andI\'veadealofmoneybyme————\'\'Nay，mylass，\'saidKester，\'thoumunnotgooffsofast;itwerejustwhatIwerefearedoni\'tellin\'thee。I\'veleftherabito\'money，andI\'llmak\'shifttosendhermore;it\'sjustakindword，t\'keepupherheartwhenI\'mgone，asIwant。Ifthou\'dstepinandseeherfra\'timetotime，andcheerherupabitwi\'talkin\'toheronme，I\'dtak\'itverykind，andI\'dgooffwi\'alighterheart。\'\'ThenI\'msureI\'lldoitforyo\'，Kester。Iniverjustlyfeellikemysel\'
whenyo\'reaway;forI\'mlonesomeenoughattimes。SheandIwilltalka\'t\'betteraboutyo\'forbothonusgrievingafteryo\'。\'SoKestertookhisleave，hismindsetateasebySylvia\'spromisetogoandseehissisterprettyoftenduringhisabsenceintheNorth。ButSylvia\'shabitswerechangedsinceshe，asagirlatHaytersbank，likedtospendhalfhertimeintheopenair，runningoutperpetuallywithoutanythingontoscattercrumbstothepoultry，ortotakeapieceofbreadtotheoldcart—horse，togouptothegardenforahandfulofherbs，ortoclambertothehighestpointaroundtoblowthehornwhichsummonedherfatherandKesterhometodinner。Livinginatownwhereitwasnecessarytoputonhatandcloakbeforegoingoutintothestreet，andthentowalkinasteadyanddecorousfashion，shehadonlycaredtoescapedowntothefreedomofthesea—shoreuntilPhilipwentaway;andafterthattimeshehadlearntsotofearobservationasadesertedwife，thatnothingbutBella\'shealthwouldhavebeenasufficientmotivetotakeheroutofdoors。And，asshehadtoldKester，thenecessityofgivingthelittlegirladailywalkwasverymuchlightenedbythegreatloveandaffectionwhichJeremiahFosternowboretothechild。Eversincethedaywhenthebabyhadcometohisknee，alluredbythetemptationofhiswatch，hehadapparentlyconsideredherasinsomesortbelongingtohim;andnowhehadalmostcometothinkthathehadarighttoclaimherashiscompanioninhiswalkbackfromtheBanktohisearlydinner，whereahighchairwasalwaysplacedreadyforthechanceofhercomingtosharehismeal。
Ontheseoccasionshegenerallybroughtherbacktotheshop—doorwhenhereturnedtohisafternoon\'sworkattheBank。Sometimes，however，hewouldleavewordthatshewastobesentforfromhishouseintheNewTown，ashisbusinessattheBankforthatdaywasended。ThenSylviawascompelledtoputonherthings，andfetchbackherdarling;andexceptingforthiserrandsheseldomwentoutatallonweek—days。AboutafortnightafterKester\'sfarewellcall，thisneedforhervisittoJeremiahFoster\'sarose;anditseemedtoSylviathattherecouldnotbeabetteropportunityoffulfillingherpromiseandgoingtoseethewidowDobson，whosecottagewasontheothersideoftheriver，lowdownonthecliffside，justatthebendandrushofthefullstreamintotheopensea。Shesetoffprettyearlyinordertogotherefirst。Shefoundthewidowwithherhouse—placetidiedupafterthemiddaymeal，andbusyknittingattheopendoor——notlookingatherrapid—clickingneedles，butgazingattherushandrecessionofthewavesbeforeher;yetnotseeingthemeither，——ratherseeingdayslongpast。ShestartedintoactivecivilityassoonassherecognizedSylvia，whowastoherasagreatlady，neverhavingknownSylviaRobsoninherwildchildishdays。WidowDobsonwasalwaysalittlescandalizedatherbrotherChristopher\'sfamiliaritywithMrsHepburn。Shedustedachairwhichneedednodusting，andplaceditforSylvia，sittingdownherselfonathree—leggedstooltomarkhersenseofthedifferenceintheirconditions，fortherewasanotherchairortwointhehumbledwelling;
andthenthetwofellintotalk——firstaboutKester，whomhissisterwouldpersistincallingChristopher，asifhisdignityasherelderbrotherwascompromisedbyanyfamiliarabbreviation;andby—and—bysheopenedherheartalittlemore。\'Acouldwishasa\'dlearnedwrite—of—hand，\'saidshe;\'fora\'vethatfortotellChristopherasmightsethismindatease。Butyo\'see，ifawrotehimaletterhecouldn\'treadit;soajustcomfortmysel\'wi\'thinkin\'
