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his。
No； she was not thinking most of the giver when she smiled at
the ear…rings； for now she is taking them out of the box； not to
press them to her lips； but to fasten them in her ears—only for one
moment； to see how pretty they look； as she peeps at them in the
glass against the wall； with first one position of the head and then
another； like a listening bird。 It is impossible to be wise on the
subject of ear…rings as one looks at her； what should those delicate
pearls and crystals be made for； if not for such ears？ One cannot
even find fault with the tiny round hole which they leave when
they are taken out； perhaps water…nixies； and such lovely things
without souls； have these little round holes in their ears by nature；
ready to hang jewels in。 And Hetty must be one of them： it is too
painful to think that she is a woman； with a woman’s destiny
before her—a woman spinning in young ignorance a light web of
folly and vain hopes which may one day close round her and press
upon her； a rancorous poisoned garment； changing all at once her
fluttering； trivial butterfly sensations into a life of deep human
anguish。
But she cannot keep in the ear…rings long； else she may make
her uncle and aunt wait。 She puts them quickly into the box again
and shuts them up。 Some day she will be able to wear any ear…
rings she likes； and already she lives in an invisible world of
brilliant costumes； shimmering gauze； soft satin； and velvet； such
as the lady’s maid at the Chase has shown her in Miss Lydia’s
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wardrobe。 She feels the bracelets on her arms； and treads on a soft
carpet in front of a tall mirror。 But she has one thing in the drawer
which she can venture to wear to…day； because she can hang it on
the chain of dark…brown berries which she has been used to wear
on grand days； with a tiny flat scent…bottle at the end of it tucked
inside her frock； and she must put on her brown berries—her neck
would look so unfinished without it。 Hetty was not quite as fond of
the locket as of the ear…rings； though it was a handsome large
locket； with enamelled flowers at the back and a beautiful gold
border round the glass； which showed a light…brown slightly
waving lock； forming a background for two little dark rings。 She
must keep it under her clothes； and no one would see it。 But Hetty
had another passion； only a little less strong than her love of
finery； and that other passion made her like to wear the locket
even hidden in her bosom。 She would always have worn it； if she
had dared to encounter her aunt’s questions about a ribbon round
her neck。 So now she slipped it on along her chain of dark…brown
berries； and snapped the chain round her neck。 It was not a very
long chain； only allowing the locket to hang a little way below the
edge of her frock。 And now she had nothing to do but to put on her
long sleeves； her new white gauze neckerchief； and her straw hat
trimmed with white to…day instead of the pink； which had become
rather faded under the July sun。 That hat made the drop of
bitterness in Hetty’s cup to…day； for it was not quite new—
everybody would see that it was a little tanned against the white
ribbon—and Mary Burge； she felt sure； would have a new hat or
bonnet on。 She looked for consolation at her fine white cotton
stockings： they really were very nice indeed； and she had given
almost all her spare money for them。 Hetty’s dream of the future
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could not make her insensible to triumph in the present。 To be
sure； Captain Donnithorne loved her so that he would never care
about looking at other people； but then those other people didn’t
know how he loved her； and she was not satisfied to appear
shabby and insignificant in their eyes even for a short space。
The whole party was assembled in the house…place when Hetty
went down； all of course in their Sunday clothes； and the bells had
been ringing so this morning in honour of the captain’s twenty…
first birthday； and the work had all been got done so early； that
Marty and Tommy were not quite easy in their minds until their
mother had assured them that going to church was not part of the
day’s festivities。 Mr。 Poyser had once suggested that the house
should be shut up and left to take care of itself； “for；” said he；
“there’s no danger of anybody’s breaking in—everybody’ll be at
the Chase； thieves an’ all。 If we lock th’ house up； all the men can
go： it’s a day they wonna see twice i’ their lives。” But Mrs。 Poyser
answered with great decision： “I never left the house to take care
of itself since I was a missis； and I never will。 There’s been ill…
looking tramps enoo’ about the place this last week； to carry off
every ham an’ every spoon we’n got； and they all collogue
together； them tramps； as it’s a mercy they hanna come and
poisoned the dogs and murdered us all in our beds afore we
knowed； some Friday night when we’n got the money in th’ house
to pay the men。 And it’s like enough the tramps know where we’re
going as well as we do oursens； for if Old Harry wants any work
done； you may be sure he’ll find the means。”
“Nonsense about murdering us in our beds；” said Mr。 Poyser；
“I’ve got a gun i’ our room； hanna I？ and thee ’st got ears as ’ud
find it out if a mouse was gnawing the bacon。 Howiver； if thee
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wouldstna be easy； Alick can stay at home i’ the forepart o’ the
day； and Tim can come back tow’rds five o’clock； and let Alick
have his turn。 They may let Growler loose if anybody o