第6章
Secrecyhasthisdisadvantage:welosethesenseofproportion；
wecannottellwhetheroursecretisimportantornot。WereLucyandhercousinclosetedwithagreatthingwhichwoulddestroyCecil"slifeifhediscoveredit，orwithalittlethingwhichhewouldlaughat？MissBartlettsuggestedtheformer。Perhapsshewasright。Ithadbecomeagreatthingnow。Lefttoherself，Lucywouldhavetoldhermotherandherloveringenuously，anditwouldhaveremainedalittlething。"Emerson，notHarris"；itwasonlythatafewweeksago。ShetriedtotellCecilevennowwhentheywerelaughingaboutsomebeautifulladywhohadsmittenhisheartatschool。Butherbodybehavedsoridiculouslythatshestopped。
SheandhersecretstayedtendayslongerinthedesertedMetropolisvisitingthescenestheyweretoknowsowelllateron。Itdidhernoharm，Cecilthought，tolearntheframeworkofsociety，whilesocietyitselfwasabsentonthegolf-linksorthemoors。Theweatherwascool，anditdidhernoharm。Inspiteoftheseason，Mrs。Vysemanagedtoscrapetogetheradinner-partyconsistingentirelyofthegrandchildrenoffamouspeople。Thefoodwaspoor，butthetalkhadawittywearinessthatimpressedthegirl。Onewastiredofeverything，itseemed。Onelaunchedintoenthusiasmsonlytocollapsegracefully，andpickoneselfupamidsympatheticlaughter。InthisatmospherethePensionBertoliniandWindyCornerappearedequallycrude，andLucysawthatherLondoncareerwouldestrangeheralittlefromallthatshehadlovedinthepast。
Thegrandchildrenaskedhertoplaythepiano。
SheplayedSchumann。"NowsomeBeethoven"calledCecil，whenthequerulousbeautyofthemusichaddied。SheshookherheadandplayedSchumannagain。Themelodyrose，unprofitablymagical。Itbroke；itwasresumedbroken，notmarchingoncefromthecradletothegrave。Thesadnessoftheincomplete——thesadnessthatisoftenLife，butshouldneverbeArt——throbbedinitsdisjectedphrases，andmadethenervesoftheaudiencethrob。NotthushadsheplayedonthelittledrapedpianoattheBertolini，and"ToomuchSchumann"wasnottheremarkthatMr。Beebehadpassedtohimselfwhenshereturned。
Whentheguestsweregone，andLucyhadgonetobed，Mrs。Vysepacedupanddownthedrawing-room，discussingherlittlepartywithherson。Mrs。Vysewasanicewoman，butherpersonality，likemanyanother"s，hadbeenswampedbyLondon，foritneedsastrongheadtoliveamongmanypeople。Thetoovastorbofherfatehadcrushedher；andshehadseentoomanyseasons，toomanycities，toomanymen，forherabilities，andevenwithCecilshewasmechanical，andbehavedasifhewasnotoneson，but，sotospeak，afilialcrowd。
"MakeLucyoneofus，"shesaid，lookingroundintelligentlyattheendofeachsentence，andstrainingherlipsapartuntilshespokeagain。"Lucyisbecomingwonderful——wonderful。”
"Hermusicalwayswaswonderful。”
"Yes，butsheispurgingofftheHoneychurchtaint，mostexcellentHoneychurches，butyouknowwhatImean。Sheisnotalwaysquotingservants，oraskingonehowthepuddingismade。”
"Italyhasdoneit。”
"Perhaps，"shemurmured，thinkingofthemuseumthatrepresentedItalytoher。"Itisjustpossible。Cecil，mindyoumarryhernextJanuary。Sheisoneofusalready。”
"Buthermusic!"heexclaimed。"Thestyleofher!HowshekepttoSchumannwhen，likeanidiot，IwantedBeethoven。Schumannwasrightforthisevening。Schumannwasthething。Doyouknow，mother，IshallhaveourchildreneducatedjustlikeLucy。Bringthemupamonghonestcountryfolksforfreshness，sendthemtoItalyforsubtlety，andthen——nottillthen——letthemcometoLondon。Idon"tbelieveintheseLondoneducations——"Hebrokeoff，rememberingthathehadhadonehimself，andconcluded，"Atallevents，notforwomen。”
"Makeheroneofus，"repeatedMrs。Vyse，andprocessedtobed。
Asshewasdozingoff，acry——thecryofnightmare——rangfromLucy"sroom。LucycouldringforthemaidifshelikedbutMrs。
Vysethoughtitkindtogoherself。Shefoundthegirlsittinguprightwithherhandonhercheek。
"Iamsosorry，Mrs。Vyse——itisthesedreams。”
"Baddreams？"
"Justdreams。”
Theelderladysmiledandkissedher，sayingverydistinctly:
"Youshouldhaveheardustalkingaboutyou，dear。Headmiresyoumorethanever。Dreamofthat。”
Lucyreturnedthekiss，stillcoveringonecheekwithherhand。
Mrs。Vyserecessedtobed。Cecil，whomthecryhadnotawoke，snored。Darknessenvelopedtheflat。
ChapterXII:TwelfthChapterItwasaSaturdayafternoon，gayandbrilliantafterabundantrains，andthespiritofyouthdweltinit，thoughtheseasonwasnowautumn。Allthatwasgracioustriumphed。AsthemotorcarspassedthroughSummerStreettheyraisedonlyalittledust，andtheirstenchwassoondispersedbythewindandreplacedbythescentofthewetbirchesorofthepines。Mr。Beebe，atleisureforlife"samenities，leantoverhisRectorygate。Freddyleantbyhim，smokingapendantpipe。
"Supposewegoandhinderthosenewpeopleoppositeforalittle。”
"M"m。”
"Theymightamuseyou。”
Freddy，whomhisfellow-creaturesneveramused，suggestedthatthenewpeoplemightbefeelingabitbusy，andsoon，sincetheyhadonlyjustmovedin。
"Isuggestedweshouldhinderthem，"saidMr。Beebe。"Theyareworthit。”Unlatchingthegate，hesaunteredoverthetriangulargreentoCissieVilla。"Hullo!"hecried，shoutinginattheopendoor，throughwhichmuchsqualorwasvisible。
Agravevoicereplied，"Hullo!"
