CHAPTERONEDescriptionofFarmerOak-AnIncidentWhenFarmerOaksmiled，thecornersofhismouthspreadtilltheywerewithinanunimportantdistanceofhisears，hiseyeswerereducedtochinks，anddivergingwrinklesappearedroundthem，extendinguponhiscountenanceliketheraysinarudimentarysketchoftherisingsun。
HisChristiannamewasGabriel，andonworkingdayshewasayoungmanofsoundjudgement，easymotions，properdress，andgeneralgoodcharacter。
OnSundayshewasamanofmistyviews，rathergiventopostponing，andhamperedbyhisbestclothesandumbrella：uponthewhole，onewhofelthimselftooccupymorallythatvastmiddlespaceofLaodiceanneutralitywhichlaybetweentheCommunionpeopleoftheparishandthedrunkensection，-thatis，hewenttochurch，butyawnedprivatelybythetimethecongregationreachedtheNicenecreed，andthoughtofwhattherewouldbefordinnerwhenhemeanttobelisteningtothesermon。Or，tostatehischaracterasitstoodinthescaleofpublicopinion，whenhisfriendsandcriticswereintantrums，hewasconsideredratherabadman；whentheywerepleased，hewasratheragoodman；whentheywereneither，hewasamanwhosemoralcolourwasakindofpepper-and-saltmixture。
SincehelivedsixtimesasmanyworkingdaysasSundays，Oak’sappearanceinhisoldclotheswasmostpeculiarlyhisown-thementalpictureformedbyhisneighboursinimagininghimbeingalwaysdressedinthatway。Heworealow-crownedfelthat，spreadoutatthebasebytightjammingupontheheadforsecurityinhighwinds，andacoatlikeDrJohnson’s；hislowerextremitiesbeingencasedinordinaryleatherleggingsandbootsemphaticallylarge，affordingtoeachfootaroomyapartmentsoconstructedthatanywearermightstandinariveralldaylongandknownothingofdamp-theirmakerbeingaconscientiousmanwhoendeavouredtocompensateforanyweaknessinhiscutbyunstinteddimensionandsolidity。
MrOakcarriedabouthim，bywayofwatch，whatmaybecalledasmallsilverclock；inotherwords，itwasawatchastoshapeandintention，andasmallclockastosic。ThisinstrumentbeingseveralyearsolderthanOak’sgrandfather，hadthepeculiarityofgoingeithertoofastornotatall。Thesmallerofitshands，too，occasionallyslippedroundonthepivot，andthus，thoughtheminutesweretoldwithprecision，nobodycouldbequitecertainofthehourtheybelongedto。ThestoppingpeculiarityofhiswatchOakremediedbythumpsandshakes，andheescapedanyevilconsequencesfromtheothertwodefectsbyconstantcomparisonswithandobservationsofthesunandstars，andbypressinghisfaceclosetotheglassofhisneighbours’windows，tillhecoulddiscernthehourmarkedbythegreen-facedtime-keeperswithin。ItmaybementionedthatOak’sfobbeingdifficultofaccess，byreasonofitssomewhathighsituationinthewaistbandofhistrousers(whichalsolayataremoteheightunderhiswaistcoat)，thewatchwasasanecessitypulledoutbythrowingthebodytooneside，compressingthemouthandfacetoameremassofruddyfleshonaccountoftheexertion，anddrawingupthewatchbyitschain，likeabucketfromawell。
Butsomethoughtfulpersons，whohadseenhimwalkingacrossoneofhisfieldnacertainDecembermorning-sunnyandexceedinglymild-mighthaveregardedGabrielOakinotheraspectsthanthese。Inhisaceonemightnoticethatmanyofthehuesandcurvesofyouthhadtarriedontomanhood：
thereevenremainedinhisremotercranniessomerelicsoftheboy。Hisheightandbreadthwouldhavebeensufficienttomakehispresenceimposing，hadtheybeenexhibitedwithdueconsideration。Butthereisawaysomemenhave，ruralandurbanalike，forwhichthemindismoreresponsiblethanfleshandsinew：itisawayofclingtheirdimensionsbytheirmannerofshowingthem。Andfromaquietmodestythatwouldhavebecomeavestal，whichseemedcontinuallytoimpressuponhimthathehadnogreatclaimontheworld’sroom，Oakwalkedunassumingly，andwithafaintlyperceptiblebend，yetdistinctfromabowingoftheshoulders。Thismaybesaidtobeadefectinanindividualifhedependsforhisvaluationmoreuponhisappearancethanuponhiscapacitytowearwell，whichOakdidnot。
Hehadjustreachedthetimeoflifeatwhich`young’isceasingtobetheprefixof`man’inspeakingofone。Hewasatthebrightestperiodofmasculinegrowth，forhisintellectandhisemotions`wereclearlyseparated：
hehadpassedthetimeduringwhichtheinfluenceofyouthindiscriminatelyminglestheminthecharacterofimpulse，andhehadnotyetarrivedatthestagewhereintheybecomeunitedagain，inthecharacterofprejudice，bytheinfluenceofawifeandfamilyinshort，hewastwenty-eight，andabachelor。
ThefieldhewasinthismorningslopedtoaridgecalledNorcombeHill。
ThroughaspurofthishillranthehighwaybetweenEmminsterandChalk-Newton。
Casuallyglancingoverthehedge，Oaksawcomingdowntheinclinebeforehimanornamentalspringwaggon；paintedyellow`andgailymarked，drawnbytwohorses，awaggonerwalkingalongsidebearingawhipperpendicularly。
Thewaggonwasladenwithhouseholdgoodsandwindowplants，andontheapexofthewholesatawoman，youngandattractive。Gabrielhadnotbeheldthesightformorethanhalfaminute，whenthevehiclewasbroughttoastandstilljustbeneathhiseyes。
`Thetailboardofthewaggonisgone，Miss，’saidthewaggoner。
`ThenIhearditfall，’saidthegirl，inasoft，thoughnotparticularlylowvoice。`IheardanoiseIcouldnotaccountforwhenwewerecomingupthehill。’
`I’llrunback。’
`Do’sheanswered。
Thesensiblehorsesstoodperfectlystill，andthewaggoner’sstepssankenterandhunterinthedistance。
Thegirlonthesummitoftheloadsatmotionless，surroundedbytablesandchairswiththeirlegsupwards，backedbyanoaksettle，andornamentedinfrontbypotsofgeraniums，myrtles，andcactuses，togetherwithacagedcanary-allprobablyfromthewindowsofthehousejustvacated。Therewasalsoacatinawillowbasket，fromthepartly-openedlidofwhichshegazedwithhalf-closedeyes，andaffectionatelysurveyedthesmallbirdsaround。
Thehandsomegirlwaitedforsometimeidlyinherplace，andtheonlysoundheardinthestillnesswasthehoppingofthecanaryupanddowntheperchesofitsprison。Thenshelookedattentivelydownwards。Itwasnotatthebird，noratthecat；itwasatanoblongpackagetiedinpaper，andlyingbetweenthem。Sheturnedherheadtolearnifthewaggonerwerecoming。Hewasnotyetinsight；andhereyescreptbacktothepackage，herthoughtsseemingtorunuponwhatwasinsideit。Atlengthshedrewthearticleintoherlabanduntiedthepapercovering；asmallswinglooking-glasswasdisclosed，inwhichsheproceededtosurveyherselfattentively。Shepartedherlipsandsmiled。
Itwasafinemorning，andthesunlighteduptoascarletglowthecrimsonjacketshewore，andpaintedasoftlustreuponherbrightfaceanddarkhair。Themyrtles，geraniums，andcactusespackedaroundherwerefreshandgreen，andatsuchaleaflessseasontheyinvestedthewholeconcernofhorses，waggon，furniture，andgirlwithapeculiarvernalcharm。
