`Well，’saidJude，`perhapsitisforthebestthatwehavealmostdecidedtomoveon。Ifeelmuchbetterto-day，andshallbewellenoughtoleaveinaweekortwo。ThenMrs。Edlincangohomeagain-dearfaithfuloldsoul-theonlyfriendwehaveintheworld！’
　　`Wheredoyouthinktogoto？’Sueasked，atroublousnessinhertones。
　　ThenJudeconfessedwhatwasinhismind。Hesaiditwouldsurpriseher，perhaps，afterhishavingresolutelyavoidedalltheoldplacesforsolong。ButonethingandanotherhadmadehimthinkagreatdealofChristminsterlately，and，ifshedidn’tmind，hewouldliketogobackthere。Whyshouldtheycareiftheywereknown？Itwasoversensitiveofthemtomindsomuch。
　　Theycouldgoonsellingcakesthere，forthatmatter，ifhecouldn’twork。
　　Hehadnosenseofshameatmerepoverty；andperhapshewouldbeasstrongaseversoon，andabletosetupstone-cuttingforhimselfthere。
　　`WhyshouldyoucaresomuchforChristminster？’shesaidpensively。
　　`Christminstercaresnothingforyou，poordear！’
　　`Well，Ido，Ican’thelpit。Ilovetheplace-althoughIknowhowithatesallmenlikeme-theso-calledself-taught，-howitscornsourlabouredacquisitions，whenitshouldbethefirsttorespectthem；
　　howitsneersatourfalsequantitiesandmispronunciations，whenitshouldsay，Iseeyouwanthelp，mypoorfriend！……Nevertheless，itisthecentreoftheuniversetome，becauseofmyearlydream：andnothingcanalterit。Perhapsitwillsoonwakeup，andbegenerous。Iprayso！……Ishouldliketogobacktolivethere-perhapstodiethere！IntwoorthreeweeksImight，Ithink。ItwillthenbeJune，andIshouldliketobetherebyaparticularday。’
　　Hishopethathewasrecoveringprovedsofarwellgroundedthatinthreeweekstheyhadarrivedinthecityofmanymemories；wereactuallytreadingitspavements，receivingthereflectionofthesunshinefromitswastingwalls。
　　JudetheObscureChapter43PartSixthAtChristminsterAgain`……Andshehumbledherbodygreatly，andalltheplacesofherjoyshefilledwithhertornhair。’-EstherApoc。。
　　`Therearetwowhodecline，awomanandI，Andenjoyourdeathinthedarknesshere。’-R。Browning。VI-iOntheirarrivalthestationwaslivelywithstraw-hattedyoungmen，welcomingyounggirlswhoborearemarkablefamilylikenesstotheirwelcomers，andwhoweredressedupinthebrightestandlightestofraiment。
　　`Theplaceseemsgay，’saidSue。`Why-itisRemembranceDay！-
　　Jude-howslyofyou-youcameto-dayonpurpose！’
　　`Yes，’saidJudequietly，ashetookchargeofthesmallchild，andtoldArabella’sboytokeepclosetothem，Sueattendingtotheirowneldest。`Ithoughtwemightaswellcometo-dayasonanyother。’
　　`ButIamafraiditwilldepressyou！’shesaid，lookinganxiouslyathimupanddown。
　　`Oh，Imustn’tletitinterferewithourbusiness；andwehaveagooddealtodobeforeweshallbesettledhere。Thefirstthingislodgings。’
　　Havinglefttheirluggageandhistoolsatthestationtheyproceededonfootupthefamiliarstreet，theholidaypeoplealldriftinginthesamedirection。ReachingtheFourwaystheywereabouttoturnofftowhereaccommodationwaslikelytobefoundwhen，lookingattheclockandthehurryingcrowd，Judesaid：`Letusgoandseetheprocession，andnevermindthelodgingsjustnow？Wecangetthemafterwards。’
　　`Oughtn’twetogetahouseoverourheadsfirst？’sheasked。
　　Buthissoulseemedfulloftheanniversary，andtogethertheywentdownChiefStreet，theirsmallestchildinJude’sarms，Sueleadingherlittlegirl，andArabella’sboywalkingthoughtfullyandsilentlybesidethem。Crowdsofprettysistersinairycostumes，andmeeklyignorantparentswhohadknownnocollegeintheiryouth，wereunderconvoyinthesamedirectionbybrothersandsonsbearingtheopinionwrittenlargeonthemthatnoproperlyqualifiedhumanbeingshadlivedonearthtilltheycametograceithereandnow。
　　`Myfailureisreflectedonmebyeveryoneofthoseyoungfellows，’
　　saidJude。`Alessononpresumptionisawaitingmeto-day！-HumiliationDayforme！……Ifyou，mydeardarling，hadn’tcometomyrescue，Ishouldhavegonetothedogswithdespair！’
　　Shesawfromhisfacethathewasgettingintooneofhistempestuous，self-harrowingmoods。`Itwouldhavebeenbetterifwehadgoneatonceaboutourownaffairs，dear，’sheanswered。`Iamsurethissightwillawakenoldsorrowsinyou，anddonogood！’