"I"vebroughtsomeonetoseeyou。”
"I"llbedowninaminute。”
Thepassagewasblockedbyawardrobe，whichtheremovalmenhadfailedtocarryupthestairs。Mr。Beebeedgedrounditwithdifficulty。Thesitting-roomitselfwasblockedwithbooks。
"Arethesepeoplegreatreaders？"Freddywhispered。"Aretheythatsort？"
"Ifancytheyknowhowtoread——arareaccomplishment。Whathavetheygot？Byron。Exactly。AShropshireLad。Neverheardofit。
TheWayofAllFlesh。Neverheardofit。Gibbon。Hullo!dearGeorgereadsGerman。Um——um——Schopenhauer，Nietzsche，andsowegoon。Well，Isupposeyourgenerationknowsitsownbusiness，Honeychurch。”
"Mr。Beebe，lookatthat，"saidFreddyinawestrucktones。
Onthecorniceofthewardrobe，thehandofanamateurhadpaintedthisinscription:"Mistrustallenterprisesthatrequirenewclothes。”
"Iknow。Isn"titjolly？Ilikethat。I"mcertainthat"stheoldman"sdoing。”
"Howveryoddofhim!"
"Surelyyouagree？"
ButFreddywashismother"ssonandfeltthatoneoughtnottogoonspoilingthefurniture。
"Pictures!"theclergymancontinued，scramblingabouttheroom。
"Giotto——theygotthatatFlorence，I"llbebound。”
"ThesameasLucy"sgot。”
"Oh，by-the-by，didMissHoneychurchenjoyLondon？"
"Shecamebackyesterday。”
"Isupposeshehadagoodtime？"
"Yes，very，"saidFreddy，takingupabook。"SheandCecilarethickerthanever。”
"That"sgoodhearing。”
"IwishIwasn"tsuchafool，Mr。Beebe。”
Mr。Beebeignoredtheremark。
"LucyusedtobenearlyasstupidasIam，butit"llbeverydifferentnow，motherthinks。Shewillreadallkindsofbooks。”
"Sowillyou。”
"Onlymedicalbooks。Notbooksthatyoucantalkaboutafterwards。CecilisteachingLucyItalian，andhesaysherplayingiswonderful。Thereareallkindsofthingsinitthatwehavenevernoticed。Cecilsays——"
"Whatoneartharethosepeopledoingupstairs？Emerson——wethinkwe"llcomeanothertime。”
Georgerandown-stairsandpushedthemintotheroomwithoutspeaking。
"LetmeintroduceMr。Honeychurch，aneighbour。”
ThenFreddyhurledoneofthethunderboltsofyouth。Perhapshewasshy，perhapshewasfriendly，orperhapshethoughtthatGeorge"sfacewantedwashing。Atalleventshegreetedhimwith，"Howd"yedo？Comeandhaveabathe。”
"Oh，allright，"saidGeorge，impassive。
Mr。Beebewashighlyentertained。
""Howd"yedo？howd"yedo？Comeandhaveabathe，""hechuckled。
"That"sthebestconversationalopeningI"veeverheard。ButI"mafraiditwillonlyactbetweenmen。Canyoupicturealadywhohasbeenintroducedtoanotherladybyathirdladyopeningcivilitieswith"Howdoyoudo？Comeandhaveabathe"？Andyetyouwilltellmethatthesexesareequal。”
"Itellyouthattheyshallbe，"saidMr。Emerson，whohadbeenslowlydescendingthestairs。"Goodafternoon，Mr。Beebe。Itellyoutheyshallbecomrades，andGeorgethinksthesame。”
"Wearetoraiseladiestoourlevel？"theclergymaninquired。
"TheGardenofEden，"pursuedMr。Emerson，stilldescending，"whichyouplaceinthepast，isreallyyettocome。Weshallenteritwhenwenolongerdespiseourbodies。”
Mr。BeebedisclaimedplacingtheGardenofEdenanywhere。
"Inthis——notinotherthings——wemenareahead。Wedespisethebodylessthanwomendo。Butnotuntilwearecomradesshallweenterthegarden。”
"Isay，whataboutthisbathe？"murmuredFreddy，appalledatthemassofphilosophythatwasapproachinghim。
"IbelievedinareturntoNatureonce。ButhowcanwereturntoNaturewhenwehaveneverbeenwithher？To-day，IbelievethatwemustdiscoverNature。Aftermanyconquestsweshallattainsimplicity。Itisourheritage。”
"LetmeintroduceMr。Honeychurch，whosesisteryouwillrememberatFlorence。”
"Howdoyoudo？Verygladtoseeyou，andthatyouaretakingGeorgeforabathe。Verygladtohearthatyoursisterisgoingtomarry。Marriageisaduty。Iamsurethatshewillbehappy，forweknowMr。Vyse，too。Hehasbeenmostkind。HemetusbychanceintheNationalGallery，andarrangedeverythingaboutthisdelightfulhouse。ThoughIhopeIhavenotvexedSirHarryOtway。IhavemetsofewLiberallandowners，andIwasanxioustocomparehisattitudetowardsthegamelawswiththeConservativeattitude。Ah，thiswind!Youdowelltobathe。Yoursisagloriouscountry，Honeychurch!"
