’Shehasnotbeentoblameatall，’saidDalrymple。
　　’That’smyaffairandnotyours，’saidMrsVanSiever，verysharply。
　　’Butasyou’vebeenatallthistrouble，andhavenowchoppeditup，I
　　don’tmindpayingyouforyourtimeandpaints；onlyIshallbegladtoknowhowmuchitwillcometo？’
　　’Therewillbenothingtopay，MrsVanSiever。’
　　’Howlonghashebeenatit，Clara？’
　　’Mamma，indeedyouhadbetternotsayanythingaboutpayinghim。’
　　’IshallsaywhateverIplease，miss。Willtenpoundsdoit，sir？’
　　’Ifyouchoosetobuythepicture，thepricewillbesevenhundredandfifty，’saidDalrymplewithasmile，pointingtothefragments。
　　’Sevenhundredandfiftypounds？’saidtheoldwoman。
　　’ButIstronglyadviseyounottomakethepurchase，’saidDalrymple。
　　’Sevenhundredandfiftypounds！Icertainlyshallnotgiveyousevenhundredandfiftypounds。’
　　’Icertainlythinkyoucouldinvestyourmoneybetter，MrsVanSiever。
　　Butifthethingistobesoldatall，thatismyprice。I’vethoughtthattherewassomejusticeinyourdemandthatitshouldbedestroyed——andthereforeIhavedestroyedit。’
　　MrsVanSieverhadbeenstandingonthesamespoteversinceshehadenteredtheroom，andnowsheturnedroundtoleavetheroom。
　　’Ifyouhaveanydemandtomake，IbegthatyouwillsenditinyouraccountforworkdonetoMrMusselboro。Heismymanofbusiness。Clara，areyoureadytocomehome？Thecabiswaitingatthedoor——atsixpencethequarterofanhour，ifyouwillbepleasedtoremember。’
　　’MrsBroughton，’saidClara，thoughtfulofherraiment，andrememberingthatitmightnotbewellthatsheshouldreturnhome，eveninacab，dressedasJael，’ifyouwillallowme，Iwillgointoyourroomforaminuteortwo。’
　　’Certainly，Clara，’saidMrsBroughton，preparingtoaccompanyher。
　　’Butbeforeyougo，MrsBroughton，’saidMrsVanSiever，’itmaybeaswellthatIshouldtellyouthatmydaughterisgoingtobecomethewifeofMrMusselboro。Itmaysimplifymattersthatyoushouldknowthis。’
　　AndMrsVanSiever，asshespoke，lookedhardatConwayDalrymple。
　　’Mamma！’exclaimedClara。
　　’Mydear，’saidMrsVanSiever，’youhadbetterchangeyourdressandcomeawaywithme。’
　　’NottillIhaveprotestedagainstwhatyouhavesaid，mamma。’
　　’Youhadbetterleaveyourprotestingalone，Icantellyou。’
　　’MrsBroughton，’saidClara，’Imustbegyoutounderstandthatmammahasnottheslightestrightintheworldtotellyouwhatshejustnowsaidaboutme。NothingonearthwouldinducemetobecomethewifeofMrBroughton’spartner。’
　　TherewassomethingwhichmadeClaraunwillingeventonamethemanwhomhermotherhadpubliclyproposedasherfuturehusband。
　　’Heisn’tMrBroughton’spartner，’saidMrsVanSiever。’MrBroughtonhasnotgotapartner。MrMusselboroistheheadofthefirm。Andastoyourmarryinghim，ofcourse，Ican’tmakeyou。’
　　’No，mamma，youcannot。’
　　’MrsBroughtonunderstandsthat，nodoubt；——andso，probably，doesMrDalrymple。Icanonlytellthemwhataremyideas。Ifyouchoosetomarrythesweepatthecrossing，Ican’thelpit。OnlyIdon’tseewhatgoodyouwoulddothesweep，whenhewouldhavetosweepforhimselfandyoutoo。Atanyrate，Isupposeyoumeantogohomewithmenow？’ThenMrsBroughtonandClaralefttheroom，andMrsVanSieverwasleftwithConwayDalrymple。’MrDalrymple，’saidMrsVanSiever，’donotdeceiveyourself。WhatItoldyoujustnowwillcertainlycometopass。’
　　’Itseemstomethatthatmustdependontheyounglady，’saidDalrymple。
