"THAT'Sploombism"saidmyunclecasually。
　　"What？"saidI。
　　"Ploombism。AndtheotherdayIsawafoolofagirl，andwhatd'youthink？She'dgotabasinthathadn'tbeenfired，acrackedpieceofbiscuititwas，upontheshelfoverherhead，justalloverglaze，killingglaze，man，andshewasputtingupherhandifyouplease，andeatingherdinneroutofit。Gotherdinnerinit！
　　"Eatingherdinneroutofit，"herepeatedinloudandbittertones，andpunchedmehardintheribs。
　　"AndthentheycomestoTHAT——andgrumbles。AndthefoolsupinWestminsterwantyoutoputinfanshereandfansthere——theLongtonfoolshave……Andtheneatingtheirdinnersoutofitallthetime！"……
　　Athighteathatnight——myunclewasstillholdingoutagainsteveningdinner——SibylandGertrudemadewhatwasevidentlyaconcerteddemandforamotorcar。
　　"You'vegotyourmother'sbrougham，"hesaid，that'sgoodenoughforyou。"ButheseemedshakenbythefactthatsomeBurslemrivalwaslaunchingoutwiththenewinvention。"Hespoilshisgirls，"heremarked。"He'safool，"andbecamethoughtful。
　　Afterwardsheaskedmetocometohimintohisstudy；itwasaroomwithawriting-deskandfullofpiecesofearthenwareandsuchlikelitter，andwehadourgreatrowaboutCambridge。
　　"Haveyouthoughtthingsover，Dick？"hesaid。
　　"IthinkI'llgotoTrinity，Uncle，"Isaidfirmly。"IwanttogotoTrinity。Itisagreatcollege。"
　　Hewasmanifestlychagrined。"You'reafool，"hesaid。
　　Imadenoanswer。
　　"You'readamnedfool，"hesaid。"ButIsupposeyou'vegottodoit。Youcouldhavecomehere——Thatdon'tmatter，though，now……
　　You'llhaveyourtimeandspendyourmoney，andbeapoorhalf-
　　starvedclergyman，muckingaboutwiththewomenallthedayandafraidtohaveoneofyourownever，oryou'llbeaschoolmasterorsomesuchfoolfortherestofyourlife。Orsomenewspaperchap。
　　That'swhatyou'llgetfromCambridge。I'mhalfamindnottoletyou。Eh？Morethanhalfamind……"
　　"You'vegottodothethingyoucan，"hesaid，afterapause，"andlikelyit'swhatyou'refittedfor。"
　　4
　　IpaidseveralshortvisitstoStaffordshireduringmyCambridgedays，andalwaystheserelationsofmineproducedthesameeffectofhardness。Myuncle'sthoughtshadneitheratmospherenormystery。
　　Helivedinadifferentuniversefromthedreamsofscientificconstructionthatfilledmymind。HecouldaseasilyhaveunderstoodChinesepoetry。Hismotivesweremadeupofintenserivalrieswithothermenofhisclassandkind，afewvindictivehatesspringingfromrealandfanciedslights，ahabitofacquisitionthathadbecomeasecondnature，akeenlovebothofefficiencyanddisplayinhisownaffairs。Heseemedtometohavenosenseofthestate，nosenseandmuchlessanyloveofbeauty，nocharityandnosortofreligiousfeelingwhatever。Hehadstrongbodilyappetites，heateanddrankfreely，smokedagreatdeal，andoccasionallywascarriedoffbyhispassionsfora"bitofaspree"
　　toBirminghamorLiverpoolorManchester。Theindulgencesoftheseoccasionswereusuallyfollowedbyaperiodofreaction，whenhewasurgentforthesuppressionofnudityinthelocalArtGalleryandaharshandforcibleelevationofthesuperficialmoralsofthevalley。Andhespokeoftheladieswhoministeredtothedelightsofhisjolly-dogperiod，whenhespokeofthematall，bytheunprintablefeminineequivalent。Myaunthetreatedwithakindlycontemptandconsiderablefinancialgenerosity，buthisdaughterstorehisheart；hewassoproudofthem，sogladtofindthemmoneytospend，soresolvedtoownthem，soinstinctivelyjealousofeverymanwhocamenearthem。
　　Myunclehasbeenthecluetoagreatnumberofmenforme。Hewasanilluminatingextreme。Ihavelearntwhatnottoexpectfromthemthroughhim，andtocomprehendresentmentsanddangeroussuddenantagonismsIshouldhavefoundincomprehensibleintheirmorecomplexforms，ifIhadnotfirstseentheminhimintheirferalstate。
　　Withhissoftfelthatatthebackofhishead，hisratherheavy，rathermottledface，hisrationallythickbootsandslouchingtweed-
　　cladform，alittleround-shoulderedandveryobstinatelooking，hestrollsthroughallmyspeculationssuckinghisteethaudibly，andoccasionallythrowingoutashrewdaphorism，theintractableunavoidableoreofthenewcivilisation。
　　Essentiallyhewassimple。Generallyspeaking，hehatedanddespisedinequalmeasurewhateverseemedtosuggestthathepersonallywasnotthemostperfecthumanbeingconceivable。Hehatedalleducationafterfifteenbecausehehadhadnoeducationafterfifteen，hehatedallpeoplewhodidnothavehighteauntilhehimselfunderduressgaveuphightea，hehatedeverygameexceptfootball，whichhehadplayedandcouldjudge，hehatedallpeoplewhospokeforeignlanguagesbecauseheknewnolanguagebutStaffordshire，hehatedallforeignersbecausehewasEnglish，andallforeignwaysbecausetheywerenothisways。Alsohehatedparticularly，andinthisorder，Londoner's，Yorkshiremen，Scotch，WelchandIrish，becausetheywerenot"reetStaffordshire，"andhehatedallotherStaffordshiremenasinsufficiently"reet。"Hewantedtohaveallhisownwomeninviolate，andtofancyhehadacalluponeveryotherwomanintheworld。Hewantedtohavethebestcigarsandthebestbrandyintheworldtoconsumeorgiveawaymagnificently，andeveryoneelsetohaveinferiorones。Hisbilliardtablewasanextralargesize，speciallymadeandveryinconvenient。AndhehatedTradeUnionsbecausetheyinterferedwithhisautocraticdirectionofhisworks，andhisworkpeoplebecausetheywerenotobedientanduntiringmechanismstodohisbidding。Hewas，infact，averynaive，vigoroushumanbeing。Hewasaboutasmuchcivilised，aboutasmuchtamedtotheideasofcollectiveactionandmutualconsiderationasaCentralAfricannegro。
　　Therearehordesofsuchmenashethroughoutallthemodernindustrialworld。YouwillfindthesametypewiththeslightestmodificationsinthePasdeCalaisorRhenishPrussiaorNewJerseyorNorthItaly。NodoubtyouwouldfinditinNewJapan。Thesemenhaveraisedthemselvesupfromthegeneralmassofuntrained，uncultured，poorishpeopleinahardindustriousselfishstruggle。
　　Todriveotherstheyhavehadfirsttodrivethemselves。Theyhaveneveryethadoccasionnorleisuretothinkofthestateorsociallifeasawhole，andasfordreamsorbeauty，itwasaconditionofsurvivalthattheyshouldignoresuchcravings。Allthedistinctivequalitiesofmyunclecanbethoughtofasdictatedbyhisconditions；hissuccessandharshness，theextravagancesthatexpressedhisprideinmakingmoney，theuncongenialluxurythatsprangfromrivalry，andhisself-reliance，hiscontemptforbroadviews，hiscontemptforeverythingthathecouldnotunderstand。
　　Hisdaughtersweretheinevitablechildrenofhislife。Queergirlstheywere！Curiously"spirited"aspeoplephraseit，andcuriouslylimited。DuringmyCambridgedaysIwentdowntoStaffordshireseveraltimes。Myuncle，thoughhestillresentedmyrefusaltogointohisbusiness，wasalsoinhisoddwayproudofme。Iwashisnephewandpoorrelation，andyetthereIwas，ayounggentlemanlearningallsortsofunremunerativethingsinthegrandestmanner，"Latinandmook，"whilethesonsofhisneighhours，notnephewsmerely，butsons，stayedunpolishedintheirnativetown。EverytimeIwentdownIfoundextensivechangesandalteredrelations，andbeforeIhadsettleddowntothemoffIwentagain。Idon'tthinkIwasonepersontothem；Iwasaseriesofvisitors。Thereisagulfofagesbetweenagauntschoolboyofsixteeninunbecomingmourningandtwovividlyself-consciousgirlsofeighteenandnineteen，butaCambridge"man"oftwoandtwentywithafirstandgoodtennisandagrowingsocialexperience，isafaircontemporaryfortwogirlsoftwenty-threeandtwenty-four。
