第7章

"Easyforhim，"mutteredPeterbitterly。"Alwaysdoeshaveanappointmentoutsidethemomentshebegins。"

Tommyappearedtobethrowingherverysoulintotheperformance。

Passers—byinCraneCourtpaused，regardedthefirst—floorwindowsofthepublishingandeditorialofficesofGoodHumourwithtroubledlooks，thenhurriedon。

"Shehas——remarkablyfirmdouch！"shoutedthedoctorintoPeter’sear。"Willseeyou——evening。Someting——saytoyou。"

Thefatlittledoctortookhishatanddeparted。Tommy，ceasingsuddenly，cameoverandseatedherselfonthearmofPeter’schair。

"Feelinggrumpy？"askedTommy。

"Itisn’t，"explainedPeter，"thatImindthenoise。I’dputupwiththatifIcouldseethegoodofit。"

"It’sgoingtohelpmetogetahusband，dad。Seemstomeanoddwayofdoingit;butBillysaysso，andBillyknowsallabouteverything。"

"Ican’tunderstandyou，asensiblegirl，listeningtosuchnonsense，"saidPeter。"It’sthatthattroublesme。"

"Dad，whereareyourwits？"demandedTommy。"Isn’tBillyactinglikeabrick？Why，hecouldgointoFleetStreettohalfadozenotherpapersandmakefivehundredayearasadvertising—agent——youknowhecould。Buthedoesn’t。Hestickstous。Ifmymakingmyselfridiculouswiththattinpottheypersuadedhimwasapianoisgoingtopleasehim，isn’titcommonsenseandsoundbusiness，tosaynothingofgoodnatureandgratitude，formetodoit？Dad，I’vegotasurpriseforhim。Listen。"AndTommy，springingfromthearmofPeter’schair，returnedtothepiano。

"Whatwasit？"questionedTommy，havingfinished。"Couldyourecogniseit？"

"Ithink，"saidPeter，"itsoundedlike——Itwasn’t’Home，SweetHome，’wasit？"

Tommyclappedherhands。"Yes，itwas。You’llendbylikingityourself，dad。We’llhavemusical’AtHomes。’"

"Tommy，haveIbroughtyouupproperly，doyouthink？"

"Nodad，youhaven’t。Youhaveletmehavemyownwaytoomuch。

Youknowtheproverb：’Goodmothersmakebaddaughters。’Clodd’sright;you’vespoiltme，dad。Doyouremember，dad，whenIfirstcametoyou，sevenyearsago，araggedlittlebratoutofthestreets，thatdidn’tknowitselfwhether’twasaboyoragirl？DoyouknowwhatIthoughttomyselfthemomentIseteyesonyou？

’Here’sasoftoldjuggins;I’llbeallrightifIcangetinhere！’Itmakesyousmart，knockingaboutintheguttersandbeingknockedabout;youreadfacesquickly。"

"Doyourememberyourcooking，Tommy？You’hadanaptitudeforit，’accordingtoyourownidea。"

Tommylaughed。"Iwonderhowyoustoodit。"

"Youweresoobstinate。Youcametomeas’cookandhousekeeper，’

andascookandhousekeeper，andasnothingelse，wouldyouremain。

IfIsuggestedanychange，upwouldgoyourchinintotheair。I

darednotevendineouttoooften，youweresuchalittletyrant。

Theonlythingyouwerealwaysreadytodo，ifIwasn’tsatisfied，wastomarchoutofthehouseandleaveme。Whereverdidyougetthatsavageindependenceofyours？"

"Idon’tknow。Ithinkitmusthavebeenfromawoman——perhapsshewasmymother;Idon’tknow——whousedtositupinthebedandcough，allnightitseemedtome。Peoplewouldcometoseeus——

ladiesinfineclothes，andgentlemenwithoilyhair。Ithinktheywantedtohelpus。Manyofthemhadkindvoices。Butalwaysahardlookwouldcomeintoherface，andshewouldtellthemwhateventhenIknewtobeuntrue——itwasoneofthefirstthingsIcanrecollect——thatwehadeverythingwewanted，thatweneedednohelpfromanyone。Theywouldgoaway，shruggingtheirshoulders。I

grewupwiththefeelingthatseemedtohavebeenburntintomybrain，thattotakefromanybodyanythingyouhadnotearnedwasshameful。Idon’tthinkIcoulddoitevennow，notevenfromyou。

Iamusefultoyou，dad——Idohelpyou？"

TherehadcreptaterrorintoTommy’svoice。Peterfeltthelittlehandsuponhisarmtrembling。

"Helpme？Why，youworklikeanigger——likeaniggerissupposedtowork，butdoesn’t。Noone——whateverwepaidhim——woulddohalfasmuch。Idon’twanttomakeyourheadmoreswollenthanitis，youngwoman，butyouhavetalent;Iamnotsureitisnotgenius。"

Peterfeltthelittlehandstightenuponhisarm。

"Idowantthispapertobeasuccess;thatiswhyIstrumuponthepianotopleaseClodd。Isithumbug？"

"Iamafraiditis;buthumbugisthesweetoilthathelpsthiswhirlingworldofourstospinroundsmoothly。Toomuchofitcloys：wedropitverygently。"

"Butyouaresureitisonlyhumbug，Tommy？"ItwasPeter’svoiceintowhichfearhadenterednow。"ItisnotthatyouthinkheunderstandsyoubetterthanIdo——woulddomoreforyou？"

"YouwantmetotellyouallIthinkofyou，andthatisn’tgoodforyou，dad——nottoooften。Itwouldbeyouwhowouldhaveswelledheadthen。"

"Iamjealous，Tommy，jealousofeveryonethatcomesnearyou。

Lifeisatragedyforusoldfolks。Weknowtheremustcomeadaywhenyouwillleavethenest，leaveusvoiceless，ridiculous，flittingamongbarebranches。Youwillunderstandlater，whenyouhavechildrenofyourown。Thisfoolishtalkaboutahusband！Itisworseforamanthanitisforthewoman。Themotherlivesagaininherchild：themanisrobbedofall。"

