第8章

类别:其他 作者:H.H.Munro (字数:20939更新时间:19/01/05 09:43:30
\"No,notthat。Thebroaderlinesofpoliticalorreligiousdifferencedon\'tmatter。YoucanhaveChurchofEnglandandUnitarianandBuddhistunderthesameroofwithoutcourtingdisaster;theonlyBuddhistIeverhaddownherequarrelledwitheverybody,butthatwasonaccountofhisnaturallysquabblesometemperament;ithadnothingtodowithhisreligion。AndI\'vealwaysfoundthatpeoplecandifferprofoundlyaboutpoliticsandmeetonperfectlygoodtermsatbreakfast。Now,MissLarborJones,whowasstayingherelastyear,worshipsLloydGeorgeasasortofwinglessangel,whileMrs。Walters,whowasdownhereatthesametime,privatelyconsidershimtobe——anantelope,letussay。\" \"Anantelope?\" \"Well,notanantelopeexactly,butsomethingwithhornsandhoofsandtail。\" \"Oh,Isee。\" \"Still,thatdidn\'tpreventthemfrombeingthechummiestofmortalsonthetenniscourtandinthebilliard-room。Theydidquarrelfinally,aboutaleadinadoubledhandofno-trumps,butthatofcourseisathingthatnoaccountofjudiciousguest-groupingcouldprevent。Mrs。Waltershadgotking,knave,ten,andsevenofclubs—— \" \"Youweresayingthattherewereotherlinesofdemarcationthatcausedthebother,\"interruptedLena。 \"Exactly。Itistheminordifferencesandside-issuesthatgivesomuchtrouble,\"saidLadyProwche;\"nottomydyingdayshallI forgetlastyear\'supheavalovertheSuffragettequestion。LauraHenniseedleftthehouseinastateofspeechlessindignation,butbeforeshehadreachedthatstateshehadusedlanguagethatwouldnothavebeentoleratedintheAustrianReichsrath。Intensivebear- gardeningwasSirRichard\'sdescriptionofthewholeaffair,andI don\'tthinkheexaggerated。\" \"OfcoursetheSuffragettequestionisaburningone,andletsloosethemostdreadfulill-feeling,\"saidLena;\"butonecangenerallyfindoutbeforehandwhatpeople\'sopinions——\" \"Mydear,theyearbeforeitwasworse。ItwasChristianScience。 SelinaGoobieisasortofHighPriestessoftheCult,andsheputdownalloppositionwithahighhand。Thenoneevening,afterdinner,ClovisSangrailputawaspdownherback,toseeifhertheoryaboutthenon-existenceofpaincouldbedependedoninanemergency。Thewaspwassmall,butveryefficient,andithadbeensouredintemperbybeingkeptinapapercagealltheafternoon。 Waspsdon\'tstandconfinementwell,atleastthisonedidn\'t。I don\'tthinkIeverrealisedtillthatmomentwhattheword\'invective\'couldbemadetomean。IsometimeswakeinthenightandthinkIstillhearSelinadescribingClovis\'sconductandgeneralcharacter。ThatwastheyearthatSirRichardwaswritinghisvolumeon\'DomesticLifeinTartary。\'Thecriticsallblameditforalackofconcentration。\" \"He\'sengagedonaveryimportantworkthisyear,isn\'the?\"askedLena。 \"\'Land-tenureinTurkestan,\'\"saidLadyProwche;\"heisjustatworkonthefinalchaptersandtheyrequirealltheconcentrationhecangivethem。ThatiswhyIamsoveryanxiousnottohaveanyunfortunatedisturbancethisyear。IhavetakeneveryprecautionI canthinkoftobringnon-conflictingandharmoniouselementstogether;theonlytwopeopleIamnotquiteeasyaboutaretheAtkinsonmanandMarcusPopham。Theyarethetwowhowillbedownherelongesttogether,andiftheyaregoingtofallfoulofoneanotheraboutanyburningquestion,well,therewillbemoreunpleasantness。\" \"Can\'tyoufindoutanythingaboutthem?Abouttheiropinions,I mean。\" \"Anything?MydearLena,there\'sscarcelyanythingthatIhaven\'tfoundoutaboutthem。They\'rebothofthemmoderateLiberal,Evangelical,mildlyopposedtofemalesuffrage,theyapproveoftheFalconerReport,andtheStewards\'decisionaboutCraganour。Thankgoodnessinthiscountrywedon\'tflyintoviolentpassionsaboutWagnerandBrahmsandthingsofthatsort。ThereisonlyonethornysubjectthatIhaven\'tbeenabletomakesureabout,theonlystonethatIhaveleftunturned。Aretheyunanimouslyanti-vivisectionistordotheybothupholdthenecessityforscientificexperiment? Therehasbeenalotofcorrespondenceonthesubjectinourlocalnewspapersoflate,andthevicariscertaintopreachasermonaboutit;vicarsaredreadfullyprovocativeattimes。Now,ifyoucouldonlyfindoutformewhetherthesetwomenaredivergentlyfororagainst——\" \"I!\"exclaimedLena;\"howamItofindout?Idon\'tknoweitherofthemtospeakto。\" \"Stillyoumightdiscover,insomeroundaboutway。Writetothem,underasassumednameofcourse,forsubscriptionstooneorothercause——or,betterstill,sendastampedtype-writtenreplypostcard,witharequestforadeclarationfororagainstvivisection;peoplewhowouldhesitatetocommitthemselvestoasubscriptionwillcheerfullywriteYesorNoonaprepaidpostcard。Ifyoucan\'tmanageitthatway,tryandmeetthematsomeone\'shouseandgetintoargumentonthesubject。IthinkMillyoccasionallyhasoneorotherofthematherat-homes;youmighthavethelucktomeetbothofthemtherethesameevening。Onlyitmustbedonesoon。MyinvitationsoughttogooutbyWednesdayorThursdayatthelatest,andto-dayisFriday。 \"Milly\'sat-homesarenotveryamusing,asarule,\"saidLena,\"andonenevergetsachanceoftalkinguninterruptedlytoanyoneforacoupleofminutesatatime;Millyisoneofthoserestlesshostesseswhoalwaysseemtobetryingtoseehowyoulookindifferentpartsoftheroom,infreshgroupingeffects。EvenifI gottospeaktoPophamorAtkinsonIcouldn\'tplungeintoatopiclikevivisectionstraightaway。No,Ithinkthepostcardschemewouldbemorehopefulanddecidedlylesstiresome。Howwoulditbebesttowordthem?\" \"Oh,somethinglikethis:\'Areyouinfavourofexperimentsonlivinganimalsforthepurposeofscientificresearch——YesorNo?\' Thatisquitesimpleandunmistakable。Iftheydon\'tansweritwillatleastbeanindicationthattheyareindifferentaboutthesubject,andthatisallIwanttoknow。\" \"Allright,\"saidLena,\"I\'llgetmybrother-in-lawtoletmehavethemaddressedtohisoffice,andhecantelephonetheresultoftheplebiscitedirecttoyou。