Hesighedandclaspedhishandsonhisstomachwithexemplaryresignation。Iadmiredtheplacidityofhisimpudence。Thenwakingupsomewhat：
"Won’tyoutryacigar，Captain？"
"No，thanks。Idon’tsmokecigars。"
"Foronce！"heexclaimed，inapatientwhisper。Amelancholysilenceensued。Youknowhowsometimesapersondisclosesacertainunsuspecteddepthandacutenessofthought；thatis，inotherwords，utterssomethingunexpected。ItwasunexpectedenoughtohearJacobussay：
"Themanwhojustwentoutwasrightenough。Youmighttakeone，Captain。Hereeverythingisboundtobeinthewayofbusiness。"
Ifeltalittleashamedofmyself。Theremembranceofhishorridbrothermadehimappearquiteadecentsortoffellow。ItwaswithsomecompunctionthatIsaidafewwordstotheeffectthatIcouldhavenopossibleobjectiontohishospitality。
BeforeIwasaminuteolderIsawwherethisadmissionwasleadingme。Asifchangingthesubject，Jacobusmentionedthathisprivatehousewasabouttenminutes’walkaway。Ithadabeautifuloldwalledgarden。Somethingreallyremarkable。Ioughttocomeroundsomedayandhavealookatit。
Heseemedtobealoverofgardens。Itootakeextremedelightinthem；butIdidnotmeanmycompunctiontocarrymeasfarasJacobus’sflower—beds，howeverbeautifulandold。Headded，withacertainhomelinessoftone：
"There’sonlymygirlthere。"
Itisdifficulttoseteverythingdownindueorder；soImustrevertheretowhathappenedaweekortwobefore。Themedicalofficeroftheporthadcomeonboardmyshiptohavealookatoneofmycrewwhowasailing，andnaturallyenoughhewasaskedtostepintothecabin。Afellow—shipmasterofminewastheretoo；
andintheconversation，somehoworother，thenameofJacobuscametobementioned。Itwaspronouncedwithnoparticularreverencebytheotherman，Ibelieve。Idon’tremembernowwhatIwasgoingtosay。Thedoctor—apleasant，cultivatedfellow，withanassuredmanner—preventedmebystrikingin，inasourtone：
"Ah！You’retalkingaboutmyrespectedpapa—in—law。"
Ofcourse，thatsallysilencedusatthetime。ButIrememberedtheepisode，andatthisjuncture，pushedforsomethingnoncommittaltosay，Iinquiredwithpolitesurprise：
"Youhaveyourmarrieddaughterlivingwithyou，Mr。Jacobus？"
Hemovedhisbighandfromrighttoleftquietly。No！Thatwasanotherofhisgirls，hestated，ponderouslyandunderhisbreathasusual。She……Heseemedinapausetoberansackinghismindforsomekindofdescriptivephrase。Butmyhopesweredisappointed。Hemerelyproducedhisstereotypeddefinition。
"She’saverydifferentsortofperson。"
"Indeed……Andbytheby，Jacobus，Icalledonyourbrothertheotherday。It’snogreatcomplimentifIsaythatIfoundhimaverydifferentsortofpersonfromyou。"
Hehadanairofprofoundreflection，thenremarkedquaintly：
"He’samanofregularhabits。"
Hemighthavebeenalludingtothehabitoflatesiesta；butI
mumbledsomethingabout"beastlyhabitsanyhow"—andleftthestoreabruptly。
CHAPTERIV
MylittlepassagewithJacobusthemerchantbecameknowngenerally。
Oneortwoofmyacquaintancesmadedistantallusionstoit。
Perhapsthemulattoboyhadtalked。Imustconfessthatpeopleappearedratherscandalised，butnotwithJacobus’sbrutality。A
manIknewremonstratedwithmeformyhastiness。
Igavehimthewholestoryofmyvisit，notforgettingthetell—
taleresemblanceofthewretchedmulattoboytohistormentor。Hewasnotsurprised。Nodoubt，nodoubt。Whatofthat？Inajovialtoneheassuredmethattheremustbemanyofthatsort。TheelderJacobushadbeenabachelorallhislife。Ahighlyrespectablebachelor。Buttherehadneverbeenopenscandalinthatconnection。Hislifehadbeenquiteregular。Itcouldcausenooffencetoanyone。
IsaidthatIhadbeenoffendedconsiderably。Myinterlocutoropenedverywideeyes。Why？Becauseamulattoladgotafewknocks？Thatwasnotagreataffair，surely。Ihadnoideahowinsolentanduntruthfulthesehalf—casteswere。InfactheseemedtothinkMr。Jacobusratherkindthanotherwisetoemploythatyouthatall；asortofamiableweaknesswhichcouldbeforgiven。
ThisacquaintanceofminebelongedtooneoftheoldFrenchfamilies，descendantsoftheoldcolonists；allnoble，allimpoverished，andlivinganarrowdomesticlifeindull，dignifieddecay。Themen，asarule，occupyinferiorpostsinGovernmentofficesorinbusinesshouses。Thegirlsarealmostalwayspretty，ignorantoftheworld，kindandagreeableandgenerallybilingual；
theyprattleinnocentlybothinFrenchandEnglish。Theemptinessoftheirexistencepassesbelief。
Iobtainedmyentryintoacoupleofsuchhouseholdsbecausesomeyearsbefore，inBombay，Ihadoccasiontobeofusetoapleasant，ineffectualyoungmanwhowasratherstrandedthere，notknowingwhattodowithhimselforevenhowtogethometohisislandagain。Itwasamatteroftwohundredrupeesorso，but，whenI
turnedup，thefamilymadeapointofshowingtheirgratitudebyadmittingmetotheirintimacy。MyknowledgeoftheFrenchlanguagemademespeciallyacceptable。Theyhadmeantimemanagedtomarrythefellowtoawomannearlytwicehisage，comparativelywelloff：theonlyprofessionhewasreallyfitfor。Butitwasnotallcakesandale。ThefirsttimeIcalledonthecoupleshespiedalittlespotofgreaseonthepoordevil’spantaloonsandmadehimascreamingsceneofreproachessofullofsincerepassionthatIsatterrifiedasatatragedyofRacine。
OfcoursetherewasneverquestionofthemoneyIhadadvancedhim；
buthissisters，MissAngeleandMissMary，andtheauntsofbothfamilies，whospokequaintarchaicFrenchofpre—Revolutionperiod，andahostofdistantrelationsadoptedmeforafriendoutrightinamannerwhichwasalmostembarrassing。
Itwaswiththeeldestbrother（hewasemployedatadeskinmyconsignee’soffice）thatIwashavingthistalkaboutthemerchantJacobus。Heregrettedmyattitudeandnoddedhisheadsagely。Aninfluentialman。Oneneverknewwhenonewouldneedhim。I
