Contents
THETWENTY-FIRSTOFOCTOBER
DIESIRAE
MUTABILESEMPER
THEMAGICRING
ITSWALLSWEREASOFJASPER
ASAGAOFTHESEAS
THERELUCTANTDRAGON
ADEPARTURE
DreamDaysTHETWENTY-FIRSTOF
OCTOBER
Inthematterofgeneralcultureandattainments，weyoungstersstoodonprettylevelground。True，itwasalwayshappeningthatoneofuswouldbesingledoutatanymoment，freakishly，andwithoutregardtohisownpreferences，towrestlewiththeinflectionsofsomeidioticlanguagelongrightlydead;whileanother，fromsomefanciedartistictendencywhichalwaysfailedtojustifyitself，mightbetoldoffwithoutwarningtohammeroutscalesandexercises，andtobedewthesenselesskeyswithtearsofwearinessorofrevolt。Butinsubjectscommontoeithersex，andheldtobenecessaryevenforhimwhoseambitionsoarednohigherthantocrackawhipinacircus-ring——
ingeography，forinstance，arithmetic，orthewearydoingsofkingsandqueens——eachwouldhavescornedtoexcel。And，indeed，whateverourindividualgifts，ageneraldoggeddeterminationtoshirkandtoevadekeptusallatmuchthesamedeadlevel，——alevelofignorancetemperedbyinsubordination。
Fortunatelythereexistedawiderangeofsubjects，ofhealthiertonethanthosealreadyenumerated，inwhichwewerefreetochooseforourselves，andwhichwewouldhavescornedtoconsidereducation;andinthesewefreelyfollowedeachhisownparticularline，oftenattaininganamountofspecialknowledgewhichstruckourignoranteldersassimplyuncanny。ForEdward，theuniforms，accoutrements，colours，andmottoesoftheregimentscomposingtheBritishArmyhadaspecialglamour。
Inthematteroffacingshewassimplyfaultless;amongchevrons，badges，medals，andstars，hemovedfamiliarly;heevenknewthenamesofmostofthecolonelsincommand;andhewouldsquandersunnyhoursproneonthelawn，heedlessofchallengefrombirdorbeast，poringoveratatteredArmyList。Myownaccomplishmentwasofanothercharacter——took，asitseemedtome，awiderandamoreuntrammelledrange。DragoonsmighthaveswaggeredinLincolngreen，riflemenmighthavedonnedsporransovertartantrews，withoutexcitingnoticeorcommentfromme。ButdidyouseekpreciseinformationastothefaunaoftheAmericancontinent，thenyouhadcometotherightshop。Whereandwhythebison"wallowed";howbeaverweretobetrappedandwildturkeysstalked;thegrizzlyandhowtohandlehim，andtheprettypressingwaysoftheconstrictor，——infine，thehauntsandthehabitsofallthatburrowed，strutted，roared，orwriggledbetweentheAtlanticandthePacific，——allthisknowledgeItookformyprovince。Bytheothersmyequipmentwasfullyrecognized。Supposingabookwithabear-huntinitmadeitswayintothehouse，andtheatmospherewaselectricwithexcitement;
still，itwasnecessarythatIshouldfirstdecidewhethertheslothadbeenproperlydescribedandproperlyfollowedup，eretheworkcouldbestampedwithfullapproval。Awritermighthavewonfamethroughoutthecivilizedglobeforhistrappersandhisrealisticbackwoods，andallwentfornothing。IfhispemmicanwerenotproperlycompoundedIdamnedhisachievement，anditwasheardnomoreof。
Haroldwashardlyoldenoughtopossessaspecialsubjectofhisown。Hehadhisinstincts，indeed，andatbird’s-nestingtheyalmostamountedtoprophecy。Whereweothersonlysuspectedeggs，surmisedpossibleeggs，hinteddoubtfullyateggsintheneighbourhood，Haroldwentstraightfortherightbush，bough，orholeasifhecarriedadivining-rod。Butthisfacultybelongedtotheclassofmeregifts，andwasnottoberankedwithEdward’sloreregardingfacings，andmineastothehabitsofprairie-dogs，bothgainedbypainfulstudyandextensivetravelinthose"realmsofgold，"theArmyListandBallantyne。
Selina’ssubject，quiteunaccountably，happenedtobenavalhistory。Thereisnolayingdownrulesastosubjects;youjustpossessthem——orrather，theypossessyou——andtheirgenesisorprotoplasmisrarelytobetrackeddown。Selinahadneversomuchasseenthesea;butforthatmatterneitherhadIeversetfootontheAmericancontinent，theby-waysofwhichIknewsointimately。AndjustasI，ifsetdownwithoutwarninginthemiddleoftheRockyMountains，wouldhavebeenperfectlyathome，soSelina，ifageniehaddroppedhersuddenlyonPortsmouthHard，couldhavegivenpointstomostofitsfrequenters。FromthedaysofBlakedowntothedeathofNelson（shenevercondescendedfurther）SelinahadtakenspiritualpartineverynotableengagementoftheBritishNavy;andeveninthedarkdayswhenshehadtopickupskirtsandflee，chasedbyanungallantDeRuyterorVanTromp，shewasyetcheerfulintheconsciousnessthaterelongshewouldbegleefullyhammeringthefleetsoftheworld，intheglorioustimestofollow。Whenthatgoldenperiodarrived，Selinawasbusyindeed;and，whilelovingbesttostandwherethesplinterswereflyingthethickest。shewasalsoacarefulandcriticalstudentofseamanshipandofmanoeuvre。Sheknewtheorderinwhichthegreatline-of-battleshipsmovedintoaction，thevesselstheyrespectivelyengaged，themomentwheneachletgoitsanchor，andwhichofthemhadaspringonitscable（whilenotunderstandingthephrase，shecarefullynotedthefact）;andshehabituallywentintoanengagementonthequarter-deckofthegallantshipthatreserveditsfirethelongest。
AtthetimeofSelina’sweirdseizureIwasunfortunatelyawayfromhome，onaloathsomevisittoanaunt;andmyaccountisthereforefeeblycompoundedfromhearsay。ItwasanabsenceI
neverceasedtoregret——scoringitup，withasenseofinjury，againsttheaunt。Therewasasplendiduselessnessaboutthewholeperformancethatspeciallyappealedtomyartisticsense。
ThatitshouldhavebeenSelina，too，whoshouldbreakoutthisway——Selina，whohadjustbecomearegularsubscribertothe"YoungLadies’Journal，"andwhoallowedherselftobetakenouttostrangeteaswithanairofresignationpalpablyassumed——thiswasaspecialjoy，andservedtoremindmethatmuchofthisdreadedconventionthatwascreepingoverusmightbe，afterall，onlyveneer。Edwardalsowasabsent，gettinglickedintoshapeatschool;buttohimthelosswasnothing。Withhissternpracticalbenthewouldn’thaveseenanysenseinit——torecalloneofhisfavouriteexpressions。ToHarold，however，forwhomthegodshadalwayscherishedaspecialtenderness，itwasgranted，notonlytowitness，butalso，priestlike，tofeedthesacredfireitself。Andifatthetimehepaidthepenaltyexactedbythesordidunimaginativeoneswhotemporarilyruletheroast，hemusteverafter，onefeelssure，havecarriedinsidehimsomeofthewhitegladnessoftheacolytewho，greatlyprivileged，hasbeenpermittedtoswingacenseratthesacringoftheveryMass。
