第5章

"JESSIE，"herepeatedslowly。Themuteemotionofhisfaceaffectedherstrangely。Shehadtospeak。"It’snotsuchaverywonderfulname，isit？"shesaid，withalaughtobreaktheintensity。

Heopenedhismouthandshutitagain，and，withasuddenwincingofhisfeatures，abruptlyturnedandbentdowntoopenthelanterninfrontofhermachine。Shelookeddownathim，almostkneelinginfrontofher，withanunreasonableapprobationinhereyes。Itwas，asIhaveindicated，thehourandseasonofthefullmoon。

XXV

Mr。Hoopdriverconductedtherestofthatnight’sjourneywiththesameconfidentdignityasbefore，anditwaschieflybygoodluckandthefactthatmostroadsaboutatownconvergethereupon，thatChichesterwasatlastattained。Itseemedatfirstasthougheveryonehadgonetobed，buttheRedHotelstillglowedyellowandwarm。ItwasthefirsttimeHoopdriverbaddaredthemysteriesofa’first—class’hotel。’Butthatnighthewasinthemoodtodareanything。

"SoyoufoundyourYoungLadyatlast，"saidtheostleroftheRedHotel;foritchancedhewasoneofthoseofwhomHoopdriverhadmadeinquiriesintheafternoon。

"Quiteamisunderstanding，"saidHoopdriver，withsplendidreadiness。"MysisterhadgonetoBognorButIbroughtherbackhere。I’vetookafancytothisplace。Andthemoonlight’ssimplydee—vine。"

"We’vehadsupper，thenks，andwe’retired，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

"Isupposeyouwon’ttakeanything，——Jessie？"

Thegloryofhavingher，evenasasister！andtocallherJessielikethat！Buthecarrieditoffsplendidly，ashefelthimselfboundtoadmit。"Good—night，Sis，"hesaid，"andpleasantdreams。

I’lljust’avealookatthispaperbeforeIturnin。"Butthiswaslivingindeed！hetoldhimself。

SogallantlydidMr。HoopdrivercomporthimselfuptotheveryedgeoftheMostWonderfulDayofall。Ithadbegunearly，youwillremember，withavigilinalittlesweetstuffshopnextdoortotheAngelatMidhurst。Buttothinkofallthethingsthathadhappenedsincethen！Hecaughthimselfinthemiddleofayawn，pulledouthiswatch，sawthetimewashalfpasteleven，andmarchedoff，withafinesenseofheroism，bedward。

THESURBITONINTERLUDE

XXVI

Andhere，thankstothegloriousinstitutionofsleep，comesabreakinthenarrativeagain。Theseabsurdyoungpeoplearesafelytuckedawaynow，theirheadsfullofglowingnonsense，indeed，butthecourseofeventsatanyrateissafefromanyfreshdevelopmentsthroughtheiractivitiesforthenexteighthoursormore。Theyarebothsleepinghealthilyyouwillperhapsbeastonishedtohear。Hereisthegirl——whatgirlsarecomingtonowadaysonlyMrs。LynnLintoncantell！——incompanywithanabsolutestranger，oflowextractionanduncertainaccent，unchaperonedandunabashed;indeed，nowshefanciessheissafe，sheis，ifanything，alittleproudofherownshareinthesetransactions。ThenthisMr。Hoopdriverofyours，roseateidiotthatheis！isinillegalpossessionofastolenbicycle，astolenyounglady，andtwostolennames，establishedwiththeminanhotelthatisquitebeyondhismeans，andimmenselyproudofhimselfinasomnolentwayfortheseincomparablefollies。Thereareoccasionswhenamoralisingnovelistcanmerelywringhishandsandleavematterstotaketheircourse。ForallHoopdriverknowsorcareshemaybelockeduptheveryfirstthingto—morrowmorningfortherapeofthecycle。TheninBognor，letalonethatmelancholyvestige，Bechamel（withwhomourdealingsare，thankGoodness！over），thereisaCoffeeTavernwithasteakMr。

Hoopdriverordered，donetoacinderlongago，hisAmerican—clothparcelinabedroom，andhisownproperbicycle，bywayofguarantee，carefullylockedupinthehayloft。To—morrowhewillbeaMystery，andtheywillbelookingforhisbodyalongtheseafront。AndsofarwehavenevergivenaglanceatthedesolatehomeinSurbiton，familiartoyounodoubtthroughthemediumofillustratedinterviews，wheretheunhappystepmother——

Thatstepmother，itmustbeexplained，isquitewellknowntoyou。ThatisalittlesurpriseIhavepreparedforyou。Sheis’ThomasPlantagenet，’thegiftedauthoressofthatwittyanddaringbook，"ASoulUntrammelled，"andquiteanexcellentwomaninherway，——onlyitissuchacrookedway。HerrealnameisMilton。Sheisawidowandacharmingone，onlytenyearsolderthanJessie，andsheisalwayscarefultodedicatehermoredaringworkstothe’sacredmemoryofmyhusband’toshowthatthere’snothingpersonal，youknow，inthematter。Consideringherliteraryreputation（shewasalwaysspeakingofherselfasoneImartyredfortruth，’becausethecriticsadvertisedherwrittenindecorumsincolumnlong’slates’），——consideringherliteraryreputation，Isay，shewasoneofthemostrespectablewomenitispossibletoimagine。Shefurnishedcorrectly，dressedcorrectly，hadseverenotionsofwhomshemightmeet，wenttochurch，andevenattimestookthesacramentinsomeesotericspirit。AndJessieshebroughtupsocarefullythatsheneverevenletherread"ASoulUntrammelled。"Which，therefore，naturallyenough，Jessiedid，andwentonfromthattoafeastofadvancedliterature。Mrs。MiltonnotonlybroughtupJessiecarefully，butveryslowly，sothatatseventeenshewasstillacleverschoolgirl（asyouhaveseenher）andquiteinthebackgroundofthelittleliterarycircleofunimportantcelebritieswhich’ThomasPlantagenet’adorned。Mrs。MiltonknewBechamel’sreputationofbeingadangerousman;butthenbadmenarenotbadwomen，andshelethimcometoherhousetoshowshewasnotafraid——shetooknoaccountofJessie。Whentheelopementcame，therefore，itwasadoubledisappointmenttoher，forsheperceivedhishandbyakindofinstinct。Shedidthecorrectthing。Thecorrectthing，asyouknow，istotakehansomcabs，regardlessofexpense，andweepandsayyoudonotknowWHATtodo，roundthecircleofyourconfidentialfriends。ShecouldnothaveriddennorweptmorehadJessiebeenherowndaughter——sheshowedtheproperestspirit。Andshenotonlyshowedit，butfeltit。

