CHAPTERII-MR。JAMESHARTHOUSE
　　THEGradgrindpartywantedassistanceincuttingthethroatsoftheGraces。Theywentaboutrecruiting；andwherecouldtheyenlistrecruitsmorehopefully，thanamongthefinegentlemenwho，havingfoundouteverythingtobeworthnothing，wereequallyreadyforanything？
　　Moreover，thehealthyspiritswhohadmountedtothissublimeheightwereattractivetomanyoftheGradgrindschool。Theylikedfinegentlemen；theypretendedthattheydidnot，buttheydid。
　　Theybecameexhaustedinimitationofthem；andtheyyaw-yawedintheirspeechlikethem；andtheyservedout，withanenervatedair，thelittlemouldyrationsofpoliticaleconomy，onwhichtheyregaledtheirdisciples。Thereneverbeforewasseenonearthsuchawonderfulhybridraceaswasthusproduced。
　　AmongthefinegentlemennotregularlybelongingtotheGradgrindschool，therewasoneofagoodfamilyandabetterappearance，withahappyturnofhumourwhichhadtoldimmenselywiththeHouseofCommonsontheoccasionofhisentertainingitwithhisandtheBoardofDirectorsviewofarailwayaccident，inwhichthemostcarefulofficerseverknown，employedbythemostliberalmanagerseverheardof，assistedbythefinestmechanicalcontrivanceseverdevised，thewholeinactiononthebestlineeverconstructed，hadkilledfivepeopleandwoundedthirty-two，byacasualtywithoutwhichtheexcellenceofthewholesystemwouldhavebeenpositivelyincomplete。Amongtheslainwasacow，andamongthescatteredarticlesunowned，awidow'scap。AndthehonourablememberhadsotickledtheHousewhichhasadelicatesenseofhumourbyputtingthecaponthecow，thatitbecameimpatientofanyseriousreferencetotheCoroner'sInquest，andbroughttherailwayoffwithCheersandLaughter。
　　Now，thisgentlemanhadayoungerbrotherofstillbetterappearancethanhimself，whohadtriedlifeasaCornetofDragoons，andfounditabore；andhadafterwardstrieditinthetrainofanEnglishministerabroad，andfounditabore；andhadthenstrolledtoJerusalem，andgotboredthere；andhadthengoneyachtingabouttheworld，andgotboredeverywhere。Towhomthishonourableandjocular，memberfraternallysaidoneday，'Jem，there'sagoodopeningamongthehardFactfellows，andtheywantmen。Iwonderyoudon'tgoinforstatistics。'Jem，rathertakenbythenoveltyoftheidea，andveryhardupforachange，wasasreadyto'goin'forstatisticsasforanythingelse。So，hewentin。Hecoachedhimselfupwithablue-bookortwo；andhisbrotherputitaboutamongthehardFactfellows，andsaid，'Ifyouwanttobringin，foranyplace，ahandsomedogwhocanmakeyouadevilishgoodspeech，lookaftermybrotherJem，forhe'syourman。'Afterafewdashesinthepublicmeetingway，Mr。GradgrindandacouncilofpoliticalsagesapprovedofJem，anditwasresolvedtosendhimdowntoCoketown，tobecomeknownthereandintheneighbourhood。
　　HencetheletterJemhadlastnightshowntoMrs。Sparsit，whichMr。Bounderbynowheldinhishand；superscribed，'JosiahBounderby，Esquire，Banker，Coketown。SpeciallytointroduceJamesHarthouse，Esquire。ThomasGradgrind。'
　　WithinanhourofthereceiptofthisdispatchandMr。JamesHarthouse'scard，Mr。BounderbyputonhishatandwentdowntotheHotel。TherehefoundMr。JamesHarthouselookingoutofwindow，inastateofmindsodisconsolate，thathewasalreadyhalf-
　　disposedto'goin'forsomethingelse。
　　'Myname，sir，'saidhisvisitor，'isJosiahBounderby，ofCoketown。'
　　Mr。JamesHarthousewasveryhappyindeedthoughhescarcelylookedsotohaveapleasurehehadlongexpected。
　　'Coketown，sir，'saidBounderby，obstinatelytakingachair，'isnotthekindofplaceyouhavebeenaccustomedto。Therefore，ifyouwillallowme-orwhetheryouwillornot，forIamaplainman-I'lltellyousomethingaboutitbeforewegoanyfurther。'
　　Mr。Harthousewouldbecharmed。
　　'Don'tbetoosureofthat，'saidBounderby。'Idon'tpromiseit。
　　Firstofall，youseeoursmoke。That'smeatanddrinktous。
　　It'sthehealthiestthingintheworldinallrespects，andparticularlyforthelungs。Ifyouareoneofthosewhowantustoconsumeit，Idifferfromyou。Wearenotgoingtowearthebottomsofourboilersoutanyfasterthanwewear'emoutnow，forallthehumbuggingsentimentinGreatBritainandIreland。'
　　Bywayof'goingin'tothefullestextent，Mr。Harthouserejoined，'Mr。Bounderby，IassureyouIamentirelyandcompletelyofyourwayofthinking。Onconviction。'
　　'Iamgladtohearit，'saidBounderby。'Now，youhaveheardalotoftalkabouttheworkinourmills，nodoubt。Youhave？Verygood。I'llstatethefactofittoyou。It'sthepleasantestworkthereis，andit'sthelightestworkthereis，andit'sthebest-
　　paidworkthereis。Morethanthat，wecouldn'timprovethemillsthemselves，unlesswelaiddownTurkeycarpetsonthefloors。
　　Whichwe'renota-goingtodo。'
　　'Mr。Bounderby，perfectlyright。'
　　'Lastly，'saidBounderby，'astoourHands。There'snotaHandinthistown，sir，man，woman，orchild，buthasoneultimateobjectinlife。Thatobjectis，tobefedonturtlesoupandvenisonwithagoldspoon。Now，they'renota-going-noneof'em-evertobefedonturtlesoupandvenisonwithagoldspoon。Andnowyouknowtheplace。'
　　Mr。Harthouseprofessedhimselfinthehighestdegreeinstructedandrefreshed，bythiscondensedepitomeofthewholeCoketownquestion。
　　'Why，yousee，'repliedMr。Bounderby，'itsuitsmydispositiontohaveafullunderstandingwithaman，particularlywithapublicman，whenImakehisacquaintance。Ihaveonlyonethingmoretosaytoyou，Mr。Harthouse，beforeassuringyouofthepleasurewithwhichIshallrespond，totheutmostofmypoorability，tomyfriendTomGradgrind'sletterofintroduction。Youareamanoffamily。Don'tyoudeceiveyourselfbysupposingforamomentthatIamamanoffamily。Iamabitofdirtyriff-raff，andagenuinescrapoftag，rag，andbobtail。'
　　IfanythingcouldhaveexaltedJem'sinterestinMr。Bounderby，itwouldhavebeenthisverycircumstance。Or，sohetoldhim。
　　'Sonow，'saidBounderby，'wemayshakehandsonequalterms。I
　　say，equalterms，becausealthoughIknowwhatIam，andtheexactdepthofthegutterIhaveliftedmyselfoutof，betterthananymandoes，Iamasproudasyouare。Iamjustasproudasyouare。
　　Havingnowassertedmyindependenceinapropermanner，Imaycometohowdoyoufindyourself，andIhopeyou'reprettywell。'
　　Thebetter，Mr。Harthousegavehimtounderstandastheyshookhands，forthesalubriousairofCoketown。Mr。Bounderbyreceivedtheanswerwithfavour。
　　'Perhapsyouknow，'saidhe，'orperhapsyoudon'tknow，ImarriedTomGradgrind'sdaughter。Ifyouhavenothingbettertodothantowalkuptownwithme，IshallbegladtointroduceyoutoTomGradgrind'sdaughter。'
　　'Mr。Bounderby，'saidJem，'youanticipatemydearestwishes。'
