"Easyforhim，"mutteredPeterbitterly。"Alwaysdoeshaveanappointmentoutsidethemomentshebegins。"
　　Tommyappearedtobethrowingherverysoulintotheperformance。
　　Passers—byinCraneCourtpaused，regardedthefirst—floorwindowsofthepublishingandeditorialofficesofGoodHumourwithtroubledlooks，thenhurriedon。
　　"Shehas——remarkablyfirmdouch！"shoutedthedoctorintoPeter’sear。"Willseeyou——evening。Someting——saytoyou。"
　　Thefatlittledoctortookhishatanddeparted。Tommy，ceasingsuddenly，cameoverandseatedherselfonthearmofPeter’schair。
　　"Feelinggrumpy？"askedTommy。
　　"Itisn’t，"explainedPeter，"thatImindthenoise。I’dputupwiththatifIcouldseethegoodofit。"
　　"It’sgoingtohelpmetogetahusband，dad。Seemstomeanoddwayofdoingit;butBillysaysso，andBillyknowsallabouteverything。"
　　"Ican’tunderstandyou，asensiblegirl，listeningtosuchnonsense，"saidPeter。"It’sthatthattroublesme。"
　　"Dad，whereareyourwits？"demandedTommy。"Isn’tBillyactinglikeabrick？Why，hecouldgointoFleetStreettohalfadozenotherpapersandmakefivehundredayearasadvertising—agent——youknowhecould。Buthedoesn’t。Hestickstous。Ifmymakingmyselfridiculouswiththattinpottheypersuadedhimwasapianoisgoingtopleasehim，isn’titcommonsenseandsoundbusiness，tosaynothingofgoodnatureandgratitude，formetodoit？Dad，I’vegotasurpriseforhim。Listen。"AndTommy，springingfromthearmofPeter’schair，returnedtothepiano。
　　"Whatwasit？"questionedTommy，havingfinished。"Couldyourecogniseit？"
　　"Ithink，"saidPeter，"itsoundedlike——Itwasn’t’Home，SweetHome，’wasit？"
　　Tommyclappedherhands。"Yes，itwas。You’llendbylikingityourself，dad。We’llhavemusical’AtHomes。’"
　　"Tommy，haveIbroughtyouupproperly，doyouthink？"
　　"Nodad，youhaven’t。Youhaveletmehavemyownwaytoomuch。
　　Youknowtheproverb：’Goodmothersmakebaddaughters。’Clodd’sright;you’vespoiltme，dad。Doyouremember，dad，whenIfirstcametoyou，sevenyearsago，araggedlittlebratoutofthestreets，thatdidn’tknowitselfwhether’twasaboyoragirl？DoyouknowwhatIthoughttomyselfthemomentIseteyesonyou？
　　’Here’sasoftoldjuggins;I’llbeallrightifIcangetinhere！’Itmakesyousmart，knockingaboutintheguttersandbeingknockedabout;youreadfacesquickly。"
　　"Doyourememberyourcooking，Tommy？You’hadanaptitudeforit，’accordingtoyourownidea。"
　　Tommylaughed。"Iwonderhowyoustoodit。"
　　"Youweresoobstinate。Youcametomeas’cookandhousekeeper，’
　　andascookandhousekeeper，andasnothingelse，wouldyouremain。
　　IfIsuggestedanychange，upwouldgoyourchinintotheair。I
　　darednotevendineouttoooften，youweresuchalittletyrant。
　　Theonlythingyouwerealwaysreadytodo，ifIwasn’tsatisfied，wastomarchoutofthehouseandleaveme。Whereverdidyougetthatsavageindependenceofyours？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Ithinkitmusthavebeenfromawoman——perhapsshewasmymother;Idon’tknow——whousedtositupinthebedandcough，allnightitseemedtome。Peoplewouldcometoseeus——
　　ladiesinfineclothes，andgentlemenwithoilyhair。Ithinktheywantedtohelpus。Manyofthemhadkindvoices。Butalwaysahardlookwouldcomeintoherface，andshewouldtellthemwhateventhenIknewtobeuntrue——itwasoneofthefirstthingsIcanrecollect——thatwehadeverythingwewanted，thatweneedednohelpfromanyone。Theywouldgoaway，shruggingtheirshoulders。I
　　grewupwiththefeelingthatseemedtohavebeenburntintomybrain，thattotakefromanybodyanythingyouhadnotearnedwasshameful。Idon’tthinkIcoulddoitevennow，notevenfromyou。
　　Iamusefultoyou，dad——Idohelpyou？"
　　TherehadcreptaterrorintoTommy’svoice。Peterfeltthelittlehandsuponhisarmtrembling。
　　"Helpme？Why，youworklikeanigger——likeaniggerissupposedtowork，butdoesn’t。Noone——whateverwepaidhim——woulddohalfasmuch。Idon’twanttomakeyourheadmoreswollenthanitis，youngwoman，butyouhavetalent;Iamnotsureitisnotgenius。"
　　Peterfeltthelittlehandstightenuponhisarm。
　　"Idowantthispapertobeasuccess;thatiswhyIstrumuponthepianotopleaseClodd。Isithumbug？"
　　"Iamafraiditis;buthumbugisthesweetoilthathelpsthiswhirlingworldofourstospinroundsmoothly。Toomuchofitcloys：wedropitverygently。"
　　"Butyouaresureitisonlyhumbug，Tommy？"ItwasPeter’svoiceintowhichfearhadenterednow。"ItisnotthatyouthinkheunderstandsyoubetterthanIdo——woulddomoreforyou？"
　　"YouwantmetotellyouallIthinkofyou，andthatisn’tgoodforyou，dad——nottoooften。Itwouldbeyouwhowouldhaveswelledheadthen。"
　　"Iamjealous，Tommy，jealousofeveryonethatcomesnearyou。
　　Lifeisatragedyforusoldfolks。Weknowtheremustcomeadaywhenyouwillleavethenest，leaveusvoiceless，ridiculous，flittingamongbarebranches。Youwillunderstandlater，whenyouhavechildrenofyourown。Thisfoolishtalkaboutahusband！Itisworseforamanthanitisforthewoman。Themotherlivesagaininherchild：themanisrobbedofall。"
