第3章

LadyPetherwincrashedoutoftheroominawindofindignation，andwentupstairsandheardnomore。Adjoiningherchamberwasasmalleronecalledherstudy，and，onreachingthis，sheunlockedacabinet，tookoutasmalldeed-box，removedfromitafoldedpacket，unfoldedit，crumpleditup，andturningroundsuddenlyflungitintothefire。Thenshestoodandbehelditeatenawaywordafterwordbytheflames，’Testament’——’allthatfreehold’——’heirsandassigns’appearingoccasionallyforamomentonlytodisappearforever。Nearlyhalfthedocumenthadturnedintoaglossyblackwhentheladyclaspedherhands。

’WhathaveIdone！’sheexclaimed。Springingtothetongssheseizedwiththemtheportionofthewritingyetunconsumed，anddraggeditoutofthefire。Ethelbertaappearedatthedoor。

’Quick，Ethelberta！’saidLadyPetherwin。’Helpmetoputthisout！’Andthetwowomenwenttramplingwildlyuponthedocumentandsmotheringitwithacornerofthehearth-rug。

’Whatisit？’saidEthelberta。

’Mywill！’saidLadyPetherwin。’Ihavekeptitbymelately，forI

havewishedtolookoveritatleisure——’

’Goodheavens！’saidEthelberta。’AndIwasjustcomingintotellyouthatIwouldalwaysclingtoyou，andneverdesertyou，ill-usemehowyoumight！’

’Suchanaffectionateremarksoundscuriousatsuchatime，’saidLadyPetherwin，sinkingdowninachairattheendofthestruggle。

’But，’criedEthelberta，’youdon’tsuppose——’

’Selfishness，mydear，hasgivenmesuchcrookedlooksthatIcanseeitroundacorner。’

’Ifyoumeanthatwhatisyourstogivemaynotbeminetotake，itwouldbeaswelltonameitinanimpersonalway，ifyoumustnameitatall，"saidthedaughter-in-law，withweteyelids。’GodknowsIhadnoselfishthoughtinsayingthat。Icameupstairstoaskyoutoforgiveme，andknewnothingaboutthewill。Buteveryexplanationdistortsitallthemore！’

’Wetwohavegotallawry，dear——itcannotbeconcealed——awry——awry。

Ah，whoshallsetusrightagain？However，nowImustsendforMr。

Chancerly——no，Iamgoingoutonotherbusiness，andIwillcalluponhim。There，don’tspoilyoureyes:youmayhavetosellthem。’

Sherangthebellandorderedthecarriage；andhalf-an-hourlaterLadyPetherwin’scoachmandrovehismistressuptothedoorofherlawyer’sofficeinLincoln’sInnFields。

11。SANDBOURNEANDITSNEIGHBOURHOOD-SOMELONDONSTREETS

Whilethiswasgoingonintown，Christopher，athislodgingsinSandbourne，hadbeenthrownintorareoldvisionsanddreamsbytheappearanceofEthelberta’sletter。Flatteredandencouragedtoambitionaswellastolovebyherinspiritingsermon，heputoffnowthelastremnantofcynicaldoubtuponthegenuinenessofhisoldmistress，andonceandforallsetdownasdisloyalabeliefhehadlatterlyacquiredthat’Come，woome，woome；forIamlikeenoughtoconsent，’wasallayoungwomanhadtotell。

AllthereasoningofpoliticalandsocialeconomistswouldnothaveconvincedChristopherthathehadabetterchanceinLondonthaninSandbourneofmakingadecentincomebyreasonableandlikelylabour；butabeliefinafarmoreimprobableproposition，impetuouslyexpressed，warmedhimwiththeideathathemightbecomefamousthere。Thegreaterisfrequentlymorereadilycreditedthantheless，andanargumentwhichwillnotconvinceonamatterofhalfpenceappearsunanswerablewhenappliedtoquestionsofgloryandhonour。

Theregulationwettowelandstrongcoffeeoftheambitiousandintellectualstudentfloatedbeforehiminvisions；butitwaswithasenseofreliefthatherememberedthatmusic，inspiteofitsdrawbacksasameansofsustenance，wasaprofessionhappilyunencumberedwiththoseexcruciatingpreliminariestogreatness。

Christophertalkedaboutthenewmovetohissister，andhewasvexedthatherhopefulnesswasnotrousedtoquitethepitchofhisown。Aswithothersofhissort，histoogeneralhabitofacceptingthemostcloudedpossibilitythatchancesofferedwasonlytranscendedbyhisreadinesstokindlewithafitfulexcitementnowandthen。Faithwasmuchmoreequable。’IfyouwerenotthemostmelancholymanGodevercreated，’shesaid，kindlylookingathisvaguedeepeyesandthinface，whichwasbutafewdegreestoorefinedandpoeticaltoescapetheepithetoflantern-jawedfromanyonewhohadquarrelledwithhim，’youwouldnotmindmycoolnessaboutthis。Itisagoodthingofcoursetogo；Ihavealwaysfanciedthatweweremistakenincominghere。Mediocritystamped"London"fetchesmorethantalentmarked"provincial。"ButIcannotfeelsoenthusiastic。’

’Still，ifwearetogo，wemayaswellgobyenthusiasmasbycalculation；itisasensationpleasantertothenerves，andleadstojustasgoodaresultwhenthereisonlyoneresultpossible。’

’Verywell，’saidFaith。’Iwillnotdepressyou。IfIhadtodescribeyouIshouldsayyouwereachildinyourimpulses，andanoldmaninyourreflections。Haveyouconsideredwhenweshallstart？’

’Yes。’

’Whathaveyouthought？’

’Thatwemayverywellleavetheplaceinsixweeksifwewish。’

’Wereallymay？’

’Yes。Andwhatismore，wewill。’

ChristopherandFaitharrivedinLondononanafternoonattheendofwinter，andbeheldfromoneoftheriverbridgessnow-whitescrollsofsteamfromthetallchimneysofLambeth，risingagainstthelividskybehind，asifdrawninchalkontonedcardboard。

Thefirstthinghedidthatevening，whensettledintheirapartmentsneartheBritishMuseum，beforeapplyinghimselftothebeginningofthemeansbywhichsuccessinlifemightbeattained，wastogooutinthedirectionofEthelberta’sdoor，leavingFaithunpackingthethings，andsniffingextraordinarysmoke-smellswhichshediscoveredinallnooksandcranniesoftherooms。ItwassomesatisfactiontoseeEthelberta’shouse，althoughthesinglefeatureinwhichitdifferedfromtheotherhousesintheCrescentwasthatnolampshonefromthefanlightovertheentrance——aspecialitywhich，ifhecaredforomens，washardlyencouraging。Fearingtolingernearlesthemightbedetected，Christopherstoleaglimpseatthedoorandatthesteps，imaginedwhatatrifleofthedepressionwornineachstepherfeethadtendedtoproduce，andstrolledhomeagain。

Feelingthathisreasonsforcallingjustnowwerescarcelysufficient，hewentnextdayaboutthebusinessthathadbroughthimtotown，whichreferredtoasituationasorganistinalargechurchinthenorth-westdistrict。Thepostwashalfensuredalready，andheintendedtomakeofitthenucleusofaprofessionaloccupationandincome。Thenhesatdowntothinkofthepreliminarystepstowardspublishingthesongthathadsopleasedher，andhadalso，asfarashecouldunderstandfromherletter，hitthepopulartasteverysuccessfully；afactwhich，howeverlittleitmaysayforthevirtuesofthesongasacomposition，wasagreatrecommendationtoitasaproperty。Christopherwasdelightedtoperceivethatoutofthispositionhecouldframeanadmissible，ifnotanunimpeachable，reasonforcallinguponEthelberta。Hedeterminedtodosoatonce，andobtaintherequiredpermissionbywordofmouth。

Hewasgreatlysurprised，whenthefrontofthehouseappearedinviewonthisspringafternoon，toseewhatawhiteandsightlessaspectpervadedallthewindows。Hecameclose:theeyeballblanknesswascausedbyalltheshuttersandblindsbeingshuttightfromtoptobottom。Possiblythishadbeenthecaseforsometime——

hecouldnottell。Inoneofthewindowswasacardbearingtheannouncement，’ThisHousetobeletFurnished。’Herewasamercilessclashbetweenfancyandfact。Regrettingnowhisfaint-

heartednessinnotlettingherknowbeforehandbysomemeansthathewasabouttomakeanewstartintheworld，andcomingtodwellnearher，Christopherrangthebelltomakeinquiries。Agloomycaretakerappearedafterawhile，andtheyoungmanaskedwhithertheladieshadgonetolive。HewasbeyondmeasuredepressedtolearnthattheywereintheSouthofFrance——Arles，themanthoughttheplacewascalled——thetimeoftheirreturntotownbeingveryuncertain；thoughonethingwasclear，theymeanttomisstheforthcomingLondonseasonaltogether。

AsChristopher’shopetoseeheragainhadbroughtaresolvetodoso，sonowresolveledtodoggedpatience。Insteadofattemptinganythingbyletter，hedecidedtowait；andhewaitedwell，occupyinghimselfinpublishinga’March’anda’MorningandEveningServiceinEflat。’Somefour-partsongs，too，engagedhisattentionwhentheheavierdutiesofthedaywereover——thesedutiesbeingthegivingoflessonsinharmonyandcounterpoint，inwhichhewasaidedbytheintroductionsofamanwellknowninthemusicalworld，whohadbeenacquaintedwithyoungJulianasapromisingamateurlongbeforeheadoptedmusicasthestaffofhispilgrimage。

ItwastheendofsummerwhenheagaintriedhisfortuneatthehouseinExonburyCrescent。Scarcelycalculatinguponfindingheratthisstagnanttimeofthetownyear，andonlyhopingforinformation，Julianwassurprisedandexcitedtoseetheshuttersopen，andthehousewearingaltogetheralivinglook，itsneighbourshavingdecidedlydiedoffmeanwhile。

’Thefamilyhere，’saidafootmaninanswertohisinquiry，’areonlytemporarytenantsofthehouse。ItisnotLadyPetherwin’speople。’

’DoyouknowthePetherwins’presentaddress？’

’Underground，sir，fortheoldlady。ShediedsometimeagoinSwitzerland，andwasburiedthere，Ibelieve。’

