And you, my Gradgrind friend, you think me sentimental.  Two young fools they were, walking so slowly though the night was sharp, dallying under the trees, and dreaming of a heaven they could not have realized if all their wishes had been granted.  Of course they were fools!  Either they were fools to be so happy, or else some other people are fools not to be.  After all, dear Gradgrind, let them be.  There’s no harm in it.  They’ll get trouble enough before morning.  Let them enjoy the evening.  I am not sure but these lovers whom we write down fools are the only wise people after all.  Is it not wise to be happy?  Let them alone.

For the first time in three years, for the first time since she had crossed the threshold of “Old Jack Means” and come under the domination of Mrs. Old Jack Means, Hannah talked cheerfully, almost gayly.  It was something to have a companion to talk to.  It was something to be the victor even in a spelling-match, and to be applauded even by Flat Creek.  And so, chatting earnestly about the most uninteresting themes, Ralph courteously helped Hannah over the fence, and they took the usual short-cut through the “blue-grass pasture.”  There came up a little shower, hardly more than a sprinkle, but then It was so nice to have a shower just as they reached the box-elder tree by the spring!  It was so thoughtful in Ralph to suggest that the shade of a box-elder is dense, and that Hannah might take cold!  And it was so easy for Hannah to yield to the suggestion!  Just as though she had not milked the cows in the open lot in the worst storms of the last three years!  And just as though the house were not within a stone’s-throw!  Doubtless it was not prudent to stop here.  But let us deal gently with them.  Who would not stay in an earthy paradise ten minutes longer, even though it did make purgatory the hotter afterward?  And so Hannah stayed.

“Tell me your circumstances,” said Ralph, at last.  “I am sure I can help you in something.”

“No, no! you cannot,” and Hannah’s face was clouded.  “No one can help me.  Only time and God.  I must go, Mr. Hartsook.”  And they walked on to the front gate in silence and in some constraint.  But still in happiness.

As they came to the gate, Dr. Small pushed past them in his cool, deliberate way, and mounted his horse.  Ralph bade Hannah good-night, having entirely forgotten the errand which had been his excuse to himself for coming out of his way.  He hastened to his new home, the house of Mr. Pete Jones, the same who believed in the inseparableness of “lickin’ and larnin’.”

“You’re a purty gal, a’n’t you?  You’re a purty gal, a’n’t you? You air!  Yes, you air” and Mrs. Means seemed so impressed with Hannah’s prettiness that she choked on it, and could get no further.  “A purty gal! you!  Yes! you air a mighty purty gal!” and the old woman’s voice rose till it could have been heard half a mile.  “To be a-santerin’ along the big road