CHAPTERXI
　　IfancyVeronicaisgoingtobeanauthoress。Hermotherthinksthismayaccountformanythingsaboutherthathavebeentroublingus。
　　Thestorynevergotfar。Itwaslaidasideforthemorealluringworkofplay—writing，andapparentlyforgotten。Icameacrossthecopy—bookcontainingher"RoughNotes"theotherday。Thereisdecidedflavouraboutthem。Itranscribeselections；thespelling，asbefore，beingmyown。
　　"ThesceneislaidintheMoon。Buteverythingisjustthesameasdownhere。Withoneexception。Thechildrenrule。Thegrown—upsdonotlikeit。Buttheycannothelpit。Somethinghashappenedtothem。Theydon’tknowwhat。Andtheworldisasitusedtobe。Inthesweetoldstory—books。Beforesincame。Therearefairiesthatdanceo’nights。AndWitches。Thatlureyou。Andthenturnyouintothings。Andadragonwholivesinacave。Andspringsoutatpeople。Andeatsthem。Sothatyouhavetobecareful。Andalltheanimalstalk。Andtherearegiants。Andlotsofmagic。Anditisthechildrenwhoknoweverything。Andwhattodoforit。Andtheyhavetoteachthegrown—ups。Andthegrown—upsdon’tbelievehalfofit。Andarefartoofondofarguing。Whichisasoretrialtothechildren。Buttheyhavepatience，andarejust。
　　"Ofcoursethegrown—upshavetogotoschool。Theyhavemuchtolearn。Poorthings！Andtheyhateit。Theytakenointerestinfairylore。AndwhatwouldhappentothemiftheygotwreckedonaDesertIslandtheydon’tseemtocare。Andthentherearelanguages。
　　Whattheywillneedwhentheycometobechildren。Andhavetotalktoalltheanimals。Andmagic。Whichisdeep。Andtheyhateit。
　　Andsayitisrot。Theyarefulloftricks。Onecatchesthemreadingtrashynovels。Underthedesk。Allaboutlove。Whichiswastingtheirchildren’smoney。AndGodknowsitishardenoughtoearn。Butthechildrenarenotangrywiththem。Rememberinghowtheyfeltthemselves。Whentheyweregrownup。Onlyfirm。
　　"Thechildrengivethemplentyofholidays。Becauseholidaysaregoodforeveryone。Theyfreshenyouup。Butthegrown—upsareverystupid。Anddonotcareforsensiblegames。SuchasIndians。AndPirates。Whatwouldsharpentheirfaculties。Andsofitthemforthefuture。Theyonlycaretoplaywithaball。Whichisofnohelp。Tothesternrealitiesoflife。Ortalk。Lord，howtheytalk！
　　"Thereisonegrown—up。Whoisveryclever。Hecantalkabouteverything。Butitleadstonothing。Andspoilstheparty。Sotheysendhimtobed。Andtherearetwogrown—ups。Amaleandafemale。
　　Andtheytalklove。Allthetime。Evenonfinedays。Whichismaudlin。Butthechildrenarepatientwiththem。Knowingittakesallsorts。Tomakeaworld。Andtrustingtheywillgrowoutofit。
　　Andofcoursetherearegrown—upswhoaregood。Andacomforttotheirchildren。
　　"Andeverythingthechildrenlikeisgood。Andwholesome。Andeverythingthegrown—upslikeisbadforthem。ANDTHEYMUSTN’THAVE
　　IT。Theyclamourforteaandcoffee。Whatunderminestheirnervoussystem。Andwastetheirmoneyinthetuckshop。Uponchops。Andturtlesoup。Andthechildrenhavetoputthemtobed。Andgivethempills。Tilltheyfeelbetter。
　　"ThereisalittlegirlnamedPrue。WholiveswithalittleboynamedSimon。Theymeanwell。Buthaven’tmuchsense。Theyhavetwogrown—ups。Amaleandafemale。NamedPeterandMartha。
　　Respectively。Theyarejusttheordinarygrown—ups。Neitherbetternorworse。Andmuchmightbedonewiththem。Bykindness。ButPrueandSimonGOTHEWRONGWAYTOWORK。Itisblameblamealldaylong。
　　Butasforpraise。Ohnever！
　　"Onesummer’sdayPrueandSimontakePeterforawalk。Inthecountry。Andtheymeetacow。Andtheythinkthisagoodopportunity。TotestPeter’sknowledge。Oflanguages。Sotheytellhimtotalktothecow。Andhetalkstothecow。Andthecowdon’tunderstandhim。Andhedon’tunderstandthecow。Andtheyaremadwithhim。’Whatistheuse，’theysay。’Ofourpayingexpensivefees。Tohaveyoutaughtthelanguage。Byafirst—classcow。Andwhenyoucomeoutintothecountry。Youcan’ttalkit。’Andhesayshedidtalkit。Buttheywillnotlistentohim。Butgoonraving。
　　Andintheenditturnsout。ITWASAJERSEYCOW！Whattalkedadialect。Soofcoursehecouldn’tunderstandit。Butdidtheyapologise？Ohdearno。
　　"Anothertime。Onemorningatbreakfast。Marthadidn’tlikeherraspberryvinegar。Soshedidn’tdrinkit。AndSimoncameintothenursery。AndhesawthatMarthahadn’tdrunkherraspberryvinegar。
　　Andheaskedherwhy。Andshesaidshedidn’tlikeit。Becauseitwasnasty。Andhesaiditwasn’tnasty。AndthatsheOUGHTtolikeit。Andhowitwasshocking。Thewaygrown—upsnowadaysgrumbled。
　　Atgoodwholesomefood。Providedforthembytheirtoo—indulgentchildren。AndhowwhenHEwasagrown—up。Hewouldneverhavedared。Andsoon。Allintheusualstyle。Andtoproveitwasn’tnasty。Hepouredhimselfoutacupful。Anddrankitoff。Inagulp。
　　Andhesaiditwasdelicious。Andturnedpale。Andlefttheroom。
　　"AndPruecameintothenursery。AndshesawthatMarthahadn’tdrunkherraspberryvinegar。Andsheaskedherwhy。AndMarthatoldherhowshedidn’tlikeit。Becauseitwasnasty。AndPruetoldhersheoughttobeashamedofherself。Fornotlikingit。Becauseitwasgoodforher。Andreallyverynice。Andanyhowshe’dGOTtolikeit。Andnotgetstuffingherselfupwithmessyteaandcoffee。
　　Becauseshewouldn’thaveit。Andtherewasanendofit。Andsoon。Andtoproveitwasallright。Shepouredherselfoutacupful。
　　Anddrankitoff。Inagulp。Andshesaidtherewasnothingwrongwithit。Nothingwhatever。Andturnedpale。Andlefttheroom。
　　"Anditwasn’traspberryvinegar。Butjustredink。Whathadgotputintotheraspberryvinegardecanter。Byanoversight。Andtheyneedn’thavebeenillatall。Ifonlytheyhadlistened。TopooroldMartha。Butno。Thatwastheirfixedidea。Thatgrown—upshadn’tanysense。Atall。Whatisamistake。Asoneperceives。"
　　Othercharactershadbeensketched，someofthemtobeabandonedafterafewboldtouches：thedifficultyofavoidingtoocloseaportraituretothelivingoriginalhavingapparentlyprovedirksome。
　　Againstonesuch，evidentlyanattempttohelpDickseehimselfinhistruecolours，Ifindthismarginal，noteinpencil："Betternot。
　　Mightmakehimratty。"Oppositetoanother——obviouslyofMrs。St。
　　Leonard，andwithinstinctforalliteration——isscribbled；"Tooterriblytrue。She’dtwigit。"
　　Anothercharacteristhatofagent："Withacertaingift。Fortellingstories。SomeofthemNOTBAD。"Apromisingparty，onthewhole。Indeed，onemightsay，judgingfromdescription，aquiterationalperson："WHENNOTONTHERANTAN。Butinconsistent。"Heisthegrown—upofalittlegirl："Notbeautiful。Butstrangelyattractive。WhomwewillcallEnid。"OnegathersthatifallthechildrenhadbeenEnids，thensurelythelastwordinworldshadbeensaid。Shehasonlythisonegrown—upofherveryown；butshemakesitherbusinesstoadoptandreformalltheincorrigibleoldfolktheotherchildrenhavedespairedof。Itisalldonebykindness。"SheisEVERpatient。Andjust。"ProminentamonghernumerousPROTEGEES
