"JESSIE，"herepeatedslowly。Themuteemotionofhisfaceaffectedherstrangely。Shehadtospeak。"It’snotsuchaverywonderfulname，isit？"shesaid，withalaughtobreaktheintensity。
　　Heopenedhismouthandshutitagain，and，withasuddenwincingofhisfeatures，abruptlyturnedandbentdowntoopenthelanterninfrontofhermachine。Shelookeddownathim，almostkneelinginfrontofher，withanunreasonableapprobationinhereyes。Itwas，asIhaveindicated，thehourandseasonofthefullmoon。
　　XXV
　　Mr。Hoopdriverconductedtherestofthatnight’sjourneywiththesameconfidentdignityasbefore，anditwaschieflybygoodluckandthefactthatmostroadsaboutatownconvergethereupon，thatChichesterwasatlastattained。Itseemedatfirstasthougheveryonehadgonetobed，buttheRedHotelstillglowedyellowandwarm。ItwasthefirsttimeHoopdriverbaddaredthemysteriesofa’first—class’hotel。’Butthatnighthewasinthemoodtodareanything。
　　"SoyoufoundyourYoungLadyatlast，"saidtheostleroftheRedHotel;foritchancedhewasoneofthoseofwhomHoopdriverhadmadeinquiriesintheafternoon。
　　"Quiteamisunderstanding，"saidHoopdriver，withsplendidreadiness。"MysisterhadgonetoBognorButIbroughtherbackhere。I’vetookafancytothisplace。Andthemoonlight’ssimplydee—vine。"
　　"We’vehadsupper，thenks，andwe’retired，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Isupposeyouwon’ttakeanything，——Jessie？"
　　Thegloryofhavingher，evenasasister！andtocallherJessielikethat！Buthecarrieditoffsplendidly，ashefelthimselfboundtoadmit。"Good—night，Sis，"hesaid，"andpleasantdreams。
　　I’lljust’avealookatthispaperbeforeIturnin。"Butthiswaslivingindeed！hetoldhimself。
　　SogallantlydidMr。HoopdrivercomporthimselfuptotheveryedgeoftheMostWonderfulDayofall。Ithadbegunearly，youwillremember，withavigilinalittlesweetstuffshopnextdoortotheAngelatMidhurst。Buttothinkofallthethingsthathadhappenedsincethen！Hecaughthimselfinthemiddleofayawn，pulledouthiswatch，sawthetimewashalfpasteleven，andmarchedoff，withafinesenseofheroism，bedward。
　　THESURBITONINTERLUDE
　　XXVI
　　Andhere，thankstothegloriousinstitutionofsleep，comesabreakinthenarrativeagain。Theseabsurdyoungpeoplearesafelytuckedawaynow，theirheadsfullofglowingnonsense，indeed，butthecourseofeventsatanyrateissafefromanyfreshdevelopmentsthroughtheiractivitiesforthenexteighthoursormore。Theyarebothsleepinghealthilyyouwillperhapsbeastonishedtohear。Hereisthegirl——whatgirlsarecomingtonowadaysonlyMrs。LynnLintoncantell！——incompanywithanabsolutestranger，oflowextractionanduncertainaccent，unchaperonedandunabashed;indeed，nowshefanciessheissafe，sheis，ifanything，alittleproudofherownshareinthesetransactions。ThenthisMr。Hoopdriverofyours，roseateidiotthatheis！isinillegalpossessionofastolenbicycle，astolenyounglady，andtwostolennames，establishedwiththeminanhotelthatisquitebeyondhismeans，andimmenselyproudofhimselfinasomnolentwayfortheseincomparablefollies。Thereareoccasionswhenamoralisingnovelistcanmerelywringhishandsandleavematterstotaketheircourse。ForallHoopdriverknowsorcareshemaybelockeduptheveryfirstthingto—morrowmorningfortherapeofthecycle。TheninBognor，letalonethatmelancholyvestige，Bechamel（withwhomourdealingsare，thankGoodness！over），thereisaCoffeeTavernwithasteakMr。
　　Hoopdriverordered，donetoacinderlongago，hisAmerican—clothparcelinabedroom，andhisownproperbicycle，bywayofguarantee，carefullylockedupinthehayloft。To—morrowhewillbeaMystery，andtheywillbelookingforhisbodyalongtheseafront。AndsofarwehavenevergivenaglanceatthedesolatehomeinSurbiton，familiartoyounodoubtthroughthemediumofillustratedinterviews，wheretheunhappystepmother——
　　Thatstepmother，itmustbeexplained，isquitewellknowntoyou。ThatisalittlesurpriseIhavepreparedforyou。Sheis’ThomasPlantagenet，’thegiftedauthoressofthatwittyanddaringbook，"ASoulUntrammelled，"andquiteanexcellentwomaninherway，——onlyitissuchacrookedway。HerrealnameisMilton。Sheisawidowandacharmingone，onlytenyearsolderthanJessie，andsheisalwayscarefultodedicatehermoredaringworkstothe’sacredmemoryofmyhusband’toshowthatthere’snothingpersonal，youknow，inthematter。Consideringherliteraryreputation（shewasalwaysspeakingofherselfasoneImartyredfortruth，’becausethecriticsadvertisedherwrittenindecorumsincolumnlong’slates’），——consideringherliteraryreputation，Isay，shewasoneofthemostrespectablewomenitispossibletoimagine。Shefurnishedcorrectly，dressedcorrectly，hadseverenotionsofwhomshemightmeet，wenttochurch，andevenattimestookthesacramentinsomeesotericspirit。AndJessieshebroughtupsocarefullythatsheneverevenletherread"ASoulUntrammelled。"Which，therefore，naturallyenough，Jessiedid，andwentonfromthattoafeastofadvancedliterature。Mrs。