DiscussionandBedUpattheLeague，saysafriend，therehadbeenonenightabriskconversationaldiscussion，astowhatwouldhappenontheMorrowoftheRevolution，finallyshadingoffintoavigorousstatementbyvariousfriendsoftheirviewsonthefutureofthefully-developednewsociety。
Saysourfriend:Consideringthesubject，thediscussionwasgood-tempered；forthosepresentbeingusedtopublicmeetingsandafter-lecturedebates，iftheydidnotlistentoeachothers'opinionswhichcouldhardlybeexpectedofthem，atalleventsdidnotalwaysattempttospeakalltogether，asisthecustomofpeopleinordinarypolitesocietywhenconversingonasubjectwhichintereststhem。Fortherest，thereweresixpersonspresent，andconsequentlysixsectionsofthepartywererepresented，fourofwhichhadstrongbutdivergentAnarchistopinions。Oneofthesections，saysourfriend，amanwhomheknowsverywellindeed，satalmostsilentatthebeginningofthediscussion，butatlastgotdrawnintoitandfinishedbyroaringoutveryloud，anddamningalltherestforfools；afterwhichbefellaperiodofnoise，andthenalull，duringwhichtheaforesaidsection，havingsaidgood-nightveryamicably，tookhiswayhomebyhimselftoawesternsuburb，usingthemeansoftravellingwhichcivilisationhasforceduponuslikeahabit。Ashesatinthatvapour-bathofhurriedanddiscontentedhumanity，acarriageoftheundergroundrailway，he，likeotherssteweddiscontentedly，whileinself-reproachfulmoodheturnedoverthemanyexcellentandconclusiveargumentswhichthoughtheylayathisfingers'ends，hehadforgotteninthejustpastdiscussion。Butthisframeofmindhewassousedto，thatitdidn'tlasthimlong，andafterabriefdiscomfort，causedbydisgustwithhimselfforhavinglosthistemperwhichhewasalsowellusedto，hefoundhimselfmusingonthesubject-matterofdiscussion，butstilldiscontentedlyandunhappily。“IfIcouldbutseeit！“
Asheformedthewords，thetrainstoppedathisstation，fiveminutes'walkfromhisownhouse，whichstoodonthebanksoftheThames，alittlewayaboveanuglysuspensionbridge。Hewentoutofthestation，stilldiscontentedandunhappy，muttering“IfIcouldbutseeit！ifIcouldbutseeit！“buthadnotgonemanystepstowardtheriverbeforesaysourfriendwhotellsthestoryallthatdiscontentandtroubleseemedtoslipoffhim。
Itwasabeautifulnightofearlywinter，theairjustsharpenoughtoberefreshingafterthehotroomandthestinkingrailwaycarriage。
Thewind，whichhadlatelyturnedapointortwonorthofwest，hadblowntheskyclearofallcloudsavealightfleckoftwowhichwentswiftlydowntheheavens。Therewasayoungmoonhalfwayupthesky，andasthehome-farercaughtsightofit，tangledinthebranchesofatalloldelm，hecouldscarcebringtohismindtheshabbyLondonsuburbwherehewas，andhefeltasifhewereinapleasantcountryplace——pleasanter，indeed，thanthedeepcountrywasashehadknownit。
Hecamerightdowntotheriver-side，andlingeredalittle，lookingoverthelowwalltonotethemoon-litriver，nearuponhighwater，goswirlingandglitteringuptoCheswickEyot；asfortheuglybridgebelow，hedidnotnoticeitorthinkofit，exceptwhenforamomentsaysourfrienditstuckhimthathemissedtherowoflightsdown-stream。Thenheturnedtohishousedoorandlethimselfin；andevenasheshutthedoorto，disappearedallremembranceofthatbrilliantlogicandforesightwhichhadsoilluminatedtherecentdiscussion；andofthediscussionitselfthereremainednotrace，saveavaguehope，thatwasnowbecomeapleasure，fordaysofpeaceandrest，andcleannessandsmilinggoodwill。
Inthismoodhetumbledintobed，andfellasleepafterhiswont，intwominutes'time；butcontrarytohiswontwokeupagainnotlongafterinthatcuriouslywide-awakeconditionwhichsometimessurprisesevengoodsleepers；aconditionuderwhichwefeelallourwitspreternaturallysharpened，whileallthemiserablemuddleswehaveevergotinto，allthedisgracesandlossesofourlives，willinsistonthrustingthemselvesforwardfortheconsiderationofthosesharpenedwits。
Inthisstatehelaysaysourfriendtillhehadalmostbeguntoenjoyit；tillthetaleofhisstupiditiesamusedhim，andtheentanglementsbeforehim，whichhesawsoclearly，begantoshapethemselvesintoanamusingstoryforhim。
Heheardoneo'clockstrikethentwoandthenthree；afterwhichhefellasleepagain。Ourfriendsaysthatfromthatsleepheawokeoncemore，andafterwardswentthroughsuchsurprisingadventuresthathethinksthattheyshouldbetoldtoourcomrades，andindeedthepublicingeneral，andthereforeheproposestotellthemnow。But，sayshe，IthinkitwouldbebetterifItoldtheminthefirstperson，asifitweremyselfwhohadgonethroughthem；which，indeed，willbetheeasierandmorenaturaltome，sinceIunderstandthefeelinganddesiresofthecomradeofwhomIamtellingbetterthananyoneelseintheworlddoes。
Chapter2
AMorningBathWell，Iawoke，andfoundthatIhadkickedmybed-clothes；andnowonder，foritwashotandthesunshiningbrightly。Ijumpedupandwashedandhurriedonmyclothes，butinahazyandhalf-awakecondition，asifIhadsleptforalong，longwhile，andcouldnotshakeofftheweightofslumber。Infact，IrathertookitforgrantedthatIwasathomeinmyownroomthansawthatitwasso。
WhenIwasdressed，IfelttheplacesohotthatImadehastetogetoutoftheroomandoutofthehouse；andmyfirstfeelingwasadeliciousreliefcausedbythefreshairandpleasantbreeze；mysecond，asIbegantogathermywitstogether，meremeasurelesswonder；foritwaswinterwhenIwenttobedlastnight，andnow，bywitnessoftheriver-sidetrees，itwassummer，abeautifulbrightmorningseeminglyofearlyJune。However，therewasstilltheThamessparklingunderthesun，andnearhighwater，aslastnightIhadseenitgleamingunderthemoon。
Ihadbynomeansshakenoffthefeelingofoppression，andwhereverI
mighthavebeenshouldscarcehavebeenquiteconsciousoftheplace；
soitwasnowonderthatIfeltratherpuzzledindespiteofthefamiliarfaceoftheThames。WithalIfeltdizzyandqueer；andrememberingthatpeopleoftengotaboatandhadaswiminmid-stream，IthoughtIwoulddonoless。Itseemsveryearly，quothItomyself，butIdaresayIshallfindsomeoneatBiffin'stotakeme。However，I
didn'tgetasfarasBiffin's，oreventurntomyleftthitherward，becausejustthenIbegantoseethattherewasalanding-stagerightbeforemeinfrontofmyhouse；inface，ontheplacewheremynext-doorneighborhadriggedoneup，althoughsomehowitdidn'tlooklikethateither。DownIwentontoit，andsureenoughamongtheemptyboatsmooredtoitlayamanonhisscullsinasolid-lookingtubofaboatclearlymeantforbathers。Henoddedtome，andbademegood-morningasifheexpectedme，soIjumpedinwithoutanywordsandhepaddledawayquietlyasIpeeledformyswim。Aswewent，I
lookeddowninthewater，andcouldn'thelpsaying:
“Howclearthewateristhismorning！“
“Isit？“saidhe；“Ididn'tnoticeit。Youknowtheflood-tidealwaysthickensitabit。“
“H'm，“saidI，“Ihaveseenitprettymuddyevenathalf-ebb。“
Hesaidnothinginanswer，butseemedratherastonished；andashenowlayjuststemmingthetide，andIhadmyclothesoff，Ijumpedinwithoutmoreado。OfcoursewhenIhadmyheadabovewateragainI
turnedtowardsthetide，andmyeyesnaturallysoughtforthebridge，andsoutterlyastonishedwasIbywhatIsoughtforthebridge，andsoutterlyastonishedwasIbywhatIsaw，thatIforgottostrikeout，andwentsplutteringunderwateragain，andwhenIcameupmadestraightfortheboat；forIfeltIthatImustasksomequestionsofmywaterman，sobewilderinghadbeenthehalf-sightIhadseenfromthefaceoftheriverwiththewaterhardlyoutofmyeyes；thoughbythistimeIwasquitoftheslumbrousanddizzyfeeling，andwide-awakeandclear-headed。
AsIgotinupthestepswhichhehadlowered，andheheldouthishandtohelpme，wewentdriftingspeedilyuptowardsCheswick；butnowhecaughtupthescullsandbroughtherheadroundagain，andsaid；
