’Thesewilldo，’hesaidatlast；’Ican’tsayIthinkmuchofyourtasteinslippers，butthefit’sthething。’Heslippedhisfeetintoapairofsock—likesambhur—skinfootcoverings，foundalongchair，andlayatlength。
　　’They’remyownpetpair，’Torpenhowsaid。’Iwasjustgoingtoputthemonmyself。’
　　’Allyourreprehensibleselfishness。Justbecauseyouseemehappyforaminute，youwanttoworrymeandstirmeup。Findanotherpair。’
　　’GoodforyouthatDickcan’twearyourclothes，Torp。Youtwolivecommunistically，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’DickneverhasanythingthatIcanwear。He’sonlyusefultospongeupon。’
　　’Confoundyou，haveyoubeenrummagingroundamongmyclothes，then？’saidDick。’Iputasovereigninthetobacco—jaryesterday。Howdoyouexpectamantokeephisaccountsproperlyifyou————’
　　HeretheNilghaibegantolaugh，andTorpenhowjoinedhim。
　　’Hidasovereignyesterday！You’renosortoffinancier。Youlentmeafiveraboutamonthback。Doyouremember？’Torpenhowsaid。
　　’Yes，ofcourse。’
　　’DoyourememberthatIpaidityoutendayslater，andyouputitatthebottomofthetobacco？’
　　’ByJove，didI？Ithoughtitwasinoneofmycolour—boxes。’
　　’Youthought！AboutaweekagoIwentintoyourstudiotogetsome’baccyandfoundit。’
　　’Whatdidyoudowithit？’
　　’TooktheNilghaitoatheatreandfedhim。’
　　’Youcouldn’tfeedtheNilghaiundertwicethemoney——notthoughyougavehimArmybeef。Well，IsupposeIshouldhavefounditoutsoonerorlater。Whatistheretolaughat？’
　　’You’reamostamazingcuckooinmanydirections，’saidtheNilghai，stillchucklingoverthethoughtofthedinner。’Nevermind。Wehadbothbeenworkingveryhard，anditwasyourunearnedincrementwespent，andasyou’reonlyaloaferitdidn’tmatter。’
　　’That’spleasant——fromthemanwhoisburstingwithmymeat，too。I’llgetthatdinnerbackoneofthesedays。Supposewegotoatheatrenow。’
　　’Putourbootson，——anddress，——andwash？’TheNilghaispokeverylazily。
　　’Iwithdrawthemotion。’
　　’Suppose，justforachange——asastartlingvariety，youknow——we，thatistosaywe，getourcharcoalandourcanvasandgoonwithourwork。’
　　Torpenhowspokepointedly，butDickonlywriggledhistoesinsidethesoftleathermoccasins。
　　’Whataone—ideaedcluckerthatis！IfIhadanyunfinishedfiguresonhand，Ihaven’tanymodel；ifIhadmymodel，Ihaven’tanyspray，andI
　　neverleavecharcoalunfixedovernight；andifIhadmysprayandtwentyphotographsofbackgrounds，Icouldn’tdoanythingto—night。I
　　don’tfeelthatway。’
　　’Binkie—dog，he’salazyhog，isn’the？’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Verygood，Iwilldosomework，’saidDick，risingswiftly。’I’llfetchtheNungapungaBook，andwe’lladdanotherpicturetotheNilghaiSaga。’
　　’Aren’tyouworryinghimalittletoomuch？’askedtheNilghai，whenDickhadlefttheroom。
　　’Perhaps，butIknowwhathecanturnoutifhelikes。ItmakesmesavagetohearhimpraisedforpastworkwhenIknowwhatheoughttodo。YouandIarearrangedfor————’
　　’ByKismetandourownpowers，more’sthepity。Ihavedreamedofagooddeal。’
　　’SohaveI，butweknowourlimitationsnow。I’mdashedifIknowwhatDick’smaybewhenhegiveshimselftohiswork。That’swhatmakesmesokeenabouthim。’
　　’Andwhenall’ssaidanddone，youwillbeputaside——quiterightly——forafemalegirl。’
　　’Iwonder……Wheredoyouthinkhehasbeento—day？’
　　’Tothesea。Didn’tyouseethelookinhiseyeswhenhetalkedabouther？
　　He’sasrestlessasaswallowinautumn。’
　　’Yes；butdidhegoalone？’
　　’Idon’tknow，andIdon’tcare，buthehasthebeginningsofthego—feveruponhim。Hewantstoup—stakesandmoveout。There’snomistakingthesigns。Whateverhemayhavesaidbefore，hehasthecalluponhimnow。’
　　’Itmightbehissalvation，’Torpenhowsaid。
　　’Perhaps——ifyoucaretotaketheresponsibilityofbeingasaviour。’
　　Dickreturnedwiththebigclaspedsketch—bookthattheNilghaiknewwellanddidnotlovetoomuch。InitDickhaddrawnallmannerofmovingincidents，experiencedbyhimselforrelatedtohimbytheothers，ofallthefourcornersoftheearth。ButthewiderrangeoftheNilghai’sbodyandlifeattractedhimmost。Whentruthfailedhefellbackonfictionofthewildest，andrepresentedincidentsintheNilghai’scareerthatwereunseemly，——hismarriageswithmanyAfricanprincesses，hisshamelessbetrayal，forArabwives，ofanarmycorpstotheMahdi，histattoomentbyskilledoperatorsinBurmah，hisinterview（andhisfears）
　　withtheyellowheadsmanintheblood—stainedexecution—groundofCanton，andfinally，thepassingsofhisspiritintothebodiesofwhales，elephants，andtoucans。Torpenhowfromtimetotimehadaddedrhymeddescriptions，andthewholewasacuriouspieceofart，becauseDickdecided，havingregardtothenameofthebookwhichbeinginterpretedmeans’naked，’thatitwouldbewrongtodrawtheNilghaiwithanyclotheson，underanycircumstances。Consequentlythelastsketch，representingthatmuch—enduringmancallingontheWarOfficetopresshisclaimstotheEgyptianmedal，washardlydelicate。HesettledhimselfcomfortablyonTorpenhow’stableandturnedoverthepages。
　　’WhatafortuneyouwouldhavebeentoBlake，Nilghai！’hesaid。’There’sasucculentpinknessaboutsomeofthesesketchesthat’smorethanlife—like。"TheNilghaisurroundedwhilebathingbytheMahdieh"——thatwasfoundedonfact，eh？’
　　’Itwasverynearlymylastbath，youirreverentdauber。HasBinkiecomeintotheSagayet？’
　　’No；theBinkie—boyhasn’tdoneanythingexcepteatandkillcats。Let’ssee。Hereyouareasastained—glasssaintinachurch。Deuceddecorativelinesaboutyouranatomy；yououghttobegratefulforbeinghandeddowntoposterityinthisway。Fiftyyearshenceyou’llexistinrareandcuriousfacsimilesattenguineaseach。WhatshallItrythistime？ThedomesticlifeoftheNilghai？’
　　’Hasn’tgotany。’
　　’TheundomesticlifeoftheNilghai，then。Ofcourse。Mass—meetingofhiswivesinTrafalgarSquare。That’sit。TheycamefromtheendsoftheearthtoattendNilghai’sweddingtoanEnglishbride。Thisshallbeanepic。It’sasweetmaterialtoworkwith。’
　　’It’sascandalouswasteoftime，’saidTorpenhow。
　　’Don’tworry；itkeepsone’shandin——speciallywhenyoubeginwithoutthepencil。’Hesettoworkrapidly。’That’sNelson’sColumn。PresentlytheNilghaiwillappearshinningupit。’
　　’Givehimsomeclothesthistime。’
　　’Certainly——aveilandanorange—wreath，becausehe’sbeenmarried。’
　　’Gad，that’scleverenough！’saidTorpenhowoverhisshoulder，asDickbroughtoutofthepaperwiththreetwirlsofthebrushaveryfatbackandlabouringshoulderpressedagainststone。
　　’Justimagine，’Dickcontinued，’ifwecouldpublishafewofthesedearlittlethingseverytimetheNilghaisubsidisesamanwhocanwrite，togivethepublicanhonestopinionofmypictures。’
