’Tain’toftenIgetabitoffreshair。"
"Doingwell？"
"Thebusiness，"repliedHezekiah，"isgoingupbyleapsandbounds—
—leapsandbounds。But，ofcourse，allthatmeansharderworkforme。It’sfromsixinthemorningtilltwelveo’clockatnight。"
"There’snothingIknowof，"returnedSolomon，whowassomethingofapessimist，"that’sgivenawayfreegratisfornothingexceptmisfortune。"
"Keepingyourselfuptothemarkain’ttooeasy，"continuedHezekiah;"andwhenitcomestootherfolks！play’salltheythinkof。Talkreligiontothem——why，theylaughatyou！Whattheworld’scomingto，Idon’tknow。How’stheprintingbusinessdoing？"
"Theprintingbusiness，"respondedtheother，removinghispipeandspeakingsomewhatsadly，"theprintingbusinesslookslikebeingabigthing。Capital，ofcourse，iswhathampersme——or，rather，thewantofit。ButJanet，she’scareful;shedon’twastemuch，Janetdon’t。"
"Now，withAnne，"repliedHezekiah，"it’salltheotherway——
pleasure，gaiety，adayatRoshervilleortheCrystalPalace——
anythingtowastemoney。"
"Ah！shewasalwaysfondofherbitoffun，"rememberedSolomon。
"Fun！"retortedHezekiah。"Ilikeabitoffunmyself。Butnotifyou’vegottopayforit。Where’sthefuninthat？"
"WhatIaskmyselfsometimes，"saidSolomon，lookingstraightinfrontofhim，"iswhatdowedoitfor？"
"Whatdowedowhatfor？"
"Worklikeblessedslaves，deprivingourselvesofallenjoyments。
What’sthesenseofit？What——"
AvoicefromtheperambulatorbesidehimbrokethethreadofSolomonAppleyard’sdiscourse。ThesolesurvivingsonofHezekiahGrindley，seekingdistractionandfindingnone，hadcreptbackunperceived。Aperambulator！Athinghisexperiencetoldhimoutofwhichexcitementinsomeformoranothercouldgenerallybeobtained。Youworrieditandtookyourchance。Eitherithowled，inwhichcaseyouhadtorunforyourlife，followed——and，unfortunately，overtakenninetimesoutoften——byawhirlwindofvengeance;oritgurgled：inwhichcasetheheavenssmiledandhalosdescendedonyourhead。Ineithereventyouescapedthedeadlyennuithatistheresultofcontinuousvirtue。MasterGrindley，hisstarhavingpointedouttohimapeacock’sfeatherlyingontheground，had，withoneeyeuponhisunobservantparent，removedthecomplicatedcoveringsshelteringMissHelvetiaAppleyardfromtheworld，andanticipatingbyaquarterofacenturytheprimeenjoymentofBritishyouth，hadsettoworktoticklethatladyonthenose。MissHelvetiaAppleyardawakened，didpreciselywhatthetickledBritishmaidenofto—daymaybereliedupontodoundercorrespondingcircumstances：shefirstofalltookswiftandcomprehensivesurveyofthemalethingbehindthefeather。Hadhebeendispleasinginhereyes，shewould，onemayrelyuponit，haveantecededthebehaviourinsimilarcaseofherdescendantofto—day——thatistosay，haveexpressedresentmentinnouncertainterms。MasterNathanielGrindleyproving，however，tohertaste，thatwhichmighthavebeenconsideredimpertinencebecameacceptedasafitandproperformofintroduction。MissAppleyardsmiledgraciously——nay，further，intimateddesireformore。
"Thatyouronlyone？"askedthepaternalGrindley。
"She’stheonlyone，"repliedSolomon，speakingintoneslesspessimistic。
MissAppleyardhadwiththehelpofGrindleyjuniorwriggledherselfintoasittingposture。Grindleyjuniorcontinuedhisattentions，theladyindicatingbysignsthevariouspointsatwhichshewasmostsusceptible。
"Prettypicturetheymaketogether，eh？"suggestedHezekiahinawhispertohisfriend。
"Neversawhertaketoanyonelikethatbefore，"returnedSolomon，likewiseinawhisper。
Aneighbouringchurchclockchimedtwelve。SolomonAppleyard，knockingtheashesfromhispipe，arose。
"Don’tknowanyreasonmyselfwhyweshouldn’tseealittlemoreofoneanotherthanwedo，"suggestedGrindleysenior，shakinghands。
"Giveusalook—uponeSundayafternoon，"suggestedSolomon。
"Bringtheyoungsterwithyou。"
SolomonAppleyardandHezekiahGrindleyhadstartedlifewithinafewmonthsofoneanothersomefive—and—thirtyyearsbefore。
Likewisewithinafewhundredyardsofoneanother，Solomonathisfather’sbooksellingandprintingestablishmentontheeastsideoftheHighStreetofasmallYorkshiretown;Hezekiahathisfather’sgroceryshopuponthewestside，opposite。Bothhadmarriedfarmers’daughters。Solomon’snaturalbenttowardsgaietyFatehadcorrectedbydirectinghisaffectionstoapartnerinstinctwithYorkshireshrewdness;andwithshrewdnessgootherqualitiesthatmakeforsuccessratherthanforhappiness。Hezekiah，hadcircumstancesbeenequal，mighthavebeenhisfriend’srivalforJanet’scapableandsavinghand，hadnotsweet—tempered，laughingAnnieGlossop——directedbyProvidencetohermoralwelfare，onemustpresume——falleninlovewithhim。BetweenJane’svirtuesandAnnie’sthreehundredgoldensovereignsHezekiahhadnothesitatedamoment。Goldensovereignsweresolidfacts;wifelyvirtues，byaserious—mindedandstrong—willedhusband，couldbeinstilled——atallevents，light—heartednesssuppressed。Thetwomen，Hezekiahurgedbyhisownambition，Solomonbyhiswife’s，hadarrivedinLondonwithinayearofoneanother：Hezekiahtoopenagrocer’sshopinKensington，whichthosewhoshouldhaveknownassuredhimwasahopelessneighbourhood。ButHezekiahhadtheinstinctofthemoney—maker。Solomon，afterlookingabouthim，hadfixedupontheroomy，substantialhouseinNevill’sCourtasapromisingfoundationforaprinter’sbusiness。
Thatwastenyearsago。Thetwofriends，scorningdelights，livinglaboriousdays，hadseenbutlittleofoneanother。Light—heartedAnniehadbornetoherdourpartnertwochildrenwhohaddied。
NathanielGeorge，withthelucksupposedtowaitonnumberthree，hadlivedon，and，inheritingfortunatelythetemperamentofhismother，hadbroughtsunshineintothegloomyroomsabovetheshopinHighStreet，Kensington。Mrs。Grindley，grownweakandfretful，hadrestedfromherlabours。
Mrs。Appleyard’sguardianangel，prudentlikehisprotege，hadwaitedtillSolomon’sbusinesswaswellestablishedbeforedespatchingthestorktoNevill’sCourt，withalittlegirl。Laterhadsentaboy，who，notfindingthecloseairofSt。Dunstantohisliking，hadfoundhiswaybackagain;thuspassingoutofthisstoryandallothers。AndthereremainedtocarryonthelegendoftheGrindleysandtheAppleyardsonlyNathanielGeorge，nowagedfive，andJanetHelvetia，quiteabeginner，whotookliftseriously。
