AttheHallFarmTHEfirstautumnalafternoonsunshineof1801——morethaneighteenmonthsafterthatpartingofAdamandArthurintheHermitage——wasontheyardattheHallFarm；andthebull-dogwasinoneofhismostexcitedmoments，foritwasthathourofthedaywhenthecowswerebeingdrivenintotheyardfortheirafternoonmilking。
　　Nowonderthepatientbeastsranconfusedlyintothewrongplaces，forthealarmingdinofthebull-dogwasmingledwithmoredistantsoundswhichthetimidfemininecreatures，withpardonablesuperstition，imaginedalsotohavesomerelationtotheirownmovements——withthetremendouscrackofthewaggoner’swhip，theroarofhisvoice，andtheboomingthunderofthewaggon，asitlefttherick-yardemptyofitsgoldenload。
　　ThemilkingofthecowswasasightMrs。Poyserloved，andatthishouronmilddaysshewasusuallystandingatthehousedoor，withherknittinginherhands，inquietcontemplation，onlyheightenedtoakeenerinterestwhentheviciousyellowcow，whohadoncekickedoverapailfulofpreciousmilk，wasabouttoundergothepreventivepunishmentofhavingherhinder-legsstrapped。
　　To-day，however，Mrs。Poysergavebutadividedattentiontothearrivalofthecows，forshewasineagerdiscussionwithDinah，whowasstitchingMr。Poyser’sshirt-collars，andhadbornepatientlytohaveherthreadbrokenthreetimesbyTottypullingatherarmwithasuddeninsistencethatsheshouldlookat"Baby，"thatis，atalargewoodendollwithnolegsandalongskirt，whosebaldheadTotty，seatedinhersmallchairatDinah’sside，wascaressingandpressingtoherfatcheekwithmuchfervour。Tottyislargerbymorethantwoyears’growththanwhenyoufirstsawher，andshehasonablackfrockunderherpinafore。Mrs。Poysertoohasonablackgown，whichseemstoheightenthefamilylikenessbetweenherandDinah。Inotherrespectsthereislittleoutwardchangenowdiscernibleinouroldfriends，orinthepleasanthouse-place，brightwithpolishedoakandpewter。
　　"Ineversawtheliketoyou，Dinah，"Mrs。Poyserwassaying，"whenyou’veoncetookanythingintoyourhead:there’snomoremovingyouthantherootedtree。Youmaysaywhatyoulike，butI
　　don’tbelievethat’sreligion；forwhat’stheSermonontheMountabout，asyou’resofondo’readingtotheboys，butdoingwhatotherfolks’udhaveyoudo？Butifitwasanythingunreasonabletheywantedyoutodo，liketakingyourcloakoffandgivingitto’em，orletting’emslapyoui’theface，Idaresayyou’dbereadyenough。It’sonlywhenone’udhaveyoudowhat’splaincommonsenseandgoodforyourself，asyou’reobstinateth’otherway。"
　　"Nay，dearAunt，"saidDinah，smilingslightlyasshewentonwithherwork，"I’msureyourwish’udbeareasonformetodoanythingthatIdidn’tfeelitwaswrongtodo。"
　　"Wrong！Youdrivemepastbearing。Whatistherewrong，Ishouldliketoknow，i’stayingalongwi’yourownfriends，asareth’
　　happierforhavingyouwith’eman’arewillingtoprovideforyou，evenifyourworkdidn’tmorenorpay’emforthebito’
　　sparrow’svictualy’eatandthebito’ragyouputon？An’whoisit，Ishouldliketoknow，asyou’reboundt’helpandcomforti’theworldmorenoryourownfleshandblood——an’meth’onlyauntyou’vegotabove-ground，an’ambroughttothebrinko’thegravewellyeverywinterascomes，an’there’sthechildassitsbesideyou’ullbreakherlittleheartwhenyougo，an’thegrandfathernotbeendeadatwelvemonth，an’youruncle’ullmissyousoasneverwas——a-lightinghispipean’waitingonhim，an’
　　nowIcantrustyouwi’thebutter，an’havehadallthetroubleo’teachingyou，andthere’sallthesewingtobedone，an’Imusthaveastrangegellouto’Treddles’ontodoit——an’allbecauseyoumustgobacktothatbareheapo’stonesastheverycrowsflyoveran’won’tstopat。"
　　"DearAuntRachel，"saidDinah，lookingupinMrs。Poyser’sface，"it’syourkindnessmakesyousayI’musefultoyou。Youdon’treallywantmenow，forNancyandMollyarecleverattheirwork，andyou’reingoodhealthnow，bytheblessingofGod，andmyuncleisofacheerfulcountenanceagain，andyouhaveneighboursandfriendsnotafew——someofthemcometositwithmyunclealmostdaily。Indeed，youwillnotmissme；andatSnowfieldtherearebrethrenandsistersingreatneed，whohavenoneofthosecomfortsyouhavearoundyou。IfeelthatIamcalledbacktothoseamongstwhommylotwasfirstcast。IfeeldrawnagaintowardsthehillswhereIusedtobeblessedincarryingthewordoflifetothesinfulanddesolate。"
　　"Youfeel！Yes，"saidMrs。Poyser，returningfromaparentheticglanceatthecows，"that’sallaysthereasonI’mtositdownwi’，whenyou’veamindtodoanythingcontrairy。Whatdoyouwanttobepreachingformorethanyou’repreachingnow？Don’tyougooff，theLordknowswhere，everySundaya-preachingandpraying？
　　An’haven’tyougotMethodistsenowatTreddles’ontogoandlookat，ifchurch-folks’sfacesaretoohandsometopleaseyou？An’
　　isn’ttherethemi’thisparishasyou’vegotunderhand，andthey’relikeenoughtomakefriendswi’OldHarryagainassoonasyourback’sturned？There’sthatBessyCranage——she’llbeflauntingi’newfinerythreeweeksafteryou’regone，I’llbebound。She’llnomoregooninhernewwayswithoutyouthanadog’ullstandonitshind-legswhenthere’snobodylooking。ButIsupposeitdoesnamattersomuchaboutfolks’ssoulsi’thiscountry，elseyou’dbeforstayingwithyourownaunt，forshe’snonesogoodbutwhatyoumighthelphertobebetter。"
　　TherewasacertainsomethinginMrs。Poyser’svoicejustthen，whichshedidnotwishtobenoticed，sosheturnedroundhastilytolookattheclock，andsaid:"Seethere！It’stea-time；an’ifMartin’si’therick-yard，he’lllikeacup。Here，Totty，mychicken，letmotherputyourbonneton，andthenyougooutintotherick-yardandseeifFather’sthere，andtellhimhemustn’tgoawayagainwithoutcomingt’haveacupo’tea；andtellyourbrotherstocomeintoo。"
　　Tottytrottedoffinherflappingbonnet，whileMrs。Poysersetoutthebrightoaktableandreacheddownthetea-cups。
　　"Youtalko’themgellsNancyandMollybeingcleveri’theirwork，"shebeganagain；"it’sfinetalking。They’reallthesame，cleverorstupid——onecan’ttrust’emouto’one’ssightaminute。
　　Theywantsomebody’seyeon’emconstantifthey’retobekepttotheirwork。An’supposeI’millagainthiswinter，asIwasthewinterbeforelast？Who’stolookafter’emthen，ifyou’regone？
　　An’there’sthatblessedchild——something’ssuret’happentoher——
　　they’lllethertumbleintothefire，orgetatthekettlewi’
　　theboilinglardin’t，orsomemischiefas’ulllameherforlife；
　　an’it’llbeallyourfault，Dinah。"
　　"Aunt，"saidDinah，"Ipromisetocomebacktoyouinthewinterifyou’reill。Don’tthinkIwilleverstayawayfromyouifyou’reinrealwantofme。But，indeed，itisneedfulformyownsoulthatIshouldgoawayfromthislifeofeaseandluxuryinwhichIhaveallthingstoorichlytoenjoy——atleastthatI
　　shouldgoawayforashortspace。Noonecanknowbutmyselfwhataremyinwardneeds，andthebesetmentsIammostindangerfrom。
　　YourwishformetostayisnotacallofdutywhichIrefusetohearkentobecauseitisagainstmyowndesires；itisatemptationthatImustresist，lesttheloveofthecreatureshouldbecomelikeamistinmysoulshuttingouttheheavenlylight。"
　　"Itpassesmycunningtoknowwhatyoumeanbyeaseandluxury，"
　　saidMrs。Poyser，asshecutthebreadandbutter。"It’struethere’sgoodvictualenoughaboutyou，asnobodyshalleversayI
　　don’tprovideenoughandtospare，butifthere’severabito’
　　oddsan’endsasnobodyelse’udeat，you’resuretopickitout……butlookthere！There’sAdamBedea-carryingthelittleunin。Iwonderhowitishe’scomesoearly。"
　　Mrs。Poyserhastenedtothedoorforthepleasureoflookingatherdarlinginanewposition，withloveinhereyesbutreproofonhertongue。
　　"Ohforshame，Totty！Littlegellso’fiveyearoldshouldbeashamedtobecarried。Why，Adam，she’llbreakyourarm，suchabiggellasthat；setherdown——forshame！"
　　"Nay，nay，"saidAdam，"Icanliftherwithmyhand——I’venoneedtotakemyarmtoit。"
　　Totty，lookingasserenelyunconsciousofremarkasafatwhitepuppy，wassetdownatthedoor-place，andthemotherenforcedherreproofwithashowerofkisses。
　　"You’resurprisedtoseemeatthishouro’theday，"saidAdam。
　　"Yes，butcomein，"saidMrs。Poyser，makingwayforhim；"there’snobadnews，Ihope？"
