第4章

Part1

AndnowforsomeweeksAnnVeronicawastotesthermarketvalueintheworld。ShewentaboutinanegligentNovemberLondonthathadbecomeverydarkandfoggyandgreasyandforbiddingindeed，andtriedtofindthatmodestbutindependentemploymentshehadsorashlyassumed。Shewentabout，intent-lookingandself-possessed，trimandfine，concealingheremotionswhatevertheywere，astherealitiesofherpositionopenedoutbeforeher。Herlittlebed-sitting-roomwaslikealair，andshewentoutfromitintothisvast，dunworld，withitssmoke-grayhouses，itsglaringstreetsofshops，itsdarkstreetsofhomes，itsorange-litwindows，underskiesofdullcopperormuddygrayorblack，muchasananimalgoesouttoseekfood。Shewouldcomebackandwriteletters，carefullyplannedandwrittenletters，orreadsomebookshehadfetchedfromMudie’s——shehadinvestedahalf-guineawithMudie’s——orsitoverherfireandthink。

SlowlyandreluctantlyshecametorealizethatVivieWarrenwaswhatiscalledan"ideal。"Therewerenosuchgirlsandnosuchpositions。Noworkthatofferedwasatallofthequalityshehadvaguelypostulatedforherself。Withsuchqualificationsasshepossessed，twochiefchannelsofemploymentlayopen，andneitherattractedher，neitherseemedreallytoofferaconclusiveescapefromthatsubjectiontomankindagainstwhich，inthepersonofherfather，shewasrebelling。Onemainavenuewasforhertobecomeasortofsalariedaccessorywifeormother，tobeagovernessoranassistantschoolmistress，oraveryhightypeofgoverness-nurse。Theotherwastogointobusiness——intoaphotographer’sreception-room，forexample，oracostumer’sorhat-shop。Thefirstsetofoccupationsseemedtohertobealtogethertoodomesticandrestricted；forthelattershewasdreadfullyhandicappedbyherwantofexperience。Andalsoshedidn’tlikethem。Shedidn’tliketheshops，shedidn’tliketheotherwomen’sfaces；shethoughtthesmirkingmeninfrock-coatswhodominatedtheseestablishmentsthemostintolerablepersonsshehadeverhadtoface。Onecalledherverydistinctly"Mydear！"

Twosecretarialpostsdidindeedseemtoofferthemselvesinwhich，atleast，therewasnospecificexclusionofwomanhood；

onewasunderaRadicalMemberofParliament，andtheotherunderaHarleyStreetdoctor，andbothmendeclinedherprofferedserviceswiththeutmostcivilityandadmirationandterror。

Therewasalsoacuriousinterviewatabighotelwithamiddle-aged，white-powderedwoman，allcoveredwithjewelsandreekingofscent，whowantedaCompanion。ShedidnotthinkAnnVeronicawoulddoashercompanion。

Andnearlyallthesethingswerefearfullyill-paid。Theycarriednomorethanbaresubsistencewages；andtheydemandedallhertimeandenergy。Shehadheardofwomenjournalists，womenwriters，andsoforth；butshewasnotevenadmittedtothepresenceoftheeditorsshedemandedtosee，andbynomeanssurethatifshehadbeenshecouldhavedoneanyworktheymighthavegivenher。OnedayshedesistedfromhersearchandwentunexpectedlytotheTredgoldCollege。Herplacewasnotfilled；

shehadbeensimplynotedasabsent，andshedidacomfortingdayofadmirabledissectionuponthetortoise。Shewassointerested，andthiswassucharelieffromthetrudginganxietyofhersearchforwork，thatshewentonforawholeweekasifshewasstilllivingathome。Thenathirdsecretarialopeningoccurredandrenewedherhopesagain:apositionasamanuensis——withwhichsomeofthelighterdutiesofanursewerecombined——toaninfirmgentlemanofmeanslivingatTwickenham，andengageduponagreatliteraryresearchtoprovethatthe"FaeryQueen"wasreallyatreatiseuponmolecularchemistrywritteninapeculiarandpicturesquelyhandledcipher。

Part2

Now，whileAnnVeronicawastakingthesesoundingsintheindustrialsea，andmeasuringherselfagainsttheworldasitis，shewasalsomakingextensiveexplorationsamongtheideasandattitudesofanumberofhumanbeingswhoseemedtobelargelyconcernedwiththeworldasitoughttobe。ShewasdrawnfirstbyMissMiniver，andthenbyherownnaturalinterest，intoacuriousstratumofpeoplewhoarebusiedwithdreamsofworldprogress，ofgreatandfundamentalchanges，ofaNewAgethatistoreplaceallthestressesanddisordersofcontemporarylife。

MissMiniverlearnedofherflightandgotheraddressfromtheWidgetts。Shearrivedaboutnineo’clockthenexteveninginastateoftremulousenthusiasm。Shefollowedthelandladyhalfwayup-stairs，andcalleduptoAnnVeronica，"MayIcomeup？It’sme！Youknow——NettieMiniver！"SheappearedbeforeAnnVeronicacouldclearlyrecallwhoNettieMinivermightbe。

Therewasawildlightinhereye，andherstraighthairwasoutdemonstratingandsuffragettinguponsomeindependentnotionsofitsown。Herfingerswereburstingthroughhergloves，asiftogetatonceintotouchwithAnnVeronica。"You’reGlorious！"

saidMissMiniverintonesofrapture，holdingahandineachofhersandpeeringupintoAnnVeronica’sface。"Glorious！You’resocalm，dear，andsoresolute，soserene！

"It’sgirlslikeyouwhowillshowthemwhatWeare，"saidMissMiniver；"girlswhosespiritshavenotbeenbroken！"

AnnVeronicasunnedherselfalittleinthiswarmth。

"IwaswatchingyouatMorningsidePark，dear，"saidMissMiniver。"Iamgettingtowatchallwomen。Ithoughtthenperhapsyoudidn’tcare，thatyouwerelikesomanyofthem。NOW

it’sjustasthoughyouhadgrownupsuddenly。"

Shestopped，andthensuggested:"Iwonder——Ishouldlove——ifitwasanything_I_said。"

ShedidnotwaitforAnnVeronica’sreply。Sheseemedtoassumethatitmustcertainlybesomethingshehadsaid。"Theyallcatchon，"shesaid。"Itspreadslikewildfire。Thisissuchagrandtime！Suchaglorioustime！Thereneverwassuchatimeasthis！Everythingseemssoclosetofruition，socomingonandleadingon！TheInsurrectionofWomen！Theyspringupeverywhere。Tellmeallthathappened，onesister-womantoanother。"

ShechilledAnnVeronicaalittlebythatlastphrase，andyetthemagnetismofherfellowshipandenthusiasmwasverystrong；

anditwaspleasanttobemadeoutaheroineaftersomuchexpostulationandsomanysecretdoubts。

Butshedidnotlistenlong；shewantedtotalk。Shesat，crouchedtogether，bythecornerofthehearthrugunderthebookcasethatsupportedthepig’sskull，andlookedintothefireandupatAnnVeronica’sface，andletherselfgo。"Letusputthelampout，"shesaid；"theflamesareeversomuchbetterfortalking，"andAnnVeronicaagreed。"Youarecomingrightoutintolife——facingitall。"

AnnVeronicasatwithherchinonherhand，red-litandsayinglittle，andMissMiniverdiscoursed。Asshetalked，thedriftandsignificanceofwhatshewassayingshapeditselfslowlytoAnnVeronica’sapprehension。Itpresenteditselfinthelikenessofagreat，gray，dullworld——abrutal，superstitious，confused，andwrong-headedworld，thathurtpeopleandlimitedpeopleunaccountably。Inremotetimesandcountriesitseviltendencieshadexpressedthemselvesintheformoftyrannies，massacres，wars，andwhatnot；butjustatpresentinEnglandtheyshapedascommercialismandcompetition，silkhats，suburbanmorals，thesweatingsystem，andthesubjectionofwomen。Sofarthethingwasacceptableenough。ButoveragainsttheworldMissMiniverassembledasmallbutenergeticminority，theChildrenofLight——peopleshedescribedas"beinginthevan，"or"altogetherinthevan，"aboutwhomAnnVeronica’smindwasdisposedtobemoresceptical。

Everything，MissMiniversaid，was"workingup，"everythingwas"comingon"——theHigherThought，theSimpleLife，Socialism，Humanitarianism，itwasallthesamereally。Shelovedtobethere，takingpartinitall，breathingit，beingit。Hithertointheworld’shistorytherehadbeenprecursorsofthisProgressatgreatintervals，voicesthathadspokenandceased，butnowitwasallcomingontogetherinarush。Shementioned，withfamiliarrespect，ChristandBuddhaandShelleyandNietzscheandPlato。Pioneersallofthem。Suchnamesshonebrightlyinthedarkness，withblackspacesofunilluminatedemptinessaboutthem，asstarsshineinthenight；butnow——nowitwasdifferent；

nowitwasdawn——therealdawn。

"Thewomenaretakingitup，"saidMissMiniver；"thewomenandthecommonpeople，allpressingforward，allroused。"

AnnVeronicalistenedwithhereyesonthefire。

"Everybodyistakingitup，"saidMissMiniver。"YOUhadtocomein。Youcouldn’thelpit。Somethingdrewyou。Somethingdrawseverybody。Fromsuburbs，fromcountrytowns——everywhere。IseealltheMovements。AsfarasIcan，Ibelongtothemall。Ikeepmyfingeronthepulseofthings。"

AnnVeronicasaidnothing。

"Thedawn！"saidMissMiniver，withherglassesreflectingthefirelikepoolsofblood-redflame。

"IcametoLondon，"saidAnnVeronica，"ratherbecauseofmyowndifficulty。Idon’tknowthatIunderstandaltogether。"

"Ofcourseyoudon’t，"saidMissMiniver，gesticulatingtriumphantlywithherthinhandandthinnerwrist，andpattingAnnVeronica’sknee。"Ofcourseyoudon’t。That’sthewonderofit。Butyouwill，youwill。Youmustletmetakeyoutothings——tomeetingsandthings，toconferencesandtalks。Thenyouwillbegintosee。Youwillbegintoseeitallopeningout。

Iamuptotheearsinitall——everymomentIcanspare。Ithrowupwork——everything！Ijustteachinoneschool，onegoodschool，threedaysaweek。Alltherest——Movements！Icanlivenowonfourpenceaday。Thinkhowfreethatleavesmetofollowthingsup！Imusttakeyoueverywhere。ImusttakeyoutotheSuffragepeople，andtheTolstoyans，andtheFabians。"

