STORYTHEFIRST——PeterHopeplanshisProspectus"Comein！"saidPeterHope。
PeterHopewastallandthin，clean—shavenbutforapairofsidewhiskersclose—croppedandterminatingjustbelowtheear，withhairofthekindreferredtobysympatheticbarbersas"gettingalittlethinonthetop，sir，"butarrangedwitheconomy，thateverywhereispoverty’struehelpmate。AboutMr。PeterHope’slinen，whichwaswhitethoughsomewhatfrayed，therewasaself—
assertivenessthatinvariablyarrestedtheattentionofeventhemostcasualobserver。Decidedlytherewastoomuchofit——itsostentationaidedandabettedbytheretiringnatureofthecut—
awaycoat，whosechiefaimclearlywastoslipoffanddisappearbehinditsowner’sback。"I’mapooroldthing，"itseemedtosay。
"Idon’tshine——or，rather，Ishinetoomuchamongtheseup—to—dateyoungmodes。Ionlyhamperyou。Youwouldbemuchmorecomfortablewithoutme。"Topersuadeittoaccompanyhim，itsproprietorhadtoemployforce，keepingfastenedthelowestofitsthreebuttons。Ateverystep，itstruggledforitsliberty。
AnothercharacteristicofPeter’s，linkinghimtothepast，washisblacksilkcravat，securedbyacoupleofgoldpinschainedtogether。Watchinghimashenowsatwriting，hislonglegsencasedintightlystrappedgreytrousering，crossedbeneaththetable，thelamplightfallingonhisfresh—complexionedface，upontheshapelyhandthatsteadiedthehalf—writtensheet，astrangermighthaverubbedhiseyes，wonderingbywhathallucinationhethusfoundhimselfinpresenceseeminglyofsomeyoungbeaubelongingtotheearly’forties;butlookingcloser，wouldhaveseenthemanywrinkles。
"Comein！"repeatedMr。PeterHope，raisinghisvoice，butnothiseyes。
Thedooropened，andasmall，whiteface，outofwhichgleamedapairofbright，blackeyes，wasthrustsidewaysintotheroom。
"Comein！"repeatedMr。PeterHopeforthethirdtime。"Whoisit？"
Ahandnotoverclean，graspingagreasyclothcap，appearedbelowtheface。
"Notreadyyet，"saidMr。Hope。"Sitdownandwait。"
Thedooropenedwider，andthewholeofthefigureslidinand，closingthedoorbehindit，satitselfdownupontheextremeedgeofthechairnearest。
"Whichareyou——CentralNewsorCourier？"demandedMr。PeterHope，butwithoutlookingupfromhiswork。
Thebright，blackeyes，whichhadjustcommencedanexaminationoftheroombyacarefulscrutinyofthesmoke—grimedceiling，descendedandfixedthemselvesupontheoneclearlydefinedbaldpatchuponhisheadthat，hadhebeenawareofit，wouldhavetroubledMr。PeterHope。Butthefull，redlipsbeneaththeturned—upnoseremainedmotionless。
ThathehadreceivednoanswertohisquestionappearedtohaveescapedtheattentionofMr。PeterHope。Thethin，whitehandmovedsteadilytoandfroacrossthepaper。Threemoresheetswereaddedtothoseuponthefloor。ThenMr。PeterHopepushedbackhischairandturnedhisgazeforthefirsttimeuponhisvisitor。
ToPeterHope，hackjournalist，longfamiliarwiththegenusPrinter’sDevil，smallwhitefaces，tangledhair，dirtyhands，andgreasycapswerecommonobjectsintheneighbourhoodofthatburiedrivulet，theFleet。Butthiswasanewspecies。PeterHopesoughthisspectacles，foundthemaftersometroubleunderaheapofnewspapers，adjustedthemuponhishigh，archednose，leantforward，andlookedlongandupanddown。
"Godblessmysoul！"saidMr。PeterHope。"Whatisit？"
Thefigurerosetoitsfullheightoffivefootoneandcameforwardslowly。
Overatight—fittinggaribaldiofbluesilk，excessivelydecollete，itworewhatoncehadbeenaboy’spepper—and—saltjacket。A
worstedcomforterwoundroundtheneckstillleftawideexpanseofthroatshowingabovethegaribaldi。Belowthejacketfellalong，blackskirt，thetrainofwhichhadbeenloopedupaboutthewaistandfastenedwithacricket—belt。
"Whoareyou？Whatdoyouwant？"askedMr。PeterHope。
Foranswer，thefigure，passingthegreasycapintoitsotherhand，stoopeddownand，seizingthefrontofthelongskirt，begantohaulitup。
"Don’tdothat！"saidMr。PeterHope。"Isay，youknow，you——"
Butbythistimetheskirthadpracticallydisappeared，leavingtoviewapairofmuch—patchedtrousers，divingintotheright—handpocketofwhichthedirtyhanddrewforthafoldedpaper，which，havingopenedandsmoothedout，itlaiduponthedesk。
Mr。PeterHopepusheduphisspectaclestilltheyrestedonhiseyebrows，andreadaloud——"’SteakandKidneyPie，4d。;Do。（largesize），6d。;BoiledMutton——’"
"That’swhereI’vebeenforthelasttwoweeks，"saidthefigure，——
