第8章

"Amostcharmingday，sir，"hesaid，inaringingtenor。

"Charming，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，overaportionofpie。

"Youare，Iperceive，cyclingthroughthisdelightfulcountry，"

saidtheclergyman。

"Touring，"explainedMr。Hoopdriver。"Icanimaginethat，withaproperlyoiledmachine，therecanbenoeasiernorpleasanterwayofseeingthecountry。"

"No，"saidMr。Hoopdriver;"itisn’thalfabad。wayofgettingabout。"

"Forayoungandnewlymarriedcouple，atandembicyclemustbe，Ishouldimagine，adelightfulbond。"

"Quiteso，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，reddeningalittle。

"Doyourideatandem？"

"No——we’reseparate，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

"Themotionthroughtheairisindisputablyofaveryexhilaratingdescription。"Withthatdecision，theclergymanturnedtogivehisorderstotheattendant，inafirm，authoritativevoice，foracupoftea，twogelatinelozenges，breadandbutter，salad，andpietofollow。"ThegelatinelozengesImusthave。Irequirethemtoprecipitatethetannininmytea，"heremarkedtotheroomatlarge，andfoldinghishands，remainedforsometimewithhischinthereon，staringfixedlyatalittlepictureoverMr。Hoopdriver’shead。

"Imyselfamacyclist，"saidtheclergyman，descendingsuddenlyuponMr。Hoopdriver。

"Indeed！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，attackingthemoustache。"Whatmachine，mayIask？"

"Ihaverecentlybecomepossessedofatricycle。Abicycleis，I

regrettosay，consideredtoo——howshallIputit？——flippantbymyparishioners。SoIhaveatricycle。Ihavejustbeenhaulingithither。"

"Hauling！"saidJessie，surprised。

"Withashoelace。Andpartlycarryingitonmyback。"

Thepausewasunexpected。Jessiehadsometroublewithacrumb。

Mr。Hoopdriver’sfacepassedthroughseveralphasesofsurprise。

Thenhesawtheexplanation。"Hadanaccident？"

"Icanhardlycallitanaccident。Thewheelssuddenlyrefusedtogoround。Ifoundmyselfaboutfivemilesfromherewithanabsolutelyimmobilemachine。"

"Ow！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，tryingtoseemintelligent，andJessieglancedatthisinsaneperson。

"Itappears，"saidtheclergyman，satisfiedwiththeeffecthehadcreated，"thatmymancarefullywashedoutthebearingswithparaffin，andletthemachinedrywithoutoilingitagain。Theconsequencewasthattheybecameheatedtoaconsiderabletemperatureandjammed。Evenattheoutsetthemachineranstifflyaswellasnoisily，andI，beinginclinedtoascribethisstiffnesstomyownlassitude，merelyredoubledmyexertions。"

"’Otworkallround，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

"Youcouldscarcelyputitmoreappropriately。ItismyruleoflifetodowhateverIfindtodowithallmymight。Ibelieve，indeed，thatthebearingsbecameredhot。Finallyoneofthewheelsjammedtogether。Asidewheelitwas，sothatitsstoppagenecessitatedaninversionoftheentireapparatus，——aninversioninwhichIparticipated。"

"Meaning，thatyouwentover？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，suddenlymuchamused。

"Precisely。Andnotbrookingmydefeat，Isufferedrepeatedly。

Youmayunderstand，perhaps，anaturalimpatience。I

expostulated——playfully，ofcourse。Happilytheroadwasnotoverlooked。Finally，theentireapparatusbecamerigid，andI

abandonedtheunequalcontest。Forallpracticalpurposesthetricyclewasnobetterthanaheavychairwithoutcastors。Itwasacaseofhaulingorcarrying。"

Theclergyman’snutrimentappearedinthedoorway。

"Fivemiles，"saidtheclergyman。Hebeganatoncetoeatbreadandbuttervigorously。"Happily，"hesaid，"Iamaneupeptic，energeticsortofpersononprinciple。Iwouldallmenwerelikewise。"

"It’sthebestway，"agreedMr。Hoopdriver，andtheconversationgaveprecedencetobreadandbutter。

"Gelatine，"saidtheclergyman，presently，stirringhisteathoughtfully，"precipitatesthetannininone’steaandrendersiteasyofdigestion。"

"That’sausefulsortofthingtoknow，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

"Youarealtogetherwelcome，"saidtheclergyman，bitinggenerouslyattwopiecesofbreadandbutterfoldedtogether。

IntheafternoonourtwowanderersrodeonataneasypacetowardsStoneyCross。Conversationlanguished，thetopicofSouthAfricabeinginabeyance。Mr。Hoopdriverwassilencedbydisagreeablethoughts。HehadchangedthelastsovereignatRingwood。Thefacthadcomeuponhimsuddenly。Nowtoolatehewasreflectinguponhisresources。TherewastwentypoundsormoreinthepostofficesavingsbankinPutney，buthisbookwaslockedupinhisboxattheAntrobusestablishment。Elsethisinfatuatedmanwouldcertainlyhavesurreptitiouslywithdrawntheentiresuminordertoprolongthesejourneyingsevenforafewdays。Asitwas，theshadowoftheendfellacrosshishappiness。

Strangelyenough，inspiteofhisanxietyandthemorning’scollapse，hewasstillinacuriousemotionalstatethatwascertainlynotmisery。Hewasforgettinghisimaginingsandposings，forgettinghimselfaltogetherinhisgrowingappreciationofhiscompanion。Themosttangibletroubleinhismindwasthenecessityofbreakingthemattertoher。

