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There had been letters from her aunt, from Reddin's vicar, from the eldest Miss Clomber. In them all she was spoken of as the culprit for being at Undern. Well, she did not want to be at Undern. She would go. 'Well, Hazel, child, what's the matter? asked Reddin, looking up from doing his quarterly accounts. 'Haven't you got a stocking to mend or a hair-ribbon to make?
But blows had lost him Hazel before, and he wanted her still. He was rather surprised at this, passion being satisfied. Still, as he reflected, passion was only in abeyance. Next May If Miss Clomber had seen his eyes then, she would probably have proposed to him. But he was looking away towards the heights where Edward's house was. There was in his mind a hint of better things.
'Well, said Hazel, with a sigh of relief in the midst of her shyness and her oppression about the mountain, 'that's summat, anyway! Miss Clomber, outraged and furious, strode away. Hazel was again left to the hills. The taciturnity of winter was upon them still, and in the sky beyond was the cynical aloofness that comes with frost after sunset. She turned from them to the lighted tent.
If I broke that oath, when I was jead, my cold soul 'ud wander and find ne'er a bit of rest, crying about the Mountains and about, nights, and Ed'ard thinking it was the wind. 'If you chuck him, he'll soon get over it; if you chuck me, I shan't. He's never gone after the drink and women. It was a curious plea for a lover. 'Miss Clomber said you wunna a good man. 'Well, I'm blowed! But look here.
What was in the heart of each the frantic desire to be mistress of Undern they did not mention. Miss Clomber had taken exception to Amelia's tight dress. For Amelia had a figure, and Miss Clomber had not. She always flushed at the text, 'We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts. Amelia was aware of her advantage as she engaged Reddin in conversation.
Prize-giving time came, and the younger Miss Clomber, who was to present them, tried to persuade Reddin to go up on the platform, a lorry with chairs on it. There already were Mr. James and the secretary, counting the prize-money. Below stood the winners, Vessons conspicuous in his red waistcoat. Miss Clomber felt that she looked well.
Mr. James looked at Abel as much as to say, 'You've got your prize, you see! It's quite fair. 'Thank yer, said Abel to Miss Clomber, and then to James with fine irony: 'You dunna keep bees, do yer, Mr. James? The hills loomed in the dusk over the show-ground. They were of a cold and terrific colour, neither purple nor black nor grey, but partaking of all.
He was very sleepy, having been out all day and eaten a large tea, and he never combated a physical desire. So he cut across a remark of Amelia's to the effect that marriage with the right woman so added to a man's comfort, and said: 'I'm not married if that's what you mean. 'Then who said Miss Clomber, feeling that she had him now. 'My keep, he said baldly. He thought they would go at that.
She was dressed in tweeds to show that this was not an occasion to her as to the country damsels. 'No. I shall stay here, said Reddin, answering her stare, intended to be inviting, with a harder stare of indifference. 'As the last representative of such an old family 'Oh, damn family' he said peevishly, having lost sight of Hazel. As Miss Clomber still persisted, he quenched the argument.
Reddin went on his dubious and discreditable way, and the woman Sally Haggard, of the cottage in the hollow, gained by virtue of a certain harsh beauty what the ladies Clomber would have given all their wealth for. The other inhabitant of Undern, Andrew, revolved in his own orbit, and was entirely unknown to his master.
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