Contents
　　TotheGentleReaderInRemembranceofJohnIngerfieldandofAnne，hisWifeTheWomanoftheSaeterVarietyPatterSilhouettesTheLeaseofthe"CrossKeys"
　　TOTHEGENTLEREADER；
　　alsoTOTHEGENTLECRITIC。
　　Onceuponatime，Iwrotealittlestoryofawomanwhowascrushedtodeathbyapython。Adayortwoafteritspublication，afriendstoppedmeinthestreet。"Charminglittlestoryofyours，"hesaid，"thataboutthewomanandthesnake；butit’snotasfunnyassomeofyourthings!"Thenextweek，anewspaper，referringtothetale，remarked，"Wehaveheardtheincidentrelatedbeforewithinfinitelygreaterhumour。"
　　Withthis——andmanysimilarexperiences——inmind，Iwishdistinctlytostatethat"JohnIngerfield，""TheWomanoftheSaeter，"and"Silhouettes，"arenotintendedtobeamusing。Thetwootheritems——
　　"VarietyPatter，"and"TheLeaseoftheCrossKeys"——Igiveovertothecriticsofthenewhumourtorendastheywill；but"JohnIngerfield，""TheWomanoftheSaeter，"and"Silhouettes，"Irepeat，Ishouldbegladiftheywouldjudgefromsomeotherstandpointthanthatofhumour，neworold。
　　INREMEMBRANCEOFJOHNINGERFIELDANDOFANNE，HISWIFE
　　ASTORYOFOLDLONDON，INTWOCHAPTERS
　　CHAPTERI。
　　IfyoutaketheUndergroundRailwaytoWhitechapelRoad（theEaststation），andfromtheretakeoneoftheyellowtramcarsthatstartfromthatpoint，andgodowntheCommercialRoad，pasttheGeorge，infrontofwhichstarts——orusedtostand——ahighflagstaff，atthebaseofwhichsits——orusedtosit——anelderlyfemalepurveyorofpigs’trottersatthree—ha’penceapiece，untilyoucometowherearailwayarchcrossestheroadobliquely，andtheregetdownandturntotherightupanarrow，noisystreetleadingtotheriver，andthentotherightagainupastillnarrowerstreet，whichyoumayknowbyitshavingapublic—houseatonecorner（asisinthenatureofthings）andamarinestore—dealer’sattheother，outsidewhichstrangelystiffandunaccommodatinggarmentsofgiganticsizeflutterghost—likeinthewind，youwillcometoadingyrailed—inchurchyard，surroundedonallsidesbycheerless，many—peopledhouses。Sad—lookinglittleoldhousestheyare，inspiteofthetumultoflifeabouttheireveropendoors。Theyandtheancientchurchintheirmidstseemwearyoftheceaselessjanglearoundthem。
　　Perhaps，standingthereforsomanyyears，listeningtothelongsilenceofthedead，thefretfulvoicesofthelivingsoundfoolishintheirears。
　　Peeringthroughtherailingsonthesidenearesttheriver，youwillseebeneaththeshadowofthesoot—grimedchurch’ssoot—grimedporch—
　　—thatis，ifthesunhappen，byrarechance，tobestrongenoughtocastanyshadowatallinthatregionofgreylight——acuriouslyhighandnarrowheadstonethatoncewaswhiteandstraight，nottotteringandbentwithageasitisnow。Thereisuponthisstoneacarvinginbas—relief，asyouwillseeforyourselfifyouwillmakeyourwaytoitthroughthegatewayontheoppositesideofthesquare。Itrepresents，sofarascanbemadeout，foritismuchwornbytimeanddirt，afigurelyingonthegroundwithanotherfigurebendingoverit，whileatalittledistancestandsathirdobject。Butthislastissoindistinctthatitmightbealmostanything，fromanangeltoapost。
　　Andbelowthecarvingarethewords（alreadyhalfobliterated）thatI
　　haveusedforthetitleofthisstory。
　　ShouldyoueverwanderofaSundaymorningwithinsoundofthecrackedbellthatcallsafewhabit—bound，old—fashionedfolktoworshipwithinthosedamp—stainedwalls，anddropintotalkwiththeoldmenwhoonsuchdayssometimessit，eachinhisbrass—buttonedlongbrowncoat，uponthelowstonecopingunderneaththosebrokenrailings，youmighthearthistalefromthem，asIdid，moreyearsagothanIcaretorecollect。
　　Butlestyoudonotchoosetogotoallthistrouble，orlesttheoldmenwhocouldtellityouhavegrowntiredofalltalk，andarenottoberousedeveragainintothetellingoftales，andyouyetwishforthestory，Iwillheresetitdownforyou。
　　ButIcannotrecountittoyouastheytoldittome，fortomeitwasonlyatalethatIheardandremembered，thinkingtotellitagainforprofit，whiletothemitwasathingthathadbeen，andthethreadsofitwereinterwovenwiththewoofoftheirownlife。Astheytalked，facesthatIdidnotseepassedbyamongthecrowdandturnedandlookedatthem，andvoicesthatIdidnothearspoketothembelowtheclamourofthestreet，sothatthroughtheirthinpipingvoicestherequiveredthedeepmusicoflifeanddeath，andmytalemustbetotheirsbutasagossip’schattertothestoryofhimwhosebreasthasfeltthepressofbattle。
　　JohnIngerfield，oilandtallowrefiner，ofLavenderWharf，Limehouse，comesofahard—headed，hard—fistedstock。ThefirstoftheracethattheeyeofRecord，piercingthedeepeningmistsuponthecenturiesbehindher，isabletodiscernwithanyclearnessisalong—haired，sea—bronzedpersonage，whommencallvariouslyIngeorUnger。OutofthewildNorthSeahehascome。Recordobserveshim，oneofasmall，fiercegroup，standingonthesandsofdesolateNorthumbria，staringlandward，hisworldlywealthuponhisback。
　　Thisconsistsofatwo—handedbattle—axe，valueperhapssomefortystycasinthecurrencyofthetime。Acarefulman，withbusinesscapabilities，may，however，manipulateasmallcapitaltogreatadvantage。Inwhatwouldappear，tothoseaccustomedtoourslowmodernmethods，anincrediblyshortspaceoftime，Inge’stwo—handedbattle—axehasdevelopedintowidelandsandmanyheadofcattle；
　　whichlattercontinuetomultiplywitharapiditybeyondthedreamsofpresent—daybreeders。Inge’sdescendantswouldseemtohaveinheritedthegeniusoftheirancestor，fortheyprosperandtheirworldlygoodsincrease。Theyareamoney—makingrace。Inalltimes，outofallthings，byallmeans，theymakemoney。Theyfightformoney，marryformoney，liveformoney，arereadytodieformoney。
　　InthedayswhenthemostsaleableandthehighestpricedarticleinthemarketsofEuropewasastrongarmandacoolhead，theneachIngerfield（as"Inge，"longrootedinYorkshiresoil，hadgrownorbeencorruptedto）wasasoldieroffortune，andofferedhisstrongarmandhiscoolheadtothehighestbidder。Theyfoughtfortheirprice，andtheytookgoodcarethattheyobtainedtheirprice；but，thepricesettled，theyfoughtwell，fortheywerestaunchmenandtrue，accordingtotheirlights，thoughtheselightsmayhavebeenplacedsomewhatlowdown，neartheearth。
