\"Amostcharmingday，sir，\"hesaid，inaringingtenor。
\"Charming，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，overaportionofpie。
\"Youare，Iperceive，cyclingthroughthisdelightfulcountry，\"
saidtheclergyman。
\"Touring，\"explainedMr。Hoopdriver。\"Icanimaginethat，withaproperlyoiledmachine，therecanbenoeasiernorpleasanterwayofseeingthecountry。\"
\"No，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver;\"itisn’thalfabad。wayofgettingabout。\"
\"Forayoungandnewlymarriedcouple，atandembicyclemustbe，Ishouldimagine，adelightfulbond。\"
\"Quiteso，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，reddeningalittle。
\"Doyourideatandem？\"
\"No——we’reseparate，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Themotionthroughtheairisindisputablyofaveryexhilaratingdescription。\"Withthatdecision，theclergymanturnedtogivehisorderstotheattendant，inafirm，authoritativevoice，foracupoftea，twogelatinelozenges，breadandbutter，salad，andpietofollow。\"ThegelatinelozengesImusthave。Irequirethemtoprecipitatethetannininmytea，\"heremarkedtotheroomatlarge，andfoldinghishands，remainedforsometimewithhischinthereon，staringfixedlyatalittlepictureoverMr。Hoopdriver’shead。
\"Imyselfamacyclist，\"saidtheclergyman，descendingsuddenlyuponMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Indeed！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，attackingthemoustache。\"Whatmachine，mayIask？\"
\"Ihaverecentlybecomepossessedofatricycle。Abicycleis，I
regrettosay，consideredtoo——howshallIputit？——flippantbymyparishioners。SoIhaveatricycle。Ihavejustbeenhaulingithither。\"
\"Hauling！\"saidJessie，surprised。
\"Withashoelace。Andpartlycarryingitonmyback。\"
Thepausewasunexpected。Jessiehadsometroublewithacrumb。
Mr。Hoopdriver’sfacepassedthroughseveralphasesofsurprise。
Thenhesawtheexplanation。\"Hadanaccident？\"
\"Icanhardlycallitanaccident。Thewheelssuddenlyrefusedtogoround。Ifoundmyselfaboutfivemilesfromherewithanabsolutelyimmobilemachine。\"
\"Ow！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，tryingtoseemintelligent，andJessieglancedatthisinsaneperson。
\"Itappears，\"saidtheclergyman，satisfiedwiththeeffecthehadcreated，\"thatmymancarefullywashedoutthebearingswithparaffin，andletthemachinedrywithoutoilingitagain。Theconsequencewasthattheybecameheatedtoaconsiderabletemperatureandjammed。Evenattheoutsetthemachineranstifflyaswellasnoisily，andI，beinginclinedtoascribethisstiffnesstomyownlassitude，merelyredoubledmyexertions。\"
\"’Otworkallround，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Youcouldscarcelyputitmoreappropriately。ItismyruleoflifetodowhateverIfindtodowithallmymight。Ibelieve，indeed，thatthebearingsbecameredhot。Finallyoneofthewheelsjammedtogether。Asidewheelitwas，sothatitsstoppagenecessitatedaninversionoftheentireapparatus，——aninversioninwhichIparticipated。\"
\"Meaning，thatyouwentover？\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，suddenlymuchamused。
\"Precisely。Andnotbrookingmydefeat，Isufferedrepeatedly。
Youmayunderstand，perhaps，anaturalimpatience。I
expostulated——playfully，ofcourse。Happilytheroadwasnotoverlooked。Finally，theentireapparatusbecamerigid，andI
abandonedtheunequalcontest。Forallpracticalpurposesthetricyclewasnobetterthanaheavychairwithoutcastors。Itwasacaseofhaulingorcarrying。\"
Theclergyman’snutrimentappearedinthedoorway。
\"Fivemiles，\"saidtheclergyman。Hebeganatoncetoeatbreadandbuttervigorously。\"Happily，\"hesaid，\"Iamaneupeptic，energeticsortofpersononprinciple。Iwouldallmenwerelikewise。\"
\"It’sthebestway，\"agreedMr。Hoopdriver，andtheconversationgaveprecedencetobreadandbutter。
\"Gelatine，\"saidtheclergyman，presently，stirringhisteathoughtfully，\"precipitatesthetannininone’steaandrendersiteasyofdigestion。\"
\"That’sausefulsortofthingtoknow，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Youarealtogetherwelcome，\"saidtheclergyman，bitinggenerouslyattwopiecesofbreadandbutterfoldedtogether。
IntheafternoonourtwowanderersrodeonataneasypacetowardsStoneyCross。Conversationlanguished，thetopicofSouthAfricabeinginabeyance。Mr。Hoopdriverwassilencedbydisagreeablethoughts。HehadchangedthelastsovereignatRingwood。Thefacthadcomeuponhimsuddenly。Nowtoolatehewasreflectinguponhisresources。TherewastwentypoundsormoreinthepostofficesavingsbankinPutney，buthisbookwaslockedupinhisboxattheAntrobusestablishment。Elsethisinfatuatedmanwouldcertainlyhavesurreptitiouslywithdrawntheentiresuminordertoprolongthesejourneyingsevenforafewdays。Asitwas，theshadowoftheendfellacrosshishappiness。