’AndMrs。Petherwin——theyounglady，’saidChristopher，starting。

’Wearenotacquaintedpersonallywiththefamily，’themanreplied。

’Mymasterhasonlytakenthehouseforafewmonths，whilstextensivealterationsarebeingmadeinhisownontheothersideofthepark，whichhegoestolookaftereveryday。IfyouwantanyfurtherinformationaboutLadyPetherwin，Mrs。Petherwinwillprobablygiveit。Icanletyouhaveheraddress。’

’Ah，yes；thankyou，’saidChristopher。

Thefootmanhandedhimoneofsomecardswhichappearedtohavebeenleftforthepurpose。Julian，thoughtremblinglyanxioustoknowwhereEthelbertawas，didnotlookatittillhecouldtakeacoolsurveyinprivate。Theaddresswas’ArrowthorneLodge，UpperWessex。’

’Dearme！’saidChristophertohimself，’notfarfromMelchester；

andnotdreadfullyfarfromSandbourne。’

12。ARROWTHORNEPARKANDLODGE

SummerwasjustoverwhenChristopherJulianfoundhimselfrattlingalonginthetraintoSandbourneonsometriflingbusinessappertainingtohislatefather’saffairs，whichwouldaffordhimanexcuseforcallingatArrowthorneaboutthesongofhersthathewishedtoproduce。HealightedintheafternoonatalittlestationsometwentymilesshortofSandbourne，andleavinghisportmanteaubehindhimthere，decidedtowalkacrossthefields，obtainifpossibletheinterviewwiththelady，andreturnthentothestationtofinishthejourneytoSandbourne，whichhecouldthusreachataconvenienthourintheevening，and，ifhechose，takeleaveofagainthenextday。

Itwasanafternoonwhichhadafungoussmelloutofdoors，allbeingsunlessandstagnantoverheadandaround。Thevariousspeciesoftreeshadbeguntoassumethemoredistinctivecoloursoftheirdecline，andwheretherehadbeenonepervasivegreenwerenowtwentygreenishyellows，theairinthevistasbetweenthembeinghalfopaquewithblueexhalation。Christopherinhiswalkovertookacountryman，andinquiredifthepaththeywerefollowingwouldleadhimtoArrowthorneLodge。

’’Twilltake’eeintoArr’thornePark，’themanreplied。’Butyouwon’tcomeanightheLodge，unlessyoubearroundtotheleftasmightbe。’

’Mrs。Petherwinlivesthere，Ibelieve？’

’No，sir。Leastwiseunlessshe’sbutlatelycome。Ihaveneverheardofsuchawoman。’

’Shemaypossiblybeonlyvisitingthere。’

’Ah，perhapsthat’stheshapeo’t。Well，nowyoutello’t，Ihaveseenastrangefacethereaboutsonceortwicelately。Ayounggood-

lookingmaidenough，seemingly。’

’Yes，she’sconsideredaveryhandsomelady。’

’I’veheardthewoodmensay，nowthatyoutello’t，thattheymeethereverynowandthen，justattheclosinginoftheday，astheycomehomealongwiththeirnitchesofsticks；ay，stalkingaboutunderthetreesbyherself——atallblackmartel，solong-leggedandawful-likethatyou’dthink’twastheoldfellerhimselfa-coming，theysay。Nowawomanmustbeaqueerbodytomythinking，toroamaboutbynightsolonesomeandthat？Ay，nowthatyoutello’t，thereissuchawoman，but’aneverhaveshowedintheparish；sureIneverthoughtwhothebodywas——no，notonceabouther，norwhere’awaslivingandthat——notI，tillyouspoke。Well，there，sir，that’sArr’thorneLodge；doyouseetheythreeelms？’Hepointedacrossthegladetowardssomeconfusedfoliagealongwayoff。

’Iamnotsureaboutthesortoftreeyoumean，’saidChristopher，’Iseeanumberoftreeswithedgesshapedlikeedgesofclouds。’

’Ay，ay，theybeoaks；Imeantheelmstothelefthand。’

’Butamancanhardlytelloaksfromelmsatthatdistance，mygoodfellow！’

’That’acanverywell——leastwise，ifhe’sgotthesense。’

’Well，IthinkIseewhatyoumean，’saidChristopher’Whatnext？’

’Whenyougetthere，youbearawaysmarttonor’-west，andyou’llcomestraightasalinetotheLodge。’

’HowthedeuceamItoknowwhichisnorth-westinastrangeplace，withnosuntotellme？’

’What，notknownor-west？Well，Ishouldthinkaboycouldneverliveandgrowuptobeamanwithoutknowingthefourquarters。I

knowed’emwhenIwasamosselofachiel。Webenogreatscholarshere，that’strue，butthereisn’taTom-rigorJack-strawinthesepartsthatdon’tknowwheretheylieaswellasI。NowI’velived，manandboy，theseeight-and-sixtyyears，andnevermetamaninmylifeaforewhohadn’tlearntsuchacommonthingasthefourquarters。’

Christopherpartedfromhiscompanionandsoonreachedastile，clamberingoverwhichheenteredapark。Herehethreadedhisway，androundingaclumpofagedtreestheyoungmancameinviewofalightandelegantcountry-houseinthehalf-timberedGothicstyleofthelaterevival，apparentlyonlyafewyearsold。Surprisedatfindinghimselfsonear，Christopher’sheartflutteredunmanageablytillhehadtakenanabstractviewofhisposition，and，inimpatienceathiswantofnerve，adoptedasombretrainofreasoningtoconvincehimselfthat，farfromindulgenceinthepassionoflovebringingbliss，itwasafolly，leadingtogriefanddisquiet——

certainlyonewhichwoulddohimnogood。Cooleddownbythis，hesteppedintothedriveandwentuptothehouse。

’IsMrs。Petherwinathome？’hesaidmodestly。

’Whodidyousay，sir？’

Herepeatedthename。

’Don’tknowtheperson。’

’Theladymaybeavisitor——Icallonbusiness。’

’Sheisnotvisitinginthishouse，sir。’

’IsnotthisArrowthorneLodge？’

’Certainlynot。’

’ThenwhereisArrowthorneLodge，please？’

’Well，itisnearlyamilefromhere。Underthetreesbythehigh-

road。Ifyougoacrossbythatfootpathitwillbringyououtquickerthanbyfollowingthebendofthedrive。’

Christopherwonderedhowhecouldhavemanagedtogetintothewrongpark；but，settingitdowntohisignoranceofthedifferencebetweenoakandelm，heimmediatelyretracedhissteps，passingacrosstheparkagain，throughthegateattheendofthedrive，andintotheturnpikeroad。Noothergate，park，orcountryseatofanydescriptionwaswithinview。

’CanyoutellmethewaytoArrowthorneLodge？’heinquiredofthefirstpersonhemet，whowasalittlegirl。

’Youarejustcomingawayfromit，sir，’saidshe。’I’llshowyou；

Iamgoingthatway。’

Theywalkedalongtogether。Gettingabreasttheentranceoftheparkhehadjustemergedfrom，thechildsaid，’Thereitis，sir；I

livetheretoo。’

Christopher，withadazedcountenance，lookedtowardsacottagewhichstoodnestlingintheshrubberyandivylikeamushroomamonggrass。’IsthatArrowthorneLodge？’herepeated。

’Yes，andifyougoupthedrive，youcometoArrowthorneHouse。’

’ArrowthorneLodge——whereMrs。Petherwinlives，Imean。’

’Yes。Shelivestherealongwi’motherandwe。Butshedon’twantanybodytoknowit，sir，causeshe’scelebrate，and’twouldn’tdoatall。’

Christophersaidnomore，andthelittlegirlbecameinterestedintheproductsofthebankandditchbythewayside。Helefther，pushedopentheheavygate，andtappedattheLodgedoor。

Thelatchwaslifted。’DoesMrs。Petherwin，’hebegan，and，determinedthatthereshouldbenomistake，repeated，’DoesMrs。

EthelbertaPetherwin，thepoetess，livehere？’turningfulluponthepersonwhoopenedthedoor。

’Shedoes，sir，’saidafalteringvoice；andhefoundhimselffacetofacewiththepupil-teacherofSandbourne。

13。THELODGE(continued)-THECOPSEBEHIND

’Thisisindeedasurprise；I——amgladtoseeyou！’Christopherstammered，withawire-drawn，radicallydifferentsmilefromtheonehehadintended——asmilenotwithoutatingeofghastliness。

’Yes——Iamhomefortheholidays，’saidtheblushingmaiden；and，afteracriticalpause，sheadded，’Ifyouwishtospeaktomysister，sheisintheplantationwiththechildren。’

’Ono——no，thankyou——notnecessaryatall，’saidChristopher，inhaste。’IonlywishforaninterviewwithaladycalledMrs。

Petherwin。’

’Yes；MrsPetherwin——mysister，’saidPicotee。’Sheisintheplantation。Thatlittlepathwilltakeyoutoherinfiveminutes。’

TheamazedChristopherpersuadedhimselfthatthisdiscoverywasverydelightful，andwentonpersuadingsolongthatatlasthefeltittobeso。Unable，likemanyotherpeople，toenjoybeingsatirizedinwordsbecauseoftheirritationitcausedhimasaimed-

atvictim，hesometimeshadphilosophyenoughtoappreciateasatireofcircumstance，becausenobodyintendedit。Pursuingthepathindicated，hefoundhimselfinathicketofscrubbyundergrowth，whichcoveredanareaenclosedfromtheparkproperbyadecayingfence。Theboughsweresotangledthathewasobligedtoscreenhisfacewithhishands，toescapetheriskofhavinghiseyesfillipedoutbythetwigsthatimpededhisprogress。Thusslowlyadvancing，hisearcaught，betweentherustles，thetonesofavoiceinearnestdeclamation；and，pushingroundinthatdirection，hebeheldthroughsomebeechboughsanopenspaceabouttenyardsindiameter，flooredatthebottomwithdeepbedsofcurledoldleaves，andcushionsoffurrymoss。Inthemiddleofthisnaturaltheatrewasthestumpofatreethathadbeenfelledbyasaw，andupontheflatstoolthusformedstoodEthelberta，whomChristopherhadnotbeheldsincetheballatWyndwayHouse。

Roundher，leaningagainstbranchesorprostrateontheground，werefiveorsixindividuals。Twowereyoungmechanics——oneofthemevidentlyacarpenter。Thentherewasaboyaboutthirteen，andtwoorthreeyoungerchildren。Ethelberta’sappearanceansweredasfullyasevertothatofanEnglishladyskilfullyperfectedinmanner，carriage，look，andaccent；andtheincongruityofherpresentpositionamongliveswhichhadhadmanyofNature’sbeautiesstampedoutofthem，andfewofthebeautiesofArtstampedin，broughthim，asasecondfeeling，aprideinherthatalmostequalledhisfirstsentimentofsurprise。Christopher’sattentionwasmeanwhileattractedfromtheconstitutionofthegrouptothewordsofthespeakerinthecentreofit——wordstowhichherauditorswerelisteningwithstillattention。

