Hebrokeinpassionately：`Butdon’tmistakemelikethat！BecauseI
　　amopenenoughtoownwhateverymaninmyshoeswouldhavethoughtof，youmakeyourcolourscomeupyourfaceindgetcrabbedwithme。Thataboutyounotbeinggoodenoughforoneisnonsense。Youspeaklikealady-
　　alltheparishnoticeit，andyouruncleatWeatherburyis，I’veheard，alargefarmer-muchlargerthaneverIshallbe。MayIcallintheevening，orwillyouwalkalongwithmeo’Sundays？Idon’twantyoutomakeupyourmindatonce，ifyou’drathernot。’
　　`No-no-Icannot。Don’tpressmeanymore-don’t。Idon’tloveyou-so’twouldberidiculous，’shesaid，withalaugh。
　　Nomanlikestoseehisemotionsthesportofamerry-groundofskittishness。
　　`Verywell，’saidOakfirmly，withthebearingofonewhowasgoingtogivehisdaysandnightstoEcclesiastesforever。`ThenI’llaskyounomore。’
　　CHAPTERFIVEDepartureofBathsheba-APastoralTragedyThenewswhichonedayreachedGabrielthatBathshebaEverdenehadlefttheneighbourhood，hadaninfluenceuponhimwhichmighthavesurprisedanywhoneversuspectedthatthemoreemphatictherenunciationthelessabsoluteitscharacter。
　　Itmayhavebeenobservedthatthereisnoregularpathforgettingoutofloveasthereisforgettingin。Somepeoplelookuponmarriageasashortcutthatway，butithasbeenknowntofail。Separation，whichwasthemeansthatchanceofferedtoGabrielOakbyBathsheba’sdisappearance，thougheffectualwithpeopleofcertainhumours，isapttoidealizetheremovedobjectwithothers-notablythosewhoseaffection，placidandregularasitmaybe，flowsdeepandlong。Oakbelongedtotheeven-temperedorderofhumanity，andfeltthesecretfusionofhimselfinBathshebatobeburningwithafinerflamenowthatshewasgone-thatwasall。
　　Hisincipientfriendshipwithheraunthadbeennippedbythefailureofhissuit，andallthatOaklearntofBathsheba’smovementswasdoneindirectly。ItappearedthatshehadgonetoaplacecalledWeatherbury，morethantwentymilesoff，butinwhatcapacity-whetherasavisitororpermanently，hecouldnotdiscover。
　　Gabrielhadtwodogs。George，theelder，exhibitedanebony-tippednose，surroundedbyanarrowmarginofpinkflesh，andacoatmarkedinrandomsplotchesapproximatingincolourtowhiteandslatygrey；butthegrey，afteryearsofsunandrain，hadbeenscorchedandwashedoutofthemoreprominentlocks，leavingthemofareddish-brown，asifthebluecomponentofthegreyhadfaded，liketheindigofromthesamekindofcolourinTurner’spictures。Insubstanceithadoriginallybeenhair，butlongcontactwithsheepseemedtobeturningitbydegreesintowoolofapoorqualityandstaple。
　　Thisdoghadoriginallybelongedtoashepherdofinferiormoralsanddreadfultemper，andtheresultwasthatGeorgeknewtheexactdegreesofcondemnationsignifiedbycursingandswearingofalldescriptionsbetterthanthewickedestoldmanintheneighbourhood。Longexperiencehadsopreciselytaughttheanimalthedifferencebetweensuchexclamationsas`Comein！’and`D——ye，comein！’thatheknewtoahair’sbreadththerateoftrottingbackfromtheewes’tailsthateachcallinvolved，ifastaggererwiththesheep-crookwastobeescaped。Thoughold，hewascleverandtrustworthystill。
　　Theyoungdog，George’sson，mightpossiblyhavebeentheimageofhismother，fortherewasnotmuchresemblancebetweenhimandGeorge。Hewaslearningthesheep-keepingbusiness，soastofollowonattheflockwhentheothershoulddie，buthadgotnofurtherthantherudimentsasyet-stillfindinganinsuperabledifficultyindistinguishingbetweendoingathingwellenoughanddoingittoowell。Soearnestandyetsowrong-headedwasthisyoungdoghehadnonameinparticular，andansweredwithperfectreadinesstoanypleasantinterjectionthatifsentbehindheflocktohelpthemonhediditsothoroughlythathewouldhavechasedthemacrossthewholecountrywiththegreatestpleasureifnotcalledoff，orremindedwhentostopbytheexampleofoldGeorge。
　　Thusmuchforthedogs。OnthefurthersideofNorcombeHillwasachalk-pit，fromwhichchalkhadbeendrawnforgenerations，andspreadoveradjacentfarms。TwohedgesconvergeduponitintheformofaV，butwithoutquitemeeting。Thenarrowopeningleft，whichwasimmediatelyoverthebrowofthepit，wasprotectedbyaroughrailing。
　　Onenight，whenFarmerOakhadreturnedtohishouse，believingtherewouldbenofurthernecessityforhisattendanceonthedown，hecalledasusualtothedogs，previouslytoshuttingthemupintheouthousetillnextmorning。Onlyoneresponded-oldGeorge；theothercouldnotbefound，eitherinthehouse，lane，orgarden。Gabrielthenrememberedthathehadleftthetwodogsonthehilleatingadeadlambakindofmeatheusuallykeptfromthem，exceptwhenotherfoodranshort，andconcludingthattheyoungonehadnotfinishedhismealhewentindoorstotheluxuryofabed，whichlatterlyhehadonlyenjoyedonSundays。
　　Itwasastill，moistnight。Justbeforedawnhewasassistedinwakingbytheabnormalreverberationoffamiliarmusic。Totheshepherd，thenoteofthesheep-bell，likethetickingoftheclocktootherpeople，isachronicsoundthatonlymakesitselfnoticedbyceasingoralteringinsomeunusualmannerfromthewell-knownidletinklewhichsignifiestotheaccustomedear，howeverdistant，thatalliswellinthefold。InthesolemncalmoftheawakeningmornthatnotewasheardbyGabriel，beatingwithunusualviolenceandrapidity。Thisexceptionalringingmaybecausedintwoways-bytherapidfeedingofthesheepbearingthebell，aswhentheflockbreaksintonewpasture，whichgivesitanintermittentrapidity，orbythesheepstartingoffinarun，whenthesoundhasaregularpalpitation。
　　TheexperiencedearofOakknewthesoundhenowheardtobecausedbytherunningoftheflockwithgreatvelocity。
　　Hejumpedoutofbed，dressed，toredownthelanethroughafoggydawn，andascendedthehill。Theforwardeweswerekeptapartfromthoseamongwhichthefalloflambswouldbelater，therebeingtwohundredofthelatterclassinGabriel’sflock。Thesetwohundredseemedtohaveabsolutelyvanishedfromthehill。Therewerethefiftywiththeirlambs，enclosedattheotherendashehadleftthem，buttherest，formingthebulkoftheflock，werenowhere。Gabrielcalledatthetopofhisvoicetheshepherd’scall：
　　`Ovey，ovey，ovey！’
　　Notasinglebleat。Hewenttothehedge；agaphadbeenbrokenthroughit，andinthegapwerethefootprintsofthesheep。Bathersurprisedtofindthembreakfenceatthisseason，yetputtingitdowninstantlytotheirgreatfondnessforivyinwinter-time，ofwhichagreatdealgrewintheplantation，hefollowedthroughthehedge。Theywerenotintheplantation。Hecalledagain：thevalleysandfurthesthillsresoundedaswhenthesailor’sinvokedthelostHylasontheMysianshore；butnosheep。
　　Hepassedthroughthetreesandalongtheridgeofthehill。Ontheextremesummit，wheretheendsofthetwoconverginghedgesofwhichwehavespokenwerestoppedshortbymeetingthebrowofthechalk-pit，hesawtheyoungerdogstandingagainstthesky-darkandmotionlessasNapoleonatStHelena。
　　AhorribleconvictiondartedthroughOak。Withasensationofbodilyfaintnessheadvanced：atonepointtherailswerebrokenthrough，andtherehesawthefootprintsofhisewes。Thedogcameup，lickedhishand，andmadesignsimplyingthatheexpectedsomegreatrewardforsignalservicesrendered。Oaklookedovertheprecipice。Theeweslaydeadanddyingatitsfoot-aheapoftwohundredmangledcarcases，representingintheirconditionjustnowatleasttwohundredmore。
