’No！’saidhe，shakinghishead。’Ijudgethembymyself。Iftherearecloudsinthesky，andIamgettinginthehayjustreadyforloading，andrainsuretocomeinthenight，IshouldlookilluponbrotherRobinsonifhecameintothefieldtospeakaboutseriousthings。’
’But，atanyrate，father，youdogoodtothewomen，andperhapstheyrepeatwhatyouhavesaidtothemtotheirhusbandsandchildren？’
’Itistobehopedtheydo，forIcannotreachthemendirectly;butthewomenareapttotarrybeforecomingtome，toputonribbonsandgauds;
asiftheycouldhearthemessageIbeartothembestintheirsmartclothes。
MrsDobsonto-day——Phillis，Iamthankfulthoudostnotcareforthevanitiesofdress！’
Phillisreddenedalittleasshesaid，inalowhumblevoice，——
’ButIdo，father，I’mafraid。IoftenwishIcouldwearpretty-colouredribbonsroundmythroatlikethesquire’sdaughters。’
’It’sbutnatural，minister！’saidhiswife;’I’mnotabovelikingasilkgownbetterthanacottononemyself！’
’Theloveofdressisatemptationandasnare，’saidhe，gravely。’Thetrueadornmentisameekandquietspirit。And，wife，’saidhe，asasuddenthoughtcrossedhismind，’inthatmatterI，too，havesinned。Iwantedtoaskyou，couldwenotsleepinthegreyroom，insteadofourown？’
’Sleepinthegreyroom？——changeourroomatthistimeo’day？’cousinHolmanasked，indismay。
’Yes，’saidhe。’Itwouldsavemefromadailytemptationtoanger。
Lookatmychin！’hecontinued;’Icutitthismorning——IcutitonWednesdaywhenIwasshaving;IdonotknowhowmanytimesIhavecutitoflate，andallfromimpatienceatseeingTimothyCooperathisworkintheyard。’
’He’sadownrightlazytyke！’saidcousinHolman。’He’snotworthhiswage。There’sbutlittlehecando，andwhathecando，hedoesbadly。’
’True，’saidtheminister。’Heisbut，sotospeak，ahalf-wit;andyethehasgotawifeandchildren。’
’Moreshameforhim！’
’Butthatispastchange。AndifIturnhimoff;nooneelsewilltakehimon。YetIcannothelpwatchinghimofamorningashegoessaunteringabouthisworkintheyard;andIwatch，andIwatch，tilltheoldAdamrisesstrongwithinmeathislazyways，andsomeday，Iamafraid，Ishallgodownandsendhimabouthisbusiness——letalonethewayinwhichhemakesmecutmyselfwhileIamshaving——andthenhiswifeandchildrenwillstarve。Iwishwecouldmovetothegreyroom。’
IdonotremembermuchmoreofmyfirstvisittotheHopeFarm。WewenttochapelinHeathbridge，slowlyanddecorouslywalkingalongthelanes，ruddyandtawnywiththecolouringofthecomingautumn。Theministerwalkedalittlebeforeus，hishandsbehindhisback，hisheadbentdown，thinkingaboutthediscoursetobedeliveredtohispeople，cousinHolmansaid;
andwespokelowandquietly，inordernottointerrupthisthoughts。ButIcouldnothelpnoticingtherespectfulgreetingswhichhereceivedfrombothrichandpooraswewentalong;greetingswhichheacknowledgedwithakindlywaveofhishand，butwithnowordsofreply。Aswedrewnearthetown，IcouldseesomeoftheyoungfellowswemetcastadmiringlooksonPhillis;andthatmademelooktoo。Shehadonawhitegown，andashortblacksilkcloak，accordingtothefashionoftheday。Astrawbonnetwithbrownribbonstrings;thatwasall。Butwhatherdresswantedincolour，hersweetbonnyfacehad。Thewalkmadehercheeksbloomliketherose;
theverywhitesofhereyeshadabluetingeinthem，andherdarkeyelashesbroughtoutthedepthoftheblueeyesthemselves。Heryellowhairwasputawayasstraightasitsnaturalcurlinesswouldallow。Ifshedidnotperceivetheadmirationsheexcited，IamsurecousinHolmandid;forshelookedasfierceandasproudaseverherquietfacecouldlook，guardinghertreasure，andyetgladtoperceivethatotherscouldseethatitwasatreasure。ThatafternoonIhadtoreturntoElthamtobereadyforthenextday’swork。Ifoundoutafterwardsthattheministerandhisfamilywereall’exercisedinspirit，’astowhethertheydidwellinaskingmetorepeatmyvisitsattheHopeFarm，seeingthatofnecessityImustreturntoElthamontheSabbath-day。However，theydidgoonaskingme，andI
wentonvisitingthem，whenevermyotherengagementspermittedme，MrHoldsworthbeinginthiscase，asinall，akindandindulgentfriend。Nordidmynewacquaintancesousthimfrommystrongregardandadmiration。Ihadroominmyheartforall，Iamhappytosay，andasfarasIcanremember，Ikeptpraisingeachtotheotherinamannerwhich，ifIhadbeenanolderman，livingmoreamongstpeopleoftheworld，Ishouldhavethoughtunwise，aswellasalittleridiculous。Itwasunwise，certainly，asitwasalmostsuretocausedisappointmentifevertheydidbecomeacquainted;andperhapsitwasridiculous，thoughIdonotthinkweanyofusthoughtitsoatthetime。TheministerusedtolistentomyaccountsofMrHoldsworth’smanyaccomplishmentsandvariousadventuresintravelwiththetruestinterest，andmostkindlygoodfaith;andMrHoldsworthinreturnlikedtohearaboutmyvisitstothefarm，anddescriptionofmycousin’slifethere——likedit，Imean，asmuchashelikedanythingthatwasmerelynarrative，withoutleadingtoaction。
SoIwenttothefarmcertainly，onanaverage，onceamonthduringthatautumn;thecourseoflifetherewassopeacefulandquiet，thatI
canonlyrememberonesmallevent，andthatwasonethatIthinkItookmorenoticeofthananyoneelse：Phillisleftoffwearingthepinaforesthathadalwaysbeensoobnoxioustome;Idonotknowwhytheywerebanished，butononeofmyvisitsIfoundthemreplacedbyprettylinenapronsinthemorning，andablacksilkoneintheafternoon。Andthebluecottongownbecameabrownstuffoneaswinterdrewon;thissoundslikesomebookIonceread，inwhichamigrationfromthebluebedtothebrownwasspokenofasagreatfamilyevent。
TowardsChristmasmydearfathercametoseeme，andtoconsultMrHoldsworthabouttheimprovementwhichhassincebeenknownas’Manning’sdrivingwheel’。MrHoldsworth，asIthinkIhavebeforesaid，hadaverygreatregardformyfather，whohadbeenemployedinthesamegreatmachine-shopinwhichMrHoldsworthhadservedhisapprenticeship;andheandmyfatherhadmanymutualjokesaboutoneofthesegentlemen-apprenticeswhousedtosetabouthissmith’sworkinwhitewash-leathergloves，forfearofspoilinghishands。MrHoldsworthoftenspoketomeaboutmyfatherashavingthesamekindofgeniusformechanicalinventionasthatofGeorgeStephenson，andmyfatherhadcomeovernowtoconsulthimaboutseveralimprovements，aswellasanofferofpartnership。Itwasagreatpleasuretometoseethemutualregardofthesetwomen。MrHoldsworth，young，handsome，keen，well-dressed，anobjectofadmirationtoalltheyouthofEltham;myfather，inhisdecentbutunfashionableSundayclothes，hisplain，sensiblefacefullofhardlines，themarksoftoilandthought，——hishands，blackenedbeyondthepowerofsoapandwaterbyyearsoflabourinthefoundry;speakingastrongNortherndialect，whileMrHoldsworthhadalongsoftdrawlinhisvoice，asmanyoftheSouthernershave，andwasreckonedinElthamtogivehimselfairs。
