NB。——FURNITURE，COALS，POTATOES，LIVEANDDEADSTOCK，REMOVEDTOANY
DISTANCEONTHESHORTESTNOTICE。
Mr。Mayboldleantovertheparapetofthebridgeandlookedintotheriver。Hesaw——withoutheeding——howthewatercamerapidlyfrombeneaththearches，glideddownalittlesteep，thenspreaditselfoverapoolinwhichdace，trout，andminnowssportedateaseamongthelonggreenlocksofweedthatlayheavingandsinkingwiththeirrootstowardsthecurrent。Attheendoftenminutesspentleaningthus，hedrewfromhispocketthelettertohisfriend，toreitdeliberatelyintosuchminutefragmentsthatscarcelytwosyllablesremainedinjuxtaposition，andsentthewholehandfulofshredsflutteringintothewater。Herehewatchedthemeddy，dart，andturn，astheywerecarrieddownwardstowardstheoceanandgraduallydisappearedfromhisview。Finallyhemovedoff，andpursuedhiswayatarapidpacebackagaintoMellstockVicarage。
Nervinghimselfbyalongandintenseeffort，hesatdowninhisstudyandwroteasfollows：
\"DEARMISSDAY，——Themeaningofyourwords，’thetemptationistoostrong，’ofyoursadnessandyourtears，hasbeenbroughthometomebyanaccident。Iknowto—daywhatIdidnotknowyesterday——thatyouarenotafreewoman。
\"Whydidyounottellme——whydidn’tyou？DidyousupposeIknew？
No。HadIknown，myconductincomingtoyouasIdidwouldhavebeenreprehensible。
\"ButIdon’tchideyou！Perhapsnoblameattachestoyou——Ican’ttell。Fancy，thoughmyopinionofyouisassailedanddisturbedinawaywhichcannotbeexpressed，Iloveyoustill，andmywordtoyouholdsgoodyet。Butwillyou，injusticetoanhonestmanwhoreliesuponyourwordtohim，considerwhether，underthecircumstances，youcanhonourablyforsakehim？——Yourseversincerely，\"ARTHURMAYBOLD。\"
Herangthebell。\"TellCharlestotakethesecopybooksandthisnotetotheschoolatonce。\"
Themaidtooktheparcelandtheletter，andinafewminutesaboywasseentoleavethevicaragegate，withtheoneunderhisarm，andtheotherinhishand。Thevicarsatwithhishandtohisbrow，watchingtheladashedescendedChurchLaneandenteredthewatersidepathwhichintervenedbetweenthatspotandtheschool。
Herehewasmetbyanotherboy，andafterafreesalutationandpugilisticfriskhadpassedbetweenthetwo，thesecondboycameonhiswaytothevicarage，andtheothervanishedoutofsight。
Theboycametothedoor，andanoteforMr。Mayboldwasbroughtin。
Heknewthewriting。Openingtheenvelopewithanunsteadyhand，hereadthesubjoinedwords：
\"DEARMR。MAYBOLD，——Ihavebeenthinkingseriouslyandsadlythroughthewholeofthenightofthequestionyouputtomelasteveningandofmyanswer。Thatanswer，asanhonestwoman，Ihadnorighttogive。
\"Itismynature——perhapsallwomen’s——toloverefinementofmindandmanners;butevenmorethanthis，tobeeverfascinatedwiththeideaofsurroundingsmoreelegantandpleasingthanthosewhichhavebeencustomary。Andyoupraisedme，andpraiseislifetome。Itwasalonemysensationsatthesethingswhichpromptedmyreply。
Ambitionandvanitytheywouldbecalled;perhapstheyareso。
\"AfterthisexplanationIhopeyouwillgenerouslyallowmetowithdrawtheanswerItoohastilygave。
\"Andonemorerequest。Tokeepthemeetingoflastnight，andallthatpassedbetweenusthere，foreverasecret。Wereittobecomeknown，itwouldutterlyblightthehappinessofatrustingandgenerousman，whomIlovestill，andshalllovealways。——Yourssincerely，\"FANCYDAY。
ThelastwrittencommunicationthateverpassedfromthevicartoFancy，wasanotecontainingthesewordsonly：
\"Tellhimeverything;itisbest。Hewillforgiveyou。\"
PARTTHEFIFTH：CONCLUSION
CHAPTERI：’THEKNOTTHERE’SNOUNTYING’
Thelastdayofthestoryisdatedjustsubsequenttothatpointinthedevelopmentoftheseasonswhencountrypeoplegotobedamongnearlynakedtrees，arelulledtosleepbyafallofrain，andawakenextmorningamonggreenones;whenthelandscapeappearsembarrassedwiththesuddenweightandbrilliancyofitsleaves;
whenthenight—jarcomesandstrikesupforthesummerhistuneofonenote;whentheapple—treeshavebloomed，andtheroadsandorchard—grassbecomespottedwithfallenpetals;whenthefacesofthedelicateflowersaredarkened，andtheirheadsweigheddown，bythethrongofhoney—bees，whichincreasetheirhummingtillhummingistoomildatermfortheall—pervadingsound;andwhencuckoos，blackbirds，andsparrows，thathavehithertobeenmerryandrespectfulneighbours，becomenoisyandpersistentintimates。
