Dinner-TimeWHENAdamheardthathewastodineupstairswiththelargetenants，hefeltratheruncomfortableattheideaofbeingexaltedinthiswayabovehismotherandSeth，whoweretodineinthecloistersbelow。ButMr。Mills，thebutler，assuredhimthatCaptainDonnithornehadgivenparticularordersaboutit，andwouldbeveryangryifAdamwasnotthere。
　　AdamnoddedandwentuptoSeth，whowasstandingafewyardsoff。
　　"Seth，lad，"hesaid，"thecaptainhassenttosayI’mtodineupstairs——hewishesitparticular，Mr。Millssays，soIsupposeit’udbebehavingillformenottogo。ButIdon’tlikesittingupabovetheeandmother，asifIwasbetterthanmyownfleshandblood。Thee’tnottakeitunkind，Ihope？"
　　"Nay，nay，lad，"saidSeth，"thyhonour’sourhonour；andiftheeget’strespect，thee’stwonitbythyowndeserts。ThefurtherI
　　seetheeaboveme，thebetter，solongastheefeel’stlikeabrothertome。It’sbecauseo’thybeingappointedoverthewoods，andit’snothingbutwhat’sright。That’saplaceo’
　　trust，andthee’taboveacommonworkmannow。"
　　"Aye，"saidAdam，"butnobodyknowsawordaboutityet。I
　　haven’tgivennoticetoMr。Burgeaboutleavinghim，andIdon’tliketotellanybodyelseaboutitbeforeheknows，forhe’llbeagoodbithurt，Idoubt。People’ullbewonderingtoseemethere，andthey’lllikeenoughbeguessingthereasonandaskingquestions，forthere’sbeensomuchtalkupanddownaboutmyhavingtheplace，thislastthreeweeks。"
　　"Well，theecanstsaytheewastorderedtocomewithoutbeingtoldthereason。That’sthetruth。Andmother’ullbefineandjoyfulaboutit。Let’sgoandtellher。"
　　Adamwasnottheonlyguestinvitedtocomeupstairsonothergroundsthantheamounthecontributedtotherent-roll。Therewereotherpeopleinthetwoparisheswhoderiveddignityfromtheirfunctionsratherthanfromtheirpocket，andoftheseBartleMasseywasone。Hislamewalkwasratherslowerthanusualonthiswarmday，soAdamlingeredbehindwhenthebellrangfordinner，thathemightwalkupwithhisoldfriend；forhewasalittletooshytojointhePoyserpartyonthispublicoccasion。
　　OpportunitiesofgettingtoHetty’ssidewouldbesuretoturnupinthecourseoftheday，andAdamcontentedhimselfwiththatforhedislikedanyriskofbeing"joked"aboutHetty——thebig，outspoken，fearlessmanwasveryshyanddiffidentastohislove-
　　making。
　　"Well，MesterMassey，"saidAdam，asBartlecameup"I’mgoingtodineupstairswithyouto-day:thecaptain’ssentmeorders。"
　　"Ah！"saidBartle，pausing，withonehandonhisback。"Thenthere’ssomethinginthewind——there’ssomethinginthewind。
　　Haveyouheardanythingaboutwhattheoldsquiremeanstodo？"
　　"Why，yes，"saidAdam；"I’lltellyouwhatIknow，becauseI
　　believeyoucankeepastilltongueinyourheadifyoulike，andIhopeyou’llnotletdropawordtillit’scommontalk，forI’veparticularreasonsagainstitsbeingknown。"
　　"Trusttome，myboy，trusttome。I’vegotnowifetowormitoutofmeandthenrunoutandcackleitineverybody’shearing。
　　Ifyoutrustaman，lethimbeabachelor——lethimbeabachelor。"
　　"Well，then，itwassofarsettledyesterdaythatI’mtotakethemanagemento’thewoods。Thecaptainsentformet’offeritme，whenIwasseeingtothepolesandthingshereandI’veagreedto’t。Butifanybodyasksanyquestionsupstairs，justyoutakenonotice，andturnthetalktosomethingelse，andI’llbeobligedtoyou。Now，letusgoon，forwe’reprettynighthelast，Ithink。"
　　"Iknowwhattodo，neverfear，"saidBartle，movingon。"Thenewswillbegoodsaucetomydinner。Aye，aye，myboy，you’llgeton。I’llbackyouforaneyeatmeasuringandahead-pieceforfigures，againstanymaninthiscountyandyou’vehadgoodteaching——you’vehadgoodteaching。"
　　Whentheygotupstairs，thequestionwhichArthurhadleftunsettled，astowhowastobepresident，andwhovice，wasstillunderdiscussion，sothatAdam’sentrancepassedwithoutremark。
　　"Itstandstosense，"Mr。Cassonwassaying，"asoldMr。Poyser，asisth’oldestmani’theroom，shouldsitattopo’thetable。
　　Iwasn’tbutlerfifteenyearwithoutlearningtherightsandthewrongsaboutdinner。"
　　"Nay，nay，"saidoldMartin，"I’ngi’enuptomyson；I’mnotenantnow:letmysontakemyplace。Th’ouldfoulksha’hadtheirturn:theymunmakewayfortheyounguns。"
　　"Ishouldha’thoughtthebiggesttenanthadthebestright，morenorth’oldest，"saidLukeBritton，whowasnotfondofthecriticalMr。Poyser；"there’sMesterHoldsworthhasmorelandnoranybodyelseonth’estate。"
　　"Well，"saidMr。Poyser，"supposewesaythemanwi’thefoulestlandshallsitattop；thenwhoevergetsth’honour，there’llbenoenvyingonhim。"
　　"Eh，here’sMesterMassey，"saidMr。Craig，who，beinganeutralinthedispute，hadnointerestbutinconciliation；"theschoolmasteroughttobeabletotellyouwhat’sright。Who’stositattopo’thetable，Mr。Massey？"
　　"Why，thebroadestman，"saidBartle；"andthenhewon’ttakeupotherfolks’room；andthenextbroadestmustsitatbottom。"
　　Thishappymodeofsettlingthedisputeproducedmuchlaughter——asmallerjokewouldhavesufficedforthatMr。Casson，however，didnotfeelitcompatiblewithhisdignityandsuperiorknowledgetojoininthelaugh，untilitturnedoutthathewasfixedonasthesecondbroadestman。MartinPoysertheyounger，asthebroadest，wastobepresident，andMr。Casson，asnextbroadest，wastobevice。
　　Owingtothisarrangement，Adam，being，ofcourse，atthebottomofthetable，fellundertheimmediateobservationofMr。Casson，who，toomuchoccupiedwiththequestionofprecedence，hadnothithertonoticedhisentrance。Mr。Casson，wehaveseen，consideredAdam"ratherliftedupandpeppery-like":hethoughtthegentrymademorefussaboutthisyoungcarpenterthanwasnecessary；theymadenofussaboutMr。Casson，althoughhehadbeenanexcellentbutlerforfifteenyears。
　　"Well，Mr。Bede，you’reoneo’themasmountshup’ardsapace，"hesaid，whenAdamsatdown。"You’veniverdinedherebefore，asI
　　remember。"
　　"No，Mr。Casson，"saidAdam，inhisstrongvoice，thatcouldbeheardalongthetable；"I’veneverdinedherebefore，butIcomebyCaptainDonnithorne’swish，andIhopeit’snotdisagreeabletoanybodyhere。"
　　"Nay，nay，"saidseveralvoicesatonce，"we’regladye’recome。
　　Who’sgotanythingtosayagain’it？"
　　"Andye’llsingus’Overthehillsandfaraway，’afterdinner，wonnaye？"saidMr。Chowne。"That’sasongI’muncommonfondon。"
　　"Peeh！"saidMr。Craig；"it’snottobenamedbysideo’theScotchtunes。I’venevercaredaboutsingingmyself；I’vehadsomethingbettertodo。Amanthat’sgotthenamesandthenaturo’plantsin’sheadisnalikelytokeepahollowplacet’holdtunesin。Butasecondcousino’mine，adrovier，wasararehandatrememberingtheScotchtunes。He’dgotnothingelsetothinkon。"
　　"TheScotchtunes！"saidBartleMassey，contemptuously；"I’veheardenougho’theScotchtunestolastmewhileIlive。They’refitfornothingbuttofrightenthebirdswith——that’stosay，theEnglishbirds，fortheScotchbirdsmaysingScotchforwhatI
　　know。Givetheladsabagpipeinsteadofarattle，andI’llanswerforitthecorn’llbesafe。"
　　"Yes，there’sfolksasfindapleasureinundervallyingwhattheyknowbutlittleabout，"saidMr。Craig。
　　"Why，theScotchtunesarejustlikeascolding，naggingwoman，"
　　Bartlewenton，withoutdeigningtonoticeMr。Craig’sremark。
　　"Theygoonwiththesamethingoverandoveragain，andnevercometoareasonableend。Anybody’udthinktheScotchtuneshadalwaysbeenaskingaquestionofsomebodyasdeafasoldTaft，andhadnevergotanansweryet。"