“Ashortswim，neighbour；butperhapsyoufindthewatercoldthismorning，afteryourjourney。ShallIputyouashoreatonce，orwouldyouliketogodowntoPutneybeforebreakfast？“
HespokeinawaysounlikewhatIshouldhaveexpectedfromaHammersmithwaterman，thatIstaredathim，asIanswered，“Pleasetoholdheralittle；Iwanttolookaboutmeabit。“
“Allright，“hesaid；“It'snolessprettyinitswayherethanitisoffBarnElms；it'sjollyeverywherethistimeinthemorning。I'mgladyougotupearly；it'sbarelyfiveo'clockyet。“
IfIwasastonishedwithmysightoftheriverbanks，Iwasnolessastonishedatmywaterman，notthatIhadtimetolookathimandseehimwithmyheadandeyesclear。
Hewasahandsomeyoungfellow，withapeculiarlypleasantandfriendlylookabouthiseyes，——anexpressionwhichwasquitenewtomethen，thoughIsoonbecamefamiliarwithit。Fortherest，hewasdark-hairedandberry-brownofskin，well-knitandstrong，andobviouslyusedtoexercisinghismuscles，butwithnothingroughorcoarseabouthim，andcleanasmightbe。Hisdresswasnotlikeanymodernwork-a-dayclothesIhadseen，butwouldhaveservedverywellasacostumeforapictureoffourteenth-centurylife:itwasofdarkbluecloth，simpleenough，butoffineweb，andwithoutastainonit。
Hehadabrownleatherbeltaroundhiswaise，andInoticedthatitsclaspwasofdamascenedsteelbeautifullywrought。Inshort，heseemedtobelikesomespeciallymanlyandrefinedyounggentleman，playingwatermanforspree，andIconcludedthatthiswasthecase。
IfeltthatImustmakesomeconversation；soIpointedtotheSurreybank，whereInoticedsomelightplankstagesrunningdowntheforeshore，withwindlassesatthelandwardendofthem，andsaid“Whataretheydoingwiththosethingshere？IfwewereontheTay，Ishouldhavesaidthattheywerefordrawingthesalmon-nets；buthere——“
“Well，“saidhe，smiling，“ofcoursethatiswhatthey_are_for。
Wheretherearesalmon，therearelikelytobesalmon-nets，TayorThames；butofcoursetheyarenotalwaysinuse；wedon'twantsalmon_every_dayottheseason。“
Iwasgoingtosay，“ButisthistheThames？“butheldmypeaceinmywonder，andturnedmybewilderedeyeseastwardtolookatthebridgeagain，andthencetotheshoresoftheLondonriver；andsurelytherewasenoughtoastonishme。Forthoughtherewasabridgeacrossthestreamandhousesonitsbanks，howallthiswaschangedfromlastnight！Thesoap-workswiththeirsmoke-vomitingchimneysweregone；
theengineer'sworksgone；thelead-worksgone；andnosoundofrivetingandhammeringcamedownthewestwindfromThorneycroft's。
Thenthebridge！Ihadperhapsdreamedofsuchabridge，butneverseensuchasoneoutofandreamedofsuchabridge，butneverseensuchasoneoutofanilluminatedmanuscript；fornoteventhePonteVecchioatFlorencecameanywherenearit。Itwasofstonearches，splendidlysolid，andasgracefulastheywerestrong；highenoughalsotoletordinaryrivertrafficeasily。Overtheparapetshowedquaintandfancifullittlebuildings，whichIsupposedtobeboothsorshops，besetwithpaintedandgildedvanesandspirelets。thestonewasalittleweatheredbutshowednomarksofthegrimysootinesswhichIwasusedtooneveryLondonbuildingmorethanayearold。Inshort，tomeawonderofabridge。
Thescullernotedmyeagerastonishedlook，andsaid，asifinanswertomythoughts:
“Yes，it_is_aprettybridge，isn'tit？Eventheup-streambridges，whicharesomuchsmaller，arescarcelydaintier，andthedown-streamonesarescarcelymoredignifiedandstately。“
Ifoundmyselfsaying，almostagainstmywill，“Howoldisit？“
“O，notveryold“，hesaid；“itwasbuiltoratleastopened，in2003。
Thereusedtobearatherplaintimberbridgebeforethen。“
Thedateshutmymouthasifakeyhadbeenturnedinapadlockfixedtomylips；forIsawthatsomethinginexplicablehadhappened，andthatifIsaidmuch，Ishouldbemixedupinagameofcrossquestionsandcrookedanswers。SoItriedtolookunconcerned，andtoglanceinamatter-of-coursewayatthebanksoftheriver，thoughthisiswhatIsawuptothebridgeandalittlebeyond；sayasfarasthesiteofthesoap-works。Bothshoreshadalineofveryprettyhouses，lowandnotlarge，standingbackalittlewayfromtheriver；theyweremostlybuiltofredbrickandroofedwithtiles，andlooked，aboveall，comfortable，andasiftheywere，sotosay，alive，andsympatheticwiththelifeofthedwellersinthem。Therewasacontinuousgardeninfrontofthem，goingdowntothewater'sedge，inwhichtheflowerswerenowbloomingluxuriantly，andsendingdeliciouswavesofsummerscentovertheeddyingstream。Behindthehouses，icouldseegreattreesrising，mostlyplanes，andlookingdownthewatertherewerethereachestowardsPutneyalmostasiftheywerealakewithaforestshore，sothickwerethebigtrees；andIsaidaloud，butasiftomyself:
“Well，I'mgladthattheyhavenotbuiltoverBarnElms。“
Iblushedformyfatuityasthewordsslippedoutofmymouth，andmycompanionlookedatmewithahalfsmilewhichIthoughtIunderstood；
sotohidemyconfusionIsaid，“Pleasetakemeashorenow；Iwanttogetmybreakfast。“
Henodded，andbroughtherheadroundwithasharpstroke，andinatricewewereatthelanding-stageagain。HejumpedoutandIfollowedhim；andofcourseIwasnotsurprisedtoseehimwait，asiffortheinevitableafter-piecethatfollowsthedoingofaservicetoafellowcitizen。SoIputmyhandinmywaistcoat-pocket，andsaid，“Howmuch？“thoughstillwiththeuncomfortablefeelingthatperhapsIwasofferingmoneytoagentleman。
Helookedpuzzled，andsaid，“Howmuch？Idon'tquiteunderstandwhatyouareaskingabout。doyoumeanthetide？Ifso，itiscloseontheturnnow。“
Iblushed，andsaid，stammering，“Pleasedon'ttakeitamissifIaskyou；Imeannooffence:butwhatoughtItopayyou？YouseeIamastranger，anddon'tknowyourcustoms——oryourcoins。“
AndtherewithItookahandfulofmoneyoutofmypocket，asonedoesinaforeigncountry。Andbytheway，Isawthatthesilverhadoxidised，andwaslikeablackleadedstoveincolor。
Hestillseemedpuzzled，butnotatalloffended；andhelookedatthecoinswithsomecuriosity。Ithought，Wellafterall，he_is_awaterman，andisconsideringwhathemayventuretotake。heseemssuchanicefellowthatI'msureIdon'tgrudgehimalittleoverpayment。Iwonder，bytheway，whetherIcouldn'thirehimasaguideforadayortwo，sinceheissointelligent。
Therewithmynewfriendsaidthoughtfully:
“IthinkIknowwhatyoumean。YouthinkthatIhavedoneyouaservice；soyoufeelyourselfboundtogivemesomethingwhichIamnottogivetoaneighbour，unlesshehasdonesomethingspecialforme。Ihaveheardofthiskindofthing；butpardonmeforsaying，thatitseemstousatroublesomeandroundaboutcustom；andwedon'tknowhowtomanageit。Andyouseethisferryingandgivingpeoplecastsaboutthewaterismy_business_，whichIwoulddoforanybody；sototakegiftsinconnectionwithitwouldlookveryqueer。Besides，ifonepersongavemesomething，thenanothermight，andanother，andsoon；andIhopeyouwon'tthinkmerudeifIsaythatIshouldn'tknowwheretostowawaysomanymementosoffriendship。“
Andhelaughedloudandmerrily，asiftheideaofbeingpaidforhisworkwasaveryfunnyjoke。IconfessIbegantobeafraidthatthemanwasmad，thoughhelookedsaneenough；andIwasrathergladtothinkthatIwasagoodswimmer，sinceweweresoclosetoadeepseiftstream。However，hewentonbynomeanslikeamadman:
“Astoyourcoins，theyarecurious，butnotveryold；theyseemtobeallofthereignofVictoria；youmightgivethemtosomescantily-furnishedmuseum。Ourshasenoughofsuchcoins，besidesafairnumberofearlierones，manyofwhicharebeautiful，whereasthesenineteenthcenturyonesaresobeastlyugly，ain'tthey？WehaveapieceofEdwardIII。，withthekinginaship，andlittleleopardsandfleurs-de-lysallalongthegunwale，sodelicatelyworked。Yousee，“hesaid，withsomethingofasmirk，“Iamfondofworkinginigoldandfinemetals；thisbucklehereisanearlypieceofmine。“
NodoubtIlookedalittleshyofhimundertheinfluenceofthatdoubtastohissanity。Sohebrokeoffshort，andsaidinakindvoice:
