THEMAPPINEDLIFE
\"TheseMappinTerracesattheZoologicalGardensareagreatimprovementontheoldstyleofwild-beastcage，\"saidMrs。JamesGurtleberry，puttingdownanillustratedpaper；\"theygiveonetheillusionofseeingtheanimalsintheirnaturalsurroundings。I
wonderhowmuchoftheillusionispassedontotheanimals？\"
\"Thatwoulddependontheanimal，\"saidherniece；\"ajungle-fowl，forinstance，wouldnodoubtthinkitslawfuljunglesurroundingswerefaithfullyreproducedifyougaveitasufficiencyofwives，agoodlyvarietyofseedfoodandants\'eggs，acommodiousbankoflooseearthtodustitselfin，aconvenientroostingtree，andarivalortwotomakemattersinteresting。Ofcoursethereoughttobejungle-catsandbirdsofpreyandotheragenciesofsuddendeathtoaddtotheillusionofliberty，butthebird\'sownimaginationiscapableofinventingthose——lookhowadomesticfowlwillsquawkanalarmnoteifarookorwoodpigeonpassesoveritsrunwhenithaschickens。\"
\"Youthink，then，theyreallydohaveasortofillusion，ifyougivethemspaceenough——\"
\"Inafewcasesonly。Nothingwillmakemebelievethatanacreorsoofconcreteenclosurewillmakeuptoawolforatiger-catfortherangeofnightprowlingthatwouldbelongtoitinawildstate。
Thinkofthedictionaryofsoundandscentandrecollectionthatunfoldsbeforearealwildbeatasitcomesoutfromitslaireveryevening，withtheknowledgethatinafewminutesitwillbehieingalongtosomedistanthuntinggroundwhereallthejoyandfuryofthechaseawaitsit；thinkofthecrowdedsensationsofthebrainwheneveryrustle，everycry，everybenttwig，andeverywhiffacrossthenostrilsmeanssomething，somethingtodowithlifeanddeathanddinner。Imaginethesatisfactionofstealingdowntoyourownparticulardrinkingspot，choosingyourownparticulartreetoscrapeyourclawson，findingyourownparticularbedofdriedgrasstorollon。Then，intheplaceofallthat，putaconcretepromenade，whichwillbeofexactlythesamedimensionswhetheryouraceorcrawlacrossit，coatedwithstale，unvaryingscentsandsurroundedwithcriesandnoisesthathaveceasedtohavetheleastmeaningorinterest。Asasubstituteforanarrowcagethenewenclosuresareexcellent，butIshouldthinktheyareapoorimitationofalifeofliberty。\"
\"It\'sratherdepressingtothinkthat，\"saidMrs。Gurtleberry；\"theylooksospaciousandsonatural，butIsupposeagooddealofwhatseemsnaturaltouswouldbemeaninglesstoawildanimal。\"
\"Thatiswhereoursuperiorpowersofself-deceptioncomein，\"saidtheniece；\"weareabletoliveourunreal，stupidlittlelivesonourparticularMappinterrace，andpersuadeourselvesthatwereallyareuntrammelledmenandwomenleadingareasonableexistenceinareasonablesphere。\"
\"Butgoodgracious，\"exclaimedtheaunt，bouncingintoanattitudeofscandaliseddefence，\"weareleadingreasonableexistences！Whatonearthdoyoumeanbytrammels？Wearemerelytrammelledbytheordinarydecentconventionsofcivilisedsociety。\"
\"Wearetrammelled，\"saidtheniece，calmlyandpitilessly，\"byrestrictionsofincomeandopportunity，andaboveallbylackofinitiative。Tosomepeoplearestrictedincomedoesn\'tmatterabit，infactitoftenseemstohelpasameansforgettingalotofrealityoutoflife；IamsuretherearemenandwomenwhodotheirshoppinginlittlebackstreetsofParis，buyingfourcarrotsandashredofbeeffortheirdailysustenance，wholeadaperfectlyrealandeventfulexistence。Lackofinitiativeisthethingthatreallycripplesone，andthatiswhereyouandIandUncleJamesaresohopelesslyshutin。WearejustsomanyanimalsstuckdownonaMappinterrace，withthisdifferenceinourdisfavour，thattheanimalsaretheretobelookedat，whilenobodywantstolookatus。
Asamatteroffacttherewouldbenothingtolookat。Wegetcoldsinwinterandhayfeverinsummer，andifawasphappenstostingoneofus，well，thatisthewasp\'sinitiative，notours；allwedoistowaitfortheswellingtogodown。Wheneverwedoclimbintolocalfameandnotice，itisbyindirectmethods；ifithappenstobeagoodfloweringyearformagnoliastheneighbourhoodobserves：
\'HaveyouseentheGurtleberry\'smagnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，\'andwegoabouttellingpeoplethattherearefifty-sevenblossomsasagainstthirty-ninethepreviousyear。\"
\"InCoronationyeartherewereasmanyassixty，\"putintheaunt，\"yourunclehaskeptarecordforthelasteightyears。\"
