第1章
CHAPTERI
THEEARLYMARRIEDLIFEOFTHEMORELS
“THEBOTTOMS“succeededto“HellRow“。HellRowwasablockofthatched，bulgingcottagesthatstoodbythebrooksideonGreenhillLane。
Therelivedthecollierswhoworkedinthelittlegin-pitstwo，fieldsaway。Thebrookranunderthealdertrees，scarcelysoiled，bythesesmallmines，whosecoalwasdrawntothesurfaceby，donkeysthatploddedwearilyinacircleroundagin。Andall，overthecountrysidewerethesesamepits，someofwhichhadbeen，workedinthetimeofCharlesII，thefewcolliersandthedonkeys，burrowingdownlikeantsintotheearth，makingqueermounds，andlittleblackplacesamongthecorn-fieldsandthemeadows。
Andthecottagesofthesecoal-miners，inblocksandpairshere，andthere，togetherwithoddfarmsandhomesofthestockingers，strayingovertheparish，formedthevillageofBestwood。
Then，somesixtyyearsago，asuddenchangetookplace。
Thegin-pitswereelbowedasidebythelargeminesof，thefinanciers。ThecoalandironfieldofNottinghamshireand，Derbyshirewasdiscovered。Carston，WaiteandCo。appeared。
Amidtremendousexcitement，LordPalmerstonformallyopened，thecompany’sfirstmineatSpinneyPark，ontheedgeofSherwoodForest。
AboutthistimethenotoriousHellRow，whichthroughgrowing，oldhadacquiredanevilreputation，wasburneddown，andmuchdirt，wascleansedaway。
Carston，Waite&Co。foundtheyhadstruckonagoodthing，so，downthevalleysofthebrooksfromSelbyandNuttall，newmines，weresunk，untilsoonthereweresixpitsworking。FromNuttall，highuponthesandstoneamongthewoods，therailwayran，pastthe，ruinedprioryoftheCarthusiansandpastRobinHood’sWell，downto，SpinneyPark，thenontoMinton，alargemineamongcorn-fields;
fromMintonacrossthefarmlandsofthevalleysideto，Bunker’sHill，branchingoffthere，andrunning，northtoBeggarleeandSelby，thatlooksoveratCrichandthehills，ofDerbyshire：，sixmineslikeblackstudsonthecountryside，linkedbyaloopoffinechain，therailway。
Toaccommodatetheregimentsofminers，Carston，WaiteandCo。
builttheSquares，greatquadranglesofdwellingsonthehillside，ofBestwood，andthen，inthebrookvalley，onthesiteofHellRow，theyerectedtheBottoms。
TheBottomsconsistedofsixblocksofminers’dwellings，tworowsofthree，likethedotsonablank-sixdomino，andtwelve，housesinablock。Thisdoublerowofdwellingssatatthefoot，oftherathersharpslopefromBestwood，andlookedout，fromthe，atticwindowsatleast，ontheslowclimbofthevalleytowardsSelby。
Thehousesthemselvesweresubstantialandverydecent。
Onecouldwalkallround，seeinglittlefrontgardenswithauriculas，andsaxifrageintheshadowofthebottomblock，sweet-williamsandpinks，inthesunnytopblock;seeingneatfrontwindows，littleporches，littleprivethedges，anddormerwindowsfortheattics。Butthat，wasoutside;thatwastheviewontotheuninhabitedparloursofall，thecolliers’wives。Thedwelling-room，thekitchen，wasattheback，ofthehouse，facinginwardbetweentheblocks，lookingatascrubby，backgarden，andthenattheash-pits。Andbetweentherows，betweenthelonglinesofash-pits，wentthealley，wherethechildren，playedandthewomengossipedandthemensmoked。So，theactual，conditionsoflivingintheBottoms，thatwassowellbuiltand，thatlookedsonice，werequiteunsavourybecausepeoplemustlive，inthekitchen，andthekitchensopenedontothatnastyalleyofash-pits。
Mrs。MorelwasnotanxioustomoveintotheBottoms，whichwasalreadytwelveyearsoldandonthedownwardpath，whenshedescendedtoitfromBestwood。Butitwasthebestshe，coulddo。Moreover，shehadanendhouseinoneofthetopblocks，andthushadonlyoneneighbour;ontheothersideanextrastrip，ofgarden。And，havinganendhouse，sheenjoyedakindofaristocracy，amongtheotherwomenofthe“between“houses，becauseherrent，wasfiveshillingsandsixpenceinsteadoffiveshillingsaweek。
ButthissuperiorityinstationwasnotmuchconsolationtoMrs。Morel。
Shewasthirty-oneyearsold，andhadbeenmarriedeightyears。
Arathersmallwoman，ofdelicatemouldbutresolutebearing，sheshrankalittlefromthefirstcontactwiththeBottomswomen。
ShecamedownintheJuly，andintheSeptemberexpectedher，thirdbaby。
Herhusbandwasaminer。Theyhadonlybeenintheirnewhome，threeweekswhenthewakes，orfair，began。Morel，sheknew，wassure，tomakeaholidayofit。HewentoffearlyontheMondaymorning，thedayofthefair。Thetwochildrenwerehighlyexcited。
William，aboyofseven，fledoffimmediatelyafterbreakfast，toprowlroundthewakesground，leavingAnnie，whowasonlyfive，towhineallmorningtogoalso。Mrs。Moreldidherwork。
Shescarcelyknewherneighboursyet，andknewnoonewithwhom，totrustthelittlegirl。Soshepromisedtotakehertothewakes，afterdinner。
Williamappearedathalf-pasttwelve。Hewasaveryactivelad，fair-haired，freckled，withatouchoftheDaneorNorwegian，abouthim。
“CanIhavemydinner，mother？”hecried，rushinginwithhis，capon。”’Causeitbeginsathalf-pastone，themansaysso。”
“Youcanhaveyourdinnerassoonasit’sdone，“repliedthemother。
“Isn’titdone？”hecried，hisblueeyesstaringather，inindignation。”ThenI’mgoin’be-outit。”
“You’lldonothingofthesort。Itwillbedoneinfiveminutes。
Itisonlyhalf-pasttwelve。”
“They’llbebeginnin’，“theboyhalfcried，halfshouted。
“Youwon’tdieiftheydo，“saidthemother。”Besides，it’s，onlyhalf-pasttwelve，soyou’veafullhour。”
Theladbeganhastilytolaythetable，anddirectlythethree，satdown。Theywereeatingbatter-puddingandjam，whentheboy，jumpedoffhischairandstoodperfectlystiff。Somedistance，awaycouldbeheardthefirstsmallbrayingofamerry-go-round，andthetootingofahorn。Hisfacequiveredashelookedathismother。
“Itoldyou！”hesaid，runningtothedresserforhiscap。
“Takeyourpuddinginyourhand——andit’sonlyfivepastone，soyouwerewrong——youhaven’tgotyourtwopence，“criedthemother，inabreath。
Theboycameback，bitterlydisappointed，forhistwopence，thenwentoffwithoutaword。
“Iwanttogo，Iwanttogo，“saidAnnie，beginningtocry。
“Well，andyoushallgo，whining，wizzeninglittlestick！”
saidthemother。Andlaterintheafternoonshetrudgedupthe，hillunderthetallhedgewithherchild。Thehaywasgathered，fromthefields，andcattlewereturnedontotheeddish。
Itwaswarm，peaceful。
Mrs。Moreldidnotlikethewakes。Thereweretwosetsofhorses，onegoingbysteam，onepulledroundbyapony;threeorgans，weregrinding，andtherecameoddcracksofpistol-shots，fearful，screechingofthecocoanutman’srattle，shoutsoftheAuntSallyman，screechesfromthepeep-showlady。Themotherperceivedhersongazing，enrapturedoutsidetheLionWallacebooth，atthepicturesofthis，famouslionthathadkilledanegroandmaimedforlifetwowhitemen。
Shelefthimalone，andwenttogetAnnieaspinoftoffee。
Presentlytheladstoodinfrontofher，wildlyexcited。
“Youneversaidyouwascoming——isn’tthe’alotofthings？-
thatlion’skilledthreemen-l’vespentmytuppence-an’lookhere。”
Hepulledfromhispockettwoegg-cups，withpinkmoss-roses，onthem。
“Igotthesefromthatstallwherey’avetergetthemmarbles，inthemholes。An’Igotthesetwointwogoes-’aepennyago-they’ve，gotmoss-roseson，lookhere。Iwantedthese。”