　　"Dad，doyouknowhowoldIam？——thatyouaretalkingterriblenonsense？"
　　"Hewillcome，littlegirl。"
　　"Yes，"answeredTommy，"Isupposehewill;butnotforalongwhile——oh，notforaverylongwhile。Don’t。Itfrightensme。"
　　"You？Whyshoulditfrightenyou？"
　　"Thepain。Itmakesmefeelacoward。Iwantittocome;Iwanttotastelife，todrainthewholecup，tounderstand，tofeel。Butthatistheboyinme。Iammorethanhalfaboy，Ialwayshavebeen。Butthewomaninme：itshrinksfromtheordeal。"
　　"Youtalk，Tommy，asifloveweresomethingterrible。"
　　"Thereareallthingsinit;Ifeelit，dad。Itislifeinasingledraught。Itfrightensme。"
　　Thechildwasstandingwithherfacehiddenbehindherhands。OldPeter，alwaysverybadatlying，stoodsilent，notknowingwhatconsolationtoconcoct。Theshadowpassed，andTommy’slaughingeyeslookedoutagain。
　　"Haven’tyouanythingtodo，dad——outside，Imean？"
　　"Youwanttogetridofme？"
　　"Well，I’venothingelsetooccupymetilltheproofscomein。I’mgoingtopractise，hard。"
　　"IthinkI’llturnovermyarticleontheEmbankment，"saidPeter。
　　"There’sonethingyouallofyououghttobegratefultomefor，"
　　laughedTommy，assheseatedherselfatthepiano。"Idoinduceyoualltotakemorefreshairthanotherwiseyouwould。"
　　Tommy，leftalone，setherselftohertaskwiththeenergyandthoroughnessthatwerecharacteristicofher。Strugglingwithcomplicatedscales，TommybenthereyescloserandcloseroverthepagesofCzerny’sExercises。Glancinguptoturnapage，Tommy，tohersurprise，mettheeyesofastranger。Theywerebrowneyes，theirexpressionsympathetic。Belowthem，lookinggoldenwiththesunlightfallingonit，wasamoustacheandbeardcutshortinVandykefashion，notaltogetherhidingapleasantmouth，aboutthecornersofwhichlurkedasmile。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"saidthestranger。"Iknockedthreetimes。
　　Perhapsyoudidnothearme？"
　　"No，Ididn’t，"confessedTommy，closingthebookofCzerny’sExercises，andrisingwithchinatananglethat，toanyoneacquaintedwiththechartofTommy’stemperament，mighthavesuggestedtheadvisabilityofseekingshelter。
　　"ThisistheeditorialofficeofGoodHumour，isitnot？"inquiredthestranger。
　　"Itis。"
　　"Istheeditorin？"
　　"Theeditorisout。"
　　"Thesub—editor？"suggestedthestranger。
　　"Iamthesub—editor。"
　　Thestrangerraisedhiseyebrows。Tommy，onthecontrary，loweredhers。
　　"Wouldyoumindglancingthroughthat？"Thestrangerdrewfromhispocketafoldedmanuscript。"Itwillnottakeyouamoment。I
　　ought，ofcourse，tohavesentitthroughthepost;butIamsotiredofsendingthingsthroughthepost。"
　　Thestranger’smannerwascompoundedofdignifiedimpudencecombinedwithpathetichumility。Hiseyesbothchallengedandpleaded。Tommyheldoutherhandforthepaperandretiredwithitbehindtheprotectionofthebigeditorialdeskthat，flankedononesidebyascreenandontheotherbyaformidablerevolvingbookcase，stretchedfortress—likeacrossthenarrowroom。Thestrangerremainedstanding。
　　"Yes。It’spretty，"criticisedthesub—editor。"Worthprinting，perhaps，notworthpayingfor。"
　　"Notmerelya——anominalsum，sufficienttodistinguishitfromtheworkoftheamateur？"
　　Tommypursedherlips。"Poetryisquiteadruginthemarket。Wecangetasmuchaswewantofitfornothing。"
　　"Sayhalfacrown，"suggestedthestranger。
　　Tommyshotaswiftglanceacrossthedesk，andforthefirsttimesawthewholeofhim。Hewascladinathreadbare，long，brownulster——long，thatis，itwouldhavebeenuponanordinaryman，butthestrangerhappeningtoberemarkablytall，itappearedonhimridiculouslyshort，reachingonlytohisknees。Roundhisneckandtuckedintohiswaistcoat，thuscompletelyhidingtheshirtandcollarhemayhavebeenwearingormaynot，wascarefullyarrangedabluesilkmuffler。Hishands，whichwerebare，lookedblueandcold。Yettheblackfrock—coatandwaistcoatandFrenchgreytrousersboretheunmistakablecutofafirst—classtailorandfittedhimtoperfection。Hishat，whichhehadrestedonthedesk，shoneresplendent，andthehandleofhissilkumbrellawasaneagle’sheadingold，withtwosmallrubiesfortheeyes。
　　"Youcanleaveitifyoulike，"consentedTommy。"I’llspeaktotheeditoraboutitwhenhereturns。"
　　"Youwon’tforgetit？"urgedthestranger。
　　"No，"answeredTommy。"Ishallnotforgetit。"
　　Herblackeyeswerefixeduponthestrangerwithoutherbeingawareofit。Shehaddroppedunconsciouslyintoher"stocktaking"
　　attitude。
　　"Thankyouverymuch，"saidthestranger。"Iwillcallagainto—
　　morrow。"
　　Thestranger，movingbackwardtothedoor，wentout。
　　Tommysatwithherfacebetweenherhands。Czerny’sExerciseslayneglected。
　　"Anybodycalled？"askedPeterHope。
　　"No，"answeredTommy。"Oh，justaman。Leftthis——notbad。"
　　"Theoldstory，"musedPeter，asheunfoldedthemanuscript。"Weallofusbeginwithpoetry。Thenwetaketoproseromances;
　　poetrydoesn’tpay。Finally，wewritearticles：’HowtobeHappythoughMarried，’’WhatshallwedowithourDaughters？’Itislifesummarised。Whatisitallabout？"
