 him. On Henchard's part there was now
again repose; and yet, whenever he thought of Farfrae, it was with a dim dread;
and he often regretted that he had told the young man his whole heart, and
confided to him the secrets of his life.
 

                                      XVI

On this account Henchard's manner towards Farfrae insensibly became more
reserved. He was courteous - too courteous - and Farfrae was quite surprised at
the good breeding which now for the first time showed itself among the qualities
of a man he had hitherto thought undisciplined, if warm and sincere. The
corn-factor seldom or never again put his arm upon the young man's shoulder so
as to nearly weigh him down with the pressure of mechanized friendship. He left
off coming to Donald's lodgings and shouting into the passage, »Hoy, Farfrae,
boy, come and have some dinner with us! Don't sit here in solitary confinement!«
But in the daily routine of their business there was little change.
    Thus their lives rolled on till a day of public rejoicing was suggested to
the country at large in celebration of a national event that had recently taken
place.
    For some time Casterbridge, by nature slow, made no response. Then one day
Donald Farfrae broached the subject to Henchard by asking if he would have any
objection to lend some rick-cloths to himself and a few others, who contemplated
getting up an entertainment of some sort on the day named, and required a
shelter for the same, to which they might charge admission at the rate of so
much a head.
    »Have as many cloths as you like,« Henchard replied.
    When his manager had gone about the business Henchard was fired with
emulation. It certainly had been very remiss of him, as Mayor, he thought, to
call no meeting ere this, to discuss what should be done on this holiday. But
Farfrae had been so cursed quick in his movements as to give old-fashioned
people in authority no chance of the initiative. However, it was not too late;
and on second thoughts he determined to take upon his own shoulders the
responsibility of organizing some amusements, if the other Councilmen would
leave the matter in his hands To this they quite readily agreed, the majority
being fine old crusted characters who had a decided taste for living without
worry.
    So Henchard set about his preparations for a really brilliant thing - such
as should be worthy of the venerable town. As for Farfrae's little affair,
Henchard nearly forgot it; except once now and then when, on it coming into his
mind