Althoughmostofmyfather’sleisuretimewasoccupiedwithconversationsaboutthebusinessIhavementioned，hefeltthatheoughtnottoleaveElthamwithoutgoingtopayhisrespectstotherelationswhohadbeensokindtohisson。SoheandIranuponanenginealongtheincompletelineasfarasHeathbridge，andwent，byinvitation，tospendadayatthefarm。
Itwasoddandyetpleasanttometoperceivehowthesetwomen，eachhavingleduptothispointsuchtotallydissimilarlives，seemedtocometogetherbyinstinct，afteronequietstraightlookintoeachother’sfaces。
Myfatherwasathin，wirymanoffivefootseven;theministerwasabroad-shouldered，fresh-colouredmanofsixfootone;theywereneitherofthemgreattalkersingeneral——perhapstheministerthemostso——buttheyspokemuchtoeachother。Myfatherwentintothefieldswiththeminister;IthinkIseehimnow，withhishandsbehindhisback，listeningintentlytoallexplanationsoftillage，andthedifferentprocessesoffarming;occasionallytakingupanimplement，asifunconsciously，andexaminingitwithacriticaleye，andnowandthenaskingaquestion，whichIcouldseewasconsideredaspertinentbyhiscompanion。Thenwereturnedtolookatthecattle，housedandbeddedinexpectationofthesnow-stormhangingblackonthewesternhorizon，andmyfatherlearnedthepointsofacowwithasmuchattentionasifhemeanttoturnfarmer。Hehadhislittlebookthatheusedformechanicalmemorandaandmeasurementsinhispocket，andhetookitouttowritedown’straightback’，smallmuzzle’，’deepbarrel’，andIknownotwhatelse，underthehead’cow’。Hewasverycriticalonaturnip-cuttingmachine，theclumsinessofwhichfirstincitedhimtotalk;andwhenwewentintothehousehesatethinkingandquietforabit，whilePhillisandhermothermadethelastpreparationsfortea，withalittleunheededapologyfromcousinHolman，becausewewerenotsittinginthebestparlour，whichshethoughtmightbechillyonsocoldanight。Iwantednothingbetterthantheblazing，cracklingfirethatsentaglowoverallthehouse-place，andwarmedthesnowyflagsunderourfeettilltheyseemedtohavemoreheatthanthecrimsonrugrightinfrontofthefire。Aftertea，asPhillisandIweretalkingtogetherveryhappily，IheardanirrepressibleexclamationfromcousinHolman，——
’Whateveristhemanabout！’
Andonlookinground，Isawmyfathertakingastraightburningstickoutofthefire，and，afterwaitingforaminute，andexaminingthecharredendtoseeifitwasfittedforhispurpose，hewenttothehard-wooddresser，scouredtothelastpitchofwhitenessandcleanliness，andbegandrawingwiththestick;thebestsubstituteforchalkorcharcoalwithinhisreach，forhispocket-bookpencilwasnotstrongorboldenoughforhispurpose。
Whenhehaddone，hebegantoexplainhisnewmodelofaturnip-cuttingmachinetotheminister，whohadbeenwatchinghiminsilenceallthetime。
CousinHolmanhad，inthemeantime，takenadusteroutofadrawer，and，underpretenceofbeingasmuchinterestedasherhusbandinthedrawing，wassecretlytryingonanoutsidemarkhoweasilyitwouldcomeoff，andwhetheritwouldleaveherdresseraswhiteasbefore。ThenPhilliswassentforthebookondynamicsaboutwhichIhadbeenconsultedduringmyfirstvisit，andmyfatherhadtoexplainmanydifficulties，whichhedidinlanguageasclearashismind，makingdrawingswithhisstickwherevertheywereneededasillustrations，theministersittingwithhismassiveheadrestingonhishands，hiselbowsonthetable，almostunconsciousofPhillis，leaningoverandlisteninggreedily，withherhandonhisshoulder，suckingininformationlikeherfather’sowndaughter。IwasrathersorryforcousinHolman;Ihadbeensoonceortwicebefore;fordowhatshewould，shewascompletelyunableeventounderstandthepleasureherhusbandanddaughtertookinintellectualpursuits，muchlesstocareintheleastherselfforthepursuitsthemselves，andwasthusunavoidablythrownoutofsomeoftheirinterests。Ihadonceortwicethoughtshewasalittlejealousofherownchild，asafittercompanionforherhusbandthanshewasherself;andIfanciedtheministerhimselfwasawareofthisfeeling，forIhadnoticedanoccasionalsuddenchangeofsubject，andatendernessofappealinhisvoiceashespoketoher，whichalwaysmadeherlookcontentedandpeacefulagain。IdonotthinkthatPhilliseverperceivedtheselittleshadows;inthefirstplace，shehadsuchcompletereverenceforherparentsthatshelistenedtothembothasiftheyhadbeenStPeterandStPaul;
andbesides，shewasalwaystoomuchengrossedwithanymatterinhandtothinkaboutotherpeople’smannersandlooks。
ThisnightIcouldsee，thoughshedidnot，howmuchshewaswinningonmyfather。Sheaskedafewquestionswhichshowedthatshehadfollowedhisexplanationsuptothatpoint;possibly，too，herunusualbeautymighthavesomethingtodowithhisfavourableimpressionofher;buthemadenoscrupleofexpressinghisadmirationofhertoherfatherandmotherinherabsencefromtheroom;andfromthateveningIdateaprojectofhiswhichcameouttomeadayortwoafterwards，aswesateinmylittlethree-corneredroominEltham。
’Paul，’hebegan，’Ineverthoughttobearichman;butIthinkit’scominguponme。Somefolkaremakingadealofmynewmachine（callingitbyitstechnicalname），andEllison，oftheBoroughGreenWorks，hasgonesofarastoaskmetobehispartner。’
’MrEllisontheJustice！——wholivesinKingStreet？why，hedriveshiscarriage！’saidI，doubting，yetexultant。
’Aye，lad，JohnEllison。Butthat’snosignthatIshalldrivemycarriage。
ThoughIshouldliketosavethymotherwalking，forshe’snotsoyoungasshewas。Butthat’salongwayoff;anyhow。IreckonIshouldstartwithathirdprofit。Itmightbesevenhundred，oritmightbemore。I
shouldliketohavethepowertoworkoutsomefancieso’mine。Icareforthatmuchmorethanforth’brass。AndEllisonhasnolads;andbynaturethebusinesswouldcometotheeincourseo’time。Ellison’slassesarebutbitso’things，andarenotliketocomebyhusbandsjustyet;
