Hesighedandclaspedhishandsonhisstomachwithexemplaryresignation。Iadmiredtheplacidityofhisimpudence。Thenwakingupsomewhat：
　　"Won’tyoutryacigar，Captain？"
　　"No，thanks。Idon’tsmokecigars。"
　　"Foronce！"heexclaimed，inapatientwhisper。Amelancholysilenceensued。Youknowhowsometimesapersondisclosesacertainunsuspecteddepthandacutenessofthought；thatis，inotherwords，utterssomethingunexpected。ItwasunexpectedenoughtohearJacobussay：
　　"Themanwhojustwentoutwasrightenough。Youmighttakeone，Captain。Hereeverythingisboundtobeinthewayofbusiness。"
　　Ifeltalittleashamedofmyself。Theremembranceofhishorridbrothermadehimappearquiteadecentsortoffellow。ItwaswithsomecompunctionthatIsaidafewwordstotheeffectthatIcouldhavenopossibleobjectiontohishospitality。
　　BeforeIwasaminuteolderIsawwherethisadmissionwasleadingme。Asifchangingthesubject，Jacobusmentionedthathisprivatehousewasabouttenminutes’walkaway。Ithadabeautifuloldwalledgarden。Somethingreallyremarkable。Ioughttocomeroundsomedayandhavealookatit。
　　Heseemedtobealoverofgardens。Itootakeextremedelightinthem；butIdidnotmeanmycompunctiontocarrymeasfarasJacobus’sflower—beds，howeverbeautifulandold。Headded，withacertainhomelinessoftone：
　　"There’sonlymygirlthere。"
　　Itisdifficulttoseteverythingdownindueorder；soImustrevertheretowhathappenedaweekortwobefore。Themedicalofficeroftheporthadcomeonboardmyshiptohavealookatoneofmycrewwhowasailing，andnaturallyenoughhewasaskedtostepintothecabin。Afellow—shipmasterofminewastheretoo；
　　andintheconversation，somehoworother，thenameofJacobuscametobementioned。Itwaspronouncedwithnoparticularreverencebytheotherman，Ibelieve。Idon’tremembernowwhatIwasgoingtosay。Thedoctor—apleasant，cultivatedfellow，withanassuredmanner—preventedmebystrikingin，inasourtone：
　　"Ah！You’retalkingaboutmyrespectedpapa—in—law。"
　　Ofcourse，thatsallysilencedusatthetime。ButIrememberedtheepisode，andatthisjuncture，pushedforsomethingnoncommittaltosay，Iinquiredwithpolitesurprise：
　　"Youhaveyourmarrieddaughterlivingwithyou，Mr。Jacobus？"
　　Hemovedhisbighandfromrighttoleftquietly。No！Thatwasanotherofhisgirls，hestated，ponderouslyandunderhisbreathasusual。She……Heseemedinapausetoberansackinghismindforsomekindofdescriptivephrase。Butmyhopesweredisappointed。Hemerelyproducedhisstereotypeddefinition。
　　"She’saverydifferentsortofperson。"
　　"Indeed……Andbytheby，Jacobus，Icalledonyourbrothertheotherday。It’snogreatcomplimentifIsaythatIfoundhimaverydifferentsortofpersonfromyou。"
　　Hehadanairofprofoundreflection，thenremarkedquaintly：
　　"He’samanofregularhabits。"
　　Hemighthavebeenalludingtothehabitoflatesiesta；butI
　　mumbledsomethingabout"beastlyhabitsanyhow"—andleftthestoreabruptly。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　MylittlepassagewithJacobusthemerchantbecameknowngenerally。
　　Oneortwoofmyacquaintancesmadedistantallusionstoit。
　　Perhapsthemulattoboyhadtalked。Imustconfessthatpeopleappearedratherscandalised，butnotwithJacobus’sbrutality。A
　　manIknewremonstratedwithmeformyhastiness。
　　Igavehimthewholestoryofmyvisit，notforgettingthetell—
　　taleresemblanceofthewretchedmulattoboytohistormentor。Hewasnotsurprised。Nodoubt，nodoubt。Whatofthat？Inajovialtoneheassuredmethattheremustbemanyofthatsort。TheelderJacobushadbeenabachelorallhislife。Ahighlyrespectablebachelor。Buttherehadneverbeenopenscandalinthatconnection。Hislifehadbeenquiteregular。Itcouldcausenooffencetoanyone。
　　IsaidthatIhadbeenoffendedconsiderably。Myinterlocutoropenedverywideeyes。Why？Becauseamulattoladgotafewknocks？Thatwasnotagreataffair，surely。Ihadnoideahowinsolentanduntruthfulthesehalf—casteswere。InfactheseemedtothinkMr。Jacobusratherkindthanotherwisetoemploythatyouthatall；asortofamiableweaknesswhichcouldbeforgiven。
　　ThisacquaintanceofminebelongedtooneoftheoldFrenchfamilies，descendantsoftheoldcolonists；allnoble，allimpoverished，andlivinganarrowdomesticlifeindull，dignifieddecay。Themen，asarule，occupyinferiorpostsinGovernmentofficesorinbusinesshouses。Thegirlsarealmostalwayspretty，ignorantoftheworld，kindandagreeableandgenerallybilingual；
　　theyprattleinnocentlybothinFrenchandEnglish。Theemptinessoftheirexistencepassesbelief。
　　Iobtainedmyentryintoacoupleofsuchhouseholdsbecausesomeyearsbefore，inBombay，Ihadoccasiontobeofusetoapleasant，ineffectualyoungmanwhowasratherstrandedthere，notknowingwhattodowithhimselforevenhowtogethometohisislandagain。Itwasamatteroftwohundredrupeesorso，but，whenI
　　turnedup，thefamilymadeapointofshowingtheirgratitudebyadmittingmetotheirintimacy。MyknowledgeoftheFrenchlanguagemademespeciallyacceptable。Theyhadmeantimemanagedtomarrythefellowtoawomannearlytwicehisage，comparativelywelloff：theonlyprofessionhewasreallyfitfor。Butitwasnotallcakesandale。ThefirsttimeIcalledonthecoupleshespiedalittlespotofgreaseonthepoordevil’spantaloonsandmadehimascreamingsceneofreproachessofullofsincerepassionthatIsatterrifiedasatatragedyofRacine。
　　OfcoursetherewasneverquestionofthemoneyIhadadvancedhim；
　　buthissisters，MissAngeleandMissMary，andtheauntsofbothfamilies，whospokequaintarchaicFrenchofpre—Revolutionperiod，andahostofdistantrelationsadoptedmeforafriendoutrightinamannerwhichwasalmostembarrassing。
　　Itwaswiththeeldestbrother（hewasemployedatadeskinmyconsignee’soffice）thatIwashavingthistalkaboutthemerchantJacobus。Heregrettedmyattitudeandnoddedhisheadsagely。Aninfluentialman。Oneneverknewwhenonewouldneedhim。I
