"Amostcharmingday，sir，"hesaid，inaringingtenor。
　　"Charming，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，overaportionofpie。
　　"Youare，Iperceive，cyclingthroughthisdelightfulcountry，"
　　saidtheclergyman。
　　"Touring，"explainedMr。Hoopdriver。"Icanimaginethat，withaproperlyoiledmachine，therecanbenoeasiernorpleasanterwayofseeingthecountry。"
　　"No，"saidMr。Hoopdriver;"itisn’thalfabad。wayofgettingabout。"
　　"Forayoungandnewlymarriedcouple，atandembicyclemustbe，Ishouldimagine，adelightfulbond。"
　　"Quiteso，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，reddeningalittle。
　　"Doyourideatandem？"
　　"No——we’reseparate，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Themotionthroughtheairisindisputablyofaveryexhilaratingdescription。"Withthatdecision，theclergymanturnedtogivehisorderstotheattendant，inafirm，authoritativevoice，foracupoftea，twogelatinelozenges，breadandbutter，salad，andpietofollow。"ThegelatinelozengesImusthave。Irequirethemtoprecipitatethetannininmytea，"heremarkedtotheroomatlarge，andfoldinghishands，remainedforsometimewithhischinthereon，staringfixedlyatalittlepictureoverMr。Hoopdriver’shead。
　　"Imyselfamacyclist，"saidtheclergyman，descendingsuddenlyuponMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Indeed！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，attackingthemoustache。"Whatmachine，mayIask？"
　　"Ihaverecentlybecomepossessedofatricycle。Abicycleis，I
　　regrettosay，consideredtoo——howshallIputit？——flippantbymyparishioners。SoIhaveatricycle。Ihavejustbeenhaulingithither。"
　　"Hauling！"saidJessie，surprised。
　　"Withashoelace。Andpartlycarryingitonmyback。"
　　Thepausewasunexpected。Jessiehadsometroublewithacrumb。
　　Mr。Hoopdriver’sfacepassedthroughseveralphasesofsurprise。
　　Thenhesawtheexplanation。"Hadanaccident？"
　　"Icanhardlycallitanaccident。Thewheelssuddenlyrefusedtogoround。Ifoundmyselfaboutfivemilesfromherewithanabsolutelyimmobilemachine。"
　　"Ow！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，tryingtoseemintelligent，andJessieglancedatthisinsaneperson。
　　"Itappears，"saidtheclergyman，satisfiedwiththeeffecthehadcreated，"thatmymancarefullywashedoutthebearingswithparaffin，andletthemachinedrywithoutoilingitagain。Theconsequencewasthattheybecameheatedtoaconsiderabletemperatureandjammed。Evenattheoutsetthemachineranstifflyaswellasnoisily，andI，beinginclinedtoascribethisstiffnesstomyownlassitude，merelyredoubledmyexertions。"
　　"’Otworkallround，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Youcouldscarcelyputitmoreappropriately。ItismyruleoflifetodowhateverIfindtodowithallmymight。Ibelieve，indeed，thatthebearingsbecameredhot。Finallyoneofthewheelsjammedtogether。Asidewheelitwas，sothatitsstoppagenecessitatedaninversionoftheentireapparatus，——aninversioninwhichIparticipated。"
　　"Meaning，thatyouwentover？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，suddenlymuchamused。
　　"Precisely。Andnotbrookingmydefeat，Isufferedrepeatedly。
　　Youmayunderstand，perhaps，anaturalimpatience。I
　　expostulated——playfully，ofcourse。Happilytheroadwasnotoverlooked。Finally，theentireapparatusbecamerigid，andI
　　abandonedtheunequalcontest。Forallpracticalpurposesthetricyclewasnobetterthanaheavychairwithoutcastors。Itwasacaseofhaulingorcarrying。"
　　Theclergyman’snutrimentappearedinthedoorway。
　　"Fivemiles，"saidtheclergyman。Hebeganatoncetoeatbreadandbuttervigorously。"Happily，"hesaid，"Iamaneupeptic，energeticsortofpersononprinciple。Iwouldallmenwerelikewise。"
　　"It’sthebestway，"agreedMr。Hoopdriver，andtheconversationgaveprecedencetobreadandbutter。
　　"Gelatine，"saidtheclergyman，presently，stirringhisteathoughtfully，"precipitatesthetannininone’steaandrendersiteasyofdigestion。"
　　"That’sausefulsortofthingtoknow，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Youarealtogetherwelcome，"saidtheclergyman，bitinggenerouslyattwopiecesofbreadandbutterfoldedtogether。
　　IntheafternoonourtwowanderersrodeonataneasypacetowardsStoneyCross。Conversationlanguished，thetopicofSouthAfricabeinginabeyance。Mr。Hoopdriverwassilencedbydisagreeablethoughts。HehadchangedthelastsovereignatRingwood。Thefacthadcomeuponhimsuddenly。Nowtoolatehewasreflectinguponhisresources。TherewastwentypoundsormoreinthepostofficesavingsbankinPutney，buthisbookwaslockedupinhisboxattheAntrobusestablishment。Elsethisinfatuatedmanwouldcertainlyhavesurreptitiouslywithdrawntheentiresuminordertoprolongthesejourneyingsevenforafewdays。Asitwas，theshadowoftheendfellacrosshishappiness。