MiltonnotonlybroughtupJessiecarefully，butveryslowly，sothatatseventeenshewasstillacleverschoolgirl（asyouhaveseenher）andquiteinthebackgroundofthelittleliterarycircleofunimportantcelebritieswhich’ThomasPlantagenet’adorned。Mrs。MiltonknewBechamel’sreputationofbeingadangerousman;butthenbadmenarenotbadwomen，andshelethimcometoherhousetoshowshewasnotafraid——shetooknoaccountofJessie。Whentheelopementcame，therefore，itwasadoubledisappointmenttoher，forsheperceivedhishandbyakindofinstinct。Shedidthecorrectthing。Thecorrectthing，asyouknow，istotakehansomcabs，regardlessofexpense，andweepandsayyoudonotknowWHATtodo，roundthecircleofyourconfidentialfriends。ShecouldnothaveriddennorweptmorehadJessiebeenherowndaughter——sheshowedtheproperestspirit。Andshenotonlyshowedit，butfeltit。
　　Mrs。Milton，asasuccessfullittleauthoressandstillmoresuccessfulwidowofthirty—two，——"ThomasPlantagenetisacharmingwoman，"herreviewersusedtowriteinvariably，eveniftheyspokeillofher，——foundthesteadygrowthofJessieintowomanhoodanunmitigatednuisanceandhadbeenwillingenoughtokeepherinthebackground。AndJessie——whohadstartedthisintercourseatfourteenwithabstractobjectionstostepmothers——hadbeenactiveenoughinresentingthis。Increasingrivalryandantagonismhadsprungupbetweenthem，untiltheycouldengenderquiteavividhatredfromadroppedhairpinorthecuttingofabookwithasharpenedknife。Thereisverylittledeliberatewickednessintheworld。Thestupidityofourselfishnessgivesmuchthesameresultsindeed，butintheethicallaboratoryitshowsadifferentnature。Andwhenthedisastercame，Mrs。Milton’sremorsefortheirgraduallossofsympathyandhershareinthelosingofit，wasgenuineenough。
　　Youmayimaginethecomfortshegotfromherfriends，andhowWestKensingtonandNottingHillandHampstead，theliterarysuburbs，thosedecentpenitentiariesofaonceBohemiancalling，hummedwiththebusiness，Her’Men’——asacharmingliteraryladyshehad，ofcourse，anorganisedcorps——wereimmenselyexcited，andweresympathetic;helpfullyenergetic，suggestive，alert，astheiridealsoftheirvariousdispositionsrequiredthemtobe。
　　"AnynewsofJessie？"wasthepatheticopeningofadozenmelancholybutinterestingconversations。ToherMenshewasnotperhapssodampasshewastoherwomenfriends，butinaquietwayshewasevenmoretouching。Forthreedays，Wednesdaythatis，Thursday，andFriday，nothingwasheardofthefugitives。ItwasknownthatJessie，wearingapatentcostumewithbuttonupskirts，andmountedonadiamondframesafetywithDunlops，andaloofahcoveredsaddle，hadriddenforthearlyinthemorning，takingwithherabouttwopoundssevenshillingsinmoney，andagreytouringcasepacked，andthere，saveforabriefnotetoherstepmother，——adeclarationofindependence，itwassaid，anassertionofherEgocontainingextensiveandveryannoyingquotationsfrom"ASoulUntrammelled，"andgivingnodefiniteintimationofherplans——knowledgeceased。Thatnotewasshowntofew，andthenonlyinthestrictestconfidence。
　　ButonFridayeveninglatecameabreathlessManFriend，Widgery，acorrespondentofhers，whohadheardofhertroubleamongthefirst。HehadbeentouringinSussex，——hisknapsackwasstillonhisback，——andhetestifiedhurriedlythatataplacecalledMidhurst，inthebarofanhotelcalledtheAngel，hehadheardfromabarmaidavividaccountofaYoungLadyinGrey。
　　Descriptionstallied。Butwhowasthemaninbrown？"Thepoor，misguidedgirl！Imustgotoheratonce，"shesaid，choking，andrisingwithherhandtoherheart。
　　"It’simpossibleto—night。Therearenomoretrains。Ilookedonmyway。"
　　"Amother’slove，"shesaid。"IbearherTHAT。"
　　"Iknowyoudo。"Hespokewithfeeling，fornooneadmiredhisphotographsofscenerymorethanMrs。Milton。"it’smorethanshedeserves。"
　　"Oh，don’tspeakunkindlyofher！Shehasbeenmisled。"
　　Itwasreallyveryfriendlyofhim。Hedeclaredhewasonlysorryhisnewsendedthere。Shouldhefollowthem，andbringherback？
　　Hehadcometoherbecauseheknewofheranxiety。"ItisGOODofyou，"shesaid，andquiteinstinctivelytookandpressedhishand。"Andtothinkofthatpoorgirl——tonight！It’sdreadful。"
　　Shelookedintothefirethatshehadlitwhenhecamein，thewarmlightfelluponherdarkpurpledress，andleftherfeaturesinawarmshadow。Shelookedsuchaslight，frailthingtobetroubledso。"Wemustfollowher。"Herresolutionseemedmagnificent。"Ihavenoonetogowithme。"
　　"Hemustmarryher，"saidtheman。
　　"Shehasnofriends。Wehavenoone。Afterall——Twowomen。——Sohelpless。"
　　Andthisfair—hairedlittlefigurewasthewomanthatpeoplewhoknewheronlyfromherbooks，calledbold，prurienteven！Simplybecauseshewasgreat—hearted——intellectual。Hewasovercomebytheunspeakablepathosofherposition。
　　"Mrs。Milton，"hesaid。"Hetty！"
　　Sheglancedathim。Theoverflowwasimminent。"Notnow，"shesaid，"notnow。Imustfindherfirst。"
　　"Yes，"hesaidwithintenseemotion。（Hewasoneofthosebig，fatmenwhofeeldeeply。）"Butletmehelpyou。Atleastletmehelpyou。"
　　"Butcanyousparetime？"shesaid。"ForME。"
　　"Foryou——"