　　Thenfollowedthedayswhenthechiefrichesoftheworldlaytossedfordaringhandstograspuponthebosomofthesea，andthesleepingspiritoftheoldNorseRoverstirredintheirveins，andtheliltofawildsea—songtheyhadneverheardkeptringingintheirears；andtheybuiltthemshipsandsailedfortheSpanishMain，andwonmuchwealth，aswastheirwont。
　　Lateron，whenCivilisationbegantolaydownandenforcesternerrulesforthegameoflife，andpeacefulmethodspromisedtoprovemoreprofitablethanviolent，theIngerfieldsbecametradersandmerchantsofgravemienandsoberlife；fortheirambitionfromgenerationtogenerationremainseverthesame，theirvariouscallingsbeingbutmeanstoanend。
　　Ahard，sternraceofmentheywouldseemtohavebeen，butjust——sofarastheyunderstoodjustice。Theyhavethereputationofhavingbeengoodhusbands，fathers，andmasters；butonecannothelpthinkingofthemasmorerespectedthanloved。
　　Theywerementoexacttheuttermostfarthingduetothem，yetnotwithoutasenseofthethingduefromthem，theirowndutyandresponsibility——nay，notaltogetherwithouttheirmomentsofheroism，whichisthedutyofgreatmen。HistoryrelateshowacertainCaptainIngerfield，returningwithmuchtreasurefromtheWestIndies——howacquireditwere，perhaps，bestnottoinquiretooclosely——isoverhauleduponthehighseasbyKing’sfrigate。CaptainofKing’sfrigatesendspolitemessagetoCaptainIngerfieldrequestinghimtobesokindastopromptlyhandoveracertainmemberofhisship’scompany，who，bysomemeansoranother，hasmadehimselfobjectionabletoKing’sfriends，inorderthathe（thesaidobjectionableperson）maybeforthwithhangedfromtheyard—arm。
　　CaptainIngerfieldreturnspoliteanswertoCaptainofKing’sfrigatethathe（CaptainIngerfield）will，withmuchpleasure，hanganymemberofhisship’scompanythatneedshanging，butthatneithertheKingofEnglandnoranyoneelseonGodAlmighty’sseaisgoingtodoitforhim。CaptainofKing’sfrigatesendsbackwordthatifobjectionablepersonbenotatoncegivenupheshallbecompelledwithmuchregrettosendIngerfieldandhisshiptothebottomoftheAtlantic。RepliesCaptainIngerfield，"ThatisjustwhathewillhavetodobeforeIgiveuponeofmypeople，"andfightsthebigfrigate——fightsitsofiercelythatafterthreehoursCaptainofKing’sfrigatethinksitwillbegoodtotryargumentagain，andsendsthereforeafurthermessage，courteouslyacknowledgingCaptainIngerfield’scourageandskill，andsuggestingthat，hehavingdonesufficienttovindicatehishonourandrenown，itwouldbepolitictonowhandovertheunimportantcauseofcontention，andsoescapewithhistreasure。
　　"TellyourCaptain，"shoutsbackthisIngerfield，whohasdiscoveredtherearesweeterthingstofightforthanevenmoney，"thattheWildGoosehasflowntheseaswithherbellyfulloftreasurebeforenow，andwill，ifitbeGod’spleasure，sodoagain，butthatmasterandmaninhersailtogether，fighttogether，anddietogether。"
　　WhereuponKing’sfrigatepoundsawaymorevigorouslythanever，andsucceedseventuallyincarryingoutherthreat。DowngoestheWildGoose，herlastchaseended——downshegoeswithaplunge，spitforemostwithhercoloursflying；anddownwithhergoeseverymanleftstandingonherdecks；andatthebottomoftheAtlantictheylietothisday，masterandmansidebyside，keepingguardupontheirtreasure。
　　Whichincident，anditiswellauthenticated，goesfartoprovethattheIngerfields，hardmenandgraspingmenthoughtheybe——mencaringmoreforthegettingofmoneythanforthegettingoflove——lovingmorethecoldgripofgoldthanthegripofkithorkin，yetbearburiedintheirheartstheseedsofanoblermanhood，forwhich，however，thebarrensoiloftheirambitionaffordsscantnourishment。
　　TheJohnIngerfieldofthisstoryisamanverytypicalofhisrace。
　　Hehasdiscoveredthattheoilandtallowrefiningbusiness，thoughnotapleasantone，isanexceedinglylucrativeone。ThesearethegooddayswhenGeorgetheThirdisking，andLondonisrapidlybecomingacityofbrightnight。Tallowandoilandallmaterialsakintheretoareinever—growingrequest，andyoungJohnIngerfieldbuildshimselfalargerefininghouseandwarehouseinthegrowingsuburbofLimehouse，whichliesbetweentheteemingriverandthequietfields，gathersmanypeopleroundabouthim，putshisstrongheartintohiswork，andprospers。
　　Allthedaysofhisyouthhelaboursandgarners，andlaysoutandgarnersyetagain。Inearlymiddleagehefindshimselfawealthyman。Thechiefbusinessoflife，thegettingofmoney，ispracticallydone；hisenterpriseisfirmlyestablished，andwillcontinuetogrowwitheverlessneedofhusbandry。Itistimeforhimtothinkaboutthesecondarybusinessoflife，thegettingtogetherofawifeandhome，fortheIngerfieldshaveeverbeengoodcitizens，worthyheadsoffamilies，openhandedhosts，makingabraveshowamongfriendsandneighbours。
　　JohnIngerfield，sittinginhisstiff，high—backedchair，inhisstiffly，butsolidly，furnisheddining—room，abovehiscounting—
　　house，sippingslowlyhisoneglassofport，takescounselwithhimself。
　　Whatshallshebe？
　　Heisrich，andcanaffordagoodarticle。Shemustbeyoungandhandsome，fittogracethefinehousehewilltakeforherinfashionableBloomsbury，farfromtheodourandtouchofoilandtallow。Shemustbewellbred，withagracious，noblemanner，thatwillcharmhisguestsandreflecthonourandcredituponhimself；shemust，aboveall，beofgoodfamily，withagenealogicaltreesufficientlyumbrageoustohideLavenderWharffromtheeyesofSociety。
　　Whatelseshemayormaynotbehedoesnotverymuchcare。Shewill，ofcourse，bevirtuousandmoderatelypious，asitisfitandproperthatwomenshouldbe。Itwillalsobewellthatherdispositionbegentleandyielding，butthatisofminorimportance，atalleventssofarasheisconcerned：theIngerfieldhusbandsarenottheclassofmenuponwhomwivesventtheirtempers。