"Notabit!"mumbledFreddy。"Imust——thatistosay，Ihaveto——
havethepleasureofcallingonyoulateron，mymothersays，I
hope。”
"CALL，mylad？Whotaughtusthatdrawing-roomtwaddle？Callonyourgrandmother!Listentothewindamongthepines!Yoursisagloriouscountry。”
Mr。Beebecametotherescue。
"Mr。Emerson，hewillcall，Ishallcall；youoryoursonwillreturnourcallsbeforetendayshaveelapsed。Itrustthatyouhaverealizedaboutthetendays"interval。ItdoesnotcountthatIhelpedyouwiththestair-eyesyesterday。Itdoesnotcountthattheyaregoingtobathethisafternoon。”
"Yes，goandbathe，George。Whydoyoudawdletalking？Bringthembacktotea。Bringbacksomemilk，cakes，honey。Thechangewilldoyougood。Georgehasbeenworkingveryhardathisoffice。I
can"tbelievehe"swell。”
Georgebowedhishead，dustyandsombre，exhalingthepeculiarsmellofonewhohashandledfurniture。
"Doyoureallywantthisbathe？"Freddyaskedhim。"Itisonlyapond，don"tyouknow。Idaresayyouareusedtosomethingbetter。”
"Yes——Ihavesaid"Yes"already。”
Mr。Beebefeltboundtoassisthisyoungfriend，andledthewayoutofthehouseandintothepine-woods。Howgloriousitwas!ForalittletimethevoiceofoldMr。Emersonpursuedthemdispensinggoodwishesandphilosophy。Itceased，andtheyonlyheardthefairwindblowingthebrackenandthetrees。Mr。Beebe，whocouldbesilent，butwhocouldnotbearsilence，wascompelledtochatter，sincetheexpeditionlookedlikeafailure，andneitherofhiscompanionswouldutteraword。HespokeofFlorence。Georgeattendedgravely，assentingordissentingwithslightbutdeterminedgesturesthatwereasinexplicableasthemotionsofthetree-topsabovetheirheads。
AndwhatacoincidencethatyoushouldmeetMr。Vyse!DidyourealizethatyouwouldfindallthePensionBertolinidownhere？"
"Ididnot。MissLavishtoldme。”
"WhenIwasayoungman，Ialwaysmeanttowritea"HistoryofCoincidence。""
Noenthusiasm。
"Though，asamatteroffact，coincidencesaremuchrarerthanwesuppose。Forexample，itisn"tpurelycoincidentallythatyouareherenow，whenonecomestoreflect。”
Tohisrelief，Georgebegantotalk。
"Itis。Ihavereflected。ItisFate。EverythingisFate。WeareflungtogetherbyFate，drawnapartbyFate——flungtogether，drawnapart。Thetwelvewindsblowus——wesettlenothing——"
"Youhavenotreflectedatall，"rappedtheclergyman。"Letmegiveyouausefultip，Emerson:attributenothingtoFate。Don"tsay，"Ididn"tdothis，"foryoudidit，tentoone。NowI"llcross-questionyou。WheredidyoufirstmeetMissHoneychurchandmyself？"
"Italy。”
"AndwheredidyoumeetMr。Vyse，whoisgoingtomarryMissHoneychurch？"
"NationalGallery。”
"LookingatItalianart。Thereyouare，andyetyoutalkofcoincidenceandFate。YounaturallyseekoutthingsItalian，andsodoweandourfriends。Thisnarrowsthefieldimmeasurablywemeetagaininit。”
"ItisFatethatIamhere，"persistedGeorge。"ButyoucancallitItalyifitmakesyoulessunhappy。”
Mr。Beebeslidawayfromsuchheavytreatmentofthesubject。
Buthewasinfinitelytolerantoftheyoung，andhadnodesiretosnubGeorge。
"Andsoforthisandforotherreasonsmy""HistoryofCoincidence"isstilltowrite。”
Silence。
Wishingtoroundofftheepisode，headded；"Weareallsogladthatyouhavecome。”
Silence。
"Hereweare!"calledFreddy。
"Oh，good!"exclaimedMr。Beebe，moppinghisbrow。
"Inthere"sthepond。Iwishitwasbigger，"headdedapologetically。
Theyclimbeddownaslipperybankofpine-needles。Therelaythepond，setinitslittlealpofgreen——onlyapond，butlargeenoughtocontainthehumanbody，andpureenoughtoreflectthesky。Onaccountoftherains，thewatershadfloodedthesurroundinggrass，whichshowedlikeabeautifulemeraldpath，temptingthesefeettowardsthecentralpool。
"It"sdistinctlysuccessful，aspondsgo，"saidMr。Beebe。"Noapologiesarenecessaryforthepond。”
Georgesatdownwherethegroundwasdry，anddrearilyunlacedhisboots。
"Aren"tthosemassesofwillow-herbsplendid？Ilovewillow-herbinseed。What"sthenameofthisaromaticplant？"
Nooneknew，orseemedtocare。
"Theseabruptchangesofvegetation——thislittlespongeoustractofwaterplants，andoneithersideofitallthegrowthsaretoughorbrittle——heather，bracken，hurts，pines。Verycharming，verycharming。
"Mr。Beebe，aren"tyoubathing？"calledFreddy，ashestrippedhimself。
Mr。Beebethoughthewasnot。
"Water"swonderful!"criedFreddy，prancingin。
"Water"swater，"murmuredGeorge。Wettinghishairfirst——asuresignofapathy——hefollowedFreddyintothedivine，asindifferentasifhewereastatueandthepondapailofsoapsuds。Itwasnecessarytousehismuscles。Itwasnecessarytokeepclean。Mr。Beebewatchedthem，andwatchedtheseedsofthewillow-herbdancechoricallyabovetheirheads。
"Apooshoo，apooshoo，apooshoo，"wentFreddy，swimmingfortwostrokesineitherdirection，andthenbecominginvolvedinreedsormud。
"Isitworthit？"askedtheother，Michelangelesqueonthefloodedmargin。
Thebankbrokeaway，andhefellintothepoolbeforehehadweighedthequestionproperly。
"Hee-poof——I"veswallowedapollywog，Mr。Beebe，water"swonderful，water"ssimplyripping。”
