第6章
PARTTHETHIRD——SUMMER
CHAPTERI：DRIVINGOUTOFBUDMOUTH
Aneasybendofneckandgracefulsetofhead;fullandwavybundlesofdark—brownhair;lightfalloflittlefeet;prettydevicesontheskirtofthedress;cleardeepeyes;inshort，abunchofsweets：
itwasFancy！Dick’sheartwentroundtoherwitharush。
ThescenewasthecornerofMaryStreetinBudmouth—Regis，neartheKing’sstatue，atwhichpointthewhiteangleofthelasthouseintherowcutperpendicularlyanembayedandnearlymotionlessexpanseofsaltwaterprojectedfromtheouterocean——to—daylitinbrighttonesofgreenandopal。DickandSmarthadjustemergedfromthestreet，andthereontheright，againstthebrilliantsheetofliquidcolour，stoodFancyDay;andsheturnedandrecognizedhim。
DicksuspendedhisthoughtsoftheletterandwonderathowshecametherebydrivingclosetothechainsoftheEsplanade——incontinentlydisplacingtwochairmen，whohadjustcometolifeforthesummerinnewcleanshirtsandrevivifiedclothes，andbeingalmostdisplacedinturnbyarigidboyrattlingalongwithabaker’scart，andlookingneithertotherightnortheleft。HeaskedifsheweregoingtoMellstockthatnight。
"Yes，I’mwaitingforthecarrier，"shereplied，seeming，too，tosuspendthoughtsoftheletter。
"NowIcandriveyouhomenicely，andyousavehalfanhour。Willyecomewithme？"
AsFancy’spowertowillanythingseemedtohavedepartedinsomemysteriousmanneratthatmoment，Dicksettledthematterbygettingoutandassistingherintothevehiclewithoutanotherword。
Thetemporaryflushuponhercheekchangedtoalesserhue，whichwaspermanent，andatlengththeireyesmet;therewaspresentbetweenthemacertainfeelingofembarrassment，whicharisesatsuchmomentswhenalltheinstinctiveactsdictatedbythepositionhavebeenperformed。Dick，beingengagedwiththereins，thoughtlessofthisawkwardnessthandidFancy，whohadnothingtodobuttofeelhispresence，andtobemoreandmoreconsciousofthefact，thatbyacceptingaseatbesidehiminthiswayshesuccumbedtothetoneofhisnote。Smartjoggedalong，andDickjogged，andthehelplessFancynecessarilyjogged，too;andshefeltthatshewasinameasurecaptureIandmadeaprisoner。
"Iamsomuchobligedtoyouforyourcompany，MissDay，"heobserved，astheydrovepastthetwosemicircularbaysoftheOldRoyalHotel，whereHisMajestyKingGeorgetheThirdhadmanyatimeattendedtheballsoftheburgesses。
ToMissDay，creditinghimwiththesameconsciousnessofmastery——aconsciousnessofwhichhewasperfectlyinnocent——thisremarksoundedlikeamagnanimousintentiontosootheher，thecaptive。
"Ididn’tcomeforthepleasureofobligingyouwithmycompany，"
shesaid。
TheanswerhadanunexpectedmannerofincivilityinitthatmusthavebeenrathersurprisingtoyoungDewy。Atthesametimeitmaybeobserved，thatwhenayoungwomanreturnsarudeanswertoayoungman’scivilremark，herheartisinastatewhicharguesratherhopefullyforhiscasethanotherwise。
Therewassilencebetweenthemtilltheyhadleftthesea—frontandpassedabouttwentyofthetreesthatornamentedtheroadleadingupoutofthetowntowardsCasterbridgeandMellstock。
"ThoughIdidn’tcomeforthatpurposeeither，Iwouldhavedoneit，"saidDickatthetwenty—firsttree。
"Now，Mr。Dewy，noflirtation，becauseit’swrong，andIdon’twishit。"
Dickseatedhimselfafreshjustashehadbeensittingbefore，arrangedhislooksveryemphatically，andclearedhisthroat。
"Really，anybodywouldthinkyouhadmetmeonbusinessandwerejustgoingtocommence，"saidtheladyintractably。
"Yes，theywould。"
"Why，youneverhave，tobesure！"
