Robinatalkedforabouttenminutes。BythetimeshehaddoneshehadpersuadedDickthatlifeinthebackwoodsofCanadahadbeenhisdreamfrominfancy。Sheisthatsortofgirl。
Itriedtalkingreason，buttalkingtoRobinwhenshehasgotanotioninherheadisliketryingtofixahalteronatwo—year—oldcolt。Thistumble—down，six—roomedcottagewastobethesavingofthefamily。AnecstaticlooktransfiguredRobina’sfaceevenasshespokeofit。Youmighthavefancieditashrine。Robinawoulddothecooking。Robinawouldriseearlyandmilkthecow，andgatherthemorningegg。Wewouldleadthesimplelife，learntofendforourselves。ItwouldbesogoodforVeronica。Thehighereducationcouldwait；letthehigheridealshaveachance。Veronicawouldmakethebeds，dusttherooms。IntheeveningVeronica，herlittlebasketbyherside，wouldsitandsewwhileItalked，tellingthemthings，andRobinamovedsoftlytoandfroaboutherwork，thehouseholdfairy。TheLittleMother，wheneverstrongenough，wouldcometous。
Wewouldhoverroundher，tendingherwithlovinghands。TheEnglishfarmermustknowsomething，inspiteofallthatissaid。Dickcouldarrangeforlessonsinpracticalfarming。Shedidnotsayitcrudely；buthintedthat，surroundedbyexample，evenImightcometotakeaninterestinhonestlabour，mightendbylearningtodosomethinguseful。
Robinatalked，Ishouldsay，foraquarterofanhour。Bythetimeshehaddone，itappearedtomeratherabeautifulidea。Dick’svacationhadjustcommenced。Forthenextthreemonthstherewouldbenothingelseforhimtodobut——toemployhisownexpressivephrase——"rotround。"Inanyevent，itwouldbekeepinghimoutofmischief。Veronica’sgovernesswasleaving。Veronica’sgovernessgenerallydoesleaveattheendofaboutayear。Ithinksometimesofadvertisingforaladywithoutaconscience。Attheendofayear，theyexplaintomethattheirconsciencewillnotallowthemtoremainlonger；theydonotfeeltheyareearningtheirsalary。Itisnotthatthechildisnotadearchild，itisnotthatsheisstupid。
Simplyitis——asaGermanladytowhomDickhadbeengivingwhathecalledfinishinglessonsinEnglish，onceputit——thatshedoesnotseemtobe"takingany。"Hermother’sideaisthatitis"sinkingin。"PerhapsifweallowedVeronicatoliefallowforawhile，somethingmightshowitself。Robina，speakingforherself，heldthataperiodofquietusefulness，awayfromthesocietyofothersillygirlsandsillierboys，wouldresultinherbecomingasensiblewoman。ItisnotoftenthatRobina’syearningstakethisdirection：
tothwartthem，whentheydid，seemedwrong。
WehadsomedifficultywiththeLittleMother。Thatthesethreebabiesofherswilleverbemenandwomencapableofrunningasix—
roomedcottageappearstotheLittleMotherinthelightofafantasticdream。IexplainedtoherthatIshouldbethere，atalleventsfortwoorthreedaysineveryweek，togiveaneyetothings。
Eventhatdidnotcontenther。ShegavewayeventuallyonRobina’ssolemnundertakingthatsheshouldbetelegraphedforthefirsttimeVeronicacoughed。
OnMondaywepackedaone—horsevanwithwhatwedeemedessential。
DickandRobinarodetheirbicycles。Veronica，supportedbyassortedbedding，madeherselfcomfortableuponthetailboard。IfolloweddownbytrainontheWednesdayafternoon。
CHAPTERIII
Itwasthecowthatwokemethefirstmorning。Ididnotknowitwasourcow——notatthetime。Ididn’tknowwehadacow。Ilookedatmywatch；itwashalf—pasttwo。Ithoughtmaybeshewouldgotosleepagain，butherideawasthatthedayhadbegun。Iwenttothewindow，themoonwasatthefull。Shewasstandingbythegate，herheadinsidethegarden；Itookitheranxietywaslestwemightmissanyofit。Herneckwasstretchedoutstraight，hereyestowardsthesky；whichgavetohertheappearanceofalong—earedalligator。I
haveneverhadmuchtodowithcows。Idon’tknowhowyoutalktothem。Itoldherto"bequiet，"andto"liedown"；andmadepretencetothrowabootather。Itseemedtocheerher，havinganaudience；
sheaddedhalfadozenextranotes。Ineverknewbeforeacowhadsomuchinher。Thereisathingonesometimesmeetswithinthesuburbs——oroneusedto；Idonotknowwhetheritisstillextant，butwhenIwasaboyitwasquitecommon。Ithasahurdy—gurdyfixedtoitswaistandadrumstrappedonbehind，arowofpipeshangingfromitsface，andbellsandclappersfrommostofitsotherjoints。
Itplaysthemallatonce，andsmiles。Thiscowremindedmeofit——
withorganeffectsadded。Shedidn’tsmile；therewasthattobesaidinherfavour。
IhopedthatifImadebelievetobeasleepshewouldgetdiscouraged。SoIclosedthewindowostentatiously，andwentbacktobed。Butitonlyhadtheeffectofputtingheronhermettle。"Hedidnotcareforthatlast，"Iimaginedhersayingtoherself，"I
wasn’tatmybest。Therewasn’tfeelingenoughinit。"Shekeptitupforabouthalfanhour，andthenthegateagainstwhich，I
suppose，shehadbeenleaning，gavewaywithacrash。Thatfrightenedher，andIheardhergallopoffacrossthefield。Iwasonthepointofdozingoffagainwhenapairofpigeonssettledonthewindow—sillandbegantocoo。Itisaprettysoundwhenyouareinthemoodforit。Iwroteapoemonce——asimplething，butinstinctwithlonging——whilesittingunderatreeandlisteningtothecooingofapigeon。Butthatwasintheafternoon。Myonlylongingnowwasforagun。ThreetimesIgotoutofbedand"shoo’d"
themaway。ThethirdtimeIremainedbythewindowtillIhadgotitfirmlyintotheirheadsthatIreallydidnotwantthem。Mybehaviourontheformertwooccasionstheyhadevidentlyjudgedtobemereplayfulness。Ihadjustgotbacktobedagainwhenanowlbegantoscreech。ThatisanothersoundIusedtothinkattractive——soweird，somysterious。ItisSwinburne，Ithink，whosaysthatyounevergetthedesiredoneandthetimeandtheplaceallrighttogether。Ifthebelovedoneiswithyou，itisthewrongplaceoratthewrongtime；andifthetimeandtheplacehappentoberight，thenitisthepartythatiswrong。Theowlwasallright：Ilikeowls。Theplacewasallright。Hehadstruckthewrongtime，thatwasall。Eleveno’clockatnight，whenyoucan’tseehim，andnaturallyfeelthatyouwantto，isthepropertimeforanowl。
Perchedontheroofofacow—shedintheearlydawnhelookssilly。
Heclungthere，flappinghiswingsandscreechingatthetopofhisvoice。WhatitwashewantedIamsureIdon’tknow；andanyhowitdidn’tseemthewaytogetit。Hecametothisconclusionhimselfattheendoftwentyminutes，andshuthimselfupandwenthome。I