　　Amotor-carappeared，Ithinkinmysecondvisit，abottle-greenaffairthatopenedbehind，haddarkpurplecushions，andwascontrolledmysteriouslybyamaninshinyblackcostumeandaflatcap。Thehighteahadbeenshiftedtosevenandrechristeneddinner，butmyunclewouldnotdressnorconsenttohavewine；andafteronepainfulexperiment，Igathered，andascene，heputhisfootdownandprohibitedanybuthigh-neckeddresses。
　　"Daddy'sperfectlyimpossible，"Sybiltoldme。
　　Thefoothaddescendedvehemently！"Myowndaughters！"hehadsaid，"dresseduplike——"——andhadarrestedhimselfandfumbledanddecidedtosay——"actresses，andshowin'theirfatarmsforeveryfooltostareat！"Norwouldhehaveanypeopleinvitedtodinner。
　　Hedidn't，hehadexplained，wantstrangerspokingaboutinhishousewhenhecamehometired。Sosuchcallingasoccurredwentonduringhisabsenceintheafternoon。
　　Oneofthepeculiaritiesofthelifeoftheseascendantfamiliesoftheindustrialclasstowhichwealthhascome，isitstremendousinsulations。TherewerenocustomsofintercourseintheFiveTowns。Alltheisolatedprosperitiesofthedistrictsprangfromeconomising，harddrivenhomes，inwhichtherewasneithertimenormeansforhospitality。Socialintercoursecentredverylargelyuponthechurchorchapel，andthechapelswerebetteratbringingpeopletogetherthantheEstablishmenttowhichmycousinsbelonged。Theirchiefoutlettothewiderworldlaythereforethroughtheacquaintancestheyhadformedatschool，andthroughtwomuchlessprosperousfamiliesofrelationswholivedatLongtonandHanley。A
　　numberofgossipingfriendshipswitholdschoolmateswere"keptup，"andmycousinswould"spendtheafternoon"orevenspendthedaywiththese；suchoccasionsledtootherencountersandinterlacedwiththefurtivecorrespondencesandsnatchedmeetingsthatformedtheemotionalthreadoftheirlives。Whenthebilliardtablehadbeennew，myunclehadtakentoaskinginafewapprovedfriendsforanoccasionalgame，butmostlythebilliard-roomwasforgloryandthegirls。Bothofthemplayedverywell。Theynever，sofarasIknow，dinedout，andwhenatlastafterbitterdomesticconflictstheybegantogotodances，theywentwiththequaveringconnivanceofmyaunt，andchangedintoballfrocksatfriends'
　　housesontheway。Therewasatennisclubthatformedaconvenientafternoonrendezvous，andIrecallthatintheperiodofmyearliervisitstheyoungbloodsofthedistrictfoundmuchsatisfactionintakinggirlsfordrivesindog-cartsandsuchlikehigh-wheeledvehicles，adispositionthatdiedintangledtandemsattheapparitionofmotor-car's。
　　Myauntandunclehadconceivednoplansinlifefortheirdaughtersatall。Intheundifferentiatedindustrialcommunityfromwhichtheyhadsprung，girlsgotmarriedsomehow，anditdidnotoccurtothemthattheconcentrationofpropertythathadmadethemwealthy，hadcuttheirchildrenofffromthegeneralsocialseainwhichtheirownawkwardmeetinghadoccurred，withoutnecessarilyopeninganyotherworldinexchange。Myunclewastoomuchoccupiedwiththeworksandhisbusinessaffairsandhisprivatevicestophilosophiseabouthisgirls；hewantedthemjusttokeepgirls，preferablyaboutsixteen，andtobeasortofanimatedflowersandmakehomebrightandbegiventhings。Hewasirritatedthattheywouldnotremainatthis，andstillmoreirritatedthattheyfailedtosuppressaltogethertheirnaturalinterestinyoungmen。Thetandemswouldbesteeredbyweirdanddeviousroutestoevadethebarechanceofhisbloodshoteye。Myauntseemedtohavenoideaswhateveraboutwhatwaslikelytohappentoherchildren。Shehadindeednoideasaboutanything；shetookherhusbandandthedaysastheycame。
　　Icanseenowthepatheticdifficultyofmycousins'positioninlife；theabsenceofanyguidanceorinstructionorprovisionfortheirdevelopment。Theysupplementedthesilencesofhomebytheconversationofschoolfellowsandthesuggestionsofpopularfiction。Theyhadtomakewhattheycouldoutoflifewithsuchhintsasthese。Thechurchwasfartoomodesttoofferthemanyadvice。Itwasobtrudeduponmyminduponmyfirstvisitthattheywerebothcarryingoncorrespondencesandhavinglittlefurtivepassingsandseeingsandmeetingswiththemysteriousownersofcertaininitials，S。andL。K。，and，ifIrememberrightly，"theR。
　　N。"brothersandcousins，Isuppose，oftheirfriends。Thesamethingwasgoingon，withacertainintensification，atmynextvisit，exceptingonlythattheinitialsweredifferent。ButwhenI
　　cameagaintheirmethodswerematurerorIwasnolongeranegligiblequantity，andthenotesandtheinitialswerenolongerflauntedquitesoopenlyinmyface。
　　Mycousinshadworkeditoutfromtheindicationsoftheiruniversethattheendoflifeistohavea"goodtime。"Theyusedthephrase。Thatandthedrivesindog-cartswereonlythefirstofendlesspointsofresemblancebetweenthemandthecommonersortofAmericangirl。WhensomeyearsagoIpaidmyfirstandonlyvisittoAmericaIseemedtorecovermycousins'atmosphereassoonasI
　　enteredthetrainatEuston。Therewerethreegirlsinmycompartmentsuppliedwithhugedecoratedcasesofsweets，andbeingseenoffbyacompanyoffriends，noisilyarchandeageraboutthe"steamerletters"theywouldgetatLiverpool；theyweretheverysoul-sistersofmycousins。Thechiefelementsofagoodtime，asmycousinsjudgedit，asthesecountlessthousandsofrichyoungwomenjudgeit，areapettyeventfulness，laughter，andtofeelthatyouarelookingwellandattractingattention。Shoppingisoneofitsleadingjoys。Youbuythings，clothesandtrinketsforyourselfandpresentsforyourfriends。Presentsalwaysseemedtobeflyingaboutinthatcircle；flowersandboxesofsweetswerecommoncurrency。Mycousinswerealwaysgettingandgiving，myunclecaressedthemwithparcelsandcheques。TheykissedhimandheexudedsovereignsasastrokedAPHISexudeshoney。ItwaslikethenewlanguageoftheAcademyofLagadotome，andIneverlearnthowtoexpressmyselfinit，fornatureandtrainingmakemefeelencumberedtoreceivepresentsandembarrassedingivingthem。Butthen，likemyfather，Ihateanddistrustpossessions。
　　OfthequalityoftheirprivateimaginationIneverlearntanything；
　　Isupposeitfollowedthelinesofthefictiontheyreadandwasromanticandsentimental。Sofarasmarriagewent，themarriedstateseemedatonceveryattractiveanddreadfullyserioustothem，composedinequalmeasureofbecomingimportantandbecomingold。I
　　don'tknowwhattheythoughtaboutchildren。Idoubtiftheythoughtaboutthematall。Itwasverysecretiftheydid。
　　Asforthepooranddingypeopleallaboutthem，mycousinswerealwaysreadytotakepartinaCharitableBazaar。Theywereunawareofanyeconomiccorrelationoftheirownprosperityandthatcircumambientpoverty，andtheyknewofTradeUnionssimplyasdisagreeableexternalthingsthatupsetmyuncle'stemper。Theyknewofnothingwronginsociallifeatallexceptthattherewere"Agitators。"Itsurprisedthemalittle，Ithink，thatAgitatorswerenotmoredrasticallyputdown。Buttheyhadasortofinstinctivedreadofsocialdiscussionasofsomethingthatmightbreachthehappinessoftheirignorance……
　　5
　　MycousinsdidmorethanillustrateMarxforme；theyalsoundertookastageofmyemotionaleducation。Theirmethodinthatasineverythingelsewasextremelysimple，butittookmyinexperiencebysurprise。
　　ItmusthavebeenonmythirdvisitthatSybiltookmeinhand。
　　HithertoIseemedtohaveseenheronlyinprofile，butnowshebecamealmostcompletelyfullface，manifestlyregardedmewiththosevioleteyesofhers。ShepassedmethingsIneededatbreakfast——itwasthefirstmorningofmyvisit——beforeIaskedforthem。
　　Whenyoungmenarelookedatbyprettycousins，theybecomeintenselyawareofthosecousins。ItseemedtomethatIhadalwaysadmiredSybil'seyesverygreatly，andthattherewassomethinginhertemperamentcongenialtomine。ItwasoddIhadnotnoteditonmypreviousvisits。
