manyagoodfellowtoo;butahadt'lookaftermysel'，anawereuphighi't'air，aforeIcouldsayJackRobinson，an'athowtaweresafeforanotherdiveint'sautwater;but，i'steadacomesdownplumpont'backo't'whale。Ay！yo'maystare，masterbuttheereawere，an'mainan'
　　slipperyitwere，onlyasticksmyharpoonintilheran'steadiesmysel'，an'looksabroado'ert'vasto'waves，andgetssea—sickinamanner，an'putsupaprayerasshemayn'tdive，anditwereasgoodaprayerforwishin'itmightcometrueasivert'clargymanan't'clerktooputsupi'Monkshavenchurch。Well，areckonitwereheerd，forallawerei'themnorthlatitudes，forshekeepssteady，an'adoesmybestfort'keepsteady;
　　an''deedawastoosteady，forawasfastwi't'harpoonline，allknottedandtangledaboutme。T'captain，hesingsoutformetocutit;butit'seasysingin'out，andit'snoanesoeasyfumblin'foryourknifei't'
　　pocketo'yourdrawers，whenyo'vet'holdhardwi't'otherhandont'
　　backofawhale，swimmin'fourteenknotsanhour。Atlastathinkstomysel'
　　acan'tgetfreeo't'line，andt'lineisfasttot'harpoon，andt'
　　harpoonisfasttot'whale;andt'whalemaygodownfathomsdeepwhenivert'maggotstirsi'herhead;an't'watter'scold，annoanegoodfordrownin'
　　in;acan'tgetfreeo't'line，andaconnotgetmyknifeouto'mybreechespocketthought'captainshouldca'itmutinytodisobeyorders，andt'
　　line'sfasttot'harpoon——let'sseeift'harpoon'sfasttot'whale。
　　Soatugged，andalugged，andt'whaledidn'tmistakeitforticklin'，butshecocksuphertail，andthrowsoutshowerso'wateraswereiceoriverittouchedme;butapullsonatt'shank，an'awereonlyafeardasshewouldn'tkeepatt'topwi'itstickinginher;butatlastt'harpoonbroke，an'justi'time，forareckonshewasnearastiredo'measawereonher，anddownshewent;an'ahadhardworktomakefort'boatsaswasnearenoughtocatchme;forwhatwi't'whale'sbeingbutslipperyan't'watterbeingcold，an'mehamperedwi't'linean't'pieceo'harpoon，it'sachance，missus，asthouhadstoppedanoudmaid。''Ehdeara'me！'saidBell，'howwellImindyo'rtellingmethattale！
　　Itweretwenty—fouryearagocomeOctober。IthoughtInevercouldthinkenoughonamanashadrodeonawhale'sback！''Yo'maylearnt'wayofwinnin't'women，'saidDaniel，winkingatthespecksioneer。AndKinraidimmediatelylookedatSylvia。Itwasnopremeditatedaction;
　　itcameasnaturallyaswakeninginthemorningwhenhissleepwasended;
　　butSylviacolouredasredasanyroseathissuddenglance，——colouredsodeeplythathelookedawayuntilhethoughtshehadrecoveredhercomposure，andthenhesatgazingatheragain。Butnotforlong，forBellsuddenlystartingup，didallbutturnhimoutofthehouse。Itwaslate，shesaid，andhermasterwastired，andtheyhadaharddaybeforethemnextday;
　　anditwaskeepingEllenCorneyup;andtheyhadhadenoughtodrink，——morethanwasgoodforthem，shewassure，fortheyhadbothbeentakingherinwiththeirstorieswhichshehadbeenfoolishenoughtobelieve。Noonesawtherealmotiveofallthisalmostinhospitablehastetodismissherguest，howthesuddenfearhadtakenpossessionofherthatheandSylviawere'fancyingeachother。'Kinraidhadsaidearlyintheeveningthathehadcometothankherforherkindnessinsendingthesausages，ashewasofftohisownhomenearNewcastleinadayortwo。Butnowhesaid，inreplytoDanielRobson，thathewouldstepinanothernightbeforelongandhearsomemoreoftheoldman'syarns。Danielhadjusthadenoughdrinktomakehimverygood—tempered，orelsehiswifewouldnothavedaredtohaveactedasshedid;andthismaudlinamiabilitytooktheshapeofhospitableurgencythatKinraidshouldcomeasoftenashelikedtoHaytersbank;comeandmakeithishomewhenhewasintheseparts;staytherealtogether，andsoon，tillBellfairlyshuttheouterdoorto，andlockeditbeforethespecksioneerhadwellgotoutoftheshadowoftheirroof。AllnightlongSylviadreamedofburningvolcanoesspringingoutoficysouthernseas。