Mrs。Milton，asasuccessfullittleauthoressandstillmoresuccessfulwidowofthirty—two，——"ThomasPlantagenetisacharmingwoman，"herreviewersusedtowriteinvariably，eveniftheyspokeillofher，——foundthesteadygrowthofJessieintowomanhoodanunmitigatednuisanceandhadbeenwillingenoughtokeepherinthebackground。AndJessie——whohadstartedthisintercourseatfourteenwithabstractobjectionstostepmothers——hadbeenactiveenoughinresentingthis。Increasingrivalryandantagonismhadsprungupbetweenthem，untiltheycouldengenderquiteavividhatredfromadroppedhairpinorthecuttingofabookwithasharpenedknife。Thereisverylittledeliberatewickednessintheworld。Thestupidityofourselfishnessgivesmuchthesameresultsindeed，butintheethicallaboratoryitshowsadifferentnature。Andwhenthedisastercame，Mrs。Milton’sremorsefortheirgraduallossofsympathyandhershareinthelosingofit，wasgenuineenough。

Youmayimaginethecomfortshegotfromherfriends，andhowWestKensingtonandNottingHillandHampstead，theliterarysuburbs，thosedecentpenitentiariesofaonceBohemiancalling，hummedwiththebusiness，Her’Men’——asacharmingliteraryladyshehad，ofcourse，anorganisedcorps——wereimmenselyexcited，andweresympathetic;helpfullyenergetic，suggestive，alert，astheiridealsoftheirvariousdispositionsrequiredthemtobe。

"AnynewsofJessie？"wasthepatheticopeningofadozenmelancholybutinterestingconversations。ToherMenshewasnotperhapssodampasshewastoherwomenfriends，butinaquietwayshewasevenmoretouching。Forthreedays，Wednesdaythatis，Thursday，andFriday，nothingwasheardofthefugitives。ItwasknownthatJessie，wearingapatentcostumewithbuttonupskirts，andmountedonadiamondframesafetywithDunlops，andaloofahcoveredsaddle，hadriddenforthearlyinthemorning，takingwithherabouttwopoundssevenshillingsinmoney，andagreytouringcasepacked，andthere，saveforabriefnotetoherstepmother，——adeclarationofindependence，itwassaid，anassertionofherEgocontainingextensiveandveryannoyingquotationsfrom"ASoulUntrammelled，"andgivingnodefiniteintimationofherplans——knowledgeceased。Thatnotewasshowntofew，andthenonlyinthestrictestconfidence。

ButonFridayeveninglatecameabreathlessManFriend，Widgery，acorrespondentofhers，whohadheardofhertroubleamongthefirst。HehadbeentouringinSussex，——hisknapsackwasstillonhisback，——andhetestifiedhurriedlythatataplacecalledMidhurst，inthebarofanhotelcalledtheAngel，hehadheardfromabarmaidavividaccountofaYoungLadyinGrey。

Descriptionstallied。Butwhowasthemaninbrown？"Thepoor，misguidedgirl！Imustgotoheratonce，"shesaid，choking，andrisingwithherhandtoherheart。

"It’simpossibleto—night。Therearenomoretrains。Ilookedonmyway。"

"Amother’slove，"shesaid。"IbearherTHAT。"

"Iknowyoudo。"Hespokewithfeeling，fornooneadmiredhisphotographsofscenerymorethanMrs。Milton。"it’smorethanshedeserves。"

"Oh，don’tspeakunkindlyofher！Shehasbeenmisled。"

Itwasreallyveryfriendlyofhim。Hedeclaredhewasonlysorryhisnewsendedthere。Shouldhefollowthem，andbringherback？

Hehadcometoherbecauseheknewofheranxiety。"ItisGOODofyou，"shesaid，andquiteinstinctivelytookandpressedhishand。"Andtothinkofthatpoorgirl——tonight！It’sdreadful。"

Shelookedintothefirethatshehadlitwhenhecamein，thewarmlightfelluponherdarkpurpledress，andleftherfeaturesinawarmshadow。Shelookedsuchaslight，frailthingtobetroubledso。"Wemustfollowher。"Herresolutionseemedmagnificent。"Ihavenoonetogowithme。"

"Hemustmarryher，"saidtheman。

"Shehasnofriends。Wehavenoone。Afterall——Twowomen。——Sohelpless。"

Andthisfair—hairedlittlefigurewasthewomanthatpeoplewhoknewheronlyfromherbooks，calledbold，prurienteven！Simplybecauseshewasgreat—hearted——intellectual。Hewasovercomebytheunspeakablepathosofherposition。

"Mrs。Milton，"hesaid。"Hetty！"

Sheglancedathim。Theoverflowwasimminent。"Notnow，"shesaid，"notnow。Imustfindherfirst。"

"Yes，"hesaidwithintenseemotion。（Hewasoneofthosebig，fatmenwhofeeldeeply。）"Butletmehelpyou。Atleastletmehelpyou。"