　　isamilitaryman，anelderlycolonel；untilshetookhiminhand，theawfulexampleofwhatagrown—upmighteasilybecome，lefttothecareofincompetentinfants。Hedefieshisownchild，avirtuousyouth，but"lackinginsympathy；"isrudetohislittlenephewsandnieces；aholyterrortohisgoverness。Heuseswickedwords，pickedupfromretiredpirates。"Ofcoursewithoutunderstanding。Theirterriblesignificance。"HestealstheIndian’sfire—water。"Whatfewcanpartakeof。Withimpunity。"CertainlynottheColonel。
　　"Canthisbehe！Thisgibberingwreck！"Hehidescigarsinahollowtree，andsmokesonthesly。Heplaystruant。Luresotheroldgentlemenawayfromtheirlessonstojoinhim。Theyarediscoveredinthewoods，inacave，playingwhistforsixpennypoints。
　　DoesEnidstormandbullyrag；threatenthatifevershecatcheshimsomuchaslookingatacardagainshewillgostraightoutandtellthedragon，whowillinhisturnbesoshockedthatinallprobabilityhewilldecideoncomingbackwithhertokillandeattheColonelonthespot？No。"Sucharenothermethods。"Insteadshesmiles："indulgently。"Shesaysitisonlynaturalforgrown—
　　upstolikeplayingcards。Sheisnotangrywithhim。Andthereisnoneedforhimtorunawayandhideinanastydampcave。"SHE
　　HERSELFWILLPLAYWHISTWITHHIM。"TheeffectupontheColonelisimmediate：heburstsintotears。Sheplayswhistwithhiminthegarden："Afterschoolhours。WhenhehasbeenGOOD。"Doubledummy，onepresumes。OneleavestheColonel，intheend，curedofhispassionforwhist。Whetherastheconsequenceofherplayorherinfluencethe"RoughNotes"givenoindication。
　　Intheplay，Iaminclinedtothink，Veronicareceivedassistance。
　　ThehousehadgotitselffinishedearlyinSeptember。YoungButehascertainlydonewonders。Weperformeditintheemptybilliard—room，followedbyaone—actpieceofmyown。Theoccasiondiddutyasahouse—warming。Wehadquiteacrowd，andendedupwithadance。
　　Everybodyseemedtoenjoythemselves，exceptyoungBertieSt。
　　Leonard，whoplayedthePrince，andcouldnotgetoutofhishelmetintimeforsupper。Itwasagoodhelmet，buthadbeenfastenedclumsily；andinexperiencedpeopletryingtohelphadonlysucceededinjambingallthescrews。Notonlywouldn’titcomeoff，itwouldnotevenopenforadrink。Allthoughtitanexcellentjoke，withtheexceptionofyoungHerbertSt。Leonard。OurMayor，acheerfullittlemanandverypopular，saidthatitoughttobesenttoPUNCH。
　　ThelocalreporterremindedhimthatthelateJohnLeechhadalreadymadeuseofpreciselythesameincidentforacomicillustration，afterwardsrememberingthatitwasnotLeech，butthelatePhilMay。
　　Heseemedtothinkthisendedthematter。St。LeonardandtheVicar，whoarerivalauthoritiesuponthesubject，fellintoanargumentuponarmouringeneral，withspecialreferencetothefourteenthcentury。Eachusedtheboy’sheadtoconfirmhisowntheory，passingittriumphantlyfromonetotheother。WehadtosendoffyoungHopkinsinthedonkey—cartfortheblacksmith。Ihavefoundout，bytheway，howitisyoungHopkinsmakesourdonkeygo。YoungHopkinsarguesitisfarlessbrutalthanwhackinghim，especiallyafterexperiencehasprovedthatheevidentlydoesnotknowwhyyouarewhackinghim。Iamnotatallsuretheboyisnotright。
　　JanieplayedtheFairyGodmammainawhitewigandpanniers。Shewillmakeabeautifuloldlady。Thewhitehairgiveshertheonethingthatshelacks：distinction。Ifoundmyselfglancingapprehensivelyroundtheroom，wishingwehadnotinvitedsomanyeligiblebachelors。Dickismakingmeanxious。Thesenseofhisownunworthiness，whichhascometohimquitesuddenly，andapparentlywithalltheshockofanewdiscovery，hascompletelyunnervedhim。
　　Itisahealthysentiment，anddoeshimgood。ButIdonotwantitcarriedtothelengthoflosingher。Thethoughtofwhathemightonedaybringhomehasbeenanightmaretomeeversinceheleftschool。Isupposeitistomostfathers。Especiallyifonethinksofthewomenonelovedoneselfwhenintheearlytwenties。Alargepale—facedgirl，whoservedinabun—shopintheStrand，isthefirstIcanrecollect。HowItrembledwhenbychanceherhandtouchedmine！Icannotrecallasingleattractionaboutherexcepthersize，yetfornearlysixmonthsIlunchedoffpastryandmineralwatersmerelytobenearher。Tothisverydayanattackofindigestionwillalwaysrecreateherimageinmymind。Anotherwasathin，sallowgirl，butwithmagnificenteyes，ImetoneafternoonintheSouthKensingtonMuseum。Shewasabrainless，vixenishgirl，butthememoryofhereyeswouldalwaysdrawmebacktoher。Morethantwo—
　　thirdsofourtimetogetherwespentinviolentquarrels；andallmyhopesofeternityIwouldhavegiventomakehermycompanionforlife。ButforLuck，intheshapeofawell—to—docabproprietor，asgreatanidiotasmyselfImighthavedoneit。Thethirdwasachorusgirl：onthewhole，thebestofthebunch。Herfatherwasacoachman，andshehadtenbrothersandsisters，mostofthemdoingwellinservice。Andshewassucceeded——ifIhavetheordercorrect—
　　—bytheex—wifeofasolicitor，asprightlylady；accordingtoherownaccountthevictimofcomplicatedinjustice。Idaresaytherewereothers，ifItookthetimetothink；butnotoneofthemcanI
　　rememberwithoutreturningthankstoProvidenceforhavinglosther。
　　Whatisonetodo？Therearedaysinspringtimewhenayoungmanoughtnottobeallowedoutsidethehouse。ThankHeavenandConventionitisnotthegirlswhopropose！Fewwomen，whowouldchoosetherightmomenttoputtheirhandsuponayoungman’sshoulders，and，lookingintohiseyes，askhimtomarrythemnextweek，wouldreceiveNoforananswer。Itisonlyourshynessthatsavesus。Awisefriendofmine，whohasobservedmuch，wouldhaveallthosemarryingunderfive—and—twentydivorcedbyautomaticeffluxionoftimeatforty，leavingthefewwhohadchosensatisfactorilytobereunitediftheywished：hisargumentbeingthattocondemngrownmenandwomentoabidebythechoiceofinexperiencedboysandgirlsisunjustandabsurd。TherewerenicegirlsIcouldhavefalleninlovewith。Theyneveroccurredtome。
　　Itwouldseemasifamanhadtolearntasteinwomenasinallotherthings，namely，byeducation。Hereandtheremayexistthebornconnoisseur。Butwithmostofusourfirstinstinctsaretowardsvulgarity。ItisBarrie，Ithink，whosaysthatifonlythereweresillywomenenoughtogoround，goodwomenwouldnevergetalookin。
　　Itiscertainlyremarkable，thenumberofsweetoldmaidsonemeets。
　　Almostasremarkableasthenumberofstupid，cross—grainedwives。