TheexteriorofGeoffreyDay’shouseinYalburyWoodappearedexactlyaswasusualatthatseason，butafranticbarkingofthedogsatthebacktoldofunwontedmovementssomewherewithin。
Insidethedoortheeyesbeheldagathering，whichwasararityindeedforthedwellingofthesolitarywood—stewardandkeeper。
Abouttheroomweresittingandstanding，invariousgnarledattitudes，ouroldacquaintance，grandfathersJamesandWilliam，thetranter，Mr。Penny，twoorthreechildren，includingJimmyandCharley，besidesthreeorfourcountryladiesandgentlemenfromagreaterdistancewhodonotrequireanydistinctionbyname。
Geoffreywasseenandheardstampingabouttheouthouseandamongthebushesofthegarden，attendingtodetailsofdailyroutinebeforethepropertimearrivedfortheirperformance，inorderthattheymightbeoffhishandsfortheday。Heappearedwithhisshirt—sleevesrolledup;hisbestnewnethergarments，inwhichhehadarrayedhimselfthatmorning，beingtemporarilydisguisedunderaweekdayapronwhilsttheseproceedingswereinoperation。Heoccasionallyglancedatthehivesinpassing，toseeifhiswife’sbeeswereswarming，ultimatelyrollingdownhisshirt—sleevesandgoingindoors，talkingtotranterDewywhilstbuttoningthewristbands，tosavetime;nextgoingupstairsforhisbestwaistcoat，andcomingdownagaintomakeanotherremarkwhilstbuttoningthat，duringthetimelookingfixedlyinthetranter’sfaceasifhewerealooking—glass。
Thefurniturehadundergoneattenuationtoanalarmingextent，everyduplicatepiecehavingbeenremoved，includingtheclockbyThomasWood;EzekielSaundersbeingatlastleftsolerefereeinmattersoftime。
Fancywasstationaryupstairs，receivingherlayersofclothesandadornments，andansweringbyshortfragmentsoflaughterwhichhadmorefidgetinessthanmirthinthem，remarksthatweremadefromtimetotimebyMrs。DewyandMrs。Penny，whowereassistingheratthetoilet，Mrs。Dayhavingpleadedaqueernessinherheadasareasonforshuttingherselfupinaninnerbedroomforthewholemorning。Mrs。Pennyappearedwithninecorkscrewcurlsoneachsideofhertemples，andabackcombstuckuponhercrownlikeacastleonasteep。
Theconversationjustnowgoingonwasconcerningthebanns，thelastpublicationofwhichhadbeenontheSundayprevious。
\"Andhowdidtheysound？\"Fancysubtlyinquired。
\"Verybeautifulindeed，\"saidMrs。Penny。\"Ineverheardanysoundbetter。\"
\"ButHOW？\"
\"O，SOnaturalandelegant，didn’tthey，Reuben！\"shecried，throughthechinksoftheunceiledfloor，tothetranterdownstairs。
\"What’sthat？\"saidthetranter，lookingupinquiringlyatthefloorabovehimforananswer。
\"Didn’tDickandFancysoundwellwhentheywerecalledhomeinchurchlastSunday？\"camedownwardsagaininMrs。Penny’svoice。
\"Ay，thattheydid，mysonnies！——especiallythefirsttime。Therewasaterriblewhisperingpieceofworkinthecongregation，wasn’tthere，neighbourPenny？\"saidthetranter，takingupthethreadofconversationonhisownaccountand，inordertobeheardintheroomabove，speakingveryloudtoMr。Penny，whosatatthedistanceofthreefeetfromhim，orratherless。
\"Inevercanmindseeingsuchawhisperingastherewas，\"saidMr。
Penny，alsoloudly，totheroomabove。\"Andsuchsorrowfulenvyonthemaidens’faces;really，Ineverdidseesuchenvyastherewas！\"
Fancy’slineamentsvariedininnumerablelittleflushes，andherheartpalpitatedinnumerablelittletremorsofpleasure。\"Butperhaps，\"shesaid，withassumedindifference，\"itwasonlybecausenoreligionwasgoingonjustthen？\"
\"O，no;nothingtodowiththat。’Twasbecauseofyourhighstandingintheparish。ItwasjustasiftheyhadoneandallcaughtDickkissingandcolingyetodeath，wasn’tit，Mrs。Dewy？\"
\"Ay;that’twas。\"
\"Howpeoplewilltalkaboutone’sdoings！\"Fancyexclaimed。
\"Well，ifyoumakesongsaboutyourself，mydear，youcan’tblameotherpeopleforsinging’em。\"
\"Mercyme！howshallIgothroughit？\"saidtheyoungladyagain，butmerelytothoseinthebedroom，withabreathingofakindbetweenasighandapant，roundshiningeyes，andwarmface。
