\"Easyforhim，\"mutteredPeterbitterly。\"Alwaysdoeshaveanappointmentoutsidethemomentshebegins。\"
Tommyappearedtobethrowingherverysoulintotheperformance。
Passers—byinCraneCourtpaused，regardedthefirst—floorwindowsofthepublishingandeditorialofficesofGoodHumourwithtroubledlooks，thenhurriedon。
\"Shehas——remarkablyfirmdouch！\"shoutedthedoctorintoPeter’sear。\"Willseeyou——evening。Someting——saytoyou。\"
Thefatlittledoctortookhishatanddeparted。Tommy，ceasingsuddenly，cameoverandseatedherselfonthearmofPeter’schair。
\"Feelinggrumpy？\"askedTommy。
\"Itisn’t，\"explainedPeter，\"thatImindthenoise。I’dputupwiththatifIcouldseethegoodofit。\"
\"It’sgoingtohelpmetogetahusband，dad。Seemstomeanoddwayofdoingit;butBillysaysso，andBillyknowsallabouteverything。\"
\"Ican’tunderstandyou，asensiblegirl，listeningtosuchnonsense，\"saidPeter。\"It’sthatthattroublesme。\"
\"Dad，whereareyourwits？\"demandedTommy。\"Isn’tBillyactinglikeabrick？Why，hecouldgointoFleetStreettohalfadozenotherpapersandmakefivehundredayearasadvertising—agent——youknowhecould。Buthedoesn’t。Hestickstous。Ifmymakingmyselfridiculouswiththattinpottheypersuadedhimwasapianoisgoingtopleasehim，isn’titcommonsenseandsoundbusiness，tosaynothingofgoodnatureandgratitude，formetodoit？Dad，I’vegotasurpriseforhim。Listen。\"AndTommy，springingfromthearmofPeter’schair，returnedtothepiano。
\"Whatwasit？\"questionedTommy，havingfinished。\"Couldyourecogniseit？\"
\"Ithink，\"saidPeter，\"itsoundedlike——Itwasn’t’Home，SweetHome，’wasit？\"
Tommyclappedherhands。\"Yes，itwas。You’llendbylikingityourself，dad。We’llhavemusical’AtHomes。’\"
\"Tommy，haveIbroughtyouupproperly，doyouthink？\"
\"Nodad，youhaven’t。Youhaveletmehavemyownwaytoomuch。
Youknowtheproverb：’Goodmothersmakebaddaughters。’Clodd’sright;you’vespoiltme，dad。Doyouremember，dad，whenIfirstcametoyou，sevenyearsago，araggedlittlebratoutofthestreets，thatdidn’tknowitselfwhether’twasaboyoragirl？DoyouknowwhatIthoughttomyselfthemomentIseteyesonyou？
’Here’sasoftoldjuggins;I’llbeallrightifIcangetinhere！’Itmakesyousmart，knockingaboutintheguttersandbeingknockedabout;youreadfacesquickly。\"
\"Doyourememberyourcooking，Tommy？You’hadanaptitudeforit，’accordingtoyourownidea。\"
Tommylaughed。\"Iwonderhowyoustoodit。\"
\"Youweresoobstinate。Youcametomeas’cookandhousekeeper，’
andascookandhousekeeper，andasnothingelse，wouldyouremain。
IfIsuggestedanychange，upwouldgoyourchinintotheair。I
darednotevendineouttoooften，youweresuchalittletyrant。
Theonlythingyouwerealwaysreadytodo，ifIwasn’tsatisfied，wastomarchoutofthehouseandleaveme。Whereverdidyougetthatsavageindependenceofyours？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Ithinkitmusthavebeenfromawoman——perhapsshewasmymother;Idon’tknow——whousedtositupinthebedandcough，allnightitseemedtome。Peoplewouldcometoseeus——
ladiesinfineclothes，andgentlemenwithoilyhair。Ithinktheywantedtohelpus。Manyofthemhadkindvoices。Butalwaysahardlookwouldcomeintoherface，andshewouldtellthemwhateventhenIknewtobeuntrue——itwasoneofthefirstthingsIcanrecollect——thatwehadeverythingwewanted，thatweneedednohelpfromanyone。Theywouldgoaway，shruggingtheirshoulders。I
grewupwiththefeelingthatseemedtohavebeenburntintomybrain，thattotakefromanybodyanythingyouhadnotearnedwasshameful。Idon’tthinkIcoulddoitevennow，notevenfromyou。
Iamusefultoyou，dad——Idohelpyou？\"
TherehadcreptaterrorintoTommy’svoice。Peterfeltthelittlehandsuponhisarmtrembling。
\"Helpme？Why，youworklikeanigger——likeaniggerissupposedtowork，butdoesn’t。Noone——whateverwepaidhim——woulddohalfasmuch。Idon’twanttomakeyourheadmoreswollenthanitis，youngwoman，butyouhavetalent;Iamnotsureitisnotgenius。\"
Peterfeltthelittlehandstightenuponhisarm。
\"Idowantthispapertobeasuccess;thatiswhyIstrumuponthepianotopleaseClodd。Isithumbug？\"
\"Iamafraiditis;buthumbugisthesweetoilthathelpsthiswhirlingworldofourstospinroundsmoothly。Toomuchofitcloys：wedropitverygently。\"
\"Butyouaresureitisonlyhumbug，Tommy？\"ItwasPeter’svoiceintowhichfearhadenterednow。\"ItisnotthatyouthinkheunderstandsyoubetterthanIdo——woulddomoreforyou？\"
\"YouwantmetotellyouallIthinkofyou，andthatisn’tgoodforyou，dad——nottoooften。Itwouldbeyouwhowouldhaveswelledheadthen。\"
\"Iamjealous，Tommy，jealousofeveryonethatcomesnearyou。
Lifeisatragedyforusoldfolks。Weknowtheremustcomeadaywhenyouwillleavethenest，leaveusvoiceless，ridiculous，flittingamongbarebranches。Youwillunderstandlater，whenyouhavechildrenofyourown。Thisfoolishtalkaboutahusband！Itisworseforamanthanitisforthewoman。Themotherlivesagaininherchild：themanisrobbedofall。\"