Thiswasashakybeginning。Hechoppedround，andsaidcheerily，asamanwhohadresolvednevertospoilhisjollitybylovingoneofwomankind——"Well，howareyougettingon，MissDay，atthepresenttime？Gaily，Idon’tdoubtforamoment。"
"Iamnotgay，Dick;youknowthat。"
"Gailydoesn’tmeandeckedingaydresses。"
"Ididn’tsupposegailywasgailydressed。Mightyme，whatascholaryou’vegrown！"
"Lotsofthingshavehappenedtoyouthisspring，Isee。"
"Whathaveyouseen？"
"O，nothing;I’veheard，Imean！"
"Whathaveyouheard？"
"Thenameofaprettyman，withbrassstudsandacopperringandatinwatch—chain，alittlemixedupwithyourown。That’sall。"
"That’saveryunkindpictureofMr。Shiner，forthat’swhoyoumean！Thestudsaregold，asyouknow，andit’sarealsilverchain;theringIcan’tconscientiouslydefend，andheonlyworeitonce。"
"Hemighthavewornitahundredtimeswithoutshowingithalfsomuch。"
"Well，he’snothingtome，"sheserenelyobserved。
"NotanymorethanIam？"
"Now，Mr。Dewy，"saidFancyseverely，"certainlyheisn’tanymoretomethanyouare！"
"Notsomuch？"
Shelookedasidetoconsidertheprecisecompassofthatquestion。
"ThatIcan’texactlyanswer，"sherepliedwithsoftarchness。
Astheyweregoingratherslowly，anotherspring—cart，containingafarmer，farmer’swife，andfarmer’sman，joggedpastthem;andthefarmer’swifeandfarmer’smaneyedthecoupleverycuriously。Thefarmerneverlookedupfromthehorse’stail。
"Whycan’tyouexactlyanswer？"saidDick，quickeningSmartalittle，andjoggingonjustbehindthefarmerandfarmer’swifeandman。
Asnoanswercame，andastheireyeshadnothingelsetodo，theybothcontemplatedthepicturepresentedinfront，andnoticedhowthefarmer’swifesatflattenedbetweenthetwomen，whobulgedovereachendoftheseattogiveherroom，tilltheyalmostsatupontheirrespectivewheels;andtheylookedtooatthefarmer’swife’ssilkmantle，inflatingitselfbetweenhershoulderslikeaballoonandsinkingflatagain，ateachjogofthehorse。Thefarmer’swife，feelingtheireyesstickingintoherback，lookedoverhershoulder。Dickdroppedtenyardsfurtherbehind。
"Fancy，whycan’tyouanswer？"herepeated。
"BecausehowmuchyouaretomedependsuponhowmuchIamtoyou，"
saidsheinlowtones。
"Everything，"saidDick，puttinghishandtowardshers，andcastingemphaticeyesupontheuppercurveofhercheek。
"Now，RichardDewy，notouchingme！Ididn’tsayinwhatwayyourthinkingofmeaffectedthequestion——perhapsinversely，don’tyousee？Notouching，sir！Look;goodnessme，don’t，Dick！"
ThecauseofhersuddenstartwastheunpleasantappearanceoverDick’srightshoulderofanemptytimber—wagonandfourjourneymen—
carpentersreclininginlazyposturesinsideit，theireyesdirectedupwardsatvariousobliqueanglesintothesurroundingworld，thechiefobjectoftheirexistencebeingapparentlytocriticizetotheverybackboneandmarroweveryanimateobjectthatcamewithinthecompassoftheirvision。ThisdifficultyofDick’swasovercomebytrottingontillthewagonandcarpenterswerebeginningtolookrathermistybyreasonofafilmofdustthataccompaniedtheirwagon—wheels，androsearoundtheirheadslikeafog。
"Sayyouloveme，Fancy。"
"No，Dick，certainlynot;’tisn’ttimetodothatyet。"
"Why，Fancy？"
"’MissDay’isbetteratpresent——don’tmindmysayingso;andI
oughtnottohavecalledyouDick。"
"Nonsense！whenyouknowthatIwoulddoanythingonearthforyourlove。Why，youmakeanyonethinkthatlovingisathingthatcanbedoneandundone，andputonandputoffatamerewhim。"
"No，no，Idon’t，"shesaidgently;"buttherearethingswhichtellmeIoughtnottogivewaytomuchthinkingaboutyou，evenif——"
