CHAPTERI——BARBOXBROTHERS
\"Guard！Whatplaceisthis？\"
\"MugbyJunction，sir。\"
\"Awindyplace！\"
\"Yes，itmostlyis，sir。\"
\"Andlookscomfortlessindeed！\"
\"Yes，itgenerallydoes，sir。\"
\"Isitarainynightstill？\"
\"Pours，sir。\"
\"Openthedoor。I’llgetout。\"
\"You’llhave，sir，\"saidtheguard，glisteningwithdropsofwet，andlookingatthetearfulfaceofhiswatchbythelightofhislanternasthetravellerdescended，\"threeminuteshere。\"
\"More，Ithink。——ForIamnotgoingon。\"
\"Thoughtyouhadathroughticket，sir？\"
\"SoIhave，butIshallsacrificetherestofit。Iwantmyluggage。\"
\"Pleasetocometothevanandpointitout，sir。Begoodenoughtolookverysharp，sir。Notamomenttospare。\"
Theguardhurriedtotheluggagevan，andthetravellerhurriedafterhim。Theguardgotintoit，andthetravellerlookedintoit。
\"Thosetwolargeblackportmanteausinthecornerwhereyourlightshines。Thosearemine。\"
\"Nameupon’em，sir？\"
\"BarboxBrothers。\"
\"Standclear，sir，ifyouplease。One。Two。Right！\"
Lampwaved。Signallightsaheadalreadychanging。Shriekfromengine。Traingone。
\"MugbyJunction！\"saidthetraveller，pullingupthewoollenmufflerroundhisthroatwithbothhands。\"Atpastthreeo’clockofatempestuousmorning！So！\"
Hespoketohimself。Therewasnooneelsetospeakto。Perhaps，thoughtherehadbeenanyoneelsetospeakto，hewouldhavepreferredtospeaktohimself。Speakingtohimselfhespoketoamanwithinfiveyearsoffiftyeitherway，whohadturnedgreytoosoon，likeaneglectedfire；amanofponderinghabit，broodingcarriageofthehead，andsuppressedinternalvoice；amanwithmanyindicationsonhimofhavingbeenmuchalone。
Hestoodunnoticedonthedrearyplatform，exceptbytherainandbythewind。Thosetwovigilantassailantsmadearushathim。\"Verywell，\"saidhe，yielding。\"ItsignifiesnothingtometowhatquarterIturnmyface。\"
Thus，atMugbyJunction，atpastthreeo’clockofatempestuousmorning，thetravellerwentwheretheweatherdrovehim。
Notbutwhathecouldmakeastandwhenhewassominded，for，comingtotheendoftheroofedshelter（itisofconsiderableextentatMugbyJunction），andlookingoutuponthedarknight，withayetdarkerspirit-wingofstormbeatingitswildwaythroughit，hefacedabout，andheldhisownasruggedlyinthedifficultdirectionashehadhelditintheeasierone。Thus，withasteadystep，thetravellerwentupanddown，upanddown，upanddown，seekingnothingandfindingit。
Aplacerepletewithshadowyshapes，thisMugbyJunctionintheblackhoursofthefour-and-twenty。Mysteriousgoodstrains，coveredwithpallsandglidingonlikevastweirdfunerals，conveyingthemselvesguiltilyawayfromthepresenceofthefewlightedlamps，asiftheirfreighthadcometoasecretandunlawfulend。Half-milesofcoalpursuinginaDetectivemanner，followingwhentheylead，stoppingwhentheystop，backingwhentheyback。
Red-hotembersshoweringoutupontheground，downthisdarkavenue，anddowntheother，asiftorturingfireswerebeingrakedclear；
concurrently，shrieksandgroansandgrindsinvadingtheear，asifthetorturedwereattheheightoftheirsuffering。Iron-barredcagesfullofcattlejanglingbymidway，thedroopingbeastswithhornsentangled，eyesfrozenwithterror，andmouthstoo：atleasttheyhavelongicicles（orwhatseemso）hangingfromtheirlips。
Unknownlanguagesintheair，conspiringinred，green，andwhitecharacters。Anearthquake，accompaniedwiththunderandlightning，goingupexpresstoLondon。Now，allquiet，allrusty，windandraininpossession，lampsextinguished，MugbyJunctiondeadandindistinct，withitsrobedrawnoveritshead，likeCaesar。
Now，too，asthebelatedtravellerploddedupanddown，ashadowytrainwentbyhiminthegloomwhichwasnootherthanthetrainofalife。Fromwhatsoeverintangibledeepcuttingordarktunnelitemerged，hereitcame，unsummonedandunannounced，stealinguponhim，andpassingawayintoobscurity。Heremournfullywentbyachildwhohadneverhadachildhoodorknownaparent，inseparablefromayouthwithabittersenseofhisnamelessness，coupledtoamantheenforcedbusinessofwhosebestyearshadbeendistastefulandoppressive，linkedtoanungratefulfriend，draggingafterhimawomanoncebeloved。Attendant，withmanyaclankandwrench，werelumberingcares，darkmeditations，hugedimdisappointments，monotonousyears，alongjarringlineofthediscordsofasolitaryandunhappyexistence。
\"——Yours，sir？\"
Thetravellerrecalledhiseyesfromthewasteintowhichtheyhadbeenstaring，andfellbackasteporsoundertheabruptness，andperhapsthechanceappropriateness，ofthequestion。
\"Oh！Mythoughtswerenothereforthemoment。Yes。Yes。Thosetwoportmanteausaremine。AreyouaPorter？\"
\"OnPorter’swages，sir。ButIamLamps。\"
Thetravellerlookedalittleconfused。
\"Whodidyousayyouare？\"
\"Lamps，sir，\"showinganoilyclothinhishand，asfartherexplanation。
\"Surely，surely。Isthereanyhotelortavernhere？\"
\"Notexactlyhere，sir。ThereisaRefreshmentRoomhere，but——\"
Lamps，withamightyseriouslook，gavehisheadawarningrollthatplainlyadded——\"butit’sablessedcircumstanceforyouthatit’snotopen。\"
\"Youcouldn’trecommendit，Isee，ifitwasavailable？\"
\"Askyourpardon，sir。Ifitwas-？\"
\"Open？\"
\"Itain’tmyplace，asapaidservantofthecompany，togivemyopiniononanyofthecompany’stoepics，\"——hepronounceditmoreliketoothpicks，——\"beyondlamp-ileandcottons，\"returnedLampsinaconfidentialtone；\"but，speakingasaman，Iwouldn’trecommendmyfather（ifhewastocometolifeagain）togoandtryhowhe’dbetreatedattheRefreshmentRoom。Notspeakingasaman，no，IwouldNOT。\"
Thetravellernoddedconviction。\"IsupposeIcanputupinthetown？Thereisatownhere？\"Forthetraveller（thoughastay-at-
homecomparedwithmosttravellers）hadbeen，likemanyothers，carriedonthesteamwindsandtheirontidesthroughthatJunctionbefore，withouthavingever，asonemightsay，goneashorethere。
\"Ohyes，there’satown，sir！Anyways，there’stownenoughtoputupin。But，\"followingtheglanceoftheotherathisluggage，\"thisisaverydeadtimeofthenightwithus，sir。Thedeadesttime。Imighta’mostcallitourdeadestandburiedesttime。\"
\"Noportersabout？\"
