Butthepositionlastreached——thechimney—corner——was，afterall，themostattractivesideoftheparallelogram。Itwaslargeenoughtoadmit，inadditiontoGeoffreyhimself;Geoffrey’swife，herchair，andherwork—table，entirelywithinthelineofthemantel，withoutdangeroreveninconveniencefromtheheatofthefire;andwasspaciousenoughoverheadtoallowoftheinsertionofwoodpolesforthehangingofbacon，whichwerecloakedwithlongshredsofsoot，floatingonthedraughtlikethetatteredbannersonthewallsofancientaisles。
Thesepointswerecommontomostchimneycornersoftheneighbourhood;butonefeaturetherewaswhichmadeGeoffrey’sfiresidenotonlyanobjectofinteresttocasualaristocraticvisitors——towhomeverycottagefiresidewasmoreorlessacuriosity——buttheadmirationoffriendswhowereaccustomedtofireplacesoftheordinaryhamletmodel。Thispeculiaritywasalittlewindowinthechimney—back，almostoverthefire，aroundwhichthesmokecreptcaressinglywhenitlefttheperpendicularcourse。Thewindow—boardwascuriouslystampedwithblackcircles，burntthereonbytheheatedbottomsofdrinking—cups，whichhadrestedthereafterpreviouslystandingonthehotashesofthehearthforthepurposeofwarmingtheircontents，theresultgivingtotheledgethelookofanenvelopewhichhaspassedthroughinnumerablepost—offices。
Fancywasglidingabouttheroompreparingdinner，herheadincliningnowtotheright，nowtotheleft，andsingingthetipsandendsoftunesthatsprangupinhermindlikemushrooms。ThefootstepsofMrs。Daycouldbeheardintheroomoverhead。Fancywentfinallytothedoor。
\"Father！Dinner。\"
Atallsparefigurewasseenadvancingbythewindowwithperiodicalsteps，andthekeeperenteredfromthegarden。Heappearedtobeamanwhowasalwayslookingdown，asiftryingtorecollectsomethinghesaidyesterday。Thesurfaceofhisfacewasfissuredratherthanwrinkled，andoverandunderhiseyeswerefoldswhichseemedasakindofexterioreyelids。Hisnosehadbeenthrownbackwardsbyablowinapoachingfray，sothatwhenthesunwaslowandshininginhisface，peoplecouldseefarintohishead。Therewasinhimaquietgrimness，whichwouldinhismomentsofdispleasurehavebecomesurliness，haditnotbeentemperedbyhonestyofsoul，andwhichwasoftenwrongheadednessbecausenotalliedwithsubtlety。
Althoughnotanextraordinarilytaciturnmanamongfriendsslightlyricherthanhimself，heneverwastedwordsuponoutsiders，andtohistrapperEnochhisideaswereseldomconveyedbyanyothermeansthannodsandshakesofthehead。Theirlongacquaintancewitheachother’sways，andthenatureoftheirlabours，renderedwordsbetweenthemalmostsuperfluousasvehiclesofthought，whilstthecoincidenceoftheirhorizons，andtheastonishingequalityoftheirsocialviews，bystartlingthekeeperfromtimetotimeasverydamagingtothetheoryofmasterandman，strictlyforbadeanyindulgenceinwordsascourtesies。
BehindthekeepercameEnoch（whohadbeenassistinginthegarden）
atthewell—consideredchronologicaldistanceofthreeminutes——anintervalofnon—appearanceonthetrapper’spartnotarrivedatwithoutsomereflection。Fourminuteshadbeenfoundtoexpressindifferencetoindoorarrangements，andsimultaneousnesshadimpliedtoogreatananxietyaboutmeals。
\"Alittleearlierthanusual，Fancy，\"thekeepersaid，ashesatdownandlookedattheclocks。\"ThatEzekielSaunderso’thineistearingonaforeThomasWoodagain。\"
\"Ikeptinthemiddlebetweenthem，\"saidFancy，alsolookingatthetwoclocks。
\"BettersticktoThomas，\"saidherfather。\"There’sahealthybeatinThomasthatwouldleadamantoswearbyenoffhand。Heisastrueasthetowntime。Howisityourstap—motherisn’there？\"
AsFancywasabouttoreply，therattleofwheelswasheard，and\"Weh—hey，Smart！\"inMr。RichardDewy’svoicerolledintothecottagefromroundthecornerofthehouse。
\"Hullo！there’sDewy’scartcomeforthee，Fancy——Dickdriving——
aforetime，too。Well，asktheladtohavepot—luckwithus。\"
