第6章
THEMAPPINEDLIFE
"TheseMappinTerracesattheZoologicalGardensareagreatimprovementontheoldstyleofwild-beastcage，"saidMrs。JamesGurtleberry，puttingdownanillustratedpaper；"theygiveonetheillusionofseeingtheanimalsintheirnaturalsurroundings。I
wonderhowmuchoftheillusionispassedontotheanimals？"
"Thatwoulddependontheanimal，"saidherniece；"ajungle-fowl，forinstance，wouldnodoubtthinkitslawfuljunglesurroundingswerefaithfullyreproducedifyougaveitasufficiencyofwives，agoodlyvarietyofseedfoodandants"eggs，acommodiousbankoflooseearthtodustitselfin，aconvenientroostingtree，andarivalortwotomakemattersinteresting。Ofcoursethereoughttobejungle-catsandbirdsofpreyandotheragenciesofsuddendeathtoaddtotheillusionofliberty，butthebird"sownimaginationiscapableofinventingthose——lookhowadomesticfowlwillsquawkanalarmnoteifarookorwoodpigeonpassesoveritsrunwhenithaschickens。"
"Youthink，then，theyreallydohaveasortofillusion，ifyougivethemspaceenough——"
"Inafewcasesonly。Nothingwillmakemebelievethatanacreorsoofconcreteenclosurewillmakeuptoawolforatiger-catfortherangeofnightprowlingthatwouldbelongtoitinawildstate。
Thinkofthedictionaryofsoundandscentandrecollectionthatunfoldsbeforearealwildbeatasitcomesoutfromitslaireveryevening，withtheknowledgethatinafewminutesitwillbehieingalongtosomedistanthuntinggroundwhereallthejoyandfuryofthechaseawaitsit；thinkofthecrowdedsensationsofthebrainwheneveryrustle，everycry，everybenttwig，andeverywhiffacrossthenostrilsmeanssomething，somethingtodowithlifeanddeathanddinner。Imaginethesatisfactionofstealingdowntoyourownparticulardrinkingspot，choosingyourownparticulartreetoscrapeyourclawson，findingyourownparticularbedofdriedgrasstorollon。Then，intheplaceofallthat，putaconcretepromenade，whichwillbeofexactlythesamedimensionswhetheryouraceorcrawlacrossit，coatedwithstale，unvaryingscentsandsurroundedwithcriesandnoisesthathaveceasedtohavetheleastmeaningorinterest。Asasubstituteforanarrowcagethenewenclosuresareexcellent，butIshouldthinktheyareapoorimitationofalifeofliberty。"
"It"sratherdepressingtothinkthat，"saidMrs。Gurtleberry；"theylooksospaciousandsonatural，butIsupposeagooddealofwhatseemsnaturaltouswouldbemeaninglesstoawildanimal。"
"Thatiswhereoursuperiorpowersofself-deceptioncomein，"saidtheniece；"weareabletoliveourunreal，stupidlittlelivesonourparticularMappinterrace，andpersuadeourselvesthatwereallyareuntrammelledmenandwomenleadingareasonableexistenceinareasonablesphere。"
"Butgoodgracious，"exclaimedtheaunt，bouncingintoanattitudeofscandaliseddefence，"weareleadingreasonableexistences！Whatonearthdoyoumeanbytrammels？Wearemerelytrammelledbytheordinarydecentconventionsofcivilisedsociety。"
"Wearetrammelled，"saidtheniece，calmlyandpitilessly，"byrestrictionsofincomeandopportunity，andaboveallbylackofinitiative。Tosomepeoplearestrictedincomedoesn"tmatterabit，infactitoftenseemstohelpasameansforgettingalotofrealityoutoflife；IamsuretherearemenandwomenwhodotheirshoppinginlittlebackstreetsofParis，buyingfourcarrotsandashredofbeeffortheirdailysustenance，wholeadaperfectlyrealandeventfulexistence。Lackofinitiativeisthethingthatreallycripplesone，andthatiswhereyouandIandUncleJamesaresohopelesslyshutin。WearejustsomanyanimalsstuckdownonaMappinterrace，withthisdifferenceinourdisfavour，thattheanimalsaretheretobelookedat，whilenobodywantstolookatus。
Asamatteroffacttherewouldbenothingtolookat。Wegetcoldsinwinterandhayfeverinsummer，andifawasphappenstostingoneofus，well，thatisthewasp"sinitiative，notours；allwedoistowaitfortheswellingtogodown。Wheneverwedoclimbintolocalfameandnotice，itisbyindirectmethods；ifithappenstobeagoodfloweringyearformagnoliastheneighbourhoodobserves：
"HaveyouseentheGurtleberry"smagnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，"andwegoabouttellingpeoplethattherearefifty-sevenblossomsasagainstthirty-ninethepreviousyear。"
"InCoronationyeartherewereasmanyassixty，"putintheaunt，"yourunclehaskeptarecordforthelasteightyears。"