　　HavingdecidedinhismindWHATsheshallbe，heproceedstodiscusswithhimselfWHOsheshallbe。Hissocialcircleissmall。
　　Methodically，inthought，hemakestheentireroundofit，mentallyscrutinisingeverymaidenthatheknows。Somearecharming，somearefair，somearerich；butnooneofthemapproachesneartohiscarefullyconsideredideal。
　　Hekeepsthesubjectinhismind，andmusesonitintheintervalsofbusiness。Atoddmomentshejotsdownnamesastheyoccurtohimuponaslipofpaper，whichhepinsforthepurposeontheinsideofthecoverofhisdesk。Hearrangesthemalphabetically，andwhenitisascompleteashismemorycanmakeit，hegoescriticallydownthelist，makingafewnotesagainsteach。Asaresult，itbecomescleartohimthathemustseekamongstrangersforhiswife。
　　Hehasafriend，orratheranacquaintance，anoldschool—fellow，whohasdevelopedintooneofthosecurioussocialfliesthatinallagesaretobemetwithbuzzingcontentedlywithinthemostexclusivecircles，andconcerningwhom，seeingthattheyareneitherrarenorrich，norextraordinarilyclevernorwellborn，onewonders"howthedeviltheygotthere!"Meetingthismanbychanceoneafternoon，helinkshisarminhisandinviteshimhometodinner。
　　Sosoonastheyareleftalone，withthewalnutsandwinebetweenthem，JohnIngerfieldsays，thoughtfullycrackingahardnutbetweenhisfingers—
　　"Will，I’mgoingtogetmarried。"
　　"Excellentidea——delightedtohearit，I’msure，"repliesWill，somewhatlessinterestedintheinformationthaninthedelicatelyflavouredMadeiraheislovinglysipping。"Who’sthelady？"
　　"Idon’tknow，yet，"isJohnIngerfield’sanswer。
　　Hisfriendglancesslylyathimoverhisglass，notsurewhetherheisexpectedtobeamusedorsympatheticallyhelpful。
　　"Iwantyoutofindoneforme。"
　　WillCathcartputsdownhisglassandstaresathishostacrossthetable。
　　"Shouldbedelightedtohelpyou，Jack，"hestammers，inanalarmedtone——"’ponmysoulIshould；butreallydon’tknowadamnedwomanI
　　couldrecommend——’ponmysoulIdon’t。"
　　"Youmustseeagoodmany：Iwishyou’dlookoutforonethatyouCOULDrecommend。"
　　"CertainlyIwill，mydearJack!"answerstheother，inarelievedvoice。"Neverthoughtabout’eminthatwaybefore。DaresayIshallcomeacrosstheverygirltosuityou。I’llkeepmyeyesopenandletyouknow。"
　　"Ishallbeobligedtoyouifyouwill，"repliesJohnIngerfield，quietly；"andit’syourturn，Ithink，toobligeme，Will。Ihaveobligedyou，ifyourecollect。"
　　"Shallneverforgetit，mydearJack，"murmursWill，alittleuneasily。"Itwasuncommonlygoodofyou。Yousavedmefromruin，Jack：shallthinkaboutittomydyingday——’ponmysoulIshall。"
　　"Noneedtoletitworryyouforsolongaperiodasthat，"returnsJohn，withthefaintestsuspicionofasmileplayingroundhisfirmmouth。"Thebillfallsdueattheendofnextmonth。Youcandischargethedebtthen，andthematterwillbeoffyourmind。"
　　Willfindshischairgrowinguncomfortableunderhim，whiletheMadeirasomehowlosesitsflavour。Hegivesashort，nervouslaugh。
　　"ByJove，"hesays："sosoonasthat？Thedatehadquiteslippedmymemory。"
　　"FortunatethatIremindedyou，"saysJohn，thesmileroundhislipsdeepening。
　　Willfidgetsonhisseat。"I’mafraid，mydearJack，"hesays，"I
　　shallhavetogetyoutorenewit，justforamonthortwo，——deucedawkwardthing，butI’mremarkablyshortofmoneythisyear。Truthis，Ican’tgetwhat’sowingtomyself。"
　　"That’sveryawkward，certainly，"replieshisfriend，"becauseIamnotatallsurethatIshallbeabletorenewit。"
　　Willstaresathiminsomealarm。"ButwhatamItodoifIhav’n’tthemoney？"
　　JohnIngerfieldshrugshisshoulders。
　　"Youdon’tmean，mydearJack，thatyouwouldputmeinprison？"
　　"Whynot？Otherpeoplehavetogotherewhocan’tpaytheirdebts。"
　　WillCathcart’salarmgrowstoseriousproportions。"Butourfriendship，"hecries，"our——"
　　"MydearWill，"interruptstheother，"therearefewfriendsIwouldlendthreehundredpoundstoandmakenoefforttogetitback。You，certainly，arenotoneofthem。"
　　"Letusmakeabargain，"hecontinues。"Findmeawife，andonthedayofmymarriageIwillsendyoubackthatbillwith，perhaps，acoupleofhundredadded。Ifbytheendofnextmonthyouhavenotintroducedmetoaladyfittobe，andwillingtobe，Mrs。JohnIngerfield，Ishalldeclinetorenewit。"
　　JohnIngerfieldrefillshisownglassandhospitablypushesthebottletowardshisguest——who，however，contrarytohiscustom，takesnonoticeofit，butstareshardathisshoe—buckles。
　　"Areyouserious？"hesaysatlength。
　　"Quiteserious，"istheanswer。"Iwanttomarry。Mywifemustbealadybybirthandeducation。Shemustbeofgoodfamily——offamilysufficientlygood，indeed，tocompensatefortherefinery。Shemustbeyoungandbeautifulandcharming。Iampurelyabusinessman。I
　　wantawomancapableofconductingthesocialdepartmentofmylife。
　　Iknowofnosuchladymyself。Iappealtoyou，becauseyou，Iknow，areintimatewiththeclassamongwhomshemustbesought。"
　　"Theremaybesomedifficultyinpersuadingaladyoftherequiredqualificationstoacceptthesituation，"saysCathcart，withatouchofmalice。
　　"Iwantyoutofindonewhowill，"saysJohnIngerfield。
　　EarlyintheeveningWillCathcarttakesleaveofhishost，anddepartsthoughtfulandanxious；andJohnIngerfieldstrollscontemplativelyupanddownhiswharf，forthesmellofoilandtallowhasgrowntobeverysweettohim，anditispleasanttowatchthemoonbeamsshiningonthepiled—upcasks。
　　Sixweeksgoby。OnthefirstdayoftheseventhJohntakesWillCathcart’sacceptancefromitsplaceinthelargesafe，andlaysitinthesmallerboxbesidehisdesk，devotedtomorepressingandimmediatebusiness。TwodayslaterCathcartpickshiswayacrosstheslimyyard，passesthroughthecounting—house，andentershisfriend’sinnersanctum，closingthedoorbehindhim。
　　Hewearsajubilantair，andslapsthegraveJohnontheback。"I’vegother，Jack，"hecries。"It’sbeenhardwork，Icantellyou：
　　soundingsuspiciousolddowagers，bribingconfidentialservants，fishingforinformationamongfriendsofthefamily。ByJove，I
　　shallbeabletojointheDuke’sstaffasspy—in—chieftoHisMajesty’sentireforcesafterthis!"