"Water"snotsobad，"saidGeorge，reappearingfromhisplunge，andsputteringatthesun。
"Water"swonderful。Mr。Beebe，do。”
"Apooshoo，kouf。”
Mr。Beebe，whowashot，andwhoalwaysacquiescedwherepossible，lookedaroundhim。Hecoulddetectnoparishionersexceptthepine-trees，risingupsteeplyonallsides，andgesturingtoeachotheragainsttheblue。Howgloriousitwas!Theworldofmotor-carsandruralDeansrecededinimitably。Water，sky，evergreens，awind——thesethingsnoteventheseasonscantouch，andsurelytheyliebeyondtheintrusionofman？
"Imayaswellwashtoo"；andsoonhisgarmentsmadeathirdlittlepileonthesward，andhetooassertedthewonderofthewater。
Itwasordinarywater，norwasthereverymuchofit，and，asFreddysaid，itremindedoneofswimminginasalad。Thethreegentlemenrotatedinthepoolbreasthigh，afterthefashionofthenymphsinGotterdammerung。Buteitherbecausetherainshadgivenafreshnessorbecausethesunwassheddingamostgloriousheat，orbecausetwoofthegentlemenwereyounginyearsandthethirdyounginspirit——forsomereasonorotherachangecameoverthem，andtheyforgotItalyandBotanyandFate。Theybegantoplay。Mr。BeebeandFreddysplashedeachother。Alittledeferentially，theysplashedGeorge。Hewasquiet:theyfearedtheyhadoffendedhim。Thenalltheforcesofyouthburstout。Hesmiled，flunghimselfatthem，splashedthem，duckedthem，kickedthem，muddiedthem，anddrovethemoutofthepool。
"Raceyouroundit，then，"criedFreddy，andtheyracedinthesunshine，andGeorgetookashortcutanddirtiedhisshins，andhadtobatheasecondtime。ThenMr。Beebeconsentedtorun——amemorablesight。
Theyrantogetdry，theybathedtogetcool，theyplayedatbeingIndiansinthewillow-herbsandinthebracken，theybathedtogetclean。Andallthetimethreelittlebundleslaydiscreetlyonthesward，proclaiming:
"No。Wearewhatmatters。Withoutusshallnoenterprisebegin。
Tousshallallfleshturnintheend。”
"Atry!Atry!"yelledFreddy，snatchingupGeorge"sbundleandplacingitbesideanimaginarygoal-post。
"Sockerrules，"Georgeretorted，scatteringFreddy"sbundlewithakick。
"Goal!"
"Goal!"
"Pass!"
"Takecaremywatch!"criedMr。Beebe。
Clothesflewinalldirections。
"Takecaremyhat!No，that"senough，Freddy。Dressnow。No，I
say!"
Butthetwoyoungmenweredelirious。Awaytheytwinkledintothetrees，Freddywithaclericalwaistcoatunderhisarm，Georgewithawide-awakehatonhisdrippinghair。
"That"lldo!"shoutedMr。Beebe，rememberingthatafterallhewasinhisownparish。Thenhisvoicechangedasifeverypine-treewasaRuralDean。"Hi!Steadyon!Iseepeoplecomingyoufellows!"
Yells，andwideningcirclesoverthedappledearth。
"Hi!hi!LADIES!"
NeitherGeorgenorFreddywastrulyrefined。Still，theydidnothearMr。Beebe"slastwarningortheywouldhaveavoidedMrs。
Honeychurch，Cecil，andLucy，whowerewalkingdowntocallonoldMrs。Butterworth。Freddydroppedthewaistcoatattheirfeet，anddashedintosomebracken。Georgewhoopedintheirfaces，turnedandscuddedawaydownthepathtothepond，stillcladinMr。Beebe"shat。
"Graciousalive!"criedMrs。Honeychurch。"Whoeverwerethoseunfortunatepeople？Oh，dears，lookaway!AndpoorMr。Beebe，too!Whateverhashappened？"
"Comethiswayimmediately，"commandedCecil，whoalwaysfeltthathemustleadwomen，thoughknewnotwhither，andprotectthem，thoughheknewnotagainstwhat。HeledthemnowtowardsthebrackenwhereFreddysatconcealed。
"Oh，poorMr。Beebe!Wasthathiswaistcoatweleftinthepath？
Cecil，Mr。Beebe"swaistcoat——"
Nobusinessofours，saidCecil，glancingatLucy，whowasallparasolandevidently"minded。”
"IfancyMr。Beebejumpedbackintothepond。”
"Thisway，please，Mrs。Honeychurch，thisway。”
Theyfollowedhimupthebankattemptingthetenseyetnonchalantexpressionthatissuitableforladiesonsuchoccasions。
"Well，Ican"thelpit，"saidavoicecloseahead，andFreddyrearedafreckledfaceandapairofsnowyshouldersoutofthefronds。"Ican"tbetroddenon，canI？"
"Goodgraciousme，dear；soit"syou!Whatmiserablemanagement!
Whynothaveacomfortablebathathome，withhotandcoldlaidon？"
"Lookhere，mother，afellowmustwash，andafellow"sgottodry，andifanotherfellow——"
"Dear，nodoubtyou"rerightasusual，butyouareinnopositiontoargue。Come，Lucy。”Theyturned。"Oh，look——don"tlook!Oh，poorMr。Beebe!Howunfortunateagain——"
ForMr。Beebewasjustcrawlingoutofthepond，Onwhosesurfacegarmentsofanintimatenaturedidfloat；whileGeorge，theworld-wearyGeorge，shoutedtoFreddythathehadhookedafish。
"Andme，I"veswallowedone，"answeredheofthebracken。"I"veswallowedapollywog。Itwrigglethinmytummy。Ishalldie——
Emersonyoubeast，you"vegotonmybags。”
"Hush，dears，"saidMrs。Honeychurch，whofounditimpossibletoremainshocked。"Anddobesureyoudryyourselvesthoroughlyfirst。Allthesecoldscomeofnotdryingthoroughly。”
"Mother，docomeaway，"saidLucy。"Ohforgoodness"sake，docome。”
"Hullo!"criedGeorge，sothatagaintheladiesstopped。
Heregardedhimselfasdressed。Barefoot，bare-chested，radiantandpersonableagainsttheshadowywoods，hecalled:
"Hullo，MissHoneychurch!Hullo!"