Sheknewhewantedthemforher。
“H’m！”shesaid，pleased。”TheyAREpretty！”
“Shallyoucarry’em，’causeI’mfrightenedo’breakin’’em？”
Hewastipfulofexcitementnowshehadcome，ledherabout，theground，showedhereverything。Then，atthepeep-show，she，explainedthepictures，inasortofstory，towhichhelistened，asifspellbound。Hewouldnotleaveher。Allthetimehe，stuckclosetoher，bristlingwithasmallboy’sprideofher。
Fornootherwomanlookedsuchaladyasshedid，inherlittleblack，bonnetandhercloak。Shesmiledwhenshesawwomensheknew。
Whenshewastiredshesaidtoherson：
“Well，areyoucomingnow，orlater？”
“Areyougoin’a’ready？”hecried，hisfacefullofreproach。
“Already？，Itispastfour，Iknow。”
“Whatareyougoin’a’readyfor？”helamented。
“Youneedn’tcomeifyoudon’twant，“shesaid。
Andshewentslowlyawaywithherlittlegirl，whilstherson，stoodwatchingher，cuttothehearttolethergo，andyetunable，toleavethewakes。Asshecrossedtheopengroundinfrontof，theMoonandStarssheheardmenshouting，andsmelledthebeer，andhurriedalittle，thinkingherhusbandwasprobablyinthebar。
Atabouthalf-pastsixhersoncamehome，tirednow，ratherpale，andsomewhatwretched。Hewasmiserable，thoughhedidnotknowit，becausehehadlethergoalone。Sinceshehadgone，hehadnot，enjoyedhiswakes。
“Hasmydadbeen？”heasked。
“No，“saidthemother。
“He’shelpingtowaitattheMoonandStars。Iseedhimthrough，thatblacktinstuffwi’holesin，onthewindow，wi’hissleeves，rolledup。”
“Ha！”exclaimedthemothershortly。”He’sgotnomoney。
An’he’llbesatisfiedifhegetshis’lowance，whetherthey，givehimmoreornot。”
Whenthelightwasfading，andMrs。Morelcouldseenomoretosew，sheroseandwenttothedoor。Everywherewasthesoundofexcitement，therestlessnessoftheholiday，thatatlastinfectedher。Shewent，outintothesidegarden。Womenwerecominghomefromthewakes，thechildrenhuggingawhitelambwithgreenlegs，orawoodenhorse。
Occasionallyamanlurchedpast，almostasfullashecouldcarry。
Sometimesagoodhusbandcamealongwithhisfamily，peacefully。
Butusuallythewomenandchildrenwerealone。Thestay-at-homemothers，stoodgossipingatthecornersofthealley，asthetwilightsank，foldingtheirarmsundertheirwhiteaprons。
Mrs。Morelwasalone，butshewasusedtoit。Hersonandher，littlegirlsleptupstairs;so，itseemed，herhomewastherebehindher，fixedandstable。Butshefeltwretchedwiththecomingchild。
Theworldseemedadrearyplace，wherenothingelsewouldhappen，forher——atleastuntilWilliamgrewup。Butforherself，nothingbutthisdrearyendurance——tillthechildrengrewup。
Andthechildren！，Shecouldnotaffordtohavethisthird。
Shedidnotwantit。Thefatherwasservingbeerinapublichouse，swillinghimselfdrunk。Shedespisedhim，andwastiedtohim。
Thiscomingchildwastoomuchforher。IfitwerenotforWilliam，andAnnie，shewassickofit，thestrugglewith，povertyanduglinessandmeanness。
Shewentintothefrontgarden，feelingtooheavytotake，herselfout，yetunabletostayindoors。Theheatsuffocatedher。
Andlookingahead，theprospectofherlifemadeherfeelasifshe，wereburiedalive。
Thefrontgardenwasasmallsquarewithaprivethedge。
Thereshestood，tryingtosootheherselfwiththescentofflowers，andthefading，beautifulevening。Oppositehersmallgatewasthe，stilethatleduphill，underthetallhedgebetweentheburningglow，ofthecutpastures。Theskyoverheadthrobbedandpulsedwithlight。
Theglowsankquicklyoffthefield;theearthandthehedges，smokeddusk。Asitgrewdark，aruddyglarecameoutonthehilltop，andoutoftheglarethediminishedcommotionofthefair。
Sometimes，downthetroughofdarknessformedbythepath，underthehedges，mencamelurchinghome。Oneyoungmanlapsed，intoarundownthesteepbitthatendedthehill，andwentwitha，crashintothestile。Mrs。Morelshuddered。Hepickedhimselfup，swearingviciously，ratherpathetically，asifhethoughtthestile，hadwantedtohurthim。
Shewentindoors，wonderingifthingswerenevergoingtoalter。
Shewasbeginningbynowtorealisethattheywouldnot。Sheseemed，sofarawayfromhergirlhood，shewonderedifitwerethesame，personwalkingheavilyupthebackgardenattheBottomsashadrun，solightlyupthebreakwateratSheernesstenyearsbefore。
“WhathaveItodowithit？”shesaidtoherself。”Whathave，Itodowithallthis？，EventhechildIamgoingtohave！
Itdoesn’tseemasifIweretakenintoaccount。”
Sometimeslifetakesholdofone，carriesthebodyalong，accomplishesone’shistory，andyetisnotreal，butleavesoneself，asitwereslurredover。
“Iwait，“Mrs。Morelsaidtoherself——“Iwait，andwhatIwait，forcannevercome。”
Thenshestraightenedthekitchen，litthelamp，mendedthefire，lookedoutthewashingforthenextday，andputittosoak。
Afterwhichshesatdowntohersewing。Throughthelonghoursher，needleflashedregularlythroughthestuff。Occasionallyshesighed，movingtorelieveherself。Andallthetimeshewasthinking，howtomakethemostofwhatshehad，forthechildren’ssakes。
Athalf-pastelevenherhusbandcame。Hischeekswerevery，redandveryshinyabovehisblackmoustache。Hisheadnoddedslightly。
Hewaspleasedwithhimself。
“Oh！Oh！waitin’forme，lass？，I’vebin’elpin’Anthony，an’
what’sthinkhe’sgenme？，Nowtb’ralousyhae’f-crown，an’
that’sivrypenny——“
“Hethinksyou’vemadetherestupinbeer，“shesaidshortly。
“An’I’aven’t——thatI’aven’t。Youb’lieveme，I’ve’ad，verylittlethisday，Ihavean’all。”，Hisvoicewenttender。
“Here，an’Ibrowttheeabito’brandysnap，an’acocoanutforth’
children。”，Helaidthegingerbreadandthecocoanut，ahairyobject，onthetable。”Nay，thaniversaidthankyerfornowti’thylife，didter？”
Asacompromise，shepickedupthecocoanutandshookit，toseeifithadanymilk。
“It’sagood’un，youmaybackyerlifeo’that。Igotitfra’
BillHodgkisson。’Bill，’Isays，’thanonwantsthemthreenuts，doester？，Arenaterforgi’ein’meoneformybitofaladan’
wench？’，’Iham，Walter，mylad，’’esays;’ta’ewhichon’em，ter’samind。’，An’soItookone，an’thanked’im。Ididn’t，liketershakeitafore’iseyes，but’esays，’Tha’dbetterma’e，sureit’sagoodun，Walt。’，An’so，yersee，Iknoweditwas。
He’sanicechap，isBillHodgkisson，e’sanicechap！”
“Amanwillpartwithanythingsolongashe’sdrunk，andyou’redrunkalongwithhim，“saidMrs。Morel。
“Eh，thamuckylittle’ussy，who’sdrunk，Ish’dliketerknow？”
saidMorel。Hewasextraordinarilypleasedwithhimself，becauseofhisday’shelpingtowaitintheMoonandStars。
Hechatteredon。
Mrs。Morel，verytired，andsickofhisbabble，wenttobed，asquicklyaspossible，whileherakedthefire。
Mrs。Morelcameofagoodoldburgherfamily，famousindependents，whohadfoughtwithColonelHutchinson，andwhoremainedstout，Congregationalists。Hergrandfatherhadgonebankruptinthelace-market，atatimewhensomanylace-manufacturerswereruinedinNottingham。
Herfather，GeorgeCoppard，wasanengineer——alarge，handsome，haughtyman，proudofhisfairskinandblueeyes，butmoreproud，stillofhisintegrity。Gertruderesembledhermotherinhersmall，build。Buthertemper，proudandunyielding，shehadfromtheCoppards。
GeorgeCoppardwasbitterlygalledbyhisownpoverty。