Strangelyenough，inspiteofhisanxietyandthemorning’scollapse，hewasstillinacuriousemotionalstatethatwascertainlynotmisery。Hewasforgettinghisimaginingsandposings，forgettinghimselfaltogetherinhisgrowingappreciationofhiscompanion。Themosttangibletroubleinhismindwasthenecessityofbreakingthemattertoher。
AlongstretchuphilltiredthemlongbeforeStoneyCrosswasreached，andtheydismountedandsatundertheshadeofalittleoaktree。Nearthecresttheroadloopedonitself，sothat，lookingback，itslopedbelowthemuptotherightandthencametowardsthem。Aboutthemgrewarichheatherwithstuntedoaksontheedgeofadeepditchalongtheroadside，andthisroadwassandy;belowthesteepnessofthehill，however，itwasgreyandbarredwithshadows，fortherethetreesclusteredthickandtall。Mr。Hoopdriverfumbledclumsilywithhiscigarettes。
\"There’sathingIgottotellyou，\"hesaid，tryingtobeperfectlycalm。
\"Yes？\"shesaid。
\"I’dliketojestdiscussyourplansabit，y’know。\"
\"I’mveryunsettled，\"saidJessie。\"YouarethinkingofwritingBooks？\"
\"Ordoingjournalism，orteaching，orsomethinglikethat。\"
\"Andkeepingyourselfindependentofyourstepmother？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Howlong’dittakenow，togetanythingofthatsorttodo？\"
\"Idon’tknowatall。Ibelievethereareagreatmanywomenjournalistsandsanitaryinspectors，andblack—and—whiteartists。
ButIsupposeittakestime。Women，youknow，editmostpapersnowadays，GeorgeEgertonsays。Iought，Isuppose，tocommunicatewithaliteraryagent。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidHoopdriver，\"it’sverysuitablework。Notbeingheavylikethedrapery。\"
\"There’sheavybrainlabour，youmustremember。\"
\"Thatwouldn’thurtYOU，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，turningacompliment。
\"It’slikethis，\"hesaid，endingapause。\"It’sajuicednuisancealludingtothesematters，but——wegotverylittlemoremoney。\"
HeperceivedthatJessiestarted，thoughhedidnotlookather。
\"Iwascounting，ofcourse，onyourfriend’swritingandyourbeingabletotakesomeactionto—day。\"’Takesomeaction’wasaphrasehehadlearntathislast’swop。’
\"Money，\"saidJessie。\"Ididn’tthinkofmoney。\"
\"Hullo！Here’satandembicycle，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，abruptly，andpointingwithhiscigarette。
Shelooked，andsawtwolittlefiguresemergingfromamongthetreesatthefootoftheslope。Theriderswerebowedsternlyovertheirworkandmadeagallantbutunsuccessfulattempttotaketherise。Themachinewasevidentlytoohighlygearedforhillclimbing，andpresentlytherearmostriderroseonhissaddleandhoppedoff，leavinghiscompaniontoanyfatehefoundproper。Theforemostriderwasamanunusedtosuchmachinesandapparentlyundecidedhowtodismount。Hewabbledafewyardsupthehillwithalongtailofmachinewabblingbehindhim。
Finally，hemadeanattempttojumpoffasonedoesoffasinglebicycle，hithisbootagainstthebackbone，andcollapsedheavily，fallingonhisshoulder。
Shestoodup。\"Dearme！\"shesaid。\"Ihopeheisn’thurt。\"
Thesecondriderwenttotheassistanceofthefallenman。
Hoopdriverstoodup，too。Thelank，shakymachinewasliftedupandwheeledoutoftheway，andthenthefallenrider，beingassisted，gotupslowlyandstoodrubbinghisarm。Noseriousinjuryseemedtobedonetotheman，andthecouplepresentlyturnedtheirattentiontothemachinebytheroadside。TheywerenotincyclingclothesHoopdriverobserved。OneworethegrotesqueraimentforwhichtheCockneydiscoveryofthegameofgolfseemsindirectlyblamable。Evenatthisdistancethefloppingflatnessofhiscap，thebrightbrownleatheratthetopofhiscalves，andthechequeringofhisstockingswereperceptible。Theother，therearrider，wasaslenderlittlemaningrey。
\"Amatoors，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
Jessiestoodstaring，andaveilofthoughtdroppedoverhereyes。Shenolongerregardedthetwomenwhowerenowtinkeringatthemachinedownbelowthere。
\"Howmuchhaveyou？\"shesaid。
Hethrusthisrighthandintohispocketandproducedsixcoins，countedthemwithhisleftindexfinger，andheldthemouttoher。\"Thirteenfourhalf，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Everypenny。\"
\"Ihavehalfasovereign，\"shesaid。\"Ourbillwhereverwestop——\"Thehiatuswasmoreeloquentthanmanywords。
\"Ineverthoughtofmoneycomingintostopuslikethis，\"saidJessie。
\"It’sajuicednuisance。\"
\"Money，\"saidJessie。\"Isitpossible——Surely！Conventionality！
Mayonlypeopleofmeans——LivetheirownLives？Ineverthought……\"
Pause。
\"Here’ssomemorecyclistscoming，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