　　expressedmyimmensepreferencefortheshopkeeperofthetwo。Atthatmyfriendlookedgrave。
　　"Whatonearthareyoupullingthatlongfaceabout？"Icriedimpatiently。"HeaskedmetoseehisgardenandIhaveagoodmindtogosomeday。"
　　"Don’tdothat，"hesaid，soearnestlythatIburstintoafitoflaughter；buthelookedatmewithoutasmile。
　　Thiswasanothermatteraltogether。AtonetimethepublicconscienceoftheislandhadbeenmightilytroubledbymyJacobus。
　　Thetwobrothershadbeenpartnersforyearsingreatharmony，whenawanderingcircuscametotheislandandmyJacobusbecamesuddenlyinfatuatedwithoneofthelady—riders。Whatmadeitworsewasthathewasmarried。Hehadnoteventhegracetoconcealhispassion。Itmusthavebeenstrongindeedtocarryawaysuchalargeplacidcreature。Hisbehaviourwasperfectlyscandalous。HefollowedthatwomantotheCape，andapparentlytravelledatthetailofthatbeastlycircustootherpartsoftheworld，inamostdegradingposition。Thewomansoonceasedtocareforhim，andtreatedhimworsethanadog。Mostextraordinarystoriesofmoraldegradationwerereachingtheislandatthattime。
　　Hehadnotthestrengthofmindtoshakehimselffree……
　　Thegrotesqueimageofafat，pushingship—chandler，enslavedbyanunholylove—spell，fascinatedme；andIlistenedratheropen—
　　mouthedtothetaleasoldastheworld，atalewhichhadbeenthesubjectoflegend，ofmoralfables，ofpoems，butwhichsoludicrouslyfailedtofitthepersonality。Whatastrangevictimforthegods！
　　Meantimehisdesertedwifehaddied。Hisdaughterwastakencareofbyhisbrother，whomarriedherasadvantageouslyaswaspossibleinthecircumstances。
　　"Oh！TheMrs。Doctor！"Iexclaimed。
　　"Youknowthat？Yes。Averyableman。Hewantedaliftintheworld，andtherewasagoodbitofmoneyfromhermother，besidestheexpectations……Ofcourse，theydon’tknowhim，"headded。
　　"Thedoctornodsinthestreet，Ibelieve，butheavoidsspeakingtohimwhentheymeetonboardaship，asmusthappensometimes。"
　　Iremarkedthatthissurelywasanoldstorybynow。
　　Myfriendassented。ButitwasJacobus’sownfaultthatitwasneitherforgivennorforgotten。Hecamebackultimately。Buthow？
　　Notinaspiritofcontrition，inawaytopropitiatehisscandalisedfellow—citizens。Hemustneedsdragalongwithhimachild—agirl……
　　"Hespoketomeofadaughterwholiveswithhim，"Iobserved，verymuchinterested。
　　"She’scertainlythedaughterofthecircus—woman，"saidmyfriend。
　　"Shemaybehisdaughtertoo；Iamwillingtoadmitthatsheis。
　　InfactIhavenodoubt—"
　　Buthedidnotseewhysheshouldhavebeenbroughtintoarespectablecommunitytoperpetuatethememoryofthescandal。Andthatwasnottheworst。Presentlysomethingmuchmoredistressinghappened。Thatabandonedwomanturnedup。Landedfromamail—
　　boat……
　　"What！Here？Toclaimthechildperhaps，"Isuggested。
　　"Notshe！"Myfriendlyinformantwasveryscornful。"Imagineapainted，haggard，agitated，desperatehag。BeencastoffinMozambiquebysomebodywhopaidherpassagehere。Shehadbeeninjuredinternallybyakickfromahorse；shehadn’tacentonherwhenshegotashore；Idon’tthinksheevenaskedtoseethechild。
　　Atanyrate，nottillthelastdayofherlife。Jacobushiredforherabungalowtodiein。HegotacoupleofSistersfromthehospitaltonurseherthroughthesefewmonths。Ifhedidn’tmarryherINEXTREMISasthegoodSisterstriedtobringabout，it’sbecauseshewouldn’tevenhearofit。Asthenunssaid：’Thewomandiedimpenitent。’ItwasreportedthatsheorderedJacobusoutoftheroomwithherlastbreath。Thismaybetherealreasonwhyhedidn’tgointomourninghimself；heonlyputthechildintoblack。Whileshewaslittleshewastobeseensometimesaboutthestreetsattendedbyanegrowoman，butsinceshebecameofagetoputherhairupIdon’tthinkshehassetfootoutsidethatgardenonce。Shemustbeovereighteennow。"
　　Thusmyfriend，withsomeaddeddetails；suchas，thathedidn’tthinkthegirlhadspokentothreepeopleofanypositionintheisland；thatanelderlyfemalerelativeofthebrothersJacobushadbeeninducedbyextremepovertytoacceptthepositionofgouvernantetothegirl。AstoJacobus’sbusiness（whichcertainlyannoyedhisbrother）itwasawisechoiceonhispart。Itbroughthimincontactonlywithstrangersofpassage；whereasanyotherwouldhavegivenrisetoallsortsofawkwardnesswithhissocialequals。Themanwasnotwantinginacertaintact—onlyhewasnaturallyshameless。Forwhydidhewanttokeepthatgirlwithhim？Itwasmostpainfulforeverybody。
　　Ithoughtsuddenly（andwithprofounddisgust）oftheotherJacobus，andIcouldnotrefrainfromsayingslily：
　　"Isupposeifheemployedher，say，asascullioninhishouseholdandoccasionallypulledherhairorboxedherears，thepositionwouldhavebeenmoreregular—lessshockingtotherespectableclasstowhichhebelongs。"
　　Hewasnotsostupidastomissmyintention，andshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently。
　　"Youdon’tunderstand。Tobeginwith，she’snotamulatto。Andascandalisascandal。Peopleshouldbegivenachancetoforget。
　　Idaresayitwouldhavebeenbetterforherifshehadbeenturnedintoascullionorsomethingofthatkind。Ofcoursehe’stryingtomakemoneyineverysortofpettyway，butinsuchabusinessthere’llneverbeenoughforanybodytocomeforward。"
　　WhenmyfriendleftmeIhadaconceptionofJacobusandhisdaughterexisting，alonelypairofcastaways，onadesertisland；
　　thegirlshelteringinthehouseasifitwereacaverninacliff，andJacobusgoingouttopickupalivingforbothonthebeach—
　　exactlyliketwoshipwreckedpeoplewhoalwayshopeforsomerescuertobringthembackatlastintotouchwiththerestofmankind。
　　ButJacobus’sbodilyrealitydidnotfitinwiththisromanticview。Whenheturneduponboardintheusualcourse，hesippedthecupofcoffeeplacidly，askedmeifIwassatisfied—andI