Therearenosuchthingsasfacts。Narrow—mindedfolk——surveyors，auctioneers，andsuchlike——wouldhaveinsistedthatthegardenbetweentheoldGeorgianhouseandNevill’sCourtwasastripoflandonehundredandeighteenfeetbyninety—two，containingalaburnumtree，sixlaurelbushes，andadwarfdeodora。ToNathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiaitwasthelandofThule，"thefurthestboundariesofwhichnomanhasreached。"OnrainySundayafternoonstheyplayedinthegreat，gloomypressroom，wheresilentogres，standingmotionless，stretchedoutironarmstoseizethemastheyran。ThenjustwhenNathanielGeorgewaseight，andJanetHelvetiafourandahalf，Hezekiahlaunchedthecelebrated"Grindley’sSauce。"Itaddedarelishtochopsandsteaks，transformedcoldmuttonintoaluxury，andswelledtheheadofHezekiahGrindley——whichwasbigenoughinallconscienceasitwas——andshrivelleduphislittlehardheart。TheGrindleysandtheAppleyardsvisitednomore。Asasensiblefellowoughttohaveseenforhimself，sothoughtHezekiah，theSaucehadalteredallthings。Thepossibilityofamarriagebetweentheirchildren，thingshavingremainedequal，mighthavebeenaprettyfancy;butthesonofthegreatGrindley，whosenameinthree—footlettersfacedtheworldfromeveryhoarding，wouldhavetolookhigherthanaprinter’sdaughter。Solomon，asuddenandvehementconverttotheprinciplesofmediaevalfeudalism，wouldratherseehisonlychild，granddaughteroftheauthorofTheHistoryofKettlewellandotherworks，deadandburiedthanmarriedtoagrocer’sson，eventhoughhemightinheritafortunemadeoutofpoisoningthepublicwithamixtureofmustardandsourbeer。ItwasmanyyearsbeforeNathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiametoneanotheragain，andwhentheydidtheyhadforgottenoneanother，HezekiahS。Grindley，ashort，stout，andpompousgentleman，satunderapalminthegorgeouslyfurnisheddrawing—roomofhisbighouseatNottingHill。Mrs。Grindley，athin，fadedwoman，thedespairofherdressmaker，satasneartothefireasitsmassiveandimposingcopperoutworkswouldpermit，andshivered。Grindleyjunior，afair—haired，well—shapedyouth，witheyesthattheothersexfoundattractive，leantwithhishandsinhispocketsagainstascrupulouslyrobedstatueofDiana，andappeareduncomfortable。
"I’mmakingthemoney——makingithandoverfist。Allyou’llhavetodowillbetospendit，"Grindleyseniorwasexplainingtohissonandheir。
"I’lldothatallright，dad。"
"I’mnotsosureofit，"washisfather’sopinion。"You’vegottoproveyourselfworthytospendit。Don’tyouthinkIshallbecontenttohaveslavedalltheseyearsmerelytoprovideabrainlessyoungidiotwiththemeansofself—indulgence。Ileavemymoneytosomebodyworthyofme。Understand，sir？——somebodyworthyofme。"
Mrs。Grindleycommencedasentence;Mr。Grindleyturnedhissmalleyesuponher。Thesentenceremainedunfinished。
"Youwereabouttosaysomething，"herhusbandremindedher。
Mrs。Grindleysaiditwasnothing。
"Ifitisanythingworthhearing——ifitisanythingthatwillassistthediscussion，let’shaveit。"Mr。Grindleywaited。"Ifnot，ifyouyourselfdonotconsideritworthfinishing，whyhavebegunit？"
Mr。Grindleyreturnedtohissonandheir。"Youhaven’tdonetoowellatschool——infact，yourschoolcareerhasdisappointedme。"
"IknowI’mnotclever，"Grindleyjuniorofferedasanexcuse。
"Whynot？Whyaren’tyouclever？"
Hissonandheirwasunabletoexplain。
"Youaremyson——whyaren’tyouclever？It’slaziness，sir;sheerlaziness！"
"I’lltryanddobetteratOxford，sir——honourbrightIwill！"
"Youhadbetter，"advisedhimhisfather;"becauseIwarnyou，yourwholefuturedependsuponit。Youknowme。You’vegottobeacredittome，tobeworthyofthenameofGrindley——orthename，myboy，isallyou’llhave。"
OldGrindleymeantit，andhissonknewthathemeantit。TheoldPuritanprinciplesandinstinctswerestrongintheoldgentleman——
formed，perhaps，thebetterpartofhim。Idlenesswasanabominationtohim;devotiontopleasure，otherthanthepleasureofmoney—making，agrievoussininhiseyes。GrindleyjuniorfullyintendedtodowellatOxford，andmighthavesucceeded。Inaccusinghimselfoflackofcleverness，hedidhimselfaninjustice。Hehadbrains，hehadenergy，hehadcharacter。Ourvirtuescanbeourstumbling—blocksaswellasourvices。YoungGrindleyhadoneadmirablevirtuethatneeds，aboveallothers，carefulcontrolling：hewasamiabilityitself。Beforethecharmandsweetnessofit，Oxfordsnobbishnesswentdown。TheSauce，againsttheearnestcounselofitsownadvertisement，wasforgotten;thepicklespassedby。ToescapethenaturalresultofhispopularitywouldhaveneededastrongerwillthanyoungGrindleypossessed。ForatimethetruestateofaffairswashiddenfromtheeyeofGrindleysenior。To"slack"itthisterm，withthefulldeterminationof"swotting"itthenext，isalwayseasy;thedifficultybeginningonlywiththenewterm。PossiblywithluckyoungGrindleymighthaveretrievedhispositionandcoveredupthetracesofhisfolly，butforanunfortunateaccident。Returningtocollegewithsomeotherchoicespiritsattwoo’clockinthemorning，itoccurredtoyoungGrindleythattroublemightbesavedallroundbycuttingoutapaneofglasswithadiamondringandenteringhisrooms，whichwereontheground—floor，bythewindow。That，inmistakeforhisown，heshouldhaveselectedthebedroomoftheCollegeRectorwasamisfortunethatmighthaveoccurredtoanyonewhohadcommencedtheeveningonchampagneandfinisheditonwhisky。YoungGrindley，havingbeenwarnedalreadytwicebefore，was"sentdown。"Andthen，ofcourse，thewholehistoryofthethreewastedyearscameout。OldGrindleyinhisstudychairhavingtalkedforhalfanhouratthetopofhisvoice，chose，partlybyreasonofphysicalnecessity，partlybyreasonofdormantdramaticinstinct，tospeakquietlyandslowly。
"I’llgiveyouonechancemore，myboy，andoneonly。I’vetriedyouasagentleman——perhapsthatwasmymistake。NowI’lltryyouasagrocer。"
"Asawhat？"