　　Oakwasanintenselyhumaneman；indeed，hishumanityoftentoreinpiecesanypoliticintentionsofhiswhichborderedonstrategy，andcarriedhimonasbygravitation。Ashadowinhislifehadalwaysbeenthathisflockendedinmutton-thatadaycameandfoundeveryshepherdanarranttraitortoIsisdefencelesssheep。Hisfirstfeelingnowwasoneofpityfortheuntimelyfateofthesegentleewesandtheirunbornlambs。
　　Itwasasecondtorememberanotherphaseofthematter。Thesheepwerenotinsured。Allthesavingsofafrugallifehadbeendispersedatablow；
　　hishopesofbeinganindependentfarmerwerelaidlow-possiblyforever。
　　Gabriel’senergies，patience，andindustryhadbeensoseverelytaxedduringtheyearsofhislifebetweeneighteenandeight-and-twenty，toreachhispresentstageofprogress，thatnomoreseemedtobeleftinhim。Heleantdownuponarail，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。
　　Stupors，however，donotlastforever，andFarmerOakrecoveredfromhis。Itwasasremarkableasitwascharacteristicthattheonesentenceheutteredwasinthankfulness：——
　　`ThankGodIamnotmarried：whatwouldshehavedoneinthepovertynowcominguponme！’
　　Oakraisedhishead，andwonderingwhathecoulddo，listlesslysurveyedthescene。Bytheoutermarginofthepitwasanovalpond，andoverithungtheattenuatedskeletonofachrome-yellowmoon，whichhadonlyafewdaystolast-themorningstardoggingheronthelefthand。Thepoolglitteredlikeadeadman’seye，andastheworldawokeabreezeblew，shakingandelongatingthereflectionofthemoonwithoutbreakingit，andturningtheimageofthestartoaphosphoricstreakuponthewater。
　　AllthisOaksawandremembered。
　　Asfarascouldbelearntitappearedthatthepooryoungdog，stillundertheimpressionthatsincehewaskeptforrunningaftersheep，themoreheranafterthemthebetter，hadattheendofhismealoffthedeadlamb，whichmayhavegivenhimadditionalenergyandspirits，collectedalltheewesintoacorner，driventhetimidcreaturesthroughthehedge，acrosstheupperfield，andbymainforceofworryinghadgiventhemmomentumenoughtobreakdownaportionoftherottenrailing，andsohurledthemovertheedge。
　　George’ssonhaddonehisworksothoroughlythathewasconsideredtoogoodaworkmantolive，andwas，infact，takenandtragicallyshotattwelveo’clockthatsameday-anotherinstanceoftheuntowardfatewhichsooftenattendsdogsandotherphilosopherswhofollowoutatrainofreasoningtoitslogicalconclusion，andattemptperfectlyconsistentconductinaworldmadeupsolargelyofcompromise。
　　Gabriel’sfarmhadbeenstockedbyadealer-onthestrengthofOak’spromisinglookandcharacterwhowasreceivingapercentagefromthefarmertillsuchtimeastheadvanceshouldbeclearedoff。Oakfoundthatthevalueofstock，plant，andimplementswhichwerereallyhisownwouldbeaboutsufficienttopayhisdebts，leavinghimselfafreemanwiththeclotheshestoodupin，andnothingmore。
　　CHAPTERSIXTheFair-TheJourney-TheFireTwomonthspassedaway。WearebroughtontoadayinFebruary，onwhichwasheldtheyearlystatuteorhiringfairinthecounty-townofCasterbridge。
　　AtoneendofthestreetstoodfromtwotothreehundredblitheandheartylabourerswaitinguponChance-allmenofthestamptowhomlaboursuggestsnothingworsethanawrestlewithgravitation，andpleasurenothingbetterthanarenunciationofthesame。Amongthese，cartersandwaggonersweredistinguishedbyhavingapieceofwhip-cordtwistedroundtheirhats；
　　thatchersworeafragmentofwovenstraw；shepherdsheldtheirsheep-crooksintheirhands；andthusthesituationrequiredwasknowntothehirersataglance。
　　Inthecrowdwasanathleticyoungfellowofsomewhatsuperiorappearancetotherest-infact，hissuperioritywasmarkedenoughtoleadseveralruddypeasantsstandingbytospeaktohiminquiringly，astoafarmer，andtouse`Sir’asafinishingword。Hisansweralwayswas，——
　　`Iamlookingforaplacemyself-abailiffs。Doyeknowofanybodywhowantsone？’
　　Gabrielwaspalernow。Hiseyesweremoremeditative，andhisexpressionwasmoresad。Hehadpassedthroughanordealofwretchednesswhichhadgivenhimmorethanithadtakenaway。Hehadsunkfromhismodestelevationaspastoralkingintotheveryslime-pitsofSiddim；buttherewaslefttohimadignifiedcalmhehadneverbeforeknown，andthatindifferencetofatewhich，thoughitoftenmakesavillainofaman，isthebasisofhissublimitywhenitdoesnot。Andthustheabasementhadbeenexaltation，andthelossgain。
　　Inthemorningaregimentofcavalryhadleftthetown，andasergeantandhispartyhadbeenbeatingupforrecruitsthroughthefourstreets。
　　Astheendofthedaydrewon，andhefoundhimselfnothired，Gabrielalmostwishedthathehadjoinedthem，andgoneofftoservehiscountry。
　　Wearyofstandinginthemarket-place，andnotmuchmindingthekindofworkheturnedhishandto，hedecidedtoofferhimselfinsomeothercapacitythanthatofbailiff。
　　Allthefarmersseemedtobewantingshepherds。Sheep-tendingwasGabriel’sspeciality。Turningdownanobscurestreetandenteringanobscurerlane，hewentuptoasmith’sshop。
　　`Howlongwouldittakeyoutomakeashepherd’scrook？’
　　`Twentyminutes。’
　　`Howmuch？’
　　`Twoshillings。’
　　Hesatonabenchandthecrookwasmade，astembeinggivenhimintothebargain。
　　Hethenwenttoaready-madeclothesshop，theownerofwhichhadalargeruralconnection。AsthecrookhadabsorbedmostofGabriel’smoney，heattempted，andcarriedout，anexchangeofhisovercoatforashepherd’sregulationsmock-frock。
　　Thistransactionhavingbeencompletedheagainhurriedofftothecentreofthetown，andstoodonthekerbofthepavement，asashepherd，crookinhand。
　　NowthatOakhadturnedhimselfintoashepherditseemedthatbailiffsweremostindemand。However，Noorthreefarmernoticedhimanddrewnear。
　　Dialoguesfollowed，moreorlessinthesubjoinedform：——
　　`Wheredoyoucomefrom？’
　　`Norcombe。’
　　`That’salongway。’
　　`Fifteenmiles。’
　　`Whosefarmwereyouuponlast？’
　　`Myown。’
　　Thisreplyinvariablyoperatedlikearumourofcholera。Theinquiringfarmerwouldedgeawayandshakehisheaddubiously。Gabriel，likehisdog，wastoogoodtobetrustworthy，andhenevermadeadvancebeyondthispoint。
　　Itissafertoacceptanychancethatoffersitself，andextemporizeaproceduretofitit，thantogetagoodplanmatured，andwaitforachanceofusingit。Gabrielwishedhehadnotnaileduphiscoloursasashepherd，buthadlaidhimselfoutforanythinginthewholecycleoflabourthatwasrequiredinthefair。Itgrewdusk。Somemerrymenwerewhistlingandsingingbythecorn-exchange。Gabriel’shand，whichhadlainforsometimeidleinhissmockfrockpocket，touchedhisflute，whichhecarriedthere。Herewasanopportunityforputtinghisdearlyboughtwisdomintopractice。
　　Hedrewouthisfluteandbegantoplay`JockeytotheFair’inthestyleofamanwhohadneverknownamoment’ssorrow。OakcouldpipewithArcadiansweetness，’andthesoundofthewell-knownnotescheeredhisownheartaswellasthoseoftheloungers。Heplayedonwithspirit，andinhalfanhourhadearnedinpencewhatwasasmallfortunetoadestituteman。