expressedmyimmensepreferencefortheshopkeeperofthetwo。Atthatmyfriendlookedgrave。
"Whatonearthareyoupullingthatlongfaceabout？"Icriedimpatiently。"HeaskedmetoseehisgardenandIhaveagoodmindtogosomeday。"
"Don’tdothat，"hesaid，soearnestlythatIburstintoafitoflaughter；buthelookedatmewithoutasmile。
Thiswasanothermatteraltogether。AtonetimethepublicconscienceoftheislandhadbeenmightilytroubledbymyJacobus。
Thetwobrothershadbeenpartnersforyearsingreatharmony，whenawanderingcircuscametotheislandandmyJacobusbecamesuddenlyinfatuatedwithoneofthelady—riders。Whatmadeitworsewasthathewasmarried。Hehadnoteventhegracetoconcealhispassion。Itmusthavebeenstrongindeedtocarryawaysuchalargeplacidcreature。Hisbehaviourwasperfectlyscandalous。HefollowedthatwomantotheCape，andapparentlytravelledatthetailofthatbeastlycircustootherpartsoftheworld，inamostdegradingposition。Thewomansoonceasedtocareforhim，andtreatedhimworsethanadog。Mostextraordinarystoriesofmoraldegradationwerereachingtheislandatthattime。
Hehadnotthestrengthofmindtoshakehimselffree……
Thegrotesqueimageofafat，pushingship—chandler，enslavedbyanunholylove—spell，fascinatedme；andIlistenedratheropen—
mouthedtothetaleasoldastheworld，atalewhichhadbeenthesubjectoflegend，ofmoralfables，ofpoems，butwhichsoludicrouslyfailedtofitthepersonality。Whatastrangevictimforthegods！
Meantimehisdesertedwifehaddied。Hisdaughterwastakencareofbyhisbrother，whomarriedherasadvantageouslyaswaspossibleinthecircumstances。
"Oh！TheMrs。Doctor！"Iexclaimed。
"Youknowthat？Yes。Averyableman。Hewantedaliftintheworld，andtherewasagoodbitofmoneyfromhermother，besidestheexpectations……Ofcourse，theydon’tknowhim，"headded。
"Thedoctornodsinthestreet，Ibelieve，butheavoidsspeakingtohimwhentheymeetonboardaship，asmusthappensometimes。"
Iremarkedthatthissurelywasanoldstorybynow。
Myfriendassented。ButitwasJacobus’sownfaultthatitwasneitherforgivennorforgotten。Hecamebackultimately。Buthow？
Notinaspiritofcontrition，inawaytopropitiatehisscandalisedfellow—citizens。Hemustneedsdragalongwithhimachild—agirl……
"Hespoketomeofadaughterwholiveswithhim，"Iobserved，verymuchinterested。
"She’scertainlythedaughterofthecircus—woman，"saidmyfriend。
"Shemaybehisdaughtertoo；Iamwillingtoadmitthatsheis。
InfactIhavenodoubt—"
Buthedidnotseewhysheshouldhavebeenbroughtintoarespectablecommunitytoperpetuatethememoryofthescandal。Andthatwasnottheworst。Presentlysomethingmuchmoredistressinghappened。Thatabandonedwomanturnedup。Landedfromamail—
boat……
"What！Here？Toclaimthechildperhaps，"Isuggested。
"Notshe！"Myfriendlyinformantwasveryscornful。"Imagineapainted，haggard，agitated，desperatehag。BeencastoffinMozambiquebysomebodywhopaidherpassagehere。Shehadbeeninjuredinternallybyakickfromahorse；shehadn’tacentonherwhenshegotashore；Idon’tthinksheevenaskedtoseethechild。
Atanyrate，nottillthelastdayofherlife。Jacobushiredforherabungalowtodiein。HegotacoupleofSistersfromthehospitaltonurseherthroughthesefewmonths。Ifhedidn’tmarryherINEXTREMISasthegoodSisterstriedtobringabout，it’sbecauseshewouldn’tevenhearofit。Asthenunssaid：’Thewomandiedimpenitent。’ItwasreportedthatsheorderedJacobusoutoftheroomwithherlastbreath。Thismaybetherealreasonwhyhedidn’tgointomourninghimself；heonlyputthechildintoblack。Whileshewaslittleshewastobeseensometimesaboutthestreetsattendedbyanegrowoman，butsinceshebecameofagetoputherhairupIdon’tthinkshehassetfootoutsidethatgardenonce。Shemustbeovereighteennow。"
Thusmyfriend，withsomeaddeddetails；suchas，thathedidn’tthinkthegirlhadspokentothreepeopleofanypositionintheisland；thatanelderlyfemalerelativeofthebrothersJacobushadbeeninducedbyextremepovertytoacceptthepositionofgouvernantetothegirl。AstoJacobus’sbusiness（whichcertainlyannoyedhisbrother）itwasawisechoiceonhispart。Itbroughthimincontactonlywithstrangersofpassage；whereasanyotherwouldhavegivenrisetoallsortsofawkwardnesswithhissocialequals。Themanwasnotwantinginacertaintact—onlyhewasnaturallyshameless。Forwhydidhewanttokeepthatgirlwithhim？Itwasmostpainfulforeverybody。
Ithoughtsuddenly（andwithprofounddisgust）oftheotherJacobus，andIcouldnotrefrainfromsayingslily：
"Isupposeifheemployedher，say，asascullioninhishouseholdandoccasionallypulledherhairorboxedherears，thepositionwouldhavebeenmoreregular—lessshockingtotherespectableclasstowhichhebelongs。"
Hewasnotsostupidastomissmyintention，andshruggedhisshouldersimpatiently。
"Youdon’tunderstand。Tobeginwith，she’snotamulatto。Andascandalisascandal。Peopleshouldbegivenachancetoforget。
Idaresayitwouldhavebeenbetterforherifshehadbeenturnedintoascullionorsomethingofthatkind。Ofcoursehe’stryingtomakemoneyineverysortofpettyway，butinsuchabusinessthere’llneverbeenoughforanybodytocomeforward。"
WhenmyfriendleftmeIhadaconceptionofJacobusandhisdaughterexisting，alonelypairofcastaways，onadesertisland；
thegirlshelteringinthehouseasifitwereacaverninacliff，andJacobusgoingouttopickupalivingforbothonthebeach—
exactlyliketwoshipwreckedpeoplewhoalwayshopeforsomerescuertobringthembackatlastintotouchwiththerestofmankind。
ButJacobus’sbodilyrealitydidnotfitinwiththisromanticview。Whenheturneduponboardintheusualcourse，hesippedthecupofcoffeeplacidly，askedmeifIwassatisfied—andI