"Asagrocer，sir——g—r—o—c—e—r——grocer，amanwhostandsbehindacounterinawhiteapronandhisshirt—sleeves;whosellsteaandsugarandcandiedpeelandsuch—likethingstocustomers——oldladies，littlegirls;whorisesatsixinthemorning，takesdowntheshutters，sweepsouttheshop，cleansthewindows;whohashalfanhourforhisdinnerofcornedbeefandbread;whoputsuptheshuttersatteno’clockatnight，tidiesuptheshop，hashissupper，andgoestobed，feelinghisdayhasnotbeenwasted。I
meanttospareyou。Iwaswrong。YoushallgothroughthemillasIwentthroughit。Ifattheendoftwoyearsyou’vedonewellwithyourtime，learnedsomething——learnedtobeaman，atallevents——youcancometomeandthankme。"
"I’mafraid，sir，"suggestedGrindleyjunior，whosehandsomefaceduringthelastfewminuteshadgrownverywhite，"Imightnotmakeaverysatisfactorygrocer。Yousee，sir，I’vehadnoexperience。"
"Iamgladyouhavesomesense，"returnedhisfatherdrily。"Youarequiteright。Evenagrocer’sbusinessrequireslearning。Itwillcostmealittlemoney;butitwillbethelastIshalleverspenduponyou。Forthefirstyearyouwillhavetobeapprenticed，andIshallallowyousomethingtoliveon。ItshallbemorethanIhadatyourage——we’llsayapoundaweek。AfterthatIshallexpectyoutokeepyourself。"
Grindleyseniorrose。"Youneednotgivemeyouranswertilltheevening。Youareofage。Ihavenocontroloveryouunlessyouarewillingtoagree。Youcangomyway，oryoucangoyourown。"
YoungGrindley，whohadinheritedagooddealofhisfather’sgrit，feltverymuchinclinedtogohisown;but，hamperedontheotherhandbythesweetnessofdispositionhehadinheritedfromhismother，wasunabletowithstandtheargumentofthatlady’stears，sothateveningacceptedoldGrindley’sterms，askingonlyasafavourthatthesceneofhisprobationmightbeinsomeout—of—the—
wayneighbourhoodwheretherewouldbelittlechanceofhisbeingmetbyoldfriends。
"Ihavethoughtofallthat，"answeredhisfather。"Myobjectisn’ttohumiliateyoumorethanisnecessaryforyourgood。TheshopIhavealreadyselected，ontheassumptionthatyouwouldsubmit，isasquietandout—of—the—wayasyoucouldwish。ItisinaturningoffFetterLane，whereyou’llseefewotherpeoplethanprintersandcaretakers。You’lllodgewithawoman，aMrs。
Postwhistle，whoseemsaverysensibleperson。She’llboardyouandlodgeyou，andeverySaturdayyou’llreceiveapost—officeorderforsixshillings，outofwhichyou’llfindyourselfinclothes。Youcantakewithyousufficienttolastyouforthefirstsixmonths，butnomore。Attheendoftheyearyoucanchangeifyoulikeandgotoanothershop，ormakeyourownarrangementswithMrs。Postwhistle。Ifallissettled，yougothereto—morrow。Yougooutofthishouseto—morrowinanyevent。"
Mrs。Postwhistlewasalarge，placidladyofphilosophictemperament。Hithertothelittlegrocer’sshopinRollsCourt，FetterLane，hadbeeneasyofmanagementbyherownunaidedefforts;buttheneighbourhoodwasrapidlychanging。Othergrocers’shopsweredisappearingonebyone，makingwayforhugeblocksofbuildings，wherehundredsofironpresses，singingdayandnight，spreadtotheearththesongoftheMightyPen。Therewerehourswhenthelittleshopcouldhardlyaccommodateitscrowdofcustomers。Mrs。Postwhistle，ofabulknottobemovedquickly，had，aftermatureconsideration，conqueringanaturaldisinclinationtochange，decidedtoseekassistance。
YoungGrindley，alightingfromafour—wheeledcabinFetterLane，marchedupthecourt，followedbyaweak—kneedwastrelstaggeringundertheweightofasmallbox。Inthedoorwayofthelittleshop，youngGrindleypausedandraisedhishat。
"Mrs。Postwhistle？"
Thelady，fromherchairbehindthecounter，roseslowly。
"IamMr。NathanielGrindley，thenewassistant。"
Theweak—kneedwastrelletfalltheboxwithathuduponthefloor。
Mrs。Postwhistlelookedhernewassistantupanddown。
"Oh！"saidMrs。Postwhistle。"Well，Ishouldn’t’avefeltinstinctivelyitmustbeyou，notifI’d’adtopickyououtofacrowd。Butifyoutellmeso，why，Isupposeyouare。Comein。"
Theweak—kneedwastrel，receivingtohisastonishmentashilling，departed。
Grindleyseniorhadselectedwisely。Mrs。Postwhistle’stheorywasthatalthoughveryfewpeopleinthisworldunderstoodtheirownbusiness，theyunderstooditbetterthananyoneelsecouldunderstanditforthem。Ifhandsome，well—educatedyounggentlemen，whogaveshillingstowastrels，felttheywantedtobecomesmartandcapablegrocers’assistants，thatwastheiraffair。Herbusinesswastoteachthemtheirwork，and，forherownsake，toseethattheydidit。Amonthwentby。Mrs。
Postwhistlefoundhernewassistanthard—working，willing，somewhatclumsy，butwithasmileandalaughthattransformedmistakes，forwhichanotherwouldhavebeensoundlyrated，intowelcomevariationsoftheday’smonotony。
"Ifyouwerethesortofwomanthatcaredtomakeyourfortune，"
saidoneWilliamClodd，anoldfriendofMrs。Postwhistle’s，youngGrindleyhavingdescendedintothecellartogrindcoffee，"I’dtellyouwhattodo。Takeabun—shopsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofagirls’school，andputthatassistantofyoursinthewindow。You’ddoaroaringbusiness。"
"There’samysteryabout’im，"saidMrs。Postwhistle。
"Knowwhatitis？"
"IfIknewwhatitwas，Ishouldn’tbecallingitamystery，"
repliedMrs。Postwhistle，whowasastylistinherway。
"Howdidyougethim？Winhiminaraffle？"
"Jones，theagent，sent’imtomeallina’urry。AnassistantiswhatIreallywanted，notanapprentice;butthepremiumwasgood，andthereferenceseverythingonecoulddesire。"
"Grindley，Grindley，"murmuredClodd。"AnyrelationtotheSauce，Iwonder？"
"Abitmorewholesome，Ishouldsay，fromthelookofhim，"thoughtMrs。Postwhistle。
Thequestionofapostofficetomeetitsgrowingneedhadlongbeenunderdiscussionbytheneighbourhood。Mrs。Postwhistlewasapproacheduponthesubject。Grindleyjunior，eagerforanythingthatmightbringvarietyintohisnew，crampedexistence，undertooktoqualifyhimself。
Withintwomonthsthearrangementswerecomplete。Grindleyjuniordividedhistimebetweendispensinggroceriesanddespatchingtelegramsandletters，andwasgratefulforthechange。