"Butyouwantto，don’tyou？Yes，sayyoudo;itisbesttobetruthful。Whatevertheymaysayaboutawoman’srighttoconcealwhereherlovelies，andpretenditdoesn’texist，andthingslikethat，itisnotbest;Idoknowit，Fancy。Andanhonestwomaninthat，aswellasinallherdailyconcerns，shinesmostbrightly，andisthoughtmostofinthelong—run。"
"Wellthen，perhaps，Dick，Idoloveyoualittle，"shewhisperedtenderly;"butIwishyouwouldn’tsayanymorenow。"
"Iwon’tsayanymorenow，then，ifyoudon’tlikeit，dear。Butyoudolovemealittle，don’tyou？"
"Nowyououghtnottowantmetokeepsayingthingstwice;Ican’tsayanymorenow，andyoumustbecontentwithwhatyouhave。"
"ImayatanyratecallyouFancy？There’snoharminthat。"
"Yes，youmay。"
"Andyou’llnotcallmeMr。Dewyanymore？"
"Verywell。"
CHAPTERII：FURTHERALONGTHEROAD
Dick’sspiritshavingriseninthecourseoftheseadmissionsofhissweetheart，henowtouchedSmartwiththewhip;andonSmart’sneck，notfarbehindhisears。Smart，whohadbeenlostinthoughtforsometime，neverdreamingthatDickcouldreachsofarwithawhipwhich，onthisparticularjourney，hadneverbeenextendedfurtherthanhisflank，tossedhishead，andscamperedalongwithexceedingbriskness，whichwasverypleasanttotheyoungcouplebehindhimtill，turningabendintheroad，theycameinstantlyuponthefarmer，farmer’sman，andfarmer’swifewiththeflappingmantle，alljoggingonjustthesameasever。
"Botherthosepeople！Hereweareuponthemagain。"
"Well，ofcourse。Theyhaveasmuchrighttotheroadaswe。"
"Yes，butitisprovokingtobeoverlookedso。Ilikearoadalltomyself。Lookwhatalumberingaffairtheirsis！"Thewheelsofthefarmer’scart，justatthatmoment，joggedintoadepressionrunningacrosstheroad，givingthecartatwist，whereuponallthreenoddedtotheleft，andoncomingoutofitallthreenoddedtotheright，andwentonjerkingtheirbacksinandoutasusual。"We’llpassthemwhentheroadgetswider。"
Whenanopportunityseemedtoofferitselfforcarryingthisintentionintoeffect，theyheardlightflyingwheelsbehind，andontheirquarteringtherewhizzedalongpastthemabrand—newgig，sobrightlypolishedthatthespokesofthewheelssentforthacontinualquiveringlightatonepointintheircircle，andallthepanelsglaredlikemirrorsinDickandFancy’seyes。Thedriver，andownerasitappeared，wasreallyahandsomeman;hiscompanionwasShiner。BothturnedroundastheypassedDickandFancy，andstaredwithboldadmirationinherfacetilltheywereobligedtoattendtotheoperationofpassingthefarmer。DickglancedforaninstantatFancywhileshewasundergoingtheirscrutiny;thenreturnedtohisdrivingwithratherasadcountenance。
"Whyareyousosilent？"shesaid，afterawhile，withrealconcern。
"Nothing。"
"Yes，itis，Dick。Icouldn’thelpthosepeoplepassing。"
"Iknowthat。"
"Youlookoffendedwithme。WhathaveIdone？"
"Ican’ttellwithoutoffendingyou。"
"Betterout。"
"Well，"saidDick，whoseemedlongingtotell，evenattheriskofoffendingher，"Iwasthinkinghowdifferentyouinlovearefrommeinlove。Whilstthosemenwerestaring，youdismissedmefromyourthoughtsaltogether，and——"
"Youcan’toffendmefurthernow;tellall！"
"Andshoweduponyourfaceapleasedsenseofbeingattractiveto’em。"
"Don’tbesilly，Dick！YouknowverywellIdidn’t。"
Dickshookhisheadsceptically，andsmiled。
"Dick，IalwaysbelieveflatteryIFPOSSIBLE——anditwaspossiblethen。Nowthere’sanopenconfessionofweakness。ButIshowednoconsciousnessofit。"
Dick，perceivingbyherlookthatshewouldadheretoherstatement，charitablyforboresayinganythingthatcouldmakeherprevaricate。
