第9章

YouhavenorighttoseverthetiebywhichGodhasboundyoutogether。”，“ButifIamheretheywillallknowandremembertheshameofhisbirth; andifIgoawaytheymayforget——““Andtheymaynot。Andifyougoaway，hemaybeunhappyorill;andyou，whoaboveallothershave——andhavefromGod——rememberthat，Ruth！——thepowertocomforthim，thetenderpatiencetonursehim，havelefthimtothecareofstrangers。Yes;Iknow！Butweourselvesareasstrangers，dearlyaswelovehim，comparedtoamother。Hemayturntosin，andwantthelongforbearance，thesereneauthorityofaparentandwhereareyou？ Nodreadofshame，eitherforyourself，orevenforhim，canevermakeitrightforyoutoshakeoffyourresponsibility。”Allthistimehewaswatchinghernarrowly，andsawherslowlyyieldherselfuptotheforceofwhathewassaying。”Besides，Ruth，“hecontinued，“wehavegoneonfalsely，hitherto。Ithasbeenmydoing，mymistake，mysin。Ioughttohaveknownbetter。Now，letusstandfirmonthetruth。Youhavenonewfaulttorepentof。Bebraveandfaithful。ItistoGodyouanswer，nottomen。Theshameofhavingyoursinknowntotheworld，shouldbeasnothingtotheshameyoufeltathavingsinned。Wehavedreadedmentoomuch，andGodtoolittle，inthecoursewehavetaken。Butnowbeofgoodcheer。Perhapsyouwillhavetofindyourworkintheworldverylow——notquiteworkinginthefields，“ saidhe，withagentlesmile，towhichshe，downcastandmiserable，couldgivenoresponse。“Nay，perhaps，Ruth，“hewenton，“youmayhavetostandandwaitforsometime;noonemaybewillingtousetheservicesyouwouldgladlyrender;allmayturnasidefromyou，andmayspeakveryharshlyofyou。Canyouacceptallthistreatmentmeekly，asbutthereasonableandjustpenanceGodhaslaiduponyou——feelingnoangeragainstthosewhoslightyou，noimpatienceforthetimetocome(andcomeitsurelywill——IspeakashavingthewordofGodforwhatIsay)，whenHe，havingpurifiedyou，evenasbyfire，willmakeastraightpathforyourfeet？Mychild，itisChristtheLordwhohastoldusofthisinfinitemercyofGod。Haveyoufaithenoughinittobebrave，andbearon，anddorightlyinpatienceandintribulation？”Ruthhadbeenhushedandverystilluntilnow，whenthepleadingearnestnessofhisquestionurgedhertoanswer。”Yes！”saidshe。“Ihope——IbelieveIcanbefaithfulformyself，forI havesinnedanddonewrong。ButLeonard——“Shelookedupathim。”ButLeonard，“heechoed。“Ah！thereitishard，Ruth。Iowntheworldishardandpersecutingtosuchashe。”Hepausedtothinkofthetruecomfortforthissting。Hewenton。“Theworldisnoteverything，Ruth; noristhewantofmen’sgoodopinionandesteemthehighestneedwhichmanhas。TeachLeonardthis。Youwouldnotwishhislifetobeonesummer’sday。Youdarednotmakeitso，ifyouhadthepower。Teachhimtobidanoble，ChristianwelcometothetrialswhichGodsends——andthisisoneofthem。Teachhimnottolookonalifeofstruggle，andperhapsofdisappointmentandincompleteness，asasadandmournfulend，butasthemeanspermittedtotheheroesandwarriorsinthearmyofChrist，bywhichtoshowtheirfaithfulfollowing。TellhimofthehardandthornypathwhichwastroddenoncebythebleedingfeetofOne——Ruth！thinkoftheSaviour’slifeandcrueldeath，andofHisdivinefaithfulness。Oh，Ruth！“exclaimedhe，“whenIlookandseewhatyoumaybe——whatyoumustbetothatboy，Icannotthinkhowyoucouldbecowardenough，foramoment，toshrinkfromyourwork！Butwehaveallbeencowardshitherto，“headded，inbitterself-accusation。“Godhelpustobesonolonger！”Ruthsatveryquiet。Hereyeswerefixedontheground，andsheseemedlostinthought。Atlengthsheroseup。”Mr。Benson！”saidshe，standingbeforehim，andproppingherselfbythetable，asshewastremblingsadlyfromweakness，“Imeantotryvery，veryhard，todomydutytoLeonard——andtoGod，“sheaddedreverently。“IamonlyafraidmyfaithmaysometimesfailaboutLeonard——““Ask，anditshallbegivenuntoyou。Thatisnovainoruntriedpromise，Ruth！”Shesatdownagain，unablelongertostand。Therewasanotherlongsilence。”ImustnevergotoMr。Bradshaw’sagain，“shesaidatlast，asifthinkingaloud。”No，Ruth，youshallnot，“heanswered。”ButIshallearnnomoney！”addedshequickly，forshethoughtthathedidnotperceivethedifficultythatwastroublingher。”Yousurelyknow，Ruth，that，whileFaithandIhavearooftoshelterus，orbreadtoeat，youandLeonardshareitwithus。”，“Iknow——Iknowyourmosttendergoodness，“saidshe，“butitoughtnottobe。”，“Itmustbeatpresent，“hesaid，inadecidedmanner。“Perhaps，beforelongyoumayhavesomeemployment;perhapsitmaybesometimebeforeanopportunityoccurs。”，“Hush，“saidRuth;“Leonardismovingaboutintheparlour。Imustgotohim。”，Butwhenshestoodup，sheturnedsodizzy，andtotteredsomuch，thatshewasgladtositdownagainimmediately。”Youmustresthere。Iwillgotohim，“saidMr。Benson。Helefther;andwhenhewasgone，sheleanedherheadonthebackofthechair，andcriedquietlyandincessantly;buttherewasamorepatient，hopeful，resolvedfeelingintheheart，whichallalong，throughallthetearssheshed，boreheronwardstohigherthoughts，untilatlastsherosetoprayers。Mr。BensoncaughtthenewlookofshrinkingshameinLeonard’seye，asitfirstsought，thenshunned，meetinghis。Hewaspained，too，bythesightofthelittlesorrowful，anxiousface，onwhich，untilnow，hopeandjoyhadbeenpredominant。Theconstrainedvoice，thefewwordstheboyspoke，whenformerlytherewouldhavebeenagladandfreeutterance——allthisgrievedMr。Bensoninexpressibly，asbutthebeginningofanunwontedmortification，whichmustlastforyears。Hehimselfmadenoallusiontoanyunusualoccurrence;hespokeofRuthassitting，overcomebyheadache，inthestudyforquietness：hehurriedonthepreparationsfortea，whileLeonardsatbyinthegreatarm-chair，andlookedonwithsad，dreamyeyes。 HestrovetolessentheshockwhichheknewLeonardhadreceived，byeverymixtureoftendernessandcheerfulnessthatMr。Benson’sgentleheartprompted; andnowandthenalanguidsmilestoleovertheboy’sface。Whenhisbedtimecame，Mr。Bensontoldhimofthehour，althoughhefearedthatLeonardwouldhavebutanothersorrowfulcryingofhimselftosleep;buthewasanxioustoaccustomtheboytocheerfulmovementwithinthelimitsofdomesticlaw，andbynodisobediencetoittoweakenthepowerofgladsubmissiontotheSupreme;tobeginthenewlifethatlaybeforehim，wherestrengthtolookuptoGodastheLaw-giverandRulerofeventswouldbepre-eminentlyrequired。WhenLeonardhadgoneupstairs，Mr。BensonwentimmediatelytoRuth，andsaid——，“Ruth！Leonardisjustgoneuptobed，“secureintheinstinctwhichmadehersilentlyrise，andgouptotheboy——certain，too，thattheywouldeachbetheother’sbestcomforter，andthatGodwouldstrengtheneachthroughtheother。Now，forthefirsttime，hehadleisuretothinkofhimself;andtogooveralltheeventsoftheday。Thehalf-hourofsolitudeinhisstudy，thathehadbeforehissister’sreturn，wasofinestimablevalue;hehadleisuretoputeventsintheirtrueplaces，astoimportanceandeternalsignificance。MissFaithcameinladenwithfarmproduce。HerkindentertainershadbroughtherintheirshandrytotheopeningofthecourtinwhichtheChapel-housestood;butshewassoheavilyburdenedwitheggs，mushrooms，andplums，that，whenherbrotheropenedthedoor，shewasalmostbreathless。”Oh，Thurstan！takethisbasket——itissuchaweight？Oh，Sally，isthatyou？Herearesomemagnum-bonumswhichwemustpreserveto-morrow。Thereareguinea-fowleggsinthatbasket。”，Mr。Bensonletherunburdenherbody，andhermindtoo，bygivingchargestoSallyrespectingherhousekeepingtreasures，beforehesaidaword; butwhenshereturnedintothestudy，totellhimthesmallpiecesofintelligencerespectingherdayatthefarm，shestoodaghast。”Why，Thurstan，dear！What’sthematter？Isyourbackhurtingyou？”Hesmiledtoreassureher;butitwasasicklyandforcedsmile。”No，Faith！Iamquitewell，onlyratheroutofspirits，andwantingtotalktoyoutocheerme。”，MissFaithsatdown，straight，sittingbolt-uprighttolistenthebetter。”Idon’tknowhow，buttherealstoryaboutRuthisfoundout。”，“Oh，Thurstan！”exclaimedMissBenson，turningquitewhite。Foramoment，neitherofthemsaidanotherword。Thenshewenton——，“DoesMr。Bradshawknow？”“Yes！Hesentforme，andtoldme。”，“DoesRuthknowthatithasallcomeout？”“Yes。AndLeonardknows。”，“How？Whotoldhim？”“Idonotknow。Ihaveaskednoquestions。Butofcourseitwashismother。”，“Shewasveryfoolishandcruel，then，“saidMissBenson，hereyesblazing，andherlipstrembling，atthethoughtofthesufferingherdarlingboymusthavegonethrough。”Ithinkshewaswise。Iamsureitwasnotcruel。Hemusthavesoonknownthattherewassomemystery，anditwasbetterthatitshouldbetoldhimopenlyandquietlybyhismotherthanbyastranger。”，“Howcouldshetellhimquietly？”askedMissBensonstillindignant。”Well！perhapsIusedthewrongword——ofcoursenoonewasby——andIdon’tsupposeeventheythemselvescouldnowtellhowitwastold，orinwhatspirititwasborne。”，MissBensonwassilentagain。”WasMr。Bradshawveryangry？”“Yes，very;andjustlyso。Ididverywronginmakingthatfalsestatementatfirst。”，“No！Iamsureyoudidnot，“saidMissFaith。“Ruthhashadsomeyearsofpeace，inwhichtogrowstrongerandwiser，sothatshecanbearhershamenowinawayshenevercouldhavedoneatfirst。”，“AllthesameitwaswronginmetodowhatIdid。”，“Ididittoo，asmuchormorethanyou。AndIdon’tthinkitwrong。I’mcertainitwasquiteright，andIwoulddojustthesameagain。”，“Perhapsithasnotdoneyoutheharmithasdoneme。”，“Nonsense！Thurstan。Don’tbemorbid。I’msureyouareasgood——andbetterthaneveryouwere。”，“No，Iamnot。Ihavegotwhatyoucallmorbid，justinconsequenceofthesophistrybywhichIpersuadedmyselfthatwrongcouldberight。I tormentmyself。Ihavelostmyclearinstinctsofconscience。Formerly，ifIbelievedthatsuchorsuchanactionwasaccordingtothewillofGod，Iwentanddidit，oratleastItriedtodoit，withoutthinkingofconsequences。