andwhentheydo，maybethey’llnotbeinthemechanicalline。Itwillbeanopeningforthee，lad，ifthouartsteady。Thou’rtnotgreatshakes，Iknow，inth’inventingline;butmanyaonegetsonbetterwithouthavingfanciesforsomethinghedoesnotseeandneverhasseen。I’mrightdowngladtoseethatmother’scousinsaresuchuncommonfolkforsenseandgoodness。Ihavetakentheministertomyheartlikeabrother;andsheisawomanlyquietsortofabody。AndI’lltellyoufrank，Paul，itwillbeahappydayformeifeveryoucancomeandtellmethatPhillisHolmanisliketobemydaughter。Ithinkifthatlasshadnotapenny，shewouldbethemakingofaman;andshe’llhaveyonhouseandlands，andyoumaybehermatchyetinfortuneifallgoeswell。’
Iwasgrowingasredasfire;Ididnotknowwhattosay，andyetI
wantedtosaysomething;buttheideaofhavingawifeofmyownatsomefutureday，thoughithadoftenfloatedaboutinmyownhead，soundedsostrangewhenitwasthusfirstspokenaboutbymyfather。Hesawmyconfusion，andhalfsmilingsaid，——
’Well，lad，whatdostsaytotheoldfather’splans？Thouartbutyoung，tobesure;butwhenIwasthyage，Iwouldha’givenmyrighthandifImightha’thoughtofthechanceofweddingthelassIcaredfor——’
’Mymother？’askedI，alittlestruckbythechangeofhistoneofvoice。
’No！notthymother。Thymotherisaverygoodwoman——nonebetter。No！
thelassIcaredforatnineteenne’erknewhowIlovedher，andayearortwoafterandshewasdead，andne’erknew。Ithinkshewouldha’beengladtoha’knownit，poorMolly;butIhadtoleavetheplacewherewelivedfortotrytoearnmybreadandImeanttocomebackbutbeforeeverIdid，shewasdeadandgone：Iha’nevergonetheresince。ButifyoufancyPhillisHolman，andcangethertofancyyou，mylad，itshallgodifferentwithyou，Paul，towhatitdidwithyourfather。’
Itookcounselwithmyselfveryrapidly，andIcametoaclearconclusion。
’Father，’saidI，’ifIfanciedPhilliseversomuch，shewouldneverfancyme。IlikeherasmuchasIcouldlikeasister;andshelikesmeasifIwereherbrother——heryoungerbrother。’
Icouldseemyfather’scountenancefallalittle。
’Youseeshe’ssoclevershe’smorelikeamanthanawoman——sheknowsLatinandGreek。’
’She’dforget’em，ifshe’dahousefulofchildren，’wasmyfather’scommentonthis。
’Butsheknowsmanyathingbesides，andiswiseaswellaslearned;
shehasbeensomuchwithherfather。Shewouldneverthinkmuchofme，andIshouldlikemywifetothinkadealofherhusband。’
’Itisnotjustbook-learningorthewantofitasmakesawifethinkmuchorlittleofherhusband，’repliedmyfather，evidentlyunwillingtogiveupaprojectwhichhadtakendeeprootinhismind。’It’sasomethingIdon’trightlyknowhowtocallit——ifhe’smanly，andsensible，andstraightforward;
andIreckonyou’rethat，myboy。’
’Idon’tthinkIshouldliketohaveawifetallerthanIam，father，’
saidI，smiling;hesmiledtoo，butnotheartily。
’Well，’saidhe，afterapause。’It’sbutafewdaysI’vebeenthinkingofit，butI’dgotasfondofmynotionasifithadbeenanewengineasI’dbeenplanningout。Here’sourPaul，thinksItomyself，agoodsensiblebreedo’lad，ashasnevervexedortroubledhismotherorme;withagoodbusinessopeningoutbeforehim，agenineteen，notsobad-looking，thoughperhapsnottocallhandsome，andhere’shiscousin，nottoonearcousin，butjustnice，asonemaysay;agedseventeen，goodandtrue，andwellbroughtuptoworkwithherhandsaswellasherhead;ascholar——butthatcan’tbehelped，andismorehermisfortunethanherfault，seeingsheistheonlychildofscholar——andasIsaidafore，onceshe’sawifeandashe’llforgetitall，I’llbebound——withagoodfortuneinlandandhousewhenitshallpleasetheLordtotakeherparentstohimself;witheyeslikepoorMolly’sforbeauty，acolourthatcomesandgoesonamilk-whiteskin，andasprettyamouth——，’Why，MrManning，whatfairladyareyoudescribing？’askedMrHoldsworth，whohadcomequicklyandsuddenlyuponourtête-à-tête，andhadcaughtmyfather’slastwordsasheenteredtheroom。BothmyfatherandIfeltratherabashed;itwassuchanoddsubjectforustobetalkingabout;butmyfather，likeastraightforwardsimplemanashewas，spokeoutthetruth。
’I’vebeentellingPaulofEllison’soffer，andsayinghowgoodanopeningitmadeforhim——’
’IwishI’dasgood，’saidMrHoldsworth。’Buthasthebusinessa\"prettymouth\"？
’You’realwayssofullofyourjoking，MrHoldsworth，’saidmyfather。
’IwasgoingtosaythatifheandhiscousinPhillisHolmanlikedtomakeitupbetweenthem，Iwouldputnospokeinthewheel。’
’PhillisHolman！’saidMrHoldsworth。’Isshethedaughteroftheminister-farmeroutatHeathbridge？HaveIbeenhelpingonthecourseoftruelovebylettingyougotheresooften？Iknewnothingofit。’
’Thereisnothingtoknow，’saidI，moreannoyedthanIchosetoshow。
’Thereisnomoretrueloveinthecasethanmaybebetweenthefirstbrotherandsisteryoumaychoosetomeet。Ihavebeentellingfathershewouldneverthinkofme;she’sagreatdealtallerandcleverer;andI’dratherbetallerandmorelearnedthanmywifewhenIhaveone。’
’Anditisshe，then，thathastheprettymouthyourfatherspokeabout？
Ishouldthinkthatwouldbeanantidotetotheclevernessandlearning。
ButIoughttoapologizeforbreakinginuponyourlastnight;Icameuponbusinesstoyourfather。’
Andthenheandmyfatherbegantotalkaboutmanythingsthathadnointerestformejustthen，andIbegantogooveragainmyconversationwithmyfather。ThemoreIthoughtaboutit，themoreIfeltthatIhadspokentrulyaboutmyfeelingstowardsPhillisHolman。Ilovedherdearlyasasister，butIcouldneverfancyherasmywife。StilllesscouldI
thinkofherever——yes，condescending，thatistheword——condescendingtomarryme。IwasrousedfromareverieonwhatIshouldlikemypossiblewifetobe，byhearingmyfather’swarmpraiseoftheminister，asamostunusualcharacter;howtheyhadgotbackfromthediameterofdriving-wheelstothesubjectoftheHolmansIcouldnevertell;butIsawthatmyfather’sweightypraiseswereexcitingsomecuriosityinMrHoldsworth’smind;indeed，hesaid，almostinavoiceofreproach，——
’Why，Paul，younevertoldmewhatkindofafellowthisminister-cousinofyourswas！’
’Idon’tknowthatIfoundout，sir，’saidI。’ButifIhad，Idon’tthinkyou’dhavelistenedtome，asyouhavedonetomyfather。’
’No！mostlikelynot，oldfellow，’repliedMrHoldsworth，laughing。
AndagainandafreshIsawwhatahandsomepleasantclearfacehiswas;
andthoughthiseveningIhadbeenabitputoutwithhim——throughhissuddencoming，andhishavingheardmyfather’sopen-heartedconfidence——myheroresumedallhisempireovermebyhisbrightmerrylaugh。