　　"Oh，theusualsortofthing，"explainedTommy。"Hewantshalfacrownforit。"
　　"Poordevil！Lethimhaveit。"
　　"That’snotbusiness，"growledTommy。
　　"Nobodywilleverknow，"saidPeter。"We’llenteritas’telegrams。’"
　　Thestrangercalledearlythenextday，pocketedhishalf—crown，andleftanothermanuscript——anessay。Alsoheleftbehindhimhisgold—handledumbrella，takingawaywithhiminsteadanoldalpacathingCloddkeptinreserveforexceptionallydirtyweather。Peterpronouncedtheessayusable。
　　"Hehasastyle，"saidPeter;"hewriteswithdistinction。Makeanappointmentformewithhim。"
　　Clodd，onmissinghisumbrella，wasindignant。
　　"What’sthegoodofthisthingtome？"commentedClodd。"Sortofthingforadudeinapantomime！Thefellowmustbeablitheringass！"
　　Tommygavetothestrangermessagesfrombothwhennexthecalled。
　　Heappearedmoregrievedthansurprisedconcerningtheumbrellas。
　　"Youdon’tthinkMr。Cloddwouldliketokeepthisumbrellainexchangeforhisown？"hesuggested。
　　"Hardlyhisstyle，"explainedTommy。
　　"It’sverypeculiar，"saidthestranger，withasmile。"Ihavebeentryingtogetridofthisumbrellaforthelastthreeweeks。
　　Onceuponatime，whenIpreferredtokeepmyownumbrella，peopleusedtotakeitbymistake，leavingallkindsofshabbythingsbehindtheminexchange。Now，whenI’dreallyliketogetquitofit，nobodywillhaveit。"
　　"Whydoyouwanttogetridofit？"askedTommy。"Itlooksaverygoodumbrella。"
　　"Youdon’tknowhowithampersme，"saidthestranger。"Ihavetoliveuptoit。Itrequiresacertainamountofresolutiontoenteracheaprestaurantaccompaniedbythatumbrella。WhenIdo，thewaitersdrawmyattentiontothemostexpensivedishesandrecommendmespecialbrandsoftheirso—calledchampagne。TheyseemquitesurprisedifIonlywantachopandaglassofbeer。I
　　haven’talwaysgotthecouragetodisappointthem。Itisreallybecomingquiteacursetome。IfIuseittostopa’bus，threeorfourhansomsdashupandquarreloverme。Ican’tdoanythingI
　　wanttodo。Iwanttolivesimplyandinexpensively：itwillnotletme。"
　　Tommylaughed。"Can’tyouloseit？"
　　Thestrangerlaughedalso。"Loseit！Youhavenoideahowhonestpeopleare。Ihadn’tmyself。Thewholeworldhasgoneupinmyestimationwithinthelastfewweeks。Peoplerunaftermeforquitelongdistancesandforceitintomyhand——peopleonrainydayswhohaven’tgotumbrellasoftheirown。Itisthesamewiththishat。"Thestrangersighedashetookitup。"IamalwaystryingtogetOFFwithsomethingreasonablyshabbyinexchangeforit。Iamalwaysfoundoutandstopped。"
　　"Whydon’tyoupawnthem？"suggestedthepracticableTommy。
　　Thestrangerregardedherwithadmiration。
　　"Doyouknow，Ineverthoughtofthat，"saidthestranger。"Ofcourse。Whatagoodidea！Thankyousomuch。"
　　Thestrangerdeparted，evidentlymuchrelieved。
　　"Sillyfellow，"musedTommy。"Theywon’tgivehimaquarterofthevalue，andhewillsay：’Thankyousomuch，’andbequitecontented。"ItworriedTommyagooddealthatday，thethoughtofthatstranger’shelplessness。
　　Thestranger’snamewasRichardDanvers。HelivedtheothersideofHolborn，inFeatherstoneBuildings，butmuchofhistimecametobespentintheofficesofGoodHumour。
　　Peterlikedhim。"Fullofpromise，"wasPeter’sopinion。"Hiscriticismofthatarticleofmineon’TheEducationofWoman’
　　showedbothsenseandfeeling。Ascholarandathinker。"
　　Flipp，theoffice—boy（speltPhilip），likedhim;andFlipp’sattitude，ingeneral，wascensorial。"He’sallright，"pronouncedFlipp;"nothingstuck—upabouthim。He’sgotplentyofsense，lyinghiddenaway。"
　　MissRamsbothamlikedhim。"Themen——themenwethinkaboutatall，"explainedMissRamsbotham——"maybedividedintotwoclasses：
　　themenweoughttolike，butdon’t;andthementhereisnoparticularreasonforourliking，butthatwedo。PersonallyI
　　couldgetveryfondofyourfriendDick。Thereisnothingwhateverattractiveabouthimexcepthimself。"
　　EvenTommylikedhiminherway，thoughattimesshewasseverewithhim。
　　"Ifyoumeanabigstreet，"grumbledTommy，whowasgoingoverproofs，"whynotsayabigstreet？Whymustyoualwayscallita’mainartery’？"
　　"Iamsorry，"apologisedDanvers。"Itisnotmyownidea。Youtoldmetostudythehigher—classjournals。"
　　"Ididn’ttellyoutoselectandfollowalltheirfaults。Hereitisagain。Yourcrowdisalwaysa’hydra—headedmonster’;yourtea’thecupthatcheersbutnotinebriates。’"
　　"IamafraidIamadealoftroubletoyou，"suggestedthestaff。
　　"Iamafraidyouare，"agreedthesub—editor。
　　"Don’tgivemeup，"pleadedthestaff。"Imisunderstoodyou，thatisall。IwillwriteEnglishforthefuture。"
　　"Shallbegladifyouwill，"growledthesub—editor。
　　DickDanversrose。"Iamsoanxiousnottogetwhatyoucall’thesack’fromhere。"
　　Thesub—editor，mollified，thoughtthestaffneedbeundernoapprehension，provideditshoweditselfteachable。