"Butcanyousparetime？"shesaid。"ForME。"

"Foryou——"

"ButwhatcanIdo？whatcanWEdo？"

"GotoMidhurst。Followheron。Traceher。ShewasthereonThursdaynight，lastnight。Shecycledoutofthetown。Courage！"

hesaid。"Wewillsaveheryet！"

Sheputoutherhandandpressedhisagain。

"Courage！"herepeated，findingitsowellreceived。

Therewerealarmsandexcursionswithout。Sheturnedherbacktothefire，andhesatdownsuddenlyinthebigarmchair，whichsuitedhisdimensionsadmirably。Thenthedooropened，andthegirlshowedinDangle，wholookedcuriouslyfromonetotheother。Therewasemotionhere，hehadheardthearmchaircreaking，andMrs。Milton，whosefacewasflushed，displayedasuspiciousalacritytoexplain。"You，too，"shesaid，"areoneofmygoodfriends。Andwehavenewsofheratlast。"

ItwasdecidedlyanadvantagetoWidgery，butDangledeterminedtoshowhimselfamanofresource。Intheendhe，too，wasacceptedfortheMidhurstExpedition，totheintensedisgustofWidgery;andyoungPhipps，acallowyouthoffewwords，faultlesscollars，andferventdevotion，wasalsoenrolledbeforetheeveningwasout。Theywouldscourthecountry，allthreeofthem。

Sheappearedtobrightenupalittle，butitwasevidentshewasprofoundlytouched。Shedidnotknowwhatshehaddonetomeritsuchfriends。Hervoicebrokealittle，shemovedtowardsthedoor，andyoungPhipps，whowasayouthofactionratherthanofwords，sprangandopenedit——proudtobefirst。

"Sheissorelytroubled，"saidDangletoWidgery。"Wemustdowhatwecanforher。"

"Sheisawonderfulwoman，"saidDangle。"Sosubtle，sointricate，somanyfaceted。Shefeelsthisdeeply。"

YoungPhippssaidnothing，buthefeltthemore。

Andyettheysaytheageofchivalryisdead！

ButthisisonlyanInterlude，introducedtogiveourwandererstimetorefreshthemselvesbygood，honestsleeping。Forthepresent，therefore，wewillnotconcernourselveswiththestartingoftheRescueParty，norwithMrs。Milton’ssimplebutbecominggreydress，withthehealthyWidgery’sNorfolkjacketandthickboots，withtheslenderDangle’senergeticbearing，norwiththewonderfulchequeringsthatsetoffthelegsofthegolf—suitedPhipps。Theyareafterus。Inalittlewhiletheywillbeuponus。YoumustimagineasyoubestcanthecompetitiveraidingsatMidhurstofWidgery，Dangle，andPhipps。HowWidgerywasgreatatquestions，andDanglegoodatinference，andPhippssoconspicuouslyinferiorineverythingthathefeltit，andsulkedwithMrs。Miltonmostoftheday，afterthemannerofyourcallowyouththewholeworldover。Mrs。MiltonstoppedattheAngelandwasverysadandcharmingandintelligent，andWidgerypaidthebill。intheafternoonofSaturday，Chichesterwasattained。Butbythattimeourfugitives——Asyoushallimmediatelyhear。

THEAWAKENINGOFMR。HOOPDRIVER

XXVII

Mr。Hoopdriverstirredonhispillow，openedhiseyes，and，staringunmeaningly，yawned。Thebedclothesweresoftandpleasant。Heturnedthepeakednosethatoverridestheinsufficientmoustache，uptotheceiling，apinkishprojectionoverthebillowofwhite。Youmightseeitwrinkleasheyawnedagain，andthenbecamequiet。Somattersremainedforaspace。

Veryslowlyrecollectionreturnedtohim。Thenashockofindeterminatebrownhairappeared，andfirstonewaterygreyeyea—wondering，andthentwo;thebedupheaved，andyouhadhim，histhinneckprojectingabruptlyfromtheclothesheheldabouthim，hisfacestaringabouttheroom。Heheldtheclothesabouthim，IhopeImayexplain，becausehisnight—shirtwasatBognorinanAmerican—clothpacket，derelict。Heyawnedathirdtime，rubbedhiseyes，smackedhislips。Hewasrecallingalmosteverythingnow。Thepursuit，thehotel，thetremulousdaringofhisentry，theswiftadventureoftheinnyard，themoonlight——Abruptlyhethrewtheclothesbackandroseintoasittingpositionontheedgeofthebed。Withoutwasthenoiseofshuttersbeingunfastenedanddoorsunlocked，andthepassingofhoofsandwheelsinthestreet。Helookedathiswatch。Half—pastsix。Hesurveyedthesumptuousroomagain。

"Lord！"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Itwasn’tadream，afterall。"

"IwonderwhattheychargefortheseJuicedrooms！"saidMr。

Hoopdriver，nursingonerosyfoot。

Hebecamemeditative，tuggingathisinsufficientmoustache。

Suddenlyhegaveventtoanoiselesslaugh。"Whatarushitwas！

Rushedinandoffwithhisgirlrightunderhisnose。Planneditwelltoo。Talkofhighwayrobbery！TalkofbrigandsUpandoff！

HowjuicedSOLDhemustbefeelingItwasashavetoo——inthecoachyard！"

Suddenlyhebecamesilent。Abruptlyhiseyebrowsroseandhisjawfell。"Isa—a—ay！"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

Hehadneverthoughtofitbefore。Perhapsyouwillunderstandthewhirlhehadbeeninovernight。Butoneseesthingsclearerinthedaylight。"I’mhangedifIhaven’tbeenandstolenablessedbicycle。"

"Whocares？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，presently，andhisfacesuppliedtheanswer。

