AdamonaWorkingDayNOTWITHSTANDINGMr。Craig’sprophecy，thedark-blueclouddisperseditselfwithouthavingproducedthethreatenedconsequences。\"Theweather\"——asheobservedthenextmorning——
\"theweather，yousee，’saticklishthing，an’afool’ullhiton’tsometimeswhenawisemanmisses；that’swhythealmanecksgetsomuchcredit。It’soneo’themchancythingsasfoolsthriveon。\"
Thisunreasonablebehaviouroftheweather，however，coulddispleasenooneelseinHayslopebesidesMr。Craig。Allhandsweretobeoutinthemeadowsthismorningassoonasthedewhadrisen；thewivesanddaughtersdiddoubleworkineveryfarmhouse，thatthemaidsmightgivetheirhelpintossingthehay；andwhenAdamwasmarchingalongthelanes，withhisbasketoftoolsoverhisshoulder，hecaughtthesoundofjocosetalkandringinglaughterfrombehindthehedges。Thejocosetalkofhay-makersisbestatadistance；likethoseclumsybellsroundthecows’necks，ithasratheracoarsesoundwhenitcomesclose，andmayevengrateonyourearspainfully；butheardfromfaroff，itminglesveryprettilywiththeotherjoyoussoundsofnature。Men’smusclesmovebetterwhentheirsoulsaremakingmerrymusic，thoughtheirmerrimentisofapoorblunderingsort，notatalllikethemerrimentofbirds。
Andperhapsthereisnotimeinasummer’sdaymorecheeringthanwhenthewarmthofthesunisjustbeginningtotriumphoverthefreshnessofthemorning——whenthereisjustalingeringhintofearlycoolnesstokeepofflanguorunderthedeliciousinfluenceofwarmth。ThereasonAdamwaswalkingalongthelanesatthistimewasbecausehisworkfortherestofthedaylayatacountry-houseaboutthreemilesoff，whichwasbeingputinrepairforthesonofaneighbouringsquire；andhehadbeenbusysinceearlymorningwiththepackingofpanels，doors，andchimney-
pieces，inawaggonwhichwasnowgoneonbeforehim，whileJonathanBurgehimselfhadriddentothespotonhorseback，toawaititsarrivalanddirecttheworkmen。
ThislittlewalkwasaresttoAdam，andhewasunconsciouslyunderthecharmofthemoment。Itwassummermorninginhisheart，andhesawHettyinthesunshine——asunshinewithoutglare，withslantingraysthattremblebetweenthedelicateshadowsoftheleaves。Hethought，yesterdaywhenheputouthishandtoherastheycameoutofchurch，thattherewasatouchofmelancholykindnessinherface，suchashehadnotseenbefore，andhetookitasasignthatshehadsomesympathywithhisfamilytrouble。
Poorfellow！Thattouchofmelancholycamefromquiteanothersource，buthowwashetoknow？Welookattheonelittlewoman’sfaceweloveaswelookatthefaceofourmotherearth，andseeallsortsofanswerstoourownyearnings。ItwasimpossibleforAdamnottofeelthatwhathadhappenedinthelastweekhadbroughttheprospectofmarriagenearertohim。HithertohehadfeltkeenlythedangerthatsomeothermanmightstepinandgetpossessionofHetty’sheartandhand，whilehehimselfwasstillinapositionthatmadehimshrinkfromaskinghertoaccepthim。
Evenifhehadhadastronghopethatshewasfondofhim——andhishopewasfarfrombeingstrong——hehadbeentooheavilyburdenedwithotherclaimstoprovideahomeforhimselfandHetty——ahomesuchashecouldexpecthertobecontentwithafterthecomfortandplentyoftheFarm。Likeallstrongnatures，Adamhadconfidenceinhisabilitytoachievesomethinginthefuture；hefeltsureheshouldsomeday，ifhelived，beabletomaintainafamilyandmakeagoodbroadpathforhimself；buthehadtoocoolaheadnottoestimatetothefulltheobstaclesthatweretobeovercome。Andthetimewouldbesolong！AndtherewasHetty，likeabright-cheekedapplehangingovertheorchardwall，withinsightofeverybody，andeverybodymustlongforher！Tobesure，ifshelovedhimverymuch，shewouldbecontenttowaitforhim:
butDIDshelovehim？Hishopeshadneverrisensohighthathehaddaredtoaskher。Hewasclear-sightedenoughtobeawarethatheruncleandauntwouldhavelookedkindlyonhissuit，andindeed，withoutthisencouragementhewouldneverhaveperseveredingoingtotheFarm；butitwasimpossibletocometoanybutfluctuatingconclusionsaboutHetty’sfeelings。Shewaslikeakitten，andhadthesamedistractinglyprettylooks，thatmeantnothing，foreverybodythatcamenearher。
Butnowhecouldnothelpsayingtohimselfthattheheaviestpartofhisburdenwasremoved，andthatevenbeforetheendofanotheryearhiscircumstancesmightbebroughtintoashapethatwouldallowhimtothinkofmarrying。Itwouldalwaysbeahardstrugglewithhismother，heknew:shewouldbejealousofanywifehemightchoose，andshehadsethermindespeciallyagainstHetty——perhapsfornootherreasonthanthatshesuspectedHettytobethewomanheHADchosen。Itwouldneverdo，hefeared，forhismothertoliveinthesamehousewithhimwhenhewasmarried；
andyethowhardshewouldthinkitifheaskedhertoleavehim！
Yes，therewasagreatdealofpaintobegonethroughwithhismother，butitwasacaseinwhichhemustmakeherfeelthathiswillwasstrong——itwouldbebetterforherintheend。Forhimself，hewouldhavelikedthattheyshouldalllivetogethertillSethwasmarried，andtheymighthavebuiltabitthemselvestotheoldhouse，andmademoreroom。Hedidnotlike\"topartwi’th’lad\":theyhadhardlyeverybeenseparatedformorethanadaysincetheywereborn。
ButAdamhadnosoonercaughthisimaginationleapingforwardinthisway——makingarrangementsforanuncertainfuture——thanhecheckedhimself。\"AprettybuildingI’mmaking，withouteitherbricksortimber。I’mupi’thegarreta’ready，andhaven’tsomuchasdugthefoundation。\"WheneverAdamwasstronglyconvincedofanyproposition，ittooktheformofaprincipleinhismind:
itwasknowledgetobeactedon，asmuchastheknowledgethatdampwillcauserust。Perhapsherelaythesecretofthehardnesshehadaccusedhimselfof:hehadtoolittlefellow-feelingwiththeweaknessthaterrsinspiteofforeseenconsequences。Withoutthisfellow-feeling，howarewetogetenoughpatienceandcharitytowardsourstumbling，fallingcompanionsinthelongandchangefuljourney？Andthereisbutonewayinwhichastrongdeterminedsoulcanlearnit——bygettinghisheart-stringsboundroundtheweakanderring，sothathemustsharenotonlytheoutwardconsequenceoftheirerror，buttheirinwardsuffering。
Thatisalongandhardlesson，andAdamhadatpresentonlylearnedthealphabetofitinhisfather’ssuddendeath，which，byannihilatinginaninstantallthathadstimulatedhisindignation，hadsentasuddenrushofthoughtandmemoryoverwhathadclaimedhispityandtenderness。
