\"JESSIE，\"herepeatedslowly。Themuteemotionofhisfaceaffectedherstrangely。Shehadtospeak。\"It’snotsuchaverywonderfulname，isit？\"shesaid，withalaughtobreaktheintensity。
Heopenedhismouthandshutitagain，and，withasuddenwincingofhisfeatures，abruptlyturnedandbentdowntoopenthelanterninfrontofhermachine。Shelookeddownathim，almostkneelinginfrontofher，withanunreasonableapprobationinhereyes。Itwas，asIhaveindicated，thehourandseasonofthefullmoon。
XXV
Mr。Hoopdriverconductedtherestofthatnight’sjourneywiththesameconfidentdignityasbefore，anditwaschieflybygoodluckandthefactthatmostroadsaboutatownconvergethereupon，thatChichesterwasatlastattained。Itseemedatfirstasthougheveryonehadgonetobed，buttheRedHotelstillglowedyellowandwarm。ItwasthefirsttimeHoopdriverbaddaredthemysteriesofa’first—class’hotel。’Butthatnighthewasinthemoodtodareanything。
\"SoyoufoundyourYoungLadyatlast，\"saidtheostleroftheRedHotel;foritchancedhewasoneofthoseofwhomHoopdriverhadmadeinquiriesintheafternoon。
\"Quiteamisunderstanding，\"saidHoopdriver，withsplendidreadiness。\"MysisterhadgonetoBognorButIbroughtherbackhere。I’vetookafancytothisplace。Andthemoonlight’ssimplydee—vine。\"
\"We’vehadsupper，thenks，andwe’retired，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Isupposeyouwon’ttakeanything，——Jessie？\"
Thegloryofhavingher，evenasasister！andtocallherJessielikethat！Buthecarrieditoffsplendidly，ashefelthimselfboundtoadmit。\"Good—night，Sis，\"hesaid，\"andpleasantdreams。
I’lljust’avealookatthispaperbeforeIturnin。\"Butthiswaslivingindeed！hetoldhimself。
SogallantlydidMr。HoopdrivercomporthimselfuptotheveryedgeoftheMostWonderfulDayofall。Ithadbegunearly，youwillremember，withavigilinalittlesweetstuffshopnextdoortotheAngelatMidhurst。Buttothinkofallthethingsthathadhappenedsincethen！Hecaughthimselfinthemiddleofayawn，pulledouthiswatch，sawthetimewashalfpasteleven，andmarchedoff，withafinesenseofheroism，bedward。
THESURBITONINTERLUDE
XXVI
Andhere，thankstothegloriousinstitutionofsleep，comesabreakinthenarrativeagain。Theseabsurdyoungpeoplearesafelytuckedawaynow，theirheadsfullofglowingnonsense，indeed，butthecourseofeventsatanyrateissafefromanyfreshdevelopmentsthroughtheiractivitiesforthenexteighthoursormore。Theyarebothsleepinghealthilyyouwillperhapsbeastonishedtohear。Hereisthegirl——whatgirlsarecomingtonowadaysonlyMrs。LynnLintoncantell！——incompanywithanabsolutestranger，oflowextractionanduncertainaccent，unchaperonedandunabashed;indeed，nowshefanciessheissafe，sheis，ifanything，alittleproudofherownshareinthesetransactions。ThenthisMr。Hoopdriverofyours，roseateidiotthatheis！isinillegalpossessionofastolenbicycle，astolenyounglady，andtwostolennames，establishedwiththeminanhotelthatisquitebeyondhismeans，andimmenselyproudofhimselfinasomnolentwayfortheseincomparablefollies。Thereareoccasionswhenamoralisingnovelistcanmerelywringhishandsandleavematterstotaketheircourse。ForallHoopdriverknowsorcareshemaybelockeduptheveryfirstthingto—morrowmorningfortherapeofthecycle。TheninBognor，letalonethatmelancholyvestige，Bechamel（withwhomourdealingsare，thankGoodness！over），thereisaCoffeeTavernwithasteakMr。
Hoopdriverordered，donetoacinderlongago，hisAmerican—clothparcelinabedroom，andhisownproperbicycle，bywayofguarantee，carefullylockedupinthehayloft。To—morrowhewillbeaMystery，andtheywillbelookingforhisbodyalongtheseafront。AndsofarwehavenevergivenaglanceatthedesolatehomeinSurbiton，familiartoyounodoubtthroughthemediumofillustratedinterviews，wheretheunhappystepmother——
Thatstepmother，itmustbeexplained，isquitewellknowntoyou。ThatisalittlesurpriseIhavepreparedforyou。Sheis’ThomasPlantagenet，’thegiftedauthoressofthatwittyanddaringbook，\"ASoulUntrammelled，\"andquiteanexcellentwomaninherway，——onlyitissuchacrookedway。HerrealnameisMilton。Sheisawidowandacharmingone，onlytenyearsolderthanJessie，andsheisalwayscarefultodedicatehermoredaringworkstothe’sacredmemoryofmyhusband’toshowthatthere’snothingpersonal，youknow，inthematter。Consideringherliteraryreputation（shewasalwaysspeakingofherselfasoneImartyredfortruth，’becausethecriticsadvertisedherwrittenindecorumsincolumnlong’slates’），——consideringherliteraryreputation，Isay，shewasoneofthemostrespectablewomenitispossibletoimagine。Shefurnishedcorrectly，dressedcorrectly，hadseverenotionsofwhomshemightmeet，wenttochurch，andevenattimestookthesacramentinsomeesotericspirit。AndJessieshebroughtupsocarefullythatsheneverevenletherread\"ASoulUntrammelled。\"Which，therefore，naturallyenough，Jessiedid，andwentonfromthattoafeastofadvancedliterature。Mrs。