第3章

ThenhecaughtsightoftheHighlandbonnetwithitsribbons。

Hepickeditupgleefully，forgettingher。Shewentout。

WhenhewasnineteenhesuddenlylefttheCo-op。officeandgot，asituationinNottingham。Inhisnewplacehehadthirtyshillings，aweekinsteadofeighteen。Thiswasindeedarise。Hismotherand，hisfatherwerebrimmedupwithpride。EverybodypraisedWilliam。

Itseemedhewasgoingtogetonrapidly。Mrs。Morelhoped，withhisaid，tohelpheryoungersons。Anniewasnowstudying，tobeateacher。Paul，alsoveryclever，wasgettingonwell，havinglessonsinFrenchandGermanfromhisgodfather，theclergyman，whowasstillafriendtoMrs。Morel。Arthur，aspoiltandvery，good-lookingboy，wasattheBoardschool，buttherewastalk，ofhistryingtogetascholarshipfortheHighSchoolinNottingham。

WilliamremainedayearathisnewpostinNottingham。

Hewasstudyinghard，andgrowingserious。Somethingseemedtobe，frettinghim。Stillhewentouttothedancesandtheriverparties。

Hedidnotdrink。Thechildrenwereallrabidteetotallers。

Hecamehomeverylateatnight，andsatyetlongerstudying。

Hismotherimploredhimtotakemorecare，todoonething，oranother。

“Dance，ifyouwanttodance，myson;butdon’tthinkyoucan，workintheoffice，andthenamuseyourself，andTHEN

studyontopofall。Youcan’t;thehumanframewon’t，standit。Doonethingortheother——amuseyourselforlearnLatin;

butdon’ttrytodoboth。”

ThenhegotaplaceinLondon，atahundredandtwentyayear。

Thisseemedafabuloussum。Hismotherdoubtedalmostwhetherto，rejoiceortogrieve。

“TheywantmeinLimeStreetonMondayweek，mother，“hecried，hiseyesblazingashereadtheletter。Mrs。Morelfelteverything，gosilentinsideher。Hereadtheletter：，“’Andwillyoureply，byThursdaywhetheryouaccept。Yoursfaithfully——’，Theywantme，mother，atahundredandtwentyayear，anddon’tevenasktoseeme。

Didn’tItellyouIcoulddoit！，ThinkofmeinLondon！，AndI

cangiveyoutwentypoundsayear，mater。Wes’llallberolling，inmoney。”

“Weshall，myson，“sheansweredsadly。

Itneveroccurredtohimthatshemightbemorehurtathisgoing，awaythangladofhissuccess。Indeed，asthedaysdrewnearfor，hisdeparture，herheartbegantocloseandgrowdrearywithdespair。

Shelovedhimsomuch！，Morethanthat，shehopedinhimsomuch。

Almostshelivedbyhim。Shelikedtodothingsforhim：，sheliked，toputacupforhisteaandtoironhiscollars，ofwhichhewas，soproud。Itwasajoytohertohavehimproudofhiscollars。

Therewasnolaundry。Sosheusedtorubawayatthemwithherlittle，convexiron，topolishthem，tilltheyshonefromthesheerpressure，ofherarm。Nowshewouldnotdoitforhim。Nowhewasgoingaway。

Shefeltalmostasifheweregoingaswelloutofherheart。

Hedidnotseemtoleaveherinhabitedwithhimself。Thatwasthegrief，andthepaintoher。Hetooknearlyallhimselfaway。

Afewdaysbeforehisdeparture——hewasjusttwenty——heburnedhis，love-letters。Theyhadhungonafileatthetopofthekitchencupboard。

Fromsomeofthemhehadreadextractstohismother。Someofthem，shehadtakenthetroubletoreadherself。Butmostweretootrivial。

Now，ontheSaturdaymorninghesaid：

“Comeon，Postle，let’sgothroughmyletters，andyoucan，havethebirdsandflowers。”

Mrs。MorelhaddoneherSaturday’sworkontheFriday，becausehewashavingalastday’sholiday。Shewasmakinghim，aricecake，whichheloved，totakewithhim。Hewasscarcely，consciousthatshewassomiserable。

Hetookthefirstletteroffthefile。Itwasmauve-tinted，andhadpurpleandgreenthistles。Williamsniffedthepage。

“Nicescent！，Smell。”

AndhethrustthesheetunderPaul’snose。

“Um！”saidPaul，breathingin。”Whatd’youcallit？，Smell，mother。”

Hismotherduckedhersmall，finenosedowntothepaper。

“Idon’twanttosmelltheirrubbish，“shesaid，sniffing。

“Thisgirl’sfather，“saidWilliam，“isasrichasCroesus。

Heownspropertywithoutend。ShecallsmeLafayette，becauseI

knowFrench。’Youwillsee，I’veforgivenyou’——IlikeHERforgivingme。

’Itoldmotheraboutyouthismorning，andshewillhavemuch，pleasureifyoucometoteaonSunday，butshewillhavetoget，father’sconsentalso。Isincerelyhopehewillagree。Iwilllet，youknowhowittranspires。If，however，you——’“

“’Letyouknowhowit’what？”interruptedMrs。Morel。

“’Transpires’——ohyes！”

“’Transpires！’“repeatedMrs。Morelmockingly。”Ithought，shewassowelleducated！”

Williamfeltslightlyuncomfortable，andabandonedthismaiden，givingPaulthecornerwiththethistles。Hecontinuedtoread，extractsfromhisletters，someofwhichamusedhismother，someofwhichsaddenedherandmadeheranxiousforhim。

“Mylad，“shesaid，“they’reverywise。Theyknowthey’ve，onlygottoflatteryourvanity，andyoupressuptothemlike，adogthathasitsheadscratched。”

“Well，theycan’tgoonscratchingforever，“hereplied。

“Andwhenthey’vedone，Itrotaway。”

“Butonedayyou’llfindastringroundyourneckthatyou，can’tpulloff，“sheanswered。

“Notme！，I’mequaltoanyof’em，mater，theyneedn’t，flatterthemselves。”

“YouflatterYOURSELF，“shesaidquietly。

Soontherewasaheapoftwistedblackpages，allthatremained，ofthefileofscentedletters，exceptthatPaulhadthirtyor，fortyprettyticketsfromthecornersofthenotepaper——swallows，andforget-me-notsandivysprays。AndWilliamwenttoLondon，tostartanewlife。

CHAPTERIV

THEYOUNGLIFEOFPAUL

PAULwouldbebuiltlikehismother，slightlyandrathersmall。

Hisfairhairwentreddish，andthendarkbrown;hiseyesweregrey。

Hewasapale，quietchild，witheyesthatseemedtolisten，andwith，afull，droppingunderlip。

Asaruleheseemedoldforhisyears。Hewassoconscious，ofwhatotherpeoplefelt，particularlyhismother。Whenshe，frettedheunderstood，andcouldhavenopeace。Hissoulseemed，alwaysattentivetoher。

Ashegrewolderhebecamestronger。Williamwastoofar，removedfromhimtoaccepthimasacompanion。Sothesmallerboy，belongedatfirstalmostentirelytoAnnie。Shewasatomboyanda，“flybie-skybie“ashermothercalledher。Butshewasintensely，fondofhersecondbrother。SoPaulwastowedroundattheheels，ofAnnie，sharinghergame。Sheracedwildlyatlerkywiththeother，youngwild-catsoftheBottoms。AndalwaysPaulflewbesideher，livinghershareofthegame，havingasyetnopartofhisown。