DickonenteringmadeapointofimplyingbyhisgeneralbearingthathetookaninterestinFancysimplyasinoneofthesameraceandcountryashimself;andtheyallsatdown。Dickcouldhavewishedhermannerhadnotbeensoentirelyfreefromallapparentconsciousnessofthoseaccidentalmeetingsoftheirs：butheletthethoughtpass。Enochsatdiagonallyatatableafaroff;underthecornercupboard，anddrankhisciderfromalongperpendicularpintcup，havingtallfir—treesdoneinbrownonitssides，Hethrewoccasionalremarksintothegeneraltideofconversation，andwiththisadvantagetohimself;thatheparticipatedinthepleasuresofatalk（slightasitwas）atmeal—times，withoutsaddlinghimselfwiththeresponsibilityofsustainingit。
\"Whydon’tyourstap—mothercomedown，Fancy？\"saidGeoffrey。
\"You’llexcuseher，MisterDick，she’salittlequeersometimes。\"
\"Oyes，——quite，\"saidRichard，asifhewereinthehabitofexcusingpeopleeveryday。
\"Shed’belongtothatclassofwomankindthatbecomesecondwives：
arumclassrather。\"
\"Indeed，\"saidDick，withsympathyforanindefinitesomething。
\"Yes;and’tistryingtoafemale，especiallyifyou’vebeenafirstwife，asshehey。\"
\"Verytryingitmustbe。\"
\"Yes：youseeherfirsthusbandwasayoungman，wholethergotoofar;infact，sheusedtokickupBob’s—a—dyingattheleastthingintheworld。AndwhenI’dmarriedherandfounditout，Ithought，thinksI，\"’Tistoolatenowtobegintocure’e;\"andsoIletherbide。Butshe’squeer，——veryqueer，attimes！\"
\"I’msorrytohearthat。\"
\"Yes：there;wivesbesuchaprovokingclasso’society，becausethoughtheybeneverright，theybenevermorethanhalfwrong。\"
Fancyseemeduneasyundertheinflictionofthishouseholdmoralizing，whichmighttendtodamagetheairy—fairynaturethatDick，asmaidenshrewdnesstoldher，hadaccreditedherwith。HerdeadsilenceimpressedGeoffreywiththenotionthatsomethinginhiswordsdidnotagreewithhereducatedideas，andhechangedtheconversation。
\"DidFredShinersendthecasko’drink，Fancy？\"
\"Ithinkhedid：Oyes，hedid。\"
\"Nicesolidfeller，FredShiner！\"saidGeoffreytoDickashehelpedhimselftogravy，bringingthespoonroundtohisplatebywayofthepotato—dish，toobviateastainontheclothintheeventofaspill。
NowGeoffrey’seyeshadbeenfixeduponhisplateforthepreviousfourorfiveminutes，andinremovingthemhehadonlycarriedthemtothespoon，which，fromitsfulnessandthedistanceofitstransit，necessitatedasteadywatchingthroughthewholeoftheroute。Justasintentlyasthekeeper’seyeshadbeenfixedonthespoon，Fancy’shadbeenfixedonherfather’s，withoutpremeditationortheslightestphaseoffurtiveness;buttheretheywerefastened。
Thiswasthereasonwhy：
Dickwassittingnexttoherontherightside，andonthesideofthetableoppositetoherfather。Fancyhadlaidherrighthandlightlydownuponthetable—clothforaninstant，andtoheralarmDick，afterdroppinghisforkandbrushinghisforeheadasareason，flungdownhisownlefthand，overlappingathirdofFancy’swithit，andkeepingitthere。SotheinnocentFancy，insteadofpullingherhandfromthetrap，settledhereyesonherfather’s，toguardagainsthisdiscoveryofthisperilousgameofDick’s。Dickfinishedhismouthful;Fancyfinished，hercrumb，andnothingwasdonebeyondwatchingGeoffrey’seyes。Thenthehandsslidapart;
Fancy’sgoingoversixinchesofcloth，Dick’soverone。Geoffrey’seyehadrisen。
\"IsaidFredShinerisanicesolidfeller，\"herepeated，moreemphatically。
\"Heis;yes，heis，\"stammeredDick;\"buttomeheislittlemorethanastranger。\"
\"O，sure。NowIknowenaswellasanymancanbeknown。Andyouknowenverywelltoo，don’tye，Fancy？\"
Geoffreyputonatoneexpressingthatthesewordssignifiedatpresentaboutonehundredtimestheamountofmeaningtheyconveyedliterally。
Dicklookedanxious。
\"Willyoupassmesomebread？\"saidFancyinaflurry，theredofherfacebecomingslightlydisordered，andlookingassolicitousasahumanbeingcouldlookaboutapieceofbread。
\"Ay，thatIwill，\"repliedtheunconsciousGeoffrey。\"Ay，\"hecontinued，returningtothedisplacedidea，\"wearelikelytoremainfriendlywi’Mr。Shinerifthewheelsd’runsmooth。\"
\"Anexcellentthing——averycapitalthing，asIshouldsay，\"theyouthansweredwithexceedingrelevance，consideringthathisthoughts，insteadoffollowingGeoffrey’sremark，werenestlingatadistanceofabouttwofeetonhisleftthewholetime。