WhatPossessedhertoindulgeinsuchaperformanceinthesightofthesparrows，blackbirds，andunperceivedfarmerwhowerealoneitsspectators，-whetherthesmilebeganasafactitiousone，totesthercapacityinthatart，-nobodyknows；itendedcertainlyinarealsmile。Sheblushedatherself，andseeingherreflectionblush，blushedthemore。
Thechangefromthecustomaryspotandnecessaryoccasionofsuchanact-fromthedressinghourinabedroomtoatimeoftravellingoutofdoors-lenttotheidledeedanoveltyitdidnotintrinsicallypossess。
Thepicturewasadelicateone。Woman’sprescriptiveinfirmityhadstalkedintothesunlight，whichhadclotheditinthefreshnessofanoriginalityAcynicalinferencewasirresistiblebyGabrielOakasheregardedthescene，generousthoughhefainwouldhavebeen。Therewasnonecessitywhateverforherlookingintheglass。Shedidnotadjustherhat，orpatherhair，orpressadimpleintoshape，ordoonethingtosicthatanysuchintentionhadbeenhermotiveintakinguptheglass。ShesimplyobservedherselfasafairproductofNatureinthefemininekind，herthoughtsseemingtoglideintofar-offthoughlikelydramasinwhichmenwouldplayapart-vistasofprobabletriumphs-thesmilesbeingofaphasesuggestingthatheartswereimaginedaslostandwon。Still，thiswasbutconjecture，andthewholeseriesofactionswassoidlyputforthastomikeitrashtoassertthatintentionhadanypartinthematall。
Thewaggoner’sstepswereheardreturning。Sheputtheglassinthepaper，andthewholeagainintoitsplace。
Whenthewaggonhadpassedon，Gabrielwithdrewfromhispointofespial，anddescendingintotheroad，followedthevehicletotheturnpike-gatesomewaybeyondthebottomofthehill，wheretheobjectofhiscontemplationnowhaltedforthepaymentoftoll。Abouttwentystepsstillremainedbetweenhimandthegate，whenheheardadispute。Itwasadifferenceconcerningtwopencebetweenthepersonswiththewaggonandthemanatthetoll-bar。
`Mis’ess’snieceisuponthetopofthethings，andshesaysthat’senoughthatI’veofferedye，yougreatmiser，andshewon’tpayanymore。’
Thesewerethewaggoner’swords。
`Verywell；thenmis’ess’sniececan’tpass，’saidtheturnpike-keeper，closingthegate。
Oaklookedfromonetotheotherofthedisputants，andfellintoareverie。Therewassomethinginthetoneoftwopenceremarkablyinsignificant。
Threepencehadadefinitevalueasmoney-itwasanappreciableinfringementonaday’swages，and，assuch，ahigglingmatter：buttwopence-`Here，’
hesaid，steppingforwardandhandingtwopencetothegatekeeper；`lettheyoungwomanpass。’Helookedupatherthen；sheheardhiswords，andlookeddown。
Gabriel’sfeaturesadheredthroughouttheirformsoexactlytothemiddlelinebetweenthebeautyofStJohnandtheuglinessofJudasIscariot，asrepresentedinawindowofthechurchheattended，thatnotasinglelineamentcouldbeselectedandcalledworthyeitherofdistinctionornotoriety。Thered-jacketedanddark-hairedmaidenseemedtothinksotoo’
forshecarelesslyglancedoverhim，andtoldhermantodriveon。ShemighthavelookedherthankstoGabrielonaminutescale，butshedidnotspeakthem；moreprobablyshefeltnone，foringainingherapassagehehadlostherherpoint，andweknowhowwomentakeafavourofthatkind。
Thegatekeepersurveyedtheretreatingvehicle。`That’sahandsomemaid，’
hesaidtoOak。
`Butshehasherfaults，’saidGabriel。
`True，farmer。’
`Andthegreatestofthemis-well，whatitisalways。’
`Beatingpeopledown？ay，’tisso。’
`Ono。’
`What，then？’
Gabriel，perhapsalittlepiquedbythecomelytraveller’sindifference，glancedbacktowherehehadwitnessedherperformanceoverthehedge，andsaid，`Vanity。’
CHAPTERTWONight-TheFlock-AnInterior-AnotherInteriorItwasnearlymidnightontheeveofStThomas’s，theshortestdayintheyear。AdesolatingwindwanderedfromthenorthoverthehillwhereonOakhadwatchedtheyellowwaggonanditsoccupantinthesunshineofafewdaysearlier。
NorcombeHill-notfarfromlonelyToller-Down-wasoneofthespotswhichsuggesttoapasser-bythatheisinthepresenceofashapeapproachingtheindestructibleasnearlyasanytobefoundonearth。Itwasafeaturelessconvexityofchalkandsoil-anordinaryspecimenofthosesmoothly-outlinedprotuberancesoftheglobewhichmayremainundisturbedonsomegreatdayofconfusionwhenfargranderheightsanddizzygraniteprecipicestoppledown。
Thehillwascoveredonitsnorthernsidebyanancientanddecayingplantationofbeeches，whoseuppervergeformedalineoverthecrest，fringingitsarchedcurveagainstthesly，likeamane。To-nightthesetreesshelteredthesouthernslopefromthekeenestblasts，whichsmotethewoodandflounderedthroughitwithasoundasofgrumbling，orgushedoveritscrowningboughsinaweakenedmoan。Thedryleavesintheditchsimmeredandboiledinthesamebreezes，atongueofairoccasionallyferretingoutafew，andsendingthemspinningacrossthegrass。Agrouportwoofthelatestindateamongstthedeadmultitudehadremainedtillthisverymid-wintertimeonthetwigswhichborethem，andinfallingrattledagainstthetrunkswithsmarttaps。
Betweenthishalf-woodedhalf-nakedhill，andthevaguestillhorizonthatitssummitindistinctlycommanded，wasamysterioussheetoffathomlessshade-thesoundsfromwhichsuggestedthatwhatitconcealedboresomereducedresemblancetofeatureshere。Thethingrasses，moreorlesscoatingthehill，weretouchedbythewindinbreezesofdifferingpowers，andalmostofdifferingnatures-onerubbingthebladesheavily，anotherrakingthempiercingly，anotherbrushingthemlikeasoftbroom。Theinstinctiveactofhumankindwastostandandlisten，andlearnhowthetreesontherightandthetreesontheleftwailedorchauntedtoeachotherintheregularantiphoniesofacathedralchoir；howhedgesandothershapestoleewardthencaughtthenote，loweringittothetenderestsob；andhowthehurryinggustthenplungedintothesouth，tobeheardnomore。
Theskywasclear-remarkablyclear-andthetwinklingofallthestarsseemedtobebutthrobsofonebody，timedbyacommonpulse。TheNorthStarwasdirectlyinthewind’seye，andsinceeveningtheBearhadswungrounditoutwardlytotheeast，tillhewasnowatarightanglewiththemeridian。Adifferenceofcolourinthestars-oftenerreadofthanseeninEngland-wasreallyperceptiblehere。ThesovereignbrilliancyofSiriuspiercedtheeyewithasteelyglitter，thestarcalledCapellawasyellow，AldebaranandBetelguexshonewithafieryred。
Topersonsstandingaloneonahillduringaclearmidnightsuchasthis，therolloftheworldeastwardisalmostapalpablemovement。Thesensationmaybecausedbythepanoramicglideofthestarspastearthlyobjects，whichisperceptibleinafewminutesofstillness，orbythebetteroutlookuponspacethatahillaffords，orbythewind，orbythesolitude；butwhateverbeitsorigintheimpressionofridingalongisvividandabiding。Thepoetryofmotionisaphrasemuchinuse，andtoenjoytheepicformofthatgratificationitisnecessarytostandonahillatasmallhourofthenight，and，havingfirstexpandedwithasenseofdifferencefromthemassofcivilizedmankind，whoaredreamwraptanddisregardfulofallsuchproceedingsatthistime，longandquietlywatchyourstatelyprogressthroughthestars。Aftersuchanocturnalreconnoitreitishardtogetbacktoearth，andtobelievethattheconsciousnessofsuchmajesticspeedingisderivedfromatinyhumanframe。
