Thomas Hardy's Wessex Tales

Gertrude relies on Rhoda for a sympathetic understanding of the growing estrangement between
herself and her husband, who 'knows the disfigurement is there'. The choice of the word
'disfigurement' reveals his attitude to appearances.
As the arm is getting worst and she has visited a doctor
who cannot help her, she becomes increasing desperate for a cure as
her husband is starting to love her less. She turns to Rhoda to take
her to see Trendle; much to her dismay. Rhodagetting worst and she has visited a doctor
who cannot help her, she becomes increasing desperate for a cure as
her husband is starting to love her less. She turns to Rhoda to take
her to see Trendle; much to her dismay. Rhodagetting worst and she has visited a doctor
who cannot help her, she becomes increasing desperate for a cure as
her husband is starting to love her less. She turns to Rhoda to take
her to see Trendle; much to her dismay. Rhodagetting worst and she has visited a doctor
who cannot help her,...