Hehelpedtobroadenmygeographicalsenseimmensely，andheprovidedphrasesforjustthatdesirefordisciplineanddevotionandorganisedefforttheSocialismofourtimefailedtoexpress，thatthecurrentsocialistmovementstillfails，Ithink，toexpress。Thesortofthingthatfollows，forexample，toresomethingoutofmyinmostnatureandgaveitashape，andItookitbackfromhimshapedandletmuchoftherestofhim，thetumultandthebullying，thehysteriaandtheimpatience，theincoherenceandinconsistency，gouncriticisedforthesakeofit：——
"KeepyetheLaw——beswiftinallobedience——
Clearthelandofevil，drivetheroadandbridgetheford，MakeyesuretoeachhisownThathereapwherehehathsown；
BythepeaceamongOurpeoplesletmenknowweservetheLord！"
Andthenagain，andforallourlatercriticism，thissticksinmymind，stickstherenowasquintessentialwisdom：
The'eathenin'isblindnessbowsdowntowoodan'stone；
'Edon'tobeynoordersunlesstheyis'isown；
'Ekeeps'isside-armsawful：'eleaves'emallaboutAn'thencomesuptheregimentan'pokesthe'eathenout。
Allalongo'dirtiness，allalongo'mess，Allalongo'doin'thingsrather-more-or-less，Allalongofabby-nay，kul，an'hazar-ho，Mindyoukeepyourriflean'yourselfjus'so！"
ItisafterallasecondarymatterthatKipling，nothavingbeenbornandbroughtupinBromsteadandPenge，andthewarinSouthAfricabeingyetinthewomboftime，couldquitehonestlyentertainthenowremarkabledelusionthatEnglandhadherside-armsatthattimekeptanythingbut"awful。"Helearntbetter，andwealllearntwithhiminthedarkyearsofexasperatingandhumiliatingstrugglethatfollowed，andIdonotseethatwefellowlearnersarejustifiedinturningresentfullyuponhimforacommonignoranceandassumption……
SouthAfricaseemsalwayspaintedonthebackclothofmyCambridgememories。Howimmensethosedisastersseemedatthetime，disastersourfacileEnglishworldhaslongsincecontrivedinanyedifyingorprofitablesensetoforget！Howwethrilledtotheshoutingnewspapersellersasthefirstfalseflushofvictorygaveplacetotherealisationofdefeat。Farawaythereourarmyshoweditselfhuman，mortalandhumaninthesightofalltheworld，thepleasantofficerswehadimaginedwouldchangetowonderfulheroesatthefirstcracklingofrifles，remainedthepleasant，ratherincompetentmentheyhadalwaysbeen，failingtoimagine，failingtoplanandco-operate，failingtogrip。Andthecommonsoldiers，too，theywerejustwhatourstreetsandcountry-sidehadmadethem，nosuddenmagiccameoutofthewarbuglesforthem。Neithersplendidnordisgracefulwerethey，——justill-trainedandfairlypluckyandwonderfullygood-temperedmen——payingforit。AndhowitloweredourvitalityallthatfirstwintertohearofNicholson'sNek，andthenpresentlycloseupononeanother，torealisethebloodywasteofMagersfontein，theshatteringretreatfromStormberg，Colenso——
Colenso，thatblunderingbattle，withWhite，asitseemed，inLadysmithnearthepointofsurrender！andsothroughthelongunfoldingcatalogueofbleakdisillusionments，ofaching，unconcealedanxietylestworseshouldfollow。Toadvanceuponyourenemysingingabouthislackofcleanlinessandmethodwentoutoffashionaltogether！ThedirtyretrogressiveBoervanishedfromourschemeofillusion。
AllthroughmymiddleCambridgeperiod，thegunsboomedandtheriflescrackledawaythereontheveldt，andthehorsemenrodeandthetaleofaccidentsandblunderingwenton。Men，mules，horses，storesandmoneypouredintoSouthAfrica，andtheconvalescentwoundedstreamedhome。IseeitinmymemoryasifIhadlookedatitthroughawindowinsteadofthroughthepagesoftheillustratedpapers；IrecallasifIhadbeentherethewideopenspaces，theraggedhillsides，theopenorderattacksofhelmetedmeninkhaki，thescarcevisiblesmokeoftheguns，thewreckedtrainsingreatlonelyplaces，theburntisolatedfarms，andatlasttheblockhousesandthefencesofbarbedwireuncoilingandspreadingforendlessmilesacrossthedesert，nettingtheelusiveenemyuntilatlast，thoughhebrokethemeshesagainandagain，wehadhiminthetoils。
Ifone'sattentionstrayedinthelecture-roomitwanderedtothosebattle-fields。
AndthatimaginedpanoramaofwarunfoldstoanaccompanimentofyellingnewsboysinthenarrowoldCambridgestreets，oftheflickerofpapershastilyboughtandtornopeninthetwilight，ofthedoubtfulreceptionofdoubtfulvictories，andtheinsensaterejoicingsatlastthatseemedtosomeofusmoreshamefulthandefeats……
7
Abookthatstandsoutamongthesememories，thatstimulatedmeimmenselysothatIforcedituponmycompanions，halfinthespiritofpropagandaandhalftotestitbytheircomments，wasMeredith'sONEOFOURCONQUERORS。Itisoneofthebooksthathavemademe。
InthatIgotasupplementandcorrectiveofKipling。ItwasthefirstdetachedandadversecriticismoftheEnglishmanIhadeverencountered。ItmusthavebeenpublishedalreadynineortenyearswhenIreadit。Thecountryhadpaidnoheedtoit，hadgoneontotheexpensivelessonsoftheWarbecauseofthedullaversionourpeoplefeelforallsuchintimations，andsoIcouldreaditasabookjustified。Thewarendorseditseverywordforme，underlinedeachwarningindicationofthegiganticdangersthatgatheredagainstoursystemacrossthenarrowseas。ItdiscoveredEuropetome，aswatchingandcritical。
ButwhileIcouldrespondtoallitscriticismsofmycountry'sintellectualindolence，ofmycountry'swantoftraininganddisciplineandmoralcourage，Irememberthattheideathatonthecontinenttherewereotherpeoplesgoingaheadofus，mentallyalertwhilewefumbled，disciplinedwhileweslouched，aggressiveandpreparingtobringourImperialpridetoareckoning，wasextremelynovelanddistastefultome。Itsetmeworryingofnights。Itputallmyprojectsforsocialandpoliticalreconstructionuponanewuncomfortablefooting。Itmadethemnolongermerelydesirablebuturgent。Insteadofprideandtheloveofmakingonemightowntoabasermotive。UnderKipling'sswayIhadalittleforgottenthecontinentofEurope，treateditasamereenviousechotoourownworld-widedisplay。Ibegannowtohaveadisturbingsenseasitwereofbusysearchlightsoverthehorizon……
OneconsequenceofthepatrioticchagrinMeredithproducedinmewasanattempttobelittlehismerit。"Itisn'tagoodnovel，anyhow，"
Isaid。
ThechargeIbroughtagainstitwas，Iremember，alackofunity。
ItprofessedtobeastudyoftheEnglishsituationintheearlynineties，butitwasalldeflected，Isaid，andalltheinterestwasconfusedbythestoryofVictorRadnor'sfightwithsocietytovindicatethewomanhehadlovedandnevermarried。Nowintheretrospectandwithamindfullofbitterenlightenment，IcandoMeredithjustice，andadmittheconflictwasnotonlyessentialbutcardinalinhispicture，thattheterribleinflexibilityoftherichauntsandthestillmoreterribleclaimofMrs。BurmanRadnor，the"infernalpunctilio，"andDudleySowerby'slimitations，werethecentralsubstanceofthatinalertnessthebooksetitselftoassail。
Somanythingshavebeenbroughttogetherinmymindthatwereonceremotelyseparated。Apeoplethatwillnotvaliantlyfaceandunderstandandadmitloveandpassioncanunderstandnothingwhatever。Butinthosedayswhatisnowjustobvioustruthtomewasaltogetheroutsidemyrangeofcomprehension……
8
AsIseektorecapitulatetheinterlacinggrowthofmyapprehensionoftheworld，asIflounderamongthehalf-remembereddevelopmentsthatfoundmeacrudeschoolboyandleftmeaman，therecomesout，asifitstoodforalltherest，myfirstholidayabroad。ThatdidnothappenuntilIwastwenty-two。IwasafellowofTrinity，andthePeaceofVereeniginghadjustbeensigned。