\" \"Thankyoueversomuch,\"saidLadyProwchegratefully,\"andbesuretogetthecardssentoffassoonaspossible。\" OnthefollowingTuesdaythevoiceofanofficeclerk,speakingthroughthetelephone,informedLadyProwchethatthepostcardpollshowedunanimoushostilitytoexperimentsonlivinganimals。 LadyProwchethankedtheofficeclerk,andinalouderandmoreferventvoiceshethankedHeaven。Thetwoinvitations,alreadysealedandaddressed,wereimmediatelydispatched;induecoursetheywerebothaccepted。Thehousepartyofthehalcyonhours,astheprospectivehostesscalledit,wasauspiciouslylaunched。 LenaLuddlefordwasnotincludedamongtheguests,havingpreviouslycommittedherselftoanotherinvitation。Attheopeningdayofacricketfestival,however,sheranacrossLadyProwche,whohadmotoredoverfromtheothersideofthecounty。Sheworetheairofonewhoisnotinterestedincricketandnotparticularlyinterestedinlife。SheshookhandslimplywithLena,andremarkedthatitwasabeastlyday。 \"Theparty,howhasitgoneoff?\"askedLenaquickly。 \"Don\'tspeakofit!\"wasthetragicalanswer;\"whydoIalwayshavesuchrottenluck?\" \"Butwhathashappened?\" \"Ithasbeenawful。Hyaenascouldnothavebehavedwithgreatersavagery。SirRichardsaidso,andhehasbeenincountrieswherehyaenaslive,soheoughttoknow。Theyactuallycametoblows!\" \"Blows?\" \"Blowsandcurses。ItreallymighthavebeenascenefromoneofHogarth\'spictures。Ineverfeltsohumiliatedinmylife。Whattheservantsmusthavethought!\" \"Butwhoweretheoffenders?\" \"Oh,naturallytheverytwothatwetookallthetroubleabout。\" \"Ithoughttheyagreedoneverysubjectthatonecouldviolentlydisagreeabout——religion,politics,vivisection,theDerbydecision,theFalconerReport;whatelsewastherelefttoquarrelabout?\" \"Mydear,wewerefoolsnottohavethoughtofit。OneofthemwasPro-GreekandtheotherPro-Bulgar。\" HYACINTH \"Thenewfashionofintroducingthecandidate\'schildrenintoanelectioncontestisaprettyone,\"saidMrs。Panstreppon;\"ittakesawaysomethingfromtheacerbityofpartywarfare,anditmakesaninterestingexperienceforchildrentolookbackoninafteryears。 Still,ifyouwilllistentomyadvice,Matilda,youwillnottakeHyacinthwithyoudowntoLuffbridgeonelectionday。\" \"NottakeHyacinth!\"exclaimedhismother;\"butwhynot?Jutterlyisbringinghisthreechildren,andtheyaregoingtodriveapairofNubiandonkeysaboutthetown,toemphasisethefactthattheirfatherhasbeenappointedColonialSecretary。WearemakingthedemandforastrongNavyaspecialfeatureinourcampaign,anditwillbeparticularlyappropriatetohaveHyacinthdressedinhissailorsuit。He\'lllookheavenly。\" \"Thequestionis,nothowhe\'lllook,buthowhe\'llbehave。He\'sadelightfulchild,ofcourse,butthereisastrainofunbridledpugnacityinhimthatbreaksoutattimesinareallyalarmingfashion。YoumayhaveforgottentheaffairofthelittleGaffinchildren;Ihaven\'t。\" \"IwasinIndiaatthetime,andI\'veonlyavaguerecollectionofwhathappened;hewasverynaughty,Iknow。\" \"Hewasinhisgoat-carriage,andmettheGaffinsintheirperambulator,andhedrovethegoatfulltiltatthemandsenttheperambulatorspinning。LittleJackyGaffinwaspinneddownunderthewreckage,andwhilethenursehadherhandsfullwiththegoatHyacinthwaslayingintoJacky\'slegswithhisbeltlikeasmallfury。\" \"I\'mnotdefendinghim,\"saidMatilda,\"buttheymusthavedonesomethingtoannoyhim。\" \"Nothingintentionally,butsomeonehadunfortunatelytoldhimthattheywerehalfFrench——theirmotherwasaDuboc,youknow——andhehadbeenhavingahistorylessonthatmorning,andhadjustheardofthefinallossofCalaisbytheEnglish,andwasfuriousaboutit。 Hesaidhe\'dteachthelittletoadstogosnatchingtownsfromus,butwedidn\'tknowatthetimethathewasreferringtotheGaffins。 Itoldhimafterwardsthatallbadfeelingbetweenthetwonationshaddiedoutlongago,andthatanyhowtheGaffinswereonlyhalfFrench,andhesaidthatitwasonlytheFrenchhalfofJackythathehadbeenhitting;theresthadbeenburiedundertheperambulator。IfthelossofCalaisunloosedsuchfuryinhim,I trembletothinkwhatthepossiblelossoftheelectionmightentail。\" \"Allthathappenedwhenhewaseight;he\'soldernowandknowsbetter。\" \"ChildrenwithHyacinth\'stemperamentdon\'tknowbetterastheygrowolder;theymerelyknowmore。\" \"Nonsense。Hewillenjoythefunoftheelection,andinanycasehe\'llbetiredoutbythetimethepollisdeclared,andthenewsailorsuitthatI\'vehadmadeforhimisjustintherightshadeofblueforourelectioncolours,anditwillexactlymatchtheblueofhiseyes。Hewillbeaperfectlycharmingnoteofcolour。\" \"Thereissuchathingaslettingone\'saestheticsenseoverrideone\'smoralsense,\"saidMrs。Panstreppon。\"IbelieveyouwouldhavecondonedtheSouthSeaBubbleandthepersecutionoftheAlbigensesiftheyhadbeencarriedoutineffectivecolourschemes。 However,ifanythingunfortunateshouldhappendownatLuffbridge,don\'tsayitwasn\'tforeseenbyonememberofthefamily。\" Theelectionwaskeenlybutdecorouslycontested。Thenewly- appointedColonialSecretarywaspersonallypopular,whiletheGovernmenttowhichheadheredwasdistinctlyunpopular,andtherewassomeexpectancythatthemajorityoffourhundred,obtainedatthelastelection,wouldbealtogetherwipedout。Bothsideswerehopeful,butneithercouldfeelconfident。Thechildrenwereagreatsuccess;thelittleJutterlysdrovetheirchubbydonkeyssolemnlyupanddownthemainstreets,displayingposterswhichadvocatedtheclaimsoftheirfatheronthebroadgeneralgroundsthathewastheirfather,whileasforHyacinth,hisconductmighthaveservedasamodelforanyseraph-childthathadstrayedunwittinglyontothesceneofanelectoralcontest。