Grindleyjunior’smindwasfixeduponthefashioningofacornucopiatoreceiveaquarterofapoundofmoist。Thecustomer，anextremelyyounglady，wasseekingtohastenhisoperationsbytappingincessantlywithapennyonthecounter。Itdidnothurryhim;itonlyworriedhim。Grindleyjuniorhadnotacquiredfacilityinthefashioningofcornucopias——thevertexwouldinvariablybecomeunrolledatthelastmoment，allowingthecontentstodribbleoutontothefloororcounter。Grindleyjuniorwassweet—temperedasarule，butwhenengageduponthefashioningofacornucopia，wasirritable。
"Hurryup，oldman！"urgedtheextremelyyounglady。"I’vegotanotherappointmentinlessthanhalfanhour。"
"Oh，damnthething！"saidGrindleyjunior，asthepaperforthefourthtimerevertedtoitsoriginalshape。
Anolderlady，standingbehindtheextremelyyoungladyandholdingatelegram—forminherhand，lookedindignant。
"Temper，temper，"remarkedtheextremelyyoungladyinreprovingtone。
Thefifthtimewasmoresuccessful。Theextremelyyoungladywentout，commentinguponthewasteoftimealwaysresultingwhenboyswereemployedtodotheworkofmen。Theolderlady，ahaughtyperson，handedacrosshertelegramwiththerequestthatitshouldbesentoffatonce。
Grindleyjuniortookhispencilfromhispocketandcommencedtocount。
"Digniori，notdigniorus，"commentedGrindleyjunior，correctingtheword，"daturdigniori，dativesingular。"Grindleyjunior，stillirritablefromthestrugglewiththecornucopia，spokesharply。
Thehaughtyladywithdrewhereyesfromaspotsometenmilesbeyondthebackoftheshop，wherehithertotheyhadbeenresting，andfixedthemforthefirsttimeuponGrindleyjunior。
"Thankyou，"saidthehaughtylady。
Grindleyjuniorlookedupandimmediately，tohisannoyance，feltthathewasblushing。Grindleyjuniorblushedeasily——itannoyedhimverymuch。
Thehaughtyyoungladyalsoblushed。Shedidnotoftenblush;whenshedid，shefeltangrywithherself。
"Ashillingandapenny，"demandedGrindleyjunior。
Thehaughtyyoungladycountedoutthemoneyanddeparted。
Grindleyjunior，peepingfrombehindatinofAbernethybiscuits，noticedthatasshepassedthewindowsheturnedandlookedback。
Shewasaverypretty，haughtylady。Grindleyjuniorratheradmireddark，levelbrowsandfinelycut，tremulouslips，especiallywhencombinedwithamassofsoft，brownhair，andaricholivecomplexionthatflushedandpaledasonelookedatit。
"Mightsendthattelegramoffifyou’venothingelsetodo，andthere’snoparticularreasonforkeepingitback，"suggestedMrs。
Postwhistle。
"It’sonlyjustbeenhandedin，"explainedGrindleyjunior，somewhathurt。
"You’vebeenlookingatitforthelastfiveminutesbytheclock，"
saidMrs。Postwhistle。
Grindleyjuniorsatdowntothemachine。ThenameandaddressofthesenderwasHelvetiaAppleyard，Nevill’sCourt。
Threedayspassed——singularlyemptydaystheyappearedtoGrindleyjunior。Onthefourth，HelvetiaAppleyardhadoccasiontodespatchanothertelegram——thistimeentirelyinEnglish。
"One—and—fourpence，"sighedGrindleyjunior。
MissAppleyarddrewforthherpurse。Theshopwasempty。
"HowdidyoucometoknowLatin？"inquiredMissAppleyardinquiteacasualtone。
"Ipickedupalittleatschool。ItwasaphraseIhappenedtoremember，"confessedGrindleyjunior，wonderingwhyheshouldbefeelingashamedofhimself。
"Iamalwayssorry，"saidMissAppleyard，"whenIseeanyonecontentwiththelowerlifewhosetalentsmight，perhaps，fithimforthehigher。"SomethingaboutthetoneandmannerofMissAppleyardremindedGrindleyjuniorofhisformerRector。Eachseemedtohavearrivedbydifferentroadsatthesamephilosophicalaloofnessfromtheworld，temperedbychastenedinterestinhumanphenomena。"Wouldyouliketotrytoraiseyourself——toimproveyourself——toeducateyourself？"
Anunseenlittlerogue，whowasenjoyinghimselfimmensely，whisperedtoGrindleyjuniortosaynothingbut"Yes，"heshould。
"Willyouletmehelpyou？"askedMissAppleyard。AndthesimpleandheartfeltgratitudewithwhichGrindleyjuniorclosedupontheofferprovedtoMissAppleyardhowtrueitisthattodogoodtoothersisthehighestjoy。
MissAppleyardhadcomepreparedforpossibleacceptance。"Youhadbetterbeginwiththis，"thoughtMissAppleyard。"Ihavemarkedthepassagesthatyoushouldlearnbyheart。Makeanoteofanythingyoudonotunderstand，andIwillexplainittoyouwhen——
whennextIhappentobepassing。"
Grindleyjuniortookthebook——Bell’sIntroductiontotheStudyoftheClassics，forUseofBeginners——andhelditbetweenbothhands。
Itspricewasninepence，butGrindleyjuniorappearedtoregarditasavolumeofgreatvalue。
"Itwillbehardworkatfirst，"MissAppleyardwarnedhim;"butyoumustpersevere。Ihavetakenaninterestinyou;youmusttrynottodisappointme。"
AndMissAppleyard，feelingallthesensationsofaHypatia，departed，takinglightwithherandforgettingtopayforthetelegram。MissAppleyardbelongedtotheclassthatyoungladieswhopridethemselvesonbeingtiresomelyignorantandfoolishsneeratas"blue—stockings";thatistosay，possessingbrains，shehadfeltthenecessityofusingthem。SolomonAppleyard，widower，asensibleoldgentleman，prosperingintheprintingbusiness，andseeingnonecessityforawomanregardingherselfasnothingbutadoll，asomewhatuninterestingplaythingthenewnessoncewornoff，thankfullyencouragedher。MissAppleyardhadreturnedfromGirtonwiseinmanythings，butnotinknowledgeoftheworld，whichknowledge，tooearlyacquired，doesnotalwaysmakeforgoodinyoungmanorwoman。Aseriouslittlevirgin，MissAppleyard’sambitionwastohelpthehumanrace。Whatmoreusefulworkcouldhavecometoherhandthantheraisingofthispoorbutintelligentyounggrocer’sassistantuntotheknowledgeandtheloveofhigherthings。ThatGrindleyjuniorhappenedtobeanexceedinglygood—
lookingandcharmingyounggrocer’sassistanthadnothingtodowiththematter，soMissAppleyardwouldhaveinformedyou。Inherownreasoningshewasconvincedthatherinterestinhimwouldhavebeenthesamehadhebeentheleastattractiveofhissex。Thattherecouldbedangerinsuchrelationshipneveroccurredtoher。
MissAppleyard，aconvincedRadical，couldnotconceivethepossibilityofagrocer’sassistantregardingthedaughterofawell—to—doprinterinanyotherlightthanthatofagraciouslycondescendingpatron。Thattherecouldbedangertoherself！youwouldhavebeensorryyouhadsuggestedtheidea。Theexpressionofloftyscornwouldhavemadeyoufeelyourselfcontemptible。
