Then，standingbeforehimwithsuchanairofpatiententreatythathecouldnotchoosebutlookather，shesaid：
"Ifyoushouldwantme，Iwillcomebackwillingly。Whenyoudidwantme，Iwasquitehappytocome；therewasnomeritinit。I
thinkyoumustbeafraid，that，nowyouaregettingwell，Imaybetroublesometoyou；butIshouldnothavebeen，indeed。Ishouldhavecomenolongerthanyourweaknessandconfinementlasted。Youowemenothing；butitisrightthatyoushoulddealasjustlybymeasifIwasalady—eventheveryladythatyoulove；andifyoususpectmeofmeanlymakingmuchofthelittleIhavetriedtodotocomfortyoursickroom，youdoyourselfmorewrongthaneveryoucandome。ThatiswhyIamsorry。ThatiswhyIamverysorry。"
Ifshehadbeenaspassionateasshewasquiet，asindignantasshewascalm，asangryinherlookasshewasgentle，asloudoftoneasshewaslowandclear，shemighthaveleftnosenseofherdepartureintheroom，comparedwiththatwhichfelluponthelonelystudentwhenshewentaway。
Hewasgazingdrearilyupontheplacewhereshehadbeen，whenRedlawcameoutofhisconcealment，andcametothedoor。
"Whensicknesslaysitshandonyouagain，"hesaid，lookingfiercelybackathim，"—mayitbesoon!—Diehere!Rothere!"
"Whathaveyoudone？"returnedtheother，catchingathiscloak。
"Whatchangehaveyouwroughtinme？Whatcursehaveyoubroughtuponme？GivemebackMYself!"
"Givemebackmyself!"exclaimedRedlawlikeamadman。"Iaminfected!Iaminfectious!Iamchargedwithpoisonformyownmind，andthemindsofallmankind。WhereIfeltinterest，compassion，sympathy，Iamturningintostone。Selfishnessandingratitudespringupinmyblightingfootsteps。IamonlysomuchlessbasethanthewretcheswhomImakeso，thatinthemomentoftheirtransformationIcanhatethem。"
Ashespoke—theyoungmanstillholdingtohiscloak—hecasthimoff，andstruckhim：then，wildlyhurriedoutintothenightairwherethewindwasblowing，thesnowfalling，thecloud—driftsweepingon，themoondimlyshining；andwhere，blowinginthewind，fallingwiththesnow，driftingwiththeclouds，shininginthemoonlight，andheavilyloominginthedarkness，werethePhantom’swords，"ThegiftthatIhavegiven，youshallgiveagain，gowhereyouwill!"
Whitherhewent，heneitherknewnorcared，sothatheavoidedcompany。Thechangehefeltwithinhimmadethebusystreetsadesert，andhimselfadesert，andthemultitudearoundhim，intheirmanifoldendurancesandwaysoflife，amightywasteofsand，whichthewindstossedintounintelligibleheapsandmadearuinousconfusionof。ThosetracesinhisbreastwhichthePhantomhadtoldhimwould"dieoutsoon，"werenot，asyet，sofarupontheirwaytodeath，butthatheunderstoodenoughofwhathewas，andwhathemadeofothers，todesiretobealone。
Thisputitinhismind—hesuddenlybethoughthimself，ashewasgoingalong，oftheboywhohadrushedintohisroom。Andthenherecollected，thatofthosewithwhomhehadcommunicatedsincethePhantom’sdisappearance，thatboyalonehadshownnosignofbeingchanged。
Monstrousandodiousasthewildthingwastohim，hedeterminedtoseekitout，andproveifthiswerereallyso；andalsotoseekitwithanotherintention，whichcameintohisthoughtsatthesametime。
So，resolvingwithsomedifficultywherehewas，hedirectedhisstepsbacktotheoldcollege，andtothatpartofitwherethegeneralporchwas，andwhere，alone，thepavementwaswornbythetreadofthestudents’feet。
Thekeeper’shousestoodjustwithintheirongates，formingapartofthechiefquadrangle。Therewasalittlecloisteroutside，andfromthatshelteredplaceheknewhecouldlookinatthewindowoftheirordinaryroom，andseewhowaswithin。Theirongateswereshut，buthishandwasfamiliarwiththefastening，anddrawingitbackbythrustinginhiswristbetweenthebars，hepassedthroughsoftly，shutitagain，andcreptuptothewindow，crumblingthethincrustofsnowwithhisfeet。
Thefire，towhichhehaddirectedtheboylastnight，shiningbrightlythroughtheglass，madeanilluminatedplaceupontheground。Instinctivelyavoidingthis，andgoingroundit，helookedinatthewindow。Atfirst，hethoughtthattherewasnoonethere，andthattheblazewasreddeningonlytheoldbeamsintheceilingandthedarkwalls；butpeeringinmorenarrowly，hesawtheobjectofhissearchcoiledasleepbeforeitonthefloor。Hepassedquicklytothedoor，openedit，andwentin。
Thecreaturelayinsuchafieryheat，that，astheChemiststoopedtorousehim，itscorchedhishead。Sosoonashewastouched，theboy，nothalfawake，clutchinghisragstogetherwiththeinstinctofflightuponhim，halfrolledandhalfranintoadistantcorneroftheroom，where，heapedupontheground，hestruckhisfootouttodefendhimself。
"Getup!"saidtheChemist。"Youhavenotforgottenme？"
"Youletmealone!"returnedtheboy。"Thisisthewoman’shouse—
notyours。"
TheChemist’ssteadyeyecontrolledhimsomewhat，orinspiredhimwithenoughsubmissiontoberaiseduponhisfeet，andlookedat。
"Whowashedthem，andputthosebandageswheretheywerebruisedandcracked？"askedtheChemist，pointingtotheiralteredstate。
"Thewomandid。"
"Andisitshewhohasmadeyoucleanerintheface，too？"
"Yes，thewoman。"
Redlawaskedthesequestionstoattracthiseyestowardshimself，andwiththesameintentnowheldhimbythechin，andthrewhiswildhairback，thoughheloathedtotouchhim。Theboywatchedhiseyeskeenly，asifhethoughtitneedfultohisowndefence，notknowingwhathemightdonext；andRedlawcouldseewellthatnochangecameoverhim。
"Wherearethey？"heinquired。
"Thewoman’sout。"
"Iknowsheis。Whereistheoldmanwiththewhitehair，andhisson？"
"Thewoman’shusband，d’yemean？"inquiredtheboy。
"Ay。Wherearethosetwo？"
"Out。Something’sthematter，somewhere。Theywerefetchedoutinahurry，andtoldmetostophere。"
"Comewithme，"saidtheChemist，"andI’llgiveyoumoney。"
"Comewhere？andhowmuchwillyougive？"
"I’llgiveyoumoreshillingsthanyoueversaw，andbringyoubacksoon。Doyouknowyourwaytowhereyoucamefrom？"
"Youletmego，"returnedtheboy，suddenlytwistingoutofhisgrasp。"I’mnotagoingtotakeyouthere。Letmebe，orI’llheavesomefireatyou!"
