第8章

"No，notthat。Thebroaderlinesofpoliticalorreligiousdifferencedon"tmatter。YoucanhaveChurchofEnglandandUnitarianandBuddhistunderthesameroofwithoutcourtingdisaster；theonlyBuddhistIeverhaddownherequarrelledwitheverybody，butthatwasonaccountofhisnaturallysquabblesometemperament；ithadnothingtodowithhisreligion。AndI"vealwaysfoundthatpeoplecandifferprofoundlyaboutpoliticsandmeetonperfectlygoodtermsatbreakfast。Now，MissLarborJones，whowasstayingherelastyear，worshipsLloydGeorgeasasortofwinglessangel，whileMrs。Walters，whowasdownhereatthesametime，privatelyconsidershimtobe——anantelope，letussay。"

"Anantelope？"

"Well，notanantelopeexactly，butsomethingwithhornsandhoofsandtail。"

"Oh，Isee。"

"Still，thatdidn"tpreventthemfrombeingthechummiestofmortalsonthetenniscourtandinthebilliard-room。Theydidquarrelfinally，aboutaleadinadoubledhandofno-trumps，butthatofcourseisathingthatnoaccountofjudiciousguest-groupingcouldprevent。Mrs。Waltershadgotking，knave，ten，andsevenofclubs——

"

"Youweresayingthattherewereotherlinesofdemarcationthatcausedthebother，"interruptedLena。

"Exactly。Itistheminordifferencesandside-issuesthatgivesomuchtrouble，"saidLadyProwche；"nottomydyingdayshallI

forgetlastyear"supheavalovertheSuffragettequestion。LauraHenniseedleftthehouseinastateofspeechlessindignation，butbeforeshehadreachedthatstateshehadusedlanguagethatwouldnothavebeentoleratedintheAustrianReichsrath。Intensivebear-

gardeningwasSirRichard"sdescriptionofthewholeaffair，andI

don"tthinkheexaggerated。"

"OfcoursetheSuffragettequestionisaburningone，andletsloosethemostdreadfulill-feeling，"saidLena；"butonecangenerallyfindoutbeforehandwhatpeople"sopinions——"

"Mydear，theyearbeforeitwasworse。ItwasChristianScience。

SelinaGoobieisasortofHighPriestessoftheCult，andsheputdownalloppositionwithahighhand。Thenoneevening，afterdinner，ClovisSangrailputawaspdownherback，toseeifhertheoryaboutthenon-existenceofpaincouldbedependedoninanemergency。Thewaspwassmall，butveryefficient，andithadbeensouredintemperbybeingkeptinapapercagealltheafternoon。

Waspsdon"tstandconfinementwell，atleastthisonedidn"t。I

don"tthinkIeverrealisedtillthatmomentwhattheword"invective"couldbemadetomean。IsometimeswakeinthenightandthinkIstillhearSelinadescribingClovis"sconductandgeneralcharacter。ThatwastheyearthatSirRichardwaswritinghisvolumeon"DomesticLifeinTartary。"Thecriticsallblameditforalackofconcentration。"

"He"sengagedonaveryimportantworkthisyear，isn"the？"askedLena。

""Land-tenureinTurkestan，""saidLadyProwche；"heisjustatworkonthefinalchaptersandtheyrequirealltheconcentrationhecangivethem。ThatiswhyIamsoveryanxiousnottohaveanyunfortunatedisturbancethisyear。IhavetakeneveryprecautionI

canthinkoftobringnon-conflictingandharmoniouselementstogether；theonlytwopeopleIamnotquiteeasyaboutaretheAtkinsonmanandMarcusPopham。Theyarethetwowhowillbedownherelongesttogether，andiftheyaregoingtofallfoulofoneanotheraboutanyburningquestion，well，therewillbemoreunpleasantness。"

"Can"tyoufindoutanythingaboutthem？Abouttheiropinions，I

mean。"

"Anything？MydearLena，there"sscarcelyanythingthatIhaven"tfoundoutaboutthem。They"rebothofthemmoderateLiberal，Evangelical，mildlyopposedtofemalesuffrage，theyapproveoftheFalconerReport，andtheStewards"decisionaboutCraganour。Thankgoodnessinthiscountrywedon"tflyintoviolentpassionsaboutWagnerandBrahmsandthingsofthatsort。ThereisonlyonethornysubjectthatIhaven"tbeenabletomakesureabout，theonlystonethatIhaveleftunturned。Aretheyunanimouslyanti-vivisectionistordotheybothupholdthenecessityforscientificexperiment？

Therehasbeenalotofcorrespondenceonthesubjectinourlocalnewspapersoflate，andthevicariscertaintopreachasermonaboutit；vicarsaredreadfullyprovocativeattimes。Now，ifyoucouldonlyfindoutformewhetherthesetwomenaredivergentlyfororagainst——"

"I！"exclaimedLena；"howamItofindout？Idon"tknoweitherofthemtospeakto。"

"Stillyoumightdiscover，insomeroundaboutway。Writetothem，underasassumednameofcourse，forsubscriptionstooneorothercause——or，betterstill，sendastampedtype-writtenreplypostcard，witharequestforadeclarationfororagainstvivisection；peoplewhowouldhesitatetocommitthemselvestoasubscriptionwillcheerfullywriteYesorNoonaprepaidpostcard。Ifyoucan"tmanageitthatway，tryandmeetthematsomeone"shouseandgetintoargumentonthesubject。IthinkMillyoccasionallyhasoneorotherofthematherat-homes；youmighthavethelucktomeetbothofthemtherethesameevening。Onlyitmustbedonesoon。MyinvitationsoughttogooutbyWednesdayorThursdayatthelatest，andto-dayisFriday。

"Milly"sat-homesarenotveryamusing，asarule，"saidLena，"andonenevergetsachanceoftalkinguninterruptedlytoanyoneforacoupleofminutesatatime；Millyisoneofthoserestlesshostesseswhoalwaysseemtobetryingtoseehowyoulookindifferentpartsoftheroom，infreshgroupingeffects。EvenifI

gottospeaktoPophamorAtkinsonIcouldn"tplungeintoatopiclikevivisectionstraightaway。No，Ithinkthepostcardschemewouldbemorehopefulanddecidedlylesstiresome。Howwoulditbebesttowordthem？"

"Oh，somethinglikethis："Areyouinfavourofexperimentsonlivinganimalsforthepurposeofscientificresearch——YesorNo？"

Thatisquitesimpleandunmistakable。Iftheydon"tansweritwillatleastbeanindicationthattheyareindifferentaboutthesubject，andthatisallIwanttoknow。"

"Allright，"saidLena，"I"llgetmybrother-in-lawtoletmehavethemaddressedtohisoffice，andhecantelephonetheresultoftheplebiscitedirecttoyou。"