ThenhethoughtoftheYoungLadyinGreyagain，andtriedtoputamoreheroiccomplexiononthebusiness。Butofanearlymorning，onanemptystomach（aswithcharacteristiccoarseness，medicalmenputit）heroicsareofamoredifficultgrowththanbymoonlight。Everythinghadseemedexceptionallyfineandbrilliant，butquitenatural，theeveningbefore。

Mr。Hoopdriverreachedouthishand，tookhisNorfolkjacket，laiditoverhisknees，andtookoutthemoneyfromthelittleticketpocket。"Fourteenandsix—half，"hesaid，holdingthecoinsinhislefthandandstrokinghischinwithhisright。Heverified，bypatting，thepresenceofapocketbookinthebreastpocket。"Five，fourteen，six—half，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Left。"

WiththeNorfolkjacketstillonhisknees，heplungedintoanothersilentmeditation。"Thatwouldn’tmatter，"hesaid。"It’sthebike’sthebother。

"NogoodgoingbacktoBognor。

"Mightsenditbackbycarrier，ofcourse。Thankinghimfortheloan。Havingnofurtheruse——"Mr。Hoopdriverchuckledandlapsedintothesilentconcoctionofadelightfullyimpudentletter。

"Mr。J。Hoopdriverpresentshiscompliments。"Butthegravenotereasserteditself。

"Mighttrundlebackthereinanhour，ofcourse，andexchangethem。MYoldcrock’ssoblessedshabby。He’ssuretobespitefultoo。Havemerunin，perhaps。Thenshe’dbeinjustthesameoldfix，onlyworse。Yousee，I’mherKnight—errant。Itcomplicatesthingsso。"

Hiseye，wanderingloosely，restedonthespongebath。"Whatthejuicedotheywantwithcreampansinabedroom？"saidMr。

Hoopdriver，enpassant。

"Bestthingwecandoistosetoutofhereassoonaspossible，anyhow。Isupposeshe’llgohometoherfriends。Thatbicycleisajuicynuisance，anyhow。Juicynuisance！"

Hejumpedtohisfeetwithasuddenawakeningofenergy，toproceedwithhistoilet。ThenwithacertainhorrorherememberedthatthesimplenecessariesofthatprocesswereatBognor！"Lord！"heremarked，andwhistledsilentlyforaspace。

"Rummygo！profitandloss;profit，onesisterwithbicyclecomplete，wotoffers？——cheapfortoothand’airbrush，vests，night—shirt，stockings，andsundries。

"Makethebestofit，"andpresently，whenitcametohair—brushing，hehadtosmoothhistroubledlockswithhishands。Itwasapoorresult。"Sneakoutandgetashave，I

suppose，andbuyabrushandsoon。Chinkagain！Bearddon’tshowmuch。"

Heranhishandoverhischin，lookedathimselfsteadfastlyforsometime，andcurledhisinsufficientmoustacheupwithsomecare。Thenhefella—meditatingonhisbeauty。Heconsideredhimself，three—quarterface，leftandright。Anexpressionofdistastecreptoverhisfeatures。"Lookingwon’talterit，Hoopdriver，"heremarked。"You’reaweedycustomer，myman。

Shouldersnarrow。Skimpy，anyhow。"

Heputhisknucklesonthetoilettableandregardedhimselfwithhischinliftedintheair。"GoodLord！"hesaid。"WHATaneck！

WonderwhyIgotsuchathunderinglumpthere。"

Hesatdownonthebed，hiseyestillontheglass。"IfI’dbeenexercisedproperly，ifI’dbeenfedreasonable，ifIhadn’tbeenshovedoutofasillyschoolintoasillyshop——Butthere！theoldfolksdidn’tknownobetter。Theschoolmasteroughttohave。

Buthedidn’t，pooroldfool！——Still，whenitcomestomeetingagirllikethis——It’s’ARD。

"IwonderwhatAdam’dthinkofme——asaspecimen。Civilisation，eigh？Heiroftheages！I’mnothing。Iknownothing。Ican’tdoanything——sketchabit。Whywasn’tImadeanartist？

"Beastlycheap，afterall，thissuitdoeslook，inthesunshine。"

"Nogood，Hoopdriver。Anyhow，youdon’ttellyourselfanyliesaboutit。Loversain’tyourgame，——anyway。Butthere’sotherthingsyet。Youcanhelptheyounglady，andyouwill——Isupposeshe’llbegoinghome——Andthatbusinessofthebicycle’stoseeto，too，myman。FORWARD，Hoopdriver！Ifyouain’tabeauty，that’snoreasonwhyyoushouldstopandbecopped，isit？"

Andhavinggotbackinthiswaytoagloomykindofself—satisfaction，hehadanotherattemptathishairpreparatorytoleavinghisroomandhurryingonbreakfast，foranearlydeparture。WhilebreakfastwaspreparinghewanderedoutintoSouthStreetandrefurnishedhimselfwiththeelementsofluggageagain。"Noexpensetobespared，"hemurmured，disgorgingthehalf—sovereign。

THEDEPARTUREFROMCHICHESTER

XXVIII

Hecausedhis’sister’tobecalledrepeatedly，andwhenshecamedown，explainedwithahumoroussmilehislegalrelationshiptothebicycleintheyard。"Mightbedisagreeable，y’know。"Hisanxietywasobviousenough。"Verywell，"shesaid（quitefriendly）;"hurrybreakfast，andwe’llrideout。Iwanttotalkthingsoverwithyou。"Thegirlseemedmorebeautifulthaneverafterthenight’ssleep;herhairincomelydarkwavesfromherforehead，herungauntletedfinger—tipspinkandcool。Andhowdecidedshewas！Breakfastwasanervousceremony，conversationfraternalbutthin;thewaiteroverawedhim，andhewascowedbyamultiplicityofforks。Butshecalledhim"Chris。"Theydiscussedtheirrouteoverhissixpennycountymapforthesakeoftalking，butavoidedadecisioninthepresenceoftheattendant。Thefive—poundnotewaschangedforthebill，andthroughHoopdriver’sdeterminationtobequitethegentleman，thewaiterandchambermaidgothalfacrowneachandtheostleraflorin。"’Olidays，"saidtheostlertohimself，withoutgratitude。Thepublicmountingofthebicyclesinthestreetwasamomentoftrepidation。Apolicemanactuallystoppedandwatchedthemfromtheoppositekerb。Supposehimtocomeacrossandask：