\"Ayoungwoman’sfacewillturnthenorthwind，MasterRichard：myheartif’twon’t。\"Dicklookedmoreanxiousandwasattentiveinearnestatthesewords。\"Yes;turnthenorthwind，\"addedGeoffreyafteranimpressivepause。\"Andthoughshe’soneofmyownfleshandblood……\"
\"Willyoufetchdownabitofraw—mil’cheesefrompantry—shelf？\"
Fancyinterrupted，asifshewerefamishing。
\"Ay，thatIwill，chiel;chiel，saysI，andMr。ShineronlyaskinglastSaturdaynight……cheeseyousaid，Fancy？\"
DickcontrolledhisemotionatthesemysteriousallusionstoMr。
Shiner，——thebetterenabledtodosobyperceivingthatFancy’sheartwentnotwithherfather’s——andspokelikeastrangertotheaffairsoftheneighbourhood。\"Yes，there’sagreatdealtobesaiduponthepowerofmaidenfacesinsettlingyourcourses，\"heventured，asthekeeperretreatedforthecheese。
\"Theconversationistakingaverystrangeturn：nothingthat_I_
haveeverdonewarrantssuchthingsbeingsaid！\"murmuredFancywithemphasis，justloudenoughtoreachDick’sears。
\"Youthinktoyourself;’twastobe，\"criedEnochfromhisdistantcorner，bywayoffillingupthevacancycausedbyGeoffrey’smomentaryabsence。\"Andsoyoumarryher，MasterDewy，andthere’sanendo’t。\"
\"Praydon’tsaysuchthings，Enoch，\"camefromFancyseverely，uponwhichEnochrelapsedintoservitude。
\"Ifwebedoomedtomarry，wemarry;ifwebedoomedtoremainsingle，wedo，\"repliedDick。
Geoffreyhadbythistimesatdownagain，andhenowmadehislipsthinbyseverelystrainingthemacrosshisgums，andlookedoutofthewindowalongthevistatothedistanthighwayupYalburyHill。
\"That’snotthecasewithsomefolk，\"hesaidatlength，asifhereadthewordsonaboardatthefurtherendofthevista。
Fancylookedinterested，andDicksaid，\"No？\"
\"There’sthatwifeo’mine。Itwasherdoomtobenobody’swifeatallinthewideuniverse。Butshemadeuphermindthatshewould，anddidittwiceover。Doom？Doomisnothingbesideaelderlywoman——quiteachielinherhands！\"
Amovementwasnowheardalongtheupstairspassage，andfootstepsdescending。Thedooratthefootofthestairsopened，andthesecondMrs。Dayappearedinview，lookingfixedlyatthetableassheadvancedtowardsit，withapparentobliviousnessofthepresenceofanyotherhumanbeingthanherself。Inshort，ifthetablehadbeenthepersonages，andthepersonsthetable，herglancewouldhavebeenthemostnaturalimaginable。
Sheshowedherselftopossessanordinarywoman’sface，iron—greyhair，hardlyanyhips，andagreatdealofcleanlinessinabroadwhiteapron—string，asitappeareduponthewaistofherdarkstuffdress。
\"Peoplewillrunawaywithastorynow，Isuppose，\"shebegansaying，\"thatJaneDay’stableclothsareaspoorandraggedasanyunionbeggar’s！\"
Dicknowperceivedthatthetableclothwasalittletheworseforwear，andreflectingforamoment，concludedthat’people’instep—
motherlanguageprobablymeanthimself。OnliftinghiseyeshefoundthatMrs。Dayhadvanishedagainupstairs，andpresentlyreturnedwithanarmfulofnewdamask—linentablecloths，foldedsquareandhardasboardsbylongcompression。Thesesheflounceddownintoachair;thentookone，shookitoutfromitsfolds，andspreaditonthetablebyinstalments，transferringtheplatesanddishesonebyonefromtheoldtothenewcloth。
\"AndIsupposethey’llsay，too，thatsheha’n’tadecentknifeandforkinherhouse！\"
\"Ishouldn’tsayanysuchill—naturedthing，Iamsure——\"beganDick。ButMrs。Dayhadvanishedintothenextroom。Fancyappeareddistressed。
\"Verystrangewoman，isn’tshe？\"saidGeoffrey，quietlygoingonwithhisdinner。\"But’tistoolatetoattemptcuring。Myheart！
’tissogrowedintoherthat’twouldkillhertotakeitout。Ay，she’sveryqueer：you’dbeamazedtoseewhatvaluablegoodswe’vegotstowedawayupstairs。\"
BackagaincameMrs。Daywithaboxofbrightsteelhorn—handledknives，silver—platedforks，carver，andallcomplete。Thesewerewipedofthepreservativeoilwhichcoatedthem，andthenaknifeandforkwerelaiddowntoeachindividualwithabang，thecarvingknifeandforkthrustintothemeatdish，andtheoldonestheyhadhithertousedtossedaway。