　　’Well，you’lladmitIalwaystellyouwhenIhavedoneanythingofthatkind。IknowIcan’thammeryouasyououghttobehammered，soIgivethejobtoanother。YoungMaclagan，forinstance————’
　　’No—o——onehalf—minute，oldman；stickyourhandoutagainstthedarkofthewall—paper——youonlyburbleandcallmenames。Thatleftshoulder’soutofdrawing。Imustliterallythrowaveiloverthat。Where’smypen—knife？Well，whataboutMaclagan？’
　　’Ionlygavehimhisriding—ordersto——tolambastyouongeneralprinciplesfornotproducingworkthatwilllast。’
　　’Whereuponthatyoungfool，’——Dickthrewbackhisheadandshutoneeyeasheshiftedthepageunderhishand，——’beingleftalonewithanink—potandwhatheconceivedwerehisownnotions，wentandspiltthembothovermeinthepapers。Youmighthaveengagedagrownmanforthebusiness，Nilghai。Howdoyouthinkthebridalveillooksnow，Torp？’
　　’Howthedeucedothreedabsandtwoscratchesmakethestuffstandawayfromthebodyasitdoes？’saidTorpenhow，towhomDick’smethodswerealwaysnew。
　　’Itjustdependsonwhereyouput’em。IfMaclaganhadknowthatmuchabouthisbusinesshemighthavedonebetter。’
　　’Whydon’tyouputthedamneddabsintosomethingthatwillstay，then？’
　　insistedtheNilghai，whohadreallytakenconsiderabletroubleinhiringforDick’sbenefitthepenofayounggentlemanwhodevotedmostofhiswakinghourstoananxiousconsiderationoftheaimsandendsofArt，which，hewrote，wasoneandindivisible。
　　’WaitaminutetillIseehowIamgoingtomanagemyprocessionofwives。Youseemtohavemarriedextensively，andImustrough’eminwiththepencil——Medes，Parthians，Edomites……Now，settingasidetheweaknessandthewickednessand——andthefat—headednessofdeliberatelytryingtodoworkthatwilllive，astheycallit，I’mcontentwiththeknowledgethatI’vedonemybestuptodate，andIshan’tdoanythinglikeitagainforsomehoursatleast——probablyyears。Mostprobablynever。’
　　’What！anystuffyouhaveinstockyourbestwork？’saidTorpenhow。
　　’Anythingyou’vesold？’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Ohno。Itisn’thereanditisn’tsold。Betterthanthat，itcan’tbesold，andIdon’tthinkanyoneknowswhereitis。I’msureIdon’t……Andyetmoreandmorewives，onthenorthsideofthesquare。Observethevirtuoushorrorofthelions！’
　　’Youmayaswellexplain，’saidTorpenhow，andDickliftedhisheadfromthepaper。
　　’Thesearemindedmeofit，’hesaidslowly。’Iwishithadn’t。Itweighssomefewthousandtons——unlessyoucutitoutwithacoldchisel。’
　　’Don’tbeanidiot。Youcan’tposewithushere，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’There’snoposeinthematteratall。It’safact。IwasloafingfromLimatoAucklandinabig，old，condemnedpassenger—shipturnedintoacargo—boatandownedbyasecond—hadItalianfirm。Shewasacrazybasket。Wewerecutdowntofifteentonofcoaladay，andwethoughtourselvesluckywhenwekickedsevenknotsanhouroutofher。Thenweusedtostopandletthebearingscooldown，andwonderwhetherthecrackintheshaftwasspreading。’
　　’Wereyouastewardorastokerinthosedays？’
　　’Iwasflushforthetimebeing，soIwasapassenger，orelseIshouldhavebeenasteward，Ithink，’saidDick，withperfectgravity，returningtotheprocessionofangrywives。’IwastheonlyotherpassengerfromLima，andtheshipwashalfempty，andfullofratsandcockroachesandscorpions。’
　　’Butwhathasthistodowiththepicture？’
　　’Waitaminute。ShehadbeenintheChinapassengertradeandherlowerdeckshadbunksfortwothousandpigtails。Thosewerealltakendown，andshewasemptyuptohernose，andthelightscamethroughtheportholes——mostannoyinglightstoworkintillyougotusedtothem。Ihadn’tanythingtodoforweeks。Theship’schartswereinpiecesandourskipperdaren’trunsouthforfearofcatchingastorm。SohedidhisbesttoknockalltheSocietyIslandsoutofthewateronebyone，andIwentintothelowerdeck，anddidmypictureontheportsideasfarforwardinherasIcouldgo。Therewassomebrownpaintandsomegreenpaintthattheyusedfortheboats，andsomeblackpaintforironwork，andthatwasallIhad。’
　　’Thepassengersmusthavethoughtyoumad。’
　　’Therewasonlyone，anditwasawoman；butitgavemethenotionofmypicture。’
　　’Whatwasshelike？’saidTorpenhow。
　　’ShewasasortofNegroid—Jewess—Cuban；withmoralstomatch。Shecouldn’treadorwrite，andshedidn’twantto，butsheusedtocomedownandwatchmepaint，andtheskipperdidn’tlikeit，becausehewaspayingherpassageandhadtobeonthebridgeoccasionally。’
　　’Isee。Thatmusthavebeencheerful。’
　　’ItwasthebesttimeIeverhad。Tobeginwith，wedidn’tknowwhetherweshouldgouporgodownanyminutewhentherewasaseaon；andwhenitwascalmitwasparadise；andthewomanusedtomixthepaintsandtalkbrokenEnglish，andtheskipperusedtostealdowneveryfewminutestothelowerdeck，becausehesaidhewasafraidoffire。So，yousee，wecouldnevertellwhenwemightbecaught，andIhadasplendidnotiontoworkoutinonlythreekeysofcolour。’
　　’Whatwasthenotion？’
　　’TwolinesinPoe——
　　NeithertheanglesinHeavenabovenorthedemonsdownunderthesea，CaneverdissevermysoulfromthesoulofthebeautifulAnnabelLee。
　　Itcameoutofthesea——allbyitself。Idrewthatfight，foughtoutingreenwateroverthenaked，chokingsoul，andthewomanservedasthemodelforthedevilsandtheangelsboth——sea—devilsandsea—angels，andthesoulhalfdrownedbetweenthem。Itdoesn’tsoundmuch，butwhentherewasagoodlightonthelowerdeckitlookedveryfineandcreepy。Itwassevenbyfourteenfeet，alldoneinshiftinglightforshiftinglight。’
　　’Didthewomaninspireyoumuch？’saidTorpenhow。
　　’Sheandtheseabetweenthem——immensely。Therewasaheapofbaddrawinginthatpicture。IrememberIwentoutofmywaytoforeshortenforsheerdelightofdoingit，andIforeshorteneddamnably，butforallthatit’sthebestthingI’veeverdone；andnowIsupposetheship’sbrokenuporgonedown。Whew！Whatatimethatwas！’
　　’Whathappenedafterall？’
　　’Itallended。TheywereloadingherwithwoolwhenIlefttheship，buteventhestevedoreskeptthepicturecleartothelast。Theeyesofthedemonsscaredthem，Ihonestlybelieve。’
　　’Andthewoman？’
　　’Shewasscaredtoowhenitwasfinished。Sheusedtocrossherselfbeforeshewentdowntolookatit。Justthreecoloursandnochanceofgettinganymore，andtheseaoutsideandunlimitedlove—makinginside，andthefearofdeathatopofeverythingelse，OLord！’Hehadceasedtolookatthesketch，butwasstaringstraightinfrontofhimacrosstheroom。
　　’Whydon’tyoutrysomethingofthesamekindnow？’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Becausethosethingscomenotbyfastingandprayer。WhenIfindacargo—boatandaJewess—Cubanandanothernotionandthesameoldlife，Imay。’
