ThenhecaughtsightoftheHighlandbonnetwithitsribbons。
　　Hepickeditupgleefully，forgettingher。Shewentout。
　　WhenhewasnineteenhesuddenlylefttheCo-op。officeandgot，asituationinNottingham。Inhisnewplacehehadthirtyshillings，aweekinsteadofeighteen。Thiswasindeedarise。Hismotherand，hisfatherwerebrimmedupwithpride。EverybodypraisedWilliam。
　　Itseemedhewasgoingtogetonrapidly。Mrs。Morelhoped，withhisaid，tohelpheryoungersons。Anniewasnowstudying，tobeateacher。Paul，alsoveryclever，wasgettingonwell，havinglessonsinFrenchandGermanfromhisgodfather，theclergyman，whowasstillafriendtoMrs。Morel。Arthur，aspoiltandvery，good-lookingboy，wasattheBoardschool，buttherewastalk，ofhistryingtogetascholarshipfortheHighSchoolinNottingham。
　　WilliamremainedayearathisnewpostinNottingham。
　　Hewasstudyinghard，andgrowingserious。Somethingseemedtobe，frettinghim。Stillhewentouttothedancesandtheriverparties。
　　Hedidnotdrink。Thechildrenwereallrabidteetotallers。
　　Hecamehomeverylateatnight，andsatyetlongerstudying。
　　Hismotherimploredhimtotakemorecare，todoonething，oranother。
　　“Dance，ifyouwanttodance，myson;butdon’tthinkyoucan，workintheoffice，andthenamuseyourself，andTHEN
　　studyontopofall。Youcan’t;thehumanframewon’t，standit。Doonethingortheother——amuseyourselforlearnLatin;
　　butdon’ttrytodoboth。”
　　ThenhegotaplaceinLondon，atahundredandtwentyayear。
　　Thisseemedafabuloussum。Hismotherdoubtedalmostwhetherto，rejoiceortogrieve。
　　“TheywantmeinLimeStreetonMondayweek，mother，“hecried，hiseyesblazingashereadtheletter。Mrs。Morelfelteverything，gosilentinsideher。Hereadtheletter：，“’Andwillyoureply，byThursdaywhetheryouaccept。Yoursfaithfully——’，Theywantme，mother，atahundredandtwentyayear，anddon’tevenasktoseeme。
　　Didn’tItellyouIcoulddoit！，ThinkofmeinLondon！，AndI
　　cangiveyoutwentypoundsayear，mater。Wes’llallberolling，inmoney。”
　　“Weshall，myson，“sheansweredsadly。
　　Itneveroccurredtohimthatshemightbemorehurtathisgoing，awaythangladofhissuccess。Indeed，asthedaysdrewnearfor，hisdeparture，herheartbegantocloseandgrowdrearywithdespair。
　　Shelovedhimsomuch！，Morethanthat，shehopedinhimsomuch。
　　Almostshelivedbyhim。Shelikedtodothingsforhim：，sheliked，toputacupforhisteaandtoironhiscollars，ofwhichhewas，soproud。Itwasajoytohertohavehimproudofhiscollars。
　　Therewasnolaundry。Sosheusedtorubawayatthemwithherlittle，convexiron，topolishthem，tilltheyshonefromthesheerpressure，ofherarm。Nowshewouldnotdoitforhim。Nowhewasgoingaway。
　　Shefeltalmostasifheweregoingaswelloutofherheart。
　　Hedidnotseemtoleaveherinhabitedwithhimself。Thatwasthegrief，andthepaintoher。Hetooknearlyallhimselfaway。
　　Afewdaysbeforehisdeparture——hewasjusttwenty——heburnedhis，love-letters。Theyhadhungonafileatthetopofthekitchencupboard。
　　Fromsomeofthemhehadreadextractstohismother。Someofthem，shehadtakenthetroubletoreadherself。Butmostweretootrivial。
　　Now，ontheSaturdaymorninghesaid：
　　“Comeon，Postle，let’sgothroughmyletters，andyoucan，havethebirdsandflowers。”
　　Mrs。MorelhaddoneherSaturday’sworkontheFriday，becausehewashavingalastday’sholiday。Shewasmakinghim，aricecake，whichheloved，totakewithhim。Hewasscarcely，consciousthatshewassomiserable。
　　Hetookthefirstletteroffthefile。Itwasmauve-tinted，andhadpurpleandgreenthistles。Williamsniffedthepage。
　　“Nicescent！，Smell。”
　　AndhethrustthesheetunderPaul’snose。
　　“Um！”saidPaul，breathingin。”Whatd’youcallit？，Smell，mother。”
　　Hismotherduckedhersmall，finenosedowntothepaper。
　　“Idon’twanttosmelltheirrubbish，“shesaid，sniffing。
　　“Thisgirl’sfather，“saidWilliam，“isasrichasCroesus。
　　Heownspropertywithoutend。ShecallsmeLafayette，becauseI
　　knowFrench。’Youwillsee，I’veforgivenyou’——IlikeHERforgivingme。
　　’Itoldmotheraboutyouthismorning，andshewillhavemuch，pleasureifyoucometoteaonSunday，butshewillhavetoget，father’sconsentalso。Isincerelyhopehewillagree。Iwilllet，youknowhowittranspires。If，however，you——’“
　　“’Letyouknowhowit’what？”interruptedMrs。Morel。
　　“’Transpires’——ohyes！”
　　“’Transpires！’“repeatedMrs。Morelmockingly。”Ithought，shewassowelleducated！”
　　Williamfeltslightlyuncomfortable，andabandonedthismaiden，givingPaulthecornerwiththethistles。Hecontinuedtoread，extractsfromhisletters，someofwhichamusedhismother，someofwhichsaddenedherandmadeheranxiousforhim。
　　“Mylad，“shesaid，“they’reverywise。Theyknowthey’ve，onlygottoflatteryourvanity，andyoupressuptothemlike，adogthathasitsheadscratched。”
　　“Well，theycan’tgoonscratchingforever，“hereplied。
　　“Andwhenthey’vedone，Itrotaway。”
　　“Butonedayyou’llfindastringroundyourneckthatyou，can’tpulloff，“sheanswered。
　　“Notme！，I’mequaltoanyof’em，mater，theyneedn’t，flatterthemselves。”
　　“YouflatterYOURSELF，“shesaidquietly。
　　Soontherewasaheapoftwistedblackpages，allthatremained，ofthefileofscentedletters，exceptthatPaulhadthirtyor，fortyprettyticketsfromthecornersofthenotepaper——swallows，andforget-me-notsandivysprays。AndWilliamwenttoLondon，tostartanewlife。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THEYOUNGLIFEOFPAUL
　　PAULwouldbebuiltlikehismother，slightlyandrathersmall。
　　Hisfairhairwentreddish，andthendarkbrown;hiseyesweregrey。
　　Hewasapale，quietchild，witheyesthatseemedtolisten，andwith，afull，droppingunderlip。
　　Asaruleheseemedoldforhisyears。Hewassoconscious，ofwhatotherpeoplefelt，particularlyhismother。Whenshe，frettedheunderstood，andcouldhavenopeace。Hissoulseemed，alwaysattentivetoher。
　　Ashegrewolderhebecamestronger。Williamwastoofar，removedfromhimtoaccepthimasacompanion。Sothesmallerboy，belongedatfirstalmostentirelytoAnnie。Shewasatomboyanda，“flybie-skybie“ashermothercalledher。Butshewasintensely，fondofhersecondbrother。SoPaulwastowedroundattheheels，ofAnnie，sharinghergame。Sheracedwildlyatlerkywiththeother，youngwild-catsoftheBottoms。AndalwaysPaulflewbesideher，livinghershareofthegame，havingasyetnopartofhisown。
　　Hewasquietandnotnoticeable。Buthissisteradoredhim。
　　Healwaysseemedtocareforthingsifshewantedhimto。
