"Ah！"hesaid，"whatbeauty！Andtheydon’tseeit——notoneinathousand！Pity，isn’tit？Beautyistheholything！"
　　Fort，inhisturn，shruggedhisshoulders。"Everymantohisvision！"hesaid。"Myleg’sbeginningtobotherme;I’mafraidI
　　musttakeacab。Here’smyaddress;anytimeyouliketocome。I’mofteninaboutseven。Ican’ttakeyouanywhere，Isuppose？"
　　"Athousandthanks，monsieur;butIgonorth。Ilovedyourwordsaboutthepack。Ioftenwakeatnightandhearthehowlingofallthepacksoftheworld。Thosewhoarebynaturegentlenowadaysfeeltheyarestrangersinafarland。Goodnight，monsieur！"
　　Hetookoffhisqueerhat，bowedlow，andcrossedoutintotheStrand，likeonewhohadcomeinadream，andfadedoutwiththewaking。Forthailedacab，andwenthome，stillseeingNoel’sface。
　　Therewasone，ifyouliked，waitingtobethrowntothewolves，waitingfortheworld’spacktobeginhowlingroundher——thatlovelychild;andthefirst，theloudestofallthepack，perhaps，mustbeherownfather，thelean，darkfigurewiththegentleface，andtheburntbrighteyes。Whataghastlybusiness！HisdreamsthatnightwerenotsuchasLeilawouldhaveapproved。
　　IX
　　Wheninthecupboardthereisarealandverybonyskeleton，carefullykeptfromthesightofasinglememberofthefamily，thepositionofthatmemberisliabletobecomelonely。ButPierson，whohadbeenlonelyfifteenyears，didnotfeelitsomuch，perhaps，asmostmenwouldhave。Inhisdreamynaturetherewasacuriousself—
　　sufficiency，whichonlyviolentshocksdisturbed，andhewentonwithhisroutineofduty，whichhadbecomeforhimassetasthepavementshetrodonhiswaytoandfromit。Itwasnotexactlytrue，asthepainterhadsaid，thatthisroutinedidnotbringhimintotouchwithlife。Afterallhesawpeoplewhentheywereborn，whentheymarried，whentheydied。Hehelpedthemwhentheywantedmoney，andwhentheywereill;hetoldtheirchildrenBiblestoriesonSundayafternoons;heservedthosewhowereinneedwithsoupandbreadfromhissoupkitchen。Heneversparedhimselfinanyway，andhisearswerealwaysattheserviceoftheirwoes。Andyethedidnotunderstandthem，andtheyknewthat。Itwasasthoughhe，orthey，werecolour—blind。Thevalueswerealldifferent。Hewasseeingonesetofobjects，theyanother。
　　Onestreetofhisparishtouchedamainlineofthoroughfare，andformedalittlepartofthenewhunting—groundsofwomen，who，chasedforthfromtheirusualhauntsbytheAuthoritiesunderpressureofthecountry’sdanger，nowpursuedtheircallinginthedark。ThisparticularevilhadalwaysbeenasortofnightmaretoPierson。Thestarvationwhichruledhisownexistenceinclinedhimtoaparticularlysevereviewandseveritywasnothisstrongpoint。Inconsequencetherewaseverwithinhimasortofverypersonalandpoignantstrugglegoingonbeneaththatseemingattitudeofrigiddisapproval。Hejoinedthehunters，asitwere，becausehewasafraid—not，ofcourse，ofhisowninstincts，forhewasfastidious，agentleman，andapriest，butofbeinglenienttoasin，tosomethingwhichGodabhorred:Hewas，asitwere，boundtotakeaprofessionalviewofthisparticularoffence。Wheninhiswalksabroadhepassedoneofthesewomen，hewouldunconsciouslypursehislips，andfrown。