　　Theywentoutwithoutfurtherdiscourse；andMr。Bounderbypilotedthenewacquaintancewhosostronglycontrastedwithhim，totheprivateredbrickdwelling，withtheblackoutsideshutters，thegreeninsideblinds，andtheblackstreetdoorupthetwowhitesteps。Inthedrawing-roomofwhichmansion，therepresentlyenteredtothemthemostremarkablegirlMr。JamesHarthousehadeverseen。Shewassoconstrained，andyetsocareless；soreserved，andyetsowatchful；socoldandproud，andyetsosensitivelyashamedofherhusband'sbraggarthumility-fromwhichsheshrunkasifeveryexampleofitwereacutorablow；thatitwasquiteanewsensationtoobserveher。Infaceshewasnolessremarkablethaninmanner。Herfeatureswerehandsome；buttheirnaturalplaywassolockedup，thatitseemedimpossibletoguessattheirgenuineexpression。Utterlyindifferent，perfectlyself-
　　reliant，neverataloss，andyetneveratherease，withherfigureincompanywiththemthere，andhermindapparentlyquitealone-itwasofnouse'goingin'yetawhiletocomprehendthisgirl，forshebaffledallpenetration。
　　Fromthemistressofthehouse，thevisitorglancedtothehouseitself。Therewasnomutesignofawomanintheroom。Nogracefullittleadornment，nofancifullittledevice，howevertrivial，anywhereexpressedherinfluence。Cheerlessandcomfortless，boastfullyanddoggedlyrich，theretheroomstaredatitspresentoccupants，unsoftenedandunrelievedbytheleasttraceofanywomanlyoccupation。AsMr。Bounderbystoodinthemidstofhishouseholdgods，sothoseunrelentingdivinitiesoccupiedtheirplacesaroundMr。Bounderby，andtheywereworthyofoneanother，andwellmatched。
　　'This，sir，'saidBounderby，'ismywife，Mrs。Bounderby:TomGradgrind'seldestdaughter。Loo，Mr。JamesHarthouse。Mr。
　　Harthousehasjoinedyourfather'smuster-roll。IfheisnotTornGradgrind'scolleaguebeforelong，Ibelieveweshallatleasthearofhiminconnexionwithoneofourneighbouringtowns。Youobserve，Mr。Harthouse，thatmywifeismyjunior。Idon'tknowwhatshesawinmetomarryme，butshesawsomethinginme，I
　　suppose，orshewouldn'thavemarriedme。Shehaslotsofexpensiveknowledge，sir，politicalandotherwise。Ifyouwanttocramforanything，IshouldbetroubledtorecommendyoutoabetteradviserthanLooBounderby。'
　　Toamoreagreeableadviser，oronefromwhomhewouldbemorelikelytolearn，Mr。Harthousecouldneverberecommended。
　　'Come！'saidhishost。'Ifyou'reinthecomplimentaryline，you'llgetonhere，foryou'llmeetwithnocompetition。Ihaveneverbeeninthewayoflearningcomplimentsmyself，andIdon'tprofesstounderstandtheartofpaying'em。Infact，despise'em。
　　But，yourbringing-upwasdifferentfrommine；minewasarealthing，byGeorge！You'reagentleman，andIdon'tpretendtobeone。IamJosiahBounderbyofCoketown，andthat'senoughforme。
　　However，thoughIamnotinfluencedbymannersandstation，LooBounderbymaybe。Shehadn'tmyadvantages-disadvantagesyouwouldcall'em，butIcall'emadvantages-soyou'llnotwasteyourpower，Idaresay。'
　　'Mr。Bounderby，'saidJem，turningwithasmiletoLouisa，'isanobleanimalinacomparativelynaturalstate，quitefreefromtheharnessinwhichaconventionalhacklikemyselfworks。'
　　'YourespectMr。Bounderbyverymuch，'shequietlyreturned。'Itisnaturalthatyoushould。'
　　Hewasdisgracefullythrownout，foragentlemanwhohadseensomuchoftheworld，andthought，'Now，howamItotakethis？'
　　'Youaregoingtodevoteyourself，asIgatherfromwhatMr。
　　Bounderbyhassaid，totheserviceofyourcountry。Youhavemadeupyourmind，'saidLouisa，stillstandingbeforehimwhereshehadfirststopped-inallthesingularcontrarietyofherself-
　　possession，andherbeingobviouslyveryillatease-'toshowthenationthewayoutofallitsdifficulties。'
　　'Mrs。Bounderby，'hereturned，laughing，'uponmyhonour，no。I
　　willmakenosuchpretencetoyou。Ihaveseenalittle，hereandthere，upanddown；Ihavefounditalltobeveryworthless，aseverybodyhas，andassomeconfesstheyhave，andsomedonot；andIamgoinginforyourrespectedfather'sopinions-reallybecauseIhavenochoiceofopinions，andmayaswellbackthemasanythingelse。'
　　'Haveyounoneofyourown？'askedLouisa。
　　'Ihavenotsomuchastheslightestpredilectionleft。IassureyouIattachnottheleastimportancetoanyopinions。TheresultofthevarietiesofboredomIhaveundergone，isaconvictionunlessconvictionistooindustriousawordforthelazysentimentIentertainonthesubject，thatanysetofideaswilldojustasmuchgoodasanyotherset，andjustasmuchharmasanyotherset。
　　There'sanEnglishfamilywithacharmingItalianmotto。Whatwillbe，willbe。It'stheonlytruthgoing！'
　　Thisviciousassumptionofhonestyindishonesty-avicesodangerous，sodeadly，andsocommon-seemed，heobserved，alittletoimpressherinhisfavour。Hefolloweduptheadvantage，bysayinginhispleasantestmanner:amannertowhichshemightattachasmuchoraslittlemeaningasshepleased:'Thesidethatcanproveanythinginalineofunits，tens，hundreds，andthousands，Mrs。Bounderby，seemstometoaffordthemostfun，andtogiveamanthebestchance。IamquiteasmuchattachedtoitasifIbelievedit。Iamquitereadytogoinforit，tothesameextentasifIbelievedit。AndwhatmorecouldIpossiblydo，ifIdidbelieveit！'
　　'Youareasingularpolitician，'saidLouisa。
　　'Pardonme；Ihavenoteventhatmerit。Wearethelargestpartyinthestate，Iassureyou，Mrs。Bounderby，ifweallfelloutofouradoptedranksandwerereviewedtogether。'
　　Mr。Bounderby，whohadbeenindangerofburstinginsilence，interposedherewithaprojectforpostponingthefamilydinnertillhalf-pastsix，andtakingMr。JamesHarthouseinthemeantimeonaroundofvisitstothevotingandinterestingnotabilitiesofCoketownanditsvicinity。Theroundofvisitswasmade；andMr。
　　JamesHarthouse，withadiscreetuseofhisbluecoaching，cameofftriumphantly，thoughwithaconsiderableaccessionofboredom。
　　Intheevening，hefoundthedinner-tablelaidforfour，buttheysatdownonlythree。ItwasanappropriateoccasionforMr。
　　Bounderbytodiscusstheflavourofthehap'orthofstewedeelshehadpurchasedinthestreetsateightyearsold；andalsooftheinferiorwater，speciallyusedforlayingthedust，withwhichhehadwasheddownthatrepast。Helikewiseentertainedhisguestoverthesoupandfish，withthecalculationthatheBounderby
　　hadeateninhisyouthatleastthreehorsesundertheguiseofpoloniesandsaveloys。Theserecitals，Jem，inalanguidmanner，receivedwith'charming！'everynowandthen；andtheyprobablywouldhavedecidedhimto'goin'forJerusalemagainto-morrowmorning，hadhebeenlesscuriousrespectingLouisa。
　　'Istherenothing，'hethought，glancingatherasshesatattheheadofthetable，whereheryouthfulfigure，smallandslight，butverygraceful，lookedasprettyasitlookedmisplaced；'istherenothingthatwillmovethatface？'
　　Yes！ByJupiter，therewassomething，andhereitwas，inanunexpectedshape。Tomappeared。Shechangedasthedooropened，andbrokeintoabeamingsmile。