"Thankyoueversomuch，"saidLadyProwchegratefully，"andbesuretogetthecardssentoffassoonaspossible。"

OnthefollowingTuesdaythevoiceofanofficeclerk，speakingthroughthetelephone，informedLadyProwchethatthepostcardpollshowedunanimoushostilitytoexperimentsonlivinganimals。

LadyProwchethankedtheofficeclerk，andinalouderandmoreferventvoiceshethankedHeaven。Thetwoinvitations，alreadysealedandaddressed，wereimmediatelydispatched；induecoursetheywerebothaccepted。Thehousepartyofthehalcyonhours，astheprospectivehostesscalledit，wasauspiciouslylaunched。

LenaLuddlefordwasnotincludedamongtheguests，havingpreviouslycommittedherselftoanotherinvitation。Attheopeningdayofacricketfestival，however，sheranacrossLadyProwche，whohadmotoredoverfromtheothersideofthecounty。Sheworetheairofonewhoisnotinterestedincricketandnotparticularlyinterestedinlife。SheshookhandslimplywithLena，andremarkedthatitwasabeastlyday。

"Theparty，howhasitgoneoff？"askedLenaquickly。

"Don"tspeakofit！"wasthetragicalanswer；"whydoIalwayshavesuchrottenluck？"

"Butwhathashappened？"

"Ithasbeenawful。Hyaenascouldnothavebehavedwithgreatersavagery。SirRichardsaidso，andhehasbeenincountrieswherehyaenaslive，soheoughttoknow。Theyactuallycametoblows！"

"Blows？"

"Blowsandcurses。ItreallymighthavebeenascenefromoneofHogarth"spictures。Ineverfeltsohumiliatedinmylife。Whattheservantsmusthavethought！"

"Butwhoweretheoffenders？"

"Oh，naturallytheverytwothatwetookallthetroubleabout。"

"Ithoughttheyagreedoneverysubjectthatonecouldviolentlydisagreeabout——religion，politics，vivisection，theDerbydecision，theFalconerReport；whatelsewastherelefttoquarrelabout？"

"Mydear，wewerefoolsnottohavethoughtofit。OneofthemwasPro-GreekandtheotherPro-Bulgar。"

HYACINTH

"Thenewfashionofintroducingthecandidate"schildrenintoanelectioncontestisaprettyone，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；"ittakesawaysomethingfromtheacerbityofpartywarfare，anditmakesaninterestingexperienceforchildrentolookbackoninafteryears。

Still，ifyouwilllistentomyadvice，Matilda，youwillnottakeHyacinthwithyoudowntoLuffbridgeonelectionday。"

"NottakeHyacinth！"exclaimedhismother；"butwhynot？Jutterlyisbringinghisthreechildren，andtheyaregoingtodriveapairofNubiandonkeysaboutthetown，toemphasisethefactthattheirfatherhasbeenappointedColonialSecretary。WearemakingthedemandforastrongNavyaspecialfeatureinourcampaign，anditwillbeparticularlyappropriatetohaveHyacinthdressedinhissailorsuit。He"lllookheavenly。"

"Thequestionis，nothowhe"lllook，buthowhe"llbehave。He"sadelightfulchild，ofcourse，butthereisastrainofunbridledpugnacityinhimthatbreaksoutattimesinareallyalarmingfashion。YoumayhaveforgottentheaffairofthelittleGaffinchildren；Ihaven"t。"

"IwasinIndiaatthetime，andI"veonlyavaguerecollectionofwhathappened；hewasverynaughty，Iknow。"

"Hewasinhisgoat-carriage，andmettheGaffinsintheirperambulator，andhedrovethegoatfulltiltatthemandsenttheperambulatorspinning。LittleJackyGaffinwaspinneddownunderthewreckage，andwhilethenursehadherhandsfullwiththegoatHyacinthwaslayingintoJacky"slegswithhisbeltlikeasmallfury。"

"I"mnotdefendinghim，"saidMatilda，"buttheymusthavedonesomethingtoannoyhim。"

"Nothingintentionally，butsomeonehadunfortunatelytoldhimthattheywerehalfFrench——theirmotherwasaDuboc，youknow——andhehadbeenhavingahistorylessonthatmorning，andhadjustheardofthefinallossofCalaisbytheEnglish，andwasfuriousaboutit。

Hesaidhe"dteachthelittletoadstogosnatchingtownsfromus，butwedidn"tknowatthetimethathewasreferringtotheGaffins。

Itoldhimafterwardsthatallbadfeelingbetweenthetwonationshaddiedoutlongago，andthatanyhowtheGaffinswereonlyhalfFrench，andhesaidthatitwasonlytheFrenchhalfofJackythathehadbeenhitting；theresthadbeenburiedundertheperambulator。IfthelossofCalaisunloosedsuchfuryinhim，I

trembletothinkwhatthepossiblelossoftheelectionmightentail。"

"Allthathappenedwhenhewaseight；he"soldernowandknowsbetter。"

"ChildrenwithHyacinth"stemperamentdon"tknowbetterastheygrowolder；theymerelyknowmore。"

"Nonsense。Hewillenjoythefunoftheelection，andinanycasehe"llbetiredoutbythetimethepollisdeclared，andthenewsailorsuitthatI"vehadmadeforhimisjustintherightshadeofblueforourelectioncolours，anditwillexactlymatchtheblueofhiseyes。Hewillbeaperfectlycharmingnoteofcolour。"

"Thereissuchathingaslettingone"saestheticsenseoverrideone"smoralsense，"saidMrs。Panstreppon。"IbelieveyouwouldhavecondonedtheSouthSeaBubbleandthepersecutionoftheAlbigensesiftheyhadbeencarriedoutineffectivecolourschemes。

However，ifanythingunfortunateshouldhappendownatLuffbridge，don"tsayitwasn"tforeseenbyonememberofthefamily。"

Theelectionwaskeenlybutdecorouslycontested。Thenewly-

appointedColonialSecretarywaspersonallypopular，whiletheGovernmenttowhichheadheredwasdistinctlyunpopular，andtherewassomeexpectancythatthemajorityoffourhundred，obtainedatthelastelection，wouldbealtogetherwipedout。Bothsideswerehopeful，butneithercouldfeelconfident。Thechildrenwereagreatsuccess；thelittleJutterlysdrovetheirchubbydonkeyssolemnlyupanddownthemainstreets，displayingposterswhichadvocatedtheclaimsoftheirfatheronthebroadgeneralgroundsthathewastheirfather，whileasforHyacinth，hisconductmighthaveservedasamodelforanyseraph-childthathadstrayedunwittinglyontothesceneofanelectoralcontest。Ofhisownaccord，andunderthedelightedeyesofhalfadozencameraoperators，hehadgoneuptotheJutterlychildrenandpresentedthemwithapacketofbutterscotch；"weneedn"tbeenemiesbecausewe"rewearingtheoppositecolours，"hesaidwithengagingfriendliness，andtheoccupantsofthedonkey-cartacceptedhisofferingwithpolitesolemnity。Thegrown-upmembersofbothpoliticalcampsweredelightedattheincident——withtheexceptionofMrs。Panstreppon，whoshuddered。

