthful frame against the
+doorpost, ' that you must come directly'. Two more ewes
+have twinned -- that's what's the matter, Shepherd Oak.'
+" Oh, that's it,' said Oak, jumping up, and dimissing
+for the present his thoughts on poor Fanny. " You are
+a good boy to run and tell me, Cain, and you shall
+smell a large plum pudding some day as a treat. But,
+before we go, Cainy, bring the tarpot, and we'll mark
+this lot and have done with 'em.'
+<P 162>
+Oak took from his illimitable pockets a marking iron,
+dipped it into the pot, and imprintcd on the buttocks
+of the infant sheep the initials of her he delighted to
+muse on -- "B. E.,' which signified to all the region
+round that henceforth the lambs belonged to Farmer
+Bathsheba Everdene, and to no one else.
+" Now, Cainy, shoulder your two, and off Good
+morning, Mr. Boldwood.' The shepherd lifted the
+sixteen large legs and four small bodies he had himself
+brought, and vanished with them in the direction of
+the lambing field hard by -- their frames being now in a
+sleek and hopeful state, pleasantly contrasting with their
+death's-door plight of hialf an hour before.
+Boldwood followed him a little way up the field,
+hesitated, and turned back. He followed him again
+with a last resolve, annihilating return. On approaching
+the nook in which the fold was constructed, the farmer
+drew out-his pocket-book, unfastened-it, and allowed it
+to lie open on his hand. A letter was revealed -- Bath+
+sheba's.
+"I was going to ask you, Oak,' he said, with unreal
+carelessness, "if you know whose writing this is? '
+Oak glanced into the book, and replied instantly,
+with a flushed face, " Miss Everdene's.'
+Oak had coloured simply at the consciousness of
+sounding her name. He now felt a strangely distressing
+qualm from a new thought. ' The letter could of course
+be no other than anonymous, or the inquiry would not
+have been necessary.
+Boldwood mistook his confusion : sensitive persons
+are always ready with their "Is it I ? ' in prefercnce to
+objective reasoning.
+" The question was perfectly fair,' he returned -- and
+there was something incongruous in the serious eamest+
+ness with which he applied himself to an argument on
+a valentine. " You know it is always expected that
+privy inquiries will be made : that's where the -- fun
+lies.' If the word "fun' had been "torture,' it could
+not have been uttered with a more constrained and
+restless countenance than was Boldwood's then.'
+Soon parting from Gabriel, the lonely and reserved
+man returned to his house to breakfast -- feeling twinges
+of shame and regret at having so far exposed his mood
+by those fevered
+<P 163>
+questions to a stranger. He again
+placed the letter on the mantelpiece, and sat down to
+think of the circumstances attending it by the light of
+Gabriel's information.
+ALL SAINTS' AND ALL SOULS"
+<C xvi>
+<P 164>
+ALL SAINTS' AND ALL SOULS'
+ON a week-day morning a small congregation, con+
+sisting mainly of women and girls, rose from its knees
+in the mouldy nave of a church called All Saints', in
+the distant barrack-town before mentioned, at the end
+of a service without a sermon. They were about to
+disperse, when a smart footstep, entering the porch and
+coming up the central passage, arrested their attention.
+The step echoed with a ring unusual in a church; it
+was the clink of spurs. Everybody looked. A young
+cavalry soldier in a red uniform, with the three chevrons
+of a sergeant upon his sleeve, strode up the aisle, with
+an embarrassment which was only the more marked
+by the intense vigour of his step, and by the deter+
+mination upon his face to show none. A slight flush
+had mounted his cheek by the time he had run the
+gauntlet between these women ; but, passing on through
+the chancel arch, he never paused till he came close
+to the altar railing. Here for a moment he stood
+alone.
+The officiating curate, who had not yet doffed his
+surplice, perceived the new-comer, and followed him
+to the communion-space. He whispered to the soldier,
+and then beckoned to the clerk, who in his turn
+whispered to an elderly woman, apparently his wife, and
+they also went up the chancel steps.
+"'Tis a wedding!' murmured some of the women,
+brightening. " Let's wait!'
+The majority again sat down.
+There was a creaking of machinery behind, and
+some of the young ones turned their heads. From the
+interior face of the west wall of the tower projected a
+little canopy with a quarter-jack and small bcll beneath
+it, the automaton being driven by the same clock
+machinery that struck the large bell in the tower. Be+
+tween the tower and the church was a close sereen, the
+door of which was kept shut during services, hiding
+this
+<P 165>
+grotesque clockwork from sight. At present, how+
+ever, the door was open, and the egress of the jack, the
+blows on the bell, and the mannikin's retreat intc.the
+nook again, were visible to many, and audible through+
+out the church.
+The jack had struck half-past eleven.
+" Where's the woman ?" whispered some of the
+spectators.
+The young sergeant stood still with the abnormal
+rigidity of the old pillars around. He faced the south+
+east, and was as silent as he was still.
+The silence grew to be a noticeable thing as the
+minutes went on, and nobody else appeared, and not a
+soul moved. The rattle of the quarter-jack again from
+its niche, its blows for three-quarters, its fussy retreat,
+were almost painfully abrupt, and caused many of the
+congregation to start palpably.
+"I wonder where the woman is!' a voice whispered
+again.
+There began now that slight shifting of feet, that
+artificial coughing among several, which betrays a
+nervous suspense. At length there was a titter. But
+the soldier never moved. There he stood, his face to
+the south-east, upright as a column, his cap in his hand.
+The clock ticked on. The women threw off their
+nervousness, and titters and giggling became more
+frequent. Then came a dead silence. Every one was
+waiting for the end. Some persons may have noticed
+how extraordinarily the striking of quarters. seems to
+quicken the flight of time. It was hardly credible that
+the jack had not got wrong with the minutes when the
+rattle began again, the puppet emerged, and the four
+quarters were struck fitfully as before: One could al+
+most be positive that there was a malicious leer upon
+the hideous creature's face, and a mischievous delight
+in its twitchings. Then, followed the dull and remote
+resonance of the twelve heavy strokes in the tower
+above. The women were impressed, and there was no
+giggle this time.
+The clergyman glided into the vestry, and the clerk
+vanished. The sergeant had not yet turned ; every
+woman in the church was waiting to see his face, and
+he appeared to know it. At last he did turn, and
+stalked resolutely down the nave, braving them all,
+with a compressed lip. Two bowed and toothless old
+<P 166>
+almsmen then looked at each other and chuckled,
+innocently enough ; but the sound had a strange weird
+effect in that place.
+Opposite to the church was a paved square, around
+which several overhanging wood buildings of old time
+cast a picturesque shade. The young man on leaving
+the door went to cross the square, when, in the middle,
+he met a little woman. The expression of her face,
+which had been one of intense anxiety, sank at the
+sight of his nearly to terror.
+" Well ? ' he said, in a suppressed passion, fixedly
+looking at her.
+" O, Frank -- I made a mistake! -- I thought that
+church with the spire was All Saints', and I was at the
+door at half-past eleven to a minute as you said.
+waited till a quarter to twelve, and found then that I
+was in All Souls'. But I wasn't much frightened, for
+I thought it could be to-morrow as well.'
+"You fool, for so fooling me! But say no more.'
+" Shall it be to-monow, Frank ? ' she asked blankly.
+"To-morrow !' and he gave vent to a hoarse laugh.
+"I don't go through that experience again for some
+time, I warrant you ! '
+" But after all,' she expostulated in a trembling voice,
+"the mistake was not such a terrible thing! Now, dear
+Frank, when shall it be?'
+"Ah, when ? God knows !' he said, with a light
+irony, and turning from her walked rapidly away.
+<C xvii>
+<P 167>
+IN THE MARKET-PLACE
+ON Saturday Boldwood was in Casterbridge market
+house as usual, when the disturber of his dreams entered
+and became visible to him. Adam had awakened from
+his deep sleep, and behold! there was Eve. The
+farmer took courage, and for the first time really looked
+at her.
+Material causes and emotional effects are not to be
+arranged in regular equation. The result from capital
+employed in the production of any movement of a
+mental nature is sometimes as tremendous as the cause
+itself is absurdly minute. When women are in a freakish
+mood, their usual intuition, either from carelessness or
+inherent defect, seemingly fails to teaeh them this, and
+hence it was that Bathsheba was fated to be astonished
+today.
+Boldwood looked at her -- not slily, critically, or
+understandingly, but blankly at gaze, in the way a
+reaper looks up at a passing train -- as something foreign
+to his element, and but dimly understood. To Bold+
+wood women had been remote phenomena rather than
+necessary complements -- comets of such uncertain
+aspeet, movement, and permanence, that whether
+their orbits were as geometrical, unchangeable, and
+as subject to laws as his own, or as absolutely erratic
+as they superficially appeared, he had not deemed it
+his duty to consider.
+He saw her black hair, her correct facial curves
+and profile, and the roundness of her chin and throat.
+He saw then the side of her eyelids, eyes, and lashes,
+and the shape of her ear. Next he noticed her figure,
+her skirt, and the very soles of her shoes.
+Boldwood thought her beautiful, but wondered
+whether he was right in his thought, for it seemed
+impossible that this romance in the flesh, if so sweet
+as he imagined, could have
+<P 168>
+been going on long without
+creating a commotion of delight among men, and pro+
+voking more inquiry than Bathsheba had done, even
+though that was not a little. To the best of his judg+
+ment neither nature nor art could improve this perfect
+one of an imperfect many. His heart began to move
+within him. Boldwood, it must be remembered, though
+forty years of age, had never before inspected a woman
+with the very centre and force of his glance; they had
+struck upon all his senses at wide angles.
+Was she really beautiful? He could not assure
+himself that his opinion was true even now. He fur+
+tively said to a neighbour, 'Is Miss Everdene considered
+handsome?'
+"0 yes; she was a good deal 'notied the first
+time she came, if you remember. A very handsome
+girl indeed.'
+A man is never more credulous than in receiving
+favourable opinions on the beauty of a woman he is
+half, or quite, in love with; a mere child's word on the
+point has the weight of an R.A.'s. Boldwood was
+satisfied now.
+And this charming woman had in effect said to
+him, "Marry me.' Why should she have done that
+strange thing ? Boldwood's blindness to the difference
+between approving of what circumstances suggest, and
+originating what they do not suggest, was well matched
+by Bathsheba's insensibility to the possibly great issues
+of little beginnings.
+She was at this moment coolly dealing with a dashing
+young farmer, adding up accounts with him as indiffer+
+ently as if his face had been the pages of a ledger. It
+was evident that such a nature as his had no attraction
+for a woman of Bathsheba's taste. But Boldwood grew
+hot down to his hands with an incipient jealousy; he
+trod for the first time the threshold of "the injured
+lover's hell.' His first impulse was to go and thrust
+himself between them. This could be done, but only
+in one way -- by asking to see a sample of her corn.
+Boldwood renounced the idea. He could not make
+the request; it was debasing loveliness to ask it to
+buy and sell, and jarred with his conceptions of her.
+All this time Bathsheba was conscious of having
+broken into that dignified stronghold at last. His
+eyes, she knew, were
+<P 169>
+following her everywhere. This
+was a triumph; and had it come naturally, such a
+triumph would have been the sweeter to her for this
+piquing delay. But it had been brought about by
+misdirected ingenuity, and she valued it only as she
+valued an artificial flower or a wax fruit.
+Being a woman with some good sense in reasoning
+on subjects wherein her heart was not involved, Bath+
+sheba genuinely repented that a freak which had owed
+its existence as much to Liddy as to herself, should
+ever have been undertaken, to disturb the placidity of
+a man she respected too highly to deliberately tease.
+She that day nearly formed the intention of begging
+his pardon on the very next occasion of their meeting.
+The worst features of this arrangement were that, if
+he thought she ridiculed him, an apology would in+
+crease the offence by being disbelieved; and if he
+thought she wanted him to woo her, it would read
+like additional evidence of her forwardness.
+<C xviii>
+<P 170>
+BOLDWOOD IN MEDITATION -- REGRET
+BOLDWOOD was tenant of what was called Little
+Weatherbury Farm, and his person was the nearest ap+
+proach to aristocracy that this remoter quarter of the
+parish could boast of. Genteel strangers, whose god
+was their town, who might happen to be compelled to
+linger about this nook for a day, heard the sound of
+light wheels, and prayed to see good society, to the
+degree of a solitary lord, or squire at the very least,
+but it was only Mr. Boldwood going out for the day.
+They heard the sound of wheels yet once more, and
+were re-animated to expectancy : it was only Mr. Bold+
+wood coming home again.
+His house stood recessed from the road, and the
+stables, which are to a farm what a fireplace is to a
+room, were behind, their lower portions being lost
+amid bushes of laurel. Inside the blue door, open
+half-way down, were to be seen at this time the backs
+and tails of half-a-dozen warm and contented horses
+standing in their stalls; and as thus viewed, they pre+
+sented alternations of roan and bay, in shapes like a
+Moorish arch, the tail being a streak down the midst
+of each. Over these, and lost to the eye gazing in
+from the outer light, the mouths of the same animals
+could be heard busily sustaining the above-named
+warmth and plumpness by quantities of oats and hay.
+The restless and shadowy figure of a colt wandered
+about a loose-box at the end, whilst the steady grind
+of all the eaters was occasionally diversified by the
+rattle of a rope or the stamp of a foot.
+Pacing up and down at the heels of the animals was
+Farmer Boldwood himself. This place was his almonry
+and cloister in one : here, after looking to the feeding
+of his four-footed dependants, the celibate would walk
+and meditate of an evening till the moon's rays streamed
+in through the cobwebbed windows, or total darkness
+enveloped the scene.
+<P 171>
+His square-framed perpendicularity showed more fully
+now than in the crowd and bustle of the market-house.
+In this meditative walk his foot met the floor with heel
+and toe simultaneously, and his fine reddish-fleshed face
+was bent downwards just enough to render obscure the
+still mouth and the well-rounded though rather prominent
+and broad chin. A few clear and thread-like horizontal
+lines were the only interruption to the otherwise smooth
+surface of his large forehead.
+The phases of Boldwood's life were ordinary enough,
+but his was not an ordinary nature. That stillness,
+which struck casual observers more than anything else
+in his character and habit, and seemed so precisely
+like the rest of inanition, may have been the perfect
+balance of enormous antagonistic forces -- positives and
+negatives in fine adjustment. His equilibrium disturbed,
+he was in extremity at once. If an emotion possessed
+him at all, it ruled him; a feeling not mastering him
+was entirely latent. Stagnant or rapid, it was never
+slow. He was always hit mortally, or he was missed.
+He had no light and careless touches in his constitu+
+tion, either for good or for evil. Stern in the outlines of
+action, mild in the details, he was serious throughout all.
+He saw no absurd sides to the follies of life, and thus,
+though not quite companionable in the eyes of merry
+men and scoffers, and those to whom all things show
+life as a jest, he was not intolerable to the earnest and
+those acquainted with grief. Being a man -who read
+all the dramas of life seriously, if he failed to please
+when they were comedies, there was no frivolous treat+
+ment to reproach him for when they chanced to end
+tragically.
+Bathsheba was far from dreaming that the dark and
+silent shape upon which she had so carelessly thrown a
+seed was a hotbed of tropic intensity. Had she known
+Boldwood's moods, her blame would have been fearful,
+and the stain upon her heart ineradicable. Moreover,
+had she known her present power for good or evil over
+this man, she would have trembled at her responsibility.
+Luckily for her present, unluckily for her future tran+
+quillity, her understanding had not yet told her what
+Boldwood was. Nobody knew entirely ; for though it
+was possible to form guesses concerning his wild 'capa+
+<P 172>
+bilities from old floodmarks faintly visible, he had never
+been seen at the high tides which caused them.
+Farmer Boldwood came to the stable-door and looked
+forth across the level fields. Beyond the first enclosure
+was a hedge, and on the other side of this a meadow
+belonging to Bathsheba's farm.
+It was now early spring -- the time of going to grass
+with the sheep, when they have the first feed of the
+meadows, before these are laid up for mowing. The
+wind, which had been blowing east for several weeks,
+had veered to the southward, and the middle of spring
+had come abruptly -- almost without a beginning. It
+was that period in the vernal quarter when we map
+suppose the Dryads to be waking for the season. The
+vegetable world begins to move and swell and the saps
+to rise, till in the completest silence of lone gardens
+and trackless plantations, where- everything seems -help+
+less and still after the bond and slavery of frost, there
+are bustlings, strainings, united thrusts, and pulls-all+
+together, in comparison with which the powerful tugs of
+cranes and pulleys in a noisy city are but. pigmy efforts.
+"Boldwood, looking into the distant meadows, saw
+there three figures. They were those of Miss' Everdene,
+Shepherd Oak, and Cainy Ball.
+When Bathsheba's figure shone upon the farmer's
+eyes it lighted him up as the moon lights up a great
+tower. A man's body is as the shell; or the tablet, of
+his soul, as he is reserved or ingenuous, overflowing or
+self-contained. There was a change in Boldwood's
+exterior from its former impassibleness ; and his face
+showed that he was now living outside his defences
+for the first time, and with a fearful sense of exposure.
+It is the usual experience of strong natures when they
+love.
+At last he arrived at a conclusion. It was to go
+across and inquire boldly of her.
+The insulation of his heart by reserve during these
+many years, without a channel of any kind for disposable
+emotion, had worked its effect. It has been observed
+more than once that the causes of love are chiefly
+<P 173>
+subjective, and Boldwood was a living testimony to
+the truth of the proposition. No mother existed to
+absorb his devotion, no sister for his tenderness, no
+idle ties for sense. He became surcharged with the
+compound, which was genuine lover's love.
+He approached the gate of the meadow. Beyond
+it the ground was melodious with ripples, and the sky
+with larks; the low bleating of the flock mingling with
+both. Mistress and man were engaged in the operation
+of making a lamb "take,' which is performed whenever
+an ewe has lost her own offspring, one of the twins of
+another ewe being given her as a substitute. Gabriel
+had skinned the dead lamb, and was tying the skin
+over the body of the live lamb, in the customary manner,
+whilst Bathsheba was holding open a little pen of four
+hurdles, into which the Mother and foisted lamb were
+driven, where they would remain till the old sheep
+conceived an affection for the young one.
+Bathsheba looked up at the completion of the
+manouvre, and saw the farmer by the gate, where he
+was overhung by a willow tree in full bloom. Gabriel,
+to whom her face was as the uncertain glory of an April
+day, was ever regardful of its faintest changes, and
+instantly discerned thereon the mark of some influence
+from without, in the form of a keenly self-conscious
+reddening. He also turned and beheld Boldwood.
+At onee connecting these signs with the letter Bold+
+wood had shown him, Gabriel suspected her of some
+coquettish procedure begun by that means, and carried
+on since, he knew not how.
+Farmer Boldwood had read the pantomime denoting
+that they were aware of his presence, and the perception
+was as too much light turned upon his new sensibility.
+He was still in the road, and by moving on he hoped
+that neither would recognize that he had originally
+intended to enter the field. He passed by with an
+utter and overwhelming sensation of ignorance, shyness,
+and doubt. Perhaps in her manner there were signs
+that she wished to see him -- perhaps not -- he could not
+read a woman. The cabala of this erotic philosophy
+seemed to consist of the subtlest meanings expressed in
+misleading ways.
+<P 174>
+Every turn, look, word, and accent
+contained a mystery quite distinct from its obvious
+import, and not one had ever been pondered by him
+until now.
+As for Bathsheba, she was not deceived into the
+belief that Farmer Boldwood had walked by on business
+or in idleness. She collected the probabilities of the
+case, and concluded that she was herself responsible for
+Boldwood's appearance there. It troubled her much
+to see what a great flame a little Wildfire was likely to
+kindle. Bathsheba was no schemer for marriage, nor
+was she deliberately a trifler with the affections of men,
+and a censor's experience on seeing an actual flirt after
+observing her would have been a feeling of surprise
+that Bathsheba could be so different from such a one,
+and yet so like what a flirt is supposed to be.
+She resolved never again, by look or by sign, to
+interrupt the steady flow of this man's life. But a
+resolution to avoid an evil is seldom framed till the evil
+is so far advanced as to make avoidance impossible.
+<C xix>
+<P 175>
+THE SHEEP-WASHING -- THE OFFER
+BOLDWOOD did eventually call upon her. She was
+not at home. " Of course not,' he murmured. In con+
+templating Bathsheba as a woman, he had forgotten the
+accidents of her position as an agriculturist -- that being
+as much of a farmer, and as extensive a farmer, as
+himself, her probable whereabouts was out-of-dooTs at
+this time of the year. This, and the other oversights
+Boldwood was guilty of, were natural to the mood, and
+still more natural to the circumstances. The great aids
+to idealization in love were present here : occasional
+observation of her from a distance, and the absence of
+social intercourse with her -- visual familiarity, oral
+strangeness. The smaller human elements were kept
+out of sight ; the pettinesses that enter so largely into
+all earthly living and doing were disguised by the
+accident of lover and loved-one not being on visiting
+terms ; and there was hardly awakened a thought in
+Boldwood that sorry household realities appertained to
+her, or that she, like all others, had moments of
+commonplace, when to be least plainly seen was to be
+most prettily remembered. Thus a mild sort of
+apotheosis took place in his fancy, whilst she still lived
+and breathed within his own horizon, a troubled creature
+like himself.
+It was the end of May when the farmer determined
+to be no longer repulsed by trivialities or distracted by
+suspense. He had by this time grown used to being in
+love; the passion now startled him less even when it
+tortured him more, and he felt himself adequate to the
+situation. On inquiring for her at her house they had
+told him she was at the sheepwashing, and he went off
+to seek her there.
+The sheep-washing pool was a perfectly circular basin
+of brickwork in the meadows, full of the clearest water.
+To birds on the wing its glassy surface, reflecting the
+light sky, must have been
+<P 176>
+visible for miles around as a
+glistening Cyclops' eye in a green face. The grass
+about the margin at this season was a sight to remember
+long -- in a minor sort of way. Its activity in sucking
+the moisture from the rich damp sod. was almost a pro+
+cess observable by the eye. The outskirts of this level
+water-meadow were diversified by rounded and hollow
+pastures, where just now every flower that was not a
+buttercup was a daisy. The river slid along noiselessly
+as a shade, the swelling reeds and sedge forming a
+flexible palisade upon its moist brink. To the north
+of the mead were trees, the leaves of which were new,
+soft, and moist, not yet having stiffened and darkened
+under summer sun and drought, their colour being
+yellow beside a green -- green beside a yellow.
+From the recesses of this knot of foliage the loud
+notes of three cuckoos were resounding through the
+still air.
+Boldwood went meditating down the slopes with his
+eyes on his boots, which the yellow pollen from the
+buttercups had bronzed in artistic gradations. A tribu+
+tary of the main stream flowed through the basin of the
+pool by an inlet and outlet at opposite points of its
+diameter. Shepherd Oak, Jan Coggan, Moon, Poor+
+grass, Cain Ball, and several others were assembled
+here, all dripping wet to the very roots of their hair,
+and Bathsheba was standing by in a new riding-habit --
+the most elegant she had ever worn -- the reins of her
+horse being looped over her arm. Flagons of cider
+were rolling about upon the green. The meek sheep
+were pushed into the pool by Coggan and Matthew
+Moon, who stood by the lower hatch, immersed to their
+waists; then Gabriel, who stood on the brink, thrust
+them under as they swam along, with an instrument
+like a crutch, formed for the purpose, and also for
+assisting the exhausted animals when the wool became
+saturated and they began to sink. They were let out
+against the stream, and through the upper opening, all
+impurities flowing away below. Cainy Ball and Joseph,
+who performed this latter operation, were if possible
+wetter than the rest ; they resembled dolphins under a
+fountain, every protuberance and angle of their clothes
+dribbling forth a small rill.
+<P 177>
+Boldwood came close and bade her good-morning, with
+such constraint that she could not but think he had
+stepped across to the washing for its own sake, hoping
+not to find her there ; more, she fancied his brow severe
+and his eye slighting. Bathsheba immediately contrived
+to withdraw, and glided along by the river till she was
+a stone's throw off. She heard footsteps brushing the
+grass, and had a consciousness that love was encircling
+her like a perfume. Instead of turning or waiting,
+Bathsheba went further among the high sedges, but
+Boldwood seemed determined, and pressed on till they
+were completely past the bend of the river. Here,
+without being seen, they could hear the splashing and
+shouts of the washers above.
+"Miss Everdene!' said the farmer.
+She trembled, turned, and said 'Good morning.'
+His tone was so utterly removed from all she had
+expected as a beginning. It was lowness and quiet
+accentuated : an emphasis of deep meanings, their form,
+at the same time, being scarcely expressed. Silence
+has sometimes a remarkable power of showing itself as
+the disembodied soul of feeling wandering without its
+carcase, and it is then more impressive than speech.
+In the same way, to say a little is often to tell more
+than to say a great deal. Boldwood told everything in
+that word.
+As the conseiousness expands on learning that what
+was fancied to be the rumble of wheels is the reverbera+
+tion of thunder, so did Bathsheba's at her intuitive
+conviction.
+'I feel -- almost too much -- to think,' he said, with a
+solemn simplicity. "I have come to speak to you with+
+out preface. My life is not my own since I have beheld
+you clearly, Miss Everdene -- I come to make you an
+offer of marriage.'
+Bathsheba tried to preserve an absolutely neutral
+countenance, and all the motion she made was that of
+closing lips which had previously been a little parted.
+"I am now forty-one years old,' he went on. "I may
+have been called a confirmed bachelor, and I was a
+confirmed bachelor. I had never any views of myself
+as a husband in my earlier days, nor have I made any
+calculation on the subject since I have been older.
+But we all change, and my change, in this matter,
+<P 178>
+came
+with seeing you. I have felt lately, more and more,
+that my present way of living is bad in every respect.
+Beyond all things, I want you as my wife.'
+"I feel, Mr. Boldwood, that though I respect you
+much, I do not feel -- what would justify me to -- in
+accepting your offer,' she stammered.
+This giving back of dignity for dignity seemed to
+open the sluices of feeling that Boldwood had as yet
+kept closed.
+" My life is a burden without you,' he exclaimed, in
+a low voice. "I want you -- I want you to let me say
+I love you again and again!'
+Bathsheba answered nothing, and the mare upon
+her arm seemed so impressed that instead of cropping
+the herbage she looked up.
+"I think and hope you care enough for me to listen
+to what I have to tell!"
+ Bathsheba's momentary impulse at hearing this was
+to ask why he thought that, till she remembered that,
+far from being a conceited assumption on Boldwood's
+part, it was but the natural conclusion of serious reflec+
+tion based on deceptive premises of her own offering.
+"I wish I could say courteous flatteries to you,' the
+farmer continued in an easier tone, " and put my rugged
+feeling into a graceful shape: but I have neither power
+nor patience to learn such things. I want you for my
+wife -- so wildly that no other feeling can abide in me;
+but I should not have spoken out had I not been led
+to hope.'
+"The valentine again! O that valentine!' she
+said to herself, but not a word to him.
+ "If you can love me say so, Miss Everdene. If not
+ -- don't say no!'
+ "Mr. Boldwood, it is painful to have to say I am
+surprised, so that I don't know how to answer you with
+propriety and respect -- but am only just able to speak
+out my feeling -- I mean my meaning; that I am afraid
+I can't marry you, much as I respect you. You are too
+dignified for me to suit you, sir.'
+ "But, Miss Everdene!'
+"I -- I didn't -- I know I ought never to have dreamt
+of sending
+<P 179>
+that valentine -- forgive me, sir -- it was a
+wanton thing which no woman with any self-respect
+should have done. If you will only pardon my thought+
+lessness, I promise never to -- -- '
+" No, no, no. Don't say thoughtlessness! Make me
+think it was something more -- that it was a sort of
+prophetic instinct -- the beginning of a feeling that you
+would like me. You torture me to say it was done in
+thoughtlessness -- I never thought of it in that light, and
+I can't endure it. Ah ! I wish I knew how to win you!
+but that I can't do -- I can only ask if I have already got
+you. If I have not, and it is not true that you have
+come unwittingly to me as I have to you, I can say no
+more.'
+ "I have not fallen in love with you, Mr. Boldwood --
+certainly I must say that.' She allowed a very small
+smile to creep for the first time over her serious face in
+saying this, and the white row of upper teeth, and keenly+
+cut lips already noticed, suggested an idea of heartless+
+ness, which was immediately contradicted by the pleasant
+eyes.
+"But you will just think -- in kindness and conde+
+scension think -- if you cannot bear with me as a husband!
+I fear I am too old for you, but believe me I will take
+more care of you than would many a man of your own
+age. I will protect and cherish you with all my strength
+ -- I will indeed! You shall have no cares -- be worried
+by no household affairs, and live quite at ease, Miss
+Everdene. The dairy superintendence shall be done by
+a man -- I can afford it will -- you shall never have so
+much as to look out of doors at haymaking time, or to
+think of weather in the harvest. I rather cling; to the
+chaise, because it is he same my poor father and mother
+drove, but if you don't like it I will sell it, and you shall
+have a pony-carriage of your own. I cannot say how
+far above every other idea and object on earth you seem
+to me -- nobody knows -- God only knows -- how much
+you are to me!'
+Bathsheba's heart was young, and it swelled with
+sympathy for the deep-natured man who spoke so
+simply.
+ "Don't say it! don't! I cannot bear you to feel so
+much, and me to feel nothing. And I am afraid they
+will notice us, Mr. Boldwood. Will you let the matter
+rest now? I cannot think
+<P 180>
+collectedly. I did not know
+you were going to say this to me. 0, I am wicked to
+have made you suffer so!' She was frightened as well
+as agitated at his vehemence.
+ "Say then, that you don't absolutely refuse. Do not
+quite refuse?'
+"I can do nothing. I cannot answer.'
+"I may speak to you again on the subject?'
+"Yes.'
+"I may think of you?'
+"Yes, I suppose you may think of me.'
+"And hope to obtain you?'
+"No -- do not hope! Let us go on.'
+"I will call upon you again to-morrow.'
+"No -- please not. Give me time.'
+"Yes -- I will give you any time,' he said earnestly and
+gratefully. "I am happier now.'
+"No -- I beg you! Don't be happier if happiness
+only comes from my agreeing. Be neutral, Mr. Bold+
+wood! I must think.'
+"I will wait,' he said.
+And then she turned away. Boldwood dropped his
+gaze to the ground, and stood long like a man who did not
+know where he was. Realities then returned upon him
+like the pain of a wound received in an excitement
+which eclipses it, and he, too, then went on.
+<C xx>
+<P 181>
+PERPLEXITy -- GRINDING THE SHEARS -- A QUARREL
+"HE is so disinterested and kind to offer me all that I
+can desire,' Bathsheba mused.
+Yet Farmer Boldwood, whether by nature kind or
+the reverse to kind, did not exercise kindness, here.
+The rarest offerings of the purest loves are but a self+
+indulgence, and no generosity at all.
+Bathsheba, not being the least in love with him, was
+eventually able to look calmly at his offer. It was one
+which many women of her own station in the neighbour+
+hood, and not a few of higher rank, would have been
+wild to accept and proud to publish. In every point of
+view, ranging from politic to passionate, it was desirable
+that she, a lonely girl, should marry, and marry this
+earnest, well-to-do, and respected man. He was close
+to her doors: his standing was sufficient: his qualities
+were even supererogatory. Had she felt, which she did
+not, any wish whatever for the married state in the
+abstract, she could not reasonably have rejected him,
+being a woman who frequently appealed to her under,
+standing for deliverance from her whims. Boldwood as
+a means to marriage was unexceptionable: she esteemed
+and liked him, yet she did not want him. It appears
+that ordinary men take wives because possession is not
+possible without marriage, and that ordinary women
+accept husbands because marriage is not possible with,
+out possession; with totally differing aims the method is
+the same on both sides. But the understood incentive
+on the woman's part was wanting here. Besides, Bath+
+sheba's position as absolute mistress of a farm and house
+was a novel one, and the novelty had not yet begun to
+wear off.
+But a disquiet filled her which was somewhat to her
+credit, for it would have affected few. Beyond the men+
+tioned reasons with which she combated her objections,
+she had a strong
+<P 182>
+feeling that, having been the one who
+began the game, she ought in honesty to accept the conse,
+quences. Still the reluctance remained. She said in the
+same breath that it would be ungenerous not to marry
+Boldwood, and that she couldn't do it to save her life.
+Bathsheba's was an impulsive nature under a delibera,
+tive aspect. An Elizabeth in brain and a Mary Stuart
+in spirit, she often performed actions of the greatest
+temerity with a manner of extreme discretion. Many of
+her thoughts were perfect syllogisms; unluckily they
+always remained thoughts. Only a few were irrational
+assumptions; but, unfortunately, they were the ones
+which most frequently grew into deeds.
+ The next day to that of the declaration she found
+Gabriel Oak at the bottom of her garden, grinding his
+shears for the sheep-shearing. All the surrounding
+cottages were more or less scenes of the same operation;
+the scurr of whetting spread into the sky from all parts
+of the village as from an armury previous to a campaign.
+Peace and war kiss each other at their hours of prepara+
+tion -- sickles, scythes, shears, and pruning-hooks, ranking
+with swords, bayonets, and lances, in their common
+necessity for point and edge.
+Cainy Ball turned the handle of Gabriel's grinstone,
+his head performing a melancoly see-saw up and down
+with each turn of the wheel. Oak stood somewhat as
+Eros is represented when in the act of sharpening his
+arrows: his figure slightly bent, the weight of his body
+thrown over on the shears, and his head balanced side+
+ways, with a critical compression of the lips and contrac+
+tion of the eyelids to crown the attitude.
+His mistress came up and looked upon them in
+silence for a minute or two; then she said --
+"Cain, go to the lower mead and catch the bay mare.
+I'll turn the winch of the grindstone. I want to speak
+to you, Gabriel.
+Cain departed, and Bathsheba took the handle.
+Gabriel had glanced up in intense surprise, quelled its
+expression, and looked down again. Bathsheba turned
+the winch, and Gabriel applied the shears.
+The peculiar motion involved in turning a wheel
+has a wonderful tendency to benumb the mind. It
+is a sort of
+<P 183>
+attenuated variety of Ixion's punishment,
+and contributes a dismal chapter to the history of
+heavy, and the body's centre of gravity seems to
+settle by degrees in a leaden lump somewhere be+
+tween the eyebrows and the crown. Bathsheba felt
+the unpleasant symptoms after two or three dozen
+turns.
+ "Will you turn, Gabriel, and let me hold the shears?"
+she said. "My head is in a'whirl, and I can't talk.
+Gabriel turned. Bathsheba then began, with some
+awkwardness, allowing her thoughts to stray occasion+
+ally from her story to attend to the shears, which
+required a little nicety in sharpening.
+ "I wanted to ask you if the men made any observa+
+tions on my going behind the sedge with Mr. Boldwood
+yesterday?'
+ "Yes, they did,' said Gabriel. "You don't hold
+the shears right, miss -- I knew you wouldn't know the
+way -- hold like this.'
+He relinquished the winch, and inclosing her two
+hands completely i his own (taking each as we some+
+times slasp a child's hand in teaching him to write),
+grasped the shears with her. "Incline the edge so,'
+he said.
+ Hands and shears were inclined to suit the words,
+and held thus for a peculiarly long time by the in+
+structor as he spoke.
+ "That will do,' exclaimed Bathsheba. "Loose my
+hands. I won't have them held! Turn the winch.'
+Gabriel freed her hands quietly, retired to his
+handle, and the grinding went on.
+ "Did the men think it odd?' she said again.
+"Odd was not the idea, miss.'
+"What did they say?'
+"That Farmer Boldwood's name and your own
+were likely to be flung over pulpit together before the
+year was out.'
+"I thought so by the look of them! Why, there's
+nothing in it. A more foolish remark was never made,
+and I want you to contradict it! that's what I came for.'
+ Gabriel looked incredulous and sad, but between
+his moments of incredulity, relieved.
+"They must have heard our conversation,' she
+continued.
+<P 184>
+"Well, then, Bathsheba!' said Oak, stopping the
+handle, and gazing into her face with astonishment.
+ "Miss Everdene, you mean," she said, with dignity.
+ "I mean this, that if Mr. Boldwood really spoke of
+marriage, I bain't going to tell a story and say he
+didn't to please you. I have already tried to please
+you too much for my own good!'
+Hathsheba regarded him with round-eyed perplexity.
+She did not know whether to pity him for disappointed
+love of her, or to be angry with him for having got
+over it -- his tone being ambiguous.
+ "I said I wanted you just to mention that it was
+not true I was going to be married to him,' she mur+
+mured, with a slight decline in her assurance.
+"I can say that to them if you wish, Miss Everdene.
+And I could likewise give an opinion to 'ee on what
+you have done.'
+"I daresay. But I don't want your opinion.'
+"I suppose not,' said Gabriel bitterly, and going on
+with his turning, his words rising and falling in a
+regular swell and cadence as he stooped or rose with
+the winch, which directed them, according to his
+position, perpendiculary into the earth, or horizontally
+along the garden, his eyes being fixed on a leaf upon
+the ground.
+ With Bathsheba a hastened act was a rash act;
+but, as does not always happen, time gained was
+prudence insured. It must be added, however, that
+time was very seldom gained. At this period the
+single opinion in the parish on herself and her doings
+that she valued as sounder than her own was Gabriel
+Oak's. And the outspoken honesty of his character
+was such- that on any subject even that of her love
+for, or marriage with, another man, the same disinter+
+estedness of opinion might be calculated on, and be
+had for the asking. Thoroughly convinced of the
+impossibility of his own suit, a high resolve constrained
+him not to injure that of another. This is a lover's
+most stoical virtue, as the lack of it is a lover's most
+venial sin. Hnowing he would reply truly, she asked
+the question, painful as she must have known the sub+
+ject would be. Such is the selfishness of some charm+
+ing women. Perhaps it was some excuse for her thus
+torturing honesty to her own advantage, that she had
+<P 185>
+absolutely no other sound judgment within easy reach.
+"Well, what is your opinion of my conduct,' she
+said, quietly.
+"That it is unworthy of any thoughtful, and meek,
+and comely woman.'
+In an instant Bathsheba's face coloured with the
+angry crimson of a danby sunset. But she forbore
+to utter this feeling, and the reticence of her tongue
+only made the loquacity of her face the more notice+
+able.
+The next thing Gabriel did was to make a mistake.
+"Perhaps you don't like the rudeness of my repri+
+manding you, for I know it is rudeness; but I thought
+it would do good.'
+She instantly replied sarcastically --
+"On the contrary, my opinion of you is so low, that
+I see in your abuse the praise of discerning people!'
+"I am glad you don't mind it, for I said it honestly
+and with every serious meaning.'
+ "I see. But, unfortunately, when you try not to
+speak in jest you are amusing -- just as when you wish
+to avoid seriousness you sometimes say a sensible word
+It was a hard hit, but Bathsheba had unmistakably
+lost her temper, and on that account Gabriel had
+never in his life kept his own better. He said nothing.
+She then broke out --
+ "I may ask, I suppose, where in particular my
+unworthiness lies? In my not marrying you, perhaps!
+"Not by any means,' said Gabriel quietly. "I have
+long given up thinking of that matter.'
+"Or wishing it, I suppose,' she said; and it was
+apparent that she expected an unhesitating denial of
+this supposition.
+Whatever Gabriel felt, he coolly echoed her words --
+"Or wishing it either.'
+ A woman may be treated with a bitterness which
+is sweet to her, and with a rudeness which is not
+offensive. Bathsheba would have submitted to an
+indignant chastisement for her levity had Gabriel pro+
+tested that he was loving her at the same time; the
+impetuosity of passion unrequited is bearable, even if
+it stings and anathematizes there is a triumph in the
+humiliation, and a tenderness in the strife. This was
+what she had been expecting, and what she had not
+got. To be lectured
+<P 186>
+because the lecturer saw her in
+the cold morning light of open-shuttered disillusion
+was exasperating. He had not finished, either. He
+continued in a more agitated voice: --
+"My opinion is (since you ask it) that you are
+greatly to blame for playing pranks upon a man like
+Mr. Boldwood, merely as a pastime. Leading on a
+man you don't care for is not a praiseworthy action.
+And even, Miss Everdene, if you seriously inclined
+towards him, you might have let him find it out in
+some way of true loving-kindness, and not by sending
+him a valentine's letter.'
+Bathsheba laid down the shears.
+ "I cannot allow any man to -- to criticise my private
+Conduct!' she exclaimed. "Nor will I for a minute.
+So you'll please leave the farm at the end of the week!'
+It may have been a peculiarity -- at any rate it was
+a fact -- that when Bathsheba was swayed by an emotion
+of an earthly sort her lower lip trembled: when by a
+refined emotion, her upper or heavenward one. Her
+nether lip quivered now.
+"Very well, so I will,' said Gabriel calmly. He had
+been held to her by a beautiful thread which it pained
+him to spoil by breaking, rather than by a chain he
+could not break. "I should be even better pleased to
+go at once,' he added.
+"Go at once then, in Heaven's name!' said she,her
+eyes flashing at his, though never meeting them.
+"Don't let me see your face any more.'
+"Very well, Miss Everdene -- so it shall be.'
+And he took his shears and went away from her in
+placid dignity, as Moses left the presence of Pharaoh.
+<C xxi>
+<P 187>
+TROUBLES IN THE FOLD -- A MESSAGE
+GABRIEL OAK had ceased to feed the Weatherbury
+flock for about four-and-twenty hours, when on Sunday
+afternoon the elderly gentlemen Joseph Poorgrass,
+Matthew Moon, Fray, and half-a-dozen others, came
+running up to the house of the mistress of the Upper
+Farm.
+ "Whatever is the matter, men?' she said, meeting
+them at the door just as she was coming out on her
+way to church, and ceasing in a moment from the close
+compression of her two red lips, with which she had
+accompanied the exertion of pelling on a tight glove.
+"Sixty!' said Joseph Poorgrass.
+"Seventy!' said Moon.
+"Fifty-nine!' said Susan Tall's husband.
+" -- Sheep have broke fence,' said Fray.
+" -- And got into a field of young clover,' said Tall.
+" -- Young clover!' said Moon.
+" -- Clover!' said Joseph Poorgrass.
+"And they be getting blasted,' said Henery Fray.
+"That they be,' said Joseph.
+"And will all die as dead as nits, if they bain't got
+out and cured!'said Tall.
+Joseph's countenance was drawn into lines and
+puckers by his concern. Fray's forehead was wrinkled
+both perpendicularly and crosswise, after the pattern of
+a portcullis, expressive of a double despair. Laban
+Tall's lips were thin, and his face were rigid. Matthew's
+jaws sank, and his eyes turned whichever way the
+strongest muscle happened to pull them.
+ "Yes,' said Joseph, "and I was sitting at home,
+looking for Ephesians, and says I to myself, "'Tis
+nothing but Corinthians and Thessalonians in this
+danged Testament,'' when
+<P 188>
+who should come in but
+Henery there: ""Joseph,'' he said, ""the sheep have
+With Bathsheba it was a moment when thought was
+blasted theirselves -- -'''
+ With Bathsheba it was a moment when thought was
+speech and speech exclamation. Moreover, she had
+hardly recovered her equanimity since the disturbance
+which she had suffered from Oak's remarks.
+'Thats enought -- that's enough! -- oh, you fools!'
+she cried, throwing the parasol and Prayer-book into
+the passage, and running out of doors in the direction
+signified. "To come to me, and not go and get them
+out directly! Oh, the stupid numskulls!'
+Her eyes were at their darkest and brightest now.
+Bathsheba's beauty belonged rather to the demonian
+than to the angelic school, she never looked so well as
+when she was angry -- and particularly when the effect
+was heightened by a rather dashing velvet dress, care+
+fully put on before a glass.
+All the ancient men ran in a jumbled throng after
+her to the clover-field, Joseph sinking down in the
+midst when about half-way, like an individual withering
+in a world which was more and more insupportable.
+Having once received the stimulus that her presence
+always gave them they went round among the sheep
+with a will. The majority of the afflicted animals were
+lying down, and could not be stirred. These were
+bodily lifted out, and the others driven into the adjoining
+field. Here, after the lapse of a few minutes, several
+more fell down, and lay helpless and livid as the rest.
+Bathsheba, with a sad, bursting heart, looked at these
+primest specimens of her prime flock as they rolled
+there --
+Swoln with wind and the rank mist they drew.
+Many of them foamed at the mouth, their breathing
+being quick and short, whilst the bodies of all were
+fearfully distended.
+"O, what can I do, what can I do!' said Bathsheba,
+helplessly. "Sheep are such unfortunate animals! --
+there's always something happening to them! I never
+knew a flock pass a year without getting into some scrape
+or other.'
+"There's only one way of saving them,' said Tall.
+<P 189>
+"What way? Tell me quick!'
+"They must be pierced in the side with a thing made
+on purpose.'
+"Can you do it? Can I?'
+"No, ma'am. We can't, nor you neither. It must
+be done in a particular spot. If ye go to the right or
+left but an inch you stab the ewe and kill her. Not
+even a shepherd can do it, as a rule.'
+"Then they must die,' she said, in a resigned tone.
+"Only one man in the neighbourhood knows the way,'
+said Joseph, now just come up. "He could cure 'em
+all if he were here.'
+"Who is he? Let's get him!'
+"Shepherd Oak," said Matthew. "Ah, he's a clever
+man in talents!'
+"Ah, that he is so!' said Joseph Poorgrass.
+"True -- he's the man,' said Laban Tall.
+"How dare you name that man in my presence!' she
+said excitedly. "I told you never to allude to him, nor
+shall you if you stay with me. Ah!' she added, brighten+
+ing, "Farmer Boldwood knows!'
+ "0 no, ma'am' said Matthew. "Two of his store
+ewes got into some vetches t'other day, and were just
+like these. He sent a man on horseback here post-haste
+for Gable, and Gable went and saved 'em, Farmer
+Boldwood hev got the thing they do it with. 'Tis a
+holler pipe, with a sharp pricker inside. Isn't it,
+Joseph?'
+ "Ay -- a holler pipe,' echoed Joseph. "That's what
+'tis.'
+"Ay, sure -- that's the machine,' chimed in Henery
+Fray, reflectively, with an Oriental indifference to the
+flight of time.
+"Well," burst out Bathsheba, "don't stand there with
+your ""ayes'' and your ""sures,'' talking at me! Get
+somebody to cure the sheep instantly!'
+ All then stalked or in eonsternation, to get some+
+body as directed, without any idea of who it was to be.
+In a minute they had vanished through the gate,.and
+she stood alone with the dying flock.
+"Never will I send for him never!' she said firmly.
+<P 190>
+One of the ewes here contracted its muscles horribly,
+extended itself, and jumped high into the air. The
+leap was an astonishing one. The ewe fell heavily, and
+lay still.
+Bathsheba went up to it. The sheep was dead.
+"O, what shall I do -- what shall I do!' she again
+exclaimed, wringing her hands. "I won't send for him.
+No, I won't!'
+The most vigorous expression of a resolution does
+not always coinicide with the greatest vigour of the
+resolution itself. It is often flung out as a sort of prop
+to support a decaying conviction which, whilst strong,
+required no enunciation to prove it so. The "No, I
+won't' of Bathsheba meant virtually, "I think I must.'
+She followed her assistants through the gate, and
+lifted her hand to one of them. Laban answered to her
+signal.
+"Where is Oak staying?'
+"Across the valley at Nest Cottage!'
+"Jump on the bay mare, and ride across, and say he
+must return instantly -- that I say so.'
+Tall scrambled off to the field, and in two minutes
+was on Poll, the bay, bare-backed, and with only a
+halter by way of rein. He diminished down the
+hill.
+Bathsheba watched. So did all the rest. Tall
+cantered along the bridle-path through Sixteen Acres,
+Sheeplands, Middle Field The Flats, Cappel's Piece,
+shrank almost to a point, crossed the bridge, and
+ascended from the valley through Springmead and
+Whitepits on the other side. The cottage to which
+Gabriel had retired before taking his final departure
+from the locality was visible as a white spot on the
+opposite hill, backed by blue firs. Bathsheba walked
+up and down. The men entered the field and
+endeavoured to ease the anguish of the dumb creatures
+by rubbing them. Nothing availed.
+Bathsheba continued walking. The horse was seen
+descending the hill, and the wearisome series had to be
+repeated in reverse order: Whitepits, Springmead,
+Cappel's Piece, The Flats, Middle Field, Sheeplands,
+Sixteen Acres. She hoped Tall had had presence of
+mind enough to give the mare up to Gabriel, and return
+himself on foot. The rider neared them. It was Tall.
+<P 191>
+"O, what folly!' said Bathsheba.
+Gabriel was not visible anywhere.
+"Perhaps he is already gone!' she said.
+Tall came into the inclosure, and leapt off, his face
+tragic as Morton's after the battle of Shrewsbury.
+"Well?' said Bathsheba, unwilling to believe that
+her verbal lettre-de-cachet could possibly have miscarried.
+"He says beggars mustn't be choosers,' replied Laban.
+"What!' said the young farmer, opening her eyes
+and drawing in her breath for an outburst. Joseph
+Poorgrass retired a few steps behind a hurdle.
+"He says he shall not come onless you request en
+to come civilly and in a proper manner, as becomes any
+'ooman begging a favour.'
+"Oh, oh, that's his answer! Where does he get his
+airs? Who am I, then, to be treated like that? Shall
+I beg to a man who has begged to me?'
+Another of the flock sprang into the air, and fell
+dead.
+The men looked grave, as if they suppressed opinion.
+Bathsheba turned aside, her eyes full of tears. The
+strait she was in through pride and shrewishness could
+not be disguised longer: she burst out crying bitterly;
+they all saw it; and she attempted no further concealment.
+"I wouldn't cry about it, miss,' said William Small+
+bury, compassionately. "Why not ask him softer like?
+I'm sure he'd come then. Gable is a true man in that
+way.'
+Bathsheba checked her grief and wiped her eyes.
+"O, it is a wicked cruelty to me -- it is -- it is!' she
+murmured. "And he drives me to do what I wouldn't;
+yes, he does ! -- Tall, come indoors.'
+After this collapse, not very dignified for the head
+of an establishment, she went into the house, Tall at
+her heels. Here she sat down and hastily scribbled a
+note between the small convulsive sobs of convalescence
+which follow a fit of crying as a ground-swell follows a
+storm. The note was none the less polite for being
+written in a hurry. She held it at a distance, was
+about to fold it, then added these words at the
+bottom: --
+"Do not desert me, Gabriel!'
+<P 193>
+She looked a little redder in refolding it, and closed
+her lips, as if thereby to suspend till too late the action
+of conscience in examining whether such strategy were
+justifiable. The note was despatched as the message
+had been, and Bathsheba waited indoors for the result.
+It was an anxious quarter of an hour that intervened
+between the messenger's departure and the sound of the
+horse's tramp again outside. She- could not watch this
+time, but, leaning over the old bureau at which she had
+written the letter, closed her eyes, as if to keep out both
+hope and fear.
+ The case, however, was a promising one. Gabriel
+was not angry: he was simply neutral, although her first
+command had been so haughty. Such imperiousness
+would have damned a little less beauty; and on the
+other hand, such beauty would have redeemed a little
+less imperiousness.
+She went out when the horse was heard, and looked
+up. A mounted figure passed between her and the
+sky, and drew on towards the fleld of sheep, the rider
+turning his face in receding. Gabriel looked at her.
+It was a moment when a woman's eyes and tongue tell
+distinctly opposite tales. Bathsheba looked full of
+gratitude, and she said: --
+ "O, Gabriel, how could you serve me so unkindly!'
+Such a tenderly-shaped reproach for his previous
+delay was the one speech in the language that he could
+pardon for not being commendation of his readiness
+now.
+Gabriel murmured a confused reply, and hastened
+on. She knew from the look which sentence in her
+note had brought him. Bathsheba followed to the
+field.
+Gabriel was already among the turgid, prostrate forms.
+He had flung off his coat, rolled up his shirt-sleeves,
+and taken from his pocket the instrument of salvation.
+It was a small tube or trochar, with a lance passing
+down the inside; and Gabriel began to use it with a
+dexterity that would have graced a hospital surgeon.
+Passing his hand over the sheep's left flank, and
+selecting the proper point, he punctured the skin and
+rumen with the lance as it stood in the tube; then he
+suddenly withdrew the lance, retaining the tube in its
+place. A current of air rushed up the tube, forcible
+enough to have extinguished a candle held at the
+orifice.
+It has been said that mere ease after torment is de+
+light for a time; and the countenances of these poor
+creatures expressed it now. Forty-nine operations were
+successfully performed. Owing to the great hurry
+necessitated by the far-gone state of some of the flock,
+Gabriel missed his aim in one case, and in one only --
+striking wide of the mark, and inflicting a mortal blow
+at once upon the suffering ewe. Four had died; three
+recovered without an operation. The total number of
+sheep which had thus strayed and injured themselves
+so dangerously was fifty-seven.
+When the love-led man had ceased from his labours,
+Bathsheba came and looked him in the face.
+"Gabriel, will you stay on with me?' she, said,
+smiling winningly, and not troubling to bring her lips
+quite together again at the end, because there was going
+to be another smile soon.
+"I will,' said Gabriel.
+And she smiled on him again.
+<C xxii>
+<P 194>
+THE GREAT BARN AnD THE SHEEP-SHEARERS
+MEN thin away to insignificance and oblivion quite as
+often by not making the most of good spirits when they
+have them as by lacking good spirits when they are
+indispensable. Gabriel lately, for the first time since
+his prostration by misfortune, had been independent in
+thought and vigorous in action to a marked extent --
+conditions which, powerless without an opportunity as
+an opportunity without them is barren, would have
+given him a sure lift upwards when the favourable-con+
+junction should have occurred. But this incurable
+loitering beside Bathsheba Everdene stole his time
+ruinously. The spring tides were going by without
+floating him off, and the neap might soon come which
+could not.
+It was the first day of June, and the sheep-shearing
+season culminated, the landscape, even to the leanest
+pasture, being all health and colour. Every green was
+young, every pore was open, and every stalk was swollen
+with racing currents of juice. God was palpably present
+in the country, and the devil had gone with the world
+to town. Flossy catkins of the later kinds, fern-sprouts
+like bishops' croziers, the square-headed moschatel, the
+odd cuckoo-pint, -- like an apoplectic saint in a niche
+of malachite, -- snow-white ladies'-smocks, the toothwort,
+approximating to human flesh, the enchanter's night+
+shade, and the black-petaled doleful-bells, were among
+the quainter objects of the vegetable world in and about
+Weatherbury at this teeming time; and of the animal,
+the metamorphosed figures of Mr. Jan Coggan, the
+master-shearer; the second and third shearers, who
+travelled in the exercise of their calling, and do not re+
+quire definition by name; Henery Fray the fourth
+shearer, Susan Tall's husband the fifth, Joseph Poorgrass
+the sixth, young Cain Ball as assistant-shearer, and
+Gabriel Oak as general supervisor. None of these were
+clothed
+<P 195>
+to any extent worth mentioning, each appearing
+to have hit in the matter of raiment the decent mean
+between a high and low caste Hindoo. An angularity
+of lineament, and a fixity of facial machinery in general,
+proclaimed that serious work was the order of the day.
+They sheared in the great barn, called for the nonce
+the Shearing-barn, which on ground-plan resembled a
+church with transepts. It not only emulated the form
+of the neighbouring church of the parish, but vied with
+it in antiquity. Whether the barn had ever formed one
+of a group of conventual buildings nobody seemed to be
+aware; no trace of such surroundings remained. The
+vast porches at the sides, lofty enough to admit a waggon
+laden to its highest with corn in the sheaf, were spanned
+by heavy-pointed arches of stone, broadly and boldly cut,
+whose very simplicity was the origin of a grandeur not
+apparent in erections where more ornament has been
+attempted. The dusky, filmed, chestnut roof, braced
+and tied in by huge collars, curves, and diagonals, was
+far nobler in design, because more wealthy in material,
+than nine-tenths of those in our modern churches.
+Along each side wall was a range of striding buttresses,
+throwing deep shadows on the spaces between them,
+which were perforated by lancet openings, combining
+in their proportions the precise requirements both of
+beauty and ventilation.
+One could say about this barn, what could hardly
+be said of either the church or the castle, akin to it in
+age and style, that the purpose which had dictated its
+original erection was the same with that to which it
+was still applied. Unlike and superior to either of
+those two typical remnants of mediaevalism, the old
+barn embodied practices which had suffered no mutila+
+tion at the hands of time. Here at least the spirit of
+the ancient builders was at one with the spirit of the
+modern beholder. Standing before this abraded pile,
+the eye regarded its present usage, the mind-dwelt upon
+its past history, with a satisfied sense of functional
+continuity throughout -- a feeling almost of gratitude,
+and quite of pride, at the permanence of the idea
+which had heaped it up. The fact that four centuries
+had neither proved it to be founded on a mistake,
+<P 196>
+inspired any hatred of its purpose, nor given rise to
+any reaction that had battered it down, invested this
+simple grey effort of old minds with a repose, if not a
+grandeur, which a too curious reflection was apt to
+disturb in its ecclesiastical and military compeers. For
+once medievalism and modernism had a common stand+
+point. The lanccolate windows, the time-eaten arch+
+stones and chamfers, the orientation of the axis, the
+misty chestnut work of the rafters, referred to no exploded
+fortifying art or worn-out religious creed. The defence
+and salvation of the body by daily bread is still a study,
+a religion, and a desire.
+To-day the large side doors were thrown open
+towards the sun to admit a bountiful light to the
+immediate spot of the shearers' operations, which was
+the wood threshing-floor in the centre, formed of thick
+oak, black with age and polished by the beating of flails
+for many generations, till it had grown as slippery and
+as rich in hue as the state-room floors of an Elizabethan
+mansion. Here the shearers knelt, the sun slanting in
+upon their bleached shirts, tanned arms, and the polished
+shears they flourished, causing these to bristle with a
+thousand rays strong enough to blind a weak-eyed man.
+Beneath them a captive sheep lay panting, quickening
+its pants as misgiving merged in terror, till it quivered
+like the hot landscape outside.
+This picture of to-day in its frame of four hundred
+years ago did not produce that marked contrast between
+ancient and modern which is implied by the contrast
+of date. In comparison with cities, Weatherbury was
+immutable. The citizen's Then is the rustic's Now.
+In London, twenty or thirty-years ago are old times;
+in Paris ten years, or five; in Weatherbury three or
+four score years were included in the mere present,
+and nothing less than a century set a mark on its
+face or tone. Five decades hardly modified the cut of
+a gaiter, the embroidery of a smock-frock, by the breadth
+of a hair. Ten generations failed to alter the turn of
+a single phrase. In these Wessex nooks the busy out+
+sider's ancient times are only old; his old times are still
+new; his present is futurity.
+So the barn was natural to the shearers, and the
+shearers were in harmony with the barn.
+The spacious ends of the building, answering ecclesi+
+astically
+<P 197>
+to nave and chancel extremities, were fenced
+off with hurdles, the sheep being all collected in a crowd
+within these two enclosures; and in one angle a catching+
+pen was formed, in which three or four sheep were
+continuously kept ready for the shearers to seize without
+loss of time. In the background, mellowed by tawny
+shade, were the three women, Maryann Money, and
+Temperance and Soberness Miller, gathering up the
+fleeces and twisting ropes of wool with a wimble for
+tying them round. They were indifferently well assisted
+by the old maltster, who, when the malting season from
+October to April had passed, made himself useful upon
+any of the bordering farmsteads.
+"Behind all was Bathsheba, carefully watching the
+men to see that there was no cutting or wounding
+through carelessness, and that the animals were shorn
+close. Gabriel, who flitted and hovered under her
+bright eyes like a moth, did not shear continuously,
+half his time being spent in attending to the others
+and selecting the sheep for them. At the present
+moment he was engaged in handing round a mug of
+mild liquor, supplied from a barrel in the corner,
+and cut pieces of bread and cheese.
+Bathsheba, after throwing a glance here, a caution
+there, and lecturing one of the younger operators who
+had allowed his last finished sheep to go off among
+the flock without re-stamping it with her initials, came
+again to Gabriel, as he put down the luncheon to drag
+a frightened ewe to his shear-station, flinging it over
+upon its back with a dexterous twist of the arm
+He lopped off the tresses about its head, and opened
+up the neck and collar, his mistress quietly looking
+on:
+"She blushes at the insult,' murmured Bathsheba,
+watching the pink flush which arose and overspread
+the neck and shoulders of the ewe where they were
+left bare by the clicking shears -- a flush which was
+enviable, for its delicacy, by many queens of coteries,
+and would have been creditable, for its promptness, to
+any woman in the world.
+Poor Gabriel's soul was fed with a luxury of content
+by having her over him, her eyes critically regarding
+his skilful shears, which apparently were going to gather
+up a piece of the flesh at every close, and yet never did
+so. Like Guildenstern,
+<P 198>
+Oak was happy in that he was
+not over happy. He had no wish to converse with her:
+that his bright lady and himself formed one group,
+exclusively their own, and containing no others in the
+world, was enough.
+So the chatter was all on her side. There is a
+loquacity that tells nothing, which was Bathsheba's;
+and there is a silence which says much: that was
+Gabriel's. Full of this dim and temperate bliss, he
+went on to fling the ewe over upon her other side,
+covering her head with his knee, gradually running
+the shears line after line round her dewlap; thence
+about her flank and back, and finishing over the tail.
+"Well done, and done quickly!' said Bathsheba,
+looking at her watch as the last snip resounded.
+"How long, miss?' said Gabriel, wiping his brow.
+"Three-and-twenty minutes and a half since you took
+the first lock from its forehead. It is the first time that
+I have ever seen one done in less than half an hour.'
+The clean, sleek creature arose from its fleece -- how
+perfectly like Aphrodite rising from the foam should
+have been seen to be realized -- looking startled and
+shy at the loss of its garment, which lay on the floor
+in one soft cloud, united throughout, the portion visible
+being the inner surface only, which, never before exposed,
+was white as snow, and without flaw or blemish of the
+minutest kind.
+"Cain Ball!'
+"Yes, Mister Oak; here I be!'
+Cainy now runs forward with the tar-pot. "B. E.' is
+newly stamped upon the shorn skin, and away the simplc
+dam lcaps, panting, over the board into the shirtless
+flock outside. Then up comes Maryann; throws the
+loose locks into the middle of the fleece, rolls it up,
+and carries it into the background as three-and-a-half
+pounds of unadulterated warmth for the winter enjoy+
+ment of persons unknown and far away, who will,
+however, never experience the superlative comfort
+derivable from the wool as it here exists, new and pure
+ -- before the unctuousness of its nature whilst in a
+living state has dried, stiffened, and been washed out
+ -- rendering it just now as superior to anything woollen
+as cream is superior to milk-and-water.
+<P 199>
+But heartless circumstance could not leave entire
+Gabriel's happiness of this morning. The rams, old
+ewes, and two-shear ewes had duly undergone their
+stripping, and the men were proceeding with the shear+
+lings and hogs, when Oak's belief that she was going to
+stand pleasantly by and time him through another
+performance was painfully interrupted by Farmer Bold+
+wood's appearance in the extremest corner of the barn.
+Nobody seemed to have perceived his entry, but there
+he certainly was. Boldwood always carried with him a
+social atmosphere of his own, which everybody felt who
+came near him; and the talk, which Bathsheba's
+presence had somewhat suppressed, was now totally
+suspended.
+ He crossed over rowards Bathsheba, who turned to
+greet him with a carriage of perfect ease. He spoke to
+her in low tones, and she instinctively modulated her
+own to the same pitch, and her voice ultimately even
+caught the inflection of his. She was far from having
+a wish to appear mysteriously connected with him; but
+woman at the impressionable age gravitates to the larger
+body not only in her choice of words, which is apparent
+every day, but even in her shades of tone and humour,
+when the influence is great.
+ What they conversed about was not audible to
+Gabriel, who was too independent to get near, though
+too concerned to disregard. The issue of their dialogue
+was the taking of her hand by the courteous farmer to
+help her over the spreading-board into the bright June
+sunlight outside. Standing beside the sheep already
+shorn, they went on talking again. Concerning the
+flock? Apparently not. Gabriel theorized, not without
+truth, that in quiet discussion of any matter within reach
+of the speakers' eyes, these are usually fixed upon it.
+Bathsheba demurely regarded a contemptible straw lying
+upon the ground, in a way which suggested less ovine
+criticism than womanly embarrassment. She became
+more or less red in the cheek, the blood wavering in
+uncertain flux and reflux over the sensitive space between
+ebb and flood. Gabriel sheared on, constrained and
+sad.
+She left Boldwood's side, and he walked up and
+down alone for nearly a quarter of an hour. Then she
+reappeared in her
+<P 200>
+new riding-habit of myrtle-green, which
+fitted her to the waist as a rind fits its fruit; and young
+Bob Coggan led -on -her mare, Boldwood fetching his
+own horse from the tree under which it had been tied.
+ Oak's eyes could not forsake them; and in en+
+deavouring to continue his shearing at the same time
+that he watched Boldwood's manner, he snipped the
+sheep in the groin. The animal plunged; Bathsheba
+instantly gazed towards it, and saw the blood.
