Secrecyhasthisdisadvantage:welosethesenseofproportion；
wecannottellwhetheroursecretisimportantornot。WereLucyandhercousinclosetedwithagreatthingwhichwoulddestroyCecil\'slifeifhediscoveredit，orwithalittlethingwhichhewouldlaughat？MissBartlettsuggestedtheformer。Perhapsshewasright。Ithadbecomeagreatthingnow。Lefttoherself，Lucywouldhavetoldhermotherandherloveringenuously，anditwouldhaveremainedalittlething。\"Emerson，notHarris\"；itwasonlythatafewweeksago。ShetriedtotellCecilevennowwhentheywerelaughingaboutsomebeautifulladywhohadsmittenhisheartatschool。Butherbodybehavedsoridiculouslythatshestopped。
SheandhersecretstayedtendayslongerinthedesertedMetropolisvisitingthescenestheyweretoknowsowelllateron。Itdidhernoharm，Cecilthought，tolearntheframeworkofsociety，whilesocietyitselfwasabsentonthegolf-linksorthemoors。Theweatherwascool，anditdidhernoharm。Inspiteoftheseason，Mrs。Vysemanagedtoscrapetogetheradinner-partyconsistingentirelyofthegrandchildrenoffamouspeople。Thefoodwaspoor，butthetalkhadawittywearinessthatimpressedthegirl。Onewastiredofeverything，itseemed。Onelaunchedintoenthusiasmsonlytocollapsegracefully，andpickoneselfupamidsympatheticlaughter。InthisatmospherethePensionBertoliniandWindyCornerappearedequallycrude，andLucysawthatherLondoncareerwouldestrangeheralittlefromallthatshehadlovedinthepast。
Thegrandchildrenaskedhertoplaythepiano。
SheplayedSchumann。\"NowsomeBeethoven\"calledCecil，whenthequerulousbeautyofthemusichaddied。SheshookherheadandplayedSchumannagain。Themelodyrose，unprofitablymagical。Itbroke；itwasresumedbroken，notmarchingoncefromthecradletothegrave。Thesadnessoftheincomplete——thesadnessthatisoftenLife，butshouldneverbeArt——throbbedinitsdisjectedphrases，andmadethenervesoftheaudiencethrob。NotthushadsheplayedonthelittledrapedpianoattheBertolini，and\"ToomuchSchumann\"wasnottheremarkthatMr。Beebehadpassedtohimselfwhenshereturned。
Whentheguestsweregone，andLucyhadgonetobed，Mrs。Vysepacedupanddownthedrawing-room，discussingherlittlepartywithherson。Mrs。Vysewasanicewoman，butherpersonality，likemanyanother\'s，hadbeenswampedbyLondon，foritneedsastrongheadtoliveamongmanypeople。Thetoovastorbofherfatehadcrushedher；andshehadseentoomanyseasons，toomanycities，toomanymen，forherabilities，andevenwithCecilshewasmechanical，andbehavedasifhewasnotoneson，but，sotospeak，afilialcrowd。
\"MakeLucyoneofus，\"shesaid，lookingroundintelligentlyattheendofeachsentence，andstrainingherlipsapartuntilshespokeagain。\"Lucyisbecomingwonderful——wonderful。”
\"Hermusicalwayswaswonderful。”
\"Yes，butsheispurgingofftheHoneychurchtaint，mostexcellentHoneychurches，butyouknowwhatImean。Sheisnotalwaysquotingservants，oraskingonehowthepuddingismade。”
\"Italyhasdoneit。”
\"Perhaps，\"shemurmured，thinkingofthemuseumthatrepresentedItalytoher。\"Itisjustpossible。Cecil，mindyoumarryhernextJanuary。Sheisoneofusalready。”