　　hardlylistenedtotheharbourgossiphedroppedslowlyinhislow，voice—savingenunciation。Ihadthentroublesofmyown。Myshipchartered，mythoughtsdwellingonthesuccessofaquickroundvoyage，Ihadbeensuddenlyconfrontedbyashortageofbags。A
　　catastrophe！Thestockofoneespecialkind，calledpockets，seemedtobetotallyexhausted。Aconsignmentwasshortlyexpected—itwasafloat，onitsway，but，meantime，theloadingofmyshipdeadstopped，Ihadenoughtoworryabout。Myconsignees，whohadreceivedmewithsuchheartinessonmyarrival，now，inthecharacterofmycharterers，listenedtomycomplaintswithpolitehelplessness。Theirmanager，theold—maidish，thinman，whosoprudishlydidn’tevenliketospeakabouttheimpureJacobus，gavemethecorrectcommercialviewoftheposition。
　　"MydearCaptain"—hewasretractinghisleatherycheeksintoacondescending，shark—likesmile—"wewerenotmorallyobligedtotellyouofapossibleshortagebeforeyousignedthecharter—
　　party。Itwasforyoutoguardagainstthecontingencyofadelay—strictlyspeaking。Butofcourseweshouldn’thavetakenanyadvantage。Thisisnoone’sfaultreally。Weourselveshavebeentakenunawares，"heconcludedprimly，withanobviouslie。
　　ThislectureIconfesshadmademethirsty。Suppressedragegenerallyproducesthateffect；andasIstrolledonaimlesslyI
　　bethoughtmyselfofthetallearthenwarepitcherinthecaptains’
　　roomoftheJacobus"store。"
　　WithnomorethananodtothemenIfoundassembledthere，I
　　poureddownadeep，cooldraughtonmyindignation，thenanother，andthen，becomingdejected，Isatplungedincheerlessreflections。Theothersread，talked，smoked，bandiedovermyheadsomeunsubtlechaff。Butmyabstractionwasrespected。AnditwaswithoutawordtoanyonethatIroseandwentout，onlytobequiteunexpectedlyaccostedinthebustleofthestorebyJacobustheoutcast。
　　"Gladtoseeyou，Captain。What？Goingaway？Youhaven’tbeenlookingsowelltheselastfewdays，Inotice。Rundown，eh？"
　　Hewasinhisshirt—sleeves，andhiswordswereintheusualcourseofbusiness，buttheyhadahumannote。Itwascommercialamenity，butIhadbeenastrangertoamenityinthatconnection。Idoverilybelieve（fromthedirectionofhisheavyglancetowardsacertainshelf）thathewasgoingtosuggestthepurchaseofClarkson’sNerveTonic，whichhekeptinstock，whenIsaidimpulsively：
　　"Iamratherintroublewithmyloading。"
　　Wideawakeunderhissleepy，broadmaskwithgluedlips，heunderstoodatonce，hadamovementoftheheadsoappreciativethatIrelievedmyexasperationbyexclaiming：
　　"Surelytheremustbeelevenhundredquarter—bagstobefoundinthecolony。It’sonlyamatteroflookingforthem。"
　　Againthatslightmovementofthebighead，andinthenoiseandactivityofthestorethattranquilmurmur：
　　"Tobesure。Butthenpeoplelikelytohaveareserveofquarter—
　　bagswouldn’twanttosell。They’dneedthatsizethemselves。"
　　"That’sexactlywhatmyconsigneesaretellingme。Impossibletobuy。Bosh！Theydon’twantto。Itsuitsthemtohavetheshiphungup。ButifIweretodiscoverthelottheywouldhaveto—
　　Lookhere，Jacobus！Youarethemantohavesuchathingupyoursleeve。"
　　Heprotestedwithaponderousswingofhisbighead。Istoodbeforehimhelplessly，beinglookedatbythoseheavyeyeswithaveiledexpressionasofamanaftersomesoul—shakingcrisis。
　　Then，suddenly：
　　"It’simpossibletotalkquietlyhere，"hewhispered。"Iamverybusy。Butifyoucouldgoandwaitformeinmyhouse。It’slessthantenminutes’walk。Oh，yes，youdon’tknowtheway。"
　　Hecalledforhiscoatandofferedtotakemetherehimself。Hewouldhavetoreturntothestoreatonceforanhourorsotofinishhisbusiness，andthenhewouldbeatlibertytotalkoverwithmethatmatterofquarter—bags。Thisprogrammewasbreathedoutatmethroughslightlyparted，stilllips；hisheavy，motionlessglanceresteduponme，placidasever，theglanceofatiredman—butIfeltthatitwassearching，too。Icouldnotimaginewhathewaslookingforinmeandkeptsilent，wondering。
　　"IamaskingyoutowaitformeinmyhousetillIamatlibertytotalkthismatterover。Youwill？"
　　"Why，ofcourse！"Icried。
　　"ButIcannotpromise—"
　　"Idaresaynot，"Isaid。"Idon’texpectapromise。"
　　"ImeanIcan’tevenpromisetotrythemoveI’veinmymind。Onemustseefirst……h’m！"
　　"Allright。I’lltakethechance。I’llwaitforyouaslongasyoulike。WhatelsehaveItodointhisinfernalholeofaport！"
　　BeforeIhadutteredmylastwordswehadsetoffataswingingpace。Weturnedacoupleofcornersandenteredastreetcompletelyemptyoftraffic，ofsemi—ruralaspect，pavedwithcobblestonesnestlingingrasstufts。Thehousecametothelineoftheroadway；asinglestoryonanelevatedbasementofrough—
　　stones，sothatourheadswerebelowthelevelofthewindowsaswewentalong。Allthejalousiesweretightlyshut，likeeyes，andthehouseseemedfastasleepintheafternoonsunshine。Theentrancewasattheside，inanalleyevenmoregrass—grownthanthestreet：asmalldoor，simplyonthelatch。
　　Withawordofapologyastoshowingmetheway，JacobusprecededmeupadarkpassageandledmeacrossthenakedparquetfloorofwhatIsupposedtobethedining—room。Itwaslightedbythreeglassdoorswhichstoodwideopenontoaverandahorratherloggiarunningitsbrickarchesalongthegardensideofthehouse。Itwasreallyamagnificentgarden：smoothgreenlawnsandagorgeousmazeofflower—bedsintheforeground，displayedaroundabasinofdarkwaterframedinamarblerim，andinthedistancethemassedfoliageofvariedtreesconcealingtheroofsofotherhouses。Thetownmighthavebeenmilesaway。Itwasabrilliantlycolouredsolitude，drowsinginawarm，voluptuoussilence。Wherethelong，stillshadowsfellacrossthebeds，andinshadynooks，themassedcoloursoftheflowershadanextraordinarymagnificenceofeffect。
　　Istoodentranced。Jacobusgraspedmedelicatelyabovetheelbow，impellingmetoahalf—turntotheleft。
