They were let out against the stream, and through the upper opening, all impurities flowing away below.

Cainy Ball and Joseph, who performed this latter operation, were if possible wetter than the rest; they resembled dolphins under a fountain, every protuberance and angle of their clothes dribbling forth a small rill.
Boldwood came close and bade her good morning, with such constraint that she could not but think he had stepped across to the washing for its own sake, hoping not to find her there; more, she fancied his brow severe and his eye slighting.

Bathsheba immediately contrived to withdraw, and glided along by the river till she was a stone's throw off.

She heard footsteps brushing the grass, and had a consciousness that love was encircling her like a perfume.

Instead of turning or waiting, Bathsheba went further among the high sedges, but Boldwood seemed determined, and pressed on till they were completely past the bend of the river.