hardlylistenedtotheharbourgossiphedroppedslowlyinhislow，voice—savingenunciation。Ihadthentroublesofmyown。Myshipchartered，mythoughtsdwellingonthesuccessofaquickroundvoyage，Ihadbeensuddenlyconfrontedbyashortageofbags。A
catastrophe！Thestockofoneespecialkind，calledpockets，seemedtobetotallyexhausted。Aconsignmentwasshortlyexpected—itwasafloat，onitsway，but，meantime，theloadingofmyshipdeadstopped，Ihadenoughtoworryabout。Myconsignees，whohadreceivedmewithsuchheartinessonmyarrival，now，inthecharacterofmycharterers，listenedtomycomplaintswithpolitehelplessness。Theirmanager，theold—maidish，thinman，whosoprudishlydidn’tevenliketospeakabouttheimpureJacobus，gavemethecorrectcommercialviewoftheposition。
"MydearCaptain"—hewasretractinghisleatherycheeksintoacondescending，shark—likesmile—"wewerenotmorallyobligedtotellyouofapossibleshortagebeforeyousignedthecharter—
party。Itwasforyoutoguardagainstthecontingencyofadelay—strictlyspeaking。Butofcourseweshouldn’thavetakenanyadvantage。Thisisnoone’sfaultreally。Weourselveshavebeentakenunawares，"heconcludedprimly，withanobviouslie。
ThislectureIconfesshadmademethirsty。Suppressedragegenerallyproducesthateffect；andasIstrolledonaimlesslyI
bethoughtmyselfofthetallearthenwarepitcherinthecaptains’
roomoftheJacobus"store。"
WithnomorethananodtothemenIfoundassembledthere，I
poureddownadeep，cooldraughtonmyindignation，thenanother，andthen，becomingdejected，Isatplungedincheerlessreflections。Theothersread，talked，smoked，bandiedovermyheadsomeunsubtlechaff。Butmyabstractionwasrespected。AnditwaswithoutawordtoanyonethatIroseandwentout，onlytobequiteunexpectedlyaccostedinthebustleofthestorebyJacobustheoutcast。
"Gladtoseeyou，Captain。What？Goingaway？Youhaven’tbeenlookingsowelltheselastfewdays，Inotice。Rundown，eh？"
Hewasinhisshirt—sleeves，andhiswordswereintheusualcourseofbusiness，buttheyhadahumannote。Itwascommercialamenity，butIhadbeenastrangertoamenityinthatconnection。Idoverilybelieve（fromthedirectionofhisheavyglancetowardsacertainshelf）thathewasgoingtosuggestthepurchaseofClarkson’sNerveTonic，whichhekeptinstock，whenIsaidimpulsively：
"Iamratherintroublewithmyloading。"
Wideawakeunderhissleepy，broadmaskwithgluedlips，heunderstoodatonce，hadamovementoftheheadsoappreciativethatIrelievedmyexasperationbyexclaiming：
"Surelytheremustbeelevenhundredquarter—bagstobefoundinthecolony。It’sonlyamatteroflookingforthem。"
Againthatslightmovementofthebighead，andinthenoiseandactivityofthestorethattranquilmurmur：
"Tobesure。Butthenpeoplelikelytohaveareserveofquarter—
bagswouldn’twanttosell。They’dneedthatsizethemselves。"
"That’sexactlywhatmyconsigneesaretellingme。Impossibletobuy。Bosh！Theydon’twantto。Itsuitsthemtohavetheshiphungup。ButifIweretodiscoverthelottheywouldhaveto—
Lookhere，Jacobus！Youarethemantohavesuchathingupyoursleeve。"
Heprotestedwithaponderousswingofhisbighead。Istoodbeforehimhelplessly，beinglookedatbythoseheavyeyeswithaveiledexpressionasofamanaftersomesoul—shakingcrisis。
Then，suddenly：
"It’simpossibletotalkquietlyhere，"hewhispered。"Iamverybusy。Butifyoucouldgoandwaitformeinmyhouse。It’slessthantenminutes’walk。Oh，yes，youdon’tknowtheway。"
Hecalledforhiscoatandofferedtotakemetherehimself。Hewouldhavetoreturntothestoreatonceforanhourorsotofinishhisbusiness，andthenhewouldbeatlibertytotalkoverwithmethatmatterofquarter—bags。Thisprogrammewasbreathedoutatmethroughslightlyparted，stilllips；hisheavy，motionlessglanceresteduponme，placidasever，theglanceofatiredman—butIfeltthatitwassearching，too。Icouldnotimaginewhathewaslookingforinmeandkeptsilent，wondering。
"IamaskingyoutowaitformeinmyhousetillIamatlibertytotalkthismatterover。Youwill？"
"Why，ofcourse！"Icried。
"ButIcannotpromise—"
"Idaresaynot，"Isaid。"Idon’texpectapromise。"
"ImeanIcan’tevenpromisetotrythemoveI’veinmymind。Onemustseefirst……h’m！"
"Allright。I’lltakethechance。I’llwaitforyouaslongasyoulike。WhatelsehaveItodointhisinfernalholeofaport！"
BeforeIhadutteredmylastwordswehadsetoffataswingingpace。Weturnedacoupleofcornersandenteredastreetcompletelyemptyoftraffic，ofsemi—ruralaspect，pavedwithcobblestonesnestlingingrasstufts。Thehousecametothelineoftheroadway；asinglestoryonanelevatedbasementofrough—
stones，sothatourheadswerebelowthelevelofthewindowsaswewentalong。Allthejalousiesweretightlyshut，likeeyes，andthehouseseemedfastasleepintheafternoonsunshine。Theentrancewasattheside，inanalleyevenmoregrass—grownthanthestreet：asmalldoor，simplyonthelatch。
Withawordofapologyastoshowingmetheway，JacobusprecededmeupadarkpassageandledmeacrossthenakedparquetfloorofwhatIsupposedtobethedining—room。Itwaslightedbythreeglassdoorswhichstoodwideopenontoaverandahorratherloggiarunningitsbrickarchesalongthegardensideofthehouse。Itwasreallyamagnificentgarden：smoothgreenlawnsandagorgeousmazeofflower—bedsintheforeground，displayedaroundabasinofdarkwaterframedinamarblerim，andinthedistancethemassedfoliageofvariedtreesconcealingtheroofsofotherhouses。Thetownmighthavebeenmilesaway。Itwasabrilliantlycolouredsolitude，drowsinginawarm，voluptuoussilence。Wherethelong，stillshadowsfellacrossthebeds，andinshadynooks，themassedcoloursoftheflowershadanextraordinarymagnificenceofeffect。
Istoodentranced。Jacobusgraspedmedelicatelyabovetheelbow，impellingmetoahalf—turntotheleft。
