I\'llnoanespeakillonthedead，butIwereuneasylike。Butsin\'Philipandtheeseemtoha\'madeitup————\'Sylviashivered，andopenedhermouthtospeak，butdidnotsayaword。\'Andsin\'theLordhasbeencomfortingme，andtalkingtomemanyatimewhenthou\'sthoughtIwereasleep，thingshasseemedtoreddtheirselvesup，andifDanielgoes，I\'mreadytofollow。Icouldniverstandlivingtohearfolkssayhe\'dbeenhung;itseemssounnaturalandshameful。\'\'But，mother，hewon\'t！——heshan\'tbehung！\'saidSylvia，springingtoherfeet。\'Philipsayshewon\'t。\'Bellshookherhead。Theywalkedon，Sylviabothdisheartenedandalmostirritatedathermother\'sdespondency。ButbeforetheywenttobedatnightBellsaidthingswhichseemedasthoughthemorning\'sfeelingshadbeenbuttemporary，andasifshewasreferringeverydecisiontotheperiodofherhusband\'sreturn。\'Whenfathercomeshome，\'seemedasortofburdenatthebeginningorendofeverysentence，andthisrelianceonhiscertaincomingbacktothemwasalmostasgreatatrialtoSylviaastheabsenceofallhopehadbeeninthemorning。Butthatinstincttoldherthathermotherwasbecomingincapableofargument，shewouldhaveaskedherwhyherviewsweresoessentiallychangedinsofewhours。ThisinabilityofreasoninpoorBellmadeSylviafeelverydesolate。Mondaypassedover——how，neitherofthemknew，forneitherspokeofwhatwasfillingthethoughtsofboth。BeforeitwaslightonTuesdaymorning，Bellwasastir。\'It\'sveryearly，mother，\'saidweary，sleepySylvia，dreadingreturningconsciousness。\'Ay，lass！\'saidBell，inabrisk，cheerfultone;\'buthe\'ll，maybe，behometo—night，andI\'seboundtohaveallthingsreadyforhim。\'\'Anyhow，\'saidSylvia，sittingupinbed，\'hecouldn\'tcomehometo—night。\'\'Tut，lass！thoudoesn\'tknowhowquickamancomeshometowifeandchild。
I\'llbea\'readyatanyrate。\'ShehurriedaboutinawaywhichSylviawonderedtosee;tillatlengthshefanciedthatperhapshermotherdidsotodriveawaythought。Everyplacewascleaned;therewasscarcetimeallowedforbreakfast;tillatlast，longbeforemid—day，alltheworkwasdone，andthetwosatdowntotheirspinning—wheels。Sylvia\'sspiritssanklowerandlowerateachspeechofhermother\'s，fromwhosemindallfearseemedtohavedisappeared，leavingonlyastrangerestlesskindofexcitement。\'It\'stimefort\'potatoes，\'saidBell，afterherwoolhadsnappedmanyatimefromheruneventread。\'Mother，\'saidSylvia，\'it\'sbutjustgoneten！\'\'Put\'emon，\'saidBell，withoutattendingtothefullmeaningofherdaughter\'swords。\'It\'ll，maybe，hastent\'dayonifwegetdinnerdonebetimes。\'\'ButKesterisint\'FarAcrefield，andhe\'llnotbehometillnoon。\'Thisseemedtosettlemattersforawhile;butthenBellpushedherwheelaway，andbegansearchingforherhoodandcloak。Sylviafoundthemforher，andthenaskedsadly——\'Whatdoestawant\'emfor，mother？\'\'I\'llgoupt\'browandthrought\'field，andjusthavealookdownt\'
lane。\'\'I\'llgowi\'thee，\'saidSylvia，feelingallthetimetheuselessnessofanylookingforintelligencefromYorksoearlyintheday。Verypatientlydidshewaitbyhermother\'ssideduringthelonghalf—hourwhichBellspentingazingdowntheroadforthosewhonevercame。WhentheygothomeSylviaputthepotatoesontoboil;butwhendinnerwasreadyandthethreewereseatedatthedresser;Bellpushedherplateawayfromher，sayingitwassolongafterdinnertimethatshewaspasteating。Kesterwouldhavesaidsomethingaboutitsbeingonlyhalf—pasttwelve，butSylviagavehimalookbeseechingsilence，andhewentonwithhisdinnerwithoutaword，onlybrushingawaythetearsfromhiseyeswiththebackofhishandfromtimetotime。\'A\'llnoanegofarfra\'homet\'resto\'t\'day，\'saidhe，inawhispertoSylvia，ashewentout。\'Willthisdaynivercometoanend？\'criedBell，plaintively。\'Oh，mother！it\'llcometoanendsometime，neverfear。I\'veheerdsay——\"Bethedaywearyorbethedaylong，Atlengthitringethtoeven—song。\"\'\'Toeven—song——toeven—song，\'repeatedBell。\'D\'yethinknowthateven—songmeansdeath，Sylvie？\'\'Icannottell——Icannotbearit。Mother，\'saidSylvia，indespair，\'I\'llmakesomeclap—bread:that\'saheavyjob，andwillwhileawayt\'afternoon。\'\'Ay，do！\'repliedthemother。\'He\'lllikeitfresh——he\'lllikeitfresh。\'Murmuringandtalkingtoherself，shefellintoadoze，fromwhichSylviawascarefulnottodisturbher。Thedayswerenowgettinglong，althoughascoldasever;andatHaytersbankFarmthelightlingered，astherewasnonearhorizontobringonearlydarkness。Sylviahadallreadyforhermother\'steaagainstshewakened;
