第2章

MissPupford’sassistantwiththeParisianaccent，mayberegardedasinsomesortaninspiredlady，forsheneverconversedwithaParisian，andwasneveroutofEngland——exceptonceinthepleasure—

boatLively，intheforeignwatersthatebbandflowtwomilesoffMargateathighwater。EvenunderthosegeographicallyfavourablecircumstancesfortheacquisitionoftheFrenchlanguageinitsutmostpolitenessandpurity，MissPupford’sassistantdidnotfullyprofitbytheopportunity；forthepleasure—boat，Lively，sostronglyasserteditstitletoitsnameonthatoccasion，thatshewasreducedtotheconditionoflyinginthebottomoftheboatpicklinginbrine——asifshewerebeingsalteddownfortheuseoftheNavy——undergoingatthesametimegreatmentalalarm，corporealdistress，andclear—starchingderangement。

WhenMissPupfordandherassistantfirstforegathered，isnotknowntomen，orpupils。But，itwaslongago。Abeliefwouldhaveestablisheditselfamongpupilsthatthetwooncewenttoschooltogether，wereitnotforthedifficultyandaudacityofimaginingMissPupfordbornwithoutmittens，andwithoutafront，andwithoutabitofgoldwireamongherfrontteeth，andwithoutlittledabsofpowderonherneatlittlefaceandnose。Indeed，wheneverMissPupfordgivesalittlelectureonthemythologyofthemisguidedheathens（alwayscarefullyexcludingCupidfromrecognition），andtellshowMinervasprang，perfectlyequipped，fromthebrainofJupiter，sheishalfsupposedtohint，"SoImyselfcameintotheworld，completelyupinPinnock，Mangnall，Tables，andtheuseoftheGlobes。"

Howbeit，MissPupfordandMissPupford’sassistantareoldoldfriends。Anditisthoughtbypupilsthat，afterpupilsaregonetobed，theyevencalloneanotherbytheirchristiannamesinthequietlittleparlour。For，onceuponatimeonathunderousafternoon，whenMissPupfordfaintedawaywithoutnotice，MissPupford’sassistant（neverheard，beforeorsince，toaddressherotherwisethanasMissPupford）rantoher，cryingout，"MydearestEuphemia！"AndEuphemiaisMissPupford’schristiannameonthesampler（datepickedout）hangingupintheCollege—hall，wherethetwopeacocks，terrifiedtodeathbysomeGermantextthatiswaddlingdown—hillafterthemoutofacottage，arescuttlingawaytohidetheirprofilesintwoimmensebean—stalksgrowingoutofflower—pots。

Also，thereisanotionlatentamongpupils，thatMissPupfordwasonceinlove，andthatthebelovedobjectstillmovesuponthisball。Also，thatheisapubliccharacter，andapersonageofvastconsequence。Also，thatMissPupford’sassistantknowsallaboutit。For，sometimesofanafternoonwhenMissPupfordhasbeenreadingthepaperthroughherlittlegoldeye—glass（itisnecessarytoreaditonthespot，astheboycallsforit，withill—

conditionedpunctuality，inanhour），shehasbecomeagitated，andhassaidtoherassistant"G！"ThenMissPupford’sassistanthasgonetoMissPupford，andMissPupfordhaspointedout，withhereye—glass，Ginthepaper，andthenMissPupford’sassistanthasreadaboutG，andhasshownsympathy。Sostimulatedhasthepupil—

mindbeeninitstimetocuriosityonthesubjectofG，thatonce，undertemporarycircumstancesfavourabletotheboldsally，onefearlesspupildidactuallyobtainpossessionofthepaper，andrangealloveritinsearchofG，whohadbeendiscoveredthereinbyMissPupfordnottenminutesbefore。ButnoGcouldbeidentified，exceptonecapitaloffenderwhohadbeenexecutedinastateofgreathardihood，anditwasnottobesupposedthatMissPupfordcouldeverhavelovedHIM。Besides，hecouldn’tbealwaysbeingexecuted。Besides，hegotintothepaperagain，alive，withinamonth。