Geoffreyplacidlycutaslicewiththenewknifeandfork，andaskedDickifhewantedanymore。
Thetablehadbeenspreadforthemixedmiddaymealofdinnerandtea，whichwascommonamongfrugalcountryfolk。\"Theparishionersabouthere，\"continuedMrs。Day，notlookingatanylivingbeing，butsnatchingupthebrowndelftea—things，\"arethelaziest，gossipest，poachest，jailestsetofanyeverIcameamong。Andthey’lltalkaboutmyteapotandtea—thingsnext，Isuppose！\"Shevanishedwiththeteapot，cups，andsaucers，andreappearedwithatea—serviceinwhitechina，andapacketwrappedinbrownpaper。
Thiswasremoved，togetherwithfoldsoftissue—paperunderneath;
andabrilliantsilverteapotappeared。
\"I’llhelptoputthethingsright，\"saidFancysoothingly，andrisingfromherseat。\"Ioughttohavelaidoutbetterthings，I
suppose。But\"（heresheenlargedherlookssoastoincludeDick）
\"Ihavebeenawayfromhomeagooddeal，andImakeshockingblundersinmyhousekeeping。\"Smilesandsuavitywerethendispensedallaroundbythisbrightlittlebird。
Afteralittlemorepreparationandmodification，Mrs。Daytookherseatattheheadofthetable，andduringthelatterorteadivisionofthemeal，presidedwithmuchcomposure。Itmaycausesomesurprisetolearnthat，nowhervagarywasover，sheshowedherselftobeanexcellentpersonwithmuchcommonsense，andevenareligiousseriousnessoftoneonmatterspertainingtoherafflictions。
CHAPTERVII：DICKMAKESHIMSELFUSEFUL
TheeffectofGeoffrey’sincidentalallusionstoMr。ShinerwastorestrainaconsiderableflowofspontaneouschatthatwouldotherwisehaveburstfromyoungDewyalongthedrivehomeward。Andacertainremarkhehadhazardedtoher，inrathertoobluntandeageramanner，kepttheyoungladyherselfevenmoresilentthanDick。Onbothsidestherewasanunwillingnesstotalkonanybutthemosttrivialsubjects，andtheirsentencesrarelytookalargerformthancouldbeexpressedintwoorthreewords。
OwingtoFancybeinglaterinthedaythanshehadpromised，thecharwomanhadgivenupexpectingher;whereuponDickcoulddonolessthanstayandseehercomfortablytidedoverthedisagreeabletimeofenteringandestablishingherselfinanemptyhouseafteranabsenceofaweek。Theadditionalfurnitureandutensilsthathadbeenbrought（acanaryandcageamongtherest）weretakenoutofthevehicle，andthehorsewasunharnessedandputintheplotopposite，wheretherewassometendergrass。Dicklightedthefirealreadylaid;andactivitybegantoloosentheirtonguesalittle。
\"There！\"saidFancy，\"weforgottobringthefire—irons！\"
Shehadoriginallyfoundinhersitting—room，tobearouttheexpression’nearlyfurnished’whichtheschool—managerhadusedinhislettertoher，atable，threechairs，afender，andapieceofcarpet。This’nearly’hadbeensupplementedhithertobyakindfriend，whohadlentherfire—ironsandcrockeryuntilsheshouldfetchsomefromhome。
Dickattendedtotheyounglady’sfire，usinghiswhip—handleforapokertillitwasspoilt，andthenflourishingahurdlestickfortheremainderofthetime。
\"Thekettleboils;nowyoushallhaveacupoftea，\"saidFancy，divingintothehampershehadbrought。
\"Thankyou，\"saidDick，whosedrivehadmadehimreadyforsome，especiallyinhercompany。
\"Well，here’sonlyonecup—and—saucer，asIbreathe！Whatevercouldmotherbethinkingabout？Doyoumindmakingshift，Mr。Dewy？\"
\"Notatall，MissDay，\"saidthatcivilperson。
\"——Andonlyhavingacupbyitself？orasaucerbyitself？\"
\"Don’tmindintheleast。\"
\"Whichdoyoumeanbythat？\"
\"Imeanthecup，ifyoulikethesaucer。\"
\"Andthesaucer，ifIlikethecup？\"
\"Exactly，MissDay。\"
\"Thankyou，Mr。Dewy，forIlikethecupdecidedly。Stopaminute;
therearenospoonsnow！\"Shedivedintothehamperagain，andattheendoftwoorthreeminuteslookedupandsaid，\"Isupposeyoudon’tmindifIcan’tfindaspoon？\"
\"Notatall，\"saidtheagreeableRichard。
\"Thefactis，thespoonshaveslippeddownsomewhere;rightundertheotherthings。Oyes，here’sone，andonlyone。Youwouldratherhaveonethannot，Isuppose，Mr。Dewy？\"
\"Rathernot。Ineverdidcaremuchaboutspoons。\"
