STORYTHEFIRST——PeterHopeplanshisProspectus"Comein！"saidPeterHope。
　　PeterHopewastallandthin，clean—shavenbutforapairofsidewhiskersclose—croppedandterminatingjustbelowtheear，withhairofthekindreferredtobysympatheticbarbersas"gettingalittlethinonthetop，sir，"butarrangedwitheconomy，thateverywhereispoverty’struehelpmate。AboutMr。PeterHope’slinen，whichwaswhitethoughsomewhatfrayed，therewasaself—
　　assertivenessthatinvariablyarrestedtheattentionofeventhemostcasualobserver。Decidedlytherewastoomuchofit——itsostentationaidedandabettedbytheretiringnatureofthecut—
　　awaycoat，whosechiefaimclearlywastoslipoffanddisappearbehinditsowner’sback。"I’mapooroldthing，"itseemedtosay。
　　"Idon’tshine——or，rather，Ishinetoomuchamongtheseup—to—dateyoungmodes。Ionlyhamperyou。Youwouldbemuchmorecomfortablewithoutme。"Topersuadeittoaccompanyhim，itsproprietorhadtoemployforce，keepingfastenedthelowestofitsthreebuttons。Ateverystep，itstruggledforitsliberty。
　　AnothercharacteristicofPeter’s，linkinghimtothepast，washisblacksilkcravat，securedbyacoupleofgoldpinschainedtogether。Watchinghimashenowsatwriting，hislonglegsencasedintightlystrappedgreytrousering，crossedbeneaththetable，thelamplightfallingonhisfresh—complexionedface，upontheshapelyhandthatsteadiedthehalf—writtensheet，astrangermighthaverubbedhiseyes，wonderingbywhathallucinationhethusfoundhimselfinpresenceseeminglyofsomeyoungbeaubelongingtotheearly’forties;butlookingcloser，wouldhaveseenthemanywrinkles。
　　"Comein！"repeatedMr。PeterHope，raisinghisvoice，butnothiseyes。
　　Thedooropened，andasmall，whiteface，outofwhichgleamedapairofbright，blackeyes，wasthrustsidewaysintotheroom。
　　"Comein！"repeatedMr。PeterHopeforthethirdtime。"Whoisit？"
　　Ahandnotoverclean，graspingagreasyclothcap，appearedbelowtheface。
　　"Notreadyyet，"saidMr。Hope。"Sitdownandwait。"
　　Thedooropenedwider，andthewholeofthefigureslidinand，closingthedoorbehindit，satitselfdownupontheextremeedgeofthechairnearest。
　　"Whichareyou——CentralNewsorCourier？"demandedMr。PeterHope，butwithoutlookingupfromhiswork。
　　Thebright，blackeyes，whichhadjustcommencedanexaminationoftheroombyacarefulscrutinyofthesmoke—grimedceiling，descendedandfixedthemselvesupontheoneclearlydefinedbaldpatchuponhisheadthat，hadhebeenawareofit，wouldhavetroubledMr。PeterHope。Butthefull，redlipsbeneaththeturned—upnoseremainedmotionless。
　　ThathehadreceivednoanswertohisquestionappearedtohaveescapedtheattentionofMr。PeterHope。Thethin，whitehandmovedsteadilytoandfroacrossthepaper。Threemoresheetswereaddedtothoseuponthefloor。ThenMr。PeterHopepushedbackhischairandturnedhisgazeforthefirsttimeuponhisvisitor。
　　ToPeterHope，hackjournalist，longfamiliarwiththegenusPrinter’sDevil，smallwhitefaces，tangledhair，dirtyhands，andgreasycapswerecommonobjectsintheneighbourhoodofthatburiedrivulet，theFleet。Butthiswasanewspecies。PeterHopesoughthisspectacles，foundthemaftersometroubleunderaheapofnewspapers，adjustedthemuponhishigh，archednose，leantforward，andlookedlongandupanddown。
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidMr。PeterHope。"Whatisit？"
　　Thefigurerosetoitsfullheightoffivefootoneandcameforwardslowly。
　　Overatight—fittinggaribaldiofbluesilk，excessivelydecollete，itworewhatoncehadbeenaboy’spepper—and—saltjacket。A
　　worstedcomforterwoundroundtheneckstillleftawideexpanseofthroatshowingabovethegaribaldi。Belowthejacketfellalong，blackskirt，thetrainofwhichhadbeenloopedupaboutthewaistandfastenedwithacricket—belt。
　　"Whoareyou？Whatdoyouwant？"askedMr。PeterHope。
　　Foranswer，thefigure，passingthegreasycapintoitsotherhand，stoopeddownand，seizingthefrontofthelongskirt，begantohaulitup。
　　"Don’tdothat！"saidMr。PeterHope。"Isay，youknow，you——"
　　Butbythistimetheskirthadpracticallydisappeared，leavingtoviewapairofmuch—patchedtrousers，divingintotheright—handpocketofwhichthedirtyhanddrewforthafoldedpaper，which，havingopenedandsmoothedout，itlaiduponthedesk。
　　Mr。PeterHopepusheduphisspectaclestilltheyrestedonhiseyebrows，andreadaloud——"’SteakandKidneyPie，4d。;Do。（largesize），6d。;BoiledMutton——’"
　　"That’swhereI’vebeenforthelasttwoweeks，"saidthefigure，——
