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 through the weirs, and tinkling under culverts; the smallest gulleys were all full; there was no taking short cuts anywhere, and foot passengers were compelled to follow the permanent ways. From the whole extent of the invisible vale came a multitudinous intonation; it forced upon their fancy that a great city lay below them, and that the murmur was the vociferation of its populace.

‘It seems like tens of thousands of them,’ said Tess; ‘holding public meetings in their market-places, arguing, preaching, quarrelling, sobbing, groaning, praying, and cursing.’

Clare was not particularly heeding.

‘Did Crick speak to you to-day, dear, about his not wanting much assistance during the winter months?’

‘No.’

‘The cows are going dry rapidly.’

‘Yes,’ she answered. ‘Six or seven went to the straw-barton yesterday, and three the day before, making nearly twenty in the straw already. Ah—is it that the farmer don’t want my help for the calving? O, I am not wanted here any more! And I have tried so hard to’