　　AdammindedthelessaboutsittingbyMr。Casson，becausethispositionenabledhimtoseeHetty，whowasnotfaroffhimatthenexttable。Hetty，however，hadnotevennoticedhispresenceyet，forshewasgivingangryattentiontoTotty，whoinsistedondrawingupherfeetontothebenchinantiquefashion，andtherebythreatenedtomakedustymarksonHetty’spink-and-whitefrock。Nosoonerwerethelittlefatlegspusheddownthanuptheycameagain，forTotty’seyesweretoobusyinstaringatthelargedishestoseewheretheplumpuddingwasforhertoretainanyconsciousnessofherlegs。Hettygotquiteoutofpatience，andatlast，withafrownandpout，andgatheringtears，shesaid，"Ohdear，Aunt，Iwishyou’dspeaktoTotty；shekeepsputtingherlegsupso，andmessingmyfrock。"
　　"What’sthematterwi’thechild？Shecanniverpleaseyou，"saidthemother。"Lethercomebythesideo’me，then。Icanputupwi’her。"
　　AdamwaslookingatHetty，andsawthefrown，andpout，andthedarkeyesseemingtogrowlargerwithpettishhalf-gatheredtears。
　　QuietMaryBurge，whosatnearenoughtoseethatHettywascrossandthatAdam’seyeswerefixedonher，thoughtthatsosensibleamanasAdammustbereflectingonthesmallvalueofbeautyinawomanwhosetemperwasbad。Marywasagoodgirl，notgiventoindulgeinevilfeelings，butshesaidtoherself，that，sinceHettyhadabadtemper，itwasbetterAdamshouldknowit。AnditwasquitetruethatifHettyhadbeenplain，shewouldhavelookedveryuglyandunamiableatthatmoment，andnoone’smoraljudgmentuponherwouldhavebeenintheleastbeguiled。Butreallytherewassomethingquitecharminginherpettishness:itlookedsomuchmorelikeinnocentdistressthanillhumour；andthesevereAdamfeltnomovementofdisapprobation；heonlyfeltasortofamusedpity，asifhehadseenakittensettingupitsback，oralittlebirdwithitsfeathersruffled。Hecouldnotgatherwhatwasvexingher，butitwasimpossibletohimtofeelotherwisethanthatshewastheprettiestthingintheworld，andthatifhecouldhavehisway，nothingshouldevervexheranymore。Andpresently，whenTottywasgone，shecaughthiseye，andherfacebrokeintooneofitsbrightestsmiles，asshenoddedtohim。Itwasabitofflirtation——sheknewMaryBurgewaslookingatthem。ButthesmilewaslikewinetoAdam。
　　TheHealth-DrinkingWHENthedinnerwasover，andthefirstdraughtsfromthegreatcaskofbirthdayalewerebroughtup，roomwasmadeforthebroadMr。Poyseratthesideofthetable，andtwochairswereplacedatthehead。IthadbeensettledverydefinitelywhatMr。Poyserwastodowhentheyoungsquireshouldappear，andforthelastfiveminuteshehadbeeninastateofabstraction，withhiseyesfixedonthedarkpictureopposite，andhishandsbusywiththeloosecashandotherarticlesinhisbreechespockets。
　　Whentheyoungsquireentered，withMr。Irwinebyhisside，everyonestoodup，andthismomentofhomagewasveryagreeabletoArthur。Helikedtofeelhisownimportance，andbesidesthat，hecaredagreatdealforthegood-willofthesepeople:hewasfondofthinkingthattheyhadahearty，specialregardforhim。Thepleasurehefeltwasinhisfaceashesaid，"MygrandfatherandI
　　hopeallourfriendsherehaveenjoyedtheirdinner，andfindmybirthdayalegood。Mr。IrwineandIarecometotasteitwithyou，andIamsureweshallalllikeanythingthebetterthattherectorshareswithus。"
　　AlleyeswerenowturnedonMr。Poyser，who，withhishandsstillbusyinhispockets，beganwiththedeliberatenessofaslow-
　　strikingclock。"Captain，myneighbourshaveputitupo’metospeakfor’emto-day，forwherefolksthinkprettymuchalike，onespokesman’sasgoodasascore。Andthoughwe’vemayhappengotcontrairywayso’thinkingaboutamanythings——onemanlaysdownhislandonewayan’anotheranother——an’I’llnottakeituponmetospeaktonoman’sfarming，butmyown——thisI’llsay，aswe’reallo’onemindaboutouryoungsquire。We’veprettynighallonusknownyouwhenyouwaralittleun，an’we’veniverknownanythingonyoubutwhatwasgoodan’honorable。Youspeakfairan’y’actfair，an’we’rejoyfulwhenwelookforrardtoyourbeingourlandlord，forweb’lieveyoumeantodorightbyeverybody，an’’ullmakenoman’sbreadbittertohimifyoucanhelpit。That’swhatImean，an’that’swhatweallmean；andwhenaman’ssaidwhathemeans，he’dbetterstop，forth’ale’ullbenonethebetterforstannin’。An’I’llnotsayhowweliketh’aleyet，forwecouldnawelltasteittillwe’ddrunkyourhealthinit；butthedinnerwasgood，an’ifthere’sanybodyhasnaenjoyedit，itmustbethefaultofhisowninside。An’asfortherector’scompany，it’swellknownasthat’swelcomet’alltheparishwhereverhemaybe；an’Ihope，an’weallhope，ashe’lllivetoseeusoldfolks，an’ourchildrengrowntomenan’
　　womenan’YourHonourafamilyman。I’venomoretosayasconcernsthepresenttime，an’sowe’lldrinkouryoungsquire’shealth——threetimesthree。"
　　Hereuponagloriousshouting，arapping，ajingling，aclattering，andashouting，withplentifuldacapo，pleasanterthanastrainofsublimestmusicintheearsthatreceivesuchatributeforthefirsttime。ArthurhadfeltatwingeofconscienceduringMr。
　　Poyser’sspeech，butitwastoofeebletonullifythepleasurehefeltinbeingpraised。Didhenotdeservewhatwassaidofhimonthewhole？IftherewassomethinginhisconductthatPoyserwouldn’thavelikedifhehadknownit，why，noman’sconductwillbeartoocloseaninspection；andPoyserwasnotlikelytoknowit；and，afterall，whathadhedone？Gonealittletoofar，perhaps，inflirtation，butanothermaninhisplacewouldhaveactedmuchworse；andnoharmwouldcome——noharmshouldcome，forthenexttimehewasalonewithHetty，hewouldexplaintoherthatshemustnotthinkseriouslyofhimorofwhathadpassed。
　　ItwasnecessarytoArthur，youperceive，tobesatisfiedwithhimself。Uncomfortablethoughtsmustbegotridofbygoodintentionsforthefuture，whichcanbeformedsorapidlythathehadtimetobeuncomfortableandtobecomeeasyagainbeforeMr。
　　Poyser’sslowspeechwasfinished，andwhenitwastimeforhimtospeakhewasquitelight-hearted。
　　"Ithankyouall，mygoodfriendsandneighbours，"Arthursaid，"forthegoodopinionofme，andthekindfeelingstowardsmewhichMr。Poyserhasbeenexpressingonyourbehalfandonhisown，anditwillalwaysbemyheartiestwishtodeservethem。Inthecourseofthingswemayexpectthat，ifIlive，Ishallonedayorotherbeyourlandlord；indeed，itisonthegroundofthatexpectationthatmygrandfatherhaswishedmetocelebratethisdayandtocomeamongyounow；andIlookforwardtothisposition，notmerelyasoneofpowerandpleasureformyself，butasameansofbenefitingmyneighbours。IthardlybecomessoyoungamanasIamtotalkmuchaboutfarmingtoyou，whoaremostofyousomucholder，andaremenofexperience；still，I
　　haveinterestedmyselfagooddealinsuchmatters，andlearnedasmuchaboutthemasmyopportunitieshaveallowed；andwhenthecourseofeventsshallplacetheestateinmyhands，itwillbemyfirstdesiretoaffordmytenantsalltheencouragementalandlordcangivethem，inimprovingtheirlandandtryingtobringaboutabetterpracticeofhusbandry。Itwillbemywishtobelookedonbyallmydeservingtenantsastheirbestfriend，andnothingwouldmakemesohappyastobeabletorespecteverymanontheestate，andtoberespectedbyhiminreturn。Itisnotmyplaceatpresenttoenterintoparticulars；Ionlymeetyourgoodhopesconcerningmebytellingyouthatmyownhopescorrespondtothem——
　　thatwhatyouexpectfrommeIdesiretofulfil；andIamquiteofMr。Poyser’sopinion，thatwhenamanhassaidwhathemeans，hehadbetterstop。ButthepleasureIfeelinhavingmyownhealthdrunkbyyouwouldnotbeperfectifwedidnotdrinkthehealthofmygrandfather，whohasfilledtheplaceofbothparentstome。Iwillsaynomore，untilyouhavejoinedmeindrinkinghishealthonadaywhenhehaswishedmetoappearamongyouasthefuturerepresentativeofhisnameandfamily。"
　　PerhapstherewasnoonepresentexceptMr。IrwinewhothoroughlyunderstoodandapprovedArthur’sgracefulmodeofproposinghisgrandfather’shealth。Thefarmersthoughttheyoungsquireknewwellenoughthattheyhatedtheoldsquire，andMrs。Poysersaid，"he’dbetternotha’stirredakettleo’sourbroth。"Thebucolicminddoesnotreadilyapprehendtherefinementsofgoodtaste。