Hewasquietandnotnoticeable。Buthissisteradoredhim。

Healwaysseemedtocareforthingsifshewantedhimto。

Shehadabigdollofwhichshewasfearfullyproud，thoughnot，sofond。Soshelaidthedollonthesofa，andcovereditwith，anantimacassar，tosleep。Thensheforgotit。MeantimePaul，mustpractisejumpingoffthesofaarm。Sohejumpedcrashinto，thefaceofthehiddendoll。Annierushedup，utteredaloudwail，andsatdowntoweepadirge。Paulremainedquitestill。

“Youcouldn’ttellitwasthere，mother;youcouldn’ttellit，wasthere，“herepeatedoverandover。SolongasAnnieweptfor，thedollhesathelplesswithmisery。Hergriefworeitselfout。

Sheforgaveherbrother——hewassomuchupset。Butadayortwo，afterwardsshewasshocked。

“Let’smakeasacrificeofArabella，“hesaid。”Let’sburnher。”

Shewashorrified，yetratherfascinated。Shewantedtosee，whattheboywoulddo。Hemadeanaltarofbricks，pulledsomeof，theshavingsoutofArabella’sbody，putthewaxenfragmentsinto，thehollowface，pouredonalittleparaffin，andsetthewholething，alight。Hewatchedwithwickedsatisfactionthedropsofwaxmeltoff，thebrokenforeheadofArabella，anddroplikesweatintotheflame。

Solongasthestupidbigdollburnedherejoicedinsilence。

Attheendbepokedamongtheemberswithastick，fishedoutthearms，andlegs，allblackened，andsmashedthemunderstones。

“That’sthesacrificeofMissisArabella，“hesaid。”An’I’m，gladthere’snothingleftofher。”

WhichdisturbedAnnieinwardly，althoughshecouldsaynothing。

Heseemedtohatethedollsointensely，becausehehadbrokenit。

Allthechildren，butparticularlyPaul，werepeculiarly，againsttheirfather，alongwiththeirmother。Morelcontinued，tobullyandtodrink。Hehadperiods，monthsatatime，whenhe，madethewholelifeofthefamilyamisery。Paulneverforgot，cominghomefromtheBandofHopeoneMondayeveningandfinding，hismotherwithhereyeswollenanddiscoloured，hisfatherstanding，onthehearthrug，feetastride，hisheaddown，andWilliam，justhomefromwork，glaringathisfather。Therewasasilence，astheyoungchildrenentered，butnoneoftheelderslookedround。

Williamwaswhitetothelips，andhisfistswereclenched。

Hewaiteduntilthechildrenweresilent，watchingwithchildren’s，rageandhate;thenhesaid：

“Youcoward，youdaren’tdoitwhenIwasin。”

ButMorel’sbloodwasup。Heswungroundonhisson。

Williamwasbigger，butMorelwashard-muscled，andmadwithfury。

“Dossn’tI？”heshouted。”Dossn’tI？，Ha’emuchmoreo’

thychelp，myyoungjockey，an’I’llrattlemyfistaboutthee。

Ay，an’Ishollthat，dostsee？”

Morelcrouchedatthekneesandshowedhisfistinanugly，almostbeast-likefashion。Williamwaswhitewithrage。

“Willyer？”hesaid，quietandintense。”It’udbethe，lasttime，though。”

Moreldancedalittlenearer，crouching，drawingbackhisfist，tostrike。Williamputhisfistsready。Alightcameintohis，blueeyes，almostlikealaugh。Hewatchedhisfather。Anotherword，andthemenwouldhavebeguntofight。Paulhopedtheywould。

Thethreechildrensatpaleonthesofa。

“Stopit，bothofyou，“criedMrs。Morelinahardvoice。

“We’vehadenoughforONEnight。AndYOU，“

shesaid，turningontoherhusband，“lookatyourchildren！”

Morelglancedatthesofa。

“Lookatthechildren，younastylittlebitch！”hesneered。

“Why，whathaveIdonetothechildren，Ishouldliketoknow？

Butthey’relikeyourself;you’veput’emuptoyourowntricksand，nastyways——you’velearned’eminit，you’ave。”

Sherefusedtoanswerhim。Noonespoke。Afterawhilehe，threwhisbootsunderthetableandwenttobed。

“Whydidn’tyouletmehaveagoathim？”saidWilliam，whenhisfatherwasupstairs。”Icouldeasilyhavebeatenhim。”

“Anicething——yourownfather，“shereplied。

“’FATHER！’“repeatedWilliam。”CallHIMMYfather！”

“Well，heis——andso——“

“Butwhydon’tyouletmesettlehim？，Icoulddo，easily。”

“Theidea！”shecried。”Ithasn’tcometoTHATyet。”

“No，“hesaid，“it’scometoworse。Lookatyourself。

WHYdidn’tyouletmegiveithim？”

“BecauseIcouldn’tbearit，soneverthinkofit，“

shecriedquickly。

Andthechildrenwenttobed，miserably。

WhenWilliamwasgrowingup，thefamilymovedfromtheBottoms，toahouseonthebrowofthehill，commandingaviewofthevalley，whichspreadoutlikeaconvexcockle-shell，oraclamp-shell，beforeit。

Infrontofthehousewasahugeoldash-tree。Thewestwind，sweepingfromDerbyshire，caughtthehouseswithfullforce，andthetreeshriekedagain。Morellikedit。

“It’smusic，“hesaid。”Itsendsmetosleep。”

ButPaulandArthurandAnniehatedit。ToPaulitbecame，almostademoniacalnoise。Thewinteroftheirfirstyear，inthenewhousetheirfatherwasverybad。Thechildrenplayed，inthestreet，onthebrimofthewide，darkvalley，untileight，o’clock。Thentheywenttobed。Theirmothersatsewingbelow。

Havingsuchagreatspaceinfrontofthehousegavethechildren，afeelingofnight，ofvastness，andofterror。Thisterrorcame，infromtheshriekingofthetreeandtheanguishofthehomediscord。

OftenPaulwouldwakeup，afterhehadbeenasleepalongtime，awareofthudsdownstairs。Instantlyhewaswideawake。Thenhe，heardtheboomingshoutsofhisfather，comehomenearlydrunk，thenthe，sharprepliesofhismother，thenthebang，bangofhisfather’sfiston，thetable，andthenastysnarlingshoutastheman’svoicegothigher。

Andthenthewholewasdrownedinapiercingmedleyofshrieks，andcriesfromthegreat，wind-sweptash-tree。Thechildren，laysilentinsuspense，waitingforalullinthewindtohear，whattheirfatherwasdoing。Hemighthittheirmotheragain。

Therewasafeelingofhorror，akindofbristlinginthedarkness，andasenseofblood。Theylaywiththeirheartsinthegripofan，intenseanguish。Thewindcamethroughthetreefiercerandfiercer。

Allthechordsofthegreatharphummed，whistled，andshrieked。

Andthencamethehorrorofthesuddensilence，silenceeverywhere，outsideanddownstairs。Whatwasit？，Wasitasilenceofblood？

Whathadhedone？

Thechildrenlayandbreathedthedarkness。Andthen，atlast，theyheardtheirfatherthrowdownhisbootsandtrampupstairs，inhisstockingedfeet。Stilltheylistened。Thenatlast，ifthewindallowed，theyheardthewaterofthetapdrumminginto，thekettle，whichtheirmotherwasfillingformorning，andthey，couldgotosleepinpeace。

Sotheywerehappyinthemorning——happy，veryhappyplaying，dancingatnightroundthelonelylamp-postinthemidstof，thedarkness。Buttheyhadonetightplaceofanxietyintheirhearts，onedarknessintheireyes，whichshowedalltheirlives。

