第5章

`Ihavenotfalleninlovewithyou，MrBoldwood-certainlyImustsaythat。’Sheallowedaverysmallsmiletocreepforthefirsttimeoverherseriousfaceinsayingthis，andthewhiterowofupperteeth，andkeenly-cutlipsalreadynoticed，suggestedanideaofheartlessness，whichwasimmediatelycontradictedbythepleasanteyes。

`Butyouwilljustthink-inkindnessandcondescensionthink-ifyoucannotbearwithmeasahusband！IfearIamtoooldforyou，butbelievemeIwilltakemorecareofyouthanwouldmanyamanofyourownage。Iwillprotectandcherishyouwithallmystrength-Iwillindeed！

Youshallhavenocares-beworriedbynohouseholdaffairs，andlivequiteatease，MissEverdene。Thedairysuperintendenceshallbedonebyaman-Icanafforditwell-youshallneverhavesomuchastolookoutofdoorsathaymakingtime，ortothinkofweatherintheharvest。

Iratherclingtothechaise，becauseitisthesamemypoorfatherandmotherdrove，butifyoudon’tlikeitIwillsellit，andyoushallhaveapony-carriageofyourown。Icannotsayhowfaraboveeveryotherideaandobjectonearthyouseemtome-nobodyknows-Godonlyknows-howmuchyouaretome！’

Bathsheba’sheartwasyoung，anditswelledwithsympathyforthedeep-naturedmanwhospokesosimply。

`Don’tsayit：don’t！Icannotbearyoutofeelsomuch，andmetofeelnothing。AndIamafraidtheywillnoticeus，MrBoldwood。Willyouletthematterrestnow？Icannotthinkcollectedly。Ididnotknowyouweregoingtosaythistome。O，Iamwickedtohavemadeyousufferso！’Shewasfrightenedaswellasagitatedathisvehemence。

`Saythen，thatyoudon’tabsolutelyrefuse。Donotquiterefuse？’

`Icandonothing。Icannotanswer。

`Imayspeaktoyouagainonthesubject？’

`Yes。’

`Imaythinkofyou？’

`Yes，Isupposeyoumaythinkofme。’

`Andhopetoobtainyou？’

`No-donothope！Letusgoon。’

`Iwillcalluponyouagaintomorrow。’

`No-pleasenot。Givemetime。’

`Yes-Iwillgiveyouanytime，’hesaidearnestlyandgratefully。

`Iamhappiernow。’

`No-Ibegyou！Don’tbehappierifhappinessonlycomesfrommyagreeing。

Beneutral，MrBoldwood！Imustthink。’

`Iwillwait，’hesaid。

Andthensheturnedaway。Boldwooddroppedhisgazetotheground，andstoodlonglikeamanwhodidnotknowwherehewas。Realitiesthenreturneduponhimlikethepainofawoundreceivedinanexcitementwhicheclipsesit，andhe，too，thenwenton。

CHAPTERTWENTYPerplexity-bindingtheShears-AQuarrel`HeissodisinterestedandkindtooffermeallthatIcandesire，’Bathshebamused。

YetFarmerBoldwood，whetherbynaturekindorthereversetokind，didnotexercisekindnesshere。Therarestofferingsofthepurestlovesarebutaself-indulgence，andnogenerosityatall。

Bathsheba，notbeingtheleastinlovewithhim，waseventuallyabletolookcalmlyathisoffer。Itwasonewhichmanywomenofherownstationintheneighbourhood，andnotafewofhigherrank，wouldhavebeenwildtoacceptandproudtopublish。Ineverypointofview，rangingfrompolitictopassionate，itwasdesirablethatshe，alonelygirlshouldmarry，andmarrythisearnest，well-to-do，andrespectedman。Hewasclosetoherdoors：hisstandingwassufficient：hisqualitieswereevensupererogatory。

Hadshefelt，whichshedidnot，anywishwhateverforthemarriedstateintheabstract，shecouldnotreasonablyhaverejectedhim，beingawomanwhofrequentlyappealedtoherunderstandingfordeliverancefromherwhims。

Boldwoodasameanstomarriagewasunexceptionable：sheesteemedandlikedhim，yetshedidnotwanthim。Itappearsthatordinarymentakewivesbecausepossessionisnotpossiblewithoutmarriage，andthatordinarywomenaccepthusbandsbecausemarriageisnotpossiblewithoutpossession；

withtotallydifferingaimsthemethodisthesameonbothsides。Buttheunderstoodincentiveonthewoman’spartwaswantinghere。Besides，Bathsheba’spositionasabsolutemistressofafarmandhousewasanovelone，andthenoveltyhadnotyetbeguntowearoff。

Butadisquietfilledherwhichwassomewhattohercredit，foritwouldhaveaffectedfew。Beyondthementionedreasonswithwhichshecombatedherobjections，shehadastrongfeelingthat，havingbeentheonewhobeganthegame，sheoughtinhonestytoaccepttheconsequences。Stillthereluctanceremained。ShesaidinthesamebreaththatitwouldbeungenerousnottomarryBoldwood，andthatshecouldn’tdoittosaveherlife。

Bathsheba’swasanimpulsivenatureunderadeliberateaspect。AnElizabethinbrainandaMaryStuartinspirit，sheoftenperformedactionsofthegreatesttemeritywithamannerofextremediscretion。Manyofherthoughtswereperfectsyllogisms；unluckilytheyalwaysremainedthoughts。Onlyafewwereirrationalassumptions；but，unfortunately，theyweretheoneswhichmostfrequentlygrewintodeeds。

ThenextdaytothatofthedeclarationshefoundGabrielOakatthebottomofhergarden，grindinghisshearsforthesheep-shearing。Allthesurroundingcottagesweremoreorlessscenesofthesameoperation；thescurrofwhettingspreadintotheskyfromallpartsofthevillageasfromanarmouryprevioustoacampaign。Peaceandwarkisseachotherattheirhoursofpreparation-sickles，scythes，shears，andpruning-hooksrankingwithswords，bayonets，andlances，intheircommonnecessityforpointandedge。

CainyBallturnedthehandleofGabriel’sgrindstone，hisheadperformingamelancholysee-sawupanddownwitheachturnofthewheel。OakstoodsomewhatasErosisrepresentedwhenintheactofsharpeninghisarrows：

hisfigureslightlybent，theweightofhisbodythrownoverontheshears，andhisheadbalancedsideways，withacriticalcompressionofthelipsandcontractionoftheeyelidstocrowntheattitude。

Hismistresscameupandlookedupontheminsilenceforaminuteortwo；thenshesaid——

`Cain，gotothelowermeadandcatchthebaymare。I’llturnthewinchofthegrindstone。Iwanttospeaktoyou，Gabriel。’

Caindeparted，andBathshebatookthehandle。Gabrielhadglancedupinintensesurprise，quelleditsexpression，andlookeddownagain。Bathshebaturnedthewinch，andGabrielappliedtheshears。

Thepeculiarmotioninvolvedinturningawheelhasawonderfultendencytobenumbthemind。ItisasortofattenuatedvarietyofIxion’spunishment，andcontributesadismalchaptertothehistoryofgaols。Thebraingetsmuddled，theheadgrowsheavy，andthebody’scentreofgravityseemstosettlebydegreesinaleadenlumpsomewherebetweentheeyebrowsandthecrown。Bathshebafelttheunpleasantsymptomsaftertwoorthreedozenturns。

`Willyouturn，Gabriel，andletmeholdtheshears？’shesaid。`Myheadisinawhirl，andIcan’ttalk。’

Gabrielturned。Bathshebathenbegan，withsomeawkwardness，allowingherthoughtstostrayoccasionallyfromherstorytoattendtotheshears，whichrequiredalittlenicetyinsharpening。

`IwantedtoaskyouifthemenmadeanyobservationsonmygoingbehindthesedgewithMrBoldwoodyesterday？’

`Yes，theydid，’saidGabriel。`Youdon’tholdtheshearsright，miss-Iknewyouwouldn’tknowtheway-holdlikethis。’