　　Strangelyenough，inspiteofhisanxietyandthemorning’scollapse，hewasstillinacuriousemotionalstatethatwascertainlynotmisery。Hewasforgettinghisimaginingsandposings，forgettinghimselfaltogetherinhisgrowingappreciationofhiscompanion。Themosttangibletroubleinhismindwasthenecessityofbreakingthemattertoher。
　　AlongstretchuphilltiredthemlongbeforeStoneyCrosswasreached，andtheydismountedandsatundertheshadeofalittleoaktree。Nearthecresttheroadloopedonitself，sothat，lookingback，itslopedbelowthemuptotherightandthencametowardsthem。Aboutthemgrewarichheatherwithstuntedoaksontheedgeofadeepditchalongtheroadside，andthisroadwassandy;belowthesteepnessofthehill，however，itwasgreyandbarredwithshadows，fortherethetreesclusteredthickandtall。Mr。Hoopdriverfumbledclumsilywithhiscigarettes。
　　"There’sathingIgottotellyou，"hesaid，tryingtobeperfectlycalm。
　　"Yes？"shesaid。
　　"I’dliketojestdiscussyourplansabit，y’know。"
　　"I’mveryunsettled，"saidJessie。"YouarethinkingofwritingBooks？"
　　"Ordoingjournalism，orteaching，orsomethinglikethat。"
　　"Andkeepingyourselfindependentofyourstepmother？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Howlong’dittakenow，togetanythingofthatsorttodo？"
　　"Idon’tknowatall。Ibelievethereareagreatmanywomenjournalistsandsanitaryinspectors，andblack—and—whiteartists。
　　ButIsupposeittakestime。Women，youknow，editmostpapersnowadays，GeorgeEgertonsays。Iought，Isuppose，tocommunicatewithaliteraryagent。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidHoopdriver，"it’sverysuitablework。Notbeingheavylikethedrapery。"
　　"There’sheavybrainlabour，youmustremember。"
　　"Thatwouldn’thurtYOU，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，turningacompliment。
　　"It’slikethis，"hesaid，endingapause。"It’sajuicednuisancealludingtothesematters，but——wegotverylittlemoremoney。"
　　HeperceivedthatJessiestarted，thoughhedidnotlookather。
　　"Iwascounting，ofcourse，onyourfriend’swritingandyourbeingabletotakesomeactionto—day。"’Takesomeaction’wasaphrasehehadlearntathislast’swop。’
　　"Money，"saidJessie。"Ididn’tthinkofmoney。"
　　"Hullo！Here’satandembicycle，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，abruptly，andpointingwithhiscigarette。
　　Shelooked，andsawtwolittlefiguresemergingfromamongthetreesatthefootoftheslope。Theriderswerebowedsternlyovertheirworkandmadeagallantbutunsuccessfulattempttotaketherise。Themachinewasevidentlytoohighlygearedforhillclimbing，andpresentlytherearmostriderroseonhissaddleandhoppedoff，leavinghiscompaniontoanyfatehefoundproper。Theforemostriderwasamanunusedtosuchmachinesandapparentlyundecidedhowtodismount。Hewabbledafewyardsupthehillwithalongtailofmachinewabblingbehindhim。
　　Finally，hemadeanattempttojumpoffasonedoesoffasinglebicycle，hithisbootagainstthebackbone，andcollapsedheavily，fallingonhisshoulder。
　　Shestoodup。"Dearme！"shesaid。"Ihopeheisn’thurt。"
　　Thesecondriderwenttotheassistanceofthefallenman。
　　Hoopdriverstoodup，too。Thelank，shakymachinewasliftedupandwheeledoutoftheway，andthenthefallenrider，beingassisted，gotupslowlyandstoodrubbinghisarm。Noseriousinjuryseemedtobedonetotheman，andthecouplepresentlyturnedtheirattentiontothemachinebytheroadside。TheywerenotincyclingclothesHoopdriverobserved。OneworethegrotesqueraimentforwhichtheCockneydiscoveryofthegameofgolfseemsindirectlyblamable。Evenatthisdistancethefloppingflatnessofhiscap，thebrightbrownleatheratthetopofhiscalves，andthechequeringofhisstockingswereperceptible。Theother，therearrider，wasaslenderlittlemaningrey。
　　"Amatoors，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　Jessiestoodstaring，andaveilofthoughtdroppedoverhereyes。Shenolongerregardedthetwomenwhowerenowtinkeringatthemachinedownbelowthere。
　　"Howmuchhaveyou？"shesaid。
　　Hethrusthisrighthandintohispocketandproducedsixcoins，countedthemwithhisleftindexfinger，andheldthemouttoher。"Thirteenfourhalf，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Everypenny。"
　　"Ihavehalfasovereign，"shesaid。"Ourbillwhereverwestop——"Thehiatuswasmoreeloquentthanmanywords。
　　"Ineverthoughtofmoneycomingintostopuslikethis，"saidJessie。
　　"It’sajuicednuisance。"
　　"Money，"saidJessie。"Isitpossible——Surely！Conventionality！
　　Mayonlypeopleofmeans——LivetheirownLives？Ineverthought……"
　　Pause。