Andifhehadnotresumedhisoldplacethatnight，hewouldhavedonesothenextday，when，aftermyfather’sdeparture，MrHoldsworthspokeabouthimwithsuchjustrespectforhischaracter，suchungrudgingadmirationofhisgreatmechanicalgenius，thatIwascompelledtosay，almostunawares，——
’Thankyou，sir。Iamverymuchobligedtoyou。’
’Oh，you’renotatall。Iamonlyspeakingthetruth。Here’saBirminghamworkman，self-educated，onemaysay——havingneverassociatedwithstimulatingminds，orhadwhatadvantagestravelandcontactwiththeworldmaybesupposedtoafford——workingouthisownthoughtsintosteelandiron，makingascientificnameforhimself——afortune，ifitpleaseshimtoworkformoney——andkeepinghissinglenessofheart，hisperfectsimplicityofmanner;
itputsmeoutofpatiencetothinkofmyexpensiveschooling，mytravelshitherandthither，myheapsofscientificbooks，andIhavedonenothingtospeakof。Butit’sevidentlygoodblood;there’sthatMrHolman，thatcousinofyours，madeofthesamestuff’
’Buthe’sonlycousinbecausehemarriedmymother’ssecondcousin，’
saidI。
’Thatknocksaprettytheoryonthehead，andtwiceover，too。IshouldliketomakeHolman’sacquaintance。’
’IamsuretheywouldbesogladtoseeyouatHopeFarm，’saidI，eagerly。
’Infact，they’veaskedmetobringyouseveraltimes：onlyIthoughtyouwouldfinditdull。’
’Notatall。Ican’tgoyetthough，evenifyoudogetmeaninvitation;
forthe————Companywantmetogotothe————Valley，andlookoverthegroundabitforthem，toseeifitwoulddoforabranchline;it’sajobwhichmaytakemeawayforsometime;butIshallbebackwardsandforwards，andyou’requiteuptodoingwhatisneededinmyabsence;theonlyworkthatmaybebeyondyouiskeepingoldJevonsfromdrinking。’
Hewentongivingmedirectionsaboutthemanagementofthemenemployedontheline，andnomorewassaidthen，orforseveralmonths，abouthisgoingtoRopeFarm。Hewentoffinto————Valley，adarkovershadoweddale，wherethesunseemedtosetbehindthehillsbeforefouro’clockonmidsummerafternoon。
Perhapsitwasthisthatbroughtontheattackoflowfeverwhichhehadsoonafterthebeginningofthenewyear;hewasveryillformanyweeks，almostmanymonths;amarriedsister——hisonlyrelation，Ithink——camedownfromLondontonursehim，andIwentovertohimwhenIcould，toseehim，andgivehim’masculinenews，’ashecalledit;reportsoftheprogressoftheline，which，Iamgladtosay，Iwasabletocarryoninhisabsence，intheslowgradualwaywhichsuitedthecompanybest，whiletradewasinalanguidstate，andmoneydearinthemarket。Ofcourse，withthisoccupationformyscantyleisure，IdidnotoftengoovertoHopeFarm。WheneverIdidgo，Imetwithathoroughwelcome;andmanyinquiriesweremadeastoHoldsworth’sillness，andtheprogressofhisrecovery。
Atlength，inJuneIthinkitwas，hewassufficientlyrecoveredtocomebacktohislodgingsatEltham，andresumepartatleastofhiswork。
Hissister，MrsRobinson，hadbeenobligedtoleavehimsomeweeksbefore，owingtosomeepidemicamongstherownchildren。AslongasIhadseenMrHoldsworthintheroomsatthelittleinnatHensleydale，whereIhadbeenaccustomedtolookuponhimasaninvalid，Ihadnotbeenawareofthevisibleshakehisfeverhadgiventohishealth。But，oncebackintheoldlodgings，whereIhadalwaysseenhimsobuoyant，eloquent，decided，andvigorousinformerdays，myspiritssankatthechangeinonewhomIhadalwaysregardedwithastrongfeelingofadmiringaffection。Hesankintosilenceanddespondencyaftertheleastexertion;heseemedasifhecouldnotmakeuphismindtoanyaction，orelsethat，whenitwasmadeup，helackedstrengthtocarryouthispurpose。Ofcourse，itwasbutthenaturalstateofslowconvalescence，aftersosharpanillness;
but，atthetime，Ididnotknowthis，andperhapsIrepresentedhisstateasmoreseriousthanitwastomykindrelationsatHopeFarm;who，intheirgrave，simple，eagerway，immediatelythoughtoftheonlyhelptheycouldgive。
’Bringhimouthere，’saidtheminister。’Ourairhereisgoodtoaproverb;theJunedaysarefine;hemayloiterawayhistimeinthehay-field，andthesweetsmellswillbeabalminthemselves——betterthanphysic。’
’And，’saidcousinHolman，scarcelywaitingforherhusbandtofinishhissentence，’tellhimthereisnewmilkandfresheggstobehadfortheasking;it’sluckyDaisyhasjustcalved，forhermilkisalwaysasgoodasothercows’cream;andthereistheplaidroomwiththemorningsunallstreamingin。’
Phillissaidnothing，butlookedasmuchinterestedintheprojectasanyone。Itookituponmyself。Iwantedthemtoseehim;himtoknowthem。
IproposedittohimwhenIgothome。Hewastoolanguidaftertheday’sfatigue，tobewillingtomakethelittleexertionofgoingamongststrangers;
anddisappointedmebyalmostdecliningtoaccepttheinvitationIbrought。
Thenextmorningitwasdifferent;heapologizedforhisungraciousnessofthenightbefore;andtoldmethathewouldgetallthingsintrain，soastobereadytogooutwithmetoHopeFarmonthefollowingSaturday。
’Foryoumustgowithme，Manning，’saidhe;’Iusedtobeasimpudentafellowasneedbe，andratherlikedgoingamongststrangers，andmakingmyway;butsincemyillnessIamalmostlikeagirl，andturnhotandcoldwithshyness，astheydo，Ifancy。’
Soitwasfixed。WeweretogoouttoHopeFarmonSaturdayafternoon;
anditwasalsounderstoodthatiftheairandthelifesuitedMrHoldsworth，hewastoremainthereforaweekortendays，doingwhatworkhecouldatthatendoftheline，whileItookhisplaceatElthamtothebestofmyability。Igrewalittlenervous，asthetimedrewnear，andwonderedhowthebrilliantHoldsworthwouldagreewiththequietquaintfamilyoftheminister;howtheywouldlikehim，andmanyofhishalf-foreignways。
Itriedtopreparehim，bytellinghimfromtimetotimelittlethingsaboutthegoings-onatHopeFarm。
’Manning，’saidhe，’Iseeyoudon’tthinkIamhalfgoodenoughforyourfriends。Outwithit，man。’
’No，’Ireplied，boldly。’Ithinkyouaregood;butIdon’tknowifyouarequiteoftheirkindofgoodness。’
’Andyou’vefoundoutalreadythatthereisgreaterchanceofdisagreementbetweentwo\"kindsofgoodness\"，eachhavingitsownideaofright，thanbetweenagivengoodnessandamoderatedegreeofnaughtiness——whichlastoftenarisesfromanindifferencetoright？’
’Idon’tknow。Ithinkyou’retalkingmetaphysics，andIamsurethatisbadforyou。’