\"O，you’llgetthroughitwellenough，child，\"saidMrs。Dewyplacidly。\"Theedgeoftheperformanceistookoffatthecallinghome;andwhenonceyougetuptothechancelendo’thechurch，youfeelassaucyasyouplease。I’msureIfeltasbraveasasodgerallthroughthedeed——thoughofcourseIdroppedmyfaceandlookedmodest，aswasbecomingtoamaid。Mindyoudothat，Fancy。\"
\"AndIwalkedintothechurchasquietasalamb，I’msure，\"
subjoinedMrs。Penny。\"There，youseePennyissuchalittlesmallman，Butcertainly，Iwasflurriedintheinsideo’me。Well，thinksI，’tistobe，andheregoes！Anddoyoudothesame：say，’’Tistobe，andheregoes！’\"
\"Istheresuchwonderfulvirtuein’’Tistobe，andheregoes！’\"
inquiredFancy。
\"Wonderful！’Twillcarryabodythroughitallfromweddingtochurching，ifyouonlyletitoutwithspiritenough。\"
\"Verywell，then，\"saidFancy，blushing。\"’Tistobe，andheregoes！\"
\"That’sagirlforahusband！\"saidMrs。Dewy。
\"Idohopehe’llcomeintime！\"continuedthebride—elect，inventinganewcauseofaffright，nowthattheotherwasdemolished。
\"’Twouldbeathousandpitiesifhedidn’tcome，nowyouhesobrave，\"saidMrs。Penny。
GrandfatherJames，havingoverheardsomeoftheseremarks，saiddownstairswithmischievousloudness——\"I’veknownsomewould—beweddingswhenthemendidn’tcome。\"
\"They’vehappenednottocome，beforenow，certainly，\"saidMr。
Penny，cleaningoneoftheglassesofhisspectacles。
\"O，dohearwhattheyaresayingdownstairs，\"whisperedFancy。
\"Hush，hush！\"
Shelistened。
\"Theyhave，haven’tthey，Geoffrey？\"continuedgrandfatherJames，asGeoffreyentered。
\"Havewhat？\"saidGeoffrey。
\"Themenhavebeenknownnottocome。\"
\"Thattheyhave，\"saidthekeeper。
\"Ay;I’veknowedtimeswhentheweddinghadtobeputoffthroughhisnotappearing，beingtiredofthewoman。AndanothercaseI
knowedwaswhenthemanwascatchedinaman—trapcrossingOaker’sWood，andthethreemonthshadrunoutbeforehegotwell，andthebannshadtobepublishedoveragain。\"
\"Howhorrible！\"saidFancy。
\"Theyonlysayitonpurposetotease’ee，mydear，\"saidMrs。Dewy。
\"’Tisquitesadtothinkwhatwretchedshiftspoormaidshavebeenputto，\"cameagainfromdownstairs。\"YeshouldhearClerkWilkins，mybrother—law，tellhisexperiencesinmarryingcouplestheselastthirtyyear：sometimesonething，sometimesanother——’tisquiteheart—rending——enoughtomakeyourhairstandonend。\"
\"Thosethingsdon’thappenveryoften，Iknow，\"saidFancy，withsmoulderinguneasiness。
\"Well，really’tistimeDickwashere，\"saidthetranter。
\"Don’tkeeponatmeso，grandfatherJamesandMr。Dewy，andallyoudownthere！\"Fancybrokeout，unabletoendureanylonger。\"IamsureIshalldie，ordosomething，ifyoudo！\"
\"Neveryouhearkentotheseoldchaps，MissDay！\"criedNatCallcome，thebestman，whohadjustentered，andthrewhisvoiceupwardthroughthechinksofthefloorastheothershaddone。
\"’Tisallright;Dick’scomingonlikeawildfeller;he’llbehereinaminute。Thehiveo’beeshismothergie’denforhisnewgardenswarmedjistashewasstarting，andhesaid，\"Ican’taffordtoloseastocko’bees;no，thatIcan’t，thoughIfainwould;andFancywouldn’twishitonanyaccount。\"Sohejiststoppedtotingto’emandshake’em。\"
\"Agenuinewiseman，\"saidGeoffrey。
\"Tobesure，whataday’sworkwehadyesterday！\"Mr。Callcomecontinued，loweringhisvoiceasifitwerenotnecessaryanylongertoincludethoseintheroomaboveamonghisaudience，andselectingaremotecornerofhisbestcleanhandkerchiefforwipinghisface。
\"Tobesure！\"
\"Thingssoheavy，Isuppose，\"saidGeoffrey，asifreadingthroughthechimney—windowfromthefarendofthevista。
\"Ay，\"saidNat，lookingroundtheroomatpointsfromwhichfurniturehadbeenremoved。\"Andsoawkwardtocarry，too。’Twasath’artandacrossDick’sgarden;inandoutDick’sdoor;upanddownDick’sstairs;roundandroundDick’schammerstilllegswereworntostumps：andDickissoparticular，too。Andthestoresofvictualsanddrinkthatladhaslaidin：why，’tisenoughforNoah’sark！I’msureIneverwishtoseeachoicerhalf—dozenofhamsthanhe’sgotthereinhischimley;andtheciderItastedwasaveryprettydrop，indeed;——nonecoulddesireaprettiercider。\"
\"Theybefortheloveandthestalledoxboth，Ah，thegreedymartels！\"saidgrandfatherJames。