　　Shehadabigdollofwhichshewasfearfullyproud，thoughnot，sofond。Soshelaidthedollonthesofa，andcovereditwith，anantimacassar，tosleep。Thensheforgotit。MeantimePaul，mustpractisejumpingoffthesofaarm。Sohejumpedcrashinto，thefaceofthehiddendoll。Annierushedup，utteredaloudwail，andsatdowntoweepadirge。Paulremainedquitestill。
　　“Youcouldn’ttellitwasthere，mother;youcouldn’ttellit，wasthere，“herepeatedoverandover。SolongasAnnieweptfor，thedollhesathelplesswithmisery。Hergriefworeitselfout。
　　Sheforgaveherbrother——hewassomuchupset。Butadayortwo，afterwardsshewasshocked。
　　“Let’smakeasacrificeofArabella，“hesaid。”Let’sburnher。”
　　Shewashorrified，yetratherfascinated。Shewantedtosee，whattheboywoulddo。Hemadeanaltarofbricks，pulledsomeof，theshavingsoutofArabella’sbody，putthewaxenfragmentsinto，thehollowface，pouredonalittleparaffin，andsetthewholething，alight。Hewatchedwithwickedsatisfactionthedropsofwaxmeltoff，thebrokenforeheadofArabella，anddroplikesweatintotheflame。
　　Solongasthestupidbigdollburnedherejoicedinsilence。
　　Attheendbepokedamongtheemberswithastick，fishedoutthearms，andlegs，allblackened，andsmashedthemunderstones。
　　“That’sthesacrificeofMissisArabella，“hesaid。”An’I’m，gladthere’snothingleftofher。”
　　WhichdisturbedAnnieinwardly，althoughshecouldsaynothing。
　　Heseemedtohatethedollsointensely，becausehehadbrokenit。
　　Allthechildren，butparticularlyPaul，werepeculiarly，againsttheirfather，alongwiththeirmother。Morelcontinued，tobullyandtodrink。Hehadperiods，monthsatatime，whenhe，madethewholelifeofthefamilyamisery。Paulneverforgot，cominghomefromtheBandofHopeoneMondayeveningandfinding，hismotherwithhereyeswollenanddiscoloured，hisfatherstanding，onthehearthrug，feetastride，hisheaddown，andWilliam，justhomefromwork，glaringathisfather。Therewasasilence，astheyoungchildrenentered，butnoneoftheelderslookedround。
　　Williamwaswhitetothelips，andhisfistswereclenched。
　　Hewaiteduntilthechildrenweresilent，watchingwithchildren’s，rageandhate;thenhesaid：
　　“Youcoward，youdaren’tdoitwhenIwasin。”
　　ButMorel’sbloodwasup。Heswungroundonhisson。
　　Williamwasbigger，butMorelwashard-muscled，andmadwithfury。
　　“Dossn’tI？”heshouted。”Dossn’tI？，Ha’emuchmoreo’
　　thychelp，myyoungjockey，an’I’llrattlemyfistaboutthee。
　　Ay，an’Ishollthat，dostsee？”
　　Morelcrouchedatthekneesandshowedhisfistinanugly，almostbeast-likefashion。Williamwaswhitewithrage。
　　“Willyer？”hesaid，quietandintense。”It’udbethe，lasttime，though。”
　　Moreldancedalittlenearer，crouching，drawingbackhisfist，tostrike。Williamputhisfistsready。Alightcameintohis，blueeyes，almostlikealaugh。Hewatchedhisfather。Anotherword，andthemenwouldhavebeguntofight。Paulhopedtheywould。
　　Thethreechildrensatpaleonthesofa。
　　“Stopit，bothofyou，“criedMrs。Morelinahardvoice。
　　“We’vehadenoughforONEnight。AndYOU，“
　　shesaid，turningontoherhusband，“lookatyourchildren！”
　　Morelglancedatthesofa。
　　“Lookatthechildren，younastylittlebitch！”hesneered。
　　“Why，whathaveIdonetothechildren，Ishouldliketoknow？
　　Butthey’relikeyourself;you’veput’emuptoyourowntricksand，nastyways——you’velearned’eminit，you’ave。”
　　Sherefusedtoanswerhim。Noonespoke。Afterawhilehe，threwhisbootsunderthetableandwenttobed。
　　“Whydidn’tyouletmehaveagoathim？”saidWilliam，whenhisfatherwasupstairs。”Icouldeasilyhavebeatenhim。”
　　“Anicething——yourownfather，“shereplied。
　　“’FATHER！’“repeatedWilliam。”CallHIMMYfather！”
　　“Well，heis——andso——“
　　“Butwhydon’tyouletmesettlehim？，Icoulddo，easily。”
　　“Theidea！”shecried。”Ithasn’tcometoTHATyet。”
　　“No，“hesaid，“it’scometoworse。Lookatyourself。
　　WHYdidn’tyouletmegiveithim？”
　　“BecauseIcouldn’tbearit，soneverthinkofit，“
　　shecriedquickly。
　　Andthechildrenwenttobed，miserably。
　　WhenWilliamwasgrowingup，thefamilymovedfromtheBottoms，toahouseonthebrowofthehill，commandingaviewofthevalley，whichspreadoutlikeaconvexcockle-shell，oraclamp-shell，beforeit。
　　Infrontofthehousewasahugeoldash-tree。Thewestwind，sweepingfromDerbyshire，caughtthehouseswithfullforce，andthetreeshriekedagain。Morellikedit。
　　“It’smusic，“hesaid。”Itsendsmetosleep。”
　　ButPaulandArthurandAnniehatedit。ToPaulitbecame，almostademoniacalnoise。Thewinteroftheirfirstyear，inthenewhousetheirfatherwasverybad。Thechildrenplayed，inthestreet，onthebrimofthewide，darkvalley，untileight，o’clock。Thentheywenttobed。Theirmothersatsewingbelow。
　　Havingsuchagreatspaceinfrontofthehousegavethechildren，afeelingofnight，ofvastness，andofterror。Thisterrorcame，infromtheshriekingofthetreeandtheanguishofthehomediscord。
　　OftenPaulwouldwakeup，afterhehadbeenasleepalongtime，awareofthudsdownstairs。Instantlyhewaswideawake。Thenhe，heardtheboomingshoutsofhisfather，comehomenearlydrunk，thenthe，sharprepliesofhismother，thenthebang，bangofhisfather’sfiston，thetable，andthenastysnarlingshoutastheman’svoicegothigher。
　　Andthenthewholewasdrownedinapiercingmedleyofshrieks，andcriesfromthegreat，wind-sweptash-tree。Thechildren，laysilentinsuspense，waitingforalullinthewindtohear，whattheirfatherwasdoing。Hemighthittheirmotheragain。
　　Therewasafeelingofhorror，akindofbristlinginthedarkness，andasenseofblood。Theylaywiththeirheartsinthegripofan，intenseanguish。Thewindcamethroughthetreefiercerandfiercer。
　　Allthechordsofthegreatharphummed，whistled，andshrieked。
　　Andthencamethehorrorofthesuddensilence，silenceeverywhere，outsideanddownstairs。Whatwasit？，Wasitasilenceofblood？
　　Whathadhedone？
　　Thechildrenlayandbreathedthedarkness。Andthen，atlast，theyheardtheirfatherthrowdownhisbootsandtrampupstairs，inhisstockingedfeet。Stilltheylistened。Thenatlast，ifthewindallowed，theyheardthewaterofthetapdrumminginto，thekettle，whichtheirmotherwasfillingformorning，andthey，couldgotosleepinpeace。
　　Sotheywerehappyinthemorning——happy，veryhappyplaying，dancingatnightroundthelonelylamp-postinthemidstof，thedarkness。Buttheyhadonetightplaceofanxietyintheirhearts，onedarknessintheireyes，whichshowedalltheirlives。
　　Paulhatedhisfather。Asaboyhehadaferventprivatereligion。
　　“Makehimstopdrinking，“heprayedeverynight。”Lord，letmy，fatherdie，“heprayedveryoften。”Lethimnotbekilledatpit，“
