CHAPTERI——BARBOXBROTHERS
"Guard！Whatplaceisthis？"
"MugbyJunction，sir。"
"Awindyplace！"
"Yes，itmostlyis，sir。"
"Andlookscomfortlessindeed！"
"Yes，itgenerallydoes，sir。"
"Isitarainynightstill？"
"Pours，sir。"
"Openthedoor。I’llgetout。"
"You’llhave，sir，"saidtheguard，glisteningwithdropsofwet，andlookingatthetearfulfaceofhiswatchbythelightofhislanternasthetravellerdescended，"threeminuteshere。"
"More，Ithink。——ForIamnotgoingon。"
"Thoughtyouhadathroughticket，sir？"
"SoIhave，butIshallsacrificetherestofit。Iwantmyluggage。"
"Pleasetocometothevanandpointitout，sir。Begoodenoughtolookverysharp，sir。Notamomenttospare。"
Theguardhurriedtotheluggagevan，andthetravellerhurriedafterhim。Theguardgotintoit，andthetravellerlookedintoit。
"Thosetwolargeblackportmanteausinthecornerwhereyourlightshines。Thosearemine。"
"Nameupon’em，sir？"
"BarboxBrothers。"
"Standclear，sir，ifyouplease。One。Two。Right！"
Lampwaved。Signallightsaheadalreadychanging。Shriekfromengine。Traingone。
"MugbyJunction！"saidthetraveller，pullingupthewoollenmufflerroundhisthroatwithbothhands。"Atpastthreeo’clockofatempestuousmorning！So！"
Hespoketohimself。Therewasnooneelsetospeakto。Perhaps，thoughtherehadbeenanyoneelsetospeakto，hewouldhavepreferredtospeaktohimself。Speakingtohimselfhespoketoamanwithinfiveyearsoffiftyeitherway，whohadturnedgreytoosoon，likeaneglectedfire；amanofponderinghabit，broodingcarriageofthehead，andsuppressedinternalvoice；amanwithmanyindicationsonhimofhavingbeenmuchalone。
Hestoodunnoticedonthedrearyplatform，exceptbytherainandbythewind。Thosetwovigilantassailantsmadearushathim。"Verywell，"saidhe，yielding。"ItsignifiesnothingtometowhatquarterIturnmyface。"
Thus，atMugbyJunction，atpastthreeo’clockofatempestuousmorning，thetravellerwentwheretheweatherdrovehim。
Notbutwhathecouldmakeastandwhenhewassominded，for，comingtotheendoftheroofedshelter（itisofconsiderableextentatMugbyJunction），andlookingoutuponthedarknight，withayetdarkerspirit-wingofstormbeatingitswildwaythroughit，hefacedabout，andheldhisownasruggedlyinthedifficultdirectionashehadhelditintheeasierone。Thus，withasteadystep，thetravellerwentupanddown，upanddown，upanddown，seekingnothingandfindingit。
Aplacerepletewithshadowyshapes，thisMugbyJunctionintheblackhoursofthefour-and-twenty。Mysteriousgoodstrains，coveredwithpallsandglidingonlikevastweirdfunerals，conveyingthemselvesguiltilyawayfromthepresenceofthefewlightedlamps，asiftheirfreighthadcometoasecretandunlawfulend。Half-milesofcoalpursuinginaDetectivemanner，followingwhentheylead，stoppingwhentheystop，backingwhentheyback。
Red-hotembersshoweringoutupontheground，downthisdarkavenue，anddowntheother，asiftorturingfireswerebeingrakedclear；
concurrently，shrieksandgroansandgrindsinvadingtheear，asifthetorturedwereattheheightoftheirsuffering。Iron-barredcagesfullofcattlejanglingbymidway，thedroopingbeastswithhornsentangled，eyesfrozenwithterror，andmouthstoo：atleasttheyhavelongicicles（orwhatseemso）hangingfromtheirlips。
Unknownlanguagesintheair，conspiringinred，green，andwhitecharacters。Anearthquake，accompaniedwiththunderandlightning，goingupexpresstoLondon。Now，allquiet，allrusty，windandraininpossession，lampsextinguished，MugbyJunctiondeadandindistinct，withitsrobedrawnoveritshead，likeCaesar。
Now，too，asthebelatedtravellerploddedupanddown，ashadowytrainwentbyhiminthegloomwhichwasnootherthanthetrainofalife。Fromwhatsoeverintangibledeepcuttingordarktunnelitemerged，hereitcame，unsummonedandunannounced，stealinguponhim，andpassingawayintoobscurity。Heremournfullywentbyachildwhohadneverhadachildhoodorknownaparent，inseparablefromayouthwithabittersenseofhisnamelessness，coupledtoamantheenforcedbusinessofwhosebestyearshadbeendistastefulandoppressive，linkedtoanungratefulfriend，draggingafterhimawomanoncebeloved。Attendant，withmanyaclankandwrench，werelumberingcares，darkmeditations，hugedimdisappointments，monotonousyears，alongjarringlineofthediscordsofasolitaryandunhappyexistence。
"——Yours，sir？"
Thetravellerrecalledhiseyesfromthewasteintowhichtheyhadbeenstaring，andfellbackasteporsoundertheabruptness，andperhapsthechanceappropriateness，ofthequestion。
"Oh！Mythoughtswerenothereforthemoment。Yes。Yes。Thosetwoportmanteausaremine。AreyouaPorter？"
"OnPorter’swages，sir。ButIamLamps。"
Thetravellerlookedalittleconfused。
"Whodidyousayyouare？"
"Lamps，sir，"showinganoilyclothinhishand，asfartherexplanation。
"Surely，surely。Isthereanyhotelortavernhere？"
"Notexactlyhere，sir。ThereisaRefreshmentRoomhere，but——"
Lamps，withamightyseriouslook，gavehisheadawarningrollthatplainlyadded——"butit’sablessedcircumstanceforyouthatit’snotopen。"
"Youcouldn’trecommendit，Isee，ifitwasavailable？"
"Askyourpardon，sir。Ifitwas-？"
"Open？"
"Itain’tmyplace，asapaidservantofthecompany，togivemyopiniononanyofthecompany’stoepics，"——hepronounceditmoreliketoothpicks，——"beyondlamp-ileandcottons，"returnedLampsinaconfidentialtone；"but，speakingasaman，Iwouldn’trecommendmyfather（ifhewastocometolifeagain）togoandtryhowhe’dbetreatedattheRefreshmentRoom。Notspeakingasaman，no，IwouldNOT。"
Thetravellernoddedconviction。"IsupposeIcanputupinthetown？Thereisatownhere？"Forthetraveller（thoughastay-at-
homecomparedwithmosttravellers）hadbeen，likemanyothers，carriedonthesteamwindsandtheirontidesthroughthatJunctionbefore，withouthavingever，asonemightsay，goneashorethere。
"Ohyes，there’satown，sir！Anyways，there’stownenoughtoputupin。But，"followingtheglanceoftheotherathisluggage，"thisisaverydeadtimeofthenightwithus，sir。Thedeadesttime。Imighta’mostcallitourdeadestandburiedesttime。"
"Noportersabout？"
"Well，sir，yousee，"returnedLamps，confidentialagain，"theyingeneralgoesoffwiththegas。That’showitis。Andtheyseemtohaveoverlookedyou，throughyourwalkingtothefurderendoftheplatform。But，inabouttwelveminutesorso，shemaybeup。"