\"Well，may—betheybe。Surely，\"saysI，\"thatcouplebetween’emhaveheapedupsomuchfurnitureandvictuals，thatanybodywouldthinktheyweregoingtotakeholdthebigendofmarriedlifefirst，andbeginwi’agrown—upfamily。Ah，whatabathofheatwetwochapswerein，tobesure，a—gettingthatfurnitureinorder！\"
\"Idosowishtheroombelowwasceiled，\"saidFancy，asthedressingwenton;\"wecanhearalltheysayanddodownthere。\"
\"Hark！Who’sthat？\"exclaimedasmallpupil—teacher，whoalsoassistedthismorning，tohergreatdelight。Sheranhalf—waydownthestairs，andpeepedroundthebanister。\"O，youshould，youshould，youshould！\"sheexclaimed，scramblinguptotheroomagain。
\"What？\"saidFancy。
\"Seethebridesmaids！They’vejustacome！’Tiswonderful，really！
’tiswonderfulhowmuslincanbebroughttoit。There，theydon’tlookabitlikethemselves，butlikesomeveryrichsisterso’
theirsthatnobodyknewtheyhad！\"
\"Make’emcomeuptome，make’emcomeup！\"criedFancyecstatically;andthefourdamselsappointed，namely，MissSusanDewy，MissBessieDewy，MissVashtiSniff，andMissMercyOnmey，surgedupstairs，andfloatedalongthepassage。
\"IwishDickwouldcome！\"wasagaintheburdenofFancy。
Thesameinstantasmalltwigandflowerfromthecreeperoutsidethedoorflewinattheopenwindow，andamasculinevoicesaid，\"Ready，Fancydearest？\"
\"Thereheis，heis！\"criedFancy，titteringspasmodically，andbreathingasitwereforthefirsttimethatmorning。
Thebridesmaidscrowdedtothewindowandturnedtheirheadsinthedirectionpointedout，atwhichmotioneightearringsallswungasone：——notlookingatDickbecausetheyparticularlywantedtoseehim，butwithanimportantsenseoftheirdutyasobedientministersofthewillofthatapotheosisedbeing——theBride。
\"Helooksverytaking！\"saidMissVashtiSniff，ayoungladywhoblushedcream—colourandworeyellowbonnetribbons。
Dickwasadvancingtothedoorinapainfullynewcoatofshiningcloth，primrose—colouredwaistcoat，hatofthesamepainfulstyleofnewness，andwithanextraquantityofwhiskersshavedoffhisface，andhaircuttoanunwontedshortnessinhonouroftheoccasion。
\"Now，I’llrundown，\"saidFancy，lookingatherselfoverhershoulderintheglass，andflittingoff。
\"ODick！\"sheexclaimed，\"Iamsogladyouarecome！Iknewyouwould，ofcourse，butIthought，Ohifyoushouldn’t！\"
\"Notcome，Fancy！Hetorwet，bloworsnow，herecomeIto—day！
Why，what’spossessingyourlittlesoul？Youneverusedtomindsuchthingsabit。\"
\"Ah，Mr。Dick，Ihadn’thoistedmycoloursandcommittedmyselfthen！\"saidFancy。
\"’TisapityIcan’tmarrythewholefiveofye！\"saidDick，surveyingthemallround。
\"Heh—heh—heh！\"laughedthefourbridesmaids，andFancyprivatelytouchedDickandsmoothedhimdownbehindhisshoulder，asiftoassureherselfthathewasthereinfleshandbloodasherownproperty。
\"Well，whoeverwouldhavethoughtsuchathing？\"saidDick，takingoffhishat，sinkingintoachair，andturningtotheeldermembersofthecompany。
Thelatterarrangedtheireyesandlipstosignifythatintheiropinionnobodycouldhavethoughtsuchathing，whateveritwas。
\"Thatmybeesshouldha’swarmedjustthen，ofalltimesandseasons！\"continuedDick，throwingacomprehensiveglancelikeanetoverthewholeauditory。\"And’tisafineswarm，too：Ihaven’tseensuchafineswarmforthesetenyears。\"
\"A’excellentsign，\"saidMrs。Penny，fromthedepthsofexperience。
\"A’excellentsign。\"
\"Iamgladeverythingseemssoright，\"saidFancywithabreathofrelief。
\"AndsoamI，\"saidthefourbridesmaidswithmuchsympathy。
\"Well，beescan’tbeputoff，\"observedtheinharmoniousgrandfatherJames。\"Marryingawomanisathingyoucandoatanymoment;butaswarmo’beeswon’tcomefortheasking。\"
Dickfannedhimselfwithhishat。\"Ican’tthink，\"hesaidthoughtfully，\"whatever’twasIdidtooffendMr。Maybold，amanI
likesomuchtoo。Herathertooktomewhenhecamefirst，andusedtosayheshouldliketoseememarried，andthathe’dmarryme，whethertheyoungwomanIchoselivedinhisparishorno。IjusthintedtohimofitwhenIputinthebanns，buthedidn’tseemtotakekindlytothenotionnow，andsoIsaidnomore。Iwonderhowitwas。\"
\"Iwonder！\"saidFancy，lookingintovacancywiththosebeautifuleyesofhers——toorefinedandbeautifulforatranter’swife;but，perhaps，nottoogood。