　　"Hammond’sEatingHouse！"
　　Thelistenernotedwithsurprisethatthevoice——thoughittoldhimasplainlyasifhehadrisenanddrawnasidetheredrepcurtains，thatoutsideinGoughSquaretheyellowfoglayliketheghostofadeadsea——betrayednoCockneyaccent，foundnodifficultywithitsaitches。
　　"YouaskforEmma。She’llsayagoodwordforme。Shetoldmeso。"
　　"But，mygood——"Mr。PeterHope，checkinghimself，soughtagaintheassistanceofhisglasses。Theglassesbeingunabletodecidethepoint，theirownerhadtoputthequestionbluntly：
　　"Areyouaboyoragirl？"
　　"Idunno。"
　　"Youdon’tknow！"
　　"What’sthedifference？"
　　Mr。PeterHopestoodup，andtakingthestrangefigurebytheshoulders，turneditroundslowlytwice，apparentlyundertheimpressionthattheprocessmightaffordtohimsomeclue。Butitdidnot。
　　"Whatisyourname？"
　　"Tommy。"
　　"Tommywhat？"
　　"Anythingyoulike。Idunno。I’vehadsomanyof’em。"
　　"Whatdoyouwant？Whathaveyoucomefor？"
　　"You’reMr。Hope，ain’tyou，secondfloor，16，GoughSquare？"
　　"Thatismyname。"
　　"Youwantsomebodytodoforyou？"
　　"Youmeanahousekeeper！"
　　"Didn’tsayanythingabouthousekeeper。Saidyouwantedsomebodytodoforyou——cookandcleantheplaceup。Heard’emtalkingaboutitintheshopthisafternoon。OldladyingreenbonnetwasaskingMotherHammondifsheknewofanyone。"
　　"Mrs。Postwhistle——yes，Ididaskhertolookoutforsomeoneforme。Why，doyouknowofanyone？Haveyoubeensentbyanybody？"
　　"Youdon’twantanythingtoo’laborateinthewayo’cooking？Youwasasimpleoldchap，sotheysaid;notmuchtrouble。"
　　"No——no。Idon’twantmuch——someonecleanandrespectable。Butwhycouldn’tshecomeherself？Whoisit？"
　　"Well，what’swrongaboutme？"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidMr。PeterHope。
　　"Whywon’tIdo？Icanmakebedsandcleanrooms——allthatsorto’
　　thing。Asforcooking，I’vegotanaturalaptitudeforit。YouaskEmma;she’lltellyou。Youdon’twantnothing’laborate？"
　　"Elizabeth，"saidMr。PeterHope，ashecrossedand，takingupthepoker，proceededtostirthefire，"areweawakeorasleep？"
　　Elizabeththusappealedto，raisedherselfonherhindlegsanddugherclawsintohermaster’sthigh。Mr。Hope’strousersbeingthin，itwasthemostpracticalanswershecouldhavegivenhim。
　　"Donealotoflookingafterotherpeoplefortheirbenefit，"
　　continuedTommy。"Don’tseewhyIshouldn’tdoitformyown。"
　　"Mydear——IdowishIknewwhetheryouwereaboyoragirl。DoyouseriouslysuggestthatIshouldengageyouasmyhousekeeper？"
　　askedMr。PeterHope，nowuprightwithhisbacktothefire。
　　"I’ddoforyouallright，"persistedTommy。"Yougivememygrubandashake—downand，say，sixpenceaweek，andI’llgrumblelessthanmostof’em。"
　　"Don’tberidiculous，"saidMr。PeterHope。
　　"Youwon’ttryme？"
　　"Ofcoursenot;youmustbemad。"
　　"Allright。Noharmdone。"Thedirtyhandreachedouttowardsthedesk，andpossessingitselfagainofHammond’sBillofFare，commencedtheoperationsnecessaryforbearingitawayinsafety。
　　"Here’sashillingforyou，"saidMr。PeterHope。
　　"Rathernot，"saidTommy。"Thanksallthesame。"
　　"Nonsense！"saidMr。PeterHope。
　　"Rathernot，"repeatedTommy。"Neverknowwherethatsortofthingmayleadyouto。"
　　"Allright，"saidMr。PeterHope，replacingthecoininhispocket。
　　"Don’t！"
　　Thefiguremovedtowardsthedoor。
　　"Waitaminute。Waitaminute，"saidMr。PeterHopeirritably。
　　Thefigure，withitshanduponthedoor，stoodstill。
　　"AreyougoingbacktoHammond’s？"
　　"No。I’vefinishedthere。Onlytookmeonforacoupleo’weeks，whileoneofthegalswasill。Shecamebackthismorning。"
　　"Whoareyourpeople？"
　　Tommyseemedpuzzled。"Whatd’yemean？"
　　"Well，whomdoyoulivewith？"
　　"Nobody。"
　　"You’vegotnobodytolookafteryou——totakecareofyou？"
　　"Takecareofme！D’yethinkI’mabloomin’kid？"
　　"Thenwhereareyougoingtonow？"
　　"Going？Out。"
　　PeterHope’sirritationwasgrowing。
　　"Imean，whereareyougoingtosleep？Gotanymoneyforalodging？"
　　"Yes，I’vegotsomemoney，"answeredTommy。"ButIdon’tthinkmucho’lodgings。Notaparticularniceclassasyoumeetthere。
　　Ishallsleepoutto—night。’Tain’training。"
　　Elizabethutteredapiercingcry。
　　"Servesyouright！"growledPetersavagely。"Howcananyonehelptreadingonyouwhenyouwillgetjustbetweenone’slegs。Toldyouofitahundredtimes。"
