"No，"saidSimmons;"sheain’tinnow。"
"Youain’ther’usband，areye？"
"Yus。"
Themantookhispipefromhismouthandgrinnedsilentlyandlong。
"Blimy，"hesaidatlength，"youlooklikethesorto’blokeshe’dlike，"andwiththathegrinnedagain。Then，seeingthatSimmonsmadereadytoshutthedoor，heputafootonthesillandahandagainstthepanel。"Don’tbeina’hurry，matey，"hesaid;"Icome’eret’
’avealittletalkwithyou，mantoman，d’yesee？"Andhefrownedfiercely。
TommySimmonsfeltuncomfortable，butthedoorwouldnotshut，soheparleyed。"Wotjerwant？"heasked，"Idunnoyou。"
"Then，ifyou’llexcusetheliberty，I’llinterdoocemeself，inamannerofspeaking。"Hetouchedhiscapwithabobofmockhumility。
"I’mBobFord，"hesaid，"comebackouto’kingdomcomesotosay。Measwentdownwiththe/Mooltan/——safedeadfiveyeargone。Icometoseemywife。"
DuringthisspeechThomasSimmons’sjawwasdroppinglowerandlower。
Attheendofithepokedhisfingersupthroughhishair，lookeddownatthemat，thenupatthefanlight，thenoutintothestreet，thenhardathisvisitor。Buthefoundnothingtosay。
"Cometoseemywife，"themanrepeated。"Sonowwecantalkitover——
asmantoman。"
Simmonsslowlyshuthismouth，andledthewayupstairsmechanically，hisfingersstillinhishair。Asenseofthestateofaffairssankgraduallyintohisbrain，andthesmalldevilwokeagain。Supposethisman/was/Ford？Supposehe/did/claimhiswife？Woulditbeaknock-
downblow？Wouldithithimout？——ornot？Hethoughtofthetrousers，thetea-things，themangling，theknives，thekettles，andthewindows;andhethoughtoftheminthewayofabackslider。
OnthelandingFordclutchedathisarm，andaskedinahoarsewhisper，"’Owlong’foreshe’sback？"
"’Boutanhour，Iexpect，"Simmonsreplied，havingfirstofallrepeatedthequestioninhisownmind。Andthenheopenedtheparlourdoor。
"Ah，"saidFord，lookingabouthim，"you’vebinprettycomf’table。
Themchairsan’things，"jerkinghispipetowardthem，"washers——
mine，thatistosay，speakin’straight，andmantoman。"Hesatdown，puffingmeditativelyathispipe，andpresently，"Well，"hecontinued，"’ereIamagin，ol’BobFord，deadan’donefor——gonedowninthe/Mooltan/。On’yI/ain’t/donefor，see？"AndhepointedthestemofhispipeatSimmons’swaistcoat。"Iain’tdonefor，’causewhy？
Cons’kenceo’bein’pickedupbyaol’Germansailin’-’utchan’tookto’Frisco’forethemast。I’ve’adafewyearso’knockin’aboutsincethen，an’now"——lookinghardatSimmons——"I’vecomebacktoseemywife。"
"She——shedon’tlikesmokein’ere，"saidSimmons，asitwereatrandom。
"No，Ibetshedon’t，"Fordanswered，takinghispipefromhismouthandholdingitlowinhishand。"Iknow’Anner。’Owd’youfind’her？
Doshemakeyecleanthewinders？"
"Well，"Simmonsadmitted，uneasily，"I——Ido’elp’ersometimes，o’
course。"
"Ah！An’theknivestoo，Ibet，an’thebloomin’kittles。Iknow。
W’y"——heroseandbenttolookbehindSimmons’shead——"s’’elpme，I
b’lieveshecutsyer’air！Well，I’mdammed！Jes’wotshewoulddo，too。"
HeinspectedtheblushingSimmonsfromdiverspointsofvantage。Thenheliftedalegofthetrousershangingbehindthedoor。"I’dbetatrifle，"hesaid，"shemadethese’eretrucks。No-bodyelse’uddo’emlikethat。Damme！they’rewuss’nwotyou’regoton。"
Thesmalldevilbegantohavetheargumentallitsownway。Ifthismantookhiswifebackperhapshe’dhavetowearthosetrousers。
"Ah，"Fordpursued，"sheain’tgotnomilder。An’，mydavy，wotajore！"
Simmonsbegantofeelthatthiswasnolongerhisbusiness。Plainly，’Annerwasthisotherman’swife，andhewasboundinhonourtoacknowledgethefact。Thesmalldevilputittohimasamatterofduty。
"Well，"saidFord，suddenly，"time’sshortan’thisain’tbusiness。I
won’tbe’ardonyou，matey。Ioughtprop’lytostandonmyrights，butseein’asyou’reawell-meaningyoungman，sotospeak，an’allsettledan’a-livin’’erequietan’matrimonual，I’ll"——thiswithaburstofgenerosity——"damme！yus，I’llcompoundthefelonyan’takeme’ook。Come，I’llnameafigure，asmantoman，fustan’last，nolessan’nomore。Fivepounddoesit。"
Simmonshadn’tfivepounds，——hehadn’tevenfivepence，——andhesaidso。"An’Iwouldn’tthinktocomebetweenamanan’’iswife，"headded，"notonnoaccount。Itmayberoughonme，butit’sadooty。
/I’ll/’ookit。"
"No，"saidFord，hastily，clutchingSimmonsbythearm，"don’tdothat。I’llmakeitabitcheaper。Saythreequid——come，that’sreasonable，ain’tit？Threequidain’tmuchcompensationformegoin’
awayforever——wherethestormywindsdoblow，sotosay——an’neverasmuchasseein’meownwifeaginforbetternorwuss。Betweenmanan’
man，now，threequid，an’I’llshunt。That’sfair，ain’tit？"
"Ofcourseit’sfair，"Simmonsreplied，effusively。"It’smore’nfair：
it’snoble——downrightnoble，/I/callit。ButIain’tgoin’totakeameanadvantageo’yourgood-’artedness，Mr。Ford。She’syourwife，an’
Ioughtn’tto’a’comebetweenyou。Iapologise。Youstopan’’aveyerproperrights。It’smeasoughttoshunt，an’Iwill。"Andhemadeasteptowardthedoor。
"’Oldon，"quothFord，andgotbetweenSimmonsandthedoor;"don’tdothingsrash。Lookwotalossit’llbetoyouwithno’ometogoto，an’nobodytolookafterye，an’allthat。It’llbedreadful。Sayacouple——there，wewon’tquarrel，jestasinglequid，betweenmanan’
man，an’I’llstandapotouto’themoney。Youcaneasyraiseaquid——theclock’udprettynighdoit。Aquiddoesit，an’I’ll——"
Therewasalouddoubleknockatthefrontdoor。IntheEastEndadoubleknockisalwaysfortheupstairslodgers。
"Oo’sthat？"askedBobFord，apprehensively。
"I’llsee，"saidThomasSimmons，inreply，andhemadearushforthestaircase。
BobFordheardhimopenthefrontdoor。Thehewenttothewindow，andjustbelowhimhesawthecrownofabonnet。Itvanished，andbornetohimfromwithinthedoortherefelluponhisearthesoundofawell-