Herelinquishedthewinch，andenclosinghertwohandscompletelyinhisown(takingeachaswesometimesclaspachild’shandinteachinghimtowrite)，graspedtheshearswithher。`Inclinetheedgeso’hesaid。

Handsandshearswereinclinedtosuitthewords，andheldthusforapeculiarlylongtimebytheinstructorashespoke。

`Thatwilldo，’exclaimedBathsheba。`Loosemyhands。Iwon’thavethemheld！Turnthewinch。’

Gabrielfreedherhandsquietly，retiredtohishandle，andthegrindingwenton。

`Didthementhinkitodd？’shesaidagain。

`Oddwasnottheidea，miss。’

`Whatdidtheysay？’

`ThatFarmerBoldwood’snameandyourownwerelikelytobeflungoverpulpittogetherbeforetheyearwasout。’

`Ithoughtsobythelookofthem！Why，there’snothinginit。Amorefoolishremarkwasnevermade，andIwantyoutocontradictit：that’swhatIcamefor。’

Gabriellookedincredulousandsad，butbetweenhismomentsofincredulity，relieved。

`Theymusthaveheardourconversation，’shecontinued。

`Well，then，Bathsheba！’saidOak，stoppingthehandle，andgazingintoherfacewithastonishment。

`MissEverdene，youmean，’shesaidwithdignity。

`Imeanthis，thatifMrBoldwoodreallyspokeofmarriage，Ibain’tgoingtotellastoryandsayhedidn’ttopleaseyou。Ihavealreadytriedtopleaseyoutoomuchformyowngood！’

Bathshebaregardedhimwithround-eyedperplexity。Shedidnotknowwhethertopityhimfordisappointedloveofher，ortobeangrywithhimforhavinggotoverit-histonebeingambiguous。

`IsaidIwantedyoujusttomentionthatitwasnottrueIwasgoingtobemarriedtohim，’shemurmured，withaslightdeclineinherassurance。

`Icansaythattothemifyouwish，MissEverdene。AndIcouldlikewisegiveanopinionto’eeonwhatyouhavedone。’

`Idaresay。ButIdon’twantyouropinion。’

`Isupposenot，’saidGabrielbitterly，andgoingonwithhisturning；

hiswordsrisingandfallinginaregularswellandcadenceashestoopedorrosewiththewinch，whichdirectedthem，accordingtohisposition，perpendicularlyintotheearth，orhorizontallyalongthegarden，hiseyesbeingfixedonaleafupontheground。

WithBathshebaahastenedactwasarashact；but，asdoesnotalwayshappen，timegainedwasprudenceensured。Itmustbeadded，however，thattimewasveryseldomgained。AtthisperiodthesingleopinionintheparishonherselfandherdoingsthatshevaluedassounderthanherownwasGabrielOak’s。Andtheoutspokenhonestyofhischaracterwassuchthatonanysubject，eventhatofherlovefor，ormarriagewith，anotherman，thesamedisinterestednessofopinionmightbecalculatedon，andbehadfortheasking。Thoroughlyconvincedoftheimpossibilityofhisownsuit，ahighresolveconstrainedhimnottoinjurethatofanother。Thisisalover’smoststoicalvirtue，asthelackofitisalover’smostvenialsin。Knowinghewouldreplytrulysheaskedthequestion，painfulasshemusthaveknownthesubjectwouldbe。Suchistheselfishnessofsomecharmingwomen。Perhapsitwansomeexcuseforherthustorturinghonestytoherownadvantage，thatshehadabsolutelynoothersoundjudgementwithineasyreach。

`Well，whatisyouropinionofmyconduct，’shesaidquietly。

`Thatitisunworthyofanythoughtful，andmeek，andcomelywoman。’

InaninstantBathsheba’sfacecolouredwiththeangrycrimsonofaDanbysunset。Butsheforboretoutterthisfeeling，andthereticenceofhertongueonlymadetheloquacityofherfacethemorenoticeable。

ThenextthingGabrieldidwastomakeamistake。

`Perhapsyoudon’tliketherudenessofmyreprimandingyou，forIknowitisrudeness；butIthoughtitwoulddogood。’

Sheinstantlyrepliedsarcastically——

`Onthecontrary，myopinionofyouissolow，thatIseeinyourabusethepraiseofdiscerningpeople！’

`Iamgladyoudon’tmindit，forIsaidithonestlyandwitheveryseriousmeaning。’

`Isee。But，unfortunately，whenyoutrynottospeakinjestyouareamusing-justaswhenyouwishtoavoidseriousnessyousometimessayasensibleword。’

Itwasahardhit，butBathshebahadunmistakablylosthertemper，andonthataccountGabrielhadneverinhislifekepthisownbetter。Hesaidnothing。Shethenbrokeout——

`Imayask，Isuppose，whereinparticularmyunworthinesslies？Inmynotmarryingyou，perhaps！’

`Notbyanymeans，’saidGabrielquietly。`Ihavelonggivenupthinkingofthatmatter。’

`Orwishingit，Isuppose，’shesaid；anditwasapparentthatsheexpectedanunhesitatingdenialofthissupposition。

WhateverGabrielfelt，hecoollyechoedherwords——

`Orwishingiteither。’

Awomanmaybetreatedwithabitternesswhichissweettoher，andwitharudenesswhichisnotoffensive。BathshebawouldhavesubmittedtoanindignantchastisementforherlevityhadGabrielprotestedthathewaslovingheratthesametime；theimpetuosityofpassionunrequitedisbearable，evenifitstingsandanathematizes-thereisatriumphinthehumiliation，andatendernessinthestrife。Thiswaswhatshehadbeenexpecting，andwhatshehadnotgot。Tobelecturedbecausethelecturersawherinthecoldmorninglightofopen-shuttereddisillusionwasexasperating。

Hehadnotfinished，either。Hecontinuedinamoreagitatedvoice：——

`Myopinionis(sinceyouaskit)thatyouaregreatlytoblameforplayingpranksuponamanlikeMrBoldwood，merelyasapastime。Leadingonamanyoudon’tcareforisnotapraiseworthyaction。Andeven，MissEverdene，ifyouseriouslyinclinedtowardshim，youmighthavelethimfinditoutinsomewayoftrueloving-kindness，andnotbysendinghimavalentine’sletter。’

Bathshebalaiddowntheshears。

`Icannotallowanymanto-tocriticizemyprivateconduct！’sheexclaimed。

`NorwillIforaminute。Soyou’llpleaseleavethefarmattheendoftheweek！’

Itmayhavebeenapeculiarity-atanyrateitwasafact-thatwhenBathshebawasswayedbyanemotionofanearthlysortherlowerliptrembled；

whenbyarefinedemotion，herupperorheavenwardone。Hernetherlipquiverednow。

`Verywell，soIwill，’saidGabrielcalmly。Hehadbeenheldtoherbyabeautifulthreadwhichitpainedhimtospoilbybreaking，ratherthanbyachainhecouldnotbreak。`Ishouldbeevenbetterpleasedtogoatonce，’headded。

`Goatoncethen，inHeaven’sname！’saidshe，hereyesflashingathidthoughnevermeetingthem。`Don’tletmeseeyourfaceanymore。’

`Verywell，MissEverdene-soitshallbe。’

Andhetookhisshearsandwentawayfromherinplaciddignity，asMosesleftthepresenceofPharaoh。

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONETroublesintheFold-AMessageGabrielOakhadceasedtofeedtheWeatherburyflockforaboutfour-and-twentyhours，whenonSundayafternoontheelderlygentlemenJosephPoorgrass，MatthewMoon，Fray，andhalf-a-dozenothers，camerunninguptothehouseofthemistressoftheUpperFarm。

`Whateveristhematter，men？’shesaid，meetingthematthedoorjustasshewascomingoutonherwaytochurch，andceasinginamomentfromtheclosecompressionofhertworedlips，withwhichshehadaccompaniedtheexertionofpullingonatightglove。