"Hammond’sEatingHouse！"
Thelistenernotedwithsurprisethatthevoice——thoughittoldhimasplainlyasifhehadrisenanddrawnasidetheredrepcurtains，thatoutsideinGoughSquaretheyellowfoglayliketheghostofadeadsea——betrayednoCockneyaccent，foundnodifficultywithitsaitches。
"YouaskforEmma。She’llsayagoodwordforme。Shetoldmeso。"
"But，mygood——"Mr。PeterHope，checkinghimself，soughtagaintheassistanceofhisglasses。Theglassesbeingunabletodecidethepoint，theirownerhadtoputthequestionbluntly：
"Areyouaboyoragirl？"
"Idunno。"
"Youdon’tknow！"
"What’sthedifference？"
Mr。PeterHopestoodup，andtakingthestrangefigurebytheshoulders，turneditroundslowlytwice，apparentlyundertheimpressionthattheprocessmightaffordtohimsomeclue。Butitdidnot。
"Whatisyourname？"
"Tommy。"
"Tommywhat？"
"Anythingyoulike。Idunno。I’vehadsomanyof’em。"
"Whatdoyouwant？Whathaveyoucomefor？"
"You’reMr。Hope，ain’tyou，secondfloor，16，GoughSquare？"
"Thatismyname。"
"Youwantsomebodytodoforyou？"
"Youmeanahousekeeper！"
"Didn’tsayanythingabouthousekeeper。Saidyouwantedsomebodytodoforyou——cookandcleantheplaceup。Heard’emtalkingaboutitintheshopthisafternoon。OldladyingreenbonnetwasaskingMotherHammondifsheknewofanyone。"
"Mrs。Postwhistle——yes，Ididaskhertolookoutforsomeoneforme。Why，doyouknowofanyone？Haveyoubeensentbyanybody？"
"Youdon’twantanythingtoo’laborateinthewayo’cooking？Youwasasimpleoldchap，sotheysaid;notmuchtrouble。"
"No——no。Idon’twantmuch——someonecleanandrespectable。Butwhycouldn’tshecomeherself？Whoisit？"
"Well，what’swrongaboutme？"
"Ibegyourpardon，"saidMr。PeterHope。
"Whywon’tIdo？Icanmakebedsandcleanrooms——allthatsorto’
thing。Asforcooking，I’vegotanaturalaptitudeforit。YouaskEmma;she’lltellyou。Youdon’twantnothing’laborate？"
"Elizabeth，"saidMr。PeterHope，ashecrossedand，takingupthepoker，proceededtostirthefire，"areweawakeorasleep？"
Elizabeththusappealedto，raisedherselfonherhindlegsanddugherclawsintohermaster’sthigh。Mr。Hope’strousersbeingthin，itwasthemostpracticalanswershecouldhavegivenhim。
"Donealotoflookingafterotherpeoplefortheirbenefit，"
continuedTommy。"Don’tseewhyIshouldn’tdoitformyown。"
"Mydear——IdowishIknewwhetheryouwereaboyoragirl。DoyouseriouslysuggestthatIshouldengageyouasmyhousekeeper？"
askedMr。PeterHope，nowuprightwithhisbacktothefire。
"I’ddoforyouallright，"persistedTommy。"Yougivememygrubandashake—downand，say，sixpenceaweek，andI’llgrumblelessthanmostof’em。"
"Don’tberidiculous，"saidMr。PeterHope。
"Youwon’ttryme？"
"Ofcoursenot;youmustbemad。"
"Allright。Noharmdone。"Thedirtyhandreachedouttowardsthedesk，andpossessingitselfagainofHammond’sBillofFare，commencedtheoperationsnecessaryforbearingitawayinsafety。
"Here’sashillingforyou，"saidMr。PeterHope。
"Rathernot，"saidTommy。"Thanksallthesame。"
"Nonsense！"saidMr。PeterHope。
"Rathernot，"repeatedTommy。"Neverknowwherethatsortofthingmayleadyouto。"
"Allright，"saidMr。PeterHope，replacingthecoininhispocket。
"Don’t！"
Thefiguremovedtowardsthedoor。
"Waitaminute。Waitaminute，"saidMr。PeterHopeirritably。
Thefigure，withitshanduponthedoor，stoodstill。
"AreyougoingbacktoHammond’s？"
"No。I’vefinishedthere。Onlytookmeonforacoupleo’weeks，whileoneofthegalswasill。Shecamebackthismorning。"
"Whoareyourpeople？"
Tommyseemedpuzzled。"Whatd’yemean？"
"Well，whomdoyoulivewith？"
"Nobody。"
"You’vegotnobodytolookafteryou——totakecareofyou？"
"Takecareofme！D’yethinkI’mabloomin’kid？"
"Thenwhereareyougoingtonow？"
"Going？Out。"
PeterHope’sirritationwasgrowing。
"Imean，whereareyougoingtosleep？Gotanymoneyforalodging？"
"Yes，I’vegotsomemoney，"answeredTommy。"ButIdon’tthinkmucho’lodgings。Notaparticularniceclassasyoumeetthere。
Ishallsleepoutto—night。’Tain’training。"
Elizabethutteredapiercingcry。
"Servesyouright！"growledPetersavagely。"Howcananyonehelptreadingonyouwhenyouwillgetjustbetweenone’slegs。Toldyouofitahundredtimes。"