\"Doesn\'titeverstrikeyou，\"continuedtheniecerelentlessly，\"thatifwemovedawayfromhereorwereblottedoutofexistenceourlocalclaimtofamewouldpassonautomaticallytowhoeverhappenedtotakethehouseandgarden？Peoplewouldsaytooneanother，\'HaveyouseentheSmith-Jenkins\'magnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，\'orelse\'Smith-Jenkinstellsmetherewon\'tbeasingleblossomontheirmagnoliathisyear；theeastwindshaveturnedallthebudsblack。\'Nowif，whenwehadgone，peoplestillassociatedournameswiththemagnoliatree，nomatterwhotemporarilypossessedit，iftheysaid，\'Ah，that\'sthetreeonwhichtheGurtleberryshungtheircookbecauseshesentupthewrongkindofsaucewiththeasparagus，\'thatwouldbesomethingreallyduetoourowninitiative，apartfromanythingeastwindsormagnoliavitalitymighthavetosayinthematter。\"
\"Weshouldneverdosuchathing，\"saidtheaunt。
Theniecegaveareluctantsigh。
\"Ican\'timagineit，\"sheadmitted。\"Ofcourse，\"shecontinued，\"thereareheapsofwaysofleadingarealexistencewithoutcommittingsensationaldeedsofviolence。It\'sthedreadfullittleeverydayactsofpretendedimportancethatgivetheMappinstamptoourlife。Itwouldbeentertaining，ifitwasn\'tsopatheticallytragic，tohearUncleJamesfussinhereinthemorningandannounce，\'ImustjustgodownintothetownandfindoutwhatthementherearesayingaboutMexico。Mattersarebeginningtolookseriousthere。\'Thenhepattersawayintothetown，andtalksinahighlyseriousvoicetothetobacconist，incidentallybuyinganounceoftobacco；perhapshemeetsoneortwoothersoftheworld\'sthinkersandtalkstotheminahighlyseriousvoice，thenhepattersbackhereandannounceswithincreasedimportance，\'I\'vejustbeentalkingtosomemeninthetownabouttheconditionofaffairsinMexico。TheyagreewiththeviewthatIhaveformed，thatthingstherewillhavetogetworsebeforetheygetbetter。\'
OfcoursenobodyinthetowncaredintheleastlittlebitwhathisviewsaboutMexicowereorwhetherhehadany。Thetobacconistwasn\'tevenflutteredathisbuyingtheounceoftobacco；heknowsthathepurchasesthesamequantityofthesamesortoftobaccoeveryweek。UncleJamesmightjustaswellhavelainonhisbackinthegardenandchatteredtothelilactreeaboutthehabitsofcaterpillars。\"
\"Ireallywillnotlistentosuchthingsaboutyouruncle，\"
protestedMrs。JamesGurtleberryangrily。
\"Myowncaseisjustasbadandjustastragic，\"saidtheniece，dispassionately；\"nearlyeverythingaboutmeisconventionalmake-
believe。I\'mnotagooddancer，andnoonecouldhonestlycallmegood-looking，butwhenIgotooneofourdulllittlelocaldancesI\'mconventionallysupposedto\'haveaheavenlytime，\'toattracttheardenthomageofthelocalcavaliers，andtogohomewithmyheadawhirlwithpleasurablerecollections。Asamatteroffact，I\'vemerelyputinsomehoursofindifferentdancing，drunksomebadly-madeclaretcup，andlistenedtoanenormousamountoflaboriouslightconversation。Amoonlighthen-stealingraidwiththemerry-eyedcuratewouldbeinfinitelymoreexciting；imaginethepleasureofcarryingoffallthosewhiteminorcasthattheChibfordsarealwaysbraggingabout。Whenwehaddisposedofthemwecouldgivetheproceedstoacharity，sotherewouldbenothingreallywrongaboutit。ButnothingofthatsortlieswithintheMappinedlimitsofmylife。Oneofthesedayssomebodydullanddecorousandundistinguishedwill\'makehimselfagreeable\'tomeatatennisparty，asthesayingis，andallthedulloldgossipsoftheneighbourhoodwillbegintoaskwhenwearetobeengaged，andatlastweshallbeengaged，andpeoplewillgiveusbutter-dishesandblotting-casesandframedpicturesofyoungwomenfeedingswans。
Hullo，Uncle，areyougoingout？\"
\"I\'mjustgoingdowntothetown，\"announcedMr。JamesGurtleberry，withanairofsomeimportance：\"IwanttohearwhatpeoplearesayingaboutAlbania。Affairstherearebeginningtotakeonaveryseriouslook。It\'smyopinionthatwehaven\'tseentheworstofthingsyet。\"
Inthishewasprobablyright，buttherewasnothingintheimmediateorprospectiveconditionofAlbaniatowarrantMrs。
Gurtleberryinburstingintotears。
FATE
RexDillotwasnearlytwenty-four，almostgood-lookingandquitepenniless。Hismotherwassupposedtomakehimsomesortofanallowanceoutofwhathercreditorsallowedher，andRexoccasionallystrayedintotheranksofthosewhoearnfitfulsalariesassecretariesorcompanionstopeoplewhoareunabletocopeunaidedwiththeircorrespondenceortheirleisure。Forafewmonthshehadbeenassistanteditorandbusinessmanagerofapaperdevotedtofancymice，butthedevotionhadbeenallononeside，andthepaperdisappearedwithacertainabruptnessfromclubreading-roomsandotherhauntswhereithadmadeagratuitousappearance。Still，Rexlivedwithsomeairofcomfortandwell-
being，asonecanliveifoneisbornwithageniusforthatsortofthing，andakindlyProvidenceusuallyarrangedthathisweek-endinvitationscoincidedwiththedatesonwhichhisonewhitedinner-
waistcoatwasinalaundry-returnedconditionofdazzlingcleanness。