　　Abeautifulsmile。Mr。JamesHarthousemightnothavethoughtsomuchofit，butthathehadwonderedsolongatherimpassiveface。
　　Sheputoutherhand-aprettylittlesofthand；andherfingerscloseduponherbrother's，asifshewouldhavecarriedthemtoherlips。
　　'Ay，ay？'thoughtthevisitor。'Thiswhelpistheonlycreatureshecaresfor。So，so！'
　　Thewhelpwaspresented，andtookhischair。Theappellationwasnotflattering，butnotunmerited。
　　'WhenIwasyourage，youngTom，'saidBounderby，'Iwaspunctual，orIgotnodinner！'
　　'Whenyouweremyage，'resumedTom，'youhadn'tawrongbalancetogetright，andhadn'ttodressafterwards。'
　　'Nevermindthatnow，'saidBounderby。
　　'Well，then，'grumbledTom。'Don'tbeginwithme。'
　　'Mrs。Bounderby，'saidHarthouse，perfectlyhearingthisunder-
　　strainasitwenton；'yourbrother'sfaceisquitefamiliartome。
　　CanIhaveseenhimabroad？Oratsomepublicschool，perhaps？'
　　'No，'sheresumed，quiteinterested，'hehasneverbeenabroadyet，andwaseducatedhere，athome。Tom，love，IamtellingMr。
　　Harthousethatheneversawyouabroad。'
　　'Nosuchluck，sir，'saidTom。
　　Therewaslittleenoughinhimtobrightenherface，forhewasasullenyoungfellow，andungraciousinhismannereventoher。Somuchthegreatermusthavebeenthesolitudeofherheart，andherneedofsomeoneonwhomtobestowit。'Somuchthemoreisthiswhelptheonlycreatureshehasevercaredfor，'thoughtMr。JamesHarthouse，turningitoverandover。'Somuchthemore。Somuchthemore。'
　　Bothinhissister'spresence，andaftershehadlefttheroom，thewhelptooknopainstohidehiscontemptforMr。Bounderby，wheneverhecouldindulgeitwithouttheobservationofthatindependentman，bymakingwryfaces，orshuttingoneeye。Withoutrespondingtothesetelegraphiccommunications，Mr。Harthouseencouragedhimmuchinthecourseoftheevening，andshowedanunusuallikingforhim。Atlast，whenherosetoreturntohishotel，andwasalittledoubtfulwhetherheknewthewaybynight，thewhelpimmediatelyprofferedhisservicesasguide，andturnedoutwithhimtoescorthimthither。
　　CHAPTERIII-THEWHELP
　　ITwasveryremarkablethatayounggentlemanwhohadbeenbroughtupunderonecontinuoussystemofunnaturalrestraint，shouldbeahypocrite；butitwascertainlythecasewithTom。Itwasverystrangethatayounggentlemanwhohadneverbeenlefttohisownguidanceforfiveconsecutiveminutes，shouldbeincapableatlastofgoverninghimself；butsoitwaswithTom。Itwasaltogetherunaccountablethatayounggentlemanwhoseimaginationhadbeenstrangledinhiscradle，shouldbestillinconveniencedbyitsghostintheformofgrovellingsensualities；butsuchamonster，beyondalldoubt，wasTom。
　　'Doyousmoke？'askedMr。JamesHarthouse，whentheycametothehotel。
　　'Ibelieveyou！'saidTom。
　　HecoulddonolessthanaskTomup；andTomcoulddonolessthangoup。Whatwithacoolingdrinkadaptedtotheweather，butnotsoweakascool；andwhatwithararertobaccothanwastobeboughtinthoseparts；Tomwassooninahighlyfreeandeasystateathisendofthesofa，andmorethaneverdisposedtoadmirehisnewfriendattheotherend。
　　Tomblewhissmokeaside，afterhehadbeensmokingalittlewhile，andtookanobservationofhisfriend。'Hedon'tseemtocareabouthisdress，'thoughtTom，'andyethowcapitallyhedoesit。
　　Whataneasyswellheis！'
　　Mr。JamesHarthouse，happeningtocatchTom'seye，remarkedthathedranknothing，andfilledhisglasswithhisownnegligenthand。
　　'Thank'ee，'saidTom。'Thank'ee。Well，Mr。Harthouse，IhopeyouhavehadaboutadoseofoldBounderbyto-night。'Tomsaidthiswithoneeyeshutupagain，andlookingoverhisglassknowingly，athisentertainer。
　　'Averygoodfellowindeed！'returnedMr。JamesHarthouse。
　　'Youthinkso，don'tyou？'saidTom。Andshutuphiseyeagain。
　　Mr。JamesHarthousesmiled；andrisingfromhisendofthesofa，andloungingwithhisbackagainstthechimney-piece，sothathestoodbeforetheemptyfire-grateashesmoked，infrontofTomandlookingdownathim，observed:
　　'Whatacomicalbrother-in-lawyouare！'
　　'Whatacomicalbrother-in-lawoldBounderbyis，Ithinkyoumean，'
　　saidTom。
　　'Youareapieceofcaustic，Tom，'retortedMr。JamesHarthouse。
　　Therewassomethingsoveryagreeableinbeingsointimatewithsuchawaistcoat；inbeingcalledTom，insuchanintimateway，bysuchavoice；inbeingonsuchoff-handtermssosoon，withsuchapairofwhiskers；thatTomwasuncommonlypleasedwithhimself。
　　'Oh！Idon'tcareforoldBounderby，'saidhe，'ifyoumeanthat。
　　IhavealwayscalledoldBounderbybythesamenamewhenIhavetalkedabouthim，andIhavealwaysthoughtofhiminthesameway。
　　Iamnotgoingtobegintobepolitenow，aboutoldBounderby。Itwouldberatherlateintheday。'
　　'Don'tmindme，'returnedJames；'buttakecarewhenhiswifeisby，youknow。'
　　'Hiswife？'saidTom。'MysisterLoo？Oyes！'Andhelaughed，andtookalittlemoreofthecoolingdrink。
　　JamesHarthousecontinuedtoloungeinthesameplaceandattitude，smokinghiscigarinhisowneasyway，andlookingpleasantlyatthewhelp，asifheknewhimselftobeakindofagreeabledemonwhohadonlytohoveroverhim，andhemustgiveuphiswholesoulifrequired。Itcertainlydidseemthatthewhelpyieldedtothisinfluence。Helookedathiscompanionsneakingly，helookedathimadmiringly，helookedathimboldly，andputuponelegonthesofa。
　　'MysisterLoo？'saidTom。'ShenevercaredforoldBounderby。'
　　'That'sthepasttense，Tom，'returnedMr。JamesHarthouse，strikingtheashfromhiscigarwithhislittlefinger。'Weareinthepresenttense，now。'
　　'Verbneuter，nottocare。Indicativemood，presenttense。Firstpersonsingular，Idonotcare；secondpersonsingular，thoudostnotcare；thirdpersonsingular，shedoesnotcare，'returnedTom。
　　'Good！Veryquaint！'saidhisfriend。'Thoughyoudon'tmeanit。'
　　'ButIdomeanit，'criedTom。'Uponmyhonour！Why，youwon'ttellme，Mr。Harthouse，thatyoureallysupposemysisterLoodoescareforoldBounderby。'
　　'Mydearfellow，'returnedtheother，'whatamIboundtosuppose，whenIfindtwomarriedpeoplelivinginharmonyandhappiness？'
　　Tomhadbythistimegotbothhislegsonthesofa。Ifhissecondleghadnotbeenalreadytherewhenhewascalledadearfellow，hewouldhaveputitupatthatgreatstageoftheconversation。
　　Feelingitnecessarytodosomethingthen，hestretchedhimselfoutatgreaterlength，and，recliningwiththebackofhisheadontheendofthesofa，andsmokingwithaninfiniteassumptionofnegligence，turnedhiscommonface，andnottoosobereyes，towardsthefacelookingdownuponhimsocarelesslyyetsopotently。
　　'Youknowourgovernor，Mr。Harthouse，'saidTom，'andtherefore，youneedn'tbesurprisedthatLoomarriedoldBounderby。Sheneverhadalover，andthegovernorproposedoldBounderby，andshetookhim。'
　　'Verydutifulinyourinterestingsister，'saidMr。JamesHarthouse。