Ihadnotnoticedthegirlbefore。Sheoccupiedalow，deep，wickerworkarm—chair，andIsawherinexactprofilelikeafigureinatapestry，andasmotionless。Jacobusreleasedmyarm。
"ThisisAlice，"heannouncedtranquilly；andhissubduedmannerofspeakingmadeitsoundsomuchlikeaconfidentialcommunicationthatIfanciedmyselfnoddingunderstandinglyandwhispering："I
see，Isee。"……Ofcourse，Ididnothingofthekind。Neitherofusdidanything；westoodsidebysidelookingdownatthegirl。
Forquiteatimeshedidnotstir，staringstraightbeforeherasifwatchingthevisionofsomepageantpassingthroughthegardeninthedeep，richglowoflightandthesplendourofflowers。
Then，comingtotheendofherreverie，shelookedroundandup。
IfIhadnotatfirstnoticedher，Iamcertainthatshetoohadbeenunawareofmypresencetillsheactuallyperceivedmebyherfather’sside。Thequickenedupwardmovementoftheheavyeyelids，thewideningofthelanguidglance，passingintoafixedstare，putthatbeyonddoubt。
Underheramazementtherewasahintoffear，andthencameaflashasofanger。Jacobus，afterutteringmynamefairlyloud，said：
"Makeyourselfathome，Captain—Iwon’tbegonelong，"andwentawayrapidly。BeforeIhadtimetomakeabowIwasleftalonewiththegirl—who，Irememberedsuddenly，hadnotbeenseenbyanymanorwomanofthattownsinceshehadfounditnecessarytoputupherhair。Itlookedasthoughithadnotbeentouchedagainsincethatdistanttimeoffirstputtingup；itwasamassofblack，lustrouslocks，twistedanyhowhighonherhead，withlong，untidywispshangingdownoneachsideoftheclearsallowface；amasssothickandstrongandabundantthat，nothingbuttolookat，itgaveyouasensationofheavypressureonthetopofyourheadandanimpressionofmagnificentlycynicaluntidiness。Sheleanedforward，huggingherselfwithcrossedlegs；adingy，amber—
coloured，flouncedwrapperofsomethinstuffrevealedtheyoungsupplebodydrawntogethertenselyinthedeeplowseatasifcrouchingforaspring。Idetectedaslight，quiveringstartortwo，whichlookeduncommonlylikeboundingaway。Theywerefollowedbythemostabsoluteimmobility。
TheabsurdimpulsetorunoutafterJacobus（forIhadbeenstartled，too）oncerepressed，Itookachair，placeditnotveryfarfromher，satdowndeliberately，andbegantotalkaboutthegarden，caringnotwhatIsaid，butusingagentlecaressingintonationasonetalkstosootheastartledwildanimal。Icouldnotevenbecertainthatsheunderstoodme。Sheneverraisedherfacenorattemptedtolookmyway。Ikeptontalkingonlytopreventherfromtakingflight。Shehadanotherofthosequivering，repressedstartswhichmademecatchmybreathwithapprehension。
UltimatelyIformedanotionthatwhatpreventedherperhapsfromgoingoffinonegreat，nervousleap，wasthescantinessofherattire。Thewickerarmchairwasthemostsubstantialthingaboutherperson。Whatshehadonunderthatdingy，loose，amberwrappermusthavebeenofthemostflimsyandairycharacter。Onecouldnothelpbeingawareofit。Itwasobvious。Ifeltitactuallyembarrassingatfirst；butthatsortofembarrassmentisgotovereasilybyamindnotenslavedbynarrowprejudices。IdidnotavertmygazefromAlice。Iwentontalkingwithingratiatingsoftness，therecollectionthat，mostlikely，shehadneverbeforebeenspokentobyastrangemanaddingtomyassurance。Idon’tknowwhyanemotionaltensenessshouldhavecreptintothesituation。Butitdid。AndjustasIwasbecomingawareofitaslightscreamcutshortmyflowofurbanespeech。
Thescreamdidnotproceedfromthegirl。Itwasemittedbehindme，andcausedmetoturnmyheadsharply。IunderstoodatoncethattheapparitioninthedoorwaywastheelderlyrelationofJacobus，thecompanion，thegouvernante。Whilesheremainedthunderstruck，Igotupandmadeheralowbow。
TheladiesofJacobus’shouseholdevidentlyspenttheirdaysinlightattire。Thisstumpyoldwomanwithafacelikealargewrinkledlemon，beadyeyes，andashockofiron—greyhair，wasdressedinagarmentofsomeash—coloured，silky，lightstuff。Itfellfromherthickneckdowntohertoeswiththesimplicityofanunadornednightgown。Itmadeherappeartrulycylindrical。Sheexclaimed："Howdidyougethere？"
BeforeIcouldsayawordshevanishedandpresentlyIheardaconfusionofshrillprotestationsinadistantpartofthehouse。
ObviouslynoonecouldtellherhowIgotthere。Inamoment，withgreatoutcriesfromtwonegrowomenfollowingher，shewaddledbacktothedoorway，infuriated。
"Whatdoyouwanthere？"
Iturnedtothegirl。Shewassittingstraightupnow，herhandsposedonthearmsofthechair。Iappealedtoher。
"Surely，MissAlice，youwillnotletthemdrivemeoutintothestreet？"
Hermagnificentblackeyes，narrowed，longinshape，sweptovermewithanindefinableexpression，theninaharsh，contemptuousvoicesheletfallinFrenchasortofexplanation：
"C’ESTPAPA。"
Imadeanotherlowbowtotheoldwoman。
Sheturnedherbackonmeinordertodriveawayherblackhenchwomen，thensurveyingmypersoninapeculiarmannerwithonesmalleyenearlyclosedandherfacealldrawnuponthatsideasifwithatwingeoftoothache，shesteppedoutontheverandah，satdowninarocking—chairsomedistanceaway，andtookupherknittingfromalittletable。Beforeshestartedatitsheplungedoneoftheneedlesintothemopofhergreyhairandstirreditvigorously。
Herelementarynightgown—sortoffrockclungtoherancient，stumpy，andfloatingform。Sheworewhitecottonstockingsandflatbrownvelvetslippers。Herfeetandankleswereobtrusivelyvisibleonthefoot—rest。Shebegantorockherselfslightly，whilesheknitted。Ihadresumedmyseatandkeptquiet，forI
mistrustedthatoldwoman。Whatifsheorderedmetodepart？Sheseemedcapableofanyoutrage。Shehadsnortedonceortwice；shewasknittingviolently。SuddenlyshepipedattheyounggirlinFrenchaquestionwhichItranslatecolloquially：
"What’syourfatherupto，now？"