Octoberwasmellowingfast，andwithittheyearitself;fulloftenderhints，inwoodlandandhedgerow，ofacoursewell-nighcompleted。Fromallsidesthatstillafternoonyoucaughtthequickbreathingandsoboftherunnernearingthegoal。
Preoccupiedandpossessed，Selinahadstrayeddownthegardenandoutintothepasturebeyond，where，onabitofrisinggroundthatdominatedthegardenononesideandthedownswiththeoldcoach-roadontheother，shehadcastherselfdowntochewthecudoffancy。ThereshewaspresentlyjoinedbyHarold，breathlessandveryfullofhislatestgrievance。
"Iaskedhimnotto，"heburstout。"Isaidifhe’donlypleasewaitabitandEdwardwouldbebacksoon，anditcouldn’tmattertoHIM，andthepigwouldn’tmind，andEdward’dbepleasedandeverybody’dbehappy。Buthejustsaidhewasverysorry，butbacondidn’twaitfornobody。SoItoldhimhewasaregularbeast，andthenIcameaway。And——andIb’lievethey’redoingitnow！"
"Yes，he’sabeast，"agreedSelina，absently。Shehadforgottenallaboutthepig-killing。Haroldkickedawayafreshlythrown-
upmole-hill，andproddeddowntheholewithastick。FromthedirectionofFarmerLarkin’sdemesnecamealong-drawnnoteofsorrow，athincryandappeal，tellingthatthestoutsoulofablackBerkshirepigwasalreadyfaringdownthestonytracktoHades。
"D’youknowwhatdayitis？"saidSelinapresently，inalowvoice，lookingfarawaybeforeher。
Harolddidnotappeartoknow，noryettocare。Hehadlaidopenhismole-runforayardorso，andwasstillgrubbingatitabsorbedly。
"It’sTrafalgarDay，"wentonSelina，trancedly;"TrafalgarDay——
andnobodycares！"
SomethinginhertonetoldHaroldthathewasnotbehavingquitebecomingly。Hedidn’texactlyknowinwhatmanner;still，heabandonedhismole-huntforamorecourteousattitudeofattention。
"Overthere，"resumedSelina——shewasgazingoutinthedirectionoftheoldhighroad——"overtherethecoachesusedtogoby。
UncleThomaswastellingmeaboutittheotherday。Andthepeopleusedtowatchfor’emcoming，totellthetimeby，andp’r’apstogettheirparcels。Andonemorning——theywouldn’tbeexpectinganythingdifferent——onemorning，firsttherewouldbeacloudofdust，asusual，andthenthecoachwouldcomeracingby，andTHENtheywouldknow！Forthecoachwouldbedressedinlaurel，alllaurelfromstemtostern！Andthecoachmanwouldbewearinglaurel，andtheguardwouldbewearinglaurel;andthentheywouldknow，thentheywouldknow！"
Haroldlistenedinrespectfulsilence。Hewouldmuchratherhavebeenhuntingthemole，whomusthavebeenamileawaybythistimeifhehadhiswitsabouthim。Buthehadallthenaturalinstinctsofagentleman;ofwhomitisoneoftheprincipalmarks，ifnotthecompletedefinition，nevertoshowsignsofbeingbored。
Selinarosetoherfeet，andpacedtheturfrestlesslywithashortquarter-deckwalk。
"Whycan’tweDOsomething？"sheburstoutpresently。
"HE——hedideverything——whycan’twedoanythingforhim？"
"WHOdideverything？"inquiredHarold，meekly。Itwasuselesswastingfurtherlongingsonthatmole。Likethedead，hetravelledfast。
"Why，Nelson，ofcourse，"saidSelina，shortly，stilllookingrestlesslyaroundforhelporsuggestion。
"Buthe’s——he’sDEAD，isn’the？"askedHarold，slightlypuzzled。
"What’sthatgottodowithit？"retortedhissister，resuminghercaged-lionpromenade。
Haroldwassomewhattakenaback。Inthecaseofthepig，forinstance，whoselastoutcryhadnowpassedintostillness，hehadconsideredthechapterasfinallyclosed。WhateverinnocentmirththeholidaysmightholdinstoreforEdward，thatparticularpig，atleast，wouldnotbeacontributor。Andnowhewasgiventounderstandthatthesituationhadnotmateriallychanged！Hewouldhavetorevisehisideas，itseemed。
Sittinguponend，helookedtowardsthegardenforassistanceinthetask。Thence，evenashegazed，atinycolumnofsmokerosestraightupintothestillair。Thegardenerhadbeensweepingthatafternoon，andnow，anunconsciouspriest，wasofferinghissacrificeofautumnleavestothecalm-eyedgoddessofchanginghuesandchillforebodingswhowasmovingslowlyaboutthelandthatgoldenafternoon。Haroldwasupandoffinamoment，forgettingNelson，forgettingthepig，themole，theLarkinbetrayal，andSelina’sstrangefeverofconscience。Herewasfire，realfire，toplaywith，andthatwasevenbetterthanmessingwithwater，orremodellingtheplasticsurfaceoftheearth。Ofallthetoystheworldprovidesforright-mindedpersons，theoriginalelementsrankeasilythefirst。
ButSelinasatonwhereshewas，herchinonherfists;andherfancieswhirledanddrifted，hereandthere，incurlsandeddies，alongwiththesmokeshewaswatching。Asthequick-
footedduskoftheshortOctoberdaysteppedlightlyoverthegarden，littleredtonguesoffiremightbeseentoleapandvanishinthesmoke。Harold，anonstaggeringunderarmfulsofleaves，anonstokingvigorously，wasdiscernibleonlyatfitfulintervals。ItwasanothersortofsmokethattheinnereyeofSelinawaslookingupon，——asmokethathunginsullenbanksroundthemastsandthehullsofthefightingships;asmokefrombeneathwhichcamethunderandthecrashandthesplinter-rip，theshoutoftheboardingparty，thechokingsobofthegunnerstretchedbyhisgun;asmokefromoutofwhichatlastshesaw，asthrougharivenpall，theradiantspiritoftheVictor，crownedwiththecoronalofaperfectdeath，leapinfullassuranceupintotheetherthatImmortalsbreathe。Theduskwasgloomingtowardsdarknesswhensheroseandmovedslowlydowntowardsthebeckoningfire;somethingofthepriestessinherstride，somethingofthedevoteeinthesetpurposeofhereye。
Theleaveswerewellalightbythistime，andHaroldhadjustaddedanoldfurzebush，whichflamedandcrackledstirringly。
"Go’n’getsomemoresticks，"orderedSelina，"andshavings，’n’
chunksofwood，’n’anythingyoucanfind。Lookhere——inthekitchen-gardenthere’sapileofoldpea-sticks。Fetchasmanyasyoucancarry，andthengobackandbringsomemore！"
