Whentheyreachedthetown，myfatherwasrelievedatfindingthatMr。Balmyhadfriendsonwhomhewishedtocallbeforegoingtothetemple。Heaskedmyfathertocomewithhim，butmyfathersaidthathetoohadfriends，andwouldleavehimforthepresent，whilehopingtomeethimagainlaterintheday。Thetwo，therefore，shookhandswithgreateffusion，andwenttheirseveralways。Myfather’swaytookhimfirstintoaconfectioner’sshop，whereheboughtacoupleofSunchildbuns，whichheputintohispocket，andrefreshedhimselfwithabottleofSunchildcordialandwater。Allshopsexceptthosedealinginrefreshmentswereclosed，andthetownwasgailydecoratedwithflagsandflowers，oftenfestoonedintowordsoremblemsproperfortheoccasion。
Myfather，itbeingnowaquartertoeleven，madehiswaytowardsthetemple，andhisheartwascloudedwithcareashewalkedalong。
Notonlywashisheartclouded，buthisbrainalsowasoppressed，andhereeledsomuchonleavingtheconfectioner’sshop，thathehadtocatchholdofsomerailingstillthefaintnessandgiddinesslefthim。HeknewthefeelingtobethesameaswhathehadfeltontheFridayevening，buthehadnoideaofthecause，andassoonasthegiddinesslefthimhethoughttherewasnothingthematterwithhim。
Turningdownasidestreetthatledintothemainsquareofthetown，hefoundhimselfoppositethesouthendofthetemple，withitstwoloftytowersthatflankedtherichlydecoratedmainentrance。Iwillnotattempttodescribethearchitecture，formyfathercouldgivemelittleinformationonthispoint。Heonlysawthesouthfrontfortwoorthreeminutes，andwasnotimpressedbyit，saveinsofarasitwasrichlyornamented——evidentlyatgreatexpense——andverylarge。Evenifhehadhadalongerlook，IdoubtwhetherIshouldhavegotmoreoutofhim，forheknewnothingofarchitecture，andIfearhistestwhetherabuildingwasgoodorbad，waswhetheritlookedoldandweather-beatenorno。Nomatterwhatabuildingwas，ifitwasthreeorfourhundredyearsoldhelikedit，whereas，ifitwasnew，hewouldlooktonothingbutwhetheritkepttherainout。IndeedIhaveheardhimsaythatthemediaevalsculptureonsomeofourgreatcathedralsoftenonlypleasesusbecausetimeandweatherhavesettheirsealsuponit，andthatifwecouldseeitasitwaswhenitleftthemason’shands，weshouldfinditnobetterthanmuchthatisnowturnedoutintheEustonRoad。
Thegroundplanheregivenwillhelpthereadertounderstandthefewfollowingpagesmoreeasily。
a。Tablewithcashier’sseatoneitherside，andalms-boxinfront。Thepictureisexhibitedonascaffoldingbehindit。
b。Thereliquary。
c。ThePresident’schair。
d。Pulpitandlectern。
e。}
f。}Sidedoors。
g。}
h。}
i。Yram’sseat。
k。SeatsofGeorgeandtheSunchild。
o’Pillars。
A，B，C，D，E，F，G，H，blocksofseats。
I。Stepsleadingfromtheapsetothenave。
KandL。Towers。
M。Stepsandmainentrance。
N。Robing-room。
ThebuildingwasleduptobyaflightofstepsM，andonenteringitmyfatherfoundittoconsistofaspaciousnave，withtwoaislesandanapsewhichwasraisedsomethreefeetabovethenaveandaisles。Therewerenotransepts。Intheapsetherewasthetablea，withthetwobowlsofMusicalBankmoneymentionedonanearlierpage，asalsothealms-boxinfrontofit。
AtsomelittledistanceinfrontofthetablestoodthePresident’schairc，orImightalmostcallitthrone。Itwassoplacedthathisbackwouldbeturnedtowardsthetable，whichfactagainshewsthatthetablewasnotregardedashavinganygreatersanctitythantherestofthetemple。
Behindthetable，thepicturealreadyspokenofwasraisedaloft。
Therewasnoballoon；somecloudsthathungaboutthelowerpartofthechariotservedtoconcealthefactthatthepainterwasuncertainwhetheritoughttohavewheelsorno。Thehorseswerewithoutdriver，andmyfatherthoughtthatsomeoneoughttohavehadtheminhand，fortheywereinfartooexcitedastatetobeleftsafelytothemselves。Theyhadhardlyanyharness，butwhatlittletherewaswasenrichedwithgoldbosses。MymotherwasinErewhoniancostume，myfatherinEuropean，butheworehisclothesreversed。Bothheandmymotherseemedtobebowinggraciouslytoanunseencrowdbeneaththem，andinthedistance，nearthebottomofthepicture，wasafairlyaccuraterepresentationoftheSunch’stonnewtemple。Highup，ontherighthand，wasadisc，raisedandgilt，torepresentthesun；onit，inlowrelief，therewasanindicationofagorgeouspalace，inwhich，nodoubt，thesunwassupposedtolive；thoughhowtheymadeitalloutmyfathercouldnotconceive。
Ontherightofthetabletherewasareliquarybofglass，muchadornedwithgold，ormoreprobablygilding，forgoldwassoscarceinErewhonthatgildingwouldbeasexpensiveasathinplateofgoldwouldbeinEurope：butthereisnoknowing。Thereliquarywasattachedtoaportablestandsomefivefeethigh，andinsideitwastherelicalreadyreferredto。Thecrowdwassogreatthatmyfathercouldnotgetnearenoughtoseewhatitcontained，butI
maysayhere，thatwhen，twodayslater，circumstancescompelledhimtohaveacloselookatit，hesawthatitconsistedofaboutadozenfinecoprolites，depositedbysomeantediluviancreatureorcreatures，which，whateverelsetheymayhavebeen，werecertainlynothorses。
IntheapsetherewereafewcrossbenchesGandHoneitherside，withanopenspacebetweenthem，whichwaspartlyoccupiedbythePresident’sseatalreadymentioned。Thoseontheright，asonelookedtowardstheapse，werefortheManagersandCashiersoftheBank，whilethoseontheleftwerefortheirwivesanddaughters。
Inthecentreofthenave，onlyafewfeetinfrontofthestepsleadingtotheapse，wasahandsomepulpitandlecternd。Thepulpitwasraisedsomefeetabovetheground，andwassoroomythatthepreachercouldwalkaboutinit。OneithersideofittherewerecrossbencheswithbacksEandF；thoseontherightwerereservedfortheMayor，civicfunctionaries，anddistinguishedvisitors，whilethoseontheleftwerefortheirwivesanddaughters。
BencheswithbacksA，B，C，Dwereplacedabouthalf-waydownbothnaveandaisles——thoseinthenavebeingdividedsoastoallowafreepassagebetweenthem。Therestofthetemplewasopenspace，aboutwhichpeoplemightwalkattheirwill。Thereweresidedoorse，j，andf，hattheupperandlowerendofeachaisle。Overthemainentrancewasagalleryinwhichsingerswereplaced。
Asmyfatherwasworminghiswayamongthecrowd，whichwasnowverydense，hewasstartledatfindinghimselftappedlightlyontheshoulder，andturningroundinalarmwasconfrontedbythebeamingfaceofGeorge。
“Howdoyoudo，ProfessorPanky？“saidtheyouth——whohaddecidedthustoaddresshim。“Whatareyoudoinghereamongthecommonpeople？Whyhaveyounottakenyourplaceinoneoftheseatsreservedforourdistinguishedvisitors？Iamafraidtheymustbeallfullbythistime，butIwillseewhatIcandoforyou。Comewithme。”
“Thankyou。”saidmyfather。Hisheartbeatsofastthatthiswasallhecouldsay，andhefollowedmeekasalamb。
Withsomedifficultythetwomadetheirwaytotheright-handcornerseatsofblockC，foreveryseatinthereservedblockwastaken。TheplaceswhichGeorgewantedformyfatherandforhimselfwerealreadyoccupiedbytwoyoungmenofabouteighteenandnineteen，bothofthemwell-grown，andofprepossessingappearance。Myfathersawbythetruncheonstheycarriedthattheywerespecialconstables，buthetooknonoticeofthis，forthereweremanyothersscatteredaboutthecrowd。Georgewhisperedafewwordstooneofthem，andtomyfather’ssurprisetheybothgaveuptheirseats，whichappearontheplanask。
