THEMAPPINEDLIFE
　　"TheseMappinTerracesattheZoologicalGardensareagreatimprovementontheoldstyleofwild-beastcage，"saidMrs。JamesGurtleberry，puttingdownanillustratedpaper；"theygiveonetheillusionofseeingtheanimalsintheirnaturalsurroundings。I
　　wonderhowmuchoftheillusionispassedontotheanimals？"
　　"Thatwoulddependontheanimal，"saidherniece；"ajungle-fowl，forinstance，wouldnodoubtthinkitslawfuljunglesurroundingswerefaithfullyreproducedifyougaveitasufficiencyofwives，agoodlyvarietyofseedfoodandants'eggs，acommodiousbankoflooseearthtodustitselfin，aconvenientroostingtree，andarivalortwotomakemattersinteresting。Ofcoursethereoughttobejungle-catsandbirdsofpreyandotheragenciesofsuddendeathtoaddtotheillusionofliberty，butthebird'sownimaginationiscapableofinventingthose——lookhowadomesticfowlwillsquawkanalarmnoteifarookorwoodpigeonpassesoveritsrunwhenithaschickens。"
　　"Youthink，then，theyreallydohaveasortofillusion，ifyougivethemspaceenough——"
　　"Inafewcasesonly。Nothingwillmakemebelievethatanacreorsoofconcreteenclosurewillmakeuptoawolforatiger-catfortherangeofnightprowlingthatwouldbelongtoitinawildstate。
　　Thinkofthedictionaryofsoundandscentandrecollectionthatunfoldsbeforearealwildbeatasitcomesoutfromitslaireveryevening，withtheknowledgethatinafewminutesitwillbehieingalongtosomedistanthuntinggroundwhereallthejoyandfuryofthechaseawaitsit；thinkofthecrowdedsensationsofthebrainwheneveryrustle，everycry，everybenttwig，andeverywhiffacrossthenostrilsmeanssomething，somethingtodowithlifeanddeathanddinner。Imaginethesatisfactionofstealingdowntoyourownparticulardrinkingspot，choosingyourownparticulartreetoscrapeyourclawson，findingyourownparticularbedofdriedgrasstorollon。Then，intheplaceofallthat，putaconcretepromenade，whichwillbeofexactlythesamedimensionswhetheryouraceorcrawlacrossit，coatedwithstale，unvaryingscentsandsurroundedwithcriesandnoisesthathaveceasedtohavetheleastmeaningorinterest。Asasubstituteforanarrowcagethenewenclosuresareexcellent，butIshouldthinktheyareapoorimitationofalifeofliberty。"
　　"It'sratherdepressingtothinkthat，"saidMrs。Gurtleberry；"theylooksospaciousandsonatural，butIsupposeagooddealofwhatseemsnaturaltouswouldbemeaninglesstoawildanimal。"
　　"Thatiswhereoursuperiorpowersofself-deceptioncomein，"saidtheniece；"weareabletoliveourunreal，stupidlittlelivesonourparticularMappinterrace，andpersuadeourselvesthatwereallyareuntrammelledmenandwomenleadingareasonableexistenceinareasonablesphere。"
　　"Butgoodgracious，"exclaimedtheaunt，bouncingintoanattitudeofscandaliseddefence，"weareleadingreasonableexistences！Whatonearthdoyoumeanbytrammels？Wearemerelytrammelledbytheordinarydecentconventionsofcivilisedsociety。"
　　"Wearetrammelled，"saidtheniece，calmlyandpitilessly，"byrestrictionsofincomeandopportunity，andaboveallbylackofinitiative。Tosomepeoplearestrictedincomedoesn'tmatterabit，infactitoftenseemstohelpasameansforgettingalotofrealityoutoflife；IamsuretherearemenandwomenwhodotheirshoppinginlittlebackstreetsofParis，buyingfourcarrotsandashredofbeeffortheirdailysustenance，wholeadaperfectlyrealandeventfulexistence。Lackofinitiativeisthethingthatreallycripplesone，andthatiswhereyouandIandUncleJamesaresohopelesslyshutin。WearejustsomanyanimalsstuckdownonaMappinterrace，withthisdifferenceinourdisfavour，thattheanimalsaretheretobelookedat，whilenobodywantstolookatus。
　　Asamatteroffacttherewouldbenothingtolookat。Wegetcoldsinwinterandhayfeverinsummer，andifawasphappenstostingoneofus，well，thatisthewasp'sinitiative，notours；allwedoistowaitfortheswellingtogodown。Wheneverwedoclimbintolocalfameandnotice，itisbyindirectmethods；ifithappenstobeagoodfloweringyearformagnoliastheneighbourhoodobserves：
　　'HaveyouseentheGurtleberry'smagnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，'andwegoabouttellingpeoplethattherearefifty-sevenblossomsasagainstthirty-ninethepreviousyear。"
　　"InCoronationyeartherewereasmanyassixty，"putintheaunt，"yourunclehaskeptarecordforthelasteightyears。"