\"Dad，doyouknowhowoldIam？——thatyouaretalkingterriblenonsense？\"
\"Hewillcome，littlegirl。\"
\"Yes，\"answeredTommy，\"Isupposehewill;butnotforalongwhile——oh，notforaverylongwhile。Don’t。Itfrightensme。\"
\"You？Whyshoulditfrightenyou？\"
\"Thepain。Itmakesmefeelacoward。Iwantittocome;Iwanttotastelife，todrainthewholecup，tounderstand，tofeel。Butthatistheboyinme。Iammorethanhalfaboy，Ialwayshavebeen。Butthewomaninme：itshrinksfromtheordeal。\"
\"Youtalk，Tommy，asifloveweresomethingterrible。\"
\"Thereareallthingsinit;Ifeelit，dad。Itislifeinasingledraught。Itfrightensme。\"
Thechildwasstandingwithherfacehiddenbehindherhands。OldPeter，alwaysverybadatlying，stoodsilent，notknowingwhatconsolationtoconcoct。Theshadowpassed，andTommy’slaughingeyeslookedoutagain。
\"Haven’tyouanythingtodo，dad——outside，Imean？\"
\"Youwanttogetridofme？\"
\"Well，I’venothingelsetooccupymetilltheproofscomein。I’mgoingtopractise，hard。\"
\"IthinkI’llturnovermyarticleontheEmbankment，\"saidPeter。
\"There’sonethingyouallofyououghttobegratefultomefor，\"
laughedTommy，assheseatedherselfatthepiano。\"Idoinduceyoualltotakemorefreshairthanotherwiseyouwould。\"
Tommy，leftalone，setherselftohertaskwiththeenergyandthoroughnessthatwerecharacteristicofher。Strugglingwithcomplicatedscales，TommybenthereyescloserandcloseroverthepagesofCzerny’sExercises。Glancinguptoturnapage，Tommy，tohersurprise，mettheeyesofastranger。Theywerebrowneyes，theirexpressionsympathetic。Belowthem，lookinggoldenwiththesunlightfallingonit，wasamoustacheandbeardcutshortinVandykefashion，notaltogetherhidingapleasantmouth，aboutthecornersofwhichlurkedasmile。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidthestranger。\"Iknockedthreetimes。
Perhapsyoudidnothearme？\"
\"No，Ididn’t，\"confessedTommy，closingthebookofCzerny’sExercises，andrisingwithchinatananglethat，toanyoneacquaintedwiththechartofTommy’stemperament，mighthavesuggestedtheadvisabilityofseekingshelter。
\"ThisistheeditorialofficeofGoodHumour，isitnot？\"inquiredthestranger。
\"Itis。\"
\"Istheeditorin？\"
\"Theeditorisout。\"
\"Thesub—editor？\"suggestedthestranger。
\"Iamthesub—editor。\"
Thestrangerraisedhiseyebrows。Tommy，onthecontrary，loweredhers。
\"Wouldyoumindglancingthroughthat？\"Thestrangerdrewfromhispocketafoldedmanuscript。\"Itwillnottakeyouamoment。I
ought，ofcourse，tohavesentitthroughthepost;butIamsotiredofsendingthingsthroughthepost。\"
Thestranger’smannerwascompoundedofdignifiedimpudencecombinedwithpathetichumility。Hiseyesbothchallengedandpleaded。Tommyheldoutherhandforthepaperandretiredwithitbehindtheprotectionofthebigeditorialdeskthat，flankedononesidebyascreenandontheotherbyaformidablerevolvingbookcase，stretchedfortress—likeacrossthenarrowroom。Thestrangerremainedstanding。
\"Yes。It’spretty，\"criticisedthesub—editor。\"Worthprinting，perhaps，notworthpayingfor。\"
\"Notmerelya——anominalsum，sufficienttodistinguishitfromtheworkoftheamateur？\"
Tommypursedherlips。\"Poetryisquiteadruginthemarket。Wecangetasmuchaswewantofitfornothing。\"
\"Sayhalfacrown，\"suggestedthestranger。
Tommyshotaswiftglanceacrossthedesk，andforthefirsttimesawthewholeofhim。Hewascladinathreadbare，long，brownulster——long，thatis，itwouldhavebeenuponanordinaryman，butthestrangerhappeningtoberemarkablytall，itappearedonhimridiculouslyshort，reachingonlytohisknees。Roundhisneckandtuckedintohiswaistcoat，thuscompletelyhidingtheshirtandcollarhemayhavebeenwearingormaynot，wascarefullyarrangedabluesilkmuffler。Hishands，whichwerebare，lookedblueandcold。Yettheblackfrock—coatandwaistcoatandFrenchgreytrousersboretheunmistakablecutofafirst—classtailorandfittedhimtoperfection。Hishat，whichhehadrestedonthedesk，shoneresplendent，andthehandleofhissilkumbrellawasaneagle’sheadingold，withtwosmallrubiesfortheeyes。
\"Youcanleaveitifyoulike，\"consentedTommy。\"I’llspeaktotheeditoraboutitwhenhereturns。\"
\"Youwon’tforgetit？\"urgedthestranger。
\"No，\"answeredTommy。\"Ishallnotforgetit。\"
Herblackeyeswerefixeduponthestrangerwithoutherbeingawareofit。Shehaddroppedunconsciouslyintoher\"stocktaking\"
attitude。
\"Thankyouverymuch，\"saidthestranger。\"Iwillcallagainto—
morrow。\"
Thestranger，movingbackwardtothedoor，wentout。
Tommysatwithherfacebetweenherhands。Czerny’sExerciseslayneglected。
\"Anybodycalled？\"askedPeterHope。
\"No，\"answeredTommy。\"Oh，justaman。Leftthis——notbad。\"
\"Theoldstory，\"musedPeter，asheunfoldedthemanuscript。\"Weallofusbeginwithpoetry。Thenwetaketoproseromances;
poetrydoesn’tpay。Finally，wewritearticles：’HowtobeHappythoughMarried，’’WhatshallwedowithourDaughters？’Itislifesummarised。Whatisitallabout？\"