"Dad，doyouknowhowoldIam？——thatyouaretalkingterriblenonsense？"

"Hewillcome，littlegirl。"

"Yes，"answeredTommy，"Isupposehewill;butnotforalongwhile——oh，notforaverylongwhile。Don’t。Itfrightensme。"

"You？Whyshoulditfrightenyou？"

"Thepain。Itmakesmefeelacoward。Iwantittocome;Iwanttotastelife，todrainthewholecup，tounderstand，tofeel。Butthatistheboyinme。Iammorethanhalfaboy，Ialwayshavebeen。Butthewomaninme：itshrinksfromtheordeal。"

"Youtalk，Tommy，asifloveweresomethingterrible。"

"Thereareallthingsinit;Ifeelit，dad。Itislifeinasingledraught。Itfrightensme。"

Thechildwasstandingwithherfacehiddenbehindherhands。OldPeter，alwaysverybadatlying，stoodsilent，notknowingwhatconsolationtoconcoct。Theshadowpassed，andTommy’slaughingeyeslookedoutagain。

"Haven’tyouanythingtodo，dad——outside，Imean？"

"Youwanttogetridofme？"

"Well，I’venothingelsetooccupymetilltheproofscomein。I’mgoingtopractise，hard。"

"IthinkI’llturnovermyarticleontheEmbankment，"saidPeter。

"There’sonethingyouallofyououghttobegratefultomefor，"

laughedTommy，assheseatedherselfatthepiano。"Idoinduceyoualltotakemorefreshairthanotherwiseyouwould。"

Tommy，leftalone，setherselftohertaskwiththeenergyandthoroughnessthatwerecharacteristicofher。Strugglingwithcomplicatedscales，TommybenthereyescloserandcloseroverthepagesofCzerny’sExercises。Glancinguptoturnapage，Tommy，tohersurprise，mettheeyesofastranger。Theywerebrowneyes，theirexpressionsympathetic。Belowthem，lookinggoldenwiththesunlightfallingonit，wasamoustacheandbeardcutshortinVandykefashion，notaltogetherhidingapleasantmouth，aboutthecornersofwhichlurkedasmile。

"Ibegyourpardon，"saidthestranger。"Iknockedthreetimes。

Perhapsyoudidnothearme？"

"No，Ididn’t，"confessedTommy，closingthebookofCzerny’sExercises，andrisingwithchinatananglethat，toanyoneacquaintedwiththechartofTommy’stemperament，mighthavesuggestedtheadvisabilityofseekingshelter。

"ThisistheeditorialofficeofGoodHumour，isitnot？"inquiredthestranger。

"Itis。"

"Istheeditorin？"

"Theeditorisout。"

"Thesub—editor？"suggestedthestranger。

"Iamthesub—editor。"

Thestrangerraisedhiseyebrows。Tommy，onthecontrary，loweredhers。

"Wouldyoumindglancingthroughthat？"Thestrangerdrewfromhispocketafoldedmanuscript。"Itwillnottakeyouamoment。I

ought，ofcourse，tohavesentitthroughthepost;butIamsotiredofsendingthingsthroughthepost。"

Thestranger’smannerwascompoundedofdignifiedimpudencecombinedwithpathetichumility。Hiseyesbothchallengedandpleaded。Tommyheldoutherhandforthepaperandretiredwithitbehindtheprotectionofthebigeditorialdeskthat，flankedononesidebyascreenandontheotherbyaformidablerevolvingbookcase，stretchedfortress—likeacrossthenarrowroom。Thestrangerremainedstanding。

"Yes。It’spretty，"criticisedthesub—editor。"Worthprinting，perhaps，notworthpayingfor。"

"Notmerelya——anominalsum，sufficienttodistinguishitfromtheworkoftheamateur？"

Tommypursedherlips。"Poetryisquiteadruginthemarket。Wecangetasmuchaswewantofitfornothing。"

"Sayhalfacrown，"suggestedthestranger。

Tommyshotaswiftglanceacrossthedesk，andforthefirsttimesawthewholeofhim。Hewascladinathreadbare，long，brownulster——long，thatis，itwouldhavebeenuponanordinaryman，butthestrangerhappeningtoberemarkablytall，itappearedonhimridiculouslyshort，reachingonlytohisknees。Roundhisneckandtuckedintohiswaistcoat，thuscompletelyhidingtheshirtandcollarhemayhavebeenwearingormaynot，wascarefullyarrangedabluesilkmuffler。Hishands，whichwerebare，lookedblueandcold。Yettheblackfrock—coatandwaistcoatandFrenchgreytrousersboretheunmistakablecutofafirst—classtailorandfittedhimtoperfection。Hishat，whichhehadrestedonthedesk，shoneresplendent，andthehandleofhissilkumbrellawasaneagle’sheadingold，withtwosmallrubiesfortheeyes。

"Youcanleaveitifyoulike，"consentedTommy。"I’llspeaktotheeditoraboutitwhenhereturns。"

"Youwon’tforgetit？"urgedthestranger。

"No，"answeredTommy。"Ishallnotforgetit。"

Herblackeyeswerefixeduponthestrangerwithoutherbeingawareofit。Shehaddroppedunconsciouslyintoher"stocktaking"

attitude。

"Thankyouverymuch，"saidthestranger。"Iwillcallagainto—

morrow。"

Thestranger，movingbackwardtothedoor，wentout。

Tommysatwithherfacebetweenherhands。Czerny’sExerciseslayneglected。

"Anybodycalled？"askedPeterHope。

"No，"answeredTommy。"Oh，justaman。Leftthis——notbad。"

"Theoldstory，"musedPeter，asheunfoldedthemanuscript。"Weallofusbeginwithpoetry。Thenwetaketoproseromances;

poetrydoesn’tpay。Finally，wewritearticles：’HowtobeHappythoughMarried，’’WhatshallwedowithourDaughters？’Itislifesummarised。Whatisitallabout？"