IwentwithamannamedWillersley，amansomeyearsseniortomyself，whohadjustmissedafellowshipandthehigherdivisionoftheCivilService，andwhohadbecomeanenthusiasticmemberoftheLondonSchoolBoard，uponwhichthecumulativevoteandthesupportofthe"advanced"peoplehadplacedhim。Hehad，likemyself，asmallindependentincomethatrelievedhimofanynecessitytoearnaliving，andhehadakindredcravingforsocialtheorisingandsomeformofsocialservice。HehadsoughtmyacquaintanceafterreadingapaperofminebegottenbythevisitofChrisRobinsononthelimitsofpuredemocracy。Ithadmarchedwithsomethoughtsofhisown。
WewentbytraintoSpiezontheLakeofThun，thenuptheGemmi，andthencewithoneortwohaltsanddigressionsandalittlemodestclimbingwecrossedoverbytheAntronapassonwhichwewerebenightedintoItaly，andbywayofDomoD'ossolaandtheSantaMariaMaggiorevalleytoCannobio，andthenceupthelaketoLocarnowhere，asIshalltell，westayedsomeeventfuldaysandsouptheValMaggiaandovertoAiroloandhome。
AsIwriteofthatlongtrampofours，somethingofitsfreshnessandenlargementreturnstome。Ifeelagainthefaintpleasantexcitementoftheboattrain，thetramplingprocessionofpeoplewithhandbaggageandladenportersalongtheplatformoftheFolkestonepier，thescarcelyperceptibleswayingofthemooredboatbeneathourfeet。Then，veryobviousandsimple，thelittleemotionofstandingoutfromthehomelandandseeingthelongwhiteKentishcliffsrecede。Onewalkedabouttheboatdoingone'sbestnottofeelabsurdlyadventurous，andpresentlyamovementofpeopledirectedone'sattentiontoawhitelighthouseonaclifftotheeastofus，comingupsuddenly；andthenoneturnedtoscanthelittledifferentFrenchcoastvillages，andthen，slidingbyinapalesunshinecamealongwoodenpierwithoddlydressedchildrenuponit，andtheclusteringtownofBoulogne。
Onetookitallwiththeoutwardcalmthatbecameayoungmanofnearlythreeandtwenty，butonewasalivetoone'sfinger-tipswithpleasinglittlestimulations。Thecustomhouseexaminationexcitedone，thestrangenessofababbleinaforeigntongue；onefoundtheFrenchofCityMerchants'andCambridgeashyandviscousflow，andthenonewasstandinginthetrainasitwentslowlythroughtherail-laidstreettoBoulogneVille，andonelookedoutattheworldinFrench，portersinblouses，workmeninenormouspurpletrousers，policeofficersinpeakedcapsinsteadofhelmetsandromanticallycloaked，bigcarts，allontwowheelsinsteadoffour，greenshutteredcasementsinsteadofsashwindows，andgreatnumbersofneatlydressedwomenineconomicalmourning。
"Oh！there'sapriest！"onesaid，andwasbetrayedintosuchlikeartlesscries。
Itwasarealotherworld，withdifferentgovernmentanddifferentmethods，andinthenightonewasrousedfromuneasyslumbersandsatblinkingandsurly，wrappedupinone'scouvertureandwithone'soreillerallawry，toencounteranewsocialphenomenon，theGermanofficial，sodifferentinmannerfromtheBritish；andwhenonewokeagainafterthatonehadcometoBale，andoutonetumbledtogetcoffeeinSwitzerland……
Ihavebeenoverthatroutedozensoftimessince，butitstillrevivesacertainlingeringyouthfulness，acertainsenseofcheerfulreleaseinme。
IrememberthatIandWillersleybecameverysociologicalasweranontoSpiez，andmadeallsortsofgeneralisationsfromthesteeplyslopingfieldsonthehillsides，andfromthepeoplewesawonplatformsandfromlittledifferencesinthewaythingsweredone。
ThecleanprosperityofBaleandSwitzerland，thebigcleanstations，filledmewithpatrioticmisgivings，asIthoughtofthevastdirtinessofLondon，themeandirtinessofCambridgeshire。Itcametomethatperhapsmyschemeofinternationalvalueswasallwrong，thatquitestupendouspossibilitiesandchallengesforusandourempiremightbedevelopinghere——andIrecalledMeredith'sSkepseyinFrancewithanewunderstanding。
Willersleyhaddressedhimselfinaworld-wornNorfolksuitofgreenishgreytweedsthatendedunfamiliarlyathisratherimpending，spectacled，intellectualvisage。Ididn't，Iremember，likethecontrastofhimwiththedrilledSwissandGermansaboutus。Convictcolouredstockingsandvasthobnailbootsfinishedhimbelow，andallhisluggagewasaborrowedrucksacthathehadtiedaskew。Hedidnotwanttoshaveinthetrain，butImadehimatoneoftheSwissstations——IdisliketheseOxfordslovenlinesses——andthenconfoundhim！hecuthimselfandbled……
Nextmorningwewerebreathingathinexhilaratingairthatseemedtohavewashedourveryveinstoanincrediblecleanliness，andeatinghard-boiledeggsinavastclearspaceofrime-edgedrocks，snow-mottled，aboveablue-gashedglacier。Allaboutusthemonstrousrocksurfacesrosetowardstheshiningpeaksabove，andtherewerewindingmorainesfromwhichtheicehadreceded，andthendarkclusteringfirtreesfarbelow。
Ihadanextraordinaryfeelingofhavingcomeoutofthings，ofbeingoutside。
"Butthisistheroundworld！"Isaid，withasenseofneverhavingperceiveditbefore；"thisistheroundworld！"
9
Thatholidaywasfullofbigcomprehensiveeffects；thefirstviewoftheRhonevalleyandthedistantValaisianAlps，forexample，whichwesawfromtheshoulderofthemountainabovetheGemmi，andtheearlysummerdawnbreakingoverItalyaswemovedfromournight'scrouchingandmunchedbreadandchocolateandstretchedourstifflimbsamongthetumbledandprecipitousrocksthathungoverLakeCingolo，andsurveyedthewindingtiringrockytrackgoingdownanddowntoAntronapiano。
Andourthoughtswereascomprehensiveasourimpressions。
Willersley'smindaboundedinhistoricalmatter；hehadaninaccurateabundanthabitoftopographicalreference；hemademeseeandtraceandseeagaintheRomanEmpiresweepupthesewindingvalleys，andthecomingofthefirstgreatPeaceamongthewarringtribesofmen……
Intheretrospecteachofusseemstohavebeentalkingaboutouroutlookalmostcontinually。Eachofus，yousee，wasfullofthesamequestion，verynearandaltogetherpredominanttous，thequestion："WhatamIgoingtodowithmylife？"HesawitalmostasimportantlyasI，butfromadifferentangle，becausehischoicewaslargelymadeandminestillhunginthebalance。
"Ifeelwemightdosomanythings，"Isaid，"andeverythingthatcallsone，callsoneawayfromsomethingelse。"
Willersleyagreedwithoutanymodestdisavowals。
"Wehavegottothinkout，"hesaid，"justwhatweareandwhatweareupto。We'vegottodothatnow。Andthen——it'soneofthosequestionsitisinadvisabletoreopensubsequently。"
Hebeamedatmethroughhisglasses。Thesententioususeoflongwordswasaplayfulhabitwithhim，thatandaslightdeliberatehumour，habitsoccasionalExtensionLecturingwasdoingverymuchtointensify。
"You'vemadeyourdecision？"
Henoddedwithapeculiarforwardmovementofhishead。
"Howwouldyouputit？"
"SocialService——education。Whateverelsemattersordoesn'tmatter，itseemstomethereisonethingweMUSThaveandincrease，andthatisthenumberofpeoplewhocanthinkalittle——andhave"——
hebeamedagain——"anadequatesenseofcausation。"
"You'resureit'sworthwhile。"
"Forme——certainly。Idon'tdiscussthatanymore。"
"Idon'tlimitmyselftoonarrowly，"headded。"Afterall，theworkisallone。Wewhoknow，wewhofeel，arebuildingthegreatmodernstate，joiningwalltowallandwaytoway，thenewgreatEnglandrisingoutofthedecayingold……wearetherealstatesmen——I
likethatuseof'statesmen。'……"
"Yes，"Isaidwithmanydoubts。"Yes，ofcourse……"
