Adam Bede, a play in five acts, founded on George Eliot's famous novel

ACT FIFTH. India, April 6, 1799 — {Six months later) — Grove of

Sultanpet.

CAST OF CHARACTERS.

Adam Bede.

Squire Donnithorne.

Arthur Donnithorne.

Reverend Adolphus Irwine.

Martin Poyser.

Seth Bede.

Joshua Rann.

Meester Craig.

Meester Casson.

Surgeon Maltby.

Jack Cranage.

Fayther Taft.

Fayther Poyser.

Bartle Massey.

Carrol (a butler).

Mills (a butler).

Messenger.

Jailor.

Mrs. Poyser.

Hetty Sorrel.

Mrs. Irwine.

Lisbeth Bede.

ToTTY Poyser.

Molly (a maid).

And Dinah Morris.

Tenants, Farm-hands, Villagers, Soldiers, Sepoys. Period — A. D. 1798-99.

Copyrighted, 1899,

by

Robert Lewis Weed.

ADAM BEDE.

Act First— Scene First

The Rectory, Morning. The Study.

Window r. Door l. c. leading into hall; hallstairs seen at back. Fireplace l. Walls lined. WITH books. Large study table c. Chairs r. and L. Armchair and hassock near fire l. Small table r. near window, chairs r. and l. of table.

Discovered, Mrs. Irwine and Rev. Adolphus Irwine seated at small table r. playing chess.

Mrs. Irwine — "There, Dauphin, tell me what that is?" (deposits her queen and quietly folds her arms.)

Rev. a. Irwine — "Ah! you witch-mother, you sorceress ! How is a Christian man to win a game of you ? Before we began I should have sprinkled the board with holy water. You've not won that game by fair means, now, so don't pretend it!"

Mrs. Irwine — "Yes, yes, that's what the beaten have always said of conquerors. Shall I give you another chance?"

Rev. Irwine — "No, mother, I shall leave you to your conscience." (rises and looks out of window R. ) "The weather is clearing, we must go and splash up the mud a little, mustn't we, Juno?" (strokes a brown setter affectionately. )

Mrs. Irwine — "True, the sunshine is falling on the board to show more clearly what a foolish move you made with that pawn."

Rev. Irwine — "Mother, I'm ashamed of you ! You are an ungenerous victor. But I must go upstairs and — " (starts toivard door; is met by Carrol)

Enter Carrol (door l. c.)

Carroll — "If you please, sir, Joshua Rann wishes to speak with you."

Mrs. Irwine — "Let him be shown in here. I always like to hear what Mr. Rann has to say. His shoes will be dirty, but see that he wipes them, Carrol."

(Exit Carrol l. c.)

Mrs. Irwine — "What do you suppose can be the matter now, Dauphin ?"

Rev. Irwine (x's to fireplace) — "I haven't the least idea, but something out of the ordinary you may be sure. Joshua is not the man to pay me a visit unless he has a grievance or some news to tell."

Enter Carrol l. c. followed by Joshua Rann.

Rev. Irwine — "Well, Joshua, good morning. Sit down."

Joshua Rann — "Thank your reverence, I'll stand if you please, as more becomin'." (pulling a lock of his hair.) "T hope I see your reverence well, an' Mrs. Irwine, well."

Rev. Irwine — "Yes, Joshua, thank you. You see how blooming my mother looks. She sets us younger people an example in not giving way to age. {dogs sniff at Rann's legs; he tries to be polite and not notice them) Never mind the dogs, Joshua, give them a friendly kick. Here, Pug, you rascal. Is anything the matter in Havslope that vou've come over this morning?"

Joshua — "Why, sir, I had to come to Brox'on to deliver some work and I thought it 'ud be but right to call an' let you know the goin's on as there's been i' the village, such as I hanna seen i' my time, an' I've lived in it man an' boy sixty vear come Saint Thomas."

Rev. Irwine— "Well?"

Joshua — ^'I collected the Easter dues for Mr. Blink afore your reverence come into the parish, an' been at the ringin' o' ivery bell, an' the diggin' o' ivery grave, an' sung i' the choir long afore Bartle Massey come wi' his counter-singin' an' fine anthems as puts iverybody out, but himself — one takin' it up after another like sheep a-bleatin' i' the fold."

Rev. Irwine — "But, Joshua, you — "

Joshua — "I know what belongs to bein' a parish dark, an' I know as I should be wantin i' respect to your reverence, an' church, an' king, if I was t' allow such goin's on wi'out speakin'."