　　Thedarknessofthestreetsseemedtolendthemsuchpower，suchunholysovereigntyoverthenight。Theyweresuchadangertothesoldiers，too;andinturn，thesoldiersweresuchadangertothelambsofhisflock。Domesticdisastersinhisparishcametohisearsfromtimetotime;casesofyounggirlswhoseheadswereturnedbysoldiers，sothattheywereabouttobecomemothers。Theyseemedtohimpitifulindeed;buthecouldnotforgivethemfortheirgiddiness，forputtingtemptationinthewayofbraveyoungmen，fighting，orabouttofight。Theglamourwhichsurroundedsoldierswasnotexcuseenough。Whenthebabieswereborn，andcametohisnotice，heconsultedaCommitteehehadformed，ofthreemarriedandtwomaidenladies，whovisitedthemothers，andifnecessarytookthebabiesintoacreche;forthosebabieshadanewvaluetothecountry，andwerenot——poorlittlethings！——tobeheldresponsiblefortheirmothers’faults。Hehimselfsawlittleoftheyoungmothers;shyofthem，secretlyafraid，perhaps，ofnotbeingcensoriousenough。ButonceinawayLifesethimfacetofacewithone。
　　OnNewYear’sEvehewassittinginhisstudyaftertea，atthathourwhichhetriedtokeepforhisparishioners，whenaMrs。Mitchettwasannounced，asmallbookseller’swife，whomheknewforanoccasionalCommunicant。Shecamein，accompaniedbyayoungdark—eyedgirlinaloosemouse—colouredcoat。Athisinvitationtheysatdowninfrontofthelongbookcaseonthetwogreenleatherchairswhichhadgrownwornintheserviceoftheparish;and，screwedroundinhischairatthebureau，withhislongmusician’sfingerspressedtogether，helookedatthemandwaited。Thewomanhadtakenoutherhandkerchief，andwaswipinghereyes;butthegirlsatquiet，asthemouseshesomewhatresembledinthatcoat。
　　"Yes，Mrs。Mitchett？"Hesaidgently，atlast。
　　Thewomanputawayherhandkerchief，sniffedresolutely，andbegan:
　　"It’s’Ilda，sir。SuchathingMitchettandmenevercould’aveexpected，comin’onussosudden。Ithoughtitbesttobring，’erround，poorgirl。Ofcourse，it’sallthewar。I’vewarned’eradozentimes;butthereitis，comin’nextmonth，andthemaninFrance。"Piersoninstinctivelyavertedhisgazefromthegirl，whohadnotmovedhereyesfromhisface，whichshescannedwithaseemingabsenceofinterest，asifshehadlonggivenupthinkingoverherlot，andleftitnowtoothers。
　　"Thatissad，"hesaid;"very，verysad。"
　　"Yes，"murmuredMrs。Mitchett;"that’swhatItell’Ilda。"
　　Thegirl’sglance，loweredforasecond，resumeditsimpersonalscrutinyofPierson’sface。
　　"Whatistheman’snameandregiment？PerhapswecangetleaveforhimtocomehomeandmarryHildaatonce。"
　　Mrs。Mitchettsniffed。"Shewon’tgiveit，sir。Now，’Ilda，giveittoMr。Pierson。"Andhervoicehadarealnoteofentreaty。Thegirlshookherhead。Mrs。Mitchettmurmureddolefully:"That’s’owsheis，sir;notawordwillshesay。AndasItellher，wecanonlythinktheremust’avebeenmorethanone。Andthatdoesputustoshameso！"
　　Butstillthegirlmadenosign。
　　"Youspeaktoher，sir;I’mreallyatmywit’send。"
　　"Whywon’tyoutellus？"saidPierson。"Themanwillwanttodotherightthing，’I’msure。"
　　Thegirlshookherhead，andspokeforthefirsttime。
　　"Idon’tknowhisname。"
　　Mrs。Mitchett’sfacetwitched。
　　"Oh，dear！"shesaid:"Thinkofthat！She’sneversaidasmuchtous。"
　　"Notknowhisname？"Piersonmurmured。"Buthow——howcouldyou——"
　　hestopped，buthisfacehaddarkened。"Surelyyouwouldneverhavedonesuchathingwithoutaffection？Come，tellme！"
　　"Idon’tknowit，"thegirlrepeated。
　　"It’stheseParks，"saidMrs。Mitchett，frombehindherhandkerchief。"Andtothinkthatthis’llbeourfirstgrandchildandall！’Ildaisdifficult;asquiet，asquiet;butthatstubborn——"