"ButIsay，——"beganHarold，amazedly，scarceknowinghissister，andwithavisionofafrenziedgardener，pea-sticklessandthreateningretribution。
"Goandfetch’emquick！"shoutedSelina，stampingwithimpatience。
Haroldranoffatonce，truetothesternsystemofdisciplineinwhichhehadbeennurtured。ButhiseyeswerelikeroundO’s，andasheranhetalkedfasttohimself，inevidentdisorderofmind。
Thepea-sticksmadearareblaze，andthefire，nolongersmoulderingsullenly，leaptupandbegantoassumetheappearanceofagenuinebonfire。Harold，awedintosilenceatfirst，begantojumprounditwithshoutsoftriumph。Selinalookedongrimly，withknittedbrow;shewasnotyetfullysatisfied。
"Can’tyougetanymoresticks？"shesaidpresently。"Goandhuntabout。Getsomeoldhampersandmattingandthingsoutofthetool-house。SmashupthatoldcucumberframeEdwardshovedyouinto，thedaywewereplayingscoutsandMohicans。Stopabit！Hooray！Iknow。Youcomealongwithme。"
Hardbytherewasahot-house，AuntEliza’sspecialprideandjoy，andevengrimlyapprovedofbythegardener。Atoneend，inanout-houseadjoining，thenecessaryfiringwasstored;andtothissacredfuel，ofwhichwewerestrictlyforbiddentotouchastick，Selinawentstraight。Haroldfollowedobediently，preparedforanycrimeafterthatofthepea-sticks，butpinchinghimselftoseeifhewerereallyawake。
"Youbringsomecoals，"saidSelinabriefly，withoutanypalaverorpro-and-condiscussion。"Here’sabasket。I’LLmanagethefaggots！"
Inaveryfewminutestherewaslittledoubtaboutitsbeingagenuinebonfireandnopaltrymakeshift。Selina，aMaenadnow，hatlessandtossingdisorderedlocks，allthedrossoftheyoungladypurgedoutofher，stalkedaroundthepyreofherownpurloining，orproddeditwithapea-stick。Andassheproddedshemurmuredatintervals，"IKNEWtherewassomethingwecoulddo！Itisn’tmuch——butstillit’sSOMETHING！"
Thegardenerhadgonehometohistea。AuntElizahaddrivenoutforhersalongwayoff，andwasnotexpectedbacktillquitelate;andthisfarendofthegardenwasnotoverlookedbyanywindows。SotheTributeblazedonmerrilyunchecked。Villagersfaraway，catchingsightoftheflare，mutteredsomethingabout"themyoungdevilsattheirtricksagain，"andtrudgedonbeer-
wards。Neverathoughtofwhatdayitwas，neverathoughtforNelson，whopreservedtheirhonestpint-pots，tobepaidforinhonestpence，andsavedthemfromlitresanddecimalcoinage。
Nearerathand，frightenedrabbitspoppedupandvanishedwithaflickofwhitetails;scaredbirdsflutteredamongthebranches，orspedacrossthegladetoquietersleeping-quarters;
butneverabirdnorabeastgaveathoughttotheherotowhomtheyoweditthateachyeartheirlittlehomesofhorsehair，wool，ormoss，weresafestablished’neaththeflapoftheBritishflag;andthatGameLaws，quietlypermanent，madelachasseaterroronlytotheirbetters。Nooneseemedtoknow，nortocare，nortosympathise。Inalltheecstasyofherburnt-
offeringandsacrifice，Selinastoodalone。
Andyet——notquitealone！For，asthefirewasroaringatitsbest，certainstarssteppeddelicatelyforthonthesurfaceoftheimmensityabove，andpeereddowndoubtfully——withwonderatfirst，thenwithinterest，thenwithrecognition，withastartofgladsurprise。THEYatleastknewallaboutit，THEY
understood。AmongTHEMtheNamewasadailyfamiliarword;hisstorywasapartofthemusictowhichtheyswung，himselfwastheirfellowandtheirmateandcomrade。Sotheypeeped，andwinked，andpeepedagain，andcalledtotheirlaggardbrotherstocomequickandsee……
"Thebestoflifeisbutintoxication;"andSelina，whoduringherbriefinebriationhadlivedinanecstasyasgoldenasourdrabexistenceaffords，hadtoexperiencetheinevitablebitternessofawakeningsobriety，whenthedyingdownoftheflamesintosullenemberscoincidedwiththefrenziedentranceofAuntElizaonthescene。Itwasnotsomuchthatshewasatonceandforeverdisrated，broke，sentbeforethemast，andbrandedasoneonwhomnoreliancecouldbeplaced，evenwithEdwardsafeatschool，andmyselfunderthedistantvigilanceofanaunt;thatherpocketmoneywasstoppedindefinitely，andhernewChurchService，theprideofherlastbirthday，removedfromherowncustodyandplacedunderthecontrolofaTrust。ShesorrowedratherbecauseshehaddraggedpoorHarold，againsthisbetterjudgment，intoamosthorriblescrape，andmoreoverbecause，whenthereactionhadfairlysetin，whentheexaltationhadfizzledawayandtheyoung-ladyportionofherhadcrepttimorouslybacktoitswontedlodging，shecouldonlyseeherselfasaplainfool，unjustified，undeniable，withoutashadowofanexcuseorexplanation。
AsforHarold，youthandashortmemorymadehiscaselesspitifulthanitseemedtohismoresensitivesister。True，hestartedupstairstohislonelycotbellowingdismally，beforehimadrearyfutureofpainsandpenalties，sufficienttolasttothecrackofdoom。Outsidehisdoor，however，hetumbledoverAugustusthecat，andmadecaptureofhim;andatoncehismourningwaschangedintoasongoftriumph，asheconveyedhisprizeintoport。ForAugustus，whodetestedaboveallthingsgoingtobedwithlittleboys，wasevermoreknavethanfool，andthetrapperwhowaswilyenoughtoensnarehimhadachievedsomethingnotable。Augustus，whenherealizedthathisfatewassealed，andhisnight’slodgingsettled，wiselymadethebestofthings，andlistened，withalanguorousairofcompletecomprehension，totheincoherentbabbleconcerningpigsandheroes，molesandbonfires，whichservedHaroldforaself-sunglullaby。YetitmaybedoubtedwhetherAugustuswasoneofthoserarefellowswhothoroughlyunderstood。
ButSelinaknewnomoreofthissourceofconsolationthanofthesympathywithwhichthestarswerewinkingaboveher;anditwasonlyaftersomesadintervaloftime，andonaverymoistpillow，thatshedriftedintothatquaintinconsequentcountrywhereyoumaymeetyourownpetherostrollingdowntheroad，andcommitwhathair-brainedodditiesyoulike，andeverybodyunderstandsandappreciates。
DIESIRAE
Thosememorabledaysthatmoveinprocession，theirheadsjustoutofthemistofyearslongdead——themostofthemarefull-