　　’Youwon’tfindthemhere，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’No，Ishallnot。’Dickshutthesketch—bookwithabang。’Thisroom’sashotasanoven。Openthewindow，someone。’
　　Heleanedintothedarkness，watchingthegreaterdarknessofLondonbelowhim。Thechambersstoodmuchhigherthantheotherhouses，commandingahundredchimneys——crookedcowlsthatlookedlikesittingcatsastheyswunground，andotheruncouthbrickandzincmysteriessupportedbyironstanchionsandclampedby8—pieces。NorthwardthelightsofPiccadillyCircusandLeicesterSquarethrewacopper—colouredglareabovetheblackroofs，andsouthwardbyalltheorderlylightsoftheThames。Atrainrolledoutacrossoneoftherailwaybridges，anditsthunderdrownedforaminutethedullroarofthestreets。TheNilghailookedathiswatchandsaidshortly，’That’stheParisnight—mail。YoucanbookfromheretoSt。Petersburgifyouchoose。’
　　Dickcrammedheadandshouldersoutofthewindowandlookedacrosstheriver。Torpenhowcametohisside，whiletheNilghaipassedoverquietlytothepianoandopenedit。Binkie，makinghimselfaslargeaspossible，spreadoutuponthesofawiththeairofonewhoisnottobelightlydisturbed。
　　’Well，’saidtheNilghaitothetwopairsofshoulders，’haveyouneverseenthisplacebefore？’
　　Asteam—tugontheriverhootedasshetowedherbargestowharf。Thentheboomofthetrafficcameintotheroom。TorpenhownudgedDick。
　　’Goodplacetobankin——badplacetobunkin，Dickie，isn’tit？’
　　Dick’schinwasinhishandasheanswered，inthewordsofageneralnotwithoutfame，stilllookingoutonthedarkness——’"MyGod，whatacitytoloot！"’
　　Binkiefoundthenightairticklinghiswhiskersandsneezedplaintively。
　　’WeshallgivetheBinkie—dogacold，’saidTorpenhow。’Comein，’andtheywithdrewtheirheads。’You’llbeburiedinKensalGreen，Dick，oneofthesedays，ifitisn’tclosedbythetimeyouwanttogothere——buriedwithintwofeetofsomeoneelse，hiswifeandhisfamily。’
　　’Allahforbid！Ishallgetawaybeforethattimecomes。Giveamanroomtostretchhislegs，Mr。Binkie。’DickflunghimselfdownonthesofaandtweakedBinkie’svelvetears，yawningheavilythewhile。
　　’You’llfindthatwardrobe—caseverymuchoutoftune，’TorpenhowsaidtotheNilghai。’It’snevertouchedexceptbyyou。’
　　’Apieceofgrossextravagance，’Dickgrunted。’TheNilghaionlycomeswhenI’mout。’
　　’That’sbecauseyou’realwaysout。Howl，Nilghai，andlethimhear。’？
　　’ThelifeoftheNilghaiisfraudandslaughter，HiswritingsarewateredDickensandwater；
　　ButthevoiceoftheNilghairaisedonhighMakeseventheMahdiehgladtodie！’？
　　DickquotedfromTorpenhow’sletterpressintheNungapungaBook。
　　’HowdotheycallmooseinCanada，Nilghai？’
　　Themanlaughed。Singingwashisonepoliteaccomplishment，asmanyPress—tentsinfar—offlandshadknown。
　　’WhatshallIsing？’saidhe，turninginthechair。
　　’"MollRoeintheMorning，"’saidTorpenhow，ataventure。
　　’No，’saidDick，sharply，andtheNilghaiopenedhiseyes。Theoldchantywhereofhe，amongaveryfew，possessedallthewordswasnotaprettyone，butDickhadhearditmanytimesbeforewithoutwincing。Withoutpreludehelaunchedintothatstatelytunethatcallstogetherandtroublestheheartsofthegipsiesofthesea——
　　’Farewellandadieutoyou，Spanishladies，Farewellandadieutoyou，ladiesofSpain。’？
　　Dickturneduneasilyonthesofa，forhecouldhearthebowsoftheBarralongcrashingintothegreenseasonherwaytotheSouthernCross。
　　Thencamethechorus——
　　’We’llrantandwe’llroarliketrueBritishsailors，We’llrantandwe’llroaracrossthesaltseas，UntilwetakesoundingsintheChannelofOldEnglandFromUshanttoScilly’tisforty—fiveleagues。’？
　　’Thirty—five—thirty—five，’saidDick，petulantly。’Don’ttamperwithHolyWrit。Goon，Nilghai。’？
　　’ThefirstlandwemadeitwascalledtheDeadman，’？
　　andtheysangtotheendveryvigourously。
　　’Thatwouldbeabettersongifherheadwereturnedtheotherway——totheUshantlight，forinstance，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Flinginghisarmsaboutlikeamadwindmill，’saidTorpenhow。’Giveussomethingelse，Nilghai。You’reinfinefog—hornformtonight。’
　　’Giveusthe"GangesPilot"；yousangthatinthesquarethenightbeforeEl—Maghrib。Bytheway，Iwonderhowmanyofthechorusarealiveto—night，’saidDick。
　　Torpenhowconsideredforaminute。’ByJove！IbelieveonlyyouandI。
　　Raynor，Vicery，andDeenes——alldead；VincentcaughtsmallpoxinCairo，carriedithereanddiedofit。Yes，onlyyouandIandtheNilghai。’
　　’Umph！Andyetthemenherewho’vedonetheirworkinawell—warmedstudioalltheirlives，withapolicemanateachcorner，saythatIchargetoomuchformypictures。’
　　’Theyarebuyingyourwork，notyourinsurancepolicies，dearchild，’
　　saidtheNilghai。
　　’Igambledwithonetogetattheother。Don’tpreach。Goonwiththe"Pilot。"Whereintheworlddidyougetthatsong？’
　　’Onatombstone，’saidtheNilghai。’Onatombstoneinadistantland。I
　　madeitanaccompanimentwithheapsofbasechords。’
　　’Oh，Vanity！Begin。’AndtheNilghaibegan——
　　’Ihaveslippedmycable，messmates，I’mdriftingdownwiththetide，Ihavemysailingorders，whileyetananchorride。
　　AndneveronfairJunemorninghaveIputouttoseaWithclearerconscienceorbetterhope，oraheartmorelightandfree。
　　’Shouldertoshoulder，Joe，myboy，intothecrowdlikeawedgeStrikewiththehangers，messmates，butdonotcutwiththeedge。
　　CriesCharnock，"Scatterthefaggots，doublethatBrahminintwo，Thetallpalewidowforme，Joe，thelittlebrowngirlforyou！"
　　’YoungJoe（you’renearingsixty），whyisyourhidesodark？
　　Katiehassoftfairblueeyes，whoblackenedyours？——Why，hark！’？
　　Theywereallsingingnow，Dickwiththeroarofthewindoftheopenseaabouthisearsasthedeepbassvoiceletitselfgo。
　　’Themorninggun——Ho，steady！thearquebusestome！？
　　Iha’soundedtheDutchHighAdmiral’sheartasmyleaddothsoundthesea。
　　’Sounding，soundingtheGanges，floatingdownwiththetide，MooremeclosetoCharnock，nexttomynut—brownbride。
　　MyblessingtoKateatFairlight——Holwell，mythankstoyou；
　　Steady！Westeerforheaven，throughsand—driftscoldandblue。’？
　　’Nowwhatisthereinthatnonsensetomakeamanrestless？’saidDick，haulingBinkiefromhisfeettohischest。
　　’Itdependsontheman，’saidTorpenhow。
　　’Themanwhohasbeendowntolookatthesea，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Ididn’tknowshewasgoingtoupsetmeinthisfashion。’