Hewasdownbeforeit，andready，withhissavagelittlehand，toplucktheburningcoalsout。
WhattheChemisthadfelt，inobservingtheeffectofhischarmedinfluencestealingoverthosewithwhomhecameincontact，wasnotnearlyequaltothecoldvagueterrorwithwhichhesawthisbaby—
monsterputitatdefiance。Itchilledhisbloodtolookontheimmovableimpenetrablething，inthelikenessofachild，withitssharpmalignantfaceturneduptohis，anditsalmostinfanthand，readyatthebars。
"Listen，boy!"hesaid。"Youshalltakemewhereyouplease，sothatyoutakemewherethepeopleareverymiserableorverywicked。Iwanttodothemgood，andnottoharmthem。Youshallhavemoney，asIhavetoldyou，andIwillbringyouback。Getup!
Comequickly!"Hemadeahastysteptowardsthedoor，afraidofherreturning。
"Willyouletmewalkbymyself，andneverholdme，noryettouchme？"saidtheboy，slowlywithdrawingthehandwithwhichhethreatened，andbeginningtogetup。
"Iwill!"
"Andletmego，before，behind，oranywaysIlike？"
"Iwill!"
"Givemesomemoneyfirst，then，andgo。"
TheChemistlaidafewshillings，onebyone，inhisextendedhand。
Tocountthemwasbeyondtheboy’sknowledge，buthesaid"one，"
everytime，andavariciouslylookedateachasitwasgiven，andatthedonor。Hehadnowheretoputthem，outofhishand，butinhismouth；andheputthemthere。
Redlawthenwrotewithhispencilonaleafofhispocket—book，thattheboywaswithhim；andlayingitonthetable，signedtohimtofollow。Keepinghisragstogether，asusual，theboycomplied，andwentoutwithhisbareheadandnakedfeetintothewinternight。
Preferringnottodepartbytheirongatebywhichhehadentered，wheretheywereindangerofmeetingherwhomhesoanxiouslyavoided，theChemistledtheway，throughsomeofthosepassagesamongwhichtheboyhadlosthimself，andbythatportionofthebuildingwherehelived，toasmalldoorofwhichhehadthekey。
Whentheygotintothestreet，hestoppedtoaskhisguide—whoinstantlyretreatedfromhim—ifheknewwheretheywere。
Thesavagethinglookedhereandthere，andatlength，noddinghishead，pointedinthedirectionhedesignedtotake。Redlawgoingonatonce，hefollowed，somethinglesssuspiciously；shiftinghismoneyfromhismouthintohishand，andbackagainintohismouth，andstealthilyrubbingitbrightuponhisshredsofdress，ashewentalong。
Threetimes，intheirprogress，theyweresidebyside。Threetimestheystopped，beingsidebyside。ThreetimestheChemistglanceddownathisface，andshudderedasitforceduponhimonereflection。
Thefirstoccasionwaswhentheywerecrossinganoldchurchyard，andRedlawstoppedamongthegraves，utterlyatalosshowtoconnectthemwithanytender，softening，orconsolatorythought。
Thesecondwas，whenthebreakingforthofthemooninducedhimtolookupattheHeavens，wherehesawherinherglory，surroundedbyahostofstarshestillknewbythenamesandhistorieswhichhumansciencehasappendedtothem；butwherehesawnothingelsehehadbeenwonttosee，feltnothinghehadbeenwonttofeel，inlookingupthere，onabrightnight。
Thethirdwaswhenhestoppedtolistentoaplaintivestrainofmusic，butcouldonlyhearatune，mademanifesttohimbythedrymechanismoftheinstrumentsandhisownears，withnoaddresstoanymysterywithinhim，withoutawhisperinitofthepast，orofthefuture，powerlessuponhimasthesoundoflastyear’srunningwater，ortherushingoflastyear’swind。
Ateachofthesethreetimes，hesawwithhorrorthat，inspiteofthevastintellectualdistancebetweenthem，andtheirbeingunlikeeachotherinallphysicalrespects，theexpressionontheboy’sfacewastheexpressiononhisown。
Theyjourneyedonforsometime—nowthroughsuchcrowdedplaces，thatheoftenlookedoverhisshoulderthinkinghehadlosthisguide，butgenerallyfindinghimwithinhisshadowonhisotherside；nowbywayssoquiet，thathecouldhavecountedhisshort，quick，nakedfootstepscomingonbehind—untiltheyarrivedataruinouscollectionofhouses，andtheboytouchedhimandstopped。
"Inthere!"hesaid，pointingoutonehousewheretherewereshatteredlightsinthewindows，andadimlanterninthedoorway，with"LodgingsforTravellers"paintedonit。
Redlawlookedabouthim；fromthehousestothewastepieceofgroundonwhichthehousesstood，orratherdidnotaltogethertumbledown，unfenced，undrained，unlighted，andborderedbyasluggishditch；fromthat，totheslopinglineofarches，partofsomeneighbouringviaductorbridgewithwhichitwassurrounded，andwhichlessenedgraduallytowardsthem，untilthelastbutonewasamerekennelforadog，thelastaplunderedlittleheapofbricks；fromthat，tothechild，closetohim，coweringandtremblingwiththecold，andlimpingononelittlefoot，whilehecoiledtheotherroundhislegtowarmit，yetstaringatallthesethingswiththatfrightfullikenessofexpressionsoapparentinhisface，thatRedlawstartedfromhim。
"Inthere!"saidtheboy，pointingoutthehouseagain。"I’llwait。"
"Willtheyletmein？"askedRedlaw。
"Sayyou’readoctor，"heansweredwithanod。"There’splentyillhere。"
Lookingbackonhiswaytothehouse—door，Redlawsawhimtrailhimselfuponthedustandcrawlwithintheshelterofthesmallestarch，asifhewerearat。Hehadnopityforthething，buthewasafraidofit；andwhenitlookedoutofitsdenathim，hehurriedtothehouseasaretreat。
"Sorrow，wrong，andtrouble，"saidtheChemist，withapainfuleffortatsomemoredistinctremembrance，"atleasthauntthisplacedarkly。Hecandonoharm，whobringsforgetfulnessofsuchthingshere!"