AlongstretchuphilltiredthemlongbeforeStoneyCrosswasreached，andtheydismountedandsatundertheshadeofalittleoaktree。Nearthecresttheroadloopedonitself，sothat，lookingback，itslopedbelowthemuptotherightandthencametowardsthem。Aboutthemgrewarichheatherwithstuntedoaksontheedgeofadeepditchalongtheroadside，andthisroadwassandy;belowthesteepnessofthehill，however，itwasgreyandbarredwithshadows，fortherethetreesclusteredthickandtall。Mr。Hoopdriverfumbledclumsilywithhiscigarettes。

"There’sathingIgottotellyou，"hesaid，tryingtobeperfectlycalm。

"Yes？"shesaid。

"I’dliketojestdiscussyourplansabit，y’know。"

"I’mveryunsettled，"saidJessie。"YouarethinkingofwritingBooks？"

"Ordoingjournalism，orteaching，orsomethinglikethat。"

"Andkeepingyourselfindependentofyourstepmother？"

"Yes。"

"Howlong’dittakenow，togetanythingofthatsorttodo？"

"Idon’tknowatall。Ibelievethereareagreatmanywomenjournalistsandsanitaryinspectors，andblack—and—whiteartists。

ButIsupposeittakestime。Women，youknow，editmostpapersnowadays，GeorgeEgertonsays。Iought，Isuppose，tocommunicatewithaliteraryagent。"

"Ofcourse，"saidHoopdriver，"it’sverysuitablework。Notbeingheavylikethedrapery。"

"There’sheavybrainlabour，youmustremember。"

"Thatwouldn’thurtYOU，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，turningacompliment。

"It’slikethis，"hesaid，endingapause。"It’sajuicednuisancealludingtothesematters，but——wegotverylittlemoremoney。"

HeperceivedthatJessiestarted，thoughhedidnotlookather。

"Iwascounting，ofcourse，onyourfriend’swritingandyourbeingabletotakesomeactionto—day。"’Takesomeaction’wasaphrasehehadlearntathislast’swop。’

"Money，"saidJessie。"Ididn’tthinkofmoney。"

"Hullo！Here’satandembicycle，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，abruptly，andpointingwithhiscigarette。

Shelooked，andsawtwolittlefiguresemergingfromamongthetreesatthefootoftheslope。Theriderswerebowedsternlyovertheirworkandmadeagallantbutunsuccessfulattempttotaketherise。Themachinewasevidentlytoohighlygearedforhillclimbing，andpresentlytherearmostriderroseonhissaddleandhoppedoff，leavinghiscompaniontoanyfatehefoundproper。Theforemostriderwasamanunusedtosuchmachinesandapparentlyundecidedhowtodismount。Hewabbledafewyardsupthehillwithalongtailofmachinewabblingbehindhim。

Finally，hemadeanattempttojumpoffasonedoesoffasinglebicycle，hithisbootagainstthebackbone，andcollapsedheavily，fallingonhisshoulder。

Shestoodup。"Dearme！"shesaid。"Ihopeheisn’thurt。"

Thesecondriderwenttotheassistanceofthefallenman。

Hoopdriverstoodup，too。Thelank，shakymachinewasliftedupandwheeledoutoftheway，andthenthefallenrider，beingassisted，gotupslowlyandstoodrubbinghisarm。Noseriousinjuryseemedtobedonetotheman，andthecouplepresentlyturnedtheirattentiontothemachinebytheroadside。TheywerenotincyclingclothesHoopdriverobserved。OneworethegrotesqueraimentforwhichtheCockneydiscoveryofthegameofgolfseemsindirectlyblamable。Evenatthisdistancethefloppingflatnessofhiscap，thebrightbrownleatheratthetopofhiscalves，andthechequeringofhisstockingswereperceptible。Theother，therearrider，wasaslenderlittlemaningrey。

"Amatoors，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

Jessiestoodstaring，andaveilofthoughtdroppedoverhereyes。Shenolongerregardedthetwomenwhowerenowtinkeringatthemachinedownbelowthere。

"Howmuchhaveyou？"shesaid。

Hethrusthisrighthandintohispocketandproducedsixcoins，countedthemwithhisleftindexfinger，andheldthemouttoher。"Thirteenfourhalf，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Everypenny。"

"Ihavehalfasovereign，"shesaid。"Ourbillwhereverwestop——"Thehiatuswasmoreeloquentthanmanywords。

"Ineverthoughtofmoneycomingintostopuslikethis，"saidJessie。

"It’sajuicednuisance。"

"Money，"saidJessie。"Isitpossible——Surely！Conventionality！

Mayonlypeopleofmeans——LivetheirownLives？Ineverthought……"

Pause。

"Here’ssomemorecyclistscoming，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

Thetwomenwerebothbusywiththeirbicyclestill，butnowfromamongthetreesemergedthemassivebulkofa’MarlboroughClub’

tandem，riddenbyaslenderwomaningreyandaburlymanin？

Norfolkjacket。Followingcloseuponthiscamelankblackfigureinapiebaldstrawhat，ridingatricycleofantiquatedpatternwithtwolargewheelsinfront。Themaningreyremainedbowedoverthebicycle，withhisstomachrestingonthesaddle，buthiscompanionstoodupandaddressedsomeremarktothetricycleriders。ThenitseemedasifhepointeduphilltowhereMr。

