Far From the Madding Crowd: Chapter 13 Summary & Analysis

On February 13, Bathsheba and Liddy are sitting by the piano, and Liddy asks Bathsheba to play the Bible and Key game, a game that predicts couples, though Bathsheba thinks it’s foolish. Finally, though, she agrees to play, and as she says the verse and turns around the book, she blushes guiltily. She refuses to tell Liddy whom she imagined as a suitor. Liddy’s thoughts turn to Mr. Boldwood, and says his pew is just opposite Bathsheba at church—but he never once turned to look at her, unlike everyone else.

After a silence, Bathsheba says she forgot about a valentine she’d bought for little Teddy Coggan. She writes a valentine and dips it in the envelope. Laughing, Liddy said it would be such fun to send it to old Boldwood. Bathsheba pauses, thinking that though it’s silly, she’s a little disconcerted that the most dignified man in the parish won’t meet her eyes, and that even Liddy might remark on it. Bathsheba remarks that she doesn’t care to send the valentine to Teddy, who can be so naughty. They toss the hymn book (like tossing a coin): since it lands shut, she says she’ll send it to Boldwood. She sees a seal with some funny motto, though can’t remember which it is: she stamps it onto the envelope, and they read, “Marry me.” They send the letter off.