　　"Here’ssomemorecyclistscoming，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　Thetwomenwerebothbusywiththeirbicyclestill，butnowfromamongthetreesemergedthemassivebulkofa’MarlboroughClub’
　　tandem，riddenbyaslenderwomaningreyandaburlymanin？
　　Norfolkjacket。Followingcloseuponthiscamelankblackfigureinapiebaldstrawhat，ridingatricycleofantiquatedpatternwithtwolargewheelsinfront。Themaningreyremainedbowedoverthebicycle，withhisstomachrestingonthesaddle，buthiscompanionstoodupandaddressedsomeremarktothetricycleriders。ThenitseemedasifhepointeduphilltowhereMr。
　　Hoopdriverandhiscompanionstoodsidebyside。Astillodderthingfollowed;theladyingreytookoutherhandkerchief，appearedtowaveitforamoment，andthenatahastymotionfromhercompanionthewhitesignalvanished。
　　"Surely，"saidJessie，peeringunderherhand。"It’snever——"
　　Thetandemtricyclebegantoascendthehill，quarteringelaboratelyfromsidetosidetoeasetheascent。Itwasevident，fromhisheavingshouldersanddepressedhead，thattheburlygentlemanwasexertinghimself。Theclericalpersononthetricycleassumedtheshapeofanoteofinterrogation。Thenontheheelsofthisprocessioncameadogcartdrivenbyamaninabillycockhatandcontainingaladyindarkgreen。
　　"Lookslikesomesortofexcursion，"saidHoopdriver。
　　Jessiedidnotanswer。Shewasstillpeeringunderherhand。
　　"Surely，"shesaid。
　　Theclergyman’seffortswerebecomingconvulsive。Withacuriousjerkingmotion，thetricycleherodetwistedrounduponitself，andhepartlydismountedandpartlyfelloff。Heturnedhismachineuphillagainimmediatelyandbegantowheelit。Thentheburlygentlemandismounted，andwithacourtlyattentivenessassistedtheladyingreytoalight。Therewassomelittledifferenceofopinionastoassistance，shesoclearlywishedtohelppush。Finallyshegavein，andtheburlygentlemanbeganimpellingthemachineuphillbyhisownunaidedstrength。Hisfacemadeadotofbrilliantcolouramongthegreysandgreensatthefootofthehill。Thetandembicyclewasnow，itseems，repaired，andthisjoinedthetailoftheprocession，itsriderswalkingbehindthedogcart，fromwhichtheladyingreenandthedriverhadnowdescended。
　　"Mr。Hoopdriver，"saidJessie。"Thosepeople——I’malmostsure——"
　　"Lord！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，readingtherestinherface，andheturnedtopickuphismachineatonce。Thenhedroppeditandassistedhertomount。
　　AtthesightofJessiemountingagainsttheskylinethepeoplecomingupthehillsuddenlybecameexcitedandendedJessie’sdoubtsatonce。Twohandkerchiefswaved，andsomeoneshouted。
　　Theridersofthetandembicyclebegantorunituphill，pasttheothervehicles。Butouryoungpeopledidnotwaitforfurtherdevelopmentsofthepursuit。Inanothermomenttheywereoutofsight，ridingharddownasteadyinclinetowardsStoneyCross。
　　Beforetheyhaddroppedamongthetreesoutofsightofthehillbrow，Jessielookedbackandsawthetandemrisingoverthecrest，withitsrearriderjusttumblingintothesaddle。
　　"They’recoming，"shesaid，andbentherheadoverherhandlesintrueprofessionalstyle。
　　Theywhirleddownintothevalley，overawhitebridge，andsawaheadofthemanumberofshaggylittleponiesfriskingintheroadway。Involuntarilytheyslackened。"Shoo！"saidMr。
　　Hoopdriver，andtheponieskickeduptheirheelsderisively。AtthatMr。Hoopdriverlosthistemperandchargedatthem，narrowlymissedone，andsentthemjumpingtheditchintothebrackenunderthetrees，leavingthewayclearforJessie。
　　Thentheroadrosequietlybutpersistently;thetreadlesgrewheavy，andMr。Hoopdriver’sbreathsoundedlikeasaw。Thetandemappeared，makingfrightfulexertions，atthefoot，whilethechasewasstillclimbing。Then，thankHeaven！acrestandastretchofupanddownroad，whoseonlydisadvantagewasitspitilessexposuretotheafternoonsun。Thetandemapparentlydismountedatthehill，anddidnotappearagainstthehotblueskyuntiltheywerealreadynearsometreesandagoodmileaway。
　　"We’regaining，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withalittleNiagaraofperspirationdroppingfrombrowtocheek。"Thathill——"
　　Butthatwastheironlygleamofsuccess。Theywerebothnearlyspent。Hoopdriver，indeed，wasquitespent，andonlyafeelingofshameprolongedtheliquidationofhisbankruptphysique。Fromthatpointthetandemgraineduponthemsteadily。AttheRufusStone，itwasscarcelyahundredyardsbehind。Thenonedesperatespurt，andtheyfoundthemselvesuponasteadydownhillstretchamongthickpinewoods。Downhillnothingcanbeatahighlygearedtandembicycle。AutomaticallyMr。Hoopdriverputuphisfeet，andJessieslackenedherpace。Inanothermomenttheyheardtheswishofthefatpneumaticsbehindthem，andthetandempassedHoopdriveranddrewalongsideJessie。Hoopdriverfeltamadimpulsetocollidewiththisabominablemachineasitpassedhim。