+"O, Gabriel!' she exclaimed, with severe remon+
+strance you who are so strict with the other men -- see
+what you are doing yourself!'
+To an outsider there was not much to complain of
+in this remark ; but to Oak, who "knew Bathsheba to be
+well aware that she herself was the cause of the poor
+ewe's wound, because she had wounded the ewe's shearer
+in a -- still more vital part, it had a sting which the abiding
+sense of his inferiority to both herself and Boldwood was
+not calculated to heal. But a manly resolve to recognize
+boldly that he had no longer a lover's interest in her,
+helped him oceasionally to conceal a feeling.
+" Bottle .! ' he shouted, in an unmoved voice of routine.
+Cainy Ball ran up, the wound was anointed, and the
+shearing continued.
+Boldwood gently tossed Bathsheba into the saddle,
+and before they turned away she again spoke out to Oak
+with the same dominative and tantalizing graciousness.
+"I am going now to see Mr. Boldwood's Leicesters.
+Take my place in the barn, Gabriel, and keep the men
+carefully to their work.'
+The horses' heads were put about, and they trotted
+away.
+Boldwood's deep attachment was a matter of great
+interest among all around him ; but, after having been
+pointed out for so many years as the perfect exemplar
+of thriving bachelorship, his lapse was an anticlimax
+somewhat resembling that of St. John Long's death by
+consumption in the midst of his proofs that it was not
+a fatal disease.
+<P 201>
+" That means matrimony,' said Temperance Miller,
+following them out of sight with her eyes.
+"I reckon that's the size o't,' said Coggan, working
+along without looking up.
+" Well, better wed over the mixen than over the moor,'
+said Laban Tall, turning his sheep.
+Henery Fray spoke, exhibiting miserable eyes at the
+same time: "I don't see why a maid should take a
+husband when she's bold enough to fight her own
+battles, and don't want a home ; for 'tis keeping another
+woman out. But let it be, for 'tis a pity he and she
+should trouble two houses.'
+As usual with decided characters, Bathsheba invari+
+ably provoked the criticism of individuals like Henery
+Fray. Her emblazoned fault was to be too pronounced
+in her objections, and not sufficiently overt in her
+likings. We learn that it is not the rays which bodies
+absorb, but those which they reject, that give them the
+colours they are known by ; and win the same way people
+are specialized by their dislikes and antagonisms, whilst
+their goodwill is looked upon as no attribute at all.
+Henery continued in a more complaisant mood : "I
+once hinted my mind to her on a few things, as nearly
+as a battered frame dared to do 'so to such a froward
+piece. You all know, neighbours, what a man I be,
+and how I come down with my powerful words when
+my pride is boiling wi' scarn ?'
+" We do, we do, Henery.'
+" So I said, "" Mistress Everdene, there's places empty,
+and there's gifted men willing ; but the spite '' -- no. not
+the spite -- I didn't say spite -- ""but the villainy of the
+contrarikind,'' I said (meaning womankind), "" keeps 'em
+out.'' That wasn't too strong for her, say ? '
+" Passably well put.'
+"Yes; and I would have said it, had death and
+salvation overtook me for it. Such is my spirit when I
+have a mind.'
+"A true man, and proud as a lucifer.'
+"You see the artfulness ? Why, 'twas about being
+baily really; but I didn't put it so plain that she could
+understand my meaning, so I could lay it on all the
+<P 202>
+stronger. That was my depth .! ... However, let her
+marry an she will. Perhaps 'tis high time. I believe
+Farmer Boldwood kissed her behind the spear-bed at the
+sheep-washing t'other day -- that I do.'
+" What a lie !.' said Gabriel.
+" Ah, neighbour Oak -- how'st know ? ' said, Henery,
+mildly.
+" Because she told me all that passed,' said Oak, with
+a pharisaical sense that he was not as other shearers in
+this matter.
+"Ye have a right to believe it,' said Henery, with
+dudgeon; "a very true right. But I mid see a little
+distance into things !. To be long-headed enough for a
+baily's place is a poor mere trifle -- yet a trifle more than
+nothing. However, I look round upon life quite cool.
+Do you heed me, neighbours ? My words, though made
+as simple as I can, mid be rather deep for some heads.'
+" O yes, Henery, we quite heed ye.'
+" A strange old piece, goodmen -- whirled about from
+here to yonder, as if I were nothing ! A little warped,
+too. But I have my depths; ha, and even my great
+depths ! I might gird at a certain shepherd, brain to
+brain. But no -- O no !.'
+" A strange old piece, ye say .! ' interposed the maltster,
+in a querulous voice. "At the same time ye be no old
+man worth naming -- no old man at all. Yer teeth
+bain't half gone yet ; and what's a old man's standing
+if se be his teeth bain't gone? Weren't I stale in
+wedlock afore ye were out of arms ? 'Tis a poor thing
+to be sixty, when there's people far past four-score -- a
+boast'weak as water.'
+It was the unvaying custom in Weatherbury to
+sink minor differences when the maltster had to be
+pacified.
+" Weak as-water .! yes,' said Jan Coggan.- "Malter,
+we feel ye to be a wonderful veteran man, and nobody
+can gainsay it.'
+" Nobody,' said Joseph Poorgrass. "Ye be a very
+rare old spectacle, malter, and we all admire ye for that
+gift. '
+"Ay, and as a young man, when my senses were in
+prosperity, I was likewise liked by a good-few who
+knowed me,' said the maltster.
+" 'Ithout doubt you was -- 'ithout doubt.'
+The bent and hoary 'man was satisfied, and so
+apparently was Henery Frag. That matters should
+continue pleasant Maryann
+<P 203>
+spoke, who, what with her
+brown complexion, and the working wrapper of rusty
+linsey, had at present the mellow hue of an old sketch
+in oils -- notably some of Nicholas Poussin's: --
+" Do anybody know of a crooked man, or a lame, or
+any second-hand fellow at all that would do for poor
+me ?' said Maryann. "A perfect one I don't expect to
+ at my time of life. If I could hear of such a thing
+twould do me more good thantoast and ale.'
+ Coggan furnished a suitable reply. Oak went on
+with his shearing, and said not another word. Pestilent
+moods had come, and teased away his quiet. Bathsheba
+had shown indications of anointing him above his
+fellows by installing him as the bailiff that the farm
+imperatively required. He did not covet the post
+relatively to the farm : in relation to herself, as beloved
+by him and unmarried to another, he had coveted it.
+His readings of her seemed now to be vapoury and
+indistinct. His lecture to her was, he thought, one of
+the absurdest mistakes. Far from coquetting with
+Boldwood, she had trifled with himself in thus feigning
+that she had trifled with another. He was inwardly
+convinced that, in accordance with the anticipations of
+his easy-going and worse-educated comrades, that day
+would see Boldwood the accepted husband of Miss
+Everdene. Gabriel at this time of his life had out+
+grown the instinctive dislike which every Christian
+boy has for reading the Bible, perusing it now quite
+frequently, and he inwardly said, " ''I find more bitter
+than death the woman whose heart is snares and
+nets .! '' ' This was mere exclamation -- the froth of the
+storm. He adored Bathsheba just the same.
+" We workfolk shall have some lordly- junketing
+to-night,' said Cainy Ball, casting forth his thoughts in
+a new direction. "This morning I see'em making the
+great puddens in the milking-pails -- lumps of fat as big
+as yer thumb, Mister Oak ! I've never seed such
+splendid large knobs of fat before in the days of my
+life -- they never used to be bigger then a horse-bean.
+And there was a great black crock upon the brandise
+with his legs a-sticking out, but I dont know what was
+in within."
+'And there's two bushels of biffins for apple-pies,'
+said Maryann.
+<P 204>
+"Well, I hope to do my duty by it all,' said Joseph
+Poorgrass, in a pleasant, masticating manner of anticipa+
+tion. " Yes ; victuals and drink is a cheerful thing,
+and gives nerves to the nerveless, if the form of words
+may be used. 'Tis the gospel of the body, without
+which we perish, so to speak it.'
+<C xxiii>
+<P 205>
+EVENTIDE -- A SECOND DECLARATION
+FOR the shearing-supper a long table was placed on the
+grass-plot beside the house, the end of the table being
+thrust over the sill of the wide parlour window and a
+foot or two into the room. Miss Everdene sat inside
+the window, facing down the table. She was thus at
+the head without mingling with the men.
+This evening Bathsheba was unusually excited, her
+red cheeks and lips contrasting lustrously with the mazy
+skeins of her shadowy hair. She seemed to expect
+assistance, and the seat at the bottom of the table was
+at her request left vacant until after they had begun
+and the duties appertaining to that end, which he did
+with great readiness.
+At this moment Mr. Boldwood came in at the gate,
+and crossed the green to Bathsheba at the window.
+He apologized for his lateness : his arrival was evidently
+by arrangement.
+" Gabriel,' said she, " will you move again, please,
+and let Mr. Boldwood come there ?'
+Oak moved in silence back to his original seat.
+The gentleman-farmer was dressed in cheerful style,
+in a new coat and white waistcoat, quite contrasting
+with his usual sober suits of grey. Inwardy, too, he
+was blithe, and consequently chatty to an exceptional
+degree. So also was Bathsheba now that he had come,
+though the uninvited presence of Pennyways, the bailiff
+who had been dismissed for theft, disturbed her equan+
+imity for a while.
+Supper being ended, Coggan began on his own
+private account, without reference to listeners : --
+l've lost my love and l care not,
+I've lost my love, and l care not;
+I shall soon have another
+<P 206>
+That's better than t'other!
+I've lost my love, and I care not.
+This lyric, when concluded, was received with a
+silently appreciative gaze at the table, implying that the
+performance, like a work by those established authors
+who are independent of notices in the papers, was a
+well-known delight which required no applause.
+"Now, Master Poorgass, your song!' said Coggan.
+"I be all but in liquor, and the gift is wanting in
+me,' said Joseph, diminishing himself.
+"Nonsense; wou'st never be so ungrateful, Joseph --
+never!' said Coggan, expressing hurt feelings by an
+inflection of voice. "And mistress is looking hard at
+ye, as much as to say, ""Sing at once, Joseph Poor+
+grass.'' '
+"Faith, so she is; well, I must suffer it! ... Just
+eye my features, and see if the tell-tale blood overheats
+me much, neighbours?'
+"No, yer blushes be quite reasonable,' said Coggan.
+"I always tries to keep my colours from rising when
+a beauty's eyes get fixed on me,' said Joseph, differently;
+"but if so be 'tis willed they do, they must.'
+"Now, Joseph, your song, please,' said Bathsheba,
+from the window.
+"Well, really, ma'am,' he replied, in a yielding tone,
+"I don't know what to say. It would be a poor plain
+ballet of my own composure.'
+'Hear, hear! ' said the supper-party.
+Poorgrass, thus assured, trilled forth a flickering yet
+commendable piece of sentiment, the tune of which
+consisted of the key-note and another, the latter being
+the sound chiefly dwelt upon. This was so successful
+that he rashly plunged into a second in the same
+breath, after a few false starts : --
+I sow'-ed th'-e
+I sow'-ed
+I sow'-ed the'-e seeds' of love',
+I-it was' all' i'-in the'-e spring',
+I-in A'-pril', Ma'-ay, a'-nd sun'-ny' June',
+When sma'-all bi'-irds they' do' sing.
+<P 207>
+" Well put out of hand,' said Coggan, at the end of the
+verse. ' "" They do sing '' was a very taking paragraph.'
+"Ay; and there was a pretty place at "seeds of
+love,'' and 'twas well heaved out. Though "love '' is
+a nasty high corner when a man's voice is getting
+crazed. Next verse, Master Poorgrass.'
+But during this rendering young Bob Coggan ex+
+hibited one of those anomalies which will afflict little
+people when other persons are particularly serious : in
+trying to check his laughter, he pushed down his throat
+as much of the tablecloth as he could get hold of, when,
+after continuing hermetically sealed for a short time, his
+mirth burst out through his nose. Joseph perceived it,
+and with hectic cheeks of indignation instantly ceased
+singing. Coggan boxed Bob's ears immediately.
+"Go on, Joseph -- go on, and never mind the young
+scamp,' said Coggan. "'Tis a very catching ballet.
+Now then again -- the next bar; I'll help ye to flourish
+up the shrill notes where yer wind is rather wheezy : --
+O the wi'-il-lo'-ow tree' will' twist',
+And the wil'-low' tre'-ee wi'ill twine'.
+But the singer could not be set going again. Bob
+Coggan was sent home for his ill manners, and tran+
+quility was restored by Jacob Smallbury, who volunteered
+a ballad as inclusive and interminable as that with which
+the worthy toper old Silenus amused on a similar occasion
+the swains Chromis and Mnasylus, and other jolly dogs
+of his day.
+It' was still the beaming time .of evening, though
+night was stealthily making itself visible low down upon
+the ground, the western lines of light taking the earth
+without alighting upon it to any extent, or illuminating
+the dead levels at all. The sun had crept round the
+tree as a last effort before death, and then began to
+sink, the shearers' lower parts becoming steeped in
+embrowning twilight, whilst their heads and shoulders
+were still enjoying day, touched with a yellow of self+
+sustained brilliancy that seemed inherent rather than
+acquired.
+The sun went down in an ochreous mist; but they
+sat, and
+<P 208>
+talked on, and grew as merry as the gods in
+Homer's heaven. Bathsheba still remained enthroned
+inside the window, and occupied herself in knitting,
+from which she sometimes looked up to view the fading
+scene outside. The slow twilight expanded and enveloped
+them completely before the signs of moving were shown.
+Gabriel suddenly missed Farmer Boldwood from his
+place at the bottom of the table. How long he had
+been gone Oak did not know; but he had apparently
+withdrawn into the eneircling dusk. Whilst he was
+thinking of this, Liddy brought candles into the back
+part of the room overlooking the shearers, and their
+lively new flames shone down the table and over the
+men, and dispersed among the green shadows behind.
+Bathsheba's form, still in its original position, was now
+again distinct between their eyes and the light, which
+revealed that Boldwood had gone inside the room, and
+was sitting near her.
+Next came the question of the evening. Would Miss
+Everdene sing to them the song she always sang so
+charmingly -- " The Banks of Allan Water ' -- before they
+went home ?
+After a moment's consideration Bathsheba assented,
+beckoning to Gabriel, who hastened up into the coveted
+atmosphere.
+" Have you brought your flute ? " she whispered.
+" Yes, miss.'
+" Play to my singing, then.'
+She stood up in the window-opening, facing the
+men, the candles behind her, Gabriel on her right hand,
+immediately outside the sash-frame. Boldwood had
+drawn up on her left, within the room. Her singing
+was soft and rather tremulous at first, but it soon swelled
+to a steady clearness. Subsequent events caused one
+of the verses to be remembered for many months, and
+even years, by more than one of those who were gathered
+there : --
+For his bride a soldier sought her,
+And a winning tongue had he :
+On the banks of Allan Water
+None was gay as she !.
+<P 209>
+In addition to the dulcet piping of Gabriel's flute,
+Boldwood supplied a bass in his customary profound
+voice, uttering his notes so softly, however, as to abstain
+entirely from making anything like an ordinary duet of
+the song ; they rather formed a rich unexplored shadow,
+which threw her tones into relief. The shearers reclined
+against each other as at suppers in the early ages of the
+world, and so silent and absorbed were they that her
+breathing could almost be heard between the bars ; and
+at the end of the ballad, when the last tone loitered on
+to an inexpressible close, there arose that buzz of
+pleasure which is the attar of applause.
+It is scarcely necessary to state that Gabriel could
+not avoid noting the farmer's bearing to-night towards
+their entertainer. Yet there was nothing exceptional in
+his actions beyond what appertained to his time of
+performing them. It was when the rest were all looking
+away that Boldwood observed her ; when they regarded
+her he turned aside; when they thanked or praised he
+was silent; when they were inattentive he murmured
+his thanks. The meaning lay in the difference between
+actions, none of which had any meaning of itself;
+and the necessity of being jealous, which lovers are
+troubled with, did not lead Oak to underestimate these
+signs.
+Bathsheba then wished them good-night, withdrew
+from the window, and retired to the back part of the
+room, Boldwood thereupon closing the sash and the
+shutters, and remaining inside with her. Oak wandered
+away under the quiet and scented trees. Recovering
+from the softer impressions produced by Bathsheba's
+voice, the shearers rose to leave, Coggan turning to
+Pennyways as he pushed back the bench to pass out : --
+"I like to give praise where praise is due, and the
+man deserves it -- that 'a do so,' he remarked, looking at
+the worthy thief, as if he were the masterpiece of some
+world-renowned artist.
+<P 210>
+"I'm sure I should never have believed it if we hadn t
+proved it, so to allude,' hiccupped Joseph Poorgrass, " that
+every cup, every one of the best knives and forks, and
+every empty bottle be in their place as perfect now as
+at the beginning, and not one stole at all.
+"I'm sure I don't deserve half the praise you give
+me,' said the virtuous thief, grimly.
+" Well, I'll say this for Pennyways,' added Coggan,
+"that whenever he do really make up his mind to do a
+noble thing in the shape of a good action, as I could
+see by his face he. did to-night afore sitting down, he's
+generally able to carry it out. Yes, I'm proud to say.
+neighbours, that he's stole nothing at all.
+"Well,' -- 'tis an honest deed, and we thank ye for it,
+Pennyways,' said Joseph; to which opinion the remainder
+of the company subscribed unanimously.
+ At this time of departure, when nothing more was
+visible of the inside of the parlour than a thin and still
+chink of light between the shutters, a passionate scene
+was in eourse of enactment there.'
+Miss Everdene and Boldwood were alone. Her
+cheeks had lost a great deal of their healthful fire from
+the very seriousness of her position ; but her eye was
+bright with the excitement of a triumph -- though it was
+a triumph which had rather been contemplated than
+desired.
+She was standing behind a low arm-chair, from which
+she had just risen, and he was kneeling in it -- inclining
+himself over its back towards her, and holding her hand
+in both his own. His body moved restlessly, and it was
+with what Keats daintily calls a too happy happiness.
+This unwonted abstraction by love of all dignity from
+a man of whom it had ever seemed the chief component,
+was, in its distressing incongruity, a pain to her which
+quenched much of the pleasure she derived from the
+proof that she was idolized.
+" I will try to love you,' she was saying, in a trembling
+voice quite unlike her usual self-confidence. " And if I
+can believe in any way that I shall make you a good
+wife I shall indeed be willing to marry you. But, Mr.
+Boldwood, hesitation on so high a matter is honourable
+in any woman, and I don't want to give a solemn
+promise to-night. I would rather ask you to wait a few
+weeks till I can see my situation better.'
+"But you have every reason to believe that then -- -- '
+'I have every reason to hope that at the end of the
+five or
+<P 211>
+six weeks, between this time and harvest, that
+you say you are going to be away from home, I shall be
+able to promise to be your wife,' she said, firmly. "But
+remember this distinctly, I don't promise yet.'
+"It is enough I don't ask more. I can wait on
+those dear words. And now, Miss Everdene, good+
+night!'
+" Good-night,' she said, graciously -- almost tenderly;
+and Boldwood withdrew with a serene smile.
+Bathsheba knew more of him now ; he had entirely
+bared his heart before her, even until he had almost
+worn in her eyes the sorry look of a grand bird without
+the feathers that make it grand. She had been awe+
+struck at her past temerity, and was struggling to make
+amends without thinking whether the sin quite deserved
+the penalty she was schooling herself to pay. To have
+brought all this about her ears was terrible; but after a
+while the situation was not without a fearful joy. The
+facility with which even the most timid woman some+
+times acquire a relish for the dreadful when that is
+amalgamated with a little triumph, is marvellous.
+<C xxiv>
+<P 212>
+THE SAME NIGHT -- THE FIR PLANTATION
+AMONG the multifarious duties which Bathsheba had
+voluntarily imposed upon herself by dispensing with the
+services of a bailiff, was the particular one of looking
+round the homestead before going to bed, to see that
+all was right and safe for the night. Gabriel had almost
+constantly preceded her in this tour every evening,
+watching her affairs as carefully as any specially appointed
+officer of surveillance could have done; but this tender
+devotion was to a great extent unknown to his mistress,
+and as much as was known was somewhat thanklessly
+received. Women are never tired of bewailing man's
+fickleness in love, but they only seem to snub his con+
+stancy.
+As watching is best done invisibly, she usually carried
+a dark lantern in her hand, and every now and then
+turned on the light to examine nooks and corners with
+the coolness of a metropolitan policeman. This cool+
+ness may have owed its existence not so much to her
+fearlessness of expected danger as to her freedom from
+the suspicion of any; her worst anticipated discovery
+being that a horse might not be well bedded, the fowls
+not all in, or a door not closed.
+This night the buildings were inspected as usual,
+and she went round to the farm paddock. Here the
+only sounds disturbing the stillness were steady munch+
+ings of many mouths, and stentorian breathings from all
+but invisible noses, ending in snores and puffs like the
+blowing of bellows slowly. Then the munching would
+recommence, when the lively imagination might assist
+the eye to discern a group of pink-white nostrils, shaped
+as caverns, and very clammy and humid on their sur+
+faces, not exactly pleasant to the touch until one got
+used to them; the mouths beneath having a great
+partiality for closing upon any loose end of Bathsheba's
+apparel which came within
+<P 213>
+reach of their tongues.
+Above each of these a still keener vision suggested a
+brown forehead and two staring though not unfriendly
+eyes, and above all a pair of whitish crescent-shaped
+horns like two particularly new moons, an occasional
+stolid " moo!' proclaiming beyond the shade of a doubt
+that these phenomena were the features and persons of
+Daisy, Whitefoot, Bonny-lass, Jolly-O, Spot, Twinkle-eye,
+etc., etc. -- the respectable dairy of Devon cows belonging
+to Bathsheba aforesaid.
+Her way back to the house was by a path through a
+young plantation of tapering firs, which had been planted
+some years earlier to shelter the premises from the north
+wind. By reason of the density of the interwoven foliage
+overhead, it was gloomy there at cloudless noontide,
+twilight in the evening, dark as midnight at dusk, and
+black as the ninth plague of Egypt at midnight. To
+describe the spot is to call it a vast, low, naturally formed
+hall, the plumy ceiling of which was supported by slender
+pillars of living wood, the floor being covered with a soft
+dun carpet of dead spikelets and mildewed cones, with
+a tuft of grass-blades here and there.
+This bit of the path was always the crux of the
+night's ramble, though, before starting, her apprehen+
+sions of danger were not vivid enough to lead her to
+take a companion. Slipping along here covertly as
+Time, Bathsheba fancied she could hear footsteps enter+
+ing the track at the opposite end. It was certainly a
+rustle of footsteps. Her own instantly fell as gently as
+snowflakes. She reassured herself by a remembrance
+that the path was public, and that the traveller was
+probably some villager returning home ; regetting, at
+the same time, that the meeting should be about to
+occur in' the darkest point of her route, even though
+only just outside her own door.
+The noise approached, came close, and a figure was
+apparently on the point of gliding past her when some+
+thing tugged at her skirt and pinned it forcibly to the
+ground. The instantaneous check nearly threw Bath+
+sheba off her balance. In recovering she struck against
+warm clothes and buttons.
+'A rum start, upon my soul!' said a masculine voice,
+a foot or so above her head. 'Have I hurt you, mate?'
+"No,' said Bathsheba, attempting to shrink a way.
+<P 214>
+" We have got hitched together somehow, I think.'
+" Yes.'
+"Are you a woman ?'
+'Yes.'
+"A lady, I should have said.'
+"It doesn't matter.'
+"I am a man.'
+"Oh!'
+Bathsheba softly tugged again, but to no purpose.
+"Is that a dark lantern you have ? I fancy so,' said
+the man.
+'Yes.'
+"If you'll allow me I'll open it, and set you free.'
+A hand seized the lantern, the door was opened, the
+rays burst out from their prison, and Bathsheba beheld
+her position with astonishment.
+The man to whom she was hooked was brilliant in
+brass and scarlet. He was a soldier. His sudden
+appearance was to darkness what the sound of a trumpet
+is to silense. Gloom, the genius loci at all times hitherto,
+was now totally overthrown, less by the lantern-light
+than by what the lantern lighted. The contrast of this
+revelation with her anticipations of some sinister figure
+in sombre garb was so great that it had upon her the
+effect of a fairy transformation.
+It was immediately apparent that the military man's
+spur had become entangled in the gimp which decorated
+the skirt of her dress. He caught a view of her face.
+"I'll unfasten you in one moment, miss,' he said,
+with new-born gallantry.
+" O no -- I can do it, thank you,' she hastily replied,
+and stooped for the performance.
+The unfastening was not such a trifling affair. The
+rowel of the spur had so wound itself among the gimp
+cords in those few moments, that separation was likely
+to be a matter of time.
+He too stooped, and the lantern standing on the
+ground betwixt them threw the gleam from its open side
+among the fir-tree needles and the blades of long damp
+grass with the effect of a large glowworm. It radiated
+upwards into their
+<P 215>
+faces, and sent over half the planta+
+tion gigantic shadows of both man and woman, each
+dusky shape becoming distorted and mangled upon the
+tree-trunks till it wasted to nothing.
+He looked hard into her eyes when she raised them
+for a moment; Bathsheba looked down again, for his
+gaze was too strong to be received point-blank with her
+own. But she had obliquely noticed that he was young
+and slim, and that he wore three chevrons upon his
+sleeve.
+Bathsheba pulled again.
+" You are a prisoner, miss; it is no use blinking the
+matter,' said the soldier, drily. " I must cut your dress
+if you are in such a hurry.'
+" Yes -- please do!' she exclaimed, helplessly. '
+"It wouldn't be necessary if you could wait a
+moment;' and he unwound a cord from the little
+wheel. She withdrew her own hand, but, whether by
+accident or design, he touched it. Bathsheba was
+vexed; she hardly knew why.
+His unravelling went on, but it nevertheless seemed
+coming to no end. She looked at him again.
+'Thank you for the sight of such a beautiful face!'
+said the young sergeant, without ceremony.
+She coloured with embarrassment. "'Twas un+
+willingly shown,' she replied, stiffly, and with as much
+dignity -- which was very little -- as she could infuse into
+a position of captivity
+"I like you the better for that incivility, miss,' he
+said.
+" I should have liked -- I wish -- you had never shown
+yourself to me by intruding here!' She pulled again,
+and the gathers of her dress began to give way like
+liliputian musketry.
+" I deserve the chastisement your words give me.
+But why should such a fair and dutiful girl have such
+an aversion to her father's sex ? '
+"Go on your way, please.'
+' What, Beauty, and drag you after me ? Do but
+look; I never saw such a tangle!'
+'O, 'tis shameful of you ; you have been making
+it worse on purpose to keep me here -- you have ! '
+"Indeed, I don't think so,' said the sergeant, with a
+merry twinkle.
+<P 216>
+"I tell you you have!' she exclaimed, in high
+temper. I insist upon undoing it. Now, allow me!'
+"Certainly, miss; I am not of steel.' He added a
+sigh which had as much archness in it as a sigh could
+possess without losing its nature altogether. 'I am
+thankful for beauty, even when 'tis thrown to me like
+a bone to a dog. These moments will be over too
+soon!'
+She closed her lips in a determined silence.
+Bathsheba was revolving in her mind whether by a
+bold and desperate rush she could free herself at the
+risk of leaving her skirt bodily behind her. The
+thought was too dreadful. The dress -- which she had
+put on to appear stately at the supper -- was the head
+and front of her wardrobe ; not another in her stock
+became her so well. What woman in Bathsheba's
+position, not naturally timid, and within call of her
+retainers, would have bought escape from a dashing
+soldier at so dear a price ?
+"All in good time ; it will soon be done, I perceive,'
+said her cool friend.
+" This trifling provokes, and -- and -- -- '
+" Not too cruel!'
+" -- Insults me.!'
+"It is done in order that I may have the pleasure
+of apologizing to so charming a woman, which I
+straightway do most humbly, madam,' he said, bowing
+low.
+Bathsheba really knew not what to say.
+"I've seen a good many women in my time,
+continued the young man in a murmur, and more
+thoughtfully than hitherto, critically regarding her bent
+head at the same time; "but I've never seen a woman
+so beautiful as you. Take it or leave it -- be offended
+or like it -- I don't care.'
+" Who are you, then, who can so well afford to
+despise opinion ? '
+" No stranger. Sergeant Troy. I am staying in
+this place. -- There ! it is undone at last, you see.
+Your light fingers were more eager than mine. I wish it
+had been the knot of knots, which there's no untying !. '
+This was worse and worse. She started up, and so
+did he.
+<P 217>
+How to decently get away from him -- that
+was her difficulty now. She sidled off inch by inch,
+the lantern in her hand, till she could see the redness
+of his coat no longer.
+" Ah, Beauty ; good-bye !. ' he said.
+She made no reply, and, reaching a distance of
+twenty or thirty yards, turned about, and ran indoors.
+Liddy had just retired to rest. In ascending to her
+own chamber, Bathsheba opened the girl's door an
+inch or two, and, panting, said --
+" Liddy, is any soldier staying in the village --
+sergeant somebody -- rather gentlemanly for a sergeant,
+and good looking -- a red coat with blue facings ?'
+'No, miss ... No, I say; but really it might be
+Sergeant Troy home on furlough, though I have not
+seen him. He was here once in that way when the
+regiment was at Casterbridge.'
+" Yes; that's the name. Had he a moustache -- no
+whiskers or beard ?'
+" He had.'
+" What kind of a person is he ?'
+"O ! miss -- I blush to name it -- a gay man! But
+I know him to be very quick and trim, who might have
+made his thousands, like a squire. Such a clever
+young dand as he is! He's a doctor's son by name,
+which is a great deal; and he's an earl's son by
+nature!'
+" Which is a great deal more. Fancy! Is it true ? '
+" Yes. And, he was brought up so well, and sent to
+Casterbridge Grammar School for years and years.
+Learnt all languages while he was there ; and it was
+said he got on so far that he could take down Chinese
+in shorthand ; but that I don't answer for, as it was
+only reported. However, he wasted his gifted lot,
+and listed a soldier; but even then he rose to be a
+sergeant without trying at all. Ah! such a blessing it
+is to be high-born ; nobility of blood will shine out even
+in the ranks and files. And is he really come home,
+miss ?"
+' I believe so. Good-night, Liddy.'
+After all, how could a cheerful wearer of skirts
+be permanently offended with the man ? There are
+occasions when girls like Bathsheba will put up with
+a great deal of
+<P 218>
+unconventional behaviour. When they
+want to be praised, which is often, when they want to
+be mastered, which is sometimes ; and when they want
+no nonsense, which is seldom. Just now the first
+feeling was in the ascendant with Bathsheba, with a dash
+of the second. Moreover, by chance or by devilry, the
+ministrant was antecedently made interesting by being
+a handsome stranger who had evidently seen better
+days.
+So she could not clearly decide whether it was her
+opinion that he had insulted her or not. '
+"Was ever anything so odd! ' she at last exclaimed
+to herself, in her own room. "And was ever anything
+so meanly done as what I did to to sulk away like that
+from a man who was only civil and kind!' Clearly she
+did not think his barefaced praise of her person an
+insult now.
+It was a fatal omission of Boldwood's that he had
+never once told her she was beautiful.
+<C xxv>
+<P 219>
+THE NEW ACQUAINTANCE DESCRIBED
+IDIOSYNCRASY and vicissitude had combined to
+stamp Sergeant Troy as an exceptional being.
+He was a man to whom memories were an in+
+cumbrance, and anticipations a superfluity. Simply
+feeling, considering, and caring for what was before his
+eyes, he was vulnerable only in the present. His out+
+look upon time was as a transient flash of the eye now
+and then : that projection of consciousness into days
+gone by and to come, which makes the past a synonym
+for the pathetic and the future a word for circum+
+spection, was foreign to Troy. With him the past
+was yesterday ; the future, to-morrow ; never, the day
+after.
+On this account he might, in certain lights, have
+been regarded as one of the most fortunate of his
+order. For it may be argued with great plausibility
+that reminiscence is less an endowment than a disease,
+and that expectation in its only comfortable form -- that
+of absolute faith -- is practically an impossibility; whilst
+in the form of hope and the secondary compounds,
+patience, impatience, resolve, curiosity, it is a constant
+fluctuation between pleasure and pain.
+Sergeant Troy, being entirely innocent of the
+practice of expectation, was never disappointed. To
+set against this negative gain there may have been
+some positive losses from a certain narrowing of the
+higher tastes and sensations which it entailed. But
+limitation of the capacity is never recognized as a loss
+by the loser therefrom : in this attribute moral or
+aesthetic poverty contrasts plausibly with material, since
+those who suffer do not mind it, whilst those who mind
+it soon cease to suffer. It is not a denial of anything
+to have been always without it, and what Troy had
+never enjoyed he did not miss; but, being fully
+conscious that what sober
+<P 220>
+people missed he enjoyed,
+his capacity, though really less, seemed greater than
+theirs.
+He was moderately truthful towards men, but to
+women lied like a Cretan -- a system of ethics above all
+others calculated to win popularity at the first flush of
+admission into lively society ; and the possibility of the
+favour gained being transitory had reference only to
+the future.
+He never passed the line which divides the spruce
+vices from the ugly ; and hence, though his morals had
+hardly been applauded, disapproval of them" had fre+
+quently been tempered with a smile. This treatment
+had led to his becoming a sort of regrater of other
+men's gallantries, to his own aggrandizement as a
+Corinthian, rather than to the moral profit of his
+hearers.
+His reason and his propensities had seldom any
+reciprocating influence, having separated by mutual
+consent long ago : thence it sometimes happened that,
+while his intentions were as honourable as could be
+wished, any particular deed formed a dark background
+which threw them into fine relief. The sergeant's
+vicious phases being the offspring of impulse, and
+his virtuous phases of cool meditation, the latter
+had a modest tendency to be oftener heard of than
+seen.
+Troy was full of activity, but his activities were less of
+a locomotive than a vegetative nature ; and, never being
+based upon any original choice of foundation or direc+
+tion, they were exercised on whatever object chance
+might place in their way. Hence, whilst he sometimes
+reached the brilliant in speech because that -was
+spontaneous, he fell below the commonplace in action,
+from inability to guide incipient effort. He had a
+quick comprehension and considerable force of char+
+acter ; but, being without the power to combine them,
+the comprehension became engaged with trivialities
+whilst waiting for the will to direct it, and the force
+wasted itself in useless grooves through unheeding the
+comprehension.
+He was a fairly well-educated man for one of middle
+class -- exceptionally well educated for a common soldier.
+He spoke fluently and unceasingly. He could in this
+way be one thing and seem another : for instance, he
+could speak of love and
+<P 221>
+think of dinner; call on the
+intend to owe.
+The wondrous power of flattery in passados at woman
+is a perception so universal as to be remarked upon by
+many people almost as automatically as they repeat a
+proverb, or say that they are Christians and the like,
+without thinking much of the enormous corollaries
+which spring from the proposition. Still less is it acted
+upon for the good of the complemental being alluded
+to. With the majority such an opinion is shelved with
+all those trite aphorisms which require some catastrophe
+to bring their tremendous meanings thoroughly home.
+When expressed with some amount of reflectiveness it
+seems co-ordinate with a belief that this flattery must
+be reasonable to be effective. It is to the credit of
+men that few attempt to settle the question by experi+
+ment, and it is for their happiness, perhaps, that accident
+has never settled it for them. Nevertheless, that a
+male dissembler who by deluging her with untenable
+fictions charms the female wisely, may acquire powers
+reaching to the extremity of perdition, is a truth taught
+to many by unsought and wringing occurrences. And
+some profess to have attained to the same knowledge
+by experiment as aforesaid, and jauntily continue their
+indulgence in such experiments with terrible effect.
+Sergeant Troy was one.
+He had been known to observe casually that in
+dealing with womankind the only alternative to flattery
+was cursing and swearing. There was no third method.
+" Treat them fairly, and you are a lost man,' he would
+say.
+This philosopher's public appearance in Weatherbury
+promptly followed his arrival there. A week or two
+after the shearing, Bathsheba, feeling a nameless relief
+of spirits on account of Boldwood's absence, approached
+her hayfields and looked over the hedge towards the
+haymakers. They consisted in about equal proportions
+of gnarled and flexuous forms, the former being the
+men, the latter the women, who wore tilt bonnets
+covered with nankeen, which hung in a curtain upon
+their shoulders. Coggan and Mark Clark were mowing
+in a less forward meadow, Clark humming a tune to
+the strokes of his
+<P 222>
+scythe, to which Jan made no attempt
+to keep time with his. In the first mead they were
+already loading hay, the women raking it into cocks
+and windrows, and the men tossing it upon the
+waggon.
+From behind the waggon a bright scarlet spot
+emerged, and went on loading unconcernedly with the
+rest. It was the gallant sergeant, who had come hay+
+making for pleasure ; and nobody could deny that he
+was doing the mistress of the farm real knight-service
+by this voluntary contribution of his labour at a busy
+time.
+As soon as she had entered the field Troy saw her,
+and sticking his pitchfork into the ground and picking
+up his crop or cane, he came forward. Bathsheba
+blushed with half-angry embarrassment, and adjusted
+her eyes as well as her feet to the direct line of her
+path.
+<C xxvi>
+<P 223>
+SCENE ON THE VERGE OF THE HAY-MEAD
+'AH, Miss Everdene!' said the sergeant, touching his
+diminutive cap. "Little did I think it was you I was
+speaking to the other night. And yet, if I had reflected,
+the "Queen of the Corn-market" (truth is truth at any
+hour of the day or night, and I heard you so named in
+Casterbridge yesterday), the "Queen of the Corn-market,''
+I say, could be no other woman. I step across now to
+beg your forgiveness a thousand times for having been
+led by my feelings to express myself too strongly for a
+stranger. To be sure I am no stranger to the place --
+I am Sergeant Troy, as I told you, and I have assisted
+your uncle in these fields no end of times when I was a
+lad. I have been doing the same for you today.'
+"I suppose I must thank you for that, Sergeant
+Troy,' said the Queen of the Corn-market, in an in+
+differently grateful tone.
+The sergeant looked hurt and sad. "Indeed you
+must not, Miss Everdene,' he said. " Why could you
+think such a thing necessary ? '
+"I am glad it is not.'
+" Why ? if I may ask without offence.'
+" Because I don't much want to thank you for any"
+thing.'
+"I am afraid I have made a hole with my tongue
+that my heart will never mend. O these intolerable
+times: that ill-luck should follow a man for honestly
+telling a woman she is beautiful.! 'Twas the most I
+said -- you must own that; and the least I could say --
+that I own myself.'
+'There is some talk I could do without more easily
+than money.'
+"Indeed. That remark is a sort of digression.'
+" No. It means that I would rather have your room
+than your company.'
+<P 224>
+"And I would rather have curses from you than
+kisses from any other woman ; so I'll stay here.'
+Bathsheba was absolutely speechless. And yet she
+could not help feeling that the assistance he was render+
+ing forbade a harsh repulse.
+" Well,' continued Troy, "I suppose there is a praise
+which is rudeness, and that may be mine. At the
+same time there is a treatment which is injustice, and
+that may be yours. Because a plain blunt man, who
+has never been taught concealment, speaks out his
+mind without exactly intending it, he's to be snapped
+off like the son of a sinner.'
+"Indeed there's no such case between us,' she said,
+turning away. "I don't allow strangers to be bold and
+impudent -- even in praise of me.'
+" Ah -- it is not the fact but the method which offends
+you,' he said, carelessly. "But I have the sad satis+
+faction of knowing that my words, whether pleasing or
+offensive, are unmistakably true. Would you have had
+me look at you, and tell my acquaintance that you are
+quite a common-place woman, to save you the embar+
+rassment of being stared at if they come near you ?
+Not I. I couldn't tell any such ridiculous lie about
+a beauty to encourage a single woman in England in
+too excessive a modesty.'
+"It is all pretence -- what you are saying!' exclaimed
+Bathsheba, laughing in spite of herself at the sergeant's
+sly method. " You have a rare invention, Sergeant
+Troy. Why couldn't you have passed by me that
+night, and said nothing ? -- that was all I meant to
+reproach you for.'
+"Because I wasn't going to. Half the pleasure of
+a feeling lies in being able to express it on the spur of
+the moment, and I let out mine. It would have been
+just the same if you had been the reverse person -- ugly
+and old -- I should have exclaimed about it in the same
+way. '
+" How long is it since you have been so afflicted with
+strong feeling, then ? '
+" Oh, ever since I was big enough to know loveliness
+from deformity.'
+<P 225>
+"'Tis to be hoped your sense of the difference you
+speak of doesn't stop at faces, but extends to morals as
+well. '
+'I won't speak of morals or religion -- my own or
+anybody else's. Though perhaps I should have been a
+very good Christian if you pretty women hadn't made
+me an idolater.'
+Bathsheba moved on to hide the irrepressible dimp+
+lings of merriment. Troy followed, whirling his crop.
+'But -- Miss Everdene -- you do forgive me ? '
+" Hardly. '
+"Why ?'
+" You say such things.'
+"I said you were beautiful, and I'll say so still; for,
+by -- so you are !. The most beautiful ever I saw, or
+may I fall dead this instant! Why, upon my -- -- '
+" Don't -- don't! I won't listen to you -- you are so
+profane!' she said, in a restless state between distress
+at hearing him and a penchant to hear more.
+"I again say you are a most fascinating woman.
+There's nothing remarkable in my saying so, is there?
+I'm sure the fact is evident enough. Miss Everdene,
+my opinion may be too forcibly let out to please you,
+and, for the matter of that, too insignificant to convince
+you, but surely it is honest, and why can't it be ex+
+cused? '
+"Because it -- it isn't a correct one,' she femininely
+murmured.
+" 0, fie -- fie-! Am I any worse for breaking the
+third of that Terrible Ten than you for breaking the
+ninth ?"
+"Well, it doesn't seem quite true to me that I am
+fascinating,' she replied evasively.
+' Not so to you : then I say with all respect that, if
+so, it is owing to your modesty, Miss Everdene. But
+surely you must have been told by everybody of what
+everybody notices ? and you should take their words
+for it.'
+" They don't say so exactly.'
+" O yes, they must!'
+"Well, I mean to my face, as you do,' she went on,
+allowing
+<P 226>
+herself to be further lured into a conversation
+that intention had rigorously forbidden.
+"But you know they think so ?'
+"No -- that is -- I certainly have heard Liddy say
+they do, but -- -- ' She paused.
+Capitulation -- that was the purport of the simple
+reply, guarded as it was -- capitulation, unknown to her+
+self. Never did a fragile tailless sentence convey a
+more perfect meaning. The careless sergeant smiled
+within himself, and probably too the devil smiled from
+a loop-hole in Tophet, for the moment was the turning+
+point of a career. Her tone and mien signified beyond
+mistake that the seed which was to lift the foundation
+had taken root in the chink : the remainder was a mere
+question of time and natural changes.
+"There the truth comes out ! ' said the soldier, in
+reply. "Never tell me that a young lady can live in a
+buzz of admiration without knowing something about it.
+Ah,' well, Miss Everdene, you are -- pardon my blunt
+way -- you are rather an injury to our race than other+
+wise.
+" How -- indeed ? ' she said, opening her eyes.
+"O, it is true enough. I may as well be hung for
+a sheep as a lamb (an old country saying, not of much
+account, but it will do for a rough soldier), and so I
+will speak my mind, regardless of your pleasure, and
+without hoping or intending to get your pardon. Why,
+Miss Everdene, it is in this manner that your good
+looks may do more. harm than good in the world.'
+The sergeant looked down the mead in critical abstrac+
+ion. " Probably some one man on an average falls in'
+love, with each ordinary woman. She can marry him :
+he is content, and leads a useful life. Such women as
+you a hundred men always covet -- your eyes will be+
+witch scores on scores into an unavailing fancy for you
+you can only marry one of that many. Out of these
+say twenty will endeavour to. drown the bitterness of
+espised love in drink ; twenty more will mope away
+their lives without a wish or attempt to make a mark in
+he world, because they have no ambition apart from
+their attachment to you ; twenty more -- the susceptible
+person
+<P 227>
+myself possibly among them -- will be always
+draggling after you, getting where they may just see
+you, doing desperate things. Men are such constant
+fools! The rest may try to get over their passion with
+more or less success. But all these men will be
+saddened. And not only those ninety-nine men, but
+the ninety-nine women they might have married are
+saddened with them. There's my tale. That's why I
+say that a woman so charming as yourself, Miss Ever+
+dene, is hardly a blessing to her race.'
+The handsome sergeant's features were during this
+speech as rigid and stern as John Knox's in addressing
+his gay young queen.
+Seeing she made no reply, he said, "Do you read
+French ? '
+"No; I began, but when I got to the verbs, father
+died,' she said simply.
+'I do -- -when I have an opportunity, which latterly
+has not been often (my mother was a Parisienne) -- -and
+there's a proverb they have, Qui aime bien chatie bien
+ -- "He chastens who loves well." Do you understand
+me?
+'Ah!' she replied, and there was even a little tremu+
+lousness in the usually cool girl's voice; 'if you can
+only fight half as winningly as you can talk, you are
+able to make a pleasure of a bayonet wound!' And
+then poor Bathsheba instanly perceived her slip in
+making this admission: in hastily trying to retrieve it,
+she went from bad to worse. 'Don't, however, suppose
+that I derive any pleasure from what you tell me.'
+'I know you do not -- -I know it perfectly,' said Troy,
+with much hearty conviction on the exterior of his face:
+and altering the expression to moodiness; 'when a
+dozen men arfe ready to speak tenderly to you, and
+give the admiration you deserve without adding the
+warning you need, it stands to reason that my poor
+rough-and-ready mixture of praise and blame cannot
+convey much pleasure. Fool as I may be, I am not so
+conceited as to suppose that!'
+'I think you -- -are conceited, nevertheless,' said
+Bathsheba, looking askance at a reed she was fitfully
+pulling with one hand, having lately grown feverish
+under the soldier's
+<P 228>
+system of procedure -- not because
+the nature of his cajolery was entirely unperceived, but
+because its vigour was overwelming.
+'I would not own it to anybody esle -- nor do I
+exactly to you. Still, there might have been some self+
+conceit in my foolish supposition the other night. I
+knew that what I said in admiration might be an
+opinion too often forced upon you to give any pleasure
+but I certainly did think that the kindness of your
+nature might prevent you judging an uncontrolled
+tongue harshly -- which you have done -- and thinking
+badly of me and wounding me this morning, when I
+am working hard to save your hay.'
+'Well, you need not think more of that: perhaps you
+did not mean to be rude to me by speaking out your
+mind: indeed, I believe you did not,' said the shrewd
+woman, in painfully innocent earnest. 'And I thank
+you for giving help here. But -- -but mind you don't
+speak to me again in that way, or in any other, unless
+I speak to you.'
+'O, Miss Bathsheba! That is to hard!'
+'No, it isn't. Why is it?'
+'You will never speak to me; for I shall not be
+here long. I am soon going back again to the miser+
+able monotony of drill -- and perhaps our regiment will
+be ordered out soon. And yet you take away the one
+little ewe-lamb of plaesure that I have in this dull life
+of mine. Well, perhaps generosity is not a woman's
+most marked characteristic.'
+'When are you going from here?' she asked, with
+some interest.
+'In a month.'
+'But how can it give you pleasure to speak to me?'
+'Can you ask Miss Everdene -- knowing as you do
+ -- what my offence is based on?'
+'I you do care so much for a silly trifle of that
+kind, then, I don't mind doing it,' she uncertainly and
+doubtingly answered. 'But you can't really care for a
+word from me? you only say so -- I think you only
+say so.'
+'that's unjust -- but I won't repeat the remark. I
+am too
+<P 229>
+gratified to get such a mark of your friendship
+at any price to cavil at the tone. I do Miss Everdene,
+care for it. You may think a man foolish to want a
+mere word -- just a good morning. Perhaps he is -- I
+don't know. But you have never been a man looking
+upon a woman, and that woman yourself.'
+" Well.'
+" Then you know nothing of what such an experience
+is like -- and Heaven forbid that you ever should!'
+"Nonsense, flatterer! What is it like? I am
+interested in knowing."
+"Put shortly, it is not being able to think, hear, or
+look in any direction except one without wretchedness,
+nor there without torture.'
+" Ah, sergeant, it won't do -- you are pretending ! ' she
+said, shaking her head. ' Your words are too dashing
+to be true.'
+"I am not, upon the honour of a soldier'
+"But why is it so? -- Of course I ask for mere pas+
+time.'
+" Because you are so distracting -- and I am so
+distracted. '
+" You look like it.'
+" I am indeed.'
+" Why, you only saw me the other night!'
+" That makes no difference. The lightning works in+
+stantaneously. I loved you then, at once -- as I do now.'
+Bathsheba surveyed him curiously, from the feet
+upward, as high as she liked to venture her glance,
+which was not quite so high as his eyes.
+" You cannot and you don"t,' she said demurely.
+"There is-no such sudden feeling in people. I won't
+listen to you any longer. Hear me, I wish I knew what
+o'clock it is -- I am going -- I have wasted too much time
+here already!"
+The sergeant looked at his watch and told her.
+" What, haven't you a watch, miss?' he inquired.
+"I have not just at present -- I am about to get a
+new one.'
+"No. You shall be given one. Yes -- you shall.
+A gift, Miss Everdene -- a gift."
+And before she knew what the young -- man was
+intending, a heavy gold watch was in her hand.
+<P 230>
+"It is an unusually good one for a man like me to
+possess,' he quietly said. "That watch has a history.
+Press the spring and open the back.'
+She did so.
+'What do you see?'
+'A crest and a motto.'
+" A coronet with five points, and beneath, Cedit amor
+rebus -- "Love yields to circumstance." It's the motto
+of the Earls of Severn. That watch belonged to the
+last lord, and was given to my mother's husband, a
+medical man, for his use till I came of age, when it was
+to be given to me. It was all the fortune that ever I
+inherited. That watch has regulated imperial interests
+in its time -- the stately ceremonial, the courtly assigna+
+tion, pompous travels, and lordly sleeps. Now it is
+yours.
+" But, Sergeant Troy, I cannot take this -- I cannot ! '
+she exclaimed, with round-eyed wonder. " A gold watch !
+What are you doing? Don't be such a dissembler!"
+The sergeant retreated to avoid receiving back his
+gift, which she held out persistently towards him.
+Bathsheba followed as he retired.
+"Keep it -- do, Miss Everdene -- keep it !' said the
+erratic child of impulse. " The fact of your possessing
+it makes it worth ten times as much to me. A more
+plebeian one will answer my purpose just as well, and
+the pleasure of knowing whose heart my old one beats
+against -- well, I won't speak of that. It is in far
+worthier hands than ever it has been in before.'
+"But indeed I can't have it!' she said, in a perfect
+simmer of distress. " O, how can you do such a thing ;
+that is if you really mean it! Give me your dead
+father's watch, and such a valuable one! You should
+not be so reckless, indeed, Sergeant Troy!'
+"I loved my father: good; but better, I love you
+more. That's how I can do it,' said the sergeant, with
+an intonation of such exquisite fidelity to nature that it.
+was evidently not all acted now. Her beauty, which,
+whilst it had been quiescent, he had praised in jest,
+had in its animated phases moved him to
+<P 231>
+earnest; and
+though his seriousness was less than she imagined, it
+was probably more than he imagined himself.
+Bathsheba was brimming with agitated bewilderment,
+and she said, in half-suspicious accents of feeling, "Can
+it be! 0, how can it be, that you care for me, and
+so suddenly,! You have seen so little of me: I may
+not be really so -- so nice-looking as I seem to you.
+Please, do take it ; O, do! I cannot and will not have
+it. Believe me, your generosity is too great. I have
+never done you a single kindness, and why should you
+be so kind to me?'
+A factitious reply had been again upon his lips, but
+it was again suspended, and he looked at her with an
+arrested eye. The truth was, that as she now stood --
+excited, wild, and honest as the day -- her alluring
+beauty bore out so fully the epithets he had bestowed
+upon it that he was quite startled at his temerity in
+advancing them as false. He said mechanically, "Ah,
+why ?' and continued to look at her.
+"And my workfolk see me following you about the
+field, and are wondering. O, this is dreadful!' she
+went on, unconscious of the transmutation she was
+effecting.
+"I did not quite mean you to accept it at first, for it
+as my one poor patent of nobility,' he broke out,
+bluntly; "but, upon my soul, I wish you would now.
+Without any shamming, come! Don't deny me the
+happiness of wearing it for my sake ? But you are too
+lovely even to care to be kind as others are.'
+" No, no ; don"t say so !. I have reasons for reserve
+which I cannot explain.'
+" bet it be, then, let it be,' he said, receiving back
+the watch at last; "I must be leaving you now. And
+will you speak to me for these few weeks of my stay ? '
+'Indeed I will. Yet, I don't know if I will! O,
+why did you come and disturb me so !'
+"Perhaps in setting a gin, I have caught myself.
+Such things have happened. Well, will you let me
+work in your fields ? ' he coaxed.
+" Yes, I suppose so ; if it is any pleasure to you.'
+" Miss Everdene, I thank you.
+" No, no.'
+<P 232>
+'Good-bye!'
+The sergeant brought his hand to the cap on the
+slope of his head, saluted, and returned to the distant
+group of haymakers.
+Bathsheba could not face the haymakers now. Her
+heart erratically flitting hither and thither from per+
+plexed excitement, hot, and almost tearful, she retreated
+homeward, murmuring, O, what have I done ! What
+does it mean ! I wish I knew how much of it was
+true!
+<C xxvii>
+<P 233>
+HIVING THE BEES
+THE Weatherbury bees were late in their swarming this
+year. It was in the latter part of June, and the day after
+the interview with Troy in the hayfield, that Bathsheba
+was standing in her garden, watching a swarm in the
+air and guessing their probable settling place. Not only
+were they late this year, but unruly. Sometimes through+
+out a whole season all the swarms would alight on the
+lowest attainable bough -- such as part of a currant-bush
+or espalier apple-tree ; next year they would, with just
+the same unanimity, make straight off to the uppermost
+member of some tall, gaunt costard, or quarrenden,
+and there defy all invaders who did not come armed
+with ladders and staves to take them.
+This was the case at present. Bathsheba's eyes,
+shaded by one hand, were following the ascending
+multitude against the unexplorable stretch of blue till
+they ultimately halted by one of the unwieldy trees
+spoken of. A process somewhat analogous to that of
+alleged formations of the universe, time and times ago,
+was observable. The bustling swarm had swept the sky
+in a scattered and uniform haze, which now thickened to
+a nebulous centre: this glided on to a bough and grew
+still denser, till it formed a solid black spot upon the
+light.
+The men and women being all busily engaged in
+saving the hay -- even Liddy had left the house for the
+purpose of lending a hand -- Bathsheba resolved to hive
+the bees herself, if possible. She had dressed the hive
+with herbs and honey, fetched a ladder, brush, and
+crook, made herself impregnable with armour of leather
+gloves, straw hat, and large gauze veil -- once green but
+now faded to snuff colour -- and ascended a dozen rungs
+of the ladder. At once she heard, not ten yards off,
+a voice that was beginning to have a strange power in
+agitating her.
+<P 234>
+"Miss Everdene, let me assist you ; you should not
+attempt such a thing alone.'
+Troy was just opening the garden gate.
+Bathsheba flung down the brush, crook, and empty
+hive, pulled the skirt of her dress tightly round her
+ankles in a tremendous flurry, and as well as she could
+slid down the ladder. By the time she reached the
+bottom Troy was there also, and he stooped to pick
+up the hive.
+"How fortunate I am to have dropped in at this
+moment!' exclaimed the sergeant.
+She found her voice in a minute. "What! and will
+you shake them in for me?' she asked, in what, for a
+defiant girl, was a faltering way; though, for a timid
+girl, it would have seemed a brave way enough.
+" Will I ! ' said Troy. " Why, of course I will. How
+blooming you are to-day ! ' Troy flung down his cane
+and put his foot on the ladder to ascend.
+"But you must have on the veil and gloves, or you'll
+be stung fearfully!'
+"Ah, yes. I must put on the veil and gloves. Will
+you kindly show me how to fix them properly?'
+'And you must have the broad-brimmed hat, too ;, for
+your cap has no brim to keep the veil off, and they'd
+reach your face.'
+" The broad-brimmed hat, too, by all means.'
+So a whimsical fate ordered that her hat should be
+taken off -- veil and all attached -- and placed upon his
+head, Troy tossing his own into a gooseberry bush.
+Then the veil had to be tied at its lower edge round
+his collar and the gloves put on him.
+He looked such an extraordinary object in this guise
+that, flurried as she was, she could not avoid laughing
+outright. It was the removal of yet another stake from
+the palisade of cold manners which had kept him off
+Bathsheba looked on from the g:-ound whilst he was
+busy sweeping and shaking the bees from the tree,
+holding up the hive with the other hand for them to
+fall into. She made use of an unobserved minute
+whilst his attention was absorbed in the
+<P 235>
+operation to
+arrange her plumes a little. He came down holding
+the hive at arm's length, behind which trailed a cloud
+of bees.
+' Upon my life,' said Troy, through the veil, ' holding
+up this hive makes one"s arm ache worse than a week
+of sword-exercise.' When the manoeuvre was complete
+he approached her. 'Would you be good enough to
+untie me and let me out? I am nearly stifled inside
+this silk cage.'
+To hide her embarrassment during the unwonted
+process of untying the string about his neck, she said : --
+'I have never seen that you spoke of.'
+'What ?'
+'The sword-exercise.'
+'Ah ! would you like to ?' said Troy.
+Bathsheba hesitated. She had heard wondrous
+reports from time to time by dwellers in Weatherbury,
+who had by chance sojourned awhile in Casterbridge,
+near the barracks, of this strange and glorious perform+
+ance, tlie sword-exercise. Men and boys who had
+peeped through chinks or over walls into the barrack+
+yard returned with accounts of its being the most
+flashing affair conceivable ; accoutrements and weapons
+glistening like stars-here,there,around-yet all by rule
+and compass. So she said mildly what she felt strongly.
+'Yes ; I should like to see it very much.'
+'And so you shall; you shall see me go through it.'
+'No! How?'
+'Let me consider.'
+'Not with a walking-stick -- I don't care to see that.
+lt must be a real sword.'
+'Yes, I know; and I have no sword here; but I
+think I could get one by the evening. Now, will you
+do this?'
+'O no, indeed !' said Bathsheba, blushing. ' Thank
+you very much, but I couldn't on any account.
+'Surely you might? Nobody would know.'
+She shook her head, but with a weakened negation.
+' If I were to,' she said, 'I must bring Liddy too. Might
+I not?'
+<P 236>
+Troy looked far away. 'I don't see why you want
+to bring her,' he said coldly.
+An unconscious look of assent in Bathsheba's eyes
+betrayed that something more than his coldness had
+made her also feel that Liddy Would be superfluous in
+the suggested scene. She had felt it, even whilst making
+the proposal.
+'Well, I won't bring Liddy -- and I'll come. But
+only for a very short time,' she added; 'a very short
+time.'
+'It will not take five minutes,' said Troy.
+<P 237>
+<C xxviii>
+THE HOLLOW AMID THE FERNS
+THE hill opposite Bathsheba's dwelling extended, a
+mile off, into an uncultivated tract of land, dotted at
+this season with tall thickets of brake fern, plump and
+diaphanous from recent rapid growth, and radiant in
+hues of clear and untainted green.
+At eight o'clock this midsummer evening, whilst the
+bristling ball of gold in the west still swept the tips of
+the ferns with its long, luxuriant rays, a soft brushing+
+by of garments might have been heard among them,
+and Bathsheba appeared in their midst, their soft,
+feathery arms caressing her up to her shoulders. She
+paused, turned, went back over the hill and half-way
+to her own door, whence she cast a farewell glance upon
+the spot she had just left, having resolved not to remain
+near the place after all.
+She saw a dim spot of artificial red moving round
+the shoulder of the rise. It disappeared on the other
+side.
+She waited one minute -- two minutes -- thought of
+Troy's disappointment at her non-fulfilment of a promised
+engagement, till she again ran along the field, clambered
+over the bank, and followed the original direction. She
+was now literally trembling and panting at this her
+temerity in such an errant undertaking; her breath
+came and went quickly, and her eyes shone with an in+
+frequent light. Yet go she must. She reached the
+verge of a pit in the middle of the ferns. Troy stood
+in the bottom, looking up towards her.
+'I heard you rustling through the fern before I saw
+you,' he said, coming up and giving her his hand to help
+her down the slope.
+The pit was a saucer-shaped concave, naturally
+formed, with a top diameter of about thirty feet, and
+shallow enough to allow the sunshine to reach their
+heads. Standing in the
+<P 238>
+centre, the sky overhead was
+met by a circular horizon of fern : this grew nearly to
+the bottom of the slope and then abruptly ceased. The
+middle within the belt of verdure was floored with a
+thick flossy carpet of moss and grass intermingled, so
+yielding that the foot was half-buried within it.
+'Now,' said 'Troy, producing the sword, which, as he
+raised it into the sunlight, gleamed a sort of greeting,
+like a living thing, 'first, we have four right and four
+left cuts; four right and four left thrusts. Infantry cuts
+and guards are more interesting than ours, to my mind;
+but they are not so swashing. They have seven cuts
+and three thrusts. So much as a preliminary. Well,
+next, our cut one is as if you were sowing your corn --
+so.' Bathsheba saw a sort of rainbow, upside down in
+the air, and Troy's arm was still again. 'Cut two, as if
+you were hedging -- so. Three, as if you were reaping
+ -- so.' Four, as if you were threshing -- in that way.
+'Then the same on the left. The thrusts are these : one,
+two, three, four, right ; one, two, three, four, left.' He
+repeated them. 'Have 'em again ?' he said. 'One,
+two -- -- '
+She hurriedly interrupted : 'I'd rather not; though
+I don't mind your twos and fours; but your ones and
+threes are terrible !'
+'Very well. I'll let you off the ones and threes.
+Next, cuts, points and guards altogether.' Troy duly
+exhibited them. 'Then there's pursuing practice, in
+this way.' He gave the movements as before. 'There,
+those are the stereotyped forms. The infantry have
+two most diabolical upward cuts, which we are too
+humane to use. Like this -- three, four.'
+'How murderous and bloodthirsty !'
+'They are rather deathy. Now I'll be more inter+
+esting, and let you see some loose play -- giving all the
+cuts and points, infantry and cavalry, quicker than
+lightning, and as promiscuously -- with just enough rule
+to regulate instinct and yet not to fetter it. You are
+my antagonist, with this difference from real warfare,
+that I shall miss you every time by one hair's breadth,
+or perhaps two. Mind you don't flinch, whatever you
+do.'
+<P 239>
+'I'll be sure not to!' she said invincibly.
+He pointed to about a yard in front of him.
+Bathsheba's adventurous spirit was beginning to find
+some grains of relish in these highly novel proceedings.
+She took up her position as directed, facing Troy.
+'Now just to learn whether you have pluck enough
+to let me do what I wish, I'll give you a preliminary
+test.'
+He flourished the sword by way of introduction
+number two, and the next thing of which she was
+conscious was that the point and blade of the sword
+were darting with a gleam towards her left side, just
+above her hip; then of their reappearance on her right
+side, emerging as it were from between her ribs, having
+apparently passed through her body. The third item
+of consciousness was that of seeing the same sword,
+perfectly clean and free from blood held vertically in
+Troy's hand (in the position technically called 'recover
+swords'). All was as quick as electricity.
+'Oh!' she cried out in affright, pressing her hand to
+her side. ' Have you run me through ? -- no, you have
+not! Whatever have you done!'
+'I have not touched you,' said Troy, quietly. 'It
+was mere sleight of hand. The sword passed behind
+you. Now you are not afraid, are you ? Because if
+you are l can't perform. I give my word that l will
+not only not hurt you, but not once touch you.'
+'I don't think I am afraid. You are quite sure you
+will not hurt me ?'
+'Quite sure.'
+"Is the sWord very sharp ?'
+'O no -- only stand as still as a statue. Now !'
+In an instant the atmosphere was transformed to
+Bathsheba's eyes. Beams of light caught from the low
+sun's rays, above, around, in front of her, well-nigh shut
+out earth and heaven -- all emitted in the marvellous
+evolutions of Troy's reflecting blade, which seemed
+everywhere at once, and yet nowherre specially. These
+circling gleams were accompanied by a keen rush that
+was almost a whistling -- also springing
+<P 240>
+from all sides of
+her at once. In short, she was enclosed in a firmament
+of light, and of sharp hisses, resembling a sky-full of
+meteors close at hand.
+Never since the broadsword became the national
+weapon had there been more dexterity shown in its
+management than by the hands of Sergeant Troy, and
+never had he been in such splendid temper for the
+performance as now in the evening sunshine among the
+ferns with Bathsheba. It may safely be asserted with
+respect to the closeness of his cuts, that had it been
+possible for the edge of the sword to leave in the air a
+permanent substance wherever it flew past, the space
+left untouched would have been almost a mould of
+Bathsheba's figure.