rememberedfemalevoice。
"Whereyegoin’nowwithno’at？"askedthevoice，sharply。
"Awright，’Anner——there’s——there’ssomebodyupstairstoseeyou，"
Simmonsanswered。And，asBobFordcouldsee，amanwentscuttlingdownthestreetinthegatheringdusk。Andbehold，itwasThomasSimmons。
Fordreachedthelandinginthreestrides。Hiswifewasstillatthefrontdoor，staringafterSimmons。Heflungintothebackroom，threwopenthewindow，droppedfromthewash-houseroofintothebackyard，scrambleddesperatelyoverthefence，anddisappearedintothegloom。
Hewasseenbynolivingsoul。AndthatiswhySimmons’sbasedesertion——underhiswife’sveryeyes，too——isstillanastonishmenttotheneighbours。
AROSEOFTHEGHETTO
BY
ISRAELZANGWILL
OnedayitoccurredtoLeibelthatheoughttogetmarried。HewenttoSugarmantheShadchanforthwith。
"Ihavetheverythingforyou，"saidthegreatmarriagebroker。
"Isshepretty？"askedLeibel。
"Herfatherhasabootandshoewarehouse，"repliedSugarman，enthusiastically。
"Thenthereoughttobeadowrywithher，"saidLeibel，eagerly。
"Certainlyadowry！Afinemanlikeyou！"
"Howmuchdoyouthinkitwouldbe？"
"Ofcourseitisnotalargewarehouse;butthenyoucouldgetyourbootsattradeprice，andyourwife’s，perhaps，forthecostoftheleather。"
"WhencouldIseeher？"
"IwillarrangeforyoutocallnextSabbathafternoon。"
"Youwon’tchargememorethanasovereign？"
"Notagroschenmore！Suchapiousmaiden！I’msureyouwillbehappy。
Shehassomuchway-of-the-country[breeding]。Andofcoursefivepercentonthedowry？"
"H’m！Well，Idon’tmind！""Perhapstheywon’tgiveadowry，"hethoughtwithaconsolatorysenseofoutwittingtheShadchan。
OntheSaturdayLeibelwenttoseethedamsel，andontheSundayhewenttoseeSugarmantheShadchan。
"Butyourmaidensquints！"hecried，resentfully。
"Anexcellentthing！"saidSugarman。"Awifewhosquintscanneverlookherhusbandstraightinthefaceandoverwhelmhim。Whowouldquailbeforeawomanwithasquint？"
"Icouldendurethesquint，"wentonLeibel，dubiously，"butshealsostammers。"
"Well，whatisbetter，intheeventofaquarrel？Thedifficultyshehasintalkingwillkeepherfarmoresilentthanmostwives。Youhadbestsecureherwhileyouhavethechance。"
"Butshehaltsontheleftleg，"criedLeibel，exasperated。
"/GottinHimmel！/Doyoumeantosayyoudonotseewhatanadvantageitistohaveawifeunabletoaccompanyyouinallyourgoings？"
Leibellostpatience。
"Why，thegirlisahunchback！"heprotested，furiously。
"MydearLeibel，"saidthemarriagebroker，deprecatinglyshrugginghisshouldersandspreadingouthispalms，"youcan’texpectperfection！"
NeverthelessLeibelpersistedinhisunreasonableattitude。HeaccusedSugarmanofwastinghistime，ofmakingafoolofhim。
"Afoolofyou！"echoedtheShadchan，indignantly，"whenIgiveyouachanceofabootandshoemanufacturer’sdaughter？Youwillmakeafoolofyourselfifyourefuse。Idaresayherdowrywouldbeenoughtosetyouupasamastertailor。Atpresentyouarecompelledtoslaveawayasacutterforthirtyshillingsaweek。Itismostunjust。
Ifyouonlyhadafewmachinesyouwouldbeabletoemployyourowncutters。Andtheycanbegotsocheapnowadays。"
ThisgaveLeibelpause，andhedepartedwithouthavingdefinitelybrokenthenegotiations。Hiswholeweekwasbefoggedbydoubt，hisworkbecameuncertain，hischalkmarkslackedtheirusualdecision，andhedidnotalwayscuthiscoataccordingtohiscloth。HisaberrationsbecamesomarkedthatprettyRoseGreen，thesweater’seldestdaughter，whomanagedamachineinthesameroom，divined，withallawoman’sintuition，thathewasinlove。
"Whatisthematter？"shesaid，inrallyingYiddish，whentheyweretakingtheirlunchofbreadandcheeseandginger-beeramidtheclatterofmachines，whoseserfshadnotyetknockedoffwork。
"Theyareproposingmeamatch，"heanswered，sullenly。
"Amatch！"ejaculatedRose。"Thou！"Shehadworkedbyhissideforyears，andfamiliaritybredthesecondpersonsingular。Leibelnoddedhishead，andputamouthfulofDutchcheeseintoit。
"Withwhom？"askedRose。Somehowhefeltashamed。Hegurgledtheanswerintothestoneginger-beerbottle，whichheputtohisthirstylips。
"WithLeahVolcovitch！"
"LeahVolcovitch！"gaspedRose。"Leah，thebootandshoemanufacturer’sdaughter？"
Leibelhunghishead——hescarceknewwhy。Hedidnotdaremeethergaze。Hisdroopsaid"Yes。"Therewasalongpause。
"Andwhydostthounothaveher？"saidRose。Itwasmorethananinquiry;therewascontemptinit，andperhapsevenpique。
Leibeldidnotreply。Theembarrassingsilencereignedagain，andreignedlong。Rosebrokeitatlast。
"Isitthatthoulikestmebetter？"sheasked。
Leibelseemedtoseeaballoflightningintheair;itburst，andhefelttheelectriccurrentstrikerightthroughhisheart。Theshockthrewhisheadupwithajerk，sothathiseyesgazedintoafacewhosebeautyandtendernesswererevealedtohimforthefirsttime。
Thefaceofhisoldacquaintancehadvanished;thiswasacajoling，coquettish，smilingface，suggestingundreamed-ofthings。
"/Nu/，yes，"hereplied，withoutperceptiblepause。
"/Nu/，good！"sherejoinedasquickly。
AndintheecstasyofthatmomentofmutualunderstandingLeibelforgottowonderwhyhehadneverthoughtofRosebefore。Afterwardherememberedthatshehadalwaysbeenhissocialsuperior。
Thesituationseemedtoodream-likeforexplanationtotheroomjustyet。Leibellovinglypassedabottleofginger-beer，andRosetookasip，withabeautifulairofplightingtroth，understoodonlyofthosetwo。WhenLeibelquaffedtheremnantitintoxicatedhim。Therelicsofthebreadandcheeseweretheambrosiatothisnectar。Theydidnotdarekiss;thesuddennessofitallleftthembashful，andthesmackoflipswouldhavebeenlikeacannon-pealannouncingtheirengagement。Therewasasubtlersweetnessinthissenseofasecret，apartfromthefactthatneithercaredtobreakthenewstothemastertailor，asternlittleoldman。Leibel’schalkmarkscontinuedindecisivethatafternoon，whichshowshowcorrectlyRosehadconnectedthemwithlove。
