counted for by the explanation. "I have had my
hair cut, you know."

The conversation on Yeobright had been started by a distant view of
the young man rambling leisurely across the heath before them.

"A man who is doing well elsewhere wouldn't bide here two or three
weeks for nothing," said Fairway. "He's got some project in's
head--depend upon that."

"Well, 'a can't keep a diment shop here," said Sam.

"I don't see why he should have had them two heavy boxes home if he
had not been going to bide; and what there is for him to do here the
Lord in heaven knows."

Before many more surmises could be indulged in Yeobright had come
near; and seeing the hair-cutting group he turned aside to join them.
Marching up, and looking critically at their faces for a moment, he
said, without introduction, "Now, folks, let me guess what you have
been talking about."

"Ay, sure, if you will," said Sam.

"About me."

"Now, it is a thing I shouldn't have dreamed of doing, otherwise,"
said Fairway in a tone of integrity; "but since you have named it,
Master Yeobright, I'll own that we was talking about 'ee. We were
wondering what could keep you home here mollyhorning about when you
have made such a world-wide name for yourself in the nick-nack
trade--now, that's the truth o't."

"I'll tell you," said Yeobright, with unexpected earnestness. "I am
not sorry to have the opportunity. I've come home because, all things
considered, I can be a trifle less useless here than anywhere else.
But I have only lately found this out. When I first got away from
home I thought this place was not worth troubling about. I thought
our life here was contemptible. To oil your boots instead of blacking
them, to dust your coat with a switch instead of a brush: was there
ever anything more ridiculous? I said."

"So 'tis; so 'tis!"

"No, no--you are wrong; it isn't."

"Beg your pardon, we thought that was your maning?"

"Well, as my views changed my course became very depressing. I found
that I was trying to be like people who had hardly anything in common
with myself. I was endeavouring to put off one sort of life for
another sort of life, which was not better than the life I had known
before. It was simply different."

"True; a sight different," said Fairway.

"Yes, Paris must be a taking place," said Humphrey. "Grand
shop-winders, trumpets, and drums; and here be we out of doors in all
winds and weathers--"

"But you mistake me," pleaded C