+Behind the luminous streams of this aurora militaris,
+she could see the hue of Troy's sword arm, spread in a
+scarlet haze over the space covered by its motions, like
+a twanged harpstring, and behind all Troy himself,
+mostly facing her; sometimes, to show the rear cuts,
+half turned away, his eye nevertheless always keenly
+measuring her breadth and outline, and his lips tightly
+closed in sustained effort. Next, his movements lapsed
+slower, and she could see them individually. The
+hissing of the sword had ceased, and he stopped
+entirely.
+'That outer loose lock of hair wants tidying, he
+said, before she had moved or spoken. 'Wait: I'll do
+it for you.'
+An arc of silver shone on her right side: the sword
+had descended. The lock droped to the ground.
+'Bravely borne!' said Troy. 'You didn't flinch a
+shade's thickness. Wonderful in a woman!'
+'It was because I didn't expect it. O, you have
+spoilt my hair!'
+'Only once more.'
+'No -- no! I am afraid of you -- indeed I am !' she
+cried.
+'I won't touch you at all -- not even your hair. I
+am only going to kill that caterpillar settling on you.
+Now: still!'
+It appeared that a caterpillar had come from the
+fern and chosen the front of her bodice as his resting
+place. She saw the point glisten towards her bosom,
+and seemingly enter it. Bathsheba closed her eyes in
+the full persuasion that she was
+<P 241>
+killed at last. How+
+ever, feeling just as usual, she opened them again.
+'There it is, look,' said the sargeant, holding his
+sword before her eyes.
+The caterpillar was spitted upon its point.
+'Why, it is magic!' said Bathsheba, amazed.
+'O no -- dexterity. I merely gave point to your
+bosom where the caterpillar was, and instead of running
+you through checked the extension a thousandth of an
+inch short of your surface.'
+'But how could you chop off a curl of my hair with
+a sword that has no edge?'
+THE HOLLOW AMID THE FERNS
+"No edge .! This sword will shave like a razor.
+Look here.'
+He touched the palm of his hand with the blade,
+and then, lifting it, showed her a thin shaving of scarf+
+skin dangling therefrom.
+" But you said before beginning that it was blunt and
+couldn't cut me .!'
+'That was to get you to stand still, and so make sure
+of your safety. The risk of injuring you through your
+moving was too great not to force me to tell you a
+fib to escape it.'
+She shuddered. 'I have been within an inch of my
+life, and didn't know it! '
+'More precisely speaking, you have been within half
+an inch of being pared alive two hundred and ninety-five
+tinies.'
+" Cruel, cruel, 'tis of you !. '
+" You have been perfectly safe, nevertheless. My
+sword never errs.' And Troy returned the weapon to
+the scabbard.
+Bathsheba, overcome by a hundred tumultuous feel'
+ings resulting from the scene, abstractedly sat down on
+a tuft of heather.
+'I must leave you now,' said Troy, softly. " And I'll
+venture to take and keep this in remembrance of you.'
+She saw him stoop to the grass, pick up the winding
+lock which he had severcd from her manifold tresses,
+twist it round his fingers, unfasten a button in the hreast
+of his coat, and carefully put it inside. She felt power+
+less to withstand or deny him. He was altogether too
+much for her, and Bathsheba
+<P 242>
+seemed as one who, facing
+a reviving wind, finds it blow so strongly that it stops
+the breath.
+He drew near and said, 'I must be leaving you.'
+He drew nearer still. A minute later and she saw his
+scarlet form disappear amid the ferny thicket, almost in
+a flash, like a brand swiftly waved.
+That minute's interval had brought the blood beating
+into her face, set her stinging as if aflame to the very
+hollows oi her feet, and enlarged emotion to a compass
+which quite swamped thought. It had brought upon
+her a stroke resulting, as did that of Moses in Horeh, in
+a liquid stream -- here a stream of tears. She felt like
+one who has sinned a great sin.
+The circumstance had been the gentle dip of Troy's
+mouth downwards upon her own. He had kissed her,
+PARTICULARS OF A TWILIGHT WALK
+<C xxix>
+<P 243>
+PARTICULARS OF A TWILIGHT WALK
+WE now see the element of folly distinctly mingling
+with the many varying particulars which made up the
+character of Bathsheba Everdene. It was almost foreign
+to her intrinsic nature. Introduced as lymph on the
+dart of Eros, it eventually permeated and coloured
+her whole constitution. Bathsheba, though she had too
+much understanding to be entirely governed by her
+womanliness, had too much womanliness to use her
+understanding to the best advantage. Perhaps in no
+minor point does woman astonish her helpmate more
+than in the strange power she possesses of believing
+cajoleries that she knows to be false -- except, indeed, in
+that of being utterly sceptical on strictures that she
+knows to be true.
+Bathsheba loved Troy in the way that only self-reliant
+women love when they abandon their self-reliance.
+When a strong woman recklessly throws away her
+strength she is worse than a weak woman who has never
+had any strength to throw away. One source of her
+inadequacy is the novelty of the occasion. She has
+never had practice in making the best of such a
+condition. Weakness is doubly weak by being new.
+Bathsheba was not conscious of guile in this matter.
+Though in one sense a woman of the world, it was, after
+all, that world of daylight coteries and green carpets
+wherein cattle form the passing crowd and winds the
+busy hum ; where a quiet family of rabbits or hares lives
+on the other side of your party-wall, where your neigh+
+bour is everybody in the tything, and where calculation
+formulated self-indulgence of bad, nothing at all. Had
+her utmost thoughts in this direction been distinctly
+worded (and by herself they never were), they would
+<P 244>
+only have amounted to such a matter as that she felt
+her impulses to be pleasanter guides than her discretion .
+Her love was entire as a child's, and though warm as
+summer it was fresh as spring. Her culpability lay in
+her making no attempt to control feeling by subtle and
+careful inquiry into consuences. She could show others
+the steep and thorny way, but 'reck'd not her own rede,'
+And Troy's deformities lay deep down from a
+woman's vision, whilst his embellishments were upon
+the verysurface; thus contrasting with homely Oak,
+whose defects were patent to the blindest, and whose
+vertues were as metals in a mine.
+The difference between love and respect was mark+
+edly shown in her conduct. Bathsheba had spoken of
+her interest in Boldwood with the greatest freedom to
+Liddy, but she had only communed with her own heart
+concerning 'Troy'.
+All this infatuation Gabriel saw, and was troubled
+thereby from the time of his daily journey a-field to the
+time of his return, and on to the small hours of many a
+night. That he was not beloved had hitherto been his
+great that Bathsheba was getting into the toils
+was now a sorrow greater than the first, and one which
+nearly olbscured it. It was a result which paralleled
+the oft-quoted observation of Hippocrates concerning
+physical pains.
+That is a noble though perhaps an unpromising love
+PARTICULARS OF A TWILlGHT WALK
+which not even the fear of breeding aversion in the
+bosom of the one beloved can deter from combating his
+or her errors. Oak determined to speak to his mistress.
+He would base his appeal on what he considered her
+unfair treatment of Farmer Boldwood, now absent from
+home.
+An opportunity occurred one evening when she had
+gone for a short walk by a path through the neighbour+
+ing cornfields. It was dusk when Oak, who had not
+been far a-field that day, took the same path and met
+her returning, quite pensively, as he thought.
+The wheat was now tall, and the path was narrow;
+thus the way was quite a sunken groove between the
+embowing thicket on either side. Two persons could
+not walk abreast
+<P 245>
+without damaging the crop, and Oak
+stood aside to let her pass.
+'Oh, is it Gabriel?' she said. 'You are taking a
+walk too. Good-night.'
+"I thought I would come to meet you, as it is rather
+late," said Oak, turning and following at her heels when
+she had brushed somewhat quickly by him.
+"Thank you, indeed, but I am not very fearful.'
+" O no ; but there are bad characters about.'
+"I never meet them.'
+Now Oak, with marvellous ingenuity, had been going
+to introduce the gallant sergeant through the channel of
+"bad characters.' But all at once the scheme broke
+down, it suddenly occurring to him that this was rather a
+clumsy way, and too barefaced to begin with. He tried
+another preamble.
+"And as the man who would naturally come to meet
+you is away from home, too -- I mean Farmer Boldwood
+ -- why, thinks I, I'll go,' he said.
+"Ah, yes.' She walked on without turning her head,
+and for many steps nothing further was heard from her
+quarter than the rustle of her dress against the heavy
+corn-ears. Then she resumed rather tartly --
+'I don't quite understand what you meant by saying
+that Mr. Boldwood would naturally come to meet me.'
+I meant on account of the wedding which they say
+is likely to take place between you and him, miss. For+
+give my speaking plainly.'
+"They say what is not true,' she returned quickly.
+No marriage is likely to take place between us.'
+Gabriel now put forth his unobscured opinion, for
+the moment had come. " Well, Miss Everdene,' he
+said, "putting aside what people say, I never in my life
+saw any courting if his is not a courting of you."
+Bathsheba would probably have terminated the con'
+versation there and then by flatly forbidding the subject,
+had not her conscious weakness of position allured her
+to palter and argue in endeavours to better it.
+<P 246>
+"Since this subject has been mentioned,' she said
+very emphatically, 'I am glad of the opportunity of
+clearing up a mistake which is very common and very
+provoking. I didn't definitely promise Mr. Boldwood
+anything. I have never cared for him. I respect him,
+and he has urged me to marry him. But I have given
+him no distinct answer. As soon as he returns I shall
+do so; and the answer will be that I cannot think of
+marrying him.'
+'People are full of mistakes, seemingly.'
+' They are.'
+The other day they said you were trifling with him,
+and you almost proved that you were not; lately they
+have said that you be not, and you straightway begin
+to show -- -- '
+That I am, I suppose you mean.'
+' Well, I hope they speak the truth.'
+They do, but wrongly applied. I don't trifle with
+him ; but then, I have nothing to do with him.'
+Oak was unfortunately led on to speak of Boldwood's
+rival in a wrong tone to her after all. 'I wish you had
+never met that young Sergeant Troy, miss,' he sighed.
+PARTlCULARS OF A TWILIGHT WALK
+Bathsheba's steps became faintly spasmodic. " Why?'
+she asked.
+' He is not good enough for 'ee.'
+"Did any one tell you to speak to me like this ?'
+" Nobody at all.'
+"Then it appears to me that Sergeant Troy does not
+concern us here,' she said, intractably. ' Yet I must say
+that Sergeant 'Troy is an educated man, and quite worthy
+of any woman. He is well born.'
+"His being higher in learning and birth than the
+ruck o' soldiers is anything but a proof of his worth. It
+show's his course to be down'ard.'
+"I cannot see what this has to do with our conversa+
+tion. Mr. Troy's course is not by any means downward;
+and his superiority <1is>1 a proof of his worth .! '
+"I believe him to have no conscience at all. And I
+cannot help begging you, miss, to have nothing to do
+with him. Listen to me this once -- only this once !.
+I don't say he's such
+<P 247>
+a bad man as I have fancied -- I
+pray to God he is not. But since we don't exactly
+know what he is, why not behave as if he <1might>1 be bad,
+simply for your own safety ? Don't trust him, mistress;
+I ask you not to trust him so.'
+" Why, pray ? '
+"I like soldiers, but this one I do not like,' he said,
+sturdily. " His cleverness in his calling may have
+tempted him astray, and what is mirth to the neighbours
+is ruin to the woman. When he tries to talk to 'ee again,
+why not turn away with a short 'Good day' ; and when
+you see him coming one way, turn the other. When
+he says anything laughable, fail to see the point
+and don't smile, and speak of him before those who will
+report your talk as "that fantastical man,' or " that
+Sergeant What's-his-name." "That man of a family
+that has come to the dogs.' Don't be unmannerly
+towards en, but harmless-uncivil, and so get rid of the
+man.'
+No Christmas robin detained by a window-pane ever
+pulsed as did Bathsheba now.
+I say -- I say again -- that it doesn't become you to
+talk about him. Why he should be mentioned passes
+me quite . she exclaimed desperately. " I know this,
+th-th-that he is a thoroughly conscientious man -- blunt
+sometimes even to rudeness -- but always speaking his
+mind about you plain to your face .! '
+"Oh.'
+"He is as good as anybody in this parish.! He is
+very particular, too, about going to church -- yes, he
+is.!'
+'I am afraid nobody saw him there. I never
+did certainly.'
+' The reason of that is,' she said eagerly, " that he goes
+in privately by the old tower door, just when the service
+commences, and sits at the back of the gallery. He
+told me so.'
+This supreme instance of Troy's goodness fell upon
+Gabriel ears like the thirteenth stroke of crazy clock.
+It was not only received with utter incredulity as re+
+garded itself, but threw a doubt on all the assurances
+that had preceded it.
+Oak was grieved to find how entirely she trusted him.
+He brimmed with deep feeling as he replied in a steady
+voice, the
+<P 248>
+steadiness of which was spoilt by the palpable+
+ness of his great effort to keep it so : --
+' You know, mistress, that I love you, and shall love
+you always. I only mention this to bring to your mind
+that at any rate I would wish to do you no harm :
+beyond that I put it aside. I have lost in the race for
+money and good things, and I am not such a fool as to
+pretend to 'ee now I am poor, and you have got alto+
+gether above me. But Bathsheba, dear mistress, this
+I beg you to consider -- that, both to keep yourself well
+honoured among the workfolk, and in common generosity
+to an honourable man who loves you as well as I, you
+PARTICULARS OF A TWILIGHT WALK
+should be more discreet in your bearing towards this
+soldier.'
+" Don't, don't, don't !. ' she exclaimed, in a choking
+voice.
+"Are ye not more to me than my own affairs, and
+even life .! ' he went on. "Come, listen to me.! I am
+six years older than you, and Mr. Boldwood is ten years
+older than I, and consider -- I do beg of 'ee to consider
+before it is too late -- how safe you would be in his
+hands .! '
+Oak's allusion to his own love for her lessened, to
+some extent, her anger at his interference ; but she
+could not really forgive him for letting his wish to marry
+her be eclipsed by his wish to do her good, any more
+than for his slighting treatment of Troy.
+"I wish you to go elsewhere,' she commanded, a
+paleness of face invisible to the eye being suggested by
+the trembling words. " Do not remain on this farm any
+longer. I don't want you -- I beg you to go !.'
+"That's nonsense,' said Oak, calmly. " This is the
+second time you have pretended to dismiss me; and
+what's the use o' it?'
+" Pretended !. You shall go, sir -- your lecturing I
+will not hear .! I am mistress here.'
+" Go, indeed -- what folly will you say next ? Treating
+me like Dick, Tom and Harry when you know that a
+short time ago my position was as good as yours !. Upon
+my life, Bathsheba, it is too barefaced. You know, too,
+that I can't go without putting things in such a strait as
+you wouldn't get out of
+<P 249>
+I can't tell when. Unless, indeed,
+you'll promise to have an understanding man as bailiff,
+or manager, or something. I'll go at once if you'll
+promise that.'
+'I shall have no bailiff; I shall continue to be my
+own manager,' she said decisively.
+"Very well, then ; you should be thankful to me for
+biding. How would the farm go on with nobody to
+mind it but a woman? But mind this, I don't wish
+'ee to feel you owe me anything. Not I. What I do,
+I do. Sometimes I say I should be as glad as a bird to
+leave the place -- for don't suppose I'm content to be a
+nobody. I was made for better things. However, I
+don't like to see your concerns going to ruin, as they
+must if you keep in this mind.... I hate taking my
+own measure so plain, but, upon my life, your provok+
+ing ways make a man say what he wouldn't dream of
+at other times ! I own to being rather interfering. But
+you know well enough how it is, and who she is that I
+like too well, and feel too much like a fool about to be
+civil to her ! '
+It is more than probable that she privately and un+
+consciously respected him a little for this grim fidelity,
+which had been shown in his tone even more than in
+his words. At any rate she murmured something to the
+effect that he might stay if he wished. She said more
+distinctly, " Will you leave me alone now? I don't
+order it as a mistress -- I ask it as a woman, and I
+expect you not to be so uncourteous as to refuse.'
+" Certainly I will, Miss Everdene,' said Gabriel, gently.
+He wondered that the request should have come at this
+moment, for the strife was over, and they were on a
+most desolate hill, far from every human habitation, and
+the hour was getting late. He stood still and allowed
+her to get far ahead of him till he could only see her
+form upon the sky.
+A distressing explanation of this anxiety to be rid of
+him at that point now ensued. A figure apparently rose
+from the earth beside her. The shape beyond all doubt
+was Troy's. Oak would not be even a possible listener,
+and at once turned back till a good two hundred yards
+were between the lovers and himself.
+<P 250>
+Gabriel went home by way of the churchyard. In
+passing the tower he thought of what she had said about
+the sergeant's virtuous habit of entering the church un+
+PARTICULARS OF A TWILIGHT WALK
+perceived at the beginning of service. Believing that
+the little gallery door alluded to was quite disused, he
+ascended the external flight of steps at the top of which
+it stood, and examined it. The pale lustre yet hanging
+in the north-western heaven was sufficient to show that
+a sprig of ivy had grown from the wall across the door
+to a length of more than a foot, delicately tying the
+panel to the stone jamb. It was a decisive proof that
+the door had not been opened at least since Troy came
+back to Weatherbury.
+<C xxx>
+<P 251>
+HOT CHEEKS AND TEARFUL EYES
+HALF an hour later Bathsheba entered her own house.
+There burnt upon her face when she met the light of
+the candles the flush and excitement which were little
+less than chronic with her now. The farewell words of
+Troy, who had accompanied her to the very door, still
+lingered in her ears. He had bidden her adieu for two
+days, which were so he stated, to be spent at Bath in
+visiting some friends. He had also kissed her a second
+time.
+It is only fair to Bathsheba to explain here a little
+fact which did not come to light till a long time after+
+wards : that Troy's presentation of himself so aptly at
+the roadside this evening was not by any distinctly pre+
+concerted arrangement. He had hinted -- she had
+forbidden; and it was only on the chance of his still
+coming that she had dismissed Oak, fearing a meeting
+between them just then.
+She now sank down into a chair, wild and perturbed
+by all these new and fevering sequences. Then she
+jumped up with a manner of decision, and fetched her
+desk from a side tahle.
+In three minutes, without pause or modification, she
+had written a letter to Boldwood, at his address beyond
+Casterbridge, saying mildly but firmly that she had well
+HOT CHEEKS AND TEARFUL EYES
+considered the whole subject he had brought before her
+and kindly given her time to decide upon; that her
+final decision was that she could not marry him. She
+had expressed to Oak an intention to wait till Boldwood
+came home before communicating to him her conclusive
+reply. But Bathsheba found that she could not wait.
+It was impossible to send this letter till the next day;
+yet to quell her uneasiness by getting it out of her hands,
+and so, as it were, setting the act in motion at once, she
+arose to take it to any one of the women who might be
+in the kitchen.
+<P 252>
+She paused in the passage. A dialogue was going
+on in the kitchen, and Bathsheba and Troy were the
+subject of it.
+"If he marry her, she'll gie up farming.'
+"Twill be a gallant life, but may bring some trouble
+between the mirth -- so say I.'
+"Well, I wish I had half such a husband.'
+Bathsheba had too much sense to mind seriously
+what her servitors said about her ; but too much womanly
+redundance of speech to leave alone what was said till
+it died the natural death of unminded things. She
+burst in upon them.
+"Who are you speaking of? ' she asked.
+There was a pause before anybody replied. At last
+Liddy said frankly, ' What was passing was a bit of a
+word about yourself, miss.'
+"I thought so .! Maryann and Liddy and Temper+
+ance -- now I forbid you to suppose such things. You
+know I don't care the least for Mr. Troy -- not I. Every+
+body knows how much I hate him. -- Yes,' repeated the
+froward young person, "<1hate>1 him .! '
+" We know you do, miss,' said Liddy; "and so do we
+all.'
+" I hate him too,' said Maryann.
+" Maryann -- O you perjured woman !. How can you
+speak that wicked story ! ' said Bathsheba, excitedly.
+"You admired him from your heart only this morning
+in the very world, you did. Yes, Maryann, you know it ! '
+'Yes, miss, but so did you. He is a wild scamp
+now, and you are right to hate him."
+"He's <1not>1 a wild scamp.! How dare you to my face !.
+I have no right to hate him, nor you, nor anybody.
+But I am a silly woman.! What is it to me what he is ?
+You know it is nothing. I don't care for him ; I don"t
+mean to defend his good name, not I. Mind this, if
+any of you say a word against him you'll be dismissed
+instantly !. '
+She flung down the letter and surged back into the
+parlour, with a big heart and tearful eyes, Liddy following
+her.
+'O miss.!' said mild Liddy, looking pitifully into
+Bathsheba's face. "I am sorry we mistook you so .!
+did think you cared for him; but I see you don't now.'
+" Shut the door, Liddy.'
+<P 253>
+Liddy closed the door, and went on : ' People always
+say such foolery, miss. I'll make answer hencefor'ard,
+"Of course a lady like Miss Everdene can't love him;'
+I'll say it out in plain black and white.'
+Bathsheba burst out : 'O Liddy, are you such a
+simpleton ? Can't you read riddles ? Can't you see?
+Are you a woman yourself ? '
+Liddy's clear eyes rounded with wonderment.
+' Yes; you must be a blind thing, Liddy .! ' she said,
+in reckless abandonment and grief. "O, I love him
+to very distraction and misery and agony .! Don't be
+frightened at me, though perhaps I am enough to frighten
+any innocent woman. Come closer -- closer.' She put
+her arms round Liddy's neck. "I must let it out to
+somebody; it is wearing me away !. Don't you yet know
+enough of me to see through that miserable denial of
+mine? O God, what a lie it was !. Heaven and my
+Love forgive me. And don't you know that a woman
+who loves at all thinks nothing of perjury when it is
+HOT CHEEKS AND TEARFUL EYES
+balanced against her love ? There, go out of the room ;
+I want to be quite alone.'
+Liddy went towards the door.
+' Liddy, come here. Solemnly swear to me that he's
+not a fast man; that it is all lies they say about him !.'
+'Put, miss, how can I say he is not if -- -- '
+"You graceless girl.! How can you have the cruel
+heart to repeat what they say? Unfeeling thing that
+you are.... But <1I'll>1 see if you or anybody else in the
+village, or town either, dare do such a thing .! ' She
+started off, pacing from fireplace to door, and back
+again.
+"No, miss. I don't -- I know it is not true !. ' said
+Liddy, frightened at Bathsheba's unwonted vehemence.
+I suppose you only agree with me like that to please
+me. But, Liddy, he <1cannot be>1 had, as is said. Do you
+hear? "
+' Yes, miss, yes.'
+"And you don't believe he is?"
+'I don't know what to say, miss,' said Liddy, be+
+ginning to cry. "If I say No, you don"t believe me;
+and if I say Yes, you rage at me ! '
+" Say you don't believe it -- say you don't ! '
+<P 254>
+'I don't believe him to be so had as they make out.'
+"He is not had at all.... My poor life and heart,
+how weak I am .! ' she moaned, in a relaxed, desultory
+way, heedless of Liddy's presence. "O, how I wish I
+had never seen him.! Loving is misery for women
+always. I shall never forgive God for making me a
+woman, and dearly am I beginning to pay for the honour
+of owning a pretty face.' She freshened and turned to
+Liddy suddenly. " Mind this, Lydia Smallbury, if you
+repeat anywhere a single word of what l have said to
+you inside this closed door, I'll never trust you, or love
+you, or have you with me a moment longer -- not a
+moment ! '
+" I don't want to repeat anything,' said Liddy, with
+womanly dignity of a diminutive order; "but I don't
+wish to stay with you. And, if you please, I'll go at the
+end of the harvest, or this week, or to-day.... I don't
+see that I deserve to be put upon and stormed at for
+nothing ! ' concluded the small woman, bigly.
+" No, no, Liddy ; you must stay ! ' said Bathsheba,
+dropping from haughtiness to entreaty with capricious
+inconsequence. "You must not notice my being in a
+taking just now. You are not as a servant -- -you are a
+companion to me. Dear, dear -- I don't know what I
+am doing since this miserable ache o'! my heart has
+weighted and worn upon me so .! What shall I come
+to ! I suppose I shall get further and further into
+troubles. I wonder sometimes if I am doomed to die
+in the Union. I am friendless enough, God knows .! '
+'I won't notice anything, nor will I leave you ! " sobbed
+Liddy, impulsively putting up her lips to Bathsheba's,
+and kissing her.
+Then Bathsheba kissed Liddy, and all was smooth
+again.
+"I don't often cry, do I, Lidd ? but you have made
+tears come into my eyes,' she said, a smile shining
+through the moisture. "Try to think him a good man,
+won't you, dear Liddy ? '
+"I will, miss, indeed.'
+"He is a sort of steady man in a wild way, you know.
+way. I am afraid that's how I am. And promise me
+to keep my secret -- do, Liddy.! And do not let them
+know that I have been crying
+<P 255>
+about him, because it will
+be dreadful for me, and no good to him, poor thing .!'
+"Death's head himself shan't wring it from me, mistress,
+if I've a mind to keep anything; and I'll always be your
+friend,' replied Liddy, emphatically, at the same time
+bringing a few more tears into her own eyes, not from
+any particular necessity, but from an artistic sense of
+making herself in keeping with the remainder of the
+HOT CHEEKS AND TEARFUL EYES
+picture, which seems to influence women at such times.
+"I think God likes us to be good friends, don't you ?'
+"Indeed I do.'
+"And, dear miss, you won"t harry me and storm at
+me, will you ? because you seem to swell so tall as a
+lion then, and it frightens me !. Do you know, I fancy
+you would be a match for any man when you are in one
+0' your takings.'
+"Never.! do you ? ' said Bathsheba, slightly laughing,
+though somewhat seriously alarmed by this Amazonian
+picture of herself. "I hope I am not a bold sort of
+maid -- mannish ? ' she continued with some anxiety.
+"O no, not mannish; but so almighty womanish
+that 'tis getting on that way sometimes. Ah ! miss,' she
+said, after having drawn her breath very sadly in and
+sent it very sadly out, "I wish I had half your failing
+that way. 'Tis a great protection to a poor maid in
+these illegit'mate days !. '
+<C xxxi>
+<P 256>
+BLAME -- FURY
+THE next evening Bathsheba, with the idea of getting
+out of the way of Mr. Boldwood in the event of his
+returning to answer her note in person, proceeded to
+fulfil an engagement made with Liddy some few hours
+earlier. Bathsheba's companion, as a gage of their
+reconciliation, had heen granted a week's holiday to
+visit her sister, who was married to a thriving hurdler
+and cattle-crib-maker living in a delightful labyrinth of
+hazel copse not far beyond Yalbury. The arrangement
+was that Miss Everdene should honour them by coming
+there for a day or two to inspect some ingenious con+
+tnvances which this man of the woods had introduced
+into his wares.
+Leaving her instructions with Gabriel and Maryann,
+that they were to see everything carefully locked up for
+the night, she went out of the house just at the close of
+a timely thunder-shower, which had refined the air, and
+daintily bathed the coat of the land, though all beneath
+was dry as ever. Freshness was exhaled in an essence
+from the varied contours of bank and hollow, as if the
+earth breathed maiden breath; and the pleased birds
+were hymning to the scene. Before her, among the
+clouds, there was a contrast in the shape of lairs of
+fierce light which showed themselves in the neighbour+
+hood of a hidden sun, lingering on to the farthest north+
+west corner of the heavens that this midsummer season
+allowed.
+She had walked nearly two miles of her journey,
+watching how the day was retreating, and thinking how
+the time of deeds was quietly melting into the time of
+thought, to give place in its turn to the time of prayer
+and sleep, when she beheld advancing over Yalbury hill
+the very man she sought so anxiously to elude. Boldwood
+was stepping on, not with that quiet tread of reserved
+strength which was his customary
+<P 257>
+gait, in which he
+always seemed to be balancing two thoughts. His
+manner was stunned and sluggish now.
+Boldwood had for the first time been awakened to
+woman's privileges in tergiversation even when it involves
+another person's possible blight. That Bathsheba was
+a firm and positive girl, far less inconsequent than her
+fellows, had been the very lung of his hope ; for he had
+held that these qualities would lead her to adhere to a
+straight course for consistency's sake, and accept him,
+though her fancy might not flood him with the iridescent
+hues of uncritical love. But the argument now came
+back as sorry gleams from a broken mirror. The dis+
+covery was no less a scourge than a surprise.
+He came on looking upon the ground, and did not
+see Bathsheba till they were less than a stone's throw
+apart. He looked up at the sound of her pit-pat, and
+his changed appearance sufficiently denoted to her the
+depth and strength of the feelings paralyzed by her
+letter.
+" Oh ; is it you, Mr. Boldwood ? ' she faltered, a guilty
+warmth pulsing in her face.
+Those who have the power of reproaching in silence
+may find it a means more effective than words. There
+are accents in the eye which are not on the tongue, and
+more tales come from pale lips than can enter an ear.
+It is both the grandeur and the pain of the remoter
+moods that they avoid the pathway of sound. Bold+
+wood's look was unanswerable.
+Seeing she turned a little aside, he said, 'What, are
+you afraid of me?'
+" Why should you say that ? ' said Bathsheba.
+"I fancied you looked so,' said he. 'And it is most
+strange, because of its contrast with my feeling for you.
+She regained self-possession, fixed her eyes calmly,
+and waited.
+" You know what that feeling is,' continued Boldwood,
+deliberately. "A thing strong as death. No dismissal
+by a hasty letter affects that.'
+'I wish you did not feel so strongly about me,' she
+murmured. "It is generous of you, and more than I
+deserve, but I must not hear it now.'
+<P 258>
+"Hear it? What do you think I have to say, then ?
+I am not to marry you, and thats enough. Your letter
+was excellently plain. I want you to hear nothing --
+not I.'
+Bathsheba was unable to direct her will into any
+definite groove for freeing herself from this fearfully
+and was moving on. Boldwood walked up to her heavily
+and dully.
+"Bathsheba -- -darling -- -is it final indeed?'
+"Indeed it is.'
+"O, Bathsheba -- -have pity upon me!' Boldwood
+burst out. "God's sake, yes -- I am come to that low,
+lowest stage -- -to ask a woman for pity! Still, she is
+you -- -she is you.'
+Bathsheba commanded herself well. But she could
+hardly get a clear voice for what came instinctively to
+her lips: "There is little honour to the woman in that
+speech.' It was only whispered, for something unutter+
+ably mournful no less than distressing in this spectacle
+of a man showing himself to be so entirely the vane of a
+passion enervated the feminine instinct for punctilios.
+BLAME
+"I am beyond myself about this, and am mad,' he
+said. "I am no stoic at all to he supplicating here ; but
+I do supplicate to you. I wish you knew what is in
+me of devotion to you ; but it is impossible, that. In
+bare human mercy to a lonely man, don't throw me off
+now !'
+'I don't throw you off -- indeed, how can I ? I never
+had you.' In her noon-clear sense that she had never
+loved him she forgot for a moment her thoughtless angle
+on that day in February.
+'But there was a time when you turned to me,
+before I thought of you ! I don't reproach you, for
+even now I feel that the ignorant and cold darkness
+that I should have lived in if you had not attracted me
+by that letter -- valentine you call it -- would have becn
+worse than my knowledge of you, though it has brought
+this misery. But, I say, there was a time when I knew
+nothing of you, and cared nothing for you, and yet you
+drew me on. And if you say you gave me no en+
+couragement, I cannot but contradict you.'
+<P 259>
+"What you call encouragement was the childish
+game of an idle minute. I have bitterly repented of it
+ -- ay, bitterly, and in tears. Can you still go on re+
+minding me ?'
+'I don't accuse you of it -- I deplore it. I took for
+earnest what you insist was jest, and now this that I
+pray to be jest you say is awful, wretched earnest. Our
+moods meet at wrong places. I wish your feeling was
+more like mine, or my feeling more like yours.! O,
+could I but have foreseen the torture that trifling trick
+was going to lead me into, how I should have cursed
+you ; but only having been able to see it since, I cannot
+do that, for I love you too well.! But it is weak, idle
+drivelling to go on like this.... Bathsheba, you are
+the first woman of any shade or nature that I have ever
+looked at to love, and it is the having been so near
+claiming you for my own that makes this denial so hard
+to bear. How nearly you promised me ! But I don't
+speak now to move your heart, and make you grieve
+because of my pain ; it is no use, that. I must bear it;
+my pain would get no less by paining you.'
+"But I do pity you -- deeply -- O so deeply .!' she
+earnestly said.
+"Do no such thing -- do no such thing. Your dear
+love, Bathsheba, is such a vast thing beside your pity,
+that the loss of your pity as well as your love is no great
+addition to my sorrow, nor does the gain of your pity
+make it sensibly less. O sweet -- how dearly you
+spoke to me behind the spear-bed at the washing-pool,
+and in the barn at the shearing, and that dearest last
+time in the evening at your home.! Where are your
+pleasant words all gone -- your earnest hope to be able
+to love me? Where is your firm conviction that you
+would get to care for me very much ? Really forgotten ?
+ -- really ? '
+She checked emotion, looked him quietly and clearly
+in the face, and said in her low, firm voice, " Mr. Bold+
+wood, I promised you nothing. Would you have had
+me a woman of clay when you paid me that furthest,
+highest compliment a man can pay a woman -- telling
+her he loves her? I was bound to show some feeling,
+if l would not be a graceless shrew. Yet each of those
+pleasures was just for the day -- the day just for the
+<P 260>
+pleasure. How was I to know that what is a pastime
+to all other men was death to you ? Have reason, do,
+and think more kindly of me !'
+'Well, never mind arguing -- never mind. One
+thing is sure: you were all but mine, and now you are
+not nearly mine. Everything is changed, and that by
+you alone, remember. You were nothing to me once,
+and I was contented; you are now nothing to me again,
+and how different the second nothing is from the first .!
+Would to God you had never taken me up, since it was
+only to throw me down .! '
+FURY
+Bathsheba, in spite of her mettle, began to feel un+
+mistakable signs that she was inherently the weaker
+vessel. She strove miserably against this feminity
+which would insist upon supplying unbidden emotions
+in stronger and stronger current. She had tried to
+elude agitation by fixing her mind on the trees, sky, any
+trivial object before her eyes, whilst his reproaches fell,
+but ingenuity could not save her now.
+"I did not take you up -- -surely I did not!' she
+answered as heroically as she could. " But don't be in
+this mood with me. I can endure being told I am in
+the wrong, if you will only tell it me gently! O sir,
+will you not kindly forgive me, and look at it
+cheerfully ? '
+"Cheerfully! Can a man fooled to utter heart+
+burning find a reason for being merry> If I have lost,
+how can I be as if I had won? Heavens you must be
+heartless quite ! Had I known what a fearfully bitter
+sweet this was to be, how would I have avoided you,
+and never seen you, and been deaf of you. I tell you
+all this, but what do you care! You don't care.'
+She returned silent and weak denials to his charges,
+and swayed her head desperately, as if to thrust away
+the words as they came showering ahout her ears from
+the lips of the trembling man in the climax of life, with
+his bronzed Roman face and fine frame.
+"Dearest, dearest, I am wavering even now between
+the two opposites of recklessly renouncing you, and
+labouring humbly for you again. Forget that you have
+said No, and let it be as it was !. Say, Bathsheba, that
+you only wrote that refusal to me in fun -- -come, say it
+to me!'
+<P 261>
+" It would be untrue, and painful to both of us. You
+overrate my capacity for love. I don't possess half
+the warmth of nature you believe me to have. An un+
+protected childhood in a cold world has beaten gentle+
+ness out of me.'
+He immediately said with more resentment: "That
+may be true, somewhat ; but ah, Miss Everdene, it won't
+do as a reason! You are not the cold woman you
+would have me believe. No, no .! It isn't because you
+have no feeling in you that you don't love me. You
+naturally would have me think so -- -you would hide from
+that you have a burning heart like mine. You have
+love enough, but it is turned into a new channel. I
+know where.'
+The swift music of her heart became hubbub now,
+and she throbbed to extremity. He was coming to
+Troy. He did then know what had occurred .! And
+the name fell from his lips the next moment.
+"Why did Troy not leave my treasure alone?' he
+asked, fiercely. "When I had no thought of injuring
+him, why did he force himself upon your notice.!
+Before he worried you your inclination was to have me;
+when next I should have come to you your answer
+would have been Yes. Can you deny it -- -I ask, can
+you deny it?'
+She delayed the reply, but was to honest to with
+hold it. ' I cannot,' she whispered.
+"I know you cannot. But he stole in in my absence
+and robbed me. Why did't he win you away before,
+when nobody would have been grieved? -- -when nobody
+would have been set tale-bearing. Now the people
+sneer at me -- -the very hills and sky seem to laugh at
+me till I blush shamefuly for my folly. I have lost my
+respect, my good name, my standing -- -lost it, never to
+get it again. Go and marry your man -- go on .! '
+"O sir -- -Mr. Boldwood!'
+" You may as well. I have no further claim upon you.
+As for me, I had better go somewhere alone, and hide --
+and pray. I loved a woman once. I am now ashamed.
+When I am dead they'll say, Miserable love-sick man
+that he was. Heaven -- -heaven -- -if I had got jilted
+secretly, and the dishonour not known, and my position
+FURY
+kept.! But no matter, it is
+<P 262>
+gone, and the woman not
+gained. Shame upon him -- shame .! '
+His unreasonable anger terrified her, and she glided
+from him, without obviously moving, as she said, "I am
+only a girl -- do not speak to me so.!'
+"All the time you knew -- how very well you knew --
+that your new freak was my misery. Dazzled by brass
+and scarlet -- O, Bathsheba -- this is woman's folly
+indeed .! '
+She fired up at once. "You are taking too much
+upon yourself .! ' she said, veheniently. " Everybody is
+upon me -- everybody. It is unmanly to attack a
+woman so ! I have nobody in the world to fight my
+battles for me; but no mercy is shown. Yet if a
+thousand of you sneer and say things against me, I <1will>1
+<1not>1 be put down !."
+" You'll chatter with him doubtless about me. Say to
+him, "Boldwood would have died for me.' Yes, and
+you have given way to him, knowing him to be not the
+man for you. He has kissed you -- claimed you as his.
+Do you hear -- he has kissed you. Deny it .! '
+The most tragic woman is cowed by a tragic man,
+and although Boldwood was, in vehemence and glow,
+nearly her own self rendered into another sex,
+Bathsheba's cheek quivered. She gasped, ' Leave me,
+sir -- leave me !. I am nothing to you. Let me go on !.'
+"Deny that he has kissed you.'
+"I shall not.'
+" Ha -- then he has ! ' came hoarsely from the farmer.
+"He has," she said, slowly, and, in spite of her fear,
+defiantly. 'I am not ashamed to speak the truth.'
+"Then curse him; and curse him !. ' said Boldwood,
+breaking into a whispered fury. ' Whilst I would have
+given worlds to touch your hand, you have let a rake come
+in without right or ceremony and -- kiss you .! Heaven's
+mercy -- kiss you ! ... Ah, a time of his life shall come
+when he will have to repent, and think wretchedly of
+the pain he has caused another man ; and then may he
+ache, and wish, and curse, and yearn -- as I do now .! "
+'Don't, don't, O, don't pray down evil upon him.! '
+she
+<P 263>
+implored in a miserable cry. "Anything but that --
+anything. O, be kind to him, sir, for I love him true .'
+Boldwood's ideas had reached that point of fusion at
+which outline and consistency entirely disappear. The
+impending night appeared to concentrate in his eye.
+He did not hear her at all now.
+"I'll punish him -- -by my soul, that will I.! I'll meet
+him, soldier or no, and I'll horsewhip the untimely
+stripling for this reckless theft of my one delight. If he
+were a hundred men I'd horsewhip him -- -- ' He
+dropped his voice suddenly and unnaturally. "Bath+
+sheba, sweet, lost coquette, pardon me .! I've been
+blaming you, threatening you, behaving like a churl to
+you, when he's the greatest sinner. He stole your dear
+heart away with his unfathomable lies.! ... lt is a
+fortunate thing for him that he's gone back to his
+regiment -- -that he's away up the country, and not here!
+I hope he may not return here just yet. I pray God
+he may not come into my sight, for I may be tempted
+beyond myself. O, Bathsheba, keep him away -- yes,
+keep him away from me.!"
+For a moment Boldwood stood so inertly after this
+that his soul seemed to have been entirely exhaled with
+the breath of his passionate words. He turned his face
+away, and withdrew, and his form was soon covered over
+by the twilight as his footsteps mixed in with the low
+hiss of the leafy trees.
+Bathsheba, who had been standing motionless as a
+model all this latter time, flung her hands to her face,
+and wildly attempted to ponder on the exhibition which
+had just passed away. Such astounding wells of fevered
+feeling in a still man like Mr. Boldwood were incompre+
+hensible, dreadful. Instead of being a man trained to
+repression he was -- what she had seen him.
+The force of the farmer's threats lay in their relation to a
+circumstance known at present only to herself: her lover was
+coming back to Weatherby in the course of the very next
+day or two. Troy had not returned to his distant barracks as
+Boldwood and others supposed, but had merely gone to visit
+<P 264>
+some acquaintance in Bath, and had yet a wek or more
+remaining to his furlough.
+ She felt wretchedly certain that if he revisited her just at
+this nick of time, and came into contact with Boldwood,a
+fierce quarrel would be the consequence. She panted with
+solicitude when she thought of possible injury to Troy. The
+least spark would kindle the farmer's swift feelings of rage
+and jealousy; he would lose his self-mastery as he had this
+evening; Troy's blitheness might become aggressive; it might
+take the direction of derision, and Boldwood's anger might
+then take the direction of revenge.
+ With almost a morbid dread of being thought a gushing
+girl, this guideless woman too well concealed from the world
+under a manner of carelessness the warm depths of her strong
+emotions. But now there was no reserve. In fer
+
+her distraction,instead of advancing further she
+walked up and down,beating
+the air with her fingers,pressing on her brow, and sobbing
+brokenly to herself. Then she sat down on a heap of stones by
+the wayside to think. There she remained long. Above the
+dark margin of the earth appeared foreshores and promontor+
+ies of coppery cloud,bounding a green and pellucid expanse
+in the western sky. Amaranthine glosses came over them then,
+and the unresting world wheeled her round to a contrasting
+prospect eastward, in the shape of indecisive and palpitating
+stars. She gazed upon their silent throes amid the shades of
+space, but realised none at all. Her troubled spirit was far
+away with Troy.
+<C xxxii>
+<P 265>
+NIGHT -- HORSES TRAMPING
+THE village of Weatherbury was quiet as the graveyard
+in its midst, and the living were lying welinigh as still
+as the dead. The church clock struck eleven. The
+air was so empty of other sounds that the whirr of the
+clock-work immediately before the strokes was distinct,
+and so was also the click of the same at their close.
+The notes flew forth with the usual blind obtuseness
+of inanimate things -- flapping and rebounding among
+walls, undulating against the scattered clouds, spreading
+through their interstices into unexplored miles of space.
+Bathsheba's crannied and mouldy halls were to-night
+occupied only by Maryann, Liddy being, as was stated,
+with her sister, whom Bathsheba had set out to visit.
+A few minutes after eleven had struck, Maryann turned
+in her bed with a sense of being disturbed. She was
+totally unconscious of the nature of the interruption to
+her sleep. It led to a dream, and the dream to an
+awakening, with an uneasy sensation that something
+had happened. She left her bed and looked out of
+the window. The paddock abutted on this end of the
+building, and in the paddock she could just discern by
+the uncertain gray a moving figure approaching the
+horse that was feeding there. The figure seized the
+horse by the forelock, and led it to the corner of the
+field. Here she could see some object which circum+
+stances proved to be a vehicle for after a few minutes
+the horse down the road, mingled with the sound of
+light wheels.
+Two varieties only of humanity could have entered
+the paddock with the ghostiike glide of that mysterious
+figure. They were a woman and a gipsy man. A woman
+was out of the question in such an occupation at this
+hour, and the comer could be no less than a thief, who
+might probably have known the weakness of the house+
+hold on this particular night, and have
+<P 266>
+chosen it on
+that account for his daring attempt. Moreover, to
+raise suspicion to conviction itself, there were gipsies in !
+Weatherbury Bottom.
+Maryann, who had been afraid to shout in the robber's
+presence, having seen him depart had no fear. She
+hastily slipped on her clothes, stumped down the dis+
+jointed staircase with its hundred creaks, ran to Coggan's,
+the nearest house, and raised an alarm. Coggan called
+Gabriel, who now again lodged in his house as at first,
+and together they went to the paddock. Beyond all
+doubt the horse was gone.
+" Hark .! ' said Gabriel.
+They listened. Distinct upon the stagnant air came
+the sounds of a trotting horse passing up Longpuddle
+Lane -- just beyond the gipsies' encampment in Weather+
+bury Bottom.
+" That's our Dainty-i'll swear to her step,' said Jan.
+" Mighty me ! Won't mis'ess storm and call us stupids
+wen she comes back ! ' moaned Maryann. "How I
+wish it had happened when she was at home, and none
+of us had been answerable .! '
+" We must ride after,' said Gabriel, decisively.
+be responsible to Miss Everdene for what we do. Yes,
+we'll follow. '
+" Faith, I don't see how,' said Coggan. " All our
+horses are too heavy for that trick except little Poppet,
+and what's she between two of us?-if we only had that
+" pair over the hedge we might do something.'
+'Which pair ? '
+'Mr Boldwood's Tidy and Moll.'
+" Then wait here till I come hither again,' said Gabriel.
+He ran down the hill towards Farmer Boldwood's.
+" Farmer Boldwood is not at home,' said Maryann.
+",All the better,' said Coggan. "I know what he's
+gone for.'
+Less than five minutes brought up Oak again, running
+at the same pace, with two halters dangling from his hand,
+"Where did you find 'em ?" said Coggan, turning
+round and leaping upon the hedge without waiting for
+an answer.
+"Under the eaves. I knew where they were kept,'
+said Gabriel, following him. "Coggan, you can ride
+bare-backed ? there's no time to look for saddles.'
+<P 267>
+" Like a hero .! ' said Jan.
+'Maryann, you go to hed,' Gabriel shouted to her
+from the top of the hedge.
+Springing down into Boldwood's pastures, each
+pocketed his halter to hide it from the horses, who,
+seeing the men empty-handed, docilely allowed them+
+selves to he seized by the mane, when the halters
+were dexterously slipped on. Having neither bit nor
+bridle, Oak and Coggan extemporized the former by
+passing the rope in each case through the animal's
+mouth and looping it on the other side. Oak vaulted
+astride, and Coggan clambered up by aid of the hank,
+when they ascended to the gate and galloped off in the
+direction taken by Bathsheha's horse and the robber.
+Whose vehicle the horse had been harnessed to was a
+matter of some uncertainty.
+Weatherbury Bottom was reached in three or four
+minutes. They scanned the shady green patch by the
+roadside. The gipsies were gone.
+"The villains .! ' said Gabriel. 'Which way have they
+gone, I wonder ? '
+'Straight on, as sure as God made little apples,'
+said Jan.
+" Very well; we are better mounted, and must over+
+discovered. The road-metal grew softer and more
+rain had wetted its surface to a somewhat plastic, but
+not muddy state. They came to cross-roads. Coggan
+suddenly pulled up Moll and slipped off.
+" What"s the matter ? ' said Gabriel.
+"We must try to track 'em, since we can't hear 'em,'
+said Jan, fumbling in his pockets. He struck a light,
+and held the match to the ground. The rain had been
+heavier here, and all foot and horse tracks made previous
+to the storm had been abraded and blurred by the drops,
+and they were now so many little scoops of water, which
+reflected the flame of the match like eyes. One set of
+tracks was fresh and had no water in them; one pair of
+ruts was also empty, and not small canals, like the cthers.
+The footprints forming this recent impression were full
+<P 268>
+of information as to pace ; they were in equidistant pairs,
+three or four feet apart, the right and left foot of each
+pair being exactly opposite one another.
+"Straight on !. ' Jan exclaimed. "Tracks like that
+mean a stiff gallop. No wonder we don't hear him.
+And the horse is harnessed-iook at the ruts. Ay,
+'How do you know ?'
+"Old Jimmy Harris only shoed her last week, and
+I'd swear to his make among ten thousand.'
+"The rest of the gipsies must ha" gone on earlier,
+or some other way,' said Oak. " 'You saw there were
+no other tracks ? '
+"True.' They rode along silently for a long weary
+time. Coggan carried an old pinchbeck repeater which
+he had inherited from some genius in his family; and
+it now struck one. He lighted another match, and ex+
+amined the ground again.
+"'Tis a canter now,' he said, throwing away the light.
+'A twisty', rickety pace for a gig. The fact is, they over+
+drove her at starting ; we shall catch "em yet.'
+Again they hastened on, and entered Blackmore
+Vale. Coggan's watch struck one. When they looked
+again the hoof-marks were so spaced as to form a sort
+of zigzag if united, like the lamps along a street.
+" That's a trot, I know,' said Gabriel.
+"Only a trot now,' said Coggan, cheerfully. "We
+shall overtake him in time.'
+They pushed rapidly on for yet two or three miles.
+"Ah .! a moment,' said Jan. 'Let's see how she was
+driven up this hill. "Twill help us,' A light was
+promptly struck upon his gaiters as before, and the ex+
+amination made,
+" Hurrah .! ' said Coggan. "She walked up here --
+and well she might. We shall get them in two miles,
+for a crown.'
+They rode three, and listened. No sound was to be
+heard save a milipond trickling hoarsely through a
+hatch, and suggesting gloomy possibilities of drowning
+by juraping in. Gabriel dismounted when they came
+to a turning. The tracks were ahsolutely the only guide
+as to the direction that they now had, and great caution
+was necessary to avoid confusing them
+<P 269>
+with some others
+which had made their appearance lately.
+"What does this mean ? -- though I guess,' said
+Gabriel, looking up at Coggan as he moved the match
+over the ground about the turning. Coggan, who, no
+less than the panting horses, had latterly shown signs
+of weariness, again scrutinized the mystic characters.
+This time only three were of the regular horseshoe
+shape. Every fourth was a dot.
+HORSES TRAMPING
+He screwed up his face and emitted a long
+" whew-w-w !. '
+" Lame,' said Oak.
+" Yes Dainty is lamed ; the near-foot-afore,' said
+Coggan slowly staring still at the footprints.
+" We'll push on,' said Gabriel, remounting his humid
+steed.
+Although the road along its greater part had been as
+good as any turnpike-road in the country, it was nomin+
+ally only a byway. The last turning had brought them
+into the high road leading to Bath. Coggan recollected
+himself.
+"We shall have him now ! ' he exclaimed.
+" Where ? "
+' Sherton Turnpike. The keeper of that gate is the
+sleepiest man between here and London -- Dan Randall.
+that's his name -- knowed en for years, when he was at
+Casterbridge gate. Between the lameness and the gate
+'tis a done job.'
+was said until, against a shady background of foliage,
+five white bars were visible, crossing their route a little
+way ahead.
+" Hush -- we are almost close !. ' said Gabriel.
+"Amble on upon the grass,' said Coggan.
+The white bars were blotted out in the midst by a
+dark shape in front of them. The silence of this lonely
+time was pierced by an exclamation from that quarter.
+" Hoy-a-hoy ! Gate .! '
+It appeared that there had been a previous call which
+they had not noticed, for on their close approach the
+door of the turnpike-house opened, and the keeper
+came out half-dressed, with a candle in his hand. The
+rays illumined the whole group.
+" Keep the gate close .! ' shouted Gabriel. " He has
+stolen the horse !. '
+<P 270>
+" Who ? ' said the turnpike-man.
+Gabriel looked at the driver of the gig, and saw a
+woman -- Bathsheba, his mistress.
+On hearing his voice she had turned her face away
+from the light. Coggan had, however, caught sight of
+her in the meanwhile.
+"Why, 'tis mistress-i'll take my oath .! ' he said,
+amazed.
+Bathsheba it certainly was, and she had by this time
+done the trick she could do so well in crises not of love,
+namely, mask a surprise by coolness of manner.
+' Well, Gabriel,' she inquired quietly, ' where are you
+going ? '
+' We thought -- -- ' began Gabriel.
+Bath,' she said, taking for her own
+use the assurance that Gahriel lacked. 'An important
+matter made it necessary for me to give up my visit to
+liddy, and go off at once. What, then, were you
+following me ?'
+' We thought the horse was stole.'
+" Weli-what a thing .! How very foolish of you not
+to know that I had taken the trap and horse. I could
+neither wake Maryann nor get into the house, though
+I hammered for ten minutes against her window-sill.
+Fortunately, I could get the key of the coach-house, so
+I troubled no one further. Didn't you think it might
+be me?"
+' Why should we, miss ? '
+" Perhaps not Why, those are never Farmer Bold+
+wood's horses .! Goodness mercy .! what have you been
+" doing bringing trouble upon me in this way? What.!
+mustn't a lady move an inch from her door without being
+dogged like a thief?'
+'But how was we to know, if you left no account of
+your doings ? ' expostulated Coggan, "and ladies don't
+" drive at these hours, miss, as a jineral rule of society.'
+"I did leave an account -- and you would have seen
+it in the morning. I wrote in chalk on the coach-house
+doors that I had come back for the horse and gig, and
+driven off; that I could arouse nobody, and should
+return soon.'
+" But you'll consider, ma'am, that we couldn't see
+that till it got daylight.'
+'True,' she said, and though vexed at first she had
+too much
+<P 271>
+sense to blame them long or seriously for a
+devotion to her that was as valuable as it was rare.
+She added with a very pretty grace, ' Well, I really thank
+you heartily for taking all this trouble; but I wish you
+had borrowed anybody's horses but Mr. Boldwood's.'
+'Dainty is lame, miss,' said Coggan. 'Can ye go
+on?'
+'lt was only a stone in her shoe. I got down and
+pulled it out a hundred yards back. I can manage
+very well, thank you. I shall be in Bath by daylight.
+Will you now return, please?'
+She turned her head -- the gateman's candle
+shimmering upon her quick, clear eyes as she did so --
+passed through the gate, and was soon wrapped in the
+embowering shades of mysterious summer boughs.
+Coggan and Gabriel put about their horses, and, fanned
+by the velvety air of this July night, retraced the road
+by which they had come.
+'A strange vagary, this of hers, isn't it, Oak?' said
+Coggan, curiously.
+'Yes,' said Gabriel, shortly.
+'She won't be in Bath by no daylight!.'
+'Coggan, suppose we keep this night's work as quiet
+as we can?'
+'I am of one and the same mind.'
+'Very well. We shall be home by three o'clock or
+so, and can creep into the parish like lambs.'
+Bathsheba's perturbed meditations by the roadside
+had ultimately evolved a conclusion that there were only
+two remedies for the present desperate state of affairs.
+The first was merely to keep Troy away from Weather+
+bury till Boldwood's indignation had cooled; the second
+to listen to Oak's entreaties, and Boldwood's denuncia+
+tions, and give up Troy altogether.
+Alas! Could she give up this new love -- induce
+him to renounce her by saying she did not like him --
+could no more speak to him, and beg him, for her good,
+to end his furlough in Bath, and see her and Weather'
+bury no niore?
+It was a picture full of misery, but for a while she
+contemplated it firmly, allowing herself, nevertheless,
+as girls will, to
+<P 272>
+dwell upon the happy life she would
+have enjoyed had Troy been Boldwood, and the path
+of love the path of duty -- inflicting upon herself gratuit+
+ous tortures by imagining him the lover of another
+woman after forgetting her; for she had penetrated
+Troy's nature so far as to estimate his tendencies pretty
+accurately, hut unfortunately loved him no less in
+thinking that he might soon cease to love her -- indeed,
+considerably more.
+She jumped to her feet. She would see him at once.
+Yes, she would implore him by word of mouth to assist
+her in this dilemma. A letter to keep him away could
+not reach him in time, even if he should be disposed to
+listen to it.
+Was Bathsheba altogether blind to the obvious fact
+that the support of a lover's arms is not of a kind best
+calculated to assist a resolve to renounce him? Or was
+she sophistically sensible, with a thrill of pleasure, that
+by adopting this course for getting rid of him she was
+ensuring a meeting with him, at any rate, once more?
+It was now dark, and the hour must have been nearly
+ten. The only way to accomplish her purpose was to
+give up her idea of visiting Liddy at Yalbury, return to
+Weatherbury Farm, put the horse into the gig, and drive
+at once to Bath. The scheme seemed at first impossible :
+the journey was a fearfully heavy one, even for a strong
+horse, at her own estimate; and she much underrated
+the distance. It was most venturesome for a woman,
+at night, and alone.
+But could she go on to Liddy's and leave things to
+take their course? No, no; anything but that. Bath+
+sheba was full of a stimulating turbulence, beside which
+caution vainly' prayed for a hearing. she turned back
+towards the village.
+Her walk was slow, for she wished not to enter
+Weatherbury till the cottagers were in bed, and, par+
+ticularly, till Boldwood was secure. Her plan was now
+to drive to Bath during the night, see Sergeant 'Troy in
+the morning before he set out to come to her, bid him
+farewell, and dismiss him: then to rest the horse
+thoroughly (herself to weep the while, she thought),
+starting early the next morning on her return journey.
+By this arrangement she could trot Dainty gently all
+the day, reach
+<P 273>
+Liddy at Yalbury in the evening, and
+come home to Weatherbury with her whenever they
+chose -- so nobody would know she had been to Bath
+at all.
+Such was Bathsheba's scheme. But in her topo+
+graphical ignorance as a late comer to the place, slie
+misreckoned the distance of her journey as not much
+more than half what it really was. Her idea, however,
+she proceeded to carry out, with what initial success we
+have already seen.
+<C xxxiii>
+<P 274>
+IN THE SUN -- A HARBINGER
+A WEEK passed, and there were no tidings of Bath+
+sheba; nor was there any explanation of her Gilpin's
+rig.
+Then a note came for Maryann, stating that the
+business which had called her mistress to Bath still
+detained her there; but that she hoped to return
+in the course of another week.
+Another week passed. The oat-harvest began, and
+all the men were a-field under a monochromatic Lammas
+sky, amid the trembling air and short shadows of noon.
+Indoors nothing was to be heard save the droning of
+blue-bottle flies; out-of-doors the whetting of scythes
+and the hiss of tressy oat-ears rubbing together as their
+perpendicular stalks of amber-yellow fell heavily to each
+swath. Every drop of moisture not in the men's bottles
+and flagons in the form of cider was raining as perspira+
+tion from their foreheads and cheeks. Drought was
+everywhere else.
+They were about to withdraw for a while into the
+charitable shade of a tree in the fence, when Coggan
+saw a figure in a blue coat and brass buttons running
+to them across the field.
+'I wonder who that is?' he said.
+'I hope nothing is wrong about mistress,' said
+Maryann, who with some other women was tying the
+bundles (oats being always sheafed on this farm), 'but
+an unlucky token came to me indoors this morning.
+l went to unlock the door and dropped the key, and it
+fell upon the stone floor and broke into two pieces.
+Breaking a key is a dreadful bodement. I wish mis'ess
+was home.'
+''Tis Cain Ball,' said Gabriel, pausing from whetting
+his reaphook.
+Oak was not bound by his agreement to assist in the
+corn-field; but the harvest month is an anxious time for
+<P 275>
+a farmer, and the corn was Bathsheba's, so he lent a
+hand.
+'He's dressed up in his best clothes,' said Matthew
+Moon. 'He hev been away from home for a few days,
+since he's had that felon upon his finger; for 'a said,
+since I can't work I'll have a hollerday.'
+ 'A good time for one -- a" excellent time,' said Joseph
+Poorgrass, straightening his back; for he, like some of
+the others, had a way of resting a while from his labour
+on such hot days for reasons preternaturally small; of
+which Cain Pall's advent on a week-day in his Sunday+
+clothes was one of the first magnitude. ''Twas a bad leg
+allowed me to read the Pilgrim's Progress, and Mark
+Clark learnt AliFours in a whitlow.'
+'Ay, and my father put his arm out of joint to have
+time to go courting,' said Jan Coggan, in an eclipsing
+tone, wiping his face with his shirt-sleeve and thrusting
+back his hat upon the nape of his neck.
+By this time Cainy was nearing the group of harvesters,
+and was perceived to be carrying a large slice of bread
+and ham in one hand, from which he took mouthfuls
+as he ran, the other being wrapped in a bandage.
+When he came close, his mouth assumed the bell shape,
+and he began to cough violently.
+ 'Now, Cainy!.' said Gabriel, sternly. 'How many
+more times must I tell you to keep from running so fast
+when you be eating? You'll choke yourself some day,
+that's what you'll do, Cain Ball.'
+ 'Hok-hok-hok.! 'replied Cain. 'A crumb of my
+victuals went the wrong way -- hok-hok!, That's what
+'tis, Mister Oak.! And I've been visiting to Bath
+because I had a felon on my thumb; yes, and l've
+seen -- ahok-hok!'
+Directly Cain mentioned Bath, they all threw down
+their hooks and forks and drew round him. Un+
+fortunately the erratic crumb did not improve his
+narrative powers, and a supplementary hindrance was
+that of a sneeze, jerking from his pocket his rather large
+watch, which dangled in front of the young man
+pendulum-wise.
+<P 276>
+ 'Yes,' he continued, directing his thoughts to Bath
+and letting his eyes follow, 'l've seed the world at last
+ -- yes -- and I've seed our mis'ess -- ahok-hok-hok ! '
+' Bother the boy! ' said Gabriel. ' Something is
+always going the wrong way down your throat, so that
+you can't tell what's necessary to be told.'
+"Ahok !. there ! Please, Mister Oak, a gnat have
+just fleed into my stomach and brought the cough on
+again !. '
+'Yes, that's just it. Your mouth is always open, you
+young rascal .! '
+''Tis terrible bad to have a gnat fly down yer throat,
+pore boy !. ' said Matthew Moon.
+' Well, at Bath you saw -- -- ' prompted Gabriel.
+'I saw our mistress,' continued the junior shepherd,
+'and a sojer, walking along. And bymeby they got
+closer and closer, and then they went arm-in-crook, like
+courting complete -- hok-hok ! like courting complete --
+hok .! -- courting complete -- -- " Losing the thread of his
+narrative at this point simultaneously with his loss of
+breath, their informant looked up and down the field
+apparently for some clue to it. 'Well, I see our mis'ess
+and a soldier -- a-ha-a-wk .! '
+A HARBlNGER
+!Damn the boy !' said Gabriel.
+!'Tis only my manner, Mister Oak, if ye'll excuse it,'
+said Cain Ball, looking reproachfully at Oak, with eyes
+drenched in their own dew.
+!Here's some cider for him -- that'll cure his throat,'
+said Jan Coggan, lifting a flagon of cider, pulling out
+the cork, and applying the hole to Cainy's mouth;
+Joseph Poorgrass in the meantime beginning to think
+apprehensively of the serious consequences that would
+follow Cainy Ball's strangulation in his cough, and the
+history of his Bath adventures dying with him.
+"For my poor self, I always say "please God ' afore
+I do anything,' said Joseph, in an unboastful voice ; " and
+so should you, Cain Ball. "Tis a great safeguard, and
+might perhaps save you from being choked to death
+some day.'
+Mr. Coggan poured the liquor with unstinted liber+
+ality at the suffering Cain's circular mouth; half of it
+running down the
+<P 277>
+side of the flagon, and half of what
+reached his mouth running down outside his throat,
+and half of what ran in going the wrong way, and being
+coughed and sneezed around the persons of the gathered
+reapers in the form of a cider fog, which for a moment
+hung in the sunny air like a small exhalation.
+"There's a great clumsy sneeze ! Why can't ye have
+better manners, you young dog ! ' said Coggan, with+
+drawing the flagon.
+"The cider went up my nose ! ' cried Cainy, as soon
+as he could speak; "and now 'tis gone down my neck,
+and into my poor dumb felon, and over my shiny
+buttons and all my best cloze ! '
+"The poor lad's cough is terrible onfortunate,' said
+Matthew Moon. 'And a great history on hand, too.
+Bump his back, shepherd.'
+"'Tis my nater,' mourned Cain. "Mother says I
+always was so excitable when my feelings were worked
+up to a point!'
+" True, true,' said Joseph Poorgrass. "The Balls
+were always a very excitable family. I knowed the
+boy's grandfather -- a truly nervous and modest man,
+even to genteel refinery. 'Twas blush, blush with him,
+almost as much as 'tis with me -- not but that 'tis a
+fault in me !'
+"Not at all, Master Poorgrass,' said Coggan. " 'Tis
+a very noble quality in ye.'
+"Heh-heh ! well, I wish to noise nothing abroad --
+nothing at all,' murmured Poorgrass, diffidently. " But
+we be born to things -- that's true. Yet I would rather
+my trifle were hid ; though, perhaps, a high nater is a
+little high, and at my birth all things were possible to
+my Maker, and he may have begrudged no gifts....
+But under your bushel, Joseph ! under your bushel with
+'ee ! A strange desire, neighbours, this desire to hide,
+and no praise due. Yet there is a Sermon on the
+Mount with a calendar of the blessed at the head, and
+certain meek men may be named therein.'
+"Cainy's grandfather was a very clever man,' said
+Matthew Moon. "Invented a' apple-tree out of his own
+head, which is called by his name to this day -- the Early
+Ball. You know 'em,
+<P 278>
+Jan ? A Quarrenden grafted on
+a Tom Putt, and a Rathe-ripe upon top o' that again.