　　"Ihavebeenratheraworthlessfellow，MissHope，"confessedDickDanvers。"IwasbeginningtodespairofmyselftillIcameacrossyouandyourfather。Theatmospherehere——Idon’tmeanthematerialatmosphereofCraneCourt——issoinvigorating：itssimplicity，itssincerity。Iusedtohaveideals。Itriedtostiflethem。Thereisasetthatsneersatallthatsortofthing。
　　NowIseethattheyaregood。Youwillhelpme？"
　　Everywomanisamother。Tommyfeltforthemomentthatshewantedtotakethisbigboyonherkneeandtalktohimforhisgood。Hewasonlyanovergrownlad。Butsoexceedinglyovergrown！Tommyhadtocontentherselfwithholdingoutherhand。DickDanversgraspedittightly。
　　Cloddwastheonlyonewhodidnotapproveofhim。
　　"Howdidyougetholdofhim？"askedCloddoneafternoon，heandPeteraloneintheoffice。
　　"Hecame。Hecameintheusualway，"explainedPeter。
　　"Whatdoyouknowabouthim？"
　　"Nothing。Whatistheretoknow？Onedoesn’taskforacharacterwithajournalist。"
　　"No，Isupposethatwouldn’twork。Foundoutanythingabouthimsince？"
　　"Nothingagainsthim。Whysosuspiciousofeverybody？"
　　"Becauseyouarejustawoollylambandwantadogtolookafteryou。Whoishe？Onafirstnighthegivesawayhisstallandsneaksintothepit。Whenyousendhimtoapicture—gallery，hedodgestheprivateviewandgoesonthefirstshillingday。Ifaninvitationcomestoapublicdinner，heasksmetogoandeatitforhimandtellhimwhatit’sallabout。Thatdoesn’tsuggestthefrankandhonestjournalist，doesit？"
　　"Itisunusual，itcertainlyisunusual，"Peterwasboundtoadmit。
　　"Idistrusttheman，"saidClodd。"He’snotourclass。Whatishedoinghere？"
　　"Iwillaskhim，Clodd;Iwillaskhimstraightout。"
　　"Andbelievewhateverhetellsyou。"
　　"No，Ishan’t。"
　　"Thenwhat’sthegoodofaskinghim？"
　　"Well，whatamItodo？"demandedthebewilderedPeter。
　　"Getridofhim，"suggestedClodd。
　　"Getridofhim？"
　　"Gethimaway！Don’thavehiminandoutoftheofficealldaylong—lookingatherwiththosecollie—dogeyesofhis，arguingartandpoetrywithherinthatcushat—dovevoiceofhis。Gethimcleanaway——ifitisn’ttoolatealready。"
　　"Nonsense，"saidPeter，whohadturnedwhite，however。"She’snotthatsortofgirl。"
　　"Notthatsortofgirl！"CloddhadnopatiencewithPeterHope，andtoldhimso。"Whyarethereneverinkstainsonherfingersnow？Thereusedtobe。Whydoesshealwayskeepalemoninherdrawer？Whendidshelasthaveherhaircut？I’lltellyouifyoucaretoknow——theweekbeforehecame，fivemonthsago。Sheusedtohaveitcutonceafortnight：saidittickledherneck。WhydoesshejumponpeoplewhentheycallherTommyandtellthemthathernameisJane？ItneverusedtobeJane。Maybewhenyou’reabitolderyou’llbegintonoticethingsforyourself。"
　　Cloddjammedhishatonhisheadandflunghimselfdownthestairs。
　　Peter，slippingoutaminutelater，boughthimselfanounceofsnuff。
　　"Fiddle—de—dee！"saidPeterashehelpedhimselftohisthirteenthpinch。"Don’tbelieveit。I’llsoundher。Ishan’tsayaword——
　　I’lljustsoundher。"
　　Peterstoodwithhisbacktothefire。Tommysatatherdesk，correctingproofsofafancifulstory：TheManWithoutaPast。
　　"Ishallmisshim，"saidPeter;"IknowIshall。"
　　"Misswhom？"demandedTommy。
　　"Danvers，"sighedPeter。"Italwayshappensso。Yougetfriendlywithaman;thenhegoesaway——abroad，backtoAmerica，Lordknowswhere。Youneverseehimagain。"
　　Tommylookedup。Therewastroubleinherface。
　　"Howdoyouspell’harassed’？"questionedTommy！"twor’sorone。"
　　"Oner，"Peterinformedher，"twos’s。"
　　"Ithoughtso。"ThetroublepassedfromTommy’sface。
　　"Youdon’taskwhenhe’sgoing，youdon’taskwherehe’sgoing，"
　　complainedPeter。"Youdon’tseemtobeinterestedintheleast。"
　　"Iwasgoingtoask，sosoonasIhadfinishedcorrectingthissheet，"explainedTommy。"Whatreasondoeshegive？"
　　Peterhadcrossedoverandwasstandingwherehecouldseeherfaceilluminedbythelamplight。
　　"Itdoesn’tupsetyou——thethoughtofhisgoingaway，ofyourneverseeinghimagain？"
　　"Whyshouldit？"Tommyansweredhissearchinggazewithaslightlypuzzledlook。"Ofcourse，I’msorry。Hewasbecominguseful。Butwecouldn’texpecthimtostopwithusalways，couldwe？"
　　Peter，rubbinghishands，brokeintoachuckle。"Itoldhim’twasallfiddlesticks。Clodd，hewouldhaveityouweregrowingtocareforthefellow。"
　　"ForDickDanvers？"Tommylaughed。"Whateverputthatintohishead？"
　　"Oh，well，therewereoneortwolittlethingsthatwehadnoticed。"
　　"We？"
　　"ImeanthatCloddhadnoticed。"
　　I’mgladitwasCloddthatnoticedthem，notyou，dad，thoughtTommytoherself。They’dhavebeenprettyobviousifyouhadnoticedthem。
　　"Itnaturallymademeanxious，"confessedPeter。"Yousee，weknowabsolutelynothingofthefellow。"
　　"Absolutelynothing，"agreedTommy。
　　"Hemaybeamanofthehighestintegrity。Personally，Ithinkheis。Ilikehim。Ontheotherhand，hemaybeathorough—pacedscoundrel。Idon’tbelieveforamomentthatheis，buthemaybe。
　　Impossibletosay。"
　　"Quiteimpossible，"agreedTommy。
　　"Consideredmerelyasajournalist，itdoesn’tmatter。Hewriteswell。Hehasbrains。There’sanendofit。"