　　Ihadnotnoticedthegirlbefore。Sheoccupiedalow，deep，wickerworkarm—chair，andIsawherinexactprofilelikeafigureinatapestry，andasmotionless。Jacobusreleasedmyarm。
　　"ThisisAlice，"heannouncedtranquilly；andhissubduedmannerofspeakingmadeitsoundsomuchlikeaconfidentialcommunicationthatIfanciedmyselfnoddingunderstandinglyandwhispering："I
　　see，Isee。"……Ofcourse，Ididnothingofthekind。Neitherofusdidanything；westoodsidebysidelookingdownatthegirl。
　　Forquiteatimeshedidnotstir，staringstraightbeforeherasifwatchingthevisionofsomepageantpassingthroughthegardeninthedeep，richglowoflightandthesplendourofflowers。
　　Then，comingtotheendofherreverie，shelookedroundandup。
　　IfIhadnotatfirstnoticedher，Iamcertainthatshetoohadbeenunawareofmypresencetillsheactuallyperceivedmebyherfather’sside。Thequickenedupwardmovementoftheheavyeyelids，thewideningofthelanguidglance，passingintoafixedstare，putthatbeyonddoubt。
　　Underheramazementtherewasahintoffear，andthencameaflashasofanger。Jacobus，afterutteringmynamefairlyloud，said：
　　"Makeyourselfathome，Captain—Iwon’tbegonelong，"andwentawayrapidly。BeforeIhadtimetomakeabowIwasleftalonewiththegirl—who，Irememberedsuddenly，hadnotbeenseenbyanymanorwomanofthattownsinceshehadfounditnecessarytoputupherhair。Itlookedasthoughithadnotbeentouchedagainsincethatdistanttimeoffirstputtingup；itwasamassofblack，lustrouslocks，twistedanyhowhighonherhead，withlong，untidywispshangingdownoneachsideoftheclearsallowface；amasssothickandstrongandabundantthat，nothingbuttolookat，itgaveyouasensationofheavypressureonthetopofyourheadandanimpressionofmagnificentlycynicaluntidiness。Sheleanedforward，huggingherselfwithcrossedlegs；adingy，amber—
　　coloured，flouncedwrapperofsomethinstuffrevealedtheyoungsupplebodydrawntogethertenselyinthedeeplowseatasifcrouchingforaspring。Idetectedaslight，quiveringstartortwo，whichlookeduncommonlylikeboundingaway。Theywerefollowedbythemostabsoluteimmobility。
　　TheabsurdimpulsetorunoutafterJacobus（forIhadbeenstartled，too）oncerepressed，Itookachair，placeditnotveryfarfromher，satdowndeliberately，andbegantotalkaboutthegarden，caringnotwhatIsaid，butusingagentlecaressingintonationasonetalkstosootheastartledwildanimal。Icouldnotevenbecertainthatsheunderstoodme。Sheneverraisedherfacenorattemptedtolookmyway。Ikeptontalkingonlytopreventherfromtakingflight。Shehadanotherofthosequivering，repressedstartswhichmademecatchmybreathwithapprehension。
　　UltimatelyIformedanotionthatwhatpreventedherperhapsfromgoingoffinonegreat，nervousleap，wasthescantinessofherattire。Thewickerarmchairwasthemostsubstantialthingaboutherperson。Whatshehadonunderthatdingy，loose，amberwrappermusthavebeenofthemostflimsyandairycharacter。Onecouldnothelpbeingawareofit。Itwasobvious。Ifeltitactuallyembarrassingatfirst；butthatsortofembarrassmentisgotovereasilybyamindnotenslavedbynarrowprejudices。IdidnotavertmygazefromAlice。Iwentontalkingwithingratiatingsoftness，therecollectionthat，mostlikely，shehadneverbeforebeenspokentobyastrangemanaddingtomyassurance。Idon’tknowwhyanemotionaltensenessshouldhavecreptintothesituation。Butitdid。AndjustasIwasbecomingawareofitaslightscreamcutshortmyflowofurbanespeech。
　　Thescreamdidnotproceedfromthegirl。Itwasemittedbehindme，andcausedmetoturnmyheadsharply。IunderstoodatoncethattheapparitioninthedoorwaywastheelderlyrelationofJacobus，thecompanion，thegouvernante。Whilesheremainedthunderstruck，Igotupandmadeheralowbow。
　　TheladiesofJacobus’shouseholdevidentlyspenttheirdaysinlightattire。Thisstumpyoldwomanwithafacelikealargewrinkledlemon，beadyeyes，andashockofiron—greyhair，wasdressedinagarmentofsomeash—coloured，silky，lightstuff。Itfellfromherthickneckdowntohertoeswiththesimplicityofanunadornednightgown。Itmadeherappeartrulycylindrical。Sheexclaimed："Howdidyougethere？"
　　BeforeIcouldsayawordshevanishedandpresentlyIheardaconfusionofshrillprotestationsinadistantpartofthehouse。
　　ObviouslynoonecouldtellherhowIgotthere。Inamoment，withgreatoutcriesfromtwonegrowomenfollowingher，shewaddledbacktothedoorway，infuriated。
　　"Whatdoyouwanthere？"
　　Iturnedtothegirl。Shewassittingstraightupnow，herhandsposedonthearmsofthechair。Iappealedtoher。
　　"Surely，MissAlice，youwillnotletthemdrivemeoutintothestreet？"
　　Hermagnificentblackeyes，narrowed，longinshape，sweptovermewithanindefinableexpression，theninaharsh，contemptuousvoicesheletfallinFrenchasortofexplanation：
　　"C’ESTPAPA。"
　　Imadeanotherlowbowtotheoldwoman。
　　Sheturnedherbackonmeinordertodriveawayherblackhenchwomen，thensurveyingmypersoninapeculiarmannerwithonesmalleyenearlyclosedandherfacealldrawnuponthatsideasifwithatwingeoftoothache，shesteppedoutontheverandah，satdowninarocking—chairsomedistanceaway，andtookupherknittingfromalittletable。Beforeshestartedatitsheplungedoneoftheneedlesintothemopofhergreyhairandstirreditvigorously。
　　Herelementarynightgown—sortoffrockclungtoherancient，stumpy，andfloatingform。Sheworewhitecottonstockingsandflatbrownvelvetslippers。Herfeetandankleswereobtrusivelyvisibleonthefoot—rest。Shebegantorockherselfslightly，whilesheknitted。Ihadresumedmyseatandkeptquiet，forI
　　mistrustedthatoldwoman。Whatifsheorderedmetodepart？Sheseemedcapableofanyoutrage。Shehadsnortedonceortwice；shewasknittingviolently。SuddenlyshepipedattheyounggirlinFrenchaquestionwhichItranslatecolloquially：
　　"What’syourfatherupto，now？"
