第13章

Knightfeltuncomfortablywetandchilled，butglowingwithfervournevertheless。HefullyappreciatedElfride"sgirlishdelicacyinrefusinghisescortinthemeagrehabilimentsshewore，yetfeltthatnecessaryabstractionofherselfforashorthalf-hourasamostgrievouslosstohim。

Hegatheredupherknottedandtwistedplumageoflinen，lace，andembroiderywork，andlaiditacrosshisarm。Henoticedonthegroundanenvelope，limpandwet。Inendeavouringtorestorethistoitspropershape，heloosenedfromtheenvelopeapieceofpaperithadcontained，whichwasseizedbythewindinfallingfromKnight"shand。Itwasblowntotheright，blowntotheleft——

itfloatedtotheedgeofthecliffandoverthesea，whereitwashurledaloft。Ittwirledintheair，andthenflewbackoverhishead。

Knightfollowedthepaper，andsecuredit。Havingdoneso，helookedtodiscoverifithadbeenworthsecuring。

Thetroublesomesheetwasabanker"sreceiptfortwohundredpounds，placedtothecreditofMissSwancourt，whichtheimpracticalgirlhadtotallyforgottenshecarriedwithher。

Knightfoldeditascarefullyasitsmoistconditionwouldallow，putitinhispocket，andfollowedElfride。

ChapterXXIII

"Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot？"

BythistimeStephenSmithhadsteppedoutuponthequayatCastleBoterel，andbreathedhisnativeair。

Adarkerskin，amorepronouncedmoustache，andanincipientbeard，werethechiefadditionsandchangesnoticeableinhisappearance。

Inspiteofthefallingrain，whichhadsomewhatlessened，hetookasmallvaliseinhishand，and，leavingtheremainderofhisluggageattheinn，ascendedthehillstowardsEastEndelstow。

Thisplacelayinavaleofitsown，furtherinlandthanthewestvillage，andthoughsonearit，hadlittleofphysicalfeatureincommonwiththelatter。EastEndelstowwasmorewoodedandfertile:itboastedofLordLuxellian"smansionandpark，andwasfreefromthosebleakopenuplandswhichlentsuchanairofdesolationtothevicinageofthecoast——alwaysexceptingthesmallvalleyinwhichstoodthevicarageandMrs。Swancourt"soldhouse，TheCrags。

Stephenhadarrivednearlyatthesummitoftheridgewhentherainagainincreaseditsvolume，and，lookingaboutfortemporaryshelter，heascendedasteeppathwhichpenetrateddensehazelbushesinthelowerpartofitscourse。Furtherupitemergeduponaledgeimmediatelyovertheturnpike-road，andshelteredbyanoverhangingfaceofrubblerock，withbushesabove。Forareasonofhisownhemadethisspothisrefugefromthestorm，andturninghisfacetotheleft，connedthelandscapeasabook。

HewasoverlookingthevalleycontainingElfride"sresidence。

Fromthispointofobservationtheprospectexhibitedthepeculiarityofbeingeitherbrilliantforegroundorthesubduedtoneofdistance，asuddendipinthesurfaceofthecountryloweringoutofsightalltheintermediateprospect。Inapparentcontactwiththetreesandbushesgrowingclosebesidehimappearedthedistanttract，terminatedsuddenlybythebrinkoftheseriesofcliffswhichculminatedinthetallgiantwithoutaname——smallandunimportantasherebeheld。AleafonaboughatStephen"selbowblottedoutawholehillinthecontrastingdistrictfaraway；agreenbunchofnutscoveredacompleteuplandthere，andthegreatcliffitselfwasoutviedbyapigmycraginthebankhardbyhim。Stephenhadlookeduponthesethingshundredsoftimesbeforeto-day，buthehadneverviewedthemwithsuchtendernessasnow。

Steppingforwardinthisdirectionyetalittlefurther，hecouldseethetowerofWestEndelstowChurch，beneathwhichhewastomeethisElfridethatnight。Andatthesametimehenoticed，comingoverthehillfromthecliffs，awhitespeckinmotion。Itseemedfirsttobeasea-gullflyinglow，butultimatelyprovedtobeahumanfigure，runningwithgreatrapidity。Theformflittedon，heedlessoftherainwhichhadcausedStephen"shaltinthisplace，droppeddowntheheatheryhill，enteredthevale，andwasoutofsight。

Whilsthemeditateduponthemeaningofthisphenomenon，hewassurprisedtoseeswimintohiskenfromthesamepointofdepartureanothermovingspeck，asdifferentfromthefirstaswellcouldbe，insomuchthatitwasperceptibleonlybyitsblackness。Slowlyandregularlyittookthesamecourse，andtherewasnotmuchdoubtthatthiswastheformofaman。He，too，graduallydescendedfromtheupperlevels，andwaslostinthevalleybelow。

Therainhadbythistimeagainabated，andStephenreturnedtotheroad。Lookingahead，hesawtwomenandacart。Theyweresoonobscuredbytheinterventionofahighhedge。Justbeforetheyemergedagainheheardvoicesinconversation。

""Amustsoonbeinthenaibourhood，too，ifsobehe"sa-coming，"

saidatenortongue，whichStepheninstantlyrecognizedasMartinCannister"s。

""Amust"ab"lieve，"saidanothervoice——thatofStephen"sfather。

Stephensteppedforward，andcamebeforethemfacetoface。HisfatherandMartinwerewalking，dressedintheirsecondbestsuits，andbesidethemrambledalongagrizzelhorseandbrightlypaintedspring-cart。

"Allright，Mr。Cannister；here"sthelostman!"exclaimedyoungSmith，enteringatonceupontheoldstyleofgreeting。"Father，hereIam。"

"Allright，mysonny；andgladIbefor"t!"returnedJohnSmith，overjoyedtoseetheyoungman。"Howbeye？Well，comealonghome，anddon"tlet"sbideouthereinthedamp。SuchweathermustbeterriblebadforayoungchapjustcomefromafierynationlikeIndy；hey，naibourCannister？"