　　BymakinginquirieshelearntthattherewasanotherfairatShottsfordthenextday。
　　`HowfarisShottsford？’
　　`Tenmilest’othersideofWeatherbury。’
　　Weatherbury！ItwaswhereBathshebahadgonetwomonthsbefore。Thisinformationwaslikecomingfromnightintonoon。
　　`HowfarisittoWeatherbury？’
　　`Fiveorsixmiles。’
　　BathshebahadprobablyleftWeatherburylongbeforethistime，buttheplacehadenoughinterestattachingtoittoleadOaktochooseShottsfordfairashisnextfieldofinquiry，becauseitlayintheWeatherburyquarter。
　　Moreover，theWeatherburyfolkwerebynomeansuninterestingintrinsically。
　　Ifreportspoketrulytheywereashardy，merry，thriving，wickedasetasanyinthewholecounty。OakresolvedtosleepatWeatherburythatnightonhiswaytoShottsford，andstruckoutatonceintothehighroadwhichhadbeenrecommendedasthedirectroutetothevillageinquestion。
　　Theroadstretchedthroughwater-meadowstraversedbylittlebrooks，whosequiveringsurfaceswerebraidedalongtheircentres，andfoldedintocreasesatthesides；or，wheretheflowwasmorerapid，thestreamwaspiedwithspotsofwhitefroth，whichrodeoninundisturbedserenity。
　　Onthehigherlevelsthedeadanddrycarcassesofleavestappedthegroundastheybowledalonghelter-skelterupontheshouldersofthewind，andlittlebirdsinthehedgeswererustlingtheirfeathersandtuckingthemselvesincomfortablyforthenight，retainingtheirplacesifOakkeptmoving，butflyingawayifhestoppedtolookatthem。HepassedbyYalburyWoodwherethegame-birdswererisingtotheirroosts，andheardthecrack-voicedcock-pheasants’`cu-uck，cuck’，andthewheezywhistleofthehens。
　　Bythetimehehadwalkedthreeorfourmileseveryshapeinthelandscapehadassumedauniformhueofblackness。HedescendedYalburyHillandcouldjustdiscernaheadofhimawaggon，drawnupunderagreatover-hangingtreebytheroadside。
　　Oncomingclose，hefoundtherewerenohorsesattachedtoit，thespotbeingapparentlyquitedeserted。Thewaggon，fromitsposition，seemedtohavebeenleftthereforthenight，forbeyondabouthalfatrussofhaywhichwasheapedinthebottom，itwasquiteempty。Gabrielsatdownontheshaftsofthevehicleandconsideredhisposition。Hecalculatedthathehadwalkedaveryfairproportionofthejourney；andhavingbeenonfootsincedaybreak，hefelttemptedtoliedownuponthehayinthewaggoninsteadofpushingontothevillageofWeatherbury，andhavingtopayforalodging。
　　Eatinghislastslicesofbreadandham，anddrinkingfromthebottleofciderhehadtakentheprecautiontobringwithhim，hegotintothelonelywaggon。Herehespreadhalfofthehayasabed，andaswellashecouldinthedarkness，pulledtheotherhalfoverhimbywayofbedclothes，coveringhimselfentirely，andfeeling，physically，ascomfortableaseverhehadbeeninhislife。InwardmelancholyitwasimpossibleforamanlikeOak，introspectivefarbeyondhisneighbours，tobanishquite，whilstconningthepresentuntowardpageofhishistory。So，thinkingofhismisfortunes，amorousandpastoral，hefellasleep，shepherdsenjoying，incommonwithsailors，theprivilegeofbeingabletosummonthegodinsteadofhavingtowaitforhim。
　　Onsomewhatsuddenlyawaking，afterasleepofwhoselengthhehadnoidea，Oakfoundthatthewaggonwasinmotion。Hewasbeingcarriedalongtheroadatarateratherconsiderableforavehiclewithoutsprings，andundercircumstancesofphysicaluneasiness，hisheadbeingdandledupanddownonthebedofthewaggonlikeakettledrum-stick。Hethendistinguishedvoicesinconversation，comingfromtheforepartofthewaggon。Hisconcernatthisdilemmawhichwouldhavebeenalarm，hadhebeenathrivingman；
　　butmisfortuneisafineopiatetopersonalterrorledhimtopeercautiouslyfromthehay，andthefirstsighthebeheldwasthestarsabovehim。Charles’sWainwasgettingtowardsarightanglewiththePolestar，andGabrielconcludedthatitmustbeaboutnineo’clock-inotherwords，thathehadslepttwohours。Thissmallastronomicalcalculationwasmadewithoutanypositiveeffort，andwhilsthewasstealthilyturningtodiscover，ifpossible，intowhosehandshehadfallen。
　　Twofiguresweredimlyvisibleinfront，sittingwiththeirlegsoutsidethewaggon，oneofwhomwasdriving。Gabrielsoonfoundthatthiswasthewaggoner，anditappearedtheyhadcomefromCasterbridgefair，likehimself。
　　Aconversationwasinprogress，whichcontinuedthus：——
　　`Beas’twill，she’safinehandsomebodyasfar’slooksbeconcerned。
　　Butthat’sonlytheskinofthewoman，andthesedandycattlebeasproudasaluciferintheirinsides。’
　　`Ay-so’adoseem，BillySmallbury-so’adoseem。’Thisutterancewasveryshakybynature，andmoresobycircumstance，thejoltingofthewaggonnotbeingwithoutitseffectuponthespeaker’slarynx。Itcamefromthemanwhoheldthereins。
　　`She’saveryvainfeymellso’tissaidhereandthere。’
　　`Ah，now。Ifsobe’tislikethat，Ican’tlookherintheface，lord，no：notI-heh-heh-heh！SuchashymanasIbe！’
　　`Yes-she’sveryvain。’Tissaidthateverynightatgoingtobedshelooksintheglasstoputonhernightcapproperly。’
　　`Andnotamarriedwoman。Oh，theworld！’
　　`And’acanplaythepeanner，so’tissaid。Canplaysocleverthat’acanmakeapsalmtunesoundaswellasthemerriestloosesongamancanwishfor。’
　　`D’yetello’t！Ahappytimeforus，andIfeelquiteanewman！Andhowdoshepay？’
　　`ThatIdon’tknow，MisterPoorgrass。’
　　Onhearingtheseandothersimilarremarks，awildthoughtflashedintoGabriel’smindthattheymightbespeakingofBathsheba。Therewere，however，nogroundsforretainingsuchasupposition，forthewaggon，thoughgoinginthedirectionofWeatherbury，mightbegoingbeyondit，andthewomanalludedtoseemedtobethemistressofsomeestate。TheywerenowapparentlycloseuponWeatherbury，andnottoalarmthespeakersunnecessarilyGabrielslippedoutofthewaggonunseen。
　　Heturnedtoanopeninginthehedge，whichhefoundtobeagate，andmountingthereonhesatmeditatingwhethertoseekacheaplodginginthevillage，ortoensureacheaperonebylyingundersomehayorcornstack。
　　Thecrunchingangleofthewaggondieduponhisear。Hewasabouttowalkon，whenhenoticedonhislefthandanunusuallight-appearingabouthalfamiledistant。Oakwatchedit，andtheglowincreased。Somethingwasonfire。
　　Gabrielagainmountedthegate，and，leapingdownontheothersideuponwhathefoundtobeploughedsoil，madeacrossthefieldintheexactdirectionofthefire。Theblaze，enlarginginadoubleratiobyhisapproachanditsownincrease，showedhimashedrewnearertheoutlinesofricksbesideit，lighteduptogreatdistinctness。Arick-yardwasthesourceofthefire。Hiswearyfacenowbegantobepaintedoverwitharichorangeglow，andthewholefrontofhissmock-frontandgaiterswascoveredwithadancingshadowpatternofthorn-twigs-thelightreachinghimthroughaleaflessinterveninghedge-andthemetalliccurveofhissheep-crookshonesilver-brightinthesameaboundingrays。Hecameuptotheboundaryfence，andstoodtoregainbreath。Itseemedasifthespotwasunoccupiedbyalivingsoul。
　　Thefirewasissuingfromalongstraw-stack，whichwassofargoneastoprecludeapossibilityofsavingit。Arickburnsdifferentlyfromahouse。Asthewindblowsthefireinwards，theportioninflamescompletelydisappearslikemeltingsugar，andtheoutlineislosttotheeye。However，ahayorawheatrick，wellputtogether，willresistcombustionforalengthoftimeifitbeginsontheoutside。