　　"Whatisshelike？"asksJohn，withoutstoppinghiswriting。
　　"Like!MydearJack，you’llfalloverheadandearsinlovewithherthemomentyouseeher。Alittlecold，perhaps，butthatwilljustsuityou。"
　　"Goodfamily？"asksJohn，signingandfoldingtheletterhehasfinished。
　　"SogoodthatIwasafraidatfirstitwouldbeuselessthinkingofher。Butshe’sasensiblegirl，noconfoundednonsenseabouther，andthefamilyarepooraschurchmice。Infact——well，totellthetruth，wehavebecomemostexcellentfriends，andshetoldmeherselffranklythatshemeanttomarryarichman，anddidn’tmuchcarewhom。"
　　"Thatsoundshopeful，"remarksthewould—bebridegroom，withhispeculiardrysmile："whenshallIhavethepleasureofseeingher？"
　　"Iwantyoutocomewithmeto—nighttotheGarden，"repliestheother；"shewillbeinLadyHeatherington’sbox，andIwillintroduceyou。"
　　SothateveningJohnIngerfieldgoestoCoventGardenTheatre，withthebloodrunningatriflequickerinhisveins，butnotmuch，thanwouldbethecasewerehegoingtothedockstopurchasetallow——
　　examines，covertly，theproposedarticlefromtheoppositesideofthehouse，andapprovesher——isintroducedtoher，and，oncloserinspection，approvesherstillmore——receivesaninvitationtovisit—
　　—visitsfrequently，andeachtimeismoresatisfiedoftherarity，serviceableness，andqualityofthearticle。
　　IfallJohnIngerfieldrequiresforawifeisabeautifulsocialmachine，surelyherehehasfoundhisideal。AnneSingleton，onlydaughterofthatpersistentlyunfortunatebutmostcharmingofbaronets，SirHarrySingleton（morecharming，itisrumoured，outsidehisfamilycirclethanwithinit），isastatelygraceful，high—bredwoman。Herportrait，byReynolds，stilltobeseenabovethecarvedwainscotingofoneoftheoldCityhalls，showsawonderfullyhandsomeandcleverface，butatthesametimeawonderfullycoldandheartlessone。Itisthefaceofawomanhalfwearyof，halfsneeringattheworld。Onereadsinoldfamilyletters，whereoftheinkisnowveryfadedandthepaperveryyellow，longcriticismsofthisportrait。Thewriterscomplainthatifthepictureisatalllikehershemusthavegreatlychangedsincehergirlhood，fortheyrememberherthenashavingalaughingandwinsomeexpression。
　　Theysay——theywhoknewherinafter—life——thatthisearlierfacecamebacktoherintheend，sothatthemanywhorememberedopeningtheireyesandseeingherbendingdownoverthemcouldneverrecognisetheportraitofthebeautifulsneeringlady，evenwhentheyweretoldwhomitrepresented。
　　ButatthetimeofJohnIngerfield’sstrangewooingshewastheAnneSingletonofSirJoshua’sportrait，andJohnIngerfieldlikedherthebetterthatshewas。
　　Hehadnofeelingofsentimentinthematterhimself，anditsimplifiedthecasethatshehadnoneeither。Heofferedheraplainbargain，andsheacceptedit。Forallhekneworcared，herattitudetowardsthissubjectofmarriagewastheusualoneassumedbywomen。
　　Veryyounggirlshadtheirheadsfullofromanticideas。Itwasbetterforherandforhimthatshehadgotridofthem。
　　"Ourswillbeaunionfoundedongoodsense，"saidJohnIngerfield。
　　"Letushopetheexperimentwillsucceed，"saidAnneSingleton。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　Buttheexperimentdoesnotsucceed。ThelawsofGoddecreethatmanshallpurchasewoman，thatwomanshallgiveherselftoman，forothercointhanthatofgoodsense。Goodsenseisnotalegaltenderinthemarriagemart。Menandwomenwhoenterthereinwithonlysenseintheirpursehavenorighttocomplainif，onreachinghome，theyfindtheyhaveconcludedanunsatisfactorybargain。
　　JohnIngerfield，whenheaskedAnneSingletontobehiswife，feltnomoreloveforherthanhefeltforanyoftheothersumptuoushouseholdappointmentshewaspurchasingaboutthesametime，andmadenopretenceofdoingso。Nor，hadhedoneso，wouldshehavebelievedhim；forAnneSingletonhaslearnedmuchinhertwenty—twosummersandwinters，andknowsthatloveisonlyameteorinlife’ssky，andthatthetruelodestarofthisworldisgold。AnneSingletonhashadherromanceandburieditdeepdowninherdeepnatureandoveritsgrave，tokeepitsghostfromrising，haspiledthestonesofindifferenceandcontempt，asmanyawomanhasdonebeforeandsince。OnceuponatimeAnneSingletonsatdreamingoutastory。Itwasastoryoldasthehills——olderthansomeofthem——buttoher，then，itwasquitenewandverywonderful。Itcontainedalltheusualstockmaterialcommontosuchstories：theladandthelass，theplightedtroth，therichersuitors，theangryparents，thelovethatwasworthbravingalltheworldfor。Onedayintothisdreamtherefellfromthelandofthewakingaletter，apoor，pitifulletter："YouknowIloveyouandonlyyou，"itran；"myheartwillalwaysbeyourstillIdie。Butmyfatherthreatenstostopmyallowance，and，asyouknow，Ihavenothingofmyownexceptdebts。Somewouldcallherhandsome，buthowcanIthinkofherbesideyou？Oh，whywasmoneyeverlettocomeintotheworldtocurseus？"withmanyotherpuzzlingquestionsofalikecharacter，andmuchseverecondemnationofFateandHeavenandotherpartiesgenerally，andmuchself—commiseration。
　　AnneSingletontooklongtoreadtheletter。Whenshehadfinishedit，andhadreaditthroughagain，sherose，and，crushingitherhand，flungitinthefirewithalaugh，andastheflameburntupanddiedawayfeltthatherlifehaddiedwithit，notknowingthatbruisedheartscanheal。
