第5章
IfeltthatIwentpale，andthoughnat"rallyaboldspeaker，I
couldn"thardlysay，"Where"sNormandy?"
"Bolted。Withtheplate，"saidMr。Chops。
"Andt"otherone?"meaninghimasformerlyworethebishop"smitre。
"Bolted。Withthejewels，"saidMr。Chops。
Isatdownandlookedathim，andhestoodupandlookedatme。
"Magsman，"hesays，andheseemedtomyselftogetwiserashegothoarser；"Society，takeninthelump，isalldwarfs。AtthecourtofSt。James"s，theywasalladoingmyoldbusiness——allagointhreetimesroundtheCairawan，intheholdcourt-suitsandproperties。Elsewheres，theywasmostof"emringintheirlittlebellsoutofmake-believes。Everywheres，thesarserwasagoinround。Magsman，thesarseristheuniwersalInstitution!"
Iperceived，youunderstand，thathewassouredbyhismisfortunes，andIfeltforMr。Chops。
"AstoFatLadies，"hesays，givinghisheadatremendiousoneaginthewall，"there"slotsofTHEMinSociety，andworsethantheoriginal。HERSwasaoutrageuponTaste——simplyaoutrageuponTaste——awakenincontempt——carryinitsownpunishmentintheformofaIndian。"Herehegivhimselfanothertremendiousone。"ButTHEIRS，Magsman，THEIRSismercenaryoutrages。LayinCashmeershawls，buybracelets，strew"emandalotof"andsomefansandthingsaboutyourrooms，letitbeknownthatyougiveawaylikewatertoallascometoadmire，andtheFatLadiesthatdon"texhibitforsomuchdownuponthedrum，willcomefromallthepintsofthecompasstoflockaboutyou，whateveryouare。They"lldrillholesinyour"art，Magsman，likeaCullender。Andwhenyou"venomorelefttogive，they"lllaughatyoutoyourface，andleaveyoutohaveyourbonespickeddrybyWulturs，likethedeadWildAssofthePrairiesthatyoudeservetobe!"Herehegivhimselfthemosttremendiousoneofall，anddropped。
Ithoughthewasgone。HisEdwassoheavy，andheknockeditsohard，andhefellsostoney，andthesassagerialdisturbanceinhimmusthavebeensoimmense，thatIthoughthewasgone。But，hesooncomeroundwithcare，andhesatuponthefloor，andhesaidtome，withwisdomcominoutofhiseyes，ifeveritcome:
"Magsman!Themostmaterialdifferencebetweenthetwostatesofexistencethroughwhichyourunhappyfriendhaspassed；"hereachedouthispoorlittlehand，andhistearsdroppeddownonthemoustachiowhichitwasacredittohimtohavedonehisbesttogrow，butitisnotinmortalstocommandsuccess，——"thedifferencethis。WhenIwasoutofSociety，Iwaspaidlightforbeingseen。
WhenIwentintoSociety，Ipaidheavyforbeingseen。Iprefertheformer，evenifIwasn"tforceduponit。Givemeoutthroughthetrumpet，intheholdway，to-morrow。"
Arterthat，heslidintothelineagainaseasyasifhehadbeeniledallover。Buttheorganwaskepfromhim，andnoallusionswasevermade，whenacompanywasin，tohisproperty。Hegotwisereveryday；hisviewsofSocietyandthePublicwasluminous，bewilderin，awful；andhisEdgotbiggerandbiggerashisWisdomexpandedit。
Hetookwell，andpulled"eminmostexcellentfornineweeks。Attheexpirationofthatperiod，whenhisEdwasasight，heexpressedoneevenin，thelastCompanyhavinbeenturnedout，andthedoorshut，awishtohavealittlemusic。
"Mr。Chops，"Isaid(Ineverdroppedthe"Mr。"withhim；theworldmightdoit，butnotme)；"Mr。Chops，areyousureasyouareinastateofmindandbodytositupontheorgan?"
