STORYTHEFIRST——PeterHopeplanshisProspectus\"Comein！\"saidPeterHope。
PeterHopewastallandthin，clean—shavenbutforapairofsidewhiskersclose—croppedandterminatingjustbelowtheear，withhairofthekindreferredtobysympatheticbarbersas\"gettingalittlethinonthetop，sir，\"butarrangedwitheconomy，thateverywhereispoverty’struehelpmate。AboutMr。PeterHope’slinen，whichwaswhitethoughsomewhatfrayed，therewasaself—
assertivenessthatinvariablyarrestedtheattentionofeventhemostcasualobserver。Decidedlytherewastoomuchofit——itsostentationaidedandabettedbytheretiringnatureofthecut—
awaycoat，whosechiefaimclearlywastoslipoffanddisappearbehinditsowner’sback。\"I’mapooroldthing，\"itseemedtosay。
\"Idon’tshine——or，rather，Ishinetoomuchamongtheseup—to—dateyoungmodes。Ionlyhamperyou。Youwouldbemuchmorecomfortablewithoutme。\"Topersuadeittoaccompanyhim，itsproprietorhadtoemployforce，keepingfastenedthelowestofitsthreebuttons。Ateverystep，itstruggledforitsliberty。
AnothercharacteristicofPeter’s，linkinghimtothepast，washisblacksilkcravat，securedbyacoupleofgoldpinschainedtogether。Watchinghimashenowsatwriting，hislonglegsencasedintightlystrappedgreytrousering，crossedbeneaththetable，thelamplightfallingonhisfresh—complexionedface，upontheshapelyhandthatsteadiedthehalf—writtensheet，astrangermighthaverubbedhiseyes，wonderingbywhathallucinationhethusfoundhimselfinpresenceseeminglyofsomeyoungbeaubelongingtotheearly’forties;butlookingcloser，wouldhaveseenthemanywrinkles。
\"Comein！\"repeatedMr。PeterHope，raisinghisvoice，butnothiseyes。
Thedooropened，andasmall，whiteface，outofwhichgleamedapairofbright，blackeyes，wasthrustsidewaysintotheroom。
\"Comein！\"repeatedMr。PeterHopeforthethirdtime。\"Whoisit？\"
Ahandnotoverclean，graspingagreasyclothcap，appearedbelowtheface。
\"Notreadyyet，\"saidMr。Hope。\"Sitdownandwait。\"
Thedooropenedwider，andthewholeofthefigureslidinand，closingthedoorbehindit，satitselfdownupontheextremeedgeofthechairnearest。
\"Whichareyou——CentralNewsorCourier？\"demandedMr。PeterHope，butwithoutlookingupfromhiswork。
Thebright，blackeyes，whichhadjustcommencedanexaminationoftheroombyacarefulscrutinyofthesmoke—grimedceiling，descendedandfixedthemselvesupontheoneclearlydefinedbaldpatchuponhisheadthat，hadhebeenawareofit，wouldhavetroubledMr。PeterHope。Butthefull，redlipsbeneaththeturned—upnoseremainedmotionless。
ThathehadreceivednoanswertohisquestionappearedtohaveescapedtheattentionofMr。PeterHope。Thethin，whitehandmovedsteadilytoandfroacrossthepaper。Threemoresheetswereaddedtothoseuponthefloor。ThenMr。PeterHopepushedbackhischairandturnedhisgazeforthefirsttimeuponhisvisitor。
ToPeterHope，hackjournalist，longfamiliarwiththegenusPrinter’sDevil，smallwhitefaces，tangledhair，dirtyhands，andgreasycapswerecommonobjectsintheneighbourhoodofthatburiedrivulet，theFleet。Butthiswasanewspecies。PeterHopesoughthisspectacles，foundthemaftersometroubleunderaheapofnewspapers，adjustedthemuponhishigh，archednose，leantforward，andlookedlongandupanddown。
\"Godblessmysoul！\"saidMr。PeterHope。\"Whatisit？\"
Thefigurerosetoitsfullheightoffivefootoneandcameforwardslowly。
Overatight—fittinggaribaldiofbluesilk，excessivelydecollete，itworewhatoncehadbeenaboy’spepper—and—saltjacket。A
worstedcomforterwoundroundtheneckstillleftawideexpanseofthroatshowingabovethegaribaldi。Belowthejacketfellalong，blackskirt，thetrainofwhichhadbeenloopedupaboutthewaistandfastenedwithacricket—belt。
\"Whoareyou？Whatdoyouwant？\"askedMr。PeterHope。
Foranswer，thefigure，passingthegreasycapintoitsotherhand，stoopeddownand，seizingthefrontofthelongskirt，begantohaulitup。
\"Don’tdothat！\"saidMr。PeterHope。\"Isay，youknow，you——\"
Butbythistimetheskirthadpracticallydisappeared，leavingtoviewapairofmuch—patchedtrousers，divingintotheright—handpocketofwhichthedirtyhanddrewforthafoldedpaper，which，havingopenedandsmoothedout，itlaiduponthedesk。
Mr。PeterHopepusheduphisspectaclestilltheyrestedonhiseyebrows，andreadaloud——\"’SteakandKidneyPie，4d。;Do。（largesize），6d。;BoiledMutton——’\"
\"That’swhereI’vebeenforthelasttwoweeks，\"saidthefigure，——
\"Hammond’sEatingHouse！\"