　　`Well-wearenear；wewillseeitnow，’saidhe。
　　TheyturnedinontheleftbythechurchwiththeItalianporch，whosehelicalcolumnswereheavilydrapedwithcreepers，andpursuedthelanetilltherearoseonJude’ssightthecirculartheatrewiththatwell-knownlanternaboveit，whichstoodinhismindasthesadsymbolofhisabandonedhopes，foritwasfromthatoutlookthathehadfinallysurveyedtheCityofCollegesontheafternoonofhisgreatmeditation，whichconvincedhimatlastofthefutilityofhisattempttobeasonoftheuniversity。
　　To-day，intheopenspacestretchingbetweenthisbuildingandthenearestcollege，stoodacrowdofexpectantpeople。Apassagewaskeptclearthroughtheirmidstbytwobarriersoftimber，extendingfromthedoorofthecollegetothedoorofthelargebuildingbetweenitandthetheatre。
　　`Hereistheplace-theyarejustgoingtopass！’criedJudeinsuddenexcitement。Andpushinghiswaytothefronthetookupapositionclosetothebarrier，stillhuggingtheyoungestchildinhisarms，whileSueandtheotherskeptimmediatelybehindhim。Thecrowdfilledinattheirback，andfelltotalking，joking，andlaughingascarriageaftercarriagedrewupatthelowerdoorofthecollege，andsolemnstatelyfiguresinblood-redrobesbegantoalight。Theskyhadgrownovercastandlivid，andthunderrumblednowandthen。
　　FatherTimeshuddered。`ItdoseemliketheJudgmentDay！’hewhispered。
　　`Theyareonlylearneddoctors，’saidSue。
　　Whiletheywaitedbigdropsofrainfellontheirheadsandshoulders，andthedelaygrewtedious。Sueagainwishednottostay。
　　`Theywon’tbelongnow，’saidJude，withoutturninghishead。
　　Buttheprocessiondidnotcomeforth，andsomebodyinthecrowd，topassthetime，lookedatthefacadeofthenearestcollege，andsaidhewonderedwhatwasmeantbytheLatininscriptioninitsmidst。Jude，whostoodneartheinquirer，explainedit，andfindingthatthepeopleallroundhimwerelisteningwithinterest，wentontodescribethecarvingofthefriezewhichhehadstudiedyearsbefore，andtocriticizesomedetailsofmasonryinothercollegefrontsaboutthecity。
　　Theidlecrowd，includingthetwopolicemenatthedoors，staredliketheLycaoniansatPaul，forJudewasapttogettooenthusiasticoveranysubjectinhand，andtheyseemedtowonderhowthestrangershouldknowmoreaboutthebuildingsoftheirtownthantheythemselvesdid；tilloneofthemsaid：`Why，Iknowthatman；heusedtoworkhereyearsago-JudeFawley，that’shisname！Don’tyoumindheusedtobenicknamedTutorofSt。Slums，d’yemind？-becauseheaimedatthatlineo’business？
　　He’smarried，Isuppose，then，andthat’shischildhe’scarrying。Taylorwouldknowhim，asheknowseverybody。’
　　ThespeakerwasamannamedJackStagg，withwhomJudehadformerlyworkedinrepairingthecollegemasonries；TinkerTaylorwasseentobestandingnear。HavinghisattentioncalledthelattercriedacrossthebarrierstoJude：`You’vehonouredusbycomingbackagain，myfriend！’
　　`An’youdon’tseemtohavedoneanygreatthingsforyourselfbygoingaway？’
　　Judeassentedtothisalso。
　　`Exceptfoundmoremouthstofill！’Thiscameinanewvoice，andJuderecognizeditsownertobeUncleJoe，anothermasonwhomhehadknown。
　　Juderepliedgood-humouredlythathecouldnotdisputeit；andfromremarktoremarksomethinglikeageneralconversationarosebetweenhimandthecrowdofidlers，duringwhichTinkerTayloraskedJudeifherememberedtheApostles’CreedinLatinstill，andthenightofthechallengeinthepublichouse。
　　`ButFortunedidn’tliethatway？’threwinJoe。`Yerpowerswasn’tenoughtocarry’eethrough？’
　　`Don’tanswerthemanymore！’entreatedSue。
　　`Idon’tthinkIlikeChristminster！’murmuredlittleTimemournfully，ashestoodsubmergedandinvisibleinthecrowd。
　　Butfindinghimselfthecentreofcuriosity，quizzing，andcomment，Judewasnotinclinedtoshrinkfromopendeclarationsofwhathehadnogreatreasontobeashamedof；andinalittlewhilewasstimulatedtosayinaloudvoicetothelisteningthronggenerally：
