XXXIV. Home Again—A Trickster

           

           ThatsameeveningatduskGabrielwasleaningoverCoggan’sgarden-gate,takinganup-and-downsurveybeforeretiringtorest.

           Avehicleofsomekindwassoftlycreepingalongthegrassymarginofthelane.Fromitspreadthetonesoftwowomentalking.Thetoneswerenaturalandnotatallsuppressed.OakinstantlyknewthevoicestobethoseofBathshebaandLiddy.

           Thecarriagecameoppositeandpassedby.ItwasMissEverdene’sgig,andLiddyandhermistressweretheonlyoccupantsoftheseat.LiddywasaskingquestionsaboutthecityofBath,andhercompanionwasansweringthemlistlesslyandunconcernedly.BothBathshebaandthehorseseemedweary.

           Theexquisitereliefoffindingthatshewashereagain,safeandsound,overpoweredallreflection,andOakcouldonlyluxuriateinthesenseofit.Allgravereportswereforgotten.

           Helingeredandlingeredon,tilltherewasnodifferencebetweentheeasternandwesternexpansesofsky,andthetimidharesbegantolimpcourageouslyroundthedimhillocks.Gabrielmighthavebeenthereanadditionalhalf-hourwhenadarkformwalkedslowlyby."Good-night,Gabriel,"thepassersaid.

           ItwasBoldwood."Good-night,sir,"saidGabriel.

           Boldwoodlikewisevanisheduptheroad,andOakshortlyafterwardsturnedindoorstobed.

           FarmerBoldwoodwentontowardsMissEverdene’shouse.Hereachedthefront,andapproachingtheentrance,sawalightintheparlour.Theblindwasnotdrawndown,andinsidetheroomwasBathsheba,lookingoversomepapersorletters.HerbackwastowardsBoldwood.Hewenttothedoor,knocked,andwaitedwithtensemusclesandanachingbrow.

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