Paulhatedhisfather。Asaboyhehadaferventprivatereligion。

“Makehimstopdrinking，“heprayedeverynight。”Lord，letmy，fatherdie，“heprayedveryoften。”Lethimnotbekilledatpit，“

heprayedwhen，aftertea，thefatherdidnotcomehomefromwork。

Thatwasanothertimewhenthefamilysufferedintensely。

Thechildrencamefromschoolandhadtheirteas。Onthehob，thebigblacksaucepanwassimmering，thestew-jarwasintheoven，readyforMorel’sdinner。Hewasexpectedatfiveo’clock。Butfor，monthshewouldstopanddrinkeverynightonhiswayfromwork。

Inthewinternights，whenitwascold，andgrewdarkearly，Mrs。Morelwouldputabrasscandlestickonthetable，lighta，tallowcandletosavethegas。Thechildrenfinishedtheir，bread-and-butter，ordripping，andwerereadytogoouttoplay。

ButifMorelhadnotcometheyfaltered。Thesenseofhissitting，inallhispit-dirt，drinking，afteralongday’swork，notcoming，homeandeatingandwashing，butsitting，gettingdrunk，onanemptystomach，madeMrs。Morelunabletobearherself。Fromherthefeelingwas，transmittedtotheotherchildren。Sheneversufferedaloneanymore：

thechildrensufferedwithher。

Paulwentouttoplaywiththerest。Downinthegreattrough，oftwilight，tinyclustersoflightsburnedwherethepitswere。

Afewlastcolliersstraggledupthedimfieldpath。Thelamplighter，camealong。Nomorecollierscame。Darknessshutdownoverthevalley;

workwasdone。Itwasnight。

ThenPaulrananxiouslyintothekitchen。Theonecandlestill，burnedonthetable，thebigfireglowedred。Mrs。Morelsatalone。

Onthehobthesaucepansteamed;thedinner-platelaywaiting，onthetable。Alltheroomwasfullofthesenseofwaiting，waitingforthemanwhowassittinginhispit-dirt，dinnerless，somemileawayfromhome，acrossthedarkness，drinkinghimselfdrunk。

Paulstoodinthedoorway。

“Hasmydadcome？”heasked。

“Youcanseehehasn’t，“saidMrs。Morel，crosswiththe，futilityofthequestion。

Thentheboydawdledaboutnearhismother。Theyshared，thesameanxiety。PresentlyMrs。Morelwentoutandstrained，thepotatoes。

“They’reruinedandblack，“shesaid;“butwhatdoIcare？”

Notmanywordswerespoken。Paulalmosthatedhismother，forsufferingbecausehisfatherdidnotcomehomefromwork。

“Whatdoyoubotheryourselffor？”hesaid。”Ifhewants，tostopandgetdrunk，whydon’tyoulethim？”

“Lethim！”flashedMrs。Morel。”Youmaywellsay’lethim’。”

Sheknewthatthemanwhostopsonthewayhomefromworkisona，quickwaytoruininghimselfandhishome。Thechildrenwereyetyoung，anddependedonthebreadwinner。Williamgaveherthesenseofrelief，providingheratlastwithsomeonetoturntoifMorelfailed。But，thetenseatmosphereoftheroomonthesewaitingeveningswasthesame。

Theminutestickedaway。Atsixo’clockstilltheclothlay，onthetable，stillthedinnerstoodwaiting，stillthesamesense，ofanxietyandexpectationintheroom。Theboycouldnotstandit，anylonger。Hecouldnotgooutandplay。SoheranintoMrs。Inger，nextdoorbutone，forhertotalktohim。Shehadnochildren。

Herhusbandwasgoodtoherbutwasinashop，andcamehomelate。

So，whenshesawtheladatthedoor，shecalled：

“Comein，Paul。”

Thetwosattalkingforsometime，whensuddenly，theboyrose，saying：

“Well，I’llbegoingandseeingifmymotherwantsanerranddoing。”

Hepretendedtobeperfectlycheerful，anddidnottellhis，friendwhatailedhim。Thenheranindoors。

Morelatthesetimescameinchurlishandhateful。

“Thisisanicetimetocomehome，“saidMrs。Morel。

“Wha’sitmattertoyo’whattimeIcomewhoam？”heshouted。

Andeverybodyinthehousewasstill，becausehewasdangerous。

Heatehisfoodinthemostbrutalmannerpossible，and，whenhe，haddone，pushedallthepotsinaheapawayfromhim，tolayhis，armsonthetable。Thenhewenttosleep。

Paulhatedhisfatherso。Thecollier’ssmall，meanhead，withitsblackhairslightlysoiledwithgrey，layonthebarearms，andtheface，dirtyandinflamed，withafleshynoseandthin，paltrybrows，wasturnedsideways，asleepwithbeerandweariness，andnastytemper。Ifanyoneenteredsuddenly，oranoiseweremade，themanlookedupandshouted：

“I’lllaymyfistaboutthyy’ead，I’mtellin’thee，iftha，doesnastopthatclatter！，Dosthear？”

Andthetwolastwords，shoutedinabullyingfashion，usuallyatAnnie，madethefamilywrithewithhateoftheman。

Hewasshutoutfromallfamilyaffairs。Noonetoldhimanything。

Thechildren，alonewiththeirmother，toldherallaboutthe，day’shappenings，everything。Nothinghadreallytakenplacein，themuntilitwastoldtotheirmother。Butassoonasthefather，camein，everythingstopped。Hewaslikethescotchinthesmooth，happymachineryofthehome。Andhewasalwaysawareofthisfall，ofsilenceonhisentry，theshuttingoffoflife，theunwelcome。

Butnowitwasgonetoofartoalter。

Hewoulddearlyhavelikedthechildrentotalktohim，buttheycouldnot。SometimesMrs。Morelwouldsay：

“Yououghttotellyourfather。”

Paulwonaprizeinacompetitioninachild’spaper。

Everybodywashighlyjubilant。

“Nowyou’dbettertellyourfatherwhenbecomesin，“

saidMrs。Morel。”Youknowhowbecarriesonandsayshe’snever，toldanything。”

“Allright，“saidPaul。Buthewouldalmostratherhave，forfeitedtheprizethanhavetotellhisfather。

“I’vewonaprizeinacompetition，dad，“hesaid。

Morelturnedroundtohim。

“Haveyou，myboy？，Whatsortofacompetition？”

“Oh，nothing——aboutfamouswomen。”

“Andhowmuchistheprize，then，asyou’vegot？”

“It’sabook。”

“Oh，indeed！“

“Aboutbirds。”

“Hm——hm！“

Andthatwasall。Conversationwasimpossiblebetweenthe，fatherandanyothermemberofthefamily。Hewasanoutsider。

HehaddeniedtheGodinhim。

Theonlytimeswhenheenteredagainintothelifeofhisownpeople，waswhenheworked，andwashappyatwork。Sometimes，intheevening，hecobbledthebootsormendedthekettleorhispit-bottle。Then，healwayswantedseveralattendants，andthechildrenenjoyedit。

Theyunitedwithhiminthework，intheactualdoingofsomething，whenhewashisrealselfagain。

Hewasagoodworkman，dexterous，andonewho，whenhewasina，goodhumour，alwayssang。Hehadwholeperiods，months，almostyears，offrictionandnastytemper。Thensometimeshewasjollyagain。

Itwasnicetoseehimrunwithapieceofred-hotironinto，thescullery，crying：

“Outofmyroad——outofmyroad！”

Thenhehammeredthesoft，red-glowingstuffonhisirongoose，andmadetheshapehewanted。Orhesatabsorbedforamoment，soldering。Thenthechildrenwatchedwithjoyasthemetalsank，suddenlymolten，andwasshovedaboutagainstthenoseofthe，soldering-iron，whiletheroomwasfullofascentofburntresin，andhottin，andMorelwassilentandintentforaminute。Healways，sangwhenhemendedbootsbecauseofthejollysoundofhammering。