　　"ButwhatcanIdo？whatcanWEdo？"
　　"GotoMidhurst。Followheron。Traceher。ShewasthereonThursdaynight，lastnight。Shecycledoutofthetown。Courage！"
　　hesaid。"Wewillsaveheryet！"
　　Sheputoutherhandandpressedhisagain。
　　"Courage！"herepeated，findingitsowellreceived。
　　Therewerealarmsandexcursionswithout。Sheturnedherbacktothefire，andhesatdownsuddenlyinthebigarmchair，whichsuitedhisdimensionsadmirably。Thenthedooropened，andthegirlshowedinDangle，wholookedcuriouslyfromonetotheother。Therewasemotionhere，hehadheardthearmchaircreaking，andMrs。Milton，whosefacewasflushed，displayedasuspiciousalacritytoexplain。"You，too，"shesaid，"areoneofmygoodfriends。Andwehavenewsofheratlast。"
　　ItwasdecidedlyanadvantagetoWidgery，butDangledeterminedtoshowhimselfamanofresource。Intheendhe，too，wasacceptedfortheMidhurstExpedition，totheintensedisgustofWidgery;andyoungPhipps，acallowyouthoffewwords，faultlesscollars，andferventdevotion，wasalsoenrolledbeforetheeveningwasout。Theywouldscourthecountry，allthreeofthem。
　　Sheappearedtobrightenupalittle，butitwasevidentshewasprofoundlytouched。Shedidnotknowwhatshehaddonetomeritsuchfriends。Hervoicebrokealittle，shemovedtowardsthedoor，andyoungPhipps，whowasayouthofactionratherthanofwords，sprangandopenedit——proudtobefirst。
　　"Sheissorelytroubled，"saidDangletoWidgery。"Wemustdowhatwecanforher。"
　　"Sheisawonderfulwoman，"saidDangle。"Sosubtle，sointricate，somanyfaceted。Shefeelsthisdeeply。"
　　YoungPhippssaidnothing，buthefeltthemore。
　　Andyettheysaytheageofchivalryisdead！
　　ButthisisonlyanInterlude，introducedtogiveourwandererstimetorefreshthemselvesbygood，honestsleeping。Forthepresent，therefore，wewillnotconcernourselveswiththestartingoftheRescueParty，norwithMrs。Milton’ssimplebutbecominggreydress，withthehealthyWidgery’sNorfolkjacketandthickboots，withtheslenderDangle’senergeticbearing，norwiththewonderfulchequeringsthatsetoffthelegsofthegolf—suitedPhipps。Theyareafterus。Inalittlewhiletheywillbeuponus。YoumustimagineasyoubestcanthecompetitiveraidingsatMidhurstofWidgery，Dangle，andPhipps。HowWidgerywasgreatatquestions，andDanglegoodatinference，andPhippssoconspicuouslyinferiorineverythingthathefeltit，andsulkedwithMrs。Miltonmostoftheday，afterthemannerofyourcallowyouththewholeworldover。Mrs。MiltonstoppedattheAngelandwasverysadandcharmingandintelligent，andWidgerypaidthebill。intheafternoonofSaturday，Chichesterwasattained。Butbythattimeourfugitives——Asyoushallimmediatelyhear。
　　THEAWAKENINGOFMR。HOOPDRIVER
　　XXVII
　　Mr。Hoopdriverstirredonhispillow，openedhiseyes，and，staringunmeaningly，yawned。Thebedclothesweresoftandpleasant。Heturnedthepeakednosethatoverridestheinsufficientmoustache，uptotheceiling，apinkishprojectionoverthebillowofwhite。Youmightseeitwrinkleasheyawnedagain，andthenbecamequiet。Somattersremainedforaspace。
　　Veryslowlyrecollectionreturnedtohim。Thenashockofindeterminatebrownhairappeared，andfirstonewaterygreyeyea—wondering，andthentwo;thebedupheaved，andyouhadhim，histhinneckprojectingabruptlyfromtheclothesheheldabouthim，hisfacestaringabouttheroom。Heheldtheclothesabouthim，IhopeImayexplain，becausehisnight—shirtwasatBognorinanAmerican—clothpacket，derelict。Heyawnedathirdtime，rubbedhiseyes，smackedhislips。Hewasrecallingalmosteverythingnow。Thepursuit，thehotel，thetremulousdaringofhisentry，theswiftadventureoftheinnyard，themoonlight——Abruptlyhethrewtheclothesbackandroseintoasittingpositionontheedgeofthebed。Withoutwasthenoiseofshuttersbeingunfastenedanddoorsunlocked，andthepassingofhoofsandwheelsinthestreet。Helookedathiswatch。Half—pastsix。Hesurveyedthesumptuousroomagain。
　　"Lord！"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Itwasn’tadream，afterall。"
　　"IwonderwhattheychargefortheseJuicedrooms！"saidMr。
　　Hoopdriver，nursingonerosyfoot。
　　Hebecamemeditative，tuggingathisinsufficientmoustache。
　　Suddenlyhegaveventtoanoiselesslaugh。"Whatarushitwas！
　　Rushedinandoffwithhisgirlrightunderhisnose。Planneditwelltoo。Talkofhighwayrobbery！TalkofbrigandsUpandoff！
　　HowjuicedSOLDhemustbefeelingItwasashavetoo——inthecoachyard！"
　　Suddenlyhebecamesilent。Abruptlyhiseyebrowsroseandhisjawfell。"Isa—a—ay！"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　Hehadneverthoughtofitbefore。Perhapsyouwillunderstandthewhirlhehadbeeninovernight。Butoneseesthingsclearerinthedaylight。"I’mhangedifIhaven’tbeenandstolenablessedbicycle。"
　　"Whocares？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，presently，andhisfacesuppliedtheanswer。
　　ThenhethoughtoftheYoungLadyinGreyagain，andtriedtoputamoreheroiccomplexiononthebusiness。Butofanearlymorning，onanemptystomach（aswithcharacteristiccoarseness，medicalmenputit）heroicsareofamoredifficultgrowththanbymoonlight。Everythinghadseemedexceptionallyfineandbrilliant，butquitenatural，theeveningbefore。