　　"No，nothingbad，"Adamanswered，ashewentuptoDinahandputouthishandtoher。Shehadlaiddownherworkandstoodup，instinctively，asheapproachedher。Afaintblushdiedawayfromherpalecheekassheputherhandinhisandlookedupathimtimidly。
　　"It’sanerrandtoyoubroughtme，Dinah，"saidAdam，apparentlyunconsciousthathewasholdingherhandallthewhile；"mother’sabitailing，andshe’ssetherheartonyourcomingtostaythenightwithher，ifyou’llbesokind。ItoldherI’dcallandaskyouasIcamefromthevillage。Sheoverworksherself，andI
　　can’tpersuadehertohavealittlegirlt’helpher。Idon’tknowwhat’stobedone。"
　　AdamreleasedDinah’shandasheceasedspeaking，andwasexpectingananswer，butbeforeshehadopenedherlipsMrs。
　　Poysersaid，"Looktherenow！Itoldyoutherewasfolksenowt’
　　helpi’thisparish，wi’outgoingfurtheroff。There’sMrs。Bedegettingasoldandcas’altyascanbe，andshewon’tletanybodybutyougoa-nighherhardly。ThefolksatSnowfieldhavelearntbythistimetodobetterwi’outyounorshecan。"
　　"I’llputmybonnetonandsetoffdirectly，ifyoudon’twantanythingdonefirst，Aunt，"saidDinah，foldingupherwork。
　　"Yes，Idowantsomethingdone。Iwantyout’haveyourtea，child；it’sallready——andyou’llhaveacup，Adam，ify’arenaintoobigahurry。"
　　"Yes，I’llhaveacup，please；andthenI’llwalkwithDinah。I’mgoingstraighthome，forI’vegotaloto’timbervaluationstowriteout。"
　　"Why，Adam，lad，areyouhere？"saidMr。Poyser，enteringwarmandcoatless，withthetwoblack-eyedboysbehindhim，stilllookingasmuchlikehimastwosmallelephantsarelikealargeone。
　　"Howisitwe’vegotsighto’yousolongbeforefoddering-time？"
　　"IcameonanerrandforMother，"saidAdam。"She’sgotatouchofheroldcomplaint，andshewantsDinahtogoandstaywithherabit。"
　　"Well，we’llspareherforyourmotheralittlewhile，"saidMr。
　　Poyser。"Butwewonnaspareherforanybodyelse，on’yherhusband。"
　　"Husband！"saidMarty，whowasatthemostprosaicandliteralperiodoftheboyishmind。"Why，Dinahhasn’tgotahusband。"
　　"Spareher？"saidMrs。Poyser，placingaseed-cakeonthetableandthenseatingherselftopouroutthetea。"Butwemustspareher，itseems，andnotforahusbandneither，butforherownmegrims。Tommy，whatareyoudoingtoyourlittlesister’sdoll？
　　Makingthechildnaughty，whenshe’dbegoodifyou’dlether。
　　Youshannahaveamorselo’cakeifyoubehaveso。"
　　Tommy，withtruebrotherlysympathy，wasamusinghimselfbyturningDolly’sskirtoverherbaldheadandexhibitinghertruncatedbodytothegeneralscorn——anindignitywhichcutTottytotheheart。
　　"WhatdoyouthinkDinah’sbeena-tellingmesincedinner-time？"
　　Mrs。Poysercontinued，lookingatherhusband。
　　"Eh！I’mapoorunatguessing，"saidMr。Poyser。
　　"Why，shemeanstogobacktoSnowfieldagain，andworki’themill，andstarveherself，assheusedtodo，likeacreaturashasgotnofriends。"
　　Mr。Poyserdidnotreadilyfindwordstoexpresshisunpleasantastonishment；heonlylookedfromhiswifetoDinah，whohadnowseatedherselfbesideTotty，asabulwarkagainstbrotherlyplayfulness，andwasbusyingherselfwiththechildren’stea。Ifhehadbeengiventomakinggeneralreflections，itwouldhaveoccurredtohimthattherewascertainlyachangecomeoverDinah，forsheneverusedtochangecolour；but，asitwas，hemerelyobservedthatherfacewasflushedatthatmoment。Mr。Poyserthoughtshelookedtheprettierforit:itwasaflushnodeeperthanthepetalofamonthlyrose。Perhapsitcamebecauseherunclewaslookingathersofixedly；butthereisnoknowing，forjustthenAdamwassaying，withquietsurprise，"Why，IhopedDinahwassettledamongusforlife。Ithoughtshe’dgivenupthenotiono’goingbacktoheroldcountry。"
　　"Thought！Yes，"saidMrs。Poyser，"andsowouldanybodyelseha’
　　thought，ashadgottheirrightendup’ards。ButIsupposeyoumustbeaMethodisttoknowwhataMethodist’ulldo。It’sillguessingwhatthebatsareflyingafter。"
　　"Why，whathavewedonetoyou。Dinah，asyoumustgoawayfromus？"saidMr。Poyser，stillpausingoverhistea-cup。"It’slikebreakingyourword，welly，foryourauntneverhadnothoughtbutyou’dmakethisyourhome。"
　　"Nay，Uncle，"saidDinah，tryingtobequitecalm。"WhenIfirstcame，Isaiditwasonlyforatime，aslongasIcouldbeofanycomforttomyaunt。"
　　"Well，an’whosaidyou’deverleftoffbeingacomforttome？"
　　saidMrs。Poyser。"Ifyoudidnameantostaywi’me，you’dbetterneverha’come。Themasha’neverhadacushiondon’tmissit。"
　　"Nay，nay，"saidMr。Poyser，whoobjectedtoexaggeratedviews。
　　"Theemustnasayso；weshouldha’beenilloffwi’outher，Ladydaywasatwelvemont’。Wemunbethankfulforthat，whethershestaysorno。ButIcannathinkwhatshemunleaveagoodhomefor，togobackint’acountrywheretheland，moston’t，isnaworthtenshillingsanacre，rentandprofits。"
　　"Why，that’sjustthereasonshewantstogo，asfurasshecangiveareason，"saidMrs。Poyser。"Shesaysthiscountry’stoocomfortable，an’there’stoomucht’eat，an’folksarenamiserableenough。Andshe’sgoingnextweek。Icannaturnher，saywhatIwill。It’sallaysthewaywi’themmeek-facedpeople；
　　youmay’swellpeltabago’feathersastalkto’em。ButIsayitisnareligion，tobesoobstinate——isitnow，Adam？"
　　AdamsawthatDinahwasmoredisturbedthanhehadeverseenherbyanymatterrelatingtoherself，and，anxioustorelieveher，ifpossible，hesaid，lookingatheraffectionately，"Nay，Ican’tfindfaultwithanythingDinahdoes。Ibelieveherthoughtsarebetterthanourguesses，let’embewhattheymay。Ishouldha’
　　beenthankfulforhertostayamongus，butifshethinkswelltogo，Iwouldn’tcrossher，ormakeithardtoherbyobjecting。Weowehersomethingdifferenttothat。"
　　Asitoftenhappens，thewordsintendedtorelieveherwerejusttoomuchforDinah’ssusceptiblefeelingsatthismoment。Thetearscameintothegreyeyestoofasttobehiddenandshegotuphurriedly，meaningittobeunderstoodthatshewasgoingtoputonherbonnet。
　　"Mother，what’sDinahcryingfor？"saidTotty。"Sheisn’tanaughtydell。"
　　"Thee’stgoneabittoofur，"saidMr。Poyser。"We’venorightt’
　　interferewithherdoingasshelikes。An’thee’dstbeasangryascouldbewi’me，ifIsaidawordagainstanythingshedid。"
　　"Becauseyou’dverylikebefindingfaultwi’outreason，"saidMrs。Poyser。"Butthere’sreasoni’whatIsay，elseIshouldnasayit。It’seasytalkingforthemascan’tlovehersowellasherownauntdoes。An’megotsousedtoher！Ishallfeelasuneasyasanewshearedsheepwhenshe’sgonefromme。An’tothinkofherleavingaparishwhereshe’ssolookedon。There’sMr。Irwinemakesasmuchofherasifshewasalady，forallherbeingaMethodist，an’wi’thatmaggoto’preachinginherhead——
　　Godforgi’emeifI’mi’thewrongtocallitso。"
　　"Aye，"saidMr。Poyser，lookingjocose；"buttheedostnatellAdamwhathesaidtotheeaboutitoneday。Themissiswassaying，Adam，asthepreachingwastheonlyfaulttobefoundwi’Dinah，andMr。Irwinesays，’Butyoumustn’tfindfaultwithherforthat，Mrs。Poyser；youforgetshe’sgotnohusbandtopreachto。
　　I’llanswerforit，yougivePoysermanyagoodsermon。’Theparsonhadtheethere，"Mr。Poyseradded，laughingunctuously。"I
　　toldBartleMasseyonit，an’helaughedtoo。"
　　"Yes，it’sasmalljokesetsmenlaughingwhentheysita-staringatoneanotherwithapipei’theirmouths，"saidMrs。Poyser。
　　"GiveBartleMasseyhiswayandhe’dhaveallthesharpnesstohimself。Ifthechaff-cutterhadthemakingofus，weshouldallbestraw，Ireckon。Totty，mychicken，goupstairstocousinDinah，andseewhatshe’sdoing，andgiveheraprettykiss。"
　　ThiserrandwasdevisedforTottyasameansofcheckingcertainthreateningsymptomsaboutthecornersofthemouth；forTommy，nolongerexpectantofcake，wasliftinguphiseyelidswithhisforefingersandturninghiseyeballstowardsTottyinawaythatshefelttobedisagreeablypersonal。
　　"You’rerareandbusynow——eh，Adam？"saidMr。Poyser。"Burge’sgettingsobadwi’hisasthmy，it’swellifhe’lleverdomuchridingaboutagain。"
　　"Yes，we’vegotaprettybito’buildingonhandnow，"saidAdam，"whatwiththerepairsonth’estate，andthenewhousesatTreddles’on。"