ButitwasAdam’sstrength，notitscorrelativehardness，thatinfluencedhismeditationsthismorning。Hehadlongmadeuphismindthatitwouldbewrongaswellasfoolishforhimtomarryabloomingyounggirl，solongashehadnootherprospectthanthatofgrowingpovertywithagrowingfamily。AndhissavingshadbeensoconstantlydrawnuponbesidestheterriblesweepofpayingforSeth’ssubstituteinthemilitiathathehadnotenoughmoneybeforehandtofurnishevenasmallcottage，andkeepsomethinginreserveagainstarainyday。Hehadgoodhopethatheshouldbe\"firmeronhislegs\"byandby；buthecouldnotbesatisfiedwithavagueconfidenceinhisarmandbrain；hemusthavedefiniteplans，andsetaboutthematonce。ThepartnershipwithJonathanBurgewasnottobethoughtofatpresent——therewerethingsimplicitlytackedtoitthathecouldnotaccept；butAdamthoughtthatheandSethmightcarryonalittlebusinessforthemselvesinadditiontotheirjourneyman’swork，bybuyingasmallstockofsuperiorwoodandmakingarticlesofhouseholdfurniture，forwhichAdamhadnoendofcontrivances。SethmightgainmorebyworkingatseparatejobsunderAdam’sdirectionthanbyhisjourneyman’swork，andAdam，inhisoverhours，coulddoallthe\"nice\"workthatrequiredpeculiarskill。Themoneygainedinthisway，withthegoodwageshereceivedasforeman，wouldsoonenablethemtogetbeforehandwiththeworld，sosparinglyastheywouldalllivenow。Nosoonerhadthislittleplanshapeditselfinhismindthanhebegantobebusywithexactcalculationsaboutthewoodtobeboughtandtheparticulararticleoffurniturethatshouldbeundertakenfirst——akitchencupboardofhisowncontrivance，withsuchaningeniousarrangementofsliding-doorsandbolts，suchconvenientnooksforstowinghouseholdprovender，andsuchasymmetricalresulttotheeye，thateverygoodhousewifewouldbeinraptureswithit，andfallthroughallthegradationsofmelancholylongingtillherhusbandpromisedtobuyitforher。AdampicturedtohimselfMrs。Poyserexaminingitwithherkeeneyeandtryinginvaintofindoutadeficiency；
and，ofcourse，closetoMrs。PoyserstoodHetty，andAdamwasagainbeguiledfromcalculationsandcontrivancesintodreamsandhopes。Yes，hewouldgoandseeherthisevening——itwassolongsincehehadbeenattheHallFarm。Hewouldhavelikedtogotothenight-school，toseewhyBartleMasseyhadnotbeenatchurchyesterday，forhefearedhisoldfriendwasill；but，unlesshecouldmanagebothvisits，thislastmustbeputofftillto-
morrow——thedesiretobenearHettyandtospeaktoheragainwastoostrong。
Ashemadeuphismindtothis，hewascomingveryneartotheendofhiswalk，withinthesoundofthehammersatworkontherefittingoftheoldhouse。Thesoundoftoolstoacleverworkmanwholoveshisworkislikethetentativesoundsoftheorchestratotheviolinistwhohastobearhispartintheoverture:thestrongfibresbegintheiraccustomedthrill，andwhatwasamomentbeforejoy，vexation，orambition，beginsitschangeintoenergy。Allpassionbecomesstrengthwhenithasanoutletfromthenarrowlimitsofourpersonallotinthelabourofourrightarm，thecunningofourrighthand，orthestill，creativeactivityofourthought。LookatAdamthroughtherestoftheday，ashestandsonthescaffoldingwiththetwo-feetrulerinhishand，whistlinglowwhileheconsidershowadifficultyaboutafloor-joistorawindow-frameistobeovercome；orashepushesoneoftheyoungerworkmenasideandtakeshisplaceinupheavingaweightoftimber，saying，\"Letalone，lad！Thee’stgottoomuchgristlei’thybonesyet\"；orashefixeshiskeenblackeyesonthemotionsofaworkmanontheothersideoftheroomandwarnshimthathisdistancesarenotright。Lookatthisbroad-shoulderedmanwiththebaremusculararms，andthethick，firm，blackhairtossedaboutliketroddenmeadow-grasswheneverhetakesoffhispapercap，andwiththestrongbarytonevoiceburstingeverynowandthenintoloudandsolemnpsalm-tunes，asifseekinganoutletforsuperfluousstrength，yetpresentlycheckinghimself，apparentlycrossedbysomethoughtwhichjarswiththesinging。Perhaps，ifyouhadnotbeenalreadyinthesecret，youmightnothaveguessedwhatsadmemorieswhatwarmaffection，whattenderflutteringhopes，hadtheirhomeinthisathleticbodywiththebrokenfinger-nails——inthisroughman，whoknewnobetterlyricsthanhecouldfindintheOldandNewVersionandanoccasionalhymn；whoknewthesmallestpossibleamountofprofanehistory；andforwhomthemotionandshapeoftheearth，thecourseofthesun，andthechangesoftheseasonslayintheregionofmysteryjustmadevisiblebyfragmentaryknowledge。IthadcostAdamagreatdealoftroubleandworkinoverhourstoknowwhatheknewoverandabovethesecretsofhishandicraft，andthatacquaintancewithmechanicsandfigures，andthenatureofthematerialsheworkedwith，whichwasmadeeasytohimbyinborninheritedfaculty——togetthemasteryofhispen，andwriteaplainhand，tospellwithoutanyothermistakesthanmustinfairnessbeattributedtotheunreasonablecharacteroforthographyratherthantoanydeficiencyinthespeller，and，moreover，tolearnhismusicalnotesandpart-singing。Besidesallthis，hehadreadhisBible，includingtheapocryphalbooks；PoorRichard’sAlmanac，Taylor’sHolyLivingandDying，ThePilgrim’sProgress，withBunyan’sLifeandHolyWar，agreatdealofBailey’sDictionary，ValentineandOrson，andpartofaHistoryofBabylon，whichBartleMasseyhadlenthim。HemighthavehadmanymorebooksfromBartleMassey，buthehadnotimeforreading\"thecomminprint，\"asLisbethcalledit，sobusyashewaswithfiguresinalltheleisuremomentswhichhedidnotfillupwithextracarpentry。