Now，IreasonandweighwhatwillhappenifIdosoandso——IgropewhereformerlyIsaw。Oh，Faith！itissucharelieftometohavethetruthknown，thatIamafraidIhavenotbeensufficientlysympathisingwithRuth。”，“PoorRuth！”saidMissBenson。“Butatanyrateourtellingaliehasbeenthesavingofher。Thereisnofearofhergoingwrongnow。”，“God’somnipotencedidnotneedoursin。”，Theydidnotspeakforsometime。”YouhavenottoldmewhatMr。Bradshawsaid。”，“Onecan’tremembertheexactwordsthatarespokenoneithersideinmomentsofsuchstrongexcitement。Hewasveryangry，andsaidsomethingsaboutmethatwereveryjust，andsomeaboutRuththatwereveryhard。Hislastwordswerethatheshouldgiveupcomingtochapel。”，“Oh，Thurstan！diditcometothat？”“Yes。”，“DoesRuthknowallhesaid？”“No！Whyshouldshe？Idon’tknowifsheknowshehasspokentomeatall。 Poorcreature！shehadenoughtocrazeheralmostwithoutthat！Shewasforgoingawayandleavingus，thatwemightnotshareinherdisgrace。 Iwasafraidofherbeingquitedelirious。Ididsowantyou，Faith！However，IdidthebestIcould;Ispoketoherverycoldly，andalmoststernly，allthewhilemyheartwasbleedingforher。Idarednotgivehersympathy; Itriedtogiveherstrength。ButIdidsowantyou，Faith。”，“AndIwassofullofenjoyment，Iamashamedtothinkofit。ButtheDawsonsaresokind——andthedaywassofine——WhereisRuthnow？”“WithLeonard。Heishergreatearthlymotive——Ithoughtthatbeingwithhimwouldbebest。Buthemustbeinbedandasleepnow。”，“Iwillgouptoher，“saidMissFaith。ShefoundRuthkeepingwatchbyLeonard’stroubledsleep;butwhenshesawMissFaithsheroseup，andthrewherselfonherneckandclungtoher，withoutspeaking。AfterawhileMissBensonsaid——，“Youmustgotobed，Ruth！”So，aftershehadkissedthesleepingboy，MissBensonledheraway，andhelpedtoundressher，andbroughtherupacupofsoothingviolet-tea——notsosoothingastenderactionsandsoft，lovingtones。 chapter28，CHAPTERXXVIII，ANUNDERSTANDINGBETWEENLOVERS，Itwaswelltheyhadsoearlyandsotrulystrengthenedthespirittobear，fortheeventswhichhadtobeenduredsooncamethickandthreefold。EveryeveningMr。andMissBensonthoughttheworstmustbeover;andeverydaybroughtsomefreshoccurrencetotouchupontherawplace。Theycouldnotbecertain，untiltheyhadseenalltheiracquaintances，whatdifferenceitwouldmakeinthecordialityoftheirreception：insomecasesitmademuch;andMissBensonwasproportionablyindignant。Shefeltthischangeinbehaviourmorethanherbrother。HisgreatpainarosefromthecoolnessoftheBradshaws。Withallthefaultswhichhadattimesgratedonhissensitivenature(butwhichhenowforgot，andrememberedonlytheirkindness)，theywerehisoldfamiliarfriends——hiskind，ifostentatious，patrons——hisgreatpersonalinterest，outofhisownfamily;andhecouldnotgetoverthesufferingheexperiencedfromseeingtheirlargesquarepewemptyonSundays——fromperceivinghowMr。Bradshaw，thoughhebowedinadistantmannerwhenheandMr。Bensonmetfacetoface，shunnedhimasoftenashepossiblycould。Allthathappenedinthehousehold，whichoncewasaspatenttohimashisown，wasnowasealedbook;heheardofitsdoingsbychance，ifheheardatall。Justatthetimewhenhewasfeelingthemostdepressedfromthiscause，hemetJemimaatasuddenturnofthestreet。 Hewasuncertainforamomenthowtoaccosther，butshesavedhimalldoubt;inaninstantshehadhishandinbothofhers，herfaceflushedwithhonestdelight。”Oh，Mr。Benson，Iamsogladtoseeyou！Ihavesowantedtoknowallaboutyou。HowispoorRuth？dearRuth！Iwonderifshehasforgivenmemycrueltytoher？AndImaynotgotohernow，whenIshouldbesogladandthankfultomakeupforit。”，“Ineverheardyouhadbeencrueltoher。Iamsureshedoesnotthinkso。”，“Sheought;shemust。Whatisshedoing？Oh！Ihavesomuchtoask，Icanneverhearenough;andpapasays“——shehesitatedamoment，afraidofgivingpain，andthen，believingthattheywouldunderstandthestateofaffairs，andthereasonforherbehaviourbetterifshetoldthetruth，shewenton——“PapasaysImustnotgotoyourhouse——Isupposeit’srighttoobeyhim？”“Certainly，mydear。Itisyourclearduty。Weknowhowyoufeeltowardsus。”，“Oh！butifIcoulddoanygood——ifIcouldbeofanyuseorcomforttoanyofyou——especiallytoRuth，Ishouldcome，dutyornot。Ibelieveitwouldbemyduty，“saidshe，hurryingontotryandstopanydecidedprohibitionfromMr。Benson。“No！don’tbeafraid;Iwon’tcometillIknowIcandosomegood。IhearbitsaboutyouthroughSallyeverynowandthen，orI couldnothavewaitedsolong。Mr。Benson，“continuedshe，reddeningverymuch，“IthinkyoudidquiterightaboutpoorRuth。”，“Notinthefalsehood，mydear。”，“No！notperhapsinthat。Iwasnotthinkingofthat。ButIhavebeenthinkingagreatdealaboutpoorRuth’s——youknowIcouldnothelpitwheneverybodywastalkingaboutit——anditmademethinkofmyself，andwhatIam。Withafatherandmother，andhomeandcarefulfriends，IamnotlikelytobetemptedlikeRuth;butoh！Mr。Benson，saidshe，liftinghereyes，whichwerefulloftears，tohisface，forthefirsttimesinceshebegantospeak，“ifyouknewallIhavebeenthinkingandfeelingthislastyear，youwouldseehowIhaveyieldedtoeverytemptationthatwasabletocometome;and，seeinghowIhavenogoodnessorstrengthinme，andhowI mightjusthavebeenlikeRuth，orratherworsethansheeverwas，becauseIammoreheadstrongandpassionatebynature，Idosothankyouandloveyouforwhatyoudidforher！AndwillyoutellmereallyandtrulynowifIcaneverdoanythingforRuth？Ifyou’llpromisemethat，Iwon’trebelunnecessarilyagainstpapa;butifyoudon’t，Iwill，andcomeandseeyouallthisveryafternoon。Remember！Itrustyou！”saidshe，breakingaway。Thenturningback，shecametoaskafterLeonard。”Hemustknowsomethingofit，“saidshe。“Doeshefeelitmuch？”“Verymuch，“saidMr。Benson。Jemimashookherheadsadly。”Itisharduponhim，“saidshe。”Itis，“Mr。Bensonreplied。Forintruth，Leonardwastheirgreatestanxietyindoors。Hishealthseemedshaken，hespokehalfsentencesinhissleep，whichshowedthatinhisdreamshewasbattlingonhismother’sbehalfagainstanunkindandangryworld。Andthenhewouldwailtohimself，anduttersadwordsofshame，whichtheyneverthoughthadreachedhisears。Byday，hewasingeneralgraveandquiet;buthisappetitevaried，andhewasevidentlyafraidofgoingintothestreets，dreadingtobepointedatasanobjectofremark。 Eachseparatelyintheirheartslongedtogivehimchangeofscene;buttheywereallsilent，forwherewastherequisitemoneytocomefrom？，Histemperbecamefitfulandvariable。Attimeshewouldbemostsullenagainsthismother;andthengivewaytoapassionateremorse。WhenMr。 BensoncaughtRuth’slookofagonyatherchild’srebuffs，hispatiencefailed;orrather，Ishouldsay，hebelievedthatastronger，severerhandthanherswasrequiredforthemanagementofthelad。But，whensheheardMr。Bensonsayso，shepleadedwithhim。”HavepatiencewithLeonard，“shesaid。“Ihavedeservedtheangerthatisfrettinginhisheart。ItisonlyIwhocanreinstatemyselfinhisloveandrespect。Ihavenofear。Whenheseesmereallystrivinghardandlongtodowhatisright，hemustloveme。Iamnotafraid。”，Evenwhileshespoke，herlipsquivered，andhercolourwentandcamewitheageranxiety。SoMr。Bensonheldhispeace，andlethertakehercourse。 Itwasbeautifultoseetheintuitionbywhichshedivinedwhatwaspassingineveryfoldofherchild’sheart，soastobealwaysreadywiththerightwordstosootheortostrengthenhim。Herwatchfulnesswasunwearied，andwithnothoughtofself-taintinginit，orelseshemighthaveoftenpausedtoturnasideandweepatthecloudsofshamewhichcameoverLeonard’sloveforher，andhiditfromallbutherfaithfulheart;shebelievedandknewthathewasyetherownaffectionateboy，althoughhemightbegloomilysilent，orapparentlyhardandcold。Andinallthis，Mr。BensoncouldnotchoosebutadmirethewayinwhichshewasinsensiblyteachingLeonardtoconformtothelawofright，torecognisedutyinthemodeinwhicheveryactionwasperformed。WhenMr。Bensonsawthis，heknewthatallgoodnesswouldfollow，andthattheclaimswhichhismother’sinfinitelovehadontheboy’sheartwouldbeacknowledgedatlast，andallthemorefullybecausesheherselfneverurgedthem，butsilentlyadmittedtheforceofthereasonthatcausedthemtobeforatimeforgotten。Byand-byLeonard’sremorseathisungraciousandsullenwaystohismother——waysthatalternatedwithpassionate，fitfulburstsofclinginglove——assumedmorethecharacterofrepentance，hetriedtodosonomore。Butstillhishealthwasdelicate;hewasaversetogoingout-of-doors;hewasmuchgraverandsadderthanbecamehisage。Itwaswhatmustbeaninevitableconsequenceofwhathadbeen;andRuthhadtobepatient，andprayinsecret，andwithmanytears，forthestrengthsheneeded。Sheknewwhatitwastodreadthegoingoutintothestreetsafterherstoryhadbecomeknown。Fordaysanddaysshehadsilentlyshrunkfromthiseffort。But，oneeveningtowardsdusk，MissBensonwasbusy，andaskedhertogoanerrandforher;andRuth，gotupandsilentlyobeyedher。 Thatsilenceastoinwardsufferingwasonlyonepartofherpeculiarandexquisitesweetnessofnature;partofthepatiencewithwhichshe“acceptedherpenance。”Hertrueinstinctstoldherthatitwasnotrighttodisturbotherswithmanyexpressionsofherremorse;thattheholiestrepentanceconsistedinaquietanddailysacrifice。Stillthereweretimeswhensheweariedpitifullyofherinaction。Shewassowillingtoserveandwork，andeveryonedespisedherservices。Hermind，asIhavesaidbefore，hadbeenwellcultivatedduringtheselastfewyears;sonowsheusedalltheknowledgeshehadgainedinteachingLeonard，whichwasanemploymentthatMr。Bensonrelinquishedwillingly，becausehefeltthatitwouldgivehersomeoftheoccupationthatsheneeded。Sheendeavouredtomakeherselfusefulinthehouseineverywayshecould;butthewatersofhouse-keepinghadclosedoverherplaceduringthetimeofherabsenceatMr。