thoughtIwasgoingtohaveatlastsomepeace，whenacorncrake——acreatureuponwhomNaturehasbestowedasongliketothetearingofcalico—sheetsmingledwiththesharpeningofsaws——settledsomewhereinthegardenandsettoworktopraiseitsMakeraccordingtoitslights。Ihaveafriend，apoet，wholivesjustofftheStrand，andspendshiseveningsattheGarrickClub。Hewritesoccasionalversefortheeveningpapers，andtalksaboutthe"silentcountry，drowsywiththeweightoflanguors。"OneofthesetimesI’lllurehimdownforaSaturdaytoMondayandlethimfindoutwhatthecountryreallyis——lethimhearit。Heisbecomingtoomuchofadreamer：itwilldohimgood，wakehimupabit。Thecorncrakeafterawhilestoppedquitesuddenlywithajerk，andforquitefiveminutestherewassilence。
"Ifthiscontinuesforanotherfive，"Isaidtomyself，"I’llbeasleep。"Ifeltitcomingoverme。Ihadhardlymurmuredthewordswhenthecowturnedupagain。Ishouldsayshehadbeensomewhereandhadhadadrink。Shewasinbettervoicethanever。
Itoccurredtomethatthiswouldbeanopportunitytomakeafewnotesonthesunrise。Theliterarymanislookedtoforoccasionaldescriptionofthesunrise。Theearnestreaderwhohasheardaboutthissunrisethirstsforfullparticulars。Myself，forpurposesofobservation，IhavegenerallychosenDecemberortheearlypartofJanuary。Butoneneverknows。MaybeoneofthesedaysI’llwantasummersunrise，withbirdsanddew—besprinkledflowers：itgoeswellwiththerusticheroine，themiller’sdaughter，orthegirlwhobringsupchickensandhasdreams。Imetabrotherauthoronceatseveno’clockinthemorninginKensingtonGardens。HelookedhalfasleepandsodisagreeablethatIhesitatedforawhiletospeaktohim：heisamanthatasarulebreakfastsateleven。ButI
summonedmycourageandaccostedhim。
"Thisisearlyforyou，"Isaid。
"It’searlyforanyonebutabornfool，"heanswered。
"What’sthematter？"Iasked。"Can’tyousleep？"
"Can’tIsleep？"heretortedindignantly。"Why，Idaren’tsitdownuponaseat，Idaren’tleanupagainstatree。IfIdidI’dbeasleepinhalfasecond。"
"What’stheidea？"Ipersisted。"BeenreadingSmiles’s’SelfHelpandtheSecretofSuccess’？Don’tbeabsurd，"Iadvisedhim。
"You’llbegoingtoSundayschoolnextandkeepingadiary。Youhaveleftittoolate：wedon’treformatforty。Gohomeandgotobed。"
Icouldseehewasdoinghimselfnogood。
"I’mgoingtobed，"heanswered，"I’mgoingtobedforamonthwhenI’vefinishedthisconfoundednovelthatI’mon。Takemyadvice，"hesaid——helaidhishanduponmyshoulder——"Neverchooseacolonialgirlforyourheroine。Atourageitissimplemadness。"
"She’safinegirl，"hecontinued，"andgood。Hasaheartofgold。
She’swearingmetoashadow。Iwantedsomethingfreshandunconventional。Ididn’tgraspwhatitwasgoingtodo。She’sthegirlthatgetsupearlyinthemorningandridesbare—back——thehorse，Imean，ofcourse；don’tbesosilly。OverinNewSouthWalesitdidn’tmatter。Ithrewintheusuallocalcolour——theeucalyptus—
treeandthekangaroo——andletherride。ItisnowthatsheisoverhereinLondonthatIwishIhadneverthoughtofher。Shegetsupatfiveandwandersaboutthesilentcity。Thatmeans，ofcourse，thatIhavetogetupatfiveinordertorecordherimpressions。I
havewalkedsixmilesthismorning。FirsttoSt。Paul’sCathedral；
shelikesitwhenthere’snobodyabout。You’dthinkitwasn’tbigenoughforhertoseeifanybodyelsewasinthestreet。Shethinksofitasofamotherwatchingoverhersleepingchildren；she’sfullofallthatsortofthing。AndfromtheretoWestminsterBridge。
ShesitsontheparapetandreadsWordsworth，tillthepolicemanturnsheroff。Thisisanotherofherfavouritespots。"Heindicatedwithalookofconcentrateddisgusttheavenuewherewewerestanding。"Thisiswhereshelikestofinishup。Shecomesheretolistentoablackbird。"
"Well，youarethroughwithitnow，"Isaidtoconsolehim。"You’vedoneit；andit’sover。"
"Throughwithit！"helaughedbitterly。"I’mjustbeginningit。
There’stheentireEastEndtobedoneyet：she’sgottomeetafellowthereasbigacrankasherself。Andwalkingisn’ttheworst。
She’sgoingtohaveahorse；youcanguesswhatthatmeans。——HydeParkwillbenogoodtoher。She’llfindoutRichmondandHamCommon。I’vegottodescribethesceneryandthemadjoyofthething。"
"Can’tyouimagineit？"Isuggested。
"I’mgoingtoimaginealltheenjoyablepartofit，"heanswered。"I
musthaveagroundworktogoupon。She’sgottohavefeelingscometoheruponthishorse。Youcan’tenterintoarider’sfeelingswhenyou’vealmostforgottenwhichsideofthehorseyougetup。"
IwalkedwithhimtotheSerpentine。Ihadbeenwonderinghowitwashehadgrownstoutsosuddenly。Hehadabathtowelroundhimunderneathhiscoat。
"It’llgivememydeathofcold，Iknowitwill，"hechatteredwhileunlacinghisboots。
"Can’tyouleaveittillthesummer—time，"Isuggested，"andtakehertoOstend？"
"Itwouldn’tbeunconventional，"hegrowled。"Shewouldn’ttakeaninterestinit。"
"ButdotheyallowladiestobatheintheSerpentine？"Ipersisted。
"Itwon’tbetheSerpentine，"heexplained。"It’sgoingtobetheThamesatGreenwich。Butitmustbethesamesortoffeeling。She’sgottotellthemallaboutitduringalunchinQueen’sGate，andshockthemall。That’sallshedoesitfor，inmyopinion。"
Heemergedamottledblue。Ihelpedhimintohisclothes，andhewasfortunateenoughtofindanearlycab。ThebookappearedatChristmas。Thecriticsagreedthattheheroinewasadelightfulcreation。Someofthemsaidtheywouldliketohaveknownher。
Rememberingmypoorfriend，itoccurredtomethatbygoingoutnowandmakingafewnotesaboutthemorning，Imightbesavingmyselftroublelateron。Islippedonafewthings——nothingelaborate——putanotebookinmypocket，openedthedoorandwentdown。
Perhapsitwouldbemorecorrecttosay"openedthedoorandwasdown。"Itwasmyownfault，Iadmit。Wehadtalkedthisthingoverbeforegoingtobed，andImyselfhadimpresseduponVeronicatheneedforcaution。Thearchitectofthecountrycottagedoesnotwastespace。Hedispenseswithlandings；thebedroomdooropensontothetopstair。Itdoesnotdotowalkoutofyourbedroom，forthereasonthereisnothingoutsidetowalkon。IhadsaidtoVeronica，pointingoutthisfacttoher：
"Nowdon’t，inthemorning，comeburstingoutoftheroominyourusualvolcanicstyle，becauseifyoudotherewillbetrouble。Asyouperceive，thereisnolanding。Thestairscommenceatonce；theyaresteep，andtheyleaddowntoabrickfloor。Openthedoorquietly，lookwhereyouaregoing，andstepcarefully。"
Dickhadaddedhisadvicetomine。"Ididthatmyselfthefirstmorning，"Dickhadsaid。"Isteppedstraightoutofthebedroomintothekitchen；andIcantellyou，ithurts。Youbecareful，young’un。Thiscottagedoesn’tlenditselftodash。"