"Doesn"titeverstrikeyou，"continuedtheniecerelentlessly，"thatifwemovedawayfromhereorwereblottedoutofexistenceourlocalclaimtofamewouldpassonautomaticallytowhoeverhappenedtotakethehouseandgarden？Peoplewouldsaytooneanother，"HaveyouseentheSmith-Jenkins"magnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，"orelse"Smith-Jenkinstellsmetherewon"tbeasingleblossomontheirmagnoliathisyear；theeastwindshaveturnedallthebudsblack。"Nowif，whenwehadgone，peoplestillassociatedournameswiththemagnoliatree，nomatterwhotemporarilypossessedit，iftheysaid，"Ah，that"sthetreeonwhichtheGurtleberryshungtheircookbecauseshesentupthewrongkindofsaucewiththeasparagus，"thatwouldbesomethingreallyduetoourowninitiative，apartfromanythingeastwindsormagnoliavitalitymighthavetosayinthematter。"
"Weshouldneverdosuchathing，"saidtheaunt。
Theniecegaveareluctantsigh。
"Ican"timagineit，"sheadmitted。"Ofcourse，"shecontinued，"thereareheapsofwaysofleadingarealexistencewithoutcommittingsensationaldeedsofviolence。It"sthedreadfullittleeverydayactsofpretendedimportancethatgivetheMappinstamptoourlife。Itwouldbeentertaining，ifitwasn"tsopatheticallytragic，tohearUncleJamesfussinhereinthemorningandannounce，"ImustjustgodownintothetownandfindoutwhatthementherearesayingaboutMexico。Mattersarebeginningtolookseriousthere。"Thenhepattersawayintothetown，andtalksinahighlyseriousvoicetothetobacconist，incidentallybuyinganounceoftobacco；perhapshemeetsoneortwoothersoftheworld"sthinkersandtalkstotheminahighlyseriousvoice，thenhepattersbackhereandannounceswithincreasedimportance，"I"vejustbeentalkingtosomemeninthetownabouttheconditionofaffairsinMexico。TheyagreewiththeviewthatIhaveformed，thatthingstherewillhavetogetworsebeforetheygetbetter。"
OfcoursenobodyinthetowncaredintheleastlittlebitwhathisviewsaboutMexicowereorwhetherhehadany。Thetobacconistwasn"tevenflutteredathisbuyingtheounceoftobacco；heknowsthathepurchasesthesamequantityofthesamesortoftobaccoeveryweek。UncleJamesmightjustaswellhavelainonhisbackinthegardenandchatteredtothelilactreeaboutthehabitsofcaterpillars。"
"Ireallywillnotlistentosuchthingsaboutyouruncle，"
protestedMrs。JamesGurtleberryangrily。
"Myowncaseisjustasbadandjustastragic，"saidtheniece，dispassionately；"nearlyeverythingaboutmeisconventionalmake-
believe。I"mnotagooddancer，andnoonecouldhonestlycallmegood-looking，butwhenIgotooneofourdulllittlelocaldancesI"mconventionallysupposedto"haveaheavenlytime，"toattracttheardenthomageofthelocalcavaliers，andtogohomewithmyheadawhirlwithpleasurablerecollections。Asamatteroffact，I"vemerelyputinsomehoursofindifferentdancing，drunksomebadly-madeclaretcup，andlistenedtoanenormousamountoflaboriouslightconversation。Amoonlighthen-stealingraidwiththemerry-eyedcuratewouldbeinfinitelymoreexciting；imaginethepleasureofcarryingoffallthosewhiteminorcasthattheChibfordsarealwaysbraggingabout。Whenwehaddisposedofthemwecouldgivetheproceedstoacharity，sotherewouldbenothingreallywrongaboutit。ButnothingofthatsortlieswithintheMappinedlimitsofmylife。Oneofthesedayssomebodydullanddecorousandundistinguishedwill"makehimselfagreeable"tomeatatennisparty，asthesayingis，andallthedulloldgossipsoftheneighbourhoodwillbegintoaskwhenwearetobeengaged，andatlastweshallbeengaged，andpeoplewillgiveusbutter-dishesandblotting-casesandframedpicturesofyoungwomenfeedingswans。
Hullo，Uncle，areyougoingout？"
"I"mjustgoingdowntothetown，"announcedMr。JamesGurtleberry，withanairofsomeimportance："IwanttohearwhatpeoplearesayingaboutAlbania。Affairstherearebeginningtotakeonaveryseriouslook。It"smyopinionthatwehaven"tseentheworstofthingsyet。"
Inthishewasprobablyright，buttherewasnothingintheimmediateorprospectiveconditionofAlbaniatowarrantMrs。
Gurtleberryinburstingintotears。
FATE
RexDillotwasnearlytwenty-four，almostgood-lookingandquitepenniless。Hismotherwassupposedtomakehimsomesortofanallowanceoutofwhathercreditorsallowedher，andRexoccasionallystrayedintotheranksofthosewhoearnfitfulsalariesassecretariesorcompanionstopeoplewhoareunabletocopeunaidedwiththeircorrespondenceortheirleisure。Forafewmonthshehadbeenassistanteditorandbusinessmanagerofapaperdevotedtofancymice，butthedevotionhadbeenallononeside，andthepaperdisappearedwithacertainabruptnessfromclubreading-roomsandotherhauntswhereithadmadeagratuitousappearance。Still，Rexlivedwithsomeairofcomfortandwell-
being，asonecanliveifoneisbornwithageniusforthatsortofthing，andakindlyProvidenceusuallyarrangedthathisweek-endinvitationscoincidedwiththedatesonwhichhisonewhitedinner-