Thelistenernotedwithsurprisethatthevoice——thoughittoldhimasplainlyasifhehadrisenanddrawnasidetheredrepcurtains，thatoutsideinGoughSquaretheyellowfoglayliketheghostofadeadsea——betrayednoCockneyaccent，foundnodifficultywithitsaitches。
\"YouaskforEmma。She’llsayagoodwordforme。Shetoldmeso。\"
\"But，mygood——\"Mr。PeterHope，checkinghimself，soughtagaintheassistanceofhisglasses。Theglassesbeingunabletodecidethepoint，theirownerhadtoputthequestionbluntly：
\"Areyouaboyoragirl？\"
\"Idunno。\"
\"Youdon’tknow！\"
\"What’sthedifference？\"
Mr。PeterHopestoodup，andtakingthestrangefigurebytheshoulders，turneditroundslowlytwice，apparentlyundertheimpressionthattheprocessmightaffordtohimsomeclue。Butitdidnot。
\"Whatisyourname？\"
\"Tommy。\"
\"Tommywhat？\"
\"Anythingyoulike。Idunno。I’vehadsomanyof’em。\"
\"Whatdoyouwant？Whathaveyoucomefor？\"
\"You’reMr。Hope，ain’tyou，secondfloor，16，GoughSquare？\"
\"Thatismyname。\"
\"Youwantsomebodytodoforyou？\"
\"Youmeanahousekeeper！\"
\"Didn’tsayanythingabouthousekeeper。Saidyouwantedsomebodytodoforyou——cookandcleantheplaceup。Heard’emtalkingaboutitintheshopthisafternoon。OldladyingreenbonnetwasaskingMotherHammondifsheknewofanyone。\"
\"Mrs。Postwhistle——yes，Ididaskhertolookoutforsomeoneforme。Why，doyouknowofanyone？Haveyoubeensentbyanybody？\"
\"Youdon’twantanythingtoo’laborateinthewayo’cooking？Youwasasimpleoldchap，sotheysaid;notmuchtrouble。\"
\"No——no。Idon’twantmuch——someonecleanandrespectable。Butwhycouldn’tshecomeherself？Whoisit？\"
\"Well，what’swrongaboutme？\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidMr。PeterHope。
\"Whywon’tIdo？Icanmakebedsandcleanrooms——allthatsorto’
thing。Asforcooking，I’vegotanaturalaptitudeforit。YouaskEmma;she’lltellyou。Youdon’twantnothing’laborate？\"
\"Elizabeth，\"saidMr。PeterHope，ashecrossedand，takingupthepoker，proceededtostirthefire，\"areweawakeorasleep？\"
Elizabeththusappealedto，raisedherselfonherhindlegsanddugherclawsintohermaster’sthigh。Mr。Hope’strousersbeingthin，itwasthemostpracticalanswershecouldhavegivenhim。
\"Donealotoflookingafterotherpeoplefortheirbenefit，\"
continuedTommy。\"Don’tseewhyIshouldn’tdoitformyown。\"
\"Mydear——IdowishIknewwhetheryouwereaboyoragirl。DoyouseriouslysuggestthatIshouldengageyouasmyhousekeeper？\"
askedMr。PeterHope，nowuprightwithhisbacktothefire。
\"I’ddoforyouallright，\"persistedTommy。\"Yougivememygrubandashake—downand，say，sixpenceaweek，andI’llgrumblelessthanmostof’em。\"
\"Don’tberidiculous，\"saidMr。PeterHope。
\"Youwon’ttryme？\"
\"Ofcoursenot;youmustbemad。\"
\"Allright。Noharmdone。\"Thedirtyhandreachedouttowardsthedesk，andpossessingitselfagainofHammond’sBillofFare，commencedtheoperationsnecessaryforbearingitawayinsafety。
\"Here’sashillingforyou，\"saidMr。PeterHope。
\"Rathernot，\"saidTommy。\"Thanksallthesame。\"
\"Nonsense！\"saidMr。PeterHope。
\"Rathernot，\"repeatedTommy。\"Neverknowwherethatsortofthingmayleadyouto。\"
\"Allright，\"saidMr。PeterHope，replacingthecoininhispocket。
\"Don’t！\"
Thefiguremovedtowardsthedoor。
\"Waitaminute。Waitaminute，\"saidMr。PeterHopeirritably。
Thefigure，withitshanduponthedoor，stoodstill。
\"AreyougoingbacktoHammond’s？\"
\"No。I’vefinishedthere。Onlytookmeonforacoupleo’weeks，whileoneofthegalswasill。Shecamebackthismorning。\"
\"Whoareyourpeople？\"
Tommyseemedpuzzled。\"Whatd’yemean？\"
\"Well，whomdoyoulivewith？\"
\"Nobody。\"
\"You’vegotnobodytolookafteryou——totakecareofyou？\"
\"Takecareofme！D’yethinkI’mabloomin’kid？\"
\"Thenwhereareyougoingtonow？\"
\"Going？Out。\"
PeterHope’sirritationwasgrowing。
\"Imean，whereareyougoingtosleep？Gotanymoneyforalodging？\"
\"Yes，I’vegotsomemoney，\"answeredTommy。\"ButIdon’tthinkmucho’lodgings。Notaparticularniceclassasyoumeetthere。
Ishallsleepoutto—night。’Tain’training。\"
Elizabethutteredapiercingcry。
\"Servesyouright！\"growledPetersavagely。\"Howcananyonehelptreadingonyouwhenyouwillgetjustbetweenone’slegs。Toldyouofitahundredtimes。\"