ItappearedtoChristopherthatEthelbertahadlatelybeenundergoingsomeveryextraordinaryexperiences。Whatthebeginningofthemhadbeenhecouldnotintheleastunderstand，buttheportionshewasdescribingcamedistinctlytohisears，andhewonderedmoreandmore。

’Hecameforwardtillhe，likemyself，wasabouttwentyyardsfromtheedge。Iinstinctivelygraspedmyuselessstiletto。HowI

longedfortheassistancewhichalittleearlierIhadsomuchdespised！ReachingtheblockorboulderuponwhichIhadbeensitting，heclaspedhisarmsaroundfrombehind；hishandsclosedupontheemptyseat，andhejumpedupwithanoath。Thismethodofattacktoldmeanewthingwithwretcheddistinctness；hehad，asI

suppose，discoveredmysex，maleattirewastoservemyturnnolonger。Thenextinstant，indeed，madeitclear，forheexclaimed，"Youdon’tescapeme，masqueradingmadam，"orsomesuchwords，andcameon。Myonlyhopewasthatinhisexcitementhemightforgettonoticewherethegrassterminatedneartheedgeofthecliff，thoughthiscouldbeeasilyfeltbyacarefulwalker:tomakemyownfeelingmoredistinctonthispointIhastilybaredmyfeet。’

Thelistenersmoistenedtheirlips，Ethelbertatookbreath，andthenwentontodescribethescenethatensued，’AdreadfulvariationonthegameofBlindman’sbuff，’beingthewordsbywhichshecharacterizedit。

Ethelberta’smannerhadbecomesoimpassionedatthispointthatthelipsofheraudienceparted，thechildrenclungtotheirelders，andChristophercouldcontrolhimselfnolonger。Hethrustasidetheboughs，andbrokeinuponthegroup。

’ForHeaven’ssake，Ethelberta，’heexclaimedwithgreatexcitement，’wheredidyoumeetwithsuchaterribleexperienceasthat？’

Thechildrenshrieked，asiftheythoughtthattheinterruptionwasinsomewaythecatastropheoftheeventsincourseofnarration。

Everyonestartedup；thetwoyoungmechanicsstared，andoneoftheminquired，inreturn，’What’sthematter，friend？’

ChristopherhadnotyetmadereplywhenEthelbertasteppedfromherpedestaldownuponthecracklingcarpetofdeepleaves。

’Mr。Julian！’saidshe，inaserenevoice，turninguponhimeyesofsuchadisputablestageofcolour，betweenbrownandgrey，aswouldhavecommendeditselftoagallantduellistofthelastcenturyasapointonwhichitwasabsolutelynecessarytotakesomefriend’slifeorother。Butthecalmnesswasartificiallydone，andtheastonishmentthatdidnotappearinEthelberta’stoneswasexpressedbyhergaze。Christopherwasnotinamoodtodrawfinedistinctionsbetweenrecognizedandunrecognizedorgansofspeech。

Herepliedtotheeyes。

’Iownthatyoursurpriseisnatural，’hesaid，withananxiouslookintoherface，asifhewishedtogetbeyondthisinterpolatedscenetosomethingmorecongenialandunderstood。’ButmyconcernatsuchahistoryofyourselfsinceIlastsawyouisevenmorenaturalthanyoursurpriseatmymannerofbreakingin。’

’Thathistorywouldjustifyanyconductinonewhohearsit——’

’Yes，indeed。’

’Ifitweretrue，’addedEthelberta，smiling。’Butitisasfalseas——’Shecouldnamenothingnotoriouslyfalsewithoutraisinganimageofwhatwasdisagreeable，andshecontinuedinabettermanner:’ThestoryIwastellingisentirelyafiction，whichIamgettingupforaparticularpurpose——verydifferentfromwhatappearsatpresent。’

’Iamsorrytherewassuchamisunderstanding，’Christopherstammered，lookinguponthegrounduncertainandashamed。’YetIamnot，either，forIamverygladyouhavenotundergonesuchtrials，ofcourse。Butthefactis，I——beingintheneighbourhood——I

venturedtocallonamatterofbusiness，relatingtoapoemwhichI

hadthepleasureofsettingtomusicatthebeginningoftheyear。’

EthelbertawasonlyalittlelessillateasethanChristophershowedhimselftobebythiswayoftalking。

’Willyouwalkslowlyon？’shesaidgentlytothetwoyoungmen，’andtakethechildrenwithyou；thisgentlemanwishestospeaktomeonbusiness。’

Thebiggestyoungmancaughtupalittleoneunderhisarm，andplungedamidtheboughs；anotherlittleonelingeredbehindforafewmomentstolookshylyatChristopher，withanobliquemannerofhidinghermouthagainsthershoulderandhereyesbehindherpinafore。Thenshevanished，theboyandthesecondyoungmanfollowed，andEthelbertaandChristopherstoodwithinthewood-boundcirclealone。

’IhopeIhavecausednoinconveniencebyinterruptingtheproceedings，’saidChristophersoftly；’butIsoverymuchwishedtoseeyou！’

’Didyou，indeed——reallywishtoseeme？’shesaidgladly。’Nevermindinconveniencethen；itisawordwhichseemsshallowinmeaningunderthecircumstances。Isurelymustsaythatavisitistomyadvantage，mustInot？IamnotasIwas，yousee，andmayreceiveasadvantageswhatIusedtoconsiderastroubles。’

’Hasyourlifereallychangedsomuch？’

’Ithaschanged。ButwhatIfirstmeantwasthataninterestingvisitoratawrongtimeisbetterthanastupidoneatarighttime。’

’Ihadbeenbehindthetreesforsomeminutes，lookingatyou，andthinkingofyou；butwhatyouweredoingratherinterruptedmyfirstmeditation。Ihadthoughtofameetinginwhichweshouldcontinueourintercourseatthepointatwhichitwasbrokenoffyearsago，asiftheomittedparthadnotexistedatall；butsomething，I

cannottellwhat，hasupsetallthatfeeling，and——’

’Icansoontellyouthemeaningofmyextraordinaryperformance，’

Ethelbertabrokeinquickly，andwithalittletrepidation。’Mymother-in-law，LadyPetherwin，isdead；andshehasleftmenothingbutherhouseandfurnitureinLondon——morethanIdeserve，butlessthanshehaddistinctlyledmetoexpect；andsoIamsomewhatinacorner。’

’Itisalwaysso。’

’Notalways，Ithink。Butthisishowithappened。LadyPetherwinwasverycapricious；whenshewasnotfoolishlykindshewasunjustlyharsh。Agreatmanyarelikeit，neverthinkingwhatagoodthingitwouldbe，insteadofgoingontackingfromsidetosidebetweenfavourandcruelty，tokeeptoameanlineofcommonjustice。Andsowequarrelled，andshe，beingabsolutemistressofallherwealth，destroyedherwillthatwasinmyfavour，andmadeanother，leavingmenothingbutthefag-endoftheleaseofthetown-houseandthefurnitureinit。Then，whenwewereabroad，sheturnedtomeagain，forgaveeverything，and，becomingillafterwards，wrotealettertothebrother，towhomshehadleftthebulkofherproperty，statingthatIwastohavetwenty-thousandoftheone-hundred-thousandpoundsshehadbequeathedtohim——asintheoriginalwill——doingthisbyletterincaseanythingshouldhappentoherbeforeanewwillcouldbeconsidered，drawn，andsigned，andtrustingtohishonourquitethathewouldobeyherexpressedwishshouldshedieabroad。Well，shediddie，inthefullpersuasionthatIwasprovidedfor；butherbrother(asIsecretlyexpectedallthetime)refusedtobemorallyboundbyadocumentwhichhadnolegalvalue，andtheresultisthathehaseverything，except，ofcourse，thefurnitureandthelease。Itwouldhavebeenenoughtobreaktheheartofapersonwhohadcalculatedupongettingafortune，whichIneverdid；forIfeltalwayslikeanintruderandabondswoman，andhadwishedmyselfoutofthePetherwinfamilyahundredtimes，withmycrustofbreadandliberty。Foronething，I

wasalwaysforbiddentoseemyrelatives，anditpainedmemuch。

NowIamgoingtomoveformyself，andconsiderthatIhaveagoodchanceofsuccessinwhatImayundertake，becauseofanindifferenceIfeelaboutsucceedingwhichgivesthenecessarycoolnessthatanygreattaskrequires。’

’Ipresumeyoumeantowritemorepoems？’

’Icannot——thatis，Icanwritenomorethatsatisfyme。Toblossomintorhymeonthesparklingpleasuresoflife，youmustbeundertheinfluenceofthosepleasures，andIamatpresentquiteremovedfromthem——surroundedbygauntrealitiesofaverydifferentdescription。’

’Thentrythemournful。Tradeuponyoursufferings:manydo，andthrive。’

’Itisnousetosaythat——nouseatall。Icannotwritealineofverse。Andyettheothersflowedfrommyheartlikeastream。Butnothingissoeasyastoseemcleverwhenyouhavemoney。’

’Excepttoseemstupidwhenyouhavenone，’saidChristopher，lookingatthedeadleaves。

Ethelbertaallowedherselftolingeronthatthoughtforafewseconds；andcontinued，’Thenthequestionarose，whatwasItodo？

Ifeltthattowriteprosewouldbeanuncongenialoccupation，andaltogetherapoorprospectforawomanlikeme。FinallyIhavedecidedtoappearinpublic。’

’Notonthestage？’

’Certainlynotonthestage。Thereisnonoveltyinapoorladyturningactress，andnoveltyiswhatIwant。Ordinarypowersexhibitedinanewwayeffectasmuchasextraordinarypowersexhibitedinanoldway。’

’Yes——sotheydo。Andextraordinarypowers，andanewwaytoo，wouldbeirresistible。’

’Idon’tcalculateuponboth。Ihadwrittenaprosestorybyrequest，whenitwasfoundthatIhadgrownutterlyinaneoververse。Itwaswritteninthefirstperson，andthestylewasmodelledafterDeFoe’s。Thenightbeforesendingitoff，whenI

hadalreadypackeditup，Iwasreadingabouttheprofessionalstory-tellersofEasterncountries，whodevotedtheirlivestothetellingoftales。Iunfastenedthemanuscriptandretainedit，convincedthatIshoulddobetterbyTELLINGthestory。’

