Robinatalkedforabouttenminutes。BythetimeshehaddoneshehadpersuadedDickthatlifeinthebackwoodsofCanadahadbeenhisdreamfrominfancy。Sheisthatsortofgirl。
　　Itriedtalkingreason，buttalkingtoRobinwhenshehasgotanotioninherheadisliketryingtofixahalteronatwo—year—oldcolt。Thistumble—down，six—roomedcottagewastobethesavingofthefamily。AnecstaticlooktransfiguredRobina’sfaceevenasshespokeofit。Youmighthavefancieditashrine。Robinawoulddothecooking。Robinawouldriseearlyandmilkthecow，andgatherthemorningegg。Wewouldleadthesimplelife，learntofendforourselves。ItwouldbesogoodforVeronica。Thehighereducationcouldwait；letthehigheridealshaveachance。Veronicawouldmakethebeds，dusttherooms。IntheeveningVeronica，herlittlebasketbyherside，wouldsitandsewwhileItalked，tellingthemthings，andRobinamovedsoftlytoandfroaboutherwork，thehouseholdfairy。TheLittleMother，wheneverstrongenough，wouldcometous。
　　Wewouldhoverroundher，tendingherwithlovinghands。TheEnglishfarmermustknowsomething，inspiteofallthatissaid。Dickcouldarrangeforlessonsinpracticalfarming。Shedidnotsayitcrudely；buthintedthat，surroundedbyexample，evenImightcometotakeaninterestinhonestlabour，mightendbylearningtodosomethinguseful。
　　Robinatalked，Ishouldsay，foraquarterofanhour。Bythetimeshehaddone，itappearedtomeratherabeautifulidea。Dick’svacationhadjustcommenced。Forthenextthreemonthstherewouldbenothingelseforhimtodobut——toemployhisownexpressivephrase——"rotround。"Inanyevent，itwouldbekeepinghimoutofmischief。Veronica’sgovernesswasleaving。Veronica’sgovernessgenerallydoesleaveattheendofaboutayear。Ithinksometimesofadvertisingforaladywithoutaconscience。Attheendofayear，theyexplaintomethattheirconsciencewillnotallowthemtoremainlonger；theydonotfeeltheyareearningtheirsalary。Itisnotthatthechildisnotadearchild，itisnotthatsheisstupid。
　　Simplyitis——asaGermanladytowhomDickhadbeengivingwhathecalledfinishinglessonsinEnglish，onceputit——thatshedoesnotseemtobe"takingany。"Hermother’sideaisthatitis"sinkingin。"PerhapsifweallowedVeronicatoliefallowforawhile，somethingmightshowitself。Robina，speakingforherself，heldthataperiodofquietusefulness，awayfromthesocietyofothersillygirlsandsillierboys，wouldresultinherbecomingasensiblewoman。ItisnotoftenthatRobina’syearningstakethisdirection：
　　tothwartthem，whentheydid，seemedwrong。
　　WehadsomedifficultywiththeLittleMother。Thatthesethreebabiesofherswilleverbemenandwomencapableofrunningasix—
　　roomedcottageappearstotheLittleMotherinthelightofafantasticdream。IexplainedtoherthatIshouldbethere，atalleventsfortwoorthreedaysineveryweek，togiveaneyetothings。
　　Eventhatdidnotcontenther。ShegavewayeventuallyonRobina’ssolemnundertakingthatsheshouldbetelegraphedforthefirsttimeVeronicacoughed。
　　OnMondaywepackedaone—horsevanwithwhatwedeemedessential。
　　DickandRobinarodetheirbicycles。Veronica，supportedbyassortedbedding，madeherselfcomfortableuponthetailboard。IfolloweddownbytrainontheWednesdayafternoon。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Itwasthecowthatwokemethefirstmorning。Ididnotknowitwasourcow——notatthetime。Ididn’tknowwehadacow。Ilookedatmywatch；itwashalf—pasttwo。Ithoughtmaybeshewouldgotosleepagain，butherideawasthatthedayhadbegun。Iwenttothewindow，themoonwasatthefull。Shewasstandingbythegate，herheadinsidethegarden；Itookitheranxietywaslestwemightmissanyofit。Herneckwasstretchedoutstraight，hereyestowardsthesky；whichgavetohertheappearanceofalong—earedalligator。I
　　haveneverhadmuchtodowithcows。Idon’tknowhowyoutalktothem。Itoldherto"bequiet，"andto"liedown"；andmadepretencetothrowabootather。Itseemedtocheerher，havinganaudience；
　　sheaddedhalfadozenextranotes。Ineverknewbeforeacowhadsomuchinher。Thereisathingonesometimesmeetswithinthesuburbs——oroneusedto；Idonotknowwhetheritisstillextant，butwhenIwasaboyitwasquitecommon。Ithasahurdy—gurdyfixedtoitswaistandadrumstrappedonbehind，arowofpipeshangingfromitsface，andbellsandclappersfrommostofitsotherjoints。
　　Itplaysthemallatonce，andsmiles。Thiscowremindedmeofit——
　　withorganeffectsadded。Shedidn’tsmile；therewasthattobesaidinherfavour。
　　IhopedthatifImadebelievetobeasleepshewouldgetdiscouraged。SoIclosedthewindowostentatiously，andwentbacktobed。Butitonlyhadtheeffectofputtingheronhermettle。"Hedidnotcareforthatlast，"Iimaginedhersayingtoherself，"I
　　wasn’tatmybest。Therewasn’tfeelingenoughinit。"Shekeptitupforabouthalfanhour，andthenthegateagainstwhich，I
　　suppose，shehadbeenleaning，gavewaywithacrash。Thatfrightenedher，andIheardhergallopoffacrossthefield。Iwasonthepointofdozingoffagainwhenapairofpigeonssettledonthewindow—sillandbegantocoo。Itisaprettysoundwhenyouareinthemoodforit。Iwroteapoemonce——asimplething，butinstinctwithlonging——whilesittingunderatreeandlisteningtothecooingofapigeon。Butthatwasintheafternoon。Myonlylongingnowwasforagun。ThreetimesIgotoutofbedand"shoo’d"
　　themaway。ThethirdtimeIremainedbythewindowtillIhadgotitfirmlyintotheirheadsthatIreallydidnotwantthem。Mybehaviourontheformertwooccasionstheyhadevidentlyjudgedtobemereplayfulness。Ihadjustgotbacktobedagainwhenanowlbegantoscreech。ThatisanothersoundIusedtothinkattractive——soweird，somysterious。ItisSwinburne，Ithink，whosaysthatyounevergetthedesiredoneandthetimeandtheplaceallrighttogether。Ifthebelovedoneiswithyou，itisthewrongplaceoratthewrongtime；andifthetimeandtheplacehappentoberight，thenitisthepartythatiswrong。Theowlwasallright：Ilikeowls。Theplacewasallright。Hehadstruckthewrongtime，thatwasall。Eleveno’clockatnight，whenyoucan’tseehim，andnaturallyfeelthatyouwantto，isthepropertimeforanowl。
　　Perchedontheroofofacow—shedintheearlydawnhelookssilly。
　　Heclungthere，flappinghiswingsandscreechingatthetopofhisvoice。WhatitwashewantedIamsureIdon’tknow；andanyhowitdidn’tseemthewaytogetit。Hecametothisconclusionhimselfattheendoftwentyminutes，andshuthimselfupandwenthome。I