butshesleptonandon，thepeacefulsleepofachild，andSylviadidnotcaretowakenher。Justafterthesunhadset，shesawKesteroutsidethewindowmakingsignstohertocomeout。Shestoleoutontip—toebytheback—kitchen，thedoorofwhichwasstandingopen。ShealmostranagainstPhilip，whodidnotperceiveher，ashewasawaitinghercomingtheotherwayroundthecornerofthehouse，andwhoturneduponherafacewhoseimportshereadinaninstant。\'Philip！\'wasallshesaid，andthenshefaintedathisfeet，comingdownwithaheavybangontheroundpavingstonesoftheyard。\'Kester！Kester！\'hecried，forshelookedlikeonedead，andwithallhisstrengththeweariedmancouldnotliftherandcarryherintothehouse。WithKester\'shelpshewasborneintotheback—kitchen，andKesterrushedtothepumpforsomecoldwatertothrowoverher。WhilePhilip，kneelingatherhead，waspartlysupportingherinhisarms，andheedlessofanysightorsound，theshadowofsomeonefelluponhim。
Helookedupandsawhisaunt;theolddignified，sensibleexpressiononherface，exactlylikeherformerself，composed，strong，andcalm。\'Mylass，\'saidshe，sittingdownbyPhilip，andgentlytakingheroutofhisarmsintoherown。\'Lass，bearup！wemunbearup，andbeagainonourwaytohim，he\'llbeneedingusnow。Bearup，mylass！theLordwillgiveusstrength。Wemungotohim;ay，time\'sprecious;thoumuncrythycryatafter！\'Sylviaopenedherdimeyes，andheardhermother\'svoice;theideascameslowlyintohermind，andslowlysheroseup，standingstill，likeonewhohasbeenstunned，toregainherstrength;andthen，takingholdofhermother\'sarm，shesaid，inasoft，strangevoice——\'Let\'sgo。I\'mready。\'
chapter28CHAPTERXXVIIITHEORDEALItwastheafternoonofanAprildayinthatsameyear，andtheskywasblueabove，withlittlesailingwhitecloudscatchingthepleasantsunlight。
Theearthinthatnortherncountryhadscarcelyyetputonherrobeofgreen。Thefewtreesgrewnearbrooksrunningdownfromthemoorsandthehigherground。Theairwasfullofpleasantsoundsprophesyingofthecomingsummer。Therush，andmurmur，andtinkleofthehiddenwatercourses;thesongofthelarkpoisedhighupinthesunnyair;thebleatofthelambscallingtotheirmothers——everythinginanimatewasfullofhopeandgladness。ForthefirsttimeforamournfulmonththefrontdoorofHaytersbankFarmwasopen;thewarmspringairmightenter，anddisplacethesaddarkgloom，ifitcould。Therewasanewly—lightedfireintheunusedgrate;andKesterwasinthekitchen，withhisclogsoffhisfeet，soasnottodirtythespotlessfloor，stirringhereandthere，andtryinginhisawkwardwaytomakethingslookhome—likeandcheerful。Hehadbroughtinsomewilddaffodilswhichhehadbeentoseekinthedawn，andheplacedtheminajugonthedresser。DollyReid，thewomanwhohadcometohelpSylviaduringhermother\'sillnessayearago，wasattendingtosomethingintheback—kitchen，makinganoiseamongthemilk—cans，andsingingaballadtoherselfassheworked;yeteverynowandthenshecheckedherselfinhersinging，asifasuddenrecollectioncameuponherthatthiswasneitherthetimenortheplaceforsongs。Onceortwiceshetookupthefuneralpsalmwhichissungbythebearersofthebodyinthatcountry——OurGod，ourhelpinagespast。Butitwasofnouse:thepleasantAprilweatheroutofdoors，andperhapsthenaturalspringinthebody，disposedhernaturetocheerfulness，andinsensiblyshereturnedtoheroldditty。Kesterwasturningovermanythingsinhisrudehonestmindashestoodthere，givinghisfinishingtoucheseverynowandthentotheaspectofthehouse—place，inpreparationforthereturnofthewidowanddaughterofhisoldmaster。Itwasamonthandmoresincetheyhadlefthome;morethanafortnightsinceKester，withthreehalfpenceinhispocket，hadsetoutafterhisday\'sworktogotoYork——towalkallnightlong，andtowishDanielRobsonhislastfarewell。Danielhadtriedtokeepupandhadbroughtoutoneortwofamiliar，thread—bare，well—wornjokes，suchashehadmadeKesterchuckleovermanyatimeandoft，whenthetwohadbeentogetherafieldorintheshippenatthehomewhichheshouldnevermoresee。Butno\'OldGrouseinthegunroom\'couldmakeKestersmile，ordoanythingexceptgroaninbutaheart—brokensortoffashion，andpresentlythetalkhadbecomemoresuitabletotheoccasion，Danielbeinguptothelastthemorecomposedofthetwo;forKester，whenturnedoutofthecondemnedcell，fairlybrokedownintotheheavysobbinghehadneverthoughttosobagainonearth。HehadleftBellandSylviaintheirlodgingatYork，underPhilip\'scare;hedarednotgotoseethem;