Rev. Irwine — "Why, what in the world is the matter, Joshua? Have the thieves been at the church lead again?"

Joshua — "Thieves ! no sir — an' yet, as I may say, it is thieves, an' a-thievin' the church too. It's the Methodisses as is like to get th' upper hand i' the parish, if your reverence, an' his honor Squire Donnithorne, doesna think well to say the word an' forbid it. Not as I'm a-dictatin' to you, sir; I'm not forgettin' myself so far as to be wise above my betters. Howiver, whether I'm wise or no, what I've got to say, I say — as sure as I'm a-standin' afore your reverence — the young Methodist woman, Dinah Morris, as is at Meester Poyser's, ha' been a-preachin' an' a-prayin' on the green."

lO ADAM BEDE,

Rev. Irwine — "Preaching on the green ! What, that pale pretty young woman I've seen at Poyser's? I saw by her dress that she was a Methodist or a Quaker but I didn't know she was a preacher."

Joshua — "It's a true word as I say, sir; an' she preached there last night ; an' she's laid hold o' Chad's Bess, so the gell's been i' fits welly iver sin'."

Rev. Irwine — "Well, Bessy Cranage is a heartylooking lass; I dare say she'll come around again,. Joshua. Did anybody else go into fits?" (looks at Mrs. Irwine amused)

Joshua — " No, sir — I canna say as they did. But there's no knowin' what'll come if we're t' ha' such preachin' as that a-goin on' ivery week; there'll be no livin' i' the village."

Rev. Irwine — "Well, what's your advice, Joshua? What do you think should be done?"

Joshua — "Your reverence, I'm not for takin' any measures agin' the young woman. She's Meester Poyser's own niece, and I donna wish to say what's any ways disrespectful o' th' family at th' Hall Farm, as I've measured for shoes little an' big, welly iver sin' I've been a shoemaker. She's well enough if she'd let preachin' alone; but Methodisses make folks believe as if they take a mug o' drink extra, an' make theirselves a bit comfortable, they'll have to go to hell for't, an' I make no doubt if th' young woman keeps on preachin' she'll stir other folks up to thinkin' th' same way. She ha' already got Will Maskery t' her way o' thinkin'."

Rev. Irwine — "Is Maskery preaching too ?"

Joshua — "Nay, sir, he's no gift at stringin' th' words together wi'out th' book, but he's got tongue enough t' speak disrespectful aboot's neebors, an' what's worse, he's usin' the Bible t' find nicknames for folks as are his elders an' betters. I could bring them as 'ud swear as he called me 'a blind Pharisee,' an' you, forgi'e me for sayin' such things over agin', 'a dumb^ dog an' a idle Shepherd.' "

ADAM BEDE. II

Rev. Irwine — "Let evil words die as soon as they are spoken, Joshua. If you can bring me any proof that Will Maskery annoys his neighbors or creates disturbance, I shall think it my duty as a clergyman and a magistrate, to interfere. But it wouldn't become wise people like you and me to make a fuss about trifles. We must live and let live, Joshua, in religion as well as in other things. You go on doing your duty as parish clerk and sexton as well as you've always done it, and making those capital thick boots for your neighbors, and things won't go far wrong in Hayslope, depend upon it."

Joshua — "Your reverence is good to say so; an' I'm sensible as you not livin' i' th' parish, there's more upo' my shoulders."

Rev. Irwine — "I shall trust to your good sense to take no notice of what Will Maskery says, either of you or of me." (sits R. of table c.) "When you've done your day's work, you can go on taking your pot of beer soberly, just as you have always done, and if Will Maskery doesn't want to join you, but prefers to go to a prayer-meeting on the green, why, let hirn; that is no business of yours, so long as he doesn't hinder you from doing what you like."

Joshua — "Ah, sir! But when he comes to church, an' we're a singin', he sits an' shakes his head, till I should like to fetch him a rap across the jowl. — God forgi'e me, an' Mrs. Irwine, an' your reverence, too, for speakin' so afore you — but he said as our Christmas singin' was no better nor th' cracklin' o' thorns under a pot."

Rev. Irwine — "It must be that he has no ear for music, Joshua. Never fear; he won't bring anyone else in Hayslope to his opinion."

Joshua — "Yes, sir; but it turns a man's stomach t* hear th' scripture misused i' that way. I know as much o' th' words o' th' Bible as he does, an' could say the Psalms right through i' my sleep, if you was to pinch me ; but I know better nor to take such words t' say my own say wi'."