’\"Whenamantalkstoyouinawaythatyoudon’tunderstandaboutathingwhichhedoesnotunderstand，them’smetaphysics。\"Youremembertheclown’sdefinition，don’tyou，Manning？’
’No，Idon’t，’saidI。’ButwhatIdounderstandis，thatyoumustgotobed;andtellmeatwhattimewemuststarttomorrow，thatImaygotoHepworth，andgetthoseletterswrittenweweretalkingaboutthismorning。’
’Waittillto-morrow，andletusseewhatthedayislike，’heanswered，withsuchlanguidindecisionasshowedmehewasover-fatigued。SoIwentmyway。
Themorrowwasblueandsunny，andbeautiful;theveryperfectionofanearlysummer’sday。MrHoldsworthwasallImpatiencetobeoffintothecountry;morninghadbroughtbackhisfreshnessandstrength，andconsequenteagernesstobedoing。Iwasafraidweweregoingtomycousin’sfarmrathertooearly，beforetheywouldexpectus;butwhatcouldIdowithsucharestlessvehementmanasHoldsworthwasthatmorning？WecamedownupontheHopeFarmbeforethedewwasoffthegrassontheshadysideofthelane;thegreathouse-dogwasloose，baskinginthesun，neartheclosedsidedoor。Iwassurprisedatthisdoorbeingshut，forallsummerlongitwasopenfrommorningtonight;butitwasonlyonlatch。Iopenedit，Roverwatchingmewithhalf-suspicious，half-trustfuleyes。Theroomwasempty。
’Idon’tknowwheretheycanbe，’saidI。’ButcomeinandsitdownwhileIgoandlookforthem。Youmustbetired。’
’NotI。Thissweetbalmyairislikeathousandtonics。Besides，thisroomishot，andsmellsofthosepungentwood-ashes。Whatarewetodo？’
’Goroundtothekitchen。Bettywilltelluswheretheyare。’
Sowewentroundintothefarmyard，Roveraccompanyingusoutofagravesenseofduty。Bettywaswashingouthermilk-pansinthecoldbubblingspring-waterthatconstantlytrickledinandoutofastonetrough。Insuchweatherasthismostofherkitchen-workwasdoneoutofdoors。
’Eh，dear！’saidshe，’theministerandmissusisawayatHornby！Theyne’erthoughtofyourcomingsobetimes！Themissushadsomeerrandstodo，andshethoughtasshe’dwalkwiththeministerandbebackbydinner-time。’
’Didnottheyexpectustodinner？’saidI。
’Well，theydid，andtheydidnot，asImaysay。Missussaidtomethecoldlambwoulddowellenoughifyoudidnotcome;andifyoudidIwastoputonachickenandsomebacontoboil;andI’llgodoitnow，foritishardtoboilbaconenough。’
’AndisPhillisgone，too？’MrHoldsworthwasmakingfriendswithRover。
’No！She’sjustsomewhereabout。Ireckonyou’llfindherinthekitchen-garden，gettingpeas。
’Letusgothere，’saidHolsworth，suddenlyleavingoffhisplaywiththedog。
SoIledthewayintothekitchen-garden。Itwasinthefirstpromiseofasummerprofuseinvegetablesandfruits。Perhapsitwasnotsomuchcaredforasotherpartsoftheproperty;butitwasmoreattendedtothanmostkitchen-gardensbelongingtofarm-houses。Therewerebordersofflowersalongeachsideofthegravelwalks;andtherewasanoldshelteringwailonthenorthsidecoveredwithtolerablychoicefruit-trees;therewasaslopedowntothefish-pondattheend，wherethereweregreatstrawberry-beds;
andraspberry-bushesandrose-bushesgrewwherevertherewasaspace;itseemedachancewhichhadbeenplanted。Longrowsofpeasstretchedatrightanglesfromthemainwalk，andIsawPhillisstoopingdownamongthem，beforeshesawus。Assoonassheheardourcranchingstepsonthegravel，shestoodup，andshadinghereyesfromthesun，recognizedus。
Shewasquitestillforamoment，andthencameslowlytowardsus，blushingalittlefromevidentshyness。IhadneverseenPhillisshybefore。
’ThisisMrHoldsworth，Phillis，’saidI，assoonasIhadshakenhandswithher。Sheglancedupathim，andthenlookeddown，moreflushedthaneverathisgrandformalityoftakinghishatoffandbowing;suchmannershadneverbeenseenatHopeFarmbefore。
’Fatherandmotherareout。Theywillbesosorry;youdidnotwrite，Paul，asyousaidyouwould。’
’Itwasmyfault，’saidHoldsworth，understandingwhatshemeantaswellasifshehadputitmorefullyintowords。’Ihavenotyetgivenupalltheprivilegesofaninvalid;oneofwhichisindecision。Lastnight，whenyourcousinaskedmeatwhattimeweweretostart，Ireallycouldnotmakeupmymind。’
Phillisseemedasifshecouldnotmakeuphermindastowhattodowithus。Itriedtohelpher，——
’Haveyoufinishedgettingpeas？’takingholdofthehalf-filledbasketshewasunconsciouslyholdinginherhand;’ormaywestayandhelpyou？’
’Ifyouwould。Butperhapsitwilltireyou，sir？’addedshe，speakingnowtoHoldsworth。
’Notabit，’saidhe。’Itwillcarrymebacktwentyyearsinmylife，whenIusedtogatherpeasinmygrandfather’sgarden。IsupposeImayeatafewasIgoalong？’
’Certainly，sir。Butifyouwenttothestrawberry-bedsyouwouldfindsomestrawberriesripe，andPaulcanshowyouwheretheyare。’
’Iamafraidyoudistrustme。IcanassureyouIknowtheexactfulnessatwhichpeasshouldbegathered。Itakegreatcarenottopluckthemwhentheyareunripe。Iwillnotbeturnedoff，asunfitformywork。’
Thiswasastyleofhalf-jokingtalkthatPhilliswasnotaccustomedto。Shelookedforamomentasifshewouldhavelikedtodefendherselffromtheplayfulchargeofdistrustmadeagainsther，butsheendedbynotsayingaword。Weallpluckedourpeasinbusysilenceforthenextfiveminutes。ThenHoldsworthliftedhimselfupfrombetweentherows，andsaid，alittlewearily，’IamafraidImuststrikework。IamnotasstrongasIfanciedmyself。’
Philliswasfullofpenitenceimmediately。Hedid，indeed，lookpale;
andsheblamedherselfforhavingallowedhimtohelpher。
’Itwasverythoughtlessofme。Ididnotknow——Ithought，perhaps，youreallylikedit。Ioughttohaveofferedyousomethingtoeat，sir！
Oh，Paul，wehavegatheredquiteenough;howstupidIwastoforgetthatMrHoldsworthhadbeenill！’Andinablushinghurrysheledthewaytowardsthehouse。Wewentin，andshemovedaheavycushionedchairforwards，intowhichHoldsworthwasonlytoogladtosink。Thenwithdeftandquietspeedshebroughtinalittletray，wine，water，cake，home-madebread，andnewly-churnedbutter。Shestoodbyinsomeanxietytill，afterbiteandsup，thecolourreturnedtoMrHoldsworth’sface，andhewouldfainhavemadeussomelaughingapologiesforthefrighthehadgivenus。ButthenPhillisdrewbackfromherinnocentshowofcareandinterest，andrelapsedintothecoldshynesshabitualtoherwhenshewasfirstthrownintothecompanyofstrangers。Shebroughtoutthelastweek’scountypaper（whichMrHoldsworthhadreadfivedaysago），andthenquietlywithdrew;