　　heprayedwhen，aftertea，thefatherdidnotcomehomefromwork。
　　Thatwasanothertimewhenthefamilysufferedintensely。
　　Thechildrencamefromschoolandhadtheirteas。Onthehob，thebigblacksaucepanwassimmering，thestew-jarwasintheoven，readyforMorel’sdinner。Hewasexpectedatfiveo’clock。Butfor，monthshewouldstopanddrinkeverynightonhiswayfromwork。
　　Inthewinternights，whenitwascold，andgrewdarkearly，Mrs。Morelwouldputabrasscandlestickonthetable，lighta，tallowcandletosavethegas。Thechildrenfinishedtheir，bread-and-butter，ordripping，andwerereadytogoouttoplay。
　　ButifMorelhadnotcometheyfaltered。Thesenseofhissitting，inallhispit-dirt，drinking，afteralongday’swork，notcoming，homeandeatingandwashing，butsitting，gettingdrunk，onanemptystomach，madeMrs。Morelunabletobearherself。Fromherthefeelingwas，transmittedtotheotherchildren。Sheneversufferedaloneanymore：
　　thechildrensufferedwithher。
　　Paulwentouttoplaywiththerest。Downinthegreattrough，oftwilight，tinyclustersoflightsburnedwherethepitswere。
　　Afewlastcolliersstraggledupthedimfieldpath。Thelamplighter，camealong。Nomorecollierscame。Darknessshutdownoverthevalley;
　　workwasdone。Itwasnight。
　　ThenPaulrananxiouslyintothekitchen。Theonecandlestill，burnedonthetable，thebigfireglowedred。Mrs。Morelsatalone。
　　Onthehobthesaucepansteamed;thedinner-platelaywaiting，onthetable。Alltheroomwasfullofthesenseofwaiting，waitingforthemanwhowassittinginhispit-dirt，dinnerless，somemileawayfromhome，acrossthedarkness，drinkinghimselfdrunk。
　　Paulstoodinthedoorway。
　　“Hasmydadcome？”heasked。
　　“Youcanseehehasn’t，“saidMrs。Morel，crosswiththe，futilityofthequestion。
　　Thentheboydawdledaboutnearhismother。Theyshared，thesameanxiety。PresentlyMrs。Morelwentoutandstrained，thepotatoes。
　　“They’reruinedandblack，“shesaid;“butwhatdoIcare？”
　　Notmanywordswerespoken。Paulalmosthatedhismother，forsufferingbecausehisfatherdidnotcomehomefromwork。
　　“Whatdoyoubotheryourselffor？”hesaid。”Ifhewants，tostopandgetdrunk，whydon’tyoulethim？”
　　“Lethim！”flashedMrs。Morel。”Youmaywellsay’lethim’。”
　　Sheknewthatthemanwhostopsonthewayhomefromworkisona，quickwaytoruininghimselfandhishome。Thechildrenwereyetyoung，anddependedonthebreadwinner。Williamgaveherthesenseofrelief，providingheratlastwithsomeonetoturntoifMorelfailed。But，thetenseatmosphereoftheroomonthesewaitingeveningswasthesame。
　　Theminutestickedaway。Atsixo’clockstilltheclothlay，onthetable，stillthedinnerstoodwaiting，stillthesamesense，ofanxietyandexpectationintheroom。Theboycouldnotstandit，anylonger。Hecouldnotgooutandplay。SoheranintoMrs。Inger，nextdoorbutone，forhertotalktohim。Shehadnochildren。
　　Herhusbandwasgoodtoherbutwasinashop，andcamehomelate。
　　So，whenshesawtheladatthedoor，shecalled：
　　“Comein，Paul。”
　　Thetwosattalkingforsometime，whensuddenly，theboyrose，saying：
　　“Well，I’llbegoingandseeingifmymotherwantsanerranddoing。”
　　Hepretendedtobeperfectlycheerful，anddidnottellhis，friendwhatailedhim。Thenheranindoors。
　　Morelatthesetimescameinchurlishandhateful。
　　“Thisisanicetimetocomehome，“saidMrs。Morel。
　　“Wha’sitmattertoyo’whattimeIcomewhoam？”heshouted。
　　Andeverybodyinthehousewasstill，becausehewasdangerous。
　　Heatehisfoodinthemostbrutalmannerpossible，and，whenhe，haddone，pushedallthepotsinaheapawayfromhim，tolayhis，armsonthetable。Thenhewenttosleep。
　　Paulhatedhisfatherso。Thecollier’ssmall，meanhead，withitsblackhairslightlysoiledwithgrey，layonthebarearms，andtheface，dirtyandinflamed，withafleshynoseandthin，paltrybrows，wasturnedsideways，asleepwithbeerandweariness，andnastytemper。Ifanyoneenteredsuddenly，oranoiseweremade，themanlookedupandshouted：
　　“I’lllaymyfistaboutthyy’ead，I’mtellin’thee，iftha，doesnastopthatclatter！，Dosthear？”
　　Andthetwolastwords，shoutedinabullyingfashion，usuallyatAnnie，madethefamilywrithewithhateoftheman。
　　Hewasshutoutfromallfamilyaffairs。Noonetoldhimanything。
　　Thechildren，alonewiththeirmother，toldherallaboutthe，day’shappenings，everything。Nothinghadreallytakenplacein，themuntilitwastoldtotheirmother。Butassoonasthefather，camein，everythingstopped。Hewaslikethescotchinthesmooth，happymachineryofthehome。Andhewasalwaysawareofthisfall，ofsilenceonhisentry，theshuttingoffoflife，theunwelcome。
　　Butnowitwasgonetoofartoalter。
　　Hewoulddearlyhavelikedthechildrentotalktohim，buttheycouldnot。SometimesMrs。Morelwouldsay：
　　“Yououghttotellyourfather。”
　　Paulwonaprizeinacompetitioninachild’spaper。
　　Everybodywashighlyjubilant。
　　“Nowyou’dbettertellyourfatherwhenbecomesin，“
　　saidMrs。Morel。”Youknowhowbecarriesonandsayshe’snever，toldanything。”
　　“Allright，“saidPaul。Buthewouldalmostratherhave，forfeitedtheprizethanhavetotellhisfather。
　　“I’vewonaprizeinacompetition，dad，“hesaid。
　　Morelturnedroundtohim。
　　“Haveyou，myboy？，Whatsortofacompetition？”
　　“Oh，nothing——aboutfamouswomen。”
　　“Andhowmuchistheprize，then，asyou’vegot？”
　　“It’sabook。”
　　“Oh，indeed！“
　　“Aboutbirds。”
　　“Hm——hm！“
　　Andthatwasall。Conversationwasimpossiblebetweenthe，fatherandanyothermemberofthefamily。Hewasanoutsider。
　　HehaddeniedtheGodinhim。
　　Theonlytimeswhenheenteredagainintothelifeofhisownpeople，waswhenheworked，andwashappyatwork。Sometimes，intheevening，hecobbledthebootsormendedthekettleorhispit-bottle。Then，healwayswantedseveralattendants，andthechildrenenjoyedit。
　　Theyunitedwithhiminthework，intheactualdoingofsomething，whenhewashisrealselfagain。
　　Hewasagoodworkman，dexterous，andonewho，whenhewasina，goodhumour，alwayssang。Hehadwholeperiods，months，almostyears，offrictionandnastytemper。Thensometimeshewasjollyagain。
　　Itwasnicetoseehimrunwithapieceofred-hotironinto，thescullery，crying：
　　“Outofmyroad——outofmyroad！”
　　Thenhehammeredthesoft，red-glowingstuffonhisirongoose，andmadetheshapehewanted。Orhesatabsorbedforamoment，soldering。Thenthechildrenwatchedwithjoyasthemetalsank，suddenlymolten，andwasshovedaboutagainstthenoseofthe，soldering-iron，whiletheroomwasfullofascentofburntresin，andhottin，andMorelwassilentandintentforaminute。Healways，sangwhenhemendedbootsbecauseofthejollysoundofhammering。