"Bow，Lucy；betterbow。Whoeverisit？Ishallbow。”
MissHoneychurchbowed。
Thateveningandallthatnightthewaterranaway。Onthemorrowthepoolhadshrunktoitsoldsizeandlostitsglory。Ithadbeenacalltothebloodandtotherelaxedwill，apassingbenedictionwhoseinfluencedidnotpass，aholiness，aspell，amomentarychaliceforyouth。
ChapterXIII:HowMissBartlett"sBoilerWasSoTiresomeHowoftenhadLucyrehearsedthisbow，thisinterview!Butshehadalwaysrehearsedthemindoors，andwithcertainaccessories，whichsurelywehavearighttoassume。WhocouldforetellthatsheandGeorgewouldmeetintheroutofacivilization，amidstanarmyofcoatsandcollarsandbootsthatlaywoundedoverthesunlitearth？ShehadimaginedayoungMr。Emerson，whomightbeshyormorbidorindifferentorfurtivelyimpudent。Shewaspreparedforallofthese。Butshehadneverimaginedonewhowouldbehappyandgreetherwiththeshoutofthemorningstar。
Indoorsherself，partakingofteawitholdMrs。Butterworth，shereflectedthatitisimpossibletoforetellthefuturewithanydegreeofaccuracy，thatitisimpossibletorehearselife。A
faultinthescenery，afaceintheaudience，anirruptionoftheaudienceontothestage，andallourcarefullyplannedgesturesmeannothing，ormeantoomuch。"Iwillbow，"shehadthought。"I
willnotshakehandswithhim。Thatwillbejusttheproperthing。”Shehadbowed——buttowhom？Togods，toheroes，tothenonsenseofschool-girls!Shehadbowedacrosstherubbishthatcumberstheworld。
Soranherthoughts，whileherfacultieswerebusywithCecil。Itwasanotherofthosedreadfulengagementcalls。Mrs。Butterworthhadwantedtoseehim，andhedidnotwanttobeseen。Hedidnotwanttohearabouthydrangeas，whytheychangetheircolourattheseaside。HedidnotwanttojointheC。O。S。Whencrosshewasalwayselaborate，andmadelong，cleveranswerswhere"Yes"
or"No"wouldhavedone。Lucysoothedhimandtinkeredattheconversationinawaythatpromisedwellfortheirmarriedpeace。
Nooneisperfect，andsurelyitiswisertodiscovertheimperfectionsbeforewedlock。MissBartlett，indeed，thoughnotinword，hadtaughtthegirlthatthisourlifecontainsnothingsatisfactory。Lucy，thoughshedislikedtheteacher，regardedtheteachingasprofound，andappliedittoherlover。
"Lucy，"saidhermother，whentheygothome，"isanythingthematterwithCecil？"
Thequestionwasominous；uptillnowMrs。Honeychurchhadbehavedwithcharityandrestraint。
"No，Idon"tthinkso，mother；Cecil"sallright。”
"Perhapshe"stired。”
Lucycompromised:perhapsCecilwasalittletired。
"Becauseotherwise"——shepulledoutherbonnet-pinswithgatheringdispleasure——"becauseotherwiseIcannotaccountforhim。”
"IdothinkMrs。Butterworthisrathertiresome，ifyoumeanthat。”
"Cecilhastoldyoutothinkso。Youweredevotedtoherasalittlegirl，andnothingwilldescribehergoodnesstoyouthroughthetyphoidfever。No——itisjustthesamethingeverywhere。”
"Letmejustputyourbonnetaway，mayI？"
"Surelyhecouldanswerhercivillyforonehalf-hour？"
"Cecilhasaveryhighstandardforpeople，"falteredLucy，seeingtroubleahead。"It"spartofhisideals——itisreallythatthatmakeshimsometimesseem——"
"Oh，rubbish!Ifhighidealsmakeayoungmanrude，thesoonerhegetsridofthemthebetter，"saidMrs。Honeychurch，handingherthebonnet。
"Now，mother!I"veseenyoucrosswithMrs。Butterworthyourself!"
"Notinthatway。AttimesIcouldwringherneck。Butnotinthatway。No。ItisthesamewithCecilallover。”
"By-the-by——Inevertoldyou。IhadaletterfromCharlottewhileIwasawayinLondon。”
Thisattempttodiverttheconversationwastoopuerile，andMrs。
Honeychurchresentedit。
"SinceCecilcamebackfromLondon，nothingappearstopleasehim。WheneverIspeakhewinces；——Iseehim，Lucy；itisuselesstocontradictme。NodoubtIamneitherartisticnorliterarynorintellectualnormusical，butIcannothelpthedrawing-roomfurniture；yourfatherboughtitandwemustputupwithit，willCecilkindlyremember。”
"I——Iseewhatyoumean，andcertainlyCeciloughtn"tto。Buthedoesnotmeantobeuncivil——heonceexplained——itisthethingsthatupsethim——heiseasilyupsetbyuglythings——heisnotunciviltoPEOPLE。”
"IsitathingorapersonwhenFreddysings？"
"Youcan"texpectareallymusicalpersontoenjoycomicsongsaswedo。”
"Thenwhydidn"theleavetheroom？Whysitwrigglingandsneeringandspoilingeveryone"spleasure？"
"Wemustn"tbeunjusttopeople，"falteredLucy。Somethinghadenfeebledher，andthecaseforCecil，whichshehadmasteredsoperfectlyinLondon，wouldnotcomeforthinaneffectiveform。
Thetwocivilizationshadclashed——Cecilhintedthattheymight——
andshewasdazzledandbewildered，asthoughtheradiancethatliesbehindallcivilizationhadblindedhereyes。Goodtasteandbadtastewereonlycatchwords，garmentsofdiversecut；andmusicitselfdissolvedtoawhisperthroughpine-trees，wherethesongisnotdistinguishablefromthecomicsong。
Sheremainedinmuchembarrassment，whileMrs。Honeychurchchangedherfrockfordinner；andeverynowandthenshesaidaword，andmadethingsnobetter。Therewasnoconcealingthefact，Cecilhadmeanttobesupercilious，andhehadsucceeded。
AndLucy——sheknewnotwhy——wishedthatthetroublecouldhavecomeatanyothertime。
"Goanddress，dear；you"llbelate。”
"Allright，mother——"
"Don"tsay"Allright"andstop。Go。”
Sheobeyed，butloitereddisconsolatelyatthelandingwindow。Itfacednorth，sotherewaslittleview，andnoviewofthesky。
Now，asinthewinter，thepine-treeshungclosetohereyes。Oneconnectedthelandingwindowwithdepression。Nodefiniteproblemmenacedher，butshesighedtoherself，"Oh，dear，whatshallI