　　AsItellDick，Ihavenodesireforadaughter—in—lawofwhomhefeelshimselfworthy。Ifhecan’tdobetterthanthathehadbestremainsingle。Janieandhe，ifIknowanythingoflife，arejustsuitedforoneanother。Helpfulpeopletaketheirhappinessinhelping。Iknewjustsuchanother，once：asweet，industrious，sensiblegirl。Shemadethemistakeofmarryingathoroughlygoodman。Therewasnothingforhertodo。Sheendedbylosingallinterestinhim，devotingherselftoaHomeintheEastEndforthereformationofnewsboys。Itwasapitifulwaste：somanywomenwouldhavebeengladofhim；whiletotheordinarysinfulmanshewouldhavebeenalife—longcomfort。ImusthaveaserioustalktoDick。Ishallpointoutwhatagoodthingitwillbeforher。IcanseeDickkeepingherbusyandcontentedfortherestofherdays。
　　VeronicaplayedthePrincess，——withlittleboyFoy——"SirRobertoftheCurse"——asherpage。Anythingmoredignifiedhas，Ishouldsay，rarelybeenseenupontheEnglishstage。Amongherweddingpresentswere：TwoVotesforWomen，presentedbythelocalFireBrigade；aFlyingMachineof"provedstability。Mightbeusedasabathingtent；"aNationalTheatre，"withColdWaterDoucheinBasementforreceptionofEnglishDramatists；"RecipeforbuildingaNavy，withoutpayingforit，"GiftofthatgreatFinancialExpert，SirHocusPocus；"oneConscientiousIncomeTaxpayer，"hasbeendrivenbyaLady；"twoSocialistsinagreementastowhatitmeans，"smalleroneslightlydamaged；"oneContentedFarmer，"BabylonianPeriod；"andoneextra—sizedbottle，"SolutionoftheServantProblem。"
　　Dickplayedthe"DragonwithoutaTail。"Wehadtomakehimwithoutatailowingtothesmallnessofthestage。Hehadoncehadatail。
　　Butthatwasalongstory：addedtowhichtherewasnottimetotellit。LittleSallySt。Leonardplayedhiswife，andRobinawashismother—in—law。Somuchdependsuponone’smood。Whatanoceanofboredommightbesavedifsciencecouldbutgiveusabarometerforetellingusourchangesoftemperament！Howmuchmoretoourcomfortwecouldplanourlives，knowingthatonMonday，say，weshouldbefeelingfrivolous；onSaturday"dulltobad—tempered。"
　　ItookamanoncetoseeThePrivateSecretary。Ibeganbyenjoyingmyself，andendedbyfeelingashamedofmyselfandvexedwiththeschemeofcreation。Thatauthorsshouldwritesuchplays，thatactorsshouldbewillingtodegradeourcommonnaturebyappearinginthemwasexplainable，hesupposed，bythelawofsupplyanddemand。
　　Whathecouldnotunderstandwashowthepubliccouldcontrivetoextractamusementfromthem。Whatwastherefunnyinseeingapoorgentlemanshutupinabox？Whyshouldeverybodyroarwithlaughterwhenheaskedforabun？Peopleaskedforbunseveryday——peopleinrailwayrefreshmentrooms，inaeratedbreadshops。Wherewasthejoke？AmonthlaterIfoundmyselfbychanceoccupyingtheseatjustbehindhimatthepantomime。Thelowcomedianwasbathingababy，andtearsofmerrimentwererollingdownhischeeks。Tomethewholebusinessseemedpainfulandrevolting。Wewerebeingaskedtofinddelightinthespectacleofafather——scouringdownaninfantoftenderyearswithascrubbing—brush。Howwomen——manyofthemmothers——couldremainthroughsuchanexhibitionwithoutrisinginprotestappearedtomeanargumentagainstfemalesuffrage。Aladyentered，thewife，sotheprogrammeinformedme，ofaBaron！AllI
　　cansayisthatamorevulgar，lessprepossessingfemaleIneverwishtomeet。Ievendoubtedhersobriety。Shesatdownplumpuponthebaby。Shemusthavebeenawomanrisingsixteenstone，andforoneminutefifteensecondsbymywatchthewholehouserockedwithlaughter。ThatthethingwasonlyastagepropertyIfeltwasnoexcuse。Thehumour——heavensavethemark——layinthesuppositionthatwhatwewerewitnessingwastheagonyanddeath——fornochildcouldhavesurvivedthatwoman’sweight——ofarealbaby。HadIbeenabletotapmyselfbeforehandIshouldhavelearnedthatonthatparticularSaturdayIwasgoingtobe"set—serious。"InsteadofbookingaseatforthepantomimeIshouldhavegonetoalectureonEgyptianpotterywhichwasbeinggivenbyafriendofmineattheLondonLibrary，andhavehadagoodtime。
　　Childrencouldtaptheirparents，warneachotherthatfatherwas"goingdown；"thatmothernextweekwaslikelytobe"gusty。"
　　Childrenthemselvesmighthangouttheirlittlebarometers。I
　　rememberarainydayinacountryhouseduringtheChristmasholidays。WehadamongusaMemberofParliament：amanofsunnydisposition，extremelyfondofchildren。Hesaiditwasawfullyhardlinesonthelittlebeggarscoopedupinanursery；andborrowinghishost’smotor—coat，pretendedhewasabear。Heploddedroundonhishandsandkneesandgrowledagooddeal，andthechildrensatonthesofaandwatchedhim。Buttheydidn’tseemtobeenjoyingit，notmuch；andafteraquarterofanhourorsohenoticedthishimself。
　　Hethoughtitwas，maybe，thattheyweretiredofbears，andfanciedthatawhalemightrousethem。Heturnedthetableupsidedownandplacedthechildreninitonthreechairs，explainingtothemthattheywereship—wreckedsailorsonaraft，andthattheymustbecarefulthewhaledidnotgetunderneathitandupsetthem。Hedrapedasheetoverthetowel—horsetorepresentaniceberg，androlledhimselfupinamackintoshandfloppedabouttheflooronhisstomach，buttinghisheadoccasionallyagainstthetableinordertosuggesttothemtheirdanger。Theattitudeofthechildrenstillremainedthatofpolitespectators。True，theyoungestboydidmakethesuggestionofborrowingthekitchentoasting—fork，andemployingitasaharpoon；buteventhisappearedtobetheoutcomeratherofadesiretopleasethanofanywarmerinterest；and，thewhaleobjecting，theideafellthrough。Afterthatheclimbeduponthedresserandannouncedtothemthathewasanourang—outang。Theywatchedhimbreakasoup—tureen，andthentheeldestboy，steppingoutintothemiddleoftheroom，helduphisarm，andtheMemberofParliament，somewhatsurprised，satdownonthedresserandlistened。
　　"Please，sir，"saidtheeldestboy，"we’reawfullysorry。It’sawfullygoodofyou，sir。Butsomehowwe’renotfeelinginthemoodforwildbeaststhisafternoon。"
　　TheMemberofParliamentbroughtthemdownintothedrawing—room，wherewehadmusic；andthechildren，attheirownrequest，wereallowedtosinghymns。Thenextdaytheycameoftheirownaccord，andaskedtheMemberofParliamenttoplayatbeastswiththem；butitseemedhehadletterstowrite。
　　Therearetimeswhenjokesaboutmothers—in—lawstrikemeaslackingbothintasteandfreshness。Onthisparticulareveningtheycametomebringingwiththemallthefragranceofthedaysthatarenomore。
　　ThefirstplayIeversawdealtwiththesubjectofthemother—in—
　　law——the"Problem"Ithinkitwascalledinthosedays。TheoccasionwasanamateurperformancegiveninaidofthelocalRaggedSchool。
　　Acousinofmine，latelymarried，playedthewife；andmyaunt，I
　　remember，gotupandwalkedoutinthemiddleofthesecondact。