ThetruthofthematterwasthatPeterwasbecomingveryangrywithhimself。Fornoreasonwhatever，ashetoldhimself，hismemorywouldpersistinwanderingtoIlfordCemetery，inacertaindesolatecornerofwhichlayafragilelittlewomanwhoselungshadbeenbutilladaptedtobreathingLondonfogs;with，onthetopofher，astillsmallerandstillmorefragilemiteofhumanitythat，incomplimenttoitsonlyrelativeworthapenny—piece，hadbeenchristenedThomas——anamecommonenoughinallconscience，asPeterhadremindedhimselfmorethanonce。Inthenameofcommonsense，whathaddeadandburiedTommyHopetodowiththisaffair？Thewholethingwastheveriestsentiment，andsentimentwasMr。PeterHope’sabomination。Hadhenotpennedarticlesinnumerablepointingoutitsbanefulinfluenceupontheage？Hadhenotalwayscondemnedit，whereverhehadcomeacrossitinplayorbook？NowandthenthesuspicionhadcrossedPeter’smindthat，inspiteofallthis，hewassomewhatofasentimentalisthimself——thingshadsuggestedthistohim。Thefearhadalwaysmadehimsavage。
\"YouwaitheretillIcomeback，\"hegrowled，seizingtheastonishedTommybytheworstedcomforterandspinningitintothecentreoftheroom。\"Sitdown，anddon’tyoudaretomove。\"AndPeterwentoutandslammedthedoorbehindhim。
\"Bitoffhischump，ain’the？\"remarkedTommytoElizabeth，asthesoundofPeter’sdescendingfootstepsdiedaway。PeoplehadawayofaddressingremarkstoElizabeth。Somethinginhermannerinvitedthis。
\"Oh，well，it’sallintheday’swork，\"commentedTommycheerfully，andsatdownasbid。
Fiveminutespassed，maybeten。ThenPeterreturned，accompaniedbyalarge，restfullady，towhomsurprise——onefeltitinstinctively——hadalwaysbeen，andalwayswouldremain，anunknownquantity。
Tommyrose。
\"That’sthe——thearticle，\"explainedPeter。
Mrs。Postwhistlecompressedherlipsandslightlytossedherhead。
Itwastheattitudeofnotill—naturedcontemptfromwhichsheregardedmosthumanaffairs。
\"That’sright，\"saidMrs。Postwhistle;\"Irememberseeing’erthere——leastways，itwasan’errightenoughthen。What’aveyoudonewithyourclothes？\"
\"Theyweren’tmine，\"explainedTommy。\"TheywerethingswhatMrs。
Hammondhadlentme。\"
\"Isthatyourown？\"askedMrs。Postwhistle，indicatingthebluesilkgaribaldi。
\"Yes。\"
\"Whatwentwithit？\"
\"Tights。Theyweretoofargone。\"
\"WhatmadeyougiveupthetumblingbusinessandgotoMrs。
’Ammond’s？\"
\"Itgavemeup。Hurtmyself。\"
\"Whowereyouwithlast？\"
\"Martinitroupe。\"
\"Andbeforethat？\"
\"Oh！heapsof’em。\"
\"Nobodyevertoldyouwhetheryouwasaboyoragirl？\"
\"NobodyasI’dcaretobelieve。Someofthemcalledmetheone，someofthemtheother。Itdependeduponwhatwaswanted。\"
\"Howoldareyou？\"
\"Idunno。\"
Mrs。PostwhistleturnedtoPeter，whowasjinglingkeys。
\"Well，there’sthebedupstairs。It’sforyoutodecide。\"
\"WhatIdon’twanttodo，\"explainedPeter，sinkinghisvoicetoaconfidentialwhisper，\"istomakeafoolofmyself。\"
\"That’salwaysagoodrule，\"agreedMrs。Postwhistle，\"forthosetowhomit’spossible。\"
\"Anyhow，\"saidPeter，\"onenightcan’tdoanyharm。To—morrowwecanthinkwhat’stobedone。\"
\"To—morrow\"hadalwaysbeenPeter’sluckyday。Atthemerementionofthemagicdatehisspiritsinvariablyrose。HenowturneduponTommyacountenancefromwhichallhesitationwasbanished。
\"Verywell，Tommy，\"saidMr。PeterHope，\"youcansleephereto—
night。GowithMrs。Postwhistle，andshe’llshowyouyourroom。\"
Theblackeyesshone。
\"You’regoingtogivemeatrial？\"
\"We’lltalkaboutallthatto—morrow。\"Theblackeyesclouded。
\"Lookhere。Itellyoustraight，itain’tnogood。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Whatisn’tanygood？\"demandedPeter。
\"You’llwanttosendmetoprison。\"
\"Toprison！\"
\"Oh，yes。You’llcallitaschool，Iknow。Youain’tthefirstthat’striedthaton。Itwon’twork。\"Thebright，blackeyeswereflashingpassionately。\"Iain’tdoneanyharm。I’mwillingtowork。Icankeepmyself。Ialwayshave。What’sitgottodowithanybodyelse？\"
Hadthebright，blackeyesretainedtheirexpressionofpassionatedefiance，PeterHopemighthaveretainedhiscommonsense。OnlyFatearrangedthatinsteadtheyshouldsuddenlyfillwithwildtears。AndatsightofthemPeter’scommonsensewentoutoftheroomdisgusted，andtherewasbornthehistoryofmanythings。
\"Don’tbesilly，\"saidPeter。\"Youdidn’tunderstand。OfcourseI’mgoingtogiveyouatrial。You’regoingto’do’forme。I
merelymeantthatwe’dleavethedetailstillto—morrow。Come，housekeepersdon’tcry。\"
Thelittlewetfacelookedup。
\"Youmeanit？Honourbright？\"
\"Honourbright。Nowgoandwashyourself。Thenyoushallgetmemysupper。\"