HebecameforemanoftheengineersinthedockyardatSheerness。
Mrs。Morel——Gertrude——wastheseconddaughter。Shefavouredhermother，lovedhermotherbestofall;butshehadtheCoppards’clear，defiantblueeyesandtheirbroadbrow。Sherememberedtohave，hatedherfather’soverbearingmannertowardshergentle，humorous，kindly-souledmother。Sherememberedrunningoverthebreakwater，atSheernessandfindingtheboat。Sherememberedtohavebeen，pettedandflatteredbyallthemenwhenshehadgonetothedockyard，forshewasadelicate，ratherproudchild。Sherememberedthefunny，oldmistress，whoseassistantshehadbecome，whomshehadlovedtohelp，intheprivateschool。AndshestillhadtheBiblethatJohnField，hadgivenher。SheusedtowalkhomefromchapelwithJohnField，whenshewasnineteen。Hewasthesonofawell-to-dotradesman，hadbeentocollegeinLondon，andwastodevotehimselftobusiness。
ShecouldalwaysrecallindetailaSeptemberSundayafternoon，whentheyhadsatunderthevineatthebackofherfather’shouse。
Thesuncamethroughthechinksofthevine-leavesandmade，beautifulpatterns，likealacescarf，fallingonherandonhim。
Someoftheleaveswerecleanyellow，likeyellowflatflowers。
“Nowsitstill，“hehadcried。”Nowyourhair，Idon’tknow，whatitISlike！，It’sasbrightascopperandgold，asredas，burntcopper，andithasgoldthreadswherethesunshinesonit。
Fancytheirsayingit’sbrown。Yourmothercallsitmouse-colour。”
Shehadmethisbrillianteyes，butherclearfacescarcely，showedtheelationwhichrosewithinher。
“Butyousayyoudon’tlikebusiness，“shepursued。
“Idon’t。Ihateit！”hecriedhotly。
“Andyouwouldliketogointotheministry，“shehalfimplored。
“Ishould。Ishouldloveit，ifIthoughtIcouldmake，afirst-ratepreacher。”
“Thenwhydon’tyou——whyDON’Tyou？”Hervoicerangwithdefiance。
“IfIwereaman，nothingwouldstopme。”
Sheheldherheaderect。Hewasrathertimidbeforeher。
“Butmyfather’ssostiff-necked。Hemeanstoputmeinto，thebusiness，andIknowhe’lldoit。”
“Butifyou’reaMAN？”shehadcried。
“Beingamanisn’teverything，“hereplied，frowningwith，puzzledhelplessness。
Now，asshemovedaboutherworkattheBottoms，withsome，experienceofwhatbeingamanmeant，sheknewthatitwasNOTeverything。
Attwenty，owingtoherhealth，shehadleftSheerness。
HerfatherhadretiredhometoNottingham。JohnField’sfather，hadbeenruined;thesonhadgoneasateacherinNorwood。Shedid，nothearofhimuntil，twoyearslater，shemadedeterminedinquiry。
Hehadmarriedhislandlady，awomanofforty，awidowwithproperty。
AndstillMrs。MorelpreservedJohnField’sBible。Shedid，notnowbelievehimtobe——Well，sheunderstoodprettywellwhathe，mightormightnothavebeen。SoshepreservedhisBible，andkept，hismemoryintactinherheart，forherownsake。Toherdyingday，forthirty-fiveyears，shedidnotspeakofhim。
Whenshewastwenty-threeyearsold，shemet，ataChristmas，party，ayoungmanfromtheErewashValley。Morelwasthen，twenty-sevenyearsold。Hewaswellset-up，erect，andverysmart。
Hehadwavyblackhairthatshoneagain，andavigorousblack，beardthathadneverbeenshaved。Hischeekswereruddy，andhisred，moistmouthwasnoticeablebecausehelaughedsooften，andsoheartily。Hehadthatrarething，arich，ringinglaugh。
GertrudeCoppardhadwatchedhim，fascinated。Hewassofullof，colourandanimation，hisvoiceransoeasilyintocomicgrotesque，hewassoreadyandsopleasantwitheverybody。Herownfather，hadarichfundofhumour，butitwassatiric。Thisman’s，wasdifferent：，soft，non-intellectual，warm，akindofgambolling。
Sheherselfwasopposite。Shehadacurious，receptivemind，whichfoundmuchpleasureandamusementinlisteningtootherfolk。
Shewascleverinleadingfolktotalk。Shelovedideas，andwas，consideredveryintellectual。Whatshelikedmostofallwasan，argumentonreligionorphilosophyorpoliticswithsomeeducatedman。
Thisshedidnotoftenenjoy。Soshealwayshadpeopletellher，aboutthemselves，findingherpleasureso。
Inherpersonshewasrathersmallanddelicate，witha，largebrow，anddroppingbunchesofbrownsilkcurls。Herblueeyes，wereverystraight，honest，andsearching。Shehadthebeautiful，handsoftheCoppards。Herdresswasalwayssubdued。Shewore，darkbluesilk，withapeculiarsilverchainofsilverscallops。
This，andaheavybroochoftwistedgold，washeronlyornament。
Shewasstillperfectlyintact，deeplyreligious，andfull，ofbeautifulcandour。
WalterMorelseemedmeltedawaybeforeher。Shewas，totheminerthatthingofmysteryandfascination，alady。
Whenshespoketohim，itwaswithasouthernpronunciationanda，purityofEnglishwhichthrilledhimtohear。Shewatchedhim。
Hedancedwell，asifitwerenaturalandjoyousinhimtodance。
HisgrandfatherwasaFrenchrefugeewhohadmarriedanEnglish，barmaid——ifithadbeenamarriage。GertrudeCoppardwatchedthe，youngminerashedanced，acertainsubtleexultationlikeglamourin，hismovement，andhisfacetheflowerofhisbody，ruddy，withtumbled，blackhair，andlaughingalikewhateverpartnerhebowedabove。
Shethoughthimratherwonderful，neverhavingmetanyonelikehim。
Herfatherwastoherthetypeofallmen。AndGeorgeCoppard，proudinhisbearing，handsome，andratherbitter;whopreferred，theologyinreading，andwhodrewnearinsympathyonlytooneman，theApostlePaul;whowasharshingovernment，andinfamiliarityironic;
whoignoredallsensuouspleasure：——hewasverydifferentfrom，theminer。Gertrudeherselfwasrathercontemptuousofdancing;
shehadnottheslightestinclinationtowardsthataccomplishment，andhadneverlearnedevenaRogerdeCoverley。Shewaspuritan，likeherfather，high-minded，andreallystern。Thereforethedusky，goldensoftnessofthisman’ssensuousflameoflife，thatflowedoff，hisfleshliketheflamefromacandle，notbaffledandgrippedinto，incandescencebythoughtandspiritasherlifewas，seemedtoher，somethingwonderful，beyondher。
Hecameandbowedaboveher。Awarmthradiatedthroughher，asifshehaddrunkwine。
“Nowdocomeandhavethisonewi’me，“hesaidcaressively。
“It’seasy，youknow。I’mpiningtoseeyoudance。”
Shehadtoldhimbeforeshecouldnotdance。Sheglanced，athishumilityandsmiled。Hersmilewasverybeautiful。
Itmovedthemansothatheforgoteverything。
“No，Iwon’tdance，“shesaidsoftly。Herwordscameclean，andringing。
Notknowingwhathewasdoing——heoftendidtherightthing，byinstinct——hesatbesideher，incliningreverentially。
“Butyoumustn’tmissyourdance，“shereproved。
“Nay，Idon’twanttodancethat——it’snotoneasIcareabout。”
“Yetyouinvitedmetoit。”
Helaughedveryheartilyatthis。
“Ineverthoughto’that。Tha’rtnotlongintakingthecurl，outofme。”
Itwasherturntolaughquickly。
“Youdon’tlookasifyou’dcomemuchuncurled，“shesaid。
“I’mlikeapig’stail，IcurlbecauseIcannahelpit，“
helaughed，ratherboisterously。
“Andyouareaminer！”sheexclaimedinsurprise。
“Yes。IwentdownwhenIwasten。”
Shelookedathiminwonderingdismay。
“Whenyouwereten！，Andwasn’titveryhard？”sheasked。
“Yousoongetusedtoit。Youliveliketh’mice，an’youpop，outatnighttoseewhat’sgoingon。”
“Itmakesmefeelblind，“shefrowned。
