CHAPTER XV

A MORNING MEETING—THE LETTER AGAIN

The scarlet and orange light outside the malthouse did not penetrate to

its interior, which was, as usual, lighted by a rival glow of similar

hue, radiating from the hearth.

The maltster, after having lain down in his clothes for a few hours,

was now sitting beside a three-legged table, breakfasting off bread and

bacon. This was eaten on the plateless system, which is performed by

placing a slice of bread upon the table, the meat flat upon the bread,

a mustard plaster upon the meat, and a pinch of salt upon the whole,

then cutting them vertically downwards with a large pocket-knife till

wood is reached, when the severed lump is impaled on the knife,

elevated, and sent the proper way of food.

The maltster’s lack of teeth appeared not to sensibly diminish his

powers as a mill. He had been without them for so many years that

toothlessness was felt less to be a defect than hard gums an

acquisition. Indeed, he seemed to approach the grave as a hyperbolic

curve approaches a straight line—less directly as he got nearer, till

it was doubtful if he would ever reach it at all.

In the ashpit was a heap of potatoes roasting, and a boiling pipkin of

charred bread, called “coffee”, for the benefit of whomsoever should

call, for Warren’s was a sort of clubhouse, used as an alternative to

the inn.

“I say, says I, we get a fine day, and then down comes a snapper at

night,” was a remark now suddenly heard spreading into the malthouse

from the door, which had been opened the previous moment. The form of

Henery Fray advanced to the fire, stamping the snow from his boots when

about half-way there. The speech and entry had not seemed to be at all

an abrupt beginning to the maltster, introductory matter being often

omitted in this neighbourhood, both from word and deed, and the

maltster having the same latitude allowed him, did not hurry to reply.

He picked up a fragment of cheese, by pecking upon it with his knife,

as a butcher picks up skewers.

Henery appeared in a drab kerseymere great-coat, buttoned over his

smock-frock, the white skirts of the latter being visible to the

distance of about a foot below the coat-tails, which, when you got used

to the style of dress, looked natural enough, and even ornamental—it

certainly was comfortable.

Matthew Moon, Joseph Poorgrass, and other carters and waggoners

followed at his heels, with great lanterns dangling from their hands,

which showed that they had just come from the cart-horse stables, where

they had been busily engaged since four o’clock that morning.

“And how is she getting on without a baily?” the maltster inquired.

Henery shook his head, and smiled one of the bitter smiles, dragging

all the flesh of his forehead into a corrugated heap in the centre.

“She’ll rue it—surely, surely!” he said. “Benjy Pennyways were not a

true man or an honest baily—as big a betrayer as Judas Iscariot

himself. But to think she can carr’ on alone!” He allowed his head to

swing laterally three or four times in silence. “Never in all my

creeping up—never!”

This was recognized by all as the conclusion of some gloomy speech

which had been expressed in thought alone during the shake of the head;

Henery meanwhile retained several marks of despair upon his face, to

imply that they would be required for use again directly he should go

on speaking.

“All will be ruined, and ourselves too, or there’s no meat in

gentlemen’s houses!” said Mark Clark.

“A headstrong maid, that’s what she is—and won’t listen to no advice at

all. Pride and vanity have ruined many a cobbler’s dog. Dear, dear,

when I think o’ it, I sorrows like a man in travel!”

“True, Henery, you do, I’ve heard ye,” said Joseph Poorgrass in a voice

of thorough attestation, and with a wire-drawn smile of misery.

“’Twould do a martel man no harm to have what’s under her bonnet,” said

Billy Smallbury, who had just entered, bearing his one tooth before

him. “She can spaik real language, and must have some sense somewhere.

Do ye foller me?”

“I do, I do; but no baily—I deserved that place,” wailed Henery,

signifying wasted genius by gazing blankly at visions of a high destiny

apparently visible to him on Billy Smallbury’s smock-frock. “There,

’twas to be, I suppose. Your lot is your lot, and Scripture is nothing;

for if you do good you don’t get rewarded according to your works, but

be cheated in some mean way out of your recompense.”

“No, no; I don’t agree with’ee there,” said Mark Clark. “God’s a

perfect gentleman in that respect.”

“Good works good pay, so to speak it,” attested Joseph Poorgrass.

A short pause ensued, and as a sort of _entr’acte_ Henery turned and

blew out the lanterns, which the increase of daylight rendered no

longer necessary even in the malthouse, with its one pane of glass.

“I wonder what a farmer-woman can want with a harpsichord, dulcimer,

pianner, or whatever ’tis they d’call it?” said the maltster. “Liddy

saith she’ve a new one.”

“Got a pianner?”

“Ay. Seems her old uncle’s things were not good enough for her. She’ve

bought all but everything new. There’s heavy chairs for the stout, weak

and wiry ones for the slender; great watches, getting on to the size of

clocks, to stand upon the chimbley-piece.”