　　thoughtIwasgoingtohaveatlastsomepeace，whenacorncrake——acreatureuponwhomNaturehasbestowedasongliketothetearingofcalico—sheetsmingledwiththesharpeningofsaws——settledsomewhereinthegardenandsettoworktopraiseitsMakeraccordingtoitslights。Ihaveafriend，apoet，wholivesjustofftheStrand，andspendshiseveningsattheGarrickClub。Hewritesoccasionalversefortheeveningpapers，andtalksaboutthe"silentcountry，drowsywiththeweightoflanguors。"OneofthesetimesI’lllurehimdownforaSaturdaytoMondayandlethimfindoutwhatthecountryreallyis——lethimhearit。Heisbecomingtoomuchofadreamer：itwilldohimgood，wakehimupabit。Thecorncrakeafterawhilestoppedquitesuddenlywithajerk，andforquitefiveminutestherewassilence。
　　"Ifthiscontinuesforanotherfive，"Isaidtomyself，"I’llbeasleep。"Ifeltitcomingoverme。Ihadhardlymurmuredthewordswhenthecowturnedupagain。Ishouldsayshehadbeensomewhereandhadhadadrink。Shewasinbettervoicethanever。
　　Itoccurredtomethatthiswouldbeanopportunitytomakeafewnotesonthesunrise。Theliterarymanislookedtoforoccasionaldescriptionofthesunrise。Theearnestreaderwhohasheardaboutthissunrisethirstsforfullparticulars。Myself，forpurposesofobservation，IhavegenerallychosenDecemberortheearlypartofJanuary。Butoneneverknows。MaybeoneofthesedaysI’llwantasummersunrise，withbirdsanddew—besprinkledflowers：itgoeswellwiththerusticheroine，themiller’sdaughter，orthegirlwhobringsupchickensandhasdreams。Imetabrotherauthoronceatseveno’clockinthemorninginKensingtonGardens。HelookedhalfasleepandsodisagreeablethatIhesitatedforawhiletospeaktohim：heisamanthatasarulebreakfastsateleven。ButI
　　summonedmycourageandaccostedhim。
　　"Thisisearlyforyou，"Isaid。
　　"It’searlyforanyonebutabornfool，"heanswered。
　　"What’sthematter？"Iasked。"Can’tyousleep？"
　　"Can’tIsleep？"heretortedindignantly。"Why，Idaren’tsitdownuponaseat，Idaren’tleanupagainstatree。IfIdidI’dbeasleepinhalfasecond。"
　　"What’stheidea？"Ipersisted。"BeenreadingSmiles’s’SelfHelpandtheSecretofSuccess’？Don’tbeabsurd，"Iadvisedhim。
　　"You’llbegoingtoSundayschoolnextandkeepingadiary。Youhaveleftittoolate：wedon’treformatforty。Gohomeandgotobed。"
　　Icouldseehewasdoinghimselfnogood。
　　"I’mgoingtobed，"heanswered，"I’mgoingtobedforamonthwhenI’vefinishedthisconfoundednovelthatI’mon。Takemyadvice，"hesaid——helaidhishanduponmyshoulder——"Neverchooseacolonialgirlforyourheroine。Atourageitissimplemadness。"
　　"She’safinegirl，"hecontinued，"andgood。Hasaheartofgold。
　　She’swearingmetoashadow。Iwantedsomethingfreshandunconventional。Ididn’tgraspwhatitwasgoingtodo。She’sthegirlthatgetsupearlyinthemorningandridesbare—back——thehorse，Imean，ofcourse；don’tbesosilly。OverinNewSouthWalesitdidn’tmatter。Ithrewintheusuallocalcolour——theeucalyptus—
　　treeandthekangaroo——andletherride。ItisnowthatsheisoverhereinLondonthatIwishIhadneverthoughtofher。Shegetsupatfiveandwandersaboutthesilentcity。Thatmeans，ofcourse，thatIhavetogetupatfiveinordertorecordherimpressions。I
　　havewalkedsixmilesthismorning。FirsttoSt。Paul’sCathedral；
　　shelikesitwhenthere’snobodyabout。You’dthinkitwasn’tbigenoughforhertoseeifanybodyelsewasinthestreet。Shethinksofitasofamotherwatchingoverhersleepingchildren；she’sfullofallthatsortofthing。AndfromtheretoWestminsterBridge。
　　ShesitsontheparapetandreadsWordsworth，tillthepolicemanturnsheroff。Thisisanotherofherfavouritespots。"Heindicatedwithalookofconcentrateddisgusttheavenuewherewewerestanding。"Thisiswhereshelikestofinishup。Shecomesheretolistentoablackbird。"
　　"Well，youarethroughwithitnow，"Isaidtoconsolehim。"You’vedoneit；andit’sover。"
　　"Throughwithit！"helaughedbitterly。"I’mjustbeginningit。
　　There’stheentireEastEndtobedoneyet：she’sgottomeetafellowthereasbigacrankasherself。Andwalkingisn’ttheworst。
　　She’sgoingtohaveahorse；youcanguesswhatthatmeans。——HydeParkwillbenogoodtoher。She’llfindoutRichmondandHamCommon。I’vegottodescribethesceneryandthemadjoyofthething。"
　　"Can’tyouimagineit？"Isuggested。
　　"I’mgoingtoimaginealltheenjoyablepartofit，"heanswered。"I
　　musthaveagroundworktogoupon。She’sgottohavefeelingscometoheruponthishorse。Youcan’tenterintoarider’sfeelingswhenyou’vealmostforgottenwhichsideofthehorseyougetup。"
　　IwalkedwithhimtotheSerpentine。Ihadbeenwonderinghowitwashehadgrownstoutsosuddenly。Hehadabathtowelroundhimunderneathhiscoat。
　　"It’llgivememydeathofcold，Iknowitwill，"hechatteredwhileunlacinghisboots。
　　"Can’tyouleaveittillthesummer—time，"Isuggested，"andtakehertoOstend？"
　　"Itwouldn’tbeunconventional，"hegrowled。"Shewouldn’ttakeaninterestinit。"
　　"ButdotheyallowladiestobatheintheSerpentine？"Ipersisted。
　　"Itwon’tbetheSerpentine，"heexplained。"It’sgoingtobetheThamesatGreenwich。Butitmustbethesamesortoffeeling。She’sgottotellthemallaboutitduringalunchinQueen’sGate，andshockthemall。That’sallshedoesitfor，inmyopinion。"
　　Heemergedamottledblue。Ihelpedhimintohisclothes，andhewasfortunateenoughtofindanearlycab。ThebookappearedatChristmas。Thecriticsagreedthattheheroinewasadelightfulcreation。Someofthemsaidtheywouldliketohaveknownher。
　　Rememberingmypoorfriend，itoccurredtomethatbygoingoutnowandmakingafewnotesaboutthemorning，Imightbesavingmyselftroublelateron。Islippedonafewthings——nothingelaborate——putanotebookinmypocket，openedthedoorandwentdown。
　　Perhapsitwouldbemorecorrecttosay"openedthedoorandwasdown。"Itwasmyownfault，Iadmit。Wehadtalkedthisthingoverbeforegoingtobed，andImyselfhadimpresseduponVeronicatheneedforcaution。Thearchitectofthecountrycottagedoesnotwastespace。Hedispenseswithlandings；thebedroomdooropensontothetopstair。Itdoesnotdotowalkoutofyourbedroom，forthereasonthereisnothingoutsidetowalkon。IhadsaidtoVeronica，pointingoutthisfacttoher：
　　"Nowdon’t，inthemorning，comeburstingoutoftheroominyourusualvolcanicstyle，becauseifyoudotherewillbetrouble。Asyouperceive，thereisnolanding。Thestairscommenceatonce；theyaresteep，andtheyleaddowntoabrickfloor。Openthedoorquietly，lookwhereyouaregoing，andstepcarefully。"
　　Dickhadaddedhisadvicetomine。"Ididthatmyselfthefirstmorning，"Dickhadsaid。"Isteppedstraightoutofthebedroomintothekitchen；andIcantellyou，ithurts。Youbecareful，young’un。Thiscottagedoesn’tlenditselftodash。"