+'Tis trew 'a used to bide about in a public-house wi' a
+'ooman in a way he had no business to by rights, but
+there -- 'a were a clever man in the sense of the term.'
+" Now then,' said Gabriel, impatiently, " what did you
+see, Cain ? '
+"I seed our mis'ess go into a sort of a park place,
+where there's seats, and shrubs and flowers, arm-in-crook
+with a sojer,' continued Cainy, firmly, and with a dim
+sense that his words were very effective as regarded
+Gabriel's emotions. "And I think the sojer was
+Sergeant Troy. And they sat there together for more
+than half-an-hour, talking moving things, and she once
+was crying a'most to death. And when they came out
+her eyes were shining and she was as white as a lily;
+and they looked into one another's faces, as far-gone
+friendly as a man and woman can be.'
+Gabriel's features seemed to get thinner. " Well,
+what did you see besides ? '
+" Oh, all sorts."
+"White as a lily? You are sure 'twas she?
+" Yes."
+" Well, what besides ? '
+"Great glass windows to the shops, and great clouds
+in the sky, full of rain, and old wooden trees in the
+country round.'
+" You stun-poll! What will ye say next?' said
+Coggan.
+" Let en alone,' interposed Joseph Poorgrass. "The
+boy's maning is that the sky and the earth in the
+kingdom of Bath is not altogether different from ours
+here. 'Tis for our good to gain knowledge of strange
+cities, and as such the boy's words should be suffered,
+so to speak it.'
+" And the people of Bath,' continued Cain, "never
+need to light their fires except as a luxury, for the
+water springs up out of the earth ready boiled for
+use.'
+" 'Tis true as the light,' testified Matthew Moon. ' I've
+heard other navigators say the same thing.'
+" They drink nothing else there,' said Cain, ' and seem
+to enjoy it, to see how they swaller it down.'
+<P 279>
+"Well, it seems a barbarian practice enough to us,
+but I daresay the natives think nothing o' it,' said
+Matthew.
+"And don't victuals spring up as well as drink?'
+asked Coggan, twirling his eye.
+"No-i own to a blot there in Bath -- a true blot.
+God didn't proride 'em with victuals as well as (+
+and 'twas a drawback I couldn't get over at all.'
+" Well, 'tis a curious place, to say the least,' observed
+Moon; "and it must be a curious people that live
+therein. '
+"Miss Everdene and the soldier were walking about
+together, you say ? ' said Gabriel, returning to the
+group.
+"Ay, and she wore a beautiful gold-colour silk
+gown, trimmed with black lace, that would have stood
+alone 'ithout legs inside if required. 'Twas a very
+winsome sight; and her hair was brushed splendid.
+And when the sun shone upon the bright gown and his
+red coat -- my ! how handsome they looked. You
+could see 'em all the length of the street.'
+" And what then ? ' murmured Gabriel.
+"And then I went into Griffin's to hae my boots
+hobbed, and then I went to Riggs's batty-cake shop,
+and asked 'em for a penneth of the cheapest and nicest
+stales, that were all but blue-mouldy, but not quite.
+And whilst I was chawing 'em down I walked on and
+seed a clock with a face as big as a baking trendle -- -- '
+"But that's nothing to do with mistress ! '
+"I'm coming to that, if you'll leave me alone, Mister
+Oak ! ' remonstrated Cainy. "If you excites me,
+perhaps you'll bring on my cough, and then I shan't be
+able to tell ye nothing.'
+" Yes-iet him tell it his own way,' said Coggan.
+Gabriel settled into a despairing attitude of patience,
+and Cainy went on : --
+"And there were great large houses, and more
+people all the week long than at Weatherbury club+
+walking on White Tuesdays. And I went to grand
+churches and chapels. And how the parson would pray !
+Yes; he would kneel down and put up his hands
+together, and make the holy gold rings on his fingers
+gleam and twinkle in yer eyes, that he'd earned
+by praying so excellent well ! -- Ah yes, I wish I lived
+there.'
+<P 280>
+"Our poor Parson Thirdly can't get no money to
+buy such rings,' said Matthew Moon, thoughtfully.
+"And as good a man as ever walked. I don't believe
+poor Thirdly have a single one, even of humblest tin or
+copper. Such a great ornament as they'd be to him on
+a dull a'ternoon, when he's up in the pulpit lighted by
+the wax candles ! But 'tis impossible, poor man. Ah,
+to think how unequal things be.'
+"Perhaps he's made of different stuff than to wear
+'em,' said Gabriel, grimly. ' Well, that's enough of this.
+Go on, Cainy -- quick.'
+' Oh -- and the new style of pa'sons wear moustaches
+and long beards,' continued the illustrious traveller,
+'and look like Moses and Aaron complete, and make
+we fokes in the congregation feel all over like the
+children of Israel.'
+"A very right feeling -- very,' said Joseph Poorgrass.
+"And there's two religions going on in the nation
+now -- High Church and High Chapel. And, thinks I,
+I'll play fair; so I went to High Church in the morning,
+and High Chapel in the afternoon.'
+' A right and proper boy,' said Joseph Poorgrass.
+"Well, at High Church they pray singing, and worship
+all the colours of the rainbow; and at High Chapel they
+pray preaching, and worship drab and whitewash only.
+And then-i didn't see no more of Miss Everdene at
+all.'
+'Why didn't you say so afore, then ? ' exclaimed Oak,
+with much disappointment.
+' Ah,' said Matthew Moon, 'she'll wish her cake
+dough if so be she's over intimate with that man.'
+'She's not over intimate with him,' said Gabriel,
+indignantly.
+'She would know better,' said Coggan. "Our
+mis'ess has too much sense under they knots of black
+hair to do such a mad thing.'
+"You see, he's not a coarse, ignorant man, for he
+was well brought up,' said Matthew, dubiously. " 'Twas
+only wildness that made him a soldier, and maids rather
+like your man of sin.'
+"Now, Cain Ball,' said Gabriel restlessly, "can you
+swear in the most
+<P 281>
+awful form that the woman you saw
+was Miss Everdene ? '
+'Cain Ball, you be no longer a babe and suckling,'
+said Joseph in the sepulchral tone the circumstances
+demanded, "and you know what taking an oath is.
+'Tis a horrible testament mind ye, which you say and
+seal with your blood-stone, and the prophet Matthew
+tells us that on whomsoever it shall fall it will grind
+him to powder. Now, before all the work-folk here
+assembled, can you swear to your words as the shep+
+herd asks ye ?'
+" Please no, Mister Oak ! ' said Cainy, looking from
+one to the other with great uneasiness at the spiritual
+magnitude of the position. "I don't mind saying 'tis
+true, but I don't like to say 'tis damn true, if that's
+what you mane.'
+'Cain, Cain, how can you ! ' asked Joseph sternly.
+"You be asked to swear in a holy manner, and you
+swear like wicked Shimei, the son of Gera, who cursed
+as he came. Young man, fie ! '
+"No, I don't ! 'Tis you want to squander a pore
+boy's soul, Joseph Poorgrass -- that's what 'tis ! ' said
+Cain, beginning to cry. "All I mane is that in common
+truth 'twas Miss Everdene and Sergeant Troy, but in
+the horrible so-help-me truth that ye want to make of
+it perhaps 'twas somebody else ! '
+'There's no getting at the rights of it,' said Gabriel,
+turning to his work.
+"Cain Ball, you'll come to a bit of bread ! ' groaned
+Joseph Poorgrass.
+Then the reapers' hooks were flourished again, and
+the old sounds went on. Gabriel, without making any
+pretence of being lively, did nothing to show that he
+was particularly dull. However, Coggan knew pretty
+nearly how the land lay, and when they were in a nook
+together he said --
+' Don't take on about her, Gabriel. What difference
+does it make whose sweetheart she is, since she can't be
+yours ? '
+"That's the very thing I say to myself,' said Gabriel.
+\0<C xxxiv>
+<P 282>
+HOME AGAIN -- A TRICKSTER
+THAT same evening at dusk Gabriel was leaning over
+Coggan's garden-gate, taking an up-and-down survey
+before retiring to rest.
+A vehicle of some kind was softly creeping along
+the grassy margin of the lane. From it spread the
+tones of two women talking. The tones were natural
+and not at all suppressed. Oak instantly knew the
+voices to he those of Bathsheba and Liddy.
+The carriage came opposite and passed by. It was
+Miss Everdene's gig, and Liddy and her mistress were
+the only occupants of the seat. Liddy was asking
+questions about the city of Bath, and her companion
+was answering them listlessly and unconcernedly. Both
+Bathsheba and the horse seemed weary.
+The exquisite relief of finding that she was here
+again, safe and sound, overpowered all reflection, and
+Oak could only luxuriate in the sense of it. All grave
+reports were forgotten.
+He lingered and lingered on, till there was no
+difference between the eastern and western expanses
+of sky, and the timid hares began to limp courageously
+round the dim hillocks. Gabriel might have been
+there an additional half-hour when a dark form walked
+slowly by. " Good-night, Gabriel,' the passer said.
+It was Boldwood. " Good-night, sir,' said Gabriel.
+Boldwood likewise vanished up the road, and Oak
+shortly afterwards turned indoors to bed.
+Farmer Boldwood went on towards Miss Everdene's
+house. He reached the front, and approaching the
+entrance, saw a light in the parlour. The blind was
+not drawn down, and inside the room was Bathsheba,
+looking over some papers or letters. Her back was
+towards Boldwood. He went to the door,
+<P 283>
+knocked,
+and waited with tense muscles and an aching brow.
+Boldwood had not been outside his garden since
+his meeting with Bathsheba in the road to Yalbury.
+Silent and alone, he had remained in moody medita+
+tion on woman's ways, deeming as essentials of the
+whole sex the accidents of the single one of their
+number he had ever closely beheld. By degrees a
+more charitable temper had pervaded him, and this
+was the reason of his sally to-night. He had come to
+apologize and beg forgiveness of Bathsheba with some+
+thing like a sense of shame at his violence, having but
+just now learnt that she had returned -- only from a
+visit to Liddy, as he supposed, the Bath escapade
+being quite unknown to him.
+He inquired for Miss Everdene. Liddy's manner
+was odd, but he did not notice it. She went in, leaving
+him standing there, and in her absence the blind of the
+room containing Bathsheba was pulled down. Bold+
+wood augured ill from that sign. Liddy came out.
+"My mistress cannot see you, sir,' she said.
+The farmer instantly went out by the gate. He
+as unforgiven -- that was the issue of it all. He had
+seen her who was to him simultaneously a delight and
+a torture, sitting in the room he had shared with her
+as a peculiarly privileged guest only a little earlier in
+he summer, and she had denied him an entrance
+there now.
+Boldwood did not hurry homeward. It was ten
+o'clock at least, when, walking deliberately through the
+lower part of Weatherbury, he heard the carrier's spring
+van entering the village. The van ran to and from a
+town in a northern direction, and it was owned and
+driven by a Weatherbury man, at the door of whose
+house it now pulled up. The lamp fixed to the head
+of the hood illuminated a scarlet and gilded form, who
+was the first to alight.
+'Ah ! ' said Boldwood to himself, "come to see her
+again.'
+Troy entered the carrier's house, which had been
+the place of his lodging on his last visit to his native
+place. Boldwood was moved by a sudden determina+
+tion. He hastened home. In ten minutes he was
+back again, and made as if he were going to call upon
+Troy at the carrier's. But as he approached, some
+<P 284>
+one opened the door and came out. He heard this
+person say " Good-night ' to the inmates, and the voice
+was Troy's. 'This was strange, coming so immediately
+after his arrival. Boldwood, however, hastened up
+to him. Troy had what appeared to be a carpet-bag
+in his hand -- the same that he had brought with him.
+It seemed as if he were going to leave again this very
+night.
+Troy turned up the hill and quickened his pace.
+Boldwood stepped forward.
+" Sergeant Troy ? '
+" Yes-i'm Sergeant Troy.'
+" Just arrived from up the country, I think ?'
+" Just arrived from Bath.'
+" I am William Boldwood.'
+" Indeed.'
+The tone in which this word was uttered was all
+that had been wanted to bring Boldwood to the
+point.
+" I wish to speak a word with you,' he said.
+" What about ? '
+" About her who lives just ahead there -- and about
+a woman you have wronged.'
+" I wonder at your impertinence,' said Troy, moving
+on.
+" Now look here,' said Boldwood, standing in front
+of him, " wonder or not, you are going to hold a conver+
+sation with me.'
+Troy heard the dull determination in Boldwood's
+voice, looked at his stalwart frame, then at the thick
+cudgel he carried in his hand. He remembered it was
+past ten o'clock. It seemed worth while to be civil to
+Boldwood.
+" Very well, I'll listen with pleasure,' said Troy,
+placing his bag on the ground, "only speak low, for
+somebody or other may overhear us in the farmhouse
+there.'
+" Well then -- I know a good deal concerning your
+Fanny Robin's attachment to you. I may say, too, that
+I believe I am the only person in the village, excepting
+Gabriel Oak, who does know it. You ought to marry
+her.'
+" I suppose I ought. Indeed, l wish to, but I
+cannot.'
+" Why ? '
+Troy was about to utter something hastily; he then
+checked
+<P 285>
+himself and said, "I am too poor.' His voice
+was changed. Previously it had had a deviimay-care
+tone. It was the voice of a trickster now.
+Boldwood's present mood was not critical enough to
+notice tones. He continued, "I may as well speak
+plainly; and understand, I don't wish to enter into the
+questions of right or wrong, woman's honour and shame,
+or to express any opinion on your conduct. I intend a
+business transaction with you.'
+" I see,' said Troy. " Suppose we sit down here.'
+An old tree trunk lay under the hedge immediately
+opposite, and they sat down.
+The tone in which this word was uttered was all
+Troy heard the dull determination in Boldwood's
+voice, looked at his stalwart frame, then at the thick
+plainly ; and understand, I don't wish to enter into the
+" I was engaged to be married to Miss Everdene,'
+said Boldwood, "but you came and -- -- '
+" Not engaged,' said Troy.
+" As good as engaged.'
+" If I had not turned up she might have become en+
+gaged to you.'
+" Hang might ! '
+" Would, then.'
+" If you had not come I should certainly -- yes,
+certainly -- have been accepted by this time. If you had
+not seen her you might have been married to Fanny.
+Well, there's too much difference between Miss Ever+
+dene's station and your own for this flirtation with her
+ever to benefit you by ending in marriage. So all I ask
+is, don't molest her any more. Marry Fanny.
+make it worth your while.'
+" How will you ?'
+" I'll pay you well now, I'll settle a sum of money
+upon her, and I'll see that you don't suffer from poverty
+in the future. I'll put it clearly. Bathsheba is only
+playing with you: you are too poor for her as I said;
+so give up wasting your time about a great match you'll
+never make for a moderate and rightful match you may
+make to-morrow; take up your carpet-bag, turn about,
+leave Weatherbury now, this night, and you shall take
+fifty pounds with you. Fanny shall have fifty to enable
+her to prepare for the wedding, when you have told me
+where she is living, and she shall have five hundred
+paid down on her wedding-day.'
+<P 286>
+In making this statement Boldwood's voice revealed
+only too clearly a consciousness of the weakness of his
+position, his aims, and his method. His manner had
+lapsed quite from that of the firm and dignified Bold+
+wood of former times; and such a scheme as he had
+now engaged in he would have condemned as childishly
+imbecile only a few months ago. We discern a grand
+force in the lover which helacks whilst a free man; but
+there is a breadth of vision in the free man which in
+the lover we vainly seek. Where there is much bias
+there must be some narrowness, and love, though added
+emotion, is subtracted capacity. Boldwood exemplified
+this to an abnormal degree: he knew nothing of Fanny
+Robin's circumstances or whereabouts, he knew nothing
+of Troy's possibilities, yet that was what he said.
+" I like Fanny best,' said Troy; "and if, as you say,
+Miss Everdene is out of my reach, why I have all to
+gain by accepting your money, and marrying Fan. But
+she's only a servant.'
+" Never mind -- do you agree to my arrangement ?'
+" I do.'
+" Ah ! ' said Boldwood, in a more elastic voice. "O,
+Troy, if you like her best, why then did you step in here
+and injure my happiness ? '
+" I love Fanny best now,' said Troy. "But
+Bathsh -- -- Miss Everdene inflamed me, and displaced
+Fanny for a time. It is over now.'
+" Why should it be over so soon? And why then
+did you come here again ? '
+" There are weighty reasons. Fifty pounds at once,
+you said !'
+" I did,' said Boldwood, " and here they are -- fifty
+sovereigns.' He handed Troy a small packet.
+" You have everything ready -- it seems that you
+calculated on my accepting them,' said the sergeant,
+taking the packet.
+" I thought you might accept them,' said Boldwood.
+" You've only my word that the programme shall be
+adhered to, whilst I at any rate have fifty pounds.'
+" l had thought of that, and l have considered that
+if I can't appeal to your honour I can trust to your --
+well, shrewdness we'll call it -- not to lose five hundred
+pounds in prospect, and
+<P 287>
+also make a bitter enemy of a
+man who is willing to be an extremely useful friend.'
+" Stop, listen ! ' said Troy in a whisper.
+A light pit-pat was audible upon the road just above
+them.
+'By George -- 'tis she,' he continued. 'I must go
+on and meet her.'
+'She -- who ? '
+'Bathsheba.'
+'Bathsheba -- out alone at this time o' night .! ' said
+Boldwood in amazement, and starting up. ' Why must
+you meet her ?'
+'She was expecting me to-night -- and I must now
+speak to her, and wish her good-bye, according to your
+wish. '
+'I don't see the necessity of speaking.'
+'It can do no harm -- and she'll be wandering about
+looking for me if I don't. You shall hear all I say to her.
+It will help you in your love-making when I am gone.'
+'Your tone is mocking.'
+'O no. And renaember this, if she does not know
+what has become of me, she will think more about me
+than if I tell her flatly I have come to give her up.'
+'Will you confine your words to that one point ? -- +
+Shall I hear every word you say ? '
+'Every word. Now sit still there, and hold my'
+carpet bag for me, and mark what you hear.'
+The light footstep came closer, halting occasionally,
+as if the walker listened for a sound. Troy whistled a
+double note in a soft, fluty tone.
+'Come to that, is it ! ' murmured Boldwood, uneasily.
+'You promised silence,' said Troy.
+'I promise again.'
+Troy stepped forward.
+'Frank, dearest, is that you ? ' The tones were
+Bathsheba's.
+'O God .! ' said Boldwood.
+'Yes,' said Troy to her.
+'How late you are,' she continued, tenderly. 'Did
+you come by the carrier ? I listened and heard his
+wheels entering the village, but it was some time ago,
+and I had almost given you up, Frank.'
+<P 288>
+'I was sure to come,' said Frank. 'You knew I
+should, did you not ? '
+'Well, I thought you would,' she said, playfully ;
+'and, Frank, it is so lucky .! There's not a soul in my
+house but me to-night. I've packed them all off so
+nobody on earth will know of your visit to your lady's
+bower. Liddy wanted to go to her grandfather's to
+tell him about her holiday, and I said she might stay
+with them till to-morrow -- when you'll be gone again.'
+'Capital,' said Troy. ' But, dear me, I. had better
+go back for my bag, because my slippers and brush and
+comb are in it; you run home whilst I fetch it, and I'll
+promise to be in your parlour in ten minutes.'
+'Yes.' She turned and tripped up the hill again.
+During the progress of this dialogue there was a
+nervous twitching of Boldwood's tightly closed lips, and
+his face became bathed in a clammy dew. He now
+started forward towards Troy. Troy turned to him and
+took up the bag.
+'Shall I tell her I have come to give her up and
+cannot marry her ? ' said the soldier, mockingly.
+'No, no; wait a minute. I want to say more to
+you -- more to you !. ' said Boldwood, in a hoarse whisper.
+'Now,' said Troy, ' you see my dilemma. Perhaps
+I am a bad man -- the victim of my impulses -- led away
+to do what I ought to leave undone. I can't, however,
+marry them both. And I have two reasons for- choosing
+Fanny. First, I like her best upon the whole, and
+second, you make it worth my while.'
+At the same instant Boldwood sprang upon him, and
+held him by the neck. Troy felt Boldwood's grasp slowly
+tightening. The move was absolutely unexpected.
+'A moment,' he gasped. 'You are injuring her you
+love .! '
+'Well, what do you mean ? ' said the farmer.
+Give me breath,' said Troy.
+Boldwood loosened his hand, saying, 'By Heaven,
+I've a mind to kill you .!'
+'And ruin her.'
+'Save her.'
+'Oh, how can she be saved now, unless I marry her ? '
+<P 289>
+Boldwood groaned. He reluctantly released the
+soldier, and flung him back against the hedge. 'Devil,
+you torture me .! ' said he.
+Troy rebounded like a ball, and was about to make
+a dash at the farmer; but he checked himself, saying
+lightly --
+'It is not worth while to measure my strength with
+you. Indeed it is a barbarous way of settling a quarrel.
+I shall shortly leave the army because of the same
+conviction. Now after that revelation of how the land
+lies with Bathsheba, 'twould be a mistake to kill me,
+would it not?'
+''Twould be a mistake to kill you,' repeated Boldwood,
+mechanically, with a bowed head.
+'Better kill yourself.'
+' Far better.'
+'I'm glad you see it.'
+'Troy, make her your wife, and don't act upon what
+I arranged just now. The alternative is dreadful, but
+take Bathsheba; I give her up .! She must love you
+indeed to sell soul and body to you so utterly as she
+has done. Wretched woman -- deluded woman -- you
+are, Bathsheba .! '
+'But about Fanny ? '
+'Bathsheba is a woman well to do,' continued Bold+
+wood, in nervous anxiety, 'and, Troy, she will make a
+good wife ; and, indeed, she is worth your hastening
+on your marriage with her .! '
+'But she has a wili-not to say a temper, and I shall
+be a mere slave to her. I could do anything with poor
+Fanny Robin.'
+'Troy,' said Boldwood, imploringly, ' I'll do anything
+for you, only don't desert her; pray don't desert her,
+Troy.'
+'Which, poor Fanny ? '
+'No ; Bathsheba Everdene. Love her best .! Love
+her tenderly !. How shall I get you to see how advan+
+tageous it will be to you to secure her at once ?'
+'I don't wish to secure her in any new way.'
+Boldwood's arm moved spasmodically towards Troy's
+person again. He repressed the instinct, and his form
+drooped as with pain.
+Troy went on --
+<P 290>
+"I shall soon purchase my discharge, and then -- -- '
+'But I wish you to hasten on this marriage !. It will
+be better for you both. You love each other, and you
+must let me help you to do it.'
+'How ? '
+'Why, by settling the five hundred on Bathsheba
+instead of Fanny, to enable you to marry at once.
+No ; she wouldn't have it of me. I'll pay it down to
+you on the wedding-day.'
+Troy paused in secret amazement at Boldwood's
+wild infatuation. He carelessly said, 'And am I to
+have anything now ? '
+'Yes, if you wish to. But I have not much additional
+money with me. I did not expect this; but all I have
+is yours.'
+Boldwood, more like a somnambulist than a wakeful
+man, pulled out the large canvas bag he carried by way
+of a purse, and searched it.
+'I have twenty-one pounds more with me,' he said.
+'Two notes and a sovereign. But before I leave you
+I must have a paper signed -- -- '
+'Pay me the money, and we'll go straight to her
+parlour, and make any arrangement you please to secure
+my compliance with your wishes. But she must know
+nothing of this cash business.'
+' Nothing, nothing,' said Boldwood, hastily. 'Here
+is the sum, and if you'll come to my house we'll write
+out the agreement for the remainder, and the terms
+also.'
+' First we'll call upon her.'
+'But why? Come with me to-night, and go with
+me to-morrow to the surrogate's.'
+'But she must be consulted; at any rate informed.'
+'Very well; go on.'
+They went up the hill to Bathsheba's house. When
+they stood at the entrance, Troy said, 'Wait here a
+moment.' Opening the door, he glided inside, leaving
+the door ajar.
+Boldwood waited. In two minutes a light appeared
+in the passage. Boldwood then saw that the chain
+had been fastened across the door. Troy appeared
+inside, carrying a bedroom candlestick.
+<P 291>
+'What, did you think I should break in ?' said
+Boldwood, contemptuously.
+'Oh, no; it is merely my humour to secure things.
+Will you read this a moment ? I'll hold the light.'
+Troy handed a folded newspaper through the slit
+between door and doorpost, and put the candle close.
+'That's the paragraph,' he said, placing his finger on
+a line.
+Boldwood looked and read --
+'MARRIAGES.
+'On the 17th inst., at St. Ambrose's Church, Bath,
+by the Rev. G. Mincing, B.A., Francis Troy, only son
+of the late Edward Troy, Esq., H.D., of Weatherbury,
+and sergeant iith Dragoon Guards, to Bathsheba, only
+surviving daughter of the late Mr, John Everdene, of
+Casterbridge.'
+'This may be called Fort meeting Feeble, hey,
+Boldwood ?' said Troy. A low gurgle of derisive
+laughter followed the words.
+The paper fell from Boldwood's hands. Troy
+continued --
+'Fifty pounds to marry Fanny, Good. Twenty-+
+one pounds not to marry Fanny, but Bathsheba. Good.
+Finale : already Bathsheba's husband. Now, Boldwood,
+yours is the ridiculous fate which always attends inter+
+ference between a man and his wife. And another
+word. Bad as I am, I am not such a villain as to
+make the marriage or misery of any woman a matter
+of huckster and sale. Fanny has long ago left me.
+don't know where she is. I have searched everywhere.
+Another word yet. You say you love Bathsheba ; yet
+on the merest apparent evidence you instantly believe
+in her dishonour. A fig for such love !. Now that I've
+taught you a lesson, take your money back again.'
+'I will not ; I will not !. ' said Boldwood, in a hiss.
+'Anyhow I won't have it,' said Troy, contemptuously.
+He wrapped the packet of gold in the notes, and threw
+the whole into the road.
+Boldwood shook his clenched fist at him. 'You
+juggler of Satan .! You black hound .! But I'll punish
+you yet ; mark me, I'll punish you yet !. '
+<P 292>
+Another peal of laughter. Troy then closed the
+door, and locked himself in.
+Throughout the whole of that night Boldwood's dark
+downs of Weatherbury like an unhappy Shade in the
+Mournful Fields by Acheron.
+<C xxxv>
+<P 293>
+CHAPTER XXXV
+AT AN UPPER WINDOW
+IT was very early the next morning -- a time of sun and
+dew. The confused beginnings of many birds' songs
+spread into the healthy air, and the wan blue of the
+heaven was here and there coated with thin webs of
+incorporeal cloud which were of no efect in obscuring
+day. All the lights in the scene were yellow as to
+colour, and all the shadows were attenuated as to form.
+The creeping plants about the old manor-house were
+bowed with rows of heavy water drops, which had upon
+objects behind them the effect of minute lenses of high
+magnifying power.
+Just before the clock struck five Gabriel Oak and
+Coggan passed the village cross, and went on together
+to the fields. They were yet barely in view of their
+mistress"s house, when Oak fancied he saw the opening
+of a casement in one of the upper windows. The two
+men were at this moment partially screened by an elder
+bush, now beginning to be enriched with black bunches
+of fruit, and they paused before emerging from its
+shade.
+A handsome man leaned idly from the lattice. He
+looked east and then west, in the manner of one who
+makes a first morning survey. The man was Sergeant
+Troy. His red jacket was loosely thrown on, but not
+buttoned, and he had altogether the relaxed bearing of
+a soldier taking his ease.
+Coggan spoke first, looking quietly at the window.
+'She has married him ! ' he said.
+Gabriel had previously beheld the sight, and he now
+stood with his back turned, making no reply.
+'I fancied we should know something to-day,' con+
+tinued Coggan. 'I heard wheels pass my door just
+after dark -- you were out somewhere.'He glanced
+round upon Gabriel. 'Good
+<P 294>
+heavens above us, Oak,
+how white your face is; you look like a corpse !.'
+'Do I?' said Oak, with a faint smile.
+'Lean on the gate: I'll wait a bit.'
+',All right, all right. '
+They stood by the gate awhile, Gabriel listlessly
+staring at the ground. His mind sped into the future,
+and saw there enacted in years of leisure the scenes o
+repentance that would ensue from this work of haste
+That they were married he had instantly decided. Why
+had it been so mysteriously managed ? It had become
+known that she had had a fearful journey to Bath, owing
+to her miscalculating the distance : that the horse had
+broken down, and that she had been more than two
+days getting there. It was not Bathsheba's way to do
+things furtively. With all her faults, she was candour
+itself. Could she have been entrapped ? The union
+was not only an unutterable grief to him: it amazed
+him, notwithstanding that he had passed the preceding
+week in a suspicion that such might be the issue of
+Troy's meeting her away from home. Her quiet return
+with liddy had to some extent dispersed the dread.
+Just as that imperceptible motion which appears like
+stillness is infinitely divided in its properties from stili
+ness itself, so had his hope undistinguishable from
+despair differed from despair indeed.
+In a few minutes they moved on again towards the
+house. The sergeant still looked from the window.
+'Morning, comrades .! ' he shouted, in a cheery voice,
+when they came up.
+Coggan replied to the greeting. ' Bain't ye going to
+answer the man ?' he then said to Gabriel. 'I'd say
+good morning -- you needn't spend a hapeth of meaning
+upon it, and yet keep the man civil.'
+Gabriel soon decided too that, since the deed was
+done, to put the best face upon the matter would be the
+greatest kindness to her he loved.
+'Good morning, Sergeant Troy,' he returned, in a
+ghastly voice.
+'A rambling, gloomy house this,' said Troy, smiling.
+<P 295>
+' Why -- they may not be married .! ' suggested Coggan.
+' Perhaps she's not there.'
+Gabriel shook his head. The soldier turned a little
+towards the east, and the sun kindled his scarlet coat
+to an orange glow.
+'But it is a nice old house,' responded Gabriel.
+'Yes-i suppose so; but I feel like new wine in an
+old bottle here. My notion is that sash-windows should
+be put throughout, and these old wainscoted walls
+brightened up a bit ; or the oak cleared quite away, and
+the walls papered.'
+'It would be a pity, I think.'
+'Well, no. A philosopher once said in my hearing
+that the old builders, who worked when art was a living
+thing, had no respect for the work of builders who went
+before them, but pulled down and altered as they
+thought fit; and why shouldn't we ? ''Creation and
+preservation don't do well together,'' says he, ''and a
+million of antiquarians can't invent a style.'' My mind
+exactly. I am for niaking this place more modern, that
+we may be cheerful whilst we can.'
+The military man turned and surveyed the interior
+of the room, to assist his ideas of improvement in this
+direction. Gabriel and Coggan began to move on.
+' Oh, Coggan,' said Troy, as if inspired by a recollec+
+tion ' do you know if insanity has ever appeared in Mr.
+Boldwood's family ? '
+Jan reflected for a moment.
+'I once heard that an uncle of his was queer in his
+head, but I don't know the rights o't,' he said.
+'It is of no importance,' said Troy, lightly. 'Well,
+I shall be down in the fields with you some time this
+week ; but I have a few matters to attend to first. So
+good-day to you. We shall, of course, keep on just as
+friendly terms as usual. I'm not a proud man : nobody
+is ever able to say that of Sergeant Troy. However,
+what is must be, and here's half-a-crown to drink my
+health, men.'
+Troy threw the coin dexterously across the front plot
+and over the fence towards Gabriel, who shunned it in
+its fall, his face turning to an angry red. Coggan
+twirled his eye, edged
+<P 296>
+forward, and caught the money
+in its ricochet upon the road.
+' very weli-you keep it, Coggan,' said Gabriel with
+disdain and almost fiercely. 'As for me, I'll do with+
+out gifts from him !'
+'Don't show it too much,' said Coggan, musingly.
+'For if he's married to her, mark my words, he'll buy
+his discharge and be our master here. Therefore 'tis
+well to say '' Friend '' outwardly, though you say
+''Troublehouse '' within. '
+' Weli-perhaps it is best to be silent; but I can't
+go further than that. I can't flatter, and if my place
+here is only to be kept by smoothing him down, my
+place must be lost.'
+A horseman, whom they had for some time seen in
+the distance, now appeared close beside them.
+' There's Mr. Boldwood,' said Oak. ' I wonder what
+Troy meant by his question.'
+Coggan and Oak nodded respectfully to the farmer,
+just checked their paces to discover if they were wanted,
+and finding they were not stood back to let him pass on.
+The only signs of the terrible sorrow Boldwood had
+been combating through the night, and was combating
+now, were the want of colour in his welidefined face,
+the enlarged appearance of the veins in his forehead
+and temples, and the sharper lines about his mouth.
+The horse bore him away, and the very step of the
+animal seemed significant of dogged despair. Gabriel, for
+a minute, rose above his own grief in noticing Boldwood's.
+He saw the square figure sitting erect upon the horse,
+the head turned to neither side, the elbows steady by
+the hips, the brim of the hat level and undisturbed in
+its onward glide, until the keen edges of Boldwood's
+shape sank by degrees over the hill. To one who knew
+the man and his story there was something more striking
+in this immobility than in a collapse. The clash of
+discord between mood and matter here was forced
+painfully home to the heart ; and, as in laughter there are
+more dreadful phases than in tears, so was there in the
+steadiness of this agonized man an expression deeper
+than a cry.
+<C xxxvi>
+<P 297>
+WEALTH IN JEOPARDY -- THE RVEEL
+ONE night, at the end of August, when Bathsheba's
+experiences as a married woman were still new, and
+when the weather was yet dry and sultry, a man stood
+motionless in the stackyard of Weatherbury Upper
+Farm, looking at the moon and sky.
+The night had a sinister aspect. A heated breeze
+from the south slowly fanned the summits of lofty
+objects, and in the sky dashes of buoyant cloud were
+sailing in a course at right angles to that of another
+stratum, neither of them in the direction of the breeze
+below. The moon, as seen through these films, had
+a lurid metallic look. The fields were sallow with the
+impure light, and all were tinged in monochrome, as
+if beheld through stained glass. The same evening
+the sheep had trailed homeward head to tail, the
+behaviour of the rooks had heen confused, and the
+horses had moved with timidity and caution.
+Thunder was imminent, and, taking some secondary
+appearances into consideration, it was likely to be
+followed by one of the lengthened rains which mark
+the close of dry weather for the season. Before twelve
+hours had passed a harvest atmosphere would be a
+bygone thing.
+Oak gazed with misgiving at eight naked and un'
+protected ricks, massive and heavy with the rich
+produce of one-half the farm for that year. He went
+on to the barn.
+This was the night which had been selected by
+Sergeant Troy -- ruling now in the room of his wife --
+for giving the harvest supper and dance. As Oak
+approached the building the sound of violins and a
+tambourine, and the regular jigging of many feet, grew
+more distinct. He came close to the large doors, one
+of which stood slightly ajar, and looked in.
+The central space, together with the recess at one
+end, was
+<P 298>
+emptied of all incumbrances, and this area,
+covering about two-thirds of the whole, was appropriated
+for the gathering, the remaining end, which was piled
+to the ceiling with oats, being screened off with sail'
+cloth. Tufts and garlands of green foliage decomted
+the walls, beams, and extemporized chandeliers, and
+immediately opposite to Oak a rostrum had been
+erected, bearing a table and chairs. Here sat three
+fiddlers, and beside them stood a frantic man with his
+hair on end, perspiration streaming down his cheeks,
+and a tanabourine quivering in his hand.
+The dance ended, and on the black oak floor in the
+midst a new row of couples formed for another.
+'Now, ma'am, and no offence I hope, I ask what
+dance you would like next ?' said the first violin.
+'Really, it makes no difference,' said the clear voice
+of Bathsheba, who stood at the inner end of the build+
+ing, observing the scene from behind a table covered
+with cups and viands. Troy was lolling beside her.
+'Then,' said the fiddler, 'I'll venture to name that
+the right and proper thing is ''The Soldier's Joy'' --
+there being a gallant soldier married into the farm --
+hey, my sonnies, and gentlemen all ? '
+'It shall be ''The Soldier's Joy,''' exclaimed a
+chorus.
+'Thanks for the compliment,' said the sergeant
+THE REVEL
+gaily, taking Bathsheba by the hand and leading her
+to the top of the dance. 'For though I have pur+
+chased my discharge from Her Most Gracious Majesty's
+regiment of cavalry the 11th Dragoon Guards, to attend
+to the new duties awaiting me here, I shall continue a
+soldier in spirit and feeling as long as I live.'
+So the dance began. As to the merits of 'The
+Soldier's Joy,' there cannot be, and never were, two
+opinions. It has been observed in the musical circles
+of Weatherbury and its vicinity that this melody, at
+the end of three-quarters of an hour of thunderous
+footing, still possesses more stimulative properties for
+the heel and toe than the majority of other dances at
+their first opening. 'The Soldier's Joy' has, too, an
+additional charm, in being so admirably adapted to
+the tambourine aforesaid -- no mean instrument in the
+hands of a performer
+<P 299>
+who understands the proper
+convulsions, spasms, St. vitus's dances, and fearful
+frenzies necessary when exhibiting its tones in their
+highest perfection.
+The immortal tune ended, a fine DD rolling forth
+from the bass-viol with the sonorousness of a cannonade,
+and Gabriel delayed his entry no longer. He avoided
+Bathsheba, and got as near as possible to the platform,
+where Sergeant Troy was now seated, drinking brandy+
+and-water, though the others drank without exception
+cider and ale. Gabriel could not easily thrust himself
+within speaking distance of the sergeant, and he sent
+a message, asking him to come down for a moment.
+'The sergeant said he could not attend.
+'Will you tell him, then,' said Gabriel, 'that I only
+stepped ath'art to say that a heavy rain is sure to fall
+soon, and that something should be done to protect
+the ricks ?'
+'M. Troy says it will not rain,' returned the
+messenger, 'and he cannot stop to talk to you about
+such fidgets.'
+In Juxtaposition with Troy, Oak had a melancholy
+tendency to look like a candle beside gas, and ill at
+ease, he went out again, thinking he would go home ;
+for, under the circumstances, he had no heart for the
+scene in the barn. At the door he paused for a
+moment : Troy was speaking.
+'Friends, it is not only the harvest home that we
+are celebrating to-night; but this is also a Wedding
+Feast. A short time ago I had the happiness to lead
+to the altar this lady, your mistress, and not until now
+have we been able to give any public flourish to the
+event in Weatherbury. That it may be thoroughly
+well done, and that every man may go happy to bed,
+I have ordered to be brought here some bottles of
+brandy and kettles of hot water. A treble-strong
+goblet will he handed round to each guest.'
+Bathsheba put her hand upon his arm, and, with
+upturned pale face, said imploringly, ' No -- don't give
+it to them -- pray don't, Frank .! It will only do them
+harm : they have had enough of everything.'
+'True -- we don't wish for no more, thank ye,' said
+one or two.
+'Pooh .! ' said the sergeant contemptuously, and
+raised his
+<P 300>
+voice as if lighted up by a new idea.
+' Friends,' he said, ' we'll send the women-folk home .!
+'Tis time they were in bed. Then we cockbirds will
+have a jolly carouse to ourselves .! If any of the men
+show the white feather, let them look elsewhere for a
+winter's work.'
+Bathsheba indignantly left the barn, followed by
+all the women and children. The musicians, not
+looking upon themselves as ' company,' slipped quietly
+away to their spring waggon and put in the horse.
+Thus Troy and the men on the farm were left sole
+occupants of the place. Oak, not to appear unneces+
+sarily disagreeable, stayed a little while ; then he, too,
+arose and quietly took his departure, followed by a
+friendly oath from the sergeant for not staying to a
+second round of grog.
+Gabriel proceeded towards his home. In approach+
+ing the door, his toe kicked something which felt and
+sounded soft, leathery, and distended, like a boxing+
+glove. It was a large toad humbly travelling across
+the path. Oak took it up, thinking it might be better
+to kill the creature to save it from pain; but finding
+it uninjured, he placed it again among the grass. He
+knew what this direct message from the Great Mother
+meant. And soon came another.
+When he struck a light indoors there appeared upon
+the table a thin glistening streak, as if a brush of varnish
+had been lightly dragged across it. Oak's eyes followed
+the serpentine sheen to the other side, where it led up
+to a huge brown garden-slug, which had come indoors
+to-night for reasons of its own. It was Nature's second
+way of hinting to him that he was to prepare for foul
+weather.
+Oak sat down meditating for nearly an hour.
+During this time two black spiders, of the kind common
+in thatched houses, promenaded the ceiling, ultimately
+dropping to the floor. This reminded him that if there
+was one class of manifestation on this matter that he
+thoroughly understood, it was the instincts of sheep.
+He left the room, ran across two or three fields towards
+the flock, got upon a hedge, and looked over among
+them.
+They were crowded close together on the other side
+around some
+<P 301>
+furze bushes, and the first peculiarity ob+
+servable was that, on the sudden appearance of Oak's
+head over the fence, they did not stir or run away.
+They had now a terror of something greater than their
+terror of man. But this was not the most noteworthy
+feature : they were all grouped in such a way that their
+tails, without a single exception, were towards that half
+of the horizon from which the storm threatened. There
+was an inner circle closely huddled, and outside these
+they radiated wider apart, the pattern formed by the
+flock as a whole not being unlike a vandyked lace
+collar, to which the clump of furze-bushes stood in the
+position of a wearer's neck.
+opinion. He knew now that he was right, and that
+Troy was wrong. Every voice in nature was unanimous
+in bespeaking change. But two distinct translations
+attached to these dumb expressions. Apparently there
+was to be a thunder-storm, and afterwards a cold con+
+tinuous rain. The creeping things seemed to know all
+about the later rain, hut little of the interpolated
+thunder-storm ; whilst the sheep knew all about the
+thunder-storm and nothing of the later rain.
+This complication of weathers being uncommon,
+was all the more to be feared. Oak returned to the
+stack-yard. All was silent here, and the conical tips of
+the ricks jutted darkly into the sky. There were five
+wheat-ricks in this yard, and three stacks of barley.
+The wheat when threshed would average about thirty
+quarters to each stack ; the barley, at least forty. Their
+value to Bathsheba, and indeed to anybody, Oak
+mentally estimated by the following simple calcula+
+tion : --
+5 x 30 = 150 quarters= 500fl.
+3 x 40=120 quarters= 250l.
+Total . . 750l.
+Seven hundred and fifty pounds in the divinest form
+that money can wear -- that of necessary food for man
+and beast : should the risk be run cf deteriorating this
+bulk of corn to less than half its value, because of the
+instability of a woman ? 'Never, if I can prevent it.! '
+said Gabriel.
+<P 302>
+Such was the argument that Oak set outwardly before
+him. But man, even to himself, is a palimpsest, having
+an ostensible writing, and another beneath the lines.
+It is possible that there was this golden legend under
+the utilitarian one: 'I will help to my last effort the
+woman I have loved so dearly.'
+He went back to the barn to endeavour to obtain
+assistance for covering the ricks that very
+<P 303>
+night. All
+was silent within, and he would have passed on in the
+belief that the party had broken up, had not a dim
+light, yellow as saffron by contrast with the greenish
+whiteness outside, streamed through a knot-hole in the
+folding doors.
+Gabriel looked in. An unusual picture met his
+eye.
+The candles suspended among the evergreens had
+burnt down to their sockets, and in some cases the
+leaves tied about them were scorched. Many of the
+lights had quite gone out, others smoked and stank,
+grease dropping from them upon the floor. Here,
+under the table, and leaning against forms and chairs
+in every conceivable attitude except the perpendicular, !'
+were the wretched persons of all the work-folk, the hair
+of their heads at such low levels being suggestive of
+mops and brooms. In the midst of these shone red
+and distinct the figure of Sergeant Troy, leaning back
+in a chair. Coggan was on his back, with his mouth
+open, huzzing forth snores, as were several others ; the
+united breathings of the horizonal assemblage forming
+a subdued roar like London from a distance. Joseph
+Poorgrass was curled round in the fashion of a hedge+
+hog, apparently in attempts to present the least possible
+portion of his surface to the air; and behind him was
+dimly visible an unimportant remnant of William Smali
+bury. The glasses and cups still stood upon the table,
+a water-jug being overturned, from which a small rill,
+after tracing its course with marvellous precision down
+the centre of the long table, fell into the neck of the
+unconscious Mark Clark, in a steady, monotonous drip,
+like the dripping of a stalactite in a cave.
+Gabriel glanced hopelessly at the group, which, with
+one or two exceptions, composed all the able-bodied
+men upon the farm. He saw at once that if the ricks
+were to be saved that night, or even the next morning,
+he must save them with his own hands.
+A faint ' ting-ting ' resounded from under Coggan's
+waistcoat. It was Coggan's watch striking the hour of
+two.
+Oak went to the recumbent form of Matthew Moon,
+who usually undertook the rough thatching of the home+
+stead, and shook him. The shaking was without effect.
+Gabriel shouted in his ear, ' where's your thatching+
+beetle and rick-stick and spars ? '
+' Under the staddles,' said Moon, mechanically, with
+the unconscious promptness of a medium.
+Gabriel let go his head, and it dropped upon the
+floor like a bowl. He then went to Susan Tall's
+husband.
+' where's the key of the granary ? '
+No answer. The question was repeated, with the
+same result. To be shouted to at night was evidently
+less of a novelty to Susan Tall's husband than to
+Matthew Moon. Oak flung down Tall's head into the
+corner again and turned away.
+To be just, the men were not greatly to blame for
+this painful and demoralizing termination to the
+evening's entertainment. Sergeant Troy had so strenu+
+ously insisted, glass in hand, that drinking should be
+the bond of their union, that those who wished to refuse
+hardly liked to be so unmannerly under the circum+
+stances. Having from their youth up been entirely un+
+accustomed to any liquor stronger than cider or mild
+ale, it was no wonder that they had succumbed, one
+and all, with extraordinary uniformity, after the lapse of
+about an hour.
+Gabriel was greatly depressed. This debauch boded
+ill for that wilful and fascinating mistress whom the
+faithful man even now felt within him as the embodi+
+ment of all that was sweet and bright and hopeless.
+He put out the expiring lights, that the barn might
+not be endangered, closed the door upon the men in
+their deep and oblivious sleep, and went again into the
+lone night. A hot breeze, as if breathed from the
+parted lips of some dragon about to swallow the globe,
+fanned him from the south, while directly opposite in
+the north rose a grim misshapen body of
+<P 304>
+cloud, in the
+very teeth of the wind. So unnaturally did it rise that
+one could fancy it to be lifted by machinery from below.
+Meanwhile the faint cloudlets had flown back into the
+south-east corner of the sky, as if in terror of the large
+cloud, like a young brood gazed in upon by some
+monster.
+Going on to the village, Oak flung a small stone
+against the window of Laban Tall's bedroom, expecting
+Susan to open it ; but nobody stirred. He went round
+to the back door, which had been left unfastened for
+Laban's entry, and passed in to the foot of the stair+
+case.
+'Mrs. Tall, I've come for the key of the granary,
+to get at the rick-cloths,' said Oak, in a stentorian
+voice.
+'Is that you ? ' said Mrs. Susan Tall, half awake.
+' Yes,' said Gabriel.
+'Come along to bed, do, you drawlatching rogue --
+keeping a body awake like this .'
+'It isn't Laban -- 'tis Gabriel Oak. I want the key
+of the granary.'
+'Gabriel. what in the name of fortune did you
+pretend to be Laban for ?'
+' I didn't. I thought you meant -- -- '
+'yes you did !. what do you want here ?'
+'The key of the granary.'
+"Take it then. 'Tis on the nail. People coming
+disturbing women at this time of night ought -- -- '
+Gabriel took the key, without waiting to hear the
+conclusion of the tirade. Ten minutes later his lonely
+figure might have been seen dragging four large water+
+proof coverings across the yard, and soon two of these
+heaps of treasure in grain were covered snug -- two cloths
+to each. Two hundred pounds were secured. Three
+wheat-stacks remained open, and there were no more
+cloths. Oak looked under the staddles and found a
+fork. He mounted the third pile of wealth and began
+operating, adopting the plan of sloping the upper
+sheaves one over the other; and, in addition, filling
+the interstices with the material of some untied sheaves.
+So far all was well. By this hurried contrivance
+Bathsheba's
+<P 305>
+property in wheat was safe for at any rate
+a week or two, provided always that there was not
+much wind.
+Next came the barley. This it was only possible to
+protect by systematic thatching. Time went on, and
+the moon vanished not to reappear. It was the
+farewell of the ambassador previous to war. The
+night had a haggard look, like a sick thing; and there
+came finally an utter expiration of air from the whole
+heaven in the form of a slow breeze, which might have
+been likened to a death. And now nothing was heard
+in the yard but the dull thuds of the beetle which drove
+in the spars, and the rustle of thatch in the intervals.
+THE STORM
+<C xxxvii>
+<P 306>
+THE STORM -- THE TWO TOGETHER
+A LIGHT flapped over the scene, as if reflected from
+phosphorescent wings crossing the sky, and a rumble
+filled the air. It was the first move of the approaching
+storm.
+The second peal was noisy, with comparatively little
+visible lightning. Gabriel saw a candle shining in Bath+
+sheba's bedroom, and soon a shadow swept to and fro
+upon the blind.
+Then there came a third flash. Manoeuvres of a
+most extraordinary kind were going on in the vast
+firmamental hollows overhead. The lightning now was
+the colour of silver, and gleamed in the heavens like a
+mailed army. Rumbles became rattles. Gabriel from
+his elevated position could see over the landscape at
+least half-a-dozen miles in front. Every hedge, bush,
+and tree was distinct as in a line engraving. In a
+paddock in the same direction was a herd of heifers,
+and the forms of these were visible at this moment in
+the act of galloping about in the wildest and maddest
+confusion, flinging their heels and tails high into the air,
+their heads to earth. A poplar in the immediate fore+
+ground was like an ink stroke on burnished tin. Then
+the picture vanished, leaving the darkness so intense
+that Gabriel worked entirely by feeling with his hands.
+He had stuck his ricking-rod, or poniard, as it was
+indifferently called -- a long iron lance, polished by
+handling -- into the stack, used to support the sheaves
+instead of the support called a groom used on houses,
+A blue light appeared in the zenith, and in some in+
+describable manner flickered down near the top of the
+rod. It was the fourth of the larger flashes. A moment
+later and there was a smack -- smart, clear, and short,
+Gabriel felt his position to be anything but a safe one,
+and he resolved to descend.
+Not a drop of rain had fallen as yet. He wiped his
+weary brow, and looked again at the black forms of
+the unprotected
+<P 307>
+stacks. Was his life so valuable to
+him after all? What were his prospects that he
+should be so chary of running risk, when important
+and urgent labour could not be carried on without
+such risk ? He resolved to stick to the stack. How+
+ever, he took a precaution. Under the staddles was
+a long tethering chain, used to prevent the escape of
+errant horses. This he carried up the ladder, and
+sticking his rod through the clog at one end, allowed
+the other end of the chain to trail upon the ground
+The spike attached to it he drove in. Under the
+shadow of this extemporized lightning-conductor he
+felt himself comparatively safe.
+Before Oak had laid his hands upon his tools again
+out leapt the fifth flash, with the spring of a serpent
+and the shout of a fiend. It was green as an
+emerald, and the reverberation was stunning. What
+was this the light revealed to him? In the open
+ground before him, as he looked over the ridge of
+the rick, was a dark and apparently female form.
+Could it be that of the only venturesome woman in
+the parish -- Bathsheba ? The form moved on a step :
+then he could see no more.
+"Is that you, ma'am ? ' said Gabriel to the darkness.
+"Who is there ?' said the voice of Bathsheba,
+THE TWO TOGETHER
+"Gabriel. I am on the rick, thatching.'
+"O, Gabriel ! -- and are you ? I have come about
+them. The weather awoke me, and I thought of the
+corn. I am so distressed about it -- can we save it any+
+how ? I cannot find my husband. Is he with you ?'
+"He is not here.'
+"Do you know where he is ?'
+"Asleep in the barn.'
+"He promised that the stacks should be seen to,
+and now they are all neglected ! Can I do anything
+to help ? Liddy is afraid to come out. Fancy finding
+you here at such an hour ! Surely I can do something ? '
+"You can bring up some reed-sheaves to me, one by
+one, ma'am; if you are not afraid to come up the ladder
+in the dark,' said Gabriel. "Every moment is precious
+now, and that would save a good deal of time. It is
+not very dark when the lightning has been gone a bit.'
+<P 308>
+"I'll do anything ! ' she said, resolutely. She instantly
+took a sheaf upon her shoulder, clambered up close to
+his heels, placed it behind the rod, and descended for
+another. At her third ascent the rick suddenly brightened
+with the brazen glare of shining majolica -- every knot
+in every straw was visible. On the slope in front of him
+appeared two human shapes, black as jet. The rick
+lost its sheen -- -the shapes vanished. Gabriel turned his
+head. It had been the sixth flash which had come from
+the east behind him, and the two dark forms on the
+slope had been the shadows of himself and Bathsheba.
+Then came the peal. It hardly was credible that
+such a heavenly light could be the parent of such a
+diabolical sound.
+"How terrible ! ' she exclaimed, and clutched him by
+the sleeve. Gabriel turned, and steadied her on her
+aerial perch by holding her arm. At the same moment,
+while he was still reversed in his attitude, there was
+more light, and he saw, as it were, a copy of the tall
+poplar tree on the hill drawn in black on the wall of
+the barn. It was the shadow of that tree, thrown across
+by a secondary flash in the west.
+The next flare came. Bathsheba was on the ground
+now, shouldering another sheaf, and she bore its dazzle
+without flinching -- thunder and ali-and again ascended
+with the load. There was then a silence everywhere
+for four or five minutes, and the crunch of the spars,
+as Gabriel hastily drove them in, could again be distinctly
+heard. He thought the crisis of the storm had passed.
+But there came a burst of light.
+"Hold on ! ' said Gabriel, taking the sheaf from her
+shoulder, and grasping her arm again.
+Heaven opened then, indeed. The flash was almost
+too novel for its inexpressibly dangerous nature to be
+at once realized, and they could only comprehend the
+magnificence of its beauty. It sprang from east, west,
+north, south, and was a perfect dance of death. The
+forms of skeletons appeared in the air, shaped with
+blue fire for bones -- dancing, leaping, striding, racing
+around, and mingling altogether in unparalleled con+
+fusion. With these were intertwined undulating snakes of
+green, and behind these was a broad mass of lesser light.
+Simultaneously came from every part of the tumbling
+<P 309>
+sky what may be called a shout ; since, though no shout
+ever came near it, it was more of the nature of a shout
+than of anything eise earthly. In the meantime one of
+the grisly forms had alighted upon the point of Gabriel's
+rod, to run invisibly down it, down the chain, and into
+the earth. Gabriel was almost blinded, and he could
+feel Bathsheba's warm arm tremble in his hand -- a
+sensation novel and thrilling enough ; but love, life,
+everything human, seemed small and trifling in such
+close juxtaposition with an infuriated universe.
+Oak had hardly time to gather up these impressions
+into a thought, and to see how strangely the red feather
+of her hat shone in this light, when the tall tree on the
+hill before mentioned seemed on fire to a white heat,
+and a new one among these terrible voices mingled with
+the last crash of those preceding. It was a stupefying
+blast, harsh and pitiless, and it fell upon their ears in a
+dead, flat blow, without that reverberation which lends
+the tones of a drum to more distant thunder. By the
+lustre reflected from every part of the earth and from the
+wide domical scoop above it, he saw that the tree was
+sliced down the whole length of its tall, straight stem, a
+huge riband of bark being apparently flung off. The
+other portion remained erect, and revealed the bared
+surface as a strip of white down the front. The
+lightning had struck the tree. A sulphurous smell
+filled the air; then all was silent, and black as a cave
+in Hinnom.
+" We had a narrow escape ! ' said Gabriel, hurriedly.
+" You had better go down.'
+Bathsheba said nothing ; but he could distinctly hear
+her rhythmical pants, and the recurrent rustle of the
+sheaf beside her in response to her frightened pulsations.
+She descended the ladder, and, on second thoughts, he
+followed her. The darkness was now impenetrable by
+the sharpest vision. They both stood still at the
+bottom, side by side. Bathsheba appeared to think
+only of the weather -- Oak thought only of her just then.
+At last he said --
+"The storm seems to have passed now, at any
+rate.'
+" I think so too,' said Bathsheba. " Though there
+are multitudes of gleams, look ! '
+<P 310>
+The sky was now filled with an incessant light,
+frequent repetition melting into complete continuity, as
+an unbroken sound results from the successive strokes
+on a gong.
+" Nothing serious,' said he. " I cannot understand
+no rain falling. But Heaven be praised, it is all the
+better for us. I am now going up again.'
+" Gabriel, you are kinder than I deserve ! I will stay
+and help you yet. O, why are not some of the others
+here ! '
+" They would have been here if they could,' said Oak,
+in a hesitating way.
+'O, I know it ali-all,' she said, adding slowly :
+" They are all asleep in the barn, in a drunken sleep, and
+my husband among them. That's it, is it not ? Don't
+think I am a timid woman and can't endure things.'
+"I am not certain,' said Gabriel. 'I will go and see,'
+He crossed to the barn, leaving her there alone. He
+looked through the chinks of the door. All was in
+total darkness, as he had left it, and there still arose, as
+at the former time, the steady buzz of many snores.
+He felt a zephyr curling about his cheek, and turned.
+It was Bathsheba's breath -- she had followed him, and
+was looking into the same chink.
+He endeavoured to put off the immediate and pain+
+ful subject of their thoughts by remarking gently, "lf
+you'll come back again, miss -- ma'am, and hand up a
+few more; it would save much time.'
+Then Oak went back again, ascended to the top,
+stepped off the ladder for greater expedition, and went
+on thatching. She followed, but without a sheaf
+" Gabriel,' she said, in a strange and impressive voice.
+Oak looked up at her. She had not spoken since
+he left the barn. The soft and continual shimmer of
+the dying lightning showed a marble face high against
+the black sky of the opposite quarter. Bathsheba was
+sitting almost on the apex of the stack, her feet gathered
+up beneath her, and resting on the top round of the
+ladder.
+" Yes, mistress,' he said.
+<P 311>
+"I suppose you thought that when I galloped away
+to Bath that night it was on purpose to be married ?"
+'I did at last -- not at first,' he answered, somewhat
+surprised at the abruptness with which this new subject
+was broached.
+" And others thought so, too ? '
+" Yes.'
+"And you blamed me for it ?'
+" Weli-a little.'
+"I thought so. Now, I care a little for your good
+opinion, and I want to explain something-i have
+longed to do it ever since I returned, and you looked so
+gravely at me. For if I were to die -- and I may die
+soon -- it would be dreadful that you should always think
+mistakenly of me. Now, listen.'
+Gabriel ceased his rustling.
+'I went to Bath that night in the full intention of
+breaking off my engagement to Mr. Troy. It was owing
+to circumstances which occurred after I got there that
+ -- that we were married. Now, do you see the matter
+in a new light?'
+" I do -- somewhat.'
+" I must, I suppose, say more, now that I have
+begun. And perhaps it's no harm, for you are certainly
+under no delusion that I ever loved you, or that I can
+have any object in speaking, more than that object I
+have mentioned. Well, I was alone in a strange city,
+and the horse was lame. And at last I didn't know
+what to do. I saw, when it was too late, that scandal
+might seize hold of me for meeting him alone in that
+way. But I was coming away, when he suddenly said
+he had that day seen a woman more beautiful than I,
+and that his constancy could not be counted on unless
+I at once became his.... And I was grieved and
+troubled -- -- ' She cleared her voice, and waited a
+moment, as if to gather breath. " And then, between
+jealousy and distraction, I married him ! ' she whispered
+with desperate impetuosity.
+Gabriel made no reply.
+"He was not to blame, for it was perfectly true about
+ -- about his seeing somebody else,' she quickly added.
+"And now I don't wish for a single remark from you
+upon the subject --
+<P 312>
+indeed, I forbid it. I only wanted
+you to know that misunderstood bit of my history before
+a time comes when you could never know it. -- You want
+some more sheaves ? '
+She went down the ladder, and the work proceeded.
+Gabriel soon perceived a languor in the movements of
+his mistress up and down, and he said to her, gently as
+a mother --
+"I think you had better go indoors now, you are
+tired. I can finish the rest alone. If the wind does
+not change the rain is likely to keep off.'
+"If I am useless I will go,' said Bathsheba, in a
+flagging cadence. 'But O, if your life should be lost !'
+" You are not useless; but I would rather not tire
+you longer. You have done well.'
+"And you better ! ' she said, gratefully. ! Thank you
+for your devotion, a thousand times, Gabriel ! Good+
+night-i know you are doing your very best for me.'
+She diminished in the gloom, and vanished, and he
+heard the latch of the gate fall as she passed through.
+He worked in a reverie now, musing upon her story, and
+upon the contradictoriness of that feminine heart which
+had caused her to speak more warmly to him to-night
+than she ever had done whilst unmarried and free to
+speak as warmly as she chose.
+He was disturbed in his meditation by a grating
+noise from the coach-house. It was the vane on the
+roof turning round, and this change in the wind was the
+signal for a disastrous rain.
+RAIN
+<C xxxviii>
+<P 313>
+RAIN -- ONE SOLITARY MEETS ANOTHER
+IT was now five o'clock, and the dawn was promising
+to break in hues of drab and ash.
+The air changed its temperature and stirred itself
+more vigorously. Cool breezes coursed in transparent
+eddies round Oak's face. The wind shifted yet a point
+or two and blew stronger. In ten minutes every wind
+of heaven seemed to be roaming at large. Some of the
+thatching on the wheat-stacks was now whirled fantas+
+tically aloft, and had to be replaced and weighted with
+some rails that lay near at hand. This done, Oak slaved
+away again at the barley. A huge drop of rain smote
+his face, the wind snarled round every corner, the trees
+rocked to the bases of their trunks, and the twigs clashed
+in strife. Driving in spars at any point and on any
+system, inch by inch he covered more and more safely
+from ruin this distracting impersonation of seven hundred
+pounds. 'The rain came on in earnest, and Oak soon felt
+the water to be tracking cold and clammy routes down
+his back. Ultimately he was reduced welinigh to a
+homogeneous sop, and the dyes of his clothes trickled
+down and stood in a pool at the foot of the ladder.
+The rain stretched obliquely through the dull atmo+
+sphere in liquid spines, unbroken in continuity between
+their beginnings in the clouds and their points in him.
+Oak suddenly remembered that eight months before
+this time he had been fighting against fire in the same
+spot as desperately as he was fighting against water
+now -- and for a futile love of the same woman. As for
+her -- -- But Oak was generous and true, and dis+
+missed his reflections.
+It was about seven o'clock in the dark leaden
+morning when Gabriel came down from the last stack,
+and thankfully exclaimed, "It is done .! ' He was
+<P 314>
+drenched, weary, and sad, and yet not so sad as drenched
+and weary, for he was cheered by a sense of success in
+a good cause.
+Faint sounds came from the barn, and he looked
+that way. Figures stepped singly and in pairs through
+the doors -- all walking awkwardly, and abashed, save
+the foremost, who wore a red jacket, and advanced
+with his hands in his pockets, whistling. The others
+shambled after with a conscience-stricken air : the whole
+procession was not unlike Flaxman's group of the suitors
+tottering on towards the infernal regions under the
+conduct of Mercury. The gnarled shapes passed into
+the village, Troy, their leader, entering the farmhouse.
+Not a single one of them had turned his face to the
+ricks, or apparently bestowed one thought upon their
+condition.
+Soon Oak too went homeward, by a different route
+from theirs. In front of him against the wet glazed
+surface of the lane he saw a person walking yet more
+slowly than himself under an umbrella. The man
+turned and plainly started; he was Boldwood.
+" How are you this morning, sir ?' said Oak.
+"Yes, it is a wet day. -- Oh, I am well, very well, I
+thank you ; quite well.'
+"I am glad to hear it, sir.'
+Boldwood seemed to awake to the present by degrees.
+" You look tired and ill, Oak,' he said then, desultorily
+regarding his companion.
+" I am tired. You look strangely altered, sir.'
+"I? Not a bit of it : I am well enough. What put
+that into your head ?'
+"I thought you didn't look quite so topping as you
+used to, that was all.'
+" Indeed, then you are mistaken,' said Boldwood,
+shortly. "Nothing hurts me. My constitution is an
+iron one.'
+"I've been working hard to get our ricks covered,
+and was barely in time. Never had such a struggle in
+my life.... Yours of course are safe, sir.'
+" O yes.' Boldwood added, after an interval of
+silence : " What did you ask, Oak ? '
+" Your ricks are all covered before this time ? '
+<P 315>
+"No.'
+" At any rate, the large ones upon the stone staddles ?'
+" They are not.'
+"Them under the hedge ?'
+" No. I forgot to tell the thatcher to set about it.'
+" Nor the little one by the stile ?'
+"Nor the little one by the stile. I overlooked the
+ricks this year.'
+'Then not a tenth of your corn will come to measure,
+sir.'
+" Possibly not.