Theyoungcreatureshruggedhershoulderssocomprehensivelythatherwholebodyswayedwithintheloosewrapper；andinthatunexpectedlyharshvoicewhichyethadaseductivequalitytothesenses，likecertainkindsofnaturalroughwinesonedrinkswithpleasure：
"It’ssomecaptain。Leavemealone—willyou！"
Thechairrockedquicker，theold，thinvoicewaslikeawhistle。
"Youandyourfathermakeapair。Hewouldstickatnothing—
that’swellknown。ButIdidn’texpectthis。"
IthoughtithightimetoairsomeofmyownFrench。Iremarkedmodestly，butfirmly，thatthiswasbusiness。IhadsomematterstotalkoverwithMr。Jacobus。
Atonceshepipedoutaderisive"Poorinnocent！"Then，withachangeoftone："Theshop’sforbusiness。Whydon’tyougototheshoptotalkwithhim？"
Thefuriousspeedofherfingersandknitting—needlesmadeonedizzy；andwithsqueakyindignation：
"Sittingherestaringatthatgirl—isthatwhatyoucallbusiness？"
"No，"Isaidsuavely。"Icallthispleasure—anunexpectedpleasure。AndunlessMissAliceobjects—"
Ihalfturnedtoher。Sheflungatmeanangryandcontemptuous"Don’tcare！"andleaningherelbowonherkneestookherchininherhand—aJacobuschinundoubtedly。Andthoseheavyeyelids，thisblackirritatedstareremindedmeofJacobus，too—thewealthymerchant，therespectedone。Thedesignofhereyebrowsalsowasthesame，rigidandill—omened。Yes！Itracedinheraresemblancetobothofthem。ItcametomeasasortofsurprisingremoteinferencethatboththeseJacobuseswereratherhandsomemenafterall。Isaid：
"Oh！ThenIshallstareatyoutillyousmile。"
Shefavouredmeagainwithanevenmoreviciouslyscornful"Don’tcare！"
Theoldwomanbrokeinbluntandshrill：
"Hearhisimpudence！Andyoutoo！Don’tcare！Goatleastandputsomemoreclotheson。Sittingtherelikethisbeforethissailorriff—raff。"
ThesunwasabouttoleavethePearloftheOceanforotherseas，forotherlands。Thewalledgardenfullofshadowsblazedwithcolourasiftheflowersweregivingupthelightabsorbedduringtheday。Theamazingoldwomanbecameveryexplicit。Shesuggestedtothegirlacorsetandapetticoatwithacynicalunreservewhichhumiliatedme。WasIofnomoreaccountthanawoodendummy？Thegirlsnappedout："Shan’t！"
Itwasnotthenaughtyretortofavulgarchild；ithadanoteofdesperation。Clearlymyintrusionhadsomehowupsetthebalanceoftheirestablishedrelations。Theoldwomanknittedwithfuriousaccuracy，hereyesfasteneddownonherwork。
"Oh，youarethetruechildofyourfather！AndTHATtalksofenteringaconvent！Lettingherselfbestaredatbyafellow。"
"Leaveoff。"
"Shamelessthing！"
"Oldsorceress，"thegirluttereddistinctly，preservinghermeditativepose，chininhand，andafar—awaystareoverthegarden。
Itwaslikethequarrelofthekettleandthepot。Theoldwomanflewoutofthechair，bangeddownherwork，andwithagreatplayofthicklimbperfectlyvisibleinthatweird，clinginggarmentofhers，strodeatthegirl—whoneverstirred。Iwasexperiencingasortoftrepidationwhen，asifawedbythatunconsciousattitude，theagedrelativeofJacobusturnedshortuponme。
Shewas，Iperceived，armedwithaknitting—needle；andassheraisedherhandherintentionseemedtobetothrowitatmelikeadart。Butsheonlyusedittoscratchherheadwith，examiningmethewhileatcloserange，oneeyenearlyshutandherfacedistortedbyawhimsical，one—sidedgrimace。
"Mydearman，"sheaskedabruptly，"doyouexpectanygoodtocomeofthis？"
"Idohopesoindeed，MissJacobus。"Itriedtospeakintheeasytoneofanafternooncaller。"Yousee，Iamhereaftersomebags。"
"Bags！Lookatthatnow！Didn’tIhearyouholdingforthtothatgracelesswretch？"
"Youwouldliketoseemeinmygrave，"utteredthemotionlessgirlhoarsely。
"Grave！Whataboutme？BuriedalivebeforeIamdeadforthesakeofathingblessedwithsuchaprettyfather！"shecried；andturningtome："You’reoneofthesemenhedoesbusinesswith。
Well—whydon’tyouleaveusinpeace，mygoodfellow？"
Itwassaidinatone—this"leaveusinpeace！"Therewasasortofruffianlyfamiliarity，asuperiority，ascorninit。Iwastohearitmorethanonce，foryouwouldshowanimperfectknowledgeofhumannatureifyouthoughtthatthiswasmylastvisittothathouse—wherenorespectablepersonhadputfootforeversomanyyears。No，youwouldbeverymuchmistakenifyouimaginedthatthisreceptionhadscaredmeaway。FirstofallIwasnotgoingtorunbeforeagrotesqueandruffianlyoldwoman。
Andthenyoumustn’tforgetthesenecessarybags。ThatfirsteveningJacobusmademestaytodinner；after，however，tellingmeloyallythathedidn’tknowwhetherhecoulddoanythingatallforme。Hehadbeenthinkingitover。Itwastoodifficult，hefeared……Buthedidnotgiveitupinsomanywords。
Wewereonlythreeattable；thegirlbymeansofrepeated"Won’t！"
"Shan’t！"and"Don’tcare！"havingconveyedandaffirmedherintentionnottocometothetable，nottohaveanydinner，nottomovefromtheverandah。Theoldrelativehoppedaboutinherflatslippersandpipedindignantly，Jacobustoweredoverherandmurmuredplacidlyinhisthroat；Ijoinedjocularlyfromadistance，throwinginafewwords，forwhichunderthecoverofthenightIreceivedsecretlyamostviciouspokeintheribsfromtheoldwoman’selboworperhapsherfist。Irestrainedacry。Andallthetimethegirldidn’tevencondescendtoraiseherheadtolookatanyofus。Allthismaysoundchildish—andyetthatstony，petulantsullennesshadanobscurelytragicflavour。
Andsowesatdowntothefoodaroundthelightofagoodmanycandleswhilesheremainedcrouchingoutthere，staringinthedarkasiffeedingherbadtemperontheheavilyscentedairoftheadmirablegarden。
BeforeleavingIsaidtoJacobusthatIwouldcomenextdaytohearifthebagaffairhadmadeanyprogress。Heshookhisheadslightlyatthat。
"I’llhauntyourhousedailytillyoupullitoff。You’llbealwaysfindingmehere。"
Hisfaint，melancholysmiledidnotparthisthicklips。
