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And it was quite true that if Hetty had been plain； she would have
looked very ugly and unamiable at that moment； and no one’s
moral judgment upon her would have been in the least beguiled。
But really there was something quite charming in her pettishness：
it looked so much more like innocent distress than ill humour； and
the severe Adam felt no movement of disapprobation； he only felt
a sort of amused pity； as if he had seen a kitten setting up its back；
or a little bird with its feathers ruffled。 He could not gather what
was vexing her； but it was impossible to him to feel otherwise than
that she was the prettiest thing in the world； and that if he could
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have his way； nothing should ever vex her any more。 And
presently； when Totty was gone； she caught his eye； and her face
broke into one of its brightest smiles； as she nodded to him。 It was
a bit of flirtation—she knew Mary Burge was looking at them。 But
the smile was like wine to Adam。
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Chapter XXIV
The Health…Drinking
hen the dinner was over； and the first draughts from
Wthe great cask of birthday ale were brought up； room
was made for the broad Mr。 Poyser at the side of the
table； and two chairs were placed at the head。 It had been settled
very definitely what Mr。 Poyser was to do when the young squire
should appear； and for the last five minutes he had been in a state
of abstraction； with his eyes fixed on the dark picture opposite；
and his hands busy with the loose cash and other articles in his
breeches pockets。
When the young squire entered； with Mr。 Irwine by his side；
every one stood up； and this moment of homage was very
agreeable to Arthur。 He liked to feel his own importance； and
besides that； he cared a great deal for the good…will of these
people： he was fond of thinking that they had a hearty； special
regard for him。 The pleasure he felt was in his face as he said； “My
grandfather and I hope all our friends here have enjoyed their
dinner； and find my birthday ale good。 Mr。 Irwine and I are come
to taste it with you； and I am sure we shall all like anything the
better that the rector shares with us。”
All eyes were now turned on Mr。 Poyser； who； with his hands
still busy in his pockets； began with the deliberateness of a slow…
striking clock。 “Captain； my neighbours have put it upo’ me to
speak for ’em to…day； for where folks think pretty much alike； one
spokesman’s as good as a score。 And though we’ve mayhappen got
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contrairy ways o’ thinking about a many things—one man lays
down his land one way an’ another another—an’ I’ll not take it
upon me to speak to no man’s farming； but my own—this I’ll say；
as we’re all o’ one mind about our young squire。 We’ve pretty nigh
all on us known you when you war a little un； an’ we’ve niver
known anything on you but what was good an’ honourable。 You
speak fair an’ y’ act fair； an’ we’re joyful when we look forrard to
your being our landlord； for we b’lieve you mean to do right by
everybody； an’ ’ull make no man’s bread bitter to him if you can
help it。 That’s what I mean； an’ that’s what we all mean； and when
a man’s said what he means； he’d better stop； for th’ ale ’ull be
none the better for stannin’。 An’ I’ll not say how we like th’ ale yet；
for we couldna well taste it till we’d drunk your health in it； but
the dinner was good； an’ if there’s anybody hasna enjoyed it； it
must be the fault of his own inside。 An’ as for the rector’s
company； it’s well known as that’s welcome t’ all the parish
wherever he may be； an’ I hope； an’ we all hope； as he’ll live to see
us old folks； an’ our children grown to men an’ women an’ Your
Honour a family man。 I’ve no more to say as concerns the present
time； an’ so we’ll drink our young squire’s health—three times
three。”
Hereupon a glorious shouting； a rapping； a jingling； a clattering；
and a shouting； with plentiful da capo； pleasanter than a strain of
sublimest music in the ears that receive such a tribute for the first
time。 Arthur had felt a twinge of conscience during Mr。 Poyser’s
speech； but it was too feeble to nullify the pleasure he felt in being
praised。 Did he not deserve what was said of him on the whole？ If
there was something in his conduct that Poyser wouldn’t have
liked if he had known it； why； no man’s conduct will bear too close
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an inspection； and Poyser was not likely to know it； and； after all；
what had he done？ Gone a little too far； perhaps； in flirtation； but
another man in his place would have acted much worse； and no
harm would come—no harm should come； for the next time he was
alone with Hetty； he would explain to her that she must not think
seriously of him or of what had passed。 It was necessary to Arthur；
you perceive； to be satisfied with himself。 Uncomfortable thoughts
must be got rid of by good intentions for the future； which can be
formed so rapidly that he had time to be uncomfortable and to
become easy again before Mr。 Poyser’s slow speech was finished；
and when it was time for him to speak he was quite light…hearted。
“I thank you all； my good friends and neighbours；” Arthur said；
“for the good opinion of me； and the kind feelings towards me
which Mr。 Poyser has been expressing on your behalf and on his
own； and it will always be my heartiest wish to deserve them。 In
the course of things we may expect that； if I live； I shall one day or
other be your landlord； indeed； it is on the ground of that
expectation that my grandfather has wished me to celebrate this
day and to come among you now； and I look forward to this
position； not merely as one of power and pleasure for myself； but
as a means of benefiting my neighbours。 It hardly becomes so
young a man as I am to talk much about farming to you； who are
most of you so much older； and are men of experience； still； I have
interested myself a good deal in such matters； and learned as
much about them as my opportunities have allowed； and when the
course of events shall place the estate in my hands； it will be my
first desire to afford my tenants all the encouragement a landlord
can give them； in improving their land and trying to bring about a
better practice of husbandry。 It will be my wish to be looked on by
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all my deserving tenants as their best friend； and nothing would
make me so happy as to be able to respect every man on the
estate； and to be respected by him in return。 It is not my place at
present to enter into particulars； I only meet your good hopes
concerning me by telling you that my own hopes correspond to
them—that what you expect from me I desire to fulfil； and I am
quite of Mr。 Poyser’s opinion； that when a man has said what he
means； he had better stop。 But the pleasure I feel in having my
own health drunk by you would not be perfect if we did not drink