`Sixty！’saidJosephPoorgrass。

`Seventy！’saidMoon。

`Fifty-nine！’saidSusanTall’shusband。

`-Sheephavebrokefence，’saidFray。

`-Andgotintoafieldofyoungclover，’saidTall。

`-Youngclover！’saidMoon。

`-Clover！’saidJosephPoorgrass。

`Andtheybegettingblasted，’saidHeneryFray。

`Thattheybe，’saidJoseph。

`Andwillalldieasdeadasnits，iftheybain’tgotoutandcured！’

saidTall。

Joseph’scountenancewasdrawnintolinesandpuckersbyhisconcern。

Fray’sforeheadwaswrinkledbothperpendicularlyandcrosswise，afterthepatternofaportcullis，expressiveofadoubledespair。LabanTall’slipswerethin，andhisfacewasrigid。Matthew’sjawssank，andhiseyesturnedwhicheverwaythestrongestmusclehappenedtopullthem。

`Yes，’saidJoseph，`andIwassittingathomelookingforEphesians，andsaysItomyself，“’TisnothingbutCorinthiansandThessaloniansinthisdangedTestament。”whenwhoshouldcomeinbutHenerythere：“Joseph。”

hesaid，“thesheephaveblastedtheirselves-“’

WithBathshebaitwasamomentwhenthoughtwasspeechandspeechexclamation。

Moreover，shehadhardlyrecoveredherequanimitysincethedisturbancewhichshehadsufferedfromOak’sremarks。

`That’senough-that’senough-Oyoufools！’shecried，throwingtheparasolandPrayer-bookintothepassage，andrunningoutofdoorsinthedirectionsignified。’tocometome，andnotgoandgetthemoutdirectly！

O，thestupidnumskulls！’

Hereyeswereattheirdarkestandbrightestnow。Bathsheba’sbeautybelongingrathertothedemonianthantotheangelicschool，sheneverlookedsowellaswhenshewasangry-andparticularlywhentheeffectwasheightenedbyaratherdashingvelvetdresscarefullyputonbeforeaglass。

Alltheancientmenraninajumbledthrongafterhertothecloverfield，Josephsinkingdowninthemidstwhenabouthalfway，likeanindividualwitheringinaworldwhichwasmoreandmoreinsupportable。Havingoncereceivedthestimulusthatherpresencealwaysgavethemtheywentroundamongthesheepwithawill。Themajorityoftheafflictedanimalswerelyingdown，andcouldnotbestirred。Thesewerebodilyliftedout，andtheothersdrivenintotheadjoiningfield。Here，afterthelapseofafewminutes，severalmorefelldown，andlayhelplessandlividastherest。

Bathsheba，withasad，burstingheart，lookedattheseprimestspecimensofherprimeflockastheyrolledthere——SwolnwithwindandtherankmisttheydrewManyofthemfoamedatthemouth，theirbreathingbeingquickandshort，whilstthebodiesofallwerefearfullydistended。

`O，whatcanIdo’whatcanIdo！’saidBathsheba，helplessly。`Sheeparesuchunfortunateanimals！-there’salwayssomethinghappeningtothem！

Ineverknewaflockpassayearwithoutgettingintosomescrapeorother。’

`There’sonlyonewayofsavingthem，’saidTall。

`Whatway？Tellmequick！’

`Theymustbepiercedinthesidewithathingmadeonpurpose。

`Canyoudoit？CanI？’

`No’ma’am。Wecan’t，noryouneither。Itmustbedoneinaparticularspot。Ifyegototherightorleftbutaninchyoustabtheeweandkillher。Notevenashepherdcandoit，asarule。’

`Thentheymustdie，’shesaid，inaresignedtone。

`Onlyonemanintheneighbourhoodknowstheway，’saidJoseph，nowjustcomeup。Hecouldcure’emallifhewerehere。’

`Whoishe？Let’sgethim！’

`ShepherdOak，’saidMatthew。`Ah，he’saclevermanintalents！’

`Ah，thatheisso！’saidJosephPoorgrass。

`True-he’stheman，’saidLabanTall。

`Howdareyounamethatmaninmypresence！’shesaidexcitedly。`I

toldyounevertoalludetohim，norshallyouifyoustaywithme。Ah！’

sheadded，brightening，`FarmerBoldwoodknows！’

`Ono’ma’am，’saidMatthew。’twoofhisstoreewesgotintosomevetchest’otherday，andwerejustlikethese。Hesentamanonhorsebackherepost-hasteforGable，andGablewentandsaved`em。FarmerBoldwoodhevgotthethingtheydoitwith。’tisahollerpipe，withasharpprickerinside。Isn’tit，Joseph？’

`Ay-ahollerpipe，’echoedJoseph。’that’swhat’tis。’

`Ay，sure-that’sthemachine，’chimedinHeneryFrayreflectively，withanOrientalindifferencetotheflightoftime。

`Well，’burstoutBathsheba，`don’tstandtherewithyour“ayes“andyour“sures“，talkingatme！Getsomebodytocurethesheepinstantly！’

Allthenstalkedoffinconsternation，togetsomebodyasdirected，withoutanyideaofwhoitwastobe。Inaminutetheyhadvanishedthroughthegate，andshestoodalonewiththedyingflock。

`NeverwillIsendforhim-never！’shesaidfirmly。

Oneoftheewesherecontracteditsmuscleshorribly，extendeditself，andjumpedhighintotheair。Theleapwasanastonishingone。Theewefellheavily，andlaystill。

Bathshebawentuptoit。Thesheepwasdead。

`O，whatshallIdo-whatshallIdo’sheagainexclaimed，wringingherhands。`Iwon’tsendforhim。No，Iwon’t！’

Themostvigorousexpressionofaresolutiondoesnotalwayscoincidewiththegreatestvigouroftheresolutionitself。Itisoftenflungoutasasortofproptosupportadecayingconvictionwhich，whilststrong，requirednoenunciationtoproveitso。The`No，’Iwon’t’ofBathshebameantvirtually，`IthinkImust。’

Shefollowedherassistantsthroughthegate，andliftedherhandtooneofthem。Labanansweredtohersignal。

`WhereisOakstaying？’

`AcrossthevalleyatNestCottage。

`Jumponthebaymare，andrideacross，andsayhemustreturninstantly-thatIsayso。

Tallscrambledofftothefield，andintwominuteswasonPoll，thebay，bare-backed，andwithonlyahalterbywayofrein。Hediminisheddownthehill。

Bathshebawatched。Sodidalltherest。TallcanteredalongthebridlepaththroughSixteenAcres，Sheeplands，MiddleField，TheFlats，CappelsPiece，shrankalmosttoapoint，crossedthebridge，andascendedfromthevalleythroughSpringmeadandWhitepitsontheotherside。ThecottagetowhichGabrielhadretiredbeforetakinghisfinaldeparturefromthelocalitywasvisibleasawhitespotontheoppositehill，backedbybluefirs。Bathshebawalkedupanddown。Themenenteredthefieldandendeavouredtoeasetheanguishofthedumbcreaturesbyrubbingthem。Nothingavailed。

Bathshebacontinuedwalking。Thehorsewasseendescendingthehill，andthewearisomeserieshadtoberepeatedinreverseorder：Whitepits，Springmead，Cappel’sPiece，TheFlats，MiddleField，Sheeplands，SixteenAcres。ShehopedTallhadhadpresenceofmindenoughtogivethemareuptoGabriel，andreturnhimselfonfoot。Theridernearedthem。ItwasTall。

`Owhatfolly！’saidBathsheba。

Gabrielwasnotvisibleanywhere。

`Perhapsheisalreadygone！’shesaid。

Tallcameintotheinclosure，andleaptoffhisfacetragicasMorton’safterthebattleofShrewsbury。

`Well？’saidBathsheba，unwillingtobelievethatherverballettre-de-cachetcouldpossiblyhavemiscarried。

`Hesaysbeggarsmustn’tbechoosers，’repliedLaban。

`What！’saidtheyoungfarmer，openinghereyesanddrawinginherbreathforanoutburst。JosephPoorgrassretiredafewstepsbehindahurdle。

`Hesaysheshallnotcomeonlessyourequestentocomecivillyandinapropermanner，asbecomesany’oomanbeggingafavour。’

