The paragraph begins by explaining that the described character was walking back home in the month of May, and the author continues providing the description of Jack Durbeyfiel (the character in question).
The two words that describe the character are ‘middle-aged’ and ‘rickety’:
" ... a middle-aged man was walking homeward... The pair of legs that carried him were rickety, and there was a bias in his gait which inclined him somewhat to the left of a straight line."
When the word "middle-age" is used, the author complements it with the way the character walks, then he uses the word "rickety" and begins to explain that when the character walks there is a bias in his gait inclined to the left. In addition, the author describes certain gestures in the character such as the tic of constant nodding, the empty basket he was carrying, and the ruffle hat that looks old:
"... He occasionally gave a smart nod, as if in confirmation of some opinion, though he was not thinking of anything in particular. An empty egg-basket was slung upon his arm, the nap of his hat was ruffled, a patch being quite worn away at its brim where his thumb came in taking it off."
The entire description creates the impression of the character as a middle-aged man with rickety walking mainly, the rest of the narrative only complements the main two words used to describe the character of Jack Durbeyfiel. Hence, the rest of the description is not key to picture the character, which means we could picture the character without it, however the extra details is what makes the narrative complete.
Answer:
The two words that describe the impression of Durbeyfield are shabby and thoughtful.
Explanation:
Because of the way he walked and dressed, the impression the author generates on Durbeyfield is that he is a shabby man.
Also by the way he nodded but without paying attention, he shows that he is a thoughtful man, immersed in his own thoughts.