　　’That’swhatmensaywhentheygotosaygood—byetoawoman。It’smoreeasythoughtogetridofthreewomenthanapieceofone’slifeandsurroundings。’
　　’Butawomancanbe————’beganDick，unguardedly。
　　’Apieceofone’slife，’continuedTorpenhow。’No，shecan’t。Hisfacedarkenedforamoment。’Shesaysshewantstosympathisewithyouandhelpyouinyourwork，andeverythingelsethatclearlyamanmustdoforhimself。Thenshesendsroundfivenotesadaytoaskwhythedickensyouhaven’tbeenwastingyourtimewithher。’
　　’Don’tgeneralise，’saidtheNilghai。’Bythetimeyouarriveatfivenotesadayyoumusthavegonethroughagooddealandbehavedaccordingly。
　　Shouldn’tbeginthesethings，myson。’
　　’Ishouldn’thavegonedowntothesea，’saidDick，justalittleanxioustochangetheconversation。’Andyoushouldn’thavesung。’
　　’Theseaisn’tsendingyoufivenotesaday，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’No，butI’mfatallycompromised。She’sanenduringoldhag，andI’msorryIevermether。Whywasn’tIbornandbredanddeadinathree—pairback？’
　　’Hearhimblaspheminghisfirstlove！Whyintheworldshouldn’tyoulistentoher？’saidTorpenhow。
　　BeforeDickcouldreplytheNilghailifteduphisvoicewithashoutthatshookthewindows，in’TheMenoftheSea，’thatbegins，asallknow，’Theseaisawickedoldwoman，’andafterradingthrougheightlineswhoseimageryistruthful，endsinarefrain，slowastheclackingofacapstanwhentheboatcomesunwillinglyuptothebarswherethemensweatandtrampintheshingle。
　　’"Yethatboreus，Orestoreus！？
　　Sheiskinderthanye；
　　Forthecallisonourheart—strings！"
　　SaidTheMenoftheSea。’？
　　TheNilghaisangthatversetwice，withsimplecunning，intendingthatDickshouldhear。ButDickwaswaitingforthefarewellofthementotheirwives。
　　’"Yethatloveus，canyemoveus？
　　Sheisdearerthanye；
　　Andyoursleepwillbethesweeter，"
　　SaidTheMenoftheSea。’？
　　TheroughwordsbeatliketheblowsofthewavesonthebowsofthericketyboatfromLimainthedayswhenDickwasmixingpaints，makinglove，drawingdevilsandangelsinthehalfdark，andwonderingwhetherthenextminutewouldputtheItaliancaptain’sknifebetweenhisshoulder—blades。Andthego—feverwhichismorerealthanmanydoctors’
　　diseases，wakedandraged，urginghimwholovedMaisiebeyondanythingintheworld，togoawayandtastetheoldhot，unregeneratelifeagain，——toscuffle，swear，gamble，andlovelightloveswithhisfellows；totakeshipandknowtheseaoncemore，andbyherbegetpictures；totalktoBinatamongthesandsofPortSaidwhileYellow’Tinamixedthedrinks；tohearthecrackleofmusketry，andseethesmokerolloutward，thinandthickenagaintilltheshiningblackfacescamethrough，andinthathelleverymanwasstrictlyresponsibleforhisownhead，andhisownalone，andstruckwithanunfetteredarm。Itwasimpossible，utterlyimpossible，but——
　　’"Oh，ourfathersinthechurchyard，Sheisolderthanye，Andourgraveswillbethegreener，"
　　SaidTheMenoftheSea。’？
　　’Whatistheretohinder？’saidTorpenhow，inthelonghushthatfollowedthesong。
　　’Yousaidalittletimesincethatyouwouldn’tcomeforawalkroundtheworld，Torp。’
　　’Thatwasmonthsago，andIonlyobjectedtoyourmakingmoneyfortravellingexpenses。You’veshotyourbolthereandithasgonehome。Goawayanddosomework，andseesomethings。’
　　’Getsomeofthefatoffyou；you’redisgracefullyoutofcondition，’saidtheNilghai，makingaplungefromthechairandgraspingahandfulofDickgenerallyovertherightribs。’Softasputty——puretallowbornofover—feeding。Trainitoff，Dickie。’
　　’We’reallequallygross，Nilghai。Nexttimeyouhavetotakethefieldyou’llsitdown，winkyoureyes，gasp，anddieinafit。’
　　’Nevermind。Yougoawayonaship。GotoLimaagain，ortoBrazil。
　　There’salwaystroubleinSouthAmerica。’
　　’DoyousupposeIwanttobetoldwheretogo？GreatHeavens，theonlydifficultyistoknowwhereI’mtostop。ButIshallstayhere，asItoldyoubefore。’
　　’Thenyou’llbeburiedinKensalGreenandturnintoadipocerewiththeothers，’saidTorpenhow。’Areyouthinkingofcommissionsinhand？Payforfeitandgo。You’vemoneyenoughtotravelasakingifyouplease。’
　　’You’vethegrisliestnotionsofamusement，Torp。IthinkIseemyselfshippingfirstclassonasix—thousand—tonhotel，andaskingthethirdengineerwhatmakestheenginesgoround，andwhetheritisn’tverywarminthestokehold。Ho！ho！IshouldshipasaloaferifeverIshippedatall，whichI’mnotgoingtodo。Ishallcompromise，andgoforasmalltriptobeginwith。’
　　’That’ssomethingatanyrate。Wherewillyougo？’saidTorpenhow。’Itwoulddoyouallthegoodintheworld，oldman。’
　　TheNilghaisawthetwinkleinDick’seye，andrefrainedfromspeech。
　　’IshallgointhefirstplacetoRathray’sstable，whereIshallhireonehorse，andtakehimverycarefullyasfarasRichmondHill。ThenIshallwalkhimbackagain，incaseheshouldaccidentallyburstintoalatherandmakeRathrayangry。Ishalldothatto—morrow，forthesakeofairandexercise。’
　　’Bah！’DickhadbarelytimetothrowuphisarmandwardoffthecushionthatthedisgustedTorpenhowheavedathishead。
　　’Airandexerciseindeed，’saidtheNilghai，sittingdownheavilyonDick。
　　’Let’sgivehimalittleofboth。Getthebellows，Torp。’
　　Atthispointtheconferencebrokeupindisorder，becauseDickwouldnotopenhismouthtilltheNilghaiheldhisnosefast，andtherewassometroubleinforcingthenozzleofthebellowsbetweenhisteeth；andevenwhenitwasthereheweaklytriedtopuffagainsttheforceoftheblast，andhischeeksblewupwithagreatexplosion；andtheenemybecominghelplesswithlaughterhesobeatthemovertheheadwithasoftsofacushionthatthatbecameunsewnanddistributeditsfeathers，andBinkie，interferinginTorpenhow’sinterests，wasbundledintothehalf—emptybagandadvisedtoscratchhiswayout，whichhedidafterawhile，travellingrapidlyupanddownthefloorintheshapeofanagitatedgreenhaggis，andwhenhecameoutlookingforsatisfaction，thethreepillarsofhisworldwerepickingfeathersoutoftheirhair。
　　’Aprophethasnohonourinhisowncountry，’saidDick，ruefully，dustinghisknees。’Thisfilthyfluffwillneverbrushoffmylegs。’
　　’Itwasallforyourowngood，’saidtheNilghai。’Nothinglikeairandexercise。’
　　’Allforyourgood，’saidTorpenhow，notintheleastwithreferencetopastclowning。’Itwouldletyoufocusthingsattheirproperworthandpreventyourbecomingslackinthishothouseofatown。Indeeditwould，oldman。Ishouldn’thavespokenifIhadn’tthoughtso。Only，youmakeajokeofeverything。’
　　’BeforeGodIdonosuchthing，’saidDick，quicklyandearnestly。’Youdon’tknowmeifyouthinkthat。’