Withthesewords，hepushedtheyieldingdoor，andwentin。
Therewasawomansittingonthestairs，eitherasleeporforlorn，whoseheadwasbentdownonherhandsandknees。Asitwasnoteasytopasswithouttreadingonher，andasshewasperfectlyregardlessofhisnearapproach，hestopped，andtouchedherontheshoulder。Lookingup，sheshowedhimquiteayoungface，butonewhosebloomandpromisewereallsweptaway，asifthehaggardwintershouldunnaturallykillthespring。
Withlittleornoshowofconcernonhisaccount，shemovednearertothewalltoleavehimawiderpassage。
"Whatareyou？"saidRedlaw，pausing，withhishanduponthebrokenstair—rail。
"WhatdoyouthinkIam？"sheanswered，showinghimherfaceagain。
HelookedupontheruinedTempleofGod，solatelymade，sosoondisfigured；andsomething，whichwasnotcompassion—forthespringsinwhichatruecompassionforsuchmiserieshasitsrise，weredriedupinhisbreast—butwhichwasnearertoit，forthemoment，thananyfeelingthathadlatelystruggledintothedarkening，butnotyetwhollydarkened，nightofhismind—mingledatouchofsoftnesswithhisnextwords。
"Iamcomeheretogiverelief，ifIcan，"hesaid。"Areyouthinkingofanywrong？"
Shefrownedathim，andthenlaughed；andthenherlaughprolongeditselfintoashiveringsigh，asshedroppedherheadagain，andhidherfingersinherhair。
"Areyouthinkingofawrong？"heaskedoncemore。
"Iamthinkingofmylife，"shesaid，withamonetarylookathim。
Hehadaperceptionthatshewasoneofmany，andthathesawthetypeofthousands，whenhesawher，droopingathisfeet。
"Whatareyourparents？"hedemanded。
"Ihadagoodhomeonce。Myfatherwasagardener，faraway，inthecountry。"
"Ishedead？"
"He’sdeadtome。Allsuchthingsaredeadtome。Youagentleman，andnotknowthat!"Sheraisedhereyesagain，andlaughedathim。
"Girl!"saidRedlaw，sternly，"beforethisdeath，ofallsuchthings，wasbroughtabout，wastherenowrongdonetoyou？Inspiteofallthatyoucando，doesnoremembranceofwrongcleavetoyou？Aretherenottimesupontimeswhenitismiserytoyou？"
Solittleofwhatwaswomanlywasleftinherappearance，thatnow，whensheburstintotears，hestoodamazed。Buthewasmoreamazed，andmuchdisquieted，tonotethatinherawakenedrecollectionofthiswrong，thefirsttraceofheroldhumanityandfrozentendernessappearedtoshowitself。
Hedrewalittleoff，andindoingso，observedthatherarmswereblack，herfacecut，andherbosombruised。
"Whatbrutalhandhashurtyouso？"heasked。
"Myown。Ididitmyself!"sheansweredquickly。
"Itisimpossible。"
"I’llswearIdid!Hedidn’ttouchme。Ididittomyselfinapassion，andthrewmyselfdownhere。Hewasn’tnearme。Heneverlaidahanduponme!"
Inthewhitedeterminationofherface，confrontinghimwiththisuntruth，hesawenoughofthelastperversionanddistortionofgoodsurvivinginthatmiserablebreast，tobestrickenwithremorsethathehadevercomenearher。
"Sorrow，wrong，andtrouble!"hemuttered，turninghisfearfulgazeaway。"Allthatconnectsherwiththestatefromwhichshehasfallen，hasthoseroots!InthenameofGod，letmegoby!"
Afraidtolookatheragain，afraidtotouchher，afraidtothinkofhavingsunderedthelastthreadbywhichshehelduponthemercyofHeaven，hegatheredhiscloakabouthim，andglidedswiftlyupthestairs。
Oppositetohim，onthelanding，wasadoor，whichstoodpartlyopen，andwhich，asheascended，amanwithacandleinhishand，cameforwardfromwithintoshut。Butthisman，onseeinghim，drewback，withmuchemotioninhismanner，and，asifbyasuddenimpulse，mentionedhisnamealoud。
Inthesurpriseofsucharecognitionthere，hestopped，endeavouringtorecollectthewanandstartledface。Hehadnotimetoconsiderit，for，tohisyetgreateramazement，oldPhilipcameoutoftheroom，andtookhimbythehand。
"Mr。Redlaw，"saidtheoldman，"thisislikeyou，thisislikeyou，sir!youhaveheardofit，andhavecomeafterustorenderanyhelpyoucan。Ah，toolate，toolate!"
Redlaw，withabewilderedlook，submittedtobeledintotheroom。
Amanlaythere，onatruckle—bed，andWilliamSwidgerstoodatthebedside。
"Toolate!"murmuredtheoldman，lookingwistfullyintotheChemist’sface；andthetearsstoledownhischeeks。
"That’swhatIsay，father，"interposedhissoninalowvoice。
"That’swhereitis，exactly。Tokeepasquietaseverwecanwhilehe’sadozing，istheonlythingtodo。You’reright，father!"
Redlawpausedatthebedside，andlookeddownonthefigurethatwasstretcheduponthemattress。Itwasthatofaman，whoshouldhavebeeninthevigourofhislife，butonwhomitwasnotlikelythesunwouldevershineagain。Thevicesofhisfortyorfiftyyears’careerhadsobrandedhim，that，incomparisonwiththeireffectsuponhisface，theheavyhandofTimeupontheoldman’sfacewhowatchedhimhadbeenmercifulandbeautifying。
"Whoisthis？"askedtheChemist，lookinground。
"MysonGeorge，Mr。Redlaw，"saidtheoldman，wringinghishands。
"Myeldestson，George，whowasmorehismother’spridethanalltherest!"
Redlaw’seyeswanderedfromtheoldman’sgreyhead，ashelaiditdownuponthebed，tothepersonwhohadrecognisedhim，andwhohadkeptaloof，intheremotestcorneroftheroom。Heseemedtobeabouthisownage；andalthoughheknewnosuchhopelessdecayandbrokenmanasheappearedtobe，therewassomethingintheturnofhisfigure，ashestoodwithhisbacktowardshim，andnowwentoutatthedoor，thatmadehimpasshishanduneasilyacrosshisbrow。
"William，"hesaidinagloomywhisper，"whoisthatman？"
"Whyyousee，sir，"returnedMr。William，"that’swhatIsay，myself。Whyshouldamanevergoandgamble，andthelikeofthat，andlethimselfdowninchbyinchtillhecan’tlethimselfdownanylower!"
"HasHEdoneso？"askedRedlaw，glancingafterhimwiththesameuneasyactionasbefore。
"Justexactlythat，sir，"returnedWilliamSwidger，"asI’mtold。
Heknowsalittleaboutmedicine，sir，itseems；andhavingbeenwayfaringtowardsLondonwithmyunhappybrotherthatyouseehere，"Mr。Williampassedhiscoat—sleeveacrosshiseyes，"andbeinglodgingupstairsforthenight—whatIsay，yousee，isthatstrangecompanionscometogetherheresometimes—helookedintoattenduponhim，andcameforusathisrequest。Whatamournfulspectacle，sir!Butthat’swhereitis。It’senoughtokillmyfather!"
Redlawlookedup，atthesewords，and，recallingwherehewasandwithwhom，andthespellhecarriedwithhim—whichhissurprisehadobscured—retiredalittle，hurriedly，debatingwithhimselfwhethertoshunthehousethatmoment，orremain。
Yieldingtoacertainsullendoggedness，whichitseemedtobeapartofhisconditiontostrugglewith，hearguedforremaining。
"Wasitonlyyesterday，"hesaid，"whenIobservedthememoryofthisoldmantobeatissueofsorrowandtrouble，andshallIbeafraid，to—night，toshakeit？AresuchremembrancesasIcandriveaway，soprecioustothisdyingmanthatIneedfearforHIM？
No!I’llstayhere。"
Buthestayedinfearandtremblingnonethelessforthesewords；
and，shroudedinhisblackcloakwithhisfaceturnedfromthem，stoodawayfromthebedside，listeningtowhattheysaid，asifhefelthimselfademonintheplace。
"Father!"murmuredthesickman，rallyingalittlefromstupor。
"Myboy!MysonGeorge!"saidoldPhilip。
"Youspoke，justnow，ofmybeingmother’sfavourite，longago。
It’sadreadfulthingtothinknow，oflongago!"