　　Robinahadfallendownwithatrayinherhand。Shesaidthatnevershouldsheforgetthehorrorofthatmoment，when，sittingonthekitchenfloor，shehadcriedtoDick——herownvoicesoundingtoherasifitcamefromsomewherequitefaroff："Isitbroken？Tellmethetruth。Isitbrokenanywhere？"andDickhadreplied："Broken！
　　why，it’ssmashedtoatoms。Whatdidyouexpect？"Robinahadaskedthequestionwithreferencetoherhead，whileDickhadthoughtshewasalludingtotheteapot。Inthatmoment，hadsaidRobina，herwholelifehadpassedbeforeher。SheletVeronicafeelthebump。
　　Veronicawasdisappointedwiththebump，havingexpectedsomethingbigger，buthadpromisedtobecareful。Wehadallagreedthatifinspiteofourwarningssheforgot，andcameblunderingdowninthemorning，itwouldserveherright。Itwasthinkingofallthisthat，asIlayuponthefloor，mademefeelangrywitheverybody。Ihatepeoplewhocansleepthroughnoisesthatwakemeup。WhywasItheonlypersoninthehousetobedisturbed？Dick’sroomwasroundthecorner；therewassomeexcuseforhim。ButRobinaandVeronica’swindowlookedstraightdownuponthecow。IfRobinaandVeronicawerenotacoupleoflogs，thecowwouldhavearousedthem。Weshouldhavediscussedthematterwiththedoorajar。Robinawouldhavesaid，"Whateveryoudo，becarefulofthestairs，Pa，"andI
　　shouldhaveremembered。Themodernchildappearstometohavenofeelingforitsparent。
　　Ipickedmyselfupandstartedforthedoor。Thecowcontinuedbellowingsteadily。Mywholeanxietywastogettoherquicklyandtohither。ButthedoortookmorefindingthanIcouldhavebelievedpossible。Theshutterswereclosedandthewholeplacewasinpitchdarkness。Theideahadbeentofurnishthiscottageonlywiththingsthatwereabsolutelynecessary，buttheroomappearedtometobeovercrowded。Therewasamilking—stool，whichisathingmadepurposelyheavysothatitmaynotbeeasilyupset。IfI
　　tumbledoveritonceItumbledoveritadozentimes。Igotholdofitatlastandcarrieditaboutwithme。IthoughtIwoulduseittohitthecow——thatis，whenIhadfoundthefront—door。Iknewitledoutoftheparlour，butcouldnotrecollectitsexactposition。I
　　arguedthatifIkeptalongthewallIshouldbeboundtocometoit。
　　Ifoundthewall，andsetofffullofhope。Isupposetheexplanationwasthat，withoutknowingit，Imusthavestartedwiththedoor，notthefront—door，theotherdoor，leadingintothekitchen。Icreptalong，carefullyfeelingmyway，andstruckquitenewthingsaltogether——thingsIhadnorecollectionofandthathitmeinfreshplaces。IclimbedoverwhatIpresumedtobeabeer—
　　barrelandlandedamongbottles；thereweredozensupondozensofthem。TogetawayfromthesebottlesIhadtoleavethewall；butI
　　founditagain，asIthought，andIfeltalongitforanotherhalfadozenyardsorsoandthencameagainuponbottles：theroomappearedtobepavedwithbottles。AlittlefartheronIrolledoveranotherbeer—barrel：asamatteroffactitwasthesamebeer—
　　barrel，butIdidnotknowthis。AtthetimeitseemedtomethatRobinahadmadeuphermindtorunapublic—house。Ifoundthemilking—stoolagainandstartedafresh，andbeforeIhadgoneadozenstepswasinamongbottlesagain。Lateron，inthebroaddaylight，itwaseasyenoughtounderstandwhathadhappened。Ihadbeencarefullyfeelingmywayroundandroundascreen。Igotsosickofthesebottlesandsotiredofrollingovertheseeverlastingbeer—
　　barrels，thatIabandonedthewallandplungedboldlyintospace。
　　Ihadbarelystarted，when，lookingup，Isawtheskyaboveme：astarwastwinklingjustabovemyhead。HadIbeenwideawake，andhadthecowstoppedbellowingforjustoneminute，IshouldhaveguessedthatsomehoworanotherIhadgotintoachimney。Butasthingswere，thewonderandthemysteryofitallappalledme。
　　"Alice’sAdventuresinWonderland"wouldhaveappearedtome，atthatmoment，inthenatureofaguidetotravellers。Hadarocking—horseoralobstersuddenlyappearedtomeIshouldhavesatandtalkedtoit；andifithadnotansweredmeIshouldhavethoughtitsulkyandbeenhurt。Itookastepforwardandthestardisappeared，justasifsomebodyhadblownitout。Iwasnotsurprisedintheleast。I
　　wasexpectinganythingtohappen。
　　Ifoundadooranditopenedquiteeasily。Awoodwasinfrontofme。Icouldn’tseeanycowanywhere，butIstillheardher。Itallseemedquitenatural。Iwouldwanderintothewood；mostlikelyI
　　shouldmeetherthere，andshewouldbesmokingapipe。Inallprobabilityshewouldknowsomepoetry。
　　Withthefreshairmysensesgraduallycamebacktome，andIbegantounderstandwhyitwasIcouldnotseethecow。Thereasonwasthatthehousewasbetweenus。BysomemysteriousprocessIhadbeendischargedintothebackgarden。Istillhadthemilking—stoolinmyhand，butthecownolongertroubledme。LetherseeifshecouldwakeVeronicabymerelybellowingoutsidethedoor；itwasmorethanIhadeverbeenabletodo。
　　Isatdownonthestoolandopenedmynote—book。Iheadedthepage：
　　"SunriseinJuly：observationsandemotions，"andIwrotedownatonce，lestIshouldforgetit，thattowardsthreeo’clockafaintlightisdiscernible，andaddedthatthislightgetsstrongerasthetimegoeson。
　　Itsoundedfootlingeventomyself，butIhadbeenreadinganoveloftherealisticschoolthathadbeengreatlypraisedforitsactuality。
　　Thereisademandinsomequartersforthisclassofobservation。I
　　likewisemadeanotethatthepigeonandthecorncrakeappeartobeamongtheearliestofNature’schildrentowelcomethecomingday；
　　andaddedthatthescreech—owlmaybeheard，perhapsatitsbest，byanyonecaringtoriseforthepurpose，somequarterofanhourbeforethedawn。ThatwasallIcouldthinkofjustthen。Asregardsemotions，Ididnotseemtohaveany。
　　Ilitapipeandwaitedforthesun。Theskyinfrontofmewastingedwithafaintpink。Everymomentitflushedadeeperred。I
　　maintainthatanyone，notanexpert，wouldhavesaidthatwastheportionofthehorizononwhichtokeepone’seye。Ikeptmyeyeuponit，butnosunappeared。Ilitanotherpipe。Theskyinfrontofmewasnowablazeofglory。Iscribbledafewlines，likeningthescatteredcloudstobridesblushingattheapproachofthebridegroom。Thatwouldhavebeenallrightiflaterontheyhadn’tbeguntoturngreen：itseemedthewrongcolourforabride。Lateronstilltheywentyellow，andthatspoiltthesimilepasthope。Onecannotwaxpoeticalaboutabridewhoattheapproachofthebridegroomturnsfirstgreenandthenyellow：youcanonlyfeelsorryforher。Iwaitedsomemore。Theskyinfrontofmegrewpalereverymoment。Ibegantofearthatsomethinghadhappenedtothatsun。IfIhadn’tknownsomuchastronomyIshouldhavesaidthathehadchangedhismindandhadgonebackagain。Irosewiththeideaofseeingintothings。Hehadbeenupapparentlyforhours：