"IhaveheardoftheFabians，"saidAnnVeronica。

"It’sTHESociety！"saidMissMiniver。"It’sthecentreoftheintellectuals。Someofthemeetingsarewonderful！Suchearnest，beautifulwomen！Suchdeep-browedmen！……Andtothinkthattheretheyaremakinghistory！Theretheyareputtingtogethertheplansofanewworld。Almoslight-heartedly。ThereisShaw，andWebb，andWilkinstheauthor，andToomer，andDoctorTumpany——themostwonderfulpeople！Thereyouseethemdiscussing，deciding，planning！Justthink——THEYAREMAKINGANEW

WORLD！"

"ButAREthesepeoplegoingtoaltereverything？"saidAnnVeronica。

"Whatelsecanhappen？"askedMissMiniver，withalittleweakgestureattheglow。"Whatelsecanpossiblyhappen——asthingsaregoingnow？"

Part3

MissMiniverletAnnVeronicaintoherpeculiarlevelsoftheworldwithsoenthusiasticagenerositythatitseemedingratitudetoremaincritical。Indeed，almostinsensiblyAnnVeronicabecamehabituatedtothepeculiarappearanceandthepeculiarmannersofthepeople"inthevan。"Theshockoftheirintellectualattitudewasover，usagerobbeditofthefirstquainteffectofdeliberateunreason。Theywereinmanyrespectssoright；sheclungtothat，andshirkedmoreandmoretheparadoxicalconvictionthattheywerealsosomehow，andevenindirectrelationtothatrightness，absurd。

VerycentralinMissMiniver’suniverseweretheGoopes。TheGoopesweretheoddestlittlecoupleconceivable，followingafruitariancareeruponanupperfloorinTheobald’sRoad。Theywerechildlessandservantless，andtheyhadreducedsimplelivingtothefinestoffinearts。Mr。Goopes，AnnVeronicagathered，wasamathematicaltutorandvisitedschools，andhiswifewroteaweeklycolumninNewIdeasuponvegetariancookery，vivisection，degeneration，thelactealsecretion，appendicitis，andtheHigherThoughtgenerally，andassistedinthemanagementofafruitshopintheTottenhamCourtRoad。Theirveryfurniturehadmysteriouslyahigh-browedquality，andMr。Goopeswhenathomedressedsimplyinapajama-shapedsuitofcanvassackingtiedwithbrownribbons，whilehiswifeworeapurpledjibbahwitharichlyembroideredyoke。Hewasasmall，dark，reservedman，withalargeinflexible-lookingconvexforehead，andhiswifewasverypinkandhigh-spirited，withoneofthosechinsthatpassinsensiblyintoafull，strongneck。Onceaweek，everySaturday，theyhadalittlegatheringfromninetillthesmallhours，justtalkandperhapsreadingaloudandfruitarianrefreshments——chestnutsandwichesbutteredwithnuttose，andsoforth——andlemonadeandunfermentedwine；andtooneofthesesymposiaMissMiniverafteragooddealofpreliminarysolicitude，conductedAnnVeronica。

Shewasintroduced，perhapsalittletooobviouslyforhertaste，asagirlwhowasstandingoutagainstherpeople，toagatheringthatconsistedofaveryoldladywithanextremelywrinkledskinandadeepvoicewhowaswearingwhatappearedtoAnnVeronica’sinexperiencedeyetobeanantimacassaruponherhead，ashy，blondyoungmanwithanarrowforeheadandglasses，twoundistinguishedwomeninplainskirtsandblouses，andamiddle-agedcouple，veryfatandalikeinblack，Mr。andMrs。

AldermanDunstable，oftheBoroughCouncilofMarylebone。Thesewereseatedinanimperfectsemicircleaboutaverycopper-adornedfireplace，surmountedbyacarvedwoodinscription:

"DOITNOW。"

Andtothemwerepresentlyaddedaroguish-lookingyoungman，withreddishhair，anorangetie，andafluffytweedsuit，andotherswho，inAnnVeronica’smemory，inspiteofhereffortstorecalldetails，remainedobstinatelyjust"others。"

Thetalkwasanimated，andremainedalwaysbrilliantinformevenwhenitceasedtobebrilliantinsubstance。ThereweremomentswhenAnnVeronicarathermorethansuspectedthechiefspeakerstobe，asschool-boyssay，showingoffather。

TheytalkedofanewsubstitutefordrippinginvegetariancookerythatMrs。Goopeswasconvincedexercisedanexceptionallypurifyinginfluenceonthemind。AndthentheytalkedofAnarchismandSocialism，andwhethertheformerwastheexactoppositeofthelatteroronlyahigherform。Thereddish-hairedyoungmancontributedallusionstotheHegelianphilosophythatmomentarilyconfusedthediscussion。ThenAldermanDunstable，whohadhithertobeensilent，brokeoutintospeechandwentoffatatangent，andgavehispersonalimpressionsofquiteanumberofhisfellow-councillors。Hecontinuedtodothisfortherestoftheeveningintermittently，inandout，amongothertopics。HeaddressedhimselfchieflytoGoopes，andspokeasifinreplytolong-sustainedinquiriesonthepartofGoopesintothepersonneloftheMaryleboneBoroughCouncil。"Ifyouweretoaskme，"hewouldsay，"IshouldsayBlindersisstraight。Anordinarytype，ofcourse——"

Mrs。Dunstable’scontributionstotheconversationwereentirelyintheformofnods；wheneverAldermanDunstablepraisedorblamedshenoddedtwiceorthrice，accordingtotherequirementsofhisemphasis。AndsheseemedalwaystokeeponeeyeonAnnVeronica’sdress。Mrs。GoopesdisconcertedtheAldermanalittlebyabruptlychallengingtheroguish-lookingyoungmanintheorangetie(who，itseemed，wastheassistanteditorofNewIdeas)uponacritiqueofNietzscheandTolstoythathadappearedinhispaper，inwhichdoubtshadbeencastupontheperfectsincerityofthelatter。EverybodyseemedgreatlyconcernedaboutthesincerityofTolstoy。

MissMiniversaidthatifonceshelostherfaithinTolstoy’ssincerity，nothingshefeltwouldreallymattermuchanymore，andsheappealedtoAnnVeronicawhethershedidnotfeelthesame；andMr。Goopessaidthatwemustdistinguishbetweensincerityandirony，whichwasoftenindeednomorethansincerityatthesublimatedlevel。

AldermanDunstablesaidthatsinceritywasoftenamatterofopportunity，andillustratedthepointtothefairyoungmanwithananecdoteaboutBlindersontheDustDestructorCommittee，duringwhichtheyoungmanintheorangetiesucceededingivingthewholediscussionadaringanderoticflavorbyquestioningwhetheranyonecouldbeperfectlysincereinlove。

MissMiniverthoughtthattherewasnotruesincerityexceptinlove，andappealedtoAnnVeronica，buttheyoungmanintheorangetiewentontodeclarethatitwasquitepossibletobesincerelyinlovewithtwopeopleatthesametime，althoughperhapsondifferentplaneswitheachindividual，anddeceivingthemboth。ButthatbroughtMrs。GoopesdownonhimwiththelessonTitianteachessobeautifullyinhis"SacredandProfaneLove，"andbecamequiteeloquentupontheimpossibilityofanydeceptionintheformer。

Thentheydiscoursedonloveforatime，andAldermanDunstable，turningbacktotheshy，blondyoungmanandspeakinginundertonesoftheutmostclearness，gaveabriefandconfidentialaccountofanunfoundedrumorofthebifurcationoftheaffectionsofBlindersthathadledtoasituationofsomeunpleasantnessupontheBoroughCouncil。

TheveryoldladyintheantimacassartouchedAnnVeronica’sarmsuddenly，andsaid，inadeep，archvoice:

"Talkingofloveagain；springagain，loveagain。Oh！youyoungpeople！"

Theyoungmanwiththeorangetie，inspiteofSisyphus-likeeffortsonthepartofGoopestogetthetopicontoahigherplane，displayedgreatpersistenceinspeculatinguponthepossibledistributionoftheaffectionsofhighlydevelopedmoderntypes。

Theoldladyintheantimacassarsaid，abruptly，"Ah！youyoungpeople，youyoungpeople，ifyouonlyknew！"andthenlaughedandthenmusedinamarkedmanner；andtheyoungmanwiththenarrowforeheadandglassesclearedhisthroatandaskedtheyoungmanintheorangetiewhetherhebelievedthatPlatoniclovewaspossible。Mrs。Goopessaidshebelievedinnothingelse，andwiththatsheglancedatAnnVeronica，rosealittleabruptly，anddirectedGoopesandtheshyyoungmaninthehandingofrefreshments。

Buttheyoungmanwiththeorangetieremainedinhisplace，disputingwhetherthebodyhadnotsomethingorotherwhichhecalleditslegitimateclaims。AndfromthattheycamebackbywayoftheKreutzerSonataandResurrectiontoTolstoyagain。

Sothetalkwenton。Goopes，whohadatfirstbeenalittlereserved，resortedpresentlytotheSocraticmethodtorestraintheyoungmanwiththeorangetie，andbenthisforeheadoverhim，andbroughtoutatlastveryclearlyfromhimthatthebodywasonlyillusionandeverythingnothingbutjustspiritandmoleculesofthought。Itbecameasortofduelatlastbetweenthem，andalltheotherssatandlistened——everyone，thatis，excepttheAlderman，whohadgottheblondyoungmanintoacornerbythegreen-staineddresserwiththealuminumthings，andwassittingwithhisbacktoeveryoneelse，holdingonehandoverhismouthforgreaterprivacy，andtellinghim，withanaccentofconfidentialadmission，inwhispersofthechronicstrugglebetweenthenaturalmodestyandgeneralinoffensivenessoftheBoroughCouncilandthesocialevilinMarylebone。

Sothetalkwenton，andpresentlytheywerecriticisingnovelists，andcertaindaringessaysofWilkinsgottheirdueshareofattention，andthentheywerediscussingthefutureofthetheatre。AnnVeronicaintervenedalittleinthenovelistdiscussionwithadefenceofEsmondandadenialthattheEgoistwasobscure，andwhenshespokeeveryoneelsestoppedtalkingandlistened。ThentheydeliberatedwhetherBernardShawoughttogointoParliament。Andthatbroughtthemtovegetarianismandteetotalism，andtheyoungmanintheorangetieandMrs。

Goopeshadagreatset-toaboutthesincerityofChestertonandBellocthatwasendedbyGoopesshowingsignsofresumingtheSocraticmethod。

AndatlastAnnVeronicaandMissMinivercamedownthedarkstaircaseandoutintothefoggyspacesoftheLondonsquares，andcrossedRussellSquare，WoburnSquare，GordonSquare，makinganobliqueroutetoAnnVeronica’slodging。Theytrudgedalongalittlehungry，becauseofthefruitarianrefreshments，andmentallyveryactive。AndMissMiniverfelldiscussingwhetherGoopesorBernardShaworTolstoyorDoctorTumpanyorWilkinstheauthorhadthemorepowerfulandperfectmindinexistenceatthepresenttime。Shewascleartherewerenoothermindsliketheminalltheworld。