ThesightofShiner，too，hadrecalledanotherbranchofthesubjecttohismind;thatwhichhadbeenhisgreatesttroubletillhercompanyandwordshadobscureditsprobability。
"Bytheway，Fancy，doyouknowwhyourquireistobedismissed？"
"No：exceptthatitisMr。Maybold’swishformetoplaytheorgan。"
"Doyouknowhowitcametobehiswish？"
"ThatIdon’t。"
"Mr。Shiner，beingchurchwarden，haspersuadedthevicar;who，however，waswillingenoughbefore。Shiner，Iknow，iscrazytoseeyouplayingeverySunday;Isupposehe’llturnoveryourmusic，fortheorganwillbeclosetohispew。But——Iknowyouhaveneverencouragedhim？"
"Neveronce！"saidFancyemphatically，andwitheyesfullofearnesttruth。"Idon’tlikehimindeed，andIneverheardofhisdoingthisbefore！IhavealwaysfeltthatIshouldliketoplayinachurch，butIneverwishedtoturnyouandyourchoirout;andI
neverevensaidthatIcouldplaytillIwasasked。Youdon’tthinkforamomentthatIdid，surely，doyou？"
"Iknowyoudidn’t，dear。"
"OrthatIcaretheleastmorselofabitforhim？"
"Iknowyoudon’t。"
ThedistancebetweenBudmouthandMellstockwastenorelevenmiles，andtherebeingagoodinn，"TheShip，"fourmilesoutofBudmouth，withamastandcross—treesinfront，Dick’scustomindrivingthitherwastodividethejourneyintothreestagesbyrestingatthisinngoingandcoming，andnottroublingtheBudmouthstablesatall，wheneverhisvisittothetownwasamerecallanddeposit，asto—day。
Fancywasusheredintoalittletea—room，andDickwenttothestablestoseetothefeedingofSmart。Infaceofthesignificanttwitchesoffeaturethatwerevisibleintheostlerandlabouringmenidlingaround，DickendeavouredtolookunconsciousofthefactthattherewasanysentimentbetweenhimandFancybeyondatranter’sdesiretocarryapassengerhome。HepresentlyenteredtheinnandopenedthedoorofFancy’sroom。
"Dick，doyouknow，ithasstruckmethatitisratherawkward，mybeingherealonewithyoulikethis。Idon’tthinkyouhadbettercomeinwithme。"
"That’sratherunpleasant，dear。"
"Yes，itis，andIwantedyoutohavesometeaaswellasmyselftoo，becauseyoumustbetired。"
"Well，letmehavesomewithyou，then。Iwasdeniedoncebefore，ifyourecollect，Fancy。"
"Yes，yes，nevermind！Anditseemsunfriendlyofmenow，butI
don’tknowwhattodo。"
"Itshallbeasyousay，then。"Dickbegantoretreatwithadissatisfiedwrinklingofface，andafarewellglanceatthecosytea—tray。
"Butyoudon’tseehowitis，Dick，whenyouspeaklikethat，"shesaid，withmoreearnestnessthanshehadevershownbefore。"Youdoknow，thatevenifIcareverymuchforyou，ImustrememberthatI
haveadifficultpositiontomaintain。Thevicarwouldnotlikeme，ashisschoolmistress，toindulgeinatete—a—teteanywherewithanybody。"
"ButIamnotANYbody！"exclaimedDick。
"No，no，Imeanwithayoungman;"andsheaddedsoftly，"unlessI
werereallyengagedtobemarriedtohim。"
"Isthatall？Then，dearest，dearest，whywe’llbeengagedatonce，tobesurewewill，anddownIsit！Thereitis，aseasyasaglove！"
"Ah！butsupposeIwon’t！And，goodnessme，whathaveIdone！"shefaltered，gettingveryred。"Positively，itseemsasifImeantyoutosaythat！"
"Let’sdoit！Imeangetengaged，"saidDick。"Now，Fancy，willyoubemywife？"
"Doyouknow，Dick，itwasratherunkindofyoutosaywhatyoudidcomingalongtheroad，"sheremarked，asifshehadnotheardthelatterpartofhisspeech;thoughanacuteobservermighthavenoticedaboutherbreast，astheword’wife’fellfromDick’slips，asoftsilentescapeofbreaths，withveryshortrestsbetweeneach。
"WhatdidIsay？"
"Aboutmytryingtolookattractivetothosemeninthegig。"