do，whatshallIdo？"Itseemedtoherthateveryoneelsewasbehavingverybadly。AndsheoughtnottohavementionedMissBartlett"sletter。Shemustbemorecareful；hermotherwasratherinquisitive，andmighthaveaskedwhatitwasabout。Oh，dear，shouldshedo？——andthenFreddycameboundingup-stairs，andjoinedtheranksoftheill-behaved。
"Isay，thosearetoppingpeople。”
"Mydearbaby，howtiresomeyou"vebeen!YouhavenobusinesstotakethembathingintheSacredit"smuchtoopublic。Itwasallrightforyoubutmostawkwardforeveryoneelse。Dobemorecareful。Youforgettheplaceisgrowinghalfsuburban。”
"Isay，isanythingonto-morrowweek？"
"NotthatIknowof。”
"ThenIwanttoasktheEmersonsuptoSundaytennis。”
"Oh，Iwouldn"tdothat，Freddy，Iwouldn"tdothatwithallthismuddle。”
"What"swrongwiththecourt？Theywon"tmindabumportwo，andI"veorderednewballs。”
"Imeantit"sbetternot。Ireallymeanit。”
Heseizedherbytheelbowsandhumorouslydancedherupanddownthepassage。Shepretendednottomind，butshecouldhavescreamedwithtemper。CecilglancedatthemasheproceededtohistoiletandtheyimpededMarywithherbroodofhot-watercans。ThenMrs。Honeychurchopenedherdoorandsaid:"Lucy，whatanoiseyou"remaking!Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。DidyousayyouhadhadaletterfromCharlotte？"andFreddyranaway。
"Yes。Ireallycan"tstop。Imustdresstoo。”
"How"sCharlotte？"
"Allright。”
"Lucy!"
Theunfortunategirlreturned。
"You"veabadhabitofhurryingawayinthemiddleofone"ssentences。DidCharlottementionherboiler？"
"HerWHAT？"
"Don"tyourememberthatherboilerwastobehadoutinOctober，andherbathcisterncleanedout，andallkindsofterribleto-doings？"
"Ican"trememberallCharlotte"sworries，"saidLucybitterly。
"Ishallhaveenoughofmyown，nowthatyouarenotpleasedwithCecil。”
Mrs。Honeychurchmighthaveflamedout。Shedidnot。Shesaid:
"Comehere，oldlady——thankyouforputtingawaymybonnet——kissme。”And，thoughnothingisperfect，LucyfeltforthemomentthathermotherandWindyCornerandtheWealdinthedecliningsunwereperfect。
Sothegrittinesswentoutoflife。ItgenerallydidatWindyCorner。Atthelastminute，whenthesocialmachinewascloggedhopelessly，onememberorotherofthefamilypouredinadropofoil。Cecildespisedtheirmethods——perhapsrightly。Ata11
events，theywerenothisown。
Dinnerwasathalf-pastseven。Freddygabbledthegrace，andtheydrewuptheirheavychairsandfellto。Fortunately，themenwerehungry。Nothinguntowardoccurreduntilthepudding。ThenFreddysaid:
"Lucy，what"sEmersonlike？"
"IsawhiminFlorence，"saidLucy，hopingthatthiswouldpassforareply。
"Ishethecleversort，orisheadecentchap？"
"AskCecil；itisCecilwhobroughthimhere。”
"Heisthecleversort，likemyself，"saidCecil。
Freddylookedathimdoubtfully。
"HowwelldidyouknowthemattheBertolini？"askedMrs。
Honeychurch。
"Oh，veryslightly。Imean，CharlotteknewthemevenlessthanI
did。”
"Oh，thatremindsme——younevertoldmewhatCharlottesaidinherletter。”
"Onethingandanother，"saidLucy，wonderingwhethershewouldgetthroughthemealwithoutalie。"Amongotherthings，thatanawfulfriendofhershadbeenbicyclingthroughSummerStreet，wonderedifshe"dcomeupandseeus，andmercifullydidn"t。”
"Lucy，Idocallthewayyoutalkunkind。”
"Shewasanovelist，"saidLucycraftily。Theremarkwasahappyone，fornothingrousedMrs。Honeychurchsomuchasliteratureinthehandsoffemales。Shewouldabandoneverytopictoinveighagainstthosewomenwho(insteadofmindingtheirhousesandtheirchildren)seeknotorietybyprint。Herattitudewas:"Ifbooksmustbewritten，letthembewrittenbymen"；andshede-
velopeditatgreatlength，whileCecilyawnedandFreddyplayedat"Thisyear，nextyear，now，never，"withhisplum-stones，andLucyartfullyfedtheflamesofhermother"swrath。Butsoontheconflagrationdieddown，andtheghostsbegantogatherinthedarkness。Thereweretoomanyghostsabout。Theoriginalghost——
thattouchoflipsonhercheek——hadsurelybeenlaidlongago；
itcouldbenothingtoherthatamanhadkissedheronamountainonce。Butithadbegottenaspectralfamily——Mr。Harris，MissBartlett"sletter，Mr。Beebe"smemoriesofviolets——andoneorotherofthesewasboundtohauntherbeforeCecil"sveryeyes。ItwasMissBartlettwhoreturnednow，andwithappallingvividness。
"Ihavebeenthinking，Lucy，ofthatletterofCharlotte"s。Howisshe？"
"Itorethethingup。”
"Didn"tshesayhowshewas？Howdoesshesound？Cheerful？"
"Oh，yesIsupposeso——no——notverycheerful，Isuppose。”
"Then，dependuponit，itIStheboiler。Iknowmyselfhowwaterpreysuponone"smind。Iwouldratheranythingelse——evenamisfortunewiththemeat。”
Cecillaidhishandoverhiseyes。
"SowouldI，"assertedFreddy，backinghismotherup——backingupthespiritofherremarkratherthanthesubstance。
"AndIhavebeenthinking，"sheaddedrathernervously，"surelywecouldsqueezeCharlotteinherenextweek，andgiveheraniceholidaywhileplumbersatTunbridgeWellsfinish。IhavenotseenpoorCharlotteforsolong。”
Itwasmorethanhernervescouldstand。Andshecouldnotprotestviolentlyafterhermother"sgoodnesstoherupstairs。
"Mother，no!"shepleaded。"It"simpossible。Wecan"thaveCharlotteonthetopoftheotherthings；we"resqueezedtodeathasitis。Freddy"sgotafriendcomingTuesday，there"sCecil，andyou"vepromisedtotakeinMinnieBeebebecauseofthediphtheriascare。Itsimplycan"tbedone。”
"Nonsense!Itcan。”
"IfMinniesleepsinthebath。Nototherwise。”
"Minniecansleepwithyou。”
"Iwon"thaveher。”
"Then，ifyou"resoselfish，Mr。FloydmustsharearoomwithFreddy。”
"MissBartlett，MissBartlett，MissBartlett，"moanedCecil，againlayinghishandoverhiseyes。
"It"simpossible，"repeatedLucy。"Idon"twanttomakedifficulties，butitreallyisn"tfaironthemaidstofillupthehouseso。”
Alas!