Robinahadfallendownwithatrayinherhand。Shesaidthatnevershouldsheforgetthehorrorofthatmoment，when，sittingonthekitchenfloor，shehadcriedtoDick——herownvoicesoundingtoherasifitcamefromsomewherequitefaroff："Isitbroken？Tellmethetruth。Isitbrokenanywhere？"andDickhadreplied："Broken！
why，it’ssmashedtoatoms。Whatdidyouexpect？"Robinahadaskedthequestionwithreferencetoherhead，whileDickhadthoughtshewasalludingtotheteapot。Inthatmoment，hadsaidRobina，herwholelifehadpassedbeforeher。SheletVeronicafeelthebump。
Veronicawasdisappointedwiththebump，havingexpectedsomethingbigger，buthadpromisedtobecareful。Wehadallagreedthatifinspiteofourwarningssheforgot，andcameblunderingdowninthemorning，itwouldserveherright。Itwasthinkingofallthisthat，asIlayuponthefloor，mademefeelangrywitheverybody。Ihatepeoplewhocansleepthroughnoisesthatwakemeup。WhywasItheonlypersoninthehousetobedisturbed？Dick’sroomwasroundthecorner；therewassomeexcuseforhim。ButRobinaandVeronica’swindowlookedstraightdownuponthecow。IfRobinaandVeronicawerenotacoupleoflogs，thecowwouldhavearousedthem。Weshouldhavediscussedthematterwiththedoorajar。Robinawouldhavesaid，"Whateveryoudo，becarefulofthestairs，Pa，"andI
shouldhaveremembered。Themodernchildappearstometohavenofeelingforitsparent。
Ipickedmyselfupandstartedforthedoor。Thecowcontinuedbellowingsteadily。Mywholeanxietywastogettoherquicklyandtohither。ButthedoortookmorefindingthanIcouldhavebelievedpossible。Theshutterswereclosedandthewholeplacewasinpitchdarkness。Theideahadbeentofurnishthiscottageonlywiththingsthatwereabsolutelynecessary，buttheroomappearedtometobeovercrowded。Therewasamilking—stool，whichisathingmadepurposelyheavysothatitmaynotbeeasilyupset。IfI
tumbledoveritonceItumbledoveritadozentimes。Igotholdofitatlastandcarrieditaboutwithme。IthoughtIwoulduseittohitthecow——thatis，whenIhadfoundthefront—door。Iknewitledoutoftheparlour，butcouldnotrecollectitsexactposition。I
arguedthatifIkeptalongthewallIshouldbeboundtocometoit。
Ifoundthewall，andsetofffullofhope。Isupposetheexplanationwasthat，withoutknowingit，Imusthavestartedwiththedoor，notthefront—door，theotherdoor，leadingintothekitchen。Icreptalong，carefullyfeelingmyway，andstruckquitenewthingsaltogether——thingsIhadnorecollectionofandthathitmeinfreshplaces。IclimbedoverwhatIpresumedtobeabeer—
barrelandlandedamongbottles；thereweredozensupondozensofthem。TogetawayfromthesebottlesIhadtoleavethewall；butI
founditagain，asIthought，andIfeltalongitforanotherhalfadozenyardsorsoandthencameagainuponbottles：theroomappearedtobepavedwithbottles。AlittlefartheronIrolledoveranotherbeer—barrel：asamatteroffactitwasthesamebeer—
barrel，butIdidnotknowthis。AtthetimeitseemedtomethatRobinahadmadeuphermindtorunapublic—house。Ifoundthemilking—stoolagainandstartedafresh，andbeforeIhadgoneadozenstepswasinamongbottlesagain。Lateron，inthebroaddaylight，itwaseasyenoughtounderstandwhathadhappened。Ihadbeencarefullyfeelingmywayroundandroundascreen。Igotsosickofthesebottlesandsotiredofrollingovertheseeverlastingbeer—
barrels，thatIabandonedthewallandplungedboldlyintospace。
Ihadbarelystarted，when，lookingup，Isawtheskyaboveme：astarwastwinklingjustabovemyhead。HadIbeenwideawake，andhadthecowstoppedbellowingforjustoneminute，IshouldhaveguessedthatsomehoworanotherIhadgotintoachimney。Butasthingswere，thewonderandthemysteryofitallappalledme。
"Alice’sAdventuresinWonderland"wouldhaveappearedtome，atthatmoment，inthenatureofaguidetotravellers。Hadarocking—horseoralobstersuddenlyappearedtomeIshouldhavesatandtalkedtoit；andifithadnotansweredmeIshouldhavethoughtitsulkyandbeenhurt。Itookastepforwardandthestardisappeared，justasifsomebodyhadblownitout。Iwasnotsurprisedintheleast。I
wasexpectinganythingtohappen。
Ifoundadooranditopenedquiteeasily。Awoodwasinfrontofme。Icouldn’tseeanycowanywhere，butIstillheardher。Itallseemedquitenatural。Iwouldwanderintothewood；mostlikelyI
shouldmeetherthere，andshewouldbesmokingapipe。Inallprobabilityshewouldknowsomepoetry。
Withthefreshairmysensesgraduallycamebacktome，andIbegantounderstandwhyitwasIcouldnotseethecow。Thereasonwasthatthehousewasbetweenus。BysomemysteriousprocessIhadbeendischargedintothebackgarden。Istillhadthemilking—stoolinmyhand，butthecownolongertroubledme。LetherseeifshecouldwakeVeronicabymerelybellowingoutsidethedoor；itwasmorethanIhadeverbeenabletodo。
Isatdownonthestoolandopenedmynote—book。Iheadedthepage：
"SunriseinJuly：observationsandemotions，"andIwrotedownatonce，lestIshouldforgetit，thattowardsthreeo’clockafaintlightisdiscernible，andaddedthatthislightgetsstrongerasthetimegoeson。
Itsoundedfootlingeventomyself，butIhadbeenreadinganoveloftherealisticschoolthathadbeengreatlypraisedforitsactuality。
Thereisademandinsomequartersforthisclassofobservation。I
likewisemadeanotethatthepigeonandthecorncrakeappeartobeamongtheearliestofNature’schildrentowelcomethecomingday；
andaddedthatthescreech—owlmaybeheard，perhapsatitsbest，byanyonecaringtoriseforthepurpose，somequarterofanhourbeforethedawn。ThatwasallIcouldthinkofjustthen。Asregardsemotions，Ididnotseemtohaveany。
Ilitapipeandwaitedforthesun。Theskyinfrontofmewastingedwithafaintpink。Everymomentitflushedadeeperred。I
maintainthatanyone，notanexpert，wouldhavesaidthatwastheportionofthehorizononwhichtokeepone’seye。Ikeptmyeyeuponit，butnosunappeared。Ilitanotherpipe。Theskyinfrontofmewasnowablazeofglory。Iscribbledafewlines，likeningthescatteredcloudstobridesblushingattheapproachofthebridegroom。Thatwouldhavebeenallrightiflaterontheyhadn’tbeguntoturngreen：itseemedthewrongcolourforabride。Lateronstilltheywentyellow，andthatspoiltthesimilepasthope。Onecannotwaxpoeticalaboutabridewhoattheapproachofthebridegroomturnsfirstgreenandthenyellow：youcanonlyfeelsorryforher。Iwaitedsomemore。Theskyinfrontofmegrewpalereverymoment。Ibegantofearthatsomethinghadhappenedtothatsun。IfIhadn’tknownsomuchastronomyIshouldhavesaidthathehadchangedhismindandhadgonebackagain。Irosewiththeideaofseeingintothings。Hehadbeenupapparentlyforhours：
