Chapter 49 Chapter 4 Joy comes to Hualuo Village again, and Clem finds his place

At eleven o'clock in the morning on the day the wedding was scheduled to take place, anyone who passed Hualuo Village would find that the Yeobright house was relatively quiet at that time, while the noise that indicated that the festivities were going on came from far away from him. Home nearest Timothy.The Fareway House.Mostly the joyous creaking of footsteps on the sandy ground within.Only one man was seen outside the door, who appeared to be on business, and therefore arrived a bit later than originally agreed, for he hurried to the door, raised the latch, and entered without greeting.

The scene inside is not exactly the same as the customary practice.Standing in the room was a small group of men, the regulars of Eden Moor, Fareway himself, and Mr Cantor, Humphrey, Christine, and a dredge or two coal man.It was a warm day, and all the men present were of course wearing shirts, except Christine, who was a nervous man who never took off a piece of clothing in anyone's house except his own.On the solid oak table in the middle of the room was a large piece of striped linen cloth, and Master Canter was pulling one end, Humphrey the other, and Fareway was rubbing a yellow thing on the cloth. Too much, his face was oily and wet.

Guys, are you waxing your mattress cover?asked the newcomer. Yes, Sam, said Uncle Canter, like a man who is too busy to talk, and Timothy, shall I tighten this horn a little more? Fareway replied, and continued to apply the wax without giving up.Just look at the mattress cover and you'll know it's the right bed, Sam went on after a moment of silence.Who is this for? This is a gift for the couple who are about to start a family.Christine said he stood by and couldn't help but marveled at the mammoth work. Ah, quite right; and, I believe, a very valuable gift. Mattresses are expensive to those who don't keep geese, Mr. Fairway?Christine spoke as if she were asking someone who knew everything.

Yes, said the wicker-cutter, standing up, mopping his forehead vigorously, and handing the beeswax to Humphrey, who took it and rubbed it again.It's not that this couple lacks it, but it's a little bit of camaraderie we have to show them about this remarkable change in their lives.I made a pair of covers for each of my daughters when they were married, and during the last year I had enough goose down in the house for another pair.Well folks, I think we've rubbed enough wax.Master Cantor, you pull the outside of this mattress cover tight so I can start putting the goose down in. When the covers were in order, Fareway and Christine brought large paper bags, stuffed them to the brim, but were as light as balloons, and began stuffing the goose down from each paper bag into the prepared covers. to go.One paper bag after another was emptied, and there were more and more fluff floating lightly in the air in the room. Christine accidentally dumped the fluff in a paper bag out of the mattress cover. The sky became full of small feathers, and they all fell on the working people like heavy snow without wind.

I've never seen a fellow as clumsy as you, Christine, said Master Kantor solemnly, with your intelligence, you should be the son of a man who never left Hualuo Village in his life.To be honest, the father became a soldier and went out into the world. He was so clever, but it didn't seem to have any effect on his son's character.As far as this Kid Christine is concerned, I might as well just stay home and see nothing, like most of you out there.But, as far as I'm concerned, it's true, a little bit of drive is still useful! Don't you keep belittling me so much, Father, make me feel like I'm no bigger than a skittler.I really feel like I just didn't get lucky at all.

OK, OK.Don't say such pessimistic words, Christine; you should try harder, said Fairway. Yes, you've got to work harder, said Uncle Kanter immediately, as if he had said it first.Every man was known to either marry or go off as a soldier.It would be a disgrace to our nation to do neither this nor that.Thank God I did both!But he had neither fathered children nor killed anyone, which really shows that this man is a poor wretch who can do nothing. I've never heard gunfire, stammered Christine, but when it comes to marriage, I have to admit I've been proposing all over the place, but it just didn't work out.Yes, there's always a house here or there that's going to need a man to head the house, even though he's such an average guy, and now it's only the women who run the house.But if I do find her, it's embarrassing enough; for, you see, neighbours, there's no one in the house to keep papa's temper in check, and let him be kind like an old man. The wife lives in peace.