Ofhisownaccord,andunderthedelightedeyesofhalfadozencameraoperators,hehadgoneuptotheJutterlychildrenandpresentedthemwithapacketofbutterscotch;\"weneedn\'tbeenemiesbecausewe\'rewearingtheoppositecolours,\"hesaidwithengagingfriendliness,andtheoccupantsofthedonkey-cartacceptedhisofferingwithpolitesolemnity。Thegrown-upmembersofbothpoliticalcampsweredelightedattheincident——withtheexceptionofMrs。Panstreppon,whoshuddered。 \"NeverwasClytemnestra\'skisssweeterthanonthenightsheslewme,\"shequoted,butmadethequotationtoherself。 Thelasthourofthepollwasaperiodofunremittinglabourforbothparties;itwasgenerallyestimatedthatnotmorethanadozenvotesseparatedthecandidates,andeveryeffortwasmadetobringupobstinatelywaveringelectors。Itwaswithafeelingofrelaxationandreliefthateveryoneheardtheclocksstrikethehourforthecloseofthepoll。Exclamationsbrokeoutfromthetiredworkers,andcorksflewoutfrombottles。 \"Well,ifwehaven\'twon;we\'vedoneourlevelbest。\"\"Ithasbeenacleanstraightfight,withnorancour。\"\"Thechildrenwerequiteacharmingfeature,weren\'tthey?\" Thechildren?Itsuddenlyoccurredtoeverybodythattheyhadseennothingofthechildrenforthelasthour。WhathadbecomeofthethreelittleJutterlysandtheirdonkey-cart,and,forthematterofthat,whathadbecomeofHyacinth。Hurried,anxiousembassieswentbackwardsandforwardsbetweentherespectivepartyheadquartersandthevariouscommittee-rooms,buttherewasblankignoranceeverywhereastothewhereaboutsofthechildren。Everyonehadbeentoobusyintheclosingmomentsofthepolltobestowathoughtonthem。ThentherecameatelephonecallattheUnionistWomen\'sCommittee-rooms,andthevoiceofHyacinthwashearddemandingwhenthepollwouldbedeclared。 \"Whereareyou,andwherearetheJutterlychildren?\"askedhismother。 \"I\'vejustfinishedhavinghigh-teaatapastry-cook\'s,\"cametheanswer,\"andtheyletmetelephone。I\'vehadapoachedeggandasausagerollandfourmeringues。\" \"You\'llbeill。ArethelittleJutterlyswithyou?\" \"Rathernot。They\'reinapigstye。\" \"Apigstye?Why?Whatpigstye?\" \"NeartheCrawleighRoad。Imetthemdrivingaboutabackroad,andtoldthemtheyweretohaveteawithme,andputtheirdonkeysinayardthatIknewof。ThenItookthemtoseeanoldsowthathadgottenlittlepigs。Igotthesowintotheouterstyebygivingherbitsofbread,whiletheJutterlyswentintolookatthelitter,thenIboltedthedoorandleftthemthere。\" \"Youwickedboy,doyoumeantosayyou\'veleftthosepoorchildrentherealoneinthepigstye?\" \"They\'renotalone,they\'vegottenlittlepigsinwiththem; they\'rejollywellcrowded。Theywereprettymadatbeingshutin,butnothalfasmadastheoldsowisatbeingshutoutfromheryoungones。Ifshegetsinwhilethey\'rethereshe\'llbitethemintomincemeat。Icangetthemoutbylettingashortladderdownthroughthetopwindow,andthat\'swhatI\'mgoingtodoIFWEWIN。 Iftheirblightedfathergetsin,I\'mjustgoingtoopenthedoorforthesow,andletherdowhatshedashedwelllikestothem。 That\'swhyIwanttoknowwhenthepollwillbedeclared。\" Herethenarratorrangoff。Awildstampedeandafranticsending- offofmessengerstookplaceattheotherendofthetelephone。 Nearlyalltheworkersoneithersidehaddisappearedtotheirvariousclub-roomsandpublic-housebarstoawaitthedeclarationofthepoll,butenoughlocalinformationcouldbesecuredtodeterminethesceneofHyacinth\'sexploit。Mr。JohnBallhadastableyarddownneartheCrawleighRoad,upashortlane,andhissowwasknowntohavealitteroftenyoungones。Thitherwentinheadlonghasteboththecandidates,Hyacinth\'smother,hisaunt(Mrs。Panstreppon),andtwoorthreehurriedly-summonedfriends。ThetwoNubiandonkeys,contentedlymunchingatbundlesofhay,mettheirgazeastheyenteredtheyard。Thehoarsesavagegruntingofanenragedanimalandtheshrillernoteofthirteenyoungvoices,threeofthemhuman,guidedthemtothestye,intheouteryardofwhichahugeYorkshiresowkeptupaceaselessragingpatrolbeforeacloseddoor。Recliningonthebroadledgeofanopenwindow,fromwhichpointofvantagehecouldreachdownandshoottheboltofthedoor,wasHyacinth,hisbluesailor-suitsomewhattheworseofwear,andhisangelsmileexchangedforalookofdemoniacaldetermination。 \"Ifanyofyoucomeastepnearer,\"heshouted,\"thesowwillbeinsideinhalfajiffy。\" Astormofthreatening,arguing,entreatingexpostulationbrokefromthebaffledrescueparty,butitmadenomoreimpressiononHyacinththanthesquealingtempestthatragedwithinthestye。 \"IfJutterlyheadsthepollI\'mgoingtoletthesowin。I\'llteachtheblighterstowinelectionsfromus。\" \"Hemeansit,\"saidMrs。Panstreppon;\"IfearedtheworstwhenIsawthatbutterscotchincident。\" \"It\'sallright,mylittleman,\"saidJutterly,withtheduplicitytowhichevenaColonialSecretarycansometimesstoop,\"yourfatherhasbeenelectedbyalargemajority。\" \"Liar!\"retortedHyacinth,withthedirectnessofspeechthatisnotmerelyexcusable,butalmostobligatory,inthepoliticalprofession;\"thevotesaren\'tcountedyet。Youwon\'tgammonmeastotheresult,either。AboythatI\'vepalledwithisgoingtofireagunwhenthepollisdeclared;twoshotsifwe\'vewon,oneshotifwehaven\'t。\" Thesituationbegantolookcritical。\"Drugthesow,\"whisperedHyacinth\'sfather。 Someonewentoffinthemotortothenearestchemist\'sshopandreturnedpresentlywithtwolargepiecesofbread,liberallydosedwithnarcotic。Thebreadwasthrowndeftlyandunostentatiouslyintothestye,butHyacinthsawthroughthemanoeuvre。HesetupapiercingimitationofasmallpitinPurgatory,andtheinfuriatedmotherrampedroundandroundthestye;thepiecesofbreadweretrampledintoslush。 Atanymomentnowthepollmightbedeclared。JutterlyflewbacktotheTownHall,wherethevoteswerebeingcounted。Hisagentmethimwithasmileofhope。 \"You\'reelevenaheadatpresent,andonlyabouteightymoretobecounted;you\'rejustgoingtosqueakthrough。