MissAppleyard’sjudgmentofmankindwasjustified;nomorepromisingpupilcouldhavebeenselected。ItwasreallymarvelloustheprogressmadebyGrindleyjunior，underthetutelageofHelvetiaAppleyard。Hisearnestness，hisenthusiasm，itquitetouchedtheheartofHelvetiaAppleyard。Thereweremanypoints，itistrue，thatpuzzledGrindleyjunior。Eachtimethelistofthemgrewlonger。ButwhenHelvetiaAppleyardexplainedthem，allbecameclear。Shemarvelledherselfatherownwisdom，thatinamomentmadedarknessluminoustothisyoungman;hisraptattentionwhileshetalked，itwasmostencouraging。Theboymustsurelybeagenius。Tothinkthatbutforherintuitionhemighthaveremainedwastedinagrocer’sshop！Torescuesuchagemfromoblivion，topolishit，wassurelythedutyofaconscientiousHypatia。Twovisits——threevisitsaweektothelittleshopinRollsCourtwerequiteinadequate，somanypassagestherewererequiringelucidation。Londoninearlymorningbecametheirclassroom：thegreat，wide，empty，silentstreets;themist—
curtainedparks，thesilencebrokenonlybytheblackbirds’amorouswhistle，thethrushes’invitationtodelight;theoldgardens，hiddenbehindnarrowways。NathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiawouldrestuponaseat，nolivingcreaturewithinsight，saveperhapsapassingpolicemanorsomedissipatedcat。JanetHelvetiawouldexpound。NathanielGeorge，hisfineeyesfixedonhers，seemednevertotireofdrinkinginherwisdom。
ThereweretimeswhenJanetHelvetia，toreassureherselfastothemaidenlycorrectnessofherbehaviour，hadtorecallquiteforciblythefactthatshewasthedaughterofSolomonAppleyard，ownerofthebigprintingestablishment;andheasimplegrocer。Oneday，raisedalittleinthesocialscale，thankstoher，NathanielGeorgewouldmarrysomeoneinhisownrankoflife。ReflectinguponthefutureofNathanielGeorge，JanetHelvetiacouldnotescapeashadeofsadness。ItwasdifficulttoimaginepreciselythewifeshewouldhavechosenforNathanielGeorge。Shehopedhewoulddonothingfoolish。Risingyoungmensooftenmarrywivesthathamperratherthanhelpthem。
OneSundaymorninginlateautumn，theywalkedandtalkedintheshadygardenofLincoln’sInn。Greektheythoughtitwastheyhadbeentalking;asamatteroffact，amucholderlanguage。Ayounggardenerwaswateringflowers，andastheypassedhimhegrinned。
Itwasnotanoffensivegrin，ratherasympatheticgrin;butMissAppleyarddidn’tlikebeinggrinnedat。Whatwastheretogrinat？
Herpersonalappearance？somegaucherieinherdress？Impossible。
NoladyinallSt。Dunstanwasevermoreprecise。Sheglancedathercompanion：aclean—looking，well—groomed，well—dressedyouth。
SuddenlyitoccurredtoMissAppleyardthatsheandGrindleyjuniorwereholdingeachother’shand。MissAppleyardwasjustlyindignant。
"Howdareyou！"saidMissAppleyard。"Iamexceedinglyangrywithyou。Howdareyou！"
Theoliveskinwasscarlet。Thereweretearsinthehazeleyes。
"Leavemethisminute！"commandedMissAppleyard。
Insteadofwhich，Grindleyjuniorseizedbothherhands。
"Iloveyou！Iadoreyou！Iworshipyou！"pouredforthyoungGrindley，forgetfulofallMissAppleyardhadevertoldhimconcerningthefollyoftautology。
"Youhadnoright，"saidMissAppleyard。
"Icouldn’thelpit，"pleadedyoungGrindley。"Andthatisn’ttheworst。"
MissAppleyardpaledvisibly。Foragrocer’sassistanttodaretofallinlovewithher，especiallyafterallthetroubleshehadtakenwithhim！Whatcouldbeworse？
"I’mnotagrocer，"continuedyoungGrindley，deeplyconsciousofcrime。"Imean，notarealgrocer。"
AndGrindleyjuniorthenandtheremadeacleanbreastofthewholesad，terribletaleofshamelessdeceit，practisedbythegreatestvillaintheworldhadeverproduced，uponthenoblestandmostbeautifulmaidenthateverturnedgrimLondontownintoafairycityofenchantedways。
NotatfirstcouldMissAppleyardentirelygraspit;nottillhourslater，whenshesataloneinherownroom，where，fortunatelyforhimself，Grindleyjuniorwasnot，didthewholeforceandmeaningofthethingcomehometoher。Itwasalargeroom，takinguphalfofthetopstoryofthebigGeorgianhouseinNevill’sCourt;butevenasitwas，MissAppleyardfeltcramped。
"Forayear——fornearlyawholeyear，"saidMissAppleyard，addressingthebustofWilliamShakespeare，"haveIbeenslavingmylifeout，teachinghimelementaryLatinandthefirstfivebooksofEuclid！"
Asithasbeenremarked，itwasfortunateforGrindleyjuniorhewasoutofreach。ThebustofWilliamShakespearemaintaineditsirritatingaspectofbenignphilosophy。
"IsupposeIshould，"musedMissAppleyard，"ifhehadtoldmeatfirst——asheoughttohavetoldme——ofcourseIshouldnaturallyhavehadnothingmoretodowithhim。Isuppose，"musedMissAppleyard，"amaninlove，ifheisreallyinlove，doesn’tquiteknowwhathe’sdoing。Isupposeoneoughttomakeallowances。
But，oh！whenIthinkofit——"
AndthenGrindleyjunior’sguardianangelmustsurelyhaveslippedintotheroom，forMissAppleyard，irritatedbeyondenduranceatthephilosophicalindifferenceofthebustofWilliamShakespeare，turnedawayfromit，andasshedidso，caughtsightofherselfinthelooking—glass。MissAppleyardapproachedtheglassalittlenearer。Awoman’shairisneverquiteasitshouldbe。MissAppleyard，standingbeforetheglass，began，sheknewnotwhy，tofindreasonsexcusingGrindleyjunior。Afterall，wasnotforgivenessanexcellentthinginwoman？Noneofusarequiteperfect。TheguardianangelofGrindleyjuniorseizedtheopportunity。
ThateveningSolomonAppleyardsatuprightinhischair，feelingconfused。Sofarashecouldunderstandit，acertainyoungman，agrocer’sassistant，butnotagrocer’sassistant——butthat，ofcourse，wasnothisfault，hisfatherbeinganoldbrute——hadbehavedmostabominably;butnot，onreflection，asbadlyashemighthavedone，andhadactedonthewholeveryhonourably，takingintoconsiderationthefactthatonesupposedhecouldhardlyhelpit。Helvetiawas，ofcourse，veryindignantwithhim，butontheotherhand，didnotquiteseewhatelseshecouldhavedone，shebeingnotatallsurewhethershereallycaredforhimorwhethershedidn’t;thateverythinghadbeenquiteproperandwouldnothavehappenedifshehadknownit;thateverythingwasherfault，exceptmostthings，whichweren’t;butthatofthetwosheblamedherselfentirely，seeingthatshecouldnothaveguessedanythingofthekind。Anddidhe，SolomonAppleyard，thinkthatsheoughttobeveryangryandnevermarryanybodyelse，orwasshejustifiedinoverlookingitandengagingherselftotheonlymanshefeltshecouldeverlove？