　　'Yes，butshewouldn'thavebeenasdutiful，anditwouldnothavecomeoffaseasily，'returnedthewhelp，'ifithadn'tbeenforme。'
　　Thetemptermerelyliftedhiseyebrows；butthewhelpwasobligedtogoon。
　　'Ipersuadedher，'hesaid，withanedifyingairofsuperiority。
　　'IwasstuckintooldBounderby'sbankwhereIneverwantedtobe，andIknewIshouldgetintoscrapesthere，ifsheputoldBounderby'spipeout；soItoldhermywishes，andshecameintothem。Shewoulddoanythingforme。Itwasverygameofher，wasn'tit？'
　　'Itwascharming，Tom！'
　　'Notthatitwasaltogethersoimportanttoherasitwastome，'
　　continuedTomcoolly，'becausemylibertyandcomfort，andperhapsmygettingon，dependedonit；andshehadnootherlover，andstayingathomewaslikestayinginjail-especiallywhenIwasgone。Itwasn'tasifshegaveupanotherloverforoldBounderby；
　　butstillitwasagoodthinginher。'
　　'Perfectlydelightful。Andshegetsonsoplacidly。'
　　'Oh，'returnedTom，withcontemptuouspatronage，'she'saregulargirl。Agirlcangetonanywhere。Shehassettleddowntothelife，andshedon'tmind。Itdoesjustaswellasanother。
　　Besides，thoughLooisagirl，she'snotacommonsortofgirl。
　　Shecanshutherselfupwithinherself，andthink-asIhaveoftenknownhersitandwatchthefire-foranhouratastretch。'
　　'Ay，ay？Hasresourcesofherown，'saidHarthouse，smokingquietly。
　　'Notsomuchofthatasyoumaysuppose，'returnedTom；'forourgovernorhadhercrammedwithallsortsofdrybonesandsawdust。
　　It'shissystem。'
　　'Formedhisdaughteronhisownmodel？'suggestedHarthouse。
　　'Hisdaughter？Ah！andeverybodyelse。Why，heformedMethatway！'saidTom。
　　'Impossible！'
　　'Hedid，though，'saidTom，shakinghishead。'Imeantosay，Mr。
　　Harthouse，thatwhenIfirstlefthomeandwenttooldBounderby's，Iwasasflatasawarming-pan，andknewnomoreaboutlife，thananyoysterdoes。'
　　'Come，Tom！Icanhardlybelievethat。Ajoke'sajoke。'
　　'Uponmysoul！'saidthewhelp。'Iamserious；Iamindeed！'Hesmokedwithgreatgravityanddignityforalittlewhile，andthenadded，inahighlycomplacenttone，'Oh！Ihavepickedupalittlesince。Idon'tdenythat。ButIhavedoneitmyself；nothankstothegovernor。'
　　'Andyourintelligentsister？'
　　'Myintelligentsisterisaboutwhereshewas。Sheusedtocomplaintomethatshehadnothingtofallbackupon，thatgirlsusuallyfallbackupon；andIdon'tseehowsheistohavegotoverthatsince。Butshedon'tmind，'hesagaciouslyadded，puffingathiscigaragain。'Girlscanalwaysgeton，somehow。'
　　'CallingattheBankyesterdayevening，forMr。Bounderby'saddress，Ifoundanancientladythere，whoseemstoentertaingreatadmirationforyoursister，'observedMr。JamesHarthouse，throwingawaythelastsmallremnantofthecigarhehadnowsmokedout。
　　'MotherSparsit！'saidTom。'What！youhaveseenheralready，haveyou？'
　　Hisfriendnodded。Tomtookhiscigaroutofhismouth，toshutuphiseyewhichhadgrownratherunmanageablewiththegreaterexpression，andtotaphisnoseseveraltimeswithhisfinger。
　　'MotherSparsit'sfeelingforLooismorethanadmiration，Ishouldthink，'saidTom。'Sayaffectionanddevotion。MotherSparsitneversethercapatBounderbywhenhewasabachelor。Ohno！'
　　Thesewerethelastwordsspokenbythewhelp，beforeagiddydrowsinesscameuponhim，followedbycompleteoblivion。Hewasrousedfromthelatterstatebyanuneasydreamofbeingstirredupwithaboot，andalsoofavoicesaying:'Come，it'slate。Beoff！'
　　'Well！'hesaid，scramblingfromthesofa。'Imusttakemyleaveofyouthough。Isay。Yoursisverygoodtobacco。Butit'stoomild。'
　　'Yes，it'stoomild，'returnedhisentertainer。
　　'It's-it'sridiculouslymild，'saidTom。'Where'sthedoor！
　　Goodnight！'
　　'Hehadanotherodddreamofbeingtakenbyawaiterthroughamist，which，aftergivinghimsometroubleanddifficulty，resolveditselfintothemainstreet，inwhichhestoodalone。Hethenwalkedhomeprettyeasily，thoughnotyetfreefromanimpressionofthepresenceandinfluenceofhisnewfriend-asifhewereloungingsomewhereintheair，inthesamenegligentattitude，regardinghimwiththesamelook。
　　Thewhelpwenthome，andwenttobed。Ifhehadhadanysenseofwhathehaddonethatnight，andhadbeenlessofawhelpandmoreofabrother，hemighthaveturnedshortontheroad，mighthavegonedowntotheill-smellingriverthatwasdyedblack，mighthavegonetobedinitforgoodandall，andhavecurtainedhisheadforeverwithitsfilthywaters。
　　CHAPTERIV-MENANDBROTHERS
　　'OH，myfriends，thedown-troddenoperativesofCoketown！Oh，myfriendsandfellow-countrymen，theslavesofaniron-handedandagrindingdespotism！Oh，myfriendsandfellow-sufferers，andfellow-workmen，andfellow-men！Itellyouthatthehouriscome，whenwemustrallyroundoneanotherasOneunitedpower，andcrumbleintodusttheoppressorsthattoolonghavebattenedupontheplunderofourfamilies，uponthesweatofourbrows，uponthelabourofourhands，uponthestrengthofoursinews，upontheGod-
　　createdgloriousrightsofHumanity，andupontheholyandeternalprivilegesofBrotherhood！'
　　'Good！''Hear，hear，hear！''Hurrah！'andothercries，aroseinmanyvoicesfromvariouspartsofthedenselycrowdedandsuffocatinglycloseHall，inwhichtheorator，perchedonastage，deliveredhimselfofthisandwhatotherfrothandfumehehadinhim。Hehaddeclaimedhimselfintoaviolentheat，andwasashoarseashewashot。Bydintofroaringatthetopofhisvoiceunderaflaringgaslight，clenchinghisfists，knittinghisbrows，settinghisteeth，andpoundingwithhisarms，hehadtakensomuchoutofhimselfbythistime，thathewasbroughttoastop，andcalledforaglassofwater。
　　Ashestoodthere，tryingtoquenchhisfieryfacewithhisdrinkofwater，thecomparisonbetweentheoratorandthecrowdofattentivefacesturnedtowardshim，wasextremelytohisdisadvantage。JudginghimbyNature'sevidence，hewasabovethemassinverylittlebutthestageonwhichhestood。Inmanygreatrespectshewasessentiallybelowthem。Hewasnotsohonest，hewasnotsomanly，hewasnotsogood-humoured；hesubstitutedcunningfortheirsimplicity，andpassionfortheirsafesolidsense。Anill-made，high-shoulderedman，withloweringbrows，andhisfeaturescrushedintoanhabituallysourexpression，hecontrastedmostunfavourably，eveninhismongreldress，withthegreatbodyofhishearersintheirplainworkingclothes。Strangeasitalwaysistoconsideranyassemblyintheactofsubmissivelyresigningitselftothedrearinessofsomecomplacentperson，lordorcommoner，whomthree-fourthsofitcould，bynohumanmeans，raiseoutofthesloughofinanitytotheirownintellectuallevel，itwasparticularlystrange，anditwasevenparticularlyaffecting，toseethiscrowdofearnestfaces，whosehonestyinthemainnocompetentobserverfreefrombiascoulddoubt，soagitatedbysuchaleader。