　　’I’lltellyouwhatcertainlywillnotdependontheyounglady，’saidMrsVanSiever，’andthatiswhetherthemanwhomarriesherwillhavemorewithherthantheclothesshestandsupin。Youwillunderstandthatargument，Isuppose？’
　　’I’mnotquitesurethatIdo，’saidDalrymple。
　　’Thenyou’dbettertrytounderstandit。Good—morning，sir。I’msorryyou’vehadtoslityourpicture。’Thenshecurtseyedlow，andwalkedoutontothelanding—place。’Clara，’shecried，’I’mwaitingforyou——sixpenceaquarterofanhour——rememberthat。’InaminuteortwoClaracameouttoher，andthenMrsVanSieverandMissVanSievertooktheirdeparture。
　　’Oh，Conway，whatamItodo？WhatamItodo？’saidMrsDobbsBroughton。Dalrymplestoodperplexedforafewminutes，andcouldnottellherwhatshewastodo。Shewasinsuchapositionthatitwasveryhardtotellherwhatshewastodo。’Doyoubelieve，Conway，thatheisreallyruined？’
　　’WhatamItosay？HowamItoknow？’
　　’Iseethatyoubelieveit，’saidthewretchedwoman。
　　’Icannotbutbelievethatthereissomethingoftruthinwhatthiswomansays。Whyelseshouldshecomeherewithsuchastory？’Thentherewasapause，duringwhichMrsBroughtonwasburyingherfaceonthearmofthesofa。’I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo，’continuedhe。’I’llgointotheCityandmakeinquiry。ItcanhardlybebutwhatIshalllearnthetruththere。’
　　Thentherewasanotherpause，attheendofwhichMrsBroughtongotupfromthesofa。
　　’Tellme，’saidshe：——’whatdoyoumeanaboutthatgirl？’
　　’Youheardmeaskhertobemywife？’
　　’Idid！Idid！’
　　’Isitnotwhatyouintended？’
　　’Donotaskme。Mymindisbewildered。Mybrainisonfire！Oh，Conway！’
　　’ShallIgointotheCityasIproposed？’saidDalrymple，whofeltthathemightatanyrateimprovethepositionofcircumstancesbyleavingthehouse。
　　’Yes；——yes；gointotheCity！Goanywhere。Go。Butstay！Oh，Conway！’Therewasasuddenchangeinhervoiceasshespoke。
　　’Hark——thereheis，assureaslife。’ThenConwaylistened，andheardafootsteponthestairs，astowhichhehadthenbutlittledoubtthatitwasthefootstepofDobbsBroughton。’Oheavens！Heistipsy！’exclaimedMrsBroughton；’andwhatshallwedo？’ThenDalrympletookherhandandpressedit；andlefttheroom，sothathemightmeetthehusbandonthestairs。Intheonemomentthathehadforreflectionhethoughtitwasbetterthatthereshouldbenoconcealment。
　　CHAPTERLXI
　　’IT’SDOGGEDASDOESIT’
　　Inaccordancewiththeresolutiontowhichtheclericalcommissionhadcomeonthefirstdayoftheirsitting，DrTempestwrotethefollowinglettertoMrCrawley：—
　　’RECTORY，SILVERBRIDGE，April，9，186—
　　’DEARSIR，’IhavebeengiventounderstandthatyouhavebeeninformedthattheBishopofBarchesterhasappointedacommissionofclergymenofthediocesetomakeinquiryrespectingcertainaccusationswhich，tothegreatregretofusall，havebeenmadeagainstyou，inrespectofachequefortwentypoundswhichwaspassedbyyoutoatradesmanofthetown。TheclergymenappointedtoformthiscommissionareMrOriel，therectorofGreshamsbury，MrRobarts，thevicarofFramley，MrQuiverful，thewardenofHiram’sHospitalatBarchester，andMrThumble，aclergymanestablishedinthatcity，andmyself。WeheldourfirstmeetingonlastMonday，andInowwritetoyouincompliancewitharesolutiontowhichwecame。BeforetakinganyotherstepswethoughtitbesttoaskyoutoattendushereonnextMonday，attwoo’clock，andIbegthatyouwillacceptthisletterasaninvitationtothateffect。