"Youcouldn’thelplookingso，whetheryoutriedorno。And，Fancy，youdocareforme？"
"Yes。"
"Verymuch？"
"Yes。"
"Andyou’llbemyownwife？"
Herheartquickened，addingtoandwithdrawingfromhercheekvaryingtonesofredtomatcheachvaryingthought。Dicklookedexpectantlyattheripetintofherdelicatemouth，waitingforwhatwascomingforth。
"Yes——iffatherwillletme。"
Dickdrewhimselfclosetoher，compressinghislipsandpoutingthemout，asifhewereabouttowhistlethesoftestmelodyknown。
"Ono！"saidFancysolemnly。
ThemodestDickdrewbackalittle。
"Dick，Dick，kissmeandletmegoinstantly！——here’ssomebodycoming！"shewhisperinglyexclaimed。
***
HalfanhourafterwardsDickemergedfromtheinn，andifFancy’slipshadbeenrealcherriesprobablyDick’swouldhaveappeareddeeplystained。Thelandlordwasstandingintheyard。
"Heu—heu！hay—hay，MasterDewy！Ho—ho！"helaughed，lettingthelaughslipoutgentlyandbydegreesthatitmightmakelittlenoiseinitsexit，andsmitingDickunderthefifthribatthesametime。
"Thiswillneverdo，uponmylife，MasterDewy！callingfortayforafeymelpassenger，andthengoinginandsittingdownandhavingsometoo，andbidingsuchafinelongtime！"
"Butsurelyyouknow？"saidDick，withgreatapparentsurprise。
"Yes，yes！Ha—ha！"smitingthelandlordundertheribsinreturn。
"Why，what？Yes，yes;ha—ha！"
"Youknow，ofcourse！"
"Yes，ofcourse！But——thatis——Idon’t。"
"Whyabout——betweenthatyoungladyandme？"noddingtothewindowoftheroomthatFancyoccupied。
"No;notI！"saidtheinnkeeper，bringinghiseyesintocircles。
"Andyoudon’t！"
"Notaword，I’lltakemyoath！"
"ButyoulaughedwhenIlaughed。"
"Ay，thatwasmesympathy;sodidyouwhenIlaughed！"
"Really，youdon’tknow？Goodness——notknowingthat！"
"I’lltakemyoathIdon’t！"
"Oyes，"saidDick，withfrigidrhetoricofpityingastonishment，"we’reengagedtobemarried，yousee，andInaturallylookafterher。"
"Ofcourse，ofcourse！Ididn’tknowthat，andIhopeye’llexcuseanylittlefreedomofmine，Mr。Dewy。Butitisaveryoddthing;I
wastalkingtoyourfatherveryintimateaboutfamilymattersonlylastFridayintheworld，andwhoshouldcomeinbutKeeperDay，andweallthenfella—talkingo’familymatters;butneitheroneo’
themsaidamortalwordaboutit;knowenmetoosomanyyears，andI
atyourfather’sownwedding。’Tisn’twhatIshouldhaveexpectedfromanoldneighbour！"
"Well，tosaythetruth，wehadn’ttoldfatheroftheengagementatthattime;infact，’twasn’tsettled。"
"Ah！thebusinesswasdoneSunday。Yes，yes，Sunday’sthecourtingday。Heu—heu！"
"No，’twasn’tdoneSundayinparticular。"
"Afterschool—hoursthisweek？Well，averygoodtime，averypropergoodtime。"
"Ono，’twasn’tdonethen。"
"Comingalongtheroadto—daythen，Isuppose？"
"Notatall;Iwouldn’tthinkofgettingengagedinadog—cart。"
"Dammy——mightaswellhavesaidatonce，theWHENbeblowed！
Anyhow，’tisafineday，andIhopenexttimeyou’llcomeasone。"
Fancywasdulybroughtoutandassistedintothevehicle，andthenewlyaffiancedyouthandmaidenpassedupthesteephilltotheRidgeway，andvanishedinthedirectionofMellstock。
CHAPTERIII：ACONFESSION
Itwasamorningofthelattersummer—time;amorningoflingeringdews，whenthegrassisneverdryintheshade。Fuchsiasanddahliaswereladentilleleveno’clockwithsmalldropsanddashesofwater，changingthecolouroftheirsparkleateverymovementoftheair;andelsewherehangingontwigslikesmallsilverfruit。
Thethreadsofgardenspidersappearedthickandpolished。Inthedryandsunnyplaces，dozensoflong—leggedcrane—flieswhizzedoffthegrassateverystepthepassertook。