Thetwomenwerebothbusywiththeirbicyclestill，butnowfromamongthetreesemergedthemassivebulkofa’MarlboroughClub’
tandem，riddenbyaslenderwomaningreyandaburlymanin？
Norfolkjacket。Followingcloseuponthiscamelankblackfigureinapiebaldstrawhat，ridingatricycleofantiquatedpatternwithtwolargewheelsinfront。Themaningreyremainedbowedoverthebicycle，withhisstomachrestingonthesaddle，buthiscompanionstoodupandaddressedsomeremarktothetricycleriders。ThenitseemedasifhepointeduphilltowhereMr。
Hoopdriverandhiscompanionstoodsidebyside。Astillodderthingfollowed;theladyingreytookoutherhandkerchief，appearedtowaveitforamoment，andthenatahastymotionfromhercompanionthewhitesignalvanished。
\"Surely，\"saidJessie，peeringunderherhand。\"It’snever——\"
Thetandemtricyclebegantoascendthehill，quarteringelaboratelyfromsidetosidetoeasetheascent。Itwasevident，fromhisheavingshouldersanddepressedhead，thattheburlygentlemanwasexertinghimself。Theclericalpersononthetricycleassumedtheshapeofanoteofinterrogation。Thenontheheelsofthisprocessioncameadogcartdrivenbyamaninabillycockhatandcontainingaladyindarkgreen。
\"Lookslikesomesortofexcursion，\"saidHoopdriver。
Jessiedidnotanswer。Shewasstillpeeringunderherhand。
\"Surely，\"shesaid。
Theclergyman’seffortswerebecomingconvulsive。Withacuriousjerkingmotion，thetricycleherodetwistedrounduponitself，andhepartlydismountedandpartlyfelloff。Heturnedhismachineuphillagainimmediatelyandbegantowheelit。Thentheburlygentlemandismounted，andwithacourtlyattentivenessassistedtheladyingreytoalight。Therewassomelittledifferenceofopinionastoassistance，shesoclearlywishedtohelppush。Finallyshegavein，andtheburlygentlemanbeganimpellingthemachineuphillbyhisownunaidedstrength。Hisfacemadeadotofbrilliantcolouramongthegreysandgreensatthefootofthehill。Thetandembicyclewasnow，itseems，repaired，andthisjoinedthetailoftheprocession，itsriderswalkingbehindthedogcart，fromwhichtheladyingreenandthedriverhadnowdescended。
\"Mr。Hoopdriver，\"saidJessie。\"Thosepeople——I’malmostsure——\"
\"Lord！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，readingtherestinherface，andheturnedtopickuphismachineatonce。Thenhedroppeditandassistedhertomount。
AtthesightofJessiemountingagainsttheskylinethepeoplecomingupthehillsuddenlybecameexcitedandendedJessie’sdoubtsatonce。Twohandkerchiefswaved，andsomeoneshouted。
Theridersofthetandembicyclebegantorunituphill，pasttheothervehicles。Butouryoungpeopledidnotwaitforfurtherdevelopmentsofthepursuit。Inanothermomenttheywereoutofsight，ridingharddownasteadyinclinetowardsStoneyCross。
Beforetheyhaddroppedamongthetreesoutofsightofthehillbrow，Jessielookedbackandsawthetandemrisingoverthecrest，withitsrearriderjusttumblingintothesaddle。
\"They’recoming，\"shesaid，andbentherheadoverherhandlesintrueprofessionalstyle。
Theywhirleddownintothevalley，overawhitebridge，andsawaheadofthemanumberofshaggylittleponiesfriskingintheroadway。Involuntarilytheyslackened。\"Shoo！\"saidMr。
Hoopdriver，andtheponieskickeduptheirheelsderisively。AtthatMr。Hoopdriverlosthistemperandchargedatthem，narrowlymissedone，andsentthemjumpingtheditchintothebrackenunderthetrees，leavingthewayclearforJessie。
Thentheroadrosequietlybutpersistently;thetreadlesgrewheavy，andMr。Hoopdriver’sbreathsoundedlikeasaw。Thetandemappeared，makingfrightfulexertions，atthefoot，whilethechasewasstillclimbing。Then，thankHeaven！acrestandastretchofupanddownroad，whoseonlydisadvantagewasitspitilessexposuretotheafternoonsun。Thetandemapparentlydismountedatthehill，anddidnotappearagainstthehotblueskyuntiltheywerealreadynearsometreesandagoodmileaway。
\"We’regaining，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withalittleNiagaraofperspirationdroppingfrombrowtocheek。\"Thathill——\"
Butthatwastheironlygleamofsuccess。Theywerebothnearlyspent。Hoopdriver，indeed，wasquitespent，andonlyafeelingofshameprolongedtheliquidationofhisbankruptphysique。Fromthatpointthetandemgraineduponthemsteadily。AttheRufusStone，itwasscarcelyahundredyardsbehind。Thenonedesperatespurt，andtheyfoundthemselvesuponasteadydownhillstretchamongthickpinewoods。Downhillnothingcanbeatahighlygearedtandembicycle。AutomaticallyMr。Hoopdriverputuphisfeet，andJessieslackenedherpace。Inanothermomenttheyheardtheswishofthefatpneumaticsbehindthem，andthetandempassedHoopdriveranddrewalongsideJessie。Hoopdriverfeltamadimpulsetocollidewiththisabominablemachineasitpassedhim。