"Whomaybeup？"
"Thethreeforty-two，sir。Shegoesoffinasidin’tilltheUpX
passes，andthenshe"——hereanairofhopefulvaguenesspervadedLamps——"doesallaslaysinherpower。"
"IdoubtifIcomprehendthearrangement。"
"Idoubtifanybodydo，sir。She’saParliamentary，sir。And，yousee，aParliamentary，oraSkirmishun——"
"DoyoumeananExcursion？"
"That’sit，sir。——AParliamentaryoraSkirmishun，shemostlyDOES
gooffintoasidin’。But，whensheCANgetachance，she’swhistledoutofit，andshe’swhistledupintodoin’allas，"——Lampsagainworetheairofahighlysanguinemanwhohopedforthebest，——
"allaslaysinherpower。"
Hethenexplainedthattheportersonduty，beingrequiredtobeinattendanceontheParliamentarymatroninquestion，woulddoubtlessturnupwiththegas。Inthemeantime，ifthegentlemanwouldnotverymuchobjecttothesmelloflamp-oil，andwouldacceptthewarmthofhislittleroom-Thegentleman，beingbythistimeverycold，instantlyclosedwiththeproposal。
Agreasylittlecabinitwas，suggestive，tothesenseofsmell，ofacabininaWhaler。Buttherewasabrightfireburninginitsrustygrate，andonthefloortherestoodawoodenstandofnewlytrimmedandlightedlamps，readyforcarriageservice。Theymadeabrightshow，andtheirlight，andthewarmth，accountedforthepopularityoftheroom，asbornewitnesstobymanyimpressionsofvelveteentrousersonaformbythefire，andmanyroundedsmearsandsmudgesofstoopingvelveteenshouldersontheadjacentwall。
Variousuntidyshelvesaccommodatedaquantityoflampsandoil-
cans，andalsoafragrantcollectionofwhatlookedlikethepocket-
handkerchiefsofthewholelampfamily。
AsBarboxBrothers（sotocallthetravelleronthewarrantyofhisluggage）tookhisseatupontheform，andwarmedhisnowunglovedhandsatthefire，heglancedasideatalittledealdesk，muchblotchedwithink，whichhiselbowtouched。Uponitweresomescrapsofcoarsepaper，andasuperannuatedsteelpeninveryreducedandgrittycircumstances。
Fromglancingatthescrapsofpaper，heturnedinvoluntarilytohishost，andsaid，withsomeroughness：
"Why，youareneverapoet，man？"
Lampshadcertainlynottheconventionalappearanceofone，ashestoodmodestlyrubbinghissquabnosewithahandkerchiefsoexceedinglyoily，thathemighthavebeenintheactofmistakinghimselfforoneofhischarges。HewasasparemanofabouttheBarboxBrotherstimeoflife，withhisfeatureswhimsicallydrawnupwardasiftheywereattractedbytherootsofhishair。Hehadapeculiarlyshiningtransparentcomplexion，probablyoccasionedbyconstantoleaginousapplication；andhisattractivehair，beingcutshort，andbeinggrizzled，andstandingstraightuponendasifitinitsturnwereattractedbysomeinvisiblemagnetaboveit，thetopofhisheadwasnotveryunlikealamp-wick。
"But，tobesure，it’snobusinessofmine，"saidBarboxBrothers。
"Thatwasanimpertinentobservationonmypart。Bewhatyoulike。"
"Somepeople，sir，"remarkedLampsinatoneofapology，"aresometimeswhattheydon’tlike。"
"NobodyknowsthatbetterthanIdo，"sighedtheother。"IhavebeenwhatIdon’tlike，allmylife。"
"WhenIfirsttook，sir，"resumedLamps，"tocomposinglittleComic-
Songs——like——"
BarboxBrotherseyedhimwithgreatdisfavour。
"——TocomposinglittleComic-Songs-like——andwhatwasmorehard——tosinging’emafterwards，"saidLamps，"itwentagainstthegrainatthattime，itdidindeed。"
SomethingthatwasnotalloilhereshininginLamps’seye，BarboxBrotherswithdrewhisownalittledisconcerted，lookedatthefire，andputafootonthetopbar。"Whydidyoudoit，then？"heaskedafterashortpause；abruptlyenough，butinasoftertone。"Ifyoudidn’twanttodoit，whydidyoudoit？Wheredidyousingthem？
Public-house？"
TowhichMr。Lampsreturnedthecuriousreply："Bedside。"
Atthismoment，whilethetravellerlookedathimforelucidation，MugbyJunctionstartedsuddenly，trembledviolently，andopeneditsgaseyes。"She’sgotup！"Lampsannounced，excited。"Whatlaysinherpowerissometimesmore，andsometimesless；butit’slaidinherpowertogetupto-night，byGeorge！"
Thelegend"BarboxBrothers，"inlargewhitelettersontwoblacksurfaces，wasverysoonafterwardstrundlingonatruckthroughasilentstreet，and，whentheownerofthelegendhadshiveredonthepavementhalfanhour，whattimetheporter’sknocksattheInnDoorknockedupthewholetownfirst，andtheInnlast，hegropedhiswayintothecloseairofashut-uphouse，andsogropedbetweenthesheetsofashut-upbedthatseemedtohavebeenexpresslyrefrigeratedforhimwhenlastmade。
II
"Yourememberme，YoungJackson？"
"WhatdoIrememberifnotyou？Youaremyfirstremembrance。Itwasyouwhotoldmethatwasmyname。ItwasyouwhotoldmethatoneverytwentiethofDecembermylifehadapenitentialanniversaryinitcalledabirthday。Isupposethelastcommunicationwastruerthanthefirst！"
"WhatamIlike，YoungJackson？"
"Youarelikeablightallthroughtheyeartome。Youhard-lined，thin-lipped，repressive，changelesswomanwithawaxmaskon。YouareliketheDeviltome；mostofallwhenyouteachmereligiousthings，foryoumakemeabhorthem。"
"Yourememberme，Mr。YoungJackson？"Inanothervoicefromanotherquarter。
"Mostgratefully，sir。Youweretherayofhopeandprosperingambitioninmylife。WhenIattendedyourcourse，IbelievedthatI
shouldcometobeagreathealer，andIfeltalmosthappy——eventhoughIwasstilltheoneboarderinthehousewiththathorriblemask，andateanddrankinsilenceandconstraintwiththemaskbeforeme，everyday。AsIhaddoneevery，every，everyday，throughmyschool-timeandfrommyearliestrecollection。"
"WhatamIlike，Mr。YoungJackson？"
"YouarelikeaSuperiorBeingtome。YouarelikeNaturebeginningtorevealherselftome。Ihearyouagain，asoneofthehushedcrowdofyoungmenkindlingunderthepowerofyourpresenceandknowledge，andyoubringintomyeyestheonlyexultanttearsthateverstoodinthem。"
"YourememberMe，Mr。YoungJackson？"Inagratingvoicefromquiteanotherquarter。
"Toowell。Youmadeyourghostlyappearanceinmylifeoneday，andannouncedthatitscoursewastobesuddenlyandwhollychanged。
YoushowedmewhichwasmywearisomeseatintheGalleyofBarboxBrothers。（WhenTHEYwere，iftheyeverwere，isunknowntome；