Theoddfigure，stillheavingfromitsparoxysmofsobs，stoodup。
\"AndIhavemygrub，mylodging，andsixpenceaweek？\"
\"Yes，yes;Ithinkthat’safairarrangement，\"agreedMr。PeterHope，considering。\"Don’tyou，Mrs。Postwhistle？\"
\"Withafrock——orasuitoftrousers——thrownin，\"suggestedMrs。
Postwhistle。\"It’sgenerallydone。\"
\"Ifit’sthecustom，certainly，\"agreedMr。PeterHope。\"Sixpenceaweekandclothes。\"
AndthistimeitwasPeterthat，incompanywithElizabeth，satwaitingthereturnofTommy。
\"Iratherhope，\"saidPeter，\"it’saboy。Itwasthefogs，youknow。IfonlyIcouldhaveaffordedtosendhimaway！\"
Elizabethlookedthoughtful。Thedooropened。
\"Ah！that’sbetter，muchbetter，\"saidMr。PeterHope。\"’Ponmyword，youlookquiterespectable。\"
BythepracticalMrs。Postwhistleaworkingagreement，benefitingbothparties，hadbeenarrivedatwiththelong—trainedskirt;
whileanampleshawlarrangedwithjudgmentdisguisedthenakednessthatlaybelow。Peter，afastidiousgentleman，observedwithsatisfactionthatthehands，nowclean，hadbeenwellcaredfor。
\"Givemethatcap，\"saidPeter。Hethrewitintheglowingfire。
Itburnedbrightly，diffusingstrangeodours。
\"There’satravellingcapofminehangingupinthepassage。Youcanwearthatforthepresent。Takethishalf—sovereignandgetmesomecoldmeatandbeerforsupper。You’llfindeverythingelseyouwantinthatsideboardorelseinthekitchen。Don’taskmeahundredquestions，anddon’tmakeanoise，\"andPeterwentbacktohiswork。
\"Goodidea，thathalf—sovereign，\"saidPeter。\"Shan’tbebotheredwith’MasterTommy’anymore，don’texpect。Startinganurseryatourtimeoflife。Madness。\"Peter’spenscratchedandspluttered。
Elizabethkeptaneyeuponthedoor。
\"Quarterofanhour，\"saidPeter，lookingathiswatch。\"Toldyouso。\"ThearticleonwhichPeterwasnowengagedappearedtobeofaworryingnature。
\"Thenwhy，\"saidPeter，\"whydidherefusethatshilling？
Artfulness，\"concludedPeter，\"pureartfulness。Elizabeth，oldgirl，we’vegotoutofthisbusinesscheaply。Goodidea，thathalf—sovereign。\"PetergaveventtoachucklethathadtheeffectofalarmingElizabeth。
ButluckevidentlywasnotwithPeterthatnight。
\"Pingle’swassoldout，\"explainedTommy，enteringwithparcels;
\"hadtogotoBow’sinFarringdonStreet。\"
\"Oh！\"saidPeter，withoutlookingup。
Tommypassedthroughintothelittlekitchenbehind。Peterwroteonrapidly，makingupforlosttime。
\"Good！\"murmuredPeter，smilingtohimself，\"that’saneatphrase。
Thatoughttoirritatethem。\"
Now，ashewrote，whilewithnoiselessfootstepsTommy，unseenbehindhim，movedtoandfroandinandoutthelittlekitchen，therecametoPeterHopethisverycuriousexperience：itfelttohimasifforalongtimehehadbeenill——soillasnoteventohavebeenawareofit——andthatnowhewasbeginningtobehimselfagain;consciousnessofthingsreturningtohim。Thissolidlyfurnished，long，oak—panelledroomwithitsairofold—worlddignityandrepose——thissober，kindlyroominwhichformorethanhalfhislifehehadlivedandworked——whyhadheforgottenit？Itcameforwardgreetinghimwithanamusedsmile，asofsomeoldfriendlongpartedfrom。Thefadedphotos，instiff，woodenframesuponthechimney—piece，amongthemthatofthefragilelittlewomanwiththeunadaptablelungs。
\"Godblessmysoul！\"saidMr。PeterHope，pushingbackhischair。
\"It’sthirtyyearsago。Howtimedoesfly！Why，letmesee，I
mustbe——\"
\"D’youlikeitwithaheadonit？\"demandedTommy，whohadbeenwaitingpatientlyforsigns。
Petershookhimselfawakeandwenttohissupper。
AbrightideaoccurredtoPeterinthenight。\"Ofcourse;whydidn’tIthinkofitbefore？Settlethequestionatonce。\"Peterfellintoaneasysleep。
\"Tommy，\"saidPeter，ashesathimselfdowntobreakfastthenextmorning。\"By—the—by，\"askedPeterwithapuzzledexpression，puttingdownhiscup，\"whatisthis？\"
\"Cauffee，\"informedhimTommy。\"Yousaidcauffee。\"
\"Oh！\"repliedPeter。\"Forthefuture，Tommy，ifyoudon’tmind，I
willtaketeaofamorning。\"
\"Allthesametome，\"explainedtheagreeableTommy，\"it’syourbreakfast。\"
\"WhatIwasabouttosay，\"continuedPeter，\"wasthatyou’renotlookingverywell，Tommy。\"
\"I’mallright，\"assertedTommy;\"nevernothingthematterwithme。\"
\"Notthatyouknowof，perhaps;butonecanbeinaverybadway，Tommy，withoutbeingawareofit。IcannothaveanyoneaboutmethatIamnotsureisinthoroughlysoundhealth。\"
\"Ifyoumeanyou’vechangedyourmindandwanttogetridofme——\"