　　Idon’tthinkit，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Howcanfellowslikeourselves，whoknowwhatlifeanddeathreallymean，daretomakeajokeofanything？Iknowwepretendit，tosaveourselvesfrombreakingdownorgoingtotheotherextreme。Can’tIsee，oldman，howyou’realwaysanxiousaboutme，andtrytoadvisemetomakemyworkbetter？DoyousupposeIdon’tthinkaboutthatmyself？
　　Butyoucan’thelpme——youcan’thelpme——notevenyou。Imustplaymyownhandaloneinmyownway。’
　　’Hear，hear，’fromtheNilghai。
　　’What’stheonethingintheNilghaiSagathatI’veneverdrawnintheNungapungaBook？’DickcontinuedtoTorpenhow，whowasalittleastonishedattheoutburst。
　　NowtherewasoneblankpageinthebookgivenovertothesketchthatDickhadnotdrawnofthecrowningexploitintheNilghai’slife；whenthatman，beingyoungandforgettingthathisbodyandbonesbelongedtothepaperthatemployedhim，hadriddenoversunburnedslipperygrassintherearofBredow’sbrigadeonthedaythatthetroopersflungthemselvesatCaurobert’sartillery，andforaughttheyknewtwentybattalionsinfront，tosavethebattered24thGermanInfantry，togivetimetodecidethefateofVionville，andtolearneretheirremnantcamebacktoFlavigaythatcavalrycanattackandcrumpleandbreakunshakeninfantry。Wheneverhewasinclinedtothinkoveralifethatmighthavebeenbetter，anincomethatmighthavebeenlarger，andasoulthatmighthavebeenconsiderablycleaner，theNilghaiwouldcomforthimselfwiththethought，’IrodewithBredow’sbrigadeatVionville，’andtakeheartforanylesserbattlethenextdaymightbring。
　　’Iknow，’hesaidverygravely。’Iwasalwaysgladthatyouleftitout。’
　　’IleftitoutbecauseNilghaitaughtmewhattheGermanyarmylearnedthen，andwhatSchmidttaughttheircavalry。Idon’tknowGerman。
　　Whatisit？"Takecareofthetimeandthedressingwilltakecareofitself。"Imustridemyownlinetomyownbeat，oldman。’
　　’Tempeistrichtung。You’velearnedyourlessonwell，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’Hemustgoalone。Hespeakstruth，Torp。’
　　’MaybeI’maswrongasIcanbe——hideouslywrong。Imustfindthatoutformyself，asIhavetothinkthingsoutformyself，butIdaren’tturnmyheadtodressbythenextman。Ithurtsmeagreatdealmorethanyouknownottobeabletogo，butIcannot，that’sall。Imustdomyownworkandlivemyownlifeinmyownway，becauseI’mresponsibleforboth。
　　Onlydon’tthinkIfrivolaboutit，Torp。Ihavemyownmatchesandsulphur，andI’llmakemyownhell，thanks。’
　　Therewasanuncomfortablepause。ThenTorpenhowsaidblandly，’WhatdidtheGovernorofNorthCarolinasaytotheGovernorofSouthCarolina？’
　　’Excellentnotion。Itisalongtimebetweendrinks。Therearethemakingsofaveryfinepriginyou，Dick，’saidtheNilghai。
　　’I’veliberatedmymind，estimableBinkie，withthefeathersinhismouth。’Dickpickedupthestillindignantoneandshookhimtenderly。
　　’You’retiedupinasackandmadetorunaboutblind，Binkie—wee，withoutanyreason，andithashurtyourlittlefeelings。Nevermind。Sicvolo，sicjubeo，stetprorationevoluntas，anddon’tsneezeinmyeyebecauseItalkLatin。Good—night。’
　　Hewentoutoftheroom。
　　’That’sdistinctlyoneforyou，’saidtheNilghai。’Itoldyouitwashopelesstomeddlewithhim。He’snotpleased。’
　　’He’dswearatmeifheweren’t。Ican’tmakeitout。Hehasthego—feveruponhimandhewon’tgo。Ionlyhopethathemayn’thavetogosomedaywhenhedoesn’twantto，’saidTorpenhow。
　　******
　　InhisownroomDickwassettlingaquestionwithhimself——andthequestionwaswhetheralltheworld，andallthatwastherein，andaburningdesiretoexploitboth，wasworthonethreepennypiecethrownintotheThames。
　　’Itcameofseeingthesea，andI’macurtothinkaboutit，’hedecided。
　　’Afterall，thehoneymoonwillbethattour——withreservations；only……
　　onlyIdidn’trealisethattheseawassostrong。Ididn’tfeelitsomuchwhenIwaswithMaisie。Thesedamnablesongsdidit。He’sbeginningagain。’
　　ButitwasonlyHerrick’sNightpiecetoJuliathattheNilghaisang，andbeforeitwasendedDickreappearedonthethreshold，notaltogetherclothedindeed，butinhisrightmind，thirstyandatpeace。
　　ThemoodhadcomeandgonewiththerisingandthefallingofthetidebyFortKeeling。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　’IfIhavetakenthecommonclayAndwroughtitcunninglyIntheshapeofagodthatwasdiggedaclod，Thegreaterhonourtome。’？
　　’Ifthouhasttakenthecommonclay，AndthyhandsbenotfreeFromthetaintofthesoil，thouhastmadethyspoilThegreatershametothee。’——TheTwoPotters。？
　　HEDIDnoworkofanykindfortherestoftheweek。ThencameanotherSunday。Hedreadedandlongedforthedayalways，butsincethered—hairedgirlhadsketchedhimtherewasrathermoredreadthandesireinhismind。
　　HefoundthatMaisiehadentirelyneglectedhissuggestionsaboutline—work。Shehadgoneoffatscorefiledwithsomeabsurdnotionfora’fancyhead。’ItcostDicksomethingtocommandhistemper。
　　’What’sthegoodofsuggestinganything？’hesaidpointedly。
　　’Ah，butthiswillbeapicture，——arealpicture；andIknowthatKamiwillletmesendittotheSalon。Youdon’tmind，doyou？’
　　’Isupposenot。Butyouwon’thavetimefortheSalon。’
　　Maisiehesitatedalittle。Sheevenfeltuncomfortable。
　　’We’regoingovertoFranceamonthsoonerbecauseofit。IshallgettheideasketchedouthereandworkitupatKami’s。
　　Dick’sheartstoodstill，andhecameveryneartobeingdisgustedwithhisqueenwhocoulddonowrong。’JustwhenIthoughtIhadmadesomeheadway，shegoesoffchasingbutterflies。It’stoomaddening！’
　　Therewasnopossibilityofarguing，forthered—hairedgirlwasinthestudio。Dickcouldonlylookunutterablereproach。
　　’I’msorry，’hesaid，’andIthinkyoumakeamistake。Butwhat’stheideaofyournewpicture？’
　　’Itookitfromabook。’
　　’That’sbad，tobeginwith。Booksaren’ttheplacesforpictures。And————’
　　’It’sthis，’saidthered—hairedgirlbehindhim。’IwasreadingittoMaisietheotherdayfromTheCityofDreadfulNight。D’youknowthebook？’
　　’Alittle。IamsorryIspoke。Therearepicturesinit。Whathastakenherfancy？’
　　’ThedescriptionoftheMelancolia——
　　’Herfoldedwingsasofamightyeagle，ButalltooimpotenttolifttheregalRobustnessofherearth—bornstrengthandpride。
　　Andhereagain。（Maisie，getthetea，dear。）
　　’Theforeheadchargedwithbalefulthoughtsanddreams，Thehouseholdbunchofkeys，thehousewife’sgown，Voluminousindented，andyetrigidAsthoughashellofburnishedmetalfrigid，Herfeetthick—shodtotreadallweaknessdown。’？
　　Therewasnoattempttoconcealthescornofthelazyvoice。Dickwinced。
　　’ButthathasbeendonealreadybyanobscureartistbythenameofDurer，’saidhe。’Howdoesthepoemrun？——
　　’Threecenturiesandthreescoreyearsago，Withphantasiesofhispeculiarthought。
