第9章

HiswaytakinghimpastTellson"s，andhebothbankingatTellson"sandknowingMr。LorryastheintimatefriendoftheManettes，itenteredMr。Stryver"smindtoenterthebank，andrevealtoMr。LorrythebrightnessoftheSohohorizon。So，hepushedopenthedoorwiththeweakrattleinitsthroat，stumbleddownthetwosteps，gotpastthetwoancientcashiers，andshoulderedhimselfintothemustybackclosetwhereMr。Lorrysatatgreatbooksruledforfigures，withperpendicularironbarstohiswindowasifthatwereruledforfigurestoo，andeverythingunderthecloudswereasum。

`Halloa!"saidMr。Stryver。`Howdoyoudo?Ihopeyouarewell!"

ItwasStryver"sgrandpeculiaritythathealwaysseemedtoobigforanyplace，orspace。HewassomuchtoobigforTellson"s，thatoldclerksindistantcornerslookedupwithlooksofremonstrance，asthoughhesqueezedthemagainstthewall。TheHouseitself，magnificentlyreadingthepaperquiteinthefar-offperspective，lowereddispleased，asiftheStryverheadhadbeenbuttedintoitsresponsiblewaistcoat。

ThediscreetMr。Lorrysaid，inasampletoneofthevoicehewouldrecommendunderthecircumstances，`Howdoyoudo，Mr。Stryver?Howdoyoudo，sir?"andshookhands。Therewasapeculiarityinhismannerofshakinghands，alwaystobeseeninanyclerkatTellson"swhoshookhandswithacustomerwhentheHousepervadedtheair。Heshookinaself-abnegatingway，asonewhoshookforTellsonandCo。

`CanIdoanythingforyou，Mr。Stryver?"askedMr。Lorry，inhisbusinesscharacter。

`Why，no，thankyou；thisisaprivatevisittoyourself，Mr。

Lorry；Ihavecomeforaprivateword。"

`Ohindeed!"saidMr。Lorry，bendingdownhisear，whilehiseyestrayedtotheHouseafaroff。

`Iamgoing，"saidMr。Stryver，leaninghisarmsconfidentiallyonthedesk:whereupon，althoughitwasalargedoubleone，thereappearedtobenothalfdeskenoughforhim:`Iamgoingtomakeanofferofmyselfinmarriagetoyouragreeablelittlefriend，MissManette，Mr。Lorry。"

Ohdearme!"criedMr。Lorry，rubbinghischin，andlookingathisvisitordubiously。

`Ohdearme，sir?"repeatedStryver，drawingback。

`Ohdearyou，sir?Whatmayyourmeaningbe，Mr。Lorry?"

`Mymeaning，"answeredthemanofbusiness，`is，ofcourse，friendlyandappreciative，andthatitdoesyouthegreatestcredit，and——inshort，mymeaningiseverythingyoucoulddesire。But——really，youknow，Mr。Stryver——"Mr。Lorrypaused，andshookhisheadathimintheoddestmanner，asifhewerecompelledagainsthiswilltoadd，internally，`youknowtherereallyissomuchtoomuchofyou!"

`Well!"saidStryver，slappingthedeskwithhiscontentioushand，openinghiseyeswider，andtakingalongbreath，`ifIunderstandyou，Mr。Lorry，I"llbehanged!"

Mr。Lorryadjustedhislittlewigatbothearsasameanstowardsthatend，andbitthefeatherofapen。

`D——nitall，sir!"saidStryver，staringathim，`amInoteligible?"

`Ohdearyes!Yes。Ohyes，you"reeligible!"saidMr。Lorry。`Ifyousayeligible，youareeligible。"

`AmInotprosperous?"askedStryver。

`Oh!ifyoucometoprosperous，youareprosperous，"saidMr。

Lorry。

`Andadvancing?"

`Ifyoucometoadvancing，youknow，"saidMr。Lorry，delightedtobeabletomakeanotheradmission，`nobodycandoubtthat。"

`Thenwhatonearthisyourmeaning，Mr。Lorry?"demandedStryver，perceptiblycrestfallen。

`Well!IWereyougoingtherenow?"askedMr。Lorry。`Straight!"

saidStryver，withaplumpofhisfistonthedesk。`ThenIthinkIwouldn"t，ifIwasyou。"

`Why?"saidStryver。`Now，I"llputyouinacorner，"forensicallyshakingaforefingerathim。`Youareamanofbusinessandboundtohaveareason。Stateyourreason。

Whywouldn"tyougo?"

`Because，"saidMr。Lorry，`Iwouldn"tgoonsuchanobjectwithouthavingsomecausetobelievethatIshouldsucceed。"

`D——nME!"criedStryver，`butthisbeatseverything。"

Mr。LorryglancedatthedistantHouse，andglancedattheangryStryver。

`Here"samanofbusiness——amanofyears——amanofexperience——inaBank，"saidStryver；`andhavingsummedupthreeleadingreasonsforcompletesuccess，hesaysthere"snoreasonatall!Saysitwithhisheadon!"Mr。Stryverremarkedupontilepeculiarityasifitwouldhavebeeninfinitelylessremarkableifhehadsaiditwithhisheadoff。

`WhenIspeakofsuccess，Ispeakofsuccesswiththeyounglady；

andwhenIspeakofcausesandreasonstomakesuccessprobable，Ispeakofcausesandreasonsthatwilltellassuchwiththeyounglady。Theyounglady，mygoodsir，"saidMr。Lorry，mildlytappingtheStryverarm，`theyounglady。Theyoungladygoesbeforeall。"

`Thenyoumeantotellme，Mr。Lorry，"saidStryver，squaringhiselbows，`thatitisyourdeliberateopinionthattheyoungladyatpresentinquestionisamincingFool?"