　　Mr。Hoopdriverreachedouthishand，tookhisNorfolkjacket，laiditoverhisknees，andtookoutthemoneyfromthelittleticketpocket。"Fourteenandsix—half，"hesaid，holdingthecoinsinhislefthandandstrokinghischinwithhisright。Heverified，bypatting，thepresenceofapocketbookinthebreastpocket。"Five，fourteen，six—half，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Left。"
　　WiththeNorfolkjacketstillonhisknees，heplungedintoanothersilentmeditation。"Thatwouldn’tmatter，"hesaid。"It’sthebike’sthebother。
　　"NogoodgoingbacktoBognor。
　　"Mightsenditbackbycarrier，ofcourse。Thankinghimfortheloan。Havingnofurtheruse——"Mr。Hoopdriverchuckledandlapsedintothesilentconcoctionofadelightfullyimpudentletter。
　　"Mr。J。Hoopdriverpresentshiscompliments。"Butthegravenotereasserteditself。
　　"Mighttrundlebackthereinanhour，ofcourse，andexchangethem。MYoldcrock’ssoblessedshabby。He’ssuretobespitefultoo。Havemerunin，perhaps。Thenshe’dbeinjustthesameoldfix，onlyworse。Yousee，I’mherKnight—errant。Itcomplicatesthingsso。"
　　Hiseye，wanderingloosely，restedonthespongebath。"Whatthejuicedotheywantwithcreampansinabedroom？"saidMr。
　　Hoopdriver，enpassant。
　　"Bestthingwecandoistosetoutofhereassoonaspossible，anyhow。Isupposeshe’llgohometoherfriends。Thatbicycleisajuicynuisance，anyhow。Juicynuisance！"
　　Hejumpedtohisfeetwithasuddenawakeningofenergy，toproceedwithhistoilet。ThenwithacertainhorrorherememberedthatthesimplenecessariesofthatprocesswereatBognor！"Lord！"heremarked，andwhistledsilentlyforaspace。
　　"Rummygo！profitandloss;profit，onesisterwithbicyclecomplete，wotoffers？——cheapfortoothand’airbrush，vests，night—shirt，stockings，andsundries。
　　"Makethebestofit，"andpresently，whenitcametohair—brushing，hehadtosmoothhistroubledlockswithhishands。Itwasapoorresult。"Sneakoutandgetashave，I
　　suppose，andbuyabrushandsoon。Chinkagain！Bearddon’tshowmuch。"
　　Heranhishandoverhischin，lookedathimselfsteadfastlyforsometime，andcurledhisinsufficientmoustacheupwithsomecare。Thenhefella—meditatingonhisbeauty。Heconsideredhimself，three—quarterface，leftandright。Anexpressionofdistastecreptoverhisfeatures。"Lookingwon’talterit，Hoopdriver，"heremarked。"You’reaweedycustomer，myman。
　　Shouldersnarrow。Skimpy，anyhow。"
　　Heputhisknucklesonthetoilettableandregardedhimselfwithhischinliftedintheair。"GoodLord！"hesaid。"WHATaneck！
　　WonderwhyIgotsuchathunderinglumpthere。"
　　Hesatdownonthebed，hiseyestillontheglass。"IfI’dbeenexercisedproperly，ifI’dbeenfedreasonable，ifIhadn’tbeenshovedoutofasillyschoolintoasillyshop——Butthere！theoldfolksdidn’tknownobetter。Theschoolmasteroughttohave。
　　Buthedidn’t，pooroldfool！——Still，whenitcomestomeetingagirllikethis——It’s’ARD。
　　"IwonderwhatAdam’dthinkofme——asaspecimen。Civilisation，eigh？Heiroftheages！I’mnothing。Iknownothing。Ican’tdoanything——sketchabit。Whywasn’tImadeanartist？
　　"Beastlycheap，afterall，thissuitdoeslook，inthesunshine。"
　　"Nogood，Hoopdriver。Anyhow，youdon’ttellyourselfanyliesaboutit。Loversain’tyourgame，——anyway。Butthere’sotherthingsyet。Youcanhelptheyounglady，andyouwill——Isupposeshe’llbegoinghome——Andthatbusinessofthebicycle’stoseeto，too，myman。FORWARD，Hoopdriver！Ifyouain’tabeauty，that’snoreasonwhyyoushouldstopandbecopped，isit？"
　　Andhavinggotbackinthiswaytoagloomykindofself—satisfaction，hehadanotherattemptathishairpreparatorytoleavinghisroomandhurryingonbreakfast，foranearlydeparture。WhilebreakfastwaspreparinghewanderedoutintoSouthStreetandrefurnishedhimselfwiththeelementsofluggageagain。"Noexpensetobespared，"hemurmured，disgorgingthehalf—sovereign。
　　THEDEPARTUREFROMCHICHESTER
　　XXVIII
　　Hecausedhis’sister’tobecalledrepeatedly，andwhenshecamedown，explainedwithahumoroussmilehislegalrelationshiptothebicycleintheyard。"Mightbedisagreeable，y’know。"Hisanxietywasobviousenough。"Verywell，"shesaid（quitefriendly）;"hurrybreakfast，andwe’llrideout。Iwanttotalkthingsoverwithyou。"Thegirlseemedmorebeautifulthaneverafterthenight’ssleep;herhairincomelydarkwavesfromherforehead，herungauntletedfinger—tipspinkandcool。Andhowdecidedshewas！Breakfastwasanervousceremony，conversationfraternalbutthin;thewaiteroverawedhim，andhewascowedbyamultiplicityofforks。Butshecalledhim"Chris。"Theydiscussedtheirrouteoverhissixpennycountymapforthesakeoftalking，butavoidedadecisioninthepresenceoftheattendant。Thefive—poundnotewaschangedforthebill，andthroughHoopdriver’sdeterminationtobequitethegentleman，thewaiterandchambermaidgothalfacrowneachandtheostleraflorin。"’Olidays，"saidtheostlertohimself，withoutgratitude。Thepublicmountingofthebicyclesinthestreetwasamomentoftrepidation。Apolicemanactuallystoppedandwatchedthemfromtheoppositekerb。Supposehimtocomeacrossandask：