\"Alteredhismind，asfolkswill，Isuppose，\"saidthetranter。
\"Well，mysonnies，there’llheagoodstrongpartylookingatusto—
dayaswegoalong。\"
\"Andthebodyofthechurch，\"saidGeoffrey，\"willbelinedwithfemales，andarowofyoungfellers’heads，asfardownastheeyes，willbenoticedjustabovethesillsofthechancel—winders。\"
\"Ay，you’vebeenthroughittwice，\"saidReuben，\"andwellmidknow。\"
\"Icanputupwithitforonce，\"saidDick，\"ortwiceeither，oradozentimes。\"
\"ODick！\"saidFancyreproachfully。
\"Why，dear，that’snothing，——onlyjustabitofaflourish。Youbeasnervousasacatto—day。\"
\"Andthen，ofcourse，when’tisallover，\"continuedthetranter，\"weshallmarchtwoandtworoundtheparish。\"
\"Yes，sure，\"saidMr。Penny：\"twoandtwo：everymanhitcheduptohiswoman，’ab’lieve。\"
\"Inevercanmakeashowofmyselfinthatway！\"saidFancy，lookingatDicktoascertainifhecould。
\"I’magreedtoanythingyouandthecompanylike，mydear！\"saidMr。
RichardDewyheartily。
\"Why，wedidwhenweweremarried，didn’twe，Ann？\"saidthetranter;\"andsodoeverybody，mysonnies。\"
\"Andsodidwe，\"saidFancy’sfather。
\"AndsodidPennyandI，\"saidMrs。Penny：\"IworemybestBathclogs，Iremember，andPennywascrossbecauseitmademelooksotall。\"
\"Andsodidfatherandmother，\"saidMissMercyOnmey。
\"AndImeanto，comenextChristmas！\"saidNatthegroomsmanvigorously，andlookingtowardsthepersonofMissVashtiSniff。
\"Respectablepeopledon’tnowadays，\"saidFancy。\"Still，sincepoormotherdid，Iwill。\"
\"Ay，\"resumedthetranter，\"’twasonaWhiteTuesdaywhenI
committedit。MellstockClubwalkedthesameday，andwenew—
marriedfolkwenta—gayingroundtheparishbehind’em。EverybodyusedtowearsomethingwhiteatWhitsuntideinthemdays。Mysonnies，I’vegottheverywhitetrousersthatIwore，athomeinboxnow，Ha’n’tI，Ann？\"
\"YouhadtillIcut’emupforJimmy，\"saidMrs。Dewy。
\"Andweought，byrights，afterdoingthisparish，togoroundHigherandLowerMellstock，andcallatViney’s，andsoworkourwayhitheragainacrossHe’th，\"saidMr。Penny，recoveringscentofthematterinhand。\"DairymanVineyisaveryrespectableman，andsoisFarmerKex，andweoughttoshowourselvestothem。\"
\"True，\"saidthetranter，\"weoughttogoroundMellstocktodothethingwell。Weshallformaverystrikingobjectwalkingalonginrotation，good—now，neighbours？\"
\"Thatweshall：aproperprettysightforthenation，\"saidMrs。
Penny。
\"Hullo！\"saidthetranter，suddenlycatchingsightofasingularhumanfigurestandinginthedoorway，andwearingalongsmock—frockofpillow—casecutandofsnowywhiteness。\"Why，Leaf！whateverdostthoudohere？\"
\"I’vecometoknowifsobeIcancometothewedding——hee—hee！\"
saidLeafinavoiceoftimidity。
\"Now，Leaf，\"saidthetranterreproachfully，\"youknowwedon’twant’eehereto—day：we’vegotnoroomforye，Leaf。\"
\"ThomasLeaf，ThomasLeaf，fieuponyeforprying！\"saidoldWilliam。
\"IknowI’vegotnohead，butIthought，ifIwashedandputonaclaneshirtandsmock—frock，Imightjustcall，\"saidLeaf;turningawaydisappointedandtrembling。
\"Poorfeller！\"saidthetranter，turningtoGeoffrey。\"Supposewemustletencome？Hislooksareratheragainsten，andheisterriblesilly;but’ahaveneverbeeninjail，and’awon’tdonoharm。\"
Leaflookedwithgratitudeatthetranterforthesepraises，andthenanxiouslyatGeoffrey，toseewhateffecttheywouldhaveinhelpinghiscause。
\"Ay，letencome，\"saidGeoffreydecisively。\"Leaf，th’rtwelcome，’stknow;\"andLeafaccordinglyremained。
Theywerenowallreadyforleavingthehouse，andbegantoformaprocessioninthefollowingorder：Fancyandherfather，DickandSusanDewy，NatCallcomeandVashtiSniff，TedWaywoodandMercyOnmey，andJimmyandBessieDewy。Theseformedtheexecutive，andallappearedinstrictweddingattire。ThencamethetranterandMrs。Dewy，andlastofallMr。andMrs。Penny;——thetranterconspicuousbyhisenormousgloves，sizeelevenandthree—quarters，whichappearedatadistancelikeboxingglovesbleached，andsatratherawkwardlyuponhisbrownhands;thishall—markofrespectabilityhavingbeensetuponhimselfto—day（byFancy’sspecialrequest）forthefirsttimeinhislife。
