I'llnoanespeakillonthedead，butIwereuneasylike。Butsin'Philipandtheeseemtoha'madeitup————'Sylviashivered，andopenedhermouthtospeak，butdidnotsayaword。'Andsin'theLordhasbeencomfortingme，andtalkingtomemanyatimewhenthou'sthoughtIwereasleep，thingshasseemedtoreddtheirselvesup，andifDanielgoes，I'mreadytofollow。Icouldniverstandlivingtohearfolkssayhe'dbeenhung;itseemssounnaturalandshameful。''But，mother，hewon't！——heshan'tbehung！'saidSylvia，springingtoherfeet。'Philipsayshewon't。'Bellshookherhead。Theywalkedon，Sylviabothdisheartenedandalmostirritatedathermother'sdespondency。ButbeforetheywenttobedatnightBellsaidthingswhichseemedasthoughthemorning'sfeelingshadbeenbuttemporary，andasifshewasreferringeverydecisiontotheperiodofherhusband'sreturn。'Whenfathercomeshome，'seemedasortofburdenatthebeginningorendofeverysentence，andthisrelianceonhiscertaincomingbacktothemwasalmostasgreatatrialtoSylviaastheabsenceofallhopehadbeeninthemorning。Butthatinstincttoldherthathermotherwasbecomingincapableofargument，shewouldhaveaskedherwhyherviewsweresoessentiallychangedinsofewhours。ThisinabilityofreasoninpoorBellmadeSylviafeelverydesolate。Mondaypassedover——how，neitherofthemknew，forneitherspokeofwhatwasfillingthethoughtsofboth。BeforeitwaslightonTuesdaymorning，Bellwasastir。'It'sveryearly，mother，'saidweary，sleepySylvia，dreadingreturningconsciousness。'Ay，lass！'saidBell，inabrisk，cheerfultone;'buthe'll，maybe，behometo—night，andI'seboundtohaveallthingsreadyforhim。''Anyhow，'saidSylvia，sittingupinbed，'hecouldn'tcomehometo—night。''Tut，lass！thoudoesn'tknowhowquickamancomeshometowifeandchild。
　　I'llbea'readyatanyrate。'ShehurriedaboutinawaywhichSylviawonderedtosee;tillatlengthshefanciedthatperhapshermotherdidsotodriveawaythought。Everyplacewascleaned;therewasscarcetimeallowedforbreakfast;tillatlast，longbeforemid—day，alltheworkwasdone，andthetwosatdowntotheirspinning—wheels。Sylvia'sspiritssanklowerandlowerateachspeechofhermother's，fromwhosemindallfearseemedtohavedisappeared，leavingonlyastrangerestlesskindofexcitement。'It'stimefort'potatoes，'saidBell，afterherwoolhadsnappedmanyatimefromheruneventread。'Mother，'saidSylvia，'it'sbutjustgoneten！''Put'emon，'saidBell，withoutattendingtothefullmeaningofherdaughter'swords。'It'll，maybe，hastent'dayonifwegetdinnerdonebetimes。''ButKesterisint'FarAcrefield，andhe'llnotbehometillnoon。'Thisseemedtosettlemattersforawhile;butthenBellpushedherwheelaway，andbegansearchingforherhoodandcloak。Sylviafoundthemforher，andthenaskedsadly——'Whatdoestawant'emfor，mother？''I'llgoupt'browandthrought'field，andjusthavealookdownt'
　　lane。''I'llgowi'thee，'saidSylvia，feelingallthetimetheuselessnessofanylookingforintelligencefromYorksoearlyintheday。Verypatientlydidshewaitbyhermother'ssideduringthelonghalf—hourwhichBellspentingazingdowntheroadforthosewhonevercame。WhentheygothomeSylviaputthepotatoesontoboil;butwhendinnerwasreadyandthethreewereseatedatthedresser;Bellpushedherplateawayfromher，sayingitwassolongafterdinnertimethatshewaspasteating。Kesterwouldhavesaidsomethingaboutitsbeingonlyhalf—pasttwelve，butSylviagavehimalookbeseechingsilence，andhewentonwithhisdinnerwithoutaword，onlybrushingawaythetearsfromhiseyeswiththebackofhishandfromtimetotime。'A'llnoanegofarfra'homet'resto't'day，'saidhe，inawhispertoSylvia，ashewentout。'Willthisdaynivercometoanend？'criedBell，plaintively。'Oh，mother！it'llcometoanendsometime，neverfear。I'veheerdsay——"Bethedaywearyorbethedaylong，Atlengthitringethtoeven—song。"''Toeven—song——toeven—song，'repeatedBell。'D'yethinknowthateven—songmeansdeath，Sylvie？''Icannottell——Icannotbearit。Mother，'saidSylvia，indespair，'I'llmakesomeclap—bread:that'saheavyjob，andwillwhileawayt'afternoon。''Ay，do！'repliedthemother。'He'lllikeitfresh——he'lllikeitfresh。'Murmuringandtalkingtoherself，shefellintoadoze，fromwhichSylviawascarefulnottodisturbher。Thedayswerenowgettinglong，althoughascoldasever;andatHaytersbankFarmthelightlingered，astherewasnonearhorizontobringonearlydarkness。Sylviahadallreadyforhermother'steaagainstshewakened;