“Likeamoudiwarp！”helaughed。”Yi，an’there’ssomechaps，asdoesgoroundlikemoudiwarps。”，Hethrusthisfaceforward，intheblind，snout-likewayofamole，seemingtosniffand，peerfordirection。”Theydunthough！”heprotestednaively。
“Thaniverseedsuchawaytheygetin。Butthamunletmeta’e，theedownsometime，an’thacanseeforthysen。”
Shelookedathim，startled。Thiswasanewtractoflife，suddenlyopenedbeforeher。Sherealisedthelifeoftheminers，hundredsofthemtoilingbelowearthandcomingupatevening。
Heseemedtohernoble。Heriskedhislifedaily，andwithgaiety。
Shelookedathim，withatouchofappealinherpurehumility。
“Shouldn’tterlikeit？”heaskedtenderly。”’Appennot，it’uddirtythee。”
Shehadneverbeen“thee’d“and“thou’d“before。
ThenextChristmastheyweremarried，andforthreemonths，shewasperfectlyhappy：，forsixmonthsshewasveryhappy。
Hehadsignedthepledge，andworetheblueribbonofa，tee-totaller：，hewasnothingifnotshowy。Theylived，shethought，inhisownhouse。Itwassmall，butconvenientenough，andquite，nicelyfurnished，withsolid，worthystuffthatsuitedherhonestsoul。
Thewomen，herneighbours，wereratherforeigntoher，andMorel’s，motherandsisterswereapttosneeratherladylikeways。
Butshecouldperfectlywelllivebyherself，solongasshe，hadherhusbandclose。
Sometimes，whensheherselfweariedoflove-talk，shetried，toopenherheartseriouslytohim。Shesawhimlistendeferentially，butwithoutunderstanding。Thiskilledhereffortsatafinerintimacy，andshehadflashesoffear。Sometimeshewasrestlessofanevening：
itwasnotenoughforhimjusttobenearher，sherealised。
Shewasgladwhenhesethimselftolittlejobs。
Hewasaremarkablyhandyman——couldmakeormendanything。
Soshewouldsay：
“Idolikethatcoal-rakeofyourmother’s——itissmallandnatty。”
“Doester，mywench？，Well，Imadethat，soIcanmakethee，one！“
“What！why，it’sasteelone！”
“An’whatifitis！，Thas’ltha’eoneverysimilar，ifnot，exactlysame。”
Shedidnotmindthemess，northehammeringandnoise。
Hewasbusyandhappy。
Butintheseventhmonth，whenshewasbrushinghisSundaycoat，shefeltpapersinthebreastpocket，and，seizedwithasuddencuriosity，tookthemouttoread。Heveryrarelyworethefrock-coathewas，marriedin：，andithadnotoccurredtoherbeforetofeelcurious，concerningthepapers。Theywerethebillsofthehouseholdfurniture，stillunpaid。
“Lookhere，“shesaidatnight，afterhewaswashedandhad，hadhisdinner。”Ifoundtheseinthepocketofyourwedding-coat。
Haven’tyousettledthebillsyet？”
“No。Ihaven’thadachance。”
“Butyoutoldmeallwaspaid。IhadbettergointoNottingham，onSaturdayandsettlethem。Idon’tlikesittingonanotherman’s，chairsandeatingfromanunpaidtable。”
Hedidnotanswer。
“Icanhaveyourbank-book，can’tI？”
“Thacanha’eit，forwhatgoodit’llbetothee。”
“Ithought——“shebegan。Hehadtoldherhehadagoodbitof，moneyleftover。Butsherealiseditwasnouseaskingquestions。
Shesatrigidwithbitternessandindignation。
Thenextdayshewentdowntoseehismother。
“Didn’tyoubuythefurnitureforWalter？”sheasked。
“Yes，Idid，“tartlyretortedtheelderwoman。
“Andhowmuchdidhegiveyoutopayforit？”
Theelderwomanwasstungwithfineindignation。
“Eightypound，ifyou’resokeenonknowin’，“shereplied。
“Eightypounds！，Butthereareforty-twopoundsstillowing！”
“Ican’thelpthat。”
“Butwherehasitallgone？”
“You’llfindallthepapers，Ithink，ifyoulook——besideten，poundasheowedme，an’sixpoundastheweddingcostdownhere。”
“Sixpounds！”echoedGertrudeMorel。Itseemedtoher，monstrousthat，afterherownfatherhadpaidsoheavily，forherwedding，sixpoundsmoreshouldhavebeensquandered，ineatinganddrinkingatWalter’sparents’house，athisexpense。
“Andhowmuchhashesunkinhishouses？”sheasked。
“Hishouses——whichhouses？”
GertrudeMorelwentwhitetothelips。Hehadtoldher，thehousehelivedin，andthenextone，washisown。
“Ithoughtthehousewelivein——“shebegan。
“They’remyhouses，thosetwo，“saidthemother-in-law。“And，notcleareither。It’sasmuchasIcandotokeepthemortgage，interestpaid。”
Gertrudesatwhiteandsilent。Shewasherfathernow。
“Thenweoughttobepayingyourent，“shesaidcoldly。
“Walterispayingmerent，“repliedthemother。
“Andwhatrent？”askedGertrude。
“Sixandsixaweek，“retortedthemother。
Itwasmorethanthehousewasworth。Gertrudeheldher，headerect，lookedstraightbeforeher。
“Itisluckytobeyou，“saidtheelderwoman，bitingly，“tohaveahusbandastakesalltheworryofthemoney，andleaves，youafreehand。”
Theyoungwifewassilent。
Shesaidverylittletoherhusband，buthermannerhad，changedtowardshim。Somethinginherproud，honourablesoul，hadcrystallisedouthardasrock。
WhenOctobercamein，shethoughtonlyofChristmas。Twoyearsago，atChristmas，shehadmethim。LastChristmasshehadmarriedhim。
ThisChristmasshewouldbearhimachild。
“Youdon’tdanceyourself，doyou，missis？”askedher，nearestneighbour，inOctober，whentherewasgreattalk，ofopeningadancing-classovertheBrickandTileInnatBestwood。
“No——Ineverhadtheleastinclinationto，“Mrs。Morelreplied。
“Fancy！An’howfunnyasyoushouldha’marriedyourMester。
Youknowhe’squiteafamousonefordancing。”
“Ididn’tknowhewasfamous，“laughedMrs。Morel。
“Yea，heisthough！，Why，heranthatdancing-classintheMiners’
Armsclub-roomforoverfiveyear。”
“Didhe？”
“Yes，hedid。”，Theotherwomanwasdefiant。”An’itwas，throngedeveryTuesday，andThursday，an’Sat’day——an’thereWAS
carryin’s-on，accordin’toallaccounts。”
ThiskindofthingwasgallandbitternesstoMrs。Morel，andshehadafairshareofit。Thewomendidnotspareher，atfirst;
forshewassuperior，thoughshecouldnothelpit。
Hebegantoberatherlateincominghome。
“They’reworkingverylatenow，aren’tthey？”shesaidtoher，washer-woman。
“Nolaterthantheyallersdo，Idon’tthink。Buttheystopto，havetheirpintatEllen’s，an’theygettalkin’，an’thereyouare！
Dinnerstonecold——an’itserves’emright。”
“ButMr。Moreldoesnottakeanydrink。”
Thewomandroppedtheclothes，lookedatMrs。Morel，thenwent，onwithherwork，sayingnothing。
GertrudeMorelwasveryillwhentheboywasborn。
Morelwasgoodtoher，asgoodasgold。Butshefeltverylonely，milesawayfromherownpeople。Shefeltlonelywithhimnow，andhispresenceonlymadeitmoreintense。
Theboywassmallandfrailatfirst，buthecameonquickly。
Hewasabeautifulchild，withdarkgoldringlets，anddark-blue，eyeswhichchangedgraduallytoacleargrey。Hismotherloved，himpassionately。Hecamejustwhenherownbitternessof，disillusionwashardesttobear;whenherfaithinlifewasshaken，andhersoulfeltdrearyandlonely。Shemademuchofthechild，andthefatherwasjealous。
AtlastMrs。Moreldespisedherhusband。Sheturnedto，thechild;sheturnedfromthefather。Hehadbeguntoneglecther;
thenoveltyofhisownhomewasgone。Hehadnogrit，shesaid，bitterlytoherself。Whathefeltjustattheminute，thatwasalltohim。
Hecouldnotabidebyanything。Therewasnothingattheback，ofallhisshow。
Therebeganabattlebetweenthehusbandandwife——afearful，bloodybattlethatendedonlywiththedeathofone。Shefought，tomakehimundertakehisownresponsibilities，tomakehimfulfill，hisobligations。Buthewastoodifferentfromher。Hisnature，waspurelysensuous，andshestrovetomakehimmoral，religious。