　　Theyoungcreatureshruggedhershoulderssocomprehensivelythatherwholebodyswayedwithintheloosewrapper；andinthatunexpectedlyharshvoicewhichyethadaseductivequalitytothesenses，likecertainkindsofnaturalroughwinesonedrinkswithpleasure：
　　"It’ssomecaptain。Leavemealone—willyou！"
　　Thechairrockedquicker，theold，thinvoicewaslikeawhistle。
　　"Youandyourfathermakeapair。Hewouldstickatnothing—
　　that’swellknown。ButIdidn’texpectthis。"
　　IthoughtithightimetoairsomeofmyownFrench。Iremarkedmodestly，butfirmly，thatthiswasbusiness。IhadsomematterstotalkoverwithMr。Jacobus。
　　Atonceshepipedoutaderisive"Poorinnocent！"Then，withachangeoftone："Theshop’sforbusiness。Whydon’tyougototheshoptotalkwithhim？"
　　Thefuriousspeedofherfingersandknitting—needlesmadeonedizzy；andwithsqueakyindignation：
　　"Sittingherestaringatthatgirl—isthatwhatyoucallbusiness？"
　　"No，"Isaidsuavely。"Icallthispleasure—anunexpectedpleasure。AndunlessMissAliceobjects—"
　　Ihalfturnedtoher。Sheflungatmeanangryandcontemptuous"Don’tcare！"andleaningherelbowonherkneestookherchininherhand—aJacobuschinundoubtedly。Andthoseheavyeyelids，thisblackirritatedstareremindedmeofJacobus，too—thewealthymerchant，therespectedone。Thedesignofhereyebrowsalsowasthesame，rigidandill—omened。Yes！Itracedinheraresemblancetobothofthem。ItcametomeasasortofsurprisingremoteinferencethatboththeseJacobuseswereratherhandsomemenafterall。Isaid：
　　"Oh！ThenIshallstareatyoutillyousmile。"
　　Shefavouredmeagainwithanevenmoreviciouslyscornful"Don’tcare！"
　　Theoldwomanbrokeinbluntandshrill：
　　"Hearhisimpudence！Andyoutoo！Don’tcare！Goatleastandputsomemoreclotheson。Sittingtherelikethisbeforethissailorriff—raff。"
　　ThesunwasabouttoleavethePearloftheOceanforotherseas，forotherlands。Thewalledgardenfullofshadowsblazedwithcolourasiftheflowersweregivingupthelightabsorbedduringtheday。Theamazingoldwomanbecameveryexplicit。Shesuggestedtothegirlacorsetandapetticoatwithacynicalunreservewhichhumiliatedme。WasIofnomoreaccountthanawoodendummy？Thegirlsnappedout："Shan’t！"
　　Itwasnotthenaughtyretortofavulgarchild；ithadanoteofdesperation。Clearlymyintrusionhadsomehowupsetthebalanceoftheirestablishedrelations。Theoldwomanknittedwithfuriousaccuracy，hereyesfasteneddownonherwork。
　　"Oh，youarethetruechildofyourfather！AndTHATtalksofenteringaconvent！Lettingherselfbestaredatbyafellow。"
　　"Leaveoff。"
　　"Shamelessthing！"
　　"Oldsorceress，"thegirluttereddistinctly，preservinghermeditativepose，chininhand，andafar—awaystareoverthegarden。
　　Itwaslikethequarrelofthekettleandthepot。Theoldwomanflewoutofthechair，bangeddownherwork，andwithagreatplayofthicklimbperfectlyvisibleinthatweird，clinginggarmentofhers，strodeatthegirl—whoneverstirred。Iwasexperiencingasortoftrepidationwhen，asifawedbythatunconsciousattitude，theagedrelativeofJacobusturnedshortuponme。
　　Shewas，Iperceived，armedwithaknitting—needle；andassheraisedherhandherintentionseemedtobetothrowitatmelikeadart。Butsheonlyusedittoscratchherheadwith，examiningmethewhileatcloserange，oneeyenearlyshutandherfacedistortedbyawhimsical，one—sidedgrimace。
　　"Mydearman，"sheaskedabruptly，"doyouexpectanygoodtocomeofthis？"
　　"Idohopesoindeed，MissJacobus。"Itriedtospeakintheeasytoneofanafternooncaller。"Yousee，Iamhereaftersomebags。"
　　"Bags！Lookatthatnow！Didn’tIhearyouholdingforthtothatgracelesswretch？"
　　"Youwouldliketoseemeinmygrave，"utteredthemotionlessgirlhoarsely。
　　"Grave！Whataboutme？BuriedalivebeforeIamdeadforthesakeofathingblessedwithsuchaprettyfather！"shecried；andturningtome："You’reoneofthesemenhedoesbusinesswith。
　　Well—whydon’tyouleaveusinpeace，mygoodfellow？"
　　Itwassaidinatone—this"leaveusinpeace！"Therewasasortofruffianlyfamiliarity，asuperiority，ascorninit。Iwastohearitmorethanonce，foryouwouldshowanimperfectknowledgeofhumannatureifyouthoughtthatthiswasmylastvisittothathouse—wherenorespectablepersonhadputfootforeversomanyyears。No，youwouldbeverymuchmistakenifyouimaginedthatthisreceptionhadscaredmeaway。FirstofallIwasnotgoingtorunbeforeagrotesqueandruffianlyoldwoman。
　　Andthenyoumustn’tforgetthesenecessarybags。ThatfirsteveningJacobusmademestaytodinner；after，however，tellingmeloyallythathedidn’tknowwhetherhecoulddoanythingatallforme。Hehadbeenthinkingitover。Itwastoodifficult，hefeared……Buthedidnotgiveitupinsomanywords。
　　Wewereonlythreeattable；thegirlbymeansofrepeated"Won’t！"
　　"Shan’t！"and"Don’tcare！"havingconveyedandaffirmedherintentionnottocometothetable，nottohaveanydinner，nottomovefromtheverandah。Theoldrelativehoppedaboutinherflatslippersandpipedindignantly，Jacobustoweredoverherandmurmuredplacidlyinhisthroat；Ijoinedjocularlyfromadistance，throwinginafewwords，forwhichunderthecoverofthenightIreceivedsecretlyamostviciouspokeintheribsfromtheoldwoman’selboworperhapsherfist。Irestrainedacry。Andallthetimethegirldidn’tevencondescendtoraiseherheadtolookatanyofus。Allthismaysoundchildish—andyetthatstony，petulantsullennesshadanobscurelytragicflavour。
　　Andsowesatdowntothefoodaroundthelightofagoodmanycandleswhilesheremainedcrouchingoutthere，staringinthedarkasiffeedingherbadtemperontheheavilyscentedairoftheadmirablegarden。
　　BeforeleavingIsaidtoJacobusthatIwouldcomenextdaytohearifthebagaffairhadmadeanyprogress。Heshookhisheadslightlyatthat。
　　"I’llhauntyourhousedailytillyoupullitoff。You’llbealwaysfindingmehere。"
　　Hisfaint，melancholysmiledidnotparthisthicklips。