　　ThisbeforeGabriel’seyeswasarickofstraw，looselyputtogether，andtheflamesdartedintoitwithlightningswiftness。Itglowedonthewindwardside，risingandfallinginintensitylikethecoalofacigar。
　　Thenasuperincumbentbundlerolleddownwithawhiskingnoise；flameselongated，andbentthemselvesaboutwithaquietroar，butnocrackle。
　　Banksofsmokewentoffhorizontallyatthebacklikepassingclouds，andbehindtheseburnedhiddenpyres，illuminatingthesemi-transparentsheetofsmoketoalustrousyellowuniformity。Individualstrawsintheforegroundwereconsumedinacreepingmovementofruddyheat，asiftheywereknotsofredworms，andaboveshoneimaginaryfieryfaces，tongueshangingfromlips，glaringeyes，andotherimpishforms，fromwhichatintervalssparksflewinclusterslikebirdsfromanest。
　　Oaksuddenlyceasedfrombeingamerespectatorbydiscoveringthecasetobemoreseriousthanhehadatfirstimagined。Ascrollofsmokeblewasideandrevealedtohimawheat-rickinstartlingjuxtapositionwiththedecayingone，andbehindthisaseriesofothers，composingthemaincornproduceofthefarm；sothatinsteadofthestraw-stackstanding，ashehadimagined，comparativelyisolated，therewasaregularconnectionbetweenitandtheremainingstacksofthegroup。
　　Gabrielleaptoverthehedge，andsawthathewasnotalone。Thefirstmanhecametowasrunningaboutinagreathurry，asifhisthoughtswereseveralyardsinadvanceofhisbody，whichtheycouldneverdragonfastenough。
　　`O，man-fire，fire！Agoodmasterandabadservantisfire，fire！-
　　Imaneabadservantandagoodmaster。OMarkClark-come！Andyou，BillySmallbury-andyou，MaryannMoney-andyou，JanCoggan，andMatthewthere！’Otherfiguresnowappearedbehindthisshoutingmanandamongthesmoke，andGabrielfoundthat，farfrombeingalone，hewasinagreatcompany-whoseshadowsdancedmerrilyupanddown，timedbythejiggingoftheflames，andnotatallbytheirownersmovements。Theassemblagebelongingtothatclassofsocietywhichcastsitsthoughtsintotheformoffeeling，anditsfeelingsintotheformofcommotion-settoworkwitharemarkableconfusionofpurpose。
　　`Stopthedraughtunderthewheat-rick！’criedGabrieltothosenearesttohim。Thecornstoodonstonestaddles，andbetweenthese，tonguesofyellowhuefromtheburningstrawlickedanddartedplayfully。Ifthefireoncegotunderthisstack，allwouldbelost。
　　`Getatarpaulin-quick！’saidGabriel。
　　Arick-clothwasbrought，andtheyhungitlikeacurtainacrossthechannel。Theflamesimmediatelyceasedtogounderthebottomofthecorn-stack，andstoodupvertical。
　　`Standherewithabucketofwaterandkeeptheclothwet，’saidGabrielagain。
　　Theflames，nowdrivenupwards，begantoattacktheanglesofthehugeroofcoveringthewheat-stack。
　　`Aladder，’criedGabriel。
　　`Theladderwasagainstthestraw-rickandisburnttoacinder，’saidaspectre-likeforminthesmoke。
　　Oakseizedthecutendsofthesheaves，asifheweregoingtoengage，intheoperationof`reed-drawing’，anddigginginhisfeet，andoccasionallystickinginthestemofhissheep-crook，heclamberedupthebeetlingface。
　　Heatoncesatastridetheveryapex，andbeganwithhiscrooktobeatoffthefieryfragmentswhichhadlodgedthereon，shoutingtotheotherstogethimaboughandaladder，andsomewater。
　　BillySmallbury-oneofthemenwhohadbeenonthewaggon-bythistimehadfoundaladder，whichMarkClarkascended，holdingonbesideOakuponthethatch。Thesmokeatthiscornerwasstifling，andClark，animblefellow，havingbeenhandedabucketofwater，bathedOak’sfaceandsprinkledhimgenerally，whilstGabriel，nowwithalongbeech-boughinonehand，inadditiontohiscrookintheother，keptsweepingthestackanddislodgingallfieryparticles。
　　Onthegroundthegroupsofvillagerswerestilloccupiedindoingalltheycouldtokeepdowntheconflagration，whichwasnotmuch。Theywerealltingedorange，andbackedupbyshadowsofvaryingpattern。Boundthecornerofthelargeststack，outofthedirectraysofthefire，stoodapony，bearingayoungwomanonitsback。Byhersidewasanotherwoman，onfoot。Thesetwoseemedtokeepatadistancefromthefire，thatthehorsemightnotbecomerestive。
　　`He’sashepherd，’saidthewomanonfoot。`Yes-heis。Seehowhiscrookshinesashebeatstherickwithit。Andhissmock-frockisburntintwoholes，Ideclare！Afineyoungshepherdheistoo，ma’am。’
　　`Whoseshepherdishe？’saidtheequestrianinaclearvoice。`Don’tknow，ma’am。’
　　`Don’tanyoftheothersknow？’
　　`Nobodyatall-I’veasked’em。Quiteastranger，theysay。’
　　Theyoungwomanontheponyrodeoutfromtheshadeandlookedanxiouslyaround。
　　`Doyouthinkthebarnissafe？’shesaid。
　　`D’yethinkthebarnissafe，JanCoggan？’saidthesecondwoman，passingonthequestiontothenearestmaninthatdirection。
　　`Safenow-leastwiseIthinkso。Ifthisrickhadgonethebarnwouldhavefollowed。’Tisthatboldshepherduptherethathavedonethemostgood-hesittingonthetopo’rick，whizzinghisgreatlongarmsaboutlikeawindmill。’
　　`Hedoesworkhard，’saidtheyoungwomanonhorseback，lookingupatGabrielthroughherthickwoollenveil，`Iwishhewasshepherdhere。Don’tanyofyouknowhisname？’
　　`Neverheardtheman’snameinmylife，orseedhisformafore。’
　　Thefirebegantogetworsted，andGabriel’selevatedpositionbeingnolongerrequiredofhim，hemadeasiftodescend。
　　`Maryann，’saidthegirlonhorseback，`gotohimashecomesdown，andsaythatthefarmerwishestothankhimforthegreatservicehehasdone。’
　　MaryannstalkedofftowardstherickandmetOakatthefootoftheladder。Shedeliveredhermessage。
　　`Whereisyourmasterthefarmer？’askedGabriel，kindlingwiththeideaofgettingemploymentthatseemedtostrikehimnow。
　　`’Tisn’tamaster；’tisamistress，shepherd。’
　　`Awomanfarmer？’
　　`Ay，’ab’lieve，andarichonetoo！’saidabystander。`lately’acameherefromadistance。Tookonheruncle’sfarm，whodiedsuddenly。Usedtomeasurehismoneyinhalfpintcups。Theysaynowthatshe’vebusinessineverybankinCasterbridge，andthinksnomoreofplayingpitch-and-tosssovereignthanyouandIdopitch-halfpenny-notabitintheworld，shepherd。’
　　`That’sshe，backthereuponthepony，’saidMaryann；`wi’herfacea-coveredupinthatblackclothwithholesinit。’
　　Oak，hisfeaturessmudged，grimy，andundiscoverablefromthesmokeandheat，hissmock-frockburntintoholesanddrippingwithwater，theashstemofhissheep-crookcharredsixinchesshorter，advancedwiththehumilitysternadversityhadthrustuponhimuptoheslightfemaleforminthesaddle。Heliftedhishatwithrespect，andnotwithoutgallantry；
　　steppingclosetoherhangingfeethesaidinahesitatingvoice，——
　　`Doyouhappentowantashepherd，ma’am？’
　　Sheliftedthewoolveiltiedroundherface，andlookedallastonishment。
　　Gabrielandhiscold-hearteddarling，BathshebaEverdene，werefacetoface。
　　Bathshebadidnotspeak，andhemechanicallyrepeatedinanabashedandsadvoice，——
　　`Doyouwantashepherd，ma’am？’
　　CHAPTERSEVENRecognition-ATimidGirlBathshebawithdrewintotheshade。Shescarcelyknewwhethermosttobeamusedatthesingularityofthemeeting，ortobeconcernedatitsawkwardness。