\"Well，sir，yousee，\"returnedLamps，confidentialagain，\"theyingeneralgoesoffwiththegas。That’showitis。Andtheyseemtohaveoverlookedyou，throughyourwalkingtothefurderendoftheplatform。But，inabouttwelveminutesorso，shemaybeup。\"
\"Whomaybeup？\"
\"Thethreeforty-two，sir。Shegoesoffinasidin’tilltheUpX
passes，andthenshe\"——hereanairofhopefulvaguenesspervadedLamps——\"doesallaslaysinherpower。\"
\"IdoubtifIcomprehendthearrangement。\"
\"Idoubtifanybodydo，sir。She’saParliamentary，sir。And，yousee，aParliamentary，oraSkirmishun——\"
\"DoyoumeananExcursion？\"
\"That’sit，sir。——AParliamentaryoraSkirmishun，shemostlyDOES
gooffintoasidin’。But，whensheCANgetachance，she’swhistledoutofit，andshe’swhistledupintodoin’allas，\"——Lampsagainworetheairofahighlysanguinemanwhohopedforthebest，——
\"allaslaysinherpower。\"
Hethenexplainedthattheportersonduty，beingrequiredtobeinattendanceontheParliamentarymatroninquestion，woulddoubtlessturnupwiththegas。Inthemeantime，ifthegentlemanwouldnotverymuchobjecttothesmelloflamp-oil，andwouldacceptthewarmthofhislittleroom-Thegentleman，beingbythistimeverycold，instantlyclosedwiththeproposal。
Agreasylittlecabinitwas，suggestive，tothesenseofsmell，ofacabininaWhaler。Buttherewasabrightfireburninginitsrustygrate，andonthefloortherestoodawoodenstandofnewlytrimmedandlightedlamps，readyforcarriageservice。Theymadeabrightshow，andtheirlight，andthewarmth，accountedforthepopularityoftheroom，asbornewitnesstobymanyimpressionsofvelveteentrousersonaformbythefire，andmanyroundedsmearsandsmudgesofstoopingvelveteenshouldersontheadjacentwall。
Variousuntidyshelvesaccommodatedaquantityoflampsandoil-
cans，andalsoafragrantcollectionofwhatlookedlikethepocket-
handkerchiefsofthewholelampfamily。
AsBarboxBrothers（sotocallthetravelleronthewarrantyofhisluggage）tookhisseatupontheform，andwarmedhisnowunglovedhandsatthefire，heglancedasideatalittledealdesk，muchblotchedwithink，whichhiselbowtouched。Uponitweresomescrapsofcoarsepaper，andasuperannuatedsteelpeninveryreducedandgrittycircumstances。
Fromglancingatthescrapsofpaper，heturnedinvoluntarilytohishost，andsaid，withsomeroughness：
\"Why，youareneverapoet，man？\"
Lampshadcertainlynottheconventionalappearanceofone，ashestoodmodestlyrubbinghissquabnosewithahandkerchiefsoexceedinglyoily，thathemighthavebeenintheactofmistakinghimselfforoneofhischarges。HewasasparemanofabouttheBarboxBrotherstimeoflife，withhisfeatureswhimsicallydrawnupwardasiftheywereattractedbytherootsofhishair。Hehadapeculiarlyshiningtransparentcomplexion，probablyoccasionedbyconstantoleaginousapplication；andhisattractivehair，beingcutshort，andbeinggrizzled，andstandingstraightuponendasifitinitsturnwereattractedbysomeinvisiblemagnetaboveit，thetopofhisheadwasnotveryunlikealamp-wick。
\"But，tobesure，it’snobusinessofmine，\"saidBarboxBrothers。
\"Thatwasanimpertinentobservationonmypart。Bewhatyoulike。\"
\"Somepeople，sir，\"remarkedLampsinatoneofapology，\"aresometimeswhattheydon’tlike。\"
\"NobodyknowsthatbetterthanIdo，\"sighedtheother。\"IhavebeenwhatIdon’tlike，allmylife。\"
\"WhenIfirsttook，sir，\"resumedLamps，\"tocomposinglittleComic-
Songs——like——\"
BarboxBrotherseyedhimwithgreatdisfavour。
\"——TocomposinglittleComic-Songs-like——andwhatwasmorehard——tosinging’emafterwards，\"saidLamps，\"itwentagainstthegrainatthattime，itdidindeed。\"
SomethingthatwasnotalloilhereshininginLamps’seye，BarboxBrotherswithdrewhisownalittledisconcerted，lookedatthefire，andputafootonthetopbar。\"Whydidyoudoit，then？\"heaskedafterashortpause；abruptlyenough，butinasoftertone。\"Ifyoudidn’twanttodoit，whydidyoudoit？Wheredidyousingthem？
Public-house？\"
TowhichMr。Lampsreturnedthecuriousreply：\"Bedside。\"
Atthismoment，whilethetravellerlookedathimforelucidation，MugbyJunctionstartedsuddenly，trembledviolently，andopeneditsgaseyes。\"She’sgotup！\"Lampsannounced，excited。\"Whatlaysinherpowerissometimesmore，andsometimesless；butit’slaidinherpowertogetupto-night，byGeorge！\"
Thelegend\"BarboxBrothers，\"inlargewhitelettersontwoblacksurfaces，wasverysoonafterwardstrundlingonatruckthroughasilentstreet，and，whentheownerofthelegendhadshiveredonthepavementhalfanhour，whattimetheporter’sknocksattheInnDoorknockedupthewholetownfirst，andtheInnlast，hegropedhiswayintothecloseairofashut-uphouse，andsogropedbetweenthesheetsofashut-upbedthatseemedtohavebeenexpresslyrefrigeratedforhimwhenlastmade。
II
\"Yourememberme，YoungJackson？\"
\"WhatdoIrememberifnotyou？Youaremyfirstremembrance。Itwasyouwhotoldmethatwasmyname。ItwasyouwhotoldmethatoneverytwentiethofDecembermylifehadapenitentialanniversaryinitcalledabirthday。Isupposethelastcommunicationwastruerthanthefirst！\"
\"WhatamIlike，YoungJackson？\"
\"Youarelikeablightallthroughtheyeartome。Youhard-lined，thin-lipped，repressive，changelesswomanwithawaxmaskon。YouareliketheDeviltome；mostofallwhenyouteachmereligiousthings，foryoumakemeabhorthem。\"
\"Yourememberme，Mr。YoungJackson？\"Inanothervoicefromanotherquarter。
\"Mostgratefully，sir。Youweretherayofhopeandprosperingambitioninmylife。WhenIattendedyourcourse，IbelievedthatI
shouldcometobeagreathealer，andIfeltalmosthappy——eventhoughIwasstilltheoneboarderinthehousewiththathorriblemask，andateanddrankinsilenceandconstraintwiththemaskbeforeme，everyday。AsIhaddoneevery，every，everyday，throughmyschool-timeandfrommyearliestrecollection。\"
\"WhatamIlike，Mr。YoungJackson？\"
\"YouarelikeaSuperiorBeingtome。YouarelikeNaturebeginningtorevealherselftome。Ihearyouagain，asoneofthehushedcrowdofyoungmenkindlingunderthepowerofyourpresenceandknowledge，andyoubringintomyeyestheonlyexultanttearsthateverstoodinthem。\"
\"YourememberMe，Mr。YoungJackson？\"Inagratingvoicefromquiteanotherquarter。
\"Toowell。Youmadeyourghostlyappearanceinmylifeoneday，andannouncedthatitscoursewastobesuddenlyandwhollychanged。
YoushowedmewhichwasmywearisomeseatintheGalleyofBarboxBrothers。（WhenTHEYwere，iftheyeverwere，isunknowntome；