　　Piersonlookedatthegirl，whoseemed，ifanything，lessinterestedthanever。Thisimpenetrabilityandsomethingmulishinherattitudeannoyedhim。"Ican’tthink，"hesaid，"howyoucouldsohaveforgottenyourself。It’strulygrievous。"
　　Mrs。Mitchettmurmured:"Yes，sir;thegirlsgetsitintotheirheadsthatthere’sgoingtobenoyoungmenforthem。"
　　"That’sright，"saidthegirlsullenly。
　　Pierson’slipsgrewtighter。"Well，whatcanIdoforyou，Mrs。
　　Mitchett？"hesaid。"Doesyourdaughtercometochurch？"
　　Mrs。Mitchettshookherheadmournfully。"Neversinceshehadherbyke。"
　　Piersonrosefromhischair。Theoldstory！Controlanddisciplineundermined，andthesebitterapplestheresult！
　　"Well，"hesaid，"ifyouneedourcreche，youhaveonlytocometome，"andheturnedtothegirl。"Andyou——won’tyouletthisdreadfulexperiencemoveyourheart？Mydeargirl，wemustallmasterourselves，ourpassions，andourfoolishwilfulness，especiallyinthesetimeswhenourcountryneedsusstrong，andself—
　　disciplined，notthinkingofourselves。I’msureyou’reagoodgirlatheart。"
　　Thegirl’sdarkeyes，unmovedfromhisface，rousedinhimaspasmofnervousirritation。"Yoursoulisingreatdanger，andyou’reveryunhappy，Icansee。TurntoGodforhelp，andinHismercyeverythingwillbemadesodifferentforyou——soverydifferent！
　　Come！"
　　Thegirlsaidwithasortofsurprisingquietness:"Idon’twantthebaby！"
　　Theremarkstaggeredhim，almostasifshehadutteredahideousoath。
　　’Ildawasinmunitions，"saidhermotherinanexplanatoryvoice:
　　"earnin’amatteroffourpoundaweek。Oh！dear，itisawastean’
　　all！"Aqueer，ratherterriblelittlesmilecurledPierson’slips。
　　"Ajudgment！"hesaid。"Goodevening，Mrs。Mitchett。Goodevening，Hilda。Ifyouwantmewhenthetimecomes，sendforme。"
　　Theystoodup;heshookhandswiththem;andwassuddenlyawarethatthedoorwasopen，andNoelstandingthere。Hehadheardnosound;
　　andhowlongshehadbeentherehecouldnottell。Therewasasingularfixityinherfaceandattitude。Shewasstaringatthegirl，who，asshepassed，liftedherface，sothatthedarkeyesandthegreyeyesmet。Thedoorwasshut，andNoelstoodtherealonewithhim。
　　"Aren’tyouearly，mychild？"saidPierson。"Youcameinveryquietly。"
　　"Yes;Iheard。"
　　Aslightshockwentthroughhimatthetoneofhervoice;herfacehadthatpossessedlookwhichhealwaysdreaded。"Whatdidyouhear？"hesaid。
　　"Iheardyousay:’Ajudgment！’You’llsaythesametome，won’tyou？Only，Idowantmybaby。"
　　Shewasstandingwithherbacktothedoor，overwhichadarkcurtainhung;herfacelookedyoungandsmallagainstitsstuff，hereyesverylarge。Withonehandshepluckedatherblouse，justoverherheart。
　　Piersonstaredather，andgrippedthebackofthechairhehadbeensittingin。Alifetimeofrepressionservedhiminthehalf—realisedhorrorofthatmoment。Hestammeredoutthesingleword"Nollie！"
　　"It’squitetrue，"shesaid，turnedround，andwentout。
　　Piersonhadasortofvertigo;ifhehadmoved，hemusthavefallendown。Nollie！Heslidroundandsankintohischair，andbysomehorriblecruelfictionofhisnerves，heseemedtofeelNoelonhisknee，as，whenalittlegirl，shehadbeenwonttosit，withherfairhairfluffingagainsthischeek。Heseemedtofeelthathairticklinghisskin;itusedtobethegreatestcomforthehadknownsincehermotherdied。Atthatmomenthisprideshrivelledlikeaflowerheldtoaflame;allthatabundantsecretprideofafatherwholovesandadmires，whoworshipsstilladeadwifeinthechildrenshehaslefthim;who，humblebynature，yetneverknowshowproudheistillthebitterthinghappens;allthelongprideofthepriestwho，bydintofexhortationandremonstrancehascoatedhimselfinasuperiorityhehardlysuspects——allthisprideshrivelledinhim。