　　Therewasroomforalittlepity，alsoforaverylittleexultation：theformerathisposition，thelatteratherown。Embarrassedshewasnot，andsherememberedGabriel’sdeclarationoflovetoheratNorcombeonlytothinkshehadnearlyforgottenit。
　　`Yes，’shemurmured，puttingonanairofdignity，andturningagaintohimwithalittlewarmthofcheek；`Idowantashepherd。But——’
　　`He’stheveryman，ma’am，’saidoneofthevillagers，quietly。
　　Convictionbreedsconviction。`Ay，that’ais，’saidasecond，decisively。
　　`Theman，truly！’saidathird，withheartiness。
　　`He’sallthere！’saidnumberfour，fervidly。
　　`Thenwillyoutellhimtospeaktothebailiff？’saidBathsheba。
　　Allwaspracticalagainnow。Asummereveandlonelinesswouldhavebeennecessarytogivethemeetingitsproperfullnessofromance。
　　ThebailiffwaspointedouttoGabriel，who，checkingthepalpitationwithinhisbreastatdiscoveringthatthisAshtorethofstrangereportwasonlyamodificationofVenusthewell-knownandadmired，retiredwithhimtotalkoverthenecessarypreliminariesofhiring。
　　Thefirebeforethemwastedaway。`Men，’saidBathsheba，`youshalltakealittlerefreshmentafterthisextrawork。Willyoucometothehouse？’
　　`Wecouldknockinabitandadropagooddealfreer，Miss，ifsobeye’dsendittoWarren’sMalthouse，’repliedthespokesman。
　　Bathshebathenrodeoffintothedarkness，andthemenstraggledontothevillageintwosandthrees-Oakandthebailiffbeingleftbytherickalone。
　　`Andnow，’saidthebailiff，finally，`allissettled，Ithink，aboutyourcoming，andIamgoinghome-along。Good-nighttoye，shepherd。’
　　`Canyougetmealodging？’inquiredGabriel。
　　`ThatIcan’t，indeed，’hesaid，movingpastOakasaChristianedgespastanoffertory-platewhenhedoesnotmeantocontribute。`IfyoufollowontheroadtillyoucometoWarren’sMalthouse，wheretheyareallgonetohavetheirsnapofvictuals，Idaresaysomeof’emwilltellyouofaplace。Good-nighttoye，shepherd。’
　　Thebailiffwhoshowedthisnervousdreadoflyinghisneighbourashimself，wentupthehill，andOakwalkedontothevillage，stillastonishedattherencounterwithBathsheba，gladofhisnearnesstoher，andperplexedattherapiditywithwhichtheunpractisedgirlofNorcombehaddevelopedintothesupervisingandcoolwomanhere。Butsomewomenonlyrequireanemergencytomakethemfitforone。
　　Obligedtosomeextenttoforgodreaminginordertofindtheway，hereachedthechurchyard，andpassedrounditunderthewallwhereseveralancienttreesgrew。Therewasawidemarginofgrassalonghere，andGabriel’sfootstepsweredeadenedbyitssoftness，evenatthisinduratingperiodoftheyear。Whenabreastofatrunkwhichappearedtobetheoldestoftheold，hebecameawarethatafigurewasstandingbehindit。Gabrieldidnotpauseinhiswalk，andinanothermomentheaccidentallykickedaloosestone。Thenoisewasenoughtodisturbthemotionlessstranger，whostartedandassumedacarelessposition。
　　Itwasaslimgirl，ratherthinlyclad。
　　`Good-nighttoyou，’saidGabrielheartily。
　　`Good-night，’saidthegirltoGabriel。
　　Thevoicewasunexpectedlyattractive；itwasthelowanddulcetnotesuggestiveofromance；commonindescriptions，rareinexperience。
　　`I’llthankyoutotellmeifI’minthewayforWarren’sMalthouse？’
　　Gabrielresumed，primarilytogaintheinformation，indirectlytogetmoreofthemusic。
　　`Quiteright。It’satthebottomofthehill。Anddoyouknow——’Thegirlhesitatedandthenwentonagain。`DoyouknowhowlatetheykeepopentheBuck’sHeadInn？’SheseemedtobewonbyGabriel’sheartiness，asGabrielhadbeenwonbyhermodulations。
　　`Idon’tknowwheretheBuck’sHeadis，oranythingaboutit。Doyouthinkofgoingthereto-night？’
　　`Yes——’Thewomanagainpaused。Therewasnonecessityforanycontinuanceofspeech，andthefactthatshedidaddmoreseemedtoproceedfromanunconsciousdesiretoshowunconcernbymakingaremark，whichisnoticeableintheingenuouswhentheyareactingbystealth。`YouarenotaWeatherburyman？’shesaidtimorously。
　　`Iamnot。Iamthenewshepherd-justarrived。’
　　`Onlyashepherd-andyouseemalmostafarmerbyyourways。’
　　`Onlyashepherd，’Gabrielrepeated，inadullcadenceoffinality。
　　Histhoughtsweredirectedtothepast，hiseyestothefeetofthegirl；
　　andforthefirsttimehesawlyingthereabundleofsomesort。Shemayhaveperceivedthedirectionofhisface，forshesaidcoaxingly，——
　　`Youwon’tsayanythingintheparishabouthavingseenmehere，willyou-atleast，notforadayortwo？’
　　`Iwon’tifyouwishmenotto，’saidOak。
　　`Thankyou，indeed，’theotherreplied。`Iamratherpoor，andIdon’twantpeopletoknowanythingaboutme。’Thenshewassilentandshivered。
　　`Yououghttohaveacloakonsuchacoldnight，’Gabrielobserved。
　　`Iwouldadvise’eetogetindoors。’
　　`Ono！Wouldyoumindgoingonandleavingme？Ithankyoumuchforwhatyouhavetoldme。
　　`Iwillgoon，’hesaid；addinghesitatingly，-`Sinceyouarenotverywelloff，perhapsyouwouldacceptthistriflefromme。Itisonlyashilling，butitisallIhavetospare。’
　　`Yes，Iwilltakeit，’saidthestrangergratefully。
　　Sheextendedherhand；Gabrielhis。Infeelingforeachother’spalminthegloombeforethemoneycouldbepassed，aminuteincidentoccurredwhichtoldmuch。Gabriel’sfingersalightedontheyoungwoman’swrist。
　　Itwasbeatingwithathroboftragicintensity。Hehadfrequentlyfeltthesamequick，hardbeatinthefemoralarteryofhislambswhenoverdriven。
　　Itsuggestedaconsumptiontoogreatofavitalitywhich，tojudgefromherfigureandstature，wasalreadytoolittle。
　　`Whatisthematter？’
　　`Nothing。’
　　`Butthereis？’
　　`No，no，no！letyourhavingseenmebeasecret！’
　　`Verywell；Iwill。Good-night，again。’
　　`Good-night。’
　　Theyounggirlremainedmotionlessbythetree，andGabrieldescendedintothevillageofWeatherbury，orLowerLongpuddleasitwassometimescalled。Hefanciedthathehadfelthimselfinthepenumbraofaverydeepsadnesswhentouchingthatslightandfragilecreature。Butwisdomliesinmoderatingmereimpressions，andGabrielendeavouredtothinklittleofthis。
　　CHAPTEREIGHTTheMalthouse-TheChat-NewsWarren’sMalthousewasenclosedbyanoldwallinwrappedwithivy，andthoughnotmuchoftheexteriorwasvisibleatthishour，thecharacterandpurposesofthebuildingwereclearlyenoughshownbyitsoutlineuponthesky。Fromthewallsanoverhangingthatchedroofslopeduptoapointinthecentre，uponwhichroseasmallwoodenlantern，fittedwithlouvre-boardsonallthefoursides，andfromtheseopeningsamistwasdimlyperceivedtobeescapingintothenightair。Therewasnowindowinfront；butasquareholeinthedoorwasglazedwithasinglepane，throughwhichred，comfortableraysnowstretchedoutupontheiviedwallinfront。Voicesweretobeheardinside。
　　Oak’shandskimmedthesurfaceofthedoorwithfingersextendedtoanElymas-the-Sorcererpattern，tillhefoundaleathernstrapwhichhepulled。ThisliftedaWoodenlatch，andthedoorswungopen。
　　Theroominsidewaslightedonlybytheruddyglowfromthekiln，mouth，whichshoneoverthefloorwiththestreaminghorizontalityofthesettingsun，andthrewupwardstheshadowsofallfacialirregularitiesinthoseassembledaround。Thestone-flagfloorwaswornintoapathfromthedoorwaytothekiln，andintoundulationseverywhere。Acurvedsettleofunplanedoakstretchedalongoneside，andinaremotecornerwasasmallbedandbedstead，theownerandfrequentoccupierofwhichwasthemaltster。