But，asinthespecksioneer'staletheflameswerepeopledwithdemons，therewasnohumaninterestforherinthewondroussceneinwhichshewasnoactor，onlyaspectator。Withdaylightcamewakeningandlittlehomelyeverydaywonders。DidKinraidmeanthathewasgoingawayreallyandentirely，ordidhenot？WasheMollyCorney'ssweetheart，orwashenot？Whenshehadarguedherselfintocertaintyononeside，shesuddenlywheeledabout，andwasjustoftheoppositeopinion。AtlengthshesettledthatitcouldnotbesettleduntilshesawMollyagain;so，byastronggulpingeffort，sheresolutelydeterminedtothinknomoreabouthim，onlyaboutthemarvelshehadtold。Shemightthinkalittleaboutthemwhenshesatatnight，spinninginsilencebythehouseholdfire。orwhenshewentoutinthegloamingtocallthecattlehometobemilked，andsaunteredbackbehindthepatient，slow—gaitedcreatures;andattimesonfuturesummerdays，when，asinthepast，shetookherknittingoutforthesakeofthefreshnessofthefaintsea—breeze，anddroppingdownfromledgetoledgeoftherocksthatfacedtheblueocean，establishedherselfinaperilousnookthathadbeenherhaunteversinceherparentshadcometoHaytersbankFarm。Fromthenceshehadoftenseenthedistantshipspasstoandfro，withacertainsortoflazypleasureinwatchingtheirswifttranquillityofmotion，butnothoughtastowheretheywereboundto，orwhatstrangeplacestheywouldpenetratetobeforetheyturnedagain，homewardbound。
　　chapter10CHAPTERXAREFRACTORYPUPILSylviawasstillfullofthespecksioneerandhisstories，whenHepburncameuptogiveherthenextlesson。Buttheprospectofalittlesensiblecommendationforwritingawholepagefullofflourishing'Abednegos，'
　　hadlostalltheslightcharmithadeverpossessed。Shewasmuchmoreinclinedtotryandelicitsomesympathyinherinterestintheperilsandadventuresofthenorthernseas，thantobendandcontrolhermindtotherightformationofletters。Unwiselyenough，sheendeavouredtorepeatoneofthenarrativesthatshehadheardfromKinraid;andwhenshefoundthatHepburn（if，indeed，hedidnotlookuponthewholeasasillyinvention）considereditonlyasaninterruptiontotherealbusinessinhand，towhichhewouldtrytolistenaspatientlyashecould，inthehopeofSylvia'sapplyingherselfdiligentlytohercopy—bookwhenshehadclearedhermind，shecontractedherprettylips，asiftocheckthemfrommakinganyfurtherappealsforsympathy，andsetaboutherwriting—lessoninaveryrebelliousframeofmind，onlyrestrainedbyhermother'spresencefromspokenmutiny。'Afterail，'saidshe，throwingdownherpen，andopeningandshuttingherweary，crampedhand，'Iseenogoodintiringmyselfwi'learningfort'writeletterswhenI'senevergotoneinamylife。WhatforshouldIwriteanswers，whenthere'sniveraonewritestome？andifIhadone，Icouldn'treadit;it'sbadenoughwi'abooko'printasI'veniverseenafore，forthere'ssuretobenew—fangledwordsin't。I'msureIwishthemanwerefarredwhoplagueshisbrainswi'strikingoutnewwords。
　　Whycan'tfolksjustha'aseton'emforgoodanda'？''Why！you'llbeafterusingtwoorthreehundredyoursel'everydayasyoulive，Sylvie;andyetImustuseagreatmanyasyouneverthinkonaboutt'shop;andt'folksint'fieldswanttheirset，letalonethehighEnglishthatparsonsandlawyersspeak。''Well，it'swearyworkisreadingandwriting。Cannotyoulearnmesomethingelse，ifwemundolessons？''There'ssums——andgeography，'saidHepburn，slowlyandgravely。'Geography！'saidSylvia，brightening，andperhapsnotpronouncingthewordquitecorrectly，'I'dlikeyo'tolearnmegeography。There'sadealo'placesIwanttohearallabout。''Well，I'llbringupabookandamapnexttime。ButIcantellyousomethingnow。There'sfourquartersintheglobe。''What'sthat？'askedSylvia。'Theglobeistheearth;theplaceweliveon。''Goon。WhichquarterisGreenland？''Greenlandisnoquarter。Itisonlyapartofone。''Maybeit'sahalfquarter。''No，notsomuchasthat。''Halfagain？''No！'hereplied，smilingalittle。