　　"Doesn'titeverstrikeyou，"continuedtheniecerelentlessly，"thatifwemovedawayfromhereorwereblottedoutofexistenceourlocalclaimtofamewouldpassonautomaticallytowhoeverhappenedtotakethehouseandgarden？Peoplewouldsaytooneanother，'HaveyouseentheSmith-Jenkins'magnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，'orelse'Smith-Jenkinstellsmetherewon'tbeasingleblossomontheirmagnoliathisyear；theeastwindshaveturnedallthebudsblack。'Nowif，whenwehadgone，peoplestillassociatedournameswiththemagnoliatree，nomatterwhotemporarilypossessedit，iftheysaid，'Ah，that'sthetreeonwhichtheGurtleberryshungtheircookbecauseshesentupthewrongkindofsaucewiththeasparagus，'thatwouldbesomethingreallyduetoourowninitiative，apartfromanythingeastwindsormagnoliavitalitymighthavetosayinthematter。"
　　"Weshouldneverdosuchathing，"saidtheaunt。
　　Theniecegaveareluctantsigh。
　　"Ican'timagineit，"sheadmitted。"Ofcourse，"shecontinued，"thereareheapsofwaysofleadingarealexistencewithoutcommittingsensationaldeedsofviolence。It'sthedreadfullittleeverydayactsofpretendedimportancethatgivetheMappinstamptoourlife。Itwouldbeentertaining，ifitwasn'tsopatheticallytragic，tohearUncleJamesfussinhereinthemorningandannounce，'ImustjustgodownintothetownandfindoutwhatthementherearesayingaboutMexico。Mattersarebeginningtolookseriousthere。'Thenhepattersawayintothetown，andtalksinahighlyseriousvoicetothetobacconist，incidentallybuyinganounceoftobacco；perhapshemeetsoneortwoothersoftheworld'sthinkersandtalkstotheminahighlyseriousvoice，thenhepattersbackhereandannounceswithincreasedimportance，'I'vejustbeentalkingtosomemeninthetownabouttheconditionofaffairsinMexico。TheyagreewiththeviewthatIhaveformed，thatthingstherewillhavetogetworsebeforetheygetbetter。'
　　OfcoursenobodyinthetowncaredintheleastlittlebitwhathisviewsaboutMexicowereorwhetherhehadany。Thetobacconistwasn'tevenflutteredathisbuyingtheounceoftobacco；heknowsthathepurchasesthesamequantityofthesamesortoftobaccoeveryweek。UncleJamesmightjustaswellhavelainonhisbackinthegardenandchatteredtothelilactreeaboutthehabitsofcaterpillars。"
　　"Ireallywillnotlistentosuchthingsaboutyouruncle，"
　　protestedMrs。JamesGurtleberryangrily。
　　"Myowncaseisjustasbadandjustastragic，"saidtheniece，dispassionately；"nearlyeverythingaboutmeisconventionalmake-
　　believe。I'mnotagooddancer，andnoonecouldhonestlycallmegood-looking，butwhenIgotooneofourdulllittlelocaldancesI'mconventionallysupposedto'haveaheavenlytime，'toattracttheardenthomageofthelocalcavaliers，andtogohomewithmyheadawhirlwithpleasurablerecollections。Asamatteroffact，I'vemerelyputinsomehoursofindifferentdancing，drunksomebadly-madeclaretcup，andlistenedtoanenormousamountoflaboriouslightconversation。Amoonlighthen-stealingraidwiththemerry-eyedcuratewouldbeinfinitelymoreexciting；imaginethepleasureofcarryingoffallthosewhiteminorcasthattheChibfordsarealwaysbraggingabout。Whenwehaddisposedofthemwecouldgivetheproceedstoacharity，sotherewouldbenothingreallywrongaboutit。ButnothingofthatsortlieswithintheMappinedlimitsofmylife。Oneofthesedayssomebodydullanddecorousandundistinguishedwill'makehimselfagreeable'tomeatatennisparty，asthesayingis，andallthedulloldgossipsoftheneighbourhoodwillbegintoaskwhenwearetobeengaged，andatlastweshallbeengaged，andpeoplewillgiveusbutter-dishesandblotting-casesandframedpicturesofyoungwomenfeedingswans。
　　Hullo，Uncle，areyougoingout？"
　　"I'mjustgoingdowntothetown，"announcedMr。JamesGurtleberry，withanairofsomeimportance："IwanttohearwhatpeoplearesayingaboutAlbania。Affairstherearebeginningtotakeonaveryseriouslook。It'smyopinionthatwehaven'tseentheworstofthingsyet。"
　　Inthishewasprobablyright，buttherewasnothingintheimmediateorprospectiveconditionofAlbaniatowarrantMrs。
　　Gurtleberryinburstingintotears。
　　FATE
　　RexDillotwasnearlytwenty-four，almostgood-lookingandquitepenniless。Hismotherwassupposedtomakehimsomesortofanallowanceoutofwhathercreditorsallowedher，andRexoccasionallystrayedintotheranksofthosewhoearnfitfulsalariesassecretariesorcompanionstopeoplewhoareunabletocopeunaidedwiththeircorrespondenceortheirleisure。Forafewmonthshehadbeenassistanteditorandbusinessmanagerofapaperdevotedtofancymice，butthedevotionhadbeenallononeside，andthepaperdisappearedwithacertainabruptnessfromclubreading-roomsandotherhauntswhereithadmadeagratuitousappearance。Still，Rexlivedwithsomeairofcomfortandwell-
　　being，asonecanliveifoneisbornwithageniusforthatsortofthing，andakindlyProvidenceusuallyarrangedthathisweek-endinvitationscoincidedwiththedatesonwhichhisonewhitedinner-
　　waistcoatwasinalaundry-returnedconditionofdazzlingcleanness。