　　Good！Hear，hear！Hurrah！Theeagernessbothofattentionandintention，exhibitedinallthecountenances，madethemamostimpressivesight。Therewasnocarelessness，nolanguor，noidlecuriosity；noneofthemanyshadesofindifferencetobeseeninallotherassemblies，visibleforonemomentthere。Thateverymanfelthisconditiontobe，somehoworother，worsethanitmightbe；
　　thateverymanconsidereditincumbentonhimtojointherest，towardsthemakingofitbetter；thateverymanfelthisonlyhopetobeinhisallyinghimselftothecomradesbywhomhewassurrounded；andthatinthisbelief，rightorwrongunhappilywrongthen，thewholeofthatcrowdweregravely，deeply，faithfullyinearnest；musthavebeenasplaintoanyonewhochosetoseewhatwasthere，asthebarebeamsoftheroofandthewhitenedbrickwalls。Norcouldanysuchspectatorfailtoknowinhisownbreast，thatthesemen，throughtheirverydelusions，showedgreatqualities，susceptibleofbeingturnedtothehappiestandbestaccount；andthattopretendonthestrengthofsweepingaxioms，howsoevercutanddriedthattheywentastraywhollywithoutcause，andoftheirownirrationalwills，wastopretendthattherecouldbesmokewithoutfire，deathwithoutbirth，harvestwithoutseed，anythingoreverythingproducedfromnothing。
　　Theoratorhavingrefreshedhimself，wipedhiscorrugatedforeheadfromlefttorightseveraltimeswithhishandkerchieffoldedintoapad，andconcentratedallhisrevivedforces，inasneerofgreatdisdainandbitterness。
　　'Butoh，myfriendsandbrothers！Oh，menandEnglishmen，thedown-troddenoperativesofCoketown！Whatshallwesayofthatman-thatworking-man，thatIshouldfinditnecessarysotolibelthegloriousname-who，beingpracticallyandwellacquaintedwiththegrievancesandwrongsofyou，theinjuredpithandmarrowofthisland，andhavingheardyou，withanobleandmajesticunanimitythatwillmakeTyrantstremble，resolvefortosubscribetothefundsoftheUnitedAggregateTribunal，andtoabidebytheinjunctionsissuedbythatbodyforyourbenefit，whatevertheymaybe-what，Iaskyou，willyousayofthatworking-man，sincesuchImustacknowledgehimtobe，who，atsuchatime，desertshispost，andsellshisflag；who，atsuchatime，turnsatraitorandacravenandarecreant，who，atsuchatime，isnotashamedtomaketoyouthedastardlyandhumiliatingavowalthathewillholdhimselfaloof，andwillnotbeoneofthoseassociatedinthegallantstandforFreedomandforRight？'
　　Theassemblywasdividedatthispoint。Thereweresomegroansandhisses，butthegeneralsenseofhonourwasmuchtoostrongforthecondemnationofamanunheard。'Besureyou'reright，Slackbridge！''Puthimup！''Let'shearhim！'Suchthingsweresaidonmanysides。Finally，onestrongvoicecalledout，'Isthemanheer？Iftheman'sheer，Slackbridge，let'shearthemanhimseln，'steado'yo。'Whichwasreceivedwitharoundofapplause。
　　Slackbridge，theorator，lookedabouthimwithawitheringsmile；
　　and，holdingouthisrighthandatarm'slengthasthemannerofallSlackbridgesis，tostillthethunderingsea，waiteduntiltherewasaprofoundsilence。
　　'Oh，myfriendsandfellow-men！'saidSlackbridgethen，shakinghisheadwithviolentscorn，'Idonotwonderthatyou，theprostratesonsoflabour，areincredulousoftheexistenceofsuchaman。
　　Buthewhosoldhisbirthrightforamessofpottageexisted，andJudasIscariotexisted，andCastlereaghexisted，andthismanexists！'
　　Here，abriefpressandconfusionnearthestage，endedinthemanhimselfstandingattheorator'ssidebeforetheconcourse。Hewaspaleandalittlemovedintheface-hislipsespeciallyshowedit；buthestoodquiet，withhislefthandathischin，waitingtobeheard。Therewasachairmantoregulatetheproceedings，andthisfunctionarynowtookthecaseintohisownhands。
　　'Myfriends，'saidhe，'byvirtueo'myofficeasyourpresident，I
　　askeso'ourfriendSlackbridge，whomaybealittleoverhetterinthisbusiness，totakehisseat，whilesthismanStephenBlackpoolisheern。YouallknowthismanStephenBlackpool。Youknowhimawlungo'hismisfort'ns，andhisgoodname。'
　　Withthat，thechairmanshookhimfranklybythehand，andsatdownagain。Slackbridgelikewisesatdown，wipinghishotforehead-
　　alwaysfromlefttoright，andneverthereverseway。
　　'Myfriends，'Stephenbegan，inthemidstofadeadcalm；'Iha'
　　hedwhat'sbeenspok'no'me，and'tislicklythatIshan'tmendit。ButI'dlieferyou'dhearnthetruthconcerninmyseln，fromylipsthanfroonnyotherman's，thoughInevercud'nspeakaforesomonny，wi'outbeinmoydertandmuddled。'
　　Slackbridgeshookhisheadasifhewouldshakeitoff，inhisbitterness。
　　'I'mth'onesingleHandinBounderby'smill，o'a'thementheer，asdon'tcoominwi'th'proposedreg'lations。Icannacoominwi'
　　'em。Myfriends，Idoubttheirdoin'yoonnygood。Lickerthey'lldoyohurt。'
　　Slackbridgelaughed，foldedhisarms，andfrownedsarcastically。
　　'But'tan'tsommuchforthatasIstandsout。Ifthatwereaw，I'dcoominwi'th'rest。ButIha'myreasons-mine，yosee-
　　forbeinghindered；noton'ynow，butawlus-awlus-lifelong！'
　　Slackbridgejumpedupandstoodbesidehim，gnashingandtearing。
　　'Oh，myfriends，whatbutthisdidItellyou？Oh，myfellow-
　　countrymen，whatwarningbutthisdidIgiveyou？Andhowshowsthisrecreantconductinamanonwhomunequallawsareknowntohavefallenheavy？Oh，youEnglishmen，Iaskyouhowdoesthissubornationshowinoneofyourselves，whoisthusconsentingtohisownundoingandtoyours，andtoyourchildren'sandyourchildren'schildren's？'
　　Therewassomeapplause，andsomecryingofShameupontheman；butthegreaterpartoftheaudiencewerequiet。TheylookedatStephen'swornface，renderedmorepatheticbythehomelyemotionsitevinced；and，inthekindnessoftheirnature，theyweremoresorrythanindignant。
　　''TisthisDelegate'stradefort'speak，'saidStephen，'an'he'spaidfor't，an'heknowshiswork。Lethimkeepto't。LethimgivenoheedtowhatIhahad'ntobear。That'snotforhim。
　　That'snotfornobbodybutme。'
　　Therewasapropriety，nottosayadignityinthesewords，thatmadethehearersyetmorequietandattentive。Thesamestrongvoicecalledout，'Slackbridge，letthemanbeheern，andhowdtheetongue！'Thentheplacewaswonderfullystill。
　　'Mybrothers，'saidStephen，whoselowvoicewasdistinctlyheard，'andmyfellow-workmen-forthatyoaretome，thoughnot，asI
　　knowson，tothisdelegatehere-Ihabutawordtosen，andI
　　couldsennommoreifIwastospeaktillStrikeo'day。Iknowweel，awwhat'saforeme。Iknowweelthatyoawresolvetohanommoreadowi'amanwhoisnotwi'yointhismatther。IknowweelthatifIwasalyinparishti'th'road，yo'dfeelitrighttopassmeby，asaforrennerandstranger。WhatIhagetn，Imunmakth'beston。'
　　'StephenBlackpool，'saidthechairman，rising，'thinkon'tagen。
　　Thinkon'tonceagen，lad，aforethou'rtshunnedbyawowdfriends。'