You have arranged to do these things, my son, said Uncle Canter in a teasing tone, I wish I was not so afraid of being weak!The first thing I'm going to do tomorrow is travel the world again!But although there is nothing to do at home, a man of seventy-one is old to be a tramp, yes, he was seventy-one last Candlemas.God, I'm going to be living my life soon!After all, the old man sighed. Don't be sad, my lord, said Fairway, and put some more goose down in the case, and cheer up.Although your body is thinner, you are still an old man with still green leaves.You still have plenty of time to fill out the entire Chronicle.

God, I gotta go see them both, it's time for Timothy to go to the newlyweds!said Uncle Canter in an encouraged tone, standing up swiftly.How about I go to them tonight and sing them a wedding song?You see, it's like what I should do; they'll hear it that way.Mine came to Cupid's Garden just like it was four years ago, everybody loved it; and I've got songs as good as this one, and better.What do you guys think of me singing this song: she from the upper pane Calling her sweetheart, Oh, it's foggy and dewy outside, come in quickly. At times like these, this song will please them!Really, now that I think of it, it hasn't crossed my mind to sing a really good song since we sang the Barley Heap at the Lady's last Midsummer's Eve; Son, if you can sing, it would be a pity if you don't show it!

That's the thing, that's the thing, said Fairway, now, shake the coverlet up.We've filled it with seventy pounds of the best goose down, and I think there's only so much this cover can hold.Now I think it's all done, and nothing is missing.Christine, get some food out of the corner cupboard if you can, boy, and I'll get some drinks to send 'em down. They sat down to lunch in the middle of their work, with goose feathers all over their heads and feet; Not without envy, he uttered a rattling sound. God, I'm about to suffocate.Fauway said as he took a fluff out of his mouth, and at the same time he noticed a few fluffs floating in the large wine glass he brought up.

I've swallowed several; one still has the down tube.Sam who was sitting in the corner said nonchalantly.Hey, what's that? Didn't I hear the wagon wheels?Uncle Cantor yelled loudly, and he jumped up and ran to the door in a hurry.Well, here's them coming back again; I had no idea they were back in half an hour.Seriously, if you're all set on getting married, it's going to happen pretty fast! Oh yes, it can be done without much trouble.Fauway said, as if he would have to add a sentence to make it complete. He stood up and followed Uncle Kanter, and the rest of the people also came to the door.After a while, an open buggy drove past, and in the carriage sat Wayne, Mrs. Wayne, Yeobright, and an important relative of Wayne who had come all the way from Bell's mouth.The carriage was rented from the nearest small town, without considering the distance of the road or the high cost, because in Wayne's eyes, on such an occasion, it would be worthwhile to borrow one in the Ayton Wasteland. A carriage with a bride like Thomasy was out of the question; and the walk to the church would have seemed too far to the wedding party.