Hisanswerwasthis:"Toby，whennextmetwithonthetramp，I
forgiveherandtheIndian。AndIam。"
ItwaswithfearandtremblingthatIbegantoturnthehandle；buthesatlikealamb。Iwillbemybelieftomydyingday，thatIseehisEdexpandashesat；youmaythereforejudgehowgreathisthoughtswas。Hesatoutallthechanges，andthenhecomeoff。
"Toby，"hesays，withaquietsmile，"thelittlemanwillnowwalkthreetimesroundtheCairawan，andretirebehindthecurtain。"
Whenwecalledhiminthemorning，wefoundhimgoneintoamuchbetterSocietythanmineorPallMall"s。IgivMr。Chopsascomfortableafuneralaslayinmypower，followedmyselfasChief，andhadtheGeorgetheFourthcanvasscarriedfirst，intheformofabanner。But，theHousewassodismalarterwards，thatIgivitup，andtooktotheWanagain。
"Idon"ttriumph，"saidJarber，foldingupthesecondmanuscript，andlookinghardatTrottle。"Idon"ttriumphoverthisworthycreature。Imerelyaskhimifheissatisfiednow?"
"Howcanhebeanythingelse?"Isaid，answeringforTrottle，whosatobstinatelysilent。"Thistime，Jarber，youhavenotonlyreadusadelightfullyamusingstory，butyouhavealsoansweredthequestionabouttheHouse。Ofcourseitstandsemptynow。Whowouldthinkoftakingitafterithadbeenturnedintoacaravan?"I
lookedatTrottle，asIsaidthoselastwords，andJarberwavedhishandindulgentlyinthesamedirection。
"Letthisexcellentpersonspeak，"saidJarber。"Youwereabouttosay，mygoodman?"-
"Ionlywishedtoask，sir，"saidTrottledoggedly，"ifyoucouldkindlyobligemewithadateortwoinconnectionwiththatlaststory?"
"Adate!"repeatedJarber。"Whatdoesthemanwantwithdates!"
"Ishouldbegladtoknow，withgreatrespect，"persistedTrottle，"ifthepersonnamedMagsmanwasthelasttenantwholivedintheHouse。It"smyopinion——ifImaybeexcusedforgivingit——thathemostdecidedlywasnot。"
Withthosewords，Trottlemadealowbow，andquietlylefttheroom。
ThereisnodenyingthatJarber，whenwewerelefttogether，lookedsadlydiscomposed。Hehadevidentlyforgottentoinquireaboutdates；and，inspiteofhismagnificenttalkabouthisseriesofdiscoveries，itwasquiteasplainthatthetwostorieshehadjustread，hadreallyandtrulyexhaustedhispresentstock。Ithoughtmyselfbound，incommongratitude，tohelphimoutofhisembarrassmentbyatimelysuggestion。SoIproposedthatheshouldcometoteaagain，onthenextMondayevening，thethirteenth，andshouldmakesuchinquiriesinthemeantime，asmightenablehimtodisposetriumphantlyofTrottle"sobjection。
Hegallantlykissedmyhand，madeaneatlittlespeechofacknowledgment，andtookhisleave。FortherestoftheweekI
wouldnotencourageTrottlebyallowinghimtorefertotheHouseatall。Isuspectedhewasmakinghisowninquiriesaboutdates，butI
putnoquestionstohim。
OnMondayevening，thethirteenth，thatdearunfortunateJarbercame，punctualtotheappointedtime。Helookedsoterriblyharassed，thathewasreallyquiteaspectacleoffeeblenessandfatigue。Isaw，ataglance，thatthequestionofdateshadgoneagainsthim，thatMr。MagsmanhadnotbeenthelasttenantoftheHouse，andthatthereasonofitsemptinesswasstilltoseek。
"WhatIhavegonethrough，"saidJarber，"wordsarenoteloquentenoughtotell。OSophonisba，Ihavebegunanotherseriesofdiscoveries!Acceptthelasttwoasstorieslaidonyourshrine；
andwaittoblamemeforleavingyourcuriosityunappeased，untilyouhaveheardNumberThree。"