　　hehadgotupatthebackofme。Itseemedtobenobody’sfault。I
　　putmypipeintomypocketandstrolledroundtothefront。Thecowwasstillthere；shewaspleasedtoseeme，andstartedbellowingagain。
　　Iheardasoundofwhistling。Itproceededfromafarmer’sboy。I
　　hailedhim，andheclimbedagateandcametomeacrossthefield。
　　Hewasacheerfulyouth。Henoddedtothecowandhopedshehadhadagoodnight：hepronouncedit"nihet。"
　　"Youknowthecow？"Isaid。
　　"Well，"heexplained，"wedon’tpreciselymoveinthesimeset。Sorto’businessrelytionshipmorelike——ifyouunderstandme？"
　　Somethingaboutthisboywasworryingme。Hedidnotseemlikearealfarmer’sboy。Butthennothingseemedquiterealthismorning。
　　Myfeelingwastoletthingsgo。
　　"Whosecowisit？"Iasked。
　　Hestaredatme。
　　"Iwanttoknowtowhomitbelongs，"Isaid。"Iwanttorestoreittohim。"
　　"Excuseme，"saidtheboy，"butwheredoyoulive？"
　　Hewasmakingmecross。"WheredoIlive？"Iretorted。"Why，inthiscottage。Youdon’tthinkI’vegotupearlyandcomefromadistancetolistentothiscow？Don’ttalksomuch。Doyouknowwhosecowitis，ordon’tyou？"
　　"It’syourcow，"saidtheboy。
　　Itwasmyturntostare。
　　"ButIhaven’tgotacow，"Itoldhim。
　　"Yusyouhave，"hepersisted；"you’vegotthatcow。"
　　Shehadstoppedbellowingforamoment。ShewasnotthecowIfeltI
　　couldevertakeapridein。Atsometimeoranother，quiterecently，shemusthavesatdowninsomemud。
　　"HowdidIgether？"Idemanded。
　　"Theyounglydy，"explainedtheboy，"shecamerahndtoourpliceonTuesday——"
　　Ibegantoseelight。"Anexcitableyounglady——talksveryfast——
　　neverwaitsfortheanswer？"
　　"Withjollyfineeyes，"addedtheboyapprovingly。
　　"Andsheorderedacow？"
　　"Didn’tseemto’avestrengthenoughtoliveanotherdywithahtit。"
　　"Anystipulationmadeconcerningthepriceofthecow？"
　　"Anywhat？"
　　"Theyoungladywiththeeyes——didshethinktoaskthepriceofthecow？"
　　"Nosordiddetailswasenteredinto，sofarasIcould’ear，"repliedtheboy。
　　Theywouldnothavebeen——byRobina。
　　"Anyhintletfallastowhatthecowwaswantedfor？"
　　"Thelydygivesustounderstand，"saidtheboy，"thatfreshmilkwas’eridea。"
　　Thatsurprisedme：thatwasthoughtfulofRobina。"Andthisisthecow？"
　　"Itowedherrahndlastnight。Ididn’tknockatthedoorandtellyerabaht’er，cos，tobequitefrankwithyer，therewasn’tanybodyin。"
　　"Whatisshebellowingfor？"Iasked。
　　"Well，"saidtheboy，"it’sonlyatheory，o’course，butIshouldsy，fromthelookof’er，thatshewantedtobemilked。"
　　"Butitstartedbellowingathalf—pasttwo，"Iargued。"Itdoesn’texpecttobemilkedathalf—pasttwo，doesit？"
　　"Meself，"saidtheboy，"I’vegivenuplookingforsenseincows。"
　　Insomeunaccountablewaythisboywashypnotisingme。Everythinghadsuddenlybecomeoutofplace。
　　Thecowhadsuddenlybecomeabsurd：sheoughttohavebeenamilk—
　　can。Thewoodstruckmeasneglected：thereoughttohavebeennotice—boardsabout，"KeepofftheGrass，""SmokingStrictlyProhibited"：therewasn’taseattobeseen。Thecottagehadsurelygotitselftherebyaccident：wherewasthestreet？Thebirdswerealloutoftheircages；everythingwasupsidedown。
　　"Areyouarealfarmer’sboy？"Iaskedhim。
　　"O’courseIam，"heanswered。"Whatdoyertikemefor——ahartistindisguise？"
　　Itcametome。"Whatisyourname？"
　　"’Enery——’Enery’Opkins。"
　　"Wherewereyouborn？"
　　"CamdenTahn。"
　　Herewasanicebeginningtoarurallife！WhatplacecouldbethecountrywhilethisboyHopkinswasabout？HewouldhavegiventotheGardenofEdentheatmosphereofanoutlyingsuburb。
　　"Doyouwanttoearnanoccasionalshilling？"Iputittohim。
　　"I’dratheritcomereggler，"saidHopkins。"Betterformekerrickter。"
　　"YoudropthatCockneyaccentandlearnBerkshire，andI’llgiveyouhalfasovereignwhenyoucantalkit，"Ipromisedhim。"Don’t，forinstance，say’ain’t，’"Iexplainedtohim。"Say’bain’t。’Don’tsay’Theyounglydy，shecamerahndtoourplice；’say’Themissy，’ercoomeddown；’ercoomed，and’ersestothemaister，’erses……’That’sthesortofthingIwanttosurroundmyselfwithhere。
　　Whenyouinformedmethatthecowwasmine，youshouldhavesaid：
　　’Whoi，’erbeyourcow，surelie’erbe。’"
　　"Sureit’sBerkshire？"demandedHopkins。"You’reconfidentaboutit？"Thereisatypethatisbynaturesuspicious。
　　"ItmaynotbeBerkshirepureandundefiled，"Iadmitted。"Itiswhatinliteratureweterm’dialect。’Itdoesformostplacesoutsidethetwelve—mileradius。Theobjectistoconveyafeelingofrusticsimplicity。Anyhow，itisn’tCamdenTown。"
　　Istartedhimwithashillingthenandtheretoencouragehim。Hepromisedtocomeroundintheeveningforoneortwobooks，writtenbyfriendsofmine，thatIreckonedwouldbeofhelptohim；andI
　　returnedtothecottageandsettoworktorouseRobina。Hertonewasapologetic。ShehadgotthenotionintoherheadthatIhadbeencallingherforquitealongtime。Iexplainedthatthiswasnotthecase。
　　"Howfunny！"sheanswered。"IsaidtoVeronicamorethananhourago：’I’msurethat’sPacallingus。’IsupposeImusthavebeendreaming。"
　　"Well，don’tdreamanymore，"Isuggested。"Comedownandseetothisconfoundedcowofyours。"
　　"Oh，"saidVeronica，"hasitcome？"
　　"Ithascome，"Itoldher。"Asamatteroffact，ithasbeenheresometime。Itoughttohavebeenmilkedfourhoursago，accordingtoitsownidea。"
　　Robinasaidshewouldbedowninaminute。
　　Shewasdownintwenty—five，whichwassoonerthanIhadexpected。
　　ShebroughtVeronicawithher。ShesaidshewouldhavebeendownsoonerifshehadnotwaitedforVeronica。ItappearedthatthiswasjustpreciselywhatVeronicahadbeentellingher。Iwasfeelingirritable。Ihadbeenuphalfaday，andhadn’thadmybreakfast。
　　"Don’tstandtherearguing，"Itoldthem。"Forgoodness’sakelet’sgettoworkandmilkthiscow。Weshallhavethepoorcreaturedyingonourhandsifwe’renotcareful。"
　　Robinawaswanderingroundtheroom。
　　"Youhaven’tcomeacrossamilking—stoolanywhere，haveyou，Pa？"
　　askedRobina。
　　"Ihavecomeacrossyourmilking—stool，Iestimate，somethirteentimes，"Itoldher。IfetcheditfromwhereIhadleftit，andgaveittoher；andwefiledoutinprocession；Veronicawithagalvanisedironbucketbringinguptherear。