　　YoumightaswelltrytorewriteHamlet。Itwillbeawasteoftime。
　　’No，itwon’t，’saidMaisie，puttingdowntheteacupswithaclattertoreassureherself。’AndImeantodoit。Can’tyouseewhatabeautifulthingitwouldmake？’
　　’Howinperditioncanonedoworkwhenonehasn’thadthepropertraining？Anyfoolcangetanotion。Itneedstrainingtodrivethethingthrough，——trainingandconviction；notrushingafterthefirstfancy。’Dickspokebetweenhisteeth。
　　’Youdon’tunderstand，’saidMaisie。’IthinkIcandoit。’
　　Againthevoiceofthegirlbehindhim——
　　’Baffledandbeatenback，sheworksonstill；
　　Wearyandsickofsoul，sheworksthemore。
　　Sustainedbyherindomitablewill，Thehandsshallfashion，andthebrainshallpore，Andallhersorrowshallbeturnedtolabour————
　　IfancyMaisiemeanstoembodyherselfinthepicture。’
　　’Sittingonathroneofrejectedpictures？No，Ishan’t，dear。Thenotioninitselfhasfascinatedme。——Ofcourseyoudon’tcareforfancyheads，Dick。
　　Idon’tthinkyoucoulddothem。Youlikebloodandbones。’
　　’That’sadirectchallenge。IfyoucandoaMelancoliathatisn’tmerelyasorrowfulfemalehead，Icandoabetterone；andIwill，too。Whatd’youknowaboutMelacolias？’Dickfirmlybelievedthathewaseventhentastingthree—quartersofallthesorrowintheworld。
　　’Shewasawoman，’saidMaisie，’andshesufferedagreatdeal，——tillshecouldsuffernomore。Thenshebegantolaughatitall，andthenIpaintedherandsenthertotheSalon。’
　　Thered—hairedgirlroseupandlefttheroom，laughing。
　　DicklookedatMaisiehumblyandhopelessly。
　　’Nevermindaboutthepicture，’hesaid。’AreyoureallygoingbacktoKami’sforamonthbeforeyourtime？’
　　’Imust，ifIwanttogetthepicturedone。’
　　’Andthat’sallyouwant？’
　　’Ofcourse。Don’tbestupid，Dick。’
　　’Youhaven’tthepower。Youhaveonlytheideas——theideasandthelittlecheapimpulses。Howyoucouldhavekeptatyourworkfortenyearssteadilyisamysterytome。Soyouarereallygoing，——amonthbeforeyouneed？’
　　’Imustdomywork。’
　　’Yourwork——bah！……No，Ididn’tmeanthat。It’sallright，dear。Ofcourseyoumustdoyourwork，and——IthinkI’llsaygood—byeforthisweek。’
　　’Won’tyouevenstayfortea？
　　’No，thankyou。HaveIyourleavetogo，dear？There’snothingmoreyouparticularlywantmetodo，andtheline—workdoesn’tmatter。’
　　’Iwishyoucouldstay，andthenwecouldtalkovermypicture。Ifonlyonesinglepicture’sasuccess，itdrawsattentiontoalltheothers。Iknowsomeofmyworkisgood，ifonlypeoplecouldsee。Andyouneedn’thavebeensorudeaboutit。’
　　’I’msorry。We’lltalktheMelancoliaoversomeoneoftheotherSundays。
　　Therearefourmore——yes，one，two，three，four——beforeyougo。Good—bye，Maisie。’
　　Maisiestoodbythestudiowindow，thinking，tillthered—hairedgirlreturned，alittlewhiteatthecornersofherlips。
　　’Dick’sgoneoff，’saidMaisie。’JustwhenIwantedtotalkaboutthepicture。Isn’titselfishofhim？’
　　Hercompanionopenedherlipsasiftospeak，shutthemagain，andwentonreadingTheCityofDreadfulNight。
　　DickwasinthePark，walkingroundandroundatreethathehadchosenashisconfidanteformanySundayspast。Hewasswearingaudibly，andwhenhefoundthattheinfirmitiesoftheEnglishtonguehemmedinhisrage，hesoughtconsolationinArabic，whichisexpresslydesignedfortheuseoftheafflicted。Hewasnotpleasedwiththerewardofhispatientservice；norwashepleasedwithhimself；anditwaslongbeforehearrivedatthepropositionthatthequeencoulddonowrong。
　　’It’salosinggame，’hesaid。’I’mworthnothingwhenawhimofhersisinquestion。ButinalosinggameatPortSaidweusedtodoublethestakesandgoon。ShedoaMelancolia！Shehasn’tthepower，ortheinsight，orthetraining。Onlythedesire。She’scursedwiththecurseofReuben。Shewon’tdoline—work，becauseitmeansrealwork；andyetshe’sstrongerthanIam。I’llmakeherunderstandthatIcanbeatheronherownMelancolia。Eventhenshewouldn’tcare。ShesaysIcanonlydobloodandbones。Idon’tbelieveshehasbloodinherveins。AllthesameIloverher；andImustgoonlovingher；andifIcanhumbleherinordinatevanityIwill。I’lldoaMelancoliathatshallbesomethinglikeaMelancolia——"theMelancoliathattranscendsallwit。"I’lldoitatonce，con——blessher。’
　　Hediscoveredthatthenotionwouldnotcometoorder，andthathecouldnotfreehismindforanhourfromthethoughtofMaisie’sdeparture。HetookverysmallinterestinherroughstudiesfortheMelancoliawhensheshowedthemnextweek。TheSundayswereracingpast，andthetimewasathandwhenallthechurchbellsinLondoncouldnotringMaisiebacktohim。OnceortwicehesaidsomethingtoBinkieabout’hermaphroditicfutilities，’butthelittledogreceivedsomanyconfidencesbothfromTorpenhowandDickthathedidnottroublehistulip—earstolisten。
　　Dickwaspermittedtoseethegirlsoff。TheyweregoingbytheDovernight—boat；andtheyhopedtoreturninAugust。ItwasthenFebruary，andDickfeltthathewasbeinghardlyused。MaisiewassobusystrippingthesmallhouseacrossthePark，andpackinghercanvases，thatshehadnottimeforthought。DickwentdowntoDoverandwastedadaytherefrettingoverawonderfulpossibility。WouldMaisieattheverylastallowhimonesmallkiss？Hereflectedthathemightcaptureherbythestrongarm，ashehadseemwomencapturedintheSouthernSoudan，andleadheraway；butMaisiewouldneverbeled。Shewouldturnhergrayeyesuponhimandsay，’Dick，howselfishyouare！’Thenhiscouragewouldfailhim。Itwouldbebetter，afterall，tobegforthatkiss。
　　Maisielookedmorethanusuallykissableasshesteppedfromthenight—mailontothewindypier，inagraywaterproofandalittlegrayclothtravelling—cap。Thered—hairedgirlwasnotsolovely。Hergreeneyeswerehollowandherlipsweredry。Dicksawthetrunksaboard，andwenttoMaisie’ssideinthedarknessunderthebridge。Themail—bagswerethunderingintotheforehold，andthered—hairedgirlwaswatchingthem。
　　’You’llhavearoughpassageto—night，’saidDick。’It’sblowingoutside。I
　　supposeImaycomeoverandseeyouifI’mgood？’
　　’Youmustn’t。Ishallbebusy。Atleast，ifIwantyouI’llsendforyou。ButIshallwritefromVitry—sur—Marne。Ishallhaveheapsofthingstoconsultyouabout。Oh，Dick，youhavebeensogoodtome！——sogoodtome！’
　　’Thankyouforthat，dear。Ithasn’tmadeanydifference，hasit？’
　　’Ican’ttellafib。Ithasn’t——inthatway。Butdon’tthinkI’mnotgrateful。’
　　’Damnthegratitude！’saidDick，huskily，tothepaddle—box。
　　’What’stheuseofworrying？YouknowIshouldruinyourlife，andyou’druinmine，asthingsarenow。YourememberwhatyousaidwhenyouweresoangrythatdayinthePark？Oneofushastobebroken。
　　Can’tyouwaittillthatdaycomes？’
　　’No，love。Iwantyouunbroken——alltomyself。’