　　"Heisverypainstaking，"agreedTommy。
　　"Personally，"addedPeter，"Ilikethefellow。"Tommyhadreturnedtoherwork。
　　OfwhatusewasPeterinacrisisofthiskind？Petercouldn’tscold。Petercouldn’tbully。TheonlypersontotalktoTommyasTommyknewsheneededtobetalkedtowasoneJane，ayoungwomanofdignitywithsenseoftheproprieties。
　　"Idohopethatatleastyouarefeelingashamedofyourself，"
　　remarkedJanetoTommythatsamenight，asthetwainsattogetherintheirlittlebedroom。
　　"Donenothingtobeashamedof，"growledTommy。
　　"Makingafoolofyourselfopenly，foreverybodytonotice。"
　　"Cloddain’teverybody。He’sgoteyesatthebackofhishead。
　　Seesthingsbeforetheyhappen。"
　　"Where’syourwoman’spride：fallinginlovewithamanwhohasneverspokentoyou，exceptintermsofthemostordinarycourtesy。"
　　"I’mnotinlovewithhim。"
　　"Amanaboutwhomyouknowabsolutelynothing。"
　　"Notinlovewithhim。"
　　"Wheredoeshecomefrom？Whoishe？"
　　"Idon’tknow，don’tcare;nothingtodowithme。"
　　"Justbecauseofhissofteyes，andhiswheedlingvoice，andthathalf—caressing，half—devotionalmannerofhis。Doyouimaginehekeepsitspeciallyforyou？Igaveyoucreditformoresense。"
　　"I’mnotinlovewithhim，Itellyou。He’sdownonhisluck，andI’msorryforhim，that’sall。"
　　"Andifheis，whosefaultwasit，doyouthink？"
　　"Itdoesn’tmatter。Wearenoneofussaints。He’stryingtopullhimselftogether，andIrespecthimforit。It’sourdutytobecharitableandkindtooneanotherinthisworld！"
　　"Oh，well，I’lltellyouhowyoucanbekindtohim：bypointingouttohimthatheiswastinghistime。Withhistalents，nowthatheknowshisbusiness，hecouldbeonthestaffofsomebigpaper，earningagoodincome。Putitnicelytohim，butbefirm。Insistonhisgoing。Thatwillbeshowingtruekindnesstohim——andtoyourself，too，I’mthinking，mydear。"
　　AndTommyunderstoodandappreciatedthesoundgoodsenseunderlyingJane’sadvice，andtheverynextdaybutone，seizingthefirstopportunity，acteduponit;andallwouldhavegoneascontemplatedifonlyDickDanvershadsatstillandlistened，asithadbeenarrangedinTommy’sprogrammethatheshould。
　　"ButIdon’twanttogo，"saidDick。
　　"Butyououghttowanttogo。Stayingherewithusyouaredoingyourselfnogood。"
　　Heroseandcametowhereshestoodwithonefootuponthefender，lookingdownintothefire。Hisdoingthisdisconcertedher。Solongasheremainedseatedattheotherendoftheroom，shewasthesub—editor，counsellingthestaffforitsowngood。Nowthatshecouldnotraisehereyeswithoutencounteringhis，shefeltpainfullyconsciousofbeingnothingmoreimportantthanalittlewomanwhowastrembling。
　　"Itisdoingmeallthegoodintheworld，"hetoldher，"beingneartoyou。"
　　"Oh，pleasedositdownagain，"sheurgedhim。"Icantalktoyousomuchbetterwhenyou’resittingdown。"
　　Buthewouldnotdoanythingheshouldhavedonethatday。Insteadhetookherhandsinhis，andwouldnotletthemgo;andthereasonandthewillwentoutofher，leavingherhelpless。
　　"Letmebewithyoualways，"hepleaded。"Itmeansthedifferencebetweenlightanddarknesstome。Youhavedonesomuchforme。
　　Willyounotfinishyourwork？Willyounottrustme？Itisnohotpassionthatcanpassaway，myloveforyou。Itspringsfromallthatisbestinme——fromthepartofmethatiswholesomeandjoyousandstrong，thepartofmethatbelongstoyou。"
　　Releasingher，heturnedaway。
　　"Theotherpartofme——theblackguard——itisdead，dear，——deadandburied。IdidnotknowIwasablackguard，Ithoughtmyselfafinefellow，tillonedayitcamehometome。SuddenlyIsawmyselfasIreallywas。AndthesightofthethingfrightenedmeandIranawayfromit。IsaidtomyselfIwouldbeginlifeafresh，inanewcountry，freeofeverytiethatcouldbindmetothepast。Itwouldmeanpoverty——privation，maybe，inthebeginning。Whatofthat？Thestrugglewouldbraceme。Itwouldbegoodsport。Ah，well，youcanguesstheresult：theawakeningtothecoldfacts，thereactionoffeeling。InwhatwaywasIworsethanothermen？
　　WhowasI，toplaythepriginaworldwhereotherswerelaughinganddining？Ihadtrampedyourcitytillmybootswerewornintoholes。Ihadbuttoabandonmyquixoticideals——returntowhereshamelaywaitingforme，tobewelcomedwiththefattedcalf。ItwouldhaveendedsohadInotchancedtopassbyyourdoorthatafternoonandhearyoustrummingonthepiano。"
　　SoBillywasright，afterall，thoughtTommytoherself，thepianodoeshelp。
　　"Itwassoincongruous——apianoinCraneCourt——Ilookedtoseewherethenoisecamefrom。Ireadthenameofthepaperonthedoorpost。’Itwillbemylastchance，’Isaidtomyself。’Thisshalldecideit。’"
　　Hecamebacktoher。Shehadnotmoved。"Iamnotafraidtotellyouallthis。Youaresobig—hearted，sohuman;youwillunderstand，youcanforgive。Itisallpast。Lovingyoutellsamanthathehasdonewithevil。Willyounottrustme？"
　　Sheputherhandsinhis。"Iamtrustingyou，"shesaid，"withallmylife。Don’tmakeamuddleofit，dear，ifyoucanhelpit。"