Heplayedmostgamesbadly，andwasshrewdenoughtorecognisethefact，buthehaddevelopedamarvellouslyaccuratejudgementinestimatingtheplayandchancesofotherpeople，whetherinagolfmatch，billiardhandicap，orcroquettournament。Bydintofparadinghisopinionofsuchandsuchaplayer\'ssuperioritywithasufficientdegreeofyouthfulassertivenessheusuallysucceededinprovokingawageratliberalodds，andhelookedtohisweek-endwinningstocarryhimthroughthefinancialembarrassmentsofhismid-weekexistence。Thetroublewas，asheconfidedtoClovisSangrail，thatheneverhadenoughavailableorevenprospectivecashathiscommandtoenablehimtofixthewageratafigurereallyworthwinning。
\"Someday，\"hesaid，\"Ishallcomeacrossareallysafething，abetthatsimplycan\'tgoastray，andthenIshallputitupforallI\'mworth，orratherforagooddealmorethanI\'mworthifyousoldmeuptothelastbutton。\"
\"Itwouldbeawkwardifitdidn\'thappentocomeoff，\"saidClovis。
\"Itwouldbemorethanawkward，\"saidRex；\"itwouldbeatragedy。
Allthesame，itwouldbeextremelyamusingtobringitoff。Fancyawakinginthemorningwithaboutthreehundredpoundsstandingtoone\'scredit。Ishouldgoandclearoutmyhostess\'spigeon-loftbeforebreakfastoutofsheergood-temper。\"
\"Yourhostessofthemomentmightn\'thaveapigeon-loft，\"saidClovis。
\"Ialwayschoosehostessesthathave，\"saidRex；\"apigeon-loftisindicativeofacareless，extravagant，genialdisposition，suchasI
liketoseearoundme。PeoplewhostrewcornbroadcastforalotoffeatheredinanitiesthatjustsitaboutcooingandgivingeachotherthegladeyeinaLouisQuatorzemannerareprettycertaintodoyouwell。\"
\"YoungStrinnitiscomingdownthisafternoon，\"saidClovisreflectively；\"Idaresayyouwon\'tfinditdifficulttogethimtobackhimselfatbilliards。Heplaysaprettyusefulgame，buthe\'snotquiteasgoodashefanciesheis。\"
\"Iknowonememberofthepartywhocanwalkroundhim，\"saidRexsoftly，analertlookcomingintohiseyes；\"thatcadaverous-lookingMajorwhoarrivedlastnight。I\'veseenhimplayatSt。Moritz。IfIcouldgetStrinnittolayoddsonhimselfagainsttheMajorthemoneywouldbesafeinmypocket。ThislookslikethegoodthingI\'vebeenwatchingandprayingfor。\"
\"Don\'tberash，\"counselledClovis，\"Strinnitmayplayuptohisself-imaginedformonceinabluemoon。\"
\"Iintendtoberash，\"saidRexquietly，andthelookonhisfacecorroboratedhiswords。
\"Areyouallgoingtoflocktothebilliard-room？\"askedTeresaThundleford，afterdinner，withanairofsomedisapprovalandagooddealofannoyance。\"Ican\'tseewhatparticularamusementyoufindinwatchingtwomenproddinglittleivoryballsaboutonatable。\"
\"Oh，well，\"saidherhostess，\"it\'sawayofpassingthetime，youknow。\"
\"Averypoorway，tomymind，\"saidMrs。Thundleford；\"nowIwasgoingtohaveshownallofyouthephotographsItookinVenicelastsummer。\"
\"Youshowedthemtouslastnight，\"saidMrs。Cuveringhastily。
\"ThoseweretheonesItookinFlorence。Thesearequiteadifferentlot。\"
\"Oh，well，sometimeto-morrowwecanlookatthem。Youcanleavethemdowninthedrawing-room，andtheneveryonecanhavealook。\"
\"Ishouldprefertoshowthemwhenyouareallgatheredtogether，asIhavequitealotofexplanatoryremarkstomake，aboutVenetianartandarchitecture，onthesamelinesasmyremarkslastnightontheFlorentinegalleries。Also，therearesomeversesofminethatIshouldliketoreadyou，ontherebuildingoftheCampanile。But，ofcourse，ifyouallprefertowatchMajorLattonandMr。Strinnitknockingballsaboutonatable——\"
\"Theyarebothsupposedtobefirst-rateplayers，\"saidthehostess。
\"Ihaveyettolearnthatmyversesandmyartcauserieareofsecond-ratequality，\"saidMrs。Thundlefordwithacerbity。
\"However，asyouallseembentonwatchingasillygame，there\'snomoretobesaid。Ishallgoupstairsandfinishsomewriting。
Lateron，perhaps，Iwillcomedownandjoinyou。\"
Toone，atleast，oftheonlookersthegamewasanythingbutsilly。
Itwasabsorbing，exciting，exasperating，nerve-stretching，andfinallyitgrewtobetragic。TheMajorwiththeSt。Moritzreputationwasplayingalongwaybelowhisform，youngStrinnitwasplayingslightlyabovehis，andhadalltheluckofthegameaswell。Fromtheverystarttheballsseemedpossessedbyademonofcontrariness；theytrundledaboutcomplacentlyforoneplayer，theywouldgonowherefortheother。
\"Ahundredandseventy，seventy-four，\"sangouttheyouthwhowasmarking。Inagameoftwohundredandfiftyupitwasanenormousleadtohold。CloviswatchedtheflushofexcitementdieawayfromDillot\'sface，andahardwhitelooktakeitsplace。