BeforeheleftthatnightRosesaidtohim，"ArtthousurethouwouldstnotratherhaveLeahVolcovitch？"
"Notforallthebootsandshoesintheworld，"repliedLeibel，vehemently。
"AndI，"protestedRose，"wouldrathergowithoutmyownthanwithoutthee。"
Thelandingoutsidetheworkshopwassobadlylightedthattheirlipscametogetherinthedarkness。
"Nay，nay;thoumustnotyet，"saidRose。"ThouartstillcourtingLeahVolcovitch。Foraughtthouknowest，SugarmantheShadchanmayhaveentangledtheebeyondredemption。"
"Notso，"assertedLeibel。"Ihaveonlyseenthemaidenonce。"
"Yes。ButSugarmanhasseenherfatherseveraltimes，"persistedRose。
"Forsomisshapenamaidenhiscommissionwouldbelarge。ThoumustgotoSugarmanto-night，andtellhimthatthoucanstnotfinditinthyhearttogoonwiththematch。"
"Kissme，andIwillgo，"pleadedLeibel。
"Go，andIwillkissthee，"saidRose，resolutely。
"Andwhenshallwetellthyfather？"heasked，pressingherhand，asthenextbestthingtoherlips。
"AssoonasthouartfreefromLeah。"
"Butwillheconsent？"
"Hewillnotbeglad，"saidRose，frankly。"Butaftermother’sdeath——
peacebeuponher——therulepassedfromherhandsintomine。"
"Ah，thatiswell，"saidLeibel。Hewasasuperficialthinker。
LeibelfoundSugarmanatsupper。ThegreatShadchanofferedhimachair，butnothingelse。Hospitalitywasassociatedinhismindwithspecialoccasionsonly，andinvolvedlemonadeand"stuffedmonkeys。"
Hewasveryputout——almosttothepointofindigestion——tohearofLeibel’sfinaldetermination，andpliedhimwithreproachfulinquiries。
"Youdon’tmeantosaythatyougiveupabootandshoemanufacturermerelybecausehisdaughterhasroundshoulders！"heexclaimed，incredulously。
"Itismorethanroundshoulders——itisahump！"criedLeibel。
"Andsuppose？Seehowmuchbetteroffyouwillbewhenyougetyourownmachines！Wedonotrefusetoletcamelscarryourburdensbecausetheyhavehumps。"
"Ah，butawifeisnotacamel，"saidLeibel，withasageair。
"Andacutterisnotamastertailor，"retortedSugarman。
"Enough，enough！"criedLeibel。"Itellyou，Iwouldnothaveherifshewereamachinewarehouse。"
"Therestickssomethingbehind，"persistedSugarman，unconvinced。
Leibelshookhishead。"Onlyherhump"hesaidwithaflashofhumour。
"MosesMendelssohnhadahump，"expostulatedSugarman，reproachfully。
"Yes，buthewasaheretic，"rejoinedLeibel，whowasnotwithoutreading。"Andthenhewasaman！Amanwithtwohumpscouldfindawifeforeach。Butawomanwithahumpcannotexpectahusbandinaddition。"
"Guardyourtonguefromevil，"quoththeShadchan，angrily。"IfeverybodyweretotalklikeyouLeahVolcovitchwouldneverbemarriedatall。"
Leibelshruggedhisshoulders，andremindedhimthathunchbackedgirlswhostammeredandsquintedandhaltedonleftlegswerenotusuallyledunderthecanopy。
"Nonsense！Stuff！"criedSugarman，angrily。"Thatisbecausetheydonotcometome。"
"LeahVolcovitch/has/cometoyou，"saidLeibel，"butsheshallnotcometome。"Andherose，anxioustoescape。
InstantlySugarmangaveasighofresignation。"Beitso！ThenIshallhavetolookoutforanother，that’sall。"
"No，Idon’twantany，"repliedLeibel，quickly。
Sugarmanstoppedeating。"Youdon’twantany？"hecried。"Butyoucametomeforone？"
"I——I——know，"stammeredLeibel。"ButI’ve——I’vealteredmymind。"
"OneneedsHillel’spatiencetodealwithyou！"criedSugarman。"ButI
shallchargeyou，allthesame，formytrouble。Youcannotcancelanorderlikethisinthemiddle！No，no！YoucanplayfastandloosewithLeahVolcovitch，butyoushallnotmakeafoolofme。"
"ButifIdon’twantone？"saidLeibel，sullenly。
Sugarmangazedathimwithacunninglookofsuspicion。"Didn’tIsaytherewassomethingstickingbehind？"
Leibelfeltguilty。"Butwhomhaveyougotinyoureye？"heinquired，desperately。
"Perhapsyoumayhavesomeoneinyours！"naivelyansweredSugarman。
Leibelgaveahypocriticlong-drawn"U-m-m-m！IwonderifRoseGreen——
whereIwork——"hesaid，andstopped。
"Ifearnot，"saidSugarman。"Sheisonmylist。Herfathergavehertomesomemonthsago，butheishardtoplease。Eventhemaidenherselfisnoteasy，beingpretty。"
"Perhapsshehaswaitedforsomeone，"suggestedLeibel。
Sugarman’skeenearcaughtthenoteofcomplacenttriumph。
"Youhavebeenaskingheryourself！"heexclaimed，inhorror-strickenaccents。
"AndifIhave？"saidLeibel，defiantly。
"Youhavecheatedme！AndsohasEliphazGreen——Ialwaysknewhewastricky！Youhavebothdefraudedme！"
"Ididnotmeanto，"saidLeibel，mildly。
"You/did/meanto。Youhadnobusinesstotakethematteroutofmyhands。WhatrighthadyoutoproposetoRoseGreen？"
"Ididnot，"criedLeibel，excitedly。
"Thenyouaskedherfather！"
"No;Ihavenotaskedherfatheryet。"
"Thenhowdoyouknowshewillhaveyou？"
"I——Iknow，"stammeredLeibel，feelinghimselfsomehowaliaraswellasathief。Hisbrainwasinawhirl;hecouldnotrememberhowthethinghadcomeabout。Certainlyhehadnotproposed;norcouldhesaythatshehad。
"Youknowshewillhaveyou，"repeatedSugarman，reflectively。"Anddoes/she/know？"
"Yes。Infact，"heblurtedout，"wearrangedittogether。"
"Ah，youbothknow。Anddoesherfatherknow？"
"Notyet。"
"Ah，thenImustgethisconsent，"saidSugarman，decisively。
"I——Ithoughtofspeakingtohimmyself。"
"Yourself！"echoedSugarman，inhorror。"Areyouunsoundinthehead？
Why，thatwouldbeworsethanthemistakeyouhavealreadymade！"
"Whatmistake？"askedLeibel，firingup。