"No，no，no；"returnedtheoldman。"Thinkofit。Don’tsayit’sdreadful。It’snotdreadfultome，myson。"
"Itcutsyoutotheheart，father。"Fortheoldman’stearswerefallingonhim。
"Yes，yes，"saidPhilip，"soitdoes；butitdoesmegood。It’saheavysorrowtothinkofthattime，butitdoesmegood，George。
Oh，thinkofittoo，thinkofittoo，andyourheartwillbesoftenedmoreandmore!Where’smysonWilliam？William，myboy，yourmotherlovedhimdearlytothelast，andwithherlatestbreathsaid，’TellhimIforgavehim，blessedhim，andprayedforhim。’Thosewereherwordstome。Ihaveneverforgottenthem，andI’meighty—seven!"
"Father!"saidthemanuponthebed，"Iamdying，Iknow。Iamsofargone，thatIcanhardlyspeak，evenofwhatmymindmostrunson。Isthereanyhopeformebeyondthisbed？"
"Thereishope，"returnedtheoldman，"forallwhoaresoftenedandpenitent。Thereishopeforallsuch。Oh!"heexclaimed，claspinghishandsandlookingup，"Iwasthankful，onlyyesterday，thatIcouldrememberthisunhappysonwhenhewasaninnocentchild。Butwhatacomfortitis，now，tothinkthatevenGodhimselfhasthatremembranceofhim!"
Redlawspreadhishandsuponhisface，andshrank，likeamurderer。
"Ah!"feeblymoanedthemanuponthebed。"Thewastesincethen，thewasteoflifesincethen!"
"Buthewasachildonce，"saidtheoldman。"Heplayedwithchildren。Beforehelaydownonhisbedatnight，andfellintohisguiltlessrest，hesaidhisprayersathispoormother’sknee。
Ihaveseenhimdoit，manyatime；andseenherlayhisheaduponherbreast，andkisshim。Sorrowfulasitwastoherandme，tothinkofthis，whenhewentsowrong，andwhenourhopesandplansforhimwereallbroken，thisgavehimstillaholduponus，thatnothingelsecouldhavegiven。Oh，Father，somuchbetterthanthefathersuponearth!Oh，Father，somuchmoreafflictedbytheerrorsofThychildren!takethiswandererback!Notasheis，butashewasthen，lethimcrytoThee，ashehassooftenseemedtocrytous!"
Astheoldmanlifteduphistremblinghands，theson，forwhomhemadethesupplication，laidhissinkingheadagainsthimforsupportandcomfort，asifhewereindeedthechildofwhomhespoke。
Whendidmanevertremble，asRedlawtrembled，inthesilencethatensued!Heknewitmustcomeuponthem，knewthatitwascomingfast。
"Mytimeisveryshort，mybreathisshorter，"saidthesickman，supportinghimselfononearm，andwiththeothergropingintheair，"andIrememberthereissomethingonmymindconcerningthemanwhowasherejustnow，FatherandWilliam—wait!—istherereallyanythinginblack，outthere？"
"Yes，yes，itisreal，"saidhisagedfather。
"Isitaman？"
"WhatIsaymyself，George，"interposedhisbrother，bendingkindlyoverhim。"It’sMr。Redlaw。"
"IthoughtIhaddreamedofhim。Askhimtocomehere。"
TheChemist，whiterthanthedyingman，appearedbeforehim。
Obedienttothemotionofhishand，hesatuponthebed。
"Ithasbeensorippedup，to—night，sir，"saidthesickman，layinghishanduponhisheart，withalookinwhichthemute，imploringagonyofhisconditionwasconcentrated，"bythesightofmypooroldfather，andthethoughtofallthetroubleIhavebeenthecauseof，andallthewrongandsorrowlyingatmydoor，that—
"
Wasittheextremitytowhichhehadcome，orwasitthedawningofanotherchange，thatmadehimstop？
"—thatwhatICANdoright，withmymindrunningonsomuch，sofast，I’lltrytodo。Therewasanothermanhere。Didyouseehim？"
Redlawcouldnotreplybyanyword；forwhenhesawthatfatalsignheknewsowellnow，ofthewanderinghandupontheforehead，hisvoicediedathislips。Buthemadesomeindicationofassent。
"Heispenniless，hungry，anddestitute。Heiscompletelybeatendown，andhasnoresourceatall。Lookafterhim!Losenotime!
Iknowhehasitinhismindtokillhimself。"
Itwasworking。Itwasonhisface。Hisfacewaschanging，hardening，deepeninginallitsshades，andlosingallitssorrow。
"Don’tyouremember？Don’tyouknowhim？"hepursued。
Heshuthisfaceoutforamoment，withthehandthatagainwanderedoverhisforehead，andthenitloweredonRedlaw，reckless，ruffianly，andcallous。
"Why，d—nyou!"hesaid，scowlinground，"whathaveyoubeendoingtomehere!Ihavelivedbold，andImeantodiebold。TotheDevilwithyou!"
Andsolaydownuponhisbed，andputhisarmsup，overhisheadandears，asresolutefromthattimetokeepoutallaccess，andtodieinhisindifference。
IfRedlawhadbeenstruckbylightning，itcouldnothavestruckhimfromthebedsidewithamoretremendousshock。Buttheoldman，whohadleftthebedwhilehissonwasspeakingtohim，nowreturning，avoideditquicklylikewise，andwithabhorrence。
"Where’smyboyWilliam？"saidtheoldmanhurriedly。"William，comeawayfromhere。We’llgohome。"
"Home，father!"returnedWilliam。"Areyougoingtoleaveyourownson？"
"Where’smyownson？"repliedtheoldman。
"Where？why，there!"
"That’snosonofmine，"saidPhilip，tremblingwithresentment。
"Nosuchwretchasthat，hasanyclaimonme。Mychildrenarepleasanttolookat，andtheywaituponme，andgetmymeatanddrinkready，andareusefultome。I’vearighttoit!I’meighty—seven!"
"You’reoldenoughtobenoolder，"mutteredWilliam，lookingathimgrudgingly，withhishandsinhispockets。"Idon’tknowwhatgoodyouare，myself。Wecouldhaveadealmorepleasurewithoutyou。"
"MYson，Mr。Redlaw!"saidtheoldman。"MYson，too!TheboytalkingtomeofMYson!Why，whathasheeverdonetogivemeanypleasure，Ishouldliketoknow？"
"Idon’tknowwhatyouhaveeverdonetogiveMEanypleasure，"
saidWilliam，sulkily。
"Letmethink，"saidtheoldman。"ForhowmanyChristmastimesrunning，haveIsatinmywarmplace，andneverhadtocomeoutinthecoldnightair；andhavemadegoodcheer，withoutbeingdisturbedbyanysuchuncomfortable，wretchedsightashimthere？
Isittwenty，William？"
"Nigherforty，itseems，"hemuttered。"Why，whenIlookatmyfather，sir，andcometothinkofit，"addressingRedlaw，withanimpatienceandirritationthatwerequitenew，"I’mwhippedifI
canseeanythinginhimbutacalendarofeversomanyyearsofeatinganddrinking，andmakinghimselfcomfortable，overandoveragain。"
"I—I’meighty—seven，"saidtheoldman，ramblingon，childishlyandweakly，"andIdon’tknowasIeverwasmuchputoutbyanything。I’mnotgoingtobeginnow，becauseofwhathecallsmyson。He’snotmyson。I’vehadapowerofpleasanttimes。I
recollectonce—noIdon’t—no，it’sbrokenoff。Itwassomethingaboutagameofcricketandafriendofmine，butit’ssomehowbrokenoff。Iwonderwhohewas—IsupposeIlikedhim？
AndIwonderwhatbecameofhim—Isupposehedied？ButIdon’tknow。AndIdon’tcare，neither；Idon’tcareabit。"
Inhisdrowsychuckling，andtheshakingofhishead，heputhishandsintohiswaistcoatpockets。Inoneofthemhefoundabitofholly（leftthere，probablylastnight），whichhenowtookout，andlookedat。
"Berries，eh？"saidtheoldman。"Ah!It’sapitythey’renotgoodtoeat。Irecollect，whenIwasalittlechapaboutashighasthat，andoutawalkingwith—letmesee—whowasIoutawalkingwith？—no，Idon’trememberhowthatwas。Idon’trememberasIeverwalkedwithanyoneparticular，orcaredforanyone，oranyoneforme。Berries，eh？There’sgoodcheerwhenthere’sberries。Well；Ioughttohavemyshareofit，andtobewaitedon，andkeptwarmandcomfortable；forI’meighty—seven，andapooroldman。I’meigh—ty—seven。Eigh—ty—seven!"