　　Heplayedmostgamesbadly，andwasshrewdenoughtorecognisethefact，buthehaddevelopedamarvellouslyaccuratejudgementinestimatingtheplayandchancesofotherpeople，whetherinagolfmatch，billiardhandicap，orcroquettournament。Bydintofparadinghisopinionofsuchandsuchaplayer'ssuperioritywithasufficientdegreeofyouthfulassertivenessheusuallysucceededinprovokingawageratliberalodds，andhelookedtohisweek-endwinningstocarryhimthroughthefinancialembarrassmentsofhismid-weekexistence。Thetroublewas，asheconfidedtoClovisSangrail，thatheneverhadenoughavailableorevenprospectivecashathiscommandtoenablehimtofixthewageratafigurereallyworthwinning。
　　"Someday，"hesaid，"Ishallcomeacrossareallysafething，abetthatsimplycan'tgoastray，andthenIshallputitupforallI'mworth，orratherforagooddealmorethanI'mworthifyousoldmeuptothelastbutton。"
　　"Itwouldbeawkwardifitdidn'thappentocomeoff，"saidClovis。
　　"Itwouldbemorethanawkward，"saidRex；"itwouldbeatragedy。
　　Allthesame，itwouldbeextremelyamusingtobringitoff。Fancyawakinginthemorningwithaboutthreehundredpoundsstandingtoone'scredit。Ishouldgoandclearoutmyhostess'spigeon-loftbeforebreakfastoutofsheergood-temper。"
　　"Yourhostessofthemomentmightn'thaveapigeon-loft，"saidClovis。
　　"Ialwayschoosehostessesthathave，"saidRex；"apigeon-loftisindicativeofacareless，extravagant，genialdisposition，suchasI
　　liketoseearoundme。PeoplewhostrewcornbroadcastforalotoffeatheredinanitiesthatjustsitaboutcooingandgivingeachotherthegladeyeinaLouisQuatorzemannerareprettycertaintodoyouwell。"
　　"YoungStrinnitiscomingdownthisafternoon，"saidClovisreflectively；"Idaresayyouwon'tfinditdifficulttogethimtobackhimselfatbilliards。Heplaysaprettyusefulgame，buthe'snotquiteasgoodashefanciesheis。"
　　"Iknowonememberofthepartywhocanwalkroundhim，"saidRexsoftly，analertlookcomingintohiseyes；"thatcadaverous-lookingMajorwhoarrivedlastnight。I'veseenhimplayatSt。Moritz。IfIcouldgetStrinnittolayoddsonhimselfagainsttheMajorthemoneywouldbesafeinmypocket。ThislookslikethegoodthingI'vebeenwatchingandprayingfor。"
　　"Don'tberash，"counselledClovis，"Strinnitmayplayuptohisself-imaginedformonceinabluemoon。"
　　"Iintendtoberash，"saidRexquietly，andthelookonhisfacecorroboratedhiswords。
　　"Areyouallgoingtoflocktothebilliard-room？"askedTeresaThundleford，afterdinner，withanairofsomedisapprovalandagooddealofannoyance。"Ican'tseewhatparticularamusementyoufindinwatchingtwomenproddinglittleivoryballsaboutonatable。"
　　"Oh，well，"saidherhostess，"it'sawayofpassingthetime，youknow。"
　　"Averypoorway，tomymind，"saidMrs。Thundleford；"nowIwasgoingtohaveshownallofyouthephotographsItookinVenicelastsummer。"
　　"Youshowedthemtouslastnight，"saidMrs。Cuveringhastily。
　　"ThoseweretheonesItookinFlorence。Thesearequiteadifferentlot。"
　　"Oh，well，sometimeto-morrowwecanlookatthem。Youcanleavethemdowninthedrawing-room，andtheneveryonecanhavealook。"
　　"Ishouldprefertoshowthemwhenyouareallgatheredtogether，asIhavequitealotofexplanatoryremarkstomake，aboutVenetianartandarchitecture，onthesamelinesasmyremarkslastnightontheFlorentinegalleries。Also，therearesomeversesofminethatIshouldliketoreadyou，ontherebuildingoftheCampanile。But，ofcourse，ifyouallprefertowatchMajorLattonandMr。Strinnitknockingballsaboutonatable——"
　　"Theyarebothsupposedtobefirst-rateplayers，"saidthehostess。
　　"Ihaveyettolearnthatmyversesandmyartcauserieareofsecond-ratequality，"saidMrs。Thundlefordwithacerbity。
　　"However，asyouallseembentonwatchingasillygame，there'snomoretobesaid。Ishallgoupstairsandfinishsomewriting。
　　Lateron，perhaps，Iwillcomedownandjoinyou。"
　　Toone，atleast，oftheonlookersthegamewasanythingbutsilly。
　　Itwasabsorbing，exciting，exasperating，nerve-stretching，andfinallyitgrewtobetragic。TheMajorwiththeSt。Moritzreputationwasplayingalongwaybelowhisform，youngStrinnitwasplayingslightlyabovehis，andhadalltheluckofthegameaswell。Fromtheverystarttheballsseemedpossessedbyademonofcontrariness；theytrundledaboutcomplacentlyforoneplayer，theywouldgonowherefortheother。
　　"Ahundredandseventy，seventy-four，"sangouttheyouthwhowasmarking。Inagameoftwohundredandfiftyupitwasanenormousleadtohold。CloviswatchedtheflushofexcitementdieawayfromDillot'sface，andahardwhitelooktakeitsplace。