hecouldnottrusthimself;hehadsentthemhisduty，andbadePhiliptellSylviathatthegame—henhadbroughtoutfifteenchickensatahatch。YetalthoughKestersentthismessagethroughPhilip——althoughhesawandrecognizedallthatPhilipwasdoingintheirbehalf，inthebehalfofDanielRobson，thecondemnedfelon，hishonouredmaster——helikedHepburnnotawhitbetterthanhehaddonebeforeallthissorrowhadcomeuponthem。Philiphad，perhaps，shownawantoftactinhisconducttoKester。Acutewithpassionatekeennessinonedirection，hehadasortofdullstraightforwardnessinallothers。Forinstance，hehadreturnedKesterthemoneywhichthelatterhadsogladlyadvancedtowardstheexpensesincurredindefendingDaniel。NowthemoneywhichPhilipgavehimbackwaspartofanadvancewhichFosterBrothershadmadeonPhilip\'sownaccount。PhiliphadthoughtthatitwashardonKestertolosehissavingsinahopelesscause，andhadmadeapointofrepayingtheoldman;butKesterwouldfarratherhavefeltthattheearningsofthesweatofhisbrowhadgoneintheattempttosavehismaster\'slifethanhavehadtwicetentimesasmanygoldenguineas。Moreover，itseemedtotakehisactioninlendinghishoardoutofthesphereoflove，andmakeitbutaleadencommonloan，whenitwasPhilipwhobroughthimthesum，notSylvia，intowhosehandshehadgivenit。WiththesefeelingsKesterfelthisheartshutupashesawthelong—watched—fortwocomingdownthelittlepathwithathirdperson;withPhilipholdingupthefailingstepsofpoorBellRobson，as，loadedwithherheavymourning，andfeeblefromtheillnesswhichhaddetainedherinYorkeversincethedayofherhusband\'sexecution，shecamefalteringbacktoherdesolatehome。Sylviawasalsooccupiedinattendingtohermother;oneortwice，whentheypausedalittle，sheandPhilipspoke，inthefamiliarwayinwhichthereisnocoynessnorreserve。Kestercaughtuphisclogs，andwentquicklyoutthroughtheback—kitchenintothefarmyard，notstayingtogreetthem，ashehadmeanttodo;andyetitwasdull—sightedofhimnottohaveperceivedthatwhatevermightbetherelationsbetweenPhilipandSylvia，hewassuretohaveaccompaniedthemhome;for，alas！hewastheonlymaleprotectoroftheirbloodremainingintheworld。PoorKester，whowouldfainhavetakenthatofficeuponhimself，chosetoesteemhimselfcastoff，andwentheavilyaboutthefarmyard，knowingthatheoughttogoinandbidsuchpoorwelcomeashehadtooffer，yetfeelingtoomuchtoliketoshowhimselfbeforePhilip。Itwaslong，too，beforeanyonehadleisuretocomeandseekhim。Bell\'smindhadflashedupforatime，tillthefatalday，onlytobereducedbyhersubsequentillnessintocompleteandhopelesschildishness。ItwasallPhilipandSylviacoulddotomanageherinthefirstexcitementofreturninghome;herrestlessinquiryforhimwhowouldnevermorebepresentinthefamiliarscene，herfeverishwearinessanduneasiness，allrequiredtendersoothingandmostpatientenduranceofherrefusalstobesatisfiedwithwhattheysaidordid。Atlengthshetooksomefood，and，refreshedbyit，andwarmedbythefire，shesankasleepinherchair。ThenPhilipwouldfainhavespokenwithSylviabeforethehourcameatwhichhemustreturntoMonkshaven，butsheeludedhim，andwentinsearchofKester，whosepresenceshehadmissed。Shehadguessedsomeofthecauseswhichkepthimfromgreetingthemontheirfirstreturn。Butitwasnotasifshehadshapedthesecausesintothedefiniteformofwords。Itisastonishingtolookbackandfindhowdifferentlyconstitutedwerethemindsofmostpeoplefiftyorsixtyyearsago;theyfelt，theyunderstood，withoutgoingthroughreasoningoranalyticprocesses，andifthiswasthecaseamongthemoreeducatedpeople，ofcourseitwasstillmoresointheclasstowhichSylviabelonged。SheknewbysomesortofintuitionthatifPhilipaccompaniedthemhome（as，indeed，underthecircumstances，wassonaturalastobealmostunavoidable），theoldservantandfriendofthefamilywouldabsenthimself;andsosheslippedawayatthefirstpossiblemomenttogoinsearchofhim。