　　butshesleptonandon，thepeacefulsleepofachild，andSylviadidnotcaretowakenher。Justafterthesunhadset，shesawKesteroutsidethewindowmakingsignstohertocomeout。Shestoleoutontip—toebytheback—kitchen，thedoorofwhichwasstandingopen。ShealmostranagainstPhilip，whodidnotperceiveher，ashewasawaitinghercomingtheotherwayroundthecornerofthehouse，andwhoturneduponherafacewhoseimportshereadinaninstant。'Philip！'wasallshesaid，andthenshefaintedathisfeet，comingdownwithaheavybangontheroundpavingstonesoftheyard。'Kester！Kester！'hecried，forshelookedlikeonedead，andwithallhisstrengththeweariedmancouldnotliftherandcarryherintothehouse。WithKester'shelpshewasborneintotheback—kitchen，andKesterrushedtothepumpforsomecoldwatertothrowoverher。WhilePhilip，kneelingatherhead，waspartlysupportingherinhisarms，andheedlessofanysightorsound，theshadowofsomeonefelluponhim。
　　Helookedupandsawhisaunt;theolddignified，sensibleexpressiononherface，exactlylikeherformerself，composed，strong，andcalm。'Mylass，'saidshe，sittingdownbyPhilip，andgentlytakingheroutofhisarmsintoherown。'Lass，bearup！wemunbearup，andbeagainonourwaytohim，he'llbeneedingusnow。Bearup，mylass！theLordwillgiveusstrength。Wemungotohim;ay，time'sprecious;thoumuncrythycryatafter！'Sylviaopenedherdimeyes，andheardhermother'svoice;theideascameslowlyintohermind，andslowlysheroseup，standingstill，likeonewhohasbeenstunned，toregainherstrength;andthen，takingholdofhermother'sarm，shesaid，inasoft，strangevoice——'Let'sgo。I'mready。'
　　chapter28CHAPTERXXVIIITHEORDEALItwastheafternoonofanAprildayinthatsameyear，andtheskywasblueabove，withlittlesailingwhitecloudscatchingthepleasantsunlight。
　　Theearthinthatnortherncountryhadscarcelyyetputonherrobeofgreen。Thefewtreesgrewnearbrooksrunningdownfromthemoorsandthehigherground。Theairwasfullofpleasantsoundsprophesyingofthecomingsummer。Therush，andmurmur，andtinkleofthehiddenwatercourses;thesongofthelarkpoisedhighupinthesunnyair;thebleatofthelambscallingtotheirmothers——everythinginanimatewasfullofhopeandgladness。ForthefirsttimeforamournfulmonththefrontdoorofHaytersbankFarmwasopen;thewarmspringairmightenter，anddisplacethesaddarkgloom，ifitcould。Therewasanewly—lightedfireintheunusedgrate;andKesterwasinthekitchen，withhisclogsoffhisfeet，soasnottodirtythespotlessfloor，stirringhereandthere，andtryinginhisawkwardwaytomakethingslookhome—likeandcheerful。Hehadbroughtinsomewilddaffodilswhichhehadbeentoseekinthedawn，andheplacedtheminajugonthedresser。DollyReid，thewomanwhohadcometohelpSylviaduringhermother'sillnessayearago，wasattendingtosomethingintheback—kitchen，makinganoiseamongthemilk—cans，andsingingaballadtoherselfassheworked;yeteverynowandthenshecheckedherselfinhersinging，asifasuddenrecollectioncameuponherthatthiswasneitherthetimenortheplaceforsongs。Onceortwiceshetookupthefuneralpsalmwhichissungbythebearersofthebodyinthatcountry——OurGod，ourhelpinagespast。Butitwasofnouse:thepleasantAprilweatheroutofdoors，andperhapsthenaturalspringinthebody，disposedhernaturetocheerfulness，andinsensiblyshereturnedtoheroldditty。Kesterwasturningovermanythingsinhisrudehonestmindashestoodthere，givinghisfinishingtoucheseverynowandthentotheaspectofthehouse—place，inpreparationforthereturnofthewidowanddaughterofhisoldmaster。Itwasamonthandmoresincetheyhadlefthome;morethanafortnightsinceKester，withthreehalfpenceinhispocket，hadsetoutafterhisday'sworktogotoYork——towalkallnightlong，andtowishDanielRobsonhislastfarewell。Danielhadtriedtokeepupandhadbroughtoutoneortwofamiliar，thread—bare，well—wornjokes，suchashehadmadeKesterchuckleovermanyatimeandoft，whenthetwohadbeentogetherafieldorintheshippenatthehomewhichheshouldnevermoresee。Butno'OldGrouseinthegunroom'couldmakeKestersmile，ordoanythingexceptgroaninbutaheart—brokensortoffashion，andpresentlythetalkhadbecomemoresuitabletotheoccasion，Danielbeinguptothelastthemorecomposedofthetwo;forKester，whenturnedoutofthecondemnedcell，fairlybrokedownintotheheavysobbinghehadneverthoughttosobagainonearth。HehadleftBellandSylviaintheirlodgingatYork，underPhilip'scare;hedarednotgotoseethem;