\"Buthermusic!\"heexclaimed。\"Thestyleofher!HowshekepttoSchumannwhen，likeanidiot，IwantedBeethoven。Schumannwasrightforthisevening。Schumannwasthething。Doyouknow，mother，IshallhaveourchildreneducatedjustlikeLucy。Bringthemupamonghonestcountryfolksforfreshness，sendthemtoItalyforsubtlety，andthen——nottillthen——letthemcometoLondon。Idon\'tbelieveintheseLondoneducations——\"Hebrokeoff，rememberingthathehadhadonehimself，andconcluded，\"Atallevents，notforwomen。”
\"Makeheroneofus，\"repeatedMrs。Vyse，andprocessedtobed。
Asshewasdozingoff，acry——thecryofnightmare——rangfromLucy\'sroom。LucycouldringforthemaidifshelikedbutMrs。
Vysethoughtitkindtogoherself。Shefoundthegirlsittinguprightwithherhandonhercheek。
\"Iamsosorry，Mrs。Vyse——itisthesedreams。”
\"Baddreams？\"
\"Justdreams。”
Theelderladysmiledandkissedher，sayingverydistinctly:
\"Youshouldhaveheardustalkingaboutyou，dear。Headmiresyoumorethanever。Dreamofthat。”
Lucyreturnedthekiss，stillcoveringonecheekwithherhand。
Mrs。Vyserecessedtobed。Cecil，whomthecryhadnotawoke，snored。Darknessenvelopedtheflat。
ChapterXII:TwelfthChapterItwasaSaturdayafternoon，gayandbrilliantafterabundantrains，andthespiritofyouthdweltinit，thoughtheseasonwasnowautumn。Allthatwasgracioustriumphed。AsthemotorcarspassedthroughSummerStreettheyraisedonlyalittledust，andtheirstenchwassoondispersedbythewindandreplacedbythescentofthewetbirchesorofthepines。Mr。Beebe，atleisureforlife\'samenities，leantoverhisRectorygate。Freddyleantbyhim，smokingapendantpipe。
\"Supposewegoandhinderthosenewpeopleoppositeforalittle。”
\"M\'m。”
\"Theymightamuseyou。”
Freddy，whomhisfellow-creaturesneveramused，suggestedthatthenewpeoplemightbefeelingabitbusy，andsoon，sincetheyhadonlyjustmovedin。
\"Isuggestedweshouldhinderthem，\"saidMr。Beebe。\"Theyareworthit。”Unlatchingthegate，hesaunteredoverthetriangulargreentoCissieVilla。\"Hullo!\"hecried，shoutinginattheopendoor，throughwhichmuchsqualorwasvisible。
Agravevoicereplied，\"Hullo!\"
\"I\'vebroughtsomeonetoseeyou。”
\"I\'llbedowninaminute。”
Thepassagewasblockedbyawardrobe，whichtheremovalmenhadfailedtocarryupthestairs。Mr。Beebeedgedrounditwithdifficulty。Thesitting-roomitselfwasblockedwithbooks。
\"Arethesepeoplegreatreaders？\"Freddywhispered。\"Aretheythatsort？\"
\"Ifancytheyknowhowtoread——arareaccomplishment。Whathavetheygot？Byron。Exactly。AShropshireLad。Neverheardofit。
TheWayofAllFlesh。Neverheardofit。Gibbon。Hullo!dearGeorgereadsGerman。Um——um——Schopenhauer，Nietzsche，andsowegoon。Well，Isupposeyourgenerationknowsitsownbusiness，Honeychurch。”
\"Mr。Beebe，lookatthat，\"saidFreddyinawestrucktones。
Onthecorniceofthewardrobe，thehandofanamateurhadpaintedthisinscription:\"Mistrustallenterprisesthatrequirenewclothes。”
\"Iknow。Isn\'titjolly？Ilikethat。I\'mcertainthat\'stheoldman\'sdoing。”
\"Howveryoddofhim!\"
\"Surelyyouagree？\"