"Thetruthis，dear，youdon"tlikeCharlotte。”
"No，Idon"t。AndnomoredoesCecil。Shegetsonournerves。Youhaven"tseenherlately，anddon"trealizehowtiresomeshecanbe，thoughsogood。Soplease，mother，don"tworryusthislastsummer；butspoilusbynotaskinghertocome。”
"Hear，hear!"saidCecil。
Mrs。Honeychurch，withmoregravitythanusual，andwithmorefeelingthansheusuallypermittedherself，replied:"Thisisn"tverykindofyoutwo。Youhaveeachotherandallthesewoodstowalkin，sofullofbeautifulthings；andpoorCharlottehasonlythewaterturnedoffandplumbers。Youareyoung，dears，andhowevercleveryoungpeopleare，andhowevermanybookstheyread，theywillneverguesswhatitfeelsliketogrowold。”
Cecilcrumbledhisbread。
"ImustsayCousinCharlottewasverykindtomethatyearI
calledonmybike，"putinFreddy。"ShethankedmeforcomingtillIfeltlikesuchafool，andfussedroundnoendtogetaneggboiledformyteajustright。”
"Iknow，dear。Sheiskindtoeveryone，andyetLucymakesthisdifficultywhenwetrytogivehersomelittlereturn。”
ButLucyhardenedherheart。ItwasnogoodbeingkindtoMissBartlett。Shehadtriedherselftoooftenandtoorecently。Onemightlayuptreasureinheavenbytheattempt，butoneenrichedneitherMissBartlettnoranyoneelseuponearth。Shewasreducedtosaying:"Ican"thelpit，mother。Idon"tlikeCharlotte。Iadmitit"shorridofme。”
"Fromyourownaccount，youtoldherasmuch。”
"Well，shewouldleaveFlorencesostupidly。Sheflurried——"
Theghostswerereturning；theyfilledItaly，theywereevenusurpingtheplacesshehadknownasachild。TheSacredLakewouldneverbethesameagain，and，onSundayweek，somethingwouldevenhappentoWindyCorner。Howwouldshefightagainstghosts？Foramomentthevisibleworldfadedaway，andmemoriesandemotionsaloneseemedreal。
"IsupposeMissBartlettmustcome，sincesheboilseggssowell，"saidCecil，whowasinratherahappierframeofmind，thankstotheadmirablecooking。
"Ididn"tmeantheeggwasWELLboiled，"correctedFreddy，"becauseinpointoffactsheforgottotakeitoff，andasamatteroffactIdon"tcareforeggs。Ionlymeanthowjollykindsheseemed。”
Cecilfrownedagain。Oh，theseHoneychurches!Eggs，boilers，hydrangeas，maids——ofsuchweretheirlivescompact。"MaymeandLucygetdownfromourchairs？"heasked，withscarcelyveiledinsolence。"Wedon"twantnodessert。”
ChapterXIV:HowLucyFacedtheExternalSituationBravely0fcourseMissBartlettaccepted。And，equallyofcourse，shefeltsurethatshewouldproveanuisance，andbeggedtobegivenaninferiorspareroom——somethingwithnoview，anything。HerlovetoLucy。And，equallyofcourse，GeorgeEmersoncouldcometotennisontheSundayweek。
Lucyfacedthesituationbravely，though，likemostofus，sheonlyfacedthesituationthatencompassedher。Shenevergazedinwards。Ifattimesstrangeimagesrosefromthedepths，sheputthemdowntonerves。WhenCecilbroughttheEmersonstoSummerStreet，ithadupsethernerves。Charlottewouldburnishuppastfoolishness，andthismightupsethernerves。Shewasnervousatnight。WhenshetalkedtoGeorge——theymetagainalmostimmediatelyattheRectory——hisvoicemovedherdeeply，andshewishedtoremainnearhim。Howdreadfulifshereallywishedtoremainnearhim!Ofcourse，thewishwasduetonerves，whichlovetoplaysuchperversetricksuponus。Onceshehadsufferedfrom"thingsthatcameoutofnothingandmeantshedidn"tknowwhat。”NowCecilhadexplainedpsychologytoheronewetafternoon，andallthetroublesofyouthinanunknownworldcouldbedismissed。
Itisobviousenoughforthereadertoconclude，"ShelovesyoungEmerson。”AreaderinLucy"splacewouldnotfinditobvious。
Lifeiseasytochronicle，butbewilderingtopractice，andwewelcome"nerves"oranyothershibboleththatwillcloakourpersonaldesire。ShelovedCecil；Georgemadehernervous；willthereaderexplaintoherthatthephrasesshouldhavebeenreversed？
Buttheexternalsituation——shewillfacethatbravely。
ThemeetingattheRectoryhadpassedoffwellenough。StandingbetweenMr。BeebeandCecil，shehadmadeafewtemperateallusionstoItaly，andGeorgehadreplied。Shewasanxioustoshowthatshewasnotshy，andwasgladthathedidnotseemshyeither。
"Anicefellow，"saidMr。Beebeafterwards"Hewillworkoffhiscruditiesintime。Irathermistrustyoungmenwhoslipintolifegracefully。”
Lucysaid，"Heseemsinbetterspirits。Helaughsmore。”
"Yes，"repliedtheclergyman。"Heiswakingup。”
Thatwasall。But，astheweekworeon，moreofherdefencesfell，andsheentertainedanimagethathadphysicalbeauty。
Inspiteoftheclearestdirections，MissBartlettcontrivedtobungleherarrival。ShewasdueattheSouth-EasternstationatDorking，whitherMrs。Honeychurchdrovetomeether。ShearrivedattheLondonandBrightonstation，andhadtohireacabup。NoonewasathomeexceptFreddyandhisfriend，whohadtostoptheirtennisandtoentertainherforasolidhour。CecilandLucyturnedupatfouro"clock，andthese，withlittleMinnieBeebe，madeasomewhatlugubrioussextetteupontheupperlawnfortea。
"Ishallneverforgivemyself，"saidMissBartlett，whokeptonrisingfromherseat，andhadtobebeggedbytheunitedcompanytoremain。"Ihaveupseteverything。Burstinginonyoungpeople!