Thedrivelling，pitiablemannerinwhich，asherepeatedthis，henibbledattheleaves，andspatthemorselsout；thecold，uninterestedeyewithwhichhisyoungestson（sochanged）regardedhim；thedeterminedapathywithwhichhiseldestsonlayhardenedinhissin；impressedthemselvesnomoreonRedlaw’sobservation，—
forhebrokehiswayfromthespottowhichhisfeetseemedtohavebeenfixed，andranoutofthehouse。
Hisguidecamecrawlingforthfromhisplaceofrefuge，andwasreadyforhimbeforehereachedthearches。
"Backtothewoman’s？"heinquired。
"Back，quickly!"answeredRedlaw。"Stopnowhereontheway!"
Forashortdistancetheboywentonbefore；buttheirreturnwasmorelikeaflightthanawalk，anditwasasmuchashisbarefeetcoulddo，tokeeppacewiththeChemist’srapidstrides。Shrinkingfromallwhopassed，shroudedinhiscloak，andkeepingitdrawncloselyabouthim，asthoughthereweremortalcontagioninanyflutteringtouchofhisgarments，hemadenopauseuntiltheyreachedthedoorbywhichtheyhadcomeout。Heunlockeditwithhiskey，wentin，accompaniedbytheboy，andhastenedthroughthedarkpassagestohisownchamber。
Theboywatchedhimashemadethedoorfast，andwithdrewbehindthetable，whenhelookedround。
"Come!"hesaid。"Don’tyoutouchme!You’venotbroughtmeheretotakemymoneyaway。"
Redlawthrewsomemoreupontheground。Heflunghisbodyonitimmediately，asiftohideitfromhim，lestthesightofitshouldtempthimtoreclaimit；andnotuntilhesawhimseatedbyhislamp，withhisfacehiddeninhishands，beganfurtivelytopickitup。Whenhehaddoneso，hecreptnearthefire，and，sittingdowninagreatchairbeforeit，tookfromhisbreastsomebrokenscrapsoffood，andfelltomunching，andtostaringattheblaze，andnowandthentoglancingathisshillings，whichhekeptclenchedupinabunch，inonehand。
"Andthis，"saidRedlaw，gazingonhimwithincreasedrepugnanceandfear，"istheonlyonecompanionIhaveleftonearth!"
Howlongitwasbeforehewasarousedfromhiscontemplationofthiscreature，whomhedreadedso—whetherhalf—an—hour，orhalfthenight—heknewnot。Butthestillnessoftheroomwasbrokenbytheboy（whomhehadseenlistening）startingup，andrunningtowardsthedoor。
"Here’sthewomancoming!"heexclaimed。
TheChemiststoppedhimonhisway，atthemomentwhensheknocked。
"Letmegotoher，willyou？"saidtheboy。
"Notnow，"returnedtheChemist。"Stayhere。Nobodymustpassinoroutoftheroomnow。Who’sthat？"
"It’sI，sir，"criedMilly。"Pray，sir，letmein!"
"No!notfortheworld!"hesaid。
"Mr。Redlaw，Mr。Redlaw，pray，sir，letmein。"
"Whatisthematter？"hesaid，holdingtheboy。
"Themiserablemanyousaw，isworse，andnothingIcansaywillwakehimfromhisterribleinfatuation。William’sfatherhasturnedchildishinamoment，Williamhimselfischanged。Theshockhasbeentoosuddenforhim；Icannotunderstandhim；heisnotlikehimself。Oh，Mr。Redlaw，prayadviseme，helpme!"
"No!No!No!"heanswered。
"Mr。Redlaw!Dearsir!Georgehasbeenmuttering，inhisdoze，aboutthemanyousawthere，who，hefears，willkillhimself。"
"Betterheshoulddoit，thancomenearme!"
"Hesays，inhiswandering，thatyouknowhim；thathewasyourfriendonce，longago；thatheistheruinedfatherofastudenthere—mymindmisgivesme，oftheyounggentlemanwhohasbeenill。Whatistobedone？Howishetobefollowed？Howishetobesaved？Mr。Redlaw，pray，oh，pray，adviseme!Helpme!"
Allthistimeheheldtheboy，whowashalf—madtopasshim，andletherin。
"Phantoms!Punishersofimpiousthoughts!"criedRedlaw，gazingroundinanguish，"lookuponme!Fromthedarknessofmymind，lettheglimmeringofcontritionthatIknowisthere，shineupandshowmymisery!InthematerialworldasIhavelongtaught，nothingcanbespared；nosteporatominthewondrousstructurecouldbelost，withoutablankbeingmadeinthegreatuniverse。I
know，now，thatitisthesamewithgoodandevil，happinessandsorrow，inthememoriesofmen。Pityme!Relieveme!"
Therewasnoresponse，buther"Helpme，helpme，letmein!"andtheboy’sstrugglingtogettoher。
"Shadowofmyself!Spiritofmydarkerhours!"criedRedlaw，indistraction，"comeback，andhauntmedayandnight，buttakethisgiftaway!Or，ifitmuststillrestwithme，deprivemeofthedreadfulpowerofgivingittoothers。UndowhatIhavedone。
Leavemebenighted，butrestorethedaytothosewhomIhavecursed。AsIhavesparedthiswomanfromthefirst，andasIneverwillgoforthagain，butwilldiehere，withnohandtotendme，savethiscreature’swhoisproofagainstme，—hearme!"
Theonlyreplystillwas，theboystrugglingtogettoher，whileheheldhimback；andthecry，increasinginitsenergy，"Help!letmein。Hewasyourfriendonce，howshallhebefollowed，howshallhebesaved？Theyareallchanged，thereisnooneelsetohelpme，pray，pray，letmein!"