ButFreddywashismother\'ssonandfeltthatoneoughtnottogoonspoilingthefurniture。
\"Pictures!\"theclergymancontinued，scramblingabouttheroom。
\"Giotto——theygotthatatFlorence，I\'llbebound。”
\"ThesameasLucy\'sgot。”
\"Oh，by-the-by，didMissHoneychurchenjoyLondon？\"
\"Shecamebackyesterday。”
\"Isupposeshehadagoodtime？\"
\"Yes，very，\"saidFreddy，takingupabook。\"SheandCecilarethickerthanever。”
\"That\'sgoodhearing。”
\"IwishIwasn\'tsuchafool，Mr。Beebe。”
Mr。Beebeignoredtheremark。
\"LucyusedtobenearlyasstupidasIam，butit\'llbeverydifferentnow，motherthinks。Shewillreadallkindsofbooks。”
\"Sowillyou。”
\"Onlymedicalbooks。Notbooksthatyoucantalkaboutafterwards。CecilisteachingLucyItalian，andhesaysherplayingiswonderful。Thereareallkindsofthingsinitthatwehavenevernoticed。Cecilsays——\"
\"Whatoneartharethosepeopledoingupstairs？Emerson——wethinkwe\'llcomeanothertime。”
Georgerandown-stairsandpushedthemintotheroomwithoutspeaking。
\"LetmeintroduceMr。Honeychurch，aneighbour。”
ThenFreddyhurledoneofthethunderboltsofyouth。Perhapshewasshy，perhapshewasfriendly，orperhapshethoughtthatGeorge\'sfacewantedwashing。Atalleventshegreetedhimwith，\"Howd\'yedo？Comeandhaveabathe。”
\"Oh，allright，\"saidGeorge，impassive。
Mr。Beebewashighlyentertained。
\"\'Howd\'yedo？howd\'yedo？Comeandhaveabathe，\'\"hechuckled。
\"That\'sthebestconversationalopeningI\'veeverheard。ButI\'mafraiditwillonlyactbetweenmen。Canyoupicturealadywhohasbeenintroducedtoanotherladybyathirdladyopeningcivilitieswith\'Howdoyoudo？Comeandhaveabathe\'？Andyetyouwilltellmethatthesexesareequal。”
\"Itellyouthattheyshallbe，\"saidMr。Emerson，whohadbeenslowlydescendingthestairs。\"Goodafternoon，Mr。Beebe。Itellyoutheyshallbecomrades，andGeorgethinksthesame。”
\"Wearetoraiseladiestoourlevel？\"theclergymaninquired。
\"TheGardenofEden，\"pursuedMr。Emerson，stilldescending，\"whichyouplaceinthepast，isreallyyettocome。Weshallenteritwhenwenolongerdespiseourbodies。”
Mr。BeebedisclaimedplacingtheGardenofEdenanywhere。
\"Inthis——notinotherthings——wemenareahead。Wedespisethebodylessthanwomendo。Butnotuntilwearecomradesshallweenterthegarden。”
\"Isay，whataboutthisbathe？\"murmuredFreddy，appalledatthemassofphilosophythatwasapproachinghim。
\"IbelievedinareturntoNatureonce。ButhowcanwereturntoNaturewhenwehaveneverbeenwithher？To-day，IbelievethatwemustdiscoverNature。Aftermanyconquestsweshallattainsimplicity。Itisourheritage。”
\"LetmeintroduceMr。Honeychurch，whosesisteryouwillrememberatFlorence。”
\"Howdoyoudo？Verygladtoseeyou，andthatyouaretakingGeorgeforabathe。Verygladtohearthatyoursisterisgoingtomarry。Marriageisaduty。Iamsurethatshewillbehappy，forweknowMr。Vyse，too。Hehasbeenmostkind。HemetusbychanceintheNationalGallery，andarrangedeverythingaboutthisdelightfulhouse。ThoughIhopeIhavenotvexedSirHarryOtway。IhavemetsofewLiberallandowners，andIwasanxioustocomparehisattitudetowardsthegamelawswiththeConservativeattitude。Ah，thiswind!Youdowelltobathe。Yoursisagloriouscountry，Honeychurch!\"