\" \"Imustn\'tsqueakthrough,\"exclaimedJutterly,hoarsely。\"Youmustobjecttoeverydoubtfulvoteonoursidethatcanpossiblybedisallowed。ImustNOThavethemajority。\" Thenwasseentheunprecedentedsightofapartyagentchallengingthevotesonhisownsidewithacaptiousnessthathisopponentswouldhavehesitatedtodisplay。Oneortwovotesthatwouldhavecertainlypassedmusterunderordinarycircumstancesweredisallowed,butevensoJutterlywassixaheadwithonlythirtymoretobecounted。 Tothewatchersbythestyethemomentsseemedintolerable。Asalastresortsomeonehadbeensentforagunwithwhichtoshootthesow,thoughHyacinthwouldprobablydrawtheboltthemomentsuchaweaponwasbroughtintotheyard。Nearlyallthemenwereawayfromtheirhomes,however,onelectionnight,andthemessengerhadevidentlygonefarafieldinhissearch。Itmustbeamatterofminutesnowtothedeclarationofthepoll。 AsuddenroarofshoutingandcheeringwasheardfromthedirectionoftheTownHall。Hyacinth\'sfatherclutchedapitchforkandpreparedtodashintothestyeintheforlornhopeofbeingintime。 Ashotrangoutintheeveningair。Hyacinthstoopeddownfromhisperchandputhisfingeronthebolt。Thesowpressedfuriouslyagainstthedoor。 \"Bang,\"cameanothershot。 Hyacinthwriggledback,andsentashortladderdownthroughthewindowoftheinnerstye。 \"Nowyoucancomeup,youuncleanlittleblighters,\"hesangout; \"mydaddy\'sgotin,notyours。Hurryup,Ican\'tkeepthesowwaitingmuchlonger。Anddon\'tyoujollywellcomebuttingintoanyelectionagainwhereI\'monthejob。\" Inthereactionthatsetinafterthedeliverancefuriousrecriminationwereindulgedinbythelatelyopposedcandidates,theirwomenfolk,agents,andpartyhelpers。Arecountwasdemanded,butfailedtoestablishthefactthattheColonialSecretaryhadobtainedamajority。Altogethertheelectionleftalegacyofsorenessbehindit,apartfromanythatwasexperiencedbyHyacinthinperson。 \"ItisthelasttimeIshalllethimgotoanelection,\"exclaimedhismother。 \"ThereIthinkyouaregoingtoextremes,\"saidMrs。Panstreppon; \"ifthereshouldbeageneralelectioninMexicoIthinkyoumightsafelylethimgothere,butIdoubtwhetherourEnglishpoliticsaresuitedtotheroughandtumbleofanangel-child。\" THEIMAGEOFTHELOSTSOLE TherewereanumberofcarvedstonefiguresplacedatintervalsalongtheparapetsoftheoldCathedral;someofthemrepresentedangels,otherskingsandbishops,andnearlyallwereinattitudesofpiousexaltationandcomposure。Butonefigure,lowdownonthecoldnorthsideofthebuilding,hadneithercrown,mitre,notnimbus,anditsfacewashardandbitteranddowncast;itmustbeademon,declaredthefatbluepigeonsthatroostedandsunnedthemselvesalldayontheledgesoftheparapet;buttheoldbelfryjackdaw,whowasanauthorityonecclesiasticalarchitecture,saiditwasalostsoul。Andtherethematterrested。 OneautumndaythereflutteredontotheCathedralroofaslender,sweet-voicedbirdthathadwanderedawayfromthebarefieldsandthinninghedgerowsinsearchofawinterroosting-place。Ittriedtorestitstiredfeetundertheshadeofagreatangel-wingortonestleinthesculpturedfoldsofakinglyrobe,butthefatpigeonshustleditawayfromwhereveritsettled,andthenoisysparrow-folkdroveitofftheledges。Norespectablebirdsangwithsomuchfeeling,theycheepedonetoanother,andthewandererhadtomoveon。 OnlytheeffigyoftheLostSoulofferedaplaceofrefuge。Thepigeonsdidnotconsideritsafetoperchonaprojectionthatleanedsomuchoutoftheperpendicular,andwas,besides,toomuchintheshadow。Thefiguredidnotcrossitshandsinthepiousattitudeoftheothergravendignitaries,butitsarmswerefoldedasindefianceandtheiranglemadeasnugresting-placeforthelittlebird。Everyeveningitcrepttrustfullyintoitscorneragainstthestonebreastoftheimage,andthedarklingeyesseemedtokeepwatchoveritsslumbers。Thelonelybirdgrewtoloveitslonelyprotector,andduringthedayitwouldsitfromtimetotimeonsomerainshootorotherabutmentandtrillforthitssweetestmusicingratefulthanksforitsnightlyshelter。And,itmayhavebeentheworkofwindandweather,orsomeotherinfluence,butthewilddrawnfaceseemedgraduallytolosesomeofitshardnessandunhappiness。Everyday,throughthelongmonotonoushours,thesongofhislittleguestwouldcomeupinsnatchestothelonelywatcher,andatevening,whenthevesper-bellwasringingandthegreatgreybatsslidoutoftheirhiding-placesinthebelfryroof,thebright- eyedbirdwouldreturn,twitterafewsleepynotes,andnestleintothearmsthatwerewaitingforhim。ThosewerehappydaysfortheDarkImage。OnlythegreatbelloftheCathedralrangoutdailyitsmockingmessage,\"Afterjoy……sorrow。\" Thefolkintheverger\'slodgenoticedalittlebrownbirdflittingabouttheCathedralprecincts,andadmireditsbeautifulsinging。 \"Butitisapity,\"saidthey,\"thatallthatwarblingshouldbelostandwastedfaroutofhearingupontheparapet。\"Theywerepoor,buttheyunderstoodtheprinciplesofpoliticaleconomy。Sotheycaughtthebirdandputitinalittlewickercageoutsidethelodgedoor。 Thatnightthelittlesongsterwasmissingfromitsaccustomedhaunt,andtheDarkImageknewmorethaneverthebitternessofloneliness。Perhapshislittlefriendhadbeenkilledbyaprowlingcatorhurtbyastone。Perhaps……perhapshehadflownelsewhere。Butwhenmorningcametherefloateduptohim,throughthenoiseandbustleoftheCathedralworld,afaintheart-achingmessagefromtheprisonerinthewickercagefarbelow。Andeveryday,athighnoon,whenthefatpigeonswerestupefiedintosilenceaftertheirmiddaymealandthesparrowswerewashingthemselvesinthestreet-puddles,thesongofthelittlebirdcameuptotheparapets——asongofhungerandlongingandhopelessness,acrythatcouldneverbeanswered。Thepigeonsremarked,betweenmealtimes,thatthefigureleanedforwardmorethaneveroutoftheperpendicular。 