　　Hisonlyconsolationwastonoticethatitsriders，ridingviolently，werequiteasdishevelledashimselfandsmotheredinsandywhitedust。
　　AbruptlyJessiestoppedanddismounted，andthetandemridersshotpantingpastthemdownhill。"Brake，"saidDangle，whowasridingbehind，andstooduponthepedals。Foramomentthevelocityofthethingincreased，andthentheysawthedustflyfromthebrake，asitcamedownonthefronttire。Dangle’srightlegflounderedintheairashecameoffintheroad。Thetandemwobbled。"Holdit！"criedPhippsoverhisshoulder，goingondownhill。Ican’tgetoffifyoudon’tholdit。"Heputonthebrakeuntilthemachinestoppedalmostdead，andthenfeelingunstablebegantopedalagain。Dangleshoutedafterhim。"Putoutyourfoot，man，"saidDangle。
　　Inthiswaythetandemriderswerecarriedagoodhundredyardsormorebeyondtheirquarry。ThenPhippsrealizedhispossibilities，slackedupwiththebrake，andletthethinggooversideways，droppingontohisrightfoot。Withhisleftlegstilloverthesaddle，andstillholdingthehandles，helookedoverhisshoulderandbeganaddressinguncomplimentaryremarkstoDangle。"Youonlythinkofyourself，"saidPhipps，withafloridface。
　　"Theyhaveforgottenus，"saidJessie，turninghermachine。
　　"Therewasaroadatthetopofthehill——toLyndhurst，"saidHoopdriver，followingherexample。
　　"It’snogood。There’sthemoney。Wemustgiveitup。ButletusgobacktothathotelatRufusStone。Idon’tseewhyweshouldbeledcaptive。"
　　Sototheconsternationofthetandemriders，Jessieandhercompanionmountedandrodequietlybackupthehillagain。Astheydismountedatthehotelentrance，thetandemovertookthem，andimmediatelyafterwardsthedogcartcameintoviewinpursuit。
　　Danglejumpedoff。
　　"MissMilton，Ibelieve，"saidDangle，pantingandraisingadampcapfromhiswetandmattedhair。
　　"ISAY，"saidPhipps，recedinginvoluntarily。"Don’tgodoingitagain，Dangle。HELPachap。"
　　"Oneminute，"saidDangle，andranafterhiscolleague。
　　Jessieleanthermachineagainstthewall，andwentintothehotelentrance。Hoopdriverremainedinthehotelentrance，limpbutdefiant。
　　ATTHERUFUSSTONE
　　XXXVIII
　　HefoldedhisarmsasDangleandPhippsreturnedtowardshim。
　　Phippswasabashedbyhisinabilitytocopewiththetandem，whichhewasnowwheeling，butDanglewasinclinedtobequarrelsome。"MissMilton？"hesaidbriefly。
　　Mr。Hoopdriverbowedoverhisfoldedarms。
　　"MissMiltonwithin？"saidDangle。
　　ANDnottobedisturved，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Youareascoundrel，sir，"saidMr。Dangle。
　　"Etyourservice，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Sheawaits’erstepmother，sir。"
　　Mr。Danglehesitated。"Shewillbehereimmediately，"hesaid。
　　"Hereisherfriend，MissMergle。"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverunfoldedhisarmsslowly，and，withanairofimmensecalm，thrusthishandsintohisbreechespockets。Thenwithoneofthosefatalhesitationsofhis，itoccurredtohimthatthisattitudewasmerelyvulgarlydefianthewithdrewboth，returnedoneandpulledattheinsufficientmoustachewiththeother。MissMerglecaughthiminconfusion。"Isthistheman？"
　　shesaidtoDangle，andforthwith，"HowDAREyou，sir？Howdareyoufaceme？Thatpoorgirl！"
　　"Youwillpermitmetoobserve，"beganMr。Hoopdriver，withasplendiddrawl，seeinghimself，forthefirsttimeinallthisbusiness，asaromanticvillain。
　　"Ugh，"saidMissMergle，unexpectedlystrikinghimaboutthemidriffwithherextendedpalms，andsendinghimstaggeringbackwardintothehallofthehotel。
　　"LetmepasssaidMissMergle，intoweringindignation。"Howdareyouresistmypassage？"andsosweptbyhimandintothedining—room，whereinJessiehadsoughtrefuge。
　　AsMr。Hoopdriverstruggledforequilibriumwiththeumbrella—stand，DangleandPhipps，rousedfromtheirinertiabyMissMergle’sactivity，cameinuponherheels，Phippsleading。
　　"Howdareyoupreventthatladypassing？"saidPhipps。
　　Mr。Hoopdriverlookedobstinate，and，toDangle’ssense，dangerous，buthemadenoanswer。Awaiterinfullbloomappearedattheendofthepassage，guardant。"Itismenofyourstamp，sir，"saidPhipps，"whodiscreditmanhood。"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverthrusthishandsintohispockets。"Whothejuiceareyou？"shoutedMr。Hoopdriver，fiercely。
　　"WhoareYOU，sir？"retortedPhipps。"Whoareyou？That’sthequestion。WhatareYOU，andwhatareyoudoing，wanderingatlargewithayoungladyunderage？"
　　"Don’tspeaktohim，"saidDangle。
　　"I’mnota—goingtotellallmysecretstoanyonewhocomesatme，"saidHoopdriver。"NotLikely。"Andaddedfiercely，"AndthatItellyou，sir。"