therewasnothingofthembutthenamewhenIbenttotheoar。）YoutoldmewhatIwastodo，andwhattobepaid；youtoldmeafterwards，atintervalsofyears，whenIwastosignfortheFirm，whenIbecameapartner，whenIbecametheFirm。Iknownomoreofit，orofmyself。\"
\"WhatamIlike，Mr。YoungJackson？\"
\"Youarelikemyfather，Isometimesthink。Youarehardenoughandcoldenoughsotohavebroughtupanacknowledgedson。Iseeyourscantyfigure，yourclosebrownsuit，andyourtightbrownwig；butyou，too，wearawaxmasktoyourdeath。Youneverbyachanceremoveit——itneverbyachancefallsoff——andIknownomoreofyou。\"
Throughoutthisdialogue，thetravellerspoketohimselfathiswindowinthemorning，ashehadspokentohimselfattheJunctionovernight。Andashehadthenlookedinthedarkness，amanwhohadturnedgreytoosoon，likeaneglectedfire：sohenowlookedinthesun-light，anashiergrey，likeafirewhichthebrightnessofthesunputout。
ThefirmofBarboxBrothershadbeensomeoffshootorirregularbranchofthePublicNotaryandbill-brokingtree。IthadgainedforitselfagripingreputationbeforethedaysofYoungJackson，andthereputationhadstucktoitandtohim。AshehadimperceptiblycomeintopossessionofthedimdenupinthecornerofacourtoffLombardStreet，onwhosegrimywindowstheinscriptionBarboxBrothershadformanylongyearsdailyinterposeditselfbetweenhimandthesky，sohehadinsensiblyfoundhimselfapersonageheldinchronicdistrust，whomitwasessentialtoscrewtighttoeverytransactioninwhichheengaged，whosewordwasnevertobetakenwithouthisattestedbond，whomalldealerswithopenlysetupguardsandwardsagainst。Thischaracterhadcomeuponhimthroughnoactofhisown。ItwasasiftheoriginalBarboxhadstretchedhimselfdownupontheofficefloor，andhadthithercausedtobeconveyedYoungJacksoninhissleep，andhadthereeffectedametempsychosisandexchangeofpersonswithhim。Thediscovery——
aidedinitsturnbythedeceitoftheonlywomanhehadeverloved，andthedeceitoftheonlyfriendhehadevermade：whoelopedfromhimtobemarriedtogether——thediscovery，sofollowedup，completedwhathisearliestrearinghadbegun。Heshrank，abashed，withintheformofBarbox，andlifteduphisheadandheartnomore。
Buthedidatlasteffectonegreatreleaseinhiscondition。Hebroketheoarhehadpliedsolong，andhescuttledandsankthegalley。Hepreventedthegradualretirementofanoldconventionalbusinessfromhim，bytakingtheinitiativeandretiringfromit。
Withenoughtoliveon（though，afterall，withnottoomuch），heobliteratedthefirmofBarboxBrothersfromthepagesofthePost-
OfficeDirectoryandthefaceoftheearth，leavingnothingofitbutitsnameontwoportmanteaus。
\"Foronemusthavesomenameingoingabout，forpeopletopickup，\"
heexplainedtoMugbyHighStreet，throughtheInnwindow，\"andthatnameatleastwasrealonce。Whereas，YoungJackson！——NottomentionitsbeingasadlysatiricalmisnomerforOldJackson。\"
Hetookuphishatandwalkedout，justintimetosee，passingalongontheoppositesideoftheway，avelveteenman，carryinghisday’sdinnerinasmallbundlethatmighthavebeenlargerwithoutsuspicionofgluttony，andpeltingawaytowardstheJunctionatagreatpace。
\"There’sLamps！\"saidBarboxBrothers。\"Andbythebye——\"
Ridiculous，surely，thatamansoserious，soself-contained，andnotyetthreedaysemancipatedfromaroutineofdrudgery，shouldstandrubbinghischininthestreet，inabrownstudyaboutComicSongs。
\"Bedside？\"saidBarboxBrotherstestily。\"Singsthematthebedside？Whyatthebedside，unlesshegoestobeddrunk？Does，I
shouldn’twonder。Butit’snobusinessofmine。Letmesee。MugbyJunction，MugbyJunction。WhereshallIgonext？AsitcameintomyheadlastnightwhenIwokefromanuneasysleepinthecarriageandfoundmyselfhere，Icangoanywherefromhere。WhereshallI
go？I’llgoandlookattheJunctionbydaylight。There’snohurry，andImaylikethelookofoneLinebetterthananother。\"
ButthereweresomanyLines。GazingdownuponthemfromabridgeattheJunction，itwasasiftheconcentratingCompaniesformedagreatIndustrialExhibitionoftheworksofextraordinarygroundspidersthatspuniron。AndthensomanyoftheLineswentsuchwonderfulways，socrossingandcurvingamongoneanother，thattheeyelostthem。Andthensomeofthemappearedtostartwiththefixedintentionofgoingfivehundredmiles，andallofasuddengaveitupataninsignificantbarrier，orturnedoffintoaworkshop。Andthenothers，likeintoxicatedmen，wentalittlewayverystraight，andsurprisinglysluedroundandcamebackagain。
Andthenothersweresochock-fulloftrucksofcoal，othersweresoblockedwithtrucksofcasks，othersweresogorgedwithtrucksofballast，othersweresosetapartforwheeledobjectslikeimmenseironcotton-reels：whileothersweresobrightandclear，andothersweresodeliveredovertorustandashesandidlewheelbarrowsoutofwork，withtheirlegsintheair（lookingmuchliketheirmastersonstrike），thattherewasnobeginning，middle，orendtothebewilderment。
BarboxBrothersstoodpuzzledonthebridge，passinghisrighthandacrossthelinesonhisforehead，whichmultipliedwhilehelookeddown，asiftherailwayLinesweregettingthemselvesphotographedonthatsensitiveplate。Thenwasheardadistantringingofbellsandblowingofwhistles。Then，puppet-lookingheadsofmenpoppedoutofboxesinperspective，andpoppedinagain。Then，prodigiouswoodenrazors，setuponend，beganshavingtheatmosphere。Then，severallocomotiveenginesinseveraldirectionsbegantoscreamandbeagitated。Then，alongoneavenueatraincamein。Then，alonganothertwotrainsappearedthatdidn’tcomein，butstoppedwithout。Then，bitsoftrainsbrokeoff。Then，astrugglinghorsebecameinvolvedwiththem。Then，thelocomotivessharedthebitsoftrains，andranawaywiththewhole。
\"Ihavenotmademynextmovemuchclearerbythis。Nohurry。Noneedtomakeupmymindto-day，orto-morrow，noryetthedayafter。
I’lltakeawalk。\"
Itfelloutsomehow（perhapshemeantitshould）thatthewalktendedtotheplatformatwhichhehadalighted，andtoLamps’sroom。ButLampswasnotinhisroom。ApairofvelveteenshoulderswereadaptingthemselvestooneoftheimpressionsonthewallbyLamps’sfireplace，butotherwisetheroomwasvoid。Inpassingbacktogetoutofthestationagain，helearntthecauseofthisvacancy，bycatchingsightofLampsontheoppositelineofrailway，skippingalongthetopofatrain，fromcarriagetocarriage，andcatchinglightednamesakesthrownuptohimbyacoadjutor。