"Youmustn’tthink，Dad，thatImeanttodeceiveyou。Ishouldhavetoldyouatthebeginning——youknowIwould——ifithadn’tallhappenedsosuddenly。"
"Letmesee，"saidSolomonAppleyard，"didyoutellmehisname，ordidn’tyou？"
"Nathaniel，"saidMissAppleyard。"Didn’tImentionit？"
"Don’thappentoknowhissurname，doyou，"inquiredherfather。
"Grindley，"explainedMissAppleyard——"thesonofGrindley，theSauceman。"
MissAppleyardexperiencedoneofthesurprisesofherlife。Neverbeforetoherrecollectionhadherfatherthwartedasinglewishofherlife。Awidowerforthelasttwelveyears，hischiefdelighthadbeentohumourher。Hisvoice，ashepassionatelysworethatneverwithhisconsentshouldhisdaughtermarrythesonofHezekiahGrindley，soundedstrangetoher。Pleadings，eventears，forthefirsttimeinherlifeprovedfruitless。
Herewasaprettykettleoffish！ThatGrindleyjuniorshoulddefyhisownparent，riskpossiblythelossofhisinheritance，hadseemedtobothanotimproperproceeding。WhenNathanielGeorgehadsaidwithfineenthusiasm："Lethimkeephismoneyifhewill;
I’llmakemyownway;thereisn’tenoughmoneyintheworldtopayforlosingyou！"JanetHelvetia，thoughshehadexpresseddisapprovalofsuchunfilialattitude，hadinsecretsympathised。
Butforhertodisregardthewishesofherowndotingfatherwasnottobethoughtof。Whatwastobedone？
PerhapsonePeterHope，residinginGoughSquarehardby，mighthelpyoungfolksinsoredilemmawithwisecounsel。PeterHope，editorandpartproprietorofGoodHumour，onepennyweekly，wasmuchesteemedbySolomonAppleyard，printerandpublisherofaforesaidpaper。
"Agoodfellow，oldHope，"Solomonwouldoftenimpressuponhismanagingclerk。"Don’tworryhimmorethanyoucanhelp;thingswillimprove。Wecantrusthim。"
PeterHopesatathisdesk，facingMissAppleyard。Grindleyjuniorsatonthecushionedseatbeneaththemiddlewindow。GoodHumour’ssub—editorstoodbeforethefire，herhandsbehindherback。
ThecaseappearedtoPeterHopetobeoneofexceedingdifficulty。
"Ofcourse，"explainedMissAppleyard，"Ishallnevermarrywithoutmyfather’sconsent。"
PeterHopethoughttheresolutionmostproper。
"Ontheotherhand，"continuedMissAppleyard，"nothingshallinducemetomarryamanIdonotlove。"MissAppleyardthoughttheprobabilitieswerethatshewouldendbybecomingafemalemissionary。
PeterHope’sexperiencehadledhimtotheconclusionthatyoungpeoplesometimeschangedtheirmind。
TheopinionoftheHouse，clearlythoughsilentlyexpressed，wasthatPeterHope’sexperience，asregardedthisparticularcase，countedfornothing。
"IshallgostraighttotheGovernor，"explainedGrindleyjunior，"andtellhimthatIconsidermyselfengagedforlifetoMissAppleyard。Iknowwhatwillhappen——Iknowthesortofideahehasgotintohishead。Hewilldisownme，andIshallgoofftoAfrica。"
PeterHopewasunabletoseehowGrindleyjunior’sdisappearanceintothewildsofAfricawasgoingtoassistthematterunderdiscussion。
Grindleyjunior’sviewwasthatthewildsofAfricawouldaffordafittingbackgroundtothepassingawayofablightedexistence。
PeterHopehadasuspicionthatGrindleyjuniorhadforthemomentpartedcompanywiththatsweetreasonablenessthatotherwise，soPeterHopefeltsure，wasGrindleyjunior’sguidingstar。
"Imeanit，sir，"reassertedGrindleyjunior。"Iam——"Grindleyjuniorwasabouttoadd"welleducated";butdiviningthateducationwasatopicnotpleasingatthemomenttotheearsofHelvetiaAppleyard，hadtactenoughtosubstitute"notafool。I
canearnmyownliving;andIshouldliketogetaway。"
"Itseemstome——"saidthesub—editor。
"Now，Tommy——ImeanJane，"warnedherPeterHope。HealwayscalledherJaneincompany，unlesshewasexcited。"Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay。Iwon’thaveit。"
"Iwasonlygoingtosay——"urgedthesub—editorintoneofonesufferinginjustice。
"Iquiteknowwhatyouweregoingtosay，"retortedPeterhotly。
"Icanseeitbyyourchin。Youaregoingtotaketheirpart——andsuggesttheiractingundutifullytowardstheirparents。"
"Iwasn’t，"returnedthesub—editor。"Iwasonly——"
"Youwere，"persistedPeter。"Ioughtnottohaveallowedyoutobepresent。Imighthaveknownyouwouldinterfere。"
"——goingtosayweareinwantofsomehelpintheoffice。Youknowweare。AndthatifMr。Grindleywouldbecontentwithasmallsalary——"
"Smallsalarybehanged！"snarledPeter。
"——therewouldbenoneedforhisgoingtoAfrica。"
"Andhowwouldthathelpus？"demandedPeter。"Eveniftheboywereso——soheadstrong，sounfilialastodefyhisfather，whohasworkedforhimalltheseyears，howwouldthatremovetheobstacleofMr。Appleyard’srefusal？"
"Why，don’tyousee——"explainedthesub—editor。
"No，Idon’t，"snappedPeter。
"If，onhisdeclaringtohisfatherthatnothingwilleverinducehimtomarryanyotherwomanbutMissAppleyard，hisfatherdisownshim，ashethinksitlikely——"
"Adeadcert！"wasGrindleyjunior’sconviction。
"Verywell;heisnolongeroldGrindley’sson，andwhatpossibleobjectioncanMr。Appleyardhavetohimthen？"
PeterHopearoseandexpoundedatlengthandinsuitablelanguagethefollyanduselessnessofthescheme。
ButwhatchancehadeverthewisdomofAgeagainsttheenthusiasmofYouth，reachingforitsobject。PoorPeter，expostulating，wassweptintotheconspiracy。GrindleyjuniorthenextmorningstoodbeforehisfatherintheprivateofficeinHighHolborn。
"Iamsorry，sir，"saidGrindleyjunior，"ifIhaveprovedadisappointmenttoyou。"
"Damnyoursympathy！"saidGrindleysenior。"Keepittillyouareaskedforit。"
"Ihopewepartfriends，sir，"saidGrindleyjunior，holdingouthishand。
"Whydoyouirateme？"askedGrindleysenior。"Ihavethoughtofnothingbutyouthesefive—and—twentyyears。"
"Idon’t，sir，"answeredGrindleyjunior。"Ican’tsayIloveyou。
Itdidnotseemtomeyou——youwantedit。ButIlikeyou，sir，andIrespectyou。And——andI’msorrytohavetohurtyou，sir。"
"Andyouaredeterminedtogiveupallyourprospects，allthemoney，forthesakeofthis——thisgirl？"
"Itdoesn’tseemlikegivingupanything，sir，"repliedGrindleyjunior，simply。