Rap at the door, voice heard calling out:

"Godson Arthur, may he come in?"

Mrs. Irwine — "Come in, come in, godson."

Enter Arthur Donnithorne l. c. dressed in riding costume.

Mrs. Irwine — "Ah, Arthur, welcome." (Arthur kisses Mrs. Irwine, shakes hands with Rev. Irwine.)

Rev. Irwine — "Glad to see you, Arthur, and where did you drop from ?"

Arthur — "From the Chase." {sits on edge of table c. ) "I couldn't stand being shut in the house a moment longer ; as soon as the rain stopped I ordered my horse for a canter. The roads are a bit heavy but, {turning for a chair sees Joshua) — don't let me interrupt Joshua's business — he has something to say."

Joshua — "Belike sir, you hanna heard as Thias Bede's took to drinkin' bad again. If your reverence sees well and good, I hope you'll go an' labor wi' Thias, fur he's a dreadful sinner. He's a-slippin' away, fast."

Rev. Irwine — "To be sure, Joshua, to be sure. I'll try and do what I can for him. And now goodmorning, Joshua; go into the kitchen and have some ale."

Joshua — "Thank your reverence. Good mornin', Mrs. Irwine, good mornin', Captain Donnithorne, good mornin', your reverence." {exit Joshua l. c. )

Rev. Irwine — "Poor old Thias. It's a pity that Adam should have this cross added to the load already on his shoulders. For the last five years he has been propping up his father from ruin."

x'Vrthur — "Adam Bede is a trump!" {x's to fire) ■"When I was a little fellow and Adam a strapping lad of fifteen he taught me carpentering, and I used to think if ever I was a rich Sultan, I would make Adam my grand vizier."

Rev. Irwine — "And I believe he would stand the exaltation as well as any poor wiseman in an eastern story."

Arthur — "If ever I live to be a large-acred man, instead of a poor devil with a mortgaged allowance of pocket money, FU have Adam for my right hand. He shall manage my woods for me. He seems to have a better notion of those things than any man I ever met. I'm trying to persuade my grandfather to engage Adam in place of that miserable old Satchell, who understands no more about timber than an old carp. But come, your reverence, (x's to table c. ) Are you for a ride with me? I want to call at the Hall Farm to look at the whelps Poyser is keeping for me."

Mrs. Irwine — "You must stay and have a glass of wine first, Arthur. Carrol will bring it in directly."

Rev. Irwine — "Yes, I want to go to the Hall Farm, too, I have some curiosity to have another look at Dinah Morris, the little Methodist who is staying there. Joshua tells me she was preaching on the green last night."

Arthur — "Oh, by Jove ! was that Dinah Morris? I happened to be riding past and saw her. She looked like Saint Catherine in a Quaker dress. It's a type of face one rarely sees among our common people, (sits L. of table c. )

Mrs. Irwine — "If she is so attractive, I should like to see the young woman, Dauphin. Make her come here, on some pretext or other." *

Rev. Irwine — "I don't see how I can manage that, mother ; it will hardly do for me, a church of England clergyman, to patronize a Methodist preacher. Besides, I doubt if she would consent to be patronized by an 'idle shepherd.' "

Mrs. Irwine — "You should have come in a little sooner, Arthur, to hear Joshua's denunciation of his neighbor. Will Maskery."

Rev. Irwine — "Yes, the old fellow wants me to excommunicate the wheelwright and then deliver him over to the Civil arm — that is to say, to your grandfather, — to be turned out of house and yard."

Mrs. Irwine — "It is really insolent of the man, though, to call you an 'idle shepherd and a dumb dog.' I should be inclined to check him a little. You're too easy-tempered, Dauphin."

Rev. Irwine — "Why, mother, I'm not sure but he is right about it. I am a lazy fellow."

Mrs. Irwine — "Tut, tut, Dauphin."

Rev. Irwine — "Oh, but there's truth in it, mother. You can use your right arm quite well now, Arthur?"

Arthur — "Yes, pretty well; but the doctor insists upon my keeping it up constantly for some time to come. Though I hope I shall be able to get away to the regiment in the beginning of August. It's a desperately dull business being shut up at the Chase when one can neither hunt nor fish. However, we are to astonish the echoes on the 30th, when I come of age. Grandfather has given me carte blanche for once, and I promise you the entertainment shall be worthy of the occasion. I think I shall have a lofty throne built for you, godmother, (x's to Mrs. Irwine and stands by her chair) so that you may sit and look down upon us like an Olympian goddess."