nobodyneedlearnwritin\'unlessthey\'ngotfriendsascanread。Butareckonhe\'dha\'beengladtohearasa\'vegettenalodger。\'Hereshenoddedherheadinthedirectionofthedooropeningoutofthehouse—placeintothe\'lean—to，\'whichSylviahadobservedondrawingnearthecottage，andtherecollectionofthementionofwhichbyKesterhadenabledhertoidentifywidowDobson\'sdwelling。\'He\'sa—bedyonder，\'thelattercontinued，droppinghervoice。\'He\'saqueer—lookin\'tyke，butadon\'tthinkashe\'sabadun。\'\'Whendidhecome？\'saidSylvia，rememberingKester\'saccountofhissister\'scharacter，andfeelingasthoughitbehovedher，asKester\'sconfidanteonthishead，togivecautiousandprudentadvice。\'Eh！amatterofas\'ennightago。A\'mnoanegoodatmindin\'time;he\'spaidmehisrenttwice，butthenhewerekeentopayaforehand。He\'dcomedinonenight，an\'satehimdownaforehecouldspeak，heweresodoneup;
he\'dbeenontrampthismanyaday，areckon。\"Canyo\'givemeabed？\"
sayshe，pantinglike，afterabit。\"Achapasametnearheresaysasyo\'vealodgingfort\'let。\"\"Ay，\"saysa，\"aha\'that;butyo\'munpaymeashillingaweekfor\'t。\"Thenmymindmisgiveme，forathoughthehadn\'tashillingi\'t\'world，an\'yetifhehadn\'t，ashouldjustha\'
gi\'enhimt\'beda\'t\'same:a\'mnotoneascanturnadogoutifhecomest\'meweariedo\'hislife。Soheoutswi\'ashillin\'，an\'laysitdownont\'table，\'boutaword。\"A\'llnottroubleyo\'long，\"sayshe。\"A\'moneasisbestouto\'t\'world，\"hesays。Thenathoughtasa\'dbeenabitharduponhim。An\'saysI，\"A\'mawidow—woman，andoneashasgettenbutfewfriends:\"foryo\'seeawerelowaboutourChristopher\'sgoin\'awaynorth;soa\'mforced—liketospeakhardtofolk;buta\'vemademysel\'somestiraboutformysupper;andifyo\'dliket\'sharean\'shareaboutwi\'
me，it\'sbutputtin\'asupmorewatterto\'t，andGod\'sblessing\'llbeon\'t，justassameasif\'tweremeal。\"Soheupswi\'hishandaforehise\'en，andsaysnotaword。Atlasthesays，\"Missus，\"sayshe，\"canGod\'sblessingbesharedbyasinner——oneo\'t\'devil\'schildren？\"sayshe。\"FortheScriptur\'sayshe\'st\'fathero\'lies。\"Soawerepuzzled—like;an\'
atlengthasays，\"Thoumunaskt\'parsonthat;a\'mbutapoorfaint—heartedwidow—woman;buta\'veallayshadGod\'sblessingsomehow，nowabethinkme，an\'a\'llshareitwi\'theeasfarasmywillgoes。\"Soheraxeshishandacrosst\'table，an\'mutterssummat，ashegripsmine。AthoughtitwereScriptur\'ashesaid，buta\'dneededa\'mystrengthjustthenfort\'liftt\'potofft\'fire——itweret\'firstvittlea\'dtastedsin\'morn，fort\'faminecomesdownlikestonesont\'heado\'uspoorfolk:an\'a\'
asaidwerejust\"Coomalong，chap，an\'fa\'to;an\'God\'sblessingbeonhimaseatsmost。\"An\'sin\'thatdayhimandme\'sbeenasthickasthieves，onlyhe\'snivertelledmenoughtofwhoheis，orwheerehecomesfra\'。
Butathinkhe\'soneo\'thempoorcolliers，ashasgettenbrunti\'t\'coal—pits;
for，t\'besure，hisfaceisa\'blackwi\'fire—marks;an\'o\'latedayshe\'sta\'ent\'hisbed，an\'justliestheresighing，——foronecanhearhimplainasdayleetthro\'t\'bitpartitionwa\'。\'Asaproofofthis，asigh——almostagroan——startledthetwowomenatthisverymoment。\'Poorfellow！\'saidSylvia，inasoftwhisper。\'There\'smoresoreheartsi\'t\'worldthanonereckonsfor！\'Butafterawhile，shebethoughtheragainofKester\'saccountofhissister\'s\'softness;\'andshethoughtthatitbehovedhertogivesomegoodadvice。Sosheadded，inasterner，hardertone——\'Still，yo\'sayyo\'knownoughtabouthim;andtrampsistrampsa\'