Hisonlyconsolationwastonoticethatitsriders，ridingviolently，werequiteasdishevelledashimselfandsmotheredinsandywhitedust。
AbruptlyJessiestoppedanddismounted，andthetandemridersshotpantingpastthemdownhill。\"Brake，\"saidDangle，whowasridingbehind，andstooduponthepedals。Foramomentthevelocityofthethingincreased，andthentheysawthedustflyfromthebrake，asitcamedownonthefronttire。Dangle’srightlegflounderedintheairashecameoffintheroad。Thetandemwobbled。\"Holdit！\"criedPhippsoverhisshoulder，goingondownhill。Ican’tgetoffifyoudon’tholdit。\"Heputonthebrakeuntilthemachinestoppedalmostdead，andthenfeelingunstablebegantopedalagain。Dangleshoutedafterhim。\"Putoutyourfoot，man，\"saidDangle。
Inthiswaythetandemriderswerecarriedagoodhundredyardsormorebeyondtheirquarry。ThenPhippsrealizedhispossibilities，slackedupwiththebrake，andletthethinggooversideways，droppingontohisrightfoot。Withhisleftlegstilloverthesaddle，andstillholdingthehandles，helookedoverhisshoulderandbeganaddressinguncomplimentaryremarkstoDangle。\"Youonlythinkofyourself，\"saidPhipps，withafloridface。
\"Theyhaveforgottenus，\"saidJessie，turninghermachine。
\"Therewasaroadatthetopofthehill——toLyndhurst，\"saidHoopdriver，followingherexample。
\"It’snogood。There’sthemoney。Wemustgiveitup。ButletusgobacktothathotelatRufusStone。Idon’tseewhyweshouldbeledcaptive。\"
Sototheconsternationofthetandemriders，Jessieandhercompanionmountedandrodequietlybackupthehillagain。Astheydismountedatthehotelentrance，thetandemovertookthem，andimmediatelyafterwardsthedogcartcameintoviewinpursuit。
Danglejumpedoff。
\"MissMilton，Ibelieve，\"saidDangle，pantingandraisingadampcapfromhiswetandmattedhair。
\"ISAY，\"saidPhipps，recedinginvoluntarily。\"Don’tgodoingitagain，Dangle。HELPachap。\"
\"Oneminute，\"saidDangle，andranafterhiscolleague。
Jessieleanthermachineagainstthewall，andwentintothehotelentrance。Hoopdriverremainedinthehotelentrance，limpbutdefiant。
ATTHERUFUSSTONE
XXXVIII
HefoldedhisarmsasDangleandPhippsreturnedtowardshim。
Phippswasabashedbyhisinabilitytocopewiththetandem，whichhewasnowwheeling，butDanglewasinclinedtobequarrelsome。\"MissMilton？\"hesaidbriefly。
Mr。Hoopdriverbowedoverhisfoldedarms。
\"MissMiltonwithin？\"saidDangle。
ANDnottobedisturved，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Youareascoundrel，sir，\"saidMr。Dangle。
\"Etyourservice，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Sheawaits’erstepmother，sir。\"
Mr。Danglehesitated。\"Shewillbehereimmediately，\"hesaid。
\"Hereisherfriend，MissMergle。\"
Mr。Hoopdriverunfoldedhisarmsslowly，and，withanairofimmensecalm，thrusthishandsintohisbreechespockets。Thenwithoneofthosefatalhesitationsofhis，itoccurredtohimthatthisattitudewasmerelyvulgarlydefianthewithdrewboth，returnedoneandpulledattheinsufficientmoustachewiththeother。MissMerglecaughthiminconfusion。\"Isthistheman？\"
shesaidtoDangle，andforthwith，\"HowDAREyou，sir？Howdareyoufaceme？Thatpoorgirl！\"
\"Youwillpermitmetoobserve，\"beganMr。Hoopdriver，withasplendiddrawl，seeinghimself，forthefirsttimeinallthisbusiness，asaromanticvillain。
\"Ugh，\"saidMissMergle，unexpectedlystrikinghimaboutthemidriffwithherextendedpalms，andsendinghimstaggeringbackwardintothehallofthehotel。
\"LetmepasssaidMissMergle，intoweringindignation。\"Howdareyouresistmypassage？\"andsosweptbyhimandintothedining—room，whereinJessiehadsoughtrefuge。
AsMr。Hoopdriverstruggledforequilibriumwiththeumbrella—stand，DangleandPhipps，rousedfromtheirinertiabyMissMergle’sactivity，cameinuponherheels，Phippsleading。
\"Howdareyoupreventthatladypassing？\"saidPhipps。
Mr。Hoopdriverlookedobstinate，and，toDangle’ssense，dangerous，buthemadenoanswer。Awaiterinfullbloomappearedattheendofthepassage，guardant。\"Itismenofyourstamp，sir，\"saidPhipps，\"whodiscreditmanhood。\"
Mr。Hoopdriverthrusthishandsintohispockets。\"Whothejuiceareyou？\"shoutedMr。Hoopdriver，fiercely。
\"WhoareYOU，sir？\"retortedPhipps。\"Whoareyou？That’sthequestion。WhatareYOU，andwhatareyoudoing，wanderingatlargewithayoungladyunderage？\"
\"Don’tspeaktohim，\"saidDangle。
\"I’mnota—goingtotellallmysecretstoanyonewhocomesatme，\"saidHoopdriver。\"NotLikely。\"Andaddedfiercely，\"AndthatItellyou，sir。\"