Suddenlyanunexpectedseriesofsoundsbegantobeheardinthisplaceupagainstthesly。Theyhadaclearnesswhichwastobefoundnowhereinthewind，andasilencewhichwastobefoundnowhereinnature。TheywerethenotesofFarmerOak’sflute。
Thetunewasnotfloatingunhinderedintotheopenair：itseemedmuffledinsomeway，andwasaltogethertoocurtailedinpowertospreadhighorwide。Itcamefromthedirectionofasmalldarkobjectundertheplantationhedge-ashepherd’shut-nowpresentinganoutlinetowhichanuninitiatedpersonmighthavebeenpuzzledtoattacheithermeaningoruse。
TheimageasawholewasthatofasmallNoah’sArkonasmallArarat，allowingthetraditionaryoutlinesandgeneralformoftheArkwhicharefollowedbytoy-makers-andbythesemeansareestablishedinmen’simaginationsamongtheirfirmest，becauseearliestimpressions-topassasanapproximatepattern。Thehutstoodonlittle，wheels，whichraiseditsflooraboutafootfromtheground。Suchshepherds’hutsaredraggedintothefieldswhenthelambingseasoncomeson，tosheltertheshepherdinhisenforcednightlyattendance。
ItwasonlylatterlythatpeoplehadbeguntocallGabriel`Farmer’
Oak。DuringthetwelvemonthprecedingthistimehehadbeenenabledbysustainedeffortsofindustryandchronicgoodspiritstoleasethesmallsheepArmofwhichNorcombeHillwasaportion，andstockitwithtwohundredsheep。Previouslyhehadbeenabailiffforashorttime，andearlierstillashepherdonly，havingfromhischildhoodassistedhisetherintendingtheflocksoflargeproprietors，tilloldGabrielsanktorest。
Thisventure，unaidedandalone，intothepathsoffarmingasmasterandnotasman，withanadvanceofsheepnotyetpaidfor，wasacriticaljuncturewithGabrielOak，andherecognizedhispositionclearly。Thefirstmovementinhisnewprogresswasthelambingofhisewes，andsheephavingbeenhisspecialityfromhisyouth，hewiselyrefrainedfromdeputingthetaskoftendingthematthisseasontoahirelingoranovice。
Thewindcontinuedtobeataboutthecornersofthehut，buttheflute-playingceased。Arectangularspaceoflightappearedinthesideofthehut，andintheopeningtheoutlineofFarmerOak’sfigure。Hecarriedalanterninhishand，andclosingthedoorbehindhimcameforwardandbusiedhimselfaboutthisnookofthefieldfornearlytwentyminutes，thelanternlightappearinganddisappearinghereandthere，andbrighteninghimordarkeninghimashestoodbeforeorbehindit。
Oak’smotions，thoughtheyhadaquietenergy，wereslow，andtheirdeliberatenessaccordedwellwithhis’occupation。Fitnessbeingthebasisofbeauty，nobodycouldhavedeniedthathissteadyswingsandturnsinandabouttheflockhadelementsofgrace。Yet，althoughifoccasiondemandedhecoulddoorthinkathingwithasmercurialadashascanthemenoftownswhoaremoretothemannerborn，hisspecialpower，morally，physically，andmentally，wasstatic，owinglittleornothingtomomentumasarule。
Acloseexaminationofthegroundhereabout，evenbythewanstarlightonly，revealedhowaportionofwhatwouldhavebeencasuallycalledawildslopehadbeenappropriatedbyFarmerOakforhisgreatpurposethiswinter。Detachedhurdlesthatchedwithstrawwerestuckintothegroundatvariousscatteredpoints，amidandunderwhichthewhitishformsofhismeekewesmovedandrustled。Theringofthesheep-bell，whichhadbeensilentduringhisabsence，recommenced，intonesthathadmoremellownessthanclearness，owingtoanincreasinggrowthofsurroundingwool。ThiscontinuedtillOakwithdrewagainfromtheflock。Hereturnedtothehut，bringinginhisarmsanew-bornlamb，consistingoffourlegslargeenoughforafull-grownsheepunitedbyaseeminglyinconsiderablemembraneabouthalfthesubstanceofthelegscollectively，whichconstitutedtheanimal’sentirebodyjustatpresent。
Thelittlespeckoflifeheplacedonawispofhaybeforethesmallstove，whereacanofmilkwassimmering。Oakextinguishedthelanternbyblowingintoitandthenpinchingthesnuff，thecotbeinglightedbyacandlesuspendedbyatwistedwire。Aratherhardcouch，formedbyafewcornsacksthrowncarelesslydown，coveredhalfthefloorofthislittlehabitation，andheretheyoungmanstretchedhimselfalong，loosenedhiswoollencravat，andclosedhiseyes。Inaboutthetimeapersonunaccustomedtobodilylabourwouldhavedecideduponwhichsidetolie，FarmerOakwasasleep。
Theinsideofthehut，asitnowpresenteditself，wascosyandalluring，andthescarlethandfuloffireinadditiontothecandle，reflectingitsowngenialcolouruponwhateveritcouldreach，flungassociationsofenjoymentevenoverutensilsandtools。Inthecornerstoodthesheencrook，andalongashelfatonesidewererangedbottlesandcanistersofthesimplepreparationspertainingtoovinesurgeryandphysic；spiritsofwine，turpentine，tar，magnesia，ginger，andcastor-oilbeingthechief。Onatriangularshelfacrossthecornerstoodbread，bacon，cheese，andacupforaleorcider，whichwassuppliedfromaflagonbeneath。Besidetheprovisionslaytheflute，whosenoteshadlatelybeencalledforthbythelonelywatchertobeguileatedioushowThehousewasventilatedbytworoundholes，likethelightsofaship’scabin，withwoodslides。
Thelamb，revivedbythewarmth，begantobleat，andthesoundenteredGabriel’searsandbrainwithaninstantmeaning，asexpectedsoundswill。
Passingfromtheprofoundestsleeptothemostalertwakefulnesswiththesameeasethathadaccompaniedthereverseoperation，helookedathiswatch，foundthatthehour-handhadshiftedagain，putonhishat，tookthelambinhisarms，andcarrieditintothedarkness。Afterplacingthelittlecreaturewithitsmotherhestoodandcarefullyexaminedthesky，toascertainthetimeofnightfromthealtitudesofthestars。
TheDog-starandAldebaran，pointingtotherestlessPleiades，werehalf-wayuptheSouthernsly，andbetweenthemhungOrion，whichgorgeousconstellationneverburntmorevividlythannow，asitsoaredforthabovetherimofthelandscape。CastorandPolluxwiththeirquietshinewerealmostonthemeridian：thebarrenandgloomySquareofPegasuswascreepingroundtothenorth-west；farawaythroughtheplantationVegasparkledlikealampsuspendedamidtheleaflesstrees，andCassiopeia’schairstooddaintilypoisedontheuppermostboughs。
`Oneo’clock，’saidGabriel。
BeingamannotwithoutafrequentconsciousnessthattherewassomecharminthisMeheled，hestoodstillafterlookingattheskyasausefulinstrument，andregardeditinanappreciativespirit，asaworkofartsuperlativelybeautiful。Foramomentheseemedimpressedwiththespeakinglonelinessofthescene，orratherwiththecompleteabstractionfromallitscompassofthesightsandsoundsofman。Humanshapes，interferences，troubles，andjoyswereallasiftheywerenot，andthereseemedtobeontheshadedhemisphereoftheglobenosentientbeingsavehimself；hecouldfancythemallgoneroundtothesunnyside。