　　Wewalkedroundthegardensomewhenthatmorning，andtalkedaboutCambridge。Sheaskedquitealotofquestionsaboutmyworkandmyambitions。ShesaidshehadalwaysfeltsureIwasclever。
　　Theconversationlanguishedalittle，andwepickedsomeflowersforthehouse。ThensheaskedifIcouldrun。Iconcededhervariousstartsandweracedupanddownthemiddlegardenpath。Then，alittlebreathless，wewentintothenewtwenty-fiveguineasummer-
　　houseattheendoftheherbaceousborder。
　　Wesatsidebyside，pleasantlyhiddenfromthehouse，andshebecameanxiousaboutherhair，whichwasslightlyandprettilydisarranged，andaskedmetohelpherwiththeadjustmentofahairpin。Ihadneverinmylifebeensonearthesoftcurlyhairandthedaintyeyebrowandeyelidandwarmsoftcheekofagirl，andIwasstirred——
　　Itstirsmenowtorecallit。
　　Ibecameabattlegroundofimpulsesandinhibitions。
　　"Thankyou，"saidmycousin，andmovedalittleawayfromme。
　　Shebegantotalkaboutfriendship，andlostherthreadandforgotthelittleelectricstressbetweenusinarathermeanderinganalysisofherprincipalgirlfriends。
　　Butafterwardssheresumedherpurpose。
　　Iwenttobedthatnightwithonepropostionovershadowingeverythingelseinmymind，namely，thatkissingmycousinSybilwasadifficult，butnotimpossible，achievement。Idonotrecallanyshadowofadoubtwhetheronthewholeitwasworthdoing。Thethinghadcomeintomyexistence，disturbingandinterruptingitsflowexactlyasafeverdoes。Sybilhadinfectedmewithherself。
　　Thenextdaymatterscametoacrisisinthelittleupstairssitting-roomwhichhadbeenassignedmeasastudyduringmyvisit。
　　Iwasworkingupthere，orrathertryingtoworkinspiteoftheoutrageouscaperingofsomeveryprimitiveelementsinmybrain，whenshecameuptome，underatransparentpretextoflookingforabook。
　　Iturnedroundandthengotupatthesightofher。Iquiteforgetwhatourconversationwasabout，butIknowsheledmetobelieveI
　　mightkissher。ThenwhenIattemptedtodososheavertedherface。
　　"HowCOULDyou？"shesaid；"Ididn'tmeanthat！"
　　Thatremainedthestateofourrelationsfortwodays。IdevelopedagrowingirritationwithandresentmentagainstcousinSybil，combinedwithanintensedesiretogetthatkissforwhichI
　　hungeredandthirsted。CousinSybilwentaboutinthehappypersuasionthatIwasmadlyinlovewithher，andhergame，sofarasshewasconcerned，wasplayedandwon。Itwasn'tuntilIhadfrettedfortwodaysthatIrealisedthatIwasbeingusedforthecommonestformofexcitementpossibletoacommonplacegirl；thatdozensperhapsofyoungmenhadplayedthepartofTantalusatcousinSybil'slips。Iwalkedaboutmyroomatnights，damningherandcallingherbytermswhichonthewholesheratherdeserved，whileSybilwenttosleeppitying"pooroldDick！"
　　"Damnit！"Isaid，"IWILLbeequalwithyou。"
　　ButIneverdidequalisethedisadvantage，andperhapsit'saswell，forIfancythatsortofrevengecutsbothpeopletoomuchforarationalmantoseekit……
　　"Whyaremensosilly？"saidcousinSybilnextmorning，wrigglingbackwithdown-bentheadtoreleaseherselffromwhatshouldhavebeenacompellingembrace。
　　"Confoundit！"Isaidwithaflashofclearvision。"YouSTARTED
　　thisgame。"
　　"Oh！"
　　Shestoodbackagainstahedgeofroses，alittleflushedandexcitedandinterested，andreadyforthedelightfuldefensiveifI
　　shouldrenewmyattack。
　　"Beastlyhotforscuffling，"Isaid，whitewithanger。"Idon'tknowwhetherI'msokeenonkissingyou，Sybil，afterall。Ijustthoughtyouwantedmeto。"
　　Icouldhavewhippedher，andmyvoicestungmorethanmywords。
　　Oureyesmet；arealhatredinhersleapinguptomeetmine。
　　"Let'splaytennis，"Isaid，afteramoment'spause。
　　"No，"sheansweredshortly，"I'mgoingindoors。"
　　"Verywell。"
　　AndthatendedtheaffairwithSybil。
　　IwasstillinthefullglareofthisdisillusionmentwhenGertrudeawokefromsomepreoccupationtoaninterestinmyexistence。Shedevelopedadispositiontotouchmyhandbyaccident，andletherfingersrestincontactwithitforamoment，——shehadpleasantsofthands；——shebegantodriftintosummerhouseswithme，toletherarmresttrustfullyagainstmine，toaskquestionsaboutCambridge。
　　TheyweremuchthesamequestionsthatSybilhadasked。ButI
　　controlledmyselfandmaintainedaprofileofintelligentandentirelycivilindifferencetoherblandishments。
　　WhatGertrudemadeofitcameoutoneeveninginsometalk——Iforgetaboutwhat——withSybil。
　　"Oh，Dick！"saidGertrudealittleimpatiently，"Dick'sPi。"
　　AndIneverdisillusionedherbyanysubsequentlevityfromthistheoryofmyinnateandvirginalpiety。
　　6
　　ItwasagainstthisharshandcrudeStaffordshirebackgroundthatI
　　thinkImusthaveseenMargaretforthefirsttime。IsayIthinkbecauseitisquitepossiblethatwehadpassedeachotherinthestreetsofCambridge，nodoubtwiththataffectationofmutualdisregardwhichwasoncecustomarybetweenundergraduatesandNewnhamgirls。ButifthatwassoIhadnotednothingoftheslendergraciousnessthatshoneoutsopleasinglyagainstthebleakermidlandsurroundings。
　　Shewasayoungerschoolfellowofmycousins'，andthestep-daughterofSeddon，aprominentsolicitorofBurslem。Shewasnotonlynotinmycousins'generationbutnotintheirset，shewasoneofasmallhardworkinggroupwhokeptimmaculatenote-books，anddidasmuchasishumanlypossibleofthatinsensatepileofwrittenworkthattheGirls'PublicSchoolmovementhasinflicteduponschool-
　　girls。ShereallylearntFrenchandGermanadmirablyandthoroughly，shegotasfarinmathematicsasanunflinchingindustrycancarryanyonewithnogreatnaturalaptitude，andshewentuptoBennettHall，Newnham，aftertheusualconflictwithherfamily，toworkfortheHistoryTripos。
　　Thereinherthirdyearshemadeherselfthoroughlyillthroughoverwork，soillthatshehadtogiveupNewnhamaltogetherandgoabroadwithherstepmother。Shemadeherselfill，assomanygirlsdointhoseuniversitycolleges，throughthebadnessofherhomeandschooltraining。Shethoughtstudymustneedsbeahardstrainingofthemind。Sheworriedherwork，shegaveherselfnoleisuretoseeitasawhole，shefeltherselfnotmakingheadwayandshecuthergamesandexerciseinordertoincreaseherhoursoftoil，andworkedintothenight。Shecarriedaknackoflaboriousthoroughnessintotheblindalleysandinessentialsofhersubject。
　　Itdidn'tneedthebadnessofthefoodforwhichBennettHalliscelebratedandtheremarkabledietaryofnocturnalcocoa，cakesandsoftbiscuitswithwhichthegirlshavesupplementedit，toensurehercollapse。Hermotherbroughtherhome，frettinganddistressed，andthenfindingherhopelesslyunhappyathome，tookherandherhalf-brother，aratherailingyoungsteroftenwhodiedthreeyearslater，forajourneytoItaly。
　　ItalydidmuchtoassuageMargaret'schagrin。Ithinkallthreeofthemhadaverygoodtimethere。AthomeMr。Seddon，herstep-
　　father，playedthepartofawell-meaningblightbyreasonofthemoodsthatarosefromnervousdyspepsia。TheywenttoFlorence，equippedwithvariousintroductionsandmuchsoundadvicefromsympatheticCambridgefriends，andhavingacquiredaneaseinItalythere，wentontoSiena，Orvieto，andatlastRome。Theyreturned，ifIrememberrightly，byPisa，Genoa，MilanandParis。Sixmonthsormoretheyhadhadabroad，andnowMargaretwasbackinBurslem，inhealthagainandconsciouslyaverycivilisedperson。
　　Newideaswereabroad，itwasMaytimeandaspringofabundantflowers——daffodilswereparticularlygoodthatyear——andMrs。Seddoncelebratedherreturnbygivinganafternoonreceptionatshortnotice，withtheclearintentionoflettingeveryoneoutintothegardeniftheweatherheld。