　　Thisagedmanwasnowsittingoppositethefire，hisfrostywhitehairandbeardovergrowinghisgnarledfigurelikethegreymossandlichenuponaleaflessappletree。Heworebreechesandthelaced-upshoescalledankle-jacks；hekepthiseyesfixeduponthefire。
　　Gabriel’snosewasgreetedbyanatmosphereladenwiththesweetsmellofnewmalt。Theconversationwhichseemedtohavebeenconcerningtheoriginofthefireimmediatelyceased，andeveryoneocularlycriticizedhimtothedegreeexpressedbycontractingthefleshoftheirforeheadsandlookingathimwithnarrowedeyelids，asifhehadbeenalighttoostrongfortheirsight。Severalexclaimedmeditatively，afterthisoperationhadbeencompleted：——
　　`Oh，’tisthenewshepherd，’ab’lieve。’
　　`Wethoughtweheardahandpawingaboutthedoorforthebobbin，’butweren’tsure’twerenotadeadleafblowedacross，’saidanother。
　　`Comein，shepherd；sureyebewelcome，thoughwedon’tknowyername。’
　　`GabrielOak，that’smyname，neighbours。’
　　Theancientmaltstersittinginthemidstturnedatthis-histurningbeingastheturningofarustycrane。
　　`That’sneverGableOak’sgrandsonoveratNorcombe-never！’hesaid，asaformulaexpressiveofsurprise，whichnobodywassupposedtotakeliterally。
　　`MyfatherandmygrandfatherwereoldmenofthenameofGabriel，’
　　saidtheshepherdplacidly。
　　`ThoughtIknowedtheman’sfaceasIseedhimontherick！thoughtIdid！Andwherebeyetradingo’ttonow，shepherd？’
　　`I’mthinkingofbidinghere，’saidMrOak。
　　`Knowedyergrandfatherforyearsandyears！’continuedthemaltster，thewordscomingforthoftheirownaccordasifthemomentumpreviouslyimpartedhadbeensufficient。
　　`Ah-anddidyou！’
　　`Knowedyergrandmother。’
　　`Andhertoo！’
　　`Likewiseknowedyerfatherwhenhewasachild。Why，myboyJacobthereandyourfatherwereswornbrothers-thattheyweresure-weren’tyeJacob？’
　　`Ay，sure，’saidhisson，ayoungmanaboutsixty-five，withasemi-baldheadandonetoothintheleftcentreofhisupperjaw，whichmademuchofitselfbystandingprominent，likeamilestoneinabank。`But’twasJoehadmosttodowithhim。However，mysonWilliammusthaveknowedtheverymanaforeus-didn’tye，Billy，aforeyeleftNorcombe？’
　　`No，’twasAndrew，’saidJacob’ssonBilly，achildofforty，orthereabouts，whomanifestedthepeculiarityofpossessingacheerfulsoulinagloomybody，andwhosewhiskerswereassumingachinchillashadehereandthere。
　　`IcanmindAndrew，’saidOak，`asbeingamanintheplacewhenIwasquiteachild。’
　　`Ay-theotherdayIandmyyoungestdaughter，Liddy，wereoveratmygrandson’schristening，’continuedBilly。`Weweretalkingaboutthisveryfamily，and’twasonlylastPurificationDayinthisveryworld，whentheuse-moneyisgiedawaytothesecond-bestpoorfolk，youknow，shepherd，andIcanmindthedaybecausetheyallhadtotraypseuptothevestry-yes，thisveryman’sfamily。’
　　`Come，shepherd，anddrink。’Tisgapeandswallerwithus-adrapofsommit，butnotofmuchaccount，’saidthemaltster，removingfromthefirehiseyes，whichwerevermilion-redandblearedbygazingintoitforsomanyyears。`TakeuptheGod-forgive-me，Jacob。Seeif’tiswarm，Jacob。’
　　JacobstoopedtotheGod-forgive-me，whichwasatwo-handledtallmugstandingintheashes，crackedandcharredwithheat：itwasratherfurredwithextraneousmatterabouttheoutside，especiallyinthecrevicesofthehandles，theinnermostcurvesofwhichmaynothaveseendaylightforseveralyearsbyreasonofthisencrustationthereon-formedofashesaccidentallywettedwithciderandbakedhard；buttothemindofanysensibledrinkerthecupwasnoworseforthat，beingincontestablycleanontheinsideandabouttherim。ItmaybeobservedthatsuchaclassofmugiscalledaGod-forgive-meinWeatherburyanditsvicinityforuncertainreasons；
　　probablybecauseitssizemakesanygiventoperfeelashamedofhimselfwhenheseesitsbottomindrinkingitempty。
　　Jacob，onreceivingtheordertoseeiftheliquorwaswarmenough，placidlydippedhisforefingerintoitbywayofthermometer，andhavingpronounceditnearlyoftheproperdegree，raisedthecupandverycivillyattemptedtodustsomeoftheashesfromthebottomwiththeskirtofhissmock-frock，becauseShepherdOakwasastranger。
　　`Aclanecupfortheshepherd，’saidthemaltstercommandingly。
　　`No-notatall，’saidGabriel，inareprovingtoneofconsiderateness。
　　`Ineverfussaboutdirtinitspurestate，andwhenIknowwhatsortitis。’Takingthemughedrankaninchormorefromthedepthofitscontents，anddulypassedittothenextman。`Iwouldn’tthinkofgivingsuchtroubletoneighboursinwashingupwhenthere’ssomuchworktobedoneintheworldalready，’continuedOakinamoistertone，afterrecoveringfromthestoppageofbreathwhichisoccasionedbypullsatlargemugs。
　　`Arightsensibleman，’saidJacob。
　　`True，true；itcan’tbegainsaid！’observedabriskyoungman-MarkClarkbyname，agenialandpleasantgentleman，whomtomeetanywhereinyourtravelswastoknow，toknowwastodrinkwith，andtodrinkwithwas，unfortunately，topayfor。
　　`Andhere’samouthfulofbreadandbaconthatmis’esshavesent，shepherd。
　　Theciderwillgodownbetterwithabitofvictuals。Don’tyechawquiteclose，shepherd，forIletthebaconfallintheroadoutsideasIwasbringingitalong，andmaybe’tisrathergritty。There，’tisclanedirt；
　　andweallknowwhatthatis，asyousay，andyoubain’taparticularmanwesee，shepherd。’
　　`True，true-notatall，’saidthefriendlyOak。
　　`Don’tletyourteethquitemeet，andyouwon’tfeelthesandinessatall。Ah！’tiswonderfulwhatcanbedonebycontrivance！’
　　`Myownmindexactly，neighbour。’
　　`Ah，he’shisgrandfer’sowngrandson！-hisgrandferwerejustsuchaniceunparticularman！’saidthemaltster。
　　`Drink，HenryFray-drink，’magnanimouslysaidJanCoggan，apersonwhoheldSaint-Simoniannotionsofshareandsharealikewhereliquorwasconcerned，asthevesselshowedsignsofapproachinghiminitsgradualrevolutionamongthem。
　　Havingatthismomentreachedtheendofawistfulgazeintomid-air，Henrydidnotrefuse。Hewasamanofmorethanmiddleage，witheyebrowshighupinhisforehead，wholaiditdownthatthelawoftheworldwasbad，withalong-sufferinglookthroughhislistenersattheworldalludedto，asitpresenteditselftohisimagination。Healwayssignedhisname`Henery’-strenuouslyinsistinguponthatspelling，andifanypassingschoolmasterventuredtoremarkthatthesecond`e’wassuperfluousandold-fashioned，hereceivedthereplythat`H-e-n-e-r-y’wasthenamehewaschristenedandthenamehewouldsticktointhetoneofonetowhomorthographicaldifferenceswerematterswhichhadagreatdealtodowithpersonalcharacter。
　　MrJanCoggan，whohadpassedthecuptoHenery，wasacrimsonmanwithaspaciouscountenanceandprivateglimmerinhiseye，whosenamehadappearedonthemarriageregisterofWeatherburyandneighbouringparishesasbestmanandchief-witnessincountlessunionsoftheprevioustwentyyears；
　　healsoveryfrequentlyfilledthepostofheadgodfatherinbaptismsofthesubtly-jovialkind。
　　`Come，MarkClark-come。Ther’splentymoreinthebarrel，’saidJan。