　　"Howmuchhaveyougoon？"whisperedClovis。Theotherwhisperedthesumthroughdry，shakinglips。Itwasmorethanheoranyoneconnectedwithhimcouldpay；hehaddonewhathehadsaidhewoulddo。Hehadbeenrash。
　　"Twohundredandsix，ninety-eight。"
　　Rexheardaclockstriketensomewhereinthehall，thenanothersomewhereelse，andanother，andanother；thehouseseemedfullofstrikingclocks。Theninthedistancethestableclockchimedin。
　　Inanotherhourtheywouldallbestrikingeleven，andhewouldbelisteningtothemasadisgracedoutcast，unabletopay，eveninpart，thewagerhehadchallenged。
　　"Twohundredandeighteen，ahundredandthree。"Thegamewasasgoodasover。Rexwasasgoodasdonefor。Helongeddesperatelyfortheceilingtofallin，forthehousetocatchfire，foranythingtohappenthatwouldputanendtothathorriblerollingtoandfroofredandwhiteivorythatwasjostlinghimnearerandnearertohisdoom。
　　"Twohundredandtwenty-eight，ahundredandseven。"
　　Rexopenedhiscigarette-case；itwasempty。Thatatleastgavehimapretexttoslipawayfromtheroomforthepurposeofrefillingit；hewouldsparehimselfthedrawn-outtortureofwatchingthathopelessgameplayedouttothebitterend。Hebackedawayfromthecircleofabsorbedwatchersandmadehiswayupashortstairwaytoalong，silentcorridorofbedrooms，eachwithaguests'namewritteninalittlesquareonthedoor。Inthehushthatreignedinthispartofthehousehecouldstillhearthehatefulclick-clickoftheballs；ifhewaitedforafewminuteslongerhewouldhearthelittleoutbreakofclappingandbuzzofcongratulationthatwouldhailStrinnit'svictory。Onthealerttensionofhisnervestherebrokeanothersound，theaggressive，wrath-inducingbreathingofonewhosleepsinheavyafter-dinnerslumber。Thesoundcamefromaroomjustathiselbow；thecardonthedoorboretheannouncement"Mrs。Thundleford。"Thedoorwasjustslightlyajar；
　　Rexpusheditopenaninchortwomoreandlookedin。TheaugustTeresahadfallenasleepoveranillustratedguidetoFlorentineart-galleries；atherside，somewhatdangerouslyneartheedgeofthetable，wasareading-lamp。IfFatehadbeendecentlykindtohim，thoughtRex，bitterly，thatlampwouldhavebeenknockedoverbythesleeperandwouldhavegiventhemsomethingtothinkofbesidesbilliardmatches。
　　Thereareoccasionswhenonemusttakeone'sFateinone'shands。
　　Rextookthelampinhis。
　　"Twohundredandthirty-seven，onehundredandfifteen。"Strinnitwasatthetable，andtheballslayingoodpositionforhim；hehadachoiceoftwofairlyeasyshots，achoicewhichhewasnevertodecide。Asuddenhurricaneofshrieksandarushofstumblingfeetsenteveryoneflockingtothedoor。TheDillotboycrashedintotheroom，carryinginhisarmsthevociferousandsomewhatdishevelledTeresaThundleford；herclothingwascertainlynotamassofflames，asthemoreexcitablemembersofthepartyafterwardsdeclared，buttheedgeofherskirtandpartofthetable-coverinwhichshehadbeenhastilywrappedwerealightinaflickering，half-heartedmanner。Rexflunghisstrugglingburdenonthebilliardtable，andforonebreathlessminutetheworkofbeatingoutthesparkswithrugsandcushionsandplayingonthemwithsoda-watersyphonsengrossedtheenergiesoftheentirecompany。
　　"ItwasluckyIwaspassingwhenithappened，"pantedRex；"someonehadbetterseetotheroom，Ithinkthecarpetisalight。"
　　Asamatteroffactthepromptitudeandenergyoftherescuerhadpreventedanygreatdamagebeingdone，eithertothevictimorhersurroundings。Thebilliardtablehadsufferedmost，andhadtobelaidupforrepairs；perhapsitwasnotthebestplacetohavechosenforthesceneofsalvageoperations；butthen，asClovisremarked，whenoneisrushingaboutwithablazingwomaninone'sarmsonecan'tstoptothinkoutexactlywhereoneisgoingtoputher。
　　THEBULL
　　TomYorkfieldhadalwaysregardedhishalf-brother，Laurence，withalazyinstinctofdislike，toneddown，asyearswenton，toatolerantfeelingofindifference。Therewasnothingverytangibletodislikehimfor；hewasjustablood-relation，withwhomTomhadnosingletasteorinterestincommon，andwithwhom，atthesametime，hehadhadnooccasionforquarrel。Laurencehadleftthefarmearlyinlife，andhadlivedforafewyearsonasmallsumofmoneylefthimbyhismother；hehadtakenuppaintingasaprofession，andwasreportedtobedoingfairlywellatit，wellenough，atanyrate，tokeepbodyandsoultogether。Hespecialisedinpaintinganimals，andhewassuccessfulinfindingacertainnumberofpeopletobuyhispictures。Tomfeltacomfortingsenseofassuredsuperiorityincontrastinghispositionwiththatofhishalf-brother；Laurencewasanartist-chap，justthatandnothingmore，thoughyoumightmakeitsoundmoreimportantbycallingananimalpainter；Tomwasafarmer，notinaverybigway，itwastrue，buttheHelseryfarmhadbeeninthefamilyforsomegenerations，andithadagoodreputationforthestockraisedonit。