The Return of the Native

Three weeks after Mrs. Yeobright’s funeral, Clym, ill with grief and guilt, “continually bewailed his tardy journey to his mother’s house” (298). He says again and again to Eustacia that she would have been welcome at his home if only she had come. Eustacia hears this and does not tell the truth—that Mrs. Yeobright did come, and she didn’t open the door. Thomasin visits them and reminds Clym that he did take his mother in his arms and was carrying her home. He asks God to strike him dead. Wildeve, who has delivered Thomasin for her visit, waits outside, and Eustacia goes out to tell him Thomasin is coming down. She and Wildeve discuss her secret about Mrs. Yeobright, and he says not to tell it until Clym recovers. When she does, he asks her to conceal his part, that he was at their home. Wildeve wishes Clym would die. As Wildeve and Thomasin drive away, he sees Eustacia’s “pale, tragical face” in the bedroom window (303).

Clym has recovered. Christian arrives, sent by Wildeve, to tell him Thomasin has had a girl. Wildeve wanted a boy. Christian also tells him he saw Clym’s mother the morning she died.