"NeverwasClytemnestra"skisssweeterthanonthenightsheslewme，"shequoted，butmadethequotationtoherself。

Thelasthourofthepollwasaperiodofunremittinglabourforbothparties；itwasgenerallyestimatedthatnotmorethanadozenvotesseparatedthecandidates，andeveryeffortwasmadetobringupobstinatelywaveringelectors。Itwaswithafeelingofrelaxationandreliefthateveryoneheardtheclocksstrikethehourforthecloseofthepoll。Exclamationsbrokeoutfromthetiredworkers，andcorksflewoutfrombottles。

"Well，ifwehaven"twon；we"vedoneourlevelbest。""Ithasbeenacleanstraightfight，withnorancour。""Thechildrenwerequiteacharmingfeature，weren"tthey？"

Thechildren？Itsuddenlyoccurredtoeverybodythattheyhadseennothingofthechildrenforthelasthour。WhathadbecomeofthethreelittleJutterlysandtheirdonkey-cart，and，forthematterofthat，whathadbecomeofHyacinth。Hurried，anxiousembassieswentbackwardsandforwardsbetweentherespectivepartyheadquartersandthevariouscommittee-rooms，buttherewasblankignoranceeverywhereastothewhereaboutsofthechildren。Everyonehadbeentoobusyintheclosingmomentsofthepolltobestowathoughtonthem。ThentherecameatelephonecallattheUnionistWomen"sCommittee-rooms，andthevoiceofHyacinthwashearddemandingwhenthepollwouldbedeclared。

"Whereareyou，andwherearetheJutterlychildren？"askedhismother。

"I"vejustfinishedhavinghigh-teaatapastry-cook"s，"cametheanswer，"andtheyletmetelephone。I"vehadapoachedeggandasausagerollandfourmeringues。"

"You"llbeill。ArethelittleJutterlyswithyou？"

"Rathernot。They"reinapigstye。"

"Apigstye？Why？Whatpigstye？"

"NeartheCrawleighRoad。Imetthemdrivingaboutabackroad，andtoldthemtheyweretohaveteawithme，andputtheirdonkeysinayardthatIknewof。ThenItookthemtoseeanoldsowthathadgottenlittlepigs。Igotthesowintotheouterstyebygivingherbitsofbread，whiletheJutterlyswentintolookatthelitter，thenIboltedthedoorandleftthemthere。"

"Youwickedboy，doyoumeantosayyou"veleftthosepoorchildrentherealoneinthepigstye？"

"They"renotalone，they"vegottenlittlepigsinwiththem；

they"rejollywellcrowded。Theywereprettymadatbeingshutin，butnothalfasmadastheoldsowisatbeingshutoutfromheryoungones。Ifshegetsinwhilethey"rethereshe"llbitethemintomincemeat。Icangetthemoutbylettingashortladderdownthroughthetopwindow，andthat"swhatI"mgoingtodoIFWEWIN。

Iftheirblightedfathergetsin，I"mjustgoingtoopenthedoorforthesow，andletherdowhatshedashedwelllikestothem。

That"swhyIwanttoknowwhenthepollwillbedeclared。"

Herethenarratorrangoff。Awildstampedeandafranticsending-

offofmessengerstookplaceattheotherendofthetelephone。

Nearlyalltheworkersoneithersidehaddisappearedtotheirvariousclub-roomsandpublic-housebarstoawaitthedeclarationofthepoll，butenoughlocalinformationcouldbesecuredtodeterminethesceneofHyacinth"sexploit。Mr。JohnBallhadastableyarddownneartheCrawleighRoad，upashortlane，andhissowwasknowntohavealitteroftenyoungones。Thitherwentinheadlonghasteboththecandidates，Hyacinth"smother，hisaunt（Mrs。Panstreppon），andtwoorthreehurriedly-summonedfriends。ThetwoNubiandonkeys，contentedlymunchingatbundlesofhay，mettheirgazeastheyenteredtheyard。Thehoarsesavagegruntingofanenragedanimalandtheshrillernoteofthirteenyoungvoices，threeofthemhuman，guidedthemtothestye，intheouteryardofwhichahugeYorkshiresowkeptupaceaselessragingpatrolbeforeacloseddoor。Recliningonthebroadledgeofanopenwindow，fromwhichpointofvantagehecouldreachdownandshoottheboltofthedoor，wasHyacinth，hisbluesailor-suitsomewhattheworseofwear，andhisangelsmileexchangedforalookofdemoniacaldetermination。

"Ifanyofyoucomeastepnearer，"heshouted，"thesowwillbeinsideinhalfajiffy。"

Astormofthreatening，arguing，entreatingexpostulationbrokefromthebaffledrescueparty，butitmadenomoreimpressiononHyacinththanthesquealingtempestthatragedwithinthestye。

"IfJutterlyheadsthepollI"mgoingtoletthesowin。I"llteachtheblighterstowinelectionsfromus。"

"Hemeansit，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；"IfearedtheworstwhenIsawthatbutterscotchincident。"

"It"sallright，mylittleman，"saidJutterly，withtheduplicitytowhichevenaColonialSecretarycansometimesstoop，"yourfatherhasbeenelectedbyalargemajority。"

"Liar！"retortedHyacinth，withthedirectnessofspeechthatisnotmerelyexcusable，butalmostobligatory，inthepoliticalprofession；"thevotesaren"tcountedyet。Youwon"tgammonmeastotheresult，either。AboythatI"vepalledwithisgoingtofireagunwhenthepollisdeclared；twoshotsifwe"vewon，oneshotifwehaven"t。"

Thesituationbegantolookcritical。"Drugthesow，"whisperedHyacinth"sfather。

Someonewentoffinthemotortothenearestchemist"sshopandreturnedpresentlywithtwolargepiecesofbread，liberallydosedwithnarcotic。Thebreadwasthrowndeftlyandunostentatiouslyintothestye，butHyacinthsawthroughthemanoeuvre。HesetupapiercingimitationofasmallpitinPurgatory，andtheinfuriatedmotherrampedroundandroundthestye；thepiecesofbreadweretrampledintoslush。

Atanymomentnowthepollmightbedeclared。JutterlyflewbacktotheTownHall，wherethevoteswerebeingcounted。Hisagentmethimwithasmileofhope。

"You"reelevenaheadatpresent，andonlyabouteightymoretobecounted；you"rejustgoingtosqueakthrough。"