Mrs. Irwine — "And I mean to grace the occasion and bring out my best brocade that I wore at your christening twenty years ago. Ah, Arthur, (takes his hand and holds it) I think I see your poor mother flitting about in her white dress, which looked to me that very day almost like a shroud ; and it was her shroud only three months after ; and your little cap and christening dress were buried with her. She had set her heart on that, sweet soul. Arthur, thank God you take after your mother's fam^ily. If you had been

ADA.VX BEDE. 1 5

.,a puny, yellow baby, I wouldn't have stood godmother ±o you."

Rev. Irwine — "But you might have been a little too hasty, there, mother. Don't you remember how it was with Juno's last pups ? One of them was the very -image of its mother, but it has two or three of its father's tricks notwithstanding. Nature is clever enough to cheat even you, mother."

Mrs. Irwine — "Nonsense, child. Nature never makes a ferret in the shape of a mastiff. You'll never persuade me that I can't tell what men are by their outsides. If I don't like a man's looks depend upon it I shall never like him. I don't want to know people that look ugly any more than I want to taste dishes that look disagreeable. If at the first glance they make me shudder, I say take them away. An ugly, fishy eye makes me feel quite ill, it's like a bad smell."

Arthur — "Talking of eyes, reminds me that I have .a book of poems I meant to bring you, godmother. 'The Ancient Mariner,' attracted me most, but I can hardly make head or tail of it as a story, it's a strange, striking thing. I'll send it over to you. By the way, your reverence, {x's to table c.) in a parcel that came down from London I found some pamphlets about Antinomianism and Evangelicalism, whatever they may be, would you like to have them ?"

Rev. Irwine — ^"I don't know that I'm very fond of 'isms,' but I may as well look at the pamphlets, they tet one see what is going on. If you had stuck to your books, you rascal, you would enjoy talking these things over with me."

Mrs. Irwine — ^'Dauphin, Dauphin, you mustn't be severe with Arthur."

Arthur — "Quite right, godmother, his reverence forgets that scholarship doesn't run in my family. I shall be satisfied if I remember enough Latin to adorn my maiden speech in Parliament."

Rev. Irwine — ^"Arthur !"

Arthur — "Will your reverence kindly tell me what need a country gentleman has for knowledge of the classics? To my thinking, he would much better have a knowledge of fertilizers."

Mrs. Irwine — "Godson Arthur ! Reflect, what are you saying?"

Arthur — "Don't be alarmed, godmother, I've only come to the conchision that I should like to help the farmers in a better management of their lands. Take the Stonyshire side of the estate, — it's in a dismal condition — now I should like to set improvements on foot, and gallop about from place to place and overlook them. Know all the laborers and see them touching their hats to me with a look of good will."

Rev. Irwine — "Bravo, Arthur! You may not care for the classics, but you atone for that if you help raise the food required by those who do appreciate them. When you enter upon your career of model landlord, may I be there to see it." (rising.)

Mrs. Irwine — "And when that day comes, mind, you fall in love with the right person; for if you get a wife who drains your purse, she'll make you niggardly in spite of yourself."

Arthur — "Never fear, godmother, about my marrying while my grandfather lives. But come, your reverence, are you ready to start for the Hall Farm ?"

Rev. Irwine — "In one moment, I've a little matter to attend to, and then I'll be ready to set out with you." (exit Rev. Irwine l. c.)

Arthur — "Speaking of the Hall Farm. Have you seen Poyser's niece, Hetty Sorrel, godmother?" (sits r. of table c. )

Mrs. Irwine — "No, I don't remember that I have, is she pretty?"

Enter Carrol l. c. with wine, passes it to each and exits.

Arthur — "Pretty! she's a perfect Hebe; if I were an artist I would paint her." (strikes his boot with his whip.)

Mrs. Irwine — "Why, Arthur, you are enthusiastic. You are quite sure that she appeals to you only in an artistic light ?"

Arthur — "What do you mean, godmother?" Mrs. Irwine — "I mean you mustn't fill her little head with the notion that she's attractive to fine gentlemen, else you will spoil her for a poor man's wife."

Voice of Rev. Irwine heard outside calling.

Rev. Irwine — "I'm ready, Arthur, the horses are

at the door."