　　Robina，inspectaclesandanearlyVictorianbonnet，remindedmeofher。YoungButeplayedacomiccabman。ItwasattheoldHaymarket，inBuckstone’stime，thatIfirstmetthecabmanofartandliterature。Dearbibulous，becoatedcreature，withever—wrathfuloutstretchedpalmandhusky"’Ere！Wot’sthis？"Howgooditwastoseehimonceagain！IfeltIwantedtoclimboverthefoot—lightsandshakehimbythehand。ThetwinsplayedacoupleofYoungTurks，muchconcernedabouttheirconstitutions；andmadequiteahitwithatopicalduettotherefrain："AndsoyouseeThereasonheIsnottheBossforus。"WeallagreeditwasapunworthyofTomHoodhimself。TheVicarthoughthehadhearditbefore，butthisseemedimprobable。TherewasaunanimouscallforAuthor，givingrisetosoundsofdiscussionbehindthecurtain。Eventuallythewholecompanyappeared，withVeronicainthecentre。IhadnoticedthroughoutthatthecentreofthestageappearedtobeVeronica’sfavouritespot。IcanseethemakingsofaleadingactressinVeronica。
　　Inmyownpiece，whichfollowed，RobinaandButeplayedayoungmarriedcouplewhodonotknowhowtoquarrel。Ithasalwaysstruckmehowmuchmoresatisfactorilypeoplequarrelonthestagethaninreallife。Onthestagetheman，havingmadeuphismind——tohaveitout，entersandclosesthedoor。Helightsacigarette；ifnotateetotallermixeshimselfabrandy—and—soda。Hiswifeallthistimeiscarefultoremainsilent。Quiteevidentitisthatheispreparingforherbenefitsomethingunpleasant，andchattermightdisturbhim。Tofillupthetimeshetoyswithanovelortouchessoftlythekeysofthepianountilheisquitecomfortableandreadytobegin。Heglidesintohissubjectwiththestudiedcalmofonewithalltheafternoonbeforehim。Shelistenstohiminraptattention。Shedoesnotdreamofinterruptinghim；wouldscornthesuggestionofchippinginwithanylittlenotionofherownlikelytodisarrangehistrainofthought。Allshedoeswhenhepauses，asoccasionallyhehastoforthepurposeoftakingbreath，istocometohisassistancewithshortencouragingremarks，such，forinstance，as："Well。""Youthinkthat。""AndifIdid？"Herobjectseemstobetohelphimon。"Goon，"shesaysfromtimetotime，bitterly。
　　Andhegoeson。Towardstheend，whenheshowssignsofeasingup，sheputsittohimasonesportsmantoanother：Ishequitefinished？Isthatall？Sometimesitisn’t。Asoftenasnothehasbeensavingthepickofthebasketforthelast。
　　"No，"hesays，"thatisnotall。Thereissomethingelse！"
　　Thatisquiteenoughforher。Thatisallshewantedtoknow。Shemerelyaskedincasetheremightbe。Asitappearsthereis，shere—
　　settlesherselfinherchairandisagainallears。
　　Whenitdoescome——whenheisquitesurethereisnothinghehasforgotten，nolittlepointthathehasoverlooked，sherises。
　　"Ihavelistenedpatiently，"shebegins，"toallthatyouhavesaid。"
　　（Thedevilhimselfcouldnotdenythis。"Patience"hardlyseemstheword。"Enthusiastically"shemightalmosthavesaid）。"Now"——withrisinginflection——"youlistentome。"
　　Thestagehusband——alwaysthegentleman——bows；——stifflymaybe，butquitepolitely；andpreparesinhisturntooccupytheroleofdumbbutdignifieddefendant。Toemphasisethecomingchangeintheirpositions，theladymostprobablycrossesovertowhathashithertobeenhissideofthestage；whilehe，startingatthesamemoment，andpassingheraboutthecentre，settleshimselfdowninwhatmustberegardedasthelistener’sendoftheroom。Wethenhavethewholestoryoveragainfromherpointofview；andthistimeitisthegentlemanwhowouldbiteoffhistongueratherthanmakearetortcalculatedtoputtheladyoff。
　　Intheenditisthepartywhoisintherightthatconquers。Offthestagethisismoreorlessofatoss—up；onthestage，never。Ifjusticebewiththehusband，thenitishisvoicethat，graduallygrowinglouderandlouder，ringsatlasttriumphantthroughthehouse。Theladyseesherselfthatshehasbeentoblame，andwonderswhyitdidnotoccurtoherbefore——isgratefulfortherevelation，andaskstobeforgiven。If，ontheotherhand，itwasthehusbandwhowasatfault，thenitistheladywhowillbefoundeventuallyoccupyingthecentreofthestage；themiserablehusbandwho，morallyspeaking，willbetryingtogetunderthetable。
　　Now，inreallifethingsdon’thappenquitelikethis。Whatthequarrelinreallifesuffersfromiswantofsystem。Thereisnoorder，nosettledplan。Thereismuchtoomuchgo—as—you—pleaseaboutthequarrelinreallife，andtheresultisnaturallypuremuddle。Theman，turningthingsoverinthemorningwhileshaving，makesuphismindtohavethismatteroutandhavedonewithit。Heknowsexactlywhatheisgoingtosay。Herepeatsittohimselfatintervalsduringtheday。HewillfirstsayThis，andthenhewillgoontoThat；whileheisaboutithewillperhapsmentiontheOther。Hereckonsitwilltakehimaquarterofanhour。Whichwilljustgivehimtimetodressfordinner。
　　Afteritisover，andhelooksathiswatch，hefindsithastakenhimlongerthanthat。Addedtowhichhehassaidnexttonothing——
　　nexttonothing，thatis，ofwhathemeanttosay。Itwentwrongfromtheverystart。Asamatteroffacttherewasn’tanystart。Heenteredtheroomandclosedthedoor。Thatisasfarashegot。Thecigaretteheneverevenlighted。Thereoughttohavebeenaboxofmatchesonthemantelpiecebehindthephoto—frame。Andofcoursetherewerenonethere。Forhertoflyintoatempermerelybecauseheremindedherthathehadspokenaboutthisverymatteratleastahundredtimesbefore，andaccusehimofgoingabouthisownhouse"stealing"hisownmatcheswaspositivelylaughable。Theyhadquarrelledforaboutfiveminutesoverthosewretchedmatches，andthenforanothertenbecausehesaidthatwomenhadnosenseofhumour，andshewantedtoknowhowheknew。Afterthattherehadcroppedupthelastquarter’sgas—bill，andthatbyaprocessstillmysterioustohimhadledthemintothesubjectofhisbehaviouronthenightoftheHockeyClubdance。Byaneffortofalmostsupernaturalself—controlhehadcontrivedatlengthtointroducethesubjecthehadcomehomehalfanhourearlierthanusualonpurposetodiscuss。Itdidn’tinterestherintheleast。WhatshewasfullofbythistimewasagirlnamedArabellaJones。Shegotinquitealotwhilehewasvainlytryingtorememberwherehehadlastseenthedamnedgirl。HehadjustsucceededingettingbacktohisowntopicwhentheCuddifordgirlfromnextdoordashedinwithoutahattoborrowatuning—fork。Ithadbeenquiteabusinessfindingthetuning—fork，andwhenshewasgonetheyhadtobeginalloveragain。
　　Theyhadquarrelledaboutthedrawing—roomcarpet；abouthersisterFlorrie’sbirthdaypresent；andthewayhedrovethemotor—car。Ithadtakenthemoveranhourandahalf，andratherthanwastetheticketsforthetheatre，theyhadgonewithouttheirdinner。Thematterofthecoldchiselstillremainedtobethrashedout。