\"Theproperwayisforthebridesmaidstowalktogether，\"suggestedFancy。
\"What？’Twasalwaysyoungmanandyoungwoman，armincrook，inmytime！\"saidGeoffrey，astounded。
\"Andinmine！\"saidthetranter。
\"Andinours！\"saidMr。andMrs。Penny。
\"Neverheardo’suchathingaswomanandwoman！\"saidoldWilliam;
who，withgrandfatherJamesandMrs。Day，wastostayathome。
\"Whicheverwayyouandthecompanylike，mydear！\"saidDick，who，beingonthepointofsecuringhisrighttoFancy，seemedwillingtorenounceallotherrightsintheworldwiththegreatestpleasureThedecisionwaslefttoFancy。
\"Well，IthinkI’dratherhaveitthewaymotherhadit，\"shesaid，andthecouplesmovedalongunderthetrees，everymantohismaid。
\"Ah！\"saidgrandfatherJamestograndfatherWilliamastheyretired，\"Iwonderwhichshethinksmostabout，Dickorherweddingraiment！\"
\"Well，’tistheirnature，\"saidgrandfatherWilliam。\"RememberthewordsoftheprophetJeremiah：’Canamaidforgetherornaments，orabrideherattire？’\"
Nowamongdarkperpendicularfirs，liketheshaftedcolumnsofacathedral;nowthroughahazelcopse，mattedwithprimrosesandwildhyacinths;nowunderbroadbeechesinbrightyoungleavestheythreadedtheirwayintothehighroadoverYalburyHill，whichdippedatthatpointdirectlyintothevillageofGeoffreyDay’sparish;andinthespaceofaquarterofanhourFancyfoundherselftobeMrs。RichardDewy，though，muchtohersurprise，feelingnootherthanFancyDaystill。
Onthecircuitousreturnwalkthroughthelanesandfields，amidmuchchatteringandlaughter，especiallywhentheycametostiles，Dickdiscernedabrownspotfarupaturnipfield。
\"Why，’tisEnoch！\"hesaidtoFancy。\"IthoughtImissedhimatthehousethismorning。Howisithe’sleftyou？\"
\"Hedranktoomuchcider，anditgotintohishead，andtheyputhiminWeatherburystocksforit。Fatherwasobligedtogetsomebodyelseforadayortwo，andEnochhasn’thadanythingtodowiththewoodssince。\"
\"Wemightaskhimtocalldownto—night。Stocksarenothingforonce，considering’tisourweddingday。\"Thebridalpartywasorderedtohalt。
\"Eno—o—o—o—ch！\"criedDickatthetopofhisvoice。
\"Y—a—a—a—a—a—as！\"saidEnochfromthedistance。
\"D’yeknowwhoIbe—e—e—e—e—e？\"
\"No—o—o—o—o—o—o！\"
\"DickDew—w—w—w—wy！\"
\"O—h—h—h—h—h！\"
\"Justa—ma—a—a—a—a—arried！\"
\"O—h—h—h—h—h！\"
\"Thisismywife，Fa—a—a—a—a—ancy！\"（holdingheruptoEnoch’sviewasifshehadbeenanosegay。）
\"O—h—h—h—h—h！\"
\"Willyecomeacrosstothepartyto—ni—i—i—i—i—i—ight！\"
\"Ca—a—a—a—a—an’t！\"
\"Whyn—o—o—o—o—ot？\"
\"Don’tworkforthefamilyno—o—o—o—ow！\"
\"NotniceofMasterEnoch，\"saidDick，astheyresumedtheirwalk。
\"Youmustn’tblameen，\"saidGeoffrey;\"theman’snothisselfnow;
he’sinhismorningframeofmind。Whenhe’shadagallono’ciderorale，orapintortwoofmead，theman’swellenough，andhismannersbeasgoodasanybody’sinthekingdom。\"
CHAPTERII：UNDERTHEGREENWOODTREE
ThepointinYalburyWoodwhichabuttedontheendofGeoffreyDay’spremiseswasclosedwithanancienttree，horizontallyofenormousextent，thoughhavingnogreatpretensionstoheight。Manyhundredsofbirdshadbeenbornamidsttheboughsofthissingletree;tribesofrabbitsandhareshadnibbledatitsbarkfromyeartoyear;
quainttuftsoffungihadsprungfromthecavitiesofitsforks;andcountlessfamiliesofmolesandearthwormshadcreptaboutitsroots。Beneathandbeyonditsshadespreadacarefully—tendedgrass—plot，itspurposebeingtosupplyahealthyexercise—groundforyoungchickensandpheasants;thehens，theirmothers，beingenclosedincoopsplaceduponthesamegreenflooring。
Alltheseencumbranceswerenowremoved，andastheafternoonadvanced，theguestsgatheredonthespot，wheremusic，dancing，andthesingingofsongswentforwardwithgreatspiritthroughouttheevening。TheproprietyofeveryonewasintensebyreasonoftheinfluenceofFancy，who，asanadditionalprecautioninthisdirection，hadstrictlychargedherfatherandthetrantertocarefullyavoidsaying’thee’and’thou’intheirconversation，onthepleathatthoseancientwordssoundedsoveryhumiliatingtopersonsofnewertaste;alsothattheywerenevertobeseendrawingthebackofthehandacrossthemouthafterdrinking——alocalEnglishcustomofextraordinaryantiquity，butstatedbyFancytobedecidedlydyingoutamongthebetterclassesofsociety。