Onthewhole，itissuspectedbythepupil—mindthatGisashortchubbyoldgentleman，withlittleblacksealing—waxbootsuptohisknees，whomasharplyobservantpupil，MissLinx，whensheoncewenttoTunbridgeWellswithMissPupfordfortheholidays，reportedonherreturn（privatelyandconfidentially）tohaveseencomecaperinguptoMissPupfordonthePromenade，andtohavedetectedintheactofsqueezingMissPupford’shand，andtohaveheardpronouncethewords，"CruelEuphemia，everthine！"——orsomethinglikethat。MissLinxhazardedaguessthathemightbeHouseofCommons，orMoneyMarket，orCourtCircular，orFashionableMovements；whichwouldaccountforhisgettingintothepapersooften。But，itwasfatallyobjectedbythepupil—mind，thatnoneofthosenotabilitiescouldpossiblybespeltwithaG。

Thereareotheroccasions，closelywatchedandperfectlycomprehendedbythepupil—mind，whenMissPupfordimpartswithmysterytoherassistantthatthereisspecialexcitementinthemorningpaper。Theseoccasionsare，whenMissPupfordfindsanoldpupilcomingoutundertheheadofBirths，orMarriages。

AffectionatetearsareinvariablyseeninMissPupford’smeeklittleeyeswhenthisisthecase；andthepupil—mind，perceivingthatitsorderhasdistinguisheditself——thoughthefactisnevermentionedbyMissPupford——becomeselevated，andfeelsthatitlikewiseisreservedforgreatness。

MissPupford’sassistantwiththeParisianaccenthasalittlemorebonethanMissPupford，butisofthesametrimorderlydiminutivecast，and，fromlongcontemplation，admiration，andimitationofMissPupford，hasgrownlikeher。BeingentirelydevotedtoMissPupford，andhavingaprettytalentforpencil—drawing，sheoncemadeaportraitofthatlady:whichwassoinstantlyidentifiedandhailedbythepupils，thatitwasdoneonstoneatfiveshillings。

Surelythesoftestandmilkieststonethateverwasquarried，receivedthatlikenessofMissPupford！Thelinesofherplacidlittlenosearesoundecidedinitthatstrangerstotheworkofartareobservedtobeexceedinglyperplexedastowherethenosegoesto，andinvoluntarilyfeeltheirownnosesinadisconcertedmanner。

MissPupfordbeingrepresentedinastateofdejectionatanopenwindow，ruminatingoverabowlofgoldfish，thepupil—mindhassettledthatthebowlwaspresentedbyG，andthathewreathedthebowlwithflowersofsoul，andthatMissPupfordisdepictedaswaitingforhimonamemorableoccasionwhenhewasbehindhistime。

TheapproachofthelastMidsummerholidayshadaparticularinterestforthepupil—mind，byreasonofitsknowingthatMissPupfordwasbidden，ontheseconddayofthoseholidays，tothenuptialsofaformerpupil。Asitwasimpossibletoconcealthefact——soextensivewerethedress—makingpreparations——MissPupfordopenlyannouncedit。But，shehelditduetoparentstomaketheannouncementwithanairofgentlemelancholy，asifmarriagewere（asindeeditexceptionallyhasbeen）ratheracalamity。Withanairofsoftenedresignationandpity，therefore，MissPupfordwentonwithherpreparations:andmeanwhilenopupileverwentup—

stairs，orcamedown，withoutpeepinginatthedoorofMissPupford’sbedroom（whenMissPupfordwasn’tthere），andbringingbacksomesurprisingintelligenceconcerningthebonnet。

Theextensivepreparationsbeingcompletedonthedaybeforetheholidays，anunanimousentreatywaspreferredtoMissPupfordbythepupil—mind——findingexpressionthroughMissPupford’sassistant——

thatshewoulddeigntoappearinallhersplendour。MissPupfordconsenting，presentedalovelyspectacle。Andalthoughtheoldestpupilwasbarelythirteen，everyoneofthesixbecameintwominutesperfectintheshape，cut，colour，price，andquality，ofeveryarticleMissPupfordwore。

Thusdelightfullyusheredin，theholidaysbegan。FiveofthesixpupilskissedlittleKittyKimmeenstwentytimesover（roundtotal，onehundredtimes，forshewasverypopular），andsowenthome。

MissKittyKimmeensremainedbehind，forherrelationsandfriendswereallinIndia，faraway。Aself—helpfulsteadylittlechildisMissKittyKimmeens:adimpledchildtoo，andaloving。