therewasnothingofthembutthenamewhenIbenttotheoar。）YoutoldmewhatIwastodo，andwhattobepaid；youtoldmeafterwards，atintervalsofyears，whenIwastosignfortheFirm，whenIbecameapartner，whenIbecametheFirm。Iknownomoreofit，orofmyself。"
"WhatamIlike，Mr。YoungJackson？"
"Youarelikemyfather，Isometimesthink。Youarehardenoughandcoldenoughsotohavebroughtupanacknowledgedson。Iseeyourscantyfigure，yourclosebrownsuit，andyourtightbrownwig；butyou，too，wearawaxmasktoyourdeath。Youneverbyachanceremoveit——itneverbyachancefallsoff——andIknownomoreofyou。"
Throughoutthisdialogue，thetravellerspoketohimselfathiswindowinthemorning，ashehadspokentohimselfattheJunctionovernight。Andashehadthenlookedinthedarkness，amanwhohadturnedgreytoosoon，likeaneglectedfire：sohenowlookedinthesun-light，anashiergrey，likeafirewhichthebrightnessofthesunputout。
ThefirmofBarboxBrothershadbeensomeoffshootorirregularbranchofthePublicNotaryandbill-brokingtree。IthadgainedforitselfagripingreputationbeforethedaysofYoungJackson，andthereputationhadstucktoitandtohim。AshehadimperceptiblycomeintopossessionofthedimdenupinthecornerofacourtoffLombardStreet，onwhosegrimywindowstheinscriptionBarboxBrothershadformanylongyearsdailyinterposeditselfbetweenhimandthesky，sohehadinsensiblyfoundhimselfapersonageheldinchronicdistrust，whomitwasessentialtoscrewtighttoeverytransactioninwhichheengaged，whosewordwasnevertobetakenwithouthisattestedbond，whomalldealerswithopenlysetupguardsandwardsagainst。Thischaracterhadcomeuponhimthroughnoactofhisown。ItwasasiftheoriginalBarboxhadstretchedhimselfdownupontheofficefloor，andhadthithercausedtobeconveyedYoungJacksoninhissleep，andhadthereeffectedametempsychosisandexchangeofpersonswithhim。Thediscovery——
aidedinitsturnbythedeceitoftheonlywomanhehadeverloved，andthedeceitoftheonlyfriendhehadevermade：whoelopedfromhimtobemarriedtogether——thediscovery，sofollowedup，completedwhathisearliestrearinghadbegun。Heshrank，abashed，withintheformofBarbox，andlifteduphisheadandheartnomore。
Buthedidatlasteffectonegreatreleaseinhiscondition。Hebroketheoarhehadpliedsolong，andhescuttledandsankthegalley。Hepreventedthegradualretirementofanoldconventionalbusinessfromhim，bytakingtheinitiativeandretiringfromit。
Withenoughtoliveon（though，afterall，withnottoomuch），heobliteratedthefirmofBarboxBrothersfromthepagesofthePost-
OfficeDirectoryandthefaceoftheearth，leavingnothingofitbutitsnameontwoportmanteaus。
"Foronemusthavesomenameingoingabout，forpeopletopickup，"
heexplainedtoMugbyHighStreet，throughtheInnwindow，"andthatnameatleastwasrealonce。Whereas，YoungJackson！——NottomentionitsbeingasadlysatiricalmisnomerforOldJackson。"
Hetookuphishatandwalkedout，justintimetosee，passingalongontheoppositesideoftheway，avelveteenman，carryinghisday’sdinnerinasmallbundlethatmighthavebeenlargerwithoutsuspicionofgluttony，andpeltingawaytowardstheJunctionatagreatpace。
"There’sLamps！"saidBarboxBrothers。"Andbythebye——"
Ridiculous，surely，thatamansoserious，soself-contained，andnotyetthreedaysemancipatedfromaroutineofdrudgery，shouldstandrubbinghischininthestreet，inabrownstudyaboutComicSongs。
"Bedside？"saidBarboxBrotherstestily。"Singsthematthebedside？Whyatthebedside，unlesshegoestobeddrunk？Does，I
shouldn’twonder。Butit’snobusinessofmine。Letmesee。MugbyJunction，MugbyJunction。WhereshallIgonext？AsitcameintomyheadlastnightwhenIwokefromanuneasysleepinthecarriageandfoundmyselfhere，Icangoanywherefromhere。WhereshallI
go？I’llgoandlookattheJunctionbydaylight。There’snohurry，andImaylikethelookofoneLinebetterthananother。"
ButthereweresomanyLines。GazingdownuponthemfromabridgeattheJunction，itwasasiftheconcentratingCompaniesformedagreatIndustrialExhibitionoftheworksofextraordinarygroundspidersthatspuniron。AndthensomanyoftheLineswentsuchwonderfulways，socrossingandcurvingamongoneanother，thattheeyelostthem。Andthensomeofthemappearedtostartwiththefixedintentionofgoingfivehundredmiles，andallofasuddengaveitupataninsignificantbarrier，orturnedoffintoaworkshop。Andthenothers，likeintoxicatedmen，wentalittlewayverystraight，andsurprisinglysluedroundandcamebackagain。
Andthenothersweresochock-fulloftrucksofcoal，othersweresoblockedwithtrucksofcasks，othersweresogorgedwithtrucksofballast，othersweresosetapartforwheeledobjectslikeimmenseironcotton-reels：whileothersweresobrightandclear，andothersweresodeliveredovertorustandashesandidlewheelbarrowsoutofwork，withtheirlegsintheair（lookingmuchliketheirmastersonstrike），thattherewasnobeginning，middle，orendtothebewilderment。
BarboxBrothersstoodpuzzledonthebridge，passinghisrighthandacrossthelinesonhisforehead，whichmultipliedwhilehelookeddown，asiftherailwayLinesweregettingthemselvesphotographedonthatsensitiveplate。Thenwasheardadistantringingofbellsandblowingofwhistles。Then，puppet-lookingheadsofmenpoppedoutofboxesinperspective，andpoppedinagain。Then，prodigiouswoodenrazors，setuponend，beganshavingtheatmosphere。Then，severallocomotiveenginesinseveraldirectionsbegantoscreamandbeagitated。Then，alongoneavenueatraincamein。Then，alonganothertwotrainsappearedthatdidn’tcomein，butstoppedwithout。Then，bitsoftrainsbrokeoff。Then，astrugglinghorsebecameinvolvedwiththem。Then，thelocomotivessharedthebitsoftrains，andranawaywiththewhole。
"Ihavenotmademynextmovemuchclearerbythis。Nohurry。Noneedtomakeupmymindto-day，orto-morrow，noryetthedayafter。
I’lltakeawalk。"
Itfelloutsomehow（perhapshemeantitshould）thatthewalktendedtotheplatformatwhichhehadalighted，andtoLamps’sroom。ButLampswasnotinhisroom。ApairofvelveteenshoulderswereadaptingthemselvestooneoftheimpressionsonthewallbyLamps’sfireplace，butotherwisetheroomwasvoid。Inpassingbacktogetoutofthestationagain，helearntthecauseofthisvacancy，bycatchingsightofLampsontheoppositelineofrailway，skippingalongthetopofatrain，fromcarriagetocarriage，andcatchinglightednamesakesthrownuptohimbyacoadjutor。