　　Therewasanuniversalmurmurtothesameeffect，thoughnomanarticulatedaword。EveryeyewasfixedonStephen'sface。Torepentofhisdetermination，wouldbetotakealoadfromalltheirminds。Helookedaroundhim，andknewthatitwasso。Notagrainofangerwiththemwasinhisheart；heknewthem，farbelowtheirsurfaceweaknessesandmisconceptions，asnoonebuttheirfellow-
　　labourercould。
　　'Ihathowton't，aboveabit，sir。Isimplycannacoomin。I
　　mungoth'wayaslaysaforeme。Imuntakmyleaveo'awheer。'
　　Hemadeasortofreverencetothembyholdinguphisarms，andstoodforthemomentinthatattitude；notspeakinguntiltheyslowlydroppedathissides。
　　'Monny'sthepleasantwordassoomheerhasspok'nwi'me；monny'sthefaceIseeheer，asIfirstseenwhenIwereyoongandlighterheart'nthannow。Iha'neverhadnofratchafore，sineverIwereborn，wi'anyo'mylike；GonnowsIha'nonenowthat'so'mymakin'。Yo'llca'metraitorandthat-yoImeant'say，'
　　addressingSlackbridge，'but'tiseasiertoca'thanmak'out。Soletbe。'
　　Hehadmovedawayapaceortwotocomedownfromtheplatform，whenherememberedsomethinghehadnotsaid，andreturnedagain。
　　'Haply，'hesaid，turninghisfurrowedfaceslowlyabout，thathemightasitwereindividuallyaddressthewholeaudience，thosebothnearanddistant；'haply，whenthisquestionhasbeentak'nupanddiscoosed，there'llbeathreattoturnoutifI'mlettoworkamongyo。IhopeIshalldieereeversuchatimecooms，andI
　　shallworksolitaryamongyounlessitcooms-truly，Imundo't，myfriends；nottobraveyo，buttolive。Ihanobbutworktoliveby；andwheerevercanIgo，IwhohaworkedsinIwerenoheighthataw，inCoketownheer？Imak'nocomplaintso'beinturnedtothewa'，o'beinoutcastenandoverlookenfrothistimeforrard，buthopeIshallbelettowork。Ifthereisanyrightformeataw，myfriends，Ithink'tisthat。'
　　Notawordwasspoken。Notasoundwasaudibleinthebuilding，buttheslightrustleofmenmovingalittleapart，allalongthecentreoftheroom，toopenameansofpassingout，tothemanwithwhomtheyhadallboundthemselvestorenouncecompanionship。
　　Lookingatnoone，andgoinghiswaywithalowlysteadinessuponhimthatassertednothingandsoughtnothing，OldStephen，withallhistroublesonhishead，leftthescene。
　　ThenSlackbridge，whohadkepthisoratoricalarmextendedduringthegoingout，asifhewererepressingwithinfinitesolicitudeandbyawonderfulmoralpowerthevehementpassionsofthemultitude，appliedhimselftoraisingtheirspirits。HadnottheRomanBrutus，oh，myBritishcountrymen，condemnedhissontodeath；andhadnottheSpartanmothers，ohmysoontobevictoriousfriends，driventheirflyingchildrenonthepointsoftheirenemies'swords？ThenwasitnotthesacreddutyofthemenofCoketown，withforefathersbeforethem，anadmiringworldincompanywiththem，andaposteritytocomeafterthem，tohurlouttraitorsfromthetentstheyhadpitchedinasacredandaGod-likecause？ThewindsofheavenansweredYes；andboreYes，east，west，north，andsouth。AndconsequentlythreecheersfortheUnitedAggregateTribunal！
　　Slackbridgeactedasfugleman，andgavethetime。Themultitudeofdoubtfulfacesalittleconscience-strickenbrightenedatthesound，andtookitup。Privatefeelingmustyieldtothecommoncause。Hurrah！Theroofyetvibratedwiththecheering，whentheassemblydispersed。
　　ThuseasilydidStephenBlackpoolfallintotheloneliestoflives，thelifeofsolitudeamongafamiliarcrowd。Thestrangerinthelandwholooksintotenthousandfacesforsomeansweringlookandneverfindsit，isincheeringsocietyascomparedwithhimwhopassestenavertedfacesdaily，thatwereoncethecountenancesoffriends。SuchexperiencewastobeStephen'snow，ineverywakingmomentofhislife；athiswork，onhiswaytoitandfromit，athisdoor，athiswindow，everywhere。Bygeneralconsent，theyevenavoidedthatsideofthestreetonwhichhehabituallywalked；andleftit，ofalltheworkingmen，tohimonly。
　　Hehadbeenformanyyears，aquietsilentman，associatingbutlittlewithothermen，andusedtocompanionshipwithhisownthoughts。Hehadneverknownbeforethestrengthofthewantinhisheartforthefrequentrecognitionofanod，alook，aword；ortheimmenseamountofreliefthathadbeenpouredintoitbydropsthroughsuchsmallmeans。Itwasevenharderthanhecouldhavebelievedpossible，toseparateinhisownconsciencehisabandonmentbyallhisfellowsfromabaselesssenseofshameanddisgrace。
　　Thefirstfourdaysofhisenduranceweredayssolongandheavy，thathebegantobeappalledbytheprospectbeforehim。NotonlydidheseenoRachaelallthetime，butheavoidedeverychanceofseeingher；for，althoughheknewthattheprohibitiondidnotyetformallyextendtothewomenworkinginthefactories，hefoundthatsomeofthemwithwhomhewasacquaintedwerechangedtohim，andhefearedtotryothers，anddreadedthatRachaelmightbeevensingledoutfromtherestifshewereseeninhiscompany。So，hehadbeenquitealoneduringthefourdays，andhadspokentonoone，when，ashewasleavinghisworkatnight，ayoungmanofaverylightcomplexionaccostedhiminthestreet。
　　'Yourname'sBlackpool，ain'tit？'saidtheyoungman。
　　Stephencolouredtofindhimselfwithhishatinhishand，inhisgratitudeforbeingspokento，orinthesuddennessofit，orboth。
　　Hemadeafeintofadjustingthelining，andsaid，'Yes。'
　　'YouaretheHandtheyhavesenttoCoventry，Imean？'saidBitzer，theverylightyoungmaninquestion。
　　Stephenanswered'Yes，'again。
　　'Isupposedso，fromtheirallappearingtokeepawayfromyou。
　　Mr。Bounderbywantstospeaktoyou。Youknowhishouse，don'tyou？'
　　Stephensaid'Yes，'again。
　　'Thengostraightupthere，willyou？'saidBitzer。'You'reexpected，andhaveonlytotelltheservantit'syou。IbelongtotheBank；so，ifyougostraightupwithoutmeIwassenttofetchyou，you'llsavemeawalk。'
　　Stephen，whosewayhadbeeninthecontrarydirection，turnedabout，andbetookhimselfasindutybound，totheredbrickcastleofthegiantBounderby。
　　CHAPTERV-MENANDMASTERS
　　'WELL，Stephen，'saidBounderby，inhiswindymanner，'what'sthisIhear？Whathavethesepestsoftheearthbeendoingtoyou？
　　Comein，andspeakup。'
　　Itwasintothedrawing-roomthathewasthusbidden。Atea-tablewassetout；andMr。Bounderby'syoungwife，andherbrother，andagreatgentlemanfromLondon，werepresent。TowhomStephenmadehisobeisance，closingthedoorandstandingnearit，withhishatinhishand。
　　'ThisisthemanIwastellingyouabout，Harthouse，'saidMr。
　　Bounderby。Thegentlemanheaddressed，whowastalkingtoMrs。
　　Bounderbyonthesofa，gotup，sayinginanindolentway，'Ohreally？'anddawdledtothehearthrugwhereMr。Bounderbystood。
　　'Now，'saidBounderby，'speakup！'
　　Afterthefourdayshehadpassed，thisaddressfellrudelyanddiscordantlyonStephen'sear。Besidesbeingaroughhandlingofhiswoundedmind，itseemedtoassumethathereallywastheself-
　　interesteddeserterhehadbeencalled。
　　'Whatwereit，sir，'saidStephen，'asyowerepleasedtowantwi'
　　me？'