　　Theproblemthatwasforcingitselfuponmymindwas：didRobinaknowhowtomilkacow？Robina，Iargued，theideaonceinhermind，wouldimmediatelyhaveorderedacow，clamouringforit——asHopkinshadpicturesquelyexpressedit——asthoughshehadnotstrengthtoliveanotherdaywithoutacow。Hernextproceedingwouldhavebeentobuyamilking—stool。Itwasatastefulmilking—stool，thisoneshehadselected，ornamentedwiththeroughdrawingofacowinpokerwork：alittletoosolidformytaste，butonethatIshouldsaywouldwearwell。Thepailshehadnotasyethadtimetoseeabout。
　　Thisgalvanisedbucketwewereusingwas，Itookit，atemporarymakeshift。WhenRobinahadleisureshewouldgointothetownandpurchasesomethingatanartstores。That，tocompletethescheme，shewouldhavedonewelltohavetakenafewpracticallessonsinmilkingwouldcometoher，asaninspiration，withthearrivalofthecow。InoticedthatRobina’sstepsasweapproachedthecowwerelesselastic。JustoutsidethecowRobinahalted。
　　"Isuppose，"saidRobina，"there’sonlyonewayofmilkingacow？"
　　"Theremaybefancyways，"Ianswered，"necessarytoyouiflateronyouthinkofenteringacompetition。Thismorning，seeingwearelate，Ishouldn’tworrytoomuchaboutstyle。IfIwereyou，thismorningIshouldadopttheordinaryunimaginativemethod，andaimonlyatresults。"
　　Robinasatdownandplacedherbucketunderneaththecow。
　　"Isuppose，"saidRobina，"itdoesn’tmatterwhich——whichoneIbeginwith？"
　　Itwasperfectlyplainshehadn’ttheleastnotionhowtomilkacow。
　　Itoldherso，addingcomments。Nowandthenalittlefatherlytalkdoesgood。AsaruleIhavetoworkmyselfupfortheseoccasions。
　　ThismorningIwasfeelingfairlyfit：thingshadconspiredtothisend。IputbeforeRobinatheaimsandprivilegesofthehouseholdfairyastheyappeared，nottoher，buttome。IalsoconfidedtoVeronicatheresultofmanyweeks’reflectionsconcerningherandherbehaviour。IalsotoldthembothwhatIthoughtaboutDick。Idothissortofthingonceeverysixmonths：ithasanexcellenteffectforaboutthreedays。
　　Robinawipedawayhertears，andseizedthefirstonethatcametoherhand。Thecow，withoutsayingaword，kickedovertheemptybucket，andwalkedaway，disgustexpressedineveryhairofherbody。
　　Robina，cryingquietly，followedher。Bypattingheronherneck，andlettingherwipehernoseuponmycoat——whichseemedtocomforther——IpersuadedhertokeepstillwhileRobinaworkedfortenminutesathighpressure。Theresultwasaboutaglassfulandahalf，thecow’scapacity，toallappearance，beingbythistimesomefiveorsixgallons。
　　Robinabrokedown，andacknowledgedshehadbeenawickedgirl。Ifthecowdied，soshesaid，sheshouldneverforgiveherself。
　　Veronicaatthisburstintotearsalso；andthecow，whethermovedafreshbyherowntroublesorbytheirs，commencedagaintobellow。
　　Iwasfortunatelyabletofindanelderlylabourersmokingapipeandeatingbaconunderneathatree；andwithhimIbargainedthatforashillingadayheshouldmilkthecowtillfurthernotice。
　　Welefthimbusy，andreturnedtothecottage。Dickmetusatthedoorwithacheery"Goodmorning。"Hewantedtoknowifwehadheardthestorm。Healsowantedtoknowwhenbreakfastwouldbeready。
　　Robinathoughtthathappyeventwouldbeshortlyafterhehadboiledthekettleandmadetheteaandfriedthebacon，whileVeronicawaslayingthetable。
　　"ButIthought——"
　　Robinasaidthatifhedaredtomentiontheword"household—fairy"
　　shewouldboxhisears，andgostraightuptobed，andleaveeverybodytodoeverything。Shesaidshemeantit。
　　Dickhasonevirtue：itisphilosophy。"Comeon，young’un，"saidDicktoVeronica。"Troubleisgoodforusall。"
　　"Someofus，"saidVeronica，"itmakesbitter。"
　　Wesatdowntobreakfastateight—thirty。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　OurarchitectarrivedonFridayafternoon，orrather，hisassistant。
　　IfeltfromthefirstIwasgoingtolikehim。Heisshy，andthat，ofcourse，makeshimappearawkward。But，asIexplainedtoRobina，itistheshyyoungmenwho，generallyspeaking，turnoutbest：fewmencouldhavebeenmorepainfullyshyuptotwenty—fivethanmyself。
　　Robinasaidthatwasdifferent：inthecaseofanauthoritdidnotmatter。Robina’sattitudetowardstheliteraryprofessionwouldnotannoymesomuchwereitnottypical。Tobealiterarymanis，inRobina’sopinion，tobealicensedidiot。ItwasonlyaweekortwoagothatIoverheardfrommystudywindowaconversationbetweenVeronicaandRobinauponthisverypoint。Veronica’seyehadcaughtsomethinglyingonthegrass。Icouldnotmyselfseewhatitwas，inconsequenceofaninterveninglaurelbush。Veronicastoopeddownandexamineditwithcare。Thenextinstant，utteringapiercingwhoop，sheleaptintotheair；then，clappingherhands，begantodance。
　　Herfacewasradiantwithaholyjoy。Robina，passingnear，stoppedanddemandedexplanation。
　　"Pa’stennisracket！"shoutedVeronica——Veronicaneverseestheuseoftalkinginanordinarytoneofvoicewhenshoutingwilldojustaswell。Shecontinuedclappingherhandsandtakinglittleboundsintotheair。
　　"Well，whatareyougoingonlikethatfor？"askedRobina。"Ithasn’tbityou，hasit？"
　　"It’sbeenoutallnightinthewet，"shoutedVeronica。"Heforgottobringitin。"
　　"Youwickedchild！"saidRobinaseverely。"It’snothingtobepleasedabout。"
　　"Yes，itis，"explainedVeronica。"Ithoughtatfirstitwasmine。
　　Oh，wouldn’ttherehavebeenatalkaboutit，ifithadbeen！Ohmy！
　　wouldn’ttherehavebeenarow！"Shesettleddowntoasteadyrhythmicdance，suggestiveofaGreekchorusexpressingsatisfactionwiththegods。
　　Robinaseizedherbytheshouldersandshookherbackintoherself。
　　"Ifithadbeenyours，"saidRobina，"youwoulddeservetohavebeensenttobed。"
　　"Well，then，whydon’thegotobed？"arguedVeronica。
　　Robinatookherbythearmandwalkedherupanddownjustunderneathmywindow。Ilistened，becausetheconversationinterestedme。
　　"Pa，asIamalwaysexplainingtoyou，"saidRobina，"isaliteraryman。Hecannothelpforgettingthings。"
　　"Well，Ican’thelpforgettingthings，"insistedVeronica。
　　"Youfindithard，"explainedRobinakindly；"butifyoukeepontryingyouwillsucceed。Youwillgetmorethoughtful。Iusedtobeforgetfulanddofoolishthingsonce，whenIwasalittlegirl。"
　　"Goodthingforusifwewasallliterary，"suggestedVeronica。
　　"Ifwe’were’allliterary，"Robinacorrectedher。"Butyouseewearenot。YouandIandDick，wearejustordinarymortals。Wemusttryandthink，andbesensible。Inthesameway，whenPagetsexcitedandraves——Imean，seemstorave——it’stheliterarytemperament。Hecan’thelpit。"
　　"Can’tyouhelpdoinganythingwhenyouareliterary？"askedVeronica。
　　"There’sagooddealyoucan’thelp，"answeredRobina。"Itisn’tfairtojudgethembytheordinarystandard。"