Andhewasratherhappywhenhesatputtinggreatpatchesonhis，moleskinpittrousers，whichhewouldoftendo，consideringthem，toodirty，andthestufftoohard，forhiswifetomend。

Butthebesttimefortheyoungchildrenwaswhenhemadefuses。

Morelfetchedasheafoflongsoundwheat-strawsfromtheattic。

Thesehecleanedwithhishand，tilleachonegleamedlikea，stalkofgold，afterwhichhecutthestrawsintolengthsof，aboutsixinches，leaving，ifhecould，anotchatthebottom，ofeachpiece。Healwayshadabeautifullysharpknifethatcould，cutastrawcleanwithouthurtingit。Thenhesetinthemiddle，ofthetableaheapofgunpowder，alittlepileofblackgrains，uponthewhite-scrubbedboard。Hemadeandtrimmedthestraws，whilePaulandAnnierifledandpluggedthem。Paullovedtosee，theblackgrainstrickledownacrackinhispalmintothemouth，ofthestraw，pepperingjollilydownwardstillthestrawwasfull。

Thenhebungedupthemouthwithabitofsoap——whichhegoton，histhumb-nailfromapatinasaucer——andthestrawwasfinished。

“Look，dad！”hesaid。

“That’sright，mybeauty，“repliedMorel，whowaspeculiarly，lavishofendearmentstohissecondson。Paulpoppedthefuseinto，thepowder-tin，readyforthemorning，whenMorelwouldtakeit，tothepit，anduseittofireashotthatwouldblastthecoaldown。

MeantimeArthur，stillfondofhisfather，wouldlean，onthearmofMorel’schairandsay：

“Tellusaboutdownpit，daddy。”

ThisMorellovedtodo。

“Well，there’sonelittle’oss——wecall’imTaffy，“hewouldbegin。

“An’he’safawce’un！”

Morelhadawarmwayoftellingastory。Hemadeonefeel，Taffy’scunning。

“He’sabrown’un，“hewouldanswer，“an’notveryhigh。

Well，hecomesi’th’stallwi’arattle，an’thenyo’’ear’imsneeze。

“’Ello，Taff，’yousay，’whatartsneezin’for？，Binta’ein’

somesnuff？’

“An’’esneezesagain。Thenheslivesupan’shoves’is’ead，onyer，thatcadin’。

“’What’swant，Taff？’yo’say。”

“Andwhatdoeshe？”Arthuralwaysasked。

“Hewantsabito’bacca，myduckie。”

ThisstoryofTaffywouldgooninterminably，andeverybody，lovedit。

Orsometimesitwasanewtale。

“An’whatdostthink，mydarlin’？WhenIwenttoputmycoat，onatsnap-time，whatshouldgorunnin’upmyarmbutamouse。

“’Heyup，theer！’，Ishouts。

“An’Iworjustintimeterget’imbyth’tail。”

“Anddidyoukillit？”

“Idid，forthey’reanuisance。Theplaceisfairsniedwi’’em。”

“An’whatdotheyliveon？”

“Thecornasthe’ossesdrops——an’they’llgetinyourpocketan’

eatyoursnap，ifyou’lllet’em——nomatterwhereyo’hingyourcoat——

theslivin’，nibblin’littlenuisances，fortheyare。”

ThesehappyeveningscouldnottakeplaceunlessMorel，hadsomejobtodo。Andthenhealwayswenttobedveryearly，oftenbeforethechildren。Therewasnothingremainingforhim，tostayupfor，whenhehadfinishedtinkering，andhadskimmed，theheadlinesofthenewspaper。

Andthechildrenfeltsecurewhentheirfatherwasinbed。

Theylayandtalkedsoftlyawhile。Thentheystartedasthelights，wentsuddenlysprawlingovertheceilingfromthelampsthatswung，inthehandsofthecollierstrampingbyoutside，goingtotake，thenineo’clockshift。Theylistenedtothevoicesofthemen，imaginedthemdippingdownintothedarkvalley。Sometimesthey，wenttothewindowandwatchedthethreeorfourlampsgrowing，tinierandtinier，swayingdownthefieldsinthedarkness。

Thenitwasajoytorushbacktobedandcuddlecloselyin，thewarmth。

Paulwasratheradelicateboy，subjecttobronchitis。

Theotherswereallquitestrong;sothiswasanotherreason，forhismother’sdifferenceinfeelingforhim。Onedayhecame，homeatdinner-timefeelingill。Butitwasnotafamilytomake，anyfuss。

“What’sthematterwithYOU？”hismotheraskedsharply。

“Nothing，“hereplied。

Butheatenodinner。

“Ifyoueatnodinner，you’renotgoingtoschool，“shesaid。

“Why？”heasked。

“That’swhy。”

Soafterdinnerhelaydownonthesofa，onthewarmchintz，cushionsthechildrenloved。Thenhefellintoakindofdoze。

ThatafternoonMrs。Morelwasironing。Shelistenedtothesmall，restlessnoisetheboymadeinhisthroatassheworked。Againrose，inherhearttheold，almostwearyfeelingtowardshim。Shehad，neverexpectedhimtolive。Andyethehadagreatvitalityinhisyoungbody。

Perhapsitwouldhavebeenalittlerelieftoherifhehaddied。

Shealwaysfeltamixtureofanguishinherloveforhim。

He，inhissemi-conscioussleep，wasvaguelyawareof，theclatteroftheironontheiron-stand，ofthefaintthud，thudontheironing-board。Onceroused，heopenedhiseyestosee，hismotherstandingonthehearthrugwiththehotironnear，hercheek，listening，asitwere，totheheat。Herstillface，withthemouthclosedtightfromsufferinganddisillusionand，self-denial，andhernosethesmallestbitononeside，andherblue，eyessoyoung，quick，andwarm，madehisheartcontractwithlove。

Whenshewasquiet，so，shelookedbraveandrichwithlife，butas，ifshehadbeendoneoutofherrights。Ithurttheboykeenly，thisfeelingaboutherthatshehadneverhadherlife’sfulfilment：

andhisownincapabilitytomakeuptoherhurthimwithasenseof，impotence，yetmadehimpatientlydoggedinside。Itwashischildishaim。

Shespatontheiron，andalittleballofspitbounded，racedoffthedark，glossysurface。Then，kneeling，sherubbed，theirononthesackliningofthehearthrugvigorously。Shewas，warmintheruddyfirelight。Paullovedthewayshecrouched，andputherheadononeside。Hermovementswerelightandquick。

Itwasalwaysapleasuretowatchher。Nothingsheeverdid，nomovementsheevermade，couldhavebeenfoundfaultwithby，herchildren。Theroomwaswarmandfullofthescentofhotlinen。

Laterontheclergymancameandtalkedsoftlywithher。

Paulwaslaidupwithanattackofbronchitis。Hedidnot，mindmuch。Whathappenedhappened，anditwasnogoodkicking，againstthepricks。Helovedtheevenings，aftereighto’clock，whenthelightwasputout，andhecouldwatchthefire-flamesspring，overthedarknessofthewallsandceiling;couldwatchhugeshadows，wavingandtossing，tilltheroomseemedfullofmenwhobattledsilently。

Onretiringtobed，thefatherwouldcomeintothesickroom。

Hewasalwaysverygentleifanyonewereill。Buthedisturbedthe，atmospherefortheboy。

“Areterasleep，mydarlin’？”Morelaskedsoftly。

“No;ismymothercomin’？”

“She’sjustfinishin’foldin’theclothes。Doyouwantanything？”

Morelrarely“thee’d“hisson。

“Idon’twantnothing。Buthowlongwillshebe？”