t\'worldover;andyo\'reawidow，anditbehovesyo\'tobecareful。IthinkI\'djustsendhimoffassoonashe\'sabitrested。Yo\'sayhe\'splentyo\'money？\'\'Nay！Aneversaidthat。Aknownoughtaboutit。Hepaysmeaforehand;
an\'hepaysmedownforwhativera\'vegettenforhim;butthat\'sbutlittle;
he\'snoaneupt\'hisvittle，thougha\'vemadehimsomebrothasgoodasacouldmake\'em。\'\'Iwouldn\'tsendhimawaytillhewaswellagain，ifIwereyo;butIthinkyo\'dbebetterridonhim，\'saidSylvia。\'Itwouldbedifferentifyo\'rbrotherwereinMonkshaven。\'Asshespokesherosetogo。WidowDobsonheldherhandinhersforaminute，thenthehumblewomansaid，——\'Yo\'llnoanebevexedwi\'me，missus，ifacannotfindi\'myheartt\'turnhimouttillhewantstogohissel\'？Forawouldn\'tliketovexyo\'，forChristopher\'ssake;butaknowwhatitisfort\'feelforfriendlessfolk，an\'choosewhatmaycomeonit，Icannotsendhimaway。\'\'No！\'saidSylvia。\'WhyshouldIbevexed？it\'snobusinesso\'mine。OnlyIshouldsendhimawayifIwasyo\'。Hemightgolodgewheeretherewasmen—folk，whoknowt\'wayso\'tramps，andareuptothem。\'IntothesunshinewentSylvia。Inthecoldshadowthemiserabletramplaysighing。Shedidnotknowthatshehadbeensoneartohimtowardswhomherheartwassoftening，daybyday。
chapter44CHAPTERXLIVFIRSTWORDSItwasthespringof1800。Oldpeopleyetcantellofthehardfamineofthatyear。Theharvestoftheautumnbeforehadfailed;thewarandthecornlawshadbroughtthepriceofcornuptoafaminerate;andmuchofwhatcameintothemarketwasunsound，andconsequentlyunfitforfood，yethungrycreaturesboughtiteagerly，andtriedtocheatdiseasebymixingthedamp，sweet，clammyflourwithriceorpotatomeal。Richfamiliesdeniedthemselvespastryandallunnecessaryandluxurioususesofwheatinanyshape;thedutyonhair—powderwasincreased;andallthesepalliativeswerebutasdropsintheoceanofthegreatwantofthepeople。Philip，inspiteofhimself，recoveredandgrewstronger;andashegrewstrongerhungertooktheplaceofloathingdisliketofood。Butthismoneywasallspent;andwhatwashispoorpensionofsixpenceadayinthatterribleyearoffamine？Manyasummer\'snighthewalkedforhoursandhoursroundthehousewhichoncewashis，whichmightbehisnow，withallitshomely，blessedcomforts，couldhebutgoandasserthisrighttoit。Buttogowithauthority，andinhispoor，maimedguiseassertthatright，hehadneedbeotherthanPhilipHepburn。Sohestoodintheoldshelterofthesteep，crookedlaneopeningontothehilloutofthemarketplace，andwatchedthesoftfadingofthesummer\'seveintonight;theclosingoftheoncefamiliarshop;theexitofgood，comfortableWilliamCoulson，goingtohisownhome，hisownwife，hiscomfortable，plentifulsupper。
ThenPhilip——therewerenopoliceinthosedays，andscarcelyanoldwatchmaninthatprimitivelittletown——wouldgoroundontheshadysidesofstreets，and，quicklyglancingabouthim，crossthebridge，lookingonthequiet，ripplingstream，thegreyshimmerforetellingthecomingdawnoverthesea，theblackmastsandriggingofthestillvesselsagainstthesky;
hecouldseewithhiswistful，eagereyestheshapeofthewindows——thewindowoftheveryroominwhimhiswifeandchildslept，unheedingofhim，thehungry，broken—heartedoutcast。Hewouldgobacktohislodging，andsoftlyliftthelatchofthedoor;stillmoresoftly，butneverwithoutanunspoken，gratefulprayer，passbythepoorsleepingwomanwhohadgivenhimashelterandhershareofGod\'sblessing——shewho，likehim，knewnotthefeelingofsatisfiedhunger;andthenhelaidhimdownonthenarrowpalletinthelean—to，andagaingaveSylviahappylessonsinthekitchenatHaytersbank，andthedeadwerealive;andCharleyKinraid，thespecksioneer，hadnevercometotroublethehopeful，gentlepeace。