　　Andhewasratherhappywhenhesatputtinggreatpatchesonhis，moleskinpittrousers，whichhewouldoftendo，consideringthem，toodirty，andthestufftoohard，forhiswifetomend。
　　Butthebesttimefortheyoungchildrenwaswhenhemadefuses。
　　Morelfetchedasheafoflongsoundwheat-strawsfromtheattic。
　　Thesehecleanedwithhishand，tilleachonegleamedlikea，stalkofgold，afterwhichhecutthestrawsintolengthsof，aboutsixinches，leaving，ifhecould，anotchatthebottom，ofeachpiece。Healwayshadabeautifullysharpknifethatcould，cutastrawcleanwithouthurtingit。Thenhesetinthemiddle，ofthetableaheapofgunpowder，alittlepileofblackgrains，uponthewhite-scrubbedboard。Hemadeandtrimmedthestraws，whilePaulandAnnierifledandpluggedthem。Paullovedtosee，theblackgrainstrickledownacrackinhispalmintothemouth，ofthestraw，pepperingjollilydownwardstillthestrawwasfull。
　　Thenhebungedupthemouthwithabitofsoap——whichhegoton，histhumb-nailfromapatinasaucer——andthestrawwasfinished。
　　“Look，dad！”hesaid。
　　“That’sright，mybeauty，“repliedMorel，whowaspeculiarly，lavishofendearmentstohissecondson。Paulpoppedthefuseinto，thepowder-tin，readyforthemorning，whenMorelwouldtakeit，tothepit，anduseittofireashotthatwouldblastthecoaldown。
　　MeantimeArthur，stillfondofhisfather，wouldlean，onthearmofMorel’schairandsay：
　　“Tellusaboutdownpit，daddy。”
　　ThisMorellovedtodo。
　　“Well，there’sonelittle’oss——wecall’imTaffy，“hewouldbegin。
　　“An’he’safawce’un！”
　　Morelhadawarmwayoftellingastory。Hemadeonefeel，Taffy’scunning。
　　“He’sabrown’un，“hewouldanswer，“an’notveryhigh。
　　Well，hecomesi’th’stallwi’arattle，an’thenyo’’ear’imsneeze。
　　“’Ello，Taff，’yousay，’whatartsneezin’for？，Binta’ein’
　　somesnuff？’
　　“An’’esneezesagain。Thenheslivesupan’shoves’is’ead，onyer，thatcadin’。
　　“’What’swant，Taff？’yo’say。”
　　“Andwhatdoeshe？”Arthuralwaysasked。
　　“Hewantsabito’bacca，myduckie。”
　　ThisstoryofTaffywouldgooninterminably，andeverybody，lovedit。
　　Orsometimesitwasanewtale。
　　“An’whatdostthink，mydarlin’？WhenIwenttoputmycoat，onatsnap-time，whatshouldgorunnin’upmyarmbutamouse。
　　“’Heyup，theer！’，Ishouts。
　　“An’Iworjustintimeterget’imbyth’tail。”
　　“Anddidyoukillit？”
　　“Idid，forthey’reanuisance。Theplaceisfairsniedwi’’em。”
　　“An’whatdotheyliveon？”
　　“Thecornasthe’ossesdrops——an’they’llgetinyourpocketan’
　　eatyoursnap，ifyou’lllet’em——nomatterwhereyo’hingyourcoat——
　　theslivin’，nibblin’littlenuisances，fortheyare。”
　　ThesehappyeveningscouldnottakeplaceunlessMorel，hadsomejobtodo。Andthenhealwayswenttobedveryearly，oftenbeforethechildren。Therewasnothingremainingforhim，tostayupfor，whenhehadfinishedtinkering，andhadskimmed，theheadlinesofthenewspaper。
　　Andthechildrenfeltsecurewhentheirfatherwasinbed。
　　Theylayandtalkedsoftlyawhile。Thentheystartedasthelights，wentsuddenlysprawlingovertheceilingfromthelampsthatswung，inthehandsofthecollierstrampingbyoutside，goingtotake，thenineo’clockshift。Theylistenedtothevoicesofthemen，imaginedthemdippingdownintothedarkvalley。Sometimesthey，wenttothewindowandwatchedthethreeorfourlampsgrowing，tinierandtinier，swayingdownthefieldsinthedarkness。
　　Thenitwasajoytorushbacktobedandcuddlecloselyin，thewarmth。
　　Paulwasratheradelicateboy，subjecttobronchitis。
　　Theotherswereallquitestrong;sothiswasanotherreason，forhismother’sdifferenceinfeelingforhim。Onedayhecame，homeatdinner-timefeelingill。Butitwasnotafamilytomake，anyfuss。
　　“What’sthematterwithYOU？”hismotheraskedsharply。
　　“Nothing，“hereplied。
　　Butheatenodinner。
　　“Ifyoueatnodinner，you’renotgoingtoschool，“shesaid。
　　“Why？”heasked。
　　“That’swhy。”
　　Soafterdinnerhelaydownonthesofa，onthewarmchintz，cushionsthechildrenloved。Thenhefellintoakindofdoze。
　　ThatafternoonMrs。Morelwasironing。Shelistenedtothesmall，restlessnoisetheboymadeinhisthroatassheworked。Againrose，inherhearttheold，almostwearyfeelingtowardshim。Shehad，neverexpectedhimtolive。Andyethehadagreatvitalityinhisyoungbody。
　　Perhapsitwouldhavebeenalittlerelieftoherifhehaddied。
　　Shealwaysfeltamixtureofanguishinherloveforhim。
　　He，inhissemi-conscioussleep，wasvaguelyawareof，theclatteroftheironontheiron-stand，ofthefaintthud，thudontheironing-board。Onceroused，heopenedhiseyestosee，hismotherstandingonthehearthrugwiththehotironnear，hercheek，listening，asitwere，totheheat。Herstillface，withthemouthclosedtightfromsufferinganddisillusionand，self-denial，andhernosethesmallestbitononeside，andherblue，eyessoyoung，quick，andwarm，madehisheartcontractwithlove。
　　Whenshewasquiet，so，shelookedbraveandrichwithlife，butas，ifshehadbeendoneoutofherrights。Ithurttheboykeenly，thisfeelingaboutherthatshehadneverhadherlife’sfulfilment：
　　andhisownincapabilitytomakeuptoherhurthimwithasenseof，impotence，yetmadehimpatientlydoggedinside。Itwashischildishaim。
　　Shespatontheiron，andalittleballofspitbounded，racedoffthedark，glossysurface。Then，kneeling，sherubbed，theirononthesackliningofthehearthrugvigorously。Shewas，warmintheruddyfirelight。Paullovedthewayshecrouched，andputherheadononeside。Hermovementswerelightandquick。
　　Itwasalwaysapleasuretowatchher。Nothingsheeverdid，nomovementsheevermade，couldhavebeenfoundfaultwithby，herchildren。Theroomwaswarmandfullofthescentofhotlinen。
　　Laterontheclergymancameandtalkedsoftlywithher。
　　Paulwaslaidupwithanattackofbronchitis。Hedidnot，mindmuch。Whathappenedhappened，anditwasnogoodkicking，againstthepricks。Helovedtheevenings，aftereighto’clock，whenthelightwasputout，andhecouldwatchthefire-flamesspring，overthedarknessofthewallsandceiling;couldwatchhugeshadows，wavingandtossing，tilltheroomseemedfullofmenwhobattledsilently。
　　Onretiringtobed，thefatherwouldcomeintothesickroom。
　　Hewasalwaysverygentleifanyonewereill。Buthedisturbedthe，atmospherefortheboy。
　　“Areterasleep，mydarlin’？”Morelaskedsoftly。
　　“No;ismymothercomin’？”
　　“She’sjustfinishin’foldin’theclothes。Doyouwantanything？”
　　Morelrarely“thee’d“hisson。
　　“Idon’twantnothing。Buthowlongwillshebe？”