　　'Why，Ihavetoldyou，'returnedBounderby。'Speakuplikeaman，sinceyouareaman，andtellusaboutyourselfandthisCombination。'
　　'Wi'yorpardon，sir，'saidStephenBlackpool，'Iha'nowttosenaboutit。'
　　Mr。Bounderby，whowasalwaysmoreorlesslikeaWind，findingsomethinginhiswayhere，begantoblowatitdirectly。
　　'Now，lookhere，Harthouse，'saidhe，'here'saspecimenof'em。
　　Whenthismanwashereoncebefore，Iwarnedthismanagainstthemischievousstrangerswhoarealwaysabout-andwhooughttobehangedwherevertheyarefound-andItoldthismanthathewasgoinginthewrongdirection。Now，wouldyoubelieveit，thatalthoughtheyhaveputthismarkuponhim，heissuchaslavetothemstill，thathe'safraidtoopenhislipsaboutthem？'
　　'IsedasIhadnowttosen，sir；notasIwasfearfo'o'openin'
　　mylips。'
　　'Yousaid！Ah！Iknowwhatyousaid；morethanthat，Iknowwhatyoumean，yousee。Notalwaysthesamething，bytheLordHarry！
　　Quitedifferentthings。Youhadbettertellusatonce，thatthatfellowSlackbridgeisnotinthetown，stirringupthepeopletomutiny；andthatheisnotaregularqualifiedleaderofthepeople:thatis，amostconfoundedscoundrel。Youhadbettertellussoatonce；youcan'tdeceiveme。Youwanttotellusso。Whydon'tyou？'
　　'I'massooaryasyo，sir，whenthepeople'sleadersisbad，'saidStephen，shakinghishead。'Theytakssuchasoffers。Haply'tisna'thesma'esto'theirmisfortunswhentheycangetnobetter。'
　　Thewindbegantogetboisterous。
　　'Now，you'llthinkthisprettywell，Harthouse，'saidMr。
　　Bounderby。'You'llthinkthistolerablystrong。You'llsay，uponmysoulthisisatidyspecimenofwhatmyfriendshavetodealwith；butthisisnothing，sir！Youshallhearmeaskthismanaquestion。Pray，Mr。Blackpool'-windspringingupveryfast-
　　'mayItakethelibertyofaskingyouhowithappensthatyourefusedtobeinthisCombination？'
　　'How'thappens？'
　　'Ah！'saidMr。Bounderby，withhisthumbsinthearmsofhiscoat，andjerkinghisheadandshuttinghiseyesinconfidencewiththeoppositewall:'howithappens。'
　　'I'dleefernotcoomto't，sir；butsinyouputth'question-an'
　　notwant'nt'beill-manner'n-I'llanswer。Ihapassedapromess。'
　　'Nottome，youknow，'saidBounderby。Gustyweatherwithdeceitfulcalms。Onenowprevailing。
　　'Ono，sir。Nottoyo。'
　　'Asforme，anyconsiderationformehashadjustnothingatalltodowithit，'saidBounderby，stillinconfidencewiththewall。
　　'IfonlyJosiahBounderbyofCoketownhadbeeninquestion，youwouldhavejoinedandmadenobonesaboutit？'
　　'Whyyes，sir。'Tistrue。'
　　'Thoughheknows，'saidMr。Bounderby，nowblowingagale，'thatthereareasetofrascalsandrebelswhomtransportationistoogoodfor！Now，Mr。Harthouse，youhavebeenknockingaboutintheworldsometime。Didyouevermeetwithanythinglikethatmanoutofthisblessedcountry？'AndMr。Bounderbypointedhimoutforinspection，withanangryfinger。
　　'Nay，ma'am，'saidStephenBlackpool，staunchlyprotestingagainstthewordsthathadbeenused，andinstinctivelyaddressinghimselftoLouisa，afterglancingatherface。'Notrebels，noryetrascals。Nowto'th'kind，ma'am，nowto'th'kind。They'venotdoonmeakindness，ma'am，asIknowandfeel。Butthere'snotadozenmenamoong'em，ma'am-adozen？Notsix-butwhatbelievesashehasdoonhisdutybytherestandbyhimseln。GodforbidasI，thatha'known，andhad'nexperienceo'thesemenawmylife-
　　I，thatha'ett'nan'droonkenwi''em，an'seet'nwi''em，andtoil'nwi''em，andlov'n'em，shouldfailfurtostanby'emwi'
　　thetruth，let'emha'doontomewhattheymay！'
　　Hespokewiththeruggedearnestnessofhisplaceandcharacter-
　　deepenedperhapsbyaproudconsciousnessthathewasfaithfultohisclassunderalltheirmistrust；buthefullyrememberedwherehewas，anddidnotevenraisehisvoice。
　　'No，ma'am，no。They'retruetooneanother，faithfo'tooneanother，'fectionatetooneanother，e'entodeath。Bepooramoong'em，besickamoong'em，grieveamoong'emforonnyo'th'monnycausesthatcarriesgrieftothepoorman'sdoor，an'they'llbetenderwi'yo，gentlewi'yo，comfortablewi'yo，Chrisenwi'yo。
　　Besureo'that，ma'am。They'dberiventobits，ereeverthey'dbedifferent。'
　　'Inshort，'saidMr。Bounderby，'it'sbecausetheyaresofullofvirtuesthattheyhaveturnedyouadrift。Gothroughwithitwhileyouareaboutit。Outwithit。'
　　'How'tis，ma'am，'resumedStephen，appearingstilltofindhisnaturalrefugeinLouisa'sface，'thatwhatisbestinusfok，seemstoturnusmosttotroublean'misfort'nan'mistake，I
　　dunno。But'tisso。Iknow'tis，asIknowtheheavensisovermeahintthesmoke。We'repatienttoo，an'wantsingeneraltodoright。An'Icannathinkthefawtisawwi'us。'
　　'Now，myfriend，'saidMr。Bounderby，whomhecouldnothaveexasperatedmore，quiteunconsciousofitthoughhewas，thanbyseemingtoappealtoanyoneelse，'ifyouwillfavourmewithyourattentionforhalfaminute，Ishouldliketohaveawordortwowithyou。Yousaidjustnow，thatyouhadnothingtotellusaboutthisbusiness。Youarequitesureofthatbeforewegoanyfurther。'
　　'Sir，Iamsureon't。'
　　'Here'sagentlemanfromLondonpresent，'Mr。BounderbymadeabackhandedpointatMr。JamesHarthousewithhisthumb，'aParliamentgentleman。Ishouldlikehimtohearashortbitofdialoguebetweenyouandme，insteadoftakingthesubstanceofit-forIknowpreciouswell，beforehand，whatitwillbe；nobodyknowsbetterthanIdo，takenotice！-insteadofreceivingitontrustfrommymouth。'
　　StephenbenthisheadtothegentlemanfromLondon，andshowedarathermoretroubledmindthanusual。Heturnedhiseyesinvoluntarilytohisformerrefuge，butatalookfromthatquarterexpressivethoughinstantaneoushesettledthemonMr。
　　Bounderby'sface。
　　'Now，whatdoyoucomplainof？'askedMr。Bounderby。
　　'Iha'notcoomhere，sir，'Stephenremindedhim，'tocomplain。I
　　coomforthatIweresentfor。'
　　'What，'repeatedMr。Bounderby，foldinghisarms，'doyoupeople，inageneralway，complainof？'
　　Stephenlookedathimwithsomelittleirresolutionforamoment，andthenseemedtomakeuphismind。
　　'Sir，Iwerenevergoodatshowino't，thoughIhahad'nmyshareinfeelingo't。'Deedweareinamuddle，sir。Lookroundtown-
　　sorichas'tis-andseethenumberso'peopleashasbeenbroughtenintobeinheer，furtoweave，an'tocard，an'topieceoutalivin'，awthesameoneway，somehows，'twixttheircradlesandtheirgraves。Lookhowwelive，an'wheerwelive，an'inwhatnumbers，an'bywhatchances，andwi'whatsameness；andlookhowthemillsisawlusagoin，andhowtheyneverworksusnonighertoonydis'antobject-ceptinawlus，Death。Lookhowyouconsidersofus，andwritesofus，andtalksofus，andgoesupwi'yordeputationstoSecretarieso'State'boutus，andhowyoareawlusright，andhowweareawluswrong，andneverhad'nnoreasoninussineverwewereborn。Lookhowthishagrowenan'growen，sir，biggeran'bigger，broaderan'broader，harderan'harder，froyeartoyear，frogenerationuntogeneration。Whocanlookon't，sir，andfairlytellaman'tisnotamuddle？'