"Heisbusy。HehasnotmuchtimeforcomposingorsingingComicSongsthismorning，Itakeit。"
Thedirectionhepursuednowwasintothecountry，keepingveryneartothesideofonegreatLineofrailway，andwithineasyviewofothers。"Ihavehalfamind，"’hesaid，glancingaround，"tosettlethequestionfromthispoint，bysaying，’I’lltakethissetofrails，orthat，ort’other，andsticktoit。’Theyseparatethemselvesfromtheconfusion，outhere，andgotheirways。"
Ascendingagentlehillofsomeextent，hecametoafewcottages。
There，lookingabouthimasaveryreservedmanmightwhohadneverlookedabouthiminhislifebefore，hesawsomesixoreightyoungchildrencomemerrilytroopingandwhoopingfromoneofthecottages，anddisperse。Butnotuntiltheyhadallturnedatthelittlegarden-gate，andkissedtheirhandstoafaceattheupperwindow：alowwindowenough，althoughtheupper，forthecottagehadbutastoryofoneroomabovetheground。
Now，thatthechildrenshoulddothiswasnothing；butthattheyshoulddothistoafacelyingonthesilloftheopenwindow，turnedtowardstheminahorizontalposition，andapparentlyonlyaface，wassomethingnoticeable。Helookedupatthewindowagain。
Couldonlyseeaveryfragile，thoughaverybrightface，lyingononecheekonthewindow-sill。Thedelicatesmilingfaceofagirlorwoman。Framedinlongbrightbrownhair，roundwhichwastiedalightbluebandorfillet，passingunderthechin。
Hewalkedon，turnedback，passedthewindowagain，shylyglancedupagain。Nochange。Hestruckoffbyawindingbranch-roadatthetopofthehill——whichhemustotherwisehavedescended——keptthecottagesinview，workedhiswayroundatadistancesoastocomeoutoncemoreintothemainroad，andbeobligedtopassthecottagesagain。Thefacestilllayonthewindow-sill，butnotsomuchinclinedtowardshim。Andnowtherewereapairofdelicatehandstoo。Theyhadtheactionofperformingonsomemusicalinstrument，andyetitproducednosoundthatreachedhisears。
"MugbyJunctionmustbethemaddestplaceinEngland，"saidBarboxBrothers，pursuinghiswaydownthehill。"ThefirstthingIfindhereisaRailwayPorterwhocomposescomicsongstosingathisbedside。ThesecondthingIfindhereisaface，andapairofhandsplayingamusicalinstrumentthatDON’Tplay！"
ThedaywasafinebrightdayintheearlybeginningofNovember，theairwasclearandinspiriting，andthelandscapewasrichinbeautifulcolours。TheprevailingcoloursinthecourtoffLombardStreet，Londoncity，hadbeenfewandsombre。Sometimes，whentheweatherelsewherewasverybrightindeed，thedwellersinthosetentsenjoyedapepper-and-salt-coloureddayortwo，buttheiratmosphere’susualwearwasslateorsnuffcoloured。
Herelishedhiswalksowellthatherepeateditnextday。Hewasalittleearlieratthecottagethanonthedaybefore，andhecouldhearthechildrenupstairssingingtoaregularmeasure，andclappingoutthetimewiththeirhands。
"Still，thereisnosoundofanymusicalinstrument，"hesaid，listeningatthecorner，"andyetIsawtheperforminghandsagainasIcameby。Whatarethechildrensinging？Why，goodLord，theycanneverbesingingthemultiplicationtable？"
Theywere，though，andwithinfiniteenjoyment。Themysteriousfacehadavoiceattachedtoit，whichoccasionallyledorsetthechildrenright。Itsmusicalcheerfulnesswasdelightful。Themeasureatlengthstopped，andwassucceededbyamurmuringofyoungvoices，andthenbyashortsongwhichhemadeouttobeaboutthecurrentmonthoftheyear，andaboutwhatworkityieldedtothelabourersinthefieldsandfarmyards。Thentherewasastiroflittlefeet，andthechildrencametroopingandwhoopingout，asonthepreviousday。Andagain，asonthepreviousday，theyallturnedatthegarden-gate，andkissedtheirhands——evidentlytothefaceonthewindow-sill，thoughBarboxBrothersfromhisretiredpostofdisadvantageatthecornercouldnotseeit。
But，asthechildrendispersed，hecutoffonesmallstraggler——abrown-facedboywithflaxenhair——andsaidtohim：
"Comehere，littleone。Tellme，whosehouseisthat？"
Thechild，withoneswarthyarmheldupacrosshiseyes，halfinshyness，andhalfreadyfordefence，saidfrombehindtheinsideofhiselbow：
"Phoebe’s。"
"Andwho，"saidBarboxBrothers，quiteasmuchembarrassedbyhispartinthedialogueasthechildcouldpossiblybebyhis，"isPhoebe？"
Towhichthechildmadeanswer："Why，Phoebe，ofcourse。"
Thesmallbutsharpobserverhadeyedhisquestionerclosely，andhadtakenhismoralmeasure。Heloweredhisguard，andratherassumedatonewithhim：ashavingdiscoveredhimtobeanunaccustomedpersonintheartofpoliteconversation。
"Phoebe，"saidthechild，"can’tbeanybobbyelsebutPhoebe。Canshe？"
"No，Isupposenot。"
"Well，"returnedthechild，"thenwhydidyouaskme？"
Deemingitprudenttoshifthisground，BarboxBrotherstookupanewposition。
"Whatdoyoudothere？Upthereinthatroomwheretheopenwindowis。Whatdoyoudothere？"
"Cool，"saidthechild。
"Eh？"
"Co-o-ol，"thechildrepeatedinaloudervoice，lengtheningoutthewordwithafixedlookandgreatemphasis，asmuchastosay：
"What’stheuseofyourhavinggrownup，ifyou’resuchadonkeyasnottounderstandme？"
"Ah！School，school，"saidBarboxBrothers。"Yes，yes，yes。AndPhoebeteachesyou？"
Thechildnodded。
"Goodboy。"
"Tounditout，haveyou？"saidthechild。
"Yes，Ihavefounditout。Whatwouldyoudowithtwopence，ifI
gaveityou？"
"Pendit。"
Theknock-downpromptitudeofthisreplyleavinghimnotalegtostandupon，BarboxBrothersproducedthetwopencewithgreatlameness，andwithdrewinastateofhumiliation。
But，seeingthefaceonthewindow-sillashepassedthecottage，heacknowledgeditspresencetherewithagesture，whichwasnotanod，notabow，notaremovalofhishatfromhishead，butwasadiffidentcompromisebetweenorstrugglewithallthree。Theeyesinthefaceseemedamused，orcheered，orboth，andthelipsmodestlysaid："Good-daytoyou，sir。"
"IfindImuststickforatimetoMugbyJunction，"saidBarboxBrotherswithmuchgravity，afteroncemorestoppingonhisreturnroadtolookattheLineswheretheywenttheirseveralwayssoquietly。"Ican’tmakeupmymindyetwhichironroadtotake。Infact，ImustgetalittleaccustomedtotheJunctionbeforeIcandecide。"
