There was no necessity for any continuance of speech, and the fact that she did add more seemed to proceed from an unconscious desire to show unconcern by making a remark, which is noticeable in the ingenuous when they are acting by stealth.

"You are not a Weatherbury man ?" she said, timorously.
"I am not.

I am the new shepherd--just arrived." "Only a shepherd--and you seem almost a farmer by your ways." "Only a shepherd," Gabriel repeated, in a dull cadence of finality.
His thoughts were directed to the past, his eyes to the feet of the girl; and for the first time he saw lying there a bundle of some sort.

She may have perceived the direction of his face, for she said coaxingly,-- "You won't say anything in the parish about having seen me here, will you--at least, not for a day or two ?" "I won't if you wish me not to," said Oak.
"Thank you, indeed," the other replied.

"I am rather poor, and I don't want people to know anything about me." Then she was silent and shivered.
"You ought to have a cloak on such a cold night," Gabriel observed.
"I would advise 'ee to get indoors." "O no! Would you mind going on and leaving me?
I thank you much for what you have told me." "I will go on," he said; adding hesitatingly,--"Since you are not very well off, perhaps you would accept this trifle from me.