"Oh，theusualsortofthing，"explainedTommy。"Hewantshalfacrownforit。"

"Poordevil！Lethimhaveit。"

"That’snotbusiness，"growledTommy。

"Nobodywilleverknow，"saidPeter。"We’llenteritas’telegrams。’"

Thestrangercalledearlythenextday，pocketedhishalf—crown，andleftanothermanuscript——anessay。Alsoheleftbehindhimhisgold—handledumbrella，takingawaywithhiminsteadanoldalpacathingCloddkeptinreserveforexceptionallydirtyweather。Peterpronouncedtheessayusable。

"Hehasastyle，"saidPeter;"hewriteswithdistinction。Makeanappointmentformewithhim。"

Clodd，onmissinghisumbrella，wasindignant。

"What’sthegoodofthisthingtome？"commentedClodd。"Sortofthingforadudeinapantomime！Thefellowmustbeablitheringass！"

Tommygavetothestrangermessagesfrombothwhennexthecalled。

Heappearedmoregrievedthansurprisedconcerningtheumbrellas。

"Youdon’tthinkMr。Cloddwouldliketokeepthisumbrellainexchangeforhisown？"hesuggested。

"Hardlyhisstyle，"explainedTommy。

"It’sverypeculiar，"saidthestranger，withasmile。"Ihavebeentryingtogetridofthisumbrellaforthelastthreeweeks。

Onceuponatime，whenIpreferredtokeepmyownumbrella，peopleusedtotakeitbymistake，leavingallkindsofshabbythingsbehindtheminexchange。Now，whenI’dreallyliketogetquitofit，nobodywillhaveit。"

"Whydoyouwanttogetridofit？"askedTommy。"Itlooksaverygoodumbrella。"

"Youdon’tknowhowithampersme，"saidthestranger。"Ihavetoliveuptoit。Itrequiresacertainamountofresolutiontoenteracheaprestaurantaccompaniedbythatumbrella。WhenIdo，thewaitersdrawmyattentiontothemostexpensivedishesandrecommendmespecialbrandsoftheirso—calledchampagne。TheyseemquitesurprisedifIonlywantachopandaglassofbeer。I

haven’talwaysgotthecouragetodisappointthem。Itisreallybecomingquiteacursetome。IfIuseittostopa’bus，threeorfourhansomsdashupandquarreloverme。Ican’tdoanythingI

wanttodo。Iwanttolivesimplyandinexpensively：itwillnotletme。"

Tommylaughed。"Can’tyouloseit？"

Thestrangerlaughedalso。"Loseit！Youhavenoideahowhonestpeopleare。Ihadn’tmyself。Thewholeworldhasgoneupinmyestimationwithinthelastfewweeks。Peoplerunaftermeforquitelongdistancesandforceitintomyhand——peopleonrainydayswhohaven’tgotumbrellasoftheirown。Itisthesamewiththishat。"Thestrangersighedashetookitup。"IamalwaystryingtogetOFFwithsomethingreasonablyshabbyinexchangeforit。Iamalwaysfoundoutandstopped。"

"Whydon’tyoupawnthem？"suggestedthepracticableTommy。

Thestrangerregardedherwithadmiration。

"Doyouknow，Ineverthoughtofthat，"saidthestranger。"Ofcourse。Whatagoodidea！Thankyousomuch。"

Thestrangerdeparted，evidentlymuchrelieved。

"Sillyfellow，"musedTommy。"Theywon’tgivehimaquarterofthevalue，andhewillsay：’Thankyousomuch，’andbequitecontented。"ItworriedTommyagooddealthatday，thethoughtofthatstranger’shelplessness。

Thestranger’snamewasRichardDanvers。HelivedtheothersideofHolborn，inFeatherstoneBuildings，butmuchofhistimecametobespentintheofficesofGoodHumour。

Peterlikedhim。"Fullofpromise，"wasPeter’sopinion。"Hiscriticismofthatarticleofmineon’TheEducationofWoman’

showedbothsenseandfeeling。Ascholarandathinker。"

Flipp，theoffice—boy（speltPhilip），likedhim;andFlipp’sattitude，ingeneral，wascensorial。"He’sallright，"pronouncedFlipp;"nothingstuck—upabouthim。He’sgotplentyofsense，lyinghiddenaway。"

MissRamsbothamlikedhim。"Themen——themenwethinkaboutatall，"explainedMissRamsbotham——"maybedividedintotwoclasses：

themenweoughttolike，butdon’t;andthementhereisnoparticularreasonforourliking，butthatwedo。PersonallyI

couldgetveryfondofyourfriendDick。Thereisnothingwhateverattractiveabouthimexcepthimself。"

EvenTommylikedhiminherway，thoughattimesshewasseverewithhim。

"Ifyoumeanabigstreet，"grumbledTommy，whowasgoingoverproofs，"whynotsayabigstreet？Whymustyoualwayscallita’mainartery’？"

"Iamsorry，"apologisedDanvers。"Itisnotmyownidea。Youtoldmetostudythehigher—classjournals。"

"Ididn’ttellyoutoselectandfollowalltheirfaults。Hereitisagain。Yourcrowdisalwaysa’hydra—headedmonster’;yourtea’thecupthatcheersbutnotinebriates。’"

"IamafraidIamadealoftroubletoyou，"suggestedthestaff。

"Iamafraidyouare，"agreedthesub—editor。

"Don’tgivemeup，"pleadedthestaff。"Imisunderstoodyou，thatisall。IwillwriteEnglishforthefuture。"

"Shallbegladifyouwill，"growledthesub—editor。

DickDanversrose。"Iamsoanxiousnottogetwhatyoucall’thesack’fromhere。"

Thesub—editor，mollified，thoughtthestaffneedbeundernoapprehension，provideditshoweditselfteachable。