\"ThenI’llhaveit。Idocareaboutthem。Youmuststirupyourteawithaknife。Wouldyoumindliftingthekettleoff，thatitmaynotboildry？\"
Dickleapttothefireplace，andearnestlyremovedthekettle。
\"There！youdiditsowildlythatyouhavemadeyourhandblack。Wealwaysusekettle—holders;didn’tyoulearnhousewiferyasfarasthat，Mr。Dewy？Well，nevermindthesootonyourhand。Comehere。
Iamgoingtorinsemine，too。\"
Theywent’toabasinshehadplacedinthebackroom。\"ThisistheonlybasinIhave，\"shesaid。\"Turnupyoursleeves，andbythattimemyhandswillbewashed，andyoucancome。\"
Herhandswereinthewaternow。\"O，howvexing！\"sheexclaimed。
\"There’snotadropofwaterleftforyou，unlessyoudrawit，andthewellisIdon’tknowhowmanyfurlongsdeep;allthatwasinthepitcherIusedforthekettleandthisbasin。Doyouminddippingthetipsofyourfingersinthesame？\"
\"Notatall。AndtosavetimeIwon’twaittillyouhavedone，ifyouhavenoobjection？\"
Thereuponheplungedinhishands，andtheypaddledtogether。Itbeingthefirsttimeinhislifethathehadtouchedfemalefingersunderwater，Dickdulyregisteredthesensationasratheraniceone。
\"Really，Ihardlyknowwhicharemyownhandsandwhichareyours，theyhavegotsomixeduptogether，\"shesaid，withdrawingherownverysuddenly。
\"Itdoesn’tmatteratall，\"saidDick，\"atleastasfarasIamconcerned。\"
\"There！notowel！Whoeverthinksofatoweltillthehandsarewet？\"
\"Nobody。\"
\"’Nobody。’Howverydullitiswhenpeoplearesofriendly！Comehere，Mr。Dewy。Nowdoyouthinkyoucouldliftthelidofthatboxwithyourelbow，andthen，withsomethingorother，takeoutatowelyouwillfindunderthecleanclothes？BeSUREdon’ttouchanyofthemwithyourwethands，forthethingsatthetopareallStarchedandIroned。\"
Dickmanaged，bytheaidofaknifeandfork，toextractatowelfromunderamuslindresswithoutwettingthelatter;andforamomentheventuredtoassumeatoneofcriticism。
\"Ifearforthatdress，\"hesaid，astheywipedtheirhandstogether。
\"What？\"saidMissDay，lookingintotheboxatthedressalludedto。
\"O，Iknowwhatyoumean——thatthevicarwillneverletmewearmuslin？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，Iknowitiscondemnedbyallordersinthechurchasflaunting，andunfitforcommonwearforgirlswho’vetheirlivingtoget;hutwe’llsee。\"
\"Intheinterestofthechurch，Ihopeyoudon’tspeakseriously。\"
\"Yes，Ido;butwe’llsee。\"Therewasacomelydeterminationonherlip，verypleasanttoabeholderwhowasneitherbishop，priest，nordeacon。\"IthinkIcanmanageanyvicar’sviewsaboutmeifhe’sunderforty。\"
Dickratherwishedshehadneverthoughtofmanagingvicars。
\"Icertainlyshallbegladtogetsomeofyourdelicioustea，\"hesaidinratherafreeway，yetmodestly，asbecameoneinapositionbetweenthatofvisitorandinmate，andlookingwistfullyathislonelysaucer。
\"SoshallI。Nowisthereanythingelsewewant，MrDewy？\"
\"Ireallythinkthere’snothingelse，MissDay。\"
Shepreparedtositdown，lookingmusinglyoutofthewindowatSmart’senjoymentoftherichgrass。\"Nobodyseemstocareaboutme，\"shemurmured，withlargelosteyesfixedupontheskybeyondSmart。
\"PerhapsMr。Shinerdoes，\"saidDick，inthetoneofaslightlyinjuredman。
\"Yes，Iforgot——hedoes，Iknow。\"DickprecipitatelyregrettedthathehadsuggestedShiner，sinceithadproducedsuchamiserableresultasthis。
\"I’llwarrantyou’llcareforsomebodyverymuchindeedanotherday，won’tyou，Mr。Dewy？\"shecontinued，lookingveryfeelinglyintothemathematicalcentreofhiseyes。
\"Ah，I’llwarrantIshall，\"saidDick，feelinglytoo，andlookingbackintoherdarkpupils，whereupontheywereturnedaside。
\"Imeant，\"shewenton，preventinghimfromspeakingjustashewasgoingtonarrateaforciblestoryabouthisfeelings;\"ImeantthatnobodycomestoseeifIhavereturned——noteventhevicar。\"
\"Ifyouwanttoseehim，I’llcallatthevicaragedirectlywehavehadsometea。\"
\"No，no！Don’tlethimcomedownhere，whateveryoudo，whilstIaminsuchastateofdisarrangement。Parsonslooksomiserableandawkwardwhenone’shouseisinamuddle;walkingabout，andmakingimpossiblesuggestionsinquaintacademicphrasestillyourfleshcreepsandyouwishthemdead。Doyoutakesugar？\"