“ButIseethatIamboringyou，andIaskyourpardon。For，nottomincematters，Icantellthatyou_are_astranger，andmustcomefromaplaceveryunlikeEngland。Butitalsoisclearthatitwon'tdotooverdoseyouwithinformationaboutthisplace，andthatyouhadbestsuckitinlittlebylittle。Further，Ishouldtakeitasverykindinyouifyouwouldallowmetobetheshowmanofournewworldtoyou，sinceyouhavestumbledonmefirst。Thoughindeeditwillbeamerekindnessonyourpart，foralmostanybodywouldmakeasgoodaguide，andmanymuchbetter。“
TherecertainlyseemednoflavourinhimofColneyHatch；andbesidesIthoughtIcouldeasilyshakehimoffifitturnedoutthathereallywasmad；soIsaid:
“Itisaverykindoffer，butitisdifficultformetoacceptit，unless——“Iwasgoingtosay，Unlessyouwillletmepayyouproperly；
butfearingtostirupcolneyHatchagain，Ichangedthesentenceinto，“IfearIshallbetakingyouawayfromyourwork——oryouramusement。“
“O，“hesaid，“don'ttroubleaboutthat，becauseitwillgivemeanopportunityofdoingagoodturntoafriendofmine，whowantstotakemyworkhere。HeisaweaverfromYorkshire，whohasratheroverdonehimselfbetweenhisweavingandhismathematics，bothindoorwork，yousee；andbeingagreatfriendofmine，henaturallycametometogethimsomeoutdoorwork。Ifyouthinkyoucanputupwithme，praytakemeasyourguide。“
Headdedpresently:“ItistruethatIhavepromisedtogoup-streamtosomespecialfriendsofmine，forthehay-harvest；buttheywon'tbereadyforusformorethanaweek:andbesides，youmightgowithme，youknow，andseesomeverynicepeople，besidesmakingnotesofourwaysinOxfordshire。Youcouldhardlydobetterifyouwanttoseethecountry。“
Ifeltmyselfobligedtothankhim，whatevermightcomeofit；andheaddedeagerly:
“Well，then，that'ssettled。Iwillgivemyfriendacall；heislivingintheGuestHouselikeyou，andifheisn'tupyet，heoughttobethisfinesummermorning。“
Therewithhetookalittlesilverbugle-hornfromhisgirdleandblewtwoorthreesharpbutagreeablenotesonit；andpresentlyfromthehousewhichstoodonthesiteofmyolddwellingofwhichmorehereafteranotheryoungmancamesaunteringtowardsus。Hewasnotsowell-lookingorsostronglymadeasmyscullerfriend，beingsandy-haired，ratherpale，andnotstout-built；buthisfacewasnotwantinginthathappyandfriendlyexpressionwhichIhadnoticedinhisfriend。Ashecameupsmilingtowardsus，IsawwithpleasurethatImustgiveuptheColneyHatchtheoryastothewaterman，fornotwomadmeneverbehavedastheydidbeforeasaneman。Hisdresswasofthesamecutasthefirstman's，thoughsomewhatgayer，thesurcoatbeinglightgreenwithagoldensprayembroideredonthebreast，andhisbeltbeingoffiligreesilver-work。
Hegavemegood-dayverycivilly，andgreetinghisfriendjoyously，said:
“Well，Dick，whatisitthismorning？AmItohavemywork，orratheryourwork？Idreamedlastnightthatwewereoffuptheriverfishing。“
“Allright，Bob，“saidmysculler；“youwilldropintomyplace，andifyoufindittoomuch，thereisGeorgeBrightlingonthelook-outforastrokeofworkandhelivesclosehandytoyou。Butsee，hereisastrangerwhoiswillingtoamusemeto-daybytakingmeashisguideaboutourcountryside，andyoumayimagineIdon'twanttolosetheopportunity；soyouhadbettertaketotheboatatoncelButinanycaseIshouldn'thavekeptyououtofitforlongsinceIamdueinthehayfieldsinafewdays。“
Thenewcomerrubbedhishandswithglee，butturningtome，saidinafriendlyvoice:
“Neighbour，bothyouandfriendDickarelucky，andwillhaveagoodtimeto-day，asindeedIshalltoo。Butyouhadbetterbothcomeinwithmeatonceandgetsomethingtoear，lestyoushouldforgetyourdinnerinyouramusement。IsupposeyoucameintotheGuestHouseafterIhadgonetobedlastnight？“
Inodded，notcaringtoenterintoalongexplanationwhichwouldhavelettonothing，andwhichintruthbythistimeIshouldhavebeguntodoubtmyself。AndweallthreeturnedtowardthedooroftheGuestHouse。
Chapter3
TheGuestHouseAndBreakfastThereinIlingeredalittlebehindtheotherstohaveastareatthishouse，which，asIhavetoldyou，stoodonthesiteofmyolddwelling。
Itwasalongishbuildingwithitsgableendsturnedawayfromtheroad，andlongtraceriedwindowscomingratherlowdownsetinthewallthatfacedus。Itwasveryhandsomelybuiltofredbrickwithaleadroof；andhighupabovethewindowsthereranafriezeoffiguresubjectsinbakedclay，verywellexecuted，anddesignedwithaforceanddirectnesswhichIhadnevernoticedinmodernworkbefore。ThesubjectsIrecognizedatonce，andindeedwasveryparticularlyfamiliarwiththem。
However，allthisItookininaminute；forwewerepresentlywithindoors，andstandinginahallwithafloorofmarblemosaicandanopentimberroof。Therewerenowindowsonthesideoppositetotheriver，butarchesbelowleadingintochambers，oneofwhichshowedaglimpseofagardenbeyond，andabovethemalongspaceofwallgailypaintedinfresco，Ithoughtwithsimilarsubjectstothoseofthefriezeoutside；everythingabouttheplacewashandsomeandgenerouslysolidastomaterial；andthoughitwasnotverylargesomewhatsmallerthanCrosbyHallperhaps，onefeltinitthatexhilaratingsenseofspaceandfreedomwhichsatisfactoryarchitecturealwaysgivestoananxiousmanwhoisinthehabitofusinghiseyes。
Inthispleasantplace，whichofcourseIknewtobethehallogtheGuestHouse，threeyoungwomenwereflittingtoandfro。AstheywerethefirstofthesexIhadseenonthiseventfulmorning，Inaturallylookedatthemveryattentively，andfoundthematleastasgoodasthegardens，thearchitecture，andthemalemen。Astotheirdress，whichofcourseItooknoteof，Ishouldsaythattheyweredecentlyveiledwithdrapery，andnotbundledupwithmillinery；thattheywereclothedlikewomen，notupholsteredlikearm-chairs，asmostwomenofourtimeare。Inshort，theirdresswassomewhatbetweenthatoftheancientclassicalcostumeandthesimplerformsofthefourteenth-centurygarments，thoughitwasclearlynotanimitationofeither:thematerialswerelightandgaytosuittheseason。Astothewomenthemselves，itwaspleasantindeedtoseethem，theyweresokindandhappy-lookinginexpressionofface，soshapelyandwell-knitofbodyandthoroughlyhealthy-lookingandstrong。Allwereatleastcomely，andoneofthemveryhandsomeandregularoffeature。Theycameuptousatoncemerrilyandwithouttheleastaffectationofshyness，andallthreeshookhandswithmeasifIwereafriendnewlycomebackfromalongjourney:thoughIcouldnothelpnoticingthattheylookedaskanceatmygarments；forIhadonmyclothesoflastnight，andatthebestwasneveradressyperson。
AwordortwofromRoberttheweaver，andtheybustledaboutonourbehoof，andpresentlycameandtookusbythehandsandledustoatableinthepleasantestcornerofthehall，whereourbreakfastwasspreadforus；and，aswesatdown，oneofthemhurriedoutbythechambersaforesaid，andcamebackagaininalittlewhilewithagreatbranchofroses，verydifferentinsizeandqualitytowhatHammersmithhadbeenwonttogrow，butveryliketheproduceofanoldcountrygarden。Shehurriedbackthenceintothebuttery，andcamebackoncemorewithadelicatelymadeglass，intowhichsheputtheflowersandsetthemdowninthemidstofourtable。Oneoftheothers，whohadrunoffalso，thencamebackwithabigcabbage-leaffilledwithstrawberries，someofthembarelyripe，andsaidasshesetthemonthetable，“There，now；IthoughtofthatbeforeIgotupthismorning；butlookingatthestrangerheregettingintoyourboat，Dickputitoutofmyhead；sothatIwasnotbefore_all_theblackbirds；however，thereareafewaboutasgoodasyouwillgetthemanywhereinHammersmiththismorning。“
Robertpattedherontheheadinafriendlymanner；andwefelltoonourbreakfast，whichwassimpleenough，butmostdelicatelycooked，andsetonthetablewithmuchdaintiness。Thebreadwasparticularlygood，andwasofseveraldifferentkinds，fromthebig，ratherclose，dark-coloured，sweet-tastingfarmhouseloaf，whichwasmosttomyliking，tothethinpipe-stemsofwheatencrust，suchasIhaveeateninTurin。
