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