"Thatwillbeallright，Captain。"
Thenseeingmetothedoor，verytranquil，hemurmuredearnestlytherecommendation："Makeyourselfathome，"andalsothehospitablehintabouttherebeingalways"aplateofsoup。"Itwasonlyonmywaytothequay，downtheill—lightedstreets，thatI
rememberedIhadbeenengagedtodinethatveryeveningwiththeS—
family。Thoughvexedwithmyforgetfulness（itwouldberatherawkwardtoexplain）Icouldn’thelpthinkingthatithadprocuredmeamoreamusingevening。Andbesides—business。Thesacredbusiness—。
Inabarefootednegrowhoovertookmeatarunandbolteddownthelanding—stepsIrecognisedJacobus’sboatman，whomusthavebeenfeedinginthekitchen。Hisusual"Good—night，sah！"asIwentupmyship’sladderhadamorecordialsoundthanonpreviousoccasions。
CHAPTERV
IkeptmywordtoJacobus。Ihauntedhishome。Hewasperpetuallyfindingmethereofanafternoonwhenhepoppedinforamomentfromthe"store。"ThesoundofmyvoicetalkingtohisAlicegreetedhimonhisdoorstep；andwhenhereturnedforgoodintheevening，tentoonehewouldhearitstillgoingonintheverandah。Ijustnoddedtohim；hewouldsitdownheavilyandgently，andwatchwithasortofapprovinganxietymyeffortstomakehisdaughtersmile。
Icalledheroften"Alice，"rightbeforehim；sometimesIwouldaddressherasMiss"Don’tCare，"andIexhaustedmyselfinnonsensicalchatterwithoutsucceedingonceintakingheroutofherpeevishandtragicself。ThereweremomentswhenIfeltImustbreakoutandstartswearingathertillallwasblue。AndI
fanciedthathadIdonesoJacobuswouldnothavemovedamuscle。
Asortofshady，intimateunderstandingseemedtohavebeenestablishedbetweenus。
Imustsaythegirltreatedherfatherexactlyinthesamewayshetreatedme。
Andhowcouldithavebeenotherwise？Shetreatedmeasshetreatedherfather。Shehadneverseenavisitor。Shedidnotknowhowmenbehaved。Ibelongedtothelowlotwithwhomherfatherdidbusinessattheport。Iwasofnoaccount。Sowasherfather。Theonlydecentpeopleintheworldwerethepeopleoftheisland，whowouldhavenothingtodowithhimbecauseofsomethingwickedhehaddone。ThiswasapparentlytheexplanationMissJacobushadgivenherofthehousehold’sisolatedposition。Forshehadtobetoldsomething！AndIfeelconvincedthatthisversionhadbeenassentedtobyJacobus。Imustsaytheoldwomanwasputtingitforwardwithconsiderablegusto。Itwasonherlipstheuniversalexplanation，theuniversalallusion，theuniversaltaunt。
OnedayJacobuscameinearlyand，beckoningmeintothedining—
room，wipedhisbrowwithawearygestureandtoldmethathehadmanagedtounearthasupplyofquarter—bags。
"It’sfourteenhundredyourshipwanted，didyousay，Captain？"
"Yes，yes！"Irepliedeagerly；butheremainedcalm。HelookedmoretiredthanIhadeverseenhimbefore。
"Well，Captain，youmaygoandtellyourpeoplethattheycangetthatlotfrommybrother。"
AsIremainedopen—mouthedatthis，headdedhisusualplacidformulaofassurance：
"You’llfinditcorrect，Captain。"
"Youspoketoyourbrotheraboutit？"Iwasdistinctlyawed。"Andforme？Becausehemusthaveknownthatmyship’stheonlyonehungupforbags。Howonearth—"
Hewipedhisbrowagain。Inoticedthathewasdressedwithunusualcare，inclothesinwhichIhadneverseenhimbefore。Heavoidedmyeye。
"You’veheardpeopletalk，ofcourse……That’strueenough。He……I……Wecertainly……forseveralyears……"Hisvoicedeclinedtoameresleepymurmur。"YouseeIhadsomethingtotellhimof，somethingwhich—"
Hismurmurstopped。Hewasnotgoingtotellmewhatthissomethingwas。AndIdidn’tcare。Anxioustocarrythenewstomycharterers，Iranbackontheverandahtogetmyhat。
AtthebustleImadethegirlturnedhereyesslowlyinmydirection，andeventheoldwomanwascheckedinherknitting。I
stoppedamomenttoexclaimexcitedly：
"Yourfather’sabrick，MissDon’tCare。That’swhatheis。"
Shebeheldmyelationinscornfulsurprise。JacobuswithunwontedfamiliarityseizedmyarmasIflewthroughthedining—room，andbreathedheavilyatmeaproposalabout"Aplateofsoup"thatevening。Ianswereddistractedly："Eh？What？Oh，thanks！
Certainly。Withpleasure，"andtoremyselfaway。Dinewithhim？
Ofcourse。ThemerestgratitudeButsomethreehoursafterwards，inthedusky，silentstreet，pavedwithcobble—stones，Ibecameawarethatitwasnotmeregratitudewhichwasguidingmystepstowardsthehousewiththeoldgarden，whereforyearsnoguestotherthanmyselfhadeverdined。Meregratitudedoesnotgnawatone’sinterioreconomyinthatparticularway。Hungermight；butIwasnotfeelingparticularlyhungryforJacobus’sfood。
Onthatoccasion，too，thegirlrefusedtocometothetable。
Myexasperationgrew。Theoldwomancastmaliciousglancesatme。
IsaidsuddenlytoJacobus："Here！Putsomechickenandsaladonthatplate。"Heobeyedwithoutraisinghiseyes。Icarrieditwithaknifeandforkandaservietteoutontheverandah。Thegardenwasonemassofgloom，likeacemeteryofflowersburiedinthedarkness，andshe，inthechair，seemedtomusemournfullyovertheextinctionoflightandcolour。Onlywhiffsofheavyscentpassedlikewandering，fragrantsoulsofthatdepartedmultitudeofblossoms。Italkedvolubly，jocularly，persuasively，tenderly；I
talkedinasubduedtone。Toalisteneritwouldhavesoundedlikethemurmurofapleadinglover。WheneverIpausedexpectantlytherewasonlyadeepsilence。Itwaslikeofferingfoodtoaseatedstatue。
"Ihaven’tbeenabletoswallowasinglemorselthinkingofyououtherestarvingyourselfinthedark。It’spositivelycrueltobesoobstinate。Thinkofmysufferings。"
"Don’tcare。"
IfeltasifIcouldhavedonehersomeviolence—shakenher，beatenhermaybe。Isaid：
"Yourabsurdbehaviourwillpreventmecominghereanymore。"
"What’sthattome？"
"Youlikeit。"
"It’sfalse，"shesnarled。
