"Ah! Yes," said Phillotson. "The licence.... It has just come."
Gillingham now joined them from his room above, and Sue nervously
made herself agreeable to him by talking on whatever she thought
likely to interest him, except herself, though that interested him
most of all. She obediently ate some supper, and prepared to leave
for her lodging hard by. Phillotson crossed the green with her,
bidding her good-night at Mrs. Edlin's door.
The old woman accompanied Sue to her temporary quarters, and helped
her to unpack. Among other things she laid out a night-gown
tastefully embroidered.
"Oh--I didn't know THAT was put in!" said Sue quickly. "I didn't
mean it to be. Here is a different one." She handed a new and
absolutely plain garment, of coarse and unbleached calico.
"But this is the prettiest," said Mrs. Edlin. "That one is no better
than very sackcloth o' Scripture!"
"Yes--I meant it to be. Give me the other."
She took it, and began rending it with all her might, the tears
resounding through the house like a screech-owl.
"But my dear, dear!--whatever..."
"It is adulterous! It signifies what I don't feel--I bought it long
ago--to please Jude. It must be destroyed!"
Mrs. Edlin lifted her hands, and Sue excitedly continued to tear the
linen into strips, laying the pieces in the fire.
"You med ha' give it to me!" said the widow. "It do make my heart
ache to see such pretty open-work as that a-burned by the flames--not
that ornamental night-rails can be much use to a' ould 'ooman like I.
My days for such be all past and gone!"
"It is an accursed thing--it reminds me of what I want to forget!"
Sue repeated. "It is only fit for the fire."
"Lord, you be too strict! What do ye use such words for, and condemn
to hell your dear little innocent children that's lost to 'ee! Upon
my life I don't call that religion!"
Sue flung her face upon the bed, sobbing. "Oh, don't, don't! That
kills me!" She remained shaken with her grief, and slipped down upon
her knees.
"I'll tell 'ee what--you ought not to marry this man again!" said
Mrs. Edlin indignantly. "You are in love wi' t' other still!"
"Yes I must--I am his already!"
"Pshoo! You be t' other man's. If you didn't like to commit
yourselves to the binding vow again, just at first, 'twas all the
more credit to your consciences, considering your reasons, and you
med ha' lived on, and made it all right at last. After all, it
concerned nobody but your own two selves."