　　Thensomethingwrithedandcriedwithin，asatorturedbeastcries，atlosstoknowwhyitisbeingtortured。Howmanytimeshasnotamanusedthosewords:"MyGod！MyGod！WhyhastThouforsakenme！"
　　Hesprangupandtriedtopacehiswayoutofthiscageofconfusion:
　　Histhoughtsandfeelingsmadethestrangestmedley，spiritualandworldly——Socialostracism——hersoulinperil——atrialsentbyGod！
　　Thefuture！Imaginationfailedhim。Hewenttohislittlepiano，openedit，closeditagain;tookhishat，andstoleout。Hewalkedfast，withoutknowingwhere。Itwasverycold——aclear，bitterevening。Silentrapidmotioninthefrostyairwassomerelief。AsNoelhadfledfromhim，havingutteredhernews，sodidheflyfromher。Theafflictedwalkfast。Hewassoondownbytheriver，andturnedWestalongitswall。Themoonwasup，brightandnearlyfull，andthesteel—likeshimmerofitslightburnishedtheebbingwater。
　　Acruelnight！HecametotheObelisk，andleanedagainstit，overcomebyaspasmofrealisation。Heseemedtoseehisdeadwife’sfacestaringathimoutofthepast，likeanaccusation。"HowhaveyoucaredforNollie，thatsheshouldhavecometothis？"Itbecamethefaceofthemoonlitsphinx，staringstraightathim，thebroaddarkfacewithwidenostrils，cruellips，fulleyesblankofpupils，alllivenedandwhitenedbythemoonlight——anembodimentofthemarvellousunseeingenergyofLife，twistingandturningheartswithoutmercy。Hegazedintothoseeyeswithasortofscareddefiance。Thegreatclawedpawsofthebeast，thestrengthandremorselessserenityofthatcrouchingcreaturewithhumanhead，madelivingbyhisimaginationandthemoonlight，seemedtohimlikeatemptationtodenyGod，likearefutationofhumanvirtue。
　　Then，thesenseofbeautystirredinhim;hemovedwherehecouldseeitsflankscoatedinsilverbythemoonlight，theribsandthegreatmuscles，andthetailwithtipcoiledoverthehaunch，liketheheadofaserpent。Itwasweirdlyliving;fineandcruel，thatgreatman—
　　madething。Itexpressedsomethinginthesoulofman，pitilessandremotefromlove——orrather，theremorselessnesswhichmanhadseen，lurkingwithinman’sfate。Piersonrecoiledfromit，andresumedhismarchalongtheEmbankment，almostdesertedinthebittercold。Hecametowhere，intheopeningoftheUndergroundrailway，hecouldseethelittleformsofpeoplemoving，littleorangeandredlightsglowing。Thesightarrestedhimbyitswarmthandmotion。Wasitnotalladream？Thatwomanandherdaughter，hadtheyreallycome？
　　HadnotNoelbeenbutanapparition，herwordsatrickwhichhisnerveshadplayedhim？Then，toovividlyagain，hesawherfaceagainstthedarkstuffofthecurtain，thecurveofherhandpluckingatherblouse，heardthesoundofhisownhorrified:"Nollie！"Noillusion，nodeception！Theedificeofhislifewasinthedust。
　　Andaqueerandghastlycompanyoffacescameabouthim;faceshehadthoughtfriendly，ofgoodmenandwomenwhomheknew，yetatthatmomentdidnotknow，allgatheredroundNoel，withfingerspointingather。Hestaggeredbackfromthatvision，couldnotbearit，couldnotrecognisethiscalamity。Withasortofcomfort，yetanachingsenseofunreality，hismindflewtoallthosesummerholidaysspentinScotland，Ireland，Cornwall，Wales，bymountainandlake，withhistwogirls;whatsunsets，andturningleaves，birds，beasts，andinsectstheyhadwatchedtogether！