　　HeandPhippsstood，legsapartandbothlookingexceedinglyfierceatoneanother，andHeavenaloneknowswhatmightnothavehappened，ifthelongclergymanhadnotappearedinthedoorway，heatedbutdeliberate。"Petticoatedanachronism，"saidthelongclergymaninthedoorway，apparentlystillsufferingfromtheantiquatedprejudicethatdemandedathirdwheelandablackcoatfromaclericalrider。HelookedatPhippsandHoopdriverforamoment，thenextendinghishandtowardsthelatter，hewaveditupanddownthreetimes，saying，"Tchak，tchak，tchak，"verydeliberatelyashedidso。Thenwithaconcluding"Ugh！"andagestureofrepugnancehepassedonintothedining—roomfromwhichthevoiceofMissMerglewasdistinctlyaudibleremarkingthattheweatherwasextremelyhotevenforthetimeofyear。
　　ThisexpressionofextremedisapprobationhadaverydemoralizingeffectuponHoopdriver，ademoralizationthatwasimmediatelycompletedbytheadventofthemassiveWidgery。
　　"Isthistheman？"saidWidgeryverygrimly，andproducingaspecialvoicefortheoccasionfromsomewheredeepinhisneck。
　　"Don’thurthim！"saidMrs。Milton，withclaspedhands。"Howevermuchwronghehasdoneher——Noviolence！"
　　"’Owmanymoreofyou？"saidHoopdriver，atbaybeforetheumbrellastand。"Whereisshe？Whathashedonewithher？"saidMrs。Milton。
　　"I’mnotgoingtostandhereandbeinsultedbyalotofstrangers，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。"Soyouneedn’tthinkit。"
　　"Pleasedon’tworry，Mr。Hoopdriver，"saidJessie，suddenlyappearinginthedoorofthedining—room。"I’mhere，mother。"Herfacewaswhite。
　　Mrs。Miltonsaidsomethingaboutherchild，andmadeanemotionalchargeatJessie。Theembracevanishedintothedining—room。
　　Widgerymovedasiftofollow，andhesitated。"You’dbettermakeyourselfscarce，"hesaidtoMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"Ishan’tdoanythingofthekind，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withacatchingofthebreath。"I’mheredefendingthatyounglady。"
　　"You’vedoneherenoughmischief，Ishouldthink，"saidWidgery，suddenlywalkingtowardsthedining—room，andclosingthedoorbehindhim，leavingDangleandPhippswithHoopdriver。
　　"Clear！"saidPhipps，threateningly。
　　"Ishallgoandsitoutinthegarden，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withdignity。"ThereIshallremain。"
　　"Don’tmakearowwithhim，"saidDangle。
　　AndMr。Hoopdriverretired，unassaulted，inalmostsobbingdignity。
　　XXXIX
　　Sohereistheworldwithusagain，andoursentimentalexcursionisover。InthefrontoftheRufusStoneHotelconceivearemarkablecollectionofwheeledinstruments，watchedoverbyDangleandPhippsingraveandstatelyattitudes，andbythedriverofastylishdogcartfromRingwood。Inthegardenbehind，inanattitudeofnervousprostration，Mr。Hoopdriverwasseatedonarusticseat。Throughtheopenwindowofaprivatesitting—roomcameamurmurofvoices，asofmenandwomeninconference。Occasionallysomethingthatmighthavebeenagirlishsob。
　　"IfailtoseewhatstatusWidgeryhas，"saysDangle，"thrustinghimselfinthere。"
　　"Hetakestoomuchuponhimself，"saidPhipps。
　　"I’vebeennoticinglittlethings，yesterdayandto—day，"saidDangle，andstopped。
　　"Theywenttothecathedraltogetherintheafternoon。"
　　"Financiallyitwouldbeagoodthingforher，ofcourse，"saidDangle，withagloomymagnanimity。
　　HefeltdrawntoPhippsnowbythecommontrouble，inspiteoftheman’schequeredlegs。"Financiallyitwouldn’tbehalfbad。"
　　"He’ssodullandheavy，"saidPhipps。
　　Meanwhile，within，theclergymanhad，bypromptitudeanddexterity，takenthechairandwasopeningthecaseagainsttheunfortunateJessie。Iregrettohavetosaythatmyheroinehadbeenappalledbythevisiblearrayofpublicopinionagainstherexcursion，tothepitchoftears。Shewassittingwithflushedcheeksandswimmingeyesattheendofthetableoppositetotheclergyman。Sheheldherhandkerchiefcrumpledupinherextendedhand。Mrs。Miltonsatasneartoheraspossible，andoccasionallymadelittledabswithherhandatJessie’shand，toindicateforgiveness。Theseadvanceswerenotreciprocated，whichtouchedWidgeryverymuch。Theladyingreen，MissMergle（B。
　　A。），satontheoppositesideneartheclergyman。Shewasthestrong—mindedschoolmistresstowhomJessiehadwritten，andwhohadimmediatelyprecipitatedthepursuituponher。ShehadpickeduptheclergymaninRingwood，andhadtoldhimeverythingforthwith，havingmethimonceataBritishAssociationmeeting。
　　Hehadimmediatelyconstitutedhimselfadministratoroftheentirebusiness。Widgery，havingbeenfoiledinanattempttoconducttheproceedings，stoodwithhislegswideapartinfrontofthefireplaceornament，andlookedprofoundandsympathetic。
　　Jessie’saccountofheradventureswasacharyoneandgivenamidstfrequentinterruptions。ShesurprisedherselfbyskilfullyomittinganyallusiontotheBechamelepisode。ShecompletelyexoneratedHoopdriverfromthechargeofbeingmorethananaccessorytoherescapade。ButpublicfeelingwasheavyagainstHoopdriver。Hernarrativewasinaccurateandsketchy，buthappilytheothersweretooanxioustopassopinionstopinherdowntoparticulars。Atlasttheyhadallthefactstheywouldpermit。