`Notexactlyso。Imeantotellyou，Mr。Stryver，"saidMr。Lorry，reddening，`thatIwillhearnodisrespectfulwordOfthatyoungladyfromanylips；andthatifIknewanyman——whichIhopeIdonot——whosetastewassocoarse，andwhosetemperwassooverbearing，thathecouldnotrestrainhimselffromspeakingdisrespectfullyofthatyoungladyatthisdesk，notevenTellson"sshouldpreventmygivinghimapieceofmymind。"

ThenecessityofbeingangryinasuppressedtonehadputMr。

Stryver"sblood-vesselsintoadangerousstatewhenitwashisturntobeangry；Mr。Lorry"sveins，methodicalastheircoursescouldusuallybe，wereinnobetterstatenowitwashisturn。

`ThatiswhatImeantotellyou，sir，"saidMr。Lorry。`Praylettherebenomistakeaboutit。"

Mr。Stryversuckedtileendofarulerforalittlewhileandthenstoodhittingatuneoutofhisteethwithit，which"probablygavehimthetoothache。Hebroketheawkwardsilencebysaying:

`Thisissomethingnewtome，Mr。Lorry。YoudeliberatelyadvisemenottogouptoSohoandoffermyself——myself，StryveroftheKing"sBenchbar?"

`Doyouaskmeformyadvice，Mr。Stryver?"

`Yes，Ido。"

`Verygood。ThenIgiveit，andyouhaverepeateditcorrectly。"

`AndallIcansayofitis，"laughedStryverwithavexedlaugh，`thatthis——ha，ha!——beatseverythingpast，present，andtocome。"

`Nowunderstandme，"pursuedMr。Lorry。`Asamanofbusiness，Iamnotjustifiedinsayinganythingaboutthismatter，for，asamanofbusiness，Iknownothingofit。But，asanoldfellow，whohascarriedMissManetteinhisarms，whoisthetrustedfriendofMissManetteandofherfathertoo，andwhohasagreataffectionforthemboth，Ihavespoken。Theconfidenceisnotofmyseeking，recollect。Now，youthinkImaynotberight?"

`NotI!"saidStryver，whistling。`Ican"tundertaketofindthirdpartiesincommonsense；IcanonlyfinditformyselfIsupposesenseincertainquarters；yousupposemincingbread-and-butternonsense。It"snewtome，butyouareright，Idaresay。"

`WhatIsuppose，Mr。Stryver，IclaimtocharacteriseformyselfAndunderstandme，sir，"saidMr。Lorry，quicklyflushingagain，`Iwillnot——notevenatTellson"s——haveitcharacterisedformebyanygentlemanbreathing。"

`There!Ibegyourpardon!"saidStryver。

`Granted。Thankyou。Well，Mr。Stryver，Iwasabouttosay——itmightbepainfultoyoutofindyourselfmistaken，itmightbepainfultoDoctorManettetohavethetaskofbeingexplicitwithyou，itmightbeverypainfultoMissManettetohavethetaskofbeingexplicitwithyou。YouknowthetermsuponwhichIhavethehonourandhappinesstostandwiththefamily。Ifyouplease，committingyouinnoway，representingyouinnoway，Iwillundertaketocorrectmyadvicebytheexerciseofalittlenewobservationandjudgmentexpresslybroughttobearuponit。

Ifyoushouldthenbedissatisfiedwithit，youcanbuttestitssoundnessforyourself；if，ontheotherhand，youshouldbesatisfiedwithit，anditshouldbewhatitnowis，itmayspareallsideswhatisbestspared。

Whatdoyousay?"

`Howlongwouldyoukeepmeintown?"

`Oh!Itisonlyaquestionofafewhours。IcouldgotoSohointheevening，andcometoyourchambersafterwards。"

`ThenIsayyes，"saidStryver:`Iwon"tgouptherenow，Iamnotsohotuponitasthatcomesto；Isayyes，andIshallexpectyoutolookinto-night。Good-morning。"

ThenMr。StryverturnedandburstoutoftheBank，causingsuchaconcussionofaironhispassagethrough，thattostandupagainstitbowingbehindthetwocounters，requiredtheutmostremainingstrengthofthetwoancientclerks。

Thosevenerableandfeeblepersonswerealwaysseenbythepublicintheactofbowing，andwerepopularlybelieved，whentheyhadbowedacustomerout，stilltokeeponbowingintheemptyofficeuntiltheybowedanothercustomerin。

Thebarristerwaskeenenoughtodivinethatthebankerwouldnothavegonesofarinhisexpressionofopiniononanylesssolidgroundthanmoralcertainty。Unpreparedashewasforthelargepillhehadtoswallow，hegotitdown。`Andnow，"saidMr。Stryver，shakinghisforensicforefingerattheTempleingeneral，whenitwasdown，`mywayoutofthis，is，toputyouallinthewrong。"

ItwasabitoftheartofanOldBaileytactician，inwhichhefoundgreatrelief。`Youshallnotputmeinthewrong，younglady，"saidMr。

Stryver；`I"lldothatforyou。"

Accordingly，whenMr。Lorrycalledthatnightaslateasteno"clock，Mr。Stryver，amongaquantityofbooksandpaperslitteredoutforthepurpose，seemedtohavenothinglessonhismindthanthesubjectofthemorning。HeevenshowedsurprisewhenhesawMr。Lorry，andwasaltogetherinanabsentandpreoccupiedstate。

`Well!"saidthatgood-naturedemissary，afterafullhalf-hourofbootlessattemptstobringhimroundtothequestion。`IhavebeentoSoho。"

`ToSoho?"repeatedMr。Stryver，coldly。`Oh，tobesure!WhatamIthinkingof!"