Therehewasinthefarm—yard，leaningoverthegatethatopenedintothehome—field，apparentlywatchingthepoultrythatscratchedandpeckedatthenew—springinggrasswiththeutmostrelish。Alittlefartheroffweretheeweswiththeirnew—droppedlambs，beyondthatthegreatoldthorn—treewithitsroundfreshclustersofbuds，againbeyondthattherewasaglimpseofthevastsunnyripplingsea;butSylviaknewwellthatKesterwaslookingatnoneofthesethings。Shewentuptohimandtouchedhisarm。Hestartedfromhisreverie，andturnedrounduponherwithhisdimeyesfullofunshedtears。whenhesawherblackdress，herdeepmourning，hehadhardworktokeepfrombreakingout，butbydintofagoodbrushofhiseyeswiththebackofhishand，andamoment\'spause，hecouldlookatheragainwithtolerablecalmness。\'Why，Kesterwhydidstnivercometospeaktous？\'saidSylvia，findingitnecessarytobecheerfulifshecould。\'Adunknow;niveraxme。Asay，they\'ngi\'enDickSimpson\'（whoseevidencehadbeenallmaterialagainstpoorDanielRobsonatthetrial）\'a\'t\'rotteneggsandfou\'thingstheycouldo\'Saturday，theydid，\'continuedhe，inatoneofsatisfaction;\'ay，andtheyniverstoppedt\'seewhethert\'
eggswererottenorfreshwhentheirbloodwasup——norwhetherstoneswashardorsoft，\'headded，inalowertone，andchucklingalittle。Sylviawassilent。Helookedathernow，chucklingstill。Herfacewaswhite，herlipstightened，hereyesaflame。Shedrewalongbreath。\'IwishI\'dbeentheere！IwishIcoulddohimanillturn，\'sighedshe，withsomekindofexpressiononherfacethatmadeKesterquailalittle。\'Nay，lass！he\'llgetitfra\'others。Niverfretthysel\'aboutsichrubbish。
A\'ndoneilltospeakonhim。\'\'No！thouhasn\'t。Thenaswasfriendso\'father\'sI\'llloveforiverandiver;themashelpedfort\'hanghim\'（sheshudderedfromheadtofoot——asharpirrepressibleshudder！）\'I\'llniverforgive——niver！\'\'Niver\'salongword，\'saidKester，musingly。\'Acouldhorsewhiphim，orcaststonesathim，orduckhimmysel\';but，lass！niver\'salongword！\'\'Well！niverheedifitis——it\'smeassaidit，andI\'mturnedsavagelatedays。Comein，Kester，andseepoormother。\'\'Acannot，\'saidhe，turninghiswrinkledpuckeredfaceaway，thatshemightnotseethetwitchingsofemotiononit。\'There\'skinetobefetchedup，andwhatnot，andhe\'stheere，isn\'the，Sylvie？\'facingrounduponherwithinquisitiveness。Underhispeeringeyesshereddenedalittle。\'Yes，ifit\'sPhilipthoumeans;he\'sbeenallwe\'vehadtolooktosin\'。\'
Againtheshudder。\'Well，nowhe\'llbeseem\'afterhisshop，areckon？\'Sylviawascallingtotheoldmarenibblingtuftsofearly—springinggrasshereandthere，andhalfunconsciouslycoaxingthecreaturetocometothegatetobestroked。ButsheheardKester\'swordswellenough，andsohesaw，althoughshemadethisexcusenottoreply。ButKesterwasnottobeputoff。\'Folksistalkin\'abouttheeandhim;thou\'llha\'tomindlesttheeandhimgetsyo\'rnamescoupledtogether。\'\'It\'srightdowncruelonfolks，then，\'saidshe，crimsoningfromsomeemotion。\'Asifanymanaswasamanwouldn\'tdoallhecouldfortwolonewomenatsuchatime——andheacousin，too！Tellmewhosaidso，\'continuedshe，firingroundatKester，\'andI\'llniverforgive\'em——that\'sall。\'\'Hoots！\'saidKester，alittleconsciousthathehimselfwastheprincipalrepresentativeofthatnameofmultitudefolk。\'Here\'saprettylass;she\'s\'
got\"a\'llniverforgi\'e\"athertongue\'sendwi\'avengeance。\'Sylviawasalittleconfused。\'Oh，Kester，man，\'saidshe，\'myheartissoreagain\'everyone，forfeyther\'ssake。\'Andatlengththenaturalreliefofplentifultearscame;andKester，withinstinctivewisdom，letherweepundisturbed;indeed，hecriednotalittlehimself。TheywereinterruptedbyPhilip\'svoicefromtheback—door。\'Sylvie，yourmother\'sawake，andwantsyou！\'\'Come，Kester，come，\'andtakingholdofhimshedrewhimwithherintothehouse。Bellroseastheycamein，holdingbythearmsofthechair。AtfirstshereceivedKesterasthoughhehadbeenastranger。\'I\'mgladtoseeyo\'，sir;t\'master\'sout，buthe\'llbeinaforelong。