　　"I’llbetapennythatnewhouseBurgeisbuildingonhisownbito’landisforhimandMarytogoto，"saidMr。Poyser。"He’llbeforlayingbybusinesssoon，I’llwarrant，andbewantingyoutotaketoitallandpayhimsomuchbyth’’ear。Weshallseeyoulivingonth’hillbeforeanothertwelvemont’sover。"
　　"Well，"saidAdam，"Ishouldliket’havethebusinessinmyownhands。Itisn’tasImindmuchaboutgettinganymoremoney。
　　We’veenoughandtosparenow，withonlyourtwoselvesandmother；butIshouldliket’havemyownwayaboutthings——Icouldtryplansthen，asIcan’tdonow。"
　　"Yougetonprettywellwi’thenewsteward，Ireckon？"saidMr。
　　Poyser。
　　"Yes，yes；he’sasensiblemanenough；understandsfarming——he’scarryingonthedraining，andallthat，capital。YoumustgosomedaytowardstheStonyshiresideandseewhatalterationsthey’remaking。Buthe’sgotnonotionaboutbuildings。Youcansoseldomgetholdofamanascanturnhisbrainstomorenoronething；it’sjustasiftheyworeblinkersliketh’horsesandcouldseenothingo’onesideof’em。Now，there’sMr。Irwinehasgotnotionso’buildingmorenormostarchitects；forasforth’
　　architects，theysetuptobefinefellows，butthemostof’emdon’tknowwheretosetachimneysoasitshan’tbequarrellingwithadoor。Mynotionis，apracticalbuilderthat’sgotabito’tastemakesthebestarchitectforcommonthings；andI’vetentimesthepleasurei’seeingaftertheworkwhenI’vemadetheplanmyself。"
　　Mr。PoyserlistenedwithanadmiringinteresttoAdam’sdiscourseonbuilding，butperhapsitsuggestedtohimthatthebuildingofhiscorn-rickhadbeenproceedingalittletoolongwithoutthecontrolofthemaster’seye，forwhenAdamhaddonespeaking，hegotupandsaid，"Well，lad，I’llbidyougood-byenow，forI’mofftotherick-yardagain。"
　　Adamrosetoo，forhesawDinahentering，withherbonnetonandalittlebasketinherhand，precededbyTotty。
　　"You’reready，Isee，Dinah，"Adamsaid；"sowe’llsetoff，forthesoonerI’mathomethebetter。"
　　"Mother，"saidTotty，withhertreblepipe，"Dinahwassayingherprayersandcryingeverso。"
　　"Hush，hush，"saidthemother，"littlegellsmustn’tchatter。"
　　Whereuponthefather，shakingwithsilentlaughter，setTottyonthewhitedealtableanddesiredhertokisshim。Mr。andMrs。
　　Poyser，youperceive，hadnocorrectprinciplesofeducation。
　　"Comebackto-morrowifMrs。Bededoesn’twantyou，Dinah，"saidMrs。Poyser:"butyoucanstay，youknow，ifshe’sill。"
　　So，whenthegood-byeshadbeensaid，DinahandAdamlefttheHallFarmtogether。
　　IntheCottageADAMdidnotaskDinahtotakehisarmwhentheygotoutintothelane。Hehadneveryetdoneso，oftenastheyhadwalkedtogether，forhehadobservedthatsheneverwalkedarm-in-armwithSeth，andhethought，perhaps，thatkindofsupportwasnotagreeabletoher。Sotheywalkedapart，thoughsidebyside，andtheclosepokeofherlittleblackbonnethidherfacefromhim。
　　"Youcan’tbehappy，then，tomaketheHallFarmyourhome，Dinah？"Adamsaid，withthequietinterestofabrother，whohasnoanxietyforhimselfinthematter。"It’sapity，seeingthey’resofondofyou。"
　　"Youknow，Adam，myheartisastheirheart，sofarasloveforthemandcarefortheirwelfaregoes，buttheyareinnopresentneed。Theirsorrowsarehealed，andIfeelthatIamcalledbacktomyoldwork，inwhichIfoundablessingthatIhavemissedoflateinthemidstoftooabundantworldlygood。IknowitisavainthoughttofleefromtheworkthatGodappointsus，forthesakeoffindingagreaterblessingtoourownsouls，asifwecouldchooseforourselveswhereweshallfindthefulnessoftheDivinePresence，insteadofseekingitwherealoneitistobefound，inlovingobedience。Butnow，Ibelieve，Ihaveaclearshowingthatmyworklieselsewhere——atleastforatime。Intheyearstocome，ifmyaunt’shealthshouldfail，orsheshouldotherwiseneedme，Ishallreturn。"
　　"Youknowbest，Dinah，"saidAdam。"Idon’tbelieveyou’dgoagainstthewishesofthemthatloveyou，andareakintoyou，withoutagoodandsufficientreasoninyourownconscience。I’venorighttosayanythingaboutmybeingsorry:youknowwellenoughwhatcauseIhavetoputyouaboveeveryotherfriendI’vegot；andifithadbeenorderedsothatyoucouldha’beenmysister，andlivedwithusallourlives，Ishouldha’counteditthegreatestblessingascouldhappentousnow。ButSethtellsmethere’snohopeo’that:yourfeelingsaredifferent，andperhapsI’mtakingtoomuchuponmetospeakaboutit。"
　　Dinahmadenoanswer，andtheywalkedoninsilenceforsomeyards，tilltheycametothestonestile，where，asAdamhadpassedthroughfirstandturnedroundtogiveherhishandwhileshemountedtheunusuallyhighstep，shecouldnotpreventhimfromseeingherface。Itstruckhimwithsurprise，forthegreyeyes，usuallysomildandgrave，hadthebrightuneasyglancewhichaccompaniessuppressedagitation，andtheslightflushinhercheeks，withwhichshehadcomedownstairs，washeightenedtoadeeprose-colour。ShelookedasifshewereonlysistertoDinah。Adamwassilentwithsurpriseandconjectureforsomemoments，andthenhesaid，"IhopeI’venothurtordispleasedyoubywhatI’vesaid，Dinah。PerhapsIwasmakingtoofree。I’venowishdifferentfromwhatyouseetobebest，andI’msatisfiedforyoutolivethirtymileoff，ifyouthinkitright。IshallthinkofyoujustasmuchasIdonow，foryou’reboundupwithwhatI
　　cannomorehelprememberingthanIcanhelpmyheartbeating。"
　　PoorAdam！Thusdomenblunder。Dinahmadenoanswer，butshepresentlysaid，"Haveyouheardanynewsfromthatpooryoungman，sincewelastspokeofhim？"
　　DinahalwayscalledArthurso；shehadneverlosttheimageofhimasshehadseenhimintheprison。
　　"Yes，"saidAdam。"Mr。Irwinereadmepartofaletterfromhimyesterday。It’sprettycertain，theysay，thatthere’llbeapeacesoon，thoughnobodybelievesit’lllastlong；buthesayshedoesn’tmeantocomehome。He’snoheartforityet，andit’sbetterforothersthatheshouldkeepaway。Mr。Irwinethinkshe’sintherightnottocome。It’sasorrowfulletter。HeasksaboutyouandthePoysers，ashealwaysdoes。There’sonethinginthelettercutmeagooddeal:’Youcan’tthinkwhatanoldfellowIfeel，’hesays；’Imakenoschemesnow。I’mthebestwhenI’veagoodday’smarchorfightingbeforeme。’"
　　"He’sofarash，warm-heartednature，likeEsau，forwhomIhavealwaysfeltgreatpity，"saidDinah。"Thatmeetingbetweenthebrothers，whereEsauissolovingandgenerous，andJacobsotimidanddistrustful，notwithstandinghissenseoftheDivinefavour，hasalwaystouchedmegreatly。Truly，IhavebeentemptedsometimestosaythatJacobwasofameanspirit。Butthatisourtrial:wemustlearntoseethegoodinthemidstofmuchthatisunlovely。"
　　"Ah，"saidAdam，"IliketoreadaboutMosesbest，inth’OldTestament。Hecarriedahardbusinesswellthrough，anddiedwhenotherfolksweregoingtoreapthefruits。Amanmusthavecouragetolookathislifeso，andthinkwhat’llcomeofitafterhe’sdeadandgone。Agoodsolidbito’worklasts:ifit’sonlylayingafloordown，somebody’sthebetterforitbeingdonewell，besidesthemanasdoesit。"
　　Theywerebothgladtotalkofsubjectsthatwerenotpersonal，andinthiswaytheywentontilltheypassedthebridgeacrosstheWillowBrook，whenAdamturnedroundandsaid，"Ah，here’sSeth。Ithoughthe’dbehomesoon。Doesheknowofyou’regoing，Dinah？"
　　"Yes，ItoldhimlastSabbath。"
　　AdamrememberednowthatSethhadcomehomemuchdepressedonSundayevening，acircumstancewhichhadbeenveryunusualwithhimoflate，forthehappinesshehadinseeingDinaheveryweekseemedlongtohaveoutweighedthepainofknowingshewouldnevermarryhim。Thiseveninghehadhishabitualairofdreamybenignantcontentment，untilhecamequiteclosetoDinahandsawthetracesoftearsonherdelicateeyelidsandeyelashes。Hegaveonerapidglanceathisbrother，butAdamwasevidentlyquiteoutsidethecurrentofemotionthathadshakenDinah:heworehiseverydaylookofunexpectantcalm。SethtriednottoletDinahseethathehadnoticedherface，andonlysaid，"I’mthankfulyou’recome，Dinah，forMother’sbeenhungeringafterthesightofyouallday。Shebegantotalkofyouthefirstthinginthemorning。"
　　Whentheyenteredthecottage，Lisbethwasseatedinherarm-
　　chair，tootiredwithsettingouttheeveningmeal，ataskshealwaysperformedalongtimebeforehand，togoandmeetthematthedoorasusual，whensheheardtheapproachingfootsteps。