"Ihavebeenratheraworthlessfellow，MissHope，"confessedDickDanvers。"IwasbeginningtodespairofmyselftillIcameacrossyouandyourfather。Theatmospherehere——Idon’tmeanthematerialatmosphereofCraneCourt——issoinvigorating：itssimplicity，itssincerity。Iusedtohaveideals。Itriedtostiflethem。Thereisasetthatsneersatallthatsortofthing。

NowIseethattheyaregood。Youwillhelpme？"

Everywomanisamother。Tommyfeltforthemomentthatshewantedtotakethisbigboyonherkneeandtalktohimforhisgood。Hewasonlyanovergrownlad。Butsoexceedinglyovergrown！Tommyhadtocontentherselfwithholdingoutherhand。DickDanversgraspedittightly。

Cloddwastheonlyonewhodidnotapproveofhim。

"Howdidyougetholdofhim？"askedCloddoneafternoon，heandPeteraloneintheoffice。

"Hecame。Hecameintheusualway，"explainedPeter。

"Whatdoyouknowabouthim？"

"Nothing。Whatistheretoknow？Onedoesn’taskforacharacterwithajournalist。"

"No，Isupposethatwouldn’twork。Foundoutanythingabouthimsince？"

"Nothingagainsthim。Whysosuspiciousofeverybody？"

"Becauseyouarejustawoollylambandwantadogtolookafteryou。Whoishe？Onafirstnighthegivesawayhisstallandsneaksintothepit。Whenyousendhimtoapicture—gallery，hedodgestheprivateviewandgoesonthefirstshillingday。Ifaninvitationcomestoapublicdinner，heasksmetogoandeatitforhimandtellhimwhatit’sallabout。Thatdoesn’tsuggestthefrankandhonestjournalist，doesit？"

"Itisunusual，itcertainlyisunusual，"Peterwasboundtoadmit。

"Idistrusttheman，"saidClodd。"He’snotourclass。Whatishedoinghere？"

"Iwillaskhim，Clodd;Iwillaskhimstraightout。"

"Andbelievewhateverhetellsyou。"

"No，Ishan’t。"

"Thenwhat’sthegoodofaskinghim？"

"Well，whatamItodo？"demandedthebewilderedPeter。

"Getridofhim，"suggestedClodd。

"Getridofhim？"

"Gethimaway！Don’thavehiminandoutoftheofficealldaylong—lookingatherwiththosecollie—dogeyesofhis，arguingartandpoetrywithherinthatcushat—dovevoiceofhis。Gethimcleanaway——ifitisn’ttoolatealready。"

"Nonsense，"saidPeter，whohadturnedwhite，however。"She’snotthatsortofgirl。"

"Notthatsortofgirl！"CloddhadnopatiencewithPeterHope，andtoldhimso。"Whyarethereneverinkstainsonherfingersnow？Thereusedtobe。Whydoesshealwayskeepalemoninherdrawer？Whendidshelasthaveherhaircut？I’lltellyouifyoucaretoknow——theweekbeforehecame，fivemonthsago。Sheusedtohaveitcutonceafortnight：saidittickledherneck。WhydoesshejumponpeoplewhentheycallherTommyandtellthemthathernameisJane？ItneverusedtobeJane。Maybewhenyou’reabitolderyou’llbegintonoticethingsforyourself。"

Cloddjammedhishatonhisheadandflunghimselfdownthestairs。

Peter，slippingoutaminutelater，boughthimselfanounceofsnuff。

"Fiddle—de—dee！"saidPeterashehelpedhimselftohisthirteenthpinch。"Don’tbelieveit。I’llsoundher。Ishan’tsayaword——

I’lljustsoundher。"

Peterstoodwithhisbacktothefire。Tommysatatherdesk，correctingproofsofafancifulstory：TheManWithoutaPast。

"Ishallmisshim，"saidPeter;"IknowIshall。"

"Misswhom？"demandedTommy。

"Danvers，"sighedPeter。"Italwayshappensso。Yougetfriendlywithaman;thenhegoesaway——abroad，backtoAmerica，Lordknowswhere。Youneverseehimagain。"

Tommylookedup。Therewastroubleinherface。

"Howdoyouspell’harassed’？"questionedTommy！"twor’sorone。"

"Oner，"Peterinformedher，"twos’s。"

"Ithoughtso。"ThetroublepassedfromTommy’sface。

"Youdon’taskwhenhe’sgoing，youdon’taskwherehe’sgoing，"

complainedPeter。"Youdon’tseemtobeinterestedintheleast。"

"Iwasgoingtoask，sosoonasIhadfinishedcorrectingthissheet，"explainedTommy。"Whatreasondoeshegive？"

Peterhadcrossedoverandwasstandingwherehecouldseeherfaceilluminedbythelamplight。

"Itdoesn’tupsetyou——thethoughtofhisgoingaway，ofyourneverseeinghimagain？"

"Whyshouldit？"Tommyansweredhissearchinggazewithaslightlypuzzledlook。"Ofcourse，I’msorry。Hewasbecominguseful。Butwecouldn’texpecthimtostopwithusalways，couldwe？"

Peter，rubbinghishands，brokeintoachuckle。"Itoldhim’twasallfiddlesticks。Clodd，hewouldhaveityouweregrowingtocareforthefellow。"

"ForDickDanvers？"Tommylaughed。"Whateverputthatintohishead？"

"Oh，well，therewereoneortwolittlethingsthatwehadnoticed。"

"We？"

"ImeanthatCloddhadnoticed。"

I’mgladitwasCloddthatnoticedthem，notyou，dad，thoughtTommytoherself。They’dhavebeenprettyobviousifyouhadnoticedthem。

"Itnaturallymademeanxious，"confessedPeter。"Yousee，weknowabsolutelynothingofthefellow。"

"Absolutelynothing，"agreedTommy。

"Hemaybeamanofthehighestintegrity。Personally，Ithinkheis。Ilikehim。Ontheotherhand，hemaybeathorough—pacedscoundrel。Idon’tbelieveforamomentthatheis，buthemaybe。