\"Heisbusy。HehasnotmuchtimeforcomposingorsingingComicSongsthismorning，Itakeit。\"
Thedirectionhepursuednowwasintothecountry，keepingveryneartothesideofonegreatLineofrailway，andwithineasyviewofothers。\"Ihavehalfamind，\"’hesaid，glancingaround，\"tosettlethequestionfromthispoint，bysaying，’I’lltakethissetofrails，orthat，ort’other，andsticktoit。’Theyseparatethemselvesfromtheconfusion，outhere，andgotheirways。\"
Ascendingagentlehillofsomeextent，hecametoafewcottages。
There，lookingabouthimasaveryreservedmanmightwhohadneverlookedabouthiminhislifebefore，hesawsomesixoreightyoungchildrencomemerrilytroopingandwhoopingfromoneofthecottages，anddisperse。Butnotuntiltheyhadallturnedatthelittlegarden-gate，andkissedtheirhandstoafaceattheupperwindow：alowwindowenough，althoughtheupper，forthecottagehadbutastoryofoneroomabovetheground。
Now，thatthechildrenshoulddothiswasnothing；butthattheyshoulddothistoafacelyingonthesilloftheopenwindow，turnedtowardstheminahorizontalposition，andapparentlyonlyaface，wassomethingnoticeable。Helookedupatthewindowagain。
Couldonlyseeaveryfragile，thoughaverybrightface，lyingononecheekonthewindow-sill。Thedelicatesmilingfaceofagirlorwoman。Framedinlongbrightbrownhair，roundwhichwastiedalightbluebandorfillet，passingunderthechin。
Hewalkedon，turnedback，passedthewindowagain，shylyglancedupagain。Nochange。Hestruckoffbyawindingbranch-roadatthetopofthehill——whichhemustotherwisehavedescended——keptthecottagesinview，workedhiswayroundatadistancesoastocomeoutoncemoreintothemainroad，andbeobligedtopassthecottagesagain。Thefacestilllayonthewindow-sill，butnotsomuchinclinedtowardshim。Andnowtherewereapairofdelicatehandstoo。Theyhadtheactionofperformingonsomemusicalinstrument，andyetitproducednosoundthatreachedhisears。
\"MugbyJunctionmustbethemaddestplaceinEngland，\"saidBarboxBrothers，pursuinghiswaydownthehill。\"ThefirstthingIfindhereisaRailwayPorterwhocomposescomicsongstosingathisbedside。ThesecondthingIfindhereisaface，andapairofhandsplayingamusicalinstrumentthatDON’Tplay！\"
ThedaywasafinebrightdayintheearlybeginningofNovember，theairwasclearandinspiriting，andthelandscapewasrichinbeautifulcolours。TheprevailingcoloursinthecourtoffLombardStreet，Londoncity，hadbeenfewandsombre。Sometimes，whentheweatherelsewherewasverybrightindeed，thedwellersinthosetentsenjoyedapepper-and-salt-coloureddayortwo，buttheiratmosphere’susualwearwasslateorsnuffcoloured。
Herelishedhiswalksowellthatherepeateditnextday。Hewasalittleearlieratthecottagethanonthedaybefore，andhecouldhearthechildrenupstairssingingtoaregularmeasure，andclappingoutthetimewiththeirhands。
\"Still，thereisnosoundofanymusicalinstrument，\"hesaid，listeningatthecorner，\"andyetIsawtheperforminghandsagainasIcameby。Whatarethechildrensinging？Why，goodLord，theycanneverbesingingthemultiplicationtable？\"
Theywere，though，andwithinfiniteenjoyment。Themysteriousfacehadavoiceattachedtoit，whichoccasionallyledorsetthechildrenright。Itsmusicalcheerfulnesswasdelightful。Themeasureatlengthstopped，andwassucceededbyamurmuringofyoungvoices，andthenbyashortsongwhichhemadeouttobeaboutthecurrentmonthoftheyear，andaboutwhatworkityieldedtothelabourersinthefieldsandfarmyards。Thentherewasastiroflittlefeet，andthechildrencametroopingandwhoopingout，asonthepreviousday。Andagain，asonthepreviousday，theyallturnedatthegarden-gate，andkissedtheirhands——evidentlytothefaceonthewindow-sill，thoughBarboxBrothersfromhisretiredpostofdisadvantageatthecornercouldnotseeit。
But，asthechildrendispersed，hecutoffonesmallstraggler——abrown-facedboywithflaxenhair——andsaidtohim：
\"Comehere，littleone。Tellme，whosehouseisthat？\"
Thechild，withoneswarthyarmheldupacrosshiseyes，halfinshyness，andhalfreadyfordefence，saidfrombehindtheinsideofhiselbow：
\"Phoebe’s。\"
\"Andwho，\"saidBarboxBrothers，quiteasmuchembarrassedbyhispartinthedialogueasthechildcouldpossiblybebyhis，\"isPhoebe？\"
Towhichthechildmadeanswer：\"Why，Phoebe，ofcourse。\"
Thesmallbutsharpobserverhadeyedhisquestionerclosely，andhadtakenhismoralmeasure。Heloweredhisguard，andratherassumedatonewithhim：ashavingdiscoveredhimtobeanunaccustomedpersonintheartofpoliteconversation。
\"Phoebe，\"saidthechild，\"can’tbeanybobbyelsebutPhoebe。Canshe？\"
\"No，Isupposenot。\"
\"Well，\"returnedthechild，\"thenwhydidyouaskme？\"
Deemingitprudenttoshifthisground，BarboxBrotherstookupanewposition。
\"Whatdoyoudothere？Upthereinthatroomwheretheopenwindowis。Whatdoyoudothere？\"
\"Cool，\"saidthechild。
\"Eh？\"
\"Co-o-ol，\"thechildrepeatedinaloudervoice，lengtheningoutthewordwithafixedlookandgreatemphasis，asmuchastosay：
\"What’stheuseofyourhavinggrownup，ifyou’resuchadonkeyasnottounderstandme？\"
\"Ah！School，school，\"saidBarboxBrothers。\"Yes，yes，yes。AndPhoebeteachesyou？\"
Thechildnodded。
\"Goodboy。\"
\"Tounditout，haveyou？\"saidthechild。
\"Yes，Ihavefounditout。Whatwouldyoudowithtwopence，ifI
gaveityou？\"
\"Pendit。\"
Theknock-downpromptitudeofthisreplyleavinghimnotalegtostandupon，BarboxBrothersproducedthetwopencewithgreatlameness，andwithdrewinastateofhumiliation。
But，seeingthefaceonthewindow-sillashepassedthecottage，heacknowledgeditspresencetherewithagesture，whichwasnotanod，notabow，notaremovalofhishatfromhishead，butwasadiffidentcompromisebetweenorstrugglewithallthree。Theeyesinthefaceseemedamused，orcheered，orboth，andthelipsmodestlysaid：\"Good-daytoyou，sir。\"
\"IfindImuststickforatimetoMugbyJunction，\"saidBarboxBrotherswithmuchgravity，afteroncemorestoppingonhisreturnroadtolookattheLineswheretheywenttheirseveralwayssoquietly。\"Ican’tmakeupmymindyetwhichironroadtotake。Infact，ImustgetalittleaccustomedtotheJunctionbeforeIcandecide。\"