Hoopdriverandhiscompanionstoodsidebyside。Astillodderthingfollowed;theladyingreytookoutherhandkerchief，appearedtowaveitforamoment，andthenatahastymotionfromhercompanionthewhitesignalvanished。

"Surely，"saidJessie，peeringunderherhand。"It’snever——"

Thetandemtricyclebegantoascendthehill，quarteringelaboratelyfromsidetosidetoeasetheascent。Itwasevident，fromhisheavingshouldersanddepressedhead，thattheburlygentlemanwasexertinghimself。Theclericalpersononthetricycleassumedtheshapeofanoteofinterrogation。Thenontheheelsofthisprocessioncameadogcartdrivenbyamaninabillycockhatandcontainingaladyindarkgreen。

"Lookslikesomesortofexcursion，"saidHoopdriver。

Jessiedidnotanswer。Shewasstillpeeringunderherhand。

"Surely，"shesaid。

Theclergyman’seffortswerebecomingconvulsive。Withacuriousjerkingmotion，thetricycleherodetwistedrounduponitself，andhepartlydismountedandpartlyfelloff。Heturnedhismachineuphillagainimmediatelyandbegantowheelit。Thentheburlygentlemandismounted，andwithacourtlyattentivenessassistedtheladyingreytoalight。Therewassomelittledifferenceofopinionastoassistance，shesoclearlywishedtohelppush。Finallyshegavein，andtheburlygentlemanbeganimpellingthemachineuphillbyhisownunaidedstrength。Hisfacemadeadotofbrilliantcolouramongthegreysandgreensatthefootofthehill。Thetandembicyclewasnow，itseems，repaired，andthisjoinedthetailoftheprocession，itsriderswalkingbehindthedogcart，fromwhichtheladyingreenandthedriverhadnowdescended。

"Mr。Hoopdriver，"saidJessie。"Thosepeople——I’malmostsure——"

"Lord！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，readingtherestinherface，andheturnedtopickuphismachineatonce。Thenhedroppeditandassistedhertomount。

AtthesightofJessiemountingagainsttheskylinethepeoplecomingupthehillsuddenlybecameexcitedandendedJessie’sdoubtsatonce。Twohandkerchiefswaved，andsomeoneshouted。

Theridersofthetandembicyclebegantorunituphill，pasttheothervehicles。Butouryoungpeopledidnotwaitforfurtherdevelopmentsofthepursuit。Inanothermomenttheywereoutofsight，ridingharddownasteadyinclinetowardsStoneyCross。

Beforetheyhaddroppedamongthetreesoutofsightofthehillbrow，Jessielookedbackandsawthetandemrisingoverthecrest，withitsrearriderjusttumblingintothesaddle。

"They’recoming，"shesaid，andbentherheadoverherhandlesintrueprofessionalstyle。

Theywhirleddownintothevalley，overawhitebridge，andsawaheadofthemanumberofshaggylittleponiesfriskingintheroadway。Involuntarilytheyslackened。"Shoo！"saidMr。

Hoopdriver，andtheponieskickeduptheirheelsderisively。AtthatMr。Hoopdriverlosthistemperandchargedatthem，narrowlymissedone，andsentthemjumpingtheditchintothebrackenunderthetrees，leavingthewayclearforJessie。

Thentheroadrosequietlybutpersistently;thetreadlesgrewheavy，andMr。Hoopdriver’sbreathsoundedlikeasaw。Thetandemappeared，makingfrightfulexertions，atthefoot，whilethechasewasstillclimbing。Then，thankHeaven！acrestandastretchofupanddownroad，whoseonlydisadvantagewasitspitilessexposuretotheafternoonsun。Thetandemapparentlydismountedatthehill，anddidnotappearagainstthehotblueskyuntiltheywerealreadynearsometreesandagoodmileaway。

"We’regaining，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withalittleNiagaraofperspirationdroppingfrombrowtocheek。"Thathill——"

Butthatwastheironlygleamofsuccess。Theywerebothnearlyspent。Hoopdriver，indeed，wasquitespent，andonlyafeelingofshameprolongedtheliquidationofhisbankruptphysique。Fromthatpointthetandemgraineduponthemsteadily。AttheRufusStone，itwasscarcelyahundredyardsbehind。Thenonedesperatespurt，andtheyfoundthemselvesuponasteadydownhillstretchamongthickpinewoods。Downhillnothingcanbeatahighlygearedtandembicycle。AutomaticallyMr。Hoopdriverputuphisfeet，andJessieslackenedherpace。Inanothermomenttheyheardtheswishofthefatpneumaticsbehindthem，andthetandempassedHoopdriveranddrewalongsideJessie。Hoopdriverfeltamadimpulsetocollidewiththisabominablemachineasitpassedhim。

Hisonlyconsolationwastonoticethatitsriders，ridingviolently，werequiteasdishevelledashimselfandsmotheredinsandywhitedust。

AbruptlyJessiestoppedanddismounted，andthetandemridersshotpantingpastthemdownhill。"Brake，"saidDangle，whowasridingbehind，andstooduponthepedals。Foramomentthevelocityofthethingincreased，andthentheysawthedustflyfromthebrake，asitcamedownonthefronttire。Dangle’srightlegflounderedintheairashecameoffintheroad。Thetandemwobbled。"Holdit！"criedPhippsoverhisshoulder，goingondownhill。Ican’tgetoffifyoudon’tholdit。"Heputonthebrakeuntilthemachinestoppedalmostdead，andthenfeelingunstablebegantopedalagain。Dangleshoutedafterhim。"Putoutyourfoot，man，"saidDangle。