"Itisn’tsomuchasIthoughtitwasgoingtobe，"saidtheoldman，afterapause。"Perhapsitisforthebest。Imighthavebeenmoreobstinateifthingshadbeengoingallright。TheLordhaschastenedme。"
"Isn’tthebusinessdoingwell，Dad？"askedtheyoungman，withsorrowinhisvoice。
"What’sitgottodowithyou？"snappedhisfather。"You’vecutyourselfadriftfromit。YouleavemenowIamgoingdown。"
Grindleyjunior，notknowingwhattosay，puthisarmsroundthelittleoldman。
AndinthiswayTommy’sbrilliantschemefellthroughandcametonaught。Instead，oldGrindleyvisitedonceagainthebighouseinNevill’sCourt，andremainedlongclosetedwitholdSolomonintheofficeonthesecondfloor。ItwaslateintheeveningwhenSolomonopenedthedoorandcalledupstairstoJanetHelvetiatocomedown。
"Iusedtoknowyoulongago，"saidHezekiahGrindley，rising。
"Youwerequitealittlegirlthen。"
Later，thetroublesomeSaucedisappearedentirely，cutoutbynewerflavours。Grindleyjuniorstudiedtheprintingbusiness。ItalmostseemedasifoldAppleyardhadbeenwaitingbutforthis。
Somesixmonthslatertheyfoundhimdeadinhiscounting—house。
GrindleyjuniorbecametheprinterandpublisherofGoodHumour。
STORYTHEFOURTH：MissRamsbothamgivesherServicesToregardMissRamsbothamasamarriageablequantitywouldhaveoccurredtofewmen。EndowedbyNaturewitheveryfemininequalitycalculatedtoinspireliking，shehad，ontheotherhand，beendisinheritedofeveryattributecalculatedtoexcitepassion。Anuglywomanhasforsomemenanattraction;theproofiseverpresenttooureyes。MissRamsbothamwasplainbutpleasantlooking。Large，healthyinmindandbody，capable，self—reliant，andcheerful，blessedwithahappydispositiontogetherwithakeensenseofhumour，therewasaboutherabsolutelynothingfortendernesstolayholdof。Anidealwife，shewasanimpossiblesweetheart。Everymanwasherfriend。Thesuggestionthatanymancouldbeherloversheherselfwouldhavegreetedwithaclear，ringinglaugh。
Notthatsheheldloveindespite;forsuchfollyshewaspossessedoffartoomuchsoundsense。"Tohavesomebodyinlovewithyou——
somebodystrongandgood，"soshewouldconfesstoherfewcloseintimates，adreamyexpressioncloudingforaninstantherbroad，sunnyface，"why，itmustbejustlovely！"ForMissRamsbothamwaspronetoAmericanphraseology，andhadevenbeenatsomepains，duringasixmonths’journeythroughtheStates（whithershehadbeencommissionedbyaconscientioustradejournalseekingreliableinformationconcerningtheconditionoffemaletextileworkers）toacquireaslightbutdecidedAmericanaccent。Itwasheroneaffectation，butassumed，asonemightfeelcertain，forapracticalandlegitimateobject。
"Youcanhavenoconception，"shewouldexplain，laughing，"whatahelpIfindit。’I’m’Muriken’isthe’CivisRomanussum’ofthemodernwoman’sworld。Itopenseverydoortous。IfIringthebellandsay，’Oh，ifyouplease，IhavecometointerviewMr。So—
and—Soforsuch—and—suchapaper，’thefootmanlooksthroughmeattheoppositesideofthestreet，andtellsmetowaitinthehallwhileheinquiresifMr。So—and—Sowillseemeornot。ButifI
say，’That’smykeerd，youngman。YoutellyourmasterMissRamsbothamiswaitingforhimintheshowroom，andwilltakeitrealkindifhe’lljustbustlehimself，’thepoorfellowwalksbackwardstillhestumblesagainstthebottomstair，andmygentlemancomesdownwithprofuseapologiesforhavingkeptmewaitingthreeminutesandahalf。
"’Andtobeinlovewithsomeone，"shewouldcontinue，"someonegreatthatonecouldlookuptoandhonourandworship——someonethatwouldfillone’swholelife，makeitbeautiful，makeeverydayworthliving，Ithinkthatwouldbebetterstill。Toworkmerelyforone’sself，tothinkmerelyforone’sself，itissomuchlessinteresting。"
Then，atsomesuchpointoftheargument，MissRamsbothamwouldjumpupfromherchairandshakeherselfindignantly。
"Why，whatnonsenseI’mtalking，"shewouldtellherself，andherlisteners。"Imakeaveryfairincome，haveahostoffriends，andenjoyeveryhourofmylife。Ishouldliketohavebeenprettyorhandsome，ofcourse;butnoonecanhaveallthegoodthingsofthisworld，andIhavemybrains。Atonetime，perhaps，yes;butnow——no，honestlyIwouldnotchangemyself。"
MissRamsbothamwassorrythatnomanhadeverfalleninlovewithher，butthatshecouldunderstand。
"Itisquitecleartome。"Soshehadonceunburdenedherselftoherbosomfriend。"Manforthepurposesoftheracehasbeengiventwokindsoflove，betweenwhich，accordingtohisopportunitiesandtemperament，heisfreetochoose：hecanfalldownuponhiskneesandadorephysicalbeauty（forNatureignoresentirelyourmentalside），orhecantakedelightincirclingwithhisprotectingarmtheweakandhelpless。Now，Imakenoappealtoeitherinstinct。Ipossessneitherthecharmnorbeautytoattract——"
"Beauty，"remindedherthebosomfriend，consolingly，"dwellsinthebeholder’seye。"
"Mydear，"cheerfullyrepliedMissRamsbotham，"itwouldhavetobeaneyeoftherangeandcapacitySamWellerfranklyowneduptonotpossessing——apatentdouble—millionmagnifying，capableofseeingthroughadealboardandroundthecornersortofeye——todetectanybeautyinme。AndIammuchtoobigandsensibleforanymannotafoolevertothinkofwantingtotakecareofme。
"Ibelieve，"rememberedMissRamsbotham，"ifitdoesnotsoundlikeidleboasting，Imighthavehadahusband，ofakind，ifFatehadnotcompelledmetosavehislife。ImethimoneyearatHuyst，asmall，quietwatering—placeontheDutchcoast。Hewouldwalkalwayshalfastepbehindme，regardingmeoutofthecornerofhiseyequiteapprovinglyattimes。Hewasawidower——agoodlittleman，devotedtohisthreecharmingchildren。Theytookanimmensefancytome，andIreallythinkIcouldhavegotonwithhim。Iamveryadaptable，asyouknow。Butitwasnottobe。Hegotoutofhisdepthonemorning，andunfortunatelytherewasnoonewithindistancebutmyselfwhocouldswim。Iknewwhattheresultwouldbe。YourememberLabiche’scomedy，LesVoyagedeMonsieurPerrichon？Ofcourse，everymanhateshavinghadhislifesaved，afteritisover;andyoucanimaginehowhemusthatehavingitsavedbyawoman。ButwhatwasItodo？Ineithercasehewouldbelosttome，whetherIlethimdrownorwhetherIrescuedhim。
So，asitreallymadenodifference，Irescuedhim。Hewasverygrateful，andleftthenextmorning。