　　Butthetoastcouldnotberejectedandwhenithadbeendrunk，Arthursaid，"Ithankyou，bothformygrandfatherandmyself；andnowthereisonemorethingIwishtotellyou，thatyoumaysharemypleasureaboutit，asIhopeandbelieveyouwill。Ithinktherecanbenomanherewhohasnotarespect，andsomeofyou，I
　　amsure，haveaveryhighregard，formyfriendAdamBede。Itiswellknowntoeveryoneinthisneighbourhoodthatthereisnomanwhosewordcanbemoredependedonthanhis；thatwhateverheundertakestodo，hedoeswell，andisascarefulfortheinterestsofthosewhoemployhimasforhisown。I’mproudtosaythatIwasveryfondofAdamwhenIwasalittleboy，andI
　　haveneverlostmyoldfeelingforhim——IthinkthatshowsthatI
　　knowagoodfellowwhenIfindhim。Ithaslongbeenmywishthatheshouldhavethemanagementofthewoodsontheestate，whichhappentobeveryvaluable，notonlybecauseIthinksohighlyofhischaracter，butbecausehehastheknowledgeandtheskillwhichfithimfortheplace。AndIamhappytotellyouthatitismygrandfather’swishtoo，anditisnowsettledthatAdamshallmanagethewoods——achangewhichIamsurewillbeverymuchfortheadvantageoftheestate；andIhopeyouwillbyandbyjoinmeindrinkinghishealth，andinwishinghimalltheprosperityinlifethathedeserves。ButthereisastillolderfriendofminethanAdamBedepresent，andIneednottellyouthatitisMr。Irwine。I’msureyouwillagreewithmethatwemustdrinknootherperson’shealthuntilwehavedrunkhis。I
　　knowyouhaveallreasontolovehim，butnooneofhisparishionershassomuchreasonasI。Come，chargeyourglasses，andletusdrinktoourexcellentrector——threetimesthree！"
　　Thistoastwasdrunkwithalltheenthusiasmthatwaswantingtothelast，anditcertainlywasthemostpicturesquemomentinthescenewhenMr。Irwinegotuptospeak，andallthefacesintheroomwereturnedtowardshim。ThesuperiorrefinementofhisfacewasmuchmorestrikingthanthatofArthur’swhenseenincomparisonwiththepeopleroundthem。Arthur’swasamuchcommonerBritishface，andthesplendourofhisnew-fashionedclotheswasmoreakintotheyoungfarmer’stasteincostumethanMr。Irwine’spowderandthewell-brushedbutwell-wornblack，whichseemedtobehischosensuitforgreatoccasions；forhehadthemysterioussecretofneverwearinganew-lookingcoat。
　　"Thisisnotthefirsttime，byagreatmany，"hesaid，"thatI
　　havehadtothankmyparishionersforgivingmetokensoftheirgoodwill，butneighbourlykindnessisamongthosethingsthatarethemoreprecioustheoldertheyget。Indeed，ourpleasantmeetingto-dayisaproofthatwhenwhatisgoodcomesofageandislikelytolive，thereisreasonforrejoicing，andtherelationbetweenusasclergymanandparishionerscameofagetwoyearsago，foritisthree-and-twentyyearssinceIfirstcameamongyou，andIseesometallfine-lookingyoungmenhere，aswellassomebloomingyoungwomen，thatwerefarfromlookingaspleasantlyatmewhenIchristenedthemasIamhappytoseethemlookingnow。ButI’msureyouwillnotwonderwhenIsaythatamongallthoseyoungmen，theoneinwhomIhavethestrongestinterestismyfriendMr。ArthurDonnithorne，forwhomyouhavejustexpressedyourregard。Ihadthepleasureofbeinghistutorforseveralyears，andhavenaturallyhadopportunitiesofknowinghimintimatelywhichcannothaveoccurredtoanyoneelsewhoispresent；andIhavesomeprideaswellaspleasureinassuringyouthatIshareyourhighhopesconcerninghim，andyourconfidenceinhispossessionofthosequalitieswhichwillmakehimanexcellentlandlordwhenthetimeshallcomeforhimtotakethatimportantpositionamongyou。Wefeelalikeonmostmattersonwhichamanwhoisgettingtowardsfiftycanfeelincommonwithayoungmanofone-and-twenty，andhehasjustbeenexpressingafeelingwhichIshareveryheartily，andIwouldnotwillinglyomittheopportunityofsayingso。ThatfeelingishisvalueandrespectforAdamBede。Peopleinahighstationareofcoursemorethoughtofandtalkedaboutandhavetheirvirtuesmorepraised，thanthosewhoselivesarepassedinhumbleeverydaywork；buteverysensiblemanknowshownecessarythathumbleeverydayworkis，andhowimportantitistousthatitshouldbedonewell。AndIagreewithmyfriendMr。ArthurDonnithorneinfeelingthatwhenamanwhosedutyliesinthatsortofworkshowsacharacterwhichwouldmakehimanexampleinanystation，hismeritshouldbeacknowledged。Heisoneofthosetowhomhonourisdue，andhisfriendsshoulddelighttohonourhim。IknowAdamBedewell——Iknowwhatheisasaworkman，andwhathehasbeenasasonandbrother——andIamsayingthesimplesttruthwhenIsaythatIrespecthimasmuchasIrespectanymanliving。ButIamnotspeakingtoyouaboutastranger；someofyouarehisintimatefriends，andIbelievethereisnotoneherewhodoesnotknowenoughofhimtojoinheartilyindrinkinghishealth。"
　　AsMr。Irwinepaused，Arthurjumpedupand，fillinghisglass，said，"AbumpertoAdamBede，andmayhelivetohavesonsasfaithfulandcleverashimself！"
　　Nohearer，notevenBartleMassey，wassodelightedwiththistoastasMr。Poyser。"Toughwork"ashisfirstspeechhadbeen，hewouldhavestarteduptomakeanotherifhehadnotknowntheextremeirregularityofsuchacourse。Asitwas，hefoundanoutletforhisfeelingindrinkinghisaleunusuallyfast，andsettingdownhisglasswithaswingofhisarmandadeterminedrap。IfJonathanBurgeandafewothersfeltlesscomfortableontheoccasion，theytriedtheirbesttolookcontented，andsothetoastwasdrunkwithagoodwillapparentlyunanimous。
　　Adamwasratherpalerthanusualwhenhegotuptothankhisfriends。Hewasagooddealmovedbythispublictribute——verynaturally，forhewasinthepresenceofallhislittleworld，anditwasunitingtodohimhonour。Buthefeltnoshynessaboutspeaking，notbeingtroubledwithsmallvanityorlackofwords；
　　helookedneitherawkwardnorembarrassed，butstoodinhisusualfirmuprightattitude，withhisheadthrownalittlebackwardandhishandsperfectlystill，inthatroughdignitywhichispeculiartointelligent，honest，well-builtworkmen，whoareneverwonderingwhatistheirbusinessintheworld。
　　"I’mquitetakenbysurprise，"hesaid。"Ididn’texpectanythingo’thissort，forit’sagooddealmorethanmywages。ButI’vethemorereasontobegratefultoyou，Captain，andtoyou，Mr。
　　Irwine，andtoallmyfriendshere，who’vedrunkmyhealthandwishedmewell。It’udbenonsenseformetobesaying，Idon’tatalldeserveth’opinionyouhaveofme；that’udbepoorthankstoyou，tosaythatyou’veknownmealltheseyearsandyethaven’tsenseenoughtofindoutagreatdealo’thetruthaboutme。Youthink，ifIundertaketodoabito’work，I’lldoitwell，bemypaybigorlittle——andthat’strue。I’dbeashamedtostandbeforeyouhereifitwasnatrue。Butitseemstomethat’saman’splainduty，andnothingtobeconceitedabout，andit’sprettycleartomeasI’veneverdonemorethanmyduty；forletusdowhatwewill，it’sonlymakinguseo’thesperritandthepowersthatha’beengiventous。Andsothiskindnesso’yours，I’msure，isnodebtyouoweme，butafreegift，andassuchI
　　acceptitandamthankful。AndastothisnewemploymentI’vetakeninhand，I’llonlysaythatItookitatCaptainDonnithorne’sdesire，andthatI’lltrytofulfilhisexpectations。I’dwishfornobetterlotthantoworkunderhim，andtoknowthatwhileIwasgettingmyownbreadIwastakingcareofhisint’rests。ForIbelievehe’soneothosegentlemenaswishestodotherightthing，andtoleavetheworldabitbetterthanhefoundit，whichit’smybeliefeverymanmaydo，whetherhe’sgentleorsimple，whetherhesetsagoodbito’workgoingandfindsthemoney，orwhetherhedoestheworkwithhisownhands。There’snooccasionformetosayanymoreaboutwhatIfeeltowardshim:Ihopetoshowitthroughtheresto’mylifeinmyactions。"