\"Oh，theusualsortofthing，\"explainedTommy。\"Hewantshalfacrownforit。\"
\"Poordevil！Lethimhaveit。\"
\"That’snotbusiness，\"growledTommy。
\"Nobodywilleverknow，\"saidPeter。\"We’llenteritas’telegrams。’\"
Thestrangercalledearlythenextday，pocketedhishalf—crown，andleftanothermanuscript——anessay。Alsoheleftbehindhimhisgold—handledumbrella，takingawaywithhiminsteadanoldalpacathingCloddkeptinreserveforexceptionallydirtyweather。Peterpronouncedtheessayusable。
\"Hehasastyle，\"saidPeter;\"hewriteswithdistinction。Makeanappointmentformewithhim。\"
Clodd，onmissinghisumbrella，wasindignant。
\"What’sthegoodofthisthingtome？\"commentedClodd。\"Sortofthingforadudeinapantomime！Thefellowmustbeablitheringass！\"
Tommygavetothestrangermessagesfrombothwhennexthecalled。
Heappearedmoregrievedthansurprisedconcerningtheumbrellas。
\"Youdon’tthinkMr。Cloddwouldliketokeepthisumbrellainexchangeforhisown？\"hesuggested。
\"Hardlyhisstyle，\"explainedTommy。
\"It’sverypeculiar，\"saidthestranger，withasmile。\"Ihavebeentryingtogetridofthisumbrellaforthelastthreeweeks。
Onceuponatime，whenIpreferredtokeepmyownumbrella，peopleusedtotakeitbymistake，leavingallkindsofshabbythingsbehindtheminexchange。Now，whenI’dreallyliketogetquitofit，nobodywillhaveit。\"
\"Whydoyouwanttogetridofit？\"askedTommy。\"Itlooksaverygoodumbrella。\"
\"Youdon’tknowhowithampersme，\"saidthestranger。\"Ihavetoliveuptoit。Itrequiresacertainamountofresolutiontoenteracheaprestaurantaccompaniedbythatumbrella。WhenIdo，thewaitersdrawmyattentiontothemostexpensivedishesandrecommendmespecialbrandsoftheirso—calledchampagne。TheyseemquitesurprisedifIonlywantachopandaglassofbeer。I
haven’talwaysgotthecouragetodisappointthem。Itisreallybecomingquiteacursetome。IfIuseittostopa’bus，threeorfourhansomsdashupandquarreloverme。Ican’tdoanythingI
wanttodo。Iwanttolivesimplyandinexpensively：itwillnotletme。\"
Tommylaughed。\"Can’tyouloseit？\"
Thestrangerlaughedalso。\"Loseit！Youhavenoideahowhonestpeopleare。Ihadn’tmyself。Thewholeworldhasgoneupinmyestimationwithinthelastfewweeks。Peoplerunaftermeforquitelongdistancesandforceitintomyhand——peopleonrainydayswhohaven’tgotumbrellasoftheirown。Itisthesamewiththishat。\"Thestrangersighedashetookitup。\"IamalwaystryingtogetOFFwithsomethingreasonablyshabbyinexchangeforit。Iamalwaysfoundoutandstopped。\"
\"Whydon’tyoupawnthem？\"suggestedthepracticableTommy。
Thestrangerregardedherwithadmiration。
\"Doyouknow，Ineverthoughtofthat，\"saidthestranger。\"Ofcourse。Whatagoodidea！Thankyousomuch。\"
Thestrangerdeparted，evidentlymuchrelieved。
\"Sillyfellow，\"musedTommy。\"Theywon’tgivehimaquarterofthevalue，andhewillsay：’Thankyousomuch，’andbequitecontented。\"ItworriedTommyagooddealthatday，thethoughtofthatstranger’shelplessness。
Thestranger’snamewasRichardDanvers。HelivedtheothersideofHolborn，inFeatherstoneBuildings，butmuchofhistimecametobespentintheofficesofGoodHumour。
Peterlikedhim。\"Fullofpromise，\"wasPeter’sopinion。\"Hiscriticismofthatarticleofmineon’TheEducationofWoman’
showedbothsenseandfeeling。Ascholarandathinker。\"
Flipp，theoffice—boy（speltPhilip），likedhim;andFlipp’sattitude，ingeneral，wascensorial。\"He’sallright，\"pronouncedFlipp;\"nothingstuck—upabouthim。He’sgotplentyofsense，lyinghiddenaway。\"
MissRamsbothamlikedhim。\"Themen——themenwethinkaboutatall，\"explainedMissRamsbotham——\"maybedividedintotwoclasses：
themenweoughttolike，butdon’t;andthementhereisnoparticularreasonforourliking，butthatwedo。PersonallyI
couldgetveryfondofyourfriendDick。Thereisnothingwhateverattractiveabouthimexcepthimself。\"
EvenTommylikedhiminherway，thoughattimesshewasseverewithhim。
\"Ifyoumeanabigstreet，\"grumbledTommy，whowasgoingoverproofs，\"whynotsayabigstreet？Whymustyoualwayscallita’mainartery’？\"
\"Iamsorry，\"apologisedDanvers。\"Itisnotmyownidea。Youtoldmetostudythehigher—classjournals。\"
\"Ididn’ttellyoutoselectandfollowalltheirfaults。Hereitisagain。Yourcrowdisalwaysa’hydra—headedmonster’;yourtea’thecupthatcheersbutnotinebriates。’\"
\"IamafraidIamadealoftroubletoyou，\"suggestedthestaff。
\"Iamafraidyouare，\"agreedthesub—editor。
\"Don’tgivemeup，\"pleadedthestaff。\"Imisunderstoodyou，thatisall。IwillwriteEnglishforthefuture。\"
\"Shallbegladifyouwill，\"growledthesub—editor。
DickDanversrose。\"Iamsoanxiousnottogetwhatyoucall’thesack’fromhere。\"
Thesub—editor，mollified，thoughtthestaffneedbeundernoapprehension，provideditshoweditselfteachable。