ThetruthofthematterwasthatPeterwasbecomingveryangrywithhimself。Fornoreasonwhatever，ashetoldhimself，hismemorywouldpersistinwanderingtoIlfordCemetery，inacertaindesolatecornerofwhichlayafragilelittlewomanwhoselungshadbeenbutilladaptedtobreathingLondonfogs;with，onthetopofher，astillsmallerandstillmorefragilemiteofhumanitythat，incomplimenttoitsonlyrelativeworthapenny—piece，hadbeenchristenedThomas——anamecommonenoughinallconscience，asPeterhadremindedhimselfmorethanonce。Inthenameofcommonsense，whathaddeadandburiedTommyHopetodowiththisaffair？Thewholethingwastheveriestsentiment，andsentimentwasMr。PeterHope’sabomination。Hadhenotpennedarticlesinnumerablepointingoutitsbanefulinfluenceupontheage？Hadhenotalwayscondemnedit，whereverhehadcomeacrossitinplayorbook？NowandthenthesuspicionhadcrossedPeter’smindthat，inspiteofallthis，hewassomewhatofasentimentalisthimself——thingshadsuggestedthistohim。Thefearhadalwaysmadehimsavage。
"YouwaitheretillIcomeback，"hegrowled，seizingtheastonishedTommybytheworstedcomforterandspinningitintothecentreoftheroom。"Sitdown，anddon’tyoudaretomove。"AndPeterwentoutandslammedthedoorbehindhim。
"Bitoffhischump，ain’the？"remarkedTommytoElizabeth，asthesoundofPeter’sdescendingfootstepsdiedaway。PeoplehadawayofaddressingremarkstoElizabeth。Somethinginhermannerinvitedthis。
"Oh，well，it’sallintheday’swork，"commentedTommycheerfully，andsatdownasbid。
Fiveminutespassed，maybeten。ThenPeterreturned，accompaniedbyalarge，restfullady，towhomsurprise——onefeltitinstinctively——hadalwaysbeen，andalwayswouldremain，anunknownquantity。
Tommyrose。
"That’sthe——thearticle，"explainedPeter。
Mrs。Postwhistlecompressedherlipsandslightlytossedherhead。
Itwastheattitudeofnotill—naturedcontemptfromwhichsheregardedmosthumanaffairs。
"That’sright，"saidMrs。Postwhistle;"Irememberseeing’erthere——leastways，itwasan’errightenoughthen。What’aveyoudonewithyourclothes？"
"Theyweren’tmine，"explainedTommy。"TheywerethingswhatMrs。
Hammondhadlentme。"
"Isthatyourown？"askedMrs。Postwhistle，indicatingthebluesilkgaribaldi。
"Yes。"
"Whatwentwithit？"
"Tights。Theyweretoofargone。"
"WhatmadeyougiveupthetumblingbusinessandgotoMrs。
’Ammond’s？"
"Itgavemeup。Hurtmyself。"
"Whowereyouwithlast？"
"Martinitroupe。"
"Andbeforethat？"
"Oh！heapsof’em。"
"Nobodyevertoldyouwhetheryouwasaboyoragirl？"
"NobodyasI’dcaretobelieve。Someofthemcalledmetheone，someofthemtheother。Itdependeduponwhatwaswanted。"
"Howoldareyou？"
"Idunno。"
Mrs。PostwhistleturnedtoPeter，whowasjinglingkeys。
"Well，there’sthebedupstairs。It’sforyoutodecide。"
"WhatIdon’twanttodo，"explainedPeter，sinkinghisvoicetoaconfidentialwhisper，"istomakeafoolofmyself。"
"That’salwaysagoodrule，"agreedMrs。Postwhistle，"forthosetowhomit’spossible。"
"Anyhow，"saidPeter，"onenightcan’tdoanyharm。To—morrowwecanthinkwhat’stobedone。"
"To—morrow"hadalwaysbeenPeter’sluckyday。Atthemerementionofthemagicdatehisspiritsinvariablyrose。HenowturneduponTommyacountenancefromwhichallhesitationwasbanished。
"Verywell，Tommy，"saidMr。PeterHope，"youcansleephereto—
night。GowithMrs。Postwhistle，andshe’llshowyouyourroom。"
Theblackeyesshone。
"You’regoingtogivemeatrial？"
"We’lltalkaboutallthatto—morrow。"Theblackeyesclouded。
"Lookhere。Itellyoustraight，itain’tnogood。"
"Whatdoyoumean？Whatisn’tanygood？"demandedPeter。
"You’llwanttosendmetoprison。"
"Toprison！"
"Oh，yes。You’llcallitaschool，Iknow。Youain’tthefirstthat’striedthaton。Itwon’twork。"Thebright，blackeyeswereflashingpassionately。"Iain’tdoneanyharm。I’mwillingtowork。Icankeepmyself。Ialwayshave。What’sitgottodowithanybodyelse？"
Hadthebright，blackeyesretainedtheirexpressionofpassionatedefiance，PeterHopemighthaveretainedhiscommonsense。OnlyFatearrangedthatinsteadtheyshouldsuddenlyfillwithwildtears。AndatsightofthemPeter’scommonsensewentoutoftheroomdisgusted，andtherewasbornthehistoryofmanythings。
"Don’tbesilly，"saidPeter。"Youdidn’tunderstand。OfcourseI’mgoingtogiveyouatrial。You’regoingto’do’forme。I
merelymeantthatwe’dleavethedetailstillto—morrow。Come，housekeepersdon’tcry。"
Thelittlewetfacelookedup。
"Youmeanit？Honourbright？"
"Honourbright。Nowgoandwashyourself。Thenyoushallgetmemysupper。"
Theoddfigure，stillheavingfromitsparoxysmofsobs，stoodup。