`Oh，oh，that’shisanswer！Wheredoeshegethisairs？WhoamI，then，tobetreatedlikethat？ShallIbegtoamanwhohasbeggedtome？’

Anotheroftheflocksprangintotheair，andfelldead。

Themenlookedgrave，asiftheysuppressedopinion。

Bathshebaturnedaside，hereyesfulloftears。Thestraitshewasinthroughprideandshrewishnesscouldnotbedisguisedlonger：sheburstoutcryingbitterly；theyallsawit；andsheattemptednofurtherconcealment。

`Iwouldn’tcryaboutit，miss，’saidWilliamSmallburycompassionately。

`Whynotaskhimsofterlike？I’msurehe’dcomethen。Gableisatruemaninthatway。

Bathshebacheckedhergriefandwipedhereyes。`O，itisawickedcrueltytome-itis-itis！’shemurmured。`AndhedrivesmetodowhatIwouldn’t；

yes，hedoes！-Tall，comeindoors。’

Afterthiscollapse，notverydignifiedfortheheadofanestablishment，shewentintothehouse，Tallatherheels。Hereshesatdownandhastilyscribbledanotebetweenthesmallconvulsivesobsofconvalescencewhichfollowafitofcryingasaground-swellfollowsastorm。Thenotewasnonethelesspoliteforbeingwritteninahurry。Shehelditatadistance，wasabouttofoldit，thenaddedthesewordsatthebottom：——`Donotdesertme，Gabriel！’Shelookedalittleredderinrefoldingit，andclosedherlips，asiftherebytosuspendtilltoolatetheactionofconscienceinexaminingwhethersuchstrategywerejustifiable。Thenotewasdespatchedasthemessagehadbeen，andBathshebawaitedindoorsfortheresult。

Itwasananxiousquarterofanhourthatintervenedbetweenthemessenger’sdepartureandthesoundofthehorse’strampagainoutside。Shecouldnotwatchthistime，but，leaningovertheoldbureauatwhichshehadwrittentheletter，closedhereyes，asiftokeepoutbothhopeandfear。

Thecase，however，wasapromisingone。Gabrielwasnotangry：hewassimplyneutral，althoughherfirstcommandhadbeensohaughty。Suchimperiousnesswouldhavedamnedalittlelessbeauty；andontheotherhand，suchbeautywouldhaveredeemedalittlelessimperiousness。

Shewentoutwhenthehorsewasheard，andlookedup。Amounted，figurepassedbetweenherandthesky，anddrewontowardsthefieldofsheep，theriderturninghisfaceinreceding。Gabriellookedather。Itwasamomentwhenawoman’seyesandtonguetelldistinctlyoppositetales。Bathshebalookedhallofgratitude，andshesaid：——

`O，Gabriel，howcouldyouservemesounkindly！’

Suchatenderly-shapedreproachforhispreviousdelaywastheonespeechinthelanguagethathecouldpardonfornotbeingcommendationofhisreadinessnow。

Gabrielmurmuredaconfusedreply，andhastenedon。Sheknewfromthelookwhichsentenceinhernotehadbroughthim。Bathshebafollowedtothefield。

Gabrielwasalreadyamongtheturgid，prostrateforms。Hehadflungoffhiscoat，rolleduphisshirt-sleeves，andtakenfromhispockettheinstrumentofsalvation。Itwasasmalltubeortrochar，withalancepassingdowntheinside；andGabrielbegantouseitwithadexteritythatwouldhavegracedahospital-surgeon。Passinghishandoverthesheep’sleftflank，andselectingtheproperpoint，hepuncturedtheskinandrumenwiththelanceasitstoodinthetube；thenhesuddenlywithdrewthelance，retainingthetubeinitsplace。Acurrentofairrushedupthetube，forcibleenoughtohaveextinguishedacandleheldattheorifice。

Ithasbeensaidthatmereeaseaftertormentisdelightforatime；

andthecountenancesofthesepoorcreaturesexpresseditnow。Forty-nineoperationsweresuccessfullyperformed。Owingtothegreathurrynecessitatedbythefar-gonestateofsomeoftheflock，Gabrielmissedhisaiminonecase，andinoneonly-strikingwideofthemark，andinflictingamortalblowatonceuponthesufferingewe。Fourhaddied；threerecoveredwithoutanoperation。Thetotalnumberofsheepwhichhadthusstrayedandinjuredthemselvessodangerouslywasfifty-seven。

Whenthelove-ledmanhadceasedfromhislaboursBathshebacameandlookedhimintheface。

`Gabriel，willyoustayonwithme？’shesaid，smilingwinningly，andnottroublingtobringherlipsquitetogetheragainattheend，becausetherewasgoingtobeanothersmilesoon。

`Iwill，’saidGabriel。

Andshesmiledonhimagain。

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWOTheGreatBarnandtheSheep-shearersMenthinawaytoinsignificanceandoblivionquiteasoftenbynotmakingthemostofgoodspiritswhentheyhavethemasbylackinggoodspiritswhentheyareindispensable。Gabriellately，forthefirsttimesincehisprostrationbymisfortune，hadbeenindependentinthoughtandvigorousinactiontoamarkedextent-conditionswhich，powerlesswithoutanopportunityasanopportunitywithoutthemisbarren，wouldhavegivenhimasureliftupwardswhenthefavourableconjunctionshouldhaveoccurred。ButthisincurableloiteringbesideBathshebaEverdenestolehistimeruinously。

Thespringtidesweregoingbywithoutfloatinghimoff，andtheneapmightsooncomewhichcouldnot。

ItwasthefirstdayofJune，andthesheep-shearingseasonculminated，thelandscape，eventotheleanestpasture，beingallhealthandcolour。

Everygreenwasyoung，everyporewasopen，andeverystalkwasswollenwithracingcurrentsofjuice。Godwaspalpablypresentinthecountry，andthedevilhadgonewiththeworldtotown。Flossycatkinsofthelaterkinds，fern-sproutslikebishops’croziers，thesquare-headedmoschatel，theoddcuckoo-pint，-likeanapoplecticsaintInanicheofmalachite，-snow-whiteladies’-smocks，thetoothwort，approximatingtohumanflesh，theenchanter’snight-shade，andtheblack-petaleddoleful-bells，wereamongthequainterobjectsofthevegetableworldinandaboutWeatherburyatthisteemingtime；andoftheanimal，themetamorphosedfiguresofMrJanCoggan，themaster-shearer；thesecondandthirdshearers，whotravelledintheexerciseoftheircalling，anddonotrequiredefinitionbyname；

HeneryFraythefourthshearer，SusanTall’shusbandthefifth，JosephPoorgrassthesixth，youngCainBallasassistant-shearer，andGabrielOakasgeneralsupervisor。Noneofthesewereclothedtoanyextentworthmentioning，eachappearingtohavehitinthematterofraimentthedecentmeanbetweenahighandlowcasteHindoo。Anangularityoflineament，andafixityoffacialmachineryingeneral，proclaimedthatseriousworkwastheorderoftheday。

Theyshearedinthegreatbarn，calledforthenoncetheShearing-barn，whichonground-planresembledachurchwithtransepts。Itnotonlyemulatedtheformoftheneighbouringchurchoftheparish，butviedwithitinantiquity。Whetherthebarnhadeverformedoneofagroupofconventualbuildingsnobodyseemedtobeaware；notraceofsuchsurroundingsremained。

Thevastporchesatthesides，loftyenoughtoadmitawaggonladentoitshighestwithcorninthesheaf，werespannedbyheavy-pointedarchesofstone，broadlyandboldlycut，whoseverysimplicitywastheoriginofagrandeurnotapparentinerectionswheremoreornamenthasbeenattempted。

Theduskyfilmed，chestnutroof，bracedandtiedinbyhugecollars，curves，anddiagonals，wasfarnoblerindesign，becausemorewealthyinmaterial，thanninetenthsofthoseinourmodernchurches。Alongeachsidewallwasarangeofstridingbuttresses，throwingdeepshadowsonthespacesbetweenthemwhichwereperforatedbylancetopenings，combiningintheirproportionsthepreciserequirementsbothofbeautyandventilation。