　　IthadoccurredtomethatthroughthemediumofthedramaImightshowhowthedomesticquarrelcouldsoeasilybeimproved。AdolphusGoodbody，aworthyyoungmandeeplyattachedtohiswife，feelsneverthelessthatthedinnerssheisinflictinguponhimarethreateningwithpermanentdamagehisdigestivesystem。Hedetermines，comewhatmay，toinsistuponachange。ElviraGoodbody，acharminggirl，admiringanddevotedtoherhusband，isnotwithstandingatrifleentete，especiallywhenherdomesticarrangementshappentobethethemeofdiscussion。Adolphus，hiscouragescrewedtothesticking—point，broachesthedifficultsubject；andforthefirsthalfoftheactmyaimwastopicturetheprogressofthehumanquarrel，notasitshouldbe，butasitis。
　　Theyneverreachthecook。Thefirstmentionoftheword"dinner"
　　remindsElvira（quicktoperceivethatargumentisbrewing，andalivetotheadvantageofgettinginfirst）thattwicethemonthbeforehehaddinedout，notreturningtillthesmallhoursofthemorning。
　　Whatshewantstoknowiswherethissortofthingisgoingtoend？
　　IfthepurposeofFreemasonryistheruinofthehomeandthedesertionofwomen，thenallshehastosay——itturnsouttobequiteagooddeal。Adolphus，whenabletogetinaword，suggeststhateleveno’clockatthelatestcanhardlybedescribedasthe"smallhoursofthemorning"：thefaultwithwomenisthattheyneverwillconfinethemselvestothesimpletruth。Fromthatpointonwards，ascanbeimagined，thescenealmostwroteitself。Theyhavepassedthroughallthecustomarystages，andareplanning，withexaggeratedcalm，arrangementsfortheseparationwhicheachnowfeelstobeinevitable，whenaknockcomestothefront—door，andthereentersamutualfriend。
　　Theirhastyattemptstocoverupthetracesofmentaldisorderwithwhichtheatmosphereisstreweddonotdeceivehim。Therehasbeen，letussay，arippleonthewatersofperfectagreement。Come！Whatwasitallabout？
　　"About！"Theylookfromonetotheother。SurelyitwouldbesimplertotellhimwhatithadNOTbeenabout。Ithadbeenabouttheparrot，aboutherwantofpunctuality，abouthisusingthebutter—knifeforthemarmalade，aboutapairofslippershehadlostatChristmas，abouttheeducationquestion，andherdressmaker’sbill，andhisfriendGeorge，andthenext—doordog—
　　Themutualfriendcutsshortthecatalogue。Clearlythereisnothingforitbuttobeginthequarrelalloveragain；andthistime，iftheywillputthemselvesintohishands，hefeelssurehecanpromisevictorytowhicheveroneisintheright。
　　Elvira——shehasasweet，impulsivenature——throwsherarmsaroundhim：thatisallshewants。IfonlyAdolphuscouldbebroughttosee！Adolphusgripshimbythehand。IfonlyElvirawouldlistentosense！
　　Themutualfriend——heisanoldstage—manager——arrangesthescene：
　　Elviraineasy—chairbyfirewithcrochet。EnterAdolphus。Helightsacigarette；flingsthematchonthefloor；withhishandsinhispocketspacesupanddowntheroom；kicksafootstooloutofhisway。
　　"TellmewhenIamtobegin，"saysElvira。
　　Themutualfriendpromisestogivehertherightcue。
　　Adolphuscomestoahaltinthecentreoftheroom。
　　"Iamsorry，mydear，"hesays，"butthereissomethingImustsaytoyou——somethingthatmaynotbealtogetherpleasantforyoutohear。"
　　TowhichElvira，stillcrocheting，replies，"Oh，indeed。Andpraywhatmaythatbe？"
　　ThiswasnotElvira’sownidea。Springingfromherchair，shehadgotasfaras："Lookhere。Ifyouhavecomehomeearlymerelyforthepurposeofmakingarow——"beforethemutualfriendcouldstopher。Themutualfriendwasfirm。Onlybyexactingstrictobediencecouldheguaranteeasuccessfulissue。Whatshehadgottosaywas，"Oh，indeed。Etcetera。"Themutualfriendhadneedofallhistacttopreventitsbecomingaquarrelofthree。
　　Adolphus，allowedtoproceed，explainedthatthesubjectaboutwhichhewishedtospeakwasthesubjectofdinner。Themutualfriendthistimewasbeforehand。Elvira’sretorttothatwas："Dinner！YoucomplainofthedinnersIprovideforyou？"enablinghimtoreply，"Yes，madam，Idocomplain，"andtogivereasons。ItseemedtoElvirathatthemutualfriendhadlosthissenses。Totellherto"wait"；that"hertimewouldcome"；ofwhatusewasthat！Halfofwhatshewantedtosaywouldbegoneoutofherhead。AdolphusbroughttoaconclusionhiscriticismofElvira’skitchen；andthenElvira，incapableofrestrainingherselffurther，rosemajestically。
　　ThemutualfriendwassavedthetroubleofsuppressingAdolphus。
　　UntilElvirahadfinishedAdolphusnevergotanopening。Hegrumbledattheirdinners。He！whocandinenightafternightwithhispreciousFreemasons。Doeshethinkshelikesthemanybetter？She，doomedtostayathomeandeatthem。Whatdoeshetakeherfor？Anostrich？Whosefaultisitthattheykeepanincompetentcooktoooldtolearnandtooobstinatetowantto？Whoseoldfamilyservantwasshe？NotElvira’s。IthasbeentopleaseAdolphusthatshehassufferedthewoman。Andthisisherreward。This！Shebreaksdown。
　　Adolphusisastonishedandtroubled。Personallyheneverlikedthewoman。Faithfulshemayhavebeen，butacooknever。Hisownidea，hadhebeenconsulted，wouldhavebeenasmallpension。Elvirafallsuponhisneck。Whydidhenotsaysobefore？Adolphuspresseshertohisbosom。Ifonlyhehadknown！Theypromisethemutualfriendnevertoquarrelagainwithouthisassistance。
　　Theactingallroundwasquitegood。Ourcurate，whoisabachelor，saidittaughtalesson。Veronicahadtearsinhereyes。Shewhisperedtomethatshethoughtitbeautiful。ThereismoreinVeronicathanpeoplethink。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　Iamsorrythehouseisfinished。Thereisaproverb："Foolsbuildhousesforwisementolivein。"Itdependsuponwhatyouareafter。
　　Thefoolgetsthefun，andthewisementhebricksandmortar。I
　　rememberawhimsicalstoryIpickedupatthebookstalloftheGaredeLyon。IreaditbetweenParisandFontainebleaumanyyearsago。
　　Threefriends，youthfulBohemians，smokingtheirpipesafterthemeagredinnerofacheaprestaurantintheLatinQuarter，felltothinkingoftheirpoverty，ofthelongandbitterstrugglethatlaybeforethem。
　　"Mythemesaresooriginal，"sighedtheMusician。"Itwilltakemeayearoffetedaystoteachthepublictounderstandthem，evenifeverIdosucceed。AndmeanwhileIshallliveunknown，neglected；
　　watchingthemenwithoutidealspassingmebyintherace，splashedwiththemudfromtheircarriage—wheelsasIbeatthepavementswithwornshoes。Itisreallyamostunjustworld。"
　　"Anabominableworld，"agreedthePoet。"Butthinkofme！Mycaseisfarharderthanyours。Yourgiftlieswithinyou。Mineistotranslatewhatliesaroundme；andthat，forsofaraheadasIcansee，willalwaysbetheshadowsideoflife。TodevelopmygeniustoitsfullestIneedthesunshineofexistence。Mysoulisbeingstarvedforlackofthebeautifulthingsoflife。AlittleofthewealththatvulgarpeoplewastewouldmakeagreatpoetforFrance。