hehadgotupatthebackofme。Itseemedtobenobody’sfault。I
putmypipeintomypocketandstrolledroundtothefront。Thecowwasstillthere；shewaspleasedtoseeme，andstartedbellowingagain。
Iheardasoundofwhistling。Itproceededfromafarmer’sboy。I
hailedhim，andheclimbedagateandcametomeacrossthefield。
Hewasacheerfulyouth。Henoddedtothecowandhopedshehadhadagoodnight：hepronouncedit"nihet。"
"Youknowthecow？"Isaid。
"Well，"heexplained，"wedon’tpreciselymoveinthesimeset。Sorto’businessrelytionshipmorelike——ifyouunderstandme？"
Somethingaboutthisboywasworryingme。Hedidnotseemlikearealfarmer’sboy。Butthennothingseemedquiterealthismorning。
Myfeelingwastoletthingsgo。
"Whosecowisit？"Iasked。
Hestaredatme。
"Iwanttoknowtowhomitbelongs，"Isaid。"Iwanttorestoreittohim。"
"Excuseme，"saidtheboy，"butwheredoyoulive？"
Hewasmakingmecross。"WheredoIlive？"Iretorted。"Why，inthiscottage。Youdon’tthinkI’vegotupearlyandcomefromadistancetolistentothiscow？Don’ttalksomuch。Doyouknowwhosecowitis，ordon’tyou？"
"It’syourcow，"saidtheboy。
Itwasmyturntostare。
"ButIhaven’tgotacow，"Itoldhim。
"Yusyouhave，"hepersisted；"you’vegotthatcow。"
Shehadstoppedbellowingforamoment。ShewasnotthecowIfeltI
couldevertakeapridein。Atsometimeoranother，quiterecently，shemusthavesatdowninsomemud。
"HowdidIgether？"Idemanded。
"Theyounglydy，"explainedtheboy，"shecamerahndtoourpliceonTuesday——"
Ibegantoseelight。"Anexcitableyounglady——talksveryfast——
neverwaitsfortheanswer？"
"Withjollyfineeyes，"addedtheboyapprovingly。
"Andsheorderedacow？"
"Didn’tseemto’avestrengthenoughtoliveanotherdywithahtit。"
"Anystipulationmadeconcerningthepriceofthecow？"
"Anywhat？"
"Theyoungladywiththeeyes——didshethinktoaskthepriceofthecow？"
"Nosordiddetailswasenteredinto，sofarasIcould’ear，"repliedtheboy。
Theywouldnothavebeen——byRobina。
"Anyhintletfallastowhatthecowwaswantedfor？"
"Thelydygivesustounderstand，"saidtheboy，"thatfreshmilkwas’eridea。"
Thatsurprisedme：thatwasthoughtfulofRobina。"Andthisisthecow？"
"Itowedherrahndlastnight。Ididn’tknockatthedoorandtellyerabaht’er，cos，tobequitefrankwithyer，therewasn’tanybodyin。"
"Whatisshebellowingfor？"Iasked。
"Well，"saidtheboy，"it’sonlyatheory，o’course，butIshouldsy，fromthelookof’er，thatshewantedtobemilked。"
"Butitstartedbellowingathalf—pasttwo，"Iargued。"Itdoesn’texpecttobemilkedathalf—pasttwo，doesit？"
"Meself，"saidtheboy，"I’vegivenuplookingforsenseincows。"
Insomeunaccountablewaythisboywashypnotisingme。Everythinghadsuddenlybecomeoutofplace。
Thecowhadsuddenlybecomeabsurd：sheoughttohavebeenamilk—
can。Thewoodstruckmeasneglected：thereoughttohavebeennotice—boardsabout，"KeepofftheGrass，""SmokingStrictlyProhibited"：therewasn’taseattobeseen。Thecottagehadsurelygotitselftherebyaccident：wherewasthestreet？Thebirdswerealloutoftheircages；everythingwasupsidedown。
"Areyouarealfarmer’sboy？"Iaskedhim。
"O’courseIam，"heanswered。"Whatdoyertikemefor——ahartistindisguise？"
Itcametome。"Whatisyourname？"
"’Enery——’Enery’Opkins。"
"Wherewereyouborn？"
"CamdenTahn。"
Herewasanicebeginningtoarurallife！WhatplacecouldbethecountrywhilethisboyHopkinswasabout？HewouldhavegiventotheGardenofEdentheatmosphereofanoutlyingsuburb。
"Doyouwanttoearnanoccasionalshilling？"Iputittohim。
"I’dratheritcomereggler，"saidHopkins。"Betterformekerrickter。"
"YoudropthatCockneyaccentandlearnBerkshire，andI’llgiveyouhalfasovereignwhenyoucantalkit，"Ipromisedhim。"Don’t，forinstance，say’ain’t，’"Iexplainedtohim。"Say’bain’t。’Don’tsay’Theyounglydy，shecamerahndtoourplice；’say’Themissy，’ercoomeddown；’ercoomed，and’ersestothemaister，’erses……’That’sthesortofthingIwanttosurroundmyselfwithhere。
Whenyouinformedmethatthecowwasmine，youshouldhavesaid：
’Whoi，’erbeyourcow，surelie’erbe。’"
"Sureit’sBerkshire？"demandedHopkins。"You’reconfidentaboutit？"Thereisatypethatisbynaturesuspicious。
"ItmaynotbeBerkshirepureandundefiled，"Iadmitted。"Itiswhatinliteratureweterm’dialect。’Itdoesformostplacesoutsidethetwelve—mileradius。Theobjectistoconveyafeelingofrusticsimplicity。Anyhow，itisn’tCamdenTown。"
Istartedhimwithashillingthenandtheretoencouragehim。Hepromisedtocomeroundintheeveningforoneortwobooks，writtenbyfriendsofmine，thatIreckonedwouldbeofhelptohim；andI
returnedtothecottageandsettoworktorouseRobina。Hertonewasapologetic。ShehadgotthenotionintoherheadthatIhadbeencallingherforquitealongtime。Iexplainedthatthiswasnotthecase。
"Howfunny！"sheanswered。"IsaidtoVeronicamorethananhourago：’I’msurethat’sPacallingus。’IsupposeImusthavebeendreaming。"
"Well，don’tdreamanymore，"Isuggested。"Comedownandseetothisconfoundedcowofyours。"
"Oh，"saidVeronica，"hasitcome？"
"Ithascome，"Itoldher。"Asamatteroffact，ithasbeenheresometime。Itoughttohavebeenmilkedfourhoursago，accordingtoitsownidea。"
Robinasaidshewouldbedowninaminute。
Shewasdownintwenty—five，whichwassoonerthanIhadexpected。
ShebroughtVeronicawithher。ShesaidshewouldhavebeendownsoonerifshehadnotwaitedforVeronica。ItappearedthatthiswasjustpreciselywhatVeronicahadbeentellingher。Iwasfeelingirritable。Ihadbeenuphalfaday，andhadn’thadmybreakfast。
"Don’tstandtherearguing，"Itoldthem。"Forgoodness’sakelet’sgettoworkandmilkthiscow。Weshallhavethepoorcreaturedyingonourhandsifwe’renotcareful。"
Robinawaswanderingroundtheroom。
"Youhaven’tcomeacrossamilking—stoolanywhere，haveyou，Pa？"
askedRobina。
"Ihavecomeacrossyourmilking—stool，Iestimate，somethirteentimes，"Itoldher。IfetcheditfromwhereIhadleftit，andgaveittoher；andwefiledoutinprocession；Veronicawithagalvanisedironbucketbringinguptherear。