Onedaynosongcameupfromthelittlewickercage。Itwasthecoldestdayofthewinter,andthepigeonsandsparrowsontheCathedralrooflookedanxiouslyonallsidesforthescrapsoffoodwhichtheyweredependentoninhardweather。 \"Havethelodge-folkthrownoutanythingontothedust-heap?\" inquiredonepigeonofanotherwhichwaspeeringovertheedgeofthenorthparapet。 \"Onlyalittledeadbird,\"wastheanswer。 TherewasacracklingsoundinthenightontheCathedralroofandanoiseasoffallingmasonry。Thebelfryjackdawsaidthefrostwasaffectingthefabric,andashehadexperiencedmanyfrostsitmusthavebeenso。InthemorningitwasseenthattheFigureoftheLostSoulhadtoppledfromitscorniceandlaynowinabrokenmassonthedustheapoutsidetheverger\'slodge。 \"Itisjustaswell,\"cooedthefatpigeons,aftertheyhadpeeredatthematterforsomeminutes;\"nowweshallhaveaniceangelputupthere。Certainlytheywillputanangelthere。\" \"Afterjoy……sorrow,\"rangoutthegreatbell。 THEPURPLEOFTHEBALKANKINGS LuitpoldWolkenstein,financieranddiplomatonasmall,obtrusive,self-importantscale,satinhisfavouredcafeintheworld-wiseHabsburgcapital,confrontedwiththeNeueFreiePresseandthecupofcream-toppedcoffeeandattendantglassofwaterthatasleek- headedpiccolohadjustbroughthim。Foryearslongerthanadog\'slifetimesleek-headedpiccoloshadplacedtheNeueFreiePresseandacupofcream-toppedcoffeeonhistable;foryearshehadsatatthesamespot,underthedust-coated,stuffedeagle,thathadoncebeenaliving,soaringbirdontheStyrianmountains,andwasnowmademonstrousandsymbolicalwithasecondheadgraftedontoitsneckandagiltcrownplantedoneitherdustyskull。To-dayLuitpoldWolkensteinreadnomorethanthefirstarticleinhispaper,butreaditagainandagain。 \"TheTurkishfortressofKirkKilissehhasfallen……TheSerbs,itisofficiallyannounced,havetakenKumanovo……ThefortressofKirkKilissehlost,KumanovotakenbytheSerbs,thesearetidingforConstantinopleresemblingsomethingoutofShakspeare\'stragediesofthekings……TheneighbourhoodofAdrianopleandtheEasternregion,wherethegreatbattleisnowinprogress,willnotrevealmerelythefutureofTurkey,butalsowhatpositionandwhatinfluencetheBalkanStatesaretohaveintheworld。\" Foryearslongerthanadog\'slifetimeLuitpoldWolkensteinhaddisposedofthepretensionsandstrivingsoftheBalkanStatesoverthecupofcream-toppedcoffeethatsleek-headedpiccoloshadbroughthim。Nevertravellingfurthereastwardthanthehorse-fairatTemesvar,neverinvitingpersonalriskinanencounterwithanythingmorepotentiallydesperatethanahareorpartridge,hehadconstitutedhimselfthecriticalappraiserandarbiterofthemilitaryandnationalprowessofthesmallcountriesthatfringedtheDualMonarchyonitsDanubeborder。Andhisjudgmenthadbeenoneofunsparingcontemptforsmall-scaleefforts,ofunquestioningrespectforthebigbattalionsandfullpurses。OverthewholesceneoftheBalkanterritoriesandtheirtroubledhistorieshadloomedthecommandingmagicofthewords\"theGreatPowers\"——evenmoreimposingintheirTeutonicrendering,\"DieGrossmachte。\" Worshippingpowerandforceandmoney-masteryasanelderlynerve- riddenwomanmightworshipyouthfulphysicalenergy,thecomfortable,plump-bodiedcafe-oraclehadjestedandgibedattheambitionsoftheBalkankingletsandtheirpeoples,hadunloosedagainstthemthatbatteryofstrangelip-soundsthataVienneseemploysalmostasanauxiliarylanguagetoexpressthethoughtswhenhisthoughtsarenotcomplimentary。BritishtravellershadvisitedtheBalkanlandsandreportedhighthingsoftheBulgariansandtheirfuture,Russianofficershadtakenpeepsattheirarmyandconfessed\"thisisathingtobereckonedwith,anditisnotwewhohavecreatedit,theyhavedoneitbythemselves。\"Butoverhiscupsofcoffeeandhishour-longgamesofdominoestheoraclehadlaughedandwaggedhisheadanddistilledtheworldlywisdomofhiscastle。TheGrossmachtehadnotsucceededinstiflingtherollofthewar-drum,thatwastrue;thebigbattalionsoftheOttomanEmpirewouldhavetodosometalking,andthenthebigpursesandbigthreateningsofthePowerswouldspeakandthelastwordwouldbewiththem。InimaginationLuitpoldheardtheonwardtrampofthered-fezzedbayonetbearersechoingthroughtheBalkanpasses,sawthelittlesheepskin-cladmannikinsdrivenbacktotheirvillages,sawtheaugustlychidingspokesmanofthePowersdictating,adjusting,restoring,settlingthingsonceagainintheirallottedplaces,sweepingupthedustofconflict,andnowhisearshadtolistentothewar-drumrollinginquiteanotherdirection,hadtolistentothetrampofbattalionsthatwerebiggerandbolderandbetterskilledinwar-craftthanhehaddeemedpossibleinthatquarter;hiseyeshadtoreadinthecolumnsofhisaccustomednewspaperawarningtotheGrossmachtethattheyhadsomethingnewtolearn,somethingnewtoreckonwith,muchthatwastime-honouredtorelinquish。\"TheGreatPowerswillhavenotlittledifficultyinpersuadingtheBalkanStatesoftheinviolabilityoftheprinciplethatEuropecannotpermitanyfreshpartitionofterritoryintheEastwithoutherapproval。Evennow,whilethecampaignisstillundecided,therearerumoursofaprojectoffiscalunity,extendingovertheentireBalkanlands,andfurtherofaconstitutionalunioninimitationoftheGermanEmpire。Thatisperhapsonlyapoliticalstrawblownbythestorm,butitisnotpossibletodismissthereflectionthattheBalkanStatesleaguedtogethercommandamilitarystrengthwithwhichtheGreatPowerswillhavetoreckon……ThepeoplewhohavepouredouttheirbloodonthebattlefieldsandsacrificedtheavailablearmedmenofanentiregenerationinordertoencompassaunionwiththeirkinsfolkwillnotremainanylongerinanattitudeofdependenceontheGreatPowersoronRussia,butwillgotheirownways……Thebloodthathasbeenpouredforthto-daygivesforthefirsttimeagenuinetonetothepurpleoftheBalkanKings。