“Pictures, for the most part wonderful frames.”

“And long horse-hair settles for the drunk, with horse-hair pillows at

each end,” said Mr. Clark. “Likewise looking-glasses for the pretty,

and lying books for the wicked.”

A firm loud tread was now heard stamping outside; the door was opened

about six inches, and somebody on the other side exclaimed—

“Neighbours, have ye got room for a few new-born lambs?”

“Ay, sure, shepherd,” said the conclave.

The door was flung back till it kicked the wall and trembled from top

to bottom with the blow. Mr. Oak appeared in the entry with a steaming

face, hay-bands wound about his ankles to keep out the snow, a leather

strap round his waist outside the smock-frock, and looking altogether

an epitome of the world’s health and vigour. Four lambs hung in various

embarrassing attitudes over his shoulders, and the dog George, whom

Gabriel had contrived to fetch from Norcombe, stalked solemnly behind.

“Well, Shepherd Oak, and how’s lambing this year, if I mid say it?”

inquired Joseph Poorgrass.

“Terrible trying,” said Oak. “I’ve been wet through twice a-day, either

in snow or rain, this last fortnight. Cainy and I haven’t tined our

eyes to-night.”

“A good few twins, too, I hear?”

“Too many by half. Yes; ’tis a very queer lambing this year. We shan’t

have done by Lady Day.”

“And last year ’twer all over by Sexajessamine Sunday,” Joseph

remarked.

“Bring on the rest Cain,” said Gabriel, “and then run back to the ewes.

I’ll follow you soon.”

Cainy Ball—a cheery-faced young lad, with a small circular orifice by

way of mouth, advanced and deposited two others, and retired as he was

bidden. Oak lowered the lambs from their unnatural elevation, wrapped

them in hay, and placed them round the fire.

“We’ve no lambing-hut here, as I used to have at Norcombe,” said

Gabriel, “and ’tis such a plague to bring the weakly ones to a house.

If ’twasn’t for your place here, malter, I don’t know what I should do

i’ this keen weather. And how is it with you to-day, malter?”

“Oh, neither sick nor sorry, shepherd; but no younger.”

“Ay—I understand.”

“Sit down, Shepherd Oak,” continued the ancient man of malt. “And how

was the old place at Norcombe, when ye went for your dog? I should like

to see the old familiar spot; but faith, I shouldn’t know a soul there

now.”

“I suppose you wouldn’t. ’Tis altered very much.”

“Is it true that Dicky Hill’s wooden cider-house is pulled down?”

“Oh yes—years ago, and Dicky’s cottage just above it.”

“Well, to be sure!”

“Yes; and Tompkins’s old apple-tree is rooted that used to bear two

hogsheads of cider; and no help from other trees.”

“Rooted?—you don’t say it! Ah! stirring times we live in—stirring

times.”

“And you can mind the old well that used to be in the middle of the

place? That’s turned into a solid iron pump with a large stone trough,

and all complete.”

“Dear, dear—how the face of nations alter, and what we live to see

nowadays! Yes—and ’tis the same here. They’ve been talking but now of

the mis’ess’s strange doings.”

“What have you been saying about her?” inquired Oak, sharply turning to

the rest, and getting very warm.

“These middle-aged men have been pulling her over the coals for pride

and vanity,” said Mark Clark; “but I say, let her have rope enough.

Bless her pretty face—shouldn’t I like to do so—upon her cherry lips!”

The gallant Mark Clark here made a peculiar and well known sound with

his own.

“Mark,” said Gabriel, sternly, “now you mind this! none of that

dalliance-talk—that smack-and-coddle style of yours—about Miss

Everdene. I don’t allow it. Do you hear?”

“With all my heart, as I’ve got no chance,” replied Mr. Clark,

cordially.

“I suppose you’ve been speaking against her?” said Oak, turning to

Joseph Poorgrass with a very grim look.

“No, no—not a word I—’tis a real joyful thing that she’s no worse,

that’s what I say,” said Joseph, trembling and blushing with terror.

“Matthew just said—”

“Matthew Moon, what have you been saying?” asked Oak.

“I? Why ye know I wouldn’t harm a worm—no, not one underground worm?”

said Matthew Moon, looking very uneasy.

“Well, somebody has—and look here, neighbours,” Gabriel, though one of

the quietest and most gentle men on earth, rose to the occasion, with

martial promptness and vigour. “That’s my fist.” Here he placed his

fist, rather smaller in size than a common loaf, in the mathematical

centre of the maltster’s little table, and with it gave a bump or two

thereon, as if to ensure that their eyes all thoroughly took in the

idea of fistiness before he went further. “Now—the first man in the

parish that I hear prophesying bad of our mistress, why” (here the fist

was raised and let fall as Thor might have done with his hammer in

assaying it)—“he’ll smell and taste that—or I’m a Dutchman.”