So，heannouncedattheInnthathewas\"goingtostayonforthepresent，\"andimprovedhisacquaintancewiththeJunctionthatnight，andagainnextmorning，andagainnextnightandmorning：
goingdowntothestation，minglingwiththepeoplethere，lookingabouthimdownalltheavenuesofrailway，andbeginningtotakeaninterestintheincomingsandoutgoingsofthetrains。Atfirst，heoftenputhisheadintoLamps’slittleroom，butheneverfoundLampsthere。Apairortwoofvelveteenshouldersheusuallyfoundthere，stoopingoverthefire，sometimesinconnectionwithaclaspedknifeandapieceofbreadandmeat；buttheanswertohisinquiry，\"Where’sLamps？\"was，eitherthathewas\"t’othersidetheline，\"or，thatitwashisoff-time，or（inthelattercase）hisownpersonalintroductiontoanotherLampswhowasnothisLamps。
However，hewasnotsodesperatelysetuponseeingLampsnow，butheborethedisappointment。NordidhesowhollydevotehimselftohissevereapplicationtothestudyofMugbyJunctionastoneglectexercise。Onthecontrary，hetookawalkeveryday，andalwaysthesamewalk。Buttheweatherturnedcoldandwetagain，andthewindowwasneveropen。
III
Atlength，afteralapseofsomedays，therecameanotherstreakoffinebrighthardyautumnweather。ItwasaSaturday。Thewindowwasopen，andthechildrenweregone。Notsurprising，this，forhehadpatientlywatchedandwaitedatthecorneruntiltheyWEREgone。
\"Good-day，\"hesaidtotheface；absolutelygettinghishatclearoffhisheadthistime。
\"Good-daytoyou，sir。\"
\"Iamgladyouhaveafineskyagaintolookat。\"
\"Thankyou，sir。Itiskindifyou。\"
\"Youareaninvalid，Ifear？\"
\"No，sir。Ihaveverygoodhealth。\"
\"Butareyounotalwayslyingdown？\"
\"Ohyes，Iamalwayslyingdown，becauseIcannotsitup！ButIamnotaninvalid。\"
Thelaughingeyesseemedhighlytoenjoyhisgreatmistake。
\"Wouldyoumindtakingthetroubletocomein，sir？Thereisabeautifulviewfromthiswindow。AndyouwouldseethatIamnotatallill——beingsogoodastocare。\"
Itwassaidtohelphim，ashestoodirresolute，butevidentlydesiringtoenter，withhisdiffidenthandonthelatchofthegarden-gate。Itdidhelphim，andhewentin。
Theroomup-stairswasaverycleanwhiteroomwithalowroof。Itsonlyinmatelayonacouchthatbroughtherfacetoalevelwiththewindow。Thecouchwaswhitetoo；andhersimpledressorwrapperbeinglightblue，likethebandaroundherhair，shehadanethereallook，andafancifulappearanceoflyingamongclouds。Hefeltthatsheinstinctivelyperceivedhimtobebyhabitadowncasttaciturnman；itwasanotherhelptohimtohaveestablishedthatunderstandingsoeasily，andgotitover。
Therewasanawkwardconstraintuponhim，nevertheless，ashetouchedherhand，andtookachairatthesideofhercouch。
\"Iseenow，\"hebegan，notatallfluently，\"howyouoccupyyourhand。Onlyseeingyoufromthepathoutside，Ithoughtyouwereplayinguponsomething。\"
Shewasengagedinverynimblyanddexterouslymakinglace。Alace-
pillowlayuponherbreast；andthequickmovementsandchangesofherhandsuponit，assheworked，hadgiventhemtheactionhehadmisinterpreted。
\"Thatiscurious，\"sheansweredwithabrightsmile。\"ForIoftenfancy，myself，thatIplaytuneswhileIamatwork。\"
\"Haveyouanymusicalknowledge？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"IthinkIcouldpickouttunes，ifIhadanyinstrument，whichcouldbemadeashandytomeasmylace-pillow。ButIdaresayI
deceivemyself。Atallevents，Ishallneverknow。\"
\"Youhaveamusicalvoice。Excuseme；Ihaveheardyousing。\"
\"Withthechildren？\"sheanswered，slightlycolouring。\"Ohyes。I
singwiththedearchildren，ifitcanbecalledsinging。\"
BarboxBrothersglancedatthetwosmallformsintheroom，andhazardedthespeculationthatshewasfondofchildren，andthatshewaslearnedinnewsystemsofteachingthem？
\"Veryfondofthem，\"shesaid，shakingherheadagain；\"butIknownothingofteaching，beyondtheinterestIhaveinit，andthepleasureitgivesmewhentheylearn。Perhapsyouroverhearingmylittlescholarssingsomeoftheirlessonshasledyousofarastrayastothinkmeagrandteacher？Ah！Ithoughtso！No，Ihaveonlyreadandbeentoldaboutthatsystem。Itseemedsoprettyandpleasant，andtotreatthemsolikethemerryRobinstheyare，thatItookupwithitinmylittleway。Youdon’tneedtobetoldwhataverylittlewaymineis，sir，\"sheaddedwithaglanceatthesmallformsandroundtheroom。
Allthistimeherhandswerebusyatherlace-pillow。Astheystillcontinuedso，andastherewasakindofsubstituteforconversationintheclickandplayofitspegs，BarboxBrotherstooktheopportunityofobservingher。Heguessedhertobethirty。Thecharmofhertransparentfaceandlargebrightbrowneyeswas，notthattheywerepassivelyresigned，butthattheywereactivelyandthoroughlycheerful。Evenherbusyhands，whichoftheirownthinnessalonemighthavebesoughtcompassion，pliedtheirtaskwithagaycouragethatmademerecompassionanunjustifiableassumptionofsuperiority，andanimpertinence。
Hesawhereyesintheactofrisingtowardshis，andhedirectedhistowardstheprospect，saying：\"Beautiful，indeed！\"
\"Mostbeautiful，sir。IhavesometimeshadafancythatIwouldliketositup，foronce，onlytotryhowitlookstoanerecthead。
Butwhatafoolishfancythatwouldbetoencourage！Itcannotlookmorelovelytoanyonethanitdoestome。\"
Hereyeswereturnedtoit，asshespoke，withmostdelightedadmirationandenjoyment。Therewasnotatraceinitofanysenseofdeprivation。
\"Andthosethreadsofrailway，withtheirpuffsofsmokeandsteamchangingplacessofast，makeitsolivelyforme，\"shewenton。\"I
thinkofthenumberofpeoplewhocangowheretheywish，ontheirbusiness，ortheirpleasure；IrememberthatthepuffsmakesignstomethattheyareactuallygoingwhileIlook；andthatenlivenstheprospectwithabundanceofcompany，ifIwantcompany。ThereisthegreatJunction，too。Idon’tseeitunderthefootofthehill，butIcanveryoftenhearit，andIalwaysknowitisthere。Itseemstojoinme，inaway，toIdon’tknowhowmanyplacesandthingsthatIshallneversee。\"
Withanabashedkindofideathatitmighthavealreadyjoinedhimselftosomethinghehadneverseen，hesaidconstrainedly：
\"Justso。\"
\"Andsoyousee，sir，\"pursuedPhoebe，\"Iamnottheinvalidyouthoughtme，andIamverywelloffindeed。\"