Occupiedthus，witheyesstretchedafar，Oakgraduallyperceivedthatwhathehadpreviouslytakentobeastarlowdownbehindtheoutskirtsoftheplantationwasinrealitynosuchthing。Itwasanartificiallight，almostcloseathand。
Tofindthemselvesutterlyaloneatnightwherecompanyisdesirableandexpectedmakessomepeoplefearful；butacasemoretryingbyfartothenervesistodiscoversomemysteriouscompanionshipwhenintuition，sensation，memory，analogy，testimony，probability，induction-everykindofevidenceinthelogician’slist-haveunitedtopersuadeconsciousnessthatitisquiteinisolation。
FarmerOakwenttowardstheplantationandpushedthroughitslowerboughstothewindyside。Adimmassunderthesloperemindedhimthatashedoccupiedaplacehere，thesitebeingacuttingintotheslopeofthehill，sothatatitsbackparttheroofwasalmostlevelwiththeground。
Infrontitwasformedofboardsnailedtopostsandcoveredwithtarasapreservative。Throughcrevicesintheroofandsidespreadstreaksanddotsoflight，acombinationofwhichmadetheradiancethathadattractedhim。Oaksteppedupbehind，where，leaningdownupontheroofandputtinghiseyeclosetoahole，hecouldseeintotheinteriorclearly。
Theplacecontainedtwowomenandtwocows。Bythesideofthelatterasteamingbran-mashstoodinabucket。Oneofthewomenwaspastmiddleage。Hercompanionwasapparentlyyoungandgraceful；hecouldformnodecidedopinionuponherlooks，herpositionbeingalmostbeneathhiseye，sothathesawherinabird’s-eyeview，asMilton’sSatanfirstsawParadise。
Sheworenobonnetorhat，buthadenvelopedherselfinalargecloak，whichwascarelesslyflungoverherheadasacovering。
`There，nowwe’llgohome，’saidtheelderofthetworestingherknucklesuponherhips，andlookingattheirgoings-onasawhole。`IdohopeDaisywillfetchroundagainnow。Ihaveneverbeenmorefrightenedinmylife，butIdon’tmindbreakingmyrestifsherecovers。’
Theyoungwoman，whoseeyelidswereapparentlyinclinedtofalltogetheronthesmallestprovocationofsilence，yawnedwithoutpartingherlipstoanyinconvenientextent，whereuponGabrielcaughttheinfectionandslightlyyawnedinsympathy。
`Iwishwewererichenoughtopayamantodothesethings，’shesaid。
`Aswearenot，wemustdothemourselves，’saidtheother；`foryoumusthelpmeifyoustay。’
`Well，myhatisgone，however，’continuedtheyounger。`Itwentoverthehedge，Ithink。Theideaofsuchaslightwindcatchingit。’
ThecowstandingerectwasoftheDevonbreed，andwasencasedinatightwarmhideofrichIndianred，asabsolutelyuniformfromeyestotailasiftheanimalhadbeendippedinadyeofthatcolour，herlongbackbeingmathematicallylevel。Theotherwasspotted，greyandwhite。
BesideherOaknownoticedalittlecalfaboutadayold，lookingidioticallyatthetwowomen，whichshowedthatithadnotlongbeenaccustomedtothephenomenonofeyesight，andoftenturningtothelantern，whichitapparentlymistookforthemoon，inheritedinstincthavingasyethadlittletimeforcorrectionbyexperience。BetweenthesheepandthecowsLicinahadbeenbusyonNorcombeHilllately。
`Ithinkwehadbettersendforsomeoatmeal，’saidtheelderwoman；
`there’snomorebran。’
`Yes，aunt；andI’llrideoverforitassoonasitislight。’
`Butthere’snoside-saddle。’
`Icanrideontheother：trustme。’
Oak，uponhearingtheseremarks，becamemorecurioustoobserveherfeatures，butthisprospectbeingdeniedhimbythehoodingeffectofthecloakandbyhisaerialposition，hefelthimselfdrawinguponhisfancyfortheirdetails。Inmakingevenhorizontalandclearinspectionswecolourandmouldaccordingtothewantswithinuswhateveroureyesbringin。
HadGabrielbeenablefromthefirsttogetadistinctviewofhercountenance，hisestimateofitasveryhandsomeorslightlysowouldhavebeenashissoulrequiredadivinityatthemomentorwasreadysuppliedwithone。
Havingforsometimeknownthewantofasatisfactoryformtofillanincreasingvoidwithinhim，hispositionmore-overaffordingthewidestscopeforhisfancy，hepaintedherabeauty。
ByoneofthosewhimsicalcoincidencesinwhichNature，likeabusymother，seemstospareamomentfromherunremittinglabourstoturnandmakeherchildrensmile，thegirlnowdroppedthecloak，andforthtumbledropesofblackhairoveraredjacket。Oakknewherinstantlyastheheroineoftheyellowwaggon，myrtles，andlooking-glass：prosily，asthewomanwhoowedhimtwopence。
Theyplacedthecalfbesideitsmotheragain，tookupthelantern，andwentout，thelightsinkingdownthehilltillitwasnomorethananebula。
GabrielOakreturnedtohisflock。
CHAPTERTHREEAGirlonHorseback-ConversationThesluggishdaybegantobreak。Evenitspositionterrestriallyisoneoftheelementsofanewinterest，andfornoparticularreasonsavethattheincidentofthenighthadoccurredthereOakwentagainintotheplantation。
Lingeringandmusinghereheheardthestepsofahorseatthefootofthehill，andsoonthereappearedinviewanauburnponywithagirlonitsback，ascendingbythepathleadingpastthecattle-shed。Shewastheyoungwomanofthenightbefore。Gabrielinstantlythoughtofthehatshehadmentionedashavinglostinthewind；possiblyshehadcometolookforit。Hehastilyscannedtheditch，andafterwalkingabouttenyardsalongitfoundthehatamongtheleaves。Gabrieltookitinhishandandreturnedtohishut。Hereheensconcedhimself，andpeepedthroughtheloopholeinthedirectionoftherider’sapproach。
Shecameupandlookedaround-thenontheothersideofthehedge。
Gabrielwasabouttoadvanceandrestorethemissingarticle，whenanunexpectedperformanceinducedhimtosuspendtheactionforthepresent。Itwasnotabridle-path-merelyapedestrian’strack，andtheboughsspreadhorizontallyataheightnotgreaterthansevenfeetabovetheground，whichmadeitimpossibletorideerectbeneaththem。Thegirl，whoworenoriding-habit，lookedaroundforamoment，asiftoassureherselfthatallhumanitywasoutofview，thendexterouslydroppedbackwardsflatuponthepony’sback，herheadoveritstail，herfeetagainstitsshoulders，andhereyestothesky。Therapidityofherglideintothispositionwasthatofakingfisher-itsnoiselessnessthatofahawk。Gabriel’seyeshadscarcelybeenabletofollowher。Thetalllankponyseemedusedtosuchdoings，andambledalongunconcerned。Thusshepassedunderthelevelboughs。
Theperformerseemedquiteathomeanywherebetweenahorse’sheadanditstail，andthenecessityforthisabnormalattitudehavingceasedwiththepassageoftheplantation，shebegantoadoptanother，evenmoreobviouslyconvenientthanthefirst。Shehadnoside-saddle，anditwasvaryapparentthatafirmseatuponthesmoothleatherbeneathherwasunattainablesideways。
Springingtoheraccustomedperpendicularlikeabowedsapling，andsatisfyingherselfthatnobodywasinsight，sheseatedherselfinthemannerdemandedbythesaddle，thoughhardlyBedofthewoman，andtrottedoffinthedirectionofTewnellMill。