ForwidowDobsonhadnevertakenSylvia\'sadvice。ThetrampknowntoherbythenameofFreeman——thatinwhichhereceivedhispension——lodgedwithherstill，andpaidhismeagreshillinginadvance，weekly。Ashillingwasmeagreinthoseharddaysofscarcity。Ahungrymanmighteasilyeattheproduceofashillinginaday。WidowDobsonpleadedthistoSylviaasanexcuseforkeepingherlodgeron;toamorecalculatingheaditmighthaveseemedareasonforsendinghimaway。\'Yo\'see，missus，\'saidshe，apologetically，toSylvia，oneevening，asthelattercalleduponthepoorwidowbeforegoingtofetchlittleBella（itwasnowtoohotforthechildtocrossthebridgeinthefullheatofthesummersun，andJeremiahwouldtakeheruptohersupperinstead）——\'Yo\'
see，missus，there\'snotamanyas\'udtakehiminforashillin\'whenitgoessolittleway;oriftheydid，they\'dtakeitoutonhimsomeotherway，an\'he\'snotgettenmuchelse，areckon。Heca\'smegranny，buta\'mvastmista\'enifhe\'stenyearyoungernorme;buthe\'sgettenafineappetiteofhisown，choosehowyounghemaybe;an\'acanseeashecouldeatadealmorenorhe\'sgettenmoneytobuy，an\'it\'sfewascanmak\'victualgofarthernorme。Eh，missus，butyo\'maytrustmea\'llsendhimoffwhentimesisbetter;butjustnowitwouldbesendin\'himtohisdeath;foraha\'plentyandtospare，thanksbetoGodan\'yo\'rbonnyface。\'SoSylviahadtobecontentwiththeknowledgethatthemoneyshegladlygavetoKester\'ssisterwentpartlytofeedthelodgerwhowasneitherlabourernorneighbour，butonlyjustatramp，who，shefeared，waspreyingonthegoodoldwoman。Stillthecruelfaminecutsharpenoughtopenetrateallhearts;andSylvia，anhouraftertheconversationrecordedabove，wasmuchtouched，onherreturnfromJeremiahFoster\'swiththelittlemerry，chatteringBella，atseeingthefeeblestepsofone，whomsheknewbydescriptionmustbewidowDobson\'slodger，turnupfromthenewly—cutroadwhichwastoleadtotheterracewalkaroundtheNorthCliff，aroadwhichledtonodwellingbutwidowDobson\'s。Tramp，andvagrant，hemightheintheeyesofthelaw;but，whateverhischaracter，Sylviacouldseehimbeforeherinthesoftdusk，creepingalong，overthebridge，oftenstoppingtorestandholdbysomesupport，andthengoingonagaintowardsthetown，towhichsheandhappylittleBellawerewending。Athoughtcameoverher:shehadalwaysfanciedthatthisunknownmanwassomefiercevagabond，andhaddreadedlestinthelonelybitofroadbetweenwidowDobson\'scottageandthepeopledhighway，heshouldfalluponherandrobherifhelearntthatshehadmoneywithher;andseveraltimesshehadgoneawaywithoutleavingthelittlegiftshehadintended，becausesheimaginedthatshehadseenthedoorofthesmallchamberinthe\'lean—to\'
opensoftlywhileshewasthere，asiftheoccupant（whomwidowDobsonspokeofasneverleavingthehousebeforedusk，exceptingonceaweek）
werelisteningforthechinkofthecoininherlittleleathernpurse。
Nowthatshesawhimwalkingbeforeherwithheavylanguidsteps，thisfeargaveplacetopity;sherememberedhermother\'sgentlesuperstitionwhichhadpreventedherfromeversendingthehungryemptyaway，forfearlestsheherselfshouldcometoneedbread。\'Lassie，\'saidshetolittleBella，whoheldacakewhichJeremiah\'shousekeeperhadgivenhertightinherhand，\'yonpoormantheereishungry;willBellagivehimhercake，andmotherwillmakeheranotherto—morrowtwiceasbig？\'Forthisconsideration，andwiththefeelingofsatisfactionwhichagoodsuppernotanhouragogiveseventothehungrystomachofachildofthreeyearsold，Bella，aftersomethought，graciouslyassentedtothesacrifice。Sylviastopped，thecakeinherhand，andturnedherbacktothetown，andtotheslowwayfarerinfront。