　　Maisieshookherhead。’MypoorDick，whatcanIsay！’
　　’Don’tsayanything。Givemeakiss。Onlyonekiss，Maisie。I’llswearI
　　won’ttakeanymore。Youmightaswell，andthenIcanbesureyou’regrateful。’
　　Maisieputhercheekforward，andDicktookhisrewardinthedarkness。
　　Itwasonlyonekiss，but，sincetherewasnotime—limitspecified，itwasalongone。Maisiewrenchedherselffreeangrily，andDickstoodabashedandtinglingfromheadtotoe。
　　’Good—bye，darling。Ididn’tmeantoscareyou。I’msorry。Only——keepwellanddogoodwork，——speciallytheMelancolia。I’mgoingtodoone，too。RemembermetoKami，andbecarefulwhatyoudrink。Countrydrinking—waterisbadeverywhere，butit’sworseinFrance。Writetomeifyouwantanything，andgood—bye。Saygood—byetothewhatever—you—call—umgirl，and——can’tIhaveanotherkiss？No。You’requiteright。Good—bye。’
　　Ashouldtoldhimthatitwasnotseemlytochargeofthemail—bagincline。Hereachedthepierasthesteamerbegantomoveoff，andhefollowedherwithhisheart。
　　’Andthere’snothing——nothinginthewideworld——tokeepusapartexceptherobstinacy。TheseCalaisnight—boatsaremuchtoosmall。I’llgetTorptowritetothepapersaboutit。She’sbeginningtopitchalready。’
　　MaisiestoodwhereDickhadlefthertillsheheardalittlegaspingcoughatherelbow。Thered—hairedgirl’seyeswerealightwithcoldflame。
　　’Hekissedyou！’shesaid。’Howcouldyoulethim，whenhewasn’tanythingtoyou？Howdaredyoutotakeakissfromhim？Oh，Maisie，let’sgototheladies’cabin。I’msick，——deadlysick。’
　　’Wearen’tintoopenwateryet。Godown，dear，andI’llstayhere。Idon’tlikethesmelloftheengines……PoorDick！Hedeservedone，——onlyone。
　　ButIdidn’tthinkhe’dfrightenmeso。’
　　Dickreturnedtotownnextdayjustintimeforlunch，forwhichhehadtelegraphed。Tohisdisgust，therewereonlyemptyplatesinthestudio。
　　Helifteduphisvoicelikethebearsinthefairy—tale，andTorpenhowentered，lookingguilty。
　　’H’sh！’saidhe。’Don’tmakesuchanoise。Itookit。Comeintomyrooms，andI’llshowyouwhy。’
　　Dickpausedamazedatthethreshold，foronTorpenhow’ssofalayagirlasleepandbreathingheavily。Thelittlecheapsailor—hat，theblue—and—whitedress，fitterforJunethanforFebruary，dabbledwithmudattheskirts，thejackettrimmedwithimitationAstrakhanandrippedattheshoulder—seams，theone—and—elevenpennyumbrella，and，aboveall，thedisgracefulconditionofthekid—toppedboots，declaredallthings。
　　’Oh，Isay，oldman，thisistoobad！Youmustn’tbringthissortuphere。
　　Theystealthingsfromtherooms。’
　　’Itlooksbad，Iadmit，butIwascominginafterlunch，andshestaggeredintothehall。Ithoughtshewasdrunkatfirst，butitwascollapse。I
　　couldn’tleaveherasshewas，soIbroughtheruphereandgaveheryourlunch。Shewasfaintingfromwantoffood。Shewentfastasleeptheminuteshehadfinished。’
　　’Iknowsomethingofthatcomplaint。She’sbeenlivingonsausages，I
　　suppose。Torp，youshouldhavehandedherovertoapolicemanforpresumingtofaintinarespectablehouse。Poorlittlewretch！Lookattheface！Thereisn’tanounceofimmoralityinit。Onlyfolly，——slack，fatuous，feeble，futilefolly。It’satypicalhead。D’younoticehowtheskullbeginstoshowthroughthefleshpaddingonthefaceandcheek—bone？’
　　’Whatacold—bloodedbarbarianitis！Don’thitawomanwhenshe’sdown。Can’twedoanything？Shewassimplydroppingwithstarvation。
　　Shealmostfellintomyarms，andwhenshegottothefoodsheatelikeawildbeast。Itwashorrible。’
　　’Icangivehermoney，whichshewouldprobablyspendindrinks。Isshegoingtosleepforever？’
　　Thegirlopenedhereyesandglaredatthemenbetweenterrorandeffrontery。
　　’Feelingbetter？’saidTorpenhow。
　　’Yes。Thankyou。Therearen’tmanygentlementhatareaskindasyouare。Thankyou。’
　　’Whendidyouleaveservice？’saidDick，whohadbeenwatchingthescarredandchappedhands。
　　’HowdidyouknowIwasinservice？Iwas。Generalservant。Ididn’tlikeit。’
　　’Andhowdoyoulikebeingyourownmistress？’
　　’DoIlookasifIlikedit？’
　　’Isupposenot。Onemoment。Wouldyoubegoodenoughtoturnyourfacetothewindow？’
　　Thegirlobeyed，andDickwatchedherfacekeenly，——sokeenlythatshemadeasiftohidebehindTorpenhow。
　　’Theeyeshaveit，’saidDick，walkingupanddown。’Theyaresuperbeyesformybusiness。And，afterall，everyheaddependsontheeyes。Thishasbeensentfromheaventomakeupfor——whatwastakenaway。Nowtheweeklystrain’soffmyshoulders，Icangettoworkinearnest。
　　Evidentlysentfromheaven。Yes。Raiseyourchinalittle，please。’
　　’Gently，oldman，gently。You’rescaringsomebodyoutofherwits，’saidTorpenhow，whocouldseethegirltrembling。
　　’Don’tlethimhitme！Oh，pleasedon’tlethimhitme！I’vebeenhitcruelto—daybecauseIspoketoaman。Don’tlethimlookatmelikethat！He’sreg’larwicked，thatone。Don’tlethimlookatmelikethat，neither！Oh，I
　　feelasifIhadn’tnothingonwhenhelooksatmelikethat！’
　　Theoverstrainednervesinthefrailbodygaveway，andthegirlweptlikealittlechildandbegantoscream。Dickthrewopenthewindow，andTorpenhowflungthedoorback。
　　’Thereyouare，’saidDick，soothingly。’Myfriendherecancallforapoliceman，andyoucanrunthroughthatdoor。Nobodyisgoingtohurtyou。’
　　Thegirlsobbedconvulsivelyforafewminutes，andthentriedtolaugh。
　　’Nothingintheworldtohurtyou。Nowlistentomeforaminute。I’mwhattheycallanartistbyprofession。Youknowwhatartistsdo？’
　　’Theydrawthethingsinredandblackinkonthepop—shoplabels。’
　　’Idaresay。Ihaven’trisentopop—shoplabelsyet。ThosearedonebytheAcademicians。Iwanttodrawyourhead。’
　　’Whatfor？’
　　’Becauseit’spretty。Thatiswhyyouwillcometotheroomacrossthelandingthreetimesaweekateleveninthemorning，andI’llgiveyouthreequidaweekjustforsittingstillandbeingdrawn。Andthere’saquidonaccount。’
　　’Fornothing？Oh，my！’Thegirlturnedthesovereigninherhand，andwithmorefoolishtears，’Ain’tneithero’youtwogentlemenafraidofmybilkingyou？’
　　’No。Onlyuglygirlsdothat。Tryandrememberthisplace。And，bytheway，what’syourname？’
　　’I’mBessic，——Bessie————It’snousegivingtherest。BessieBroke，——Stone—broke，ifyoulike。What’syournames？Butthere，——nooneevergivestherealones。’
　　DickconsultedTorpenhowwithhiseyes。
　　’Myname’sHeldar，andmyfriend’scalledTorpenhow；andyoumustbesuretocomehere。Wheredoyoulive？’
　　’South—the—water，——oneroom，——fiveandsixpenceaweek。Aren’tyoumakingfunofmeaboutthatthreequid？’
　　’You’llseelateron。And，Bessie，nexttimeyoucome，remember，youneedn’twearthatpaint。It’sbadfortheskin，andIhaveallthecoloursyou’llbelikelytoneed。’