"Themistakeofaskingthemaidenherself。Whenyouquarrelwithherafteryourmarriageshewillalwaysthrowitinyourteeththatyouwishedtomarryher。Moreover，ifyoutellamaidenyouloveher，herfatherwillthinkyououghttomarryherasshestands。Still，whatisdoneisdone。"Andhesighedregretfully。
"AndwhatmoredoIwant？Iloveher。"
"Youpieceofclay！"criedSugarman，contemptuously。"Lovewillnotturnmachines，muchlessbuythem。Youmusthaveadowry。Herfatherhasabigstocking;hecanwellaffordit。"
Leibel’seyeslitup。Therewasreallynoreasonwhyheshouldnothavebreadandcheesewithhiskisses。
"Now，if/you/wenttoherfather，"pursuedtheShadchan，"theoddsarethathewouldnotevengiveyouhisdaughter——tosaynothingofthedowry。Afterall，itisacheekofyoutoaspiresohigh。Asyoutoldmefromthefirst，youhaven’tsavedapenny。Evenmycommissionyouwon’tbeabletopaytillyougetthedowry。Butif/I/goIdonotdespairofgettingasubstantialsum——tosaynothingofthedaughter。"
"Yes，Ithinkyouhadbettergo，"saidLeibel，eagerly。
"ButifIdothisthingforyouIshallwantapoundmore，"rejoinedSugarman。
"Apoundmore！"echoedLeibel，indismay。"Why？"
"BecauseRoseGreen’shumpisofgold，"repliedSugarman，oracularly。
"Also，sheisfairtosee，andmanymendesireher。"
"Butyouhavealwaysyourfivepercent，onthedowry。"
"ItwillbelessthanVolcovitch’s，"explainedSugarman。"Yousee，Greenhasotherandlessbeautifuldaughters。"
"Yes，butthenitsettlesitselfmoreeasily。Sayfiveshillings。"
"EliphazGreenisahardman，"saidtheShadchaninstead。
"TenshillingsisthemostIwillgive！"
"TwelveandsixpenceistheleastIwilltake。EliphazGreenhagglessoterribly。"
Theysplitthedifference，andsoelevenandthreepencerepresentedthepredominanceofEliphazGreen’sstinginessoverVolcovitch’s。
TheverynextdaySugarmaninvadedtheGreenworkroom。Rosebentoverherseams，herheartfluttering。Leibelhaddulyapprisedheroftheroundaboutmannerinwhichshewouldhavetobewon，andshehadacquiescedinthecomedy。Attheleastitwouldsaveherthetroubleoffather-taming。
Sugarman’sentrywasbrusqueandbreathless。Hewasoverwhelmedwithjoyousemotion。Hisbluebandanatrailedagitatedlyfromhiscoat-
tail。
"Atlast！"hecried，addressingthelittlewhite-hairedmastertailor;
"Ihavetheverymanforyou。"
"Yes？"gruntedEliphaz，unimpressed。Themonosyllablewaspackedwithemotion。Itsaid，"Haveyoureallythefacetocometomeagainwithanidealman？"
"Hehasallthequalitiesthatyoudesire，"begantheShadchan，inatonethatrepudiatedtheimplicationsofthemonosyllable。"Heisyoung，strong，God-fearing——"
"Hasheanymoney？"grumpilyinterruptedEliphaz。
"He/will/havemoney，"repliedSugarman，unhesitatingly，"whenhemarries。"
"Ah！"Thefather’svoicerelaxed，andhisfootlaylimponthetreadle。Heworkedoneofhismachineshimself，andpaidhimselfthewagessoastoenjoytheprofit。"Howmuchwillhehave？"
"Ithinkhewillhavefiftypounds;andtheleastyoucandoistolethimhavefiftypounds，"repliedSugarman，withthesamehappyambiguity。
Eliphazshookhisheadonprinciple。
"Yes，youwill，"saidSugarman，"whenyoulearnhowfineamanheis。"
TheflushofconfusionandtrepidationalreadyonLeibel’scountenancebecamearosyglowofmodesty，forhecouldnothelpoverhearingwhatwasbeingsaid，owingtothelullofthemastertailor’smachine。
"Tellme，then，"rejoinedEliphaz。
"Tellme，first，ifyouwillgivefiftytoayoung，healthy，hard-
working，God-fearingman，whoseideaitistostartasamastertailoronhisownaccount？Andyouknowhowprofitablethatis！"
"Toamanlikethat，"saidEliphaz，inaburstofenthusiasm，"Iwouldgiveasmuchastwenty-sevenpoundsten！"
Sugarmangroanedinwardly，butLeibel’sheartleapedwithjoy。Togetfourmonths’wagesatastroke！Withtwenty-sevenpoundstenhecouldcertainlyprocureseveralmachines，especiallyontheinstalmentsystem。OutofthecornersofhiseyesheshotaglanceatRose，whowasbeyondearshot。
"Unlessyoucanpromisethirtyitiswasteoftimementioninghisname，"saidSugarman。
"Well，well——whoishe？"
Sugarmanbentdown，loweringhisvoiceintothefather’sear。
"What！Leibel！"criedEliphaz，outraged。
"Sh！"saidSugarman，"orhewilloverhearyourdelight，andaskmore。
Hehashisnosehighenough，asitis。"
"B——b——b——ut，"sputteredthebewilderedparent，"IknowLeibelmyself。
Iseehimeveryday。Idon’twantaShadchantofindmeamanIknow——
amerehandinmyownworkshop！"
"Yourtalkhasneitherfacenorfigure，"answeredSugarman，sternly。
"Itisjustthepeopleoneseeseverydaythatoneknowsleast。I
warrantthatifIhadnotputitintoyourheadyouwouldneverhavedreamtofLeibelasason-in-law。Comenow，confess。"
Eliphazgruntedvaguely，andtheShadchanwentontriumphantly："I
thoughtasmuch。Andyetwherecouldyoufindabettermantokeepyourdaughter？"
"Heoughttobecontentwithheralone，"grumbledherfather。
Sugarmansawthesignsofweakening，anddashedin，fullstrength：
"It’saquestionwhetherhewillhaveheratall。Ihavenotbeentohimaboutheryet。Iawaitedyourapprovaloftheidea。"Leibeladmiredtheverbalaccuracyofthesestatements，whichhehadjustcaught。
"ButIdidn’tknowhewouldbehavingmoney，"murmuredEliphaz。
"Ofcourseyoudidn’tknow。That’swhattheShadchanisfor——topointoutthethingsthatareunderyournose。"
"Butwherewillhebegettingthismoneyfrom？"
"Fromyou，"saidSugarman，frankly。
"Fromme？"
"Fromwhomelse？Areyounothisemployer？Ithasbeenputbyforhismarriageday。"
"Hehassavedit？"
"Hehasnot/spent/it，"saidSugarman，impatiently。
"Butdoyoumeantosayhehassavedfiftypounds？"
"Ifhecouldmanagetosavefiftypoundsoutofyourwageshewouldbeindeedatreasure，"saidSugarman。"Perhapsitmightbethirty。"
"Butyousaidfifty。"