Part4

ThenoneeveningAnnVeronicawentwithMissMiniverintothebackseatsofthegalleryatEssexHall，andheardandsawthegiantleadersoftheFabianSocietywhoarere-makingtheworld:

BernardShawandToomerandDoctorTumpanyandWilkinstheauthor，alldisplayeduponaplatform。Theplacewascrowded，andthepeopleaboutherwerealmostequallymadeupofverygood-lookingandenthusiasticyoungpeopleandagreatvarietyofGoopes-liketypes。Inthediscussiontherewastheoddestmixtureofthingsthatwerepersonalandpettywithanidealistdevotionthatwasfinebeyonddispute。Innearlyeveryspeechsheheardwasthesameimplicationofgreatandnecessarychangesintheworld——changestobewonbyeffortandsacrificeindeed，butsurelytobewon。Andafterwardshesawaverymuchlargerandmoreenthusiasticgathering，ameetingoftheadvancedsectionofthewomanmovementinCaxtonHall，wherethesamenoteofvastchangesinprogresssounded；andshewenttoasoireeoftheDressReformAssociationandvisitedaFoodReformExhibition，whereimminentchangewasmadeevenalarminglyvisible。Thewomen’smeetingwasmuchmorechargedwithemotionalforcethantheSocialists’。AnnVeronicawascarriedoffherintellectualandcriticalfeetbyitaltogether，andapplaudedandutteredcriesthatsubsequentreflectionfailedtoendorse。"Iknewyouwouldfeelit，"saidMissMiniver，astheycameawayflushedandheated。"Iknewyouwouldbegintoseehowitallfallsintoplacetogether。"

Itdidbegintofallintoplacetogether。Shebecamemoreandmorealive，notsomuchtoasystemofideasastoabigdiffusedimpulsetowardchange，toagreatdiscontentwithandcriticismoflifeasitislived，toaclamorousconfusionofideasforreconstruction——reconstructionofthemethodsofbusiness，ofeconomicdevelopment，oftherulesofproperty，ofthestatusofchildren，oftheclothingandfeedingandteachingofeveryone；

shedevelopedaquiteexaggeratedconsciousnessofamultitudeofpeoplegoingabouttheswarmingspacesofLondonwiththeirmindsfull，theirtalkandgesturesfull，theirveryclothingchargedwiththesuggestionoftheurgencyofthispervasiveprojectofalteration。Someindeedcarriedthemselves，dressedthemselveseven，ratherasforeignvisitorsfromthelandof"LookingBackward"and"NewsfromNowhere"thanastheindigenousLondonerstheywere。Forthemostparttheseweredetachedpeople:menpractisingtheplasticarts，youngwriters，youngmeninemployment，averylargeproportionofgirlsandwomen——self-

supportingwomenorgirlsofthestudentclass。TheymadeastratumintowhichAnnVeronicawasnowplungeduptoherneck；

ithadbecomeherstratum。

NoneofthethingstheysaidanddidwerealtogethernewtoAnnVeronica，butnowshegotthemmassedandalive，insteadofbyglimpsesorinbooks——aliveandarticulateandinsistent。TheLondonbackgrounds，inBloomsburyandMarylebone，againstwhichthesepeoplewenttoandfro，tookon，byreasonoftheirgrayfacades，theirimplacablyrespectablewindowsandwindow-blinds，theirreiteratedunmeaningironrailings，astrongerandstrongersuggestionoftheflavorofherfatherathismostobduratephase，andofallthatshefeltherselffightingagainst。

ShewasalreadyalittlepreparedbyherdiscursivereadinganddiscussionundertheWidgettinfluenceforideasand"movements，"

thoughtemperamentallyperhapsshewasratherdisposedtoresistandcriticisethanembracethem。ButthepeopleamongwhomshewasnowthrownthroughthesocialexertionsofMissMiniverandtheWidgetts——forTeddyandHettycameupfromMorningsideParkandtookhertoaneighteen-pennydinnerinSohoandintroducedhertosomeartstudents，whowerealsoSocialists，andsoopenedthewaytoaneveningofmeanderingtalkinastudio——carriedwiththemlikeanatmospherethisimplication，notonlythattheworldwasinsomestupidandevenobviouswayWRONG，withwhichindeedshewasquitepreparedtoagree，butthatitneededonlyafewpioneerstobehaveassuchandbethoroughlyandindiscriminately"advanced，"forthenewordertoachieveitself。

Whenninetypercent。outofthetenortwelvepeopleonemeetsinamonthnotonlysaybutfeelandassumeathing，itisveryhardnottofallintothebeliefthatthethingisso。

ImperceptiblyalmostAnnVeronicabegantoacquirethenewattitude，evenwhilehermindstillresistedthefeltedideasthatwentwithit。AndMissMiniverbegantoswayher。

TheveryfactsthatMissMiniverneverstatedanargumentclearly，thatshewasneverembarrassedbyasenseofself-contradiction，andhadlittlemorerespectforconsistencyofstatementthanawasherwomanhasforwispsofvapor，whichmadeAnnVeronicacriticalandhostileattheirfirstencounterinMorningsidePark，becameatlastwithconstantassociationthesecretofMissMiniver’sgrowinginfluence。Thebraintiresofresistance，andwhenitmeetsagainandagain，incoherentlyactive，thesamephrases，thesameideasthatithasalreadyslain，exposedanddissectedandburied，itbecomeslessandlessenergetictorepeattheoperation。Theremustbesomething，onefeels，inideasthatachievepersistentlyasuccessfulresurrection。WhatMissMiniverwouldhavecalledtheHigherTruthsupervenes。

Yetthroughthesetalks，thesemeetingsandconferences，thesemovementsandefforts，AnnVeronica，forallthatshewentwithherfriend，andattimesapplaudedwithherenthusiastically，yetwentneverthelesswitheyesthatgrewmoreandmorepuzzled，andfineeyebrowsmoreandmoredisposedtoknit。Shewaswiththesemovements——akintothem，shefeltitattimesintensely——andyetsomethingeludedher。MorningsideParkhadbeenpassiveanddefective；allthisrushedaboutandwasactive，butitwasstilldefective。Itstillfailedinsomething。Itdidseemgermanetothematterthatsomanyofthepeople"inthevan"wereplainpeople，orfadedpeople，ortired-lookingpeople。Itdidaffectthebusinessthattheyallarguedbadlyandwereegotisticalintheirmannersandinconsistentintheirphrases。Thereweremomentswhenshedoubtedwhetherthewholemassofmovementsandsocietiesandgatheringsandtalkswasnotsimplyonecoherentspectacleoffailureprotectingitselffromabjectionbytheglamourofitsownassertions。IthappenedthatattheextremestpointofAnnVeronica’ssocialcirclefromtheWidgettswasthefamilyoftheMorningsideParkhorse-dealer，acompanyofextremelydressyandhilariousyoungwomen，withoneequestrianbrotheraddictedtofancywaistcoats，cigars，andfacialspots。

Thesegirlsworehatsatremarkableanglesandbowstostartleandkill；theylikedtoberightonthespoteverytimeanduptoeverythingthatwasitfromtheverybeginningandtheyrenderedtheirconceptionofSocialistsandallreformersbythewords"positivelyfrightening"and"weird。"Well，itwasbeyonddisputethatthesewordsdidconveyacertainqualityoftheMovementsingeneralamidwhichMissMiniverdisportedherself。

TheyWEREweird。Andyetforallthat——

ItgotintoAnnVeronica’snightsatlastandkeptherawake，theperplexingcontrastbetweentheadvancedthoughtandtheadvancedthinker。ThegeneralpropositionsofSocialism，forexample，struckherasadmirable，butshecertainlydidnotextendheradmirationtoanyofitsexponents。Shewasstillmorestirredbytheideaoftheequalcitizenshipofmenandwomen，bytherealizationthatabigandgrowingorganizationofwomenweregivingformandageneralizedexpressiontojustthatpersonalpride，thataspirationforpersonalfreedomandrespectwhichhadbroughthertoLondon；butwhensheheardMissMiniverdiscoursingonthenextstepinthesuffragecampaign，orreadofwomenbadgeringCabinetMinisters，padlockedtorailings，orgettingupinapublicmeetingtopipeoutademandforvotesandbecarriedoutkickingandscreaming，hersoulrevolted。Shecouldnotpartwithdignity。Somethingasyetunformulatedwithinherkeptherestrangedfromallthesepracticalaspectsofherbeliefs。

"Notforthesethings，OAnnVeronica，haveyourevolted，"itsaid；"andthisisnotyourappropriatepurpose。"

Itwasasifshefacedadarknessinwhichwassomethingverybeautifulandwonderfulasyetunimagined。Thelittlepuckerinherbrowsbecamemoreperceptible。

Part5

InthebeginningofDecemberAnnVeronicabegantospeculateprivatelyupontheprocedureofpawning。Shehaddecidedthatshewouldbeginwithherpearlnecklace。Shespentaverydisagreeableafternoonandevening——itwasrainingfastoutside，andshehadveryunwiselylefthersoundestpairofbootsinthebootholeofherfather’shouseinMorningsidePark——thinkingovertheeconomicsituationandplanningacourseofaction。HeraunthadsecretlysentontoAnnVeronicasomenewwarmunderclothing，adozenpairsofstockings，andherlastwinter’sjacket，butthedearladyhadoverlookedthoseboots。

Thesethingsilluminatedhersituationextremely。Finallyshedecideduponastepthathadalwaysseemedreasonabletoher，butthathithertoshehad，frommotivestoofaintforhertoformulate，refrainedfromtaking。SheresolvedtogointotheCitytoRamageandaskforhisadvice。Andnextmorningsheattiredherselfwithespecialcareandneatness，foundhisaddressintheDirectoryatapost-office，andwenttohim。

Shehadtowaitsomeminutesinanouteroffice，whereinthreeyoungmenofspiritedcostumeandappearanceregardedherwithill-concealedcuriosityandadmiration。ThenRamageappearedwitheffusion，andusheredherintohisinnerapartment。Thethreeyoungmenexchangedexpressiveglances。

Theinnerapartmentwasrathergracefullyfurnishedwithathick，fineTurkishcarpet，agoodbrassfender，afineoldbureau，andonthewallswereengravingsoftwoyounggirls’headsbyGreuze，andofsomemodernpictureofboysbathinginasunlitpool。

"Butthisisasurprise！"saidRamage。"Thisiswonderful！I’vebeenfeelingthatyouhadvanishedfrommyworld。HaveyoubeenawayfromMorningsidePark？"

"I’mnotinterruptingyou？"