+" Overlooked them,' repeated Gabriel slowly to him+
+self. It is difficult to describe the intensely dramatic
+effect that announcement had upon Oak at such a
+moment. All the night he had been feeling that the
+neglect he was labouring to repair was abnormal and
+isolated -- the only instance of the kind within the circuit
+of the county. Yet at this very time, within the same
+parish, a greater waste had been going on, uncomplained
+of and disregarded. A few months earlier Boldwood's
+forgetting his husbandry would have been as preposter+
+ous an idea as a sailor forgetting he was in a ship. Oak
+was just thinking that whatever he himself might have
+suffered from Bathsheba's marriage, here was a man
+who had suffered more, when Boldwood spoke in a
+changed voice -- that of one who yearned to make a
+confidence and relieve his heart by an outpouring.
+"Oak, you know as well as I that things have gone
+wrong with me lately. I may as well own it. I was
+going to get a little settled in life; but in some way my
+plan has come to nothing.'
+"I thought my mistress would have married you,'
+said Gabriel, not knowing enough of the full depths of
+Boldwood's love to keep silence on the farmer's account,
+and determined not to evade discipline by doing so on
+his own. 'However, it is so sometimes, and nothing
+happens that we expect,' he added, with the repose of
+a man whom misfortune had inured rather than sub+
+dued.
+'I daresay I am a joke about the parish,' said Bold+
+wood, as if the subject came irresistibly to his tongue,
+and with a miserable lightness meant to express his
+indifference.
+<P 316>
+" O no -- I don't think that.'
+ -- But the real truth of the matter is that there was
+not, as some fancy, any jilting on -- her part. No
+engagement ever existed between me and Miss Ever+
+dene. People say so, but it is untrue: she never
+promised me .! ' Boldwood stood still now and turned
+his wild face to Oak. 'O, Gabriel,' he continued, "I
+am weak and foolish, and I don't know what, and I
+can't fend off my miserable grief ! ... I had some faint
+belief in the mercy of God till I lost that woman. Yes,
+He prepared a gourd to shade me, and like the prophet
+I thanked Him and was glad. But the next day He
+prepared a worm to smite the gourd and wither it; and
+I feel it is better to die than to live.!"
+A silence followed. Boldwood aroused himself from
+the momentary mood of confidence into which he had
+drifted, and walked on again, resuming his usual reserve,
+" No, Gabriel,' he resumed, with a carelessness which
+was like the smile on the countenance of a skull: "it
+was made more of by other people than ever it was by
+us. I do feel a little regret occasionally, but no woman
+ever had power over me for any length of time. Well,
+good morning ; I can trust you not to mention to others
+what has passed between us two here.'
+<C xxxix>
+<P 317>
+COMING HOME -- A CRY
+ON the turnpke road, between Casterbridge and
+Weatherbury, and about three miles from the former
+which pervade the highways of this undulating part of
+South Wessex. I returning from market it is usual
+for the farmers and other gig-gentry to alight at the
+bottom and walk up.
+One Saturday evening in the month of October
+Bathsheba's vehicle was duly creeping up this incline.
+She was sitting listlessly in the second seat of the gig,
+whilst walking beside her in farmer's marketing suit
+of unusually fashionable cut was an erect, welimade
+young man. Though on foot, he held the reins and
+whip, and occasionally aimed light cuts at the horse's
+ear with the end of the lash, as a recreation. This
+man was her husband, formerly Sergeant Troy, who,
+having bought his discharge with Bathsheba's money,
+was gradually transforming himself into a farmer of a
+spirited and very modern school. People of unalter+
+able ideas still insisted upon calling him 'Sergeant'
+when they met him, which was in some degree owing
+to his having still retained the welishaped moustache
+of his military days, and the soldierly bearing insepar+
+able from his form and training.
+"Yes, if it hadn't been for that wretched rain I
+should have cleared two hundred as easy as looking,
+my love,' he was saying. "Don't you see, it altered
+all the chances? To speak like a book I once read,
+wet weather is the narrative, and fine days are the
+episodes, of our country's history; now, isn't that
+true?'
+' But the time of year is come for changeable weather.'
+"Well, yes. The fact is, these autumn races are the
+ruin of everybody. Never did I see such a day as 'twas .!
+'Tis a wild open place, just out of Budmouth, and a
+drab sea rolled in
+<P 318>
+towards us like liquid misery. Wind
+and rain -- good Lord !. Dark ? Why, 'twas as black
+as my hat before the last race was run. 'Twas five
+o'clock, and you couldn't see the horses till they were
+almost in, leave alone colours. The ground was as
+heavy as lead, and all judgment from a fellow's experi+
+ence went for nothing. Horses, riders, people, were
+all blown about like ships at sea. Three booths were
+blown over, and the wretched folk inside crawled out
+upon their hands and knees; and in the next field
+were as many as a dozen hats at one time. Aye,
+Pimpernel regularly stuck fast, when about sixty yards
+off, and when I saw Policy stepping on, it did knock
+my heart against the lining of my ribs, I assure you,
+my love.!'
+" And you mean, Frank,' said Bathsheba, sadly --
+her voice was painfully lowered from the fulness and
+vivacity of the previous summer -- "that you have lost
+more than a hundred pounds in a month by this
+dreadful horse-racing ? O, Frank, it is cruel; it is
+foolish of you to take away my money so. We shall
+have to leave the farm; that will be the end of it !.'
+' Humbug about cruel. Now, there 'tis again --
+turn on the waterworks ; that's just like you.'
+"But you'll promise me not to go to Budmouth
+second meeting, won't you ? ' she implored. Bathsheba
+was at the full depth for tears, but she maintained a
+dry eye.
+"I don't see why I should; in fact, if it turns out to
+be a fine day, I was thinking of taking you.'
+"Never, never.! I'll go a hundred miles the other
+way first. I hate the sound of the very word.!'
+"But the question of going to see the race or staying
+at home has very little to do with the matter. Bets are
+all booked safely enough before the race begins, you
+may depend. Whether it is a bad race for me or a
+good one, will have very little to do with our going
+there next Monday.'
+"But you don't mean to say that you have risked
+anything on this one too .! ' she exclaimed, with an
+agonized look.
+"There now, don't you be a little fool. Wait till you
+are told. Why, Bathsheba, you have lost all the pluck
+and sauciness you formerly had, and upon my life if I
+had known what a
+<P 319>
+chicken-hearted creature you were
+under all your boldness, I'd never have-i know what.'
+A flash of indignation might have been seen in
+Bathsheba's dark eyes as she looked resolutely ahead
+after this reply. They moved on without further
+speech, some early-withered leaves from the trees which
+hooded the road at this spot occasionally spinning
+downward across their path to the earth.
+A woman appeared on the brow of the hill. The
+ridge was in a cutting, so that she was very near the
+husband and wife before she became visible. Troy had
+turned towards the gig to remount, and whilst putting
+his foot on the step-the woman passed behind him.
+Though the overshadowing trees and the approach
+of eventide enveloped them in gloom, Bathsheba could
+see plainly enough to discern the extreme poverty of
+the woman's garb, and the sadness of her face.
+"Please, sir, do you know at what time Casterbridge
+Union-house closes at night ? '
+A CRY
+The woman said these words to Troy over his
+shoulder.
+Troy started visibly at the sound of the voice; yet
+he seemed to recover presence of mind sufficient to
+prevent himself from giving way to his impulse to
+suddenly turn and face her. He said, slowly --
+" I don't know."
+The woman, on hearing him speak, quickly looked
+up, examined the side of his face, and recognized the
+soldier under the yeoman's garb. Her face was drawn
+into an expression which had gladness and agony both
+among its elements. She uttered an hysterical cry,
+and fell down.
+" O, poor thing.!' exclaimed Bathsheba, instantly
+preparing to alight.
+"Stay where you are, and attend to the horse!'
+said Troy, peremptorily throwing her the reins and
+the whip. "Walk the horse to the top: I'll see to
+the woman.'
+" But i -- -'
+" Do you hear? Clk -- Poppet.!'
+<P 320>
+The horse, gig, and Bathsheba moved on.
+"How on earth did you come here? I thought
+you were miles away, or dead.! Why didn't you
+write to me?' said Troy to the woman, in a strangely
+gentle, yet hurried voice, as he lifted her up.
+" I feared to."
+'Have you any money?'
+"None."
+"Good Heaven -- I wish I had more to give you!.
+Here's -- wretched -- the merest trifle. It is every
+farthing I have left. I have none but what my wife
+gives me, you know, and I can't ask her now.'
+The woman made no answer.
+"I have only another moment,' continued Troy;
+'and now listen. Where are you going to-night?
+Casterbridge Union?'
+"Yes; I thought to go there.'
+" You shan't go there; yet, wait. Yes, perhaps for
+to-night ; I can do nothing better -- worse luck.! Sleep
+there to-night, and stay there to-morrow. Monday is
+the first free day I have; and on Monday morning,
+at ten exactly, meet me on Grey's Bridge just out of the
+town. I'll bring all the money I can muster. You
+shan't want-i'll see that, Fanny; then I'll get you a
+lodging somewhere. Good-bye till then. I am a brute
+ -- but good-bye.!'
+After advancing the distance which completed the
+ascent of the hill, Bathsheba turned her head. The
+woman was upon her feet, and Bathsheba saw her
+withdrawing from Troy, and going feebly down the
+hill by the third milestone from Casterbridge. Troy
+then came on towards his wife, stepped into the gig,
+took the reins from her hand, and without making any
+observation whipped the horse into a trot. He was
+rather agitated.
+"Do you know who that woman was?' said Bath+
+sheba, looking searchingly into his face.
+"I do,' he said, looking boldly back into hers.
+"I thought you did,' said she, with angry hauteur,
+and still regarding him. " Who is she?'
+<P 321>
+He suddenly seemed to think that frankness would
+benefit neither of the women.
+'Nothing to either of us,' he said. "I know her
+by sight."
+'What is her name?'
+"How should I know her name ?'
+"I think you do.'
+"Think if you will, and be -- -- " The sentence was
+completed by a smart cut of the whip round Poppet's
+flank, which caused the animal to start forward at a
+wild pace. No more was said.
+ON CASTERBRIDGE HIGHWAY
+<C xl>
+<P 322>
+FOR a considerable time the woman walked on. Her
+steps became feebler, and she strained her eyes to look
+afar upon the naked road, now indistinct amid the
+penumbrae of night. At length her onward walk
+dwindled to the merest totter, and she opened a gate
+within which was a haystack. Underneath this she sat
+down and presently slept.
+When the woman awoke it was to find herself in the
+depths of a moonless and starless night. A heavy un+
+broken crust of cloud stretched across the sky, shutting
+out every speck of heaven ; and a distant halo which
+hung over the town of Casterbridge was visible against
+the black concave, the luminosity appearing the
+brighter by its great contrast with the circumscribing
+darkness. Towards this weak, soft glow the woman
+turned her eyes.
+"If I could only get there.!' she said. "Meet him
+the day after to-morrow: God help me! Perhaps I
+shall be in my grave before then.'
+A manor-house clock from the far depths of shadow
+struck the hour, one, in a small, attenuated tone. After
+midnight the voice of a clock seems to lose in breadth
+as much as in length, and to diminish its sonorousness
+to a thin falsetto.
+Afterwards a light -- two lights -- arose frona the re+
+mote shade, and grew larger. A carriage rolled along
+the toad, and passed the gate. It probably contained
+some late diners-out. The beams from one lamp shone
+for a moment upon the crouching woman, and threw
+her face into vivid relieff. The face was young in the
+groundwork, old in the finish ; the general contours
+were flexuous and childlike, but the finer lineaments
+had begun to be sharp and thin.
+The pedestrian stood up, apparently with revived
+determination, and looked around. The road appeared
+to be
+<P 323>
+familiar to her, and she carefully scanned the fence
+as she slowly walked along. Presently there became
+visible a dim white shape; it was another milestone.
+She drew her fingers across its face to feel the marks.
+"Two more!' she said.
+She leant against the stone as a means of rest for a
+ short interval, then bestirred herself, and again pursued
+her way. For a slight distance she bore up bravely,
+afterwards flagging as before. This was beside a lone
+copsewood, wherein heaps of white chips strewn upon
+the leafy ground showed that woodmen had been
+faggoting and making hurdles during the day. Now
+there was not a rustle, not a breeze, not the faintest
+clash of twigs to keep her company. The woman
+looked over the gat, opened it, and went in. Close
+to the entrance stood a row of faggots, bound and un+
+bound, together with stakes of all sizes.
+For a few seconds the wayfarer stood with that tense
+stillness which signifies itself to be not the end but
+merely the suspension, of a previous motion. Her
+attitude was that of a person who listens, either to the
+external world of sound, or to the imagined discourse of
+thought. A close criticism might have detected signs
+proving that she was intent on the latter alternative.
+Moreover, as was shown by what followed, she was
+oddly exercising the faculty of invention upon the spe+
+ciality of the clever Jacquet Droz, the designer of auto+
+matic substitutes for human limbs.
+By the aid of the Casterbridge aurora, and by feeling
+with her hands, the woman selected two sticks from the
+heaps. These sticks were nearly straight to the height
+of three or four feet, where each branched into a fork
+like the letter Y. She sat down, snapped off the small
+upper twigs, and carried the remainder with her into
+the road. She placed one of these forks under each
+arm as a crutch, tested them, timidly threw her whole
+weight upon them -- so little that it was -- and swung
+herself forward. The girl had made for herself a
+material aid.
+The crutches answered well. The pat of her feet,
+and the tap of her sticks upon the highway, were all the
+sounds that
+<P 324>
+came from the traveller now. She had
+passed the last milestone by a good long distance, and
+began to look wistfully towards the bank as if calculating
+upon another milestone soon. The crutches, though
+so very useful, had their limits of power. Mechanism
+only transfers labour, being powerless to supersede it,
+and the original amount of exertion was not cleared
+away; it was thrown into the body and arms. She was
+exhausted, and each swing forward became fainter. At
+last she swayed sideways, and fell.
+Here she lay, a shapeless heap, for ten minutes and
+more. The morning wind began to boom dully over
+the flats, and to move afresh dead leaves which had
+lain still since yesterday. The woman desperately
+turned round upon her knees, and next rose to her
+feet. Steadying herself by the help of one crutch, she
+essayed a step, then another, then a third, using the
+crutches now as walking-sticks only. Thus she pro+
+gressed till descending Mellstock Hill another milestone
+appeared, and soon the beginning of an iron-railed fence
+came into view. She staggered across to the first post,
+clung to it, and looked around.
+The Casterbridge lights were now individually visible,
+It was getting towards morning, and vehicles might be
+hoped for, if not expected soon. She listened. There
+was not a sound of life save that acme and sublimation
+of all dismal sounds, the hark of a fox, its three hollow
+notes being rendered at intervals of a minute with the
+precision of a funeral bell.
+Less than a mile.!' the woman murmured. "No;
+more,' she added, after a pause. 'The mile is to the
+county hall, and my resting-place is on the other side
+Casterbridge. A little over a mile, and there I am! '
+After an interval she again spoke. "Five or six steps to
+a yard -- six perhaps. I have to go seventeen hundred
+yards. A hundred times six, six hundred. Seventeen
+times that. O pity me, Lord.!'
+Holding to the rails, she advanced, thrusting one
+hand forward upon the rail, then the other, then leaning
+over it whilst she dragged her feet on beneath.
+This woman was not given to soliloquy; but ex,
+tremity of feeling lessens the individuality of the weak,
+as it increases
+<P 325>
+that of the strong. She said again in the
+same tone, "I'll believe that the end lies five posts for+
+ward, and no further, and so get strength to pass them.'
+This was a practical application of the principle that
+a half-feigned and fictitious faith is better than no faith
+at all.
+She passed five posts and held on to the fifth.
+"I'll pass five more by believing my longed-for spot
+is at the next fifth. I can do it.'
+she passed five more.
+"It lies only five further.'
+she passed five more.
+"But it is five further.'
+She passed them.
+'That stone bridge is the end of my journey,' she
+said, when the bridge over the Froom was in view.
+She crawled to the bridge. During the effort each
+breath of the woman went into the air as if never to
+return again.
+"Now for the truth of the matter,' she said, sitting
+down. "The truth is, that I have less than half a mile.'
+Self-beguilement with what she had known all the time
+to be false had given her strength to come over half
+a mile that she would have been powerless to face in
+the lump. The artifice showed that the woman, by
+some mysterious intuition, had grasped the paradoxical
+truth that blindness may operate more vigorously than
+prescience, and the short-sighted effect more than the
+far-seeing ; that limitation, and not comprehensiveness,
+is needed for striking a blow.
+The half-mile stood now before the sick and weary
+woman like a stolid Juggernaut. It was an impassive
+King of her world. The road here ran across Durnover
+Moor, open to the road on either side. She surveyed
+the wide space, the lights, herself, sighed, and lay down
+against a guard-stone of the bridge.
+Never was ingenuity exercised so sorely as the
+traveller here exercised hers. Every conceivable aid,
+m&thod, stratagem, mechanism, by which these last
+desperate eight hundred yards could be overpasscd by a
+human being unperceived, was revolved in her busy
+brain, and dismissed as impracticable. She thought of
+<P 326>
+sticks, wheels, crawling -- she even thought of rolling.
+But the exertion demanded by either of these latter two
+was greater than to walk erect. The faculty of con+
+trivance was worn out, Hopelessness had come at
+last.
+" No further.!' she whispered, and closed her eyes.
+From the stripe of shadow on the opposite side of
+the bridge a portion of shade seemed to detach itself
+and move into isolation upon the pale white of the road.
+It glided noiselessly towards the recumbent woman.
+She became conscious of something touching her
+hand; it was softness and it was warmth. She
+opened her eye's, and the substance touched her face.
+A dog was licking her cheek.
+He was huge, heavy, and quiet creature, standing
+darkly against the low horizon, and at least two feet
+higher than the present position of her eyes. Whether
+Newfoundland, mastiff, bloodhound, or what not, it was
+impossible to say. He seemed to be of too strange and
+mysterious a nature to belong to any variety among those
+of popular nomenclature. Being thus assignable to no
+breed, he was the ideal embodiment of canine greatness
+ -- a generalization from what was common to all. Night,
+in its sad, solemn, and benevolent aspect, apart from its
+stealthy and cruel side, was personified in this form
+Darkness endows the small and ordinary ones among
+mankind with poetical power, and even the suffering
+woman threw her idea nto figure.
+In her reclining position she looked up to him just
+as in earlier times she had, when standing, looked up
+to a man. The animal, who was as homeless as she,
+respectfully withdrew a step or two when the woman
+moved, and, seeing that she did not repulse him, he
+licked her hand again.
+A thought moved within her like lightning. "Perhaps
+I can make use of him-i might do it then!'
+She pointed in the direction of Casterbridge, and
+the dog seemed to misunderstand : he trotted on. Then,
+finding she could not follow, he came back and whined.
+The ultimate and saddest singularity of woman's effort
+and invention was reached when, with a quickened breath+
+ing, she rose to a stooping posture, and, resting her two
+little arms
+<P 327>
+upon the shoulders of the dog, leant firmly
+thereon, and murmured stimulating words. Whilst she
+sorrowed in her heart she cheered with her voice, and
+what was stranger than that the strong should need
+encouragement from the weak was that cheerfulness
+should be so well stimulated by such utter dejection.
+Her friend moved forward slowly, and she with small
+mincing steps moved forward beside him, half her
+weight being thrown upon the animal. Sometimes
+she sank as she had sunk from walking erect, from
+the crutches, from the rails. The dog, who now
+thoroughly understood her desire and her incapacity,
+was frantic in his distress on these occasions ; he would
+tug at her dress and run forward. She always called
+him back, and it was now to be observed that the
+woman listened for human sounds only to avoid them.
+It was evident that she had an object in keeping her
+presence on the road and her forlorn state unknown.
+Their progress was necessarily very slow. They
+reached the bottom of the town, and the Casterbridge
+lamps lay before them like fallen Pleiads as they turned
+to the left into the dense shade of a deserted avenue of
+chestnuts, and so skirted the borough. Thus the town
+was passed, and the goal was reached.
+On this much-desired spot outside the town rose a
+picturesque building. Originally it had been a mere
+case to hold people. The shell had been so thin, so
+devoid of excrescence, and so closely drawn over the
+accommodation granted, that the grim character of
+what was beneath showed through it, as the shape of
+a body is visible under a winding-sheet.
+Then Nature, as if offended, lent a hand. Masses
+of ivy grew up, completely covering the walls, till the
+place looked like an abbey; and it was discovered that
+the view from the front, over the Casterbridge chimneys,
+was one of the most magnificent in the county. A
+neighbouring earl once said that he would give up a
+year's rental to have at his own door the view enjoyed
+by the inmates from theirs -- and very probably the
+inmates would have given up the view for his year's
+rental.
+This stone edifice consisted of a central mass and
+<P 328>
+two wings, whereon stood as sentinels a few slim
+chimneys, now gurgling sorrowfully to the slow wind.
+In the wall was a gate, and by the gate a belipull
+formed of a hanging wire. The woman raised herself
+as high as possible upon her knees, and could just
+reach the handle. She moved it and fell forwards in
+a bowed attitude, her face upon her bosom.
+It was getting on towards six o'clock, and sounds of
+movement were to be heard inside the building which
+was the haven of rest to this wearied soul. A little door
+by the large one was opened, and a man appeared inside.
+He discerned the panting heap of clothes, went back
+for a light, and came again. He entered a second
+time, and returned with two women.
+These lifted the prostrate figure and assisted her in
+through the doorway. The man then closed the door.
+How did she get here ?" said one of the women.
+"The Lord knows,' said the other.
+There is a dog outside," murmured the overcome
+traveller. " Where is he gone ? He helped me.'
+I stoned him away,' said the man.
+The little procession then moved forward -- the man
+in front bearing the light, the two bony women next,
+supporting between them the small and supple one.
+Thus they entered the house and disappeared.
+SUSPICION
+<C xli>
+<P 329>
+SUSPICION -- FANNY IS SENT FOR
+BATHSHEBA said very little to her husband all that
+evening of their return from market, and he was not
+disposed to say much to her. He exhibited the un+
+pleasant combination of a restless condition with a
+silent tongue. The next day, which was Sunday, passed
+nearly in the same manner as regarded their taciturnity,
+Bathsheba going to church both morning and afternoon.
+This was the day before the Budmouth races. In the
+evening Troy said, suddenly --
+" Bathsheba, could you let me have twenty pounds ?"
+Her countenance instantly sank. ' Twenty pounds ?
+she said.
+'The fact is, I want it badly.' The anxiety upon
+Troy's face was unusual and very marked. lt was a
+culmination of the mood he had been in all the day.
+"Ah !. for those races to-morrow.'
+Troy for the moment made no reply. Her mistake
+had its advantages to a man who shrank from having
+his mind inspected as he did now. "Well, suppose I
+do want it for races ?' he said, at last.
+"O, Frank.!' Bathsheba replied, and there was such
+a volume of entreaty in the words. "Only such a few
+weeks ago you said that I was far sweeter than all your
+other pleasures put together, and that you would give
+them all up for me; and now, won't you give up this
+one, which is more a worry than a pleasure? Do,
+Frank. Come, let me fascinate you by all I can do
+ -- by pretty words and pretty looks, and everything I
+can think of -- to stay at home. Say yes to your wife --
+say yes.!'
+The tenderest and softest phases of Bathsheba's
+nature were prominent now -- advanced impulsively for
+his acceptance, without any of the disguises and defences
+which the wariness of her character when she was cool
+too frequently threw
+<P 330>
+over them. Few men could have
+resisted the arch yet dignified entreaty of the beautiful
+face, thrown a little back and sideways in the weli
+known attitude that expresses more than the words it
+accompanies, and which seems to have heen designed
+for these special occasions. Had the woman not been
+his wife, Troy would have succumbed instantly ; as it
+was, he thought he would not deceive her longer.
+"The money is not wanted for racing debts at all,'
+he said.
+" What is it for ?' she asked. " You worry me a great
+deal by these mysterious responsibilities, Frank."
+Troy hesitated. He did not now love her enough
+to allow himself to be carried too far by her ways. Yet
+it was necessary to be civil. "You wrong me by such
+a suspicious manner, he said. " Such strait-waistcoating
+as you treat me to is not becoming in you at so early a
+date.'
+"I think that I have a right to grumble a little if I
+pay,' she said, with features between a smile and a
+pout.
+Exactly; and, the former being done, suppose we
+proceed to the latter. Bathsheba, fun is all very well,
+but don't go too far, or you may have cause to regret
+something.'
+She reddened. " I do that already,' she said, quickly
+" What do you regret ? '
+SUSPICION
+"That my romance has come to an end.'
+" All romances end at marriage.'
+'I wish you wouldn't talk like that. You grieve me
+to my soul by being smart at my expense.'
+" You are dull enough at mine. I believe you hate
+me.'
+" Not you -- only your faults. I do hate them.'
+"'Twould be much more becoming if you set your+
+self to cure them. Come, let's strike a balance with
+the twenty pounds, and be friends.'
+She gave a sigh of resignation. 'I have about that
+sum here for household expenses. If you must have it,
+take it.'
+"Very good. Thank you. I expect I shall have
+gone away before you are in to breakfast to-morrow.'
+"And must you go ? Ah !. there was a time, Frank,
+when it would have taken a good many promises to
+other people to drag you away from me. You used to
+call me darling, then.
+<P 331>
+But it doesn't matter to you how
+my days are passed now.'
+"I must go, in spite of sentiment.' Troy, as he
+spoke, looked at his watch, and, apparently actuated by
+<1non lucendo>1 principles, opened the case at the back,
+revealing, snugly stowed within it, a small coil of hair.
+Bathsheba's eyes had been accidentally lifted at that
+moment, and she saw the action and saw the hair. She
+flushed in pain and surprise, and some words escaped
+her before she had thought whether or not it was wise
+to utter them. "A woman's curl of hair !' she said.
+"O, Frank, whose is that ?'
+Troy had instantly closed his watch. He carelessly
+replied, as one who cloaked some feelings that the sight
+had stirred. ' Why, yours, of course. Whose should it
+be ? I had quite forgotten that I had it.'
+' What a dreadful fib, Frank.!'
+" I tell you I had forgotten it.!' he said, loudly.
+'I don't mean that -- it was yellow hair.'
+"Nonsense.'
+"That's insulting me. I know it was yellow. Now
+whose was it ? I want to know.'
+"Very welii'll tell you, so make no more ado. It
+is the hair of a young woman I was going to marry
+before I knew you.'
+" You ought to tell me her name, then.'
+"I cannot do that.'
+"Is she married yet?'
+"No.'
+"Is she alive?'
+" Yes.'
+"Is she pretty ?'
+" Yes.'
+'It is wonderful how she can be, poor thing, under
+such an awful affliction!'
+" Affliction -- what affliction ? ' he inquired, quickly.
+" Having hair of that dreadful colour.'
+" Oh -- ho-i like that.!' said Troy, recovering him+
+self. "Why, her hair has been admired by everybody
+who has seen her since she has worn it loose, which has
+not been long. It is
+<P 332>
+beautiful hair. People used to
+turn their heads to look at it, poor girl.!'
+"Pooh! that's nothing -- that's nothing!' she ex+
+claimed, in incipient accents of pique. 'If I cared for
+your love as much as I used to I could say people had
+turned to look at mine.'
+"Bathsheba, don't be so fitful and jealous. You
+knew what married life would be like, and shouldn't
+have entered it if you feared these contingencies.'
+Troy had by this time driven her to bitterness: her
+heart was big in her throat, and the ducts to her eyes
+were painfully full. Ashamed as she was to show
+emotion, at last she burst out: --
+"This is all I get for loving you so well! Ah! when
+I married you your life was dearer to me than my own.
+I would have died for you -- how truly I can say that I
+would have died for you.! And now you sneer at my
+foolishness in marrying you. O! is it kind to me to
+throw my mistake in my face ? Whatever opinion you
+may have of my wisdom, you should not tell me of it so
+mercilessly, now that I am in your power.'
+" I can't help how things fall out,' said Troy; "upon
+my heart, women will be the death of me.!'
+"Well you shouldn't keep people's hair. You'll
+burn it, won't you, Frank?'
+Frank went on as if he had not heard her. "There
+are considerations even before my consideration for you;
+reparations to be made -- ties you know nothing of If
+you repent of marrying, so do I.'
+Trembling now, she put her hand upon his arm,
+saying, in mingled tones of wretchedness and coaxing,
+"I only repent it if you don't love me better than any
+woman in the world.! I don't otherwise, Frank. You
+don't repent because you already love somebody better
+than you love me, do you ?'
+"I don't know. Why do you say that?'
+"You won't burn that curl. You like the woman
+who owns that pretty hair -- yes; it is pretty -- more
+beautiful than my miserable black mane! Well, it is
+no use; I can't help being ugly. You must like her
+best, if you will!'
+"Until to-day, when I took it from a drawer, I have
+<P 333>
+never looked upon that bit of hair for several months --
+that I am ready to swear.'
+"But just now you said "ties;" and then -- that
+woman we met?'
+"'Twas the meeting with her that reminded me of
+the hair.'
+"Is it hers, then ?'
+"Yes. There, now that you have wormed it out of
+me, I hope you are content.'
+"And what are the ties ?'
+"Oh! that meant nothing -- a mere jest.'
+"A mere jest ! ' she said, in mournful astonishment.
+"Can you jest when I am so wretchedly in earnest ?
+Tell me the truth, Frank. I am not a fool, you know,
+although I am a woman, and have my woman's moments.
+Come! treat me fairly,' she said, looking honestly and
+fearlessly into his face. "I don't want much; bare
+justice -- that's all! Ah! once I felt I could be content
+with nothing less than the highest homage from the
+husband I should choose. Now, anything short of
+cruelty will content me. Yes! the independent and
+spirited Bathsheba is come to this.!'
+"For Heaven's sake don't be so desperate! "Troy
+said, snappishly, rising as he did so, and leaving the
+room.
+Directly he had gone, Bathsheba burst into great
+sobs -- dry-eyed sobs, which cut as they came, without
+any softening by tears. But she determined to repress
+all evidences of feeling. She was conquered; but she
+would never own it as long as she lived. Her pride
+was indeed brought low by despairing discoveries of her
+spoliation by marriage with a less pure nature than her
+own. She chafed to and fro in rebelliousness, like a
+caged leopard; her whole soul was in arms, and the
+blood fired her face. Until she had met Troy, Bath+
+sheba had heen proud of her position as a woman; it
+had been a glory to her to know that her lips had been
+touched hy no man's on earth -- that her waist had
+never been encircled by a lover's arm. She hated
+herself now. In those earlier days she had always
+nourished a secret contempt for girls who were the
+slaves of the first goodiooking young fellow who should
+choose to salute them. She had never taken kindly to
+the idea of
+<P 334>
+marriage in the abstract as did the majority
+of women she saw about her. In the turmoil of her
+anxiety for her lover she had agreed to marry him; but
+the perception that had accompanied her happiest hours
+on this account was rather that of self-sacrifice than of
+promotion and honour. Although she scarcely knew
+the divinity's name, Diana was the goddess whom
+Bathsheba instinctively adored. That she had never,
+by look, word, or sign, encouraged a man to approach
+her -- that she had felt herself sufficient to herself, and
+had in the independence of her girlish heart fancied
+there was a certain degradation in renouncing the
+simplicity of a maiden existence to become the humbler
+half of an indifferent matrimonial whole -- were facts
+now bitterly remembered. O, if she had never
+stooped to folly of this kind, respectable as it was, and
+could only stand again, as she had stood on the hill at
+Norcombe, and dare Troy or any other man to pollute
+a hair of her head by his interference!.
+The next morning she rose earlier than usual, and
+had the horse saddled for her ride round the farm in
+the customary way. When she came in at half-past
+eight -- their usual hour for breakfasting -- she was in+
+formed that her husband had risen, taken his breakfast,
+and driven off to Casterbridge with the gig and Poppet.
+After breakfast she was cool and collected -- quite
+herself in fact -- and she rambled to the gate, intending
+to walk to another quarter of the farm, which she still
+personally superintended as well as her duties in the
+house would permit, continually, however, finding her+
+self preceded in forethought by Gabriel Oak, for whom
+she began to entertain the genuine friendship of a sister.
+Of course, she sometimes thought of him in the light of
+an old lover, and had momentary imaginings of what
+life with him as a husband would have been like; also
+of life with Boldwood under the same conditions. But
+Bathsheba, though she could feel, was not much given
+to futile dreaming, and her musings under this head
+were short and entirely confined to the times when
+Troy's neglect was more than ordinarily evident.
+She saw coming up the road a man like Mr. Boldwood.
+<P 335>
+It was Mr. Boldwood. Bathsheba blushed painfully,
+and watched. The farmer stopped when still a long
+way off, and held up his hand to Gabriel Oak, who was
+in a footpath across the field. The two men then
+approached each other and seemed to engage in
+earnest conversation.
+Thus they continued for a long time. Joseph Poor+
+grass now passed near them, wheeling a barrow of apples
+up the hill to Bathsheba's residence. Boldwood and
+Gabriel called to him, spoke to him for a few minutes,
+and then all three parted, Joseph immediately coming
+up the hill with his barrow.
+Bathsheba, who had seen this pantomime with some
+surprise, experienced great relief when Boldwood turned
+back again. 'Well, what's the message, Joseph ? ' she
+said.
+He set down his barrow, and, putting upon himself
+the refined aspect that a conversation with a lady re+
+quired, spoke to Bathsheba over the gate.
+"You'll never see Fanny Robin no more -- use nor
+principai-ma'am.'
+" Why ?'
+"Because she's dead in the Union.'
+" Fanny dead -- never.!'
+" Yes, ma'am.'
+" What did she die from ?"
+"I don't know for certain; but I should be inclined
+to think it was from general neshness of constitution.
+She was such a limber maid that 'a could stand no
+hardship, even when I knowed her, and 'a went like a
+candle-snoff, so 'tis said. She was took bad in the
+morning, and, being quite feeble and worn out, she
+died in the evening. She belongs by law to our parish;
+and Mr. Boldwood is going to send a waggon at three
+this afternoon to fetch her home here and bury her.'
+"Indeed I shall not let Mr. Boldwood do any such
+thing-i shall do it! Fanny was my uncle's servant,
+and, although I only knew her for a couple of days,
+FANNY IS SENT FOR
+she belongs to me. How very, very sad this is.! --
+the idea of Fanny being in a workhouse.' Bathsheba
+had begun to know what suffering was, and she spoke
+with real feeling.... "Send across to Mr. Boldwood's,
+and say that Mrs. Troy will take upon herself the duty
+<P 336>
+of fetching an old servant of the family.... We
+ought not to put her in a waggon; we'll get a hearse.'
+" There will hardly be time, ma'am, will there?'
+" Perhaps not,' she said, musingly. " When did you
+say we must be at the door -- three o'clock?'
+" Three o'clock this afternoon, ma'am, so to speak it.'
+"Very weli-you go with it. A pretty waggon is
+better than an ugly hearse, after all. Joseph, have the
+new spring waggon with the blue body and red wheels,
+and wash it very clean. And, Joseph -- -- '
+" Yes, ma'am.'
+' Carry with you some evergreens and flowers to put
+upon her coffin -- indeed, gather a great many, and
+completely bury her in them. Get some boughs of
+laurustinus, and variegated box, and yew, and boy'siove;
+ay, and some hunches of chrysanthemum. And let old
+Pleasant draw her, because she knew him so well.'
+'I will, ma'am. I ought to have said that the
+Union, in the form of four labouring men, will meet me
+when I gets to our churchyard gate, and take her and
+bury her according to the rites of the Board of Guardians,
+as by law ordained.'
+" Dear me -- Casterbridge Union -- and is Fanny come
+to this?' said Bathsheba, musing. "I wish I had known
+of it sooner. I thought she was far away. How long
+has she lived there?'
+"On'y been there a day or two.'
+"Oh.! -- then she has not been staying there as a
+regular inmate?'
+" No. She first went to live in a garrison-town t'other
+side o' Wessex, and since then she's been picking up a
+living at seampstering in Melchester for several months,
+at the house of a very respectable widow-woman who
+takes in work of that sort. She only got handy the
+Union-house on Sunday morning 'a b'lieve, and 'tis sup+
+posed here and there that she had traipsed every step
+of the way from Melchester. Why she left her place,
+I can't say, for I don't know; and as to a lie, why, I
+wouldn't tell it. That's the short of the story, ma'am.'
+"Ah-h .! '
+<P 337>
+No gem ever flashed from a rosy ray to a white one
+more rapidly than changed the young wife's counten+
+ance whilst this word came from her in a long-drawn
+breath. "Did she walk along our turnpike-road?' she
+said, in a suddenly restless and eager voice.
+"I believe she did.... Ma'am, shall I call Liddy?
+You bain't well, ma'am, surely ? You look like a lily --
+so pale and fainty.!'
+"No; don't call her; it is nothing. When did she
+pass Weatherbury?'
+"Last Saturday night.'
+"That will do, Joseph; now you may go.'
+" Certainly, ma'am.'
+" Joseph, come hither a moment. What was the
+colour of Fanny Robin's hair?'
+"Really, mistress, now that 'tis put to me so judge+
+and-jury like, I can't call to mind, if ye'll believe me.!'
+"Never mind; go on and do what I told you. Stop
+ -- well no, go on.'
+She turned herself away from him, that he might no
+longer notice the mood which had set its sign so visibly
+upon her, and went indoors with a distress:ng sense of
+faintness and a beating brow. About an hour after, she
+heard the noise of the waggon and went out, still with a
+painful consciousness of her bewildered and troubled
+look. Joseph, dressed in his best suit of clothes, was
+putting in the horse to start. The shrubs and flowers
+were all piled in the waggon, as she had directed
+Bathsheba hardly saw them now.
+" Whose sweetheart did you say, Joseph?'
+'I don't know, ma'am.'
+"Are you quite sure?'
+" Yes, ma'am, quite sure.'
+"Sure of what?'
+"I'm sure that all I know is that she arrived in the
+morning and died in the evening without further parley.
+What Oak and Mr. Boldwood told me was only these
+few words. "Little Fanny Robin is dead, Joseph,'
+Gabriel said, looking in my face in his steady old way.
+I was very sorry, and I said, "Ah!. -- and how did she
+<P 338>
+come to die?' "Well, she's dead in Casterhridge
+Union," he said; "and perhaps 'tisn't much matter
+about how she came to die. She reached the Union
+early Sunday morning, and died in the afternoon -- that's
+clear enough." Then I asked what she'd been doing
+lately, and Mr. Boldwood turned round to me then, and
+left off spitting a thistle with the end of his stick. He
+told me about her having lived by seampstering in
+Melchester, as I mentioned to you, and that she walked
+therefrom at the end of last week, passing near here
+Saturday night in the dusk. They then said I had
+better just name a hent of her death to you, and away
+they went. Her death might have been brought on by
+biding in the night wind, you know, ma'am; for people
+used to say she'd go off in a decline: she used to cough
+a good deal in winter time. However, 'tisn't much
+odds to us about that now, for 'tis all over.'
+"Have you heard a different story at all?' She
+looked at him so intently that Joseph's eyes quailed.
+"Not a word, mistress, I assure 'ee.!" he said.
+"Hardly anybody in the parish knows the news yet.'
+"I wonder why Gabriel didn't bring the message to
+me himself. He mostly makes a point of seeing me
+upon the most trifling errand.' These words were
+merely murmured, and she was looking upon the ground.
+"Perhaps he was busy, ma'am,' Joseph suggested.
+"And sometimes he seems to suffer from things upon
+his mind, connected with the time when he was better
+off than 'a is now. 'A's rather a curious item, but a
+very understanding shepherd, and learned in books.'
+'Did anything seem upon his mind whilst he was
+speaking to you about this?'
+'I cannot but say that there did, ma'am. He was
+terrible down, and so was Farmer Boldwood.'
+'Thank you, Joseph. That will do. Go on now,
+or you'll be late.'
+Bathsheba, still unhappy, went indoors again. In
+the course of the afternoon she said to Liddy, Who had
+been informed of the occurrence, " What was the colour
+<P 339>
+of poor Fanny Robin's hair? Do you know? I cannot
+recollect-i only saw her for a day or two.'
+"It was light, ma'am; but she wore it rather short,
+and packed away under her cap, so that you would
+hardly notice it. But I have seen her let it down when
+she was going to bed, and it looked beautiful then.
+Real golden hair.'
+" Her young man was a soldier, was he not?'
+"Yes. In the same regiment as Mr. Troy. He says
+he knew him very well.'
+" What, Mr. Troy says so? How came he to say
+that?'
+"One day I just named it to him, and asked him if
+he knew Fanny's young man. He said, "O yes, he
+knew the young man as well as he knew himself, and
+that there wasn't a man in the regiment he liked
+better."'
+"Ah! Said that, did he ?'
+"Yes; and he said there was a strong likeness be+
+tween himself and the other young man, so that some+
+times people mistook them -- -- '
+' Liddy, for Heaven's sake stop your talking.!' said
+Bathsheba, with the nervous petulance that comes from
+worrying perceptions.
+JOSEPH AND HIS BURDEN
+<P 340>
+<C xlii>
+JOSEPH AND HIS BURDEN -- BUCK'S HEAD
+A WALL bounded the site of Casterbridge Union+
+house, except along a portion of the end. Here a high
+gable stood prominent, and it was covered like the front
+with a mat of ivy. In this gable was no window,
+chimney, ornament, or protuberance of any kind. The
+single feature appertaining to it, beyond the expanse of
+dark green leaves, was a small door.
+The situation of the door was peculiar. The sill
+was three or four feet above the ground, and for a
+moment one was at a loss for an explanation of this
+exceptional altitude, till ruts immediately beneath sug+
+gested that the door was used solely for the passage of
+articles and persons to and from the level of a vehicle
+standing on the outside. Upon the whole, the door
+seemed to advertise itself as a species of Traitor's Gate
+translated to another sphere. That entry and exit
+hereby was only at rare intervals became apparent on
+noting that tufts of grass were allowed to flourish undis+
+turbed in the chinks of the sill.
+As the clock over the South-street Alms-house pointed
+to five minutes to three, a blue spring waggon, picked
+out with red, and containing boughs and flowers, passed
+the end of the street, and up towards this side of the
+building. Whilst the chimes were yet stammering out
+a shattered form of "Malbrook,' Joseph Poorgrass rang
+the bell, and received directions to back his waggon
+against the high door under the gable. The door then
+opened, and a plain elm coffin was slowly thrust forth,
+and laid by two men in fustian along the middle of the
+vehicle.
+One of the men then stepped up beside it, took from
+his pocket a lump of chalk, and wrote upon the cover
+the name and a few other words in a large scrawling
+hand. (We believe that they do these things more
+tenderly now, and provide a
+<P 341>
+plate.) He covered the
+whole with a black cloth, threadbare, but decent, the
+taiiboard of the waggon was returned to its place, one
+of the men handed a certificate of registry to Poorgrass,
+and both entered the door, closing it hehind them.
+Their connection with her, short as it had been, was
+over for ever.
+Joseph then placed the flowers as enjoined, and the
+evergreens around the flowers, till it was difficult to
+divine what the waggon contained; he smacked his
+whip, and the rather pleasing funeral car crept down
+the hill, and along the road to Weatherbury.
+The afternoon drew on apace, and, looking to the
+right towards the sea as he walked beside the horse, Poor+
+grass saw strange clouds and scrolls of mist rolling over
+the long ridges which girt the landscape in that quarter.
+They came in yet greater volumes, and indolently crept
+across the intervening valleys, and around the withered
+papery flags of the moor and river brinks. Then their
+dank spongy forms closed in upon the sky. It was
+a sudden overgrowth of atmospheric fungi which had
+their roots in the neighbouring sea, and by the time
+that horse, man, and corpse entered Yalbury Great
+Wood, these silent workings of an invisible hand had
+reached them, and they were completely enveloped,
+this being the first arrival of the autumn fogs, and the
+first fog of the series.
+The air was as an eye suddenly struck blind. The
+waggon and its load rolled no longer on the horizontal
+division between clearness and opacity, but were
+imbedded in an elastic body of a monotonous pallor
+throughout. There was no perceptible motion in the
+air, not a visible drop of water fell upon a leaf of the
+beeches, birches, and firs composing the wood on either
+side. The trees stood in an attitude of intentness, as if
+they waited longingly for a wind to come and rock
+them. A startling quiet overhung all surrounding things
+ -- so completely, that the crunching of the waggon+
+wheels was as a great noise, and small rustles, which
+had never ohtained a hearing except by night, were dis+
+tinctly individualized.
+Joseph Poorgrass looked round upon his sad burden
+as it loomed faintly through the flowering laurustinus,
+then at the
+<P 342>
+unfathomable gloom amid the high trees on
+each hand, indistinct, shadowless, and spectreiike in
+their monochrome of grey. He felt anything but cheer+
+ful, and wished he had the company even of a child or
+dog. Stopping the home, he listened. Not a footstep
+or wheel was audible anywhere around, and the dead
+silence was broken only by a heavy particle falling from
+a tree through the evergreens and alighting with a smart
+rap upon the coffin of poor Fanny. The fog had by
+this time saturated the trees, and this was the first
+dropping of water from the overbrimming leaves. The
+hollow echo of its fall reminded the waggoner painfully
+of the grim Leveller. Then hard by came down another
+drop, then two or three. Presently there was a continual
+tapping of these heavy drops upon the dead leaves, the
+road, and the travellers. The nearer boughs were beadcd
+with the mist to the greyness of aged men, and the rusty+
+red leaves of the beeches were hung with similar drops,
+like diamonds on auburn hair.
+At the roadside hamlet called Roy-Town, just beyond
+this wood, was the old inn Buck's Head. It was about
+a mile and a half from Weatherbury, and in the meridian
+times of stage-coach travelling had been the place
+where many coaches changed and kept their relays
+of horses. All the old stabling was now pulled down,
+and little remained besides the habitable inn itself,
+which, standing a little way back from the road, sig+
+nified its existence to people far up and down the
+highway by a sign hanging from the horizontal bough
+of an elm on the opposite side of the way.
+Travellers -- for the variety <1tourist>1 had hardly
+developed into a distinct species at this date -- some+
+times said in passing, when they cast their eyes up to
+the sign-bearing tree, that artists were fond of repre+
+senting the signboard hanging thus, but that they
+themselves had never before noticed so perfect an
+instance in actual working order. It was near this tree
+that the waggon was standing into which Gabriel Oak
+crept on his first journey to Weatherbury; but, owing
+to the darkness, the sign and the inn had been un+
+observed.
+The manners of the inn were of the old-established
+<P 343>
+type. Indeed, in the minds of its frequenters they
+existed as unalterable formule : <1e.g.>1 --
+Rap with the bottom of your pint for more liquor.
+For tobacco, shout.
+In calling for the girl in waiting, say, "Maid.!'
+Ditto for the landlady, 'Old Soul.!' etc., etc.
+It was a relief to Joseph's heart when the friendly
+signboard came in view, and, stopping his horse
+immediately beneath it, he proceeded to fulfil an
+intention made a long time before. His spirits were
+oozing out of him quite. He turned the horse's head
+to the green bank, and entered the hostel for a mug
+of ale.
+Going down into the kitchen of the inn, the floor
+of which was a step below the passage, which in its
+BUCK'S HEAD
+turn was a step below the road outside, what should
+Joseph see to gladden his eyes but two copper-coloured
+discs, in the form of the countenances of Mr. Jan
+Coggan and Mr. Mark Clark. These owners of the
+two most appreciative throats in the neighbourhood,
+within the pale of respectability, were now sitting face
+to face over a threeiegged circular table, having an
+iron rim to keep cups and pots from being accidentally
+elbowed off; they might have been said to resemble
+the setting sun and the full moon shining <1vis-a*-vis>1
+across the globe.
+" Why, 'tis neighbour Poorgrass.!' said Mark Clark.
+"I'm sure your face don't praise your mistress's table,
+Joseph.'
+"I've had a very pale companion for the last four
+miles,' said Joseph, indulging in a shudder toned
+down by resignation. 'And to speak the truth, 'twas
+beginning to tell upon me. I assure ye, I ha'n't seed
+the colour of victuals or drink since breakfast time
+this morning, and that was no more than a dew-bit
+afield.'
+"Then drink, Joseph, and don't restrain yourself!.'
+said Coggan, handing him a hooped mug three+
+quarters full.
+Joseph drank for a moderately long time, then for
+a longer time, saying, as he lowered the jug, "'Tis
+pretty drinking -- very
+<P 344>
+pretty drinking, and is more
+than cheerful on my melancholy errand, so to speak it.'
+"True, drink is a pleasant delight,' said Jan, as one
+who repeated a truism so familiar to his brain that he
+hardly noticed its passage over his tongue ; and,
+lifting the cup, Coggan tilted his head gradually
+backwards, with closed eyes, that his expectant soul
+might not be diverted for one instant from its bliss
+by irrelevant surroundings.
+"Well, I must be on again,' said Poorgmss. "Not
+but that I should like another nip with ye; but the
+parish might lose confidence in me if I was seed
+here.'
+" Where be ye trading o't to to-day, then, Joseph ?'
+"Back to Weatherbury. I've got poor little Fanny
+Robin in my waggon outside, and I must be at the
+churchyard gates at a quarter to five with her.'
+'Ay-i've heard of it. And so she's nailed up in
+parish boards after all, and nobody to pay the bell
+shilling and the grave half-crown.'
+"The parish pays the grave half-crown, but not the
+bell shilling, because the bell's a luxery: but 'a can
+hardly do without the grave, poor body. However, I
+expect our mistress will pay all.'
+"A pretty maid as ever I see.! But what's yer hurry,
+Joseph ? The pore woman's dead, and you can't bring
+her to life, and you may as well sit down comfortable,
+and finish another with us.'
+"I don't mind taking just the least thimbleful ye
+can dream of more with ye, sonnies. But only a few
+minutes, because 'tis as 'tis.'
+"Of course, you'll have another drop. A man's
+twice the man afterwards. You feel so warm and
+glorious, and you whop and slap at your work without
+any trouble, and everything goes on like sticks a+
+breaking. Too much liquor is bad, and leads us to
+that horned man in the smoky house ; but after all,
+many people haven't the gift of enjoying a wet, and
+since we be highly favoured with a power that way,
+we should make the most o't.'
+"True,' said Mark Clark. "'Tis a talent the Lord
+<P 345>
+has mercifully bestowed upon us, and we ought not
+to neglect it. But, what with the parsons and clerks
+and schooipeople and serious tea-parties, the merry
+old ways of good life have gone to the dogs -- upon
+my carcase, they have.!'
+" Well, really, I must be onward again now,' said
+Joseph.
+'Now, now, Joseph; nonsense.! The poor woman
+is dead, isn't she, and what's your hurry?'
+"Well, I hope Providence won't be in a way with
+me for my doings,' said Joseph, again sitting down.
+'I've been troubled with weak moments lately, 'tis
+true. I've been drinky once this month already, and
+I did not go to church a-Sunday, and I dropped a
+curse or two yesterday; so I don't want to go too far
+for my safety. Your next world is your next world,
+and not to be squandered offhand.'
+'I believe ye to be a chapeimember, Joseph. That
+I do.'
+'Oh, no, no.! I don't go so far as that.'
+" For my part,' said Coggan, "I'm staunch Church
+of England.'
+" Ay, and faith, so be I,' said Mark Clark.
+"I won't say much for myself; I don't wish to,'
+Coggan continued, with that tendency to talk on
+principles which is characteristic of the barley-corn.
+"But I've never changed a single doctrine : I've stuck
+like a plaster to the old faith I was born in. Yes;
+there's this to be said for the Church, a man can
+belong to the Church and bide in his cheerful old
+inn, and never trouble or worry his mind about
+doctrines at all. But to be a meetinger, you must
+go to chapel in all winds and weathers, and make
+yerself as frantic as a skit. Not but that chapei
+members be clever chaps enough in their way. They
+can lift up beautiful prayers out of their own heads, all
+about their families and shipwmcks in the newspaper.'
+"They can -- they can,' said Mark Clark, with cor+
+roborative feeling ; "but we Churchmen, you see, must
+have it all printed aforehand, or, dang it all, we should
+no more know what to say to a great gaffer like the
+Lord than babes unborn,'
+" Chapeifolk be more hand-in-glove with them above
+than we,' said Joseph, thoughtfully.
+" Yes,' said Coggan. " We know very well that if
+anybody do go to heaven, they will. They've worked
+hard for it, and they
+<P 346>
+deserve to have it, such as 'tis.
+I bain't such a fool as to pretend that we who stick
+to the Church have the same chance as they, because
+we know we have not. But I hate a feller who'll
+change his old ancient doctrines for the sake of getting
+to heaven. I'd as soon turn king's-evidence for the
+few pounds you get. Why, neighbours, when every
+one of my taties were frosted, our Parson Thirdly
+were the man who gave me a sack for seed, though
+he hardly had one for his own use, and no money to
+buy 'em. If it hadn't been for him, I shouldn't hae
+had a tatie to put in my garden. D'ye think I'd
+turn after that? No, I'll stick to my side; and if we
+be in the wrong, so be it : I'll fall with the fallen .! '
+" Well said -- very well said,' observed Joseph. --
+" However, folks, I must be moving now: upon my life
+I must. Pa'son Thirdly will be waiting at the church
+gates, and there's the woman a-biding outside in the
+waggon.'
+" Joseph Poorgmss, don't be so miserable.! Pa'son
+Thirdly won't mind. He's a generous man ; he's found
+me in tracts for years, and I've consumed a good many
+in the course of a long and shady life; but he's never
+been the man to cry out at the expense. Sit down.'
+The longer Joseph Poorgrass remained, the less his
+spirit was troubled by the duties which devolved upon
+him this afternoon. The minutes glided by uncounted,
+until the evening shades began perceptibly to deepen,
+and the eyes of the three were but sparkling points
+on the surface of darkness. Coggan's repeater struck
+six from his pocket in the usual still small tones.
+At that moment hasty steps were heard in the entry,
+and the door opened to admit the figure of Gabriel Oak,
+followed by the maid of the inn bearing a candle. He
+stared sternly at the one lengthy and two round faces
+of the sitters, which confronted him with the expressions
+of a fiddle and a couple of warming-pans. Joseph Poor+
+grass blinked, and shrank several inches into the back+
+ground.
+' Upon my soul, I'm ashamed of you ; 'tis disgraceful,
+Joseph, disgraceful!. " said Gabriel, indignantly. " Coggan,
+you call yourself a man, and don't know better than this.'
+<P 347>
+Coggan looked up indefinitely at Oak, one or other
+of his eyes occasionally opening and closing of its own
+accord, as if it were not a member, but a dozy individual
+with a distinct personality.
+" Don't take on so, shepherd!' said Mark Clark,
+looking reproachfully at the candle, which appeared
+to possess special features of interest for his eyes.
+'Nobody can hurt a dead woman,' at length said
+Coggan, with the precision of a machine. "All that
+could be done for her is done -- she's beyond us : and
+why should a man put himself in a tearing hurry for
+lifeless clay that can neither feel nor see, and don't
+know what you do with her at all? If she'd been
+alive, I would have been the first to help her. If she
+now wanted victuals and drink, I'd pay for it, money
+down. But she's dead, and no speed of ours will
+bring her to life. The woman's past us -- time spent
+upon her is throwed away: why should we hurry to
+do what's not required ? Drink, shepherd, and be
+friends, for to-morrow we may be like her.'
+" We may,' added Mark Clark, emphatically, at once
+drinking himself, to run no further risk of losing his
+chance by the event alluded to, Jan meanwhile merging
+his additional thoughts of to-morrow in a song : --
+To-mor-row, to-mor-row !
+And while peace and plen-ty I find at my board,
+With a heart free from sick-ness and sor-row,
+With my friends will I share what to-day may af-ford,
+And let them spread the ta-ble to-mor-row.
+To-mor -- row', to-mor -- +
+"Do hold thy horning, Jan.!' said Oak; and turning
+upon Poorgrass, " as for you, Joseph, who do your wicked
+deeds in such confoundedly holy ways, you are as drunk
+as you can stand.'
+"No, Shepherd Oak, no! Listen to reason, shepherd.
+All that's the matter with me is the affliction called a
+multiplying eye, and that's how it is I look double to
+you-i mean, you look double to me.'
+A multiplying eye is a very bad thing,' said Mark
+Clark.
+<P 348>
+It always comes on when I have been in a public --
+house a little time,' said Joseph Poorgrass, meekly.
+"Yes; I see two of every sort, as if I were some holy
+man living in the times of King Noah and entering
+into the ark.... Y-y-y-yes,' he added, becoming much
+affected by the picture of himself as a person thrown
+away, and shedding tears; "I feel too good for England :
+I ought to have lived in Genesis by rights, like the other
+men of sacrifice, and then I shouldn't have b-b-been
+called a d-d-drunkard in such a way.!'
+"I wish you'd show yourself a man of spirit, and not
+sit whining there.!'
+"Show myself a man of spirit ? ... Ah, well! let
+me take the name of drunkard humbly-iet me be a
+man of contrite knees-iet it be .! l know that I always
+do say "Please God' afore I do anything, from my
+getting up to my going down of the same, and I be
+willing to take as much disgrace as there is in that
+holy act. Hah, yes.! ... But not a man of spirit ?
+Have I ever allowed the toe of pride to be lifted
+against my hinder parts without groaning manfully that
+I question the right to do so? I inquire that query
+boldly?'
+" We can't say that you have, Hero Poorgrass,'
+admitted Jan.
+"Never have I allowed such treatment to pass un+
+questioned!. Yet the shepherd says in the face of that
+rich testimony that I be not a man of spirit! Well,
+let it pass by, and death is a kind friend !.'
+Gabriel, seeing that neither of the three was in a fit
+state to Cake charge of the waggon for the remainder of
+the journey, made no reply, but, closing the door again
+upon them, went across to where the vehicle stood, now
+getting indistinct in the fog and gloom of this mildewy
+time. He pulled the horse's head from the large patch
+of turf it had eaten bare, readjusted the boughs over
+the coffin, and drove along through the unwholesome
+night.
+It had gradually become rumoured in the village
+that the body to be brought and buried that day was
+all that was left of the unfortunate Fanny Robin who
+had followed the Eleventh from Casterbridge through
+Melchester and onwards. But,
+<P 349>
+thanks to Boldwood's
+reticence and Oak's generosity, the lover she had followed
+had never been individualized as Troy. Gabriel hoped
+that the whole truth of the matter might not be published
+till at any rate the girl had been in her grave for a few
+days, when the interposing barriers of earth and time,
+and a sense that the events had been somewhat shut
+into oblivion, would deaden the sting that revelation and
+invidious remark would have for Bathsheba just now.
+By the time that Gabriel reached the old manor+
+house, her residence, which lay in his way to the church,
+it was quite dark. A man came from the gate and said
+through the fog, which hung between them like blown
+flour --
+"Is that Poorgrass with the corpse?'
+Gabriel recognized the voice as that of the parson.
+" The corpse is here, sir,' said Gabriel.
+"I have just been to inquire of Mrs. Troy if she could
+tell me the reason of the delay. I am afraid it is too
+late now for the funeral to be performed with proper
+decency. Have you the registrar's certificate ? '
+" No,' said Gabriel. "I expect Poorgrass has that ;
+and he's at the Buck's Head. I forgot to ask him
+for it.'
+"Then that settles the matter. We'll put off the
+funeral till to-morrow morning. The body may be
+brought on to the church, or it may be left here at
+the farm and fetched by the bearers in the morning.
+They waited more than an hour, and have now gone
+home.'
+Gabriel had his reasons for thinking the latter a
+most objectionable plan, notwithstanding that Fanny
+had been an inmate of the farm-house for several years
+in the lifetime of Bathsheba's uncle. Visions of several
+unhappy contingencies which might arise from this delay
+flitted before him. But his will was not law, and he
+went indoors to inquire of his mistress what were her
+wishes on the subject. He found her in an unusual
+mood : her eyes as she looked up to him were suspicious
+and perplexed as with some antecedent thought. Troy
+had not yet returned. At first Bathsheba assented with
+a mien of indifference to his proposition that they should
+go on to the church at once with their burden; but
+immediately
+<P 350>
+afterwards, following Gabriel to the gate,
+she swerved to the extreme of solicitousness on Fanny's
+account, and desired that the girl might be brought into
+the house. Oak argued upon the convenience of leaving
+her in the waggon, just as she lay now, with her flowers
+and green leaves about her, merely wheeling the vehicle
+into the coach-house till the morning, but to no purpose,
+"It is unkind and unchristian,' she said, 'to leave the
+poor thing in a coach-house all night.'
+Very well, then,' said the parson. "And I will
+arrange that the funeral shall take place early to+
+morrow. Perhaps Mrs. Troy is right in feeling that we
+cannot treat a dead fellow-creature too thoughtfully
+We must remember that though she may have erred
+grievously in leaving her home, she is still our sister :
+and it is to be believed that God's uncovenanted
+mercies are extended towards her, and that she is a
+member of the flock of Christ.'
+The parson's words spread into the heavy air with a
+sad yet unperturbed cadence, and Gabriel shed an
+honest tear. Bathsheba seemed unmoved. Mr.
+Thirdly then left them, and Gabriel lighted a lantern.
+Fetching three other men to assist him, they bore the
+unconscious truant indoors, placing the coffin on two
+benches in the middle of a little sitting-room next the
+hall, as Bathsheba directed.
+Every one except Gabriel Oak then left the room.
+He still indecisively lingered beside the body. He was
+deeply troubled at the wretchedly ironical aspect that
+circumstances were putting on with regard to Troy's
+wife, and at his own powerlessness to counteract them,
+(n spite of his careful manoeuvring all this day, the very
+worst event that could in any way have happened in
+connection with the burial had happened now. Oak
+imagined a terrible discovery resulting from this after+
+noon's work that might cast over Bathsheba's life a shade
+which the interposition of many lapsing years might but
+indifferently lighten, and which nothing at all might
+altogether remove.
+Suddenly, as in a last attempt to save Bathsheba
+from, at any rate, immediate anguish, he looked again,
+as he had looked before, at the chalk writing upon the
+<P 351>
+coffinlid. The scrawl was this simple one, " Fanny
+Robin and child.' Gabriel took his handkerchief and
+carefully rubbed out the two latter words, leaving visible
+the inscription " Fanny' Robin ' only. He then left the
+room, and went out quietly by the front door.
+<C xliii>
+<P 352>
+FANNY'S REVENGE
+! DO you want me any longer ma'am ? " inquired Liddy,
+at a later hour the same evening, standing by the door
+with a chamber candlestick in her hand and addressing
+Bathsheba, who sat cheerless and alone in the large
+parlour beside the first fire of the season.
+" No more to-night, Liddy.'
+"l'll sit up for master if you like, ma'am. I am not
+at all afraid of Fanny, if I may sit in my own room and '
+have a candle. She was such a childlike, nesh young
+thing that her spirit couldn't appear to anybody if it
+tried, I'm quite sure.'
+"O no, no! You go to bed. I'll sit up for him
+myself till twelve o'clock, and if he has not arrived by
+that time, I shall give him up and go to bed too.'
+It is half-past ten now.'
+'Oh! is it?'
+Why don't you sit upstairs, ma'am ? '
+" Why don't I ? ' said Bathsheba, desultorily. 'It
+isn t worth while -- there's a fire here, Liddy.' She
+suddenly exclaimed in an impulsive and excited whisper,
+Have you heard anything strange said of Fanny?'
+The words had no sooner escaped her than an expres+
+sion of unutterable regret crossed her face, and she
+burst into tears.
+"No -- not a word !' said Liddy, looking at the
+weeping woman with astonishment. 'What is it makes
+you cry so, ma'am; has anything hurt you ? ' She came
+to Bathsheba's side with a face full of sympathy.
+" No, Liddy-i don't want you any more. I can
+hardly say why I have taken to crying lately: I never
+used to cry. Good-night.'
+Liddy then left the parlour and closed the door.
+<P 353>
+Bathsheba was lonely and miserable now ; not lone+
+lier actually than she had heen before her marriage;
+but her loneliness then was to that of the present time
+as the solitude of a mountain is to the solitude of a
+cave. And within the last day or two had come these
+disquieting thoughts about her husband's past. Her
+wayward sentiment that evening concerning Fanny's
+temporary resting-place had been the result of a strange
+complication of impulses in Bathsheba's bosom. Per+
+haps it would be more accurately described as a
+determined rebellion against her prejudices, a revulsion
+from a lower instinct of uncharitableness, which would
+have withheld all sympathy from the dead woman, be+
+cause in life she had preceded Bathsheba in the atten+
+tions of a man whom Bathsheba had by no means
+ceased from loving, though her love was sick to death
+just now with the gravity of a further misgiving.
+In five or ten minutes there was another tap at the
+door. Liddy reappeared, and coming in a little way
+stood hesitating, until at length she said, !Maryann has
+just heard something very strange, but I know it isn't
+true. And we shall be sure to know the rights of it in
+a day or two.'
+"What is it ?'
+" Oh, nothing connected with you or us, ma'am. It
+is about Fanny. That same thing you have heard.'
+"I have heard nothing.'
+"I mean that a wicked story is got to Weatherbury
+within this last hour -- that -- -- ' Liddy came close to
+her mistress and whispered the remainder of the sentence
+slowly into her ear, inclining her head as she spoke in
+the direction of the room where Fanny lay.