CHAPTERIII—TheGiftReversedNIGHTwasstillheavyinthesky。Onopenplains，fromhill—tops，andfromthedecksofsolitaryshipsatsea，adistantlow—lyingline，thatpromisedby—and—bytochangetolight，wasvisibleinthedimhorizon；butitspromisewasremoteanddoubtful，andthemoonwasstrivingwiththenight—cloudsbusily。
TheshadowsuponRedlaw’smindsucceededthickandfasttooneanother，andobscureditslightasthenight—cloudshoveredbetweenthemoonandearth，andkeptthelatterveiledindarkness。Fitfulanduncertainastheshadowswhichthenight—cloudscast，weretheirconcealmentsfromhim，andimperfectrevelationstohim；and，likethenight—cloudsstill，iftheclearlightbrokeforthforamoment，itwasonlythattheymightsweepoverit，andmakethedarknessdeeperthanbefore。
Without，therewasaprofoundandsolemnhushupontheancientpileofbuilding，anditsbuttressesandanglesmadedarkshapesofmysteryupontheground，whichnowseemedtoretireintothesmoothwhitesnowandnowseemedtocomeoutofit，asthemoon’spathwasmoreorlessbeset。Within，theChemist’sroomwasindistinctandmurky，bythelightoftheexpiringlamp；aghostlysilencehadsucceededtotheknockingandthevoiceoutside；nothingwasaudiblebut，nowandthen，alowsoundamongthewhitenedashesofthefire，asofitsyieldingupitslastbreath。Beforeitonthegroundtheboylayfastasleep。Inhischair，theChemistsat，ashehadsattheresincethecallingathisdoorhadceased—likeamanturnedtostone。
Atsuchatime，theChristmasmusichehadheardbefore，begantoplay。Helistenedtoitatfirst，ashehadlistenedinthechurch—yard；butpresently—itplayingstill，andbeingbornetowardshimonthenightair，inalow，sweet，melancholystrain—
herose，andstoodstretchinghishandsabouthim，asifthereweresomefriendapproachingwithinhisreach，onwhomhisdesolatetouchmightrest，yetdonoharm。Ashedidthis，hisfacebecamelessfixedandwondering；agentletremblingcameuponhim；andatlasthiseyesfilledwithtears，andheputhishandsbeforethem，andboweddownhishead。
Hismemoryofsorrow，wrong，andtrouble，hadnotcomebacktohim；
heknewthatitwasnotrestored；hehadnopassingbelieforhopethatitwas。Butsomedumbstirwithinhimmadehimcapable，again，ofbeingmovedbywhatwashidden，afaroff，inthemusic。
Ifitwereonlythatittoldhimsorrowfullythevalueofwhathehadlost，hethankedHeavenforitwithaferventgratitude。
Asthelastchorddieduponhisear，heraisedhisheadtolistentoitslingeringvibration。Beyondtheboy，sothathissleepingfigurelayatitsfeet，thePhantomstood，immovableandsilent，withitseyesuponhim。
Ghastlyitwas，asithadeverbeen，butnotsocruelandrelentlessinitsaspect—orhethoughtorhopedso，ashelookeduponittrembling。Itwasnotalone，butinitsshadowyhanditheldanotherhand。
Andwhosewasthat？WastheformthatstoodbesideitindeedMilly’s，orbuthershadeandpicture？Thequietheadwasbentalittle，ashermannerwas，andhereyeswerelookingdown，asifinpity，onthesleepingchild。Aradiantlightfellonherface，butdidnottouchthePhantom；for，thoughclosebesideher，itwasdarkandcolourlessasever。
"Spectre!"saidtheChemist，newlytroubledashelooked，"Ihavenotbeenstubbornorpresumptuousinrespectofher。Oh，donotbringherhere。Sparemethat!"
"Thisisbutashadow，"saidthePhantom；"whenthemorningshinesseekouttherealitywhoseimageIpresentbeforeyou。"
"Isitmyinexorabledoomtodoso？"criedtheChemist。
"Itis，"repliedthePhantom。
"Todestroyherpeace，hergoodness；tomakeherwhatIammyself，andwhatIhavemadeofothers!"
"Ihavesaidseekherout，"returnedthePhantom。"Ihavesaidnomore。"
"Oh，tellme，"exclaimedRedlaw，catchingatthehopewhichhefanciedmightliehiddeninthewords。"CanIundowhatIhavedone？"
"No，"returnedthePhantom。
"Idonotaskforrestorationtomyself，"saidRedlaw。"WhatI
abandoned，Iabandonedofmyownfreewill，andhavejustlylost。
ButforthosetowhomIhavetransferredthefatalgift；whoneversoughtit；whounknowinglyreceivedacurseofwhichtheyhadnowarning，andwhichtheyhadnopowertoshun；canIdonothing？"
"Nothing，"saidthePhantom。
"IfIcannot，cananyone？"
ThePhantom，standinglikeastatue，keptitsgazeuponhimforawhile；thenturneditsheadsuddenly，andlookedupontheshadowatitsside。
"Ah!Canshe？"criedRedlaw，stilllookingupontheshade。
ThePhantomreleasedthehandithadretainedtillnow，andsoftlyraiseditsownwithagestureofdismissal。Uponthat，hershadow，stillpreservingthesameattitude，begantomoveormeltaway。
"Stay，"criedRedlawwithanearnestnesstowhichhecouldnotgiveenoughexpression。"Foramoment!Asanactofmercy!Iknowthatsomechangefelluponme，whenthosesoundswereintheairjustnow。Tellme，haveIlostthepowerofharmingher？MayIgonearherwithoutdread？Oh，lethergivemeanysignofhope!"
ThePhantomlookedupontheshadeashedid—notathim—andgavenoanswer。
"Atleast，saythis—hasshe，henceforth，theconsciousnessofanypowertosetrightwhatIhavedone？"
"Shehasnot，"thePhantomanswered。
"Hasshethepowerbestowedonherwithouttheconsciousness？"
Thephantomanswered："Seekherout。"
Andhershadowslowlyvanished。
Theywerefacetofaceagain，andlookingoneachother，asintentlyandawfullyasatthetimeofthebestowalofthegift，acrosstheboywhostilllayonthegroundbetweenthem，atthePhantom’sfeet。
"Terribleinstructor，"saidtheChemist，sinkingonhiskneebeforeit，inanattitudeofsupplication，"bywhomIwasrenounced，butbywhomIamrevisited（inwhich，andinwhosemilderaspect，I
wouldfainbelieveIhaveagleamofhope），Iwillobeywithoutinquiry，prayingthatthecryIhavesentupintheanguishofmysoulhasbeen，orwillbe，heard，inbehalfofthosewhomIhaveinjuredbeyondhumanreparation。Butthereisonething—"
"Youspeaktomeofwhatislyinghere，"thephantominterposed，andpointedwithitsfingertotheboy。
"Ido，"returnedtheChemist。"YouknowwhatIwouldask。Whyhasthischildalonebeenproofagainstmyinfluence，andwhy，why，haveIdetectedinitsthoughtsaterriblecompanionshipwithmine？"
"This，"saidthePhantom，pointingtotheboy，"isthelast，completestillustrationofahumancreature，utterlybereftofsuchremembrancesasyouhaveyieldedup。Nosofteningmemoryofsorrow，wrong，ortroubleentershere，becausethiswretchedmortalfromhisbirthhasbeenabandonedtoaworseconditionthanthebeasts，andhas，withinhisknowledge，noonecontrast，nohumanisingtouch，tomakeagrainofsuchamemoryspringupinhishardenedbreast。Allwithinthisdesolatecreatureisbarrenwilderness。Allwithinthemanbereftofwhatyouhaveresigned，isthesamebarrenwilderness。Woetosuchaman!Woe，tenfold，tothenationthatshallcountitsmonsterssuchasthis，lyinghere，byhundredsandbythousands!"