AsIwasputtingthefirstmouthfulsintomymouth，myeyecaughtacarvedandgildedinscriptiononthepanelling，behindwhatweshouldhavecalledtheHighTableinanOxfordcollegehall，andafamiliarnameinitforcedmetoreaditthrough。Thusitran:
“_Guestsandneighbours，onthesiteofthis_
_Guest-halloncestoodthelecture-roomofthe_
_HammersmithSocialists。Drinkaglassto_
_thememory！May_1962。“
ItisdifficulttotellyouhowIfeltasIreadthesewords，andI
supposemyfaceshowedhowmuchIwasmoved，forbothmyfriendslookedcuriouslyatme，andtherewassilencebetweenusforalittlewhile。
Presentlytheweaver，whowasscarcelysowellmanneredamanastheferryman，saidtomeratherawkwardly:
“Guest，wedon'tknowwhattocallyou:isthereanyindiscretioninaskingyourname？“
“Well，“saidI，“Ihavesomedoubtsaboutitmyself；sosupposeyoucallmeGuest，whichisafamilyname，youknow，andaddWilliamtoitifyouplease。“
Dicknoddedkindlytome；butashadeofanxiousnesspassedovertheweaver'sface，andhesaid:
“Ihopeyoudon'tmindmyasking，butwouldyoutellmewhereyoucomefrom？Iamcuriousaboutsuchthingsforgoodreasons，literaryreasons。“
Dickwasclearlykickinghimunderneaththetable；buthewasnotmuchabashed，andawaitedmyanswersomewhateagerly。Asforme，Iwasjustgoingtoblurtout`Hammersmith'，whenIbethoughtmewhatanentanglementofcrosspurposesthatwouldleadusinto；soItooktimetoinventaliewithcircumstance，guardedbealittletruth，andsaid:
“Yousee，IhavebeensuchalongtimeawayfromEuropethatthingsseemstrangetomenow；butIwasbornandbredontheedgeofEppingForest；WalthamstowandWoodford，towit。“
“Aprettyplacetoo，“brokeinDick；“averyjollyplace，nowthatthetreeshavehadtimetogrowagainsincethegreatclearingofhousesin1955。“
Quoththeirrepressibleweaver:“Dearneighbour，sinceyouknewtheForestsometimeago，couldyoutellmewhattruththereisintherumourthatinthenineteenthcenturythetreeswereallpollards？
Thiswascatchingmeonmyarchaeologicalnatural-historyside，andI
fellintothetrapwithoutanythoughtofwhereandwhenIwas；soI
beganonit，whileoneofthegirls，thehandsomeone，whohadbeenscatteringlittletwigsoflavenderandothersweet-smellingherbsaboutthefloor，cameneartolisten，andstoodbehindmewithherhandonmyshoulder，inwhichsheheldsomeoftheplantthatIusedtocallbalm:itsstrongsweetsmellbroughtbacktomymindmyveryearlydaysinthekitchen-gardenatWoodford，andthelargeblueplumswhichgrewonthewallbeyondthesweet-herbpatch，——aconnectionofmemorieswhichallboyswillseeatonce。
Istartedoff:“WhenIwasaboy，andforlongafter，exceptforapieceaboutQueenElizabeth'sLodge，andforthepartaboutHighBeech，theForestwasalmostentirelymadeupofpollardhornbeamsmixedwithhollythickets。ButwhentheCorporationofLondontookitoverabouttwenty-fiveyearsago，thetoppingandlopping，whichwasapartoftheoldcommoners'rights，cametoanend，andthetreeswerelettogrow。ButIhavenotseentheplacebnowformanyyearsmexceptonce，whenweLeaguerswereshockedtoseehowitwasbuilt-overamdaltered；andtheotherdayweheardthatthephilistinesweregoingtolandscape-gardenit。Butwhatyouweresayingaboutthebuildingbeingstoppedandthetreesgrowingisonlytoogoodnews；——onlyyouknow——“
AtthatpointIsuddenlyrememberedDick'sdate，andstoppedshortratherconfused。Theeagerweaverdidn'tnoticemyconfusion，butsaidhastily，asifhewerealmostawareofhisbreachofgoodmanners，“ButIsay，howoldareyou？“
Dickandtheprettygirlbothburstoutlaughing，asifRobert'sconductwereexcusableonthegroundsofeccentricity；andDicksaidamidsthislaughter:
“Holdhard，Bob；thisquestioningofguestswon'tdo。Why，muchlearningisspoilingyou。Youremindmeoftheradicalcobblersinthesillyoldnovels，who，accordingtotheauthors，werepreparedtotrampledownallgoodmannersinthepursuitofutilitarianknowledge。
Thefactis，Ibegintothinkthatyouhavesomuddledyourheadwithmathematics，andwithgrubbingintothoseidioticoldbooksaboutpoliticaleconomyhehe！，thatyouscarcelyknowhowtobehave。
Really，itisabouttimeforyoutotaketosomeopen-airwork，sothatyoumayclearawaythecobwebsfromyourbrain。“
Theweaveronlylaughedgood-humoredly；andthegirlwentuptohimandpattedhischeekandsaidlaughingly，“Poorfellow！hewasbornso。“
Asforme，iwasalittlepuzzled，butIlaughedalso，partlyforthecompany'ssake，andpartlywithpleasureattheirunanxioushappinessandgoodtemper；andbeforeRobertcouldmaketheexcusetomewhichhewasgettingready，Isaid:
“But，neighbours“Ihadcaughtupthatword，“Idon'tintheleastmindansweringquestions，whenIcandoso:askmeasmanyasyouplease；andastomyageI'mnotafinelady，youknow，sowhyshouldn'tItellyou？I'mhardonfifty-six。“
Inspiteoftherecentlectureongoodmanners，theweavercouldnothelpgivingalong“whew“ofastonishment，andtheothersweresoamusedbyhis_naivet巁thatthemerrimentflittedallovertheirfaces，thoughforcourtesy'ssakethayforboreactuallaughter；whileIlookedfromonetotheotherinapuzzledmanner，andatlastsaid:
“Tellme，please，whatisamiss:youknowIwanttolearnfromyou。
Andpleaselaugh；onlytellme。“
Well，they_did_laugh，andIjoinedthemagain，fortheabove-statedreasons。Butatlasttheprettywomansaidcoaxingly:
“Well，well，he_is_rude，poorfellow！butyouseeImayaswelltellyouwhatheisthinkingabout；hemeansthatyoulookratheroldforyourage。Butsurelythereneedbenowonderinthat，sinceyouhavebeentravelling；andclearlyfromallyouhavebeensaying，inunsocialcountries。Ithasoftenbeensaid，andnodoubttrulythatoneagesveryquicklyifonelivesamongstunhappypeople。AlsotheysaythatsouthernEnglandisagoodplaceforkeepinggoodlooks。“Sheblushedandsaid:“HowoldamI，doyouthink？“
“Well，“quothI，“Ihavealwaysbeentoldthatawomanisasoldasshtlooks，sowithoutoffenceorflattery，ishouldsaythatyouweretwenty“
Shelaughedmerrily，andsaid，“Iamwellservedoutforfishingforcompliments，sinceIhavetotellyouthetruth，towit，thatIamforty-two。“
Istaredather，anddrewmusicallaughterfromheragain；butImightwellstare，fortherewasnotacarefullineonherface；herskinwasassmoothasivory，hercheeksfullandround，herlipsasredastherosesshehadbroughtin；herbeautifularmswhichshehadbaredforwork，firmandwell-knitfromshouldertowrist。Sheblushedalittleundermygaze，thoughitwasclearthatshehadtakenmeforamanofeighty；sotopassitoffIsaid:
“Well，yousee，theoldsawisprovedrightagain，andIoughtnottohaveletyoutemptmeintoaskingyouarudequestion。“
Shelaughedagain，andsaid:“Well，lads，oldandyoung，Imustgettomywowrknow。Weshallberatherbusyherepresently；andIwanttoclearitoffsoon，forIbegantoreadaprettyoldbookyesterday，andIwanttogetonwithitthismorning；sogood-byeforthepresent。“
Shewavedahandtousk，andsteppedlightlydownthehall，takingasScottsaysatleastpartofthesunfromourtableasshewent。
Whenshewasgone，Dicksaid，“Now，guest，won'tyouaskaquestionortwoofourfriendhere？Itisonlyfairthatyoushouldhaveyourturn。“
“Ishallbeverygladtoanswerthem，“saidtheweaver。
“IfIaskyouanyquestions，sir，“saidI，“theywillnotbeveryseverelbutsinceIhearthatyouareaweaverIshouldliketoaskyousomethingaboutthatcraft，asIam——orwas——interestedinit。“
“O，“saidhe，“Ishallnotbeofmuchusetoyouthere，I'mafraid。I