\"Youhaveahappydisposition，\"saidBarboxBrothers：perhapswithaslightexcusatorytouchforhisowndisposition。
\"Ah！Butyoushouldknowmyfather，\"shereplied。\"Hisisthehappydisposition！——Don’tmind，sir！\"Forhisreservetookthealarmatastepuponthestairs，andhedistrustedthathewouldbesetdownforatroublesomeintruder。\"Thisismyfathercoming。\"
Thedooropened，andthefatherpausedthere。
\"Why，Lamps！\"exclaimedBarboxBrothers，startingfromhischair。
\"Howdoyoudo，Lamps？\"
TowhichLampsresponded：\"ThegentlemanforNowhere！HowdoyouDO，sir？\"
Andtheyshookhands，tothegreatestadmirationandsurpriseofLamp’sdaughter。
\"Ihavelookedyouuphalf-a-dozentimessincethatnight，\"saidBarboxBrothers，\"buthaveneverfoundyou。\"
\"SoI’veheerdon，sir，soI’veheerdon，\"returnedLamps。\"It’syourbeingnoticedsooftendownattheJunction，withouttakinganytrain，thathasbeguntogetyouthenameamongusofthegentlemanforNowhere。Nooffenceinmyhavingcalledyoubyitwhentookbysurprise，Ihope，sir？\"
\"Noneatall。It’sasgoodanameformeasanyotheryoucouldcallmeby。ButmayIaskyouaquestioninthecornerhere？\"
Lampssufferedhimselftobeledasidefromhisdaughter’scouchbyoneofthebuttonsofhisvelveteenjacket。
\"Isthisthebedsidewhereyousingyoursongs？\"
Lampsnodded。
ThegentlemanforNowhereclappedhimontheshoulder，andtheyfacedaboutagain。
\"Uponmyword，mydear，\"saidLampsthentohisdaughter，lookingfromhertohervisitor，\"itissuchanamazetome，tofindyoubroughtacquaintedwiththisgentleman，thatImust（ifthisgentlemanwillexcuseme）takearounder。\"
Mr。Lampsdemonstratedinactionwhatthismeant，bypullingouthisoilyhandkerchiefrolledupintheformofaball，andgivinghimselfanelaboratesmear，frombehindtherightear，upthecheek，acrosstheforehead，anddowntheothercheektobehindhisleftear。Afterthisoperationheshoneexceedingly。
\"It’saccordingtomycustomwhenparticularwarmedupbyanyagitation，sir，\"heofferedbywayofapology。\"Andreally，IamthrowedintothatstateofamazebyfindingyoubroughtacquaintedwithPhoebe，thatI——thatIthinkIwill，ifyou’llexcuseme，takeanotherrounder。\"Whichhedid，seemingtobegreatlyrestoredbyit。
Theywerenowbothstandingbythesideofhercouch，andshewasworkingatherlace-pillow。\"Yourdaughtertellsme，\"saidBarboxBrothers，stillinahalf-reluctantshamefacedway，\"thatsheneversitsup。\"
\"No，sir，norneverhasdone。Yousee，hermother（whodiedwhenshewasayearandtwomonthsold）wassubjecttoverybadfits，andasshehadnevermentionedtomethatsheWASsubjecttofits，theycouldn’tbeguardedagainst。Consequently，shedroppedthebabywhentook，andthishappened。\"
\"Itwasverywrongofher，\"saidBarboxBrotherswithaknittedbrow，\"tomarryyou，makingasecretofherinfirmity。’
\"Well，sir！\"pleadedLampsinbehalfofthelong-deceased。\"Yousee，Phoebeandme，wehavetalkedthatovertoo。AndLordblessus！Suchanumberonushasourinfirmities，whatwithfits，andwhatwithmisfits，ofonesortandanother，thatifweconfessedto’emallbeforewegotmarried，mostofusmightnevergetmarried。\"
\"Mightnotthatbeforthebetter？\"
\"Notinthiscase，sir，\"saidPhoebe，givingherhandtoherfather。
\"No，notinthiscase，sir，\"saidherfather，pattingitbetweenhisown。
\"Youcorrectme，\"returnedBarboxBrotherswithablush；\"andImustlooksolikeaBrute，thatatalleventsitwouldbesuperfluousinmetoconfesstoTHATinfirmity。Iwishyouwouldtellmealittlemoreaboutyourselves。Ihardlyknewhowtoaskitofyou，forIamconsciousthatIhaveabadstiffmanner，adulldiscouragingwaywithme，butIwishyouwould。\"
\"Withallourhearts，sir，\"returnedLampsgailyforboth。\"Andfirstofall，thatyoumayknowmyname——\"
\"Stay！\"interposedthevisitorwithaslightflush。\"Whatsignifiesyourname？Lampsisnameenoughforme。Ilikeit。Itisbrightandexpressive。WhatdoIwantmore？\"
\"Why，tobesure，sir，\"returnedLamps。\"IhaveingeneralnoothernamedownattheJunction；butIthought，onaccountofyourbeinghereasafirst-classsingle，inaprivatecharacter，thatyoumight——\"
Thevisitorwavedthethoughtawaywithhishand，andLampsacknowledgedthemarkofconfidencebytakinganotherrounder。
\"Youarehard-worked，Itakeforgranted？\"saidBarboxBrothers，whenthesubjectoftheroundercameoutofitmuchdirtierthanbewentintoit。
Lampswasbeginning，\"Notparticularso\"——whenhisdaughtertookhimup。
\"Ohyes，sir，heisveryhard-worked。Fourteen，fifteen，eighteenhoursaday。Sometimestwenty-fourhoursatatime。\"
\"Andyou，\"saidBarboxBrothers，\"whatwithyourschool，Phoebe，andwhatwithyourlace-making——\"
\"Butmyschoolisapleasuretome，\"sheinterrupted，openingherbrowneyeswider，asifsurprisedtofindhimsoobtuse。\"IbeganitwhenIwasbutachild，becauseitbroughtmeandotherchildrenintocompany，don’tyousee？THATwasnotwork。Icarryitonstill，becauseitkeepschildrenaboutme。THATisnotwork。Idoitaslove，notaswork。Thenmylace-pillow；\"herbusyhandshadstopped，asifherargumentrequiredallhercheerfulearnestness，butnowwentonagainatthename；\"itgoeswithmythoughtswhenI
think，anditgoeswithmytuneswhenIhumany，andTHAT’Snotwork。Why，youyourselfthoughtitwasmusic，youknow，sir。Andsoitistome。\"
\"Everythingis！\"criedLampsradiantly。\"Everythingismusictoher，sir。\"
\"Myfatheris，atanyrate，\"saidPhoebe，exultinglypointingherthinforefingerathim。\"Thereismoremusicinmyfatherthanthereisinabrassband。\"
\"Isay！Mydear！It’sveryfillyilliallydone，youknow；butyouareflatteringyourfather，\"heprotested，sparkling。
\"No，Iamnot，sir，Iassureyou。No，Iamnot。Ifyoucouldhearmyfathersing，youwouldknowIamnot。Butyouneverwillhearhimsing，becauseheneversingstoanyonebutme。Howevertiredheis，healwayssingstomewhenhecomeshome。WhenIlayherelongago，quiteapoorlittlebrokendoll，heusedtosingtome。
Morethanthat，heusedtomakesongs，bringinginwhateverlittlejokeswehadbetweenus。Morethanthat，heoftendoessotothisday。Oh！I’lltellofyou，father，asthegentlemanhasaskedaboutyou。Heisapoet，sir。\"
\"Ishouldn’twishthegentleman，mydear，\"observedLamps，forthemomentturninggrave，\"tocarryawaythatopinionofyourfather，becauseitmightlookasifIwasgiventoaskingthestarsinamolloncollymannerwhattheywasupto。WhichIwouldn’tatoncewastethetime，andtaketheliberty，mydear。\"