beganTommy，withitschinintheair。
\"Idon’twantanyofyouruppishness，\"snappedPeter，whohadwoundhimselfupfortheoccasiontoadegreeofassertivenessthatsurprisedevenhimself。\"Ifyouareathoroughlystrongandhealthyperson，asIthinkyouare，Ishallbeverygladtoretainyourservices。ButuponthatpointImustbesatisfied。Itisthecustom，\"explainedPeter。\"Itisalwaysdoneingoodfamilies。
Runroundtothisaddress\"——Peterwroteituponaleafofhisnotebook——\"andaskDr。Smithtocomeandseemebeforehebeginshisround。Yougoatonce，anddon’tletushaveanyargument。\"
\"Thatisthewaytotalktothatyoungperson——clearly，\"saidPetertohimself，listeningtoTommy’sfootstepsdyingdownthestairs。
Hearingthestreet—doorslam，Peterstoleintothekitchenandbrewedhimselfacupofcoffee。
Dr。Smith，whohadcommencedlifeasHerrSchmidt，butwhoinconsequenceofdifferenceofopinionwithhisGovernmentwasnowanEnglishmanwithstrongToryprejudices，hadbutonesorrow：itwasthatstrangerswouldmistakehimforaforeigner。Hewasshortandstout，withbushyeyebrowsandagreymoustache，andlookedsofiercethatchildrencriedwhentheysawhim，untilhepattedthemontheheadandaddressedthemas\"meinleedlefrent\"inavoicesosoftandtenderthattheyhadtoleaveoffhowlingjusttowonderwhereitcamefrom。HeandPeter，whowasavehementRadical，hadbeencroniesformanyyears，andhadeachanindulgentcontemptfortheother’sunderstanding，temperedbyasincereaffectionforoneanothertheywouldhavefounditdifficulttoaccountfor。
\"Whattinkyouisdematterwiddeleedlewench？\"demandedDr。
Smith，Peterhavingopenedthecase。Peterglancedroundtheroom。
Thekitchendoorwasclosed。
\"Howdoyouknowit’sawench？\"
Theeyesbeneaththebushybrowsgrewrounder。\"Ifidisnotawench，whydressit——\"
\"Haven’tdressedit，\"interruptedPeter。\"JustwhatI’mwaitingtodo——sosoonasIknow。\"
AndPeterrecountedtheeventsoftheprecedingevening。
Tearsgatheredinthedoctor’ssmall，roundeyes。HisabsurdsentimentalismwasthequalityinhisfriendthatmostirritatedPeter。
\"Poorleedlewaif！\"murmuredthesoft—heartedoldgentleman。\"IdwasdegoodProvidencedatguidedher——orhim，whicheveridbe。\"
\"Providencebehanged！\"snarledPeter。\"WhatwasmyProvidencedoing——landingmewithagutter—brattolookafter？\"
\"SolikeyouRadicals，\"sneeredthedoctor，\"todespiseafellowhumancreaturejustbecauseidmaynothavebeenborninburbleandfinelinen。\"
\"Ididn’tsendforyoutoarguepolitics，\"retortedPeter，controllinghisindignationbyaneffort。\"Iwantyoutotellmewhetherit’saboyoragirl，sothatImayknowwhattodowithit。\"
\"Whatmeanyoutodowidid？\"inquiredthedoctor。
\"Idon’tknow，\"confessedPeter。\"Ifit’saboy，asIratherthinkitis，maybeI’llbeabletofinditaplaceinoneoftheoffices—
—afterI’vetaughtitalittlecivilisation。\"
\"Andifidbeagirl？\"
\"Howcanitbeagirlwhenitwearstrousers？\"demandedPeter。
\"Whyanticipatedifficulties？\"
Peter，alone，pacedtoandfrotheroom，hishandsbehindhisback，hisearonthealerttocatchtheslightestsoundfromabove。
\"Idohopeitisaboy，\"saidPeter，glancingup。
Peter’seyesrestedonthephotoofthefragilelittlewomangazingdownathimfromitsstiffframeuponthechimney—piece。Thirtyyearsago，inthissameroom，Peterhadpacedtoandfro，hishandsbehindhisback，hisearalerttocatchtheslightestsoundfromabove，hadsaidtohimselfthesamewords。
\"It’sodd，\"musedPeter——\"veryoddindeed。\"
Thedooropened。Thestoutdoctor，precededatalittledistancebyhiswatch—chain，enteredandclosedthedoorbehindhim。
\"Averyhealthychild，\"saidthedoctor，\"asfineachildasanyonecouldwishtosee。Agirl。\"
Thetwooldgentlemenlookedatoneanother。Elizabeth，possiblyrelievedinhermind，begantopurr。
\"WhatamItodowithit？\"demandedPeter。
\"Averyawkwardbositionforyou，\"agreedthesympatheticdoctor。
\"Iwasafool！\"declaredPeter。
\"Youhafnooneheretolookafterdeleedlewenchwhenyouareaway，\"pointedoutthethoughtfuldoctor。
\"AndfromwhatI’veseenoftheimp，\"addedPeter，\"itwillwantsomelookingafter。\"
\"Itink——Itink，\"saidthehelpfuldoctor，\"Iseeawayout！\"
\"What？\"
Thedoctorthrusthisfiercefaceforwardandtappedknowinglywithhisrightforefingertherightsideofhisroundnose。\"Iwilltakechargeofdeleedlewench。\"
\"You？\"
\"Tomedecasewillnotpresentdesamedifficulties。Ihafahousekeeper。\"
\"Oh，yes，Mrs。Whateley。\"
\"Sheisagootwomanwhenyouknowher，\"explainedthedoctor。