Inthiswaythetandemriderswerecarriedagoodhundredyardsormorebeyondtheirquarry。ThenPhippsrealizedhispossibilities，slackedupwiththebrake，andletthethinggooversideways，droppingontohisrightfoot。Withhisleftlegstilloverthesaddle，andstillholdingthehandles，helookedoverhisshoulderandbeganaddressinguncomplimentaryremarkstoDangle。"Youonlythinkofyourself，"saidPhipps，withafloridface。

"Theyhaveforgottenus，"saidJessie，turninghermachine。

"Therewasaroadatthetopofthehill——toLyndhurst，"saidHoopdriver，followingherexample。

"It’snogood。There’sthemoney。Wemustgiveitup。ButletusgobacktothathotelatRufusStone。Idon’tseewhyweshouldbeledcaptive。"

Sototheconsternationofthetandemriders，Jessieandhercompanionmountedandrodequietlybackupthehillagain。Astheydismountedatthehotelentrance，thetandemovertookthem，andimmediatelyafterwardsthedogcartcameintoviewinpursuit。

Danglejumpedoff。

"MissMilton，Ibelieve，"saidDangle，pantingandraisingadampcapfromhiswetandmattedhair。

"ISAY，"saidPhipps，recedinginvoluntarily。"Don’tgodoingitagain，Dangle。HELPachap。"

"Oneminute，"saidDangle，andranafterhiscolleague。

Jessieleanthermachineagainstthewall，andwentintothehotelentrance。Hoopdriverremainedinthehotelentrance，limpbutdefiant。

ATTHERUFUSSTONE

XXXVIII

HefoldedhisarmsasDangleandPhippsreturnedtowardshim。

Phippswasabashedbyhisinabilitytocopewiththetandem，whichhewasnowwheeling，butDanglewasinclinedtobequarrelsome。"MissMilton？"hesaidbriefly。

Mr。Hoopdriverbowedoverhisfoldedarms。

"MissMiltonwithin？"saidDangle。

ANDnottobedisturved，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

"Youareascoundrel，sir，"saidMr。Dangle。

"Etyourservice，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Sheawaits’erstepmother，sir。"

Mr。Danglehesitated。"Shewillbehereimmediately，"hesaid。

"Hereisherfriend，MissMergle。"

Mr。Hoopdriverunfoldedhisarmsslowly，and，withanairofimmensecalm，thrusthishandsintohisbreechespockets。Thenwithoneofthosefatalhesitationsofhis，itoccurredtohimthatthisattitudewasmerelyvulgarlydefianthewithdrewboth，returnedoneandpulledattheinsufficientmoustachewiththeother。MissMerglecaughthiminconfusion。"Isthistheman？"

shesaidtoDangle，andforthwith，"HowDAREyou，sir？Howdareyoufaceme？Thatpoorgirl！"

"Youwillpermitmetoobserve，"beganMr。Hoopdriver，withasplendiddrawl，seeinghimself，forthefirsttimeinallthisbusiness，asaromanticvillain。

"Ugh，"saidMissMergle，unexpectedlystrikinghimaboutthemidriffwithherextendedpalms，andsendinghimstaggeringbackwardintothehallofthehotel。

"LetmepasssaidMissMergle，intoweringindignation。"Howdareyouresistmypassage？"andsosweptbyhimandintothedining—room，whereinJessiehadsoughtrefuge。

AsMr。Hoopdriverstruggledforequilibriumwiththeumbrella—stand，DangleandPhipps，rousedfromtheirinertiabyMissMergle’sactivity，cameinuponherheels，Phippsleading。

"Howdareyoupreventthatladypassing？"saidPhipps。

Mr。Hoopdriverlookedobstinate，and，toDangle’ssense，dangerous，buthemadenoanswer。Awaiterinfullbloomappearedattheendofthepassage，guardant。"Itismenofyourstamp，sir，"saidPhipps，"whodiscreditmanhood。"

Mr。Hoopdriverthrusthishandsintohispockets。"Whothejuiceareyou？"shoutedMr。Hoopdriver，fiercely。

"WhoareYOU，sir？"retortedPhipps。"Whoareyou？That’sthequestion。WhatareYOU，andwhatareyoudoing，wanderingatlargewithayoungladyunderage？"

"Don’tspeaktohim，"saidDangle。

"I’mnota—goingtotellallmysecretstoanyonewhocomesatme，"saidHoopdriver。"NotLikely。"Andaddedfiercely，"AndthatItellyou，sir。"

HeandPhippsstood，legsapartandbothlookingexceedinglyfierceatoneanother，andHeavenaloneknowswhatmightnothavehappened，ifthelongclergymanhadnotappearedinthedoorway，heatedbutdeliberate。"Petticoatedanachronism，"saidthelongclergymaninthedoorway，apparentlystillsufferingfromtheantiquatedprejudicethatdemandedathirdwheelandablackcoatfromaclericalrider。HelookedatPhippsandHoopdriverforamoment，thenextendinghishandtowardsthelatter，hewaveditupanddownthreetimes，saying，"Tchak，tchak，tchak，"verydeliberatelyashedidso。Thenwithaconcluding"Ugh！"andagestureofrepugnancehepassedonintothedining—roomfromwhichthevoiceofMissMerglewasdistinctlyaudibleremarkingthattheweatherwasextremelyhotevenforthetimeofyear。