　　'Ofcourse，'saidMr。Bounderby。'Nowperhapsyou'llletthegentlemanknow，howyouwouldsetthismuddleasyou'resofondofcallingittorights。'
　　'Idonno，sir。Icannabeexpectento't。'Tisnotmeasshouldbelookentoforthat，sir。'Tisthemasisputowerme，andowerawtherestofus。Whatdotheytakuponthemseln，sir，ifnottodo't？'
　　'I'lltellyousomethingtowardsit，atanyrate，'returnedMr。
　　Bounderby。'WewillmakeanexampleofhalfadozenSlackbridges。
　　We'llindicttheblackguardsforfelony，andget'emshippedofftopenalsettlements。'
　　Stephengravelyshookhishead。
　　'Don'ttellmewewon't，man，'saidMr。Bounderby，bythistimeblowingahurricane，'becausewewill，Itellyou！'
　　'Sir，'returnedStephen，withthequietconfidenceofabsolutecertainty，'ifyowast'takahundredSlackbridges-awasthereis，andawthenumbertentimestowd-an'wast'sew'emupinseparatesacks，an'sink'eminthedeepestoceanasweremadeereeverdrylandcoomtobe，yo'dleavethemuddlejustwheer'tis。
　　Mischeevousstrangers！'saidStephen，withananxioussmile；'whenhawenotheern，Iamsure，sineverwecancalltomind，o'th'
　　mischeevousstrangers！'Tisnotbythemthetrouble'smade，sir。
　　'Tisnotwi'them'tcommences。Ihanofavourfor'em-Ihanoreasontofavour'em-but'tishopelessanduselesstodreamo'
　　takinthemfrotheirtrade，'steado'takintheirtradefrothem！
　　Awthat'snowaboutmeinthisroomwereheeraforeIcoom，an'
　　willbeheerwhenIamgone。Putthatclockaboardashipan'packitofftoNorfolkIsland，an'thetimewillgoonjustthesame。
　　So'tiswi'Slackbridgeeverybit。'
　　Revertingforamomenttohisformerrefuge，heobservedacautionarymovementofhereyestowardsthedoor。Steppingback，heputhishanduponthelock。Buthehadnotspokenoutofhisownwillanddesire；andhefeltitinhisheartanoblereturnforhislateinjurioustreatmenttobefaithfultothelasttothosewhohadrepudiatedhim。Hestayedtofinishwhatwasinhismind。
　　'Sir，Icanna，wi'mylittlelearningan'mycommonway，tellthegenelmanwhatwillbetterawthis-thoughsomeworkingmeno'thistowncould，abovemypowers-butIcantellhimwhatIknowwillneverdo't。Thestronghandwillneverdo't。Vict'ryandtriumphwillneverdo't。Agreeingfurtomakonesideunnat'rallyawlusandforeverright，andtoothersideunnat'rallyawlusandforeverwrong，willnever，neverdo't。Noryetlettinalonewillneverdo't。Letthousandsuponthousandsalone，awleadingthelikelivesandawfaw'enintothelikemuddle，andtheywillbeasone，andyowillbeasanoother，wi'ablackunpassableworldbetwixtyo，justaslongorshortatimeassich-likemiserycanlast。Notdrawinnightofok，wi'kindnessandpatiencean'cheeryways，thatsodrawsnightooneanotherintheirmonnytroubles，andsocherishesoneanotherintheirdistresseswi'whattheyneedthemseln-like，Ihumblybelieve，asnopeoplethegenelmanhaseeninawhistravelscanbeat-willneverdo'ttillth'Sunturnst'ice。Mosto'aw，rating'emassomuchPower，andreg'latin'emasiftheywasfiguresinasoom，ormachines:
　　wi'outlovesandlikens，wi'outmemoriesandinclinations，wi'outsoulstowearyandsoulstohope-whenawgoesquiet，dragginonwi''emasifthey'dnowto'th'kind，andwhenawgoesonquiet，reproachin'emfortheirwanto'sitchhumanlyfeelinsintheirdealinswi'yo-thiswillneverdo't，sir，tillGod'sworkisonmade。'
　　Stephenstoodwiththeopendoorinhishand，waitingtoknowifanythingmorewereexpectedofhim。
　　'Juststopamoment，'saidMr。Bounderby，excessivelyredintheface。'Itoldyou，thelasttimeyouwereherewithagrievance，thatyouhadbetterturnaboutandcomeoutofthat。AndIalsotoldyou，ifyouremember，thatIwasuptothegoldspoonlook-
　　out。'
　　'Iwerenotupto'tmyseln，sir；Idoassureyo。'
　　'Nowit'scleartome，'saidMr。Bounderby，'thatyouareoneofthosechapswhohavealwaysgotagrievance。Andyougoabout，sowingitandraisingcrops。That'sthebusinessofyourlife，myfriend。'
　　Stephenshookhishead，mutelyprotestingthatindeedhehadotherbusinesstodoforhislife。
　　'Youaresuchawaspish，raspish，ill-conditionedchap，yousee，'
　　saidMr。Bounderby，'thatevenyourownUnion，themenwhoknowyoubest，willhavenothingtodowithyou。Ineverthoughtthosefellowscouldberightinanything；butItellyouwhat！Isofargoalongwiththemforanovelty，thatI'llhavenothingtodowithyoueither。'
　　Stephenraisedhiseyesquicklytohisface。
　　'Youcanfinishoffwhatyou'reat，'saidMr。Bounderby，withameaningnod，'andthengoelsewhere。'
　　'Sir，yoknowweel，'saidStephenexpressively，'thatifIcannagetworkwi'yo，Icannagetitelsewheer。'
　　Thereplywas，'WhatIknow，Iknow；andwhatyouknow，youknow。
　　Ihavenomoretosayaboutit。'
　　StephenglancedatLouisaagain，buthereyeswereraisedtohisnomore；therefore，withasigh，andsaying，barelyabovehisbreath，'Heavenhelpusawinthisworld！'hedeparted。
　　CHAPTERVI-FADINGAWAY
　　ITwasfallingdarkwhenStephencameoutofMr。Bounderby'shouse。
　　Theshadowsofnighthadgatheredsofast，thathedidnotlookabouthimwhenheclosedthedoor，butploddedstraightalongthestreet。Nothingwasfurtherfromhisthoughtsthanthecuriousoldwomanhehadencounteredonhispreviousvisittothesamehouse，whenheheardastepbehindhimthatheknew，andturning，sawherinRachael'scompany。
　　HesawRachaelfirst，ashehadheardheronly。
　　'Ah，Rachael，mydear！Missus，thouwi'her！'
　　'Well，andnowyouaresurprisedtobesure，andwithreasonImustsay，'theoldwomanreturned。'HereIamagain，yousee。'
　　'Buthowwi'Rachael？'saidStephen，fallingintotheirstep，walkingbetweenthem，andlookingfromtheonetotheother。
　　'Why，IcometobewiththisgoodlassprettymuchasIcametobewithyou，'saidtheoldwoman，cheerfully，takingthereplyuponherself。'Myvisitingtimeislaterthisyearthanusual，forI
　　havebeenrathertroubledwithshortnessofbreath，andsoputitofftilltheweatherwasfineandwarm。ForthesamereasonI
　　don'tmakeallmyjourneyinoneday，butdivideitintotwodays，andgetabedto-nightattheTravellers'CoffeeHousedownbytherailroadanicecleanhouse，andgobackParliamentary，atsixinthemorning。Well，butwhathasthistodowiththisgoodlass，saysyou？I'mgoingtotellyou。IhaveheardofMr。Bounderbybeingmarried。Ireaditinthepaper，whereitlookedgrand-oh，itlookedfine！'theoldwomandweltonitwithstrangeenthusiasm:
　　'andIwanttoseehiswife。Ihaveneverseenheryet。Now，ifyou'llbelieveme，shehasn'tcomeoutofthathousesincenoonto-
　　day。Sonottogiveheruptooeasily，Iwaswaitingabout，alittlelastbitmore，whenIpassedclosetothisgoodlasstwoorthreetimes；andherfacebeingsofriendlyIspoketoher，andshespoketome。There！'saidtheoldwomantoStephen，'youcanmakealltherestoutforyourselfnow，adealshorterthanIcan，I
　　daresay！'