"Well，/you/camedowntothirty，"retortedtheShadchan。"Youcannotexpecthimtohavemorethanyourdaughterbrings。"
"Ineversaidthirty，"Eliphazremindedhim。"Twenty-seventenwasmylastbid。"
"Verywell;thatwilldoasabasisofnegotiations，"saidSugarman，resignedly。"Iwillcalluponhimthisevening。IfIweretogooverandspeaktohimnow，hewouldperceiveyouwereanxious，andraisehisterms，andthatwillneverdo。Ofcourseyouwillnotmindallowingmeapoundmoreforfindingyousoeconomicalason-in-law？"
"Notapennymore。"
"Youneednotfear，"saidSugarman，resentfully。"ItisnotlikelyI
shallbeabletopersuadehimtotakesoeconomicalafather-in-law。
Soyouwillbenonetheworseforpromising。"
"Beitso，"saidEliphaz，withagestureofweariness，andhestartedhismachineagain。
"Twenty-sevenpoundsten，remember，"saidSugarman，abovethewhir。
Eliphaznoddedhishead，whirringhiswheel-worklouder。
"Andpaidbeforethewedding，mind。"
Themachinetooknonotice。
"Beforethewedding，mind，"repeatedSugarman。"Beforewegounderthecanopy。"
"Gonow，gonow！"gruntedEliphaz，withagestureofimpatience。"Itshallallbewell。"Andthewhite-hairedheadbowedimmovablyoveritswork。
IntheeveningRoseextractedfromherfatherthemotiveofSugarman’svisit，andconfessedthattheideawastoherliking。
"Butdostthouthinkhewillhaveme，littlefather？"sheasked，withcajolingeyes。
"AnyonewouldhavemyRose。"
"Ah，butLeibelisdifferent。Somanyyearshehassatatmysideandsaidnothing。"
"Hehadhisworktothinkof。Heisagood，savingyouth。"
"AtthisverymomentSugarmanistryingtopersuadehim——notso？I
supposehewillwantmuchmoney。"
"Beeasy，mychild。"Andhepassedhisdiscolouredhandoverherhair。
Sugarmanturnedupthenextday，andreportedthatLeibelwasunobtainableunderthirtypounds，andEliphaz，wearyofthecontest，calledoverLeibel，tillthatmomentcarefullyabsorbedinhisscientificchalkmarks，andmentionedthethingtohimforthefirsttime。"Iamnotamantobargain，"Eliphazsaid，andsohegavetheyoungmanhistawnyhand，andabottleofrumsprangfromsomewhere，andworkwassuspendedforfiveminutes，andthe"hands"alldrankamidsurprisedexcitement。Sugarman’svisitshadpreparedthemtocongratulateRose;butLeibelwasashock。
Theformalengagementwasmarkedbyevengreaterjunketing，andatlastthemarriagedaycame。Leibelwasresplendentinadiagonalfrockcoat，cutbyhisownhand;andRosesteppedfromthecabamedleyofflowers，fairness，andwhitesilk，andbehindhercametwobridesmaids，——hersisters，——atriothatglorifiedthespectator-strewnpavementoutsidethesynagogue。Eliphazlookedalmosttallinhisshinyhighhatandfrilledshirt-front。Sugarmanarrivedonfoot，carryingred-sockedlittleEbenezertuckedunderhisarm。
LeibelandRosewerenottheonlycoupletobedisposedof，foritwasthethirty-thirddayoftheOmer——adayfruitfulinmarriages。
Butatlasttheirturncame。Theydidnot，however，comeintheirturn，andtheirspecialfriendsamongtheaudiencewonderedwhytheyhadlosttheirprecedence。Afterseverallatermarriageshadtakenplaceawhisperbegantocirculate。Therumourofahitchgainedgroundsteadily，andthesensationwasproportionate。And，indeed，therosewasnottobepickedwithoutatouchofthethorn。
Graduallythefactsleakedout，andabuzzoftalkandcommentranthroughthewaitingsynagogue。Eliphazhadnotpaidup！
Atfirsthedeclaredhewouldputdownthemoneyimmediatelyaftertheceremony。ButthewarySugarman，schooledbyexperience，demandeditsinstantdeliveryonbehalfofhisotherclient。Hardpressed，Eliphazproducedtensovereignsfromhistrousers-pocket，andtenderedthemonaccount。TheseSugarmandisdainfullyrefused，andthenegotiationsweresuspended。Thebridegroom’spartywasencampedinoneroom，thebride’sinanother，andafterapainfuldelayEliphazsentanemissarytosaythathalftheamountshouldbeforthcoming，theextrafivepoundsinabrightnewBankofEnglandnote。Leibel，instructedandencouragedbySugarman，stoodfirm。
Andthenaroseahubbubofvoices，achaosofsuggestions;friendsrushedtoandfrobetweenthecamps，someemergingfromtheirseatsinthesynagoguetoaddtotheconfusion。ButEliphazhadtakenhisstanduponarock——hehadnomorereadymoney。To-morrow，thenextday，hewouldhavesome。AndLeibel，paleanddogged，clutchedtighteratthosemachinesthatwereslippingawaymomentlyfromhim。Hehadnotyetseenhisbridethatmorning，andsoherfacewasshadowycomparedwiththetangibilityofthosemachines。Mostoftheothermaidensweremarriedwomenbynow，andthesituationwasgrowingdesperate。Fromthefemalecampcameterriblerumoursofbridesmaidsinhysterics，andabridethattoreherwreathinapassionofshameandhumiliation。
EliphazsentwordthathewouldgiveanIOUforthebalance，butthathereallycouldnotmusteranymorecurrentcoin。SugarmaninstructedtheambassadortosuggestthatEliphazshouldraisethemoneyamonghisfriends。
Andtheshortspringdayslippedaway。Invaintheminister，apprisedoftheblock，lengthenedouttheformulaefortheotherpairs，andblessedthemwithmorereposefulunction。ItwasimpossibletostaveofftheLeibel-Greenitemindefinitely，andatlastRoseremainedtheonlyorange-wreathedspinsterinthesynagogue。Andthentherewasahushofsolemnsuspense，thatswelledgraduallyintoasteadyrumbleofbabblingtongues，asminutesucceededminuteandthefinalbridalpartystillfailedtoappear。Thelatestbulletinpicturedthebrideinadeadfaint。Theafternoonwaswaningfast。Theministerlefthispostnearthecanopy，underwhichsomanyliveshadbeenunited，andcametoaddhiswhitetietotheforcesforcompromise。Buthefarednobetterthantheothers。Incensedattheobstinacyoftheantagonists，hedeclaredhewouldclosethesynagogue。Hegavethecoupletenminutestomarryinorquit。Thenchaoscame，andpandemonium——afranticbabelofsuggestionandexhortationfromthecrowd。WhenfiveminuteshadpassedalegatefromEliphazannouncedthathissidehadscrapedtogethertwentypounds，andthatthiswastheirfinalbid。