waistcoatwasinalaundry-returnedconditionofdazzlingcleanness。
Heplayedmostgamesbadly，andwasshrewdenoughtorecognisethefact，buthehaddevelopedamarvellouslyaccuratejudgementinestimatingtheplayandchancesofotherpeople，whetherinagolfmatch，billiardhandicap，orcroquettournament。Bydintofparadinghisopinionofsuchandsuchaplayer"ssuperioritywithasufficientdegreeofyouthfulassertivenessheusuallysucceededinprovokingawageratliberalodds，andhelookedtohisweek-endwinningstocarryhimthroughthefinancialembarrassmentsofhismid-weekexistence。Thetroublewas，asheconfidedtoClovisSangrail，thatheneverhadenoughavailableorevenprospectivecashathiscommandtoenablehimtofixthewageratafigurereallyworthwinning。
"Someday，"hesaid，"Ishallcomeacrossareallysafething，abetthatsimplycan"tgoastray，andthenIshallputitupforallI"mworth，orratherforagooddealmorethanI"mworthifyousoldmeuptothelastbutton。"
"Itwouldbeawkwardifitdidn"thappentocomeoff，"saidClovis。
"Itwouldbemorethanawkward，"saidRex；"itwouldbeatragedy。
Allthesame，itwouldbeextremelyamusingtobringitoff。Fancyawakinginthemorningwithaboutthreehundredpoundsstandingtoone"scredit。Ishouldgoandclearoutmyhostess"spigeon-loftbeforebreakfastoutofsheergood-temper。"
"Yourhostessofthemomentmightn"thaveapigeon-loft，"saidClovis。
"Ialwayschoosehostessesthathave，"saidRex；"apigeon-loftisindicativeofacareless，extravagant，genialdisposition，suchasI
liketoseearoundme。PeoplewhostrewcornbroadcastforalotoffeatheredinanitiesthatjustsitaboutcooingandgivingeachotherthegladeyeinaLouisQuatorzemannerareprettycertaintodoyouwell。"
"YoungStrinnitiscomingdownthisafternoon，"saidClovisreflectively；"Idaresayyouwon"tfinditdifficulttogethimtobackhimselfatbilliards。Heplaysaprettyusefulgame，buthe"snotquiteasgoodashefanciesheis。"
"Iknowonememberofthepartywhocanwalkroundhim，"saidRexsoftly，analertlookcomingintohiseyes；"thatcadaverous-lookingMajorwhoarrivedlastnight。I"veseenhimplayatSt。Moritz。IfIcouldgetStrinnittolayoddsonhimselfagainsttheMajorthemoneywouldbesafeinmypocket。ThislookslikethegoodthingI"vebeenwatchingandprayingfor。"
"Don"tberash，"counselledClovis，"Strinnitmayplayuptohisself-imaginedformonceinabluemoon。"
"Iintendtoberash，"saidRexquietly，andthelookonhisfacecorroboratedhiswords。
"Areyouallgoingtoflocktothebilliard-room？"askedTeresaThundleford，afterdinner，withanairofsomedisapprovalandagooddealofannoyance。"Ican"tseewhatparticularamusementyoufindinwatchingtwomenproddinglittleivoryballsaboutonatable。"
"Oh，well，"saidherhostess，"it"sawayofpassingthetime，youknow。"
"Averypoorway，tomymind，"saidMrs。Thundleford；"nowIwasgoingtohaveshownallofyouthephotographsItookinVenicelastsummer。"
"Youshowedthemtouslastnight，"saidMrs。Cuveringhastily。
"ThoseweretheonesItookinFlorence。Thesearequiteadifferentlot。"
"Oh，well，sometimeto-morrowwecanlookatthem。Youcanleavethemdowninthedrawing-room，andtheneveryonecanhavealook。"
"Ishouldprefertoshowthemwhenyouareallgatheredtogether，asIhavequitealotofexplanatoryremarkstomake，aboutVenetianartandarchitecture，onthesamelinesasmyremarkslastnightontheFlorentinegalleries。Also，therearesomeversesofminethatIshouldliketoreadyou，ontherebuildingoftheCampanile。But，ofcourse，ifyouallprefertowatchMajorLattonandMr。Strinnitknockingballsaboutonatable——"
"Theyarebothsupposedtobefirst-rateplayers，"saidthehostess。
"Ihaveyettolearnthatmyversesandmyartcauserieareofsecond-ratequality，"saidMrs。Thundlefordwithacerbity。
"However，asyouallseembentonwatchingasillygame，there"snomoretobesaid。Ishallgoupstairsandfinishsomewriting。
Lateron，perhaps，Iwillcomedownandjoinyou。"
Toone，atleast，oftheonlookersthegamewasanythingbutsilly。
Itwasabsorbing，exciting，exasperating，nerve-stretching，andfinallyitgrewtobetragic。TheMajorwiththeSt。Moritzreputationwasplayingalongwaybelowhisform，youngStrinnitwasplayingslightlyabovehis，andhadalltheluckofthegameaswell。Fromtheverystarttheballsseemedpossessedbyademonofcontrariness；theytrundledaboutcomplacentlyforoneplayer，theywouldgonowherefortheother。
"Ahundredandseventy，seventy-four，"sangouttheyouthwhowasmarking。Inagameoftwohundredandfiftyupitwasanenormousleadtohold。CloviswatchedtheflushofexcitementdieawayfromDillot"sface，andahardwhitelooktakeitsplace。