"Trew，trew。Andaboutgettinghomehistraps？Boxes，monstrousbales，andnoblepackagesofforeigndescription，Imakenodoubt？"

"Hardlyallthat，"saidStephenlaughing。

"Webroughtthecart，maningtogorightontoCastleBoterelaforeyelanded，"saidhisfather。""Putinthehorse，"saysMartin。"Ay，"saysI，"sowewill；"anddiditstraightway。Now，maybe，Martinhadbettergoonwi"thecartforthethings，andyouandIwalkhome-along。"

"AndIshallbebacka"mostassoonasyou。Peggyisaprettystepstill，thoughtimed"begintotelluponherasupontheresto"us。"

StephentoldMartinwheretofindhisbaggage，andthencontinuedhisjourneyhomewardinthecompanyofhisfather。

"Owingtoyourcomingadaysoonerthanwefirstexpected，"saidJohn，"you"llfindusinaturkofamess，sir——"sir，"saysItomyownson!butye"vegoneupso，Stephen。We"vekilledthepigthismorningforye，thinkingye"dbehungry，andgladofamorseloffreshmate。And"awon"tbecutuptillto-night。However，wecanmakeyeagoodsupperoffry，whichwillchawupwellwi"adabo"mustardandafewnicenewtaters，andadropofshillingaletowashitdown。Yourmotherhavescrubbedthehousethroughbecauseyewerecoming，anddustedallthechimmerfurniture，andboughtanewbasinandjugofatravellingcrockery-womanthatcametoourdoor，andscouredthecannel-sticks，andclanedthewinders!Ay，Idon"tknowwhat"aha"n"tadone。Neverweresuchasteer，"ab"lieve。"

ConversationofthiskindandinquiriesofStephenforhismother"swellbeingoccupiedthemfortheremainderofthejourney。

Whentheydrewneartheriver，andthecottagebehindit，theycouldhearthemaster-mason"sclockstrikingoffthebygonehoursofthedayatintervalsofaquarterofaminute，duringwhichintervalsStephen"simaginationreadilypicturedhismother"sforefingerwanderingroundthedialincompanywiththeminute-

hand。

"Theclockstoppedthismorning，andyourmotherinputtingenrightseemingly，"saidhisfatherinanexplanatorytone；andtheywentupthegardentothedoor。

Whentheyhadentered，andStephenhaddutifullyandwarmlygreetedhismother——whoappearedinacottondressofadark-blueground，coveredbroadcastwithamultitudeofnewandfullmoons，stars，andplanets，withanoccasionaldashofacomet-likeaspecttodiversifythescene——thecrackleofcart-wheelswasheardoutside，andMartinCannisterstampedinatthedoorway，intheformofapairoflegsbeneathagreatbox，hisbodybeingnowherevisible。Whentheluggagehadbeenalltakendown，andStephenhadgoneupstairstochangehisclothes，Mrs。Smith"smindseemedtorecoveralostthread。

"Reallyourclockisnotworthapenny，"shesaid，turningtoitandattemptingtostartthependulum。

"Stoppedagain？"inquiredMartinwithcommiseration。

"Yes，sure，"repliedMrs。Smith；andcontinuedafterthemannerofcertainmatrons，towhosetonguestheharmonyofasubjectwithacasualmoodisagreaterrecommendationthanitspertinencetotheoccasion，"Johnwouldspendpoundsayearuponthejimcrackoldthing，ifhemight，inhavingitclaned，whenatthesametimeyoumaydoctorityourselfaswell。"Theclock"sstoppedagain，John，"Isaytohim。"Betterhaveenclaned，"sayshe。There"sfiveshillings。"Thatclockgrindsagain，"Isaytoen。"Betterhaveenclaned，""asaysagain。"Thatclockstrikeswrong，John，"

saysI。"Betterhaveenclaned，"hegoeson。ThewheelswouldhavebeenpolishedtoskeletonsbythistimeifIhadlistenedtoen，andIassureyouwecouldhaveboughtachainey-facedbeautywi"thegoodmoneywe"veflungawaytheselasttenyearsuponthisoldgreen-facedmortal。And，Martin，youmustbewet。Mysonisgoneuptochange。JohnisdamperthanIshouldliketobe，but"acallsitnothing。SomeofMrs。Swancourt"sservantshavebeenhere——theyraninoutoftherainwhengoingforawalk——andI

assureyouthestateoftheirbonnetswasfrightful。"

"How"sthefolks？We"vebeenovertoCastleBoterel，andwhatwi"

runningandstoppingoutofthestorms，mypoorheadisbeyondeverything!fizz，fizzfizz；"tisfryingo"fishfrommorningtonight，"saidacrackedvoiceinthedoorwayatthisinstant。

"Lordso"s，who"sthat？"saidMrs。Smith，inaprivateexclamation，andturningroundsawWilliamWorm，endeavouringtomakehimselflookpassingcivilandfriendlybyoverspreadinghisfacewithalargesmilethatseemedtohavenoconnectionwiththehumourhewasin。Behindhimstoodawomanabouttwicehissize，withalargeumbrellaoverherhead。ThiswasMrs。Worm，William"swife。

"Comein，William，"saidJohnSmith。"Wedon"tkillapigeveryday。Andyou，likewise，Mrs。Worm。Imakeyewelcome。SinceyeleftParsonSwancourt，William，Idon"tseemuchof"ee。"

"No，fortotellthetruth，sinceItooktotheturn-pike-gateline，I"vebeenoutbutlittle，comingtochurcho"Sundaysnotbeingmydutynow，as"twasinaparson"sfamily，yousee。

However，ourboyisabletomindthegatenow，andIsaid，saysI，"Barbara，let"scallandseeJohnSmith。”"

"Iamsorrytohearyerporeheadissobadstill。"