Underthecoverofhershawlsheslippedahalf—crowndeepintothecrumbofthecake，andthenrestoringittolittleBella，shegaveherherdirections。\'MammywillcarryBella;andwhenBellagoespastthepoorman，sheshallgivehimthecakeovermammy\'sshoulder。Poormanissohungry;andBellaandmammyhaveplentytoeat，andtospare。\'Thechild\'sheartwastouchedbytheideaofhunger，andherlittlearmwasoutstretchedreadyforthemomenthermother\'shurriedstepstookherbrushingpastthestartled，tremblingPhilip。\'Poorman，eatthis;Bellanothungry。\'Theywerethefirstwordshehadeverheardhischildutter。Theechoesofthemranginhisearsashestoodendeavouringtohidehisdisfiguredfacebylookingovertheparapetofthebridgedownuponthestreamrunningawaytowardstheocean，intowhichhishottearsslowlyfell，unheededbytheweeper。Thenhechangedtheintentionwithwhichhehadsetoutuponhisnightlywalk，andturnedbacktohislodging。OfcoursethecasewasdifferentwithSylvia;shewouldhaveforgottenthewholeaffairveryspeedily，ifithadnotbeenforlittleBella\'sfrequentrecurrencetothestoryofthehungryman，whichhadtouchedhersmallsympathieswiththesenseofanintelligiblemisfortune。Shelikedtoactthedroppingofthebunintothepoorman\'shandasshewentpasthim，andwouldtakeupanyarticlenearherinordertoillustratethegestureshehadused。OnedayshegotholdofHester\'swatchforthispurpose，asbeingofthesameroundshapeasthecake;andthoughHester，forwhosebenefitthechildwasrepeatingthestoryinherbrokenlanguageforthethirdorfourthtime，triedtocatchthewatchasitwasintendedthatsheshould（shebeingtherepresentativeofthe\'hungryman\'forthetimebeing），itwenttothegroundwithasmashthatfrightenedthelittlegirl，andshebegantocryatthemischiefshehaddone。\'Don\'tcry，Bella，\'saidHester。\'Niverplaywithwatchesagain。Ididn\'tseetheeatmine，orI\'dha\'stoppedtheeintime。ButI\'lltakeittooldDarley\'sonth\'quay—side，andmaybehe\'llsoonsetittorightsagain。
OnlyBellamustniverplaywithwatchesagain。\'\'Nivernomore！\'promisedthelittlesobbingchild。AndthateveningHestertookherwatchdowntooldDarley\'s。ThisWilliamDarleywasthebrotherofthegardenerattherectory;theuncletothesailorwhohadbeenshotbythepress—gangyearsbefore，andtohisbed—riddensister。Hewasaclevermechanician，andhisskillasarepairerofwatchesandchronometerswasgreatamongthesailors，withwhomhedidaveryirregularsortoftraffic，conducted。oftenwithoutmuchuseofmoney，butratherontheprincipleofbarter，theybringinghimforeigncoinsandoddcuriositiespickedupontheirtravelsinexchangeforhisservicestotheirnauticalinstrumentsortheirwatches。Ifhehadeverhadcapitaltoextendhisbusiness，hemighthavebeenarichman;butitistobedoubtedwhetherhewouldhavebeenashappyashewasnowinhisqueerlittlehabitationoftworooms，thefrontonebeingbothshopandworkshop，theotherservingthedoublepurposeofbed—roomandmuseum。Theskillofthisodd—tempered，shabbyoldmanwassometimessoughtbythejewellerwhokeptthemoreostentatiousshopintheHighStreet;butbeforeDarleywouldundertakeany\'tickle\'pieceofdelicateworkmanshipfortheother，hesneeredathisignorance，andtauntedandabusedhimwell。Yethehadsoftplacesinhisheart，andHesterRosehadfoundherwaytoonebyherpatient，enduringkindnesstohisbedriddenniece。Heneversnarledatherashedidattoomany;andonthefewoccasionswhenshehadaskedhimtodoanythingforher，hehadseemedasifshewereconferringthefavouronhim，notheonher，andonlymadethesmallestpossiblecharge。Shefoundhimnowsittingwherehecouldcatchthemostlightforhiswork，spectaclesonnose，andmicroscopeinhand。Hetookherwatch，andexamineditcarefullywithoutawordinreplytoher。Thenhebegantoopenitandtakeittopieces，inordertoascertainthenatureofthemischief。Suddenlyheheardhercatchherbreathwithacheckedsoundofsurprise。