andthenhesubsidedintolanguor，leaningbackandshuttinghiseyesasifhewouldgotosleep。IstoleintothekitchenafterPhillis;butshehadmadetheroundofthecornerofthehouseoutside，andIfoundhersittingonthehorse-mount，withherbasketofpeas，andabasinintowhichshewasshellingthem。Roverlayatherfeet，snappingnowandthenattheflies。Iwenttoher，andtriedtohelpher，butsomehowthesweetcrispyoungpeasfoundtheirwaymorefrequentlyintomymouththanintothebasket，whilewetalkedtogetherinalowtone，fearfulofbeingoverheardthroughtheopencasementsofthehouse-placeinwhichHoldsworthwasresting。
’Don’tyouthinkhimhandsome？’askedI。
’Perhaps——yes——Ihavehardlylookedathim，’shereplied’Butisnotheverylikeaforeigner？’
’Yes，hecutshishairforeignfashion，’saidI。
’IlikeanEnglishmantolooklikeanEnglishman。’
’Idon’tthinkhethinksaboutit。HesayshebeganthatwaywhenhewasinItaly，becauseeverybodyworeitso，anditisnaturaltokeepitoninEngland。’
’NotifhebeganitinItalybecauseeverybodythereworeitso。Everybodyherewearsitdifferently。’
IwasalittleoffendedwithPhillis’slogicalfault-findingwithmyfriend;andIdeterminedtochangethesubject。
’Whenisyourmothercominghome？’
’Ishouldthinkshemightcomeanytimenow;butshehadtogoandseeMrsMorton，whowasill，andshemightbekept，andnotbehometilldinner。
Don’tyouthinkyououghttogoandseehowMrHoldsworthisgoingon，Paul？Hemaybefaintagain。’
Iwentatherbidding;buttherewasnoneedforit。MrHoldsworthwasup，standingbythewindow，hishandsinhispockets;hehadevidentlybeenwatchingus。HeturnedawayasIentered。
’SothatisthegirlIfoundyourgoodfatherplanningforyourwife，Paul，thateveningwhenIinterruptedyou！Areyouofthesamecoymindstill？Itdidnotlooklikeitaminuteago。’
’PhillisandIunderstandeachother，’Ireplied，sturdily。’Wearelikebrotherandsister。Shewouldnothavemeasahusbandiftherewasnotanothermanintheworld;anditwouldtakeadealtomakemethinkofher——asmyfatherwishes’（somehowIdidnotliketosay’asawife’），’butweloveeachotherdearly。’
’Well，Iamrathersurprisedatit——notatyourlovingeachotherinabrother-and-sisterkindofway——butatyourfindingitsoimpossibletofallinlovewithsuchabeautifulwoman。’
Woman！beautifulwoman！IhadthoughtofPhillisasacomelybutawkwardgirl;andIcouldnotbanishthepinaforefrommymind’seyewhenItriedtopicturehertomyself。NowIturned，asMrHoldsworthhaddone，tolookatheragainoutofthewindow：shehadjustfinishedhertask，andwasstandingup，herbacktous，holdingthebasket，andthebasininit，highinair，outofRover’sreach，whowasgivingventtohisdelightattheprobabilityofachangeofplacebygladleapsandbarks，andsnatchesatwhatheimaginedtobeawithheldprize。Atlengthshegrewtiredoftheirmutualplay，andwithafeintofstrikinghim，anda’Down，Rover！
dohush！’shelookedtowardsthewindowwherewewerestanding，asiftoreassureherselfthatnoonehadbeendisturbedbythenoise，andseeingus，shecolouredallover，andhurriedaway，withRoverstillcurvinginsinuouslinesaboutherasshewalked。
’Ishouldliketohavesketchedher，’saidMrHoldsworth，asheturnedaway。Hewentbacktohischair，andrestedinsilenceforaminuteortwo。Thenhewasupagain。
’Iwouldgiveagooddealforabook，’hesaid。’Itwouldkeepmequiet。’
Hebegantolookround;therewereafewvolumesatoneendoftheshovel-board。
’FifthvolumeofMatthewHenry’sCommentary，’saidhe，readingtheirtitlesaloud。’Housewife’scompleteManual;BerridgeonPrayer;L’Inferno——Dante！’ingreatsurprise。’Why，whoreadsthis？’
’ItoldyouPhillisreadit。Don’tyouremember？SheknowsLatinandGreek，too。’
’Tobesure！Iremember！ButsomehowIneverputtwoandtwotogether。
Thatquietgirl，fullofhouseholdwork，isthewonderfulscholar，then，thatputyoutoroutwithherquestionswhenyoufirstbegantocomehere。
Tobesure，\"CousinPhillis！\"What’shere：apaperwiththehard，obsoletewordswrittenout。Iwonderwhatsortofadictionaryshehasgot。Barettiwon’ttellherallthesewords。Stay！Ihavegotapencilhere。I’llwritedownthemostacceptedmeanings，andsaveheralittletrouble。’
Sohetookherbookandthepaperbacktothelittleroundtable，andemployedhimselfinwritingexplanationsanddefinitionsofthewordswhichhadtroubledher。Iwasnotsureifhewasnottakingaliberty：itdidnotquitepleaseme，andyetIdidnotknowwhy。Hehadonlyjustdone，andreplacedthepaperinthebook，andputthelatterbackinitsplace，whenIheardthesoundofwheelsstoppinginthelane，andlookingout，IsawcousinHolmangettingoutofaneighbour’sgig，makingherlittlecurtseyofacknowledgment，andthencomingtowardsthehouse。Iwenttomeether。
’Oh，Paul！’saidshe，’IamsosorryIwaskept;andthenThomasDobsonsaidifIwouldwaitaquarterofanhourhewould——Butwhere’syourfriendMrHoldsworth？Ihopeheiscome？’
Justthenhecameout，andwithhispleasantcordialmannertookherhand，andthankedherforaskinghimtocomeoutheretogetstrong。
’I’msureIamverygladtoseeyou，sir。Itwastheminister’sthought。
Itookitintomyheadyouwouldbedullinourquiethouse，forPaulsaysyou’vebeensuchagreattraveller;buttheministersaidthatdulnesswouldperhapssuityouwhileyouwerebutailing，andthatIwastoaskPaultobehereasmuchashecould。Ihopeyou’llfindyourselfhappywithus，I’msure，sir。HasPhillisgivenyousomethingtoeatanddrink，Iwonder？there’sadealineatingalittleoften，ifonehastogetstrongafteranillness。’Andthenshebegantoquestionhimastothedetailsofhisindispositioninhersimple，motherlyway。Heseemedatoncetounderstandher，andtoenterintofriendlyrelationswithher。Itwasnotquitethesameintheeveningwhentheministercamehome。Menhavealwaysalittlenaturalantipathytogetoverwhentheyfirstmeetasstrangers。
Butinthiscaseeachwasdisposedtomakeanefforttoliketheother;
onlyeachwastoeachaspecimenofanunknownclass。IhadtoleavetheHopeFarmonSundayafternoon，asIhadMrHoldsworth’sworkaswellasmyowntolooktoinEltham;andIwasnotatallsurehowthingswouldgoonduringtheweekthatHoldsworthwastoremainonhisvisit;Ihadbeenonceortwiceinhotwateralreadyatthenearclashofopinionsbetweentheministerandmymuch-vauntedfriend。OntheWednesdayIreceivedashortnotefromHoldsworth;hewasgoingtostayon，andreturnwithmeonthefollowingSunday，andhewantedmetosendhimacertainlistofbooks，histheodolite，andothersurveyinginstruments，allofwhichcouldeasilybeconveyeddownthelinetoHeathbridge。Iwenttohislodgingsandpickedoutthebooks。Italian，Latin，trigonometry;aprettyconsiderableparceltheymade，besidestheimplements。IbegantobecuriousastothegeneralprogressofaffairsatHopeFarm，butIcouldnotgoovertilltheSaturday。AtHeathbridgeIfoundHoldsworth，cometomeetme。HewaslookingquiteadifferentmantowhatIhadlefthim;embrowned，sparklesinhiseyes，solanguidbefore。Itoldhimhowmuchstrongerhelooked。