　　hecouldnottrusthimself;hehadsentthemhisduty，andbadePhiliptellSylviathatthegame—henhadbroughtoutfifteenchickensatahatch。YetalthoughKestersentthismessagethroughPhilip——althoughhesawandrecognizedallthatPhilipwasdoingintheirbehalf，inthebehalfofDanielRobson，thecondemnedfelon，hishonouredmaster——helikedHepburnnotawhitbetterthanhehaddonebeforeallthissorrowhadcomeuponthem。Philiphad，perhaps，shownawantoftactinhisconducttoKester。Acutewithpassionatekeennessinonedirection，hehadasortofdullstraightforwardnessinallothers。Forinstance，hehadreturnedKesterthemoneywhichthelatterhadsogladlyadvancedtowardstheexpensesincurredindefendingDaniel。NowthemoneywhichPhilipgavehimbackwaspartofanadvancewhichFosterBrothershadmadeonPhilip'sownaccount。PhiliphadthoughtthatitwashardonKestertolosehissavingsinahopelesscause，andhadmadeapointofrepayingtheoldman;butKesterwouldfarratherhavefeltthattheearningsofthesweatofhisbrowhadgoneintheattempttosavehismaster'slifethanhavehadtwicetentimesasmanygoldenguineas。Moreover，itseemedtotakehisactioninlendinghishoardoutofthesphereoflove，andmakeitbutaleadencommonloan，whenitwasPhilipwhobroughthimthesum，notSylvia，intowhosehandshehadgivenit。WiththesefeelingsKesterfelthisheartshutupashesawthelong—watched—fortwocomingdownthelittlepathwithathirdperson;withPhilipholdingupthefailingstepsofpoorBellRobson，as，loadedwithherheavymourning，andfeeblefromtheillnesswhichhaddetainedherinYorkeversincethedayofherhusband'sexecution，shecamefalteringbacktoherdesolatehome。Sylviawasalsooccupiedinattendingtohermother;oneortwice，whentheypausedalittle，sheandPhilipspoke，inthefamiliarwayinwhichthereisnocoynessnorreserve。Kestercaughtuphisclogs，andwentquicklyoutthroughtheback—kitchenintothefarmyard，notstayingtogreetthem，ashehadmeanttodo;andyetitwasdull—sightedofhimnottohaveperceivedthatwhatevermightbetherelationsbetweenPhilipandSylvia，hewassuretohaveaccompaniedthemhome;for，alas！hewastheonlymaleprotectoroftheirbloodremainingintheworld。PoorKester，whowouldfainhavetakenthatofficeuponhimself，chosetoesteemhimselfcastoff，andwentheavilyaboutthefarmyard，knowingthatheoughttogoinandbidsuchpoorwelcomeashehadtooffer，yetfeelingtoomuchtoliketoshowhimselfbeforePhilip。Itwaslong，too，beforeanyonehadleisuretocomeandseekhim。Bell'smindhadflashedupforatime，tillthefatalday，onlytobereducedbyhersubsequentillnessintocompleteandhopelesschildishness。ItwasallPhilipandSylviacoulddotomanageherinthefirstexcitementofreturninghome;herrestlessinquiryforhimwhowouldnevermorebepresentinthefamiliarscene，herfeverishwearinessanduneasiness，allrequiredtendersoothingandmostpatientenduranceofherrefusalstobesatisfiedwithwhattheysaidordid。Atlengthshetooksomefood，and，refreshedbyit，andwarmedbythefire，shesankasleepinherchair。ThenPhilipwouldfainhavespokenwithSylviabeforethehourcameatwhichhemustreturntoMonkshaven，butsheeludedhim，andwentinsearchofKester，whosepresenceshehadmissed。Shehadguessedsomeofthecauseswhichkepthimfromgreetingthemontheirfirstreturn。Butitwasnotasifshehadshapedthesecausesintothedefiniteformofwords。Itisastonishingtolookbackandfindhowdifferentlyconstitutedwerethemindsofmostpeoplefiftyorsixtyyearsago;theyfelt，theyunderstood，withoutgoingthroughreasoningoranalyticprocesses，andifthiswasthecaseamongthemoreeducatedpeople，ofcourseitwasstillmoresointheclasstowhichSylviabelonged。SheknewbysomesortofintuitionthatifPhilipaccompaniedthemhome（as，indeed，underthecircumstances，wassonaturalastobealmostunavoidable），theoldservantandfriendofthefamilywouldabsenthimself;andsosheslippedawayatthefirstpossiblemomenttogoinsearchofhim。