Leibelwavered;thelongday’scombathadtolduponhim;thereportsofthebride’sdistresshadweakenedhim。EvenSugarmanhadlosthiscocksurenessofvictory。Afewminutesmoreandbothcommissionsmightslipthroughhisfingers。Oncethepartiesleftthesynagogue，itwouldnotbeeasytodrivethemthereanotherday。Buthecheeredonhismanstill：onecouldalwayssurrenderatthetenthminute。
Attheeighththebuzzoftonguesfalteredsuddenly，tobetransposedintoanewkey，sotospeak。Throughthegesticulatingassemblysweptthatmurmurofexpectationwhichcrowdsknowwhentheprocessioniscomingatlast。BysomemysteriousmagnetismallwereawarethattheBRIDEherself——thepoorhystericbride——hadleftthepaternalcamp，wascominginpersontopleadwithhermercenarylover。
AndasthegloryofherandtheflowersandthewhitedraperiesloomeduponLeibel’svisionhisheartmeltedinworship，andheknewhiscitadelwouldcrumbleinruinsatherfirstglance，atherfirsttouch。Wasitfairfighting？Ashistroubledvisioncleared，andasshecamenighuntohim，hesawtohisamazementthatshewasspecklessandcomposed——notraceoftearsdimmedthefairnessofherface，therewasnodisarrayinherbridalwreath。
Theclockshowedtheninthminute。
Sheputherhandappeallinglyonhisarm，whileaheavenlylightcameintoherface——theexpressionofaJoanofArcanimatinghercountry。
"Donotgivein，Leibel！"shesaid。"Donothaveme！Donotletthempersuadethee！Bymylife，thoumustnot！Gohome！"
SoattheeleventhminutethevanquishedEliphazproducedthebalance，andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafterward。
ANIDYLOFLONDON
BY
BEATRICEHARRADEN
Itwasoneo’clock，andmanyofthestudentsintheNationalGalleryhadleftoffworkandwererefreshingthemselveswithlunchandconversation。Therewasoneoldworkerwhohadnotstirredfromhisplace，buthehadputdownhisbrush，andhadtakenfromhispocketasmallbook，whichwaslikeitsowner——thinandshabbyofcovering。Heseemedtofindpleasureinreadingit，forheturnedoveritspageswithallthetendernesscharacteristicofonewholoveswhathereads。
NowandagainheglancedathisunfinishedcopyofthebeautifulportraitofAndreadelSarto，andoncehiseyesrestedonanothercopynexttohis，betterandtruerthanhis，andoncehestoppedtopickupagirl’sprune-colouredtie，whichhadfallenfromtheneighbouringeasel。Afterthisheseemedtobecomeunconsciousofhissurroundings，asunconscious，indeed，asanyoneofthepicturesnearhim。Anyonemighthavebeenjustifiedinmistakinghimfortheportraitofaman，butthathislipsmoved;foritwashiscustomtoreadsoftlytohimself。
Thestudentspassedbacktotheirplaces，nottroublingtonoticehim，becausetheyknewfromexperiencethathenevernoticedthem，andthatallgreetingswerewastedonhimandallwordswerewantonexpenditureofbreath。Theyhadcometoregardhimverymuchinthesamewayasmanyofusregardthewondersofnature，withoutastonishment，withoutanyquestionings，andoftenwithoutanyinterest。Onegirl，anew-
comer，didchancetosaytohercompanion：
"Howillthatoldmanlooks！"
"Oh，healwayslookslikethat，"wastheanswer。"Youwillsoongetaccustomedtohim。Comealong！Imustfinishmy’BlindBeggar’thisafternoon。"
Inafewminutesmostoftheworkerswerebusyagain，althoughthereweresomewhocontinuedtochatquietly，andseveralyoungmenwhoseemedreluctanttoleavetheirgirlfriends，andwhowerebynomeansencouragedtogo！Oneyoungmancametoclaimhisbookandpipe，whichhehadleftinthechargeofabright-eyedgirl，whowascopyingSirJoshua’s"Angels。"Shegavehimhistreasures，andreceivedinexchangeadark-redrose，whichshefastenedinherbelt;andthenhereturnedtohisportraitofMrs。Siddons。ButtherewassomethinginhisdisconsolatemannerwhichmadeonesuspectthathethoughtlessofMrs。Siddons’sbeautythanofthebeautyofthegirlwhowaswearingthedark-redrose！Thestrangers，strollingthroughtherooms，stoppednowandagaintopeercuriouslyatthestudents’work。Theywerestaredatindignantlybythestudentsthemselves，buttheymadenoattempttomoveaway，andevenventuredsometimestopasscriticismsofnotendercharacteronsomeofthecopies。Thefierce-lookingmanwhowascopying"TheHorseFair"deliberatelyputdownhisbrushes，foldedhisarms，andwaiteddefiantlyuntiltheyhadgoneby;butothers，wiserintheirgeneration，wentonpaintingcalmly。SeveralworkerswerepaintingthenewRaphael;oneofthemwasawhite-hairedoldgentlewoman，whosehandwastrembling，andyetskilfulstill。Morethanoncesheturnedtogiveafewhintstotheyounggirlnearher，wholookedinsomedistressanddoubt。Justtheneedfulhelpwasgiven，andthenthegirlpliedherbrushmerrily，smilingthewhilewithpleasureandgratitude。Thereseemedtobeagenial，kindlyinfluenceatwork，acertainhomelinesstoo，whichmustneedsassertitselfwheremanyaregatheredtogether，workingsidebyside。Allmadeaharmony;thewonderfulpictures，collectedfrommanylandsandmanycenturies，eachwithitsmeaninganditsmessagefromthepast;
theever-presentmemoriesofthepaintersthemselves，whohadworkedandstrivenandconquered;andthelivinghumanbeings，eachwithhiswealthofearnestendeavourandhope。
Meanwhiletheoldmanreadonuninterruptedlyuntiltwohandswereputoverhisbookandagentlevoicesaid：
"Mr。Lindall，youhavehadnolunchagain。Doyouknow，IbegintohateLucretius。Healwaysmakesyouforgetyourfood。"