MiltonnotonlybroughtupJessiecarefully，butveryslowly，sothatatseventeenshewasstillacleverschoolgirl（asyouhaveseenher）andquiteinthebackgroundofthelittleliterarycircleofunimportantcelebritieswhich’ThomasPlantagenet’adorned。Mrs。MiltonknewBechamel’sreputationofbeingadangerousman;butthenbadmenarenotbadwomen，andshelethimcometoherhousetoshowshewasnotafraid——shetooknoaccountofJessie。Whentheelopementcame，therefore，itwasadoubledisappointmenttoher，forsheperceivedhishandbyakindofinstinct。Shedidthecorrectthing。Thecorrectthing，asyouknow，istotakehansomcabs，regardlessofexpense，andweepandsayyoudonotknowWHATtodo，roundthecircleofyourconfidentialfriends。ShecouldnothaveriddennorweptmorehadJessiebeenherowndaughter——sheshowedtheproperestspirit。Andshenotonlyshowedit，butfeltit。
Mrs。Milton，asasuccessfullittleauthoressandstillmoresuccessfulwidowofthirty—two，——\"ThomasPlantagenetisacharmingwoman，\"herreviewersusedtowriteinvariably，eveniftheyspokeillofher，——foundthesteadygrowthofJessieintowomanhoodanunmitigatednuisanceandhadbeenwillingenoughtokeepherinthebackground。AndJessie——whohadstartedthisintercourseatfourteenwithabstractobjectionstostepmothers——hadbeenactiveenoughinresentingthis。Increasingrivalryandantagonismhadsprungupbetweenthem，untiltheycouldengenderquiteavividhatredfromadroppedhairpinorthecuttingofabookwithasharpenedknife。Thereisverylittledeliberatewickednessintheworld。Thestupidityofourselfishnessgivesmuchthesameresultsindeed，butintheethicallaboratoryitshowsadifferentnature。Andwhenthedisastercame，Mrs。Milton’sremorsefortheirgraduallossofsympathyandhershareinthelosingofit，wasgenuineenough。
Youmayimaginethecomfortshegotfromherfriends，andhowWestKensingtonandNottingHillandHampstead，theliterarysuburbs，thosedecentpenitentiariesofaonceBohemiancalling，hummedwiththebusiness，Her’Men’——asacharmingliteraryladyshehad，ofcourse，anorganisedcorps——wereimmenselyexcited，andweresympathetic;helpfullyenergetic，suggestive，alert，astheiridealsoftheirvariousdispositionsrequiredthemtobe。
\"AnynewsofJessie？\"wasthepatheticopeningofadozenmelancholybutinterestingconversations。ToherMenshewasnotperhapssodampasshewastoherwomenfriends，butinaquietwayshewasevenmoretouching。Forthreedays，Wednesdaythatis，Thursday，andFriday，nothingwasheardofthefugitives。ItwasknownthatJessie，wearingapatentcostumewithbuttonupskirts，andmountedonadiamondframesafetywithDunlops，andaloofahcoveredsaddle，hadriddenforthearlyinthemorning，takingwithherabouttwopoundssevenshillingsinmoney，andagreytouringcasepacked，andthere，saveforabriefnotetoherstepmother，——adeclarationofindependence，itwassaid，anassertionofherEgocontainingextensiveandveryannoyingquotationsfrom\"ASoulUntrammelled，\"andgivingnodefiniteintimationofherplans——knowledgeceased。Thatnotewasshowntofew，andthenonlyinthestrictestconfidence。
ButonFridayeveninglatecameabreathlessManFriend，Widgery，acorrespondentofhers，whohadheardofhertroubleamongthefirst。HehadbeentouringinSussex，——hisknapsackwasstillonhisback，——andhetestifiedhurriedlythatataplacecalledMidhurst，inthebarofanhotelcalledtheAngel，hehadheardfromabarmaidavividaccountofaYoungLadyinGrey。
Descriptionstallied。Butwhowasthemaninbrown？\"Thepoor，misguidedgirl！Imustgotoheratonce，\"shesaid，choking，andrisingwithherhandtoherheart。
\"It’simpossibleto—night。Therearenomoretrains。Ilookedonmyway。\"
\"Amother’slove，\"shesaid。\"IbearherTHAT。\"
\"Iknowyoudo。\"Hespokewithfeeling，fornooneadmiredhisphotographsofscenerymorethanMrs。Milton。\"it’smorethanshedeserves。\"
\"Oh，don’tspeakunkindlyofher！Shehasbeenmisled。\"
Itwasreallyveryfriendlyofhim。Hedeclaredhewasonlysorryhisnewsendedthere。Shouldhefollowthem，andbringherback？
Hehadcometoherbecauseheknewofheranxiety。\"ItisGOODofyou，\"shesaid，andquiteinstinctivelytookandpressedhishand。\"Andtothinkofthatpoorgirl——tonight！It’sdreadful。\"
Shelookedintothefirethatshehadlitwhenhecamein，thewarmlightfelluponherdarkpurpledress，andleftherfeaturesinawarmshadow。Shelookedsuchaslight，frailthingtobetroubledso。\"Wemustfollowher。\"Herresolutionseemedmagnificent。\"Ihavenoonetogowithme。\"
\"Hemustmarryher，\"saidtheman。
\"Shehasnofriends。Wehavenoone。Afterall——Twowomen。——Sohelpless。\"
Andthisfair—hairedlittlefigurewasthewomanthatpeoplewhoknewheronlyfromherbooks，calledbold，prurienteven！Simplybecauseshewasgreat—hearted——intellectual。Hewasovercomebytheunspeakablepathosofherposition。
\"Mrs。Milton，\"hesaid。\"Hetty！\"
Sheglancedathim。Theoverflowwasimminent。\"Notnow，\"shesaid，\"notnow。Imustfindherfirst。\"
\"Yes，\"hesaidwithintenseemotion。（Hewasoneofthosebig，fatmenwhofeeldeeply。）\"Butletmehelpyou。Atleastletmehelpyou。\"
\"Butcanyousparetime？\"shesaid。\"ForME。\"
\"Foryou——\"