eyedasthedandelionthatfromdawntoshadehassteepeditselfinsunlight。Hereandthereintheirranks，however，movesaforlornonewhoisblind——blindinthesenseofthedulledwindow-paneonwhichthepeltingraindropshavemingledandrundown，obscuringsunshineandthecirclingbirds，happyfields，andstoriedgarden;blindwiththespatterofamiseryuncomprehended，unanalysed，onlyfeltassomethingcorporealinitsbuffetingeffects。
Marthabeganit;andyetMarthawasnotreallytoblame。Indeed，thatwashalfthetroubleofit——nosolidpersonstoodfullinview，tobeblamedandtomakeatonement。Therewasonlyawretched，impalpableconditiontodealwith。Breakfastwasjustover;thesunwassummoningus，imperiousasaheraldwithclamouroftrumpet;Iranupstairstoherwithabrokenbootlaceinmyhand，andthereshewas，cryinginacorner，herheadinherapron。Nothingcouldbegotfromherbutthesamedismalsuccessionofsobsthatwouldnothavedone，thatstruckandhurtlikeaphysicalbeating;andmeanwhilethesunwasgettingimpatient，andIwantedmybootlace。
Inquirybelowstairsrevealedthecause。Martha’sbrotherwasdead，itseemed——hersailorbrotherBilly;drownedinoneofthosestrangefar-offseasitwasourdreamtonavigateoneday。
WehadknownBillywell，andappreciatedhim。WhenanapproachingvisitofBillytohissisterhadbeenannounced，wehadcountedthedaystoit。Whenhischeeryvoicewasatlastheardinthekitchenandwehaddescendedwithshouts，firstofallhehadtoexhibithistattooedarms，alwaysasubjectforfreshdelightandenvyandawe;thenhewascalleduponfortricks，jugglings，andstrange，fearfulgymnastics;andlastlycameyarns，andmoreyarns，andyarnstillbedtime。TherehadneverbeenanyonelikeBillyinhisownparticularsphere;andnowhewasdrowned，theysaid，andMarthawasmiserable，and——andIcouldn’tgetanewbootlace。TheytoldmethatBillywouldnevercomebackanymore，andIstaredoutofthewindowatthesunwhichcameback，rightenough，everyday，andtheirnewsconveyednothingwhatevertome。Martha’ssorrowhithomealittle，butonlybecausetheactualsightandsoundofitgavemeadull，badsortofpainlowdowninside——apainnottobeactuallylocated。Moreover，Iwasstillwantingmybootlace。
Thiswasapoorsortofabeginningtoadaythat，sofarasoutsideconditionswent，hadpromisedsowell。Iriggedupasortofjurymastofabootlacewithabitofoldstring，andwanderedofftolookupthegirls，consciousofajarandadiscordanceintheschemeofthings。ThemomentIenteredtheschoolroomsomethingintheairseemedtotellmethathere，too，matterswerestrainedandawry。Selinawasstaringlistlesslyoutofthewindow，onefootcurledroundherleg。WhenIspoketohershejerkedashouldertestily，butdidnotcondescendtothecivilityofareply。Charlotte，absolutelyunoccupied，sprawledinachair，andthereweresignsofsnifflesabouther，evenatthatearlyhour。Itwasbutatriflingmatterthathadcausedallthiselectricityintheatmosphere，andthegirls’
manneroftakingitseemedtomemostunreasonable。WithinthelastfewdaysthetimehadcomeroundforthedespatchofahampertoEdwardatschool。Onlyonehamperatermwaspermittedhim，soitspreparationwasasortofblendofrevelryandreligiousceremony。Afterthemaincorpusofthethinghadbeencarefullyselectedandsafelybestowed——thepotsofjam，thecake，thesausages，andtheapplesthatfilledupcornerssonicely——afterthelastpackagehadbeenwedgedin，thegirlshaddepositedtheirownprivateandpersonalofferingsonthetop。I
forgettheirprecisenature;anyhow，theywerenothingofanyparticularpracticalusetoaboy。Buttheyhadinvolvedsomecontrivanceandlabour，someskimpingofpocketmoney，andmuchdelightfulcloud-buildingastotheeffectontheirenrapturedrecipient。Well，yesterdaytherehadcomeaterseacknowledgmentfromEdward，heartilycommendingthecakesandthejam，stampingthesausageswiththesealofSmithmajor’sapproval，andfinallyhintingthat，fortifiedashenowwas，nothingmorewasnecessarybutaremittanceoffiveshillingsinpostagestampstoenablehimtofacetheworldarmedagainsteverybuffetoffate。Thatwasall。Neverawordorahintofthepersonaltributesorofhisappreciationofthem。Tous——toHaroldandme，thatis——theletterseemednaturalandsensibleenough。Afterall，provenderwasthemainthing，andfiveshillingsstoodforacompleteequipmentagainstthemostunexpectedturnsofluck。Thepresentswereverywellintheirway——verynice，andsoon——butlifewasaseriousmatter，andthecontestcalledforcakesandhalfcrownstocarryiton，notgew-
gawsandknittedmittensandthelike。Thegirls，however，intheirobstinateway，persistedintakingtheirownviewoftheslight。HenceitwasthatIreceivedmysecondrebuffofthemorning。
Somewhatdisheartened，Imademywaydownstairsandoutintothesunlight，whereIfoundHaroldplayingconspiratorsbyhimselfonthegravel。Hehaddugasmallholeinthewalkandhadlaidanimaginarytrainofpowderthereto;and，ashesoughtrefugeinthelaurelsfromtheinevitableexplosion，Iheardhimmurmur：
"`MyGod！’saidtheCzar，`myplansarefrustrated！’"Itseemedanexcellentoccasionforbeingablackpuma。Haroldlikedblackpumas，onthewhole，aswellasanyanimalwewerefamiliarwith。
SoIlaunchedmyselfonhim，withtheappropriatehowl，rollinghimoveronthegravel。
Lifemaybesaidtobecomposedofthingsthatcomeoffandthingsthatdon’tcomeoff。Thisthing，unfortunately，wasoneofthethingsthatdidn’tcomeoff。FrombeneathmeIheardashrillcryof，"Oh，it’smysoreknee！"AndHaroldwriggledhimselffreefromthepuma’sclutches，bellowingdismally。Now，Ihonestlydidn’tknowhehadasoreknee，and，what’smore，heknewIdidn’tknowhehadasoreknee。Accordingtoboyethics，therefore，hisattitudewaswrong，sorekneeornot，andnoapologywasduefromme。Imadehalf-wayadvances，however，suggestingweshouldlieinambushbytheedgeofthepondandcutofftheducksastheywaddleddowninsimple，unsuspectingsinglefile;thenhuntthemasbisonsflyingscatteredoverthevastprairie。Afascinatingpursuitthis，andstrictlyillicit。
ButHaroldwouldnoneofmyovertures，andretreatedtothehousewailingwithfulllungs。