Redlawshrank，appalled，fromwhatheheard。
"Thereisnot，"saidthePhantom，"oneofthese—notone—butsowsaharvestthatmankindMUSTreap。Fromeveryseedofevilinthisboy，afieldofruinisgrownthatshallbegatheredin，andgarneredup，andsownagaininmanyplacesintheworld，untilregionsareoverspreadwithwickednessenoughtoraisethewatersofanotherDeluge。Openandunpunishedmurderinacity’sstreetswouldbelessguiltyinitsdailytoleration，thanonesuchspectacleasthis。"
Itseemedtolookdownupontheboyinhissleep。Redlaw，too，lookeddownuponhimwithanewemotion。
"Thereisnotafather，"saidthePhantom，"bywhosesideinhisdailyorhisnightlywalk，thesecreaturespass；thereisnotamotheramongalltheranksoflovingmothersinthisland；thereisnoonerisenfromthestateofchildhood，butshallberesponsibleinhisorherdegreeforthisenormity。Thereisnotacountrythroughouttheearthonwhichitwouldnotbringacurse。Thereisnoreligionuponearththatitwouldnotdeny；thereisnopeopleuponearthitwouldnotputtoshame。"
TheChemistclaspedhishands，andlooked，withtremblingfearandpity，fromthesleepingboytothePhantom，standingabovehimwithhisfingerpointingdown。
"Behold，Isay，"pursuedtheSpectre，"theperfecttypeofwhatitwasyourchoicetobe。Yourinfluenceispowerlesshere，becausefromthischild’sbosomyoucanbanishnothing。Histhoughtshavebeenin’terriblecompanionship’withyours，becauseyouhavegonedowntohisunnaturallevel。Heisthegrowthofman’sindifference；youarethegrowthofman’spresumption。ThebeneficentdesignofHeavenis，ineachcase，overthrown，andfromthetwopolesoftheimmaterialworldyoucometogether。"
TheChemiststoopeduponthegroundbesidetheboy，and，withthesamekindofcompassionforhimthathenowfeltforhimself，coveredhimasheslept，andnolongershrankfromhimwithabhorrenceorindifference。
Soon，now，thedistantlineonthehorizonbrightened，thedarknessfaded，thesunroseredandglorious，andthechimneystacksandgablesoftheancientbuildinggleamedintheclearair，whichturnedthesmokeandvapourofthecityintoacloudofgold。Theverysun—dialinhisshadycorner，wherethewindwasusedtospinwithsuchunwindyconstancy，shookoffthefinerparticlesofsnowthathadaccumulatedonhisdulloldfaceinthenight，andlookedoutatthelittlewhitewreathseddyingroundandroundhim。
Doubtlesssomeblindgropingofthemorningmadeitswaydownintotheforgottencryptsocoldandearthy，wheretheNormanarcheswerehalfburiedintheground，andstirredthedullsapinthelazyvegetationhangingtothewalls，andquickenedtheslowprincipleoflifewithinthelittleworldofwonderfulanddelicatecreationwhichexistedthere，withsomefaintknowledgethatthesunwasup。
TheTetterbyswereup，anddoing。Mr。Tetterbytookdowntheshuttersoftheshop，and，stripbystrip，revealedthetreasuresofthewindowtotheeyes，soproofagainsttheirseductions，ofJerusalemBuildings。Adolphushadbeenoutsolongalready，thathewashalfwayonto"MorningPepper。"FivesmallTetterbys，whosetenroundeyesweremuchinflamedbysoapandfriction，wereinthetorturesofacoolwashinthebackkitchen；Mrs。Tetterbypresiding。Johnny，whowaspushedandhustledthroughhistoiletwithgreatrapiditywhenMolochchancedtobeinanexactingframeofmind（whichwasalwaysthecase），staggeredupanddownwithhischargebeforetheshopdoor，undergreaterdifficultiesthanusual；
theweightofMolochbeingmuchincreasedbyacomplicationofdefencesagainstthecold，composedofknittedworsted—work，andformingacompletesuitofchain—armour，withahead—pieceandbluegaiters。
Itwasapeculiarityofthisbabytobealwayscuttingteeth。
Whethertheynevercame，orwhethertheycameandwentawayagain，isnotinevidence；butithadcertainlycutenough，ontheshowingofMrs。Tetterby，tomakeahandsomedentalprovisionforthesignoftheBullandMouth。Allsortsofobjectswereimpressedfortherubbingofitsgums，notwithstandingthatitalwayscarried，danglingatitswaist（whichwasimmediatelyunderitschin），abonering，largeenoughtohaverepresentedtherosaryofayoungnun。Knife—handles，umbrella—tops，theheadsofwalking—sticksselectedfromthestock，thefingersofthefamilyingeneral，butespeciallyofJohnny，nutmeg—graters，crusts，thehandlesofdoors，andthecoolknobsonthetopsofpokers，wereamongthecommonestinstrumentsindiscriminatelyappliedforthisbaby’srelief。Theamountofelectricitythatmusthavebeenrubbedoutofitinaweek，isnottobecalculated。StillMrs。Tetterbyalwayssaid"itwascomingthrough，andthenthechildwouldbeherself；"andstillitneverdidcomethrough，andthechildcontinuedtobesomebodyelse。
ThetempersofthelittleTetterbyshadsadlychangedwithafewhours。Mr。andMrs。Tetterbythemselveswerenotmorealteredthantheiroffspring。Usuallytheywereanunselfish，good—natured，yieldinglittlerace，sharingshortcommonswhenithappened（whichwasprettyoften）contentedlyandevengenerously，andtakingagreatdealofenjoymentoutofaverylittlemeat。Buttheywerefightingnow，notonlyforthesoapandwater，butevenforthebreakfastwhichwasyetinperspective。ThehandofeverylittleTetterbywasagainsttheotherlittleTetterbys；andevenJohnny’shand—thepatient，much—enduring，anddevotedJohnny—roseagainstthebaby!Yes，Mrs。Tetterby，goingtothedoorbymereaccident，sawhimviciouslypickoutaweakplaceinthesuitofarmourwhereaslapwouldtell，andslapthatblessedchild。
Mrs。Tetterbyhadhimintotheparlourbythecollar，inthatsameflashoftime，andrepaidhimtheassaultwithusurythereto。
"Youbrute，youmurderinglittleboy，"saidMrs。Tetterby。"Hadyouthehearttodoit？"
"Whydon’therteethcomethrough，then，"retortedJohnny，inaloudrebelliousvoice，"insteadofbotheringme？Howwouldyoulikeityourself？"
"Likeit，sir!"saidMrs。Tetterby，relievinghimofhisdishonouredload。
"Yes，likeit，"saidJohnny。"Howwouldyou？Notatall。Ifyouwasme，you’dgoforasoldier。Iwill，too。Therean’tnobabiesintheArmy。"
Mr。Tetterby，whohadarriveduponthesceneofaction，rubbedhischinthoughtfully，insteadofcorrectingtherebel，andseemedratherstruckbythisviewofamilitarylife。