It\'llbeaboutt\'lambsyo\'recome，mebbe？\'\'Mother！\'saidSylvia，\'dunnotyo\'see？it\'sKester，——Kester，wi\'hisSundayclotheson。\'\'Kester！ay，sureitis;myeyeshavegettensosoreanddimoflate;justasifI\'dbeengreeting。I\'msure，lad，I\'mgladtoseethee！It\'salongtimeI\'vebeenaway，butitwerenotpleasure—seekingastookme，itwerebusinesso\'somemak\'——tellhim，Sylvie，whatitwere，formyhead\'scleangone。IonlyknowIwouldn\'tha\'lefthomeifIcouldha\'helpedit;forIthinkIshouldha\'keptmyhealthbetterifI\'dbidedathomewi\'mymaster。Iwonderashe\'snotcomedinfort\'bidmewelcome？Ishefarafield，thinkye，Kester？\'KesterlookedatSylvia，mutelyimploringhertohelphimoutinthedilemmaofanswering，butshewasdoingallshecouldtohelpcrying。Philipcametotherescue。\'Aunt，\'saidhe，\'theclockhasstopped;canyoutellmewheret\'findt\'key，andI\'llwinditup。\'\'T\'key，\'saidshe，hurriedly，\'t\'key，it\'sbehindth\'bigBibleonyonshelf。ButI\'draytherthouwouldn\'ttouchit，lad;it\'st\'master\'swork，andhedistrustsfolkmeddlingwi\'it。\'Dayafterdaytherewasthisconstantreferencetoherdeadhusband。Inonesenseitwasablessing;allthecircumstancesattendantonhissadanduntimelyendweresweptoutofhermindalongwiththerecollectionofthefactitself。Shereferredtohimasabsent，andhadalwayssomeplausiblewayofaccountingforit，whichsatisfiedherownmind;and，accordinglytheyfellintothehabitofhumouringher，andspeakingofhimasgonetoMonkshaven，orafield，orweariedout，andtakinganapupstairs，asherfancyledhertobelieveforthemoment。Butthisforgetfulness，thoughhappyforherself，wasterribleforherchild。ItwasaconstantrenewingofSylvia\'sgrief，whilehermothercouldgivehernosympathy，nohelp，orstrengthinanycircumstancesthataroseoutofthisgrief。
ShewasdrivenmoreandmoreuponPhilip;hisadviceandhisaffectionbecamedailymorenecessarytoher。KestersawwhatwouldbetheendofallthismoreclearlythanSylviadidherself;and，impotenttohinderwhathefearedanddisliked，hegrewmoreandmoresurlyeveryday。Yethetriedtolabourhardandwellfortheinterestsofthefamily，asiftheywereboundupinhisgoodmanagementofthecattleandland。Hewasoutandaboutbytheearliestdawn，workingalldaylongwithmightandmain。Heboughthimselfapairofnewspectacles，whichmight，hefancied，enablehimtoreadtheFarmer\'sCompleteGuide，hisdeadmaster\'svade—mecum。Buthehadneverlearntmorethanhiscapitalletters，andhadforgottenmanyofthem;sothespectaclesdidhimbutlittlegood。ThenhewouldtakethebooktoSylvia，andaskhertoreadtohimtheinstructionsheneeded;instructions，beitnoted，thathewouldformerlyhavedespisedasmerebook—learning:buthispresentsenseofresponsibilityhadmadehimhumble。Sylviawouldfindtheplacewithalldeliberation:andputtingherfingerunderthelinetokeeptheexactplaceofthewordshewasreading，shewouldstriveingoodearnesttoreadoutthedirectionsgiven;butwheneveryfourthwordhadtobespelt，itwasratherhopelesswork，especiallyasallthesewordswereunintelligibletotheopen—mouthedlistener，howeverintenthemightbe。Hehadgenerallytofallbackonhisownexperience:
and，guidedbythat，thingswerenotdoingbadlyinhisestimation，when，oneday，Sylviasaidtohim，astheywereinthehay—field，heapingupthehayintocockswithDollyReid\'sassistance——\'Kester——Ididn\'ttellthee——therewerealetterfromMeasterHall，LordMalton\'ssteward，thatcamelastnightandthatPhilipreadme。\'Shestoppedforamoment。\'Aylass！Philipreaditthee，andwhattenmightitsay？\'\'OnlythathehadanofferforHaytersbankFarm，andwouldsetmotherfreetogoassoonast\'cropswasofft\'ground。\'Shesighedalittleasshesaidthis。\"\'Only！\"saystta？Whattenbusinesshashefortogoan\'offertolett\'
farmaforeiverheweretoldasyo\'wishedtoleaveit？\'observedKester，inhighdudgeon。\'Oh！\'repliedSylvia，throwingdownherrake，asifwearyoflife。\'Whatcouldwedowi\'t\'farmandland？IfitwerealldairyImightha\'done，butwi\'somuchonitarable。\'\'Andif\'tisarableisnotIallaystot\'fore？\'\'Oh，man，dunnotfindfaultwi\'me！I\'mjustfaintoliedownanddie，ifitwerenotformother。\'\'Ay！thymotherwillbesoreunsettledifthou\'sforquittingHaytersbank，\'
saidmercilessKester。\'Icannothelpit;Icannothelpit！WhatcanIdo？Itwouldtaketwopairo\'men\'shandstokeept\'landupasMeasterHalllikesit;andbeside————\'\'Besidewhat？\'saidKester，lookingupatherwithhissuddenoddlook，oneeyeshut，theotheropen:thereshestood，hertwohandsclaspedtighttogether，hereyesfillingwithtears，herfacepaleandsad。\'Besidewhat？\'