HeandPhippsstood，legsapartandbothlookingexceedinglyfierceatoneanother，andHeavenaloneknowswhatmightnothavehappened，ifthelongclergymanhadnotappearedinthedoorway，heatedbutdeliberate。\"Petticoatedanachronism，\"saidthelongclergymaninthedoorway，apparentlystillsufferingfromtheantiquatedprejudicethatdemandedathirdwheelandablackcoatfromaclericalrider。HelookedatPhippsandHoopdriverforamoment，thenextendinghishandtowardsthelatter，hewaveditupanddownthreetimes，saying，\"Tchak，tchak，tchak，\"verydeliberatelyashedidso。Thenwithaconcluding\"Ugh！\"andagestureofrepugnancehepassedonintothedining—roomfromwhichthevoiceofMissMerglewasdistinctlyaudibleremarkingthattheweatherwasextremelyhotevenforthetimeofyear。
ThisexpressionofextremedisapprobationhadaverydemoralizingeffectuponHoopdriver，ademoralizationthatwasimmediatelycompletedbytheadventofthemassiveWidgery。
\"Isthistheman？\"saidWidgeryverygrimly，andproducingaspecialvoicefortheoccasionfromsomewheredeepinhisneck。
\"Don’thurthim！\"saidMrs。Milton，withclaspedhands。\"Howevermuchwronghehasdoneher——Noviolence！\"
\"’Owmanymoreofyou？\"saidHoopdriver，atbaybeforetheumbrellastand。\"Whereisshe？Whathashedonewithher？\"saidMrs。Milton。
\"I’mnotgoingtostandhereandbeinsultedbyalotofstrangers，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Soyouneedn’tthinkit。\"
\"Pleasedon’tworry，Mr。Hoopdriver，\"saidJessie，suddenlyappearinginthedoorofthedining—room。\"I’mhere，mother。\"Herfacewaswhite。
Mrs。Miltonsaidsomethingaboutherchild，andmadeanemotionalchargeatJessie。Theembracevanishedintothedining—room。
Widgerymovedasiftofollow，andhesitated。\"You’dbettermakeyourselfscarce，\"hesaidtoMr。Hoopdriver。
\"Ishan’tdoanythingofthekind，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withacatchingofthebreath。\"I’mheredefendingthatyounglady。\"
\"You’vedoneherenoughmischief，Ishouldthink，\"saidWidgery，suddenlywalkingtowardsthedining—room，andclosingthedoorbehindhim，leavingDangleandPhippswithHoopdriver。
\"Clear！\"saidPhipps，threateningly。
\"Ishallgoandsitoutinthegarden，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withdignity。\"ThereIshallremain。\"
\"Don’tmakearowwithhim，\"saidDangle。
AndMr。Hoopdriverretired，unassaulted，inalmostsobbingdignity。
XXXIX
Sohereistheworldwithusagain，andoursentimentalexcursionisover。InthefrontoftheRufusStoneHotelconceivearemarkablecollectionofwheeledinstruments，watchedoverbyDangleandPhippsingraveandstatelyattitudes，andbythedriverofastylishdogcartfromRingwood。Inthegardenbehind，inanattitudeofnervousprostration，Mr。Hoopdriverwasseatedonarusticseat。Throughtheopenwindowofaprivatesitting—roomcameamurmurofvoices，asofmenandwomeninconference。Occasionallysomethingthatmighthavebeenagirlishsob。
\"IfailtoseewhatstatusWidgeryhas，\"saysDangle，\"thrustinghimselfinthere。\"
\"Hetakestoomuchuponhimself，\"saidPhipps。
\"I’vebeennoticinglittlethings，yesterdayandto—day，\"saidDangle，andstopped。
\"Theywenttothecathedraltogetherintheafternoon。\"
\"Financiallyitwouldbeagoodthingforher，ofcourse，\"saidDangle，withagloomymagnanimity。
HefeltdrawntoPhippsnowbythecommontrouble，inspiteoftheman’schequeredlegs。\"Financiallyitwouldn’tbehalfbad。\"
\"He’ssodullandheavy，\"saidPhipps。
Meanwhile，within，theclergymanhad，bypromptitudeanddexterity，takenthechairandwasopeningthecaseagainsttheunfortunateJessie。Iregrettohavetosaythatmyheroinehadbeenappalledbythevisiblearrayofpublicopinionagainstherexcursion，tothepitchoftears。Shewassittingwithflushedcheeksandswimmingeyesattheendofthetableoppositetotheclergyman。Sheheldherhandkerchiefcrumpledupinherextendedhand。Mrs。Miltonsatasneartoheraspossible，andoccasionallymadelittledabswithherhandatJessie’shand，toindicateforgiveness。Theseadvanceswerenotreciprocated，whichtouchedWidgeryverymuch。Theladyingreen，MissMergle（B。
A。），satontheoppositesideneartheclergyman。Shewasthestrong—mindedschoolmistresstowhomJessiehadwritten，andwhohadimmediatelyprecipitatedthepursuituponher。ShehadpickeduptheclergymaninRingwood，andhadtoldhimeverythingforthwith，havingmethimonceataBritishAssociationmeeting。
Hehadimmediatelyconstitutedhimselfadministratoroftheentirebusiness。Widgery，havingbeenfoiledinanattempttoconducttheproceedings，stoodwithhislegswideapartinfrontofthefireplaceornament，andlookedprofoundandsympathetic。
Jessie’saccountofheradventureswasacharyoneandgivenamidstfrequentinterruptions。ShesurprisedherselfbyskilfullyomittinganyallusiontotheBechamelepisode。ShecompletelyexoneratedHoopdriverfromthechargeofbeingmorethananaccessorytoherescapade。ButpublicfeelingwasheavyagainstHoopdriver。Hernarrativewasinaccurateandsketchy，buthappilytheothersweretooanxioustopassopinionstopinherdowntoparticulars。Atlasttheyhadallthefactstheywouldpermit。