"Howmuchhaveyougoon？"whisperedClovis。Theotherwhisperedthesumthroughdry，shakinglips。Itwasmorethanheoranyoneconnectedwithhimcouldpay；hehaddonewhathehadsaidhewoulddo。Hehadbeenrash。
"Twohundredandsix，ninety-eight。"
Rexheardaclockstriketensomewhereinthehall，thenanothersomewhereelse，andanother，andanother；thehouseseemedfullofstrikingclocks。Theninthedistancethestableclockchimedin。
Inanotherhourtheywouldallbestrikingeleven，andhewouldbelisteningtothemasadisgracedoutcast，unabletopay，eveninpart，thewagerhehadchallenged。
"Twohundredandeighteen，ahundredandthree。"Thegamewasasgoodasover。Rexwasasgoodasdonefor。Helongeddesperatelyfortheceilingtofallin，forthehousetocatchfire，foranythingtohappenthatwouldputanendtothathorriblerollingtoandfroofredandwhiteivorythatwasjostlinghimnearerandnearertohisdoom。
"Twohundredandtwenty-eight，ahundredandseven。"
Rexopenedhiscigarette-case；itwasempty。Thatatleastgavehimapretexttoslipawayfromtheroomforthepurposeofrefillingit；hewouldsparehimselfthedrawn-outtortureofwatchingthathopelessgameplayedouttothebitterend。Hebackedawayfromthecircleofabsorbedwatchersandmadehiswayupashortstairwaytoalong，silentcorridorofbedrooms，eachwithaguests"namewritteninalittlesquareonthedoor。Inthehushthatreignedinthispartofthehousehecouldstillhearthehatefulclick-clickoftheballs；ifhewaitedforafewminuteslongerhewouldhearthelittleoutbreakofclappingandbuzzofcongratulationthatwouldhailStrinnit"svictory。Onthealerttensionofhisnervestherebrokeanothersound，theaggressive，wrath-inducingbreathingofonewhosleepsinheavyafter-dinnerslumber。Thesoundcamefromaroomjustathiselbow；thecardonthedoorboretheannouncement"Mrs。Thundleford。"Thedoorwasjustslightlyajar；
Rexpusheditopenaninchortwomoreandlookedin。TheaugustTeresahadfallenasleepoveranillustratedguidetoFlorentineart-galleries；atherside，somewhatdangerouslyneartheedgeofthetable，wasareading-lamp。IfFatehadbeendecentlykindtohim，thoughtRex，bitterly，thatlampwouldhavebeenknockedoverbythesleeperandwouldhavegiventhemsomethingtothinkofbesidesbilliardmatches。
Thereareoccasionswhenonemusttakeone"sFateinone"shands。
Rextookthelampinhis。
"Twohundredandthirty-seven，onehundredandfifteen。"Strinnitwasatthetable，andtheballslayingoodpositionforhim；hehadachoiceoftwofairlyeasyshots，achoicewhichhewasnevertodecide。Asuddenhurricaneofshrieksandarushofstumblingfeetsenteveryoneflockingtothedoor。TheDillotboycrashedintotheroom，carryinginhisarmsthevociferousandsomewhatdishevelledTeresaThundleford；herclothingwascertainlynotamassofflames，asthemoreexcitablemembersofthepartyafterwardsdeclared，buttheedgeofherskirtandpartofthetable-coverinwhichshehadbeenhastilywrappedwerealightinaflickering，half-heartedmanner。Rexflunghisstrugglingburdenonthebilliardtable，andforonebreathlessminutetheworkofbeatingoutthesparkswithrugsandcushionsandplayingonthemwithsoda-watersyphonsengrossedtheenergiesoftheentirecompany。
"ItwasluckyIwaspassingwhenithappened，"pantedRex；"someonehadbetterseetotheroom，Ithinkthecarpetisalight。"
Asamatteroffactthepromptitudeandenergyoftherescuerhadpreventedanygreatdamagebeingdone，eithertothevictimorhersurroundings。Thebilliardtablehadsufferedmost，andhadtobelaidupforrepairs；perhapsitwasnotthebestplacetohavechosenforthesceneofsalvageoperations；butthen，asClovisremarked，whenoneisrushingaboutwithablazingwomaninone"sarmsonecan"tstoptothinkoutexactlywhereoneisgoingtoputher。
THEBULL
TomYorkfieldhadalwaysregardedhishalf-brother，Laurence，withalazyinstinctofdislike，toneddown，asyearswenton，toatolerantfeelingofindifference。Therewasnothingverytangibletodislikehimfor；hewasjustablood-relation，withwhomTomhadnosingletasteorinterestincommon，andwithwhom，atthesametime，hehadhadnooccasionforquarrel。Laurencehadleftthefarmearlyinlife，andhadlivedforafewyearsonasmallsumofmoneylefthimbyhismother；hehadtakenuppaintingasaprofession，andwasreportedtobedoingfairlywellatit，wellenough，atanyrate，tokeepbodyandsoultogether。Hespecialisedinpaintinganimals，andhewassuccessfulinfindingacertainnumberofpeopletobuyhispictures。Tomfeltacomfortingsenseofassuredsuperiorityincontrastinghispositionwiththatofhishalf-brother；Laurencewasanartist-chap，justthatandnothingmore，thoughyoumightmakeitsoundmoreimportantbycallingananimalpainter；Tomwasafarmer，notinaverybigway，itwastrue，buttheHelseryfarmhadbeeninthefamilyforsomegenerations，andithadagoodreputationforthestockraisedonit。