Mr。Mayboldwasatthisinstantseencomingupthepath。
\"There！That’shecoming！HowIwishyouwerenothereI——thatis，howawkward——dear，dear！\"sheexclaimed，withaquickascentofbloodtoherface，andirritatedwithDickratherthanthevicar，asitseemed。
\"Praydon’tbealarmedonmyaccount，MissDay——good—afternoon！\"
saidDickinahuff，puttingonhishat，andleavingtheroomhastilybytheback—door。
Thehorsewascaughtandputin，andonmountingtheshaftstostarthesawthroughthewindowthevicar，standinguponsomebookspiledinachair，anddrivinganailintothewall;Fancy，withademureglance，holdingthecanary—cageuptohim，asifshehadneverinherlifethoughtofanythingbutvicarsandcanaries。
CHAPTERVIII：DICKMEETSHISFATHER
ForseveralminutesDickdrovealonghomeward，withtheinnereyeofreflectionsoanxiouslysetonhispassagesatarmswithFancy，thattheroadandscenerywereasathinmistovertherealpicturesofhismind。Wassheacoquette？Thebalancebetweentheevidencethatshedidlovehimandthatshedidnotwassonicelystruck，thathisopinionhadnostability。Shehadlethimputhishanduponhers;shehadallowedhergazetodropplumbintothedepthsofhis——hisintohers——threeorfourtimes;hermannerhadbeenveryfreewithregardtothebasinandtowel;shehadappearedvexedatthementionofShiner。Ontheotherhand，shehaddrivenhimaboutthehouselikeaquietdogorcat，saidShinercaredforher，andseemedanxiousthatMr。Mayboldshoulddothesame。
ThinkingthusashenearedthehandpostatMellstockCross，sittingonthefrontboardofthespringcart——hislegsontheoutside，andhiswholeframejiggingupanddownlikeacandle—flametothetimeofSmart’strotting——whoshouldheseecomingdownthehillbuthisfatherinthelightwagon，quiveringupanddownonasmallerscaleofshakes，thosemerelycausedbythestonesintheroad。Theyweresooncrossingeachother’sfront。
\"Weh—hey！\"saidthetrantertoSmiler。
\"Weh—hey！\"saidDicktoSmart，inanechoofthesamevoice。
\"Th’sthauledherback，Isuppose？\"Reubeninquiredpeaceably。
\"Yes，\"saidDick，withsuchaclinchingperiodattheendthatitseemedhewasnevergoingtoaddanotherword。Smiler，thinkingthisthecloseoftheconversation，preparedtomoveon。
\"Weh—hey！\"saidthetranter。\"Itelltheewhatitis，Dick。Thattheremaidistakingupthythoughtsmorethan’sgoodforthee，mysonny。Thou’rtneverhappynowunlessth’rtmakingthyselfmiserableaboutherinonewayoranother。\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，father，\"saidDickratherstupidly。
\"ButIdo——Wey，Smiler！——’Odrotthewomen，’tisnothingelsewi’
’emnowadaysbutgettingyoungmenandleading’emastray。\"
\"Pooh，father！youjustrepeatwhatallthecommonworldsays;
that’sallyoudo。\"
\"Theworld’saverysensiblefelleronthingsinjineral，Dick;verysensibleindeed。\"
Dicklookedintothedistanceatavastexpanseofmortgagedestate。
\"IwishIwasasrichasasquirewhenhe’saspoorasacrow，\"hemurmured;\"I’dsoonaskFancysomething。\"
\"Iwishsotoo，wi’allmyheart，sonny;thatIdo。Well，mindwhatbeestabout，that’sall。\"
Smartmovedonasteportwo。\"Supposingnow，father，——We—hey，Smart！——Ididthinkalittleabouther，andIhadachance，whichI
ha’n’t;don’tyouthinkshe’saverygoodsortof——of——one？\"
\"Ay，good;she’sgoodenough。Whenyou’vemadeupyourmindtomarry，takethefirstrespectablebodythatcomestohand——she’sasgoodasanyother;theybeallalikeinthegroundwork;’tisonlyintheflourishesthere’sadifference。She’sgoodenough;butIcan’tseewhatthenationayoungfellerlikeyou——wiacomfortablehouseandhome，andfatherandmothertotakecareo’thee，andwhosent’eetoaschoolsogoodthat’twashardlyfairtotheotherchildren——shouldwanttogoholleringafterayoungwomanfor，whenshe’squietlymakingahusbandinherpocket，andnottroubledbychicknorchiel，tomakeapoverty—stric’wifeandfamilyofher，andneitherhat，cap，wig，norwaistcoattoset’emupwith：bedrownedifIcanseeit，andthat’sthelongandtheshorto’t，mysonny。\"
DicklookedatSmart’sears，thenupthehill;butnoreasonwassuggestedbyanyobjectthatmethisgaze。