Oakwasamused，perhapsalittleastonished，andhangingupthehatinhishutwentagainamonghisewes。Anhourpassed，thegirlreturned，properlyseatednow，withabagofbraninfrontofher。Onnearingthecattle-shedshewasmetbyaboybringingamilking-pail，whoheldthereinsoftheponywhilstsheslidoff。Theboyledawaythehorse，leavingthepailwiththeyoungwoman。
Soonsoftspiritsalternatingwithloudspiritscameinregularsuccessionfromwithintheshed，theobvioussoundsofapersonmilkingacow。Gabrieltookthelosthatinhishand，andwaitedbesidethepathshewouldfollowinleavingthehill。
Shecame，thepailinonehand，hangingagainstherknee。Theleftarmwasextendedasabalance，enoughofitbeingshownbaretomakeOakwishthattheeventhadhappenedinthesummer，whenthewholewouldhavebeenrevealed。Therewasabrightairandmannerabouthernow，bywhichsheseemedtoimplythatthedesirabilityofherexistencecouldnotbequestioned；
andthisrathersaucyassumptionfiledinbeingoffensivebecauseabeholderfeltittobe，uponthewhole，true。Likeexceptionalemphasisinthetoneofagenius，thatwhichwouldhavemademediocrityridiculouswasanadditiontorecognizedpower。ItwaswithsomesurprisethatshesawGabriel’slicerisinglikethemoonbehindthehedge。
Theadjustmentofthefarmer’shazyconceptionsofhercharmstotheportraitofherselfshenowpresentedhimwithwaslessadiminutionthanadifference。Thestarting-pointselectedbythejudgementwasherheight。
Sheseemedtall，butthepailwasasmallone，andthehedgediminutive；
hence，makingallowanceforerrorbycomparisonwiththese，shecouldhavebeennotabovetheheighttobechosenbywomenasbest。Allfeaturesofconsequenceweresevereandregular。ItmayhavebeenobservedbypersonswhogoabouttheshireswitheyesforbeautythatinEnglishwomenaclassically-formedfaceisseldomfoundtobeunitedwithafigureofthesamepattern，thehighly-finishedfeaturesbeinggenerallytoolargefortheremainderoftheframe；thatagracefulandproportionatefigureofeightheadsusuallygoesoffintorandomfacialcurveswithoutthrowingaNympheantissueoveramilkmaid，letitbesaidthatherecriticismcheckeditselfasoutofplace，andlookedatherproportionswithalongconsciousnessofpleasure。
Fromthecontoursofherfigureinitsupperpartshemusthavehadabeautifulneckandshoulders；butsinceherinfancynobodyhadeverseenthem。Hadshebeenputintoalowdressshewouldhaverunandthrustherheadintoabush。Yetshewasnotashygirlbyanymeans；itwasmerelyherinstincttodrawthelinedividingtheseenfromtheunseenhigherthantheydoitintowns。
Thatthegirl’sthoughtshoveredaboutherfaceandformassoonasshecaughtOak’seyesconningthesamepagewasnatural，andalmostcertain。
Theself-consciousnessshownwouldhavebeenvanityifalittlemorepronounced，dignityifalittleless。Raysofmalevisionseemtohaveaticklingeffectuponvirginfacesinruraldistricts；shebrushedherswithherhand，asifGabrielhadbeenirritatingitspinksurfacebyactualtouch，andthefreeairofherpreviousmovementswasreducedatthesametimetoachastenedphaseofitself。Yetitwasthemanwhoblushed，themaidnotatall。
`Ifoundahat，’saidOak。
`Itismine。’saidshe，and，fromasenseofproportion，keptdowntoasmallsmileaninclinationtolaughdistinctly：`itflewawaylastnight。’
`Oneo’clockthismorning？’
`All-itwas。’Shewassurprised。`Howdidyouknow？’shesaid。
`Iwashere。’
`YouareFarmerOak，areyounot？’
`Thatorthereabouts。I’mlatelycometothisplace。’
`Alargefarm？’sheinquired，castinghereyesround，andswingingbackherhair，whichwasblackintheshadedhollowsofitsmass；butitbeingnowanhourpastsunrisetheraystoucheditsprominentcurveswithacolouroftheirown。
`No；notlarge。Aboutahundred。’(Inspeakingoffarmstheword`acres’
isomittedbythenatives，byanalogytosucholdexpressionsas`astagoften’。)
`Iwantedmyhatthismorning，’shewenton。`IhadtoridetoTewnellMill。’
`Yes，youhad。’
`Howdoyouknow？’
`Where？’sheinquired，amisgivingbringingeverymuscleofherlineamentsandframetoastandstill。
`Here-goingthroughtheplantation，andalldownthehill，’saidFarmerOak，withanaspectexcessivelyknowingwithregardtosomematterinhismind，ashegazedataremotepointinthedirectionnamed，andthenturnedbacktomeethiscolloquist’seyes。
Aperceptioncausedhimtowithdrawhisowneyesfromhersassuddenlyasifhehadbeencaughtinatheft。Recollectionofthestrangeanticsshehadindulgedinwhenpassingthroughthetreeswassucceededinthegirlbyanettledpalpitation，andthatbyahotface。Itwasatimetoseeawomanreddenwhowasnotgiventoreddeningasarule；notapointinthemilkmaidbutwasofthedeepestrose-colour。FromtheMaiden’sBlush，throughallvarietiesoftheProvencedowntotheCrimsonTuscanythecountenanceofOak’sacquaintancequicklygraduated；whereuponhe，inconsiderateness，turnedawayhishead。
Thesympatheticmanstilllookedtheotherway，andwonderedwhenshewouldrecovercoolnesssufficienttojustifyhiminfacingheragain。Heheardwhatseemedtobetheflittingofadeadleafuponthebreeze，andlooked。Shehadgoneaway。
WithanairbetweenthatofTragedyandComedyGabrielreturnedtohiswork。
Fivemorningsandeveningspassed。Theyoungwomancameregularlytomilkthehealthycowortoattendtothesickone，butneverallowedhervisiontostrayinthedirectionofOak’sperson。Hiswantoftacthaddeeplyoffendedher-notbyseeingwhathecouldnothelp，butbylettingherknowthathehadseenit。For，aswithoutlawthereisnosin，withouteyesthere’isnoindecorum；andsheappearedtofeelthatGabriel’sespialhadmadeheranindecorouswomanwithoutherownconnivance。Itwasfoodforgreatregretwithhim；itwasalsoacontretempswhichtouchedintolifealatentheathehadexperiencedinthatdirection。
Theacquaintanceshipmight，however，haveendedinaslowforgettingbutforanincidentwhichoccurredattheendofthesameweek。Oneafternoonitbegantofreeze，andthefrostincreasedwithevening，whichdrewonlikeastealthytighteningofbonds。Itwasatimewhenincottagesthebreathofthesleepersfreezestothesheets；whenroundthedrawing-roomfireofathick-walledmansionthesitters’backsarecold，evenwhilsttheirfacesareallaglow。Manyasmallbirdwenttobedsupperlessthatnightamongthebareboughs。
Asthemilking-hourdrewnearOakkepthisusualwatchuponthecowshed。
Atlasthefeltcold，andshakinganextraquantityofbeddingroundtheyeaningewesheenteredthehutandheapedmorefueluponthestove。Thewindcameinatthebottomofthedoor，andtopreventitOaklaidasackthereandwheeledthecotroundalittlemoretothesouth。Thenthewindspoutedinataventilatingholeofwhichtherewasoneoneachsideofthehut。
Gabrielhadalwaysknownthatwhenthefirewaslightedandthedoorclosedoneofthesemustbekeptopen-thatchosenbeingalwaysonthesideawayfromthewind。Closingtheslidetowindwardheturnedtoopentheother；onsecondthoughtsthefarmerconsideredthathewouldfirstsitdown，leavingbothclosedforaminuteortwo，tillthetemperatureofthehutwasalittleraised。Hesatdown。