’Yes！’saidhe。’Iamfidgingfaintobeatworkagain。LastweekI
dreadedthethoughtsofmyemployment：nowIamfullofdesiretobegin。
Thisweekinthecountryhasdonewondersforme。’
’Youhaveenjoyedyourself，then？’
’Oh！ithasbeenperfectinitsway。Suchathoroughcountrylife！andyetremovedfromthedulnesswhichIalwaysusedtofancyaccompaniedcountrylife，bytheextraordinaryintelligenceoftheminister。Ihavefallenintocallinghim\"theminister’’，likeeveryoneelse。’
’Yougetonwithhim，then？’saidI。’Iwasalittleafraid。’
’Iwasonthevergeofdispleasinghimonceortwice，Ifear，withrandomassertionsandexaggeratedexpressions，suchasonealwaysuseswithotherpeople，andthinksnothingof;butItriedtocheckmyselfwhenIsawhowitshockedthegoodman;andreallyitisverywholesomeexercise，thistryingtomakeone’swordsrepresentone’sthoughts，insteadofmerelylookingtotheireffectonothers。’
’Thenyouarequitefriendsnow？’Iasked。
’Yes，thoroughly;atanyrateasfarasIgo。Inevermetwithamanwithsuchadesireforknowledge。Ininformation，asfarasitcanbegainedfrombooks，hefarexceedsmeonmostsubjects;butthenIhavetravelledandseen——WerenotyousurprisedatthelistofthingsIsentfor？’
’Yes;Ithoughtitdidnotpromisemuchrest。’
’Oh！someofthebookswerefortheminister，andsomeforhisdaughter。
（IcallherPhillistomyself，butIuseXXinspeakingabouthertoothers。
Idon’tliketoseemfamiliar，andyetMissHolmanisatermIhaveneverheardused。）’
’IthoughttheItalianbookswereforher。’
’Yes！FancyhertryingatDanteforherfirstbookinItalian！IhadacapitalnovelbyManzoni，IPromessiSposi，justthethingforabeginner;andifshemuststillpuzzleoutDante，mydictionaryisfarbetterthanhers。’
’Thenshefoundoutyouhadwrittenthosedefinitionsonherlistofwords？’
’Oh！yes’——withasmileofamusementandpleasure。Hewasgoingtotellmewhathadtakenplace，butcheckedhimself。
’ButIdon’tthinktheministerwilllikeyourhavinggivenheranoveltoread？’
’Pooh！Whatcanbemoreharmless？Whymakeabugbearofaword？Itisasprettyandinnocentataleascanbemetwith。Youdon’tsupposetheytakeVirgilforgospel？’
Bythistimewewereatthefarm。IthinkPhillisgavemeawarmerwelcomethanusual，andcousinHolmanwaskindnessitself。YetsomehowIfeltasifIhadlostmyplace，andthatHoldsworthhadtakenit。Heknewallthewaysofthehouse;hewasfulloflittlefilialattentionstocousinHolman;
hetreatedPhilliswiththeaffectionatecondescensionofanelderbrother;
notabitmore;notinanywaydifferent。HequestionedmeabouttheprogressofaffairsinElthamwitheagerinterest。
’Ah！’saidcousinHolman，’you’llbespendingadifferentkindoftimenextweektowhatyouhavedonethis！Icanseehowbusyyou’llmakeyourself！
Butifyoudon’ttakecareyou’llbeillagain，andhavetocomebacktoourquietwaysofgoingon。
’DoyousupposeIshallneedtobeilltowishtocomebackhere？’heanswered，warmly。’IamonlyafraidyouhavetreatedmesokindlythatIshallalwaysbeturninguponyourhands。’
’That’sright，’shereplied。’Onlydon’tgoandmakeyourselfillbyover-work。Ihopeyou’llgoonwithacupofnewmilkeverymorning，forIamsurethatisthebestmedicine;andputateaspoonfulofruminit，ifyoulike;manyaonespeakshighlyofthat，onlywehadnoruminthehouse。’
IbroughtwithmeanatmosphereofactivelifewhichIthinkhehadbeguntomiss;anditwasnaturalthatheshouldseekmycompany，afterhisweekofretirement。OnceIsawPhillislookingatusaswetalkedtogetherwithakindofwistfulcuriosity;butassoonasshecaughtmyeye，sheturnedaway，blushingdeeply。
ThateveningIhadalittletalkwiththeminister。IstrolledalongtheHornbyroadtomeethim;forHoldsworthwasgivingPhillisanItalianlesson，andcousinHolmanhadfallenasleepoverherwork。
Somehow，andnotunwillinglyonmypart，ourtalkfellonthefriendwhomIhadintroducedtotheHopeFarm。
’Yes！Ilikehim！’saidtheminister，weighinghiswordsalittleashespoke。’Ilikehim。IhopeIamjustifiedindoingit，buthetakesholdofme，asitwere;andIhavealmostbeenafraidlesthecarriesmeaway，inspiteofmyjudgment。’
’Heisagoodfellow;indeedheis，’saidI。’Myfatherthinkswellofhim;andIhaveseenadealofhim。IwouldnothavehadhimcomehereifIdidnotknowthatyouwouldapproveofhim。’
’Yes，’（oncemorehesitating，）’Ilikehim，andIthinkheisanuprightman;thereisawantofseriousnessinhistalkattimes，but，atthesametime，itiswonderfultolistentohim！HemakesHoraceandVirgilliving，insteadofdead，bythestorieshetellsmeofhissojournintheverycountrieswheretheylived，andwheretothisday，hesays——Butitislikedram-drinking。IlistentohimtillIforgetmyduties，andamcarriedoffmyfeet。LastSabbatheveningheledusawayintotalkonprofanesubjectsillbefittingtheday。’
Bythistimewewereatthehouse，andourconversationstopped。Butbeforethedaywasout，Isawtheunconsciousholdthatmyfriendhadgotoverallthefamily。Andnowonder：hehadseensomuchanddonesomuchascomparedtothem，andhetoldaboutitallsoeasilyandnaturally，andyetasIneverheardanyoneelsedo;andhisreadypencilwasoutinaninstanttodrawonscrapsofpaperallsortsofillustrations——modesofdrawingupwaterinNorthernItaly，wine-carts，buffaloes，stone-pines，Iknownotwhat。Afterwehadalllookedatthesedrawings，Phillisgatheredthemtogether，andtookthem。
ItismanyyearssinceIhaveseenthee，EdwardHoldsworth，butthouwastadelightfulfellow！Aye，andagoodonetoo;thoughmuchsorrowwascausedbythee！PARTIIIJustafterthisIwenthomeforaweek’sholiday。Everythingwasprosperingthere;myfather’snewpartnershipgaveevidentsatisfactiontobothparties。
Therewasnodisplayofincreasedwealthinourmodesthousehold;butmymotherhadafewextracomfortsprovidedforherbyherhusband。ImadeacquaintancewithMrandMrsEllison，andfirstsawprettyMargaretEllison，whoisnowmywife。WhenIreturnedtoEltham，Ifoundthatastepwasdecidedupon，whichhadbeenincontemplationforsometime;thatHoldsworthandIshouldremoveourquarterstoHornby;ourdailypresence，andasmuchofourtimeaspossible，beingrequiredforthecompletionofthelineatthatend。