"Imustn"tsqueakthrough，"exclaimedJutterly，hoarsely。"Youmustobjecttoeverydoubtfulvoteonoursidethatcanpossiblybedisallowed。ImustNOThavethemajority。"

Thenwasseentheunprecedentedsightofapartyagentchallengingthevotesonhisownsidewithacaptiousnessthathisopponentswouldhavehesitatedtodisplay。Oneortwovotesthatwouldhavecertainlypassedmusterunderordinarycircumstancesweredisallowed，butevensoJutterlywassixaheadwithonlythirtymoretobecounted。

Tothewatchersbythestyethemomentsseemedintolerable。Asalastresortsomeonehadbeensentforagunwithwhichtoshootthesow，thoughHyacinthwouldprobablydrawtheboltthemomentsuchaweaponwasbroughtintotheyard。Nearlyallthemenwereawayfromtheirhomes，however，onelectionnight，andthemessengerhadevidentlygonefarafieldinhissearch。Itmustbeamatterofminutesnowtothedeclarationofthepoll。

AsuddenroarofshoutingandcheeringwasheardfromthedirectionoftheTownHall。Hyacinth"sfatherclutchedapitchforkandpreparedtodashintothestyeintheforlornhopeofbeingintime。

Ashotrangoutintheeveningair。Hyacinthstoopeddownfromhisperchandputhisfingeronthebolt。Thesowpressedfuriouslyagainstthedoor。

"Bang，"cameanothershot。

Hyacinthwriggledback，andsentashortladderdownthroughthewindowoftheinnerstye。

"Nowyoucancomeup，youuncleanlittleblighters，"hesangout；

"mydaddy"sgotin，notyours。Hurryup，Ican"tkeepthesowwaitingmuchlonger。Anddon"tyoujollywellcomebuttingintoanyelectionagainwhereI"monthejob。"

Inthereactionthatsetinafterthedeliverancefuriousrecriminationwereindulgedinbythelatelyopposedcandidates，theirwomenfolk，agents，andpartyhelpers。Arecountwasdemanded，butfailedtoestablishthefactthattheColonialSecretaryhadobtainedamajority。Altogethertheelectionleftalegacyofsorenessbehindit，apartfromanythatwasexperiencedbyHyacinthinperson。

"ItisthelasttimeIshalllethimgotoanelection，"exclaimedhismother。

"ThereIthinkyouaregoingtoextremes，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；

"ifthereshouldbeageneralelectioninMexicoIthinkyoumightsafelylethimgothere，butIdoubtwhetherourEnglishpoliticsaresuitedtotheroughandtumbleofanangel-child。"

THEIMAGEOFTHELOSTSOLE

TherewereanumberofcarvedstonefiguresplacedatintervalsalongtheparapetsoftheoldCathedral；someofthemrepresentedangels，otherskingsandbishops，andnearlyallwereinattitudesofpiousexaltationandcomposure。Butonefigure，lowdownonthecoldnorthsideofthebuilding，hadneithercrown，mitre，notnimbus，anditsfacewashardandbitteranddowncast；itmustbeademon，declaredthefatbluepigeonsthatroostedandsunnedthemselvesalldayontheledgesoftheparapet；buttheoldbelfryjackdaw，whowasanauthorityonecclesiasticalarchitecture，saiditwasalostsoul。Andtherethematterrested。

OneautumndaythereflutteredontotheCathedralroofaslender，sweet-voicedbirdthathadwanderedawayfromthebarefieldsandthinninghedgerowsinsearchofawinterroosting-place。Ittriedtorestitstiredfeetundertheshadeofagreatangel-wingortonestleinthesculpturedfoldsofakinglyrobe，butthefatpigeonshustleditawayfromwhereveritsettled，andthenoisysparrow-folkdroveitofftheledges。Norespectablebirdsangwithsomuchfeeling，theycheepedonetoanother，andthewandererhadtomoveon。

OnlytheeffigyoftheLostSoulofferedaplaceofrefuge。Thepigeonsdidnotconsideritsafetoperchonaprojectionthatleanedsomuchoutoftheperpendicular，andwas，besides，toomuchintheshadow。Thefiguredidnotcrossitshandsinthepiousattitudeoftheothergravendignitaries，butitsarmswerefoldedasindefianceandtheiranglemadeasnugresting-placeforthelittlebird。Everyeveningitcrepttrustfullyintoitscorneragainstthestonebreastoftheimage，andthedarklingeyesseemedtokeepwatchoveritsslumbers。Thelonelybirdgrewtoloveitslonelyprotector，andduringthedayitwouldsitfromtimetotimeonsomerainshootorotherabutmentandtrillforthitssweetestmusicingratefulthanksforitsnightlyshelter。And，itmayhavebeentheworkofwindandweather，orsomeotherinfluence，butthewilddrawnfaceseemedgraduallytolosesomeofitshardnessandunhappiness。Everyday，throughthelongmonotonoushours，thesongofhislittleguestwouldcomeupinsnatchestothelonelywatcher，andatevening，whenthevesper-bellwasringingandthegreatgreybatsslidoutoftheirhiding-placesinthebelfryroof，thebright-

eyedbirdwouldreturn，twitterafewsleepynotes，andnestleintothearmsthatwerewaitingforhim。ThosewerehappydaysfortheDarkImage。OnlythegreatbelloftheCathedralrangoutdailyitsmockingmessage，"Afterjoy……sorrow。"

Thefolkintheverger"slodgenoticedalittlebrownbirdflittingabouttheCathedralprecincts，andadmireditsbeautifulsinging。

"Butitisapity，"saidthey，"thatallthatwarblingshouldbelostandwastedfaroutofhearingupontheparapet。"Theywerepoor，buttheyunderstoodtheprinciplesofpoliticaleconomy。Sotheycaughtthebirdandputitinalittlewickercageoutsidethelodgedoor。

Thatnightthelittlesongsterwasmissingfromitsaccustomedhaunt，andtheDarkImageknewmorethaneverthebitternessofloneliness。Perhapshislittlefriendhadbeenkilledbyaprowlingcatorhurtbyastone。Perhaps……perhapshehadflownelsewhere。Butwhenmorningcametherefloateduptohim，throughthenoiseandbustleoftheCathedralworld，afaintheart-achingmessagefromtheprisonerinthewickercagefarbelow。Andeveryday，athighnoon，whenthefatpigeonswerestupefiedintosilenceaftertheirmiddaymealandthesparrowswerewashingthemselvesinthestreet-puddles，thesongofthelittlebirdcameuptotheparapets——asongofhungerandlongingandhopelessness，acrythatcouldneverbeanswered。Thepigeonsremarked，betweenmealtimes，thatthefigureleanedforwardmorethaneveroutoftheperpendicular。