Myhandfellonhershoulder；andifshehadflinchedIverilybelieveIwouldhaveshakenher。Buttherewasnomovementandthisimmobilitydisarmedmyanger。
"Youdo。Oryouwouldn’tbefoundontheverandaheveryday。Whyareyouhere，then？Thereareplentyofroomsinthehouse。Youhaveyourownroomtostayin—ifyoudidnotwanttoseeme。Butyoudo。Youknowyoudo。"
Ifeltaslightshudderundermyhandandreleasedmygripasiffrightenedbythatsignofanimationinherbody。Thescentedairofthegardencametousinawarmwavelikeavoluptuousandperfumedsigh。
"Gobacktothem，"shewhispered，almostpitifully。
AsIre—enteredthedining—roomIsawJacobuscastdownhiseyes。
Ibangedtheplateonthetable。Atthisdemonstrationofill—
humourhemurmuredsomethinginanapologetictone，andIturnedonhimviciouslyasifhewereaccountabletomeforthese"abominableeccentricities，"IbelieveIcalledthem。
"ButIdaresayMissJacobushereisresponsibleformostofthisoffensivemanner，"Iaddedloftily。
Shepipedoutatonceinherbrazen，ruffianlymanner：
"Eh？Whydon’tyouleaveusinpeace，mygoodfellow？"
IwasastonishedthatsheshoulddarebeforeJacobus。Yetwhatcouldhehavedonetorepressher？Heneededhertoomuch。Heraisedaheavy，drowsyglanceforaninstant，thenlookeddownagain。Sheinsistedwithshrillfinality：
"Haven’tyoudoneyourbusiness，youtwo？Well，then—"
ShehadthetrueJacobusimpudence，thatoldwoman。Hermopofiron—greyhairwasparted，onthesidelikeaman’s，raffishly，andshemadeasiftoplungeherforkintoit，assheusedtodowiththeknitting—needle，butrefrained。Herlittleblackeyessparkledvenomously。Iturnedtomyhostattheheadofthetable—
menacinglyasitwere。
"Well，andwhatdoyousaytothat，Jacobus？AmItotakeitthatwehavedonewitheachother？"
Ihadtowaitalittle。Theanswerwhenitcamewasratherunexpected，andinquiteanotherspiritthanthequestion。
"Icertainlythinkwemightdosomebusinessyetwiththosepotatoesofmine，Captain。Youwillfindthat—"
Icuthimshort。
"I’vetoldyoubeforethatIdon’ttrade。"
Hisbroadchestheavedwithoutasoundinanoiselesssigh。
"Thinkitover，Captain，"hemurmured，tenaciousandtranquil；andIburstintoajarringlaugh，rememberinghowhehadstucktothecircus—riderwoman—thedepthofpassionunderthatplacidsurface，whichevencutswithariding—whip（sothelegendhadit）
couldneverraffleintothesemblanceofastorm；somethinglikethepassionofafishwouldbeifonecouldimaginesuchathingasapassionatefish。
ThateveningIexperiencedmoredistinctlythaneverthesenseofmoraldiscomfortwhichalwaysattendedmeinthathouselyingunderthebanofall"decent"people。Irefusedtostayonandsmokeafterdinner；andwhenIputmyhandintothethickly—cushionedpalmofJacobus，Isaidtomyselfthatitwouldbeforthelasttimeunderhisroof。Ipressedhisbulkypawheartilynevertheless。Hadn’thegotmeoutofaseriousdifficulty？TothefewwordsofacknowledgmentIwasbound，andindeedquitewilling，toutter，heansweredbystretchinghisclosedlipsinhismelancholy，glued—togethersmile。
"Thatwillbeallright，Ihope，Captain，"hebreathedoutweightily。
"Whatdoyoumean？"Iasked，alarmed。"Thatyourbrothermightyet—"
"Oh，no，"hereassuredme。"He……he’samanofhisword，Captain。"
Myself—communionasIwalkedawayfromhisdoor，tryingtobelievethatthiswasforthelasttime，wasnotsatisfactory。IwasawaremyselfthatIwasnotsincereinmyreflectionsastoJacobus’smotives，and，ofcourse，theverynextdayIwentbackagain。
Howweak，irrational，andabsurdweare！Howeasilycarriedawaywheneverourawakenedimaginationbringsustheirritatinghintofadesire！Icaredforthegirlinaparticularway，seducedbythemoodyexpressionofherface，byherobstinatesilences，herrare，scornfulwords；bytheperpetualpoutofherclosedlips，theblackdepthsofherfixedgazeturnedslowlyuponmeasifincontemptuousprovocation，onlytobeavertednextmomentwithanexasperatingindifference。
Ofcoursethenewsofmyassiduityhadspreadalloverthelittletown。Inoticedachangeinthemannerofmyacquaintancesandevensomethingdifferentinthenodsoftheothercaptains，whenmeetingthematthelanding—stepsorintheofficeswherebusinesscalledme。Theold—maidishheadclerktreatedmewithdistantpunctiliousnessand，asitwere，gatheredhisskirtsroundhimforfearofcontamination。ItseemedtomethattheveryniggersonthequaysturnedtolookaftermeasIpassed；andastoJacobus’sboatmanhis"Good—night，sah！"whenheputmeonboardwasnolongermerelycordial—ithadafamiliar，confidentialsoundasthoughwehadbeenpartnersinsomevillainy。
MyfriendS—theelderpassedmeontheothersideofthestreetwithawaveofthehandandanironicsmile。Theyoungerbrother，theonetheyhadmarriedtoanelderlyshrew，he，onthestrengthofanolderfriendshipandasifpayingadebtofgratitude，tookthelibertytoutterawordofwarning。
"You’redoingyourselfnogoodbyyourchoiceoffriends，mydearchap，"hesaidwithinfantilegravity。
AsIknewthatthemeetingofthebrothersJacobuswasthesubjectofexcitedcommentinthewholeofthesugaryPearloftheOceanI
wantedtoknowwhyIwasblamed。
"Ihavebeentheoccasionofamovewhichmayendinareconciliationsurelydesirablefromthepointofviewoftheproprieties—don’tyouknow？"
"Ofcourse，ifthatgirlweredisposedofitwouldcertainlyfacilitate—"hemusedsagely，then，inconsequentialcreature，gavemealighttaponthelowerpartofmywaistcoat。"Youoldsinner，"hecriedjovially，"muchyoucareforproprieties。Butyouhadbetterlookoutforyourself，youknow，withapersonagelikeJacobuswhohasnosortofreputationtolose。"
Hehadrecoveredhisgravityofarespectablecitizenbythattimeandaddedregretfully：
"Allthewomenofourfamilyareperfectlyscandalised。"
ButbythattimeIhadgivenupvisitingtheS—familyandtheD—