　　TheSeddonshadabigoldfarmhousemodifiedtomodernideasofcomfortontheroadouttowardsMisterton，withanorchardthathadbeenratherpleasantlysubduedfromusetoornament。Ithadrichblossomingcherryandappletrees。Largepatchesofgrassfullofnoddingyellowtrumpetshadbeenleftamidstthenottoopreciselymowngrass，whichwasasitweregrasspathwithanoccasionallapseintolawnorglade。AndMargaret，hatless，withthefairhairaboveherthin，delicatelypinkfaceverysimplydone，cametomeetourrathertooconsciouslydressedparty，——wehadcomeinthemotorfourstrong，withmyauntingreysilk。Margaretworeasoftflowingfloweredbluedressofdiaphanousmaterial，allunconnectedwiththefashionandtiedwithprettyribbons，likeaslenderer，unbountifulPrimavera。
　　ItwasoneofthoseMaydaysthatapethelightandheatofsummer，andIrememberdisconnectedlyquiteanumberofbrightlylitfiguresandgroupswalkingabout，andawhitegatebetweenorchardandgardenandalargelawnwithanoaktreeandaredGeorgianhousewithaverandahandopenFrenchwindows，throughwhichtheteadrinkinghadcomeoutuponthemoss-edgedflagstonesevenasMrs。
　　Seddonhadplanned。
　　Thepartywasalmostentirelyfeminineexceptforalittlecuratewithalargehead，agoodvoiceandaradiantmanner，whowasobviouslyattractedbyMargaret，andtwoorthreeyounghusbandsstillsufficientlyaddictedtotheirwivestoaccompanythem。OneofthemIrecallasaquiteromanticfigurewithabundantblondcurlyhaironwhichwaspoisedagreyfelthatencircledbyarefinedblackband。Hewore，moreover，alooserichshotsilktieofredandpurple，alongfrockcoat，greytrousersandbrownshoes，andpresentlyheremovedhishatandcarrieditinonehand。Thereweretwotennis-playingyouthsbesidesmyself。Therewasalsoonefatherwiththreedaughtersinanxiouscontrol，afatheroftheoldschoolscarcelyhalfbrokenin，reluctant，rebelliousandconsciouslyandconscientiously"reetStaffordshire。"Thedaughterswereallalerttosuppressthepossibleplungings，theundesirablehumorousimpulsesofthisalmostferalguest。Theynippedhisverygesturesinthebud。Therestofthepeopleweremainlymotherswithdaughters——daughtersofallages，andascatteringofaunts，andtherewasatendencytoclotting，partieskepttogetherandregardedpartiessuspiciously。Mr。Seddonwasinhiding，Ithink，allthetime，thoughnotformallyabsent。
　　MatterscentredupontheteainthelongroomoftheFrenchwindows，wherefourtrimmaidswenttoandfrobusilybetweenthehouseandtheclumpsofpeopleseatedorstandingbeforeit；andtennisandcroquetwereintermittentlyvisibleandaudiblebeyondabankofrockworkrichwiththespikesandcupsandbellsofhighspring。
　　Mrs。Seddonpresidedattheteaurn，andMargaretpartlyassistedandpartlytalkedtomeandmycousinSibyl——Gertrudehadfoundadisusedandfadedinitialandwaspartneringhimattennisinastateofgentlerevival——whiletheirmotherexercisedadividedchaperonagefromaseatnearMrs。Seddon。Thelittlecurate，stirringapartiallyemptycupoftea，mingledwithourparty，andpreluded，Iremember，everyobservationhemadebyavigorousresumptionofstirring。
　　WetalkedofCambridge，andMargaretkeptustoit。ThecuratewasaSelwynmanandhadtakenapassdegreeintheology，butMargarethadcometoGaylord'slecturersinTrinityforatermbeforeherbreakdown，andunderstoodthesedifferences。Shehadtheeagernessofanexiletoheartheoldfamiliarnamesofplacesandpersonalities。WecappedfamiliaranecdotesandwereenthusiasticaboutKings'ChapelandtheBacks，andthecurate，addressinghimselfmoreparticularlytoSibyl，toldalongconfusedstoryillustrativeofhisdispositiontorecklessdevilryofapure-
　　mindedkindlysortaboutupsettingtwocanoesquiteneedlesslyonthewaytoGrantchester。
　　IcanstillseeMargaretasIsawherthatafternoon，seeherfreshfairface，withthelittleobliquityoftheupperlip，andherbrowalwaysslightlyknitted，andhermannerasofonebreathlesslyshybutdetermined。Shehadratheropenblueeyes，andshespokeinanevenmusicalvoicewiththegentlestofstressesandtheghostofalisp。Anditwastrue，shegathered，thatCambridgestillexisted。
　　"IwenttoGrantchester，"shesaid，"lastyear，andhadteaundertheapple-blossom。Ididn'tthinkthenIshouldhavetocomedown。"
　　Itwasthatstartedthecurateuponhisanecdote。
　　"I'veseenalotofpictures，andlearntalotaboutthem——atthePittiandtheBrera，——theBreraiswonderful——wonderfulplaces，——butitisn'tlikerealstudy，"shewassayingpresently……"Weboughtbalesofphotographs，"shesaid。
　　Ithoughtthebalesalittleoutofkeeping。
　　Butfair-hairedandquitesimplyandyetgraciouslyandfancifullydressed，talkingofartandbeautifulthingsandabeautifulland，andwithsomuchmanifestregretforlearningdenied，sheseemedadifferentkindofbeingaltogetherfrommysmart，hard，high-
　　coloured，black-hairedandresolutelyhattedcousin；sheseemedtranslucentbesideGertrude。Eventhelittletwistanddroopofherslenderbodywasagracetome。
　　IlikedherfromthemomentIsawher，andsetmyselftointerestandpleaseheraswellasIknewhow。
　　WerecalledacaseofraggingthathadrustledtheshrubsofNewnham，andthenChrisRobinson'svisit——hehadgivenatalktoBennettHallalso——andourimpressionofhim。
　　"Hedisappointedme，too，"saidMargaret。
　　IwasmovedtotellMargaretsomethingofmyownviewsinthematterofsocialprogress，andshelistened——oh！withakindofurgedattention，andherbrowalittlemoreknitted，veryearnestly。Thelittlecuratedesistedfromtheappendicesandrefuseheapsandgeneraldebrisofhisstory，andmadehimselflookveryalertandintelligent。
　　"WedidalotofthatwhenIwasupintheeighties，"hesaid。"I'mgladImperialismhasn'tswampedyoufellowsaltogether。"
　　Gertrude，lookingbrightandconfident，cametojoinourtalkfromtheshrubbery；theinitial，alittleflushedandevidentlyinastateofrefreshedrelationship，camewithher，andacheerfulladyinpinkandmoreparticularlydistinguishedbyapinkbonnetjoinedourlittlegroup。Gertrudehadbeensippingadmirationandwasnotdisposedtoplayapassivepartinthetalk。
　　"Socialism！"shecried，catchingtheword。"It'swellPaisn'there。HehasFitswhenpeopletalkofsocialism。Fits！"
　　Theinitiallaughedinageneralkindofway。
　　ThecuratesaidtherewassocialismANDsocialism，andlookedatMargarettogaugewhetherhehadbeentooboldinthisutterance。
　　Butshewasall，heperceived，forbroad-mindness，andhestirredhimselfandincidentallyhisteatostillmoreliberalityofexpression。Hesaidthestateofthepoorwasappalling，simplyappalling；thatthereweretimeswhenhewantedtoshatterthewholesystem，"only，"hesaid，turningtomeappealingly，"Whathavewegottoputinitsplace？"
　　"Thethingthatexistsisalwaysthemoreevidentalternative，"I
　　said。
　　Thelittlecuratelookedatitforamoment。"Precisely，"hesaidexplosively，andturnedstirringandwithhisheadalittleononeside，tohearwhatMargaretwassaying。
　　Margaretwassaying，withaswiftblushandaneffectofdaring，thatshehadnodoubtshewasasocialist。
　　"Andwearingagoldchain！"saidGertrude，"Anddrinkingoutofeggshell！Ilikethat！"
　　IcametoMargaret'srescue。"Itdoesn'tfollowthatbecauseone'sasocialistoneoughttodressinsackclothandashes。"
　　Theinitialcoloureddeeply，andhavingsecuredmyattentionbyproddingmeslightlywiththewristofthehandthatheldhisteacup，clearedhisthroatandsuggestedthat"oneoughttobeconsistent。"
　　Iperceivedwewereembarkeduponadiscussionoftheelements。Webegananinterestinglittlewrangleoneofthosecrudediscussionsofgeneralideasthataredeartotheheartofyouth。IandMargaretsupportedoneanotherassocialists，GertrudeandSybilandtheinitialmaintainedananti-socialistposition，thecurateattemptedacross-benchpositionwithanairofintendingtocomedownuponuspresentlywithacastingvote。Heremindedusofanumberofusefulprinciplestoooftenoverlookedinargument，thatinabigquestionlikethistherewasmuchtobesaidonbothsides，thatifeveryonedidhisorherdutytoeveryoneaboutthemtherewouldbenodifficultywithsocialproblemsatall，thatoverandaboveallenactmentsweneededmoralchangesinpeoplethemselves。