So，heannouncedattheInnthathewas"goingtostayonforthepresent，"andimprovedhisacquaintancewiththeJunctionthatnight，andagainnextmorning，andagainnextnightandmorning：
goingdowntothestation，minglingwiththepeoplethere，lookingabouthimdownalltheavenuesofrailway，andbeginningtotakeaninterestintheincomingsandoutgoingsofthetrains。Atfirst，heoftenputhisheadintoLamps’slittleroom，butheneverfoundLampsthere。Apairortwoofvelveteenshouldersheusuallyfoundthere，stoopingoverthefire，sometimesinconnectionwithaclaspedknifeandapieceofbreadandmeat；buttheanswertohisinquiry，"Where’sLamps？"was，eitherthathewas"t’othersidetheline，"or，thatitwashisoff-time，or（inthelattercase）hisownpersonalintroductiontoanotherLampswhowasnothisLamps。
However，hewasnotsodesperatelysetuponseeingLampsnow，butheborethedisappointment。NordidhesowhollydevotehimselftohissevereapplicationtothestudyofMugbyJunctionastoneglectexercise。Onthecontrary，hetookawalkeveryday，andalwaysthesamewalk。Buttheweatherturnedcoldandwetagain，andthewindowwasneveropen。
III
Atlength，afteralapseofsomedays，therecameanotherstreakoffinebrighthardyautumnweather。ItwasaSaturday。Thewindowwasopen，andthechildrenweregone。Notsurprising，this，forhehadpatientlywatchedandwaitedatthecorneruntiltheyWEREgone。
"Good-day，"hesaidtotheface；absolutelygettinghishatclearoffhisheadthistime。
"Good-daytoyou，sir。"
"Iamgladyouhaveafineskyagaintolookat。"
"Thankyou，sir。Itiskindifyou。"
"Youareaninvalid，Ifear？"
"No，sir。Ihaveverygoodhealth。"
"Butareyounotalwayslyingdown？"
"Ohyes，Iamalwayslyingdown，becauseIcannotsitup！ButIamnotaninvalid。"
Thelaughingeyesseemedhighlytoenjoyhisgreatmistake。
"Wouldyoumindtakingthetroubletocomein，sir？Thereisabeautifulviewfromthiswindow。AndyouwouldseethatIamnotatallill——beingsogoodastocare。"
Itwassaidtohelphim，ashestoodirresolute，butevidentlydesiringtoenter，withhisdiffidenthandonthelatchofthegarden-gate。Itdidhelphim，andhewentin。
Theroomup-stairswasaverycleanwhiteroomwithalowroof。Itsonlyinmatelayonacouchthatbroughtherfacetoalevelwiththewindow。Thecouchwaswhitetoo；andhersimpledressorwrapperbeinglightblue，likethebandaroundherhair，shehadanethereallook，andafancifulappearanceoflyingamongclouds。Hefeltthatsheinstinctivelyperceivedhimtobebyhabitadowncasttaciturnman；itwasanotherhelptohimtohaveestablishedthatunderstandingsoeasily，andgotitover。
Therewasanawkwardconstraintuponhim，nevertheless，ashetouchedherhand，andtookachairatthesideofhercouch。
"Iseenow，"hebegan，notatallfluently，"howyouoccupyyourhand。Onlyseeingyoufromthepathoutside，Ithoughtyouwereplayinguponsomething。"
Shewasengagedinverynimblyanddexterouslymakinglace。Alace-
pillowlayuponherbreast；andthequickmovementsandchangesofherhandsuponit，assheworked，hadgiventhemtheactionhehadmisinterpreted。
"Thatiscurious，"sheansweredwithabrightsmile。"ForIoftenfancy，myself，thatIplaytuneswhileIamatwork。"
"Haveyouanymusicalknowledge？"
Sheshookherhead。
"IthinkIcouldpickouttunes，ifIhadanyinstrument，whichcouldbemadeashandytomeasmylace-pillow。ButIdaresayI
deceivemyself。Atallevents，Ishallneverknow。"
"Youhaveamusicalvoice。Excuseme；Ihaveheardyousing。"
"Withthechildren？"sheanswered，slightlycolouring。"Ohyes。I
singwiththedearchildren，ifitcanbecalledsinging。"
BarboxBrothersglancedatthetwosmallformsintheroom，andhazardedthespeculationthatshewasfondofchildren，andthatshewaslearnedinnewsystemsofteachingthem？
"Veryfondofthem，"shesaid，shakingherheadagain；"butIknownothingofteaching，beyondtheinterestIhaveinit，andthepleasureitgivesmewhentheylearn。Perhapsyouroverhearingmylittlescholarssingsomeoftheirlessonshasledyousofarastrayastothinkmeagrandteacher？Ah！Ithoughtso！No，Ihaveonlyreadandbeentoldaboutthatsystem。Itseemedsoprettyandpleasant，andtotreatthemsolikethemerryRobinstheyare，thatItookupwithitinmylittleway。Youdon’tneedtobetoldwhataverylittlewaymineis，sir，"sheaddedwithaglanceatthesmallformsandroundtheroom。
Allthistimeherhandswerebusyatherlace-pillow。Astheystillcontinuedso，andastherewasakindofsubstituteforconversationintheclickandplayofitspegs，BarboxBrotherstooktheopportunityofobservingher。Heguessedhertobethirty。Thecharmofhertransparentfaceandlargebrightbrowneyeswas，notthattheywerepassivelyresigned，butthattheywereactivelyandthoroughlycheerful。Evenherbusyhands，whichoftheirownthinnessalonemighthavebesoughtcompassion，pliedtheirtaskwithagaycouragethatmademerecompassionanunjustifiableassumptionofsuperiority，andanimpertinence。
Hesawhereyesintheactofrisingtowardshis，andhedirectedhistowardstheprospect，saying："Beautiful，indeed！"
"Mostbeautiful，sir。IhavesometimeshadafancythatIwouldliketositup，foronce，onlytotryhowitlookstoanerecthead。
Butwhatafoolishfancythatwouldbetoencourage！Itcannotlookmorelovelytoanyonethanitdoestome。"
Hereyeswereturnedtoit，asshespoke，withmostdelightedadmirationandenjoyment。Therewasnotatraceinitofanysenseofdeprivation。
"Andthosethreadsofrailway，withtheirpuffsofsmokeandsteamchangingplacessofast，makeitsolivelyforme，"shewenton。"I
thinkofthenumberofpeoplewhocangowheretheywish，ontheirbusiness，ortheirpleasure；IrememberthatthepuffsmakesignstomethattheyareactuallygoingwhileIlook；andthatenlivenstheprospectwithabundanceofcompany，ifIwantcompany。ThereisthegreatJunction，too。Idon’tseeitunderthefootofthehill，butIcanveryoftenhearit，andIalwaysknowitisthere。Itseemstojoinme，inaway，toIdon’tknowhowmanyplacesandthingsthatIshallneversee。"
Withanabashedkindofideathatitmighthavealreadyjoinedhimselftosomethinghehadneverseen，hesaidconstrainedly：
"Justso。"
"Andsoyousee，sir，"pursuedPhoebe，"Iamnottheinvalidyouthoughtme，andIamverywelloffindeed。"