"Isthatyourbicycle，sir？"Fight？Ordropitandrun？Itwasatimeofbewilderingapprehension，too，goingthroughthestreetsofthetown，sothatamilkcartbarelyescapeddestructionunderMr。Hoopdriver’schancywheel。Thatrecalledhimtoasenseoferraticsteering，andhepulledhimselftogether。Inthelaneshebreathedfreer，andalessformalconversationpresentlybegan。

"You’veriddenoutofChichesterinagreathurry，"saidJessie。

"Well，thefactofitis，I’mworried，justalittlebit。Aboutthismachine。"

"Ofcourse，"shesaid。"Ihadforgottenthat。Butwherearewegoing？"

"Jestaturningortwomore，ifyoudon’tmind，"saidHoopdriver。

"Jestamileorso。Ihavetothinkofyou，youknow。Ishouldfeelmoreeasy。Ifwewaslockedup，youknow——NotthatIshouldmindonmyownaccount——"

Theyrodewithastreaky，greyseacomingandgoingontheirlefthand。EverymiletheyputbetweenthemselvesandChichesterMr。

Hoopdriverfeltalittlelessconscience—stricken，andalittlemoreofthegallantdesperado。HerehewasridingonasplendidmachinewithaSlap—upgirlbesidehim。WhatwouldtheythinkofitintheEmporiumifanyofthemweretoseehim？HeimaginedindetailtheastonishmentofMissIsaacsandofMissHowe。"Why！

It’sMr。Hoopdriver，"MissIsaacswouldsay。"Never！"

emphaticallyfromMissHowe。ThenheplayedwithBriggs，andthentriedthe’G。V。’inashay。"Fancyintroducing’emtoher——Mysisterprotem。"HewasherbrotherChris——Chriswhat？——Confoundit！Harringon，Hartington——somethinglikethat。Havetokeepoffthattopicuntilhecouldremember。Wishhe’dtoldherthetruthnow——almost。Heglancedather。Shewasridingwithhereyesstraightaheadofher。Thinking。Alittleperplexed，perhaps，sheseemed。Henoticedhowwellsherodeandthatsherodewithherlipsclosed——athinghecouldnevermanage。

Mr。Hoopdriver’smindcameroundtothefuture。Whatwasshegoingtodo？Whatweretheybothgoingtodo？Histhoughtstookagravercolour。Hehadrescuedher。Thiswasfine，manlyrescueworkhewasengagedupon。Sheoughttogohome，inspiteofthatstepmother。Hemustinsistgravelybutfirmlyuponthat。Shewasthespiritedsort，ofcourse，butstill——Wonderifshehadanymoney？Wonderwhatthesecond—classfarefromHavanttoLondonis？Ofcoursehewouldhavetopaythat——itwastheregularthing，hebeingagentleman。Thenshouldhetakeherhome？Hebegantoroughinamovingsketchofthereturn。Thestepmother，repentantofherindescribablecruelties，wouldbepresent，——eventheserichpeoplehavetheirtroubles，——probablyanuncleortwo。

Thefootmanwouldannounce，Mr。——（botherthatname！）andMissMilton。Thentwowomenweepingtogether，andaknightlyfigureinthebackgrounddressedinahandsomeNorfolkjacket，stillconspicuouslynew。Hewouldconcealhisfeelinguntiltheveryend。Then，leaving，hewouldpauseinthedoorwayinsuchanattitudeasMr。GeorgeAlexandermightassume，andsay，slowlyanddwindlingly："Bekindtoher——BEkindtoher，"andsodepart，heartbrokentothemeanestintelligence。Butthatwasamatterforthefuture。Hewouldhavetobegindiscussingthereturnsoon。Therewasnotrafficalongtheroad，andhecameupbesideher（hehadfallenbehindinhismusing）。Shebegantotalk。"Mr。

Denison，"shebegan，andthen，doubtfully，"Thatisyourname？

I’mverystupid——"

"Itis，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。（Denison，wasit？Denison，Denison，Denison。Whatwasshesaying？）

"Iwonderhowfaryouarewillingtohelpme？"Confoundedlyhardtoansweraquestionlikethatonthespurofthemoment，withoutsteeringwildly。"Youmayrely——"saidMr。Hoopdriver，recoveringfromaviolentwabble。"Icanassureyou——Iwanttohelpyouverymuch。Don’tconsidermeatall。Leastways，considermeentirelyatyourservice。"（Nuisancenottobeabletosaythiskindofthingright。）

"Yousee，Iamsoawkwardlysituated。"

"IfIcanonlyhelpyou——youwillmakemeveryhappy——"Therewasapause。Roundabendintheroadtheycameuponagrassyspacebetweenhedgeandroad，setwithyarrowandmeadowsweet，whereafelledtreelayamongthegreen。Thereshedismounted，andproppinghermachineagainstastone，satdown。"Here，wecantalk，"shesaid。

"Yes，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，expectant。

Sheansweredafteralittlewhile，sitting，elbowonknee，withherchininherhand，andlookingstraightinfrontofher。"I

don’tknow——IamresolvedtoLivemyOwnLife。"

"Ofcourse，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Naturally。"

"IwanttoLive，andIwanttoseewhatlifemeans。Iwanttolearn。Everyoneishurryingme，everythingishurryingme;Iwanttimetothink。"