Arthur — "All right, your reverence. Good-bye,

godmother." (kisses her.) Mrs. Irwine — "Come again soon, Arthur." Arthur — "Yes, Godmother." (going to door.) Mrs. Irwine — "Arthur! (calling him back) mind

what I say, don't feed the girl's vanity."

Arthur — "Never fear, godmother, never fear.

Good-bye."

End of scene first, act first.

Act First— Scene Second

The Hall Farm. Early Afternoon. The Kitchen, The Kitchen.

Garden door upper r. outside door r. c. dairy DOOR l. c. Door leading into front part of house L. armchair by fire r. Cupboard at back between DOORS r. c. and l. c. Table l. Chairs s. and l. Ironing BOARD resting ON TWO CHAIRS R. BoWL OF STARCH STANDING ON THE END OF IRONING BOARD L. TUB OF WHEY SEEN STANDING IN DAIRY-WAY L. C.

l8 ADAM BEDE.

Discovered, Mrs. Poyser ironing r. Totty seated in a high chair at the end of ironing table with a miniattire iron. Molly szveeping L.

Totty — "Munny, my iron's twite told; pease put it down to warm."

Mrs. Poyser — "Cold is it, my darling? Bless your sweet face." {kisses the child.) "Never mind, mother's done her ironing now. She's going to put the ironing things away."

Totty — "Munny, I tould ike to doo into de barn to Tommy."

Mrs. Poyser — "No, no, Totty 'ud get her feet wet. Run into the dairy and see cousin Hetty make the butter."

Totty — "I tould ike a bit o' pum-take." (Mrs. Poyser turns aivay toward the fire. Totty upsets the bowl of starch on the ironing board.) "Oh, Munny, I'se spilted de starch."

Mrs. Poyser — "Did anybody iver see the like? {running tozvards the table.) The child's allays i' mischief if your back's turned a minute. What shall I do to you, you naughty, naughty gell?"

Totty exits hastily into the dairy l. c. Mrs. Poyser wipes up the starch.

Molly — "I've finished sweeping ma'am, shall I go out to the barn and comb the wool for the whittaws till milking time ?"

Mrs. Poyser — "Comb the wool for the whittaws ! That's what you'd like to be doing is it? To think of a gell o' your age a-wanting to go and sit wi' half a dozen men !"

Molly — "I'm sure I donna want t' go wi' th' whittaws, on'y we allays used to comb th' wool for'n at Master Ottley's; an' so I just axed ye."

Mrs. Poyser — "Master Ottley's, indeed! It's fine talking o' what you did at Mr. Ottley's — and you

ADAM BEDE. I9

know no more o' what belongs to work when you come here, than the mawkin i' the field. And what are you standin' there for like a jack as is run down instead o' gettin' your wheel out?" (Molly goes tozvards door l. )

Enter Dinah Morris l. Molly stands aside for Dinah to enter, then exits door l.

Dinah — "Don't be so hard on the girl, aunt, — she means to do right." {x's to c.)

Mrs. Poyser — "Means to do right! She's as poor a two-fisted thing as ever I saw. My goodness, Dinah, {x's to Dinah c. ) how you do look the image o' your Aunt Judith. I could almost fancy it was thirty years ago, and I was a little gell at home looking at Judith as she sat at her work. Judith and me allays hung together, though she had such queer ways, but your mother and her never could agree. Your mother little thought as she'd have a daughter just cut out after the very pattern o' Judith, and leave her an orphan for Judith to take care on and bring up wi' a spoon when she was in the graveyard. I allays said that o' Judith, as she'd bear a pound weight any day, to save anybody else carrying a ounce."

Dinah — "She was a blessed woman."

Mrs. Poyser — "She was just the same from the first o' my remembering her; it made no difference in her as I could see, when she took to the Methodists. Only she talked a bit different and wore a different sort o' cap."

Dinah — "And she was very fond of you, too. Aunt Rachel, {sits in chair l. of table l.) I've often heard her talk of you in a loving way. {takes tip sheet from table and begins sezving.) When she had that bad illness and I was only eleven years old, she used to say, 'If I'm taken away, Dinah, you'll find a friend in your Aunt Rachel, for she has a kind heart,' and I'm sure I've found it so."