NumberThreelookedlikeaveryshortmanuscript，andIsaidasmuch。Jarberexplainedtomethatweweretohavesomepoetrythistime。InthecourseofhisinvestigationshehadsteppedintotheCirculatingLibrary，toseekforinformationontheoneimportantsubject。AlltheLibrary-peopleknewabouttheHousewas，thatafemalerelativeofthelasttenant，astheybelieved，had，justafterthattenantleft，sentalittlemanuscriptpoemtothemwhichshedescribedasreferringtoeventsthathadactuallypassedintheHouse；andwhichshewantedtheproprietoroftheLibrarytopublish。Shehadwrittennoaddressonherletter；andtheproprietorhadkeptthemanuscriptreadytobegivenbacktoher(thepublishingofpoemsnotbeinginhisline)whenshemightcallforit。Shehadnevercalledforit；andthepoemhadbeenlenttoJarber，athisexpressrequest，toreadtome。
Beforehebegan，IrangthebellforTrottle；beingdeterminedtohavehimpresentatthenewreading，asawholesomecheckonhisobstinacy。TomysurprisePeggyansweredthebell，andtoldme，thatTrottlehadsteppedoutwithoutsayingwhere。Iinstantlyfeltthestrongestpossibleconvictionthathewasathisoldtricks:
andthathissteppingoutintheevening，withoutleave，meant——
Philandering。
Controllingmyselfonmyvisitor"saccount，IdismissedPeggy，stifledmyindignation，andprepared，aspolitelyasmightbe，tolistentoJarber。
THREEEVENINGSINTHEHOUSE
NUMBERONE。
I。
Yes，itlook"ddarkanddrearyThatlongandnarrowstreet:
Onlythesoundoftherain，Andthetrampofpassingfeet，Thedullerglowofthefire，AndgatheringmistsofnightTomarkhowslowandwearyThelongday"scheerlessflight!
II。
Watchingthesullenfire，Hearingthedrearyrain，Dropafterdrop，rundownOnthedarkeningwindow-pane；
ChillwastheheartofBertha，Chillasthatwinterday，-
ForthestarofherlifehadrisenOnlytofadeaway。
III。
ThevoicethathadbeensostrongTobidthesnaredepart，Thetrueandearnestwill，Andthecalmandsteadfastheart，Werenowweigh"ddownbysorrow，Werequiveringnowwithpain；
Theclearpathnowseem"dclouded，Andallhergriefinvain。
IV。
Duty，Right，Truth，whopromisedTohelpandsavetheirown，Seem"dspreadingwidetheirpinionsToleavehertherealone。
So，turningfromthePresentTowell-knowndaysofyore，Shecall"donthemtostrengthenAndguardhersouloncemore。
V。
ShethoughthowinhergirlhoodHerlifewasgivenaway，ThesolemnpromisespokenShekeptsowellto-day；
HowtoherbrotherHerbertShehadbeenhelpandguide，Andhowhisartist-natureOnhercalmstrengthrelied。
VI。
Howthroughlife"sfretandturmoilThepassionandfireofartInhimwassoothedandquicken"dByhertruesisterheart；
HowfuturehopeshadalwaysBeenforhissakealone；
Andnow，whatstrangenewfeelingPossess"dherasitsown?
VII。
Herhome；eachflowerthatbreathedthere；
Thewind"ssigh，softandlow；
Eachtremblingsprayofivy；
Theriver"smurmuringflow；
Theshadowoftheforest；
Sunset，ortwilightdim；
Dearastheywere，weredearerByleavingthemforhim。
VIII。
AndeachyearasitfoundherInthedull，feverishtown，Sawselfstillmoreforgotten，AndselfishcarekeptdownBythecalmjoyofeveningThatbroughthimtoherside，Towarnhimwithwisecounsel，Orpraisewithtenderpride。
IX。
Herheart，herlife，herfuture，Hergenius，onlymeantAnotherthingtogivehim，Andbetherewithcontent。
To-day，whatwordshadstirr"dher，Hersoulcouldnotforget?
Whatdreamhadfill"dherspiritWithstrangeandwildregret?
X。
Toleavehimforanother:
Coulditindeedbeso?
CouldithavecostsuchanguishTobidthisvisiongo?
Wasthisherfaith?WasHerbertThesecondinherheart?
DiditneedallthisstruggleTobidadreamdepart?