"Youare。Splendidly。Businessexistsforsuchinterruptions。

Thereyouare，thebestclient’schair。"

AnnVeronicasatdown，andRamage’seagereyesfeastedonher。

"I’vebeenlookingoutforyou，"hesaid。"Iconfessit。"

Shehadnot，shereflected，rememberedhowprominenthiseyeswere。

"Iwantsomeadvice，"saidAnnVeronica。

"Yes？"

"Yourememberonce，howwetalked——atagateontheDowns？Wetalkedabouthowagirlmightgetanindependentliving。"

"Yes，yes。"

"Well，yousee，somethinghashappenedathome。"

Shepaused。

"NothinghashappenedtoMr。Stanley？"

"I’vefallenoutwithmyfather。Itwasabout——aquestionofwhatImightdoormightnotdo。He——Infact，he——helockedmeinmyroom。Practically。"

Herbreathleftherforamoment。

"ISAY！"saidMr。Ramage。

"Iwantedtogotoanart-studentballofwhichhedisapproved。"

"Andwhyshouldn’tyou？"

"Ifeltthatsortofthingcouldn’tgoon。SoIpackedupandcametoLondonnextday。"

"Toafriend？"

"Tolodgings——alone。"

"Isay，youknow，youhavesomepluck。Youdiditonyourown？"

AnnVeronicasmiled。"Quiteonmyown，"shesaid。

"It’smagnificent！"Heleanedbackandregardedherwithhisheadalittleononeside。"ByJove！"hesaid，"thereissomethingdirectaboutyou。IwonderifIshouldhavelockedyouupifI’dbeenyourfather。LuckilyI’mnot。Andyoustartedoutforthwithtofighttheworldandbeacitizenonyourownbasis？"

Hecameforwardagainandfoldedhishandsunderhimonhisdesk。

"Howhastheworldtakenit？"heasked。"IfIwastheworldI

thinkIshouldhaveputdownacrimsoncarpet，andaskedyoutosaywhatyouwanted，andgenerallywalkoverme。Buttheworlddidn’tdothat。"

"Notexactly。"

"Itpresentedalargeimpenetrableback，andwentonthinkingaboutsomethingelse。"

"Itofferedfromfifteentotwo-and-twentyshillingsaweek——fordrudgery。"

"Theworldhasnosenseofwhatisduetoyouthandcourage。Itneverhashad。"

"Yes，"saidAnnVeronica。"Butthethingis，Iwantajob。"

"Exactly！Andsoyoucamealongtome。Andyousee，Idon’tturnmyback，andIamlookingatyouandthinkingaboutyoufromtoptotoe。"

"AndwhatdoyouthinkIoughttodo？"

"Exactly！"Heliftedapaper-weightanddabbeditgentlydownagain。"Whatoughtyoutodo？"

"I’vehuntedupallsortsofthings。"

"Thepointtonoteisthatfundamentallyyoudon’twantparticularlytodoit。"

"Idon’tunderstand。"

"Youwanttobefreeandsoforth，yes。Butyoudon’tparticularlywanttodothejobthatsetsyoufree——foritsownsake。Imeanthatitdoesn’tinterestyouinitself。"

"Isupposenot。"

"That’soneofourdifferences。Wemenarelikechildren。Wecangetabsorbedinplay，ingames，inthebusinesswedo。

That’sreallywhywedothemsometimesratherwellandgeton。

Butwomen——womenasaruledon’tthrowthemselvesintothingslikethat。Asamatteroffactitisn’ttheiraffair。Andasanaturalconsequence，theydon’tdosowell，andtheydon’tgeton——andsotheworlddoesn’tpaythem。Theydon’tcatchontodiscursiveinterests，yousee，becausetheyaremoreserious，theyareconcentratedonthecentralrealityoflife，andalittleimpatientofits——itsouteraspects。Atleastthat，I

think，iswhatmakesacleverwoman’sindependentcareersomuchmoredifficultthanacleverman’s。"

"Shedoesn’tdevelopaspecialty。"AnnVeronicawasdoingherbesttofollowhim。

"Shehasone，that’swhy。Herspecialtyisthecentralthinginlife，itislifeitself，thewarmthoflife，sex——andlove。"

HepronouncedthiswithanairofprofoundconvictionandwithhiseyesonAnnVeronica’sface。Hehadanairofhavingtoldheradeep，personalsecret。Shewincedashethrustthefactather，wasabouttoanswer，andcheckedherself。Shecoloredfaintly。

"Thatdoesn’ttouchthequestionIaskedyou，"shesaid。"Itmaybetrue，butitisn’tquitewhatIhaveinmind。"

"Ofcoursenot，"saidRamage，asonewhorouseshimselffromdeeppreoccupationsAndhebegantoquestionherinabusiness-likewayuponthestepsshehadtakenandtheinquiriesshehadmade。

Hedisplayednoneoftheairyoptimismoftheirprevioustalkoverthedownlandgate。Hewashelpful，butgravelydubious。

"Yousee，"hesaid，"frommypointofviewyou’regrownup——you’reasoldasallthegoddessesandthecontemporaryofanymanalive。Butfromthe——theeconomicpointofviewyou’reaveryyoungandaltogetherinexperiencedperson。"

Hereturnedtoanddevelopedthatidea。"You’restill，"hesaid，"intheeducationalyears。Fromthepointofviewofmostthingsintheworldofemploymentwhichawomancandoreasonablywellandearnalivingby，you’reunripeandhalf-educated。Ifyouhadtakenyourdegree，forexample。"

Hespokeofsecretarialwork，buteventhereshewouldneedtobeabletodotypingandshorthand。Hemadeitmoreandmoreevidenttoherthatherpropercoursewasnottoearnasalarybuttoaccumulateequipment。"Yousee，"hesaid，"youarelikeaninaccessiblegold-mineinallthissortofmatter。You’resplendidstuff，youknow，butyou’vegotnothingreadytosell。

That’stheflatbusinesssituation。"

Hethought。Thenheslappedhishandonhisdeskandlookedupwiththeairofamanstruckbyabrilliantidea。"Lookhere，"

hesaid，protrudinghiseyes；"whygetanythingtodoatalljustyet？Why，ifyoumustbefree，whynotdothesensiblething？

Makeyourselfworthadecentfreedom。GoonwithyourstudiesattheImperialCollege，forexample，getadegree，andmakeyourselfgoodvalue。Orbecomeathorough-goingtypistandstenographerandsecretarialexpert。"

"ButIcan’tdothat。"

"Whynot？"

"Yousee，ifIdogohomemyfatherobjectstotheCollege，andasfortyping——"

"Don’tgohome。"

"Yes，butyouforget；howamItolive？"

"Easily。Easily……Borrow……Fromme。"

"Icouldn’tdothat，"saidAnnVeronica，sharply。

"Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldn’t。"

"It’simpossible。"

"Asonefriendtoanother。Menarealwaysdoingit，andifyousetuptobeaman——"

"No，it’sabsolutelyoutofthequestion，Mr。Ramage。"AndAnnVeronica’sfacewashot。

Ramagepursedhisratherlooselipsandshruggedhisshoulders，withhiseyesfixedsteadilyuponher。"Wellanyhow——Idon’tseetheforceofyourobjection，youknow。That’smyadvicetoyou。HereIam。Consideryou’vegotresourcesdepositedwithme。Perhapsatthefirstblush——itstrikesyouasodd。Peoplearebroughtuptobesoshyaboutmoney。Asthoughitwasindelicate——it’sjustasortofshyness。ButhereIamtodrawupon。HereIamasanalternativeeithertonastywork——orgoinghome。"

"It’sverykindofyou——"beganAnnVeronica。

"Notabit。Justafriendlypolitesuggestion。Idon’tsuggestanyphilanthropy。Ishallchargeyoufivepercent。，youknow，fairandsquare。"

AnnVeronicaopenedherlipsquicklyanddidnotspeak。Butthefivepercent。certainlydidseemtoimprovetheaspectofRamage’ssuggestion。

"Well，anyhow，consideritopen。"Hedabbedwithhispaper-weightagain，andspokeinanentirelyindifferenttone。

"Andnowtellme，please，howyouelopedfromMorningsidePark。

Howdidyougetyourluggageoutofthehouse？Wasn’tit——wasn’titratherinsomerespects——ratheralark？It’soneofmyregretsformylostyouth。Ineverranawayfromanywherewithanybodyanywhen。Andnow——IsupposeIshouldbeconsideredtooold。Idon’tfeelit……Didn’tyoufeelratherEVENTFUL——inthetrain——cominguptoWaterloo？"

Part6

BeforeChristmasAnnVeronicahadgonetoRamageagainandacceptedthisoffershehadatfirstdeclined。

Manylittlethingshadcontributedtothatdecision。Thechiefinfluencewasherawakeningsenseoftheneedofmoney。Shehadbeenforcedtobuyherselfthatpairofbootsandawalking-skirt，andthepearlnecklaceatthepawnbrokers’hadyieldedverydisappointingly。And，also，shewantedtoborrowthatmoney。ItdidseeminsomanywaysexactlywhatRamagesaiditwas——thesensiblethingtodo。Thereitwas——tobeborrowed。

Itwouldputthewholeadventureonabroaderandbetterfooting；

itseemed，indeed，almosttheonlypossiblewayinwhichshemightemergefromherrebellionwithanythinglikesuccess。Ifonlyforthesakeofherargumentwithherhome，shewantedsuccess。Andwhy，afterall，shouldshenotborrowmoneyfromRamage？

Itwassotruewhathesaid；middle-classpeopleWERE

ridiculouslysqueamishaboutmoney。Whyshouldtheybe？

SheandRamagewerefriends，verygoodfriends。Ifshewasinapositiontohelphimshewouldhelphim；onlyithappenedtobetheotherwayround。Hewasinapositiontohelpher。Whatwastheobjection？

Shefounditimpossibletolookherowndiffidenceintheface。

SoshewenttoRamageandcametothepointalmostatonce。

"Canyousparemefortypounds？"shesaid。

Mr。Ramagecontrolledhisexpressionandthoughtveryquickly。

"Agreed，"hesaid，"certainly，"anddrewacheckbooktowardhim。

"It’sbest，"hesaid，"tomakeitagoodroundsum。

"Iwon’tgiveyouacheckthough——Yes，Iwill。I’llgiveyouanuncrossedcheck，andthenyoucangetitatthebankhere，quitecloseby……You’dbetternothaveallthemoneyonyou；youhadbetteropenasmallaccountinthepost-officeanddrawitoutafiveratatime。Thatwon’tinvolvereferences，asabankaccountwould——andallthatsortofthing。Themoneywilllastlonger，and——itwon’tbotheryou。"

Hestoodupratherclosetoherandlookedintohereyes。Heseemedtobetryingtounderstandsomethingveryperplexingandelusive。"It’sjolly，"hesaid，"tofeelyouhavecometome。

