Chapter 8 Summary

After Michael leaves, Farfrae goes down to the common room to listen to enjoy time alone. Elizabeth-Jane cleans up his room and follows him. She watches him, and although she is too shy to enter the common room, she enjoys it when he begins to sing a song about his love of Scotland. Two townsfolk, Coney and Billy Wills, also enjoy his song and urge him to continue. The townsfolk ask him why he is leaving Scotland if he loves it so much. After several more songs, they express their wish that he would stay in Casterbridge. He notes that he has already sent his luggage to Bristol to be shipped to America, and then says he is going to bed.

The proprietor sends Elizabeth-Jane to turn down his bed. She is still there when Farfrae enters, and he sings a brief song...