No mother existed to absorb his devotion, no sister for his tenderness, no idle ties for sense.

He became surcharged with the compound, which was genuine lover's love.
He approached the gate of the meadow.

Beyond it the ground was melodious with ripples, and the sky with larks; the low bleating of the flock mingling with both.

Mistress and man were engaged in the operation of making a lamb "take," which is performed whenever an ewe has lost her own offspring, one of the twins of another ewe being given her as a substitute.

Gabriel had skinned the dead lamb, and was tying the skin over the body of the live lamb, in the customary manner, whilst Bathsheba was holding open a little pen of four hurdles, into which the Mother and foisted lamb were driven, where they would remain till the old sheep conceived an affection for the young one.
Bathsheba looked up at the completion of the manoeuvre and saw the farmer by the gate, where he was overhung by a willow tree in full bloom.