Willersleyismiddle-agednow，withsilverinhishairandadeepeningbenevolenceinhisalwaysamiableface，andhehasveryfairlykepthisword。Hehaslivedforsocialserviceandtodovastmassesofuseful，undistinguished，fertilisingwork。Thinkofthedaysofaridadministrativeploddingandofcontentionstillmorearidandunrewarded，thathemusthavespent！Hislittleaffectationsofgestureandmanner，imitativeaffectationsforthemostpart，haveincreased，andthehumorousbeamandthehumorousintonationshavebecomeathingheputsoneverymorninglikeanoldcoat。Hisdevotionismingledwithaconsiderablewhimsicality，andtheysayheiseasilyflatteredbysubordinatesandeasilyoffendedintooppositionbycolleagues；hehasmademistakesattimesandfollowedwrongcourses，stillthereheis，aflatcontradictiontoalltheordinarydoctrineofmotives，amanwhohasforegoneanychancesofwealthandprofit，foregoneanyeasierpathstodistinction，foregonemarriageandparentage，inordertoservethecommunity。Hedoesitwithoutanyfeeorrewardexcepthispersonalself-satisfactionindoingthiswork，andhedoesitwithoutanyhopeoffuturejoysandpunishments，forheisanimplacableRationalist。Nodoubtheidealiseshimselfalittle，anddreamsofrecognition。Nodoubthegetshispleasurefromasenseofpower，fromthespendingandhusbandingoflargesumsofpublicmoney，andfromtheinevitableproprietorshiphemustfeelinthefair，fine，well-orderedschoolshehasdonesomuchtodevelop。"Butforme，"
hecansay，"therewouldhavebeenaJobaboutthosediagrams，andthatsubjectorthiswouldhavebeenlessablytaught。"……
Thefactremainsthatforhimtherewardshavebeenadequate，ifnottocontentatanyratetokeephimworking。Ofcoursehecovetsthenoticeoftheworldhehasserved，asalovercovetsthenoticeofhismistress。Ofcoursehethinkssomewhere，somewhen，hewillgetcredit。OnlylastyearIheardsomementalkingofhim，andtheywerenoting，withlittlemeansmiles，howhehadshownhimselfself-
consciouswhiletherewastalkofsomehonorarydegree-givingorother；itwould，Ihavenodoubt，pleasehimgreatlyifhisworkweretoflowerintoacrimsongowninsomeAcademicparterre。Whyshouldn'tit？Butthatisincidentalvanityattheworst；hegoesonanyhow。Mostmendon't。
Butwehadourwalktwentyyearsandmoreagonow。Hewasoldisheventhenasayoungman，justasheisoldishstillinmiddleage。
Longmayhisindustriouselderlinessflourishforthegoodoftheworld！Helecturedalittleinconversationthen；helecturesmorenowandlistensless，toilsomelydisentanglingwhatyoualreadyunderstand，givingyouindetailthedatayouknow；thesearethingslikecallositiesthatcomefromaman'swork。
Ourlongthreeweeks'talkcomesbacktomeasamemoryofideasanddeterminationsslowlygrowing，allmixedupwithasmellofwoodsmokeandpinewoodsandhugeprecipicesandremotegleamsofsnow-
fieldsandthesoundofcascadingtorrentsrushingthroughdeepgorgesfarbelow。Itismixed，too，withgossipswithwaitressesandfellowtravellers，withmyfirstessaysincolloquialGermanandItalian，withdisputesaboutthewaytotake，andotherthingsthatIwilltellofinanothersection。Butthewhitepassionofhumanservicewasourdominanttheme。Notsimplyperhapsnoraltogetherunselfishly，butquitehonestly，andwithatleastafrequentself-
forgetfulness，didwewanttodofineandnoblethings，tohelpintheirdeveloping，tolessenmisery，tobroadenandexaltlife。Itisveryhard——perhapsitisimpossible——topresentinapageortwothesubstanceandqualityofnearlyamonth'sconversation，conversationthatiscasualanddiscursiveinform，thatrangescarelesslyfromtrivialitytoimmensity，andyetisconstantlyresumingaconstructiveprocess，asworkmenonawallloiterandjestandgoandcomeback，andallthewhilebuild。
Wegotitmoreandmoredefinitethatthecoreofourpurposebeneathallitsvariedaspectsmustneedsbeorderanddiscipline。
"Muddle，"saidI，"istheenemy。"Thatremainsmybelieftothisday。Clearnessandorder，lightandforesight，thesethingsIknowforGood。Itwasmuddlehadjustgivenusallthestillfreshlypainfuldisastersandhumiliationsofthewar，muddlethatgivesusthevisiblysprawlingdisorderofourcitiesandindustrialcountry-
side，muddlethatgivesusthewasteoflife，thelimitations，wretchednessandunemploymentofthepoor。Muddle！IremembermyselfquotingKipling——
"Allalongo'dirtiness，allalongo'mess，Allalongo'doin'thingsrather-more-or-less。"
"Webuildthestate，"wesaidoverandoveragain。"Thatiswhatwearefor——servantsofthenewreorganisation！"
WeplannedhalfinearnestandhalfUtopianising，aLeagueofSocialService。
Wetalkedofthesplendidworldofmenthatmightgrowoutofsuchunpaidandill-paidworkasweweresettingourfacestodo。Wespokeoftheintricatedifficulties，themonstrouspassiveresistances，thehostilitiestosuchadevelopmentasweconceivedourworksubserved，andwespokewiththatunderlyingconfidenceintheinvincibilityofthecausesweadoptedthatisnaturaltoyoungandscarcelytriedmen。
Wetalkedmuchofthedetailedlifeofpoliticssofarasitwasknowntous，andthereWillersleywasmoreexperiencedandfarbetterinformedthanI；wediscussedpossiblecombinationsandpossibledevelopments，andthechancesofsomegreatconstructivemovementcomingfromtheheart-searchingstheBoerwarhadoccasioned。Wewouldsinktogossip——evenattheSuetoniuslevel。
WillersleywoulddeclinetowardsilluminatinganecdotesthatI
cappedmoreorlesslooselyfrommyprivatereading。Wewereparticularlywise，Iremember，uponthemanagementofnewspapers，becauseaboutthatweknewnothingwhatever。Weperceivedthatgreatthingsweretobedonethroughnewspapers。Wetalkedofswayingopinionandmovinggreatclassestomassiveaction。
Menareegotisticalevenindevotion。Alloursplendidprojectswerethicksetwiththefirstpersonalpronoun。Webothcouldwrite，andallthatwesaidingeneraltermswasreflectedintheparticularinourminds；itwasourselveswesaw，andnoothers，writingandspeakingthatmovingword。Wehadalreadyproducedmanuscriptandpassedtheinitiationsofproofreading；IhadbeenafrequentspeakerintheUnion，andWillersleywasanactivemanontheSchoolBoard。Ourfeetwerealreadyonthelowerrungsthatledupandup。Hewassixandtwenty，andItwenty-two。Weintimatedourindividualcareersintermsofboldexpectation。Ihadpropheticglimpsesofwallsandhoardingsclamorouswith"VoteforRemington，"andWillersleynodoubtsawhimselfchairmanofthiscommitteeandthat，sayingafewslightlyironicalwordsafterthedeclarationofthepoll，andthensittingfriendlybesidemeonthegovernmentbenches。Therewasnothingimpossibleinsuchdreams。
WhynottheBoardofEducationforhim？MypreferenceatthattimewaveredbetweentheLocalGovernmentBoard——Ihadgreatideasabouttown-planning，aboutrevisionsofmunicipalareasandre-organisedinternaltransit——andtheWarOffice。Iswayedstronglytowardsthelatterasthejourneyprogressed。Myeducationalbiascamelater。
TheswellingambitionsthathavetrampedoverAlpinepasses！Howmanyofthem，likemine，havecomealmostwithinsightofrealisationbeforetheyfailed？
Thereweretimeswhenweposedlikeyounggodsofunassumingexterior，andtimeswhenwewerefulloftheabsurdestlittlesolicitudesaboutourprospects。Thereweretimeswhenonesurveyedthewholeworldofmenasifitwasalittlethingatone'sfeet，andbywayofcontrastIrememberoncelyinginbed——itmusthavebeenduringthisholiday，thoughIcannotforthelifeofmefixwhere——andspeculatingwhetherperhapssomedayImightnotbeaK。C。B。，SirRichardRemington，K。C。B。，M。P。
Butthebigstyleprevailed……
Wecouldnottellfromminutetominutewhetherwewereplanningforaworldofsolidreality，ortellingourselvesfairytalesaboutthisprospectoflife。Somuchseemedpossible，andeverythingwecouldthinkofsoimprobable。TherewerelapseswhenitseemedtomeIcouldneverbeanythingbutjusttheentirelyunimportantandundistinguishedyoungmanIwasforeverandever。Icouldn'teventhinkofmyselfasfiveandthirty。