TheGreatPowerscannotoverlookthefactthatapeoplethathastastedvictorywillnotletitselfbedrivenbackagainwithinitsformerlimits。Turkeyhaslostto-daynotonlyKirkKilissehandKumanovo,butMacedoniaalso。\" LuitpoldWolkensteindrankhiscoffee,buttheflavourhadsomehowgoneoutofit。Hisworld,hispompous,imposing,dictatingworld,hadsuddenlyrolledupintonarrowerdimensions。Thebigpursesandthebigthreatshadbeenpushedunceremoniouslyononeside;aforcethathecouldnotfathom,couldnotcomprehend,hadmadeitselfrudelyfelt。TheaugustCaesarsofMammonandarmamenthadlookeddownfrowninglyonthecombat,andthoseabouttodiehadnotsaluted,hadnointentionofsaluting。Alessonwasbeingimposedonunwillinglearners,alessonofrespectforcertainfundamentalprinciples,anditwasnotthesmallstrugglingStateswhowerebeingtaughtthelesson。 LuitpoldWolkensteindidnotwaitforthequorumofdominoplayerstoarrive。TheywouldallhavereadthearticleintheFreiePresse。Andtherearemomentswhenanoraclefindsitsgreatestsalvationinwithdrawingitselffromtheareaofhumanquestioning。 THECUPBOARDOFTHEYESTERDAYS \"Warisacruellydestructivething,\"saidtheWanderer,droppinghisnewspapertothefloorandstaringreflectivelyintospace。 \"Ah,yes,indeed,\"saidtheMerchant,respondingreadilytowhatseemedlikeasafeplatitude;\"whenonethinksofthelossoflifeandlimb,thedesolatedhomesteads,theruined——\" \"Iwasn\'tthinkingofanythingofthesort,\"saidtheWanderer;\"I wasthinkingofthetendencythatmodernwarhastodestroyandbanishtheveryelementsofpicturesquenessandexcitementthatareitschiefexcuseandcharm。Itislikeafirethatflaresupbrilliantlyforawhileandthenleaveseverythingblackerandbleakerthanbefore。AftereveryimportantwarinSouth-EastEuropeinrecenttimestherehasbeenashrinkingoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory,astiffeningoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory,astiffeningoffrontierlines,anintrusionofcivilisedmonotony。AndimaginewhatmayhappenattheconclusionofthiswariftheTurkshouldreallybedrivenoutofEurope。\" \"Well,itwouldbeagaintothecauseofgoodgovernment,I suppose,\"saidtheMerchant。 \"Buthaveyoucountedtheloss?\"saidtheother。\"TheBalkanshavelongbeenthelastsurvivingshredofhappyhunting-groundfortheadventurous,aplaygroundforpassionsthatarefastbecomingatrophiedforwantofexercise。InoldbygonedayswehadthewarsintheLowCountriesalwaysatourdoors,asitwere;therewasnoneedtogofarafieldintomalaria-strickenwildsifonewantedalifeofbootandsaddleandlicencetokillandbekilled。Thosewhowishedtoseelifehadadecentopportunityforseeingdeathatthesametime。\" \"Itisscarcelyrighttotalkofkillingandbloodshedinthatway,\" saidtheMerchantreprovingly;\"onemustrememberthatallmenarebrothers。\" \"Onemustalsorememberthatalargepercentageofthemareyoungerbrothers;insteadofgoingintobankruptcy,whichistheusualtendencyoftheyoungerbrothernowadays,theygavetheirfamiliesafairchanceofgoingintomourning。Everybulletfindsabillet,accordingtoaratheroptimisticproverb,andyoumustadmitthatnowadaysitisbecomingincreasinglydifficulttofindbilletsforalotofyounggentlemenwhowouldhaveadorned,andprobablythoroughlyenjoyed,oneoftheold-timehappy-go-luckywars。Butthatisnotexactlytheburdenofmycomplaint。TheBalkanlandsareespeciallyinterestingtousintheserapidly-movingdaysbecausetheyaffordusthelastremainingglimpseofavanishingperiodofEuropeanhistory。WhenIwasachildoneoftheearliesteventsoftheoutsideworldthatforceditselfcoherentlyundermynoticewasawarintheBalkans;Irememberasunburnt,soldierlymanputtinglittlepin-flagsinawar-map,redflagsfortheTurkishforcesandyellowflagsfortheRussians。Itseemedamagicalregion,withitsmountainpassesandfrozenriversandgrimbattlefields,itsdriftingsnows,andprowlingwolves;therewasagreatstretchofwaterthatborethesinisterbutengagingnameoftheBlackSea——nothingthatIeverlearnedbeforeorafterinageographylessonmadethesameimpressiononmeasthatstrange- namedinlandsea,andIdon\'tthinkitsmagichaseverfadedoutofmyimagination。AndtherewasabattlecalledPlevnathatwentonandonwithvaryingfortunesforwhatseemedlikeagreatpartofalifetime;IrememberthedayofwrathandmourningwhenthelittleredflaghadtobetakenawayfromPlevna——likeothermaturerjudges,Iwasbackingthewronghorse,atanyratethelosinghorse。 Andnowto-dayweareputtinglittlepin-flagsagainintomapsoftheBalkanregion,andthepassionsarebeingturnedlooseoncemoreintheirplayground。\" \"Thewarwillbelocalised,\"saidtheMerchantvaguely;\"atleasteveryonehopesso。\" \"Itcouldn\'twishforabetterlocality,\"saidtheWanderer;\"thereisacharmaboutthosecountriesthatyoufindnowhereelseinEurope,thecharmofuncertaintyandlandslide,andthelittledramatichappeningsthatmakeallthedifferencebetweentheordinaryandthedesirable。\" \"Lifeisheldverycheapinthoseparts,\"saidtheMerchant。 \"Toacertainextent,yes,\"saidtheWanderer。\"IrememberamanatSofiawhousedtoteachmeBulgarianinaratherinefficientmanner,interspersedwithalotofquitewearisomegossip。Ineverknewwhathispersonalhistorywas,butthatwasonlybecauseIdidn\'tlisten;hetoldittomemanytimes。AfterIleftBulgariaheusedtosendmeSofianewspapersfromtimetotime。IfeltthathewouldberathertiresomeifIeverwentthereagain。AndthenIheardafterwardsthatsomemencameinonedayfromHeavenknowswhere,justasthingsdohappenintheBalkans,andmurderedhimintheopenstreet,andwentawayasquietlyastheyhadcome。Youwillnotunderstandit,buttometherewassomethingratherpiquantintheideaofsuchathinghappeningtosuchaman;afterhisdullnessandhislong-windedsmall-talkitseemedasortofbrilliantespritd\'esalieronhisparttomeetwithanendofsuchruthlesslyplannedandexecutedviolence。