As the carriage passed by, people running from the house shouted Ulla [Note: Cheers. ], and kept waving; with each movement, down from their hair, sleeves, and every fold of their clothes, there was a continuous flow of fluff, and Uncle Canter danced happily in circles. Zhuang'er also danced non-stop in the sun.The driver looked down upon them; he even felt a little condescending to the newlyweds; for these people, rich or poor, who were born to live in the isolation of Ayden, had nothing but a kind of heathen Can you hope for a better life?Tomasy, who did not feel herself more noble than these assembled at the door, kept waving to them joyously, like a bird flapping its wings, and asked Digory, through tears, Should they get out of the car and say a few words to these lovely folks.But Wayne said that since they all came to the house in the evening, there was no need to meet them again at this time. When this exciting moment had passed, the tribute party was back inside the house, and went about their business, and the stuffing and sewing of the cover was soon completed, while Fareway finished the cover. A horse wrapped up the bulky present, and with it drove the carriage to his home in Stickelfort Wayne. The duties of the ceremony fell naturally to Yeobright, and having done so, he accompanied the newlyweds home, and he was most reluctant to take part in the evening's festivities and dancing.Thomasy was very disappointed. I wish I didn't spoil your interest in staying here, he said, but I'd probably look like a skeleton at the ball. no, I can not. Come on, my dear, if it's not for that, let me go, I'll be happier.I know it's very bad; but, dear Thomasy, I'm really afraid I won't be happy at the celebration, really, that's what it is.You know, I'll be visiting you at your new home often, so my absence won't be a problem. So I have no choice but to follow you.Whatever feels most casual to you, go for it. Relieved, Clem was back on the roof of his attic, and spent the afternoon writing down the main points of a sermon, which he intended to use to begin the plausible project for which he had come back. He had been pondering over the plan since he had come to his own country, and made various modifications to it, both good and bad.He tested and weighed his arguments until he saw no reason to revise them, even though he had made considerable curtailments to his plans.His eyesight had improved a great deal from the fresh air of his native land, but not enough to warrant his attention to his educational plans.But he has no complaints: there is still plenty of unpretentious work to devote his full attention to, and to live his time to the fullest. As night fell, the sounds of life in the house became more distinct, and the gate on the fence creaked from time to time.It will be a party that starts early, with all the guests gathered before dark.Yeobright descended the back stairs, and went out by a back door into the moor, intending to walk in the fresh air till the party was over, when he could enter the house, at Tomasi Say goodbye to them as she and her husband leave.Involuntarily he followed the path to Misty Heights which he had followed that dreadful morning after he had received the incredible news from Susan's child. He did not turn into the little farmhouse, but walked up a knoll ahead, from which he overlooked the whole district that had been Eustacia's house.While he was standing there looking at the gradually dimming scenery, a person came over.Clem saw him only dimly, and would have let him pass without a word, but it was Charlie who came over, recognized Clem, and greeted him. Charlie, I haven't seen you for a long time, said Yeobright, do you walk this way often? No, replied the boy, I seldom step out of the earth dam. You didn't attend the Maypole. Yes, said Charlie, in the same listless tone, I am not at all interested in such activities now. You like Miss Eustacia very much, don't you?Yeobright asked gently.Eustacia often told him about Charlie's romantic feelings. Yes, very much.oh i wish how? I wish, Mr. Yeobright, you would give me something that used to be her if you don't mind. I am very happy.It would bring me great joy, Charlie.Let me think of something I could give you from her that you would like.Just go home with me, I'll look for it. They walked towards Hualuo Village together.By the time they got to the front of the house it was dark and the shutters were drawn so that nothing could be seen from outside. From here, Clem said.Now I can only get in from the back. The two went around to the back of the house and walked up the winding stairs in the dark until they reached Clem's living room upstairs. Once inside, he asked Bright to light a candle, and Charlie followed softly.Yeobright rummaged in the desk, and then produced a tissue paper, from which he took out two or three locks of black, glossy curls, which spread across the origami like black streams.He picked out one of these locks, wrapped it up, and gave it to the lad.Tears welled up in the boy's eyes, and he kissed the packet, put it in his pocket, and said, Oh, Mr. Clem, how kind you are to me! I will walk with you for a while.Clem said.Walk downstairs amidst the uproar below.As they passed the house they approached a small side window, from which candlelight fell on the bushes.The small window, which was hidden by this bush, usually made it impossible for outsiders to see the house clearly, so the shutter was not drawn on the small window, and the person in this corner could see all the activities in the house.There were wedding guests inside, but the part blocked by the green medieval glass windows made it impossible to see. Charlie, what are they doing?Clem asked. My eyesight is failing again tonight, and this glass window is not good. Charlie wiped his eyes, which were blurred with tears, and approached the window.Mr. Wayne is inviting Christine.Kantor sang, he replied, and Christine writhed in his chair, as if the