ItafterwardstranspiredthatthesetwoyoungmenwereGeorge’sbrothers，whobyhisdesirehadtakentheseatssomehoursago，foritwasherethatGeorgehaddeterminedtoplacehimselfandmyfatherifhecouldfindhim。Hechosetheseplacesbecausetheywouldbenearenoughtolethismotherwhowasati，inthemiddleofthefrontrowofblockE，totheleftofthepulpitseemyfatherwithoutbeingsonearastoembarrasshim；hecouldalsoseeandbeseenbyHanky，andheareverywordofhissermon；butperhapshischiefreasonhadbeenthefactthattheywerenotfarfromtheside-doorattheupperendoftheright-handaisle，whiletherewasnobarriertointerruptrapidegressshouldthisprovenecessary。
Itwasnowhightimethattheyshouldsitdown，whichtheyaccordinglydid。Georgesatattheendofthebench，andthushadmyfatheronhisleft。Myfatherwasratheruncomfortableatseeingtheyoungmenwhomtheyhadturnedout，standingagainstacolumncloseby，butGeorgesaidthatthiswashowitwastobe，andtherewasnothingtobedonebuttosubmit。Theyoungmenseemedquitehappy，whichpuzzledmyfather，whoofcoursehadnoideathattheiractionwaspreconcerted。
PankywasinthefirstrowofblockF，sothatmyfathercouldnotseehisfaceexceptsometimeswhenheturnedround。HewassittingontheMayor’srighthand，whileDr。Downiewasonhisleft；helookedatmyfatheronceortwiceinapuzzledway，asthoughheoughttohaveknownhim，butmyfatherdidnotthinkherecognisedhim。HankywasstillwithPresidentGurgoyleandothersintherobing-room，N；Yramhadalreadytakenherseat：myfatherknewherinamoment，thoughhepretendednottodosowhenGeorgepointedherouttohim。Theireyesmetforasecond；Yramturnedhersquicklyaway，andmyfathercouldnotseeatraceofrecognitioninherface。Atnotimeduringthewholeceremonydidhecatchherlookingathimagain。
“Why，youstupidman。”shesaidtohimlateroninthedaywithaquick，kindlysmile，“Iwaslookingatyouallthetime。AssoonasthePresidentorHankybegantotalkaboutyouIknewyouwouldstareathim，andthenIcouldlook。AssoonastheyleftofftalkingaboutyouIknewyouwouldbelookingatme，unlessyouwenttosleep——andasIdidnotknowwhichyoumightbedoing，I
waitedtilltheybegantotalkaboutyouagain。”
Myfatherhadhardlytakennoteofhissurroundingswhenthechoirbegansinging，accompaniedbyafewfeebleflutesandlutes，orwhateverthenameoftheinstrumentshouldbe，butwithnoviolins，forheknewnothingoftheviolin，andhadnotbeenabletoteachtheErewhoniansanythingaboutit。Thevoiceswereallinunison，andthetunetheysangwasonewhichmyfatherhadtaughtYramtosing；buthecouldnotcatchthewords。
Assoonasthesingingbegan，aprocession，headedbythevenerableDr。Gurgoyle，PresidentoftheMusicalBanksoftheprovince，begantoissuefromtherobing-room，andmovetowardsthemiddleoftheapse。ThePresidentwassumptuouslydressed，butheworenomitre，noranythingtosuggestanEnglishorEuropeanBishop。TheVice-
President，HeadManager，Vice-Manager，andsomeCashiersoftheBank，nowrangedthemselvesoneithersideofhim，andformedanimpressivegroupastheystood，gorgeouslyarrayed，atthetopofthestepsleadingfromtheapsetothenave。Heretheywaitedtillthesingersleftoffsinging。
Whenthelitany，orhymn，orwhateveritshouldbecalled，wasover，theHeadManagerleftthePresident’ssideandcamedowntothelecterninthenave，whereheannouncedhimselfasabouttoreadsomepassagesfromtheSunchild’sSayings。Perhapsbecauseitwasthefirstdayoftheyearaccordingtotheirnewcalendar，thereadingbeganwiththefirstchapter，thewholeofwhichwasread。
Myfathertoldmethathequitewellrememberedhavingsaidthelastverse，whichhestillheldastrue；hardlyawordoftherestwaseverspokenbyhim，thoughherecognisedhisowninfluenceinalmostallofit。Thereaderpaused，withgoodeffect，foraboutfivesecondsbetweeneachparagraph，andreadslowlyandveryclearly。Thechapterwasasfollows：-
ThesearethewordsoftheSunchildaboutGodandman。Hesaid-
1。Godisthebaselessbasisofallthoughts，things，anddeeds。
2。SothatthosewhosaythatthereisaGod，lie，unlesstheyalsomeanthatthereisnoGod；andthosewhosaythatthereisnoGod，lie，unlesstheyalsomeanthatthereisaGod。
3。ItisverytruetosaythatmanismadeafterthelikenessofGod；andyetitisveryuntruetosaythis。
4。Godlivesandmovesineveryatomthroughouttheuniverse。
ThereforeitiswrongtothinkofHimas’Him’and’He，’saveasbytheclutchingofadrowningmanatastraw。
5。GodisGodtousonlysolongaswecannotseeHim。WhenweareneartoseeingHimHevanishes，andwebeholdNatureinHisstead。
6。WeapproachHimmostnearlywhenwethinkofHimasourexpressionforMan’shighestconception，ofgoodness，wisdom，andpower。ButwecannotrisetoHimabovethelevelofourownhighestselves。
7。WeremoveourselvesmostfarfromHimwhenweinvestHimwithhumanformandattributes。
8。Myfatherthesun，theearth，themoon，andallplanetsthatrollroundmyfather，aretoGodbutasasinglecellinourbodiestoourselves。
9。Heisasmuchabovemyfather，asmyfatherisabovemenandwomen。
10。TheuniverseisinstinctwiththemindofGod。ThemindofGodisinallthathasmindthroughoutallworlds。ThereisnoGodbuttheUniverse，andman，inthisworldisHisprophet。
11。God’sconsciouslife，nascent，sofarasthisworldisconcerned，intheinfusoria，adolescentinthehighermammals，approachesmaturityonthisearthinman。Alltheselivingbeingsaremembersoneofanother，andofGod。
12。Therefore，asmancannotlivewithoutGodintheworld，soneithercanGodliveinthisworldwithoutmankind。
13。IfwespeakillofGodinourignoranceitmaybeforgivenus；
butifwespeakillofHisHolySpiritindwellingingoodmenandwomenitmaynotbeforgivenus。”
TheHeadManagernowresumedhisplacebyPresidentGurgoyle’sside，andthePresidentinthenameofhisMajestytheKingdeclaredthetempletobeherebydedicatedtothecontemplationoftheSunchildandthebetterexpositionofhisteaching。Thiswasallthatwassaid。Thereliquarywasthenbroughtforwardandplacedatthetopofthestepsleadingfromtheapsetothenave；
buttheoriginalintentionofcarryingitroundthetemplewasabandonedforfearofaccidentsthroughthepressurerounditoftheenormousmultitudeswhowereassembled。Moresingingfollowedofasimplebutimpressivekind；duringthisIamafraidImustownthatmyfather，tiredwithhiswalk，droppedoffintoarefreshingslumber，fromwhichhedidnotwaketillGeorgenudgedhimandtoldhimnottosnore，justastheVice-ManagerwasgoingtowardsthelecterntoreadanotherchapteroftheSunchild’sSayings——whichwasasfollows：-
TheSunchildalsospoketousaparableabouttheunwisdomofthechildrenyetunborn，whothoughtheyknowsomuch，yetdonotknowasmuchastheythinktheydo。
Hesaid：-
“Theunbornhaveknowledgeofoneanothersolongastheyareunborn，andthiswithoutimpedimentfromwallsormaterialobstacles。Theunbornchildreninanycityformapopulationapart，whotalkwithoneanotherandtelleachotherabouttheirdevelopmentalprogress。