+Bathsheba trembled from head to foot.
+"I don't believe it ! ' she said, excitedly. 'And
+there's only one name written on the coffin-cover.'
+"Nor I, ma'am. And a good many others don't;
+for we should surely have been told more about it if it
+had been true -- don't you think so, ma'am ? '
+"We might or we might not.'
+Bathsheba turned and looked into the fire, that
+Liddy might not see her
+<P 354>
+face. Finding that her mistress
+was going to say no more, Liddy glided out, closed the
+door softly, and went to bed.
+Bathsheba's face, as she continued looking into the
+fire that evening, might have excited solicitousness on
+her account even among those who loved her least.
+The sadness of Fanny Robin's fate did not make Bath+
+sheba's glorious, although she was the Esther to this
+poor Vashti, and their fates might be supposed to stand
+in some respects as contrasts to each other. When
+Liddy came into the room a second time the beautiful
+eyes which met hers had worn a listless, weary look+
+When she went out after telling the story they had ex+
+pressed wretchedness in full activity. Her simple
+country nature, fed on old-fashioned principles, was
+troubled by that which would have troubled a woman
+of the world very little, both Fanny and her child, if she
+had one, being dead.
+Bathsheba had grounds for conjecturing a connection
+between her own history and the dimly suspected
+tragedy of Fanny's end which Oak and Boldwood never
+for a moment credited her with possessing. The
+meeting with the lonely woman on the previous Saturday
+night had been unwitnessed and unspoken of. Oak
+may have had the best of intentions in withholding for
+as many days as possible the details of what had
+happened to Fanny ; but had he known that Bathsheba's
+perceptions had already been exercised in the matter,
+he would have done nothing to lengthen the minutes of
+suspense she was now undergoing, when the certainty
+which must terminate it would be the worst fact suspected
+after all.
+She suddenly felt a longing desire to speak to some
+one stronger than herself, and so get strength to sustain
+her surmised position with dignity and her carking
+doubts with stoicism. Where could she find such a
+friend? nowhere in the house. She was by far the
+coolest of the women under her roof. Patience and
+suspension of judgement for a few hours were what she
+wanted to learn, and there was nobody to teach her.
+Might she but go to Gabriel Oak ! -- but that could not
+be. What a way Oak had, she thought, of enduring
+things. Boldwood, who seemed so much deeper and
+higher and stronger in
+<P 355>
+feeling than Gabriel, had not
+yet learnt, any more than she herself, the simple
+lesson which Oak showed a mastery of by every turn
+and look he gave -- that among the multitude of interests
+by which he was surrounded, those which affected his
+personal welibeing were not the most absorbing and
+important in his eyes. Oak meditatively looked upon
+the horizon of circumstances without any special regard
+to his own standpoint in the midst. That was how
+she would wish to be. But then Oak was not racked
+by incertitude upon the inmost matter of his bosom, as
+she was at this moment. Oak knew all about Fanny
+that he wished to know -- she felt convinced of that.
+If she were to go to him now at once and say no more
+than these few words, !What is the truth of the story?'
+he would feel bound in honour to tell her. It would
+be an inexpressible relief. No further speech would
+need to be uttered. He knew her so well that no
+eccentricity of behaviour in her would alarm him.
+She flung a cloak roundher, went to the door and
+opened it. Every blade, every twig was still. The air
+was yet thick with moisture, though somewhat less dense
+than during the afternoon, and a steady smack of drops
+upon the fallen leaves under the boughs was almost
+musical in its soothing regularity. lt seemed better to
+be out of the house than within it, and Bathsheba closed
+the door, and walked slowly down the lane till she came
+opposite to Gabriel's cottage, where he now lived alone,
+having left Coggan's house through being pinched for
+room. There was a light in one window only', and that
+was downstairs. The shutters were not closed, nor was
+any blind or curtain drawn over the window, neither
+robbery nor observation being a contingency which could
+do much injury to the occupant of the domicile. Yes,
+it was Gabriel himself who was sitting up : he was reading,
+From her standing-place in the road she could see him
+plainly, sitting quite still, his light curly head upon his
+hand, and only occasionally looking up to snuff the
+candle which stood beside him. At length he looked
+at the clock, seemed surprised at the lateness of the
+hour, closed his book, and arose. He was going to bed,
+she knew, and if she tapped it must be done at once.
+<P 356>
+Alas for her resolve ! She felt she could not do it,
+Not for worlds now could she give a hint about her
+misery to him, much less ask him plainly for information
+on the cause of Fanny's death. She must suspect, and
+guess, and chafe, and bear it all alone.
+Like a homeless wanderer she lingered by the bank,
+as if lulled and fascinated by the atmosphere of content
+which seemed to spread from that little dwelling, and
+was so sadly lacking in her own. Gabriel appeared in
+an upper room, placed his light in the window-bench,
+and then -- knelt down to pray. The contrast of the
+picture with her rebellious and agitated existence at this
+same time was too much for her to bear to look upon
+longer. It was not for her to make a truce with
+trouble by any such means. She must tread her giddy
+distracting measure to its last note, as she had begun it.
+With a swollen heart she went again up the lane, and
+entered her own door.
+More fevered now by a reaction from the first feelings
+which Oak's example had raised in her, she paused in
+the hall, looking at the door of the room wherein Fanny
+lay. She locked her fingers, threw back her head, and
+strained her hot hands rigidly across her forehead, saying,
+with a hysterical sob, 'Would to God you would speak
+and tell me your secret, Fanny .! . , . O, I hope, hope
+it is not true that there are two of you ! ... If I could
+only look in upon you for one little minute, I should
+know all !. '
+A few moments passed, and she added, slowly, 'And
+I will'
+Bathsheba in after times could never gauge the mood
+which carried her through the actions following this
+murmured resolution on this memorable evening of her
+life. She went to the lumber-closet for a screw-driver.
+At the end of a short though undefined time she found
+herself in the small room, quivering with emotion, a mist
+before her eyes, and an excruciating pulsation in her
+brain, standing beside the uncovered coffin of the girl
+whose conjectured end had so entirely engrossed her, and
+saying to herself in a husky voice as she gazed within --
+'It was best to know the worst, and I know it now.!'
+<P 357>
+She was conscious of having brought about this
+situation by a series of actions done as by one in an
+extravagant dream ; of following that idea as to method,
+which had burst upon her in the hall with glaring
+obviousness, by gliding to the top of the stairs, assuring
+herself by listening to the heavy breathing of her maids
+that they were asleep, gliding down again, turning the
+handle of the door within which the young girl lay, and
+deliberately setting herself to do what, if she had antici+
+pated any such undertaking at night and alone, would
+have horrified her, but which, when done, was not so
+dreadful as was the conclusive proof of her husband's
+conduct which came with knowing beyond doubt the
+last chapter of Fanny's story.
+Bathsheba's head sank upon her bosom, and the
+breath which had been bated in suspense, curiosity, and
+interest, was exhaled now in the form of a whispered
+wail: 'Oh-h-h!' she said, and the silent room added
+length to her moan.
+Her tears fell fast beside the unconscious pair in the
+coffin: tears of a complicated origin, of a nature inde+
+scribable, almost indefinable except as other than those
+of simple sorrow. Assuredly their wonted fires must
+have lived in Fanny's ashes when events were so shaped
+as to chariot her hither in this natural, unobtrusive, yet
+effectual manner. The one feat alone -- that of dying --
+by which a mean condition couId be resolved into a
+grand one, Fanny had achieved. And to that had
+destiny subjoined this rencounter to-night, which had,
+in Bathsheba's wild imagining, turned her companion's
+failure to success, her humiliation to triumph, her luck
+lessness to ascendency; et had thrown over herself a
+garish light of mockery, and set upon all things about
+her an ironical smile.
+Fanny's face was framed in by that yeIIow hair of
+hers; and there was no longer much room for doubt as
+to the origin of the curl owned by Troy. In Bath+
+sheba's heated fancy the innocent white countenance
+expressed a dim triumphant consciousness of the pain
+she was retaliating for her pain with all the merciless
+rigour of the Mosaic law: 'Burning for burning; wound
+for wound: strife for strife.
+Bathsheba indulged in contempIations of escape from
+her position by immediate death, which thought she,
+<P 358>
+though it was an inconvenient and awful way, had limits
+to its inconvenience and awfulness that could not be
+overpassed ; whilst the shames of life were measureless.
+Yet even this scheme of extinction by death was out
+FANNY'S REVENGE
+tamely copying her rival's method without the reasons
+which had glorified it in her rival's case. She glided
+rapidly up and down the room, as was mostly her habit
+hen excited, her hands hanging clasped in front of her,
+as she thought and in part expressed in brocken words :
+O, I hate her, yet I don't mean that I hate her, for
+it is grievous and wicked; and yet I hate her a little !
+yes, my flesh insists upon hating her, whether my spirit
+is willing or no !.... If she had only lived, I could
+ave been angry and cruel towards her with some justifi+
+cation ; but to be vindictive towards a poor dead woman
+recoils upon myself. O God, have mercy,! I am
+miserable at all this !. '
+Bathsheba became at this moment so terrified at her
+own state of mind that she looked around for some sort
+of refuge from herself. The vision of Oak kneeling
+down that night recurred to her, and with the imitative
+instinct which animates women she seized upon the idea,
+resolved to kneel, and, if possible, pray. Gabriel had
+prayed ; so would she.
+She knelt beside the coffin, covered her face with her
+hands, and for a time the room was silent as a tomb.
+whether from a purely mechanical, or from any other
+cause, when Bathsheba arose it was with a quieted spirit,
+and a regret for the antagonistic instincts which had
+seized upon her just before.
+In her desire to make atonement she took flowers
+from a vase by the window, and began laying them
+around the dead girl's head. Bathsheba knew no other
+way of showing kindness to persons departed than by
+giving them flowers. She knew not how long she
+remained engaged thus. She forgot time, life, where
+she was, what she was doing. A slamming together of
+the coach-house doors in the yard brought her to her+
+self again. An instant after, the front door opened and
+closed, steps crossed the hall, and her husband appeared
+at the entrance to the room, looking in upon her.
+He beheld it all by degrees, stared in stupefaction at
+the scene, as if he thought it an illusion raised by some
+fiendish
+<P 359>
+incantation. Bathsheba, pallid as a corpse on
+end, gazed back at him in the same wild way.
+So little are instinctive guesses the fruit of a legitimate
+induction, that at this moment, as he stood with the
+door in his hand, Troy never once thought of Fanny in
+connection with what he saw. His first confused idea
+was that somebody in the house had died.
+'Weli-what ? ' said Troy, blankly.
+'I must go ! I must go ! ' said Bathsheba, to herself
+more than to him. She came with a dilated eye towards
+the door, to push past him.
+' What's the matter, in God's name ? who's dead ?'
+said Troy.
+'I cannot say; let me go out. I want air.! ' she
+continued.
+'But no; stay, I insist ! ' He seized her hand, and
+then volition seemed to leave her, and she went off into
+a state of passivity. He, still holding her, came up the
+room, and thus, hand in hand, Troy and Bathsheba
+approached the coffin's side.
+The candle was standing on a bureau close by them,
+and the light slanted down, distinctly enkindling the
+cold features of both mother and babe. Troy looked
+in, dropped his wife's hand, knowledge of it all came
+over him in a lurid sheen, and he stood still.
+So still he remained that he could be imagined to
+have left in him no motive power whatever. The
+clashes of feeling in all directions confounded one
+another, produced a neutrality, and there was motion in
+none.
+'Do you know her?' said Bathsheba, in a small
+enclosed echo, as from the interior of a cell.
+'I do,' said Troy.
+'Is it she?'
+'It is.'
+He had originally stood perfectly erect. And now,
+in the welinigh congealed immobility of his frame
+could be discerned an incipient movement, as in the
+darkest night may be discerned light after a while.
+He was gradually sinking forwards. The lines of his
+features softened, and dismay modulated to illiimitable
+sadness. Bathsheba was regarding him from the other
+side, still with parted lips and distracted eyes.
+<P 360>
+Capacity
+for intense feeling is proportionate to the general
+intensity of the nature ,and perhaps in all Fanny's
+sufferings, much greater relatively to her strength, there
+never was a time she suffered in an absolute sense
+what Bathsheba suffered now.
+What Troy did was to sink upon his knees with
+an indefinable union of remorse and reverence upon
+his face, and, bending over Fanny Robin, gently kissed
+her, as one would kiss an infant asleep to avoid
+awakening it.
+At the sight and sound of that, to her, unendurable
+act, Bathsheba sprang towards him. All the strong
+feelings which had been scattered over her existence
+since she knew what feeling was, seemed gathered
+together into one pulsation now. The revulsion from
+her indignant mood a little earlier, when she had
+meditated upon compromised honour, forestalment,
+eclipse in maternity by another, was violent and entire.
+All that was forgotten in the simple and still strong
+attachment of wife to husband. She had sighed for
+her self-completeness then, and now she cried aloud
+against the severance of the union she had deplored.
+She flung her arms round Troy's neck, exclaiming wildly
+from the deepest deep of her heart --
+' Don't -- don't kiss them !. O, Frank, I can"t bear
+it-i can't ! I love you better than she did: kiss me
+too, Frank -- kiss me ! You will, Frank, kiss me too !'
+There was something so abnormal and startling in
+the childlike pain and simplicity of this appeal from a
+woman of Bathsheba's calibre and independence, that
+Troy, loosening her tightly clasped arms from his neck,
+looked at her in bewilderment. It was such and unex+
+pected revelation of all women being alike at heart, even
+those so different in their accessories as Fanny and this
+one beside him, that Troy could hardly seem to believe
+her to be his proud wife Bathsheba. Fanny's own
+spirit seemed to be animating her frame. But this was
+the mood of a few instants only. When the momentary
+'I will not kiss you!' he said pushing her away.
+Had the wife now but gone no further. Yet,
+perhaps. under the harrowing circumstances, to speak
+out was the one wrong
+<P 361>
+act which can be better under+
+stood, if not forgiven in her, than the right and politic
+one, her rival being now but a corpse. All the feeling
+she had been betrayed into showing she drew back to
+herself again by a strenuous effort of self-command.
+'What have you to say as your reason ?' she asked
+her bitter voice being strangely low -- quite that of
+another woman now.
+'I have to say that I have been a bad, black-hearted
+man,' he answered.
+less than she.'
+'Ah! don't taunt me, madam. This woman is more
+to me, dead as she is, than ever you were, or are, or can
+be. If Satan had not tempted me with that face of
+yours, and those cursed coquetries, I should have
+He turned to Fanny then. 'But never mind, darling,'
+wife.!'
+At these words there arose from Bathsheba's lips a
+long, low cry of measureless despair and indignation,
+such a wail of anguish as had never before been heard
+within those old-inhabited walls. It was the ??????????
+of her union with Troy.
+"If she's -- that, -- what -- am I ? ' she added, as a
+continuation of the same cry, and sobbing pitifully:
+and the rarity with her of such abandonment only made
+the condition more dire.
+" You are nothing to me -- nothing,' said Troy,
+heartlessly. 'A ceremony before a priest doesn't make
+a marriage. I am not morally yours.'
+A vehement impulse to flee from him, to run from
+this place, hide, and escape his words at any price, not
+stopping short of death itself, mastered Bathsheba now.
+She waited not an instant, but turned to the door and
+ran out.
+<C xliv>
+<P 362>
+UNDER A TREE -- REACTION
+BATHSHEBA went along the dark road, neither know'
+ing nor caring about the direction or issue of her flight.
+The first time that she definitely noticed her position
+was when she reached a gate leading into a thicket over+
+hung by some large oak and beech trees. On looking
+into the place, it occurred to her that she had seen it
+by daylight on some previous occasion, and that what
+appeared like an impassable thicket was in reality a
+brake of fern now withering fast. She could think of
+nothing better to do with her palpitating self than to go
+in here and hide; and entering, she lighted on a spot
+sheltered from the damp fog hy a reclining trunk, where
+she sank down upon a tangled couch of fronds and
+stems. She mechanically pulled some armfuls round
+her to keep off the breezes, and closed her eyes.
+Whether she slept or not that night Bathsheba was
+not clearly aware. But it was with a freshened exist+
+ence and a cooler brain that, a long time afterwards, she
+became conscious of some interesting proceedings which
+were going on in the trees above her head and around.
+A coarse-throated chatter was the first sound.
+It was a sparrow just waking.
+Next : ' Chee-weeze-weeze-weeze .! ' from another
+retreat.
+It was a finch.
+Third : ' Tink-tink-tink-tink-a-chink ! ' from the hedge,
+It was a robin.
+' Chuck-chuck-chuck !. ' overhead.
+A squirrel.
+Then, from the road, 'With my ra-ta-ta, and my
+rum-tum-tum ! '
+It was a ploughboy. Presently he came opposite,
+and she believed from his voice that he was one of
+the boys on her own farm. He was followed by a
+shambling tramp of heavy feet, and
+<P 363>
+looking through
+the ferns Bathsheba could just discern in the wan light
+of daybreak a team of her own horses. They stopped
+to drink at a pond on the other side of the way'. She
+watched them flouncing into the pool, drinking, tossing
+up their heads, drinking again, the water dribbling
+from their lips in silver threads. There was another
+flounce, and they came out of the pond, and turned
+back again towards the farm.
+She looked further around. Day was just dawning,
+and beside its cool air and colours her heated actions
+and resolves of the night stood out in lurid contrast.
+She perceived that in her lap, and clinging to her
+hair, were red and yellow leaves which had come
+down from the tree and settled silently upon her
+during her partial sleep. Bathsheba shook her dress to
+get rid of them, when multitudes of the same family lying
+round about her rose and fiuttered away in the breeze
+thus created, 'like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing.'
+There was an opening towards the east, and the
+glow from the as yet unrisen sun attracted her eyes
+thither. From her feet, and between the beautiful
+yellowing ferns with their feathery arms, the ground
+sloped downwards to a hollow, in which was a species
+of swamp, dotted with fungi. A morning mist hung
+over it now -- a fulsome yet magnificent silvery veil,
+full of light from the sun, yet semi-opaque -- the hedge
+behind it being in some measure hidden by its hazy
+luminousness. Up the sides of this depression grew
+sheaves of the common rush, and here and there a
+peculiar species of flag, the blades of which glistened
+in the enaerging sun, like scythes. But the general
+aspect of the swamp was malignant. From its moist
+and poisonous coat seemed to be exhaled the essences
+of evil things in the earth, and in the waters under
+the earth. The fungi grew in all manner of positions
+from rotting leaves and tree stumps, some exhibiting
+to her listless gaze their clammy tops, others their
+oozing gills. Some were marked with great splotches,
+red as arterial blood, others were saffron yellow, and
+others tall and attenuated, with stems like macaroni.
+Some were leathery and of richest browns. The
+hollow seemed a nursery of pestilences small and
+great, in the immediate neighbourhood of comfort
+and health, and Bathsheba arose with a tremor at the
+thought of having
+<P 364>
+passed the night on the brink of
+so dismal a place.
+'l'here were now other footsteps to be heard along
+the road. Bathsheba's nerves were still unstrung :
+she crouchcd down out of sight again, and the pedes+
+trian came into view. He was a schoolboy, with a
+bag slung over his shoulder containing his dinner,
+and a hook in his hand. He paused by the gate,
+and, without looking up, continued murmuring words
+in tones quite loud enough to reach her ears.
+'''O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord, O Lord'': --
+that I know out o' book. ''Give us, give us, give us,
+give us, give us '' : -- that I know. ''Grace that, grace that,
+grace that, grace that '' : -- that I know.' Other words
+followed to the same effect. The boy was of the
+dunce class apparently; the book was a psalter, and
+this was his way of learning the collect. In the worst
+attacks of trouble there appears to be always a super+
+ficial film of consciousness which is left disengaged
+and open to the notice of trifles, and Bathsheba was
+faintly amused at the boy's method, till he too passed on.
+By this time stupor had given place to anxiety, and
+anxiety began to make room for hunger and thirst.
+A form now appeared upon the rise on the other side
+of the swamp, half-hidden by the mist, and came
+towards Bathsheba. The woman -- for it was a woman
+ -- approached with her face askance, as if looking
+earnestly on all sides of her. When she got a little
+further round to the left, and drew nearer, Bathsheba
+could see the newcomer's profile ngainst the sunny
+sky', and knew the wavy sweep from forehead to chin,
+with neither angle nor decisive line anywhere about
+it, to be the familiar contour of Liddy Smallbury.
+Bathsheba's heart bounded with gratitude in the
+thought that she was not altogether deserted, and she
+jumped up. ' O, Liddy .! ' she said, or attempted to say;
+but the words had only been framed hy her lips; there
+came no sound. She had lost her voice by exposure
+to the clogged atmosphere all these hours of night.
+'O, ma'am.! I am so glad I have found you,' said
+the girl, as soon as she saw Bathsheba.
+' You can't come across,' Bathsheba said in a whisper,
+wihich she
+<P 365>
+vainly endeavoured to make loud enough to
+reach Liddy's ears. Liddy, not knowing this, stepped
+down upon the swamp, saying, as she did so, 'It will
+bear me up, I think.'
+Bathsheba never forgot that transient little picture
+of Liddy crossing the swamp to her there in the
+morning light. Iridescent bubbles of dank subter+
+ranean breath rose from the sweating sod beside the
+waiting maid's feet as she trod, hissing as they burst
+and expanded away to join the vapoury firmament above.
+Liddy did not sink, as Bathsheba had anticipated.
+She landed safely on the other side, and looked up
+at the beautiful though pale and weary face of her
+young mistress.
+'Poor thing ! ' said Liddy, with tears in her eyes,
+Do hearten yourself up a little, ma'am. However
+did -- -- '
+'I can't speak above a whisper -- my voice is gone
+for the present,' said Bathsheba, hurriedly. ' I suppose
+the damp air from that hollow has taken it away
+Liddy, don't question me, mind. Who sent you --
+anybody ? '
+' Nobody. I thought, when I found you were not
+at home, that something cruel had happened. I fancy
+I heard his voice late last night; and so, knowing
+something was wrong -- -- '
+'Is he at home?'
+'No ; he left just before I came out.'
+'Is Fanny taken away ? '
+' Not yet. She will soon be -- at nine o'clock.'
+'we won't go home at present, then. Suppose we
+walk about in this wood ?'
+Liddy, without exactly understanding everything, or
+anything, in this episode, assented, and they walked
+together further among the trees.
+'But you had better come in, ma'am, and have
+something to eat. You will die of a chill! '
+'I shall not come indoors yet -- perhaps never.'
+'Shall I get you something to eat, and something
+else to put over your head besides that little shawl?'
+'If you will, Liddy.'
+Liddy vanished, and at the end of twenty minutes
+returned with a cloak, hat, some slices of bread and
+butter, a tea-cup, and some hot tea in a little china jug
+<P 366>
+"Is Fanny gone ? ' said Bathsheba.
+' No,' said her companion, pouring out the tea.
+Bathsheba wrapped herself up and ate and drank
+sparingly. Her voice was then a little clearer, and
+trifling colour returned to her face. 'Now we'll walk
+about again,' she said.
+They wandered about the wood for nearly two
+REACTION
+hours, Bathsheba replying in monosyllables to Liddy's
+prattle, for her mind ran on one subject, and one only.
+She interrupted with --
+'l wonder if Fanny is gone by this time ? '
+'I will go and see.'
+She came back with the information that the
+men were just taking away the corpse; that Bathsheba
+had been inquired for; that she had replied to the
+effect that her mistress was unwell and could not be
+seen.
+'Then they think I am in my bedroom ?'
+' Yes.' Liddy then ventured to add: ' You said
+when I first found you that you might never go home
+again -- you didn't mean it, ma'am ? '
+'No; I've altered my mind. It is only women with
+no pride in them who run away from their husbands.
+There is one position worse than that of being found
+dead in your husband's house from his iliusage, and
+that is, to be found alive through having gone away to
+The house of somebody else. l've thought of it all this
+morning, and I've chosen my course. A runaway wife
+is an encumbrance to everybody, a burden to herself and
+a byword -- all of which make up a heap of misery
+greater than any that comes by staying at home --
+though this may include the trifling items of insult,
+beating, and starvation. Liddy, if ever you marry --
+God forbid that you ever should ! -- you'll find yourself
+in a fearful situation ; but mind this, don't you flinch.
+Stand your ground, and be cut to pieces. That's
+what I'm going to do.'
+' O, mistress, don't talk so .! ' said Liddy,-taking her
+hand; 'but I knew you had too much sense to bide
+away. May I ask what dreadful thing it is that has
+happened between you and him ?'
+' You may ask; but I may not tell.'
+In about ten minutes they returned to the house by
+a cimuitous route, entering at the rear. Bathsheba
+glided up the
+<P 367>
+back stairs to a disused attic, and her
+companion followed.
+'Liddy,' she said, with a lighter heart, for youth an
+hope had begun to reassert themselves; ' you are to b
+my confidante for the present -- somebody must be -- and
+I choose you. Well, I shall take up my abode here fo
+a while. Will you get a fire lighted, put down a piece
+of carpet, and help me to make the place comfortable.
+Afterwards, I want you and Maryann to bring up that
+little stump bedstead in the small room, and the be
+belonging to it, and a table, and some other things.
+What shall I do to pass the heavy time away ?'
+'Hemming handkerchiefs is a very good thing,' said
+Liddy.
+'O no, no .! I hate needlework-i always did.'
+'knitting ? '
+' And that, too.'
+'You might finish your sampler. Only the carn
+tions and peacocks want filling in; and then it could
+be framed and glazed, and hung beside your aunt'
+ma'am.'
+' Samplers are out of date -- horribly countrified. No
+Liddy, I'll read. Bring up some books -- not new ones.
+I haven't heart to read anything new.'
+'Some of your uncle's old ones, ma'am ? '
+' Yes. Some of those we stowed away in boxes.' ,
+faint gleam of humour passed over her face as she said:
+'Bring Beaumont and Fletcher's Mai'd's Tragedy,- an
+the Mourning Bride ,- and-iet me see -- Niht Thoghts,
+and the Vanity of Human Wishes.'
+'And that story of the black man, who murdered his
+wife Desdemona? It is a nice dismal one that would
+suit you excellent just now.'
+' Now, Liddy, you've been looking into my book
+without telling me; and I said you were not to ! How
+do you know it would suit me? It wouldn't suit me a
+all.'
+'But if the others do -- -- '
+' No, they don't ; and I won't read dismal books.
+Why should I read dismal books, indeed ? Bring me
+Love in a Village, and Maid of the Mill, and Doctor
+Syntax, and some volumes of the Spectator.'
+All that day Bathsheba and Liddy lived in the attic
+in a state of
+<P 368>
+barricade ; a precaution which proved to be
+needless as against Troy, for he did not appear in the
+neighbourhood or trouble them at all. Bathsheba sat
+at the window till sunset, sometimes attempting to read,
+at other times watching every movement outside without
+much purpose, and listening without much interest to
+every sound.
+The sun went down almost blood-red that night, and
+a livid cloud received its rays in the east. Up against
+this dark background the west front of the church
+tower -- the only part of the edifice visible from the
+farm-house windows -- rose distinct and lustrous, the
+vane upon the summit bristling with rays. Hereabouts,
+at six o'clock, the young men of the village gathered,
+as was their custom, for a game of Prisoners' base. The
+spot had been consecrated to this ancient diversion from
+time immemorial, the old stocks conveniently forming
+a base facing the boundary of the churchyard, in front
+of which the ground was trodden hard and bare as a
+pavement by the players. She could see the brown
+and black heads of the young lads darting about right
+and left, their white shirt-sleeves gleaming in the sun;
+whilst occasionally a shout and a peal of hearty laughter
+varied the stillness of the evening air. They continued
+playing for a quarter of an hour or so, when the game
+concluded abruptly, and the players leapt over the wall
+and vanished round to the other side behind a yew-tree,
+which was also half behind a beech, now spreading in
+one mass of golden foliage, on which the branches
+traced black lines.
+'Why did the base-players finish their game so
+suddenly?' Bathsheba inquired, the next time that
+Liddy entered the room.
+' I think 'twas because two men came just then from
+Casterbridge and began putting up grand carved
+tombstone,' said Liddy. 'The lads went to see whose
+it was.'
+' Do you know ? ' Bathsheba asked.
+' I don't,' said Liddy.
+<C xlv>
+<P 369>
+TROY'S ROMANTICISM
+WHEN Troy's wife had left the house at the previous
+midnight his first act was to cover the dead from sight.
+This done he ascended the stairs, and throwing himself
+down upon the bed dressed as he was, he waited miser+
+ably for the morning.
+Fate had dealt grimly with him through the last four+
+and-twenty hours. His day had been spent in a way
+which varied very materially from his intentions regard+
+ing it. There is always an inertia to be overcome in
+striking out a new line of conduct -- not more in our+
+selves, it seems, than in circumscribing events, which
+appear as if leagued together to allow no novelties in
+the way of amelioration.
+Twenty pounds having been secured from Bathsheba,
+he had managed to add to the sum every farthing he
+could muster on his own account, which had been seven
+pounds ten. With this money, twenty-seven pounds ten
+in all, he had hastily driven from the gate that morning
+to keep his appointment with Fanny Robin.
+On reaching Casterbridge he left the horse and trap
+at an inn, and at five minutes before ten came back to
+the bridge at the lower end of the town, and sat himself
+upon the parapet. The clocks struck the hour, and no
+Fanny appeared. In fact, at that moment she was being
+robed in her grave-clothes by two attendants at the
+Union poorhouse -- the first and last tiring-women the
+gentle creature had ever been honoured with. The
+quarter went, the half hour. A rush of recollection
+came upon Troy as he waited: this was the second
+time she had broken a serious engagement with him
+In anger he vowed it should be the last, and at eleven
+o'clock, when he had lingered and watched the stone
+of the bridge till he knew every lichen upon their face
+and heard the chink of the ripples underneath till they
+oppressed him, he jumped from his seat, went to the inn
+<P 370>
+for his gig, and in a bitter mood of indifference con+
+cerning the past, and recklessness about the future,
+drove on to Budmouth races.
+He reached the race-course at two o'clock, and re+
+mained either there or in the town till nine, But
+Fanny's image, as it had appeared to him in the sombre
+shadows of that Saturday evening, returned to his mind,
+backed up by Bathsheba's reproaches. He vowed he
+would not bet, and he kept his vow, for on leaving the
+town at nine o'clock in the evening he had diminish
+his cash only to the extent of a few shillings.
+He trotted slowly homeward, and it was now that
+was struck for the first time with a thought that Fanny
+had been really prevented by illness from keeping her
+promise. 'This time she could have made no mistake
+He regretted that he had not remained in Casterbridge
+and made inquiries. Reaching home he quietly un+
+harnessed the horse and came indoors, as we have seen,
+to the fearful shock that awaited him.
+As soon as it grew light enough to distinguish objects,
+Troy arose from the coverlet of the bed, and in a mood
+of absolute indifference to Bathsheba's whereabouts, a
+almost oblivious of her existence, he stalked downstairs
+and left the house by the back door. His walk was
+towards the churchyard, entering which he searched
+around till he found a newly dug unoccupied grave --
+the grave dug the day before for Fanny. The position
+of this having been marked, he hastened on to Caster+
+bridge, only pausing
+whereon he had last seen Fanny alive.
+Reaching the town, Troy descended into a side
+street and entered a pair of gates surmounted by a board
+bearing the words, 'Lester, stone and marble mason.'
+Within were lying about stones of all sizes and designs,
+inscribed as being sacred to the memory of unnamed
+persons who had not yet died.
+Troy was so unlike himself now in look, word, and
+deed, that the want of likeness was perceptible even to
+his own consciousness. His method of engaging himself
+in this business of purchasing a tomb was that of an
+absolutely unpractised man. He could not bring him+
+self to consider, calculate, or
+<P 371>
+economize. He waywardly
+wished for something, and he set about obtaining it like
+a child in a nursery. 'I want a good tomb,' he said to
+the man who stood in a little office within the yard.
+'I want as good a one as you can give me for twenty+
+seven pounds,'
+It was all the money he possessed.
+'That sum to include everything?'
+' Everything. Cutting the name, carriage to Weather+
+bury, and erection. And I want it now at once .'
+' We could not get anything special worked this
+week.
+'If you would like one of these in stock it could be
+got ready immediately.'
+'Very well,' said Troy, impatiently. 'Let's see what
+you have.'
+'The best I have in stock is this one, 'said the stone+
+cutter, going into a shed. ' Here's a marble headstone
+beautifully crocketed, with medallions beneath of typical
+subjects ; here's the footstone after the same pattern,
+and here's the coping to enclose the- grave. The
+slabs are the best of their kind, and I can warrant them
+'Well, I couId add the name, and put it up at
+visitor who wore not a shred of mourning. Troy then
+settled the account and went away. In the afternoon
+almost done. He waited in the yard till the tomb was
+way to Weatherbury, giving directions to the two men
+the grave of the person named in the inscription.
+bridge. He carried rather a heavy basket upon his
+occasionally at bridges and
+<P 372>
+gates, whereon he deposited
+returning in the darkness, the men and the waggon
+the work was done, and, on being assured that it was,
+Troy entered Weatherbury churchyard about ten
+had marked the vacant grave early in the morning. It
+extent from the view of passers along the road -- a spot
+and bushes of alder, but now it was cleared and made
+the ground elsewhere.
+Here now stood the tomb as the men had stated, snow+
+white and shapely in the gloom, consisting of head and
+foot-stone, and enclosing border of marble-work uniting
+them. In the midst was mould, suitable for plants.
+Troy deposited his basket beside the tomb, and
+vanished for a few minutes. When he returned he
+carried a spade and a lantern, the light of which he
+directed for a few moments upon the marble, whilst he
+read the inscription. He hung his lantern on the lowest
+bough of the yew-tree, and took from his basket flower+
+roots of several varieties. There were bundles of snow+
+drop, hyacinth and crocus bulbs, violets and double
+daisies, which were to bloom in early spring, and of
+carnations, pinks, picotees, lilies of the valley, forget-me+
+not, summer's-farewell, meadow-saffron and others, for
+the later seasons of the year.
+Troy laid these out upon the grass, and with an im+
+passive face set to work to plant them. The snowdrops
+were arranged in a line on the outside of the coping,
+the remainder within the enclosure of the grave. The
+crocuses and hyacinths were to grow in rows; some of
+the summer flowers he placed over her head and feet,
+the lilies and forget-me-nots over her heart. The
+remainder were dispersed in the spaces between these.
+Troy, in his prostration at this time, had no percep+
+tion that in the futility of these romantic doings, dictated
+by a remorseful reaction from previous indifference, there
+was any element
+<P 373>
+of absurdity. Deriving his idiosyn+
+crasies from both sides of the Channel, he showed at
+such junctures as the present the inelasticity of the
+Englishman, together with that blindness to the line
+where sentiment verges on mawkishness, characteristic
+of the French.
+lt was a cloudy, muggy, and very dark night, and
+the rays from Troy's lantern spread into the two old
+yews with a strange illuminating power, flickering, as it
+seemed, up to the black ceiling of cloud above. He
+felt a large drop of rain upon the back of his hand, and
+presently one came and entered one of the holes of the
+lantern, whereupon the candle sputtered and went out+
+Troy was weary and it being now not far from midnight,
+and the rain threatening to increase, he resolved to leave
+the finishing touches of his labour until the day should
+break. He groped along the wall and over the graves
+in the dark till he found himself round at the north side.
+Here he entered the porch, and, reclining upon the
+bench within, fell asleep.
+<C xlvi>
+<P 374>
+THE GURGOYLE : ITS DOINGS
+THE tower of Weatherbury Church was a square
+erection of fourteenth-century date, having two stone
+gurgoyles on each of the four faces of its parapet. Of
+these eight carved protuberances only two at this time
+continued to serve the purpose of their erection -- that
+of spouting the water from the lead roof within. One
+mouth in each front had been closed hy bygone church+
+wardens as superfluous, and two others were broken
+away and choked -- a matter not of much consequence
+to the welibeing of the tower, for the two mouths which
+still remained open and active were gaping enough to do
+all the work.
+It has been sometimes argued that there is no truer
+criterion of the vitality of any given art-period than the
+power of the master-spirits of that time in grotesque ;
+and certainly in the instance of Gothic art there is no
+disputing the proposition. Weatherbury tower was a
+somewhat early instance of the use of an ornamental
+parapet in parish as distinct from cathedral churches,
+and the gurgoyles, which are the necessary correlatives
+of a parapet, were exccptionally prominent -- of the
+boldest cut that the hand could shape, and of the most
+original design that a human brain could conceive.
+There was, so to speak, that symmetry in their distortion
+which is less the characteristic of British than of
+Continental grotesques of the period. All the eight
+were different from each other. A beholder was con+
+vinced that nothing on earth could be more hideous
+than those he saw on the north side until he went
+round to the south. Of the two on this latter face, only
+that at the south-eastern corner concerns the story. It
+was too human to be called like a dragon, too impish
+to be like a man, too animal to be like a fiend, and not
+enough like a bird to be called a griffin. This horrible
+stone entity was fashioned as if covered with a
+<P 375>
+wrinkled
+hide; it had short, erect ears, eyes starting from their
+sockets, and its fingers and hands were seizing the
+corners of its mouth, which they thus seemed to pull
+open to give free passage to the water it vomited. The
+lower row of teeth was quite washed away, though the
+upper still remained. Here and thus, jutting a couple
+of feet from the wall against which its feet rested as a
+support, the creature had for four hundred years
+laughed at the surrounding landscape, voicelessly in
+dry weather, and in wet with a gurgling and snorting
+sound.
+Troy slept on in the porch, and the rain increased
+outside. Presently the gurgoyle spat. In due time a
+small stream began to trickle through the seventy feet
+of aerial space between its mouth and the ground, which
+the water-drops smote like duckshot in their accelerated
+velocity. The stream thickened in substance, and in+
+creased in power, gradually spouting further and yet
+further from the side of the tower. When the rain fell
+in a steady and ceaseless torrent the stream dashed
+downward in volumes.
+We follow its course to the ground at this point of
+time. The end of the liquid parabola has come forward
+from the wall, has advanced over the plinth mouldings,
+over a heap of stones, over the marble border, into the
+midst of Fanny Robin's grave.
+The force of the stream had, until very lately, been
+received upon some loose stones spread thereabout,
+which had acted as a shield to the soil under the onset.
+These during the summer had been cleared from the
+ground, and there was now nothing to resist the down+
+fall but the bare earth. For several years the stream
+had not spouted so far from the tower as it was doing
+on this night, and such a contingency had been over+
+looked. Sometimes this obscure corner received no
+inhabitant for the space of two or three years, and
+then it was usually but a pauper, a poacher, or other
+sinner of undignified sins.
+The persistent torrent from the gurgoyle's jaws
+directed all its vengeance into the grave. The rich
+tawny mould was stirred into motion, and boiled like
+chocolate. The water accumulated and washed deeper
+down, and the roar of the pool thus formed spread into
+the night as the head and chief among other noises of
+<P 376>
+the kind created by the deluging rain. The flowers so
+carefully planted by Fanny's repentant lover began to
+move and writhe in their bed. The winter-violets
+turned slowly upside down, and became a mere mat of
+mud. Soon the snowdrop and other bulbs danced in
+the boiling mass like ingredients in a cauldron. Plants
+of the tufted species were loosened, rose to the surface,
+and floated of.
+Troy did not awake from his comfortless sleep till it
+was broad day. Not having been in bed for two nights
+his shouldrrs felt stiff his feet tender, and his head
+heavy. He remembered his position, arose, shivered,
+took the spade, and again went out.
+The rain had quite ceased, and the sun was shining
+through the green, brown, and yellow leaves, now
+sparkling and varnished by the raindrops to the bright+
+ness of similar effects in the landscapes of Ruysdael and
+Hobbema, and full of all those infinite beauties that
+arise from the union of water and colour with high
+lights. The air was rendered so transparent by the
+heavy fall of rain that the autumn hues of the middle
+distance were as rich as those near at hand, and the
+remote fields intercepted by the angle of the tower ap+
+peared in the same plane as the tower itself.
+He entered the gravel path which would take him
+behind the tower. The path, instead of being stony as
+it had been the night before, was browned over with a
+thin coating of mud. At one place in the path he saw
+a tuft of stringy roots washed white and clean as a
+bundle of tendons. He picked it up -- surely it could
+not be one of the primroses he had planted? He saw
+a bulb, another, and another as he advanced. Beyond
+doubt they were the crocuses. With a face of perplexed
+dismay Troy turned the corner and then beheld the
+wreck the stream had made.
+The pool upon the grave had soaked away into the
+ground, and in its place was a hollow. The disturbed
+earth was washed over the grass and pathway in the
+guise of the brown mud he had already seen, and it
+spotted the marble tombstone with the same stains.
+Nearly all the flowers were washed clean out of the
+ground, and they lay, roots upwards, on the spots whither
+they had been splashed by the stream.
+<P 377>
+Troy's brow became heavily contracted. He set his
+teeth closely, and his compressed lips moved as those of
+one in great pain. This singular accident, by a strange
+confluence of emotions in him, was felt as the sharpest
+sting of all. Troy's face was very expressive, and any
+observer who had seen him now would hardly have
+believed him to be a man who had laughed, and sung,
+and poured love-trifles into a woman's ear. To curse
+his miserable lot was at first his impulse, but even that
+lowest stage of rebellion needed an activity whose
+absence was necessarily antecedent to the existence of the
+morbid misery which wrung him. The sight, coming
+as it did, superimposed upon the other dark scenery of
+the previous days, formed a sort of climax to the whole
+panorama, and it was more than he could endure.
+Sanguine by nature, Troy had a power of eluding
+grief by simply adjourning it. He could put off the
+consideration of any particular spectre till the matter
+had become old and softened by time. The planting
+of flowers on Fanny's grave had been perhaps but a
+species of elusion of the primary grief, and now it was
+as if his intention had been known and circumvented.
+Almost for the first time in his life, Troy, as he stood
+by this dismantled grave, wished himself another man.
+lt is seldom that a person with much animal spirit does
+not feel that the fact of his life being his own is the one
+qualification which singles it out as a more hopeful life
+than that of others who may actually resemble him in
+every particular. Troy had felt, in his transient way,
+hundreds of times, that he could not envy other people
+their condition, because the possession of that condition
+would have necessitated a different personality, when he
+desired no other than his own. He had not minded
+the peculiarities of his birth, the vicissitudes of his life,
+the meteoriike uncertainty of all that related to him,
+because these appertained to the hero of his story,
+without whom there would have been no story at all for
+him; and it seemed to be only in the nature of things
+that matters would right themselves at some proper date
+and wind up well. This very morning the illusion
+completed its disappearance, and, as it were, all of a
+sudden, Troy hated himself. The suddenness was
+probably more
+<P 378>
+apparent than real. A coral reef which
+just comes short of the ocean surface is no more to the
+horizon than if it had never been begun, and the mere
+finishing stroke is what often appears to create an event
+which has long been potentially an accomplished thing.
+He stood and mediated -- a miserable man. Whither
+should he go ? " He that is accursed, let him be accursed
+still,' was the pitiless anathema written in this spoliated
+effort of his new-born solicitousness. A man who has
+spent his primal strength in journeying in one direction
+has not much spirit left for reversing his course. Troy
+had, since yesterday, faintly reversed his ; but the merest
+opposition had disheartened him. To turn about would
+have been hard enough under the greatest providential
+encouragement; but to find that Providence, far from
+helping him into a new course, or showing any wish
+that he might adopt one, actuallyjeered his first trembling
+and critical attempt in that kind, was more than nature
+could bear.
+He slowly withdrew from the grave. He did not
+attempt to fill up the hole, replace the flowers, or do
+anything at all. He simply threw up his cards and
+forswore his game for that time and always. Going out
+of the churchyard silently and unobserved -- none of the
+villagers having yet risen -- he passed down some fields
+at the back, and emerged just as secretly upon the high
+road. Shortly afterwards he had gone from the village.
+Meanwhile, Bathsheba remained a voluntary prisoner
+in the attic. The door was kept locked, except during
+the entries and exits of Liddy, for whom a bed had
+been arranged in a small adjoining room. The light
+of Troy's lantern in the churchyard was noticed about
+ten o'clock by the maid-servant, who casually glanced
+from the window in that direction whilst taking her
+supper, and she called Bathsheba's attention to it.
+They looked curiously at the phenomenon for a time,
+until Liddy was sent to bed.
+bathsheba did not sleep very heavily that night.
+When her attendant was unconscious and softly breath+
+ing in the next room, the mistress of the house was
+still looking out of the window at the faint gleam
+spreading from among the trees --
+<P 379>
+not in a steady shine,
+but blinking like a revolving coastiight, though this
+appearance failed to suggest to her that a person was
+passing and repassing in front of it. Bathsheba sat
+here till it began to rain, and the light vanished, when
+she withdrew to lie restlessly in her bed and re-enact
+in a worn mind the lurid scene of yesternight.
+Almost before the first faint sign of dawn appeared
+she arose again, and opened the window to obtain a full
+breathing of the new morning air, the panes being now
+wet with trembling tears left by the night rain, each
+one rounded with a pale lustre caught from primrose+
+hued slashes through a cloud low down in the awaken+
+ing sky. From the trees came the sound of steady
+dripping upon the drifted leaves under them, and from
+the direction of the church she could hear another noise
+ -- peculiar, and not intermittent like the rest, the purl
+of water falling into a pool.
+Liddy knocked at eight o'clock, and Bathsheba un+
+locked the door.
+" What a heavy rain we've had in the night, ma'am!.'
+said Liddy, when her inquiries about breakfast had been
+made.
+" Yes ; very heavy.'
+"Did you hear the strange noise from the church
+yard?'
+"I heard one strange noise. I've been thinking it
+must have been the water from the tower spouts.'
+"Well, that's what the shepherd was saying, ma'am.
+He's now gone on to see.
+"Oh!. Gabriel has been here this morning!.'
+"Only just looked in in passing -- quite in his old way,
+which I thought he had left off lately. But the tower
+spouts used to spatter on the stones, and we are puzzled,
+for this was like the boiling of a pot.'
+Not being able to read, think, or work, Bathsheba asked
+Liddy to stay and breakfast with her. The tongue of the
+more childish womian still ran upon recent events. "Are
+you going across to the church, ma'am?' she asked.
+"Not that I know of,' said Bathsheba.
+"I thought you might like to go and see where they
+have put Fanny. The trees hide the place from your
+window.'
+<P 380>
+Bathsheba had all sorts of dreads about meeting her
+husband. "Has Mr. Troy been in to-night?' she said
+" No, ma'am ; I think he's gone to Budmouth.
+Budmouth! The sound of the word carried with
+it a much diminished perspective of him and his deeds;
+there were thirteen miles interval betwixt them now.
+She hated questioning Liddy about her husband's
+movements, and indeed had hitherto sedulously avoided
+doing so; but now all the house knew that there had
+been some dreadful disagreement between them, and
+it was futile to attempt disguise. Bathsheba had
+reached a stage at which people cease to have any
+appreciative regard for public opinion.
+"What makes you think he has gone there?' she said.
+"Laban Tall saw him on the Budmouth road this
+morning before breakfast.'
+Bathsheba was momentarily relieved of that wayward
+heaviness of the past twenty-four hours which had
+quenched the vitality of youth in her without sub+
+stituting the philosophy of maturer years, and the
+resolved to go out and walk a little way. So when
+breakfast was over, she put on her bonnet, and took
+a direction towards the church. It was nine o'clock,
+and the men having returned to work again from their
+first meal, she was not likely to meet many of them in
+the road. Knowing that Fanny had been laid in the
+reprobates' quarter of the graveyard, called in the parish
+'behind church,' which was invisible from the road, it
+was impossible to resist the impulse to enter and look
+upon a spot which, from nameless feelings, she at the
+same time dreaded to see. She had been unable to
+overcome an impression that some connection existed
+between her rival and the light through the trees.
+Bathsheba skirted the buttress, and beheld the hole
+and the tomb, its delicately veined surface splashed and
+stained just as Troy had seen it and left it two hours
+earlier. On the other side of the scene stood Gabriel.
+His eyes, too, were fixed on the tomb, and her arrival
+having been noiseless, she had not as yet attracted his
+attention. Bathsheba did not at once perceive that the
+grand tomb and the disturbed grave were Fanny's, and
+she looked on both sides and around for some humbler
+mound,
+<P 381>
+earthed up and clodded in the usual way. Then
+her eye followed Oak's, and she read the words with
+which the inscription opened : --
+"Erected by Francis Troy in Beloved Memory of
+Fanny Robin.'
+Oak saw her, and his first act was to gaze inquiringly
+and learn how she received this knowledge of the
+authorship of the work, which to himself had caused
+considerable astonishment. But such discoveries did
+not much affect her now. Emotional convulsions seemed
+to have become the commonplaces of her history, and
+she bade him good morning, and asked him to fill in
+the hole with the spade which was standing by. Whilst
+Oak was doing as she desired, Bathsheba collected the
+flowers, and began planting them with that sympathetic
+manipulation of roots and leaves which is so conspicuous
+in a woman's gardening, and which flowers seem to
+understand and thrive upon. She requested Oak to
+get the churchwardens to turn the leadwork at the
+mouth of the gurgoyle that hung gaping down upon
+them, that by this means the stream might be directed
+sideways, and a repetition of the accident prevented.
+Finally, with the superfluous magnanimity of a woman
+whose narrower instincts have brought down bitterness
+upon her instead of love, she wiped the mud spots from
+the tomb as if she rather liked its words than otherwise,
+<C xlvii>
+<P 382>
+ADVENTURES BY THE SHORE
+TROY wandered along towards the south. A composite
+feeling, made up of disgust with the, to him, humdrum
+tediousness of a farmer's life, gloomly images of her who
+lay in the churchyard, remorse, and a general averseness
+to his wife's society, impelled him to seek a home in any
+place on earth save Weatherbury. The sad accessories
+of Fanny's end confronted him as vivid pictures which
+threatened to be indelible, and made life in Bathsheba's
+house intolerable. At three in the afternoon he found
+himself at the foot of a slope more than a mile in length,
+which ran to the ridge of a range of hills lying parallel
+with the shore, and forming a monotonous barrier between
+the basin of cultivated country inland and the wilder
+scenery of the coast. Up the hill stretched a road
+nearly straight and perfectly white, the two sides
+approaching each other in a gradual taper till they
+met the sky at the top about two miles off. Through+
+out the length of this narrow and irksome inclined plane
+not a sign of life was visible on this garish afternoon
+Troy toiled up the road with a languor and depression
+greater than any he had experienced for many a day
+and year before. The air was warm and muggy, and
+the top seemed to recede as he approached.
+At last he reached the summit, and a wide and
+novel prospect burst upon him with an effect almost like
+that of the Pacific upon Balboa's gaze. The broad
+steely sea, marked only by faint lines, which had a
+semblance of being etched thereon to a degree not deep
+enough to disturb its general evenness, stretched the
+whole width of his front and round to the right, where,
+near the town and port of Budmouth, the sun bristled
+down upon it, and banished all colour, to substitute in
+its place a clear oily polish. Nothing moved in sky,
+land, or sea, except a frill of milkwhite foam along the
+nearer angles of the
+<P 383>
+shore, shreds of which licked the
+contiguous stones like tongues.
+He descended and came to a small basin of sea
+enclosed by the cliffs. Troy's nature freshened within
+him ; he thought he would rest and bathe here before
+going farther. He undressed and plunged in. Inside
+the cove the water was uninteresting to a swimmer,
+being smooth as a pond, and to get a little of the ocean
+swell, Troy presently swam between the two projecting
+spurs of rock which formed the pillars of Hercules to
+this miniature Mediterranean. Unfortunately for Troy
+a current unknown to him existed outside, which, un+
+important to craft of any burden, was awkward for a
+swimmer who might be taken in it unawares. Troy
+found himself carried to the left and then round in a
+swoop out to sea.
+He now recollected the place and its sinister
+character. Many bathers had there prayed for a dry
+death from time to time, and, like Gonzalo also, had
+been unanswered ; and Troy began to deem it possible
+that he might be added to their number. Not a boat
+of any kind was at present within sight, but far in the
+distance Budmouth lay upon the sea, as it were quietly
+regarding his efforts, and beside the town the harbour
+showed its position by a dim meshwork of ropes and
+spars. After welinigh exhausting himself in attempts
+to get back to the mouth of the cove, in his weakness
+swimming several inches deeper than was his wont,
+keeping up his breathing entirely by his nostrils, turning
+upon his back a dozen times over, swimming <1en papillon>1
+and so on, Troy resolved as a last resource to tread
+water at a slight incline, and so endeavour to reach the
+shore at any point, merely giving himself a gentle
+impetus inwards whilst carried on in the general direc+
+tion of the tide. This, necessarily a slow process, he
+found to be not altogether so difficult, and though there
+was no choice of a landing-place -- the objects on shore
+passing by him in a sad and slow procession -- he per+
+ceptibly approached the extremity of a spit of land yet
+further to the right, now well defined against the sunny
+portion of the horizon- While the swimmer s eye's were
+fixed upon the spit as his only means of salvation on
+this side of the
+<P 384>
+Unknown, a moving object broke the
+outline of the extremity, and immediately a ship's boat
+appeared manned with several sailor lads, her bows
+towards the sea.
+All Troy's vigour spasmodically revived to prolong
+the struggle yet a little further. Swimming with his
+right arm, he held up his left to hail them, splashing
+upon the waves, and shouting with all his might. From
+the position of the setting sun his white form was
+distinctly visible upon the now deep-hued bosom of the
+sea to the east of the boat, and the men saw him at
+once. Backing their oars and putting the boat about,
+they pulled towards him with a will, and in five or six
+minutes from the time of his first halloo, two of the
+sailors hauled him in over the stern.
+They formed part of a brig's crew, and had come
+ashore for sand. Lending him what little clothing they
+could spare among them as a slight protection against
+late they made again towards the roadstead where their
+And now night drooped slowly upon the wide watery
+levels in front; and at no great distance from them,
+where the shoreiine curved round, and formed a long
+riband of shade upon the horizon, a series of points of
+yellow light began to start into existence, denoting the
+spot to be the site of Budmouth, where the lamps were
+being lighted along the parade. The cluck of their
+oars was the only sound of any distinctness upon the
+sea, and as they laboured amid the thickening shades
+the lampiights grew larger, each appearing to send a
+flaming sword deep down into the waves before it, until
+there arose, among other dim shapes of the kind, the
+form of the vessel for which they were bound.
+<C xlviii>
+<P 385>
+DOUBTS ARISE -- DOUBTS LINGER
+BATHSHEBA underwent the enlargement of her
+Husband's absence from hours to days with a slight
+feeling of suprise, and a slight feeling of relief; yet
+neither sensation rose at any time far above the level
+commonly designated as indifference. She belonged to
+him : the certiinties of that position were so well defined,
+and the reasonable probabilies of its issue so bounded
+that she could not speculate on contingenciezs. Taking
+no further interest in herself as a splendid woman, she
+acquired the indifferent feelings of an outsider in contem+
+plating her probable fate as a singular wretch ; for Bath+
+sheba drew herself and her future in colours that no
+reality could exceed for darkness. Her original vigorous
+pride of youth had sickened, and with it had declined
+all her anzieties about coming years, since anxiety
+recognizes a better and a worse alternative, and Bath+
+sheba had made up her mind that alternatives on any
+noteworthy scale had ceased for her. Soon, or later --
+and that not very late -- her husband would be home
+again. And then the days of their tenancy of the
+Upper Farm would be numbered. There had origin+
+ally been shown by the agent to the estate some distrust
+of Bathsheba's tenure as James Everdene's successor,
+on the score of her sex, and her youth, and her beauty ;
+but the peculiar nature of her uncle's will, his own
+frequent testimony before his death to her cleverness
+in such a pursuit, and her vigorous marshalling of the
+numerous flocks and herds which came suddenly into
+her hands before negotiations were concluded, had won
+confidence in her powers, and no further objections had
+been raised. She had latterly been in great doubt as
+to what the legal effects of her marriage would be upon
+her position; but no notice had been taken as yet of
+her change of name, and only one point was clear -- that
+in the event of her own or her husband's inability to
+meet the agent at the
+<P 386>
+forthcoming January rent-day,
+very little consideration would be shown, and, for that
+matter, very little would be deserved. Once out of the
+farm, the approach of poverty would be sure.
+Hence Bathsheba lived in a perception that her
+purposes were broken of. She was not a woman who
+could hope on without good materials for the process,
+differing thus from the less far-Sighted and energetic,
+though more petted ones of the sex, with whom hope
+goes on as a sort of clockwork which the merest food
+and shelter are sufficient to wind up; and perceiving
+clearly that her mistake had been a fatal one, she
+accepted her position, and waited coldly for the end.
+The first Saturday after Troy's departure she went
+to Casterbridge alone, a journey she had not before
+taken since her marriage. On this Saturday Bathsheba
+was passing slowly on foot through the crowd of rural
+business-men gathered as usual in front ot the market+
+house, who were as usual gazed upon by the burghers
+with feelings that those healthy lives were dearly paid
+for by exclusion from possible aldermanship, when a
+man, who had apparently been following her, said some
+words to another on her left hand. Bathsheba's ears
+were keen as those of any wild animal, and she dis+
+tinctly heard what the speaker said, though her back
+was towards him
+"I am looking for Mrs. Troy. Is that she there?'
+" Yes ; that's the young lady, I believe,' said the
+the person addressed.
+"I have some awkward news to break to her. Her
+husband is drowned.'
+As if endowed with the spirit of prophecy, Bathsheba
+gasped out, "No, it is not true; it cannot be true!'
+Then she said and heard no more. The ice of self+
+command which had latterly gathered over her was
+broken, and the currents burst forth again, and over
+whelmed her. A darkness came into her eyes, and she
+fell.
+But not to the ground. A gloomy man, who had
+been observing her from under the portico of the old
+corn-exchange when she passed through the group
+without, stepped quickly to her side at the moment of
+her exclamation, and caught her in his arms as she sank
+down.
+<P 387>
+"What is it?' said Boldwood, looking up at the
+bringer of the big news, as he supported her.
+"Her husband was drowned this week while bathing
+in Lulwind Cove. A coastguardsman found his clothes,
+and brought them into Budmouth yestersay.'
+Thereupon a strange fire lighted up Boldwood's eye,
+and his face flushed with the suppressed excitement of
+an unutterable thought. Everybody's glance was now
+centred upon him and the unconsious Bathsheba. He
+lifted her bodily off the ground, and smoothed down
+the folds of her dress as a child might have taken a
+storm-beaten bird and arranged its ruffled plumes, and
+bore her along the pavement to the King's Arms Inn.
+Here he passed with her under the archway into a
+private room; and by the time he had deposited -- so
+lothly -- the precious burden upon a sofa, Bathsheba had
+opened her eyes. Remembering all that had occurred,
+she murmured, 'I want to go home .! '
+Boldwood left the room. He stood for a moment in
+the passage to recover his senses. The experience had
+been too much for his consciousness to keep up with,
+and now that he had grasped it it had gone again. For
+those few heavenly, golden moments she had been in his
+arms. What did it matter about her not knowing it? She
+had been close to his breast ; he had been close to hers.
+He started onward again, and sending a woman to
+her, went out to ascertain all the facts of the case.
+These appeared to be limited to what he had already
+heard. He then ordered her horse to be put into the
+gig, and when all was ready returned to inform her.
+He found that, though still pale and unwell, she had in
+the meantime sent for the Budmouth man who brought
+the tidings, and learnt from him all there was to know.
+Being hardly in a condition to drive home as she
+had driven to town, Boldwood, with every delicacy of
+manner and feeling, offered to get her a driver, or to
+give her a seat in his phaeton, which was more com+
+fortable than her own conveyance. These proposals
+Bathsheba gently declined, and the farmer at once de+
+parted.
+About half-an-hour later she invigorated herself by
+an effort, and took her seat and the reins as usuai-in
+external
+<P 388>
+appearance much as if nothing had happened.
+She went out of the town by a tortuous back street, and
+drove slowly along, unconscious of the road and the
+scene. The first shades of evening were showing them+
+selves when Bathsheba reached home, where, silently
+alighting and leaving the horse in the hands of the boy,
+she proceeded at once upstairs. Liddy met her on the
+landing. The news had preceded Bathsheba to Weather+
+bury by half-an-hour, and Liddy looked inquiringly into
+her mistress's face. Bathsheba had nothing to say.
+She entered her bedroom and sat by the window, and
+thought and thought till night enveloped her, and the
+extreme lines only of her shape were visible. Somebody
+came to the door, knocked, and opened it.
+' Well, what is it, Liddy ? ' she said.
+'I was thinking there must be something got for you
+to wear,' said Liddy, with hesitation.
+'What do you mean ?'
+' Mourning.'
+' No, no, no,' said Bathsheba, hurriedly.
+'But I suppose there must be something done for
+poor -- -- '
+' Not at present, I think. It is not necessary.'
+' Why not, ma'am ? '
+' Because he's still alive.'
+' How do you know that ? ' said Liddy, amazed.
+' I don't know it. But wouldn't it have heen different,
+or shouldn't I have heard more, or wouldn't they have
+found him, Liddy ? -- or-i don't know how it is, but
+death would have been different from how this is. I am
+perfectly convinced that he is still alive .! '
+Bathsheba remained firm in this opinion till Monday,
+when two circumstances conjoined to shake it. The
+first was a short paragraph in the local newspaper, which,
+beyond making by a methodizing pen formidable pre+
+sumptive evidence of Troy's death by drowning, con+
+tained the important testimony of a young Mr. Barker,
+M.D., of Budmouth, who spoke to being an eyewitness
+of the accident, in a letter to the editor. In this he
+stated that he was passing over the cliff on the remoter
+side of the
+<P 389>
+cove just as the sun was setting. At that
+time he saw a bather carried along in the current outside
+the mouth of the cove, and guessed in an instant that
+there was but a poor chance for him unless he should
+be possessed of unusual muscular powers. He drifted
+behind a projection of the coast, and Mr. Barker followed
+along the shore in the same direction. But by the time
+that he could reach an elevation sufficiently great to
+command a view of the sea beyond, dusk had set in, and
+nothing further was to be seen.
+The other circumstance was the arrival of his clothes,
+when it became necessary for her to examine and identify
+them -- though this had virtually been done long before
+by those who inspected the letters in his pockets. It
+was so evident to her in the midst of her agitation that
+Troy had undressed in the full conviction of dressing
+again almost immediately, that the notion that anything
+but death could have prevented him was a perverse one
+to entertain.
+Then Bathsheba said to herself that others were
+assured in their opinion; strange that she should not
+be. A stmnge reflection occured to her, causing her
+face to flush. Suppose that Troy had followed Fanny
+into another world. Had he done this intentionally, yet
+contrived to make his death appear like an accident ?
+Nevertheless, this thought of how the apparent might
+differ from the reai-made vivid by her bygone jealousy
+of Fanny, and the remorse he had shown that night
+ -- did not blind her to the perception of a likelier
+difference, less tragic, but to herself far more disastrous.
+When alone late that evening beside a small fire, and
+much calmed down, Bathsheba took Troy's watch into
+her hand, which had been restored to her with the rest
+of the articles belonging to him. She opened the case
+as he had opened it before her a week ago. There was
+the little coil of pale hair which had been as the fuze to
+this great explosion.
+'He was hers and she was his; they should be gone
+together,' she said. 'I am nothing to either of them,
+and why should I keep her hair?' She took it in her
+hand, and held it over the fire. ' No-i'll not burn it
+-i'll keep it in memory of her, poor thing !. ' she added,
+snatching back her hand.
+<C xlix>
+<P 390>
+OAK'S ADVANCEMENY -- A GREAT HOPE
+THE later autumn and the winter drew on apace,
+and the leaves lay thick upon the turf of the glades
+and the mosses of the woods. Bathsheba, having
+previously been living in a state of suspended feeling
+which was not suspense, now lived in a mood of
+quietude which was not precisely peacefulness. While
+she had known him to be alive she could have thought
+of his death with equanimity; but now that it might be
+she had lost him, she regretted that he was not hers
+still. She kept the farm going, raked in her profits
+without caring keenly about them, and expended
+money on ventures because she had done so in bygone
+days, which, though not long gone by, seemed infinitely
+removed from her present. She looked back upon that
+past over a great gulf, as if she were now a dead person,
+having the faculty of meditation still left in her, by
+means of which, like the mouldering gentlefolk of the
+poet's story, she could sit and ponder what a gift life
+used to be.
+However, one excellent result of her general apathy
+was the long-delayed installation of Oak as bailiff; but
+he having virtually exercised that function for a long
+time already, the change, beyond the substantial in+
+crease of wages it brought, was little more than a
+nominal one addressed to the outside world.
+Boldwood lived secluded and inactive. Much of
+his wheat and all his barley of that season had been
+spoilt by the rain. It sprouted, grew into intricate
+mats, and was ultimately thrown to the pigs in armfuls.