Bradshaw’s——and，besides，nowthattheyweretryingtorestricteveryunnecessaryexpense，itwassometimesdifficulttofindworkforthreewomen。ManyandmanyatimeRuthturnedoverinhermindeverypossiblechanceofobtainingemploymentforherleisurehours，andnowherecouldshefindit。NowandthenSally，whowasherconfidanteinthiswish，procuredhersomeneedlework，butitwasofacoarseandcommonkind，soondone，lightlypaidfor。But，whateveritwas，Ruthtookit，andwasthankful，althoughitaddedbutafewpencetothehouseholdpurse。Idonotmeanthattherewasanygreatneedofmoney;butanewadjustmentofexpenditurewasrequired——areductionofwantswhichhadneverbeenveryextravagant。Ruth’ssalaryoffortypoundswasgone，whilemoreofher“keep，“asSallycalledit，wasthrownupontheBensons。Mr。Bensonreceivedabouteightypoundsayearforhissalaryasminister。Ofthis，heknewthattwentypoundscamefromMr。Bradshaw;and，whentheoldmanappointedtocollectthepew-rentsbroughthimthequarterlyamount，andhefoundnodiminutioninthem，heinquiredhowitwas，andlearntthat，althoughMr。Bradshawhadexpressedtothecollectorhisdeterminationnevertocometochapelagain，hehadadded，thatofcoursehispew-rentshouldbepaidallthesame。ButthisMr。Bensoncouldnotsuffer;andtheoldmanwascommissionedtoreturnthemoneytoMr。Bradshaw，asbeingwhathisdesertedministercouldnotreceive。Mr。andMissBensonhadaboutthirtyorfortypoundscominginannuallyfromasumwhich，inhappierdays，Mr。BradshawhadinvestedinCanalsharesforthem。Altogethertheirincomedidnotfallmuchshortofahundredayear，andtheylivedintheChapel-housefreeofrent。SoRuth’ssmallearningswerebutverylittleinactualhardcommercialaccount，thoughinanothersensetheyweremuch;andMissBensonalwaysreceivedthemwithquietsimplicity。Bydegrees，Mr。BensonabsorbedsomeofRuth’stimeinagraciousandnaturalway。Heemployedhermindinallthekindofficeshewasaccustomedtorendertothepooraroundhim。Andasmuchofthepeaceandornamentoflifeastheygainednowwasgainedonafirmbasisoftruth。IfRuthbeganlowdowntofindherplaceintheworld，atanyratetherewasnoflawinthefoundation。Leonardwasstilltheirgreatanxiety。Attimesthequestionseemedtobe，couldhelivethroughallthistrialoftheelasticityofchildhood？ Andthentheyknewhowpreciousablessing——howtrueapillaroffire，hewastohismother;andhowblackthenight，andhowdrearythewildernesswouldbe，whenhewasnot。ThechildandthemotherwereeachmessengersofGod——angelstoeachother。TheyhadlonggapsbetweenthepiecesofintelligencerespectingtheBradshaws。 Mr。BradshawhadatlengthpurchasedthehouseatAbermouth，andtheyweremuchthere。ThewayinwhichtheBensonsheardmostfrequentlyofthefamilyoftheirformerfriends，wasthroughMr。Farquhar。HecalledonMr。BensonaboutamonthafterthelatterhadmetJemimainthestreet。Mr。Farquharwasnotinthehabitofpayingcallsonanyone;and，thoughhehadalwaysentertainedandevincedthemostkindandfriendlyfeelingtowardsMr。 Benson，hehadrarelybeenintheChapel-house。Mr。Bensonreceivedhimcourteously，butheratherexpectedthattherewouldbesomeespecialreasonalleged，beforetheconclusionofthevisit，foritsoccurrence;moreparticularlyasMr。Farquharsattalkingonthetopicsofthedayinasomewhatabsentmanner，asiftheywerenotthesubjectsmostpresenttohismind。Thetruthwas，hecouldnothelprecurringtothelasttimewhenhewasinthatroom，waitingtotakeLeonardaride，andhisheartbeatingrathermorequicklythanusualattheideathatRuthmightbringtheboyinwhenhewasequipped。HewasveryfullnowoftheremembranceofRuth;andyethewasalsomostthankful，mostself-gratulatory，thathehadgonenofurtherinhisadmirationofher——thathehadneverexpressedhisregardinwords——thatnoone，ashebelieved，wascognisantoftheincipientlovewhichhadgrownpartlyoutofhisadmiration，andpartlyoutofhisreason。Hewasthankfultobesparedanyimplicationinthenine-days’wonderwhichherstoryhadmadeinEccleston。Andyethisfeelingforherhadbeenofsostrongacharacter，thathewinced，aswithextremepain，ateveryapplicationofcensuretohername。Thesecensureswereoftenexaggerated，itistrue; but，whentheywerejustintheirjudgmentoftheoutwardcircumstancesofthecase，theywerenotthelesspainfulanddistressingtohim。HisfirstreboundtoJemimawasoccasionedbyMrs。Bradshaw’saccountofhowseverelyherhusbandwasdispleasedatherdaughter’shavingtakenpartwithRuth;andhecouldhavethankedandalmostblessedJemimawhenshedroppedin(shedareddonomore)herpleadingexcusesandcharitableexplanationsonRuth’sbehalf。Jemimahadlearntsomehumilityfromthediscoverywhichhadbeentohersogreatashock;standing，shehadlearnttotakeheedlestshefell;and，whenshehadoncebeenarousedtoaperceptionoftheviolenceofthehatredwhichshehadindulgedagainstRuth，shewasmorereticentandmeasuredintheexpressionofallheropinions。Itshowedhowmuchhercharacterhadbeenpurifiedfrompride，thatnowshefeltawarethatwhatinherwasagainattractingMr。Farquharwasherfaithfuladvocacyofherrival，whereversuchadvocacywaswiseorpracticable。 HewasquiteunawarethatJemimahadbeenconsciousofhisgreatadmirationforRuth;hedidnotknowthatshehadevercaredenoughforhimtobejealous。Buttheunacknowledgedbondbetweenthemnowwastheirgrief，andsympathy，andpityforRuth;onlyinJemimathesefeelingswereardent，andwouldfainhavebecomeactive;whileinMr。Farquhartheywerestronglymingledwiththankfulnessthathehadescapedadisagreeableposition，andapainfulnotoriety。Hisnaturalcautioninducedhimtomakearesolutionnevertothinkofanywomanasawifeuntilhehadascertainedallherantecedents，fromherbirthupwards;andthesamespiritofcaution，directedinwardly，madehimafraidofgivingtoomuchpitytoRuth，forfearoftheconclusionstowhichsuchafeelingmightleadhim。Butstillhisoldregardforher，forLeonard，andhisesteemandrespectfortheBensons，inducedhimtolendawillingeartoJemima’searnestentreatythathewouldgoandcallonMr。Benson，inorderthatshemightlearnsomethingaboutthefamilyingeneral，andRuthinparticular。ItwasthusthathecametositbyMr。Benson’sstudyfire，andtotalk，inanabsentway，tothatgentleman。Howtheygotonthesubjecthedidnotknow，morethanone-halfofhisattentionbeingdistracted;buttheywerespeakingaboutpolitics，whenMr。FarquharlearnedthatMr。Bensontookinnonewspaper。”WillyouallowmetosendyouovermyTimes？Ihavegenerallydonewithitbeforetwelveo’clock，andafterthatitisreallywaste-paperinmyhouse。Youwillobligemebymakinguseofit。”，“IamsureIamverymuchobligedtoyouforthinkingofit。Butdonottroubleyourselftosendit;Leonardcanfetchit。”，“HowisLeonardnow？”askedMr。Farquhar，andhetriedtospeakindifferently; butagravelookofintelligencecloudedhiseyesashelookedforMr。 Benson’sanswer。“Ihavenotmethimlately。”，“No！”saidMr。Benson，withanexpressionofpaininhiscountenance，thoughhe，too，strovetospeakinhisusualtone。”Leonardisnotstrong，andwefinditdifficulttoinducehimtogomuchout-of-doors。”，Therewasalittlesilenceforaminuteortwo，duringwhichMr。Farquharhadtocheckanunbiddensigh。But，suddenlyrousinghimselfintoadeterminationtochangethesubject，hesaid——，“YouwillfindratheralengthenedaccountoftheexposureofSirThomasCampbell’sconductatBaden。Heseemstobeacompleteblackleg，inspiteofhisbaronetcy。Ifancythepapersaregladtogetholdofanythingjustnow。”，“WhoisSirThomasCampbell？”askedMr。Benson。”Oh，Ithoughtyoumighthaveheardthereport——atrueone，Ibelieve——ofMr。Donne’sengagementtohisdaughter。Hemustbegladshejiltedhimnow，Ifancy，afterthispublicexposureofherfather’sconduct。”(Thatwasanawkwardspeech，asMr。Farquharfelt;andhehastenedtocoverit，bygoingonwithoutmuchconnection：)，“DickBradshawismyinformantaboutalltheseprojectedmarriagesinhighlife——theyarenotmuchinmyway;but，sincehehascomedownfromLondontotakehisshareinthebusiness，IthinkIhaveheardmoreofthenewsandthescandalofwhat，Isuppose，wouldbeconsideredhighlife，thaneverIdidbefore;andMr。Donne’sproceedingsseemtobeanespecialobjectofinteresttohim。”，“AndMr。DonneisengagedtoaMissCampbell，ishe？”“Wasengaged;ifIunderstoodright，shebrokeofftheengagementtomarrysomeRussianprinceorother——abettermatch，DickBradshawtoldme。I assureyou，continuedMr。Farquhar，smiling，“Iamaverypassiverecipientofallsuchintelligence，andmightveryprobablyhaveforgottenallaboutit，iftheTimesofthismorninghadnotbeensofullofthedisgraceoftheyounglady’sfather。”，“RichardBradshawhasquiteleftLondon，hashe？”askedMr。Benson，whofeltfarmoreinterestinhisoldpatron’sfamilythaninalltheCampbellsthateverwereoreverwouldbe。”Yes。Hehascometosettledownhere。Ihopehemaydowell，andnotdisappointhisfather，whohasformedveryhighexpectationsfromhim;Iamnotsureiftheyarenottoohighforanyyoungmantorealise。”Mr。Farquharcouldhavesaidmore;butDickBradshawwasJemima’sbrother，andanobjectofanxietytoher。”Iamsure，Itrustsuchamortification——suchagriefasanydisappointmentinRichard，maynotbefallhisfather，“repliedMr。Benson。”Jemima——MissBradshaw，“saidMr。Farquhar，hesitating，“wasmostanxioustohearofyouall。IhopeImaytellheryouareallwell“(withanemphasisonall);“that——““Thankyou。Thankherforus。Weareallwell;allexceptLeonard，whoisnotstrong，asIsaidbefore。Butwemustbepatient。Time，andsuchdevoted，tenderloveashehasfromhismother，mustdomuch。”，Mr。Farquharwassilent。”Sendhimtomyhouseforthepapers。Itwillbealittlenecessityforhimtohavesomeregularexercise，andtofacetheworld。Hemustdoit，soonerorlater。”，Thetwogentlemenshookhandswitheachotherwarmlyonparting;butnofurtherallusionwasmadetoeitherRuthorLeonard。