"AndIhavemygrub，mylodging，andsixpenceaweek？"
"Yes，yes;Ithinkthat’safairarrangement，"agreedMr。PeterHope，considering。"Don’tyou，Mrs。Postwhistle？"
"Withafrock——orasuitoftrousers——thrownin，"suggestedMrs。
Postwhistle。"It’sgenerallydone。"
"Ifit’sthecustom，certainly，"agreedMr。PeterHope。"Sixpenceaweekandclothes。"
AndthistimeitwasPeterthat，incompanywithElizabeth，satwaitingthereturnofTommy。
"Iratherhope，"saidPeter，"it’saboy。Itwasthefogs，youknow。IfonlyIcouldhaveaffordedtosendhimaway！"
Elizabethlookedthoughtful。Thedooropened。
"Ah！that’sbetter，muchbetter，"saidMr。PeterHope。"’Ponmyword，youlookquiterespectable。"
BythepracticalMrs。Postwhistleaworkingagreement，benefitingbothparties，hadbeenarrivedatwiththelong—trainedskirt;
whileanampleshawlarrangedwithjudgmentdisguisedthenakednessthatlaybelow。Peter，afastidiousgentleman，observedwithsatisfactionthatthehands，nowclean，hadbeenwellcaredfor。
"Givemethatcap，"saidPeter。Hethrewitintheglowingfire。
Itburnedbrightly，diffusingstrangeodours。
"There’satravellingcapofminehangingupinthepassage。Youcanwearthatforthepresent。Takethishalf—sovereignandgetmesomecoldmeatandbeerforsupper。You’llfindeverythingelseyouwantinthatsideboardorelseinthekitchen。Don’taskmeahundredquestions，anddon’tmakeanoise，"andPeterwentbacktohiswork。
"Goodidea，thathalf—sovereign，"saidPeter。"Shan’tbebotheredwith’MasterTommy’anymore，don’texpect。Startinganurseryatourtimeoflife。Madness。"Peter’spenscratchedandspluttered。
Elizabethkeptaneyeuponthedoor。
"Quarterofanhour，"saidPeter，lookingathiswatch。"Toldyouso。"ThearticleonwhichPeterwasnowengagedappearedtobeofaworryingnature。
"Thenwhy，"saidPeter，"whydidherefusethatshilling？
Artfulness，"concludedPeter，"pureartfulness。Elizabeth，oldgirl，we’vegotoutofthisbusinesscheaply。Goodidea，thathalf—sovereign。"PetergaveventtoachucklethathadtheeffectofalarmingElizabeth。
ButluckevidentlywasnotwithPeterthatnight。
"Pingle’swassoldout，"explainedTommy，enteringwithparcels;
"hadtogotoBow’sinFarringdonStreet。"
"Oh！"saidPeter，withoutlookingup。
Tommypassedthroughintothelittlekitchenbehind。Peterwroteonrapidly，makingupforlosttime。
"Good！"murmuredPeter，smilingtohimself，"that’saneatphrase。
Thatoughttoirritatethem。"
Now，ashewrote，whilewithnoiselessfootstepsTommy，unseenbehindhim，movedtoandfroandinandoutthelittlekitchen，therecametoPeterHopethisverycuriousexperience：itfelttohimasifforalongtimehehadbeenill——soillasnoteventohavebeenawareofit——andthatnowhewasbeginningtobehimselfagain;consciousnessofthingsreturningtohim。Thissolidlyfurnished，long，oak—panelledroomwithitsairofold—worlddignityandrepose——thissober，kindlyroominwhichformorethanhalfhislifehehadlivedandworked——whyhadheforgottenit？Itcameforwardgreetinghimwithanamusedsmile，asofsomeoldfriendlongpartedfrom。Thefadedphotos，instiff，woodenframesuponthechimney—piece，amongthemthatofthefragilelittlewomanwiththeunadaptablelungs。
"Godblessmysoul！"saidMr。PeterHope，pushingbackhischair。
"It’sthirtyyearsago。Howtimedoesfly！Why，letmesee，I
mustbe——"
"D’youlikeitwithaheadonit？"demandedTommy，whohadbeenwaitingpatientlyforsigns。
Petershookhimselfawakeandwenttohissupper。
AbrightideaoccurredtoPeterinthenight。"Ofcourse;whydidn’tIthinkofitbefore？Settlethequestionatonce。"Peterfellintoaneasysleep。
"Tommy，"saidPeter，ashesathimselfdowntobreakfastthenextmorning。"By—the—by，"askedPeterwithapuzzledexpression，puttingdownhiscup，"whatisthis？"
"Cauffee，"informedhimTommy。"Yousaidcauffee。"
"Oh！"repliedPeter。"Forthefuture，Tommy，ifyoudon’tmind，I
willtaketeaofamorning。"
"Allthesametome，"explainedtheagreeableTommy，"it’syourbreakfast。"
"WhatIwasabouttosay，"continuedPeter，"wasthatyou’renotlookingverywell，Tommy。"
"I’mallright，"assertedTommy;"nevernothingthematterwithme。"
"Notthatyouknowof，perhaps;butonecanbeinaverybadway，Tommy，withoutbeingawareofit。IcannothaveanyoneaboutmethatIamnotsureisinthoroughlysoundhealth。"
"Ifyoumeanyou’vechangedyourmindandwanttogetridofme——"
beganTommy，withitschinintheair。