’Wellthoughtof！’exclaimedChristopher，lookingintoherface。

’Thereisawayforeverybodytolive，iftheycanonlyfinditout。’

’Itoccurredtome，’shecontinued，blushingslightly，’thattalesoftheweirdkindweremadetobetold，notwritten。Theactionofatelleriswantedtogivedueeffecttoallstoriesofincident；

andIhopethatatimewillcomewhen，asofold，insteadofanunsocialreadingoffictionathomealone，peoplewillmeettogethercordially，andsitatthefeetofaprofessedromancer。IamgoingtotellmytalesbeforeaLondonpublic。Asachild，Ihadaconsiderablepowerinarrestingtheattentionofotherchildrenbyrecountingadventureswhichhadneverhappened；andmenandwomenarebutchildrenenlargedalittle。Lookatthis。’

Shedrewfromherpocketafoldedpaper，shookitabroad，anddisclosedaroughdraftofanannouncementtotheeffectthatMrs。

Petherwin，ProfessedStory-teller，woulddevoteaneveningtothatancientformoftheromancer’sart，atawell-knownfashionablehallinLondon。’Nowyousee，’shecontinued，’themeaningofwhatyouobservedgoingonhere。ThatyouheardwasoneofthreetalesIampreparing，withaviewofselectingthebest。Asareservedone，I

havethetaleofmyownlife——tobeplayedasalastcard。Itwasaprivaterehearsalbeforemybrothersandsisters——notwithanyviewofobtainingtheircriticism，butthatImightbecomeaccustomedtomyownvoiceinthepresenceoflisteners。’

’IfIonlyhadhadhalfyourenterprise，whatImighthavedoneintheworld！’

’NowdidyoueverconsiderwhatapowerDeFoe’smannerwouldhaveifpractisedbywordofmouth？Indeed，itisastylewhichsuitsitselfinfinitelybettertotellingthantowriting，aboundingasitdoesincolloquialismsthataresomewhatoutofplaceonpaperinthesedays，buthaveawonderfulpowerinmakinganarrativeseemreal。Andso，inshort，IamgoingtotalkDeFoeonasubjectofmyown。Well？’

Thelastwordhadbeengiventenderly，withalong-drawnsweetness，andwascausedbyalookthatChristopherwasbendinguponheratthemoment，inwhichherevealedthathewasthinkinglessofthesubjectshewassoeagerlyandhopefullydescantinguponthanuponheraspectinexplainingit。Itisafaultofmannerparticularlycommonamongmennewlyimportedintothesocietyofbrightandbeautifulwomen；andwewillhopethat，springingasitdoesfromnounworthysource，itisassoonforgiveninthegeneralworldasitwashere。

’Iwasonlyfollowingathought，’saidChristopher:——’athoughtofhowIusedtoknowyou，andthenlostsightofyou，andthendiscoveredyoufamous，andhowwearehereunderthesesadautumntrees，andnobodyinsight。’

’Ithinkitmustbetea-time，’shesaidsuddenly。’Teaisagreatmealwithushere——youwilljoinus，willyounot？’AndEthelbertabegantomakeforherselfapassagethroughtheboughs。Anotherrustlewasheardalittlewayoff，andoneofthechildrenappeared。

’Emmelinewantstoknow，please，ifthegentlemanthatcometosee’eewillstaytotea；because，ifso，she’sagoingtoputinanotherspoonfulforhimandabitofbestgreen。’

’OGeorgina——howcandid！Yes，putinsomebestgreen。’

BeforeChristophercouldsayanymoretoher，theywereemergingbythecornerofthecottage，andoneofthebrothersdrewnearthem。

’Mr。Julian，you’llbideandhaveacupofteawi’us？’heinquiredofChristopher。’Anoldfriendofyours，ishenot，Mrs。Petherwin？

DanandIbegoingbacktoSandbourneto-night，andwecanwalkwith’eeasfarasthestation。’

’Ishallbedelighted，’saidChristopher；andtheyallenteredthecottage。Theeveninghadgrownclearerbythistime；thesunwaspeepingoutjustprevioustodeparture，andsentgoldwiresoflightacrossthegladesandintothewindows，throwingapatternofthediamondquarries，andoutlinesofthegeraniumsinpots，againsttheoppositewall。Oneendoftheroomwaspolygonal，suchashapebeingdictatedbytheexteriordesign；inthispartthewindowswereplaced，asattheeastendofcontinentalchurches。Thus，fromthecombinedeffectsoftheecclesiasticallancetlightsandtheapsidalshapeoftheroom，itoccurredtoChristopherthatthesisterswerealladelightfulsetofprettysaints，exhibitingthemselvesinaladychapel，andbackedupbyunkemptmajorprophets，asrepresentedbytheformsoftheirbigbrothers。

Christophersatdowntoteaasinvited，squeezinghimselfinbetweentwochildrenwhosenameswerealmostaslongastheirpersons，andwhosetincupsdiscoursedprimitivemusicbymeansofspoonsrattledinsidethemuntiltheywerefilled。Theteaproceededpleasantly，notwithstandingthatthecake，beingalittleburnt，tastedontheoutsidelikethelatterplumsinsnapdragon。ChristophernevercouldmeettheeyeofPicotee，whocontinuedinawildstateofflushingallthetime，fixingherlooksuponthesugar-basin，exceptwhensheglancedoutofthewindowtoseehowtheeveningwasgoingon，andspeakingnowordatallunlessitwastocorrectasmallsisterofsomewhatcrudemannersasregardsfillingthemouth，whichPicoteedidinawhisper，andagentleinclinationofhermouthtothelittleone’sear，andastilldeeperblushthanbefore。

Theirvisitornextnoticedthatanadditionalcup-and-saucerandplatemadetheirappearanceoccasionallyatthetable，weresilentlyreplenished，andthencarriedoffbyoneofthechildrentoaninnerapartment。

’Ourmotherisbedridden，’saidEthelberta，noticingChristopher’slookattheproceeding。’Emmelineattendstothehousehold，exceptwhenPicoteeisathome，andJoeyattendstothegate；butourmother’safflictionisaveryunfortunatethingforthepoorchildren。Wearethinkingofaplanoflivingwhichwill，Ihope，bemoreconvenientthanthisis；butwehavenotyetdecidedwhattodo。’Atthisminuteacarriageandpairofhorsesbecamevisiblethroughoneoftheangularwindowsoftheapse，intheactofturninginfromthehighwaytowardstheparkgate。TheboywhoansweredtothenameofJoeysprangupfromthetablewiththepromptnessofaJack-in-the-box，andranoutatthedoor。Everybodyturnedasthecarriagepassedthroughthegate，whichJoeyheldopen，puttinghisotherhandwherethebrimofhishatwouldhavebeenifhehadwornone，andlapsingintoacarelessboyagaintheinstantthatthevehiclehadgoneby。

’There’satremendouslargedinner-partyattheHouseto-night，’

saidEmmelinemethodically，lookingattheequipageovertheedgeofherteacup，withoutleavingoffsipping。’ThatwasLordMountclere。

He’sawickedoldman，theysay。’

’LordMountclere？’saidEthelbertamusingly。’Iusedtoknowsomefriendsofhis。Inwhatwayishewicked？’

’Idon’tknow，’saidEmmeline，withsimplicity。’Isupposeitisbecausehebreaksthecommandments。ButIwonderhowabigrichlordcanwanttostealanything。’Emmeline’sthoughtsofbreakingcommandmentsinstinctivelyfellupontheeighth，asbeinginherideastheonlycasewhereinthegaincouldbeconsideredasatallworththehazard。

Ethelbertasaidnothing；butChristopherthoughtthatashadeofdepressionpassedoverher。

’Hookbackthegate，Joey，’shoutedEmmeline，whenthecarriagehadproceededupthedrive。’There’smoretocome。’

Joeydidasordered，andbythetimehegotindoorsanothercarriageturnedinfromthepublicroad——aone-horsebroughamthistime。

’Iknowwhothatis:that’sMr。Ladywell，’saidEmmeline，inthesamematter-of-facttone。’He’sbeenhereafore:he’sadistantrelationofthesquire’s，andheoncegavemesixpenceforpickinguphisgloves。’

’WhatshallIlivetosee？’murmuredthepoetess，underherbreath，nearlydroppingherteacupinaninvoluntarytrepidation，fromwhichshemadeitapointofdignitytorecoverinamoment。

Christopher’seyes，atthatexhibitionfromEthelberta，enteredherownlikeapairoflances。Picotee，seeingChristopher’squicklookofjealousy，becameinvolvedinherturn，andgrewpaleasalilyinherendeavourstoconcealthecomplicationstowhichitgavebirthinherpoorlittlebreastlikewise。

’Youjudgemeverywrongly，’saidEthelberta，inanswertoChristopher’shastylookofresentment。

’InsupposingMr。Ladywelltobeagreatfriendofyours？’saidChristopher，whohadinsomeindescribablewaysuddenlyassumedarighttoEthelbertaashisoldproperty。

’Yes:forIhardlyknowhim，andcertainlydonotvaluehim。’

Afterthistherewassomethinginthemutuallookofthetwo，thoughtheirwordshadbeenprivate，whichdidnottendtoremovetheanguishoffragilePicotee。Christopher，assuredthatEthelberta’sembarrassmenthadbeencausedbynothingmorethanthesenseofheroddsocialsubsidence，recoveredmoreblissthanhehadlost，andregardedcalmlytheprofileofyoungLadywellbetweenthetwowindowsofhisbroughamasitpassedtheopencottagedoor，bearinghimalongunconsciousasthedeadofthenearnessofhisbelovedone，andofthesadbuffoonerythatfate，fortune，andtheguardianangelshadbeenplayingwithEthelbertaoflate。HerecognizedthefaceasthatoftheyoungmanwhomhehadencounteredwhenwatchingEthelberta’swindowfromRookingtonPark。

’PerhapsyourememberseeinghimattheChristmasdanceatWyndway？’

sheinquired。’Heisagood-naturedfellow。Afterwardshesentmethatportfolioofsketchesyouseeinthecorner。Hemightpossiblydosomethingintheworldasapainterifhewereobligedtoworkattheartforhisbread，whichheisnot。’Sheaddedwithbitterpleasantry:’Inbaremercytohisself-respectImustremainunseenhere。’