SoLeonardwentforthepapers。Stealingalongbybackstreets——runningwithhisheadbentdown——hislittleheartpantingwithdreadofbeingpointedoutashismother’schild——soheusedtocomeback，andruntremblingtoSally，whowouldhushhimuptoherbreastwithmanyarough-spokenwordofpityandsympathy。Mr。Farquhartriedtocatchhimtospeaktohim，andtamehim，asitwere; and，by-and-by，hecontrivedtointeresthimsufficientlytoinducetheboytostayalittlewhileinthehouseorstables，orgarden。Buttheracethroughthestreetswasalwaystobedreadedastheendofeversopleasantavisit。Mr。FarquharkeptuptheintercoursewiththeBensonswhichhehadthusbegun。Heperseveredinpayingcalls——quietvisits，wherenotmuchwassaid，politicalorlocalnewstalkedabout，andthesameinquiriesalwaysmadeandansweredastothewelfareofthetwofamilies，whowereestrangedfromeachother。Mr。Farquhar’sreportsweresolittlevariedthatJemimagrewanxioustoknowmoreparticulars。”Oh，Mr。Farquhar！”saidshe;“doyouthinktheytellyouthetruth？I wonderwhatRuthcanbedoingtosupportherselfandLeonard？Nothingthatyoucanhearof，yousay;and，ofcourse，onemustnotaskthedownrightquestion。AndyetIamsuretheymustbepinchedinsomeway。DoyouthinkLeonardisstronger？”“Iamnotsure。Heisgrowingfast;andsuchablowashehashadwillbecertaintomakehimmorethoughtfulandfullofcarethanmostboysofhisage;boththesecircumstancesmaymakehimthinandpale，whichhecertainlyis。”，“Oh！howIwishImightgoandseethemall！Icouldtellinatwinklingtherealstateofthings。”Shespokewithatingeofheroldimpatience。”Iwillgoagain，andpayparticularattentiontoanythingyouwishmetoobserve。Yousee，ofcourse，Ifeeladelicacyaboutaskinganydirectquestions，orevenalludinginanywaytotheselateoccurrences。”，“AndyouneverseeRuthbyanychance？”“Never！”Theydidnotlookateachotherwhilethislastquestionwasaskedandanswered。”Iwilltakethepaperto-morrowmyself;itwillbeanexcuseforcallingagain，andIwilltrytobeverypenetrating;butIhavenotmuchhopeofsuccess。”Oh，thankyou。Itisgivingyouagreatdealoftrouble;butyouareverykind。”，“Kind，Jemima！”herepeated，inatonewhichmadehergoveryredandhot; “mustItellyouhowyoucanrewardme？——WillyoucallmeWalter？——say，thankyou，Walter——justforonce。”，Jemimafeltherselfyieldingtothevoiceandtoneinwhichthiswasspoken; butherveryconsciousnessofthedepthofherlovemadeherafraidofgivingway，andanxioustobewooed，thatshemightbereinstatedinherself-esteem。”No！”saidshe，“Idon’tthinkIcancallyouso。Youaretooold。Itwouldnotberespectful。”Shemeantithalfinjoke，andhadnoideahewouldtaketheallusiontohisagesoseriouslyashedid。Heroseup，andcoldly，asamatterofform，inachangedvoice，wishedher“Good-bye。”Herheartsank;yettheoldpridewasthere。Butashewasattheverydoor，somesuddenimpulsemadeherspeak——，“Ihavenotvexedyou，haveI，Walter？”Heturnedround，glowingwithathrillofdelight。Shewasasredasanyrose;herlooksdroppeddowntotheground。Theywerenotraised，when，half-an-hourafterwards，shesaid，“Youwon’tforbidmygoingtoseeRuth，willyou？becauseifyoudo，IgiveyounoticeIshalldisobeyyou。”Thearmaroundherwaistclaspedheryetmorefondlyattheidea，suggestedbythisspeech，ofthecontrolwhichheshouldhavearighttoexerciseoverheractionsatsomefutureday。”Tellme，“saidhe，“howmuchofyourgoodnesstome，thislasthappyhour，hasbeenowingtothedesireofhavingmore，freedomasawifethanasadaughter？”Shewasalmostgladthatheshouldthinksheneededanyadditionalmotivetoherloveforhimbeforeshecouldhaveacceptedhim。Shewasafraidthatshehadbetrayedthedeep，passionateregardwithwhichshehadlonglookeduponhim。Shewaslostindelightatherownhappiness。Shewassilentforatime。Atlengthshesaid——，“Idon’tthinkyouknowhowfaithfulIhavebeentoyoueversincethedayswhenyoufirstbroughtmepistachio-candyfromLondon——whenIwasquitealittlegirl。”，“NotmorefaithfulthanIhavebeentoyou，“forintruth，therecollectionofhisloveforRuthhadutterlyfadedaway，andhethoughthimselfamodelofconstancy;“andyouhavetriedmeprettywell。Whatavixenyouhavebeen！”Jemimasighed;smittenwiththeconsciousnessofhowlittleshehaddeservedherpresenthappiness;humblewiththerecollectionoftheevilthoughtsthathadragedinherheartduringthetime(whichsherememberedwell，thoughhemayhaveforgottenit)whenRuthhadhadtheaffectionwhichherjealousrivalcoveted。”Imayspeaktoyourfather;maynotI，Jemima？”No！forsomereasonorfancywhichshecouldnotdefine，andcouldnotbepersuadedoutof，shewishedtokeeptheirmutualunderstandingasecret。 Shehadanaturaldesiretoavoidthecongratulationssheexpectedfromherfamily。Shedreadedherfather’sconsiderationofthewholeaffairasasatisfactorydisposalofhisdaughtertoaworthyman，who，beinghispartner，wouldnotrequireanyabstractionofcapitalfromtheconcern，andRichard’smorenoisydelightathissister’shaving“hooked“sogoodamatch。Itwasonlyhersimple-heartedmotherthatshelongedtotell。 Sheknewthathermother’scongratulationswouldnotjaruponher，thoughtheymightnotsoundthefullorgan-pealofherlove。Butallthathermotherknewpassedonwardstoherfather;soforthepresent，atanyrate，shedeterminedtorealisehersecretpositionalone。Somehow，thesympathyofallothersthatshemostlongedforwasRuth’s;butthefirstcommunicationofsuchaneventwasduetoherparents。SheimposedverystrictregulationsonMr。Farquhar’sbehaviour;andquarrelledanddifferedfromhimmorethanever，butwithasecretjoyfulunderstandingwithhiminherheart，evenwhiletheydisagreedwitheachother——forsimilarityofopinionisnotalways——Ithinknotoften——neededforfulnessandperfectionoflove。AfterRuth’s“detection，“asMr。Bradshawusedtocallit，hesaidhecouldnevertrustanothergovernessagain;soMaryandElizabethhadbeensenttoschoolthefollowingChristmas，andtheirplaceinthefamilywasbutpoorlysuppliedbythereturnofMr。RichardBradshaw，whohadleftLondon，andbeenreceivedasapartner。 chapter29，CHAPTERXXIX，SALLYTAKESHERMONEYOUTOFTHEBANK，TheconversationnarratedinthelastchapterastakingplacebetweenMr。 FarquharandJemima，occurredaboutayearafterRuth’sdismissalfromhersituation。Thatyear，fullofsmallevents，andchangeofplacetotheBradshaws，hadbeenmonotonousandlonginitscoursetotheotherhousehold。Therehadbeennowantofpeaceandtranquillity;therehad，perhaps，beenmoreofthemthanintheprecedingyears，when，thoughunacknowledgedbyany，allmusthaveoccasionallyfelttheoppressionofthefalsehood——andaslightglancingdreadmusthaveflashedacrosstheirmostprosperousstate，lest，somehoworanother，themysteryshouldbedisclosed。Butnow，astheshepherd-boyinJohnBunyansweetlysang，“Hethatislowneedfearnofall。”，Still，theirpeacewasasthestillnessofagreyautumnalday，whennosunistobeseenabove，andwhenaquietfilmseemsdrawnbeforebothskyandearth，asiftoresttheweariedeyesafterthesummer’sglare。 Feweventsbrokethemonotonyoftheirlives，andthoseeventswereofadepressingkind。TheyconsistedinRuth’sfutileendeavourstoobtainsomeemployment，howeverhumble;inLeonard’sfluctuationsofspiritsandhealth;inSally’sincreasingdeafness;inthefinalandunmendablewearing-outoftheparlourcarpet，whichtherewasnosparemoneytoreplace，andsotheycheerfullysupplieditswantbyalargehearth-rugthatRuthmadeoutofendsoflist;and，whatwasmoreasubjectofunceasingregrettoMr。Bensonthanall，thedefectionofsomeofthemembersofhiscongregation，whofollowedMr。Bradshaw’slead。Theirplaces，tobesure，weremorethanfilledupbythepoor，whothrongedtohischapel;butstillitwasadisappointmenttofindthatpeopleaboutwhomhehadbeenearnestlythinking——towhomhehadlabouredtodogood——shoulddissolvetheconnectionwithoutawordoffarewellorexplanation。Mr。Bensondidnotwonderthattheyshouldgo;nay，heevenfeltitrightthattheyshouldseekthatspiritualhelpfromanother，whichhe，byhiserror，hadforfeitedhispowertooffer; heonlywishedtheyhadspokenoftheirintentiontohiminanopenandmanlyway。ButnotthelessdidhelabouronamongthosetowhomGodpermittedhimtobeofuse。Hefeltagestealinguponhimapace，althoughhesaidnothingaboutit，andnooneseemedtobeawareofit;andheworkedthemorediligentlywhile“itwasyetday。”Itwasnotthenumberofhisyearsthatmadehimfeelold，forhewasonlysixty，andmanymenarehaleandstrongatthattimeoflife;inallprobability，itwasthatearlyinjurytohisspinewhichaffectedtheconstitutionofhismindaswellashisbody，andpredisposedhim，intheopinionofsomeatleast，toafemininemorbidnessofconscience。HehadshakenoffsomewhatofthissincetheaffairwithMr。Bradshaw;hewassimplerandmoredignifiedthanhehadbeenforseveralyearsbefore，duringwhichtimehehadbeenanxiousanduncertaininhismanner，andmoregiventothoughtthantoaction。TheonehappybrightspotinthisgreyyearwasowingtoSally。Asshesaidofherself，shebelievedshegrewmore“nattered“asshegrewolder; butthatshewasconsciousofher“natteredness“wasanewthing，andagreatgaintothecomfortofthehouse，foritmadeherverygratefulforforbearance，andmoreawareofkindnessthanshehadeverbeenbefore。 Shehadbecomeverydeaf;yetshewasuneasyandjealousifshewerenotinformedofallthefamilythoughts，plans，andproceedings，whichoftenhad(howeverprivateintheirdetails)tobeshoutedtoheratthefullpitchofthevoice。ButshealwaysheardLeonardperfectly。Hisclearandbell-likevoice，whichwassimilartohismother’stillsorrowhadtakentheringoutofit，wassuretobeheardbytheoldservant，thougheveryoneelsehadfailed。Sometimes，however，she“gotherhearingsudden，“ asshephrasedit，andwasalivetoeverywordandnoise，moreparticularlywhentheydidnotwanthertohear;andatsuchtimessheresentedtheircontinuanceofthehabitofspeakingloudasamortaloffence。