Inadditiontothelocalmusicianspresent，amanwhohadathoroughknowledgeofthetambourinewasinvitedfromthevillageofTantrumClangley，——aplacelongcelebratedfortheskillofitsinhabitantsasperformersoninstrumentsofpercussion。Theseimportantmembersoftheassemblywererelegatedtoaheightoftwoorthreefeetfromtheground，uponatemporaryerectionofplankssupportedbybarrels。Whilstthedancingprogressedtheolderpersonssatinagroupunderthetrunkofthetree，——thespacebeingallottedtothemsomewhatgrudginglybytheyoungones，whoweregreedyofpirouettingroom，——andfortifiedbyatableagainsttheheelsofthedancers。Herethegaffersandgammers，whosedancingdayswereover，toldstoriesofgreatimpressiveness，andatintervalssurveyedtheadvancingandretiringcouplesfromthesameretreat，aspeopleonshoremightbesupposedtosurveyanavalengagementinthebaybeyond;returningagaintotheirtaleswhenthepausewasover。Thoseofthewhirlingthrong，who，duringtherestsbetweeneachfigure，turnedtheireyesinthedirectionoftheseseatedones，wereonlyabletodiscover，onaccountofthemusicandbustle，thataverystrikingcircumstancewasincourseofnarration——denotedbyanemphaticsweepofthehand，snappingofthefingers，closeofthelips，andfixedlookintothecentreofthelistener’seyeforthespaceofaquarterofaminute，whichraisedinthatlistenersuchareciprocatingworkingoffaceastosometimesmakethedistantdancershalfwishtoknowwhatsuchaninterestingtalecouldreferto。
Fancycausedherlookstowearasmuchmatronlyexpressionaswasobtainableoutofsixhours’experienceasawife，inorderthatthecontrastbetweenherownstateoflifeandthatoftheunmarriedyoungwomenpresentmightbedulyimpresseduponthecompany：
occasionallystealingglancesofadmirationatherlefthand，butthisquiteprivately;forherostensiblebearingconcerningthematterwasintendedtoshowthat，thoughsheundoubtedlyoccupiedthemostwondrouspositionintheeyesoftheworldthathadeverbeenattained，shewasalmostunconsciousofthecircumstance，andthatthesomewhatprominentpositioninwhichthatwonderfully—
emblazonedlefthandwascontinuallyfoundtobeplaced，whenhandingcupsandsaucers，knives，forks，andglasses，wasquitetheresultofaccident。Astowishingtoexciteenvyinthebosomsofhermaidencompanions，bytheexhibitionoftheshiningring，everyonewastoknowitwasquiteforeigntothedignityofsuchanexperiencedmarriedwoman。Dick’simaginationinthemeantimewasfarlesscapableofdrawingsomuchwontednessfromhisnewcondition。Hehadbeenfortwoorthreehourstryingtofeelhimselfmerelyanewly—marriedman，buthadbeenabletogetnofurtherintheattemptthantorealizethathewasDickDewy，thetranter’sson，atapartygivenbyLordWessex’sheadman—in—charge，ontheoutlyingYalburyestate，dancingandchattingwithFancyDay。
Fivecountrydances，including’HastetotheWedding，’tworeels，andthreefragmentsofhorn—pipes，broughtthemtothetimeforsupper，which，onaccountofthedampnessofthegrassfromtheimmaturityofthesummerseason，wasspreadindoors。AttheconclusionofthemealDickwentouttoputthehorsein;andFancy，withtheelderhalfofthefourbridesmaids，retiredupstairstodressforthejourneytoDick’snewcottagenearMellstock。
\"Howlongwillyoubeputtingonyourbonnet，Fancy？\"Dickinquiredatthefootofthestaircase。Beingnowamanofbusinessandmarried，hewasstrongontheimportanceoftime，anddoubledtheemphasisofhiswordsinconversing，andaddedvigourtohisnods。
\"Onlyaminute。\"
\"Howlongisthat？\"
\"Well，dear，five。\"
\"Ah，sonnies！\"saidthetranter，asDickretired，\"’tisatalentofthefemaleracethatlownumbersshouldstandforhigh，moreespeciallyinmattersofwaiting，mattersofage，andmattersofmoney。\"
\"True，true，uponmybody，\"saidGeoffrey。
\"Yespakwithfeeling，Geoffrey，seemingly。\"
\"Anybodythatd’knowmyexperiencemightguessthat。\"
\"What’sshedoingnow，Geoffrey？\"
\"Claningoutalltheupstairsdrawersandcupboards，anddustingthesecond—bestchainey——athingthat’sonlydoneonceayear。’Ifthere’sworktobedoneImustdoit，’saysshe，’weddingorno。’\"
\"’Tismybeliefshe’saverygoodwomanatbottom。\"