Therehewasinthefarm—yard，leaningoverthegatethatopenedintothehome—field，apparentlywatchingthepoultrythatscratchedandpeckedatthenew—springinggrasswiththeutmostrelish。Alittlefartheroffweretheeweswiththeirnew—droppedlambs，beyondthatthegreatoldthorn—treewithitsroundfreshclustersofbuds，againbeyondthattherewasaglimpseofthevastsunnyripplingsea;butSylviaknewwellthatKesterwaslookingatnoneofthesethings。Shewentuptohimandtouchedhisarm。Hestartedfromhisreverie，andturnedrounduponherwithhisdimeyesfullofunshedtears。whenhesawherblackdress，herdeepmourning，hehadhardworktokeepfrombreakingout，butbydintofagoodbrushofhiseyeswiththebackofhishand，andamoment'spause，hecouldlookatheragainwithtolerablecalmness。'Why，Kesterwhydidstnivercometospeaktous？'saidSylvia，findingitnecessarytobecheerfulifshecould。'Adunknow;niveraxme。Asay，they'ngi'enDickSimpson'（whoseevidencehadbeenallmaterialagainstpoorDanielRobsonatthetrial）'a't'rotteneggsandfou'thingstheycouldo'Saturday，theydid，'continuedhe，inatoneofsatisfaction;'ay，andtheyniverstoppedt'seewhethert'
　　eggswererottenorfreshwhentheirbloodwasup——norwhetherstoneswashardorsoft，'headded，inalowertone，andchucklingalittle。Sylviawassilent。Helookedathernow，chucklingstill。Herfacewaswhite，herlipstightened，hereyesaflame。Shedrewalongbreath。'IwishI'dbeentheere！IwishIcoulddohimanillturn，'sighedshe，withsomekindofexpressiononherfacethatmadeKesterquailalittle。'Nay，lass！he'llgetitfra'others。Niverfretthysel'aboutsichrubbish。
　　A'ndoneilltospeakonhim。''No！thouhasn't。Thenaswasfriendso'father'sI'llloveforiverandiver;themashelpedfort'hanghim'（sheshudderedfromheadtofoot——asharpirrepressibleshudder！）'I'llniverforgive——niver！''Niver'salongword，'saidKester，musingly。'Acouldhorsewhiphim，orcaststonesathim，orduckhimmysel';but，lass！niver'salongword！''Well！niverheedifitis——it'smeassaidit，andI'mturnedsavagelatedays。Comein，Kester，andseepoormother。''Acannot，'saidhe，turninghiswrinkledpuckeredfaceaway，thatshemightnotseethetwitchingsofemotiononit。'There'skinetobefetchedup，andwhatnot，andhe'stheere，isn'the，Sylvie？'facingrounduponherwithinquisitiveness。Underhispeeringeyesshereddenedalittle。'Yes，ifit'sPhilipthoumeans;he'sbeenallwe'vehadtolooktosin'。'
　　Againtheshudder。'Well，nowhe'llbeseem'afterhisshop，areckon？'Sylviawascallingtotheoldmarenibblingtuftsofearly—springinggrasshereandthere，andhalfunconsciouslycoaxingthecreaturetocometothegatetobestroked。ButsheheardKester'swordswellenough，andsohesaw，althoughshemadethisexcusenottoreply。ButKesterwasnottobeputoff。'Folksistalkin'abouttheeandhim;thou'llha'tomindlesttheeandhimgetsyo'rnamescoupledtogether。''It'srightdowncruelonfolks，then，'saidshe，crimsoningfromsomeemotion。'Asifanymanaswasamanwouldn'tdoallhecouldfortwolonewomenatsuchatime——andheacousin，too！Tellmewhosaidso，'continuedshe，firingroundatKester，'andI'llniverforgive'em——that'sall。''Hoots！'saidKester，alittleconsciousthathehimselfwastheprincipalrepresentativeofthatnameofmultitudefolk。'Here'saprettylass;she's'
　　got"a'llniverforgi'e"athertongue'sendwi'avengeance。'Sylviawasalittleconfused。'Oh，Kester，man，'saidshe，'myheartissoreagain'everyone，forfeyther'ssake。'Andatlengththenaturalreliefofplentifultearscame;andKester，withinstinctivewisdom，letherweepundisturbed;indeed，hecriednotalittlehimself。TheywereinterruptedbyPhilip'svoicefromtheback—door。'Sylvie，yourmother'sawake，andwantsyou！''Come，Kester，come，'andtakingholdofhimshedrewhimwithherintothehouse。Bellroseastheycamein，holdingbythearmsofthechair。AtfirstshereceivedKesterasthoughhehadbeenastranger。'I'mgladtoseeyo'，sir;t'master'sout，buthe'llbeinaforelong。