It’sasortofguaranteeofconfidence。Lasttime——youmademefeelsnubbed。"

Hehesitated，andwentoffatatangent。"There’snoendofthingsI’dliketotalkoverwithyou。It’sjustuponmylunch-time。Comeandhavelunchwithme。"

AnnVeronicafencedforamoment。"Idon’twanttotakeupyourtime。"

"Wewon’tgotoanyoftheseCityplaces。They’rejustallmen，andnooneissafefromscandal。ButIknowalittleplacewherewe’llgetalittlequiettalk。"

AnnVeronicaforsomeindefinablereasondidnotwanttolunchwithhim，areasonindeedsoindefinablethatshedismissedit，andRamagewentthroughtheouterofficewithher，alertandattentive，tothevividinterestofthethreeclerks。Thethreeclerksfoughtfortheonlywindow，andsawherwhiskedintoahansom。Theirsubsequentconversationisoutsidethescopeofourstory。

"Ritter’s！"saidRamagetothedriver，"DeanStreet。"

ItwasrarethatAnnVeronicausedhansoms，andtobeinonewasitselfeventfulandexhilarating。Shelikedthehigh，easyswingofthethingoveritsbigwheels，thequickclatter-patterofthehorse，thepassageoftheteemingstreets。SheadmittedherpleasuretoRamage。

AndRitter’s，too，wasveryamusingandforeignanddiscreet；alittleramblingroomwithanumberofsmalltables，withredelectriclightshadesandflowers。Itwasanovercastday，albeitnotfoggy，andtheelectriclightshadesglowedwarmly，andanItalianwaiterwithinsufficientEnglishtookRamage’sorders，andwaitedwithanappearanceofaffection。AnnVeronicathoughtthewholeaffairratherjolly。Rittersoldbetterfoodthanmostofhiscompatriots，andcookeditbetter，andRamage，withafineperceptionofafemininepalate，orderedVeroCapri。

Itwas，AnnVeronicafelt，asasiporsoofthatremarkableblendwarmedherblood，justthesortofthingthatherauntwouldnotapprove，tobelunchingthus，tete-a-tetewithaman；

andyetatthesametimeitwasaperfectlyinnocentaswellasagreeableproceeding。

TheytalkedacrosstheirmealinaneasyandfriendlymanneraboutAnnVeronica’saffairs。Hewasreallyverybrightandclever，withasortofconversationalboldnessthatwasjustwithinthelimitsofpermissibledaring。ShedescribedtheGoopesandtheFabianstohim，andgavehimasketchofherlandlady；andhetalkedinthemostliberalandentertainingwayofamodernyoungwoman’soutlook。Heseemedtoknowagreatdealaboutlife。Hegaveglimpsesofpossibilities。Herousedcuriosities。Hecontrastedwonderfullywiththeemptyshowing-offofTeddy。Hisfriendshipseemedathingworthhaving……

Butwhenshewasthinkingitoverinherroomthateveningvagueandbafflingdoubtscamedriftingacrossthisconviction。Shedoubtedhowshestoodtowardhimandwhattherestrainedgleamofhisfacemightsignify。Shefeltthatperhaps，inherdesiretoplayanadequatepartintheconversation，shehadtalkedrathermorefreelythansheoughttohavedone，andgivenhimawrongimpressionofherself。

Part7

ThatwastwodaysbeforeChristmasEve。Thenextmorningcameacompactletterfromherfather。

"MYDEARDAUGHTER，"itran，——"Here，onthevergeoftheseasonofforgivenessIholdoutalasthandtoyouinthehopeofareconciliation。Iaskyou，althoughitisnotmyplacetoaskyou，toreturnhome。Thisroofisstillopentoyou。Youwillnotbetauntedifyoureturnandeverythingthatcanbedonewillbedonetomakeyouhappy。

"Indeed，Imustimploreyoutoreturn。Thisadventureofyourshasgoneonaltogethertoolong；ithasbecomeaseriousdistresstobothyourauntandmyself。Wefailaltogethertounderstandyourmotivesindoingwhatyouaredoing，or，indeed，howyouaremanagingtodoit，orwhatyouaremanagingon。Ifyouwillthinkonlyofonetriflingaspect——theinconvenienceitmustbetoustoexplainyourabsence——Ithinkyoumaybegintorealizewhatitallmeansforus。Ineedhardlysaythatyourauntjoinswithmeveryheartilyinthisrequest。

"Pleasecomehome。Youwillnotfindmeunreasonablewithyou。

"Youraffectionate"FATHER。"

AnnVeronicasatoverherfirewithherfather’snoteinherhand。"Queerlettershewrites，"shesaid。"Isupposemostpeople’slettersarequeer。Roofopen——likeaNoah’sArk。I

wonderifhereallywantsmetogohome。It’soddhowlittleI

knowofhim，andofhowhefeelsandwhathefeels。"

"IwonderhowhetreatedGwen。"

Herminddriftedintoaspeculationabouthersister。"IoughttolookupGwen，"shesaid。"Iwonderwhathappened。"

Thenshefelltothinkingaboutheraunt。"Iwouldliketogohome，"shecried，"topleaseher。Shehasbeenadear。

Consideringhowlittleheletsherhave。"

Thetruthprevailed。"TheunaccountablethingisthatIwouldn’tgohometopleaseher。Sheis，inherway，adear。OneOUGHTtowanttopleaseher。AndIdon’t。Idon’tcare。Ican’tevenmakemyselfcare。"

Presently，asifforcomparisonwithherfather’sletter，shegotoutRamage’scheckfromtheboxthatcontainedherpapers。Forsofarshehadkeptituncashed。Shehadnotevenendorsedit。

"SupposeIchuckit，"sheremarked，standingwiththemauveslipinherhand——"supposeIchuckit，andsurrenderandgohome！

Perhaps，afterall，Roddywasright！

"Fatherkeepsopeningthedoorandshuttingit，butatimewillcome——

"Icouldstillgohome！"

SheheldRamage’scheckasiftotearitacross。"No，"shesaidatlast；"I’mahumanbeing——notatimidfemale。WhatcouldIdoathome？Theother’sacrumple-up——justsurrender。Funk！I’llseeitout。"

CHAPTERTHEEIGHTH

BIOLOGY

Part1

JanuaryfoundAnnVeronicaastudentinthebiologicallaboratoryoftheCentralImperialCollegethattowersupfromamongthebackstreetsintheanglebetweenEustonRoadandGreatPortlandStreet。ShewasworkingverysteadilyattheAdvancedCourseinComparativeAnatomy，wonderfullyrelievedtohavehermindengagedupononemethodicallydevelopingthemeintheplaceofthediscursiveuncertaintiesoftheprevioustwomonths，anddoingherutmosttokeeprightinthebackofhermindandoutofsightthefacts，firstly，thatshehadachievedthishavenofsatisfactoryactivitybyincurringadebttoRamageoffortypounds，and，secondly，thatherpresentpositionwasnecessarilytemporaryandheroutlookquiteuncertain。

Thebiologicallaboratoryhadanatmospherethatwasallitsown。

Itwasatthetopofthebuilding，andlookedclearoveraclusteringmassofinferiorbuildingstowardRegent’sPark。Itwaslongandnarrow，awell-lit，well-ventilated，quietgalleryofsmalltablesandsinks，pervadedbyathinsmellofmethylatedspiritandofamitigatedandsterilizedorganicdecay。AlongtheinnersidewasawonderfullyarrangedseriesofdisplayedspecimensthatRussellhimselfhadprepared。ThesupremeeffectforAnnVeronicawasitssurpassingrelevance；itmadeeveryotheratmospheresheknewseemdiscursiveandconfused。Thewholeplaceandeverythinginitaimedatonething——toillustrate，toelaborate，tocriticiseandilluminate，andmakeeverplainerandplainerthesignificanceofanimalandvegetablestructure。ItdealtfromfloortoceilingandendtoendwiththeTheoryoftheFormsofLife；theverydusterbytheblackboardwastheretodoitsshareinthatwork，theverywashersinthetaps；theroomwasmoresimplyconcentratedinaimeventhanachurch。Tothat，perhaps，alargepartofitssatisfyingnesswasdue。ContrastedwiththeconfusedmovementandpresencesofaFabianmeeting，ortheinexplicableenthusiasmbehindthesuffragedemand，withthespeechesthatwerepartlyegotisticaldisplays，partlyartfulmanoeuvres，andpartlyincoherentcriesforunsoundlyformulatedends，comparedwiththecomingsandgoingsofaudiencesandsupportersthatwereliketheeddy-drivendriftofpaperinthestreet，thislong，quiet，methodicalchambershonelikeastarseenthroughclouds。

Dayafterdayforameasuredhourinthelecture-theatre，withelaboratepowerandpatience，Russellpiecedtogetherdifficultyandsuggestion，instanceandcounter-instance，intheelaborateconstructionofthefamilytreeoflife。Andthenthestudentswentintothelonglaboratoryandfollowedoutthesefactsinalmostlivingtissuewithmicroscopeandscalpel，probeandmicrotome，andtheutmostoftheirskillandcare，makingnowandthenaraidintothecompactmuseumofillustrationnextdoor，inwhichspecimensandmodelsanddirectionsstoodindisciplinedranks，underthedirectionofthedemonstratorCapes。Therewasacoupleofblackboardsateachendoftheaisleoftables，andattheseCapes，withquickandnervousspeechthatcontrastedvividlywithRussell’sslow，definitivearticulation，directedthedissectionandmadeilluminatingcommentsonthestructuresunderexamination。Thenhewouldcomealongthelaboratory，sittingdownbyeachstudentinturn，checkingtheworkanddiscussingitsdifficulties，andansweringquestionsarisingoutofRussell’slecture。

AnnVeronicahadcometotheImperialCollegeobsessedbythegreatfigureofRussell，bytheparthehadplayedintheDarwiniancontroversies，andbytheresoluteeffectofthegrim-lipped，yellow，leoninefacebeneaththemaneofsilveryhair。Capeswasratheradiscovery。Capeswassomethingsuperadded。Russellburnedlikeabeacon，butCapesilluminatedbydartingflashesandthrewlight，evenifitwasbutmomentarylight，intoahundredcornersthatRussellleftsteadfastlyintheshade。

Capeswasanexceptionallyfairmanoftwoorthree-and-thirty，soruddilyblondthatitwasamercyhehadescapedlighteyelashes，andwithaminorbutbynomeanscontemptiblereputationofhisown。Hetalkedattheblackboardinapleasant，veryslightlylispingvoicewithacuriousspontaneity，andwassometimesveryclumsyinhisexposition，andsometimesveryvivid。Hedissectedratherawkwardlyandhurriedly，but，onthewhole，effectively，anddrewwithanimpatientdirectnessthatmadeupinsignificancewhatitlackedinprecision。Acrosstheblackboardthecoloredchalksflewlikeflightsofvariouslytintedrocketsasdiagramafterdiagramflickeredintobeing。