Shetriedtoforcehimtofacethings。Hecouldnotendureit——it，drovehimoutofhismind。
Whilethebabywasstilltiny，thefather’stemperhadbecome，soirritablethatitwasnottobetrusted。Thechildhadonlyto，givealittletroublewhenthemanbegantobully。Alittlemore，andthehardhandsofthecollierhitthebaby。ThenMrs。Morel，loathedherhusband，loathedhimfordays;andhewentoutanddrank;
andshecaredverylittlewhathedid。Only，onhisreturn，shescathedhimwithhersatire。
Theestrangementbetweenthemcausedhim，knowinglyorunknowingly，grosslytooffendherwherehewouldnothavedone。
Williamwasonlyoneyearold，andhismotherwasproudofhim，hewassopretty。Shewasnotwelloffnow，buthersisterskept，theboyinclothes。Then，withhislittlewhitehatcurledwithan，ostrichfeather，andhiswhitecoat，hewasajoytoher，thetwining，wispsofhairclusteringroundhishead。Mrs。Morellaylistening，oneSundaymorning，tothechatterofthefatherandchilddownstairs。
Thenshedozedoff。Whenshecamedownstairs，agreatfireglowed，inthegrate，theroomwashot，thebreakfastwasroughlylaid，andseatedinhisarmchair，againstthechimney-piece，satMorel，rathertimid;andstandingbetweenhislegs，thechild——cropped，likeasheep，withsuchanoddroundpoll——lookingwonderingather;
andonanewspaperspreadoutuponthehearthrug，amyriadof，crescent-shapedcurls，likethepetalsofamarigoldscatteredinthe，reddeningfirelight。
Mrs。Morelstoodstill。Itwasherfirstbaby。Shewent，verywhite，andwasunabletospeak。
“Whatdostthinko’’im？”Morellaugheduneasily。
Shegrippedhertwofists，liftedthem，andcameforward。
Morelshrankback。
“Icouldkillyou，Icould！”shesaid。Shechokedwithrage，hertwofistsuplifted。
“Yernonwanttermakeawenchon’im，“Morelsaid，ina，frightenedtone，bendinghisheadtoshieldhiseyesfromhers。
Hisattemptatlaughterhadvanished。
Themotherlookeddownatthejagged，close-clippedheadof，herchild。Sheputherhandsonhishair，andstrokedandfondled，hishead。
“Oh——myboy！”shefaltered。Herliptrembled，herfacebroke，and，snatchingupthechild，sheburiedherfaceinhisshoulder，andcriedpainfully。Shewasoneofthosewomenwhocannotcry;
whomithurtsasithurtsaman。Itwaslikerippingsomething，outofher，hersobbing。
Morelsatwithhiselbowsonhisknees，hishandsgripped，togethertilltheknuckleswerewhite。Hegazedinthefire，feelingalmoststunned，asifhecouldnotbreathe。
Presentlyshecametoanend，soothedthechildandclearedaway，thebreakfast-table。Sheleftthenewspaper，litteredwithcurls，spreaduponthehearthrug。Atlastherhusbandgathereditupandput，itatthebackofthefire。Shewentaboutherworkwithclosed，mouthandveryquiet。Morelwassubdued。Hecreptaboutwretchedly，andhismealswereamiserythatday。Shespoketohimcivilly，andneveralludedtowhathehaddone。Buthefeltsomethingfinal，hadhappened。
Afterwardsshesaidshehadbeensilly，thattheboy’shair，wouldhavehadtobecut，soonerorlater。Intheend，sheeven，broughtherselftosaytoherhusbanditwasjustaswellhehad，playedbarberwhenhedid。Butsheknew，andMorelknew，thatthat，acthadcausedsomethingmomentoustotakeplaceinhersoul。
Sherememberedthesceneallherlife，asoneinwhichshehad，sufferedthemostintensely。
Thisactofmasculineclumsinesswasthespearthroughthesideof，herloveforMorel。Before，whileshehadstrivenagainsthimbitterly，shehadfrettedafterhim，asifhehadgoneastrayfromher。
Nowsheceasedtofretforhislove：，hewasanoutsidertoher。
Thismadelifemuchmorebearable。
Nevertheless，shestillcontinuedtostrivewithhim。Shestill，hadherhighmoralsense，inheritedfromgenerationsofPuritans。
Itwasnowareligiousinstinct，andshewasalmostafanatic，withhim，becauseshelovedhim，orhadlovedhim。Ifhesinned，shetorturedhim。Ifhedrank，andlied，wasoftenapoltroon，sometimesaknave，shewieldedthelashunmercifully。
Thepitywas，shewastoomuchhisopposite。Shecouldnotbe，contentwiththelittlehemightbe;shewouldhavehimthemuchthat，heoughttobe。So，inseekingtomakehimnoblerthanhecouldbe，shedestroyedhim。Sheinjuredandhurtandscarredherself，butshelostnoneofherworth。Shealsohadthechildren。
Hedrankratherheavily，thoughnotmorethanmanyminers，andalwaysbeer，sothatwhilsthishealthwasaffected，itwas，neverinjured。Theweek-endwashischiefcarouse。Hesatin，theMiners’Armsuntilturning-outtimeeveryFriday，everySaturday，andeverySundayevening。OnMondayandTuesdayhehadtogetup，andreluctantlyleavetowardsteno’clock。Sometimeshestayedathome，onWednesdayandThursdayevenings，orwasonlyoutforanhour。
Hepracticallyneverhadtomissworkowingtohisdrinking。
Butalthoughhewasverysteadyatwork，hiswagesfelloff。
Hewasblab-mouthed，atongue-wagger。Authoritywashatefultohim，thereforehecouldonlyabusethepit-managers。Hewouldsay，inthePalmerston：
“Th’gaffercomedowntoourstallthismorning，an’’esays，’Youknow，Walter，this’ere’llnotdo。Whatabouttheseprops？’
An’Isaystohim，’Why，whatarttalkin’about？，Whatd’st，meanaboutth’props？’，’It’llneverdo，this’ere，’’esays。
’You’llbehavin’th’roofin，oneo’thesedays。’，An’Isays，’Tha’dbetterstan’onabito’clunch，then，an’holditupwi’
thy’ead。’，So’eworthatmad，’ecossedan’’eswore，an’
t’otherchapstheydidlaugh。”，Morelwasagoodmimic。Heimitated，themanager’sfat，squeakyvoice，withitsattemptatgoodEnglish。
“’Ishan’thaveit，Walter。Whoknowsmoreaboutit，meoryou？’
SoIsays，’I’veniverfunouthowmuchtha’knows，Alfred。
It’ll’appencarrytheeterbedan’back。”’
SoMorelwouldgoontotheamusementofhisbooncompanions。
Andsomeofthiswouldbetrue。Thepit-managerwasnotan，educatedman。HehadbeenaboyalongwithMorel，sothat，whilethetwodislikedeachother，theymoreorlesstookeach，otherforgranted。ButAlfredCharlesworthdidnotforgive，thebuttythesepublic-housesayings。Consequently，althoughMorel，wasagoodminer，sometimesearningasmuchasfivepoundsaweek，whenhemarried，hecamegraduallytohaveworseandworsestalls，wherethecoalwasthin，andhardtoget，andunprofitable。
Also，insummer，thepitsareslack。Often，onbrightsunny，mornings，themenareseentroopinghomeagainatten，eleven，ortwelve，o’clock。Noemptytrucksstandatthepit-mouth。Thewomenonthe，hillsidelookacrossastheyshakethehearthrugagainstthefence，andcountthewagonstheengineistakingalongthelineupthevalley。
Andthechildren，astheycomefromschoolatdinner-time，looking，downthefieldsandseeingthewheelsontheheadstocksstanding，say：
“Minton’sknockedoff。Mydad’llbeathome。”
Andthereisasortofshadowoverall，womenandchildren，andmen，becausemoneywillbeshortattheendoftheweek。
Morelwassupposedtogivehiswifethirtyshillingsaweek，toprovideeverything——rent，food，clothes，clubs，insurance，doctors。
Occasionally，ifhewereflush，hegaveherthirty-five。But，theseoccasionsbynomeansbalancedthosewhenhegaveher，twenty-five。Inwinter，withadecentstall，theminermight，earnfiftyorfifty-fiveshillingsaweek。Thenhewashappy。