All earnestly expressed by their features that their minds did not

wander to Holland for a moment on account of this statement, but were

deploring the difference which gave rise to the figure; and Mark Clark

cried “Hear, hear; just what I should ha’ said.” The dog George looked

up at the same time after the shepherd’s menace, and though he

understood English but imperfectly, began to growl.

“Now, don’t ye take on so, shepherd, and sit down!” said Henery, with a

deprecating peacefulness equal to anything of the kind in Christianity.

“We hear that ye be a extraordinary good and clever man, shepherd,”

said Joseph Poorgrass with considerable anxiety from behind the

maltster’s bedstead, whither he had retired for safety. “’Tis a great

thing to be clever, I’m sure,” he added, making movements associated

with states of mind rather than body; “we wish we were, don’t we,

neighbours?”

“Ay, that we do, sure,” said Matthew Moon, with a small anxious laugh

towards Oak, to show how very friendly disposed he was likewise.

“Who’s been telling you I’m clever?” said Oak.

“’Tis blowed about from pillar to post quite common,” said Matthew. “We

hear that ye can tell the time as well by the stars as we can by the

sun and moon, shepherd.”

“Yes, I can do a little that way,” said Gabriel, as a man of medium

sentiments on the subject.

“And that ye can make sun-dials, and prent folks’ names upon their

waggons almost like copper-plate, with beautiful flourishes, and great

long tails. A excellent fine thing for ye to be such a clever man,

shepherd. Joseph Poorgrass used to prent to Farmer James Everdene’s

waggons before you came, and ’a could never mind which way to turn the

J’s and E’s—could ye, Joseph?” Joseph shook his head to express how

absolute was the fact that he couldn’t. “And so you used to do ’em the

wrong way, like this, didn’t ye, Joseph?” Matthew marked on the dusty

floor with his whip-handle

[Illustration: The word J A M E S appears here with the “J”, “E”, and

“S” printed backwards]

“And how Farmer James would cuss, and call thee a fool, wouldn’t he,

Joseph, when ’a seed his name looking so inside-out-like?” continued

Matthew Moon with feeling.

“Ay—’a would,” said Joseph, meekly. “But, you see, I wasn’t so much to

blame, for them J’s and E’s be such trying sons o’ witches for the

memory to mind whether they face backward or forward; and I always had

such a forgetful memory, too.”

“’Tis a very bad affliction for ye, being such a man of calamities in

other ways.”

“Well, ’tis; but a happy Providence ordered that it should be no worse,

and I feel my thanks. As to shepherd, there, I’m sure mis’ess ought to

have made ye her baily—such a fitting man for’t as you be.”

“I don’t mind owning that I expected it,” said Oak, frankly. “Indeed, I

hoped for the place. At the same time, Miss Everdene has a right to be

her own baily if she choose—and to keep me down to be a common shepherd

only.” Oak drew a slow breath, looked sadly into the bright ashpit, and

seemed lost in thoughts not of the most hopeful hue.

The genial warmth of the fire now began to stimulate the nearly

lifeless lambs to bleat and move their limbs briskly upon the hay, and

to recognize for the first time the fact that they were born. Their

noise increased to a chorus of baas, upon which Oak pulled the milk-can

from before the fire, and taking a small tea-pot from the pocket of his

smock-frock, filled it with milk, and taught those of the helpless

creatures which were not to be restored to their dams how to drink from

the spout—a trick they acquired with astonishing aptitude.

“And she don’t even let ye have the skins of the dead lambs, I hear?”

resumed Joseph Poorgrass, his eyes lingering on the operations of Oak

with the necessary melancholy.

“I don’t have them,” said Gabriel.

“Ye be very badly used, shepherd,” hazarded Joseph again, in the hope

of getting Oak as an ally in lamentation after all. “I think she’s took

against ye—that I do.”

“Oh no—not at all,” replied Gabriel, hastily, and a sigh escaped him,

which the deprivation of lamb skins could hardly have caused.

Before any further remark had been added a shade darkened the door, and

Boldwood entered the malthouse, bestowing upon each a nod of a quality

between friendliness and condescension.

“Ah! Oak, I thought you were here,” he said. “I met the mail-cart ten

minutes ago, and a letter was put into my hand, which I opened without

reading the address. I believe it is yours. You must excuse the

accident please.”

“Oh yes—not a bit of difference, Mr. Boldwood—not a bit,” said Gabriel,

readily. He had not a correspondent on earth, nor was there a possible

letter coming to him whose contents the whole parish would not have

been welcome to peruse.