　　’Weare，ofcourse，awarethatyouareabouttostandyourtrialatthenextassizesfortheoffenceinquestion。IbegyoutounderstandthatIdonotexpressanyopinionastoyourguilt。ButIthinkitrighttopointouttoyouthatintheeventofajuryfindinganadverseverdict，thebishopwillbeplacedingreatdifficultyunlesshewerefortifiedwiththeopinionofacommissionformedfromyourfellowclericallabourersinthediocese。Shouldsuchadverseverdictunfortunatelybegiven，thebishopwouldhardlybejustifiedinallowingaclergymanplacedasyouthenwouldbeplaced，toreturntohiscureaftertheexpirationofsuchpunishmentasthejudgemightaward，withoutafurtherdecisionfromanecclesiasticalcourt。ThisdecisionhecouldonlyobtainbyproceedingagainstyouundertheActinreferencetoclericaloffences，whichempowershimasbishopofthediocesetobringyoubeforetheCourtofArches——unlessyouwouldthinkwelltosubmityourselfentirelytohisjudgment。Youwill，Ithink，understandwhatImean。Thejudgeatassizesmightfindithisdutytoimprisonaclergymanforamonth——regardingtatclergymansimplyashewouldregardanyotherpersonfoundguiltybyajuryandthusmadesubjecttohisjudgment——andmightdothisforanoffencewhichtheecclesiasticaljudgewouldfindhimselfobligedtovisitwiththeseverersentenceofprolongedsuspension，orevenwithdeprivation。
　　’Weare，however，clearlyoftheopinionthatshouldthejuryfindthemselvesabletoacquityou，nofurtheractionwhatsoevershouldbetaken。Insuchcasewethinkthatthebishopmayregardyourinnocencetobefullyestablished，andinsuchcaseweshallrecommendhislordshiptolookuponthematterasaltogetheratanend。IcanassureyouthatinsuchcaseIshallsoregarditmyself。
　　’Youwillperceivethat，asaconsequenceofthisresolution，towhichwehavealreadycome，wearenotmindedtotakeanyinquiriesourselvesintothecircumstancesofyourallegedguilt，tilltheverdictofthejuryshallbegiven。Butshouldyoubeconvicted，wemustinthatcaseadvisethebishoptotaketheproceedingstowhichIhavealluded，ortoabstainfromtakingthem。Wewishtoaskyouwhether，nowthatouropinionhasbeenconveyedtoyou，youwillbewillingtosubmitthebishop’sdecision，intheeventofanadverseverdictbeinggivenbythejury；andwethinkthatitwillbebetterforusallthatyoushouldmeetushereatthehourIhavenamedonMondaynext，thefifteenthinstant。Itisnotourintentiontomakeanyreporttothebishopuntilthetrialshallbeover。——Ihavethehonourtobe，mydearsir，yourobedientservant，’MORTIMERTEMPEST
　　’TheRev。JosiahCrawley，’Hogglestock。’
　　InthesameenvelopeDrTempestsentashortprivatenote，inwhichhesaidthatheshouldbeveryhappytoseeMrCrawleyathalf—pastoneontheMondaynamed，thatluncheonwouldbereadyatthathour，andthat，asMrCrawley’sattendancewasrequiredonpublicgrounds，hewouldtakecarethatacarriagewasprovidedfortheday。
　　MrCrawleyreceivedthisletterinhiswife’spresence，andreaditinsilence。MrsCrawleysawthathepaidcloseattentiontoit，andwassure——shefeltthatshewassure——thatitreferredinsomewaytotheterriblesubjectofthechequefortwentypounds。Indeed，everythingthatcameintothehouse，almosteverywordspokenthere，andeverythoughtthatcameintothebreastofanyofthefamily，hadmoreorlessreferencetothecomingtrial。Howcoulditbeotherwise？Therewasruincomingonthemall——ruinandcompletedisgracecomingonfather，mother，andchildren！Tohavebeenaccuseditselfwasverybad；butnowitseemedtobetheopinionofeveryonethattheverdictmustbeagainsttheman。