Tomhaddonehisbest，withthelittlecapitalathiscommand，tomaintainandimprovethestandardofhissmallherdofcattle，andinCloverFairyhehadbredabullwhichwassomethingratherbetterthananythathisimmediateneighbourscouldshow。Itwouldnothavemadeasensationinthejudging-ringatanimportantcattleshow，butitwasasvigorous，shapely，andhealthyayounganimalasanysmallpracticalfarmercouldwishtopossess。AttheKing"sHeadonmarketdaysCloverFairywasveryhighlyspokenof，andYorkfieldusedtodeclarethathewouldnotpartwithhimforahundredpounds；ahundredpoundsisalotofmoneyinthesmallfarmingline，andprobablyanythingovereightywouldhavetemptedhim。
ItwaswithsomeespecialpleasurethatTomtookadvantageofoneofLaurence"srarevisitstothefarmtoleadhimdowntotheenclosurewhereCloverFairykeptsolitarystate——thegrasswidowerofagrazingharem。Tomfeltsomeofhisolddislikeforhishalf-
brotherreviving；theartistwasbecomingmorelanguidinhismanner，moreunsuitablyturned-outinattire，andheseemedinclinedtoimpartaslightlypatronisingtonetohisconversation。Hetooknoheedofaflourishingpotatocrop，butwaxedenthusiasticoveraclumpofyellow-floweringweedthatstoodinacornerbyagateway，whichwasrathergallingtotheownerofareallyverywellweededfarm；again，whenhemighthavebeendulycomplimentaryaboutagroupoffat，black-facedlambs，thatsimplycriedaloudforadmiration，hebecameeloquentoverthefoliagetintsofanoakcopseonthehillopposite。ButnowhewasbeingtakentoinspectthecrowningprideandgloryofHelsery；howevergrudginghemightbeinhispraises，howeverbackwardandniggardlywithhiscongratulations，hewouldhavetoseeandacknowledgethemanyexcellencesofthatredoubtableanimal。Someweeksago，whileonabusinessjourneytoTaunton，Tomhadbeeninvitedbyhishalf-
brothertovisitastudiointhattown，whereLaurencewasexhibitingoneofhispictures，alargecanvasrepresentingabullstandingknee-deepinsomemarshyground；ithadbeengoodofitskind，nodoubt，andLaurencehadseemedinordinatelypleasedwithit；"thebestthingI"vedoneyet，"hehadsaidoverandoveragain，andTomhadgenerouslyagreedthatitwasfairlylife-like。Now，themanofpigmentswasgoingtobeshownarealpicture，alivingmodelofstrengthandcomeliness，athingtofeasttheeyeson，apicturethatexhibitednewposeandactionwitheveryshiftingminute，insteadofstandinggluedintooneunvaryingattitudebetweenthefourwallsofaframe。Tomunfastenedastoutwoodendoorandledthewayintoastraw-beddedyard。
"Ishequiet？"askedtheartist，asayoungbullwithacurlyredcoatcameinquiringlytowardsthem。
"He"splayfulattimes，"saidTom，leavinghishalf-brothertowonderwhetherthebull"sideasofplaywereofthecatch-as-catch-
canorder。Laurencemadeoneortwoperfunctorycommentsontheanimal"sappearanceandaskedaquestionorsoastohisageandsuch-likedetails；thenhecoollyturnedthetalkintoanotherchannel。
"DoyourememberthepictureIshowedyouatTaunton？"heasked。
"Yes，"gruntedTom；"awhite-facedbullstandinginsomeslush。
Don"tadmirethoseHerefordsmuchmyself；bulky-lookingbrutes，don"tseemtohavemuchlifeinthem。Daresaythey"reeasiertopaintthatway；now，thisyoungbeggarisonthemoveallthetime，aren"tyou，Fairy？"
"I"vesoldthatpicture，"saidLaurence，withconsiderablecomplacencyinhisvoice。
"Haveyou？"saidTom；"gladtohearit，I"msure。Hopeyou"repleasedwithwhatyou"vegotforit。"
"Igotthreehundredpoundsforit，"saidLaurence。
Tomturnedtowardshimwithaslowlyrisingflushofangerinhisface。Threehundredpounds！UnderthemostfavourablemarketconditionsthathecouldimaginehisprizedCloverFairywouldhardlyfetchahundred，yetherewasapieceofvarnishedcanvas，paintedbyhishalf-brother，sellingforthreetimesthatsum。Itwasacruelinsultthatwenthomewithallthemoreforcebecauseitemphasisedthetriumphofthepatronising，self-satisfiedLaurence。
Theyoungfarmerhadmeanttoputhisrelativejustalittleoutofconceitwithhimselfbydisplayingthejewelofhispossessions，andnowthetableswereturned，andhisvaluedbeastwasmadetolookcheapandinsignificantbesidethepricepaidforamerepicture。