onlydothemostmechanicalkindofweaving，andaminfactbutapoorcraftsman，unlikeDickhere。Thenbesidestheweaving，Idoalittlewithmachineprintingandcomposing，thoughIamlittleuseatthefinerkindsofprinting；andmoreovermachineprintingisbeginningtodieout，alongwiththewaningoftheplagueofbook-making，soihavehadtoturntootherthingsthatIhaveatastefor，andhavetakentomathematics；andalsoIamwritingasortofantiquarianbookaboutthepeaceableandprivatehistory，sotosay，oftheendofthenineteenthcentury，——moreforthesakeofgivingapictureofthecountrybeforthefightingbeganthanforanythingelse。ThatwaswhyIaskedyouthosequestionsaboutEppingForest。Youhaveratherpuzzledme，Iconfess，thoughyoourinformationwassointeresting。
Butlateron，Ihope，wemayhavesomemoretalktogether，whenourfriendDickisn'there。Iknowhethinksmeratheragrinder，anddespisesmefornotbeingverydeftwithmyhands:that'sthewaynowadays。FromwhatIhavereadofthenineteenthcenturyliteratureandIhavereadagooddeal，itiscleartomethatthisisakindofrevengeforthestupidityofthatday，whichdespisedeverybodywho_could_usehishands。But，Dick，oldfellow，_Nequidnimis！_Don'toverdoit！“
“Comenow，“saidDick，“AmIlikelyto？AmInotthemosttolerantmanintheworld？AmInotquitecontentedsolongasyoudon'tmakemelearnmathematicsorgointoyournewscienceofaesthetics，andletmedoalittlepracticalaestheticswithmygoldandsteel，andtheblowpipeandthenicelittlehammer？But，hillo！herecomeanotherquestionerforyou，mypoorguest。Isay，Bob，youmusthelpmedefendhimnow。“
“Here，Boffin，“hecriedout，afterapause；“hereweare，ifyoumusthaveit！“
Ilookedovermyshoulder，andsawsomethingflashandgleaminthesunlightthatlayacrossthehall；soIturnedround，andatmyeasesawasplendidfigureslowlysaunteringoverthepavement；amanwhosesurcoatwasembroideredmostcopiouslyaswellaselegantly，sothatthesunflashedbackfromhimasifhehadbeencladingoldenarmour。
Themanhimselfwastall，dark-haired，andexceedinglyhandsome，andthoughhisfacewaslesskindlyinexpressionthanthatoftheothers，hemovedwiththatsomewhathaughtymienwhichgreatbeautykisapttogivetobothmenandwomen。Hecameandsaatdownatourtablewithasmilingface，stretchingouthislonglegsandhanginghisarmoverthechairintheslowlygracefulwaywhichtallandwell-builtpeoplemayusewithoutaffectation。Hewasamanintheprimeoflife，butlookedashappyasachildwhohasjustgotanewtoy。Hebowedgracefullytomeandsaid:
“Iseeclearlythatyouaretheguest，ofwhomAnniehasjusttoldme，whohavecomefromsomedistantcountrythatdoesnotknowofus，orourwaysoflife。SoIdaresayyouwouldnotmindansweringmeafewquestion；foryousee——“
HereDickbrokein:“No，please，Boffin！letitaloneforthepresent。
Ofcourseyouwanttheguesttobehappyandcomfortable；andhowcanthatbeifhehastotroublehimselfwithansweringallsortsofquestionswhileheisstillconfusedwiththenewcustomsandpeopleabouthim？No，no:Iamgoingtotakehimwherehecanaskquestionshimself，andhavethemanswered；thatis，tomygreat-granfatherinBloomsbury:andIamsureyoucan'thaveanythingtosayagainstthat。
Soinsteadofbothering，youhadmuchbettergoouttoJamesAllen'sandgetacarriageforme，asIshalldrivehimupmyself；andpleasetellJimtoletmehavetheoldgrey，forIcandriveawherrymuchbetterthanacarriage。Jumpupoldfellow，anddon'tbedisappointed；
ourguestwillkeephimselfforyouandyourstories。“
IstaredatDick；forIwonderedathisspeakingtosuchadignified-lookingpersonagesofamiliarly，nottosaycurtly；forI
thoughtthatthisMr。Boffin，inspiteofhiswell-knownnameoutofdickens，mustbeattheleastasenatorofthesestrangepeople。
However，hegotupandsaid，“Allrightr，oldoar-wearer，whateveryoulike；thisisnotoneofmybusydays；andthough“withacondescendingbowtome“myplesureofatalkwiththislearnedguestisputoff，Iadmitthatheoughttoseeyourworthykinsmanassoonaspossible。Besides，perhapshewillbethebetterabletoanswer_my_questionsafterhisownhavebeenanswered。“
Andtherewithheturnedandswunghimselfoutofthehall。
Whenhewaswellgone，Isaid:“IsitwrongtoaskwhatMr。Boffinis？
whosename，bythewayremindsmeofmanypleasanthourspassedinreadingDickens。“
Dicklaughed。“Yes，yes，“saidhe:“asitdoesus，Iseeyoutaketheallusion。Ofcoursejosrealnameisnotboffin，butHenryJohnson；weonlycallhimBoffinasajoke，partlybecauseheisadustman，andpartlybecausehewilldresssoshowily，andgetasmuchgoldonhimasabaronoftheMiddleAges。Aswhyshouldhenotifhelikes？onlywearehisspecialfriends，youknow，soofcoursewejestwithhim。“
Iheldmytongueforsometimeafterthat；butDickwenton:
“Heisacapitalfellow，andyoucan'thelplikinghim；buthehasaweakness；hewillspendhistimeinwritingreactionarynovels，andisveryproudofgettingthelocalcolourright，ashecallsit；andashethinksyoucomefromsomeforgottencorneroftheearth，wherepeopleareunhappy，andconsequentlyinterestingtoastory-teller，hethinkshemightgetsomeinformationoutofyou。O，hewillbequitestraightforwardwithyou，forthatmatter。Onlyforyourowncomfortbewareofhim！“
“Well，Dick“saidtheweaver，doggedly，“Ithinkhisnovelsareverygood。“
“Ofcourseyoudo，“saidDick；“birdsofafeatherflocktogether；
mathematicsandantiquariannovelsstandonmuchthesamefooting。Butherehecomesagain。“
AndineffecttheGoldenDustmanhailedusfromthehall-door；soweallgotupandwentintotheporch，beforewhich，withastronggreyhorseintheshafts，stoodacarriagereadyforuswhichIcouldnothelpnoticing。Itwaslightandhandy，buthadnoneofthatsickeningvulgaritywhichIhadknownasinseparablefromthecarriagesofourtime，especiallythe`elegant'ones，butwasasgracefulandpleasantinlineasaWessexwagon。wegoin，DickandI。Thegirls，whohadcomeintotheporchtoseeusoff，wavedtheirhandstous；theweavernoddedkindly；thedustmanbowedasgracefullyasatroubadour；Dickshookthereins，andwewereoff。
Chapter4
AMarketByTheWayWeturnedawayfromtheriveratonce，andweresooninthemainroadthatrunsthroughHammersmith。ButIshouldhavehadnoguessastowhereIwas，ifIhadnotstartedfromthewaterside；forKingStreetwasgone，andthehighwayranthroughwidesunnymeadowsandgarden-liketillage。TheCreek，whichwecrossedatonce，hadbeenrescuedfromitsculvert，andaswewentoveritsprettybridgewesawitswaters，yetswollenbythetide，coveredwithgayboatsofdifferentsizes。Therewerehousesabout，someontheroad，someamongstthefieldswithpleasantlanesleadingdowntothem，andeachsurroundedbyateeminggarden。Theywereallprettyindesign，andassolidasmightbe，butcountrifiedinappearance，likeyeomen'sdwellings；someofthemofredbricklikethosebytheriver，butmoreoftimberandplaster，whichwerebythenecessityoftheirconstructionsolikemedievalhousesofthesamematerialsthatI
fairlyfeltasifIwerealiveinthefourteenthcentury；asensationhelpedoutbythecostumeofthepeoplethatwemetorpassed，inwhosedresstherewasnothing“modern“。Almosteverybodywasgailydressed，butespeciallythewomen，whoweresowell-looking，orevensohandsome，thatIcouldscarcelyrefrainmytonguefromcallingmycompanion'sattentiontothefact。SomefacesIsawthatwerethoughtful，andintheseInoticedgreatnobilityofexpression，butnonethathadaglimmerofunhappiness，andthegreaterpartwecameuponagoodmanypeoplewerefranklyandopenlyjoyous。
IthoughtIknewtheBroadwaybythelieoftheroadsthatstillmetthere。Onthenorthsideoftheroadwasarangeofbuildingsandcourtslow，butveryhandsomelybuiltandornamented，andinthatwayformingagreatcontrasttotheunpretentiousnessofthehousesroundabout；whileabovethislowerbuildingrosethesteeplead-coveredroofandthebuttressesandhigherpartofthewallofagreathall，ofasplendidandexuberantstyleofarchitecture，ofwhichonecansaylittlemorethanthatitseemedtometoembracethebestqualitiesoftheGothicofnorthernEuropewiththoseoftheSaracenicandByzantine，thoughtherewasnocopyingofanyoneofthesestyles。