Shethoughthewasmakingitintoaverysmallplaceinordertoteaseher;soshepoutedalittle，andthensaid，——'Greenlandisallt'geographyIwanttoknow。Except，perhaps，York。I'dliketolearnaboutYork，becauseoft'races，andLondon，becauseKingGeorgelivesthere。''Butifyoulearngeographyatall，youmustlearn'boutallplaces:whichofthemishot，andwhichiscold，andhowmanyinhabitantsisineach，andwhat'stherivers，andwhichistheprincipaltowns。''I'msure，Sylvie，ifPhilipwilllearntheeallthat，thou'ltbesuchasighto'knowledgeasne'eraoneo'th'Prestonshasbeensin'mygreat—grandfatherlosthisproperty。Ishouldbemainproudo'thee;'twouldseemasifwewasPrestonso'Slaideburnoncemore。''I'ddoadealtopleasureyo'，mammy;butwearybefa'richesandland，iffolksthathas'emistowrite，"Abednegos"byt'score，andtogethardwordsint'theirbrains，tilltheyworklikebarm，andendwi'cracking'em。'ThisseemedtobeSylvia'slastprotestagainstlearningforthenight，forafterthissheturneddocile，andreallytookpainstounderstandallthatPhilipcouldteachher，bymeansofthenotunskilful，thoughrude，mapwhichhedrewforherwithapieceofcharredwoodonhisaunt'sdresser。
　　Hehadaskedhisaunt'sleavebeforebeginningwhatSylviacalledhis'dirtywork;'butby—and—byevenshebecamealittleinterestedinstartingfromagreatblackspotcalledMonkshaven，andintheshapingoflandandseaaroundthatonecentre。Sylviaheldherroundchininthepalmsofherhands，supportingherelbowsonthedresser;lookingdownattheprogressoftheroughdrawingingeneral，butnowandthenglancingupathimwithsuddeninquiry。Allalonghewasnotsomuchabsorbedinhisteachingastobeunconsciousofhersweetproximity。Shewasinherbestmoodtowardshim;neithermutinousnorsaucy;andhewasstrivingwithallhismighttoretainherinterest，speakingbetterthaneverhehaddonebefore（suchbrightnessdidlovecallforth！）——understandingwhatshewouldcaretohearandtoknow;when，inthemiddleofanattemptatexplainingthecauseofthelongpolardays，ofwhichshehadheardfromherchildhood，hefeltthatherattentionwasnolongerhis;thatadiscordhadcomeinbetweentheirminds;thatshehadpassedoutofhispower。Thiscertaintyofintuitionlastedoutforaninstant;hehadnotimetowonderortospeculateastowhathadaffectedhersoadverselytohiswishesbeforethedooropenedandKinraidcamein。ThenHepburnknewthatshemusthaveheardhiscomingfootsteps，andrecognizedthem。Heangrilystiffenedhimselfupintocoldnessofdemeanour。Almosttohissurprise，Sylvia'sgreetingtothenewcomerwasascoldashisown。Shestoodratherbehindhim;soperhapsshedidnotseethehandwhichKinraidstretchedouttowardsher，forshedidnotplaceherownlittlepalminit，asshehaddonetoPhilipanhourago。Andshehardlyspoke，butbegantoporeovertheroughblackmap，asifseizedwithstronggeographicalcuriosity，ordeterminedtoimpressPhilip'slessondeeponhermemory。StillPhilipwasdismayedbyseeingthewarmwelcomewhichKinraidreceivedfromthemasterofthehouse，whocameinfromthebackpremisesalmostatthesametimeasthespecksioneerenteredatthefront。Hepburnwasuneasy，too，atfindingKinraidtakehisseatbythefireside，likeoneaccustomedtothewaysofthehouse。Pipesweresoonproduced。Philipdislikedsmoking。PossiblyKinraiddidsotoo，buthetookapipeatanyrate，andlightedit，thoughhehardlyuseditatall，butkepttalkingtofarmerRobsononseaaffairs。Hehadtheconversationprettymuchtohimself。
　　Philipsatgloomilyby;Sylviaandhisauntweresilent，andoldRobsonsmokedhislongclaypipe，fromtimetotimetakingitoutofhismouthtospitintothebrightcopperspittoon，andtoshakethewhiteashesoutofthebowl。Beforehereplacedit，hewouldgiveashortlaughofrelishinginterestinKinraid'sconversation;andnowandthenheputinaremark。'