　　"Mydearyounglady，"saidtheclergyman，"Icanonlyascribethisextravagantandregrettableexpeditionofyourstothewildestmisconceptionsofyourplaceintheworldandofyourdutiesandresponsibilities。Evennow，itseemstome，yourpresentemotionisduenotsomuchtoarealandsincerepenitenceforyourdisobedienceandfollyastoapositiveannoyanceatourmostfortunateinterference——"
　　"Notthat，"saidMrs。Milton，inalowtone。"Notthat。"
　　"ButWHYdidshegoofflikethis？"saidWidgery。"That’swhat_I_wanttoknow。"
　　Jessiemadeanattempttospeak，butMrs。Miltonsaid"Hush！"andtheringingtenoroftheclergymanrodetriumphantlyoverthemeeting。"Icannotunderstandthisspiritofunrestthathasseizeduponthemoreintelligentportionofthefemininecommunity。Youhadapleasanthome，amostrefinedandintelligentladyinthepositionofyourmother，tocherishandprotectyou——"
　　"IfIHADamother，"gulpedJessie，succumbingtotheobvioussnareofself—pity，andsobbing。
　　"Tocherish，protect，andadviseyou。Andyoumustneedsgooutofitallaloneintoastrangeworldofunknowndangers—"
　　"Iwantedtolearn，"saidJessie。
　　"Youwantedtolearn。MayyouneverhaveanythingtoUNlearn。"
　　"AH！"fromMrs。Milton，verysadly。
　　"Itisn’tfairforallofyoutoargueatmeatonce，"submittedJessie，irrelevantly。
　　"Aworldfullofunknowndangers，"resumedtheclergyman。"Yourproperplacewassurelythenaturalsurroundingsthatarepartofyou。Youhavebeenundulyinfluenced，itisonlytooapparent，byaclassofliteraturewhich，withallduerespecttodistinguishedauthoressthatshallbenameless，ImustcalltheNewWomanLiterature。Inthatdeleteriousingredientofourbookboxes——"
　　"Idon’taltogetheragreewithyouthere，"saidMissMergle，throwingherheadbackandregardinghimfirmlythroughherspectacles，andMr。Widgerycoughed。
　　"WhatHASallthistodowithme？"askedJessie，availingherselfoftheinterruption。
　　"Thepointis，"saidMrs。Milton，onherdefence，"thatinmybooks——"
　　"AllIwanttodo，"saidJessie，"istogoaboutfreelybymyself。GirlsdosoinAmerica。Whynothere？"
　　"SocialconditionsareentirelydifferentinAmerica，"saidMissMergle。"HerewerespectClassDistinctions。"
　　"It’sveryunfortunate。WhatIwanttoknowis，whyIcannotgoawayforaholidayifIwantto。"
　　"Withastrangeyoungman，sociallyyourinferior，"saidWidgery，andmadeherflushbyhistone。
　　"Whynot？"shesaid。"Withanybody。"
　　"Theydon’tdothat，eveninAmerica，"saidMissMergle。
　　"Mydearyounglady，"saidtheclergyman，"themostelementaryprinciplesofdecorum——Adaywillcomewhenyouwillbetterunderstandhowentirelysubservientyourideasaretotheveryfundamentalsofourpresentcivilisation，whenyouwillbetterunderstandtheharrowinganxietyyouhavegivenMrs。Miltonbythisinexplicableflightofyours。Wecanonlyputthingsdownatpresent，incharity，toyourignorance——"
　　"Youhavetoconsiderthegeneralbodyofopinion，too，"saidWidgery。
　　"Precisely，"saidMissMergle。"Thereisnosuchthingasconductintheabsolute。""Ifoncethismostunfortunatebusinessgetsabout，"saidtheclergyman，"itwilldoyouinfiniteharm。"
　　"ButI’VEdonenothingwrong。WhyshouldIberesponsibleforotherpeople’s——"
　　"Theworldhasnocharity，"saidMrs。Milton。
　　"Foragirl，"saidJessie。"No。"
　　"Nowdoletusstoparguing，mydearyounglady，andletuslistentoreason。Nevermindhoworwhy，thisconductofyourswilldoyouinfiniteharm，ifonceitisgenerallyknown。Andnotonlythat，itwillcauseinfinitepaintothosewhocareforyou。
　　Butifyouwillreturnatoncetoyourhome，causingittobeunderstoodthatyouhavebeenwithfriendsfortheselastfewdays——"
　　"Telllies，"saidJessie。"Certainlynot。Mostcertainlynot。ButIunderstandthatishowyourabsenceisunderstoodatpresent，andthereisnoreason——"
　　Jessie’sgriptightenedonherhandkerchief。"Iwon’tgoback，"
　　shesaid，"tohaveitasIdidbefore。Iwantaroomofmyown，whatbooksIneedtoread，tobefreetogooutbymyselfalone，Teaching——"
　　"Anything，"saidMrs。Milton，"anythinginreason。"
　　"Butwillyoukeepyourpromise？"saidJessie。
　　"Surelyyouwon’tdictatetoyourmother！"saidWidgery。
　　"Mystepmother！Idon’twanttodictate。Iwantdefinitepromisesnow。"
　　"Thisismostunreasonable，"saidtheclergyman。"Verywell，"
　　saidJessie，swallowingasobbutwithunusualresolution。"ThenIwon’tgoback。Mylifeisbeingfritteredaway——"
　　"LETherhaveherway，"saidWidgery。
　　"Aroomthen。AllyourMen。I’mnottocomedownandtalkawayhalfmydays——"
　　"Mydearchild，ifonlytosaveyou，"saidMrs。Milton。"Ifyoudon’tkeepyourpromise——"