FancyDayandherfriendSusanDewythetranter’sdaughter，wereinsuchaspotasthis，pullingdownaboughladenwithearlyapples。
ThreemonthshadelapsedsinceDickandFancyhadjourneyedtogetherfromBudmouth，andthecourseoftheirlovehadrunonvigorouslyduringthewholetime。Therehadbeenjustenoughdifficultyattendingitsdevelopment，andjustenoughfinesserequiredinkeepingitprivate，tolendthepassionanever—increasingfreshnessonFancy’spart，whilst，whetherfromtheseaccessoriesornot，Dick’shearthadbeenatalltimesasfondascouldbedesired。ButtherewasacloudonFancy’shorizonnow。
"Sheissowelloff——betterthananyofus，"SusanDewywassaying。
"Herfatherfarmsfivehundredacres，andshemightmarryadoctororcurateoranythingofthatkindifshecontrivedalittle。"
"Idon’tthinkDickoughttohavegonetothatgipsy—partyatallwhenheknewIcouldn’tgo，"repliedFancyuneasily。
"Hedidn’tknowthatyouwouldnotbetheretillitwastoolatetorefusetheinvitation，"saidSusan。
"Andwhatwasshelike？Tellme。"
"Well，shewasratherpretty，Imustown。"
"Tellstraightonabouther，can’tyou！Come，do，Susan。Howmanytimesdidyousayhedancedwithher？"
"Once。"
"Twice，Ithinkyousaid？"
"IndeedI’msureIdidn’t。"
"Well，andhewantedtoagain，Iexpect。"
"No;Idon’tthinkhedid。Shewantedtodancewithhimagainbadenough，Iknow。EverybodydoeswithDick，becausehe’ssohandsomeandsuchaclevercourter。"
"O，Iwish！——Howdidyousaysheworeherhair？"
"Inlongcurls，——andherhairislight，anditcurlswithoutbeingputinpaper：that’showitisshe’ssoattractive。"
"She’stryingtogethimaway！yes，yes，sheis！AndthroughkeepingthismiserableschoolImustn’twearmyhairincurls！ButIwill;Idon’tcareifIleavetheschoolandgohome，Iwillwearmycurls！Look，Susan，do！isherhairassoftandlongasthis？"
Fancypulledfromitscoilunderherhatatwineofherownhair，andstretcheditdownhershouldertoshowitslength，lookingatSusantocatchheropinionfromhereyes。
"Itisaboutthesamelengthasthat，Ithink，"saidMissDewy。
Fancypausedhopelessly。"Iwishminewaslighter，likehers！"shecontinuedmournfully。"Buthersisn’tsosoft，isit？Tellme，now。"
"Idon’tknow。"
Fancyabstractedlyextendedhervisiontosurveyayellowbutterflyandared—and—blackbutterflythatwereflittingalongincompany，andthenbecameawarethatDickwasadvancingupthegarden。
"Susan，here’sDickcoming;Isupposethat’sbecausewe’vebeentalkingabouthim。"
"Well，then，Ishallgoindoorsnow——youwon’twantme;"andSusanturnedpracticallyandwalkedoff。
Enterthesingle—mindedDick，whoseonlyfaultatthegipsying，orpicnic，hadbeenthatoflovingFancytooexclusively，anddeprivinghimselfoftheinnocentpleasurethegatheringmighthaveaffordedhim，bysighingregretfullyatherabsence，——whohaddancedwiththerivalinsheerdespairofeverbeingabletogetthroughthatstale，flat，andunprofitableafternooninanyotherway;butthisshewouldnotbelieve。
Fancyhadsettledherplanofemotion。ToreproachDick？Ono，no。
"Iamingreattrouble，"saidshe，takingwhatwasintendedtobeahopelesslymelancholysurveyofafewsmallappleslyingunderthetree;yetacriticalearmighthavenoticedinhervoiceatentativetoneastotheeffectofthewordsuponDickwhensheutteredthem。
"Whatareyouintroubleabout？Tellmeofit，"saidDickearnestly。"Darling，Iwillshareitwith’eeandhelp’ee。"
"No，no：youcan’t！Nobodycan！"
"Whynot？Youdon’tdeserveit，whateveritis。Tellme，dear。"
"O，itisn’twhatyouthink！Itisdreadful：myownsin！"
"Sin，Fancy！asifyoucouldsin！Iknowitcan’tbe。"