`AndIhavenodoubt，"saidMr。Lorry，`thatIwasrightintheconversationwehad。Myopinionisconfirmed，andIreiteratemyadvice。"

`Iassureyou，"returnedMr。Stryver，inthefriendliestway，`thatIamsorryforitonyouraccount，andsorryforitonthepoorfather"saccount。Iknowthismustalwaysbeasoresubjectwiththefamily；letussaynomoreaboutit。"

`Idon"tunderstandyou，"saidMrLorry。

`Idaresaynot，"rejoinedStryver，noddinghisheadinasmoothingandfinalway；nomatter，nomatter。"

`Butitdoesmatter，"Mr。Lorryurged。

`Noitdoesn"t；Iassureyouitdoesn"t。Havingsupposedthattherewassensewherethereisnosense，andalaudableambitionwherethereisnotalaudableambition，Iamwelloutofmymistake，andnoharmisdone。Youngwomenhavecommittedsimilarfolliesoftenbefore，andhaverepentedtheminpovertyandobscurityoftenbefore。Inanunselfishaspect，Iamsorrythatthethingisdropped，becauseitwouldhavebeenabadthingformeinaworldlypointofview；inaselfishaspect，Iamgladthatthethinghasdropped，becauseitwouldhavebeenabadthingformeinaworldlypointofview——itishardlynecessarytosayIcouldhavegainednothingbyit。Thereisnoharmatalldone。Ihavenotproposedtotheyounglady，and，betweenourselves，Iambynomeanscertain，onreflection，thatIevershouldhavecommittedmyselftothatextent。Mr。

Lorry，youcannotcontrolthemincingvanitiesandgiddinessesofempty-headedgirls；youmustnotexpecttodoit，oryouwillalwayshedisappointed。

Now，praysaynomoreaboutit。Itellyou，Iregretitonaccountofothers，butIamsatisfiedonmyownaccount。AndIamreallyverymuchobligedtoyouforallowingmetosoundyou，andforgivingmeyouradvice；

youknowtheyoungladybetterthanIdo；youwereright，itneverwouldhavedone。

Mr。Lorrywassotakenaback，thathelookedquitestupidlyatMr。Stryvershoulderinghimtowardsthedoor，withanappearanceofshoweringgenerosity，forbearance，andgoodwill，onhiserringhead。"Makethebestofit，mydearsir，"saidStryver；`saynomoreaboutit；thankyouagainforallowingmetosoundyou；good-night!"Mr。Lorrywasoutinthenight，beforeheknewwherehewas。Mr。Stryverwaslyingbackonhissofa，winkingathisCeiling。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIIITheFellowofDelicacyIFSydneyCartonevershoneanywhere，hecertainlynevershonethehouseofDoctorManette。Hehadbeenthereoften，duringawholeyear，andhadalwaysbeenthesamemoodyandmoroseloungerthere。Whenhecaredtotalk，hetalkedwell；but，thecloudofcaringfornothing，whichovershadowedhimwithsuchafataldarkness，wasveryrarelypiercedbythelightwithinhim。

Andyethedidcaresomethingforthestreetsthatenvironedthathouse，andforthesenselessstonesthatmadetheirpavements。Manyanighthevaguelyandunhappilywanderedthere，whenwinehadbroughtnotransitorygladnesstohim；manyadrearydaybreakrevealedhissolitaryfigurelingeringthere，andstilllingeringtherewhenthefirstbeamsofthesunbroughtintostrongrelief，removedbeautiesofarchitectureinspiresofchurchesandloftybuildings，asperhapsthequiettimebroughtsomesenseofbetterthings，elseforgottenandunattainable，intohismind。Oflate，theneglectedbedintheTempleCourthadknownhimmorescantilythinever；andoftenwhenhehadthrownhimselfuponitnolongerthanafewminutes，hehadgotupagain，andhauntedthatneighbourhood。

OnadayinAugust，whenMr。Stryver(afternotifyingtohisjackalthat`hehadthoughtbetterofthatmarryingmatter")hadcarriedhisdelicacyintoDevonshire，andwhenthesightandscentofflowersintheCitystreetshadsomewaifsofgoodnessinthemfortheworst，ofhealthforthesickliest，andofyouthfortheoldest，Sydney"sfeetstilltrodthosestones。Frombeingirresoluteandpurposeless，hisfeetbecameanimatedbyanintention，and，intheworkingoutofthatintention，theytookhimtotheDoctor"sdoor。

Hewasshownupstairs，andfoundLucieatherwork，alone。Shehadneverbeenquiteathereasewithhim，andreceivedhimwithsomelittleembarrassmentasheseatedhimselfnearhertable。But，lookingupathisfaceintheinterchangeofthefirstfewcommonplaces，sheobservedachangeinit。

`Ifearyouarenotwell，Mr。Carton!"