"Ay，Iassureyouthatfryingo"fishisgoingonfornightsanddays。And，youknow，sometimes"tisn"tonlyfish，butrasherso"

baconandinions。Ay，Icanhearthefatpopandfizzasnateralaslife；can"tI，Barbara？"

Mrs。Worm，whohadbeenallthistimeengagedinclosingherumbrella，corroboratedthisstatement，andnow，comingindoors，showedherselftobeawide-faced，comfortable-lookingwoman，withawartuponhercheek，bearingasmalltuftofhairinitscentre。

"Haveyeevertriedanythingtocureyernoise，MaisterWorm？"

inquiredMartinCannister。

"Ohay；blessye，I"vetriedeverything。Ay，Providenceisamercifulman，andIhavehopedHe"dhavefounditoutbythistime，livingsomanyyearsinaparson"sfamily，too，asIhave，but"adon"tseemtorelieveme。Ay，Ibeapoorwamblingman，andlife"saminto"trouble!"

"True，mournfultrue，WilliamWorm。"Tisso。Theworldwantslookingto，or"tisallsixesandsevenswi"us。"

"Takeyourthingsoff，Mrs。Worm，"saidMrs。Smith。"Weberatherinamuddle，totellthetruth，formysonisjustdroppedinfromIndyadaysoonerthanweexpected，andthepig-killeriscomingpresentlytocutup。"

Mrs。BarbaraWorm，notwishingtotakeanymeanadvantageofpersonsinamuddlebyobservingthem，removedherbonnetandmantlewitheyesfixedupontheflowersintheplotoutsidethedoor。

"Whatbeautifultiger-lilies!"saidMrs。Worm。

"Yes，theybeverywell，butsuchatroubletomeonaccountofthechildrenthatcomehere。Theywillgoeatingtheberriesonthestem，andcall"emcurrants。Tastewi"junivalsisquitefancy，really。"

"Andyoursnapdragonslookasfierceasever。"

"Well，really，"answeredMrs。Smith，enteringdidacticallyintothesubject，"theyaremorelikeChristiansthanflowers。Buttheymakeupwellenoughwi"therest，anddon"trequiremuchtending。Andthesamecanbesaido"thesemiller"swheels。"TisaflowerIlikeverymuch，thoughsosimple。Johnsayshenevercaresabouttheflowerso""em，butmenhavenoeyeforanythingneat。Hesayshisfavouriteflowerisacauliflower。AndI

assureyouItrembleinthespringtime，for"tisperfectmurder。"

"Youdon"tsayso，Mrs。Smith!"

"Johndigsroundtheroots，youknow。Ingoeshisblunderingspade，throughroots，bulbs，everythingthathasn"tgotagoodshowaboveground，turning"emupcutalltoslices。OnlytheverylastfallIwenttomovesometulips，whenIfoundeverybulbupsidedown，andthestemscrookedround。Hehadturned"emoverinthespring，andthecunningcreatureshadsoonfoundthatheavenwasnotwhereitusedtobe。"

"What"sthatlong-favouredflowerunderthehedge？"

"They？OLord，theyarethehorridJacob"sladders!Insteadofpraising"em，Ibemadwi""emforbeingsoreadytobidewheretheyarenotwanted。Theybeverywellintheirway，butIdonotcareforthingsthatneglectwon"tkill。DowhatIwill，dig，drag，scrap，pull，Igettoomanyof"em。Ichoptheroots:upthey"llcome，treblestrong。Throw"emoverhedge；therethey"llgrow，staringmeinthefacelikeahungrydogdrivenaway，andcreepbackagaininaweekortwothesameasbefore。"TisJacob"sladderhere，Jacob"sladderthere，andplant"emwherenothingintheworldwillgrow，yougetcrowdsof"eminamonthortwo。Johnmadeanewmanuremixenlastsummer，andhesaid，"Maria，nowifyou"vegotanyflowersorsuchlike，thatyoudon"twant，youmayplant"emroundmymixensoastohideitabit，though"tisnotlikelyanythingofmuchvaluewillgrowthere。”I

thought，"There"sthemJacob"sladders；I"llputthemthere，sincetheycan"tdoharminsuchaplace；"andIplantedtheJacob"sladderssureenough。Theygrowed，andtheygrowed，inthemixenandoutofthemixen，alloverthelitter，coveringitquiteup。

WhenJohnwantedtouseitaboutthegarden，"asaid，"NationseizethemJacob"sladdersofyours，Maria!They"veeatthegoodnessoutofeverymorselofmymanure，sothat"tisnobetterthansanditself!"Sureenoughthehungrymortalshad。"Tismybeliefthatinthesecretsoulso""em，Jacob"sladdersbeweeds，andnotflowersatall，ifthetruthwasknown。"

RobertLickpan，pig-killerandcarrier，arrivedatthismoment。

Thefattedanimalhanginginthebackkitchenwascleftdownthemiddleofitsbackbone，Mrs。Smithbeingmeanwhileengagedincookingsupper。

Betweenthecuttingandchopping，alewashandedround，andWormandthepig-killerlistenedtoJohnSmith"sdescriptionofthemeetingwithStephen，witheyesblanklyfixeduponthetable-

cloth，inorderthatnothingintheexternalworldshouldinterrupttheireffortstoconjureupthescenecorrectly。

Stephencamedownstairsinthemiddleofthestory，andafterthelittleinterruptionoccasionedbyhisentranceandwelcome，thenarrativewasagaincontinued，preciselyasifhehadnotbeenthereatall，andwastoldinclusivelytohim，astosomebodywhoknewnothingaboutthematter。