Thingsweregettingsimplyinfernal。Istruckoutblindlyfortheopencountry;andevenasImadeforthegateashrillvoicefromawindowbademekeepofftheflower-beds。WhenthegatehadswungtobehindmewithaviciousclickIfeltbetter，andaftertenminutesalongtheroaditbegantogrowonmethatsomeradicalchangewasneeded，thatIwasinablindalley，andthatthisintolerablestateofthingsmustsomehowcease。AllthatI
coulddoIhadalreadydone。Aswell-meaningafellowaseversteppedwaspoundingalongtheroadthatday，withanexceedingsoreheart;onewhoonlywishedtoliveandletlive，intouchwithhisfellows，andappreciatingwhatjoyslifehadtooffer。
Whatwaswantednowwasacompletechangeofenvironment。Somewhereintheworld，Ifeltsure，justiceandsympathystillresided。Therewereplacescalledpampas，forinstance，thatsoundedwell。Leagueuponleagueofgrass，withjustanoccasionalwildhorse，andnotarelationwithinthehorizon！Toabruisedspiritthisseemedasaneandahealingsortofexistence。Therewereotherpleasantcorners，again，whereyoudivedforpearlsandstabbedsharksinthestomachwithyourbigknife。Norelationswouldbelikelytocomeinterferingwithyouwhenthusblissfullyoccupied。AndyetIdidnotwish——justyet——tohavedonewithrelationsentirely。Theyshouldbemadetofeeltheirpositionfirst，toseethemselvesastheyreallywere，andtowish——whenitwastoolate——thattheyhadbehavedmoreproperly。
Ofallprofessions，thearmyseemedtolenditselfthemostthoroughlytothescheme。Youenlisted，youfollowedthedrum，youmarched，fought，andportedarms，understrangeskies，throughunrecordedyears。Atlast，atlonglast，youropportunitywouldcome，whenthehorrorsofwarwereflickeringthroughthequietcountry-sidewhereyouwerecradledandbred，butwherethememoryofyouhadlongbeendim。Folkwouldruntogether，clamorous，palsiedwithfear;andamongtheterror-strickengroupswouldfigurecertainaunts。"Whathopeisleftus？"theywouldaskthemselves，"saveintheclemencyoftheGeneral，themysterious，invincibleGeneral，ofwhommentellsuchromantictales？"Andthearmywouldmarchin，andthegunswouldrattleandleapalongthevillagestreet，and，lastofall，you——you，theGeneral，thefabledhero——youwouldenter，onyourcoal-blackcharger，yourpalesetfaceseamedbyaninterestingsabre-cut。Andthen——buteveryboyhasrehearsedthisfamiliarpieceascoreoftimes。Youaremagnanimous，infine——thatgoeswithoutsaying;youhaveacoal-blackhorse，andasabre-cut，andyoucanaffordtobeverymagnanimous。Butallthesameyougivethemagoodtalking-to。
Thispleasantconceitsimplyravishedmysoulforsometwentyminutes，andthentheoldsenseofinjurybegantowellupafresh，andtocallfornewplastersandsoothingsyrups。ThistimeItookrefugeinhappythoughtsofthesea。Theseawasmyrealsphere，afterall。Onthesea，inespecial，youcouldcombinedistinctionwithlawlessness，whereasthearmyseemedtobealwaysweightedbyacertainploddingsubmissiontodiscipline。Tobesure，byallaccounts，thelifewasatfirstaroughone。ButjustthenIwantedtosufferkeenly;Iwantedtobeapoordevilofacabinboy，kicked，beaten，andswornat——foratime。Perhapssomehint，someinklingofmysufferingsmightreachtheirears。Induecoursetheslooporfeluccawouldturnup——italwaysdid——therakish-lookingcraft，blackofhull，lowinthewater，andbristlingwithguns;thejollyRogerflappingoverhead，andmyselfforsolecommander。Byandby，asusuallyhappened，anEastIndiamanwouldcomesailingalongfullofrelations——notanecessaryrelationwouldbemissing。Andthecrewshouldwalktheplank，andthecaptainshoulddancefromhisownyardarm，andthenIwouldtakethepassengersinhand——thatmiserablegroupofwell-knownfigurescoweringonthequarter-
deck！——andthen——andthenthesameoldperformance：theairthickwithmagnanimity。Inalltherepertoryofheroes，noneismoretrulymagnanimousthanyourpiratechief。
WhenatlastIbroughtmyselfbackfromthefuturetotheactualpresent，IfoundthatthesedelectablevisionshadhelpedmeoveralongerstretchofroadthanIhadimagined;andIlookedaroundandtookmybearings。Totherightofmewasalonglowbuildingofgreystone，new，andyetnotsmuglyso;new，andyetpossessingdistinction，markedwithacharacterthatdidnotdependonlichenoroncrumblingsemi-effacementofmouldingandmullion。Strangersmighthavebeenpuzzledtoclassifyit;tome，anexplorerfromearliestyears，theplacewasfamiliarenough。Mostfolkcalledit"TheSettlement";others，withquitesufficientconcisenessforourneighbourhood，spokeof"themtherefellowsupbyHalliday’s";othersagain，withahintofderision，namedthemthe"monks。"ThislasttitleIsupposedtobeintendedforsatire，andknewtobefatuouslywrong。Iwasthoroughlyacquaintedwithmonks——inbooks——andwellknewthecutoftheirlongfrocks，theirshavenpolls，andtheirfascinatingbigdogs，withbrandy-bottlesroundtheirnecks，incessantlyhaulinghappytravellersoutofthesnow。TheonlydogatthesettlementwasanIrishterrier，andthegoodfellowswhoownedhim，andwereownedbyhim，incommon，woreclothesofthemostnondescriptorder，andmostlycultivatedside-whiskers。Ihadwanderedupthereoneday，searching（asusual）forsomethingI
neverfound，andhadbeentakeninbythemandtreatedasfriendandcomrade。Theyhadmademefreeoftheirideallittlerooms，fullofbooksandpictures，andcleanoftheantimacassartaint;
theyhadshownmetheirchapel，high，hushed;andfaintlyscented，beautifulwithastrangenewbeautybornbothofwhatithadandwhatithadnot——thattoofamiliardowdinessofcommonplacesofworship。Theyhadalsofedmeintheirdining-hall，wherealongtablestoodontrestlesplaintoview，andallthewoodworkwasnatural，unpainted，healthilyscrubbed，andredolentoftheforestitcamefrom。Ibroughtawayfromthatvisit，andkeptbymeformanydays，asenseofcleanness，ofthefreshnessthatpricksthesenses——thefreshnessofcoolspringwater;andthelargesweptspacesoftherooms，theredtiles，andtheoakensettles，suggestedacomfortthathadnoconnexionwithpaddedupholstery。
OnthisparticularmorningIwasinmuchtoounsociableamindforpayingfriendlycalls。Still，somethingintheaspectoftheplaceharmonisedwithmyhumour，andIworkedmywayroundtotheback，wheretheground，afteraffordinglevelenoughforakitchen-garden，brokesteeplyaway。BoththewordGothicandthethingitselfwerestillunknowntome;yetdoubtlessthearchitectureoftheplace，consistentthroughout，accountedforitssenseofcomradeshipinmyhourofdisheartenment。AsI