\"She’sterribledeep，then。\"
Mrs。Pennyturnedround。\"Well，’tishumpsandhollerswiththebestofus;butstillandforallthat，DickandFancystandasfairachanceofhavingabitofsunsheenasanymarriedpairintheland。\"
\"Ay，there’snogainsayingit。\"
Mrs。Dewycameup，talkingtoonepersonandlookingatanother。
\"Happy，yes，\"shesaid。\"’TisalwayssowhenacoupleissoexactlyintunewithoneanotherasDickandshe。\"
\"Whentheybe’n’ttoopoortohavetimetosing，\"saidgrandfatherJames。
\"Itellye，neighbours，whenthepinchcomes，\"saidthetranter：
\"whentheoldestdaughter’sbootsbeonlyasizelessthanhermother’s，andtheresto’theflockclosebehindher。Asharptimeforamanthat，mysonnies;averysharptime！Chanticleer’scombisa—cutthen，’abelieve。\"
\"That’sabouttheformo’t，\"saidMr。Penny。\"That’llputthestunsuponaman，whenyoumustmeasuremotheranddaughter’slaststotell’emapart。\"
\"You’venocausetocomplain，Reuben，ofsuchaclose—comingflock，\"
saidMrs。Dewy;\"forourswasastragglinglotenough，Godknows！\"
\"Id’knowit，Id’knowit，\"saidthetranter。\"Youbeawell—enoughwoman，Ann。\"
Mrs。Dewyputhermouthintheformofasmile，andputitbackagainwithoutsmiling。
\"Andiftheycometogether，theygotogether，\"saidMrs。Penny，whosefamilyhadbeenthereverseofthetranter’s;\"andalittlemoneywillmakeeitherfatetolerable。Andmoneycanbemadebyouryoungcouple，Iknow。\"
\"Yes，thatitcan！\"saidtheimpulsivevoiceofLeaf，whohadhithertohumblyadmiredtheproceedingsfromacorner。\"Itcanbedone——allthat’swantedisafewpoundstobeginwith。That’sall！
Iknowastoryaboutit！\"
\"Let’shearthystory，Leaf;\"saidthetranter。\"Ineverknewyouwerecleverenoughtotellastory。Silence，allofye！Mr。Leafwilltellastory。\"
\"Tellyourstory，ThomasLeaf，\"saidgrandfatherWilliaminthetoneofaschoolmaster。
\"Once，\"saidthedelightedLeaf;inanuncertainvoice，\"therewasamanwholivedinahouse！Well，thismanwentthinkingandthinkingnightandday。Atlast，hesaidtohimself;asImight，’IfIhadonlytenpound，I’dmakeafortune。’Atlastbyhookorbycrook，beholdhegotthetenpounds！\"
\"Onlythinkofthat！\"saidNatCallcomesatirically。
\"Silence！\"saidthetranter。
\"Well，nowcomestheinterestingpartofthestory！Inalittletimehemadethattenpoundstwenty。Thenalittletimeafterthathedoubledit，andmadeitforty。Well，hewenton，andagoodwhileafterthathemadeiteighty，andontoahundred。Well，by—
and—byhemadeittwohundred！Well，you’dneverbelieveit，but——
hewentonandmadeitfourhundred！Hewenton，andwhatdidhedo？Why，hemadeiteighthundred！Yes，hedid，\"continuedLeaf;
inthehighestpitchofexcitement，bringingdownhisfistuponhiskneewithsuchforcethathequiveredwiththepain;\"yes，andhewentonandmadeitATHOUSAND！\"
\"Hear，hear！\"saidthetranter。\"BetterthanthehistoryofEngland，mysonnies！\"
\"Thankyouforyourstory，ThomasLeaf，\"saidgrandfatherWilliam;
andthenLeafgraduallysankintonothingnessagain。
Amidamedleyoflaughter，oldshoes，andelder—wine，Dickandhisbridetooktheirdeparture，sidebysideintheexcellentnewspring—cartwhichtheyoungtranternowpossessed。Themoonwasjustoverthefull，renderinganylightfromlampsortheirownbeautiesquiteunnecessarytothepair。TheydroveslowlyalongYalburyBottom，wheretheroadpassedbetweentwocopses。Dickwastalkingtohiscompanion。
\"Fancy，\"hesaid，\"whywearesohappyisbecausethereissuchfullconfidencebetweenus。EversincethattimeyouconfessedtothatlittleflirtationwithShinerbytheriver（whichwasreallynoflirtationatall），Ihavethoughthowartlessandgoodyoumustbetotellmeo’suchatriflingthing，andtobesofrightenedaboutitasyouwere。Ithaswonmetotellyoumyeverydeedandwordsincethen。We’llhavenosecretsfromeachother，darling，willweever？——nosecretatall。\"
\"Nonefromto—day，\"saidFancy。\"Hark！what’sthat？\"
Fromaneighbouringthicketwassuddenlyheardtoissueinaloud，musical，andliquidvoice—
\"Tippiwit！swe—e—et！ki—ki—ki！Comehither，comehither，comehither！\"
\"O，’tisthenightingale，\"murmuredshe，andthoughtofasecretshewouldnevertell。
Footnotes：
{1}This，alocalexpression，mustbeacorruptionofsomethinglessquestionable。