\"ButwhatcanIdo？whatcanWEdo？\"
\"GotoMidhurst。Followheron。Traceher。ShewasthereonThursdaynight，lastnight。Shecycledoutofthetown。Courage！\"
hesaid。\"Wewillsaveheryet！\"
Sheputoutherhandandpressedhisagain。
\"Courage！\"herepeated，findingitsowellreceived。
Therewerealarmsandexcursionswithout。Sheturnedherbacktothefire，andhesatdownsuddenlyinthebigarmchair，whichsuitedhisdimensionsadmirably。Thenthedooropened，andthegirlshowedinDangle，wholookedcuriouslyfromonetotheother。Therewasemotionhere，hehadheardthearmchaircreaking，andMrs。Milton，whosefacewasflushed，displayedasuspiciousalacritytoexplain。\"You，too，\"shesaid，\"areoneofmygoodfriends。Andwehavenewsofheratlast。\"
ItwasdecidedlyanadvantagetoWidgery，butDangledeterminedtoshowhimselfamanofresource。Intheendhe，too，wasacceptedfortheMidhurstExpedition，totheintensedisgustofWidgery;andyoungPhipps，acallowyouthoffewwords，faultlesscollars，andferventdevotion，wasalsoenrolledbeforetheeveningwasout。Theywouldscourthecountry，allthreeofthem。
Sheappearedtobrightenupalittle，butitwasevidentshewasprofoundlytouched。Shedidnotknowwhatshehaddonetomeritsuchfriends。Hervoicebrokealittle，shemovedtowardsthedoor，andyoungPhipps，whowasayouthofactionratherthanofwords，sprangandopenedit——proudtobefirst。
\"Sheissorelytroubled，\"saidDangletoWidgery。\"Wemustdowhatwecanforher。\"
\"Sheisawonderfulwoman，\"saidDangle。\"Sosubtle，sointricate，somanyfaceted。Shefeelsthisdeeply。\"
YoungPhippssaidnothing，buthefeltthemore。
Andyettheysaytheageofchivalryisdead！
ButthisisonlyanInterlude，introducedtogiveourwandererstimetorefreshthemselvesbygood，honestsleeping。Forthepresent，therefore，wewillnotconcernourselveswiththestartingoftheRescueParty，norwithMrs。Milton’ssimplebutbecominggreydress，withthehealthyWidgery’sNorfolkjacketandthickboots，withtheslenderDangle’senergeticbearing，norwiththewonderfulchequeringsthatsetoffthelegsofthegolf—suitedPhipps。Theyareafterus。Inalittlewhiletheywillbeuponus。YoumustimagineasyoubestcanthecompetitiveraidingsatMidhurstofWidgery，Dangle，andPhipps。HowWidgerywasgreatatquestions，andDanglegoodatinference，andPhippssoconspicuouslyinferiorineverythingthathefeltit，andsulkedwithMrs。Miltonmostoftheday，afterthemannerofyourcallowyouththewholeworldover。Mrs。MiltonstoppedattheAngelandwasverysadandcharmingandintelligent，andWidgerypaidthebill。intheafternoonofSaturday，Chichesterwasattained。Butbythattimeourfugitives——Asyoushallimmediatelyhear。
THEAWAKENINGOFMR。HOOPDRIVER
XXVII
Mr。Hoopdriverstirredonhispillow，openedhiseyes，and，staringunmeaningly，yawned。Thebedclothesweresoftandpleasant。Heturnedthepeakednosethatoverridestheinsufficientmoustache，uptotheceiling，apinkishprojectionoverthebillowofwhite。Youmightseeitwrinkleasheyawnedagain，andthenbecamequiet。Somattersremainedforaspace。
Veryslowlyrecollectionreturnedtohim。Thenashockofindeterminatebrownhairappeared，andfirstonewaterygreyeyea—wondering，andthentwo;thebedupheaved，andyouhadhim，histhinneckprojectingabruptlyfromtheclothesheheldabouthim，hisfacestaringabouttheroom。Heheldtheclothesabouthim，IhopeImayexplain，becausehisnight—shirtwasatBognorinanAmerican—clothpacket，derelict。Heyawnedathirdtime，rubbedhiseyes，smackedhislips。Hewasrecallingalmosteverythingnow。Thepursuit，thehotel，thetremulousdaringofhisentry，theswiftadventureoftheinnyard，themoonlight——Abruptlyhethrewtheclothesbackandroseintoasittingpositionontheedgeofthebed。Withoutwasthenoiseofshuttersbeingunfastenedanddoorsunlocked，andthepassingofhoofsandwheelsinthestreet。Helookedathiswatch。Half—pastsix。Hesurveyedthesumptuousroomagain。
\"Lord！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Itwasn’tadream，afterall。\"
\"IwonderwhattheychargefortheseJuicedrooms！\"saidMr。
Hoopdriver，nursingonerosyfoot。
Hebecamemeditative，tuggingathisinsufficientmoustache。
Suddenlyhegaveventtoanoiselesslaugh。\"Whatarushitwas！
Rushedinandoffwithhisgirlrightunderhisnose。Planneditwelltoo。Talkofhighwayrobbery！TalkofbrigandsUpandoff！
HowjuicedSOLDhemustbefeelingItwasashavetoo——inthecoachyard！\"
Suddenlyhebecamesilent。Abruptlyhiseyebrowsroseandhisjawfell。\"Isa—a—ay！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
Hehadneverthoughtofitbefore。Perhapsyouwillunderstandthewhirlhehadbeeninovernight。Butoneseesthingsclearerinthedaylight。\"I’mhangedifIhaven’tbeenandstolenablessedbicycle。\"
\"Whocares？\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，presently，andhisfacesuppliedtheanswer。
ThenhethoughtoftheYoungLadyinGreyagain，andtriedtoputamoreheroiccomplexiononthebusiness。Butofanearlymorning，onanemptystomach（aswithcharacteristiccoarseness，medicalmenputit）heroicsareofamoredifficultgrowththanbymoonlight。Everythinghadseemedexceptionallyfineandbrilliant，butquitenatural，theeveningbefore。