\"Sheonlywantsmanaging。\"
\"Pooh！\"ejaculatedPeter。
\"Whydoyousaydat？\"inquiredthedoctor。
\"You！bringingupaheadstronggirl。Theidea！\"
\"Ishouldbekind，butfirm。\"
\"Youdon’tknowher。\"
\"Howlonghafyouknownher？\"
\"Anyhow，I’mnotasoft—heartedsentimentalistthatwouldjustruinthechild。\"
\"Girlsarenotboys，\"persistedthedoctor;\"deywantdifferenttreatment。\"
\"Well，I’mnotabrute！\"snarledPeter。\"Besides，supposesheturnsoutrubbish！Whatdoyouknowabouther？\"
\"Itakemychance，\"agreedthegenerousdoctor。
\"Itwouldn’tbefair，\"retortedhonestPeter。
\"Tinkitover，\"saidthedoctor。\"Aplaceisneverhomewidoutdeleedlefeet。WeEnglishmenlovedehome。Youaredifferent。Youhafnosentiment。\"
\"Icannothelpfeeling，\"explainedPeter，\"asenseofdutyinthismatter。Thechildcametome。Itisasifthisthinghadbeenlaiduponme。\"
\"Ifyoulookuponiddatway，Peter，\"sighedthedoctor。
\"Withsentiment，\"wentonPeter，\"Ihavenothingtodo;butduty——
dutyisquiteanotherthing。\"Peter，feelinghimselfanancientRoman，thankedthedoctorandshookhandswithhim。
Tommy，summoned，appeared。
\"Thedoctor，Tommy，\"saidPeter，withoutlookingupfromhiswriting，\"givesaverysatisfactoryaccountofyou。Soyoucanstop。\"
\"Toldyouso，\"returnedTommy。\"Mighthavesavedyourmoney。\"
\"Butweshallhavetofindyouanothername。\"
\"Whatfor？\"
\"Ifyouaretobeahousekeeper，youmustbeagirl。\"
\"Don’tlikegirls。\"
\"Can’tsayIthinkmuchofthemmyself，Tommy。Wemustmakethebestofit。Tobeginwith，wemustgetyouproperclothes。\"
\"Hateskirts。Theyhamperyou。\"
\"Tommy，\"saidPeterseverely，\"don’targue。\"
\"Pointingoutfactsain’targuing，\"arguedTommy。\"Theydohamperyou。Youtry’em。\"
Theclotheswerequicklymade，andafterawhiletheycametofit;
butthenameprovedmoredifficultofadjustment。Asweet—faced，laughinglady，knowntofamebyatitlerespectableandorthodox，appearsanhonouredguestto—dayatmanyaliterarygathering。Buttheoldfellows，pressinground，stillcallher\"Tommy。\"
Theweek’strialcametoanend。Peter，whosedigestionwasdelicate，hadhadahappythought。
\"WhatIpropose，Tommy——ImeanJane，\"saidPeter，\"isthatweshouldgetinawomantodojustthemerecooking。Thatwillgiveyoumoretimeto——toattendtootherthings，Tommy——Jane，Imean。\"
\"Whatotherthings？\"chinintheair。
\"The——thekeepingoftheroomsinorder，Tommy。The——thedusting。\"
\"Don’twanttwenty—fourhoursadaytodustfourrooms。\"
\"Thentherearemessages，Tommy。ItwouldbeagreatadvantagetometohavesomeoneIcouldsendonamessagewithoutfeelingIwasinterferingwiththehousework。\"
\"Whatareyoudrivingat？\"demandedTommy。\"Why，Idon’thavehalfenoughtodoasitis。Icandoall——\"
Peterputhisfootdown。\"WhenIsayathing，Imeanathing。Thesooneryouunderstandthat，thebetter。Howdareyouarguewithme！Fiddle—de—dee！\"FortwopinsPeterwouldhaveemployedanexpletiveevenstronger，sodeterminedwashefeeling。
Tommywithoutanotherwordlefttheroom。PeterlookedatElizabethandwinked。
PoorPeter！Histriumphwasshort—lived。Fiveminuteslater，Tommyreturned，cladinthelong，blackskirt，supportedbythecricketbelt，thebluegaribaldicutdecollete，thepepper—and—saltjacket，theworstedcomforter，theredlipsverytightlypressed，thelonglashesovertheblackeyesmovingveryrapidly。
\"Tommy\"（severely），\"whatisthistomfoolery？\"
\"Iunderstand。Iain’tnogoodtoyou。Thanksforgivingmeatrial。Myfault。\"
\"Tommy\"（lessseverely），\"don’tbeanidiot。\"
\"Ain’tanidiot。’TwasEmma。ToldmeIwasgoodatcooking。SaidI’dgotanaptitudeforit。Shemeantwell。\"
\"Tommy\"（notraceofseverity），\"sitdown。Emmawasquiteright。
Yourcookingis——ispromising。AsEmmaputsit，youhaveaptitude。
Your——perseverance，yourhopefulnessprovesit。\"
\"Thenwhyd’yewanttogetsomeoneelseintodoit？\"
IfPetercouldhaveansweredtruthfully！IfPetercouldhavereplied：
\"Mydear，Iamalonelyoldgentleman。Ididnotknowituntil——
untiltheotherday。NowIcannotforgetitagain。Wifeandchilddiedmanyyearsago。Iwaspoor，orImighthavesavedthem。Thatmademehard。Theclockofmylifestoodstill。Ihidawaythekey。Ididnotwanttothink。Youcrepttomeoutofthecruelfog，awakenedolddreams。Donotgoawayanymore\"——perhapsTommy，inspiteofherfierceindependence，wouldhaveconsentedtobeuseful;andthusPetermighthavegainedhisendatlesscostofindigestion。Butthepenaltyforbeingananti—sentimentalististhatyoumustnottalklikethiseventoyourself。SoPeterhadtocastaboutforothermethods。