\"Howmuchhaveyougoon？\"whisperedClovis。Theotherwhisperedthesumthroughdry，shakinglips。Itwasmorethanheoranyoneconnectedwithhimcouldpay；hehaddonewhathehadsaidhewoulddo。Hehadbeenrash。
\"Twohundredandsix，ninety-eight。\"
Rexheardaclockstriketensomewhereinthehall，thenanothersomewhereelse，andanother，andanother；thehouseseemedfullofstrikingclocks。Theninthedistancethestableclockchimedin。
Inanotherhourtheywouldallbestrikingeleven，andhewouldbelisteningtothemasadisgracedoutcast，unabletopay，eveninpart，thewagerhehadchallenged。
\"Twohundredandeighteen，ahundredandthree。\"Thegamewasasgoodasover。Rexwasasgoodasdonefor。Helongeddesperatelyfortheceilingtofallin，forthehousetocatchfire，foranythingtohappenthatwouldputanendtothathorriblerollingtoandfroofredandwhiteivorythatwasjostlinghimnearerandnearertohisdoom。
\"Twohundredandtwenty-eight，ahundredandseven。\"
Rexopenedhiscigarette-case；itwasempty。Thatatleastgavehimapretexttoslipawayfromtheroomforthepurposeofrefillingit；hewouldsparehimselfthedrawn-outtortureofwatchingthathopelessgameplayedouttothebitterend。Hebackedawayfromthecircleofabsorbedwatchersandmadehiswayupashortstairwaytoalong，silentcorridorofbedrooms，eachwithaguests\'namewritteninalittlesquareonthedoor。Inthehushthatreignedinthispartofthehousehecouldstillhearthehatefulclick-clickoftheballs；ifhewaitedforafewminuteslongerhewouldhearthelittleoutbreakofclappingandbuzzofcongratulationthatwouldhailStrinnit\'svictory。Onthealerttensionofhisnervestherebrokeanothersound，theaggressive，wrath-inducingbreathingofonewhosleepsinheavyafter-dinnerslumber。Thesoundcamefromaroomjustathiselbow；thecardonthedoorboretheannouncement\"Mrs。Thundleford。\"Thedoorwasjustslightlyajar；
Rexpusheditopenaninchortwomoreandlookedin。TheaugustTeresahadfallenasleepoveranillustratedguidetoFlorentineart-galleries；atherside，somewhatdangerouslyneartheedgeofthetable，wasareading-lamp。IfFatehadbeendecentlykindtohim，thoughtRex，bitterly，thatlampwouldhavebeenknockedoverbythesleeperandwouldhavegiventhemsomethingtothinkofbesidesbilliardmatches。
Thereareoccasionswhenonemusttakeone\'sFateinone\'shands。
Rextookthelampinhis。
\"Twohundredandthirty-seven，onehundredandfifteen。\"Strinnitwasatthetable，andtheballslayingoodpositionforhim；hehadachoiceoftwofairlyeasyshots，achoicewhichhewasnevertodecide。Asuddenhurricaneofshrieksandarushofstumblingfeetsenteveryoneflockingtothedoor。TheDillotboycrashedintotheroom，carryinginhisarmsthevociferousandsomewhatdishevelledTeresaThundleford；herclothingwascertainlynotamassofflames，asthemoreexcitablemembersofthepartyafterwardsdeclared，buttheedgeofherskirtandpartofthetable-coverinwhichshehadbeenhastilywrappedwerealightinaflickering，half-heartedmanner。Rexflunghisstrugglingburdenonthebilliardtable，andforonebreathlessminutetheworkofbeatingoutthesparkswithrugsandcushionsandplayingonthemwithsoda-watersyphonsengrossedtheenergiesoftheentirecompany。
\"ItwasluckyIwaspassingwhenithappened，\"pantedRex；\"someonehadbetterseetotheroom，Ithinkthecarpetisalight。\"
Asamatteroffactthepromptitudeandenergyoftherescuerhadpreventedanygreatdamagebeingdone，eithertothevictimorhersurroundings。Thebilliardtablehadsufferedmost，andhadtobelaidupforrepairs；perhapsitwasnotthebestplacetohavechosenforthesceneofsalvageoperations；butthen，asClovisremarked，whenoneisrushingaboutwithablazingwomaninone\'sarmsonecan\'tstoptothinkoutexactlywhereoneisgoingtoputher。
THEBULL
TomYorkfieldhadalwaysregardedhishalf-brother，Laurence，withalazyinstinctofdislike，toneddown，asyearswenton，toatolerantfeelingofindifference。Therewasnothingverytangibletodislikehimfor；hewasjustablood-relation，withwhomTomhadnosingletasteorinterestincommon，andwithwhom，atthesametime，hehadhadnooccasionforquarrel。Laurencehadleftthefarmearlyinlife，andhadlivedforafewyearsonasmallsumofmoneylefthimbyhismother；hehadtakenuppaintingasaprofession，andwasreportedtobedoingfairlywellatit，wellenough，atanyrate，tokeepbodyandsoultogether。Hespecialisedinpaintinganimals，andhewassuccessfulinfindingacertainnumberofpeopletobuyhispictures。Tomfeltacomfortingsenseofassuredsuperiorityincontrastinghispositionwiththatofhishalf-brother；Laurencewasanartist-chap，justthatandnothingmore，thoughyoumightmakeitsoundmoreimportantbycallingananimalpainter；Tomwasafarmer，notinaverybigway，itwastrue，buttheHelseryfarmhadbeeninthefamilyforsomegenerations，andithadagoodreputationforthestockraisedonit。Tomhaddonehisbest，withthelittlecapitalathiscommand，tomaintainandimprovethestandardofhissmallherdofcattle，andinCloverFairyhehadbredabullwhichwassomethingratherbetterthananythathisimmediateneighbourscouldshow。Itwouldnothavemadeasensationinthejudging-ringatanimportantcattleshow，butitwasasvigorous，shapely，andhealthyayounganimalasanysmallpracticalfarmercouldwishtopossess。AttheKing\'sHeadonmarketdaysCloverFairywasveryhighlyspokenof，andYorkfieldusedtodeclarethathewouldnotpartwithhimforahundredpounds；ahundredpoundsisalotofmoneyinthesmallfarmingline，andprobablyanythingovereightywouldhavetemptedhim。