ThisexpressionofextremedisapprobationhadaverydemoralizingeffectuponHoopdriver，ademoralizationthatwasimmediatelycompletedbytheadventofthemassiveWidgery。

"Isthistheman？"saidWidgeryverygrimly，andproducingaspecialvoicefortheoccasionfromsomewheredeepinhisneck。

"Don’thurthim！"saidMrs。Milton，withclaspedhands。"Howevermuchwronghehasdoneher——Noviolence！"

"’Owmanymoreofyou？"saidHoopdriver，atbaybeforetheumbrellastand。"Whereisshe？Whathashedonewithher？"saidMrs。Milton。

"I’mnotgoingtostandhereandbeinsultedbyalotofstrangers，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Soyouneedn’tthinkit。"

"Pleasedon’tworry，Mr。Hoopdriver，"saidJessie，suddenlyappearinginthedoorofthedining—room。"I’mhere，mother。"Herfacewaswhite。

Mrs。Miltonsaidsomethingaboutherchild，andmadeanemotionalchargeatJessie。Theembracevanishedintothedining—room。

Widgerymovedasiftofollow，andhesitated。"You’dbettermakeyourselfscarce，"hesaidtoMr。Hoopdriver。

"Ishan’tdoanythingofthekind，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withacatchingofthebreath。"I’mheredefendingthatyounglady。"

"You’vedoneherenoughmischief，Ishouldthink，"saidWidgery，suddenlywalkingtowardsthedining—room，andclosingthedoorbehindhim，leavingDangleandPhippswithHoopdriver。

"Clear！"saidPhipps，threateningly。

"Ishallgoandsitoutinthegarden，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withdignity。"ThereIshallremain。"

"Don’tmakearowwithhim，"saidDangle。

AndMr。Hoopdriverretired，unassaulted，inalmostsobbingdignity。

XXXIX

Sohereistheworldwithusagain，andoursentimentalexcursionisover。InthefrontoftheRufusStoneHotelconceivearemarkablecollectionofwheeledinstruments，watchedoverbyDangleandPhippsingraveandstatelyattitudes，andbythedriverofastylishdogcartfromRingwood。Inthegardenbehind，inanattitudeofnervousprostration，Mr。Hoopdriverwasseatedonarusticseat。Throughtheopenwindowofaprivatesitting—roomcameamurmurofvoices，asofmenandwomeninconference。Occasionallysomethingthatmighthavebeenagirlishsob。

"IfailtoseewhatstatusWidgeryhas，"saysDangle，"thrustinghimselfinthere。"

"Hetakestoomuchuponhimself，"saidPhipps。

"I’vebeennoticinglittlethings，yesterdayandto—day，"saidDangle，andstopped。

"Theywenttothecathedraltogetherintheafternoon。"

"Financiallyitwouldbeagoodthingforher，ofcourse，"saidDangle，withagloomymagnanimity。

HefeltdrawntoPhippsnowbythecommontrouble，inspiteoftheman’schequeredlegs。"Financiallyitwouldn’tbehalfbad。"

"He’ssodullandheavy，"saidPhipps。

Meanwhile，within，theclergymanhad，bypromptitudeanddexterity，takenthechairandwasopeningthecaseagainsttheunfortunateJessie。Iregrettohavetosaythatmyheroinehadbeenappalledbythevisiblearrayofpublicopinionagainstherexcursion，tothepitchoftears。Shewassittingwithflushedcheeksandswimmingeyesattheendofthetableoppositetotheclergyman。Sheheldherhandkerchiefcrumpledupinherextendedhand。Mrs。Miltonsatasneartoheraspossible，andoccasionallymadelittledabswithherhandatJessie’shand，toindicateforgiveness。Theseadvanceswerenotreciprocated，whichtouchedWidgeryverymuch。Theladyingreen，MissMergle（B。

A。），satontheoppositesideneartheclergyman。Shewasthestrong—mindedschoolmistresstowhomJessiehadwritten，andwhohadimmediatelyprecipitatedthepursuituponher。ShehadpickeduptheclergymaninRingwood，andhadtoldhimeverythingforthwith，havingmethimonceataBritishAssociationmeeting。

Hehadimmediatelyconstitutedhimselfadministratoroftheentirebusiness。Widgery，havingbeenfoiledinanattempttoconducttheproceedings，stoodwithhislegswideapartinfrontofthefireplaceornament，andlookedprofoundandsympathetic。

Jessie’saccountofheradventureswasacharyoneandgivenamidstfrequentinterruptions。ShesurprisedherselfbyskilfullyomittinganyallusiontotheBechamelepisode。ShecompletelyexoneratedHoopdriverfromthechargeofbeingmorethananaccessorytoherescapade。ButpublicfeelingwasheavyagainstHoopdriver。Hernarrativewasinaccurateandsketchy，buthappilytheothersweretooanxioustopassopinionstopinherdowntoparticulars。Atlasttheyhadallthefactstheywouldpermit。

"Mydearyounglady，"saidtheclergyman，"Icanonlyascribethisextravagantandregrettableexpeditionofyourstothewildestmisconceptionsofyourplaceintheworldandofyourdutiesandresponsibilities。Evennow，itseemstome，yourpresentemotionisduenotsomuchtoarealandsincerepenitenceforyourdisobedienceandfollyastoapositiveannoyanceatourmostfortunateinterference——"

"Notthat，"saidMrs。Milton，inalowtone。"Notthat。"