\"Myfather，\"resumedPhoebe，amendinghertext，\"isalwaysonthebrightside，andthegoodside。Youtoldme，justnow，Ihadahappydisposition。HowcanIhelpit？\"
\"Well；but，mydear，\"returnedLampsargumentatively，\"howcanI
helpit？Putittoyourselfsir。Lookather。Alwaysasyouseehernow。Alwaysworking——andafterall，sir，forbutaveryfewshillingsaweek——alwayscontented，alwayslively，alwaysinterestedinothers，ofallsorts。Isaid，thismoment，shewasalwaysasyouseehernow。Sosheis，withadifferencethatcomestomuchthesame。For，whenitismySundayoffandthemorningbellshavedoneringing，Iheartheprayersandthanksreadinthetouchingestway，andIhavethehymnssungtome——sosoft，sir，thatyoucouldn’thear’emoutofthisroom——innotesthatseemtome，Iamsure，tocomefromHeavenandgobacktoit。\"
Itmighthavebeenmerelythroughtheassociationofthesewordswiththeirsacredlyquiettime，oritmighthavebeenthroughthelargerassociationofthewordswiththeRedeemer’spresencebesidethebedridden；buthereherdexterousfingerscametoastoponthelace-pillow，andclaspedthemselvesaroundhisneckashebentdown。
Therewasgreatnaturalsensibilityinbothfatheranddaughter，thevisitorcouldeasilysee；buteachmadeit，fortheother’ssake，retiring，notdemonstrative；andperfectcheerfulness，intuitiveoracquired，waseitherthefirstorsecondnatureofboth。InaveryfewmomentsLampswastakinganotherrounderwithhiscomicalfeaturesbeaming，whilePhoebe’slaughingeyes（justaglisteningspeckorsoupontheirlashes）wereagaindirectedbyturnstohim，andtoherwork，andtoBarboxBrothers。
\"Whenmyfather，sir，\"shesaidbrightly，\"tellsyouaboutmybeinginterestedinotherpeople，eventhoughtheyknownothingaboutme——
which，bythebye，Itoldyoumyself——yououghttoknowhowthatcomesabout。That’smyfather’sdoing。\"
\"No，itisn’t！\"heprotested。
\"Don’tyoubelievehim，sir；yes，itis。Hetellsmeofeverythingheseesdownathiswork。Youwouldbesurprisedwhataquantityhegetstogetherformeeveryday。Helooksintothecarriages，andtellsmehowtheladiesaredressed——sothatIknowallthefashions！Helooksintothecarriages，andtellsmewhatpairsoflovershesees，andwhatnew-marriedcouplesontheirweddingtrip——
sothatIknowallaboutthat！Hecollectschancenewspapersandbooks——sothatIhaveplentytoread！Hetellsmeaboutthesickpeoplewhoaretravellingtotrytogetbetter——sothatIknowallaboutthem！Inshort，asIbeganbysaying，hetellsmeeverythingheseesandmakesoutdownathiswork，andyoucan’tthinkwhataquantityhedoesseeandmakeout。\"
\"Astocollectingnewspapersandbooks，mydear，\"saidLamps，\"it’sclearIcanhavenomeritinthat，becausethey’renotmyperquisites。Yousee，sir，it’sthisway：AGuard，he’llsaytome，’Hallo，hereyouare，Lamps。I’vesavedthispaperforyourdaughter。Howisshea-goingon？’AHead-Porter，he’llsaytome，’Here！Catchhold，Lamps。Here’sacoupleofwollumesforyourdaughter。Issheprettymuchwhereshewere？’Andthat’swhatmakesitdoublewelcome，yousee。Ifshehadathousandpoundinabox，theywouldn’ttroublethemselvesabouther；butbeingwhatsheis——thatis，youunderstand，\"Lampsadded，somewhathurriedly，\"nothavingathousandpoundinabox——theytakethoughtforher。Andasconcerningtheyoungpairs，marriedandunmarried，it’sonlynaturalIshouldbringhomewhatlittleIcanaboutTHEM，seeingthatthere’snotaCoupleofeithersortintheneighbourhoodthatdon’tcomeoftheirownaccordtoconfideinPhoebe。\"
SheraisedhereyestriumphantlytoBarboxBrothersasshesaid：
\"Indeed，sir，thatistrue。IfIcouldhavegotupandgonetochurch，Idon’tknowhowoftenIshouldhavebeenabridesmaid。
But，ifIcouldhavedonethat，somegirlsinlovemighthavebeenjealousofme，and，asitis，nogirlisjealousofme。Andmypillowwouldnothavebeenhalfasreadytoputthepieceofcakeunder，asIalwaysfindit，\"sheadded，turningherfaceonitwithalightsigh，andasmileatherfather。
Thearrivalofalittlegirl，thebiggestofthescholars，nowledtoanunderstandingonthepartofBarboxBrothers，thatshewasthedomesticofthecottage，andhadcometotakeactivemeasuresinit，attendedbyapailthatmighthaveextinguishedher，andabroomthreetimesherheight。Hethereforerosetotakehisleave，andtookit；sayingthat，ifPhoebehadnoobjection，hewouldcomeagain。
Hehadmutteredthathewouldcome\"inthecourseofhiswalks。\"
Thecourseofhiswalksmusthavebeenhighlyfavourabletohisreturn，forhereturnedafteranintervalofasingleday。
\"Youthoughtyouwouldneverseemeanymore，Isuppose？\"hesaidtoPhoebeashetouchedherhand，andsatdownbyhercouch。
\"WhyshouldIthinkso？\"washersurprisedrejoinder。
\"Itookitforgrantedyouwouldmistrustme。\"
\"Forgranted，sir？Haveyoubeensomuchmistrusted？\"
\"IthinkIamjustifiedinansweringyes。ButImayhavemistrusted，too，onmypart。Nomatterjustnow。WewerespeakingoftheJunctionlasttime。Ihavepassedhourstheresincethedaybeforeyesterday。\"
\"AreyounowthegentlemanforSomewhere？\"sheaskedwithasmile。
\"CertainlyforSomewhere；butIdon’tyetknowWhere。YouwouldneverguesswhatIamtravellingfrom。ShallItellyou？Iamtravellingfrommybirthday。\"
Herhandsstoppedinherwork，andshelookedathimwithincredulousastonishment。
\"Yes，\"saidBarboxBrothers，notquiteeasyinhischair，\"frommybirthday。Iam，tomyself，anunintelligiblebookwiththeearlierchaptersalltornout，andthrownaway。Mychildhoodhadnograceofchildhood，myyouthhadnocharmofyouth，andwhatcanbeexpectedfromsuchalostbeginning？\"Hiseyesmeetinghersastheywereaddressedintentlytohim，somethingseemedtostirwithinhisbreast，whispering：\"Wasthisbedaplaceforthegracesofchildhoodandthecharmsofyouthtotaketokindly？Oh，shame，shame！\"
\"Itisadiseasewithme，\"saidBarboxBrothers，checkinghimself，andmakingasthoughhehadadifficultyinswallowingsomething，\"togowrongaboutthat。Idon’tknowhowIcametospeakofthat。
Ihopeitisbecauseofanoldmisplacedconfidenceinoneofyoursexinvolvinganoldbittertreachery。Idon’tknow。Iamallwrongtogether。\"
Herhandsquietlyandslowlyresumedtheirwork。Glancingather，hesawthathereyeswerethoughtfullyfollowingthem。