　　ThetruthofthematterwasthatPeterwasbecomingveryangrywithhimself。Fornoreasonwhatever，ashetoldhimself，hismemorywouldpersistinwanderingtoIlfordCemetery，inacertaindesolatecornerofwhichlayafragilelittlewomanwhoselungshadbeenbutilladaptedtobreathingLondonfogs;with，onthetopofher，astillsmallerandstillmorefragilemiteofhumanitythat，incomplimenttoitsonlyrelativeworthapenny—piece，hadbeenchristenedThomas——anamecommonenoughinallconscience，asPeterhadremindedhimselfmorethanonce。Inthenameofcommonsense，whathaddeadandburiedTommyHopetodowiththisaffair？Thewholethingwastheveriestsentiment，andsentimentwasMr。PeterHope’sabomination。Hadhenotpennedarticlesinnumerablepointingoutitsbanefulinfluenceupontheage？Hadhenotalwayscondemnedit，whereverhehadcomeacrossitinplayorbook？NowandthenthesuspicionhadcrossedPeter’smindthat，inspiteofallthis，hewassomewhatofasentimentalisthimself——thingshadsuggestedthistohim。Thefearhadalwaysmadehimsavage。
　　"YouwaitheretillIcomeback，"hegrowled，seizingtheastonishedTommybytheworstedcomforterandspinningitintothecentreoftheroom。"Sitdown，anddon’tyoudaretomove。"AndPeterwentoutandslammedthedoorbehindhim。
　　"Bitoffhischump，ain’the？"remarkedTommytoElizabeth，asthesoundofPeter’sdescendingfootstepsdiedaway。PeoplehadawayofaddressingremarkstoElizabeth。Somethinginhermannerinvitedthis。
　　"Oh，well，it’sallintheday’swork，"commentedTommycheerfully，andsatdownasbid。
　　Fiveminutespassed，maybeten。ThenPeterreturned，accompaniedbyalarge，restfullady，towhomsurprise——onefeltitinstinctively——hadalwaysbeen，andalwayswouldremain，anunknownquantity。
　　Tommyrose。
　　"That’sthe——thearticle，"explainedPeter。
　　Mrs。Postwhistlecompressedherlipsandslightlytossedherhead。
　　Itwastheattitudeofnotill—naturedcontemptfromwhichsheregardedmosthumanaffairs。
　　"That’sright，"saidMrs。Postwhistle;"Irememberseeing’erthere——leastways，itwasan’errightenoughthen。What’aveyoudonewithyourclothes？"
　　"Theyweren’tmine，"explainedTommy。"TheywerethingswhatMrs。
　　Hammondhadlentme。"
　　"Isthatyourown？"askedMrs。Postwhistle，indicatingthebluesilkgaribaldi。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Whatwentwithit？"
　　"Tights。Theyweretoofargone。"
　　"WhatmadeyougiveupthetumblingbusinessandgotoMrs。
　　’Ammond’s？"
　　"Itgavemeup。Hurtmyself。"
　　"Whowereyouwithlast？"
　　"Martinitroupe。"
　　"Andbeforethat？"
　　"Oh！heapsof’em。"
　　"Nobodyevertoldyouwhetheryouwasaboyoragirl？"
　　"NobodyasI’dcaretobelieve。Someofthemcalledmetheone，someofthemtheother。Itdependeduponwhatwaswanted。"
　　"Howoldareyou？"
　　"Idunno。"
　　Mrs。PostwhistleturnedtoPeter，whowasjinglingkeys。
　　"Well，there’sthebedupstairs。It’sforyoutodecide。"
　　"WhatIdon’twanttodo，"explainedPeter，sinkinghisvoicetoaconfidentialwhisper，"istomakeafoolofmyself。"
　　"That’salwaysagoodrule，"agreedMrs。Postwhistle，"forthosetowhomit’spossible。"
　　"Anyhow，"saidPeter，"onenightcan’tdoanyharm。To—morrowwecanthinkwhat’stobedone。"
　　"To—morrow"hadalwaysbeenPeter’sluckyday。Atthemerementionofthemagicdatehisspiritsinvariablyrose。HenowturneduponTommyacountenancefromwhichallhesitationwasbanished。
　　"Verywell，Tommy，"saidMr。PeterHope，"youcansleephereto—
　　night。GowithMrs。Postwhistle，andshe’llshowyouyourroom。"
　　Theblackeyesshone。
　　"You’regoingtogivemeatrial？"
　　"We’lltalkaboutallthatto—morrow。"Theblackeyesclouded。
　　"Lookhere。Itellyoustraight，itain’tnogood。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？Whatisn’tanygood？"demandedPeter。
　　"You’llwanttosendmetoprison。"
　　"Toprison！"
　　"Oh，yes。You’llcallitaschool，Iknow。Youain’tthefirstthat’striedthaton。Itwon’twork。"Thebright，blackeyeswereflashingpassionately。"Iain’tdoneanyharm。I’mwillingtowork。Icankeepmyself。Ialwayshave。What’sitgottodowithanybodyelse？"
　　Hadthebright，blackeyesretainedtheirexpressionofpassionatedefiance，PeterHopemighthaveretainedhiscommonsense。OnlyFatearrangedthatinsteadtheyshouldsuddenlyfillwithwildtears。AndatsightofthemPeter’scommonsensewentoutoftheroomdisgusted，andtherewasbornthehistoryofmanythings。
　　"Don’tbesilly，"saidPeter。"Youdidn’tunderstand。OfcourseI’mgoingtogiveyouatrial。You’regoingto’do’forme。I
　　merelymeantthatwe’dleavethedetailstillto—morrow。Come，housekeepersdon’tcry。"
　　Thelittlewetfacelookedup。
　　"Youmeanit？Honourbright？"