“Notlong，myduckie。”

Thefatherwaitedundecidedlyonthehearthrugforamoment，ortwo。Hefelthissondidnotwanthim。Thenhewenttothetop，ofthestairsandsaidtohiswife：

“Thischildt’saxin’forthee;howlongartgoin’tobe？”

“UntilI’vefinished，goodgracious！，Tellhimtogotosleep。”

“Shesaysyou’retogotosleep，“thefatherrepeatedgently，toPaul。

“Well，IwantHERtocome，“insistedtheboy。

“Hesayshecan’tgoofftillyoucome，“Morelcalleddownstairs。

“Eh，dear！，Ishan’tbelong。Anddostopshoutingdownstairs。

There’stheotherchildren——“

ThenMorelcameagainandcrouchedbeforethebedroomfire。

Helovedafiredearly。

“Shesaysshewon’tbelong，“hesaid。

Heloiteredaboutindefinitely。Theboybegantogetfeverish，withirritation。Hisfather’spresenceseemedtoaggravateall，hissickimpatience。AtlastMorel，afterhavingstoodlooking，athissonawhile，saidsoftly：

“Good-night，mydarling。”

“Good-night，“Paulreplied，turningroundinrelieftobealone。

Paullovedtosleepwithhismother。Sleepisstillmostperfect，inspiteofhygienists，whenitissharedwithabeloved。

Thewarmth，thesecurityandpeaceofsoul，theuttercomfortfrom，thetouchoftheother，knitsthesleep，sothatittakesthebody，andsoulcompletelyinitshealing。Paullayagainstherandslept，andgotbetter;whilstshe，alwaysabadsleeper，felllateron，intoaprofoundsleepthatseemedtogiveherfaith。

Inconvalescencehewouldsitupinbed，seethefluffy，horsesfeedingatthetroughsinthefield，scatteringtheirhay，onthetroddenyellowsnow;watchtheminerstroophome——small，blackfigurestrailingslowlyingangsacrossthewhitefield。

Thenthenightcameupindarkbluevapourfromthesnow。

Inconvalescenceeverythingwaswonderful。Thesnowflakes，suddenlyarrivingonthewindow-pane，clungthereamomentlikeswallows，thenweregone，andadropofwaterwascrawlingdowntheglass。

Thesnowflakeswhirledroundthecornerofthehouse，likepigeonsdashingby。Awayacrossthevalleythelittleblack，traincrawleddoubtfullyoverthegreatwhiteness。

Whiletheyweresopoor，thechildrenweredelightedifthey，coulddoanythingtohelpeconomically。AnnieandPaulandArthur，wentoutearlyinthemorning，insummer，lookingformushrooms，huntingthroughthewetgrass，fromwhichthelarkswererising，forthewhite-skinned，wonderfulnakedbodiescrouchedsecretlyin，thegreen。Andiftheygothalfapoundtheyfeltexceedinglyhappy：

therewasthejoyoffindingsomething，thejoyofacceptingsomething，straightfromthehandofNature，andthejoyofcontributingto，thefamilyexchequer。

Butthemostimportantharvest，aftergleaningforfrumenty，wastheblackberries。Mrs。Morelmustbuyfruitforpuddingson，theSaturdays;alsoshelikedblackberries。SoPaulandArthurscoured，thecoppicesandwoodsandoldquarries，solongasablackberry，wastobefound，everyweek-endgoingontheirsearch。Inthat，regionofminingvillagesblackberriesbecameacomparativerarity。

ButPaulhuntedfarandwide。Helovedbeingoutinthecountry，amongthebushes。Buthealsocouldnotbeartogohometohis，motherempty。That，hefelt，woulddisappointher，andhewould，havediedrather。

“Goodgracious！”shewouldexclaimastheladscamein，late，andtiredtodeath，andhungry，“whereverhaveyoubeen？”

“Well，“repliedPaul，“therewasn’tany，sowewentover，MiskHills。Andlookhere，ourmother！”

Shepeepedintothebasket。

“Now，thosearefineones！”sheexclaimed。

“Andthere’sovertwopounds-isn’tthereovertwopounds“？

Shetriedthebasket。

“Yes，“sheanswereddoubtfully。

ThenPaulfishedoutalittlespray。Healwaysbroughther，onespray，thebesthecouldfind。

“Pretty！”shesaid，inacurioustone，ofawomanaccepting，alove-token。

Theboywalkedallday，wentmilesandmiles，ratherthan，ownhimselfbeatenandcomehometoherempty-handed。Shenever，realisedthis，whilsthewasyoung。Shewasawomanwhowaited，forherchildrentogrowup。AndWilliamoccupiedherchiefly。

ButwhenWilliamwenttoNottingham，andwasnotsomuchat，home，themothermadeacompanionofPaul。Thelatterwas，unconsciouslyjealousofhisbrother，andWilliamwasjealousofhim。

Atthesametime，theyweregoodfriends。

Mrs。Morel’sintimacywithhersecondsonwasmoresubtleandfine，perhapsnotsopassionateaswithhereldest。Itwastherule，thatPaulshouldfetchthemoneyonFridayafternoons。Thecolliers，ofthefivepitswerepaidonFridays，butnotindividually。

Alltheearningsofeachstallwereputdowntothechiefbutty，ascontractor，andhedividedthewagesagain，eitherinthe，public-houseorinhisownhome。Sothatthechildrencould，fetchthemoney，schoolclosedearlyonFridayafternoons。

EachoftheMorelchildren——William，thenAnnie，thenPaul——hadfetched，themoneyonFridayafternoons，untiltheywentthemselvestowork。

Paulusedtosetoffathalf-pastthree，withalittlecalicobag，inhispocket。Downallthepaths，women，girls，children，andmen，wereseentroopingtotheoffices。

Theseofficeswerequitehandsome：，anew，red-brickbuilding，almostlikeamansion，standinginitsowngroundsattheendof，GreenhillLane。Thewaiting-roomwasthehall，along，bareroom，pavedwithbluebrick，andhavingaseatallround，againstthewall。

Heresatthecolliersintheirpit-dirt。Theyhadcomeupearly。

Thewomenandchildrenusuallyloiteredaboutontheredgravelpaths。

Paulalwaysexaminedthegrassborder，andthebiggrassbank，becauseinitgrewtinypansiesandtinyforget-me-nots。There，wasasoundofmanyvoices。ThewomenhadontheirSundayhats。

Thegirlschatteredloudly。Littledogsranhereandthere。

Thegreenshrubsweresilentallaround。

Thenfrominsidecamethecry“SpinneyPark——SpinneyPark。”

AllthefolkforSpinneyParktroopedinside。Whenitwastime，forBrettytobepaid，Paulwentinamongthecrowd。Thepay-room，wasquitesmall。Acounterwentacross，dividingitintohalf。

Behindthecounterstoodtwomen——Mr。Braithwaiteandhisclerk，Mr。Winterbottom。Mr。Braithwaitewaslarge，somewhatofthestern，patriarchinappearance，havingaratherthinwhitebeard。

Hewasusuallymuffledinanenormoussilkneckerchief，andright，uptothehotsummerahugefireburnedintheopengrate。

Nowindowwasopen。Sometimesinwintertheairscorchedthethroats，ofthepeople，cominginfromthefreshness。Mr。Winterbottom，wasrathersmallandfat，andverybald。Hemaderemarksthatwere，notwitty，whilsthischieflaunchedforthpatriarchaladmonitions，againstthecolliers。

Theroomwascrowdedwithminersintheirpit-dirt，menwhohad，beenhomeandchanged，andwomen，andoneortwochildren，andusually，adog。Paulwasquitesmall，soitwasoftenhisfatetobejammed，behindthelegsofthemen，nearthefirewhichscorchedhim。