\"Iamtravellingfrommybirthday，\"heresumed，\"becauseithasalwaysbeenadrearydaytome。Myfirstfreebirthdaycomingroundsomefiveorsixweekshence，Iamtravellingtoputitspredecessorsfarbehindme，andtotrytocrushtheday——or，atallevents，putitoutofmysight——byheapingnewobjectsonit。\"
Ashepaused，shelookedathim；butonlyshookherheadasbeingquiteataloss。
\"Thisisunintelligibletoyourhappydisposition，\"hepursued，abidingbyhisformerphraseasifthereweresomelingeringvirtueofself-defenceinit。\"Iknewitwouldbe，andamgladitis。
However，onthistravelofmine（inwhichImeantopasstherestofmydays，havingabandonedallthoughtofafixedhome），Istopped，asyouhaveheardfromyourfather，attheJunctionhere。TheextentofitsramificationsquiteconfusedmeastowhitherIshouldgo，FROMhere。Ihavenotyetsettled，beingstillperplexedamongsomanyroads。WhatdoyouthinkImeantodo？Howmanyofthebranchingroadscanyouseefromyourwindow？\"
Lookingout，fullofinterest，sheanswered，\"Seven。\"
\"Seven，\"saidBarboxBrothers，watchingherwithagravesmile。
\"Well！Iproposetomyselfatoncetoreducethegrossnumbertothoseveryseven，andgraduallytofinethemdowntoone——themostpromisingforme——andtotakethat。\"
\"Buthowwillyouknow，sir，whichISthemostpromising？\"sheasked，withherbrightenedeyesrovingovertheview。
\"Ah！\"saidBarboxBrotherswithanothergravesmile，andconsiderablyimprovinginhiseaseofspeech。\"Tobesure。Inthisway。Whereyourfathercanpickupsomucheverydayforagoodpurpose，Imayonceandagainpickupalittleforanindifferentpurpose。ThegentlemanforNowheremustbecomestillbetterknownattheJunction。Heshallcontinuetoexploreit，untilheattachessomethingthathehasseen，heard，orfoundout，attheheadofeachofthesevenroads，totheroaditself。Andsohischoiceofaroadshallbedeterminedbyhischoiceamonghisdiscoveries。\"
Herhandsstillbusy，sheagainglancedattheprospect，asifitcomprehendedsomethingthathadnotbeeninitbefore，andlaughedasifityieldedhernewpleasure。
\"ButImustnotforget，\"saidBarboxBrothers，\"（havinggotsofar）
toaskafavour。Iwantyourhelpinthisexpedientofmine。I
wanttobringyouwhatIpickupattheheadsofthesevenroadsthatyoulieherelookingoutat，andtocomparenoteswithyouaboutit。MayI？Theysaytwoheadsarebetterthanone。Ishouldsaymyselfthatprobablydependsupontheheadsconcerned。ButIamquitesure，thoughwearesonewlyacquainted，thatyourheadandyourfather’shavefoundoutbetterthings，Phoebe，thanevermineofitselfdiscovered。\"
Shegavehimhersympatheticrighthand，inperfectrapturewithhisproposal，andeagerlyandgratefullythankedhim。
\"That’swell！\"saidBarboxBrothers。\"AgainImustnotforget（havinggotsofar）toaskafavour。Willyoushutyoureyes？\"
Laughingplayfullyatthestrangenatureoftherequest，shedidso。
\"Keepthemshut，\"saidBarboxBrothers，goingsoftlytothedoor，andcomingback。\"Youareonyourhonour，mind，nottoopenyoueyesuntilItellyouthatyoumay？\"
\"Yes！Onmyhonour。\"
\"Good。MayItakeyourlace-pillowfromyouforaminute？\"
Stilllaughingandwondering，sheremovedherhandsfromit，andheputitaside。
\"Tellme。Didyouseethepuffsofsmokeandsteammadebythemorningfast-trainyesterdayonroadnumbersevenfromhere？\"
\"Behindtheelm-treesandthespire？\"
\"That’stheroad，\"saidBarboxBrothers，directinghiseyestowardsit。
\"Yes。Iwatchedthemmeltaway。\"
\"Anythingunusualinwhattheyexpressed？\"
\"No！\"sheansweredmerrily。
\"Notcomplimentarytome，forIwasinthattrain。Iwent——don’topenyoureyes——tofetchyouthis，fromthegreatingenioustown。
Itisnothalfsolargeasyourlace-pillow，andlieseasilyandlightlyinitsplace。Theselittlekeysarelikethekeysofaminiaturepiano，andyousupplytheairrequiredwithyourlefthand。Mayyoupickoutdelightfulmusicfromit，mydear！Forthepresent——youcanopenyoureyesnow——good-bye！\"
Inhisembarrassedway，heclosedthedooruponhimself，andonlysaw，indoingso，thatsheecstaticallytookthepresenttoherbosomandcaressedit。Theglimpsegladdenedhisheart，andyetsaddenedit；forsomightshe，ifheryouthhadflourishedinitsnaturalcourse，havingtakentoherbreastthatdaytheslumberingmusicofherownchild’svoice。
CHAPTERII——BARBOXBROTHERSANDCO。
Withgood-willandearnestpurpose，thegentlemanforNowherebegan，ontheverynextday，hisresearchesattheheadsofthesevenroads。Theresultsofhisresearches，asheandPhoebeafterwardssetthemdowninfairwriting，holdtheirdueplacesinthisveraciouschronicle。Buttheyoccupiedamuchlongertimeinthegettingtogetherthantheyeverwillintheperusal。Andthisisprobablythecasewithmostreadingmatter，exceptwhenitisofthathighlybeneficialkind（forPosterity）whichis\"thrownoffinafewmomentsofleisure\"bythesuperiorpoeticgeniuseswhoscorntotakeprosepains。
Itmustbeadmitted，however，thatBarboxbynomeanshurriedhimself。Hisheartbeinginhisworkofgood-nature，herevelledinit。Therewasthejoy，too（itwasatruejoytohim），ofsometimessittingby，listeningtoPhoebeasshepickedoutmoreandmorediscoursefromhermusicalinstrument，andashernaturaltasteandearrefineddailyuponherfirstdiscoveries。Besidesbeingapleasure，thiswasanoccupation，andinthecourseofweeksitconsumedhours。Itresultedthathisdreadedbirthdaywascloseuponhimbeforehehadtroubledhimselfanymoreaboutit。
Thematterwasmademorepressingbytheunforeseencircumstancethatthecouncilsheld（atwhichMr。Lamps，beamingmostbrilliantly，onafewrareoccasionsassisted）respectingtheroadtobeselectedwere，afterall，innowiseassistedbyhisinvestigations。For，hehadconnectedthisinterestwiththisroad，orthatinterestwiththeother，butcoulddeducenoreasonfromitforgivinganyroadthepreference。Consequently，whenthelastcouncilwasholden，thatpartofthebusinessstood，intheend，exactlywhereithadstoodinthebeginning。
\"But，sir，\"remarkedPhoebe，\"wehaveonlysixroadsafterall。Istheseventhroaddumb？\"
\"Theseventhroad？Oh！\"saidBarboxBrothers，rubbinghischin。
\"ThatistheroadItook，youknow，whenIwenttogetyourlittlepresent。ThatisITSstory。Phoebe。\"
\"Wouldyoumindtakingthatroadagain，sir？\"sheaskedwithhesitation。
\"Notintheleast；itisagreathigh-roadafterall。\"