ItwaswithsomeespecialpleasurethatTomtookadvantageofoneofLaurence\'srarevisitstothefarmtoleadhimdowntotheenclosurewhereCloverFairykeptsolitarystate——thegrasswidowerofagrazingharem。Tomfeltsomeofhisolddislikeforhishalf-
brotherreviving；theartistwasbecomingmorelanguidinhismanner，moreunsuitablyturned-outinattire，andheseemedinclinedtoimpartaslightlypatronisingtonetohisconversation。Hetooknoheedofaflourishingpotatocrop，butwaxedenthusiasticoveraclumpofyellow-floweringweedthatstoodinacornerbyagateway，whichwasrathergallingtotheownerofareallyverywellweededfarm；again，whenhemighthavebeendulycomplimentaryaboutagroupoffat，black-facedlambs，thatsimplycriedaloudforadmiration，hebecameeloquentoverthefoliagetintsofanoakcopseonthehillopposite。ButnowhewasbeingtakentoinspectthecrowningprideandgloryofHelsery；howevergrudginghemightbeinhispraises，howeverbackwardandniggardlywithhiscongratulations，hewouldhavetoseeandacknowledgethemanyexcellencesofthatredoubtableanimal。Someweeksago，whileonabusinessjourneytoTaunton，Tomhadbeeninvitedbyhishalf-
brothertovisitastudiointhattown，whereLaurencewasexhibitingoneofhispictures，alargecanvasrepresentingabullstandingknee-deepinsomemarshyground；ithadbeengoodofitskind，nodoubt，andLaurencehadseemedinordinatelypleasedwithit；\"thebestthingI\'vedoneyet，\"hehadsaidoverandoveragain，andTomhadgenerouslyagreedthatitwasfairlylife-like。Now，themanofpigmentswasgoingtobeshownarealpicture，alivingmodelofstrengthandcomeliness，athingtofeasttheeyeson，apicturethatexhibitednewposeandactionwitheveryshiftingminute，insteadofstandinggluedintooneunvaryingattitudebetweenthefourwallsofaframe。Tomunfastenedastoutwoodendoorandledthewayintoastraw-beddedyard。
\"Ishequiet？\"askedtheartist，asayoungbullwithacurlyredcoatcameinquiringlytowardsthem。
\"He\'splayfulattimes，\"saidTom，leavinghishalf-brothertowonderwhetherthebull\'sideasofplaywereofthecatch-as-catch-
canorder。Laurencemadeoneortwoperfunctorycommentsontheanimal\'sappearanceandaskedaquestionorsoastohisageandsuch-likedetails；thenhecoollyturnedthetalkintoanotherchannel。
\"DoyourememberthepictureIshowedyouatTaunton？\"heasked。
\"Yes，\"gruntedTom；\"awhite-facedbullstandinginsomeslush。
Don\'tadmirethoseHerefordsmuchmyself；bulky-lookingbrutes，don\'tseemtohavemuchlifeinthem。Daresaythey\'reeasiertopaintthatway；now，thisyoungbeggarisonthemoveallthetime，aren\'tyou，Fairy？\"
\"I\'vesoldthatpicture，\"saidLaurence，withconsiderablecomplacencyinhisvoice。
\"Haveyou？\"saidTom；\"gladtohearit，I\'msure。Hopeyou\'repleasedwithwhatyou\'vegotforit。\"
\"Igotthreehundredpoundsforit，\"saidLaurence。
Tomturnedtowardshimwithaslowlyrisingflushofangerinhisface。Threehundredpounds！UnderthemostfavourablemarketconditionsthathecouldimaginehisprizedCloverFairywouldhardlyfetchahundred，yetherewasapieceofvarnishedcanvas，paintedbyhishalf-brother，sellingforthreetimesthatsum。Itwasacruelinsultthatwenthomewithallthemoreforcebecauseitemphasisedthetriumphofthepatronising，self-satisfiedLaurence。
Theyoungfarmerhadmeanttoputhisrelativejustalittleoutofconceitwithhimselfbydisplayingthejewelofhispossessions，andnowthetableswereturned，andhisvaluedbeastwasmadetolookcheapandinsignificantbesidethepricepaidforamerepicture。
Itwassomonstrouslyunjust；thepaintingwouldneverbeanythingmorethanadexterouspieceofcounterfeitlife，whileCloverFairywastherealthing，amonarchinhislittleworld，apersonalityinthecountryside。Afterhewasdead，even，hewouldstillbesomethingofapersonality；hisdescendantswouldgrazeinthosevalleymeadowsandhillsidepastures，theywouldfillstallandbyreandmilking-shed，theirgoodredcoatswouldspecklethelandscapeandcrowdthemarket-place；menwouldnoteapromisingheiferorawell-proportionedsteer，andsay：\"Ah，thatonecomesofgoodoldCloverFairy\'sstock。\"Allthattimethepicturewouldbehanging，lifelessandunchanging，beneathitsdustandvarnish，achattelthatceasedtomeananythingifyouchosetoturnitwithitsbacktothewall。ThesethoughtschasedthemselvesangrilythroughTomYorkfield\'smind，buthecouldnotputthemintowords。Whenhegavetonguetohisfeelingsheputmattersbluntlyandharshly。