　　SowhenJohnIngerfieldcomeswooing，andspeakstohernowordoflovebutonlyofmoney，shefeelsthathereatlastisagenuinevoicethatshecantrust。Loveofthelessersideoflifeisstilllefttoher。Itwillbepleasanttobethewealthymistressofafinehouse，togivegreatreceptions，toexchangethesecretpovertyofhomefordisplayandluxury。Thesethingsareofferedtoherontheverytermsshewouldhavesuggestedherself。Accompaniedbyloveshewouldhaverefusedthem，knowingshecouldgivenoneinreturn。
　　Butawomanfindsitonethingnottodesireaffectionandanotherthingnottopossessit。DaybydaytheatmosphereofthefinehouseinBloomsburygrowscoldandcolderaboutherheart。Guestswarmitattimesforafewhours，thendepart，leavingitchillierthanbefore。
　　Forherhusbandsheattemptstofeelindifference，butlivingcreaturesjoinedtogethercannotfeelindifferenceforeachother。
　　Eventwodogsinaleasharecompelledtothinkofoneanother。A
　　manandwifemustloveorhate，likeordislike，indegreeasthebondconnectingthemisdrawntightorallowedtohangslack。Bymutualdesiretheirchainsofwedlockhavebeenfastenedaslooselyasrespectforsecuritywillpermit，withthehappyconsequencethatheraversiontohimdoesnotobtrudeitselfbeyondthelimitsofpoliteness。
　　Herpartofthecontractshefaithfullyfulfils，fortheSingletonsalsohavetheircodeofhonour。Herbeauty，hertact，hercharm，herinfluence，aredevotedtohisservice——totheadvancementofhisposition，thefurtheranceofhisambition。Doorsthatwouldotherwiseremainclosedsheopenstohim。Society，thatwouldotherwisepassbywithasneer，sitsroundhistable。Hiswishesandpleasuresarehers。Inallthingssheyieldshimwifelyduty，seekstorenderherselfagreeabletohim，suffersinsilencehisoccasionalcaresses。Whateverwasimpliedinthebargain，thatshewillperformtotheletter。
　　He，onhisside，likewiseperformshispartwithbusinesslikeconscientiousness——nay，seeingthatthepleasingofherbringsnopersonalgratificationtohimself——notwithoutgenerosity。Heiseverthoughtfulofanddeferentialtoher，awardingheratalltimesanunvaryingcourteousnessthatisnonethelesssincereforbeingstudied。Hereveryexpressedwantisgratified，hereveryknowndistasterespected。Consciousofhispresencebeinganoppressiontoher，heisevencarefulnottointrudeituponheroftenerthanisnecessary。
　　Attimesheaskshimself，somewhatpertinently，whathehasgainedbymarriage——wonderswhetherthissocialracewasquitethemostinterestinggamehecouldhaveelectedtooccupyhisleisure——wonderswhether，afterall，hewouldnothavebeenhappieroverhiscounting—
　　housethaninthesesumptuous，glitteringrooms，wherehealwaysseems，andfeelshimselftobe，theuninvitedguest。
　　Theonlyfeelingthatacloserintimacyhascreatedinhimforhiswifeisthatofindulgentcontempt。Asthereisnoequalitybetweenmanandwoman，sotherecanbenorespect。Sheisadifferentbeing。
　　Hemusteitherlookuptoherassuperiortohimself，ordownuponherasinferior。Whenamandoestheformerheismoreorlessinlove，andlovetoJohnIngerfieldisanunknownemotion。Herbeauty，hercharm，hersocialtact——evenwhilehemakesuseofthemforhisownpurposes，hedespisesastheweaponsofaweaknature。
　　Sointheirbig，coldmansionJohnIngerfieldandAnne，hiswife，sitfarapart，strangerstooneanother，neitherdesiringtoknowtheothernearer。
　　Abouthisbusinessheneverspeakstoher，andsheneverquestionshim。Tocompensatefortheslightshrinkageoftimeheisabletodevotetoit，hebecomesmorestrictandexacting；growsaharshermastertohispeople，asternercreditor，agreedierdealer，squeezingtheuttermostoutofeveryone，feverishtogrowricher，sothathemayspendmoreuponthegamethatdaybydayhefindsmoretiresomeanduninteresting。
　　Andthepiled—upcasksuponhiswharvesincreaseandmultiply；andonthedirtyriverhisshipsandbargeslieinever—lengtheninglines；
　　androundhisgreasycauldronssweating，witch—likecreaturesswarminever—densernumbers，stirringoilandtallowintogold。
　　Untilonesummer，fromitsnestinthefarEast，thereflutterswestwardafoulthing。HoveringoverLimehousesuburb，seeingitcrowdedandunclean，likingitsfetidsmell，itsettlesdownuponit。
　　Typhusisthecreature’sname。Atfirstitlurksthereunnoticed，batteningupontherich，rankfooditfindsaroundit，until，growntoobigtohidelonger，itboldlyshowsitshideoushead，andthewhitefaceofTerrorrunsswiftlythroughalleyandstreet，cryingasitruns，forcesitselfintoJohnIngerfield’scounting—house，andtellsitstale。JohnIngerfieldsitsforawhilethinking。Thenhemountshishorseandrideshomeatashardapaceastheconditionofthestreetswillallow。InthehallhemeetsAnnegoingout，andstopsher。
　　"Don’tcometoonearme，"hesaysquietly。"TyphusfeverhasbrokenoutatLimehouse，andtheysayonecancommunicateit，evenwithouthavingitoneself。YouhadbetterleaveLondonforafewweeks。Godowntoyourfather’s：Iwillcomeandfetchyouwhenitisallover。"
　　Hepassesher，givingherawideberth，andgoesupstairs，whereheremainsforsomeminutesinconversationwithhisvalet。Then，comingdown，heremountsandridesoffagain。
　　AfteralittlewhileAnnegoesupintohisroom。Hismaniskneelinginthemiddleofthefloor，packingavalise。
　　"Whereareyoutotakeit？"sheasks。
　　"Downtothewharf，ma’am，"answerstheman："Mr。Ingerfieldisgoingtobethereforadayortwo。"
　　ThenAnnesitsinthegreatemptydrawing—room，andtakesHERturnatthinking。