　　It'llbeaboutt'lambsyo'recome，mebbe？''Mother！'saidSylvia，'dunnotyo'see？it'sKester，——Kester，wi'hisSundayclotheson。''Kester！ay，sureitis;myeyeshavegettensosoreanddimoflate;justasifI'dbeengreeting。I'msure，lad，I'mgladtoseethee！It'salongtimeI'vebeenaway，butitwerenotpleasure—seekingastookme，itwerebusinesso'somemak'——tellhim，Sylvie，whatitwere，formyhead'scleangone。IonlyknowIwouldn'tha'lefthomeifIcouldha'helpedit;forIthinkIshouldha'keptmyhealthbetterifI'dbidedathomewi'mymaster。Iwonderashe'snotcomedinfort'bidmewelcome？Ishefarafield，thinkye，Kester？'KesterlookedatSylvia，mutelyimploringhertohelphimoutinthedilemmaofanswering，butshewasdoingallshecouldtohelpcrying。Philipcametotherescue。'Aunt，'saidhe，'theclockhasstopped;canyoutellmewheret'findt'key，andI'llwinditup。''T'key，'saidshe，hurriedly，'t'key，it'sbehindth'bigBibleonyonshelf。ButI'draytherthouwouldn'ttouchit，lad;it'st'master'swork，andhedistrustsfolkmeddlingwi'it。'Dayafterdaytherewasthisconstantreferencetoherdeadhusband。Inonesenseitwasablessing;allthecircumstancesattendantonhissadanduntimelyendweresweptoutofhermindalongwiththerecollectionofthefactitself。Shereferredtohimasabsent，andhadalwayssomeplausiblewayofaccountingforit，whichsatisfiedherownmind;and，accordinglytheyfellintothehabitofhumouringher，andspeakingofhimasgonetoMonkshaven，orafield，orweariedout，andtakinganapupstairs，asherfancyledhertobelieveforthemoment。Butthisforgetfulness，thoughhappyforherself，wasterribleforherchild。ItwasaconstantrenewingofSylvia'sgrief，whilehermothercouldgivehernosympathy，nohelp，orstrengthinanycircumstancesthataroseoutofthisgrief。
　　ShewasdrivenmoreandmoreuponPhilip;hisadviceandhisaffectionbecamedailymorenecessarytoher。KestersawwhatwouldbetheendofallthismoreclearlythanSylviadidherself;and，impotenttohinderwhathefearedanddisliked，hegrewmoreandmoresurlyeveryday。Yethetriedtolabourhardandwellfortheinterestsofthefamily，asiftheywereboundupinhisgoodmanagementofthecattleandland。Hewasoutandaboutbytheearliestdawn，workingalldaylongwithmightandmain。Heboughthimselfapairofnewspectacles，whichmight，hefancied，enablehimtoreadtheFarmer'sCompleteGuide，hisdeadmaster'svade—mecum。Buthehadneverlearntmorethanhiscapitalletters，andhadforgottenmanyofthem;sothespectaclesdidhimbutlittlegood。ThenhewouldtakethebooktoSylvia，andaskhertoreadtohimtheinstructionsheneeded;instructions，beitnoted，thathewouldformerlyhavedespisedasmerebook—learning:buthispresentsenseofresponsibilityhadmadehimhumble。Sylviawouldfindtheplacewithalldeliberation:andputtingherfingerunderthelinetokeeptheexactplaceofthewordshewasreading，shewouldstriveingoodearnesttoreadoutthedirectionsgiven;butwheneveryfourthwordhadtobespelt，itwasratherhopelesswork，especiallyasallthesewordswereunintelligibletotheopen—mouthedlistener，howeverintenthemightbe。Hehadgenerallytofallbackonhisownexperience:
　　and，guidedbythat，thingswerenotdoingbadlyinhisestimation，when，oneday，Sylviasaidtohim，astheywereinthehay—field，heapingupthehayintocockswithDollyReid'sassistance——'Kester——Ididn'ttellthee——therewerealetterfromMeasterHall，LordMalton'ssteward，thatcamelastnightandthatPhilipreadme。'Shestoppedforamoment。'Aylass！Philipreaditthee，andwhattenmightitsay？''OnlythathehadanofferforHaytersbankFarm，andwouldsetmotherfreetogoassoonast'cropswasofft'ground。'Shesighedalittleasshesaidthis。"'Only！"saystta？Whattenbusinesshashefortogoan'offertolett'
　　farmaforeiverheweretoldasyo'wishedtoleaveit？'observedKester，inhighdudgeon。'Oh！'repliedSylvia，throwingdownherrake，asifwearyoflife。'Whatcouldwedowi't'farmandland？IfitwerealldairyImightha'done，butwi'somuchonitarable。''Andif'tisarableisnotIallaystot'fore？''Oh，man，dunnotfindfaultwi'me！I'mjustfaintoliedownanddie，ifitwerenotformother。''Ay！thymotherwillbesoreunsettledifthou'sforquittingHaytersbank，'
　　saidmercilessKester。'Icannothelpit;Icannothelpit！WhatcanIdo？Itwouldtaketwopairo'men'shandstokeept'landupasMeasterHalllikesit;andbeside————''Besidewhat？'saidKester，lookingupatherwithhissuddenoddlook，oneeyeshut，theotheropen:thereshestood，hertwohandsclaspedtighttogether，hereyesfillingwithtears，herfacepaleandsad。'Besidewhat？'