\"Somesoft-wittedfoolsmayliketothrowawaythreehundredpoundsonabitofpaintwork；can\'tsayasIenvythemtheirtaste。I\'dratherhavetherealthingthanapictureofit。\"
Henoddedtowardstheyoungbull，thatwasalternatelystaringatthemwithnoseheldhighandloweringitshornswithahalf-playful，half-impatientshakeofthehead。
Laurencelaughedalaughofirritating，indulgentamusement。
\"Idon\'tthinkthepurchaserofmybitofpaintwork，asyoucallit，needworryabouthavingthrownhismoneyaway。AsIgettobebetterknownandrecognisedmypictureswillgoupinvalue。Thatparticularonewillprobablyfetchfourhundredinasale-roomfiveorsixyearshence；picturesaren\'tabadinvestmentifyouknowenoughtopickouttheworkoftherightmen。Nowyoucan\'tsayyourpreciousbullisgoingtogetmorevaluablethelongeryoukeephim；he\'llhavehislittleday，andthen，ifyougoonkeepinghim，he\'llcomedownatlasttoafewshillingsworthofhoofsandhide，justatatime，perhaps，whenmybullisbeingboughtforabigsumforsomeimportantpicturegallery。\"
Itwastoomuch。TheunitedforceoftruthandslanderandinsultputoverheavyastrainonTomYorkfield\'spowersofrestraint。Inhisrighthandheheldausefuloakcudgel，withhislefthemadeagrabattheloosecollarofLaurence\'scanary-colouredsilkshirt。
Laurencewasnotafightingman；thefearofphysicalviolencethrewhimoffhisbalanceascompletelyasovermasteringindignationhadthrownTomoffhis，andthusitcametopassthatCloverFairywasregaledwiththeunprecedentedsightofahumanbeingscuddingandsquawkingacrosstheenclosure，likethehenthatwouldpersistintryingtoestablishanesting-placeinthemanger。InanothercrowdedhappymomentthebullwastryingtojerkLaurenceoverhisleftshoulder，toprodhimintheribswhilestillintheair，andtokneelonhimwhenhereachedtheground。ItwasonlythevigorousinterventionofTomthatinducedhimtorelinquishthelastitemofhisprogramme。
Tomdevotedlyandungrudginglynursedhishalfbrothertoacompleterecoveryfromhisinjuries，whichconsistedofnothingmoreseriousthanadislocatedshoulder，abrokenribortwo，andalittlenervousprostration。Afterall，therewasnofurtheroccasionforrancourintheyoungfarmer\'smind；Laurence\'sbullmightsellforthreehundred，orforsixhundred，andbeadmiredbythousandsinsomebigpicturegallery，butitwouldnevertossamanoveroneshoulderandcatchhimajabintheribsbeforehehadfallenontheotherside。ThatwasCloverFairy\'snoteworthyachievement，whichcouldneverbetakenawayfromhim。
Laurencecontinuestobepopularasananimalartist，buthissubjectsarealwayskittensorfawnsorlambkins——neverbulls。
MORLVERA
TheOlympicToyEmporiumoccupiedaconspicuousfrontageinanimportantWestEndstreet。ItwashappilynamedToyEmporium，becauseonewouldneverhavedreamedofaccordingitthefamiliarandyetpulse-quickeningnameoftoyshop。Therewasanairofcoldsplendourandelaboratefailureaboutthewaresthatweresetoutinitsamplewindows；theywerethesortoftoysthatatiredshop-
assistantdisplaysandexplainsatChristmastimetoexclamatoryparentsandbored，silentchildren。Theanimaltoyslookedmorelikenaturalhistorymodelsthanthecomfortable，sympatheticcompanionsthatonewouldwish，atacertainage，totaketobedwithone，andtosmuggleintothebath-room。Themechanicaltoysincessantlydidthingsthatnoonecouldwantatoytodomorethanahalfadozentimesinitslife-time；itwasamercifulreflectionthatinanyright-mindednurserythelifetimewouldcertainlybeshort。
Prominentamongtheelegantly-dresseddollsthatfilledanentiresectionofthewindowfrontagewasalargehobble-skirtedladyinaconfectionofpeach-colouredvelvet，elaboratelysetoffwithleopardskinaccessories，ifonemayusesuchaconvenientlycomprehensivewordindescribinganintricatefemininetoilette。
Shelackednothingthatistobefoundinacarefullydetailedfashion-plate——infact，shemightbesaidtohavesomethingmorethantheaveragefashion-platefemalepossesses；inplaceofavacant，expressionlessstareshehadcharacterinherface。Itmustbeadmittedthatitwasbadcharacter，cold，hostile，inquisitorial，withasinisterloweringofoneeyebrowandamercilesshardnessaboutthecornersofthemouth。Onemighthaveimaginedhistoriesaboutherbythehour，historiesinwhichunworthyambition，thedesireformoney，andanentireabsenceofalldecentfeelingwouldplayaconspicuouspart。