　　"Thatwillbeallright，Captain。"
　　Thenseeingmetothedoor，verytranquil，hemurmuredearnestlytherecommendation："Makeyourselfathome，"andalsothehospitablehintabouttherebeingalways"aplateofsoup。"Itwasonlyonmywaytothequay，downtheill—lightedstreets，thatI
　　rememberedIhadbeenengagedtodinethatveryeveningwiththeS—
　　family。Thoughvexedwithmyforgetfulness（itwouldberatherawkwardtoexplain）Icouldn’thelpthinkingthatithadprocuredmeamoreamusingevening。Andbesides—business。Thesacredbusiness—。
　　Inabarefootednegrowhoovertookmeatarunandbolteddownthelanding—stepsIrecognisedJacobus’sboatman，whomusthavebeenfeedinginthekitchen。Hisusual"Good—night，sah！"asIwentupmyship’sladderhadamorecordialsoundthanonpreviousoccasions。
　　CHAPTERV
　　IkeptmywordtoJacobus。Ihauntedhishome。Hewasperpetuallyfindingmethereofanafternoonwhenhepoppedinforamomentfromthe"store。"ThesoundofmyvoicetalkingtohisAlicegreetedhimonhisdoorstep；andwhenhereturnedforgoodintheevening，tentoonehewouldhearitstillgoingonintheverandah。Ijustnoddedtohim；hewouldsitdownheavilyandgently，andwatchwithasortofapprovinganxietymyeffortstomakehisdaughtersmile。
　　Icalledheroften"Alice，"rightbeforehim；sometimesIwouldaddressherasMiss"Don’tCare，"andIexhaustedmyselfinnonsensicalchatterwithoutsucceedingonceintakingheroutofherpeevishandtragicself。ThereweremomentswhenIfeltImustbreakoutandstartswearingathertillallwasblue。AndI
　　fanciedthathadIdonesoJacobuswouldnothavemovedamuscle。
　　Asortofshady，intimateunderstandingseemedtohavebeenestablishedbetweenus。
　　Imustsaythegirltreatedherfatherexactlyinthesamewayshetreatedme。
　　Andhowcouldithavebeenotherwise？Shetreatedmeasshetreatedherfather。Shehadneverseenavisitor。Shedidnotknowhowmenbehaved。Ibelongedtothelowlotwithwhomherfatherdidbusinessattheport。Iwasofnoaccount。Sowasherfather。Theonlydecentpeopleintheworldwerethepeopleoftheisland，whowouldhavenothingtodowithhimbecauseofsomethingwickedhehaddone。ThiswasapparentlytheexplanationMissJacobushadgivenherofthehousehold’sisolatedposition。Forshehadtobetoldsomething！AndIfeelconvincedthatthisversionhadbeenassentedtobyJacobus。Imustsaytheoldwomanwasputtingitforwardwithconsiderablegusto。Itwasonherlipstheuniversalexplanation，theuniversalallusion，theuniversaltaunt。
　　OnedayJacobuscameinearlyand，beckoningmeintothedining—
　　room，wipedhisbrowwithawearygestureandtoldmethathehadmanagedtounearthasupplyofquarter—bags。
　　"It’sfourteenhundredyourshipwanted，didyousay，Captain？"
　　"Yes，yes！"Irepliedeagerly；butheremainedcalm。HelookedmoretiredthanIhadeverseenhimbefore。
　　"Well，Captain，youmaygoandtellyourpeoplethattheycangetthatlotfrommybrother。"
　　AsIremainedopen—mouthedatthis，headdedhisusualplacidformulaofassurance：
　　"You’llfinditcorrect，Captain。"
　　"Youspoketoyourbrotheraboutit？"Iwasdistinctlyawed。"Andforme？Becausehemusthaveknownthatmyship’stheonlyonehungupforbags。Howonearth—"
　　Hewipedhisbrowagain。Inoticedthathewasdressedwithunusualcare，inclothesinwhichIhadneverseenhimbefore。Heavoidedmyeye。
　　"You’veheardpeopletalk，ofcourse……That’strueenough。He……I……Wecertainly……forseveralyears……"Hisvoicedeclinedtoameresleepymurmur。"YouseeIhadsomethingtotellhimof，somethingwhich—"
　　Hismurmurstopped。Hewasnotgoingtotellmewhatthissomethingwas。AndIdidn’tcare。Anxioustocarrythenewstomycharterers，Iranbackontheverandahtogetmyhat。
　　AtthebustleImadethegirlturnedhereyesslowlyinmydirection，andeventheoldwomanwascheckedinherknitting。I
　　stoppedamomenttoexclaimexcitedly：
　　"Yourfather’sabrick，MissDon’tCare。That’swhatheis。"
　　Shebeheldmyelationinscornfulsurprise。JacobuswithunwontedfamiliarityseizedmyarmasIflewthroughthedining—room，andbreathedheavilyatmeaproposalabout"Aplateofsoup"thatevening。Ianswereddistractedly："Eh？What？Oh，thanks！
　　Certainly。Withpleasure，"andtoremyselfaway。Dinewithhim？
　　Ofcourse。ThemerestgratitudeButsomethreehoursafterwards，inthedusky，silentstreet，pavedwithcobble—stones，Ibecameawarethatitwasnotmeregratitudewhichwasguidingmystepstowardsthehousewiththeoldgarden，whereforyearsnoguestotherthanmyselfhadeverdined。Meregratitudedoesnotgnawatone’sinterioreconomyinthatparticularway。Hungermight；butIwasnotfeelingparticularlyhungryforJacobus’sfood。
　　Onthatoccasion，too，thegirlrefusedtocometothetable。
　　Myexasperationgrew。Theoldwomancastmaliciousglancesatme。
　　IsaidsuddenlytoJacobus："Here！Putsomechickenandsaladonthatplate。"Heobeyedwithoutraisinghiseyes。Icarrieditwithaknifeandforkandaservietteoutontheverandah。Thegardenwasonemassofgloom，likeacemeteryofflowersburiedinthedarkness，andshe，inthechair，seemedtomusemournfullyovertheextinctionoflightandcolour。Onlywhiffsofheavyscentpassedlikewandering，fragrantsoulsofthatdepartedmultitudeofblossoms。Italkedvolubly，jocularly，persuasively，tenderly；I
　　talkedinasubduedtone。Toalisteneritwouldhavesoundedlikethemurmurofapleadinglover。WheneverIpausedexpectantlytherewasonlyadeepsilence。Itwaslikeofferingfoodtoaseatedstatue。
　　"Ihaven’tbeenabletoswallowasinglemorselthinkingofyououtherestarvingyourselfinthedark。It’spositivelycrueltobesoobstinate。Thinkofmysufferings。"
　　"Don’tcare。"
　　IfeltasifIcouldhavedonehersomeviolence—shakenher，beatenhermaybe。Isaid：
　　"Yourabsurdbehaviourwillpreventmecominghereanymore。"
　　"What’sthattome？"
　　"Youlikeit。"
　　"It’sfalse，"shesnarled。