\"Notabit!\"mumbledFreddy。\"Imust——thatistosay，Ihaveto——
havethepleasureofcallingonyoulateron，mymothersays，I
hope。”
\"CALL，mylad？Whotaughtusthatdrawing-roomtwaddle？Callonyourgrandmother!Listentothewindamongthepines!Yoursisagloriouscountry。”
Mr。Beebecametotherescue。
\"Mr。Emerson，hewillcall，Ishallcall；youoryoursonwillreturnourcallsbeforetendayshaveelapsed。Itrustthatyouhaverealizedaboutthetendays\'interval。ItdoesnotcountthatIhelpedyouwiththestair-eyesyesterday。Itdoesnotcountthattheyaregoingtobathethisafternoon。”
\"Yes，goandbathe，George。Whydoyoudawdletalking？Bringthembacktotea。Bringbacksomemilk，cakes，honey。Thechangewilldoyougood。Georgehasbeenworkingveryhardathisoffice。I
can\'tbelievehe\'swell。”
Georgebowedhishead，dustyandsombre，exhalingthepeculiarsmellofonewhohashandledfurniture。
\"Doyoureallywantthisbathe？\"Freddyaskedhim。\"Itisonlyapond，don\'tyouknow。Idaresayyouareusedtosomethingbetter。”
\"Yes——Ihavesaid\'Yes\'already。”
Mr。Beebefeltboundtoassisthisyoungfriend，andledthewayoutofthehouseandintothepine-woods。Howgloriousitwas!ForalittletimethevoiceofoldMr。Emersonpursuedthemdispensinggoodwishesandphilosophy。Itceased，andtheyonlyheardthefairwindblowingthebrackenandthetrees。Mr。Beebe，whocouldbesilent，butwhocouldnotbearsilence，wascompelledtochatter，sincetheexpeditionlookedlikeafailure，andneitherofhiscompanionswouldutteraword。HespokeofFlorence。Georgeattendedgravely，assentingordissentingwithslightbutdeterminedgesturesthatwereasinexplicableasthemotionsofthetree-topsabovetheirheads。
AndwhatacoincidencethatyoushouldmeetMr。Vyse!DidyourealizethatyouwouldfindallthePensionBertolinidownhere？\"
\"Ididnot。MissLavishtoldme。”
\"WhenIwasayoungman，Ialwaysmeanttowritea\'HistoryofCoincidence。\'\"
Noenthusiasm。
\"Though，asamatteroffact，coincidencesaremuchrarerthanwesuppose。Forexample，itisn\'tpurelycoincidentallythatyouareherenow，whenonecomestoreflect。”
Tohisrelief，Georgebegantotalk。
\"Itis。Ihavereflected。ItisFate。EverythingisFate。WeareflungtogetherbyFate，drawnapartbyFate——flungtogether，drawnapart。Thetwelvewindsblowus——wesettlenothing——\"
\"Youhavenotreflectedatall，\"rappedtheclergyman。\"Letmegiveyouausefultip，Emerson:attributenothingtoFate。Don\'tsay，\'Ididn\'tdothis，\'foryoudidit，tentoone。NowI\'llcross-questionyou。WheredidyoufirstmeetMissHoneychurchandmyself？\"
\"Italy。”
\"AndwheredidyoumeetMr。Vyse，whoisgoingtomarryMissHoneychurch？\"
\"NationalGallery。”
\"LookingatItalianart。Thereyouare，andyetyoutalkofcoincidenceandFate。YounaturallyseekoutthingsItalian，andsodoweandourfriends。Thisnarrowsthefieldimmeasurablywemeetagaininit。”
\"ItisFatethatIamhere，\"persistedGeorge。\"ButyoucancallitItalyifitmakesyoulessunhappy。”
Mr。Beebeslidawayfromsuchheavytreatmentofthesubject。