Onedaynosongcameupfromthelittlewickercage。Itwasthecoldestdayofthewinter，andthepigeonsandsparrowsontheCathedralrooflookedanxiouslyonallsidesforthescrapsoffoodwhichtheyweredependentoninhardweather。

"Havethelodge-folkthrownoutanythingontothedust-heap？"

inquiredonepigeonofanotherwhichwaspeeringovertheedgeofthenorthparapet。

"Onlyalittledeadbird，"wastheanswer。

TherewasacracklingsoundinthenightontheCathedralroofandanoiseasoffallingmasonry。Thebelfryjackdawsaidthefrostwasaffectingthefabric，andashehadexperiencedmanyfrostsitmusthavebeenso。InthemorningitwasseenthattheFigureoftheLostSoulhadtoppledfromitscorniceandlaynowinabrokenmassonthedustheapoutsidetheverger"slodge。

"Itisjustaswell，"cooedthefatpigeons，aftertheyhadpeeredatthematterforsomeminutes；"nowweshallhaveaniceangelputupthere。Certainlytheywillputanangelthere。"

"Afterjoy……sorrow，"rangoutthegreatbell。

THEPURPLEOFTHEBALKANKINGS

LuitpoldWolkenstein，financieranddiplomatonasmall，obtrusive，self-importantscale，satinhisfavouredcafeintheworld-wiseHabsburgcapital，confrontedwiththeNeueFreiePresseandthecupofcream-toppedcoffeeandattendantglassofwaterthatasleek-

headedpiccolohadjustbroughthim。Foryearslongerthanadog"slifetimesleek-headedpiccoloshadplacedtheNeueFreiePresseandacupofcream-toppedcoffeeonhistable；foryearshehadsatatthesamespot，underthedust-coated，stuffedeagle，thathadoncebeenaliving，soaringbirdontheStyrianmountains，andwasnowmademonstrousandsymbolicalwithasecondheadgraftedontoitsneckandagiltcrownplantedoneitherdustyskull。To-dayLuitpoldWolkensteinreadnomorethanthefirstarticleinhispaper，butreaditagainandagain。

"TheTurkishfortressofKirkKilissehhasfallen……TheSerbs，itisofficiallyannounced，havetakenKumanovo……ThefortressofKirkKilissehlost，KumanovotakenbytheSerbs，thesearetidingforConstantinopleresemblingsomethingoutofShakspeare"stragediesofthekings……TheneighbourhoodofAdrianopleandtheEasternregion，wherethegreatbattleisnowinprogress，willnotrevealmerelythefutureofTurkey，butalsowhatpositionandwhatinfluencetheBalkanStatesaretohaveintheworld。"

Foryearslongerthanadog"slifetimeLuitpoldWolkensteinhaddisposedofthepretensionsandstrivingsoftheBalkanStatesoverthecupofcream-toppedcoffeethatsleek-headedpiccoloshadbroughthim。Nevertravellingfurthereastwardthanthehorse-fairatTemesvar，neverinvitingpersonalriskinanencounterwithanythingmorepotentiallydesperatethanahareorpartridge，hehadconstitutedhimselfthecriticalappraiserandarbiterofthemilitaryandnationalprowessofthesmallcountriesthatfringedtheDualMonarchyonitsDanubeborder。Andhisjudgmenthadbeenoneofunsparingcontemptforsmall-scaleefforts，ofunquestioningrespectforthebigbattalionsandfullpurses。OverthewholesceneoftheBalkanterritoriesandtheirtroubledhistorieshadloomedthecommandingmagicofthewords"theGreatPowers"——evenmoreimposingintheirTeutonicrendering，"DieGrossmachte。"

Worshippingpowerandforceandmoney-masteryasanelderlynerve-

riddenwomanmightworshipyouthfulphysicalenergy，thecomfortable，plump-bodiedcafe-oraclehadjestedandgibedattheambitionsoftheBalkankingletsandtheirpeoples，hadunloosedagainstthemthatbatteryofstrangelip-soundsthataVienneseemploysalmostasanauxiliarylanguagetoexpressthethoughtswhenhisthoughtsarenotcomplimentary。BritishtravellershadvisitedtheBalkanlandsandreportedhighthingsoftheBulgariansandtheirfuture，Russianofficershadtakenpeepsattheirarmyandconfessed"thisisathingtobereckonedwith，anditisnotwewhohavecreatedit，theyhavedoneitbythemselves。"Butoverhiscupsofcoffeeandhishour-longgamesofdominoestheoraclehadlaughedandwaggedhisheadanddistilledtheworldlywisdomofhiscastle。TheGrossmachtehadnotsucceededinstiflingtherollofthewar-drum，thatwastrue；thebigbattalionsoftheOttomanEmpirewouldhavetodosometalking，andthenthebigpursesandbigthreateningsofthePowerswouldspeakandthelastwordwouldbewiththem。InimaginationLuitpoldheardtheonwardtrampofthered-fezzedbayonetbearersechoingthroughtheBalkanpasses，sawthelittlesheepskin-cladmannikinsdrivenbacktotheirvillages，sawtheaugustlychidingspokesmanofthePowersdictating，adjusting，restoring，settlingthingsonceagainintheirallottedplaces，sweepingupthedustofconflict，andnowhisearshadtolistentothewar-drumrollinginquiteanotherdirection，hadtolistentothetrampofbattalionsthatwerebiggerandbolderandbetterskilledinwar-craftthanhehaddeemedpossibleinthatquarter；hiseyeshadtoreadinthecolumnsofhisaccustomednewspaperawarningtotheGrossmachtethattheyhadsomethingnewtolearn，somethingnewtoreckonwith，muchthatwastime-honouredtorelinquish。"TheGreatPowerswillhavenotlittledifficultyinpersuadingtheBalkanStatesoftheinviolabilityoftheprinciplethatEuropecannotpermitanyfreshpartitionofterritoryintheEastwithoutherapproval。Evennow，whilethecampaignisstillundecided，therearerumoursofaprojectoffiscalunity，extendingovertheentireBalkanlands，andfurtherofaconstitutionalunioninimitationoftheGermanEmpire。Thatisperhapsonlyapoliticalstrawblownbythestorm，butitisnotpossibletodismissthereflectionthattheBalkanStatesleaguedtogethercommandamilitarystrengthwithwhichtheGreatPowerswillhavetoreckon……ThepeoplewhohavepouredouttheirbloodonthebattlefieldsandsacrificedtheavailablearmedmenofanentiregenerationinordertoencompassaunionwiththeirkinsfolkwillnotremainanylongerinanattitudeofdependenceontheGreatPowersoronRussia，butwillgotheirownways……Thebloodthathasbeenpouredforthto-daygivesforthefirsttimeagenuinetonetothepurpleoftheBalkanKings。TheGreatPowerscannotoverlookthefactthatapeoplethathastastedvictorywillnotletitselfbedrivenbackagainwithinitsformerlimits。Turkeyhaslostto-daynotonlyKirkKilissehandKumanovo，butMacedoniaalso。"