Ontheother，thesouthside，oftheroadwasanoctagonalbuildingwithahighroof，notunliketheBaptistryatFlorenceinoutline，exceptthatitwassurroundedbyalean-tothatclearlymadeanarcadeorcloisterstoit；italsowasmostdelicatelyornamented。
Thiswholemassofarchitecturewhichwehadcomeuponsosuddenlyfromamidstthepleasantfieldswasnotonlyexquisitelybeautifulinitself，butitboreuponittheexpressionofsuchgenerosityandabundanceoflifethatIwasexhilaratedtoapitchthatIhadneveryetreached。Ifairlychuckledforpleasure。Myfriendseemedtounderstandit，andsatlookingonmewithapleasedandaffectionateinterest。Wehadpulledupamongstacrowdofcarts，whereinsathandsomehealthy-lookingpeople，men，women，andchildrenverygailydressed，andwhichwereclearlymarketcarts，astheywerefullofverytempting-lookingcountryproduce。
Isaid，“Ineednotaskifthisisamarker，forIseeclearlythatitis；butwhatmarketisitthatitissosplendid？Andwhatistheglorioushallthere，andwhatisthebuildingonthesouthside？“
“O，“saidhe，“itisjustourHammersmithmarket；andIamgladyoulikeitsomuch，forwearereallyproudofit。OfcoursethehallinsideisourwinterMote-House；forinsummerwemostlymeetinthefieldsdownbytheriveroppositeBarnElms。Thebuildingonourrighthandisourtheatre:Ihopeyoulikeit。“
“IshouldbeafoolifIdidn't，“saidI。
Heblushedalittleashesaid:“Iamgladofthat，too，becauseIhadahandinit；Imadethegreatdoors，whichareofdamascenedbronze。
Wewilllookatthemlaterintheday，perhaps:butweoughttobegettingonnow。Astothemarket，thisisnotoneofourbusydays；soweshalldobetterwithitanothertime，becauseyouwillseemorepeople。“
Ithankedhim，andsaid:“Arethesetheregularcountrypeople？Whatveryprettygirlsthereareamongstthem。“
AsIspoke，myeyecaughtthefaceofabeautifulwoman，tall，dark-haired，andwhite-skinned，dressedinaprettylight-greendressinhonouroftheseasonandthehotday，whosmiledkindlyonme，andmorekindlystill，Ithought，onDick；soIstoppedaminute，butpresentlywenton:
“IaskbecauseIdonotseeanyofthecountry-lookingpeopleIshouldhaveexpectedtoseeatamarket——Imeansellingthingsthere。“
“Idon'tunderstand，“saidhe，“whatkindofpeopleyouwouldexpecttosee；norquitewhatyoumeanby`country'people。ThesearetheneighboursandthatliketheyrunintheThamesvalley。Therearepartsoftheseislandswhicharerougherandrainierthanwearehere，andtherepeoplearerougherintheirdress；andtheythemselvesaretougherandmorehard-bittenthanwearetolookat。Butsomepeopleliketheirlooksbetterthanours；theysaytheyhavemorecharacterinthem——that'stheword。Well，it'samatteroftaste——anyhow，thecrossbetweenusandthemgenerallyturnsoutwell，“addedhe，thoughtfully。
Iheardhim，thoghmyeyeswereturnedawayfromhim，forthatprettygirlwasjustdisappearingthroughthegatewithherbigbasketofearlypeas，andIfeltthatdisappointedkindoffeelingwhichovertakesonewhenonehasseenaninterestingorlovelyfaceinthestreetswhichoneisneverlikelytoseeagain；andIwassilentalittle。AtlastIsaid:“WhatImeanis，thatIhaven'tseenanypoorpeopleabout——notone。“
Heknithisbrows，lookedpuzzled，andsaid:“No，naturally；ifanybodyispoorly，heislikelytobewithindoors，oratbestcrawlingaboutinthegarden；butIdon'tknowofanyonesickatpresent。Whyshouldyouexpecttoseepoorlypeopleontheroad？“
“No，no，“Isaid；“Idon'tmeansickpeople。Imeanpoorpeople，youknow；roughpeople。“
“No，“saidhe，smilingmerrily，“Ireallydonotknow。Thefactis，youmustcomealongquicktomygreat-grandfather，whowillunderstandyoubetterthanIdo。Comeon，Greylocks！“Therewithheshookthereins，andwejoggedalongmerrilyeastward。
Chapter5
ChildrenOnTheRoadPasttheBroadwaytherewerefewerhousesoneitherside。Wepresentlycrossedaprettylittlebrookthatranacrossapieceoflanddottedoverwithtrees，andawhileaftercametoanothermarketandtown-hall，asweshouldcallit。Althoughtherewasnothingfamiliartomeinitssurroundings，Iknewprettywellwherewewereandwasnotsurprisedwhenmyguidesaidbriefly，“KensingtonMarket。“
Justafterthiswecameintoashortstreetofhouses；orrather，onelonghouseoneithersideoftheway，builtoftimberandplaster，andwithaprettyarcadeoverthefootwaybeforeit。
QuothDick:“ThisisKensingtonproper。Peopleareapttogatherhereratherthick，fortheyliketheromanceofthewood；andnaturalistshauntit，too；foritisawildspotevenhere，whatthereisofit；
foritdoesnotgofartothesouth:itgoesfromherenorthwardandwestrightoverPaddingtonandalittlewaydownNottingHill:thenceitrunsnorth-easttoPrimroseHill，andsoon；ratheranarrowstripofitgetsthroughKingslandtoStoke-NewingtonandClapton，whereitspreadsoutalongtheheightsabovetheLeamarshes；ontheothersideofwhich，asyouknow，isEppingForestholdingoutahandtoit。ThispartwearejustcomingtoiscalledKensingtonGardens；thoughwhy`gardens'Idon'tknow。“
Iratherlongedtosay，“Well，Iknow；“butthereweresomanythingsaboutmewhichIdid_not_know，inspiteofhisassumptions，thatI
thoughtitbettertoholdmytongue。
Theroadplungedatonceintoabeautifulwoodspreadingoutoneitherside，butobviouslymuchfurtheronthenorthside，whereeventheoaksandsweetchestnutswereofagoodgrowth；whilethequicker-growingetreesamongstwhichIthoughttheplanesandsycamorestoonumerouswereverybigandfine-grown。
Itwasexceedinglypleasantinthedappledshadow，forthedaywasgrowingashotasneedbe，andthecoolnessandshadesoothedmyexcitedmindintoaconditionofdreamypleasure，sothatIfeltasifIshouldliketogoonforeverthroughthatbalmyfreshness。Mycompanionseemedtoshareinmyfeelings，andletthehorsegoslowerandslowerashesatinhalingthegreenforestscents，chiefamongstwhichwasthesmellofthetroddenbrackenneartheway-side。
RomanticasthisKensingtonwoodwas，however，itwasnotlonely。Wecameonmanygroupsbothcomingandgoing，orwanderingintheedgesofthewood。Amongsttheseweremanychildrenfromsixoreightyearsolduptosixteenorseventeend。Theyseemedtometobeespeciallyfinespecimensoftheirrace，andwereclearlyenjoyingthemselvestotheutmost；someofthemwerehangingaboutlittletentspitchedonthegreensward，andbysomeofthesefireswereburning，withpotshangingoverthemgipsyfashion。Dickexplainedtomethattherewerescatteredhousesintheforest，andindeedwecaughtaglimpseofoneortwo。Hesaidtheyweremostlyquitesmall，suchasusedtobecalledcottageswhentherewereslavesintheland，buttheywerepleasantenoughandfittingforthewood。
“Theymustbeprettywellstockedwithchildren，“saidI，pointingtothemanyyoungstersabouttheway。
“O，“saidhe，“thesechildrendonotallcomefromthenearhouses，thewoodlandhouses，butfromthecountrysidegenerally。Theyoftenmakeupparties，andcometoplayinthewoodsforweekstogetherinsummer-time，livingintents，asyousee。Weratherencouragethemtoit；theylearntodothingsforthemselves，andgettonoticethewildcreatures；and，yousee，thelesstheystewinsidehousesthebetterforthem。Indeed，Imusttellyouthatmanygrownpeoplewillgortoliveintheforeststhroughthesummer；thoughtheyforthemostpartgotothebiggerones，likeWindsor，ortheForestoftheDean，orthenorthernwastes。Apartfromtheotherpleasuresofititgivesthemalittleroughwork，whichIamsorrytosayisgettingsomewhatscarceforthelastfiftyyears。“
Hebrokeoff，andthensaid，“ItellyouallthisbecauseIseethatifItalkImustbeansweringquestions，whichyouarethinking，evenifyouarenotspeakingthemout；butmykinsmanwilltellyoumoreaboutit。“
IsawthatIwaslikelytogetoutofmydepthagain，andsomerelyforthesakeoftidingoveranawkwardnessandtosaysomething，I
said:“Well，theyoungstersherewillbeallthefresherforschoolwhenthesummergetsoverandtheyhavetogobackagain。“