musedthere，withthelow，grey，purposeful-lookingbuildingbeforeme，andthoughtofmypleasantfriendswithin，andwhatgoodtimestheyalwaysseemedtobehaving，andhowtheylarkedwiththeIrishterrier，whosefootingwasoneofaperfectequality，Ithoughtofacertainlookintheirfaces，asiftheyhadacommonpurposeandabusiness，andwereactingunderordersthoroughlyrecognisedandunderstood。Iremembered，too，somethingthatMarthahadtoldme，aboutthesesamefellowsdoing"apowero’good，"andotherhintsIhadcollectedvaguely，ofrenouncements，rules，self-denials，andthelike。Thereupon，outofthedepthsofmymorbidsoulswamupanewandfascinatingidea;andatoncethecareerofarmsseemedover-actedandstale，andpiracy，asaprofession，flatandunprofitable。This，then，orsomethinglikeit，shouldbemyvocationandmyrevenge。
Asevererlineofbusiness，perhaps，suchasIhadreadof;
somethingthatincludedblackbreadandahair-shirt。Thereshouldbevows，too——irrevocable，bloodcurdlingvows;andanirongrating。Thisirongratingwasthemostnecessaryfeatureofall，forIintendedthatontheothersideofitmyrelationsshouldrangethemselves——Imentallyranoverthecatalogue，andsawthatthewholegangwaspresent，allintheirproperplaces——
asad-eyedrow，combinedintristfulappeal。"Weseeourerrornow，"theywouldsay;"wewerealwaysdulldogs，slowtocatch——
especiallyinthoseakintous——thefinerqualitiesofsoul！Wemisunderstoodyou，misappreciatedyou，andweownuptoit。Andnow——""Alas，mydearfriends，"Iwouldstrikeinhere，wavingtowardsthemanascetichand——oneoftheemaciatedsort，thatletsthelightshinethroughatthefinger-tips——"Alas，youcometoolate！Thisconductisfittingandmeritoriousonyourpart，andindeedIalwaysexpecteditofyou，soonerorlater;
butthedieiscast，andyoumaygohomeagainandbewailatyourleisurethistootardyrepentanceofyours。Forme，Iamvowedanddedicated，andmyrelationshenceforthareausterityandholyworks。Onceamonth，shouldyouwishit，itshallbeyourprivilegetocomeandgazeatmethroughthisverysolidgrating;
but——"WHACK！
Awell-aimedclodofgardensoil，whizzingjustpastmyear，starredonatree-trunkbehind，spatteringmewithdirt。Thepresentcamebacktomeinaflash，andInimblytookcoverbehindthetrees，realisingthattheenemywasupandabroad，withambuscades，alarms，andthrillingsallies。Itwasthegardener’sboy，Iknewwellenough;aredproletariat，whohatedmejustbecauseIwasagentleman。Hastilypickingupanicestickyclodinonehand，withtheotherIdelicatelyprojectedmyhatbeyondtheshelterofthetree-trunk。IhadnotfoughtwithRed-skinsalltheseyearsfornothing。
AsIhadexpected，anotherclod，ofthefirstclassforsizeandstickiness，tookmypoorhatfullinthecentre。Then，Ajax-
like，shoutingterribly，Iissuedfromshelteranddischargedmyammunition。Woethenforthegardener’sboy，who，unprepared，skippinginprematuretriumph，tooktheclodfullinhisstomach！
He，thefoolishone，witlessonwhosesidethegodswerefightingthatday，dischargedyetothermissiles，waveringandwideofthemark;forhiswindhadbeentakenwiththefirstclod，andheshotwildly，asonealreadydesperateandinflight。Igotanotherclodinatshortrange;weclinchedonthebrowofthehill，androlleddowntothebottomtogether。Whenhehadshakenhimselffreeandregainedhislegs，hetrottedsmartlyoffinthedirectionofhismother’scottage;butoverhisshoulderhedischargedatmebothimprecationanddeprecation，menacemixedupwithanunder-currentoftears。
Butasforme，Imadeoffsmartlyfortheroad，myframetingling，myheadhigh，withneverabackwardlookattheSettlementofsuggestiveaspect，oratmywell-plannedfuturewhichlayinfragmentsaroundit。Lifehaditsjollities，then;
lifewasaction，contest，victory！Thepresentwasrosyoncemore，surpriseslurkedoneveryside，andIwasbeginningtofeelvillainouslyhungry。
JustasIgainedtheroadacartcamerattlingby，andIrushedforit，caughtthechainthathungbelow，andswungthrillinglybetweenthedizzywheels，chokedandblindedwithdelicious-
smellingdust，theworldslippingbymelikeastreakyribbonbelow，tillthedriverlickedatmewithhiswhip，andIhadtodescendtoearthagain。Abandoningthebeatentrack，Ithenstruckhomewardsthroughthefields;notthatthewaywasverymuchshorter，butratherbecauseonthatrouteoneavoidedthebridge，andhadtosplashthroughthestreamandgetrefreshinglywet。Bridgesweremadefornarrowfolk，forpeoplewithaimsandvocationswhichcompelledabandonmentofmanyoflife’shighestpleasures。Trulywisemencalledoneachelementaliketoministertotheirjoy，andwhilethetouchofsun-bathedair，thefragranceofgardensoil，theductiblequalitiesofmud，andthespark-whirlingraptureofplayingwithfire，hadeachtheirspecialcharm，theydidnotoverlooktheblissofgettingtheirfeetwet。AsIcameforthonthecommonHaroldbrokeoutofanadjoiningcopseandrantomeetme，themorningrain-cloudsallblownawayfromhisface。Hehadmadeanewsquirrel-stick，itseemed。Madeitallhimself;meltedtheleadandeverything！
Iexaminedtheinstrumentcritically，andpronounceditabsolutelymagnificent。Aswepassedinatourgatethegirlsweredistantlyvisible，gardeningwithazealincheerfulcontrasttotheirheartsicklassitudeofthemorning。"There’sbinanotherlettercometo-day，"Haroldexplained，"andthehampergotjoggledaboutonthejourney，andthepresentsworkeddownintothestrawandallovertheplace。Oneof’emturnedupinsidethecoldduck。Andthat’swhytheyweren’tfoundatfirst。AndEdwardsaid，ThanksAWFULLY"
IdidnotseeMarthaagainuntilwewereallre-assembledattea-
time，whensheseemedred-eyedandstrangelysilent，neitherscoldingnorfindingfaultwithanything。Instead，shewasverykindandthoughtfulwithjamsandthings，feverishlypressingunwonteddelicaciesonus，whowantedlittlepressingenough。
Thensuddenly，whenIwasbusiest，shedisappeared;andCharlottewhisperedmepresentlythatshehadheardhergotoherroomandlockherselfin。Thisstruckmeasafunnysortofproceeding。
MUTABILESEMPER
