Oh,I won't let Mr Boldwood do that!Fanny was my uncle's maid,and mine too How very sad to die in a work-house!Tell Mr Boldwood that you will drive my new cart over to Casterbridge this afternoon to fetch her body. And Joseph,put flowers on the cart for poor Fanny. How long was she in the workhouse?’
‘Only a day,ma'am. She arrived,ill and exhausted,on Sunday morning. She came on foot through Weatherbury. ’
The colour left Bathsheba's face at one. ‘Along the road from Weatherbury to Casterbridge?’she asked eagerly. ‘When did she pass Weatherbury?’
‘Last Saturday night it was,ma'am. ’
‘Thank you,Joseph,you may go. ’
Later that afternoon Bathsheba asked Liddy,‘What was the colour of poor Fanny Robin's hair?I only saw her for a day or two. ’