　　MycousinGertrudewasadifficultcontroversialisttomanage，beingunconsciousofinconsistencyinstatementandabsolutelyimpervioustoreply。Herstandpointwasessentiallymaterialistic；shedidn'tseewhysheshouldn'thaveagoodtimebecauseotherpeopledidn't；
　　theywouldhaveagoodtime，shewassure，ifshedidn't。Shesaidthatifwedidgiveupeverythingwehadtootherpeople，theywouldn'tverylikelyknowwhattodowithit。Sheaskedifweweresofondofwork-people，whywedidn'tgoandliveamongthem，andexpressedtheinflexiblepersuasionthatifweHADsocialism，everythingwouldbejustthesameagainintenyears'time。Shealsothrewuponustheimputationofingratitudeforabeautifulworldbysayingthatsofarasshewasconcernedshedidn'twanttoupseteverything。Shewascontentedwiththingsastheywere，thankyou。
　　ThediscussionledinsomewaythatIdon'tintheleastrecallnow，andpossiblybyabrupttransitions，toacroquetfoursomeinwhichMargaretinvolvedthecuratewithoutinvolvingherself，andthenstoodbesidemeontheedgeofthelawnwhiletheothersplayed。Wewatchedsilentlyforamoment。
　　"IHATEthatsortofview，"shesaidsuddenlyinaconfidentialundertone，withherdelicatepinkflushreturning。
　　"It'swantofimagination，"Isaid。
　　"Tothinkwearejusttoenjoyourselves，"shewenton；"justtogoondressingandplayingandhavingmealsandspendingmoney！"Sheseemedtobereferringnotsimplytomycousins，buttothewholeworldofindustryandpropertyaboutus。"Butwhatisonetodo？"
　　sheasked。"IdowishIhadnothadtocomedown。It'sallsopointlesshere。Thereseemstobenothinggoingforward，noideas，nodreams。NoonehereseemstofeelquitewhatIfeel，thesortofneedthereisforMEANINGinthings。Ihatethingswithoutmeaning。"
　　"Don'tyoudo——localwork？"
　　"IsupposeIshall。IsupposeImustfindsomething。Doyouthink——
　　ifoneweretoattemptsomesortofpropaganda？"
　　"Couldyou——？"Ibeganalittledoubtfully。
　　"IsupposeIcouldn't，"sheanswered，afterathoughtfulmoment。"I
　　supposeitwouldcometonothing。AndyetIfeelthereissomuchtobedonefortheworld，somuchoneoughttobedoing……I
　　wanttodosomethingfortheworld。"
　　Icanseehernowasshestoodtherewithherbrowsnearlyfrowning，herblueeyeslookingbeforeher，hermouthalmostpetulant。"Onefeelsthattherearesomanythingsgoingon——outofone'sreach，"
　　shesaid。
　　Iwentbackinthemotor-carwithmymindfullofher，thequalityofdelicatediscontent，thesuggestionofexile。Evenakindofweaknessinherwassympathetic。Shetoldtremendouslyagainstherbackground。Shewas，Isay，likeaprotestingbluefloweruponacinderheap。Itiscurious，too，howsheconnectsandmingleswiththefuriousquarrelIhadwithmyunclethatveryevening。Thatcameabsurdly。IndirectlyMargaretwasresponsible。Mymindwasrunningonideasshehadrevivedandquestionsshehadsetclamouring，andquiteinadvertentlyinmyattempttofindsolutionsItalkedsoastooutragehisprofoundestfeelings……
　　7
　　Whatapreposterousshindythatwas！
　　Isatwithhiminthesmoking-room，propoundingwhatIconsideredtobethemostindisputableandnon-contentiouspropositionsconceivable——until，tomyinfiniteamazement，heexplodedandcalledmea"damnedyoungpuppy。"
　　Itwasseismic。
　　"Tremendouslyinterestingtime，"Isaid，"justinthebeginningofmakingacivilisation。"
　　"Ah！"hesaid，withanavertedface，andnodded，leaningforwardoverhiscigar。
　　Ihadnottheremotestthoughtofannoyinghim。
　　"Monstrousmuddleofthingswehavegot，"Isaid，"jumbledstreets，uglypopulation，uglyfactories——"
　　"You'ddoasightbetterifyouhadtodowithit，"saidmyuncle，regardingmeaskance。
　　"Notme。Butaworldthathadacollectiveplanandknewwhereitmeanttobegoingwoulddoasightbetter，anyhow。We'reallswimminginafloodofill-calculatedchances——"
　　"You'llbemakingoutIorganisedthatbusinessdownthere——bychance——next，"saidmyuncle，hisvoicethickwithchallenge。
　　IwentonasthoughIwasbackinTrinity。
　　"There'salotofchanceinthemakingofallgreatbusinesses，"I
　　said。
　　MyuncleremarkedthatthatshowedhowmuchIknewaboutbusinesses。
　　Ifchancemadebusinesses，whywasitthathealwayssucceededandgrewwhilethosefoolsAckroydandSonsalwaystooksecondplace？
　　HeshowedadispositiontotelltheglorioushistoryofhowonceAckroyd'sovershadowedhim，andhownowhecouldbuyupAckroyd'sthreetimesover。ButIwantedtogetoutwhatwasinmymind。
　　"Oh！"Isaid，"asbetweenmanandmanandbusinessandbusiness，someofcoursegetthepullbythisqualityorthat——butit'sforcesquiteoutsidetheindividualcasethatmakethebigpartofanysuccessundermodernconditions。YOUneverinventedpottery，noranyprocessinpotterythatmattersarapinyourworks；itwasn'tYOURforesightthatjoinedallEnglandupwithrailwaysandmadeitpossibletoorganiseproductiononanaltogetherdifferentscale。
　　Youreallyattheutmostcan'ttakecreditformuchmorethanbeingthesortofmanwhohappenedtofitwhathappenedtobetherequirementsofthetime，andwhohappenedtobeinapositiontotakeadvantageofthem——"
　　Itwasthenmyunclecriedoutandcalledmeadamnedyoungpuppy，andbecameinvolvedinsomeunexpectedtroubleofhisown。
　　Iwokeupasitwerefrommyanalysisofthesituationtodiscoverhimbentoverasplendidspittoon，cursingincoherently，retchingalittle，andspittingouttheendofhiscigarwhichhehadbittenoffinhislastattemptatself-control，andwithalfullypreparedassoonashehadclearedforactiontogivemejustallthatheconsideredtobethecontentsofhismindupontheconditionofmine。
　　Well，whyshouldn'tItalkmymindtohim？He'dneverhadanoutsideviewofhimselfforyears，andIresolvedtostanduptohim。Wewentatithammerandtongs！ItbecameclearthathesupposedmetobeaSocialist，azealous，embitteredhaterofallownership——andalsoaneducatedmanofthevilest，mostpretentiouslysuperiordescription。HisprincipalgrievancewasthatIthoughtIkneweverything；tothatherecurredagainandagain……
　　WehadbeenmaintaininganarmedtrucewitheachothersincemyresolvetogouptoCambridge，andnowwehadoutallthathadaccumulatedbetweenus。Therehadbeenstupendousaccumulations……
　　Theparticularthingswesaidanddidinthatbawlmgencountermatternothingatallinthisstory。Ican'tnowestimatehownearwecametofisticuffs。Itendedwithmysaying，afterapungentreminderofbenefitsconferredandremembered，thatIdidn'twanttostayanotherhourinhishouse。Iwentupstairs，inastateofpuerilefury，topackandgoofftotheRailwayHotel，whilehe，withironicalcivility，telephonedforacab。
　　"Goodriddance！"shoutedmyuncle，seeingmeoffintothenight。
　　Onthefaceofitourrowwaspreposterous，buttheunderlyingrealityofourquarrelwastheessentialantagonism，itseemedtome，inallhumanaffairs，theantagonismbetweenideasandtheestablishedmethod，thatistosay，betweenideasandtheruleofthumb。TheworldIhateistherule-of-thumbworld，thethingIandmykindofpeopleexistforprimarilyistobattlewiththat，toannoyit，disarrangeit，reconstructit。Wequestioneverything，disturbanythingthatcannotgiveaclearjustificationtoourquestioning，becausewebelieveinherentlythatoursenseofdisorderimpliesthepossibilityofabetterorder。Ofcoursewearedetestable。Myunclewasofthatothervastermasswhoaccepteverythingforthethingitseemstobe，hateenquiryandanalysisasatramphateswashing，dreadandresistchange，opposeexperiment，despisescience。Theworldisourbattleground；andallhistory，allliteraturethatmatters，allscience，dealswiththisconflictofthethingthatisandthespeculative"if"thatwilldestroyit。