ButIinsistonpayingformycabup。Grantthat，atanyrate。”
"Ourvisitorsneverdosuchdreadfulthings，"saidLucy，whileherbrother，inwhosememorytheboiledegghadalreadygrownunsubstantial，exclaimedinirritabletones:"JustwhatI"vebeentryingtoconvinceCousinCharlotteof，Lucy，forthelasthalfhour。”
"Idonotfeelmyselfanordinaryvisitor，"saidMissBartlett，andlookedatherfrayedglove"Allright，ifyou"dreallyrather。Fiveshillings，andIgaveabobtothedriver。”
MissBartlettlookedinherpurse。Onlysovereignsandpennies。
Couldanyonegiveherchange？Freddyhadhalfaquidandhisfriendhadfourhalf-crowns。MissBartlettacceptedtheirmoneysandthensaid:"ButwhoamItogivethesovereignto？"
"Let"sleaveitalltillmothercomesback，"suggestedLucy。
"No，dear；yourmothermaytakequitealongdrivenowthatsheisnothamperedwithme。Weallhaveourlittlefoibles，andmineisthepromptsettlingofaccounts。”
HereFreddy"sfriend，Mr。Floyd，madetheoneremarkofhisthatneedbequoted:heofferedtotossFreddyforMissBartlett"squid。Asolutionseemedinsight，andevenCecil，whohadbeenostentatiouslydrinkinghisteaattheview，felttheeternalattractionofChance，andturnedround。
Butthisdidnotdo，either。
"Please——please——IknowIamasadspoilsport，butitwouldmakemewretched。Ishouldpracticallyberobbingtheonewholost。”
"Freddyowesmefifteenshillings，"interposedCecil。"Soitwillworkoutrightifyougivethepoundtome。”
"Fifteenshillings，"saidMissBartlettdubiously。"Howisthat，Mr。Vyse？"
"Because，don"tyousee，Freddypaidyourcab。Givemethepound，andweshallavoidthisdeplorablegambling。”
MissBartlett，whowaspooratfigures，becamebewilderedandrenderedupthesovereign，amidstthesuppressedgurglesoftheotheryouths。ForamomentCecilwashappy。Hewasplayingatnonsenseamonghispeers。ThenheglancedatLucy，inwhosefacepettyanxietieshadmarredthesmiles。InJanuaryhewouldrescuehisLeonardofromthisstupefyingtwaddle。
"ButIdon"tseethat!"exclaimedMinnieBeebewhohadnarrowlywatchedtheiniquitoustransaction。"Idon"tseewhyMr。Vyseistohavethequid。”
"Becauseofthefifteenshillingsandthefive，"theysaidsolemnly。"Fifteenshillingsandfiveshillingsmakeonepound，yousee。”
"ButIdon"tsee——"
Theytriedtostifleherwithcake。
"No，thankyou。I"mdone。Idon"tseewhy——Freddy，don"tpokeme。
MissHoneychurch，yourbrother"shurtingme。Ow!WhataboutMr。
Floyd"stenshillings？Ow!No，Idon"tseeandInevershallseewhyMissWhat"s-her-nameshouldn"tpaythatbobforthedriver。”"
"Ihadforgottenthedriver，"saidMissBartlett，reddening。
"Thankyou，dear，forremindingme。Ashillingwasit？Cananyonegivemechangeforhalfacrown？"
"I"llgetit，"saidtheyounghostess，risingwithdecision。
"Cecil，givemethatsovereign。No，givemeupthatsovereign。
I"llgetEuphemiatochangeit，andwe"llstartthewholethingagainfromthebeginning。”
"Lucy——Lucy——whatanuisanceIam!"protestedMissBartlett，andfollowedheracrossthelawn。Lucytrippedahead，simulatinghilarity。WhentheywereoutofearshotMissBartlettstoppedherwailsandsaidquitebriskly:"Haveyoutoldhimabouthimyet？"
"No，Ihaven"t，"repliedLucy，andthencouldhavebittenhertongueforunderstandingsoquicklywhathercousinmeant。"Letmesee——asovereign"sworthofsilver。”
Sheescapedintothekitchen。MissBartlett"ssuddentransitionsweretoouncanny。Itsometimesseemedasifsheplannedeverywordshespokeorcausedtobespoken；asifallthisworryaboutcabsandchangehadbeenarusetosurprisethesoul。
"No，Ihaven"ttoldCeciloranyone，"sheremarked，whenshereturned。"IpromisedyouIshouldn"t。Hereisyourmoney——allshillings，excepttwohalf-crowns。Wouldyoucountit？Youcansettleyourdebtnicelynow。”