　　heaskedagain，sharply。'T'answer'ssenttoMeasterHall——Philipwroteitlastnight;sothere'snouseplanningandfretting，itweredonefort'best，andmunbedone。'
　　Shestoopedandpickedupherrake，andbegantossingthehaywithenergy，thetearsstreamingdownhercheeksunheeded。ItwasKester'sturntothrowdownhisrake。Shetooknonotice，hedidnotfeelsurethatshehadobservedhisaction。Hebegantowalktowardsthefieldgate;thismovementdidcatchhereye，forinaminuteherhandwasonhisarm，andshewasstoopingforwardtolookintohisface。Itwasworkingandtwitchingwithemotion。
　　'Kester！oh，man！speakout，butdunnotleavemeathis—ns。WhatcouldIha'done？Motherisgonedatelesswi'sorrow，andIambutayounglass，i'yearsImean;forI'moldenoughwi'weeping。''I'dha'putupfort'farmmysel'，soonerthanhadtheeturnedout，'saidKester，inalowvoice;thenworkinghimselfupintoapassion，asanewsuspicioncrossedhismind，headded，'An'whatfordidn'tyo'tellmeont'letter？Yo'wereinamightyhurrytosettleita'，andgetridont'oudplace。''MeasterHallhadsentanoticetoquitonMidsummerday;butPhiliphadansweredithisself。ThouknowsI'mnotgoodatreadingwriting，'specialwhenaletter'sfullo'longwords，andPhiliphadta'enitinhandtoanswer。''Wi'outaskingthee？'Sylviawentonwithoutmindingtheinterruption。'AndMeasterHallmakesagoodoffer，fort'manasisgoingtocomeinwilltaket'stockanda't'implements;andifmother——ifwe——ifI——like，th'furnitureanda'————''Furniture！'saidKester，ingrimsurprise。'What'stocomeo't'missusandthee，thatyo'llnotneedabedtolieon，orapottoboilyo'rvittelin？'Sylviareddened，butkeptsilence。'Cannotyo'speak？''Oh，Kester，Ididn'tthinkthou'dturnagain'me，andmesofriendless。
　　It'sasifI'dbeendoin'somethingwrong，andIhavesostriventoactasisbest;there'smotheraswellasmetobethoughton。''Cannotyo'answeraquestion？'saidKester，oncemore。'Whatten'supthatt'missusandyo'llnotneedbedandtable，potsandpans？''IthinkI'mgoingtomarryPhilip，'saidSylvia，insolowatone，thatifKesterhadnotsuspectedwhatheranswerwastobe，hecouldnothaveunderstoodit。Afteramoment'spauseherecommencedhiswalktowardsthefieldgate。
　　Butshewentafterhimandheldhimtightbythearm，speakingrapidly。'Kester，whatcouldIdo？WhatcanIdo？He'smycousin，andmotherknowshim，andlikeshim;andhe'sbeensogoodtousina'thistimeo'troubleandheavygrief，andhe'llkeepmotherincomfortallt'restofherdays。''Ay，andtheeincomfort。There'sadealinawell—filledpurseinawench'seyes，oronewouldha'thoughtitweren'tsoeasyforgettin'yonladaslovedtheeast'appleonhiseye。''Kester，Kester，'shecried，'I'veniverforgottenCharley;Ithinkonhim，Iseehimiverynightlyingdrownedatt'bottomo't'sea。Forgettenhim！Man！it'seasytalking！'Shewaslikeawildcreaturethatseesitsyoung，butisunabletoreachitwithoutadeadlyspring，andyetispreparingtotakethatfatalleap。Kesterhimselfwasalmoststartled，andyetitwasasifhemustgoontorturingher。'An'whotelledtheesosureandcertainasheweredrowned？Hemightha'
　　beencarriedoffbyt'press—gangaswellasothermen。''Oh！ifIwerebutdeadthatImightknowall！'criedshe，flingingherselfdownonthehay。Kesterkeptsilence。Thenshesprangupagain，andlookingwitheagerwistfulnessintohisface，shesaid，——'Tellmet'chances。Tellmequick！Philip'sverygood，andkind，andhesaysheshalldieifIwillnotmarryhim，andthere'snohomeformotherandme，——nohomeforher，forasformeIdunnotcarewhatbecomesonme;
　　butifCharley'saliveIcannotmarryPhilip——no，notifhediesforwanto'me——andasformother，poormother，Kester，it'sanawfulstrait;onlyfirsttellmeifthere'sachance，justoneinathousand，onlyoneinahundredthousand，asCharleywereta'enbyt'gang？'Shewasbreathlessbythistime，whatwithherhurriedwords，andwhatwiththebeatingofherheart。Kestertooktimetoanswer。Hehadspokenbeforetoohastily，thistimeheweighedhiswords。'Kinraidwentawayfromthishereplacet'joinhisship。An'heniverjoineditnomore;an't'captainan'allhisfriendsatNewcasselasiverwere，madesearchforhim，onboardt'。king'sships。That'smorenorfifteenmonthago，an'noughthasiverbeenheerdonhimbyanyman。That'swhat'stobesaidononesideo't'matter。Thenont'otherthere'sthisasisknown。Hishatwerecastupbyt'seawi'aribboninit，asthere'sreasont'thinkashe'dnotha'partedwi'soquickifhe'dhadhisownwill。''Butyo'saidashemightha'beencarriedoffbyt'gang——yo'did，Kester，tho'nowyo'rea'fort'otherside。''Mylass，a'dfainhavehimalive，an'adunnotfancyPhilipforthyhusband;