　　"Isthatyourbicycle，sir？"Fight？Ordropitandrun？Itwasatimeofbewilderingapprehension，too，goingthroughthestreetsofthetown，sothatamilkcartbarelyescapeddestructionunderMr。Hoopdriver’schancywheel。Thatrecalledhimtoasenseoferraticsteering，andhepulledhimselftogether。Inthelaneshebreathedfreer，andalessformalconversationpresentlybegan。
　　"You’veriddenoutofChichesterinagreathurry，"saidJessie。
　　"Well，thefactofitis，I’mworried，justalittlebit。Aboutthismachine。"
　　"Ofcourse，"shesaid。"Ihadforgottenthat。Butwherearewegoing？"
　　"Jestaturningortwomore，ifyoudon’tmind，"saidHoopdriver。
　　"Jestamileorso。Ihavetothinkofyou，youknow。Ishouldfeelmoreeasy。Ifwewaslockedup，youknow——NotthatIshouldmindonmyownaccount——"
　　Theyrodewithastreaky，greyseacomingandgoingontheirlefthand。EverymiletheyputbetweenthemselvesandChichesterMr。
　　Hoopdriverfeltalittlelessconscience—stricken，andalittlemoreofthegallantdesperado。HerehewasridingonasplendidmachinewithaSlap—upgirlbesidehim。WhatwouldtheythinkofitintheEmporiumifanyofthemweretoseehim？HeimaginedindetailtheastonishmentofMissIsaacsandofMissHowe。"Why！
　　It’sMr。Hoopdriver，"MissIsaacswouldsay。"Never！"
　　emphaticallyfromMissHowe。ThenheplayedwithBriggs，andthentriedthe’G。V。’inashay。"Fancyintroducing’emtoher——Mysisterprotem。"HewasherbrotherChris——Chriswhat？——Confoundit！Harringon，Hartington——somethinglikethat。Havetokeepoffthattopicuntilhecouldremember。Wishhe’dtoldherthetruthnow——almost。Heglancedather。Shewasridingwithhereyesstraightaheadofher。Thinking。Alittleperplexed，perhaps，sheseemed。Henoticedhowwellsherodeandthatsherodewithherlipsclosed——athinghecouldnevermanage。
　　Mr。Hoopdriver’smindcameroundtothefuture。Whatwasshegoingtodo？Whatweretheybothgoingtodo？Histhoughtstookagravercolour。Hehadrescuedher。Thiswasfine，manlyrescueworkhewasengagedupon。Sheoughttogohome，inspiteofthatstepmother。Hemustinsistgravelybutfirmlyuponthat。Shewasthespiritedsort，ofcourse，butstill——Wonderifshehadanymoney？Wonderwhatthesecond—classfarefromHavanttoLondonis？Ofcoursehewouldhavetopaythat——itwastheregularthing，hebeingagentleman。Thenshouldhetakeherhome？Hebegantoroughinamovingsketchofthereturn。Thestepmother，repentantofherindescribablecruelties，wouldbepresent，——eventheserichpeoplehavetheirtroubles，——probablyanuncleortwo。
　　Thefootmanwouldannounce，Mr。——（botherthatname！）andMissMilton。Thentwowomenweepingtogether，andaknightlyfigureinthebackgrounddressedinahandsomeNorfolkjacket，stillconspicuouslynew。Hewouldconcealhisfeelinguntiltheveryend。Then，leaving，hewouldpauseinthedoorwayinsuchanattitudeasMr。GeorgeAlexandermightassume，andsay，slowlyanddwindlingly："Bekindtoher——BEkindtoher，"andsodepart，heartbrokentothemeanestintelligence。Butthatwasamatterforthefuture。Hewouldhavetobegindiscussingthereturnsoon。Therewasnotrafficalongtheroad，andhecameupbesideher（hehadfallenbehindinhismusing）。Shebegantotalk。"Mr。
　　Denison，"shebegan，andthen，doubtfully，"Thatisyourname？
　　I’mverystupid——"
　　"Itis，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。（Denison，wasit？Denison，Denison，Denison。Whatwasshesaying？）
　　"Iwonderhowfaryouarewillingtohelpme？"Confoundedlyhardtoansweraquestionlikethatonthespurofthemoment，withoutsteeringwildly。"Youmayrely——"saidMr。Hoopdriver，recoveringfromaviolentwabble。"Icanassureyou——Iwanttohelpyouverymuch。Don’tconsidermeatall。Leastways，considermeentirelyatyourservice。"（Nuisancenottobeabletosaythiskindofthingright。）
　　"Yousee，Iamsoawkwardlysituated。"
　　"IfIcanonlyhelpyou——youwillmakemeveryhappy——"Therewasapause。Roundabendintheroadtheycameuponagrassyspacebetweenhedgeandroad，setwithyarrowandmeadowsweet，whereafelledtreelayamongthegreen。Thereshedismounted，andproppinghermachineagainstastone，satdown。"Here，wecantalk，"shesaid。
　　"Yes，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，expectant。
　　Sheansweredafteralittlewhile，sitting，elbowonknee，withherchininherhand，andlookingstraightinfrontofher。"I
　　don’tknow——IamresolvedtoLivemyOwnLife。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Naturally。"
　　"IwanttoLive，andIwanttoseewhatlifemeans。Iwanttolearn。Everyoneishurryingme，everythingishurryingme;Iwanttimetothink。"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverwaspuzzled，butadmiring。Itwaswonderfulhowclearandreadyherwordswere。Butthenonemightspeakwellwithathroatandlipslikethat。Heknewhewasinadequate，buthetriedtomeettheoccasion。"Ifyouletthemrushyouintoanythingyoumightrepentof，ofcourseyou’dbeverysilly。"
