 his words now showed what
had occupied his thoughts. It was just after the mysterious knocking that he
began the theme. »Since I have been away to-day, Eustacia, I have considered
that something must be done to heal up this ghastly breach between my dear
mother and myself. It troubles me.«
    »What do you propose to do?« said Eustacia abstractedly, for she could not
clear away from her the excitement caused by Wildeve's recent manoeuvre for an
interview.
    »You seem to take a very mild interest in what I propose, little or much,«
said Clym, with tolerable warmth.
    »You mistake me,« she answered, reviving at his reproach. »I am only
thinking.«
    »What of?«
    »Partly of that moth whose skeleton is getting burnt up in the wick of the
candle,« she said slowly. »But you know I always take an interest in what you
say.«
    »Very well, dear. Then I think I must go and call upon her.« ... He went on
with tender feeling: »It is a thing I am not at all too proud to do, and only a
fear that I might irritate her has kept me away so long. But I must do
something. It is wrong in me to allow this sort of thing to go on.«
    »What have you to blame yourself about?«
    »She is getting old, and her life is lonely, and I am her only son.«
    »She has Thomasin.«
    »Thomasin is not her daughter; and if she were that would not excuse me. But
this is beside the point. I have made up my mind to go to her, and all I wish to
ask you is whether you will do your best to help me - that is, forget the past;
and if she shows her willingness to be reconciled, meet her half-way by
welcoming her to our house, or by accepting a welcome to hers?«
    At first Eustacia closed her lips as if she would rather do anything on the
whole globe than what he suggested. But the lines of her mouth softened with
thought, though not so far as they might have softened; and she said, »I will
put nothing in your way; but after what has passed it is asking too much that I
go and make advances.«
    »You never distinctly told me what did pass between you.«
    »I could not do it then, nor can I now. Sometimes more bitterness is sown in
five minutes