""Ay，"Isaid，asIcatchedsighto"enthroughthebrimbles，"that"sthelad，forId"knowenbyhisgrand-father"swalk；"for"astappedoutlikepoorfatherforalltheworld。Stilltherewasatoucho"thefriskythatsetmewondering。"Agotcloser，andIsaid，"That"sthelad，forId"knowenbyhiscarryingablackcaselikeatravellingman。”Still，aroadiscommontoalltheworld，andtherebemoretravellingmenthanone。ButIkeptmyeyecocked，andIsaidtoMartin，""Tistheboy，now，forId"

knowenbythewoldtwirlo"thestickandthefamilystep。”Then"acomecloser，anda"said，"Allright。”Icouldsweartoenthen。"

Stephen"spersonalappearancewasnextcriticised。

"Hed"lookadealthinnerinface，surely，thanwhenIseedenattheparson"s，andneverknoweden，ifye"llbelieveme，"saidMartin。

"Ay，there，"saidanother，withoutremovinghiseyesfromStephen"sface，"Ishouldha"knowedenanywhere。"Tishisfather"snosetoaT。"

"Ithasbeenoftenremarked，"saidStephenmodestly。

"Andhe"scertainlytaller，"saidMartin，lettinghisglancerunoverStephen"sformfrombottomtotop。

"Iwasthinking"awasexactlythesameheight，"Wormreplied。

"Blessthysoul，that"sbecausehe"sbiggerroundlikewise。"AndtheunitedeyesallmovedtoStephen"swaist。

"Ibeapoorwamblingman，butIcanmakeallowances，"saidWilliamWorm。"Ah，sure，andhowhecameasastrangerandpilgrimtoParsonSwancourt"sthattime，notasoulknowingenaftersomanyyears!Ay，life"sastrangepicter，Stephen:butI

supposeImustsaySirtoye？"

"Oh，itisnotnecessaryatpresent，"Stephenreplied，thoughmentallyresolvingtoavoidthevicinityofthatfamiliarfriendassoonashehadmadepretensionstothehandofElfride。

"Ah，well，"saidWormmusingly，"somewouldhavelookedfornolessthanaSir。There"sasightofdifferenceinpeople。"

"Andinpigslikewise，"observedJohnSmith，lookingatthehalvedcarcassofhisown。

RobertLickpan，thepig-killer，hereseemedcalledupontoenterthelistsofconversation。

"Yes，they"vegottheirparticularnatersgood-now，"heremarkedinitially。"Many"stherum-temperedpigI"veknowed。"

"Idon"tdoubtit，MasterLickpan，"answeredMartin，inatoneexpressingthathisconvictions，nolessthangoodmanners，demandedthereply。

"Yes，"continuedthepig-killer，asoneaccustomedtobeheard。

"OnethatIknowedwasdeafanddumb，andwecouldn"tmakeoutwhatwasthematterwi"thepig。"Awouldeatwellenoughwhen"aseedthetrough，butwhenhisbackwasturned，youmighta-rattledthebucketallday，thepoorsoulneverheardye。Yecouldplaytricksuponenbehindhisback，anda"wouldn"tfinditoutnoquickerthanpoordeafGrammerCates。Buta"fattedwell，andI

neverseedapigopenbetterwhena"waskilled，and"awasverytendereating，very；asprettyabitofmateaseveryousee；youcouldsuckthatmatethroughaquill。

"AndanotherIknowed，"resumedthekiller，afterquietlylettingapintofalerundownhisthroatofitsownaccord，andsettingdownthecupwithmathematicalexactnessuponthespotfromwhichhehadraisedit——"anotherwentoutofhismind。"

"Howverymournful!"murmuredMrs。Worm。

"Ay，poorthing，"adid!AscleanoutofhismindasthecleverestChristiancouldgo。Inearlylife"awasverymelancholy，andneverseemedahopefulpigbynomeans。"TwasAndrewStainer"spig——that"swhosepig"twas。"

"Icanmindthepigwellenough，"attestedJohnSmith。

"Andaprettylittleporker"awas。AndyouallknowFarmerBuckle"ssort？Everyjacko"emsufferfromtherheumatismtothisday，owingtoadampstytheylivedinwhentheywerestriplings，as"twere。"

"Well，nowwe"llweigh，"saidJohn。

"Ifsobehewerenotsofine，we"dweighenwhole:butasheis，we"lltakeasideatatime。John，youcanmindmyoldjoke，ey？"

"Idoso；though"twasagoodfewyearsagoIfirsthearden。"

"Yes，"saidLickpan，"thatthereoldfamiliarjokehavebeeninourfamilyforgenerations，Imaysay。Myfatherusedthatjokeregularatpig-killingsformorethanfiveandfortyyears——thetimehefollowedthecalling。And"atoldmethat"ahaditfromhisfatherwhenhewasquiteachiel，whomadeuseo"enjustthesameateverykillingmoreorless；andpig-killingswerepig-

killingsinthosedays。"

"Trewlytheywere。"

"I"veneverheardthejoke，"saidMrs。Smithtentatively。

"NorI，"chimedinMrs。Worm，who，beingtheonlyotherladyintheroom，feltboundbythelawsofcourtesytofeellikeMrs。

Smithineverything。

"Surely，surelyyouhave，"saidthekiller，lookingscepticallyatthebenightedfemales。"However，"tisn"tmuch——Idon"twishtosayitis。Itcommenceslikethis:"Bobwilltelltheweightofyourpig，"ab"lieve，"saysI。ThecongregationofneighboursthinkImanemysonBob，naturally；butthesecretisthatImanethebobo"thesteelyard。Ha，ha，ha!"