\" TheMerchantshookhishead;thepiquancyoftheincidentwasnotwithinstrikingdistanceofhiscomprehension。 \"IshouldhavebeenshockedathearingsuchathingaboutanyoneI hadknown,\"hesaid。 \"Thepresentwar,\"continuedhiscompanion,withoutstoppingtodiscusstwohopelesslydivergentpointsofview,\"maybethebeginningoftheendofmuchthathashithertosurvivedtheresistlesscreeping-inofcivilisation。IftheBalkanlandsaretobefinallyparcelledoutbetweenthecompetingChristianKingdomsandthehaphazardruleoftheTurkbanishedtobeyondtheSeaofMarmora,theoldorder,ordisorderifyoulike,willhavereceiveditsdeath-blow。Somethingofitsspiritwilllingerperhapsforawhileintheoldcharmedregionswhereitboresway;theGreekvillagerswilldoubtlessberestlessandturbulentandunhappywheretheBulgarsrule,andtheBulgarswillcertainlyberestlessandturbulentandunhappyunderGreekadministration,andtherivalflocksoftheExarchateandPatriarchatewillmakethemselvesintenselydisagreeabletooneanotherwherevertheopportunityoffers;thehabitsofalifetime,ofseverallifetimes,arenotlaidasideallatonce。AndtheAlbanians,ofcourse,weshallhavewithusstill,atroubledMoslempoolleftbytherecedingwaveofIslaminEurope。Buttheoldatmospherewillhavechanged,theglamourwillhavegone;thedustofformalityandbureaucraticneatnesswillslowlysettledownoverthetime-honouredlandmarks;theSanjakofNoviBazar,theMuerstegAgreement,theKomitadjebands,theVilayetofAdrianople,allthosefamiliaroutlandishnamesandthingsandplaces,thatwehaveknownsolongaspartandparceloftheBalkanQuestion,willhavepassedawayintothecupboardofyesterdays,ascompletelyastheHansaLeagueandthewarsoftheGuises。 \"Theyweretheheritagethathistoryhandeddowntous,spoiledanddiminishednodoubt,incomparisonwithyetearlierdaysthatweneverknew,butstillsomethingtothrillandenlivenonelittlecornerofourContinent,somethingtohelpustoconjureupinourimaginationthedayswhentheTurkwasthunderingatthegatesofVienna。Andwhatshallwehavetohanddowntoourchildren?ThinkofwhattheirnewsfromtheBalkanswillbeinthecourseofanothertenorfifteenyears。SocialistCongressatUskub,electionriotatMonastir,greatdockstrikeatSalonika,visitoftheY。M。C。A。toVarna。Varna——onthecoastofthatenchantedsea!Theywilldriveouttosomesuburbtotea,andwritehomeaboutitastheBexhilloftheEast。 \"Warisawickedlydestructivething。\" \"Still,youmustadmit——\"begantheMerchant。ButtheWandererwasnotinthemoodtoadmitanything。Heroseimpatientlyandwalkedtowherethetape-machinewasbusywiththenewsfromAdrianople。 FORTHEDURATIONOFTHEWAR TheRev。WilfridGaspilton,inoneofthoseclericalmigrationsinconsequent-seemingtothelaymind,hadremovedfromthemoderatelyfashionableparishofSt。Luke\'s,Kensingate,totheimmoderatelyruralparishofSt。Chuddocks,somewhereinYondershire。Thereweredoubtlesssubstantialadvantagesconnectedwiththemove,buttherewerecertainlysomeveryobviousdrawbacks。 Neitherthemigratoryclergymannorhiswifewereabletoadaptthemselvesnaturallyandcomfortablytotheconditionsofcountrylife。Beryl,Mrs。Gaspilton,hadalwayslookedindulgentlyonthecountryasaplacewherepeopleofirreproachableincomeandhospitableinstinctscultivatedtennis-lawnsandrose-gardensandJacobeanpleasaunces,whereinselectedgatheringsofinterestedweek-endguestsmightdisportthemselves。Mrs。Gaspiltonconsideredherselfasdistinctlyaninterestingpersonality,andfromalimitedstandpointshewasdoubtlessright。Shehadindolentdarkeyesandacomfortablechin,whichbeliedtheslightlyplaintiveinflectionwhichshethrewintohervoiceatsuitableintervals。Shewastolerablywellsatisfiedwiththesmalleradvantagesoflife,butsheregrettedthatFatehadnotseenitswaytoreserveforhersomeoftheamplersuccessesforwhichshefeltherselfwellqualified。 Shewouldhavelikedtobethecentreofaliterary,slightlypoliticalsalon,wherediscerningsatellitesmighthaverecognisedthebreadthofheroutlookonhumanaffairsandtheundoubtedsmallnessofherfeet。Asitwas,Destinyhadchosenforherthatsheshouldbethewifeofarector,andhadnowfurtherdecreedthatacountryrectoryshouldbethebackgroundtoherexistence。Sherapidlymadeuphermindthathersurroundingsdidnotcallforexploration;NoahhadpredictedtheFlood,butnooneexpectedhimtoswimaboutinit。Digginginawetgardenortrudgingthroughmuddylaneswereexertionswhichshedidnotproposetoundertake。 AslongasthegardenproducedasparagusandcarnationsatpleasinglyfrequentintervalsMrs。Gaspiltonwascontenttoapproveofitsexpenseandotherwiseignoreitsexistence。Shewouldfoldherselfup,sotospeak,inanelegant,indolentlittleworldofherown,enjoyingtheminorrecreationsofbeinggentlyrudetothedoctor\'swifeandcontinuingtheleisurelyproductionofheroneliteraryeffort,TheForbiddenHorsepond,atranslationofBaptisteLeopoy\'sL\'Abreuvoirinterdit。Itwasalabourwhichhadalreadybeensolongdrawn-outthatitseemedprobablethatBaptisteLepoywoulddropoutofvoguebeforehertranslationofhistemporarilyfamousnovelwasfinished。However,thelanguidprosecutionoftheworkhadinvestedMrs。Gaspiltonwithacertainliterarydignity,eveninKensingatecircles,andwouldplaceheronapinnacleinSt。 Chuddocks,wherehardlyanyonereadFrench,andassuredlynoonehadheardofL\'Abreuvoirinterdit。 TheRector\'swifemightbecontenttoturnherbackcomplacentlyonthecountry;itwastheRector\'stragedythatthecountryturneditsbackonhim。WiththebestintentionintheworldandtheimmortalexampleofGilbertWhitebeforehim,theRev。WilfridfoundhimselfasboredandillateaseinhisnewsurroundingsasCharlesIIwouldhavebeenatamodernWesleyanConference。