“Theyhavenoknowledge，andcannotevenconceivetheexistenceofanythingthatisnotsuchastheyarethemselves。Thosewhohavebeenbornaretothemwhatthedeadaretous。Theycanseenolifeinthem，andknownomoreaboutthemthantheydoofanystageintheirownpastdevelopmentotherthantheonethroughwhichtheyarepassingatthemoment。Theydonotevenknowthattheirmothersarealive——muchlessthattheirmotherswereonceastheynoware。Toanembryo，itsmotherissimplytheenvironment，andislookeduponmuchasourinorganicsurroundingsarebyourselves。
“Thegreatterroroftheirlivesisthefearofbirth，——thattheyshallhavetoleavetheonlythingthattheycanthinkofaslife，andenteruponadarkunknownwhichistothemtantamounttoannihilation。
“Some，indeed，amongthemhavemaintainedthatbirthisnotthedeathwhichtheycommonlydeemit，butthatthereisalifebeyondthewombofwhichtheyasyetknownothing，andwhichisamillionfoldmoretrulylifethananythingtheyhaveyetbeenableeventoimagine。Butthegreaternumbershaketheiryetunfashionedheadsandsaytheyhavenoevidenceforthisthatwillstandamoment’sexamination。
“’Nay，’answertheothers，’somuchwork，soelaborate，sowondrousasthatwhereonwearenowsobusilyengagedmusthaveapurpose，thoughthepurposeisbeyondourgrasp。’
“’Never，’replythefirstspeakers；’ourpleasureintheworkissufficientjustificationforit。Whohaseverpartakenofthislifeyouspeakof，andre-enteredintothewombtotellusofit？
Grantedthatsomefewhavepretendedtohavedonethis，buthowcompletelyhavetheirstoriesbrokendownwhensubjectedtothetestsofsobercriticism。No。Whenwearebornweareborn，andthereisanendofus。’
“Butinthehourofbirth，whentheycannolongerre-enterthewombandtelltheothers，Behold！theyfindthatitisnotso。”
Herethereaderagainclosedhisbookandresumedhisplaceintheapse。
CHAPTERXVI：PROFESSORHANKYPREACHESASERMON，INTHECOURSEOF
WHICHMYFATHERDECLARESHIMSELFTOBETHESUNCHILD
ProfessorHankythenwentupintothepulpit，richlybutsoberlyrobedinvestmentstheexactnatureofwhichIcannotdetermine。
Hiscarriagewasdignified，andtheharshlinesonhisfacegaveitastrongindividuality，which，thoughitdidnotattract，conveyedanimpressionofpowerthatcouldnotfailtointerest。Assoonashehadgivenattentiontimetofixitselfuponhim，hebeganhissermonwithouttextorpreliminarymatterofanykind，andapparentlywithoutnotes。
Hespokeclearlyandveryquietly，especiallyatthebeginning；heusedactionwheneveritcouldpointhismeaning，orgiveitlifeandcolour，buttherewasnoapproachtostaginessorevenoratoricaldisplay。Infact，hespokeasonewhomeantwhathewassaying，anddesiredthathishearersshouldaccepthismeaning，fullyconfidentinhisgoodfaith。Hisuseofpausewaseffective。
Aftertheword“mistake。”attheendoftheopeningsentence，hehelduphishalf-benthandandpausedforfullthreeseconds，lookingintentlyathisaudienceashedidso。Everyonefelttheideatobehereenouncedthatwastodominatethesermon。
Thesermon——somuchofitasIcanfindroomfor——wasasfollows：-
“Myfriends，lettherebenomistake。Atsuchatime，asthis，itiswellweshouldlookbackuponthepathbywhichwehavetravelled，andforwardtothegoaltowardswhichwearetending。
Asitwasnecessarythatthematerialfoundationsofthisbuildingshouldbesosurethatthereshallbenosubsidenceinthesuperstructure，soisitnotlessnecessarytoensurethatthereshallbenosubsidenceintheimmaterialstructurethatwehaveraisedinconsequenceoftheSunchild’ssojournamongus。
Therefore，myfriends，Iagainsay，’Lettherebenomistake。’
Eachstonethatgoestowardstheuprearingofthisvisiblefane，eachhumansoulthatdoesitspartinbuildingtheinvisibletempleofournationalfaith，isbearingwitnessto，andlendingitssupportto，thatwhichiseitherthetruthoftruths，orthebaselessfabricofadream。
“Myfriends，thisistheonlypossiblealternative。Heinwhosenamewearehereassembled，iseitherworthyofmorereverentialhonourthanwecaneverpayhim，orheisworthyofnomorehonourthananyotherhonourablemanamongourselves。Therecanbenohaltingbetweenthesetwoopinions。Thequestionofquestionsis，washethechildofthetutelarygodofthisworld——thesun，andisittothepalaceofthesunthathereturnedwhenheleftus，orwashe，assomeamongstusstilldonothesitatetomaintain，amereman，escapingbyunusualbutstrictlynaturalmeanstosomepartofthisearthwithwhichweareunacquainted。Myfriends，eitherweareonarightpathoronaverywrongone，andinamatterofsuchsupremeimportance——theremustbenomistake。
“IneednotremindthoseofyouwhoseprivilegeitistoliveinSunch’ston，ofthecharmattendantontheSunchild’spersonalpresenceandconversation，norofhisquicksympathy，hiskeenintellect，hisreadinesstoadapthimselftothecapacitiesofallthosewhocametoseehimwhilehewasinprison。Headoredchildren，anditwasonthemthatsomeofhismostconspicuousmiracleswereperformed。Manyatimewhenachildhadfallenandhurtitself，washeknowntomaketheplacewellbysimplykissingit。NorneedIrecalltoyourmindsthespotlesspurityofhislife——sospotlessthatnotonebreathofslanderhaseverdaredtovisitit。Iwasoneofthenotverymanywhohadtheprivilegeofbeingadmittedtotheinnercircleofhisfriendsduringthelaterweeksthathewasamongstus。Ilovedhimdearly，anditwilleverbetheproudestrecollectionofmylifethathedeignedtoreturnmenosmallmeasureofaffection。”
Myfather，furiousashewasatfindinghimselfdraggedintocomplicitywiththisman’simposture，couldnotresistasmileattheeffronterywithwhichheloweredhistonehere，andappearedunwillingtodwellonanincidentwhichhecouldnotrecallwithoutbeingaffectedalmosttotears，andmereallusiontowhich，hadinvolvedanapparentself-displaythatwasaboveallthingsrepugnanttohim。WhatadifferencebetweentheHankyofThursdayeveningwithits“neverseteyesonhimandhopeInevershall。”
andtheHankyofSundaymorning，whonowlookedasmodestasCleopatramighthavedonehadshebeenstandinggodmothertoalittleblue-eyedgirl——Bellerophon’sfirst-bornbaby。
Havingrecoveredfromhisnatural，butpromptlyrepressed，emotion，theProfessorcontinued：-
“Ineednotremindyouofthepurposeforwhichsomanyofus，fromsomanypartsofourkingdom，arehereassembled。Weknowwhatwehavecomehithertodo：wearecomeeachoneofustosignandsealbyhispresencethebondofhisassenttothosemomentouschanges，whichhavefoundtheirfirstgreatmaterialexpressioninthetemplethatyouseearoundyou。
“Youallknowhow，inaccordancewiththeexpressedwilloftheSunchild，thePresidentsandVice-PresidentsoftheMusicalBanksbeganassoonashehadleftustoexamine，patiently，carefully，earnestly，andwithoutbiasofanykind，firstlytheevidencesinsupportoftheSunchild’sclaimtobethesonofthetutelardeityofthisworld，andsecondlytheprecisenatureofhisinstructionsasregardsthefuturepositionandauthorityoftheMusicalBanks。