Tomhaddonehisbest，withthelittlecapitalathiscommand，tomaintainandimprovethestandardofhissmallherdofcattle，andinCloverFairyhehadbredabullwhichwassomethingratherbetterthananythathisimmediateneighbourscouldshow。Itwouldnothavemadeasensationinthejudging-ringatanimportantcattleshow，butitwasasvigorous，shapely，andhealthyayounganimalasanysmallpracticalfarmercouldwishtopossess。AttheKing'sHeadonmarketdaysCloverFairywasveryhighlyspokenof，andYorkfieldusedtodeclarethathewouldnotpartwithhimforahundredpounds；ahundredpoundsisalotofmoneyinthesmallfarmingline，andprobablyanythingovereightywouldhavetemptedhim。
　　ItwaswithsomeespecialpleasurethatTomtookadvantageofoneofLaurence'srarevisitstothefarmtoleadhimdowntotheenclosurewhereCloverFairykeptsolitarystate——thegrasswidowerofagrazingharem。Tomfeltsomeofhisolddislikeforhishalf-
　　brotherreviving；theartistwasbecomingmorelanguidinhismanner，moreunsuitablyturned-outinattire，andheseemedinclinedtoimpartaslightlypatronisingtonetohisconversation。Hetooknoheedofaflourishingpotatocrop，butwaxedenthusiasticoveraclumpofyellow-floweringweedthatstoodinacornerbyagateway，whichwasrathergallingtotheownerofareallyverywellweededfarm；again，whenhemighthavebeendulycomplimentaryaboutagroupoffat，black-facedlambs，thatsimplycriedaloudforadmiration，hebecameeloquentoverthefoliagetintsofanoakcopseonthehillopposite。ButnowhewasbeingtakentoinspectthecrowningprideandgloryofHelsery；howevergrudginghemightbeinhispraises，howeverbackwardandniggardlywithhiscongratulations，hewouldhavetoseeandacknowledgethemanyexcellencesofthatredoubtableanimal。Someweeksago，whileonabusinessjourneytoTaunton，Tomhadbeeninvitedbyhishalf-
　　brothertovisitastudiointhattown，whereLaurencewasexhibitingoneofhispictures，alargecanvasrepresentingabullstandingknee-deepinsomemarshyground；ithadbeengoodofitskind，nodoubt，andLaurencehadseemedinordinatelypleasedwithit；"thebestthingI'vedoneyet，"hehadsaidoverandoveragain，andTomhadgenerouslyagreedthatitwasfairlylife-like。Now，themanofpigmentswasgoingtobeshownarealpicture，alivingmodelofstrengthandcomeliness，athingtofeasttheeyeson，apicturethatexhibitednewposeandactionwitheveryshiftingminute，insteadofstandinggluedintooneunvaryingattitudebetweenthefourwallsofaframe。Tomunfastenedastoutwoodendoorandledthewayintoastraw-beddedyard。
　　"Ishequiet？"askedtheartist，asayoungbullwithacurlyredcoatcameinquiringlytowardsthem。
　　"He'splayfulattimes，"saidTom，leavinghishalf-brothertowonderwhetherthebull'sideasofplaywereofthecatch-as-catch-
　　canorder。Laurencemadeoneortwoperfunctorycommentsontheanimal'sappearanceandaskedaquestionorsoastohisageandsuch-likedetails；thenhecoollyturnedthetalkintoanotherchannel。
　　"DoyourememberthepictureIshowedyouatTaunton？"heasked。
　　"Yes，"gruntedTom；"awhite-facedbullstandinginsomeslush。
　　Don'tadmirethoseHerefordsmuchmyself；bulky-lookingbrutes，don'tseemtohavemuchlifeinthem。Daresaythey'reeasiertopaintthatway；now，thisyoungbeggarisonthemoveallthetime，aren'tyou，Fairy？"
　　"I'vesoldthatpicture，"saidLaurence，withconsiderablecomplacencyinhisvoice。
　　"Haveyou？"saidTom；"gladtohearit，I'msure。Hopeyou'repleasedwithwhatyou'vegotforit。"
　　"Igotthreehundredpoundsforit，"saidLaurence。
　　Tomturnedtowardshimwithaslowlyrisingflushofangerinhisface。Threehundredpounds！UnderthemostfavourablemarketconditionsthathecouldimaginehisprizedCloverFairywouldhardlyfetchahundred，yetherewasapieceofvarnishedcanvas，paintedbyhishalf-brother，sellingforthreetimesthatsum。Itwasacruelinsultthatwenthomewithallthemoreforcebecauseitemphasisedthetriumphofthepatronising，self-satisfiedLaurence。
　　Theyoungfarmerhadmeanttoputhisrelativejustalittleoutofconceitwithhimselfbydisplayingthejewelofhispossessions，andnowthetableswereturned，andhisvaluedbeastwasmadetolookcheapandinsignificantbesidethepricepaidforamerepicture。