ItimpressedChristophertoperceivehow，undertheestrangementwhicharosefromdifferencesofeducation，surroundings，experience，andtalent，thesympathiesofcloserelationshipwereperceptibleinEthelberta’sbearingtowardsherbrothersandsisters。Ataremarkuponsomesimplepleasurewhereinshehadnotparticipatedbecauseabsentandoccupiedbyfarmorecomprehensiveinterests，agloomasofbanishmentwouldcrossherfaceanddimitforawhile，showingthatthefreehabitsandenthusiasmsofcountrylifehadstilltheircharmwithher，inthefaceofthesubtlergratificationsofabridgedbodices，candlelight，andnofeelingsinparticular，whichprevailedintown。Perhapstheoneconditionwhichcouldworkupintoapermanentfeelingthepassingrevivalofhisfancyforawomanwhosechiefattributehehadsupposedtobesprightlinesswasaddednowbytheromanticubiquityofstationthatattachedtoher。

Adiscoverywhichmighthavegratedonthesensesofamanweddedtoconventionalitywasapositivepleasuretoonewhosefaithinsocietyhaddepartedwithhisownsocialruin。

Theroombegantodarken，whereuponChristopherarosetoleave；andthebrothersSolandDanofferedtoaccompanyhim。

14。ATURNPIKEROAD

’WebethinkingofcomingtoLondonourselvessoon，’saidSol，acarpenterandjoinerbytrade，ashewalkedalongatChristopher’slefthand。’There’ssomuchmorechanceforamanupthecountry。

Now，ifyouwasme，howshouldyousetaboutgettingajob，sir？’

’Whatcanyoudo？’saidChristopher。

’Well，Iamaverygoodstaircasehand；andIhavebeencalledneatatsash-frames；andIcanknocktogetherdoorsandshuttersverywell；andIcandoalittleatthecabinet-making。Idon’tmindframingaroof，neither，iftherestbebusy；andIamalwaysreadytofillupmytimeatplaningfloor-boardsbythefoot。’

’AndIcanmixandlayflattints，’saidDan，whowasahousepainter，’andpickoutmouldings，andgrainineverykindofwoodyoucanmention——oak，maple，walnut，satinwood，cherry-tree——’

’Youcanbothdotoomuchtostandtheleastchanceofbeingallowedtodoanythinginacity，wherelimitationisalltheruleinlabour。Tohaveanysuccess，Sol，youmustbeamanwhocanthoroughlylookatadoortoseewhatoughttobedonetoit，butastolookingatawindow，that’snotyourline；orapersonwho，totheremotestparticular，understandsturningascrew，butwhodoesnotprofessanyknowledgeofhowtodriveanail。Danmustknowhowtopaintbluetoamarvel，butmustbequiteinthedarkaboutpaintinggreen。Ifyousticktosomesuchprincipleofspecialtyasthis，youmaygetemploymentinLondon。’

’Ha-ha-ha！’saidDan，strikingatastoneintheroadwiththestoutgreenhazelhecarried。’Awinkisasgoodasanod:thank’ee——

we’llmindallthatnow。’

’Ifwedocome，’saidSol，’weshallnotmixupwithMrs。Petherwinatall。’

’Oindeed！’

’Ono。(Perhapsyouthinkitoddthatwecallher"Mrs。Petherwin，"

butthat’sbyagreementassaferandbetterthanBerta，becausewebesuchroughchapsyousee，andshe’ssolofty。)’Twoulddemeanhertoclaimkinwi’herinLondon——twojourneymenlikewe，thatknownothingbesidesourtrades。’

’Notatall，’saidChristopher，bywayofchimingininthefriendliestmanner。’Shewouldbepleasedtoseeanystraightforwardhonestmanandbrother，Ishouldthink，notwithstandingthatshehasmovedinothersocietyforatime。’

’Ah，youdon’tknowBerta！’saidDan，lookingasifhedid。

’How——inwhatwaydoyoumean？’saidChristopheruneasily。

’Solofty——soverylofty！Isn’tshe，Sol？Whyshe’llneverstiroutfrommother’stillafterdark，andthenherdaybegins；andshe’lltraipseaboutunderthetrees，andnevergointothehigh-

road，sothatnobodyinthewayofgentle-peopleshallrunupagainstherandknowherlivinginsuchalittlesmallhutafterbidinginabigmansion-place。There，wedon’tfindfaultwi’heraboutit:welikeherjustthesame，thoughshedon’tspeaktousinthestreet；forafellermustbeafooltomakeapieceofworkaboutawoman’spride，when’tishisownsister，andhanguponherandbotherherwhenheknows’tisforhergoodthatheshouldnot。

Yes，herlifehasbeenquareenough。Ihopesheenjoysit，butformypartIlikeplainsailing。Noneofyourupsanddownsforme。

There，Isuppose’twashernatertowanttolookintotheworldabit。’

’FatherandmotherkeptBertatoschool，youunderstand，sir，’

explainedthemorethoughtfulSol，’becauseshewassuchaquickchild，andtheyalwayshadanotionofmakingagovernessofher。

Sums？Ifyousaidtothatchild，"Berta，’levenpence-three-

farthingsaday，howmuchayear？"shewouldtell’eeinthreesecondsoutofherownlittlehead。Andthathardsumabouttheherringsshehaddoneaforeshewasnine。’

’True，shehad，’saidDan。’Andweallknowthattodothatistodosomethingthat’snononsense。’

’Whatisthesum？’Christopherinquired。

’What——notknowthesumabouttheherrings？’saidDan，spreadinghisgazealloverChristopherinamazement。

’Neverheardofit，’saidChristopher。

’Whydowninthesepartsjustasyoutryaman’ssoulbytheTenCommandments，youtryhisheadbythattheresum——hey，Sol？’

’Ay，thatwedo。’

’Aherringandahalfforthree-halfpence，howmanycanyegetfor’levenpence:that’sthefeller；andamortalteaserheis，Iassure’ee。Ourparson，who’snotaltogetherwithoutsenseo’weekdays，saidoneafternoon，"Ifcunningcanbefoundinthemultiplicationtableatall，Chickerel，’tisinconnectionwiththatsum。"Well，BertawassocleverinarithmeticthatshewasaskedtoteachsummingatMissCourtley’s，andthereshegottolikeforeigntonguesmorethanciphering，andatlastshehatedciphering，andtooktobooksentirely。Motherandwewereveryproudofheratthattime:notthatwebestuck-uppeopleatall——bewe，Sol？’

’Notatall；nobodycansaythatwebethat，thoughthere’smoreofitinthecountrythanthereshouldbebyallaccount。’

’You’dbesurprisedtoseehowvainthegirlsaboutherebegetting。

Littlerascals，whytheywon’tcurtseytotheloftiestladyintheland；no，notifyouweretopay’emtodoit。Now，themenbedifferent。Anymanwilltouchhishatforapintofbeer。Butthen，ofcourse，there’ssomedifferencebetweenthetwo。Touchingyourhatisagooddeallesstodothanbendingyourknees，asBertausedtosay，whenshewasblowedupfornotdoingit。Shewasalwaysoneoftheindependentsort——youneverseedsuchamaidasshewas！Now，Picoteewasquitetheotherway。’

’HasPicoteeleftSandbourneentirely？’

’Ono；sheishomefortheholidays。Well，Mr。Julian，ourroadpartsfromyoursjusthere，unlessyouwalkintothenexttownalongwithus。ButIsupposeyougetacrosstothisstationandgobyrail？’

’Iamobligedtogothatwayformyportmanteau，’saidChristopher，’orIshouldhavebeenpleasedtowalkfurther。ShallIseeyouinSandbourneto-morrow？Ihopeso。’

’Well，no。’Tishardlylikelythatyouwillseeus——hardly。Weknowhowunpleasantitisforahighsortofmantohaveroughchapslikeushailinghim，sowethinkitbestnottomeetyou——thankyouallthesame。Soifyoushouldrunupagainstusinthestreet，weshouldbejustaswellpleasedbyyourtakingnonotice，ifyouwouldn’tmind。’Twillsavesomuchawkwardness——beinginourworkingclothes。’TisalwaystheplanthatMrs。Petherwinandweagreetoactupon，andwefinditbestforboth。Ihopeyoutakeourmeaningright，andasnooffence，Mr。Julian。’

’AnddoyoudothesamewithPicotee？’

’OLord，no——’tisn’tabitofusetotry。That’stheworstofPicotee——there’snogettingridofher。Themoreintheroughwebethemoreshe’llsticktous；andifwesaysheshan’tcome，she’llbideandfretaboutittillwebeforcedtolether。’

Christopherlaughed，andpromised，onconditionthattheywouldretractthestatementabouttheirnotbeingproud；andthenhewishedhisfriendsgood-night。

15。ANINNERROOMATTHELODGE

AttheLodgeatthistimeadiscussionofsomeimportancewasinprogress。ThescenewasMrs。Chickerel’sbedroom，towhich，unfortunately，shewasconfinedbysomespinalcomplaint；andhereshenowappearedasaninterestingwomanoffive-and-forty，properlydressedasfarasvisible，andproppedupinabedcoveredwithaquiltwhichpresentedafieldoflittlesquaresinmanytints，lookingaltogetherlikeabird’s-eyeviewofamarketgarden。

Mrs。Chickerelhadbeennurseinanobleman’sfamilyuntilhermarriage，andafterthatsheplayedthepartofwifeandmother，uponthewhole，affectionatelyandwell。Amongherminordifferenceswithherhusbandhadbeenoneaboutthenamingofthechildren；amatterthatwasatlastcompromisedbyanagreementunderwhichthechoiceofthegirls’namesbecameherprerogative，andthatoftheboys’herhusband’s，wholimitedhisfieldofselectiontostricthistoricalprecedentasaset-offtoMrs。

Chickerel’stendencytostrayintotheregionsofromance。

Theonlygrown-updaughtersathome，EthelbertaandPicotee，withtheirbrotherJoey，weresittingnearher；thetwoyoungestchildren，GeorginaandMyrtle，whohadbeenstruttinginandoutoftheroom，andotherwiseendeavouringtowalk，talk，andspeaklikethegentlemanjustgoneaway，werepackedofftobed。Emmeline，ofthattransitionalagewhichcausesitsexponenttolookwistfullyatthesitterswhenrompingandattheromperswhensitting，uncertainwhetherherpositioninthehouseholdisthatofchildorwoman，wasidlinginacorner。Thetwoabsentbrothersandtwoabsentsisters——

eldestmembersofthefamily——completedtheroundtenwhomMrs。

Chickerelwiththoughtlessreadinesshadpresentedtoacrowdedworld，tocostEthelbertamanywakefulhoursatnightwhilesherevolvedschemeshowtheymightbedecentlymaintained。