So，thegreatmarriage—daycame，andMissPupford，quiteasmuchflutteredasanybridecouldbe（G！thoughtMissKittyKimmeens），wentaway，splendidtobehold，inthecarriagethatwassentforher。ButnotMissPupfordonlywentaway；forMissPupford’sassistantwentawaywithher，onadutifulvisittoanageduncle——

thoughsurelythevenerablegentlemancouldn’tliveinthegalleryofthechurchwherethemarriagewastobe，thoughtMissKittyKimmeens——andyetMissPupford’sassistanthadletoutthatshewasgoingthere。Wherethecookwasgoing，didn’tappear，butshegenerallyconveyedtoMissKimmeensthatshewasbound，ratheragainstherwill，onapilgrimagetoperformsomepiousofficethatrenderednewribbonsnecessarytoherbestbonnet，andalsosandalstohershoes。

"Soyousee，"saidthehousemaid，whentheywereallgone，"there’snobodyleftinthehousebutyouandme，MissKimmeens。"

"Nobodyelse，"saidMissKittyKimmeens，shakinghercurlsalittlesadly。"Nobody！"

"Andyouwouldn’tlikeyourBellatogotoo；wouldyou，MissKimmeens？"saidthehousemaid。（ShebeingBella。）

"N—no，"answeredlittleMissKimmeens。

"YourpoorBellaisforcedtostaywithyou，whethershelikesitornot；ain’tshe，MissKimmeens？"

"DON’Tyoulikeit？"inquiredKitty。

"Why，you’resuchadarling，Miss，thatitwouldbeunkindofyourBellatomakeobjections。Yetmybrother—in—lawhasbeentookunexpectedbadbythismorning’spost。AndyourpoorBellaismuchattachedtohim，lettingaloneherfavouritesister，MissKimmeens。"

"Isheveryill？"askedlittleKitty。

"YourpoorBellahasherfearsso，MissKimmeens，"returnedthehousemaid，withherapronathereyes。"Itwasbuthisinside，itistrue，butitmightmount，andthedoctorsaidthatifitmountedhewouldn’tanswer。"HerethehousemaidwassoovercomethatKittyadministeredtheonlycomfortshehadready:whichwasakiss。

"Ifithadn’tbeenfordisappointingCook，dearMissKimmeens，"saidthehousemaid，"yourBellawouldhaveaskedhertostaywithyou。

ForCookissweetcompany，MissKimmeens，muchmoresothanyourownpoorBella。"

"Butyouareverynice，Bella。"

"YourBellacouldwishtobeso，MissKimmeens，"returnedthehousemaid，"butsheknowsfullwellthatitdonotlayinherpowerthisday。"

Withwhichdespondentconviction，thehousemaiddrewaheavysigh，andshookherhead，anddroppeditononeside。

"IfithadbeenanywaysrighttodisappointCook，"shepursued，inacontemplativeandabstractedmanner，"itmighthavebeensoeasydone！Icouldhavegottomybrother—in—law’s，andhadthebestpartofthedaythere，andgotback，longbeforeourladiescomehomeatnight，andneithertheonenortheotherofthemneedneverhaveknownit。NotthatMissPupfordwouldatallobject，butthatitmightputherout，beingtender—hearted。Hows’ever，yourownpoorBella，MissKimmeens，"saidthehousemaid，rousingherself，"isforcedtostaywithyou，andyou’reapreciouslove，ifnotaliberty。"

"Bella，"saidlittleKitty，afterashortsilence。

"CallyourownpoorBella，yourBella，dear，"thehousemaidbesoughther。

"MyBella，then。"

"Blessyourconsiderateheart！"saidthehousemaid。

"Ifyouwouldnotmindleavingme，Ishouldnotmindbeingleft。I

amnotafraidtostayinthehousealone。Andyouneednotbeuneasyonmyaccount，forIwouldbeverycarefultodonoharm。"

"O！Astoharm，youmorethansweetest，ifnotaliberty，"

exclaimedthehousemaid，inarapture，"yourBellacouldtrustyouanywhere，beingsosteady，andsoanswerable。Theoldestheadinthishouse（meandCooksays），butforitsbrighthair，isMissKimmeens。Butno，Iwillnotleaveyou；foryouwouldthinkyourBellaunkind。"