request frightened him, and his father was already singing him a song. Yes, I can hear the old man singing, Clem said, so they didn't dance.Is Thomasy in the house?I saw a figure moving in front of the candlelight, and I thought it was her figure. Yes.She did look rather cheerful.She was flushed and laughing at something Fairway had said to her.oh my god! What is the sound?Clem said. Mr. Wayne was so tall that when he passed under the beam, he jumped and hit his head on the beam.Startled, Mrs. Wayne ran over, and now she was running her hand over his head, looking for bumps.Well, they laughed together like nothing had happened. Did someone inside notice I wasn't there?Clem asked. No, not at all from the circumstances.Now they all raised their glasses and toasted someone's health. I guess that's not for me? No, to the health of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne, for he was giving an impassioned speech.Well, now that Mrs. Wayne is standing up, I think it's time to prepare her things. Alas, they don't give a shit about me, and they're right to do so.Everything was going as it should, and at least Thomasy was happy.Let's not stay here any longer because they'll be out and going home soon. He accompanies the young man to the path he took home on the heath, and when he returns to the house a quarter of an hour later, he finds Wayne and Thomasy just about to start home, and all the guests have left in his absence. up.The newlyweds got into the carriage, brought up from Sticklefort by Wayne's head milkman and handyman; In the back seat; the milker rode behind the carriage on an old pony whose hooves clanged like cymbals at every step, and the milker looked like a century old one of the servants. Now we're going to leave you alone in your own room again, Thomasy said, bending over to say good night to her cousin, Clem, you're going to be lonely after we've had all this fuss. Oh, no big deal, said Clem, with a sad smile.Then the gang drove off, disappeared into the night, and Yeobright entered the house.Only the ticking of the clock greeted him, for there was no one else in the house; Christine was Clem's cook, servant, and gardener, and he slept in his father's house at night.Yeobright sat down in an empty chair and fell into a long thought.The chair his mother had sat in was across from him; those who sat on it that night rarely thought it had been hers.But to Clem, right now, she was sitting there almost as before.No matter whether other people remember her or not, in his mind, she is a noble saint. Even though he has a lot of tenderness for Eustacia, he still can't hide the brilliance of his mother.Yet his heart was so heavy; his mother did not bless him on the day of his wedding and the day of his joy.Subsequent events have proved her keen judgment and her incomparable love.If not for himself, he should obey her for Eustacia's sake.It's all my fault, he murmured, Oh mother, mother!God, if only I could live again, and let me endure what you have endured for me! On the Sunday after the wedding, there was an unusual sight at Rainmound.From a distance there was only one motionless figure on the top of the barrow, as Eustacia had stood at that lonely sunset two and a half years before.But it was very warm today, with only a slight summer breeze, and not in the dark of sunset but in the beginning of the afternoon.Those who climbed the nearby hill would see that the straight figure standing in the center of the top against the blue sky was not actually alone.Around him on the slopes of the rain mounds were wilderness men and women, reclining or sitting at will.Listening to the sermons of the men in the middle, everyone listened intently and unconsciously pulled the heather, pulled up the bracken, or threw pebbles down the slope.This was the first of a series of moral missions, or sermons, to be held at Rainmound, and it was planned to be held at the same place every Sunday afternoon in fine weather. The commanding Rain Mound Heights was chosen for two reasons: first, it had a central position among the surrounding farmhouses; First of all, his appearance became a good signal for those who were in the distance in twos and threes and wanted to approach.The preacher was bareheaded, and every breeze blew his hair, too thin for a man of his thirty-three years of age.He wore a blindfold, and his face was sad and sharp; but although these physical defects suggested a kind of weakness, they did not affect his voice at all.He was full of air and powerful.His sermons to the people were worldly, sometimes religious, but not dogmatic; his narration was all from various books.This afternoon he spoke as follows: The king got up to meet her, bowed down to her, sat on the throne, and ordered a seat for the queen mother.She sat on the right hand of the king.Then she said, I have a small matter to ask you, I hope you don't refuse.The king said, please tell my mother, I will not refuse [Note: See "Bible.Old Testament.Kings (Part 1), the original text is slightly different from the Bible. 】. In fact, Yeobright found his vocation in public preaching tours and lecturing on perfect moral questions; and to this day he has labored to this end, not only in the small villages atop Rain Crater and around here, preached in plain language, and elsewhere in refined language. Glyph-shaped buildings are used to post notices and read orders. ], on canals, on bridge parapets, in barns and outbuildings, and in such establishments in various towns and villages about Wessex.He does not copy religious dogmas and philosophical systems; he finds the words and deeds of all virtuous men sufficient, and far enough, for him to preach.Some believed what he told, others did not; some said it was easy to understand, others complained of its lack of theory; , which is a very good thing to do.But no matter where he went, he was always well received, because the story of his own experience has been known to everyone. (End of the book)