MrsCrawleyherself，whowasperfectlysureofherhusband’sinnocencebeforeGod，believedthatthejurywouldfindhimguilty——andbelievedalsothathehadbecomepossessedofthemoneyinsomemannerthatwouldhavebeendishonest，hadhenotbeensodifferentfromotherpeopleastobeentitledtobeconsideredinnocentwhereanothermanwouldhavebeenplainlyguilty。Shewasfullofthechequefortwentypounds，andofitsresults。When，therefore，hehadreadtheletterthroughasecondtime，andeventhenhadspokennowordaboutit，ofcourseshecouldnotrefrainfromquestioninghim。’Mylove，’shesaid，’whatistheletter？’
　　’Itisonbusiness，’heanswered。
　　Shewassilentforamomentbeforeshespokeagain。’MayInotknowthebusiness？’
　　’No，’saidhe；’notatpresent。’
　　’Isitfromthebishop？’
　　’HaveInotansweredyou？HaveInotgivenyoutounderstandthat，forawhileatleast，Iwouldprefertokeepthecontentsofthisepistletomyself？’Thenhelookedatherverysternly，andafterwardsturnedhiseyesuponthefireplaceandgazedatthefire，asthoughhewerestrivingtoreadtheresomethingofhisfuturefate。Shedidnotmuchregardtheseverityofhisspeech。That，too，likethetakingofthechequeitself，wastobeforgivenhim，becausehewasdifferentfromothermen。Hisblackmoodhadcomeuponhim，cuttinghisteeth。Letthepoorwaywardsuffererbeeversopetulant，themothersimplypitiesandloveshim，andisneverangry。’Ibegyourpardon，Josiah，’shesaid，’butIthoughtitwouldcomfortyoutospeaktomeaboutit。’
　　’Itwillnotcomfortme，’hesaid。’Nothingcomfortsme。Nothingcancomfortme。Jane，givememyhatandmystick。’Hisdaughterbroughttohimhishatandstick，andwithoutanotherwordhewentoutandleftthem。
　　AsamatterofcourseheturnedhisstepstowardsHoggleEnd。Whenhedesiredtobelongabsentfromthehouse，healwayswentamongthebrickmakers。Hiswife，asshestoodatthewindowandwatchedthedirectioninwhichhewent，knewthathemightbeawayforhours。Theonlyfriendsoutofhisownfamilywithwhomheeverspokefreelyweresomeofthoseroughparishioners。Buthewasnotthinkingofthebrickmakerswhenhestarted。HewassimplydesirousofreadingagainDrTempest’sletter，andofconsideringit，insomespotwherenoeyecouldseehim。Hewalkedawaywithlongsteps，regardingnothing——neithertherutsinthedirtylane，northeyoungprimroseswhichwerefastshowingthemselvesonthebanks，northegatheringcloudswhichmighthavetoldhimofthecomingrain。Hewentonforacoupleofmiles，tillhehadnearlyreachedtheoutskirtsofthecolonyofHoggleEnd，andthenhesathimselfdownuponagate。Hehadnotbeenthereaminutebeforeafewslowdropsbegantofall，buthewasaltogethertoomuchwrappedupinhisthoughtstoregardtherain。WhatanswershouldhemaketothisletterfromthemanfromSilverbridge？
　　Thepositionofhisownmindinreferencetohisownguiltorhisowninnocencewasverysingular。Itwassimplythetruththathedidnotknowhowthechequehadcometohim。Hedidknowthathehadblunderedaboutitmostegregiously，especiallywhenhehadaverredthatthischequefortwentypoundshadbeenidenticalwithachequeforanothersumwhichhadbeengiventohimbyMrSoames。Hehadblunderedsince，insayingthatthedeanhadgivenittohim。Therecouldbenodoubtastothis，forthedeanhaddeniedthathehaddoneso。Andhehadcometothinkitverypossiblethathehadindeedpickedthechequeup，andhadafterwardsusedit，havingdepositeditbysomestrangeaccident——notknowingthenwhathewasdoing，orwhatwasthenatureofthebitofpaperinhishand——withthenoteswhichhehadacceptedfromthedeanwithsomuchreluctance，andwithsuchanagonyofspirit。