　　JohnIngerfieldfinds，onhisreturntoLimehouse，thattheevilhasgreatlyincreasedduringtheshorttimehehasbeenaway。Fannedbyfearandignorance，fedbypovertyanddirt，thescourgeisspreadingthroughthedistrictlikeafire。Longsmoulderinginsecret，ithasnowburstforthatfiftydifferentpointsatonce。Notastreet，notacourtbuthasits"case。"OveradozenofJohn’shandsaredownwithitalready。Twomorehavesunkprostratebesidetheirworkwithinthelasthour。Thepanicgrowsgrotesque。Menandwomenteartheirclothesoff，lookingtoseeiftheyhaveanywhereuponthemarashorapatchofmottledskin，findthattheyhave，orimaginethattheyhave，andrush，screaming，half—undressed，intothestreet。Twomen，meetinginanarrowpassage，bothrushback，toofrightenedtopasseachother。Aboystoopsdownandscratcheshisleg——notanactionthatunderordinarycircumstanceswouldexcitemuchsurpriseinthatneighbourhood。Inaninstantthereisawildstampedefromtheroom，thestrongtramplingontheweakintheireagernesstoescape。
　　Thesearenotthedaysoforganiseddefenceagainstdisease。TherearekindheartsandwillinghandsinLondontown，buttheyarenotyetcloselyenoughbandedtogethertomeetaswiftfoesuchasthis。
　　Therearehospitalsandcharitiesgalore，butthesearemostlyintheCity，maintainedbytheCityFathersfortheexclusivebenefitofpoorcitizensandmembersoftheguilds。Thefewfreehospitalsarealreadyover—crowdedandill—prepared。Squalid，outlyingLimehouse，belongingtonowhere，caredforbynobody，mustfightforitself。
　　JohnIngerfieldcallstheoldermentogether，andwiththeirhelpattemptstoinstilsomesenseandreasonintohisterrifiedpeople。
　　Standingonthestepofhiscounting—house，andaddressingasmanyofthemasarenottooscaredtolisten，hetellsthemofthedangeroffearandofthenecessityforcalmnessandcourage。
　　"Wemustfaceandfightthisthinglikemen，"hecries，inthatdeep，din—conqueringvoicethathasservedtheIngerfieldsingoodsteadonmanyasteel—sweptfield，onmanyastorm—strucksea；"theremustbenocowardlyselfishness，nofaint—hearteddespair。Ifwe’vegottodiewe’lldie；butpleaseGodwe’lllive。Anyhow，wewillsticktogether，andhelpeachother。Imeantostopherewithyou，anddowhatIcanforyou。Noneofmypeopleshallwant。"
　　JohnIngerfieldceases，andasthevibrationsofhisstrongtonesrollawayasweetvoicefrombesidehimrisesclearandfirm：—
　　"Ihavecomedowntobewithyoualso，andtohelpmyhusband。I
　　shalltakechargeofthenursingandtendingofyoursick，andIhopeIshallbeofsomerealusetoyou。MyhusbandandIaresosorryforyouinyourtrouble。Iknowyouwillbebraveandpatient。Wewillalldoourbest，andbehopeful。"
　　Heturns，halfexpectingtoseeonlytheemptyairandtowonderatthedeliriuminhisbrain。Sheputsherhandinhis，andtheireyesmeet；andinthatmoment，forthefirsttimeintheirlives，thesetwoseeoneanother。
　　Theyspeaknoword。Thereisnoopportunityforwords。Thereisworktobedone，anddonequickly，andAnnegraspsitwiththegreedofawomanlonghungryforthejoyofdoing。AsJohnwatcheshermovingswiftlyandquietlythroughthebewilderedthrong，questioning，comforting，gentlycompelling，thethoughtcomestohim，Oughthetoallowhertobehere，riskingherlifeforhispeople？
　　followedbythethought，Howishegoingtopreventit？ForinthishourtheknowledgeisbornwithinhimthatAnneisnothisproperty；
　　thatheandshearefellowhandstakingtheirordersfromthesameMaster；thatthoughitbewellforthemtoworktogetherandhelpeachother，theymustnothinderoneanother。
　　AsyetJohndoesnotunderstandallthis。Theideaisnewandstrangetohim。Hefeelsasthechildinafairystoryonsuddenlydiscoveringthatthetreesandflowershashepassedbycarelesslyathousandtimescanthinkandtalk。Oncehewhisperstoherofthelabourandthedanger，butsheanswerssimply，"Theyaremypeopletoo，John：itismywork"；andheletsherhaveherway。
　　Annehasatruewoman’sinstinctfornursing，andherstrongsensestandsherinsteadofexperience。Aglanceintooneortwoofthesqualiddenswherethesepeoplelivetellsherthatifherpatientsaretobesavedtheymustbenursedawayfromtheirownhomes；andshedeterminestoconvertthelargecounting—house——along，loftyroomattheoppositeendofthewharftotherefinery——intoatemporaryhospital。Selectingsomesevenoreightofthemostreliablewomentoassisther，sheproceedstoprepareitforitspurpose。Ledgersmightbevolumesofpoetry，billsofladingmerestreetballads，foralltherespectthatisshowntothem。Theolderclerksstandstaringaghast，feelingthattheendofallthingsissurelyathand，andthattheuniverseisrushingdownintospace，until，theiridlenessbeingdetected，theyarethemselvespromptlyimpressedforthesacrilegiouswork，andmadetoassistinthedemolitionoftheirowntemple。
　　Anne’scommandsarespokenverysweetly，andareaccompaniedbythesweetestofsmiles；buttheyareneverthelesscommands，andsomehowitdoesnotoccurtoanyonetodisobeythem。John——stern，masterful，authoritativeJohn，whohasneverbeenapproachedwithanythingmoredictatorialthanatimidrequestsinceheleftMerchantTaylors’Schoolnineteenyearsago，whowouldhavethoughtthatsomethinghadsuddenlygonewrongwiththelawsofNatureifhehadbeen——findshimselfhurryingalongthestreetonhiswaytoadruggist’sshop，slackenshispaceaninstanttoaskhimselfwhyandwhereforeheisdoingso，recollectsthathewastoldtodosoandtomakehasteback，marvelswhocouldhavedaredtotellhimtodoanythingandtomakehasteback，remembersthatitwasAnne，isnotquitesurewhattothinkaboutit，buthurrieson。He"makeshasteback，"ispraisedforhavingbeensoquick，andfeelspleasedwithhimself；issentoffagaininanotherdirection，withinstructionswhattosaywhenhegetsthere。Hestartsoff（heisbecomingusedtobeingorderedaboutnow）。Halfwaytheregreatalarmseizeshim，foronattemptingtosayoverthemessagetohimself，tobesurethathehasitquiteright，hediscovershehasforgottenit。Hepauses，nervousandexcited；cogitatesastowhetheritwillbesafeforhimtoconcoctamessageofhisown，weighsanxiouslythechances——