　　"Don’tYOUwanttolearn？"sheasked。
　　"Iwaswonderingonlythismorning，"hebegan，andstopped。
　　Shewastoointentuponherownthoughtstonoticethisinsufficiency。"Ifindmyselfinlife，anditterrifiesme。I
　　seemtobelikealittlespeck，whirlingonawheel，suddenlycaughtup。’WhatamIherefor？’Iask。Simplytobehereatatime——Iaskeditaweekago，Iaskedityesterday，andIaskitto—day。Andlittlethingshappenandthedayspass。Mystepmothertakesmeshopping，peoplecometotea，thereisanewplaytopassthetime，oraconcert，oranovel。Thewheelsoftheworldgoonturning，turning。Itishorrible。IwanttodoamiraclelikeJoshuaandstopthewhirluntilIhavefoughtitout。Athome——It’simpossible。"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverstrokedhismoustache。"ItISso，"hesaidinameditativetone。"ThingsWILLgoon，"hesaid。Thefaintbreathofsummerstirredthetrees，andabunchofdandelionpuffliftedamongthemeadowsweetandstruckandbrokeintoadozenseparatethreadsagainsthisknee。Theyflewonapart，andsank，asthebreezefell，amongthegrass：sometogerminate，sometoperish。
　　Hiseyefollowedthemuntiltheyhadvanished。
　　"Ican’tgobacktoSurbiton，"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey。
　　"EIGH？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，catchingathismoustache。Thiswasanunexpecteddevelopment。
　　"Iwanttowrite，yousee，"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey，"towriteBooksandalterthings。TodoGood。IwanttoleadaFreeLifeandOwnmyself。Ican’tgoback。Iwanttoobtainapositionasajournalist。Ihavebeentold——ButIknownoonetohelpmeatonce。NoonethatIcouldgoto。Thereisoneperson——Shewasamistressatmyschool。IfIcouldwritetoher——Butthen，howcouldIgetheranswer？"
　　"H’mp，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，verygrave。
　　"Ican’ttroubleyoumuchmore。Youhavecome——youhaveriskedthings——"
　　"Thatdon’tcount，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"It’sdoublepaytoletmedoit，sotospeak。"
　　"Itisgoodofyoutosaythat。SurbitonissoConventional。IamresolvedtobeUnconventional——atanycost。Butwearesohampered。IfIcouldonlyburgeonoutofallthathindersme！I
　　wanttostruggle，totakemyplaceintheworld。Iwanttobemyownmistress，toshapemyowncareer。Butmystepmotherobjectsso。Shedoesasshelikesherself，andisstrictwithmetoeaseherconscience。AndifIgobacknow，gobackowningmyselfbeaten——"Shelefttheresttohisimagination。
　　"Iseethat，"agreedMr。Hoopdriver。HeMUSThelpher。Withinhisskullhewasdoingsomeintricatearithmeticwithfivepoundssixandtwopence。InsomevaguewayheinferredfromallthisthatJessiewastryingtoescapefromanundesirablemarriage，butwassayingthesethingsoutofmodesty。Hiscircleofideaswassolimited。
　　"Youknow，Mr。——I’veforgottenyournameagain。"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverseemedlostinabstraction。"Youcan’tgobackofcourse，quitelikethat，"hesaidthoughtfully。Hisearswaxedsuddenlyredandhischeeksflushed。
　　"ButwhatISyourname？"
　　"Name！"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Why！——Benson，ofcourse。"
　　"Mr。Benson——yesit’sreallyverystupidofme。ButIcanneverremembernames。Imustmakeanoteonmycuff。"Sheclickedalittlesilverpencilandwrotethenamedown。"IfIcouldwritetomyfriend。Ibelieveshewouldbeabletohelpmetoanindependentlife。Icouldwritetoher——ortelegraph。Write，I
　　think。Icouldscarcelyexplaininatelegram。Iknowshewouldhelpme。"
　　Clearlytherewasonlyonecourseopentoagentlemanunderthecircumstances。"Inthatcase，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，"ifyoudon’tmindtrustingyourselftoastranger，wemightcontinueasweareperhaps。Foradayorso。Untilyouheard。"（Supposethirtyshillingsaday，thatgivesfourdays，sayfourthirtiesishun’
　　andtwenty，sixquid，——well，threedays，say;fourten。）
　　"Youareverygoodtome。"
　　Hisexpressionwaseloquent。
　　"Verywell，then，andthankyou。It’swonderful——it’smorethanI
　　deservethatyou——"Shedroppedthethemeabruptly。"WhatwasourbillatChichester？"
　　"Eigh？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，feigningacertainstupidity。Therewasabriefdiscussion。Secretlyhewasdelightedatherinsistenceinpaying。Shecarriedherpoint。Theirtalkcameroundtotheirimmediateplansfortheday。Theydecidedtorideeasily，throughHavant，andstop，perhaps，atFarehamorSouthampton。Forthepreviousdayhadtriedthemboth。Holdingthemapextendedonhisknee，Mr。Hoopdriver’seyefellbychanceonthebicycleathisfeet。"Thatbicycle，"heremarked，quiteirrelevantly，"wouldn’tlookthesamemachineifIgotabig，doubleElaruminsteadofthatlittlebell。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Jestathought。"Apause。
　　"Verywell，then，——Havantandlunch，"saidJessie，rising。
　　"Iwish，somehow，wecouldhavemanageditwithoutstealingthatmachine，"saidHoopdriver。"BecauseitISstealingit，youknow，cometothinkofit。"