Theproblemthatwasforcingitselfuponmymindwas：didRobinaknowhowtomilkacow？Robina，Iargued，theideaonceinhermind，wouldimmediatelyhaveorderedacow，clamouringforit——asHopkinshadpicturesquelyexpressedit——asthoughshehadnotstrengthtoliveanotherdaywithoutacow。Hernextproceedingwouldhavebeentobuyamilking—stool。Itwasatastefulmilking—stool，thisoneshehadselected，ornamentedwiththeroughdrawingofacowinpokerwork：alittletoosolidformytaste，butonethatIshouldsaywouldwearwell。Thepailshehadnotasyethadtimetoseeabout。
Thisgalvanisedbucketwewereusingwas，Itookit，atemporarymakeshift。WhenRobinahadleisureshewouldgointothetownandpurchasesomethingatanartstores。That，tocompletethescheme，shewouldhavedonewelltohavetakenafewpracticallessonsinmilkingwouldcometoher，asaninspiration，withthearrivalofthecow。InoticedthatRobina’sstepsasweapproachedthecowwerelesselastic。JustoutsidethecowRobinahalted。
"Isuppose，"saidRobina，"there’sonlyonewayofmilkingacow？"
"Theremaybefancyways，"Ianswered，"necessarytoyouiflateronyouthinkofenteringacompetition。Thismorning，seeingwearelate，Ishouldn’tworrytoomuchaboutstyle。IfIwereyou，thismorningIshouldadopttheordinaryunimaginativemethod，andaimonlyatresults。"
Robinasatdownandplacedherbucketunderneaththecow。
"Isuppose，"saidRobina，"itdoesn’tmatterwhich——whichoneIbeginwith？"
Itwasperfectlyplainshehadn’ttheleastnotionhowtomilkacow。
Itoldherso，addingcomments。Nowandthenalittlefatherlytalkdoesgood。AsaruleIhavetoworkmyselfupfortheseoccasions。
ThismorningIwasfeelingfairlyfit：thingshadconspiredtothisend。IputbeforeRobinatheaimsandprivilegesofthehouseholdfairyastheyappeared，nottoher，buttome。IalsoconfidedtoVeronicatheresultofmanyweeks’reflectionsconcerningherandherbehaviour。IalsotoldthembothwhatIthoughtaboutDick。Idothissortofthingonceeverysixmonths：ithasanexcellenteffectforaboutthreedays。
Robinawipedawayhertears，andseizedthefirstonethatcametoherhand。Thecow，withoutsayingaword，kickedovertheemptybucket，andwalkedaway，disgustexpressedineveryhairofherbody。
Robina，cryingquietly，followedher。Bypattingheronherneck，andlettingherwipehernoseuponmycoat——whichseemedtocomforther——IpersuadedhertokeepstillwhileRobinaworkedfortenminutesathighpressure。Theresultwasaboutaglassfulandahalf，thecow’scapacity，toallappearance，beingbythistimesomefiveorsixgallons。
Robinabrokedown，andacknowledgedshehadbeenawickedgirl。Ifthecowdied，soshesaid，sheshouldneverforgiveherself。
Veronicaatthisburstintotearsalso；andthecow，whethermovedafreshbyherowntroublesorbytheirs，commencedagaintobellow。
Iwasfortunatelyabletofindanelderlylabourersmokingapipeandeatingbaconunderneathatree；andwithhimIbargainedthatforashillingadayheshouldmilkthecowtillfurthernotice。
Welefthimbusy，andreturnedtothecottage。Dickmetusatthedoorwithacheery"Goodmorning。"Hewantedtoknowifwehadheardthestorm。Healsowantedtoknowwhenbreakfastwouldbeready。
Robinathoughtthathappyeventwouldbeshortlyafterhehadboiledthekettleandmadetheteaandfriedthebacon，whileVeronicawaslayingthetable。
"ButIthought——"
Robinasaidthatifhedaredtomentiontheword"household—fairy"
shewouldboxhisears，andgostraightuptobed，andleaveeverybodytodoeverything。Shesaidshemeantit。
Dickhasonevirtue：itisphilosophy。"Comeon，young’un，"saidDicktoVeronica。"Troubleisgoodforusall。"
"Someofus，"saidVeronica，"itmakesbitter。"
Wesatdowntobreakfastateight—thirty。
CHAPTERIV
OurarchitectarrivedonFridayafternoon，orrather，hisassistant。
IfeltfromthefirstIwasgoingtolikehim。Heisshy，andthat，ofcourse，makeshimappearawkward。But，asIexplainedtoRobina，itistheshyyoungmenwho，generallyspeaking，turnoutbest：fewmencouldhavebeenmorepainfullyshyuptotwenty—fivethanmyself。
Robinasaidthatwasdifferent：inthecaseofanauthoritdidnotmatter。Robina’sattitudetowardstheliteraryprofessionwouldnotannoymesomuchwereitnottypical。Tobealiterarymanis，inRobina’sopinion，tobealicensedidiot。ItwasonlyaweekortwoagothatIoverheardfrommystudywindowaconversationbetweenVeronicaandRobinauponthisverypoint。Veronica’seyehadcaughtsomethinglyingonthegrass。Icouldnotmyselfseewhatitwas，inconsequenceofaninterveninglaurelbush。Veronicastoopeddownandexamineditwithcare。Thenextinstant，utteringapiercingwhoop，sheleaptintotheair；then，clappingherhands，begantodance。
Herfacewasradiantwithaholyjoy。Robina，passingnear，stoppedanddemandedexplanation。
"Pa’stennisracket！"shoutedVeronica——Veronicaneverseestheuseoftalkinginanordinarytoneofvoicewhenshoutingwilldojustaswell。Shecontinuedclappingherhandsandtakinglittleboundsintotheair。
"Well，whatareyougoingonlikethatfor？"askedRobina。"Ithasn’tbityou，hasit？"
"It’sbeenoutallnightinthewet，"shoutedVeronica。"Heforgottobringitin。"
"Youwickedchild！"saidRobinaseverely。"It’snothingtobepleasedabout。"
"Yes，itis，"explainedVeronica。"Ithoughtatfirstitwasmine。
Oh，wouldn’ttherehavebeenatalkaboutit，ifithadbeen！Ohmy！
wouldn’ttherehavebeenarow！"Shesettleddowntoasteadyrhythmicdance，suggestiveofaGreekchorusexpressingsatisfactionwiththegods。
Robinaseizedherbytheshouldersandshookherbackintoherself。
"Ifithadbeenyours，"saidRobina，"youwoulddeservetohavebeensenttobed。"
"Well，then，whydon’thegotobed？"arguedVeronica。
Robinatookherbythearmandwalkedherupanddownjustunderneathmywindow。Ilistened，becausetheconversationinterestedme。
"Pa，asIamalwaysexplainingtoyou，"saidRobina，"isaliteraryman。Hecannothelpforgettingthings。"
"Well，Ican’thelpforgettingthings，"insistedVeronica。
"Youfindithard，"explainedRobinakindly；"butifyoukeepontryingyouwillsucceed。Youwillgetmorethoughtful。Iusedtobeforgetfulanddofoolishthingsonce，whenIwasalittlegirl。"
"Goodthingforusifwewasallliterary，"suggestedVeronica。
"Ifwe’were’allliterary，"Robinacorrectedher。"Butyouseewearenot。YouandIandDick，wearejustordinarymortals。Wemusttryandthink，andbesensible。Inthesameway，whenPagetsexcitedandraves——Imean，seemstorave——it’stheliterarytemperament。Hecan’thelpit。"
"Can’tyouhelpdoinganythingwhenyouareliterary？"askedVeronica。
"There’sagooddealyoucan’thelp，"answeredRobina。"Itisn’tfairtojudgethembytheordinarystandard。"