　　Sylviaperchedherselfsidewaysontheendofthedresser，andmadepretencetosew;butPhilipcouldseehowoftenshepausedinherworktolisten。By—and—by，hisauntspoketohim，andtheykeptupalittlesideconversation，morebecauseBellRobsonfeltthathernephew，herownfleshandblood，wasputout，thanforanyspecialinteresttheyeitherofthemfeltinwhattheyweresaying。Perhaps，also，theyneitherofthemdislikedshowingthattheyhadnogreatfaithinthestoriesKinraidwastelling。MrsRobson，atanyrate，knewsolittleastobeafraidofbelievingtoomuch。PhilipwassittingonthatsideofthefirewhichwasnearesttothewindowandtoSylvia，andoppositetothespecksioneer。Atlengthheturnedtohiscousinandsaidinalowvoice——'Isupposewecant'goonwithourspellatgeographytillthatfellow'sgone？'ThecolourcameintoSylvia'scheekatthewords'thatfellow;'butsheonlyrepliedwithacarelessair——'Well，I'moneasthinksenoughisasgoodasafeast;andI'vehadenoughofgeographythisonenight，thankyoukindlyallthesame。'Philiptookrefugeinoffendedsilence。Hewasmaliciouslypleasedwhenhisauntmadesomuchnoisewithherpreparationforsupperasquitetopreventthesoundofthesailor'swordsfromreachingSylvia'sears。Shesawthathewasgladtoperceivethathereffortstoreachtheremainderofthestorywerebaulked！thisnettledher，and，determinednottolethimhavehismalicioustriumph，andstillmoretoputastoptoanyattemptatprivateconversation，shebegantosingtoherselfasshesatatherwork;till，suddenlyseizedwithadesiretohelphermother，shedexterouslyslippeddownfromherseat，passedHepburn，andwasonherkneestoastingcakesrightinfrontofthefire，andjustclosetoherfatherandKinraid。
　　AndnowthenoisethatHepburnhadsorejoicedinprovedhisfoe。Hecouldnothearthelittlemerryspeechesthatdartedbackwardsandforwardsasthespecksioneertriedtotakethetoasting—forkoutofSylvia'shand。'Howcomesthatsailorchaphere？'askedHepburnofhisaunt。'He'snonefittobewhereSylviais。''Nay，Idunnotknow，'saidshe;'theCorneysmadeusacquaintfirst，andmymasterisquitefainofhiscompany。''Anddoyoulikehim，too，aunt？'askedHepburn，almostwistfully;hehadfollowedMrsRobsonintothedairyonpretenceofhelpingher。'I'mnonefondonhim;Ithinkhetellsustraveller'stales，bywayo'
　　seeinghowmuchwecanswallow。ButthemasterandSylviathinkthatthereneverwassuchaone。''Icouldshowthemascoreasgoodashedownonthequayside。''Well，laddie，keepacalmsough。Somefolklikesomefolkandothersdon't。
　　WhereverIamthere'llallaysbeawelcomeforthee。'Forthegoodwomanthoughtthathehadbeenhurtbytheevidentabsorptionofherhusbandanddaughterwiththeirnewfriend，andwishedtomakealleasyandstraight。Butdowhatshewould，hedidnotrecoverhistemperallevening:hewasuncomfortable，putout，notenjoyinghimself，andyethewouldnotgo。HewasdeterminedtoasserthisgreaterintimacyinthathousebyoutstayingKinraid。Atlengththelattergotuptogo;butbeforehewent，hemustneedsbendoverSylviaandsaysomethingtoherinsolowatonethatPhilipcouldnothearit;andshe，seizedwithasuddenfitofdiligence，neverlookedupfromhersewing;onlynoddedherheadbywayofreply。Atlasthetookhisdeparture，aftermanyalittledelay，andmanyaquickreturn，whichtothesuspiciousPhilipseemedonlypretencesfortakingstolenglancesatSylvia。Assoonashewasdecidedlygone，shefoldedupherwork，anddeclaredthatshewassomuchtiredthatshemustgotobedthereandthen。Hermother，too，hadbeendozingforthelasthalf—hour，andwasonlytoogladtoseesignsthatshemightbetakeherselftohernaturalplaceofslumber。'Takeanotherglass，Philip，'saidfarmerRobson。ButHepburnrefusedtheofferratherabruptly。HedrewneartoSylviainstead。
　　Hewantedtomakeherspeaktohim，andhesawthatshewishedtoavoidit。Hetookupthereadiestpretext。Itwasanunwiseoneasitproved，foritdeprivedhimofhischancesofoccasionallyobtainingherundividedattention。'Idon'tthinkyoucaremuchforlearninggeography，Sylvie？''Notmuchto—night，'saidshe，makingapretencetoyawn，yetlookingtimidlyupathiscountenanceofdispleasure。'Noratanytime，'saidhe，withgrowinganger;'norforanykindoflearning。