“Myfriends，itiseasytounderstandwhytheSunchildshouldhavegivenustheseinstructions。Withthatforesightwhichisthespecialcharacteristicofdivine，ascomparedwithhuman，wisdom，hedesiredthattheevidencesinsupportofhissuperhumancharactershouldbecollected，sifted，andplacedonrecord，beforeanythingwaseitherlostthroughthedeathofthosewhocouldalonesubstantiateit，orundulysuppliedthroughtheenthusiasmofover-
zealousvisionaries。Thegreateranytruemiraclehasbeen，themorecertainlywillfalseonesaccreteroundit；here，then，wefindtheexplanationofthecommandtheSunchildgavetoustogather，verify，andrecord，thefactsofhissojournhereinErewhon。Foraboveallthingshehelditnecessarytoensurethatthereshouldbeneithermistake，norevenpossibilityofmistake。
“Considerforamomentwhatdifferencesofopinionwouldinfalliblyhavearisen，iftheevidencesforthemiraculouscharacteroftheSunchild’smissionhadbeenconflicting——iftheyhadrestedonversionseachclaimingtobeequallyauthoritative，buteachhopelesslyirreconcilableonvitalpointswitheverysingleother。
Whatwouldfuturegenerationshavesaidinanswertothosewhobadethemflingallhumanexperiencetothewinds，onthestrengthofrecordswrittentheyknewnotcertainlybywhom，norhowlongafterthemarvelsthattheyrecorded，andofwhichallthatcouldbecertainlysaidwasthatnotwoofthemtoldthesamestory？
“WhothatbelieveseitherinGodorman——whowithanyself-respect，orrespectforthegiftofreasonwithwhichGodhadendowedhim，eitherwould，orcould，believethatachariotandfourhorseshadcomedownfromheaven，andgonebackagainwithhumanorquasi-
humanoccupants，unlesstheevidencesforthefactleftnoloopholeforescape？Ifasingleloopholewerelefthim，hewouldbeunpardonable，notfordisbelievingthestory，butforbelievingit。
ThesinagainstGodwouldlienotinwantoffaith，butinfaith。
“Myfriends，therearetwosinsinmattersofbelief。Thereisthatofbelievingontoolittleevidence，andthatofrequiringtoomuchbeforeweareconvinced。Theguiltofthelatterisincurred，alas！bynotafewamongstusatthepresentday，butifthetestimonytothetruthofthewondrouseventsofaithfullydepictedonthepicturethatconfrontsyouhadbeenlesscontemporaneous，lessauthoritative，lessunanimous，futuregenerations——anditisforthemthatweshouldnowprovide——wouldbeguiltyofthefirst-
named，andnotlessheinoussiniftheybelievedatall。
“Smallwonder，then，thattheSunchild，havingcomeamongstusforouradvantage，nothisown，wouldnotpermithisbeneficentdesignstobeendangeredbythediscrepancies，mythicaldevelopments，idiosyncracies，andahundredotherdefectsinevitablyattendantonamateurandirresponsiblerecording。Smallwonder，then，thatheshouldhavechosentheofficialsoftheMusicalBanks，fromthePresidentsandVice-Presidentsdownwardstobetheauthoritativeexponentsofhisteaching，thedepositariesofhistraditions，andhisrepresentativeshereonearthtillheshallagainseefittovisitus。Forhewillcome。Nayitisevenpossiblethathemaybehereamongstusatthisverymoment，disguisedsothatnonemayknowhim，andintentonlyonwatchingourdevotiontowardshim。Ifthisbeso，letmeimplorehim，inthenameofthesunhisfather，torevealhimself。”
NowHankyhadalreadygivenmyfathermorethanonelookthathadmadehimuneasy。HehadevidentlyrecognisedhimasthesupposedrangeroflastThursdayevening。Twicehehadrunhiseyelikeasearchlightoverthefrontbenchesoppositetohim，andwhenthebeamhadreachedmyfathertherehadbeennomoresearching。ItwasbeginningtodawnuponmyfatherthatGeorgemighthavediscoveredthathewasnotProfessorPanky；wasitforthisreasonthatthesetwoyoungspecialconstables，thoughtheygaveuptheirplaces，stillkeptsoclosetohim？WasGeorgeonlywaitinghisopportunitytoarresthim——notofcourseevensuspectingwhohewas——butasaforeigndevilwhohadtriedtopasshimselfoffasProfessorPanky？HadthisbeenthemeaningofhishavingfollowedhimtoFairmead？AndshouldhehavetobethrownintotheBluePoolbyGeorgeafterall？“Itwouldserveme。”saidhetohimself，“richlyright。”
Thesefearswhichhadbeentakingshapeforsomefewminuteswereturnedalmosttocertaintiesbythehalf-contemptuousglanceHankythrewtowardshimasheutteredwhatwasobviouslyintendedasachallenge。Hesawthatallwasover，andwasstartingtohisfeettodeclarehimself，andthusfallintothetrapthatHankywaslayingforhim，whenGeorgegrippedhimtightlybythekneeandwhispered，“Don’t——youareingreatdanger。”Andhesmiledkindlyashespoke。
Myfathersankbackdumbfounded。“Youknowme？“hewhisperedinreply。
“Perfectly。SodoesHanky，sodoesmymother；saynomore。”andheagainsmiled。
George，asmyfatherafterwardslearned，hadhopedthathewouldrevealhimself，andhaddeterminedinspiteofhismother’sinstructions，togivehimanopportunityofdoingso。Itwasforthisreasonthathehadnotarrestedhimquietly，ashecouldverywellhavedone，beforetheservicebegan。Hewishedtodiscoverwhatmannerofmanhisfatherwas，andwasquitehappyassoonashesawthathewouldhavespokenoutifhehadnotbeenchecked。
HehadnotyetcaughtHanky’smotiveintryingtogoadmyfather，butonseeingthathewastryingtodothis，heknewthatatrapwasbeinglaid，andthatmyfathermustnotbeallowedtospeak。
Almostimmediately，however，heperceivedthatwhilehiseyeshadbeenturnedonHanky，twoburlyvergershadwormedtheirwaythroughthecrowdandtakentheirstandclosetohistwobrothers。
Thenheunderstood，andunderstoodalsohowtofrustrate。
Asformyfather，George’sascendancyoverhim——quitefeltbyGeorge——wassoabsolutethathecouldthinkofnothingnowbuttheexceedinggreatjoyoffindinghisfearsgroundless，andofdeliveringhimselfuptohisson’sguidanceintheassurancethatthevoidinhisheartwasfilled，andthathiswagernotonlywouldbeheldaswon，butwasbeingalreadypaid。Howtheyhadfoundout，whyhewasnottospeakashewouldassuredlyhavedone——forhewasinawhiteheatoffury——whatdiditallmatternowthathehadfoundthatwhichhehadfearedheshouldfailtofind？HegaveGeorgeapuzzledsmile，andcomposedhimselfasbesthecouldtohearthecontinuationofHanky’ssermon，whichwasasfollows：-
“WhocouldtheSunchildhavechosen，eventhoughhehadbeengiftedwithnomorethanhumansagacity，butthebodyofmenwhomheselected？ItbecomesmebutilltospeaksowarmlyinfavourofthatbodyofwhomIamtheleastworthymember，butwhatotheristhereinErewhonsoaboveallsuspicionofslovenliness，self-
seeking，preconceivedbias，orbadfaith？IftherewasonesetofqualitiesmoreessentialthananotherfortheconductoftheinvestigationsentrustedtousbytheSunchild，itwasthosethatturnonmeeknessandfreedomfromallspiritualpride。IbelieveI
cansayquitetrulythatthesearethequalitiesforwhichBridgefordismoreespeciallyrenowned。ThereadinessofherProfessorstolearnevenfromthosewhoatfirstsightmayseemleastabletoinstructthem——thegentlenesswithwhichtheycorrectanopponentiftheyfeelitincumbentuponthemtodoso，thepromptitudewithwhichtheyacknowledgeerrorwhenitispointedouttothemandquitapositionnomatterhowdeeplytheyhavebeencommittedtoit，atthefirstmomentinwhichtheyseethattheycannotholditrighteously，theirdelicatesenseofhonour，theirutterimmunityfromwhattheSunchildusedtocalllog-rollingorintrigue，thescornwithwhichtheyregardanythinglikehittingbelowthebelt——theseIbelieveImaytrulysayarethevirtuesforwhichBridgefordispre-eminentlyrenowned。”