Theydriftedtowardsthekitchengarden——itwasthetimeofstrawberries——andtheremainderofthetalkIlost。InoticedthatforsomedaysafterwardsVeronicadisplayedatendencytoshuttingherselfupintheschoolroomwithacopybook，andthatleadpencilshadawayofdisappearingfrommydesk。OneinparticularthathadsuitedmeIdeterminedifpossibletorecover。AsubtleinstinctguidedmetoVeronica’ssanctum。Ifoundherthoughtfullysuckingit。Sheexplainedtomethatshewaswritingalittleplay。
"Yougetthingsfromyourfather，don’tyou？"sheenquiredofme。
"Youdo，"Iadmitted；"butyououghtnottotakethemwithoutasking。
Iamalwaystellingyouofit。ThatpencilistheonlyoneIcanwritewith。"
"Ididn’tmeanthepencil，"explainedVeronica。"IwaswonderingifIhadgotyourliterarytemper。"
Itispuzzling，whenyoucometothinkofit，thisestimateaccordedbythegeneralpublictothelitterateur。Itstandstoreasonthatthemanwhowritesbooks，explainingeverythingandputtingeverybodyright，mustbehimselfanexceptionallycleverman；elsehowcouldhedoit！Thethingispurelogic。YettolistentoRobinaandherlikeyoumightthinkwehadnotsenseenoughtorunourselves，asthesayingis——letalonerunningtheuniverse。IfIwouldlether，Robinawouldsitandgivemeinformationbythehour。
"Theordinarygirl……"Robinawillbegin，withtheairofaUniversityExtensionLecturer。
Itissoexasperating。AsifIdidnotknowallthereistobeknownaboutgirls！Why，itismybusiness。IpointthisouttoRobina。
"Yes，Iknow，"Robinawillanswersweetly。"ButIwasmeaningtherealgirl。"
ItwouldmakenottheslightestdifferencewereIevenquiteahigh—
classliteraryman——RobinathinksIam：sheisadearchild。WereI
Shakespearehimself，andcouldIinconsequencesaytoher：
"Methinks，child，thecreatorofOpheliaandJuliet，andRosamundandBeatrice，mustsurelyknowsomethingaboutgirls，"Robinawouldstillmakeanswer：
"Ofcourse，Padear。Everybodyknowshowcleveryouare。ButIwasthinkingforthemomentofrealgirls。"
Iwondertomyselfsometimes，Isliteraturetothegeneralreadereveranythingmorethanafairy—tale？Wewritewithourheart’sblood，asweputit。Weaskourconscience，Isitrightthustolaybarethesecretsofoursouls？Thegeneralreaderdoesnotgraspthatwearewritingwithourheart’sblood：tohimitisjustink。
Hedoesnotbelievewearelayingbarethesecretsofoursouls：hetakesitwearejustpretending。"OnceuponatimetherelivedagirlnamedAngelinawholovedapartybythenameofEdwin。"Heimagines——he，thegeneralreader——whenwetellhimallthewonderfulthoughtsthatwereinsideAngelina，thatitwaswewhoputthemthere。Hedoesnotknow，hewillnottrytounderstand，thatAngelinaisinrealitymorerealthanisMissJones，whoridesupeverymorninginthe’buswithhim，andhasaprettyknackofrenderingconversationabouttheweathernovelandsuggestive。AsaboyIwonsomepopularityamongmyschoolmatesasatellerofstories。Oneafternoon，toasmallcollectionwithwhomIwashomingacrossRegent’sPark，ItoldthestoryofabeautifulPrincess。ButshewasnottheordinaryPrincess。ShewouldnotbehaveasaPrincessshould。Icouldnothelpit。Theothersheardonlymyvoice，butIwaslisteningtothewind。ShethoughtshelovedthePrince——untilhehadwoundedtheDragonuntodeathandhadcarriedherawayintothewood。Then，whilethePrincelaysleeping，sheheardtheDragoncallingtoherinitspain，andcreptbacktowhereitlaybleeding，andputherarmsaboutitsscalyneckandkissedit；
andthathealedit。Iwashopingmyselfthatatthispointitwouldturnintoaprinceitself，butitdidn’t；itjustremainedadragon——
sothewindsaid。YetthePrincesslovedit：itwasn’thalfabaddragon，whenyouknewit。IcouldnottellthemwhatbecameofthePrince：thewinddidn’tseemtocareahangaboutthePrince。
Myself，Ilikedthestory，butHocker，whowasaFifthFormboy，voicingourlittlepublic，saiditwasrot，sofar，andthatIhadgottohurryupandfinishthingsrightly。
"Butthatisall，"Itoldthem。
"No，itisn’t，"saidHocker。"She’sgottomarrythePrinceintheend。He’llhavetokilltheDragonagain；andmindhedoesitproperlythistime。WhoeverheardofaPrincessleavingaPrinceforaDragon！"
"Butshewasn’ttheordinarysortofPrincess，"Iargued。
"Thenshe’sgottobe，"criticisedHocker。"Don’tyougiveyourselfsomanyairs。YoumakehermarrythePrince，andbeslippyaboutit。
I’vegottocatchthefour—fifteenfromChalkFarmstation。"
"Butshedidn’t，"Ipersistedobstinately。"ShemarriedtheDragonandlivedhappyeverafterwards。"
Hockeradoptedsternermeasures。Heseizedmyarmandtwisteditbehindme。
"Shemarriedwho？"demandedHocker：grammarwasnotHocker’sstrongpoint。
"TheDragon，"Igrowled。
"Shemarriedwho？"repeatedHocker。
"TheDragon，"Iwhined。
"Shemarriedwho？"forthethirdtimeurgedHocker。
Hockerwasstrong，andthetearswereforcingthemselvesintomyeyesinspiteofme。SothePrincessinreturnforhealingtheDragonmadeitpromisetoreform。ItwentbackwithhertothePrince，andmadeitselfgenerallyusefultobothofthemfortherestofthetour。AndthePrincetookthePrincesshomewithhimandmarriedher；andtheDragondiedandwasburied。Theotherslikedthestorybetter，butIhatedit；andthewindsighedanddiedaway。
Thelittlecrowdbecomesthereadingpublic，andHockergrowsintoaneditor；hetwistsmyarminotherways。Somearebrave，sothecrowdkicksthemandscurriesofftocatchthefour—fifteen。Butmostofus，Ifear，areslavestoHocker。Then，afterawhile，thewindgrowssulkyandwillnottellusstoriesanymore，andwehavetomakethemupoutofourownheads。Perhapsitisjustaswell。Whatweredoorsandwindowsmadeforbuttokeepoutthewind。
Heisadangerousfellow，thiswanderingWind；heleadsmeastray。I
wastalkingaboutourarchitect。
Hemadeabadstart，sofarasRobinawasconcerned，bycominginattheback—door。Robina，inabigapron，waswashingup。Heapologisedforhavingblunderedintothekitchen，andofferedtogooutagainandworkroundtothefront。Robinareplied，withunnecessaryseverityasIthought，thatanarchitect，ifanyone，mighthaveknownthedifferencebetweentherightsideofahouseandthewrong；butpresumedthatyouthandinexperiencecouldalwaysbepleadedasexcuseforstupidity。IcannotmyselfseewhyRobinashouldhavebeensomuchannoyed。Labour，asRobinahadbeenexplainingtoVeronicaonlyafewhoursbefore，exaltsawoman。Inoldendays，ladies——thehighestintheland——wereproud，notashamed，oftheirabilitytoperformdomesticduties。This，lateron，I
pointedouttoRobina。Heranswerwasthatinoldendaysyoudidn’thavechitsofboysgoingabout，callingthemselvesarchitects，andopeningback—doorswithoutknocking；oriftheydidknock，knockingsothatnobodyonearthcouldhearthem。