Buthewasinfinitelytolerantoftheyoung，andhadnodesiretosnubGeorge。
\"Andsoforthisandforotherreasonsmy\"\'HistoryofCoincidence\'isstilltowrite。”
Silence。
Wishingtoroundofftheepisode，headded；\"Weareallsogladthatyouhavecome。”
Silence。
\"Hereweare!\"calledFreddy。
\"Oh，good!\"exclaimedMr。Beebe，moppinghisbrow。
\"Inthere\'sthepond。Iwishitwasbigger，\"headdedapologetically。
Theyclimbeddownaslipperybankofpine-needles。Therelaythepond，setinitslittlealpofgreen——onlyapond，butlargeenoughtocontainthehumanbody，andpureenoughtoreflectthesky。Onaccountoftherains，thewatershadfloodedthesurroundinggrass，whichshowedlikeabeautifulemeraldpath，temptingthesefeettowardsthecentralpool。
\"It\'sdistinctlysuccessful，aspondsgo，\"saidMr。Beebe。\"Noapologiesarenecessaryforthepond。”
Georgesatdownwherethegroundwasdry，anddrearilyunlacedhisboots。
\"Aren\'tthosemassesofwillow-herbsplendid？Ilovewillow-herbinseed。What\'sthenameofthisaromaticplant？\"
Nooneknew，orseemedtocare。
\"Theseabruptchangesofvegetation——thislittlespongeoustractofwaterplants，andoneithersideofitallthegrowthsaretoughorbrittle——heather，bracken，hurts，pines。Verycharming，verycharming。
\"Mr。Beebe，aren\'tyoubathing？\"calledFreddy，ashestrippedhimself。
Mr。Beebethoughthewasnot。
\"Water\'swonderful!\"criedFreddy，prancingin。
\"Water\'swater，\"murmuredGeorge。Wettinghishairfirst——asuresignofapathy——hefollowedFreddyintothedivine，asindifferentasifhewereastatueandthepondapailofsoapsuds。Itwasnecessarytousehismuscles。Itwasnecessarytokeepclean。Mr。Beebewatchedthem，andwatchedtheseedsofthewillow-herbdancechoricallyabovetheirheads。
\"Apooshoo，apooshoo，apooshoo，\"wentFreddy，swimmingfortwostrokesineitherdirection，andthenbecominginvolvedinreedsormud。
\"Isitworthit？\"askedtheother，Michelangelesqueonthefloodedmargin。
Thebankbrokeaway，andhefellintothepoolbeforehehadweighedthequestionproperly。
\"Hee-poof——I\'veswallowedapollywog，Mr。Beebe，water\'swonderful，water\'ssimplyripping。”
\"Water\'snotsobad，\"saidGeorge，reappearingfromhisplunge，andsputteringatthesun。
\"Water\'swonderful。Mr。Beebe，do。”
\"Apooshoo，kouf。”
Mr。Beebe，whowashot，andwhoalwaysacquiescedwherepossible，lookedaroundhim。Hecoulddetectnoparishionersexceptthepine-trees，risingupsteeplyonallsides，andgesturingtoeachotheragainsttheblue。Howgloriousitwas!Theworldofmotor-carsandruralDeansrecededinimitably。Water，sky，evergreens，awind——thesethingsnoteventheseasonscantouch，andsurelytheyliebeyondtheintrusionofman？
\"Imayaswellwashtoo\"；andsoonhisgarmentsmadeathirdlittlepileonthesward，andhetooassertedthewonderofthewater。