　　“Notlong，myduckie。”
　　Thefatherwaitedundecidedlyonthehearthrugforamoment，ortwo。Hefelthissondidnotwanthim。Thenhewenttothetop，ofthestairsandsaidtohiswife：
　　“Thischildt’saxin’forthee;howlongartgoin’tobe？”
　　“UntilI’vefinished，goodgracious！，Tellhimtogotosleep。”
　　“Shesaysyou’retogotosleep，“thefatherrepeatedgently，toPaul。
　　“Well，IwantHERtocome，“insistedtheboy。
　　“Hesayshecan’tgoofftillyoucome，“Morelcalleddownstairs。
　　“Eh，dear！，Ishan’tbelong。Anddostopshoutingdownstairs。
　　There’stheotherchildren——“
　　ThenMorelcameagainandcrouchedbeforethebedroomfire。
　　Helovedafiredearly。
　　“Shesaysshewon’tbelong，“hesaid。
　　Heloiteredaboutindefinitely。Theboybegantogetfeverish，withirritation。Hisfather’spresenceseemedtoaggravateall，hissickimpatience。AtlastMorel，afterhavingstoodlooking，athissonawhile，saidsoftly：
　　“Good-night，mydarling。”
　　“Good-night，“Paulreplied，turningroundinrelieftobealone。
　　Paullovedtosleepwithhismother。Sleepisstillmostperfect，inspiteofhygienists，whenitissharedwithabeloved。
　　Thewarmth，thesecurityandpeaceofsoul，theuttercomfortfrom，thetouchoftheother，knitsthesleep，sothatittakesthebody，andsoulcompletelyinitshealing。Paullayagainstherandslept，andgotbetter;whilstshe，alwaysabadsleeper，felllateron，intoaprofoundsleepthatseemedtogiveherfaith。
　　Inconvalescencehewouldsitupinbed，seethefluffy，horsesfeedingatthetroughsinthefield，scatteringtheirhay，onthetroddenyellowsnow;watchtheminerstroophome——small，blackfigurestrailingslowlyingangsacrossthewhitefield。
　　Thenthenightcameupindarkbluevapourfromthesnow。
　　Inconvalescenceeverythingwaswonderful。Thesnowflakes，suddenlyarrivingonthewindow-pane，clungthereamomentlikeswallows，thenweregone，andadropofwaterwascrawlingdowntheglass。
　　Thesnowflakeswhirledroundthecornerofthehouse，likepigeonsdashingby。Awayacrossthevalleythelittleblack，traincrawleddoubtfullyoverthegreatwhiteness。
　　Whiletheyweresopoor，thechildrenweredelightedifthey，coulddoanythingtohelpeconomically。AnnieandPaulandArthur，wentoutearlyinthemorning，insummer，lookingformushrooms，huntingthroughthewetgrass，fromwhichthelarkswererising，forthewhite-skinned，wonderfulnakedbodiescrouchedsecretlyin，thegreen。Andiftheygothalfapoundtheyfeltexceedinglyhappy：
　　therewasthejoyoffindingsomething，thejoyofacceptingsomething，straightfromthehandofNature，andthejoyofcontributingto，thefamilyexchequer。
　　Butthemostimportantharvest，aftergleaningforfrumenty，wastheblackberries。Mrs。Morelmustbuyfruitforpuddingson，theSaturdays;alsoshelikedblackberries。SoPaulandArthurscoured，thecoppicesandwoodsandoldquarries，solongasablackberry，wastobefound，everyweek-endgoingontheirsearch。Inthat，regionofminingvillagesblackberriesbecameacomparativerarity。
　　ButPaulhuntedfarandwide。Helovedbeingoutinthecountry，amongthebushes。Buthealsocouldnotbeartogohometohis，motherempty。That，hefelt，woulddisappointher，andhewould，havediedrather。
　　“Goodgracious！”shewouldexclaimastheladscamein，late，andtiredtodeath，andhungry，“whereverhaveyoubeen？”
　　“Well，“repliedPaul，“therewasn’tany，sowewentover，MiskHills。Andlookhere，ourmother！”
　　Shepeepedintothebasket。
　　“Now，thosearefineones！”sheexclaimed。
　　“Andthere’sovertwopounds-isn’tthereovertwopounds“？
　　Shetriedthebasket。
　　“Yes，“sheanswereddoubtfully。
　　ThenPaulfishedoutalittlespray。Healwaysbroughther，onespray，thebesthecouldfind。
　　“Pretty！”shesaid，inacurioustone，ofawomanaccepting，alove-token。
　　Theboywalkedallday，wentmilesandmiles，ratherthan，ownhimselfbeatenandcomehometoherempty-handed。Shenever，realisedthis，whilsthewasyoung。Shewasawomanwhowaited，forherchildrentogrowup。AndWilliamoccupiedherchiefly。
　　ButwhenWilliamwenttoNottingham，andwasnotsomuchat，home，themothermadeacompanionofPaul。Thelatterwas，unconsciouslyjealousofhisbrother，andWilliamwasjealousofhim。
　　Atthesametime，theyweregoodfriends。
　　Mrs。Morel’sintimacywithhersecondsonwasmoresubtleandfine，perhapsnotsopassionateaswithhereldest。Itwastherule，thatPaulshouldfetchthemoneyonFridayafternoons。Thecolliers，ofthefivepitswerepaidonFridays，butnotindividually。
　　Alltheearningsofeachstallwereputdowntothechiefbutty，ascontractor，andhedividedthewagesagain，eitherinthe，public-houseorinhisownhome。Sothatthechildrencould，fetchthemoney，schoolclosedearlyonFridayafternoons。
　　EachoftheMorelchildren——William，thenAnnie，thenPaul——hadfetched，themoneyonFridayafternoons，untiltheywentthemselvestowork。
　　Paulusedtosetoffathalf-pastthree，withalittlecalicobag，inhispocket。Downallthepaths，women，girls，children，andmen，wereseentroopingtotheoffices。
　　Theseofficeswerequitehandsome：，anew，red-brickbuilding，almostlikeamansion，standinginitsowngroundsattheendof，GreenhillLane。Thewaiting-roomwasthehall，along，bareroom，pavedwithbluebrick，andhavingaseatallround，againstthewall。
　　Heresatthecolliersintheirpit-dirt。Theyhadcomeupearly。
　　Thewomenandchildrenusuallyloiteredaboutontheredgravelpaths。
　　Paulalwaysexaminedthegrassborder，andthebiggrassbank，becauseinitgrewtinypansiesandtinyforget-me-nots。There，wasasoundofmanyvoices。ThewomenhadontheirSundayhats。
　　Thegirlschatteredloudly。Littledogsranhereandthere。
　　Thegreenshrubsweresilentallaround。
　　Thenfrominsidecamethecry“SpinneyPark——SpinneyPark。”
　　AllthefolkforSpinneyParktroopedinside。Whenitwastime，forBrettytobepaid，Paulwentinamongthecrowd。Thepay-room，wasquitesmall。Acounterwentacross，dividingitintohalf。
　　Behindthecounterstoodtwomen——Mr。Braithwaiteandhisclerk，Mr。Winterbottom。Mr。Braithwaitewaslarge，somewhatofthestern，patriarchinappearance，havingaratherthinwhitebeard。
　　Hewasusuallymuffledinanenormoussilkneckerchief，andright，uptothehotsummerahugefireburnedintheopengrate。
　　Nowindowwasopen。Sometimesinwintertheairscorchedthethroats，ofthepeople，cominginfromthefreshness。Mr。Winterbottom，wasrathersmallandfat，andverybald。Hemaderemarksthatwere，notwitty，whilsthischieflaunchedforthpatriarchaladmonitions，againstthecolliers。