TheProfessorwentontosayagreatdealmoreaboutthefitnessofBridgefordandtheMusicalBankmanagersforthetaskimposedonthembytheSunchild，butheremyfather’sattentionflagged——nor，onlookingattheverbatimreportofthesermonthatappearednextmorningintheleadingSunch’stonjournal，doIseereasontoreproduceHanky’swordsonthishead。Itwasalltoshewthattherehadbeennopossibilityofmistake。
MeanwhileGeorgewaswritingonascrapofpaperasthoughhewastakingnotesofthesermon。Presentlyheslippedthisintomyfather’shand。Itran：-
“Youseethosevergersstandingnearmybrothers，whogaveuptheirseatstous。Hankytriedtogoadyouintospeakingthattheymightarrestyou，andgetyouintotheBankprisons。Ifyoufallintotheirhandsyouarelost。ImustarrestyouinstantlyonachargeofpoachingontheKing’spreserves，andmakeyoumyprisoner。LetthosevergerscatchsightofthewarrantwhichIshallnowgiveyou。Readitandreturnittome。Comewithmequietlyafterservice。Ithinkyouhadbetternotrevealyourselfatall。”
Assoonashehadgivenmyfathertimetoreadtheforegoing，Georgetookawarrantoutofhispocket。Myfatherpretendedtoreaditandreturnedit。Georgethenlaidhishandonhisshoulder，andinanundertonearrestedhim。Hethenwroteonanotherscrapofpaperandpasseditontotheelderofhistwobrothers。Itwastotheeffectthathehadnowarrestedmyfather，andthatifthevergersattemptedinanywaytointerferebetweenhimandhisprisoner，hisbrothersweretoarrestbothofthem，which，asspecialconstables，theyhadpowertodo。
YramhadnotedHanky’sattempttogoadmyfather，andhadnotbeenpreparedforhisstealingamarchuponherbytryingtogetmyfatherarrestedbyMusicalBankofficials，ratherthanbyherson。
Ontheprecedingeveningthislastplanhadbeenarrangedon；andsheknewnothingofthenotethatHankyhadsentanhourortwolatertotheManagerofthetemple——thesubstanceofwhichthereadercansufficientlyguess。WhenshehadheardHanky’swordsandsawthevergers，shewasforafewminutesseriouslyalarmed，butshewasreassuredwhenshesawGeorgegivemyfatherthewarrant，andhertwosonsevidentlyexplainingthepositiontothevergers。
Hankyhadbythistimechangedhistheme，andwaswarninghishearersofthedangersthatwouldfollowonthelegalizationofthemedicalprofession，andtherepealoftheedictsagainstmachines。
Spaceforbidsmetogivehispictureofthehorribletorturesthatfuturegenerationswouldbeputtobymedicalmen，ifthesewerenotdulykeptincheckbytheinfluenceoftheMusicalBanks；thehorrorsoftheinquisitioninthemiddleagesarenothingtowhathedepictedascertaintoensueifmedicalmenwereevertohavemuchmoneyattheircommand。TheonlypeopleinwhosehandsmoneymightbetrustedsafelywerethosewhopresidedovertheMusicalBanks。Thistiradewasfollowedbyonenotlessalarmingaboutthegrowthofmaterialistictendenciesamongtheartisansemployedintheproductionofmechanicalinventions。Myfather，thoughhiseyeshadbeensomewhatopenedbythesecondofthetwoprocessionshehadseenonhiswaytoSunch’ston，wasnotpreparedtofindthatinspiteofthesuperficiallyalmostuniversalacceptanceofthenewfaith，therewasapowerful，anditwouldseemgrowing，undercurrentofscepticism，withadesiretoreducehisescapewithmymothertoapurelynaturaloccurence。
“Itisnotenough。”saidHanky，“thattheSunchildshouldhaveensuredthepreparationofauthoritativeevidenceofhissupernaturalcharacter。Theevidenceshappilyexistinoverwhelmingstrength，buttheymustbebroughthometomindsthatasyethavestubbornlyrefusedtoreceivethem。Duringthelastfiveyearstherehasbeenanenormousincreaseinthenumberofthosewhoseoccupationinthemanufactureofmachinesinclinesthemtoamaterialisticexplanationevenofthemostobviouslymiraculousevents，andthegrowthofthisclassinourmidstconstituted，andstillconstitutes，agravedangertothestate。
“ItwastomeetthisthatthesocietywasformedonbehalfofwhichIappealfearlesslytoyourgenerosity。Itiscalled，asmostofyoudoubtlessknow，theSunchildEvidenceSociety；andhisMajestytheKinggraciouslyconsentedtobecomeitsPatron。Thissocietynotonlycollectsadditionalevidences——indeeditisentirelyduetoitslaboursthatthepreciousrelicnowinthistemplewasdiscovered——butitisitsbeneficentpurposetolaythosethathavebeenauthoritativelyinvestigatedbeforemenwho，iflefttothemselves，wouldeitherneglectthemaltogether，orworsestillrejectthem。
“Forthefirstyearortwotheeffortsofthesocietymetwithbutlittlesuccessamongthoseforwhosebenefittheyweremoreparticularlyintended，butduringthepresentyeartheworkingclassesinsomecitiesandtownsstimulatedverymuchbythelecturesofmyillustriousfriendProfessorPankyhaveshewnamostremarkableandzealousinterestinSunchildevidences，andhaveformedthemselvesintolocalbranchesforthestudyanddefenceofSunchildtruth。
“Yetinspiteofallthisneed——ofallthispatientlabourandreallyverygratifyingsuccess——thesubscriptionstothesocietynolongerfurnishitwithitsformerverymodestincome——anincomewhichisdeplorablyinsufficientiftheorganizationistobekepteffective，andtheworkadequatelyperformed。Inspiteofthemostrigideconomy，thecommitteehavebeencompelledtopartwithaconsiderableportionoftheirsmallreservefundprovidedbyalegacytotideoverdifficulties。Butthismethodofbalancingexpenditureandincomeisveryunsatisfactory，andcannotbelongcontinued。
“Iamledtopleadforthesocietywithespecialinsistenceatthepresenttime，inasmuchasmorethanoneofthosewhoseunblemishedlifehasmadethemfittingrecipientsofsuchasignalfavour，haverecentlyhadvisionsinformingthemthattheSunchildwillagainshortlyvisitus。Weknownotwhenhewillcome，butwhenhecomes，myfriends，lethimnotfindusunmindfulof，norungratefulfor，theinestimableserviceshehasrenderedus。Forcomehesurelywill。Eitherinwinter，whattimeicicleshangbythewallandmilkcomesfrozenhomeinthepail——orinsummerwhendaysareattheirlongestandthemowinggrassisabout——therewillbeanhour，eitheratmorn，oreve，orinthemiddleday，whenhewillagainsurelycome。Mayitbeminetobeamongthosewhoarethenpresenttoreceivehim。”
Hereheagainglaredatmyfather，whosebloodwasboiling。Georgehadnotpositivelyforbiddenhimtospeakout；hethereforesprangtohisfeet，“Youlyinghound。”hecried，“IamtheSunchild，andyouknowit。”
George，whoknewthathehadmyfatherinhisownhands，madenoattempttostophim，andwasdelightedthatheshouldhavedeclaredhimselfthoughhehadfeltithisdutytotellhimnottodoso。
Yramturnedpale。Hankyroaredout，“Tearhiminpieces——leavenotasinglelimbonhisbody。Takehimoutandburnhimalive。”Thevergersmadeadashforhim——butGeorge’sbrothersseizedthem。