　　"Honourbright。Nowgoandwashyourself。Thenyoushallgetmemysupper。"
　　Theoddfigure，stillheavingfromitsparoxysmofsobs，stoodup。
　　"AndIhavemygrub，mylodging，andsixpenceaweek？"
　　"Yes，yes;Ithinkthat’safairarrangement，"agreedMr。PeterHope，considering。"Don’tyou，Mrs。Postwhistle？"
　　"Withafrock——orasuitoftrousers——thrownin，"suggestedMrs。
　　Postwhistle。"It’sgenerallydone。"
　　"Ifit’sthecustom，certainly，"agreedMr。PeterHope。"Sixpenceaweekandclothes。"
　　AndthistimeitwasPeterthat，incompanywithElizabeth，satwaitingthereturnofTommy。
　　"Iratherhope，"saidPeter，"it’saboy。Itwasthefogs，youknow。IfonlyIcouldhaveaffordedtosendhimaway！"
　　Elizabethlookedthoughtful。Thedooropened。
　　"Ah！that’sbetter，muchbetter，"saidMr。PeterHope。"’Ponmyword，youlookquiterespectable。"
　　BythepracticalMrs。Postwhistleaworkingagreement，benefitingbothparties，hadbeenarrivedatwiththelong—trainedskirt;
　　whileanampleshawlarrangedwithjudgmentdisguisedthenakednessthatlaybelow。Peter，afastidiousgentleman，observedwithsatisfactionthatthehands，nowclean，hadbeenwellcaredfor。
　　"Givemethatcap，"saidPeter。Hethrewitintheglowingfire。
　　Itburnedbrightly，diffusingstrangeodours。
　　"There’satravellingcapofminehangingupinthepassage。Youcanwearthatforthepresent。Takethishalf—sovereignandgetmesomecoldmeatandbeerforsupper。You’llfindeverythingelseyouwantinthatsideboardorelseinthekitchen。Don’taskmeahundredquestions，anddon’tmakeanoise，"andPeterwentbacktohiswork。
　　"Goodidea，thathalf—sovereign，"saidPeter。"Shan’tbebotheredwith’MasterTommy’anymore，don’texpect。Startinganurseryatourtimeoflife。Madness。"Peter’spenscratchedandspluttered。
　　Elizabethkeptaneyeuponthedoor。
　　"Quarterofanhour，"saidPeter，lookingathiswatch。"Toldyouso。"ThearticleonwhichPeterwasnowengagedappearedtobeofaworryingnature。
　　"Thenwhy，"saidPeter，"whydidherefusethatshilling？
　　Artfulness，"concludedPeter，"pureartfulness。Elizabeth，oldgirl，we’vegotoutofthisbusinesscheaply。Goodidea，thathalf—sovereign。"PetergaveventtoachucklethathadtheeffectofalarmingElizabeth。
　　ButluckevidentlywasnotwithPeterthatnight。
　　"Pingle’swassoldout，"explainedTommy，enteringwithparcels;
　　"hadtogotoBow’sinFarringdonStreet。"
　　"Oh！"saidPeter，withoutlookingup。
　　Tommypassedthroughintothelittlekitchenbehind。Peterwroteonrapidly，makingupforlosttime。
　　"Good！"murmuredPeter，smilingtohimself，"that’saneatphrase。
　　Thatoughttoirritatethem。"
　　Now，ashewrote，whilewithnoiselessfootstepsTommy，unseenbehindhim，movedtoandfroandinandoutthelittlekitchen，therecametoPeterHopethisverycuriousexperience：itfelttohimasifforalongtimehehadbeenill——soillasnoteventohavebeenawareofit——andthatnowhewasbeginningtobehimselfagain;consciousnessofthingsreturningtohim。Thissolidlyfurnished，long，oak—panelledroomwithitsairofold—worlddignityandrepose——thissober，kindlyroominwhichformorethanhalfhislifehehadlivedandworked——whyhadheforgottenit？Itcameforwardgreetinghimwithanamusedsmile，asofsomeoldfriendlongpartedfrom。Thefadedphotos，instiff，woodenframesuponthechimney—piece，amongthemthatofthefragilelittlewomanwiththeunadaptablelungs。
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidMr。PeterHope，pushingbackhischair。
　　"It’sthirtyyearsago。Howtimedoesfly！Why，letmesee，I
　　mustbe——"
　　"D’youlikeitwithaheadonit？"demandedTommy，whohadbeenwaitingpatientlyforsigns。
　　Petershookhimselfawakeandwenttohissupper。
　　AbrightideaoccurredtoPeterinthenight。"Ofcourse;whydidn’tIthinkofitbefore？Settlethequestionatonce。"Peterfellintoaneasysleep。
　　"Tommy，"saidPeter，ashesathimselfdowntobreakfastthenextmorning。"By—the—by，"askedPeterwithapuzzledexpression，puttingdownhiscup，"whatisthis？"
　　"Cauffee，"informedhimTommy。"Yousaidcauffee。"
　　"Oh！"repliedPeter。"Forthefuture，Tommy，ifyoudon’tmind，I
　　willtaketeaofamorning。"
　　"Allthesametome，"explainedtheagreeableTommy，"it’syourbreakfast。"
　　"WhatIwasabouttosay，"continuedPeter，"wasthatyou’renotlookingverywell，Tommy。"
　　"I’mallright，"assertedTommy;"nevernothingthematterwithme。"
　　"Notthatyouknowof，perhaps;butonecanbeinaverybadway，Tommy，withoutbeingawareofit。IcannothaveanyoneaboutmethatIamnotsureisinthoroughlysoundhealth。"