Adam，youperceive，wasbynomeansamarvellousman，nor，properlyspeaking，agenius，yetIwillnotpretendthathiswasanordinarycharacteramongworkmen；anditwouldnotbeatallasafeconclusionthatthenextbestmanyoumayhappentoseewithabasketoftoolsoverhisshoulderandapapercaponhisheadhasthestrongconscienceandthestrongsense，theblendedsusceptibilityandself-command，ofourfriendAdam。Hewasnotanaverageman。Yetsuchmenashearerearedhereandthereineverygenerationofourpeasantartisans——withaninheritanceofaffectionsnurturedbyasimplefamilylifeofcommonneedandcommonindustry，andaninheritanceoffacultiestrainedinskilfulcourageouslabour:theymaketheirwayupwards，rarelyasgeniuses，mostcommonlyaspainstakinghonestmen，withtheskillandconsciencetodowellthetasksthatliebeforethem。Theirliveshavenodiscernibleechobeyondtheneighbourhoodwheretheydwelt，butyouarealmostsuretofindtheresomegoodpieceofroad，somebuilding，someapplicationofmineralproduce，someimprovementinfarmingpractice，somereformofparishabuses，withwhichtheirnamesareassociatedbyoneortwogenerationsafterthem。Theiremployerswerethericherforthem，theworkoftheirhandshaswornwell，andtheworkoftheirbrainshasguidedwellthehandsofothermen。Theywentaboutintheiryouthinflannelorpapercaps，incoatsblackwithcoal-dustorstreakedwithlimeandredpaint；inoldagetheirwhitehairsareseeninaplaceofhonouratchurchandatmarket，andtheytelltheirwell-dressedsonsanddaughters，seatedroundthebrighthearthonwinterevenings，howpleasedtheywerewhentheyfirstearnedtheirtwopencea-day。Otherstherearewhodiepoorandneverputofftheworkman’scoalonweekdays。Theyhavenothadtheartofgettingrich，buttheyaremenoftrust，andwhentheydiebeforetheworkisalloutofthem，itisasifsomemainscrewhadgotlooseinamachine；themasterwhoemployedthemsays，\"WhereshallIfindtheirlike？\"
AdamVisitstheHallFarmADAMcamebackfromhisworkintheemptywaggon——thatwaswhyhehadchangedhisclothes——andwasreadytosetouttotheHallFarmwhenitstillwantedaquartertoseven。
\"What’stheegotthySundayclooseonfor？\"saidLisbethcomplainingly，ashecamedownstairs。\"Theeartnagoin’toth’
schooli’thybestcoat？\"
\"No，Mother，\"saidAdam，quietly。\"I’mgoingtotheHallFarm，butmayhapImaygototheschoolafter，sotheemustnawonderifI’mabitlate。Seth’ullbeathomeinhalfanhour——he’sonlygonetothevillage；sotheewutnamind。\"
\"Eh，an’what’stheegotthybestclooseonfortogototh’HallFarm？ThePoyserfolkssee’dtheein’emyesterday，Iwarrand。
Whatdostmeanbyturnin’worki’dayintoSundaya-that’n？It’spoorkeepin’companywi’folksasdonnaliketoseetheei’thyworkin’jacket。\"
\"Good-bye，mother，Ican’tstay，\"saidAdam，puttingonhishatandgoingout。
ButhehadnosoonergoneafewpacesbeyondthedoorthanLisbethbecameuneasyatthethoughtthatshehadvexedhim。Ofcourse，thesecretofherobjectiontothebestclotheswashersuspicionthattheywereputonforHetty’ssake；butdeeperthanallherpeevishnesslaytheneedthathersonshouldloveher。Shehurriedafterhim，andlaidholdofhisarmbeforehehadgothalf-waydowntothebrook，andsaid，\"Nay，mylad，theewutnagoawayangeredwi’thymother，an’hergotnoughttodobuttositbyhersenan’thinkonthee？\"
\"Nay，nay，Mother，\"saidAdam，gravely，andstandingstillwhileheputhisarmonhershoulder，\"I’mnotangered。ButIwish，forthyownsake，thee’dstbemorecontentedtoletmedowhatI’vemadeupmymindtodo。I’llneverbenootherthanagoodsontotheeaslongaswelive。Butamanhasotherfeelingsbesideswhatheowesto’sfatherandmother，andtheeoughtnatowanttoruleovermebodyandsoul。AndtheemustmakeupthymindasI’llnotgivewaytotheewhereI’vearighttodowhatIlike。
Soletushavenomorewordsaboutit。\"
\"Eh，\"saidLisbeth，notwillingtoshowthatshefelttherealbearingofAdam’swords，\"and’wholikestoseetheei’thybestcloosebetternorthymother？An’whenthee’stgotthyfacewashedascleanasthesmoothwhitepibble，an’thyhaircombedsonice，andthyeyesa-sparklin’——whatelseisthereasthyoldmothershouldliketolookathalfsowell？An’theesha’tputonthySundaycloosewhentheelik’stforme——I’llne’erplaguetheenomoorabout’n。\"
\"Well，well；good-bye，mother，\"saidAdam，kissingherandhurryingaway。Hesawtherewasnoothermeansofputtinganendtothedialogue。Lisbethstoodstillonthespot，shadinghereyesandlookingafterhimtillhewasquiteoutofsight。ShefelttothefullallthemeaningthathadlaininAdam’swords，and，asshelostsightofhimandturnedbackslowlyintothehouse，shesaidaloudtoherself——foritwasherwaytospeakherthoughtsaloudinthelongdayswhenherhusbandandsonswereattheirwork——\"Eh，he’llbetellin’meashe’sgoin’tobringherhomeoneo’thesedays；an’she’llbemissiso’erme，andImunlookon，belike，whilesheusestheblue-edgedplatters，andbreaks’em，mayhap，thoughthere’sne’erbeenonebrokesin’myoldmanan’mebought’ematthefairtwenty’earcomenextWhis-
suntide。Eh！\"shewenton，stilllouder，asshecaughtupherknittingfromthetable，\"butshe’llne’erknitthelad’sstockin’s，norfoot’emnayther，whileIlive；an’whenI’mgone，he’llbethinkhimasnobody’ullne’erfit’slegan’footashisoldmotherdid。She’llknownothin’o’narrowin’an’heelin’，I
warrand，an’she’llmakealongtoeashecannaget’sbooton。
That’swhatcomeso’marr’in’youngwenches。Iwargonethirty，an’th’feythertoo，aforewewarmarried；an’youngenoughtoo。
She’llbeapoordratchellbythenSHE’Sthirty，a-marr’in’a-
that’n，aforeherteeth’sallcome。\"
Adamwalkedsofastthathewasattheyard-gatebeforeseven。
MartinPoyserandthegrandfatherwerenotyetcomeinfromthemeadow:everyonewasinthemeadow，eventotheblack-and-tanterrier——noonekeptwatchintheyardbutthebull-dog；andwhenAdamreachedthehouse-door，whichstoodwideopen，hesawtherewasnooneinthebrightcleanhouse-place。ButheguessedwhereMrs。Poyserandsomeoneelsewouldbe，quitewithinhearing；soheknockedonthedoorandsaidinhisstrongvoice，\"Mrs。Poyserwithin？\"
\"Comein，Mr。Bede，comein，\"Mrs。Poysercalledoutfromthedairy。ShealwaysgaveAdamthistitlewhenshereceivedhiminherownhouse。\"Youmaycomeintothedairyifyouwill，forI
cannajustlyleavethecheese。\"
Adamwalkedintothedairy，whereMrs。PoyserandNancywerecrushingthefirsteveningcheese。
\"Why，youmightthinkyouwarcometoadead-house，\"saidMrs。
Poyser，ashestoodintheopendoorway；\"they’realli’themeadow；butMartin’ssuretobeinaforelong，forthey’releavingthehaycockedto-night，readyforcarryingfirstthingto-morrow。
I’vebeenforcedt’haveNancyin，upo’’countasHettymustgethertheredcurrantsto-night；thefruitallaysripenssocontrairy，justwheneveryhand’swanted。An’there’snotrustin’
thechildrentogetherit，fortheyputmoreintotheirownmouthsnorintothebasket；youmightaswellsetthewaspstogetherthefruit。\"