`No。ButthelifeIlead，MissManette，isnotconducivetohealth。

Whatistobeexpectedoforby，suchprofligates?"

`Isitnot——forgiveme；Ihavebegunthequestiononmylips——apitytolivenobetterlife?"

`Godknowsitisashame!"

`Thenwhynotchangeit?"

Lookinggentlyathimagain，shewassurprisedandsaddenedtoseethatthereweretearsinhiseyes。Thereweretearsinhisvoicetoo，asheanswered:

`Itistoolateforthat。IshallneverbebetterthanIam。I

shallsinklower，andbeworse。"

Heleanedanelbowonhertable，andcoveredhiseyeswithhishand。Thetabletrembledinthesilencethatfollowed。

Shehadneverseenhintsoftened，andwasmuchdistressed。Heknewhertobeso，withoutlookingather，andsaid:

`Prayforgiveme，MissManette。IbreakdownbeforetheknowledgeofwhatIwanttosaytoyou。Willyouhearme?"

`Ifitwilldoyouanygood，Mr。Carton，ifitwouldmakeyouhappier，itwouldmakemeveryglad!"

`Godblessyouforyoursweetcompassion!"

Heunshadedhisfaceafteralittlewhile，andspokesteadily。

`Don"tbeafraidtohearme。Don"tshrinkfromanythingIsay。Iamlikeonewhodiedyoung。Allmylifemighthavebeen。"

`No，Mr。Carton。Iamsurethatthebestpartofitmightstillbe；Iamsurethatyoumightbemuch，muchworthierofyourself。"

`Sayofyou，MissManette，andalthoughIknowbetter——althoughinthemysteryofmyownwretchedheartIknowbetter——IshallneverforgetitI"

Shewaspaleandtrembling。Hecametoherreliefwithafixeddespairofhimselfwhichmadetheinterviewunlikeanyotherthatcouldhavebeenholden。

`Ifithadbeenpossible，MissManette，thatyoucouldhavereturnedtheloveofthemanyouseebeforeyou——self-flungaway，wasted，drunken，poorcreatureofmisuseasyouknowhimtobe——hewouldhavebeenconsciousthisdayandhour，inspiteofhishappiness，thathewouldbringyoutomisery，bringyoutosorrowandrepentance，blightyou，disgraceyou，pullyoudownwithhim。Iknowverywellthatyoucanhavenotendernessforme；Iaskfornone；Iameventhankfulthatitcannothe。"

`Withoutit，canInotsaveyou，Mr。Carton?CanInotrecallyou——forgivemeagain!——toabettercourse?CanIinnowayrepayyourconfidence?Iknobthisisaconfidence，"shemodestlysaid，afteralittlehesitation，andinearnesttears，`Iknowyouwouldsaythistonooneelse。CanIturnittonogoodaccountforyourself，Mr。Carton?"

Heshookhishead。

`Tonone。No，MissManette，tonone。Ifyouwillhearmethroughaverylittlemore，allyoucaneverdoformeisdone。Iwishyoutoknowthatyouhavebeenthelastdreamofmysoul。InmydegradationIhavenotbeensodegradedbutthatthesightofyouwithyourfather，andofthishomemadesuchahomebyyou，hasstirredoldshadowsthatIthoughthaddiedoutofme。SinceIknewyou，IhavebeentroubledbyaremorsethatIthoughtwouldneverreproachmeagain，andhaveheardwhispersfromoldvoicesimpellingmeupward，thatIthoughtweresilentforever。I

havehadunformedideasofstrivingafresh，beginninganew，shakingoffslothandsensuality，andfightingouttheabandonedfight。Adream，alladream，thatendsinnothing，andleavesthesleeperwherehelaydown，butIwishyoutoknowthatyouinspiredit。"

`Willnothingofitremain?OMr。Carton，thinkagain!Tryagain!"

`No，MissManette；allthroughit，Ihaveknownmyselftobequiteundeserving。AndyetIhavehadtheweakness，andhavestilltheweakness，towishyoutoknowwithwhatasuddenmasteryyoukindledme，heapofashesthatIam，intofire——afire，however，inseparableinitsnaturefrommyself，quickeningnothing，lightingnothing，doingnoservice，idlyburningaway。"

`Sinceitismymisfortune，Mr。Carton，tohavemoreunhappythanyouwerebeforeyouknewme——

`Don"tsaythat，MissManette，foryouwouldhavereclaimedme，ifanythingcould。Youwillnotbethecauseofmybecomingworse。"

`Sincethestateofyourmindthatyoudescribe，is，atallevents，attributabletosomeinfluenceofmine——thisiswhatImean，ifIcanmakeitplain——canIusenoinfluencetoserveyou?HaveInopowerforgood，withyou，atall?"

`TheutmostgoodthatIamcapableofnow，MissManette，Ihavecomeheretorealise。Letmecarrythroughtherestofmymisdirectedlife，theremembrancethatIopenedmyhearttoyou，lastofalltheworld；andthattherewassomethingleftinmeatthistimewhichyoucoulddeploreandpity。"

`WhichIentreatedyoutobelieve，againandagain，mostfervently，withallmyheart，wascapableofbetterthings，Mr。Carton!"