Mr。Hoopdriverwaspuzzled，butadmiring。Itwaswonderfulhowclearandreadyherwordswere。Butthenonemightspeakwellwithathroatandlipslikethat。Heknewhewasinadequate，buthetriedtomeettheoccasion。"Ifyouletthemrushyouintoanythingyoumightrepentof，ofcourseyou’dbeverysilly。"

"Don’tYOUwanttolearn？"sheasked。

"Iwaswonderingonlythismorning，"hebegan，andstopped。

Shewastoointentuponherownthoughtstonoticethisinsufficiency。"Ifindmyselfinlife，anditterrifiesme。I

seemtobelikealittlespeck，whirlingonawheel，suddenlycaughtup。’WhatamIherefor？’Iask。Simplytobehereatatime——Iaskeditaweekago，Iaskedityesterday，andIaskitto—day。Andlittlethingshappenandthedayspass。Mystepmothertakesmeshopping，peoplecometotea，thereisanewplaytopassthetime，oraconcert，oranovel。Thewheelsoftheworldgoonturning，turning。Itishorrible。IwanttodoamiraclelikeJoshuaandstopthewhirluntilIhavefoughtitout。Athome——It’simpossible。"

Mr。Hoopdriverstrokedhismoustache。"ItISso，"hesaidinameditativetone。"ThingsWILLgoon，"hesaid。Thefaintbreathofsummerstirredthetrees，andabunchofdandelionpuffliftedamongthemeadowsweetandstruckandbrokeintoadozenseparatethreadsagainsthisknee。Theyflewonapart，andsank，asthebreezefell，amongthegrass：sometogerminate，sometoperish。

Hiseyefollowedthemuntiltheyhadvanished。

"Ican’tgobacktoSurbiton，"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey。

"EIGH？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，catchingathismoustache。Thiswasanunexpecteddevelopment。

"Iwanttowrite，yousee，"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey，"towriteBooksandalterthings。TodoGood。IwanttoleadaFreeLifeandOwnmyself。Ican’tgoback。Iwanttoobtainapositionasajournalist。Ihavebeentold——ButIknownoonetohelpmeatonce。NoonethatIcouldgoto。Thereisoneperson——Shewasamistressatmyschool。IfIcouldwritetoher——Butthen，howcouldIgetheranswer？"

"H’mp，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，verygrave。

"Ican’ttroubleyoumuchmore。Youhavecome——youhaveriskedthings——"

"Thatdon’tcount，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"It’sdoublepaytoletmedoit，sotospeak。"

"Itisgoodofyoutosaythat。SurbitonissoConventional。IamresolvedtobeUnconventional——atanycost。Butwearesohampered。IfIcouldonlyburgeonoutofallthathindersme！I

wanttostruggle，totakemyplaceintheworld。Iwanttobemyownmistress，toshapemyowncareer。Butmystepmotherobjectsso。Shedoesasshelikesherself，andisstrictwithmetoeaseherconscience。AndifIgobacknow，gobackowningmyselfbeaten——"Shelefttheresttohisimagination。

"Iseethat，"agreedMr。Hoopdriver。HeMUSThelpher。Withinhisskullhewasdoingsomeintricatearithmeticwithfivepoundssixandtwopence。InsomevaguewayheinferredfromallthisthatJessiewastryingtoescapefromanundesirablemarriage，butwassayingthesethingsoutofmodesty。Hiscircleofideaswassolimited。

"Youknow，Mr。——I’veforgottenyournameagain。"

Mr。Hoopdriverseemedlostinabstraction。"Youcan’tgobackofcourse，quitelikethat，"hesaidthoughtfully。Hisearswaxedsuddenlyredandhischeeksflushed。

"ButwhatISyourname？"

"Name！"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Why！——Benson，ofcourse。"

"Mr。Benson——yesit’sreallyverystupidofme。ButIcanneverremembernames。Imustmakeanoteonmycuff。"Sheclickedalittlesilverpencilandwrotethenamedown。"IfIcouldwritetomyfriend。Ibelieveshewouldbeabletohelpmetoanindependentlife。Icouldwritetoher——ortelegraph。Write，I

think。Icouldscarcelyexplaininatelegram。Iknowshewouldhelpme。"

Clearlytherewasonlyonecourseopentoagentlemanunderthecircumstances。"Inthatcase，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，"ifyoudon’tmindtrustingyourselftoastranger，wemightcontinueasweareperhaps。Foradayorso。Untilyouheard。"（Supposethirtyshillingsaday，thatgivesfourdays，sayfourthirtiesishun’

andtwenty，sixquid，——well，threedays，say;fourten。）

"Youareverygoodtome。"

Hisexpressionwaseloquent。

"Verywell，then，andthankyou。It’swonderful——it’smorethanI

deservethatyou——"Shedroppedthethemeabruptly。"WhatwasourbillatChichester？"

"Eigh？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，feigningacertainstupidity。Therewasabriefdiscussion。Secretlyhewasdelightedatherinsistenceinpaying。Shecarriedherpoint。Theirtalkcameroundtotheirimmediateplansfortheday。Theydecidedtorideeasily，throughHavant，andstop，perhaps，atFarehamorSouthampton。Forthepreviousdayhadtriedthemboth。Holdingthemapextendedonhisknee，Mr。Hoopdriver’seyefellbychanceonthebicycleathisfeet。"Thatbicycle，"heremarked，quiteirrelevantly，"wouldn’tlookthesamemachineifIgotabig，doubleElaruminsteadofthatlittlebell。"

"Why？"

"Jestathought。"Apause。

"Verywell，then，——Havantandlunch，"saidJessie，rising。

"Iwish，somehow，wecouldhavemanageditwithoutstealingthatmachine，"saidHoopdriver。"BecauseitISstealingit，youknow，cometothinkofit。"

