The Return of the Native: Book 4, Chapter 6 Summary & Analysis

On the same day that Mrs. Yeobright goes to see Clym and Eustacia, Wildeve decides to do the same. Wildeve arrives before Mrs. Yeobright and Eustacia lets him in. Wildeve and Eustacia talk as Clym takes a nap, exhausted from working in the hot sun. Wildeve only now realizes how low Eustacia’s fortunes have sunk, and he reminds her that she should have married him instead. Eustacia doesn’t take kindly to this remark and tells Wildeve that it is his fault that were not married. Wildeve agrees and admits that he wishes they were still together.

In the middle of their conversation, Eustacia and Wildeve hear a knock at the door. Eustacia looks and sees that Mrs. Yeobright is standing outside. She debates whether to open the door with Wildeve present. She knows the Mrs. Yeobright will assume the worst of her if she does. Eustacia notices Clym waking up and knows that he will answer the door whether she likes it or not. Ultimately, Eustacia tells Wildeve to sneak out the back, which he does. Eustacia goes outside with him, assuming that Clym will answer the door. However, when she returns inside, she finds Clym still asleep, and Mrs. Yeobright is nowhere to be found.

Devasted, Mrs. Yeobright heads home. She saw Eustacia look at her through the window and thinks that she and Clym are refusing to let her in. On her way home, Mrs. Yeobright walks alongside Johnny and tells him about everything that has transpired. Johnny brings Mrs. Yeobright some water, but she barely drinks any of it because it is warm. Afterward, Mrs. Yeobright dismisses him and sits alone in the grass. It is still excruciatingly hot outside, and she is having a difficult time breathing.