’Istillthink，’Ethelbertawassaying，’thattheplanIfirstproposedisthebest。IamconvincedthatitwillnotdotoattempttokeepontheLodge。Ifwearealltogetherintown，Icanlookafteryoumuchbetterthanwhenyouarefarawayfrommedownhere。’

’Shallwenotinterferewithyou——yourplansforkeepingupyourconnections？’inquiredhermother，glancinguptowardsEthelbertabyliftingthefleshofherforehead，insteadoftroublingtoraiseherfacealtogether。

’Notnearlysomuchasbystayinghere。’

’But，’saidPicotee，’ifyouletlodgings，won’tthegentlemenandladiesknowit？’

’Ihavethoughtofthat，’saidEthelberta，’andthisishowIshallmanage。Inthefirstplace，ifmotheristhere，thelodgingscanbeletinhername，allbillswillbereceiptedbyher，andalltradesmen’sorderswillbegivenasfromherself。Then，wewilltakenoEnglishlodgersatall；wewilladvertisetheroomsonlyinContinentalnewspapers，assuitableforaFrenchorGermangentlemanortwo，andbythismeanstherewillbelittledangerofmyacquaintancediscoveringthatmyhouseisnotentirelyaprivateone，orofanylodgerbeingafriendofmyacquaintance。IhavethoughtovereverypossiblewayofcombiningthedignifiedsocialpositionImustmaintaintomakemystory-tellingattractive，withmyabsolutelackofmoney，andIcanseenobetterone。’

’ThenifGwendolineistobeyourcook，shemustsoongivenoticeatherpresentplace？’

’Yes。EverythingdependsuponGwendolineandCornelia。Butthereistimeenoughforthemtogivenotice——Christmaswillbesoonenough。Iftheycannotorwillnotcomeascookandhousemaid，Iamafraidtheplanwillbreakdown。AvitalconditionisthatIdonothaveasoulinthehouse(beyondthelodgers)whoisnotoneofmyownrelations。WhenwehaveputJoeyintobuttons，hewilldoverywelltoattendtothedoor。’

’Buts’pose，’saidJoey，afteraglassylookathisfutureappearanceinthepositionalludedto，’thatanyofyourgentle-

peoplecometoseeye，andwhenIopensthedoorandlets’eminaswingingbiglodgerstalksdownstairs。Whatwill’emthink？Upwillgotheireye-glassesatoneanothertilltheyglareseachotherintoholes。Mygracious！’

’Theonewhocallswillonlythinkthatanothervisitorisleaving，Joey。ButIshallhavenovisitors，orveryfew。Ishallletitbewellknownamongmylatefriendsthatmymotherisaninvalid，andthatonthisaccountwereceivenonebutthemostintimatefriends。

Theseintimatefriendsnotexisting，wereceivenobodyatall。’

’ExceptSolandDan，iftheygetajobinLondon？They’llhavetocalluponusatthebackdoor，won’tthey，Berta？’saidJoey。

’Theymustgodowntheareasteps。Buttheywillnotmindthat；

theyliketheidea。’

’Andfather，too，musthegodownthesteps？’

’Hemaycomewhicheverwayhelikes。Hewillbegladenoughtohaveusnearatanyprice。Iknowthatheisnotatallhappyatleavingyoudownhere，andheawayinLondon。YourememberthathehasonlytakenthesituationatMr。Doncastle’sonthesuppositionthatyouallcometotownassoonashecanseeanopeningforgettingyouthere；andasnothingofthesorthasoffereditselftohim，thiswillbetheverything。Ofcourse，ifIsucceedwonderfullywellinmyschemesforstory-tellings，readingsofmyballadsandpoems，lecturesontheartofversification，andwhatnot，weneedhavenolodgers；andthenweshallallbelivingahappyfamily——alltakingourshareinkeepingtheestablishmentgoing。’

’Exceptpoorme！’sighedthemother。

’Mydearmother，youwillbenecessaryasasteadyingpower——aflywheel，inshort，totheconcern。Iwishthatfathercouldlivethere，too。’

’He’llnevergiveuphispresentwayoflife——ithasgrowntobeapartofhisnature。Poorman，heneverfeelsathomeexceptinsomebodyelse’shouse，andisnervousandquiteastrangerinhisown。Sichisthefataleffectsofservice！’

’Omother，don’t！’saidEthelbertatenderly，butwithherteethonedge；andPicoteecurleduphertoes，fearingthathermotherwasgoingtomoralize。

’Well，whatImeanis，thatyourfatherwouldnotliketoliveuponyourearnings，andsoforth。Butintownweshallbenearhim——

that’sonecomfort，certainly。’

’AndIshallnotbewantedatall，’saidPicotee，inamelancholytone。

’Itismuchbettertostaywhereyouare，’hermothersaid。’Youwillcomeandspendtheholidayswithus，ofcourse，asyoudonow。’

’IshouldliketoliveinLondonbest，’murmuredPicotee，herheadsinkingmournfullytooneside。’IHATEbeinginSandbournenow！’

’Nonsense！’saidEthelbertaseverely。’Weareallcontrivinghowtolivemostcomfortably，anditisbyfarthebestthingforyoutostayattheschool。Youusedtobehappyenoughthere。’

Picoteesighed，andsaidnomore。

16。ALARGEPUBLICHALL

ItwasthesecondweekinFebruary，Parliamenthadjustmet，andEthelbertaappearedforthefirsttimebeforeanaudienceinLondon。

Therewassomenoveltyinthespeciesofentertainmentthattheactiveyoungwomanhadproposedtoherself，andthisdoubtlesshaddueeffectincollectingthebodyofstrangersthatgreetedherentry，overandabovethosefriendswhocametolistentoherasamatterofcourse。Menandwomenwhohadbecometotallyindifferenttonewactresses，newreaders，andnewsingers，oncemorefeltthefreshnessofcuriosityastheyconsideredthepromiseoftheannouncement。Butthechiefinducementtoattendlayinthefactthatherewastobeseeninthefleshawomanwithwhomthetongueofrumourhadbeenbusyinmanyromanticways——awomanwho，whateverelsemightbedoubted，hadcertainlyproducedavolumeofverseswhichhadbeenthetalkofthemanywhohadreadthem，andofthemanymorewhohadnot，forseveralconsecutiveweeks。

Whatwasherstorytobe？Personsinterestedintheinquiry——asmallproportion，itmaybeowned，ofthewholeLondonpublic，andchieflyyoungmen——answeredthisquestionforthemselvesbyassumingthatitwouldtaketheformofsomepungentandgratifyingrevelationoftheinnermosteventsofherownlife，fromwhichhergushinglineshadsprungasaninevitableconsequence，andwhichbeingonceknown，wouldcausesuchmusicalpoesytoappearnolongerwonderful。

Thefrontpartoftheroomwaswellfilled，rowsoflistenersshowingthemselveslikeadrilled-incropofwhichnotaseedhasfailed。Theywerelistenersoftherightsort，amajorityhavingnosesoftheprominentanddignifiedtype，whichwhenviewedinobliqueperspectiverangedasregularlyasbow-windowsatawateringplace。Ethelberta’splanwastotellherpretendedhistoryandadventureswhilesittinginachair——asifshewereatherownfireside，surroundedbyacircleoffriends。Bythistouchofdomesticityagreatappearanceoftruthandnaturalnesswasgiven，thoughreallytheattitudewasatfirstmoredifficulttomaintainsatisfactorilythananyonewhereinstricterformalityshouldbeobserved。Shegentlybeganhersubject，asifscarcelyknowingwhetherathrongwerenearherornot，and，inherfearofseemingartificial，spoketoolow。Thisdefect，however，shesooncorrected，andultimatelywentoninacharminglycolloquialmanner。

WhatEthelbertarelieduponsoonbecameevident。Itwasnotupontheintrinsicmeritsofherstoryasapieceofconstruction，butuponhermethodoftellingit。Whateverdefectsthetalepossessed——

andtheywerenotafew——ithad，asdeliveredbyher，theonepre-

eminentmeritofseemingliketruth。AmoderncritichaswellobservedofDeFoethathehadthemostamazingtalentonrecordfortellinglies；andEthelberta，inwishingherfictiontoappearlikearealnarrativeofpersonaladventure，didwiselytomakeDeFoehermodel。Hisisastyleevenbetteradaptedforspeakingthanforwriting，andthepeculiaritiesofdictionwhichheadoptstogiveverisimilitudetohisnarrativesacquiredenormousadditionalforcewhenexhibitedasviva-vocemannerisms。Andalthoughtheseartificeswerenot，perhaps，slavishlycopiedfromthatmasteroffeigning，theywouldundoubtedlyhaveremindedherhearersofhim，hadtheynotmostlybeendrawnfromaneasefulsectioninsocietywhichisespeciallycharacterizedbythementalconditionofknowingnothingaboutanyauthoraweekaftertheyhavereadhim。ThefewtherewhodidrememberDeFoewereimpressedbyafancythathiswordsgreetedthemanewinawingedauricularform，insteadofbytheweakerchannelsofprintandeyesight。Thereadermayimaginewhataneffectthiswell-studiedmethodmusthaveproducedwhenintensifiedbyaclear，livingvoice，animatedaction，andthebrilliantandexpressiveeyeofahandsomewoman——attributeswhichofthemselvesalmostcompelledbelief。Whenshereachedthemosttellingpassages，insteadofaddingexaggeratedactionandsound，Ethelbertawouldlapsetoawhisperandasustainedstillness，whichweremorestrikingthangesticulation。Allthatcouldbedonebyartwasthere，andifinspirationwaswantingnobodymissedit。

ItwasinperformingthisfeatthatEthelbertaseemedfirsttodiscoverinherselfthefullpowerofthatself-commandwhichfurtheronwardinhercareermoreandmoreimpressedherasasingularpossession，untilatlastshewastemptedtomakeofitmanyfantasticuses，leadingtoresultsthataffectedmorehouseholdsthanherown。Atalentfordemurenessunderdifficultieswithoutthecold-bloodednesswhichrenderssuchabearingnaturalandeasy，afaceandhandreigningunmovedoutsideaheartbynatureturbulentasawave，isaconstitutionalarrangementmuchtobedesiredbypeopleingeneral；yet，hadEthelbertabeenframedwithlessofthatgiftinher，herlifemighthavebeenmorecomfortableasanexperience，andbrighterasanexample，thoughperhapsdullerasastory。