Hisheadbegantoacheinanunwontedmannerand，fancyinghimselfwearybyreasonofthebrokenrestsoftheprecedingnights，Oakdecidedtogetup，opentheslide，andthenallowhimselftoAllasleep。Hefellasleep，however，withouthavingperformedthenecessarypreliminary。
HowlongheremainedunconsciousGabrielneverknew。Duringthefirststagesofhisreturntoperceptionpeculiardeedsseemedtobeincourseofenactment。Hisdogwashowling，hisheadwasachingfearfully-somebodywaspullinghimabout，handswerelooseninghisneckerchief。
Onopeninghiseyeshefoundthateveninghadsunktoduskinastrangemannerofunexpectedness。Theyounggirlwiththeremarkablypleasantlipsandwhiteteethwasbesidehim。Morethanthis-astonishinglymore-hisheadwasuponherlap，hisfaceandneckweredisagreeablywet，andherfingerswereunbuttoninghiscollar。
`Whateveristhematter？’saidOakvacantly。
Sheseemedtoexperiencemirth，butoftooinsignificantakindtostartenjoyment。
`Nothingnow，’sheanswered，`sinceyouarenotdead。Itisawonderyouwerenotsuffocatedinthishutofyours。’
`Ah，thehut！’murmuredGabriel。`Igavetenpoundsforthathut。ButI’llsellit，andsitunderthatchedhurdlesastheydidinoldtimes，andcurluptosleepinalockofstraw！Itplayedmenearlythesametricktheotherday！’Gabriel，bywayofemphasis，broughtdownhisfistuponthefloor。
`Itwasnotexactlythefaultofthehut，’sheobservedinatonewhichshowedhertobethatnoveltyamongwomen-onewhofinishedathoughtbeforebeginningthesentencewhichwastoconveyit。`Youshould，Ithink，haveconsidered，andnothavebeensofoolishastoleavetheslidesclosed。’
`Yes，IsupposeIshould，’saidOakabsently。Hewasendeavouringtocatchandappreciatethesensationofbeingthuswithher，hisheaduponherdress，beforetheeventpassedonintotheheapofbygonethings。Hewishedsheknewhisimpressions；buthewouldassoonhavethoughtofcarryinganodourinanetasofattemptingtoconveytheintangibilitiesofhisfeelinginthecoarsemeshesoflanguage。Soheremainedsilent。
Shemadehimsitup，andthenOakbeganwipinghisfaceandshakinghimselflikeaSamson。`HowcanIthank’ee？’hemidatlastgratefully，someofthenatural，rustyredhavingreturnedtohisface。
`Oh，nevermindthat，’midthegirl，smiling，andallowinghersmiletoholdgoodforGabriel’snextremark，whateverthatmightprovetobe。
`Howdidyoufindme？’
`IheardyourdoghowlingandscratchingatthedoorofthehutwhenIcametothemilking(itwassolucky，Daisy’smilkingisalmostoverfortheseason，andIshallnotcomehereafterthisweekorthenext)。
Thedogsawme，andjumpedovertome，andlaidholdofmyskirt。Icameacrossandlookedroundthehuttheveryfirstthingtoseeiftheslideswereclosed。Myunclehasahutlikethisone，andIhaveheardhimtellhisshepherdnottogotosleepwithoutleavingaslideopen。Iopenedthedoor，andthereyouwerelikedead。Ithrewthemilkoveryou，astherewasnowater，forgettingitwaswarm，andnouse。’
`IwonderifIshouldhavedied？’Gabrielsaidinalowvoice，whichwasrathermeanttotravelbacktohimselfthantoher。
`Ono！’thegirlreplied。Sheseemedtopreferalesstragicprobability；
tohavesavedamanfromdeathinvolvedtalkthatshouldharmonizewiththedignityofsuchadeed-andsheshunnedit。
`IbelieveyousavedmyMe，Miss-Idon’tknowyourname。Iknowyouraunt’s，butnotyours。
`Iwouldjustassoonnottellit-rathernot。ThereisnoreasoneitherwhyIshould，asyouprobablywillneverhavemuchtodowithme。’
`StillIshouldliketoknow。’
`Youcaninquireatmyaunt’s-shewilltellyou。’
`MynameisGabrielOak。’
`Andmineisn’t。Youseemfondofyoursinspeakingitsodecisively，GabrielOak。’
`Yousee，itistheonlyoneIshalleverhave，andImustmakethemostofit。’
`Ialwaysthinkminesoundsoddanddisagreeable。’
`Ishouldthinkyoumightsoongetanewone。’
`Mercy！-howmanyopinionsyoukeepaboutyouconcerningotherpeople，GabrielOak。’
`Well，Miss-excusethewords-Ithoughtyouwouldlikethem。ButIcan’tmatchyou，Iknow，inmappingoutmyminduponmytongue。Ineverwasverycleverinmyinside。ButIthankyou。Come，givemeyourhand！’
Shehesitated，somewhatdisconcertedatOak’sold-fashionedearnestconclusiontoadialoguelightlycarriedon。`Verywell，’shesaid，andgavehimherhand，compressingherlipstoademureimpassivity。Hehelditbutaninstant，andinhisfearofbeingtoodemonstrative，swervedtotheoppositeextreme，touchingherfingerswiththelightnessofasmall-heartedperson。
`Iamsorry，’hesaidtheinstantafter。
`Whatfor？’
`Lettingyourhandgosoquick。’
`Youmayhaveitagainifyoulike；thereitis。’Shegavehimherhandagain。
Oakhelditlongerthistime-indeed，curiouslylong。`Howsoftitis-beingwintertime，too-notchappedorrough，oranything！’hesaid。
`There-that’slongenough，’saidshe，thoughwithoutpullingitaway。
`ButIsupposeyouarethinkingyouwouldliketokissit？Youmayifyouwantto。
`Iwasn’tthinkingofanysuchthing，’saidGabrielsimply；`butIwill——’
`Thatyouwon’t！’Shesnatchedbackherhand。
Gabrielfelthimselfguiltyofanotherwantoftact。
`Nowfindoutmyname，’shesaidteasingly；andwithdrew。
CHAPTERFOURGabriel’sResolve-TheVisit-TheMistakeTheonlysuperiorityinwomenthatistolerabletotherivalsexis，asarule，thatoftheunconsciouskind；butasuperioritywhichrecognizesitselfmaysometimespleasebysuggestingpossibilitiesofcapturetothesubordinatedman。
Thiswell-favouredandcomelygirlsoonmadeappreciableinroadsupontheemotionalconstitutionofyoungFarmerOak。
Lovebeinganextremelyexactingusurer(asenseofexorbitantprofit，spiritually，byanexchangeofhearts，beingatthebottomofpurepassions，asthatofexorbitantprofit，bodilyormaterially，isatthebottomofthoseofloweratmosphere)，everymorningOak’sfeelingswereassensitiveasthemoney-marketincalculationsuponhischances。HisdogwaitedhismealsinawaysolikethatinwhichOakwaitedforthegirl’spresencethatthefarmerwasquitestruckwiththeresemblance，feltitlowering，andwouldnotlookatthedog。However，hecontinuedtowatchthroughthehedgeforherregularcoming，andthushissentimentstowardsherweredeepenedwithoutanycorrespondingeffectbeingproduceduponherself。
Oakhadnothingfinishedandreadytosayasyet，andnotbeingabletoframelovephraseswhichendwheretheybegin；passionatetales——Fullofsoundandfury-Signifyingnothing-hesaidnowordatall。
Bymakinginquirieshefoundthatthegirl’snamewasBathshebaEverdene，andthatthecowwouldgodryinaboutsevendays。Hedreadedtheeighthday。
Atlasttheeighthdaycame。Thecowhadceasedtogivemilkforthatyear，andBathshebaEverdenecameupthehillnomore。Gabrielhadreachedapitchofexistencehenevercouldhaveanticipatedashorttimebefore。
Helikedsaying`Bathsheba’asaprivateenjoymentinsteadofwhistling；