Therehappenedthatyeartobeanunusualproportionofgirlsandwomenintheadvancedlaboratory，perhapsbecausetheclassasawholewasanexceptionallysmallone。Itnumberednine，andfourofthesewerewomenstudents。Asaconsequenceofitssmallsize，itwaspossibletogetalongwiththeworkonamucheasierandmorecolloquialfootingthanalargerclasswouldhavepermitted。Andacustomhadgrownupofageneralteaatfouro’clock，undertheauspicesofaMissGarvice，atallandgracefulgirlofdistinguishedintellectualincompetence，inwhomthehostessinstinctseemedtobeabnormallydeveloped。

Capeswouldcometotheseteas；heevidentlylikedtocome，andhewouldappearinthedoorwayofthepreparation-room，apleasingnoteofshynessinhismanner，hoveringforaninvitation。

Fromthefirst，AnnVeronicafoundhimanexceptionallyinterestingman。Tobeginwith，hestruckherasbeingthemostvariablepersonshehadeverencountered。Attimeshewasbrilliantandmasterful，talkedroundandovereveryone，andwouldhavebeendomineeringifhehadnotbeenextraordinarilykindly；attimeshewasalmostmonosyllabic，anddefeatedMissGarvice’smostskilfulattemptstodrawhimout。Sometimeshewasobviouslyirritableanduncomfortableandunfortunateinhiseffortstoseematease。Andsometimesheoverflowedwithapeculiarlymalignantwitthatplayed，withdevastatingeffect，uponanytopicsthathadthecouragetofaceit。AnnVeronica’sexperiencesofmenhadbeenamongmorestabletypes——Teddy，whowasalwaysabsurd；herfather，whowasalwaysauthoritativeandsentimental；Manning，whowasalwaysManning。Andmostoftheothersshehadmethad，shefelt，thesamesteadfastness。

Goopes，shewassurewasalwayshigh-browedandslowandSocratic。AndRamagetoo——aboutRamagetherewouldalwaysbethatairofavidity，thatairofknowledgeandinquiry，themixtureofthingsinhistalkthatwererathergoodwiththingsthatwereratherpoor。ButonecouldnotcountwithanyconfidenceuponCapes。

Thefivemenstudentswereamixedcompany。Therewasaverywhite-facedyoungsterofeighteenwhobrushedbackhishairexactlyinRussell’smanner，andwasdisposedtobeuncomfortablysilentwhenhewasnearher，andtowhomshefeltitwasonlyChristiankindnesstobeconsistentlypleasant；andalaxyoungmanoffive-and-twentyinnavyblue，whomingledMarxandBebelwiththemoreorthodoxgodsofthebiologicalpantheon。Therewasashort，red-faced，resoluteyouthwhoinheritedanauthoritativeattitudeuponbacteriologyfromhisfather；aJapanesestudentofunassumingmannerswhodrewbeautifullyandhadanimperfectknowledgeofEnglish；andadark，unwashedScotchmanwithcomplicatedspectacles，whowouldcomeeverymorningasasortofvolunteersupplementarydemonstrator，lookverycloselyatherworkandher，tellherthatherdissectionswere"fairish，"or"veryfairishindeed，"or"highabovethenormalfemalestandard，"hoverasifforsomeoutbreakofpassionategratitudeandwithadmiringretrospectsthatmadethefacettedspectaclesgleamlikediamonds，returntohisownplace。

Thewomen，AnnVeronicathought，werenotquitesointerestingasthemen。Thereweretwoschool-mistresses，oneofwhom——MissKlegg——mighthavebeenafirstcousintoMissMiniver，shehadsomanyMinivertraits；therewasapreoccupiedgirlwhosenameAnnVeronicaneverlearned，butwhoworkedremarkablywell；andMissGarvice，whobeganbyattractingherverygreatly——shemovedsobeautifully——andendedbygivinghertheimpressionthatmovingbeautifullywasthebeginningandendofherbeing。

Part2

ThenextfewweekswereatimeoftheveryliveliestthoughtandgrowthforAnnVeronica。Thecrowdingimpressionsofthepreviousweeksseemedtoruntogetherdirectlyhermindleftthechaoticsearchforemploymentandcameintotouchagainwithacoherentandsystematicdevelopmentofideas。TheadvancedworkattheCentralImperialCollegewasintheclosesttouchwithlivinginterestsandcurrentcontroversies；itdrewitsillustrationsandmaterialfromRussell’stwogreatresearches——upontherelationofthebrachiopodstotheechinodermata，anduponthesecondaryandtertiarymammalianandpseudo-mammalianfactorsinthefreelarvalformsofvariousmarineorganisms。Moreover，avigorousfireofmutualcriticismwasgoingonnowbetweentheImperialCollegeandtheCambridgeMendeliansandechoedinthelectures。Frombeginningtoenditwasfirst-handstuff。

Buttheinfluenceofthescienceradiatedfarbeyonditsownspecialfield——beyondthosebeautifulbuthighlytechnicalproblemswithwhichwedonotproposeforamomenttotroublethenaturallyterrifiedreader。Biologyisanextraordinarilydigestivescience。Itthrowsoutanumberofbroadexperimentalgeneralizations，andthensetsouttobringintoharmonyorrelationwiththeseaninfinitelymultifariouscollectionofphenomena。Thelittlestreaksuponthegerminatingareaofanegg，thenervousmovementsofanimpatienthorse，thetrickofacalculatingboy，thesensesofafish，thefungusattherootofagardenflower，andtheslimeuponasea-wetrock——tenthousandsuchthingsbeartheirwitnessandareilluminated。Andnotonlydidthesetentaculargeneralizationsgatherallthefactsofnaturalhistoryandcomparativeanatomytogether，buttheyseemedalwaysstretchingoutfurtherandfurtherintoaworldofintereststhatlayaltogetheroutsidetheirlegitimatebounds。

ItcametoAnnVeronicaonenightafteralongtalkwithMissMiniver，asasuddenremarkablething，asagrotesque，novelaspect，thatthisslowlyelaboratingbiologicalschemehadsomethingmorethananacademicinterestforherself。Andnotonlyso，butthatitwasafterall，amoresystematicandparticularmethodofexaminingjustthesamequestionsthatunderlaythediscussionsoftheFabianSociety，thetalkoftheWestCentralArtsClub，thechatterofthestudiosandthedeep，thebottomlessdiscussionsofthesimple-lifehomes。ItwasthesameBioswhosenatureanddriftandwaysandmethodsandaspectsengagedthemall。Andshe，sheinherownpersontoo，wasthiseternalBios，beginningagainitsrecurrentjourneytoselectionandmultiplicationandfailureorsurvival。

Butthiswasbutamomentarygleamofpersonalapplication，andatthistimeshefolloweditupnofurther。

AndnowAnnVeronica’seveningswerealsobecomingverybusy。

ShepursuedherinterestintheSocialistmovementandintheSuffragistagitationinthecompanyofMissMiniver。TheywenttovariouscentralandlocalFabiangatherings，andtoanumberofsuffragemeetings。TeddyWidgetthoveredonthefringeofallthesegatherings，blinkingatAnnVeronicaandoccasionallymakingawildlyfriendlydashather，andcarryingherandMissMiniverofftodrinkcocoawithachoicediversityofotheryouthfulandcongenialFabiansafterthemeetings。ThenMr。

Manningloomedupeverandagainintoherworld，fullofafutilesolicitude，andalmostalwaysdeclaringshewassplendid，splendid，andwishinghecouldtalkthingsoutwithher。TeashecontributedtothecommissariatofAnnVeronica’scampaign——quiteanumberofteas。Hewouldgethertocometoteawithhim，usuallyinapleasanttea-roomoverafruit-shopinTottenhamCourtRoad，andhewoulddiscusshisownpointofviewandhintatathousanddevotionswereshebuttocommandhim。Andhewouldexpressvariousartisticsensibilitiesandaestheticappreciationsincarefullypunctuatedsentencesandalarge，clearvoice。AtChristmashegaveherasetofasmalleditionofMeredith’snovels，veryprettilyboundinflexibleleather，beingguidedinthechoiceofanauthor，asheintimated，ratherbyherpreferencesthanhisown。

Therewassomethingmarkedlyanddeliberatelyliberal-mindedinhismannerinalltheirencounters。Heconveyednotonlyhissenseoftheextremewantofcorrectitudeintheirunsanctionedmeetings，butalsothat，sofarashewasconcerned，thisirregularitymatterednotatall，thathehadflung——andkeptonflinging——suchconsiderationstothewind。

And，inaddition，shewasnowseeingandtalkingtoRamagealmostweekly，onatheorywhichshetookverygravely，thattheywereexceptionallyfriends。HewouldaskhertocometodinnerwithhiminsomelittleItalianorsemi-BohemianrestaurantinthedistricttowardSoho，orinoneofthemorestylishandmagnificentestablishmentsaboutPiccadillyCircus，andforthemostpartshedidnotcaretorefuse。Nor，indeed，didshewanttorefuse。Thesedinners，fromtheirlavishdisplayofambiguoushorsd’oeuvretotheirskimpyicesindishesoffrilledpaper，withtheirChiantiflasksandParmesandishesandtheirpolyglotwaitersandpolyglotclientele，wereveryfunnyandbright；andshereallylikedRamage，andvaluedhishelpandadvice。Itwasinterestingtoseehowdifferentandcharacteristichismodeofapproachwastoallsortsofquestionsthatinterestedher，anditwasamusingtodiscoverthisothersidetothelifeofaMorningsideParkinhabitant。ShehadthoughtthatallMorningsideParkhouseholderscamehomebeforesevenatthelatest，asherfatherusuallydid。Ramagetalkedalwaysaboutwomenorsomewoman’sconcern，andverymuchaboutAnnVeronica’sownoutlookuponlife。Hewasalwaysdrawingcontrastsbetweenawoman’slotandaman’s，andtreatingherasawonderfulnewdepartureinthiscomparison。AnnVeronicalikedtheirrelationshipallthemorebecauseitwasanunusualone。

Afterthesedinnerstheywouldhaveawalk，usuallytotheThamesEmbankmenttoseethetwosweepsofriveroneithersideofWaterlooBridge；andthentheywouldpartatWestminsterBridge，perhaps，andhewouldgoontoWaterloo。Oncehesuggestedtheyshouldgotoamusic-hallandseeawonderfulnewdancer，butAnnVeronicadidnotfeelshecaredtoseeanewdancer。So，instead，theytalkedofdancingandwhatitmightmeaninahumanlife。AnnVeronicathoughtitwasaspontaneousreleaseofenergyexpressiveofwell-being，butRamagethoughtthatbydancing，men，andsuchbirdsandanimalsasdance，cometofeelandthinkoftheirbodies。