"ButifyouaremyBella，youMUSTgo，"returnedthechild。

"MustI？"saidthehousemaid，rising，onthewholewithalacrity。

"Whatmustbe，mustbe，MissKimmeens。YourownpoorBellaactsaccording，thoughunwilling。Butgoorstay，yourownpoorBellalovesyou，MissKimmeens。"

Itwascertainlygo，andnotstay，forwithinfiveminutesMissKimmeens’sownpoorBella——somuchimprovedinpointofspiritsastohavegrownalmostsanguineonthesubjectofherbrother—in—law——

wentherway，inapparelthatseemedtohavebeenexpresslypreparedforsomefestiveoccasion。Sucharethechangesofthisfleetingworld，andsoshort—sightedarewepoormortals！

Whenthehousedoorclosedwithabangandashake，itseemedtoMissKimmeenstobeaveryheavyhousedoor，shuttingherupinawildernessofahouse。But，MissKimmeensbeing，asbeforestated，ofaself—reliantandmethodicalcharacter，presentlybegantoparceloutthelongsummer—daybeforeher。

Andfirstshethoughtshewouldgoalloverthehouse，tomakequitesurethatnobodywithagreat—coatonandacarving—knifeinit，hadgotunderoneofthebedsorintooneofthecupboards。Notthatshehadeverbeforebeentroubledbytheimageofanybodyarmedwithagreat—coatandacarving—knife，butthatitseemedtohavebeenshakenintoexistencebytheshakeandthebangofthegreatstreet—

door，reverberatingthroughthesolitaryhouse。So，littleMissKimmeenslookedunderthefiveemptybedsofthefivedepartedpupils，andlooked，underherownbed，andlookedunderMissPupford’sbed，andlookedunderMissPupford’sassistantsbed。Andwhenshehaddonethis，andwasmakingthetourofthecupboards，thedisagreeablethoughtcameintoheryounghead，Whataveryalarmingthingitwouldbetofindsomebodywithamaskon，likeGuyFawkes，hidingboltuprightinacornerandpretendingnottobealive！However，MissKimmeenshavingfinishedherinspectionwithoutmakinganysuchuncomfortablediscovery，satdowninhertidylittlemannertoneedlework，andbeganstitchingawayatagreatrate。

Thesilenceallabouthersoongrewveryoppressive，andthemoresobecauseoftheoddinconsistencythatthemoresilentitwas，themorenoisestherewere。Thenoiseofherownneedleandthreadasshestitched，wasinfinitelylouderinherearsthanthestitchingofallthesixpupils，andofMissPupford，andofMissPupford’sassistant，allstitchingawayatonceonahighlyemulativeafternoon。Then，theschoolroomclockconducteditselfinawayinwhichithadneverconducteditselfbefore——felllame，somehow，andyetpersistedinrunningonashardandasloudasitcould:theconsequenceofwhichbehaviourwas，thatitstaggeredamongtheminutesinastateofthegreatestconfusion，andknockedthemaboutinalldirectionswithoutappearingtogetonwithitsregularwork。

Perhapsthisalarmedthestairs；butbethatasitmight，theybegantocreakinamostunusualmanner，andthenthefurniturebegantocrack，andthenpoorlittleMissKimmeens，notlikingthefurtiveaspectofthingsingeneral，begantosingasshestitched。But，itwasnotherownvoicethatsheheard——itwassomebodyelsemakingbelievetobeKitty，andsingingexcessivelyflat，withoutanyheart——soasthatwouldnevermendmatters，sheleftoffagain。

By—and—bythestitchingbecamesopalpableafailurethatMissKittyKimmeensfoldedherworkneatly，andputitawayinitsbox，andgaveitup。Thenthequestionaroseaboutreading。Butno；thebookthatwassodelightfulwhentherewassomebodyshelovedforhereyestofallonwhentheyrosefromthepage，hadnotmoreheartinitthanherownsingingnow。Thebookwenttoitsshelfastheneedleworkhadgonetoitsbox，and，sincesomethingMUSTbedone——

thoughtthechild，"I’llgoputmyroomtorights。"