Mr。Hoopdriverreachedouthishand，tookhisNorfolkjacket，laiditoverhisknees，andtookoutthemoneyfromthelittleticketpocket。\"Fourteenandsix—half，\"hesaid，holdingthecoinsinhislefthandandstrokinghischinwithhisright。Heverified，bypatting，thepresenceofapocketbookinthebreastpocket。\"Five，fourteen，six—half，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Left。\"
WiththeNorfolkjacketstillonhisknees，heplungedintoanothersilentmeditation。\"Thatwouldn’tmatter，\"hesaid。\"It’sthebike’sthebother。
\"NogoodgoingbacktoBognor。
\"Mightsenditbackbycarrier，ofcourse。Thankinghimfortheloan。Havingnofurtheruse——\"Mr。Hoopdriverchuckledandlapsedintothesilentconcoctionofadelightfullyimpudentletter。
\"Mr。J。Hoopdriverpresentshiscompliments。\"Butthegravenotereasserteditself。
\"Mighttrundlebackthereinanhour，ofcourse，andexchangethem。MYoldcrock’ssoblessedshabby。He’ssuretobespitefultoo。Havemerunin，perhaps。Thenshe’dbeinjustthesameoldfix，onlyworse。Yousee，I’mherKnight—errant。Itcomplicatesthingsso。\"
Hiseye，wanderingloosely，restedonthespongebath。\"Whatthejuicedotheywantwithcreampansinabedroom？\"saidMr。
Hoopdriver，enpassant。
\"Bestthingwecandoistosetoutofhereassoonaspossible，anyhow。Isupposeshe’llgohometoherfriends。Thatbicycleisajuicynuisance，anyhow。Juicynuisance！\"
Hejumpedtohisfeetwithasuddenawakeningofenergy，toproceedwithhistoilet。ThenwithacertainhorrorherememberedthatthesimplenecessariesofthatprocesswereatBognor！\"Lord！\"heremarked，andwhistledsilentlyforaspace。
\"Rummygo！profitandloss;profit，onesisterwithbicyclecomplete，wotoffers？——cheapfortoothand’airbrush，vests，night—shirt，stockings，andsundries。
\"Makethebestofit，\"andpresently，whenitcametohair—brushing，hehadtosmoothhistroubledlockswithhishands。Itwasapoorresult。\"Sneakoutandgetashave，I
suppose，andbuyabrushandsoon。Chinkagain！Bearddon’tshowmuch。\"
Heranhishandoverhischin，lookedathimselfsteadfastlyforsometime，andcurledhisinsufficientmoustacheupwithsomecare。Thenhefella—meditatingonhisbeauty。Heconsideredhimself，three—quarterface，leftandright。Anexpressionofdistastecreptoverhisfeatures。\"Lookingwon’talterit，Hoopdriver，\"heremarked。\"You’reaweedycustomer，myman。
Shouldersnarrow。Skimpy，anyhow。\"
Heputhisknucklesonthetoilettableandregardedhimselfwithhischinliftedintheair。\"GoodLord！\"hesaid。\"WHATaneck！
WonderwhyIgotsuchathunderinglumpthere。\"
Hesatdownonthebed，hiseyestillontheglass。\"IfI’dbeenexercisedproperly，ifI’dbeenfedreasonable，ifIhadn’tbeenshovedoutofasillyschoolintoasillyshop——Butthere！theoldfolksdidn’tknownobetter。Theschoolmasteroughttohave。
Buthedidn’t，pooroldfool！——Still，whenitcomestomeetingagirllikethis——It’s’ARD。
\"IwonderwhatAdam’dthinkofme——asaspecimen。Civilisation，eigh？Heiroftheages！I’mnothing。Iknownothing。Ican’tdoanything——sketchabit。Whywasn’tImadeanartist？
\"Beastlycheap，afterall，thissuitdoeslook，inthesunshine。\"
\"Nogood，Hoopdriver。Anyhow，youdon’ttellyourselfanyliesaboutit。Loversain’tyourgame，——anyway。Butthere’sotherthingsyet。Youcanhelptheyounglady，andyouwill——Isupposeshe’llbegoinghome——Andthatbusinessofthebicycle’stoseeto，too，myman。FORWARD，Hoopdriver！Ifyouain’tabeauty，that’snoreasonwhyyoushouldstopandbecopped，isit？\"
Andhavinggotbackinthiswaytoagloomykindofself—satisfaction，hehadanotherattemptathishairpreparatorytoleavinghisroomandhurryingonbreakfast，foranearlydeparture。WhilebreakfastwaspreparinghewanderedoutintoSouthStreetandrefurnishedhimselfwiththeelementsofluggageagain。\"Noexpensetobespared，\"hemurmured，disgorgingthehalf—sovereign。
THEDEPARTUREFROMCHICHESTER
XXVIII
Hecausedhis’sister’tobecalledrepeatedly，andwhenshecamedown，explainedwithahumoroussmilehislegalrelationshiptothebicycleintheyard。\"Mightbedisagreeable，y’know。\"Hisanxietywasobviousenough。\"Verywell，\"shesaid（quitefriendly）;\"hurrybreakfast，andwe’llrideout。Iwanttotalkthingsoverwithyou。\"Thegirlseemedmorebeautifulthaneverafterthenight’ssleep;herhairincomelydarkwavesfromherforehead，herungauntletedfinger—tipspinkandcool。Andhowdecidedshewas！Breakfastwasanervousceremony，conversationfraternalbutthin;thewaiteroverawedhim，andhewascowedbyamultiplicityofforks。Butshecalledhim\"Chris。\"Theydiscussedtheirrouteoverhissixpennycountymapforthesakeoftalking，butavoidedadecisioninthepresenceoftheattendant。Thefive—poundnotewaschangedforthebill，andthroughHoopdriver’sdeterminationtobequitethegentleman，thewaiterandchambermaidgothalfacrowneachandtheostleraflorin。\"’Olidays，\"saidtheostlertohimself，withoutgratitude。Thepublicmountingofthebicyclesinthestreetwasamomentoftrepidation。Apolicemanactuallystoppedandwatchedthemfromtheoppositekerb。Supposehimtocomeacrossandask：