Impossibletosay。"

"Quiteimpossible，"agreedTommy。

"Consideredmerelyasajournalist，itdoesn’tmatter。Hewriteswell。Hehasbrains。There’sanendofit。"

"Heisverypainstaking，"agreedTommy。

"Personally，"addedPeter，"Ilikethefellow。"Tommyhadreturnedtoherwork。

OfwhatusewasPeterinacrisisofthiskind？Petercouldn’tscold。Petercouldn’tbully。TheonlypersontotalktoTommyasTommyknewsheneededtobetalkedtowasoneJane，ayoungwomanofdignitywithsenseoftheproprieties。

"Idohopethatatleastyouarefeelingashamedofyourself，"

remarkedJanetoTommythatsamenight，asthetwainsattogetherintheirlittlebedroom。

"Donenothingtobeashamedof，"growledTommy。

"Makingafoolofyourselfopenly，foreverybodytonotice。"

"Cloddain’teverybody。He’sgoteyesatthebackofhishead。

Seesthingsbeforetheyhappen。"

"Where’syourwoman’spride：fallinginlovewithamanwhohasneverspokentoyou，exceptintermsofthemostordinarycourtesy。"

"I’mnotinlovewithhim。"

"Amanaboutwhomyouknowabsolutelynothing。"

"Notinlovewithhim。"

"Wheredoeshecomefrom？Whoishe？"

"Idon’tknow，don’tcare;nothingtodowithme。"

"Justbecauseofhissofteyes，andhiswheedlingvoice，andthathalf—caressing，half—devotionalmannerofhis。Doyouimaginehekeepsitspeciallyforyou？Igaveyoucreditformoresense。"

"I’mnotinlovewithhim，Itellyou。He’sdownonhisluck，andI’msorryforhim，that’sall。"

"Andifheis，whosefaultwasit，doyouthink？"

"Itdoesn’tmatter。Wearenoneofussaints。He’stryingtopullhimselftogether，andIrespecthimforit。It’sourdutytobecharitableandkindtooneanotherinthisworld！"

"Oh，well，I’lltellyouhowyoucanbekindtohim：bypointingouttohimthatheiswastinghistime。Withhistalents，nowthatheknowshisbusiness，hecouldbeonthestaffofsomebigpaper，earningagoodincome。Putitnicelytohim，butbefirm。Insistonhisgoing。Thatwillbeshowingtruekindnesstohim——andtoyourself，too，I’mthinking，mydear。"

AndTommyunderstoodandappreciatedthesoundgoodsenseunderlyingJane’sadvice，andtheverynextdaybutone，seizingthefirstopportunity，acteduponit;andallwouldhavegoneascontemplatedifonlyDickDanvershadsatstillandlistened，asithadbeenarrangedinTommy’sprogrammethatheshould。

"ButIdon’twanttogo，"saidDick。

"Butyououghttowanttogo。Stayingherewithusyouaredoingyourselfnogood。"

Heroseandcametowhereshestoodwithonefootuponthefender，lookingdownintothefire。Hisdoingthisdisconcertedher。Solongasheremainedseatedattheotherendoftheroom，shewasthesub—editor，counsellingthestaffforitsowngood。Nowthatshecouldnotraisehereyeswithoutencounteringhis，shefeltpainfullyconsciousofbeingnothingmoreimportantthanalittlewomanwhowastrembling。

"Itisdoingmeallthegoodintheworld，"hetoldher，"beingneartoyou。"

"Oh，pleasedositdownagain，"sheurgedhim。"Icantalktoyousomuchbetterwhenyou’resittingdown。"

Buthewouldnotdoanythingheshouldhavedonethatday。Insteadhetookherhandsinhis，andwouldnotletthemgo;andthereasonandthewillwentoutofher，leavingherhelpless。

"Letmebewithyoualways，"hepleaded。"Itmeansthedifferencebetweenlightanddarknesstome。Youhavedonesomuchforme。

Willyounotfinishyourwork？Willyounottrustme？Itisnohotpassionthatcanpassaway，myloveforyou。Itspringsfromallthatisbestinme——fromthepartofmethatiswholesomeandjoyousandstrong，thepartofmethatbelongstoyou。"

Releasingher，heturnedaway。

"Theotherpartofme——theblackguard——itisdead，dear，——deadandburied。IdidnotknowIwasablackguard，Ithoughtmyselfafinefellow，tillonedayitcamehometome。SuddenlyIsawmyselfasIreallywas。AndthesightofthethingfrightenedmeandIranawayfromit。IsaidtomyselfIwouldbeginlifeafresh，inanewcountry，freeofeverytiethatcouldbindmetothepast。Itwouldmeanpoverty——privation，maybe，inthebeginning。Whatofthat？Thestrugglewouldbraceme。Itwouldbegoodsport。Ah，well，youcanguesstheresult：theawakeningtothecoldfacts，thereactionoffeeling。InwhatwaywasIworsethanothermen？

WhowasI，toplaythepriginaworldwhereotherswerelaughinganddining？Ihadtrampedyourcitytillmybootswerewornintoholes。Ihadbuttoabandonmyquixoticideals——returntowhereshamelaywaitingforme，tobewelcomedwiththefattedcalf。ItwouldhaveendedsohadInotchancedtopassbyyourdoorthatafternoonandhearyoustrummingonthepiano。"

SoBillywasright，afterall，thoughtTommytoherself，thepianodoeshelp。

"Itwassoincongruous——apianoinCraneCourt——Ilookedtoseewherethenoisecamefrom。Ireadthenameofthepaperonthedoorpost。’Itwillbemylastchance，’Isaidtomyself。’Thisshalldecideit。’"

Hecamebacktoher。Shehadnotmoved。"Iamnotafraidtotellyouallthis。Youaresobig—hearted，sohuman;youwillunderstand，youcanforgive。Itisallpast。Lovingyoutellsamanthathehasdonewithevil。Willyounottrustme？"