　　TherewerevariousopinionsaboutAdam’sspeech:someofthewomenwhisperedthathedidn’tshowhimselfthankfulenough，andseemedtospeakasproudascouldbe；butmostofthemenwereofopinionthatnobodycouldspeakmorestraightfor’ard，andthatAdamwasasfineachapasneedtobe。Whilesuchobservationswerebeingbuzzedabout，mingledwithwonderingsastowhattheoldsquiremeanttodoforabailiff，andwhetherhewasgoingtohaveasteward，thetwogentlemenhadrisen，andwerewalkingroundtothetablewherethewivesandchildrensat。Therewasnoneofthestrongalehere，ofcourse，butwineanddessert——
　　sparklinggooseberryfortheyoungones，andsomegoodsherryforthemothers。Mrs。Poyserwasattheheadofthistable，andTottywasnowseatedinherlap，bendinghersmallnosedeepdownintoawine-glassinsearchofthenutsfloatingthere。
　　"Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Poyser？"saidArthur。"Weren’tyoupleasedtohearyourhusbandmakesuchagoodspeechto-day？"
　　"Oh，sir，themenaremostlysotongue-tied——you’reforcedpartlytoguesswhattheymean，asyoudowi’thedumbcreaturs。"
　　"What！youthinkyoucouldhavemadeitbetterforhim？"saidMr。
　　Irwine，laughing。
　　"Well，sir，whenIwanttosayanything，Icanmostlyfindwordstosayitin，thankGod。NotasI’ma-findingfautwi’myhusband，forifhe’samano’fewwords，whathesayshe’llstandto。"
　　"I’msureIneversawaprettierpartythanthis，"Arthursaid，lookingroundattheapple-cheekedchildren。"MyauntandtheMissIrwineswillcomeupandseeyoupresently。Theywereafraidofthenoiseofthetoasts，butitwouldbeashameforthemnottoseeyouattable。"
　　Hewalkedon，speakingtothemothersandpattingthechildren，whileMr。Irwinesatisfiedhimselfwithstandingstillandnoddingatadistance，thatnoone’sattentionmightbedisturbedfromtheyoungsquire，theherooftheday。ArthurdidnotventuretostopnearHetty，butmerelybowedtoherashepassedalongtheoppositeside。Thefoolishchildfeltherheartswellingwithdiscontent；forwhatwomanwaseversatisfiedwithapparentneglect，evenwhensheknowsittobethemaskoflove？Hettythoughtthiswasgoingtobethemostmiserabledayshehadhadforalongwhile，amomentofchilldaylightandrealitycameacrossherdream:Arthur，whohadseemedsoneartoheronlyafewhoursbefore，wasseparatedfromher，astheheroofagreatprocessionisseparatedfromasmalloutsiderinthecrowd。
　　TheGamesTHEgreatdancewasnottobeginuntileighto’clock，butforanyladsandlasseswholikedtodanceontheshadygrassbeforethen，therewasmusicalwaysathand——forwasnotthebandoftheBenefitClubcapableofplayingexcellentjigs，reels，andhornpipes？And，besidesthis，therewasagrandbandhiredfromRosseter，who，withtheirwonderfulwind-instrumentsandpuffed-
　　outcheeks，werethemselvesadelightfulshowtothesmallboysandgirls。TosaynothingofJoshuaRann’sfiddle，which，byanactofgenerousforethought，hehadprovidedhimselfwith，incaseanyoneshouldbeofsufficientlypuretastetopreferdancingtoasoloonthatinstrument。
　　Meantime，whenthesunhadmovedoffthegreatopenspaceinfrontofthehouse，thegamesbegan。Therewere，ofcourse，well-soapedpolestobeclimbedbytheboysandyouths，racestoberunbytheoldwomen，racestoberuninsacks，heavyweightstobeliftedbythestrongmen，andalonglistofchallengestosuchambitiousattemptsasthatofwalkingasmanyyardspossibleononeleg——
　　featsinwhichitwasgenerallyremarkedthatWiryBen，being"thelissom’st，springestfellowi’thecountry，"wassuretobepre-
　　eminent。Tocrownall，therewastobeadonkey-race——thatsublimestofallraces，conductedonthegrandsocialisticideaofeverybodyencouragingeverybodyelse’sdonkey，andthesorriestdonkeywinning。
　　Andsoonafterfourociock，splendidoldMrs。Irwine，inherdamasksatinandjewelsandblacklace，wasledoutbyArthur，followedbythewholefamilyparty，toherraisedseatunderthestripedmarquee，whereshewastogiveouttheprizestothevictors。Staid，formalMissLydiahadrequestedtoresignthatqueenlyofficetotheroyaloldlady，andArthurwaspleasedwiththisopportunityofgratifyinghisgodmother’stasteforstateliness。OldMr。Donnithorne，thedelicatelyclean，finelyscented，witheredoldman，ledoutMissIrwine，withhisairofpunctilious，acidpoliteness；Mr。GawainebroughtMissLydia，lookingneutralandstiffinanelegantpeach-blossomsilk；andMr。IrwinecamelastwithhispalesisterAnne。Nootherfriendofthefamily，besidesMr。Gawaine，wasinvitedto-day；therewastobeagranddinnerfortheneighbouringgentryonthemorrow，butto-dayalltheforceswererequiredfortheentertainmentofthetenants。
　　Therewasasunkfenceinfrontofthemarquee，dividingthelawnfromthepark，butatemporarybridgehadbeenmadeforthepassageofthevictors，andthegroupsofpeoplestanding，orseatedhereandthereonbenches，stretchedoneachsideoftheopenspacefromthewhitemarqueesuptothesunkfence。
　　"Uponmywordit’saprettysight，"saidtheoldlady，inherdeepvoice，whenshewasseated，andlookedroundonthebrightscenewithitsdark-greenbackground；"andit’sthelastfete-dayI’mlikelytosee，unlessyoumakehasteandgetmarried，Arthur。Buttakecareyougetacharmingbride，elseIwouldratherdiewithoutseeingher。"
　　"You’resoterriblyfastidious，Godmother，"saidArthur，"I’mafraidIshouldneversatisfyyouwithmychoice。"
　　"Well，Iwon’tforgiveyouifshe’snothandsome。Ican’tbeputoffwithamiability，whichisalwaystheexcusepeoplearemakingfortheexistenceofplainpeople。Andshemustnotbesilly；
　　thatwillneverdo，becauseyou’llwantmanaging，andasillywomancan’tmanageyou。Whoisthattallyoungman，Dauphin，withthemildface？There，standingwithouthishat，andtakingsuchcareofthattalloldwomanbythesideofhim——hismother，ofcourse。Iliketoseethat。"
　　"What，don’tyouknowhim，Mother？"saidMr。Irwine。"ThatisSethBede，Adam’sbrother——aMethodist，butaverygoodfellow。
　　PoorSethhaslookedratherdown-heartedoflate；Ithoughtitwasbecauseofhisfather’sdyinginthatsadway，butJoshuaRanntellsmehewantedtomarrythatsweetlittleMethodistpreacherwhowashereaboutamonthago，andIsupposesherefusedhim。"
　　"Ah，Irememberhearingabouther。ButtherearenoendofpeopleherethatIdon’tknow，forthey’regrownupandalteredsosinceIusedtogoabout。"
　　"Whatexcellentsightyouhave！"saidoldMr。Donnithorne，whowasholdingadoubleglassuptohiseyes，"toseetheexpressionofthatyoungman’sfacesofaroff。Hisfaceisnothingbutapaleblurredspottome。ButIfancyIhavetheadvantageofyouwhenwecometolookclose。Icanreadsmallprintwithoutspectacles。"
　　"Ah，mydearsir，youbeganwithbeingverynear-sighted，andthosenear-sightedeyesalwayswearthebest。Iwantverystrongspectaclestoreadwith，butthenIthinkmyeyesgetbetterandbetterforthingsatadistance。IsupposeifIcouldliveanotherfiftyyears，Ishouldbeblindtoeverythingthatwasn’toutofotherpeople’ssight，likeamanwhostandsinawellandseesnothingbutthestars。"
　　"See，"saidArthur，"theoldwomenarereadytosetoutontheirracenow。Whichdoyoubeton，Gawaine？"
　　"Thelong-leggedone，unlessthey’regoingtohaveseveralheats，andthenthelittlewiryonemaywin。"
　　"TherearethePoysers，Mother，notfaroffontherighthand，"
　　saidMissIrwine。"Mrs。Poyserislookingatyou。Dotakenoticeofher。"
　　"TobesureIwill，"saidtheoldlady，givingagraciousbowtoMrs。Poyser。"Awomanwhosendsmesuchexcellentcream-cheeseisnottobeneglected。Blessme！Whatafatchildthatissheisholdingonherknee！Butwhoisthatprettygirlwithdarkeyes？"
　　"ThatisHettySorrel，"saidMissLydiaDonnithorne，"MartinPoyser’sniece——averylikelyyoungperson，andwell-lookingtoo。
　　Mymaidhastaughtherfineneedlework，andshehasmendedsomelaceofmineveryrespectablyindeed——veryrespectably。"