Itwasordinarywater，norwasthereverymuchofit，and，asFreddysaid，itremindedoneofswimminginasalad。Thethreegentlemenrotatedinthepoolbreasthigh，afterthefashionofthenymphsinGotterdammerung。Buteitherbecausetherainshadgivenafreshnessorbecausethesunwassheddingamostgloriousheat，orbecausetwoofthegentlemenwereyounginyearsandthethirdyounginspirit——forsomereasonorotherachangecameoverthem，andtheyforgotItalyandBotanyandFate。Theybegantoplay。Mr。BeebeandFreddysplashedeachother。Alittledeferentially，theysplashedGeorge。Hewasquiet:theyfearedtheyhadoffendedhim。Thenalltheforcesofyouthburstout。Hesmiled，flunghimselfatthem，splashedthem，duckedthem，kickedthem，muddiedthem，anddrovethemoutofthepool。
\"Raceyouroundit，then，\"criedFreddy，andtheyracedinthesunshine，andGeorgetookashortcutanddirtiedhisshins，andhadtobatheasecondtime。ThenMr。Beebeconsentedtorun——amemorablesight。
Theyrantogetdry，theybathedtogetcool，theyplayedatbeingIndiansinthewillow-herbsandinthebracken，theybathedtogetclean。Andallthetimethreelittlebundleslaydiscreetlyonthesward，proclaiming:
\"No。Wearewhatmatters。Withoutusshallnoenterprisebegin。
Tousshallallfleshturnintheend。”
\"Atry!Atry!\"yelledFreddy，snatchingupGeorge\'sbundleandplacingitbesideanimaginarygoal-post。
\"Sockerrules，\"Georgeretorted，scatteringFreddy\'sbundlewithakick。
\"Goal!\"
\"Goal!\"
\"Pass!\"
\"Takecaremywatch!\"criedMr。Beebe。
Clothesflewinalldirections。
\"Takecaremyhat!No，that\'senough，Freddy。Dressnow。No，I
say!\"
Butthetwoyoungmenweredelirious。Awaytheytwinkledintothetrees，Freddywithaclericalwaistcoatunderhisarm，Georgewithawide-awakehatonhisdrippinghair。
\"That\'lldo!\"shoutedMr。Beebe，rememberingthatafterallhewasinhisownparish。Thenhisvoicechangedasifeverypine-treewasaRuralDean。\"Hi!Steadyon!Iseepeoplecomingyoufellows!\"
Yells，andwideningcirclesoverthedappledearth。
\"Hi!hi!LADIES!\"
NeitherGeorgenorFreddywastrulyrefined。Still，theydidnothearMr。Beebe\'slastwarningortheywouldhaveavoidedMrs。
Honeychurch，Cecil，andLucy，whowerewalkingdowntocallonoldMrs。Butterworth。Freddydroppedthewaistcoatattheirfeet，anddashedintosomebracken。Georgewhoopedintheirfaces，turnedandscuddedawaydownthepathtothepond，stillcladinMr。Beebe\'shat。
\"Graciousalive!\"criedMrs。Honeychurch。\"Whoeverwerethoseunfortunatepeople？Oh，dears，lookaway!AndpoorMr。Beebe，too!Whateverhashappened？\"
\"Comethiswayimmediately，\"commandedCecil，whoalwaysfeltthathemustleadwomen，thoughknewnotwhither，andprotectthem，thoughheknewnotagainstwhat。HeledthemnowtowardsthebrackenwhereFreddysatconcealed。
\"Oh，poorMr。Beebe!Wasthathiswaistcoatweleftinthepath？
Cecil，Mr。Beebe\'swaistcoat——\"
Nobusinessofours，saidCecil，glancingatLucy，whowasallparasolandevidently\"minded。”
\"IfancyMr。Beebejumpedbackintothepond。”
\"Thisway，please，Mrs。Honeychurch，thisway。”
Theyfollowedhimupthebankattemptingthetenseyetnonchalantexpressionthatissuitableforladiesonsuchoccasions。
\"Well，Ican\'thelpit，\"saidavoicecloseahead，andFreddyrearedafreckledfaceandapairofsnowyshouldersoutofthefronds。\"Ican\'tbetroddenon，canI？\"
\"Goodgraciousme，dear；soit\'syou!Whatmiserablemanagement!