　　supposingthathedoesso——ofbeingfoundout。Suddenly，tohisintensesurpriseandrelief，everywordofwhathewastoldtosaycomesbacktohim；andhehastenson，repeatingitoverandovertohimselfashewalks，lestitshouldescapehimagain。
　　Andthenafewhundredyardsfartheronthereoccursoneofthemostextraordinaryeventsthathaseverhappenedinthatstreetbeforeorsince：JohnIngerfieldlaughs。
　　JohnIngerfield，ofLavenderWharf，afterwalkingtwo—thirdsofCreekLane，mutteringtohimselfwithhiseyesontheground，stopsinthemiddleoftheroadandlaughs；andonesmallboy，whotellsthestorytohisdyingday，seeshimandhearshim，andrunshomeatthetopofhisspeedwiththewonderfulnews，andisconscientiouslyslappedbyhismotherfortellinglies。
　　AllthatdayAnneworkslikeaheroine，Johnhelpingher，andoccasionallygettingintheway。Bynightshehasherlittlehospitalpreparedandthreebedsalreadyupandoccupied；and，allnowdonethatcanbedone，sheandJohngoupstairstohisoldroomsabovethecounting—house。
　　Johnushersherintothemwithsomemisgiving，forbycontrastwiththehouseatBloomsburytheyarepoorandshabby。Heplacesherinthearm—chairnearthefire，begginghertorestquiet，andthenassistshisoldhousekeeper，whosewits，neverofthestrongest，havebeenscaredbytheday’sproceeding，tolaythemeal。
　　Anne’seyesfollowhimashemovesabouttheroom。Perhapshere，wherealltherealpartofhislifehasbeenpassed，heismorehistrueselfthanamidtheunfamiliarsurroundingsoffashion；perhapsthissimplerframeshowshimtogreateradvantage；butAnnewondershowitisshehasnevernoticedbeforethatheisawell—set，handsomeman。Nor，indeed，ishesoveryold—looking。Isitatrickofthedimlight，orwhat？Helooksalmostyoung。Butwhyshouldhenotlookyoung，seeingheisonlythirty—six，andatthirty—sixamanisinhisprime？Annewonderswhyshehasalwaysthoughtofhimasanelderlyperson。
　　AportraitofoneofJohn’sancestorshangsoverthegreatmantelpiece——ofthatsturdyCaptainIngerfieldwhofoughttheKing’sfrigateratherthangiveuponeofhispeople。Anneglancesfromthedeadfacetothelivingandnotesthestronglikenessbetweenthem。
　　Throughherhalf—closedeyessheseesthegrimoldcaptainhurlingbackhismessageofdefiance，andhisfaceisthefaceshesawafewhoursago，saying，"ImeantostopherewithyouanddowhatIcanforyou。Noneofmypeopleshallwant。"
　　Johnisplacingachairforheratthetable，andthelightfromthecandlesfallsuponhim。Shestealsanotherglanceathisface——astrong，stern，handsomeface，capableofbecominganobleface。Annewondersifithaseverlookeddowntenderlyatanyone；feelsasuddenfiercepainatthethought；dismissesthethoughtasimpossible；
　　wonders，nevertheless，howtendernesswouldsuitit；thinksshewouldliketoseealookoftendernessuponit，simplyoutofcuriosity；
　　wondersifsheeverwill。
　　SherousesherselffromherreverieasJohn，withasmile，tellshersupperisready，andtheyseatthemselvesoppositeeachother，anoddairofembarrassmentpervading。
　　Daybydaytheirworkgrowsharder；daybydaythefoegrowsstronger，fiercer，moreall—conquering；anddaybyday，fightingsidebysideagainstit，JohnIngerfieldandAnne，hiswife，drawclosertoeachother。Onthebattle—fieldoflifewelearntheworthofstrength。Annefeelsitgood，whengrowingweary，toglanceupandfindhimnearher；feelsitgood，amidthetroubledbabelroundher，tohearthedeep，strongmusicofhisvoice。
　　AndJohn，watchingAnne’sfairfiguremovingtoandfroamongthestrickenandthemourning；watchingherfair，flutteringhands，busywiththeirholywork，herdeep，soul—hauntingeyes，changefulwiththelightandshadeoftenderness；listeningtohersweet，clearvoice，laughingwiththejoyous，comfortingthecomfortless，gentlycommanding，softlypleading，findscreepingintohisbrainstrangenewthoughtsconcerningwomen——concerningthisonewomaninparticular。
　　Oneday，rummagingoveranoldchest，hecomesacrossacolouredpicture—bookofBiblestories。Heturnsthetornpagesfondly，rememberingtheSundayafternoonsoflongago。Atonepicture，whereinarerepresentedmanyangels，hepauses；forinoneoftheyoungerangelsofthegroup——onenotquitesosevereoffeatureashersisters——hefancieshecantraceresemblancetoAnne。Helingerslongoverit。Suddenlythererushesthroughhisbrainthethought，Howgoodtostoopandkissthesweetfeetofsuchawoman!and，thinkingit，heblusheslikeaboy。
　　Sofromthesoilofhumansufferingspringtheflowersofhumanloveandjoy，andfromtheflowerstherefalltheseedsofinfinitepityforhumanpain，GodshapingallthingstoHisends。
　　ThinkingofAnne，John’sfacegrowsgentler，hishandkinder；
　　dreamingofhim，herheartgrowsstronger，deeper，fuller。Everyavailableroominthewarehousehasbeenturnedintoaward，andthelittlehospitalisopenfreetoall，forJohnandAnnefeelthatthewholeworldaretheirpeople。Thepiled—upcasksaregone——shippedtoWoolwichandGravesend，bundledanywhereoutoftheway，asthoughoilandtallowandthegoldtheycanbestirredintoweremattersofsmallmomentinthisworld，nottobethoughtofbesidesuchathingasthehelpingofahumanbrotherinsorestrait。