Shestoodontheothersideofthegardenfence，andregardedmegravelyasIcamedowntheroad。Thenshesaid，"Hi-o！"andI
responded，"Hullo！"andpulledupsomewhatnervously。
Totellthetruth，theencounterwasnotentirelyunexpectedonmypart。ThepreviousSundayIhadseenherinchurch，andafterserviceithadtranspiredwhoshewas，thisnew-comer，andwhatauntshewasstayingwith。Thatmorningavolunteerhadbeencalledfor，totakeanotetotheParsonage，andrathertomyownsurpriseIhadfoundmyselfsteppingforwardwithalacrity，whiletheothershadbecomesuddenlyabsorbedinvariouspursuits，orhadsneakedunobtrusivelyoutofview。CertainlyIhadnotyetformedanydeliberateplanofaction;yetIsupposeI
recollectedthattheroadtotheParsonageledpastheraunt’sgarden。
Shebegantheconversation，whileIhoppedbackwardsandforwardsovertheditch，feigningacarelessease。
"SawyouinchurchonSunday，"shesaid;"onlyyoulookeddifferentthen。Alldressedup，andyourhairquitesmooth，andbrushedupatthesides，andoh，soshiny！Whatdotheyputonittomakeitshinelikethat？Don’tyouhatehavingyourhairbrushed？"sheranon，withoutwaitingforananswer。"Howyourbootssqueakedwhenyoucamedowntheaisle！Whenminesqueak，I
walkinallthepuddlestilltheystop。ThinkI’llgetoverthefence。"
Thissheproceededtodoinabusinesslikeway，while，withmyhandsdeepinmypockets，Iregardedhermovementswithsilentinterest，asthoseofsomestrangenewanimal。
"I’vebeengardening，"sheexplained，whenshehadjoinedme，"butIdidn’tlikeit。There’ssomanywormsaboutto-day。I
hateworms。Wishthey’dkeepoutofthewaywhenI’mdigging。"
"Oh，IlikewormswhenI’mdigging，"Irepliedheartily，"seemtomakethingsmorelively，don’tthey？"
Shereflected。"Shouldn’tmind’emsomuchiftheywerewarmandDRY，"shesaid，"but——"heresheshivered，andsomehowIlikedherforit，thoughifithadbeenmyownfleshandbloodhootsofderisionwouldhaveinstantlyassailedher。
Fromwormswepassed，naturallyenough，tofrogs，andthencetopigs，aunts，gardeners，rocking-horses，andotherfellow-citizensofourcommonkingdom。Infiveminuteswehadeachother’sconfidences，andIseemedtohaveknownherforalifetime。
Somehow，onthesubjectofone’sselfitwaseasiertobefrankandcommunicativewithherthanwithone’sfemalekin。Itmustbe，Isupposed，becauseshewaslessfamiliarwithone’sfaulty，tatteredpast。
"Iwaswatchingyouasyoucamealongtheroad，"shesaidpresently，"andyouhadyourheaddownandyourhandsinyourpockets，andyouweren’tthrowingstonesatanything，orwhistling，orjumpingoverthings;andIthoughtperhapsyou’dbinscolded，orgotastomach-ache。"
"No，"Iansweredshyly，"itwasn’tthat。Factis，Iwas——I
often——butit’sasecret。"
ThereImadeanerrorintactics。Thatenkindlingwordsetherdancingroundme，halfbeseeching，halfimperious。"Oh，dotellitme！"shecried。"Youmust！I’llnevertellanyoneelseatall，IvowanddeclareIwon’t！"
Hersmallframewriggledwithemotion，andwithimploringeyesshejiggedimpatientlyjustinfrontofme。Herhairwastumbledbewitchinglyonhershoulders，andeventhelossofafronttooth——alossincidentaltoherage——seemedbuttoaddapiquancytoherface。
"Youwon’tcaretohearaboutit，"Isaid，wavering。"Besides，I
can’texplainexactly。IthinkIwon’ttellyou。"ButallthetimeIknewIshouldhaveto。
"ButIDOcare，"shewailedplaintively。"Ididn’tthinkyou’dbesounkind！"
Thiswouldneverdo。Thatlittledownwardtugateithercornerofthemouth——Iknewthesymptomonlytoowell！
"It’slikethis，"Ibeganstammeringly。"Thisbitofroadhere——
upasfarasthatcorner——youknowit’sahorriddullbitofroad。I’malwayshavingtogoupanddownit，andIknowitsowell，andI’msosickofit。SowheneverIgettothatcorner，I
just——well，Igorightofftoanotherplace！"
"Whatsortofaplace？"sheasked，lookingroundhergravely。
"Ofcourseit’sjustaplaceIimagine，"Iwentonhurriedlyandrathershamefacedly："butit’sanawfullyniceplace——thenicestplaceyoueversaw。AndIalwaysgooffthereinchurch，orduringjoggraphylessons。"
"I’msureit’snotnicerthanmyhome，"shecriedpatriotically。
"Oh，yououghttoseemyhome——it’slovely！We’vegot——"
"Yesitis，eversomuchnicer，"Iinterrupted。"Imean"——Iwentonapologetically——"ofcourseIknowyourhome’sbeautifulandallthat。ButthisMUSTbenicer，’cosifyouwantanythingatall，you’veonlyGOTtowantit，andyoucanhaveit！"
"Thatsoundsjolly，"shemurmured。"Tellmemoreaboutit，please。Tellmehowyougetthere，first。"
"I——don’t——quite——know——exactly，"Ireplied。"Ijustgo。Butgenerallyitbeginsby——well，you’regoingupabroad，clearriverinasortofaboat。You’renotrowingoranything——you’rejustmovingalong。Andthere’sbeautifulgrassmeadowsonbothsides，andtheriver’sveryfull，quiteuptothelevelofthegrass。Andyouglidealongbytheedge。Andthepeoplearehaymakingthere，andplayinggames，andwalkingabout;andtheyshouttoyou，andyoushoutbacktothem，andtheybringyouthingstoeatoutoftheirbaskets，andletyoudrinkoutoftheirbottles;andsomeof’emarethenicepeopleyoureadaboutinbooks。AndsoatlastyoucometothePalacesteps——greatbroadmarblesteps，reachingrightdowntothewater。Andthereatthestepsyoufindeverysortofboatyoucanimagine——
schooners，andpunts，androw-boats，andlittlemen-of-war。Andyouhaveanysortofboatingyouwantto——rowing，orsailing，orshovingaboutinapunt！"
"I’dgosailing，"shesaiddecidedly："andI’dsteer。No，YOU’Dhavetosteer，andI’dsitaboutonthedeck。No，I
wouldn’tthough;I’drow——atleastI’dmakeyourow，andI’dsteer。Andthenwe’d——Oh，no！I’lltellyouwhatwe’ddo！We’djustsitinapuntanddabble！"
"Ofcoursewe’lldojustwhatyoulike，"Isaidhospitably;butalreadyIwasbeginningtofeelmylibertyofactionsomewhatcurtailedbythisexigentvisitorIhadsorashlyadmittedintomysanctum。
"Idon’tthinkwe’dboatatall，"shefinallydecided。"It’salwayssoWOBBLY。Wheredoyoucometonext？"
"Yougoupthesteps，"Icontinued，"andinatthedoor，andtheveryfirstplaceyoucometoistheChocolate-room！"
Shebrightenedupatthis，andIheardhermurmurwithgusto，"Chocolate-room！"
"It’sgoteverysortofchocolateyoucanthinkof，"Iwenton：