"Youhaveahappydisposition，"saidBarboxBrothers：perhapswithaslightexcusatorytouchforhisowndisposition。
"Ah！Butyoushouldknowmyfather，"shereplied。"Hisisthehappydisposition！——Don’tmind，sir！"Forhisreservetookthealarmatastepuponthestairs，andhedistrustedthathewouldbesetdownforatroublesomeintruder。"Thisismyfathercoming。"
Thedooropened，andthefatherpausedthere。
"Why，Lamps！"exclaimedBarboxBrothers，startingfromhischair。
"Howdoyoudo，Lamps？"
TowhichLampsresponded："ThegentlemanforNowhere！HowdoyouDO，sir？"
Andtheyshookhands，tothegreatestadmirationandsurpriseofLamp’sdaughter。
"Ihavelookedyouuphalf-a-dozentimessincethatnight，"saidBarboxBrothers，"buthaveneverfoundyou。"
"SoI’veheerdon，sir，soI’veheerdon，"returnedLamps。"It’syourbeingnoticedsooftendownattheJunction，withouttakinganytrain，thathasbeguntogetyouthenameamongusofthegentlemanforNowhere。Nooffenceinmyhavingcalledyoubyitwhentookbysurprise，Ihope，sir？"
"Noneatall。It’sasgoodanameformeasanyotheryoucouldcallmeby。ButmayIaskyouaquestioninthecornerhere？"
Lampssufferedhimselftobeledasidefromhisdaughter’scouchbyoneofthebuttonsofhisvelveteenjacket。
"Isthisthebedsidewhereyousingyoursongs？"
Lampsnodded。
ThegentlemanforNowhereclappedhimontheshoulder，andtheyfacedaboutagain。
"Uponmyword，mydear，"saidLampsthentohisdaughter，lookingfromhertohervisitor，"itissuchanamazetome，tofindyoubroughtacquaintedwiththisgentleman，thatImust（ifthisgentlemanwillexcuseme）takearounder。"
Mr。Lampsdemonstratedinactionwhatthismeant，bypullingouthisoilyhandkerchiefrolledupintheformofaball，andgivinghimselfanelaboratesmear，frombehindtherightear，upthecheek，acrosstheforehead，anddowntheothercheektobehindhisleftear。Afterthisoperationheshoneexceedingly。
"It’saccordingtomycustomwhenparticularwarmedupbyanyagitation，sir，"heofferedbywayofapology。"Andreally，IamthrowedintothatstateofamazebyfindingyoubroughtacquaintedwithPhoebe，thatI——thatIthinkIwill，ifyou’llexcuseme，takeanotherrounder。"Whichhedid，seemingtobegreatlyrestoredbyit。
Theywerenowbothstandingbythesideofhercouch，andshewasworkingatherlace-pillow。"Yourdaughtertellsme，"saidBarboxBrothers，stillinahalf-reluctantshamefacedway，"thatsheneversitsup。"
"No，sir，norneverhasdone。Yousee，hermother（whodiedwhenshewasayearandtwomonthsold）wassubjecttoverybadfits，andasshehadnevermentionedtomethatsheWASsubjecttofits，theycouldn’tbeguardedagainst。Consequently，shedroppedthebabywhentook，andthishappened。"
"Itwasverywrongofher，"saidBarboxBrotherswithaknittedbrow，"tomarryyou，makingasecretofherinfirmity。’
"Well，sir！"pleadedLampsinbehalfofthelong-deceased。"Yousee，Phoebeandme，wehavetalkedthatovertoo。AndLordblessus！Suchanumberonushasourinfirmities，whatwithfits，andwhatwithmisfits，ofonesortandanother，thatifweconfessedto’emallbeforewegotmarried，mostofusmightnevergetmarried。"
"Mightnotthatbeforthebetter？"
"Notinthiscase，sir，"saidPhoebe，givingherhandtoherfather。
"No，notinthiscase，sir，"saidherfather，pattingitbetweenhisown。
"Youcorrectme，"returnedBarboxBrotherswithablush；"andImustlooksolikeaBrute，thatatalleventsitwouldbesuperfluousinmetoconfesstoTHATinfirmity。Iwishyouwouldtellmealittlemoreaboutyourselves。Ihardlyknewhowtoaskitofyou，forIamconsciousthatIhaveabadstiffmanner，adulldiscouragingwaywithme，butIwishyouwould。"
"Withallourhearts，sir，"returnedLampsgailyforboth。"Andfirstofall，thatyoumayknowmyname——"
"Stay！"interposedthevisitorwithaslightflush。"Whatsignifiesyourname？Lampsisnameenoughforme。Ilikeit。Itisbrightandexpressive。WhatdoIwantmore？"
"Why，tobesure，sir，"returnedLamps。"IhaveingeneralnoothernamedownattheJunction；butIthought，onaccountofyourbeinghereasafirst-classsingle，inaprivatecharacter，thatyoumight——"
Thevisitorwavedthethoughtawaywithhishand，andLampsacknowledgedthemarkofconfidencebytakinganotherrounder。
"Youarehard-worked，Itakeforgranted？"saidBarboxBrothers，whenthesubjectoftheroundercameoutofitmuchdirtierthanbewentintoit。
Lampswasbeginning，"Notparticularso"——whenhisdaughtertookhimup。
"Ohyes，sir，heisveryhard-worked。Fourteen，fifteen，eighteenhoursaday。Sometimestwenty-fourhoursatatime。"
"Andyou，"saidBarboxBrothers，"whatwithyourschool，Phoebe，andwhatwithyourlace-making——"
"Butmyschoolisapleasuretome，"sheinterrupted，openingherbrowneyeswider，asifsurprisedtofindhimsoobtuse。"IbeganitwhenIwasbutachild，becauseitbroughtmeandotherchildrenintocompany，don’tyousee？THATwasnotwork。Icarryitonstill，becauseitkeepschildrenaboutme。THATisnotwork。Idoitaslove，notaswork。Thenmylace-pillow；"herbusyhandshadstopped，asifherargumentrequiredallhercheerfulearnestness，butnowwentonagainatthename；"itgoeswithmythoughtswhenI
think，anditgoeswithmytuneswhenIhumany，andTHAT’Snotwork。Why，youyourselfthoughtitwasmusic，youknow，sir。Andsoitistome。"
"Everythingis！"criedLampsradiantly。"Everythingismusictoher，sir。"
"Myfatheris，atanyrate，"saidPhoebe，exultinglypointingherthinforefingerathim。"Thereismoremusicinmyfatherthanthereisinabrassband。"
"Isay！Mydear！It’sveryfillyilliallydone，youknow；butyouareflatteringyourfather，"heprotested，sparkling。
"No，Iamnot，sir，Iassureyou。No，Iamnot。Ifyoucouldhearmyfathersing，youwouldknowIamnot。Butyouneverwillhearhimsing，becauseheneversingstoanyonebutme。Howevertiredheis，healwayssingstomewhenhecomeshome。WhenIlayherelongago，quiteapoorlittlebrokendoll，heusedtosingtome。
Morethanthat，heusedtomakesongs，bringinginwhateverlittlejokeswehadbetweenus。Morethanthat，heoftendoessotothisday。Oh！I’lltellofyou，father，asthegentlemanhasaskedaboutyou。Heisapoet，sir。"
"Ishouldn’twishthegentleman，mydear，"observedLamps，forthemomentturninggrave，"tocarryawaythatopinionofyourfather，becauseitmightlookasifIwasgiventoaskingthestarsinamolloncollymannerwhattheywasupto。WhichIwouldn’tatoncewastethetime，andtaketheliberty，mydear。"