Helookedatherfromabovehisspectacles;shewasholdingawatchinherhandwhichshehadjusttakenupoffthecounter。\'What\'samisswi\'theenow？\'saidDarley。\'Hasttariverseenawatcho\'thatmak\'afore？orisitthemlettersont\'back，asissowonderful？\'Yes，itwasthoseletters——thatinterlaced，old—fashionedcipher。ThatZ。H。thatsheknewofoldstoodforZacharyHepburn，Philip\'sfather。
SheknewhowPhilipvaluedthiswatch。Sherememberedhavingseenitinhishandstheverydaybeforehisdisappearance，whenhewaslookingatthetimeinhisannoyanceatSylvia\'sdetentioninherwalkwithbaby。
Hesterhadnodoubtthathehadtakenthiswatchasamatterofcourseawaywithhim。Shefeltsurethathewouldnotpartwiththisrelicofhisdeadfatheronanyslightnecessity。Where，then，wasPhilip？——bywhatchanceoflifeordeathhadthis，hisvaluedproperty，founditswayoncemoretoMonkshaven？\'Wheredidyo\'getthis？\'sheasked，inasquietamannerasshecouldassume，sickwitheagernessasshewas。TonooneelsewouldDarleyhaveansweredsuchaquestion。Hemadeamysteryofmostofhisdealings;notthathehadanythingtoconceal，butsimplybecausehedelightedinconcealment。Hetookitoutofherhands，lookedatthenumbermarkedinside，andthemaker\'sname——\'NatteauGent，York\'——andthenreplied，——\'Amanbroughtitmeyesterday，atnightfall，fort\'sellit。It\'samattero\'fortyyearsold。NatteauGenthasbeendeadandinhisgraveprettynighaslongasthat。Buthedidhisworkwellwhenhewerealive;andsoIgavehimasbroughtitfort\'sellaboutasmuchasitwereworth，i\'goodcoin。Atriedhimfirsti\'t\'barteringline，buthewouldn\'tbite;
likeenoughhewantedfood，——manyaonedoesnow—a—days。\'\'Whowashe？\'gaspedHester。\'Blesst\'woman！howshouldIknow？\'\'Whatwashelike？——howold？——tellme。\'\'Mylass，a\'vesummutelsetodowi\'myeyesthangopeeringintomen\'sfacesi\'t\'dusklight。\'\'Butyo\'musthavehadlightfort\'judgeaboutthewatch。\'\'Eh！howsharpweare！A\'dacandleclosetomynose。Butadidn\'ttak\'
itupfortogazeint\'hisface。Thatwouldn\'tbemanners，tomythinking。\'Hesterwassilent。ThenDarley\'sheartrelented。\'Ifyo\'resosetupo\'knowingwhot\'fellowwas，acould，mebbe，putyo\'
onhistracks。\'\'How？\'saidHester，eagerly。\'Idowanttoknow。Iwanttoknowverymuch，andforagoodreason。\'\'Well，thena\'lltellyo\'。He\'saqueertyke，thatoneis。A\'llbeboundheweresorepressedfort\'brass;yetheout\'swi\'agoodhalf—crown，allwrappedupi\'paper，andheaxesmet\'makeaholeinit。SaysI，\"It\'smarringgoodking\'scoin，ataftera\'vemadeaholein\'t，it\'llneverpasscurrentagain。\"Sohemumbles，andmumbles，butfora\'thatitmustneedsbedone;andhe\'sleftithere，anditt\'callfor\'tto—morrowate\'en。\'\'Oh，WilliamDarley！\'saidHester，claspingherhandstighttogether。\'Findoutwhoheis，whereheis——anything——everythingabouthim——andIwillsoblessyo\'。\'Darleylookedathersharply，butwithsomesignsofsympathyonhisgraveface。\'Mywoman，\'hesaid\'acouldha\'wishedasyou\'dniverseent\'watch。
It\'spoor，thanklessworkthinkingtoomuchononeo\'God\'screatures。
Buta\'lldothybidding，\'hecontinued，inalighteranddifferenttone。
\'A\'ma\'cuteoldbadgerwhenneedbe。Comeforthywatchinacoupleo\'
days，anda\'lltellyo\'allasa\'velearnt。\'SoHesterwentaway，herheartbeatingwiththepromiseofknowingsomethingaboutPhilip，——howmuch，howlittle，inthesefirstmoments，shedarednotsayeventoherself。SomesailornewlylandedfromdistantseasmighthavebecomepossessedofPhilip\'swatchinfar—offlatitudes;inwhichcase，Philipwouldbedead。Thatmightbe。Shetriedtothinkthatthiswasthemostprobablewayofaccountingforthewatch。Shecouldbecertainastothepositiveidentityofthewatch——beinginWilliamDarley\'spossession……