　　ButthatiswhyIdidnotseeMargaretSeddonagainforfiveyears。
　　CHAPTERTHESECOND
　　MARGARETINLONDON
　　1
　　Iwastwenty-sevenwhenImetMargaretagain，andtheinterveningfiveyearshadbeenyearsofvigorousactivityforme，ifnotofveryremarkablegrowth。WhenIsawheragain，Icouldcountmyselfagrownman。Ithink，indeed，IcountedmyselfmorecompletelygrownthanIwas。Atanyrate，byallordinarystandards，Ihad"goton"verywell，andmyideas，iftheyhadnotchangedverygreatly，hadbecomemuchmoredefiniteandmyambitionsclearerandbolder。
　　IhadlongsinceabandonedmyfellowshipandcometoLondon。Ihadpublishedtwobooksthathadbeentalkedabout，writtenseveralarticles，andestablishedaregularrelationshipwiththeWEEKLY
　　REVIEWandtheEVENINGGAZETTE。IwasamemberoftheEightyClubandlearningtoadaptthestyleoftheCambridgeUniontolargeruses。TheLondonworldhadopenedouttomeveryreadily。Ihaddevelopedapleasantvarietyofsocialconnections。IhadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。Evesham，whohadbeenattractedbymyNEWRULER，andwhotalkedaboutitandme，andsodidaverygreatdealtomakeawayformeintothecompanyofprominentandamusingpeople。I
　　dinedoutquitefrequently。TheglitterandinterestofgoodLondondinnerpartiesbecameacommonexperience。Ilikedthesortofconversationonegotatthemextremely，thelittleglowofduologuesburningupintomoregeneraldiscussions，theclosing-inofthemenafterthegoingofthewomen，thesage，substantialmasculinegossiping，thelaterresumptionofeffectivetalkwithsomepleasantwoman，graciouslyatherbest。Ihadawiderangeofhouses；
　　Cambridgehadlinkedmetooneortwocorrelatedsetsofartisticandliterarypeople，andmybooksandMr。Eveshamandopenedtomethebigvagueworldof"society。"Iwasn'taggressivenorparticularlysnobbishnortroublesome，sometimesItalkedwell，andifIhadnothinginterestingtosayIsaidaslittleaspossible，andIhadayouthfulgravityofmannerthatwaslikedbyhostesses。
　　AndtheothersideofmynaturethatfirstflaredthroughthecoverofrestraintsatLocarno，thattoohadhadopportunitytodevelopalongthelineLondonrenderspracticable。Ihadhadmyexperiencesandsecretsandadventuresamongthatfringeofill-matedorerraticordiscreditedwomentheLondonworldpossesses。Thethinghadlongagoceasedtobeamatterofmagicormystery，andhadbecomeaquestionofappetitesandexcitement，andamongotherthingstheexcitementofnotbeingfoundout。
　　Iwriteratherdoubtfullyofmygrowingduringthisperiod。IndeedIfindithardtojudgewhetherIcansaythatIgrewatallinanyrealsenseoftheword，betweenthreeandtwentyandtwenty-seven。
　　Itseemstomenowtohavebeenratheraphaseofrealisationandclarification。Allthebroadlinesofmythoughtwerelaiddown，I
　　amsure，bythedateofmyLocarnoadventure，butinthosefiveyearsIdiscussedthingsoverandoveragainwithmyselfandothers，filledoutwithconcretefactformsIhadatfirstapprehendedsketchilyandconversationally，measuredmypowersagainstmyidealsandtheforcesintheworldaboutme。Itwasevidentthatmanymennobetterthanmyselfandwithnogreateradvantagesthanminehadraisedthemselvestoinfluentialandevendecisivepositionsintheworldsofpoliticsandthought。Iwasgatheringtheconfidenceandknowledgenecessarytoattacktheworldinthelargemanner；IfoundIcouldwrite，andthatpeoplewouldletmewriteifIchose，asonehavingauthorityandnotasthescribes。SociallyandpoliticallyandintellectuallyIknewmyselfforanhonestman，andthatquitewithoutanydeliberationonmypartthisshowedandmadethingseasyforme。Peopletrustedmygoodfaithfromthebeginning——forallthatIcamefromnowhereandhadnobetterpositionthananyadventurer。
　　Butthegrowthprocesswasarrested，Iwasnothingbiggerattwenty-
　　seventhanattwenty-two，howevermuchsanerandstronger，andanyonelookingcloselyintomymindduringthatperiodmightwellhaveimaginedgrowthfinishedaltogether。ItisparticularlyevidenttomenowthatIcamenonearertoanyunderstandingofwomenduringthattime。ThatLocarnoaffairwasinfinitelymoretomethanIhadsupposed。Itendedsomething——nippedsomethinginthebudperhaps——
　　tookmeatastridefromavague，fine，ignorant，closedworldofemotiontointrigueandaperfectlydefiniteandlimitedsensuality。
　　Itendedmyyouth，andforatimeitpreventedmymanhood。Ihadneveryetevenpeepedatthesweetest，profoundestthingintheworld，theheartandmeaningofagirl，ordreamtwithanyqualityofrealityofawifeoranysuchthingasafriendamongwomanhood。
　　Myvagueanticipationofsuchthingsinlifehadvanishedaltogether。Iturnedawayfromtheirpossibility。ItseemedtomeIknewwhathadtobeknownaboutwomankind。Iwantedtoworkhard，togetontoapositioninwhichIcoulddevelopandforwardmyconstructiveprojects。Women，Ithought，hadnothingtodowiththat。ItseemedclearIcouldnotmarryforsomeyears；Iwasattractivetocertaintypesofwomen，Ihadvanityenoughtogivemeanagreeableconfidenceinlove-making，andIwentaboutseekingaconvenientmistressquitedeliberately，someonewhoshouldservemypurposeandsayintheend，likethatkindlyfirstmistressofmine，"I'vedoneyounoharm，"andsoreleaseme。ItseemedtheonlywisewayofdisposingofurgenciesthatmightotherwiseentangleandwreckthecareerIwasintentupon。
　　Idon'tapologisefor，ordefendmymentalandmoralphases。SoitwasIappraisedlifeandpreparedtotakeit，andsoitisathousandambitiousmenseeitto-day……
　　Fortherestthesefiveyearswereaperiodofdefinition。Mypoliticalconceptionswereperfectlyplainandhonest。Ihadoneconstantdesirerulingmythoughts。ImeanttoleaveEnglandandtheempirebetterorderedthanIfoundit，toorganiseanddiscipline，tobuildupaconstructiveandcontrollingStateoutofmyworld'sconfusions。Wehad，Isaw，tosuffuseeducationwithpublicintention，todevelopanewbetter-livinggenerationwithacollectivisthabitofthought，tolinknowchaoticactivitiesineveryhumanaffair，andparticularlytocatchthatescaped，world-
　　making，world-ruining，dangerousthing，industrialandfinancialenterprise，andbringitbacktotheserviceofthegeneralgood。I
　　hadthenthepreciseimagethatstillservesmeasasymbolforallIwishtobringabout，theimageofanengineerbuildingalockinaswellingtorrent——withwaterpressureashisonlysourceofpower。
　　Mythoughtsandactswerehabituallyturnedtothatenterprise；itgaveshapeanddirectiontoallmylife。Theproblemthatmostengagedmymindduringthoseyearswasthepracticalandpersonalproblemofjustwheretoapplymyselftoservethisalmostinnatepurpose。HowwasI，achildofthisconfusion，strugglingupwardthroughtheconfusion，totakeholdofthings？Somewherebetweenpoliticsandliteraturemygripmustneedsbefound，butwhere？
　　AlwaysIseemtohavebeenlookingforthatinthoseopeningyears，anddisregardingeverythingelsetodiscoverit。
　　2
　　TheBaileys，underwhoseauspicesImetMargaretagain，wereinthesharpestcontrastwiththenarrowindustrialismoftheStaffordshireworld。Theywereindeedattheotherextremeofthescale，twoactiveself-centredpeople，excessivelydevotedtothepublicservice。ItwasnaturalIshouldgravitatetothem，fortheyseemedtostandforthematurer，moredisciplined，betterinformedexpressionofallIwasthenurgenttoattempttodo。Thebulkoftheirfriendswerepoliticiansorpublicofficials，theydescribedthemselvesaspublicists——avagueyetsufficientlysignificantterm。
　　TheylivedandworkedinahardlittlehouseinChambersStreet，Westminster，andmadeacentreforquiteanastonishingamountofpoliticalandsocialactivity。
　　Willersleytookmethereoneevening。Theplacewasalmostpretentiouslymatter-of-factandunassuming。Thenarrowpassage-