Heknewtheorderofthenames——theywentaccordingtostallnumber。

“Holliday，“cametheringingvoiceofMr。Braithwaite。

ThenMrs。Hollidaysteppedsilentlyforward，waspaid，drewaside。

“Bower——JohnBower。”

Aboysteppedtothecounter。Mr。Braithwaite，largeandirascible，gloweredathimoverhisspectacles。

“JohnBower！”herepeated。

“It’sme，“saidtheboy。

“Why，youusedto’aveadifferentnosethanthat，“saidglossy，Mr。Winterbottom，peeringoverthecounter。Thepeopletittered，thinkingofJohnBowersenior。

“Howisityourfather’snotcome！”saidMr。Braithwaite，inalargeandmagisterialvoice。

“He’sbadly，“pipedtheboy。

“Youshouldtellhimtokeepoffthedrink，“pronouncedthe，greatcashier。

“An’nivermindifheputshisfootthroughyer，“saidamocking，voicefrombehind。

Allthemenlaughed。Thelargeandimportantcashierlooked，downathisnextsheet。

“FredPilkington！”hecalled，quiteindifferent。

Mr。Braithwaitewasanimportantshareholderinthefirm。

Paulknewhisturnwasnextbutone，andhisheartbegantobeat。

Hewaspushedagainstthechimney-piece。Hiscalveswereburning。

Buthedidnothopetogetthroughthewallofmen。

“WalterMorel！”cametheringingvoice。

“Here！”pipedPaul，smallandinadequate。

“Morel——WalterMorel！”thecashierrepeated，hisfinger，andthumbontheinvoice，readytopasson。

Paulwassufferingconvulsionsofself-consciousness，andcould，notorwouldnotshout。Thebacksofthemenobliteratedhim。

ThenMr。Winterbottomcametotherescue。

“He’shere。Whereishe？，Morel’slad？”

Thefat，red，baldlittlemanpeeredroundwithkeeneyes。

Hepointedatthefireplace。Thecollierslookedround，movedaside，anddisclosedtheboy。

“Hereheis！”saidMr。Winterbottom。

Paulwenttothecounter。

“Seventeenpoundselevenandfivepence。Whydon’tyou，shoutupwhenyou’recalled？”saidMr。Braithwaite。Hebanged，ontotheinvoiceafive-poundbagofsilver，theninadelicate，andprettymovement，pickedupalittleten-poundcolumnofgold，andplumpeditbesidethesilver。Thegoldslidinabrightstream，overthepaper。Thecashierfinishedcountingoffthemoney;

theboydraggedthewholedownthecountertoMr。Winterbottom，towhomthestoppagesforrentandtoolsmustbepaid。Herehe，sufferedagain。

“Sixteenan’six，“saidMr。Winterbottom。

Theladwastoomuchupsettocount。Hepushedforwardsome，loosesilverandhalfasovereign。

“Howmuchdoyouthinkyou’vegivenme？”askedMr。Winterbottom。

Theboylookedathim，butsaidnothing。Hehadnotthe，faintestnotion。

“Haven’tyougotatongueinyourhead？”

Paulbithislip，andpushedforwardsomemoresilver。

“Don’ttheyteachyoutocountattheBoard-school？”heasked。

“Nowtbutalgibbraan’French，“saidacollier。

“An’cheekan’impidence，“saidanother。

Paulwaskeepingsomeonewaiting。Withtremblingfingershe，gothismoneyintothebagandslidout。Hesufferedthetortures，ofthedamnedontheseoccasions。

Hisrelief，whenhegotoutside，andwaswalkingalongthe，MansfieldRoad，wasinfinite。Ontheparkwallthemossesweregreen。

Thereweresomegoldandsomewhitefowlspeckingundertheapple，treesofanorchard。Thecollierswerewalkinghomeinastream。

Theboywentnearthewall，self-consciously。Heknewmanyofthemen，butcouldnotrecognisethemintheirdirt。Andthiswasanew，torturetohim。

WhenhegotdowntotheNewInn，atBretty，hisfatherwasnot，yetcome。Mrs。Wharmby，thelandlady，knewhim。Hisgrandmother，Morel’smother，hadbeenMrs。Wharmby’sfriend。

“Yourfather’snotcomeyet，“saidthelandlady，inthepeculiar，half-scornful，half-patronisingvoiceofawomanwhotalkschiefly，togrownmen。”Sityoudown。”

Paulsatdownontheedgeofthebenchinthebar。

Somecollierswere“reckoning“——sharingouttheirmoney——inacorner;

otherscamein。Theyallglancedattheboywithoutspeaking。

AtlastMorelcame;brisk，andwithsomethingofanair，evenin，hisblackness。

“Hello！”hesaidrathertenderlytohisson。”Haveyoubestedme？

Shallyouhaveadrinkofsomething？”

Paulandallthechildrenwerebredupfierceanti-alcoholists，andhewouldhavesufferedmoreindrinkingalemonadebeforeall，thementhaninhavingatoothdrawn。

Thelandladylookedathimdehautenbas，ratherpitying，andatthesametime，resentinghisclear，fiercemorality。

Paulwenthome，glowering。Heenteredthehousesilently。

Fridaywasbakingday，andtherewasusuallyahotbun。Hismother，putitbeforehim。

Suddenlyheturnedonherinafury，hiseyesflashing：

“I’mNOTgoingtotheofficeanymore，“hesaid。

“Why，what’sthematter？”hismotheraskedinsurprise。

Hissuddenragesratheramusedher。

“I’mNOTgoinganymore，“hedeclared。

“Oh，verywell，tellyourfatherso。”

Hechewedhisbunasifhehatedit。

“I’mnot——I’mnotgoingtofetchthemoney。”

“ThenoneofCarlin’schildrencango;they’dbegladenough，ofthesixpence，“saidMrs。Morel。

ThissixpencewasPaul’sonlyincome。Itmostlywentinbuying，birthdaypresents;butitWASanincome，andhetreasuredit。

But——

“Theycanhaveit，then！”hesaid。”Idon’twantit。”

“Oh，verywell，“saidhismother。”Butyouneedn’tbullyME

aboutit。”

“They’rehateful，andcommon，andhateful，theyare，andI’mnotgoinganymore。Mr。Braithwaitedropshis’h’s’，an’

Mr。Winterbottomsays’Youwas’。”

“Andisthatwhyyouwon’tgoanymore？”smiledMrs。Morel。

Theboywassilentforsometime。Hisfacewaspale，hiseyes，darkandfurious。Hismothermoved，aboutatherwork，takingnonoticeofhim。

“Theyalwaysstan’infrontofme，so’sIcan’tgetout，“

hesaid。

“Well，mylad，you’veonlytoASKthem，“shereplied。

“An’thenAlfredWinterbottomsays，’Whatdotheyteachyou，attheBoard-school？’“

“TheynevertaughtHIMmuch，“saidMrs。Morel，“thatisafact——

neithermannersnorwit——andhiscunninghewasbornwith。”

So，inherownway，shesoothedhim。

Hisridiculoushypersensitivenessmadeher，heartache。Andsometimesthefuryinhiseyes，rousedher，madehersleepingsoulliftupitsheadamoment，surprised。

“Whatwasthecheque？”sheasked。

“Seventeenpoundselevenandfivepence，andsixteen，andsixstoppages，“repliedtheboy。”It’sagoodweek;

andonlyfiveshillingsstoppagesformyfather。”

Soshewasabletocalculatehowmuchherhusbandhadearned，andcouldcallhimtoaccountifhegavehershortmoney。