　　Itwasanoddwooing，asTommylaughinglytoldherselfwhenshecametothinkitoverinherroomthatnight。Butthatishowitshapeditself。
　　WhattroubledhermostwasthathehadnotbeenquitefrankwithPeter，sothatPeterhadtodefendheragainstherself。
　　"Iattackedyousosuddenly，"explainedPeter，"youhadnottimetothink。Youactedfrominstinct。Awomanseekstohideherloveevenfromherself。"
　　"Iexpect，afterall，Iammoreofagirlthanaboy，"fearedTommy："Iseemtohavesomanywomanishfailings。"
　　Petertookhimselfintoquiteplacesandtrainedhimselftofacethefactthatanotherwouldbemoretoherthanhehadeverbeen，andCloddwentabouthisworklikeabearwithasorehead;buttheyneitherofthemneedhavetroubledthemselvessomuch。Themarriagedidnottakeplacetillnearlyfifteenyearshadpassedaway，andmuchwaterhadtoflowbeneatholdLondonBridgebeforethatday。
　　Thepastisnoteasilygotridof。Atalewasoncewrittenofawomanwhokilledherbabeandburieditinalonelywood，andlaterstolebackinthenightandsawthere，whiteinthemoonlight，achild’shandcallingthroughtheearth，andburieditagainandyetagain;butalwaysthatwhitebabyhandcalledupwardsthroughtheearth，trampleitdownasshewould。Tommyreadthestoryoneeveninginanoldmiscellany，andsatlongbeforethedeadfire，thebookopenonherlap，andshivered;fornowsheknewthefearthathadbeenhauntingher。
　　Tommylivedexpectingher。ShecameonenightwhenTommywasalone，workinglateintheoffice。Tommyknewherthemomentsheenteredthedoor，ahandsomewoman，withsnake—like，rustlingskirts。Sheclosedthedoorbehindher，anddrawingforwardachair，seatedherselftheothersideofthedesk，andthetwolookedlongandanxiouslyatoneanother。
　　"TheytoldmeIshouldfindyouherealone，"saidthewoman。"Itisbetter，isitnot？"
　　"Yes，"saidTommy，"itisbetter。"
　　"Tellme，"saidthewoman，"areyouverymuchinlovewithhim？"
　　"WhyshouldItellyou？"
　　"Because，ifnot——ifyouhavemerelyacceptedhimthinkinghimagoodcatch——whichheisn’t，mydear;hasn’tapennytoblesshimselfwith，andneverwillifhemarriesyou——why，thenthematterissoonsettled。Theytellmeyouareabusiness—likeyounglady，andIampreparedtomakeabusiness—likeproposition。"
　　Therewasnoanswer。Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。
　　"If，ontheotherhand，youarethatabsurdcreature，ayounggirlinlove——why，then，Isupposeweshallhavetofightforhim。"
　　"Itwouldbemoresporting，woulditnot？"suggestedTommy。
　　"Letmeexplainbeforeyoudecide，"continuedthewoman。"DickDanversleftmesixmonthsago，andhaskeptfrommeeversince，becausehelovedme。"
　　"Itsoundsacuriousreason。"
　　"IwasamarriedwomanwhenDickDanversandIfirstmet。Sinceheleftme——formysakeandhisown——Ihavereceivedinformationofmyhusband’sdeath。"
　　"AnddoesDick——doesheknow？"askedthegirl。
　　"Notyet。Ihaveonlylatelylearntthenewsmyself。"
　　"Thenifitisasyousay，whenheknowshewillgobacktoyou。"
　　"Therearedifficultiesintheway。"
　　"Whatdifficulties？"
　　"Mydear，this。Totryandforgetme，hehasbeenmakinglovetoyou。Mendothesethings。Imerelyaskyoutoconvinceyourselfofthetruth。Goawayforsixmonths——disappearentirely。Leavehimfree——uninfluenced。Ifhelovesyou——ifitbenotmerelyasenseofhonourthatbindshim——youwillfindhimhereonyourreturn。Ifnot——ifintheintervalIhavesucceededinrunningoffwithhim，well，isnotthetwoorthreethousandpoundsIampreparedtoputintothispaperofyoursafairpriceforsuchalover？"
　　Tommyrosewithalaughofgenuineamusement。Shecouldneveraltogetherputasidehersenseofhumour，letFatecomewithwhatterrifyingfaceitwould。
　　"Youmayhavehimfornothing——ifheisthatman，"thegirltoldher;"heshallbefreetochoosebetweenus。"
　　"Youmeanyouwillreleasehimfromhisengagement？"
　　"ThatiswhatImean。"
　　"Whynottakemyoffer？Youknowthemoneyisneeded。Itwillsaveyourfatheryearsofanxietyandstruggle。Goaway——travel，foracoupleofmonths，ifyou’reafraidofthesix。Writehimthatyoumustbealone，tothinkthingsover。"
　　Thegirlturneduponher。
　　"Andleaveyouafreefieldtolieandtrick？"
　　Thewoman，too，hadrisen。"Doyouthinkhereallycaresforyou？
　　Atthemomentyouinteresthim。Atnineteeneverywomanisamystery。Whenthemoodispast——anddoyouknowhowlongaman’smoodlasts，youpoorchit？Tillhehascaughtwhatheisrunningafter，andhastastedit——thenhewillthinknotofwhathehaswon，butofwhathehaslost：ofthesocietyfromwhichhehascuthimselfadrift;ofalltheoldpleasuresandpursuitshecannolongerenjoy;oftheluxuries——necessitiestoamanofhisstamp——
　　thatmarriagewithyouhasdeprivedhimof。Thenyourfacewillbeaperpetualremindertohimofwhathehaspaidforit，andhewillcurseiteverytimeheseesit。"
　　"Youdon’tknowhim，"thegirlcried。"Youknowjustapartofhim——thepartyouwouldknow。Alltherestofhimisagoodman，thatwouldratherhisself—respectthanalltheluxuriesyoumention——youincluded。"
　　"Itseemstoresolveitselfintowhatmannerofmanheis，"laughedthewoman。