AdamlongedtosayhewouldgointothegardentillMr。Poysercamein，buthewasnotquitecourageousenough，sohesaid，\"I
couldbelookingatyourspinning-wheel，then，andseewhatwantsdoingtoit。Perhapsitstandsinthehouse，whereIcanfindit？\"
\"No，I’veputitawayintheright-handparlour；butletitbetillIcanfetchitandshowityou。I’dbegladnowifyou’dgointothegardenandtellHettytosendTottyin。Thechild’ullruninifshe’stold，an’IknowHetty’slettin’hereattoomanycurrants。I’llbemuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Bede，ifyou’llgoandsendherin；an’there’stheYorkandLankesterrosesbeautifulinthegardennow——you’llliketosee’em。Butyou’dlikeadrinko’
wheyfirst，p’r’aps；Iknowyou’refondo’whey，asmostfolksiswhentheyhannagottocrushitout。\"
\"Thankyou，Mrs。Poyser，\"saidAdam；\"adrinko’whey’sallaysatreattome。I’dratherhaveitthanbeeranyday。\"
\"Aye，aye，\"saidMrs。Poyser，reachingasmallwhitebasinthatstoodontheshelf，anddippingitintothewhey-tub，\"thesmello’bread’ssweett’everybodybutthebaker。TheMissIrwinesallayssay，’Oh，Mrs。Poyser，Ienvyyouyourdairy；andIenvyyouyourchickens；andwhatabeautifulthingafarm-houseis，tobesure！’An’Isay，’Yes；afarm-houseisafinethingforthemaslookon，an’don’tknowtheliftin’，an’thestannin’，an’theworritin’o’th’insideasbelongsto’t。’\"
\"Why，Mrs。Poyser，youwouldn’tliketoliveanywhereelsebutinafarm-house，sowellasyoumanageit，\"saidAdam，takingthebasin；\"andtherecanbenothingtolookatpleasanternorafinemilchcow，standingupto’tskneesinpasture，andthenewmilkfrothinginthepail，andthefreshbutterreadyformarket，andthecalves，andthepoultry。Here’stoyourhealth，andmayyouallayshavestrengthtolookafteryourowndairy，andsetapatternt’allthefarmers’wivesinthecountry。\"
Mrs。Poyserwasnottobecaughtintheweaknessofsmilingatacompliment，butaquietcomplacencyover-spreadherfacelikeastealingsunbeam，andgaveamilderglancethanusualtoherblue-
greyeyes，asshelookedatAdamdrinkingthewhey。Ah！IthinkItastethatwheynow——withaflavoursodelicatethatonecanhardlydistinguishitfromanodour，andwiththatsoftglidingwarmththatfillsone’simaginationwithastill，happydreaminess。Andthelightmusicofthedroppingwheyisinmyears，minglingwiththetwitteringofabirdoutsidethewirenetworkwindow——thewindowoverlookingthegarden，andshadedbytallGuelderroses。
\"Havealittlemore，Mr。Bede？\"saidMrs。Poyser，asAdamsetdownthebasin。
\"No，thankyou；I’llgointothegardennow，andsendinthelittlelass。\"
\"Aye，do；andtellhertocometohermotherinthedairy。\"
Adamwalkedroundbytherick-yard，atpresentemptyofricks，tothelittlewoodengateleadingintothegarden——oncethewell-
tendedkitchen-gardenofamanor-house；now，butforthehandsomebrickwallwithstonecopingthatranalongonesideofit，atruefarmhousegarden，withhardyperennialflowers，unprunedfruit-
trees，andkitchenvegetablesgrowingtogetherincareless，half-
neglectedabundance。Inthatleafy，flowery，bushytime，tolookforanyoneinthisgardenwaslikeplayingat\"hide-and-seek。\"
Therewerethetallhollyhocksbeginningtofloweranddazzletheeyewiththeirpink，white，andyellow；therewerethesyringasandGuelderroses，alllargeanddisorderlyforwantoftrimming；
therewereleafywallsofscarletbeansandlatepeas；therewasarowofbushyfilbertsinonedirection，andinanotherahugeapple-treemakingabarrencircleunderitslow-spreadingboughs。
Butwhatsignifiedabarrenpatchortwo？Thegardenwassolarge。Therewasalwaysasuperfluityofbroadbeans——ittooknineortenofAdam’sstridestogettotheendoftheuncutgrasswalkthatranbythesideofthem；andasforothervegetables，therewassomuchmoreroomthanwasnecessaryforthemthatintherotationofcropsalargeflourishingbedofgroundselwasofyearlyoccurrenceononespotorother。Theveryrose-treesatwhichAdamstoppedtopluckonelookedasiftheygrewwild；theywereallhuddledtogetherinbushymasses，nowflauntingwithwide-openpetals，almostallofthemofthestreakedpink-and-
whitekind，whichdoubtlessdatedfromtheunionofthehousesofYorkandLancaster。AdamwaswiseenoughtochooseacompactProvencerosethatpeepedouthalf-smotheredbyitsflauntingscentlessneighbours，andhelditinhishand——hethoughtheshouldbemoreateaseholdingsomethinginhishand——ashewalkedontothefarendofthegarden，whereherememberedtherewasthelargestrowofcurrant-trees，notfarofffromthegreatyew-treearbour。
Buthehadnotgonemanystepsbeyondtheroses，whenheheardtheshakingofabough，andaboy’svoicesaying，\"Now，then，Totty，holdoutyourpinny——there’saduck。\"
Thevoicecamefromtheboughsofatallcherry-tree，whereAdamhadnodifficultyindiscerningasmallblue-pinaforedfigureperchedinacommodiouspositionwherethefruitwasthickest。
DoubtlessTottywasbelow，behindthescreenofpeas。Yes——withherbonnethangingdownherback，andherfatface，dreadfullysmearedwithredjuice，turneduptowardsthecherry-tree，whilesheheldherlittleroundholeofamouthandherred-stainedpinaforetoreceivethepromiseddownfall。Iamsorrytosay，morethanhalfthecherriesthatfellwerehardandyellowinsteadofjuicyandred；butTottyspentnotimeinuselessregrets，andshewasalreadysuckingthethirdjuiciestwhenAdamsaid，\"Therenow，Totty，you’vegotyourcherries。Runintothehousewith’emtoMother——shewantsyou——she’sinthedairy。Runinthisminute——
there’sagoodlittlegirl。\"
Heliftedherupinhisstrongarmsandkissedherashespoke，aceremonywhichTottyregardedasatiresomeinterruptiontocherry-eating；andwhenhesetherdownshetrottedoffquitesilentlytowardsthehouse，suckinghercherriesasshewentalong。
\"Tommy，mylad，takecareyou’renotshotforalittlethievingbird，\"saidAdam，ashewalkedontowardsthecurrant-trees。
Hecouldseetherewasalargebasketattheendoftherow:Hettywouldnotbefaroff，andAdamalreadyfeltasifshewerelookingathim。Yetwhenheturnedthecornershewasstandingwithherbacktowardshim，andstoopingtogatherthelow-hangingfruit。
Strangethatshehadnotheardhimcoming！Perhapsitwasbecauseshewasmakingtheleavesrustle。Shestartedwhenshebecameconsciousthatsomeonewasnear——startedsoviolentlythatshedroppedthebasinwiththecurrantsinit，andthen，whenshesawitwasAdam，sheturnedfrompaletodeepred。Thatblushmadehisheartbeatwithanewhappiness。Hettyhadneverblushedatseeinghimbefore。