　　Theydriftedtowardsthekitchengarden——itwasthetimeofstrawberries——andtheremainderofthetalkIlost。InoticedthatforsomedaysafterwardsVeronicadisplayedatendencytoshuttingherselfupintheschoolroomwithacopybook，andthatleadpencilshadawayofdisappearingfrommydesk。OneinparticularthathadsuitedmeIdeterminedifpossibletorecover。AsubtleinstinctguidedmetoVeronica’ssanctum。Ifoundherthoughtfullysuckingit。Sheexplainedtomethatshewaswritingalittleplay。
　　"Yougetthingsfromyourfather，don’tyou？"sheenquiredofme。
　　"Youdo，"Iadmitted；"butyououghtnottotakethemwithoutasking。
　　Iamalwaystellingyouofit。ThatpencilistheonlyoneIcanwritewith。"
　　"Ididn’tmeanthepencil，"explainedVeronica。"IwaswonderingifIhadgotyourliterarytemper。"
　　Itispuzzling，whenyoucometothinkofit，thisestimateaccordedbythegeneralpublictothelitterateur。Itstandstoreasonthatthemanwhowritesbooks，explainingeverythingandputtingeverybodyright，mustbehimselfanexceptionallycleverman；elsehowcouldhedoit！Thethingispurelogic。YettolistentoRobinaandherlikeyoumightthinkwehadnotsenseenoughtorunourselves，asthesayingis——letalonerunningtheuniverse。IfIwouldlether，Robinawouldsitandgivemeinformationbythehour。
　　"Theordinarygirl……"Robinawillbegin，withtheairofaUniversityExtensionLecturer。
　　Itissoexasperating。AsifIdidnotknowallthereistobeknownaboutgirls！Why，itismybusiness。IpointthisouttoRobina。
　　"Yes，Iknow，"Robinawillanswersweetly。"ButIwasmeaningtherealgirl。"
　　ItwouldmakenottheslightestdifferencewereIevenquiteahigh—
　　classliteraryman——RobinathinksIam：sheisadearchild。WereI
　　Shakespearehimself，andcouldIinconsequencesaytoher：
　　"Methinks，child，thecreatorofOpheliaandJuliet，andRosamundandBeatrice，mustsurelyknowsomethingaboutgirls，"Robinawouldstillmakeanswer：
　　"Ofcourse，Padear。Everybodyknowshowcleveryouare。ButIwasthinkingforthemomentofrealgirls。"
　　Iwondertomyselfsometimes，Isliteraturetothegeneralreadereveranythingmorethanafairy—tale？Wewritewithourheart’sblood，asweputit。Weaskourconscience，Isitrightthustolaybarethesecretsofoursouls？Thegeneralreaderdoesnotgraspthatwearewritingwithourheart’sblood：tohimitisjustink。
　　Hedoesnotbelievewearelayingbarethesecretsofoursouls：hetakesitwearejustpretending。"OnceuponatimetherelivedagirlnamedAngelinawholovedapartybythenameofEdwin。"Heimagines——he，thegeneralreader——whenwetellhimallthewonderfulthoughtsthatwereinsideAngelina，thatitwaswewhoputthemthere。Hedoesnotknow，hewillnottrytounderstand，thatAngelinaisinrealitymorerealthanisMissJones，whoridesupeverymorninginthe’buswithhim，andhasaprettyknackofrenderingconversationabouttheweathernovelandsuggestive。AsaboyIwonsomepopularityamongmyschoolmatesasatellerofstories。Oneafternoon，toasmallcollectionwithwhomIwashomingacrossRegent’sPark，ItoldthestoryofabeautifulPrincess。ButshewasnottheordinaryPrincess。ShewouldnotbehaveasaPrincessshould。Icouldnothelpit。Theothersheardonlymyvoice，butIwaslisteningtothewind。ShethoughtshelovedthePrince——untilhehadwoundedtheDragonuntodeathandhadcarriedherawayintothewood。Then，whilethePrincelaysleeping，sheheardtheDragoncallingtoherinitspain，andcreptbacktowhereitlaybleeding，andputherarmsaboutitsscalyneckandkissedit；
　　andthathealedit。Iwashopingmyselfthatatthispointitwouldturnintoaprinceitself，butitdidn’t；itjustremainedadragon——
　　sothewindsaid。YetthePrincesslovedit：itwasn’thalfabaddragon，whenyouknewit。IcouldnottellthemwhatbecameofthePrince：thewinddidn’tseemtocareahangaboutthePrince。
　　Myself，Ilikedthestory，butHocker，whowasaFifthFormboy，voicingourlittlepublic，saiditwasrot，sofar，andthatIhadgottohurryupandfinishthingsrightly。
　　"Butthatisall，"Itoldthem。
　　"No，itisn’t，"saidHocker。"She’sgottomarrythePrinceintheend。He’llhavetokilltheDragonagain；andmindhedoesitproperlythistime。WhoeverheardofaPrincessleavingaPrinceforaDragon！"
　　"Butshewasn’ttheordinarysortofPrincess，"Iargued。
　　"Thenshe’sgottobe，"criticisedHocker。"Don’tyougiveyourselfsomanyairs。YoumakehermarrythePrince，andbeslippyaboutit。
　　I’vegottocatchthefour—fifteenfromChalkFarmstation。"
　　"Butshedidn’t，"Ipersistedobstinately。"ShemarriedtheDragonandlivedhappyeverafterwards。"
　　Hockeradoptedsternermeasures。Heseizedmyarmandtwisteditbehindme。
　　"Shemarriedwho？"demandedHocker：grammarwasnotHocker’sstrongpoint。
　　"TheDragon，"Igrowled。
　　"Shemarriedwho？"repeatedHocker。
　　"TheDragon，"Iwhined。
　　"Shemarriedwho？"forthethirdtimeurgedHocker。
　　Hockerwasstrong，andthetearswereforcingthemselvesintomyeyesinspiteofme。SothePrincessinreturnforhealingtheDragonmadeitpromisetoreform。ItwentbackwithhertothePrince，andmadeitselfgenerallyusefultobothofthemfortherestofthetour。AndthePrincetookthePrincesshomewithhimandmarriedher；andtheDragondiedandwasburied。Theotherslikedthestorybetter，butIhatedit；andthewindsighedanddiedaway。
　　Thelittlecrowdbecomesthereadingpublic，andHockergrowsintoaneditor；hetwistsmyarminotherways。Somearebrave，sothecrowdkicksthemandscurriesofftocatchthefour—fifteen。Butmostofus，Ifear，areslavestoHocker。Then，afterawhile，thewindgrowssulkyandwillnottellusstoriesanymore，andwehavetomakethemupoutofourownheads。Perhapsitisjustaswell。Whatweredoorsandwindowsmadeforbuttokeepoutthewind。
　　Heisadangerousfellow，thiswanderingWind；heleadsmeastray。I
　　wastalkingaboutourarchitect。
　　Hemadeabadstart，sofarasRobinawasconcerned，bycominginattheback—door。Robina，inabigapron，waswashingup。Heapologisedforhavingblunderedintothekitchen，andofferedtogooutagainandworkroundtothefront。Robinareplied，withunnecessaryseverityasIthought，thatanarchitect，ifanyone，mighthaveknownthedifferencebetweentherightsideofahouseandthewrong；butpresumedthatyouthandinexperiencecouldalwaysbepleadedasexcuseforstupidity。IcannotmyselfseewhyRobinashouldhavebeensomuchannoyed。Labour，asRobinahadbeenexplainingtoVeronicaonlyafewhoursbefore，exaltsawoman。Inoldendays，ladies——thehighestintheland——wereproud，notashamed，oftheirabilitytoperformdomesticduties。This，lateron，I
