stability. She had let him put his hand upon hers; she had allowed her
gaze to drop plumb into the depths of his--his into hers--three or four
times; her manner had been very free with regard to the basin and towel;
she had appeared vexed at the mention of Shiner. On the other hand, she
had driven him about the house like a quiet dog or cat, said Shiner cared
for her, and seemed anxious that Mr. Maybold should do the same.

Thinking thus as he neared the handpost at Mellstock Cross, sitting on
the front board of the spring cart--his legs on the outside, and his
whole frame jigging up and down like a candle-flame to the time of
Smart's trotting--who should he see coming down the hill but his father
in the light wagon, quivering up and down on a smaller scale of shakes,
those merely caused by the stones in the road. They were soon crossing
each other's front.

"Weh-hey!" said the tranter to Smiler.

"Weh-hey!" said Dick to Smart, in an echo of the same voice.

"Th'st hauled her back, I suppose?" Reuben inquired peaceably.

"Yes," said Dick, with such a clinching period at the end that it seemed
he was never going to add another word. Smiler, thinking this the close
of the conversation, prepared to move on.

"Weh-hey!" said the tranter. "I tell thee what it is, Dick. That there
maid is taking up thy thoughts more than's good for thee, my sonny.
Thou'rt never happy now unless th'rt making thyself miserable about her
in one way or another."