\"Ifrightenedyou，\"hesaid，withadelicioussensethatitdidn’tsignifywhathesaid，sinceHettyseemedtofeelasmuchashedid；\"letMEpickthecurrantsup。\"
Thatwassoondone，fortheyhadonlyfalleninatangledmassonthegrass-plot，andAdam，asheroseandgaveherthebasinagain，lookedstraightintohereyeswiththesubduedtendernessthatbelongstothefirstmomentsofhopefullove。
Hettydidnotturnawayhereyes；herblushhadsubsided，andshemethisglancewithaquietsadness，whichcontentedAdambecauseitwassounlikeanythinghehadseeninherbefore。
\"There’snotmanymorecurrantstoget，\"shesaid；\"Ishallsoonha’donenow。\"
\"I’llhelpyou，\"saidAdam；andhefetchedthelargebasket，whichwasnearlyfullofcurrants，andsetitclosetothem。
Notawordmorewasspokenastheygatheredthecurrants。Adam’sheartwastoofulltospeak，andhethoughtHettyknewallthatwasinit。Shewasnotindifferenttohispresenceafterall；shehadblushedwhenshesawhim，andthentherewasthattouchofsadnessaboutherwhichmustsurelymeanlove，sinceitwastheoppositeofherusualmanner，whichhadoftenimpressedhimasindifference。Andhecouldglanceathercontinuallyasshebentoverthefruit，whiletheleveleveningsunbeamsstolethroughthethickapple-treeboughs，andrestedonherroundcheekandneckasiftheytoowereinlovewithher。ItwastoAdamthetimethatamancanleastforgetinafter-life，thetimewhenhebelievesthatthefirstwomanhehaseverlovedbetraysbyaslightsomething——aword，atone，aglance，thequiveringofaliporaneyelid——thatsheisatleastbeginningtolovehiminreturn。Thesignissoslight，itisscarcelyperceptibletotheearoreye——hecoulddescribeittonoone——itisamerefeather-touch，yetitseemstohavechangedhiswholebeing，tohavemergedanuneasyyearningintoadeliciousunconsciousnessofeverythingbutthepresentmoment。Somuchofourearlygladnessvanishesutterlyfromourmemory:wecanneverrecallthejoywithwhichwelaidourheadsonourmother’sbosomorrodeonourfather’sbackinchildhood。
Doubtlessthatjoyiswroughtupintoournature，asthesunlightoflong-pastmorningsiswroughtupinthesoftmellownessoftheapricot，butitisgoneforeverfromourimagination，andwecanonlyBELIEVEinthejoyofchildhood。Butthefirstgladmomentinourfirstloveisavisionwhichreturnstoustothelast，andbringswithitathrilloffeelingintenseandspecialastherecurrentsensationofasweetodourbreathedinafar-offhourofhappiness。Itisamemorythatgivesamoreexquisitetouchtotenderness，thatfeedsthemadnessofjealousyandaddsthelastkeennesstotheagonyofdespair。
Hettybendingovertheredbunches，thelevelrayspiercingthescreenofapple-treeboughs，thelengthofbushygardenbeyond，hisownemotionashelookedatherandbelievedthatshewasthinkingofhim，andthattherewasnoneedforthemtotalk——Adamremembereditalltothelastmomentofhislife。
AndHetty？YouknowquitewellthatAdamwasmistakenabouther。
Likemanyothermen，hethoughtthesignsofloveforanotherweresignsoflovetowardshimself。WhenAdamwasapproachingunseenbyher，shewasabsorbedasusualinthinkingandwonderingaboutArthur’spossiblereturn。Thesoundofanyman’sfootstepwouldhaveaffectedherjustinthesameway——shewouldhaveFELTitmightbeArthurbeforeshehadtimetosee，andthebloodthatforsookhercheekintheagitationofthatmomentaryfeelingwouldhaverushedbackagainatthesightofanyoneelsejustasmuchasatthesightofAdam。HewasnotwronginthinkingthatachangehadcomeoverHetty:theanxietiesandfearsofafirstpassion，withwhichshewastrembling，hadbecomestrongerthanvanity，hadgivenherforthefirsttimethatsenseofhelplessdependenceonanother’sfeelingwhichawakenstheclingingdeprecatingwomanhoodevenintheshallowestgirlthatcaneverexperienceit，andcreatesinherasensibilitytokindnesswhichfoundherquitehardbefore。ForthefirsttimeHettyfeltthattherewassomethingsoothingtoherinAdam’stimidyetmanlytenderness。Shewantedtobetreatedlovingly——oh，itwasveryhardtobearthisblankofabsence，silence，apparentindifference，afterthosemomentsofglowinglove！ShewasnotafraidthatAdamwouldteaseherwithlove-makingandflatteringspeecheslikeherotheradmirers；hehadalwaysbeensoreservedtoher；shecouldenjoywithoutanyfearthesensethatthisstrongbravemanlovedherandwasnearher。ItneverenteredintohermindthatAdamwaspitiabletoo——thatAdamtoomustsufferoneday。
Hetty，weknow，wasnotthefirstwomanthathadbehavedmoregentlytothemanwholovedherinvainbecauseshehadherselfbeguntoloveanother。Itwasaveryoldstory，butAdamknewnothingaboutit，sohedrankinthesweetdelusion。
\"That’lldo，\"saidHetty，afteralittlewhile。\"Auntwantsmetoleavesomeonthetrees。I’lltake’eminnow。\"
\"It’sverywellIcametocarrythebasket，\"saidAdam\"forit’udha’beentooheavyforyourlittlearms。\"
\"No；Icouldha’carrieditwithbothhands。\"
\"Oh，Idaresay，\"saidAdam，smiling，\"andbeenaslonggettingintothehouseasalittleantcarryingacaterpillar。Haveyoueverseenthosetinyfellowscarryingthingsfourtimesasbigasthemselves？\"
\"No，\"saidHetty，indifferently，notcaringtoknowthedifficultiesofantlife。
\"Oh，Iusedtowatch’emoftenwhenIwasalad。Butnow，yousee，Icancarrythebasketwithonearm，asifitwasanemptynutshell，andgiveyouth’otherarmtoleanon。Won’tyou？Suchbigarmsasmineweremadeforlittlearmslikeyourstoleanon。\"
Hettysmiledfaintlyandputherarmwithinhis。Adamlookeddownather，buthereyeswereturneddreamilytowardsanothercornerofthegarden。
\"HaveyoueverbeentoEagledale？\"shesaid，astheywalkedslowlyalong。
\"Yes，\"saidAdam，pleasedtohaveheraskaquestionabouthimself。\"Tenyearsago，whenIwasalad，Iwentwithfathertoseeaboutsomeworkthere。It’sawonderfulsight——rocksandcavessuchasyouneversawinyourlife。Ineverhadarightnotiono’rockstillIwentthere。\"
\"Howlongdidittaketogetthere？\"
\"Why，ittookusthebestparto’twodays’walking。Butit’snothingofaday’sjourneyforanybodyashasgotafirst-ratenag。Thecaptain’udgetthereinnineortenhours，I’llbebound，he’ssucharider。AndIshouldn’twonderifhe’sbackagainto-morrow；he’stooactivetorestlonginthatlonelyplace，allbyhimself，forthere’snothingbutabitofainni’