Onecouldsayaboutthisbarn，whatcouldhardlybesaidofeitherthechurchorthecastle，akintoitinageandstyle，thatthepurposewhichhaddictateditsoriginalerectionwasthesamewiththattowhichit`wasstillapplied。Unlikeandsuperiortoeitherofthosetwotypicalremnantsofmediæ；valism，theoldbarnembodiedpracticeswhichhadsufferednomutilationatthehandsoftime。Hereatleastthespiritoftheancientbuilderswasatonewiththespiritofthemodernbeholder。Standingbeforethisabradedpile，theeyeregardeditspresentusage，theminddweltuponitspasthistory，withasatisfiedsenseoffunctionalcontinuitythroughout-afeelingalmostofgratitude，andquiteofpride，atthepermanenceoftheideawhichhadheapeditup。Theactthatfourcenturieshadneitherprovedittobefoundedonamistake，inspiredanyhatredofitsprose，norgivenrisetoanyreactionthathadbattereditdown，investedthissimplegreyeffortofoldmindswitharepose，ifnotagrandeur，whichatoocuriousreflectionwasapttodisturbinitsecclesiasticalandmilitarycompeers。Foroncemediæ；valismandmodernismhadacommonstandpoint。

Thelanceolatewindows，thetime-eatenarch-stonesandchamfers，theorientationoftheaxis，themistychestnutworkoftherafters，referredtonoexplodedfortifyingartofworn-outreligiouscreed。Thedefenceandsalvationofthebodybydailybreadisstillastudy，areligion，andadesire。

Todaythelargesidedoorswerethrownopentowardsthesuntoadmitabountifullighttotheimmediatespotoftheshearers’operations，whichwasthewoodthreshing-floorinthecentre，formedofthickoak，blackwithageandpolishedbythebeatingofflailsformanygenerations，tillithadgrownasslipperyandasrichinhueasthestate-roomfloorsofanElizabethanmansion。Heretheshearersknelt，thesunslantinginupontheirbleachedshirts，tannedarms，andthepolishedshearstheyflourished，causingthesetobristlewithathousandraysstrongenoughtoblindaweak-eyedman。Beneaththemacaptivesheeplaypanting，quickeningitspantsasmisgivingmergedinterror，tillitquiveredlikethehotlandscapeoutside。

Thispictureoftodayinitsframeoffourhundredyearsagodidnotproducethatmarkedcontrastbetweenancientandmodernwhichisimpliedbythecontrastofdate。Incomparisonwithcities，Weatherburywasimmutable。

Thecitizen’sThenistherustic’sNow。InLondon，twentyorthirtyyearsagoareoldtimes；inParistenyears，orfive；inWeatherburythreeorfourscoreyearswereincludedinthemerepresent，andnothinglessthanacenturysetamarkonitsfaceortone。Fivedecadeshardlymodifiedthecutofagaiter，theembroideryofasmockfrock，bythebreadthofahair。Tengenerationsfailedtoaltertheturnofasinglephrase。

IntheseWessexnooksthebusyoutsider’sancienttimesareonlyold；hisoldtimesarestillnew；hispresentisfuturity。

Sothebarnwasnaturaltotheshearers，andtheshearerswereinharmonywiththebarn。

Thespaciousendsofthebuilding，answeringecclesiasticallytonaveandchancelextremities，werefencedoffwithhurdles，thesheepbeingallcollectedinacrowdwithinthesetwoenclosures；andinoneangleacatching-penwasformed，inwhichthreeorfoursheepwerecontinuouslykeptreadyfortheshearerstoseizewithoutlossoftime。Inthebackground，mellowedbytawnyshade，werethethreewomen，MaryannMoney，andTemperanceandSobernessMiller，gatheringupthefleecesandtwistingropesofwoolwithawimblefortyingthemround。Theywereindifferentlywellassistedbytheoldmaltster，who，whenthemaltingseasonfromOctobertoAprilhadpassed，madehimselfusefuluponanyoftheborderingfarmsteads。

BehindallwasBathsheba，carefullywatchingthementoseethattherewasnocuttingorwoundingthroughcarelessness，andthattheanimalswereshornclose。Gabriel，whoflittedandhoveredunderherbrighteyeslikeamoth，didnotshearcontinuously，halfhistimebeingspentinattendingtotheothersandselectingthesheepforthem。Atthepresentmomenthewasengagedinhandingroundamugofmildliquor，suppliedfromabarrelinthecorner，andcutpiecesofbreadandcheese。

Bathsheba，afterthrowingaglancehere，acautionthere，andlecturingoneoftheyoungeroperatorswhohadallowedhislastfinishedsheeptogooffamongtheflockwithoutre-stampingitwithherinitials，cameagaintoGabriel，asheputdowntheluncheontodragafrightenedewetohisshear-station，flingingitoveruponitsbackwithadexteroustwistofthearm。Heloppedoffthetressesaboutitshead，andopeneduptheneckandcollar，hismistressquietlylookingon。

`Sheblushesattheinsult，’murmuredBathsheba，watchingthepinkflushwhicharoseandoverspreadtheneckandshouldersoftheewewheretheywereleftbarebytheclickingshears-aflushwhichwasenviable，foritsdelicacy，bymanyqueensofcoteries，andwouldhavebeencreditable，foritspromptness，toanywomanintheworld。

PoorGabriel’ssoulwasfedwithaluxuryofcontentbyhavingheroverhim，hereyescriticallyregardinghisskilfulshears，whichapparentlyweregoingtogatherupapieceofthefleshateveryclose，andyetneverdidso。LikeGuildenstern，Oakwashappyinthathewasnotoverhappy。

Hehadnowishtoconversewithher：thathisbrightladyandhimselfformedonegroup，exclusivelytheirown，andcontainingnoothersintheworld，wasenough。

Sothechatterwasallonherside。Thereisaloquacitythattellsnothing，whichwasBathsheba’s；andthereisasilencewhichsaysmuch：

thatwasGabriel’s。Fullofthisdimandtemperateblisshewentontoflingtheeweoveruponherotherside，coveringherheadwithhisknee，graduallyrunningtheshearslineafterlineroundherdewlap，thenceaboutherflankandback，andfinishingoverthetail。

`Welldone，anddonequickly！’saidBathsheba，lookingatherwatchasthelastsnipresounded。

`Howlong，miss？’saidGabriel，wipinghisbrow。

`Three-and-twentyminutesandahalfsinceyoutookthefirstlockfromitsforehead。ItisthefirsttimethatIhaveeverseenonedoneinlessthanhalfanhour。’

Theclean，sleekcreaturearosefromitsfleece-howperfectlylikeAphroditerisingfromthefoam’shouldhavebeenseentoberealized-

lookingstartledandshyatthelossofitsgarment，whichlayonthefloorinonesoftcloud，unitedthroughout，theportionvisiblebeingtheinnersurfaceonly，whichneverbeforeexposed，waswhiteassnow，andwithoutflaworblemishoftheminutestkind。

`CainBall！’

`Yes，MisterOak；hereIbe！’

Cainynowrunsforwardwiththetar-pot。`B。E。’isnewlystampedupontheshornskin，andawaythesimpledamleaps，panting，overtheboardintotheshirtlessflockoutside。ThenupcomesMaryann；throwsthelooselocksintothemiddleofthefleece，rollsitup，andcarriesitintothebattlegroundasthree-and-a-halfpoundsofunadulteratedwarmthforthewinterenjoymentofpersonsunknownandfaraway，whowill，however，neverexperiencethesuperlativecomfortderivablefromthewoolasithereexists，newandpure-beforetheunctuousnessofitsnaturewhilstinalivingstatehasdried，stiffened，andbeenwashedout-renderingitjustnowassuperiortoanythingwoollenascreamissuperiortomilk-and-water。