　　IdidbringsomebookslasttimeIcame，meaningtoteachyoumanyathingbutnowI'lljusttroubleyouformybooks;IputthemonyonshelfbytheBible。'Hehadamindthatsheshouldbringthemtohim;that，atanyrate，heshouldhavethepleasureofreceivingthemoutofherhands。Sylviadidnotreply，butwentandtookdownthebookswithalanguid，indifferentair。'Andsoyouwon'tlearnanymoregeography，'saidHepburn。Somethinginhistonestruckher，andshelookedupinhis。face。Thereweremarksofsternoffenceuponhiscountenance，andyetinittherewasalsoanairofwistfulregretandsadnessthattouchedher。'Yo'reniverangrywithme，Philip？Soonerthanvexyo'，I'lltryandlearn。
　　Only，I'mjuststupid;anditmunbesuchatroubletoyou。'Hepburnwouldfainhavesnatchedatthishalfproposalthatthelessonsshouldbecontinued，buthewastoostubbornandproudtosayanything。
　　Heturnedawayfromthesweet，pleadingfacewithoutaword，towrapuphisbooksinapieceofpaper。Heknewthatshewasstandingquitestillbyhisside，thoughhemadeasifhedidnotperceiveher。Whenhehaddoneheabruptlywishedthemall'good—night，'andtookhisleave。ThereweretearsinSylvia'seyes，althoughthefeelinginherheartwasratheroneofrelief。Shehadmadeafairoffer，andithadbeentreatedwithsilentcontempt。Afewdaysafterwards，herfathercameinfromMonkshavenmarket，anddroppedout，amongotherpiecesofnews，thathehadmetKinraid，whowasboundforhisownhomeatCullercoats。HehaddesiredhisrespectstoMrsRobsonandherdaughter;andhadbidRobsonsaythathewouldhavecomeuptoHaytersbanktowishthemgood—by，butthatashewaspressedfortime，hehopedtheywouldexcusehim。ButRobsondidnotthinkitworthwhiletogivethislongmessageofmerepoliteness。Indeed，asitdidnotrelatetobusiness，andwasonlysenttowomen，Robsonforgotallaboutit，prettynearlyassoonasitwasuttered。SoSylviawentaboutfrettingherselfforoneortwodays，atherhero'sapparentcarelessnessofthosewhohadatanyratetreatedhimmorelikeafriendthananacquaintanceofonlyafewweeks'standing;andthen，herangerquenchingherincipientregard，shewentaboutherdailybusinessprettymuchasthoughhehadneverbeen。Hehadgoneawayoutofhersightintothethickmistofunseenlifefromwhichhehademerged——goneawaywithoutaword，andshemightneverseehimagain。ButstilltherewasachanceofherseeinghimwhenhecametomarryMollyCorney。Perhapssheshouldbebridesmaid，andthenwhatapleasantmerrytimethewedding—daywouldbe！TheCorneyswereallsuchkindpeople，andintheirfamilythereneverseemedtobethechecksandrestraintsbywhichherownmotherhedgedherround。Thentherecameanoverwhelmingself—reproachingburstofloveforthat'ownmother;'ahumiliationbeforeherslightestwish，aspenanceforthemoment'sunspokentreason;andthusSylviawasledtorequesthercousinPhiliptoresumehislessonsinsomeekamanner，thatheslowlyandgraciouslyaccededtoarequestwhichhewasyearningtofulfilallthetime。Duringtheensuingwinter，allwentoninmonotonousregularityatHaytersbankFarmformanyweeks。Hepburncameandwent，andthoughtSylviawonderfullyimprovedindocilityandsobriety;andperhapsalsohenoticedtheimprovementinherappearance。Forshewasatthatagewhenagirlchangesrapidly，andgenerallyforthebetter。Sylviashotupintoatallyoungwoman;hereyesdeepenedincolour，herfaceincreasedinexpression，andasortofconsciousnessofunusualgoodlooksgaveheraslighttingeofcoquettishshynesswiththefewstrangerswhomsheeversaw。Philiphailedherinterestingeographyasanothersignofimprovement。Hehadbroughtbackhisbookofmapstothefarm;andtherehesatonmanyaneveningteachinghiscousin，whohadstrangefanciesrespectingtheplacesaboutwhichshewishedtolearn，andwascoollyindifferenttotheveryexistenceofothertowns，andcountries，andseasfarmorefamousinstory。