thatpartwherehe’sgonetofish。Iwishhe’dgotth’estateinhishands；that’udbetherightthingforhim，forit’udgivehimplentytodo，andhe’ddo’twelltoo，forallhe’ssoyoung；
he’sgotbetternotionso’thingsthanmanyamantwicehisage。
Hespokeveryhandsometometh’otherdayaboutlendingmemoneytosetupi’business；andifthingscameroundthatway，I’dratherbebeholdingtohimnortoanymani’theworld。\"
PoorAdamwasledontospeakaboutArthurbecausehethoughtHettywouldbepleasedtoknowthattheyoungsquirewassoreadytobefriendhim；thefactenteredintohisfutureprospects，whichhewouldliketoseempromisinginhereyes。AnditwastruethatHettylistenedwithaninterestwhichbroughtanewlightintohereyesandahalf-smileuponherlips。
\"Howprettytherosesarenow！\"Adamcontinued，pausingtolookatthem。\"See！Istoletheprettiest，butIdidnameantokeepitmyself。Ithinktheseasareallpink，andhavegotafinersorto’greenleaves，areprettierthanthestripeduns，don’tyou？\"
Hesetdownthebasketandtooktherosefromhisbutton-hole。
\"Itsmellsverysweet，\"hesaid；\"thosestripedunshavenosmell。
Stickitinyourfrock，andthenyoucanputitinwaterafter。
It’udbeapitytoletitfade。\"
Hettytooktherose，smilingasshedidsoatthepleasantthoughtthatArthurcouldsosoongetbackifheliked。Therewasaflashofhopeandhappinessinhermind，andwithasuddenimpulseofgaietyshedidwhatshehadveryoftendonebefore——stucktheroseinherhairalittleabovetheleftear。ThetenderadmirationinAdam’sfacewasslightlyshadowedbyreluctantdisapproval。
Hetty’sloveoffinerywasjustthethingthatwouldmostprovokehismother，andhehimselfdislikeditasmuchasitwaspossibleforhimtodislikeanythingthatbelongedtoher。
\"Ah，\"hesaid，\"that’sliketheladiesinthepicturesattheChase；they’vemostlygotflowersorfeathersorgoldthingsi’
theirhair，butsomehowIdon’tliketosee’emtheyallaysputmei’mindo’thepaintedwomenoutsidetheshowsatTreddles’onFair。Whatcanawomanhavetosetheroffbetterthanherownhair，whenitcurlsso，likeyours？Ifawoman’syoungandpretty，Ithinkyoucanseehergoodlooksallthebetterforherbeingplaindressed。Why，DinahMorrislooksverynice，forallshewearssuchaplaincapandgown。Itseemstomeasawoman’sfacedoesnawantflowers；it’salmostlikeafloweritself。I’msureyoursis。\"
\"Oh，verywell，\"saidHetty，withalittleplayfulpout，takingtheroseoutofherhair。\"I’llputoneo’Dinah’scapsonwhenwegoin，andyou’llseeifIlookbetterinit。Sheleftonebehind，soIcantakethepattern。\"
\"Nay，nay，Idon’twantyoutowearaMethodistcaplikeDinah’s。
Idaresayit’saveryuglycap，andIusedtothinkwhenIsawherhereasitwasnonsenseforhertodressdifferentt’otherpeople；butIneverrightlynoticedhertillshecametoseemotherlastweek，andthenIthoughtthecapseemedtofitherfacesomehowasth’acorn-cupfitsth’acorn，andIshouldn’tliketoseehersowellwithoutit。Butyou’vegotanothersorto’
face；I’dhaveyoujustasyouarenow，withoutanythingt’
interferewithyourownlooks。It’slikewhenaman’ssingingagoodtune——youdon’twantt’hearbellstinklingandinterferingwi’thesound。\"
Hetookherarmandputitwithinhisagain，lookingdownonherfondly。Hewasafraidsheshouldthinkhehadlecturedher，imagining，asweareapttodo，thatshehadperceivedallthethoughtshehadonlyhalf-expressed。Andthethinghedreadedmostwaslestanycloudshouldcomeoverthisevening’shappiness。
FortheworldhewouldnothavespokenofhislovetoHettyyet，tillthiscommencingkindnesstowardshimshouldhavegrownintounmistakablelove。Inhisimaginationhesawlongyearsofhisfuturelifestretchingbeforehim，blestwiththerighttocallHettyhisown:hecouldbecontentwithverylittleatpresent。
Sohetookupthebasketofcurrantsoncemore，andtheywentontowardsthehouse。
Thescenehadquitechangedinthehalf-hourthatAdamhadbeeninthegarden。Theyardwasfulloflifenow:Martywaslettingthescreaminggeesethroughthegate，andwickedlyprovokingtheganderbyhissingathim；thegranary-doorwasgroaningonitshingesasAlickshutit，afterdealingoutthecorn；thehorseswerebeingledouttowatering，amidstmuchbarkingofallthethreedogsandmany\"whups\"fromTimtheploughman，asiftheheavyanimalswhohelddowntheirmeek，intelligentheads，andliftedtheirshaggyfeetsodeliberately，werelikelytorushwildlyineverydirectionbuttheright。Everybodywascomebackfromthemeadow；andwhenHettyandAdamenteredthehouse-place，Mr。Poyserwasseatedinthethree-corneredchair，andthegrandfatherinthelargearm-chairopposite，lookingonwithpleasantexpectationwhilethesupperwasbeinglaidontheoaktable。Mrs。Poyserhadlaidtheclothherself——aclothmadeofhomespunlinen，withashiningcheckeredpatternonit，andofanagreeablewhitey-brownhue，suchasallsensiblehousewivesliketosee——noneofyourbleached\"shop-rag\"thatwouldwearintoholesinnotime，butgoodhomespunthatwouldlastfortwogenerations。Thecoldveal，thefreshlettuces，andthestuffedchinemightwelllooktemptingtohungrymenwhohaddinedathalf-pasttwelveo’clock。Onthelargedealtableagainstthewalltherewerebrightpewterplatesandspoonsandcans，readyforAlickandhiscompanions；forthemasterandservantsatetheirsuppernotfaroffeachother；whichwasallthepleasanter，becauseifaremarkaboutto-morrowmorning’sworkoccurredtoMr。
Poyser，Alickwasathandtohearit。
\"Well，Adam，I’mgladtoseeye，\"saidMr。Poyser。\"What！ye’vebeenhelpingHettytogetherthecurran’s，eh？Come，sityedown，sityedown。Why，it’sprettynearathree-weeksincey’hadyoursupperwithus；andthemissishasgotoneofherrarestuffedchines。I’mgladye’recome。\"
\"Hetty，\"saidMrs。Poyser，asshelookedintothebasketofcurrantstoseeifthefruitwasfine，\"runupstairsandsendMollydown。She’sputtingTottytobed，andIwanthertodrawth’ale，forNancy’sbusyyeti’thedairy。Youcanseetothechild。Butwhativerdidyouletherrunawayfromyoualongwi’
Tommyfor，andstuffherselfwi’fruitasshecan’teatabito’
goodvictual？\"