\"Foraboutthesamereasonthatyoudid，father，Isuppose。\"
\"Dangit，mysonny，thou’stgotmethere！\"Andthetrantergaveventtoagrimadmiration，withthemienofamanwhowastoomagnanimousnottoappreciateartisticallyaslightrapontheknuckles，eveniftheywerehisown。
\"Whetherorno，\"saidDick，\"Iaskedherathinggoingalongtheroad。\"
\"Cometothat，isit？Turk！won’tthymotherbeinataking！Well，she’sready，Idon’tdoubt？\"
\"Ididn’taskheranythingabouthavingme;andifyou’llletmespeak，I’lltell’eewhatIwanttoknow。Ijustsaid，Didshecareaboutme？\"
\"Piph—ph—ph！\"
\"Andthenshesaidnothingforaquarterofamile，andthenshesaidshedidn’tknow。Now，whatIwanttoknowis，whatwasthemeaningofthatspeech？\"Thelatterwordswerespokenresolutely，asifhedidn’tcarefortheridiculeofallthefathersincreation。
\"Themeaningofthatspeechis，\"thetranterreplieddeliberately，\"thatthemeaningismeanttoberatherhidatpresent。Well，Dick，asanhonestfathertothee，Idon’tpretendtodenywhatyoud’knowwellenough;thatis，thatherfatherbeingratherbetterinthepocketthanwe，Ishouldwelcomeherreadyenoughifitmustbesomebody。\"
\"Butwhatd’yethinkshereallydidmean？\"saidtheunsatisfiedDick。
\"I’mafeardIamnoto’muchaccountinguessing，especiallyasI
wasnottherewhenshesaidit，andseeingthatyourmotherwastheonly’oomanIevercam’intosuchclosequartersasthatwith。\"
\"Andwhatdidmothersaytoyouwhenyouaskedher？\"saidDickmusingly。
\"Idon’tseethatthatwillhelp’ee。\"
\"Theprincipleisthesame。\"
\"Well——ay：whatdidshesay？Let’ssee。Iwasoilingmyworking—
daybootswithouttaking’emoff，andwi’myheadhangingdown，whenshejustbrushedonbythegardenhatchlikeaflitteringleaf。
\"Ann，\"Isaid，saysI，andthen，——but，DickI’mafeard’twillbenohelptothee;forweweresucharumcouple，yourmotherandI，leastwaysonehalfwas，thatismyself——andyourmother’scharmswasmoreinthemannerthanthematerial。\"
\"Nevermind！\"Ann，\"saidyou。\"
\"’Ann，’saidI，asIwassaying……’Ann，’IsaidtoherwhenI
wasoilingmyworking—daybootswi’myheadhangingdown，’Woothaeme？’……WhatcamenextIcan’tquitecallupatthisdistanceo’
time。Perhapsyourmotherwouldknow，——she’sgotabettermemoryforherlittletriumphsthanI。However，thelongandtheshorto’
thestoryisthatweweremarriedsomehow，asIfoundafterwards。
’TwasonWhiteTuesday，——MellstockClubwalkedthesameday，everymantwoandtwo，andafineday’twas，——hotasfire，——howthesundidstrikedownuponmybackgoingtochurch！Iwellcanmindwhatabatho’sweatingIwasin，bodyandsoul！ButFancewillha’
thee，Dick——shewon’twalkwithanotherchap——nosuchgoodluck。\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"saidDick，whippingatSmart’sflankinafancifulway，which，asSmartknew，meantnothinginconnectionwithgoingon。\"There’sPa’sonMaybold，too——that’sallagainstme。\"
\"Whatabouthe？She’sneverbeenstuffingintothyinnocentheartthathe’sinhovewithher？Lord，thevanityo’maidens！\"
\"No，no。Buthecalled，andshelookedathiminsuchaway，andatmeinsuchaway——quitedifferentthewayswere，——andasIwascomingoff，therewashehangingupherbirdcage。\"
\"Well，whyshouldn’tthemanhangupherbird—cage？Turkseizeitall，what’sthatgottodowi’it？Dick，thatthoubeestawhite—
lyveredchapIdon’tsay，butifthoubeestn’tasmadasacappel—
facedbull，letmesmilenomore。\"
\"O，ay。\"
\"Andwhat’sthinknow，Dick？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"Here’sanotherprettykettleo’fishforthee。Whod’yethink’sthebitterweedinourbeingturnedout？Didourpartytell’ee？\"
\"No。Why，Pa’sonMaybold，Isuppose。\"
\"Shiner，——becausehe’sinlovewiththyyoungwoman，andd’wanttoseeheryoungfiguresittingupatthatqueerinstrument，andheryoungfingersrum—strumminguponthekeys。\"
AsharpadoofsweetandbitterwasgoingoninDickduringthiscommunicationfromhisfather。\"Shiner’safool！——no，that’snotit;Idon’tbelieveanysuchthing，father。Why，Shinerwouldnevertakeaboldsteplikethat，unlessshe’dbeenalittlemadeupto，andhadtakenitkindly。Pooh！\"
\"Who’stosayshedidn’t？\"
\"Ido。\"