OnceIrememberWillersleygoingoveralistoffailures，andwhytheyhadfailed——butyoungmeninthetwentiesdonotknowmuchaboutfailures。
10
WillersleyandIprofessedourselvesSocialists，butbythistimeI
knewmyRodbertusaswellasmyMarx，andtherewasmuchinoursocialismthatwouldhaveshockedChrisRobinsonasmuchasanythinginlifecouldhaveshockedhim。Socialismasasimpledemocraticcrywehaddonewithforever。WeweresocialistsbecauseIndividualismforusmeantmuddle，meantacrowdofseparated，undisciplinedlittlepeopleallobstinatelyandignorantlydoingthingsjarringly，eachoneinhisownway。"Each，"Isaidquotingwordsofmyfather'sthatroseaptinmymemory，"snarlingfromhisownlittlebitofproperty，likeadogtiedtoacart'stail。"
"Essentially，"saidWillersley，"essentiallywe'reforconscription，inpeaceandwaralike。Themanwhoownspropertyisapublicofficialandhastobehaveassuch。That'sthegistofsocialismasIunderstandit。"
"Orbedismissedfromhispost，"Isaid，"andreplacedbysomebettersortofofficial。Aman'snonethelessanofficialbecausehe'sirresponsible。Whathedoeswithhispropertyaffectspeoplejustthesame。Private！Nooneisreallyprivatebutanoutlaw……
Orderanddevotionweretheveryessenceofoursocialism，andasplendidcollectivevigourandhappinessitsend。Weprojectedanidealstate，anorganisedstateasconfidentandpowerfulasmodernscience，asbalancedandbeautifulasabody，asbeneficentassunshine，theorganisedstatethatshouldendmuddleforever；itruledallouridealsandgaveformtoallourambitions。
Everymanwastobedefinitelyrelatedtothat，tohavehispredominantdutytothat。SuchwastheEnglandrenewedwehadinmind，andhowtoservethatend，tosubdueundisciplinedworkerandundisciplinedwealthtoit，andmaketheScientificCommonweal，King，wasthecontinuingsubstanceofourintercourse。
11
Everydaythewineofthemountainswasstrongerinourblood，andtheflushofouryouthdeeper。WewouldgointhemorningsunlightalongsomenarrowAlpinemule-pathshoutinglargesuggestionsfornationalre-organisation，andweighingconsiderationsaslightlyasthoughtheworldwaswaxinourhands。"GreatEngland，"wesaidineffect，overandoveragain，"andwewillbeamongthemakers！
Englandrenewed！Thecountryhasbeenwarned；ithaslearntitslesson。Thedisastersandanxietiesofthewarhavesunkin。
Englandhasbecomeserious……Oh！therearebigthingsbeforeustodo；bigenduringthings！"
Oneeveningwewalkeduptotheloggiaofalittlepilgrimagechurch，Iforgetitsname，thatstandsoutonaconicalhillattheheadofawindingstairabovethetownofLocarno。Downbelowthehousesclusteredamidstaconfusionofheat-bittengreenery。Ihadbeensittingsilentlyontheparapet，lookingacrosstothepurplemountainmasseswhereSwitzerlandpassesintoItaly，andthedriftofourtalkseemedsuddenlytogathertoahead。
Ibrokeintospeech，givingformtothethoughtsthathadbeenaccumulating。Mywordshavelongsincepassedoutofmymemory，thephrasesoffamiliarexpressionhavealteredforme，butthesubstanceremainsasclearasever。Isaidhowwewereinourmeasureemperorsandkings，menundriven，freetodoaswepleasedwithlife；weclassedamongthehappyones，ourbreadandcommonnecessitiesweregivenusfornothing，wehadabilities，——itwasn'tmodestybutcowardicetobehaveasifwehadn't——andFortunewatchedustoseewhatwemightdowithopportunityandtheworld。
"Therearesomanythingstodo，yousee，"beganWillersley，inhisjudiciallecturer'svoice。
"Somanythingswemaydo，"Iinterrupted，"withalltheseyearsbeforeus……We'reexceptionalmen。It'sourplace，ourduty，todothings。"
"Hereanyhow，"Isaid，answeringthefaintamusementofhisface；
"I'vegotnomodesty。Everythingconspirestosetmeup。WhyshouldIrunaboutlikeallthosegrubbylittlebeastsdownthere，seekingnothingbutmeanlittlevanitiesandindulgencies——andthentakecreditformodesty？IKNOWIamcapable。IKNOWIhaveimagination。Modesty！IknowifIdon'tattempttheverybiggestthingsinlifeIamadamnedshirk。Theverybiggest！Somebodyhastoattemptthem。Ifeellikealoadedgunthatisonlyalittleperplexedbecauseithastofindoutjustwheretoaimitself……"
Thelakeandthefrontiervillages，awhitepuffofsteamonthedistantrailwaytoLuino，thebusyboatsandsteamerstrailingtriangularwakesoffoam，thelongvistaeastwardtowardsbattlementedBellinzona，thevastmountaindistances，nowtingedwithsunsetlight，behindthisnearerlandscape，andthesouthwardwaterswithremotecoasttownsshiningdimly，watersthatmergedatlastinaluminousgoldenhaze，madeabroadpanoramicspectacle。
Itwasasifonesurveyedtheworld，——anditwaslikethegamesI
usedtosetoutuponmynurseryfloor。Iwasexaltedbyit；Ifeltlargerthanmen。Sokingsshouldfeel。
Thatsenseoflargnesscametomethen，andithascometomesince，againandagain，asplendidintimationorasplendidvanity。Once，Iremember，whenIlookedatGenoafromthemountaincrestbehindthetownandsawthatmultitudinousplaceinallitsbeautyofwidthandabundanceandclusteringhumaneffort，andonceasIwassteamingpastthebrownlowhillsofStatenIslandtowardsthetoweringvigourandclamorousvitalityofNewYorkCity，thatmoodrosetoitsquintessence。Andonceitcametome，asIshalltell，onDovercliffs。AndahundredtimeswhenIhavethoughtofEnglandasourcountrymightbe，withnowretchedpoor，nowretchedrich，anationarmedandordered，trainedandpurposefulamidstitsvalesandrivers，thatemotionofcollectiveendsandcollectivepurposeshasreturnedtome。Ifeltasgreatashumanity。ForabriefmomentIwashumanity，lookingattheworldIhadmadeandhadstilltomake……
12
Andmingledwiththesedreamsofpowerandpatrioticservicetherewasanotherseriesofadifferentqualityandadifferentcolour，liketheantagonisticcolourofashotsilk。Thewhitelifeandtheredlife，contrastedandinterchanged，passingswiftlyataturnfromonetoanother，andrefusingevertominglepeacefullyonewiththeother。Iwasaskingmyselfopenlyanddistinctly：whatareyougoingtodofortheworld？Whatareyougoingtodowithyourself？
andwithanincreasingstrengthandpersistenceNatureinspiteofmyavertedattentionwasaskingmeinpenetratingundertones：whatareyougoingtodoaboutthisotherfundamentalmatter，thebeautyofgirlsandwomenandyourdesireforthem？
Ihavetoldofmysisterlessyouthandthenarrowcircumstancesofmyupbringing。Itmadeallwomen-kindmysterioustome。IfithadnotbeenformyStaffordshirecousinsIdonotthinkIshouldhaveknownanygirlsatalluntilIwastwenty。OfStaffordshireIwilltellalittlelater。ButIcanrememberstillhowthroughallthoseripeningyears，thethoughtofwomen'sbeauty，theirmagicpresenceintheworldbesidemeandtheunknown，untriedreactionsoftheirintercourse，grewuponmeandgrew，asastrangepresencegrowsinaroomwhenoneisoccupiedbyotherthings。Ibusiedmyselfandpretendedtobewhollyoccupied，andtherethewomanstood，fullhalfoflifeneglected，anditseemedtomyavertedmindsometimesthatshewastherecladanddignifiedanddivine，andsometimesAphroditeshiningandcommanding，andsometimesthatVenuswhostoopsandallures。
Thistravelabroadseemedtohavereleasedamultitudeofthingsinmymind；theclearair，thebeautyofthesunshine，theveryblueoftheglaciersmademefeelmybodyandquickenedallthosedisregardeddreams。Isawthesheathedbeautyofwomen'sformsallaboutme，inthecheerfulwaitressesattheinns，inthepedestriansoneencounteredinthetracks，inthechancefellowtravellersatthehoteltables。"Confoundit！"saidI，andtalkedallthemorezealouslyofthatgreaterEnglandthatwascallingus。