"Nonsense。IfMr。Bechameltroublesyou——Iwilltellthewholeworld——ifneedbe。"

"Ibelieveyouwould，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，admiringher。"You’repluckyenough——goodnessknows。"

Discoveringsuddenlythatshewasstanding，he，too，roseandpickeduphermachine。Shetookitandwheeleditintotheroad。

Thenhetookhisown。Hepaused，regardingit。"Isay！"saidhe。

"How’dthisbikelook，now，ifitwasenamelledgrey？"Shelookedoverhershoulderathisgraveface。"Whytryandhideitinthatway？"

"Itwasjestapassingthought，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，airily。

"Didn’tMEANanything，youknow。"

AstheywereridingontoHavantitoccurredtoMr。Hoopdriverinatransitorymannerthattheinterviewhadbeenquiteotherthanhisexpectation。ButthatwasthewaywitheverythinginMr。

Hoopdriver’sexperience。AndthoughhisWisdomlookedgravewithinhim，andCautionwaschinkingcoins，andanancientprejudiceinfavourofPropertyshookherhead，somethingelsewastheretoo，shoutinginhismindtodrownallthesesanerconsiderations，theintoxicatingthoughtofridingbesideHerallto—day，allto—morrow，perhapsforotherdaysafterthat。Oftalkingtoherfamiliarly，beingbrotherofallherslenderstrengthandfreshness，ofhavingagolden，real，andwonderfultimebeyondallhisimaginings。Hisoldfamiliarfancyingsgaveplacetoanticipationsasimpalpableandfluctuatingandbeautifulasthesunsetofasummerday。

AtHavanthetookanopportunitytopurchase，atsmallhairdresser’sinthemainstreet，atoothbrush，pairofnailscissors，andalittlebottleofstufftodarkenthemoustache，anarticletheshopmanintroducedtohisattention，recommendedhighly，andsoldintheexcitementoftheoccasion。

THEUNEXPECTEDANECDOTEOFTHELION

XXIX

TheyrodeontoCoshamandlunchedlightlybutexpensivelythere。

Jessiewentoutandpostedherlettertoherschoolfriend。ThenthegreenheightofPortsdownHilltemptedthem，andleavingtheirmachinesinthevillagetheyclambereduptheslopetothesilentred—brickfortthatcrownedit。ThencetheyhadaviewofPortsmouthanditsclusterofsistertowns，thecrowdednarrowsoftheharbour，theSolentandtheIsleofWightlikeabluecloudthroughthehothaze。JessiebysomemiraclehadbecomeaskirtedwomanintheCoshaminn。Mr。Hoopdriverloungedgracefullyontheturf，smokedaRedHerringcigarette，andlazilyregardedthefortifiedtownsthatspreadlikeamapawaythere，theinnerlineofdefenceliketoyfortifications，amileoffperhaps;andbeyondthatafewlittlefieldsandthenthebeginningsofLandportsuburbandthesmokyclusterofthemultitudinoushouses。TotherightattheheadoftheharbourshallowsthetownofPorchesterroseamongthetrees。Mr。

Hoopdriver’sanxietyrecededtosomeremotecornerofhisbrainandthatfloridhalf—voluntaryimaginationofhissharedthestagewiththeimageofJessie。Hebegantospeculateontheimpressionhewascreating。Hetookstockofhissuitinamoreoptimisticspirit，andreviewed，withsomecomplacency，hisactionsforthelastfourandtwentyhours。Thenhewasdashedatthethoughtofherinfiniteperfections。

Shehadbeenobservinghimquietly，rathermorecloselyduringthelasthourorso。Shedidnotlookathimdirectlybecauseheseemedalwayslookingather。Herowntroubleshadquieteddownalittle，andhercuriosityaboutthechivalrous，worshipping，butsingulargentlemaninbrown，wasawakening。Shehadrecalled，too，thecuriousincidentoftheirfirstencounter。Shefoundhimhardtoexplaintoherself。Youmustunderstandthatherknowledgeoftheworldwasratherlessthannothing，havingbeenobtainedentirelyfrombooks。Youmustnottakeacertainignoranceforfoolishness。

Shehadbegunwithafewexperiments。HedidnotknowFrenchexcept’sivverplay，’aphraseheseemedtoregardasaverygoodlighttablejokeinitself。HisEnglishwasuncertain，butnotsuchasbooksinformedherdistinguishedthelowerclasses。Hismannersseemedtohergoodonthewhole，butatrifleover—respectfulandoutoffashion。HecalledherIMadam’once。

Heseemedapersonofmeansandleisure，butheknewnothingofrecentconcerts，theatres，orbooks。Howdidhespendhistime？

Hewascertainlychivalrous，andatriflesimpleminded。Shefancied（somuchisthereinachangeofcostume）thatshehadnevermetwithsuchamanbefore。WhatCOULDhebe？

"Mr。Benson，"shesaid，breakingasilencedevotedtolandscape。

Herolledoverandregardedher，chinonknuckles。

"Atyourservice。"

"Doyoupaint？Areyouanartist？"

"Well。"Judiciouspause。"IshouldhardlycallmyselfaNartist。"

youknow。IDOpaintalittle。Andsketch，youknow——skittykindofthings。"

Hepluckedandbegantonibbleabladeofgrass。Itwasreallynotsomuchlyingashisquickimaginationthatpromptedhimtoadd，"InPapers，youknow，andallthat。"

"Isee，"saidJessie，lookingathimthoughtfully。Artistswereaveryheterogeneousclasscertainly，andgeniuseshadatrickofbeingalittleodd。Heavoidedhereyeandbithisgrass。"I

don’tdoMUCH，youknow。"

"It’snotyourprofession？

"Oh，no，"saidHoopdriver，anxiousnowtohedge。"Idon’tmakearegularthingofit，youknow。jestnowandthensomethingcomesintomyheadanddownitgoes。No——I’mnotaregularartist。"