Fromtheiryouthfulcompanionship，theireagerness，theirconfidenceinhim，hehadknownsomuchwarmthandpleasure。Ifallthosememoriesweretrue，surelythiscouldnotbetrue。Hefeltsuddenlythathemusthurryback，gostraighttoNoel，tellherthatshehadbeencrueltohim，orassurehimselfthat，forthemoment，shehadbeeninsane:Histemperrosesuddenly，tookfire。Hefeltangeragainsther，againsteveryoneheknew，againstlifeitself。Thrustinghishandsdeepintothepocketsofhisthinblackovercoat，heplungedintothatnarrowglowingtunnelofthestationbooking—office，whichledbacktothecrowdedstreets。Butbythetimehereachedhomehisangerhadevaporated;
　　hefeltnothingbututterlassitude。Itwasnineo’clock，andthemaidshadclearedthediningtable。IndespairNoelhadgoneuptoherroom。Hehadnocourageleft，andsatdownsupperlessathislittlepiano，lettinghisfingersfindsoftpainfulharmonies，sothatNoelperhapsheardthefaintfarthrummingofthatmusicthroughuneasydreams。Andtherehestayed，tillitbecametimeforhimtogoforthtotheOldYear’sMidnightService。
　　Whenhereturned，Piersonwrappedhimselfinarugandlaydownontheoldsofainhisstudy。Themaid，cominginnextmorningto"do"
　　thegrate，foundhimstillasleep。Shestoodcontemplatinghiminawe;abroad—faced，kindly，fresh—colouredgirl。Helaywithhisfacerestingonhishand，hisdark，justgrizzlinghairunruffled，asifhehadnotstirredallnight;hisotherhandclutchedtherugtohischest，andhisbootedfeetprotrudedbeyondit。Toheryoungeyeshelookedratherappallinglyneglected。Shegazedwithinterestatthehollowsinhischeeks，andthefurrowsinhisbrow，andthelips，dark—moustachedandbearded，sotightlycompressed，evenin。
　　sleep。Beingholydidn’tmakeamanhappy，itseemed！Whatfascinatedherwerethecinderyeyelashesrestingonthecheeks，thefaintmovementoffaceandbodyashebreathed，thegentlehissofbreathescapingthroughthetwitchingnostrils。Shemovednearer，bendingdownoverhim，withthechildlikenotionofcountingthoselashes。Herlipspartedinreadinesstosay:"Oh！"ifhewaked。
　　Somethinginhisface，andthelittletwitcheswhichpassedoverit，madeherfeel"thatsorry"forhim。Hewasagentleman，hadmoney，preachedtohereverySunday，andwasnotsoveryold——whatmorecouldamanwant？Andyet——helookedsotired，withthosecheeks。
　　Shepitiedhim;helplessandlonelyheseemedtoher，asleepthereinsteadofgoingtobedproperly。Andsighing，shetiptoedtowardsthedoor。
　　"Isthatyou，Bessie？"
　　Thegirlturned:"Yes，sir。I’msorryIwokeyou，sir。’AppyNewYear，sir！"
　　"Ah，yes。AHappyNewYear，Bessie。"
　　Shesawhisusualsmile，sawitdie，andafixedlookcomeonhisface;itscaredher，andshehurriedaway。Piersonhadremembered。
　　Forfullfiveminuteshelaytherestaringatnothing。Thenherose，foldedtherugmechanically，andlookedattheclock。Eight！Hewentupstairs，knockedonNoel’sdoor，andentered。
　　Theblindsweredrawnup，butshewasstillinbed。Hestoodlookingdownather。"AHappyNewYear，mychild！"hesaid;andhetrembledallover，shiveringvisibly。Shelookedsoyoungandinnocent，soround—facedandfresh，afterhernight’ssleep，thatthethoughtsprangupinhimagain:’Itmusthavebeenadream！’Shedidnotmove，butaslowflushcameupinhercheeks。Nodream——dream！Hesaidtremulously:"Ican’trealise。I——IhopedIhadheardwrong。
　　Didn’tI，Nollie？Didn’tI？"
　　Shejustshookherhead。
　　"Tellme——everything，"hesaid;"forGod’ssake！"
　　Hesawherlipsmoving，andcaughtthemurmur:Theresnothingmore。