Inallthesethoughtsofhisowndoings，andhisownposition，healmostadmittedtohimselfhisowninsanity，hisinabilitytomanagehisownaffairswiththatdegreeofrationalsequencewhichistakenforgrantedasbelongingtoamanwhenheismadesubjecttocriminallaws。Ashepuzzledhisbraininhiseffortstocreateamemoryastothecheque，andsucceededinbringingtohismindarecollectionthathehadonceknownsomethingaboutthecheque——thatthechequehadatonetimebeenthesubjectofathoughtandaresolution——headmittedtohimselfthatinaccordancewithalllawandallreasonhemustberegardedasathief。Hehadtakenandusedandspentthatwhichheoughttohaveknownwasnothisown——whichhewouldhaveknownnottobehisownbutforsometerribleincapacitywithwhichGodhadinflictedhim。Whatthenmustbetheresult？Hismindwasclearenoughaboutthis。Ifthejuryshouldseeeverythingandknoweverything——ashewouldwishthattheyshoulddo；andifthebishop’scommission，andthebishophimself，andtheCourtofArcheswithitsjudge，couldseeandknoweverything；andifsoseeingandsoknowingtheycouldactwithclearhonestyandperfectwisdom——whatwouldtheydo？Theywoulddeclareofhimthathewasnotathief，onlybecausehewassomuddy—minded，soaddle—patedasnottoknowthedifferencebetweenmeumandtuum！Therecouldbenootherendtoit，letallthelawyersandalltheclergymeninEnglandputtheirwitstoit。Thoughtheknewhimselftobemuddy—mindedandaddle—pated，hecouldseethat。
　　Andcouldanyonesayofsuchamanthathewasfittobetheacting—clergymanofaparish——tohavefreeholdpossessioninaparishascurerofmen’ssouls！Thebishopwasintherightofit，lethimbetentimesasmeanafellowashewas。
　　Andyetashesatthereonthegate，whiletheraincamedownheavilyuponhim，evenwhenadmittingthejusticeofthebishop，andthetruthoftheverdictwhichthejurywouldnodoubtgive，andtheproprietyoftheactionwhichthatcold，reasonable，prosperousmanatSilverbridgewouldtake，hepitiedhimselfwithatendernessofcommiserationwhichknewnobounds。Asforthosebelongingtohim，hiswifeandchildren，hispityforthemwasofadifferentkind。Hewouldhavesufferedanyincreaseofsuffering，couldhebysuchagonyhavereleasedthem。Dearlyashelovedthem，hewouldhaveseveredhimselffromthem，haditbeenpossible。Terriblethoughtsastotheirfatehadcomeintohismindintheworstmomentsofhismoodiness——thoughtswhichhehadsufficientstrengthandmanlinesstoputawayfromhimwithastronghand，lesttheyshoulddrivehimtocrimeindeed；andthesehadcomefromthegreatpityhehadfeltforthem。Butthecommiserationwhichhehadfeltforhimselfhadbeendifferentfromthis，andhadmostlyvisitedhimattimeswhenthatotherpitywasforthemomentinabeyance。Whatthoughhehadtakenthecheque，andspentthemoneythoughitwasnothis？Hemightbeguiltybeforethelaw，buthewasnotguiltybeforeGod。Therehadneverbeenathoughtoftheftinhismind，oradesiretostealinhisheart。Heknewthatwellenough。NojurycouldmakehimguiltyoftheftbeforeGod。Andwhatthoughthismixtureofguiltandinnocencehadcomefrommadness——frommadnesswhichthesecourtsmustrecogniseiftheychosetofindhiminnocentofthecrime？Inspiteofhisaberrationsofintellect，iftherewereanysuch，hisministrationsinhisparishweregood。Hadhenotpreachedferventlyandwell——preachingthetruegospel？