Itwassomonstrouslyunjust；thepaintingwouldneverbeanythingmorethanadexterouspieceofcounterfeitlife，whileCloverFairywastherealthing，amonarchinhislittleworld，apersonalityinthecountryside。Afterhewasdead，even，hewouldstillbesomethingofapersonality；hisdescendantswouldgrazeinthosevalleymeadowsandhillsidepastures，theywouldfillstallandbyreandmilking-shed，theirgoodredcoatswouldspecklethelandscapeandcrowdthemarket-place；menwouldnoteapromisingheiferorawell-proportionedsteer，andsay："Ah，thatonecomesofgoodoldCloverFairy"sstock。"Allthattimethepicturewouldbehanging，lifelessandunchanging，beneathitsdustandvarnish，achattelthatceasedtomeananythingifyouchosetoturnitwithitsbacktothewall。ThesethoughtschasedthemselvesangrilythroughTomYorkfield"smind，buthecouldnotputthemintowords。Whenhegavetonguetohisfeelingsheputmattersbluntlyandharshly。
"Somesoft-wittedfoolsmayliketothrowawaythreehundredpoundsonabitofpaintwork；can"tsayasIenvythemtheirtaste。I"dratherhavetherealthingthanapictureofit。"
Henoddedtowardstheyoungbull，thatwasalternatelystaringatthemwithnoseheldhighandloweringitshornswithahalf-playful，half-impatientshakeofthehead。
Laurencelaughedalaughofirritating，indulgentamusement。
"Idon"tthinkthepurchaserofmybitofpaintwork，asyoucallit，needworryabouthavingthrownhismoneyaway。AsIgettobebetterknownandrecognisedmypictureswillgoupinvalue。Thatparticularonewillprobablyfetchfourhundredinasale-roomfiveorsixyearshence；picturesaren"tabadinvestmentifyouknowenoughtopickouttheworkoftherightmen。Nowyoucan"tsayyourpreciousbullisgoingtogetmorevaluablethelongeryoukeephim；he"llhavehislittleday，andthen，ifyougoonkeepinghim，he"llcomedownatlasttoafewshillingsworthofhoofsandhide，justatatime，perhaps，whenmybullisbeingboughtforabigsumforsomeimportantpicturegallery。"
Itwastoomuch。TheunitedforceoftruthandslanderandinsultputoverheavyastrainonTomYorkfield"spowersofrestraint。Inhisrighthandheheldausefuloakcudgel，withhislefthemadeagrabattheloosecollarofLaurence"scanary-colouredsilkshirt。
Laurencewasnotafightingman；thefearofphysicalviolencethrewhimoffhisbalanceascompletelyasovermasteringindignationhadthrownTomoffhis，andthusitcametopassthatCloverFairywasregaledwiththeunprecedentedsightofahumanbeingscuddingandsquawkingacrosstheenclosure，likethehenthatwouldpersistintryingtoestablishanesting-placeinthemanger。InanothercrowdedhappymomentthebullwastryingtojerkLaurenceoverhisleftshoulder，toprodhimintheribswhilestillintheair，andtokneelonhimwhenhereachedtheground。ItwasonlythevigorousinterventionofTomthatinducedhimtorelinquishthelastitemofhisprogramme。
Tomdevotedlyandungrudginglynursedhishalfbrothertoacompleterecoveryfromhisinjuries，whichconsistedofnothingmoreseriousthanadislocatedshoulder，abrokenribortwo，andalittlenervousprostration。Afterall，therewasnofurtheroccasionforrancourintheyoungfarmer"smind；Laurence"sbullmightsellforthreehundred，orforsixhundred，andbeadmiredbythousandsinsomebigpicturegallery，butitwouldnevertossamanoveroneshoulderandcatchhimajabintheribsbeforehehadfallenontheotherside。ThatwasCloverFairy"snoteworthyachievement，whichcouldneverbetakenawayfromhim。
Laurencecontinuestobepopularasananimalartist，buthissubjectsarealwayskittensorfawnsorlambkins——neverbulls。
MORLVERA
TheOlympicToyEmporiumoccupiedaconspicuousfrontageinanimportantWestEndstreet。ItwashappilynamedToyEmporium，becauseonewouldneverhavedreamedofaccordingitthefamiliarandyetpulse-quickeningnameoftoyshop。Therewasanairofcoldsplendourandelaboratefailureaboutthewaresthatweresetoutinitsamplewindows；theywerethesortoftoysthatatiredshop-
assistantdisplaysandexplainsatChristmastimetoexclamatoryparentsandbored，silentchildren。Theanimaltoyslookedmorelikenaturalhistorymodelsthanthecomfortable，sympatheticcompanionsthatonewouldwish，atacertainage，totaketobedwithone，andtosmuggleintothebath-room。Themechanicaltoysincessantlydidthingsthatnoonecouldwantatoytodomorethanahalfadozentimesinitslife-time；itwasamercifulreflectionthatinanyright-mindednurserythelifetimewouldcertainlybeshort。
Prominentamongtheelegantly-dresseddollsthatfilledanentiresectionofthewindowfrontagewasalargehobble-skirtedladyinaconfectionofpeach-colouredvelvet，elaboratelysetoffwithleopardskinaccessories，ifonemayusesuchaconvenientlycomprehensivewordindescribinganintricatefemininetoilette。
Shelackednothingthatistobefoundinacarefullydetailedfashion-plate——infact，shemightbesaidtohavesomethingmorethantheaveragefashion-platefemalepossesses；inplaceofavacant，expressionlessstareshehadcharacterinherface。Itmustbeadmittedthatitwasbadcharacter，cold，hostile，inquisitorial，withasinisterloweringofoneeyebrowandamercilesshardnessaboutthecornersofthemouth。Onemighthaveimaginedhistoriesaboutherbythehour，historiesinwhichunworthyambition，thedesireformoney，andanentireabsenceofalldecentfeelingwouldplayaconspicuouspart。