\"Whyshouldn’tIkeeptwoservantsifIlike？\"Itdidseemhardontheoldgentleman。
\"What’sthesenseofpayingtwotodotheworkofone？Youwouldonlybekeepingmeonoutofcharity。\"Theblackeyesflashed。\"I
ain’tabeggar。\"
\"Andyoureallythink，Tommy——IshouldsayJane，youcanmanagethe——thewholeofit？Youwon’tmindbeingsentonamessage，perhapsintheverymiddleofyourcooking。ItwasthatIwasthinkingof，Tommy——somecookswould。\"
\"Yougoeasy，\"advisedhimTommy，\"tillIcomplainofhavingtoomuchtodo。\"
Peterreturnedtohisdesk。Elizabethlookedup。ItseemedtoPeterthatElizabethwinked。
ThefortnightthatfollowedwasaperiodoftroubletoPeter，forTommy，hersuspicionshavingbeenaroused，wasscepticalof\"business\"demandingthatPetershoulddinewiththismanattheclub，lunchwiththiseditorattheCheshireCheese。Atoncethechinwouldgoupintotheair，theblackeyescloudthreateningly。
Peter，anunmarriedmanforthirtyyears，lackingexperience，wouldundercross—examinationcontradicthimself，becomeconfused，breakdownoveressentialpoints。
\"Really，\"grumbledPetertohimselfoneevening，sawingatamuttonchop，\"reallythere’snootherwordforit——I’mhenpecked。\"
Peterthatdayhadlookedforwardtoalittledinneratafavouriterestaurant，withhis\"dearoldfriendBlenkinsopp，abitofagourmet，Tommy——thatmeansamanwholikeswhatyouwouldcallelaboratecooking！\"——forgetfulatthemomentthathehadusedup\"Blenkinsopp\"threedaysbeforeforafarewellsupper，\"Blenkinsopp\"havingtosetoutthenextmorningforEgypt。Peterwasnotfacileatinvention。Namesinparticularhadalwaysbeenadifficultytohim。
\"Ilikeaspiritofindependence，\"continuedPetertohimself。
\"Wishshehadn’tquitesomuchofit。Wonderwhereshegotitfrom。\"
ThesituationwasbecomingmoreserioustoPeterthanhecaredtoadmit。Fordaybyday，inspiteofhertyrannies，TommywasgrowingmoreandmoreindispensabletoPeter。TommywasthefirstaudiencethatforthirtyyearshadlaughedatPeter’sjokes;TommywasthefirstpublicthatforthirtyyearshadbeenconvincedthatPeterwasthemostbrilliantjournalistinFleetStreet;TommywasthefirstanxietythatforthirtyyearshadrendereditneedfulthatPetereachnightshouldmountstealthilythecreakingstairs，stealwithshadedcandletoabedside。IfonlyTommywouldn’t\"do\"
forhim！Ifonlyshecouldbepersuadedto\"do\"somethingelse。
AnotherhappythoughtoccurredtoPeter。
\"Tommy——ImeanJane，\"saidPeter，\"IknowwhatI’lldowithyou。\"
\"What’sthegamenow？\"
\"I’llmakeajournalistofyou。\"
\"Don’ttalkrot。\"
\"Itisn’trot。Besides，Iwon’thaveyouanswermelikethat。AsaDevil——thatmeans，Tommy，theunseenpersoninthebackgroundthathelpsajournalisttodohiswork——youwouldbeinvaluabletome。Itwouldpayme，Tommy——paymeveryhandsomely。Ishouldmakemoneyoutofyou。\"
ThisappearedtobeanargumentthatTommyunderstood。Peter，withsecretdelight，noticedthatthechinretaineditsnormallevel。
\"Ididhelpachaptosellpapers，once，\"rememberedTommy;\"hesaidIwasflyatit。\"
\"Itoldyouso，\"exclaimedPetertriumphantly。\"Themethodsaredifferent，buttheinstinctrequiredisthesame。Wewillgetawomanintorelieveyouofthehousework。\"
Thechinshotupintotheair。
\"Icoulddoitinmysparetime。\"
\"Yousee，Tommy，Ishouldwantyoutogoaboutwithme——tobealwayswithme。\"
\"Bettertrymefirst。Maybeyou’remakinganerror。\"
Peterwaslearningthewisdomoftheserpent。
\"Quiteright，Tommy。Wewillfirstseewhatyoucando。Perhaps，afterall，itmayturnoutthatyouarebetterasacook。\"InhisheartPeterdoubtedthis。
Buttheseedhadfallenupongoodground。ItwasTommyherselfthatmanoeuvredherfirstessayinjournalism。AgreatmanhadcometoLondon——wasstayinginapartmentsespeciallypreparedforhiminSt。James’sPalace。SaideveryjournalistinLondontohimself：\"IfIcouldobtainaninterviewwiththisBigMan，whatabigthingitwouldbeforme！\"Foraweekpast，Peterhadcarriedeverywhereaboutwithhimapaperheaded：\"InterviewofOurSpecialCorrespondentwithPrinceBlank，\"questionsdownleft—handcolumn，verynarrow;spaceforanswersright—handside，verywide。
ButtheBigManwasexperienced。
\"Iwonder，\"saidPeter，spreadingtheneatlyfoldedpaperonthedeskbeforehim，\"Iwonderiftherecanbeanywayofgettingathim——anydodgeortrick，anypieceoflowcunning，anyplausibleliethatIhaven’tthoughtof。\"
