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reference to men’s opinion of it。 There was a tinge of sadness in
his deep joy； Dinah knew it； and did not feel aggrieved。
There were three other couples； following the bride and
bridegroom： first； Martin Poyser； looking as cheery as a bright fire
on this rimy morning； led quiet Mary Burge； the bridesmaid； then
came Seth serenely happy； with Mrs。 Poyser on his arm； and last
of all Bartle Massey； with Lisbeth—Lisbeth in a new gown and
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bonnet； too busy with her pride in her son and her delight in
possessing the one daughter she had desired to devise a single
pretext for complaint。
Bartle Massey had consented to attend the wedding at Adam’s
earnest request； under protest against marriage in general and the
marriage of a sensible man in particular。 Nevertheless； Mr。 Poyser
had a joke against him after the wedding dinner； to the effect that
in the vestry he had given the bride one more kiss than was
necessary。
Behind this last couple came Mr。 Irwine； glad at heart over this
good morning’s work of joining Adam and Dinah。 For he had seen
Adam in the worst moments of his sorrow； and what better
harvest from that painful seed…time could there be than this？ The
love that had brought hope and comfort in the hour of despair； the
love that had found its way to the dark prison cell and to poor
Hetty’s darker soul—this strong gentle love was to be Adam’s
companion and helper till death。
There was much shaking of hands mingled with “God bless
you’s” and other good wishes to the four couples； at the
churchyard gate； Mr。 Poyser answering for the rest with unwonted
vivacity of tongue； for he had all the appropriate wedding…day
jokes at his command。 And the women； he observed； could never
do anything but put finger in eye at a wedding。 Even Mrs。 Poyser
could not trust herself to speak as the neighbours shook hands
with her； and Lisbeth began to cry in the face of the very first
person who told her she was getting young again。
Mr。 Joshua Rann； having a slight touch of rheumatism； did not
join in the ringing of the bells this morning； and； looking on with
some contempt at these informal greetings which required no
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Adam Bede 703
official co…operation from the clerk； began to hum in his musical
bass； “Oh what a joyful thing it is；” by way of preluding a little to
the effect he intended to produce in the wedding psalm next
Sunday。
“That’s a bit of good news to cheer Arthur；” said Mr。 Irwine to
his mother； as they drove off。 “I shall write to him the first thing
when we get home。”
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Epilogue
t is near the end of June； in 1807。 The workshops have been
Ishut up half an hour or more in Adam Bede’s timber…yard；
which used to be Jonathan Burge’s； and the mellow evening
light is falling on the pleasant house with the buff walls and the
soft grey thatch； very much as it did when we saw Adam bringing
in the keys on that June evening nine years ago。
There is a figure we know well； just come out of the house； and
shading her eyes with her hands as she looks for something in the
distance； for the rays that fall on her white borderless cap and her
pale auburn hair are very dazzling。 But now she turns away from
the sunlight and looks towards the door。
We can see the sweet pale face quite well now： it is scarcely at
all altered—only a little fuller； to correspond to her more matronly
figure； which still seems light and active enough in the plain black
dress。
“I see him； Seth；” Dinah said； as she looked into the house。 “Let
us go and meet him。 Come； Lisbeth； come with Mother。”
The last call was answered immediately by a small fair creature
with pale auburn hair and grey eyes； little more than four years
old； who ran out silently and put her hand into her mother’s。
“Come； Uncle Seth；” said Dinah。
“Aye； aye； we’re coming；” Seth answered from within； and
presently appeared stooping under the doorway； being taller than
usual by the black head of a sturdy two…year…old nephew； who had
caused some delay by demanding to be carried on uncle’s
shoulder。
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“Better take him on thy arm； Seth；” said Dinah； looking fondly
at the stout black…eyed fellow。 “He’s troublesome to thee so。”
“Nay； nay： Addy likes a ride on my shoulder。 I can carry him so
for a bit。” A kindness which young Addy acknowledged by
drumming his heels with promising force against Uncle Seth’s
chest。 But to walk by Dinah’s side； and be tyrannised over by
Dinah’s and Adam’s children； was Uncle Seth’s earthly happiness。
“Where didst see him？” asked Seth； as they walked on into the
adjoining field。 “I can’t catch sight of him anywhere。”
“Between the hedges by the roadside；” said Dinah。 “I saw his
hat and his shoulder。 There he is again。”
“Trust thee for catching sight of him if he’s anywhere to be
seen；” said Seth； smiling。 “Thee’t like poor mother used to be。 She
was always on the look out for Adam； and could see him sooner
than other folks； for all her eyes got dim。”
“He’s been longer than he expected；” said Dinah； taking
Arthur’s watch from a small side pocket and looking at it； “it’s
nigh upon seven now。”
“Aye； they’d have a deal to say to one another；” said Seth； “and
the meeting ’ud touch ’em both pretty closish。 Why； it’s getting on
towards eight years since they parted。”
“Yes；” said Dinah； “Adam was great