\"Isthatyourbicycle，sir？\"Fight？Ordropitandrun？Itwasatimeofbewilderingapprehension，too，goingthroughthestreetsofthetown，sothatamilkcartbarelyescapeddestructionunderMr。Hoopdriver’schancywheel。Thatrecalledhimtoasenseoferraticsteering，andhepulledhimselftogether。Inthelaneshebreathedfreer，andalessformalconversationpresentlybegan。
\"You’veriddenoutofChichesterinagreathurry，\"saidJessie。
\"Well，thefactofitis，I’mworried，justalittlebit。Aboutthismachine。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"shesaid。\"Ihadforgottenthat。Butwherearewegoing？\"
\"Jestaturningortwomore，ifyoudon’tmind，\"saidHoopdriver。
\"Jestamileorso。Ihavetothinkofyou，youknow。Ishouldfeelmoreeasy。Ifwewaslockedup，youknow——NotthatIshouldmindonmyownaccount——\"
Theyrodewithastreaky，greyseacomingandgoingontheirlefthand。EverymiletheyputbetweenthemselvesandChichesterMr。
Hoopdriverfeltalittlelessconscience—stricken，andalittlemoreofthegallantdesperado。HerehewasridingonasplendidmachinewithaSlap—upgirlbesidehim。WhatwouldtheythinkofitintheEmporiumifanyofthemweretoseehim？HeimaginedindetailtheastonishmentofMissIsaacsandofMissHowe。\"Why！
It’sMr。Hoopdriver，\"MissIsaacswouldsay。\"Never！\"
emphaticallyfromMissHowe。ThenheplayedwithBriggs，andthentriedthe’G。V。’inashay。\"Fancyintroducing’emtoher——Mysisterprotem。\"HewasherbrotherChris——Chriswhat？——Confoundit！Harringon，Hartington——somethinglikethat。Havetokeepoffthattopicuntilhecouldremember。Wishhe’dtoldherthetruthnow——almost。Heglancedather。Shewasridingwithhereyesstraightaheadofher。Thinking。Alittleperplexed，perhaps，sheseemed。Henoticedhowwellsherodeandthatsherodewithherlipsclosed——athinghecouldnevermanage。
Mr。Hoopdriver’smindcameroundtothefuture。Whatwasshegoingtodo？Whatweretheybothgoingtodo？Histhoughtstookagravercolour。Hehadrescuedher。Thiswasfine，manlyrescueworkhewasengagedupon。Sheoughttogohome，inspiteofthatstepmother。Hemustinsistgravelybutfirmlyuponthat。Shewasthespiritedsort，ofcourse，butstill——Wonderifshehadanymoney？Wonderwhatthesecond—classfarefromHavanttoLondonis？Ofcoursehewouldhavetopaythat——itwastheregularthing，hebeingagentleman。Thenshouldhetakeherhome？Hebegantoroughinamovingsketchofthereturn。Thestepmother，repentantofherindescribablecruelties，wouldbepresent，——eventheserichpeoplehavetheirtroubles，——probablyanuncleortwo。
Thefootmanwouldannounce，Mr。——（botherthatname！）andMissMilton。Thentwowomenweepingtogether，andaknightlyfigureinthebackgrounddressedinahandsomeNorfolkjacket，stillconspicuouslynew。Hewouldconcealhisfeelinguntiltheveryend。Then，leaving，hewouldpauseinthedoorwayinsuchanattitudeasMr。GeorgeAlexandermightassume，andsay，slowlyanddwindlingly：\"Bekindtoher——BEkindtoher，\"andsodepart，heartbrokentothemeanestintelligence。Butthatwasamatterforthefuture。Hewouldhavetobegindiscussingthereturnsoon。Therewasnotrafficalongtheroad，andhecameupbesideher（hehadfallenbehindinhismusing）。Shebegantotalk。\"Mr。
Denison，\"shebegan，andthen，doubtfully，\"Thatisyourname？
I’mverystupid——\"
\"Itis，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。（Denison，wasit？Denison，Denison，Denison。Whatwasshesaying？）
\"Iwonderhowfaryouarewillingtohelpme？\"Confoundedlyhardtoansweraquestionlikethatonthespurofthemoment，withoutsteeringwildly。\"Youmayrely——\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，recoveringfromaviolentwabble。\"Icanassureyou——Iwanttohelpyouverymuch。Don’tconsidermeatall。Leastways，considermeentirelyatyourservice。\"（Nuisancenottobeabletosaythiskindofthingright。）
\"Yousee，Iamsoawkwardlysituated。\"
\"IfIcanonlyhelpyou——youwillmakemeveryhappy——\"Therewasapause。Roundabendintheroadtheycameuponagrassyspacebetweenhedgeandroad，setwithyarrowandmeadowsweet，whereafelledtreelayamongthegreen。Thereshedismounted，andproppinghermachineagainstastone，satdown。\"Here，wecantalk，\"shesaid。
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，expectant。
Sheansweredafteralittlewhile，sitting，elbowonknee，withherchininherhand，andlookingstraightinfrontofher。\"I
don’tknow——IamresolvedtoLivemyOwnLife。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Naturally。\"
\"IwanttoLive，andIwanttoseewhatlifemeans。Iwanttolearn。Everyoneishurryingme，everythingishurryingme;Iwanttimetothink。\"
Mr。Hoopdriverwaspuzzled，butadmiring。Itwaswonderfulhowclearandreadyherwordswere。Butthenonemightspeakwellwithathroatandlipslikethat。Heknewhewasinadequate，buthetriedtomeettheoccasion。\"Ifyouletthemrushyouintoanythingyoumightrepentof，ofcourseyou’dbeverysilly。\"