Oneday，herindignationatbeingthoughtdeafcalledoutoneoftheraresmilesonLeonard’sface;shesawit，andsaid，“Blessthee，lad;ifitbutamusesthee，theymayshoutthrougharam’shorntome，andI’llneverletonI’mnotdeaf。It’sasgoodauseasIcanbeof，“shecontinuedtoherself，“ifIcanmakethatpoorladsmileabit。”，Ifsheexpectedtobeeverybody’sconfidant，shemadeLeonardhers。“There！” saidshe，whenshecamehomefromhermarketingoneSaturdaynight，“lookhere，lad！Here’sforty-twopound，sevenshillingsandtwopence！It’samintofmoney，isn’tit？Itookitallinsovereignsforfearoffire。”，“Whatisitallfor，Sally？”saidhe。”Ay，lad！that’sasking。It’sMr。Benson’smoney，“saidshemysteriously，“thatI’vebeenkeepingforhim。Isheinthestudy，thinkye？”“Yes！Ithinkso。Wherehaveyoubeenkeepingit？”“Neveryoumind！”Shewenttowardsthestudy，but，thinkingshemighthavebeenhardonherdarlinginrefusingtogratifyhiscuriosity，sheturnedbackandsaid——，“Isay——ifthouwiltthoumayestdomeajobofworksomeday。I’mwantingaframemadeforapieceofwriting。”，Andthenshereturnedtogointothestudy，carryinghersovereignsinherapron。”Here，MasterThurstan，“saidshe，pouringthemoutonthetablebeforeherastonishedmaster。“Takeit，it’sallyours。”，“Allmine！Whatcanyoumean？”askedhe，bewildered。Shedidnothearhimandwenton——，“Lockitupsafeouto’theway。Dunnotgoandleaveitabouttotemptfolks。I’llnotanswerformyselfifmoney’sleftabout。Imaybecribbingasovereign。”，“Butwheredoesitcomefrom？”saidhe。”Comefrom！”shereplied。“Wheredoesallmoneycomefrombutthebank，tobesure。Ithoughtanyonecouldtellthat。”，“Ihavenomoneyinthebank！”saidhe，moreandmoreperplexed。”No，Iknowedthat;butIhad。DunnotyerememberhowyewouldraisemywagelastMartinmaseighteenyear？YouandFaithwereveryheadstrong，butIwastoodeepforyou。Seethee！Iwentandputiti’th’bank。I wasnevergoingtotouchit;andifIhaddieditwouldhavebeenallright，forI’dawillmade，allregularandtight——madebyalawyer(leastwisehewouldhavebeenalawyerifhehadn’tgottransportedfirst)。Andnow，thinksI，IthinkI’lljustgoandgetitoutandgiveit’em。Banksisnotalwayssafe。”，“I’lltakecareofitforyouwiththegreatestpleasure。Still，youknow，banksallowinterest。”，“D’yesupposeIdon’tknowallaboutinterestandcompoundinteresttoobythistime？ItellyeIwantyetospendit。It’syourown。It’snotmine。Italwayswasyours。Nowyou’renotgoingtofretmebysayingyouthinkitmine。”，Mr。Bensonheldouthishandtoher，forhecouldnotspeak。Shebentforwardtohimashesatthereandkissedhim。”Eh，blessye，lad！It’sthefirstkissI’vehadofyesin’yewerealittlelad，andit’sagreatrefreshment。Nowdon’tyouandFaithgoandbothermewithtalkingaboutit。It’sjustyours，andmakenomoreado。”，Shewentbackintothekitchen，andbroughtoutherwill，andgaveLeonarddirectionshowtomakeaframeforit;fortheboywasaverytolerablejoiner，andhadaboxoftoolswhichMr。Bradshawhadgivenhimsomeyearsago。”It’sapitytolosesuchfinewriting，“saidshe;“thoughIcan’tsayasIcanreadit。Perhapsyou’djustreaditforme，Leonard。”Shesatopen-mouthedwithadmirationatallthelongwords。Theframewasmade，andthewillhungupoppositetoherbed，unknowntoanyonebutLeonard;and，bydintofhisrepeatedreadingitovertoher，shelearntallthewords，except“testatrix“whichshewouldalwayscall“testytricks。”Mr。Bensonhadbeentoomuchgratifiedandtouched，byherunconditionalgiftofallshehadintheworld，torejectit;butheonlyhelditinhishandsasadeposituntilhecouldfindasafeinvestmentbefittingsosmallasum。Thelittlerearrangementsofthehouseholdexpenditurehadnottouchedhimastheyhaddonethewomen。Hewasawarethatmeat-dinnerswerenotnoweverydayoccurrences;buthepreferredpuddingsandvegetables，andwasgladoftheexchange。Heobserved，too，thattheyallsattogetherinthekitchenintheevenings;butthekitchen，withthewell-scoureddresser，theshiningsaucepans，thewell-blackedgrate，andwhitenedhearth，andthewarmthwhichseemedtoriseupfromtheveryflags，andruddilycheerthemostdistantcorners，appearedaverycosyandcharmingsitting-room; and，besides，itappearedbutrightthatSally，inheroldage，shouldhavethecompanionshipofthosewithwhomshehadlivedinloveandfaithfulnesssomanyyears。Heonlywishedhecouldmorefrequentlyleavethesolitarycomfortofhisstudy，andjointhekitchenparty;whereSallysatasmistressinthechimneycorner，knittingbyfirelight，andMissBensonandRuth，withthecandlebetweenthem，stitchedawayattheirwork;whileLeonardstrewedtheampledresserwithhisslateandbooks。Hedidnotmopeandpineoverhislessons;theyweretheonethingthattookhimoutofhimself。 Asyethismothercouldteachhim，thoughinsomerespectsitwasbecomingastrainuponheracquirementsandpowers。Mr。Bensonsawthis，butreservedhisoffersofhelpaslongashecould，hopingthatbeforehisassistancebecameabsolutelynecessary，somemodeofemploymentbeyondthatofoccasionalplain-workmightbelaidopentoRuth。InspiteofthecommunicationtheyoccasionallyhadwithMr。Farquhar，whenhegavethemtheintelligenceofhisengagementtoJemima，itseemedlikeaglimpseintoaworldfromwhichtheywereshutout。Theywondered——MissBensonandRuthdidatleast——muchaboutthedetails。Ruthsatoverhersewing，fancyinghowallhadtakenplace;and，assoonasshehadarrangedtheeventswhichweregoingonamongpeopleandplacesoncesofamiliartoher，shefoundsomediscrepancy，andset-toafreshtopicturethedeclarationoflove，andtheyielding，blushingacceptance;forMr。FarquharhadtoldlittlebeyondthemerefactthattherewasanengagementbetweenhimselfandJemimawhichhadexistedforsometime，butwhichhadbeenkeptsecretuntilnow，whenitwasacknowledged，sanctioned，andtobefulfilledassoonashereturnedfromanarrangementoffamilyaffairsinScotland。 ThisintelligencehadbeenenoughforMr。Benson，whowastheonlypersonMr。Farquharsaw;asRuthalwaysshrankfromthepostofopeningthedoor，andMr。Bensonwasaptatrecognisingindividualknocks，andalwaysprompttowelcomeMr。Farquhar。MissBensonoccasionallythought——andwhatshethoughtshewasinthehabitofsaying——thatJemimamighthavecomeherselftoannouncesuchaneventtooldfriends;butMr。Bensondecidedlyvindicatedherfromanychargeofneglect，byexpressinghisstrongconvictionthattohertheyowedMr。 Farquhar’scalls——hisallbutout-spokenoffersofservice——hisquiet，steadyinterestinLeonard;and，moreover(repeatingtheconversationhehadhadwithherinthestreet，thefirsttimetheymetafterthedisclosure)，Mr。Bensontoldhissisterhowgladhewastofindthat，withallthewarmthofherimpetuousdispositionhurryingherontorebellionagainstherfather，shewasnowattainingtothatjustself-controlwhichcandistinguishbetweenmerewishesandtruereasons——thatshecouldabstainfromcomingtoseeRuthwhileshewoulddobutlittlegood，reservingherselfforsomegreatoccasionorstrongemergency。Ruthsaidnothing，butsheyearnedallthemoreinsilencetoseeJemima。 InherrecollectionofthatfearfulinterviewwithMr。Bradshaw，whichhauntedheryet，sleepingorwaking，shewaspainfullyconsciousthatshehadnotthankedJemimaforhergenerous，lovingadvocacy;ithadpassedunregardedatthetimeinintensityofagony——butnowsherecollectedthatbynoword，ortone，ortouch，hadshegivenanysignofgratitude。Mr。 BensonhadnevertoldherofhismeetingwithJemima;soitseemedasiftherewerenohopeofanyfutureopportunityforitisstrangehowtwohouseholds，rentapartbysomedissension，cangothroughlife，theirparallelexistencesrunningsidebyside，yetnevertouchingeachother，nearneighboursastheyare，habitualandfamiliarguestsastheymayhavebeen。Ruth’sonlypointofhopewasLeonard。Shewaswearyoflookingforworkandemployment，whicheverywhereseemedheldaboveherreach。Shewasnotimpatientofthisbutshewasvery，verysorry。Shefeltwithinhersuchcapability，andallignoredher，andpassedherbyontheotherside。ButshesawsomeprogressinLeonard。Notthathecouldcontinuetohavethehappydevelopment，andgenialripening，whichotherboyshave;leapingfromchildhoodtoboyhood，andthencetoyouth，withgladbounds，andunconsciouslyenjoyingeveryage。AtpresenttherewasnoharmonyinLeonard’scharacter; hewasasfullofthoughtandself-consciousnessasmanymen，planninghisactionslongbeforehand，soastoavoidwhathedreaded，andwhatshecouldnotyetgivehimstrengthtoface，cowardasshewasherself，andshrinkingfromhardremarks。YetLeonardwasregainingsomeofhislosttendernesstowardshismother;whentheywerealonehewouldthrowhimselfonherneckandsmotherherwithkisses，withoutanyapparentcauseforsuchapassionateimpulse。Ifanyonewasby，hismannerwascoldandreserved。 Thehopefulpartsofhischaracterwerethedeterminationevidentinhimtobea“lawuntohimself，“andtheseriousthoughtwhichhegavetotheformationofthislaw。Therewasaninclinationinhimtoreason，especiallyandprincipallywithMr。Benson，onthegreatquestionsofethicswhichthemajorityoftheworldhavesettledlongago。ButIdonotthinkheeversoarguedwithhismother。Herlovelypatience，andherhumility，wasearningitsreward;andfromherquietpiety，bearingsweetlythedenialofherwishes——therefusalofherbegging——thedisgraceinwhichshelay，whileothers，lessworthywereemployed——this，whichperplexedhim，andalmostangeredhimatfirst，calledouthisreverenceatlast，andwhatshesaidhetookforhislawwithproudhumility;andthussoftlyshewasleadinghimuptoGod。Hishealthwasnotstrong;itwasnotlikelytobe。Hemoanedandtalkedinhissleep，andhisappetitewasstillvariable，partofwhichmightbeowingtohispreferenceofthehardestlessonstoanyoutdoorexercise。ButthislastunnaturalsymptomwasvanishingbeforetheassiduouskindnessofMr。