Oak stepped aside, and read the following in an unknown hand:—

DEAR FRIEND,—I do not know your name, but I think these few lines will

reach you, which I wrote to thank you for your kindness to me the night

I left Weatherbury in a reckless way. I also return the money I owe

you, which you will excuse my not keeping as a gift. All has ended

well, and I am happy to say I am going to be married to the young man

who has courted me for some time—Sergeant Troy, of the 11th Dragoon

Guards, now quartered in this town. He would, I know, object to my

having received anything except as a loan, being a man of great

respectability and high honour—indeed, a nobleman by blood.

I should be much obliged to you if you would keep the contents of

this letter a secret for the present, dear friend. We mean to

surprise Weatherbury by coming there soon as husband and wife,

though I blush to state it to one nearly a stranger. The sergeant

grew up in Weatherbury. Thanking you again for your kindness,

I am, your sincere well-wisher,

FANNY ROBIN.

“Have you read it, Mr. Boldwood?” said Gabriel; “if not, you had better

do so. I know you are interested in Fanny Robin.”

Boldwood read the letter and looked grieved.

“Fanny—poor Fanny! the end she is so confident of has not yet come, she

should remember—and may never come. I see she gives no address.”

“What sort of a man is this Sergeant Troy?” said Gabriel.

“H’m—I’m afraid not one to build much hope upon in such a case as

this,” the farmer murmured, “though he’s a clever fellow, and up to

everything. A slight romance attaches to him, too. His mother was a

French governess, and it seems that a secret attachment existed between

her and the late Lord Severn. She was married to a poor medical man,

and soon after an infant was born; and while money was forthcoming all

went on well. Unfortunately for her boy, his best friends died; and he

got then a situation as second clerk at a lawyer’s in Casterbridge. He

stayed there for some time, and might have worked himself into a

dignified position of some sort had he not indulged in the wild freak

of enlisting. I have much doubt if ever little Fanny will surprise us

in the way she mentions—very much doubt. A silly girl!—silly girl!”

The door was hurriedly burst open again, and in came running Cainy Ball

out of breath, his mouth red and open, like the bell of a penny

trumpet, from which he coughed with noisy vigour and great distension

of face.

“Now, Cain Ball,” said Oak, sternly, “why will you run so fast and lose

your breath so? I’m always telling you of it.”

“Oh—I—a puff of mee breath—went—the—wrong way, please, Mister Oak, and

made me cough—hok—hok!”

“Well—what have you come for?”

“I’ve run to tell ye,” said the junior shepherd, supporting his

exhausted youthful frame against the doorpost, “that you must come

directly. Two more ewes have twinned—that’s what’s the matter, Shepherd

Oak.”

“Oh, that’s it,” said Oak, jumping up, and dimissing for the present

his thoughts on poor Fanny. “You are a good boy to run and tell me,

Cain, and you shall smell a large plum pudding some day as a treat.

But, before we go, Cainy, bring the tarpot, and we’ll mark this lot and

have done with ’em.”

Oak took from his illimitable pockets a marking iron, dipped it into

the pot, and imprinted on the buttocks of the infant sheep the initials

of her he delighted to muse on—“B. E.,” which signified to all the

region round that henceforth the lambs belonged to Farmer Bathsheba

Everdene, and to no one else.

“Now, Cainy, shoulder your two, and off. Good morning, Mr. Boldwood.”

The shepherd lifted the sixteen large legs and four small bodies he had

himself brought, and vanished with them in the direction of the lambing

field hard by—their frames being now in a sleek and hopeful state,

pleasantly contrasting with their death’s-door plight of half an hour

before.

Boldwood followed him a little way up the field, hesitated, and turned

back. He followed him again with a last resolve, annihilating return.

On approaching the nook in which the fold was constructed, the farmer

drew out his pocket-book, unfastened it, and allowed it to lie open on

his hand. A letter was revealed—Bathsheba’s.

“I was going to ask you, Oak,” he said, with unreal carelessness, “if

you know whose writing this is?”

Oak glanced into the book, and replied instantly, with a flushed face,

“Miss Everdene’s.”

Oak had coloured simply at the consciousness of sounding her name. He

now felt a strangely distressing qualm from a new thought. The letter

could of course be no other than anonymous, or the inquiry would not

have been necessary.

Boldwood mistook his confusion: sensitive persons are always ready with

their “Is it I?” in preference to objective reasoning.

“The question was perfectly fair,” he returned—and there was something

incongruous in the serious earnestness with which he applied himself to

an argument on a valentine. “You know it is always expected that privy

inquiries will be made: that’s where the—fun lies.” If the word “fun”

had been “torture,” it could not have been uttered with a more

constrained and restless countenance than was Boldwood’s then.

Soon parting from Gabriel, the lonely and reserved man returned to his

house to breakfast—feeling twinges of shame and regret at having so far

exposed his mood by those fevered questions to a stranger. He again

placed the letter on the mantelpiece, and sat down to think of the

circumstances attending it by the light of Gabriel’s information.