OnFridaynight，Saturday，andSunday，hespentroyally，gettingrid，ofhissovereignorthereabouts。Andoutofsomuch，hescarcely，sparedthechildrenanextrapennyorboughtthemapoundofapples。
Itallwentindrink。Inthebadtimes，mattersweremoreworrying，buthewasnotsooftendrunk，sothatMrs。Morelusedtosay：
“I’mnotsureIwouldn’tratherbeshort，forwhenhe’sflush，thereisn’taminuteofpeace。”
Ifheearnedfortyshillingshekeptten;fromthirty-fivehe，keptfive;fromthirty-twohekeptfour;fromtwenty-eighthekeptthree;
fromtwenty-fourhekepttwo;fromtwentyhekeptone-and-six;
fromeighteenhekeptashilling;fromsixteenhekeptsixpence。
Heneversavedapenny，andhegavehiswifenoopportunity，ofsaving;instead，shehadoccasionallytopayhisdebts;
notpublic-housedebts，forthoseneverwerepassedontothewomen，butdebtswhenhehadboughtacanary，orafancywalking-stick。
AtthewakestimeMorelwasworkingbadly，and，Mrs。Morelwastryingtosaveagainstherconfinement。
Soitgalledherbitterlytothinkheshouldbeout，takinghispleasureandspendingmoney，whilstsheremained，athome，harassed。Thereweretwodays’holiday。OntheTuesday，morningMorelroseearly。Hewasingoodspirits。Quiteearly，beforesixo’clock，sheheardhimwhistlingawaytohimselfdownstairs。
Hehadapleasantwayofwhistling，livelyandmusical。
Henearlyalwayswhistledhymns。Hehadbeenachoir-boywith，abeautifulvoice，andhadtakensolosinSouthwellcathedral。
Hismorningwhistlingalonebetrayedit。
Hiswifelaylisteningtohimtinkeringawayinthegarden，hiswhistlingringingoutashesawedandhammeredaway。Italways，gaveherasenseofwarmthandpeacetohearhimthusasshelay，inbed，thechildrennotyetawake，inthebrightearlymorning，happyinhisman’sfashion。
Atnineo’clock，whilethechildrenwithbarelegsandfeet，weresittingplayingonthesofa，andthemotherwaswashingup，hecameinfromhiscarpentry，hissleevesrolledup，hiswaistcoat，hangingopen。Hewasstillagood-lookingman，withblack，wavyhair，andalargeblackmoustache。Hisfacewasperhapstoo，muchinflamed，andtherewasabouthimalookalmostofpeevishness。
Butnowhewasjolly。Hewentstraighttothesinkwherehiswife，waswashingup。
“What，aretheethere！”hesaidboisterously。”Slutheoffan’
letmeweshmysen。”
“YoumaywaittillI’vefinished，“saidhiswife。
“Oh，munI？，An’whatifIshonna？”
Thisgood-humouredthreatamusedMrs。Morel。
“Thenyoucangoandwashyourselfinthesoft-watertub。”
“Ha！，Ican’an’a’，thamuckylittle’ussy。”
Withwhichhestoodwatchingheramoment，thenwentaway，towaitforher。
Whenhechosehecouldstillmakehimselfagainarealgallant。
Usuallyhepreferredtogooutwithascarfroundhisneck。
Now，however，hemadeatoilet。Thereseemedsomuchgustointheway，hepuffedandswilledashewashedhimself，somuchalacritywith，whichhehurriedtothemirrorinthekitchen，and，bendingbecause，itwastoolowforhim，scrupulouslypartedhiswetblackhair，thatitirritatedMrs。Morel。Heputonaturn-downcollar，ablackbow，andworehisSundaytail-coat。Assuch，helooked，spruce，andwhathisclotheswouldnotdo，hisinstinctformaking，themostofhisgoodlookswould。
Athalf-pastnineJerryPurdycametocallforhispal。
JerrywasMorel’sbosomfriend，andMrs。Moreldislikedhim。
Hewasatall，thinman，witharatherfoxyface，thekind，offacethatseemstolackeyelashes。Hewalkedwithastiff，brittledignity，asifhisheadwereonawoodenspring。Hisnature，wascoldandshrewd。Generouswhereheintendedtobegenerous，heseemedtobeveryfondofMorel，andmoreorlesstotakecharge，ofhim。
Mrs。Morelhatedhim。Shehadknownhiswife，whohaddied，ofconsumption，andwhohad，attheend，conceivedsuchaviolent，dislikeofherhusband，thatifhecameintoherroomitcaused，herhaemorrhage。NoneofwhichJerryhadseemedtomind。Andnow，hiseldestdaughter，agirloffifteen，keptapoorhouseforhim，andlookedafterthetwoyoungerchildren。
“Amean，wizzen-heartedstick！”Mrs。Morelsaidofhim。
“I’veneverknownJerrymeaninMYlife，“protestedMorel。
“Aopener-handedandmorefreerchapyoucouldn’tfindanywhere，accordin’tomyknowledge。”
“Open-handedtoyou，“retortedMrs。Morel。”Buthisfist，isshuttightenoughtohischildren，poorthings。”
“Poorthings！，Andwhatforaretheypoorthings，Ishould，liketoknow。”
ButMrs。MorelwouldnotbeappeasedonJerry’sscore。
Thesubjectofargumentwasseen，craninghisthinneck，overthescullerycurtain。HecaughtMrs。Morel’seye。
“Mornin’，missis！，Mesterin？”
“Yes——heis。”
Jerryenteredunasked，andstoodbythekitchendoorway。
Hewasnotinvitedtositdown，butstoodthere，coollyasserting，therightsofmenandhusbands。
“Aniceday，“hesaidtoMrs。Morel。
“Yes。
“Grandoutthismorning——grandforawalk。”
“DoyoumeanYOU’REgoingforawalk？”sheasked。
“Yes。Wemeanwalkin’toNottingham，“hereplied。
“H’m！”
Thetwomengreetedeachother，bothglad：，Jerry，however，fullofassurance，Morelrathersubdued，afraidtoseemtoojubilantin，presenceofhiswife。Buthelacedhisbootsquickly，withspirit。
Theyweregoingforaten-milewalkacrossthefieldstoNottingham。
ClimbingthehillsidefromtheBottoms，theymountedgailyinto，themorning。AttheMoonandStarstheyhadtheirfirstdrink，thenontotheOldSpot。Thenalongfivemilesofdroughttocarry，themintoBulwelltoagloriouspintofbitter。Buttheystayed，inafieldwithsomehaymakerswhosegallonbottlewasfull，sothat，whentheycameinsightofthecity，Morelwassleepy。Thetown，spreadupwardsbeforethem，smokingvaguelyinthemiddayglare，fridgingthecrestawaytothesouthwithspiresandfactorybulks，andchimneys。InthelastfieldMorellaydownunderanoaktree，andsleptsoundlyforoveranhour。Whenherosetogoforwardhe，feltqueer。
ThetwohaddinnerintheMeadows，withJerry’ssister，thenrepairedtothePunchBowl，wheretheymixedintheexcitement，ofpigeon-racing。Morelneverinhislifeplayedcards，consideringthem，ashavingsomeoccult，malevolentpower——“thedevil’spictures，“
hecalledthem！，Buthewasamasterofskittlesandofdominoes。
HetookachallengefromaNewarkman，onskittles。Allthemenin，theold，longbartooksides，bettingeitheronewayortheother。
Moreltookoffhiscoat。Jerryheldthehatcontainingthemoney。
Themenatthetableswatched。Somestoodwiththeirmugsin，theirhands。Morelfelthisbigwoodenballcarefully，thenlaunchedit。
Heplayedhavocamongthenine-pins，andwonhalfacrown，whichrestoredhimtosolvency。
Byseveno’clockthetwowereingoodcondition。Theycaught，the7。30trainhome。
IntheafternoontheBottomswasintolerable。Everyinhabitant，remainingwasoutofdoors。Thewomen，intwosandthrees，bareheadedandinwhiteaprons，gossipedinthealleybetweentheblocks。
Men，havingarestbetweendrinks，satontheirheelsandtalked。
Theplacesmelledstale;theslateroofsglisteredinthearidheat。
Mrs。Moreltookthelittlegirldowntothebrookinthemeadows，whichwerenotmorethantwohundredyardsaway。Thewaterran，quicklyoverstonesandbrokenpots。Motherandchildleanedon，therailoftheoldsheep-bridge，watching。Upatthedipping-hole，attheotherendofthemeadow，Mrs。Morelcouldseethenaked，formsofboysflashingroundthedeepyellowwater，oranoccasionalbrightfiguredartglitteringovertheblackish，stagnantmeadow。SheknewWilliamwasatthedipping-hole，anditwasthedreadofherlifelestheshouldgetdrowned。