Hadhenotbeenverydiligentamonghispeople，strivingwithallhismighttolessentheignoranceoftheignorant，andtogildwithgodlinessthelearningoftheinstructed？Hadhenotbeenpatient，enduring，instant，andinallthingsamenabletothelawsandregulationslaiddownbytheChurchforhisguidanceinhisdutiesasaparishclergyman？Whocouldpointoutinwhathehadbeenastray，orwherehehadgoneamiss？ButfortheworkwhichhehaddonewithsomuchzealtheChurchwhichheservedhadpaidhimsomiserableapittancethat，thoughlifeandsoulhadbeenkepttogether，thereason，orafragmentofthereason，hadatmomentsescapedfromhiskeepinginthescramble。Henceitwasthatthisterriblecalamityhadfallenuponhim！
　　Whohadbeentriedashehadbeentried，andhadgonethroughsuchfirewithlesslossofintellectualpowerthanhehaddone？Hewasstillascholar，thoughnobrotherscholarevercamenearhim，andwouldmakeGreekiambicsashewalkedthroughthelanes。Hismemorywasstoredwithpoetry，thoughnobookevercameintohishands，exceptthoseshornandtatteredvolumeswhichlayuponhistable。Oldproblemsintrigonometrywerethepleasingrelaxationsofhismind，andcomplicationsoffigureswereadelighttohim。Therewasnotoneofthoseprosperousclergymenaroundhim，andwhoscornedhim，whomhecouldnothaveinstructedinHebrew。ItwasalwaysagratificationtohimtorememberthathisoldfriendthedeanwasweakinhisHebrew。He，withtheseacquirements，withthesefitnesses，hadbeenthrustdowntotheground——totheverygranite——andbecauseinthatharshheartlessthrustinghisintellecthadformomentswaveredastocommonthings，cleavingstilltoallitsgrander，noblerpossessions，hewasnowtoberentinpiecesandscatteredtothewinds，asbeingaltogethervile，worthless，andworsethanworthless。Itwasthusthathethoughtofhimself，pityinghimself，ashesatuponthegate，whiletherainfellruthlesslyonhisshoulders。
　　Hepitiedhimselfwithacommiserationthatwassicklyinspiteofitstruth。Itwasthefaultofthemanthathewasimbuedtoostronglywithself—consciousness。Hecoulddoagreatthingortwo。Hecouldkeepuphiscourageinpositionswhichwouldwashallthecourageoutofmostmen。Hecouldtellthetruththoughtruthshouldruinhim。Hecouldsacrificeallthathehadtoduty。Hecoulddojusticethoughtheheavenshouldfall。Buthecouldnotforgettopaytributetohimselfforthegreatnessofhisownactions；nor，whenacceptingwithaneffortofmeeknessthesmallpaymentmadebytheworldtohim，inreturnforhisgreatworks，couldheforgetthegreatpaymentsmadetoothersforsmallwork。ItwasnotsufficientforhimtorememberthatheknewHebrew，buthemustrememberalsothatthedeandidnot。
　　Nevertheless，ashesatthereundertherain，hemadeuphismindwithaclearnessthatcertainlyhadinitnothingofthatmuddinessofmindofwhichhehadoftenaccusedhimself。Indeed，theintellectofthismanwasessentiallyclear。Itwassimplythathismemorythatwouldplayhimtricks——hismemoryastothingswhichatthemomentwerenotimportanttohim。Thefactthatthedeanhadgivenhimmoneywasveryimportant，andheremembereditwell。Buttheamountofthemoney，anditsform，atamomentinwhichhehadflatteredhimselfthathemighthavestrengthtoleaveitunused，hadnotbeenimportanttohim。Now，heresolvedthathewouldgotoDrTempest，andthathewouldtellDrTempestthattherewasnotoccasionforanyfurtherinquiry。Hewouldsubmittothebishop，letthebishop’sdecisionbewhatitmight。