LuitpoldWolkensteindrankhiscoffee，buttheflavourhadsomehowgoneoutofit。Hisworld，hispompous，imposing，dictatingworld，hadsuddenlyrolledupintonarrowerdimensions。Thebigpursesandthebigthreatshadbeenpushedunceremoniouslyononeside；aforcethathecouldnotfathom，couldnotcomprehend，hadmadeitselfrudelyfelt。TheaugustCaesarsofMammonandarmamenthadlookeddownfrowninglyonthecombat，andthoseabouttodiehadnotsaluted，hadnointentionofsaluting。Alessonwasbeingimposedonunwillinglearners，alessonofrespectforcertainfundamentalprinciples，anditwasnotthesmallstrugglingStateswhowerebeingtaughtthelesson。

LuitpoldWolkensteindidnotwaitforthequorumofdominoplayerstoarrive。TheywouldallhavereadthearticleintheFreiePresse。Andtherearemomentswhenanoraclefindsitsgreatestsalvationinwithdrawingitselffromtheareaofhumanquestioning。

THECUPBOARDOFTHEYESTERDAYS

"Warisacruellydestructivething，"saidtheWanderer，droppinghisnewspapertothefloorandstaringreflectivelyintospace。

"Ah，yes，indeed，"saidtheMerchant，respondingreadilytowhatseemedlikeasafeplatitude；"whenonethinksofthelossoflifeandlimb，thedesolatedhomesteads，theruined——"

"Iwasn"tthinkingofanythingofthesort，"saidtheWanderer；"I

wasthinkingofthetendencythatmodernwarhastodestroyandbanishtheveryelementsofpicturesquenessandexcitementthatareitschiefexcuseandcharm。Itislikeafirethatflaresupbrilliantlyforawhileandthenleaveseverythingblackerandbleakerthanbefore。AftereveryimportantwarinSouth-EastEuropeinrecenttimestherehasbeenashrinkingoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoffrontierlines，anintrusionofcivilisedmonotony。AndimaginewhatmayhappenattheconclusionofthiswariftheTurkshouldreallybedrivenoutofEurope。"

"Well，itwouldbeagaintothecauseofgoodgovernment，I

suppose，"saidtheMerchant。

"Buthaveyoucountedtheloss？"saidtheother。"TheBalkanshavelongbeenthelastsurvivingshredofhappyhunting-groundfortheadventurous，aplaygroundforpassionsthatarefastbecomingatrophiedforwantofexercise。InoldbygonedayswehadthewarsintheLowCountriesalwaysatourdoors，asitwere；therewasnoneedtogofarafieldintomalaria-strickenwildsifonewantedalifeofbootandsaddleandlicencetokillandbekilled。Thosewhowishedtoseelifehadadecentopportunityforseeingdeathatthesametime。"

"Itisscarcelyrighttotalkofkillingandbloodshedinthatway，"

saidtheMerchantreprovingly；"onemustrememberthatallmenarebrothers。"

"Onemustalsorememberthatalargepercentageofthemareyoungerbrothers；insteadofgoingintobankruptcy，whichistheusualtendencyoftheyoungerbrothernowadays，theygavetheirfamiliesafairchanceofgoingintomourning。Everybulletfindsabillet，accordingtoaratheroptimisticproverb，andyoumustadmitthatnowadaysitisbecomingincreasinglydifficulttofindbilletsforalotofyounggentlemenwhowouldhaveadorned，andprobablythoroughlyenjoyed，oneoftheold-timehappy-go-luckywars。Butthatisnotexactlytheburdenofmycomplaint。TheBalkanlandsareespeciallyinterestingtousintheserapidly-movingdaysbecausetheyaffordusthelastremainingglimpseofavanishingperiodofEuropeanhistory。WhenIwasachildoneoftheearliesteventsoftheoutsideworldthatforceditselfcoherentlyundermynoticewasawarintheBalkans；Irememberasunburnt，soldierlymanputtinglittlepin-flagsinawar-map，redflagsfortheTurkishforcesandyellowflagsfortheRussians。Itseemedamagicalregion，withitsmountainpassesandfrozenriversandgrimbattlefields，itsdriftingsnows，andprowlingwolves；therewasagreatstretchofwaterthatborethesinisterbutengagingnameoftheBlackSea——nothingthatIeverlearnedbeforeorafterinageographylessonmadethesameimpressiononmeasthatstrange-

namedinlandsea，andIdon"tthinkitsmagichaseverfadedoutofmyimagination。AndtherewasabattlecalledPlevnathatwentonandonwithvaryingfortunesforwhatseemedlikeagreatpartofalifetime；IrememberthedayofwrathandmourningwhenthelittleredflaghadtobetakenawayfromPlevna——likeothermaturerjudges，Iwasbackingthewronghorse，atanyratethelosinghorse。

Andnowto-dayweareputtinglittlepin-flagsagainintomapsoftheBalkanregion，andthepassionsarebeingturnedlooseoncemoreintheirplayground。"

"Thewarwillbelocalised，"saidtheMerchantvaguely；"atleasteveryonehopesso。"

"Itcouldn"twishforabetterlocality，"saidtheWanderer；"thereisacharmaboutthosecountriesthatyoufindnowhereelseinEurope，thecharmofuncertaintyandlandslide，andthelittledramatichappeningsthatmakeallthedifferencebetweentheordinaryandthedesirable。"

"Lifeisheldverycheapinthoseparts，"saidtheMerchant。

"Toacertainextent，yes，"saidtheWanderer。"IrememberamanatSofiawhousedtoteachmeBulgarianinaratherinefficientmanner，interspersedwithalotofquitewearisomegossip。Ineverknewwhathispersonalhistorywas，butthatwasonlybecauseIdidn"tlisten；hetoldittomemanytimes。AfterIleftBulgariaheusedtosendmeSofianewspapersfromtimetotime。IfeltthathewouldberathertiresomeifIeverwentthereagain。AndthenIheardafterwardsthatsomemencameinonedayfromHeavenknowswhere，justasthingsdohappenintheBalkans，andmurderedhimintheopenstreet，andwentawayasquietlyastheyhadcome。Youwillnotunderstandit，buttometherewassomethingratherpiquantintheideaofsuchathinghappeningtosuchaman；afterhisdullnessandhislong-windedsmall-talkitseemedasortofbrilliantespritd"esalieronhisparttomeetwithanendofsuchruthlesslyplannedandexecutedviolence。"