"’Tis，’tis！"saidtheyounglady，inaprettylittlefrenzyofsorrow。"Ihavedonewrong，andIdon’tliketotellit！Nobodywillforgiveme，nobody！andyouaboveallwillnot！……Ihaveallowedmyselfto——to——fl——"
"What，——notflirt！"hesaid，controllinghisemotionasitwerebyasuddenpressureinwardfromhissurface。"Andyousaidonlythedaybeforeyesterdaythatyouhadn’tflirtedinyourlife！"
"Yes，Idid;andthatwasawickedstory！Ihaveletanotherloveme，and——"
"GoodG——！Well，I’llforgiveyou，——yes，ifyoucouldn’thelpit，——
yes，Iwill！"saidthenowdismalDick。"Didyouencouragehim？"
"O，——Idon’tknow，——yes——no。O，Ithinkso！"
"Whowasit？"Apause。"Tellme！"
"Mr。Shiner。"
Afterasilencethatwasonlydisturbedbythefallofanapple，along—checkedsighfromDick，andasobfromFancy，hesaidwithrealausterity—
"Tellitall;——everyword！"
"Helookedatme，andIlookedathim，andhesaid，"Willyouletmeshowyouhowtocatchbullfinchesdownherebythestream？"AndI——
wantedtoknowverymuch——Ididsolongtohaveabullfinch！I
couldn’thelpthatandIsaid，"Yes！"andthenhesaid，"Comehere。"
AndIwentwithhimdowntothelovelyriver，andthenhesaidtome，"LookandseehowIdoit，andthenyou’llknow：Iputthisbirdlimeroundthistwig，andthenIgohere，"hesaid，"andhideawayunderahush;andpresentlycleverMisterBirdcomesandperchesuponthetwig，andflapshiswings，andyou’vegothimbeforeyoucansayJack"——something;O，O，O，Iforgetwhat！"
"JackSprat，"mournfullysuggestedDickthroughthecloudofhismisery。
"No，notJackSprat，"shesobbed。
"Then’twasJackRobinson！"hesaid，withtheemphasisofamanwhohadresolvedtodiscovereveryiotaofthetruth，ordie。
"Yes，thatwasit！AndthenIputmyhandupontherailofthebridgetogetacross，and——That’sall。"
"Well，thatisn’tmuch，either，"saidDickcritically，andmorecheerfully。"NotthatIseewhatbusinessShinerhastotakeuponhimselftoteachyouanything。Butitseems——itdoseemtheremusthavebeenmorethanthattosetyouupinsuchadreadfultaking？"
HelookedintoFancy’seyes。Miseryofmiseries！——guiltwaswrittentherestill。
"Now，Fancy，you’venottoldmeall！"saidDick，rathersternlyforaquietyoungman。
"O，don’tspeaksocruelly！Iamafraidtotellnow！Ifyouhadn’tbeenharsh，Iwasgoingontotellall;nowIcan’t！"
"Come，dearFancy，tell：come。I’llforgive;Imust，——byheavenandearth，Imust，whetherIwillorno;Iloveyouso！"
"Well，whenIputmyhandonthebridge，hetouchedit——"
"Ascamp！"saidDick，grindinganimaginaryhumanframetopowder。
"Andthenhelookedatme，andatlasthesaid，’AreyouinlovewithDickDewy？’AndIsaid，’PerhapsIam！’andthenhesaid，’I
wishyouweren’tthen，forIwanttomarryyou，withallmysoul。’"
"There’savillainnow！Wanttomarryyou！"AndDickquiveredwiththebitternessofsatiricallaughter。Thensuddenlyrememberingthathemightbereckoningwithouthishost："Unless，tohesure，youarewillingtohavehim，——perhapsyouare，"hesaid，withthewretchedindifferenceofacastaway。
"No，indeedIamnot！"shesaid，hersobsjustbeginningtotakeafavourableturntowardscure。
"Well，then，"saidDick，comingalittletohissenses，"you’vebeenstretchingitverymuchingivingsuchadreadfulbeginningtosuchamerenothing。AndIknowwhatyou’vedoneitfor，——justbecauseofthatgipsy—party！"Heturnedawayfromherandtookfivepacesdecisively，asifheweretiredofanungratefulcountry，includingherself"Youdidittomakemejealous，andIwon’tstandit！"Heflungthewordstoheroverhisshoulderandthenstalkedon，apparentlyveryanxioustowalktotheremotestoftheColoniesthatveryminute。