Thiswassaidinalowertonethanusual，whileherhusbandwastalkingtoAdam；forMrs。Poyserwasstrictinadherencetoherownrulesofpropriety，andsheconsideredthatayounggirlwasnottobetreatedsharplyinthepresenceofarespectablemanwhowascourtingher。Thatwouldnotbefair-play:everywomanwasyounginherturn，andhadherchancesofmatrimony，whichitwasapointofhonourforotherwomennottospoil——justasonemarket-womanwhohassoldherowneggsmustnottrytobalkanotherofacustomer。
Hettymadehastetorunawayupstairs，noteasilyfindingananswertoheraunt’squestion，andMrs。PoyserwentouttoseeafterMartyandTommyandbringthemintosupper。
Soontheywereallseated——thetworosylads，oneoneachside，bythepalemother，aplacebeingleftforHettybetweenAdamandheruncle。Alicktoowascomein，andwasseatedinhisfarcorner，eatingcoldbroadbeansoutofalargedishwithhispocket-knife，andfindingaflavourinthemwhichhewouldnothaveexchangedforthefinestpineapple。
\"Whatatimethatgellisdrawingth’ale，tobesure！\"saidMrs。
Poyser，whenshewasdispensingherslicesofstuffedchine。\"I
thinkshesetsthejugunderandforgetstoturnthetap，asthere’snothingyoucan’tbelieveo’themwenches:they’llsettheemptykettleo’thefire，andthencomeanhouraftertoseeifthewaterboils。\"
\"She’sdrawin’forthementoo，\"saidMr。Poyser。\"Theeshouldstha’toldhertobringourjugupfirst。\"
\"Toldher？\"saidMrs。Poyser。\"Yes，Imightspendallthewindi’
mybody，an’takethebellowstoo，ifIwastotellthemgellseverythingastheirownsharpnesswonnatell’em。Mr。Bede，willyoutakesomevinegarwithyourlettuce？Ayeyou’rei’therightnot。Itspoilstheflavouro’thechine，tomythinking。It’spooreatingwheretheflavouro’themeatliesi’thecruets。
There’sfolksasmakebadbutterandtrustentothesaltt’hideit。\"
Mrs。Poyser’sattentionwasheredivertedbytheappearanceofMolly，carryingalargejug，twosmallmugs，andfourdrinking-
cans，allfullofaleorsmallbeer——aninterestingexampleoftheprehensilepowerpossessedbythehumanhand。PoorMolly’smouthwasratherwideropenthanusual，asshewalkedalongwithhereyesfixedonthedoubleclusterofvesselsinherhands，quiteinnocentoftheexpressioninhermistress’seye。
\"Molly，Iniverknewyourequils——tothinko’yourpoormotherasisawidow，an’Itookyouwi’asgoodasnocharacter，an’thetimesan’timesI’vetoldyou……\"
Mollyhadnotseenthelightning，andthethundershookhernervesthemoreforthewantofthatpreparation。Withavaguealarmedsensethatshemustsomehowcomportherselfdifferently，shehastenedherstepalittletowardsthefardealtable，whereshemightsetdownhercans——caughtherfootinherapron，whichhadbecomeuntied，andfellwithacrashandasplashintoapoolofbeer；whereuponatitteringexplosionfromMartyandTommy，andaserious\"Ello！\"fromMr。Poyser，whosawhisdraughtofaleunpleasantlydeferred。
\"Thereyougo！\"resumedMrs。Poyser，inacuttingtone，assheroseandwenttowardsthecupboardwhileMollybegandolefullytopickupthefragmentsofpottery。\"It’swhatItoldyou’udcome，overandoveragain；andthere’syourmonth’swagegone，andmore，topayforthatjugasI’vehadi’thehousethistenyear，andnothingeverhappenedto’tbefore；butthecrockeryyou’vebrokesin’hereinth’houseyou’vebeen’udmakeaparsonswear——Godforgi’meforsayingso——an’ifithadbeenboilingwortouto’
thecopper，it’udha’beenthesame，andyou’dha’beenscaldedandverylikelamedforlife，asthere’snoknowingbutwhatyouwillbesomedayifyougoon；foranybody’udthinkyou’dgottheSt。Vitus’sDance，toseethethingsyou’vethroweddown。It’sapitybutwhatthebitswasstackedupforyoutosee，thoughit’sneitherseeingnorhearingas’ullmakemuchoddstoyou——anybody’udthinkyouwarcase-hardened。\"
PoorMolly’stearsweredroppingfastbythistime，andinherdesperationatthelivelymovementofthebeer-streamtowardsAlick’slegs，shewasconvertingherapronintoamop，whileMrs。
Poyser，openingthecupboard，turnedablightingeyeuponher。
\"Ah，\"shewenton，\"you’lldonogoodwi’cryingan’makingmorewettowipeup。It’sallyourownwilfulness，asItellyou，forthere’snobodynocalltobreakanythingifthey’llonlygotherightwaytowork。Butwoodenfolkshadneedha’woodenthingst’
handle。AndheremustItakethebrown-and-whitejug，asit’sniverbeenusedthreetimesthisyear，andgodowni’thecellarmyself，andbelikecatchmydeath，andbelaidupwi’
inflammation……\"
Mrs。Poyserhadturnedroundfromthecupboardwiththebrown-and-
whitejuginherhand，whenshecaughtsightofsomethingattheotherendofthekitchen；perhapsitwasbecauseshewasalreadytremblingandnervousthattheapparitionhadsostronganeffectonher；perhapsjug-breaking，likeothercrimes，hasacontagiousinfluence。Howeveritwas，shestaredandstartedlikeaghost-
seer，andthepreciousbrown-and-whitejugfelltotheground，partingforeverwithitsspoutandhandle。
\"Dideveranybodyseethelike？\"shesaid，withasuddenlyloweredtone，afteramoment’sbewilderedglanceroundtheroom。\"Thejugsarebewitched，Ithink。It’sthemnastyglazedhandles——theyslipo’erthefingerlikeasnail。\"
\"Why，thee’stletthyownwhipflyi’thyface，\"saidherhusband，whohadnowjoinedinthelaughoftheyoungones。
\"It’sallveryfinetolookonandgrin，\"rejoinedMrs。Poyser；
\"butthere’stimeswhenthecrockeryseemsalivean’fliesouto’
yourhandlikeabird。It’sliketheglass，sometimes，’ullcrackasitstands。WhatistobebrokeWILLbebroke，forIneverdroppedathingi’mylifeforwanto’holdingit，elseIshouldneverha’keptthecrockeryallthese’earsasIboughtatmyownwedding。AndHetty，areyoumad？Whativerdoyoumeanbycomingdowni’thatway，andmakingonethinkasthere’saghosta-
walkingi’th’house？\"
Anewoutbreakoflaughter，whileMrs。Poyserwasspeaking，wascaused，lessbyhersuddenconversiontoafatalisticviewofjug-
breakingthanbythatstrangeappearanceofHetty，whichhadstartledheraunt。Thelittleminxhadfoundablackgownofheraunt’s，andpinneditcloseroundhernecktolooklikeDinah’s，hadmadeherhairasflatasshecould，andhadtiedononeofDinah’shigh-crownedborderlessnetcaps。ThethoughtofDinah’spalegravefaceandmildgreyeyes，whichthesightofthegownandcapbroughtwithit，madeitalaughablesurpriseenoughtoseethemreplacedbyHetty’sroundrosycheeksandcoquettishdarkeyes。Theboysgotofftheirchairsandjumpedroundher，clappingtheirhands，andevenAlickgavealowventrallaughashelookedupfromhisbeans。Undercoverofthenoise，Mrs。