　　"Ifyoumeanyou’vechangedyourmindandwanttogetridofme——"
　　beganTommy，withitschinintheair。
　　"Idon’twantanyofyouruppishness，"snappedPeter，whohadwoundhimselfupfortheoccasiontoadegreeofassertivenessthatsurprisedevenhimself。"Ifyouareathoroughlystrongandhealthyperson，asIthinkyouare，Ishallbeverygladtoretainyourservices。ButuponthatpointImustbesatisfied。Itisthecustom，"explainedPeter。"Itisalwaysdoneingoodfamilies。
　　Runroundtothisaddress"——Peterwroteituponaleafofhisnotebook——"andaskDr。Smithtocomeandseemebeforehebeginshisround。Yougoatonce，anddon’tletushaveanyargument。"
　　"Thatisthewaytotalktothatyoungperson——clearly，"saidPetertohimself，listeningtoTommy’sfootstepsdyingdownthestairs。
　　Hearingthestreet—doorslam，Peterstoleintothekitchenandbrewedhimselfacupofcoffee。
　　Dr。Smith，whohadcommencedlifeasHerrSchmidt，butwhoinconsequenceofdifferenceofopinionwithhisGovernmentwasnowanEnglishmanwithstrongToryprejudices，hadbutonesorrow：itwasthatstrangerswouldmistakehimforaforeigner。Hewasshortandstout，withbushyeyebrowsandagreymoustache，andlookedsofiercethatchildrencriedwhentheysawhim，untilhepattedthemontheheadandaddressedthemas"meinleedlefrent"inavoicesosoftandtenderthattheyhadtoleaveoffhowlingjusttowonderwhereitcamefrom。HeandPeter，whowasavehementRadical，hadbeencroniesformanyyears，andhadeachanindulgentcontemptfortheother’sunderstanding，temperedbyasincereaffectionforoneanothertheywouldhavefounditdifficulttoaccountfor。
　　"Whattinkyouisdematterwiddeleedlewench？"demandedDr。
　　Smith，Peterhavingopenedthecase。Peterglancedroundtheroom。
　　Thekitchendoorwasclosed。
　　"Howdoyouknowit’sawench？"
　　Theeyesbeneaththebushybrowsgrewrounder。"Ifidisnotawench，whydressit——"
　　"Haven’tdressedit，"interruptedPeter。"JustwhatI’mwaitingtodo——sosoonasIknow。"
　　AndPeterrecountedtheeventsoftheprecedingevening。
　　Tearsgatheredinthedoctor’ssmall，roundeyes。HisabsurdsentimentalismwasthequalityinhisfriendthatmostirritatedPeter。
　　"Poorleedlewaif！"murmuredthesoft—heartedoldgentleman。"IdwasdegoodProvidencedatguidedher——orhim，whicheveridbe。"
　　"Providencebehanged！"snarledPeter。"WhatwasmyProvidencedoing——landingmewithagutter—brattolookafter？"
　　"SolikeyouRadicals，"sneeredthedoctor，"todespiseafellowhumancreaturejustbecauseidmaynothavebeenborninburbleandfinelinen。"
　　"Ididn’tsendforyoutoarguepolitics，"retortedPeter，controllinghisindignationbyaneffort。"Iwantyoutotellmewhetherit’saboyoragirl，sothatImayknowwhattodowithit。"
　　"Whatmeanyoutodowidid？"inquiredthedoctor。
　　"Idon’tknow，"confessedPeter。"Ifit’saboy，asIratherthinkitis，maybeI’llbeabletofinditaplaceinoneoftheoffices—
　　—afterI’vetaughtitalittlecivilisation。"
　　"Andifidbeagirl？"
　　"Howcanitbeagirlwhenitwearstrousers？"demandedPeter。
　　"Whyanticipatedifficulties？"
　　Peter，alone，pacedtoandfrotheroom，hishandsbehindhisback，hisearonthealerttocatchtheslightestsoundfromabove。
　　"Idohopeitisaboy，"saidPeter，glancingup。
　　Peter’seyesrestedonthephotoofthefragilelittlewomangazingdownathimfromitsstiffframeuponthechimney—piece。Thirtyyearsago，inthissameroom，Peterhadpacedtoandfro，hishandsbehindhisback，hisearalerttocatchtheslightestsoundfromabove，hadsaidtohimselfthesamewords。
　　"It’sodd，"musedPeter——"veryoddindeed。"
　　Thedooropened。Thestoutdoctor，precededatalittledistancebyhiswatch—chain，enteredandclosedthedoorbehindhim。
　　"Averyhealthychild，"saidthedoctor，"asfineachildasanyonecouldwishtosee。Agirl。"
　　Thetwooldgentlemenlookedatoneanother。Elizabeth，possiblyrelievedinhermind，begantopurr。
　　"WhatamItodowithit？"demandedPeter。
　　"Averyawkwardbositionforyou，"agreedthesympatheticdoctor。
　　"Iwasafool！"declaredPeter。
　　"Youhafnooneheretolookafterdeleedlewenchwhenyouareaway，"pointedoutthethoughtfuldoctor。
　　"AndfromwhatI’veseenoftheimp，"addedPeter，"itwillwantsomelookingafter。"
　　"Itink——Itink，"saidthehelpfuldoctor，"Iseeawayout！"
　　"What？"
　　Thedoctorthrusthisfiercefaceforwardandtappedknowinglywithhisrightforefingertherightsideofhisroundnose。"Iwilltakechargeofdeleedlewench。"
　　"You？"
　　"Tomedecasewillnotpresentdesamedifficulties。Ihafahousekeeper。"