　　Myhandfellonhershoulder；andifshehadflinchedIverilybelieveIwouldhaveshakenher。Buttherewasnomovementandthisimmobilitydisarmedmyanger。
　　"Youdo。Oryouwouldn’tbefoundontheverandaheveryday。Whyareyouhere，then？Thereareplentyofroomsinthehouse。Youhaveyourownroomtostayin—ifyoudidnotwanttoseeme。Butyoudo。Youknowyoudo。"
　　Ifeltaslightshudderundermyhandandreleasedmygripasiffrightenedbythatsignofanimationinherbody。Thescentedairofthegardencametousinawarmwavelikeavoluptuousandperfumedsigh。
　　"Gobacktothem，"shewhispered，almostpitifully。
　　AsIre—enteredthedining—roomIsawJacobuscastdownhiseyes。
　　Ibangedtheplateonthetable。Atthisdemonstrationofill—
　　humourhemurmuredsomethinginanapologetictone，andIturnedonhimviciouslyasifhewereaccountabletomeforthese"abominableeccentricities，"IbelieveIcalledthem。
　　"ButIdaresayMissJacobushereisresponsibleformostofthisoffensivemanner，"Iaddedloftily。
　　Shepipedoutatonceinherbrazen，ruffianlymanner：
　　"Eh？Whydon’tyouleaveusinpeace，mygoodfellow？"
　　IwasastonishedthatsheshoulddarebeforeJacobus。Yetwhatcouldhehavedonetorepressher？Heneededhertoomuch。Heraisedaheavy，drowsyglanceforaninstant，thenlookeddownagain。Sheinsistedwithshrillfinality：
　　"Haven’tyoudoneyourbusiness，youtwo？Well，then—"
　　ShehadthetrueJacobusimpudence，thatoldwoman。Hermopofiron—greyhairwasparted，onthesidelikeaman’s，raffishly，andshemadeasiftoplungeherforkintoit，assheusedtodowiththeknitting—needle，butrefrained。Herlittleblackeyessparkledvenomously。Iturnedtomyhostattheheadofthetable—
　　menacinglyasitwere。
　　"Well，andwhatdoyousaytothat，Jacobus？AmItotakeitthatwehavedonewitheachother？"
　　Ihadtowaitalittle。Theanswerwhenitcamewasratherunexpected，andinquiteanotherspiritthanthequestion。
　　"Icertainlythinkwemightdosomebusinessyetwiththosepotatoesofmine，Captain。Youwillfindthat—"
　　Icuthimshort。
　　"I’vetoldyoubeforethatIdon’ttrade。"
　　Hisbroadchestheavedwithoutasoundinanoiselesssigh。
　　"Thinkitover，Captain，"hemurmured，tenaciousandtranquil；andIburstintoajarringlaugh，rememberinghowhehadstucktothecircus—riderwoman—thedepthofpassionunderthatplacidsurface，whichevencutswithariding—whip（sothelegendhadit）
　　couldneverraffleintothesemblanceofastorm；somethinglikethepassionofafishwouldbeifonecouldimaginesuchathingasapassionatefish。
　　ThateveningIexperiencedmoredistinctlythaneverthesenseofmoraldiscomfortwhichalwaysattendedmeinthathouselyingunderthebanofall"decent"people。Irefusedtostayonandsmokeafterdinner；andwhenIputmyhandintothethickly—cushionedpalmofJacobus，Isaidtomyselfthatitwouldbeforthelasttimeunderhisroof。Ipressedhisbulkypawheartilynevertheless。Hadn’thegotmeoutofaseriousdifficulty？TothefewwordsofacknowledgmentIwasbound，andindeedquitewilling，toutter，heansweredbystretchinghisclosedlipsinhismelancholy，glued—togethersmile。
　　"Thatwillbeallright，Ihope，Captain，"hebreathedoutweightily。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"Iasked，alarmed。"Thatyourbrothermightyet—"
　　"Oh，no，"hereassuredme。"He……he’samanofhisword，Captain。"
　　Myself—communionasIwalkedawayfromhisdoor，tryingtobelievethatthiswasforthelasttime，wasnotsatisfactory。IwasawaremyselfthatIwasnotsincereinmyreflectionsastoJacobus’smotives，and，ofcourse，theverynextdayIwentbackagain。
　　Howweak，irrational，andabsurdweare！Howeasilycarriedawaywheneverourawakenedimaginationbringsustheirritatinghintofadesire！Icaredforthegirlinaparticularway，seducedbythemoodyexpressionofherface，byherobstinatesilences，herrare，scornfulwords；bytheperpetualpoutofherclosedlips，theblackdepthsofherfixedgazeturnedslowlyuponmeasifincontemptuousprovocation，onlytobeavertednextmomentwithanexasperatingindifference。
　　Ofcoursethenewsofmyassiduityhadspreadalloverthelittletown。Inoticedachangeinthemannerofmyacquaintancesandevensomethingdifferentinthenodsoftheothercaptains，whenmeetingthematthelanding—stepsorintheofficeswherebusinesscalledme。Theold—maidishheadclerktreatedmewithdistantpunctiliousnessand，asitwere，gatheredhisskirtsroundhimforfearofcontamination。ItseemedtomethattheveryniggersonthequaysturnedtolookaftermeasIpassed；andastoJacobus’sboatmanhis"Good—night，sah！"whenheputmeonboardwasnolongermerelycordial—ithadafamiliar，confidentialsoundasthoughwehadbeenpartnersinsomevillainy。
　　MyfriendS—theelderpassedmeontheothersideofthestreetwithawaveofthehandandanironicsmile。Theyoungerbrother，theonetheyhadmarriedtoanelderlyshrew，he，onthestrengthofanolderfriendshipandasifpayingadebtofgratitude，tookthelibertytoutterawordofwarning。
　　"You’redoingyourselfnogoodbyyourchoiceoffriends，mydearchap，"hesaidwithinfantilegravity。
　　AsIknewthatthemeetingofthebrothersJacobuswasthesubjectofexcitedcommentinthewholeofthesugaryPearloftheOceanI
　　wantedtoknowwhyIwasblamed。
　　"Ihavebeentheoccasionofamovewhichmayendinareconciliationsurelydesirablefromthepointofviewoftheproprieties—don’tyouknow？"
　　"Ofcourse，ifthatgirlweredisposedofitwouldcertainlyfacilitate—"hemusedsagely，then，inconsequentialcreature，gavemealighttaponthelowerpartofmywaistcoat。"Youoldsinner，"hecriedjovially，"muchyoucareforproprieties。Butyouhadbetterlookoutforyourself，youknow，withapersonagelikeJacobuswhohasnosortofreputationtolose。"
　　Hehadrecoveredhisgravityofarespectablecitizenbythattimeandaddedregretfully：
　　"Allthewomenofourfamilyareperfectlyscandalised。"
　　ButbythattimeIhadgivenupvisitingtheS—familyandtheD—