"Myfather，"resumedPhoebe，amendinghertext，"isalwaysonthebrightside，andthegoodside。Youtoldme，justnow，Ihadahappydisposition。HowcanIhelpit？"
"Well；but，mydear，"returnedLampsargumentatively，"howcanI
helpit？Putittoyourselfsir。Lookather。Alwaysasyouseehernow。Alwaysworking——andafterall，sir，forbutaveryfewshillingsaweek——alwayscontented，alwayslively，alwaysinterestedinothers，ofallsorts。Isaid，thismoment，shewasalwaysasyouseehernow。Sosheis，withadifferencethatcomestomuchthesame。For，whenitismySundayoffandthemorningbellshavedoneringing，Iheartheprayersandthanksreadinthetouchingestway，andIhavethehymnssungtome——sosoft，sir，thatyoucouldn’thear’emoutofthisroom——innotesthatseemtome，Iamsure，tocomefromHeavenandgobacktoit。"
Itmighthavebeenmerelythroughtheassociationofthesewordswiththeirsacredlyquiettime，oritmighthavebeenthroughthelargerassociationofthewordswiththeRedeemer’spresencebesidethebedridden；buthereherdexterousfingerscametoastoponthelace-pillow，andclaspedthemselvesaroundhisneckashebentdown。
Therewasgreatnaturalsensibilityinbothfatheranddaughter，thevisitorcouldeasilysee；buteachmadeit，fortheother’ssake，retiring，notdemonstrative；andperfectcheerfulness，intuitiveoracquired，waseitherthefirstorsecondnatureofboth。InaveryfewmomentsLampswastakinganotherrounderwithhiscomicalfeaturesbeaming，whilePhoebe’slaughingeyes（justaglisteningspeckorsoupontheirlashes）wereagaindirectedbyturnstohim，andtoherwork，andtoBarboxBrothers。
"Whenmyfather，sir，"shesaidbrightly，"tellsyouaboutmybeinginterestedinotherpeople，eventhoughtheyknownothingaboutme——
which，bythebye，Itoldyoumyself——yououghttoknowhowthatcomesabout。That’smyfather’sdoing。"
"No，itisn’t！"heprotested。
"Don’tyoubelievehim，sir；yes，itis。Hetellsmeofeverythingheseesdownathiswork。Youwouldbesurprisedwhataquantityhegetstogetherformeeveryday。Helooksintothecarriages，andtellsmehowtheladiesaredressed——sothatIknowallthefashions！Helooksintothecarriages，andtellsmewhatpairsoflovershesees，andwhatnew-marriedcouplesontheirweddingtrip——
sothatIknowallaboutthat！Hecollectschancenewspapersandbooks——sothatIhaveplentytoread！Hetellsmeaboutthesickpeoplewhoaretravellingtotrytogetbetter——sothatIknowallaboutthem！Inshort，asIbeganbysaying，hetellsmeeverythingheseesandmakesoutdownathiswork，andyoucan’tthinkwhataquantityhedoesseeandmakeout。"
"Astocollectingnewspapersandbooks，mydear，"saidLamps，"it’sclearIcanhavenomeritinthat，becausethey’renotmyperquisites。Yousee，sir，it’sthisway：AGuard，he’llsaytome，’Hallo，hereyouare，Lamps。I’vesavedthispaperforyourdaughter。Howisshea-goingon？’AHead-Porter，he’llsaytome，’Here！Catchhold，Lamps。Here’sacoupleofwollumesforyourdaughter。Issheprettymuchwhereshewere？’Andthat’swhatmakesitdoublewelcome，yousee。Ifshehadathousandpoundinabox，theywouldn’ttroublethemselvesabouther；butbeingwhatsheis——thatis，youunderstand，"Lampsadded，somewhathurriedly，"nothavingathousandpoundinabox——theytakethoughtforher。Andasconcerningtheyoungpairs，marriedandunmarried，it’sonlynaturalIshouldbringhomewhatlittleIcanaboutTHEM，seeingthatthere’snotaCoupleofeithersortintheneighbourhoodthatdon’tcomeoftheirownaccordtoconfideinPhoebe。"
SheraisedhereyestriumphantlytoBarboxBrothersasshesaid：
"Indeed，sir，thatistrue。IfIcouldhavegotupandgonetochurch，Idon’tknowhowoftenIshouldhavebeenabridesmaid。
But，ifIcouldhavedonethat，somegirlsinlovemighthavebeenjealousofme，and，asitis，nogirlisjealousofme。Andmypillowwouldnothavebeenhalfasreadytoputthepieceofcakeunder，asIalwaysfindit，"sheadded，turningherfaceonitwithalightsigh，andasmileatherfather。
Thearrivalofalittlegirl，thebiggestofthescholars，nowledtoanunderstandingonthepartofBarboxBrothers，thatshewasthedomesticofthecottage，andhadcometotakeactivemeasuresinit，attendedbyapailthatmighthaveextinguishedher，andabroomthreetimesherheight。Hethereforerosetotakehisleave，andtookit；sayingthat，ifPhoebehadnoobjection，hewouldcomeagain。
Hehadmutteredthathewouldcome"inthecourseofhiswalks。"
Thecourseofhiswalksmusthavebeenhighlyfavourabletohisreturn，forhereturnedafteranintervalofasingleday。
"Youthoughtyouwouldneverseemeanymore，Isuppose？"hesaidtoPhoebeashetouchedherhand，andsatdownbyhercouch。
"WhyshouldIthinkso？"washersurprisedrejoinder。
"Itookitforgrantedyouwouldmistrustme。"
"Forgranted，sir？Haveyoubeensomuchmistrusted？"
"IthinkIamjustifiedinansweringyes。ButImayhavemistrusted，too，onmypart。Nomatterjustnow。WewerespeakingoftheJunctionlasttime。Ihavepassedhourstheresincethedaybeforeyesterday。"
"AreyounowthegentlemanforSomewhere？"sheaskedwithasmile。
"CertainlyforSomewhere；butIdon’tyetknowWhere。YouwouldneverguesswhatIamtravellingfrom。ShallItellyou？Iamtravellingfrommybirthday。"
Herhandsstoppedinherwork，andshelookedathimwithincredulousastonishment。
"Yes，"saidBarboxBrothers，notquiteeasyinhischair，"frommybirthday。Iam，tomyself，anunintelligiblebookwiththeearlierchaptersalltornout，andthrownaway。Mychildhoodhadnograceofchildhood，myyouthhadnocharmofyouth，andwhatcanbeexpectedfromsuchalostbeginning？"Hiseyesmeetinghersastheywereaddressedintentlytohim，somethingseemedtostirwithinhisbreast，whispering："Wasthisbedaplaceforthegracesofchildhoodandthecharmsofyouthtotaketokindly？Oh，shame，shame！"
"Itisadiseasewithme，"saidBarboxBrothers，checkinghimself，andmakingasthoughhehadadifficultyinswallowingsomething，"togowrongaboutthat。Idon’tknowhowIcametospeakofthat。
Ihopeitisbecauseofanoldmisplacedconfidenceinoneofyoursexinvolvinganoldbittertreachery。Idon’tknow。Iamallwrongtogether。"
Herhandsquietlyandslowlyresumedtheirwork。Glancingather，hesawthathereyeswerethoughtfullyfollowingthem。