turnedoverhistastetoblackhair，thoughhehadswornbybrowneversincehewasaboy，isolatedhimselftillthespacehefilledinthepubliceyewascontemptiblysmall。Loveisapossiblestrengthinanactualweakness。
Marriagetransformsadistractionintoasupport，thepowerofwhichshouldbe，andhappilyoftenis，indirectproportiontothedegreeofimbecilityitsupplants。Oakbegannowtoseelightinthisdirection，andsaidtohimself，`I’llmakehermywife，oruponmysoulIshallbegoodfornothing！’
AllthiswhilehewasperplexinghimselfaboutanerrandonwhichhemightconsistentlyvisitthecottageofBathsheba’saunt。
Hefoundhisopportunityinthedeathofaewe，motherofalivinglamb。
Onadaywhichhadasummerfaceandawinterconstitution-afineJanuarymorning，whentherewasjustenoughblueskyvisibletomakecheerfully-disposedpeoplewishformore，andanoccasionalgleamofsilverysunshine，OakputthelambintoarespectableSundaybasket，andstalkedacrossthefieldstothehouseofMrsHurst，theaunt-George，thedog，walkingbehind，withacountenanceofgreatconcernattheseriousturnpastoralaffairsseemedtobetaking。
Gabrielhadwatchedthebluewood-smokecurlingfromthechimneywithstrangemeditation。Ateveninghehadfancifullytraceditdownthechimneytothespotofitsorigin-seenthehearthandBathshebabesideit-besideitinherout-doordress；fortheclothesshehadwornonthehillwerebyassociationequallywithherpersonincludedinthecompassofhisaffection；
theyseemedatthisearlytimeofhisloveanecessaryingredientofthesweetmixturecalledBathshebaEverdene。
Hehadmadeatoiletofanicely-adjustedkind-ofanaturebetweenthecarefullyneatandthecarelesslyornate-ofadegreebetweenfinemarket-dayandwet-Sundayselection。Hethoroughlycleanedhissilverwatch-chainwithwhiting，putnewlacingstrapstohisboots，lookedtothebrasseyelet-holes，wenttotheinmostheartoftheplantationforanewwalking-stick，andtrimmeditvigorouslyonhiswayback，-tookanewhandkerchieffromthebottomofhisclothes-box，putonthelightwaistcoatpatternedalloverwithsprigsofanelegantflowerunitingthebeautiesofbothroseandlilywithoutthedefectsofeither，andusedallthehair-oilhepossesseduponhisusuallydry，sandy，andinextricablycurlyhair，tillhehaddeepenedittoasplendidlynovelcolour，betweenthatofguanoandRomancement，makingitsticktohisheadlikemaceroundanutmeg，’orwetseaweedroundaboulderaftertheebb。
Nothingdisturbedthestillnessofthecottagesavethechatterofaknotofsparrowsontheeaves；onemightfancyscandalandrumourtobenolessthestapletopicoftheselittlecoteriesonroofsthanofthoseunderthem。Itseemedthattheomenwasanunpropitiousone，for，astheratheruntowardcommencementofOak’sovertures，justashearrivedbythegardengatehesawacatinside，goingintovariousarchedshapesandfiendishconvulsionsatthesightofhisdogGeorge。Thedogtooknonotice，forhehadarrivedatanageatwhichallsuperfluousbarkingwascynicallyavoidedasawasteofbreath-infact，heneverbarkedevenatthesheepexcepttoorder，whenitwasdonewithanabsolutelyneutralcountenance，asasortofCommination-servicewhich，thoughoffensive，hadtobegonethroughoncenowandthentofrightentheflockfortheirowngood。
Avoicecamefrombehindsomelaurel-bushesintowhichthecathadrun：
`Poordear！Didanastybruteofadogwanttokillit；-didhe，poordear！’
`Ibegyerpardon，’saidOaktothevoice，`butGeorgewaswalkingonbehindmewithatemperasmildasmilk。’
AlmostbeforehehadceasedspeakingOakwasseizedwithamisgivingastowhoseearwastherecipientofhisanswer。Nobodyappeared，andheheardthepersonretreatamongthebushes。
Gabrielmeditated，andsodeeplythathebroughtsmallfurrowsintohisforeheadbysheerforceofreverie。Wheretheissueofaninterviewisaslikelytobeavastchangefortheworeasforthebetter，anyinitialdifferencefromexpectationcausesnippingsensationsoffailure。Oakwentuptothedooralittleabashed：hismentalrehearsalandtherealityhadhadnocommongroundsofopening。
Bathsheba’sauntwasindoors。`WillyoutellMissEverdenethatsomebodywouldbegladtospeaktoher？’saidMrOak。(Callingone’sselfmerelySomebody，withoutgivinganame，isnottobetakenasanexampleoftheill-breedingoftheruralworld：itspringsfromarefinedmodestyofwhichtownspeople，withtheircardsandannouncements，havenonotionwhatever。)
Bathshebawasout。Thevoicehadevidentlybeenhers。
`Willyoucomein，MrOak？’
`Oh，thank’ee，’saidGabriel，followinghertothefireplace。`I’vebroughtalambforMissEverdene。Ithoughtshemightlikeonetorear；
girlsdo。’
`Shemight，’saidMrsHurstmusingly；`thoughshe’sonlyavisitorhere。
IfyouwillwaitaminuteBathshebawillbein。’
`Yes，Iwillwait，’saidGabriel，sittingdown。`Thelambisn’treallythebusinessIcameabout，MrsHurst。Inshort，Iwasgoingtoaskherifshe’dliketobemarried。’
`Andwereyouindeed？’
`Yes。BecauseifshewouldIshouldbeverygladtomarryher。D’yeknowifshe’sgotanyotheryoungmanhangingaboutheratall？’
`Letmethink，’saidMrsHurst，pokingthefiresuperfluously……`Yes-blessyou，eversomanyyoungmen。Yousee，FarmerOak，she’ssogood-looking，andanexcellentscholarbesides-shewasgoingtobeagovernessonce，youknow，onlyshewastoowild。Notthatheryoungmenevercomehere-but，Lord，inthenatureofwomen，shemusthaveadozen！’
`That’sunfortunate，’saidFarmerOak，contemplatingacrackinthestonefloorwithsorrow。`I’monlyanevery-sortofman，andmyonlychancewasinbeingthefirstcomer……Well，there’snouseinmywaiting，forthatwasallIcameabout；soI’lltakemyselfoffhome-along，MrsHurst。’
WhenGabrielhadgoneabouttwohundredyardsalongthedown，hehearda`hoi-hoi！’utteredbehindhim，inapipingnoteofmoretreblequalitythanthatinwhichtheexclamationusuallyembodiesitselfwhenshoutedacrossafield。Helookedround，andsawagirlracingafterhim，wavingawhitehandkerchief。
Oakstoodstill-andtherunnerdrewnearer。ItwasBathshebaEverdene。
Gabriel’scolourdeepened：herswasalreadydeep，not，asitappeared，fromemotion，butfromrunning。
`FarmerOak-I——’shesaid，pausingforwantofbreath，pullingupinfrontofhimwithaslantedace，andputtingherhandtoherside。
`Ihavejustcalledtoseeyou，’saidGabrielpendingherfurtherspeech。
`Yes-Iknowthat，’shesaid，pantinglikearobin，herfaceredandmoistfromherexertions，likeapeonypetalbeforethesundriesoffthedew。`Ididn’tknowyouhadcometoasktohaveme，orIshouldhavecomeinfromthegardeninstantly。Iranafteryoutosay-thatmyauntmadeamistakeinendingyouawayfromcourtingme。’
Gabrielbanded。`I’msorrytohavemadeyourunsofast，mydear，’hesaid，withagratefulsenseoffavourstocome。`Waitabittillyou’vefoundyourbreath。’
`-Itwasquiteamistake-aunt’stellingyouIhadayoungmanalready，’
Bathshebawenton。`Ihaven’tasweetheartatall-andIneverhadone，andIthoughtthat，astimesgowithwomen，itwassuchapitytosendyouawaythinkingthatIhadseveral。’