"Haw，haw，haw!"laughedMartinCannister，whohadheardtheexplanationofthisstrikingstoryforthehundredthtime。

"Huh，huh，huh!"laughedJohnSmith，whohadhearditforthethousandth。

"Hee，hee，hee!"laughedWilliamWorm，whohadneverhearditatall，butwasafraidtosayso。

"Thygrandfather，Robert，musthavebeenawide-awakechaptomakethatstory，"saidMartinCannister，subsidingtoaplacidaspectofdelightedcriticism。

"Hehadahead，byallaccount。And，yousee，asthefirst-bornoftheLickpanshaveallbeenRoberts，they"veallbeenBobs，sothestorywashandeddowntothepresentday。"

"PoorJoseph，yoursecondboy，willneverbeabletobringitoutincompany，whichisratherunfortunate，"saidMrs。Wormthoughtfully。

""Awon"t。Yes，grandferwasacleverchap，asyesay；butI

knowedacleverer。"TwasmyuncleLevi。UncleLevimadeasnuff-

boxthatshouldbeapuzzletohisfriendstoopen。Heusedtohandenroundatweddingparties，christenings，funerals，andinotherjollycompany，andlet"emtrytheirskill。Thisextraordinarysnuff-boxhadaspringbehindthatwouldpushinandout——ahingewhereseemedtobethecover；aslideattheend，ascrewinfront，andknobsandqueernotcheseverywhere。Onemanwouldtrythespring，anotherwouldtrythescrew，anotherwouldtrytheslide；buttryastheywould，theboxwouldn"topen。Andtheycouldn"topenen，andtheydidn"topenen。Nowwhatmightyouthinkwasthesecretofthatbox？"

Allputonanexpressionthattheirunitedthoughtswereinadequatetotheoccasion。

"Whytheboxwouldn"topenatall。"Aweremadenottoopen，andyemighthavetriedtilltheendofRevelations，"twouldhavebeenasnaught，fortheboxweregluedallround。"

"Averydeepmantohavemadesuchabox。"

"Yes。"TwaslikeuncleLeviallover。"

""Twas。Icanmindthemanverywell。TallestmaneverIseed。"

""Awasso。Heneversleptuponabedsteadafterhegrowedupahardboy-chap——nevercouldgetonelongenough。When"alivedinthatlittlesmallhousebythepond，heusedtohavetoleaveopenhischamberdooreverynightatgoingtohisbed，andlethisfeetpokeoutuponthelanding。"

"He"sdeadandgonenow，nevertheless，poorman，asweallshall，"

observedWorm，tofillthepausewhichfollowedtheconclusionofRobertLickpan"sspeech。

TheweighingandcuttingupwaspursuedamidananimateddiscourseonStephen"stravels；andatthefinish，thefirst-fruitsoftheday"sslaughter，friedinonions，werethenturnedfromthepanintoadishonthetable，eachpiecesteamingandhissingtillitreachedtheirverymouths。

Itmustbeownedthatthegentlemanlysonofthehouselookedratheroutofplaceinthecourseofthisoperation。Norwashismindquitephilosophicenoughtoallowhimtobecomfortablewiththeseold-establishedpersons，hisfather"sfriends。Hehadneverlivedlongathome——scarcelyatallsincehischildhood。ThepresenceofWilliamWormwasthemostawkwardfeatureofthecase，for，thoughWormhadleftthehouseofMr。Swancourt，thebeinghand-in-glovewithaci-devantservitorremindedStephentooforciblyofthevicar"sclassificationofhimselfbeforehewentfromEngland。Mrs。Smithwasconsciousofthedefectinherarrangementswhichhadbroughtabouttheundesiredconjunction。

ShespoketoStephenprivately。

"Iamabovehavingsuchpeoplehere，Stephen；butwhatcouldIdo？

Andyourfatherissoroughinhisnaturethathe"smoremixedupwiththemthanneedbe。"

"Nevermind，mother，"saidStephen；"I"llputupwithitnow。"

"Whenweleavemylord"sservice，andgetfurtherupthecountry——

asIhopeweshallsoon——itwillbedifferent。Weshallbeamongfreshpeople，andinalargerhouse，andshallkeepourselvesupabit，Ihope。"

"IsMissSwancourtathome，doyouknow？"Stepheninquired"Yes，yourfathersawherthismorning。"

"Doyouoftenseeher？"

"Scarcelyever。Mr。Glim，thecurate，callsoccasionally，buttheSwancourtsdon"tcomeintothevillagenowanymorethantodrivethroughit。Theydineatmylord"softenerthantheyused。Ah，here"sanotewasbroughtthismorningforyoubyaboy。"

Stepheneagerlytookthenoteandopenedit，hismotherwatchinghim。HereadwhatElfridehadwrittenandsentbeforeshestartedforthecliffthatafternoon:

"Yes；Iwillmeetyouinthechurchatnineto-night——E。S。"

"Idon"tknow，Stephen，"hismothersaidmeaningly，"whe"ryoustillthinkaboutMissElfride，butifIwereyouIwouldn"tconcernabouther。TheysaythatnoneofoldMrs。Swancourt"smoneywillcometoherstep-daughter。"

"Iseetheeveninghasturnedoutfine；Iamgoingoutforalittlewhiletolookroundtheplace，"hesaid，evadingthedirectquery。"ProbablybythetimeIreturnourvisitorswillbegone，andwe"llhaveamoreconfidentialtalk。"

ChapterXXIV

"Breeze，bird，andflowerconfessthehour。"

Therainhadceasedsincethesunset，butitwasacloudynight；

andthelightofthemoon，softenedanddispersedbyitsmistyveil，wasdistributedoverthelandinpalegray。

AdarkfiguresteppedfromthedoorwayofJohnSmith"sriver-sidecottage，andstroderapidlytowardsWestEndelstowwithalightfootstep。Soonascendingfromthelowerlevelsheturnedacorner，followedacart-track，andsawthetowerofthechurchhewasinquestofdistinctlyshapedforthagainstthesky。Inlessthanhalfanhourfromthetimeofstartingheswunghimselfoverthechurchyardstile。

Thewildirregularenclosurewasasmuchaseveranintegralpartoftheoldhill。Thegrasswasstilllong，thegraveswereshapedpreciselyaspassingyearschosetoalterthemfromtheirorthodoxformaslaiddownbyMartinCannister，andbyStephen"sowngrandfatherbeforehim。