"ButWHYdidshegoofflikethis？"saidWidgery。"That’swhat_I_wanttoknow。"

Jessiemadeanattempttospeak，butMrs。Miltonsaid"Hush！"andtheringingtenoroftheclergymanrodetriumphantlyoverthemeeting。"Icannotunderstandthisspiritofunrestthathasseizeduponthemoreintelligentportionofthefemininecommunity。Youhadapleasanthome，amostrefinedandintelligentladyinthepositionofyourmother，tocherishandprotectyou——"

"IfIHADamother，"gulpedJessie，succumbingtotheobvioussnareofself—pity，andsobbing。

"Tocherish，protect，andadviseyou。Andyoumustneedsgooutofitallaloneintoastrangeworldofunknowndangers—"

"Iwantedtolearn，"saidJessie。

"Youwantedtolearn。MayyouneverhaveanythingtoUNlearn。"

"AH！"fromMrs。Milton，verysadly。

"Itisn’tfairforallofyoutoargueatmeatonce，"submittedJessie，irrelevantly。

"Aworldfullofunknowndangers，"resumedtheclergyman。"Yourproperplacewassurelythenaturalsurroundingsthatarepartofyou。Youhavebeenundulyinfluenced，itisonlytooapparent，byaclassofliteraturewhich，withallduerespecttodistinguishedauthoressthatshallbenameless，ImustcalltheNewWomanLiterature。Inthatdeleteriousingredientofourbookboxes——"

"Idon’taltogetheragreewithyouthere，"saidMissMergle，throwingherheadbackandregardinghimfirmlythroughherspectacles，andMr。Widgerycoughed。

"WhatHASallthistodowithme？"askedJessie，availingherselfoftheinterruption。

"Thepointis，"saidMrs。Milton，onherdefence，"thatinmybooks——"

"AllIwanttodo，"saidJessie，"istogoaboutfreelybymyself。GirlsdosoinAmerica。Whynothere？"

"SocialconditionsareentirelydifferentinAmerica，"saidMissMergle。"HerewerespectClassDistinctions。"

"It’sveryunfortunate。WhatIwanttoknowis，whyIcannotgoawayforaholidayifIwantto。"

"Withastrangeyoungman，sociallyyourinferior，"saidWidgery，andmadeherflushbyhistone。

"Whynot？"shesaid。"Withanybody。"

"Theydon’tdothat，eveninAmerica，"saidMissMergle。

"Mydearyounglady，"saidtheclergyman，"themostelementaryprinciplesofdecorum——Adaywillcomewhenyouwillbetterunderstandhowentirelysubservientyourideasaretotheveryfundamentalsofourpresentcivilisation，whenyouwillbetterunderstandtheharrowinganxietyyouhavegivenMrs。Miltonbythisinexplicableflightofyours。Wecanonlyputthingsdownatpresent，incharity，toyourignorance——"

"Youhavetoconsiderthegeneralbodyofopinion，too，"saidWidgery。

"Precisely，"saidMissMergle。"Thereisnosuchthingasconductintheabsolute。""Ifoncethismostunfortunatebusinessgetsabout，"saidtheclergyman，"itwilldoyouinfiniteharm。"

"ButI’VEdonenothingwrong。WhyshouldIberesponsibleforotherpeople’s——"

"Theworldhasnocharity，"saidMrs。Milton。

"Foragirl，"saidJessie。"No。"

"Nowdoletusstoparguing，mydearyounglady，andletuslistentoreason。Nevermindhoworwhy，thisconductofyourswilldoyouinfiniteharm，ifonceitisgenerallyknown。Andnotonlythat，itwillcauseinfinitepaintothosewhocareforyou。

Butifyouwillreturnatoncetoyourhome，causingittobeunderstoodthatyouhavebeenwithfriendsfortheselastfewdays——"

"Telllies，"saidJessie。"Certainlynot。Mostcertainlynot。ButIunderstandthatishowyourabsenceisunderstoodatpresent，andthereisnoreason——"

Jessie’sgriptightenedonherhandkerchief。"Iwon’tgoback，"

shesaid，"tohaveitasIdidbefore。Iwantaroomofmyown，whatbooksIneedtoread，tobefreetogooutbymyselfalone，Teaching——"

"Anything，"saidMrs。Milton，"anythinginreason。"

"Butwillyoukeepyourpromise？"saidJessie。

"Surelyyouwon’tdictatetoyourmother！"saidWidgery。

"Mystepmother！Idon’twanttodictate。Iwantdefinitepromisesnow。"

"Thisismostunreasonable，"saidtheclergyman。"Verywell，"

saidJessie，swallowingasobbutwithunusualresolution。"ThenIwon’tgoback。Mylifeisbeingfritteredaway——"

"LETherhaveherway，"saidWidgery。

"Aroomthen。AllyourMen。I’mnottocomedownandtalkawayhalfmydays——"

"Mydearchild，ifonlytosaveyou，"saidMrs。Milton。"Ifyoudon’tkeepyourpromise——"

"ThenItakeitthematterispracticallyconcluded，"saidtheclergyman。"Andthatyouveryproperlysubmittoreturntoyourproperhome。Andnow，ifImayofferasuggestion，itisthatwetaketea。Freedofitstannin，nothing，Ithink，ismorerefreshingandstimulating。"

"There’satrainfromLyndhurstatthirteenminutestosix，"saidWidgery，unfoldingatimetable。"Thatgivesusabouthalfanhourorthree—quartershere——ifaconveyanceisobtainable，thatis。"