’Ladywell，howcamethisMrs。Petherwintothinkofsuchaqueertrickastellingromances，afterdoingsowellasapoet？’saidamaninthestallstohisfriend，whohadbeengazingattheStory-

tellerwitharaptface。

’What——don’tyouknow？——everybodydid，Ithought，’saidthepainter。

’Amistake。Indeed，IshouldnothavecomehereatallhadInotheardthesubjectmentionedbyaccidentyesterdayatGrey’s；andthenIrememberedhertobethesamewomanIhadmetatsomeplace——

Belmaine’sIthinkitwas——lastyear，whenIthoughtherjustgettingonforhandsomeandclever，nottoputittoostrongly。’

’Ah！naturallyyouwouldnotknowmuch，’repliedLadywell，inaneagerwhisper。’PerhapsIamjudgingothersbymyselfalittlemorethan——but，asyouhaveheard，sheisanacquaintanceofmine。I

knowherverywell，and，infact，Ioriginallysuggestedtheschemetoherasapleasantwayofaddingtoherfame。"Dependuponit，dearMrs。Petherwin，"Isaid，duringapauseinoneofourdancestogethersometimeago，"anypublicappearanceofyourswouldbesuccessfulbeyonddescription。"’

’O，Ihadnoideathatyouknewhersowell！Thenitisquitethroughyouthatshehasadoptedthiscourse？’

’Well，notentirely——Icouldnotsayentirely。Shesaidthatsomeday，perhaps，shemightdosuchathing；and，inshort，Ireducedhervagueideastoform。’

’Ishouldnotmindknowingherbetter——Imustgetyoutothrowustogetherinsomeway，’saidNeigh，withsomeinterest。’Ihadnoideathatyouweresuchanoldfriend。Youcoulddoit，Isuppose？’

’Really，Iamafraid——hah-hah——maynothavetheopportunityofobligingyou。ImetheratWyndway，youknow，whereshewasvisitingwithLadyPetherwin。Itwassometimeago，andIcannotsaythatIhaveevermethersince。’

’Orbefore？’saidNeigh。

’Well——no；Ineverdid。’

’Ladywell，ifIhadhalfyourpowerofgoingtoyourimaginationforfacts，IwouldbethegreatestpainterinEngland。’

’NowNeigh——that’stoobad——butwithregardtothismatter，Idospeakwithsomeinterest，’saidLadywell，withapleasedsenseofhimself。

’Inlovewithher？——Smittendown？——Donefor？’

’Now，now！However，severalotherfellowschaffmeabouther。ItwasonlyyesterdaythatJonessaid——’

’Doyouknowwhyshecarestodothissortofthing？’

’Merelyadesireforfame，Isuppose。’

’Ishouldthinkshehasfameenoughalready。’

’ThatIcanexpressnoopinionupon。IamthinkingofgettingherpermissiontouseherfaceinasubjectIampreparing。Itisafinefaceforcanvas。Gloriouscontour——glorious。Ah，heresheisagain，forthesecondpart。’

’Dreamon，youngfellow。You’llmakeararecouple！’saidNeigh，withaflavourofsuperciliousnessunheededbyhisoccupiedcompanion。

Furtherbackintheroomwereapairoffaceswhosekeeninterestintheperformancecontrastedmuchwiththelanguidlypermissiveairofthoseinfront。Whenthetenminutes’breakoccurred，Christopherwasthefirstofthetwotospeak。’Well，whatdoyouthinkofher，Faith？’hesaid，shiftingrestlesslyonhisseat。

’Ilikethequietpartsofthetalebest，Ithink"repliedthesister；’but，ofcourse，Iamnotagoodjudgeofthesethings。Howstillthepeopleareattimes！Icontinuallytakemyeyesfromhertolookatthelisteners。Didyounoticethefatoldladyinthesecondrow，withhercloakalittlethrownback？Shewasabsolutelyunconscious，andstayedwithherfaceupandlipspartedlikealittlechildofsix。’

’Shewellmay！thethingisatriumph。ThatfellowLadywellishere，Ibelieve——yes，itishe，busilytalkingtothemanonhisright。IfIwereawomanIwouldrathergodonkey-drivingthanstickmyselfupthere，forgapingfopstoquizandsaywhattheylikeabout！Butshehadnochoice，poorthing；foritwasthatornothingwithher。’

Faith，whohadsecretdoubtsabouttheabsolutenecessityofEthelberta’sappearanceinpublic，said，withremotemeanings，’Perhapsitisnotaltogetheraseverepunishmenttohertobelookedatbywell-dressedmen。Supposeshefeelsitasablessing，insteadofanaffliction？’

’Sheisadifferentsortofwoman，Faith，andsoyouwouldsayifyouknewher。Ofcourse，itisnaturalforyoutocriticizeherseverelyjustnow，andIdon’twishtodefendher。’

’Ithinkyoudoalittle，Kit。’

’No；Iamindifferentaboutitall。PerhapsitwouldhavebeenbetterformeifIhadneverseenher；andpossiblyitmighthavebeenbetterforherifshehadneverseenme。Shehasaheart，andtheheartisatroublesomeencumbrancewhengreatthingshavetobedone。Iwishyouknewher:Iamsureyouwouldlikeeachother。’

’Oyes，’saidFaith，inavoiceofratherweakconviction。’But，asweliveinsuchaplainway，itwouldbehardlydesirableatpresent。’

Ethelbertabeingregarded，incommonwiththelatestconjurer，spirit-medium，aeronaut，giant，dwarformonarch，asanewsensation，shewasdulycriticizedinthemorningpapers，andevenobtainedanoticeinsomeoftheweeklyreviews。

’Ahandsomewoman，’saidoneofthese，’mayhaveherownreasonsforcausingthefleshoftheLondonpublictocreepuponitsbonesbyherundoubtedlyremarkablenarrativepowers；butwequestionifmuchgoodcanresultfromsuchaformofentertainment。Nevertheless，somepraiseisdue。Wehavehadthenovel-writeramongusforsometime，andthenovel-readerhasoccasionallyappearedonourplatforms；butwebelievethatthisisthefirstinstanceonrecordofaNovel-teller——one，thatistosay，whorelatesprofessedlyasfictionaromantictalewhichhasneverbeenprinted——thewholeowingitschiefinteresttothemethodwherebythetelleridentifiesherselfwiththeleadingcharacterinthestory。’

Anotherobserved:’Whenoncewegetawayfromthemagicinfluenceofthestory-teller’seyeandtongue，weperceivehowimprobable，evenimpossible，isthetissueofeventstowhichwehavebeenlisteningwithsogreatasenseofreality，andwefeelalmostangrywithourselvesathavingbeenthevictimsofsuchutterillusion。’

’Mrs。Petherwin’spersonalappearanceisdecidedlyinherfavour，’

saidanother。’Sheaffectsnounconsciousnessofthefactthatformandfeaturearenomeanvehiclesofpersuasion，andsheusesthepowersofeachtotheutmost。Therespreadsuponherfacewheninreposeanairofinnocencewhichischarminglybeliedbythesubtletywediscoverbeneathitwhenshebeginshertale；andthisamusingdiscrepancybetweenherphysicalpresentmentandtheinnerwomanisfurtherillustratedbythemisgiving，whichseizesusonherentrance，thatsoimpressionablealadywillneverbearupinthefaceofsotryinganaudience……ThecombinationsofincidentwhichMrs。Petherwinpersuadesherhearersthatshehaspassedthrougharenotalittlemarvellous；andifwhatisrumouredbetrue，thatthetalesaretoagreatextentbaseduponherownexperiences，shehasprovedherselftobenolessdaringinadventurethanfacileinherpowerofdescribingit。’

17。ETHELBERTA’SHOUSE

Aftersuchsuccessesasthese，Christophercouldnotforegotheseductiveintentionofcallinguponthepoetessandromancer，athernowestablishedtownresidenceinExonburyCrescent。Onewintryafternoonhereachedthedoor——nowforthethirdtime——andgaveaknockwhichhadiniteverytenderrefinementthatcouldbethrownintothesomewhatantagonisticvehicleofnoise。Turninghisfacedownthestreethewaitedrestlesslyonthestep。Therewasastrangelightintheatmosphere:theglassofthestreet-lamps，thevarnishedbackofapassingcab，amilk-woman’scans，andarowofchurch-windowsglaredinhiseyeslikenew-rubbedcopper；andonlookingtheotherwayhebeheldabloodysunhangingamongthechimneysattheupperend，asadanger-lamptowarnhimoff。

Bythistimethedoorwasopened，andbeforehimstoodEthelberta’syoungbrotherJoey，thicklypopulatedwithlittlebuttons，theremainderofhimconsistingofinvisiblegreen。

’Ah，Joseph，’saidChristopher，instantlyrecognizingtheboy。

’What，areyouhereinoffice？Isyour——’

Joeyliftedhisforefingerandspreadhismouthinagenialmanner，asiftosignifyparticularfriendlinessmingledwithgeneralcaution。

’Yes，sir，Mrs。Petherwinismymistress。I’llseeifsheisathome，sir，’hereplied，raisinghisshouldersandwinkingawinkofstrategicmeaningsbywayoffinish——allwhichsignsshowed，ifevidencewerewanted，howeffectuallythispleasantyoungpageunderstood，thoughquitefreshfromWessex，thedutiesofhispeculiarposition。Mr。Julianwasshowntothedrawing-room，andtherehefoundEthelbertaalone。

ShegavehimahandsocoolandstillthatChristopher，muchashedesiredthecontact，wasliterallyashamedtoletherseeandfeelhisown，tremblingwithunmanageableexcessoffeeling。Itwasalwaysso，alwayshadbeenso，alwayswouldbeso，atthesemeetingsoftheirs:shewasimmeasurablythestrongest；andthedeep-eyedyoungmanfancied，inthechagrinwhichtheperceptionofthisdifferencealwaysbredinhim，thatshetriumphedinhersuperiorcontrol。Yetitwasonlyinlittlethingsthattheirsexeswerethusreversed:Christopherwouldreceivequiteashockifalittledogbarkedathisheels，andbetotallyunmovedwhenindangerofhislife。