\"Mydearyounglady，\"saidtheclergyman，\"Icanonlyascribethisextravagantandregrettableexpeditionofyourstothewildestmisconceptionsofyourplaceintheworldandofyourdutiesandresponsibilities。Evennow，itseemstome，yourpresentemotionisduenotsomuchtoarealandsincerepenitenceforyourdisobedienceandfollyastoapositiveannoyanceatourmostfortunateinterference——\"
\"Notthat，\"saidMrs。Milton，inalowtone。\"Notthat。\"
\"ButWHYdidshegoofflikethis？\"saidWidgery。\"That’swhat_I_wanttoknow。\"
Jessiemadeanattempttospeak，butMrs。Miltonsaid\"Hush！\"andtheringingtenoroftheclergymanrodetriumphantlyoverthemeeting。\"Icannotunderstandthisspiritofunrestthathasseizeduponthemoreintelligentportionofthefemininecommunity。Youhadapleasanthome，amostrefinedandintelligentladyinthepositionofyourmother，tocherishandprotectyou——\"
\"IfIHADamother，\"gulpedJessie，succumbingtotheobvioussnareofself—pity，andsobbing。
\"Tocherish，protect，andadviseyou。Andyoumustneedsgooutofitallaloneintoastrangeworldofunknowndangers—\"
\"Iwantedtolearn，\"saidJessie。
\"Youwantedtolearn。MayyouneverhaveanythingtoUNlearn。\"
\"AH！\"fromMrs。Milton，verysadly。
\"Itisn’tfairforallofyoutoargueatmeatonce，\"submittedJessie，irrelevantly。
\"Aworldfullofunknowndangers，\"resumedtheclergyman。\"Yourproperplacewassurelythenaturalsurroundingsthatarepartofyou。Youhavebeenundulyinfluenced，itisonlytooapparent，byaclassofliteraturewhich，withallduerespecttodistinguishedauthoressthatshallbenameless，ImustcalltheNewWomanLiterature。Inthatdeleteriousingredientofourbookboxes——\"
\"Idon’taltogetheragreewithyouthere，\"saidMissMergle，throwingherheadbackandregardinghimfirmlythroughherspectacles，andMr。Widgerycoughed。
\"WhatHASallthistodowithme？\"askedJessie，availingherselfoftheinterruption。
\"Thepointis，\"saidMrs。Milton，onherdefence，\"thatinmybooks——\"
\"AllIwanttodo，\"saidJessie，\"istogoaboutfreelybymyself。GirlsdosoinAmerica。Whynothere？\"
\"SocialconditionsareentirelydifferentinAmerica，\"saidMissMergle。\"HerewerespectClassDistinctions。\"
\"It’sveryunfortunate。WhatIwanttoknowis，whyIcannotgoawayforaholidayifIwantto。\"
\"Withastrangeyoungman，sociallyyourinferior，\"saidWidgery，andmadeherflushbyhistone。
\"Whynot？\"shesaid。\"Withanybody。\"
\"Theydon’tdothat，eveninAmerica，\"saidMissMergle。
\"Mydearyounglady，\"saidtheclergyman，\"themostelementaryprinciplesofdecorum——Adaywillcomewhenyouwillbetterunderstandhowentirelysubservientyourideasaretotheveryfundamentalsofourpresentcivilisation，whenyouwillbetterunderstandtheharrowinganxietyyouhavegivenMrs。Miltonbythisinexplicableflightofyours。Wecanonlyputthingsdownatpresent，incharity，toyourignorance——\"
\"Youhavetoconsiderthegeneralbodyofopinion，too，\"saidWidgery。
\"Precisely，\"saidMissMergle。\"Thereisnosuchthingasconductintheabsolute。\"\"Ifoncethismostunfortunatebusinessgetsabout，\"saidtheclergyman，\"itwilldoyouinfiniteharm。\"
\"ButI’VEdonenothingwrong。WhyshouldIberesponsibleforotherpeople’s——\"
\"Theworldhasnocharity，\"saidMrs。Milton。
\"Foragirl，\"saidJessie。\"No。\"
\"Nowdoletusstoparguing，mydearyounglady，andletuslistentoreason。Nevermindhoworwhy，thisconductofyourswilldoyouinfiniteharm，ifonceitisgenerallyknown。Andnotonlythat，itwillcauseinfinitepaintothosewhocareforyou。
Butifyouwillreturnatoncetoyourhome，causingittobeunderstoodthatyouhavebeenwithfriendsfortheselastfewdays——\"
\"Telllies，\"saidJessie。\"Certainlynot。Mostcertainlynot。ButIunderstandthatishowyourabsenceisunderstoodatpresent，andthereisnoreason——\"
Jessie’sgriptightenedonherhandkerchief。\"Iwon’tgoback，\"
shesaid，\"tohaveitasIdidbefore。Iwantaroomofmyown，whatbooksIneedtoread，tobefreetogooutbymyselfalone，Teaching——\"
\"Anything，\"saidMrs。Milton，\"anythinginreason。\"
\"Butwillyoukeepyourpromise？\"saidJessie。
\"Surelyyouwon’tdictatetoyourmother！\"saidWidgery。
\"Mystepmother！Idon’twanttodictate。Iwantdefinitepromisesnow。\"
\"Thisismostunreasonable，\"saidtheclergyman。\"Verywell，\"
saidJessie，swallowingasobbutwithunusualresolution。\"ThenIwon’tgoback。Mylifeisbeingfritteredaway——\"
\"LETherhaveherway，\"saidWidgery。
\"Aroomthen。AllyourMen。I’mnottocomedownandtalkawayhalfmydays——\"
\"Mydearchild，ifonlytosaveyou，\"saidMrs。Milton。\"Ifyoudon’tkeepyourpromise——\"