　　Theroomwascrowdedwithminersintheirpit-dirt，menwhohad，beenhomeandchanged，andwomen，andoneortwochildren，andusually，adog。Paulwasquitesmall，soitwasoftenhisfatetobejammed，behindthelegsofthemen，nearthefirewhichscorchedhim。
　　Heknewtheorderofthenames——theywentaccordingtostallnumber。
　　“Holliday，“cametheringingvoiceofMr。Braithwaite。
　　ThenMrs。Hollidaysteppedsilentlyforward，waspaid，drewaside。
　　“Bower——JohnBower。”
　　Aboysteppedtothecounter。Mr。Braithwaite，largeandirascible，gloweredathimoverhisspectacles。
　　“JohnBower！”herepeated。
　　“It’sme，“saidtheboy。
　　“Why，youusedto’aveadifferentnosethanthat，“saidglossy，Mr。Winterbottom，peeringoverthecounter。Thepeopletittered，thinkingofJohnBowersenior。
　　“Howisityourfather’snotcome！”saidMr。Braithwaite，inalargeandmagisterialvoice。
　　“He’sbadly，“pipedtheboy。
　　“Youshouldtellhimtokeepoffthedrink，“pronouncedthe，greatcashier。
　　“An’nivermindifheputshisfootthroughyer，“saidamocking，voicefrombehind。
　　Allthemenlaughed。Thelargeandimportantcashierlooked，downathisnextsheet。
　　“FredPilkington！”hecalled，quiteindifferent。
　　Mr。Braithwaitewasanimportantshareholderinthefirm。
　　Paulknewhisturnwasnextbutone，andhisheartbegantobeat。
　　Hewaspushedagainstthechimney-piece。Hiscalveswereburning。
　　Buthedidnothopetogetthroughthewallofmen。
　　“WalterMorel！”cametheringingvoice。
　　“Here！”pipedPaul，smallandinadequate。
　　“Morel——WalterMorel！”thecashierrepeated，hisfinger，andthumbontheinvoice，readytopasson。
　　Paulwassufferingconvulsionsofself-consciousness，andcould，notorwouldnotshout。Thebacksofthemenobliteratedhim。
　　ThenMr。Winterbottomcametotherescue。
　　“He’shere。Whereishe？，Morel’slad？”
　　Thefat，red，baldlittlemanpeeredroundwithkeeneyes。
　　Hepointedatthefireplace。Thecollierslookedround，movedaside，anddisclosedtheboy。
　　“Hereheis！”saidMr。Winterbottom。
　　Paulwenttothecounter。
　　“Seventeenpoundselevenandfivepence。Whydon’tyou，shoutupwhenyou’recalled？”saidMr。Braithwaite。Hebanged，ontotheinvoiceafive-poundbagofsilver，theninadelicate，andprettymovement，pickedupalittleten-poundcolumnofgold，andplumpeditbesidethesilver。Thegoldslidinabrightstream，overthepaper。Thecashierfinishedcountingoffthemoney;
　　theboydraggedthewholedownthecountertoMr。Winterbottom，towhomthestoppagesforrentandtoolsmustbepaid。Herehe，sufferedagain。
　　“Sixteenan’six，“saidMr。Winterbottom。
　　Theladwastoomuchupsettocount。Hepushedforwardsome，loosesilverandhalfasovereign。
　　“Howmuchdoyouthinkyou’vegivenme？”askedMr。Winterbottom。
　　Theboylookedathim，butsaidnothing。Hehadnotthe，faintestnotion。
　　“Haven’tyougotatongueinyourhead？”
　　Paulbithislip，andpushedforwardsomemoresilver。
　　“Don’ttheyteachyoutocountattheBoard-school？”heasked。
　　“Nowtbutalgibbraan’French，“saidacollier。
　　“An’cheekan’impidence，“saidanother。
　　Paulwaskeepingsomeonewaiting。Withtremblingfingershe，gothismoneyintothebagandslidout。Hesufferedthetortures，ofthedamnedontheseoccasions。
　　Hisrelief，whenhegotoutside，andwaswalkingalongthe，MansfieldRoad，wasinfinite。Ontheparkwallthemossesweregreen。
　　Thereweresomegoldandsomewhitefowlspeckingundertheapple，treesofanorchard。Thecollierswerewalkinghomeinastream。
　　Theboywentnearthewall，self-consciously。Heknewmanyofthemen，butcouldnotrecognisethemintheirdirt。Andthiswasanew，torturetohim。
　　WhenhegotdowntotheNewInn，atBretty，hisfatherwasnot，yetcome。Mrs。Wharmby，thelandlady，knewhim。Hisgrandmother，Morel’smother，hadbeenMrs。Wharmby’sfriend。
　　“Yourfather’snotcomeyet，“saidthelandlady，inthepeculiar，half-scornful，half-patronisingvoiceofawomanwhotalkschiefly，togrownmen。”Sityoudown。”
　　Paulsatdownontheedgeofthebenchinthebar。
　　Somecollierswere“reckoning“——sharingouttheirmoney——inacorner;
　　otherscamein。Theyallglancedattheboywithoutspeaking。
　　AtlastMorelcame;brisk，andwithsomethingofanair，evenin，hisblackness。
　　“Hello！”hesaidrathertenderlytohisson。”Haveyoubestedme？
　　Shallyouhaveadrinkofsomething？”
　　Paulandallthechildrenwerebredupfierceanti-alcoholists，andhewouldhavesufferedmoreindrinkingalemonadebeforeall，thementhaninhavingatoothdrawn。
　　Thelandladylookedathimdehautenbas，ratherpitying，andatthesametime，resentinghisclear，fiercemorality。
　　Paulwenthome，glowering。Heenteredthehousesilently。
　　Fridaywasbakingday，andtherewasusuallyahotbun。Hismother，putitbeforehim。
　　Suddenlyheturnedonherinafury，hiseyesflashing：
　　“I’mNOTgoingtotheofficeanymore，“hesaid。
　　“Why，what’sthematter？”hismotheraskedinsurprise。
　　Hissuddenragesratheramusedher。
　　“I’mNOTgoinganymore，“hedeclared。
　　“Oh，verywell，tellyourfatherso。”
　　Hechewedhisbunasifhehatedit。
　　“I’mnot——I’mnotgoingtofetchthemoney。”
　　“ThenoneofCarlin’schildrencango;they’dbegladenough，ofthesixpence，“saidMrs。Morel。
　　ThissixpencewasPaul’sonlyincome。Itmostlywentinbuying，birthdaypresents;butitWASanincome，andhetreasuredit。
　　But——
　　“Theycanhaveit，then！”hesaid。”Idon’twantit。”
　　“Oh，verywell，“saidhismother。”Butyouneedn’tbullyME
　　aboutit。”
　　“They’rehateful，andcommon，andhateful，theyare，andI’mnotgoinganymore。Mr。Braithwaitedropshis’h’s’，an’
　　Mr。Winterbottomsays’Youwas’。”
　　“Andisthatwhyyouwon’tgoanymore？”smiledMrs。Morel。
　　Theboywassilentforsometime。Hisfacewaspale，hiseyes，darkandfurious。Hismothermoved，aboutatherwork，takingnonoticeofhim。
　　“Theyalwaysstan’infrontofme，so’sIcan’tgetout，“
　　hesaid。
　　“Well，mylad，you’veonlytoASKthem，“shereplied。
　　“An’thenAlfredWinterbottomsays，’Whatdotheyteachyou，attheBoard-school？’“
　　“TheynevertaughtHIMmuch，“saidMrs。Morel，“thatisafact——
　　neithermannersnorwit——andhiscunninghewasbornwith。”
　　So，inherownway，shesoothedhim。
　　Hisridiculoushypersensitivenessmadeher，heartache。Andsometimesthefuryinhiseyes，rousedher，madehersleepingsoulliftupitsheadamoment，surprised。
　　“Whatwasthecheque？”sheasked。
　　“Seventeenpoundselevenandfivepence，andsixteen，andsixstoppages，“repliedtheboy。”It’sagoodweek;
　　andonlyfiveshillingsstoppagesformyfather。”
　　Soshewasabletocalculatehowmuchherhusbandhadearned，andcouldcallhimtoaccountifhegavehershortmoney。