ThingsweredifferentsincethedayonwhichhehadrefusedMrThumbleadmissiontohispulpit。Atthattimepeoplebelievedhimtobeinnocent，andhesobelievedofhimself。Now，peoplebelievedhimtobeguilty，anditcouldnotberightthatamanheldinsuchslightesteemcouldexercisethefunctionsofaparishpriest，lethisownopinionofhimselfbewhatitmight。Hewouldsubmithimself，andgoanywhere——tothegalleysortheworkhouse，iftheywishedit。Asforhiswifeandchildren，theywould，hesaidtohimself，bebetterwithouthimthanwithhim。Theworldwouldneverbesohardtoawomanortochildrenasithadbeentohim。
　　Hewassittingsaturatedwithrain——saturatedalsowiththinking——andquiteunobservantofanythingaroundhim，whenhewasaccostedbyanoldmanfromHoggleEnd，withwhomhewaswellacquainted。’Theebewat，MasterCrawley，’saidtheoldman。
　　’Wet！’saidCrawley，recalledsuddenlybacktotherealitiesoflife。
　　’Well——yes。Iamwet。That’sbecauseit’sraining。’
　　’Theebeteemingo’wat。Hadn’ttheebettergohome？’
　　’Andareyounotwetalso，’saidMrCrawley，lookingattheoldman，whohadbeenatworkinthebrickfield，andwhowassoakedwithmire，andfromwhomthereseemedtocomeasteamofmuddymist。
　　’Isitme，yerreverence？I’mwatofcourse。Theloikesofusisalwayswat——thatisbarringtheinsidesofus。Itcomestousnaturaltohavetherheumatics。Howisoneofustohelphisselfagainsthavingon’em？Butthereain’tnocallfortheloikesofyoutohavetherheumatics。’
　　’Myfriend，’saidCrawley，whowasnowstandingontheroad——andashespokeheputouthisarmandtookthebrickmakerbythehand，’thereisaworsecomplaintthanrheumatism——thereis，indeed。’
　　’There’swhattheycallsthecollerer，’saidGilesHoggett，lookingupintoCrawley’sface。’Thatain’ta—gotholdofyer？’
　　’Ay，andworsethanthecholera。Amaniskilledalloverwhenheisstruckwithpride——andyethelives。’
　　’Maybethat’sbadenoughtoo，’saidGiles，withhishandstillheldbytheother。
　　’Itisbadenough，’saidCrawley，strikinghisbreastwithhislefthand。’Itisbadenough。’
　　’Tell’eewhat，MasterCrawley；——andyerreverencemustn’tthinkasI
　　meanstobepreaching；thereain’tnowtamancan’tbearifhe’llonlybedogged。Youtowhome，MasterCrawley，andthinko’that，andmaybeit’lldoyeagoodyet。It’sdoggedasdoesit。Itain’tthinkingaboutit。’ThenGilesHoggettwithdrewhishandfromtheclergyman’s，andwalkedawaytowardshishomeatHoggleEnd。MrCrawleyalsoturnedawayhomewards，andashemadehiswaythroughthelanes，herepeatedtohimselfGilesHoggett’swords。’It’sdoggedasdoesit。It’snotthinkingaboutit。’
　　HedidnotsayawordtohiswifeonthatafternoonaboutDrTempest；
　　andshewassomuchtakenupwithhisoutwardconditionwhenhereturned，asalmosttohaveforgottentheletter。Heallowedhimself，butbarelyallowedhimself，tobemadedry，andthenfortheremainderofthedayappliedhimselftolearnthelessonwhichHoggetthadendeavouredtoteachhim。Butthelearningofitwasnoteasy，andhardlybecamemoreeasywhenhehadworkedtheproblemoutinhisownmind，anddiscoveredthatthebrickmaker’sdoggednesssimplymeantself—abnegation——thatamanshouldforcehimselftoendureanythingthatmightbesentuponhim，notonlywithoutoutwardgrumbling，butalsowithoutgrumblinginwardly。
　　Earlyonthenextmorning，hetoldhiswifethathewasgoingintoSilverbridge。’Itisthatletter——theletterwhichIgotyesterdaythatcallsme，’hesaid。Andthenhehandedhertheletterastowhichhehadrefusedtospeaktoherontheprecedingday。