\"OldManMartin——calledhimselfMartini——wasjustsuchanother，\"
commentedTommy。\"Comepaytime，Saturdayafternoon，youjustcouldn’tgetathim——simplywasn’tanyway。Iwasabittoogoodforhimonce，though，\"rememberedTommy，withatouchofprideinhervoice;\"gothalfaquidoutofhimthattime。Itdidsurprisehim。\"
\"No，\"communedPetertohimselfaloud，\"Idon’thonestlythinktherecanbeanymethod，creditableordiscreditable，thatI
haven’ttried。\"Peterflungtheone—sidedinterviewintothewastepaper—basket，andslippinghisnotebookintohispocket，departedtodrinkteawithaladynovelist，whosegreatdesire，asstatedinapostscripttoherinvitation，wastoavoidpublicity，ifpossible。
Tommy，assoonasPeter’sbackwasturned，fisheditoutagain。
AnhourlaterinthefogaroundSt。James’sPalacestoodanImp，cladinpatchedtrousersandapepper—and—saltjacketturnedupabouttheneck，gazingwithadmiringeyesuponthesentry。
\"Now，then，youngseventeen—and—sixpencethesoot，\"saidthesentry，\"whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Makesyouabitanxious，don’tit，\"suggestedtheImp，\"havingabigpotlikehimtolookafter？\"
\"Doesgetabitonyermind，ifyerthinksaboutit，\"agreedthesentry。
\"Howdoyoufindhimtotalkto，like？\"
\"Well，\"saidthesentry，bringinghisrightlegintoactionforthepurposeofrelievinghisleft，\"ain’t’admuchtodowith’immyself，notperson’ly，asyet。Oh，’eain’tabadsortwhenyerknow’im。\"
\"That’shisshake—down，ain’tit？\"askedtheImp，\"wherethelightsare。\"
\"That’sit，\"admittedsentry。\"Youain’tanAnarchist？Tellmeifyouare。\"
\"I’llletyouknowifIfeelitcomingon，\"theImpassuredhim。
Hadthesentrybeenamanofswiftandpenetratingobservation——
whichhewasn’t——hemighthaveaskedthequestioninmoreseriousatone。ForhewouldhaveremarkedthattheImp’sblackeyeswererestinglovinglyuponarain—water—pipe，givingtoaskilfulclimbereasyaccesstotheterraceunderneaththePrince’swindows。
\"Iwouldliketoseehim，\"saidtheImp。
\"Friendo’yours？\"askedthesentry。
\"Well，notexactly，\"admittedtheImp。\"Butthere，youknow，everybody’stalkingabouthimdownourstreet。\"
\"Well，yer’ll’avetobequickaboutit，\"saidthesentry。’E’soffto—night。\"
Tommy’sfacefell。\"Ithoughtitwasn’ttillFridaymorning。\"
\"Ah！\"saidthesentry，\"that’swhatthepaperssay，isit？\"Thesentry’svoicetookunconsciouslytheaccentofthosefromwhomnosecretishid。\"I’lltellyerwhatyercando，\"continuedthesentry，enjoyinganunaccustomedsenseofimportance。Thesentryglancedleft，thenright。\"’E’saslippingoffallby’imselfdowntoOsbornebythe6。40fromWaterloo。Nobodyknowsit——’cept，o’
course，justafewofus。That’s’iswayallover。’Ejust’ates—
—\"
Afootstepsoundeddownthecorridor。Thesentrybecamestatuesque。
AtWaterloo，Tommyinspectedthe6。40train。Onlyonecompartmentindicatedpossibilities，anextralargeoneattheendofthecoachnexttheguard’svan。Itwaslabelled\"Reserved，\"andintheplaceoftheusualfittingswasfurnishedwithatableandfoureasy—
chairs。Havingnoticeditsposition，Tommytookawalkuptheplatformanddisappearedintothefog。
Twentyminuteslater，PrinceBlanksteppedhurriedlyacrosstheplatform，unnoticedsavebyhalfadozenobsequiousofficials，andenteredthecompartmentreservedforhim。Theobsequiousofficialsbowed。PrinceBlank，inmilitaryfashion，raisedhishand。The6。40steamedoutslowly。
PrinceBlank，whowasastoutgentleman，thoughhetriedtodisguisethefact，seldomfoundhimselfalone。Whenhedid，hegenerallyindulgedhimselfinalittlehealthyrelaxation。Withtwohours’runtoSouthamptonbeforehim，freefromallpossibilityofintrusion，PrinceBlankletloosethebuttonsofhispowerfullybuiltwaistcoat，restedhisbaldheadonthetopofhischair，stretchedhisgreatlegsacrossanother，andclosedhisterrible，smalleyes。
ForaninstantitseemedtoPrinceBlankthatadraughthadenteredintothecarriage。As，however，thesensationimmediatelypassedaway，hedidnottroubletowakeup。ThenthePrincedreamedthatsomebodywasinthecarriagewithhim——wassittingoppositetohim。
Thisbeinganannoyingsortofdream，thePrinceopenedhiseyesforthepurposeofdispellingit。Therewassomebodysittingoppositetohim——averygrimylittleperson，wipingbloodoffitsfaceandhandswithadingyhandkerchief。HadthePrincebeenamancapableofsurprise，hewouldhavebeensurprised。
\"It’sallright，\"assuredhimTommy。\"Iain’theretodoanyharm。