"Idon’twantanyofyouruppishness，"snappedPeter，whohadwoundhimselfupfortheoccasiontoadegreeofassertivenessthatsurprisedevenhimself。"Ifyouareathoroughlystrongandhealthyperson，asIthinkyouare，Ishallbeverygladtoretainyourservices。ButuponthatpointImustbesatisfied。Itisthecustom，"explainedPeter。"Itisalwaysdoneingoodfamilies。
Runroundtothisaddress"——Peterwroteituponaleafofhisnotebook——"andaskDr。Smithtocomeandseemebeforehebeginshisround。Yougoatonce，anddon’tletushaveanyargument。"
"Thatisthewaytotalktothatyoungperson——clearly，"saidPetertohimself，listeningtoTommy’sfootstepsdyingdownthestairs。
Hearingthestreet—doorslam，Peterstoleintothekitchenandbrewedhimselfacupofcoffee。
Dr。Smith，whohadcommencedlifeasHerrSchmidt，butwhoinconsequenceofdifferenceofopinionwithhisGovernmentwasnowanEnglishmanwithstrongToryprejudices，hadbutonesorrow：itwasthatstrangerswouldmistakehimforaforeigner。Hewasshortandstout，withbushyeyebrowsandagreymoustache，andlookedsofiercethatchildrencriedwhentheysawhim，untilhepattedthemontheheadandaddressedthemas"meinleedlefrent"inavoicesosoftandtenderthattheyhadtoleaveoffhowlingjusttowonderwhereitcamefrom。HeandPeter，whowasavehementRadical，hadbeencroniesformanyyears，andhadeachanindulgentcontemptfortheother’sunderstanding，temperedbyasincereaffectionforoneanothertheywouldhavefounditdifficulttoaccountfor。
"Whattinkyouisdematterwiddeleedlewench？"demandedDr。
Smith，Peterhavingopenedthecase。Peterglancedroundtheroom。
Thekitchendoorwasclosed。
"Howdoyouknowit’sawench？"
Theeyesbeneaththebushybrowsgrewrounder。"Ifidisnotawench，whydressit——"
"Haven’tdressedit，"interruptedPeter。"JustwhatI’mwaitingtodo——sosoonasIknow。"
AndPeterrecountedtheeventsoftheprecedingevening。
Tearsgatheredinthedoctor’ssmall，roundeyes。HisabsurdsentimentalismwasthequalityinhisfriendthatmostirritatedPeter。
"Poorleedlewaif！"murmuredthesoft—heartedoldgentleman。"IdwasdegoodProvidencedatguidedher——orhim，whicheveridbe。"
"Providencebehanged！"snarledPeter。"WhatwasmyProvidencedoing——landingmewithagutter—brattolookafter？"
"SolikeyouRadicals，"sneeredthedoctor，"todespiseafellowhumancreaturejustbecauseidmaynothavebeenborninburbleandfinelinen。"
"Ididn’tsendforyoutoarguepolitics，"retortedPeter，controllinghisindignationbyaneffort。"Iwantyoutotellmewhetherit’saboyoragirl，sothatImayknowwhattodowithit。"
"Whatmeanyoutodowidid？"inquiredthedoctor。
"Idon’tknow，"confessedPeter。"Ifit’saboy，asIratherthinkitis，maybeI’llbeabletofinditaplaceinoneoftheoffices—
—afterI’vetaughtitalittlecivilisation。"
"Andifidbeagirl？"
"Howcanitbeagirlwhenitwearstrousers？"demandedPeter。
"Whyanticipatedifficulties？"
Peter，alone，pacedtoandfrotheroom，hishandsbehindhisback，hisearonthealerttocatchtheslightestsoundfromabove。
"Idohopeitisaboy，"saidPeter，glancingup。
Peter’seyesrestedonthephotoofthefragilelittlewomangazingdownathimfromitsstiffframeuponthechimney—piece。Thirtyyearsago，inthissameroom，Peterhadpacedtoandfro，hishandsbehindhisback，hisearalerttocatchtheslightestsoundfromabove，hadsaidtohimselfthesamewords。
"It’sodd，"musedPeter——"veryoddindeed。"
Thedooropened。Thestoutdoctor，precededatalittledistancebyhiswatch—chain，enteredandclosedthedoorbehindhim。
"Averyhealthychild，"saidthedoctor，"asfineachildasanyonecouldwishtosee。Agirl。"
Thetwooldgentlemenlookedatoneanother。Elizabeth，possiblyrelievedinhermind，begantopurr。
"WhatamItodowithit？"demandedPeter。
"Averyawkwardbositionforyou，"agreedthesympatheticdoctor。
"Iwasafool！"declaredPeter。
"Youhafnooneheretolookafterdeleedlewenchwhenyouareaway，"pointedoutthethoughtfuldoctor。
"AndfromwhatI’veseenoftheimp，"addedPeter，"itwillwantsomelookingafter。"
"Itink——Itink，"saidthehelpfuldoctor，"Iseeawayout！"
"What？"
Thedoctorthrusthisfiercefaceforwardandtappedknowinglywithhisrightforefingertherightsideofhisroundnose。"Iwilltakechargeofdeleedlewench。"
"You？"
"Tomedecasewillnotpresentdesamedifficulties。Ihafahousekeeper。"
"Oh，yes，Mrs。Whateley。"
"Sheisagootwomanwhenyouknowher，"explainedthedoctor。
"Sheonlywantsmanaging。"