family。TheelderladiespulledsuchfaceswhenIshowedmyself，andthemultitudeofrelatedyoungladiesreceivedmewithsuchavarietyoflooks：wondering，awed，mocking（exceptMissMary，whospoketomeandlookedatmewithhushed，painedcompassionasthoughIhadbeenill），thatIhadnodifficultyingivingthemallup。Iwouldhavegivenupthesocietyofthewholetown，forthesakeofsittingnearthatgirl，snarlingandsuperbandbarelycladinthatflimsy，dingy，amberwrapper，openlowatthethroat。Shelooked，withthewildwispsofhairhangingdownhertenseface，asthoughshehadjustjumpedoutofbedinthepanicofafire。
Shesatleaningonherelbow，lookingatnothing。Whydidshestaylisteningtomyabsurdchatter？Andnotonlythat；butwhydidshepowderherfaceinpreparationformyarrival？Itseemedtobeherideaofmakingatoilette，andinheruntidynegligenceasignofgreatefforttowardspersonaladornment。
ButImighthavebeenmistaken。Thepowderingmighthavebeenherdailypracticeandherpresenceintheverandahasignofanindifferencesocompleteastotakenoaccountofmyexistence。
Well，itwasallonetome。
Ilovedtowatchherslowchangesofpose，tolookatherlongimmobilitiescomposedinthegracefullinesofherbody，toobservethemysteriousnarrowstareofhersplendidblackeyes，somewhatlonginshape，halfclosed，contemplatingthevoid。Shewaslikeaspellboundcreaturewiththeforeheadofagoddesscrownedbythedishevelledmagnificenthairofagipsytramp。Evenherindifferencewasseductive。Ifeltmyselfgrowingattachedtoherbythebondofanirrealisabledesire，forIkeptmyhead—quite。
AndIputupwiththemoraldiscomfortofJacobus’ssleepywatchfulness，tranquil，andyetsoexpressive；asiftherehadbeenatacitpactbetweenustwo。Iputupwiththeinsolenceoftheoldwoman’s："Aren’tyouevergoingtoleaveusinpeace，mygoodfellow？"withhertaunts；withherbrazenandsinisterscolding。
ShewasofthetrueJacobusstock，andnomistake。
DirectlyIgotawayfromthegirlIcalledmyselfmanyhardnames。
Whatfollywasthis？Iwouldaskmyself。Itwaslikebeingtheslaveofsomedepravedhabit。AndIreturnedtoherwithmyheadclear，myheartcertainlyfree，notevenmovedbypityforthatcastaway（shewasasmuchofacastawayasanyoneeverwreckedonadesertisland），butasifbeguiledbysomeextraordinarypromise。
Nothingmoreunworthycouldbeimagined。TherecollectionofthattremulouswhisperwhenIgrippedhershoulderwithonehandandheldaplateofchickenwiththeotherwasenoughtomakemebreakallmygoodresolutions。
Herinsultingtaciturnitywasenoughsometimestomakeonegnashone’steethwithrage。Whensheopenedhermouthitwasonlytobeabominablyrudeinharshtonestotheassociateofherreprobatefather；andthefullapprovalofheragedrelativewasconveyedtoherbyoffensivechuckles。Ifnotthat，thenherremarks，alwaysutteredinthetoneofscathingcontempt，wereofthemostappallinginanity。
Howcouldithavebeenotherwise？Thatplump，ruffianlyJacobusoldmaidinthetightgreyfrockhadnevertaughtheranymanners。
MannersIsupposearenotnecessaryforborncastaways。Noeducationalestablishmentcouldeverbeinducedtoacceptherasapupil—onaccountoftheproprieties，Iimagine。AndJacobushadnotbeenabletosendherawayanywhere。Howcouldhehavedoneit？Whowith？Whereto？Hehimselfwasnotenoughofanadventurertothinkofsettlingdownanywhereelse。Hispassionhadtossedhimatthetailofacircusupanddownstrangecoasts，but，thestormover，hehaddriftedbackshamelesslywhere，socialoutcastashewas，heremainedstillaJacobus—oneoftheoldestfamiliesontheisland，olderthantheFrencheven。TheremusthavebeenaJacobusinatthedeathofthelastDodo……Thegirlhadlearnednothing，shehadneverlistenedtoageneralconversation，sheknewnothing，shehadheardofnothing。Shecouldreadcertainly；butallthereadingmatterthatevercameinherwaywerethenewspapersprovidedforthecaptains’roomofthe"store。"Jacobushadthehabitoftakingthesesheetshomenowandtheninaverystainedandraggedcondition。
Ashermindcouldnotgraspthemeaningofanymatterstreatedthereexceptpolice—courtreportsandaccountsofcrimes，shehadformedforherselfanotionofthecivilisedworldasasceneofmurders，abductions，burglaries，stabbingaffrays，andeverysortofdesperateviolence。EnglandandFrance，ParisandLondon（theonlytwotownsofwhichsheseemedtohaveheard），appearedtohersinksofabomination，reekingwithblood，incontrasttoherlittleislandwherepettylarcenywasaboutthestandardofcurrentmisdeeds，with，nowandthen，somemorepronouncedcrime—andthatonlyamongsttheimportedcoolielabourersonsugarestatesorthenegroesofthetown。ButinEuropethesethingswerebeingdonedailybyawickedpopulationofwhitemenamongstwhom，asthatruffianly，aristocraticoldMissJacobuspointedout，thewanderingsailors，theassociatesofherpreciouspapa，werethelowestofthelow。
Itwasimpossibletogiveherasenseofproportion。IsupposeshefiguredEnglandtoherselfasaboutthesizeofthePearloftheOcean；inwhichcaseitwouldcertainlyhavebeenreekingwithgoreandamerewreckofburgledhousesfromendtoend。Onecouldnotmakeherunderstandthatthesehorrorsonwhichshefedherimaginationwerelostinthemassoforderlylifelikeafewdropsofbloodintheocean。Shedirecteduponmeforamomenttheuncomprehendingglanceofhernarrowedeyesandthenwouldturnherscornfulpowderedfaceawaywithoutaword。Shewouldnoteventakethetroubletoshrughershoulders。
AtthattimethebatchesofpapersbroughtbythelastmailreportedaseriesofcrimesintheEastEndofLondon，therewasasensationalcaseofabductioninFranceandafinedisplayofarmedrobberyinAustralia。Oneafternooncrossingthedining—roomI
heardMissJacobuspipingintheverandahwithvenomousanimosity：
"Idon’tknowwhatyourpreciouspapaisplottingwiththatfellow。
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