TheMerchantshookhishead；thepiquancyoftheincidentwasnotwithinstrikingdistanceofhiscomprehension。

"IshouldhavebeenshockedathearingsuchathingaboutanyoneI

hadknown，"hesaid。

"Thepresentwar，"continuedhiscompanion，withoutstoppingtodiscusstwohopelesslydivergentpointsofview，"maybethebeginningoftheendofmuchthathashithertosurvivedtheresistlesscreeping-inofcivilisation。IftheBalkanlandsaretobefinallyparcelledoutbetweenthecompetingChristianKingdomsandthehaphazardruleoftheTurkbanishedtobeyondtheSeaofMarmora，theoldorder，ordisorderifyoulike，willhavereceiveditsdeath-blow。Somethingofitsspiritwilllingerperhapsforawhileintheoldcharmedregionswhereitboresway；theGreekvillagerswilldoubtlessberestlessandturbulentandunhappywheretheBulgarsrule，andtheBulgarswillcertainlyberestlessandturbulentandunhappyunderGreekadministration，andtherivalflocksoftheExarchateandPatriarchatewillmakethemselvesintenselydisagreeabletooneanotherwherevertheopportunityoffers；thehabitsofalifetime，ofseverallifetimes，arenotlaidasideallatonce。AndtheAlbanians，ofcourse，weshallhavewithusstill，atroubledMoslempoolleftbytherecedingwaveofIslaminEurope。Buttheoldatmospherewillhavechanged，theglamourwillhavegone；thedustofformalityandbureaucraticneatnesswillslowlysettledownoverthetime-honouredlandmarks；theSanjakofNoviBazar，theMuerstegAgreement，theKomitadjebands，theVilayetofAdrianople，allthosefamiliaroutlandishnamesandthingsandplaces，thatwehaveknownsolongaspartandparceloftheBalkanQuestion，willhavepassedawayintothecupboardofyesterdays，ascompletelyastheHansaLeagueandthewarsoftheGuises。

"Theyweretheheritagethathistoryhandeddowntous，spoiledanddiminishednodoubt，incomparisonwithyetearlierdaysthatweneverknew，butstillsomethingtothrillandenlivenonelittlecornerofourContinent，somethingtohelpustoconjureupinourimaginationthedayswhentheTurkwasthunderingatthegatesofVienna。Andwhatshallwehavetohanddowntoourchildren？ThinkofwhattheirnewsfromtheBalkanswillbeinthecourseofanothertenorfifteenyears。SocialistCongressatUskub，electionriotatMonastir，greatdockstrikeatSalonika，visitoftheY。M。C。A。toVarna。Varna——onthecoastofthatenchantedsea！Theywilldriveouttosomesuburbtotea，andwritehomeaboutitastheBexhilloftheEast。

"Warisawickedlydestructivething。"

"Still，youmustadmit——"begantheMerchant。ButtheWandererwasnotinthemoodtoadmitanything。Heroseimpatientlyandwalkedtowherethetape-machinewasbusywiththenewsfromAdrianople。

FORTHEDURATIONOFTHEWAR

TheRev。WilfridGaspilton，inoneofthoseclericalmigrationsinconsequent-seemingtothelaymind，hadremovedfromthemoderatelyfashionableparishofSt。Luke"s，Kensingate，totheimmoderatelyruralparishofSt。Chuddocks，somewhereinYondershire。Thereweredoubtlesssubstantialadvantagesconnectedwiththemove，buttherewerecertainlysomeveryobviousdrawbacks。

Neitherthemigratoryclergymannorhiswifewereabletoadaptthemselvesnaturallyandcomfortablytotheconditionsofcountrylife。Beryl，Mrs。Gaspilton，hadalwayslookedindulgentlyonthecountryasaplacewherepeopleofirreproachableincomeandhospitableinstinctscultivatedtennis-lawnsandrose-gardensandJacobeanpleasaunces，whereinselectedgatheringsofinterestedweek-endguestsmightdisportthemselves。Mrs。Gaspiltonconsideredherselfasdistinctlyaninterestingpersonality，andfromalimitedstandpointshewasdoubtlessright。Shehadindolentdarkeyesandacomfortablechin，whichbeliedtheslightlyplaintiveinflectionwhichshethrewintohervoiceatsuitableintervals。Shewastolerablywellsatisfiedwiththesmalleradvantagesoflife，butsheregrettedthatFatehadnotseenitswaytoreserveforhersomeoftheamplersuccessesforwhichshefeltherselfwellqualified。

Shewouldhavelikedtobethecentreofaliterary，slightlypoliticalsalon，wherediscerningsatellitesmighthaverecognisedthebreadthofheroutlookonhumanaffairsandtheundoubtedsmallnessofherfeet。Asitwas，Destinyhadchosenforherthatsheshouldbethewifeofarector，andhadnowfurtherdecreedthatacountryrectoryshouldbethebackgroundtoherexistence。Sherapidlymadeuphermindthathersurroundingsdidnotcallforexploration；NoahhadpredictedtheFlood，butnooneexpectedhimtoswimaboutinit。Digginginawetgardenortrudgingthroughmuddylaneswereexertionswhichshedidnotproposetoundertake。

AslongasthegardenproducedasparagusandcarnationsatpleasinglyfrequentintervalsMrs。Gaspiltonwascontenttoapproveofitsexpenseandotherwiseignoreitsexistence。Shewouldfoldherselfup，sotospeak，inanelegant，indolentlittleworldofherown，enjoyingtheminorrecreationsofbeinggentlyrudetothedoctor"swifeandcontinuingtheleisurelyproductionofheroneliteraryeffort，TheForbiddenHorsepond，atranslationofBaptisteLeopoy"sL"Abreuvoirinterdit。Itwasalabourwhichhadalreadybeensolongdrawn-outthatitseemedprobablethatBaptisteLepoywoulddropoutofvoguebeforehertranslationofhistemporarilyfamousnovelwasfinished。However，thelanguidprosecutionoftheworkhadinvestedMrs。Gaspiltonwithacertainliterarydignity，eveninKensingatecircles，andwouldplaceheronapinnacleinSt。

Chuddocks，wherehardlyanyonereadFrench，andassuredlynoonehadheardofL"Abreuvoirinterdit。