　　ItisnotonlyofmyselfthatIamthinking。"
　　ThePainterlaughed。"Icannotsoartoyourheights，"hesaid。
　　"Franklyspeaking，itismyselfthatchieflyappealstome。Whynot？
　　IgivetheworldBeauty，andinreturnwhatdoesitgiveme？Thisdingyrestaurant，whereIeatill—flavouredfoodoffhideousplatters，afoulgarretgivingontochimney—pots。Afterlongyearsofill—requitedlabourImay——asothershavebeforeme——comeintomykingdom：possessmystudiointheChampsElysees，myfinehouseatNeuilly；buttheprospectoftheinterveningperiod，Iconfess，appalsme。"
　　Absorbedinthemselves，theyhadnotnoticedthatastranger，seatedataneighbouringtable，hadbeenlisteningwithattention。Heroseand，apologisingwitheasygraceforintrusionintoaconversationhecouldhardlyhaveavoidedoverhearing，requestedpermissiontobeofservice。Therestaurantwasdimlylighted；thethreefriendsonenteringhadchosenitsobscurestcorner。TheStrangerappearedtobewell—dressed；hisvoiceandbearingsuggestedthemanofaffairs；
　　hisface——whatfeeblelighttherewasbeingbehindhim——remainedinshadow。
　　Thethreefriendseyedhimfurtively：possiblysomerichbuteccentricpatronofthearts；notbeyondtheboundsofspeculationthathewasacquaintedwiththeirwork，hadreadthePoet’sversesinoneoftheminormagazines，hadstumbleduponsomesketchofthePainter’swhilebargain—huntingamongthedealersoftheQuartierSt。
　　Antoine，beenstruckbythebeautyoftheComposer’sNocturneinF
　　heardatsomestudent’sconcert；havingmadeenquiriesconcerningtheirhaunts，hadchosenthismethodofintroducinghimself。Theyoungmenmaderoomforhimwithfeelingsofhopemingledwithcuriosity。TheaffableStrangercalledforliqueurs，andhandedroundhiscigar—case。Andalmosthisfirstwordsbroughtthemjoy。
　　"Beforewegofurther，"saidthesmilingStranger，"itismypleasuretoinformyouthatallthreeofyouaredestinedtobecomegreat。"
　　Theliqueurstotheirunaccustomedpalateswereprovingpotent。TheStranger’scigarsweresingularlyaromatic。ItseemedthemostreasonablethingintheworldthattheStrangershouldbethusabletoforetelltothemtheirfuture。
　　"Fame，fortunewillbeyours，"continuedtheagreeableStranger。
　　"Allthingsdelightfulwillbetoyourhand：theadorationofwomen，thehonourofmen，theincenseofSociety，joysspiritualandmaterial，beauteoussurroundings，choicefoods，allluxuryandease，theworldyourpleasure—ground。"
　　Thestainedwallsofthedingyrestaurantwerefadingintospacebeforetheyoungmen’seyes。Theysawthemselvesasgodswalkinginthegardenoftheirhearts’desires。
　　"But，alas，"wentontheStranger——andwiththefirstnoteofhischangedvoicethevisionsvanished，thedingywallscameback——"thesethingstaketime。Youwill，allthree，bewellpastmiddle—agebeforeyouwillreapthejustrewardofyourtoilandtalents。
　　Meanwhile——"thesympatheticStrangershruggedhisshoulders——"itistheoldstory：geniusspendingitsyouthbattlingforrecognitionagainstindifference，ridicule，envy；thespiritcrushedbyitssordidenvironment，thedrabmonotonyofnarrowdays。Therewillbewinternightswhenyouwilltrampthestreets，cold，hungry，forlorn；
　　summerdayswhenyouwillhideinyourattics，ashamedofthesunlightonyourraggedgarments；chilldawnswhenyouwillwatchwild—eyedthesufferingofthoseyoulove，helplessbyreasonofyourpovertytoalleviatetheirpain。"
　　TheStrangerpausedwhiletheancientwaiterreplenishedtheemptyglasses。Thethreefriendsdrankinsilence。
　　"Ipropose，"saidtheStranger，withapleasantlaugh，"thatwepassoverthiscustomaryperiodofprobation——thatweskiptheinterveningyears——arriveatonceatourtruedestination。"
　　TheStranger，leaningbackinhischair，regardedthethreefriendswithasmiletheyfeltratherthansaw。AndsomethingabouttheStranger——theycouldnothavetoldthemselveswhat——madeallthingspossible。
　　"Aquitesimplematter，"theStrangerassuredthem。"Alittlesleepandaforgetting，andtheyearsliebehindus。Come，gentlemen。
　　HaveIyourconsent？"
　　Itseemedaquestionhardlyneedinganswer。Toescapeatonestridethelong，wearystruggle；toenterwithoutfightingintovictory！
　　Theyoungmenlookedatoneanother。Andeachone，thinkingofhisgain，barteredthebattleforthespoil。
　　Itseemedtothemthatsuddenlythelightswentout；andadarknesslikearushingwindsweptpastthem，filledwithmanysounds。Andthenforgetfulness。Andthenthecomingbackoflight。
　　Theywereseatedatatable，glitteringwithsilveranddaintychinaware，towhichtheredwineinVenetiangoblets，thevariedfruitandflowers，gavecolour。Theroom，furnishedtoogorgeouslyfortaste，theyjudgedtobeaprivatecabinetinoneofthegreatrestaurants。Ofsuchinteriorstheyhadoccasionallycaughtglimpsesthroughopenwindowsonsummernights。Itwassoftlyilluminatedbyshadedlamps。TheStranger’sfacewasstillinshadow。Butwhatsurprisedeachofthethreemostwastoobserveoppositehimtwomoreorlessbald—headedgentlemenofsomewhatflabbyappearance，whosefeatures，however，insomemysteriouswayappearedfamiliar。TheStrangerhadhiswine—glassraisedinhishand。
　　"OurdearPaul，"theStrangerwassaying，"hasdeclined，withhiscustomarymodesty，anypublicrecognitionofhistriumph。Hewillnotrefusethreeoldfriendstheprivilegeofofferinghimtheirheartiestcongratulations。Gentlemen，IdrinknotonlytoourdearPaul，buttotheFrenchAcademy，whichinhonouringhimhashonouredFrance。"
　　TheStranger，risingfromhischair，turnedhispiercingeyes——theonlypartofhimthatcouldbeclearlyseen——upontheastonishedPoet。Thetwoelderlygentlemenopposite，evidentlyasbewilderedasPaulhimself，takingtheircuefromtheStranger，drainedtheirglasses。StillfollowingtheStranger’slead，leanteachacrossthetableandshookhimwarmlybythehand。
　　"Ibegpardon，"saidthePoet，"butreallyIamafraidImusthavebeenasleep。Woulditsoundrudetoyou"——headdressedhimselftotheStranger：thefacesoftheelderlygentlemenoppositedidnotsuggesttheirbeingofmuchassistancetohim——"ifIaskedyouwhereIwas？"
　　AgainthereflickeredacrosstheStranger’sfacethesmilethatwasfeltratherthanseen。"YouareinaprivateroomoftheCafePretali，"heanswered。"WearemetthiseveningtocelebrateyourrecentelevationintothecompanyoftheImmortals。"
　　"Oh，"saidthePoet，"thankyou。"