AsoundspedintotheairfromthedirectioninwhichCastleBoterellay。Itwasthestrikingofthechurchclock，distinctinthestillatmosphereasifithadcomefromthetowerhardby，which，wraptinitssolitarysilentness，gaveoutnosuchsoundsoflife。

"One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine。"Stephencarefullycountedthestrokes，thoughhewellknewtheirnumberbeforehand。Nineo"clock。ItwasthehourElfridehadherselfnamedasthemostconvenientformeetinghim。

Stephenstoodatthedooroftheporchandlistened。Hecouldhaveheardthesoftestbreathingofanypersonwithintheporch；

nobodywasthere。Hewentinsidethedoorway，satdownuponthestonebench，andwaitedwithabeatingheart。

Thefaintsoundsheardonlyaccentuatedthesilence。Therisingandfallingofthesea，farawayalongthecoast，wasthemostimportant。Aminorsoundwasthescurrofadistantnight-hawk。

Amongtheminutestwhereallwereminutewerethelightsettlementofgossamerfragmentsfloatingintheair，atoadhumblylabouringalongthroughthegrassneartheentrance，thecrackleofadeadleafwhichawormwasendeavouringtopullintotheearth，awaftofair，gettingnearerandnearer，andexpiringathisfeetundertheburdenofawingedseed。

Amongallthesesoftsoundscamenottheonlysoftsoundhecaredtohear——thefootfallofElfride。

ForawholequarterofanhourStephensatthusintent，withoutmovingamuscle。Attheendofthattimehewalkedtothewestfrontofthechurch。Turningthecornerofthetower，awhiteformstaredhimintheface。Hestartedback，andrecoveredhimself。ItwasthetombofyoungfarmerJethway，lookingstillasfreshandasnewaswhenitwasfirsterected，thewhitestoneinwhichitwashewnhavingasingularweirdnessamidthedarkblueslabsfromlocalquarries，ofwhichthewholeremaininggravestoneswereformed。

HethoughtofthenightwhenhehadsatthereonwithElfrideashiscompanion，andwellrememberedhisregretthatshehadreceived，evenunwillingly，earlierhomagethanhisown。Buthispresenttangibleanxietyreducedsuchafeelingtosentimentalnonsenseincomparison；andhestrolledonoverthegravestotheborderofthechurchyard，whenceinthedaytimecouldbeclearlyseenthevicarageandthepresentresidenceoftheSwancourts。Nofootstepwasdiscernibleuponthepathupthehill，butalightwasshiningfromawindowinthelast-namedhouse。

Stephenknewtherecouldbenomistakeaboutthetimeorplace，andnodifficultyaboutkeepingtheengagement。Hewaitedyetlonger，passingfromimpatienceintoamoodwhichfailedtotakeanyaccountofthelapseoftime。HewasawakenedfromhisreveriebyCastleBoterelclock。

One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine，TEN。

Onelittlefallofthehammerinadditiontothenumberithadbeensharppleasuretohear，andwhatadifferencetohim!

Heleftthechurchyardonthesideoppositetohispointofentrance，andwentdownthehill。Slowlyhedrewnearthegateofherhouse。Thishesoftlyopened，andwalkedupthegraveldrivetothedoor。Herehepausedforseveralminutes。

Attheexpirationofthattimethemurmuredspeechofamanlyvoicecameouttohisearsthroughanopenwindowbehindthecornerofthehouse。Thiswasrespondedtobyaclearsoftlaugh。

ItwasthelaughofElfride。

Stephenwasconsciousofagnawingpainathisheart。Heretreatedashehadcome。Therearedisappointmentswhichwringus，andtherearethosewhichinflictawoundwhosemarkwebeartoourgraves。Sucharesokeenthatnofuturegratificationofthesamedesirecaneverobliteratethem:theybecomeregisteredasapermanentlossofhappiness。SuchaonewasStephen"snow:

thecrowningaureolaofthedreamhadbeenthemeetingherebystealth；andifElfridehadcometohimonlytenminutesafterhehadturnedaway，thedisappointmentwouldhavebeenrecognizablestill。

Whentheyoungmanreachedhomehefoundtherealetterwhichhadarrivedinhisabsence。Believingittocontainsomereasonforhernon-appearance，yetunabletoimagineonethatcouldjustifyher，hehastilytoreopentheenvelope。

ThepapercontainednotawordfromElfride。Itwasthedeposit-

noteforhistwohundredpounds。Onthebackwastheformofacheque，andthisshehadfilledupwiththesamesum，payabletothebearer。

Stephenwasconfounded。Heattemptedtodivinehermotive。

Consideringhowlimitedwashisknowledgeofherlateractions，heguessedrathershrewdlythat，betweenthetimeofhersendingthenoteinthemorningandtheevening"ssilentrefusalofhisgift，somethinghadoccurredwhichhadcausedatotalchangeinherattitudetowardshim。

Heknewnotwhattodo。Itseemedabsurdnowtogotoherfathernextmorning，ashehadpurposed，andaskforanengagementwithher，apossibilityimpendingallthewhilethatElfrideherselfwouldnotbeonhisside。Onlyonecourserecommendeditselfaswise。Towaitandseewhatthedayswouldbringforth；togoandexecutehiscommissionsinBirmingham；thentoreturn，learnifanythinghadhappened，andtrywhatameetingmightdo；perhapshersurpriseathisbackwardnesswouldbringherforwardtoshowlatentwarmthasdecidedlyasinoldtimes。

ThisactofpatiencewasinkeepingonlywiththenatureofamanpreciselyofStephen"sconstitution。Ninemenoutoftenwouldperhapshaverushedoff，gotintoherpresence，byfairmeansorfoul，andprovokedacatastropheofsomesort。Possiblyforthebetter，probablyfortheworse。

HestartedforBirminghamthenextmorning。Aday"sdelaywouldhavemadenodifference；buthecouldnotrestuntilhehadbegunandendedtheprogrammeproposedtohimself。Bodilyactivitywillsometimestakethestingoutofanxietyascompletelyasassuranceitself。