Theoldmanlookedup，andsomethinglikeasmilepassedoverhisjoylessfacewhenhesawHelenStanleybendingoverhim。
"Ah，"heanswered，"youmustnothateLucretius。Ihavehadmorepleasanthourswithhimthanwithanylivingperson。"
HeroseandcameforwardtoexaminehercopyofAndreadelSarto’sportrait。
"Yoursisbetterthanmine，"hesaid，critically;"infact，mineisafailure。IthinkIshallonlygetasmallpriceformine;indeed，I
doubtwhetherIshallgetsufficienttopayformyfuneral。"
"Youspeakdismally，"sheanswered，smiling。
"Imissedyouyesterday，"hecontinued，halfdreamily。"Ileftmywork，andIwanderedthroughtherooms，andIdidnotevenreadLucretius。Somethingseemedtohavegonefrommylife。AtfirstI
thoughtitmustbemyfavouriteRaphael，ortheMurillo;butitwasneithertheonenortheother;itwasyou。Thatwasstrange，wasn’tit？Butyouknowwegetaccustomedtoanything，andperhapsIshouldhavemissedyoulessthesecondday，andbytheendofaweekIshouldnothavemissedyouatall。Mercifully，wehaveinusthepowerofforgetting。"
"Idonotwishtopleadformyself，"shesaid，"butIdonotbelievethatyouoranyonecouldreallyforget。Thatwhichoutsiderscallforgetfulnessmightbecalledbythebetternameofresignation。"
"Idon’tcareabouttalkinganymorenow，"hesaid，suddenly，andhewenttohiseaselandworkedsilentlyathispicture;andHelenStanleyglancedathim，andthoughtshehadneverseenheroldcompanionlooksoforlornanddesolateashedidto-day。Helookedasifnogentlehandhadeverbeenplacedonhiminkindlinessandaffection，andthatseemedtoheraterriblething;forshewasoneofthoseprehistoricallymindedpersonswhopersistinbelievingthataffectionisasneedfultohumanlifeasraintoflowerlife。Whenfirstshecametoworkatthegallery——sometwelvemonthsago——shehadnoticedthisoldman，andhadwishedforhiscompanionship;shewasherselflonelyandsorrowful，and，althoughyoung，hadtofightherownbattles，andhadlearnedsomethingofthedifficultiesoffighting，andthishadgivenheranexperiencebeyondheryears。Shewasnotmorethantwenty-fouryearsofage，butshelookedratherolder，and，thoughshehadbeautifuleyes，fullofmeaningandkindness，herfeaturesweredecidedlyplainaswellasunattractive。
Thereweresomeinthegallerywhosaidamongthemselvesthat，asMr。
Lindallhadwaitedsomanyyearsbeforetalkingtoanyone，hemighthavechosensomeonebetterworththewaitingfor！ButtheysoonbecameaccustomedtoseeingHelenStanleyandMr。Lindalltogether，andtheylaughedlessthanbefore;andmeanwhiletheacquaintanceripenedintoasortoffriendship，halfsulkyonhispartandwhollykindonherpart。Hetoldhernothingabouthimself，andheaskednothingaboutherself;forweeksheneverevenknewhername。
Sometimeshedidnotspeakatall，andthetwofriendswouldworksilentlysidebysideuntilitwastimetogo;andthenhewaiteduntilshewasready，andwalkedwithheracrossTrafalgarSquare，wheretheypartedandwenttheirownways。
Butoccasionally，whensheleastexpectedit，hewouldspeakwithglowingenthusiasmonart;thenhiseyesseemedtobecomebright，andhisbentfiguremoreerect，andhiswholebearingproudanddignified。
Thereweretimes，too，whenhewouldspeakonothersubjects：onthemoralityoffreethought——onBruno，ofblessedmemory，onhim，andscoresofotherstoo。Hewouldspeakofthedifferentschoolsofphilosophy;hewouldlaughathimself，andatallwho，havinggiventimeandthoughttothestudyoflife’scomplicatedproblems，hadnotreachedonestepfurtherthantheOld-Worldthinkers。Perhapshewouldquoteoneofhisfavouritephilosophers，andthensuddenlyrelapseintosilence，returningtohiswontedabstractionandtohisindifferencetohissurroundings。HelenStanleyhadlearnedtounderstandhiswaysandtoappreciatehismind，and，withoutintrudingonhiminanymanner，hadputherselfgentlyintohislifeashisquietchampionandhisfriend。Nooneinherpresencedaredspeakslightinglyoftheoldman，ortomakefunofhistumble-downappearance，orofhisworn-outsilkhatwithacrackintheside，orofhisragofablacktie，which，togetherwithhisovercoat，had"seenbetterdays。"Onceshebroughtherneedleandthread，anddarnedthetornsleeveduringherlunch-time;and，thoughheneverknewit，itwasasatisfactiontohertohavehelpedhim。
To-dayshenoticedthathewaspaintingbadly，andthatheseemedtotakenointerestinhiswork;butshewentonbusilywithherownpicture，andwassoengrossedinitthatshedidnotatfirstobservethathehadpackeduphisbrushesandwaspreparingtogohome。
"Threemorestrokes，"hesaid，quietly，"andyouwillhavefinishedyourpicture。Ishallneverfinishmine;perhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtosetitrightforme。Iamnotcominghereagain。Idon’tseemtohavecaughtthetrueexpression;whatdoyouthink？ButIamnotgoingtoletitworryme，forIamsureyouwillpromisetodoyourbestforme。See，Iwillhandoverthesecoloursandthesebrushestoyou，andnodoubtyouwillacceptthepaletteaswell。I
havenofurtheruseforit。"
HelenStanleytookthepalettewhichheheldouttowardher，andlookedathimasthoughshewouldwishtoquestionhim。
"Itisveryhothere，"hecontinued，"andIamgoingout。Iamtiredofwork。"
Hehesitated，andthenadded，"Ishouldlikeyoutocomewithme，ifyoucansparethetime。"
Shepackedupherthingsatonce，andthetwofriendsmovedslowlyaway，hegazingabsentlyatthepictures，andshewonderinginhermindastothemeaningofhisstrangemood。
Whentheywereonthestepsinsidethebuilding，heturnedtoHelenStanleyandsaid：
"Ishouldliketogobacktothepicturesoncemore。IfeelasifI
muststandamongthemjustalittlelonger。Theyhavebeenmycompanionsforsolongthattheyarealmostpartofmyself。Icanclosemyeyesandrecallthemfaithfully。ButIwanttotakealastlookatthem;Iwanttofeeloncemorethepresenceofthegreatmasters，andtorefreshmymindwiththeirgenius。WhenIlookattheirworkIthinkoftheirlife，andcanonlywonderattheirdeath。