`Entreatmetobelieveitnomore，MissManette。Ihaveprovedmyself，andIknowbetter。Idistressyou；Idrawfasttoanend。Willyouletmebelieve，whenIrecallthisday，thatthelastconfidenceofmylifewasreposedinyourpureandinnocentbreast，andthatitliestherealone，andwillbesharedbynoone?"

`Ifthatwillbeaconsolationtoyou，yes。"

`Notevenbythedearestoneevertobeknowntoyou?"

`Mr。Carton，"sheanswered，afteranagitatedpause，`thesecretisyours，notmine；andIpromisetorespectit。"

`Thankyou。Andagain，Godblessyou。"

Heputherhandtohislips，andmovedtowardsthedoor。`Beundernoapprehension，MissManette，ofmyeverresumingthisconversationbysomuchasapassingword。Iwillneverrefertoitagain。IfIweredead，thatcouldnotbesurerthanitishenceforth。Inthehourofmydeath，Ishallholdsacredtheonegoodremembrance——andshallthankandblessyouforit——thatmylastavowalofmyselfwasmadetoyou，andthatmyname，andfaults，andmiseriesweregentlycarriedinyourheart。Mayitotherwisebelightandhappy!"

Hewassounlikewhathehadevershownhimselftobe，anditwassosadtothinkhowmuchhehadthrownaway，andhowmuchheeverydaykeptdownandperverted，thatLucieManetteweptmournfullyforhimashestoodlookingbackather。

`Becomforted!"hesaid，`Iamnotworthsuchfeeling，MissManette。

Anhourortwohence，andthelowcompanionsandlowhabitsthatIscornbutyieldto，willrendermelessworthsuchtearsasthose，thananywretchwhocreepsalongthestreets。BecomfortedBut，withinmyself，Ishallalwaysbe，towardsyou，whatIamnow，thoughoutwardlyIshallbewhatyouhaveheretoforeseenme。ThelastsupplicationbutoneImaketoyou，is，thatyouwillbelievethisofme。"

`Iwill，Mr。Carton。"

`Mylastsupplicationofall，isthis；andwithit，IwillrelieveyouofavisitorwithwhomIwellknowyouhavenothinginunison，andbetweenwhomandyouthereisanimpassablespace。Itisuselesstosayit，Iknow，butitrisesoutofmysoul。Foryou，andforanydeartoyou，Iwoulddoanything。Ifmycareerwereofthatbetterkindthattherewasanyopportunityorcapacityofsacrificeinit，Iwouldembraceanysacrificeforyouandforthosedeartoyou。Trytoholdmeinyourmind，atsomequiettimes，asardentandsincereinthisonething。Thetimewillcome，thetimewillnotbelongincoming，whennewtieswillbeformedaboutyou——tiesthatwillbindyouyetmoretenderlyandstronglytothehomeyousoadorn——thedearesttiesthatwillevergraceandgladdenyou。O

MissManette，whenthelittlepictureofahappyfather"sfacelooksupinyours，whenyouseeyourownbrightbeautyspringingupanewatyourfeet，thinknowandthenthatthereisamanwhowouldgivehislife，tokeepalifeyoulovebesideyou!"Hesaid，`Farewell!"saidalast`Godblessyou!"andlefther。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIVTheHonestTradesmanTOtheeyesofMr。JeremiahCruncher，sittingonhisstoolinFleetStreetwithhisgrislyurchinbesidehim，avastnumberandvarietyofobjectsinmovementwereeverydaypresented。WhocouldsituponanythinginFleetStreetduringthebusyhoursoftheday，andnotbedazedanddeafenedbytwoimmenseprocessions，oneevertendingwestwardwiththesun，theotherevertendingeastwardfromthesun，bothevertendingtotheplainsbeyondtherangeofredandpurplewherethesungoesdown!

Withhisstrawinhismouth，Mr。Crunchersatwatchingthetwostreams，liketheheathenrusticwhohasforseveralcenturiesbeenondutywatchingonestream——savingthatJerryhadnoexpectationoftheireverrunningdry。Norwouldithavebeenanexpectationofahopefulkind，sinceBallpartofhisincomewasderivedfromthepilotageoftimidwomen(mostlyofafullhabitandpastthemiddleoflife)fromTellson"ssideofthetidestotheoppositeore。Briefassuchcompanionshipwasineveryseparateinstance，Mr。Cruncherneverfailedtobecomesointerestedtheladyastoexpressastrongdesiretohavethehonourdrinkingherverygoodhealth。Anditwasfromthegiftstoweduponhimtowardstheexecutionofthisbenevolentpurpose，thatherecruitedhisfinances，asjustnowobserved。

Timewas，whenapoetsatuponastoolinapublicplace，andmusedinthesightofmen。Mr。Cruncher，sittingonstoolinapublicplace，butnotbeingapoet，musedaslittleaspossible，andlookedabouthim。

Itfelloutthathewasthusengagedinaseasonwhencrowdswerefew，andbelatedwomenfew，andwhenhisaffairsingeneralweresounprosperousastoawakenastrongsuspicioninhisbreastthatMrs。Crunchermusthavebeen`flopping"insomepointedmanner，whenanunusualconcoursepouringdownFleetStreetwestward，attractedhisattention。Lookingthatway，Mr。Crunchermadeoutthatmekindoffuneralwascomingalong，andthattherewaspopularobjectiontothisfuneral，whichengendereduproar。

`YoungJerry，"saidMr。Cruncher，turningtohisoffspring，`it"saburyin"。"

`Hooroar，father!"criedYoungJerry。

Theyounggentlemanutteredthisexultantsoundwithmysterioussignificance。Theeldergentlemantookthecrysoill，thathewatchedhisopportunity，andsmotetheyounggentlemanontheear。

`Whatd"yemean?Whatareyouhooroaringat?Whatdoyouwanttoconweytoyourownfather，youyoungRip?Thisboyisagettingtoomanyforme!"saidMr。Cruncher，surveyinghim。`Himandhishooroars。

Don"tletmehearnomoreofyou，oryoushallfeelsomemoreofme。D"yehear?"