Thebirdsthathoppedacrosshislawnhoppedacrossitasthoughitweretheirlawn,andnothis,andgavehimplainlytounderstandthatintheireyeshewasinfinitelylessinterestingthanagardenwormortherectorycat。Thehedgesideandmeadowflowerswereequallyuninspiring;thelessercelandineseemedparticularlyunworthyoftheattentionthatEnglishpoetshadbestowedonit,andtheRectorknewthathewouldbeutterlymiserableifleftaloneforaquarterofanhourinitscompany。Withthehumaninhabitantsofhisparishhewasnobetteroff;toknowthemwasmerelytoknowtheirailments,andtheailmentswerealmostinvariablyrheumatism。Some,ofcourse,hadotherbodilyinfirmities,buttheyalwayshadrheumatismaswell。 TheRectorhadnotyetgraspedthefactthatinruralcottagelifenottohaverheumatismisasglaringanomissionasnottohavebeenpresentedatCourtwouldbeinmoreambitiouscircles。AndwithallthisdeathoflocalinteresttherewasBerylshuttingherselfoffwithherridiculouslaboursonTheForbiddenHorsepond。 \"Idon\'tseewhyyoushouldsupposethatanyonewantstoreadBaptisteLepoyinEnglish,\"theReverendWilfridremarkedtohiswifeonemorning,findinghersurroundedwithherusualelegantlitterofdictionaries,fountainpens,andscribblingpaper;\"hardlyanyonebotherstoreadhimnowinFrance。\" \"Mydear,\"saidBeryl,withanintonationofgentleweariness,\"haven\'ttwoorthreeleadingLondonpublisherstoldmetheywonderednoonehadevertranslatedL\'Abreuvoirinterdit,andbeggedme——\" \"Publishersalwaysclamourforthebooksthatnoonehaseverwritten,andturnacoldshoulderonthemassoonasthey\'rewritten。IfSt。PaulwerelivingnowtheywouldpesterhimtowriteanEpistletotheEsquimaux,butnoLondonpublisherwoulddreamofreadinghisEpistletotheEphesians。\" \"Isthereanyasparagusinthegarden?\"askedBeryl;\"becauseI\'vetoldcook——\" \"Notanywhereinthegarden,\"snappedtheRector,\"butthere\'snodoubtplentyintheasparagus-bed,whichistheusualplaceforit。\" Andhewalkedawayintotheregionoffruittreesandvegetablebedstoexchangeirritationforboredom。Itwasthere,amongthegooseberrybushesandbeneaththemedlartrees,thatthetemptationtotheperpetrationofagreatliteraryfraudcametohim。 SomeweekslatertheBi-MonthlyReviewgavetotheworld,undertheguaranteeoftheRev。WilfridGaspilton,somefragmentsofPersianverse,allegedtohavebeenunearthedandtranslatedbyanephewwhowasatpresentcampaigningsomewhereintheTigrisvalley。TheRev。 Wilfridpossessedahostofnephews,anditwasofcourse,quitepossiblethatoneormoreofthemmightbeinmilitaryemployinMesopotamia,thoughnoonecouldcalltomindanyparticularnephewwhocouldhavebeensuspectedofbeingaPersianscholar。 TheverseswereattributedtooneGhurab,ahunter,or,accordingtootheraccounts,wardenoftheroyalfishponds,wholived,insomeunspecifiedcentury,intheneighbourhoodofKarmanshah。Theybreathedaspiritofcomfortable,even-temperedsatireandphilosophy,disclosingamockerythatdidnottroubletobebitter,ajoyinlifethatwasnotpassionatetothevergeofbeingtroublesome。 \"AMousethatprayedforAllah\'saidBlasphemedwhennosuchaidbefell: ACat,whofeastedonthatmouse,ThoughtAllahmanagedvastlywell。 PraynotforaidtoOnewhomadeAsetofnever-changingLaws,ButinyourneedrememberwellHegaveyouspeed,orguile——orclaws。 Somelaudalifeofmildcontent: Contentmayfall,aswellasPride。 TheFrogwhohuggedhislowlyDitchWasmuchdisgruntledwhenitdried。 \'YouarenotontheRoadtoHell,\' Youtellmewithfanaticglee: Vainboaster,whatshallthatavailIfHellisontheroadtothee? APoetpraisedtheEveningStar,AnotherpraisedtheParrot\'shue: AMerchantpraisedhismerchandise,Andhe,atleast,praisedwhatheknew。\" Itwasthisversewhichgavethecriticsandcommentatorssomeclueastotheprobabledateofthecomposition;theparrot,theyremindedthepublic,wasinhighvogueasatypeofeleganceinthedaysofHafizofShiraz;inthequatrainsofOmaritmakesnoappearance。 Thenextverse,itwaspointedout,wouldapplytothepoliticalconditionsofthepresentdayasstrikinglyastotheregionanderaforwhichitwaswritten- \"ASultandreamedday-longofPeace,ThewhilehisRivals\'armiesgrew: TheychangedhisDay-dreamsintosleep-ThePeace,methinks,heneverknew。\" Womanappearedlittle,andwinenotatallintheverseofthehunter-poet,buttherewasatleastonecontributiontothelove- philosophyoftheEast- \"OMoon-facedCharmer,andStar-drownedEyes,Andcheeksofsoftdelight,exhalingmusk,Theytellmethatthycharmwillfade;ahwell,TheRoseitselfgrowshue-lessintheDusk。\" Finally,therewasarecognitionoftheInevitable,achillbreathblowingacrossthepoet\'scomfortableestimateoflife- \"ThereisasadnessineachDawn,Asadnessthatyoucannotrede: ThejoyousDaybringsinitstrainTheFeast,theLovedOne,andtheSteed。 Ah,thereshallcomeaDawnatlastThatbringsnolife-stirtoyourken,Along,coldDawnwithoutaDay,Andyeshallredeitssadnessthen。\" TheversesofGhurabcameonthepublicatamomentwhenacomfortable,slightlyquizzicalphilosophywascertaintobewelcome,andtheirreceptionwasenthusiastic。Elderlycolonels,whohadoutlivedtheloveoftruth,wrotetothepaperstosaythattheyhadbeenfamiliarwiththeworksofGhurabinAfghanistan,andAden,andothersuitablelocalitiesaquarterofacenturyago。A Ghurab-of-KarmanshahClubsprangintoexistence,themembersofwhichalludedtoeachotherasBrotherGhurabiansontheslightestprovocation。Andtothefloodofinquiries,criticisms,andrequestsforinformation,whichnaturallypouredinonthediscoverer,orratherthediscloser,ofthislong-hiddenpoet,theRev。Wilfridmadeoneeffectualreply:Militaryconsiderationsforbadeanydisclosureswhichmightthrowunnecessarylightonhisnephew\'smovements。 AfterthewartheRector\'spositionwillbeoneofunthinkableembarrassment,butforthemoment,atanyrate,hehasdrivenTheForbiddenHorsepondoutofthefield。