"Offended me! As if you could do that, Bathsheba!"
"Haven't I?" she asked, gladly. "But, what are you going away for else?"
"I am not going to emigrate, you know%; I wasn't aware that you would wish me not to when I told ye, or I shouldn't ha' thought of doing it," he said, simply. "I have arranged for the Lower Farm, and shall have it in my own hands at Lady-day. You know I've had a share in it for some time. Still, that wouldn't prevent my attending to your business as before, hadn't it been that things have been said about
"What?" said Bathsheba, in surprise "Things said about you and me! What are they?"
"I cannot tell you."
"It would be wiser if you were to, I think. You have played the part of mentor to me many times, and I don't see why you should fear to do it now."
"It is nothing that you have done, this time. The top and tail o't is this—that I am sniffing about here, and waiting for poor old Boldwood's farm, with a thought of getting you some day."
"Getting me! What does that mean?"
"Marrying o' ye, in plain British. You asked me to tell, so you musn't blame me."