Mrs. Poyser — "I don't know how a body could be anything but kmd to you, Dinah, (putting away ironing board upper l. corner) You know I'd ha' been glad to behave to you like a mother's sister if you'd come and live wi' us. Then you might get married to Seth Bede, and though he is a poor wool-gathering Methodist, as is never like to have a penny beforehand, I know your uncle 'ud help you with a pig, and very like a cow, for he'd do as much for you as he'd do for Hetty, though she's his own niece. And there's linen in the house as I could well spare you. There's a piece o' sheeting I could give you as that squinting Kitty spun, — she was a rare girl to spin, for all she squinted and the children couldn't abide her, — but where's the use o' talkin', if you wonna be persuaded to settle down i'stead o' wearin' yourself out wi' walking and preaching and givin' away every penny you get. so as you've got notions i' your head about religion more nor what's i' the Catechism and the Prayerbook."

Dinah — "But not more than what's in the Bible, aunt."

Mrs. Poyser — "Yes, and the Bible, too, for that matter. Else why shouldn't them as know best what's in the Bible, — the parsons and the people as have nothing to do but learn it the same as you do ? But for th' matter o' that, if everybody was to do like you, the world must come to a standstill, for if we're to despise th' things o' this world, as you say, I should like to know where th' pick o' th' stock an' th' corn an' th' best milk cheeses 'ud have to go? Everybody 'ud be wantin' bread made o' tail-ends, an' everybody 'ud be runnin' after everybody else to preach to 'em, i'stead o' bringin' up their families an' layin' by against a bad harvest."

Dinah — "Nay, dear aunt, you never heard me say that all people are called to forsake their work and their families. It's quite right the land should be plowed and sowed, and the precious corn stored and the things of this Hfe cared for, and right that people should rejoice in their families, and care for them. We are all servants of God wherever our lot is cast, but He gives us different kinds of work according as He fits us for it. I can no more help spending my life in trying to help others, than you can help running when you hear little Totty crying at the other end of the house."

Mrs. Poyser — "Ah, I know it 'ud be just th' same if I was to talk to you for hours. You'd make me th' same answer at th' end. I might as well talk to th" running brook an' tell it to stan' still, {looking out the door R. c. ) If there is'nt Captain Donnithorne an' Mr. Irwine a-coming into th' yard. I'll lay my life they're comin' to speak about your preachin' on the green ; Dinah, it's you must answer 'em for I'm dumb ! I've said enough a'ready about your bringing such disgrace upo' your uncle's family. I wouldn't ha" minded if you'd been Poyser's own niece ; folks must put up wi' their own kin as they put up wi' their own noses — it's their own flesh an' blood. But to think of a niece o" mine being cause o' my husband's being turned out o' his farm and me brought him no fortin' but my savin's — "

Dinah — "Nay, Aunt Rachel, you have no cause for such fears. I've strong assurance that no evil will happen to you and my uncle and the children, from anything I've done. I didn"t preach without direction."

Mrs. Poyser — "Direction ! I know what you mean by direction. When there s a bigger maggot than usual in your head you call it direction, and then nothing can stir you. I canna ha' common patience wi' you." {advances to the door r. c. courtesying.)

Enter Mr. Irwine and Captain Donnithorne, r. c.

Rev. Irwine — "Well, Mrs. Poyser, how are you after this stormy morning? Our feet are quite dry; we shall not soil your beautiful floor."

Mrs. Poyser — "O, sir, don't mention it. Will you and the captain please to walk into the parlor ?"

Arthur — "No, indeed, thank you, Mrs. Poyser, I delight in your kitchen, I think it's the most charming room I know. I should like every farmer's wife to come and look at it for a pattern."

Mrs. Poyser — "Oh, you're pleased to say so, sir; pray, take a seat."

Arthur — "Is Poyser at home?"

Mrs. Poyser — "No, sir, he isn't, he's gone to Rossiter to see Mr. West, the factor, about the wool. But there's father in the barn, sir, if he'd be of any use ?"

Arthur — "No, thank you; I'll just look at the whelps and leave a message about them with your shepherd. I must come another day and see your husband. Do you know when he's likely to be at home?"

Mrs. Poyser — "Why, sir, you can hardly miss him except on market-day, — that's of a Friday, you know ; for if he's anywhere on the farm, we can send for him in a minute. If we'd got rid o' th' Scantlands we should have no outlying fields ; an' I should be glad of it, for if iver anything happens, he's sure to be gone to the Scantlands. Things allays happens so contrary if they've a chance ; and it's an unnat'ral thing to ha' one bit o' your farm in one county and all the rest in another."