Morelalwayskepttohimselfthesecretoftheweek’samount。

Fridaywasthebakingnightandmarketnight。Itwasthe，rulethatPaulshouldstayathomeandbake。Helovedtostop，inanddraworread;hewasveryfondofdrawing。Anniealways，“gallivanted“onFridaynights;Arthurwasenjoyinghimselfasusual。

Sotheboyremainedalone。

Mrs。Morellovedhermarketing。Inthetinymarket-placeon，thetopofthehill，wherefourroads，fromNottinghamandDerby，IlkestonandMansfield，meet，manystallswereerected。Brakesran，infromsurroundingvillages。Themarket-placewasfullofwomen，thestreetspackedwithmen。Itwasamazingtoseesomanymen，everywhereinthestreets。Mrs。Morelusuallyquarrelledwith，herlacewoman，sympathisedwithherfruitman——whowasagabey，buthiswifewasabad’un——laughedwiththefishman——whowas，ascampbutsodroll——putthelinoleummaninhisplace，wascold，withtheodd-waresman，andonlywenttothecrockerymanwhenshe，wasdriven——ordrawnbythecornflowersonalittledish;thenshe，wascoldlypolite。

“Iwonderedhowmuchthatlittledishwas，“shesaid。

“Sevenpencetoyou。”

“Thankyou。”

Sheputthedishdownandwalkedaway;butshecouldnotleave，themarket-placewithoutit。Againshewentbywherethepots，laycoldlyonthefloor，andsheglancedatthedishfurtively，pretendingnotto。

Shewasalittlewoman，inabonnetandablackcostume。

Herbonnetwasinitsthirdyear;itwasagreatgrievancetoAnnie。

“Mother！”thegirlimplored，“don’twearthatnubblylittlebonnet。”

“ThenwhatelseshallIwear，“repliedthemothertartly。

“AndI’msureit’srightenough。”

Ithadstartedwithatip;thenhadhadflowers;nowwas，reducedtoblacklaceandabitofjet。

“Itlooksrathercomedown，“saidPaul。”Couldn’tyougive，itapick-me-up？”

“I’lljowlyourheadforimpudence，“saidMrs。Morel，andshe，tiedthestringsoftheblackbonnetvaliantlyunderherchin。

Sheglancedatthedishagain。Bothsheandherenemy，thepotman，hadanuncomfortablefeeling，asifthereweresomething，betweenthem。Suddenlyheshouted：

“Doyouwantitforfivepence？”

Shestarted。Herhearthardened;butthenshestoopedandtook，upherdish。

“I’llhaveit，“shesaid。

“Yer’lldomethefavour，like？”hesaid。”Yer’dbetterspit，init，likeyerdowheny’avesomethinggiveyer。”

Mrs。Morelpaidhimthefivepenceinacoldmanner。

“Idon’tseeyougiveitme，“shesaid。”Youwouldn’tletme，haveitforfivepenceifyoudidn’twantto。”

“Inthisflamin’，scrattlin’placeyoumaycountyerselflucky，ifyoucangiveyourthingsaway，“hegrowled。

“Yes;therearebadtimes，andgood，“saidMrs。Morel。

Butshehadforgiventhepotman。Theywerefriends。

Shedarenowfingerhispots。Soshewashappy。

Paulwaswaitingforher。Helovedherhome-coming。She，wasalwaysherbestso——triumphant，tired，ladenwithparcels，feelingrichinspirit。Heheardherquick，lightstepintheentry，andlookedupfromhisdrawing。

“Oh！”shesighed，smilingathimfromthedoorway。

“Myword，youAREloaded！”heexclaimed，puttingdownhisbrush。

“Iam！”shegasped。”ThatbrazenAnniesaidshe’dmeetme。

SUCHaweight！”

Shedroppedherstringbagandherpackagesonthetable。

“Isthebreaddone？”sheasked，goingtotheoven。

“Thelastoneissoaking，“hereplied。”Youneedn’tlook，I’venotforgottenit。”

“Oh，thatpotman！”shesaid，closingtheovendoor。

“YouknowwhatawretchI’vesaidhewas？，Well，Idon’tthinkhe’s，quitesobad。”

“Don’tyou？”

Theboywasattentivetoher。Shetookoffherlittle，blackbonnet。

“No。Ithinkhecan’tmakeanymoney——well，it’severybody’s，cryalikenowadays——anditmakeshimdisagreeable。”

“ItwouldME，“saidPaul。

“Well，onecan’twonderatit。Andheletmehave——howmuch，doyouthinkheletmehaveTHISfor？”

Shetookthedishoutofitsragofnewspaper，andstood，lookingonitwithjoy。

“Showme！”saidPaul。

Thetwostoodtogethergloatingoverthedish。

“ILOVEcornflowersonthings，“saidPaul。

“Yes，andIthoughtoftheteapotyouboughtme——“

“Oneandthree，“saidPaul。

“Fivepence！”

“It’snotenough，mother。”

“No。Doyouknow，Ifairlysneakedoffwithit。ButI’d，beenextravagant，Icouldn’taffordanymore。Andheneedn’t，haveletmehaveitifhehadn’twantedto。”

“No，heneedn’t，needhe，“saidPaul，andthetwocomforted，eachotherfromthefearofhavingrobbedthepotman。

“Wec’nhavestewedfruitinit，“saidPaul。

“Orcustard，orajelly，“saidhismother。

“Orradishesandlettuce，“saidhe。

“Don’tforgetthatbread，“shesaid，hervoicebrightwithglee。

Paullookedintheoven;tappedtheloafonthebase。

“It’sdone，“hesaid，givingittoher。

Shetappeditalso。

“Yes，“shereplied，goingtounpackherbag。”Oh，andI’m，awicked，extravagantwoman。IknowIs’llcometowant。”

Hehoppedtohersideeagerly，toseeherlatestextravagance。

Sheunfoldedanotherlumpofnewspaperanddisclosedsomerootsof，pansiesandofcrimsondaisies。

“Fourpenn’orth！”shemoaned。

“HowCHEAP！”hecried。

“Yes，butIcouldn’tafforditTHISweekofallweeks。”

“Butlovely！”hecried。

“Aren’tthey！”sheexclaimed，givingwaytopurejoy。

“Paul，lookatthisyellowone，isn’tit——andafacejustlikean，oldman！”

“Just！”criedPaul，stoopingtosniff。”Andsmellsthatnice！

Buthe’sabitsplashed。”

Heraninthescullery，camebackwiththeflannel，andcarefully，washedthepansy。

“NOWlookathimnowhe’swet！”hesaid。

“Yes！”sheexclaimed，brimfulofsatisfaction。

ThechildrenofScargillStreetfeltquiteselect。Atthe，endwheretheMorelslivedtherewerenotmanyyoungthings。

Sothefewweremoreunited。Boysandgirlsplayedtogether，thegirlsjoininginthefightsandtheroughgames，theboystaking，partinthedancinggamesandringsandmake-beliefofthegirls。

AnnieandPaulandArthurlovedthewinterevenings，whenitwasnotwet。Theystayedindoorstillthecolliers，wereallgonehome，tillitwasthickdark，andthestreetwould，bedeserted。Thentheytiedtheirscarvesroundtheirnecks，fortheyscornedovercoats，asallthecolliers’childrendid，andwentout。Theentrywasverydark，andattheendthewhole，greatnightopenedout，inahollow，withalittletangleoflights，belowwhereMintonpitlay，andanotherfarawayoppositeforSelby。

Thefarthesttinylightsseemedtostretchoutthedarknessforever。

Thechildrenlookedanxiouslydowntheroadattheonelamp-post，whichstoodattheendofthefieldpath。Ifthelittle，luminousspaceweredeserted，thetwoboysfeltgenuinedesolation。