"IwishIwasintheArmymyself，ifthechild’sintheright，"
saidMrs。Tetterby，lookingatherhusband，"forIhavenopeaceofmylifehere。I’maslave—aVirginiaslave："someindistinctassociationwiththeirweakdescentonthetobaccotradeperhapssuggestedthisaggravatedexpressiontoMrs。Tetterby。"Ineverhaveaholiday，oranypleasureatall，fromyear’sendtoyear’send!Why，Lordblessandsavethechild，"saidMrs。Tetterby，shakingthebabywithanirritabilityhardlysuitedtosopiousanaspiration，"what’sthematterwithhernow？"
Notbeingabletodiscover，andnotrenderingthesubjectmuchclearerbyshakingit，Mrs。Tetterbyputthebabyawayinacradle，and，foldingherarms，satrockingitangrilywithherfoot。
"Howyoustandthere，’Dolphus，"saidMrs。Tetterbytoherhusband。
"Whydon’tyoudosomething？"
"BecauseIdon’tcareaboutdoinganything，"Mr。Tetterbyreplied。
"IamsureIdon’t，"saidMrs。Tetterby。
"I’lltakemyoathIdon’t，"saidMr。Tetterby。
AdiversionarosehereamongJohnnyandhisfiveyoungerbrothers，who，inpreparingthefamilybreakfasttable，hadfallentoskirmishingforthetemporarypossessionoftheloaf，andwerebuffetingoneanotherwithgreatheartiness；thesmallestboyofall，withprecociousdiscretion，hoveringoutsidetheknotofcombatants，andharassingtheirlegs。Intothemidstofthisfray，Mr。andMrs。Tetterbybothprecipitatedthemselveswithgreatardour，asifsuchgroundweretheonlygroundonwhichtheycouldnowagree；andhaving，withnovisibleremainsoftheirlatesoft—
heartedness，laidaboutthemwithoutanylenity，anddonemuchexecution，resumedtheirformerrelativepositions。
"Youhadbetterreadyourpaperthandonothingatall，"saidMrs。
Tetterby。
"What’stheretoreadinapaper？"returnedMr。Tetterby，withexcessivediscontent。
"What？"saidMrs。Tetterby。"Police。"
"It’snothingtome，"saidTetterby。"WhatdoIcarewhatpeopledo，oraredoneto？"
"Suicides，"suggestedMrs。Tetterby。
"Nobusinessofmine，"repliedherhusband。
"Births，deaths，andmarriages，arethosenothingtoyou？"saidMrs。Tetterby。
"Ifthebirthswerealloverforgood，andallto—day；andthedeathswerealltobegintocomeoffto—morrow；Idon’tseewhyitshouldinterestme，tillIthoughtitwasacomingtomyturn，"
grumbledTetterby。"Astomarriages，I’vedoneitmyself。IknowquiteenoughaboutTHEM。"
Tojudgefromthedissatisfiedexpressionofherfaceandmanner，Mrs。Tetterbyappearedtoentertainthesameopinionsasherhusband；butsheopposedhim，nevertheless，forthegratificationofquarrellingwithhim。
"Oh，you’reaconsistentman，"saidMrs。Tetterby，"an’tyou？You，withthescreenofyourownmakingthere，madeofnothingelsebutbitsofnewspapers，whichyousitandreadtothechildrenbythehalf—hourtogether!"
"Sayusedto，ifyouplease，"returnedherhusband。"Youwon’tfindmedoingsoanymore。I’mwisernow。"
"Bah!wiser，indeed!"saidMrs。Tetterby。"Areyoubetter？"
ThequestionsoundedsomediscordantnoteinMr。Tetterby’sbreast。
Heruminateddejectedly，andpassedhishandacrossandacrosshisforehead。
"Better!"murmuredMr。Tetterby。"Idon’tknowasanyofusarebetter，orhappiereither。Better，isit？"
Heturnedtothescreen，andtracedaboutitwithhisfinger，untilhefoundacertainparagraphofwhichhewasinquest。
"Thisusedtobeoneofthefamilyfavourites，Irecollect，"saidTetterby，inaforlornandstupidway，"andusedtodrawtearsfromthechildren，andmake’emgood，iftherewasanylittlebickeringordiscontentamong’em，nexttothestoryoftherobinredbreastsinthewood。’Melancholycaseofdestitution。Yesterdayasmallman，withababyinhisarms，andsurroundedbyhalf—a—dozenraggedlittleones，ofvariousagesbetweentenandtwo，thewholeofwhomwereevidentlyinafamishingcondition，appearedbeforetheworthymagistrate，andmadethefollowingrecital：’—Ha!Idon’tunderstandit，I’msure，"saidTetterby；"Idon’tseewhatithasgottodowithus。"
"Howoldandshabbyhelooks，"saidMrs。Tetterby，watchinghim。
"Ineversawsuchachangeinaman。Ah!dearme，dearme，dearme，itwasasacrifice!"
"Whatwasasacrifice？"herhusbandsourlyinquired。
Mrs。Tetterbyshookherhead；andwithoutreplyinginwords，raisedacompletesea—stormaboutthebaby，byherviolentagitationofthecradle。
"Ifyoumeanyourmarriagewasasacrifice，mygoodwoman—"saidherhusband。
"IDOmeanit"saidhiswife。
"Why，thenImeantosay，"pursuedMr。Tetterby，assulkilyandsurlilyasshe，"thattherearetwosidestothataffair；andthatIwasthesacrifice；andthatIwishthesacrificehadn’tbeenaccepted。"
"Iwishithadn’t，Tetterby，withallmyheartandsoulIdoassureyou，"saidhiswife。"Youcan’twishitmorethanIdo，Tetterby。"
"Idon’tknowwhatIsawinher，"mutteredthenewsman，"I’msure；
—certainly，ifIsawanything，it’snottherenow。Iwasthinkingso，lastnight，aftersupper，bythefire。She’sfat，she’sageing，shewon’tbearcomparisonwithmostotherwomen。"
"He’scommon—looking，hehasnoairwithhim，he’ssmall，he’sbeginningtostoopandhe’sgettingbald，"mutteredMrs。Tetterby。
"ImusthavebeenhalfoutofmymindwhenIdidit，"mutteredMr。
Tetterby。
"Mysensesmusthaveforsookme。That’stheonlywayinwhichI
canexplainittomyself，"saidMrs。Tetterbywithelaboration。
Inthismoodtheysatdowntobreakfast。ThelittleTetterbyswerenothabituatedtoregardthatmealinthelightofasedentaryoccupation，butdiscusseditasadanceortrot；ratherresemblingasavageceremony，intheoccasionallyshrillwhoops，andbrandishingsofbreadandbutter，withwhichitwasaccompanied，aswellasintheintricatefilingsoffintothestreetandbackagain，andthehoppingsupanddownthedoor—steps，whichwereincidentaltotheperformance。Inthepresentinstance，thecontentionsbetweentheseTetterbychildrenforthemilk—and—waterjug，commontoall，whichstooduponthetable，presentedsolamentableaninstanceofangrypassionsrisenveryhighindeed，thatitwasanoutrageonthememoryofDr。Watts。ItwasnotuntilMr。Tetterbyhaddriventhewholeherdoutatthefrontdoor，thatamoment’speacewassecured；andeventhatwasbrokenbythediscoverythatJohnnyhadsurreptitiouslycomeback，andwasatthatinstantchokinginthejuglikeaventriloquist，inhisindecentandrapacioushaste。
返回顶部