"Iamtravellingfrommybirthday，"heresumed，"becauseithasalwaysbeenadrearydaytome。Myfirstfreebirthdaycomingroundsomefiveorsixweekshence，Iamtravellingtoputitspredecessorsfarbehindme，andtotrytocrushtheday——or，atallevents，putitoutofmysight——byheapingnewobjectsonit。"
Ashepaused，shelookedathim；butonlyshookherheadasbeingquiteataloss。
"Thisisunintelligibletoyourhappydisposition，"hepursued，abidingbyhisformerphraseasifthereweresomelingeringvirtueofself-defenceinit。"Iknewitwouldbe，andamgladitis。
However，onthistravelofmine（inwhichImeantopasstherestofmydays，havingabandonedallthoughtofafixedhome），Istopped，asyouhaveheardfromyourfather，attheJunctionhere。TheextentofitsramificationsquiteconfusedmeastowhitherIshouldgo，FROMhere。Ihavenotyetsettled，beingstillperplexedamongsomanyroads。WhatdoyouthinkImeantodo？Howmanyofthebranchingroadscanyouseefromyourwindow？"
Lookingout，fullofinterest，sheanswered，"Seven。"
"Seven，"saidBarboxBrothers，watchingherwithagravesmile。
"Well！Iproposetomyselfatoncetoreducethegrossnumbertothoseveryseven，andgraduallytofinethemdowntoone——themostpromisingforme——andtotakethat。"
"Buthowwillyouknow，sir，whichISthemostpromising？"sheasked，withherbrightenedeyesrovingovertheview。
"Ah！"saidBarboxBrotherswithanothergravesmile，andconsiderablyimprovinginhiseaseofspeech。"Tobesure。Inthisway。Whereyourfathercanpickupsomucheverydayforagoodpurpose，Imayonceandagainpickupalittleforanindifferentpurpose。ThegentlemanforNowheremustbecomestillbetterknownattheJunction。Heshallcontinuetoexploreit，untilheattachessomethingthathehasseen，heard，orfoundout，attheheadofeachofthesevenroads，totheroaditself。Andsohischoiceofaroadshallbedeterminedbyhischoiceamonghisdiscoveries。"
Herhandsstillbusy，sheagainglancedattheprospect，asifitcomprehendedsomethingthathadnotbeeninitbefore，andlaughedasifityieldedhernewpleasure。
"ButImustnotforget，"saidBarboxBrothers，"（havinggotsofar）
toaskafavour。Iwantyourhelpinthisexpedientofmine。I
wanttobringyouwhatIpickupattheheadsofthesevenroadsthatyoulieherelookingoutat，andtocomparenoteswithyouaboutit。MayI？Theysaytwoheadsarebetterthanone。Ishouldsaymyselfthatprobablydependsupontheheadsconcerned。ButIamquitesure，thoughwearesonewlyacquainted，thatyourheadandyourfather’shavefoundoutbetterthings，Phoebe，thanevermineofitselfdiscovered。"
Shegavehimhersympatheticrighthand，inperfectrapturewithhisproposal，andeagerlyandgratefullythankedhim。
"That’swell！"saidBarboxBrothers。"AgainImustnotforget（havinggotsofar）toaskafavour。Willyoushutyoureyes？"
Laughingplayfullyatthestrangenatureoftherequest，shedidso。
"Keepthemshut，"saidBarboxBrothers，goingsoftlytothedoor，andcomingback。"Youareonyourhonour，mind，nottoopenyoueyesuntilItellyouthatyoumay？"
"Yes！Onmyhonour。"
"Good。MayItakeyourlace-pillowfromyouforaminute？"
Stilllaughingandwondering，sheremovedherhandsfromit，andheputitaside。
"Tellme。Didyouseethepuffsofsmokeandsteammadebythemorningfast-trainyesterdayonroadnumbersevenfromhere？"
"Behindtheelm-treesandthespire？"
"That’stheroad，"saidBarboxBrothers，directinghiseyestowardsit。
"Yes。Iwatchedthemmeltaway。"
"Anythingunusualinwhattheyexpressed？"
"No！"sheansweredmerrily。
"Notcomplimentarytome，forIwasinthattrain。Iwent——don’topenyoureyes——tofetchyouthis，fromthegreatingenioustown。
Itisnothalfsolargeasyourlace-pillow，andlieseasilyandlightlyinitsplace。Theselittlekeysarelikethekeysofaminiaturepiano，andyousupplytheairrequiredwithyourlefthand。Mayyoupickoutdelightfulmusicfromit，mydear！Forthepresent——youcanopenyoureyesnow——good-bye！"
Inhisembarrassedway，heclosedthedooruponhimself，andonlysaw，indoingso，thatsheecstaticallytookthepresenttoherbosomandcaressedit。Theglimpsegladdenedhisheart，andyetsaddenedit；forsomightshe，ifheryouthhadflourishedinitsnaturalcourse，havingtakentoherbreastthatdaytheslumberingmusicofherownchild’svoice。
CHAPTERII——BARBOXBROTHERSANDCO。
Withgood-willandearnestpurpose，thegentlemanforNowherebegan，ontheverynextday，hisresearchesattheheadsofthesevenroads。Theresultsofhisresearches，asheandPhoebeafterwardssetthemdowninfairwriting，holdtheirdueplacesinthisveraciouschronicle。Buttheyoccupiedamuchlongertimeinthegettingtogetherthantheyeverwillintheperusal。Andthisisprobablythecasewithmostreadingmatter，exceptwhenitisofthathighlybeneficialkind（forPosterity）whichis"thrownoffinafewmomentsofleisure"bythesuperiorpoeticgeniuseswhoscorntotakeprosepains。
Itmustbeadmitted，however，thatBarboxbynomeanshurriedhimself。Hisheartbeinginhisworkofgood-nature，herevelledinit。Therewasthejoy，too（itwasatruejoytohim），ofsometimessittingby，listeningtoPhoebeasshepickedoutmoreandmorediscoursefromhermusicalinstrument，andashernaturaltasteandearrefineddailyuponherfirstdiscoveries。Besidesbeingapleasure，thiswasanoccupation，andinthecourseofweeksitconsumedhours。Itresultedthathisdreadedbirthdaywascloseuponhimbeforehehadtroubledhimselfanymoreaboutit。
Thematterwasmademorepressingbytheunforeseencircumstancethatthecouncilsheld（atwhichMr。Lamps，beamingmostbrilliantly，onafewrareoccasionsassisted）respectingtheroadtobeselectedwere，afterall，innowiseassistedbyhisinvestigations。For，hehadconnectedthisinterestwiththisroad，orthatinterestwiththeother，butcoulddeducenoreasonfromitforgivinganyroadthepreference。Consequently，whenthelastcouncilwasholden，thatpartofthebusinessstood，intheend，exactlywhereithadstoodinthebeginning。
"But，sir，"remarkedPhoebe，"wehaveonlysixroadsafterall。Istheseventhroaddumb？"
"Theseventhroad？Oh！"saidBarboxBrothers，rubbinghischin。
"ThatistheroadItook，youknow，whenIwenttogetyourlittlepresent。ThatisITSstory。Phoebe。"
"Wouldyoumindtakingthatroadagain，sir？"sheaskedwithhesitation。
"Notintheleast；itisagreathigh-roadafterall。"
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