heaskedagain，sharply。\'T\'answer\'ssenttoMeasterHall——Philipwroteitlastnight;sothere\'snouseplanningandfretting，itweredonefort\'best，andmunbedone。\'
Shestoopedandpickedupherrake，andbegantossingthehaywithenergy，thetearsstreamingdownhercheeksunheeded。ItwasKester\'sturntothrowdownhisrake。Shetooknonotice，hedidnotfeelsurethatshehadobservedhisaction。Hebegantowalktowardsthefieldgate;thismovementdidcatchhereye，forinaminuteherhandwasonhisarm，andshewasstoopingforwardtolookintohisface。Itwasworkingandtwitchingwithemotion。
\'Kester！oh，man！speakout，butdunnotleavemeathis—ns。WhatcouldIha\'done？Motherisgonedatelesswi\'sorrow，andIambutayounglass，i\'yearsImean;forI\'moldenoughwi\'weeping。\'\'I\'dha\'putupfort\'farmmysel\'，soonerthanhadtheeturnedout，\'saidKester，inalowvoice;thenworkinghimselfupintoapassion，asanewsuspicioncrossedhismind，headded，\'An\'whatfordidn\'tyo\'tellmeont\'letter？Yo\'wereinamightyhurrytosettleita\'，andgetridont\'oudplace。\'\'MeasterHallhadsentanoticetoquitonMidsummerday;butPhiliphadansweredithisself。ThouknowsI\'mnotgoodatreadingwriting，\'specialwhenaletter\'sfullo\'longwords，andPhiliphadta\'enitinhandtoanswer。\'\'Wi\'outaskingthee？\'Sylviawentonwithoutmindingtheinterruption。\'AndMeasterHallmakesagoodoffer，fort\'manasisgoingtocomeinwilltaket\'stockanda\'t\'implements;andifmother——ifwe——ifI——like，th\'furnitureanda\'————\'\'Furniture！\'saidKester，ingrimsurprise。\'What\'stocomeo\'t\'missusandthee，thatyo\'llnotneedabedtolieon，orapottoboilyo\'rvittelin？\'Sylviareddened，butkeptsilence。\'Cannotyo\'speak？\'\'Oh，Kester，Ididn\'tthinkthou\'dturnagain\'me，andmesofriendless。
It\'sasifI\'dbeendoin\'somethingwrong，andIhavesostriventoactasisbest;there\'smotheraswellasmetobethoughton。\'\'Cannotyo\'answeraquestion？\'saidKester，oncemore。\'Whatten\'supthatt\'missusandyo\'llnotneedbedandtable，potsandpans？\'\'IthinkI\'mgoingtomarryPhilip，\'saidSylvia，insolowatone，thatifKesterhadnotsuspectedwhatheranswerwastobe，hecouldnothaveunderstoodit。Afteramoment\'spauseherecommencedhiswalktowardsthefieldgate。
Butshewentafterhimandheldhimtightbythearm，speakingrapidly。\'Kester，whatcouldIdo？WhatcanIdo？He\'smycousin，andmotherknowshim，andlikeshim;andhe\'sbeensogoodtousina\'thistimeo\'troubleandheavygrief，andhe\'llkeepmotherincomfortallt\'restofherdays。\'\'Ay，andtheeincomfort。There\'sadealinawell—filledpurseinawench\'seyes，oronewouldha\'thoughtitweren\'tsoeasyforgettin\'yonladaslovedtheeast\'appleonhiseye。\'\'Kester，Kester，\'shecried，\'I\'veniverforgottenCharley;Ithinkonhim，Iseehimiverynightlyingdrownedatt\'bottomo\'t\'sea。Forgettenhim！Man！it\'seasytalking！\'Shewaslikeawildcreaturethatseesitsyoung，butisunabletoreachitwithoutadeadlyspring，andyetispreparingtotakethatfatalleap。Kesterhimselfwasalmoststartled，andyetitwasasifhemustgoontorturingher。\'An\'whotelledtheesosureandcertainasheweredrowned？Hemightha\'
beencarriedoffbyt\'press—gangaswellasothermen。\'\'Oh！ifIwerebutdeadthatImightknowall！\'criedshe，flingingherselfdownonthehay。Kesterkeptsilence。Thenshesprangupagain，andlookingwitheagerwistfulnessintohisface，shesaid，——\'Tellmet\'chances。Tellmequick！Philip\'sverygood，andkind，andhesaysheshalldieifIwillnotmarryhim，andthere\'snohomeformotherandme，——nohomeforher，forasformeIdunnotcarewhatbecomesonme;
butifCharley\'saliveIcannotmarryPhilip——no，notifhediesforwanto\'me——andasformother，poormother，Kester，it\'sanawfulstrait;onlyfirsttellmeifthere\'sachance，justoneinathousand，onlyoneinahundredthousand，asCharleywereta\'enbyt\'gang？\'Shewasbreathlessbythistime，whatwithherhurriedwords，andwhatwiththebeatingofherheart。Kestertooktimetoanswer。Hehadspokenbeforetoohastily，thistimeheweighedhiswords。\'Kinraidwentawayfromthishereplacet\'joinhisship。An\'heniverjoineditnomore;an\'t\'captainan\'allhisfriendsatNewcasselasiverwere，madesearchforhim，onboardt\'。king\'sships。That\'smorenorfifteenmonthago，an\'noughthasiverbeenheerdonhimbyanyman。That\'swhat\'stobesaidononesideo\'t\'matter。Thenont\'otherthere\'sthisasisknown。Hishatwerecastupbyt\'seawi\'aribboninit，asthere\'sreasont\'thinkashe\'dnotha\'partedwi\'soquickifhe\'dhadhisownwill。\'\'Butyo\'saidashemightha\'beencarriedoffbyt\'gang——yo\'did，Kester，tho\'nowyo\'rea\'fort\'otherside。\'\'Mylass，a\'dfainhavehimalive，an\'adunnotfancyPhilipforthyhusband;