Itwassostrangethattheyshoulddie。"
Theywentbacktogether，andhetookhertohisfavouritepictures，butremainedspeechlessbeforethem，andshedidnotdisturbhisthoughts。Atlasthesaid：
"Iamreadytogo。Ihavesaidfarewelltothemall。Iknownothingmorewonderfulthanbeingamonganumberoffinepictures。Itisalmostoverwhelming。Onceexpectsnaturetobegrand，butonedoesnotexpectmantobegrand。"
"Youknowwedon’tagreethere，"sheanswered。"/I/expecteverythinggrandandgreatfromman。"
Theywentoutofthegallery，andintoTrafalgarSquare。ItwasascorchingafternooninAugust，buttherewassomecoolingcomfortinseeingthedancingwaterofthefountainssparklingsobrightlyinthesunshine。
"Doyoumindstoppinghereafewminutes？"hesaid。"Ishouldliketositdownandwatch。Thereissomuchtosee。"
Sheledthewaytoaseat，oneendofwhichwasoccupiedbyaworkman，whowassleepingsoundly，andsnoringtoo，hisarmsfoldedtightlytogether。Hehadalittleclaypipeinthecornerofhismouth;itseemedtobetuckedinsosnuglythattherewasnotmuchdangerofitsfallingtotheground。AtlastHelenspoketohercompanion。
"Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthatyouwillnotbeabletofinishyourpicture？Perhapsyouarenotwell。Indeed，youdon’tlookwell。Youmakemeanxious，forIhaveagreatregardforyou。"
"Iamillandsuffering，"heanswered，quietly。"IthoughtIshouldhavediedyesterday;butImadeupmymindtoliveuntilIsawyouagain，andIthoughtIwouldaskyoutospendtheafternoonwithme，andgowithmetoWestminsterAbbey，andsitwithmeinthecloisters。
Idonotfeelabletogobymyself，andIknowofnoonetoaskexceptyou;andIbelievedyouwouldnotrefuseme，foryouhavebeenverykindtome。Idonotquiteunderstandwhyyouhavebeenkindtome，butIamwonderfullygratefultoyou。TodayIheardsomeoneinthegallerysaythatyouwereplain。IturnedroundandIsaid，’Ibegyourpardon;/I/thinksheisverybeautiful。’Ithinktheylaughed，andthatpuzzledme;foryouhavealwaysseemedtomeaverybeautifulperson。"
Atthatmomentthelittleclaypipefellfromtheworkman’smouthandwasbrokenintobits。Heawokewithastart，gazedstupidlyattheoldmanandhiscompanion，andatthebrokenclaypipe。
"Cursemyluck！"hesaid，yawning。"Iwasfondofthatdamnedlittlepipe。"
Theoldmandrewhisownpipeandhisowntobacco-pouchfromhispocket。
"Takethese，stranger，"hesaid。"Idon’twantthem。Andgoodlucktoyou。"
Theman’sfacebrightenedupashetookthepipeandpouch。
"You’reuncommonkind，"hesaid。"Canyousparethem？"headded，holdingthemouthalfreluctantly。
"Yes，"answeredtheoldman;"Ishallnotsmokeagain。Youmayaswellhavethesematchestoo。"
Thelabourerputtheminhispocket，smiledhisthanks，andwalkedsomelittledistanceoff;andHelenwatchedhimexaminehisnewpipe，andthenfillitwithtobaccoandlightit。
Mr。LindallproposedthattheyshouldbegettingontheirwaytoWestminster，andtheysoonfoundthemselvesintheabbey。TheysattogetherinthePoets’Corner;asmileofquiethappinessbrokeovertheoldman’stiredfaceashelookedaroundandtookinallthesolemnbeautyandgrandeuroftheresting-placeofthegreat。
"Youknow，"hesaid，halftohimself，halftohiscompanion，"Ihavenobeliefofanykind，andnohopesandnofears;butallthroughmylifeithasbeenacomforttometositquietlyinachurchoracathedral。Thegracefularches，thesunshiningthroughthestainedwindows，thevaultedroof，thenoblecolumns，havehelpedmetounderstandthemysterywhichallourbooksofphilosophycannotmakeclear，thoughwebendoverthemyearafteryear，andgrowoldoverthem，oldinageandinspirit。ThoughImyselfhaveneverbeenoutwardlyaworshipper，Ihaveneversatinaplaceofworshipbutthat，forthetimebeing，Ihavefeltabetterman。Butdirectlythevoiceofdoctrineordogmawasraisedthespellwasbrokenforme，andthatwhichIhopedwasbeingmadeclearhadnofurthermeaningforme。
Therewasonlyonevoicewhicheverhelpedme，thevoiceoftheorgan，arousingme，thrillingme，fillingmewithstrangelonging，withwelcomesadness，withsolemngladness。Ihavealwaysthoughtthatmusiccangiveananswerwheneverythingelseisofnoavail。Idonotknowwhatyoubelieve。"
"Iamsoyoungtohavefoundout，"shesaid，almostpleadingly。
"Don’tworryyourself，"heanswered，kindly。"Bebraveandstrong，andlettherestgo。Ishouldliketolivelongenoughtoseewhatyouwillmakeofyourlife。Ibelieveyouwillneverbefalsetoyourselfortoanyone。Thatisrare。Ibelieveyouwillnotletanyloweridealtaketheplaceofyourhighidealofwhatisbeautifulandnobleinart，inlife。Ibelievethatyouwillneverletdespairgettheupperhandofyou。Ifitdoesyoumayaswelldie;yes，youmayaswell。AndIentreatyounottoloseyourentirefaithinhumanity。
Thereisnothinglikethatforwitheringuptheverycoreoftheheart。Itellyou，humanityandnaturehavesomuchincommonwitheachotherthatifyoulosepartofyourpleasureinthelatter;youwillseelessbeautyinthetrees，theflowers，andthefields，lessgrandeurinthemightymountainsandthesea。Theseasonswillcomeandgo，andyouwillscarcelyheedtheircomingandgoing：winterwillsettleoveryoursoul，justasitsettledovermine。AndyouseewhatIam。"
Theyhadnowpassedintothecloisters，andtheysatdowninoneoftherecessesofthewindows，andlookedoutupontherichplotofgrasswhichthecloistersenclose。Therewasnotasoulthereexceptthemselves;thecoolandthequietandthebeautyofthespotrefreshedthesepilgrims，andtheyrestedincalmenjoyment。
Helenwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
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