\"Don’tYOUwanttolearn？\"sheasked。
\"Iwaswonderingonlythismorning，\"hebegan，andstopped。
Shewastoointentuponherownthoughtstonoticethisinsufficiency。\"Ifindmyselfinlife，anditterrifiesme。I
seemtobelikealittlespeck，whirlingonawheel，suddenlycaughtup。’WhatamIherefor？’Iask。Simplytobehereatatime——Iaskeditaweekago，Iaskedityesterday，andIaskitto—day。Andlittlethingshappenandthedayspass。Mystepmothertakesmeshopping，peoplecometotea，thereisanewplaytopassthetime，oraconcert，oranovel。Thewheelsoftheworldgoonturning，turning。Itishorrible。IwanttodoamiraclelikeJoshuaandstopthewhirluntilIhavefoughtitout。Athome——It’simpossible。\"
Mr。Hoopdriverstrokedhismoustache。\"ItISso，\"hesaidinameditativetone。\"ThingsWILLgoon，\"hesaid。Thefaintbreathofsummerstirredthetrees，andabunchofdandelionpuffliftedamongthemeadowsweetandstruckandbrokeintoadozenseparatethreadsagainsthisknee。Theyflewonapart，andsank，asthebreezefell，amongthegrass：sometogerminate，sometoperish。
Hiseyefollowedthemuntiltheyhadvanished。
\"Ican’tgobacktoSurbiton，\"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey。
\"EIGH？\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，catchingathismoustache。Thiswasanunexpecteddevelopment。
\"Iwanttowrite，yousee，\"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey，\"towriteBooksandalterthings。TodoGood。IwanttoleadaFreeLifeandOwnmyself。Ican’tgoback。Iwanttoobtainapositionasajournalist。Ihavebeentold——ButIknownoonetohelpmeatonce。NoonethatIcouldgoto。Thereisoneperson——Shewasamistressatmyschool。IfIcouldwritetoher——Butthen，howcouldIgetheranswer？\"
\"H’mp，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，verygrave。
\"Ican’ttroubleyoumuchmore。Youhavecome——youhaveriskedthings——\"
\"Thatdon’tcount，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"It’sdoublepaytoletmedoit，sotospeak。\"
\"Itisgoodofyoutosaythat。SurbitonissoConventional。IamresolvedtobeUnconventional——atanycost。Butwearesohampered。IfIcouldonlyburgeonoutofallthathindersme！I
wanttostruggle，totakemyplaceintheworld。Iwanttobemyownmistress，toshapemyowncareer。Butmystepmotherobjectsso。Shedoesasshelikesherself，andisstrictwithmetoeaseherconscience。AndifIgobacknow，gobackowningmyselfbeaten——\"Shelefttheresttohisimagination。
\"Iseethat，\"agreedMr。Hoopdriver。HeMUSThelpher。Withinhisskullhewasdoingsomeintricatearithmeticwithfivepoundssixandtwopence。InsomevaguewayheinferredfromallthisthatJessiewastryingtoescapefromanundesirablemarriage，butwassayingthesethingsoutofmodesty。Hiscircleofideaswassolimited。
\"Youknow，Mr。——I’veforgottenyournameagain。\"
Mr。Hoopdriverseemedlostinabstraction。\"Youcan’tgobackofcourse，quitelikethat，\"hesaidthoughtfully。Hisearswaxedsuddenlyredandhischeeksflushed。
\"ButwhatISyourname？\"
\"Name！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Why！——Benson，ofcourse。\"
\"Mr。Benson——yesit’sreallyverystupidofme。ButIcanneverremembernames。Imustmakeanoteonmycuff。\"Sheclickedalittlesilverpencilandwrotethenamedown。\"IfIcouldwritetomyfriend。Ibelieveshewouldbeabletohelpmetoanindependentlife。Icouldwritetoher——ortelegraph。Write，I
think。Icouldscarcelyexplaininatelegram。Iknowshewouldhelpme。\"
Clearlytherewasonlyonecourseopentoagentlemanunderthecircumstances。\"Inthatcase，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，\"ifyoudon’tmindtrustingyourselftoastranger，wemightcontinueasweareperhaps。Foradayorso。Untilyouheard。\"（Supposethirtyshillingsaday，thatgivesfourdays，sayfourthirtiesishun’
andtwenty，sixquid，——well，threedays，say;fourten。）
\"Youareverygoodtome。\"
Hisexpressionwaseloquent。
\"Verywell，then，andthankyou。It’swonderful——it’smorethanI
deservethatyou——\"Shedroppedthethemeabruptly。\"WhatwasourbillatChichester？\"
\"Eigh？\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，feigningacertainstupidity。Therewasabriefdiscussion。Secretlyhewasdelightedatherinsistenceinpaying。Shecarriedherpoint。Theirtalkcameroundtotheirimmediateplansfortheday。Theydecidedtorideeasily，throughHavant，andstop，perhaps，atFarehamorSouthampton。Forthepreviousdayhadtriedthemboth。Holdingthemapextendedonhisknee，Mr。Hoopdriver’seyefellbychanceonthebicycleathisfeet。\"Thatbicycle，\"heremarked，quiteirrelevantly，\"wouldn’tlookthesamemachineifIgotabig，doubleElaruminsteadofthatlittlebell。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Jestathought。\"Apause。
\"Verywell，then，——Havantandlunch，\"saidJessie，rising。
\"Iwish，somehow，wecouldhavemanageditwithoutstealingthatmachine，\"saidHoopdriver。\"BecauseitISstealingit，youknow，cometothinkofit。\"
\"Nonsense。IfMr。Bechameltroublesyou——Iwilltellthewholeworld——ifneedbe。\"