IrememberthatwepassedtwoGermans，anoldmanandatallfairgirl，fatheranddaughter，whowerewalkingdownfromSaas。Shecameswingingandshiningtowardsus，easyandstrong。Iworshippedherassheapproached。
"GutTag！"saidWillersley，removinghishat。
"Morgen！"saidtheoldman，saluting。
Istaredstockishlyatthegirl，whopassedwithanindifferentface。
Thatsticksinmymindasapictureremainsinaroom，ithaskepttherebrightandfreshasathingseenyesterday，fortwentyyears……
Iflirtedhesitatinglyonceortwicewithcomelyservinggirls，andwasalittleashamedlestWillersleyshoulddetectthekeeninterestItookinthem，andthenaswecameoverthepassfromSantaMariaMaggioretoCannobio，mysecretpreoccupationtookmebysurpriseandfloodedmeandbrokedownmypretences。
Thewomeninthatvalleyareverybeautiful——womenvaryfromvalleytovalleyintheAlpsandareplainandsquathereanddivinitiesfivemilesaway——andaswecamedownwepassedagroupoffiveorsixofthemrestingbythewayside。Theirburthenswerebesidethem，andonelikeCeresheldareapinghookinherbrownhand。Shewatchedusapproachingandsmiledfaintly，hereyesatmine。
Therewassomegreeting，andtwoofthemlaughedtogether。
Wepassed。
"Gloriousgirlstheywere，"saidWillersley，andsuddenlyanimmensesenseofboredomenvelopedme。Isawmyselfstridingondownthatwindingroad，talkingofpoliticsandpartiesandbillsofparliamentandallsortsofdessicatedthings。Thatroadseemedtometowindonforeverdowntodustandinfinitedreariness。Iknewitforawayofdeath。Realitywasbehindus。
Willersleysethimselftodrawasociologicalmoral。"I'mnotsosure，"hesaidinavoiceofintensediscriminations，"afterall，thatagriculturalworkisn'tgoodforwomen。"
"Damnagriculturalwork！"Isaid，andbrokeoutintoavigorouscursingofallIhelddear。"Fetteredthingsweare！"Icried。"I
wonderwhyIstandit！"
"Standwhat？"
"Whydon'tIgobackandmakelovetothosegirlsandlettheworldandyouandeverythinggohang？Deepbreastsandroundedlimbs——andwepooremasculateddevilsgotrampingbywiththebloodofyouthinus！……"
"I'mnotquitesure，Remington，"saidWillersley，lookingatmewithadeliberatelyquaintexpressionoverhisglasses，"thatpicturesquesceneryisaltogethergoodforyourmorals。"
ThatfeverwasstillinmybloodwhenwecametoLocarno。
13
AlongthehotanddustylowerroadbetweentheOrridoofTraffiumeandCannobioWillersleyhaddevelopedhisfirstblister。Andpartlybecauseofthatandpartlybecausetherewasabagatthestationthatgaveustherefreshmentofcleanlinenandpartlybecauseofthelazylowerairintowhichwehadcome，wedecideduponthreeorfourdays'sojournintheEmpressHotel。
Wedinedthatnightatatable-d'hote，andIfoundmyselfnexttoanEnglishwomanwhobeganaconversationthatwasresumedpresentlyinthehotellounge。Shewasawomanofperhapsthirty-threeorthirty-four，slenderlybuilt，withawarmreddishskinandveryabundantfairgoldenhair，thewifeofapetulant-lookingheavy-
facedmanofperhapsfifty-three，whosmokedacigaranddozedoverhiscoffeeandpresentlywenttobed。"Healwaysgoestobedlikethat，"sheconfidedstartlingly。"Hesleepsafterallhismeals。I
neverknewsuchamantosleep。"
Thenshereturnedtoourtalk，whateveritwas。
Wehadbegunatthedinnertablewithitinerariesandtheusualtopographicaltalk，andshehadenviedourpedestriantravel。"Myhusbanddoesn'twalk，"shesaid。"Hisheartisweakandhecannotmanagethehills。"
Therewassomethingfriendlyandadventurousinhermanner；sheconveyedshelikedme，andwhenpresentlyWillersleydriftedofftowritelettersourtalksankatoncetoeasyconfidentialundertones。
Ifeltenterprising，andindeeditiseasytobedaringwithpeopleonehasneverseenbeforeandmayneverseeagain。IsaidIlovedbeautifulsceneryandallbeautifulthings，andthepointingnoteinmyvoicemadeherlaugh。ShetoldmeIhadboldeyes，andsofarasIcanrememberIsaidshemadethembold。"Bluetheyare，"sheremarked，smilingarchly。"Ilikeblueeyes。"ThenIthinkwecomparedages，andshesaidshewastheWomanofThirty，"GeorgeMoore'sWomanofThirty。"
IhadnotreadGeorgeMooreatthetime，butIpretendedtounderstand。
That，Ithink，wasourlimitthatevening。Shewenttobed，smilinggood-nightquiteprettilydownthebigstaircase，andIandWillersleywentouttosmokeinthegarden。Myheadwasfullofher，andIfounditnecessarytotalkabouther。SoImadeheraprobleminsociology。"Whothedeucearethesepeople？"Isaid，andhowdotheygetaliving？Theyseemtohaveplentyofmoney。Hestrikesmeasbeing——Willersley，whatisadrysalter？Ithinkhe'saretireddrysalter。"
WillersleytheorisedwhileIthoughtofthewomanandthatprovocativequalityofdashshehaddisplayed。ThenextdayatlunchsheandImetlikeoldfriends。Ahugemassofprivatethinkingduringtheintervalhadbeenaddedtooureffectupononeanother。Wetalkedforatimeofinsignificantthings。
"Whatdoyoudo，"sheaskedratherquickly，"afterlunch？Takeasiesta？"
"Sometimes，"Isaid，andhungforamomenteyetoeye。
Wehadn'tadoubtofeachother，butmyheartwasbeatinglikeasteamerpropellerwhenitliftsoutofthewater。
"Doyougetaviewfromyourroom？"sheaskedafterapause。
"It'sonthethirdfloor，Numberseventeen，nearthestaircase。Myfriend'snextdoor。"
Shebegantotalkofbooks。ShewasinterestedinChristianScience，shesaid，andspokeofabook。Iforgetaltogetherwhatthatbookwascalled，thoughIremembertothisdaywiththeutmostexactnessthepurplishmagentaofitscover。Shesaidshewouldlendittomeandhesitated。
Wlllersleywantedtogoforanexpeditionacrossthelakethatafternoon，butIrefused。HemadesomeotherproposalsthatI
rejectedabruptly。"Ishallwriteinmyroom，"Isaid。
"Whynotwritedownhere？"
"Ishallwriteinmyroom，"Isnarledlikeathwartedanimal，andhelookedatmecuriously。"Verywell，"hesaid；"thenI'llmakesomenotesandthinkaboutthatorderofoursoutunderthemagnolias。"
Ihoveredabouttheloungeforatimebuyingpostcardsandfeverishlyrestless，watchingthemovementsoftheotherpeople。
FinallyIwentuptomyroomandsatdownbythewindows，staringout。Therecamealittletapattheunlockeddoorandinaninstant，likethegoofatautbowstring，Iwasupandhaditopen。
"Hereisthatbook，"shesaid，andwehesitated。
"COMEIN！"Iwhispered，tremblingfromheadtofoot。
"You'rejustaboy，"shesaidinalowtone。
Ididnotfeelabitlikealover，Ifeltlikeaburglarwiththesafe-doornearlyopened。"Comein，"Isaidalmostimpatiently，foranyonemightbeinthepassage，andIgrippedherwristanddrewhertowardsme。
"Whatdoyoumean？"sheansweredwithafaintsmileonherlips，andawkwardandyielding。
Ishutthedoorbehindher，stillholdingherwithonehand，thenturneduponher——shewaslaughingnervously——andwithoutaworddrewhertomeandkissedher。AndIrememberthatasIkissedhershemadealittlenoisealmostlikethepurringmiaowwithwhichacatwillgreetoneandherface，closetomine，becamesolemnandtender。
Shewassuddenlyadifferentbeingfromthediscontentedwifewhohadtappedamomentsinceonmydoor，awomantransfigured……
ThateveningIcamedowntodinneramonsterofpride，forbehold！I
wasaman。Ifeltmyselfthemostwonderfulandunprecedentedofadventurers。Itwashardtobelievethatanyoneintheworldbeforehaddoneasmuch。MymistressandImetsmiling，wecarriedthingsoffadmirably，anditseemedtomethatWillersleywasthedullestolddogintheworld。Iwantedtogivehimadvice。I
wantedtogivehimderisivepokes。AfterdinnerandcoffeeintheloungeIwastooexcitedandhilarioustogotobed，Imadehimcomewithmedowntothecafeunderthearchesbythepier，andtheredrankbeerandtalkedextravagantnonsenseabouteverythingunderthesun，inordernottotalkaboutthehappeningsoftheafternoon。
