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To the feminine mind in some of its moods； all things that might
be receive a temporary charm from comparison with what is； and
since Adam did not want to marry Dinah himself； Lisbeth felt
rather peevish on that score—as peevish as she would have been if
he had wanted to marry her； and so shut himself out from Mary
Burge and the partnership as effectually as by marrying Hetty。
It was more than half…past eight when Adam and his mother
were talking in this way； so that when； about ten minutes later；
Hetty reached the turning of the lane that led to the farmyard
gate； she saw Dinah and Seth approaching it from the opposite
direction； and waited for them to come up to her。 They； too； like
Hetty； had lingered a little in their walk； for Dinah was trying to
speak words of comfort and strength to Seth in these parting
moments。 But when they saw Hetty； they paused and shook
hands； Seth turned homewards； and Dinah came on alone。
“Seth Bede would have come and spoken to you； my dear；” she
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said； as she reached Hetty； “but he’s very full of trouble to…night。”
Hetty answered with a dimpled smile； as if she did not quite
know what had been said； and it made a strange contrast to see
that sparkling self…engrossed loveliness looked at by Dinah’s calm
pitying face； with its open glance which told that her heart lived in
no cherished secrets of its own； but in feelings which it longed to
share with all the world。 Hetty liked Dinah as well as she had ever
liked any woman； how was it possible to feel otherwise towards
one who always put in a kind word for her when her aunt was
finding fault； and who was always ready to take Totty off her
hands—little tiresome Totty； that was made such a pet of by every
one； and that Hetty could see no interest in at all？ Dinah had
never said anything disapproving or reproachful to Hetty during
her whole visit to the Hall Farm； she had talked to her a great deal
in a serious way； but Hetty didn’t mind that much； for she never
listened： whatever Dinah might say； she almost always stroked
Hetty’s cheek after it； and wanted to do some mending for her。
Dinah was a riddle to her； Hetty looked at her much in the same
way as one might imagine a little perching bird that could only
flutter from bough to bough； to look at the swoop of the swallow or
the mounting of the lark； but she did not care to solve such riddles；
any more than she cared to know what was meant by the pictures
in the Pilgrim’s Progress； or in the old folio Bible that Marty and
Tommy always plagued her about on a Sunday。
Dinah took her hand now and drew it under her own arm。
“You look very happy to…night； dear child；” she said。 “I shall
think of you often when I’m at Snowfield； and see your face before
me as it is now。 It’s a strange thing—sometimes when I’m quite
alone； sitting in my room with my eyes closed； or walking over the
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hills； the people I’ve seen and known； if it’s only been for a few
days； are brought before me； and I hear their voices and see them
look and move almost plainer than I ever did when they were
really with me so as I could touch them。 And then my heart is
drawn out towards them； and I feel their lot as if it was my own；
and I take comfort in spreading it before the Lord and resting in
His love； on their behalf as well as my own。 And so I feel sure you
will come before me。”
She paused a moment； but Hetty said nothing。
“It has been a very precious time to me；” Dinah went on； “last
night and to…day—seeing two such good sons as Adam and Seth
Bede。 They are so tender and thoughtful for their aged mother。
And she has been telling me what Adam has done； for these many
years； to help his father and his brother； it’s wonderful what a
spirit of wisdom and knowledge he has； and how he’s ready to use
it all in behalf of them that are feeble。 And I’m sure he has a loving
spirit too。 I’ve noticed it often among my own people round
Snowfield； that the strong； skilful men are often the gentlest to the
women and children； and it’s pretty to see ’em carrying the little
babies as if they were no heavier than little birds。 And the babies
always seem to like the strong arm best。 I feel sure it would be so
with Adam Bede。 Don’t you think so； Hetty？”
“Yes；” said Hetty abstractedly； for her mind had been all the
while in the wood； and she would have found it difficult to say
what she was assenting to。 Dinah saw she was not inclined to talk；
but there would not have been time to say much more； for they
were now at the yard…gate。
The still twilight； with its dying western red and its few faint
struggling stars； rested on the farm…yard； where there was not a
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sound to be heard but the stamping of the cart…horses in the
stable。 It was about twenty minutes after sunset。 The fowls were
all gone to roost； and the bull…dog lay stretched on the straw
outside his kennel； with the black…and…tan terrier by his side； when
the falling…to of the gate disturbed them and set them barking； like
good officials； before they had any distinct knowledge of the
reason。
The barking had its effect in the house； for； as Dinah and Hetty
approached； the doorway was filled by a portly figure； with a
ruddy black…eyed face which bore in it the possibility of looking
extremely acute； and occasionally contemptuous； on market…days；
but had now a predominant after…supper expression of hearty
good…nature。 It is well known that great scholars who have shown
the most pitiless acerbity in their criticism of other men’s
scholarship have yet been of a relenting and indulgent temper in
private life； and I have heard of a learned man meekly rocking the
twins in the cradle with his left hand； while with his right he
inflicted the most lacerating sarcasms on an opponent who had
betrayed a brutal ignorance of Hebrew。 Weaknesses and errors
must be forgiven—alas！ they are not alien to us—but the man who
takes the wrong side on the momentous subject of the Hebrew
points must be treated as the enemy of his race。 There was the
same sort of antithetic mixture in Martin Poyser： he was of so
excellent a disposition that he had been kinder and more
respectful than ever to his old father since he had made a deed of
gift of all his property； and no man judged his neighbours more
charitably on all personal matters； but for a farmer； like Luke
Britton； for example； whose fallows were not well cleaned； who
didn’t know the rudiments of hedging and ditching； and showed
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but a small share of judgment in the purchase of winter stock；
Martin Poyser was as hard and implacable as the north…east wind。
Luke Britton could not make a remark； even on the weather； but
Martin Poyser detected in it a taint of that unsoundness and
general ignorance which was palpable in all his farming
operations。 He hated to