Shesharedherroomwithherdearestlittlefriendamongtheotherfivepupils，andwhythenshouldshenowconceivealurkingdreadofthelittlefriend’sbedstead？Butshedid。Therewasastealthyairaboutitsinnocentwhitecurtains，andtherewereevendarkhintsofadeadgirllyingunderthecoverlet。Thegreatwantofhumancompany，thegreatneedofahumanface，begannowtoexpressitselfinthefacilitywithwhichthefurnitureputonstrangeexaggeratedresemblancestohumanlooks。Achairwithamenacingfrownwashorriblyoutoftemperinacorner；amostviciouschestofdrawerssnarledatherfrombetweenthewindows。Itwasnorelieftoescapefromthosemonsterstothelooking—glass，forthereflectionsaid，"What？Isthatyouallalonethere？Howyoustare！"Andthebackgroundwasallagreatvoidstareaswell。

Thedaydraggedon，draggingKittywithitveryslowlybythehairofherhead，untilitwastimetoeat。Thereweregoodprovisionsinthepantry，buttheirrightflavourandrelishhadevaporatedwiththefivepupils，andMissPupford，andMissPupford’sassistant，andthecookandhousemaid。Wherewastheuseoflayingtheclothsymmetricallyforonesmallguest，whohadgoneoneversincethemorninggrowingsmallerandsmaller，whiletheemptyhousehadgoneonswellinglargerandlarger？TheveryGracecameoutwrong，forwhowere"we"whoweregoingtoreceiveandbethankful？

So，MissKimmeenswasNOTthankful，andfoundherselftakingherdinnerinveryslovenlystyle——gobblingitup，inshort，ratherafterthemanneroftheloweranimals，nottoparticularisethepigs。

But，thiswasbynomeanstheworstofthechangewroughtoutinthenaturallylovingandcheerylittlecreatureasthesolitarydayworeon。Shebegantobroodandbesuspicious。Shediscoveredthatshewasfullofwrongsandinjuries。Allthepeoplesheknew，gottaintedbyherlonelythoughtsandturnedbad。

ItwasallverywellforPapa，awidowerinIndia，tosendherhometobeeducated，andtopayahandsomeroundsumeveryyearforhertoMissPupford，andtowritecharmingletterstohisdarlinglittledaughter；butwhatdidhecareforherbeingleftbyherself，whenhewas（asnodoubthealwayswas）enjoyinghimselfincompanyfrommorningtillnight？Perhapsheonlysentherhere，afterall，togetheroutoftheway。Itlookedlikeit——lookedlikeitto—day，thatis，forshehadneverdreamedofsuchathingbefore。

Andthisoldpupilwhowasbeingmarried。Itwasunsupportablyconceitedandselfishintheoldpupiltobemarried。Shewasveryvain，andverygladtoshowoff；butitwashighlyprobablethatshewasn’tpretty；andevenifshewerepretty（whichMissKimmeensnowtotallydenied），shehadnobusinesstobemarried；and，evenifmarriagewereconceded，shehadnobusinesstoaskMissPupfordtoherwedding。AstoMissPupford，shewastoooldtogotoanywedding。Sheoughttoknowthat。Shehadmuchbetterattendtoherbusiness。Shehadthoughtshelookedniceinthemorning，butshedidn’tlooknice。Shewasastupidoldthing。Gwasanotherstupidoldthing。MissPupford’sassistantwasanother。Theywereallstupidoldthingstogether。

Morethanthat:itbegantobeobviousthatthiswasaplot。Theyhadsaidtooneanother，"NevermindKitty；yougetoff，andI’llgetoff；andwe’llleaveKittytolookafterherself。Whocaresforher？"Tobesuretheywererightinthatquestion；forwhoDIDcareforher，apoorlittlelonelythingagainstwhomtheyallplannedandplotted？Nobody，nobody！HereKittysobbed。

Atallothertimesshewasthepetofthewholehouse，andlovedherfivecompanionsinreturnwithachild’stenderestandmostingenuousattachment；butnow，thefivecompanionsputonuglycolours，andappearedforthefirsttimeunderasullencloud。