ThecrowdseemedforamomentinclinedtodoasHankybadethem，butYramrosefromherplace，andheldupherhandasonewhoclaimedattention。SheadvancedtowardsGeorgeandmyfatherasunconcernedlyasthoughsheweremerelywalkingoutofchurch，butshestillheldherhanduplifted。Alleyeswereturnedonher，aswellasonGeorgeandmyfather，andtheicycalmofherself-
possessionchilledthosewhowereinclinedforthemomenttotakeHanky’swordsliterally。Therewasnotatraceofflusterinhergait，action，orwords，asshesaid-
“Myfriends，thistemple，andthisday，mustnotbeprofanedwithblood。Mysonwilltakethispoormadmantotheprison。Lethimbejudgedandpunishedaccordingtolaw。Makeroom，thatheandmysonmaypass。”
Then，turningtomyfather，shesaid，“GoquietlywiththeRanger。”
Havingsospoken，shereturnedtoherseatasunconcernedlyasshehadleftit。
Hankyforatimecontinuedtofoamatthemouthandroarout，“Tearhimtopieces！burnhimalive！“butwhenhesawthattherewasnofurtherhopeofgettingthepeopletoobeyhim，hecollapsedontoaseatinhispulpit，moppedhisbaldhead，andconsoledhimselfwithagreatpinchofapowderwhichcorrespondsverycloselytoourownsnuff。
Georgeledmyfatheroutbythesidedooratthenorthendofthewesternaisle；thepeopleeyedhimintently，butmadewayforhimwithoutdemonstration。Onevoicealonewasheardtocryout，“Yes，heistheSunchild！“Myfatherglancedatthespeaker，andsawthathewastheinterpreterwhohadtaughthimtheErewhonianlanguagewhenhewasinprison。
George，seeingaspecialconstablecloseby，toldhimtobidhisbrothersreleasethevergers，andletthemarresttheinterpreter——
thisthevergers，foiledastheyhadbeeninthematterofmyfather’sarrest，wereverygladtodo。Sothepoorinterpreter，tohisdismay，waslodgedatonceinoneoftheBankprison-cells，wherehecoulddonofurtherharm。
CHAPTERXVII：GEORGETAKESHISFATHERTOPRISON，ANDTHEREOBTAINS
SOMEUSEFULINFORMATION
BythistimeGeorgehadgotmyfatherintotheopensquare，wherehewassurprisedtofindthatalargebonfirehadbeenmadeandlighted。Therehadbeennothingofthekindanhourbefore；thewood，therefore，musthavebeenpiledandlightedwhilepeoplehadbeeninchurch。Hehadnotimeatthemomenttoenquirewhythishadbeendone，butlateronhediscoveredthatontheSundaymorningtheManagerofthenewtemplehadobtainedleavefromtheMayortohavethewoodpiledinthesquare，representingthatthiswasProfessorHanky’scontributiontothefestivitiesoftheday。
Therehad，itseemed，beennointentionoflightingituntilnightfall；butithadaccidentallycaughtfirethroughthecarelessnessofaworkman，muchaboutthetimewhenHankybegantopreach。Nooneforamomentbelievedthattherehadbeenanysinisterintention，orthatProfessorHankywhenheurgedthecrowdtoburnmyfatheralive，evenknewthattherewasapileofwoodinthesquareatall——muchlessthatithadbeenlighted——forhecouldhardlyhavesupposedthatthewoodhadbeengottogethersosoon。
NeverthelessbothGeorgeandmyfather，whentheyknewallthathadpassed，congratulatedthemselvesonthefactthatmyfatherhadnotfallenintothehandsofthevergers，whowouldprobablyhavetriedtoutilisetheaccidentalfire，thoughinnocaseisitlikelytheywouldhavesucceeded。
Assoonastheywereinsidethegaol，theoldMasterrecognisedmyfather。“Blessmyheart——what？Youhere，again，Mr。Higgs？Why，Ithoughtyouwereinthepalaceofthesunyourfather。”
“IwishIwas。”answeredmyfather，shakinghandswithhim，buthecouldsaynomore。
“Youareassafehereasifyouwere。”saidGeorgelaughing，“andsafer。”Thenturningtohisgrandfather，hesaid，“YouhavetherecordofMr。Higgs’smarksandmeasurements？Iknowyouhave：
takehimtohisoldcell；itisthebestintheprison；andthenpleasebringmetherecord。”
TheoldmantookGeorgeandmyfathertothecellwhichhehadoccupiedtwentyyearsearlier——butIcannotstaytodescribehisfeelingsonfindinghimselfagainwithinit。Themomenthisgrandfather’sbackwasturned，Georgesaidtomyfather，“Andnowshakehandsalsowithyourson。”
Ashespokehetookmyfather’shandandpresseditwarmlybetweenbothhisown。
“Thenyouknowyouaremyson。”saidmyfatherassteadilyasthestrongemotionthatmasteredhimwouldpermit。
“Certainly。”
“ButyoudidnotknowthiswhenIwaswalkingwithyouonFriday？“
“Ofcoursenot。IthoughtyouwereProfessorPanky；ifIhadnottakenyouforoneofthetwopersonsnamedinyourpermit，Ishouldhavequestionedyouclosely，andprobablyendedbythrowingyouintotheBluePool。”Heshudderedashesaidthis。
“ButyouknewwhoIwaswhenyoucalledmePankyinthetemple？“
“Quiteso。MymothertoldmeeverythingonFridayevening。”
“AndthatiswhyyoutriedtofindmeatFairmead？“
“Yes，butwhereintheworldwereyou？“
“IwasinsidetheMusicalBankofthetown，restingandreading。”
Georgelaughed，andsaid，“Onpurposetohide？“
“Ohno；purechance。ButonFridayevening？HowcouldyourmotherhavefoundoutbythattimethatIwasinErewhon？AmIonmyheadormyheels？“
“Onyourheels，myfather，whichshalltakeyoubacktoyourowncountryassoonaswecangetyououtofthis。”
“WhathaveIdonetodeservesomuchgoodwill？Ihavedoneyounothingbutharm？“Againhewasquiteovercome。
Georgepattedhimgentlyonthehand，andsaid，“Youmadeabetandyouwonit。Duringtheveryshorttimethatwecanbetogether，youshallbepaidinfull，andmayheavenprotectusboth。”
Assoonasmyfathercouldspeakhesaid，“ButhowdidyourmotherfindoutthatIwasinErewhon？“
“HankyandPankywerediningwithher，andtheytoldhersomethingsthatshethoughtstrange。Shecross-questionedthem，puttwoandtwotogether，learnedthatyouhadgottheirpermitoutofthem，sawthatyouintendedtoreturnonFriday，andconcludedthatyouwouldbesleepinginSunch’ston。Shesentforme，toldmeall，bademescourSunch’stontofindyou，intendingthatyoushouldbeatonceescortedsafelyoverthepreservesbyme。Ifoundyourinn，butyouhadgivenustheslip。ItriedfirstFairmeadandthenClearwater，butdidnotfindyoutillthismorning。Forreasonstoolongtorepeat，mymotherwarnedHankyandPankythatyouwouldbeinthetemple；whereonHankytriedtogetyouintohisclutches。Happilyhefailed，butifIhadknownwhathewasdoingIshouldhavearrestedyoubeforetheservice。Ioughttohavedonethis，butIwantedyoutowinyourwager，andIshallgetyousafelyawayinspiteofthem。MymotherwillnotlikemyhavingletyouhearHanky’ssermonanddeclareyourself。”
“YouhalftoldmenottosaywhoIwas。”
“Yes，butIwasdelightedwhenyoudisobeyedme。”
“Ididitverybadly。Ineverrisetogreatoccasions，Ialwaysfalltothem，butthesethingsmustcomeastheycome。”
“Youdiditaswellasitcouldbedone，andgoodwillcomeofit。”
“Andnow。”hecontinued，“describeexactlyallthatpassedbetweenyouandtheProfessors。OnwhichsideofPankydidHankysit，anddidtheysitnorthandsouthoreastandwest？Howdidyouget——ohyes，Iknowthat——youtoldthemitwouldbeofnofurtherusetothem。Tellmeallelseyoucan。”
MyfathersaidthattheProfessorsweresittingprettywelleastandwest，sothatHanky，whowasontheeastside，nearestthemountains，hadPanky，whowasontheSunch’stonside，onhisrighthand。Georgemadeanoteofthis。Myfatherthentoldwhatthereaderalreadyknows，butwhenhecametothemeasurementoftheboots，Georgesaid，“Takeyourbootsoff。”andbegantakingoffhisown。“Footforfoot。”saidhe，“wearenotfatherandson，butbrothers。Yourswillfitme；theyarelesswornthanmine，butI