ButheartlesscircumstancecouldnotleaveentireGabriel’shappinessofthismorning。Therams，oldewes，andtwo-sheareweshaddulyundergonetheirstripping，andthemenwereproceedingwiththeshearlingsandhogs，whenOak’sbeliefthatshewasgoingtostandpleasantlybyandtimehimthroughanotherperformancewaspainfullyinterruptedbyFarmerBoldwood’sappearanceintheextremestcornerofthebarn。Nobodyseemedtohaveperceivedhisentry，buttherehecertainlywas。Boldwoodalwayscarriedwithhimasocialatmosphereofhisown，whicheverybodyfeltwhocamenearhim；

andthetalk，whichBathsheba’spresencehadsomewhatsuppressed，wasnowtotallysuspended。

HecrossedovertowardsBathsheba，whoturnedtogreethimwithacarriageofperfectease。Hespoketoherinlowtones，andsheinstinctivelymodulatedherowntothesamepitch，andhervoiceultimatelyevencaughttheinflectionofhis。Shewasfarfromhavingawishtoappearmysteriouslyconnectedwithhim；butwomanattheimpressionableagegravitatestothelargerbodynotonlyinherchoiceofwords，whichisapparenteveryday，buteveninhershadesoftoneandhumourwhentheinfluenceisgreat。

WhattheyconversedaboutwasnotaudibletoGabriel，whowastooindependenttogetnear，thoughtooconcernedtodisregard。Theissueoftheirdialoguewasthetakingofherhandbythecourteousfarmertohelpheroverthespreading-boardintothebrightJunesunlightoutside。Standingbesidethesheepalreadyshorn，theywentontalkingagain。Concerningtheflock？

Apparentlynot。Gabrieltheorized，notwithouttruth，thatinquietdiscussionofanymatterwithinreachofthespeakers’eyes，theseareusuallyfixeduponit。Bathshebademurelyregardedacontemptiblestrawlyingupontheground，inawaywhichsuggestedlessovinecriticismthanwomanlyembarrassment。

Shebecamemoreorlessredinthecheek，thebloodwaveringinuncertainfluxandrefluxoverthesensitivespacebetweenebbandflood。Gabrielshearedon，constrainedandsad。

SheleftBoldwood’sside，andhewalkedupanddownalonefornearlyaquarterofanhour。Thenshereappearedinhernewriding-habitofmyrtle-green，whichfittedhertothewaistasarindfitsitsfruit；andyoungBobCogganledonhermare，Boldwoodfetchinghisownhorsefromthetreeunderwhichithadbeentied。

Oak’seyescouldnotforsakethem；andinendeavouringtocontinuehisshearingatthesametimethathewatchedBoldwood’smanner，hesnippedthesheepinthegroin。Theanimalplunged；Bathshebainstantlygazedtowardsit，andsawtheblood。

`OGabriel！’sheexclaimed，withsevereremonstrance，`youwhoaresostrictwiththeothermen-seewhatyouaredoingyourself’

Toanoutsidertherewasnotmuchtocomplainofinthisremark；buttoOak，whoknewBathshebatobewellawarethatsheherselfwasthecauseofthepoorewe’swound，becauseshehadwoundedtheewe’sshearerinastillmorevitalpart，ithadastingwhichtheabidingsenseofhisinferioritytobothherselfandBoldwoodwasnotcalculatedtoheal。Butamanlyresolvetorecognizeboldlythathehadnolongeralover’sinterestinher，helpedhimoccasionallytoconcealafeeling。

`Bottle！’heshouted，inanunmovedvoiceofroutine。CainyBallranup，thewoundwasanointed，andtheshearingcontinued。

BoldwoodgentlytossedBathshebaintothesaddle，andbeforetheyturnedawaysheagainspokeouttoOakwiththesamedominativeandtantalizinggraciousness。

`IamgoingnowtoseeMrBoldwood’sLeicesters。Takemyplaceinthebarn，Gabriel，andkeepthemencarefullytotheirwork。’

Thehorses’headswereputabout，andtheytrottedaway。

Boldwood’sdeepattachmentwasamatterofgreatinterestamongailaroundhim；but，afterhavingbeenpointedoutforsomanyyearsastheperfectexemplarofthrivingbachelorship，hislapsewasananticlimaxsomewhatresemblingthatofStJohnLong’sdeathbyconsumptioninthemidstofhisproofsthatitwasnotafataldisease。

`Thatmeansmatrimony，’saidTemperanceMiller，followingthemoutofsightwithhereyes。

`Ireckonthat’sthesizeo’t，’saidCoggan，workingalongwithoutlookingup。

`Well，betterwedoverthemixenthanoverthemoor，’saidLabanTall，turninghissheep。

HeneryFrayspoke，exhibitingmiserableeyesatthesametime：`Idon’tseewhyamaidshouldtakeahusbandwhenshe’sboldenoughtofightherownbattles，anddon’twantahome；for’tiskeepinganotherwomanout。

Butletitbe，for’tisapityheandsheshouldtroubletwohouses。’

Asusualwithdecidedcharacters，BathshebainvariablyprovokedthecriticismofindividualslikeHeneryFray。Heremblazonedcultwastobetoopronouncedinherobjections，andnotsufficientlyovertinherlikings。

Welearnthatitisnottherayswhichbodiesabsorb，butthosewhichtheyreject，thatgivethemthecolourstheyareknownby；andinthesamewaypeoplearespecializedbytheirdislikesandantagonisms，whilsttheirgoodwillislookeduponasnoattributeatall。

Henerycontinuedinamorecomplaisantmood：`Ioncehintedmymindtoheronafewthings，asnearlyasabatteredframedaredtodosotosuchafrowardpiece。Youallknow，neighbours，whatamanIbe，andhowIcomedownwithmypowerfulwordswhenmyprideisboilingwi’scarn？’

`Wedo，wedo，Henery。

`SoIsaid，“MissEverdene，there’splacesempty，andthere’sgiftedmenwilling；butthespite“-no’notthespite-Ididn’tsayspite-

“butthevillainyofthecontrarikind。”Isaid(meaningwomankind)，“keepsemout。”Thatwasn’ttoostrongforher，say？’

`Passablywellput。’

`Yes；andIwouldhavesaidit，haddeathandsalvationovertookmeforit。SuchismyspiritwhenIhaveamind。’

`Atrueman，andproudasalucifer。’

`Youseetheartfulness？Why，’twasaboutbeingbailyreally；butI

didn’tputitsoplainthatshecouldunderstandmymeaning，soIcouldlayitonallthestronger。Thatwasmydepth！……However，lethermarryanshewill。Perhaps’tishightime。IbelieveFarmerBoldwoodkissedherbehindthespear-bed’atthesheep-washingt’otherday-thatIdo。’

`Whatalie！’saidGabriel。

`Ah，neighbourOak-how’stknow？’saidHenerymildly。

`Becauseshetoldmeallthatpassed，’saidOak，withapharisaicalsensethathewasnotasothershearersinthismatter。

`Yehavearighttobelieveit，’saidHenery，withdudgeon；`averytrueright。ButImidseealittledistanceintothings！Tobelong-headedenoughforabaily’splaceisapoormeretrifle-yetatriflemorethannothing。However，Ilookrounduponlifequitecool。Doyouheedme，neighbours？

Mywords，thoughmadeassimpleasIcan，midberatherdeepforsomeheads。’

`Oyes，Henery，wequiteheedye。’

`Astrangeoldpiece，goodmen-whirledaboutfromheretoyonder，asifIwerenothing！Alittlewarped，too。ButIhavemydepths；ha，andevenmygreatdepths！Imightgirdatacertainshepherd，braintobrain。

Butno-Ono！’

`Astrangeoldpiece，yesay！’interposedthemaltster，inaquerulousvoice。`Atthesametimeyebenooldmanworthnaming-nooldmanatall。Yerteethbain’thalfgoneyet；andwhat’saoldman’sstandingifsobehisteethbain’tgone？Weren’tIstaleinwedlockaforeyewereoutofarms？’tisapoorthingtobesixty，whenthere’speoplefarpastfour-score-aboastweakaswater。’

ItwastheunvaryingcustominWeatherburytosinkminordifferenceswhenthemaltsterhadtobepacified。