　　"Why，shehaslivedwiththePoyserssixorsevenyears，Mother；
　　youmusthaveseenher，"saidMissIrwine。
　　"No，I’veneverseenher，child——atleastnotassheisnow，"saidMrs。Irwine，continuingtolookatHetty。"Well-looking，indeed！
　　She’saperfectbeauty！I’veneverseenanythingsoprettysincemyyoungdays。Whatapitysuchbeautyasthatshouldbethrownawayamongthefarmers，whenit’swantedsoterriblyamongthegoodfamilieswithoutfortune！Idaresay，now，she’llmarryamanwhowouldhavethoughtherjustasprettyifshehadhadroundeyesandredhair。"
　　ArthurdarednotturnhiseyestowardsHettywhileMrs。Irwinewasspeakingofher。Hefeignednottohear，andtobeoccupiedwithsomethingontheoppositeside。Buthesawherplainlyenoughwithoutlooking；sawherinheightenedbeauty，becauseheheardherbeautypraised——forothermen’sopinion，youknow，waslikeanativeclimatetoArthur’sfeelings:itwastheaironwhichtheythrivedthebest，andgrewstrong。Yes！Shewasenoughtoturnanyman’shead:anymaninhisplacewouldhavedoneandfeltthesame。Andtogiveherupafterall，ashewasdeterminedtodo，wouldbeanactthatheshouldalwayslookbackuponwithpride。
　　"No，Mother，"andMr。Irwine，replyingtoherlastwords；"Ican’tagreewithyouthere。Thecommonpeoplearenotquitesostupidasyouimagine。Thecommonestman，whohashisounceofsenseandfeeling，isconsciousofthedifferencebetweenalovely，delicatewomanandacoarseone。Evenadogfeelsadifferenceintheirpresence。Themanmaybenobetterablethanthedogtoexplaintheinfluencethemorerefinedbeautyhasonhim，buthefeelsit。"
　　"Blessme，Dauphin，whatdoesanoldbachelorlikeyouknowaboutit？"
　　"Oh，thatisoneofthemattersinwhicholdbachelorsarewiserthanmarriedmen，becausetheyhavetimeformoregeneralcontemplation。Yourfinecriticofwomanmustnevershacklehisjudgmentbycallingonewomanhisown。But，asanexampleofwhatIwassaying，thatprettyMethodistpreacherImentionedjustnowtoldmethatshehadpreachedtotheroughestminersandhadneverbeentreatedwithanythingbuttheutmostrespectandkindnessbythem。Thereasonis——thoughshedoesn’tknowit——thatthere’ssomuchtenderness，refinement，andpurityabouther。Suchawomanasthatbringswithher’airsfromheaven’thatthecoarsestfellowisnotinsensibleto。"
　　"Here’sadelicatebitofwomanhood，orgirlhood，comingtoreceiveaprize，Isuppose，"saidMr。Gawaine。"Shemustbeoneoftheracersinthesacks，whohadsetoffbeforewecame。"
　　The"bitofwomanhood"wasouroldacquaintanceBessyCranage，otherwiseChad’sBess，whoselargeredcheeksandblowsypersonhadundergoneanexaggerationofcolour，which，ifshehadhappenedtobeaheavenlybody，wouldhavemadehersublime。
　　Bessy，Iamsorrytosay，hadtakentoherear-ringsagainsinceDinah’sdeparture，andwasotherwisedeckedoutinsuchsmallfineryasshecouldmuster。AnyonewhocouldhavelookedintopoorBessy’sheartwouldhaveseenastrikingresemblancebetweenherlittlehopesandanxietiesandHetty’s。Theadvantage，perhaps，wouldhavebeenonBessy’ssideinthematteroffeeling。
　　Butthen，yousee，theyweresoverydifferentoutside！YouwouldhavebeeninclinedtoboxBessy’sears，andyouwouldhavelongedtokissHetty。
　　Bessyhadbeentemptedtorunthearduousrace，partlyfrommerehedonishgaiety，partlybecauseoftheprize。Someonehadsaidthereweretobecloaksandotherniceclothesforprizes，andsheapproachedthemarquee，fanningherselfwithherhandkerchief，butwithexultationsparklinginherroundeyes。
　　"Hereistheprizeforthefirstsack-race，"saidMissLydia，takingalargeparcelfromthetablewheretheprizeswerelaidandgivingittoMrs。IrwinebeforeBessycameup，"anexcellentgrogramgownandapieceofflannel。"
　　"Youdidn’tthinkthewinnerwastobesoyoung，Isuppose，Aunt？"
　　saidArthur。"Couldn’tyoufindsomethingelseforthisgirl，andsavethatgrim-lookinggownforoneoftheolderwomen？"
　　"Ihaveboughtnothingbutwhatisusefulandsubstantial，"saidMissLydia，adjustingherownlace；"Ishouldnotthinkofencouragingaloveoffineryinyoungwomenofthatclass。Ihaveascarletcloak，butthatisfortheoldwomanwhowins。"
　　ThisspeechofMissLydia’sproducedratheramockingexpressioninMrs。Irwine’sfaceasshelookedatArthur，whileBessycameupanddroppedaseriesofcurtsies。
　　"ThisisBessyCranage，mother，"saidMr。Irwine，kindly，"ChadCranage’sdaughter。YourememberChadCranage，theblacksmith？"
　　"Yes，tobesure，"saidMrs。Irwine。"Well，Bessy，hereisyourprize——excellentwarmthingsforwinter。I’msureyouhavehadhardworktowinthemthiswarmday。"
　　Bessy’slipfellasshesawtheugly，heavygown——whichfeltsohotanddisagreeabletoo，onthisJulyday，andwassuchagreatuglythingtocarry。Shedroppedhercurtsiesagain，withoutlookingup，andwithagrowingtremulousnessaboutthecornersofhermouth，andthenturnedaway。
　　"Poorgirl，"saidArthur；"Ithinkshe’sdisappointed。Iwishithadbeensomethingmoretohertaste。"
　　"She’sabold-lookingyoungperson，"observedMissLydia。"NotatalloneIshouldliketoencourage。"
　　ArthursilentlyresolvedthathewouldmakeBessyapresentofmoneybeforethedaywasover，thatshemightbuysomethingmoretohermind；butshe，notawareoftheconsolationinstoreforher，turnedoutoftheopenspace，whereshewasvisiblefromthemarquee，andthrowingdowntheodiousbundleunderatree，begantocry——verymuchtitteredatthewhilebythesmallboys。Inthissituationshewasdescriedbyherdiscreetmatronlycousin，wholostnotimeincomingup，havingjustgiventhebabyintoherhusband’scharge。
　　"What’sthematterwi’ye？"saidBessthematron，takingupthebundleandexaminingit。"Ye’nswelteredyoursen，Ireckon，runningthatfool’srace。An’here，they’ngi’enyoulotso’goodgrogramandflannel，asshouldha’beengi’enbygoodrightstothemashadthesensetokeepawayfromsuchfoolery。Yemightsparemeabito’thisgrogramtomakeclothesforthelad——yewarne’erill-natured，Bess；Ine’ersaidthatonye。"
　　"Yemaytakeitall，forwhatIcare，"saidBessthemaiden，withapettishmovement，beginningtowipeawayhertearsandrecoverherself。
　　"Well，Icoulddowi’t，ifsobeyewanttogetridon’t，"saidthedisinterestedcousin，walkingquicklyawaywiththebundle，lestChad’sBessshouldchangehermind。
　　Butthatbonny-cheekedlasswasblessedwithanelasticityofspiritsthatsecuredherfromanyranklinggrief；andbythetimethegrandclimaxofthedonkey-racecameon，herdisappointmentwasentirelylostinthedelightfulexcitementofattemptingtostimulatethelastdonkeybyhisses，whiletheboysappliedtheargumentofsticks。Butthestrengthofthedonkeymindliesinadoptingacourseinverselyastheargumentsurged，which，wellconsidered，requiresasgreatamentalforceasthedirectsequence；andthepresentdonkeyprovedthefirst-rateorderofhisintelligencebycomingtoadeadstandstilljustwhentheblowswerethickest。Greatwastheshoutingofthecrowd，radiantthegrinningofBillDownesthestone-sawyerandthefortunateriderofthissuperiorbeast，whichstoodcalmandstiff-leggedinthemidstofitstriumph。