　　Bessiewithdrew，scrubbinghercheekwitharaggedpocket—handkerchief。Thetwomenlookedateachother。
　　’You’reaman，’saidTorpenhow。
　　’I’mafraidI’vebeenafool。Itisn’tourbusinesstorunabouttheearthreformingBessieBrokes。Andawomanofanykindhasnorightonthislanding。’
　　’Perhapsshewon’tcomeback。’
　　’Shewillifshethinksshecangetfoodandwarmthhere。Iknowshewill，worseluck。Butremember，oldman，sheisn’tawoman；she’smymodel；
　　andbecareful。’
　　’Theidea！She’sadissolutelittlescarecrow，——agutter—snippetandnothingmore。’
　　’Soyouthink。Waittillshehasbeenfedalittleandfreedfromfear。Thatfairtyperecoversitselfveryquickly。Youwon’tknowherinaweekortwo，whenthatabjectfearhasdiedoutofhereyes。She’llbetoohappyandsmilingformypurposes。’
　　’Butsurelyyou’renottakingheroutofcharity？——topleaseme？’
　　’Iamnotinthehabitofplayingwithhotcoalstopleaseanybody。Shehasbeensentfromheaven，asImayhaveremarkedbefore，tohelpmewithmyMelancolia。’
　　’Neverheardawordabouttheladybefore。’
　　’What’stheuseofhavingafriend，ifyoumustslingyournotionsathiminwords？YououghttoknowwhatI’mthinkingabout。You’veheardmegruntlately？’
　　’Evenso；butgruntsmeananythinginyourlanguage，frombad’baccytowickeddealers。AndIdon’tthinkI’vebeenmuchinyourconfidenceforsometime。’
　　’Itwasahighandsoulfulgrunt。YououghttohaveunderstoodthatitmeanttheMelancolia。’DickwalkedTorpenhowupanddowntheroom，keepingsilence。Thenhesmotehimintheribs，’Nowdon’tyouseeit？
　　Bessie’sabjectfutility，andtheterrorinhereyes，weldedontooneortwodetailsinthewayofsorrowthathavecomeundermyexperiencelately。Likewisesomeorangeandblack，——twokeysofeach。ButIcan’texplainonanemptystomach。’
　　’Itsoundsmadenough。You’dbettersticktoyoursoldiers，Dick，insteadofmaunderingaboutheadsandeyesandexperiences。’
　　’Thinkso？’Dickbegantodanceonhisheels，singing——
　　’They’reasproudasaturkeywhentheyholdthereadycash，Yououghtto’earthewaytheylaughan’joke；
　　Theyaretrickyan’they’refunnywhenthey’vegotthereadymoney，——
　　Ow！butsee’emwhenthey’reallstone—broke。’？
　　ThenhesatdowntopourouthishearttoMaisieinafour—sheetletterofcounselandencouragement，andregisteredanoaththathewouldgettoworkwithanundividedheartassoonasBessieshouldreappear。
　　Thegirlkeptherappointmentunpaintedandunadorned，afraidandoverboldbyturns。Whenshefoundthatshewasmerelyexpectedtositstill，shegrewcalmer，andcriticisedtheappointmentsofthestudiowithfreedomandsomepoint。Shelikedthewarmthandthecomfortandthereleasefromfearofphysicalpain。Dickmadetwoorthreestudiesofherheadinmonochrome，buttheactualnotionoftheMelancoliawouldnotarrive。
　　’Whatamessyoukeepyourthingsin！’saidBessie，somedayslater，whenshefeltherselfthoroughlyathome。’Is’poseyourclothesarejustasbad。
　　Gentlemenneverthinkwhatbuttonsandtapearemadefor。’
　　’Ibuythingstowear，andwear’emtilltheygotopieces。Idon’tknowwhatTorpenhowdoes。’
　　Bessiemadediligentinquiryinthelatter’sroom，andunearthedabaleofdisreputablesocks。’SomeoftheseI’llmendnow，’shesaid，’andsomeI’lltakehome。D’youknow，Isitalldaylongathomedoingnothing，justlikealady，andnomorenoticingthemothergirlsinthehousethaniftheywassomanyflies。Idon’thaveanyunnecessarywords，butIput’emdownquick，Icantellyou，whentheytalktome。No；it’squitenicethesedays。Ilockmydoor，andtheycanonlycallmenamesthroughthekeyhole，andIsitinside，justlikealady，mendingsocks。Mr。Torpenhowwearshissocksoutbothendsatonce。’
　　’Threequidaweekfromme，andthedelightsofmysociety。Nosocksmended。NothingfromTorpexceptanodonthelandingnowandagain，andallhissocksmended。Bessieisverymuchawoman，’thoughtDick；
　　andhelookedatherbetweenhalf—shuteyes。Foodandresthadtransformedthegirl，asDickknewtheywould。
　　’Whatareyoulookingatmelikethatfor？’shesaidquickly。’Don’t。Youlookreg’larbadwhenyoulookthatway。Youdon’tthinkmucho’me，doyou？’
　　’Thatdependsonhowyoubehave。’
　　Bessiebehavedbeautifully。Onlyitwasdifficultattheendofasittingtobidhergooutintothegraystreets。Sheverymuchpreferredthestudioandabigchairbythestove，withsomesocksinherlapasanexcusefordelay。ThenTorpenhowwouldcomein，andBessiewouldbemovedtotellstrangeandwonderfulstoriesofherpast，andstillstrangeronesofherpresentimprovedcircumstances。Shewouldmakethemteaasthoughshehadarighttomakeit；andonceortwiceontheseoccasionsDickcaughtTorpenhow’seyesfixedonthetrimlittlefigure，andbecauseBessie’’flittingsabouttheroommadeDickardentlylongforMaisie，herealisedwhitherTorpenhow’sthoughtsweretending。AndBessiewasexceedinglycarefuloftheconditionofTorpenhow’slinen。Shespokeverylittletohim，butsometimestheytalkedtogetheronthelanding。
　　’Iwasagreatfool，’Dicksaidtohimself。’Iknowwhatredfirelightlookslikewhenaman’strampingthroughastrangetown；andoursisalonely，selfishsortoflifeatthebest。IwonderMaisiedoesn’tfeelthatsometimes。ButIcan’torderBessieaway。That’stheworstofbeginningthings。Oneneverknowswheretheystop。’
　　Oneevening，afterasittingprolongedtothelastlimitofthelight，DickwasrousedfromanapbyabrokenvoiceinTorpenhow’sroom。Hejumpedtohisfeet。’NowwhatoughtItodo？Itlooksfoolishtogoin。——Oh，blessyou，Binkie！’ThelittleterrierthrustTorpenhow’sdooropenwithhisnoseandcameouttotakepossessionofDick’schair。Thedoorswungwideunheeded，andDickacrossthelandingcouldseeBessieinthehalf—lightmakingherlittlesupplicationtoTorpenhow。Shewaskneelingbyhisside，andherhandswereclaspedacrosshisknee。
　　’Iknow，——Iknow，’shesaidthickly。’’Tisn’trighto’metodothis，butI
　　can’thelpit；andyouweresokind，——sokind；andyounevertookanynoticeo’me。AndI’vemendedallyourthingssocarefully，——Idid。Oh，please，’tisn’tasifIwasaskingyoutomarryme。Iwouldn’tthinkofit。
　　Butyou——couldn’tyoutakeandlivewithmetillMissRightcomesalong？
　　I’monlyMissWrong，Iknow，butI’dworkmyhandstothebareboneforyou。AndI’mnotuglytolookat。Sayyouwill！’
　　DickhardlyrecognisedTorpenhow’svoiceinreply——
　　’Butlookhere。It’snouse。I’mliabletobeorderedoffanywhereataminute’snoticeifawarbreaksout。Ataminute’snotice——dear。’
　　’Whatdoesthatmatter？Untilyougo，then。Untilyougo。’Tisn’tmuchI’masking，and——youdon’tknowhowgoodIcancook。’Shehadputanarmroundhisneckandwasdrawinghisheaddown。
　　’Until——I——go，then。’
　　’Torp，’saidDick，acrossthelanding。Hecouldhardlysteadyhisvoice。