Again，itmightbethatPhiliphimselfwasnearathand——washereinthisveryplace——starving，astoomanywere，forinsufficiencyofmeanstobuythehigh—pricedfood。Andthenherheartburntwithinherasshethoughtofthesucculent，comfortablemealswhichSylviaprovidedeveryday——nay，threetimesaday——forthehouseholdinthemarket—place，attheheadofwhichPhilipoughttohavebeen;buthisplaceknewhimnot。ForSylviahadinheritedhermother\'stalentforhousekeeping，andonher，inAlice\'sdecrepitudeandHester\'sotheroccupationsintheshop，devolvedthecaresofdueprovisionforthesomewhatheterogeneousfamily。AndSylvia！HestergroanedinheartovertheremembranceofSylvia\'swords，\'Icanniverforgivehimthewronghedidtome，\'thatnightwhenHesterhadcome，andclungtoher，makingthesad，shamefulconfessionofherunreturnedlove。Whatcouldeverbringthesetwotogetheragain？CouldHesterherself——ignorantofthestrangemysteryofSylvia\'sheart，asthosewhoareguidedsolelybyobediencetoprinciplemusteverbeofthecluetotheactionsofthosewhoareledbythepassionateebbandflowofimpulse？CouldHesterherself？
Oh！howshouldshespeak，howshouldsheact，ifPhilipwerenear——ifPhilipweresadandinmiserableestate？Herownmiseryatthiscontemplationofthecasewastoogreattobear;andshesoughtherusualrefugeinthethoughtofsometext，somepromiseofScripture，whichshouldstrengthenherfaith。\'WithGodallthingsarepossible，\'saidshe，repeatingthewordsasthoughtolullheranxietytorest。Yes;withGodallthingsarepossible。ButoftentimesHedoeshisworkwithawfulinstruments。ThereisapeacemakerwhosenameisDeath。
chapter45CHAPTERXLVSAVEDANDLOSTHesterwentoutontheeveningofthedayafterthatonwhichtheunknownownerofthehalf—crownhadappointedtocallforitagainatWilliamDarley\'s。
Shehadschooledherselftobelievethattimeandpatiencewouldserveherbest。HerplanwastoobtainalltheknowledgeaboutPhilipthatshecouldinthefirstinstance;andthen，ifcircumstancesallowedit，asinallprobabilitytheywould，toletdropbydropofhealing，peacemakingwordsandthoughtsfallonSylvia\'sobdurate，unforgivingheart。SoHesterputonherthings，andwentoutdowntowardstheoldquay—sideonthateveningaftertheshopwasclosed。PoorSylvia！Shewasunforgiving，butnotobduratetothefullextentofwhatHesterbelieved。ManyatimesincePhilipwentawayhadsheunconsciouslymissedhisprotectinglove;whenfolksspokeshortlytoher，whenAlicescoldedherasoneofthenon—elect，whenHester\'sgentlegravityhadsomethingofseverityinit;whenherownheartfailedherastowhetherhermotherwouldhavejudgedthatshehaddonewell，couldthatmotherhaveknownall，aspossiblyshedidbythistime。Philiphadneverspokenotherwisethantenderlytoherduringtheeighteenmonthsoftheirmarriedlife，exceptonthetwooccasionsbeforerecorded:oncewhenshereferredtoherdreamofKinraid\'spossiblereturn，andonceagainontheeveningofthedaybeforeherdiscoveryofhisconcealmentofthesecretofKinraid\'sinvoluntarydisappearance。AftershehadlearntthatKinraidwasmarried，herhearthadstillmorestronglyturnedtoPhilip，shethoughtthathehadjudgedrightlyinwhathehadgivenastheexcuseforhisdoubledealing;shewasevenmoreindignantatKinraid\'sficklenessthanshehadanyreasontobe;andshebegantolearnthevalueofsuchenduringloveasPhilip\'shadbeen——lastingeversincethedayswhenshefirstbegantofancywhataman\'sloveforawomanshouldbe，whenshehadfirstshrunkfromthetoneoftendernessheputintohisespecialtermforher，agirloftwelve——\'Littlelassie，\'ashewaswonttocallher。