Annieplayedunderthetalloldhedge，pickingupaldercones，thatshecalledcurrants。Thechildrequiredmuchattention，andtheflieswereteasing。
Thechildrenwereputtobedatseveno’clock。Thenshe，workedawhile。
WhenWalterMorelandJerryarrivedatBestwoodtheyfelt，aloadofftheirminds;arailwayjourneynolongerimpended，sotheycouldputthefinishingtouchestoagloriousday。
TheyenteredtheNelsonwiththesatisfactionofreturnedtravellers。
Thenextdaywasawork-day，andthethoughtofitputadamper，onthemen’sspirits。Mostofthem，moreover，hadspenttheirmoney。
Somewerealreadyrollingdismallyhome，tosleepinpreparation，forthemorrow。Mrs。Morel，listeningtotheirmournfulsinging，wentindoors。Nineo’clockpassed，andten，andstill“thepair“
hadnotreturned。Onadoorstepsomewhereamanwassingingloudly，inadrawl：，“Lead，kindlyLight。”，Mrs。Morelwasalwaysindignant，withthedrunkenmenthattheymustsingthathymnwhenthey，gotmaudlin。
“Asif’Genevieve’weren’tgoodenough，“shesaid。
Thekitchenwasfullofthescentofboiledherbsandhops。
Onthehobalargeblacksaucepansteamedslowly。Mrs。Moreltook，apanchion，agreatbowlofthickredearth，streamedaheapofwhite，sugarintothebottom，andthen，strainingherselftotheweight，waspouringintheliquor。
JustthenMorelcamein。HehadbeenveryjollyintheNelson，butcominghomehadgrownirritable。Hehadnotquitegotoverthe，feelingofirritabilityandpain，afterhavingsleptontheground，whenhewassohot;andabadconscienceafflictedhimasheneared，thehouse。Hedidnotknowhewasangry。Butwhenthegardengate，resistedhisattemptstoopenit，hekickeditandbrokethelatch。
HeenteredjustasMrs。Morelwaspouringtheinfusionofherbsout，ofthesaucepan。Swayingslightly，helurchedagainstthetable。
Theboilingliquorpitched。Mrs。Morelstartedback。
“Goodgracious，“shecried，“cominghomeinhisdrunkenness！”
“Comin’homeinhiswhat？”hesnarled，hishatoverhiseye。
Suddenlyherbloodroseinajet。
“Sayyou’reNOTdrunk！”sheflashed。
Shehadputdownhersaucepan，andwasstirringthesugar，intothebeer。Hedroppedhistwohandsheavilyonthetable，andthrusthisfaceforwardsather。
“’Sayyou’renotdrunk，’“herepeated。”Why，nobody，butanastylittlebitchlikeyou’ud’avesuchathought。”
Hethrusthisfaceforwardather。
“There’smoneytobezzlewith，ifthere’smoneyfornothingelse。”
“I’venotspentatwo-shillin’bitthisday，“hesaid。
“Youdon’tgetasdrunkasalordonnothing，“shereplied。
“And，“shecried，flashingintosuddenfury，“ifyou’vebeensponging，onyourbelovedJerry，why，lethimlookafterhischildren，fortheyneedit。”
“It’salie，it’salie。Shutyourface，woman。”
Theywerenowatbattle-pitch。Eachforgoteverythingsave，thehatredoftheotherandthebattlebetweenthem。Shewasfiery，andfuriousashe。Theywentontillhecalledheraliar。
“No，“shecried，startingup，scarceabletobreathe。
“Don’tcallmethat——you，themostdespicableliarthateverwalked，inshoe-leather。”Sheforcedthelastwordsoutofsuffocatedlungs。
“You’realiar！”heyelled，bangingthetablewithhisfist。
“You’realiar，you’realiar。”
Shestiffenedherself，withclenchedfists。
“Thehouseisfilthywithyou，“shecried。
“Thengetoutonit——it’smine。Getoutonit！”heshouted。
“It’smeasbringsth’moneywhoam，notthee。It’smyhouse，notthine。
Thengerouton’t——gerouton’t！”
“AndIwould，“shecried，suddenlyshakenintotears，ofimpotence。”Ah，wouldn’tI，wouldn’tIhavegonelongago，butforthosechildren。Ay，haven’tIrepentednotgoingyearsago，whenI’donlytheone“——suddenlydryingintorage。”Doyouthink，it’sforYOUIstop——doyouthinkI’dstoponeminuteforYOU？”
“Go，then，“heshouted，besidehimself。”Go！”
“No！”Shefacedround。”No，“shecriedloudly，“youshan’t，haveitALLyourownway;youshan’tdoALLyoulike。I’vegot，thosechildrentoseeto。Myword，“shelaughed，“Ishouldlook，welltoleavethemtoyou。”
“Go，“hecriedthickly，liftinghisfist。Hewasafraid，ofher。”Go！”
“Ishouldbeonlytooglad。Ishouldlaugh，laugh，mylord，ifIcouldgetawayfromyou，“shereplied。
Hecameuptoher，hisredface，withitsbloodshoteyes，thrustforward，andgrippedherarms。Shecriedinfearofhim，struggledtobefree。Comingslightlytohimself，panting，hepushed，herroughlytotheouterdoor，andthrustherforth，slottingthe，boltbehindherwithabang。Thenhewentbackintothekitchen，droppedintohisarmchair，hishead，burstingfullofblood，sinkingbetweenhisknees。Thushedippedgraduallyintoastupor，fromexhaustionandintoxication。
ThemoonwashighandmagnificentintheAugustnight。
Mrs。Morel，searedwithpassion，shiveredtofindherselfoutthere，inagreatwhitelight，thatfellcoldonher，andgaveashock，toherinflamedsoul。Shestoodforafewmomentshelplessly，staringattheglisteninggreatrhubarbleavesnearthedoor。
Thenshegottheairintoherbreast。Shewalkeddownthegardenpath，tremblingineverylimb，whilethechildboiledwithinher。
Forawhileshecouldnotcontrolherconsciousness;mechanicallyshe，wentoverthelastscene，thenoveritagain，certainphrases，certainmomentscomingeachtimelikeabrandred-hotdownon，hersoul;andeachtimesheenactedagainthepasthour，eachtime，thebrandcamedownatthesamepoints，tillthemarkwasburntin，andthepainburntout，andatlastshecametoherself。
Shemusthavebeenhalfanhourinthisdeliriouscondition。
Thenthepresenceofthenightcameagaintoher。Sheglancedround，infear。Shehadwanderedtothesidegarden，whereshewaswalking，upanddownthepathbesidethecurrantbushesunderthelongwall。
Thegardenwasanarrowstrip，boundedfromtheroad，thatcut，transverselybetweentheblocks，byathickthornhedge。
Shehurriedoutofthesidegardentothefront，whereshe，couldstandasifinanimmensegulfofwhitelight，themoon，streaminghighinfaceofher，themoonlightstandingupfromthe，hillsinfront，andfillingthevalleywheretheBottomscrouched，almostblindingly。There，pantingandhalfweepinginreaction，fromthestress，shemurmuredtoherselfoverandoveragain：
“Thenuisance！thenuisance！”
Shebecameawareofsomethingabouther。Withaneffortshe，rousedherselftoseewhatitwasthatpenetratedherconsciousness。
Thetallwhitelilieswerereelinginthemoonlight，andtheairwas，chargedwiththeirperfume，aswithapresence。Mrs。Morelgasped，slightlyinfear。Shetouchedthebig，pallidflowersontheirpetals，thenshivered。Theyseemedtobestretchinginthemoonlight。
Sheputherhandintoonewhitebin：，thegoldscarcelyshowed，onherfingersbymoonlight。Shebentdowntolookatthebinful，ofyellowpollen;butitonlyappeareddusky。Thenshedrankadeep，draughtofthescent。Italmostmadeherdizzy。
Mrs。Morelleanedonthegardengate，lookingout，andshe，lostherselfawhile。Shedidnotknowwhatshethought。
Exceptforaslightfeelingofsickness，andherconsciousnessin，thechild，herselfmeltedoutlikescentintotheshiny，paleair。
Afteratimethechild，too，meltedwithherinthemixing-pot，ofmoonlight，andsherestedwiththehillsandliliesandhouses，allswumtogetherinakindofswoon。
