But I want him to more than care for me; I want him to have me—to marry me!
I must have him. I can't do without him.
He's the sort of man I long for.
I shall go mad if I can't give myself to him altogether!
I felt I should when I first saw him!"
"As he is a romancing, straightfor'ard, honest chap, he's to be had, and as a husband, if you set about catching him in the right way."
Arabella remained thinking awhile.
"What med be the right way?" she asked.
"Oh you don't know—you don't!" said Sarah, the third girl.
"On my word I don't!—No further, that is, than by plain courting, and taking care he don't go too far!"
The third girl looked at the second.
"She don't know!"
"'Tis clear she don't!" said Anny.
"And having lived in a town, too, as one may say!
Well, we can teach 'ee som'at then, as well as you us."
"Yes.
And how do you mean—a sure way to gain a man?
Take me for an innocent, and have done wi' it!"
"As a husband."
"As a husband."
"A countryman that's honourable and serious-minded such as he; God forbid that I should say a sojer, or sailor, or commercial gent from the towns, or any of them that be slippery with poor women!
I'd do no friend that harm!"
"Well, such as he, of course!"
Arabella's companions looked at each other, and turning up their eyes in drollery began smirking.
Then one went up close to Arabella, and, although nobody was near, imparted some information in a low tone, the other observing curiously the effect upon Arabella.
"Ah!" said the last-named slowly.
"I own I didn't think of that way! … But suppose he isn't honourable?
A woman had better not have tried it!"
"Nothing venture nothing have!
Besides, you make sure that he's honourable before you begin.
You'd be safe enough with yours.
I wish I had the chance!
Lots of girls do it; or do you think they'd get married at all?"
Arabella pursued her way in silent thought.
"I'll try it!" she whispered; but not to them.
VIII
One week's end Jude was as usual walking out to his aunt's at Marygreen from his lodging in Alfredston, a walk which now had large attractions for him quite other than his desire to see his aged and morose relative.
He diverged to the right before ascending the hill with the single purpose of gaining, on his way, a glimpse of Arabella that should not come into the reckoning of regular appointments.
Before quite reaching the homestead his alert eye perceived the top of her head moving quickly hither and thither over the garden hedge.
Entering the gate he found that three young unfattened pigs had escaped from their sty by leaping clean over the top, and that she was endeavouring unassisted to drive them in through the door which she had set open.
The lines of her countenance changed from the rigidity of business to the softness of love when she saw Jude, and she bent her eyes languishingly upon him.
The animals took advantage of the pause by doubling and bolting out of the way.
"They were only put in this morning!" she cried, stimulated to pursue in spite of her lover's presence.
"They were drove from Spaddleholt Farm only yesterday, where Father bought 'em at a stiff price enough.
They are wanting to get home again, the stupid toads!
Will you shut the garden gate, dear, and help me to get 'em in.
There are no men folk at home, only Mother, and they'll be lost if we don't mind."
He set himself to assist, and dodged this way and that over the potato rows and the cabbages.
Every now and then they ran together, when he caught her for a moment and kissed her.
The first pig was got back promptly; the second with some difficulty; the third a long-legged creature, was more obstinate and agile.