Farquhar，andthequietbutfirmdesireofhismother。NexttoRuth，Sallyhadperhapsthemostinfluenceoverhim; buthedearlylovedbothMr。andMissBenson;althoughhewasreservedonthis，asoneverypointnotpurelyintellectual。Hiswasahardchildhood，andhismotherfeltthatitwasso。Childrenbearanymoderatedegreeofpovertyandprivationcheerfully;but，inadditiontoagooddealofthis，Leonardhadtobearasenseofdisgraceattachingtohimandtothecreaturehelovedbest;thisitwasthattookoutofhimthebuoyancyandnaturalgladnessofyouth，inawaywhichnoscantinessoffoodorclothingorwantofanyoutwardcomfort，couldeverhavedone。Twoyearshadpassedaway——twolong，eventlessyears。Somethingwasnowgoingtohappen，whichtouchedtheirheartsverynearly，thoughoutoftheirsightandhearing。JemimawasgoingtobemarriedthisAugust，andby-and-bytheverydaywasfixed。Itwastobeonthe14th。Ontheeveningofthe13th，Ruthwassittingaloneintheparlour，idlygazingoutonthedarkeningshadowsinthelittlegarden;hereyeskeptfillingwithquiettears，thatrose，notforherownisolationfromallthatwasgoingonofbustleandpreparationforthemorrow’sevent，butbecauseshehadseenhowMissBensonhadfeltthatsheandherbrotherwereleftoutfromthegatheringofoldfriendsintheBradshawfamily。AsRuthsat，suddenlyshewasawareofafigurebyher;shestartedup，andinthegloomoftheapartmentsherecognisedJemima。Inaninstanttheywereineachother’sarms——along，fastembrace。”Canyouforgiveme？”whisperedJemimainRuth’sear。”Forgiveyou！Whatdoyoumean？WhathaveItoforgive？Thequestionis，canIeverthankyouasIlongtodo，ifIcouldfindwords？”“Oh，Ruth，howIhatedyouonce！”“Itwasallthemorenobleinyoutostandbymeasyoudid。YoumusthavehatedmewhenyouknewhowIwasdeceivingyouall！”“No，thatwasnotitthatmademehateyou。Itwasbeforethat。Oh，Ruth，Ididhateyou！”Theyweresilentforsometime，stillholdingeachother’shands。Ruthspokefirst——，“Andyouaregoingtobemarriedto-morrow！”“Yes，“saidJemima。“To-morrowatnineo’clock。ButIdon’tthinkIcouldhavebeenmarriedwithoutcomingtowishMr。BensonandMissFaithgood-bye。”，“Iwillgoforthem，“saidRuth。”No，notjustyet。Iwanttoaskyouoneortwoquestionsfirst。Nothingveryparticular;onlyitseemsasiftherehadbeensuchastrange，longseparationbetweenus。Ruth，“saidshe，droppinghervoice，“isLeonardstrongerthanhewas？IwassosorrytohearabouthimfromWalter。Butheisbetter？”askedsheanxiously。”Yes，heisbetter。Notwhataboyofhisageshouldbe，“repliedhismother，inatoneofquietbutdeepmournfulness。“Oh，Jemima！”continuedshe，“mysharpestpunishmentcomesthroughhim。Tothinkofwhathemighthavebeen，andwhatheis。”，“ButWaltersaysheisbothstrongerinhealth，andnotso——nervousandshy;“Jemimaaddedthelastwordsinahesitatinganddoubtfulmanner，asifshedidnotknowhowtoexpressherfullmeaningwithouthurtingRuth。”Hedoesnotshowthathefeelshisdisgracesomuch。Icannottalkaboutit，Jemima，myheartachessoabouthim。Butheisbetter，“shecontinued，feelingthatJemima’skindanxietyrequiredanansweratanycostofpaintoherself。“Heisonlystudyingtoocloselynow;hetakestohislessonsevidentlyasarelieffromthought。Heisveryclever，andIhopeandtrust，yetItrembletosayit，Ibelieveheisverygood。”，“Youmustlethimcomeandseeusveryoftenwhenwecomeback。Weshallbetwomonthsaway。WearegoingtoGermany，partlyonWalter’sbusiness。 Ruth，Ihavebeentalkingtopapato-night，veryseriouslyandquietly; andithasmademelovehimsomuchmore，andunderstandhimsomuchbetter。”，“Doesheknowofyourcominghere？Ihopehedoes，“saidRuth。”Yes。Notthathelikedmydoingitatall。But，somehow，Icanalwaysdothingsagainstaperson’swishesmoreeasilywhenIamongoodtermswiththem——that’snotexactlywhatImeant;butnowto-night，afterpapahadhadbeenshowingmethathereallylovedmemorethanIeverthoughthehaddone(forIalwaysfanciedhewassoabsorbedinDick，hedidnotcaremuchforusgirls)，IfeltbraveenoughtosaythatIintendedtocomehereandbidyouallgood-bye。Hewassilentforaminute，andthensaidImightdoit，butImustrememberhedidnotapproveofit，andwasnottobecompromisedbymycoming;stillIcantellthat，atthebottomofhisheart，thereissomeoftheoldkindlyfeelingtoMr。andMissBenson，andIdon’tdespairofitsallbeingmadeup，though，perhaps，Ioughttosaythatmammadoes。”，“Mr。andMissBensonwon’thearofmygoingaway，“saidRuthsadly。”Theyarequiteright。”，“ButIamearningnothing。Icannotgetanyemployment。Iamonlyaburdenandanexpense。”，“Areyounotalsoapleasure？AndLeonard，ishenotadearobjectoflove？ Itiseasyformetotalk，Iknow，whoamsoimpatient。Oh，IneverdeservedtobesohappyasIam！Youdon’tknowhowgoodWalteris。Iusedtothinkhimsocoldandcautious。Butnow，Ruth，willyoutellMr。andMissBensonthatIamhere？Thereissigningofpapers，andIdon’tknowwhattobedoneathome。AndwhenIcomeback，Ihopetoseeyouoften，ifyou’llletme。”，Mr。andMissBensongaveherawarmgreeting。Sallywascalledin，andwouldbringacandlewithher，tohaveacloseinspectionofher，inordertoseeifshewaschanged——shehadnotseenherforsolongatime，shesaid;andJemimastoodlaughingandblushinginthemiddleoftheroom，whileSallystudiedherallover，andwouldnotbeconvincedthattheoldgownwhichshewaswearingforthelasttimewasnotoneofthenewweddingones。Theconsequenceofwhichmisunderstandingwas，thatSally，inhershortpetticoatsandbedgown，turneduphernoseattheold-fashionedwayinwhichMissBradshaw’sgownwasmade。ButJemimaknewtheoldwoman，andratherenjoyedthecontemptforherdress。Atlastshekissedthemall，andranawaytoherimpatientMr。Farquhar，whowasawaitingher。Notmanyweeksafterthis，thepooroldwomanwhomIhavenamedashavingbecomeafriendofRuth’sduringLeonard’sillnessthreeyearsago，felldownandbrokeherhip-bone。Itwasaserious，probablyafatal，injury，foronesoold;andassoonasRuthheardofitshedevotedallherleisuretimetooldAnnFleming。Leonardhadnowoutstrippedhismother’spowersofteaching，andMr。Bensongavehimhislessons;soRuthwasagreatdealatthecottagebothnightandday。ThereJemimafoundheroneNovemberevening，thesecondaftertheirreturnfromtheirprolongedstayontheContinent。SheandMr。FarquharhadbeentotheBensons，andhadsattheresometime;andnowJemimahadcomeonjusttoseeRuthforfiveminutes，beforetheeveningwastoodarkforhertoreturnalone。ShefoundRuthsittingonastoolbeforethefire，whichwascomposedofafewsticksonthehearth。Theblazetheygavewas，however，enoughtoenablehertoread;andshewasdeepinstudyoftheBibleinwhichshehadreadaloudtothepooroldwoman，untilthelatterhadfallenasleep。Jemimabeckonedherout，andtheystoodonthegreenjustbeforetheopendoor，sothatRuthcouldseeifAnnawoke。”Ihavenotmanyminutestostay，onlyIfeltasifImustseeyou。AndwewantLeonardtocometoustoseeallourGermanpurchases，andhearallourGermanadventures。Mayhecometo-morrow？”“Yes;thankyou。Oh！Jemima，Ihaveheardsomething——Ihavegotaplanthatmakesmesohappy！Ihavenottoldanyoneyet。ButMr。Wynne(theparishdoctor，youknow)hasaskedmeifIwouldgooutasasicknurse——hethinkshecouldfindmeemployment。”，“You，asicknurse！”saidJemima，involuntarilyglancingoverthebeautifullithefigure，andthelovelyrefinementofRuth’sfaceasthelightoftherisingmoonfelluponit。“MydearRuth，Idon’tthinkyouarefittedforit！”“Don’tyou？”saidRuth，alittledisappointed。“IthinkIam;atleast，thatIshouldbeverysoon。Ilikebeingaboutsickandhelplesspeople; Ialwaysfeelsosorryforthem;andthenIthinkIhavethegiftofaverydelicatetouch，whichissuchacomfortinmanycases。AndIshouldtrytobeverywatchfulandpatient。Mr。Wynneproposedithimself。”，“ItwasnotinthatwayImeantyouwerenotfittedforit。Imeantthatyouwerefittedforsomethingbetter。Why，Ruth，youarebettereducatedthanIam！”“Butifnobodywillallowmetoteach？——forthatiswhatIsupposeyoumean。Besides，Ifeelasifallmyeducationwouldbeneededtomakemeagoodsicknurse。”，“YourknowledgeofLatin，forinstance，“saidJemima，hitting，inhervexationattheplan，onthefirstacquirementofRuthshecouldthinkof。”Well！”saidRuth，“thatwon’tcomeamiss;Icanreadtheprescriptions。”，“Whichthedoctorswouldratheryoudidnotdo。”，“Still，youcan’tsaythatanyknowledgeofanykindwillbeinmyway，orwillunfitmeformywork。”，“Perhapsnot。Butallyourtasteandrefinementwillbeinyourway，andwillunfityou。”，“YouhavenotthoughtaboutthissomuchasIhave，oryouwouldnotsayso。AnyfastidiousnessIshallhavetogetridof，andIshallbebetterwithout;butanytruerefinementIamsureIshallfindofuse;fordon’tyouthinkthateverypowerwehavemaybemadetohelpusinanyrightwork，whateverthatis？Wouldyounotratherbenursedbyapersonwhospokegentlyandmovedquietlyabout，thanbyaloudbustlingwoman？”“Yes，tobesure;butapersonunfitforanythingelsemaymovequietly，andspeakgently，andgivemedicinewhenthedoctorordersit，andkeepawakeatnight;andthosearethebestqualitiesIeverheardofinasicknurse。”，Ruthwasquitesilentforsometime。Atlastshesaid，“Atanyrateitiswork，andassuchIamthankfulforit。Youcannotdiscourageme——andperhapsyouknowtoolittleofwhatmylifehasbeen——howsetapartinidlenessIhavebeen——tosympathisewithmefully。”，“AndIwantedyoutocometoseeus——meinmynewhome。WalterandIhadplannedthatwewouldpersuadeyoutocometousveryoften“(shehadplanned，andMr。Farquharhadconsented);“andnowyouwillhavetobefastenedupinasick-room。”，“Icouldnothavecome，“saidRuthquickly。“DearJemima！itislikeyoutohavethoughtofit——butIcouldnotcometoyourhouse。Itisnotathingtoreasonabout。Itisjustfeeling。ButIdofeelasifIcouldnotgo。DearJemima！ifyouareillorsorrowful，andwantme，Iwillcome——““Soyouwouldandmusttoanyone，ifyoutakeupthatcalling。”