\"Ihavebeenratheraworthlessfellow，MissHope，\"confessedDickDanvers。\"IwasbeginningtodespairofmyselftillIcameacrossyouandyourfather。Theatmospherehere——Idon’tmeanthematerialatmosphereofCraneCourt——issoinvigorating：itssimplicity，itssincerity。Iusedtohaveideals。Itriedtostiflethem。Thereisasetthatsneersatallthatsortofthing。
NowIseethattheyaregood。Youwillhelpme？\"
Everywomanisamother。Tommyfeltforthemomentthatshewantedtotakethisbigboyonherkneeandtalktohimforhisgood。Hewasonlyanovergrownlad。Butsoexceedinglyovergrown！Tommyhadtocontentherselfwithholdingoutherhand。DickDanversgraspedittightly。
Cloddwastheonlyonewhodidnotapproveofhim。
\"Howdidyougetholdofhim？\"askedCloddoneafternoon，heandPeteraloneintheoffice。
\"Hecame。Hecameintheusualway，\"explainedPeter。
\"Whatdoyouknowabouthim？\"
\"Nothing。Whatistheretoknow？Onedoesn’taskforacharacterwithajournalist。\"
\"No，Isupposethatwouldn’twork。Foundoutanythingabouthimsince？\"
\"Nothingagainsthim。Whysosuspiciousofeverybody？\"
\"Becauseyouarejustawoollylambandwantadogtolookafteryou。Whoishe？Onafirstnighthegivesawayhisstallandsneaksintothepit。Whenyousendhimtoapicture—gallery，hedodgestheprivateviewandgoesonthefirstshillingday。Ifaninvitationcomestoapublicdinner，heasksmetogoandeatitforhimandtellhimwhatit’sallabout。Thatdoesn’tsuggestthefrankandhonestjournalist，doesit？\"
\"Itisunusual，itcertainlyisunusual，\"Peterwasboundtoadmit。
\"Idistrusttheman，\"saidClodd。\"He’snotourclass。Whatishedoinghere？\"
\"Iwillaskhim，Clodd;Iwillaskhimstraightout。\"
\"Andbelievewhateverhetellsyou。\"
\"No，Ishan’t。\"
\"Thenwhat’sthegoodofaskinghim？\"
\"Well，whatamItodo？\"demandedthebewilderedPeter。
\"Getridofhim，\"suggestedClodd。
\"Getridofhim？\"
\"Gethimaway！Don’thavehiminandoutoftheofficealldaylong—lookingatherwiththosecollie—dogeyesofhis，arguingartandpoetrywithherinthatcushat—dovevoiceofhis。Gethimcleanaway——ifitisn’ttoolatealready。\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidPeter，whohadturnedwhite，however。\"She’snotthatsortofgirl。\"
\"Notthatsortofgirl！\"CloddhadnopatiencewithPeterHope，andtoldhimso。\"Whyarethereneverinkstainsonherfingersnow？Thereusedtobe。Whydoesshealwayskeepalemoninherdrawer？Whendidshelasthaveherhaircut？I’lltellyouifyoucaretoknow——theweekbeforehecame，fivemonthsago。Sheusedtohaveitcutonceafortnight：saidittickledherneck。WhydoesshejumponpeoplewhentheycallherTommyandtellthemthathernameisJane？ItneverusedtobeJane。Maybewhenyou’reabitolderyou’llbegintonoticethingsforyourself。\"
Cloddjammedhishatonhisheadandflunghimselfdownthestairs。
Peter，slippingoutaminutelater，boughthimselfanounceofsnuff。
\"Fiddle—de—dee！\"saidPeterashehelpedhimselftohisthirteenthpinch。\"Don’tbelieveit。I’llsoundher。Ishan’tsayaword——
I’lljustsoundher。\"
Peterstoodwithhisbacktothefire。Tommysatatherdesk，correctingproofsofafancifulstory：TheManWithoutaPast。
\"Ishallmisshim，\"saidPeter;\"IknowIshall。\"
\"Misswhom？\"demandedTommy。
\"Danvers，\"sighedPeter。\"Italwayshappensso。Yougetfriendlywithaman;thenhegoesaway——abroad，backtoAmerica，Lordknowswhere。Youneverseehimagain。\"
Tommylookedup。Therewastroubleinherface。
\"Howdoyouspell’harassed’？\"questionedTommy！\"twor’sorone。\"
\"Oner，\"Peterinformedher，\"twos’s。\"
\"Ithoughtso。\"ThetroublepassedfromTommy’sface。
\"Youdon’taskwhenhe’sgoing，youdon’taskwherehe’sgoing，\"
complainedPeter。\"Youdon’tseemtobeinterestedintheleast。\"
\"Iwasgoingtoask，sosoonasIhadfinishedcorrectingthissheet，\"explainedTommy。\"Whatreasondoeshegive？\"
Peterhadcrossedoverandwasstandingwherehecouldseeherfaceilluminedbythelamplight。
\"Itdoesn’tupsetyou——thethoughtofhisgoingaway，ofyourneverseeinghimagain？\"
\"Whyshouldit？\"Tommyansweredhissearchinggazewithaslightlypuzzledlook。\"Ofcourse，I’msorry。Hewasbecominguseful。Butwecouldn’texpecthimtostopwithusalways，couldwe？\"
Peter，rubbinghishands，brokeintoachuckle。\"Itoldhim’twasallfiddlesticks。Clodd，hewouldhaveityouweregrowingtocareforthefellow。\"
\"ForDickDanvers？\"Tommylaughed。\"Whateverputthatintohishead？\"
\"Oh，well，therewereoneortwolittlethingsthatwehadnoticed。\"
\"We？\"
\"ImeanthatCloddhadnoticed。\"
I’mgladitwasCloddthatnoticedthem，notyou，dad，thoughtTommytoherself。They’dhavebeenprettyobviousifyouhadnoticedthem。
\"Itnaturallymademeanxious，\"confessedPeter。\"Yousee，weknowabsolutelynothingofthefellow。\"
\"Absolutelynothing，\"agreedTommy。
\"Hemaybeamanofthehighestintegrity。Personally，Ithinkheis。Ilikehim。Ontheotherhand，hemaybeathorough—pacedscoundrel。Idon’tbelieveforamomentthatheis，buthemaybe。
Impossibletosay。\"
\"Quiteimpossible，\"agreedTommy。