　　Itwassomonstrouslyunjust；thepaintingwouldneverbeanythingmorethanadexterouspieceofcounterfeitlife，whileCloverFairywastherealthing，amonarchinhislittleworld，apersonalityinthecountryside。Afterhewasdead，even，hewouldstillbesomethingofapersonality；hisdescendantswouldgrazeinthosevalleymeadowsandhillsidepastures，theywouldfillstallandbyreandmilking-shed，theirgoodredcoatswouldspecklethelandscapeandcrowdthemarket-place；menwouldnoteapromisingheiferorawell-proportionedsteer，andsay："Ah，thatonecomesofgoodoldCloverFairy'sstock。"Allthattimethepicturewouldbehanging，lifelessandunchanging，beneathitsdustandvarnish，achattelthatceasedtomeananythingifyouchosetoturnitwithitsbacktothewall。ThesethoughtschasedthemselvesangrilythroughTomYorkfield'smind，buthecouldnotputthemintowords。Whenhegavetonguetohisfeelingsheputmattersbluntlyandharshly。
　　"Somesoft-wittedfoolsmayliketothrowawaythreehundredpoundsonabitofpaintwork；can'tsayasIenvythemtheirtaste。I'dratherhavetherealthingthanapictureofit。"
　　Henoddedtowardstheyoungbull，thatwasalternatelystaringatthemwithnoseheldhighandloweringitshornswithahalf-playful，half-impatientshakeofthehead。
　　Laurencelaughedalaughofirritating，indulgentamusement。
　　"Idon'tthinkthepurchaserofmybitofpaintwork，asyoucallit，needworryabouthavingthrownhismoneyaway。AsIgettobebetterknownandrecognisedmypictureswillgoupinvalue。Thatparticularonewillprobablyfetchfourhundredinasale-roomfiveorsixyearshence；picturesaren'tabadinvestmentifyouknowenoughtopickouttheworkoftherightmen。Nowyoucan'tsayyourpreciousbullisgoingtogetmorevaluablethelongeryoukeephim；he'llhavehislittleday，andthen，ifyougoonkeepinghim，he'llcomedownatlasttoafewshillingsworthofhoofsandhide，justatatime，perhaps，whenmybullisbeingboughtforabigsumforsomeimportantpicturegallery。"
　　Itwastoomuch。TheunitedforceoftruthandslanderandinsultputoverheavyastrainonTomYorkfield'spowersofrestraint。Inhisrighthandheheldausefuloakcudgel，withhislefthemadeagrabattheloosecollarofLaurence'scanary-colouredsilkshirt。
　　Laurencewasnotafightingman；thefearofphysicalviolencethrewhimoffhisbalanceascompletelyasovermasteringindignationhadthrownTomoffhis，andthusitcametopassthatCloverFairywasregaledwiththeunprecedentedsightofahumanbeingscuddingandsquawkingacrosstheenclosure，likethehenthatwouldpersistintryingtoestablishanesting-placeinthemanger。InanothercrowdedhappymomentthebullwastryingtojerkLaurenceoverhisleftshoulder，toprodhimintheribswhilestillintheair，andtokneelonhimwhenhereachedtheground。ItwasonlythevigorousinterventionofTomthatinducedhimtorelinquishthelastitemofhisprogramme。
　　Tomdevotedlyandungrudginglynursedhishalfbrothertoacompleterecoveryfromhisinjuries，whichconsistedofnothingmoreseriousthanadislocatedshoulder，abrokenribortwo，andalittlenervousprostration。Afterall，therewasnofurtheroccasionforrancourintheyoungfarmer'smind；Laurence'sbullmightsellforthreehundred，orforsixhundred，andbeadmiredbythousandsinsomebigpicturegallery，butitwouldnevertossamanoveroneshoulderandcatchhimajabintheribsbeforehehadfallenontheotherside。ThatwasCloverFairy'snoteworthyachievement，whichcouldneverbetakenawayfromhim。
　　Laurencecontinuestobepopularasananimalartist，buthissubjectsarealwayskittensorfawnsorlambkins——neverbulls。
　　MORLVERA
　　TheOlympicToyEmporiumoccupiedaconspicuousfrontageinanimportantWestEndstreet。ItwashappilynamedToyEmporium，becauseonewouldneverhavedreamedofaccordingitthefamiliarandyetpulse-quickeningnameoftoyshop。Therewasanairofcoldsplendourandelaboratefailureaboutthewaresthatweresetoutinitsamplewindows；theywerethesortoftoysthatatiredshop-
　　assistantdisplaysandexplainsatChristmastimetoexclamatoryparentsandbored，silentchildren。Theanimaltoyslookedmorelikenaturalhistorymodelsthanthecomfortable，sympatheticcompanionsthatonewouldwish，atacertainage，totaketobedwithone，andtosmuggleintothebath-room。Themechanicaltoysincessantlydidthingsthatnoonecouldwantatoytodomorethanahalfadozentimesinitslife-time；itwasamercifulreflectionthatinanyright-mindednurserythelifetimewouldcertainlybeshort。
　　Prominentamongtheelegantly-dresseddollsthatfilledanentiresectionofthewindowfrontagewasalargehobble-skirtedladyinaconfectionofpeach-colouredvelvet，elaboratelysetoffwithleopardskinaccessories，ifonemayusesuchaconvenientlycomprehensivewordindescribinganintricatefemininetoilette。
　　Shelackednothingthatistobefoundinacarefullydetailedfashion-plate——infact，shemightbesaidtohavesomethingmorethantheaveragefashion-platefemalepossesses；inplaceofavacant，expressionlessstareshehadcharacterinherface。Itmustbeadmittedthatitwasbadcharacter，cold，hostile，inquisitorial，withasinisterloweringofoneeyebrowandamercilesshardnessaboutthecornersofthemouth。Onemighthaveimaginedhistoriesaboutherbythehour，historiesinwhichunworthyambition，thedesireformoney，andanentireabsenceofalldecentfeelingwouldplayaconspicuouspart。
