by Thomas Hardy
CHAPTER IV: AN ARRANGEMENT
"That is serious," said Dick, more intellectually than he had spoken fora long time.
The truth was that Geoffrey knew nothing about his daughter's continuedwalks and meetings with Dick. When a hint that there were symptoms of anattachment between them had first reached Geoffrey's ears, he stated soemphatically that he must think the matter over before any such thingcould be allowed that, rather unwisely on Dick's part, whatever it mighthave been on the lady's, the lovers were careful to be seen together nomore in public; and Geoffrey, forgetting the report, did not think overthe matter at all. So Mr. Shiner resumed his old position in Geoffrey'sbrain by mere flux of time. Even Shiner began to believe that Dickexisted for Fancy no more,--though that remarkably easy-going man hadtaken no active steps on his own account as yet.
"And father has not only told Mr. Shiner that," continued Fancy, "but hehas written me a letter, to say he should wish me to encourage Mr.Shiner, if 'twas convenient!"
"I must start off and see your father at once!" said Dick, taking two orthree vehement steps to the south, recollecting that Mr. Day lived to thenorth, and coming back again.
"I think we had better see him together. Not tell him what you come for,or anything of the kind, until he likes you, and so win his brain throughhis heart, which is always the way to manage people. I mean in this way:I am going home on Saturday week to help them in the honey-taking. Youmight come there to me, have something to eat and drink, and let himguess what your coming signifies, without saying it in so many words."
"We'll do it, dearest. But I shall ask him for you, flat and plain; notwait for his guessing." And the lover then stepped close to her, andattempted to give her one little kiss on the cheek, his lips alighting,however, on an outlying tract of her back hair by reason of an impulsethat had caused her to turn her head with a jerk. "Yes, and I'll put onmy second-best suit and a clean shirt and collar, and black my boots asif 'twas a Sunday. 'Twill have a good appearance, you see, and that's agreat deal to start with."
"You won't wear that old waistcoat, will you, Dick?"
"Bless you, no! Why I--"
"I didn't mean to be personal, dear Dick," she said, fearing she had hurthis feelings. "'Tis a very nice waistcoat, but what I meant was, thatthough it is an excellent waistcoat for a settled-down man, it is notquite one for" (she waited, and a blush expanded over her face, and thenshe went on again)--"for going courting in."
"No, I'll wear my best winter one, with the leather lining, that mothermade. It is a beautiful, handsome waistcoat inside, yes, as ever anybodysaw. In fact, only the other day, I unbuttoned it to show a chap thatvery lining, and he said it was the strongest, handsomest lining youcould wish to see on the king's waistcoat himself."
"I don't quite know what to wear," she said, as if her habitualindifference alone to dress had kept back so important a subject tillnow.
"Why, that blue frock you wore last week."
"Doesn't set well round the neck. I couldn't wear that."
"But I shan't care."
"No, you won't mind."
"Well, then it's all right. Because you only care how you look to me, doyou, dear? I only dress for you, that's certain."
"Yes, but you see I couldn't appear in it again very well."
"Any strange gentleman you mid meet in your journey might notice the setof it, I suppose. Fancy, men in love don't think so much about how theylook to other women." It is difficult to say whether a tone of playfulbanter or of gentle reproach prevailed in the speech.
"Well then, Dick," she said, with good-humoured frankness, "I'll own it.I shouldn't like a stranger to see me dressed badly, even though I am inlove. 'Tis our nature, I suppose."
"You perfect woman!"
"Yes; if you lay the stress on 'woman,'" she murmured, looking at a groupof hollyhocks in flower, round which a crowd of butterflies had gatheredlike female idlers round a bonnet-shop.
"But about the dress. Why not wear the one you wore at our party?"
"That sets well, but a girl of the name of Bet Tallor, who lives near ourhouse, has had one made almost like it (only in pattern, though ofmiserably cheap stuff), and I couldn't wear it on that account. Dear me,I am afraid I can't go now."
"O yes, you must; I know you will!" said Dick, with dismay. "Why notwear what you've got on?"
"What! this old one! After all, I think that by wearing my gray oneSaturday, I can make the blue one do for Sunday. Yes, I will. A hat ora bonnet, which shall it be? Which do I look best in?"
"Well, I think the bonnet is nicest, more quiet and matronly."
"What's the objection to the hat? Does it make me look old?"
"O no; the hat is well enough; but it makes you look rather too--youwon't mind me saying it, dear?"
"Not at all, for I shall wear the bonnet."
"--Rather too coquettish and flirty for an engaged young woman."
She reflected a minute. "Yes; yes. Still, after all, the hat would dobest; hats are best, you see. Yes, I must wear the hat, dear Dicky,because I ought to wear a hat, you know."