　　GratianandGeorgeknow，andLeila。Itcan’tbeundone，Daddy。
　　PerhapsIwouldn’thavewantedtomakesure，ifyouhadn’ttriedtostopCyrilandme——andI’mgladsometimes，becauseIshallhavesomethingofhis——"Shelookedupathim。"Afterall，it’sthesame，really;only，there’snoring。It’snogoodtalkingtomenow，asifIhadn’tbeenthinkingofthisforages。I’musedtoanythingyoucansay;I’vesaidittomyself，yousee。There’snothingbuttomakethebestofit。"
　　Herhothandcameoutfromunderthebedclothes，andclutchedhisverytight。Herflushhaddeepened，andhereyesseemedtohimtoglitter。
　　"Oh，Daddy！Youdolooktired！Haven’tyoubeentobed？PoorDaddy！"
　　Thathotclutch，andthewords:"PoorDaddy！"broughttearsintohiseyes。Theyrolledslowlydowntohisbeard，andhecoveredhisfacewiththeotherhand。Hergriptightenedconvulsively;suddenlyshedraggedittoherlips，kissedit，andletitdrop。
　　"Don’t！"shesaid，andturnedawayherface。
　　Piersoneffacedhisemotion，andsaidquitecalmly:
　　"Shallyouwishtobeathome，mydear，ortogoelsewhere？"
　　Noelhadbeguntotossherheadonherpillow，likeafeverishchildwhosehairgetsinitseyesandmouth。
　　"Oh！Idon’tknow;whatdoesitmatter？"
　　"Kestrel;wouldyouliketogothere？Youraunt——Icouldwritetoher。"Noelstaredathimamoment;astruggleseemedgoingonwithinher。
　　"Yes，"shesaid，"Iwould。Only，notUncleBob。"
　　"Perhapsyourunclewouldcomeuphere，andkeepmecompany。"
　　Sheturnedherfaceaway，andthattossingmovementofthelimbsbeneaththeclothesbeganagain。"Idon’tcare，"shesaid;
　　"anywhere——itdoesn’tmatter。"
　　Piersonputhischillyhandonherforehead。"Gently！"hesaid，andkneltdownbythebed。"MercifulFather，"hemurmured，"giveusstrengthtobearthisdreadfultrial。Keepmybelovedchildsafe，andbringherpeace;andgivemetounderstandhowIhavedonewrong，howIhavefailedtowardsThee，andher。Inallthingschastenandstrengthenher，mychild，andme。"
　　Histhoughtsmovedonintheconfused，inarticulatesuspenseofprayer，tillheheardhersay:"Youhaven’tfailed;whydoyoutalkoffailing——itisn’ttrue;anddon’tprayforme，Daddy。"
　　Piersonraisedhimself，andmovedbackfromthebed。Herwordsconfoundedhim，yethewasafraidtoanswer。Shepushedherheaddeepintothepillow，andlaylookingupattheceiling。
　　"Ishallhaveason;Cyrilwon’tquitehavedied。AndIdon’twanttobeforgiven。"
　　Hedimlyperceivedwhatlongdumbprocessesofthoughtandfeelinghadgoneoninhertoproducethishardenedstateofmind，whichtohimseemedalmostblasphemous。Andintheverymidstofthisturmoilinhisheart，hecouldnothelpthinkinghowlovelyherfacelooked，lyingbacksothatthecurveofherthroatwasbared，withtheshorttendrilsofhaircoilingaboutit。Thatflung—backhead，movingrestlesslyfromsidetosideintheheatofthesoftpillow，hadsuchapassionofprotestinglifeinit！Andhekeptsilence。
　　"Iwantyoutoknowitwasallme。ButIcan’tpretend。OfcourseI’lltryandnotletithurtyoumorethanIpossiblycan。I’msorryforyou，poorDaddy;oh！I’msorryforyou！"Withamovementincrediblylitheandswift，sheturnedandpressedherfacedowninthepillow，sothatallhecouldseewashertumbledhairandthebedclothestremblingabovehershoulders。Hetriedtostrokethathair，butsheshookherheadfree，andhestoleout。
　　Shedidnotcometobreakfast;andwhenhisownwretchedmealwasover，themechanismofhisprofessionallifecaughthimagainatonce。NewYear’sDay！Hehadmuchtodo。Hehad，beforeall，tobeofacheerfulcountenancebeforehisflock，togreetallandanywithanairofhopeandcourage。