TheRector"swifemightbecontenttoturnherbackcomplacentlyonthecountry；itwastheRector"stragedythatthecountryturneditsbackonhim。WiththebestintentionintheworldandtheimmortalexampleofGilbertWhitebeforehim，theRev。WilfridfoundhimselfasboredandillateaseinhisnewsurroundingsasCharlesIIwouldhavebeenatamodernWesleyanConference。Thebirdsthathoppedacrosshislawnhoppedacrossitasthoughitweretheirlawn，andnothis，andgavehimplainlytounderstandthatintheireyeshewasinfinitelylessinterestingthanagardenwormortherectorycat。Thehedgesideandmeadowflowerswereequallyuninspiring；thelessercelandineseemedparticularlyunworthyoftheattentionthatEnglishpoetshadbestowedonit，andtheRectorknewthathewouldbeutterlymiserableifleftaloneforaquarterofanhourinitscompany。Withthehumaninhabitantsofhisparishhewasnobetteroff；toknowthemwasmerelytoknowtheirailments，andtheailmentswerealmostinvariablyrheumatism。Some，ofcourse，hadotherbodilyinfirmities，buttheyalwayshadrheumatismaswell。

TheRectorhadnotyetgraspedthefactthatinruralcottagelifenottohaverheumatismisasglaringanomissionasnottohavebeenpresentedatCourtwouldbeinmoreambitiouscircles。AndwithallthisdeathoflocalinteresttherewasBerylshuttingherselfoffwithherridiculouslaboursonTheForbiddenHorsepond。

"Idon"tseewhyyoushouldsupposethatanyonewantstoreadBaptisteLepoyinEnglish，"theReverendWilfridremarkedtohiswifeonemorning，findinghersurroundedwithherusualelegantlitterofdictionaries，fountainpens，andscribblingpaper；"hardlyanyonebotherstoreadhimnowinFrance。"

"Mydear，"saidBeryl，withanintonationofgentleweariness，"haven"ttwoorthreeleadingLondonpublisherstoldmetheywonderednoonehadevertranslatedL"Abreuvoirinterdit，andbeggedme——"

"Publishersalwaysclamourforthebooksthatnoonehaseverwritten，andturnacoldshoulderonthemassoonasthey"rewritten。IfSt。PaulwerelivingnowtheywouldpesterhimtowriteanEpistletotheEsquimaux，butnoLondonpublisherwoulddreamofreadinghisEpistletotheEphesians。"

"Isthereanyasparagusinthegarden？"askedBeryl；"becauseI"vetoldcook——"

"Notanywhereinthegarden，"snappedtheRector，"butthere"snodoubtplentyintheasparagus-bed，whichistheusualplaceforit。"

Andhewalkedawayintotheregionoffruittreesandvegetablebedstoexchangeirritationforboredom。Itwasthere，amongthegooseberrybushesandbeneaththemedlartrees，thatthetemptationtotheperpetrationofagreatliteraryfraudcametohim。

SomeweekslatertheBi-MonthlyReviewgavetotheworld，undertheguaranteeoftheRev。WilfridGaspilton，somefragmentsofPersianverse，allegedtohavebeenunearthedandtranslatedbyanephewwhowasatpresentcampaigningsomewhereintheTigrisvalley。TheRev。

Wilfridpossessedahostofnephews，anditwasofcourse，quitepossiblethatoneormoreofthemmightbeinmilitaryemployinMesopotamia，thoughnoonecouldcalltomindanyparticularnephewwhocouldhavebeensuspectedofbeingaPersianscholar。

TheverseswereattributedtooneGhurab，ahunter，or，accordingtootheraccounts，wardenoftheroyalfishponds，wholived，insomeunspecifiedcentury，intheneighbourhoodofKarmanshah。Theybreathedaspiritofcomfortable，even-temperedsatireandphilosophy，disclosingamockerythatdidnottroubletobebitter，ajoyinlifethatwasnotpassionatetothevergeofbeingtroublesome。

"AMousethatprayedforAllah"saidBlasphemedwhennosuchaidbefell：

ACat，whofeastedonthatmouse，ThoughtAllahmanagedvastlywell。

PraynotforaidtoOnewhomadeAsetofnever-changingLaws，ButinyourneedrememberwellHegaveyouspeed，orguile——orclaws。

Somelaudalifeofmildcontent：

Contentmayfall，aswellasPride。

TheFrogwhohuggedhislowlyDitchWasmuchdisgruntledwhenitdried。

"YouarenotontheRoadtoHell，"

Youtellmewithfanaticglee：

Vainboaster，whatshallthatavailIfHellisontheroadtothee？

APoetpraisedtheEveningStar，AnotherpraisedtheParrot"shue：

AMerchantpraisedhismerchandise，Andhe，atleast，praisedwhatheknew。"

Itwasthisversewhichgavethecriticsandcommentatorssomeclueastotheprobabledateofthecomposition；theparrot，theyremindedthepublic，wasinhighvogueasatypeofeleganceinthedaysofHafizofShiraz；inthequatrainsofOmaritmakesnoappearance。

Thenextverse，itwaspointedout，wouldapplytothepoliticalconditionsofthepresentdayasstrikinglyastotheregionanderaforwhichitwaswritten-

"ASultandreamedday-longofPeace，ThewhilehisRivals"armiesgrew：

TheychangedhisDay-dreamsintosleep-ThePeace，methinks，heneverknew。"

Womanappearedlittle，andwinenotatallintheverseofthehunter-poet，buttherewasatleastonecontributiontothelove-

philosophyoftheEast-

"OMoon-facedCharmer，andStar-drownedEyes，Andcheeksofsoftdelight，exhalingmusk，Theytellmethatthycharmwillfade；ahwell，TheRoseitselfgrowshue-lessintheDusk。"

Finally，therewasarecognitionoftheInevitable，achillbreathblowingacrossthepoet"scomfortableestimateoflife-

"ThereisasadnessineachDawn，Asadnessthatyoucannotrede：

ThejoyousDaybringsinitstrainTheFeast，theLovedOne，andtheSteed。

Ah，thereshallcomeaDawnatlastThatbringsnolife-stirtoyourken，Along，coldDawnwithoutaDay，Andyeshallredeitssadnessthen。"

TheversesofGhurabcameonthepublicatamomentwhenacomfortable，slightlyquizzicalphilosophywascertaintobewelcome，andtheirreceptionwasenthusiastic。Elderlycolonels，whohadoutlivedtheloveoftruth，wrotetothepaperstosaythattheyhadbeenfamiliarwiththeworksofGhurabinAfghanistan，andAden，andothersuitablelocalitiesaquarterofacenturyago。A

Ghurab-of-KarmanshahClubsprangintoexistence，themembersofwhichalludedtoeachotherasBrotherGhurabiansontheslightestprovocation。Andtothefloodofinquiries，criticisms，andrequestsforinformation，whichnaturallypouredinonthediscoverer，orratherthediscloser，ofthislong-hiddenpoet，theRev。Wilfridmadeoneeffectualreply：Militaryconsiderationsforbadeanydisclosureswhichmightthrowunnecessarylightonhisnephew"smovements。

AfterthewartheRector"spositionwillbeoneofunthinkableembarrassment，butforthemoment，atanyrate，hehasdrivenTheForbiddenHorsepondoutofthefield。