　　pointedouttoRobina。Heranswerwasthatinoldendaysyoudidn’thavechitsofboysgoingabout，callingthemselvesarchitects，andopeningback—doorswithoutknocking；oriftheydidknock，knockingsothatnobodyonearthcouldhearthem。
　　Robinawipedherhandsonthetowelbehindthedoor，andbroughthimintothefront—room，wheresheannouncedhim，coldly，as"Theyoungmanfromthearchitect’soffice。"Heexplained——butquitemodestly——
　　thathewasnotexactlyMessrs。Spreight’syoungman，butanarchitecthimself，ajuniormemberofthefirm。Tomakeitclearheproducedhiscard，whichwasthatofMr。ArchibaldT。Bute，F。R。I。B。A。Practicallyspeaking，allthiswasunnecessary。ThroughtheopendoorIhad，ofcourse，heardeveryword；andoldSpreighthadtoldmeofhisintentiontosendmeoneofhismostpromisingassistants，whowouldbeabletodevotehimselfentirelytomywork。
　　IputmattersrightbyintroducinghimformallytoRobina。Theybowedtooneanotherratherstiffly。Robinasaidthatifhewouldexcusehershewouldreturntoherwork；andheanswered"Charmed，"
　　andalsothathedidn’tmeanit。AsIhavetriedtogetitintoRobina’shead，theyoungfellowwasconfused。Hehadmeant——itwasself—evident——thathewascharmedatbeingintroducedtoher，notatherdesiretoreturntothekitchen。ButRobinaappearstohavetakenadisliketohim。
　　Igavehimacigar，andwestartedforthehouse。Itliesjustamilefromthiscottage，theothersideofthewood。OneexcellenttraitinhimIsoondiscovered——heisintelligentwithoutknowingeverything。
　　Iconfessittomyshame，buttheyoungmanwhoknowseverythinghascometopalluponme。AccordingtoEmerson，thisisaproofofmyownintellectualfeebleness。Thestrongman，intellectually，cultivatesthesocietyofhissuperiors。Hewantstogeton，hewantstolearnthings。IfIlovedknowledgeasoneshould，Iwouldhavenoonebutyoungmenaboutme。TherewasafriendofDick’s，agentlemanfromRugby。Atonetimehehadhopesofme；Ifelthehad。
　　Buthewastooimpatient。Hetriedtobringmeontooquickly。Youmusttakeintoconsiderationnaturalcapacity。Afterlisteningtohimforanhourortwomymindwouldwander。Icouldnothelpit。
　　Thecarelesslaughterofuninformedmiddle—agedgentlemenandladieswouldcreeptomefromthecroquetlawnorfromthebilliard—room。I
　　longedtobeamongthem。SometimesIwouldbattlewithmylowernature。Whatdidtheyknow？Whatcouldtheytellme？MoreoftenI
　　wouldsuccumb。TherewereoccasionswhenIusedtogetupandgoawayfromhim，quitesuddenly。
　　ItalkedwithyoungButeduringourwalkaboutdomesticarchitectureingeneral。Hesaidheshoulddescribethepresenttendencyindomesticarchitectureastowardscorners。ThedesireoftheBritishpublicwastogointoacornerandlive。AladyforwhosehusbandhisfirmhadlatelybuiltahouseinSurreyhadpropoundedtohimaprobleminconnectionwiththispoint。Sheagreeditwasacharminghouse；nohouseinSurreyhadmorecorners，andthatwassayingmuch。
　　Butshecouldnotseehowforthefutureshewasgoingtobringupherchildren。Shewasahumanelymindedlady。Hithertoshehadpunishedthem，whenneedful，byputtingtheminthecorner；theshameofithadalwaysexerciseduponthemasalutaryeffect。Butinthenewhousecornersarereckonedtheprimepartsofeveryroom。Itisthehonouredguestwhoissentintothecorner。Thefatherhasacornersacredtohimself，withhighupabovehisheadacomplicatedcupboard，whereinwiththehelpofastep—ladder，hemaykeephispipesandhistobacco，andthusbyslowdegreescurehimselfofthehabitofsmoking。Themotherlikewisehashercorner，wherestandsherspinning—wheel，incasetheideacomestohertoweavesheetsandunderclothing。Italsohasabook—shelfsupportingthirteenvolumes，arrangedinaslopingpositiontolooknatural；thelastonemaintainedatitsangleofforty—fivedegreesbyaginger—jarinoldblueNankin。Youarenotsupposedtotouchthem，becausethatwoulddisarrangethem。Besideswhich，foolingabout，youmightupsettheginger—jar。Theconsequenceofallthisisthecornerisnolongerdisgraceful。Theparentcannomoresaytotheerringchild：
　　"Youwickedboy！Gointothecosycornerthisveryminute！"
　　Inthehouseofthefuturetheplaceofpunishmentwillhavetobethemiddleoftheroom。Theangrymotherwillexclaim：
　　"Don’tyouanswerme，yousaucyminx！Yougostraightintothemiddleoftheroom，anddon’tyoudaretocomeoutofittillItellyou！"
　　Thedifficultywiththeartistichouseisfindingtherightpeopletoputintoit。Inthepicturetheartisticroomneverhasanybodyinit。Thereisastripofartembroideryuponthetable，togetherwithabowlofroses。Upontheancienthigh—backedsetteeliesanitemoffancywork，unfinished——justassheleftit。Inthe"study"anopenbook，facedownwards，hasbeenleftonachair。Itisthelastbookhewasreading——ithasneverbeendisturbed。Apipeofquaintdesigniscolduponthelintelofthelatticewindow。Noonewilleversmokethatpipeagain：itmusthavebeendifficulttosmokeatanytime。Thesightoftheartisticroom，asdepictedinthefurniturecatalogue，alwaysbringstearstomyeyes。Peopleonceinhabitedtheserooms，readtherethoseoldvolumesboundinvellum，smoked——ortriedtosmoke——theseimpracticablepipes；whitehands，thatsomeonemaybehadlovedtokiss，onceflutteredamongthefoldsoftheseunfinishedantimacassars，orBerlinwool—workslippers，andwentaway，leavingthethingsabout。
　　Onetakesitthatthepeoplewhoonceoccupiedtheseartisticroomsarenowalldead。Thiswastheir"Dining—Room。"Theysatonthoseartisticchairs。TheycouldhardlyhaveusedthedinnerservicesetoutupontheElizabethandresser，becausethatwouldhaveleftthedresserbare：oneassumestheyhadanextraserviceforuse，orelsethattheytooktheirmealsinthekitchen。The"EntranceHall"isasingularlychasteapartment。Thereisnonecessityforadoor—mat：
　　peoplewithmuddyboots，itistobepresumed，weresentroundtotheback。Ariding—cloak，therelicapparentlyofahighwayman，hangsbehindthedoor。Itisthesortofcloakyouwouldexpecttofindthere——adecorativecloak。Anumbrellaorawaterproofcapewouldbefataltothewholeeffect。
　　Nowandagaintheillustratoroftheartisticroomwillpermitayounggirltocomeandsitthere。Butshehastobeaverycarefullyselectedgirl。Tobeginwith，shehasgottolookanddressasthoughshehadbeenbornatleastthreehundredyearsago。Shehasgottohavethatsortofclothes，andshehasgottohaveherhairdonejustthatway。
　　Shehasgottolooksad；acheerfulgirlintheartisticroomwouldjarone’sartisticsense。Oneimaginestheartistconsultingwiththeproudpossessorofthehouse。