`Iwarn"tdoingnoharm，"YoungJerryprotested，rubbinghischeek。

`Dropitthen，"saidMr。Cruncher；`Iwon"thavenoneofyournoharms。Getatopofthatthereseat，andlookatthecrowd。"

Hissonobeyed，andthecrowdapproached；theywerebawlingandhissingroundadingyhearseanddingymourningcoach，inwhichmourningcoachtherewasonlyonemourner，dressedinthedingytrappingsthatwereconsideredessentialtothedignityoftheposition。Thepositionappearedbynomeanstopleasehim，however，withanincreasingrabblesurroundingthecoach，deridinghim，makinggrimacesathim，andincessantlygroaningandcallingout:`Yah!Spies!Tst!Yaha!Spies!"withmanycomplimentstoonumerousandforcibletorepeat。

FuneralshadatalltimesaremarkableattractionforMr。Cruncher；

healwaysprickeduphissenses，andbecameexcited，whenafuneralpassedTellson"s。Naturally，therefore，afuneralwiththisuncommonattendanceexcitedhimgreatly，andheaskedofthefirstmanwhoranagainsthim:

`Whatisit，brother?What"sitabout?"

`Idon"tknow，"saidtheman。`Spies!Yaha!Tst!Spies!"

Heaskedanotherman。`Whoisit?"

`Idon"tknow，"returnedtheman，clappinghishandstohismouthnevertheless，andvociferatinginasurprisingheatandwiththegreatestardour，`Spies!Yaha!Tst，tst!Spi-ies!"

Atlength，apersonbetterinformedonthemeritsofthecase，tumbledagainsthim，andfromthispersonhelearnedthatthefuneralwasthefuneralofOneRogerCly。

`WasHeaspy?"askedMr。Cruncher。

`OldBaileyspy，"returnedhisinformant。`YahaTst!Yah!OldBaileySpi-i-ies!"

`Why，tobesure!"exclaimedJerry，recallingtheTrialatwhichhehadassisted。`I"veseenhim。Dead，ishe?"

`Deadasmutton，"returnedtheother，`andcan"tbetoodead。

Have`emout，thereSpies!Pull`emout，there!Spies!"

Theideawassoacceptableintheprevalentabsenceofanyidea，thatthecrowdcaughtitupwitheagerness，and，loudlyrepeatingthesuggestiontohave`emout，andtopullemout，mobbedthetwovehiclessocloselythattheycametoastop。Onthecrowd"sopeningthecoachdoors，theonemournerscuffledoutofhimselfandwasintheirhandsforamoment；buthewassoalert，andmadesuchgooduseofhistime，thatinanothermomenthewasscouringawayupabystreet，aftersheddinghiscloak，hat，longhatband，whitepockethandkerchief，andothersymbolicaltears。

These，thepeopletoretopiecesandscatteredfarandwidewithgreatenjoyment，whilethetradesmenhurriedlyshutuptheirshops；foracrowdinthosetimesstoppedatnothing，andwasamonstermuchdreaded。

Theyhadalreadygotthelengthofopeningthehearsetotakethecoffinout，whensomebrightergeniusproposedinstead，itsbeingescortedtodestinationamidstgeneralrejoicing。Practicalsuggestionsbeingmuchneeded，thissuggestion，too，wasreceivedwithacclamation，andthecoachwasimmediatelyfilledwitheightinsideandadozenout，whileasmanypeoplegotontheroofofthehearseascouldbyanyexerciseofingenuitystickuponit。AmongthefirstofthesevolunteerswasJerryCruncherhimself，whomodestlyconcealedhisspikyheadfromtheobservationofTellson"s，inthefurthercornerofthemourningcoach。

Theofficiatingundertakersmadesomeprotestagainstthesechangesintheceremonies；but，theriverbeingalarminglynear，andseveralvoicesremarkingontheefficacyofcoldimmersioninbringingrefractorymembersoftheprofessiontoreason，theprotestwasfaintandbrief。Theremodelledprocessionstarted，withachimney-sweepdrivingthehearse——advisedbytheregulardriver，whowasperchedbesidehim，undercloseinspection，forthepurpose——andwithapieman，alsoattendedbyhiscabinetminister，drivingthemourningcoach。Abear-leader，apopularstreetcharacterofthetime，wasimpressedasanadditionalornament，beforethecavalcadehadgonefardowntheStrand；andhisbear，whowasblackandverymangy，gavequiteanUndertakingairtothatpartoftheprocessioninwhichhewalked。