Allthetimesomethingshoutedwithinme："Iamaman！Iamaman！"……
"Whatshallwedoto-morrow？"saidhe。
"I'mforloafing，"Isaid。"Let'srowinthemorningandspendto-
morrowafternoonjustaswedidto-day。"
"Theysaythechurchbehindthetownisworthseeing。"
"We'llgoupaboutsunset；that'sthebesttimeforit。Wecanstartaboutfive。"
Weheardmusic，andwentfurtheralongthearcadetodiscoveraplacewheregirlsinoperaticSwisspeasantcostumeweresinginganddancingonacreaking，protestinglittlestage。Ieyedtheirgenerousdisplayofpinkneckandarmwiththeseasonedeyeofamanwhohaslivedintheworld。Lifewasperfectlysimpleandeasy，I
felt，ifonetookittherightway。
NextdayWillersleywantedtogoon，butIdelayed。AltogetherI
kepthimbackfourdays。Thenabruptlymymoodchanged，andwedecidedtostartearlythefollowingmorning。Iremember，thoughalittleindistinctly，thefeelingofmylasttalkwiththatwomanwhosesurname，oddasitmayseem，eitherIneverlearntorIhaveforgotten。HerchristiannamewasMilly。Shewastiredandratherlow-spirited，anddisposedtobesentimental，andforthefirsttimeinourintercourseIfoundmyselflikingherforthesakeofherownpersonality。Therewassomethingkindlyandgenerousappearingbehindtheveilofnaiveanduncontrolledsensualityshehadworn。Therewasacuriousqualityofmotherlinessinherattitudetomethatsomethinginmynatureansweredandapproved。
Shedidn'tpretendtokeepitupthatshehadyieldedtomyinitiative。"I'vedoneyounoharm，"shesaidalittledoubtfully，anoddnoteforaman'svictim！And，"we'vehadagoodtime。Youhavelikedme，haven'tyou？"
Sheinterestedmeinherlonelydissatisfiedlife；shewaschildlessandhadnohopeofchildren，andherhusbandwastheonlysonofarichmeatsalesman，verymean，amightysmoker——"hereeksofit，"
shesaid，"always"——andinterestedinnothingbutgolf，billiardswhichheplayedverybadly，pigeonshooting，convivialFreeMasonryandStockExchangepunting。MostlytheydriftedabouttheRiviera。Hermotherhadcontrivedhermarriagewhenshewaseighteen。TheywerethefirstsamplesIeverencounteredofthegreatmultitudeoffunctionlesspropertyownerswhichencumbersmoderncivilisation——butatthetimeIdidn'tthinkmuchofthataspectofthem……
Itellallthisbusinessasithappenedwithoutcomment，becauseI
havenocommenttomake。Itwasallstrangetome，strangeratherthanwonderful，and，itmaybe，somedreamofbeautydiedforeverinthosefurtivemeetings；ithappenedtome，andIcouldscarcelyhavebeenmoreirresponsibleinthematterorcontrolledeventslessifIhadbeensuddenlypushedoveracliffintowater。Iswam，ofcourse——findingmyselfinit。Thingstestedme，andIreacted，asI
havetold。Thebloomofmyinnocence，ifevertherehadbeensuchathing，wasgone。Andhereistheremarkablethingaboutit；atthetimeandforsomedaysIwasover-weeninglyproud；Ihaveneverbeensoproudbeforeorsince；IfeltIhadbeenpromotedtovirility；I
wasunabletoconcealmyexultationfromWillersley。Itwasamoodofshiningshamelessungraciousself-approval。AsheandIwentalonginthecoolmorningsunshinebythericefieldsinthethroatoftheValMaggiaasilencefellbetweenus。
"Youknow？"Isaidabruptly，——"aboutthatwoman？"
Willersleydidnotanswerforamoment。Helookedatmeoverthecornerofhisspectacles。
"Thingswentprettyfar？"heasked。
"Oh！alltheway！"andIhadatwingeoffatuousprideinmyunpremeditatedachievement。
"Shecametoyourroom？"
Inodded。
"Iheardher。Iheardherwhispering……Thewhisperingandrustlingandsoon。Iwasinmyroomyesterday……Anyonemighthaveheardyou。"
Iwentonwithmyheadintheair。
"Youmighthavebeencaught，andthatwouldhavemeantendlesstrouble。Youmighthaveincurredallsortsofconsequences。Whatdidyouknowabouther？……Wehavewastedfourdaysinthathotcloseplace。WhenwefoundthatLeagueofSocialServiceweweretalkingabout，"hesaidwithadeterminedeyeuponme，"chastitywillbefirstamongthevirtuesprescribed。"
"Ishallformarivalleague，"Isaidalittledamped。"I'mhangedifIgiveupasingledesireinmeuntilIknowwhy。"
Heliftedhischinandstaredbeforehimthroughhisglassesatnothing。"Therearesomethings，"hesaid，"thatamanwhomeanstowork——todogreatpublicservices——MUSTturnhisbackupon。I'mnotdiscussingtherightsorwrongsofthissortofthing。Ithappenstobetheconditionsweworkunder。Itwillprobablyalwaysbeso。
Ifyouwanttoexperimentinthatway，ifyouwanteventodiscussit，——outyougofrompoliticallife。Youmustknowthat'sso……
You'reastrangeman，Remington，withakindofkinkinyou。You'veasortofforce。Youmighthappentodoimmensethings……
Only——"
Hestopped。Hehadsaidallthathehadforcedhimselftosay。
"ImeantotakemyselfasIam，"Isaid。"I'mgoingtogetexperienceforhumanityoutofallmytalents——andburynothing。"
Willersleytwistedhisfacetoitshumorousexpression。"Idoubtifsexualproclivities，"hesaiddrily，comewithinthescopeoftheparable。"
Iletthatgoforalittlewhile。ThenIbrokeout。"Sex！"saidI，"isafundamentalthinginlife。WewentthroughallthisatTrinity。I'mgoingtolookatit，experienceit，thinkaboutit——
andgetitsquarewiththerestoflife。CareerandPoliticsmusttaketheirchancesofthat。It'spartofthegeneralEnglishslacknessthattheywon'tlookthisintheface。Gods！whatamuffledtimewe'recomingoutof！Sexmeansbreeding，andbreedingisanecessaryfunctioninanation。TheRomansbrokeupuponthat。
TheAmericansfadeoutamidsttheirsuccesses。Eugenics——"
"THATwasn'tEugenics，"saidWillersley。
"Itwasawoman，"Isaidafteralittleinterval，feelingoddlythatIhadfailedaltogethertoanswerhim，andyethadastrongdumbcaseagainsthim。
BOOKTHESECOND
MARGARET
CHAPTERTHEFIRST
MARGARETINSTAFFORDSHIRE
1
Imustgobackalittlewaywithmystory。InthepreviousbookI
havedescribedthekindofeducationthathappenstoamanofmyclassnowadays，andithasbeenconvenienttoleapaphaseinmyexperiencethatImustnowsetoutatlength。IwanttotellinthissecondhookhowIcametomarry，andtodothatImustgivesomethingoftheatmosphereinwhichIfirstmetmywifeandsomeintimationsoftheforcesthatwenttohermaking。ImetherinStaffordshirewhileIwasstayingwiththatuncleofwhomIhavealreadyspoken，theunclewhosoldmyfather'shousesandsettledmymotherinPenge。MargaretwastwentythenandIwastwenty-two。
ItwasjustbeforethewalkingtourinSwitzerlandthatopenedupsomuchoftheworldtome。Isawheronce，foranafternoon，andcircumstancessothrewherupinreliefthatIformedaveryvividmemoryofher。Shewasinthesharpestcontrastwiththeindustrialworldabouther；sheimpressedmeasadaintyblueflowermightdo，comeuponsuddenlyonaclinkerheap。Sheremainedinmymindatonceaperplexinginterrogationandasymbol……
ButfirstImusttellofmyStaffordshirecousinsandtheworldthatservedasafoilforher。
2
IfirstwenttostaywithmycousinswhenIwasanawkwardyouthofsixteen，wearingdeepmourningformymother。Myunclewantedtotalkthingsoverwithme，hesaid，andifhecould，topersuademetogointobusinessinsteadofgoinguptoCambridge。
Irememberthatvisitonaccountofallsortsofnovelthings，butchiefly，Ithink，becauseitwasthefirsttimeIencounteredanythingthatdeservestobespokenofaswealth。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIhadtodowithpeoplewhoseemedtohaveendlesssuppliesofmoney，unlimitedgoodclothes，numerousservants；whosedailylifewasmadeupofthingsthatIhadhithertoconsideredtobetreatsorexceptionalextravagances。Mycousinsofeighteenandnineteentookcabs，forinstance，withtheutmostfreedom，andtravelledfirst-classinthelocaltrainsthatrunupanddownthedistrictoftheFiveTownswithanentireunconsciousnessofthemagnificence，asitseemedtome，ofsuchaproceeding。
