Page:Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1891 Volume 3).pdf/193

 'About the children—your brothers and sisters,' he resumed. 'I've been thinking of them.'

Tess's heart quivered—he was touching her in a weak place. He had divined her chief anxiety. Since returning home her soul had gone out to those children with an affection that was passionate.

'If your mother does not recover, somebody ought to do something for them; since your father will not be able to do much, I suppose.'

'He can with my assistance. He must!'

'And mine.'

'No, sir!sir!' [sic]

'How damned foolish this is!' burst out D'Urberville. 'Why, he thinks we are the same family; and will be quite satisfied!'

'He don't. I've undeceived him.'

'The more fool you!'

D'Urberville in anger retreated from her to the hedge, where he pulled off the long smockfrock and red neckerchief which had mainly disguised him; and rolling them up and pushing them into the couch-fire, went away.

Tess could not get on with her digging after this; she felt restless; she wondered if he had