daresayyouwillnotmindthat。”
OnthisGeorgeexabundanticautelaknockedanailoutoftherightbootthathehadbeenwearingandchangedbootswithmyfather；buthethoughtitmoreplausiblenottoknockoutexactlythesamenailthatwasmissingonmyfather’sboot。Whenthechangewasmade，eachfound——orsaidhefound——theother’sbootsquitecomfortable。
Myfatherallthetimefeltasthoughhewereabasketgiventoadog。Thedoghadgothim，wasproudofhim，andnoonemusttrytotakehimaway。ThepromptitudewithwhichGeorgetooktohim，theobviouspleasurehehadin“running“him，hisquickjudgement，vergingasitshouldtowardsrashness，hisconfidencethatmyfathertrustedhimwithoutreserve，theconvictionofperfectopennessthatwasconveyedbythewayinwhichhiseyesneverbudgedfrommyfather’swhenhespoketohim，hisgenial，kindly，manner，perfectphysicalhealth，andtheairhehadofbeingonthebestpossibletermswithhimselfandeveryoneelse——thecombinationofallthissoovermasteredmypoorfatherwhoindeedhadbeensufficientlymasteredbeforehehadbeenfiveminutesinGeorge’scompanythatheresignedhimselfasgratefullytobeingabasket，asGeorgehadcheerfullyundertakenthetaskofcarryinghim。
InpassingImaysaythatGeorgecouldnevergethisownbootsbackagain，thoughhetriedmorethanoncetodoso。Myfatheralwaysmadesomeexcuse。TheyweretheonlymementoofGeorgethathebroughthomewithhim；Iwonderthathedidnotaskforalockofhishair，buthedidnot。Hehadthebootsputagainstawallinhisbedroom，wherehecouldseethemfromhisbed，andduringhisillness，whileconsciousnessyetremainedwithhim，Isawhiseyescontinuallyturntowardsthem。George，infact，dominatedhimaslongasanythinginthisworldcoulddoso。NordoIwonder；onthecontrary，Ilovehismemorythebetter；forItoo，aswillappearlater，haveseenGeorge，andwhateverlittlejealousyImayhavefelt，vanishedonmyfindinghimalmostinstantaneouslygainthesameascendancyovermehisbrother，thathehadgainedoverhisandmyfather。Butofthisnomoreatpresent。LetmereturntothegaolinSunch’ston。
“Tellmemore。”saidGeorge，“abouttheProfessors。”
Myfathertoldhimaboutthenuggets，thesaleofhiskit，thereceipthehadgivenforthemoney，andhowhehadgotthenuggetsbackfromatree，thepositionofwhichhedescribed。
“Iknowthetree；haveyougotthenuggetshere？“
“Heretheyare，withthereceipt，andthepockethandkerchiefmarkedwithHanky’sname。Thepockethandkerchiefwasfoundwrappedroundsomedriedleavesthatwecalltea，butIhavenotgotthesewithme。”AshespokehegaveeverythingtoGeorge，whoshowedtheutmostdelightingettingpossessionofthem。
“Isupposetheblanketandtherestofthekitarestillinthetree？“
“UnlessHankyandPankyhavegotthemaway，orsomeonehasfoundthem。”
“Thisisnotlikely。Iwillnowgotomyoffice，butIwillcomebackveryshortly。Mygrandfathershallbringyousomethingtoeatatonce。Iwilltellhimtosendenoughfortwo“——whichheaccordinglydid。
Onreachingtheoffice，hetoldhisnextbrotherwhomhehadmadeanunder-rangertogotothetreehedescribed，andbringbackthebundleheshouldfindconcealedtherein。“Youcangothereandback。”hesaid，“inanhourandahalf，andIshallwantthebundlebythattime。”
Thebrother，whosenameIneverrightlycaught，setoutatonce。
Assoonashewasgone，Georgetookfromadrawerthefeathersandbonesofquails，thathehadshownmyfatheronthemorningwhenhemethim。Hedividedtheminhalf，andmadethemintotwobundles，oneofwhichhedocketed，“Bonesofquailseaten，XIX。xii。29，byProfessorHanky，P。O。W。W。，&c。”AndhelabelledPanky’squailbonesinlikefashion。
Havingdonethis，hereturnedtothegaol，butonhiswayhelookedinattheMayor’s，andleftanotesayingthatheshouldbeatthegaol，whereanymessagewouldreachhim，butthathedidnotwishtomeetProfessorsHankyandPankyforanothercoupleofhours。Itwasnowabouthalf-pasttwelve，andhecaughtsightofacrowdcomingquietlyoutofthetemple，wherebyheknewthatHankywouldsoonbeattheMayor’shouse。
DinnerwasbroughtinalmostatthemomentwhenGeorgereturnedtothegaol。AssoonasitwasoverGeorgesaid：-
“AreyouquitesureyouhavemadenomistakeaboutthewayinwhichyougotthepermitoutoftheProfessors？“
“Quitesure。Itoldthemtheywouldnotwantit，andsaidIcouldsavethemtroubleiftheygaveitme。TheyneversuspectedwhyI
wantedit。WheredoyouthinkImaybemistaken？“
“Yousoldyournuggetsforratherlessthanatwentiethpartoftheirvalue，andyouthrewinsomecuriosities，thatwouldhavefetchedabouthalfasmuchasyougotforthenuggets。Yousayyoudidthisbecauseyouwantedmoneytokeepyougoingtillyoucouldsellsomeofyournuggets。Thissoundswellatfirst，butthesacrificeistoogreattobeplausiblewhenconsidered。Itlooksmorelikeacaseofgoodhonestmanlystraightforwardcorruption。”
“Butsurelyyoubelieveme？“
“OfcourseIdo。Ibelieveeverysyllablethatcomesfromyourmouth，butIshallnotbeabletomakeoutthatthestorywasasitwasnot，unlessIamquitecertainwhatitreallywas。”
“ItwasexactlyasIhavetoldyou。”
“Thatisenough。Andnow，mayItellmymotherthatyouwillputyourselfinher，andtheMayor’s，andmy，hands，andwilldowhateverwetellyou？“
“Iwillbeobedienceitself——butyouwillnotaskmetodoanythingthatwillmakeyourmotheroryouthinklesswellofme？“
“Ifwetellyouwhatyouaretodo，weshallnotthinkanytheworseofyoufordoingit。ThenImaysaytomymotherthatyouwillbegoodandgivenotrouble——noteventhoughwebidyoushakehandswithHankyandPanky？“
“Iwillembracethemandkissthemonbothcheeks，ifyouandshetellmetodoso。ButwhatabouttheMayor？“
“Hehasknowneverything，andcondonedeverything，theselasttwentyyears。Hewillleaveeverythingtomymotherandme。”
“ShallIhavetoseehim？“
“Certainly。Youmustbebroughtupbeforehimto-morrowmorning。”
“HowcanIlookhimintheface？“
“Asyouwouldme，oranyoneelse。Itisunderstoodamongusthatnothinghappened。Thingsmayhavelookedasthoughtheyhadhappened，buttheydidnothappen。”
“Andyouarenotyetquitetwenty？“
“No，butIamsontomymother——and。”headded，“toonewhocanstretchapointortwointhewayofhonestyaswellasotherpeople。”
Havingsaidthiswithalaugh，heagaintookmyfather’shandbetweenbothhis，andwentbacktohisoffice——wherehesethimselftothinkoutthecourseheintendedtotakewhendealingwiththeProfessors。
CHAPTERXVIII：YRAMINVITESDR。DOWNIEANDMRS。HUMDRUMTO
LUNCHEON——APASSAGEATARMSBETWEENHERANDHANKYISAMICABLY
ARRANGED
Thedisturbancecausedbymyfather’soutbreakwasquicklysuppressed，forGeorgegothimoutofthetemplealmostimmediately；itwasbruitedabout，however，thattheSunchildhadcomedownfromthepalaceofthesun，buthaddisappearedassoonasanyonehadtriedtotouchhim。InvaindidHankytrytoputfreshlifeintohissermon；itsbackhadbeenbroken，andlargenumbersleftthechurchtoseewhattheycouldhearoutside，orfailinginformation，todiscoursemorefreelywithoneanother。
Hankydidhisbesttoquiethishearerswhenhefoundthathecouldnotinfuriatethem，——