　　"ThenItakeitthematterispracticallyconcluded，"saidtheclergyman。"Andthatyouveryproperlysubmittoreturntoyourproperhome。Andnow，ifImayofferasuggestion，itisthatwetaketea。Freedofitstannin，nothing，Ithink，ismorerefreshingandstimulating。"
　　"There’satrainfromLyndhurstatthirteenminutestosix，"saidWidgery，unfoldingatimetable。"Thatgivesusabouthalfanhourorthree—quartershere——ifaconveyanceisobtainable，thatis。"
　　"Agelatinelozengedroppedintotheteacupprecipitatesthetanninintheformoftannateofgelatine，"saidtheclergymantoMissMergle，inaconfidentialbray。
　　Jessiestoodup，andsawthroughthewindowadepressedheadandshouldersoverthetopofthebackofagardenseat。Shemovedtowardsthedoor。"Whileyouhavetea，mother，"shesaid，"ImusttellMr。Hoopdriverofourarrangements。"
　　"Don’tyouthinkI——"begantheclergyman。
　　"No，"saidJessie，veryrudely;"Idon’t。"
　　"But，Jessie，haven’tyoualready——"
　　"Youarealreadybreakingthecapitulation，"saidJessie。
　　"Willyouwantthewholehalfhour？"saidWidgery，atthebell。
　　"Everyminute，"saidJessie，inthedoorway。"He’sbehavedverynoblytome。"
　　"There’stea，"saidWidgery。
　　"I’vehadtea。"
　　"Hemaynothavebehavedbadly，"saidtheclergyman。"Buthe’scertainlyanastonishinglyweakpersontoletawrong—headedyounggirl——"
　　Jessieclosedthedoorintothegarden。
　　MeanwhileMr。Hoopdrivermadeasadfigureinthesunlightoutside。Itwasover，thiswonderfulexcursionofhis，sofarasshewasconcerned，andwiththeswiftblowthatseparatedthem，herealisedallthatthosedayshaddoneforhim。Hetriedtograspthebearingsoftheirposition。Ofcourse，theywouldtakeherawaytothosesocialaltitudesofhers。Shewouldbecomeaninaccessibleyoungladyagain。Wouldtheylethimsaygood—byetoher？
　　Howextraordinaryithadallbeen！Herecalledthemomentwhenhehadfirstseenherriding，withthesunlightbehindher，alongtheriversideroad;herecalledthatwonderfulnightatBognor，rememberingitasifeverythinghadbeendoneofhisowninitiative。"Brave，brave！"shehadcalledhim。Andafterwards，whenshecamedowntohiminthemorning，kindly，quiet。Butoughthetohavepersuadedherthentoreturntoherhome？Herememberedsomeintentionofthesort。Nowthesepeoplesnatchedherawayfromhimasthoughhewasscarcelyfittoliveinthesameworldwithher。Nomorehewas！Hefelthehadpresumeduponherworldlyignoranceintravellingwithherdayafterday。Shewassodainty，sodelightful，soserene。Hebegantorecapitulateherexpressions，thelightofhereyes，theturnofherface……
　　Hewasn’tgoodenoughtowalkinthesameroadwithher。Nobodywas。Supposetheylethimsaygood—byetoher;whatcouldhesay？
　　That？Buttheyweresurenottolethertalktohimalone;hermotherwouldbethereas——whatwasit？Chaperone。He’dneveroncehadachanceofsayingwhathefelt;indeed，itwasonlynowhewasbeginningtorealisewhathefelt。LoveIhewouldn’tpresume。Itwasworship。Ifonlyhecouldhaveonemorechance。
　　Hemusthaveonemorechance，somewhere，somehow。Thenhewouldpourouthissoultohereloquently。Hefelteloquently，andwordswouldcome。Hewasdustunderherfeet……
　　Hismeditationwasinterruptedbytheclickofadoorhandle，andJessieappearedinthesunlightundertheverandah。"Comeawayfromhere，"shesaidtoHoopdriver，asherosetomeether。"I’mgoinghomewiththem。Wehavetosaygood—bye。"
　　Mr。Hoopdriverwinced，openedandshuthismouth，androsewithoutaword。
　　XL
　　AtfirstJessieMiltonandMr。Hoopdriverwalkedawayfromthehotelinsilence。Heheardacatchinginherbreathandglancedatherandsawheripspressedtightandatearonhercheek。Herfacewashotandbright。Shewaslookingstraightbeforeher。Hecouldthinkofnothingtosay，andthrusthishandsinhispocketsandlookedawayfromherintentionally。Afterawhileshebegantotalk。Theydealtdisjointedlywithsceneryfirst，andthenwiththemeansofself—education。ShetookhisaddressatAntrobus’sandpromisedtosendhimsomebooks。Butevenwiththatitwasspiritless，achingtalk，Hoopdriverfelt，forthefightingmoodwasover。Sheseemed，tohim，preoccupiedwiththememoriesofherlatebattle，andthatappearancehurthim。
　　"It’stheend，"hewhisperedtohimself。"It’stheend。"
　　Theywentintoahollowandupagentlewoodedslope，andcameatlasttoahighandopenspaceoverlookingawideexpanseofcountry。There，byacommonimpulse，theystopped。Shelookedatherwatch——alittleostentatiously。Theystaredatthebillowsofforestrollingawaybeneaththem，crestbeyondcrest，ofleafytrees，fadingatlastintoblue。
　　"Theend"ranthroughhismind，totheexclusionofallspeakablethoughts。
　　"Andso，"shesaid，presently，breakingthesilence，"itcomestogood—bye。"
　　Forhalfaminutehedidnotanswer。Thenhegatheredhisresolution。"ThereisonethingIMUSTsay。"
　　"Well？"shesaid，surprisedandabruptlyforgettingtherecentargument。"Iasknoreturn。But——"