Shewasoccasionallywilful，andattimesverycontemptuousastothesuperiorknowledgeofherinstructor;but，inspiteofitall，PhilipwentregularlyontheappointedeveningstoHaytersbank——throughkeenblackeastwind，ordrivingsnow，orslushingthaw;forhelikeddearlytositalittlebehindher，withhisarmonthebackofherchair，shestoopingovertheoutspreadmap，withhereyes，couldhehaveseenthem，agooddealfixedononespotinthemap，notNorthumberland，whereKinraidwasspendingthewinter，butthosewildnorthernseasaboutwhichhehadtoldthemsuchwonders。Onedaytowardsspring，shesawMollyCorneycomingtowardsthefarm。Thecompanionshadnotmetformanyweeks，forMollyhadbeenfromhomevisitingherrelationsinthenorth。Sylviaopenedthedoor，andstoodsmilingandshiveringonthethreshold，gladtoseeherfriendagain。Mollycalledout，whenafewpacesoff，——'Why，Sylvia，isthatthee！Why，howthou'rtgrowed，tobesure！Whatabonnylassthouis！''Dunnottalknonsensetomylass，'saidBellRobson，hospitablyleavingherironingandcomingtothedoor;butthoughthemothertriedtolookasifshethoughtitnonsense，shecouldhardlykeepdownthesmilethatshoneoutofhereyes，assheputherhandonSylvia'sshoulder，withafondsenseofproprietorshipinwhatwasbeingpraised。'Oh！butsheis，'persistedMolly。'She'sgrownquiteabeautysin'Isawher。AndifIdon'ttellherso，themenwill。''Bequietwi'thee，'saidSylvia，morethanhalfoffended，andturningawayinahuffattheopenbarefacedadmiration。'Ay;buttheywill，'perseveredMolly。'Yo'llnotkeepherlong，MistressRobson。Andasmothersays，yo'dfeelitadealmoretohaveyerdaughtersleftonhand。''Thymotherhasmany，Ihavebutthisone，'saidMrsRobson，withseveresadness;fornowMollywasgettingtotalkasshedisliked。ButMolly'spurposewastobringtheconversationroundtoherownaffairs，ofwhichshewasveryfull。'Yes！Itellmotherthatwi'somanyasshehas，sheoughttobethankfultot'oneasgetsoffquickest。''Who？whichisit？'askedSylvia，alittleeagerly，seeingthattherewasnewsofaweddingbehindthetalk。'Why！whoshoulditbebutme？'saidMolly，laughingagooddeal，andreddeningalittle。'I'venotgonefra'homefornought;I'sepickedupameasteronmytravels，leastwaysoneasistobe。''CharleyKinraid，'saidSylviasmiling，asshefoundthatnowshemightrevealMolly'ssecret，whichhithertoshehadkeptsacred。'CharleyKinraidbehung！'saidMolly，withatossofherhead。'Whattengood'sahusbandwho'satseahalft'year？Haha，mymeasterisacannyNewcasselshopkeeper，ont'Side。Areckona'vedoneprettywellformysel'，anda'llwishyo'asgoodluck，Sylvia。Foryo'see，'（turningtoBellRobson，who，perhaps，shethoughtwouldmoreappreciatethesubstantialadvantagesofherengagementthanSylvia，）'thoughMeasterBruntonisnearuponfortyifhe'saday，yetheturnsoveramatteroftwohundredpoundeveryyear;anhe'sagood—lookingmanofhisyearstoo，an'akind，good—temperedfellerint't'bargain。He'sbeenmarriedonce，tobesure;buthischilderaredeada''ceptone;an'Idon'tmislikechildereither;an'a'llfeed'emwell，an'get'emtobedearly，outo't'road。'MrsRobsongaveherhergravegoodwishes;butSylviawassilent。Shewasdisappointed;itwasacomingdownfromtheromancewiththespecksioneerforitshero。Mollylaughedawkwardly，understandingSylvia'sthoughtsbetterthanthelatterimagined。'Sylvia'snoanesowellpleased。Why，lass！it'sa't'betterforthee。
　　There'sCharleytot'forenow，whichifa'dmarriedhim，he'dnotha'
　　been;andhe'ssaidmorenoroncewhataprettylassyo'dgrowintoby—and—by。'Molly'sprosperitywasgivingheranindependenceandfearlessnessoftalksuchashadseldomappearedhitherto;andcertainlyneverbeforeMrsRobson。