Sheputherhandsinhis。"Iamtrustingyou，"shesaid，"withallmylife。Don’tmakeamuddleofit，dear，ifyoucanhelpit。"

Itwasanoddwooing，asTommylaughinglytoldherselfwhenshecametothinkitoverinherroomthatnight。Butthatishowitshapeditself。

WhattroubledhermostwasthathehadnotbeenquitefrankwithPeter，sothatPeterhadtodefendheragainstherself。

"Iattackedyousosuddenly，"explainedPeter，"youhadnottimetothink。Youactedfrominstinct。Awomanseekstohideherloveevenfromherself。"

"Iexpect，afterall，Iammoreofagirlthanaboy，"fearedTommy："Iseemtohavesomanywomanishfailings。"

Petertookhimselfintoquiteplacesandtrainedhimselftofacethefactthatanotherwouldbemoretoherthanhehadeverbeen，andCloddwentabouthisworklikeabearwithasorehead;buttheyneitherofthemneedhavetroubledthemselvessomuch。Themarriagedidnottakeplacetillnearlyfifteenyearshadpassedaway，andmuchwaterhadtoflowbeneatholdLondonBridgebeforethatday。

Thepastisnoteasilygotridof。Atalewasoncewrittenofawomanwhokilledherbabeandburieditinalonelywood，andlaterstolebackinthenightandsawthere，whiteinthemoonlight，achild’shandcallingthroughtheearth，andburieditagainandyetagain;butalwaysthatwhitebabyhandcalledupwardsthroughtheearth，trampleitdownasshewould。Tommyreadthestoryoneeveninginanoldmiscellany，andsatlongbeforethedeadfire，thebookopenonherlap，andshivered;fornowsheknewthefearthathadbeenhauntingher。

Tommylivedexpectingher。ShecameonenightwhenTommywasalone，workinglateintheoffice。Tommyknewherthemomentsheenteredthedoor，ahandsomewoman，withsnake—like，rustlingskirts。Sheclosedthedoorbehindher，anddrawingforwardachair，seatedherselftheothersideofthedesk，andthetwolookedlongandanxiouslyatoneanother。

"TheytoldmeIshouldfindyouherealone，"saidthewoman。"Itisbetter，isitnot？"

"Yes，"saidTommy，"itisbetter。"

"Tellme，"saidthewoman，"areyouverymuchinlovewithhim？"

"WhyshouldItellyou？"

"Because，ifnot——ifyouhavemerelyacceptedhimthinkinghimagoodcatch——whichheisn’t，mydear;hasn’tapennytoblesshimselfwith，andneverwillifhemarriesyou——why，thenthematterissoonsettled。Theytellmeyouareabusiness—likeyounglady，andIampreparedtomakeabusiness—likeproposition。"

Therewasnoanswer。Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。

"If，ontheotherhand，youarethatabsurdcreature，ayounggirlinlove——why，then，Isupposeweshallhavetofightforhim。"

"Itwouldbemoresporting，woulditnot？"suggestedTommy。

"Letmeexplainbeforeyoudecide，"continuedthewoman。"DickDanversleftmesixmonthsago，andhaskeptfrommeeversince，becausehelovedme。"

"Itsoundsacuriousreason。"

"IwasamarriedwomanwhenDickDanversandIfirstmet。Sinceheleftme——formysakeandhisown——Ihavereceivedinformationofmyhusband’sdeath。"

"AnddoesDick——doesheknow？"askedthegirl。

"Notyet。Ihaveonlylatelylearntthenewsmyself。"

"Thenifitisasyousay，whenheknowshewillgobacktoyou。"

"Therearedifficultiesintheway。"

"Whatdifficulties？"

"Mydear，this。Totryandforgetme，hehasbeenmakinglovetoyou。Mendothesethings。Imerelyaskyoutoconvinceyourselfofthetruth。Goawayforsixmonths——disappearentirely。Leavehimfree——uninfluenced。Ifhelovesyou——ifitbenotmerelyasenseofhonourthatbindshim——youwillfindhimhereonyourreturn。Ifnot——ifintheintervalIhavesucceededinrunningoffwithhim，well，isnotthetwoorthreethousandpoundsIampreparedtoputintothispaperofyoursafairpriceforsuchalover？"

Tommyrosewithalaughofgenuineamusement。Shecouldneveraltogetherputasidehersenseofhumour，letFatecomewithwhatterrifyingfaceitwould。

"Youmayhavehimfornothing——ifheisthatman，"thegirltoldher;"heshallbefreetochoosebetweenus。"

"Youmeanyouwillreleasehimfromhisengagement？"

"ThatiswhatImean。"

"Whynottakemyoffer？Youknowthemoneyisneeded。Itwillsaveyourfatheryearsofanxietyandstruggle。Goaway——travel，foracoupleofmonths，ifyou’reafraidofthesix。Writehimthatyoumustbealone，tothinkthingsover。"

Thegirlturneduponher。

"Andleaveyouafreefieldtolieandtrick？"

Thewoman，too，hadrisen。"Doyouthinkhereallycaresforyou？

Atthemomentyouinteresthim。Atnineteeneverywomanisamystery。Whenthemoodispast——anddoyouknowhowlongaman’smoodlasts，youpoorchit？Tillhehascaughtwhatheisrunningafter，andhastastedit——thenhewillthinknotofwhathehaswon，butofwhathehaslost：ofthesocietyfromwhichhehascuthimselfadrift;ofalltheoldpleasuresandpursuitshecannolongerenjoy;oftheluxuries——necessitiestoamanofhisstamp——

thatmarriagewithyouhasdeprivedhimof。Thenyourfacewillbeaperpetualremindertohimofwhathehaspaidforit，andhewillcurseiteverytimeheseesit。"

"Youdon’tknowhim，"thegirlcried。"Youknowjustapartofhim——thepartyouwouldknow。Alltherestofhimisagoodman，thatwouldratherhisself—respectthanalltheluxuriesyoumention——youincluded。"