ThefamilyoccupiedalargevillainNewcastle，withbiglawnsbeforeitandbehind，ashrubberywithquitealotofshrubs，acoachhouseandstable，andsubordinatedwelling-placesforthegardenerandthecoachman。Everybedroomcontainedagasheaterandacanopiedbrassbedstead，andhadalittlebathroomattachedequippedwiththeporcelainbathsandfittingsmyunclemanufactured，brightandsanitaryandstampedwithhisname，andthehousewasfurnishedthroughoutwithchairsandtablesinbrightshiningwood，softandprevalentlyredTurkishcarpets，cosycorners，curtainedarchways，gold-framedlandscapes，overmantels，adining-roomsideboardlikeapalacewithalargeTantalus，andelectriclightfittingsofagayandexpensivequality。Therewasafinebilliard-roomonthegroundfloorwiththreecomfortablesofasandarotatingbookcasecontaininganexcellentcollectionoftheEnglishandAmericanhumoristsfromTHREEMENINABOATtothepenultimateMarkTwain。Therewasalsoaconservatoryopeningoutofthedining-room，towhichthegardenerbroughtpottedflowersintheirseason……
Myauntwasalittlewomanwithascaredlookandacapthatwouldgetoveroneeye，notverylikemymother，andnearlyeightyearsherjunior；shewasverymuchconcernedwithkeepingeverythingnice，andunmercifullybulliedbymytwocousins，whotookaftertheirfatherandfollowedtheimaginationsoftheirownhearts。
Theyweretall，dark，warmlyflushedgirlshandsomeratherthanpretty。Gertrude，theeldestandtallest，hadeyesthatwerealmostblack；Sibylwasofastouterbuild，andhereyes，ofwhichshewasshamelesslyproud，weredarkblue。Sibyl'shairwaved，andGertrude'swasseverelystraight。Theytreatedmeonmyfirstvisitwithallthecontemptoftheadolescentgirlforaboyalittleyoungerandinfinitelylessexpertinthebusinessoflifethanherself。Theywereverybusywiththewritingsofnotesandcertainmysteriousgoingsandcomingsoftheirown，andleftmeverymuchtomyowndevices。Theirspeechinmypresencewasfullofunfathomableallusions。Theywerethesortofgirlswhowilltalkoverandthroughanuninitiatedstrangerwiththepleasantestsenseofsuperiority。
Imetthematbreakfastandatlunchandatthehalf-pastsixo'clockhighteathatformedthethirdchiefmealoftheday。I
heardthemrattlingoffthecompositionsofChaminadeandMoskowski，withgreatdecisionandeffect，andhoveredontheedgeoftennisfoursomeswhereitwasmanifesttothedullestintelligencethatmypresencewasunnecessary。ThenIwentofftofindsomereadablebookintheplace，butapartfrommiscellaneouspopularnovels，someveterinaryworks，anumberofcomicbooks，oldboundvolumesofTHE
ILLUSTRATEDLONDONNEWSandalarge，popularillustratedHistoryofEngland，therewasverylittletobefound。Myanuttalkedtomeinacasualfeebleway，chieflyaboutmymotber'slastillness。Thetwobadseenverylittleofeachotherformanyyears；shemadenosecretofitthattheineligiblequalitiesofmyfatherwerethecauseoftheestrangement。TheonlyothersocietyinthehouseduringthedaywasanoldandratherdecayedSkyeterrierinconstantconflictwithwhatwerenodoubtimaginaryfleas。Itookmyselfoffforaseriesofwalks，andacquiredaconsiderableknowledgeofthesceneryandtopographyofthePotteries。
ItpuzzledmyauntthatIdidnotgowestward，whereitwascountry-
sideandoftenquitepretty，withhedgerowsandfieldsandcopsesandflowers。ButalwaysIwenteastward，whereinalongvalleyindustrialismsmokesandsprawls。ThatwasthestufftowhichI
turnedbynature，tothehumaneffort，andtheaccumulationandjarofmen'sactivities。Andinsuchacountryasthatvalleysocialandeconomicrelationsweresimpleandmanifest。InsteadofthelimitlessconfusionofLondon'spopulation，inwhichnomancantraceanybutthemostslendercorrelationbetweenrichandpoor，inwhicheveryoneseemsdisconnectedandadriftfromeveryone，youcanseeheretheworks，thepotbankortheironworksorwhatnot，andherecloseathandthecongested，meanly-housedworkers，andatalittledistanceasmallmiddle-classquarter，andagainremoter，thebighouseoftheemployer。Itwaslikeaverysimplifieddiagram——
aftertheuntraceableconfusionofLondon。
Iprowledalone，curiousandinterested，throughshabbybackstreetsofmeanlittlehomes；Ifollowedcanals，sometimescanalsofmysteriouslyheatedwaterswithghostlywispsofsteamrisingagainstblackenedwallsoradistantprospectofdustbin-fedvegetablegardens，Isawthewomenpouringoutfromthepotbanks，heardthehooterssummoningthetoilerstowork，lostmywayuponslagheapsasbigasthehillsofthesouthcountry，dodgedtrainsatmanifestlydangerouslevelcrossings，andsurveyedacrossdarkinterveningspaces，theflaminguproar，thegnome-likeactivitiesofironfoundries。Iheardtalkofstrikesandrumoursofstrikes，andlearntfromthecolumnsofsomeobscurelabourpaperIboughtoneday，ofthehorrorsoftheleadpoisoningthatwasinthosedaysoneofthenormalrisksofcertainsortsofpotteryworkers。ThenbackIcame，bytheuglygroaningandclangingsteamtramofthatperiod，tomyuncle'shouseandlavishabundanceofmoneyandmoreorlessfurtiveflirtationsandthetinkleofMoskowskiandChaminade。Itwas，Isay，diagrammatic。Onesawtheexpropriatorandtheexpropriated——asifMarxhadarrangedthepicture。ItwasasjumbledandfarmoredingyanddisastrousthananyoftheconfusionsofbuildinganddevelopmentthathadsurroundedmyyouthatBromsteadandPenge，butithadanovelqualityofbeingexplicable。
Ifoundgreatvirtueintheword"exploitation。"
Therestuckinmymindasifitwassymbolicalofthewholethingthetwistedfigureofaman，whosefacehadbeenhorriblyscalded——I
can'tdescribehow，exceptthatoneeyewasjustexpressionlesswhite——andhegroundatanorganbearingacardwhichtoldinweakandbitterlysatiricalphrasingthathehadbeenscaldedbythehotwaterfromthetuyeresoftheblastfurnaceofLordPandram'sworks。
Hehadbeenscaldedandquiteinadequatelycompensatedanddismissed。AndLordPandramwasworthhalfamillion。
Thatupturnedsightlesswhiteeyeofhistookpossessionofmyimagination。Idon'tthinkthateventhenIwasswayedbyanycrudemelodramaticconceptionofinjustice。Iwasquitepreparedtobelievethecardwasn'tapunctiliouslyaccuratestatementoffact，andthatacasecouldbemadeoutforLordPandram。Stillthereinthemuddygutter，painfullyanddreadfully，wastheman，andhewassmashedandscaldedandwretched，andhegroundhisdismalhurdygurdywithawearyarm，callinguponHeavenandthepasser-byforhelp，forhelpandsomesortofrighting——onecouldnotimaginequitewhat。Therehewasasafact，asaby-productofthesystemthatheapedmycousinswithtrinketsandprovidedthecomicnovelsandtheabundantcigarsandspaciousbilliard-roomofmyuncle'shouse。Icouldn'tdisconnecthimandthem。
Myuncleonhispartdidnothingtoconcealthestateofwarthatexistedbetweenhimselfandhisworkers，andthemingledcontemptandanimosityhefeltfromthem。
3
Prosperityhadovertakenmyuncle。Soquitenaturallyhebelievedthateverymanwhowasnotasprosperousashewashadonlyhimselftoblame。Hewasrichandhehadleftschoolandgoneintohisfather'sbusinessatfifteen，andthatseemedtohimtheproperageatwhicheveryone'seducationshouldterminate。HewasveryanxioustodissuademefromgoinguptoCambridge，andwearguedintermittentlythroughallmyvisit。
Ihadrememberedhimasabigandbuoyantman，stridingdestructivelyaboutthenurseryfloorofmychildhood，andsalutingmyexistencebyslaps，loudlaughter，andquestionsabouthalfherringsandhalfeggssubtlyframedtopuzzleandconfusemymind。
