CHAPTER XX Farewell

‘And your reverence,’ said he, and Mr Harding prepared himself to hear at least some word of affectionate regret; ‘and your reverence, shall we get the hundred a year though?’ Upon which Mr Harding turned away, and, without speaking another word, left the
man griping the empty glass in his bed.

Bunce followed him out, and then Mr Harding gave vent to the feelings which harassed him, raved against the evils of the world, which
could turn the hearts of such men to gall. ‘Calm yourself, Mr Harding,’ said Bunce.
‘It is hard, Bunce,’ said he, ‘is it not hard? They have been to me as if they were my own soul, and now in my old age they turn against me and wound me. I cannot bear it, Bunce; I cannot bear it;’ and he sobbed aloud.

Bunce tried to comfort him; told him it would all be better when he had completed his retreat from Barchester; told him he had well earned his wages, and need not fear but that he would receive them in his new abode. ‘Oh, Bunce,’ said he. ‘What would comfort me would be to see them once again poor and happy, as they were when I first knew the hospital.’ And then they parted also, and Mr Harding was left alone.

The final chapter of “The Warden” captures a profoundly emotional farewell between Mr. Harding and the denizens of the Barchester hospital, against the backdrop of legal disputes and moral dilemmas surrounding the administration of the hospital’s financial endowments. The narrative unfolds with Mr. Harding’s somber resignation, prompted not by a personal desire for gain but by a principled stance against the contentious atmosphere that has enveloped the institution he dearly loves. The bishop, initially attempting to propose alternative means of financial support to Mr. Harding, represents a heartfelt but ultimately misguided attempt to mitigate the fallout, showcasing the clashing ideals of supporting a friend in distress while respecting their quest for moral integrity.

On the eve of his departure, Mr. Harding’s interaction with the hospital’s residents—once a harmonious community now strained by legal strife—illuminates the tragic unraveling of communal bonds in the face of greed and misunderstanding. His offers of peace and goodwill, met with mixed responses, underscore the complexity of human emotion when faced with loss and regret. The intimate and poignant departure from old Bell, a stark reminder of the chasm between Mr. Harding’s altruistic intentions and the residents’ entrenched grievances, encapsulates the heartrending impact of societal forces on personal relationships.

Eleanor’s decision to stand by her father’s side, eschewing comfort for solidarity, contrasts sharply with the collective anxiety pervading Barchester, illustrating the resilience of familial bonds amidst public turmoil. The chapter eloquently closes the narrative arc of “The Warden” by juxtaposing the quiet dignity of Mr. Harding’s exit with the clamorous dissent that precipitated it, leaving an indelible mark on the conscience of the reader and setting the stage for the enduring debates on ethics, duty, and the human condition.