　　`Ay-thatIwill；’tismyonlydoctor，’repliedMrClark，who’twentyyearsyoungerthanJanCoggan，revolvedinthesameorbit。Hesecretedmirthonalloccasionsforspecialdischargeatpopularparties。
　　`Why，JosephPoorgrass，yehan’thadadrop！’saidMrCoggantoaself-consciousmaninthebackground，thrustingthecuptowardshim。
　　`Suchamodestmanasheis！’saidJacobSmallbury。`Why，ye’vehardlyhadstrengthofeyeenoughtolookinouryoungmis’ess’sface，soIhear，Joseph？’
　　AlllookedatJosephPoorgrasswithpityingreproach。
　　`No-I’vehardlylookedatheratall，’simperedJoseph，reducinghisbodysmallerwhilsttalking，apparentlyfromameeksenseofundueprominence。
　　`AndwhenIseedher，’twasnothingbutblusheswithme！’
　　`Poorfeller，’saidMrClark。
　　`’Tisacuriousnatureforaman，’saidJanCoggan。
　　`Yes，’continuedJosephPoorgrass-hisshyness，whichwassopainfulasadefect，fillinghimwithamildcomplacencynowthatitwasregardedasaninterestingstudy。`’Twereblush，blush，blushwithmeeveryminuteofthetime，whenshewasspeakingtome。’
　　`Ibelieveye，JosephPoorgrass，forweallknowyetobeaverybashfulman。’
　　`’Tisa’awkwardgiftforaman，poorsoul，’saidthemaltster。`Andyehavesufferedfromitalongtime，weknow。’
　　`Ay，eversinceIwasaboy。Yesmotherwasconcernedtoherheartaboutit-yes。But’twasallnought。’
　　`Didyeevergointotheworldtotryandstopit，JosephPoorgrass？’
　　`Ohay，triedallsortso’company。TheytookmetoGreenhillFair，andintoagreatgayjerry-go-nimbleshow，wheretherewerewomen-folkridinground-standinguponhorses，withhardlyanythingonbuttheirsmocks；butitdidn’tcuremeamorsel。AndthenIwasputerrand-manattheWomen’sSkittleAlleyatthebackoftheTailor’sArmsinCasterbridge。
　　’Twasahorriblesinalsituation，andaverycuriousplaceforagoodman。
　　Ihadtostandandlookba’dypeopleinthefacefrommorningtillnight；
　　but’twasnouse-Iwasjustasbadaseverafterall。Blusheshevbeeninthefamilyforgenerations。There，’tisahappyprovidencethatIbenoworse。
　　`True，’saidJacobSmallbury，deepeninghisthoughtstoaprofounderviewofthesubject。`’Tisathoughttolookat，thatyemighthavebeenworse；butevenasyoube，’tisaverybadafflictionfor’ee，Joseph。
　　Foryesee，shepherd，though’tisverywellforawoman，dangitall，’tisawkwardforamanlikehim，poorfeller？’
　　`’Tis——’tis，’saidGabriel，recoveringfromameditation。`Yes，veryawkwardfortheman。’
　　`Ay，andhe’sverytimid，too，’observedJanCoggan。`OncehehadbeenworkinglateatYalburyBottom，andhadhadadrapofdrink，andlosthiswayashewascominghome-alongthroughYalburyWood，didn’tye，MasterPoorgrass？’
　　`No，no，no；notthatstory！’expostulatedthemodestman，forcingalaughtoburyhisconcern。
　　`-Andso’alosthimselfquite，’continuedMrCoggan，withanimpassiveface，implyingthatatruenarrative，liketimeandtide，mustrunitscourseandwouldrespectnoman。`Andashewascomingalonginthemiddleofthenight，muchafeared，andnotabletofindhiswayoutofthetreesnohow，’acriedout，“Man-a-lost！man-a-lost！“Aowlinatreehappenedtobecrying“Whoo-whoo-whoo！“asowlsdo’youknow，shepherd’Gabrielnodded，`andJoseph，allinatremble，said，“JosephPoorgrass，ofWeatherbury，sir！“’
　　`No，no，now-that’stoomuch！’saidthetimidman，becomingamanofbrazencourageallofasudden。`Ididn’tsaysir。I’lltakemyoathIdidn’tsay“JosephPoorgrasso’Weatherbury，sir。”No，no；what’srightisright，andIneversaidsirtothebird，knowingverywellthatnomanofagentleman’srankwouldbeholleringthereatthattimeo’night。
　　“JosephPoorgrassofWeatherbury。”-that’severywordIsaid，andIshouldn’tha’saidthatif’thadn’tbeenforKeeperDay’smetheglin……There，’twasamercifulthingitendedwhereitdid。’
　　Thequestionofwhichwasrightbeingtacitlywaivedbythecompany，Janwentonmeditatively：——
　　`Andhe’sthefearfullestman，bain’tye，Joseph？Ay，anothertimeyewerelostbyLambing-DownGate，weren’tye，Joseph？’
　　`Iwas，’repliedPoorgrass，asifthereweresomeconditionstooseriousevenformodestytorememberitselfunder，thisbeingone。
　　`Yes；thatwerethemiddleofthenight，too。Thegatewouldnotopen，tryhowhewould，andknowingtherewastheDevil’shandinit，hekneeleddown。’
　　`Ay，’saidJoseph，acquiringconfidencefromthewarmthofthefire，thecider，andaperceptionofthenarrativecapabilitiesoftheexperiencealludedto。`Myheartdiedwithinme，thattime；butIkneeleddownandsaidtheLord’sPrayer，andthentheBeliefrightthrough，andthentheTenCommandments，inearnestprayer。Butno，thegatewouldn’topen；andthenIwentonwithDearlyBelovedBrethren，and，thinksI，thismakesfour，and’tisallIknowoutofbook，andifthisdon’tdoitnothingwill，andI’malostman。Well，whenIgottoSayingAfterMe，Irosefrommykneesandfoundthegatewouldopen-yes，neighbours，thegateopenedthesameasever。
　　Ameditationontheobviousinferencewasindulgedinbyall，andduringitscontinuanceeachdirectedhisvisionintotheashpit，whichglowedlikeadesertinthetropicsunderaverticalsun，shapingtheireyeslongandliny，partlybecauseofthelight，partlyfromthedepthofthesubjectdiscussed。
　　Gabrielbrokethesilence。`Whatsortofaplaceisthistoliveat，andwhatsortofamis’essisshetoworkunder？’Gabriel’sbosomthrilledgentlyashethusslippedunderthenoticeoftheassemblytheinnermostsubjectofhisheart。
　　`Wed’knowlittleofher-nothing。Sheonlyshowedherselfafewdaysago。Herunclewastookbad，andthedoctorwascalledwithhisworldwideskill；buthecouldn’tsavetheman。AsItakeit，she’sgoingtokeeponthefarm。’
　　`That’sabouttheshapeo’t，’ab’lieve’saidJanCoggan。`Ay，’tisaverygoodfamily。I’dassoonbeunder’emasunderonehereandthere。
　　Herunclewasaveryfairsortofman。Didyeknowen，shepherd-abachelor-man？’
　　`Notatall。’
　　`Iusedtogotohishousea-courtingmyfirstwife，Charlotte，whowashisdairymaid。Well，averygood-heartedmanwereFarmerEverdene，andIbeingarespectableyoungfellowwasallowedtocallandseeheranddrinkasmuchaleasIliked，butnottocarryawayany-outsidemyskinImane，ofcourse。’
　　`Ay，ay，JanCoggan；weknowyermaning。’
　　`Andsoyousee’twasbeautifulale，andIwishedtovaluehiskindnessasmuchasIcould，andnottobesoill-manneredastodrinkonlyathimbleful，whichwouldhavebeeninsultingtheman’sgenerosity——
　　`True，MasterCoggan，’twouldso，’corroboratedMarkClark。
　　`-AndsoIusedtoeatalotofsaltfishaforegoing，andthenbythetimeIgotthereIwereasdryasalime-basket-sothoroughdrythatthatalewouldslipdown-ah，’twouldslipdownsweet！Happytimes！heavenlytimes！SuchlovelydrunksasIusedtohaveatthathouse！Youcanmind，Jacob？Youusedtogowi’mesometimes。’
　　`Ican-Ican，’saidJacob。`Thatone，too，thatwehadatBuck’sHeadonaWhiteMondaywasaprettytipple。’
　　`’Twas。Butforawetofthebetterclass，thatbroughtyounonearertothehornedmanthanyouwereaforeyoubegun，therewasnonelikethoseinFarmerEverdene’skitchen。Notasingledamnallowed；no，notabarepoorone，evenatthemostcheerfulmomentwhenallwereblindest，thoughthegoodoldwordofsinthrowninhereandthereatsuchtimesisagreatrelieftoamerrysoul。’
　　`True，’saidthemaltster。`Naterrequiresherswearingattheregulartimes，orshe’snotherself；andunholyexclamationsisanecessityoflife。’