"softchocolate，withstickystuffinside，whiteandpink，whatgirlslike;andhardshinychocolate，thatcrackswhenyoubiteit，andtakessuchanicelongtimetosuck！"
"Ilikethesoftstuffbest，"shesaid："’cosyoucaneatsuchalotmoreofit！"
Thiswastomeanewaspectofthechocolatequestion，andI
regardedherwithinterestandsomerespect。Withus，chocolatewasnonetoocommonathing，and，wheneverwehappenedtocomebyany，weresortedtothequaintestdevicesinordertomakeitlastout。Still，legendshadreachedusofchildrenwhoactuallyhad，fromtimetotime，asmuchchocolateastheycouldpossiblyeat;andhere，apparently，wasoneofthem。
"Youcanhaveallthecreams，"Isaidmagnanimously，"andI’lleatthehardsticks，’cosIlike’embest。"
"Oh，butyoumustn’t！"shecriedimpetuously。"YoumusteatthesameasIdo！Itisn’tnicetowanttoeatdifferent。I’lltellyouwhat——youmustgiveMEallthechocolate，andthenI’llgiveYOU——I’llgiveyouwhatyououghttohave！"
"Oh，allright，"Isaid，inasubduedsortofway。Itseemedalittlehardtobeputunderasentimentalrestrictionlikethisinone’sownChocolate-room。
"Inthenextroomyoucometo，"Iproceeded，"there’sfizzydrinks！There’samarble-slabbusinessallroundtheroom，andlittlesilvertaps;andyoujustturntherighttap，andhaveanykindoffizzydrinkyouwant。"
"Whatfizzydrinksarethere？"sheinquired。
"Oh，allsorts，"Iansweredhastily，hurryingon。（Shemightrestrictmyeatables，butI’dbehangedifIwasgoingtohavehermeddlewithmydrinks。）"Thenyougodownthecorridor，andatthebackofthepalacethere’sagreatbigpark——thefinestparkyoueversaw。Andthere’sponiestorideon，andcarriagesandcarts;andalittlerailway，allcomplete，engineandguard’svanandall;andyouworkityourself，andyoucangofirst-
class，orinthevan，orontheengine，justwhicheveryouchoose。"
"I’dgoontheengine，"shemurmureddreamily。"No，Iwouldn’t，I’d——"
"Thenthere’sallthesoldiers，"Istruckin。Reallythelinehadtobedrawnsomewhere，andIcouldnothavemyrailwaysystemdisorganisedandturnedupsidedownbyameregirl。
"There’sanyquantityof’em，finebigsoldiers，andtheyallbelongtome。Andarowofbrasscannonsallalongtheterrace！
AndeverynowandthenIgivetheorder，andtheyfireoffalltheguns！"
"No，theydon’t，"sheinterruptedhastily。"Iwon’thave’emfireoffanyguns！Youmusttell’emnotto。Ihateguns，andassoonastheybeginfiringIshallrunrightaway！"
"But——butthat’swhatthey’reTHEREfor，"Iprotested，aghast。
"Idon’tcare，"sheinsisted。"Theymustn’tdoit。Theycanwalkaboutbehindmeiftheylike，andtalktome，andcarrythings。Buttheymustn’tfireoffanyguns。"
Iwassadlyconsciousbythistimethatinthisbravepalaceofmine，whereinIwaswonttoswaggerdaily，irresponsibleandunquestioned，Iwasrapidlybecoming——sotospeak——amerelodger。
Theideaofmyfinebigsoldiersbeingtoldoffto"carrythings"！Iwasnotinclinedtotellheranymore，thoughtherestillremainedplentymoretotell。
"Anyotherboysthere？"sheaskedpresently，inacasualsortofway。
"Ohyes，"Iunguardedlyreplied。"Nicechaps，too。We’llhavegreat——"ThenIrecollectedmyself。"We’llplaywiththem，ofcourse，"Iwenton。"ButyouaregoingtobeMYfriend，aren’tyou？Andyou’llcomeinmyboat，andwe’lltravelintheguard’svantogether，andI’llstopthesoldiersfiringofftheirguns！"
Butshelookedmischievouslyaway，and——dowhatIwould——Icouldnotgethertopromise。
Justthenthestrikingofthevillageclockawokewithinmeanotherclamoroustimepiece，remindingmeofmid-daymuttonagoodhalf-mileaway，andofpenaltiesandcurtailmentsattachingtoalateappearance。Wetookahurriedfarewellofeachother，andbeforewepartedIgotfromheranadmissionthatshemightbegardeningagainthatafternoon，ifonlythewormswouldbelessaggressiveandgiveherachance。
"Remember，"IsaidasIturnedtogo，"youmustn’ttellanybodyaboutwhatI’vebeentellingyou！"
Sheappearedtohesitate，swingingonelegtoandfrowhilesheregardedmesidewayswithhalf-shuteyes。
"It’sadeadsecret，"Isaidartfully。"Asecretbetweenustwo，andnobodyknowsitexceptourselves！"
Thenshepromised，noddingviolently，big-eyed，hermouthpursedupsmall。Thedelightofrevelation，andtheblissofpossessingasecret，runeachotherveryclose。Butthelattergenerallywins——foratime。
Ihadpassedthemuttonstageandwaswelteringinwarmricepudding，beforeIfoundleisuretopauseandtakeinthingsgenerally;andthenaglanceinthedirectionofthewindowtoldme，tomydismay，thatitwasraininghard。Thiswasannoyingineveryway，for，evenifitcleareduplater，theworms——Iknewwellfromexperience——wouldbeoffensivelynumerousandfrisky。
SulkilyIsaidgraceandaccompaniedtheothersupstairstotheschoolroom;whereIgotoutmypaint-boxandresolvedtodevotemyselfseriouslytoArt，whichoflateIhadmuchneglected。
Haroldgotholdofasheetofpaperandapencil，retiredtoatableinthecorner，squaredhiselbows，andprotrudedhistongue。LiteraturehadalwaysbeenHISformofartisticexpression。
Selinahadafitofthefidgets，bredoftheunpromisingweather，and，insteadofsettlingdowntosomethingonherownaccount，mustneedswalkroundandannoyusartists，intentonembodyingourconceptionsoftheideal。ShehadbeenlookingovermyshouldersomeminutesbeforeIknewofit;orIwouldhavehadawordortwotosayuponthesubject。
"Isupposeyoucallthatthingaship，"sheremarkedcontemptuously。"Whoeverheardofapinkship？Hoo-hoo！"
Istifledmywrath，knowingthatinordertoscoreproperlyitwasnecessarytokeepacoolhead。
"Thereisapinkship，"Iobservedwithforcedcalmness，"lyinginthetoy-shopwindownow。Youcangoandlookatitifyoulike。D’yousupposeyouknowmoreaboutshipsthanthefellowswhomake’em？"
Selina，baffledforthemoment，returnedtothechargepresently。
"Thosearefunnythings，too，"sheobserved。"S’posethey’remeanttobetrees。Butthey’reBLUE。"
"TheyAREtrees，"Irepliedwithseverity;"andtheyARE
blue。They’vegottobeblue，’cosyoustolemygambogelastweek，soIcan’tmixupanygreen。"
"DIDN’Tstealyourgamboge，"declaredSelina，haughtily，edgingaway，however，inthedirectionofHarold。"AndI
wouldn’ttelllies，either，ifIwasyou，aboutadirtylittlebitofgamboge。"
Ipreservedadiscreetsilence。Afterall，IknewSHEknewshestolemygamboge。
返回顶部