　　SylviawasannoyedatMolly'swholetoneandmanner，whichwereloud，laughing，andboisterous;buttohermothertheywerepositivelyrepugnant。Shesaidshortlyandgravely，——'Sylvia'snonesosetupo'matrimony;she'scontenttobidewi'meandherfather。Letabesuchtalking，it'snoti'myway。'Mollywasalittlesubdued;butstillherelationattheprospectofbeingsowellmarriedkeptcroppingoutofalltheothersubjectswhichwereintroduced;andwhenshewentaway，MrsRobsonbrokeoutinanunwontedstrainofdepreciation。'That'sthewaywi'somelasses。They'relikeacockonadunghill，whenthey'veteasedasillychapintowedding'em。It'scock—a—doodle—do，I'vecotchedahusband，cock—a—doodle—doowi''em。I'venopatiencewi'suchlike;Ibeg，Sylvie，thou'ltnotgettoothickwi'Molly。She'snotprettybehaved，makingsuchanadoaboutmen—kind，asiftheyweretwo—headedcalvestoberunafter。''ButMolly'sagood—heartedlass，mother。OnlyIneverdreamtbutwhatshewastroth—plightedwi'CharleyKinraid，'saidSylvia，meditatively。'Thatwench'llbetroth—plighttoth'firstmanas'llwedherandkeepheri'plenty;that'sa'shethinksabout，'repliedBell，scornfully。EndofPartOnechapter11CHAPTERXIVISIONSOFTHEFUTUREBeforeMaywasout，MollyCorneywasmarriedandhadlefttheneighbourhoodforNewcastle。AlthoughCharleyKinraidwasnotthebridegroom，Sylvia'spromisetobebridesmaidwasclaimed。ButthefriendshipbroughtonbythecircumstancesofneighbourhoodandparityofagehadbecomeverymuchweakenedinthetimethatelapsedbetweenMolly'sengagementandwedding。
　　Inthefirstplace，sheherselfwassoabsorbedinherpreparations，soelatedbyhergoodfortuneingettingmarried，andmarried，too，beforehereldersister，thatallherfaultsblossomedoutfullandstrong。Sylviafelthertobeselfish;MrsRobsonthoughthernotmaidenly。AyearbeforeshewouldhavebeenfarmoremissedandregrettedbySylvia;nowitwasalmostarelieftothelattertobefreedfromtheperpetualcallsuponhersympathy，fromtheconstantdemandsuponhercongratulations，madebyonewhohadnothoughtorfeelingtobestowonothers;atleast，notintheseweeksof'cock—a—doodle—dooing，'asMrsRobsonpersistedincallingit。ItwasseldomthatBellwastakenwithahumorousidea;butthisoncehavinghatchedasolitaryjoke，shewasalwayscluckingitintonotice——togoonwithherownpoultrysimile。
　　EverytimeduringthatsummerthatPhilipsawhiscousin，hethoughtherprettierthanshehadeverbeenbefore;somenewtouchofcolour，somefreshsweetcharm，seemedtohavebeenadded，justaseverysummerdaycallsoutnewbeautyintheflowers。AndthiswasnottheadditionofPhilip'sfancy。HesterRose，whometSylviaonrareoccasions，camebackeachtimewithacandid，sadacknowledgementinherheartthatitwasnowonderthatSylviawassomuchadmiredandloved。
　　OnedayHesterhadseenhersittingnearhermotherinthemarket—place;
　　therewasabasketbyher，andoverthecleancloththatcoveredtheyellowpoundsofbutter，shehadlaidthehedge—rosesandhoneysucklesshehadgatheredonthewayintoMonkshaven;herstrawhatwasonherknee，andshewasbusyplacingsomeoftheflowersintheribbonthatwentroundit。Thenshehelditonherhand，andturneditroundabout，puttingherheadononeside，thebettertoviewtheeffect;andallthistime，Hester，peepingatherthroughthefoldsofthestuffsdisplayedinFoster'swindows，sawherwithadmiring，wistfuleyes;wondering，too，ifPhilip，attheothercounter，wereawareofhiscousin'sbeingthere，soneartohim。
　　ThenSylviaputonherhat，and，lookingupatFoster'swindows，caughtHester'sfaceofinterest，andsmiledandblushedattheconsciousnessofhavingbeenwatchedoverherlittlevanities，andHestersmiledback，butrathersadly。Thenacustomercamein，andshehadtoattendtoherbusiness，which，onthisasonallmarketdays，wasgreat。InthemidstshewasawareofPhiliprushingbare—headedoutoftheshop，eageranddelightedatsomethinghesawoutside。Therewasalittlelooking—glasshungagainstthewallonHester'sside，placedinthatretiredcorner，inorderthatthegoodwomenwhocametopurchasehead—gearofanykindmightseetheeffectthereofbeforetheyconcludedtheirbargain。Inapauseofcustom，Hester，half—ashamed，stoleintothiscorner，andlookedatherselfintheglass。Whatdidshesee？acolourlessface，darksofthairwithnolightgleamsinit，eyesthatweremelancholyinsteadofsmiling，amouthcompressedwithasenseofdissatisfaction。Thiswaswhatshehadtocomparewiththebrightbonnyfaceinthesunlightoutside。Shegaveagulptocheckthesighthatwasrising，andcameback，evenmorepatientthanshehadbeenbeforethisdishearteningpeep，toserveallthewhimsandfanciesofpurchasers。