Asamatteroffact，shewasnotwithoutherjudgesandbiographers，eveninthisshop-windowstageofhercareer。Emmeline，agedten，andBert，agedseven，hadhaltedonthewayfromtheirobscurebackstreettotheminnow-stockedwaterofSt。James\'sPark，andwerecriticallyexaminingthehobble-skirteddoll，anddissectinghercharacterinnoverytolerantspirit。Thereisprobablyalatentenmitybetweenthenecessarilyunder-cladandtheunnecessarilyover-dressed，butalittlekindnessandgoodfellowshiponthepartofthelatterwilloftenchangethesentimenttoadmiringdevotion；
iftheladyinpeach-colouredvelvetandleopardskinhadwornapleasantexpressioninadditiontoherotherelaboratefurnishings，Emmelineatleastmighthaverespectedandevenlovedher。Asitwas，shegaveherahorriblereputation，basedchieflyonasecondhandknowledgeofgildeddepravityderivedfromtheconversationofthosewhowereskilledintheartofnovelettereading；Bertfilledinafewdamagingdetailsfromhisownlimitedimagination。
\"She\'sabadlot，thatoneis，\"declaredEmmeline，afteralongunfriendlystare；\"\'er\'usbind\'ates\'er。\"
\"\'Eknocks\'erabart，\"saidBert，withenthusiasm。
\"No，\'edon\'t，cos\'e\'sdead；shepoisoned\'imslowandgradual，sothatnobodydidn\'tknow。Nowshewantstomarryalord，with\'eapsand\'eapsofmoney。\'E\'sgotawifealready，butshe\'sgoingtopoison\'er，too。\"
\"She\'sabadlot，\"saidBertwithgrowinghostility。
\"\'Ermother\'atesher，andshe\'safraidof\'er，too，cosshe\'sgotaserkestictongue；alwaystalkingserkesms，sheis。She\'sgreedy，too；ifthere\'sfishgoing，sheeats\'erownshareand\'erlittlegirl\'saswell，thoughthelittlegirlisdellikit。\"
\"She\'adalittleboyonce，\"saidBert，\"butshepushed\'imintothewaterwhennobodywasn\'tlooking。\"
\"Noshedidn\'t，\"saidEmmeline，\"shesent\'imawaytobekep\'bypoorpeople，so\'er\'usbindwouldn\'tknowwhere\'ewas。Theyill-
treat\'imsomethinkcruel。\"
\"Wot\'s\'ernime？\"askedBert，thinkingthatitwastimethatsointerestingapersonalityshouldbelabelled。
\"\'Ernime？\"saidEmmeline，thinkinghard，\"\'ernime\'sMorlvera。\"Itwasasnearasshecouldgettothenameofanadventuresswhofiguredprominentlyinacinemadrama。Therewassilenceforamomentwhilethepossibilitiesofthenamewereturnedoverinthechildren\'sminds。
\"Thoseclothesshe\'sgotonain\'tpaidfor，andneverwon\'tbe，\"
saidEmmeline；\"shethinksshe\'llgettherichlordtopayfor\'em，but\'ewon\'t。\'E\'sgiven\'erjools，\'underdsofpounds\'worth。\"
\"\'Ewon\'tpayfortheclothes，\"saidBert，withconviction。
Evidentlytherewassomelimittotheweakgoodnatureofwealthylords。
Atthatmomentamotorcarriagewithliveriedservantsdrewupattheemporiumentrance；alargelady，withapenetratingandratherhurriedmanneroftalking，steppedout，followedslowlyandsulkilybyasmallboy，whohadaveryblackscowlonhisfaceandaverywhitesailorsuitovertherestofhim。TheladywascontinuinganargumentwhichhadprobablycommencedinPortmanSquare。
\"Now，Victor，youaretocomeinandbuyanicedollforyourcousinBertha。Shegaveyouabeautifulboxofsoldiersonyourbirthday，andyoumustgiveherapresentonhers。\"
\"Berthaisafatlittlefool，\"saidVictor，inavoicethatwasasloudashismother\'sandhadmoreassuranceinit。
\"Victor，youarenottosaysuchthings。Berthaisnotafool，andsheisnotintheleastfat。Youaretocomeinandchooseadollforher。\"
Thecouplepassedintotheshop，outofviewandhearingofthetwoback-streetchildren。
\"My，heisinawickedtemper，\"exclaimedEmmeline，butbothsheandBertwereinclinedtosidewithhimagainsttheabsentBertha，whowasdoubtlessasfatandfoolishashehaddescribedhertobe。
\"Iwanttoseesomedolls，\"saidthemotherofVictortothenearestassistant；\"it\'sforalittlegirlofeleven。\"
\"Afatlittlegirlofeleven，\"addedVictorbywayofsupplementaryinformation。
\"Victor，ifyousaysuchrudethingsaboutyourcousin，youshallgotobedthemomentwegethome，withouthavinganytea。\"
\"Thisisoneofthenewestthingswehaveindolls，\"saidtheassistant，removingahobble-skirtedfigureinpeach-colouredvelvetfromthewindow；\"leopardskintoqueandstole，thelatestfashion。
Youwon\'tgetanythingnewerthanthatanywhere。It\'sanexclusivedesign。\"
\"Look！\"whisperedEmmelineoutside；\"they\'vebinandtookMorlvera。\"
Therewasaminglingofexcitementandacertainsenseofbereavementinhermind；shewouldhavelikedtogazeatthatembodimentofoverdresseddepravityforjustalittlelonger。
\"I\'spectshe\'sgoingawayinakerridgetomarrytherichlord，\"
hazardedBert。