+The strange neglect which had produced this ruin
+and waste became the subject of whispered talk among
+all the people round; and it was elicited from one of
+Boldwood's men that forgetfulness had nothing to do
+with it, for he had been reminded of the danger to
+his corn as many times and as persistently as inferiors
+dared to do. The sight of the
+<P 391>
+pigs turning in disgust
+from the rotten ears seemed to arouse Boldwood, and
+he one evening sent for Oak. Whether it was sug+
+gested by Bathsheba's recent act of promotion or not,
+the farmer proposed at the interview that Gabriel
+should undertake the superintendence of the Lower
+Farm as well as of Bathsheba's, because of the necessity
+Boldwood felt for such aid, and the impossibility of
+discovering a more trustworthy man. Gabriel's malig+
+nant star was assuredly setting fast.
+Bathsheba, when she learnt of this proposai-for
+Oak was obliged to consult her -- at first languidly
+objected. She considered that the two farms together
+were too extensive for the observation of one man.
+Boldwood, who was apparently determined by personal
+rather than commercial reasons, suggested that Oak
+should be furnished with a horse for his sole use,
+when the plan would present no difficulty, the two
+farms lying side by side. Boldwood did not directly
+communicate with her during these negotiations, only
+speaking to Oak, who was the go-between throughout.
+All was harmoniously arranged at last, and we now
+see Oak mounted on a strong cob, and daily trotting
+the length breadth of about two thousand acres
+in a cheerful spirit of surveillance, as if the crops
+belonged to him -- the actual mistress of the one-half
+and the master of the other, sitting in their respective
+homes in gloomy and sad seclusion.
+Out of this there arose, during the spring succeeding,
+a talk in the parish that Gabriel Oak was feathering his
+nest fast.
+' Whatever d'ye think,' said Susan Tall, ' Gable Oak
+is coming it quite the dand. He now wears shining
+boots with hardly a hob in 'em, two or three times
+a-week, and a tall hat a-Sundays, and 'a hardly knows
+the name of smockfrock. When I see people strut
+enough to he cut up into bantam cocks, I stand
+dormant with wonder, and says no more .! '
+It was eventually known that Gabriel, though paid
+a fixed wage by Bathslieba independent of the fluctua+
+tions of agricultural profits, had made an engagement
+with Boldwood by which Oak was to receive a share
+of the receipts -- a small share certainly, yet it was
+money of a higher quality than mere wages, and
+capable of expansion in a way that wages were not.
+<P 392>
+Some were beginning to consider Oak a 'near' man,
+for though his condition had thus far improved, he
+lived in no better style than hefore, occupying the
+same cottage, paring his own potatoes, mending his
+stockings, and sometimes even making his bed with
+his own hands. But as Oak was not only provokingly
+indifferent to public opinion, but a man who clung
+persistently to old habits and usages, simply because
+they were old, there was room for doubt as to his
+motives.
+A great hope had latterly germinated in Boldwood,
+whose unreasoning devotion to Bathsheba could only
+be characterized as a fond madness which neither
+time nor circumstance, evil nor good report, could
+weaken or destroy. This fevered hope had grown up
+again like a grain of mustard-seed during the quiet
+which followed the hasty conjecture that Troy was
+drowned. He nourished it fearfully, and almost
+shunned the contemplation of it in earnest, lest facts
+should reveal the wildness of the dream. Bathsheba
+having at last been persuaded to wear mourning, her
+appearance as she entered the church in that guise
+was in itself a weekly addition to his faith that a
+time was coming -- very far off perhaps, yet surely
+nearing -- when his waiting on events should have
+its reward. How long he might have to wait he had
+not yet closely considered. what he would try to
+recognize was that the severe schooling she had been
+subjected to had made Bathsheba much more con+
+siderate than she had formerly been of the feelings of
+others, and he trusted that, should she be willing at
+any time in the future to marry any man at all, that
+man would be himself. There was a substratum of
+good feeling in her: her self-reproach for the injury
+she had thoughtlessly done him might be depended
+upon now to a much greater extent than before her
+infatuation and disappointment. It would be possible
+to approach her by the channel of her good nature,
+and to suggest a friendly businessiike compact between
+them for fulfilment at some future day, keeping the
+passionate side of his desire entirely out of her sight.
+Such was Boldwood's hope.
+To the eyes of the middle-aged, Bathsheba was
+perhaps additionally charming just now. Her exuber+
+ance cf spirit was pruned down ; the original phantom
+of delight had shown
+<P 393>
+herself to be not too bright for
+human nature's daily food, and she had been able to
+enter this second poetical phase without losing much
+of the first in the process.
+Bathsheba's return from a two months' visit to her
+old aunt at Norcombe afforded the impassioned and
+yearning farmer a pretext for inquiring directly after
+her -- now possibly in the ninth month of her
+widowhood -- and endeavouring to get a notion of her
+middle of the haymaking, and Boldwood contrived to
+'I am glad to see you out of doors, Lydia,' he said
+She simpered, and wondered in her heart why he
+'I hope Mrs. Troy is quite well after her long
+the coldest-hearted neighbour could scarcely say less
+'She is quite well, sir.
+'Yes, cheerful.
+'Fearful, did you say?'
+'O no. I merely said she was cheerful.'
+'Tells you all her affairs?'
+'No, sir.
+'Some of them?'
+'Yes, sir.
+'Mrs Troy puts much confidence in you, Lydia;
+and very wisely, perhaps.'
+'She do, sir. I've been with her all through her
+troubles, and was with her at the time of Mr.Troy's
+going and all. And if she were to marry again I
+expect I should bide with her.'
+'She promises that you shali -- quite natural,' said
+the strategic lover, throbbing throughout him at the
+presumption which Liddy's words appeared to warrant
+ -- that his darling had thought of re-marriage.
+'No -- -she doesn't promise it exactly. I merely
+judge on my own account.
+'Yes yes, I understand. When she alludes to the
+possibility of marrying again, you conclude -- -- '
+<P 394>
+'She never do allude to it, sir,' said Liddy, thinking
+how very stupid Mr. Boldwood was getting.
+'Of course not,' he returned hastily, his hope falling
+again. ' You needn't take quite such long reaches with
+your rake, Lydia -- short and quick ones are best. Well,
+perhaps, as she is absolute mistress again now, it is wise
+of her to resolve never to give up her freedom.'
+' My mistress did certainly once say, though not
+seriously, that she supposed she might marry again at
+the end of seven years from last year, if she cared to
+risk Mr. Troy's coming back and claiming her.'
+' Ah, six years from the present time. Said that she
+might. She might marry at once in every reasonable
+person's opinion, whatever the lawyers may say to the
+contrary.'
+'Have you been to ask them?' said Liddy, innocently.
+' Not I,' said Boldwood, growing red. ' Liddy, you
+needn't stay here a minute later than you wish, so Mr,
+Oak says. I am now going on a little farther. Good'
+afternoon.'
+He went away vexed with himself, and ashamed of
+having for this one time in his life done anything which
+could be called underhand. Poor Boldwood had no
+more skill in finesse than a battering-ram, and he was
+uneasy with a sense of having made himself to appear
+stupid and, what was worse, mean. But he had, after
+all, lighted upon one fact by way of repayment. It was
+a singularly fresh and fascinating fact, and though not
+without its sadness it was pertinent and real. In little
+more than six years from this time Bathsheba might
+certainly marry him. There was something definite in
+that hope, for admitting that there might have been no
+deep thought in her words to Liddy about marriage,
+they showed at least her creed on the matter.
+This pleasant notion was now continually in his mind.
+Six years were a long time, but how much shorter than
+never, the idea he had for so long been obliged to
+endure .! Jacob had served twice seven years for
+Rachel: what were six for such a woman as this ? He
+tried to like the notion of waiting for her better than
+that of winning her at once. Boldwood felt his love
+to be so deep and strong and eternal, that it was pos+
+sible she
+<P 395>
+had never yet known its full volume, and this
+patience in delay would afford him an opportunity of
+giving sweet proof on the point. He would annihilate
+the six years of his life as if they were minutes -- so little
+did he value his time on earth beside her love. He
+would let her see, all those six years of intangible ether+
+eal courtship, how little care he had for anything but as
+it bore upon the consummation.
+Meanwhile the early and the late summer brought
+round the week in which Greenhill Fair was held.
+This fair was frequently attended by the folk of Weather+
+bury.
+<C l>
+<P 396>
+THE SHEEP FAIR -- TROY TOUCHES HIS WIFE'S HAND
+GREENHILL was the Nijni Novgorod of South
+Wessex; and the busiest, merriest, noisiest day of the
+whole statute number was the day of the sheep fair.
+This yearly gathering was upon the summit of a hill
+which retained in good preservation the remains of an
+ancient earthwork, consisting of a huge rampart and
+entrenchnaent of an oval form encircling the top of
+the hill, though somewhat broken down here and there.
+To each of the two chief openings on opposite sides a
+winding road ascended, and the level green space of
+ten or fifteen acres enclosed by the bank was the
+site of the fair. A few permanent erections dotted the
+spot, but the majority of visitors patronized canvas alone
+for resting and feeding under during the time of their
+sojourn here.
+Shepherds who attended with their flocks from long
+distances started from home two or three days, or even
+a week, before the fair, driving their charges a few miles
+each day -- not more than ten or twelve -- and resting
+them at night in hired fields by the wayside at pre+
+viously chosen points, where they fed, having fasted since
+morning. The shepherd of each flock marched behind,
+a bundle containing his kit for the week strapped upon
+his shoulders, and in his hand his crook, which he used
+as the staff of his pilgrimage. Several of the sheep
+would get worn and lame, and occasionally a lambing
+occurred on the road. To meet these contingencies,
+there was frequently provided, to accompany the flocks
+from the remoter points, a pony and waggon into which
+the weakly ones were taken for the remainder of the
+journey.
+The Weatherbury Farms, however, were no such
+long distance from the hill, and those arrangements
+were not necessary in their case. But the large united
+flocks of Bathsheba and Farmer Boldwood formed a
+valuable and imposing multitude which
+<P 397>
+demanded much
+attention, and on this account Gabriel, in addition to
+Boldwood's shepherd and Cain Ball, accompanied them
+along the way, through the decayed old town of Kings'
+bere, and upward to the plateau, -- old George the dog
+of course behind them.
+When the autumn sun slanted over Greenhill this
+morning and lighted the dewy flat upon its crest, nebu+
+lous clouds of dust were to be seen floating between
+the pairs of hedges which streaked the wide prospect
+around in all directions. These gradually converged
+upon the base of the hill, and the flocks became
+individually visible, climbing the serpentine ways which
+led to the top. Thus, in a slow procession, they entered
+the opening to which the roads tended, multitude after
+multitude, horned and hornless -- blue flocks and red
+flocks, buff flocks and brown flocks, even green and
+salmon-tinted flocks, according to the fancy of the
+colourist and custom of the farm. Men were shouting,
+dogs were barking, with greatest animation, but the
+thronging travellers in so long a journey had grown
+nearly indifferent to such terrors, though they still
+bleated piteously at the unwontedness of their experi+
+ences, a tall shepherd rising here and there in the midst
+of them, like a gigantic idol amid a crowd of prostrate
+devotees.
+The great mass of sheep in the fair consisted of
+South Downs and the old Wessex horned breeds, to
+the latter class Bathsheba's and Farmer Boldwood's
+mainly belonged. These filed in about nine o'clock,
+their vermiculated horns lopping gracefully on each side
+of their cheeks in geometrically perfect spirals, a small
+pink and white ear nestling under each horn. Before
+and behind came other varieties, perfect leopards as to
+the full rich substance of their coats, and only lacking the
+spots. There were also a few of the Oxfordshire breeed,
+whose wool was beginning to curl like a child's flaxen
+hair, though surpassed in this respect by the effeminate
+Leicesters, which were in turn less curly than the Cots+
+wolds. But the most picturesque by far was a small
+flock of Exmoors, which chanced to be there this year.
+Their pied faces and legs, dark and heavy horns, tresses
+of wool hanging round their swarthy
+<P 398>
+foreheads, quite
+relieved the monotony of the flocks in that quarter.
+All these bleating, panting, and weary thousands had
+entered and were penned before the morning had far
+advanced, the dog belonging to each flock being tied to
+the corner of the pen containing it. Alleys for pedes+
+trians intersected the pens, which soon became crowded
+with buyers and sellers from far and near.
+In another part of the hill an altogether different
+scene began to force itself upon the eye towards mid+
+day. A circular tent, of exceptional newness and size,
+was in course of erection here. As the day drew on,
+the flocks began to change hands, lightening the shep+
+herd's responsibilities ; and they turned their attention
+to this tent and inquired of a man at work there, whose
+soul seemed concentrated on tying a bothering knot in
+no time, what was going on.
+' The Royal Hippodrome Performance of Turpin's
+Ride to York and the Death of Black Bess,' replied the
+man promptly, without turning his eyes or leaving off
+tying.
+As soon as the tent was completed the band struck
+up highly stimulating harmonies, and the announce+
+ment was publicly made, Black Bess standing in a con+
+spicuous position on the outside, as a living proof, If
+proof were wanted, of the truth of the oracular utterances
+from the stage over which the people were to enter.
+These were so convinced by such genuine appeals to
+heart and understanding both that they soon began to
+crowd in abundantly, among the foremost being visible
+Jan Coggan and Joseph Poorgrass, who were holiday
+keeping here to-day,
+''That's the great ruffen pushing me .! ' screamed a
+woman in front of Jan over her shoulder at him when
+the rush was at its fiercest.
+'How can I help pushing ye when the folk behind
+push me ?' said Coggan, in a deprecating tone, turning
+without turning his body, which was jammed as in a vice.
+Tjere was a silence ; then the drums and trumpets
+again sent forth their echoing notes. The crowd was
+again ectasied,
+<P 399>
+and gave another lurch in which Coggan
+and Poorgrass were again thrust by those behind upon
+the women in front.
+'O that helpless feymels should be at the mercy of
+she swayed like a reed shaken by the wind.
+Now,' said Coggan, appealing in an earnest voice
+to the public at large as it stood clustered about his
+shoulder-blades,'ded ye ever hear such onreasonable
+woman as that ? Upon my carcase, neighbours, if I
+could onlyu get out of this cheesewring, the damn women
+might eat the show for me.! '
+'Don't ye lose yer temper, Jan!' implored Joseph
+Poorgrass, in a whisper. ' They might get their men to
+murder us, for I think by the shine of their eyes that
+they be a sinful form of womankind.'
+Jan held his tongue, as if he had no objection to be
+pacified to please a friend, and they gradually reached
+the foot of the ladder, Poorgrass being flattened like a
+jumping-jack, and the sixpence, for admission, which he
+had got ready half-an-hour earlier, having become so
+reeking hot in the tight squeeze of his excited hand that
+the woman in spangles, brazen rings set with glass
+diamonds, and with chalked face and shoulders, who
+took the money of him, hastily dropped it again from
+a fear that some trick had been played to burn her
+fingers. So they all entered, and the cloth of the
+tent, to the eyes of an observer on the outside, became
+bulged into innumerable pimples such as we observe on
+a sack of potatoes, caused by the various human heads,
+backs, and elbows at high pressure within.
+At the rear of the large tent there were two small
+dressing-tents. One of these, alloted to the male per+
+formers, was partitioned into halves by a cloth ; and in
+one of the divisions there was sitting on the grass, puli
+ing on a pair of jack-boots, a young man whom we
+instantly recognise as Sergeant Troy.
+Troy's appearance in this position may be briefly
+accounted for. The brig aboard which he was taken in
+Budmouth Roads was about to start on a voyage, though
+somewhat short of hands. Troy read the articles and
+joined, but before they sailed a boat was despatched
+across the bay to Lulwind cove; as he
+<P 400>
+had half expected,
+his clothes were gone. He ultimately worked his passage
+to the United States, where he made a precarious living
+in various towns as Professor of Gymnastics, Sword
+Exercise, Fencing, and Pugilism. A few months were
+sufficient to give him a distaste for this kind of life.
+There was a certain animal form of refinement in his
+nature; and however pleasant a strange condition might
+be whilst privations were easily warded off, it was dis+
+advantageously coarse when money was short. There
+was ever present, too, the idea that he could claim a
+home and its comforts did he but chose to return to
+England and Weatherbury Farm. Whether Bathsheba
+thought him dead was a frequent subject of curious
+conjecture. To England he did return at last ; but the
+but the fact of drawing nearer to Weatherbury abstracted its
+fascinations, and his intention to enter his old groove at
+the place became modified. It was with gloom he con+
+sidered on landing at Liverpool that if he were to go home
+his reception would be of a kind very unpleasant to con+
+template ; for what Troy had in the way of emotion was
+an occasional fitful sentiment which sometimes caused
+him as much inconvenience as emotion of a strong and
+healthy kind. Bathsheba was not a women to be made
+a fool of, or a woman to suffer in silence; and how
+could he endure existence with a spirited wife to whom
+at first entering he would be beholden for food and
+lodging ? Moreover, it was not at all unlikely that his
+wife would fail at her farming, if she had not already
+done so; and he would then become liable for her
+maintenance : and what a life such a future of poverty
+with her would be, the spectre of Fanny constantly be+
+tween them, harrowing his temper and embittering her
+words! Thus, for reasons touching on distaste, regret,
+and shame commingled, he put off his return from day
+to day, and would have decided to put it off altogether
+if he could have found anywhere else the ready-made
+establishment which existed for him there.
+At this time -- the July preceding the September in
+which we find at Greenhill Fair -- he fell in with a
+travelling circus which was performing in the outskirts of
+a northern town. Troy introduced himself to the
+manager by taming a restive horse of the troupe, hitting
+a suspended apple with pistol-+
+<P 401>
+bullet fired from the
+animal's back when in full gallop, and other feats. For
+his merits in these -- all more or less based upon his ex+
+periences as a dragoon-guardsman -- Troy was taken into
+the company, and the play of Turpin was prepared with
+a view to his personation of the chief character. Troy
+was not greatly elated by the appreciative spirit in which
+he was undoubtedly treated, but he thought the engage+
+ment might afford him a few weeks for consideration.
+It was thus carelessly, and without having formed any
+definite plan for the future, that Troy found himself
+at Greenhill Fair with the rest of the company on this
+day.
+And now the mild autumn sun got lower, and in
+front of the pavilion the following incident had taken
+place. Bathsheba -- who was driven to the fair that day
+by her odd man Poorgrass -- had, like every one else,
+read or heard the announcement that Mr. Francis, the
+Great Cosmopolitan Equestrian and Roughrider, would
+enact the part of Turpin, and she was not yet too old
+and careworn to be without a little curiosity to see him.
+This particular show was by far the largest and grandest
+in the fair, a horde of little shows grouping themselves
+under its shade like chickens around a hen. The crowd
+had passed in, and Boldwood, who had been watching
+all the day for an opportunity of speaking to her, seeing
+her comparatively isolated, came up to her side.
+"I hope the sheep have done well to-day, Mrs. Troy?'
+he said, nervously.
+"O yes, thank you,' said Bathsheba, colour springing
+up in the centre of her cheeks. "I was fortunate
+enough to sell them all just as we got upon the hill, so
+we hadn't to pen at all.'
+"And now you are entirely at leisure ?'
+"Yes, except that I have to see one more dealer in
+two hours' time : otherwise I should be going home.
+was looking at this large tent and the announcement.
+Have you ever seen the play of "Turpin's Ride to
+York?" Turpin was a real man, was he not ?'
+"O yes, perfectly true -- all of it. Indeed, I think
+I've heard Jan Coggan say that a relation of his knew
+Tom King, Turpin's friend, quite well.'
+<P 402>
+"Coggan is rather given to strange stories connected
+with his relations, we must remember. I hope they
+can all be believed.'
+"Yes, yes; we know Coggan. But Turpin is true
+enough. You have never seen it played, I suppose?'
+"Never. I was not allowed to go into these places
+when I was young. Hark.! What's that prancing?
+How they shout!'
+"Black Bess just started off, I suppose. Am I right
+in supposing you would like to see the performance,
+Mrs. Troy ? Please excuse my mistake, if it is one;
+but if you would like to, I'll get a seat for you with
+pleasure.' Perceiving that she hesitated, he added, 'I
+myself shall not stay to see it: I've seen it before.'
+Now Bathsheba did care a little to see the show, and
+had only withheld her feet from the ladder because she
+feared to go in alone. She had been hoping that Oak
+might appear, whose assistance in such cases was always
+accepted as an inalienable right, but Oak was nowhere
+to be seen; and hence it was that she said, "Then if
+you will just look in first, to see if there's room, I think
+I will go in for a minute or two.'
+And so a short time after this Bathsheba appeared
+in the tent with Boldwood at her elbow, who, taking
+her to a " reserved ' seat, again withdrew.
+This feature consisted of one raised bench in very
+conspicuous part of the circle, covered with red cloth,
+and floored with a piece of carpet, and Bathsheba
+immediately found, to her confusion, that she was the
+single reserved individual in the tent, the rest of the
+crowded spectators, one and all, standing on their legs
+on the borders of the arena, where they got twice as
+good a view of the performance for half the money.
+Hence as many eyes were turned upon her, enthroned
+alone in this place of honour, against a scarlet back+
+ground, as upon the ponies and clown who were
+engaged in preliminary exploits in the centre, Turpin
+not having yet appeared. Once there, Bathsheba was
+forced to make the best of it and remain: she sat
+down, spreading her skirts with some dignity over the
+unoccupied space on each side of her, and giving a
+new and feminine aspect to the pavilion. In a few
+minutes she noticed the fat red nape of Coggan's neck
+among those standing just
+<P 403>
+below her, and Joseph Poor+
+grass's saintly profile a little further on.
+The interior was shadowy with a peculiar shade.
+The strange luminous semi-opacities of fine autumn
+afternoons and eves intensified into Rembrandt effects
+the few yellow sunbeams which came through holes
+and divisions in the canvas, and spirted like jets of
+gold-dust across the dusky blue atmosphere of haze
+pervading the tent, until they alighted on inner surfaces
+of cloth opposite, and shone like little lamps suspended
+there.
+Troy, on peeping from his dressing-tent through a
+slit for a reconnoitre before entering, saw his unconscious
+wife on high before him as described, sitting as queen
+of the tournament. He started back in utter confusion,
+for although his disguise efectually concealed his person+
+ality, he instantly felt that she would be sure to recognize
+his voice. He had several times during the day thought
+of the possibility of some Weatherbury person or other
+appearing and recognizing him; but he had taken the
+risk carelessly. If they see me, let them, he had said.
+But here was Bathsheba in her own person; and the
+reality of the scene was so much intenser than any of
+his prefigurings that he felt he had not half enough
+considered the point.
+She looked so charming and fair that his cool mood
+about Weatherbury people was changed. He had not
+expected her to exercise this power over him in the
+twinkling of an eye. Should he go on, and care nothing ?
+He could not bring himself to do that. Beyond a politic
+wish to remain unknown, there suddenly arose in him
+now a sense of shame at the possibility that his
+attractive young wife, who already despised him, should
+despise him more by discovering him in so mean a
+condition after so long a time. He actually blushed
+at the thought, and was vexed beyond measure that
+his sentiments of dislike towards Weatherbury should
+have led him to dally about the country in this way.
+But Troy was never more clever than when absolutely
+at his wit's end. He hastily thrust aside the curtain
+dividing his own little dressing space from that of the
+manager and proprietor, who now appeared as the
+individual called Tom King as far
+<P 404>
+down as his waist, and
+as the aforesaid respectable manager thence to his toes.
+"Here's the devil to pay!' said Troy.
+"How's that ?'
+"Why, there's a blackguard creditor in the tent I don't
+want to see, who'll discover me and nab me as sure as
+Satan if I open my mouth. What's to be done?'
+You must appear now, I think.'
+"I can't.'
+But the play must proceed.'
+"Do you give out that Turpin has got a bad cold,
+and can't speak his part, but that he'll perform it just
+the same without speaking.'
+The proprietor shook his head.
+"Anyhow, play or no play, I won't open my mouth,
+said Troy, firmly.
+"Very well, then let me see. I tell you how we'll
+manage,' said the other, who perhaps felt it would be
+extremely awkward to offend his leading man just at
+this time. "I won't tell 'em anything about your
+keeping silence; go on with the piece and say nothing,
+doing what you can by a judicious wink now and then,
+and a few indomitable nods in the heroic places, you
+know. They'll never find out that the speeches are
+omitted.'
+This seemed feasible enough, for Turpin's speeches
+were not many or long, the fascination of the piece
+lying entirely in the action ; and accordingly the play
+began, and at the appointed time Black Bess leapt
+into the grassy circle amid the plaudits of the spectators.
+At the turnpike scene, where Bess and Turpin are hotly
+pursued at midnight by the officers, and half-awake
+gatekeeper in his tasselled nightcap denies that any
+horseman has passed, Coggan uttered a broad-chested
+"Well done!' which could be heard all over the fair
+above the bleating, and Poorgrass smiled delightedly
+with a nice sense of dramatic contrast between our
+hero, who coolly leaps the gate, and halting justice in
+the form of his enemies, who must needs pull up
+cumbersomely and wait to be let through. At the
+death of Tom King, he could not refrain from seizing
+Coggan by the hand, and whispering, with tears in his
+eyes, "Of
+<P 405>
+course he's not really shot, Jan -- only
+seemingly!' And when the last sad scene came on,
+and the body of the gallant and faithful Bess had to
+be carried out on a shutter by twelve volunteers from
+among the spectators, nothing could restrain Poorgrass
+from lending a hand, exclaiming, as he asked Jan to
+join him, "Twill be something to tell of at Warren's in
+future years, Jan, and hand down to our children.' For
+many a year in Weatherbury, Joseph told, with the air
+of a man who had had experiences in his time, that he
+touched with his own hand the hoof of Bess as she lay
+upon the board upon his shoulder. If, as some thinkers
+hold, immortality consists in being enshrined in others'
+memories, then did Black Bess become immortal that
+day if she never had done so before.
+Meanwhile Troy had added a few touches to his
+ordinary make-up for the character, the more effectually
+to disguise himself, and though he had felt faint qualms
+on first entering, the metamorphosis effected by judici+
+ously "lining' his face with a wire rendered him safe from
+the eyes of Bathsheba and her men. Nevertheless, he
+was relieved when it was got through.
+There a second performance in the evening, and
+the tent was lighted up. Troy had taken his part very
+quietly this time, venturing to indroduce a few speeches
+on occasion ; and was just concluding it when, whilst
+standing at the edge of the circle contiguous to the first
+row of spectators, he observed within a yard of him the
+eye of a man darted keenly into his side features. Troy
+hastily shifted his position, after having recognized in
+sworn enemy, who still hung about the outskirts of
+At first Troy resolved to take no notice and abide
+by circumstances. That he had been recongnized by
+this man was highly probable; yet there was room for
+a doubt. Then the great objection he had felt to
+allowing news of his proximity to precede him to
+Weatherbury in the event of his return, based on a
+feeling that knowledge of his present occupation would
+discredit him still further in his wife's eyes, returned
+in full force. Moreover, should he resolve not to
+return at all, a tale of his being alive and being in
+the neighbourhood would be
+<P 406>
+awkward ; and he was
+anxious to acquire a knowledge of his wife's temporal
+affairs before deciding which to do.
+In this dilemma Troy at once went out to recon+
+noitre. It occurred to him that to find Pennyways, and
+make a friend of him if possible, would be a very wise
+act. He had put on a thick beard borrowed from the
+establishment, and this he wandered about the fair+
+field. It was now almost dark, and respectable people
+were getting their carts and gigs ready to go home
+The largest refreshment booth in the fair was provided
+by an innkeeper from a neighbouring town. This was
+considered an unexceptionable place for obtaining the
+necessary food and rest: Host Trencher (as he was
+jauntily called by the local newspaper) being a sub+
+stantial man of high repute for catering through all the
+county round. The tent was divided into first and
+second-class compartments, and at the end of the first+
+class division was a yet further enclosure for the most
+exclusive, fenced of from the body of the tent by a
+luncheon-bar, behind which the host himself stood
+bustling about in white apron and shirt-sleeves, and look+
+ing as if he had never lived anywhere but under canvas
+all his life. In these penetralia were chairs and a table,
+which, on candles being lighted, made quite a cozy and
+luxurious show, with an urn, plated tea and coffee pots,
+china teacups, and plum cakes.
+Troy stood at the entrance to the booth, where a
+gipsy-woman was frying pancakes over a little fire of
+sticks and selling them at a penny a-piece, and looked
+over the heads of the people within. He could see
+nothing of Pennyways, but he soon discerned Bathsheba
+through an opening into the reserved space at the
+further end. Troy thereupon retreated, went round the
+tent into the darkness, and listened. He could hear
+Bathsheba's voice immediately inside the canvas ; she
+was conversing with a man. A warmth overspread his
+face: surely she was not so unprincipled as to flirt in
+a fair! He wondered if, then, she reckoned upon his
+death as an absolute certainty. To get at the root of
+the matter, Troy took a penknife from his pocket and
+softly made two little cuts crosswise in the cloth, which,
+by folding back the corners left a hole the size of a
+<P 407>
+wafer. Close to this he placed his face, withdrawing
+it again in a movement of surprise; for his eye had
+been within twelve inches of the top of Bathsheba's
+head. lt was too near to be convenient. He made
+another hole a little to one side and lower down, in a
+shaded place beside her chair, from which it was easy
+and safe to survey her by looking horizontally'.
+Troy took in the scene completely now. She was
+leaning back, sipping a cup of tea that she held in her
+hand, and the owner of the male voice was Boldwood,
+who had apparently just brought the cup to her,
+Bathsheba, being in a negligent mood, leant so idly
+against the canvas that it was pressed to the shape of
+her shoulder, and she was, in fact, as good as in 'rioy's
+arms; and he was obliged to keep his breast carefully
+backward that she might not feel its warmth through the
+cloth as he gazed in.
+Troy found unexpected chords of feeling to be stirred
+again within him as they had been stirred earlier in the
+day. She was handsome as ever, and she was his. It
+was some minutes before he could counteract his sudden
+wish to go in, and claim her. Then he thought how
+the proud girl who had always looked down upon him
+even whilst it was to love him, would hate him on dis+
+covering him to be a strolling player. Were he to make
+himself known, that chapter of his life must at all risks
+be kept for ever from her and from the Weatherbury
+people, or his name would be a byword throughout the
+parish. He would be nicknamed 'Turpin' as long as
+he lived. Assuredly before he could claim her these few
+past months of his existence must be entirely blotted out.
+"Shall I get you another cup before you start,
+ma'am?' said Farmer Boldwood.
+I thank you," said Bathsheba. " But I must be going
+at once. It was great neglect in that man to keep me
+waiting here till so late. I should have gone two hours
+ago, if it had not been for him. I had no idea of
+coming in here; but there's nothing so refreshing as a
+cup of tea, though I should never have got one if you
+hadn't helped me.'
+Troy scrutinized her cheek as lit by the candles,
+and watched each varying shade thereon, and the
+white shell-like sinuosities
+<P 408>
+of her little ear. She took
+out her purse and was insisting to Boldwood on paying
+for her tea for herself, when at this moment Pennyways
+entered the tent. Troy trembled : here was his scheme
+for respectability endangered at once. He was about
+to leave his hole of espial, attempt to follow Pennyways,
+and find out if the ex-bailiff had recognized him, when
+he was arrested by the conversation, and found he was
+too late.
+"Excuse me, ma'am,' said Pennyways ; "I've some
+private information for your ear alone.'
+"I cannot hear it now,' she said, coldly. That
+Bathsheba could not endure this man was evident; in
+fact, he was continually coming to her with some tale
+or other, by which he might creep into favour at the
+expense of persons maligned.
+"I'll write it down,' said Pennyways, confidently. He
+stooped over the table, pulled a leaf from a warped
+pocket-book, and wrote upon the paper, in a round
+hand --
+" <1Your husband is here. I've seen him. Who's the fool
+now?'
+This he folded small, and handed towards her.
+Bathsheba would not read it ; she would not even put
+out her hand to take it. Pennyways, then, with a laugh
+of derision, tossed it into her lap, and, turning away,
+left her.
+From the words and action of Pennyways, Troy,
+though he had not been able to see what the ex-bailiff
+wrote, had not a moment's doubt that the note referred
+to him. Nothing that he could think of could be done
+to check the exposure. " Curse my luck.!' he whispered,
+and added imprecations which rustled in the gloom like
+a pestilent wind. Meanwhile Boldwood said, taking up
+the note from her lap --
+"Don't you wish to read it, Mrs. Troy? If not,
+I'll destroy it."
+" Oh, well,' said Bathsheba, carelessly, "perhaps it is
+unjust not to read it; but I can guess what it is about.
+He wants me to recommend him, or it is to tell me of
+some little scandal or another connected with my work+
+people. He's always doing that.'
+Bathsheba held the note in her right hand. Bold+
+wood handed towards her a plate of cut bread-and+
+butter; when, in order to take a slice, she put the note
+into her left hand, where she was still holding the purse,
+and then allowed her hand to drop
+<P 409>
+beside her close to
+the canvas. The moment had come for saving his game,
+and Troy impulsively felt that he would play the card,
+For yet another time he looked at the fair hand, and
+saw the pink finger-tips, and the blue veins of the
+wrrist, encircled by a bracelet of coral chippings which
+she wore: how familiar it all was to him.! Then, with
+the lightning action in which he was such an adept, he
+noiselessly slipped his hand under the bottom of the
+tent-cloth, which was far from being pinned tightly down,
+lifted it a little way, keeping his eye to the hole,
+snatched the note from her fingers, dropped the canvas,
+and ran away in the gloom towards the bank and ditch,
+smiling at the scream of astonishment which burst from
+her. Troy then slid down on the outside of the rampart,
+hastened round in the bottom of the entrenchment to
+a distance of a hundred yards, ascended again, and
+crossed boldly in a slow walk towards the front entrance
+of the tent. His object was now to get to Pennyways,
+and prevent a repetition of the announcement until
+such time as he should choose.
+Troy reached the tent door, and standing among the
+groups there gathered, looked anxiously for Pennyways,
+evidently not wishing to make himself prominent by
+inquiring for him. One or two men were speaking of
+a daring attempt that had just been made to rob a
+young lady by lifting the canvas of the tent beside her.
+It was supposed that the rogue had imagined a slip of
+paper which she held in her hand to he a bank note,
+for he had seized it, and made off with it, leaving her
+purse behind. His chagrin and disappointment at dis+
+covering its worthlessness would be a good joke, it was
+said. However, the occurrence seemed to have become
+known to few, for it had not interrupted a fiddler, who
+had lately begun playing by the door of the tent, nor
+the four bowed old men with grim countenances and
+walking-sticks in hand, who were dancing "Major
+Malley's Reel' to the tune. Behind these stood
+Pennyways. Troy glided up to him, beckoned, and
+whispered a few words ; and with a mutual glance of
+concurrence the two men went into the night together.
+<C li>
+<P 410>
+BATHSHEBA TALKS WITH HER OUTRIDER
+THE arrangement for getting back again to Weather+
+bury had been that Oak should take the place of Poor+
+grass in Bathsheba's conveyance and drive her home,
+it being discovered late in the afternoon that Joseph
+was suffering from his old complaint, a multiplying eye,
+and was, therefore, hardly trustworthy as coachman and
+protector to a woman. But Oak had found himself so
+occupied, and was full of so many cares relative to
+those portions of Boldwood's flocks that were not
+disposed of, that Bathsheba, without telling Oak or
+anybody, resolved to drive home herself, as she had
+many times done from Casterbridge Market, and trust
+to her good angel for performing the journey un+
+molested. But having fallen in with Farmer Boldwood
+accidentally (on her part at least) at the refreshment+
+tent, she found it impossible to refuse his offer to ride
+on horseback beside her as escort. It had grown
+twilight before she was aware, but Boldwood assured
+her that there was no cause for uneasiness, as the
+moon would be up in half-an-hour.
+Immediately after the incident in the tent, she had
+risen to go -- now absolutely alarmed and really grateful
+for her old lover's protection -- though regretting Gabriel's
+absence, whose company she would have much preferred,
+as being more proper as well as more pleasant, since he
+was her own managing-man and servant. This, how+
+ever, could not be helped; she would not, on any
+consideration, treat Boldwood harshly, having once
+already iliused him, and the moon having risen, and
+the gig being ready, she drove across the hilitop in
+the wending way's which led downwards -- to oblivious
+obscurity, as it seemed, for the moon and the hill it
+flooded with light were in appearance on a level, the
+rest of the world lying as a vast shady concave between
+them. Boldwood mounted his horse, and
+<P 411>
+followed in
+close attendance behind. Thus they descended into
+the lowlands, and the sounds of those left on the
+hill came like voices from the sky, and the lights were
+as those of a camp in heaven. They soon passed the
+merry stragglers in the immediate vicinity of the hill,
+traversed Kingsbere, and got upon the high road.
+The keen instincts of Bathsheba had perceived that
+the farmer's staunch devotion to herself was still un+
+diminished, and she sympathized deeply. The sight
+had quite depressed her this evening; had reminded
+her of her folly; she wished anew, as she had wished
+many months ago, for some means of making repara+
+tion for her fault. Hence her pity for the man who
+so persistently loved on to his own injury and per+
+manent gloom had betrayed Bathsheba into an injudi+
+cious considerateness of manner, which appeared
+almost like tenderness, and gave new vigour to the
+exquisite dream of a Jacob's seven years service in
+poor Boldwood's mind.
+He soon found an excuse for advancing from his
+position in the rear, and rode close by her side. They
+had gone two or three miles in the moonlight, speaking
+desultorily across the wheel of her gig concerning the
+fair, farming, Oak's usefulness to them both, and other
+indifferent subjects, when Boldwood said suddenly
+and simply --
+"Mrs. Troy, you will marry again some day?'
+This point-blank query unmistakably confused her,
+it was not till a minute or more had elapsed that
+she said, "I have not seriously thought of any such
+subject.'
+"I quite understand that. Yet your late husband
+has been dead nearly one year, and -- '
+" You forget that his death was never absolutely
+proved, and may not have taken place; so that I may
+not be really a widow,' she said, catching at the straw of
+escape that the fact afforded
+"Not absolutely proved, perhaps, but it was proved
+circumstantially. A man saw him drowning, too. No
+reasonable person has any doubt of his death; nor
+have you, ma'am, I should imagine.
+"O yes I have, or I should have acted differently,'
+she said, gently. "From the first, I have had a strange
+uaccountable
+<P 412>
+feeling that he could not have perished,
+but I have been able to explain that in several ways
+since. Even were I half persuaded that I shall see
+him no more, I am far from thinking of marriage with
+another. I should be very contemptible to indulge in
+such a thought.'
+They were silent now awhile, and having struck into
+an unfrequented track across a common, the creaks of
+Boldwood's saddle and gig springs were all the
+sounds to be heard. Boldwood ended the pause.
+"Do you remember when I carried you fainting in
+my arms into the King's Arms, in Casterbridge? Every
+dog has his day: that was mine.'
+"I know-i know it all,' she said, hurriedly.
+"I, for one, shall never cease regretting that events
+so fell out as to deny you to me.'
+"I, too, am very sorry,' she said, and then checked
+herself. "I mean, you know, I am sorry you thought
+i -- '
+"I have always this dreary pleasure in thinking over
+those past times with you -- that I was something to
+you before <1he>1 was anything, and that you belonged
+<1almost>1 to me. But, of course, that's nothing. You
+never liked me.'
+" I did ; and respected you, too.'
+"Do you now?'
+"Yes.'
+"Which?'
+"How do you mean which?'
+"Do you like me, or do you respect me?'
+"I don't know -- at least, I cannot tell you. It is
+difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language
+which is chiefly made by men to express theirs. My
+treatment of you was thoughtless, inexcusable, wicked.!
+I shall eternally regret it. If there had been anything
+I could have done to make amends I would most
+gladly have done it -- there was nothing on earth I so
+longed to do as to repair the error. But that was not
+possible.'
+"Don't blame yourself -- you were not so far in the
+wrong as you suppose. Bathsheba, suppose you had
+real complete proof
+<P 413>
+that you are what, in fact, you are
+ -- a widow -- would you repair the old wrong to me by
+marrying me?'
+"I cannot say. I shouldn't yet, at any rate.'
+"But you might at some future time of your life?'
+"O yes, I might at some time.'
+"Well, then, do you know that without further proof
+of any kind you may marry again in about six years
+from the present -- subject to nobody's objection or
+blame?'
+"O yes,' she said, quickly. " I know all that. But
+don't talk of it -- seven or six years -- where may we all
+be by that time?'
+"They will soon glide by, and it will seem an
+astonishingly short time to look back upon when they
+are past -- much less than to look forward to now.'
+"Yes, yes; I have found that in my own experience.'
+" Now listen once more,' Boldwood pleaded. "If I
+wait that time, will you marry me? You own that you
+owe me amends-iet that be your way of making them.'
+"But, Mr. Boldwood -- six years -- '
+"Do you want to be the wife of any other man?'
+"No indeed! I mean, that I don't like to talk
+about this matter now. Perhaps it is not proper, and
+I ought not to allow it. Let us drop it. My husband
+may be living, as I said.'
+"Of course, I'll drop the subject if you wish. But
+propriety has nothing to do with reasons. I am a
+middle-aged man, willing to protect you for the
+remainder of our lives. On your side, at least, there
+is no passion or blamable haste -- on mine, perhaps,
+there is. But I can't help seeing that if you choose
+from a feeling of pity, and, as you say, a wish to make
+amends, to make a bargain with me for a far-ahead
+time -- an agreement which will set all things right
+and make me happy, late though it may be -- there is
+no fault to be found with you as a woman. Had'nt
+I the first place beside you? Haven't you been
+almost mine once already? Surely you can say to
+me as much as this, you will have me back again
+should circumstances permit ? Now, pray speak ! O
+Bathsheba, promise -- it is only a little promise -- that
+if you marry again, you will marry me.!'
+His tone was so excited that she almost feared him
+at this
+<P 414>
+moment, even whilst she sympathized. It was
+a simple physical fear -- the weak of the strong; there
+no emotional aversion or inner repugnance. She
+said, with some distress in her voice, for she remembered
+vividly his outburst on the Yalbury Road, and shrank
+from a repetition of his anger: --
+"I will never marry another man whilst you wish me
+to be your wife, whatever comes -- but to say more -- you
+have taken me so by surprise -- -'
+"But let it stand in these simple words -- that in six
+years' time you will be my wife ? Unexpected accidents
+we'll not mention, because those, of course, must be
+given way to. Now, this time I know you will keep
+your word.'
+"That's why I hesitate to give it.'
+"But do give it ! Remember the past, and be kind.'
+She breathed; and then said mournfully : "O what
+shall I do ? I don't love you, and I much fear that I
+never shall love you as much as a woman ought to love
+a husband. If you, sir, know that, and I can yet give
+you happiness by a mere promise to marry at the end of
+six years, if my husband should not come back, it is a
+great honour to me. And if you value such an act of
+friendship from a woman who doesn't esteem her+
+self as she did, and has little love left, why it
+wili -- '
+"Promise!.'
+" -- Consider, if I cannot promise soon.'
+"But soon is perhaps never?'
+"O no, it is not.! I mean soon. Christmas, we'll
+say.'
+"Christmas.!' He said nothing further till he
+added : "Well, I'll say no more to you about it till that
+time.'
+Bathsheba was in a very peculiar state of mind,
+which showed how entirely the soul is the slave of the
+body, the ethereal spirit dependent for its quality upon
+the tangible flesh and blood. It is hardly too much to
+say that she felt coerced by a force stronger than her
+own will, not only into the act of promising upon this
+singularly remote and vague matter, but into the emo+
+tion of fancying that she ought to promise. When the
+weeks intervening between the night of this conversa+
+<P 415>
+tion and Christmas day began perceptibly to diminish,
+her anxiety and perplexity increased.
+One day she was led by an accident into an oddly
+confidential dialogue with Gabriel about her difficulty
+It afforded her a little relief -- of a dull and cheerless
+kind. They were auditing accounts, and something
+occurred in the course of their labours which led Oak
+to say, speaking of Boldwood, " He'll never forget you,
+ma'am, never.'
+Then out came her trouble before she was aware ;
+and she told him how she had again got into the toils;
+what Boldwood had asked her, and how he was ex+
+pecting her assent. "The most mournful reason of all
+for my agreeing to it,' she said sadly, 'and the true
+reason why I think to do so for good or for evil, is this
+ -- it is a thing I have not breathed to a living soul as
+yet-i believe that if I don't give my word, he'll go out
+of his mind.'
+"Really, do ye?' said Gabriel, gravely.
+'I believe this,' she continued, with reckless frank+
+ness; "and Heaven knows I say it in a spirit the very
+reverse of vain, for I am grieved and troubled to my
+soul about it-i believe I hold that man's future in my
+hand. His career depends entirely upon my treatment
+of him. O Gabriel, I tremble at my responsibility, for
+it is terrible.!'
+"Well, I think this much, ma'am, as I told you years
+ago,' said Oak, 'that his life is a total blank whenever
+he isn't hoping for 'ee; but I can't suppose-i hope
+that nothing so dreadful hangs on to it as you fancy.
+His natural manner has always been dark and strange,
+you know. But since the case is so sad and oddiike,
+why don't ye give the conditional promise? I think I
+would.'
+"But is it right? Some rash acts of my past life
+have taught me that a watched woman must have very
+much circumspection to retain only a very little credit,
+and I do want and long to be discreet in this! And
+six years -- why we may all be in our graves by that
+BATHSHEBA TALKS WITH OAK
+time, even if Mr. Troy does not come back again, which
+he may not impossibly do.! Such thoughts give a sort
+of absurdity to the scheme. Now, isn't it preposterous,
+<P 416>
+Gabriel? However he came to dream of it, I cannot think.
+But is it wrong? You know -- you are older than I.'
+"Eight years older, ma'am.'
+"Yes, eight years -- and is it wrong?'
+"Perhaps it would be an uncommon agreement for a
+man and woman to make : I don't see anything really
+wrong about it,' said Oak, slowly. "In fact the very
+thing that makes it doubtful if you ought to marry en
+under any condition, that is, your not caring about him
+ -- for I may suppose -- -- '
+"Yes, you may suppose that love is wanting,' she
+said shortly. "Love is an utterly bygone, sorry, worn+
+out, miserable thing with me -- for him or any one else.'
+"Well, your want of love seems to me the one thing
+that takes away harm from such an agreement with him.
+If wild heat had to do wi' it, making ye long to over+
+come the awkwardness about your husband's vanishing,
+it mid be wrong ; but a cold-hearted agreement to oblige
+a man seems different, somehow. The real sin, ma'am
+in my mind, lies in thinking of ever wedding wi' a man
+you don't love honest and true.'
+"That I'm willing to pay the penalty of,' said Bath+
+sheba, firmly. " You know, Gabriel, this is what I can+
+not get off my conscience -- that I once seriously injured
+him in sheer idleness. If I had never played a trick
+upon him, he would never have wanted to marry me.
+O if I could only pay some heavy damages in money
+to him for the harm I did, and so get the sin off my
+soul that way!... Well, there's the debt, which can
+only be discharged in one way, and I believe I am
+bound to do it if it honestly lies in my power, without
+any consideration of my own future at all. When a
+rake gambles away his expectations, the fact that it is
+an inconvenient debt doesn't make him the less liable.
+I've been a rake, and the single point I ask you is, con+
+sidering that my own scruples, and the fact that in the
+eye of the law my husband is only missing, will keep
+any man from marrying me until seven years have
+passed -- am I free to entertain such an idea, even
+though 'tis a sort of penance -- for it will be that? I
+hate the act of marriage under such circumstances, and
+the class of women I should seem to belong to by doing
+it!'
+<P 417>
+"It seems to me that all depends upon whe'r you
+think, as everybody else do, that your husband is
+dead.'
+"I shall get to, I suppose, because I cannot help
+feeling what would have brought him back long before
+this time if he had lived.'
+"Well, then, in religious sense you will be as free
+to <1think>1 o' marrying again as any real widow of one
+year's standing. But why don't ye ask Mr. Thirdly's
+advice on how to treat Mr. Boldwood?'
+"No. When I want a broad-minded opinion for
+general enlightenment, distinct from special advice, I
+never go to a man who deals in the subject pro+
+fessionally. So I like the parson's opinion on law, the
+lawyer's on doctoring, the doctor's on business, and my
+business-man's -- that is, yours -- on morals.'
+'And on love -- -- '
+"My own.'
+"I'm afraid there's a hitch in that argument,' said
+Oak, with a grave smile.
+She did not reply at once, and then saying, 'Good
+evening Mr. Oak,' went away.
+She had spoken frankly, and neither asked nor ex+
+pected any reply from Gabriel more satisfactory than
+that she had obtained. Yet in the centremost parts of
+her complicated heart there existed at this minute a
+little pang of disappointment, for a reason she would
+not allow herself to recognize. Oak had not once
+wished her free that he might marry her himself -- had
+not once said, "I could wait for you as well as he.'
+That was the insect sting. Not that she would have
+listened to any such hypothesis. O no -- for wasn't
+she saying all the time that such thoughts of the future
+were improper, and wasn't Gabriel far too poor a man
+to speak sentiment to her? Yet he might have just
+hinted about that old love of his, and asked, in a playful
+off-hand way, if he might speak of it. It would have
+seemed pretty and sweet, if no more; and then she
+would have shown how kind and inoffensive a woman's
+"No' can sometimes be. But to give such cool advice
+ -- the very advice she had asked for -- it ruffled our
+heroine all the afternoon.
+<C lii>
+<P 418>
+CONVERGING COURSES
+ I
+CHRISTMAS-EVE came, and a party that Boldwood
+was to give in the evening was the great subject of talk
+in Weatherbury. It was not that the rarity of Christmas
+parties in the parish made this one a wonder, but that
+Boldwood should be the giver. The announcement
+had had an abnormal and incongruous sound, as if one
+should hear of croquet-playing in a cathedral aisle, or
+that some much-respected judge was going upon the
+stage. That the party was intended to be a truly jovial
+one there was no room for doubt. A large bough of
+mistletoe had been brought from the woods that day, and
+suspended in the hall of the bachelor's home. Holly
+and ivy had followed in armfuls. From six that morning
+till past noon the huge wood fire in the kitchen roared
+and sparkled at its highest, the kettle, the saucepan, and
+the threeiegged pot appearing in the midst of the flames
+like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ; moreover,
+roasting and basting operations were continually
+carried on in front of the genial blaze.
+As it grew later the fire was made up in the large
+long hall into which the staircase descended, and all
+encumbrances were cleared out for dancing. The log
+which was to form the back-brand of the evening fire
+was the uncleft trunk of a tree, so unwieldy that it could
+be neither brought nor rolled to its place ; and accord+
+ingly two men were to be observed dragging and heaving
+it in by chains and levers as the hour of assembly drew
+near.
+In spite of all this, the spirit of revelry was wanting
+In the atmosphere of the house. Such a thing had
+never been attempted before by its owner, and it was
+now done as by a wrench. Intended gaieties would
+insist upon appearing like solemn grandeurs, the organ+
+ization of the whole effort was
+<P 419>
+carried out coldly,by
+hirelings, and a shadow seemed to move about the
+rooms, saying that the proceedings were unnatural to
+the place and the lone man who lived therein, and hence
+not good.
+Bathsheba was at this time in her room, dressing for
+the event. She had called for candles, and Liddy
+entered and placed one on each side of her mistress's
+glass.
+"Don't go away, Liddy,' said Bathsheba, almost
+timidly.' I am foolishly agitated-i cannot tell why.
+I wish I had not been obliged to go to this dance; but
+there's no escaping now. I have not spoken to Mr.
+Boldwood since the autumn, when I promised to see
+him at Christmas on business, but I had no idea there
+was to be anything of this kind.'
+"But I would go now,' said Liddy, who was going
+with her; for Boldwood had been indiscriminate in his
+invitations.
+"Yes, I shall make my appearance, of course,' said
+Bathsheba. ' But I am <1the cause>1 of the party, and that
+upsets me! -- Don't tell, Liddy.'
+"O no, ma'am, You the cause of it, ma'am ?'
+"Yes. I am the reason of the party-i. If it had
+not been for me, there would never have been one. I
+can't explain any more -- there's no more to be explained.
+I wish I had never seen Weatherbury.'
+"That's wicked of you -- to wish to be worse off than
+you are.'
+"No, Liddy. I have never been free from trouble
+since I have lived here, and this party is likely to bring
+me more. Now, fetch my black silk dress, and see how
+it sits upon me.'
+"But you will leave off that, surely, ma'am? You
+have been a widowiady fourteen months, and ought to
+brighten up a little on such a night as this.'
+"Is it necessary? No; I will appear as usual, for if
+I were to wear any light dress people would say things
+about me, and I should seem to he rejoicing when I am
+solemn all the time. The party doesn't suit me a bit;
+but never mind, stay and help to finish me off.'
+ III
+<P 420>
+Boldwood was dressing also at this hour. A tailor
+from Casterbridge was with him, assisting him in the
+operation of trying on a new coat that had just beem
+brought home.
+Never had Boldwood been so fastidious, unreasonable
+about the fit, and generally difficult to please. The
+tailor walked round and round him, tugged at the waist,
+pulled the sleeve, pressed out the collar, and for the
+first time in his experience Boldwood was not bored+
+Times had been when the farmer had exclaimed against
+all such niceties as childish, but now no philosophic or
+hasty rebuke whatever was provoked by this man for
+attaching as much importance to a crease in the coat
+as to an earthquake in South America. Boldwood at
+last expressed himself nearly satisfied, and paid the bill,
+the tailor passing out of the door just as Oak came in
+to report progress for the day.
+"Oh, Oak,' said Boldwood. "I shall of course see
+you here to-night. Make yourself merry. I am deter+
+mined that neither expense nor trouble shall be spared.'
+"I'll try to be here, sir, though perhaps it may not
+be very early,' said Gabriel, quietly. "I am glad indeed
+to see such a change in 'ee from what it used to be.'
+" Yes-i must own it-i am bright to-night : cheerful
+and more than cheerfui-so much so that I am almost
+sad again with the sense that all of it is passing away.
+And sometimes, when I am excessively hopeful and
+blithe, a trouble is looming in the distance : so that I
+often get to look upon gloom in me with content, and
+to fear a happy mood. Still this may be absurd-i feel
+that it is absurd. Perhaps my day is dawning at last.'
+"I hope it 'ill be a long and a fair one.'
+"Thank you -- thank you. Yet perhaps my cheerfui
+mess rests on a slender hope. And yet I trust my hope.
+It is faith, not hope. I think this time I reckon with
+my host. -- Oak, my hands are a little shaky, or some+
+thing; I can't tie this neckerchief properly. Perhaps
+you will tie it for me. The fact is, I have not been well
+lately, you know.'
+"I am sorry to hear that, sir.'
+<P 421>
+"Oh, it's nothing. I want it done as well as you can,
+please. Is there any late knot in fashion, Oak?'
+"I don't know, sir,' said Oak. His tone had sunk to
+sadness.
+Boldwood approached Gabriel, and as Oak tied the
+neckerchief the farmer went on feverishly --
+"Does a woman keep her promise, Gabriel?'
+"If it is not inconvenient to her she may.'
+" -- Or rather an implied promise.'
+"I won't answer for her implying,' said Oak, with
+faint bitterness. "That's a word as full o' holes as a
+sieve with them.'
+"Oak, don't talk like that. You have got quite
+cynical lately -- how is it? We seem to have shifted our
+positions: I have become the young and hopeful man,
+and you the old and unbelieving one. However, does
+a woman keep a promise, not to marry, but to enter on
+an engagement to marry at some time? Now you
+know women better than i-tell me.'
+"I am afeard you honour my understanding too much.
+However, she may keep such a promise, if it is made
+with an honest meaning to repair a wrong.'
+"It has not gone far yet, but I think it will soon --
+yes, I know it will,' he said, in an impulsive whisper.
+"I have pressed her upon the subject, and she inclines
+to be kind to me, and to think of me as a husband at
+a long future time, and that's enough for me. How
+can I expect more? She has a notion that a woman
+should not marry within seven years of her husband's
+disappearance -- that her own self shouldn't, I mean --
+because his body was not found. It may be merely
+this legal reason which influences her, or it may be a
+religious one, but she is reluctant to talk on the point+
+Yet she has promised -- implied -- that she will ratify an
+engagement to-night.'
+"Seven years,' murmured Oak.
+"No, no -- it's no such thing!' he said, with im+
+patience. Five years, nine months, and a few days.
+Fifteen months nearly have passed since he vanished,
+and is there anything so wonderful in an engagement of
+little more than five years?'
+"It seems long in a forward view. Don't build too
+much upon such promises, sir. Remember, you have
+once be'n deceived. Her meaning may be good; but
+there -- she's young yet.'
+<P 422>
+"Deceived? Never! ' said Boldwood, vehemently.
+"She never promised me at that first time, and hence
+she did not break her promise! If she promises me,
+she'll marry me, Bathsheba is a woman to her word.'
+ IV
+Troy was sitting in a corner of The White Hart
+tavern at Casterbridge, smoking and drinking a steaming
+mixture from a glass. A knock was given at the door,
+and Pennyways entered.
+"Well, have you seen him?' Troy inquired, pointing
+to a chair.
+"Boldwood?'
+"No -- Lawyer Long.'
+"He wadn' at home. I went there first, too.'
+"That's a nuisance.'
+"'Tis rather, I suppose.'
+"Yet I don't see that, because a man appears to be
+drowned and was not, he should be liable for anything.
+I shan't ask any lawyer -- not I.'
+"But that's not it, exactly. If a man changes his
+name and so forth, and takes steps to deceive the world
+and his own wife, he's a cheat, and that in the eye of
+the law is ayless a rogue, and that is ayless a lammocken
+vagabond; and that's a punishable situation.'
+"Ha-ha! Well done, Pennyways.' Troy had laughed,
+but it was with some anxiety that he said, "Now, what
+I want to know is this, do you think there's really
+anything going on between her and Boldwood? Upon
+my soul, I should never have believed it! How she.
+must detest me! Have you found out whether she
+has encouraged him?'
+"I haen't been able to learn. There's a deal of
+feeling on his side seemingly, but I don't answer for
+her. I didn't know a word about any such thing till
+yesterday, and all I heard then was that she was gwine
+to the party at his house to-night. This is the first
+time she has ever gone there, they say. And they say
+that she've not so much as spoke to him since they were
+at Greenhill Fair: but what can folk believe o't ? How+
+ever, she's not fond of him -- quite offish and quite care
+less, I know.'
+<P 423>
+"I'm not so sure of that.... She's a handsome
+woman, Pennyways, is she not? Own that you never
+saw a finer or more splendid creature in your life.
+Upon my honour, when I set eyes upon her that day
+I wondered what I could have been made of to be able
+to leave her by herself so long. And then I was
+hampered with that bothering show, which I'm free of
+at last, thank the stars.' He smoked on awhile, and
+then added, "How did she look when you passed by
+yesterday?'
+"Oh, she took no great heed of me, ye may well
+fancy; but she looked well enough, far's I know. Just
+flashed her haughty eyes upon my poor scram body, and
+then let them go past me to what was yond, much as if
+I'd been no more than a leafless tree. She had just got
+off her mare to look at the last wring-down of cider for
+the year; she had been riding, and so her colours were
+up and her breath rather quick, so that her bosom
+plimmed and feli-plimmed and feli-every time plain
+to my eye. Ay, and there were the fellers round her
+wringing down the cheese and bustling about and
+saying, Ware o' the pommy, ma'am : 'twill spoil yer
+gown. "Never mind me," says she. Then Gabe
+brought her some of the new cider, and she must
+needs go drinking it through a strawmote, and not in
+a nateral way at all. "Liddy," says she, "bring indoors
+a few gallons, and I'll make some cider-wine." Sergeant,
+I was no more to her than a morsel of scroffin the fuei
+house!'
+"I must go and find her out at once -- O yes, I see
+that-i must go. Oak is head man still, isn't he?'
+"Yes, 'a b'lieve. And at Little Weatherbury Farm
+too. He manages everything.'
+"Twill puzzle him to manage her, or any other man
+of his compass!'
+"I don't know about that. She can't do without
+him, and knowing it well he's pretty independent.
+And she've a few soft corners to her mind, though
+I've never been able to get into one, the devil's in't!'
+"Ah baily she's a notch above you, and you must
+own it: a higher class of animai-a finer tissue. How+
+ever, stick to me, and neither this haughty goddess,
+dashing piece of womanhood, Juno-wife of mine (Juno
+was a goddess, you know), nor
+<P 424>
+anybody else shall hurt
+you. But all this wants looking into, I perceive.
+What with one thing and another, I see that my work
+is well cut out for me.'
+ v
+"How do I look to-night, Liddy?' said Bathsheba,
+giving a final adjustment to her dress before leaving the
+glass.
+"I never saw you look so well before. Yes-i'll tell
+you when you looked like it -- that night, a year and a
+half ago, when you came in so wildiike, and scolded us
+for making remarks about you and Mr. Troy.'
+"Everybody will think that I am setting myself to
+captivate Mr. Boldwood, I suppose,' she murmured.
+"At least they'll say so. Can't my hair be brushed
+down a little flatter? I dread going -- yet I dread the
+risk of wounding him by staying away.'
+"Anyhow, ma'am, you can't well be dressed plainer
+than you are, unless you go in sackcloth at once. 'Tis
+your excitement is what makes you look so noticeable
+to-night.'
+"I don't know what's the matter, I feel wretched at
+one time, and buoyant at another. I wish I could have
+continued quite alone as I have been for the last year
+or so, with no hopes and no fears, and no pleasure and
+no grief.
+"Now just suppose Mr. Boldwood should ask you
+ -- only just suppose it -- to run away with him, what
+would you do, ma'am?'
+"Liddy -- none of that,' said Bathsheba, gravely.
+"Mind, I won't hear joking on any such matter. Do
+you hear?'
+"I beg pardon, ma'am. But knowing what rum
+things we women be, I just said -- however, I won't
+speak of it again.'
+"No marrying for me yet for many a year; if ever,
+'twill be for reasons very, very different from those you
+think, or others will believe! Now get my cloak, for it
+is time to go.'
+ VI
+"Oak, said Boldwood, "before you go I want to
+mention what has been passing in my mind lately --
+that little arrangement we made about your share in the
+farm I mean. That share is small, too small, consider+
+ing how little I attend to business now, and how much
+time and thought you give to it. Well,
+<P 425>
+since the world
+is brightening for me, I want to show my sense of it
+by increasing yopur proportion in the partnership. I'll
+make a memorandum of the arrangement which struck
+me as likely to be convenient, for I haven't time to talk
+about it now; and then we'll discuss it at our leisure.
+My intention is ultimately to retire from the manage+
+ment altogether, and until you can take all the expendi+
+ture upon your shoulders, I'll be a sleeping partner in
+the stock. Then, if I marry her -- and I hope-i feel I
+shall, why -- -- '
+"Pray don't speak of it, sir,' said Oak, hastily. "We
+don't know what may happen. So many upsets may
+befall 'ee. There's many a slip, as they say -- and I
+would advise you-i know you'll pardon me this once --
+not to be <1too sure>1.'
+"I know, I know. But the feeling I have about in+
+creasing your share is on account of what I know of you
+Oak, I have learnt a little about your secret: your
+interest in her is more than that of bailiff for an em+
+ployer. But you have behaved like a man, and I, as a
+sort of successful rivai-successful partly through your
+goodness of heart -- should like definitely to show my
+sense of your friendship under what must have been a
+great pain to you.'
+"O that's not necessary, thank 'ee,' said Oak,
+hurriedly. "I must get used to such as that; other
+men have, and so shall I.'
+Oak then left him. He was uneasy on Boldwood's
+account, for he saw anew that this constant passion
+of the farmer made him not the man he once had
+been.
+As Boldwood continued awhile in his room alone --
+ready and dressed to receive his company -- the mood of
+anxiety about his appearance seemed to pass away, and
+to be succeeded by a deep solemnity. He looked out
+of the window, and regarded the dim outline of the trees
+upon the sky, and the twilight deepening to darkness.
+Then he went to a locked closet, and took from
+a locked drawer therein a small circular case the size of
+a pilibox, and was about to put it into his pocket. But
+he lingered to open the cover and take a momentary
+glance inside. It contained a woman's finger-ring, set
+all the way round with small
+<P 426>
+diamonds, and from its
+appearance had evidently been recently purchased.
+Boldwood's eyes dwelt upon its many sparkles a long
+time, though that its material aspect concerned him
+little was plain from his manner and mien, which were
+those of a mind following out the presumed thread of
+that jewel's future history.
+The noise of wheels at the front of the house became
+audible. Boldwood closed the box, stowed it away
+carefully in his pocket, and went out upon the landing.
+The old man who was his indoor factotum came at the
+same moment to the foot of the stairs.
+"They be coming, sir-iots of 'em -- a-foot and a+
+driving!'
+"I was coming down this moment. Those wheels I
+heard -- is it Mrs. Troy?'
+"No, sir -- 'tis not she yet.'
+A reserved and sombre expression had returned to
+Boldwood's face again, but it poorly cloaked his feei
+ings when he pronounced Bathsheba's name; and his
+feverish anxiety continued to show its existence by a
+galloping motion of his fingers upon the side of his thigh
+as he went down the stairs.
+ VII
+"How does this cover me?' said Troy to Pennyways,
+"Nobody would recognize me now, I'm sure.'