Asamatteroffact，shewasnotwithoutherjudgesandbiographers，eveninthisshop-windowstageofhercareer。Emmeline，agedten，andBert，agedseven，hadhaltedonthewayfromtheirobscurebackstreettotheminnow-stockedwaterofSt。James"sPark，andwerecriticallyexaminingthehobble-skirteddoll，anddissectinghercharacterinnoverytolerantspirit。Thereisprobablyalatentenmitybetweenthenecessarilyunder-cladandtheunnecessarilyover-dressed，butalittlekindnessandgoodfellowshiponthepartofthelatterwilloftenchangethesentimenttoadmiringdevotion；
iftheladyinpeach-colouredvelvetandleopardskinhadwornapleasantexpressioninadditiontoherotherelaboratefurnishings，Emmelineatleastmighthaverespectedandevenlovedher。Asitwas，shegaveherahorriblereputation，basedchieflyonasecondhandknowledgeofgildeddepravityderivedfromtheconversationofthosewhowereskilledintheartofnovelettereading；Bertfilledinafewdamagingdetailsfromhisownlimitedimagination。
"She"sabadlot，thatoneis，"declaredEmmeline，afteralongunfriendlystare；""er"usbind"ates"er。"
""Eknocks"erabart，"saidBert，withenthusiasm。
"No，"edon"t，cos"e"sdead；shepoisoned"imslowandgradual，sothatnobodydidn"tknow。Nowshewantstomarryalord，with"eapsand"eapsofmoney。"E"sgotawifealready，butshe"sgoingtopoison"er，too。"
"She"sabadlot，"saidBertwithgrowinghostility。
""Ermother"atesher，andshe"safraidof"er，too，cosshe"sgotaserkestictongue；alwaystalkingserkesms，sheis。She"sgreedy，too；ifthere"sfishgoing，sheeats"erownshareand"erlittlegirl"saswell，thoughthelittlegirlisdellikit。"
"She"adalittleboyonce，"saidBert，"butshepushed"imintothewaterwhennobodywasn"tlooking。"
"Noshedidn"t，"saidEmmeline，"shesent"imawaytobekep"bypoorpeople，so"er"usbindwouldn"tknowwhere"ewas。Theyill-
treat"imsomethinkcruel。"
"Wot"s"ernime？"askedBert，thinkingthatitwastimethatsointerestingapersonalityshouldbelabelled。
""Ernime？"saidEmmeline，thinkinghard，""ernime"sMorlvera。"Itwasasnearasshecouldgettothenameofanadventuresswhofiguredprominentlyinacinemadrama。Therewassilenceforamomentwhilethepossibilitiesofthenamewereturnedoverinthechildren"sminds。
"Thoseclothesshe"sgotonain"tpaidfor，andneverwon"tbe，"
saidEmmeline；"shethinksshe"llgettherichlordtopayfor"em，but"ewon"t。"E"sgiven"erjools，"underdsofpounds"worth。"
""Ewon"tpayfortheclothes，"saidBert，withconviction。
Evidentlytherewassomelimittotheweakgoodnatureofwealthylords。
Atthatmomentamotorcarriagewithliveriedservantsdrewupattheemporiumentrance；alargelady，withapenetratingandratherhurriedmanneroftalking，steppedout，followedslowlyandsulkilybyasmallboy，whohadaveryblackscowlonhisfaceandaverywhitesailorsuitovertherestofhim。TheladywascontinuinganargumentwhichhadprobablycommencedinPortmanSquare。
"Now，Victor，youaretocomeinandbuyanicedollforyourcousinBertha。Shegaveyouabeautifulboxofsoldiersonyourbirthday，andyoumustgiveherapresentonhers。"
"Berthaisafatlittlefool，"saidVictor，inavoicethatwasasloudashismother"sandhadmoreassuranceinit。
"Victor，youarenottosaysuchthings。Berthaisnotafool，andsheisnotintheleastfat。Youaretocomeinandchooseadollforher。"
Thecouplepassedintotheshop，outofviewandhearingofthetwoback-streetchildren。
"My，heisinawickedtemper，"exclaimedEmmeline，butbothsheandBertwereinclinedtosidewithhimagainsttheabsentBertha，whowasdoubtlessasfatandfoolishashehaddescribedhertobe。
"Iwanttoseesomedolls，"saidthemotherofVictortothenearestassistant；"it"sforalittlegirlofeleven。"
"Afatlittlegirlofeleven，"addedVictorbywayofsupplementaryinformation。
"Victor，ifyousaysuchrudethingsaboutyourcousin，youshallgotobedthemomentwegethome，withouthavinganytea。"
"Thisisoneofthenewestthingswehaveindolls，"saidtheassistant，removingahobble-skirtedfigureinpeach-colouredvelvetfromthewindow；"leopardskintoqueandstole，thelatestfashion。
Youwon"tgetanythingnewerthanthatanywhere。It"sanexclusivedesign。"
"Look！"whisperedEmmelineoutside；"they"vebinandtookMorlvera。"
Therewasaminglingofexcitementandacertainsenseofbereavementinhermind；shewouldhavelikedtogazeatthatembodimentofoverdresseddepravityforjustalittlelonger。