XI。
Andyet，withinherspiritAfar-offlandwasseen；
Ahome，whichmighthaveheldher；
Alove，whichmighthavebeen；
AndLife:notthemerebeingOfdailyebbandflow，ButLifeitselfhadclaim"dher，Andshehadletitgo!
XII。
Withinherheartthereecho"dAgainthewell-knowntuneThatpromisedthisbrightfuture，Andask"dherforitsown:
Thenwordsofsorrow，brokenByhalf-reproachfulpain；
Andthenafarewell，spokenInwordsofcolddisdain。
XIII。
WherenowwasthesternpurposeThatnervedhersoulsolong?
Whencecamethewordssheutter"d，Sohard，socold，sostrong?
WhatrighthadshetobanishAhopethatGodhadgiven?
Whymustshechooseearth"sportion，AndturnasidefromHeaven?
XIV。
To-day!Wasitthismorning?
Ifthislong，fearfulstrifeWasbuttheworkofhours，Whatwouldbeyearsoflife?
WhydidacruelHeavenForsuchgreatsufferingcall?
Andwhy——O，stillmorecruel!-
Mustherownwordsdoall?
XV。
Didsherepent?OSorrow!
WhydowelingerstillTotakethylovingmessage，Anddothygentlewill?
See，hertearsfallmoreslowly；
Thepassionatemurmurscease，AndbackuponherspiritFlowstrength，andlove，andpeace。
XVI。
Thefireburnsmorebrightly，Therainhaspassedaway，HerbertwillseenoshadowUponhishometo-day；
OnlythatBerthagreetshimWithdoublytendercare，KissingafonderblessingDownonhisgoldenhair。
NUMBERTWO。
I。
Thestudioisdeserted，Paletteandbrushlaidby，Thesketchrestsontheeasel，Thepaintisscarcelydry；
AndSilence——whoseemsalwaysWithinherdepthstobearThenextsoundthatwillutter-
Nowholdsadumbdespair。
II。
SoBerthafeelsit:listeningWithbreathless，stonyfear，WaitingthedreadfulsummonsEachminutebringsmorenear:
Whentheyounglife，nowebbing，Shallfail，andpassawayIntothatmightyshadowWhoshroudsthehouseto-day。
III。
Butwhy——whenthesickchamberIsontheupperfloor-
WhydaresnotBerthaenterWithintheclose-shutdoor?
Ifhe——herall——herBrother，Liesdyinginthatgloom，WhatstrangemysteriouspowerHassentherfromtheroom?
IV。
Itisnotoneweek"sanguishThatcanhavechangedherso；
Joyhasnotdiedherelately，Struckdownbyonequickblow；
ButcruelmonthshaveneededTheirlongrelentlesschain，ToteachthatshrinkingmannerOfhelpless，hopelesspain。
V。
ThestrugglewasscarceoverLastChristmasEvehadbrought:
ThefibresstillwerequiveringOftheonewoundedthought，WhenHerbert——who，unconscious，Hadguessednoinwardstrife-
Badeher，inprideandpleasure，Welcomehisfairyoungwife。
VI。
Badeherrejoice，andsmiling，Althoughhiseyesweredim，Thank"dGodhethuscouldpayherThecareshegavetohim。
ThisfreshbrightlifewouldbringherAnewandjoyousfate-
OBertha，checkthemurmurThatcries，Toolate!toolate!
VII。
Toolate!CouldshehaveknownitAfewshortweeksbefore，Thathislifewascompleted，Andneedinghersnomore，Shemight——Osadrepining!
What"mighthavebeen，"forget；
"Itwasnot，"shouldsufficeusTostiflevainregret。
VIII。
Heneededhernolonger，Eachdayitgrewmoreplain；
Firstwithastartledwonder，Thenwithawonderingpain。
Love:why，hiswifebestgaveit；
Comfort:durstBerthaspeak?