　　butit'saseriousjudgmentasthou'sputmeon，an'a'mtryingitfair。
　　There'sallaysonechancei'athousandashe'salive，fornomaniversawhimdead。Butt'gangwerenoaneaboutMonkshaventhen:therewereniveratenderont'coastnearerthanShields，an'thosetheereweresearched。'Hedidnotsayanymore，butturnedbackintothefield，andtookuphishay—makingagain。Sylviastoodquitestill，thinking，andwistfullylongingforsomekindofcertainty。Kestercameuptoher。'Sylvie，thouknowsPhilippaidmebackmymoney，anditwereeightpoundfifteenandthree—pence;andt'hayandstock'llsellforsummatabovet'rent;anda'veasisterasisadecentwidow—woman，tho'butbadlyoff，livin'atDaleEnd;andiftheeandthymother'llgolivewi'her，a'llgivetheewellontoallacanearn，andit'llbeamattero'fiveshillingaweek。Butdunnotgoandmarryamanasthou'snoanetakenwi'，andanotherasismostlikefort'bedead，butwho，mebbe，isalive，havin'apullonthyheart。'Sylviabegantocryasifherheartwasbroken。ShehadpromisedherselfmorefullytoPhilipthenightbeforethanshehadtoldKester;and，withsomepainsandmuchpatience，hercousin，herlover，alas！herfuturehusband，hadmadethefactcleartothebewilderedmindofherpoormother，whohadalldaylongshownthathermindandheartwerefullofthesubject，andthatthecontemplationofitwasgivingherasmuchpeaceasshecouldeverknow。AndnowKester'swordscametocallupechoesinthepoorgirl'sheart。Justasshewasinthismiserablestate，wishingthatthegravelayopenbeforeher，andthatshecouldliedown，andbecoveredupbythesoftgreenturffromallthebittersorrowsandcarkingcaresandwearybewildermentsofthislife;wishingthatherfatherwasalive，thatCharliewasoncemorehere;thatshehadnotrepeatedthesolemnwordsbywhichshehadpromisedherselftoPhiliponlytheveryeveningbefore，sheheardasoft，lowwhistle，and，lookingroundunconsciously，therewasherloverandaffiancedhusband，leaningonthegate，andgazingintothefieldwithpassionateeyes，devouringthefairfaceandfigureofher，hisfuturewife。'Oh，Kester，'saidsheoncemore，'whatmunIdo？I'mpledgedtohimasstrongaswordscanmakeit，andmotherblessedusbothwi'moresensethanshe'shadforweeks。Kester，man，speak！ShallIgoandbreakitalloff？——say。''Nay，it'snoaneformet'say;m'appenthou'sgonetoofar。Themaboveonlyknowswhatisbest。'Againthatlong，cooingwhistle。'Sylvie！''He'sbeenverykindtousall，'saidSylvie，layingherrakedownwithslowcare，'andI'lltryt'makehimhappy。'
　　chapter29CHAPTERXXIXWEDDINGRAIMENTPhilipandSylviawereengaged。ItwasnotsohappyastateofthingsasPhiliphadimagined。Hehadalreadyfoundthatout，althoughitwasnottwenty—fourhourssinceSylviahadpromisedtobehis。Hecouldnothavedefinedwhyhewasdissatisfied;ifhehadbeencompelledtoaccountforhisfeeling，hewouldprobablyhaveallegedasareasonthatSylvia'smannerwassounchangedbyhernewpositiontowardshim。Shewasquietandgentle;
　　butnoshyer，nobrighter，nocoyer，nohappier，thanshehadbeenformonthsbefore。Whenshejoinedhimatthefield—gate，hisheartwasbeatingfast，hiseyeswerebeamingoutloveatherapproach。Sheneitherblushednorsmiled，butseemedabsorbedinthoughtofsomekind。Butsheresistedhissilentefforttodrawherawayfromthepathleadingtothehouse，andturnedherfacesteadilyhomewards。Hemurmuredsoftwords，whichshescarcelyheard。Rightintheirwaywasthestonetroughforthefreshbubblingwater，that，issuingfromaroadsidespring，servedforallthehouseholdpurposesofHaytersbankFarm。Byitwerethemilk—cans，glitteringandclean。Sylviaknewsheshouldhavetostopforthese，andcarrythembackhomeinreadinessfortheevening'smilking;andatthistime，duringthisaction，sheresolvedtosaywhatwasonhermind。Theywerethere。Sylviaspoke。'