　　Thenhestopped。"Iwon’tsayit。It’snogood。Itwouldberotfromme——now。Iwasn’tgoingtosayanything。Good—bye。"
　　Shelookedathimwithastartledexpressioninhereyes。"No，"
　　shesaid。"Butdon’tforgetyouaregoingtowork。Remember，brotherChris，youaremyfriend。Youwillwork。Youarenotaverystrongman，youknow，now——youwillforgiveme——nordoyouknowallyoushould。Butwhatwillyoubeinsixyears’time？"
　　Hestaredhardinfrontofhimstill，andthelinesabouthisweakmouthseemedtostrengthen。Heknewsheunderstoodwhathecouldnotsay。
　　"I’llwork，"hesaid，concisely。Theystoodsidebysideforamoment。Thenhesaid，withamotionofhishead，"Iwon’tcomebacktoTHEM。Doyoumind？Goingbackalone？"
　　Shetooktensecondstothink。"No。"shesaid，andheldoutherhand，bitinghernetherlip。"GOOD—BYE，"shewhispered。
　　Heturned，withawhiteface，lookedintohereyes，tookherhandlimply，andthenwithasuddenimpulse，liftedittohislips。
　　Shewouldhavesnatcheditaway，buthisgriptightenedtohermovement。Shefeltthetouchofhislips，andthenhehaddroppedherfingersandturnedfromherandwasstridingdowntheslope。
　　Adozenpacesawayhisfootturnedinthelipofarabbithole，andhestumbledforwardandalmostfell。Herecoveredhisbalanceandwenton，notlookingback。Heneveroncelookedback。Shestaredathisrecedingfigureuntilitwassmallandfarbelowher，andthen，thetearsrunningoverhereyelidsnow，turnedslowly，andwalkedwithherhandsgrippedhardtogetherbehindher，towardsStoneyCrossagain。
　　"Ididnotknow，"shewhisperedtoherself。"Ididnotunderstand。Evennow——No，Idonotunderstand。"
　　THEENVOY
　　XLI
　　Sothestoryends，dearReader。Mr。Hoopdriver，sprawlingdownthereamongthebracken，mustsprawlwithoutourprying，Ithink，orlisteningtowhatchancestohisbreathing。Andofwhatcameofitall，ofthesixyearsandafterwards，thisisnoplacetotell。Intruth，thereisnotellingit，fortheyearshavestilltorun。Butifyouseehowamerecounter—jumper，acadoncastors，andafooltoboot，maycometofeelthelittleinsufficienciesoflife，andifhehastoanyextentwonyoursympathies，myendisattained。（Ifitisnotattained，mayHeavenforgiveusboth！）NorwillwefollowthisadventurousyoungladyofoursbacktoherhomeatSurbiton，tohernewstruggleagainstWidgeryandMrs。Miltoncombined。For，asshewillpresentlyhear，thatdevotedmanhasgothisreward。Forher，also，yoursympathiesareinvited。
　　Therestofthisgreatholiday，too——fivedaysthereareleftofit——isbeyondthelimitsofourdesign。Youseefitfullyaslenderfigureinadustybrownsuitandheathermixturestockings，andbrownshoesnotintendedtobecycledin，flittingLondonwardthroughHampshireandBerkshireandSurrey，goingeconomically——forexcellentreasons。Daybydayhegoeson，ridingfitfullyandforthemostpartthroughbye—roads，butgettingafewmilestothenorth—eastwardeveryday。Heisanarrow—chestedperson，withanosehotandtannedatthebridgewithunwontedexposure，andbrown，red—knuckledfists。Amusingexpressionsitsuponthefaceofthisrider，youobserve。
　　Sometimeshewhistlesnoiselesslytohimself，sometimeshespeaksaloud，"ajuicedgoodtry，anyhow！"youhear;andsometimes，andthattoooftenformyliking，helooksirritableandhopeless。"I
　　know，"hesays，"Iknow。It’soveranddone。Itisn’tINme。Youain’tmanenough，Hoopdriver。Lookatyersillyhands！……Oh，myGod！"andagustofpassioncomesuponhimandheridesfuriouslyforaspace。
　　Sometimesagainhisfacesoftens。"Anyhow，ifI’mnottoseeher—
　　—she’sgoingtolendmebooks，"hethinks，andgetssuchcomfortashecan。Thenagain;"Books！What’sbooks？"Onceortwicetriumphantmemoriesoftheearlierincidentsnervehisfaceforawhile。"Iputtheky—boshonHISlittlegame，"heremarks。"IDID
　　that，"andonemightevencallhimhappyinthesephases。And，by—the—bye，themachine，younotice，hasbeenenamel—paintedgreyandcarriesasonorousgong。
　　ThisfigurepassesthroughBasingstokeandBagshot，Staines，Hampton，andRichmond。Atlast，inPutneyHighStreet，glowingwiththewarmthofanAugustsunsetandwithallthe’prenticeboysbusyshuttingupshop，andtheworkgirlsgoinghome，andtheshopfolkspeepingabroad，andthewhite’busesfulloflateclerksandcityfolkrumblinghometotheirdinners，wepartfromhim。Heisback。To—morrow，theearlyrising，thedusting，anddrudgery，beginagain——butwithadifference，withwonderfulmemoriesandstillmorewonderfuldesiresandambitionsreplacingthosediscrepantdreams。
　　HeturnsoutoftheHighStreetatthecorner，dismountswithasigh，andpusheshismachinethroughthegatesoftheAntrobusstableyard，astheapprenticewiththehighcollarholdsthemopen。Therearewordsofgreeting。"SouthCoast，"youhear;and"splendidweather——splendid。"Hesighs。"Yes——swappedhimoffforacoupleofsovs。It’sajuicedgoodmachine。"
　　Thegateclosesuponhimwithaslam，andhevanishesfromourken。