　　X
　　1
　　ThirzaPierson，seeingherbrother—in—law’shandwriting，naturallysaid:"Here’saletterfromTed。"
　　BobPierson，withamouthfullofsausage，asnaturallyresponded:
　　"Whatdoeshesay？"
　　Inreadingon，shefoundthattoanswerthatquestionwasoneofthemostdifficulttaskseversether。Itsnewsmovedanddisturbedherdeeply。Underherwingthisdisasterhadhappened！Downherehadbeenwroughtthismostdeplorablemiracle，fraughtwithsuchdislocationoflives！Noel’sface，absorbedandpassionate，outsidethedoorofherroomonthenightwhenCyrilMorlandwentaway——herinstincthadbeenright！
　　"Hewantsyoutogoupandstaywithhim，Bob。"
　　"Whynotbothofus？"
　　"HewantsNollietocomedowntome;she’snotwell。"
　　"Notwell？What’sthematter？"
　　Totellhimseemeddisloyaltytohersex;nottotellhim，disloyaltytoherhusband。Asimpleconsiderationoffactandnotofprinciple，decidedher。Hewouldcertainlysayinamoment:’Here！Pitchitover！’andshewouldhaveto。Shesaidtranquilly:
　　"YourememberthatnightwhenCyrilMorlandwentaway，andNoelbehavedsostrangely。Well，mydear;sheisgoingtohaveachildatthebeginningofApril。Thepoorboyisdead，Bob;hediedfortheCountry。"
　　Shesawtheredtideflowupintohisface。
　　"What！"
　　"PoorEdwardisdreadfullyupset。Wemustdowhatwecan。Iblamemyself。"Byinstinctsheusedthosewords。
　　"Blameyourself？Stuff！Thatyoung——！"Hestopped。
　　Thirzasaidquietly:"No，Bob;ofthetwo，I’msureitwasNoel;shewasdesperatethatday。Don’tyourememberherface？Oh！thiswar！
　　It’sturnedthewholeworldupsidedown。That’stheonlycomfort;
　　nothing’snormal"
　　BobPiersonpossessedbeyondmostmenthesecretofhappiness，forhewasalwaysabsorbedinthemoment，tothepointofunself—
　　consciousness。Eatinganegg，cuttingdownatree，sittingonaTribunal，makinguphisaccounts，plantingpotatoes，lookingatthemoon，ridinghiscob，readingtheLessons——nopartofhimstoodasidetoseehowhewasdoingit，orwonderwhyhewasdoingit，ornotdoingitbetter。Hegrewlikeacork—tree，andactedlikeasturdyandwell—natureddog。Hisgriefs，angers，andenjoymentsweresimpleasachild’s，orashissomewhatnoisyslumbers。Theywerenotablywell—suited，forThirzahadthesamesecretofhappiness，thoughher，absorptioninthemomentdidnot——asbecameawoman——preventherbeingconsciousofothers;indeed，suchformedthechiefsubjectofherabsorptions。Onemightsaythattheyneitherofthemhadphilosophyyetwereasphilosophicacoupleasonecouldmeetonthisearthoftheself—conscious。Dailylifetothesetwowasstillofsimplesavour。Tobeabsorbedinlife——thequeerendlesstissueofmomentsandthingsfeltanddoneandsaidandmade，theoddinspiritingconjunctionsofcountlesspeople——wasnaturaltothem;
　　buttheyneverthoughtwhethertheywereabsorbedornot，orhadanyparticularattitudetoLifeorDeath——agreatblessingattheepochinwhichtheywereliving。
　　BobPierson，then，pacedtheroom，soabsorbedinhisdismayandconcern，thathewasalmosthappy。
　　"ByJove！"hesaid，"whataghastlything！
　　Nollie，ofallpeople！Ifeelperfectlywretched，Thirza;wretchedbeyondwords。"Butwitheachrepetitionhisvoicegrewcheerier，andThirzafeltthathewasalreadyovertheworst。
　　"Yourcoffee’sgettingcold！"shesaid。
　　"Whatdoyouadvise？ShallIgoup，heh？"
　　"Ithinkyou’llbeagodsendtopoorTed;you’llkeephisspiritsup。