\"Themorefoolyou。\"
\"Why，fatherofme？\"
\"Hassheeverdonemoretothee？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenshehasdoneasmuchtohe——rot’em！Now，Dick，thisishowamaidis。She’llswearshe’sdyingforthee，andsheisdyingforthee，andshewilldieforthee;butshe’llflingalookovert’othershoulderatanotheryoungfeller，thoughneverleavingoffdyingfortheejustthesame。\"
\"She’snotdyingforme，andsoshedidn’tflingalookathim。\"
\"Butshemaybedyingforhim，forshelookedatthee。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhattomakeofitatall，\"saidDickgloomily。
\"AllIcanmakeofitis，\"thetrantersaid，raisinghiswhip，arranginghisdifferentjointsandmuscles，andmotioningtothehorsetomoveon，\"thatifyoucan’treadamaid’smindbyhermotions，natured’seemtosaythou’stoughttobeabachelor。Clk，clk！Smiler！\"Andthetrantermovedon。
DickheldSmart’sreinfirmly，andthewholeconcernofhorse，cart，andmanremainedrootedinthelane。Hewlongthisconditionwouldhavelastedisunknown，hadnotDick’sthoughts，afteraddingupnumerousitemsofmisery，graduallywanderedroundtothefactthatassomethingmustbedone，itcouldnotbedonebystayingthereallnight。
Reachinghomehewentuptohisbedroom，shutthedoorasifheweregoingtobeseennomoreinthislife，andtakingasheetofpaperanduncorkingtheink—bottle，hebeganaletter。Thedignityofthewriter’smindwassopowerfullyapparentineverylineofthiseffusionthatitobscuredthelogicalsequenceoffactsandintentionstoanappreciabledegree;anditwasnotatallcleartoareaderwhetherhethereandthenleftofflovingMissFancyDay;
whetherhehadneverlovedherseriously，andnevermeantto;
whetherhehadbeendyinguptothepresentmoment，andnowintendedtogetwellagain;orwhetherhehadhithertobeeningoodhealth，andintendedtodieforherforthwith。
Heputthisletterinanenvelope，sealeditup，directeditinasternhandwritingofstraightdashes——easyflourishesbeingrigorouslyexcluded。Hewalkedwithitinhispocketdownthelaneinstridesnotaninchlessthanthreefeetlong。Reachinghergateheputonaresoluteexpression——thenputitoffagain，turnedbackhomeward，toreuphisletter，andsatdown。
Thatletterwasaltogetherinawrongtone——thathemustown。A
heartlessman—of—the—worldtonewaswhatthejuncturerequired。
Thatheratherwantedher，andratherdidnotwanther——thelatterforchoice;hutthatasamemberofsocietyhedidn’tmindmakingaqueryinjauntyterms，whichcouldonlybeansweredinthesameway：
didshemeananythingbyherbearingtowardshim，ordidshenot？
Thisletterwasconsideredsosatisfactoryineverywaythat，beingputintothehandsofalittleboy，andtheordergiventhathewastorunwithittotheschool，hewastoldinadditionnottolookbehindhimifDickcalledafterhimtobringithack，buttorunalongwithitjustthesame。Havingtakenthisprecautionagainstvacillation，Dickwatchedhismessengerdowntheroad，andturnedintothehousewhistlinganairinsuchghastlyjerksandstarts，thatwhistlingseemedtobetheacttheveryfurthestremovedfromthatwhichwasinstinctiveinsuchayouth。
Theletterwasleftasordered：thenextmorningcameandpassed——
andnoanswer。Thenext。Thenext。Fridaynightcame。Dickresolvedthatifnoanswerorsignweregivenbyherthenextday，onSundayhewouldmeetherfacetoface，andhaveitalloutbywordofmouth。
\"Dick，\"saidhisfather，cominginfromthegardenatthatmoment——
ineachhandahiveofbeestiedinaclothtopreventtheiregress—
—\"Ithinkyou’dbettertakethesetwoswarmsofbeestoMrs。
Maybold’sto—morrow，insteado’me，andI’llgowi’Smilerandthewagon。\"
Itwasarelief;forMrs。Maybold，thevicar’smother，whohadjusttakenintoherheadafancyforkeepingbees（pleasantlydisguisedunderthepretenceofitsbeinganeconomicalwishtoproduceherownhoney），livednearthewatering—placeofBudmouth—Regis，tenmilesoff，andthebusinessoftransportingthehivesthitherwouldoccupythewholeday，andtosomeextentannihilatethevacanttimebetweenthiseveningandthecomingSunday。Thebestspring—cartwaswashedthroughout，theaxlesoiled，andthebeesplacedthereinforthejourney。