　　hall，paperedwithsomeancientyellowishpaper，grainedtoimitatewood，waschokedwithhatsandcloaksandanoccasionalfemininewrap。MotionedratherthanannouncedbyatallScotchservantwoman，theonlydomesticIeverrememberseeingthere，wemadeourwayupanarrowstaircasepasttheopendoorofasmallstudypackedwithblue-books，todiscoverAltioraBaileyreceivingbeforethefireplaceinherdrawing-room。Shewasatallcommandingfigure，splendidbutalittleuntidyinblacksilkandredbeads，withdarkeyesthathadnodepths，withaclearhardvoicethathadanalmostvisibleprominence，aquilinefeaturesandstraightblackhairthatwasapttogetastray，thatwasnowastrayliketheheadfeathersofaneagleinagale。Shestoodwithherhandsbehindherback，andtalkedinahightenorofaprojectedTownPlanningBillwithBlupp，whowaspracticallyinthosedaysthesecretaryofthelocalGovernmentBoard。Averyshortbroadmanwiththickearsandfatwhitehandswrithingintertwinedbehindhim，stoodwithhisbacktous，eagertobarkinterruptionsintoAltiora'sdiscourse。Aslendergirlinpaleblue，manifestlyayoungpoliticalwife，stoodwithonefootonthefenderlisteningwithanexpressionofentirelypuzzledpropitiation。Atallsandy-beardedbishopwiththeexpressionofamaninatrancecompletedthiscentralgroup。
　　Theroomwasoneofthoselongapartmentsoncedividedbyfoldingdoors，andreachingfrombacktofront，thatarecommonuponthefirstfloorsofLondonhouses。Itswallswerehungwithtwoorthreeindifferentwatercolours，therewasscarcelyanyfurniturebutasofaorsoandachair，andthefloor，severelycarpetedwithmatting，wascrowdedwithacuriousmedleyofpeople，menpredominating。Severalwereineveningdress，butmosthadthemorninggarbofthepolitician；thewomenwereeitherseverelyrationalorradiantlymagnificent。WillersleypointedouttomethewifeoftheSecretaryofStateforWar，andIrecognisedtheDuchessofClynes，whoatthattimecultivatedintellectuality。Ilookedround，identifyingafacehereorthere，andsteppingbacktrodonsomeone'stoe，andturnedtofinditbelongedtotheRightHon。G。
　　B。Mottisham，deartothePUNCHcaricaturists。Hereceivedmyapologywiththatintentionalcharmthatisoneofhismostdelightfultraits，andresumedhisdiscussion。BesidehimwasEsmeerofTrinity，whomIhadnotseensincemyCambridgedays……
　　Willersleyfoundanex-memberoftheSchoolBoardforwhomhehadaffinities，andleftmetoexchangeexperiencesandcommentsuponthecompanywithEsmeer。Esmeerwasstilladon；buthewasnibbling，hesaid，atcertainnegotiationswiththeTIMESthatmightbringhimdowntoLondon。HewantedtocometoLondon。"WepeepatthingsfromCambridge，"hesaid。
　　"Thissortofthing，"Isaid，"makesLondonnecessary。It'stheoddestgathering。"
　　"Everyonecomeshere，"saidEsmeer。"Mostlywehatethemlikepoison——jealousy——andlittleirritations——Altioracanbeahorrorattimes——butweHAVEtocome。"
　　"Thingsarebeingdone？"
　　"Oh！——nodoubtofit。It'soneofthepartsoftheBritishmachinery——thatdoesn'tshow……Butnobodyelsecoulddoit。
　　"Twopeople，"saidEsmeer，"who'veplannedtobeapower——inanoriginalway。AndbyJove！they'vedoneit！"
　　IdidnotforsometimepickoutOscarBailey，andthenEsmeershowedhimtomeinelaboratelyconfidentialtalkinacornerwithadistinguished-lookingstrangerwearingaribbon。Oscarhadnoneofthefineappearanceofhiswife；hewasashortsturdyfigurewitharoundedprotrudingabdomenandacuriousbroad，flattened，clean-
　　shavenfacethatseemednearlyallforehead。HewasofAnglo-
　　Hungarianextraction，andIhavealwaysfanciedsomethingMongolianinhistype。Hepeeredupwithreddishswollen-lookingeyesovergilt-edgedglassesthatweredividedhorizontallyintoportionsofdifferentrefractivepower，andhetalkinginaningratiatingundertone，withbusythinlips，aneagerlispandnervousmovementsofthehand。
　　PeoplesaythatthirtyyearsbeforeatOxfordhewasalmostexactlythesameeager，cleverlittlemanhewaswhenIfirstmethim。HehadcomeuptoBalliolbristlingwithextraordinarydegreesandprizescapturnedinprovincialandIrishandScotchuniversities——
　　andhadmadeanameforhimselfasthemostformidabledealerinexactfacttherhetoriciansoftheUnionhadeverhadtoencounter。
　　FromOxfordhehadgoneontoapositionintheHigherDivisionoftheCivilService，IthinkintheWarOffice，andhadspeedilymadeaplaceforhimselfasapoliticaljournalist。Hewasaparticularlyneatcontroversialist，andveryfullofpoliticalandsociologicalideas。Hehadaquiteastoundingmemoryforfactsandamasteryofdetailedanalysis，andthetimeaffordedscopeforthesegifts。Thelatereightieswerefullofpolitico-socialdiscussion，andhebecameaprominentnameuponthecontentslistoftheNINETEENTHCENTURY，theFORTNIGHTLYandCONTEMPORARYchieflyasahalfsympatheticbutfrequentlyverydamagingcriticofthesocialismofthatperiod。Hewontheimmenserespectofeveryonespeciallyinterestedinsocialandpoliticalquestions，hesoonachievedthelimiteddistinctionthatisawardedsuchcapacity，andatthatIthinkhewouldhaveremainedfortherestofhislifeifhehadnotencounteredAltiora。
　　ButAltioraMacvitiewasanaltogetherexceptionalwoman，anextraordinarymixtureofqualities，theonewomanintheworldwhocouldmakesomethingmoreoutofBaileythanthat。Shehadmuchofthevigourandhandsomenessofaslenderimpudentyoungman，andanunscrupulousnessaltogetherfeminine。Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarewaitingin——whatistheword？——muliebrity。Shehadcourageandinitiativeandaphilosophicalwayofhandlingquestions，andshecouldbeboredbyregularworklikeaman。Shewasentirelyunfittedforhersex'ssphere。Shewasneitheruncertain，coynorhardtoplease，andaltogethertoostimulatingandaggressiveforanygentleman'shoursofease。Hercookerywouldhavebeenaboutassketchyasherhandwriting，whichwasgenerallyquiteillegible，andshewouldhavemade，Ifeelsure，ashockingbadnurse。Yetyoumustn'timagineshewasaninelegantorunbeautifulwoman，andsheisinconceivabletomeinhighcollarsoranysortofmasculinegarment。Buthersoulwasbony，andatthebaseofherwasavanitygauntandgreedy！Whenshewasn'tinastateofpersonaluntidinessthatwaspartlyaprotestagainstthewasteofhoursexactedbythetoiletandpartlyanaturaldisinclination，shehadagypsysplendourofblackandredandsilverallherown。AndsomewhenintheearlyninetiesshemetandmarriedBailey。
　　Iknowverylittleaboutherearlyyears。ShewastheonlydaughterofSirDeightonMacvitie，whoappliedtheiodoformprocesstocotton，andonlyhissubsequentunfortunateattemptstobecomeaCottonKingpreventedherbeingaveryrichwoman。Asitwasshehadatolerableindependence。Shecameintoprominenceasoneofthemoreableofthelittleshoalofyoungwomenwhowereledintopolitico-philanthropicactivitiesbytheinfluenceoftheearliernovelsofMrs。HumphryWard——theMarcellacrop。Shewent"slumming"withdistinguishedvigour，whichwasquiteusualinthosedays——andreturnedfromherexperiencesasanamateurflowergirlwithclearandoriginalviewsabouttheproblem——whichisandalwayshadbeenunusual。Shehadnotmarried，Isupposebecauseherstandardswerehigh，andmenarecowardsandwithaninstinctiveappetiteformuliebrity。Shehadkepthouseforherfatherbyspeakingoccasionallytothehousekeeper，butlerandcookhermotherhadlefther，andgatheringthemostinterestingdinnerpartiesshecould，andhadmarriedofffourorphanniecesinaharshandsuccessfulmanner。Afterherfather'ssmashanddeathshecameoutasawriteruponsocialquestionsandascathingcriticoftheCharityOrganisationSociety，andshewasthreeandthirtyandalittleatlooseendswhenshemetOscarBailey，sotospeak，intheCONTEMPORARYREVIEW。Thelurkingwomaninhernaturewasfascinatedbytheeaseandprecisionwithwhichthelittlemanrolledoverallsortsofimportantandauthoritativepeople，shewasthefirsttodiscoverasortofimaginativebignessinhisstillgrowingmind，theforeheadperhapscarriedhimoffphysically，andshetookoccasiontomeetandsubjugatehim，and，sosoonashehadsufficientlyrecoveredfromhisabjecthumilityandacertainpanicatherattentions，marryhim。
