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tunes had always been asking a question of somebody as deaf as
old Taft； and had never got an answer yet。”
Adam minded the less about sitting by Mr。 Casson； because this
position enabled him to see Hetty； who was not far off him at the
next table。 Hetty； however； had not even noticed his presence yet；
for she was giving angry attention to Totty； who insisted on
drawing up her feet on to the bench in antique fashion； and
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thereby threatened to make dusty marks on Hetty’s pink…and…
white frock。 No sooner were the little fat legs pushed down than
up they came again； for Totty’s eyes were too busy in staring at the
large dishes to see where the plum pudding was for her to retain
any consciousness of her legs。 Hetty got quite out of patience； and
at last； with a frown and pout； and gathering tears； she said； “Oh
dear； Aunt； I wish you’d speak to Totty； she keeps putting her legs
up so； and messing my frock。”
“What’s the matter wi’ the child？ She can niver please you；”
said the mother。 “Let her come by the side o’ me； then。 I can put
up wi’ her。”
Adam was looking at Hetty； and saw the frown； and pout； and
the dark eyes seeming to grow larger with pettish half…gathered
tears。 Quiet Mary Burge； who sat near enough to see that Hetty
was cross and that Adam’s eyes were fixed on her； thought that so
sensible a man as Adam must be reflecting on the small value of
beauty in a woman whose temper was bad。 Mary was a good girl；
not given to indulge in evil feelings； but she said to herself； that；
since Hetty had a bad temper； it was better Adam should know it。
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