　　Arthurhimselfhadprovidedtheprizesforthemen，andBillwasmadehappywithasplendidpocket-knife，suppliedwithbladesandgimletsenoughtomakeamanathomeonadesertisland。Hehadhardlyreturnedfromthemarqueewiththeprizeinhishand，whenitbegantobeunderstoodthatWiryBenproposedtoamusethecompany，beforethegentrywenttodinner，withanimpromptuandgratuitousperformance——namely，ahornpipe，themainideaofwhichwasdoubtlessborrowed；butthiswastobedevelopedbythedancerinsopeculiarandcomplexamannerthatnoonecoulddenyhimthepraiseoforiginality。WiryBen’sprideinhisdancing——anaccomplishmentproductiveofgreateffectattheyearlyWake——hadneededonlyslightlyelevatingbyanextraquantityofgoodaletoconvincehimthatthegentrywouldbeverymuchstruckwithhisperformanceofhishornpipe；andhehadbeendecidedlyencouragedinthisideabyJoshuaRann，whoobservedthatitwasnothingbutrighttodosomethingtopleasetheyoungsquire，inreturnforwhathehaddoneforthem。YouwillbethelesssurprisedatthisopinioninsograveapersonagewhenyoulearnthatBenhadrequestedMr。Ranntoaccompanyhimonthefiddle，andJoshuafeltquitesurethatthoughtheremightnotbemuchinthedancing，themusicwouldmakeupforit。AdamBede，whowaspresentinoneofthelargemarquees，wheretheplanwasbeingdiscussed，toldBenhehadbetternotmakeafoolofhimself——aremarkwhichatoncefixedBen’sdetermination:hewasnotgoingtoletanythingalonebecauseAdamBedeturneduphisnoseatit。
　　"What’sthis，what’sthis？"saidoldMr。Donnithorne。"Isitsomethingyou’vearranged，Arthur？Here’stheclerkcomingwithhisfiddle，andasmartfellowwithanosegayinhisbutton-hole。"
　　"No，"saidArthur；"Iknownothingaboutit。ByJove，he’sgoingtodance！It’soneofthecarpenters——Iforgethisnameatthismoment。"
　　"It’sBenCranage——WiryBen，theycallhim，"saidMr。Irwine；
　　"ratheraloosefish，Ithink。Anne，mydear，Iseethatfiddle-
　　scrapingistoomuchforyou:you’regettingtired。Letmetakeyouinnow，thatyoumayresttilldinner。"
　　MissAnneroseassentingly，andthegoodbrothertookheraway，whileJoshua’spreliminaryscrapingsburstintothe"WhiteCockade，"fromwhichheintendedtopasstoavarietyoftunes，byaseriesoftransitionswhichhisgoodearreallytaughthimtoexecutewithsomeskill。Itwouldhavebeenanexasperatingfacttohim，ifhehadknownit，thatthegeneralattentionwastoothoroughlyabsorbedbyBen’sdancingforanyonetogivemuchheedtothemusic。
　　HaveyoueverseenarealEnglishrusticperformasolodance？
　　Perhapsyouhaveonlyseenaballetrustic，smilinglikeamerrycountrymanincrockery，withgracefulturnsofthehaunchandinsinuatingmovementsofthehead。Thatisasmuchliketherealthingasthe"BirdWaltz"islikethesongofbirds。WiryBenneversmiled:helookedasseriousasadancingmonkey——asseriousasifhehadbeenanexperimentalphilosopherascertaininginhisownpersontheamountofshakingandthevarietiesofangularitythatcouldbegiventothehumanlimbs。
　　Tomakeamendsfortheabundantlaughterinthestripedmarquee，Arthurclappedhishandscontinuallyandcried"Bravo！"ButBenhadoneadmirerwhoseeyesfollowedhismovementswithafervidgravitythatequalledhisown。ItwasMartinPoyser，whowasseatedonabench，withTommybetweenhislegs。
　　"Whatdostthinko’that？"hesaidtohiswife。"Hegoesaspattothemusicasifhewasmadeo’clockwork。IusedtobeaprettygoodunatdancingmyselfwhenIwaslighter，butIcouldniverha’hititjusttoth’hairlikethat。"
　　"It’slittlematterwhathislimbsare，tomythinking，"re-turnedMrs。Poyser。"He’semptyenoughi’theupperstory，orhe’dnivercomejiggingan’stampingi’thatway，likeamadgrasshopper，forthegentrytolookathim。They’refittodiewi’laughing，Icansee。"
　　"Well，well，somuchthebetter，itamuses’em，"saidMr。Poyser，whodidnoteasilytakeanirritableviewofthings。"Butthey’regoingawaynow，t’havetheirdinner，Ireckon。Wellmoveaboutabit，shallwe，andseewhatAdamBede’sdoing。He’sgottolookafterthedrinkingandthings:Idoubthehasnahadmuchfun。"
　　TheDanceARTHURhadchosentheentrance-hallfortheballroom:verywisely，fornootherroomcouldhaveheensoairy，orwouldhavehadtheadvantageofthewidedoorsopeningintothegarden，aswellasareadyentranceintotheotherrooms。Tobesure，astonefloorwasnotthepleasantesttodanceon，butthen，mostofthedancershadknownwhatitwastoenjoyaChristmasdanceonkitchenquarries。Itwasoneofthoseentrance-hallswhichmakethesurroundingroomslooklikeclosets——withstuccoangels，trumpets，andflower-wreathsontheloftyceiling，andgreatmedallionsofmiscellaneousheroesonthewalls，alternatingwithstatuesinniches。Justthesortofplacetobeornamentedwellwithgreenboughs，andMr。Craighadbeenproudtoshowhistasteandhishothouseplantsontheoccasion。Thebroadstepsofthestonestaircasewerecoveredwithcushionstoserveasseatsforthechildren，whoweretostaytillhalf-pastninewiththeservant-
　　maidstoseethedancing，andasthisdancewasconfinedtothechieftenants，therewasabundantroomforeveryone。Thelightswerecharminglydisposedincoloured-paperlamps，highupamonggreenboughs，andthefarmers’wivesanddaughters，astheypeepedin，believednoscenecouldbemoresplendid；theyknewnowquitewellinwhatsortofroomsthekingandqueenlived，andtheirthoughtsglancedwithsomepitytowardscousinsandacquaintanceswhohadnotthisfineopportunityofknowinghowthingswentoninthegreatworld。Thelampswerealreadylit，thoughthesunhadnotlongset，andtherewasthatcalmlightoutofdoorsinwhichweseemtoseeallobjectsmoredistinctlythaninthebroadday。
　　Itwasaprettysceneoutsidethehouse:thefarmersandtheirfamiliesweremovingaboutthelawn，amongtheflowersandshrubs，oralongthebroadstraightroadleadingfromtheeastfront，whereacarpetofmossygrassspreadoneachside，studdedhereandtherewithadarkflat-boughedcedar，oragrandpyramidalfirsweepingthegroundwithitsbranches，alltippedwithafringeofpalergreen。Thegroupsofcottagersintheparkweregraduallydiminishing，theyoungonesbeingattractedtowardsthelightsthatwerebeginningtogleamfromthewindowsofthegalleryintheabbey，whichwastobetheirdancing-room，andsomeofthesoberelderonesthinkingittimetogohomequietly。OneofthesewasLisbethBede，andSethwentwithher——notfromfilialattentiononly，forhisconsciencewouldnotlethimjoinindancing。IthadbeenratheramelancholydaytoSeth:Dinahhadneverbeenmoreconstantlypresentwithhimthaninthisscene，whereeverythingwassounlikeher。Hesawherallthemorevividlyafterlookingatthethoughtlessfacesandgay-coloureddressesoftheyoungwomen——justasonefeelsthebeautyandthegreatnessofapicturedMadonnathemorewhenithasbeenforamomentscreenedfromusbyavulgarheadinabonnet。ButthispresenceofDinahinhismindonlyhelpedhimtobearthebetterwithhismother’smood，whichhadbeenbecomingmoreandmorequerulousforthelasthour。PoorLisbethwassufferingfromastrangeconflictoffeelings。HerjoyandprideinthehonourpaidtoherdarlingsonAdamwasbeginningtobeworstedintheconflictwiththejealousyandfretfulnesswhichhadrevivedwhenAdamcametotellherthatCaptainDonnithornedesiredhimtojointhedancersinthehall。Adamwasgettingmoreandmoreoutofherreach；shewishedalltheoldtroublesbackagain，forthenitmatteredmoretoAdamwhathismothersaidanddid。
　　"Eh，it’sfinetalkin’o’dancin’，"shesaid，"an’thyfathernotafiveweekin’sgrave。An’IwishIwartheretoo，i’stido’
　　bein’lefttotakeupmerrierfolks’sroomaboveground。"
　　"Nay，don’tlookatiti’thatway，Mother，"saidAdam，whowasdeterminedtobegentletoherto-day。"Idon’tmeantodance——I
　　shallonlylookon。Andsincethecaptainwishesmetobethere，it’udlookasifIthoughtIknewbetterthanhimtosayasI’drathernotstay。Andtheeknow’sthowhe’sbehavedtometo-day。"
　　"Eh，thee’tdoastheelik’st，forthyoldmother’sgotnorightt’hinderthee。She’snoughtbutth’oldhusk，andthee’stslippedawayfromher，liketheripenut。"
　　"Well，Mother，"saidAdam，"I’llgoandtellthecaptainasithurtsthyfeelingsformetostay，andI’drathergohomeupo’
　　thataccount:hewon’ttakeitillthen，Idaresay，andI’mwilling。"Hesaidthiswithsomeeffort，forhereallylongedtobenearHettythisevening。