Theretheywere，allattheirhomesthatday，beingmademuchof，beingtakenout，beingspoiltandmadedisagreeable，andcaringnothingforher。Itwasliketheirartfulselfishnessalwaystotellherwhentheycameback，underpretenceofconfidenceandfriendship，allthosedetailsaboutwheretheyhadbeen，andwhattheyhaddoneandseen，andhowoftentheyhadsaid，"O！IfwehadonlydarlinglittleKittyhere！"Hereindeed！Idaresay！Whentheycamebackaftertheholidays，theywereusedtobeingreceivedbyKitty，andtosayingthatcomingtoKittywaslikecomingtoanotherhome。Verywellthen，whydidtheygoaway？Ifthemeantit，whydidtheygoaway？Letthemanswerthat。Buttheydidn’tmeanit，andcouldn’tanswerthat，andtheydidn’ttellthetruth，andpeoplewhodidn’ttellthetruthwerehateful。Whentheycamebacknexttime，theyshouldbereceivedinanewmanner；theyshouldbeavoidedandshunned。

Andthere，thewhileshesatallalonerevolvinghowillshewasused，andhowmuchbettershewasthanthepeoplewhowerenotalone，theweddingbreakfastwasgoingon:noquestionofit！Withanastygreatbride—cake，andwiththoseridiculousorange—flowers，andwiththatconceitedbride，andthathideousbridegroom，andthoseheartlessbridesmaids，andMissPupfordstuckupatthetable！

Theythoughttheywereenjoyingthemselves，butitwouldcomehometothemonedaytohavethoughtso。Theywouldallbedeadinafewyears，letthemenjoythemselveseversomuch。Itwasareligiouscomforttoknowthat。

Itwassuchacomforttoknowit，thatlittleMissKittyKimmeenssuddenlysprangfromthechairinwhichshehadbeenmusinginacorner，andcriedout，"Othoseenviousthoughtsarenotmine，O

thiswickedcreatureisn’tme！Helpme，somebody！Igowrong，alonebymyweakself！Helpme，anybody！"

"——MissKimmeensisnotaprofessedphilosopher，sir，"saidMr。

Traveller，presentingheratthebarredwindow，andsmoothinghershininghair，"butIapprehendtherewassometinctureofphilosophyinherwords，andinthepromptactionwithwhichshefollowedthem。

Thatactionwas，toemergefromherunnaturalsolitude，andlookabroadforwholesomesympathy，tobestowandtoreceive。Herfootstepsstrayedtothisgate，bringingherherebychance，asanappositecontrasttoyou。Thechildcameout，sir。Ifyouhavethewisdomtolearnfromachild（butIdoubtit，forthatrequiresmorewisdomthanoneinyourconditionwouldseemtopossess），youcannotdobetterthanimitatethechild，andcomeouttoo——fromthatverydemoralisinghutchofyours。"

CHAPTERVII——PICKINGUPTHETINKER

Itwasnowsunset。TheHermithadbetakenhimselftohisbedofcindershalfanhourago，andlyingonitinhisblanketandskewerwithhisbacktothewindow，tooknotthesmallestheedoftheappealaddressedtohim。

Allthathadbeensaidforthelasttwohours，hadbeensaidtoatinklingaccompanimentperformedbytheTinker，whohadgottoworkuponsomevillager’spotorkettle，andwasworkingbrisklyoutside。

Thismusicstillcontinuing，seemedtoputitintoMr。Traveller’smindtohaveanotherwordortwowiththeTinker。So，holdingMissKimmeens（withwhomhewasnowonthemostfriendlyterms）bythehand，hewentoutatthegatetowheretheTinkerwasseatedathisworkonthepatchofgrassontheoppositesideoftheroad，withhiswalletoftoolsopenbeforehim，andhislittlefiresmoking。

"Iamgladtoseeyouemployed，"saidMr。Traveller。

"IamgladtoBEemployed，"returnedtheTinker，lookingupasheputthefinishingtouchestohisjob。"Butwhyareyouglad？"

IthoughtyouwerealazyfellowwhenIsawyouthismorning。"

"Iwasonlydisgusted，"saidtheTinker。

"Doyoumeanwiththefineweather？"

"Withthefineweather？"repeatedtheTinker，staring。

"Youtoldmeyouwerenotparticularastoweather，andIthought——"

"Ha，ha！Howshouldsuchasmegeton，ifweWASparticularastoweather？Wemusttakeitasitcomes，andmakethebestofit。

There’ssomethinggoodinallweathers。Ifitdon’thappentobegoodformyworkto—day，it’sgoodforsomeotherman’sto—day，andwillcomeroundtometo—morrow。Wemustalllive。"