“School？“hesaid；“yes，whatdoyoumeanbythatword？Idon'tseehowitcanhaveanythingtodowithchildren。Wetalk，indeed，ofaschoolofherring，andaschoolofpainting，andintheformersensewemighttalkofaschoolofchildren——butotherwise，“saidhe，laughing，“Imustownmyselfbeaten。“
Hangit！thoughtI，Ican'topenmymouthwithoutdiggingupsomenewcomplexity。Iwouldn'ttrytosetmyfriendrightinhisetymology；
andIthoughtIhadbestsaynothingabouttheboy-farmswhichIhadbeenusedtocallschools，asIsawprettyclearlythattheyhaddisappeared；andsoIsaidafteralittlefumbling，“Iwasusingthewordinthesenseofasystemofeducation。“
“Education？“saidhe，meditatively，“IknowenoughLatintoknowthatthewordmustcomefrom_educare_，toleadout；andIhavehearditused；butIhavenevermetanybodywhocouldgivemeaclearexplanationofwhatitmeans。“
YoumayimaginehowmynewfriendsfellinmyesteemwhenIheardthisfrankavowal；andIsaid，rathercontemptuously，“Well，educationmeansasystemofteachingyoungpeople。“
“Whynotoldpeoplealso？“saidhewithatwinkleinhiseye。“But，“
hewenton，“Icanassureyouourchildrenlearn，whethertheygothrougha`systemofteaching'ornot。Why，youwillnotfindoneofthesechildrenabouthere，boyorgirl，whocannotswim，andeveryoneofthemhasbeenusedtotumblingaboutthelittleforestponies——there'soneofthemnow！Theyallofthemknowhowtocook；
thebiggerladscanmow；manycanthatchanddooddjobsatcarpentering；ortheyknowhowtokeepshop。Icantellyoutheyknowplentyofthings。
“Yes，buttheirmentaleducation，theteachingoftheirminds，“saidI，kindlytranslatingmyphrase。
“Guest，“saidhe，“perhapsyouhavenotlearnedtodothesethingsI
havebeenspeakingabout；andifthat'sthecase，don'tyourunawaywiththeideathatitdoesn'ttakesomeskilltodothem，anddoesn'tgiveplentyofworkforone'smind；；youwouldchangeyouropinionifyousawaDorsetshireladthatching，forinstance。But，however，I
understandyoutobespeakingofbook-learning；andastothat，itisasimpleaffair。Mostchildren，seeingbookslyingabout，managetoreadbythetimetheyarefouryearsold；thoughIamtoldithasnotalwaysbeenso。Astowriting，wedonotencouragethemtoscrawltooearlythoughscrawlalittletheywill，becauseitgetstheminahabitofuglywriting；andwhat'stheuseofalotofuglywritingbeingdone，whenroughprintingcanbedonesoeasily。Youunderstandthathandsomewritingwelike，andmanypeoplewillwritetheirbooksoutwhentheymakethem，orgetthemwritten；Imeanbooksofwhichonlyafewcopiesareneeded——poems，andsuchlike，youknow。However，Iamwanderingfrommylambs；butyoumustexcuseme，forIaminterestedinthismatterofwriting，beingmyselfafairwriter。“
“Well，“saidI，“aboutthechildren；whentheyknowhowtoreadandwrite，don'ttheylearnsomethingelse——languages，forinstance？“
“Ofcourse，“hesaid；“sometimesevenbeforetheycanread，theycantalkFrench，whichisthenearestlanguagetalkedontheothersideofthewater；andtheysoongettoknowGermanalso，whichistalkedbyahugenumberofcommunesandcollegesonthemainland。Thesearetheprincipallanguageswespeakintheseislands，alongwithEnglishorWelsh，orIrisih，whichisanotherformofWelsh；；andchildrenpickthemupveryquickly，becausetheireldersallknowthem；andbesidesourguestsfromoverseaoftenbringtheirchildrenwiththem，andthelittleonesgettogether，andrubtheirspeechintooneanother。“
“Andtheolderlanguages？“saidI。
“Oyes，“saidhe，“theymostlylearnLatinandGreekalongwiththemodernones，whentheydoanythingmorethanmerelypickupthelatter。“
“Andhistory？“saidI；“howdoyouteachhistory？“
“Well，“saidhe，“whenapersoncanread，ofcoursehereadswhathelikesto；andhecaneasilygetsomeonetotellhimwhatarethebestbookstoreadonsuchorsuchasubject，ortoexplainwhathedoesn'tunderstandinthebookswhenheisreadingthem。“
“Well，“saidI，“whatelsedotheylearn？Isupposetheydon'talllearnhistory？“
“No，no，“saidhe；“somedon'tcareaboutit；infact，Idon'tthinkmanydo。Ihaveheardmygreat-grandfathersaythatitismostlyinperiodsofturmoilandstrifeandconfusionthatpeoplecaresomuchabouthistory；；andyouknow，“saidmyfriend，withanamiablesmile，“wearenotlikethatnowNo；manypeoplestudyfactsaboutthemakeofthingsandthemattersofcauseandeffect，sothatknowledgeincreasesonus，ifthatbegood；andsome，asyouheardaboutfriendBobyonder，willspendtimeovermathematics。'Tisnouseforcingpeople'stastes。“
SaidI:“Butyoudon'tmeanthatchildrenlearnallthesethings？“
Saidhe:“Thatdependsonwhatyoumeanbychildren；；andalsoyoumustrememberhowmuchtheydiffer。Asarule，theydon'tdomuchreading，exceptforafewstory-books，tilltheyareaboutfifteenyearsold；wedon'tencourageearlybookishness；thoughyou'llfindsomechildrenwho_will_taketobooksveryearly；whichperhapsisnotgoodforthem；butit'snousethwartingthem；andveryoftenitdoesn'tlastlongwiththem，andtheyfindtheirlevelbeforetheyaretwentyyearsold。Yousee，childrenaremostlygoventoimitatingtheirelders，andwhentheyseemostpeopleaboutthemengagedingenuinelyamusingwork，likehouse-buildingandstreet-paving，andgardeningandthelike，thatiswhattheywanttobedoing；soIdon'tthinkweneedfearhavingtoomanybook-learnedmen。“
WhatcouldIsay？Isatandheldmypeace，forfearoffreshentanglements。Besides，Iwasusingmyeyeswithallmymight，wonderingastheoldhorsejoggedon，whenIshouldcomeintoLondonproper，andwhatitwouldbelikenow。
Butmycompanioncouldn'tlethissubjectquitedrop，andwentonmeditatively:
“Afterall，Idon'tknowthatitdoesthemmuchharm，eveniftheydogrowupbook-students。Suchpeopleasthat，'tisagreatpleasureseeingthemsohappyoverworkwhichisnotmuchsoughtfor。Andbesides，thesestudentsaregenerallysuchpleasantpeople；sokindandsweettempered；sohumble，andatthesametimesoanxioustoteacheverybodyallthattheyknow。Really，IlikethosethatIhavemetprodigiously。“
Thisseemedtomesuch_very_queertalkthatIwasonthepointofaskinghimanotherquestion；whenjustaswecametothetopofarisingground，downalonggladeofthewoodonmyrightIcaughtsightofastatelybuildingwhoseoutlinewasfamiliartome，andI
criedout，“WestminsterAbbey！“
“Yes，“saidDick，“WestminsterAbbey——whatthereisleftofit。“
“Why，whathaveyoudonewithit？“quothIinterror。
“Whathave_we_donewithit？“saidhe；“nothingmuch，savecleanit。
Butyouknowthewholeoutsidewasspoiledcenturiesago:astotheinside，thatremainsinitsbeautyafterthegreatclearance，whichtookplaceoverahundredyearsago，ofthebeastlymonumentstofoolsandknaves，whichonceblockeditup，asgreat-grandfathersays。“
Wewentonalittlefurther，andIlookedtotherightagain，andsaid，inaratherdoubtfultoneofvoice，“whytherearetheHousesofParliament！Doyoustillusethem？“
Heburstoutlaughing，andwassometimebeforehecouldcontrolhimself；thenheclappedmeonthebackandsaid:
“Itakeyou，neighbour；youmaywellwonderatourkeepingthemstanding，andIknowsomethingaboutthat，andmyoldkinsmanhasgivenmebookstoreadaboutthestrangegamethattheyplayedthere。
Usethem！Well，yes，theyareusedforasortofsubsidiarymarket，andastorageplaceformanure，andtheyarehandyforthat，beingonthewater-side。Ibelieveitwasintendedtopullthemdownquiteatthebeginningofourdays；buttherewas，Iamtoldaqueerantiquariansocietywhichhaddonesomeserviceinpasttimes，andwhichstraightwaysetupitspipeagainsttheirdestruction，asithasdonewithmanyotherbuildings，whichmostpeoplelookonasworthless，andpublicnuisances；anditwassoenergetic，andhadsuchgoodreasonstogive，thatitgenerallygaineditspoint；andImustsaythatwhenallissaidIamgladofit:becauseyouknowattheworstthesesillyoldbuildingsserveasakindoffoiltothebeautifuloneswhichwebuildnow。Youwillseeseveralothersintheseparts；theplacemygreat-grandfatherlivesin，forinstance，andabigbuildingcalledSt。Paul's。Andyousee，inthismatterweneednotgrudgeafewpoorishbuildingsstanding，becausewecanalwaysbuildelsewhere；norneedwebeanxiousastothebreedingofpleasantworkinsuchmatters，forthereisalwaysroomformoreandmoreworkinanewbuilding，evenwithoutmakingitpretentious。Forinstance，elbow-room_within_doorsistomesodelightfulthatifI