　　"TheAcademy，"continuedtheStranger，"isalwaysalittlelateintheseaffairs。Myself，Icouldhavewishedyourelectionhadtakenplacetenyearsago，whenallFrance——allFrancethatcounts，thatis——wastalkingofyou。Atfifty—three"——theStrangertouchedlightlywithhisfingersthePoet’sfathand——"onedoesnotwriteaswhenthesapwasrunningup，insteadofdown。"
　　Slowly，memoryofthedingycafeintheRueSt。Louis，ofthestrangehappeningthattookplacetherethatnightwhenhewasyoung，creptbackintothePoet’sbrain。
　　"Wouldyoumind，"saidthePoet，"woulditbetroublingyoutoomuchtotellmesomethingofwhathasoccurredtome？"
　　"Notintheleast，"respondedtheagreeableStranger。"Yourcareerhasbeenmostinteresting——forthefirstfewyearschieflytoyourself。YoumarriedMarguerite。YourememberMarguerite？"
　　ThePoetrememberedher。
　　"Amadthingtodo，somostpeoplewouldhavesaid，"continuedtheStranger。"Youhadnotasoubetweenyou。But，myself，Ithinkyouwerejustified。Youthcomestousbutonce。Andattwenty—fiveourbusinessistolive。Undoubtedlythemarriagehelpedyou。Youlivedanidyllicexistence，foratime，inatumble—downcottageatSuresnes，withagardenthatwentdowntotheriver。Poor，ofcourseyouwere；pooraschurchmice。Butwhofearspovertywhenhopeandlovearesingingonthebough！IreallythinkquiteyourbestworkwasdoneduringthoseyearsatSuresnes。Ah，thesweetness，thetendernessofit！TherehasbeennothinglikeitinFrenchpoetry。
　　Itmadenomarkatthetime；buttenyearslaterthepublicwentmadaboutit。Shewasdeadthen。Poorchild，ithadbeenahardstruggle。And，asyoumayremember，shewasalwaysfragile。YeteveninherdeathIthinkshehelpedyou。Thereenteredanewnoteintoyourpoetry，adepththathadhithertobeenwanting。Itwasthebestthingthatevercametoyou，yourloveforMarguerite。"
　　TheStrangerrefilledhisglass，andpassedthedecanter。ButthePoetleftthewineunheeded。
　　"Andthen，ah，yes，thenfollowedthatexcursionintopolitics。
　　ThosescathingarticlesyouwroteforLaLiberte！ItishardlyanexaggerationtosaythattheyalteredthewholeaspectofFrenchpoliticalthought。ThosewonderfulspeechesyoumadeduringyourelectioncampaignatAngers。Howthepeopleworshippedyou！Youmighthavecarriedyourportfoliohadyoupersisted。Butyoupoetsaresuchrestlessfellows。Andafterall，Idaresayyouhavereallyaccomplishedmorebyyourplays。Youremember——no，ofcourse，howcouldyou？——thefirstnightofLaConquette。ShallIeverforgetit！
　　Ihavealwaysreckonedthatthecrownofyourcareer。YourmarriagewithMadameDeschenelle——Idonotthinkitwasforthepublicgood。
　　PoorDeschenelle’smillions——isitnotso？Poetryandmillionsinterferewithoneanother。Butathousandpardons，mydearPaul。
　　Youhavedonesomuch。Itisonlyrightyoushouldnowbetakingyourease。Yourworkisfinished。"
　　ThePoetdoesnotanswer。Sitsstaringbeforehimwitheyesturnedinward。ThePainter，theMusician：whatdidtheyearsbringtothem？TheStrangertellsthemalsoofallthattheyhavelost：ofthegriefsandsorrows，ofthehopesandfearstheyhavenevertasted，oftheirtearsthatendedinlaughter，ofthepainthatgavesweetnesstojoy，ofthetriumphsthatcametotheminthedaysbeforetriumphhadlostitssavour，ofthelovesandthelongingsandfervourstheywouldneverknow。Allwasended。TheStrangerhadgiventhemwhathehadpromised，whattheyhaddesired：thegainwithoutthegetting。
　　Thentheybreakout。
　　"Whatisittome，"criesthePainter，"thatIwaketofindmyselfwearingthegoldmedaloftheSalon，robbedofthememoryofallbywhichitwasearned？"
　　TheStrangerpointsouttohimthatheisillogical；suchmemorieswouldhaveincludedlongvistasofmeagredinnersindingyrestaurants，ofatticstudios，ofalifethechiefpartofwhichhadbeenpassedamiduglysurroundings。Itwastoescapefromallsuchthathehadclamoured。ThePoetissilent。
　　"Iaskedbutforrecognition，"criestheMusician，"thatmenmightlistentome；notformymusictobetakenfrommeinexchangefortherecompenseofasuccessfultradesman。Myinspirationisburntout；Ifeelit。Themusicthatoncefilledmysoulismute。"
　　"Itwasbornofthestrifeandanguish，"theStrangertellshim，"ofthelovesthatdied，ofthehopesthatfaded，ofthebeatingofyouth’swingsagainstthebarsofsorrow，ofthegloryandmadnessandtormentcalledLife，ofthestruggleyoushrankfromfacing。"
　　ThePoettakesupthetale。
　　"YouhaverobbedusofLife，"hecries。"Youtellusofdeadlipswhosekisseswehaveneverfelt，ofsongsofvictorysungtoourdeafears。Youhavetakenourfires，youhaveleftusbuttheashes。"
　　"Thefiresthatscorchandsear，"theStrangeradds，"thelipsthatcriedintheirpain，thevictoryboughtofwounds。"
　　"Itisnotyettoolate，"theStrangertellsthem。"Allthiscanbebutatroubleddream，growingfainterwitheachwakingmoment。WillyoubuybackyourYouthatthecostofease？WillyoubuybackLifeatthepriceoftears？"
　　Theycrywithonevoice，"GiveusbackourYouthwithitsburdens，andahearttobearthem！GiveusbackLifewithitsmingledbitterandsweet！"
　　ThensuddenlytheStrangerstandsrevealedbeforethem。TheyseethatheisLife——Lifebornofbattle，Lifemadestrongbyendeavour，Lifelearningsongfromsuffering。
　　Therefollowsmoretalk；whichstruckme，whenIreadthestory，asamistake；forallthathetellsthemtheyhavenowlearnt：thatlifetobeenjoyedmustbelived；thatvictorytobesweetmustbewon。
　　TheyawakeinthedingycafeintheRueSt。Louis。Theancientwaiterispilingupthechairspreparatorytoclosingtheshutters。
　　ThePoetdrawsforthhissmallhandfulofcoins；askswhatistopay。
　　"Nothing，"thewaiteranswers。Astrangerwhosatwiththemandtalkedawhilebeforetheyfellasleephaspaidthebill。Theylookatoneanother，butnoonespeaks。
　　Thestreetsareempty。Athinrainisfalling。Theyturnupthecollarsoftheircoats；strikeoutintothenight。Andastheirfootstepsechoontheglisteningpavementitcomestoeachofthemthattheyarewalkingwithanew，bravestep。
　　IfeelsosorryforDick——forthetensofthousandsofhappy，healthy，cared—forladsofwhomDickisthetype。Theremustbemillionsofyoungstersintheworldwhohaveneverknownhunger，exceptasanappetisertotheirdinner；whohaveneverfeltwhatitwastobetired，withouttheknowledgethatacomfortablebedwasawaitingthem。