，“ButIshouldcometoyou，love，inquiteadifferentway;Ishouldgotoyouwithmyheartfulloflove——sofullthatIamafraidIshouldbetooanxious。”，“IalmostwishIwereill，thatImightmakeyoucomeatonce。”，“AndIamalmostashamedtothinkhowIshouldlikeyoutobeinsomepositioninwhichIcouldshowyouhowwellIrememberthatday——thatterribledayintheschool-room。Godblessyouforit，Jemima！” chapter30，CHAPTERXXX，THEFORGEDDEED，Mr。Wynne，theparishsurgeon，wasright。HecouldanddidobtainemploymentforRuthasasicknurse。HerhomewaswiththeBensons;everysparemomentwasgiventoLeonardandtothem;butshewasatthecallofalltheinvalidsinthetown。Atfirstherworklayexclusivelyamongthepaupers。Atfirst，too，therewasarecoilfrommanycircumstances，whichimpresseduponherthemostfullythephysicalsufferingsofthosewhomshetended。Butshetriedtolosethesenseofthese——orrathertolessenthem，andmakethemtaketheirappointedplaces——inthinkingoftheindividualsthemselves，asseparatefromtheirdecayingframes;andallalongshehadenoughself-commandtocontrolherselffromexpressinganysignofrepugnance。Sheallowedherselfnonervoushasteofmovementortouchthatshouldhurtthefeelingsofthepoorest，mostfriendlesscreature，whoeverlayavictimtodisease。 Therewasnoroughgettingoverofallthedisagreeableandpainfulworkofheremployment。Whenitwasalesseningofpaintohavethetouchcarefulanddelicate，andtheministrationperformedwithgradualskill，Ruththoughtofhercharge，andnotofherself。Asshehadforetold，shefoundauseforallherpowers。Thepoorpatientsthemselveswereunconsciouslygratifiedandsoothedbyherharmonyandrefinementofmanner，voice，andgesture。 Ifthisharmonyandrefinementhadbeenmerelysuperficial，itwouldnothavehadthisbalmyeffect。Thatarosefromitsbeingthetrueexpressionofakind，modest，andhumblespirit。Bydegreesherreputationasanursespreadupwards，andmanysoughthergoodofficeswhocouldwellaffordtopayforthem。Whateverremunerationwasofferedtoher，shetookitsimplyandwithoutcomment;forshefeltthatitwasnotherstorefuse; thatitwas，infact，owingtotheBensonsforherandherchild’ssubsistence。 Shewentwhereverherserviceswerefirstcalledfor。Ifthepoorbricklayer，whobrokebothhislegsinafallfromthescaffolding，sentforherwhenshewasdisengaged，shewentandremainedwithhimuntilhecouldspareher，letwhowouldbethenextclaimant。Fromthehappyandprosperousinallbuthealthshewouldoccasionallybegoff;whensomeonelesshappyandmorefriendlesswishedforher;andsometimesshewouldaskforalittlemoneyfromMr。Bensontogivetosuchintheirtimeofneed。Butitwasastonishinghowmuchshewasabletod6withoutmoney。Herwayswereveryquiet;sheneverspokemuch。Anyonewhohasbeenoppressedwiththeweightofavitalsecretforyears，andmuchmoreanyonethecharacterofwhoselifehasbeenstampedbyoneevent，andthatproducingsorrowandshame，isnaturallyreserved。AndyetRuth’ssilencewasnotlikereserve;itwastoogentleandtenderforthat。Ithadmoretheeffectofahushofallloudordisturbingemotions，andoutofthedeepcalmthewordsthatcameforthhadabeautifulpower。Shedidnottalkmuchaboutreligion;butthosewhonoticedherknewthatitwastheunseenbannerwhichshewasfollowing。Thelow-breathedsentenceswhichshespokeintotheearofthesuffererandthedyingcarriedthemupwardstoGod。Shegraduallybecameknownandrespectedamongtheroughestboysoftheroughpopulaceofthetown。Theywouldmakewayforherwhenshepassedalongthestreetswithmoredeferencethantheyusedtomost;forallknewsomethingofthetendercarewithwhichshehadattendedthisorthatsickperson，and，besides，shewassoofteninconnectionwithDeaththatsomethingofthesuperstitiousawewithwhichthedeadwereregardedbythoseroughboysinthemidstoftheirstronglife，surroundedher。Sheherselfdidnotfeelchanged。Shefeltjustasfaulty——asfarfrombeingwhatshewantedtobe，asever。Shebestknewhowmanyofhergoodactionswereincomplete，andmarredwithevil。ShedidnotfeelmuchchangedfromtheearliestRuthshecouldremember。Everythingseemedtochangebutherself。Mr。andMissBensongrewold，andSallygrewdeaf，andLeonardwasshootingup，andJemimawasamother。Sheandthedistanthillsthatshesawfromherchamberwindow，seemedtheonlythingswhichwerethesameaswhenshefirstcametoEccleston。Asshesatlookingout，andtakingherfillofsolitude，whichsometimeswashermostthoroughrest——asshesatattheatticwindowlookingabroad——shesawtheirnext-doorneighbourcarriedouttosunhimselfinhisgarden。WhenshefirstcametoEccleston，thisneighbourandhisdaughterwereoftenseentakinglongandregularwalks;by-and-byhiswalksbecameshorter，andtheattentivedaughterwouldconvoyhimhome，andsetoutafreshtofinishherown。Oflateyearshehadonlygoneoutinthegardenbehindhishouse;butatfirsthehadwalkedprettybrisklytherebyhisdaughter’shelp——nowhewascarried，andplacedinalarge，cushionedeasy-chair，hisheadremainingwhereitwasplacedagainstthepillow，andhardlymovingwhenhiskinddaughter，whowasnowmiddle-aged，broughthimthefirstrosesofthesummer。ThistoldRuthofthelapseoflifeandtime。Mr。andMrs。Farquharwereconstantintheirattentions;buttherewasnosignofMr。Bradshaweverforgivingtheimpositionwhichhadbeenpractiseduponhim，andMr。Bensonceasedtohopeforanyrenewaloftheirintercourse。 Still，hethoughtthathemustknowofallthekindattentionswhichJemimapaidtothem，andofthefondregardwhichbothsheandherhusbandbestowedonLeonard。ThislatterfeelingevenwentsofarthatMr。Farquharcalledoneday，andwithmuchdiffidencebeggedMr。BensontourgeRuthtolethimbesenttoschoolathis(Mr。Farquhar’s)expense。Mr。Bensonwastakenbysurprise，andhesitated。“Idonotknow。Itwouldbeagreatadvantageinsomerespects;andyetIdoubtwhetheritwouldinothers。Hismother’sinfluenceoverhimisthoroughlygood，andIshouldfearthatanythoughtlessallusionstohispeculiarpositionmighttouchtherawspotinhismind。”，“Butheissounusuallyclever，itseemsashamenottogivehimalltheadvantageshecanhave。Besides，doesheseemuchofhismothernow？”“Hardlyadaypasseswithouthercominghometobeanhourorsowithhim，evenatherbusiesttimes;shesaysitisherbestrefreshment。Andoften，youknow，sheisdisengagedforaweekortwo，excepttheoccasionalserviceswhichsheisalwaysrenderingtothosewhoneedher。Yourofferisverytempting，butthereissodecidedlyanotherviewofthequestiontobeconsidered，thatIbelievewemustreferittoher。”，“Withallmyheart。Don’thurryhertoadecision。Letherweighitwell。 Ithinkshewillfindtheadvantagespreponderate。”，“IwonderifImighttroubleyouwithalittlebusiness，Mr。Farquhar，asyouarehere？”“Certainly;Iamonlytoogladtobeofanyusetoyou。”，“Why，IseefromthereportoftheStarLifeAssuranceCompanyintheTimes，whichyouaresogoodastosendme，thattheyhavedeclaredabonusontheshares;nowitseemsstrangethatIhavereceivednonotificationofit，andIthoughtthatperhapsitmightbelyingatyouroffice，asMr。 Bradshawwasthepurchaseroftheshares，andIhavealwaysreceivedthedividendsthroughyourfirm。”，Mr。Farquhartookthenewspaper，andranhiseyeoverthereport。”Ihavenodoubtthat’sthewayofit，“saidhe。“Someofourclerkshavebeencarelessaboutit;oritmaybeRichardhimself。Heisnotalwaysthemostpunctualandexactofmortals;butI’llseeaboutit。Perhapsafterallitmayn’tcomeforadayortwo;theyhavealwayssuchnumbersofthesecircularstosendout。”，“Oh！I’minnohurryaboutit。IonlywanttoreceiveitsometimebeforeIincuranyexpenses，whichthepromiseofthisbonusmaytemptmetoindulgein。”，Mr。Farquhartookhisleave。Thateveningtherewasalongconference，for，asithappened，Ruthwasathome。Shewasstrenuouslyagainsttheschoolplan。ShecouldseenoadvantagesthatwouldcounterbalancetheevilwhichshedreadedfromanyschoolforLeonard;namely，thatthegoodopinionandregardoftheworldwouldassumetoohighanimportanceinhiseyes。Theveryideaseemedtoproduceinhersomuchshrinkingaffright，thatbymutualconsentthesubjectwasdropped;tobetakenupagain，ornot，accordingtocircumstances。Mr。Farquharwrotethenextmorning，onMr。Benson’sbehalf，totheInsuranceCompany，toinquireaboutthebonus。Althoughhewroteintheusualformalway，hedidnotthinkitnecessarytotellMr。Bradshawwhathehaddone; forMr。Benson’snamewasrarelymentionedbetweenthepartners;eachhadbeenmadefullyawareoftheviewswhichtheotherentertainedonthesubjectthathadcausedtheestrangement;andMr。FarquharfeltthatnoexternalargumentcouldaffectMr。Bradshaw’sresolveddisapprovalandavoidanceofhisformerminister。Asithappened，theanswerfromtheInsuranceCompany(directedtothefirm)wasgiventoMr。Bradshawalongwiththeotherbusinessletters。 ItwastotheeffectthatMr。Benson’sshareshadbeensoldandtransferredaboveatwelvemonthago，whichsufficientlyaccountedforthecircumstancethatnonotificationofthebonushadbeensenttohim。Mr。Bradshawtossedtheletterononeside，notdispleasedtohaveagoodreasonforfeelingalittlecontemptattheunbusiness-likeforgetfulnessofMr。Benson，at。whoseinstancesomeonehadevidentlybeenwritingtotheInsuranceCompany。OnMr。Farquhar’sentrance，heexpressedthisfeelingtohim。”Really，“hesaid，“theseDissentingministershavenomorenotionofexactitudeintheiraffairsthanachild！Theideaofforgettingthathehassoldhisshares，andapplyingforthebonus，whenitseemshehastransferredthemonlyayearago！”Mr。FarquharwasreadingtheletterwhileMr。Bradshawspoke。”Idon’tquiteunderstandit，“saidhe。“Mr。Bensonwasquiteclearaboutit。Hecouldnothavereceivedhishalf-yearlydividendsunlesshehadbeenpossessedoftheseshares;andIdon’tsupposeDissentingministers，withalltheirignoranceofbusiness，areunlikeothermeninknowingwhetherornottheyreceivethemoneythattheybelievetobeowingtothem。”