　　Asamatteroffact，shewasnotwithoutherjudgesandbiographers，eveninthisshop-windowstageofhercareer。Emmeline，agedten，andBert，agedseven，hadhaltedonthewayfromtheirobscurebackstreettotheminnow-stockedwaterofSt。James'sPark，andwerecriticallyexaminingthehobble-skirteddoll，anddissectinghercharacterinnoverytolerantspirit。Thereisprobablyalatentenmitybetweenthenecessarilyunder-cladandtheunnecessarilyover-dressed，butalittlekindnessandgoodfellowshiponthepartofthelatterwilloftenchangethesentimenttoadmiringdevotion；
　　iftheladyinpeach-colouredvelvetandleopardskinhadwornapleasantexpressioninadditiontoherotherelaboratefurnishings，Emmelineatleastmighthaverespectedandevenlovedher。Asitwas，shegaveherahorriblereputation，basedchieflyonasecondhandknowledgeofgildeddepravityderivedfromtheconversationofthosewhowereskilledintheartofnovelettereading；Bertfilledinafewdamagingdetailsfromhisownlimitedimagination。
　　"She'sabadlot，thatoneis，"declaredEmmeline，afteralongunfriendlystare；"'er'usbind'ates'er。"
　　"'Eknocks'erabart，"saidBert，withenthusiasm。
　　"No，'edon't，cos'e'sdead；shepoisoned'imslowandgradual，sothatnobodydidn'tknow。Nowshewantstomarryalord，with'eapsand'eapsofmoney。'E'sgotawifealready，butshe'sgoingtopoison'er，too。"
　　"She'sabadlot，"saidBertwithgrowinghostility。
　　"'Ermother'atesher，andshe'safraidof'er，too，cosshe'sgotaserkestictongue；alwaystalkingserkesms，sheis。She'sgreedy，too；ifthere'sfishgoing，sheeats'erownshareand'erlittlegirl'saswell，thoughthelittlegirlisdellikit。"
　　"She'adalittleboyonce，"saidBert，"butshepushed'imintothewaterwhennobodywasn'tlooking。"
　　"Noshedidn't，"saidEmmeline，"shesent'imawaytobekep'bypoorpeople，so'er'usbindwouldn'tknowwhere'ewas。Theyill-
　　treat'imsomethinkcruel。"
　　"Wot's'ernime？"askedBert，thinkingthatitwastimethatsointerestingapersonalityshouldbelabelled。
　　"'Ernime？"saidEmmeline，thinkinghard，"'ernime'sMorlvera。"Itwasasnearasshecouldgettothenameofanadventuresswhofiguredprominentlyinacinemadrama。Therewassilenceforamomentwhilethepossibilitiesofthenamewereturnedoverinthechildren'sminds。
　　"Thoseclothesshe'sgotonain'tpaidfor，andneverwon'tbe，"
　　saidEmmeline；"shethinksshe'llgettherichlordtopayfor'em，but'ewon't。'E'sgiven'erjools，'underdsofpounds'worth。"
　　"'Ewon'tpayfortheclothes，"saidBert，withconviction。
　　Evidentlytherewassomelimittotheweakgoodnatureofwealthylords。
　　Atthatmomentamotorcarriagewithliveriedservantsdrewupattheemporiumentrance；alargelady，withapenetratingandratherhurriedmanneroftalking，steppedout，followedslowlyandsulkilybyasmallboy，whohadaveryblackscowlonhisfaceandaverywhitesailorsuitovertherestofhim。TheladywascontinuinganargumentwhichhadprobablycommencedinPortmanSquare。
　　"Now，Victor，youaretocomeinandbuyanicedollforyourcousinBertha。Shegaveyouabeautifulboxofsoldiersonyourbirthday，andyoumustgiveherapresentonhers。"
　　"Berthaisafatlittlefool，"saidVictor，inavoicethatwasasloudashismother'sandhadmoreassuranceinit。
　　"Victor，youarenottosaysuchthings。Berthaisnotafool，andsheisnotintheleastfat。Youaretocomeinandchooseadollforher。"
　　Thecouplepassedintotheshop，outofviewandhearingofthetwoback-streetchildren。
　　"My，heisinawickedtemper，"exclaimedEmmeline，butbothsheandBertwereinclinedtosidewithhimagainsttheabsentBertha，whowasdoubtlessasfatandfoolishashehaddescribedhertobe。
　　"Iwanttoseesomedolls，"saidthemotherofVictortothenearestassistant；"it'sforalittlegirlofeleven。"
　　"Afatlittlegirlofeleven，"addedVictorbywayofsupplementaryinformation。
　　"Victor，ifyousaysuchrudethingsaboutyourcousin，youshallgotobedthemomentwegethome，withouthavinganytea。"
　　"Thisisoneofthenewestthingswehaveindolls，"saidtheassistant，removingahobble-skirtedfigureinpeach-colouredvelvetfromthewindow；"leopardskintoqueandstole，thelatestfashion。
　　Youwon'tgetanythingnewerthanthatanywhere。It'sanexclusivedesign。"
　　"Look！"whisperedEmmelineoutside；"they'vebinandtookMorlvera。"
　　Therewasaminglingofexcitementandacertainsenseofbereavementinhermind；shewouldhavelikedtogazeatthatembodimentofoverdresseddepravityforjustalittlelonger。
　　"I'spectshe'sgoingawayinakerridgetomarrytherichlord，"