"Prayshakehands，"saidMr。Traveller。

"Takecare，sir，"wastheTinker’scaution，ashereacheduphishandinsurprise；"theblackcomesoff。"

"Iamgladofit，"saidMr。Traveller。"Ihavebeenforseveralhoursamongotherblackthatdoesnotcomeoff。"

"YouarespeakingofTominthere？"

"Yes。"

"Wellnow，"saidtheTinker，blowingthedustoffhisjob:whichwasfinished。"Ain’titenoughtodisgustapig，ifhecouldgivehismindtoit？"

"Ifhecouldgivehismindtoit，"returnedtheother，smiling，"theprobabilityisthathewouldn’tbeapig。"

"Thereyouclenchthenail，"returnedtheTinker。"Thenwhat’stobesaidforTom？"

"Truly，verylittle。"

"Trulynothingyoumean，sir，"saidtheTinker，asheputawayhistools。

"Abetteranswer，and（Ifreelyacknowledge）mymeaning。Iinferthathewasthecauseofyourdisgust？"

"Why，look’eehere，sir，"saidtheTinker，risingtohisfeet，andwipinghisfaceonthecornerofhisblackapronenergetically；"I

leaveyoutojudge！——Iaskyou！——LastnightIhasajobthatneedstobedoneinthenight，andIworksallnight。Well，there’snothinginthat。ButthismorningIcomesalongthisroadhere，lookingforasunnyandsoftspottosleepin，andIseesthisdesolationandruination。I’velivedmyselfindesolationandruination；Iknowsmanyafellow—creeturthat’sforcedtolivelifelongindesolationandruination；andIsitsmedownandtakespityonit，asIcastsmyeyesabout。Thencomesupthelong—windedoneasItoldyouof，fromthatgate，andspinshimselfoutlikeasilkwormconcerningtheDonkey（ifmyDonkeyathomewillexcuseme）

ashasmadeitall——madeitofhisownchoice！Andtellsme，ifyouplease，ofhislikewisechoosingtogoraggedandnaked，andgrimy——

maskerading，mountebanking，inwhatistherealhardlotofthousandsandthousands！Why，thenIsayit’saunbearableandnonsensicalpieceofinconsistency，andI’mdisgusted。I’mashamedanddisgusted！"

"Iwishyouwouldcomeandlookathim，"saidMr。Traveller，clappingtheTinkerontheshoulder。

"NotI，sir，"herejoined。"Iain’tagoingtoflatterhimupbylookingathim！"

"Butheisasleep。"

"Areyousureheisasleep？"askedtheTinker，withanunwillingair，asheshoulderedhiswallet。

"Sure。"

"ThenI’lllookathimforaquarterofaminute，"saidtheTinker，"sinceyousomuchwishit；butnotamomentlonger。"

Theyallthreewentbackacrosstheroad；and，throughthebarredwindow，bythedyingglowofthesunsetcominginatthegate——whichthechildheldopenforitsadmission——hecouldbeprettyclearlydiscernedlyingonhisbed。

"Youseehim？"askedMr。Traveller。

"Yes，"returnedtheTinker，"andhe’sworsethanIthoughthim。"

Mr。Travellerthenwhisperedinfewwordswhathehaddonesincemorning；andaskedtheTinkerwhathethoughtofthat？

"Ithink，"returnedtheTinker，asheturnedfromthewindow，"thatyou’vewastedadayonhim。"

"Ithinksotoo；thoughnot，Ihope，uponmyself。DoyouhappentobegoinganywherenearthePealofBells？"

"That’smydirectway，sir，"saidtheTinker。

"Iinviteyoutosupperthere。AndasIlearnfromthisyoungladythatshegoessomethree—quartersofamileinthesamedirection，wewilldropherontheroad，andwewillsparetimetokeephercompanyathergardengateuntilherownBellacomeshome。"

So，Mr。Traveller，andthechild，andtheTinker，wentalongveryamicablyinthesweet—scentedevening；andthemoralwithwhichtheTinkerdismissedthesubjectwas，thathesaidinhistradethatmetalthatrottedforwantofuse，hadbetterbelefttorot，andcouldn’trottoosoon，consideringhowmuchtruemetalrottedfromover—useandhardservice。

Footnotes:

{1}Dickensdidn’twritechapters2to5andtheyareomittedinthisedition。