Whenshecametoherselfshewastiredforsleep。Languidlyshe，lookedabouther;theclumpsofwhitephloxseemedlikebushesspread，withlinen;amothricochettedoverthem，andrightacrossthegarden。
Followingitwithhereyerousedher。Afewwhiffsoftheraw，strongscentofphloxinvigoratedher。Shepassedalongthepath，hesitatingatthewhiterose-bush。Itsmelledsweetandsimple。
Shetouchedthewhiterufflesoftheroses。Theirfreshscent，andcool，softleavesremindedherofthemorning-timeandsunshine。
Shewasveryfondofthem。Butshewastired，andwantedtosleep。
Inthemysteriousout-of-doorsshefeltforlorn。
Therewasnonoiseanywhere。Evidentlythechildrenhadnot，beenwakened，orhadgonetosleepagain。Atrain，threemilesaway，roaredacrossthevalley。Thenightwasverylarge，andverystrange，stretchingitshoarydistancesinfinitely。Andoutofthesilver-grey，fogofdarknesscamesoundsvagueandhoarse：，acorncrakenot，faroff，soundofatrainlikeasigh，anddistantshoutsofmen。
Herquietenedheartbeginningtobeatquicklyagain，shehurried，downthesidegardentothebackofthehouse。Softlyshelifted，thelatch;thedoorwasstillbolted，andhardagainsther。
Sherappedgently，waited，thenrappedagain。Shemustnotrouse，thechildren，northeneighbours。Hemustbeasleep，andhewould，notwakeeasily。Herheartbegantoburntobeindoors。Sheclung，tothedoor-handle。Nowitwascold;shewouldtakeachill，andinherpresentcondition！
Puttingherapronoverherheadandherarms，shehurriedagain，tothesidegarden，tothewindowofthekitchen。Leaningonthesill，shecouldjustsee，undertheblind，herhusband’sarmsspread，outonthetable，andhisblackheadontheboard。Hewassleeping，withhisfacelyingonthetable。Somethinginhisattitudemade，herfeeltiredofthings。Thelampwasburningsmokily;shecould，tellbythecoppercolourofthelight。Shetappedatthewindow，moreandmorenoisily。Almostitseemedasiftheglasswouldbreak。
Stillhedidnotwakeup。
Aftervainefforts，shebegantoshiver，partlyfromcontactwith，thestone，andfromexhaustion。Fearfulalwaysfortheunbornchild，shewonderedwhatshecoulddoforwarmth。Shewentdowntothe，coal-house，wheretherewasanoldhearthrugshehadcarriedoutfor，therag-manthedaybefore。Thisshewrappedoverhershoulders。
Itwaswarm，ifgrimy。Thenshewalkedupanddownthegardenpath，peepingeverynowandthenundertheblind，knocking，andtelling，herselfthatintheendtheverystrainofhispositionmustwakehim。
Atlast，afteraboutanhour，sherappedlongandlowat，thewindow。Graduallythesoundpenetratedtohim。When，indespair，shehadceasedtotap，shesawhimstir，thenlifthisfaceblindly。
Thelabouringofhishearthurthimintoconsciousness。Sherapped，imperativelyatthewindow。Hestartedawake。Instantlyshesawhis，fistssetandhiseyesglare。Hehadnotagrainofphysicalfear。
Ifithadbeentwentyburglars，hewouldhavegoneblindlyforthem。
Heglaredround，bewildered，butpreparedtofight。
“Openthedoor，Walter，“shesaidcoldly。
Hishandsrelaxed。Itdawnedonhimwhathehaddone。
Hisheaddropped，sullenanddogged。Shesawhimhurrytothedoor，heardtheboltchock。Hetriedthelatch。Itopened——andthere，stoodthesilver-greynight，fearfultohim，afterthetawnylight，ofthelamp。Hehurriedback。
WhenMrs。Morelentered，shesawhimalmost，runningthroughthedoortothestairs。Hehadripped，hiscollaroffhisneckinhishastetobegoneereshe，camein，andthereitlaywithburstenbutton-holes。Itmadeherangry。
Shewarmedandsoothedherself。Inherwearinessforgetting，everything，shemovedaboutatthelittletasksthatremainedtobedone，sethisbreakfast，rinsedhispit-bottle，puthispit-clothesonthe，hearthtowarm，sethispit-bootsbesidethem，puthimoutaclean，scarfandsnap-bagandtwoapples，rakedthefire，andwenttobed。
Hewasalreadydeadasleep。Hisnarrowblackeyebrowsweredrawn，upinasortofpeevishmiseryintohisforeheadwhilehischeeks’
down-strokes，andhissulkymouth，seemedtobesaying：，“Idon’t，carewhoyouarenorwhatyouare，ISHALLhavemyownway。”
Mrs。Morelknewhimtoowelltolookathim。Assheunfastened，herbroochatthemirror，shesmiledfaintlytoseeherface，allsmearedwiththeyellowdustoflilies。Shebrusheditoff，andatlastlaydown。Forsometimehermindcontinuedsnapping，andjettingsparks，butshewasasleepbeforeherhusbandawoke，fromthefirstsleepofhisdrunkenness。
CHAPTERII
THEBIRTHOFPAUL，ANDANOTHERBATTLE
AFTERsuchasceneasthelast，WalterMorelwasforsomedaysabashed，andashamed，buthesoonregainedhisoldbullyingindifference。
Yettherewasaslightshrinking，adiminishinginhisassurance。
Physicallyeven，heshrank，andhisfinefullpresencewaned。
Henevergrewintheleaststout，sothat，ashesankfromhiserect，assertivebearing，hisphysiqueseemedtocontractalongwithhispride，andmoralstrength。
Butnowherealisedhowharditwasforhiswifetodrag，aboutatherwork，and，hissympathyquickenedbypenitence，hastenedforwardwithhishelp。Hecamestraighthomefromthepit，andstayedinateveningtillFriday，andthenhecouldnotremain，athome。Buthewasbackagainbyteno’clock，almostquitesober。
Healwaysmadehisownbreakfast。Beingamanwhoroseearly，andhadplentyoftimehedidnot，assomeminersdo，draghiswife，outofbedatsixo’clock。Atfive，sometimesearlier，hewoke，gotstraightoutofbed，andwentdownstairs。Whenshecouldnotsleep，hiswifelaywaitingforthistime，asforaperiodofpeace。
Theonlyrealrestseemedtobewhenhewasoutofthehouse。
Hewentdownstairsinhisshirtandthenstruggledintohis，pit-trousers，whichwereleftonthehearthtowarmallnight。
Therewasalwaysafire，becauseMrs。Morelraked。Andthefirst，soundinthehousewasthebang，bangofthepokeragainsttheraker，asMorelsmashedtheremainderofthecoaltomakethekettle，whichwasfilledandleftonthehob，finallyboil。Hiscupandknife，andfork，allhewantedexceptjustthefood，waslaidreadyon，thetableonanewspaper。Thenhegothisbreakfast，madethetea，packedthebottomofthedoorswithrugstoshutoutthedraught，piledabigfire，andsatdowntoanhourofjoy。Hetoasted，hisbacononaforkandcaughtthedropsoffatonhisbread;
thenheputtherasheronhisthicksliceofbread，andcutoffchunks，withaclasp-knife，pouredhisteaintohissaucer，andwashappy。
Withhisfamilyabout，mealswereneversopleasant。Heloathed，afork：，itisamodernintroductionwhichhasstillscarcelyreached，commonpeople。WhatMorelpreferredwasaclasp-knife。Then，insolitude，heateanddrank，oftensitting，incoldweather，onalittlestoolwithhisbacktothewarmchimney-piece，hisfood，onthefender，hiscuponthehearth。Andthenhereadthelast，night’snewspaper——whatofithecould——spellingitoverlaboriously。
Hepreferredtokeeptheblindsdownandthecandlelitevenwhenit，wasdaylight;itwasthehabitofthemine。
Ataquartertosixherose，cuttwothickslicesofbread，andbutter，andputtheminthewhitecalicosnap-bag。Hefilledhis，tinbottlewithtea。Coldteawithoutmilkorsugarwasthedrink，hepreferredforthepit。Thenhepulledoffhisshirt，andput，onhispit-singlet，avestofthickflannelcutlowroundtheneck，andwithshortsleeveslikeachemise。