　　"Nay，nay，Iwonnaha’theedothat——theyoungsquire’ullbeangered。Goan’dowhatthee’torderedtodo，an’meandSeth’ullgowhome。Iknowit’sagrithonourfortheetobesolookedon——an’who’stobeprouderonitnorthymother？Hadnashethecumbero’rearin’theean’doin’fortheeallthese’ears？"
　　"Well，good-bye，then，Mother——good-bye，lad——rememberGypwhenyougethome，"saidAdam，turningawaytowardsthegateofthepleasure-grounds，wherehehopedhemightbeabletojointhePoysers，forhehadbeensooccupiedthroughouttheafternoonthathehadhadnotimetospeaktoHetty。Hiseyesoondetectedadistantgroup，whichheknewtobetherightone，returningtothehousealongthebroadgravelroad，andhehastenedontomeetthem。
　　"Why，Adam，I’mgladtogetsightony’again，"saidMr。Poyser，whowascarryingTottyonhisarm。"You’regoingt’haveabito’
　　fun，Ihope，nowyourwork’salldone。Andhere’sHettyhaspromisednoendo’partners，an’I’vejustbeenaskin’herifshe’dagreedtodancewi’you，an’shesaysno。"
　　"Well，Ididn’tthinko’dancingto-night，"saidAdam，alreadytemptedtochangehismind，ashelookedatHetty。
　　"Nonsense！"saidMr。Poyser。"Why，everybody’sgoin’todanceto-
　　night，allbutth’oldsquireandMrs。Irwine。Mrs。Best’sbeentellin’usasMissLyddyandMissIrwine’ulldance，an’theyoungsquire’ullpickmywifeforhisfirstpartner，t’opentheball:
　　soshe’llbeforcedtodance，thoughshe’slaidbyeversin’theChristmasaforethelittleunwasborn。Youcannaforshamestandstill，Adam，an’youafineyoungfellowandcandanceaswellasanybody。"
　　"Nay，nay，"saidMrs。Poyser，"it’udbeunbecomin’。Iknowthedancin’snonsense，butifyoustickateverythingbecauseit’snonsense，youwonnagofari’thislife。Whenyourbroth’sready-
　　madeforyou，youmunswallowthethickenin’，orelseletthebrothalone。"
　　"ThenifHetty’ulld’ancewithme，"saidAdam，yieldingeithertoMrs。Poyser’sargumentortosomethingelse，"I’lldancewhicheverdanceshe’sfree。"
　　"I’vegotnopartnerforthefourthdance，"saidHetty；"I’lldancethatwithyou，ifyoulike。"
　　"Ah，"saidMr。Poyser，"butyoumundancethefirstdance，Adam，elseit’lllookpartic’ler。There’splentyo’nicepartnerstopickan’choosefrom，an’it’shardforthegellswhenthemenstan’byanddon’task’em。"
　　AdamfeltthejusticeofMr。Poyser’sobservation:itwouldnotdoforhimtodancewithnoonebesidesHetty；andrememberingthatJonathanBurgehadsomereasontofeelhurtto-day，heresolvedtoaskMissMarytodancewithhimthefirstdance，ifshehadnootherpartner。
　　"There’sthebigclockstrikin’eight，"saidMr。Poyser；"wemustmakehasteinnow，elsethesquireandtheladies’ullbeinaforeus，an’thatwouldnalookwell。"
　　Whentheyhadenteredthehall，andthethreechildrenunderMolly’schargehadbeenseatedonthestairs，thefolding-doorsofthedrawing-roomwerethrownopen，andArthurenteredinhisregimentals，leadingMrs。Irwinetoacarpet-covereddaisornamentedwithhot-houseplants，wheresheandMissAnneweretobeseatedwitholdMr。Donnithorne，thattheymightlookonatthedancing，likethekingsandqueensintheplays。Arthurhadputonhisuniformtopleasethetenants，hesaid，whothoughtasmuchofhismilitiadignityasifithadbeenanelevationtothepremiership。Hehadnottheleastobjectiontogratifytheminthatway:hisuniformwasveryadvantageoustohisfigure。
　　Theoldsquire，beforesittingdown，walkedroundthehalltogreetthetenantsandmakepolitespeechestothewives:hewasalwayspolite；butthefarmershadfoundout，afterlongpuzzling，thatthispolishwasoneofthesignsofhardness。ItwasobservedthathegavehismostelaboratecivilitytoMrs。Poyserto-night，inquiringparticularlyaboutherhealth，recommendinghertostrengthenherselfwithcoldwaterashedid，andavoidalldrugs。Mrs。Poysercurtsiedandthankedhimwithgreatself-
　　command，butwhenhehadpassedon，shewhisperedtoherhusband，"I’lllaymylifehe’sbrewin’somenastyturnagainstus。OldHarrydoesnawaghistailsofornothin’。"Mr。Poyserhadnotimetoanswer，fornowArthurcameupandsaid，"Mrs。Poyser，I’mcometorequestthefavourofyourhandforthefirstdance；and，Mr。
　　Poyser，youmustletmetakeyoutomyaunt，forsheclaimsyouasherpartner。"
　　Thewife’spalecheekflushedwithanervoussenseofunwontedhonourasArthurledhertothetopoftheroom；butMr。Poyser，towhomanextraglasshadrestoredhisyouthfulconfidenceinhisgoodlooksandgooddancing，walkedalongwiththemquiteproudly，secretlyflatteringhimselfthatMissLydiahadneverhadapartnerinHERlifewhocouldliftheroffthegroundashewould。
　　Inordertobalancethehonoursgiventothetwoparishes，MissIrwinedancedwithLukeBritton，thelargestBroxtonfarmer，andMr。GawaineledoutMrs。Britton。Mr。Irwine，afterseatinghissisterAnne，hadgonetotheabbeygallery，ashehadagreedwithArthurbeforehand，toseehowthemerrimentofthecottagerswasprospering。Meanwhile，allthelessdistinguishedcoupleshadtakentheirplaces:HettywasledoutbytheinevitableMr。Craig，andMaryBurgebyAdam；andnowthemusicstruckup，andthegloriouscountry-dance，bestofalldances，began。
　　Pityitwasnotaboardedfloor！Thentherhythmicstampingofthethickshoeswouldhavebeenbetterthananydrums。Thatmerrystamping，thatgraciousnoddingofthehead，thatwavingbestowalofthehand——wherecanweseethemnow？Thatsimpledancingofwell-coveredmatrons，layingasideforanhourthecaresofhouseanddairy，rememberingbutnotaffectingyouth，notjealousbutproudoftheyoungmaidensbytheirside——thatholidaysprightlinessofportlyhusbandspayinglittlecomplimentstotheirwives，asiftheircourtingdayswerecomeagain——thoseladsandlassesalittleconfusedandawkwardwiththeirpartners，havingnothingtosay——itwouldbeapleasantvarietytoseeallthatsometimes，insteadoflowdressesandlargeskirts，andscanningglancesexploringcostumes，andlanguidmeninlacqueredbootssmilingwithdoublemeaning。
　　TherewasbutonethingtomarMartinPoyser’spleasureinthisdance:itwasthathewasalwaysinclosecontactwithLukeBritton，thatslovenlyfarmer。Hethoughtofthrowingalittleglazedcoldnessintohiseyeinthecrossingofhands；butthen，asMissIrwinewasoppositetohiminsteadoftheoffensiveLuke，hemightfreezethewrongperson。Sohegavehisfaceuptohilarity，unchilledbymoraljudgments。
　　HowHetty’sheartbeatasArthurapproachedher！Hehadhardlylookedatherto-day:nowhemusttakeherhand。Wouldhepressit？Wouldhelookather？Shethoughtshewouldcryifhegavehernosignoffeeling。Nowhewasthere——hehadtakenherhand——
　　yes，hewaspressingit。Hettyturnedpaleasshelookedupathimforaninstantandmethiseyes，beforethedancecarriedhimaway。ThatpalelookcameuponArthurlikethebeginningofadullpain，whichclungtohim，thoughhemustdanceandsmileandjokeallthesame。Hettywouldlookso，whenhetoldherwhathehadtotellher；andheshouldneverbeabletobearit——heshouldbeafoolandgivewayagain。Hetty’slookdidnotreallymeansomuchashethought:itwasonlythesignofastrugglebetweenthedesireforhimtonoticeherandthedreadlestsheshouldbetraythedesiretoothers。ButHetty’sfacehadalanguagethattranscendedherfeelings。Therearefaceswhichnaturechargeswithameaningandpathosnotbelongingtothesinglehumansoulthatfluttersbeneaththem，butspeakingthejoysandsorrowsofforegonegenerations——eyesthattellofdeeplovewhichdoubtlesshasbeenandissomewhere，butnotpairedwiththeseeyes——perhapspairedwithpaleeyesthatcansaynothing；justasanationallanguagemaybeinstinctwithpoetryunfeltbythelipsthatuseit。ThatlookofHetty’soppressedArthurwithadreadwhichyethadsomethingofaterribleunconfesseddelightinit，thatshelovedhimtoowell。Therewasahardtaskbeforehim，foratthatmomenthefelthewouldhavegivenupthreeyearsofhisyouthforthehappinessofabandoninghimselfwithoutremorsetohispassionforHetty。