\"ThenItakeitthematterispracticallyconcluded，\"saidtheclergyman。\"Andthatyouveryproperlysubmittoreturntoyourproperhome。Andnow，ifImayofferasuggestion，itisthatwetaketea。Freedofitstannin，nothing，Ithink，ismorerefreshingandstimulating。\"
\"There’satrainfromLyndhurstatthirteenminutestosix，\"saidWidgery，unfoldingatimetable。\"Thatgivesusabouthalfanhourorthree—quartershere——ifaconveyanceisobtainable，thatis。\"
\"Agelatinelozengedroppedintotheteacupprecipitatesthetanninintheformoftannateofgelatine，\"saidtheclergymantoMissMergle，inaconfidentialbray。
Jessiestoodup，andsawthroughthewindowadepressedheadandshouldersoverthetopofthebackofagardenseat。Shemovedtowardsthedoor。\"Whileyouhavetea，mother，\"shesaid，\"ImusttellMr。Hoopdriverofourarrangements。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkI——\"begantheclergyman。
\"No，\"saidJessie，veryrudely;\"Idon’t。\"
\"But，Jessie，haven’tyoualready——\"
\"Youarealreadybreakingthecapitulation，\"saidJessie。
\"Willyouwantthewholehalfhour？\"saidWidgery，atthebell。
\"Everyminute，\"saidJessie，inthedoorway。\"He’sbehavedverynoblytome。\"
\"There’stea，\"saidWidgery。
\"I’vehadtea。\"
\"Hemaynothavebehavedbadly，\"saidtheclergyman。\"Buthe’scertainlyanastonishinglyweakpersontoletawrong—headedyounggirl——\"
Jessieclosedthedoorintothegarden。
MeanwhileMr。Hoopdrivermadeasadfigureinthesunlightoutside。Itwasover，thiswonderfulexcursionofhis，sofarasshewasconcerned，andwiththeswiftblowthatseparatedthem，herealisedallthatthosedayshaddoneforhim。Hetriedtograspthebearingsoftheirposition。Ofcourse，theywouldtakeherawaytothosesocialaltitudesofhers。Shewouldbecomeaninaccessibleyoungladyagain。Wouldtheylethimsaygood—byetoher？
Howextraordinaryithadallbeen！Herecalledthemomentwhenhehadfirstseenherriding，withthesunlightbehindher，alongtheriversideroad;herecalledthatwonderfulnightatBognor，rememberingitasifeverythinghadbeendoneofhisowninitiative。\"Brave，brave！\"shehadcalledhim。Andafterwards，whenshecamedowntohiminthemorning，kindly，quiet。Butoughthetohavepersuadedherthentoreturntoherhome？Herememberedsomeintentionofthesort。Nowthesepeoplesnatchedherawayfromhimasthoughhewasscarcelyfittoliveinthesameworldwithher。Nomorehewas！Hefelthehadpresumeduponherworldlyignoranceintravellingwithherdayafterday。Shewassodainty，sodelightful，soserene。Hebegantorecapitulateherexpressions，thelightofhereyes，theturnofherface……
Hewasn’tgoodenoughtowalkinthesameroadwithher。Nobodywas。Supposetheylethimsaygood—byetoher;whatcouldhesay？
That？Buttheyweresurenottolethertalktohimalone;hermotherwouldbethereas——whatwasit？Chaperone。He’dneveroncehadachanceofsayingwhathefelt;indeed，itwasonlynowhewasbeginningtorealisewhathefelt。LoveIhewouldn’tpresume。Itwasworship。Ifonlyhecouldhaveonemorechance。
Hemusthaveonemorechance，somewhere，somehow。Thenhewouldpourouthissoultohereloquently。Hefelteloquently，andwordswouldcome。Hewasdustunderherfeet……
Hismeditationwasinterruptedbytheclickofadoorhandle，andJessieappearedinthesunlightundertheverandah。\"Comeawayfromhere，\"shesaidtoHoopdriver，asherosetomeether。\"I’mgoinghomewiththem。Wehavetosaygood—bye。\"
Mr。Hoopdriverwinced，openedandshuthismouth，androsewithoutaword。
XL
AtfirstJessieMiltonandMr。Hoopdriverwalkedawayfromthehotelinsilence。Heheardacatchinginherbreathandglancedatherandsawheripspressedtightandatearonhercheek。Herfacewashotandbright。Shewaslookingstraightbeforeher。Hecouldthinkofnothingtosay，andthrusthishandsinhispocketsandlookedawayfromherintentionally。Afterawhileshebegantotalk。Theydealtdisjointedlywithsceneryfirst，andthenwiththemeansofself—education。ShetookhisaddressatAntrobus’sandpromisedtosendhimsomebooks。Butevenwiththatitwasspiritless，achingtalk，Hoopdriverfelt，forthefightingmoodwasover。Sheseemed，tohim，preoccupiedwiththememoriesofherlatebattle，andthatappearancehurthim。
\"It’stheend，\"hewhisperedtohimself。\"It’stheend。\"
Theywentintoahollowandupagentlewoodedslope，andcameatlasttoahighandopenspaceoverlookingawideexpanseofcountry。There，byacommonimpulse，theystopped。Shelookedatherwatch——alittleostentatiously。Theystaredatthebillowsofforestrollingawaybeneaththem，crestbeyondcrest，ofleafytrees，fadingatlastintoblue。
\"Theend\"ranthroughhismind，totheexclusionofallspeakablethoughts。
\"Andso，\"shesaid，presently，breakingthesilence，\"itcomestogood—bye。\"
Forhalfaminutehedidnotanswer。Thenhegatheredhisresolution。\"ThereisonethingIMUSTsay。\"
\"Well？\"shesaid，surprisedandabruptlyforgettingtherecentargument。\"Iasknoreturn。But——\"