Robinawipedherhandsonthetowelbehindthedoor，andbroughthimintothefront—room，wheresheannouncedhim，coldly，as"Theyoungmanfromthearchitect’soffice。"Heexplained——butquitemodestly——
thathewasnotexactlyMessrs。Spreight’syoungman，butanarchitecthimself，ajuniormemberofthefirm。Tomakeitclearheproducedhiscard，whichwasthatofMr。ArchibaldT。Bute，F。R。I。B。A。Practicallyspeaking，allthiswasunnecessary。ThroughtheopendoorIhad，ofcourse，heardeveryword；andoldSpreighthadtoldmeofhisintentiontosendmeoneofhismostpromisingassistants，whowouldbeabletodevotehimselfentirelytomywork。
IputmattersrightbyintroducinghimformallytoRobina。Theybowedtooneanotherratherstiffly。Robinasaidthatifhewouldexcusehershewouldreturntoherwork；andheanswered"Charmed，"
andalsothathedidn’tmeanit。AsIhavetriedtogetitintoRobina’shead，theyoungfellowwasconfused。Hehadmeant——itwasself—evident——thathewascharmedatbeingintroducedtoher，notatherdesiretoreturntothekitchen。ButRobinaappearstohavetakenadisliketohim。
Igavehimacigar，andwestartedforthehouse。Itliesjustamilefromthiscottage，theothersideofthewood。OneexcellenttraitinhimIsoondiscovered——heisintelligentwithoutknowingeverything。
Iconfessittomyshame，buttheyoungmanwhoknowseverythinghascometopalluponme。AccordingtoEmerson，thisisaproofofmyownintellectualfeebleness。Thestrongman，intellectually，cultivatesthesocietyofhissuperiors。Hewantstogeton，hewantstolearnthings。IfIlovedknowledgeasoneshould，Iwouldhavenoonebutyoungmenaboutme。TherewasafriendofDick’s，agentlemanfromRugby。Atonetimehehadhopesofme；Ifelthehad。
Buthewastooimpatient。Hetriedtobringmeontooquickly。Youmusttakeintoconsiderationnaturalcapacity。Afterlisteningtohimforanhourortwomymindwouldwander。Icouldnothelpit。
Thecarelesslaughterofuninformedmiddle—agedgentlemenandladieswouldcreeptomefromthecroquetlawnorfromthebilliard—room。I
longedtobeamongthem。SometimesIwouldbattlewithmylowernature。Whatdidtheyknow？Whatcouldtheytellme？MoreoftenI
wouldsuccumb。TherewereoccasionswhenIusedtogetupandgoawayfromhim，quitesuddenly。
ItalkedwithyoungButeduringourwalkaboutdomesticarchitectureingeneral。Hesaidheshoulddescribethepresenttendencyindomesticarchitectureastowardscorners。ThedesireoftheBritishpublicwastogointoacornerandlive。AladyforwhosehusbandhisfirmhadlatelybuiltahouseinSurreyhadpropoundedtohimaprobleminconnectionwiththispoint。Sheagreeditwasacharminghouse；nohouseinSurreyhadmorecorners，andthatwassayingmuch。
Butshecouldnotseehowforthefutureshewasgoingtobringupherchildren。Shewasahumanelymindedlady。Hithertoshehadpunishedthem，whenneedful，byputtingtheminthecorner；theshameofithadalwaysexerciseduponthemasalutaryeffect。Butinthenewhousecornersarereckonedtheprimepartsofeveryroom。Itisthehonouredguestwhoissentintothecorner。Thefatherhasacornersacredtohimself，withhighupabovehisheadacomplicatedcupboard，whereinwiththehelpofastep—ladder，hemaykeephispipesandhistobacco，andthusbyslowdegreescurehimselfofthehabitofsmoking。Themotherlikewisehashercorner，wherestandsherspinning—wheel，incasetheideacomestohertoweavesheetsandunderclothing。Italsohasabook—shelfsupportingthirteenvolumes，arrangedinaslopingpositiontolooknatural；thelastonemaintainedatitsangleofforty—fivedegreesbyaginger—jarinoldblueNankin。Youarenotsupposedtotouchthem，becausethatwoulddisarrangethem。Besideswhich，foolingabout，youmightupsettheginger—jar。Theconsequenceofallthisisthecornerisnolongerdisgraceful。Theparentcannomoresaytotheerringchild：
"Youwickedboy！Gointothecosycornerthisveryminute！"
Inthehouseofthefuturetheplaceofpunishmentwillhavetobethemiddleoftheroom。Theangrymotherwillexclaim：
"Don’tyouanswerme，yousaucyminx！Yougostraightintothemiddleoftheroom，anddon’tyoudaretocomeoutofittillItellyou！"
Thedifficultywiththeartistichouseisfindingtherightpeopletoputintoit。Inthepicturetheartisticroomneverhasanybodyinit。Thereisastripofartembroideryuponthetable，togetherwithabowlofroses。Upontheancienthigh—backedsetteeliesanitemoffancywork，unfinished——justassheleftit。Inthe"study"anopenbook，facedownwards，hasbeenleftonachair。Itisthelastbookhewasreading——ithasneverbeendisturbed。Apipeofquaintdesigniscolduponthelintelofthelatticewindow。Noonewilleversmokethatpipeagain：itmusthavebeendifficulttosmokeatanytime。Thesightoftheartisticroom，asdepictedinthefurniturecatalogue，alwaysbringstearstomyeyes。Peopleonceinhabitedtheserooms，readtherethoseoldvolumesboundinvellum，smoked——ortriedtosmoke——theseimpracticablepipes；whitehands，thatsomeonemaybehadlovedtokiss，onceflutteredamongthefoldsoftheseunfinishedantimacassars，orBerlinwool—workslippers，andwentaway，leavingthethingsabout。
Onetakesitthatthepeoplewhoonceoccupiedtheseartisticroomsarenowalldead。Thiswastheir"Dining—Room。"Theysatonthoseartisticchairs。TheycouldhardlyhaveusedthedinnerservicesetoutupontheElizabethandresser，becausethatwouldhaveleftthedresserbare：oneassumestheyhadanextraserviceforuse，orelsethattheytooktheirmealsinthekitchen。The"EntranceHall"isasingularlychasteapartment。Thereisnonecessityforadoor—mat：
peoplewithmuddyboots，itistobepresumed，weresentroundtotheback。Ariding—cloak，therelicapparentlyofahighwayman，hangsbehindthedoor。Itisthesortofcloakyouwouldexpecttofindthere——adecorativecloak。Anumbrellaorawaterproofcapewouldbefataltothewholeeffect。
Nowandagaintheillustratoroftheartisticroomwillpermitayounggirltocomeandsitthere。Butshehastobeaverycarefullyselectedgirl。Tobeginwith，shehasgottolookanddressasthoughshehadbeenbornatleastthreehundredyearsago。Shehasgottohavethatsortofclothes，andshehasgottohaveherhairdonejustthatway。
Shehasgottolooksad；acheerfulgirlintheartisticroomwouldjarone’sartisticsense。Oneimaginestheartistconsultingwiththeproudpossessorofthehouse。
"Youhaven’tgotsuchathingasamiserabledaughter，haveyou？
