Page:Adams - Essays in Modernity.djvu/172

160 of the sense of both humour and variety does he show in creating such a situation! It is scarcely to be wondered at that these imaginary dairymaids soon begin to talk as never dairymaids talked on earth. One of them has caught another kissing the shade of the prig's mouth against the wall, and as the three are standing that night 'in a group, in their night-gowns, bare-footed at the window,' amorously regarding the beloved one below, Miss Retty Priddle candidly states the fact.

'At this,' observes Mr. Hardy ingenuously, 'the listener [Miss Tess Durbeyfield] grew warm'; and although she is also in her night-gown, though not at the window, it is no wonder.