\"Consideredmerelyasajournalist，itdoesn’tmatter。Hewriteswell。Hehasbrains。There’sanendofit。\"
\"Heisverypainstaking，\"agreedTommy。
\"Personally，\"addedPeter，\"Ilikethefellow。\"Tommyhadreturnedtoherwork。
OfwhatusewasPeterinacrisisofthiskind？Petercouldn’tscold。Petercouldn’tbully。TheonlypersontotalktoTommyasTommyknewsheneededtobetalkedtowasoneJane，ayoungwomanofdignitywithsenseoftheproprieties。
\"Idohopethatatleastyouarefeelingashamedofyourself，\"
remarkedJanetoTommythatsamenight，asthetwainsattogetherintheirlittlebedroom。
\"Donenothingtobeashamedof，\"growledTommy。
\"Makingafoolofyourselfopenly，foreverybodytonotice。\"
\"Cloddain’teverybody。He’sgoteyesatthebackofhishead。
Seesthingsbeforetheyhappen。\"
\"Where’syourwoman’spride：fallinginlovewithamanwhohasneverspokentoyou，exceptintermsofthemostordinarycourtesy。\"
\"I’mnotinlovewithhim。\"
\"Amanaboutwhomyouknowabsolutelynothing。\"
\"Notinlovewithhim。\"
\"Wheredoeshecomefrom？Whoishe？\"
\"Idon’tknow，don’tcare;nothingtodowithme。\"
\"Justbecauseofhissofteyes，andhiswheedlingvoice，andthathalf—caressing，half—devotionalmannerofhis。Doyouimaginehekeepsitspeciallyforyou？Igaveyoucreditformoresense。\"
\"I’mnotinlovewithhim，Itellyou。He’sdownonhisluck，andI’msorryforhim，that’sall。\"
\"Andifheis，whosefaultwasit，doyouthink？\"
\"Itdoesn’tmatter。Wearenoneofussaints。He’stryingtopullhimselftogether，andIrespecthimforit。It’sourdutytobecharitableandkindtooneanotherinthisworld！\"
\"Oh，well，I’lltellyouhowyoucanbekindtohim：bypointingouttohimthatheiswastinghistime。Withhistalents，nowthatheknowshisbusiness，hecouldbeonthestaffofsomebigpaper，earningagoodincome。Putitnicelytohim，butbefirm。Insistonhisgoing。Thatwillbeshowingtruekindnesstohim——andtoyourself，too，I’mthinking，mydear。\"
AndTommyunderstoodandappreciatedthesoundgoodsenseunderlyingJane’sadvice，andtheverynextdaybutone，seizingthefirstopportunity，acteduponit;andallwouldhavegoneascontemplatedifonlyDickDanvershadsatstillandlistened，asithadbeenarrangedinTommy’sprogrammethatheshould。
\"ButIdon’twanttogo，\"saidDick。
\"Butyououghttowanttogo。Stayingherewithusyouaredoingyourselfnogood。\"
Heroseandcametowhereshestoodwithonefootuponthefender，lookingdownintothefire。Hisdoingthisdisconcertedher。Solongasheremainedseatedattheotherendoftheroom，shewasthesub—editor，counsellingthestaffforitsowngood。Nowthatshecouldnotraisehereyeswithoutencounteringhis，shefeltpainfullyconsciousofbeingnothingmoreimportantthanalittlewomanwhowastrembling。
\"Itisdoingmeallthegoodintheworld，\"hetoldher，\"beingneartoyou。\"
\"Oh，pleasedositdownagain，\"sheurgedhim。\"Icantalktoyousomuchbetterwhenyou’resittingdown。\"
Buthewouldnotdoanythingheshouldhavedonethatday。Insteadhetookherhandsinhis，andwouldnotletthemgo;andthereasonandthewillwentoutofher，leavingherhelpless。
\"Letmebewithyoualways，\"hepleaded。\"Itmeansthedifferencebetweenlightanddarknesstome。Youhavedonesomuchforme。
Willyounotfinishyourwork？Willyounottrustme？Itisnohotpassionthatcanpassaway，myloveforyou。Itspringsfromallthatisbestinme——fromthepartofmethatiswholesomeandjoyousandstrong，thepartofmethatbelongstoyou。\"
Releasingher，heturnedaway。
\"Theotherpartofme——theblackguard——itisdead，dear，——deadandburied。IdidnotknowIwasablackguard，Ithoughtmyselfafinefellow，tillonedayitcamehometome。SuddenlyIsawmyselfasIreallywas。AndthesightofthethingfrightenedmeandIranawayfromit。IsaidtomyselfIwouldbeginlifeafresh，inanewcountry，freeofeverytiethatcouldbindmetothepast。Itwouldmeanpoverty——privation，maybe，inthebeginning。Whatofthat？Thestrugglewouldbraceme。Itwouldbegoodsport。Ah，well，youcanguesstheresult：theawakeningtothecoldfacts，thereactionoffeeling。InwhatwaywasIworsethanothermen？
WhowasI，toplaythepriginaworldwhereotherswerelaughinganddining？Ihadtrampedyourcitytillmybootswerewornintoholes。Ihadbuttoabandonmyquixoticideals——returntowhereshamelaywaitingforme，tobewelcomedwiththefattedcalf。ItwouldhaveendedsohadInotchancedtopassbyyourdoorthatafternoonandhearyoustrummingonthepiano。\"
SoBillywasright，afterall，thoughtTommytoherself，thepianodoeshelp。
\"Itwassoincongruous——apianoinCraneCourt——Ilookedtoseewherethenoisecamefrom。Ireadthenameofthepaperonthedoorpost。’Itwillbemylastchance，’Isaidtomyself。’Thisshalldecideit。’\"
Hecamebacktoher。Shehadnotmoved。\"Iamnotafraidtotellyouallthis。Youaresobig—hearted，sohuman;youwillunderstand，youcanforgive。Itisallpast。Lovingyoutellsamanthathehasdonewithevil。Willyounottrustme？\"
Sheputherhandsinhis。\"Iamtrustingyou，\"shesaid，\"withallmylife。Don’tmakeamuddleofit，dear，ifyoucanhelpit。\"
