I can't let my only chiel die; and if you can't
live without en, you must ha' en, I suppose."

"O, I don't want him like that; all against your will, and everything so
disobedient!" sighed the invalid.

"No, no, 'tisn't against my will. My wish is, now I d'see how 'tis
hurten thee to live without en, that he shall marry thee as soon as we've
considered a little. That's my wish flat and plain, Fancy. There, never
cry, my little maid! You ought to ha' cried afore; no need o' crying now
'tis all over. Well, howsoever, try to step over and see me and mother-
law to-morrow, and ha' a bit of dinner wi' us."

"And--Dick too?"

"Ay, Dick too, 'far's I know."

"And when do you think you'll have considered, father, and he may marry
me?" she coaxed.

"Well, there, say next Midsummer; that's not a day too long to wait."

On leaving the school Geoffrey went to the tranter's. Old William opened
the door.

"Is your grandson Dick in 'ithin, William?"

"No, not just now, Mr. Day. Though he've been at home a good deal
lately."

"O, how's that?"

"What wi' one thing, and what wi' t'other, he's all in a mope, as might
be said. Don't seem the feller he used to. Ay, 'a will sit studding and
thinking as if 'a were going to turn chapel-member, and then do nothing
but traypse and wamble about. Used to be such a chatty boy, too, Dick
did; and now 'a don't speak at all. But won't ye step inside? Reuben
will be home soon, 'a b'lieve."

"No, thank you, I can't stay now. Will ye just ask Dick if he'll do me
the kindness to step over to Yalbury to-morrow with my da'ter Fancy, if
she's well enough? I don't like her to come by herself, now she's not so
terrible topping in health."

"So I've heard. Ay, sure, I'll tell him without fail."

CHAPTER V: AFTER GAINING HER POINT

The visit to Geoffrey passed off as delightfully as a visit might have
been expected to pass off when it was the first day of smooth experience
in a hitherto obstructed love-course. And then came a series of several
happy days, of the same undisturbed serenity. Dick could court her when
he chose; stay away when he chose,--which was never; walk with her by
winding streams and waterfalls and autumn scenery till dews and twilight
sent them home. And thus they drew near the day of the Harvest
Thanksgiving, which was also the time chosen for opening the organ in
Mellstock Church.

It chanced that Dick on that very day was called away from Mells