　　hazardedBert。
　　"She'suptonogood，"saidEmmelinevaguely。
　　Insidetheshopthepurchaseofthedollhadbeendecidedon。
　　"It'sabeautifuldoll，andBerthawillbedelightedwithit，"
　　assertedthemotherofVictorloudly。
　　"Oh，verywell，"saidVictorsulkily；"youneedn'thaveitstuckintoaboxandwaitanhourwhileit'sbeingdoneupintoaparcel。
　　I'lltakeitasitis，andwecangoroundtoManchesterSquareandgiveittoBertha，andgetthethingdonewith。Thatwillsavemethetroubleofwriting：'FordearBertha，withVictor'slove，'onabitofpaper。"
　　"Verywell，"saidhismother，"wecangotoManchesterSquareonourwayhome。Youmustwishhermanyhappyreturnsofto-morrow，andgiveherthedoll。"
　　"Iwon'tletthelittlebeastkissme，"stipulatedVictor。
　　Hismothersaidnothing；Victorhadnotbeenhalfastroublesomeasshehadanticipated。Whenhechosehecouldreallybedreadfullynaughty。
　　EmmelineandBertwerejustmovingawayfromthewindowwhenMorlveramadeherexitfromtheshop，verycarefullyinVictor'sarms。Alookofsinistertriumphseemedtoglowinherhard，inquisitorialface。AsforVictor，acertainscornfulserenityhadreplacedtheearlierscowls；hehadevidentlyaccepteddefeatwithacontemptuousgoodgrace。
　　Thetallladygaveadirectiontothefootmanandsettledherselfinthecarriage。Thelittlefigureinthewhitesailorsuitclamberedinbesideher，stillcarefullyholdingtheelegantlygarbeddoll。
　　Thecarhadtobebackedafewyardsintheprocessofturning。
　　Verystealthily，verygently，verymercilesslyVictorsentMorlveraflyingoverhisshoulder，sothatshefellintotheroadjustbehindtheretrogressingwheel。Withasoft，pleasant-soundingscrunchthecarwentovertheprostrateform，thenitmovedforwardagainwithanotherscrunch。ThecarriagemovedoffandleftBertandEmmelinegazinginscareddelightatasorrymessofpetrol-smearedvelvet，sawdust，andleopardskin，whichwasallthatremainedofthehatefulMorlvera。Theygaveashrillcheer，andthenracedawayshudderingfromthesceneofsomuchrapidlyenactedtragedy。
　　Laterthatafternoon，whentheywereengagedinthepursuitofminnowsbythewatersideinSt。James'sPark，EmmelinesaidinasolemnundertonetoBert-
　　"I'vebinfinking。Doyouknowoo'ewas？'Ewas'erlittleboywotshe'dsentawaytolivewivpoorfolks。'Ecomebackanddonethat。"
　　SHOCKTATICS
　　OnalatespringafternoonEllaMcCarthysatonagreen-paintedchairinKensingtonGardens，staringlistlesslyatanuninterestingstretchofparklandscape，thatblossomedsuddenlyintotropicalradianceasanexpectedfigureappearedinthemiddledistance。
　　"Hullo，Bertie！"sheexclaimedsedately，whenthefigurearrivedatthepaintedchairthatwasthenearestneighbourtoherown，anddroppedintoiteagerly，yetwithacertaindueregardforthesetofitstrousers；"hasn'titbeenaperfectspringafternoon？"
　　ThestatementwasadistinctuntruthasfarasElla'sownfeelingswereconcerned；untilthearrivalofBertietheafternoonhadbeenanythingbutperfect。
　　Bertiemadeasuitablereply，inwhichaquestioningnoteseemedtohover。
　　"Thankyoueversomuchforthoselovelyhandkerchiefs，"saidElla，answeringtheunspokenquestion；"theywerejustwhatI'vebeenwanting。There'sonlyonethingspoiltmypleasureinyourgift，"
　　sheadded，withapout。
　　"Whatwasthat？"askedBertieanxiously，fearfulthatperhapshehadchosenasizeofhandkerchiefthatwasnotwithinthecorrectfemininelimit。
　　"IshouldhavelikedtohavewrittenandthankedyouforthemassoonasIgotthem，"saidElla，andBertie'sskycloudedatonce。
　　"Youknowwhatmotheris，"heprotested；"sheopensallmyletters，andifshefoundI'dbeengivingpresentstoanyonethere'dhavebeensomethingtotalkaboutforthenextfortnight。"
　　"Surely，attheageoftwenty——"beganElla。
　　"I'mnottwentytillSeptember，"interruptedBertie。
　　"Attheageofnineteenyearsandeightmonths，"persistedElla，"youmightbeallowedtokeepyourcorrespondenceprivatetoyourself。"
　　"Ioughttobe，butthingsaren'talwayswhattheyoughttobe。
　　Motheropenseveryletterthatcomesintothehouse，whoeverit'sfor。MysistersandIhavemaderowsaboutittimeandagain，butshegoesondoingit。"
　　"I'dfindsomewaytostopherifIwereinyourplace，"saidEllavaliantly，andBertiefeltthattheglamourofhisanxiouslydeliberatedpresenthadfadedawayinthedisagreeablerestrictionthathedgedrounditsacknowledgment。
　　"Isanythingthematter？"askedBertie'sfriendCloviswhentheymetthateveningattheswimming-bath。
　　"Whydoyouask？"saidBertie。
　　"Whenyouwearalookoftragicgloominaswimming-bath，"saidClovis，"it'sespeciallynoticeablefromthefactthatyou'rewearingverylittleelse。Didn'tshelikethehandkerchiefs？"
　　Bertieexplainedthesituation。