"Itismydestiny。Nomanhaseverfalleninlovewithme，andnomaneverwill。IusedtoworrymyselfaboutitwhenIwasyounger。
AsachildIhuggedtomybosomforyearsanobservationIhadoverheardanauntofminewhispertomymotheroneafternoonastheysatknittingandtalking，notthinkingIwaslistening。’Younevercantell，’murmuredmyaunt，keepinghereyescarefullyfixeduponherneedles;’childrenchangeso。Ihaveknowntheplainestgirlsgrowupintoquitebeautifulwomen。IshouldnotworryaboutitifIwereyou——notyetawhile。’Mymotherwasnotatallabad—
lookingwoman，andmyfatherwasdecidedlyhandsome;sothereseemednoreasonwhyIshouldnothope。IpicturedmyselftheuglyducklingofAndersen’sfairy—tale，andeverymorningonwakingI
wouldrunstraighttomyglassandtrytopersuademyselfthatthefeathersoftheswanwerebeginningatlasttoshowthemselves。"
MissRamsbothamlaughed，agenuinelaughofamusement，forofself—
pitynotatracewasnowremainingtoher。
"LaterIpluckedhopeagain，"continuedMissRamsbothamherconfession，"fromthereadingofacertainschooloffictionmorepopulartwentyyearsagothannow。Intheseromancestheheroinewasneverwhatyouwouldcallbeautiful，unlessincommonwiththeheroyouhappenedtopossessexceptionalpowersofobservation。
Butshewasbetterthanthat，shewasgood。IdonotregardastimewastedthehoursIspentstudyingthisquaintliterature。Ithelpedme，Iamsure，toformhabitsthathavesincebeenofservicetome。Imadeapoint，whenanyyoungmanvisitorhappenedtobestayingwithus，ofrisingexceptionallyearlyinthemorning，sothatIalwaysappearedatthebreakfast—tablefresh，cheerful，andcarefullydressed，with，whenpossible，adew—
besprinkledflowerinmyhairtoprovethatIhadalreadybeenoutinthegarden。Theeffort，asfarastheyoungmanvisitorwasconcerned，wasalwaysthrownaway;asageneralrule，hecamedownlatehimself，andgenerallytoodrowsytonoticeanythingmuch。
Butitwasexcellentpracticeforme。Iwakenowatseveno’clockasamatterofcourse，whatevertimeIgotobed。Imademyowndressesandmostofourcakes，andtookcaretoleteverybodyknowit。ThoughIsayitwhoshouldnot，Iplayandsingratherwell。
Icertainlywasneverafool。Ihadnolittlebrothersandsisterstowhomtobeexceptionallydevoted，butIhadmycousinsaboutthehouseasmuchaspossible，anddamagedtheircharacters，ifanything，byover—indulgence。Mydear，itnevercaughtevenacurate！Iamnotoneofthosewomentorundownmen;Ithinkthemdelightfulcreatures，andinageneralwayIfindthemveryintelligent。Butwheretheirheartsareconcerneditisthegirlwiththefrizzyhair，whowantstwopeopletohelpheroverthestile，thatistheirideaofanangel。Nomancouldfallinlovewithme;hecouldn’tifhetried。ThatIcanunderstand;but"——
MissRamsbothamsunkhervoicetoamoreconfidentialtone——"whatI
cannotunderstandisthatIhaveneverfalleninlovewithanyman，becauseIlikethemall。"
"Youhavegiventheexplanationyourself，"suggestedthebosomfriend——oneSusanFossett，the"AuntEmma"ofTheLadies’Journal，anicewoman，buttalkative。"Youaretoosensible。"
MissRamsbothamshookherhead，"Ishouldjustlovetofallinlove。WhenIthinkaboutit，Ifeelquiteashamedofmyselffornothavingdoneso。"
Whetheritwasthisidea，namely，thatitwasherduty，orwhetheritwasthatpassioncametoher，unsought，somewhatlateinlife，andthereforeallthestronger，sheherselfwouldperhapshavebeenunabletodeclare。Certainonlyitisthatatoverthirtyyearsofagethisclever，sensible，clear—seeingwomanfelltosighingandblushing，startingandstammeringatthesoundingofaname，asthoughforalltheworldshehadbeenalove—sickgirlinherteens。
SusanFossett，herbosomfriend，broughtthestrangetidingstoBohemiaonefoggyNovemberafternoon，heropportunitybeingatea—
partygivenbyPeterHopetocommemoratethebirthdayofhisadopteddaughterandsub—editor，JaneHelen，commonlycalledTommy。
TheactualdateofTommy’sbirthdaywasknownonlytothegods;butoutoftheLondonmisttowifeless，childlessPetershehadcometheeveningofacertainNovembertheeighteenth，andthereforebyPeterandhisfriendsNovembertheeighteenthhadbeenmarkeduponthecalendarasadayonwhichtheyshouldrejoicetogether。
"Itisboundtoleakoutsoonerorlater，"SusanFossettwasconvinced，"soImayaswelltellyou：thatgabyMaryRamsbothamhasgotherselfengaged。"
"Nonsense！"wasPeterHope’sinvoluntaryejaculation。
"PreciselywhatImeantotellhertheverynexttimeIseeher，"
addedSusan。
"Whoto？"demandedTommy。
"Youmean’towhom。’Thepreepositiongovernstheobjectivecase，"
correctedherJamesDouglasMcTear，commonlycalled"TheWeeLaddie，"whohimselfwroteEnglishbetterthanhespokeit。
"Imeant’towhom，’"explainedTommy。
"Yedidnasayit，"persistedtheWeeLaddie。
"Idon’tknowtowhom，"repliedMissRamsbotham’sbosomfriend，sippingteaandbreathingindignation。"Tosomethingidioticandincongruousthatwillmakeherlifeamiserytoher。"
Somerville，thebriefless，heldthatintheabsenceofalldatasuchconclusionwasunjustifiable。
"Ifithadbeentoanythingsensible，"wasMissFossett’sopinion，"shewouldnothavekeptmeinthedarkaboutit，tospringituponmelikeabombshell。I’veneverhadsomuchasahintfromheruntilIreceivedthisabsurdscrawlanhourago。"
MissFossettproducedfromherbagaletterwritteninpencil。
"Therecanbenoharminyourhearingit，"wasMissFossett’sexcuse;"itwillgiveyouanideaofthestateofthepoorthing’smind。"
Thetea—drinkerslefttheircupsandgatheredroundher。"DearSusan，"readMissFossett，"Ishallnotbeabletobewithyouto—
morrow。Pleasegetmeoutofitnicely。Ican’trememberatthemomentwhatitis。You’llbesurprisedtohearthatI’mENGAGED——
tobemarried，Imean，IcanhardlyREALISEit。IhardlyseemtoknowwhereIam。HavejustmadeupmymindtorundowntoYorkshireandseegrandmamma。ImustdoSOMETHING。ImustTALKtoSOMEBODYand——forgiveme，dear——butyouAREsosensible，andjustnow——wellIdon’tFEELsensible。WilltellyouallaboutitwhenI
seeyou——nextweek，perhaps。YoumustTRYtolikehim。HeisSO
handsomeandREALLYclever——inhisownway。Don’tscoldme。I
neverthoughtitpossiblethatANYONEcouldbesohappy。It’squiteadifferentsortofhappinesstoANYothersortofhappiness。
返回顶部