　　family。TheelderladiespulledsuchfaceswhenIshowedmyself，andthemultitudeofrelatedyoungladiesreceivedmewithsuchavarietyoflooks：wondering，awed，mocking（exceptMissMary，whospoketomeandlookedatmewithhushed，painedcompassionasthoughIhadbeenill），thatIhadnodifficultyingivingthemallup。Iwouldhavegivenupthesocietyofthewholetown，forthesakeofsittingnearthatgirl，snarlingandsuperbandbarelycladinthatflimsy，dingy，amberwrapper，openlowatthethroat。Shelooked，withthewildwispsofhairhangingdownhertenseface，asthoughshehadjustjumpedoutofbedinthepanicofafire。
　　Shesatleaningonherelbow，lookingatnothing。Whydidshestaylisteningtomyabsurdchatter？Andnotonlythat；butwhydidshepowderherfaceinpreparationformyarrival？Itseemedtobeherideaofmakingatoilette，andinheruntidynegligenceasignofgreatefforttowardspersonaladornment。
　　ButImighthavebeenmistaken。Thepowderingmighthavebeenherdailypracticeandherpresenceintheverandahasignofanindifferencesocompleteastotakenoaccountofmyexistence。
　　Well，itwasallonetome。
　　Ilovedtowatchherslowchangesofpose，tolookatherlongimmobilitiescomposedinthegracefullinesofherbody，toobservethemysteriousnarrowstareofhersplendidblackeyes，somewhatlonginshape，halfclosed，contemplatingthevoid。Shewaslikeaspellboundcreaturewiththeforeheadofagoddesscrownedbythedishevelledmagnificenthairofagipsytramp。Evenherindifferencewasseductive。Ifeltmyselfgrowingattachedtoherbythebondofanirrealisabledesire，forIkeptmyhead—quite。
　　AndIputupwiththemoraldiscomfortofJacobus’ssleepywatchfulness，tranquil，andyetsoexpressive；asiftherehadbeenatacitpactbetweenustwo。Iputupwiththeinsolenceoftheoldwoman’s："Aren’tyouevergoingtoleaveusinpeace，mygoodfellow？"withhertaunts；withherbrazenandsinisterscolding。
　　ShewasofthetrueJacobusstock，andnomistake。
　　DirectlyIgotawayfromthegirlIcalledmyselfmanyhardnames。
　　Whatfollywasthis？Iwouldaskmyself。Itwaslikebeingtheslaveofsomedepravedhabit。AndIreturnedtoherwithmyheadclear，myheartcertainlyfree，notevenmovedbypityforthatcastaway（shewasasmuchofacastawayasanyoneeverwreckedonadesertisland），butasifbeguiledbysomeextraordinarypromise。
　　Nothingmoreunworthycouldbeimagined。TherecollectionofthattremulouswhisperwhenIgrippedhershoulderwithonehandandheldaplateofchickenwiththeotherwasenoughtomakemebreakallmygoodresolutions。
　　Herinsultingtaciturnitywasenoughsometimestomakeonegnashone’steethwithrage。Whensheopenedhermouthitwasonlytobeabominablyrudeinharshtonestotheassociateofherreprobatefather；andthefullapprovalofheragedrelativewasconveyedtoherbyoffensivechuckles。Ifnotthat，thenherremarks，alwaysutteredinthetoneofscathingcontempt，wereofthemostappallinginanity。
　　Howcouldithavebeenotherwise？Thatplump，ruffianlyJacobusoldmaidinthetightgreyfrockhadnevertaughtheranymanners。
　　MannersIsupposearenotnecessaryforborncastaways。Noeducationalestablishmentcouldeverbeinducedtoacceptherasapupil—onaccountoftheproprieties，Iimagine。AndJacobushadnotbeenabletosendherawayanywhere。Howcouldhehavedoneit？Whowith？Whereto？Hehimselfwasnotenoughofanadventurertothinkofsettlingdownanywhereelse。Hispassionhadtossedhimatthetailofacircusupanddownstrangecoasts，but，thestormover，hehaddriftedbackshamelesslywhere，socialoutcastashewas，heremainedstillaJacobus—oneoftheoldestfamiliesontheisland，olderthantheFrencheven。TheremusthavebeenaJacobusinatthedeathofthelastDodo……Thegirlhadlearnednothing，shehadneverlistenedtoageneralconversation，sheknewnothing，shehadheardofnothing。Shecouldreadcertainly；butallthereadingmatterthatevercameinherwaywerethenewspapersprovidedforthecaptains’roomofthe"store。"Jacobushadthehabitoftakingthesesheetshomenowandtheninaverystainedandraggedcondition。
　　Ashermindcouldnotgraspthemeaningofanymatterstreatedthereexceptpolice—courtreportsandaccountsofcrimes，shehadformedforherselfanotionofthecivilisedworldasasceneofmurders，abductions，burglaries，stabbingaffrays，andeverysortofdesperateviolence。EnglandandFrance，ParisandLondon（theonlytwotownsofwhichsheseemedtohaveheard），appearedtohersinksofabomination，reekingwithblood，incontrasttoherlittleislandwherepettylarcenywasaboutthestandardofcurrentmisdeeds，with，nowandthen，somemorepronouncedcrime—andthatonlyamongsttheimportedcoolielabourersonsugarestatesorthenegroesofthetown。ButinEuropethesethingswerebeingdonedailybyawickedpopulationofwhitemenamongstwhom，asthatruffianly，aristocraticoldMissJacobuspointedout，thewanderingsailors，theassociatesofherpreciouspapa，werethelowestofthelow。
　　Itwasimpossibletogiveherasenseofproportion。IsupposeshefiguredEnglandtoherselfasaboutthesizeofthePearloftheOcean；inwhichcaseitwouldcertainlyhavebeenreekingwithgoreandamerewreckofburgledhousesfromendtoend。Onecouldnotmakeherunderstandthatthesehorrorsonwhichshefedherimaginationwerelostinthemassoforderlylifelikeafewdropsofbloodintheocean。Shedirecteduponmeforamomenttheuncomprehendingglanceofhernarrowedeyesandthenwouldturnherscornfulpowderedfaceawaywithoutaword。Shewouldnoteventakethetroubletoshrughershoulders。
　　AtthattimethebatchesofpapersbroughtbythelastmailreportedaseriesofcrimesintheEastEndofLondon，therewasasensationalcaseofabductioninFranceandafinedisplayofarmedrobberyinAustralia。Oneafternooncrossingthedining—roomI
　　heardMissJacobuspipingintheverandahwithvenomousanimosity：
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyourpreciouspapaisplottingwiththatfellow。