　　Tothewell—to—domanorwomanlifeisoneperpetualnursery。Theyarewakenedinthemorning——nottooearly，nottillthenurseryhasbeensweptoutandmadeready，andthefirelighted——awakenedgentlywithacupofteatogivethemstrengthandcourageforthisgreatbusinessofgettingup——awakenedwithwhisperedwords，lestanysuddenstartshouldmaketheirlittleheadsache——theblindscarefullyarrangedtoexcludethenaughtysun，whichotherwisemightshineintotheirlittleeyesandmakethemfretful。Thewater，withthenastychilloff，isputreadyforthem；theywashtheirlittlehandsandfaces，allbythemselves！Thentheyareshavedandhavetheirhairdone；theirlittlehandsaremanicured，theirlittlecornscutforthem。Whentheyareneatandclean，theytoddleintobreakfast；theyareshownintotheirlittlechairs，theirlittlenapkinshandedtothem；thenicefoodthatissogoodforthemisputupontheirlittleplates；thedrinkispouredoutforthemintotheircups。Iftheywanttoplay，thereisthedaynursery。Theyhaveonlytotellkindnursewhatgameitistheyfancy。Thetoysareatoncebroughtout。Thelittlegunisputintotheirhand；thelittlehorseisdraggedforthfromitscorner，theirlittlefeetcarefullyplacedinthestirrups。Thelittleballandbatistakenfromitsbox。
　　Ortheywilltaketheair，asthewisedoctorhasordered。Thelittlecarriagewillbereadyinfiveminutes；thenicewarmcloakisbuttonedroundthem，thefootstoolplacedbeneaththeirfeet，thecushionattheirback。
　　Thedayisdone。Thegameshavebeenplayed；thetoyshavebeentakenfromtheirtiredhands，putbackintothecupboard。Thefoodthatissogoodforthem，thatmakesthemstronglittlemenandwomen，hasallbeeneaten。TheyhavebeendressedforgoingoutintotheprettyPark，undressedanddressedagainforgoingouttoteawiththelittleboysandgirlsnextdoor；undressedanddressedagainfortheparty。Theyhavereadtheirlittlebook？haveseenalittleplay，havelookedatprettypictures。Thekindgentlemanwiththelonghairhasplayedthepianotothem。Theyhavedanced。Theirlittlefeetarereallyquitetired。Thefootmanbringsthemhome。
　　Theyareputintotheirlittlenighties。Thecandleisblownout，thenurserydoorissoftlyclosed。
　　Nowandagainsomerestlesslittleman，wearyingofthesmugnursery，willrunoutpastthegardengate，anddownthelongwhiteroad；willfindtheNorthPoleor，failingthat，theSouthPole，orwheretheNilerises，orhowitfeelstofly；willclimbtheMountainsoftheMoon——doanything，goanywhere，toescapefromNurseCivilisation’severlastingapronstrings。
　　Orsomequeerlittlewoman，wonderingwherethepeoplecomefrom，willrunandruntillshecomestothegreattown，watchinwonderthestrangefolkthatsweatandgroan——thepeacefulnursery，withthetoys，theprettyfrocksneverquitethesameagaintoher。
　　Buttothenineteen—twentiethsofthewell—to—dotheworldbeyondthenurseryisanunknownland。Terriblethingsoccurouttheretolittlemenandwomenwhohavenoprettynurserytolivein。Peoplepushandshoveyouabout，willeventreadonyourtoesifyouarenotcareful。Outthereisnokind，strongNurseBank—Balancetoholdone’slittlehand，andseethatnoharmcomestoone。Outthere，onehastofightone’sownbattles。Oftenoneiscoldandhungry，outthere。
　　Onehastofendforoneself，outthere；earnone’sdinnerbeforeoneeatsit，neverquitesureoftheweekafternext。Terriblethingstakeplace，outthere：strainandcontestandfierceendeavour；thewaysarefullofdangersandsurprises；folkgoup，folkgodown；youhavetosetyourteethandfight。Well—to—dolittlemenandwomenshudder。Drawdownthenurseryblinds。
　　Robinahadalittledog。Itledtheusualdog’slife：sleptinabasketonaneiderdowncushion，shelteredfromanychancedraughtbysilkcurtains；itsmilkwarmedandsweetened；itscosychairreservedforit，inwinter，nearthefire；insummer，wherethesunmightreachit；itsthreemealsadaythatagourmetmighthaveeatengladly；itsveryfleastakenoffitshands。
　　Andtwiceayearstillextracarewasneeded，lestitshouldwantonlyflingasideitsdaysandnightsofluxuriousease，claimitssmallshareofthepassionandpainthatgotothemakingofdogsandmen。
　　Fortwiceayeartherecameawind，saltwiththebrineofearth’sceaselesstides，whisperingtoitofawondrouslandwhosesharpeststonesaresweeterthanthesilkencushionsofalltheworldwithout。
　　Onewinter’snighttherewasgreatcommotion。Babettewasnowheretobefound。Wewerelivinginthecountry，milesawayfromeverywhere。
　　"Babette，Babette，"criedpoorfrenziedRobina；andforanswercameonlythelaughterofthewind，pausinginhisgameofrompswiththesnow—flakes。
　　NextmorninganoldwomanfromthetownfourmilesawaybroughtbackBabetteattheendofastring。Oh，suchasoaked，bedraggledBabette！Theoldwomanhadfoundhercrouchinginadoorway，abewilderedlittleheapofpalpitatingfemininity；and，readingtheaddressuponhercollar，andmaybescentinganotimpossiblereward，hadthoughtshemightaswellearnitforherself。
　　Robinawasshocked，disgusted。TothinkthatBabette——dainty，petted，spoiltBabette——shouldhavechosenofherownaccordtogodownintothemudanddarknessofthevulgartown；toleavehercurtainedeiderdowntotrampthestreetslikeanydrab！Robina，towhomBabettehadhithertobeentheidealdog，movedawaytohidehertearsofvexation。Theolddamesmiled。Shehadbornehergoodmaneleven，soshetoldus。Ithadbeenahardstruggle，andsomehadgonedown，andsomeweredead；butsome，thankGod，weredoingwell。
　　Theolddamewishedusgoodday；butassheturnedtogoanimpulseseizedher。ShecrossedtowhereBabette，ashamed，yethalfdefiant，satawet，woefullittleimageonthehearthrug，stoopedandliftedthelittlecreatureinherthin，wornarms。
　　"It’stroubleyou’vebroughtyourself，"saidtheolddame。"Youcouldn’thelpit，couldyou？"
　　Babette’slittlepinktonguestoleout。
　　"Weunderstand，weknow——weMothers，"theyseemedtobesayingtooneanother。
　　Andsothetwokissed。
　　Ithinktheterracewillbemyfavouritespot。Ethelberthathinks，too，thatonsunnydaysshewillliketositthere。Fromit，throughanopeningIhavemadeinthetrees，Icanseethecottagejustamileawayattheedgeofthewood。YoungButetellsmeitistheveryplacehehasbeenlookingfor。Mostofhistime，ofcourse，hehastopassintown，buthisFridaystoMondayshelikestospendinthecountry。MaybeIshallhanditovertohim。St。Leonard’schimneyswecanalsoseeabovethetrees。Dicktellsmehehasquitemadeuphismindtobecomeafarmer。Hethinksitwouldbeagoodplan，forabeginning，togointopartnershipwithSt。Leonard。ItisnotunlikelythatSt。Leonard’srestlesstemperamentmayprompthimeventuallytotireoffarming。HehasabrotherinCanadadoingwellinthelumberbusiness，andSt。Leonardoftentalksoftheadvantagesofthecoloniestoamanwhoisbringingupalargefamily。Ishallbesorrytolosehimasaneighbour；thoughIseetheadvantages，undercertainpossibilities，ofMrs。St。Leonard’saddressbeingManitoba。
　　Veronicaalsothinkstheterracemaycometobeherfavouriteresting—place。
　　"Isuppose，"saidVeronica，"thatifanythingwastohappentoRobina，everythingwouldfallonme。"
　　"Itwouldbeachange，Veronica，"Isuggested。"Hithertoitisyouwhohavedonemostofthefalling。"
　　"SupposeI’vegottoseeaboutgrowingup，"saidVeronica。