OfcoursethisledtogreaterfacilityofintercoursewiththeHopeFarmpeople。Wecouldeasilywalkoutthereafterourday’sworkwasdone，andspendabalmyeveninghourortwo，andyetreturnbeforethesummer’stwilighthadquitefadedaway。Manyatime，indeed，wewouldfainhavestayedlonger——theopenair，thefreshandpleasantcountry，madesoagreeableacontrasttotheclose，hottownlodgingswhichIsharedwithMrHoldsworth;
butearlyhours，bothateveandmorn，wereanimperativenecessitywiththeminister，andhemadenoscrupleatturningeitherorbothofusoutofthehousedirectlyaftereveningprayer，or’exercise’，ashecalledit。Theremembranceofmanyahappyday，andofseverallittlescenes，comesbackuponmeasIthinkofthatsummer。Theyriselikepicturestomymemory，andinthiswayIcandatetheirsuccession;forIknowthatcornharvestmusthavecomeafterhay-making，apple-gatheringaftercorn-harvest。
TheremovaltoHornbytookupsometime，duringwhichwehadneitherofusanyleisuretogoouttotheHopeFarm。MrHoldsworthhadbeenoutthereonceduringmyabsenceathome。Onesultryevening，whenworkwasdone，heproposedourwalkingoutandpayingtheHolmansavisit。ItsohappenedthatIhadomittedtowritemyusualweeklyletterhomeinourpressofbusiness，andIwishedtofinishthatbeforegoingout。Thenhesaidthathewouldgo，andthatIcouldfollowhimifIliked。ThisIdidinaboutanhour;theweatherwassooppressive，Iremember，thatItookoffmycoatasIwalked，andhungitovermyarm。AllthedoorsandwindowsatthefarmwereopenwhenIarrivedthere，andeverytinyleafonthetreeswasstill。Thesilenceoftheplacewasprofound;atfirstIthoughtthatitwasentirelydeserted;butjustasIdrewnearthedoorIheardaweaksweetvoicebegintosing;itwascousinHolman，allbyherselfinthehouse-place，pipingupahymn，assheknittedawayinthecloudedlight。Shegavemeakindlywelcome，andpouredoutallthesmalldomesticnewsofthefortnightpastuponme，and，inreturn，Itoldheraboutmyownpeopleandmyvisitathome。
’Whereweretherest？’atlengthIasked。
Bettyandthemenwereinthefieldhelpingwiththelastloadofhay，fortheministersaidtherewouldberainbeforethemorning。Yes，andtheministerhimself，andPhillis，andMrHoldsworth，werealltherehelping。
Shethoughtthatsheherselfcouldhavedonesomething;butperhapsshewastheleastfitforhay-makingofanyone;andsomebodymuststayathomeandtakecareofthehouse，thereweresomanytrampsabout;ifI
hadnothadsomethingtodowiththerailroadshewouldhavecalledthemnavvies。Iaskedherifshemindedbeingleftalone，asIshouldliketogoaridhelp;andhavingherfullandgladpermissiontoleaveheralone，Iwentoff，followingherdirections：throughthefarmyard，pastthecattle-pond，intotheashfield，beyondintothehigherfieldwithtwoholly-bushesinthemiddle。Iarrivedthere：therewasBettywithallthefarmingmen，andaclearedfield，andaheavilyladencart;onemanatthetopofthegreatpilereadytocatchthefragranthaywhichtheothersthrewuptohimwiththeirpitchforks;alittleheapofcast-offclothesinacornerofthefield（fortheheat，evenatseveno’clock，wasinsufferable），afewcansandbaskets，andRoverlyingbythempanting，andkeepingwatch。
Plentyofloud，hearty，cheerfultalking;butnominister，noPhillis，noMrHoldsworth。Bettysawmefirst，andunderstandingwhoitwasthatIwasinsearchof，shecametowardsme。
’They’reoutyonder——agaitwi’themthingso’MeasterHoldsworth’s。’
So’outyonder’Iwent;outontoabroaduplandcommon，fullofredsand-banks，andsweepsandhollows;borderedbydarkfirs，purpleinthecomingshadows，butnearathandallablazewithfloweringgorse，or，aswecallitinthesouth，furze-bushes，which，seenagainstthebeltofdistanttrees，appearedbrilliantlygolden。Onthisheath，alittlewayfromthefield-gate，Isawthethree。Icountedtheirheads，joinedtogetherinaneagergroupoverHoldsworth’stheodolite。Hewasteachingtheministerthepracticalartofsurveyingandtakingalevel。Iwaswantedtoassist，andwasquicklysettoworktoholdthechain。Philliswasasintentasherfather;shehadhardlytimetogreetme，sodesirouswasshetohearsomeanswertoherfather’squestion。
Sowewenton，thedarkcloudsstillgathering，forperhapsfiveminutesaftermyarrival。Thencametheblinding1ightningandtherumbleandquick-followingrattlingpealofthunderrightoverourheads。ItcamesoonerthanIexpected，soonerthantheyhadlookedfor：theraindelayednot;itcamepouringdown;andwhatwerewetodoforshelter？Philiishadnothingonbutherindoorthings——nobonnet，noshawl。Quickasthedartinglightningaroundus，Holdsworthtookoffhiscoatandwrappeditroundherneckandshoulders，and，almostwithoutaword，hurriedusallintosuchpoorshelterasoneoftheoverhangingsand-bankscouldgive。Therewewere，cowereddown，closetogether，Phillisinnermost，almosttootightlypackedtofreeherarmsenoughtodivestherselfofthecoat，whichshe，inherturn，triedtoputlightlyoverHoldsworth’sshoulders。Indoingsoshetouchedhisshirt。
’Oh，howwetyouare！’shecried，inpityingdismay;’andyou’vehardlygotoveryourfever！Oh，MrHoldsworth，Iamsosorry！’Heturnedhisheadalittle，smilingather。
’IfIdocatchcold，itisallmyfaultforhavingdeludedyouintostayingouthere！’butsheonlymurmuredagain，’Iamsosorry。’
Theministerspokenow。’Itisaregulardownpour。PleaseGodthatthehayissaved！Butthereisnolikelihoodofitsceasing，andIhadbettergohomeatonce，andsendyouallsomewraps;umbrellaswillnotbesafewithyonderthunderandlightning。’
BothHoldsworthandIofferedtogoinsteadofhim;buthewasresolved，althoughperhapsitwouldhavebeenwiserifHoldsworth，wetashealreadywas，hadkepthimselfinexercise。Ashemovedoff，Philliscreptout，andcouldseeontothestorm-sweptheath。PartofHoldsworth’sapparatusstillremainedexposedtoalltherain。Beforewecouldhaveanywarning，shehadrushedoutoftheshelterandcollectedthevariousthings，andbroughtthembackintriumphtowherewecrouched。Holdsworthhadstoodup，uncertainwhethertogotoherassistanceornot。Shecamerunningback，herlonglovelyhairfloatinganddripping，hereyesgladandbright，andhercolourfreshenedtoaglowofhealthbytheexerciseandtherain。