Itwasanoddwooing，asTommylaughinglytoldherselfwhenshecametothinkitoverinherroomthatnight。Butthatishowitshapeditself。
WhattroubledhermostwasthathehadnotbeenquitefrankwithPeter，sothatPeterhadtodefendheragainstherself。
\"Iattackedyousosuddenly，\"explainedPeter，\"youhadnottimetothink。Youactedfrominstinct。Awomanseekstohideherloveevenfromherself。\"
\"Iexpect，afterall，Iammoreofagirlthanaboy，\"fearedTommy：\"Iseemtohavesomanywomanishfailings。\"
Petertookhimselfintoquiteplacesandtrainedhimselftofacethefactthatanotherwouldbemoretoherthanhehadeverbeen，andCloddwentabouthisworklikeabearwithasorehead;buttheyneitherofthemneedhavetroubledthemselvessomuch。Themarriagedidnottakeplacetillnearlyfifteenyearshadpassedaway，andmuchwaterhadtoflowbeneatholdLondonBridgebeforethatday。
Thepastisnoteasilygotridof。Atalewasoncewrittenofawomanwhokilledherbabeandburieditinalonelywood，andlaterstolebackinthenightandsawthere，whiteinthemoonlight，achild’shandcallingthroughtheearth，andburieditagainandyetagain;butalwaysthatwhitebabyhandcalledupwardsthroughtheearth，trampleitdownasshewould。Tommyreadthestoryoneeveninginanoldmiscellany，andsatlongbeforethedeadfire，thebookopenonherlap，andshivered;fornowsheknewthefearthathadbeenhauntingher。
Tommylivedexpectingher。ShecameonenightwhenTommywasalone，workinglateintheoffice。Tommyknewherthemomentsheenteredthedoor，ahandsomewoman，withsnake—like，rustlingskirts。Sheclosedthedoorbehindher，anddrawingforwardachair，seatedherselftheothersideofthedesk，andthetwolookedlongandanxiouslyatoneanother。
\"TheytoldmeIshouldfindyouherealone，\"saidthewoman。\"Itisbetter，isitnot？\"
\"Yes，\"saidTommy，\"itisbetter。\"
\"Tellme，\"saidthewoman，\"areyouverymuchinlovewithhim？\"
\"WhyshouldItellyou？\"
\"Because，ifnot——ifyouhavemerelyacceptedhimthinkinghimagoodcatch——whichheisn’t，mydear;hasn’tapennytoblesshimselfwith，andneverwillifhemarriesyou——why，thenthematterissoonsettled。Theytellmeyouareabusiness—likeyounglady，andIampreparedtomakeabusiness—likeproposition。\"
Therewasnoanswer。Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。
\"If，ontheotherhand，youarethatabsurdcreature，ayounggirlinlove——why，then，Isupposeweshallhavetofightforhim。\"
\"Itwouldbemoresporting，woulditnot？\"suggestedTommy。
\"Letmeexplainbeforeyoudecide，\"continuedthewoman。\"DickDanversleftmesixmonthsago，andhaskeptfrommeeversince，becausehelovedme。\"
\"Itsoundsacuriousreason。\"
\"IwasamarriedwomanwhenDickDanversandIfirstmet。Sinceheleftme——formysakeandhisown——Ihavereceivedinformationofmyhusband’sdeath。\"
\"AnddoesDick——doesheknow？\"askedthegirl。
\"Notyet。Ihaveonlylatelylearntthenewsmyself。\"
\"Thenifitisasyousay，whenheknowshewillgobacktoyou。\"
\"Therearedifficultiesintheway。\"
\"Whatdifficulties？\"
\"Mydear，this。Totryandforgetme，hehasbeenmakinglovetoyou。Mendothesethings。Imerelyaskyoutoconvinceyourselfofthetruth。Goawayforsixmonths——disappearentirely。Leavehimfree——uninfluenced。Ifhelovesyou——ifitbenotmerelyasenseofhonourthatbindshim——youwillfindhimhereonyourreturn。Ifnot——ifintheintervalIhavesucceededinrunningoffwithhim，well，isnotthetwoorthreethousandpoundsIampreparedtoputintothispaperofyoursafairpriceforsuchalover？\"
Tommyrosewithalaughofgenuineamusement。Shecouldneveraltogetherputasidehersenseofhumour，letFatecomewithwhatterrifyingfaceitwould。
\"Youmayhavehimfornothing——ifheisthatman，\"thegirltoldher;\"heshallbefreetochoosebetweenus。\"
\"Youmeanyouwillreleasehimfromhisengagement？\"
\"ThatiswhatImean。\"
\"Whynottakemyoffer？Youknowthemoneyisneeded。Itwillsaveyourfatheryearsofanxietyandstruggle。Goaway——travel，foracoupleofmonths，ifyou’reafraidofthesix。Writehimthatyoumustbealone，tothinkthingsover。\"
Thegirlturneduponher。
\"Andleaveyouafreefieldtolieandtrick？\"
Thewoman，too，hadrisen。\"Doyouthinkhereallycaresforyou？
Atthemomentyouinteresthim。Atnineteeneverywomanisamystery。Whenthemoodispast——anddoyouknowhowlongaman’smoodlasts，youpoorchit？Tillhehascaughtwhatheisrunningafter，andhastastedit——thenhewillthinknotofwhathehaswon，butofwhathehaslost：ofthesocietyfromwhichhehascuthimselfadrift;ofalltheoldpleasuresandpursuitshecannolongerenjoy;oftheluxuries——necessitiestoamanofhisstamp——
thatmarriagewithyouhasdeprivedhimof。Thenyourfacewillbeaperpetualremindertohimofwhathehaspaidforit，andhewillcurseiteverytimeheseesit。\"
\"Youdon’tknowhim，\"thegirlcried。\"Youknowjustapartofhim——thepartyouwouldknow。Alltherestofhimisagoodman，thatwouldratherhisself—respectthanalltheluxuriesyoumention——youincluded。\"
\"Itseemstoresolveitselfintowhatmannerofmanheis，\"laughedthewoman。