　　"Coom，child，thee’tcoomatlast，"shesaid，whenDinahwenttowardsher。"Whatdostmanebylavin’meaweekan’ne’ercoomin’a-nighme？"
　　"Dearfriend，"saidDinah，takingherhand，"you’renotwell。IfI’dknownitsooner，I’dhavecome。"
　　"An’how’stheet’knowiftheedostnacoom？Th’ladson’yknowwhatItell’em。Aslongasyecanstirhandandfootthementhinkye’rehearty。ButI’mnonesobad，on’yabitofacoldsetsmeachin’。An’th’ladsteasemesot’ha’somebodywi’met’dothework——theymakemeacheworsewi’talkin’。Ifthee’dstcomeandstaywi’me，they’dletmealone。ThePoyserscannawanttheesobadasIdo。Buttakethybonnetoff，an’letmelookatthee。"
　　Dinahwasmovingaway，butLisbethheldherfast，whileshewastakingoffherbonnet，andlookedatherfaceasonelooksintoanewlygatheredsnowdrop，torenewtheoldimpressionsofpurityandgentleness。
　　"What’sthematterwi’thee？"saidLisbeth，inastonishment；
　　"thee’stbeena-cryin’。"
　　"It’sonlyagriefthat’llpassaway，"saidDinah，whodidnotwishjustnowtocallforthLisbeth’sremonstrancesbydisclosingherintentiontoleaveHayslope。"Youshallknowaboutitshortly——we’lltalkofitto-night。Ishallstaywithyouto-
　　night。"
　　Lisbethwaspacifiedbythisprospect。AndshehadthewholeeveningtotalkwithDinahalone；fortherewasanewroominthecottage，youremember，builtnearlytwoyearsago，intheexpectationofanewinmate；andhereAdamalwayssatwhenhehadwritingtodoorplanstomake。Sethsattheretoothisevening，forheknewhismotherwouldliketohaveDinahalltoherself。
　　Thereweretwoprettypicturesonthetwosidesofthewallinthecottage。Ononesidetherewasthebroad-shouldered，large-
　　featured，hardyoldwoman，inherbluejacketandbuffkerchief，withherdim-eyedanxiouslooksturnedcontinuallyonthelilyfaceandtheslightformintheblackdressthatwereeithermovinglightlyaboutinhelpfulactivity，orseatedclosebytheoldwoman’sarm-chair，holdingherwitheredhand，witheyeslifteduptowardshertospeakalanguagewhichLisbethunderstoodfarbetterthantheBibleorthehymn-book。Shewouldscarcelylistentoreadingatallto-night。"Nay，nay，shutthebook，"shesaid。
　　"Wemuntalk。Iwantt’knowwhattheewascryin’about。Hastgottroubleso’thyown，likeotherfolks？"
　　Ontheothersideofthewalltherewerethetwobrotherssolikeeachotherinthemidstoftheirunlikeness:Adamwithknitbrows，shaggyhair，anddarkvigorouscolour，absorbedinhis"figuring"；
　　Seth，withlargeruggedfeatures，theclosecopyofhisbrother’s，butwiththin，wavy，brownhairandbluedreamyeyes，asoftenasnotlookingvaguelyoutofthewindowinsteadofathisbook，althoughitwasanewlyboughtbook——Wesley’sabridgmentofMadameGuyon’slife，whichwasfullofwonderandinterestforhim。SethhadsaidtoAdam，"CanIhelptheewithanythinginhereto-night？
　　Idon’twanttomakeanoiseintheshop。"
　　"No，lad，"Adamanswered，"there’snothingbutwhatImustdomyself。Thee’stgotthynewbooktoread。"
　　Andoften，whenSethwasquiteunconscious，Adam，ashepausedafterdrawingalinewithhisruler，lookedathisbrotherwithakindsmiledawninginhiseyes。Heknew"th’ladlikedtositfullo’thoughtshecouldgivenoaccountof；they’dnevercomet’
　　anything，buttheymadehimhappy，"andinthelastyearorso，AdamhadbeengettingmoreandmoreindulgenttoSeth。Itwaspartofthatgrowingtendernesswhichcamefromthesorrowatworkwithinhim。
　　ForAdam，thoughyouseehimquitemasterofhimself，workinghardanddelightinginhisworkafterhisinborninalienablenature，hadnotoutlivedhissorrow——hadnotfeltitslipfromhimasatemporaryburden，andleavehimthesamemanagain。Doanyofus？
　　Godforbid。Itwouldbeapoorresultofallouranguishandourwrestlingifwewonnothingbutouroldselvesattheendofit——
　　ifwecouldreturntothesameblindloves，thesameself-
　　confidentblame，thesamelightthoughtsofhumansuffering，thesamefrivolousgossipoverblightedhumanlives，thesamefeeblesenseofthatUnknowntowardswhichwehavesentforthirrepressiblecriesinourloneliness。Letusratherbethankfulthatoursorrowlivesinusasanindestructibleforce，onlychangingitsform，asforcesdo，andpassingfrompainintosympathy——theonepoorwordwhichincludesallourbestinsightandourbestlove。NotthatthistransformationofpainintosympathyhadcompletelytakenplaceinAdamyet。Therewasstillagreatremnantofpain，andthishefeltwouldsubsistaslongasherpainwasnotamemory，butanexistingthing，whichhemustthinkofasrenewedwiththelightofeverynewmorning。Butwegetaccustomedtomentalaswellasbodilypain，without，forallthat，losingoursensibilitytoit。Itbecomesahabitofourlives，andweceasetoimagineaconditionofperfecteaseaspossibleforus。Desireischastenedintosubmission，andwearecontentedwithourdaywhenwehavebeenabletobearourgriefinsilenceandactasifwewerenotsuffering。Foritisatsuchperiodsthatthesenseofourliveshavingvisibleandinvisiblerelations，beyondanyofwhicheitherourpresentorprospectiveselfisthecentre，growslikeamusclethatweareobligedtoleanonandexert。
　　ThatwasAdam’sstateofmindinthissecondautumnofhissorrow。
　　Hiswork，asyouknow，hadalwaysbeenpartofhisreligion，andfromveryearlydayshesawclearlythatgoodcarpentrywasGod’swill——wasthatformofGod’swillthatmostimmediatelyconcernedhim。Butnowtherewasnomarginofdreamsforhimbeyondthisdaylightreality，noholiday-timeintheworking-dayworld，nomomentinthedistancewhendutywouldtakeoffherirongloveandbreast-plateandclasphimgentlyintorest。Heconceivednopictureofthefuturebutonemadeupofhard-workingdayssuchashelivedthrough，withgrowingcontentmentandintensityofinterest，everyfreshweek。Love，hethought，couldneverbeanythingtohimbutalivingmemory——alimbloppedoff，butnotgonefromconsciousness。Hedidnotknowthatthepoweroflovingwasallthewhilegainingnewforcewithinhim；thatthenewsensibilitiesboughtbyadeepexperienceweresomanynewfibresbywhichitwaspossible，nay，necessarytohim，thathisnatureshouldintertwinewithanother。Yethewasawarethatcommonaffectionandfriendshipweremoreprecioustohimthantheyusedtobe——thatheclungmoretohismotherandSeth，andhadanunspeakablesatisfactioninthesightorimaginationofanysmalladditiontotheirhappiness。ThePoysers，too——hardlythreeorfourdayspassedbuthefelttheneedofseeingthemandinterchangingwordsandlooksoffriendlinesswiththem。Hewouldhavefeltthis，probably，evenifDinahhadnotbeenwiththem，buthehadonlysaidthesimplesttruthintellingDinahthatheputheraboveallotherfriendsintheworld。Couldanythingbemorenatural？Forinthedarkestmomentsofmemorythethoughtofheralwayscameasthefirstrayofreturningcomfort。TheearlydaysofgloomattheHallFarmhadbeengraduallyturnedintosoftmoonlightbyherpresence；andinthecottage，too，forshehadcomeateverysparemomenttosootheandcheerpoorLisbeth，whohadbeenstrickenwithafearthatsubduedevenherquerulousnessatthesightofherdarlingAdam’sgrief-wornface。Hehadbecomeusedtowatchingherlightquietmovements，herprettylovingwaystothechildren，whenhewenttotheHallFarm；tolistenforhervoiceasforarecurrentmusic；tothinkeverythingshesaidanddidwasjustright，andcouldnothavebeenbetter。Inspiteofhiswisdom，hecouldnotfindfaultwithherforheroverindulgenceofthechildren，whohadmanagedtoconvertDinahthepreacher，beforewhomacircleofroughmenhadoftentrembledalittle，intoaconvenienthouseholdslave——thoughDinahherselfwasratherashamedofthisweakness，andhadsomeinwardconflictastoherdeparturefromthepreceptsofSolomon。Yes，therewasonethingthatmighthavebeenbetter；shemighthavelovedSethandconsentedtomarryhim。Hefeltalittlevexed，forhisbrother’ssake，andhecouldnothelpthinkingregretfullyhowDinah，asSeth’swife，wouldhavemadetheirhomeashappyasitcouldbeforthemall——howshewastheonebeingthatwouldhavesoothedtheirmother’slastdaysintopeacefulnessandrest。
　　"It’swonderfulshedoesn’tloveth’lad，"Adamhadsaidsometimestohimself，"foranybody’udthinkhewasjustcutoutforher。
