XLIX. Oak's Advancement—A Great Hope

           

           Thelaterautumnandthewinterdrewonapace,andtheleaveslaythickupontheturfofthegladesandthemossesofthewoods.Bathsheba,havingpreviouslybeenlivinginastateofsuspendedfeelingwhichwasnotsuspense,nowlivedinamoodofquietudewhichwasnotpreciselypeacefulness.Whileshehadknownhimtobealiveshecouldhavethoughtofhisdeathwithequanimity;butnowthatitmightbeshehadlosthim,sheregrettedthathewasnothersstill.Shekeptthefarmgoing,rakedinherprofitswithoutcaringkeenlyaboutthem,andexpendedmoneyonventuresbecauseshehaddonesoinbygonedays,which,thoughnotlonggoneby,seemedinfinitelyremovedfromherpresent.Shelookedbackuponthatpastoveragreatgulf,asifshewerenowadeadperson,havingthefacultyofmeditationstillleftinher,bymeansofwhich,likethemoulderinggentlefolkofthepoet’sstory,shecouldsitandponderwhatagiftlifeusedtobe.

           However,oneexcellentresultofhergeneralapathywasthelong-delayedinstallationofOakasbailiff;buthehavingvirtuallyexercisedthatfunctionforalongtimealready,thechange,beyondthesubstantialincreaseofwagesitbrought,waslittlemorethananominaloneaddressedtotheoutsideworld.

           Boldwoodlivedsecludedandinactive.Muchofhiswheatandallhisbarleyofthatseasonhadbeenspoiltbytherain.Itsprouted,grewintointricatemats,andwasultimatelythrowntothepigsinarmfuls.

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