`Weakaswater！yes，’saidJanCoggan。`Malter，wefeelyetobeawonderfulveteranman，andnobodycangainsayit。’

`Nobody，’saidJosephPoorgrass。`Yebeaveryrareoldspectacle，malter，andwealladmireyeforthatgift。’

`Ay，andasayoungman，whenmysenseswereinprosperity，Iwaslikewiselikedbyagood-fewwhoknowedme，’saidthemaltster。

`’Ithoutdoubtyouwas——’ithoutdoubt。’

Thebentandhoarymanwassatisfied，andsoapparentlywasHeneryFray。

ThatmattersshouldcontinuepleasantMaryannspoke，who，whatwithherbrowncomplexion，andtheworkingwrapperofrustylinsey，hadatpresentthemellowhueofanoldsketchinoils-notablysomeofNicholasPoussin’s：——

`Doanybodyknowofacrookedman，oralame，oranysecondhandfellowatallthatwoulddoforpoorme？’saidMaryann。`AperfectoneIdon’texpecttogetatmytimeoflife。IfIcouldhearofsuchathing’twoulddomemoregoodthantoastandale。’

Cogganfurnishedasuitablereply。Oakwentonwithhisshearing，andsaidnotanotherword。Pestilentmoodshadcome，andteasedawayhisquiet。

Bathshebahadshownindicationsofanointinghimabovehisfellowsby’

installinghimasthebailiffthatthefarmimperativelyrequired。Hedidnotcovetthepostrelativelytothefarm：inrelationtoherself，asbelovedbyhimandunmarriedtoanother，hehadcovetedit。Hisreadingsofherseemednowtobevapouryandindistinct。Hislecturetoherwas，hethought，oneoftheabsurdestmistakes。FarfromcoquettingwithBoldwood，shehadtrifledwithhimselfinthusfeigningthatshehadtrifledwithanother。

Hewasinwardlyconvincedthat，inaccordancewiththeanticipationsofhiseasy-goingandworse-educatedcomrades，thatdaywouldseeBoldwoodtheacceptedhusbandofMissEverdene。GabrielatthistimeofhislifehadoutgrowntheinstinctivedislikewhicheveryChristianboyhasforreadingtheBible，perusingitnowquitefrequently，andheinwardlysaid，“`Ifindmorebitterthandeaththewomanwhoseheartissnaresandnets！“’

Thiswasmereexclamation-thefrothofthestorm。HeadoredBathshebajustthesame。

`Weworkfolkshallhavesomelordlyjunketingto-night，’saidCainyBall，castingforthhisthoughtsinanewdirection。’thismorningIseeemmakingthegreatpuddensinthemilking-pails-lumpsoffatasbigasyerthumb，MisterOak！I’veneverseedsuchsplendidlargeknobsoffatbeforeinthedaysofmylife-theyneverusedtobebiggerthanahorse-bean。Andtherewasagreatblackcrockuponthebrandisewithhislegsa-stickingout，butIdon’tknowwhatwasinwithin。’

`Andthere’stwobushelsofbiffinsforapple-pies，’saidMaryann。

`Well，Ihopetodomydutybyitall，’saidJosephPoorgrass，inapleasant，masticatingmannerofanticipation。`Yes；victualsanddrinkisacheerfulthing，andgivesnervestothenerveless，iftheformofwordsmaybeused。’tisthegospelofthebody，withoutwhichweperish，sotospeakit。’

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREEEventide-ASecondDeclarationFortheshearing-supperalongtablewasplacedonthegrass-plotbesidethehouse，theendofthetablebeingthrustoverthesillofthewideparlourwindowandafootortwointotheroom。MissEverdenesatinsidethewindow，facingdownthetable。Shewasthusattheheadwithoutminglingwiththemen。

ThiseveningBathshebawasunusuallyexcited，herredcheeksandlipscontrastinglustrouslywiththemazyskeinsofhershadowyhair。Sheseemedtoexpectassistance，andtheseatatthebottomofthetablewasatherrequestleftvacantuntilaftertheyhadbegunthemeal。ShethenaskedGabrieltotaketheplaceandthedutiesappertainingtothatend，whichhedidwithgreatreadiness。

AtthismomentMrBoldwoodcameinatthegate，andcrossedthegreentoBathshebaatthewindow。Heapologizedforhislateness：hisarrivalwasevidentlybyarrangement。

`Gabriel，’saidshe，`willyoumoveagain，please，andletMrBoldwoodcomethere？’

Oakmovedinsilencebacktohisoriginalseat。

Thegentleman-farmerwasdressedincheerfulstyle，inanewcoatandwhitewaistcoat，quitecontrastingwithhisusualsobersuitsofgrey。

Inwardly，toehewasblithe，andconsequentlychattytoanexceptionaldegree。SoalsowasBathshebanowthathehadcome，thoughtheuninvitedpresenceofPennyways，thebailiffwhohadbeendismissedfortheft，disturbedherequanimityforawhile。

Supperbeingended，Cogganbeganonhisownprivateaccount，withoutreferencetolisteners：——I’velostmylove，andIcarenot，I’velostmylove，andIcarenot；

IshallsoonhaveanotherThat’sbetterthant’other；

I’velostmylove，andIcarenot。Thislyric，whenconcluded，wasreceivedwithasilentlyappreciativegazeatthetable，implyingthattheperformance，likeaworkbythoseestablishedauthorswhoareindependentofnoticesinthepapers，wasawell-knowndelightwhichrequirednoapplause。

`Now，MasterPoorgrass，yoursong！’saidCoggan。

`Ibeallbutinliquor，andthegiftiswantinginme，’saidJoseph，diminishinghimself。

`Nonsense；wou’stneverbesoungrateful，Joseph-never！’saidCoggan，expressinghurtfeelingsbyaninflectionofvoice。`Andmistressislookinghardatye，asmuchastosay，“Singatonce，JosephPoorgrass。”’

`Faith，sosheis；well，Imustsufferit！……Justeyemyfeatures，andseeifthetell-talebloodoverheatsmemuch，neighbours？’

`No，yerblushesbequitereasonable，’saidCoggan。

`Ialwaystriestokeepmycoloursfromrisingwhenabeauty’seyesgetfixedonme，’saidJosephdiffidently；`butifsobe’tiswilledtheydo，theymust。

`Now，Joseph，yoursong，please，’saidBathshebafromthewindow。`Well，really，ma’am，’herepliedinayieldingtone。`Idon’tknowwhattosay。

Itwouldbeapoorplainballetofmyowncomposure。’

`Hear，hear！’saidthesupper-party。

Poorgrass，thusassured，trilledforthaflickeringyetcommendablepieceofsentiment，thetuneofwhichconsistedofthekey-noteandanother，thelatterbeingthesoundchieflydweltupon。Thiswassosuccessfulthatherashlyplungedintoasecondinthesamebreath，afterafewfalsestarts：——Isow’-edth’-e……

Isow’-ed。

Isow’-edtheeseeds’of’love’，I-itwas’all’i’-intheespring’，I-inApril’，Ma’-ay，a’-ndsunny’June’，`Whensma’-allbi’-irdsthey’do’sing；`Wellputoutofhand，’saidCoggan，attheendoftheverse。“`Theydosing“wasaverytakingparagraph。’

`Ay；andtherewasaprettyplaceat“seedsoflove“，and’twaswellheavedout。Though“love“isanastyhighcornerwhenaman’svoiceisgettingcrazed。Nextverse，MasterPoorgrass。’

ButduringthisrenderingyoungBobCogganexhibitedoneofthoseanomalieswhichwillafflictlittlepeoplewhenotherpersonsareparticularlyserious：

intryingtocheckhislaughter，hepusheddownhisthroatasmuchofthetableclothashecouldgetholdofwhen，aftercontinuinghermeticallysealedforashorttime，hismirthburstoutthroughhisnose。Josephperceivedit，andwithhecticcheeksofindignationinstantlyceasedsinging。CogganboxedBob’searsimmediately。