　　`ButCharlotte，’continuedCoggan-`notawordofthesortwouldCharlotteallow，northesmallestitemoftakinginvain……Ay，poorCharlotte，I
　　wonderifshehadthegoodfortunetogetintoHeavenwhen’adied！But’awasnevermuchinluck’swayandperhaps’awentdownwardsafterall，poorsoul。’
　　`AnddidanyofyouknowMissEverdene’sfatherandmother？’inquiredtheshepherd，whofoundsomedifficultyinkeepingtheconversationinthedesiredchannel。
　　`Iknewthemalittle，’saidJacobSmallbury；`buttheyweretownsfolk，anddidn’tlivehere。They’vebeendeadforyears。Father，whatsortofpeopleweremis’ess’fatherandmother？’
　　`Well，’saidthemaltster，`hewasn’tmuchtolookat；butshewasalovelywoman。Hewasfondenoughofherashissweetheart。’
　　`Usedtokissherscoresandlong-hundredso’times，so`twassaid，’
　　observedCoggan。
　　`Hewasveryproudofher，too，whentheyweremarried，asI’vebeentold，’saidthemaltster。
　　`Ay，’saidCoggan。`Headmiredhersomuchthatheusedtolightthecandlethreetimesanighttolookather。
　　`Boundlesslove；Ishouldn’thavesupposeditintheuniverse！’murmuredJosephPoorgrass，whohabituallysakeonalargescaleinhismoralreflections。
　　`Well，tobesure，’saidGabriel。
　　`Oh，’tistrueenough。Iknowedthemanandwomanbothwell。LeviEverdene-thatwastheman’sname，sure。“Man。”saithIinmyhurry，buthewereofahighercircleoflifethanthat-`awasagentleman-tailorreally，worthscoresofpounds。Andhebecameaverycelebratedbankrupttwoorthreetimes。’
　　`Oh，Ithoughthewasquiteacommonman！’saidJoseph。
　　`Ono，no！Thatmanfailedforheapsofmoney；hundredsingoldandsilver。’
　　Themaltsterbeingrathershortofbreath，MrCoggan，afterabsentlyscrutinizingacoalwhichhadfallenamongtheashes，tookupthenarrative，withaprivatetwirlofhiseye：
　　`Well，now，you’dhardlybelieveit，butthatman-ourMissEverdene’sfather-wasoneoftheficklesthusbandsalive，afterawhile。Understand，’adidn’twanttobefickle，buthecouldn’thelpit。Thepoorfellerwerefaithfulandtrueenoughtoherinhiswish，buthisheartwouldrove，dowhathewould。Hespoketomeinrealtribulationaboutitonce。“Coggan。”
　　hesaid，“IcouldneverwishforahandsomerwomanthanI’vegot，butfeelingshe’sticketedasmylawfulwife，Ican’thelpmywickedheartwandering，dowhatIwill。”ButatlastIbelievehecureditbymakinghertakeoffherwedding-ringandcallingherbyhermaidennameastheysattogetheraftertheshopwasshut，andso’awouldgettofancyshewasonlyhissweetheart，andnotmarriedtohimatall。Andassoonashecouldthoroughlyfancyhewasdoingwrongandcommittingtheseventh`agottolikeheraswellasever，andtheylivedonaperfectpictureofmutellove。
　　`Well，’twasamostungodlyremedy，’murmuredJosephPoorgrass；`butweoughttofeeldeepcheerfulnessthatahappyProvidencekeptitfrombeinganyworse。Yousee，hemighthavegonethebadroadandgivenhiseyestounlawfulnessentirely-yes，grossunlawfulness，sotosayit。’
　　`Yousee，’saidBillySmallbury，`theman’swillwastodoright，sureenough，buthisheartdidn’tchimein。’
　　`Hegotsomuchbetterthathewasquitegodlyinhislateryears，wasn’the，Jan？’saidJosephPoorgrass。`-Hegothimselfconfirmedoveragaininamoreseriousway，andtooktosaying“Amen“almostasloudastheclerk，andhelikedtocopycomfortingversesfromthetombstones。Heused，too，toholdthemoney-plateatLetYourLightsoShine，andstandgodfathertopoorlittlecome-by-chancechildren；andhekeptamissionaryboxuponhistabletonabfolksunawareswhentheycalled；yes，andhewouldboxthecharity-boys’ears，iftheylaughedinchurch，tilltheycouldhardlystandupright，anddootherdeedsofpietynaturaltothesaintlyinclined。’
　　`Ay，atthattimehethoughtofnothingbuthighthings，’addedBillySmallbury。`OnedayParsonThirdlymethimandsaid，“Goodmorning，MisterEverdene；’tisafineday！““Amen。”saidEverdene，quiteabsent-like，thinkingonlyofreligionwhenheseedaparson。Yes，hewasaveryChristianman。’
　　`Theirdaughterwasnotatallaprettychiefatthattime，’saidHeneryFray。`Nevershouldhavethoughtshe’dhavegrowedupsuchahandsomebodyassheis。’
　　`’Tistobehopedhertemperisasgoodasherface。’
　　`Well，yes；butthebailywillhavemosttodowiththebusinessandourselves。Ah！’Henerygazedintotheashpit，andsmiledvolumesofironicalknowledge。
　　`AqueerChristian，liketheDevil’sheadinacow，’asthesayingis，’
　　volunteeredMarkClark。
　　`Heis，’saidHenery，implyingthatironymustceaseatacertainpoint。
　　`Betweenwetwo’manandman，IbelievethatmanwouldassoontellalieSundaysasworking-days-thatIdoso。’
　　`Goodfaith，youdotalk！’saidGabriel。
　　`Trueenough，’saidthemanofbittermoods，lookingrounduponthecompanywiththeantitheticlaughterthatcomesfromakeenerappreciationofthemiseriesoflifethanordinarymenarecapableof。`Ah，there’speopleofonesort，andpeopleofanother，butthatman-blessyoursouls！’
　　Gabrielthoughtfittochangethesubject。`Youmustbeaveryagedman，malter，tohavesonsgrowedupsooldandancient，’heremarked。
　　`Father’ssooldthat’acan’tmindhisage，canye，father？’interposedJacob。`Andhe’sgrowedterriblecrooked，too，lately，’Jacobcontinued，surveyinghislither’sfire，whichwasrathermorebowedthanhisown。
　　`Really，onemaysaythatfatherthereisthree-double。’
　　`Crookedfolkwilllastalongwhile，’saidthemaltster，grimly，andnotinthebesthumour。
　　`Shepherdwouldliketohearthepedigreeofyerlife，father-wouldn’tye，shepherd？’
　　`Ay，thatIshould，’saidGabriel，withtheheartinessofamanwhohadlongedtohearitforseveralmonths。`Whatmayyouragebe，malter？’
　　Themaltsterclearedhisthroatinanexaggeratedformforemphasis，andelongatinghisgazetotheremotestpointoftheashpit，said，intheslowspeechjustifiablewhentheimportanceofasubjectissogenerallyfeltthatanymannerismmustbetoleratedingettingatit，`Well，Idon’tmindtheyearIwerebornin，butperhapsIcanreckonuptheplacesI’velivedat，andsogetitthatway。IbodeatUpperLongpuddleacrossthere’
　　noddingtothenorth`tillIwereeleven。IbodesevenatKingsbere’
　　noddingtotheeast`whereItooktomalting。IwenttherefromtoNorcombe，andmaltedtheretwo-and-twentyyears，andtwo-and-twentyyearsIwasthereturnip-hoeingandharvesting。Ah，Iknowedthatoldplace，Norcombe，yearsaforeyouwerethoughtof，MasterOak’Oaksmiledsincerebeliefinthefact。`ThenImaltedatDurnoverfouryear，andfouryearturnip-hoeing；
　　andIwasfourteentimeselevenmonthsatMillpondStJude’s’noddingnorth-west-by-north。`OldTwillswouldn’thiremeformorethanelevenmonthsatatime，tokeepmefrombeingchargeabletotheparishifsobeIwasdisabled。ThenIwasthreeyearatMellstock，andI’vebeenhereone-and-thirtyyearcomeCandlemas。Howmuchisthat？’
　　`Hundredandseventeen，’chuckledanotheroldgentleman，giventomentalarithmeticandlittleconversation，whohadhithertosatunobservedinacorner。
　　`Well，then，that’smyage，’saidthemaltsteremphatically。
　　`Ono，father！’saidJacob。`Yourturnip-hoeingwereinthesummerandyourmaltinginthewinterofthesameyears，andyedon’toughttocountbothhalves，father。’
　　`Chok’itall！Ilivedthroughthesummers，didn’tI？That’smyquestion。