\"Ibelieveyouwould，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，admiringher。\"You’repluckyenough——goodnessknows。\"
Discoveringsuddenlythatshewasstanding，he，too，roseandpickeduphermachine。Shetookitandwheeleditintotheroad。
Thenhetookhisown。Hepaused，regardingit。\"Isay！\"saidhe。
\"How’dthisbikelook，now，ifitwasenamelledgrey？\"Shelookedoverhershoulderathisgraveface。\"Whytryandhideitinthatway？\"
\"Itwasjestapassingthought，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，airily。
\"Didn’tMEANanything，youknow。\"
AstheywereridingontoHavantitoccurredtoMr。Hoopdriverinatransitorymannerthattheinterviewhadbeenquiteotherthanhisexpectation。ButthatwasthewaywitheverythinginMr。
Hoopdriver’sexperience。AndthoughhisWisdomlookedgravewithinhim，andCautionwaschinkingcoins，andanancientprejudiceinfavourofPropertyshookherhead，somethingelsewastheretoo，shoutinginhismindtodrownallthesesanerconsiderations，theintoxicatingthoughtofridingbesideHerallto—day，allto—morrow，perhapsforotherdaysafterthat。Oftalkingtoherfamiliarly，beingbrotherofallherslenderstrengthandfreshness，ofhavingagolden，real，andwonderfultimebeyondallhisimaginings。Hisoldfamiliarfancyingsgaveplacetoanticipationsasimpalpableandfluctuatingandbeautifulasthesunsetofasummerday。
AtHavanthetookanopportunitytopurchase，atsmallhairdresser’sinthemainstreet，atoothbrush，pairofnailscissors，andalittlebottleofstufftodarkenthemoustache，anarticletheshopmanintroducedtohisattention，recommendedhighly，andsoldintheexcitementoftheoccasion。
THEUNEXPECTEDANECDOTEOFTHELION
XXIX
TheyrodeontoCoshamandlunchedlightlybutexpensivelythere。
Jessiewentoutandpostedherlettertoherschoolfriend。ThenthegreenheightofPortsdownHilltemptedthem，andleavingtheirmachinesinthevillagetheyclambereduptheslopetothesilentred—brickfortthatcrownedit。ThencetheyhadaviewofPortsmouthanditsclusterofsistertowns，thecrowdednarrowsoftheharbour，theSolentandtheIsleofWightlikeabluecloudthroughthehothaze。JessiebysomemiraclehadbecomeaskirtedwomanintheCoshaminn。Mr。Hoopdriverloungedgracefullyontheturf，smokedaRedHerringcigarette，andlazilyregardedthefortifiedtownsthatspreadlikeamapawaythere，theinnerlineofdefenceliketoyfortifications，amileoffperhaps;andbeyondthatafewlittlefieldsandthenthebeginningsofLandportsuburbandthesmokyclusterofthemultitudinoushouses。TotherightattheheadoftheharbourshallowsthetownofPorchesterroseamongthetrees。Mr。
Hoopdriver’sanxietyrecededtosomeremotecornerofhisbrainandthatfloridhalf—voluntaryimaginationofhissharedthestagewiththeimageofJessie。Hebegantospeculateontheimpressionhewascreating。Hetookstockofhissuitinamoreoptimisticspirit，andreviewed，withsomecomplacency，hisactionsforthelastfourandtwentyhours。Thenhewasdashedatthethoughtofherinfiniteperfections。
Shehadbeenobservinghimquietly，rathermorecloselyduringthelasthourorso。Shedidnotlookathimdirectlybecauseheseemedalwayslookingather。Herowntroubleshadquieteddownalittle，andhercuriosityaboutthechivalrous，worshipping，butsingulargentlemaninbrown，wasawakening。Shehadrecalled，too，thecuriousincidentoftheirfirstencounter。Shefoundhimhardtoexplaintoherself。Youmustunderstandthatherknowledgeoftheworldwasratherlessthannothing，havingbeenobtainedentirelyfrombooks。Youmustnottakeacertainignoranceforfoolishness。
Shehadbegunwithafewexperiments。HedidnotknowFrenchexcept’sivverplay，’aphraseheseemedtoregardasaverygoodlighttablejokeinitself。HisEnglishwasuncertain，butnotsuchasbooksinformedherdistinguishedthelowerclasses。Hismannersseemedtohergoodonthewhole，butatrifleover—respectfulandoutoffashion。HecalledherIMadam’once。
Heseemedapersonofmeansandleisure，butheknewnothingofrecentconcerts，theatres，orbooks。Howdidhespendhistime？
Hewascertainlychivalrous，andatriflesimpleminded。Shefancied（somuchisthereinachangeofcostume）thatshehadnevermetwithsuchamanbefore。WhatCOULDhebe？
\"Mr。Benson，\"shesaid，breakingasilencedevotedtolandscape。
Herolledoverandregardedher，chinonknuckles。
\"Atyourservice。\"
\"Doyoupaint？Areyouanartist？\"
\"Well。\"Judiciouspause。\"IshouldhardlycallmyselfaNartist。\"
youknow。IDOpaintalittle。Andsketch，youknow——skittykindofthings。\"
Hepluckedandbegantonibbleabladeofgrass。Itwasreallynotsomuchlyingashisquickimaginationthatpromptedhimtoadd，\"InPapers，youknow，andallthat。\"
\"Isee，\"saidJessie，lookingathimthoughtfully。Artistswereaveryheterogeneousclasscertainly，andgeniuseshadatrickofbeingalittleodd。Heavoidedhereyeandbithisgrass。\"I
don’tdoMUCH，youknow。\"
\"It’snotyourprofession？