　　Morelalwayskepttohimselfthesecretoftheweek’samount。
　　Fridaywasthebakingnightandmarketnight。Itwasthe，rulethatPaulshouldstayathomeandbake。Helovedtostop，inanddraworread;hewasveryfondofdrawing。Anniealways，“gallivanted“onFridaynights;Arthurwasenjoyinghimselfasusual。
　　Sotheboyremainedalone。
　　Mrs。Morellovedhermarketing。Inthetinymarket-placeon，thetopofthehill，wherefourroads，fromNottinghamandDerby，IlkestonandMansfield，meet，manystallswereerected。Brakesran，infromsurroundingvillages。Themarket-placewasfullofwomen，thestreetspackedwithmen。Itwasamazingtoseesomanymen，everywhereinthestreets。Mrs。Morelusuallyquarrelledwith，herlacewoman，sympathisedwithherfruitman——whowasagabey，buthiswifewasabad’un——laughedwiththefishman——whowas，ascampbutsodroll——putthelinoleummaninhisplace，wascold，withtheodd-waresman，andonlywenttothecrockerymanwhenshe，wasdriven——ordrawnbythecornflowersonalittledish;thenshe，wascoldlypolite。
　　“Iwonderedhowmuchthatlittledishwas，“shesaid。
　　“Sevenpencetoyou。”
　　“Thankyou。”
　　Sheputthedishdownandwalkedaway;butshecouldnotleave，themarket-placewithoutit。Againshewentbywherethepots，laycoldlyonthefloor，andsheglancedatthedishfurtively，pretendingnotto。
　　Shewasalittlewoman，inabonnetandablackcostume。
　　Herbonnetwasinitsthirdyear;itwasagreatgrievancetoAnnie。
　　“Mother！”thegirlimplored，“don’twearthatnubblylittlebonnet。”
　　“ThenwhatelseshallIwear，“repliedthemothertartly。
　　“AndI’msureit’srightenough。”
　　Ithadstartedwithatip;thenhadhadflowers;nowwas，reducedtoblacklaceandabitofjet。
　　“Itlooksrathercomedown，“saidPaul。”Couldn’tyougive，itapick-me-up？”
　　“I’lljowlyourheadforimpudence，“saidMrs。Morel，andshe，tiedthestringsoftheblackbonnetvaliantlyunderherchin。
　　Sheglancedatthedishagain。Bothsheandherenemy，thepotman，hadanuncomfortablefeeling，asifthereweresomething，betweenthem。Suddenlyheshouted：
　　“Doyouwantitforfivepence？”
　　Shestarted。Herhearthardened;butthenshestoopedandtook，upherdish。
　　“I’llhaveit，“shesaid。
　　“Yer’lldomethefavour，like？”hesaid。”Yer’dbetterspit，init，likeyerdowheny’avesomethinggiveyer。”
　　Mrs。Morelpaidhimthefivepenceinacoldmanner。
　　“Idon’tseeyougiveitme，“shesaid。”Youwouldn’tletme，haveitforfivepenceifyoudidn’twantto。”
　　“Inthisflamin’，scrattlin’placeyoumaycountyerselflucky，ifyoucangiveyourthingsaway，“hegrowled。
　　“Yes;therearebadtimes，andgood，“saidMrs。Morel。
　　Butshehadforgiventhepotman。Theywerefriends。
　　Shedarenowfingerhispots。Soshewashappy。
　　Paulwaswaitingforher。Helovedherhome-coming。She，wasalwaysherbestso——triumphant，tired，ladenwithparcels，feelingrichinspirit。Heheardherquick，lightstepintheentry，andlookedupfromhisdrawing。
　　“Oh！”shesighed，smilingathimfromthedoorway。
　　“Myword，youAREloaded！”heexclaimed，puttingdownhisbrush。
　　“Iam！”shegasped。”ThatbrazenAnniesaidshe’dmeetme。
　　SUCHaweight！”
　　Shedroppedherstringbagandherpackagesonthetable。
　　“Isthebreaddone？”sheasked，goingtotheoven。
　　“Thelastoneissoaking，“hereplied。”Youneedn’tlook，I’venotforgottenit。”
　　“Oh，thatpotman！”shesaid，closingtheovendoor。
　　“YouknowwhatawretchI’vesaidhewas？，Well，Idon’tthinkhe’s，quitesobad。”
　　“Don’tyou？”
　　Theboywasattentivetoher。Shetookoffherlittle，blackbonnet。
　　“No。Ithinkhecan’tmakeanymoney——well，it’severybody’s，cryalikenowadays——anditmakeshimdisagreeable。”
　　“ItwouldME，“saidPaul。
　　“Well，onecan’twonderatit。Andheletmehave——howmuch，doyouthinkheletmehaveTHISfor？”
　　Shetookthedishoutofitsragofnewspaper，andstood，lookingonitwithjoy。
　　“Showme！”saidPaul。
　　Thetwostoodtogethergloatingoverthedish。
　　“ILOVEcornflowersonthings，“saidPaul。
　　“Yes，andIthoughtoftheteapotyouboughtme——“
　　“Oneandthree，“saidPaul。
　　“Fivepence！”
　　“It’snotenough，mother。”
　　“No。Doyouknow，Ifairlysneakedoffwithit。ButI’d，beenextravagant，Icouldn’taffordanymore。Andheneedn’t，haveletmehaveitifhehadn’twantedto。”
　　“No，heneedn’t，needhe，“saidPaul，andthetwocomforted，eachotherfromthefearofhavingrobbedthepotman。
　　“Wec’nhavestewedfruitinit，“saidPaul。
　　“Orcustard，orajelly，“saidhismother。
　　“Orradishesandlettuce，“saidhe。
　　“Don’tforgetthatbread，“shesaid，hervoicebrightwithglee。
　　Paullookedintheoven;tappedtheloafonthebase。
　　“It’sdone，“hesaid，givingittoher。
　　Shetappeditalso。
　　“Yes，“shereplied，goingtounpackherbag。”Oh，andI’m，awicked，extravagantwoman。IknowIs’llcometowant。”
　　Hehoppedtohersideeagerly，toseeherlatestextravagance。
　　Sheunfoldedanotherlumpofnewspaperanddisclosedsomerootsof，pansiesandofcrimsondaisies。
　　“Fourpenn’orth！”shemoaned。
　　“HowCHEAP！”hecried。
　　“Yes，butIcouldn’tafforditTHISweekofallweeks。”
　　“Butlovely！”hecried。
　　“Aren’tthey！”sheexclaimed，givingwaytopurejoy。
　　“Paul，lookatthisyellowone，isn’tit——andafacejustlikean，oldman！”
　　“Just！”criedPaul，stoopingtosniff。”Andsmellsthatnice！
　　Buthe’sabitsplashed。”
　　Heraninthescullery，camebackwiththeflannel，andcarefully，washedthepansy。
　　“NOWlookathimnowhe’swet！”hesaid。
　　“Yes！”sheexclaimed，brimfulofsatisfaction。
　　ThechildrenofScargillStreetfeltquiteselect。Atthe，endwheretheMorelslivedtherewerenotmanyyoungthings。
　　Sothefewweremoreunited。Boysandgirlsplayedtogether，thegirlsjoininginthefightsandtheroughgames，theboystaking，partinthedancinggamesandringsandmake-beliefofthegirls。
　　AnnieandPaulandArthurlovedthewinterevenings，whenitwasnotwet。Theystayedindoorstillthecolliers，wereallgonehome，tillitwasthickdark，andthestreetwould，bedeserted。Thentheytiedtheirscarvesroundtheirnecks，fortheyscornedovercoats，asallthecolliers’childrendid，andwentout。Theentrywasverydark，andattheendthewhole，greatnightopenedout，inahollow，withalittletangleoflights，belowwhereMintonpitlay，andanotherfarawayoppositeforSelby。
　　Thefarthesttinylightsseemedtostretchoutthedarknessforever。
　　Thechildrenlookedanxiouslydowntheroadattheonelamp-post，whichstoodattheendofthefieldpath。Ifthelittle，luminousspaceweredeserted，thetwoboysfeltgenuinedesolation。