Thus，withbeer-drinking，pipe-smoking，song-roaring，andinfinitecaricaturingofwoe，thedisorderlyprocessionwentitsway，recruitingateverystep，andalltheshopsshuttingupbeforeit。ItsdestinationwastheoldchurchofSaintPancras，faroffinthefields。Itgotthereincourseoftime；insistedonpouringintotheburial-ground；finally，accomplishedtheintermentofthedeceasedRogerClyinitsownway，andhighlytoitsownsatisfaction。

Thedeadmandisposedof，andthecrowdbeingunderthenecessityofprovidingsomeotherentertainmentforitself，anotherbrightergenius(orperhapsthesame)conceivedthehumourofimpeachingcasualpassersby，asOldBaileyspies，andwreakingvengeanceonthem。ChasewasgiventosomescoresofinoffensivepersonswhohadneverbeenneartheOldBaileyintheirlives，intherealisationofthisfancy，andtheywereroughlyhustledandmaltreated。Thetransitiontothesportofwindow-breaking，andthencetotheplunderingofpublic-houses，waseasyandnatural。Atlast，afterseveralhours，whensundrysummerhouseshadbeenpulleddowandsomearea-railingshadbeentornup，toarmthemorebelligerentspirits，arumourgotaboutthattheGuardswecoming。Beforethisrumour，thecrowdgraduallymeltedaway，andperhapstheGuardscame，andperhapstheynevercame，andthiswastheusualprogressofamob。

Mr。Cruncherdidnotassistattheclosingsports，huthadremainedbehindinthechurchyard，toconferandcondolewiththeundertakers。Theplacehadasoothinginfluenceonhim。Heprocuredapipefromaneighbouringpublichouse，andsmokedit，lookinginattherailingsandmaturelyconsideringthespot。

`Jerry，"saidMr。Cruncher，apostrophisinghimselfinhisusualway，`youseethatthereClythatday，andyouseewithyourowneyesthathewasayoung`unandastraightmade`un。"

Havingsmokedhispipeout，andruminatedalittlelonger，heturnedhimselfabout，thathemightappear，beforethehourofclosing，onhisstationatTellson"s。Whetherhismeditationsonmortalityhadtouchedhisliver，orwhetherhisgeneralhealthhadbeenpreviouslyatallamiss，orwhetherhedesiredtoshowalittleattentiontoaneminentman，isnotsomuchtothepurpose，asthathemadeashortcalluponhismedicaladviser——adistinguishedsurgeon——onhiswayback。

YoungJerryrelievedhisfatherwithdutifulinterest，andreportedNojobinhisabsence。Thebankclosed，theancientclerkscameOut，theusualwatchwasset，andMr。Cruncherandhissonwenthometotea。

`Now，Itellyouwhereitis!"saidMr。Crunchertohiswife，onentering。`If，asahonesttradesman，mywentursgoeswrongtonight，Ishallmakesurethatyou"vebeenprayingagainme，andIshallworkyouforitjustthesameasifIseenyoudoit。"

ThedejectedMrs。Crunchershookherhead。

`Why，you"reatitaforemyface!"saidMr。Cruncher，withsignsofangryapprehension。

`Iamsayingnothing。"

`Well，then；don"tmeditatenothing。Youmightaswellmeditate。

Youmayaswellgoagainmeonewayasanother。Dropitaltogether。"

`YesJerry。"

`Yes，Jerry，"repeatedMr。Cruncher，sittingdowntotea。`Ah!

Itisyes，Jerry。That"saboutit。Youmaysayyes，Jerry。"

Mr。Cruncherhadnoparticularmeaninginthesesulkycorroborations，butmadeuseofthem，aspeoplenotunfrequentlydo，toexpressgeneralironicaldissatisfaction。

`Youandyouryes，Jerry，"saidMr。Cruncher，takingabiteoutofhisbread-and-butter，andseemingtohelpitdownwithalargeinvisibleoysteroutofhissaucer。`Ah!Ithinkso。Ibelieveyou。"

`Youaregoingoutto-night?"askedhisdecentwife，whenhetookanotherbite。

`Yes，Iam。"

`MayIgowithyou，father?"askedhisson，briskly。

`No，youmayn"t。I"magoing——asyourmotherknows——afishing。That"swhereI"mgoingto。Goingafishing。"

`Yourfishingrodgetsratherrusty；don"tit，father?"

`Neveryoumind。"

`Shallyoubringanyfishhome，father?"

`IfIdon"t，you"llhaveshortcommons，tomorrow，"returnedthatgentleman，shakinghishead；`that"squestionsenoughforyou；Iain"tagoingout，tillyou"vebeenlonga-bed。"

HedevotedhimselfduringtheremainderoftheeveningtokeepingamostvigilantwatchonMrs。Cruncher，andsullenlyholdingherinconversationthatshemightbepreventedfrommeditatinganypetitionstohisdisadvantage。

Withthisview，heurgedhissontoholdherinconversationalso，andledtheunfortunatewomanahardlifebydwellingonanycausesofcomplaintliecouldbringagainsther，ratherthanhewouldleaveherforamomenttoherownreflections。ThedevoutestpersoncouldhaverenderednogreaterhomagetotheefficacyofanhonestprayerthanhedidinthisdistrustofhisMile。Itwasasifaprofessedunbelieveringhostsshouldbefrightenedbyaghoststory。

`Andmindyou!"saidMr。Cruncher。`Nogamestomorrow!IfI，asahonesttradesman，succeedinprovidingajinteofmeatortwo，noneofyournottouchingofit，andstickingtobread。IfI，asahonesttradesman，amabletoprovidealittlebeer，noneofyourdeclaringonwater。WhenyougotoRome，doasRomedoes。Romewillbeauglycustomertoyou，ifyoudon"t。`I"myourRome，youknow。"

Thenhebegangrumblingagain:

`Withyourflyingintothefaceofyourownwittlesanddrink!