　　Butherheart’ssotakenupwithotherthings。She’soneo’thosewomenthatfeelnodrawingtowardshavingahusbandandchildreno’theirown。Shethinkssheshouldbefilledupwithherownlifethen，andshe’sbeenusedsotolivinginotherfolks’scares，shecan’tbearthethoughtofherheartbeingshutupfrom’em。Iseehowitis，wellenough。She’scutouto’differentstufffrommostwomen:Isawthatlongago。She’snevereasybutwhenshe’shelpingsomebody，andmarriage’udinterferewithherways——that’strue。I’venorighttobecontrivingandthinkingit’udbebetterifshe’dhaveSeth，asifIwaswiserthansheis——
　　orthanGodeither，forHemadeherwhatsheis，andthat’soneo’
　　thegreatestblessingsI’veeverhadfromHishands，andothersbesidesme。"
　　Thisself-reproofhadrecurredstronglytoAdam’smindwhenhegatheredfromDinah’sfacethathehadwoundedherbyreferringtohiswishthatshehadacceptedSeth，andsohehadendeavouredtoputintothestrongestwordshisconfidenceinherdecisionasright——hisresignationeventohergoingawayfromthemandceasingtomakepartoftheirlifeotherwisethanbylivingintheirthoughts，ifthatseparationwerechosenbyherself。Hefeltsuresheknewquitewellenoughhowmuchhecaredtoseehercontinually——totalktoherwiththesilentconsciousnessofamutualgreatremembrance。Itwasnotpossiblesheshouldhearanythingbutself-renouncingaffectionandrespectinhisassurancethathewascontentedforhertogoaway；andyetthereremainedanuneasyfeelinginhismindthathehadnotsaidquitetherightthing——that，somehow，Dinahhadnotunderstoodhim。
　　Dinahmusthaverisenalittlebeforethesunthenextmorning，forshewasdownstairsaboutfiveo’clock。SowasSeth，for，throughLisbeth’sobstinaterefusaltohaveanywoman-helperinthehouse，hehadlearnedtomakehimself，asAdamsaid，"veryhandyinthehousework，"thathemightsavehismotherfromtoogreatweariness；onwhichgroundIhopeyouwillnotthinkhimunmanly，anymorethanyoucanhavethoughtthegallantColonelBathunmanlywhenhemadethegruelforhisinvalidsister。Adam，whohadsatuplateathiswriting，wasstillasleep，andwasnotlikely，Sethsaid，tobedowntillbreakfast-time。OftenasDinahhadvisitedLisbethduringthelasteighteenmonths，shehadneversleptinthecottagesincethatnightafterThias’sdeath，when，youremember，Lisbethpraisedherdeftmovementsandevengaveamodifiedapprovaltoherporridge。ButinthatlongintervalDinahhadmadegreatadvancesinhouseholdcleverness，andthismorning，sinceSethwastheretohelp，shewasbentonbringingeverythingtoapitchofcleanlinessandorderthatwouldhavesatisfiedherAuntPoyser。Thecottagewasfarfromthatstandardatpresent，forLisbeth’srheumatismhadforcedhertogiveupheroldhabitsofdilettantescouringandpolishing。Whenthekitchenwastohermind，Dinahwentintothenewroom，whereAdamhadbeenwritingthenightbefore，toseewhatsweepinganddustingwereneededthere。Sheopenedthewindowandletinthefreshmorningair，andthesmellofthesweet-brier，andthebrightlow-slantingraysoftheearlysun，whichmadeagloryaboutherpalefaceandpaleauburnhairassheheldthelongbrush，andswept，singingtoherselfinaverylowtone——likeasweetsummermurmurthatyouhavetolistenforveryclosely——oneofCharlesWesley’shymns:
　　EternalBeamofLightDivine，Fountainofunexhaustedlove，InwhomtheFather’sgloriesshine，Throughearthbeneathandheavenabove；
　　Jesus！thewearywanderer’srest，Givemethyeasyyoketobear；
　　Withsteadfastpatiencearmmybreast，Withspotlessloveandholyfear。
　　Speaktomywarringpassions，"Peace！"
　　Saytomytremblingheart，"Bestill！"
　　Thypowermystrengthandfortressis，Forallthingsservethysovereignwill。
　　Shelaidbythebrushandtookuptheduster；andifyouhadeverlivedinMrs。Poyser’shousehold，youwouldknowhowthedusterbehavedinDinah’shand——howitwentintoeverysmallcorner，andoneveryledgeinandoutofsight——howitwentagainandagainroundeverybarofthechairs，andeveryleg，andunderandovereverythingthatlayonthetable，tillitcametoAdam’spapersandrulersandtheopendesknearthem。Dinahdusteduptotheveryedgeoftheseandthenhesitated，lookingatthemwithalongingbuttimideye。Itwaspainfultoseehowmuchdusttherewasamongthem。Asshewaslookinginthisway，sheheardSeth’sstepjustoutsidetheopendoor，towardswhichherbackwasturned，andsaid，raisinghercleartreble，"Seth，isyourbrotherwrathfulwhenhispapersarestirred？"
　　"Yes，very，whentheyarenotputbackintherightplaces，"saidadeepstrongvoice，notSeth’s。
　　ItwasasifDinahhadputherhandsunawaresonavibratingchord。Shewasshakenwithanintensethrill，andfortheinstantfeltnothingelse；thensheknewhercheekswereglowing，anddarednotlookround，butstoodstill，distressedbecauseshecouldnotsaygood-morninginafriendlyway。Adam，findingthatshedidnotlookroundsoastoseethesmileonhisface，wasafraidshehadthoughthimseriousabouthiswrathfulness，andwentuptoher，sothatshewasobligedtolookathim。
　　"What！YouthinkI’macrossfellowathome，Dinah？"hesaid，smilingly。
　　"Nay，"saidDinah，lookingupwithtimideyes，"notso。Butyoumightbeputaboutbyfindingthingsmeddledwith；andeventhemanMoses，themeekestofmen，waswrathfulsometimes。"
　　"Come，then，"saidAdam，lookingatheraffectionately，"I’llhelpyoumovethethings，andput’embackagain，andthentheycan’tgetwrong。You’regettingtobeyouraunt’sownniece，Isee，forparticularness。"
　　Theybegantheirlittletasktogether，butDinahhadnotrecoveredherselfsufficientlytothinkofanyremark，andAdamlookedatheruneasily。Dinah，hethought，hadseemedtodisapprovehimsomehowlately；shehadnotbeensokindandopentohimassheusedtobe。Hewantedhertolookathim，andbeaspleasedashewashimselfwithdoingthisbitofplayfulwork。ButDinahdidnotlookathim——itwaseasyforhertoavoidlookingatthetallman——andwhenatlasttherewasnomoredustingtobedoneandnofurtherexcuseforhimtolingernearher，hecouldbearitnolonger，andsaid，inratherapleadingtone，"Dinah，you’renotdispleasedwithmeforanything，areyou？I’venotsaidordoneanythingtomakeyouthinkillofme？"
　　Thequestionsurprisedher，andrelievedherbygivinganewcoursetoherfeeling。Shelookedupathimnow，quiteearnestly，almostwiththetearscoming，andsaid，"Oh，no，Adam！howcouldyouthinkso？"
　　"Icouldn’tbearyounottofeelasmuchafriendtomeasIdotoyou，"saidAdam。"Andyoudon’tknowthevalueIsetontheverythoughtofyou，Dinah。ThatwaswhatImeantyesterday，whenI
　　saidI’dbecontentforyoutogo，ifyouthoughtright。Imeant，thethoughtofyouwasworthsomuchtome，IshouldfeelIoughttobethankful，andnotgrumble，ifyouseerighttogoaway。YouknowIdomindpartingwithyou，Dinah？"
　　"Yes，dearfriend，"saidDinah，trembling，buttryingtospeakcalmly，"Iknowyouhaveabrother’shearttowardsme，andweshalloftenbewithoneanotherinspirit；butatthisseasonIaminheavinessthroughmanifoldtemptations。Youmustnotmarkme。
　　Ifeelcalledtoleavemykindredforawhile；butitisatrial——
　　thefleshisweak。"
　　Adamsawthatitpainedhertobeobligedtoanswer。
　　"Ihurtyoubytalkingaboutit，Dinah，"hesaid。"I’llsaynomore。Let’sseeifSeth’sreadywithbreakfastnow。"
　　Thatisasimplescene，reader。Butitisalmostcertainthatyou，too，havebeeninlove——perhaps，even，morethanonce，thoughyoumaynotchoosetosaysotoallyourfemininefriends。Ifso，youwillnomorethinktheslightwords，thetimidlooks，thetremuloustouches，bywhichtwohumansoulsapproacheachothergradually，liketwolittlequiveringrain-streams，beforetheymingleintoone——youwillnomorethinkthesethingstrivialthanyouwillthinkthefirst-detectedsignsofcomingspringtrivial，thoughtheybebutafaintindescribablesomethingintheairandinthesongofthebirds，andthetiniestperceptiblebuddingonthehedge-rowbranches。Thoseslightwordsandlooksandtouchesarepartofthesoul’slanguage；andthefinestlanguage，I
　　believe，ischieflymadeupofunimposingwords，suchas"light，"
　　"sound，""stars，""music"——wordsreallynotworthlookingat，orhearing，inthemselves，anymorethan"chips"or"sawdust。"Itisonlythattheyhappentobethesignsofsomethingunspeakablygreatandbeautiful。Iamofopinionthatloveisagreatandbeautifulthingtoo，andifyouagreewithme，thesmallestsignsofitwillnotbechipsandsawdusttoyou:theywillratherbelikethoselittlewords，"light"and"music，"stirringthelong-