"I"spectshe"sgoingawayinakerridgetomarrytherichlord，"
hazardedBert。
"She"suptonogood，"saidEmmelinevaguely。
Insidetheshopthepurchaseofthedollhadbeendecidedon。
"It"sabeautifuldoll，andBerthawillbedelightedwithit，"
assertedthemotherofVictorloudly。
"Oh，verywell，"saidVictorsulkily；"youneedn"thaveitstuckintoaboxandwaitanhourwhileit"sbeingdoneupintoaparcel。
I"lltakeitasitis，andwecangoroundtoManchesterSquareandgiveittoBertha，andgetthethingdonewith。Thatwillsavemethetroubleofwriting："FordearBertha，withVictor"slove，"onabitofpaper。"
"Verywell，"saidhismother，"wecangotoManchesterSquareonourwayhome。Youmustwishhermanyhappyreturnsofto-morrow，andgiveherthedoll。"
"Iwon"tletthelittlebeastkissme，"stipulatedVictor。
Hismothersaidnothing；Victorhadnotbeenhalfastroublesomeasshehadanticipated。Whenhechosehecouldreallybedreadfullynaughty。
EmmelineandBertwerejustmovingawayfromthewindowwhenMorlveramadeherexitfromtheshop，verycarefullyinVictor"sarms。Alookofsinistertriumphseemedtoglowinherhard，inquisitorialface。AsforVictor，acertainscornfulserenityhadreplacedtheearlierscowls；hehadevidentlyaccepteddefeatwithacontemptuousgoodgrace。
Thetallladygaveadirectiontothefootmanandsettledherselfinthecarriage。Thelittlefigureinthewhitesailorsuitclamberedinbesideher，stillcarefullyholdingtheelegantlygarbeddoll。
Thecarhadtobebackedafewyardsintheprocessofturning。
Verystealthily，verygently，verymercilesslyVictorsentMorlveraflyingoverhisshoulder，sothatshefellintotheroadjustbehindtheretrogressingwheel。Withasoft，pleasant-soundingscrunchthecarwentovertheprostrateform，thenitmovedforwardagainwithanotherscrunch。ThecarriagemovedoffandleftBertandEmmelinegazinginscareddelightatasorrymessofpetrol-smearedvelvet，sawdust，andleopardskin，whichwasallthatremainedofthehatefulMorlvera。Theygaveashrillcheer，andthenracedawayshudderingfromthesceneofsomuchrapidlyenactedtragedy。
Laterthatafternoon，whentheywereengagedinthepursuitofminnowsbythewatersideinSt。James"sPark，EmmelinesaidinasolemnundertonetoBert-
"I"vebinfinking。Doyouknowoo"ewas？"Ewas"erlittleboywotshe"dsentawaytolivewivpoorfolks。"Ecomebackanddonethat。"
SHOCKTATICS
OnalatespringafternoonEllaMcCarthysatonagreen-paintedchairinKensingtonGardens，staringlistlesslyatanuninterestingstretchofparklandscape，thatblossomedsuddenlyintotropicalradianceasanexpectedfigureappearedinthemiddledistance。
"Hullo，Bertie！"sheexclaimedsedately，whenthefigurearrivedatthepaintedchairthatwasthenearestneighbourtoherown，anddroppedintoiteagerly，yetwithacertaindueregardforthesetofitstrousers；"hasn"titbeenaperfectspringafternoon？"
ThestatementwasadistinctuntruthasfarasElla"sownfeelingswereconcerned；untilthearrivalofBertietheafternoonhadbeenanythingbutperfect。
Bertiemadeasuitablereply，inwhichaquestioningnoteseemedtohover。
"Thankyoueversomuchforthoselovelyhandkerchiefs，"saidElla，answeringtheunspokenquestion；"theywerejustwhatI"vebeenwanting。There"sonlyonethingspoiltmypleasureinyourgift，"
sheadded，withapout。
"Whatwasthat？"askedBertieanxiously，fearfulthatperhapshehadchosenasizeofhandkerchiefthatwasnotwithinthecorrectfemininelimit。
"IshouldhavelikedtohavewrittenandthankedyouforthemassoonasIgotthem，"saidElla，andBertie"sskycloudedatonce。
"Youknowwhatmotheris，"heprotested；"sheopensallmyletters，andifshefoundI"dbeengivingpresentstoanyonethere"dhavebeensomethingtotalkaboutforthenextfortnight。"
"Surely，attheageoftwenty——"beganElla。
"I"mnottwentytillSeptember，"interruptedBertie。
"Attheageofnineteenyearsandeightmonths，"persistedElla，"youmightbeallowedtokeepyourcorrespondenceprivatetoyourself。"
"Ioughttobe，butthingsaren"talwayswhattheyoughttobe。
Motheropenseveryletterthatcomesintothehouse，whoeverit"sfor。MysistersandIhavemaderowsaboutittimeandagain，butshegoesondoingit。"
"I"dfindsomewaytostopherifIwereinyourplace，"saidEllavaliantly，andBertiefeltthattheglamourofhisanxiouslydeliberatedpresenthadfadedawayinthedisagreeablerestrictionthathedgedrounditsacknowledgment。
"Isanythingthematter？"askedBertie"sfriendCloviswhentheymetthateveningattheswimming-bath。
"Whydoyouask？"saidBertie。
"Whenyouwearalookoftragicgloominaswimming-bath，"saidClovis，"it"sespeciallynoticeablefromthefactthatyou"rewearingverylittleelse。Didn"tshelikethehandkerchiefs？"
Bertieexplainedthesituation。