　　"Oh，yes，Mrs。Whateley。"
　　"Sheisagootwomanwhenyouknowher，"explainedthedoctor。
　　"Sheonlywantsmanaging。"
　　"Pooh！"ejaculatedPeter。
　　"Whydoyousaydat？"inquiredthedoctor。
　　"You！bringingupaheadstronggirl。Theidea！"
　　"Ishouldbekind，butfirm。"
　　"Youdon’tknowher。"
　　"Howlonghafyouknownher？"
　　"Anyhow，I’mnotasoft—heartedsentimentalistthatwouldjustruinthechild。"
　　"Girlsarenotboys，"persistedthedoctor;"deywantdifferenttreatment。"
　　"Well，I’mnotabrute！"snarledPeter。"Besides，supposesheturnsoutrubbish！Whatdoyouknowabouther？"
　　"Itakemychance，"agreedthegenerousdoctor。
　　"Itwouldn’tbefair，"retortedhonestPeter。
　　"Tinkitover，"saidthedoctor。"Aplaceisneverhomewidoutdeleedlefeet。WeEnglishmenlovedehome。Youaredifferent。Youhafnosentiment。"
　　"Icannothelpfeeling，"explainedPeter，"asenseofdutyinthismatter。Thechildcametome。Itisasifthisthinghadbeenlaiduponme。"
　　"Ifyoulookuponiddatway，Peter，"sighedthedoctor。
　　"Withsentiment，"wentonPeter，"Ihavenothingtodo;butduty——
　　dutyisquiteanotherthing。"Peter，feelinghimselfanancientRoman，thankedthedoctorandshookhandswithhim。
　　Tommy，summoned，appeared。
　　"Thedoctor，Tommy，"saidPeter，withoutlookingupfromhiswriting，"givesaverysatisfactoryaccountofyou。Soyoucanstop。"
　　"Toldyouso，"returnedTommy。"Mighthavesavedyourmoney。"
　　"Butweshallhavetofindyouanothername。"
　　"Whatfor？"
　　"Ifyouaretobeahousekeeper，youmustbeagirl。"
　　"Don’tlikegirls。"
　　"Can’tsayIthinkmuchofthemmyself，Tommy。Wemustmakethebestofit。Tobeginwith，wemustgetyouproperclothes。"
　　"Hateskirts。Theyhamperyou。"
　　"Tommy，"saidPeterseverely，"don’targue。"
　　"Pointingoutfactsain’targuing，"arguedTommy。"Theydohamperyou。Youtry’em。"
　　Theclotheswerequicklymade，andafterawhiletheycametofit;
　　butthenameprovedmoredifficultofadjustment。Asweet—faced，laughinglady，knowntofamebyatitlerespectableandorthodox，appearsanhonouredguestto—dayatmanyaliterarygathering。Buttheoldfellows，pressinground，stillcallher"Tommy。"
　　Theweek’strialcametoanend。Peter，whosedigestionwasdelicate，hadhadahappythought。
　　"WhatIpropose，Tommy——ImeanJane，"saidPeter，"isthatweshouldgetinawomantodojustthemerecooking。Thatwillgiveyoumoretimeto——toattendtootherthings，Tommy——Jane，Imean。"
　　"Whatotherthings？"chinintheair。
　　"The——thekeepingoftheroomsinorder，Tommy。The——thedusting。"
　　"Don’twanttwenty—fourhoursadaytodustfourrooms。"
　　"Thentherearemessages，Tommy。ItwouldbeagreatadvantagetometohavesomeoneIcouldsendonamessagewithoutfeelingIwasinterferingwiththehousework。"
　　"Whatareyoudrivingat？"demandedTommy。"Why，Idon’thavehalfenoughtodoasitis。Icandoall——"
　　Peterputhisfootdown。"WhenIsayathing，Imeanathing。Thesooneryouunderstandthat，thebetter。Howdareyouarguewithme！Fiddle—de—dee！"FortwopinsPeterwouldhaveemployedanexpletiveevenstronger，sodeterminedwashefeeling。
　　Tommywithoutanotherwordlefttheroom。PeterlookedatElizabethandwinked。
　　PoorPeter！Histriumphwasshort—lived。Fiveminuteslater，Tommyreturned，cladinthelong，blackskirt，supportedbythecricketbelt，thebluegaribaldicutdecollete，thepepper—and—saltjacket，theworstedcomforter，theredlipsverytightlypressed，thelonglashesovertheblackeyesmovingveryrapidly。
　　"Tommy"（severely），"whatisthistomfoolery？"
　　"Iunderstand。Iain’tnogoodtoyou。Thanksforgivingmeatrial。Myfault。"
　　"Tommy"（lessseverely），"don’tbeanidiot。"
　　"Ain’tanidiot。’TwasEmma。ToldmeIwasgoodatcooking。SaidI’dgotanaptitudeforit。Shemeantwell。"
　　"Tommy"（notraceofseverity），"sitdown。Emmawasquiteright。
　　Yourcookingis——ispromising。AsEmmaputsit，youhaveaptitude。
　　Your——perseverance，yourhopefulnessprovesit。"
　　"Thenwhyd’yewanttogetsomeoneelseintodoit？"
　　IfPetercouldhaveansweredtruthfully！IfPetercouldhavereplied：
　　"Mydear，Iamalonelyoldgentleman。Ididnotknowituntil——
　　untiltheotherday。NowIcannotforgetitagain。Wifeandchilddiedmanyyearsago。Iwaspoor，orImighthavesavedthem。Thatmademehard。Theclockofmylifestoodstill。Ihidawaythekey。Ididnotwanttothink。Youcrepttomeoutofthecruelfog，awakenedolddreams。Donotgoawayanymore"——perhapsTommy，inspiteofherfierceindependence，wouldhaveconsentedtobeuseful;andthusPetermighthavegainedhisendatlesscostofindigestion。Butthepenaltyforbeingananti—sentimentalististhatyoumustnottalklikethiseventoyourself。SoPeterhadtocastaboutforothermethods。