Thisintercourse，whichhadbeenplannedtowarmAnnVeronicatoafamiliaraffectionwithRamage，wascertainlywarmingRamagetoaconstantlydeepeninginterestinAnnVeronica。Hefeltthathewasgettingonwithherveryslowlyindeed，buthedidnotseehowhecouldgetonfaster。Hehad，hefelt，tocreatecertainideasandvivifycertaincuriositiesandfeelingsinher。Untilthatwasdoneacertainexperienceoflifeassuredhimthatagirlisalockedcoldnessagainstaman’sapproach。Shehadallthefascinationofbeingabsolutelyperplexinginthisrespect。

Ontheonehand，sheseemedtothinkplainlyandsimply，andwouldtalkserenelyandfreelyabouttopicsthatmostwomenhavebeentrainedeithertoavoidorconceal；andontheothershewasunconscious，orelseshehadanairofbeingunconscious——thatwastheriddle——toallsortsofpersonalapplicationsthatalmostanygirlorwoman，onemighthavethought，wouldhavemade。Hewasalwaysdoinghisbesttocallherattentiontothefactthathewasamanofspiritandqualityandexperience，andsheayoungandbeautifulwoman，andthatallsortsofconstructionsupontheirrelationshipwerepossible，trustinghertogoonfromthattotheideathatallsortsofrelationshipswerepossible。

Sherespondedwithanunfalteringappearanceofinsensibility，andneverasayoungandbeautifulwomanconsciousofsex；alwaysinthecharacterofanintelligentgirlstudent。

Hisperceptionofherpersonalbeautydeepenedandquickenedwitheachencounter。Everynowandthenhergeneralpresencebecameradiantlydazzlinginhiseyes；shewouldappearinthestreetcomingtowardhim，asurprise，sofineandsmilingandwelcomingwasshe，soexpandedandilluminatedandliving，incontrastwithhismereexpectation。Orhewouldfindsomething——awaveinherhair，alittlelineinthecontourofherbroworneck，thatmadeanexquisitediscovery。

Hewasbeginningtothinkaboutherinordinately。Hewouldsitinhisinnerofficeandcomposeconversationswithher，penetrating，illuminating，andnearlyconclusive——conversationsthatneverprovedtobeoftheslightestuseatallwithherwhenhemetherfacetoface。Andhebeganalsoattimestowakeatnightandthinkabouther。

Hethoughtofherandhimself，andnolongerinthatveinofincidentaladventureinwhichhehadbegun。Hethought，too，ofthefretfulinvalidwholayinthenextroomtohis，whosemoneyhadcreatedhisbusinessandmadehispositionintheworld。

"I’vehadmostofthethingsIwanted，"saidRamage，inthestillnessofthenight。

Part3

ForatimeAnnVeronica’sfamilyhaddesistedfromdirectoffersofafreepardon；theywereevidentlywaitingforherresourcestocometoanend。Neitherfather，aunt，norbrothersmadeasign，andthenoneafternooninearlyFebruaryherauntcameupinastatebetweenexpostulationanddignifiedresentment，butobviouslyveryanxiousforAnnVeronica’swelfare。"Ihadadreaminthenight，"shesaid。"Isawyouinasortofsloping，slipperyplace，holdingonbyyourhandsandslipping。Youseemedtometobeslippingandslipping，andyourfacewaswhite。Itwasreallymostvivid，mostvivid！Youseemedtobeslippingandjustgoingtotumbleandholdingon。Itmademewakeup，andthereIlaythinkingofyou，spendingyournightsuphereallalone，andnoonetolookafteryou。Iwonderedwhatyoucouldbedoingandwhatmightbehappeningtoyou。Isaidtomyselfatonce，’Eitherthisisacoincidenceorthecapersauce。’ButImadesureitwasyou。IfeltIMUSTdosomethinganyhow，andupIcamejustassoonasIcouldtoseeyou。"

Shehadspokenratherrapidly。"Ican’thelpsayingit，"shesaid，withthequalityofhervoicealtering，"butIdoNOTthinkitisrightforanunprotectedgirltobeinLondonaloneasyouare。"

"ButI’mquiteequaltotakingcareofmyself，aunt。"

"Itmustbemostuncomfortablehere。Itismostuncomfortableforeveryoneconcerned。"

Shespokewithacertainasperity。ShefeltthatAnnVeronicahaddupedherinthatdream，andnowthatshehadcomeuptoLondonshemightaswellspeakhermind。

"NoChristmasdinner，"shesaid，"oranythingnice！Onedoesn’tevenknowwhatyouaredoing。"

"I’mgoingonworkingformydegree。"

"Whycouldn’tyoudothatathome？"

"I’mworkingattheImperialCollege。Yousee，aunt，it’stheonlypossiblewayformetogetagooddegreeinmysubjects，andfatherwon’thearofit。There’donlybeendlessrowsifIwasathome。AndhowcouldIcomehome——whenhelocksmeinroomsandallthat？"

"Idowishthiswasn’tgoingon，"saidMissStanley，afterapause。"Idowishyouandyourfathercouldcometosomeagreement。"

AnnVeronicarespondedwithconviction:"Iwishso，too。"

"Can’twearrangesomething？Can’twemakeasortoftreaty？"

"Hewouldn’tkeepit。Hewouldgetverycrossoneeveningandnoonewoulddaretoremindhimofit。"

"Howcanyousaysuchthings？"

"Buthewould！"

"Still，itisn’tyourplacetosayso。"

"Itpreventsatreaty。"

"Couldn’t_I_makeatreaty？"

AnnVeronicathought，andcouldnotseeanypossibletreatythatwouldleaveitopenforhertohavequasi-surreptitiousdinnerswithRamageorgoonwalkingroundtheLondonsquaresdiscussingSocialismwithMissMinivertowardthesmallhours。Shehadtastedfreedomnow，andsofarshehadnotfelttheneedofprotection。Still，therecertainlywassomethingintheideaofatreaty。

"Idon’tseeatallhowyoucanbemanaging，"saidMissStanley，andAnnVeronicahastenedtoreply，"Idoonverylittle。"Hermindwentbacktothattreaty。

"Andaren’ttherefeestopayattheImperialCollege？"herauntwassaying——adisagreeablequestion。

"Thereareafewfees。"

"Thenhowhaveyoumanaged？"

"Bother！"saidAnnVeronicatoherself，andtriednottolookguilty。"Iwasabletoborrowthemoney。"

"Borrowthemoney！Butwholentyouthemoney？"

"Afriend，"saidAnnVeronica。

Shefeltherselfgettingintoacorner。Shesoughthastilyinhermindforaplausibleanswertoanobviousquestionthatdidn’tcome。Herauntwentoffatatangent。"ButmydearAnnVeronica，youwillbegettingintodebt！"

AnnVeronicaatonce，andwithafeelingofimmenserelief，tookrefugeinherdignity。"Ithink，aunt，"shesaid，"youmighttrusttomyself-respecttokeepmeoutofthat。"

Forthemomentherauntcouldnotthinkofanyreplytothiscounterstroke，andAnnVeronicafollowedupheradvantagebyasuddeninquiryaboutherabandonedboots。

Butinthetraingoinghomeherauntreasoneditout。

"Ifsheisborrowingmoney，"saidMissStanley，"sheMUSTbegettingintodebt。It’sallnonsense……"

Part4

ItwasbyimperceptibledegreesthatCapesbecameimportantinAnnVeronica’sthoughts。Butthenhebegantotakesteps，and，atlast，stridestosomethingmoreandmorelikepredominance。

Shebeganbybeinginterestedinhisdemonstrationsandhisbiologicaltheory，thenshewasattractedbyhischaracter，andthen，inamanner，shefellinlovewithhismind。

Onedaytheywereatteainthelaboratoryandadiscussionsprangupaboutthequestionofwomen’ssuffrage。Themovementwastheninitsearliermilitantphases，andoneofthewomenonly，MissGarvice，opposedit，thoughAnnVeronicawasdisposedtobelukewarm。Butaman’soppositionalwaysinclinedhertothesuffrageside；shehadacuriousfeelingofloyaltyinseeingthemoreaggressivewomenthrough。Capeswasirritatinglyjudicialinthematter，neitherabsurdlyagainst，inwhichcaseonemighthavesmashedhim，orhopelesslyundecided，buttepidlysceptical。MissKleggandtheyoungestgirlmadeavigorousattackonMissGarvice，whohadsaidshethoughtwomenlostsomethinginfinitelypreciousbyminglingintheconflictsoflife。Thediscussionwandered，andwaspunctuatedwithbreadandbutter。CapeswasinclinedtosupportMissKlegguntilMissGarvicecorneredhimbyquotinghimagainsthimself，andcitingarecentpaperintheNineteenthCentury，inwhich，followingAtkinson，hehadmadeavigorousanddamagingattackonLesterWard’scasefortheprimitivematriarchateandthepredominantimportanceofthefemalethroughouttheanimalkingdom。

AnnVeronicawasnotawareofthisliterarysideofherteacher；

shehadalittletingeofannoyanceatMissGarvice’sadvantage。

Afterwardsshehuntedupthearticleinquestion，anditseemedtoherquitedelightfullywrittenandargued。Capeshadthegiftofeasy，unaffectedwriting，coupledwithveryclearandlogicalthinking，andtofollowhiswrittenthoughtgaveherthesensationofcuttingthingswithaperfectlynew，perfectlysharpknife。Shefoundherselfanxioustoreadmoreofhim，andthenextWednesdayshewenttotheBritishMuseumandhuntedfirstamongthehalf-crownmagazinesforhisessaysandthenthroughvariousscientificquarterliesforhisresearchpapers。Theordinaryresearchpaper，whenitisnotextravaganttheorizing，isapttoberathersawdustyintexture，andAnnVeronicawasdelightedtofindthesameeasyandconfidentluminositythatdistinguishedhisworkforthegeneralreader。Shereturnedtotheselatter，andatthebackofhermind，asshelookedthemoveragain，wasaverydistinctresolvetoquotethemafterthemannerofMissGarviceattheveryfirstopportunity。

Whenshegothometoherlodgingsthateveningshereflectedwithsomethinglikesurpriseuponherhalf-day’semployment，anddecidedthatitshowednothingmorenorlessthanthatCapeswasareallyveryinterestingpersonindeed。

AndthenshefellintoamusingaboutCapes。Shewonderedwhyhewassodistinctive，sounlikeothermen，anditneveroccurredtoherforsometimethatthismightbebecauseshewasfallinginlovewithhim。