"Itseemstoresolveitselfintowhatmannerofmanheis，"laughedthewoman。

Thegirllookedatherwatch。"Hewillbehereshortly;heshalltellushimself。"

"Howdoyoumean？"

"Thathere，betweenthetwoofus，heshalldecide——thisverynight。"Sheshowedherwhitefacetothewoman。"DoyouthinkI

couldlivethroughaseconddayliketothis？"

"Thescenewouldberidiculous。"

"Therewillbenoneheretoenjoythehumourofit。"

"Hewillnotunderstand。"

"Oh，yes，hewill，"thegirllaughed。"Come，youhavealltheadvantages;youarerich，youareclever;youbelongtohisclass。

Ifheelectstostopwithme，itwillbebecauseheismyman——

mine。Areyouafraid？"

Thewomanshivered。Shewrappedherfurcloakabouthercloserandsatdownagain，andTommyreturnedtoherproofs。Itwaspress—

night，andtherewasmuchtobedone。

Hecamealittlelater，thoughhowlongthetimemayhaveseemedtothetwowomenonecannotsay。Theyheardhisfootsteponthestair。Thewomanroseandwentforward，sothatwhenheopenedthedoorshewasthefirsthesaw。Buthemadenosign。Possiblyhehadbeenschoolinghimselfforthismoment，knowingthatsoonerorlateritmustcome。Thewomanheldoutherhandtohimwithasmile。

"Ihavenotthehonour，"hesaid。

Thesmilediedfromherface。"Idonotunderstand，"shesaid。

"Ihavenotthehonour，"herepeated。"Idonotknowyou。"

Thegirlwasleaningwithherbackagainstthedeskinasomewhatmannishattitude。Hestoodbetweenthem。ItwillalwaysremainLife’schiefcomicsuccess：themanbetweentwowomen。Thesituationhasamusedtheworldforsomanyyears。Yet，somehow，hecontrivedtomaintainacertaindignity。

"Maybe，"hecontinued，"youareconfoundingmewithaDickDanverswholivedinNewYorkuptoafewmonthsago。Iknewhimwell——aworthlessscampyouhaddonebetternevertohavemet。"

"Youbearawonderfulresemblancetohim，"laughedthewoman。

"Thepoorfoolisdead，"heanswered。"Andheleftforyou，mydearlady，thisdyingmessage：that，fromthebottomofhissoul，hewassorryforthewronghehaddoneyou。Heaskedyoutoforgivehim——andforgethim。"

"Theyearappearstobeopeningunfortunatelyforme，"saidthewoman。"Firstmylover，thenmyhusband。"

Hehadnervedhimselftofighttheliving。Thiswasablowfromthedead。Themanhadbeenhisfriend。

"Dead？"

"Hewaskilled，itappears，inthatlastexpeditioninJuly，"

answeredthewoman。"IreceivedthenewsfromtheForeignOfficeonlyafortnightago。"

Anuglylookcameintohiseyes——thelookofacorneredcreaturefightingforitslife。"Whyhaveyoufollowedmehere？WhydoI

findyouherealonewithher？Whathaveyoutoldher？"

Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。"Onlythetruth。"

"Allthetruth？"hedemanded——"all？Ah！bejust。Tellheritwasnotallmyfault。Tellherallthetruth。"

"Whatwouldyouhavemetellher？ThatIplayedPotiphar’swifetoyourJoseph？"

"Ah，no！Thetruth——onlythetruth。ThatyouandIwereapairofidlefoolswiththedevildancingroundus。Thatweplayedafool’sgame，andthatitisover。"

"Isitover？Dick，isitover？"Sheflungherarmstowardshim;

buthethrewherfromhimalmostbrutally。"Themanisdead，I

tellyou。Hisfollyandhissinliedeadwithhim。Ihavenothingtodowithyou，noryouwithme。"

"Dick！"shewhispered。"Dick，cannotyouunderstand？Imustspeakwithyoualone。"

Buttheydidnotunderstand，neitherthemannorthechild。

"Dick，areyoureallydead？"shecried。"Haveyounopityforme？

DoyouthinkthatIhavefollowedyouheretogrovelatyourfeetformerewhim？AmIactinglikeawomansaneandsound？Don’tyouseethatIammad，andwhyIammad？MustItellyoubeforeher？

Dick——"Shestaggeredtowardshim，andthefinecloakslippedfromhershoulders;andthenitwasthatTommychangedfromachildintoawoman，andraisedtheotherwomanfromthegroundwithcrooningwordsofencouragementsuchasmothersuse，andledhertotheinnerroom。"Donotgo，"shesaid，turningtoDick;"Ishallbebackinafewminutes。"

HecrossedtooneofthewindowsagainstwhichbeattheCity’sroar，anditseemedtohimasthethrobofpassingfootstepsbeatingdownthroughthedarknesstowherehelayinhisgrave。

Shere—entered，closingthedoorsoftlybehindher。"Itistrue？"

sheasked。

"Itcanbe。Ihadnotthoughtofit。"

Theyspokeinlow，matter—of—facttones，aspeopledowhohavegrownwearyoftheirownemotions。

"Whendidhegoaway——herhusband？"

"About——itisFebruarynow，isitnot？Abouteighteenmonthsago。"

"Anddiedjusteightmonthsago。Ratherconveniently，poorfellow。"

"Yes，I’mgladheisdead——poorLawrence。"

"Whatistheshortesttimeinwhichamarriagecanbearranged？"

"Idonotknow，"heansweredlistlessly。"Idonotintendtomarryher。"

"Youwouldleavehertobearitalone？"

"Itisnotasifshewereapoorwoman。Youcandoanythingwithmoney。"

"Itwillnotmendreputation。Herpositioninsocietyiseverythingtothatclassofwoman。"

"Mymarryinghernow，"hepointedout，"wouldnotsaveher。"

"Practicallyspeakingitwould，"thegirlpleaded。"Theworlddoesnotgooutofitswaytofindoutthingsitdoesnotwanttoknow。