　　"Whyshouldn’tIkeeptwoservantsifIlike？"Itdidseemhardontheoldgentleman。
　　"What’sthesenseofpayingtwotodotheworkofone？Youwouldonlybekeepingmeonoutofcharity。"Theblackeyesflashed。"I
　　ain’tabeggar。"
　　"Andyoureallythink，Tommy——IshouldsayJane，youcanmanagethe——thewholeofit？Youwon’tmindbeingsentonamessage，perhapsintheverymiddleofyourcooking。ItwasthatIwasthinkingof，Tommy——somecookswould。"
　　"Yougoeasy，"advisedhimTommy，"tillIcomplainofhavingtoomuchtodo。"
　　Peterreturnedtohisdesk。Elizabethlookedup。ItseemedtoPeterthatElizabethwinked。
　　ThefortnightthatfollowedwasaperiodoftroubletoPeter，forTommy，hersuspicionshavingbeenaroused，wasscepticalof"business"demandingthatPetershoulddinewiththismanattheclub，lunchwiththiseditorattheCheshireCheese。Atoncethechinwouldgoupintotheair，theblackeyescloudthreateningly。
　　Peter，anunmarriedmanforthirtyyears，lackingexperience，wouldundercross—examinationcontradicthimself，becomeconfused，breakdownoveressentialpoints。
　　"Really，"grumbledPetertohimselfoneevening，sawingatamuttonchop，"reallythere’snootherwordforit——I’mhenpecked。"
　　Peterthatdayhadlookedforwardtoalittledinneratafavouriterestaurant，withhis"dearoldfriendBlenkinsopp，abitofagourmet，Tommy——thatmeansamanwholikeswhatyouwouldcallelaboratecooking！"——forgetfulatthemomentthathehadusedup"Blenkinsopp"threedaysbeforeforafarewellsupper，"Blenkinsopp"havingtosetoutthenextmorningforEgypt。Peterwasnotfacileatinvention。Namesinparticularhadalwaysbeenadifficultytohim。
　　"Ilikeaspiritofindependence，"continuedPetertohimself。
　　"Wishshehadn’tquitesomuchofit。Wonderwhereshegotitfrom。"
　　ThesituationwasbecomingmoreserioustoPeterthanhecaredtoadmit。Fordaybyday，inspiteofhertyrannies，TommywasgrowingmoreandmoreindispensabletoPeter。TommywasthefirstaudiencethatforthirtyyearshadlaughedatPeter’sjokes;TommywasthefirstpublicthatforthirtyyearshadbeenconvincedthatPeterwasthemostbrilliantjournalistinFleetStreet;TommywasthefirstanxietythatforthirtyyearshadrendereditneedfulthatPetereachnightshouldmountstealthilythecreakingstairs，stealwithshadedcandletoabedside。IfonlyTommywouldn’t"do"
　　forhim！Ifonlyshecouldbepersuadedto"do"somethingelse。
　　AnotherhappythoughtoccurredtoPeter。
　　"Tommy——ImeanJane，"saidPeter，"IknowwhatI’lldowithyou。"
　　"What’sthegamenow？"
　　"I’llmakeajournalistofyou。"
　　"Don’ttalkrot。"
　　"Itisn’trot。Besides，Iwon’thaveyouanswermelikethat。AsaDevil——thatmeans，Tommy，theunseenpersoninthebackgroundthathelpsajournalisttodohiswork——youwouldbeinvaluabletome。Itwouldpayme，Tommy——paymeveryhandsomely。Ishouldmakemoneyoutofyou。"
　　ThisappearedtobeanargumentthatTommyunderstood。Peter，withsecretdelight，noticedthatthechinretaineditsnormallevel。
　　"Ididhelpachaptosellpapers，once，"rememberedTommy;"hesaidIwasflyatit。"
　　"Itoldyouso，"exclaimedPetertriumphantly。"Themethodsaredifferent，buttheinstinctrequiredisthesame。Wewillgetawomanintorelieveyouofthehousework。"
　　Thechinshotupintotheair。
　　"Icoulddoitinmysparetime。"
　　"Yousee，Tommy，Ishouldwantyoutogoaboutwithme——tobealwayswithme。"
　　"Bettertrymefirst。Maybeyou’remakinganerror。"
　　Peterwaslearningthewisdomoftheserpent。
　　"Quiteright，Tommy。Wewillfirstseewhatyoucando。Perhaps，afterall，itmayturnoutthatyouarebetterasacook。"InhisheartPeterdoubtedthis。
　　Buttheseedhadfallenupongoodground。ItwasTommyherselfthatmanoeuvredherfirstessayinjournalism。AgreatmanhadcometoLondon——wasstayinginapartmentsespeciallypreparedforhiminSt。James’sPalace。SaideveryjournalistinLondontohimself："IfIcouldobtainaninterviewwiththisBigMan，whatabigthingitwouldbeforme！"Foraweekpast，Peterhadcarriedeverywhereaboutwithhimapaperheaded："InterviewofOurSpecialCorrespondentwithPrinceBlank，"questionsdownleft—handcolumn，verynarrow;spaceforanswersright—handside，verywide。
　　ButtheBigManwasexperienced。
　　"Iwonder，"saidPeter，spreadingtheneatlyfoldedpaperonthedeskbeforehim，"Iwonderiftherecanbeanywayofgettingathim——anydodgeortrick，anypieceoflowcunning，anyplausibleliethatIhaven’tthoughtof。"