PoyserwentintothebackkitchentosendNancyintothecellarwiththegreatpewtermeasure，whichhadsomechanceofbeingfreefrombewitchment。
\"Why，Hetty，lass，areyeturnedMethodist？\"saidMr。Poyser，withthatcomfortableslowenjoymentofalaughwhichoneonlyseesinstoutpeople。\"Youmustpullyourfaceadeallongerbeforeyou’lldoforone；mustnashe，Adam？Howcomeyouputthemthingson，eh？\"
\"AdamsaidhelikedDinah’scapandgownbetternormyclothes，\"
saidHetty，sittingdowndemurely。\"Hesaysfolkslooksbetterinuglyclothes。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"saidAdam，lookingatheradmiringly；\"IonlysaidtheyseemedtosuitDinah。ButifI’dsaidyou’dlookprettyin’em，Ishouldha’saidnothingbutwhatwastrue。\"
\"Why，theethought’stHettywaraghost，didstna？\"saidMr。Poysertohiswife，whonowcamebackandtookherseatagain。\"Theelook’dstasscaredasscared。\"
\"ItlittlesinnifieshowIlooked，\"saidMrs。Poyser；\"looks’ullmendnojugs，norlaughingneither，asIsee。Mr。Bede，I’msorryyou’vetowaitsolongforyourale，butit’scominginaminute。
Makeyourselfathomewi’th’coldpotatoes:Iknowyoulike’em。
Tommy，I’llsendyoutobedthisminute，ifyoudon’tgiveoverlaughing。Whatistheretolaughat，Ishouldliketoknow？I’dsoonercrynorlaughatthesighto’thatpoorthing’scap；andthere’sthemas’udbebetteriftheycouldmaketheirselveslikeheri’morewaysnorputtingonhercap。Itlittlebecomesanybodyi’thishousetomakefuno’mysister’schild，an’herjustgoneawayfromus，asitwenttomyhearttopartwi’her。
An’Iknowonething，asiftroublewastocome，an’Iwastobelaidupi’mybed，an’thechildrenwastodie——asthere’snoknowingbutwhattheywill——an’themurrainwastocomeamongthecattleagain，an’everythingwenttorackan’ruin，Isaywemightbegladtogetsighto’Dinah’scapagain，wi’herownfaceunderit，borderornoborder。Forshe’soneo’themthingsaslooksthebrightestonarainyday，andlovesyouthebestwhenyou’remosti’needon’t。\"
Mrs。Poyser，youperceive，wasawarethatnothingwouldbesolikelytoexpelthecomicastheterrible。Tommy，whowasofasusceptibledisposition，andveryfondofhismother，andwhohad，besides，eatensomanycherriesastohavehisfeelingslessundercommandthanusual，wassoaffectedbythedreadfulpictureshehadmadeofthepossiblefuturethathebegantocry；andthegood-naturedfather，indulgenttoallweaknessesbutthoseofnegligentfarmers，saidtoHetty，\"You’dbettertakethethingsoffagain，mylass；ithurtsyouraunttosee’em。\"
Hettywentupstairsagain，andthearrivalofthealemadeanagreeablediversion；forAdamhadtogivehisopinionofthenewtap，whichcouldnotbeotherwisethancomplimentarytoMrs。
Poyser；andthenfollowedadiscussiononthesecretsofgoodbrewing，thefollyofstinginessin\"hopping，\"andthedoubtfuleconomyofafarmer’smakinghisownmalt。Mrs。Poyserhadsomanyopportunitiesofexpressingherselfwithweightonthesesubjectsthatbythetimesupperwasended，theale-jugrefilled，andMr。Poyser’spipealightshewasoncemoreinhighgoodhumour，andready，atAdam’srequest，tofetchthebrokenspinning-wheelforhisinspection。
\"Ah，\"saidAdam，lookingatitcarefully，\"here’sanicebito’
turningwanted。It’saprettywheel。Imusthaveitupattheturning-shopinthevillageanddoitthere，forI’venoconvenenceforturningathome。Ifyou’llsendittoMr。Burge’sshopi’themorning，I’llgetitdoneforyoubyWednesday。I’vebeenturningitoverinmymind，\"hecontinued，lookingatMr。
Poyser，\"tomakeabitmoreconvenenceathomefornicejobso’
cabinet-making。I’vealwaysdoneadealatsuchlittlethingsinoddhours，andthey’reprofitable，forthere’smoreworkmanshipnormaterialin’em。IlookformeandSethtogetalittlebusinessforourselvesi’thatway，forIknowamanatRosseteras’ulltakeasmanythingsasweshouldmake，besideswhatwecouldgetordersforroundabout。\"
Mr。PoyserenteredwithinterestintoaprojectwhichseemedasteptowardsAdam’sbecominga\"master-man，\"andMrs。Poysergaveherapprobationtotheschemeofthemovablekitchencupboard，whichwastobecapableofcontaininggrocery，pickles，crockery，andhouse-linenintheutmostcompactnesswithoutconfusion。
Hetty，oncemoreinherowndress，withherneckerchiefpushedalittlebackwardsonthiswarmevening，wasseatedpickingcurrantsnearthewindow，whereAdamcouldseeherquitewell。AndsothetimepassedpleasantlytillAdamgotuptogo。Hewaspressedtocomeagainsoon，butnottostaylonger，foratthisbusytimesensiblepeoplewouldnotruntheriskofbeingsleepyatfiveo’clockinthemorning。
\"Ishalltakeastepfarther，\"saidAdam，\"andgoontoseeMesterMassey，forhewasn’tatchurchyesterday，andI’venotseenhimforaweekpast。I’veneverhardlyknownhimtomisschurchbefore。\"
\"Aye，\"saidMr。Poyser，\"we’vehearednothingabouthim，forit’stheboys’hollodaysnow，sowecangiveyounoaccount。\"
\"Butyou’llniverthinko’goingthereatthishouro’thenight？\"
saidMrs。Poyser，foldingupherknitting。
\"Oh，MesterMasseysitsuplate，\"saidAdam。\"An’thenight-
school’snotoveryet。Someo’themendon’tcometilllate——
they’vegotsofartowalk。AndBartlehimself’sneverinbedtillit’sgoneeleven。\"
\"Iwouldnahavehimtolivewi’me，then，\"saidMrs。Poyser，\"a-
droppingcandle-greaseabout，asyou’reliketotumbledowno’thefloorthefirstthingi’themorning。\"
\"Aye，eleveno’clock’slate——it’slate，\"saidoldMartin。\"I
ne’ersotupsoi’MYlife，nottosayasitwarnaamarr’in’，orachristenin’，orawake，orth’harvestsupper。Eleveno’clock’slate。\"
\"Why，Isituptillaftertwelveoften，\"saidAdam，laughing，\"butitisn’tt’eatanddrinkextry，it’stoworkextry。Good-night，Mrs。Poyser；good-night，Hetty。\"
Hettycouldonlysmileandnotshakehands，forhersweredyedanddampwithcurrant-juice；butalltherestgaveaheartyshaketothelargepalmthatwasheldouttothem，andsaid，\"Comeagain，comeagain！\"
\"Aye，thinko’thatnow，\"saidMr。Poyser，whenAdamwasoutofonthecauseway。\"Sittinguptillpasttwelvetodoextrywork！
Ye’llnotfindmanymeno’six-an’twentyas’ulldotoputi’theshaftswi’him。IfyoucancatchAdamforahusband，Hetty，you’llridei’yourownspring-cartsomeday，I’llbeyourwarrant。\"
Hettywasmovingacrossthekitchenwiththecurrants，soheruncledidnotseethelittletossoftheheadwithwhichsheansweredhim。Torideinaspring-cartseemedaverymiserablelotindeedtohernow。