　　`Itisadifficultquestion，myfriends，foranyyoungman-thatquestionIhadtograpplewith，andwhichthousandsareweighingatthepresentmomentintheseuprisingtimes-whethertofollowuncriticallythetrackhefindshimselfin，withoutconsideringhisaptnessforit，ortoconsiderwhathisaptnessorbentmaybe，andre-shapehiscourseaccordingly。Itriedtodothelatter，andIfailed。ButIdon’tadmitthatmyfailureprovedmyviewtobeawrongone，orthatmysuccesswouldhavemadeitarightone；thoughthat’showweappraisesuchattemptsnowadays-Imean，notbytheiressentialsoundness，butbytheiraccidentaloutcomes。
　　IfIhadendedbybecominglikeoneofthesegentlemeninredandblackthatwesawdroppinginherebynow，everybodywouldhavesaid：`Seehowwisethatyoungmanwas，tofollowthebentofhisnature！’ButhavingendednobetterthanIbegantheysay：`Seewhatafoolthatfellowwasinfollowingafreakofhisfancy！’
　　`Howeveritwasmypovertyandnotmywillthatconsentedtobebeaten。IttakestwoorthreegenerationstodowhatItriedtodoinone；
　　andmyimpulses-affections-vicesperhapstheyshouldbecalled-weretoostrongnottohamperamanwithoutadvantages；whoshouldbeascold-bloodedasafishandasselfishasapigtohaveareallygoodchanceofbeingoneofhiscountry’sworthies。Youmayridiculeme-Iamquitewillingthatyoushould-Iamafitsubject，nodoubt。ButIthinkifyouknewwhatIhavegonethroughtheselastfewyearsyouwouldratherpityme。
　　Andiftheyknew’-henoddedtowardsthecollegeatwhichthedonswereseverallyarriving-`itisjustpossibletheywoulddothesame。’
　　`Hedolookillandworn-out，itistrue！’saidawoman。
　　Sue’sfacegrewmoreemotional；butthoughshestoodclosetoJudeshewasscreened。
　　`ImaydosomegoodbeforeIamdead-beasortofsuccessasafrightfulexampleofwhatnottodo；andsoillustrateamoralstory，’
　　continuedJude，beginningtogrowbitter，thoughhehadopenedserenelyenough。`Iwas，perhaps，afterall，apaltryvictimtothespiritofmentalandsocialrestlessnessthatmakessomanyunhappyinthesedays！’
　　`Don’ttellthemthat！’whisperedSuewithtears，atperceivingJude’sstateofmind。`Youweren’tthat。Youstrugglednoblytoacquireknowledge，andonlythemeanestsoulsintheworldwouldblameyou！’
　　Judeshiftedthechildintoamoreeasypositiononhisarm，andconcluded：`AndwhatIappear，asickandpoorman，isnottheworstofme。Iaminachaosofprinciples-gropinginthedark-actingbyinstinctandnotafterexample。EightornineyearsagowhenIcameherefirst，Ihadaneatstockoffixedopinions，buttheydroppedawayonebyone；
　　andthefurtherIgetthelesssureIam。IdoubtifIhaveanythingmoreformypresentruleoflifethanfollowinginclinationswhichdomeandnobodyelseanyharm，andactuallygivepleasuretothoseIlovebest。
　　There，gentlemen，sinceyouwantedtoknowhowIwasgettingon，Ihavetoldyou。Muchgoodmayitdoyou！Icannotexplainfurtherhere。Iperceivethereissomethingwrongsomewhereinoursocialformulas：whatitiscanonlybediscoveredbymenorwomenwithgreaterinsightthanmine-if，indeed，theyeverdiscoverit-atleastinourtime。`Forwhoknowethwhatisgoodformaninthislife？-andwhocantellamanwhatshallbeafterhimunderthesun？’’
　　`Hear，hear，’saidthepopulace。
　　`Wellpreached！’saidTinkerTaylor。Andprivatelytohisneighbours：
　　`Why，oneofthemjobbingpa’sonsswarmingabouthere，thattakestheserviceswhenourheadreverendswantaholiday，wouldn’tha’discoursedsuchdoctrineforlessthanaguineadown？Hey？I’lltakemyoathnotoneo’’emwould！
　　Andthenhemusthavehaditwrotedownfor’n。Andthisonlyaworking-man！’
　　AsasortofobjectivecommentaryonJude’sremarkstheredroveupatthismomentwithabelateddoctor，robedandpanting，acabwhosehorsefailedtostopattheexactpointrequiredforsettingdownthehirer，whojumpedoutandenteredthedoor。Thedriver，alighting，begantokicktheanimalinthebelly。
　　`Ifthatcanbedone，’saidJude，`atcollegegatesinthemostreligiousandeducationalcityintheworld，whatshallwesayastohowfarwe’vegot？’
　　`Order！’saidoneofthepolicemen，whohadbeenengagedwithacomradeinopeningthelargedoorsoppositethecollege。`Keepyertonguequiet，myman，whiletheprocessionpasses。’Theraincameonmoreheavily，andallwhohadumbrellasopenedthem。Judewasnotoneofthese，andSueonlypossessedasmallone，halfsunshade。Shehadgrownpale，thoughJudedidnotnoticeitthen。