　　windingfibresofyourmemoryandenrichingyourpresentwithyourmostpreciouspast。
　　SundayMorningLISBETH’StouchofrheumatismcouldnotbemadetoappearseriousenoughtodetainDinahanothernightfromtheHallFarm，nowshehadmadeuphermindtoleaveherauntsosoon，andateveningthefriendsmustpart。"Foralongwhile，"Dinahhadsaid，forshehadtoldLisbethofherresolve。
　　"Thenit’llbeforallmylife，an’Ishallne’erseetheeagain，"
　　saidLisbeth。"Longwhile！I’ngotnolongwhilet’live。An’I
　　shallbetookbadan’die，an’theecanstne’ercomea-nighme，an’Ishalldiea-longingforthee。"
　　Thathadbeenthekey-noteofherwailingtalkallday；forAdamwasnotinthehouse，andsosheputnorestraintonhercomplaining。ShehadtriedpoorDinahbyreturningagainandagaintothequestion，whyshemustgoaway；andrefusingtoacceptreasons，whichseemedtohernothingbutwhimand"contrairiness"；andstillmore，byregrettingthatshe"couldna’
　　ha’oneo’thelads"andbeherdaughter。
　　"Theecouldstnaputupwi’Seth，"shesaid。"Heisnacliverenoughforthee，happen，buthe’dha’beenverygoodt’thee——he’sashandyascanbeatdoin’thingsformewhenI’mbad，an’he’sasfondo’theBiblean’chappellin’astheeartthysen。Buthappen，thee’dstlikeahusbandbetterasisnajustthecuto’
　　thysen:therunnin’brookisnaathirstforth’rain。Adam’udha’
　　doneforthee——Iknowhewould——an’hemightcomet’liketheewellenough，ifthee’dststop。Buthe’sasstubbornasth’ironbar——there’snobendinghimnowaybut’sown。Buthe’dbeafinehusbandforanybody，betheywhotheywill，solooked-onan’socliverasheis。Andhe’dberarean’lovin’:itdoesmegoodon’yalooko’thelad’seyewhenhemeanskindtow’rtme。"
　　DinahtriedtoescapefromLisbeth’sclosestlooksandquestionsbyfindinglittletasksofhouseworkthatkepthermovingabout，andassoonasSethcamehomeintheeveningsheputonherbonnettogo。IttouchedDinahkeenlytosaythelastgood-bye，andstillmoretolookroundonherwayacrossthefieldsandseetheoldwomanstillstandingatthedoor，gazingafterhertillshemusthavebeenthefaintestspeckinthedimagedeyes。"TheGodofloveandpeacebewiththem，"Dinahprayed，asshelookedbackfromthelaststile。"Makethemgladaccordingtothedayswhereinthouhastafflictedthem，andtheyearswhereintheyhaveseenevil。ItisthywillthatIshouldpartfromthem；letmehavenowillbutthine。"
　　LisbethturnedintothehouseatlastandsatdownintheworkshopnearSeth，whowasbusyinghimselftherewithfittingsomebitsofturnedwoodhehadbroughtfromthevillageintoasmallwork-box，whichhemeanttogivetoDinahbeforeshewentaway。
　　"Thee’tseeheragaino’Sundayaforeshegoes，"wereherfirstwords。"Iftheewastgoodforanything，thee’dstmakehercomeinagaino’Sundaynightwi’thee，andseemeoncemore。"
　　"Nay，Mother，"saidSeth。"Dinah’udbesuretocomeagainifshesawrighttocome。Ishouldhavenoneedtopersuadeher。Sheonlythinksit’udbetroublingtheefornought，justtocomeintosaygood-byeoveragain。"
　　"She’dne’ergoaway，Iknow，ifAdam’udbefondonheran’marryher，buteverything’ssocontrairy，"saidLisbeth，withaburstofvexation。
　　Sethpausedamomentandlookedup，withaslightblush，athismother’sface。"What！Hasshesaidanythingo’thatsorttothee，Mother？"hesaid，inalowertone。
　　"Said？Nay，she’llsaynothin’。It’son’ythemenashavetowaittillfolkssaythingsaforetheyfind’emout。"
　　"Well，butwhatmakestheethinkso，Mother？What’sputitintothyhead？"
　　"It’snomatterwhat’sputitintomyhead。Myhead’snonesohollowasitmustgetin，an’noughttoputitthere。Iknowshe’sfondonhim，asIknowth’wind’scomin’inatthedoor，an’
　　that’sanoof。An’hemightbewillin’tomarryherifheknow’dshe’sfondonhim，buthe’llne’erthinkon’tifsomebodydoesnaputitinto’shead。"
　　Hismother’ssuggestionaboutDinah’sfeelingtowardsAdamwasnotquiteanewthoughttoSeth，butherlastwordsalarmedhim，lestsheshouldherselfundertaketoopenAdam’seyes。HewasnotsureaboutDinah’sfeeling，andhethoughthewassureaboutAdam’s。
　　"Nay，Mother，nay，"hesaid，earnestly，"theemustnathinko’
　　speakingo’suchthingstoAdam。Thee’stnorighttosaywhatDinah’sfeelingsareifshehasnatoldthee，andit’uddonothingbutmischieftosaysuchthingstoAdam。HefeelsverygratefulandaffectionatetowardDinah，buthe’snothoughtstowardsherthat’udinclinehimtomakeherhiswife，andIdon’tbelieveDinah’udmarryhimeither。Idon’tthinkshe’llmarryatall。"
　　"Eh，"saidLisbeth，impatiently。"Theethink’stso’causeshewouldnaha’thee。She’llne’ermarrythee；theemightstaswelllikehert’ha’thybrother。"
　　Sethwashurt。"Mother，"hesaid，inaremonstratingtone，"don’tthinkthatofme。Ishouldbeasthankfult’haveherforasisterastheewouldstt’haveherforadaughter。I’venomorethoughtsaboutmyselfinthatthing，andIshalltakeithardifevertheesay’stitagain。"
　　"Well，well，thentheeshouldstnacrossmewi’sayin’thingsarenaasIsaytheyare。"
　　"But，Mother，"saidSeth，"thee’dstbedoingDinahawrongbytellingAdamwhattheethink’stabouther。It’uddonothingbutmischief，forit’udmakeAdamuneasyifhedoesnafeelthesametoher。AndI’mprettysurehefeelsnothingo’thesort。"
　　"Eh，donnatellmewhatthee’tsureon；theeknow’stnoughtaboutit。What’sheallaysgoin’tothePoysers’for，ifhedidnawantt’seeher？Hegoestwicewhereheusedt’goonce。Happenheknowsnaashewantst’seeher；heknowsnaasIputsaltin’sbroth，buthe’dmissitprettyquickifitwarnathere。He’llne’erthinko’marryingifitisnaputinto’shead，an’ifthee’dstanyloveforthymother，thee’dstputhimupto’tan’notlethergoawayouto’mysight，whenImightha’hertomakeabito’comfortformeaforeIgotobedtomyoldmanunderthewhitethorn。"
　　"Nay，Mother，"saidSeth，"theemustnathinkmeunkind，butI
　　shouldbegoingagainstmyconscienceifItookuponmetosaywhatDinah’sfeelingsare。Andbesidesthat，IthinkIshouldgiveoffencetoAdambyspeakingtohimatallaboutmarrying；andIcounseltheenottodo’t。Theemay’stbequitedeceivedaboutDinah。Nay，I’mprettysure，bywordsshesaidtomelastSabbath，asshe’snomindtomarry。"
　　"Eh，thee’tascontrairyasthereston’em。IfitwarsummatI
　　didnawant，it’udbedonefastenough。"
　　Lisbethrosefromthebenchatthis，andwentoutoftheworkshop，leavingSethinmuchanxietylestsheshoulddisturbAdam’smindaboutDinah。Heconsoledhimselfafteratimewithreflectingthat，sinceAdam’strouble，Lisbethhadbeenverytimidaboutspeakingtohimonmattersoffeeling，andthatshewouldhardlydaretoapproachthistenderestofallsubjects。Evenifshedid，hehopedAdamwouldnottakemuchnoticeofwhatshesaid。
　　SethwasrightinbelievingthatLisbethwouldbeheldinrestraintbytimidity，andduringthenextthreedays，theintervalsinwhichshehadanopportunityofspeakingtoAdamweretoorareandshorttocauseheranystrongtemptation。ButinherlongsolitaryhoursshebroodedoverherregretfulthoughtsaboutDinah，tilltheyhadgrownverynearthatpointofunmanageablestrengthwhenthoughtsareapttotakewingoutoftheirsecretnestinastartlingmanner。AndonSundaymorning，whenSethwentawaytochapelatTreddleston，thedangerousopportunitycame。
　　SundaymorningwasthehappiesttimeinalltheweektoLisbeth，forastherewasnoserviceatHayslopechurchtilltheafternoon，Adamwasalwaysathome，doingnothingbutreading，anoccupationinwhichshecouldventuretointerrupthim。Moreover，shehadalwaysabetterdinnerthanusualtoprepareforhersons——veryfrequentlyforAdamandherselfalone，Sethbeingoftenawaytheentireday——andthesmelloftheroastmeatbeforetheclearfireinthecleankitchen，theclocktickinginapeacefulSundaymanner，herdarlingAdamseatednearherinhisbestclothes，doingnothingveryimportant，sothatshecouldgoandstrokeherhandacrosshishairifsheliked，andseehimlookupatherandsmile，whileGyp，ratherjealous，pokedhismuzzleupbetweenthem——allthesethingsmadepoorLisbeth’searthlyparadise。
