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us old folks； an’ our children grown to men an’ women an’ Your
Honour a family man。 I’ve no more to say as concerns the present
time； an’ so we’ll drink our young squire’s health—three times
three。”
Hereupon a glorious shouting； a rapping； a jingling； a clattering；
and a shouting； with plentiful da capo； pleasanter than a strain of
sublimest music in the ears that receive such a tribute for the first
time。 Arthur had felt a twinge of conscience during Mr。 Poyser’s
speech； but it was too feeble to nullify the pleasure he felt in being
praised。 Did he not deserve what was said of him on the whole？ If
there was something in his conduct that Poyser wouldn’t have
liked if he had known it； why； no man’s conduct will bear too close
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an inspection； and Poyser was not likely to know it； and； after all；
what had he done？ Gone a little too far； perhaps； in flirtation； but
another man in his place would have acted much worse； and no
harm would come—no harm should come； for the next time he was
alone with Hetty； he would explain to her that she must not think
seriously of him or of what had passed。 It was necessary to Arthur；
you perceive； to be satisfied with himself。 Uncomfortable thoughts
must be got rid of by good intentions for the future； which can be
formed so rapidly that he had time to be uncomfortable and to
become easy again before Mr。 Poyser’s slow speech was finished；
and when it was time for him to speak he was quite light…hearted。
“I thank you all； my good friends and neighbours；” Arthur said；
“for the good opinion of me； and the kind feelings towards me
which Mr。 Poyser has been expressing on your behalf and on his
own； and it will always be my heartiest wish to deserve them。 In
the course of things we may expect that； if I live； I shall one day or
other be your landlord； indeed； it is on the ground of that
expectation that my grandfather has wished me to celebrate this
day and to come among you now； and I look forward to this
position； not merely as one of power and pleasure for myself； but
as a means of benefiting my neighbours。 It hardly becomes so
young a man as I am to talk much about farming to you； who are
most of you so much older； and are men of experience； still； I have
interested myself a good deal in such matters； and learned as
much about them as my opportunities have allowed； and when the
course of events shall place the estate in my hands； it will be my
first desire to afford my tenants all the encouragement a landlord
can give them； in improving their land and trying to bring about a
better practice of husbandry。 It will be my wish to be looked on by
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Adam Bede 350
all my deserving tenants as their best friend； and nothing would
make me so happy as to be able to respect every man on the
estate； and to be respected by him in return。 It is not my place at
present to enter into particulars； I only meet your good hopes
concerning me by telling you that my own hopes correspond to
them—that what you expect from me I desire to fulfil； and I am
quite of Mr。 Poyser’s opinion； that when a man has said what he
means； he had better stop。 But the pleasure I feel in having my
own health drunk by you would not be perfect if we did not drink
the health of my grandfather； who has filled the place of both
parents to me。 I will say no more； until you have joined me in
drinking his health on a day when he has wished me to appear
among you as the future representative of his name and family。”
Perhaps there was no one present except Mr。 Irwine who
thoroughly understood and approved Arthur’s graceful mode of
proposing his grandfather’s health。 The farmers thought the
young squire knew well enough that they hated the old squire； and
Mrs。 Poyser said； “he’d better not ha’ stirred a kettle o’ sour
broth。” The bucolic mind does not readily apprehend the
refinements of good taste。 But the toast could not be rejected and
when it had been drunk； Arthur said； “I thank you； both for my
grandfather and myself； and now there is one more thing I wish to
tell you； that you may share my pleasure about it； as I hope and
believe you will。 I think there can be no man here who has not a
respect； and some of you； I am sure； have a very high regard； for
my friend Adam Bede。 It is well known to every one in this
neighbourhood that there is no man whose word can be more
depended on than his； that whatever he undertakes to do； he does
well； and is as careful for the interests of those who employ him as
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for his own。 I’m proud to say that I was very fond of Adam when I
was a little boy； and I have never lost my old feeling for him—I
think that shows that I know a good fellow when I find him。 It has
long been my wish that he should have the management of the
woods on the estate； which happen to be very valuable； not only
because I think so highly of his character； but because he has the
knowledge and the skill which fit him for the place。 And I am
happy to tell you that it is my grandfather’s wish too； and it is now
settled that Adam shall manage the woods—a change which I am
sure will be very much for the advantage of the estate； and I hope
you will by…and…by join me in drinking his health； and in wishing
him all the prosperity in life that he deserves。 But there is a still
older friend of mine than Adam Bede present； and I need not tell
you that it is Mr。 Irwine。 I’m sure you will agree with me that we
must drink no other person’s health until we have drunk his。 I
know you have all reason