　　Theystoodwiththeirhandsintheirpocketsunderthelamp，turningtheirbacksonthenight，quitemiserable，watchingthe，darkhouses。Suddenlyapinaforeunderashortcoatwasseen，andalong-leggedgirlcameflyingup。
　　“Where’sBillyPillinsan’yourAnniean’EddieDakin？”
　　“Idon’tknow。”
　　Butitdidnotmattersomuch——therewerethreenow。Theyset，upagameroundthelamp-post，tilltheothersrushedup，yelling。
　　Thentheplaywentfastandfurious。
　　Therewasonlythisonelamp-post。Behindwasthegreatscoop，ofdarkness，asifallthenightwerethere。Infront，anotherwide，darkwayopenedoverthehillbrow。Occasionallysomebodycame，outofthiswayandwentintothefielddownthepath。Inadozen，yardsthenighthadswallowedthem。Thechildrenplayedon。
　　Theywerebroughtexceedinglyclosetogetherowingto，theirisolation。Ifaquarreltookplace，thewholeplaywasspoilt。
　　Arthurwasverytouchy，andBillyPillins——reallyPhilips——wasworse。
　　ThenPaulhadtosidewithArthur，andonPaul’ssidewentAlice，whileBillyPillinsalwayshadEmmieLimbandEddieDakintoback，himup。Thenthesixwouldfight，hatewithafuryofhatred，andfleehomeinterror。Paulneverforgot，afteroneofthesefierce，internecinefights，seeingabigredmoonliftitselfup，slowly，betweenthewasteroadoverthehilltop，steadily，likeagreatbird。
　　AndhethoughtoftheBible，thatthemoonshouldbeturnedtoblood。
　　AndthenextdayhemadehastetobefriendswithBillyPillins。
　　Andthenthewild，intensegameswentonagainunderthelamp-post，surroundedbysomuchdarkness。Mrs。Morel，goingintoherparlour，wouldhearthechildrensingingaway：
　　“MyshoesaremadeofSpanishleather，Mysocksaremadeofsilk;
　　Iweararingoneveryfinger，Iwashmyselfinmilk。”
　　Theysoundedsoperfectlyabsorbedinthegameastheirvoicescame，outofthenight，thattheyhadthefeelofwildcreaturessinging。
　　Itstirredthemother;andsheunderstoodwhentheycameinateight，o’clock，ruddy，withbrillianteyes，andquick，passionatespeech。
　　TheyalllovedtheScargillStreethouseforitsopenness，forthegreatscallopoftheworldithadinview。Onsummerevenings，thewomenwouldstandagainstthefieldfence，gossiping，facing，thewest，watchingthesunsetsflarequicklyout，tilltheDerbyshire，hillsridgedacrossthecrimsonfaraway，liketheblackcrest，ofanewt。
　　Inthissummerseasonthepitsneverturnedfulltime，particularlythesoftcoal。Mrs。Dakin，wholivednextdoor，toMrs。Morel，goingtothefieldfencetoshakeherhearthrug，wouldspymencomingslowlyupthehill。Shesawatoncethey，werecolliers。Thenshewaited，atall，thin，shrew-facedwoman，standingonthehillbrow，almostlikeamenacetothepoorcolliers，whoweretoilingup。Itwasonlyeleveno’clock。Fromthefar-off，woodedhillsthehazethathangslikefineblackcrapeattheback，ofasummermorninghadnotyetdissipated。Thefirstmancame，tothestile。”Chock-chock！”wentthegateunderhisthrust。
　　“What，han’yerknockedoff？”criedMrs。Dakin。
　　“Wehan，missis。”
　　“It’sapityastheyletnyergoo，“shesaidsarcastically。
　　“Itisthat，“repliedtheman。
　　“Nay，youknowyou’refligtocomeupagain，“shesaid。
　　Andthemanwenton。Mrs。Dakin，goingupheryard，spiedMrs。Moreltakingtheashestotheash-pit。
　　“IreckonMinton’sknockedoff，missis，“shecried。
　　“Isn’titsickenin！”exclaimedMrs。Morelinwrath。
　　“Ha！ButI’njustseedJontHutchby。”
　　“Theymightaswellhavesavedtheirshoe-leather，“
　　saidMrs。Morel。Andbothwomenwentindoorsdisgusted。
　　Thecolliers，theirfacesscarcelyblackened，weretrooping，homeagain。Morelhatedtogoback。Helovedthesunnymorning。
　　Buthehadgonetopittowork，andtobesenthomeagainspoilt，histemper。
　　“Goodgracious，atthistime！”exclaimedhiswife，asheentered。
　　“CanIhelpit，woman？”heshouted。
　　“AndI’venotdonehalfenoughdinner。”
　　“ThenI’lleatmybito’snapasItookwithme，“
　　hebawledpathetically。Hefeltignominiousandsore。
　　Andthechildren，cominghomefromschool，wouldwondertosee，theirfathereatingwithhisdinnerthetwothickslicesofrather，dryanddirtybread-and-butterthathadbeentopitandback。
　　“What’smydadeatinghissnapfornow？”askedArthur。
　　“Ishouldha’eitholledatmeifIdidna，“snortedMorel。
　　“Whatastory！”exclaimedhiswife。
　　“An’isitgoin’tobewasted？”saidMorel。”I’mnotsuch，aextravagantmortalasyoulot，withyourwaste。IfIdrop，abitofbreadatpit，inallthedustan’dirt，Ipickitupan’
　　eatit。”
　　“Themicewouldeatit，“saidPaul。”Itwouldn’tbewasted。”
　　“Goodbread-an’-butter’snotformice，either，“saidMorel。
　　“Dirtyornotdirty，I’deatitratherthanitshouldbewasted。”
　　“Youmightleaveitforthemiceandpayforitoutofyour，nextpint，“saidMrs。Morel。
　　“Oh，mightI？”heexclaimed。
　　Theywereverypoorthatautumn。Williamhadjustgoneaway，toLondon，andhismothermissedhismoney。Hesenttenshillingsonce，ortwice，buthehadmanythingstopayforatfirst。Hisletters，cameregularlyonceaweek。Hewroteagooddealtohismother，tellingherallhislife，howhemadefriends，andwasexchanging，lessonswithaFrenchman，howheenjoyedLondon。Hismotherfelt，againhewasremainingtoherjustaswhenhewasathome。Shewrote，tohimeveryweekherdirect，ratherwittyletters。Alldaylong，asshecleanedthehouse，shethoughtofhim。HewasinLondon：
　　hewoulddowell。Almost，hewaslikeherknightwhoworeHER
　　favourinthebattle。
　　HewascomingatChristmasforfivedays。Therehadnever，beensuchpreparations。PaulandArthurscouredtheland，forhollyandevergreens。Anniemadetheprettypaperhoops，intheold-fashionedway。Andtherewasunheard-ofextravagance，inthelarder。Mrs。Morelmadeabigandmagnificentcake。
　　Then，feelingqueenly，sheshowedPaulhowtoblanchalmonds。
　　Heskinnedthelongnutsreverently，countingthemall，toseenot，onewaslost。Itwassaidthateggswhiskedbetterinacoldplace。
　　Sotheboystoodinthescullery，wherethetemperaturewasnearly，atfreezing-point，andwhiskedandwhisked，andflewinexcitement，tohismotherasthewhiteofegggrewstifferandmoresnowy。
　　“Justlook，mother！，Isn’titlovely？”
　　Andhebalancedabitonhisnose，thenblewitintheair。
　　“Now，don’twasteit，“saidthemother。
　　Everybodywasmadwithexcitement。Williamwascomingon，ChristmasEve。Mrs。Morelsurveyedherpantry。Therewasabig，plumcake，andaricecake，jamtarts，lemontarts，andmince-pies——
　　twoenormousdishes。Shewasfinishingcooking——Spanishtarts，andcheese-cakes。Everywherewasdecorated。Thekissingbunch，ofberriedhollyhungwithbrightandglitteringthings，spunslowly，overMrs。Morel’sheadasshetrimmedherlittletartsinthekitchen。