Chapters 21-25 Summary

Chapter 21: Adam leaves Hall Farm and goes to the home of Bartle Massey, a crusty old schoolteacher who teaches adults to read. Aware of his educational deficiencies, Adam wants to become literate. As he waits for his lesson, he observes Massey teaching a 24-year-old stone mason, a middle-aged brick maker who's "got religion" and wants to read the Bible, and a much older "thin and wiry" man who is a fabric dyer. Adam and Massey dialogue about domestic happiness. Adam believes a woman is what a man needs for a happy home; Massey in effect says "humbug" and declares he prefers his dog to women.

Chapter 22: Hetty fondly, carefully, removes the earrings that Arthur gave her and quickly tries them on. But she doesn't have time to fasten them because the entire Poyser family is ready to leave on a covered...