　　"Nonsense。IfMr。Bechameltroublesyou——Iwilltellthewholeworld——ifneedbe。"
　　"Ibelieveyouwould，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，admiringher。"You’repluckyenough——goodnessknows。"
　　Discoveringsuddenlythatshewasstanding，he，too，roseandpickeduphermachine。Shetookitandwheeleditintotheroad。
　　Thenhetookhisown。Hepaused，regardingit。"Isay！"saidhe。
　　"How’dthisbikelook，now，ifitwasenamelledgrey？"Shelookedoverhershoulderathisgraveface。"Whytryandhideitinthatway？"
　　"Itwasjestapassingthought，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，airily。
　　"Didn’tMEANanything，youknow。"
　　AstheywereridingontoHavantitoccurredtoMr。Hoopdriverinatransitorymannerthattheinterviewhadbeenquiteotherthanhisexpectation。ButthatwasthewaywitheverythinginMr。
　　Hoopdriver’sexperience。AndthoughhisWisdomlookedgravewithinhim，andCautionwaschinkingcoins，andanancientprejudiceinfavourofPropertyshookherhead，somethingelsewastheretoo，shoutinginhismindtodrownallthesesanerconsiderations，theintoxicatingthoughtofridingbesideHerallto—day，allto—morrow，perhapsforotherdaysafterthat。Oftalkingtoherfamiliarly，beingbrotherofallherslenderstrengthandfreshness，ofhavingagolden，real，andwonderfultimebeyondallhisimaginings。Hisoldfamiliarfancyingsgaveplacetoanticipationsasimpalpableandfluctuatingandbeautifulasthesunsetofasummerday。
　　AtHavanthetookanopportunitytopurchase，atsmallhairdresser’sinthemainstreet，atoothbrush，pairofnailscissors，andalittlebottleofstufftodarkenthemoustache，anarticletheshopmanintroducedtohisattention，recommendedhighly，andsoldintheexcitementoftheoccasion。
　　THEUNEXPECTEDANECDOTEOFTHELION
　　XXIX
　　TheyrodeontoCoshamandlunchedlightlybutexpensivelythere。
　　Jessiewentoutandpostedherlettertoherschoolfriend。ThenthegreenheightofPortsdownHilltemptedthem，andleavingtheirmachinesinthevillagetheyclambereduptheslopetothesilentred—brickfortthatcrownedit。ThencetheyhadaviewofPortsmouthanditsclusterofsistertowns，thecrowdednarrowsoftheharbour，theSolentandtheIsleofWightlikeabluecloudthroughthehothaze。JessiebysomemiraclehadbecomeaskirtedwomanintheCoshaminn。Mr。Hoopdriverloungedgracefullyontheturf，smokedaRedHerringcigarette，andlazilyregardedthefortifiedtownsthatspreadlikeamapawaythere，theinnerlineofdefenceliketoyfortifications，amileoffperhaps;andbeyondthatafewlittlefieldsandthenthebeginningsofLandportsuburbandthesmokyclusterofthemultitudinoushouses。TotherightattheheadoftheharbourshallowsthetownofPorchesterroseamongthetrees。Mr。
　　Hoopdriver’sanxietyrecededtosomeremotecornerofhisbrainandthatfloridhalf—voluntaryimaginationofhissharedthestagewiththeimageofJessie。Hebegantospeculateontheimpressionhewascreating。Hetookstockofhissuitinamoreoptimisticspirit，andreviewed，withsomecomplacency，hisactionsforthelastfourandtwentyhours。Thenhewasdashedatthethoughtofherinfiniteperfections。
　　Shehadbeenobservinghimquietly，rathermorecloselyduringthelasthourorso。Shedidnotlookathimdirectlybecauseheseemedalwayslookingather。Herowntroubleshadquieteddownalittle，andhercuriosityaboutthechivalrous，worshipping，butsingulargentlemaninbrown，wasawakening。Shehadrecalled，too，thecuriousincidentoftheirfirstencounter。Shefoundhimhardtoexplaintoherself。Youmustunderstandthatherknowledgeoftheworldwasratherlessthannothing，havingbeenobtainedentirelyfrombooks。Youmustnottakeacertainignoranceforfoolishness。
　　Shehadbegunwithafewexperiments。HedidnotknowFrenchexcept’sivverplay，’aphraseheseemedtoregardasaverygoodlighttablejokeinitself。HisEnglishwasuncertain，butnotsuchasbooksinformedherdistinguishedthelowerclasses。Hismannersseemedtohergoodonthewhole，butatrifleover—respectfulandoutoffashion。HecalledherIMadam’once。
　　Heseemedapersonofmeansandleisure，butheknewnothingofrecentconcerts，theatres，orbooks。Howdidhespendhistime？
　　Hewascertainlychivalrous，andatriflesimpleminded。Shefancied（somuchisthereinachangeofcostume）thatshehadnevermetwithsuchamanbefore。WhatCOULDhebe？
　　"Mr。Benson，"shesaid，breakingasilencedevotedtolandscape。
　　Herolledoverandregardedher，chinonknuckles。
　　"Atyourservice。"
　　"Doyoupaint？Areyouanartist？"
　　"Well。"Judiciouspause。"IshouldhardlycallmyselfaNartist。"
　　youknow。IDOpaintalittle。Andsketch，youknow——skittykindofthings。"
　　Hepluckedandbegantonibbleabladeofgrass。Itwasreallynotsomuchlyingashisquickimaginationthatpromptedhimtoadd，"InPapers，youknow，andallthat。"
　　"Isee，"saidJessie，lookingathimthoughtfully。Artistswereaveryheterogeneousclasscertainly，andgeniuseshadatrickofbeingalittleodd。Heavoidedhereyeandbithisgrass。"I
　　don’tdoMUCH，youknow。"
　　"It’snotyourprofession？