　　Thegirllookedatherwatch。"Hewillbehereshortly;heshalltellushimself。"
　　"Howdoyoumean？"
　　"Thathere，betweenthetwoofus，heshalldecide——thisverynight。"Sheshowedherwhitefacetothewoman。"DoyouthinkI
　　couldlivethroughaseconddayliketothis？"
　　"Thescenewouldberidiculous。"
　　"Therewillbenoneheretoenjoythehumourofit。"
　　"Hewillnotunderstand。"
　　"Oh，yes，hewill，"thegirllaughed。"Come，youhavealltheadvantages;youarerich，youareclever;youbelongtohisclass。
　　Ifheelectstostopwithme，itwillbebecauseheismyman——
　　mine。Areyouafraid？"
　　Thewomanshivered。Shewrappedherfurcloakabouthercloserandsatdownagain，andTommyreturnedtoherproofs。Itwaspress—
　　night，andtherewasmuchtobedone。
　　Hecamealittlelater，thoughhowlongthetimemayhaveseemedtothetwowomenonecannotsay。Theyheardhisfootsteponthestair。Thewomanroseandwentforward，sothatwhenheopenedthedoorshewasthefirsthesaw。Buthemadenosign。Possiblyhehadbeenschoolinghimselfforthismoment，knowingthatsoonerorlateritmustcome。Thewomanheldoutherhandtohimwithasmile。
　　"Ihavenotthehonour，"hesaid。
　　Thesmilediedfromherface。"Idonotunderstand，"shesaid。
　　"Ihavenotthehonour，"herepeated。"Idonotknowyou。"
　　Thegirlwasleaningwithherbackagainstthedeskinasomewhatmannishattitude。Hestoodbetweenthem。ItwillalwaysremainLife’schiefcomicsuccess：themanbetweentwowomen。Thesituationhasamusedtheworldforsomanyyears。Yet，somehow，hecontrivedtomaintainacertaindignity。
　　"Maybe，"hecontinued，"youareconfoundingmewithaDickDanverswholivedinNewYorkuptoafewmonthsago。Iknewhimwell——aworthlessscampyouhaddonebetternevertohavemet。"
　　"Youbearawonderfulresemblancetohim，"laughedthewoman。
　　"Thepoorfoolisdead，"heanswered。"Andheleftforyou，mydearlady，thisdyingmessage：that，fromthebottomofhissoul，hewassorryforthewronghehaddoneyou。Heaskedyoutoforgivehim——andforgethim。"
　　"Theyearappearstobeopeningunfortunatelyforme，"saidthewoman。"Firstmylover，thenmyhusband。"
　　Hehadnervedhimselftofighttheliving。Thiswasablowfromthedead。Themanhadbeenhisfriend。
　　"Dead？"
　　"Hewaskilled，itappears，inthatlastexpeditioninJuly，"
　　answeredthewoman。"IreceivedthenewsfromtheForeignOfficeonlyafortnightago。"
　　Anuglylookcameintohiseyes——thelookofacorneredcreaturefightingforitslife。"Whyhaveyoufollowedmehere？WhydoI
　　findyouherealonewithher？Whathaveyoutoldher？"
　　Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。"Onlythetruth。"
　　"Allthetruth？"hedemanded——"all？Ah！bejust。Tellheritwasnotallmyfault。Tellherallthetruth。"
　　"Whatwouldyouhavemetellher？ThatIplayedPotiphar’swifetoyourJoseph？"
　　"Ah，no！Thetruth——onlythetruth。ThatyouandIwereapairofidlefoolswiththedevildancingroundus。Thatweplayedafool’sgame，andthatitisover。"
　　"Isitover？Dick，isitover？"Sheflungherarmstowardshim;
　　buthethrewherfromhimalmostbrutally。"Themanisdead，I
　　tellyou。Hisfollyandhissinliedeadwithhim。Ihavenothingtodowithyou，noryouwithme。"
　　"Dick！"shewhispered。"Dick，cannotyouunderstand？Imustspeakwithyoualone。"
　　Buttheydidnotunderstand，neitherthemannorthechild。
　　"Dick，areyoureallydead？"shecried。"Haveyounopityforme？
　　DoyouthinkthatIhavefollowedyouheretogrovelatyourfeetformerewhim？AmIactinglikeawomansaneandsound？Don’tyouseethatIammad，andwhyIammad？MustItellyoubeforeher？
　　Dick——"Shestaggeredtowardshim，andthefinecloakslippedfromhershoulders;andthenitwasthatTommychangedfromachildintoawoman，andraisedtheotherwomanfromthegroundwithcrooningwordsofencouragementsuchasmothersuse，andledhertotheinnerroom。"Donotgo，"shesaid，turningtoDick;"Ishallbebackinafewminutes。"
　　HecrossedtooneofthewindowsagainstwhichbeattheCity’sroar，anditseemedtohimasthethrobofpassingfootstepsbeatingdownthroughthedarknesstowherehelayinhisgrave。
　　Shere—entered，closingthedoorsoftlybehindher。"Itistrue？"
　　sheasked。
　　"Itcanbe。Ihadnotthoughtofit。"
　　Theyspokeinlow，matter—of—facttones，aspeopledowhohavegrownwearyoftheirownemotions。
　　"Whendidhegoaway——herhusband？"
　　"About——itisFebruarynow，isitnot？Abouteighteenmonthsago。"
　　"Anddiedjusteightmonthsago。Ratherconveniently，poorfellow。"
　　"Yes，I’mgladheisdead——poorLawrence。"
　　"Whatistheshortesttimeinwhichamarriagecanbearranged？"
　　"Idonotknow，"heansweredlistlessly。"Idonotintendtomarryher。"
　　"Youwouldleavehertobearitalone？"
　　"Itisnotasifshewereapoorwoman。Youcandoanythingwithmoney。"
　　"Itwillnotmendreputation。Herpositioninsocietyiseverythingtothatclassofwoman。"
　　"Mymarryinghernow，"hepointedout，"wouldnotsaveher。"
　　"Practicallyspeakingitwould，"thegirlpleaded。"Theworlddoesnotgooutofitswaytofindoutthingsitdoesnotwanttoknow。