Marryherasquietlyaspossibleandtravelforayearortwo。"

"WhyshouldI？Ah！itiseasyenoughtocallamanacowardfordefendinghimselfagainstawoman。Whatishetodowhenheisfightingforhislife？Mendonotsinwithgoodwomen。"

"Thereisthechildtobeconsidered，"sheurged——"yourchild。Yousee，dear，wealldowrongsometimes。Wemustnotletotherssufferforourfaultmore——morethanwecanhelp。"

Heturnedtoherforthefirsttime。"Andyou？"

"I？Oh，Ishallcryforalittlewhile，butlateronIshalllaugh，asoften。Lifeisnotalllove。Ihavemywork。"

Heknewherwellbythistime。Andalsoitcametohimthatitwouldbeafinerthingtobeworthyofherthaneventopossessher。

Sohedidherbiddingandwentoutwiththeotherwoman。Tommywasgladitwaspress—night。Shewouldnotbeabletothinkforhourstocome，andthen，perhaps，shewouldbefeelingtootired。Workcanbeverykind。

Werethisanartisticstory，here，ofcourse，onewouldwrite"Finis。"Butintheworkadayworldoneneverknowstheendingtillitcomes。Haditbeenotherwise，IdoubtIcouldhavefoundcouragetotellyouthisstoryofTommy。Itisnotalltrue——atleast，Idonotsupposeso。Onedriftsunconsciouslyalittlewayintodream—landwhenonesitsoneselfdowntorecallthehappeningsoflongago;whileFancy，withaslywink，whisperseverandagaintoMemory："Letmetellthisincident——picturethatscene：Icanmakeitsomuchmoreinterestingthanyouwould。"ButTommy——howcanIputitwithoutsayingtoomuch：thereissomeoneIthinkofwhenIspeakofher？Torememberonlyherdearwounds，andnotthehealingofthem，wouldhavebeenatasktoopainful。Ilovetodwellontheirnextmeeting。Flipp，passinghimonthesteps，didnotknowhim，thetall，sunburntgentlemanwiththesweet，grave—

facedlittlegirl。

"Seenthatfacesomewherebefore，"musedFlipp，asatthecornerofBedfordStreetheclimbedintoahansom，"seenitsomewhereonathinnerman。"

ForDickDanvers，thathedidnotrecogniseFlipp，therewasmoreexcuse。AveryoldyoungmanhadFlippbecomeatthirty。Flippnolongerenjoyedpopularjournalism。Heproducedit。

Thegold—bounddoorkeeperfearedthemightyCloddwouldbeunabletoseesoinsignificantanatomasanunappointedstranger，butwouldletthecardofMr。RichardDanverspleadforitself。Tothegold—boundkeeper’ssurprisecamedownthemessagethatMr。Danverswastobeatonceshownup。

"Ithought，somehow，youwouldcometomefirst，"saidtheportlyClodd，advancingwithout—stretchedhand。"Andthisis——？"

"Mylittlegirl，Honor。Wehavebeentravellingforthelastfewmonths。"

Cloddtookthegrave，smallfacebetweenhisbig，roughhands：

"Yes。Sheislikeyou。Butlooksasifsheweregoingtohavemoresense。Forgiveme，Iknewyourfathermydear，"laughedClodd;"whenhewasyounger。"

Theylittheircigarsandtalked。

"Well，notexactlydead;weamalgamatedit，"winkedCloddinanswertoDanvers’inquiry。"ItwasjustatrifleTOOhigh—class。

Besides，theoldgentlemanwasnotgettingyounger。Ithurthimalittleatfirst。ButthencameTommy’sgreatsuccess，andthathasreconciledhimtoallthings。DotheyknowyouareinEngland？"

"No，"explainedDanvers;"wearrivedonlylastnight。"

Cloddcalleddirectionsdownthespeaking—tube。

"Youwillfindhardlyanychangeinher。Onestillhastokeepone’seyeuponherchin。Shehasnotevenlostheroldhabitoftakingstockofpeople。Youremember。"Cloddlaughed。

Theytalkedalittlelonger，tilltherecameawhistle，andCloddputhiseartothetube。

"Ihavetoseeheronbusiness，"saidClodd，rising;"youmayaswellcomewithme。Theyarestillintheoldplace，GoughSquare。"

Tommywasout，butPeterwasexpectinghereveryminute。

PeterdidnotknowDick，butwouldnotadmitit。Forgetfulnesswasasignofage，andPeterstillfeltyoung。

"Iknowyourfacequitewell，"saidPeter;"can’tputanametoit，that’sall。"

Cloddwhisperedittohim，togetherwithinformationbringinghistoryuptodate。Andthenlightfellupontheoldlinedface。

HecametowardsDick，meaningtotakehimbybothhands，but，perhapsbecausehehadbecomesomewhatfeeble，heseemedgladwhentheyoungermanputhisarmsaroundhimandheldhimforamoment。

Itwasun—English，andbothofthemfeltalittleashamedofthemselvesafterwards。

"Whatwewant，"saidClodd，addressingPeter，"wethree——you，I，andMissDanvers——isteaandcakes，withcreaminthem;andIknowashopwheretheysellthem。Wewillcallbackforyourfatherinhalfanhour。"CloddexplainedtoMissDanvers;"hehastotalkoveramatterofbusinesswithMissHope。"

"Iknow，"answeredthegrave—facedlittleperson。ShedrewDick’sfacedowntohersandkissedit。Andthenthethreewentouttogether，leavingDickstandingbythewindow。

"Couldn’twehidesomewheretillshecomes？"suggestedMissDanvers。"Iwanttoseeher。"

Sotheywaitedintheopendoorwayofanearprinting—housetillTommydroveup。BothPeterandCloddwatchedthechild’sfacewithsomeanxiety。Shenoddedgravelytoherselfthreetimes，thenslippedherhandintoPeter’s。

Tommyopenedthedoorwithherlatchkeyandpassedin。