　　"Youhaven’tgotsuchathingasamiserabledaughter，haveyou？
　　Somefairlygood—lookinggirlwhohasbeencrossedinlove，orismisunderstood。Becauseifso，youmightdressherupinsomethingoutofthelocalmuseumandsendheralong。Alittlethinglikethatgivesverisimilitudetoadesign。"
　　Shemustnottouchanything。Allshemaydoistoreadabook——notreallyreadit，thatwouldsuggesttoomuchlifeandmovement：shesitswiththebookinherlapandgazesintothefire，ifithappenstobethedining—room：oroutofthewindowifithappenstobeamorning—room，andthearchitectwishestocallattentiontothewindow—seat。Nothingofthemalespecies，asfarasIhavebeenabletoascertain，haseverenteredtheserooms。IoncethoughtIhadfoundamanwhohadbeenallowedintohisown"Smoking—Den，"butoncloserexaminationitturnedouthewasonlyaportrait。
　　Sometimesoneisgiven"Vistas。"Doorsstandopen，andyoucanseerightawaythrough"TheNook"intothegarden。Thereisneveralivingsoulabouttheplace。Thewholefamilyhasbeensentoutforawalkorlockedupinthecellars。Thisstrikesyouasodduntilyoucometothinkthematterout。Themodernmanandwomanisnotartistic。Iamnotartistic——notwhatIcallreallyartistic。I
　　don’tgowellwithGobelintapestryandwarming—pans。IfeelI
　　don’t。Robinaisnotartistic，notinthatsense。ItriedheroncewithaharpsichordIpickedupcheapinWardourStreet，andareproductionofaRomanstool。Thethingwasanutterfailure。A
　　cottagepiano，withaphoto—frameandafernupon，itiswhatthesoulcriesoutforinconnectionwithRobina。Dickisnotartistic。
　　Dickdoesnotgowithpeacocks’feathersandguitars。IcanseeDickwithasinglepeacock’sfeatheratSt。Giles’sFair，whenthebulldogsarenotlooking；butthedecorativepanelofpeacock’sfeathersistoomuchforhim。Icanimaginehimwithabanjo——butaguitardecoratedwithpinkribbons！Tobeginwithheisnotdressedforit。Unlessafamilybepreparedtomakethemselvesupastroubadoursorcavaliersandtotalkblankverse，Idon’tseehowtheycanexpecttobehappylivinginthesefifteenth—centuryhouses。
　　Themodernfamily——theoldmaninbaggytrousersandafrock—coathecouldnotbuttonifhetriedto；themotheroffiguredistinctlyVictorian；theboysinflannelsuitsandcollarsuptotheirears；
　　thegirlsinmotorcaps——areasincongruousinthesemediaevaldwellingsasapartyofCook’stouristsdrinkingbottledbeerinthestreetsofPompeii。
　　Thedesignerof"TheArtisticHome"isrightinkeepingtostilllife。Intheartistichome——toparaphraseDr。Watts——everyprospectpleasesandonlymanisinartistic。Inthepicture，theartisticbedroom，"inapplegreen，thebedsteadofcherry—wood，withatouchofturkey—redthroughoutthedraperies，"ischarming。Itneedhardlybesaidthebedisempty。Putamanorwomaninthatcherry—woodbed——Idon’tcarehowartistictheymaythinkthemselves——thecharmwouldbegone。Thereallyartisticparty，onesupposes，hasalittleroombehind，wherehesleepsanddresseshimself。Hepeepsinatthedoorofthisartisticbedroom，maybeoccasionallyenterstochangetheroses。
　　Imaginetheartisticnurseryfiveminutesaftertherealchildhadbeenletlooseinit。Iknowaladywhooncespenthundredsofpoundsonanartisticnursery。Sheshowedittoherfriendswithpride。ThechildrenwereallowedinthereonSundayafternoons。I
　　didanequallysillythingmyselfnotlongago。Luredbyafurniturecatalogue，IstartedRobinainaboudoir。Igaveittoherasabirthday—present。Wehavebothregrettediteversince。Robinareckonsshecouldhavehadabicycle，adiamondbracelet，andamandoline，andIshouldhavesavedmoney。Ididthethingwell。I
　　toldthefurniturepeopleIwanteditjustasitstoodinthepicture："Designforbedroomandboudoircombined，suitableforyounggirl，inteak，withsparrowbluehangings。"Wehadeverything：
　　theantiquefirearrangementsthatavestalvirginmightpossiblyhaveunderstood；thecandlesticks，thatwerepicturesinthemselves，untilwetriedtoputcandlesinthem；thebook—caseandwriting—deskcombined，thatwasn’tbigenoughtowriteon，andoutofwhichitwasimpossibletogetabookuntilyouhadabandonedtheideaofwritingandhadclosedthecover；theenclosedwashstand，thatshutdownandlookedlikeanoldbureau，withtheinevitablebowlofflowersuponitthathadtobetakenoffandputonthefloorwheneveryouwantedtousethethingasawashstand；thetoilet—table，withitscunninglittleglass，justbigenoughtoseeyournosein；thebedstead，hiddenawaybehindthe"thinkingcorner，"wherethegirlcouldn’tgetatittomakeit。Aprettierroomyoucouldnothaveimagined，tillRobinastartedsleepinginit。Ithinkshetried。Girlfriendsofhers，towhomshehadbraggedaboutit，woulddropinandasktobeallowedtoseeit。Robinawouldsay，"Waitaminute，"andwouldrunupandslamthedoor；andwewouldhearherforthenexthalf—hourorsorushingroundopeningandshuttingdrawersanddraggingthingsabout。Bythetimeitwasaboudoiragainshewasexhaustedandirritable。ShewantsnowtogiveituptoVeronica，butVeronicaobjectstotheposition，whichisbetweenthebathroomandmystudy。
　　Herideaisaroommoreremoved，whereshewouldbeabletoshutherselfinanddoherwork，assheexplains，withoutfearofinterruption。
　　YoungButetoldmethatafriendofhis，awell—to—doyoungfellow，wholivedinPiccadilly，hadhadthewhimtomakehisflatthereproductionofaRomanvilla。Therewereofcoursenofires，theroomswerewarmedbyhotairfromthekitchen。TheyhadacheerlessaspectonaNovemberafternoon，andnobodyknewexactlywheretosit。
　　LightwasobtainedintheeveningfromGrecianlamps，whichmadeiteasytounderstandwhytheancientAthenians，asarule，wenttobedearly。Youdinedsprawlingonacouch。Thiswasnodoubtpracticablewhenyoutookyourplateintoyourhandandfedyourselfwithyourfingers；butwithaknifeandforkthemealhadalltheadvantagesofahotpicnic。Youdidnotfeelluxuriousorevenwicked：youonlyfeltnervousaboutyourclothes。Thethinglackedcompleteness。HecouldnotexpecthisfriendstocometohiminRomantogas，andevenhisownmandeclinedfirmlytowearthecostumeofaRomanslave。Thecompromisewasunsatisfactory，evenfromthepurelypictorialpointofview。YoucannotbeaRomanpatricianofthetimeofAntoninuswhenyouhappentoliveinPiccadillyattheopeningofthetwentiethcentury。Allyoucandoistomakeyourfriendsuncomfortableandspoiltheirdinnerforthem。YoungButesaidthat，sofarashewasconcerned，hewouldalwaysratherhavespenttheeveningwithhislittlenephewsandnieces，playingathorses；itseemedtohimamoresensiblegame。