butit\'saseriousjudgmentasthou\'sputmeon，an\'a\'mtryingitfair。
There\'sallaysonechancei\'athousandashe\'salive，fornomaniversawhimdead。Butt\'gangwerenoaneaboutMonkshaventhen:therewereniveratenderont\'coastnearerthanShields，an\'thosetheereweresearched。\'Hedidnotsayanymore，butturnedbackintothefield，andtookuphishay—makingagain。Sylviastoodquitestill，thinking，andwistfullylongingforsomekindofcertainty。Kestercameuptoher。\'Sylvie，thouknowsPhilippaidmebackmymoney，anditwereeightpoundfifteenandthree—pence;andt\'hayandstock\'llsellforsummatabovet\'rent;anda\'veasisterasisadecentwidow—woman，tho\'butbadlyoff，livin\'atDaleEnd;andiftheeandthymother\'llgolivewi\'her，a\'llgivetheewellontoallacanearn，andit\'llbeamattero\'fiveshillingaweek。Butdunnotgoandmarryamanasthou\'snoanetakenwi\'，andanotherasismostlikefort\'bedead，butwho，mebbe，isalive，havin\'apullonthyheart。\'Sylviabegantocryasifherheartwasbroken。ShehadpromisedherselfmorefullytoPhilipthenightbeforethanshehadtoldKester;and，withsomepainsandmuchpatience，hercousin，herlover，alas！herfuturehusband，hadmadethefactcleartothebewilderedmindofherpoormother，whohadalldaylongshownthathermindandheartwerefullofthesubject，andthatthecontemplationofitwasgivingherasmuchpeaceasshecouldeverknow。AndnowKester\'swordscametocallupechoesinthepoorgirl\'sheart。Justasshewasinthismiserablestate，wishingthatthegravelayopenbeforeher，andthatshecouldliedown，andbecoveredupbythesoftgreenturffromallthebittersorrowsandcarkingcaresandwearybewildermentsofthislife;wishingthatherfatherwasalive，thatCharliewasoncemorehere;thatshehadnotrepeatedthesolemnwordsbywhichshehadpromisedherselftoPhiliponlytheveryeveningbefore，sheheardasoft，lowwhistle，and，lookingroundunconsciously，therewasherloverandaffiancedhusband，leaningonthegate，andgazingintothefieldwithpassionateeyes，devouringthefairfaceandfigureofher，hisfuturewife。\'Oh，Kester，\'saidsheoncemore，\'whatmunIdo？I\'mpledgedtohimasstrongaswordscanmakeit，andmotherblessedusbothwi\'moresensethanshe\'shadforweeks。Kester，man，speak！ShallIgoandbreakitalloff？——say。\'\'Nay，it\'snoaneformet\'say;m\'appenthou\'sgonetoofar。Themaboveonlyknowswhatisbest。\'Againthatlong，cooingwhistle。\'Sylvie！\'\'He\'sbeenverykindtousall，\'saidSylvie，layingherrakedownwithslowcare，\'andI\'lltryt\'makehimhappy。\'
chapter29CHAPTERXXIXWEDDINGRAIMENTPhilipandSylviawereengaged。ItwasnotsohappyastateofthingsasPhiliphadimagined。Hehadalreadyfoundthatout，althoughitwasnottwenty—fourhourssinceSylviahadpromisedtobehis。Hecouldnothavedefinedwhyhewasdissatisfied;ifhehadbeencompelledtoaccountforhisfeeling，hewouldprobablyhaveallegedasareasonthatSylvia\'smannerwassounchangedbyhernewpositiontowardshim。Shewasquietandgentle;
butnoshyer，nobrighter，nocoyer，nohappier，thanshehadbeenformonthsbefore。Whenshejoinedhimatthefield—gate，hisheartwasbeatingfast，hiseyeswerebeamingoutloveatherapproach。Sheneitherblushednorsmiled，butseemedabsorbedinthoughtofsomekind。Butsheresistedhissilentefforttodrawherawayfromthepathleadingtothehouse，andturnedherfacesteadilyhomewards。Hemurmuredsoftwords，whichshescarcelyheard。Rightintheirwaywasthestonetroughforthefreshbubblingwater，that，issuingfromaroadsidespring，servedforallthehouseholdpurposesofHaytersbankFarm。Byitwerethemilk—cans，glitteringandclean。Sylviaknewsheshouldhavetostopforthese，andcarrythembackhomeinreadinessfortheevening\'smilking;andatthistime，duringthisaction，sheresolvedtosaywhatwasonhermind。Theywerethere。Sylviaspoke。