　　TheseweretheincongruousthoughtsinhismindasheledMrs。
　　Poyser，whowaspantingwithfatigue，andsecretlyresolvingthatneitherjudgenorjuryshouldforcehertodanceanotherdance，totakeaquietrestinthedining-room，wheresupperwaslaidoutforthegueststocomeandtakeitastheychose。
　　"I’vedesiredHettytorememberasshe’sgottodancewi’you，sir，"saidthegoodinnocentwoman；"forshe’ssothoughtless，she’dbelikeenoughtogoan’engageherselfforiverydance。SoItoldhernottopromisetoomany。"
　　"Thankyou，Mrs。Poyser，"saidArthur，notwithoutatwinge。
　　"Now，sitdowninthiscomfortablechair，andhereisMillsreadytogiveyouwhatyouwouldlikebest。"
　　Hehurriedawaytoseekanothermatronlypartner，forduehonourmustbepaidtothemarriedwomenbeforeheaskedanyoftheyoungones；andthecountry-dances，andthestamping，andthegraciousnodding，andthewavingofthehands，wentonjoyously。
　　Atlastthetimehadcomeforthefourthdance——longedforbythestrong，graveAdam，asifhehadbeenadelicate-handedyouthofeighteen；forweareallverymuchalikewhenweareinourfirstlove；andAdamhadhardlyevertouchedHetty’shandformorethanatransientgreeting——hadneverdancedwithherbutoncebefore。
　　Hiseyeshadfollowedhereagerlyto-nightinspiteofhimself，andhadtakenindeeperdraughtsoflove。Hethoughtshebehavedsoprettily，soquietly；shedidnotseemtobeflirtingatallshesmiledlessthanusual；therewasalmostasweetsadnessabouther。"Godblessher！"hesaidinwardly；"I’dmakeherlifeahappy’un，ifastrongarmtoworkforher，andahearttoloveher，coulddoit。"
　　Andthentherestoleoverhimdeliciousthoughtsofcominghomefromwork，anddrawingHettytohisside，andfeelinghercheeksoftlypressedagainsthis，tillheforgotwherehewas，andthemusicandthetreadoffeetmighthavebeenthefallingofrainandtheroaringofthewind，forwhatheknew。
　　Butnowthethirddancewasended，andhemightgouptoherandclaimherhand。Shewasatthefarendofthehallnearthestaircase，whisperingwithMolly，whohadjustgiventhesleepingTottyintoherarmsbeforerunningtofetchshawlsandbonnetsfromthelanding。Mrs。Poyserhadtakenthetwoboysawayintothedining-roomtogivethemsomecakebeforetheywenthomeinthecartwithGrandfatherandMollywastofollowasfastaspossible。
　　"Letmeholdher，"saidAdam，asMollyturnedupstairs；"thechildrenaresoheavywhenthey’reasleep。"
　　Hettywasgladoftherelief，fortoholdTottyinherarms，standing，wasnotatallapleasantvarietytoher。ButthissecondtransferhadtheunfortunateeffectofrousingTotty，whowasnotbehindanychildofherageinpeevishnessatanunseasonableawaking。WhileHettywasintheactofplacingherinAdam’sarms，andhadnotyetwithdrawnherown，Tottyopenedhereyes，andforthwithfoughtoutwithherleftfistatAdam’sarm，andwithherrightcaughtatthestringofbrownbeadsroundHetty’sneck。Thelocketleapedoutfromherfrock，andthenextmomentthestringwasbroken，andHetty，helpless，sawbeadsandlocketscatteredwideonthefloor。
　　"Mylocket，mylocket！"shesaid，inaloudfrightenedwhispertoAdam；"nevermindthebeads。"
　　Adamhadalreadyseenwherethelocketfell，forithadattractedhisglanceasitleapedoutofherfrock。Ithadfallenontheraisedwoodendaiswherethebandsat，notonthestonefloor；andasAdampickeditup，hesawtheglasswiththedarkandlightlocksofhairunderit。Ithadfallenthatsideupwards，sotheglasswasnotbroken。Heturneditoveronhishand，andsawtheenamelledgoldback。
　　"Itisn’thurt，"hesaid，asheheldittowardsHetty，whowasunabletotakeitbecausebothherhandswereoccupiedwithTotty。
　　"Oh，itdoesn’tmatter，Idon’tmindaboutit，"saidHetty，whohadbeenpaleandwasnowred。
　　"Notmatter？"saidAdam，gravely。"Youseemedveryfrightenedaboutit。I’llholdittillyou’rereadytotakeit，"headded，quietlyclosinghishandoverit，thatshemightnotthinkhewantedtolookatitagain。
　　BythistimeMollyhadcomewithbonnetandshawl，andassoonasshehadtakenTotty，AdamplacedthelocketinHetty’shand。Shetookitwithanairofindifferenceandputitinherpocket，inherheartvexedandangrywithAdambecausehehadseenit，butdeterminednowthatshewouldshownomoresignsofagitation。
　　"See，"shesaid，"they’retakingtheirplacestodance；letusgo。"
　　Adamassentedsilently。Apuzzledalarmhadtakenpossessionofhim。HadHettyaloverhedidn’tknowof？Fornoneofherrelations，hewassure，wouldgiveheralocketlikethat；andnoneofheradmirers，withwhomhewasacquainted，wasinthepositionofanacceptedlover，asthegiverofthatlocketmustbe。Adamwaslostintheutterimpossibilityoffindinganypersonforhisfearstoalighton。HecouldonlyfeelwithaterriblepangthattherewassomethinginHetty’slifeunknowntohim；thatwhilehehadbeenrockinghimselfinthehopethatshewouldcometolovehim，shewasalreadylovinganother。ThepleasureofthedancewithHettywasgone；hiseyes，whentheyrestedonher，hadanuneasyquestioningexpressioninthem；hecouldthinkofnothingtosaytoher；andshetoowasoutoftemperanddisinclinedtospeak。Theywerebothgladwhenthedancewasended。
　　Adamwasdeterminedtostaynolonger；noonewantedhim，andnoonewouldnoticeifheslippedaway。Assoonashegotoutofdoors，hebegantowalkathishabitualrapidpace，hurryingalongwithoutknowingwhy，busywiththepainfulthoughtthatthememoryofthisday，sofullofhonourandpromisetohim，waspoisonedforever。Suddenly，whenhewasfaronthroughtheChase，hestopped，startledbyaflashofrevivinghope。Afterall，hemightbeafool，makingagreatmiseryoutofatrifle。Hetty，fondoffineryasshewas，mighthaveboughtthethingherself。
　　Itlookedtooexpensiveforthat——itlookedlikethethingsonwhitesatininthegreatjeweller’sshopatRosseter。ButAdamhadveryimperfectnotionsofthevalueofsuchthings，andhethoughtitcouldcertainlynotcostmorethanaguinea。PerhapsHettyhadhadasmuchasthatinChristmasboxes，andtherewasnoknowingbutshemighthavebeenchildishenoughtospenditinthatway；shewassuchayoungthing，andshecouldn’thelplovingfinery！Butthen，whyhadshebeensofrightenedaboutitatfirst，andchangedcolourso，andafterwardspretendednottocare？Oh，thatwasbecauseshewasashamedofhisseeingthatshehadsuchasmartthing——shewasconsciousthatitwaswrongforhertospendhermoneyonit，andsheknewthatAdamdisapprovedoffinery。Itwasaproofshecaredaboutwhathelikedanddisliked。Shemusthavethoughtfromhissilenceandgravityafterwardsthathewasverymuchdispleasedwithher，thathewasinclinedtobeharshandseveretowardsherfoibles。Andashewalkedonmorequietly，chewingthecudofthisnewhope，hisonlyuneasinesswasthathehadbehavedinawaywhichmightchillHetty’sfeelingtowardshim。Forthislastviewofthemattermustbethetrueone。HowcouldHettyhaveanacceptedlover，quiteunknowntohim？Shewasneverawayfromheruncle’shouseformorethanaday；shecouldhavenoacquaintancesthatdidnotcomethere，andnointimaciesunknowntoheruncleandaunt。Itwouldbefollytobelievethatthelocketwasgiventoherbyalover。Thelittleringofdarkhairhefeltsurewasherown；hecouldformnoguessaboutthelighthairunderit，forhehadnotseenitverydistinctly。Itmightbeabitofherfather’sormother’s，whohaddiedwhenshewasachild，andshewouldnaturallyputabitofherownalongwithit。
　　AndsoAdamwenttobedcomforted，havingwovenforhimselfaningeniouswebofprobabilities——thesurestscreenawisemancanplacebetweenhimselfandthetruth。HislastwakingthoughtsmeltedintoadreamthathewaswithHettyagainattheHallFarm，andthathewasaskinghertoforgivehimforbeingsocoldandsilent。
　　Andwhilehewasdreamingthis，ArthurwasleadingHettytothedanceandsayingtoherinlowhurriedtones，"Ishallbeinthewoodthedayafterto-morrowatseven；comeasearlyasyoucan。"