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Wessex Tales
by Thomas Hardy
Contents：
Preface
An Imaginative Woman
The Three Strangers
The Withered Arm
Fellow…Townsmen
Interlopers at the Knap
The Distracted Preacher
PREFACE
An apology is perhaps needed for the neglect of contrast which is
shown by presenting two consecutive stories of hangmen in such a
small collection as the following。 But in the neighbourhood of
county…towns tales of executions used to form a large proportion of
the local traditions； and though never personally acquainted with
any chief operator at such scenes； the writer of these pages had as
a boy the privilege of being on speaking terms with a man who
applied for the office； and who sank into an incurable melancholy
because he failed to get it； some slight mitigation of his grief
being to dwell upon striking episodes in the lives of those happier
ones who had held it with success and renown。 His tale of
disappointment used to cause some wonder why his ambition should
have taken such an unfortunate form； but its nobleness was never
questioned。 In those days； too； there was still living an old woman
who； for the cure of some eating disease； had been taken in her
youth to have her 'blood turned' by a convict's corpse； in the
manner described in 'The Withered Arm。'
Since writing this story some years ago I have been reminded by an
aged friend who knew 'Rhoda Brook' that； in relating her dream； my
forgetfulness has weakened the facts our of which the tale grew。 In
reality it was while lying down on a hot afternoon that the incubus
oppressed her and she flung it off； with the results upon the body
of the original as described。 To my mind the occurrence of such a
vision in the daytime is more impressive than if it had happened in
a midnight dream。 Readers are therefore asked to correct the
misrelation； which affords an instance of how our imperfect memories
insensibly formalize the fresh originality of living factfrom
whose shape they slowly depart； as machine…made castings depart by
degrees from the sharp hand…work of the mould。
Among the many devices for concealing smuggled goods in caves and
pits of the earth； that of planting an apple…tree in a tray or box
which was placed over the mouth of the pit is； I believe； unique；
and it is detailed in one of the tales precisely as described by an
old carrier of 'tubs'a man who was afterwards in my father's
employ for over thirty years。 I never gathered from his
reminiscences what means were adopted for lifting the tree； which；
with its roots； earth； and receptacle； must have been of
considerable weight。 There is no doubt； however； that the thing was
done through many years。 My informant often spoke； too； of the
horribly suffocating sensation produced by the pair of spirit…tubs
slung upon the chest and back； after stumbling with the burden of
them for several miles inland over a rough country and in darkness。
He said that though years of his youth and young manhood were spent
in this irregular business； his profits from the same； taken all
together； did not average the wages he might have earned in a steady
employment； whilst the fatigues and risks were excessive。
I may add that the first story in the series turns upon a physical
possibility that may attach to women of imaginative temperament； and
that is well supported by the experiences of medical men and other
observers of such manifestations。
T。 H。
April 1896。
AN IMAGINATIVE WOMAN
When William Marchmill had finished his inquiries for lodgings at a
well…known watering…place in Upper Wessex； he returned to the hotel
to find his wife。 She； with the children； had rambled along the
shore； and Marchmill followed in the direction indicated by the
military…looking hall…porter
'By Jove； how far you've gone！ I am quite out of breath；' Marchmill
said； rather impatiently； when he came up with his wife； who was
reading as she walked； the three children being considerably further
ahead with the nurse。
Mrs。 Marchmill started out of the reverie into which the book had
thrown her。 'Yes；' she said； 'you've been such a long time。 I was
tired of staying in that dreary hotel。 But I am sorry if you have
wanted me； Will？'
'Well； I have had trouble to suit myself。 When you see the airy and
comfortable rooms heard of； you find they are stuffy and
uncomfortable。 Will you come and see if what I've fixed on will do？
There is not much room； I am afraid； hut I can light on nothing
better。 The town is rather full。'
The pair left the children and nurse to continue their ramble； and
went back together。
In age well…balanced； in personal appearance fairly matched； and in
domestic requirements conformable； in temper this couple differed；
though even here they did not often clash； he being equable； if not
lymphatic； and she decidedly nervous and sanguine。 It was to their
tastes and fancies； those smallest； greatest particulars； that no
common denominator could be applied。 Marchmill considered his
wife's likes and inclinations somewhat silly； she considered his
sordid and material。 The husband's business was that of a gunmaker
in a thriving city northwards； and his soul was in that business
always； the lady was best characterized by that superannuated phrase
of elegance 'a votary of the muse。' An impressionable； palpitating
creature was Ella； shrinking humanely from detailed knowledge of her
husband's trade whenever she reflected that everything he
manufactured had for its purpose the destruction of life。 She could
only recover her equanimity by assuring herself that some； at least；
of his weapons were sooner or later used for the extermination of
horrid vermin and animals almost as cruel to their inferiors in
species as human beings were to theirs。
She had never antecedently regarded this occupation of his as any
objection to having him for a husband。 Indeed； the necessity of
getting life…leased at all cost； a cardinal virtue which all good
mothers teach； kept her from thinking of it at all till she had
closed with William； had passed the honeymoon； and reached the
reflecting stage。 Then； like a person who has stumbled upon some
object in the dark； she wondered what she had got； mentally walked
round it； estimated it； whether it were rare or common； contained
gold； silver； or lead； were a clog or a pedestal； everything to her
or nothing。
She came to some vague conclusions； and since then had kept her
heart alive by pitying her proprietor's obtuseness and want of
refinement； pitying herself； and letting off her delicate and
ethereal emotions in imaginative occupations； day…dreams； and night…
sighs； which perhaps would not much have disturbed William if he had
known of them。
Her figure was small； elegant； and slight in build； tripping； or
rather bounding； in movement。 She was dark…eyed； and had that
marvellously bright and liquid sparkle in each pupil which
characterizes persons of Ella's cast of soul； and is too often a
cause of heartache to the possessor's male friends； ultimately
sometimes to herself。 Her husband was a tall； long…featured man；
with a brown beard； he had a pondering regard； and was； it must be
added； usually kind and tolerant to her。 He spoke in squarely
shaped sentences； and was supremely satisfied with a condition of
sublunary things which made weapons a necessity。
Husband and wife walked till they had reached the house they were in
search of； which stood in a terrace facing the sea； and was fronted
by a small garden of wind…proof and salt…proof evergreens； stone
steps leading up to the porch。 It had its number in the row； but；
being rather larger than the rest； was in addition sedulously
distinguished as Coburg House by its landlady； though everybody else
called it 'Thirteen； New Parade。' The spot was bright and lively
now； but in winter it became necessary to place sandbags against the
door； and to stuff up the keyhole against the wind and rain； which
had worn the paint so thin that the priming and knotting showed
through。
The householder； who bad been watching for the gentleman's return；
met them in the passage； and show