weredriventoitIwouldalmostsacrificeout-doorspacetoit。Then，ofcourse，thereistheornament，which，aswemustallallow，mayeasilybeoverdoneinmerelivinghouses，butcanhardlybeinmote-hallsandmarkets，andsoforth。Imusttellyou，though，thatmygreat-grandfathersometimestellsmeIamalittlecrackedonthissubjectoffinebuilding；andindeedI_do_thinkthattheenergiesofmankindarechieflyofusetothemforsuchwork；forinthatdirectionIcanseenoendtothework，whileinmanyothersalimitdoesseempossible。“
Chapter6
ALittleShoppingAsHespoke，wecamesuddenlyoutofthewoodlandintoashortstreetofhandsomelybuilthouses，whichmycompanionnamedtomeatonceasPiccadilly:thelowerpartofthesehousesIshouldhavecalledshopos，ifithadnotbeenthat，asfarasIcouldsee，thepeoplewereignorantoftheartsofbuyingandselling。Waresweredisplayedintheirfinelydesignedfronts，asiftotemptpeoplein，andpeoplestoodandlookedatthem，orwentinandcameoutwithparcelsundertheirarms，justliketherealthing。Oneachsideofthestreetrananelegantarcadetoprotectfoot-passengers，asinsomeoftheoldItaliancities。Abouthalf-wayddown，ahugebuildingofthekindI
wasnowpreparedtoexpecttoldmethatthiswasacenterofsomekind，andhaditsspecialpublicbuildings。
SaidDick:“Here，yousee，isanothermarketonadifferentplanfrommostothers:theupperstoriesofthesehousesareusedforguest-houses；forpeoplefromalloverthecountryareapttodriftuphitherfromtimetotime，asfolksareverythickupontheground，whichyouwillseeevidenceofpresently，andtherearepeoplewhoarefondofcrowds，thoughIcan'tsaythatIam。“
Icouldn'thelpsmilingtoseehowlongatraditionsouldlast。HerewastheghostofLondonstillassertingitselfasacentre，——anintellectualcentre，foraughtIknew。However，Isaidnothing，exceptthatIaskedhimtodriveveryslowlyasthethingsintheboothlookedexceedinglypretty。
“Yes，“saidhe，“thisisaverygoodmarketforprettythings，andismostlykeptforthehandsomergoods，astheHouses-ofParliamentmarket，wheretheysetoutcabbagesandturnipsandsuchlikethings，alongwithbeerandtherougherkindofwine，issonear。“
Thenhelookedatmecuriously，andsaid，“Perhapsyouwouldliketodoalittleshopping，as'tiscalled。“
IlookedatwhatIcouldseeofmyroughblueduds，whichIhadplentyofopportunityofcontrastingwiththegayattireofthecitizenswehadcomeacross；andIthoughtthatif，asseemedlikely，Ishouldpresentlybeshownaboutasacuriosityfortheamusementofthismostunbusinesslikepeople，Ishouldliketolookalittlelesslikeadischargedship'spurser。Butinspiteofallthathadhappened，myhndwentdowntomypocketagainwheretomydismayitmetnothingmetallicexcepttworustyoldkeys，andIrememberedthatamidstourtalkintheguest-hallatHammersmithIhadtakenthecashoutofmypockettoshowtotheprettyAnnie，andhadleftitlyingthere。Myfacefellfiftypercent。，andDick，beholdingme，saidrathersharply:
“Hillo，Guest！what'sthematternow？isitawasp？“
“No，“saidI，“butI'veleftitbehind。“
“Well，“saidhe，“whateveryouhaveleftbehind，youcangetintothismarketagain，sodon'ttroubleyourselfaboutit。“
Ihadcometomysensesbythistime，andrememberingtheastoundingcustomsofthiscountry，hadnomindforanotherlectureonsocialeconomyandtheEdwardiancoinage；soIsaidonly:
“Myclothes——Couldn'tI？Yousee——Whatdoyouthinkcouldbedoneaboutthem？“
Hedidn'tseemintheleastinclinedtolaugh，butsaidquitegravely:
“Odon'tgetnewclothesyet。Youseemygreat-grandfatherisanantiquarian，andhewillwanttoseeyoujustasyouare。And，youknow，Imustn'tpreachtoyoubutsurelyitwouldn'tberightforyoutotakeawaypeople'spleasureofstudyingyourattire，byjustgoingandmakingyourselflikeeverybodyelse。“Youfeelthat，don'tyou？“
saidhe，earnestly。
Idid_not_feelitmydutytosetmyselfupforascarecrowamidstthisbeauty-lovingpeoplebutIsawIhadgotacrosssomeineradicableprejudice，andthatitwouldn'tdotoquarrelwithmynewfriend。SoI
merelysaid“Ocertainly，certainly。“
“Well，“saidhe，pleasantly，“youmayaswellseewhattheinsideoftheseboothsislike:thinkofsomethingyouwant。“
SaidI:“CouldIgetsometobaccoandapipe？“
“Ofcourse，“saidhe；“whatwasIthinkingof，notaskingyoubefore？
Well，Bobisalwaystellingmethatwenon-smokersareaselfishlot，andI'mafraidheisright。Butcomealong；hereisaplacejusthandy。“
Therewithhedrewreinandjumpeddown，andIfollowed。Averyhandsomewoman，splendidlycladinfiguredsilk，wasslowlypassingby，lookingintothewindowsasshewent。ToherquothDick:“Maiden，wouldyoukindlyholdourhorsewhilewegoinforalittlewhile？“
Shenoddedtouswithakindsmile，andfelltopattingthehorsewithherprettyhand。
“Whatabeautifulcreature！“saidItoDickasweentered。
“What，oldGreylocks？“saidhe，withaslygrin。
“No，no，“saidI；“Goldylocks，——thelady。“
“Well，sosheis，“saidhe。“TisagoodjobtherearesomanyofthemthateveryJackmayhavehisJill；elseIfearthatweshouldgetfightingforthem。Indeed，“sidhe，becomingverygrave，“Idon'tsaythatitdoesnothappenevennow，sometimes。Foryouknowloveisnotaveryreasonablething，andperversityandself-willarecommonerthansomeofourmoraliststhink。“Headded，inastillmoresombretone:“Yes，onlyamonthagotherewasamishapdownbyus，thatintheendcostthelivesoftwomenandawoman，and，asitwere，putoutthesunlightforusforawhile。Don'taskmeaboutitjustnow；I
maytellyouaboutitlateron。“
Bythistimewewerewithintheshoporbooth，whichhadacounter，andshelvesonthewalls，allveryneat，thoughwithoutanypretenceofshowiness，butotherwisenotverydifferenttowhatIhadbeenusedto。Withinwereacoupleofchildren——abrown-skinnedboyofabouttwelve，whosatreadingabook，andaprettylittlegirlofaboutayearolder，whowassittingalsoreadingbehindthecounter；theywereobviouslybrotherandsister。
“Goodmorning，littleneighbours，“saidDick。“Myfriendherewantstobaccoandapipe；canyouhelphim？-“
“Oyes，certainly，“saidthegirlwithasortofdemurealertnesswhichwassomewhatamusing。Theboylookedup，andfelltostaringatmyoutlandishattire，butpresentlyreddenedandturnedhishead，asifheknewthathewasnotbehavingprettily。
“Dearneighbour，“saidthegirl，withthemostsolemncountenanceofchildplayingatkeepingshop，“whattobaccoisitthatyouwouldlike？“
“Latakia，“quothI，feelingasifIwereassistingatachild'sgame，andwonderingwhetherIshouldgetanythingbutmake-believe。
Butthegirltookadaintylittlebasketfromashelfbesideher，wenttoajar，andtookoutalotoftobaccoandputthefilledbasketdownonthecounterbeforeme，whereIcouldbothsmellandseethatitwasexcellentLatakia。
“Butyouhaven'tweighedit，“saidI，“and——andhowmuchofitamItotake？“
“Why，“shesaid，“Iadviseyoutocramyourbag，becauseyoumaybegoingwhereyoucan'tgetLatakia，Whereisyourbag？“
Ifumbledabout，andatlastpulledoutmypieceofcottonprintwhichdoesdutywithmeforatobaccopouch。Butthegirllookedatitwithsomedisdain，andsaid:
“Dearneighbour，Icangiveyousomethingmuchbetterthanthatcottonrag。“Andshetrippeduptheshopandcamebackpresently，andasshepassedtheboywhisperedsomethinginhisear，andhenoddedandgotupandwentout。Thegirlheldupinherfingerandthumbaredmoroccobag，gailyembroidered，andsaid，“There，Ihavechosenoneforyou，andyouaretohaveit:itispretty，andwillholdalot。“
Therewithshefelltocrammingitwiththetobacco，andlaiditdownbymeandsaid，“Nowforthepipe:thatalsoyoumustletmechooseforyou；therearethreeprettyonesjustcomein。“