\"Oh，no，\"saidHoopdriver，anxiousnowtohedge。\"Idon’tmakearegularthingofit，youknow。jestnowandthensomethingcomesintomyheadanddownitgoes。No——I’mnotaregularartist。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tpractiseanyregularprofession？Mr。Hoopdriverlookedintohereyesandsawtheirquietunsuspiciousregard。Hehadvagueideasofresumingthedetectiverole。\"It’slikethis，\"
hesaid，togaintime。\"Ihaveasortofprofession。Onlythere’sakindofreason——nothingmuch，youknow\"
\"Ibegyourpardonforcross—examiningyou。\"
\"Notrouble，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"OnlyIcan’tverywell——I
leaveittoyou，youknow。Idon’twanttomakeanymysteryofit，sofarasthatgoes。\"Shouldheplungeboldlyandbeabarrister？Thatanyhowwassomethingprettygood。Butshemightknowaboutbarristry。
\"IthinkIcouldguesswhatyouare。\"
\"Well——guess，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Youcomefromoneofthecolonies？\"
\"Dearme！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，veeringroundtothenewwind。
\"HowdidyoufindoutTHAT？\"（themanwasborninaLondonsuburb，dearReader。）
\"Iguessed，\"shesaid。
Heliftedhiseyebrowsasoneastonished，andclutchedanewpieceofgrass。
\"Youwereeducatedupcountry。\"
\"Goodagain，\"saidHoopdriver，rollingoveragainintoherelbow。
\"You’reaCLAIRVOYant。\"Hebitatthegrass，smiling。\"Whichcolonywasit？\"
\"ThatIdon’tknow。\"
\"Youmustguess，\"saidHoopdriver。
\"SouthAfrica，\"shesaid。\"IstronglyinclinetoSouthAfrica。\"
\"SouthAfrica’squitealargeplace，\"hesaid。
\"ButSouthAfricaisright？\"
\"You’rewarm，\"saidHoopdriver，\"anyhow，\"andthewhilehisimaginationwaseagerlyexploringthisnewprovince。
\"SouthAfricaISright？\"sheinsisted。
Heturnedoveragainandnodded，smilingreassuringlyintohereyes。
\"WhatmademethinkofSouthAfricawasthatnovelofOliveSchreiner’s，youknow——TheStoryofanAfricanFarm。’GregoryRoseissolikeyou。\"
\"Ineverread’TheStoryofanAfricanFarm，’\"saidHoopdriver。
\"Imust。What’shelike？\"
\"Youmustreadthebook。Butit’sawonderfulplace，withitsmixtureofraces，anditsbrand—newcivilisationjostlingtheoldsavagery。WereyounearKhama？\"
\"Hewasalongwayofffromourplace，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Wehadalittleostrichfarm，youknow——Justafewhundredof’em，outJohannesburgway。\"
\"OntheKarroo——wasitcalled？\"
\"That’stheterm。Someofitwasfreeholdthough。Luckily。Wegotalongverywellintheolddays。——Butthere’snoostrichesonthatfarmnow。\"Hehadadiamondmineinhishead，justatthemoment，buthestoppedandleftalittletothegirl’simagination。Besideswhichithadoccurredtohimwithakindofshockthathewaslying。
\"Whatbecameoftheostriches？\"
\"Wesold’emoff，whenwepartedwiththefarm。DoyoumindifI
haveanothercigarette？ThatwaswhenIwasquitealittlechap，youknow，thatwehadthisostrichfarm。\"
\"DidyouhaveBlacksandBoersaboutyou？\"
\"Lots，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，strikingamatchonhisinstepandbeginningtofeelhotatthenewresponsibilityhehadbroughtuponhimself。
\"Howinteresting！Doyouknow，I’veneverbeenoutofEnglandexcepttoParisandMentoneandSwitzerland。\"
\"Onegetstiredoftravelling（puff）afterabit，ofcourse。\"
\"YoumusttellmeaboutyourfarminSouthAfrica。Italwaysstimulatesmyimaginationtothinkoftheseplaces。Icanfancyallthetallostrichesbeingdrivenoutbyablackherd——tograze，Isuppose。Howdoostrichesfeed？\"
\"Well，\"saidHoopdriver。\"That’srathervarious。Theyhavetheirfancies，youknow。There’sfruit，ofcourse，andthatkindofthing。Andchickenfood，andsoforth。Youhavetousejudgment。\"
\"Didyoueverseealion？\"\"Theyweren’tverycommoninourdistrict，\"saidHoopdriver，quitemodestly。\"ButI’veseenthem，ofcourse。Onceortwice。\"
\"Fancyseeingalion！Weren’tyoufrightened？\"
Mr。HoopdriverwasnowthoroughlysorryhehadacceptedthatofferofSouthAfrica。HepuffedhiscigaretteandregardedtheSolentlanguidlyashesettledthefateonthatlioninhismind。
\"Iscarcelyhadtime，\"hesaid。\"Itallhappenedinaminute。\"
\"Goon，\"shesaid。
\"Iwasgoingacrosstheinnerpaddockwherethefattedostricheswere。\"
\"DidyouEATostriches，then？Ididnotknow——\"
\"Eatthem！——often。VerynicetheyAREtoo，properlystuffed。
Well，we——I，rather——wasgoingacrossthispaddock，andIsawsomethingstandingupinthemoonlightandlookingatme。\"Mr。
Hoopdriverwasinahotperspirationnow。Hisinventionseemedtohavegonelimp。\"LuckilyIhadmyfather’sgunwithme。Iwasscared，though，Icantellyou。（Puff。）IjustaimedattheendthatIthoughtwasthehead。Andletfly。（Puff。）Andoveritwent，youknow。\"
\"Dead？\"
\"ASdead。ItwasoneoftheluckiestshotsIeverfired。AndI
wasn’tmuchovernineatthetime，neither。\"
\"_I_shouldhavescreamedandrunaway。\"
\"There’ssomethingsyoucan’trunawayfrom，\"saidMr。
Hoopdriver。\"TorunwouldhavebeenDeath。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIevermetalion—killerbefore，\"sheremarked，evidentlywithaheightenedopinionofhim。
Therewasapause。Sheseemedmeditatingfurtherquestions。Mr。