"Pooh！"ejaculatedPeter。
"Whydoyousaydat？"inquiredthedoctor。
"You！bringingupaheadstronggirl。Theidea！"
"Ishouldbekind，butfirm。"
"Youdon’tknowher。"
"Howlonghafyouknownher？"
"Anyhow，I’mnotasoft—heartedsentimentalistthatwouldjustruinthechild。"
"Girlsarenotboys，"persistedthedoctor;"deywantdifferenttreatment。"
"Well，I’mnotabrute！"snarledPeter。"Besides，supposesheturnsoutrubbish！Whatdoyouknowabouther？"
"Itakemychance，"agreedthegenerousdoctor。
"Itwouldn’tbefair，"retortedhonestPeter。
"Tinkitover，"saidthedoctor。"Aplaceisneverhomewidoutdeleedlefeet。WeEnglishmenlovedehome。Youaredifferent。Youhafnosentiment。"
"Icannothelpfeeling，"explainedPeter，"asenseofdutyinthismatter。Thechildcametome。Itisasifthisthinghadbeenlaiduponme。"
"Ifyoulookuponiddatway，Peter，"sighedthedoctor。
"Withsentiment，"wentonPeter，"Ihavenothingtodo;butduty——
dutyisquiteanotherthing。"Peter，feelinghimselfanancientRoman，thankedthedoctorandshookhandswithhim。
Tommy，summoned，appeared。
"Thedoctor，Tommy，"saidPeter，withoutlookingupfromhiswriting，"givesaverysatisfactoryaccountofyou。Soyoucanstop。"
"Toldyouso，"returnedTommy。"Mighthavesavedyourmoney。"
"Butweshallhavetofindyouanothername。"
"Whatfor？"
"Ifyouaretobeahousekeeper，youmustbeagirl。"
"Don’tlikegirls。"
"Can’tsayIthinkmuchofthemmyself，Tommy。Wemustmakethebestofit。Tobeginwith，wemustgetyouproperclothes。"
"Hateskirts。Theyhamperyou。"
"Tommy，"saidPeterseverely，"don’targue。"
"Pointingoutfactsain’targuing，"arguedTommy。"Theydohamperyou。Youtry’em。"
Theclotheswerequicklymade，andafterawhiletheycametofit;
butthenameprovedmoredifficultofadjustment。Asweet—faced，laughinglady，knowntofamebyatitlerespectableandorthodox，appearsanhonouredguestto—dayatmanyaliterarygathering。Buttheoldfellows，pressinground，stillcallher"Tommy。"
Theweek’strialcametoanend。Peter，whosedigestionwasdelicate，hadhadahappythought。
"WhatIpropose，Tommy——ImeanJane，"saidPeter，"isthatweshouldgetinawomantodojustthemerecooking。Thatwillgiveyoumoretimeto——toattendtootherthings，Tommy——Jane，Imean。"
"Whatotherthings？"chinintheair。
"The——thekeepingoftheroomsinorder，Tommy。The——thedusting。"
"Don’twanttwenty—fourhoursadaytodustfourrooms。"
"Thentherearemessages，Tommy。ItwouldbeagreatadvantagetometohavesomeoneIcouldsendonamessagewithoutfeelingIwasinterferingwiththehousework。"
"Whatareyoudrivingat？"demandedTommy。"Why，Idon’thavehalfenoughtodoasitis。Icandoall——"
Peterputhisfootdown。"WhenIsayathing，Imeanathing。Thesooneryouunderstandthat，thebetter。Howdareyouarguewithme！Fiddle—de—dee！"FortwopinsPeterwouldhaveemployedanexpletiveevenstronger，sodeterminedwashefeeling。
Tommywithoutanotherwordlefttheroom。PeterlookedatElizabethandwinked。
PoorPeter！Histriumphwasshort—lived。Fiveminuteslater，Tommyreturned，cladinthelong，blackskirt，supportedbythecricketbelt，thebluegaribaldicutdecollete，thepepper—and—saltjacket，theworstedcomforter，theredlipsverytightlypressed，thelonglashesovertheblackeyesmovingveryrapidly。
"Tommy"（severely），"whatisthistomfoolery？"
"Iunderstand。Iain’tnogoodtoyou。Thanksforgivingmeatrial。Myfault。"
"Tommy"（lessseverely），"don’tbeanidiot。"
"Ain’tanidiot。’TwasEmma。ToldmeIwasgoodatcooking。SaidI’dgotanaptitudeforit。Shemeantwell。"
"Tommy"（notraceofseverity），"sitdown。Emmawasquiteright。
Yourcookingis——ispromising。AsEmmaputsit，youhaveaptitude。
Your——perseverance，yourhopefulnessprovesit。"
"Thenwhyd’yewanttogetsomeoneelseintodoit？"
IfPetercouldhaveansweredtruthfully！IfPetercouldhavereplied：
"Mydear，Iamalonelyoldgentleman。Ididnotknowituntil——
untiltheotherday。NowIcannotforgetitagain。Wifeandchilddiedmanyyearsago。Iwaspoor，orImighthavesavedthem。Thatmademehard。Theclockofmylifestoodstill。Ihidawaythekey。Ididnotwanttothink。Youcrepttomeoutofthecruelfog，awakenedolddreams。Donotgoawayanymore"——perhapsTommy，inspiteofherfierceindependence，wouldhaveconsentedtobeuseful;andthusPetermighthavegainedhisendatlesscostofindigestion。Butthepenaltyforbeingananti—sentimentalististhatyoumustnottalklikethiseventoyourself。SoPeterhadtocastaboutforothermethods。