Thegirllookedatherwatch。\"Hewillbehereshortly;heshalltellushimself。\"
\"Howdoyoumean？\"
\"Thathere，betweenthetwoofus，heshalldecide——thisverynight。\"Sheshowedherwhitefacetothewoman。\"DoyouthinkI
couldlivethroughaseconddayliketothis？\"
\"Thescenewouldberidiculous。\"
\"Therewillbenoneheretoenjoythehumourofit。\"
\"Hewillnotunderstand。\"
\"Oh，yes，hewill，\"thegirllaughed。\"Come，youhavealltheadvantages;youarerich，youareclever;youbelongtohisclass。
Ifheelectstostopwithme，itwillbebecauseheismyman——
mine。Areyouafraid？\"
Thewomanshivered。Shewrappedherfurcloakabouthercloserandsatdownagain，andTommyreturnedtoherproofs。Itwaspress—
night，andtherewasmuchtobedone。
Hecamealittlelater，thoughhowlongthetimemayhaveseemedtothetwowomenonecannotsay。Theyheardhisfootsteponthestair。Thewomanroseandwentforward，sothatwhenheopenedthedoorshewasthefirsthesaw。Buthemadenosign。Possiblyhehadbeenschoolinghimselfforthismoment，knowingthatsoonerorlateritmustcome。Thewomanheldoutherhandtohimwithasmile。
\"Ihavenotthehonour，\"hesaid。
Thesmilediedfromherface。\"Idonotunderstand，\"shesaid。
\"Ihavenotthehonour，\"herepeated。\"Idonotknowyou。\"
Thegirlwasleaningwithherbackagainstthedeskinasomewhatmannishattitude。Hestoodbetweenthem。ItwillalwaysremainLife’schiefcomicsuccess：themanbetweentwowomen。Thesituationhasamusedtheworldforsomanyyears。Yet，somehow，hecontrivedtomaintainacertaindignity。
\"Maybe，\"hecontinued，\"youareconfoundingmewithaDickDanverswholivedinNewYorkuptoafewmonthsago。Iknewhimwell——aworthlessscampyouhaddonebetternevertohavemet。\"
\"Youbearawonderfulresemblancetohim，\"laughedthewoman。
\"Thepoorfoolisdead，\"heanswered。\"Andheleftforyou，mydearlady，thisdyingmessage：that，fromthebottomofhissoul，hewassorryforthewronghehaddoneyou。Heaskedyoutoforgivehim——andforgethim。\"
\"Theyearappearstobeopeningunfortunatelyforme，\"saidthewoman。\"Firstmylover，thenmyhusband。\"
Hehadnervedhimselftofighttheliving。Thiswasablowfromthedead。Themanhadbeenhisfriend。
\"Dead？\"
\"Hewaskilled，itappears，inthatlastexpeditioninJuly，\"
answeredthewoman。\"IreceivedthenewsfromtheForeignOfficeonlyafortnightago。\"
Anuglylookcameintohiseyes——thelookofacorneredcreaturefightingforitslife。\"Whyhaveyoufollowedmehere？WhydoI
findyouherealonewithher？Whathaveyoutoldher？\"
Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。\"Onlythetruth。\"
\"Allthetruth？\"hedemanded——\"all？Ah！bejust。Tellheritwasnotallmyfault。Tellherallthetruth。\"
\"Whatwouldyouhavemetellher？ThatIplayedPotiphar’swifetoyourJoseph？\"
\"Ah，no！Thetruth——onlythetruth。ThatyouandIwereapairofidlefoolswiththedevildancingroundus。Thatweplayedafool’sgame，andthatitisover。\"
\"Isitover？Dick，isitover？\"Sheflungherarmstowardshim;
buthethrewherfromhimalmostbrutally。\"Themanisdead，I
tellyou。Hisfollyandhissinliedeadwithhim。Ihavenothingtodowithyou，noryouwithme。\"
\"Dick！\"shewhispered。\"Dick，cannotyouunderstand？Imustspeakwithyoualone。\"
Buttheydidnotunderstand，neitherthemannorthechild。
\"Dick，areyoureallydead？\"shecried。\"Haveyounopityforme？
DoyouthinkthatIhavefollowedyouheretogrovelatyourfeetformerewhim？AmIactinglikeawomansaneandsound？Don’tyouseethatIammad，andwhyIammad？MustItellyoubeforeher？
Dick——\"Shestaggeredtowardshim，andthefinecloakslippedfromhershoulders;andthenitwasthatTommychangedfromachildintoawoman，andraisedtheotherwomanfromthegroundwithcrooningwordsofencouragementsuchasmothersuse，andledhertotheinnerroom。\"Donotgo，\"shesaid，turningtoDick;\"Ishallbebackinafewminutes。\"
HecrossedtooneofthewindowsagainstwhichbeattheCity’sroar，anditseemedtohimasthethrobofpassingfootstepsbeatingdownthroughthedarknesstowherehelayinhisgrave。
Shere—entered，closingthedoorsoftlybehindher。\"Itistrue？\"
sheasked。
\"Itcanbe。Ihadnotthoughtofit。\"
Theyspokeinlow，matter—of—facttones，aspeopledowhohavegrownwearyoftheirownemotions。
\"Whendidhegoaway——herhusband？\"
\"About——itisFebruarynow，isitnot？Abouteighteenmonthsago。\"
\"Anddiedjusteightmonthsago。Ratherconveniently，poorfellow。\"
\"Yes，I’mgladheisdead——poorLawrence。\"
\"Whatistheshortesttimeinwhichamarriagecanbearranged？\"
\"Idonotknow，\"heansweredlistlessly。\"Idonotintendtomarryher。\"
\"Youwouldleavehertobearitalone？\"
\"Itisnotasifshewereapoorwoman。Youcandoanythingwithmoney。\"
\"Itwillnotmendreputation。Herpositioninsocietyiseverythingtothatclassofwoman。\"
\"Mymarryinghernow，\"hepointedout，\"wouldnotsaveher。\"
\"Practicallyspeakingitwould，\"thegirlpleaded。\"Theworlddoesnotgooutofitswaytofindoutthingsitdoesnotwanttoknow。