"Agelatinelozengedroppedintotheteacupprecipitatesthetanninintheformoftannateofgelatine，"saidtheclergymantoMissMergle，inaconfidentialbray。

Jessiestoodup，andsawthroughthewindowadepressedheadandshouldersoverthetopofthebackofagardenseat。Shemovedtowardsthedoor。"Whileyouhavetea，mother，"shesaid，"ImusttellMr。Hoopdriverofourarrangements。"

"Don’tyouthinkI——"begantheclergyman。

"No，"saidJessie，veryrudely;"Idon’t。"

"But，Jessie，haven’tyoualready——"

"Youarealreadybreakingthecapitulation，"saidJessie。

"Willyouwantthewholehalfhour？"saidWidgery，atthebell。

"Everyminute，"saidJessie，inthedoorway。"He’sbehavedverynoblytome。"

"There’stea，"saidWidgery。

"I’vehadtea。"

"Hemaynothavebehavedbadly，"saidtheclergyman。"Buthe’scertainlyanastonishinglyweakpersontoletawrong—headedyounggirl——"

Jessieclosedthedoorintothegarden。

MeanwhileMr。Hoopdrivermadeasadfigureinthesunlightoutside。Itwasover，thiswonderfulexcursionofhis，sofarasshewasconcerned，andwiththeswiftblowthatseparatedthem，herealisedallthatthosedayshaddoneforhim。Hetriedtograspthebearingsoftheirposition。Ofcourse，theywouldtakeherawaytothosesocialaltitudesofhers。Shewouldbecomeaninaccessibleyoungladyagain。Wouldtheylethimsaygood—byetoher？

Howextraordinaryithadallbeen！Herecalledthemomentwhenhehadfirstseenherriding，withthesunlightbehindher，alongtheriversideroad;herecalledthatwonderfulnightatBognor，rememberingitasifeverythinghadbeendoneofhisowninitiative。"Brave，brave！"shehadcalledhim。Andafterwards，whenshecamedowntohiminthemorning，kindly，quiet。Butoughthetohavepersuadedherthentoreturntoherhome？Herememberedsomeintentionofthesort。Nowthesepeoplesnatchedherawayfromhimasthoughhewasscarcelyfittoliveinthesameworldwithher。Nomorehewas！Hefelthehadpresumeduponherworldlyignoranceintravellingwithherdayafterday。Shewassodainty，sodelightful，soserene。Hebegantorecapitulateherexpressions，thelightofhereyes，theturnofherface……

Hewasn’tgoodenoughtowalkinthesameroadwithher。Nobodywas。Supposetheylethimsaygood—byetoher;whatcouldhesay？

That？Buttheyweresurenottolethertalktohimalone;hermotherwouldbethereas——whatwasit？Chaperone。He’dneveroncehadachanceofsayingwhathefelt;indeed，itwasonlynowhewasbeginningtorealisewhathefelt。LoveIhewouldn’tpresume。Itwasworship。Ifonlyhecouldhaveonemorechance。

Hemusthaveonemorechance，somewhere，somehow。Thenhewouldpourouthissoultohereloquently。Hefelteloquently，andwordswouldcome。Hewasdustunderherfeet……

Hismeditationwasinterruptedbytheclickofadoorhandle，andJessieappearedinthesunlightundertheverandah。"Comeawayfromhere，"shesaidtoHoopdriver，asherosetomeether。"I’mgoinghomewiththem。Wehavetosaygood—bye。"

Mr。Hoopdriverwinced，openedandshuthismouth，androsewithoutaword。

XL

AtfirstJessieMiltonandMr。Hoopdriverwalkedawayfromthehotelinsilence。Heheardacatchinginherbreathandglancedatherandsawheripspressedtightandatearonhercheek。Herfacewashotandbright。Shewaslookingstraightbeforeher。Hecouldthinkofnothingtosay，andthrusthishandsinhispocketsandlookedawayfromherintentionally。Afterawhileshebegantotalk。Theydealtdisjointedlywithsceneryfirst，andthenwiththemeansofself—education。ShetookhisaddressatAntrobus’sandpromisedtosendhimsomebooks。Butevenwiththatitwasspiritless，achingtalk，Hoopdriverfelt，forthefightingmoodwasover。Sheseemed，tohim，preoccupiedwiththememoriesofherlatebattle，andthatappearancehurthim。

"It’stheend，"hewhisperedtohimself。"It’stheend。"

Theywentintoahollowandupagentlewoodedslope，andcameatlasttoahighandopenspaceoverlookingawideexpanseofcountry。There，byacommonimpulse，theystopped。Shelookedatherwatch——alittleostentatiously。Theystaredatthebillowsofforestrollingawaybeneaththem，crestbeyondcrest，ofleafytrees，fadingatlastintoblue。

"Theend"ranthroughhismind，totheexclusionofallspeakablethoughts。

"Andso，"shesaid，presently，breakingthesilence，"itcomestogood—bye。"

Forhalfaminutehedidnotanswer。Thenhegatheredhisresolution。"ThereisonethingIMUSTsay。"

"Well？"shesaid，surprisedandabruptlyforgettingtherecentargument。"Iasknoreturn。But——"

Thenhestopped。"Iwon’tsayit。It’snogood。Itwouldberotfromme——now。Iwasn’tgoingtosayanything。Good—bye。"