　　"OldManMartin——calledhimselfMartini——wasjustsuchanother，"
　　commentedTommy。"Comepaytime，Saturdayafternoon，youjustcouldn’tgetathim——simplywasn’tanyway。Iwasabittoogoodforhimonce，though，"rememberedTommy，withatouchofprideinhervoice;"gothalfaquidoutofhimthattime。Itdidsurprisehim。"
　　"No，"communedPetertohimselfaloud，"Idon’thonestlythinktherecanbeanymethod，creditableordiscreditable，thatI
　　haven’ttried。"Peterflungtheone—sidedinterviewintothewastepaper—basket，andslippinghisnotebookintohispocket，departedtodrinkteawithaladynovelist，whosegreatdesire，asstatedinapostscripttoherinvitation，wastoavoidpublicity，ifpossible。
　　Tommy，assoonasPeter’sbackwasturned，fisheditoutagain。
　　AnhourlaterinthefogaroundSt。James’sPalacestoodanImp，cladinpatchedtrousersandapepper—and—saltjacketturnedupabouttheneck，gazingwithadmiringeyesuponthesentry。
　　"Now，then，youngseventeen—and—sixpencethesoot，"saidthesentry，"whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Makesyouabitanxious，don’tit，"suggestedtheImp，"havingabigpotlikehimtolookafter？"
　　"Doesgetabitonyermind，ifyerthinksaboutit，"agreedthesentry。
　　"Howdoyoufindhimtotalkto，like？"
　　"Well，"saidthesentry，bringinghisrightlegintoactionforthepurposeofrelievinghisleft，"ain’t’admuchtodowith’immyself，notperson’ly，asyet。Oh，’eain’tabadsortwhenyerknow’im。"
　　"That’shisshake—down，ain’tit？"askedtheImp，"wherethelightsare。"
　　"That’sit，"admittedsentry。"Youain’tanAnarchist？Tellmeifyouare。"
　　"I’llletyouknowifIfeelitcomingon，"theImpassuredhim。
　　Hadthesentrybeenamanofswiftandpenetratingobservation——
　　whichhewasn’t——hemighthaveaskedthequestioninmoreseriousatone。ForhewouldhaveremarkedthattheImp’sblackeyeswererestinglovinglyuponarain—water—pipe，givingtoaskilfulclimbereasyaccesstotheterraceunderneaththePrince’swindows。
　　"Iwouldliketoseehim，"saidtheImp。
　　"Friendo’yours？"askedthesentry。
　　"Well，notexactly，"admittedtheImp。"Butthere，youknow，everybody’stalkingabouthimdownourstreet。"
　　"Well，yer’ll’avetobequickaboutit，"saidthesentry。’E’soffto—night。"
　　Tommy’sfacefell。"Ithoughtitwasn’ttillFridaymorning。"
　　"Ah！"saidthesentry，"that’swhatthepaperssay，isit？"Thesentry’svoicetookunconsciouslytheaccentofthosefromwhomnosecretishid。"I’lltellyerwhatyercando，"continuedthesentry，enjoyinganunaccustomedsenseofimportance。Thesentryglancedleft，thenright。"’E’saslippingoffallby’imselfdowntoOsbornebythe6。40fromWaterloo。Nobodyknowsit——’cept，o’
　　course，justafewofus。That’s’iswayallover。’Ejust’ates—
　　—"
　　Afootstepsoundeddownthecorridor。Thesentrybecamestatuesque。
　　AtWaterloo，Tommyinspectedthe6。40train。Onlyonecompartmentindicatedpossibilities，anextralargeoneattheendofthecoachnexttheguard’svan。Itwaslabelled"Reserved，"andintheplaceoftheusualfittingswasfurnishedwithatableandfoureasy—
　　chairs。Havingnoticeditsposition，Tommytookawalkuptheplatformanddisappearedintothefog。
　　Twentyminuteslater，PrinceBlanksteppedhurriedlyacrosstheplatform，unnoticedsavebyhalfadozenobsequiousofficials，andenteredthecompartmentreservedforhim。Theobsequiousofficialsbowed。PrinceBlank，inmilitaryfashion，raisedhishand。The6。40steamedoutslowly。
　　PrinceBlank，whowasastoutgentleman，thoughhetriedtodisguisethefact，seldomfoundhimselfalone。Whenhedid，hegenerallyindulgedhimselfinalittlehealthyrelaxation。Withtwohours’runtoSouthamptonbeforehim，freefromallpossibilityofintrusion，PrinceBlankletloosethebuttonsofhispowerfullybuiltwaistcoat，restedhisbaldheadonthetopofhischair，stretchedhisgreatlegsacrossanother，andclosedhisterrible，smalleyes。
　　ForaninstantitseemedtoPrinceBlankthatadraughthadenteredintothecarriage。As，however，thesensationimmediatelypassedaway，hedidnottroubletowakeup。ThenthePrincedreamedthatsomebodywasinthecarriagewithhim——wassittingoppositetohim。
　　Thisbeinganannoyingsortofdream，thePrinceopenedhiseyesforthepurposeofdispellingit。Therewassomebodysittingoppositetohim——averygrimylittleperson，wipingbloodoffitsfaceandhandswithadingyhandkerchief。HadthePrincebeenamancapableofsurprise，hewouldhavebeensurprised。
　　"It’sallright，"assuredhimTommy。"Iain’theretodoanyharm。