Theystoodwiththeirhandsintheirpocketsunderthelamp，turningtheirbacksonthenight，quitemiserable，watchingthe，darkhouses。Suddenlyapinaforeunderashortcoatwasseen，andalong-leggedgirlcameflyingup。

“Where’sBillyPillinsan’yourAnniean’EddieDakin？”

“Idon’tknow。”

Butitdidnotmattersomuch——therewerethreenow。Theyset，upagameroundthelamp-post，tilltheothersrushedup，yelling。

Thentheplaywentfastandfurious。

Therewasonlythisonelamp-post。Behindwasthegreatscoop，ofdarkness，asifallthenightwerethere。Infront，anotherwide，darkwayopenedoverthehillbrow。Occasionallysomebodycame，outofthiswayandwentintothefielddownthepath。Inadozen，yardsthenighthadswallowedthem。Thechildrenplayedon。

Theywerebroughtexceedinglyclosetogetherowingto，theirisolation。Ifaquarreltookplace，thewholeplaywasspoilt。

Arthurwasverytouchy，andBillyPillins——reallyPhilips——wasworse。

ThenPaulhadtosidewithArthur，andonPaul’ssidewentAlice，whileBillyPillinsalwayshadEmmieLimbandEddieDakintoback，himup。Thenthesixwouldfight，hatewithafuryofhatred，andfleehomeinterror。Paulneverforgot，afteroneofthesefierce，internecinefights，seeingabigredmoonliftitselfup，slowly，betweenthewasteroadoverthehilltop，steadily，likeagreatbird。

AndhethoughtoftheBible，thatthemoonshouldbeturnedtoblood。

AndthenextdayhemadehastetobefriendswithBillyPillins。

Andthenthewild，intensegameswentonagainunderthelamp-post，surroundedbysomuchdarkness。Mrs。Morel，goingintoherparlour，wouldhearthechildrensingingaway：

“MyshoesaremadeofSpanishleather，Mysocksaremadeofsilk;

Iweararingoneveryfinger，Iwashmyselfinmilk。”

Theysoundedsoperfectlyabsorbedinthegameastheirvoicescame，outofthenight，thattheyhadthefeelofwildcreaturessinging。

Itstirredthemother;andsheunderstoodwhentheycameinateight，o’clock，ruddy，withbrillianteyes，andquick，passionatespeech。

TheyalllovedtheScargillStreethouseforitsopenness，forthegreatscallopoftheworldithadinview。Onsummerevenings，thewomenwouldstandagainstthefieldfence，gossiping，facing，thewest，watchingthesunsetsflarequicklyout，tilltheDerbyshire，hillsridgedacrossthecrimsonfaraway，liketheblackcrest，ofanewt。

Inthissummerseasonthepitsneverturnedfulltime，particularlythesoftcoal。Mrs。Dakin，wholivednextdoor，toMrs。Morel，goingtothefieldfencetoshakeherhearthrug，wouldspymencomingslowlyupthehill。Shesawatoncethey，werecolliers。Thenshewaited，atall，thin，shrew-facedwoman，standingonthehillbrow，almostlikeamenacetothepoorcolliers，whoweretoilingup。Itwasonlyeleveno’clock。Fromthefar-off，woodedhillsthehazethathangslikefineblackcrapeattheback，ofasummermorninghadnotyetdissipated。Thefirstmancame，tothestile。”Chock-chock！”wentthegateunderhisthrust。

“What，han’yerknockedoff？”criedMrs。Dakin。

“Wehan，missis。”

“It’sapityastheyletnyergoo，“shesaidsarcastically。

“Itisthat，“repliedtheman。

“Nay，youknowyou’refligtocomeupagain，“shesaid。

Andthemanwenton。Mrs。Dakin，goingupheryard，spiedMrs。Moreltakingtheashestotheash-pit。

“IreckonMinton’sknockedoff，missis，“shecried。

“Isn’titsickenin！”exclaimedMrs。Morelinwrath。

“Ha！ButI’njustseedJontHutchby。”

“Theymightaswellhavesavedtheirshoe-leather，“

saidMrs。Morel。Andbothwomenwentindoorsdisgusted。

Thecolliers，theirfacesscarcelyblackened，weretrooping，homeagain。Morelhatedtogoback。Helovedthesunnymorning。

Buthehadgonetopittowork，andtobesenthomeagainspoilt，histemper。

“Goodgracious，atthistime！”exclaimedhiswife，asheentered。

“CanIhelpit，woman？”heshouted。

“AndI’venotdonehalfenoughdinner。”

“ThenI’lleatmybito’snapasItookwithme，“

hebawledpathetically。Hefeltignominiousandsore。

Andthechildren，cominghomefromschool，wouldwondertosee，theirfathereatingwithhisdinnerthetwothickslicesofrather，dryanddirtybread-and-butterthathadbeentopitandback。

“What’smydadeatinghissnapfornow？”askedArthur。

“Ishouldha’eitholledatmeifIdidna，“snortedMorel。

“Whatastory！”exclaimedhiswife。

“An’isitgoin’tobewasted？”saidMorel。”I’mnotsuch，aextravagantmortalasyoulot，withyourwaste。IfIdrop，abitofbreadatpit，inallthedustan’dirt，Ipickitupan’

eatit。”

“Themicewouldeatit，“saidPaul。”Itwouldn’tbewasted。”

“Goodbread-an’-butter’snotformice，either，“saidMorel。

“Dirtyornotdirty，I’deatitratherthanitshouldbewasted。”

“Youmightleaveitforthemiceandpayforitoutofyour，nextpint，“saidMrs。Morel。

“Oh，mightI？”heexclaimed。

Theywereverypoorthatautumn。Williamhadjustgoneaway，toLondon，andhismothermissedhismoney。Hesenttenshillingsonce，ortwice，buthehadmanythingstopayforatfirst。Hisletters，cameregularlyonceaweek。Hewroteagooddealtohismother，tellingherallhislife，howhemadefriends，andwasexchanging，lessonswithaFrenchman，howheenjoyedLondon。Hismotherfelt，againhewasremainingtoherjustaswhenhewasathome。Shewrote，tohimeveryweekherdirect，ratherwittyletters。Alldaylong，asshecleanedthehouse，shethoughtofhim。HewasinLondon：

hewoulddowell。Almost，hewaslikeherknightwhoworeHER

favourinthebattle。

HewascomingatChristmasforfivedays。Therehadnever，beensuchpreparations。PaulandArthurscouredtheland，forhollyandevergreens。Anniemadetheprettypaperhoops，intheold-fashionedway。Andtherewasunheard-ofextravagance，inthelarder。Mrs。Morelmadeabigandmagnificentcake。

Then，feelingqueenly，sheshowedPaulhowtoblanchalmonds。

Heskinnedthelongnutsreverently，countingthemall，toseenot，onewaslost。Itwassaidthateggswhiskedbetterinacoldplace。

Sotheboystoodinthescullery，wherethetemperaturewasnearly，atfreezing-point，andwhiskedandwhisked，andflewinexcitement，tohismotherasthewhiteofegggrewstifferandmoresnowy。

“Justlook，mother！，Isn’titlovely？”

Andhebalancedabitonhisnose，thenblewitintheair。

“Now，don’twasteit，“saidthemother。

Everybodywasmadwithexcitement。Williamwascomingon，ChristmasEve。Mrs。Morelsurveyedherpantry。Therewasabig，plumcake，andaricecake，jamtarts，lemontarts，andmince-pies——

twoenormousdishes。Shewasfinishingcooking——Spanishtarts，andcheese-cakes。Everywherewasdecorated。Thekissingbunch，ofberriedhollyhungwithbrightandglitteringthings，spunslowly，overMrs。Morel’sheadasshetrimmedherlittletartsinthekitchen。