Part5

YetAnnVeronicawasthinkingaverygreatdealaboutlove。A

dozenshynessesandintellectualbarrierswerebeingoutflankedorbrokendowninhermind。Alltheinfluencesaboutherworkedwithherownpredispositionandagainstallthetraditionsofherhomeandupbringingtodealwiththefactsoflifeinanunabashedmanner。Ramage，byahundredskilfulhintshadledhertorealizethattheproblemofherownlifewasinseparablyassociatedwith，andindeedonlyonespecialcaseof，theproblemsofanywoman’slife，andthattheproblemofawoman’slifeislove。

"Ayoungmancomesintolifeaskinghowbesthemayplacehimself，"Ramagehadsaid；"awomancomesintolifethinkinginstinctivelyhowbestshemaygiveherself。"

Shenotedthatasagoodsaying，anditgerminatedandspreadtentaclesofexplanationthroughherbrain。Thebiologicallaboratory，perpetuallyviewinglifeaspairingandbreedingandselection，andagainpairingandbreeding，seemedonlyatranslatedgeneralizationofthatassertion。AndallthetalkoftheMiniverpeopleandtheWidgettpeopleseemedalwaystobelikeashipinadverseweatherontheleeshoreoflove。"Forsevenyears，"saidAnnVeronica，"Ihavebeentryingtokeepmyselffromthinkingaboutlove……

"Ihavebeentrainingmyselftolookaskanceatbeautifulthings。"

Shegaveherselfpermissionnowtolookatthissquarely。Shemadeherselfaprivatedeclarationofliberty。"Thisismerenonsense，meretongue-tiedfear！"shesaid。"Thisistheslaveryoftheveiledlife。ImightaswellbeatMorningsidePark。

Thisbusinessofloveisthesupremeaffairinlife，itisthewoman’soneeventandcrisisthatmakesupforallherotherrestrictions，andIcower——asweallcower——withablushingandparalyzedminduntilitovertakesme！……

"I’llbehangedifIdo。"

Butshecouldnottalkfreelyaboutlove，shefound，forallthatmanumission。

Ramageseemedalwaysfencingabouttheforbiddentopic，probingforopenings，andshewonderedwhyshedidnotgivehimthem。

Butsomethinginstinctivepreventedthat，andwiththefinestresolvenottobe"silly"andprudishshefoundthatwheneverhebecameatallboldinthismattershebecameseverelyscientificandimpersonal，almostentomologicalindeed，inhermethod；shekilledeveryremarkashemadeitandpinneditoutforexamination。Inthebiologicallaboratorythatwastheirinvincibletone。Butshedisapprovedmoreandmoreofherownmentalausterity。Herewasanexperiencedmanoftheworld，herfriend，whoevidentlytookagreatinterestinthissupremetopicandwaswillingtogiveherthebenefitofhisexperiences！Whyshouldnotshebeathereasewithhim？Whyshouldnotsheknowthings？Itishardenoughanyhowforahumanbeingtolearn，shedecided，butitisadozentimesmoredifficultthanitneedbebecauseofallthislockingofthelipsandthoughts。

Shecontrivedtobreakdownthebarriersofshynessatlastinonedirection，andtalkedonenightofloveandthefactsoflovewithMissMiniver。

ButMissMiniverwashighlyunsatisfactory。SherepeatedphrasesofMrs。Goopes’s:"Advancedpeople，"shesaid，withanairofgreatelucidation，"tendtoGENERALIZElove。’Heprayethbestwholovethbest——allthingsbothgreatandsmall。’FormyownpartIgoaboutloving。"

"Yes，butmen；"saidAnnVeronica，plunging；"don’tyouwanttheloveofmen？"

Forsomesecondstheyremainedsilent，bothshockedbythisquestion。

MissMiniverlookedoverherglassesatherfriendalmostbalefully。"NO！"shesaid，atlast，withsomethinginhervoicethatremindedAnnVeronicaofasprungtennis-racket。

"I’vebeenthroughallthat，"shewenton，afterapause。

Shespokeslowly。"IhaveneveryetmetamanwhoseintellectI

couldrespect。"

AnnVeronicalookedatherthoughtfullyforamoment，anddecidedtopersistonprinciple。

"Butifyouhad？"shesaid。

"Ican’timagineit，"saidMissMiniver。"Andthink，think"——hervoicesank——"ofthehorriblecoarseness！"

"Whatcoarseness？"saidAnnVeronica。

"MydearVee！"Hervoicebecameverylow。"Don’tyouknow？"

"Oh！Iknow——"

"Well——"Herfacewasanunaccustomedpink。

AnnVeronicaignoredherfriend’sconfusion。

"Don’tweallratherhumbugaboutthecoarseness？Allwewomen，I

mean，"saidshe。Shedecidedtogoon，afteramomentaryhalt。

"Wepretendbodiesareugly。Reallytheyarethemostbeautifulthingsintheworld。Wepretendweneverthinkofeverythingthatmakesuswhatweare。"

"No，"criedMissMiniver，almostvehemently。"Youarewrong！I

didnotthinkyouthoughtsuchthings。Bodies！Bodies！Horriblethings！Wearesouls。Lovelivesonahigherplane。Wearenotanimals。IfeverIdidmeetamanIcouldlove，Ishouldlovehim"——hervoicedroppedagain——"platonically。"

Shemadeherglassesglint。"Absolutelyplatonically，"shesaid。

"Soultosoul。"

Sheturnedherfacetothefire，grippedherhandsuponherelbows，anddrewherthinshoulderstogetherinashrug。"Ugh！"

shesaid。

AnnVeronicawatchedherandwonderedabouther。

"Wedonotwantthemen，"saidMissMiniver；"wedonotwantthem，withtheirsneersandloudlaughter。Empty，silly，coarsebrutes。Brutes！Theyarethebrutestillwithus！Sciencesomedaymayteachusawaytodowithoutthem。Itisonlythewomenmatter。Itisnoteverysortofcreatureneeds——thesemales。Somehavenomales。"

"There’sgreen-fly，"admittedAnnVeronica。"Andeventhen——"

Theconversationhungforathoughtfulmoment。

AnnVeronicareadjustedherchinonherhand。"Iwonderwhichofusisright，"shesaid。"Ihaven’tascrap——ofthissortofaversion。"

"Tolstoyissogoodaboutthis，"saidMissMiniver，regardlessofherfriend’sattitude。"Heseesthroughitall。TheHigherLifeandtheLower。Heseesmenalldefiledbycoarsethoughts，coarsewaysoflivingcruelties。Simplybecausetheyarehardenedby——bybestiality，andpoisonedbythejuicesofmeatslaininangerandfermenteddrinks——fancy！drinksthathavebeenswarmedinbythousandsandthousandsofhorriblelittlebacteria！"

"It’syeast，"saidAnnVeronica——"avegetable。"

"It’sallthesame，"saidMissMiniver。"Andthentheyareswollenupandinflamedanddrunkenwithmatter。Theyareblindedtoallfineandsubtlethings——theylookatlifewithbloodshoteyesanddilatednostrils。Theyarearbitraryandunjustanddogmaticandbrutishandlustful。"

"Butdoyoureallythinkmen’smindsarealteredbythefoodtheyeat？"

"Iknowit，"saidMissMiniver。"Expertecredo。WhenIamleadingatruelife，apureandsimplelifefreeofallstimulantsandexcitements，Ithink——Ithink——oh！withpellucidclearness；butifIsomuchastakeamouthfulofmeat——oranything——themirrorisallblurred。"

Part6

Then，arisingsheknewnothow，likeanew-bornappetite，cameacravinginAnnVeronicaforthesightandsoundofbeauty。

Itwasasifheraestheticsensehadbecomeinflamed。Hermindturnedandaccuseditselfofhavingbeencoldandhard。Shebegantolookforbeautyanddiscoveritinunexpectedaspectsandplaces。Hithertoshehadseenitchieflyinpicturesandotherworksofart，incidentally，andasathingtakenoutoflife。Nowthesenseofbeautywasspreadingtoamultitudeofhithertounsuspectedaspectsoftheworldabouther。

Thethoughtofbeautybecameanobsession。Itinterwovewithherbiologicalwork。Shefoundherselfaskingmoreandmorecuriously，"Why，ontheprincipleofthesurvivalofthefittest，haveIanysenseofbeautyatall？"Thatenabledhertogoonthinkingaboutbeautywhenitseemedtoherrightthatsheshouldbethinkingaboutbiology。

Shewasverygreatlyexercisedbythetwosystemsofvalues——thetwoseriesofexplanationsthathercomparativeanatomyontheonehandandhersenseofbeautyontheother，setgoinginherthoughts。Shecouldnotmakeuphermindwhichwasthefiner，moreelementalthing，whichgaveitsvaluestotheother。Wasitthatthestruggleofthingstosurviveproducedasasortofnecessaryby-producttheseintensepreferencesandappreciations，orwasitthatsomemysticalouterthing，somegreatforce，drovelifebeautyward，eveninspiteofexpediency，regardlessofsurvivalvalueandallthemanifestdiscretionsoflife？ShewenttoCapeswiththatriddleandputittohimverycarefullyandclearly，andhetalkedwell——healwaystalkedatsomelengthwhenshetookadifficultytohim——andsenthertoavariousliteratureuponthemarkingsofbutterflies，theincomprehensibleelaborationandsplendorofbirdsofParadiseandhumming-birds’

plumes，thepatterningoftigers，andaleopard’sspots。Hewasinterestingandinconclusive，andtheoriginalpaperstowhichhereferredherdiscursivewereatbestonlysuggestive。Afterward，oneafternoon，hehoveredabouther，andcameandsatbesideherandtalkedofbeautyandtheriddleofbeautyforsometime。Hedisplayedaquiteunprofessionalveinofmysticisminthematter。

HecontrastedwithRussell，whoseintellectualmethodswere，sotospeak，scepticallydogmatic。Theirtalkdriftedtothebeautyofmusic，andtheytookthatupagainattea-time。

ButasthestudentssataboutMissGarvice’stea-potanddrankteaorsmokedcigarettes，thetalkgotawayfromCapes。TheScotchmaninformedAnnVeronicathatyourviewofbeautynecessarilydependedonyourmetaphysicalpremises，andtheyoungmanwiththeRussell-likehairbecameanxioustodistinguishhimselfbytellingtheJapanesestudentthatWesternartwassymmetricalandEasternartasymmetrical，andthatamongthehigherorganismsthetendencywastowardanexternalsymmetryveilinganinternalwantofbalance。AnnVeronicadecidedshewouldhavetogoonwithCapesanotherday，and，lookingup，discoveredhimsittingonastoolwithhishandsinhispocketsandhisheadalittleononeside，regardingherwithathoughtfulexpression。Shemethiseyeforamomentincurioussurprise。

HeturnedhiseyesandstaredatMissGarvicelikeonewhowakesfromareverie，andthengotupandstrolleddownthelaboratorytowardhisrefuge，thepreparation-room。