Shelookedathimwithastartledexpressioninhereyes。"No，"

shesaid。"Butdon’tforgetyouaregoingtowork。Remember，brotherChris，youaremyfriend。Youwillwork。Youarenotaverystrongman，youknow，now——youwillforgiveme——nordoyouknowallyoushould。Butwhatwillyoubeinsixyears’time？"

Hestaredhardinfrontofhimstill，andthelinesabouthisweakmouthseemedtostrengthen。Heknewsheunderstoodwhathecouldnotsay。

"I’llwork，"hesaid，concisely。Theystoodsidebysideforamoment。Thenhesaid，withamotionofhishead，"Iwon’tcomebacktoTHEM。Doyoumind？Goingbackalone？"

Shetooktensecondstothink。"No。"shesaid，andheldoutherhand，bitinghernetherlip。"GOOD—BYE，"shewhispered。

Heturned，withawhiteface，lookedintohereyes，tookherhandlimply，andthenwithasuddenimpulse，liftedittohislips。

Shewouldhavesnatcheditaway，buthisgriptightenedtohermovement。Shefeltthetouchofhislips，andthenhehaddroppedherfingersandturnedfromherandwasstridingdowntheslope。

Adozenpacesawayhisfootturnedinthelipofarabbithole，andhestumbledforwardandalmostfell。Herecoveredhisbalanceandwenton，notlookingback。Heneveroncelookedback。Shestaredathisrecedingfigureuntilitwassmallandfarbelowher，andthen，thetearsrunningoverhereyelidsnow，turnedslowly，andwalkedwithherhandsgrippedhardtogetherbehindher，towardsStoneyCrossagain。

"Ididnotknow，"shewhisperedtoherself。"Ididnotunderstand。Evennow——No，Idonotunderstand。"

THEENVOY

XLI

Sothestoryends，dearReader。Mr。Hoopdriver，sprawlingdownthereamongthebracken，mustsprawlwithoutourprying，Ithink，orlisteningtowhatchancestohisbreathing。Andofwhatcameofitall，ofthesixyearsandafterwards，thisisnoplacetotell。Intruth，thereisnotellingit，fortheyearshavestilltorun。Butifyouseehowamerecounter—jumper，acadoncastors，andafooltoboot，maycometofeelthelittleinsufficienciesoflife，andifhehastoanyextentwonyoursympathies，myendisattained。（Ifitisnotattained，mayHeavenforgiveusboth！）NorwillwefollowthisadventurousyoungladyofoursbacktoherhomeatSurbiton，tohernewstruggleagainstWidgeryandMrs。Miltoncombined。For，asshewillpresentlyhear，thatdevotedmanhasgothisreward。Forher，also，yoursympathiesareinvited。

Therestofthisgreatholiday，too——fivedaysthereareleftofit——isbeyondthelimitsofourdesign。Youseefitfullyaslenderfigureinadustybrownsuitandheathermixturestockings，andbrownshoesnotintendedtobecycledin，flittingLondonwardthroughHampshireandBerkshireandSurrey，goingeconomically——forexcellentreasons。Daybydayhegoeson，ridingfitfullyandforthemostpartthroughbye—roads，butgettingafewmilestothenorth—eastwardeveryday。Heisanarrow—chestedperson，withanosehotandtannedatthebridgewithunwontedexposure，andbrown，red—knuckledfists。Amusingexpressionsitsuponthefaceofthisrider，youobserve。

Sometimeshewhistlesnoiselesslytohimself，sometimeshespeaksaloud，"ajuicedgoodtry，anyhow！"youhear;andsometimes，andthattoooftenformyliking，helooksirritableandhopeless。"I

know，"hesays，"Iknow。It’soveranddone。Itisn’tINme。Youain’tmanenough，Hoopdriver。Lookatyersillyhands！……Oh，myGod！"andagustofpassioncomesuponhimandheridesfuriouslyforaspace。

Sometimesagainhisfacesoftens。"Anyhow，ifI’mnottoseeher—

—she’sgoingtolendmebooks，"hethinks，andgetssuchcomfortashecan。Thenagain;"Books！What’sbooks？"Onceortwicetriumphantmemoriesoftheearlierincidentsnervehisfaceforawhile。"Iputtheky—boshonHISlittlegame，"heremarks。"IDID

that，"andonemightevencallhimhappyinthesephases。And，by—the—bye，themachine，younotice，hasbeenenamel—paintedgreyandcarriesasonorousgong。

ThisfigurepassesthroughBasingstokeandBagshot，Staines，Hampton，andRichmond。Atlast，inPutneyHighStreet，glowingwiththewarmthofanAugustsunsetandwithallthe’prenticeboysbusyshuttingupshop，andtheworkgirlsgoinghome，andtheshopfolkspeepingabroad，andthewhite’busesfulloflateclerksandcityfolkrumblinghometotheirdinners，wepartfromhim。Heisback。To—morrow，theearlyrising，thedusting，anddrudgery，beginagain——butwithadifference，withwonderfulmemoriesandstillmorewonderfuldesiresandambitionsreplacingthosediscrepantdreams。

HeturnsoutoftheHighStreetatthecorner，dismountswithasigh，andpusheshismachinethroughthegatesoftheAntrobusstableyard，astheapprenticewiththehighcollarholdsthemopen。Therearewordsofgreeting。"SouthCoast，"youhear;and"splendidweather——splendid。"Hesighs。"Yes——swappedhimoffforacoupleofsovs。It’sajuicedgoodmachine。"

Thegateclosesuponhimwithaslam，andhevanishesfromourken。