Idon"tknowhowscarceyoumayn"tmakethewittlesanddrinkhere，byyourfloppingtricksandyourunfeelingconduct。Lookatyourboy:heisyour"n，ain"the?He"sasthinasalath。Doyoucallyourselfamother，andnotknowthatamother"sfirstdutyistoblowherboyout?"

ThistouchedYoungJerryonatenderplace；whoadjuredhismothertoperformherfirstduty，and，whateverelseshedidorneglected，aboveallthingstolayespecialstressonthedischargeofthatmaternalfunctionsoaffectinglyanddelicatelyindicatedbyhisotherparent。

ThustheeveningworeawaywiththeCruncherfamily，untilYoungJerrywasorderedtobed，andhismother，laidundersimilarinjunctions，obeyedthem。Mr。Cruncherbeguiledtheearlierwatchesofthenightwithsolitarypipes，anddidnotstartuponhisexcursionuntilnearlyoneo"clock。

Towardsthatsmallandghostlyhour，heroseupfromhischair，tookakeyoutofhispocket，openedalockedcupboard，andbroughtforthasack，acrowbarofconvenientsize，aropeandchain，andotherfishingtackleofthatnature。Disposingthesearticlesabouthiminskilfulmanner，hebestowedapartingdefianceonMrs。Cruncher，extinguishedthelight，andwentout。

YoungJerry，whohadonlymadeafeintofundressingwhenhewenttobed，wasnotlongafterhisfather。Undercoverofthedarknesshefollowedoutoftheroom，followeddownthestairs，followeddownthecourt，followedoutintothestreets。Hewasinnouneasinessconcerninghisgettingintothehouseagain，foritwasfulloflodgers，andthedoorstoodajarallnight。

Impelledbyalaudableambitiontostudytheartandmysteryofhisfather"shonestcalling，YoungJerry，keepingasclosetohouse-fronts，walls，anddoorways，ashiseyeswereclosetooneanother，heldhishonouredparentinview。ThehonouredparentsteeringNorthward，hadnotgonefar，whenhewasjoinedbyanotherdiscipleofIzaakWalton，andthetwotrudgedontogether。

Withinhalfanhourfromthefirststarting，theywerebeyondthewinkinglamps，andthemorethanwinkingwatchmen，andwereoutuponalonelyroad。AnotherfishermanwasPickeduphere——andthatsosilently，thatifYoungJerryhadbeensuperstitious，hemighthavesupposedthesecondfollowerofthegentlecrafttohave，allofasudden，splithimselfintwo。

Thethreewenton，andYoungJerrywenton，untilthethreestoppedunderabankoverhangingtheroad。Uponthetopofthebankwasalowbrickwall，surmountedbyanironrailing。Intheshadowofbankandwallthethreeturnedoutoftheroad，andupablindlane，ofwhichthewall——there，risentosomeeightortenfeethigh——formedoneside。Crouchingdowninacorner，peepingupthelane，thenextobjectthatYoungJerrysaw，wastheformofhishonouredparent，prettywelldefinedagainstawateryandcloudedmoon，nimblyscalinganirongate。Hewassoonover，andthenthesecondfishermangotover，andthenthethird。Theyalldroppedsoftlyonthegroundwithinthegate，andlaytherealittle——listeningperhaps。

Then，theymovedawayontheirhandsandknees。

ItwasnowYoungJerry"sturntoapproachthegate:whichhedid，holdinghisbreath。Crouchingdownagaininacornerthere，andlookingin，hemadeoutthethreefishermencreepingthroughsomerankgrass，andallthegravestonesinthechurchyard——itwasalargechurchyardthattheywereinlooking——onlikeghostsinwhite，whilethechurchtoweritselflookedonliketheghostofamonstrousgiant。Theydidnotcreepfar，beforetheystoppedandstoodupright。Andthentheybegantofish。

Theyfishedwithaspade，atfirst。Presentlythehonouredparentappearedtobeadjustingsomeinstrumentlikeagreatcorkscrew。Whatevertoolstheyworkedwith，theyworkedhard，untiltheawfulstrikingofthechurchclocksoterrifiedYoung，Jerry，thathemadeoff，withhishairasstiffashisfather"s。

But，hislong-cherisheddesiretoknowmoreaboutthesematters，notonlystoppedhiminhisrunningaway，butluredhimbackagain。Theywerestillfishingperseveringly，whenhepeepedinatthegateforthesecondtime；but，nowtheyseemedtohavegotabite。Therewasascrewingandcomplainingsounddownbelow，andtheirbentfigureswerestrained，asifbyaweight。Byslowdegreestheweightbrokeawaytheearthuponit，andcametothesurface。YoungJerryverywellknewwhatitwouldbe；

but，whenhesawit，andsawhishonouredparentabouttowrenchitopen，hewassofrightened，beingnewtothesight，thathemadeoffagain，andneverstoppeduntilhehadrunamileormore。