　　ThebookAdammostoftenreadonaSundaymorningwashislargepicturedBible，andthismorningitlayopenbeforehimontheroundwhitedealtableinthekitchen；forhesatthereinspiteofthefire，becauseheknewhismotherlikedtohavehimwithher，anditwastheonlydayintheweekwhenhecouldindulgeherinthatway。YouwouldhavelikedtoseeAdamreadinghisBible。
　　Heneveropeneditonaweekday，andsohecametoitasaholidaybook，servinghimforhistory，biography，andpoetry。Heheldonehandthrustbetweenhiswaistcoatbuttons，andtheotherreadytoturnthepages，andinthecourseofthemorningyouwouldhaveseenmanychangesinhisface。Sometimeshislipsmovedinsemi-
　　articulation——itwaswhenhecametoaspeechthathecouldfancyhimselfuttering，suchasSamuel’sdyingspeechtothepeople；
　　thenhiseyebrowswouldberaised，andthecornersofhismouthwouldquiveralittlewithsadsympathy——something，perhapsoldIsaac’smeetingwithhisson，touchedhimclosely；atothertimes，overtheNewTestament，averysolemnlookwouldcomeuponhisface，andhewouldeverynowandthenshakehisheadinseriousassent，orjustliftuphishandandletitfallagain。Andonsomemornings，whenhereadintheApocrypha，ofwhichhewasveryfond，thesonofSirach’skeen-edgedwordswouldbringadelightedsmile，thoughhealsoenjoyedthefreedomofoccasionallydifferingfromanApocryphalwriter。ForAdamknewtheArticlesquitewell，asbecameagoodchurchman。
　　Lisbeth，inthepausesofattendingtoherdinner，alwayssatoppositetohimandwatchedhim，tillshecouldrestnolongerwithoutgoinguptohimandgivinghimacaress，tocallhisattentiontoher。ThismorninghewasreadingtheGospelaccordingtoSt。Matthew，andLisbethhadbeenstandingclosebyhimforsomeminutes，strokinghishair，whichwassmootherthanusualthismorning，andlookingdownatthelargepagewithsilentwondermentatthemysteryofletters。Shewasencouragedtocontinuethiscaress，becausewhenshefirstwentuptohim，hehadthrownhimselfbackinhischairtolookatheraffectionatelyandsay，"Why，Mother，theelook’strareandheartythismorning。
　　Eh，Gypwantsmet’lookathim。Hecan’tabidetothinkIlovetheethebest。"Lisbethsaidnothing，becauseshewantedtosaysomanythings。Andnowtherewasanewleaftobeturnedover，anditwasapicture——thatoftheangelseatedonthegreatstonethathasbeenrolledawayfromthesepulchre。ThispicturehadonestrongassociationinLisbeth’smemory，forshehadbeenremindedofitwhenshefirstsawDinah，andAdamhadnosoonerturnedthepage，andliftedthebooksidewaysthattheymightlookattheangel，thanshesaid，"That’sher——that’sDinah。"
　　Adamsmiled，and，lookingmoreintentlyattheangel’sface，said，"Itisabitlikeher；butDinah’sprettier，Ithink。"
　　"Well，then，iftheethink’sthersopretty，whyarn’tfondonher？"
　　Adamlookedupinsurprise。"Why，Mother，dostthinkIdon’tsetstorebyDinah？"
　　"Nay，"saidLisbeth，frightenedatherowncourage，yetfeelingthatshehadbrokentheice，andthewatersmustflow，whatevermischieftheymightdo。"What’sth’useo’settin’storebythingsasarethirtymileoff？Iftheewastfondenoughonher，theewouldstnalethergoaway。"
　　"ButI’venorightt’hinderher，ifshethinkswell，"saidAdam，lookingathisbookasifhewantedtogoonreading。Heforesawaseriesofcomplaintstendingtonothing。Lisbethsatdownagaininthechairoppositetohim，asshesaid:
　　"Butshewouldnathinkwelliftheewastnasocontrairy。"Lisbethdarednotventurebeyondavaguephraseyet。
　　"Contrairy，mother？"Adamsaid，lookingupagaininsomeanxiety。
　　"WhathaveIdone？Whatdostmean？"
　　"Why，thee’tneverlookatnothin’，northinko’nothin’，butthyfigurin，an’thywork，"saidLisbeth，half-crying。"An’dostthinktheecanstgoonsoallthylife，asiftheewastamancutouto’timber？An’whatwutdowhenthymother’sgone，an’nobodytotakecareontheeastheegett’stabito’victualcomfortablei’themornin’？"
　　"Whathastgoti’thymind，Mother？"saidAdam，vexedatthiswhimpering。"Icannaseewhatthee’tdrivingat。IsthereanythingIcoulddofortheeasIdon’tdo？"
　　"Aye，an’thatthereis。Theemight’stdoasIshouldha’
　　somebodywi’metocomfortmeabit，an’waitonmewhenI’mbad，an’begoodtome。"
　　"Well，Mother，whosefaultisitthereisnasometidybodyi’th’
　　houset’helpthee？Itisnabymywishastheehastastrokeo’
　　worktodo。Wecanaffordit——I’vetoldtheeoftenenough。It’udbeadealbetterforus。"
　　"Eh，what’stheuseo’talkingo’tidybodies，whentheemean’stoneo’th’wenchesouto’th’village，orsomebodyfromTreddles’onasIne’erseteyesoni’mylife？I’dsoonermakeashiftan’getintomyowncofflnaforeIdie，norha’themfolkstoputmein。"
　　Adamwassilent，andtriedtogoonreading。ThatwastheutmostseverityhecouldshowtowardshismotheronaSundaymorning。
　　ButLisbethhadgonetoofarnowtocheckherself，andafterscarcelyaminute’squietnessshebeganagain。
　　"Theemightstknowwellenoughwho’tisI’dliket’ha’wi’me。
　　ItisnamanyfolksIsendfort’comean’seeme。Ireckon。An’
　　thee’sthadthefetchin’onhertimesenow。"
　　"Theemean’stDinah，Mother，Iknow，"saidAdam。"Butit’snousesettingthymindonwhatcan’tbe。IfDinah’udbewillingtostayatHayslope，itisn’tlikelyshecancomeawayfromheraunt’shouse，wheretheyholdherlikeadaughter，andwhereshe’smoreboundthansheistous。Ifithadbeensothatshecouldha’marriedSeth，that’udha’beenagreatblessingtous，butwecan’thavethingsjustaswelikeinthislife。Theemusttryandmakeupthymindtodowithouther。"
　　"Nay，butIcannama’upmymind，whenshe’sjustcutoutforthee；an’noughtshallma’mebelieveasGoddidnamakeheran’
　　sendherthereo’purposeforthee。What’sitsinnifyaboutherbein’aMethody！It’udhappenwearoutonherwi’marryin’。"
　　Adamthrewhimselfbackinhischairandlookedathismother。Heunderstoodnowwhatshehadbeenaimingatfromthebeginningoftheconversation。Itwasasunreasonable，impracticableawishasshehadeverurged，buthecouldnothelpbeingmovedbysoentirelynewanidea。Thechiefpoint，however，wastochaseawaythenotionfromhismother’smindasquicklyaspossible。
　　"Mother，"hesaid，gravely，"thee’ttalkingwild。Don’tletmeheartheesaysuchthingsagain。It’snogoodtalkingo’whatcanneverbe。Dinah’snotformarrying；she’sfixedherheartonadifferentsorto’life。"
　　"Verylike，"saidLisbeth，impatiently，"verylikeshe’snoneformarr’ing，whenthemasshe’dbewillin’t’marrywonnaaxher。I
　　shouldnaha’beenformarr’ingthyfeytherifhe’dne’eraxedme；
　　an’she’sasfondo’theease’erIwaro’Thias，poorfellow。"
　　ThebloodrushedtoAdam’sface，andforafewmomentshewasnotquiteconsciouswherehewas。Hismotherandthekitchenhadvanishedforhim，andhesawnothingbutDinah’sfaceturneduptowardshis。Itseemedasiftherewerearesurrectionofhisdeadjoy。Buthewokeupveryspeedilyfromthatdreamthewakingwaschillandsad，foritwouldhavebeenveryfoolishinhimtobelievehismother’swords——shecouldhavenogroundforthem。Hewaspromptedtoexpresshisdisbeliefverystrongly——
　　perhapsthathemightcallforththeproofs，iftherewereanytobeoffered。
　　"Whatdostsaysuchthingsfor，Mother，whenthee’stgotnofoundationfor’em？Theeknow’stnothingasgivestheearighttosaythat。"
　　"ThenIknownanoughtasgi’esmearighttosayastheyear’sturned，forallIfeelitfustthingwhenIgetupi’th’morning。
　　Sheisnafondo’Seth，Ireckon，isshe？ShedoesnawanttomarryHIM？ButIcanseeasshedoesnabehavetow’rttheeasshedaestow’rtSeth。Shemakesnomoreo’Seth’scominga-nighhernorifhewarGyp，butshe’sallofatremblewhenthee’ta-sittin’downbyheratbreakfastan’a-lookingather。Theethink’stthymotherknowsnought，butshewaraliveaforetheewastborn。"
　　"Buttheecanstnabesureasthetremblingmeanslove？"saidAdamanxiously。
　　"Eh，whatelseshoulditmane？Itisnahate，Ireckon。An’whatshouldshedobutlovethee？Thee’tmadetobeloved——forwhere’sthereastraighterclivererman？An’what’sitsinnifyherbein’
　　aMethody？It’son’ythemarigoldi’th’parridge。"
　　Adamhadthrusthishandsinhispockets，andwaslookingdownatthebookonthetable，withoutseeinganyoftheletters。Hewastremblinglikeagold-seekerwhoseesthestrongpromiseofgoldbutseesinthesamemomentasickeningvisionofdisappointment。