“Thispoorman。”hesaid，“isalreadyknowntome，asoneofthosewhohavedeludedthemselvesintobelievingthattheyaretheSunchild。Ihaveknownofhissodeclaringhimself，morethanonce，intheneighbourhoodofBridgeford，andothershavenotinfrequentlydonethesame；Ididnotatfirstrecognizehim，andregretthattheshockofhorrorhiswordsoccasionedmeshouldhavepromptedmetosuggestviolenceagainsthim。Letthisunfortunateaffairpassfromyourminds，andletmeagainurgeuponyoutheclaimsoftheSunchildEvidenceSociety。”
TheaudienceonhearingthattheyweretobetoldmoreabouttheSunchildEvidenceSocietymeltedawayevenmorerapidlythanbefore，andthesermonfizzledouttoanignominiousendquiteunworthyofitsoccasion。
Abouthalf-pasttwelve，theserviceended，andHankywenttotherobing-roomtotakeoffhisvestments。Yram，theMayor，andPanky，waitedforhimatthedooroppositetothatthroughwhichmyfatherhadbeentaken；whilewaiting，Yramscribbledofftwonotesinpencil，onetoDr。Downie，andanothertoMrs。Humdrum，beggingthemtocometolunchatonce——foritwouldbeoneo’clockbeforetheycouldreachtheMayor’s。ShegavethesenotestotheMayor，andbadehimbringboththeinvitedguestsalongwithhim。
TheMayorleftjustasHankywascomingtowardsher。“This，Mayoress。”hesaidwithsomeasperity，“isaveryseriousbusiness。
Ithasruinedmycollection。Halfthepeopleleftthetemplewithoutgivinganythingatall。Youseem。”headdedinatonethesignificanceofwhichcouldnotbemistaken，“tobeveryfond，Mayoress，ofthisMr。Higgs。”
“Yes。”saidYram，“Iam；Ialwayslikedhim，andIamsorryforhim；butheisnotthepersonIammostsorryforatthismoment——
he，poorman，isnotgoingtobehorsewhippedwithinthenexttwentyminutes。”Andshespokethe“he“initalics。
“Idonotunderstandyou，Mayoress。”
“Myhusbandwillexplain，assoonasIhaveseenhim。”
“Hanky。”saidPanky，“youmustwithdraw，andapologiseatonce。”
Hankywasnotslowtodothis，andwhenhehaddisavowedeverything，withdrawneverything，apologisedforeverything，andeatenhumblepietoYram’ssatisfaction，shesmiledgraciously，andheldoutherhand，whichHankywasobligedtotake。
“Andnow，Professor。”shesaid，“letmereturntoyourremarkthatthisisaveryseriousbusiness，andletmealsoclaimawoman’sprivilegeofbeinglistenedtowhenevershechoosestospeak。I
propose，then，thatwesaynothingfurtheraboutthismattertillafterluncheon。IhaveaskedDr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumtojoinus——“
“WhyMrs。Humdrum？“interruptedHankynonetoopleasantly，forhewasstillfuriousabouttheduelthathadjusttakenplacebetweenhimselfandhishostess。
“MydearProfessor。”saidYramgood-humouredly，“praysayallyouhavetosayandIwillcontinue。”
Hankywassilent。
“Ihaveasked。”resumedYram，“Dr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumtojoin，us，andafterluncheonwecandiscussthesituationornoasyoumaythinkproper。Tillthenletussaynomore。Luncheonwillbeoverbytwoo’clockorsoonafter，andthebanquetwillnotbegintillseven，soweshallhaveplentyoftime。”
Hankylookedblackandsaidnothing。AsforPankyhewasmorallyinastateofcollapse，anddidnotcount。
HardlyhadtheyreachedtheMayor’shousewhentheMayoralsoarrivedwithDr。DownieandMrs。Humdrum，bothofwhomhadseenandrecognisedmyfatherinspiteofhishavingdyedhishair。Dr。
DowniehadmethimatsupperinMr。Thims’sroomswhenhehadvisitedBridgeford，andnaturallyenoughhadobservedhimclosely。
Mrs。Humdrum，asIhavealreadysaid，hadseenhimmorethanoncewhenhewasinprison。SheandDr。Downieweretalkingearnestlyoverthestrangereappearanceofonewhomtheyhadbelievedlongsincedead，butYramimposedonthemthesamesilencethatshehadalreadyimposedontheProfessors。
“ProfessorHanky。”saidshetoMrs。Humdrum，inHanky’shearing，“isalittlealarmedatmyhavingaskedyoutojoinoursecretconclave。Heisnotmarried，anddoesnotknowhowwellawomancanholdhertonguewhenshechooses。Ishouldhavetoldyouallthatpassed，forImeantofollowyouradvice，soIthoughtyouhadbetterheareverythingyourself。”
Hankystilllookedblack，buthesaidnothing。Luncheonwaspromptlyserved，anddonejusticetoinspiteofmuchpreoccupation；forifthereisonethingthatgivesabetterappetitethananother，itisaSundaymorning’sservicewithacharitysermontofollow。Astheguestsmightnottalkonthesubjecttheywantedtotalkabout，andwereinnohumourtospeakofanythingelse，theygavetheirwholeattentiontothegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem，withoutsomuchasathoughtaboutreservingthemselvesfortheevening’sbanquet。Nevertheless，whenluncheonwasover，theProfessorswereinnomoregenial，manageable，stateofmindthantheyhadbeenwhenitbegan。
Whentheservantshadlefttheroom，YramsaidtoHanky，“Yousawtheprisoner，andhewasthemanyoumetonThursdaynight？“
“Certainly，hewaswearingtheforbiddendressandhehadmanyquailsinhispossession。Thereisnodoubtalsothathewasaforeigndevil。”
Atthispoint，itbeingnownearlyhalf-pasttwo，Georgecamein，andtookaseatnexttoMrs。Humdrum——betweenherandhismother——
whoofcoursesatattheheadofthetablewiththeMayoroppositetoher。OnonesideofthetablesattheProfessors，andontheotherDr。Downie，Mrs。Humdrum，andGeorge，whohadheardthelastfewwordsthatHankyhadspoken。
CHAPTERXIX：ACOUNCILISHELDATTHEMAYOR’S，INTHECOURSEOF
WHICHGEORGETURNSTHETABLESONTHEPROFESSORS
“Nowwho。”saidYram，“isthisunfortunatecreaturetobe，whenheisbroughtupto-morrowmorning，onthechargeofpoaching？“
“Itisnotnecessary。”saidHankyseverely，“thatheshouldbebroughtupforpoaching。Heisaforeigndevil，andassuchyoursonisboundtoflinghimwithouttrialintotheBluePool。Whybringasmallerchargewhenyoumustinflictthedeathpenaltyonamoreseriousone？IhavealreadytoldyouthatIshallfeelitmydutytoreportthematteratheadquarters，unlessIamsatisfiedthatthedeathpenaltyhasbeeninflicted。”
“Ofcourse。”saidGeorge，“wemustallofusdoourduty，andI
shallnotshrinkfrommine——butIhavearrestedthismanonachargeofpoaching，andmustgivemyreasons；thecasecannotbedropped，anditmustbeheardinpublic。AmI，oramInot，tohavethesworndepositionsofbothyougentlementothefactthattheprisoneristhemanyousawwithquailsinhispossession？Ifyoucandeposetothishewillbeconvicted，fortherecanbenodoubthekilledthebirdshimself。Theleastpenaltymyfathercaninflictistwelvemonths’imprisonmentwithhardlabour；andhemustundergothissentencebeforeIcanBlue-Poolhim。
“Thencomesthequestionwhetherornoheisaforeigndevil。I
maydecidethisinprivate，butImusthavedepositionsonoathbeforeIdoso，andatpresentIhavenothingbuthearsay。PerhapsyougentlemencangivemetheevidenceIshallrequire，butthecaseisoneofsuchimportancethatweretheprisonerprovedneversoclearlytobeaforeigndevil，IshouldnotBlue-PoolhimtillI
hadtakentheKing’spleasureconcerninghim。Ishallrejoice，therefore，ifyougentlemencanhelpmetosustainthechargeofpoaching，andthusgivemelegalstanding-groundfordeferringactionwhichtheKingmightregret，andwhichoncetakencannotberecalled。”
HereYraminterposed。“Thesepoints。”shesaid，“aredetails。