Counsel:whenquickresentmentFlush"dontheyoungwife"scheek。
IX。
NomorelongtalksbyfirelightOfchildishtimeslongpast，AnddreamsoffuturegreatnessWhichhemustreachatlast；
Dreams，whereherpurerinstinctWithtruthunerringtoldWherewastheworthlessgilding，Andwhererefinedgold。
X。
Slowly，butsurelyever，Dora"spoorjealouspride，Whichshecall"dloveforHerbert，DroveBerthafromhisside；
And，spiteofnervouseffortTosharetheiralter"dlife，ShefeltachecktoHerbert，Aburdentohiswife。
XI。
Thiswastheleast；forBerthaFear"d，dreaded，KNEWatlength，HowmuchhisnatureowedherOftruth，andpower，andstrength；
Andwatch"dthedailyfailingOfallhisnoblerpart:
Lowaims，weakpurpose，tellingInlower，weakerart。
XII。
Andnow，whenheisdying，ThelastwordsshecouldhearMustnotbehers，butgivenThebrideofoneshortyear。
Thelastcareisanother"s；
ThelastprayermustnotbeTheonetheylearnttogetherBesidetheirmother"sknee。
XIII。
Summon"datlast:shekissesTheclay-coldstiffeninghand；
And，readingpleadingeffortsTomakeherunderstand，Answers，withsolemnpromise，Inclearbuttremblingtone，ToDora"slifehenceforwardShewilldevoteherown。
XIV。
Nowallisover。BerthaDaresnotremaintoweep，ButsoothesthefrightenedDoraIntoasobbingsleep。
Thepoorweakchildwillneedher:
O，whocandarecomplain，WhenGodsendsanewDutyTocomforteachnewPain!
NUMBERTHREE。
I。
TheHouseisalldesertedInthedimeveninggloom，OnlyonefigurepassesSlowlyfromroomtoroom；
And，pausingateachdoorway，SeemsgatheringupagainWithinherhearttherelicsOfbygonejoyandpain。
II。
ThereisanearnestlongingInthosewhoonwardgaze，LookingwithwearypatienceTowardsthecomingdays。
Thereisadeeperlonging，Moresad，morestrong，morekeen:
Thoseknowitwholookbackward，Andyearnforwhathasbeen。
III。
Ateveryhearthshepauses，Toucheseachwell-knownchair；
Gazesfromeverywindow，Lingersoneverystair。
WhathavethesemonthsbroughtBerthaNowonemoreyearispast?
ThisChristmasEveshalltellus，Thethirdoneandthelast。
IV。
Thewilful，waywardDora，Inthosefirstweeksofgrief，CouldseekandfindinBerthaStrength，soothing，andrelief。
AndBertha——lastsadcomfortTruewoman-heartcantake-
HadsomethingstilltosufferAnddoforHerbert"ssake。
V。
Spring，withherwesternbreezes，FromIndianislandsboreToBerthanewsthatLeonardWouldseekhishomeoncemore。
Whatwasit——joy，orsorrow?
Whatwerethey——hopes，orfears?
Thatflush"dhercheekswithcrimson，Andfill"dhereyeswithtears?
VI。
Hecame。AndwhosokindlyCouldaskandhearhertellHerbert"slasthours；forLeonardHadknownandlovedhimwell。
Dailyhecame；andBertha，Poorwearheart，atlength，Weigh"ddownbyother"sweakness，Couldrestuponhisstrength。
VII。
YetnotthevoiceofLeonardCouldhertruecarebeguile，Thatturn"dtowatch，rejoicing，Dora"srevivingsmile。
So，fromthatlittlehouseholdTheworstgloompass"daway，TheonebrighthourofeveningLitupthelivelongday。
VIII。
Dayspassed。ThegoldensummerInsuddenheatboredownItsblue，bright，glowingsweetnessUponthescorchingtown。
AndsightsandsoundsofcountryCameinthewarmsofttuneSungbythehoney"dbreezesBorneonthewingsofJune。
IX。
Onetwilighthour，butearlierThanusual，BerthathoughtSheknewthefreshsweetfragranceOfflowersthatLeonardbrought；
Throughopen"ddoorsandwindowsItstoleupthroughthegloom，AndwithappealingsweetnessDrewBerthafromherroom。
X。
Yes，hewasthere；andpausingJustneartheopen"ddoor，Tocheckherheart"squickbeating，Sheheard——andpausedstillmore-
HislowvoiceDora"sanswers-
Hispleading——Yes，sheknewThetone——thewords——theaccents:
Sheoncehadheardthemtoo。
XI。