`ReallyandtrulyIamgladtohearthat！’saidFarmerOak，smilingoneofhislongspecialsmiles，andblushingwithgladness。Heheldouthishandtotakehers，which，whenshehadeasedhersidebypressingitthere，wasprettilyextendeduponherbosomtostillherloud-beatingheart。
Directlyheseizeditsheputitbehindher，sothatitslippedthroughhisfingerslikeaneel。
`Ihaveanicesnuglittlefarm，’saidGabriel，withhalfadegreelessassurancethanwhenhehadseizedherhand。
`Yes；youhave。’
`Amanhasadvancedmemoneytobeginwith，butstill，itwillsoonbepaidoff，andthoughIamonlyanevery-daysortofmanIhavegotonalittlesinceIwasaboy’Gabrieluttered`alittle’inatonetoshowherthatitwasthecomplacentformof`agreatdeal’。Hecontinued：`Whenwebemarried，IamquitesureIcanworktwiceashardasIdonow。’
Hewentforwardandstretchedouthisarmagain。Bathshebahadovertakenhimatapointbesidewhichstoodalowstuntedhollybush，nowladenwithredberries。Seeinghisadvancetaketheformofanattitudethreateningapossibleenclosure，ifnotcompression，ofherperson，sheedgedoffroundthebush。
`Why，FarmerOak，’shesaidoverthetop，lookingathimwithroundedeyes，`IneversaidIwasgoingtomarryyou。’
`Well-thatisatale！’saidOakwithdismay。`Torunafteranybodylikethis，andthensayyoudon’twanthim！’
`WhatImeanttotellyouwasonlythis，’shesaideagerly，andyethalfconsciousoftheabsurdityofthepositionshehadmadeforherself-`thatnobodyhasgotmeyetasasweetheart，insteadofmyhavingadozen，asmyauntsaid；Ihatetobethoughtmen’spropertyinthatway，thoughpossiblyIshallbehadsomeday。Why，ifI’dwantedyouIshouldn’thaverunafteryoulikethis；’twouldhavebeentheforwardestthing！
Buttherewasnoharminhurryingtocorrectapieceoffalsenewsthathadbeentoldyou。’
`Oh，no-noharmatall。’Butthereissuchathingasbeingtoogenerousinexpressingajudgementimpulsively，andOakaddedwithamoreappreciativesenseofallthecircumstances-`Well，Iamnotquitecertainitwasnoharm。’
`Indeed，Ihadn’ttimetothinkbeforestartingwhetherIwantedtomarryornot，foryou’dhavebeengoneoverthehill。’
`Come，’saidGabriel，fresheningagain；`thinkaminuteortwo。I’llwaitawhile，MissEverdene。Willyoumarryme？DoBathsheba。Iloveyoufarmorethancommon！’
`I’lltrytothink，’sheobservedrathermoretimorously；`ifIcanthinkoutofdoors；mymindspreadsawayso。’
`Butyoucangiveaguess。’
`Thengivemetime。’Bathshebalookedthoughtfullyintothedistance，awayfromthedirectioninwhichGabrielstood。
`Icanmakeyouhappy，’saidhetothebackofherhead，acrossthebush。`Youshallhaveapianoinayearortwo-farmers’wivesategettingtohavepianosnow-andI’llpractiseupthefluterightwelltoplaywithyouintheevenings。’
`Yes，Ishouldlikethat。’
`Andhaveoneofthoselittleten-poundgigsformarket-andniceflowers，andbirds-cocksandhensImean，becausetheybeuseful，’continuedGabriel，feelingbalancedbetweenpoetryandpracticality。
`Ishouldlikeitverymuch。’
`Andaframeforcucumbers-likeagentlemanandlady。’
`Yes。’
`Andwhentheweddingwasover，we’dhaveitputinthenewspaperlistofmarriages。’
`DearlyIshouldlikethat！’
`Andthebabiesinthebirths-everymanjackof`em！Andathomebythefire，wheneveryoulookup，thereIshallbe-andwheneverIlookup，therewillbeyou。’
`Wait，wait，anddon’tbeimproper！’
Hercountenancefell，andshewassilentawhile。Heregardedtheredberriesbetweenthemoverandoveragain，tosuchanextentthathollyseemedinhisafterlifetobeacyphersignifyingaproposalofmarriage。
Bathshebadecisivelyturnedtohim。
`No；’tisnouse，’shesaid。`Idon’twanttomarryyou。’
`Try。’
`I’vetriedhardallthetimeI’vebeenthing；foramarriagewouldbeveryniceinonesense。PeoplewouldtalkaboutmeandthinkIhadwonmybattle，andIshouldfeeltriumphant，andallthat。Butahusband——’
`Well！’
`Why，he’dalwaysbethere，asyousay；wheneverIlookedup，therehe’dbe。’
`Ofcoursehewould-I，thatis。’
`Well，whatImeanisthatIshouldn’tmindbeingabrideatawedding，ifIcouldbeonewithouthavingahusband。Butsinceawomancan’tshowoffinthatwaybyherself，Ishan’tmarry-atleastyet。’
`That’saterriblewoodenstory！’
AtthiscriticismofherstatementBathshebamadeanadditiontoherdignitybyaslightsweepawayfromhim。
`UponmyheartandsoulIdon’tknowwhatamaidcansaystupiderthanthat，’saidOak。`Butdearest，’hecontinuedinapalliativevoice，`don’tbelikeit！’Oaksighedadeephonestsigh-nonethelesssointhat，beinglikethesighofapineplantation，itwasrathernoticeableasadisturbanceoftheatmosphere。`Whywon’tyouhaveme？’heappealed，creepingroundthehollytoreachherside。
`Icannot，’shesaid，retreating。
`Butwhy？’hepersisted，standingstillatlastindespairofeverreachingher，andfacingoverthebush。
`BecauseIdon’tloveyou。’
`Yes，but——’
Shecontractedayawntoaninoffensivesmallness，sothatitwashardlyill-manneredatall。`Idon’tloveyou，shesaid。
`ButIloveyou-and，asformyself，Iamcontenttobeliked。’
`OMrOak-that’sveryfine！You’dgettodespiseme。’
`Never，’saidMrOak，soearnestlythatheseemedtobecoming，bytheforceofhiswords，straightthroughthebushandintoherarms。`Ishalldoonethinginthislife-onethingcertain-thatis，loveyou，andlongforyou，andkeepwantingyoutillIdie。’Hisvoicehadagenuinepathosnow，andhislargebrownhandsperceptiblytrembled。
`Itseemsdreadfullywrongnottohaveyouwhenyoufeelsomuch！’shesaidwithalittledistress，andlookinghopelesslyaroundforsomemeansofescapefromhermoraldilemma。`HowIwishIhadn’trunafteryou！’
However，sheseemedtohaveashortcutforgettingbacktocheerfulnessandsetherfacetosignify’archness。`Itwouldn’tdo，MrOak。Iwantsomebodytotameme；Iamtooindependent；andyouwouldneverbeableto，Iknow。’
Oakcasthiseyesdownthefieldinawayimplyingthatitwasuselesstoattemptargument。
`MrOak，’shesaid，withluminousdistinctnessandcommonsense，youarebetteroffthanI。Ihavehardlyapennyintheworld-Iamstayingwithmyauntformybaresustenance。Iambettereducatedthanyou-andIdon’tloveyouabit；that’smysideofthecase。Nowyours：youareafarmerjustbeginning，andyououghtincommonprudence，ifyoumarryatall(whichyoushouldcertainlynotthinkofdoingatpresent)tomarryawomanwithmoney，whowouldstockalargerfarmforyouthanyouhavenow。
Gabriellookedatherwithalittlesurpriseandmuchadmiration。
`That’stheverythingIhadbeenthinkingmyself！’henaï；velysaid。FarmerOakhadone-and-a-halfChristiancharacteristicstoomanytosucceedwithBathsheba：hishumility，andasuperfluousmoietyofhonesty。
Bathshebawasdecidedlydisconcerted。
`Well，then，whydidyoucomeanddisturbme？’shesaid，almostangrily，ifnotquite，anenlargingredspotrisingineachcheek。
`Ican’tdowhatIthinkwouldhe-wouldbe——’
`Right？’
`No：wise。’
`Youhavemadeanadmissionnow，MrOak，’sheclaimedwithevenmorehauteur，androckingherheaddisdainfully。`Afterthat，doyouthinkIcouldmarryyou？NotifIknowit。’
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