\"She\'suptonogood，\"saidEmmelinevaguely。
Insidetheshopthepurchaseofthedollhadbeendecidedon。
\"It\'sabeautifuldoll，andBerthawillbedelightedwithit，\"
assertedthemotherofVictorloudly。
\"Oh，verywell，\"saidVictorsulkily；\"youneedn\'thaveitstuckintoaboxandwaitanhourwhileit\'sbeingdoneupintoaparcel。
I\'lltakeitasitis，andwecangoroundtoManchesterSquareandgiveittoBertha，andgetthethingdonewith。Thatwillsavemethetroubleofwriting：\'FordearBertha，withVictor\'slove，\'onabitofpaper。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidhismother，\"wecangotoManchesterSquareonourwayhome。Youmustwishhermanyhappyreturnsofto-morrow，andgiveherthedoll。\"
\"Iwon\'tletthelittlebeastkissme，\"stipulatedVictor。
Hismothersaidnothing；Victorhadnotbeenhalfastroublesomeasshehadanticipated。Whenhechosehecouldreallybedreadfullynaughty。
EmmelineandBertwerejustmovingawayfromthewindowwhenMorlveramadeherexitfromtheshop，verycarefullyinVictor\'sarms。Alookofsinistertriumphseemedtoglowinherhard，inquisitorialface。AsforVictor，acertainscornfulserenityhadreplacedtheearlierscowls；hehadevidentlyaccepteddefeatwithacontemptuousgoodgrace。
Thetallladygaveadirectiontothefootmanandsettledherselfinthecarriage。Thelittlefigureinthewhitesailorsuitclamberedinbesideher，stillcarefullyholdingtheelegantlygarbeddoll。
Thecarhadtobebackedafewyardsintheprocessofturning。
Verystealthily，verygently，verymercilesslyVictorsentMorlveraflyingoverhisshoulder，sothatshefellintotheroadjustbehindtheretrogressingwheel。Withasoft，pleasant-soundingscrunchthecarwentovertheprostrateform，thenitmovedforwardagainwithanotherscrunch。ThecarriagemovedoffandleftBertandEmmelinegazinginscareddelightatasorrymessofpetrol-smearedvelvet，sawdust，andleopardskin，whichwasallthatremainedofthehatefulMorlvera。Theygaveashrillcheer，andthenracedawayshudderingfromthesceneofsomuchrapidlyenactedtragedy。
Laterthatafternoon，whentheywereengagedinthepursuitofminnowsbythewatersideinSt。James\'sPark，EmmelinesaidinasolemnundertonetoBert-
\"I\'vebinfinking。Doyouknowoo\'ewas？\'Ewas\'erlittleboywotshe\'dsentawaytolivewivpoorfolks。\'Ecomebackanddonethat。\"
SHOCKTATICS
OnalatespringafternoonEllaMcCarthysatonagreen-paintedchairinKensingtonGardens，staringlistlesslyatanuninterestingstretchofparklandscape，thatblossomedsuddenlyintotropicalradianceasanexpectedfigureappearedinthemiddledistance。
\"Hullo，Bertie！\"sheexclaimedsedately，whenthefigurearrivedatthepaintedchairthatwasthenearestneighbourtoherown，anddroppedintoiteagerly，yetwithacertaindueregardforthesetofitstrousers；\"hasn\'titbeenaperfectspringafternoon？\"
ThestatementwasadistinctuntruthasfarasElla\'sownfeelingswereconcerned；untilthearrivalofBertietheafternoonhadbeenanythingbutperfect。
Bertiemadeasuitablereply，inwhichaquestioningnoteseemedtohover。
\"Thankyoueversomuchforthoselovelyhandkerchiefs，\"saidElla，answeringtheunspokenquestion；\"theywerejustwhatI\'vebeenwanting。There\'sonlyonethingspoiltmypleasureinyourgift，\"
sheadded，withapout。
\"Whatwasthat？\"askedBertieanxiously，fearfulthatperhapshehadchosenasizeofhandkerchiefthatwasnotwithinthecorrectfemininelimit。
\"IshouldhavelikedtohavewrittenandthankedyouforthemassoonasIgotthem，\"saidElla，andBertie\'sskycloudedatonce。
\"Youknowwhatmotheris，\"heprotested；\"sheopensallmyletters，andifshefoundI\'dbeengivingpresentstoanyonethere\'dhavebeensomethingtotalkaboutforthenextfortnight。\"
\"Surely，attheageoftwenty——\"beganElla。
\"I\'mnottwentytillSeptember，\"interruptedBertie。
\"Attheageofnineteenyearsandeightmonths，\"persistedElla，\"youmightbeallowedtokeepyourcorrespondenceprivatetoyourself。\"
\"Ioughttobe，butthingsaren\'talwayswhattheyoughttobe。
Motheropenseveryletterthatcomesintothehouse，whoeverit\'sfor。MysistersandIhavemaderowsaboutittimeandagain，butshegoesondoingit。\"
\"I\'dfindsomewaytostopherifIwereinyourplace，\"saidEllavaliantly，andBertiefeltthattheglamourofhisanxiouslydeliberatedpresenthadfadedawayinthedisagreeablerestrictionthathedgedrounditsacknowledgment。
\"Isanythingthematter？\"askedBertie\'sfriendCloviswhentheymetthateveningattheswimming-bath。
\"Whydoyouask？\"saidBertie。
\"Whenyouwearalookoftragicgloominaswimming-bath，\"saidClovis，\"it\'sespeciallynoticeablefromthefactthatyou\'rewearingverylittleelse。Didn\'tshelikethehandkerchiefs？\"
Bertieexplainedthesituation。