　　"Oh，no，"saidHoopdriver，anxiousnowtohedge。"Idon’tmakearegularthingofit，youknow。jestnowandthensomethingcomesintomyheadanddownitgoes。No——I’mnotaregularartist。"
　　"Thenyoudon’tpractiseanyregularprofession？Mr。Hoopdriverlookedintohereyesandsawtheirquietunsuspiciousregard。Hehadvagueideasofresumingthedetectiverole。"It’slikethis，"
　　hesaid，togaintime。"Ihaveasortofprofession。Onlythere’sakindofreason——nothingmuch，youknow"
　　"Ibegyourpardonforcross—examiningyou。"
　　"Notrouble，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"OnlyIcan’tverywell——I
　　leaveittoyou，youknow。Idon’twanttomakeanymysteryofit，sofarasthatgoes。"Shouldheplungeboldlyandbeabarrister？Thatanyhowwassomethingprettygood。Butshemightknowaboutbarristry。
　　"IthinkIcouldguesswhatyouare。"
　　"Well——guess，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Youcomefromoneofthecolonies？"
　　"Dearme！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，veeringroundtothenewwind。
　　"HowdidyoufindoutTHAT？"（themanwasborninaLondonsuburb，dearReader。）
　　"Iguessed，"shesaid。
　　Heliftedhiseyebrowsasoneastonished，andclutchedanewpieceofgrass。
　　"Youwereeducatedupcountry。"
　　"Goodagain，"saidHoopdriver，rollingoveragainintoherelbow。
　　"You’reaCLAIRVOYant。"Hebitatthegrass，smiling。"Whichcolonywasit？"
　　"ThatIdon’tknow。"
　　"Youmustguess，"saidHoopdriver。
　　"SouthAfrica，"shesaid。"IstronglyinclinetoSouthAfrica。"
　　"SouthAfrica’squitealargeplace，"hesaid。
　　"ButSouthAfricaisright？"
　　"You’rewarm，"saidHoopdriver，"anyhow，"andthewhilehisimaginationwaseagerlyexploringthisnewprovince。
　　"SouthAfricaISright？"sheinsisted。
　　Heturnedoveragainandnodded，smilingreassuringlyintohereyes。
　　"WhatmademethinkofSouthAfricawasthatnovelofOliveSchreiner’s，youknow——TheStoryofanAfricanFarm。’GregoryRoseissolikeyou。"
　　"Ineverread’TheStoryofanAfricanFarm，’"saidHoopdriver。
　　"Imust。What’shelike？"
　　"Youmustreadthebook。Butit’sawonderfulplace，withitsmixtureofraces，anditsbrand—newcivilisationjostlingtheoldsavagery。WereyounearKhama？"
　　"Hewasalongwayofffromourplace，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Wehadalittleostrichfarm，youknow——Justafewhundredof’em，outJohannesburgway。"
　　"OntheKarroo——wasitcalled？"
　　"That’stheterm。Someofitwasfreeholdthough。Luckily。Wegotalongverywellintheolddays。——Butthere’snoostrichesonthatfarmnow。"Hehadadiamondmineinhishead，justatthemoment，buthestoppedandleftalittletothegirl’simagination。Besideswhichithadoccurredtohimwithakindofshockthathewaslying。
　　"Whatbecameoftheostriches？"
　　"Wesold’emoff，whenwepartedwiththefarm。DoyoumindifI
　　haveanothercigarette？ThatwaswhenIwasquitealittlechap，youknow，thatwehadthisostrichfarm。"
　　"DidyouhaveBlacksandBoersaboutyou？"
　　"Lots，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，strikingamatchonhisinstepandbeginningtofeelhotatthenewresponsibilityhehadbroughtuponhimself。
　　"Howinteresting！Doyouknow，I’veneverbeenoutofEnglandexcepttoParisandMentoneandSwitzerland。"
　　"Onegetstiredoftravelling（puff）afterabit，ofcourse。"
　　"YoumusttellmeaboutyourfarminSouthAfrica。Italwaysstimulatesmyimaginationtothinkoftheseplaces。Icanfancyallthetallostrichesbeingdrivenoutbyablackherd——tograze，Isuppose。Howdoostrichesfeed？"
　　"Well，"saidHoopdriver。"That’srathervarious。Theyhavetheirfancies，youknow。There’sfruit，ofcourse，andthatkindofthing。Andchickenfood，andsoforth。Youhavetousejudgment。"
　　"Didyoueverseealion？""Theyweren’tverycommoninourdistrict，"saidHoopdriver，quitemodestly。"ButI’veseenthem，ofcourse。Onceortwice。"
　　"Fancyseeingalion！Weren’tyoufrightened？"
　　Mr。HoopdriverwasnowthoroughlysorryhehadacceptedthatofferofSouthAfrica。HepuffedhiscigaretteandregardedtheSolentlanguidlyashesettledthefateonthatlioninhismind。
　　"Iscarcelyhadtime，"hesaid。"Itallhappenedinaminute。"
　　"Goon，"shesaid。
　　"Iwasgoingacrosstheinnerpaddockwherethefattedostricheswere。"
　　"DidyouEATostriches，then？Ididnotknow——"
　　"Eatthem！——often。VerynicetheyAREtoo，properlystuffed。
　　Well，we——I，rather——wasgoingacrossthispaddock，andIsawsomethingstandingupinthemoonlightandlookingatme。"Mr。
　　Hoopdriverwasinahotperspirationnow。Hisinventionseemedtohavegonelimp。"LuckilyIhadmyfather’sgunwithme。Iwasscared，though，Icantellyou。（Puff。）IjustaimedattheendthatIthoughtwasthehead。Andletfly。（Puff。）Andoveritwent，youknow。"
　　"Dead？"
　　"ASdead。ItwasoneoftheluckiestshotsIeverfired。AndI
　　wasn’tmuchovernineatthetime，neither。"
　　"_I_shouldhavescreamedandrunaway。"
　　"There’ssomethingsyoucan’trunawayfrom，"saidMr。
　　Hoopdriver。"TorunwouldhavebeenDeath。"
　　"Idon’tthinkIevermetalion—killerbefore，"sheremarked，evidentlywithaheightenedopinionofhim。
　　Therewasapause。Sheseemedmeditatingfurtherquestions。Mr。