ChapterXXV

"Mineownfamiliarfriend。"

DuringthesedaysofabsenceStephenlivedunderalternateconditions。Wheneverhisemotionswereactive，hewasinagony。

Wheneverhewasnotinagony，thebusinessinhandhaddrivenoutofhismindbysheerforcealldeepreflectiononthesubjectofElfrideandlove。

Bythetimehetookhisreturnjourneyattheweek"send，Stephenhadverynearlyworkedhimselfuptoanintentiontocallandseeherfacetoface。Onthisoccasionalsoheadoptedhisfavouriteroute——bythelittlesummersteamerfromBristoltoCastleBoterel；thetimesavedbyspeedontherailwaybeingwastedatjunctions，andinfollowingadeviouscourse。

ItwasabrightsilenteveningatthebeginningofSeptemberwhenSmithagainsetfootinthelittletown。Hefeltinclinedtolingerawhileuponthequaybeforeascendingthehills，havingformedaromanticintentiontogohomebywayofherhouse，yetnotwishingtowanderinitsneighbourhoodtilltheeveningshadesshouldsufficientlyscreenhimfromobservation。

Andthuswaitingfornight"snearerapproach，hewatchedtheplacidscene，overwhichthepaleluminosityofthewestcastasorrowfulmonochrome，thatbecameslowlyembrownedbythedusk。A

starappeared，andanother，andanother。Theysparkledamidtheyardsandriggingofthetwocoalbrigslyingalangside，asiftheyhadbeentinylampssuspendedintheropes。Themastsrockedsleepilytotheinfinitesimalfluxofthetide，whichcluckedandgurgledwithidleregularityinnooksandholesoftheharbourwall。

Thetwilightwasnowquitepronouncedenoughforhispurpose；andas，rathersadatheart，hewasabouttomoveon，alittleboatcontainingtwopersonsglidedupthemiddleoftheharbourwiththelightnessofashadow。Theboatcameoppositehim，passedon，andtouchedthelanding-stepsatthefurtherend。Oneofitsoccupantswasaman，asStephenhadknownbytheeasystrokeoftheoars。Whenthepairascendedthesteps，andcameintogreaterprominence，hewasenabledtodiscernthatthesecondpersonagewasawoman；alsothatsheworeawhitedecoration——apparentlyafeather——inherhatorbonnet，whichspotofwhitewastheonlydistinctlyvisibleportionofherclothing。

Stephenremainedamomentintheirrear，andtheypassedon，whenhepursuedhiswayalso，andsoonforgotthecircumstance。Havingcrossedabridge，forsakenthehighroad，andenteredthefootpathwhichledupthevaletoWestEndelstow，heheardalittlewicketclicksoftlytogethersomeyardsahead。BythetimethatStephenhadreachedthewicketandpassedit，heheardanotherclickofpreciselythesamenaturefromanothergateyetfurtheron。

Clearlysomepersonorpersonswereprecedinghimalongthepath，theirfootstepsbeingrenderednoiselessbythesoftcarpetofturf。Stephennowwalkedalittlequicker，andperceivedtwoforms。Oneofthemborealoftthewhitefeatherhehadnoticedinthewoman"shatonthequay:theywerethecouplehehadseenintheboat。Stephendroppedalittlefurthertotherear。

Fromthebottomofthevalley，alongwhichthepathhadhithertolain，besidethemarginofthetricklingstreamlet，anotherpathnowdiverged，andascendedtheslopeoftheleft-handhill。ThisfootwayledonlytotheresidenceofMrs。Swancourtandacottageortwoinitsvicinity。Nograsscoveredthisdivergingpathinportionsofitslength，andStephenwasremindedthatthepairinfrontofhimhadtakenthisroutebytheoccasionalrattleofloosestonesundertheirfeet。Stephenclimbedinthesamedirection，butforsomeundefinedreasonhetrodmoresoftlythandidthoseprecedinghim。Hismindwasunconsciouslyinexerciseuponwhomthewomanmightbe——whetheravisitortoTheCrags，aservant，orElfride。Heputittohimselfyetmoreforcibly；

couldtheladybeElfride？Apossiblereasonforherunaccountablefailuretokeeptheappointmentwithhimreturnedwithpainfulforce。

Theyenteredthegroundsofthehousebythesidewicket，whencethepath，nowwideandwelltrimmed，woundfantasticallythroughtheshrubberytoanoctagonalpavilioncalledtheBelvedere，byreasonofthecomprehensiveviewovertheadjacentdistrictthatitsgreenseatsafforded。Thepathpassedthiserectionandwentontothehouseaswellastothegardener"scottageontheotherside，stragglingthencetoEastEndelstow；sothatStephenfeltnohesitationinenteringapromenadewhichcouldscarcelybecalledprivate。

Hefanciedthatheheardthegateopenandswingtogetheragainbehindhim。Turning，hesawnobody。

Thepeopleoftheboatcametothesummer-house。Oneofthemspoke。

"Iamafraidweshallgetascoldingforbeingsolate。"

Stepheninstantlyrecognisedthefamiliarvoice，richerandfullernowthanitusedtobe。"Elfride!"hewhisperedtohimself，andheldfastbyasapling，tosteadyhimselfundertheagitationherpresencecausedhim。Hisheartswervedfromitsbeat；heshunnedreceivingthemeaninghesought。

"Abreezeisrisingagain；howtheashtreerustles!"saidElfride。"Don"tyouhearit？Iwonderwhatthetimeis。"

Stephenrelinquishedthesapling。

Iwillgetalightandtellyou。Stepintothesummer-house；theairisquietthere。"

Thecadenceofthatvoice——itspeculiarityseemedtocomehometohimlikethatofsomenotesofthenorthernbirdsonhisreturntohisnativeclime，asanoldnaturalthingrenewed，yetnotparticularlynoticedasnaturalbeforethatrenewal。