"O，O，O，Dick——Dick！"shecried，trottingafterhimlikeapetlamb，andreallyseriouslyalarmedatlast，"you’llkillme！Myimpulsesarebad——miserablywicked，——andIcan’thelpit;forgiveme，Dick！AndIloveyoualways;andthosetimeswhenyoulooksillyanddon’tseemquitegoodenoughforme，——justthesame，Ido，Dick！Andthereissomethingmoreserious，thoughnotconcerningthatwalkwithhim。"
"Well，whatisit？"saidDick，alteringhismindaboutwalkingtotheColoniesinfact，passingtotheotherextreme，andstandingsorootedtotheroadthathewasapparentlynotevengoinghome。
"Whythis，"shesaid，dryingthebeginningofanewfloodoftearsshehadbeengoingtoshed，"thisistheseriouspart。FatherhastoldMr。Shinerthathewouldlikehimforason—in—law，ifhecouldgetme;——thathehashisrightheartyconsenttocomecourtingme！"
CHAPTERIV：ANARRANGEMENT
"ThatISserious，"saidDick，moreintellectuallythanhehadspokenforalongtime。
ThetruthwasthatGeoffreyknewnothingabouthisdaughter’scontinuedwalksandmeetingswithDick。WhenahintthatthereweresymptomsofanattachmentbetweenthemhadfirstreachedGeoffrey’sears，hestatedsoemphaticallythathemustthinkthematteroverbeforeanysuchthingcouldbeallowedthat，ratherunwiselyonDick’spart，whateveritmighthavebeenonthelady’s，theloverswerecarefultobeseentogethernomoreinpublic;andGeoffrey，forgettingthereport，didnotthinkoverthematteratall。SoMr。
ShinerresumedhisoldpositioninGeoffrey’sbrainbymerefluxoftime。EvenShinerbegantobelievethatDickexistedforFancynomore，——thoughthatremarkablyeasy—goingmanhadtakennoactivestepsonhisownaccountasyet。
"AndfatherhasnotonlytoldMr。Shinerthat，"continuedFancy，"buthehaswrittenmealetter，tosayheshouldwishmetoencourageMr。Shiner，if’twasconvenient！"
"Imuststartoffandseeyourfatheratonce！"saidDick，takingtwoorthreevehementstepstothesouth，recollectingthatMr。Daylivedtothenorth，andcomingbackagain。
"Ithinkwehadbetterseehimtogether。Nottellhimwhatyoucomefor，oranythingofthekind，untilhelikesyou，andsowinhisbrainthroughhisheart，whichisalwaysthewaytomanagepeople。
Imeaninthisway：IamgoinghomeonSaturdayweektohelptheminthehoney—taking。Youmightcometheretome，havesomethingtoeatanddrink，andlethimguesswhatyourcomingsignifies，withoutsayingitinsomanywords。"
"We’lldoit，dearest。ButIshallaskhimforyou，flatandplain;
notwaitforhisguessing。"Andtheloverthensteppedclosetoher，andattemptedtogiveheronelittlekissonthecheek，hislipsalightinghowever，onanoutlyingtractofherbackhairbyreasonofanimpulsethathadcausedhertoturnherheadwithajerk。"Yes，andI’llputonmysecond—bestsuitandacleanshirtandcollar，andblackmybootsasif’twasaSunday。’Twillhaveagoodappearance，yousee，andthat’sagreatdealtostartwith。"
"Youwon’twearthatoldwaistcoat，willyou，Dick？"
"Blessyou，no！WhyI——"
"Ididn’tmeantobepersonal，dearDick，"shesaid，fearingshehadhurthisfeelings。"’Tisaverynicewaistcoat，butwhatImeantwas，thatthoughitisanexcellentwaistcoatforasettled—downman，itisnotquiteonefor"（shewaited，andablushexpandedoverherface，andthenshewentonagain）——"forgoingcourtingin。"
"No，I’llwearmybestwinterone，withtheleatherlining，thatmothermade。Itisabeautiful，handsomewaistcoatinside，yes，aseveranybodysaw。Infact，onlytheotherday，Iunbuttonedittoshowachapthatverylining，andhesaiditwasthestrongest，handsomestliningyoucouldwishtoseeontheking’swaistcoathimself。"
"_I_don’tquiteknowwhattowear，"shesaid，asifherhabitualindifferencealonetodresshadkeptbacksoimportantasubjecttillnow。