Far from the Madding Crowd

"How did you find me?"

"I heard your dog howling and scratching at the door of the hut when I came to the milking (it was so lucky, Daisy's milking is almost over for the season, and I shall not come here after this week or the next). The dog saw me, and jumped over to me, and laid hold of my skirt. I came across and looked round the hut the very first thing to see if the slides were closed. My uncle has a hut like this one, and I have heard him tell his shepherd not to go to sleep without leaving a slide open. I opened the door, and there you were like dead. I threw the milk over you, as there was no water, forgetting it was warm, and no use."

"I wonder if I should have died?" Gabriel said, in a low voice, which was rather meant to travel back to himself than to her.

"O no," the girl replied. She seemed to prefer a less tragic probability; to have saved a man from death involved talk that should harmonise with the dignity of such a deed -- and she shunned it.

"I believe you saved my life, Miss -- -- I don't know your name. I know your aunt's, but not yours."

"I would just as soon not tell it -- rather not. There is no reason either why I should, as you probably will never have much to do with me." "Still, I should like to know."

"You can inquire at my aunt's -- she will tell you."

"My name is Gabriel Oak."

"And mine isn't. You seem fond of yours in speaking it so decisively, Gabriel Oak."

"You see, it is the only one I shall ever have, and I must make the most of it."

"I always think mine sounds odd and disagreeable."

"I should think you might soon get a new one."

"Mercy! -- how many opinions you keep about you concerning other people, Gabriel Oak."

"Well Miss-excuse the words-I thought you would like them But I can't match you I know in napping out my mind upon my tongue. I never was very clever in my inside. But I thank you. Come give me your hand!"

She hesitated, somewhat disconcerted at Oak's oldfashioned earnest conclusion. to a dialogue lightly carried on."Very well." she said, and gave him her hand, compressing her lips to a demure impassivity.

He held it but an instant, and in his fear of being too demonstrative, swerved to the opposite extreme, touching her fingers with the lightness of a small-hearted person.

"I am sorry." he said, the instant after.