\'Philip，Kesterhasbeensayingashowitmightha\'been————\'\'Well！\'saidPhilip。Sylviasatedownontheedgeofthetrough，anddippedherhotlittlehandinthewater。Thenshewentonquickly，andliftingherbeautifuleyestoPhilip\'sface，withalookofinquiry——\'HethinksasCharleyKinraidmayha\'beentookbyt\'press—gang。\'Itwasthefirsttimeshehadnamedthenameofherformerlovertoherpresentonesincetheday，longagonow，whentheyhadquarrelledabouthim;andtherosycolourflushedherallover;buthersweet，trustfuleyesneverflinchedfromtheirsteady，unconsciousgaze。Philip\'sheartstoppedbeating;literally，asifhehadcometoasuddenprecipice，whilehehadthoughthimselfsecurelywalkingonsunnygreensward。
Hewentpurplealloverfromdismay;hedarednottakehiseyesawayfromthatsad，earnestlookofhers，buthewasthankfulthatamistcamebeforethemanddrewaveilbeforehisbrain。Heheardhisownvoicesayingwordshedidnotseemtohaveframedinhisownmind。\'Kester\'sad——dfool，\'hegrowled。\'Hesaysthere\'smebbebutonechancei\'ahundred，\'saidSylvia，pleading，asitwere，forKester;\'butoh！Philip，thinkyo\'there\'sjustthatonechance？\'\'Ay，there\'sachance，sureenough，\'saidPhilip，inakindoffiercedespairthatmadehimrecklesswhathesaidordid。\'There\'sachance，Isuppose，foriverythingi\'lifeaswehavenotseenwithourowneyesasitmaynotha\'happened。Kestermaysaynextasthere\'sachanceasyourfatherisnotdead，becausewenoneonussawhim————\'\'Hung，\'hewasgoingtohavesaid，butatouchofhumanitycamebackintohisstonyheart。Sylviasentupalittlesharpcryathiswords。Helongedatthesoundtotakeherinhisarmsandhushherup，asamotherhushesherweepingchild。Buttheverylonging，havingtoberepressed，onlymadehimmorebesidehimselfwithguilt，anxiety，andrage。Theywerequitestillnow。Sylvialookingsadlydownintothebubbling，merry，flowingwater:Philipglaringather，wishingthatthenextwordwerespoken，thoughitmightstabhimtotheheart。Butshedidnotspeak。Atlength，unabletobearitanylonger，hesaid，\'Thousetsadealo\'
storeonthatman，Sylvie。\'If\'thatman\'hadbeenthereatthemoment，Philipwouldhavegrappledwithhim，andnotletgohisholdtilloneortheotherweredead。Sylviacaughtsomeofthepassionatemeaningofthegloomy，miserabletoneofPhilip\'svoiceashesaidthesewords。Shelookedupathim。\'Ithoughtyo\'knowedthatIcaredadealforhim。\'Therewassomethingsopleadingandinnocentinherpale，troubledface，sopatheticinhertone，thatPhilip\'sanger，whichhadbeenexcitedagainsther，aswellasagainstalltherestoftheworld，meltedawayintolove;
andoncemorehefeltthathaveherforhisownhemust，atanycost。Hesatedownbyher，andspoketoherinquiteadifferentmannertothatwhichhehadusedbefore，withareadytactandartwhichsomestrangeinstinctortempter\'closeathisear\'supplied。\'Yes，darling，Iknewyo\'caredforhim。I\'llnotsayillofhimthatis——dead——ay，deadanddrowned——whativerKestermaysay——beforenow;butifIchoseI
couldtelltales。\'\'No！tellnotales;I\'llnothearthem，\'saidshe，wrenchingherselfoutofPhilip\'sclaspingarm。\'Theymaymisca\'himforiver，andI\'llnotbelieve\'em。\'\'I\'llnivermiscallonewhoisdead，\'saidPhilip;eachnewunconscioussignofthestrengthofSylvia\'sloveforherformerloveronlymakinghimthemoreanxioustoconvinceherthathewasdead，onlyrenderinghimmorekeenatdeceivinghisownconsciencebyrepeatingtoittheliethatlongerethisKinraidwasinallprobabilitydead——killedbyeitherthechancesofwarortempestuoussea;that，evenifnot，hewasasgoodasdeadtoher;sothattheword\'dead\'mightbeusedinallhonestcertainty，asinoneofitsmeaningsKinraidwasdeadforsure。\'Thinkyo\'thatifhewerenotdeadhewouldn\'tha\'writtenerethistosomeoneofhiskin，ifnottothee？YetnoneofhisfolkNewcassel—waybutbelievehimdead。\'\'SoKestersays，\'sighedSylvia。Philiptookheart。Heputhisarmsoftlyroundheragain，andmurmured——\'Mylassie，trynottothinkonthemasisgone，asisdead，butt\'thinkabitmoreonhimaslovesyo\'wi\'heart，andsoul，andmight，andhasdoneiversin\'hefirstseteyesonyo\'。Oh，Sylvie，mylovefortheeisjustterrible。\'AtthismomentDollyReidwasseenattheback—doorofthefarmhouse，andcatchingsightofSylvia，shecalledout——\'Sylvia，thymotherisaxingforthee，andIcannotmakehermindeasy。\'