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before。 Grand masses of cloud were hurried across the blue； and
the great round hills behind the Chase seemed alive with their
flying shadows； the sun was hidden for a moment； and then shone
out warm again like a recovered joy； the leaves； still green； were
tossed off the hedgerow trees by the wind； around the farmhouses
there was a sound of clapping doors； the apples fell in the
orchards； and the stray horses on the green sides of the lanes and
on the common had their manes blown about their faces。 And yet
the wind seemed only part of the general gladness because the sun
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was shining。 A merry day for the children； who ran and shouted to
see if they could top the wind with their voices； and the grown…up
people too were in good spirits； inclined to believe in yet finer
days； when the wind had fallen。 If only the corn were not ripe
enough to be blown out of the husk and scattered as untimely
seed！
And yet a day on which a blighting sorrow may fall upon a man。
For if it be true that Nature at certain moments seems charged
with a presentiment of one individual lot must it not also be true
that she seems unmindful unconscious of another？ For there is no
hour that has not its births of gladness and despair； no morning
brightness that does not bring new sickness to desolation as well
as new forces to genius and love。 There are so many of us； and our
lots are so different； what wonder that Nature’s mood is often in
harsh contrast with the great crisis of our lives？ We are children of
a large family； and must learn； as such children do； not to expect
that our hurts will be made much of—to be content with little
nurture and caressing； and help each other the more。
It was a busy day with Adam； who of late had done almost
double work； for he was continuing to act as foreman for Jonathan
Burge； until some satisfactory person could be found to supply his
place； and Jonathan was slow to find that person。 But he had done
the extra work cheerfully； for his hopes were buoyant again about
Hetty。 Every time she had seen him since the birthday； she had
seemed to make an effort to behave all the more kindly to him；
that she might make him understand she had forgiven his silence
and coldness during the dance。 He had never mentioned the
locket to her again； too happy that she smiled at him—still happier
because he observed in her a more subdued air； something that he
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interpreted as the growth of womanly tenderness and seriousness。
“Ah！” he thought； again and again； “she’s only seventeen； she’ll be
thoughtful enough after a while。 And her aunt allays says how
clever she is at the work。 She’ll make a wife as Mother’ll have no
occasion to grumble at； after all。” To be sure； he had only seen her
at home twice since the birthday； for one Sunday； when he was
intending to go from church to the Hall Farm； Hetty had joined
the party of upper servants from the Chase and had gone home
with them—almost as if she were inclined to encourage Mr。 Craig。
“She’s takin’ too much likin’ to them folks i’ the house keeper’s
room；” Mrs。 Poyser remarked。 “For my part； I was never over…
fond o’ gentlefolks’s servants—they’re mostly like the fine ladies’
fat dogs； nayther good for barking nor butcher’s meat； but on’y for
show。” And another evening she was gone to Treddleston to buy
some things； though； to his great surprise； as he was returning
home； he saw her at a distance getting over a stile quite out of the
Treddleston road。 But； when he hastened to her； she was very
kind； and asked him to go in again when he had taken her to the
yard gate。 She had gone a little farther into the fields after coming
from Treddleston because she didn’t want to go in； she said： it was
so nice to be out of doors； and her aunt always made such a fuss
about it if she wanted to go out。 “Oh； do come in with me！” she
said； as he was going to shake hands with her at the gate； and he
could not resist that。 So he went in； and Mrs。 Poyser was
contented with only a slight remark on Hetty’s being later than
was expected； while Hetty； who had looked out of spirits when he
met her； smiled and talked and waited on them all with unusual
promptitude。
That was the last time he had seen her； but he meant to make
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leisure for going to the Farm to…morrow。 To…day； he knew； was her
day for going to the Chase to sew with the lady’s maid； so he would
get as much work done as possible this evening； that the next
might be clear。
One piece of work that Adam was superintending was some
slight repairs at the Chase Farm； which had been hitherto
occupied by Satchell； as bailiff； but which it was now rumoured
that the old squire was going to let to a smart man in top…boots；
who had been seen to ride over it one day。 Nothing but the desire
to get a tenant could account for the squire’s undertaking repairs；
though the Saturday…evening party at Mr。 Casson’s agreed over
their pipes that no man in his senses would take the Chase Farm
unless there was a bit more plough…land laid to it。 However that
might be； the repairs were ordered to be executed with all
dispatch； and Adam； acting for Mr。 Burge； was carrying out the
order with his usual energy。 But to…day； having been occupied
elsewhere； he had not been able to arrive at the Chase Farm till
late in the afternoon； and he then discovered that some old
roofing； which he had calculated on preserving； had given way。
There was clearly no good to be done with this part of the building
without pulling it all down； and Adam immediately saw in his
mind a plan for building it up again； so as to make the most
convenient of cow…sheds and calf…pens； with a hovel for
implements； and all without any great expense for materials。 So；
when the workmen were gone； he sat down； took out his pocket…
book； and busied himself with sketching a plan； and making a
specification of the expenses that he might show it to Burge the
next morning； and set him on persuading the squire to consent。 To
“make a good job” of anything； however small； was always a
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pleasure to Adam； and he sat on a block； with his book resting on a
planing…table； whistling low every now and then and turning his
head on one side with a just perceptible smile of gratification—of
pride； too； for if Adam loved a bit of good work； he loved also to
think； “I did it！” And I believe the only people who are free from
that weakness are those who have no work to call their own。 It was
nearly seven before he had finished and put on his jacket again；
and on giving a last look round； he observed that Seth； who had
been working here to…day； had left his basket of tools behind him。
“Why； th’ lad’s forgot his tools；” thought Adam； “and he’s got to
work up at the shop to…morrow。 There never was such a chap for
wool…gathering； he’d leave his head behind him； if it was loose。
However； it’s lucky I’ve seen ’em； I’ll carry ’em home。”
The building