，“Ishouldnotwonderiftheywere——ifBensonwas，atanyrate。Why，Ineverknewhiswatchtoberightinallmylife——itwasalwaystoofastortooslow;itmusthavebeenadailydiscomforttohim。Itoughttohavebeen。 Dependuponit，hismoneymattersarejustinthesameirregularstate; noaccountskept，I’llbebound。”，“Idon’tseethatthatfollows，“saidMr。Farquhar，halfamused。“Thatwatchofhisisaverycuriousone——belongedtohisfatherandgrandfather，Idon’tknowhowfarback。”，“Andthesentimentalfeelingswhichheisguidedbyprompthimtokeepit，totheinconvenienceofhimselfandeveryoneelse。”，Mr。Farquhargaveupthesubjectofthewatchashopeless。”Butaboutthisletter。Iwrote，atMr。Benson’sdesire，totheInsuranceOffice，andIamnotsatisfiedwiththisanswer。Allthetransactionhaspassedthroughourhands。IdonotthinkitislikelyMr。Bensonwouldwriteandselltheshareswithout，atanyrate，informingusatthetime，eventhoughheforgotallaboutitafterwards。”，“ProbablyhetoldRichard，orMr。Watson。”，“WecanaskMr。Watsonatonce。IamafraidwemustwaittillRichardcomeshome，forIdon’tknowwherealetterwouldcatchhim。”，Mr。Bradshawpulledthebellthatrangintothehead-clerk’sroom，sayingashedidso——，“Youmaydependuponit，Farquhar，theblunderlieswithBensonhimself。 Heisjustthemantomuddleawayhismoneyinindiscriminatecharity，andthentowonderwhathasbecomeofit。”，Mr。Farquharwasdiscreetenoughtoholdhistongue。”Mr。Watson，“saidMr。Bradshaw，astheoldclerkmadehisappearance，“hereissomemistakeaboutthoseInsuranceshareswepurchasedforBensontenoradozenyearsago。HespoketoMr。Farquharaboutsomebonustheyarepayingtotheshareholders，itseems;and，inreplytoMr。Farquhar’sletter，theInsuranceCompanysaythesharesweresoldtwelvemonthssince。 Haveyouanyknowledgeofthetransaction？Hasthetransferpassedthroughyourhands？Bytheway“(turningtoMr。Farquhar)，“whokeptthecertificates？ DidBensonorwe？”“Ireallydon’tknow，“saidMr。Farquhar。PerhapsMr。Watsoncantellus。”，Mr。Watsonmeanwhilewasstudyingtheletter。Whenhehadendedit，hetookoffhisspectacles，wipedthem，andreplacingthem，hereaditagain。”Itseemsverystrange，sir，“hesaidatlength，withhistrembling，agedvoice，“forIpaidMr。BensontheaccountofthedividendsmyselflastJune，andgotareceiptinform，andthatissincethedateoftheallegedtransfer。”，“Prettynearlytwelvemonthsafterittookplace，“saidMr。Farquhar。”Howdidyoureceivethedividends？AnorderontheBank，alongwitholdMrs。Cranmer’s？”askedMr。Bradshawsharply。”Idon’tknowhowtheycame。Mr。Richardgavemethemoney，anddesiredmetogetthereceipt。”，“It’sunluckyRichardisfromhome，“saidMr。Bradshaw;“hecouldhaveclearedupthismysteryforus。”，Mr。Farquharwassilent。”Doyouknowwherethecertificateswerekept，Mr。Watson？”saidhe。”I’llnotbesure，butIthinktheywerewithMrs。Cranmer’spapersanddeedsinboxA，24。”，“IwisholdCranmerwouldhavemadeanyothermanhisexecutor。She，too，isalwayscomingwithsomeunreasonablerequestorother。”，“Mr。Benson’sinquiryabouthisbonusisperfectlyreasonable，atanyrate。”，Mr。Watson，whowasdwellingintheslowfashionofageonwhathadbeensaidbefore，nowspoke——，“I’llnotbesure，butIamalmostcertain，Mr。Bensonsaid，whenIpaidhimlastJune，thathethoughtheoughttogivethereceiptonastamp，andhadspokenaboutittoMr。Richardthetimebefore，butthatMr。Richardsaiditwasofnoconsequence。Yes，“continuedhe，gatheringuphismemoryashewenton，“hedid——Iremembernow——andIthoughttomyselfthatMr。 Richardwasbutayoungman。Mr。Richardwillknowallaboutit。”，“Yes，“saidMr。Farquhargravely。”Ishan’twaittillRichard’sreturn，“saidMr。Bradshaw。“WecansoonseeifthecertificatesareintheboxWatsonpointsout;iftheyarethere，theInsurancepeoplearenomorefittomanagetheirconcernthanthatcat，andIshalltellthemso。Iftheyarenotthere(asIsuspectwillprovetobethecase)，itisjustforgetfulnessonBenson’spart，asI havesaidfromthefirst。”，“Youforgetthepaymentofthedividends，“saidMr。Farquhar，inalowvoice。”Well，sir！whatthen？”saidMr。Bradshawabruptly。Whilehespoke——whilehiseyemetMr。Farquhar’s——thehintedmeaningofthelatterflashedthroughhismind;buthewasonlymadeangrytofindthatsuchasuspicioncouldpassthroughanyone’simagination。”IsupposeImaygo，sir，“saidWatsonrespectfully，anuneasyconsciousnessofwhatwasinMr。Farquhar’sthoughtstroublingthefaithfuloldclerk。”Yes。Go。Whatdoyoumeanaboutthedividends？”askedMr。BradshawimpetuouslyofMr。Farquhar。”Simply，thatIthinktherecanhavebeennoforgetfulness——nomistakeonMr。Benson’spart，“saidMr。Farquhar，unwillingtoputhisdimsuspicionintowords。”Then，ofcourse，itissomeblunderofthatconfoundedInsuranceCompany。 Iwillwritetothemto-day，andmakethemalittlebriskerandmorecorrectintheirstatements。”，“Don’tyouthinkitwouldbebettertowaittillRichard’sreturn？Hemaybeabletoexplainit。”，“No，sir！”saidMr。Bradshawsharply。“Idonotthinkitwouldbebetter。 Ithasnotbeenmywayofdoingbusinesstospareanyone，oranycompany，theconsequencesoftheirowncarelessness;nortoobtaininformationsecond-hand，whenIcouldhaveitdirectfromthesource。IshallwritetotheInsuranceOfficebythenextpost。”，Mr。Farquharsawthatanyfurtherremonstranceonhispartwouldonlyaggravatehispartner’sobstinacy：and，besides，itwasbutasuspicion，——anuncomfortablesuspicion。ItwaspossiblethatsomeoftheclerksattheInsuranceOfficemighthavemadeamistake。Watsonwasnotsure，afterall，thatthecertificateshadbeendepositedinboxA，24;andwhenheandMr。Farquharcouldnotfindthemthere，theoldmandrewmoreandyetmorebackfromhisfirstassertionofbelief，thattheyhadbeenplacedthere。Mr。BradshawwroteanangryandindignantreproachofcarelessnesstotheInsuranceCompany。BythenextmailoneoftheirclerkscamedowntoEccleston; and，havingleisurelyrefreshedhimselfattheinn，andorderedhisdinnerwithcare，hewalkeduptothegreatwarehouseofBradshaw&Co。andsentinhiscard，withapencilnotification，“OnthepartoftheStarInsuranceCompany，“toMr。Bradshawhimself。Mr。Bradshawheldthecardinhishandforaminuteortwowithoutraisinghiseyes。Thenhespokeoutloudandfirm——，“Desirethegentlemantowalkup。Stay！Iwillringmybellinaminuteortwo，andthenshowhimupstairs。”，Whentheerrand-boyhadclosedthedoor，Mr。Bradshawwenttoacupboardwhereheusuallykeptaglassandabottleofwine(ofwhichheveryseldompartook，forhewasanabstemiousman)。Heintendednowtotakeaglass，butthebottlewasempty;and，thoughtherewasplentymoretobehadforringing，orevensimplygoingintoanotherroom，hewouldnotallowhimselftodothis。Hestoodandlecturedhimselfinthought。”Afterall，Iamafoolforonceinmylife。IfthecertificatesareinnoboxwhichIhaveyetexamined，thatdoesnotimplytheymaynotbeinsomeonewhichIhavenothadtimetosearch。Farquharwouldstaysolatelastnight！And，eveniftheyareinnoneoftheboxeshere，thatdoesnotprove——“Hegavethebellajerkingring，anditwasyetsoundingwhenMr。Smith，theinsuranceclerk，entered。ThemanageroftheInsuranceCompanyhadbeenconsiderablynettledatthetoneofMr。Bradshaw’sletter;andhadinstructedtheclerktoassumesomedignityatfirstinvindicating(asitwaswellinhispowertodo)thecharacteroftheproceedingsoftheCompany，butatthesametimehewasnottogotoofar，forthefirmofBradshaw&Co。wasdailyloominglargerinthecommercialworld，andifanyreasonableexplanationcouldbegivenitwastobereceived，andbygonesbebygones。”Sitdown，sir！”saidMr。Bradshaw。”Youareaware，sir，Ipresume，thatIcomeonthepartofMr。Dennison，themanageroftheStarInsuranceCompany，toreplyinpersontoaletterofyours，ofthe29th，addressedtohim？”Mr。Bradshawbowed。“Averycarelesspieceofbusiness，“hesaidstiffly。”Mr。Dennisondoesnotthinkyouwillconsideritassuchwhenyouhaveseenthedeedoftransfer，whichIamcommissionedtoshowyou。”，Mr。Bradshawtookthedeedwithasteadyhand。Hewipedhisspectaclesquietly，withoutdelay，andwithouthurry，andadjustedthemonhisnose。 Itispossiblethathewasratherlonginlookingoverthedocument——atleast，theclerkhadjustbeguntowonderifhewasreadingthroughthewholeofit，insteadofmerelylookingatthesignature，whenMr。Bradshawsaid：“Itispossiblethatitmaybe——ofcourse，youwillallowmetotakethispapertoMr。Benson，to——toinquireifthisbehissignature？”“Therecanbenodoubtofit，Ithink，sir，“saidtheclerk，calmlysmiling，forheknewMr。Benson’ssignaturewell。”Idon’tknow，sir——Idon’tknow。”(Hewasspeakingasifthepronunciationofeverywordrequiredaseparateeffortofwill，likeamanwhohasreceivedaslightparalyticstroke。)，“Youhaveheard，sir，ofsuchathingasforgery——forgery，sir？”saidhe，repeatingthelastwordverydistinctly;forhefearedthatthefirsttimehehadsaidit，itwasratherslurredover。”Oh，sir！thereisnoroomforimaginingsuchathing，Iassureyou。Inouraffairswebecomeawareofcuriousforgetfulnessonthepartofthosewhoarenotofbusinesshabits。”，“StillIshouldliketoshowitMr。Benson，toprovetohimhisforgetfulness，youknow。Ibelieve，onmysoul，itissomeofhiscarelessforgetfulness——I do，sir，“saidhe。Nowhespokeveryquickly。“Itmusthavebeen。Allowmetoconvincemyself。Youshallhaveitbackto-night，orthefirstthinginthemorning。”，Theclerkdidnotquiteliketorelinquishthedeed，noryetdidheliketorefuseMr。Bradshaw。Ifthatveryuncomfortableideaofforgeryshouldhaveanyfoundationintruth——andhehadgivenupthewriting！Therewereathousandchancestooneagainstitsbeinganythingbutastupidblunder; theriskwasmoreimminentofoffendingoneofthedirectors。Ashehesitated，Mr。Bradshawspokeverycalmly，andalmostwithasmileonhisface。Hehadregainedhisself-command。“Youareafraid，Isee。