Somefairlygood—lookinggirlwhohasbeencrossedinlove，orismisunderstood。Becauseifso，youmightdressherupinsomethingoutofthelocalmuseumandsendheralong。Alittlethinglikethatgivesverisimilitudetoadesign。"
Shemustnottouchanything。Allshemaydoistoreadabook——notreallyreadit，thatwouldsuggesttoomuchlifeandmovement：shesitswiththebookinherlapandgazesintothefire，ifithappenstobethedining—room：oroutofthewindowifithappenstobeamorning—room，andthearchitectwishestocallattentiontothewindow—seat。Nothingofthemalespecies，asfarasIhavebeenabletoascertain，haseverenteredtheserooms。IoncethoughtIhadfoundamanwhohadbeenallowedintohisown"Smoking—Den，"butoncloserexaminationitturnedouthewasonlyaportrait。
Sometimesoneisgiven"Vistas。"Doorsstandopen，andyoucanseerightawaythrough"TheNook"intothegarden。Thereisneveralivingsoulabouttheplace。Thewholefamilyhasbeensentoutforawalkorlockedupinthecellars。Thisstrikesyouasodduntilyoucometothinkthematterout。Themodernmanandwomanisnotartistic。Iamnotartistic——notwhatIcallreallyartistic。I
don’tgowellwithGobelintapestryandwarming—pans。IfeelI
don’t。Robinaisnotartistic，notinthatsense。ItriedheroncewithaharpsichordIpickedupcheapinWardourStreet，andareproductionofaRomanstool。Thethingwasanutterfailure。A
cottagepiano，withaphoto—frameandafernupon，itiswhatthesoulcriesoutforinconnectionwithRobina。Dickisnotartistic。
Dickdoesnotgowithpeacocks’feathersandguitars。IcanseeDickwithasinglepeacock’sfeatheratSt。Giles’sFair，whenthebulldogsarenotlooking；butthedecorativepanelofpeacock’sfeathersistoomuchforhim。Icanimaginehimwithabanjo——butaguitardecoratedwithpinkribbons！Tobeginwithheisnotdressedforit。Unlessafamilybepreparedtomakethemselvesupastroubadoursorcavaliersandtotalkblankverse，Idon’tseehowtheycanexpecttobehappylivinginthesefifteenth—centuryhouses。
Themodernfamily——theoldmaninbaggytrousersandafrock—coathecouldnotbuttonifhetriedto；themotheroffiguredistinctlyVictorian；theboysinflannelsuitsandcollarsuptotheirears；
thegirlsinmotorcaps——areasincongruousinthesemediaevaldwellingsasapartyofCook’stouristsdrinkingbottledbeerinthestreetsofPompeii。
Thedesignerof"TheArtisticHome"isrightinkeepingtostilllife。Intheartistichome——toparaphraseDr。Watts——everyprospectpleasesandonlymanisinartistic。Inthepicture，theartisticbedroom，"inapplegreen，thebedsteadofcherry—wood，withatouchofturkey—redthroughoutthedraperies，"ischarming。Itneedhardlybesaidthebedisempty。Putamanorwomaninthatcherry—woodbed——Idon’tcarehowartistictheymaythinkthemselves——thecharmwouldbegone。Thereallyartisticparty，onesupposes，hasalittleroombehind，wherehesleepsanddresseshimself。Hepeepsinatthedoorofthisartisticbedroom，maybeoccasionallyenterstochangetheroses。
Imaginetheartisticnurseryfiveminutesaftertherealchildhadbeenletlooseinit。Iknowaladywhooncespenthundredsofpoundsonanartisticnursery。Sheshowedittoherfriendswithpride。ThechildrenwereallowedinthereonSundayafternoons。I
didanequallysillythingmyselfnotlongago。Luredbyafurniturecatalogue，IstartedRobinainaboudoir。Igaveittoherasabirthday—present。Wehavebothregrettediteversince。Robinareckonsshecouldhavehadabicycle，adiamondbracelet，andamandoline，andIshouldhavesavedmoney。Ididthethingwell。I
toldthefurniturepeopleIwanteditjustasitstoodinthepicture："Designforbedroomandboudoircombined，suitableforyounggirl，inteak，withsparrowbluehangings。"Wehadeverything：
theantiquefirearrangementsthatavestalvirginmightpossiblyhaveunderstood；thecandlesticks，thatwerepicturesinthemselves，untilwetriedtoputcandlesinthem；thebook—caseandwriting—deskcombined，thatwasn’tbigenoughtowriteon，andoutofwhichitwasimpossibletogetabookuntilyouhadabandonedtheideaofwritingandhadclosedthecover；theenclosedwashstand，thatshutdownandlookedlikeanoldbureau，withtheinevitablebowlofflowersuponitthathadtobetakenoffandputonthefloorwheneveryouwantedtousethethingasawashstand；thetoilet—table，withitscunninglittleglass，justbigenoughtoseeyournosein；thebedstead，hiddenawaybehindthe"thinkingcorner，"wherethegirlcouldn’tgetatittomakeit。Aprettierroomyoucouldnothaveimagined，tillRobinastartedsleepinginit。Ithinkshetried。Girlfriendsofhers，towhomshehadbraggedaboutit，woulddropinandasktobeallowedtoseeit。Robinawouldsay，"Waitaminute，"andwouldrunupandslamthedoor；andwewouldhearherforthenexthalf—hourorsorushingroundopeningandshuttingdrawersanddraggingthingsabout。Bythetimeitwasaboudoiragainshewasexhaustedandirritable。ShewantsnowtogiveituptoVeronica，butVeronicaobjectstotheposition，whichisbetweenthebathroomandmystudy。
Herideaisaroommoreremoved，whereshewouldbeabletoshutherselfinanddoherwork，assheexplains，withoutfearofinterruption。
YoungButetoldmethatafriendofhis，awell—to—doyoungfellow，wholivedinPiccadilly，hadhadthewhimtomakehisflatthereproductionofaRomanvilla。Therewereofcoursenofires，theroomswerewarmedbyhotairfromthekitchen。TheyhadacheerlessaspectonaNovemberafternoon，andnobodyknewexactlywheretosit。
LightwasobtainedintheeveningfromGrecianlamps，whichmadeiteasytounderstandwhytheancientAthenians，asarule，wenttobedearly。Youdinedsprawlingonacouch。Thiswasnodoubtpracticablewhenyoutookyourplateintoyourhandandfedyourselfwithyourfingers；butwithaknifeandforkthemealhadalltheadvantagesofahotpicnic。Youdidnotfeelluxuriousorevenwicked：youonlyfeltnervousaboutyourclothes。Thethinglackedcompleteness。HecouldnotexpecthisfriendstocometohiminRomantogas，andevenhisownmandeclinedfirmlytowearthecostumeofaRomanslave。Thecompromisewasunsatisfactory，evenfromthepurelypictorialpointofview。YoucannotbeaRomanpatricianofthetimeofAntoninuswhenyouhappentoliveinPiccadillyattheopeningofthetwentiethcentury。Allyoucandoistomakeyourfriendsuncomfortableandspoiltheirdinnerforthem。YoungButesaidthat，sofarashewasconcerned，hewouldalwaysratherhavespenttheeveningwithhislittlenephewsandnieces，playingathorses；itseemedtohimamoresensiblegame。
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