Certainlythemostself-possessedwomanintheworld，underpressureoftheincongruitybetweentheirlastmeetingandthepresentone，mighthaveshownmoreembarrassmentthanEthelbertashowedongreetinghimto-day。Christopherwasonlyamaninbelievingthattheshynesswhichshedidevincewaschieflytheresultofpersonalinterest。Shemightormightnothavebeensaidtoblush——perhapsthestealthychangeuponherfacewastooslowanoperationtodeservethatname:but，thoughpalewhenhecalled，theendoftenminutessawhercolourhighandwide。Shesoonsethimathisease，andseemedtorelaxalong-sustainedtensionasshetalkedtohimofherarrangements，hopes，andfears。

’AndhowdoyoulikeLondonsociety？’saidEthelberta。

’Prettywell，asfarasIhaveseenit:tothesurfaceofitsfrontdoor。’

’Youwillfindnothingtobealarmedatifyougetinside。’

’Ono——ofcoursenot——exceptmyownshortcomings，’saidthemodestmusician。’Londonsocietyismadeupofmuchmorerefinedpeoplethansocietyanywhereelse。’

’That’saveryprevalentopinion；anditisnowherehalfsoprevalentasinLondonsocietyitself。However，comeandseemyhouse——unlessyouthinkitatroubletolookoverahouse？’

’No；Ishouldlikeitverymuch。’

Thedecorationstendedtowardstheartisticgymnasticsprevalentinsomequartersatthepresentday。Uponageneralflattintofduck’s-egggreenappearedquaintpatternsofconventionalfoliage，andbirds，doneinbrightauburn，severalshadesnearertoredbreast-redthanwasEthelberta’shair，whichwasthusthrustfurthertowardsbrownbysuchjuxtaposition——apossiblereasonforthechoiceoftint。Upontheglazedtileswithinthechimney-pieceweretheformsofowls，bats，snakes，frogs，mice，spidersintheirwebs，moles，andotherobjectsofaversionanddarkness，shapedinblackandburntinaftertheapprovedfashion。

’MybrothersSolandDandidmostoftheactualwork，’saidEthelberta，’thoughIdrewtheoutlines，anddesignedthetilesroundthefire。Theflowers，mice，andspidersaredoneverysimply，youknow:youonlypressarealflower，mouse，orspideroutflatunderapieceofglass，andthencopyit，addingalittlemoreemaciationandangularityatpleasure。’

’Inthat"atpleasure"iswherealltheartlies，’saidhe。

’Well，yes——thatisthecase，’saidEthelbertathoughtfully；andprecedinghimupstairs，shethrewopenadoorononeofthefloors，disclosingDaninperson，engageduponasimilartreatmentofthisflooralso。Solappearedbulgingfromthedoorofacloset，alittlefurtheron，wherehewasfixingsomeshelves；andbothworeworkmen’sblouses。Atoncecomingdownfromtheshortladderhewasstandingupon，DanshookChristopher’shandwithsomevelocity。

’Wedoalittleatatime，yousee，’hesaid，’becauseColoneldownbelow，andMrs。Petherwin’svisitors，shan’tsmelltheturpentine。’

’Webepushingonto-daytogetitoutoftheway，’saidSol，alsocomingforwardandgreetingtheirvisitor，butmorereluctantlythanhisbrotherhaddone。’NowI’lltellyewhat——youtwo，’headded，afteranuneasypause，turningfromChristophertoEthelbertaandbackagainingreatearnestness；’you’dbetternotbidehere，talkingtoweroughones，youknow，forfolksmightfindoutthatthere’ssomethingcloserbetweenusthanworkmenandemployerandemployer’sfriend。SoBertaandMr。Julian，ifyou’llgoonandtakenomorenoticeo’us，incaseofvisitors，itwouldbewiser——

else，perhaps，ifweshouldbefoundoutintimatewithye，andbringdownyourgentility，you’llblameusforit。IgetasnervousasacatwhenIthinkImaybethecauseofanydisgracetoye。’

’Don’tbesosilly，Sol，’saidEthelberta，laughing。

’Ah，that’sallverywell，’saidSol，withanunbelievingsmile；

’butifwebain’tcompanyforyououtofdoors，youbain’tcompanyforwewithin——notthatIfindfaultwithyeormindit，andshan’ttakeanythingforpaintingyourhouse，norwillDanneither，anymoreforthat——no，notapenny；infact，wearegladtodoitfor’ee。Atthesametime，youkeeptoyourclass，andwe’llkeeptoours。Andso，goodafternoon，Berta，whenyouliketogo，andthesametoyou，Mr。Julian。Dan，isthatyourmind？’

’Icanbutownit，’saidDan。

Thetwobrothersthenturnedtheirbacksupontheirvisitors，andwentonworking，andEthelbertaandherloverlefttheroom。’Mybrothers，youperceive，’saidshe，’representtherespectableBritishworkmaninhisentirety，andatouchyindividualheis，I

assureyou，onpointsofdignity，afterimbibingafewtownideasfromhisleaders。Theyarepainfullyoff-handwithme，absolutelyrefusingtobeintimate，fromamistakennotionthatIamashamedoftheirdressandmanners；which，ofcourse，isabsurd。’

’Which，ofcourse，isabsurd，’saidChristopher。

’Ofcourseitisabsurd！’sherepeatedwithwarmth，andlookingkeenlyathim。But，findingnoharminhisface，shecontinuedasbefore:’Yet，allthetime，theywilldoanythingunderthesunthattheythinkwilladvancemyinterests。Inourheartsweareone。Alltheyaskmetodoistoleavethemtothemselves，andthereforeIdoso。Now，wouldyouliketoseesomemoreofyouracquaintance？’

Sheintroducedhimtoalargeattic；wherehefoundhimselfinthesocietyoftwoorthreepersonsconsiderablybelowthemiddleheight，whosemannerswereofthatgushingkindsometimescalledContinental，theiragesrangingfromfiveyearstoeight。Theseweretheyoungestchildren，presidedoverbyEmmeline，asprofessorofletters，capitalandsmall。

’Iamgivingthemtherudimentsofeducationhere，’saidEthelberta；

’butIforeseeseveraldifficultiesinthewayofkeepingthemhere，whichImustgetoverasbestIcan。Onetroubleis，thattheydon’tgetenoughairandexercise。’

’IsMrs。Chickerellivinghereaswell？’Christopherventuredtoinquire，whentheyweredownstairsagain。

’Yes；butconfinedtoherroomasusual，Iregrettosay。Twomoresistersofmine，whomyouhaveneverseenatall，arealsohere。

Theyareolderthananyoftherestofus，andhad，broadlyspeaking，noeducationatall，poorgirls。Theeldest，Gwendoline，ismycook，andCorneliaismyhousemaid。Isuffermuchsadness，andalmostmiserysometimes，inreflectingthatherearewe，tenbrothersandsisters，bornofonefatherandmother，whomighthavemixedtogetherandsharedallinthesamescenes，andbeenproperlyhappy，ifitwerenotforthestrangeaccidentsthathavesplitusupintosectionsasyousee，cuttingmeofffromthemwithoutthecompensationofjoiningmetoanyothers。Theyarealltrueassteelinkeepingthesecretofourkin，certainly；butthatbringslittlejoy，thoughsomesatisfactionperhaps。’

’Youmightbelessdespondent，Ithink。Thetale-tellinghasbeenoneofthesuccessesoftheseason。’

’Yes，Imight；butImayobservethatyouscarcelysettheexampleofblitheness。’

’Ah——that’snotbecauseIdon’trecognizethepleasureofbeinghere。Itisfromamoregeneralcause:simplyanunderfeelingI

havethatatthemostpropitiousmomentthedistancetothepossibilityofsorrowissoshortthataman’sspiritsmustnotrisehigherthanmerecheerfulnessoutofbarerespecttohisinsight。

"Aslongasskiesareblue，andfieldsaregreen，Eveningmustushernight，nighturgethemorrow，Monthfollowmonthwithwoe，andyearwakeyeartosorrow。"’

Ethelbertaboweduncertainly；theremarkmightrefertoherpastconductoritmightnot。’Mygreatcauseofuneasinessisthechildren，’shepresentlysaid，asanewpageofmatter。’Itismyduty，atallriskandallsacrificeofsentiment，toeducateandprovideforthem。Thegrown-upones，olderthanmyself，Icannothelpmuch，butthelittleonesIcan。IkeepmytwoFrenchlodgersforthesakeofthem。’

’Thelodgers，ofcourse，don’tknowtherelationshipbetweenyourselfandtherestofthepeopleinthehouse？’

’Ono！——norwilltheyever。Mymotherissupposedtoletthegroundandfirstfloorstome——astrangelady——asshedoesthesecondandthirdfloorstothem。Still，Imaybediscovered。’

’Well——ifyouare？’

’Letmebe。Lifeisabattle，theysay；butitisonlysointhesensethatagameofchessisabattle——thereisnoseriousnessinit；itmaybeputanendtoatanyinconvenientmomentbyowningyourselfbeaten，withacareless"Ha-ha！"andsweepingyourpiecesintothebox。Experimentally，Icaretosucceedinsociety；butatthebottomofmyheart，Idon’tcare。’

’Forthatveryreasonyouarelikelytodoit。Myideais，makeambitionyourbusinessandindifferenceyourrelaxation，andyouwillfail；butmakeindifferenceyourbusinessandambitionyourrelaxation，andyouwillsucceed。Soimpisharethewaysofthegods。’

’Ihopethatyouatanyratewillsucceed，’shesaid，attheendofasilence。

’Inevercan——ifsuccessmeansgettingwhatonewants。’

’Whyshouldyounotgetthat？’

’Ithasbeenforbiddentome。’

Hercomplexionchangedjustenoughtoshowthatsheknewwhathemeant。’Ifyouwereasboldasyouaresubtle，youwouldtakeamorecheerfulviewofthematter，’shesaid，withalooksignifyinginnermostthings。

’Iwillinstantly！ShallItestthetruthofmycheerfulviewbyawordofquestion？’

’Idenythatyouarecapableoftakingthatview，anduntilyouprovethatyouare，noquestionisallowed，’shesaid，laughing，andstillwarmerinthefaceandneck。’Nothingbutmelancholy，gentlemelancholy，nowasinoldtimeswhentherewasnothingtocauseit。’

’Ah——youonlytease。’

’Youwillnotthrowasidethatbittermedicineofdistrust，fortheworld。Youhavegrownsousedtoit，thatyoutakeitasfood，assomeinvalidsdotheirmixtures。’

’Ethelberta，youhavemyheart——mywholeheart。YouhavehaditeversinceIfirstsawyou。Nowyouunderstandme，andnopretendingthatyoudon’t，mind，thissecondtime。’

’Iunderstoodyoulongago；youhavenotunderstoodme。’