Philip，Kesterhasbeensayingashowitmightha'been————''Well！'saidPhilip。Sylviasatedownontheedgeofthetrough，anddippedherhotlittlehandinthewater。Thenshewentonquickly，andliftingherbeautifuleyestoPhilip'sface，withalookofinquiry——'HethinksasCharleyKinraidmayha'beentookbyt'press—gang。'Itwasthefirsttimeshehadnamedthenameofherformerlovertoherpresentonesincetheday，longagonow，whentheyhadquarrelledabouthim;andtherosycolourflushedherallover;buthersweet，trustfuleyesneverflinchedfromtheirsteady，unconsciousgaze。Philip'sheartstoppedbeating;literally，asifhehadcometoasuddenprecipice，whilehehadthoughthimselfsecurelywalkingonsunnygreensward。
　　Hewentpurplealloverfromdismay;hedarednottakehiseyesawayfromthatsad，earnestlookofhers，buthewasthankfulthatamistcamebeforethemanddrewaveilbeforehisbrain。Heheardhisownvoicesayingwordshedidnotseemtohaveframedinhisownmind。'Kester'sad——dfool，'hegrowled。'Hesaysthere'smebbebutonechancei'ahundred，'saidSylvia，pleading，asitwere，forKester;'butoh！Philip，thinkyo'there'sjustthatonechance？''Ay，there'sachance，sureenough，'saidPhilip，inakindoffiercedespairthatmadehimrecklesswhathesaidordid。'There'sachance，Isuppose，foriverythingi'lifeaswehavenotseenwithourowneyesasitmaynotha'happened。Kestermaysaynextasthere'sachanceasyourfatherisnotdead，becausewenoneonussawhim————''Hung，'hewasgoingtohavesaid，butatouchofhumanitycamebackintohisstonyheart。Sylviasentupalittlesharpcryathiswords。Helongedatthesoundtotakeherinhisarmsandhushherup，asamotherhushesherweepingchild。Buttheverylonging，havingtoberepressed，onlymadehimmorebesidehimselfwithguilt，anxiety，andrage。Theywerequitestillnow。Sylvialookingsadlydownintothebubbling，merry，flowingwater:Philipglaringather，wishingthatthenextwordwerespoken，thoughitmightstabhimtotheheart。Butshedidnotspeak。Atlength，unabletobearitanylonger，hesaid，'Thousetsadealo'
　　storeonthatman，Sylvie。'If'thatman'hadbeenthereatthemoment，Philipwouldhavegrappledwithhim，andnotletgohisholdtilloneortheotherweredead。Sylviacaughtsomeofthepassionatemeaningofthegloomy，miserabletoneofPhilip'svoiceashesaidthesewords。Shelookedupathim。'Ithoughtyo'knowedthatIcaredadealforhim。'Therewassomethingsopleadingandinnocentinherpale，troubledface，sopatheticinhertone，thatPhilip'sanger，whichhadbeenexcitedagainsther，aswellasagainstalltherestoftheworld，meltedawayintolove;
　　andoncemorehefeltthathaveherforhisownhemust，atanycost。Hesatedownbyher，andspoketoherinquiteadifferentmannertothatwhichhehadusedbefore，withareadytactandartwhichsomestrangeinstinctortempter'closeathisear'supplied。'Yes，darling，Iknewyo'caredforhim。I'llnotsayillofhimthatis——dead——ay，deadanddrowned——whativerKestermaysay——beforenow;butifIchoseI
　　couldtelltales。''No！tellnotales;I'llnothearthem，'saidshe，wrenchingherselfoutofPhilip'sclaspingarm。'Theymaymisca'himforiver，andI'llnotbelieve'em。''I'llnivermiscallonewhoisdead，'saidPhilip;eachnewunconscioussignofthestrengthofSylvia'sloveforherformerloveronlymakinghimthemoreanxioustoconvinceherthathewasdead，onlyrenderinghimmorekeenatdeceivinghisownconsciencebyrepeatingtoittheliethatlongerethisKinraidwasinallprobabilitydead——killedbyeitherthechancesofwarortempestuoussea;that，evenifnot，hewasasgoodasdeadtoher;sothattheword'dead'mightbeusedinallhonestcertainty，asinoneofitsmeaningsKinraidwasdeadforsure。'Thinkyo'thatifhewerenotdeadhewouldn'tha'writtenerethistosomeoneofhiskin，ifnottothee？YetnoneofhisfolkNewcassel—waybutbelievehimdead。''SoKestersays，'sighedSylvia。Philiptookheart。Heputhisarmsoftlyroundheragain，andmurmured——'Mylassie，trynottothinkonthemasisgone，asisdead，butt'thinkabitmoreonhimaslovesyo'wi'heart，andsoul，andmight，andhasdoneiversin'hefirstseteyesonyo'。Oh，Sylvie，mylovefortheeisjustterrible。'AtthismomentDollyReidwasseenattheback—doorofthefarmhouse，andcatchingsightofSylvia，shecalledout——'Sylvia，thymotherisaxingforthee，andIcannotmakehermindeasy。'