"Whyshouldn’tIkeeptwoservantsifIlike？"Itdidseemhardontheoldgentleman。
"What’sthesenseofpayingtwotodotheworkofone？Youwouldonlybekeepingmeonoutofcharity。"Theblackeyesflashed。"I
ain’tabeggar。"
"Andyoureallythink，Tommy——IshouldsayJane，youcanmanagethe——thewholeofit？Youwon’tmindbeingsentonamessage，perhapsintheverymiddleofyourcooking。ItwasthatIwasthinkingof，Tommy——somecookswould。"
"Yougoeasy，"advisedhimTommy，"tillIcomplainofhavingtoomuchtodo。"
Peterreturnedtohisdesk。Elizabethlookedup。ItseemedtoPeterthatElizabethwinked。
ThefortnightthatfollowedwasaperiodoftroubletoPeter，forTommy，hersuspicionshavingbeenaroused，wasscepticalof"business"demandingthatPetershoulddinewiththismanattheclub，lunchwiththiseditorattheCheshireCheese。Atoncethechinwouldgoupintotheair，theblackeyescloudthreateningly。
Peter，anunmarriedmanforthirtyyears，lackingexperience，wouldundercross—examinationcontradicthimself，becomeconfused，breakdownoveressentialpoints。
"Really，"grumbledPetertohimselfoneevening，sawingatamuttonchop，"reallythere’snootherwordforit——I’mhenpecked。"
Peterthatdayhadlookedforwardtoalittledinneratafavouriterestaurant，withhis"dearoldfriendBlenkinsopp，abitofagourmet，Tommy——thatmeansamanwholikeswhatyouwouldcallelaboratecooking！"——forgetfulatthemomentthathehadusedup"Blenkinsopp"threedaysbeforeforafarewellsupper，"Blenkinsopp"havingtosetoutthenextmorningforEgypt。Peterwasnotfacileatinvention。Namesinparticularhadalwaysbeenadifficultytohim。
"Ilikeaspiritofindependence，"continuedPetertohimself。
"Wishshehadn’tquitesomuchofit。Wonderwhereshegotitfrom。"
ThesituationwasbecomingmoreserioustoPeterthanhecaredtoadmit。Fordaybyday，inspiteofhertyrannies，TommywasgrowingmoreandmoreindispensabletoPeter。TommywasthefirstaudiencethatforthirtyyearshadlaughedatPeter’sjokes;TommywasthefirstpublicthatforthirtyyearshadbeenconvincedthatPeterwasthemostbrilliantjournalistinFleetStreet;TommywasthefirstanxietythatforthirtyyearshadrendereditneedfulthatPetereachnightshouldmountstealthilythecreakingstairs，stealwithshadedcandletoabedside。IfonlyTommywouldn’t"do"
forhim！Ifonlyshecouldbepersuadedto"do"somethingelse。
AnotherhappythoughtoccurredtoPeter。
"Tommy——ImeanJane，"saidPeter，"IknowwhatI’lldowithyou。"
"What’sthegamenow？"
"I’llmakeajournalistofyou。"
"Don’ttalkrot。"
"Itisn’trot。Besides，Iwon’thaveyouanswermelikethat。AsaDevil——thatmeans，Tommy，theunseenpersoninthebackgroundthathelpsajournalisttodohiswork——youwouldbeinvaluabletome。Itwouldpayme，Tommy——paymeveryhandsomely。Ishouldmakemoneyoutofyou。"
ThisappearedtobeanargumentthatTommyunderstood。Peter，withsecretdelight，noticedthatthechinretaineditsnormallevel。
"Ididhelpachaptosellpapers，once，"rememberedTommy;"hesaidIwasflyatit。"
"Itoldyouso，"exclaimedPetertriumphantly。"Themethodsaredifferent，buttheinstinctrequiredisthesame。Wewillgetawomanintorelieveyouofthehousework。"
Thechinshotupintotheair。
"Icoulddoitinmysparetime。"
"Yousee，Tommy，Ishouldwantyoutogoaboutwithme——tobealwayswithme。"
"Bettertrymefirst。Maybeyou’remakinganerror。"
Peterwaslearningthewisdomoftheserpent。
"Quiteright，Tommy。Wewillfirstseewhatyoucando。Perhaps，afterall，itmayturnoutthatyouarebetterasacook。"InhisheartPeterdoubtedthis。
Buttheseedhadfallenupongoodground。ItwasTommyherselfthatmanoeuvredherfirstessayinjournalism。AgreatmanhadcometoLondon——wasstayinginapartmentsespeciallypreparedforhiminSt。James’sPalace。SaideveryjournalistinLondontohimself："IfIcouldobtainaninterviewwiththisBigMan，whatabigthingitwouldbeforme！"Foraweekpast，Peterhadcarriedeverywhereaboutwithhimapaperheaded："InterviewofOurSpecialCorrespondentwithPrinceBlank，"questionsdownleft—handcolumn，verynarrow;spaceforanswersright—handside，verywide。
ButtheBigManwasexperienced。
"Iwonder，"saidPeter，spreadingtheneatlyfoldedpaperonthedeskbeforehim，"Iwonderiftherecanbeanywayofgettingathim——anydodgeortrick，anypieceoflowcunning，anyplausibleliethatIhaven’tthoughtof。"
"OldManMartin——calledhimselfMartini——wasjustsuchanother，"