　　Marryherasquietlyaspossibleandtravelforayearortwo。"
　　"WhyshouldI？Ah！itiseasyenoughtocallamanacowardfordefendinghimselfagainstawoman。Whatishetodowhenheisfightingforhislife？Mendonotsinwithgoodwomen。"
　　"Thereisthechildtobeconsidered，"sheurged——"yourchild。Yousee，dear，wealldowrongsometimes。Wemustnotletotherssufferforourfaultmore——morethanwecanhelp。"
　　Heturnedtoherforthefirsttime。"Andyou？"
　　"I？Oh，Ishallcryforalittlewhile，butlateronIshalllaugh，asoften。Lifeisnotalllove。Ihavemywork。"
　　Heknewherwellbythistime。Andalsoitcametohimthatitwouldbeafinerthingtobeworthyofherthaneventopossessher。
　　Sohedidherbiddingandwentoutwiththeotherwoman。Tommywasgladitwaspress—night。Shewouldnotbeabletothinkforhourstocome，andthen，perhaps，shewouldbefeelingtootired。Workcanbeverykind。
　　Werethisanartisticstory，here，ofcourse，onewouldwrite"Finis。"Butintheworkadayworldoneneverknowstheendingtillitcomes。Haditbeenotherwise，IdoubtIcouldhavefoundcouragetotellyouthisstoryofTommy。Itisnotalltrue——atleast，Idonotsupposeso。Onedriftsunconsciouslyalittlewayintodream—landwhenonesitsoneselfdowntorecallthehappeningsoflongago;whileFancy，withaslywink，whisperseverandagaintoMemory："Letmetellthisincident——picturethatscene：Icanmakeitsomuchmoreinterestingthanyouwould。"ButTommy——howcanIputitwithoutsayingtoomuch：thereissomeoneIthinkofwhenIspeakofher？Torememberonlyherdearwounds，andnotthehealingofthem，wouldhavebeenatasktoopainful。Ilovetodwellontheirnextmeeting。Flipp，passinghimonthesteps，didnotknowhim，thetall，sunburntgentlemanwiththesweet，grave—
　　facedlittlegirl。
　　"Seenthatfacesomewherebefore，"musedFlipp，asatthecornerofBedfordStreetheclimbedintoahansom，"seenitsomewhereonathinnerman。"
　　ForDickDanvers，thathedidnotrecogniseFlipp，therewasmoreexcuse。AveryoldyoungmanhadFlippbecomeatthirty。Flippnolongerenjoyedpopularjournalism。Heproducedit。
　　Thegold—bounddoorkeeperfearedthemightyCloddwouldbeunabletoseesoinsignificantanatomasanunappointedstranger，butwouldletthecardofMr。RichardDanverspleadforitself。Tothegold—boundkeeper’ssurprisecamedownthemessagethatMr。Danverswastobeatonceshownup。
　　"Ithought，somehow，youwouldcometomefirst，"saidtheportlyClodd，advancingwithout—stretchedhand。"Andthisis——？"
　　"Mylittlegirl，Honor。Wehavebeentravellingforthelastfewmonths。"
　　Cloddtookthegrave，smallfacebetweenhisbig，roughhands：
　　"Yes。Sheislikeyou。Butlooksasifsheweregoingtohavemoresense。Forgiveme，Iknewyourfathermydear，"laughedClodd;"whenhewasyounger。"
　　Theylittheircigarsandtalked。
　　"Well，notexactlydead;weamalgamatedit，"winkedCloddinanswertoDanvers’inquiry。"ItwasjustatrifleTOOhigh—class。
　　Besides，theoldgentlemanwasnotgettingyounger。Ithurthimalittleatfirst。ButthencameTommy’sgreatsuccess，andthathasreconciledhimtoallthings。DotheyknowyouareinEngland？"
　　"No，"explainedDanvers;"wearrivedonlylastnight。"
　　Cloddcalleddirectionsdownthespeaking—tube。
　　"Youwillfindhardlyanychangeinher。Onestillhastokeepone’seyeuponherchin。Shehasnotevenlostheroldhabitoftakingstockofpeople。Youremember。"Cloddlaughed。
　　Theytalkedalittlelonger，tilltherecameawhistle，andCloddputhiseartothetube。
　　"Ihavetoseeheronbusiness，"saidClodd，rising;"youmayaswellcomewithme。Theyarestillintheoldplace，GoughSquare。"
　　Tommywasout，butPeterwasexpectinghereveryminute。
　　PeterdidnotknowDick，butwouldnotadmitit。Forgetfulnesswasasignofage，andPeterstillfeltyoung。
　　"Iknowyourfacequitewell，"saidPeter;"can’tputanametoit，that’sall。"
　　Cloddwhisperedittohim，togetherwithinformationbringinghistoryuptodate。Andthenlightfellupontheoldlinedface。
　　HecametowardsDick，meaningtotakehimbybothhands，but，perhapsbecausehehadbecomesomewhatfeeble，heseemedgladwhentheyoungermanputhisarmsaroundhimandheldhimforamoment。
　　Itwasun—English，andbothofthemfeltalittleashamedofthemselvesafterwards。
　　"Whatwewant，"saidClodd，addressingPeter，"wethree——you，I，andMissDanvers——isteaandcakes，withcreaminthem;andIknowashopwheretheysellthem。Wewillcallbackforyourfatherinhalfanhour。"CloddexplainedtoMissDanvers;"hehastotalkoveramatterofbusinesswithMissHope。"
　　"Iknow，"answeredthegrave—facedlittleperson。ShedrewDick’sfacedowntohersandkissedit。Andthenthethreewentouttogether，leavingDickstandingbythewindow。
　　"Couldn’twehidesomewheretillshecomes？"suggestedMissDanvers。"Iwanttoseeher。"
　　Sotheywaitedintheopendoorwayofanearprinting—housetillTommydroveup。BothPeterandCloddwatchedthechild’sfacewithsomeanxiety。Shenoddedgravelytoherselfthreetimes，thenslippedherhandintoPeter’s。
　　Tommyopenedthedoorwithherlatchkeyandpassedin。