Ididn'tseehimforsomeyearsuntilmyfather'sdeath，andthenheseemedrathersmaller，thoughstillafairsize，yellowinsteadofredandmuchlessradiantlyaggressive。Thisalteredeffectwasduenotsomuchtomyownchangedperspectives，Ifancy，astothefactsthathewassufferingforcontinuouscigarsmoking，andbeingtakeninhandbyhisadolescentdaughterswhohadjustreturnedfromschool。
Duringmyfirstvisittherewasaperpetualseriesof——theonlywordisrows，betweenthemandhim。Uptotheageoffifteenorthereabouts，hehadmaintamedhisascendancyoverthembysimpleold-fashionedphysicalchastisement。Thenafteraninterludeofayearithaddawneduponthemthatpowerhadmysteriouslydepartedfromhim。Hehadtriedstoppingtheirpocketmoney，buttheyfoundtheirmotherfinanciallyamenable；besideswhichitwasfundamentaltomyuncle'sattitudethatheshouldgivethemmoneyfreely。Nottodosowouldseemlikeadmittingadifficultyinmakingit。SothatafterhehadstoppedtheirallowancesforthefourthtimeSybilandGertrudewerepreparedtofacebeggarywithoutaqualm。Ithadbeenhispridetogivethemthelargestallowanceofanygirlsattheschool，notevenexceptingthegranddaughterofFladdentheBoraxKing，andhissoulrecoiledfromthisdisciplineasithadneverrecoiledfromtherudermethodoftheearlierphase。Bothgirlshaddevelopedtoahighpitchintheirmutualrecriminationsagiftfordamagingretort，andhefounditanaltogetherdeadlierthingthanthepoweroftheraisedvoicethathadalwayscowedmyaunt。Wheneverhebecameheatedwiththem，theyfrownedasifinvoluntarily，drewintheirbreathsharply，said："Daddy，youreallymustnotsay——"andcorrectedhispronunciation。Then，atagreatadvantage，theyresumedthediscussion……
Myuncle'sviewsaboutCambridge，however，wereperfectlyclearanddefinite。Itwaswasteoftimeandmoney。Itwasalldamnedfoolery。Didtheymakeamanabetterbusinessman？Notabitofit。Hegaveinstances。Itspoiltamanforbusinessbygivinghim"falseideas。"Somemensaidthatatcollegeamanformedusefulfriendships。Whatusewerefriendshipstoabusinessman？Hemightgettoknowlords，but，asmyunclepointedout，alord'srequirementsinhislineoffaiencewerelittlegreaterthanacommonman's。Ifcollegeintroducedhimtohotelproprietorstheremightbesomethinginit。PerhapsithelpedamanintoParliament，Parliamentstillbeingaconfusedretrogressivecornerintheworldwherelawyersandsuchlikeshelteredthemselvesfromtheonslaughtsofcommon-sensebehindafogofLatinandGreekandtwaddleandtosh；butIwasn'tthesorttogointoParliament，unlessImeanttobealawyer。DidImeantobealawyer？Itcostnoendofmoney，andwasfullofuncertainties，andtherewerenojudgesnorgreatsolicitorsamongmyrelations。"Youngchapsthinktheygetonbythemselves，"saidmyuncle。Itisn'tso。Notunlesstheytaketheircoatsoff。ItookmineoffbeforeIwasyouragebynighayear。"
Wewereatcrosspurposesfromtheoutset，becauseIdidnotthinkmenlivedtomakemoney；andIwasobtusetothehintshewasthrowingoutatthepossibilitiesofhisownpotbank，notwillfullyobtuse，butjustfailingtopenetratehismeaning。WhateverCityMerchantshadorhadnotdoneforme，Flack，TophamandoldGateshadcertainlybarredmymistakingtheprofitableproductionandsaleoflavatorybasinsandbathroomfittingsforthehighestgood。Itwasonlyuponreflectionthatitdawneduponmethatthesplendidchanceforayoungfellowwithmyuncle，"me，havingnosonofmyown，"wasanythingbutanillustrationforcomparisonwithmyownchosencareer。
Istillrememberverydistinctlymyuncle'stalk，——helovedtospeak"reetStaffordshire"——hisratherflabbyfacewiththemottledcomplexionthattoldofcrudeill-regulatedappetites，hisclumsygestures——hekeptemphasisinghispointsbyproddingatmewithhisfinger——theill-worn，costly，greytweedclothes，thewatchchainofplainsolidgold，andsoftfelthatthrustbackfromhishead。Hetackledmefirstinthegardenafterlunch，andthentriedtoraisemetoenthusiasmbytakingmetohispotbankandshowingmeitsorganisation，fromthedustygrindingmillsinwhichwhitenedmenworkedandcoughed，throughthehighlyventilatedglazingroominwhichstrangelymaskedgirlslookedashamedofthemselves，——"They'llriskdeath，thefools，toshowtheirfacestoaman，"saidmyuncle，quiteaudibly——tothefiringkilnsandtheglazingkilns，andsoroundthewholeplacetotherailwaysidingandthegratifyingspectacleofthreetrucksladenwithexecutedorders。
Thenwewentupacreakingoutsidestaircasetohislittleoffice，andheshowedoffbeforemeforawhile，withoneortwosubordinatesandthetelephone。
"NoneofyourGas，"hesaid，"allthis。It'sRealeverybitofit。
Hardcashandhardglaze。"
"Yes，"Isaid，withmemoriesofacarelesslyreadpamphletinmymind，andwithoutanysatiricalintention，"IsupposeyouMUSTuseleadinyourglazes？"
WhereuponIfoundIhadtappedtherulinggrievanceofmyuncle'slife。Hehatedleadlessglazesmorethanhehatedanything，exceptthebenevolentpeoplewhohadorganisedtheagitationfortheiruse。
"Leadlessglazesain'tonlyfitforbuns，"hesaid。"Letmetellyou，myboy——"
Hebeganinavoiceofblandpersuasivenessthatpresentlywarmedtoanger，toexplainthewholematter。Ihadn'ttherightsofthematteratall。Firstly，therewaspracticallynosuchthingasleadpoisoning。Secondly，noteveryonewasliabletoleadpoisoning，anditwouldbequiteeasytopickoutthesusceptibletypes——assoonastheyhadit——andputthemtootherwork。Thirdly，theevileffectsofleadpoisoningweremuchexaggerated。Fourthly，andthiswasinaparticularlyconfidentialundertone，manyofthepeoplelikedtogetleadpoisoning，especiallythewomen，becauseitcausedabortion。Imightnotbelieveit，butheknewitforafact。
Fifthly，thework-peoplesimplywouldnotlearnthegravityofthedanger，andwouldeatwithunwashedhands，andincurallsortsofrisks，sothatasmyuncleputit："thefoolsdeservewhattheyget。"Sixthly，heandseveralassociatedfirmshadorganisedasimpleandgenerousinsuranceschemeagainstlead-poisoningrisks。
Seventhly，heneverweariedinrationalasdistinguishedfromexcessive，futileandexpensiveprecautionsagainstthedisease。
Eighthly，intheill-equippedshopsofhisminorcompetitorsleadpoisoningwasafrequentandvirulentevil，andpeoplehadgeneralisedfromtheseexceptionalcases。Thesmallshops，hehazarded，lookingoutofthecrackedanddirtywindowatdistantchimneys，mightbeadvantageouslyclosed……
"Butwhat'sthegoodoftalking？"saidmyuncle，gettingoffthetableonwhichhehadbeensitting。"Seemstomethere'llcomeatimewhenamasterwillgetfinedifhedon'trunroundtheworksblowinghisgirlsnosesforthem。That'saboutwhatit'llcometo。"
Hewalkedtotheblackmantelpieceandstoodonthethreadbarerug，andurgedmenottobemisledbythestoriesofprejudicedandinterestedenemiesofournationalindustries。
"They'llgetastrikeoneofthesedays，ofemployers，andthenwe'llseeabit，"hesaid。"They'lldriveCapitalabroadandthenthey'llwhistletogetitbackagain。"……
Heledthewaydowntheshakywoodenstepsandcheereduptotellmeofhiswayofcheckinghiscoalconsumption。Heexchangedaferociousgreetingwithoneortwoworkpeople，andsowecameoutofthefactorygatesintotheuglynarrowstreets，pavedwithapeculiarlyharddiaperedbrickofanunpleasinginky-bluecolour，andborderedwiththemeanandsqualidhomesofhisworkers。Doorsstoodopenandshowedgrimyinteriors，anddirtyill-cladchildrenplayedinthekennel。
Wepassedasickly-lookinggirlwithasallowface，whodraggedherlimbsandpeeredatusdimlywithpainfuleyes。Shestoodback，aspartlyblindedpeoplewilldo，toallowustopass，althoughtherewasplentyofroomforus。
Iglancedbackather。