Butacrossallthisrelentingcametheshadowofhervow——likethechillofagreatcloudpassingoverasunnyplain。Howshouldshedecide？whatwouldbeherduty，ifhecameagain，andoncemorecalledher\'wife\'？Sheshrankfromsuchapossibilitywithalltheweaknessandsuperstitionofhernature;andthisitwaswhichmadeherstrengthenherselfwiththere—utteranceofunforgivingwords;andshunallrecurrencetothesubjectontherareoccasionwhenHesterhadtriedtobringitback，withahopeofsofteningtheheartwhichtoherappearedaltogetherhardenedonthisonepoint。Now，onthisbrightsummerevening，whileHesterhadgonedowntothequay—side，Sylviastoodwithherout—of—doorthingsonintheparlour，ratherimpatientlywatchingthesky，fullofhurryingclouds，andflushingwiththewarmtintsoftheapproachingsunset。ShecouldnotleaveAlice:theoldwomanhadgrownsoinfirmthatshewasneverleftbyherdaughterandSylviaatthesametime;yetSylviahadtofetchherlittlegirlfromtheNewTown，whereshehadbeentohersupperatJeremiahFoster\'s。Hesterhadsaidthatsheshouldnotbeawaymorethanaquarterofanhour;andHesterwasgenerallysopunctualthatanyfailureofhers，inthisrespect，appearedalmostinthelightofaninjuryonthosewhohadlearnttorelyuponher。SylviawantedtogoandseewidowDobson，andlearnwhenKestermightbeexpectedhome。Histwomonthswerelongpast;andSylviahadheardthroughtheFostersofsomesuitableandprofitableemploymentforhim，ofwhichshethoughthewouldbegladtoknowassoonaspossible。Itwasnowsometimesinceshehadbeenabletogetsofarasacrossthebridge;and，foraughtsheknew，KestermightalreadybecomebackfromhisexpeditiontotheCheviots。
Kesterwascomeback。Scarcefiveminuteshadelapsedafterthesethoughtshadpassedthroughhermindbeforehishastyhandliftedthelatchofthekitchen—door，hishurriedstepsbroughthimfacetofacewithher。Thesmileofgreetingwasarrestedonherlipsbyonelookathim:hiseyesstaringwide，theexpressiononhisfacewild，andyetpitiful。\'That\'sreet，\'saidhe，seeingthatherthingswerealreadyon。\'Thou\'rewantedsore。Comealong。\'\'Oh！dearGod！mychild！\'criedSylvia，clutchingatthechairnearher;
butrecoveringhereddyingsenseswiththestrongfactbeforeherthatwhatevertheterrorwas，shewasneededtocombatit。\'Ay;thychild！\'saidKester，takingheralmostroughlybythearm，anddrawingherawaywithhimoutthroughtheopendoorsontothequay—side。\'Tellme！\'saidSylvia，faintly，\'isshedead？\'\'She\'ssafenow，\'saidKester。\'It\'snother——it\'shimassavedherasneedsyo\'，ifiverhusbandneededawife。\'\'He？——who？OPhilip！Philip！isityo\'atlast？\'Unheedingwhatspectatorsmightseehermovements，shethrewupherarmsandstaggeredagainsttheparapetofthebridgetheywerethencrossing。\'He！——Philip！——savedBella？Bella，ourlittleBella，asgotherdinnerbymyside，andwentoutwi\'Jeremiah，aswellascouldbe。Icannottakeitin;tellme，Kester。\'Shekepttremblingsomuchinvoiceandinbody，thathesawshecouldnotstirwithoutdangeroffallinguntilshewascalmed;asitwas，hereyesbecamefilmyfromtimetotime，andshedrewherbreathingreatheavypants，leaningallthewhileagainstthewallofthebridge。\'Itwerenoillness，\'Kesterbegan。\'T\'littleunhadgoneforawalkwi\'
JeremiahFoster，an\'heweredrawnfortogoroundt\'edgeo\'t\'cliff，wheerethey\'smakin\'t\'newwalkreeto\'ert\'sea。Butit\'sbutabitonapathwaynow;an\'t\'onewastoooud，an\'t\'othertooyoungfort\'seet\'watercomin\'alongwi\'greatleaps;it\'sallaysforcomin\'highupagain\'
t\'cliff，an\'thisspring—tideit\'scomin\'ini\'terriblebigwaves。Someonesaidastheypassedt\'mana—sittin\'onabitonarockupabove——adunnotknow，aonlyknowasahearedagreatfearfulscreechi\'t\'air。