commentedTommy。"Comepaytime，Saturdayafternoon，youjustcouldn’tgetathim——simplywasn’tanyway。Iwasabittoogoodforhimonce，though，"rememberedTommy，withatouchofprideinhervoice;"gothalfaquidoutofhimthattime。Itdidsurprisehim。"
"No，"communedPetertohimselfaloud，"Idon’thonestlythinktherecanbeanymethod，creditableordiscreditable，thatI
haven’ttried。"Peterflungtheone—sidedinterviewintothewastepaper—basket，andslippinghisnotebookintohispocket，departedtodrinkteawithaladynovelist，whosegreatdesire，asstatedinapostscripttoherinvitation，wastoavoidpublicity，ifpossible。
Tommy，assoonasPeter’sbackwasturned，fisheditoutagain。
AnhourlaterinthefogaroundSt。James’sPalacestoodanImp，cladinpatchedtrousersandapepper—and—saltjacketturnedupabouttheneck，gazingwithadmiringeyesuponthesentry。
"Now，then，youngseventeen—and—sixpencethesoot，"saidthesentry，"whatdoyouwant？"
"Makesyouabitanxious，don’tit，"suggestedtheImp，"havingabigpotlikehimtolookafter？"
"Doesgetabitonyermind，ifyerthinksaboutit，"agreedthesentry。
"Howdoyoufindhimtotalkto，like？"
"Well，"saidthesentry，bringinghisrightlegintoactionforthepurposeofrelievinghisleft，"ain’t’admuchtodowith’immyself，notperson’ly，asyet。Oh，’eain’tabadsortwhenyerknow’im。"
"That’shisshake—down，ain’tit？"askedtheImp，"wherethelightsare。"
"That’sit，"admittedsentry。"Youain’tanAnarchist？Tellmeifyouare。"
"I’llletyouknowifIfeelitcomingon，"theImpassuredhim。
Hadthesentrybeenamanofswiftandpenetratingobservation——
whichhewasn’t——hemighthaveaskedthequestioninmoreseriousatone。ForhewouldhaveremarkedthattheImp’sblackeyeswererestinglovinglyuponarain—water—pipe，givingtoaskilfulclimbereasyaccesstotheterraceunderneaththePrince’swindows。
"Iwouldliketoseehim，"saidtheImp。
"Friendo’yours？"askedthesentry。
"Well，notexactly，"admittedtheImp。"Butthere，youknow，everybody’stalkingabouthimdownourstreet。"
"Well，yer’ll’avetobequickaboutit，"saidthesentry。’E’soffto—night。"
Tommy’sfacefell。"Ithoughtitwasn’ttillFridaymorning。"
"Ah！"saidthesentry，"that’swhatthepaperssay，isit？"Thesentry’svoicetookunconsciouslytheaccentofthosefromwhomnosecretishid。"I’lltellyerwhatyercando，"continuedthesentry，enjoyinganunaccustomedsenseofimportance。Thesentryglancedleft，thenright。"’E’saslippingoffallby’imselfdowntoOsbornebythe6。40fromWaterloo。Nobodyknowsit——’cept，o’
course，justafewofus。That’s’iswayallover。’Ejust’ates—
—"
Afootstepsoundeddownthecorridor。Thesentrybecamestatuesque。
AtWaterloo，Tommyinspectedthe6。40train。Onlyonecompartmentindicatedpossibilities，anextralargeoneattheendofthecoachnexttheguard’svan。Itwaslabelled"Reserved，"andintheplaceoftheusualfittingswasfurnishedwithatableandfoureasy—
chairs。Havingnoticeditsposition，Tommytookawalkuptheplatformanddisappearedintothefog。
Twentyminuteslater，PrinceBlanksteppedhurriedlyacrosstheplatform，unnoticedsavebyhalfadozenobsequiousofficials，andenteredthecompartmentreservedforhim。Theobsequiousofficialsbowed。PrinceBlank，inmilitaryfashion，raisedhishand。The6。40steamedoutslowly。
PrinceBlank，whowasastoutgentleman，thoughhetriedtodisguisethefact，seldomfoundhimselfalone。Whenhedid，hegenerallyindulgedhimselfinalittlehealthyrelaxation。Withtwohours’runtoSouthamptonbeforehim，freefromallpossibilityofintrusion，PrinceBlankletloosethebuttonsofhispowerfullybuiltwaistcoat，restedhisbaldheadonthetopofhischair，stretchedhisgreatlegsacrossanother，andclosedhisterrible，smalleyes。
ForaninstantitseemedtoPrinceBlankthatadraughthadenteredintothecarriage。As，however，thesensationimmediatelypassedaway，hedidnottroubletowakeup。ThenthePrincedreamedthatsomebodywasinthecarriagewithhim——wassittingoppositetohim。
Thisbeinganannoyingsortofdream，thePrinceopenedhiseyesforthepurposeofdispellingit。Therewassomebodysittingoppositetohim——averygrimylittleperson，wipingbloodoffitsfaceandhandswithadingyhandkerchief。HadthePrincebeenamancapableofsurprise，hewouldhavebeensurprised。
"It’sallright，"assuredhimTommy。"Iain’theretodoanyharm。
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