Marryherasquietlyaspossibleandtravelforayearortwo。\"
\"WhyshouldI？Ah！itiseasyenoughtocallamanacowardfordefendinghimselfagainstawoman。Whatishetodowhenheisfightingforhislife？Mendonotsinwithgoodwomen。\"
\"Thereisthechildtobeconsidered，\"sheurged——\"yourchild。Yousee，dear，wealldowrongsometimes。Wemustnotletotherssufferforourfaultmore——morethanwecanhelp。\"
Heturnedtoherforthefirsttime。\"Andyou？\"
\"I？Oh，Ishallcryforalittlewhile，butlateronIshalllaugh，asoften。Lifeisnotalllove。Ihavemywork。\"
Heknewherwellbythistime。Andalsoitcametohimthatitwouldbeafinerthingtobeworthyofherthaneventopossessher。
Sohedidherbiddingandwentoutwiththeotherwoman。Tommywasgladitwaspress—night。Shewouldnotbeabletothinkforhourstocome，andthen，perhaps，shewouldbefeelingtootired。Workcanbeverykind。
Werethisanartisticstory，here，ofcourse，onewouldwrite\"Finis。\"Butintheworkadayworldoneneverknowstheendingtillitcomes。Haditbeenotherwise，IdoubtIcouldhavefoundcouragetotellyouthisstoryofTommy。Itisnotalltrue——atleast，Idonotsupposeso。Onedriftsunconsciouslyalittlewayintodream—landwhenonesitsoneselfdowntorecallthehappeningsoflongago;whileFancy，withaslywink，whisperseverandagaintoMemory：\"Letmetellthisincident——picturethatscene：Icanmakeitsomuchmoreinterestingthanyouwould。\"ButTommy——howcanIputitwithoutsayingtoomuch：thereissomeoneIthinkofwhenIspeakofher？Torememberonlyherdearwounds，andnotthehealingofthem，wouldhavebeenatasktoopainful。Ilovetodwellontheirnextmeeting。Flipp，passinghimonthesteps，didnotknowhim，thetall，sunburntgentlemanwiththesweet，grave—
facedlittlegirl。
\"Seenthatfacesomewherebefore，\"musedFlipp，asatthecornerofBedfordStreetheclimbedintoahansom，\"seenitsomewhereonathinnerman。\"
ForDickDanvers，thathedidnotrecogniseFlipp，therewasmoreexcuse。AveryoldyoungmanhadFlippbecomeatthirty。Flippnolongerenjoyedpopularjournalism。Heproducedit。
Thegold—bounddoorkeeperfearedthemightyCloddwouldbeunabletoseesoinsignificantanatomasanunappointedstranger，butwouldletthecardofMr。RichardDanverspleadforitself。Tothegold—boundkeeper’ssurprisecamedownthemessagethatMr。Danverswastobeatonceshownup。
\"Ithought，somehow，youwouldcometomefirst，\"saidtheportlyClodd，advancingwithout—stretchedhand。\"Andthisis——？\"
\"Mylittlegirl，Honor。Wehavebeentravellingforthelastfewmonths。\"
Cloddtookthegrave，smallfacebetweenhisbig，roughhands：
\"Yes。Sheislikeyou。Butlooksasifsheweregoingtohavemoresense。Forgiveme，Iknewyourfathermydear，\"laughedClodd;\"whenhewasyounger。\"
Theylittheircigarsandtalked。
\"Well，notexactlydead;weamalgamatedit，\"winkedCloddinanswertoDanvers’inquiry。\"ItwasjustatrifleTOOhigh—class。
Besides，theoldgentlemanwasnotgettingyounger。Ithurthimalittleatfirst。ButthencameTommy’sgreatsuccess，andthathasreconciledhimtoallthings。DotheyknowyouareinEngland？\"
\"No，\"explainedDanvers;\"wearrivedonlylastnight。\"
Cloddcalleddirectionsdownthespeaking—tube。
\"Youwillfindhardlyanychangeinher。Onestillhastokeepone’seyeuponherchin。Shehasnotevenlostheroldhabitoftakingstockofpeople。Youremember。\"Cloddlaughed。
Theytalkedalittlelonger，tilltherecameawhistle，andCloddputhiseartothetube。
\"Ihavetoseeheronbusiness，\"saidClodd，rising;\"youmayaswellcomewithme。Theyarestillintheoldplace，GoughSquare。\"
Tommywasout，butPeterwasexpectinghereveryminute。
PeterdidnotknowDick，butwouldnotadmitit。Forgetfulnesswasasignofage，andPeterstillfeltyoung。
\"Iknowyourfacequitewell，\"saidPeter;\"can’tputanametoit，that’sall。\"
Cloddwhisperedittohim，togetherwithinformationbringinghistoryuptodate。Andthenlightfellupontheoldlinedface。
HecametowardsDick，meaningtotakehimbybothhands，but，perhapsbecausehehadbecomesomewhatfeeble，heseemedgladwhentheyoungermanputhisarmsaroundhimandheldhimforamoment。
Itwasun—English，andbothofthemfeltalittleashamedofthemselvesafterwards。
\"Whatwewant，\"saidClodd，addressingPeter，\"wethree——you，I，andMissDanvers——isteaandcakes，withcreaminthem;andIknowashopwheretheysellthem。Wewillcallbackforyourfatherinhalfanhour。\"CloddexplainedtoMissDanvers;\"hehastotalkoveramatterofbusinesswithMissHope。\"
\"Iknow，\"answeredthegrave—facedlittleperson。ShedrewDick’sfacedowntohersandkissedit。Andthenthethreewentouttogether，leavingDickstandingbythewindow。
\"Couldn’twehidesomewheretillshecomes？\"suggestedMissDanvers。\"Iwanttoseeher。\"
Sotheywaitedintheopendoorwayofanearprinting—housetillTommydroveup。BothPeterandCloddwatchedthechild’sfacewithsomeanxiety。Shenoddedgravelytoherselfthreetimes，thenslippedherhandintoPeter’s。
Tommyopenedthedoorwithherlatchkeyandpassedin。