`Goon，Joseph-goon，andnevermindtheyoungscamp，’saidCoggan。

`’Tisaverycatchingballet。Nowthenagain-thenextbar；I’llhelpyetoflourishuptheshrillnoteswhereyerwindisratherwheezy：thewi’-il-lo’-owtree’will’twist’，Andthewil’-low’tre’-eewi’-illtwineButthesingercouldnotbesetgoingagain。BobCogganwassenthomeforhisillmanners，andtranquillitywasrestoredbyJacobSmallbury，whovolunteeredaballadasinclusiveandinterminableasthatwithwhichtheworthytoperoldSilenusamusedonasimilaroccasiontheswainsChromisandMnasylus，andotherjollydogsofhisday。

Itwasstillthebeamingtimeofevening，thoughnightwasstealthilymakingitselfvisiblelowdownupontheground，thewesternlinesoflightrakingtheearthwithoutalightinguponittoanyextent，orilluminatingthedeadlevelsatall。Thesunhadcreptroundthetreeasalasteffortbeforedeath，andthenbegantosink，theshearers’lowerpartsbecomingsteepedinembrowningtwilight，whilsttheirheadsandshoulderswerestillenjoyingday，touchedwithayellowofself-sustainedbrilliancythatseemedinherentratherthanacquired。

Thesunwentdowninanochreousmist；buttheysat，andtalkedon，andgrewasmerryasthegodsinHomer’sheaven。Bathshebastillremainedenthronedinsidethewindow，andoccupiedherselfinknitting，fromwhichshesometimeslookeduptoviewthefadingsceneoutside。Theslowtwilightexpandedandenvelopedthemcompletelybeforethesignsofmovingwereshown。

GabrielsuddenlymissedFarmerBoldwoodfromhisplaceatthebottomofthetable。HowlonghehadbeengoneOakdidnotknow；buthehadapparentlywithdrawnintotheencirclingdusk。WhilsthewasthinkingofthisLiddybroughtcandlesintothebackpartoftheroomoverlookingtheshearers，andtheirlivelynewflamesshonedownthetableandoverthemen，anddispersedamongthegreenshadowsbehind。

Bathsheba’sform，stillinitsoriginalposition，wasnowagaindistinctbetweentheireyesandthelight，whichrevealedthatBoldwoodhadgoneinsidetheroom，andwassittingnearher。

Nextcamethequestionoftheevening。WouldMissEverdenesingtothemthesongshealwayssangsocharmingly-`TheBanksofAllanWater’-beforetheywenthome？

Afteramoment’sconsiderationBathshebaassented，beckoningtoGabriel，whohastenedupintothecovetedatmosphere。

`Haveyoubroughtyourflute？’shewhispered。

`Yes，miss。’

`Playtomysinging，then。’

Shestoodupinthewindow-opening，facingthemen，thecandlesbehindher。Gabrielonherrighthand，immediatelyoutsidethesashframe。Boldwoodhaddrawnuponherleft，withintheroom。Hersingingwassoftandrathertremulousatfirst，butitsoonswelledtoasteadyclearness。Subsequenteventscausedoneoftheversestoberememberedformanymonths，andevenyears，bymorethanoneofthosewhoweregatheredthere：Forhisbrideasoldiersoughther，Andawinningtonguehadhe：

OnthebanksofAllanWaterNonewasgayasshe！InadditiontothedulcetpipingofGabriel’sfluteBoldwoodsuppliedabassinhiscustomaryprofoundvoice，utteringhisnotessosoftly，however，astoabstainentirelyfrommakinganythinglikeanordinaryduetofthesong；theyratherformedarichunexploredshadow，whichthrewhertonesintorelief。Theshearersreclinedagainsteachotherasatsuppersintheearlyagesoftheworld，andsosilentandabsorbedweretheythatherbreathingcouldalmostbeheardbetweenthebars；andattheendoftheballad，whenthelasttoneloiteredontoaninexpressibleclose，therearosethatbuzzofpleasurewhichistheattarofapplause。

ItisscarcelynecessarytostatethatGabrielcouldnotavoidnotingthefarmer’sbearingtonighttowardstheirentertainer。Yettherewasnothingexceptionalinhisactionsbeyondwhatappertainedtohistimeofperformingthem。ItwaswhentherestwerealllookingawaythatBoldwoodobservedher；whentheyregardedherheturnedaside；whentheythankedorpraisedhewassilent；whentheywereinattentivehemurmuredhisthanks。Themeaninglayinthedifferencebetweenactionsnoneofwhichhadanymeaningofitselfandthenecessityofbeingjealous，whichloversaretroubledwith，didnotleadOaktounderestimatethesesigns。

Bathshebathenwishedthemgood-night，withdrewfromthewindow，andretiredtothebackpartoftheroom，Boldwoodthereuponclosingthesashandtheshutters，andremaininginsidewithher。Oakwanderedawayunderthequietandscentedtrees。RecoveringfromthesofterimpressionsproducedbyBathsheba’svoice，theshearersrosetoleave，CogganturningtoPennywaysashepushedbackthebenchtopassout：

`Iliketogivepraisewherepraiseisdue，andthemandeservesit-that`adoso，’heremarked，lookingattheworthythiefasifhewerethemasterpieceofsomeworld-renownedartist。

`I’msureIshouldneverhavebelieveditifwehadn’tprovedit，sotoallude，’hiccuppedJosephPoorgrass，`thateverycup，everyoneofthebestknivesandforks，andeveryemptybottlebeintheirplaceasperfectnowasatthebeginning，andnotonestoleatall。’

`I’msureIdon’tdeservehalfthepraiseyougiveme，’saidthevirtuousthiefgrimly。

`Well，I’llsaythisforPennyways，’addedCoggan，`thatwheneverhedoreallymakeuphismindtodoanoblethingintheshapeofagoodaction，asIcouldseebyhisfacehedidto-nightaforesittingdown，he’sgenerallyabletocarryitout。Yes，I’mproudtosay，neighbours，thathe’sstolenothingatall。’

`Well，’tisanhonestdeed，andwethankyeforit，Pennyways，’saidJoseph；towhichopiniontheremainderofthecompanysubscribedunanimously。

Atthistimeofdeparture，whennothingmorewasvisibleoftheinsideoftheparlourthanathinandstillchinkoflightbetweentheshutters，apassionatescenewasincourseofenactmentthere。

MissEverdeneandBoldwoodwerealone。Hercheekshadlostagreatdealoftheirhealthfulfirefromtheveryseriousnessofherposition；buthereyewasbrightwiththeexcitementofatriumph-thoughitwasatriumphwhichhadratherbeencontemplatedthandesired。

Shewasstandingbehindalowarm-chair，fromwhichshehadjustrisen，andhewaskneelinginit-inclininghimselfoveritsbacktowardsher，andholdingherhandinbothherown。Hisbodymovedrestlessly，anditwaswithwhatKeatsdaintilycallsatoohappyhappiness。Thisunwontedabstractionbyloveofalldignityfromamanofwhomithadeverseemedthechiefcomponent，was，initsdistressingincongruity，apaintoherwhichquenchedmuchofthepleasureshederivedfromtheproofthatshewasidolized。

`Iwilltrytoloveyou，’shewassaying，inatremblingvoicequiteunlikeherusualself-confidence。`AndifIcanbelieveinanywaythatIshallmakeyouagoodwifeIshallindeedbewillingtomarryyou。But，MrBoldwood，hesitationonsohighamatterishonourableinanywoman，andIdon’twanttogiveasolemnpromisetonight。Iwould，ratheraskyoutowaitafewweekstillIcanseemysituationbetter。’

`Butyouhaveeveryreasontobelievethatthen——’

`Ihaveeveryreasontohopethatattheendofthefiveorsixweeks，betweenthistimeandharvest，thatyousayyouaregoingtobeawayfromhome，Ishallbeabletopromisetobeyourwife，’shesaidfirmly。`Butrememberthisdistinctly，Idon’tpromiseyet。’

`Itisenough；Idon’taskmore。Icanwaitonthosedearwords。Andnow，MissEverdene，good-night！’

`Good-night，’shesaidgraciously-almosttenderly；andBoldwoodwithdrewwithaserenesmile。