　　Hecouldnottrusthismother’sinsight；shehadseenwhatshewishedtosee。Andyet——andyet，nowthesuggestionhadbeenmadetohim，herememberedsomanythings，veryslightthings，likethestirringofthewaterbyanimperceptiblebreeze，whichseemedtohimsomeconfirmationofhismother’swords。
　　Lisbethnoticedthathewasmoved。Shewenton，"An’thee’tfindoutasthee’tpoorlyaffwhenshe’sgone。Thee’tfonderonhernortheeknow’st。Thyeyesfollowherabout，wellyasGyp’sfollowthee。"
　　Adamcouldsitstillnolonger。Herose，tookdownhishat，andwentoutintothefields。
　　Thesunshinewasonthem:thatearlyautumnsunshinewhichweshouldknowwasnotsummer’s，eveniftherewerenotthetouchesofyellowonthelimeandchestnut；theSundaysunshinetoo，whichhasmorethanautumnalcalmnessfortheworkingman；themorningsunshine，whichstillleavesthedew-crystalsonthefinegossamerwebsintheshadowofthebushyhedgerows。
　　Adamneededthecalminfluence；hewasamazedatthewayinwhichthisnewthoughtofDinah’slovehadtakenpossessionofhim，withanovermasteringpowerthatmadeallotherfeelingsgivewaybeforetheimpetuousdesiretoknowthatthethoughtwastrue。
　　Strange，thattillthatmomentthepossibilityoftheireverbeinglovershadnevercrossedhismind，andyetnow，allhislongingsuddenlywentouttowardsthatpossibility。Hehadnomoredoubtorhesitationastohisownwishesthanthebirdthatfliestowardstheopeningthroughwhichthedaylightgleamsandthebreathofheavenenters。
　　TheautumnalSundaysunshinesoothedhim，butnotbypreparinghimwithresignationtothedisappointmentifhismother——ifhehimself——provedtobemistakenaboutDinah。Itsoothedhimbygentleencouragementofhishopes。Herlovewassolikethatcalmsunshinethattheyseemedtomakeonepresencetohim，andhebelievedinthembothalike。AndDinahwassoboundupwiththesadmemoriesofhisfirstpassionthathewasnotforsakingthem，butrathergivingthemanewsacrednessbylovingher。Nay，hisloveforherhadgrownoutofthatpast:itwasthenoonofthatmorning。
　　ButSeth？Wouldtheladbehurt？Hardly；forhehadseemedquitecontentedoflate，andtherewasnoselfishjealousyinhim；hehadneverbeenjealousofhismother’sfondnessforAdam。Buthadheseenanythingofwhattheirmothertalkedabout？Adamlongedtoknowthis，forhethoughthecouldtrustSeth’sobservationbetterthanhismother’s。HemusttalktoSethbeforehewenttoseeDinah，and，withthisintentioninhismind，hewalkedbacktothecottageandsaidtohismother，"DidSethsayanythingtotheeaboutwhenhewascominghome？Willhebebacktodinner？"
　　"Aye，lad，he’llbebackforawonder。HeisnagonetoTreddles’on。He’sgonesomewhereelsea-preachin’anda-prayin’。"
　　"Hastanynotionwhichwayhe’sgone？"saidAdam。
　　"Nay，butheaftengoestoth’Common。Theeknow’stmoreo’sgoingsnorIdo。"
　　AdamwantedtogoandmeetSeth，buthemustcontenthimselfwithwalkingaboutthenearfieldsandgettingsightofhimassoonaspossible。Thatwouldnotbeformorethananhourtocome，forSethwouldscarcelybeathomemuchbeforetheirdinner-time，whichwastwelveo’clock。ButAdamcouldnotsitdowntohisreadingagain，andhesaunteredalongbythebrookandstoodleaningagainstthestiles，witheagerintenseeyes，whichlookedasiftheysawsomethingveryvividly；butitwasnotthebrookorthewillows，notthefieldsorthesky。Againandagainhisvisionwasinterruptedbywonderatthestrengthofhisownfeeling，atthestrengthandsweetnessofthisnewlove——almostlikethewonderamanfeelsattheaddedpowerhefindsinhimselfforanartwhichhehadlaidasideforaspace。Howisitthatthepoetshavesaidsomanyfinethingsaboutourfirstlove，sofewaboutourlaterlove？Aretheirfirstpoemstheirbest？Orarenotthosethebestwhichcomefromtheirfullerthought，theirlargerexperience，theirdeeper-rootedaffections？Theboy’sflutelikevoicehasitsownspringcharm；butthemanshouldyieldaricherdeepermusic。
　　Atlast，therewasSeth，visibleatthefartheststile，andAdamhastenedtomeethim。Sethwassurprised，andthoughtsomethingunusualmusthavehappened，butwhenAdamcameup，hisfacesaidplainlyenoughthatitwasnothingalarming。
　　"Wherehastbeen？"saidAdam，whentheyweresidebyside。
　　"I’vebeentotheCommon，"saidSeth。"Dinah’sbeenspeakingtheWordtoalittlecompanyofhearersatBrimstone’s，astheycallhim。They’refolksasnevergotochurchhardly——themontheCommon——butthey’llgoandhearDinahabit。She’sbeenspeakingwithpowerthisforenoonfromthewords，’Icamenottocalltherighteous，butsinnerstorepentance。’Andtherewasalittlethinghappenedaswasprettytosee。Thewomenmostlybringtheirchildrenwith’em，butto-daytherewasonestoutcurlyheadedfellowaboutthreeorfouryearold，thatIneversawtherebefore。HewasasnaughtyascouldbeatthebeginningwhileI
　　waspraying，andwhilewewassinging，butwhenweallsatdownandDinahbegantospeak，th’youngunstoodstockstillallatonce，andbegantolookatherwith’smouthopen，andpresentlyheranawayfrom’smotherandwenttoDinah，andpulledather，likealittledog，forhertotakenoticeofhim。SoDinahliftedhimupandheldth’ladonherlap，whileshewentonspeaking；andhewasasgoodascouldbetillhewenttosleep——andthemothercriedtoseehim。"
　　"It’sapitysheshouldnabeamotherherself，"saidAdam，"sofondasthechildrenareofher。Dostthinkshe’squitefixedagainstmarrying，Seth？Dostthinknothing’udturnher？"
　　Therewassomethingpeculiarinhisbrother’stone，whichmadeSethstealaglanceathisfacebeforeheanswered。
　　"It’udbewrongofmetosaynothing’udturnher，"heanswered。
　　"Butiftheemean’stitaboutmyself，I’vegivenupallthoughtsasshecaneverbemywife。Shecallsmeherbrother，andthat’senough。"
　　"Butdostthinkshemightevergetfondenoughofanybodyelsetobewillingtomarry’em？"saidAdamrathershyly。
　　"Well，"saidSeth，aftersomehesitation，"it’scrossedmymindsometimeso’lateasshemight；butDinah’udletnofondnessforthecreaturedrawherouto’thepathasshebelievedGodhadmarkedoutforher。IfshethoughttheleadingwasnotfromHim，she’snotonetobebroughtunderthepowerofit。Andshe’sallaysseemedclearaboutthat——asherworkwastoministert’
　　others，andmakenohomeforherselfi’thisworld。"
　　"Butsuppose，"saidAdam，earnestly，"supposetherewasamanas’udletherdojustthesameandnotinterferewithher——shemightdoagooddealo’whatshedoesnow，justaswellwhenshewasmarriedaswhenshewassingle。Otherwomenofhersorthavemarried——that’stosay，notjustlikeher，butwomenaspreachedandattendedonthesickandneedy。There’sMrs。Fletcherasshetalksof。"
　　AnewlighthadbrokeninonSeth。Heturnedround，andlayinghishandonAdam’sshoulder，said，"Why，wouldstlikehertomarryTHEE，Brother？"
　　AdamlookeddoubtfullyatSeth’sinquiringeyesandsaid，"Wouldstbehurtifshewastobefondero’methano’thee？"
　　"Nay，"saidSethwarmly，"howcanstthinkit？HaveIfeltthytroublesolittlethatIshouldnafeelthyjoy？"
　　Therewassilenceafewmomentsastheywalkedon，andthenSethsaid，"I’dnonotionasthee’dsteverthinkofherforawife。"
　　"Butisito’anyusetothinkofher？"saidAdam。"Whatdostsay？Mother’smademeasIhardlyknowwhereIam，withwhatshe’sbeensayingtomethisforenoon。Shesaysshe’ssureDinahfeelsformemorethancommon，and’udbewillingt’haveme。ButI’mafraidshespeakswithoutbook。Iwanttoknowifthee’stseenanything。"
　　"It’sanicepointtospeakabout，"saidSeth，"andI’mafraido’
　　beingwrong；besides，we’venorightt’intermeddlewithpeople’sfeelingswhentheywouldn’ttell’emthemselves。"
　　Sethpaused。
　　"Buttheemightstaskher，"hesaidpresently。"Shetooknooffenceatmeforasking，andthee’stmorerightthanIhad，onlythee’tnotintheSociety。ButDinahdoesn’tholdwi’themasareforkeepingtheSocietysostricttothemselves。Shedoesn’tmindaboutmakingfolksentertheSociety，soasthey’refitt’enterthekingdomo’God。Someo’thebrethrenatTreddles’onaredispleasedwithherforthat。"
　　"Wherewillshebetheresto’theday？"saidAdam。
　　"Shesaidsheshouldn’tleavethefarmagainto-day，"saidSeth，"becauseit’sherlastSabbaththere，andshe’sgoingt’readouto’thebigBiblewi’thechildren。"
　　Adamthought——butdidnotsay——"ThenI’llgothisafternoon；forifIgotochurch，mythoughts’ullbewithherallthewhile。
　　Theymustsingth’anthemwithoutmeto-day。"