　　ThishadopenedanewphaseinthelivesofBaileyandherself。Thetwosupplementedeachothertoanextraordinaryextent。Theirsubsequentcareerwas，Ithink，almostentirelyherinvention。Shewasaggressive，imaginative，andhadagreatcapacityforideas，whilehewasalmostdestituteofinitiative，andcoulddonothingwithideasexceptrememberanddiscussthem。Shewas，ifnotexact，atleastindolent，withastrongdispositiontosaveenergybysketching——evenherhandwritingshowedthat——whilehewasinexhaustiblyindustriouswitharelentlessinvariablecaligraphythatgrewlargerandclearerastheyearspassedby。Shehadaconsiderablepowerofcharming；shecouldbejustasnicetopeople——
　　andincidentallyjustasnasty——asshewantedtobe。Hewasalwaysjustthesame，alittleconfidentialandSOTTOVOCE，artlesslyrudeandegoisticinanundignifiedway。Shehadconsiderablesocialexperience，goodsocialconnections，andconsiderablesocialambition，whilehehadnoneofthesethings。Shesawinaflashheropportunitytoredeemhisdefects，usehispowers，anddolarge，novel，ratherstartlingthings。Sheranhim。Hermarriage，whichshockedherfriendsandrelationsbeyondmeasure——foratimetheywouldonlyspeakofBaileyas"thatgnome"——wasastrokeofgenius，andforthwiththeyproceededtomakethemselvesthemostformidableanddistinguishedcoupleconceivable。P。B。P。，sheboasted，wasengravedinsidetheirweddingrings，ProBonoPublico，andshemeantittobenoidlethreat。Shehaddiscoveredveryearlythatthelastthinginfluentialpeoplewilldoistowork。Everythingintheirlivestendstomakethemdependentuponasupplyofconfidentlyadministereddetail。Theirbusinessiswiththewindowandnotthestockbehind，andintheendtheyaredependentuponthestockbehindforwhatgoesintothewindow。ShelinkedwiththatthefactthatBaileyhadamindasorderlyasamuseum，andaninvinciblepoweroverdetail。Shesawthatiftwopeopletookthenecessarypainstoknowthefactsofgovernmentandadministrationwithprecision，togathertogetherknowledgethatwasdispersedandconfused，tobeabletosaypreciselywhathadtobedoneandwhatavoidedinthiseventualityorthat，theywouldnecessarilybecomeacentreofreferenceforallsortsoflegislativeproposalsandpoliticalexpedients，andshewentunhesitatinglyuponthat。
　　Bailey，underhervigorousdirection，threwuphispostintheCivilServiceandabandonedsporadiccontroversies，andtheydevotedthemselvestotheelaborationandrealisationofthiscentreofpublicinformationshehadconceivedastheirrole。Theysetouttostudythemethodsandorganisationandrealitiesofgovernmentinthemostelaboratemanner。Theydidtheworkasnoonehadeverhithertodreamtofdoingit。Theyplannedtheresearchonathoroughlysatisfyingscale，andarrangedtheirlivesalmostentirelyforit。TheytookthathouseinChambersStreetandfurnisheditwithsevereeconomy，theydiscoveredthatScotchdomesticwhoisdestinedtobetheguardianandtyrantoftheirdecliningyears，andtheysettowork。Theirfirstbook，"ThePermanentOfficial，"fillsthreeplumpvolumes，andtookthemandtheirtwosecretariesupwardsoffouryearstodo。Itisanamazinglygoodbook，anenduringachievement。Inahundreddirectionsthehistoryandtheadministrativetreatmentofthepublicservicewasclarifiedforalltime……
　　Theyworkedregularlyeverymorningfromninetotwelve，theylunchedlightlybutseverely，intheafternoonthey"tookexercise"
　　orBaileyattendedmeetingsoftheLondonSchoolBoard，onwhichheserved，hesaid，forthepurposesofstudy——healsobecamearailwaydirectorforthesameend。InthelateafternoonAltiorawasathometovariouscallers，andintheeveningcamedinnerorareceptionorboth。
　　Herdinnersandgatheringswereaveryimportantfeatureintheirscheme。Shegottogetherallsortsofinterestingpeopleinoraboutthepublicservice，shemixedtheobscurelyefficientwiththeill-instructedfamousandtherudderlessrich，gottogetherinoneroommoreofthefactorsinourstrangejumbleofapubliclifethanhadevermeteasilybefore。Shefedthemwithashamelessausteritythatkepttheconversationbrilliant，onasoup，aplainfish，andmuttonorboiledfowlandmilkpudding，withnothingtodrinkbutwhiskyandsoda，andhotandcoldwater，andmilkandlemonade。
　　Everybodywassoonverygladindeedtocometothat。Sheboastedhowlittleherhousekeepingcosther，andsoughtconstantlyforfresheconomiesthatwouldenableher，shesaid，tosustainanadditionalprivatesecretary。SecretariesweretheBaileys'oneextravagance，theylovedtothinkofsearchesgoingonintheBritishMuseum，andlettersbeingclearedupandprecismadeoverhead，whiletheysatinthelittlestudyandworkedtogether，Baileywithaclockworkindustry，andAltiorainsplendidflashesbetweenintervalsofcigarettesandmeditation。"Allefficientpubliccareers，"saidAltiora，"consistintheproperdirectionofsecretaries。"
　　"IfeverythinggoeswellIshallhaveanothersecretarynextyear，"
　　Altioratoldme。"IwishIcouldrefusepeopledinnernapkins。
　　Imaginewhatitmeansinwashing！Idaremostthings……Butasitis，theystandalotofhardshiphere。"
　　"There'ssomethingofthemiserinboththesepeople，"saidEsmeer，andthethingwasperfectlytrue。For，afterall，themiserisnothingmorethanamanwhoeitherthroughwantofimaginationorwantofsuggestionmisappliestoabaseuseanaturalpowerofconcentrationupononeend。Theconcentrationitselfisneithergoodnorevil，butapowerthatcanbeusedineitherway。AndtheBaileysgatheredandreinvestedusuriouslynotmoney，butknowledgeoftheutmostvalueinhumanaffairs。Theyproducedaneffectofhavingfoundthemselves——completely。Oneenviedthemattimesextraordinarily。Iwasattracted，Iwasdazzled——andatthesametimetherewassomethingaboutBailey'sbigwrinkledforehead，hislispingbroadmouth，thegesturesofhishandsandanuncivilpreoccupationIcouldnotendure……
　　3
　　Theireffectuponmewasfromtheoutsetveryconsiderable。
　　BothofthemfoundoccasiononthatfirstvisitofminetotalktomeaboutmypublishedwritingsandparticularlyaboutmythenjustpublishedbookTHENEWRULER，whichhadinterestedthemverymuch。
　　ItfellinindeedsocloselywiththeirownwayofthinkingthatI
　　doubtiftheyeverunderstoodhowindependentlyIhadarrivedatmyconclusions。Itwastheirweaknesstoclaimexcessively。Thatirritation，however，camelater。Wediscoveredeachotherimmensely；foratimeitproducedatremendoussenseofkindredandcooperation。
　　Altiora，Iremember，maintainedthatthereexistedagreatarmyofsuchconstructive-mindedpeopleasourselves——asyetundiscoveredbyoneanother。
　　"It'slikeboringatunnelthroughamountain，"saidOscar，"andpresentlyhearingthetappingoftheworkersfromtheotherend。"
　　"Ifyoudidn'tknowofthembeforehand，"Isaid，"itmightbearatherbadlyjoinedtunnel。"
　　"Exactly，"saidAltiorawithahighnote，"andthat'swhyweallwanttofindouteachother……"
　　Theydidn'ttalklikethatonourfirstencounter，buttheyurgedmetolunchwiththemnextday，andthenitwaswewentintothings。A
　　womanFactoryInspectorandtheEducationalMinisterforNewBankslandandhiswifewerealsothere，butIdon'tremembertheymadeanycontributiontotheconversation。TheBaileyssawtothat。
　　Theykeptonatmeinanurgentlitigiousway。