+He was buttoning on a heavy grey overcoat of
+Noachian cut, with cape and high collar, the latter being
+erect and rigid, like a girdling wall, and nearly reaching
+to the verge of travelling cap which was pulled down
+over his ears.
+Pennyways snuffed the candle, and then looked up
+and deliberately inspected Troy
+"You've made up your mind to go then?' he
+said.
+"Made up my mind? Yes; of course I have.'
+"Why not write to her? 'Tis a very queer corner
+that you have got into, sergeant. You see all these things
+will come to light if you go back, and they won't sound
+well at all. Faith, if I was you I'd even bide as you be
+ -- a single man of the name of Francis. A good wife is
+good, but the best wife is not so good
+<P 427>
+as no wife at all.
+Now that's my outspoke mind, and I've been called a
+long-headed feller here and there.'
+"All nonsense!' said Troy, angrily. "There she is
+with plenty of money, and a house and farm, and
+horses, and comfort, and here am I living from hand to
+mouth -- a needy adventurer. Besides, it is no use
+talking now; it is too late, and I am glad of it ; I've been
+seen and recognized here this very afternoon. I should
+have gone back to her the day after the fair, if it hadn't
+been for you talking about the law, and rubbish about
+getting a separation; and I don't put it off any longer.
+What the deuce put it into my head to run away at all,
+I can't think! Humbugging sentiment -- that's what it
+was. But what man on earth was to know that his wife
+would be in such a hurry to get rid of his name!'
+"I should have known it. She's bad enough for
+anything.'
+"Pennyways, mind who you are talking to.'
+"Well, sergeant, all I say is this, that if I were you I'd
+go abroad again where I came from -- 'tisn't too late to do
+it now. I wouldn't stir up the business and get a bad
+name for the sake of living with her -- for all that about
+your play-acting is sure to come out, you know, although
+you think otherwise. My eyes and limbs, there'll be a
+racket if you go back just now -- in the middle of Bold+
+wood's Christmasing!'
+"H'm, yes. I expect I shall not be a very welcome
+guest if he has her there,' said the sergeant, with a slight
+laugh. "A sort of Alonzo the Brave; and when I go in
+the guests will sit in silence and fear, and all laughter
+and pleasure will be hushed, and the lights in the
+chamber burn blue, and the worms -- Ugh, horrible! --
+Ring for some more brandy, Pennyways, I felt an
+awful shudder just then! Well, what is there besides?
+A stick-i must have a walking-stick.'
+Pennyways now felt himself to be in something of a
+difficulty, for should Bathsheba and Troy become recon+
+ciled it would be necessary to regain her good opinion
+if he would secure the patronage of her husband. I
+sometimes think she likes you yet, and is a good woman
+at bottom,' he said, as a saving sentence. "But there's
+no telling to a certainty from a body's outside. Well,
+<P 428>
+you'll do as you like about going, of course, sergeant,
+and as for me, I'll do as you tell me.'
+"Now, let me see what the time is,' said Troy, after
+emptying his glass in one draught as he stood. 'Half+
+past six o'clock. I shall not hurry along the road, and
+shall be there then before nine.'
+CONCURRITUR
+<C liii>
+<P 429>
+CONCURRITUR -- HORAE MOMENTO
+OUTSIDE the front of Boldwood's house a group of
+men stood in the dark, with their faces towards the door,
+which occasionally opened and closed for the passage of
+some guest or servant, when a golden rod of light would
+stripe the ground for the moment and vanish again,
+leaving nothing outside but the glowworm shine of the
+pale lamp amid the evergreens over the door.
+"He was seen in Casterbridge this afternoon -- so the
+boy said,' one of them remarked in a whisper. "And l
+for one believe it. His body was never found, you know.'
+"'Tis a strange story,' said the next. "You may
+depend upon't that she knows nothing about it.'
+"Not a word.'
+"Perhaps he don't mean that she shall,' said another
+man.
+"If he's alive and here in the neighbourhood, he
+means mischief,' said the first. "Poor young thing:
+I do pity her, if 'tis true. He'll drag her to the dogs.'
+"O no; he'll settle down quiet enough,' said one
+disposed to take a more hopeful view of the case.
+"What a fool she must have been ever to have had
+anything to do with the man! She is so self-willed and
+independent too, that one is more minded to say it
+serves her right than pity her.'
+"No, no. I don't hold with 'ee there. She was no
+otherwise than a girl mind, and how couid she tell what
+the man was made of? If 'tis really true, 'tis too hard
+a punishment, and more than she ought to hae. -- Hullo,
+who's that?' This was to some footsteps that were
+heard approaching.
+"William Smallbury,' said a dim figure in the shades,
+coming up and joining them. 'Dark as a hedge, to+
+night, isn't it? I all but missed the plank over the river
+ath'art there in the bottom --
+<P 430>
+never did such a thing
+before in my life. Be ye any of Boldwood's workfolk?'
+He peered into their faces.
+"Yes -- all o' us. We met here a few minutes ago.'
+"Oh, I hear now -- that's Sam Samway : thought I
+knowed the voice, too. Going in?'
+"Presently. But I say, William,' Samway whispered,
+"have ye heard this strange tale?'
+"What -- that about Sergeant Troy being seen, d'ye
+mean, souls?' said Smallbury, also lowering his voice.
+"Ay: in Casterbridge.'
+"Yes, I have. Laban Tall named a hint of it to me
+but now -- but I don't think it. Hark, here Laban
+comes himself, 'a b'lieve.' A footstep drew near.
+"Laban?'
+"Yes, 'tis I,' said Tall.
+"Have ye heard any more about that?'
+"No,' said Tall, joining the group. "And I'm in+
+clined to think we'd better keep quiet. If so be 'tis not
+true, 'twill flurry her, and do her much harm to repeat
+it; and if so be 'tis true, 'twill do no good to forestall
+her time o' trouble. God send that it mid be a lie, for
+though Henery Fray and some of 'em do speak against
+her, she's never been anything but fair to me. She's
+hot and hasty, but she's a brave girl who'll never tell a
+lie however much the truth may harm her, and I've no
+cause to wish her evil.'
+"She never do tell women's little lies, that's true ; and
+'tis a thing that can be said of very few. Ay, all the
+harm she thinks she says to yer face: there's nothing
+underhand wi' her.'
+They stood silent then, every man busied with his
+own thoughts, during which interval sounds of merri+
+ment could be heard within. Then the front door again
+opened, the rays streamed out, the weliknown form of
+Boldwood was seen in the rectangular area of light, the
+door closed, and Boldwood walked slowly down the path.
+"'Tis master,' one of the men whispered, as he neared
+them. "We'd better stand quiet -- he'll go in again
+directly. He would think it unseemly o' us to be
+loitering here.
+Boldwood came on, and passed by the men without
+<P 431>
+seeing them, they being under the bushes on the grass.
+He paused, leant over the gate, and breathed a long
+breath. They heard low words come from him.
+"I hope to God she'll come, or this night will be
+nothing but misery to me! O my darling, my darling,
+why do you keep me in suspense like this?'
+He said this to himself, and they all distinctly heard
+it. Boldwood remained silent after that, and the noise
+from indoors was again just audible, until, a few minutes
+later, light wheels could be distinguished coming down
+the hill. They drew nearer, and ceased at the gate.
+Boldwood hastened back to the door, and opened it;
+and the light shone upon Bathsheba coming up the
+path.
+Boldwood compressed his emotion to mere welcome:
+the men marked her light laugh and apology as she met
+him: he took her into the house; and the door closed
+again.
+"Gracious heaven, I didn't know it was like that with
+him!' said one of the men. "I thought that fancy of
+his was over long ago.
+"You don't know much of master, if you thought
+that,' said Samway.
+"I wouldn't he should know we heard what 'a said
+for the world,' remarked a third.
+"I wish we had told of the report at once,' the first
+uneasily continued. "More harm may come of this than
+we know of. Poor Mr. Boldwood, it will, be hard upon
+en. I wish Troy was in -- -- Well, God forgive me
+for such a wish! A scoundrel to play a poor wife such
+tricks. Nothing has prospered in Weatherbury since he
+came here. And now I've no heart to go in. Let's
+look into Warren's for a few minutes first, shall us,
+neighbours?'
+Samway, Tall, and Smallbury agreed to go to Warren's,
+and went out at the gate, the remaining ones entering
+the house. The three soon drew near the malt-house,
+approaching it from the adjoining orchard, and not by
+way of the street. The pane of glass was illuminated
+as usual. Smallbury was a little in advance of the rest
+when, pausing, he turned suddenly to his companions
+and said, "Hist! See there.'
+<P 432>
+The light from the pane was now perceived to be
+shining not upon the ivied wall as usual, but upon some
+object close to the glass. It was a human face.
+"Let's come closer,' whispered Samway; and they
+approached on tiptoe. There was no disbelieving the
+report any longer. Troy's face was almost close to the
+pane, and he was looking in. Not only was he looking in,
+but he appeared to have been arrested by a conversation
+which was in progress in the malt-house, the voices of
+the interlocutors being those of Oak and the maltster.
+"The spree is all in her honour, isn't it -- hey?' said
+the old man. "Although he made believe 'tis only
+keeping up o' Christmas?'
+"I cannot say,' replied Oak.
+"O 'tis true enough, faith. I cannot understand
+Farmer Boldwood being such a fool at his time of life
+as to ho and hanker after thik woman in the way 'a do,
+and she not care a bit about en.'
+The men, after recognizing Troy's features, withdrew
+across the orchard as quietly as they had come. The
+air was big with Bathsheba's fortunes to-night : every
+word everywhere concerned her. When they were quite
+out of earshot all by one instinct paused.
+"It gave me quite a turn -- his face,' said Tall,
+breathing.
+"And so it did me,' said Samway. "What's to be
+done?'
+"I don't see that 'tis any busincss of ours,' Smallbury
+murmured dubiously.
+"But it is! 'Tis a thing which is everybody's business,
+said Samway. "We know very well that master's on a
+wrong tack, and that she's quite in the dark, and we
+should let 'em know at once. Laban, you know her
+best -- you'd better go and ask to speak to her.'
+"I bain't fit for any such thing,' said Laban, nervously.
+"I should think William ought to do it if anybody. He's
+oldest.'
+"I shall have nothing to do with it,' said Smallbury.
+"'Tis a ticklish business altogether. Why, he'll go on
+to her himself in a few minutes, ye'll see.'
+"We don't know that he will. Come, Laban.'
+<P 433>
+"Very well, if I must I must, I suppose,' Tall reluct+
+antly answered. "What must I say?'
+"Just ask to see master.'
+"O no; I shan't speak to Mr. Boldwood. If I tell
+anybody, 'twill be mistress.'
+"Very well,' said Samway.
+Laban then went to the door. When he opened it
+the hum of bustle rolled out as a wave upon a still
+strand -- the assemblage being immediately inside the
+hali-and was deadened to a murmur as he closed it
+again. Each man waited intently, and looked around at
+the dark tree tops gently rocking against the sky and
+occasionally shivering in a slight wind, as if he took
+interest in the scene, which neither did. One of them
+began walking up and down, and then came to where
+he started from and stopped again, with a sense that
+walking was thing not worth doing now.
+"I should think Laban must have seen mistress by
+this time,' said Smallbury, breaking the silence. "Per+
+haps she won't come and speak to him.'
+The door opened. Tall appeared, and joined them
+"Well?' said both.
+"I didn't like to ask for her after all,' Laban faltered
+out. "They were all in such a stir, trying to put a little
+spirit into the party. Somehow the fun seems to hang
+fire, though everything's there that a heart can desire,
+and I couldn't for my soul interfere and throw damp
+upon it -- if 'twas to save my life, I couldn't!'
+"I suppose we had better all go in together,' said
+Samway, gloomily. "Perhaps I may have a chance of
+saying a word to master.'
+So the men entered the hall, which was the room
+sellected and arranged for the gathering because of its
+size. The younger men and maids were at last just
+beginning to dance. Bathshesba had been perplexed
+how to act, for she was not much more than a slim
+young maid herself, and the weight of stateliness sat
+heavy upon her. Sometimes she thought she ought
+not to have come under any circumstances; then she
+considered what cold unkindness that would have been,
+and finally resolved
+<P 434>
+upon the middle course of staying
+for about an hour only, and gliding off unobserved,
+having from the first made up her mind that she could
+on no account dance, sing, or take any active part in
+the proceedings.
+Her allotted hour having been passed in chatting
+and looking on, Bathsheba told Liddy not to hurry her+
+self, and went to the small parlour to prepare for
+departure, which, like the hall, was decorated with holly
+and ivy, and well lighted up.
+Nobody was in the room, but she had hardly
+HORAE MOMENTO
+been there a moment when the master of the house
+entered.
+"Mrs. Troy -- you are not going?' he said. "We've
+hardly begun!'
+"If you'll excuse me, I should like to go now.' Her
+manner was restive, for she remembered her promise,
+and imagined what he was about to say. "But as it is
+not late,' she added, "I can walk home, and leave my
+man and Liddy to come when they choose.'
+"I've been trying to get an opportunity of speaking
+to you,' said Boldwood. "You know perhaps what I
+long to say?'
+Bathsheba silently looked on the floor.
+"You do give it?' he said, eagerly.
+"What?' she whispered.
+"Now, that's evasion! Why, the promise. I don't
+want to intrude upon you at all, or to let it become
+known to anybody. But do give your word! A
+mere business compact, you know, between two people
+who are beyond the influence of passicn.' Boldwood
+knew how false this picture was as regarded himself;
+but he had proved that it was the only tone in which
+she would allow him to approach her. "A promise to
+marry me at the end of five years and three-quarters.
+You owe it to me!'
+"I feel that I do,' said Bathsheba ; "that is, if you
+demand it. But I am a changed woman -- an unhappy
+woman -- and not -- not -- -- "
+" You are still a very beautiful woman, said Boldwood.
+Honesty and pure conviction suggested the remark,
+unaccompanied by any perception that it might have
+been adopted by blunt flattery to soothe and win her.
+However, it had not much effect now, for for she said,
+in a
+<P 435>
+passionless murmur which was in itself a proof of
+her words: "I have no feeling in the matter at all.
+And I don't at all know what is right to do in my
+diddicult Position, and I have nobody to advise me. But
+I give my promise, if I must. I give it as the rendering of
+a debt, conditionally, of course, on my being a widow.'
+"You'll marry me between five and six years hence ? '
+"Don't press me too hard. I'll marry nobody
+else.'
+" But surely you will name the time, or there's nothing
+in the promise at all?'
+"O, I don't know, pray let me go!' she said, her
+bosom beginning to rise. "I am afraid what to do.!
+want to be just to you, and to be that seems to be wrong+
+ing myself, and perhaps it is breaking the commandments.
+There is considerable doubt of his death, and then it
+is dreadful; let me ask a solicitor, Mr. Boldwood, if I
+ought or no!'
+"Say the words, dear one, and the subject shall be
+dismissed ; a blissrul loving intimacy of six years, and
+then marriage -- O Bathsheba, say them!' he begged in
+a husky voice, unable to sustain the forms of mere
+friendship any longer. "Promise yourself to me; I
+deserve it, indeed I do, for I have loved you more than
+anybody in the world! And if I said hasty words and
+showed uncalled-for heat of manner towards you, believe
+me, dear, I did not mean to distress you ; I was in
+agony, Bathsheba, and I did not know what I said.
+You wouldn't let a dog suffer what I have suffered,
+could you but know it! Sometimes I shrink from your
+knowing what I have felt for you, and sometimes I am
+distressed that all of it you never will know. Be
+gracious, and give up a little to me, when I would give
+up mylife for you!'
+The trimmings of her dress, as they quivered against
+the light, showed how agitated she was, and at last she
+burst out crying. 'And you'll not -- press me -- about
+anything more -- if I say in five or six years?' she
+sobbed, when she had power to frame the words.
+"Yes, then I'll leave it to time.'
+"Very well. If he does not return, I'll marry you
+in six years from this day, if we both live,' she said
+solemnly.
+<P 436>
+"And you'll take this as a token from me.'
+Boldwood had come close to her side, and now he
+clasped one of her hands in both his own, and lifted it
+to his breast.
+"What is it? Oh I cannot wear a ring!' she ex+
+claimed, on seeing what he held; "besides, I wouldn't
+have a soul know that it's an engagement! Perhaps it
+is improper? Besides, we are not engaged in the usual
+sense, are we ? Don't insist, Mr. Boldwood -- don't!'
+In her trouble at not being able to get her hand away
+from him at once, she stamped passionately on the floor
+with one foot, and tears crowded to her eyes again.
+"It means simply a pledge -- no sentiment -- the seal
+of a practical compact,' he said more quictly, but still
+retaining her hand in his firm grasp. "Come, now!'
+And Boldwood slipped the ring on her finger.
+"I cannot wear it,' she said, weeping as if her heart
+would break. " You frighten me, almost. So wild a
+scheme! Please let me go home!'
+" Only to-night : wear it just to-night, to please me!.'
+Bathsheba sat down in a chair, and buried her face
+in her handkerchief, though Boldwood kept her hand
+yet. At length she said, in a sort of hopeless whisper --
+"Very well, then, I will to-night, if you wish it so
+earnestly. Now loosen my hand; I will, indeed I will
+wear it to-night.'
+"And it shall be the beginning of a pleasant secret
+courtship of six years, with a wedding at the end?'
+"It must be, I suppose, since you will have it so!'
+she said, fairly beaten into non-resistance.
+Boldwood pressed her hand, and allowed it to drop
+in her lap. "I am happy now,' he said. "God bless
+you!'
+He left the room, and when he thought she might
+be sufficiently composed sent one of the maids to her
+Bathsheba cloaked the effects of the late scene as she
+best could, followed the girl, and in a few moments
+came downstairs with her hat and cloak on, ready to go.
+To get to the door it was necessary to pass through the
+hall, and before doing so she paused on the bottom of
+the staircase which descended into one corner, to take
+a last look at the gathering.
+There was no music or dancing in progress just now.
+At the
+<P 437>
+lower end, which had been arranged for the work+
+folk specially, a group conversed in whispers, and with
+clouded looks. Boldwood was standing by the fireplace,
+and he, too, though so absorbed in visions arising from
+her promise that he scarcely saw anything, seemed at
+that moment to have observed their peculiar manner,
+and their looks askance.
+"What is it you are in doubt about, men?' he said.
+One of them turned and replied uneasily: 'It was
+something Laban heard of, that's all, sir.'
+"News? Anybody married or engaged, born or
+dead?' inquired the farmer, gaily. "Tell it to us, Tall.
+One would think from your looks and mysterious ways
+that it was something very dreadful indeed.'
+"O no, sir, nobody is dead,' said Tall.
+"I wish somebody was,' said Samway, in a whisper.
+"What do you say, Samway?' asked Boldwood, some+
+what sharply. "If you have anything to say, speak out;
+if not, get up another dance.'
+"Mrs. Troy has come downstairs,' said Samway to
+Tall. "If you want to tell her, you had better do it now.'
+"Do you know what they mean?' the farmer asked
+Bathsheba, across the room.
+"I don't in the least," said Bathsheba.
+There was a smart rapping at the door. One of
+the men opened it instantly, and went outside.
+"Mrs. Troy is wanted,' he said, on returning.
+"Quite ready,' said Bathsheba. "Though I didn't
+tell them to send.'
+"It is a stranger, ma'am,' said the man by the door.
+"A stranger?' she said.
+"Ask him to come in,' said Boldwood.
+The message was given, and Troy, wrapped up to
+his eyes as we have seen him, stood in the doorway.
+There was an unearthly silence, all looking towards
+the newcomer. Those who had just learnt that he
+was in the neighbourhood recognized him instantly;
+those who did not were perplexed. Nobody noted
+Bathsheba. She was leaning on the stairs. Her brow
+had heavily contracted; her whole face was
+<P 438>
+pallid, her
+lips apart, her eyes rigidly staring at their visitor.
+Boldwood was among those who did not notice that
+he was Troy. "Come in, come in!' he repeated,
+cheerfully, "and drain a Christmas beaker with us,
+stranger!'
+Troy next advanced into the middle of the room,
+took off his cap, turned down his coat-collar, and looked
+Boldwood in the face. Even then Boldwood did not
+recognize that the impersonator of Heaven's persistent
+irony towards him, who had once before broken in
+upon his bliss, scourged him, and snatched his delight
+away, had come to do these things a second time.
+Troy began to laugh a mechanical laugh: Boldwood
+recognized him now.
+Troy turned to Bathsheba. The poor girl's wretched+
+ness at this time was beyond all fancy or narration.
+She had sunk down on the lowest stair; and there
+she sat, her mouth blue and dry, and her dark eyes
+fixed vacantly upon him, as if she wondered whether it
+were not all a terrible illusion.
+Then Troy spoke. "Bathsheba, I come here for
+you!'
+She made no reply.
+" Come home with me: come!
+Bathsheba moved her feet a little, but did not rise.
+Troy went across to her.
+"come, madam, do you hear what I say?' he said,
+peremptorily.
+A strange voice came from the fireplace -- a voice
+sounding far off and confined, as if from a dungeon.
+Hardly a soul in the assembly recognized the thin tones
+to be those of Boldwood. Sudden dispaire had trans+
+formed him.
+"Bathsheba, go with your husband!'
+Nevertheless, she did not move. The truth was
+that Bathsheba was beyond the pale of activity -- and
+yet not in a swoon. She was in a state of mental <1gutta>1
+<1serena>1; her mind was for the minute totally deprived of
+light at the same time no obscuration was apparent
+from without.
+Troy stretched out his hand to pull her her towards him,
+when she quickly shrank back. This visible dread of
+him seemed to irritate Troy, and he seized her arm and
+pulled it sharply.
+<P 439>
+Whether his grasp pinched her, or
+whether his mere touch was the ccause, was never known,
+but at the moment of his seizure she writhed, and gave
+a quick, low scream.
+The scream had been heard but a few seconds When
+it was followed by sudden deafening report that
+echoed through the room and stupefied them all. The
+oak partition shook with the concussion, and the place
+was filled with grey smoke.
+In bewilderment they turned their eyes to Boldwood.
+at his back, as stood before the fireplace, was a gun+
+rack, as is usual in farmhouses, constructed to hold two
+guns. When Bathsheba had cried out in her husband's
+grasp, Boldwood's face of gnashing despair had changed.
+The veins had swollen, and a frenzied look had gleamed
+in his eye. He had turned quickly, taken one of the
+guns, cocked it, and at once discharged it at Troy.
+Troy fell. The distance apart of the two men was
+so small that the charge of shot did not spread in the
+least, but passed like a bullet into his body. He uttered
+a long guttural sigh -- there was a contraction -- an exten+
+sion -- then his muscles relaxed, and he lay still.
+Boldwood was seen through the smoke to be now
+again engaged with the gun. It was double-barrelled,
+and he had, meanwhile, in some way fastened his hand+
+kerchief to the trigger, and with his foot on the other
+end was in the act of turning the second barrel upon
+himself. Samway his man was the first to see this, and
+in the midst of the general horror darted up to him.
+Boldwood had already twitched the handkerchief, and
+the gun exploded a second time, sending its contents,
+by a timely blow from Samway, into the beam which
+crossed the ceiling.
+"Well, it makes no difference!' Boldwood gasped.
+"There is another way for me to die.'
+Then he broke from Samway, crossed the room to
+Bathsheba, and kissed her hand. He put on his hat,
+opened the door, and went into the darkness, nobody
+thinking of preventing him.
+<C liv>
+<P 440>
+AFTER THE SHOCK
+BOLDWOOD passed into the high road and turned
+in the direction of Casterbridge. Here he walked at
+an even, steady pace over Yalbury Hill, along the dead
+level beyond, mounted Mellstock Hill, and between
+eleven and twelve o'clock crossed the Moor into the town.
+The streets were nearly deserted now, and the waving
+lamp-flames only lighted up rows of grey shop-shutters,
+and strips of white paving upon which his step echoed
+as his passed along. He turned to the right, and halted
+before an archway of heavy stonework, which was closed
+by an iron studded pair of doors. This was the entrance
+to the gaol, and over it a lamp was fixed, the light en+
+abling the wretched traveller to find a belipull.
+The small wicket at last opened, and a porter
+appeared. Boldwood stepped forward, and said some+
+thing in a low tone, when, after a delay, another man
+came. Boldwood entered, and the door was closed
+behind him, and he walked the world no more.
+Long before this time Weatherbury had been
+thoroughly aroused, and the wild deed which had ter+
+minated Boldwood's merrymaking became known to
+all. Of those out of the house Oak was one of the
+first to hear of the catastophe, and when he entered
+the room, which was about five minutes after Boldwood's
+exit, the scene was terrible. All the female guests were
+huddled aghast against the walls like sheep in a storm,
+and the men were bewildered as to what to do. As for
+Bathsheba, she had changed. She was sitting on the
+floor beside the body of Troy, his head pillowed in her
+lap, where she had herself lifted it. With one hand she
+held her handkerchief to his breast and covered the
+wound, though scarcely a single drop of blood had
+flowed, and with the other she tightly clasped one of
+his. The household convulsion had made her herself
+again. The
+<P 441>
+temporary coma had ceased, and activity
+had come with the necessity for it. Deeds of endur+
+ance, which seem ordinary in philosophy, are rare in
+conduct, and Bathsheba was astonishing all around her
+now, for her philosophy was her conduct, and she
+seldom thought practicable what she did not practise.
+She was of the stuff of which great men's mothers
+are made. She was indispensable to high generation,
+hated at tea parties, feared in shops, and loved at crises.
+Troy recumbent in his wife's lap formed now the sole
+spectacle in the middle of the spacious room.
+"Gabriel,' she said, automatically, when he entered,
+turning up a face of which only the weliknown lines
+remained to tell him it was hers, all else in the picture
+having faded quite. "Ride to Casterbridge instantly
+for a surgeon. It is, I believe, useless, but go. Mr.
+Boldwood has shot my husband.'
+Her statement of the fact in such quiet and simple
+words came with more force than a tragic declamation,
+and had somewhat the effect of setting the distorted
+images in each mind present into proper focus. Oak,
+almost before he had comprehended anything beyond
+the briefest abstract of the event, hurried out of the
+room, saddled a horse and rode away. Not till he had
+ridden more than a mile did it occur to him that he
+would have done better by sending some other man
+on this errand, remaining himself in the house. What
+had become of Boldwood? He should have been
+looked after. Was he mad -- had there been a quarrel?
+Then how had Troy got there? Where had he come
+from? How did this remarkable reappearance effect
+itself when he was supposed by many to be at the
+bottom of the sea? Oak had in some slight measure
+been prepared for the presence of Troy by hearing a
+rumour of his return just before entering Boldwood's
+house ; but before he had weighed that information, this
+fatal event had been superimposed. However, it was too
+late now to think of sending another messenger, and
+he rode on, in the excitement of these self-inquiries
+not discerning, when about three miles from Caster+
+bridge, a square-figured pedestrian passing along
+under the dark hedge in the same direction as his
+own.
+The miles necessary to be traversed, and other
+hindrances
+<P 442>
+incidental to the lateness of the hour and
+the darkness of the night, delayed the arrival of Mr,
+Aldritch, the surgeon ; and more than three hours
+passed between the time at which the shot was fired
+and that of his entering the house. Oak was addition+
+ally detained in Casterbridge through having to give
+notice to the authorities of what had happened; and
+he then found that Boldwood had also entered the
+town, and delivercd himself up.
+In the meantime the surgeon, having hastened into
+the hall at Boldwood's, found it in darkness and quite
+deserted. He went on to the back of the house,
+where he discovered in the kitchen an old man, of
+whom he made inquiries.
+"She's had him took away to her own house, sir,'
+said his informant.
+"Who has?' said the doctor.
+"Mrs. Troy. 'A was quite dead, sir.'
+This was astonishing information. "She had no
+right to do that,' said the doctor. "There will have
+to be an inquest, and she should have waited to know
+what to do.'
+"Yes, sir; it was hinted to her that she had better
+wait till the law was known. But she said law was
+nothing to her, and she wouldn't let her dear husband's
+corpse bide neglected for folks to stare at for all the
+crowners in England.'
+Mr. Aldritch drove at once back again up the
+hill to Bathsheba's. The first person he met was
+poor Liddy, who seemed literally to have dwindled
+smaller in these few latter hours. "What has been
+done?' he said.
+"I don't know, sir,' said Liddy, with suspended
+breath. "My mistress has done it all.'
+"Where is she?'
+" Upstairs with him, sir. When he was brought
+home and taken upstairs, she said she wanted no
+further help from the men. And then she called me,
+and made me fill the bath, and after that told me I
+had better go and lie down because I looked so ill.
+Then she locked herself into the room alone with him,
+and would not let a nurse come in, or anybody at all.
+But I thought l'd wait in the next room in case she
+should want me. I heard her moving about inside
+for more than an
+<P 443>
+hour, but she only came out once,
+and that was for more candles, because hers had burnt
+down into the socket. She said we were to let her
+know when you or Mr. Thirdly came, sir.'
+Oak entered with the parson at this moment, and
+they all went upstairs together, preceded by Liddy
+Smallbury. Everything was silent as the grave when
+they paused on the landing. Liddy knocked, and
+Bathsheba's dress was heard rustling across the room:
+the key turned in the lock, and she opened the door.
+Her looks were calm and nearly rigid, like a slightly
+animated bust of Melpomene.
+"Oh, Mr. Aldritch, you have come at last,' she
+murmured from her lips merely, and threw back the
+door. "Ah, and Mr. Thirdly. Well, all is done, and
+anybody in the world may see him now.' She then
+passed by him, crossed the landing, and entered
+another room.
+Looking into the chamber of death she had vacated
+they saw by the light of the candles which were on the
+drawers a tall straight shape lying at the further end
+of the bedroom, wrapped in white. Everything around
+was quite orderly. The doctor went in, and after a
+few minutes returned to the landing again, where
+Oak and the parson still waited.
+"It is all done, indeed, as she says,' remarked Mr.
+Aldritch, in a subdued voice. "The body has been
+undressed and properly laid out in grave clothes.
+Gracious Heaven -- this mere girl! She must have the
+nerve of a stoic!'
+"The heart of a wife merely,' floated in a whisper
+about the ears of the three, and turning they saw
+Bathsheba in the midst of them. Then, as if at that
+instant to prove that her fortitude had been more of
+will than of spontaneity, she silently sank down between
+them and was a shapeless heap of drapery on the floor.
+The simple consciousness that superhuman strain was
+no longer required had at once put a period to her
+power to continue it.
+They took her away into a further room, and the
+medical attendance which had been useless in Troy's
+case was invaluable in Bathsheba's, who fell into a
+series of fainting-fits that had a serious aspect for a
+time. The sufferer was got to bed,
+<P 444>
+and Oak, finding
+from the bulletins that nothing really dreadful was to
+be apprehended on her score, left the house. Liddy
+kept watch in Bathsheba's chamber, where she heard
+her mistress, moaning in whispers through the dull
+slow hours of that wretched night: "O it is my fault
+ -- how can I live! O Heaven, how can I live!'
+<C lv>
+<P 445>
+THE MARCH FOLLOWING -- "BATHSHEBA BOLDWOOD'
+WE pass rapidly on into the month of March, to a
+breezy day without sunshine, frost, or dew. On Yai
+bury Hill, about midway between Weatherbury and
+Casterbridge, where the turnpike road passes over
+the crest, a numerous concourse of people had
+gathered, the eyes of the greater number being fre+
+quently stretched afar in a northerly direction. The
+groups consisted of a throng of idlers, a party of
+javelin-men, and two trumpeters, and in the midst
+were carriages, one of which contained the high
+sheriff. With the idlers, many of whom had mounted
+to the top of a cutting formed for the road, were several
+Weatherbury men and boys -- among others Poorgrass,
+Coggan, and Cain Ball.
+At the end of half-an-hour a faint dust was seen in
+the expected quarter, and shortly after a travelling+
+carriage, bringing one of the two judges on the Western
+Circuit, came up the hill and halted on the top. The
+judge changed carriages whilst a flourish was blown
+by the big-cheeked trumpeters, and a procession being
+formed of the vehicles and javelin-men, they all pro+
+ceeded towards the town, excepting the Weatherbury
+men, who as soon as they had seen the judge move
+off returned home again to their work.
+" Joseph, I zeed you squeezing close to the carriage,"
+said Coggan, as they walked. "Did ye notice my lord
+judge's face ?'
+"I did,' said Poorgrass. "I looked hard at en, as
+if I would read his very soul; and there was mercy
+in his eyes -- or to speak with the exact truth required
+of us at this solemn time, in the eye that was towards
+me.'
+"Well, I hope for the best,' said Coggan, though
+bad that must be. However, I shan't go to the trial,
+and I'd advise the rest of ye that bain't wanted to bide
+away. 'Twill disturb his
+<P 446>
+mind more than anything to
+see us there staring at him as if he were a show.'
+" The very thing I said this morning,' observed Joseph,
+"Justice is come to weigh him in the balances," I said
+in my reflectious way, "and if he's found wanting, so
+be it unto him," and a bystander said "Hear, hear,
+A man who can talk like that ought to be heard.'
+But I don't like dwelling upon it, for my few words
+are my few words, and not much; though the speech
+of some men is rumoured abroad as though by nature
+formed for such.'
+"So 'tis, Joseph. And now, neighbours, as I said,
+every man bide at home.'
+The resolution was adhered to ; and all waited
+anxiously for the news next day. Their suspense
+was diverted, however, by a discovery which was made
+in the afternoon, throwing more light on Boldwood's
+conduct and condition than any details which had
+preceded it.
+That he had been from the time of Greenhill Fair
+until the fatal Christmas Eve in excited and unusual
+moods was known to those who had been intimate
+with him; but nobody imagined that there had shown
+in him unequivocal symptoms of the mental derange+
+ment which Bathsheha and Oak, alone of all others
+and at different times, had momentarily suspected.
+In a locked closet was now discovered an extraordinary
+collection of articles. There were several sets of ladies'
+dresses in the piece, of sundry expensive materials;
+silks and satins, poplins and velvets, all of colours
+which from Bathsheba's style of dress might have been
+judged to be her favourites. There were two muffs,
+sable and ermine. Above all there was a case of
+jewellery, containing four heavy gold bracelets and
+several lockets and rings, all of fine quality and manu+
+facture. These things had been bought in Bath and
+other towns from time to time, and brought home by
+stealth. They were all carefully packed in paper, and
+each package was labelled " Bathsheba Boldwood,' a
+date being subjoined six years in advance in every
+instance.
+These somewhat pathetic evidences of a mind crazed
+with care and love were the subject of discourse in
+<P 447>
+Warren's malt-house when Oak entered from Caster+
+bridge with tidings of the kiln glow shone upon
+it, told the tale sufficiently well. Boldwood, as every
+one supposed he would do, had pleaded guilty, and
+had been sentenced to death.
+The conviction that Boldwood had not been morally
+responsible for his later acts now becam general. Facts
+elicited previous to the trial had pointed strongly in the
+same direction, but they had not been of sufficient weight
+to lead to an order for an examination into the state
+of Boldwood's mind. It was astonishing, now that a
+presumption of insanity was raised, how many collateral
+circumstances were remembered to which a condition
+of mental disease seemed to afford the only explanation
+ -- among others, the unprecedented neglect of his corn
+stacks in the previous summer.
+A petition was addressed to the Home Secretary,
+advancing the circumstances which appeared to justify
+a request for a reconsideration of the sentence. It was
+not "numerously signed ' by the inhabitants of Caster+
+bridge, as is usual in such cases, for Boldwood had
+never made many friends over the counter. The shops
+thought it very natural that a man who, by importing
+direct from the producer, had daringly set aside the
+first great principle of provincial existence, namely
+that God made country villages to supply customers
+to county towns, should have confused ideas about
+the Decalogue. The prompters were a few merciful
+men who had perhaps too feelingly considered the
+facts latterly unearthed, and the result was that evidence
+was taken which it was hoped might remove the crime
+in a moral point of view, out of the category of wilful
+murder, and lead it to be regarded as a sheer outcome
+of madness.
+The upshot of the petition was waited for in Weather+
+bury with solicitous interest. The execution had been
+fixed for eight o'clock on a Saturday morning about a
+fortnight after the sentence was passed, and up to
+Friday afternoon no answer had been recieved. At
+that time Gabriel came from Casterbridge Gaol, whither
+he had been to wish Boldwood good-bye, and turned
+down a by-street to avoid the town. When past the last
+<P 448>
+house he heard a hammering, and lifting his bowed
+head he looked back for a moment. Over the chimneys
+he could see the upper part of the gaol entrance, rich
+and glowing in the afternoon sun, and some moving
+figures were there. They were carpenters lifting a post
+into a vertical position within the parapet. He with+
+drew his eyes quickly, and hastened on.
+It was dark when he reached home, and half the
+village was out to meet him.
+"No tidings,' Gabriel said, wearily. "And I'm afraid
+there's no hope. I've been with him more than two
+hours.'
+"Do ye think he <1really>1 was out of his mind when he
+did it?' said Smallbury.
+" I can't honestly say that I do,' Oak replied. " How+
+ever, that we can talk of another time. Has there been
+any change in mistress this afternoon?'
+"None at all.'
+"Is she downstairs?'
+"No. And getting on so nicely as she was too.
+She's but very little better now again than she was at
+Christmas. She keeps on asking if you be come, and
+if there's news, till one's wearied out wi' answering her.
+Shall I go and say you've come?'
+"No,' said Oak. "There's a chance yet; but I
+couldn't stay in town any longer -- after seeing him too,
+So Laban -- Laban is here, isn't he ? '
+" Yes,' said Tall.
+"What I've arranged is, that you shall ride to town
+the last thing to-night ; leave here about nine, and wait
+a while there, getting home about twelve. If nothing
+has been received by eleven to-night, they say there's
+no chance at all.'
+"I do so hope his life will be spared,' said Liddy.
+"If it is not, she'll go out of her mind too. Poor thing;
+her sufferings have been dreadful; she deserves any+
+body's pity.'
+"Is she altered much ? ' said Coggan.
+"If you haven't seen poor mistress since Christmas,
+you wouldn't know her,' said Liddy. " Her eyes are so
+miserable that she's not the same woman. Only two
+years ago she was a romping girl, and now she's this!'
+Laban departed as directed, and at eleven o'clock
+that night
+<P 449>
+several of the villagers strolled along the
+road to Casterbridge and awaited his arrivai-among
+them Oak, and nearly all the rest of Bathsheba's men.
+Gabriel's anxiety was great that Boldwood might be
+saved, even though in his conscience he felt that he
+ought to die; for there had been qualities in the farmer
+which Oak loved. At last, when they all were weary
+the tramp of a horse was heard in the distance --
+First dead, as if on turf it trode,
+Then, clattering on the village road
+In other pace than forth he yode.
+'We shall soon know now, one way or other,' said
+Coggan, and they all stepped down from the bank on
+which they had been standing into the road, and the
+rider pranced into the midst of them.
+"Is that you, Laban ? ' said Gabriel.
+"Yes -- 'tis come. He's not to die. 'Tis confine+
+ment during her Majesty's pleasure.'
+"Hurrah!' said Coggan, with a swelling heart. "God's
+above the devil yet!'
+<C lvi>
+<P 450>
+BEAUTY IN LONELINESS -- AFTER ALL
+BATHSHEBA revived with the spring. The utter
+prostration that had followed the low fever from which
+she had sufered diminished perceptibly when all un+
+certainty upon every subject had come to an end.
+But she remained alone now for the greater part of
+her time, and stayed in the house, or at furthest went
+into the garden. She shunned every one, even Liddy,
+and could be brought to make no confidences, and to
+ask for no sympathy.
+As the summer drew on she passed more of her time
+in the open air, and began to examine into farming
+matters from sheer necessity, though she never rode
+out or personally superintended as at former times.
+One Friday evening in August she walked a little way
+along the road and entered the village for the first time
+since the sombre event of the preceding Christmas.
+None of the old colour had as yet come to her cheek,
+and its absolute paleness was heightened by the jet black
+of her gown, till it appeared preternatural. When she
+reached a little shop at the other end of the place,
+which stood nearly opposite to the churchyard, Bath+
+sheba heard singing inside the church, and she knew
+that the singers were practising. She crossed the road,
+opened the gate, and entered the graveyard, the high
+sills of the church windows effectually screening her
+from the eyes of those gathered within. Her stealthy
+walk was to the nook wherein Troy had worked at
+planting flowers upon Fanny Robin's grave, and she
+came to the marble tombstone.
+A motion of satisfaction enlivened her face as she
+read the complete inscription. First came the words of
+Troy himself: --
+<P 451>
+ERECTED BY FRANCIS TROY
+IN BELOVEO MEMORY OF
+FANNY ROBIN,
+WHO DIED OCTOBER 9, 18 -- ,
+AGED 20 YEARS.
+Unerneath this was now inscribed in new letters: --
+IN THE SAME GRAVE LIE
+THE REMAINS OF THE AFORESAID
+FRANCIS TROY,
+WHO DIED DECEMBER 24TH, 18 -- ,
+Whilst she stood and read and meditated the tones of
+the organ began again in the church, and she went
+with the same light step round to the porch and listened.
+The door was closed, and the coir was learning a new
+hymn. Bathsheba was stirred by emotions which
+latterly she had assumed to be altogether dead within
+her. The little attenuated voices of the children
+brought to her ear in destinct utterance the words they
+sang without thought or comprehension --
+Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
+Lead Thou me on.
+Bathsheba's feeling was always to some extent de+
+pendent upon her whim, as is the case with many other
+women. Something big came into her throat and an
+uprising to her eyes -- and she thought that she would
+allow the imminent tears to flow if they wished. They
+did flow and plenteously, and one fell upon the stone
+bench beside her. Once that she had begun to cry for
+she hardly knew what, she could not leave off for crowd+
+ing thoughts she knew too well. She would have given
+anything in the world to be, as those children were, un+
+concerned at the meaning of their words, because too
+innocent to feel the necessity for any such expression.
+All the impassioned scenes of her brief expenence
+seemed to revive with added emotion at that moment,
+and those scenes which had been without emotion
+<P 452>
+during enactment had emotion then. Yet grief came
+to her rather as a luxury than as the scourge of former
+times.
+Owing to Bathsheba's face being buried in her hands
+she did not notice a form which came quietly into the
+porch, and on seeing her, first moved as if to retreat,
+then paused and regarded her. Bathsheba did not raise
+her head for some time, and when she looked round
+her face was wet, and her eyes drowned and dim. "Mr.
+Oak,' exclaimed she, disconcerted, " how long have you
+been here ?'
+"A few minutes, ma'am,' said Oak, respectfully.
+"Are you going in?' said Bathsheba; and there came
+from within the church as from a prompter --
+l loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
+pride ruled my will: remember not past years.
+"I was,' said Gabriel. " I am one of the bass singers,
+you know. I have sung bass for several months.
+"Indeed: I wasn't aware of that. I'll leave you, then.'
+Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile,
+sang the children.
+"Don't let me drive you away, mistress. I think I
+won't go in to-night.'
+"O no -- you don't drive me away.
+Then they stood in a state of some embarrassment
+Bathsheba trying to wipe her dreadfully drenched and
+inflamed face without his noticing her. At length Oak
+said, I've not seen you-i mean spoken to you -- since
+ever so long, have I?' But he feared to bring distress+
+ing memories back, and interrupted himself with: "Were
+you going into church ?'
+"No,' she said. I came to see the tombstone
+privately -- to see if they had cut the inscription as I
+wished Mr. Oak, you needn't mind speaking to me, if
+you wish to, on the matter which is in both our minds
+at this moment.'
+"And have they done it as you wished ?' said Oak.
+"Yes. Come and see it, if you have not already.'
+So together they went and read the tomb. "Eight
+months
+<P 453>
+ago!' Gabriel murmured when he saw the date.
+'It seems like yesterday to me.'
+And to me as if it were years ago-iong years, and
+I had been dead between. And now I am going home,
+Mr. Oak.'
+Oak walked after her. 'I wanted to name a small
+matter to you as soon as I could,' he said, with hesitation.
+"Merrly about business, and I think I may just mention it
+now, if you'll allow me.'
+" O yes, certainly.'
+It is that I may soon have to give up the manage+
+ment of your farm, Mrs. Troy. The fact is, I am think+
+ing of leaving England -- not yet, you know -- next
+spring. '
+"Leaving England!' she said, in surprise and
+genuine disappointment.' Why, Gabriel, what are you
+going to do that for?'
+"Well, I've thought it best,' Oak stammered out.
+"California is the spot I've had in my mind to try.'
+"But it is understood everywhere that you are going
+to take poor Mr. Boldwood's farm on your own account.'
+"I've had the refusal o' it 'tis true; but nothing is
+settled yet, and I have reasons for gieing up. I shall
+finish out my year there as manager for the trustees,
+but no more.'
+"And what shall I do without you? Oh, Gabriel, I
+don't think you ought to go away. You've been with
+me so long -- through bright times and dark times -- such
+old friends that as we are -- that it seems unkind almost. I
+had fancied that if you leased the other farm as master,
+you might still give a helping look across at mine. And
+now going away!'
+"I would have willingly.'
+" Yet now that I am more helpless than ever you go
+away!'
+"Yes, that's the ill fortune o' it,' said Gabriel, in a
+distressed tone. "And it is because of that very help+
+lessness that I feel bound to go. Good afternoon,
+ma'am ' he concluded, in evident anxiety to get
+away, and at once went out of the churchyard by a
+path she could follow on no pretence whatever.
+Bathsheba went home, her mind occupied with a
+new trouble, which being rather harassing than deadly
+was calculated to do good by diverting her from the
+chronic gloom of
+<P 454>
+her life. She was set thinking a great
+deal about Oak and of his wich to shun her; and there
+occurred to Bathsheba several incidents of latter in+
+tercourse with him, which, trivial when singly viewed
+amounted together to a perceptible disinclination for
+her society. It broke upon her at length as a great
+pain that her last old disciple was about to forsake her
+and flee. He who had believed in her and argued on
+her side when all the rest of the world was against her,
+had at last like the others become weary and neglectful
+of the old cause, and was leaving her to fight her battles
+alone.
+Three weeks went on, and more evidence of his
+want of interest in her was forthcoming. She noticed
+that instead of entering the small parlour or office
+where the farm accounts were kept, and waiting, or
+leaving a memorandum as he had hitherto done during
+her seclusion, Oak never came at all when she was likely
+to be there, only entering at unseasonable hours when
+her presence in that part of the house was least to be
+expected. Whenever he wanted directions he sent a
+message, or note with neither heading nor signature, to
+which she was obliged to reply in the same off-hand
+style. Poor Bathsheba began to suffer now from the
+most torturing sting of ali-a sensation that she was
+despised.
+The autumn wore away gloomily enough amid these
+melancholy conjectures, and Christmas-day came, com+
+pleting a year of her legal widowhood, and two years
+and a quarter of her life alone. On examining her
+heart it appeared beyond measure strange that the sub+
+ject of which the season might have been supposed
+suggestive -- the event in the hall at Boldwood's -- was
+not agitating her at all; but instead, an agonizing con+
+viction that everybody abjured her -- for what she could
+not teli-and that Oak was the ringleader of the
+recusants. Coming out of church that day she looked
+round in hope that Oak, whose bass voice she had
+heard rolling out from the gallery overhead in a most
+unconcerned manner, might chance to linger in her path
+in the old way. There he was, as usual, coming down
+the path behind her. But on seeing Bathsheba turn, he
+looked aside, and as soon as he got beyond the gate,
+<P 455>
+and there was the barest excuse for a divergence, he
+made one, and vanished.
+The next morning brought the culminating stroke;
+she had been expecting it long. It was a formal notice
+by letter from him that he should not renew his engage+
+ment with her for the following Lady-day.
+Bathsheba actually sat and cried over this letter most
+bitterly. She was aggrieved and wounded that the
+possession of hopeless love from Gabriel, which she had
+AFTER ALL
+grown to regard as her inalienable right for life, should
+have been withdrawn just at his own pleasure in this
+way. She was bewildered too by the prospect of having
+to rely on her own resources again: it seemed to herself
+that she never could again acquire energy sufficient to
+go to market, barter, and sell. Since Troy's death Oak
+had attended all sales and fairs for her, transacting her
+business at the same time with his own. What should
+she do now? Her life was becoming a desolation.
+So desolate was Bathsheba this evening, that in an
+absolute hunger for pity and sympathy, and miserable in
+that she appeared to have outlived the only true friend+
+ship she had ever owned, she put on her bonnet and
+cloak and went down to Oak's house just after sunset,
+guided on her way by the pale primrose rays of a
+crescent moon a few days old.
+A lively firelight shone from the window, but nobody
+was visible in the room. She tapped nervously, and
+then thought it doubtful if it were right for a single
+woman to call upon a bachelor who lived alone, although
+he was her manager, and she might be supposed to call
+on business without any real impropriety. Gabriel
+opened the door, and the moon shone upon his fore+
+haad.
+"Mr. Oak,' said Bathsheba, faintly.
+"Yes; I am Mr. Oak,' said Gabriel. "Who have I
+the honour -- O how stupid of me, not to know you,
+mistress!'
+"I shall not be your mistress much longer, shall I
+Gabriel?' she said, in pathetic tones.
+"Well, no. I suppose -- But come in, ma'am. Oh --
+and I'll get a light,' Oak replied, with some awkwardness.
+<P 456>
+"No; not on my account.'
+"It is so seldom that I get a lady visitor that I'm
+afraid I haven't proper accommodation. Will you sit
+down, please ? Here's a chair, and there's one, too.
+I am sorry that my chairs all have wood scats, and are
+rather hard, but i-was thinging of getting some new
+ones.' Oak placed two or three for her.
+"They are quite easy enough for me.'
+So down she sat, and down sat he, the fire dancing
+in their faces, and upon the old furniture
+all a-sheenen
+Wi' long years o' handlen,
+that formed Oak's array of household possessions, which
+sent back a dancing reflection in reply. It was very
+odd to these two persons, who knew each other passing
+well, that the mere circumstance of their meeting in a
+new place and in a new way should make them so
+awkward and constrained. In the fields, or at her house,
+there had never been any embarrassment; but now that
+Oak had become the entertainer their lives seemed to be
+moved back again to the days when they were strangers.
+"You'll think it strange that I have come, but -- -'
+"O no; not at all.'
+"But I thought -- Gabriel, I have been uneasy in the
+belief that I have offended you, and that you are going
+away on that account. It grieved me very much and
+I couldn't help coming.'
+"Offended me! As if you could do that, Bathsheba!'
+"Haven't I?' she asked, gladly. " But, what are you
+going away for else?'
+"I am not going to emigrate, you know; I wasn't
+aware that you would wish me not to when I told 'ee or I
+shouldn't ha' thought of doing it,' he said, simply. "I
+have arranged for Little Weatherbury Farm and shall
+have it in my own hands at Lady-day. You know I've
+had a share in it for some time. Still, that wouldn't
+prevent my attending to your business as before, hadn't
+it been that things have been said about us.'
+<P 457>
+"What?' said Bathsheba, in surprise. "Things said
+about you and me! What are they?'
+"I cannot tell you.'
+"It would be wiser if you were to, I think. You have
+played the part of mentor to me many times, and I don't
+see why you should fear to do it now.'
+"It is nothing that you have done, this time. The
+top and tail o't is this -- that I am sniffing about here,
+and waiting for poor Boldwood's farm, with a thought
+of getting you some day.'
+"Getting me! What does that mean?'
+"Marrying o' 'ee, in plain British. You asked me to
+tell, so you mustn't blame me.'
+Bathsheba did not look quite so alarmed as if a
+cannon had been discharged by her ear, which was what
+Oak had expected. "Marrying me! I didn't know it
+was that you meant,' she said, quietly. "Such a thing
+as that is too absurd -- too soon -- to think of, by far!'
+"Yes; of course, it is too absurd. I don't desire any
+such thing; I should think that was plain enough by
+this time. Surely, surely you be the last person in the
+world I think of marrying. It is too absurd, as you say
+""Too -- s-s-soon" were the words I used.'
+"I must beg your pardon for correcting you, but you
+said, ""too absurd,"' and so do I.'
+"I beg your pardon too! she returned, with tears
+in her eyes. """Too soon"' was what I said. But it
+doesn't matter a bit -- not at ali-but I only meant,
+""too soon"' Indeed, I didn't, Mr. Oak, and you must
+believe me!'
+Gabriel looked her long in the face, but the firelight
+being faint there was not much to be seen. " Bathsheba,'
+he said, tenderly and in surprise, and coming closer:
+"if I only knew one thing -- whether you would allow me
+to love you and win you, and marry you after ali-if I
+only knew that!'
+"But you never will know,' she murmured.
+"Why?'
+"Because you never ask.
+"Oh -- Oh!' said Gabriel, with a low laugh of joyous+
+ness. "My own dear -- -'
+<P 458>
+"You ought not to have sent me that harsh letter
+this morning,' she interrupted. "It shows you didn't
+care a bit about me, and were ready to desert me like
+all the rest of them! It was very cruel of you, consider+
+ing I was the first sweetheart that you ever had, and
+you were the first I ever had; and I shall not forget it!'
+"Now, Bathsheba, was ever anybody so provoking
+he said, laughing. " You know it was purely that I, as
+an unmarried man, carrying on a business for you as a
+very taking young woman, had a proper hard part to
+play -- more particular that people knew I had a sort
+of feeling for'ee; and I fancied, from the way we were
+mentioned together, that it might injure your good name.
+Nobody knows the heat and fret I have been caused
+by it.'
+"And was that all?'
+"All.'
+"Oh, how glad I am I came!' she exclaimed, thank+
+fully, as she rose from her seat. "I have thought so
+much more of you since I fancied you did not want
+even to see me again. But I must be going now, or I
+shall be missed. Why Gabriel,' she said, with a slight
+laugh, as they went to the door, "it seems exactly as if
+I had come courting you -- how dreadful!'
+"And quite right too,' said Oak. "I've danced at
+your skittish heels, my beautiful Bathsheba, for many a
+long mile, and many a long day; and it is hard to be+
+grudge me this one visit.'
+He accompanied her up the hill, explaining to her
+the details of his forthcoming tenure of the other farm.
+They spoke very little of their mutual feeling; pretty
+phrases and warm expressions being probably un+
+necessary between such tried friends. Theirs was that
+substantial affection which arises (if any arises at all)
+when the two who are thrown together begin first by
+knowing the rougher sides of each other's character,
+and not the best till further on, the romance growing
+up in the interstices of a mass of hard prosaic reality.
+This good-fellowship -- <1camaraderie>1 -- usually occurring
+through similarity of pursuits, is unfortunately seldom
+superadded to love between the sexes, because men and
+women associate, not in their lahours, but in their
+pleasures merely. Where, however, happy circumstance
+<P 459>
+permits its development, the compounded feeling proves
+itself to be the only love which is strong as death -- that
+love which many waters cannot quench, nor the floods
+drown, beside which the passion usually called by the
+name is evanescent as steam.
+<C lvii>
+<P 460>
+A FOGGY NIGHT AND MORNING -- CONCLUSION
+"THE most private, secret, plaines wedding that it is
+possible to have.'
+Those had been Bathsheba's words to Oak one
+evening, some time after the event of the preceding
+chapter, and he meditated a full hour by the clock upon
+how to carry out her wishes to the letter.
+"A licence -- O yes, it must be a licence,' he said
+to himself at last. "Very well, then; first, a license.'
+On a dark night, a few days later, Oak came with
+mysterious steps from the surrogate's door, in Caster+
+bridge. On the way home he heard a heavy tread in
+front of him, and, overtaking the man, found him to be
+Coggan. They walked together into the village until
+they came to a little lane behind the church, leading
+down to the cottage of Laban Tall, who had lately been
+installed as clerk of the parish, and was yet in mortal
+terror at church on Sundays when he heard his lone
+voice among certain hard words of the Psalms, whither
+no man ventured to follow him.
+"Well, good-night, Coggan,' said Oak, "I'm going
+down this way.'
+"Oh!' said Coggan, surprised; "what's going on to+
+night then, make so bold Mr. Oak?'
+It seemed rather ungenerous not to tell Coggan,
+under the circumstances, for Coggan had been true as
+steel all through the time of Gabriel's unhappiness about
+Bathsheba, and Gabriel said, " You can keep a secret,
+Coggan?'
+"You've proved me, and you know.'
+"Yes, I have, and I do know. Well, then, mistress
+and I mean to get married to-morrow morning.'
+"Heaven's high tower! And yet I've thought of
+such a thing
+<P 461>
+from time to time; true, I have. But
+keeping it so close! Well, there, 'tis no consarn of
+amine, and I wish 'ee joy o' her.'
+"Thank you, Coggan. But I assure 'ee that this
+great hush is not what I wished for at all, or what
+either of us would have wished if it hadn't been for
+certain things that would make a gay wedding seem
+hardly the thing. Bathsheba has a great wish that all
+the parish shall not be in church, looking at her -- she's
+shyiike and nervous about it, in fact -- so I be doing
+this to humour her.'
+"Ay, I see: quite right, too, I suppose I must say.
+And you be now going down to the clerk.'
+"Yes; you may as well come with me.'
+"I am afeard your labour in keeping it close will be
+throwed away,' said Coggan, as they walked along.
+"Labe Tall's old woman will horn it all over parish in
+half-an-hour. '
+"So she will, upon my life; I never thought of
+that,' said Oak, pausing. "Yet I must tell him to+
+night, I suppose, for he's working so far off, and leaves
+early.'
+"I'll tell 'ee how we could tackle her,' said Coggan.
+"I'll knock and ask to speak to Laban outside the door,
+you standing in the background. Then he'll come out,
+and you can tell yer tale. She'll never guess what I
+want en for; and I'll make up a few words about the
+farm-work, as a blind.'
+This scheme was considered feasible; and Coggan
+advanced boldly, and rapped at Mrs. Tall's door. Mrs.
+Tall herself opened it.
+"I wanted to have a word with Laban.'
+"He's not at home, and won't be this side of eleven
+o'clock. He've been forced to go over to Yalbury since
+shutting out work. I shall do quite as well.'
+"I hardly think you will. Stop a moment;' and
+Coggan stepped round the corner of the porch to consult
+Oak.
+"Who's t'other man, then?' said Mrs. Tall.
+"Only a friend,' said Coggan.
+"Say he's wanted to meet mistress near church-hatch
+to-morrow morning at ten,' said Oak, in a whisper.
+"That he must come without fail, and wear his best
+clothes.'
+<P 462>
+"The clothes will floor us as safe as houses!' said
+Coggan.
+"It can't be helped said Oak. "Tell her.'
+So Coggan delivered the message. "Mind, het or
+wet, blow or snow, he must come, added Jan. "'Tis
+very particular, indeed. The fact is, 'tis to witness her
+sign some law-work about taking shares wi' another
+farmer for a long span o' years. There, that's what 'tis,
+and now I've told 'ee, Mother Tall, in a way I shouldn't
+ha' done if I hadn't loved 'ee so hopeless well.'
+Coggan retired before she could ask any further;
+and next they called at the vicar's in a manner which
+excited no curiosity at all. Then Gabriel went home,
+and prepared for the morrow.
+"Liddy,' said Bathsheba, on going to bed that night,
+"I want you to call me at seven o'clock to-morrow, In
+case I shouldn't wake.'
+"But you always do wake afore then, ma'am.'
+"Yes, but I have something important to do, which
+I'll tell you of when the time comes, and it's best to
+make sure.'
+CONCLUSION
+Bathsheba, however, awoke voluntarily at four, nor
+could she by any contrivance get to sleep again. About
+six, being quite positive that her watch had stopped
+during the night, she could wait no longer. She went
+and tapped at Liddy's door, and after some labour awoke
+her.
+"But I thought it was I who had to call you?' said
+the bewildered Liddy. "And it isn't six yet.'
+"Indeed it is; how can you tell such a story, Liddy?
+I know it must be ever so much past seven. Come to
+my room as soon as you can; I want you to give my
+hair a good brushing.'
+When Liddy came to Bathsheba's room her mistress
+was already waiting. Liddy could not understand
+this extraordinary promptness. " Whatever <1is>1 going on,
+ma'am?' she said.
+"Well, I'll tell you,' said Bathsheba, with a mischiev+
+ous smile in her bright eyes. "Farmer Oak is coming
+here to dine with me to-day!'
+"Farmer Oak -- and nobody else ? -- you two alone?'
+"Yes.'
+<P 463>
+"But is it safe, ma'am, after what's been said?' asked
+her companion, dubiously. "A woman's good name is
+such a perishable article that -- -- '
+Bathsheba laughed with a flushed cheek, and
+whispered in Liddy's ear, although there was nobody
+present. Then Liddy stared and exclaimcd, " Souls
+alive, what news! It makes my heart go quite
+bumpity-bump"
+"It makes mine rather furious, too,' said Bathsheba.
+"However, there's no getting out of it now!'
+It was a damp disagreeable morning. Nevertheless,
+at twenty minutes to ten o'clock, Oak came out of his
+house, and
+Went up the hill side
+With that sort of stride
+A man puts out when walking in search of a bride,
+and knocked Bathsheba's door. Ten minutes later
+a large and a smaller umbrella might have been seen
+moving from the same door, and through the mist along
+the road to the church. The distance was not more
+than a quarter of a mile, and these two sensible persons
+deemed it unnecessary to drive. An observer must have
+been very close indeed to discover that the forms under
+the umbrellas were those of Oak and Bathsheba, arm-in+
+arm for the first time in their lives, Oak in a greatcoat
+extending to his knees, and Bathsheba in a cloak that
+reached her clogs. Yet, though so plainly dressed
+there was a certain rejuvenated appearance about her : --
+ As though a rose should shut and be a bud again.
+Repose had again incarnadined her cheeks; and having,
+at Gabriel's request, arranged her hair this morning as
+she had worn it years ago on Norcombe Hill, she seemed
+in his eyes remarkably like a girl of that fascinating
+dream, which, considering that she was now only three
+or four-and-twenty, was perhaps not very wonderful. In
+the church were Tall, Liddy, and the parson, and in a
+remarkably short space of time the deed was done.
+The two sat down very quietly to tea in Bathsheba's
+parlour in the evening of the same day, for it had been
+arranged that
+<P 464>
+Farmer Oak should go there to live, since
+he had as yet neither money, house, nor furniture worthy
+of the name, though he was on a sure way towards them,
+whilst Bathsheba was, comparatively, in a plethora of all
+three.
+Just as Bathsheba was pouring out a cup of tea,
+their ears were greeted by the firing of a cannon,
+followed by what seemed like a tremendous blowing of
+trumpets, in the front of the house.
+"There!' said Oak, laughing, "I knew those fellows
+were up to something, by the look on their face; '
+Oak took up the light and went into the porch,
+followed by Bathsheba with a shawl over her head. The
+rays fell upon a group of male figures gathered upon the
+gravel in front, who, when they saw the newly-married
+couple in the porch, set up a loud "Hurrah!' and at
+the same moment bang again went the cannon in the
+background, followed by a hideous clang of music from
+a drum, tambourine, clarionet, serpent, hautboy, tenor+
+viol, and double-bass -- the only remaining relics of the
+true and original Weatherbury band -- venerable worm+
+eaten instruments, which had celebrated in their own
+persons the victories of Marlhorough, under the fingers
+of the forefathers of those who played them now. The
+performers came forward, and marched up to the
+front.
+"Those bright boys, Mark Clark and Jan, are at the
+bottom of all this,' said Oak. " Come in, souls, and
+have something to eat and drink wi' me and my wife.'
+"Not to-night,' said Mr. Clark, with evident self+
+denial. "Thank ye all the same; but we'll call at a
+more seemly time. However, we couldn't think of
+letting the day pass without a note of admiration of
+some sort. If ye could send a drop of som'at down to
+Warren's, why so it is. Here's long life and happiness
+to neighbour Oak and his comely bride!'
+"Thank ye; thank ye all,' said Gabriel. "A bit and
+a drop shall be sent to Warren's for ye at once. I had
+a thought that we might very likely get a salute of some
+sort from our old friends, and I was saying so to my
+wife but now.'
+"Faith,' said Coggan, in a critical tone, turning to his
+companions, "the man hev learnt to say ""my wife"'
+in a wonderful
+<P 465>
+naterel way, considering how very youth+
+ful he is in wedlock as yet -- hey, neighbours all?'
+"I never heerd a skilful old married feller of twenty
+years' standing pipe ""my wife"' in a more used note
+than 'a did,' said Jacob Smallbury. "It might have been
+a little more true to nater if't had been spoke a little
+chillier, but that wasn't to be expected just now.
+"That improvement will come wi' time,' said Jan,
+twirling his eye.
+Then Oak laughed, and Bathsheba smiled (for she
+never laughed readily now), and their friends turned to
+go.
+"Yes; I suppose that's the size o't,' said Joseph
+Poorgrass with a cheerful sigh as they moved away;
+"and I wish him joy o' her; though I were once or
+twice upon saying to-day with holy Hosea, in my
+scripture manner, which is my second nature. ""Ephraim
+is joined to idols: let him alone."' But since 'tis as 'tis
+why, it might have been worse, and I feel my thanks
+accordingly.'
+THE END
projects / narabu / commitdiff