"Thenyoudon’tpractiseanyregularprofession？Mr。Hoopdriverlookedintohereyesandsawtheirquietunsuspiciousregard。Hehadvagueideasofresumingthedetectiverole。"It’slikethis，"

hesaid，togaintime。"Ihaveasortofprofession。Onlythere’sakindofreason——nothingmuch，youknow"

"Ibegyourpardonforcross—examiningyou。"

"Notrouble，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"OnlyIcan’tverywell——I

leaveittoyou，youknow。Idon’twanttomakeanymysteryofit，sofarasthatgoes。"Shouldheplungeboldlyandbeabarrister？Thatanyhowwassomethingprettygood。Butshemightknowaboutbarristry。

"IthinkIcouldguesswhatyouare。"

"Well——guess，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

"Youcomefromoneofthecolonies？"

"Dearme！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，veeringroundtothenewwind。

"HowdidyoufindoutTHAT？"（themanwasborninaLondonsuburb，dearReader。）

"Iguessed，"shesaid。

Heliftedhiseyebrowsasoneastonished，andclutchedanewpieceofgrass。

"Youwereeducatedupcountry。"

"Goodagain，"saidHoopdriver，rollingoveragainintoherelbow。

"You’reaCLAIRVOYant。"Hebitatthegrass，smiling。"Whichcolonywasit？"

"ThatIdon’tknow。"

"Youmustguess，"saidHoopdriver。

"SouthAfrica，"shesaid。"IstronglyinclinetoSouthAfrica。"

"SouthAfrica’squitealargeplace，"hesaid。

"ButSouthAfricaisright？"

"You’rewarm，"saidHoopdriver，"anyhow，"andthewhilehisimaginationwaseagerlyexploringthisnewprovince。

"SouthAfricaISright？"sheinsisted。

Heturnedoveragainandnodded，smilingreassuringlyintohereyes。

"WhatmademethinkofSouthAfricawasthatnovelofOliveSchreiner’s，youknow——TheStoryofanAfricanFarm。’GregoryRoseissolikeyou。"

"Ineverread’TheStoryofanAfricanFarm，’"saidHoopdriver。

"Imust。What’shelike？"

"Youmustreadthebook。Butit’sawonderfulplace，withitsmixtureofraces，anditsbrand—newcivilisationjostlingtheoldsavagery。WereyounearKhama？"

"Hewasalongwayofffromourplace，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Wehadalittleostrichfarm，youknow——Justafewhundredof’em，outJohannesburgway。"

"OntheKarroo——wasitcalled？"

"That’stheterm。Someofitwasfreeholdthough。Luckily。Wegotalongverywellintheolddays。——Butthere’snoostrichesonthatfarmnow。"Hehadadiamondmineinhishead，justatthemoment，buthestoppedandleftalittletothegirl’simagination。Besideswhichithadoccurredtohimwithakindofshockthathewaslying。

"Whatbecameoftheostriches？"

"Wesold’emoff，whenwepartedwiththefarm。DoyoumindifI

haveanothercigarette？ThatwaswhenIwasquitealittlechap，youknow，thatwehadthisostrichfarm。"

"DidyouhaveBlacksandBoersaboutyou？"

"Lots，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，strikingamatchonhisinstepandbeginningtofeelhotatthenewresponsibilityhehadbroughtuponhimself。

"Howinteresting！Doyouknow，I’veneverbeenoutofEnglandexcepttoParisandMentoneandSwitzerland。"

"Onegetstiredoftravelling（puff）afterabit，ofcourse。"

"YoumusttellmeaboutyourfarminSouthAfrica。Italwaysstimulatesmyimaginationtothinkoftheseplaces。Icanfancyallthetallostrichesbeingdrivenoutbyablackherd——tograze，Isuppose。Howdoostrichesfeed？"

"Well，"saidHoopdriver。"That’srathervarious。Theyhavetheirfancies，youknow。There’sfruit，ofcourse，andthatkindofthing。Andchickenfood，andsoforth。Youhavetousejudgment。"

"Didyoueverseealion？""Theyweren’tverycommoninourdistrict，"saidHoopdriver，quitemodestly。"ButI’veseenthem，ofcourse。Onceortwice。"

"Fancyseeingalion！Weren’tyoufrightened？"

Mr。HoopdriverwasnowthoroughlysorryhehadacceptedthatofferofSouthAfrica。HepuffedhiscigaretteandregardedtheSolentlanguidlyashesettledthefateonthatlioninhismind。

"Iscarcelyhadtime，"hesaid。"Itallhappenedinaminute。"

"Goon，"shesaid。

"Iwasgoingacrosstheinnerpaddockwherethefattedostricheswere。"

"DidyouEATostriches，then？Ididnotknow——"

"Eatthem！——often。VerynicetheyAREtoo，properlystuffed。

Well，we——I，rather——wasgoingacrossthispaddock，andIsawsomethingstandingupinthemoonlightandlookingatme。"Mr。

Hoopdriverwasinahotperspirationnow。Hisinventionseemedtohavegonelimp。"LuckilyIhadmyfather’sgunwithme。Iwasscared，though，Icantellyou。（Puff。）IjustaimedattheendthatIthoughtwasthehead。Andletfly。（Puff。）Andoveritwent，youknow。"

"Dead？"

"ASdead。ItwasoneoftheluckiestshotsIeverfired。AndI

wasn’tmuchovernineatthetime，neither。"

"_I_shouldhavescreamedandrunaway。"

"There’ssomethingsyoucan’trunawayfrom，"saidMr。

Hoopdriver。"TorunwouldhavebeenDeath。"

"Idon’tthinkIevermetalion—killerbefore，"sheremarked，evidentlywithaheightenedopinionofhim。

Therewasapause。Sheseemedmeditatingfurtherquestions。Mr。