TheyenteredtheBelvedere。Inthelowerpartitwasformedofclosewood-worknailedcrosswise，andhadopeningsintheupperbywayofwindows。

Thescratchofastrikinglightwasheard，andabrightglowradiatedfromtheinteriorofthebuilding。Thelightgavebirthtodancingleaf-shadows，stem-shadows，lustrousstreaks，dots，sparkles，andthreadsofsilversheenofallimaginablevarietyandtransience。Itawakenedgnats，whichflewtowardsit，revealedshinygossamerthreads，disturbedearthworms。Stephengavebutlittleattentiontothesephenomena，andlesstime。Hesawinthesummer-houseastronglyilluminatedpicture。

First，thefaceofhisfriendandpreceptorHenryKnight，betweenwhomandhimselfanestrangementhadarisen，notfromanydefinitecausesbeyondthoseofabsence，increasingage，anddivergingsympathies。

Next，hisbrightparticularstar，Elfride。ThefaceofElfridewasmorewomanlythanwhenshehadcalledherselfhis，butasclearandhealthyasever。Herplenteoustwinesofbeautifulhairwerelookingmuchasusual，withtheexceptionofaslightmodificationintheirarrangementindeferencetothechangesoffashion。

Theirtwoforeheadswereclosetogether，almosttouching，andbothwerelookingdown。Elfridewasholdingherwatch，Knightwasholdingthelightwithonehand，hisleftarmbeingroundherwaist。PartofthescenereachedStephen"seyesthroughthehorizontalbarsofwoodwork，whichcrossedtheirformsliketheribsofaskeleton。

Knight"sarmstolestillfurtherroundthewaistofElfride。

"Itishalf-pasteight，"shesaidinalowvoice，whichhadapeculiarmusicinit，seeminglybornofathrillofpleasureatthenewproofthatshewasbeloved。

Theflamedwindleddown，diedaway，andallwaswrappedinadarknesstowhichthegloombeforetheilluminationborenocomparisoninapparentdensity。Stephen，shatteredinspiritandsicktohisheart"scentre，turnedaway。Inturning，hesawashadowyoutlinebehindthesummer-houseontheotherside。Hiseyesgrewaccustomedtothedarkness。Wastheformahumanform，orwasitanopaquebushofjuniper？

Theloversarose，brushedagainstthelaurestines，andpursuedtheirwaytothehouse。Theindistinctfigurehadmoved，andnowpassedacrossSmith"sfront。Socompletelyenvelopedwastheperson，thatitwasimpossibletodiscernhimorheranymorethanasashape。Theshapeglidednoiselesslyon。

Stephensteppedforward，fearinganymischiefwasintendedtotheothertwo。"Whoareyou？"hesaid。

"NevermindwhoIam，"answeredaweakwhisperfromtheenvelopingfolds。"WHATIam，mayshebe!PerhapsIknewwell——ah，sowell!——

ayouthwhoseplaceyoutook，ashetherenowtakesyours。Willyouletherbreakyourheart，andbringyoutoanuntimelygrave，asshedidtheonebeforeyou？"

"YouareMrs。Jethway，Ithink。Whatdoyoudohere？Andwhydoyoutalksowildly？"

"Becausemyheartisdesolate，andnobodycaresaboutit。Mayhersbesothatbroughttroubleuponme!"

"Silence!"saidStephen，staunchtoElfrideinspiteofhimself"Shewouldharmnobodywilfully，neverwouldshe!Howdoyoucomehere？"

"Isawthetwocomingupthepath，andwantedtolearnifshewerenotoneofthem。CanIhelpdislikingherifIthinkofthepast？

CanIhelpwatchingherifIremembermyboy？CanIhelpill-

wishingherifIwell-wishhim？"

Thebowedformwenton，passedthroughthewicket，andwasenvelopedbytheshadowsofthefield。

StephenhadheardthatMrs。Jethway，sincethedeathofherson，hadbecomeacrazed，forlornwoman；andbestowingapityingthoughtuponher，hedismissedherfanciedwrongsfromhismind，butnothercondemnationofElfride"sfaithlessness。Thatenteredintoandmingledwiththesensationshisnewexperiencehadbegotten。Thetaletoldbythelittlescenehehadwitnessedranparallelwiththeunhappywoman"sopinion，which，howeverbaselessitmighthavebeenantecedently，hadbecometrueenoughasregardedhimself。

Aslowweightofdespair，asdistinctfromaviolentparoxysmasstarvationfromamortalshot，filledhimandwrunghimbodyandsoul。Thediscoveryhadnotbeenaltogetherunexpected，forthroughouthisanxietyofthelastfewdayssincethenightinthechurchyard，hehadbeeninclinedtoconstruetheuncertaintyunfavourablyforhimself。Hishopesforthebesthadbeenbutperiodicinterruptionstoachronicfearoftheworst。

Astrangeconcomitantofhismiserywasthesingularityofitsform。ThathisrivalshouldbeKnight，whomonceuponatimehehadadoredasamanisveryrarelyadoredbyanotherinmoderntimes，andwhomhelovednow，addeddeprecationtosorrow，andcynicismtoboth。HenryKnight，whosepraiseshehadsofrequentlytrumpetedinherears，ofwhomshehadactuallybeenjealous，lestsheherselfshouldbelessenedinStephen"sloveonaccountofhim，hadprobablywonherthemoreeasilybyreasonofthoseverypraiseswhichhehadonlyceasedtoutterbyhercommand。Shehadruledhimlikeaqueeninthatmatter，asinallothers。Stephencouldtellbyhermanner，briefashadbeenhisobservationofit，andbyherwords，fewastheywere，thatherpositionwasfardifferentwithKnight。Thatshelookedupatandadoredhernewloverfrombelowhispedestal，wasevenmoreperceptiblethanthatshehadsmileddownuponStephenfromaheightabovehim。