Thenhestopped。\"Iwon’tsayit。It’snogood。Itwouldberotfromme——now。Iwasn’tgoingtosayanything。Good—bye。\"
Shelookedathimwithastartledexpressioninhereyes。\"No，\"
shesaid。\"Butdon’tforgetyouaregoingtowork。Remember，brotherChris，youaremyfriend。Youwillwork。Youarenotaverystrongman，youknow，now——youwillforgiveme——nordoyouknowallyoushould。Butwhatwillyoubeinsixyears’time？\"
Hestaredhardinfrontofhimstill，andthelinesabouthisweakmouthseemedtostrengthen。Heknewsheunderstoodwhathecouldnotsay。
\"I’llwork，\"hesaid，concisely。Theystoodsidebysideforamoment。Thenhesaid，withamotionofhishead，\"Iwon’tcomebacktoTHEM。Doyoumind？Goingbackalone？\"
Shetooktensecondstothink。\"No。\"shesaid，andheldoutherhand，bitinghernetherlip。\"GOOD—BYE，\"shewhispered。
Heturned，withawhiteface，lookedintohereyes，tookherhandlimply，andthenwithasuddenimpulse，liftedittohislips。
Shewouldhavesnatcheditaway，buthisgriptightenedtohermovement。Shefeltthetouchofhislips，andthenhehaddroppedherfingersandturnedfromherandwasstridingdowntheslope。
Adozenpacesawayhisfootturnedinthelipofarabbithole，andhestumbledforwardandalmostfell。Herecoveredhisbalanceandwenton，notlookingback。Heneveroncelookedback。Shestaredathisrecedingfigureuntilitwassmallandfarbelowher，andthen，thetearsrunningoverhereyelidsnow，turnedslowly，andwalkedwithherhandsgrippedhardtogetherbehindher，towardsStoneyCrossagain。
\"Ididnotknow，\"shewhisperedtoherself。\"Ididnotunderstand。Evennow——No，Idonotunderstand。\"
THEENVOY
XLI
Sothestoryends，dearReader。Mr。Hoopdriver，sprawlingdownthereamongthebracken，mustsprawlwithoutourprying，Ithink，orlisteningtowhatchancestohisbreathing。Andofwhatcameofitall，ofthesixyearsandafterwards，thisisnoplacetotell。Intruth，thereisnotellingit，fortheyearshavestilltorun。Butifyouseehowamerecounter—jumper，acadoncastors，andafooltoboot，maycometofeelthelittleinsufficienciesoflife，andifhehastoanyextentwonyoursympathies，myendisattained。（Ifitisnotattained，mayHeavenforgiveusboth！）NorwillwefollowthisadventurousyoungladyofoursbacktoherhomeatSurbiton，tohernewstruggleagainstWidgeryandMrs。Miltoncombined。For，asshewillpresentlyhear，thatdevotedmanhasgothisreward。Forher，also，yoursympathiesareinvited。
Therestofthisgreatholiday，too——fivedaysthereareleftofit——isbeyondthelimitsofourdesign。Youseefitfullyaslenderfigureinadustybrownsuitandheathermixturestockings，andbrownshoesnotintendedtobecycledin，flittingLondonwardthroughHampshireandBerkshireandSurrey，goingeconomically——forexcellentreasons。Daybydayhegoeson，ridingfitfullyandforthemostpartthroughbye—roads，butgettingafewmilestothenorth—eastwardeveryday。Heisanarrow—chestedperson，withanosehotandtannedatthebridgewithunwontedexposure，andbrown，red—knuckledfists。Amusingexpressionsitsuponthefaceofthisrider，youobserve。
Sometimeshewhistlesnoiselesslytohimself，sometimeshespeaksaloud，\"ajuicedgoodtry，anyhow！\"youhear;andsometimes，andthattoooftenformyliking，helooksirritableandhopeless。\"I
know，\"hesays，\"Iknow。It’soveranddone。Itisn’tINme。Youain’tmanenough，Hoopdriver。Lookatyersillyhands！……Oh，myGod！\"andagustofpassioncomesuponhimandheridesfuriouslyforaspace。
Sometimesagainhisfacesoftens。\"Anyhow，ifI’mnottoseeher—
—she’sgoingtolendmebooks，\"hethinks，andgetssuchcomfortashecan。Thenagain;\"Books！What’sbooks？\"Onceortwicetriumphantmemoriesoftheearlierincidentsnervehisfaceforawhile。\"Iputtheky—boshonHISlittlegame，\"heremarks。\"IDID
that，\"andonemightevencallhimhappyinthesephases。And，by—the—bye，themachine，younotice，hasbeenenamel—paintedgreyandcarriesasonorousgong。
ThisfigurepassesthroughBasingstokeandBagshot，Staines，Hampton，andRichmond。Atlast，inPutneyHighStreet，glowingwiththewarmthofanAugustsunsetandwithallthe’prenticeboysbusyshuttingupshop，andtheworkgirlsgoinghome，andtheshopfolkspeepingabroad，andthewhite’busesfulloflateclerksandcityfolkrumblinghometotheirdinners，wepartfromhim。Heisback。To—morrow，theearlyrising，thedusting，anddrudgery，beginagain——butwithadifference，withwonderfulmemoriesandstillmorewonderfuldesiresandambitionsreplacingthosediscrepantdreams。
HeturnsoutoftheHighStreetatthecorner，dismountswithasigh，andpusheshismachinethroughthegatesoftheAntrobusstableyard，astheapprenticewiththehighcollarholdsthemopen。Therearewordsofgreeting。\"SouthCoast，\"youhear;and\"splendidweather——splendid。\"Hesighs。\"Yes——swappedhimoffforacoupleofsovs。It’sajuicedgoodmachine。\"
Thegateclosesuponhimwithaslam，andhevanishesfromourken。