　　Allthelabourofthedayseemslighttothem，lookingforwardtothehourwhentheysittogetherinJohn’soldshabbydining—roomabovethecounting—house。Yetalooker—onmightimaginesuchtimesdulltothem；fortheyarestrangelyshyofoneanother，strangelysparingofwords——fearfulofopeningtheflood—gatesofspeech，feelingthepressureofthepent—upthought。
　　Oneevening，John，throwingoutwords，notasasoptothenecessityfortalk，butasabaittocatchAnne’svoice，mentionsgirdle—cakes，remembersthathisoldhousekeeperusedtobefamousforthemakingofthem，andwondersifshehasforgottentheart。
　　Anne，answeringtremulously，asthoughgirdle—cakeswereasomewhatdelicatetopic，claimstobeasuccessfulamateurofthemherself。
　　John，havingbeengivenalwaystounderstandthatthetalentforthemwasexceedinglyrare，andoneusuallyhereditary，respectfullydoubtsAnne’scapabilities，deferentiallysuggestingthatsheisthinkingofscones。Anneindignantlyrepudiatestheinsinuation，knowsquitewellthedifferencebetweengirdle—cakesandscones，offerstoproveherpowersbydescendingintothekitchenandmakingsomethenandthere，ifJohnwillaccompanyherandfindthethingsforher。
　　Johnacceptsthechallenge，and，guidingAnnewithoneshy，awkwardhand，whileholdingaloftacandleintheother，leadstheway。Itispastteno’clock，andtheoldhousekeeperisinbed。Ateachcreakingstairtheypause，tolistenifthenoisehasawakenedher；
　　then，findingallsilent，creepforwardagain，withsuppressedlaughter，wonderingwithalarm，halffeigned，halfreal，whattheprim，methodicaldamewouldsaywereshetocomedownandcatchthem。
　　Theyreachthekitchen，thanksmoretothesuggestionsofafriendlycatthantoJohn’sacquaintanceshipwiththegeographyofhisownhouse；andAnnerakestogetherthefireandclearsthetableforherwork。WhatpossibleuseJohnistoher——whatneedtherewasforherstipulatingthatheshouldaccompanyher，Annemightfinditdifficult，ifexamined，toexplainsatisfactorily。Asforhis"findingthethings"forher，hehasnotthefaintestnotionwheretheyare，andpossessesnonaturalaptitudefordiscovery。Toldtofindflour，heindustriouslysearchesforitinthedresserdrawers；
　　sentfortherolling—pin——thenatureandcharacteristicsofrolling—
　　pinsbeingdescribedtohimforhisguidance——hereturns，afteraprolongedabsence，withthecopperstick。Annelaughsathim；butreallyitwouldseemasthoughsheherselfwerealmostasstupid，fornotuntilherhandsarecoveredwithflourdoesitoccurtoherthatshehasnottakenthatpreliminarystepinallcookingoperationsofrollinguphersleeves。
　　SheholdsoutherarmstoJohn，firstoneandthentheother，askinghimsweetlyifhemindsdoingitforher。Johnisveryslowandclumsy，butAnnestandsverypatient。Inchbyinchhepeelstheblacksleevefromthewhiteroundarm。Hundredsoftimesmusthehaveseenthosefairarms，baretotheshoulder，sparklingwithjewels；butneverbeforehasheseentheirwondrousbeauty。Helongstoclaspthemroundhisneck，yetisfearfullesthistremblingfingerstouchingthemasheperformshistantalisingtaskmayoffendher。Annethankshim，andapologisesforhavinggivenhimsomuchtrouble，andhemurmurssomemeaninglessreply，andstandsfoolishlysilent，watchingher。
　　Anneseemstofindonehandsufficientforhercake—making，fortheotherrestsidlyonthetable——veryneartooneofJohn’s，asshewouldseewerenothereyessointentuponherwork。Howtheimpulsecametohim，wherehe——grave，sober，business—manJohn——learntsuchstory—bookwayscanneverbeknown；butinoneinstantheisdownonbothknees，smotheringtheflouryhandwithkisses，andthenextmomentAnne’sarmsareroundhisneckandherlipsagainsthis，andthebarrierbetweenthemissweptaway，andthedeepwatersoftheirloverushtogether。
　　Withthatkisstheyenteranewlifewhereintoonemaynotfollowthem。Onethinksitmusthavebeenalifemadestrangelybeautifulbyself—forgetfulness，strangelysweetbymutualdevotion——alifetooideal，perhaps，tohaveremainedforlongundimmedbythemistsofearth。
　　Theywhorememberthematthattimespeakoftheminhushedtones，asonespeaksofvisions。Itwouldalmostseemasthoughfromtheirfacesinthosedaysthereshonearadiance，asthoughintheirvoicesdweltatendernessbeyondthetendernessofman。
　　Theyseemnevertorest，nevertoweary。Dayandnight，throughthatlittlestrickenworld，theycomeandgo，bearinghealingandpeace，tillatlasttheplague，likesomegorgedbeastofprey，slinksslowlybacktowardsitslair，andmenraisetheirheadsandbreathe。
　　Oneafternoon，returningfromasomewhatlongerroundthanusual，Johnfeelsawearinesscreepingintohislimbs，andquickenshisstep，eagertoreachhomeandrest。Anne，whohasbeenupallthepreviousnight，isasleep，andnotwishingtodisturbher，hegoesintothedining—roomandsitsdownintheeasychairbeforethefire。
　　Theroomstrikescold。Hestirsthelogs，buttheygiveoutnogreaterheat。Hedrawshischairrightinfrontofthem，andsitsleaningoverthemwithhisfeetonthehearthandhishandsoutstretchedtowardstheblaze；yethestillshivers。
　　Twilightfillstheroomanddeepensintodusk。HewonderslistlesslyhowitisthatTimeseemstobemovingwithsuchswiftstrides。
　　Afterawhilehehearsavoiceclosetohim，speakinginaslow，monotonoustone——avoicecuriouslyfamiliartohim，thoughhecannottelltowhomitbelongs。Hedoesnotturnhishead，butsitslisteningtoitdrowsily。Itistalkingabouttallow：onehundredandninety—fourcasksoftallow，andtheymustallstandoneinsidetheother。Itcannotbedone，thevoicecomplainspathetically。