　　SylviaherselfhadbeenratherputoutbyPhilip'swayofcomingtoher。'Itmadeherlooksosilly，'shethought;and'whatformusthemakeasightofhimself，comingamongthemarketfolkinthat—a—way;'andwhenhetooktoadmiringherhat，shepulledouttheflowersinapet，andthrewthemdown，andtrampledthemunderfoot。
　　'Whatforartthoudoingthat，Sylvie？'saidhermother。'Theflowersiswellenough，thoughmaybethyhatmightha'beenstained。'
　　'Idon'tlikePhiliptospeaktomeso，'saidSylvia，pouting。
　　'How？'askedhermother。
　　ButSylviacouldnotrepeathiswords。Shehungherhead，andlookedredandpre—occupied，anythingbutpleased。Philiphadaddressedhisfirstexpressionofpersonaladmirationatanunfortunatetune。
　　Itjustshowswhatdifferentviewsdifferentmenandwomentakeoftheirfellow—creatures，whenIsaythatHesterlookeduponPhilipasthebestandmostagreeablemanshehadeverknown。Hewasnotonetospeakofhimselfwithoutbeingquestionedonthesubject，sohisHaytersbankrelations，onlycomeintotheneighborhoodinthelastyearortwo，knewnothingofthetrialshehadsurmounted，orthedifficultdutieshehadperformed。
　　Hisaunt，indeed，hadstrongfaithinhim，bothfrompartialknowledgeofhischaracter，andbecausehewasofherowntribeandkin;butshehadneverlearntthesmalldetailsofhispastlife。Sylviarespectedhimashermother'sfriend，andtreatedhimtolerablywellaslongashepreservedhisusualself—restraintofdemeanour，buthardlyeverthoughtofhimwhenhewasabsent。
　　NowHester，whohadwatchedhimdailyforalltheyearssincehehadfirstcomeasanerrand—boyintoFoster'sshop——watchingwithquiet，modest，yetobservanteyes——hadseenhowdevotedhewastohismaster'sinterests，hadknownofhiscarefulandpunctualministrationtohisabsentmother'scomforts，aslongasshewaslivingtobenefitbyhissilent，frugalself—denial。
　　HismethodicalappropriationofthefewhourshecouldcallhisownwasnotwithoutitscharmstotheequallymethodicalHester;thewayinwhichhereproducedanylatelyacquiredpieceofknowledge——knowledgesowearisometoSylvia——wasdelightfullyinstructivetoHester——although，asshewashabituallysilent，itwouldhaverequiredanobservermoreinterestedindiscoveringherfeelingsthanPhilipwastohaveperceivedthelittleflushonthepalecheek，andthebrightnessinthehalf—veiledeyeswheneverhewastalking。Shehadnotthoughtofloveoneitherside。Lovewasavanity，aworldlinessnottobespokenabout，oreventhoughtabout。OnceortwicebeforetheRobsonscameintotheneighbourhood，anideahadcrossedhermindthatpossiblythequiet，habitualwayinwhichsheandPhiliplivedtogether，mightdriftthemintomatrimonyatsomedistantperiod;
　　andshecouldnotbearthehumbleadvanceswhichCoulson，Philip'sfellow—lodger，sometimesmade。Theyseemedtodisgustherwithhim。
　　ButaftertheRobsonssettledatHaytersbank，Philip'seveningsweresooftenspenttherethatanyunconscioushopesHestermight，unawares，haveentertained，diedaway。AtfirstshehadfeltapangakintojealousywhensheheardofSylvia，thelittlecousin，whowaspassingoutofchildhoodintowomanhood。Once——earlyinthosedays——shehadventuredtoaskPhilipwhatSylviawaslike。Philiphadnotwarmedupatthequestion，andhadgivenratheradrycatalogueofherfeatures，hair，andheight，butHester，almosttoherownsurprise，persevered，andjerkedoutthefinalquestion。
　　'Isshepretty？'
　　Philip'ssallowcheekgrewdeeperbytwoorthreeshades;butheansweredwithatoneofindifference，——
　　'Ibelievesomefolksthinkherso。'
　　'Butdoyou？'perseveredHester，inspiteofherbeingawarethathesomehowdislikedthequestion。
　　'There'snoneedfortalkingo'suchthings，'heanswered，withabruptdispleasure。