Whynothaveacomfortablebathathome，withhotandcoldlaidon？\"
\"Lookhere，mother，afellowmustwash，andafellow\'sgottodry，andifanotherfellow——\"
\"Dear，nodoubtyou\'rerightasusual，butyouareinnopositiontoargue。Come，Lucy。”Theyturned。\"Oh，look——don\'tlook!Oh，poorMr。Beebe!Howunfortunateagain——\"
ForMr。Beebewasjustcrawlingoutofthepond，Onwhosesurfacegarmentsofanintimatenaturedidfloat；whileGeorge，theworld-wearyGeorge，shoutedtoFreddythathehadhookedafish。
\"Andme，I\'veswallowedone，\"answeredheofthebracken。\"I\'veswallowedapollywog。Itwrigglethinmytummy。Ishalldie——
Emersonyoubeast，you\'vegotonmybags。”
\"Hush，dears，\"saidMrs。Honeychurch，whofounditimpossibletoremainshocked。\"Anddobesureyoudryyourselvesthoroughlyfirst。Allthesecoldscomeofnotdryingthoroughly。”
\"Mother，docomeaway，\"saidLucy。\"Ohforgoodness\'sake，docome。”
\"Hullo!\"criedGeorge，sothatagaintheladiesstopped。
Heregardedhimselfasdressed。Barefoot，bare-chested，radiantandpersonableagainsttheshadowywoods，hecalled:
\"Hullo，MissHoneychurch!Hullo!\"
\"Bow，Lucy；betterbow。Whoeverisit？Ishallbow。”
MissHoneychurchbowed。
Thateveningandallthatnightthewaterranaway。Onthemorrowthepoolhadshrunktoitsoldsizeandlostitsglory。Ithadbeenacalltothebloodandtotherelaxedwill，apassingbenedictionwhoseinfluencedidnotpass，aholiness，aspell，amomentarychaliceforyouth。
ChapterXIII:HowMissBartlett\'sBoilerWasSoTiresomeHowoftenhadLucyrehearsedthisbow，thisinterview!Butshehadalwaysrehearsedthemindoors，andwithcertainaccessories，whichsurelywehavearighttoassume。WhocouldforetellthatsheandGeorgewouldmeetintheroutofacivilization，amidstanarmyofcoatsandcollarsandbootsthatlaywoundedoverthesunlitearth？ShehadimaginedayoungMr。Emerson，whomightbeshyormorbidorindifferentorfurtivelyimpudent。Shewaspreparedforallofthese。Butshehadneverimaginedonewhowouldbehappyandgreetherwiththeshoutofthemorningstar。
Indoorsherself，partakingofteawitholdMrs。Butterworth，shereflectedthatitisimpossibletoforetellthefuturewithanydegreeofaccuracy，thatitisimpossibletorehearselife。A
faultinthescenery，afaceintheaudience，anirruptionoftheaudienceontothestage，andallourcarefullyplannedgesturesmeannothing，ormeantoomuch。\"Iwillbow，\"shehadthought。\"I
willnotshakehandswithhim。Thatwillbejusttheproperthing。”Shehadbowed——buttowhom？Togods，toheroes，tothenonsenseofschool-girls!Shehadbowedacrosstherubbishthatcumberstheworld。
Soranherthoughts，whileherfacultieswerebusywithCecil。Itwasanotherofthosedreadfulengagementcalls。Mrs。Butterworthhadwantedtoseehim，andhedidnotwanttobeseen。Hedidnotwanttohearabouthydrangeas，whytheychangetheircolourattheseaside。HedidnotwanttojointheC。O。S。Whencrosshewasalwayselaborate，andmadelong，cleveranswerswhere\"Yes\"
or\"No\"wouldhavedone。Lucysoothedhimandtinkeredattheconversationinawaythatpromisedwellfortheirmarriedpeace。
Nooneisperfect，andsurelyitiswisertodiscovertheimperfectionsbeforewedlock。MissBartlett，indeed，thoughnotinword，hadtaughtthegirlthatthisourlifecontainsnothingsatisfactory。Lucy，thoughshedislikedtheteacher，regardedtheteachingasprofound，andappliedittoherlover。
\"Lucy，\"saidhermother，whentheygothome，\"isanythingthematterwithCecil？\"
Thequestionwasominous；uptillnowMrs。Honeychurchhadbehavedwithcharityandrestraint。
\"No，Idon\'tthinkso，mother；Cecil\'sallright。”
\"Perhapshe\'stired。”
Lucycompromised:perhapsCecilwasalittletired。
\"Becauseotherwise\"——shepulledoutherbonnet-pinswithgatheringdispleasure——\"becauseotherwiseIcannotaccountforhim。”
\"IdothinkMrs。Butterworthisrathertiresome，ifyoumeanthat。”
\"Cecilhastoldyoutothinkso。Youweredevotedtoherasalittlegirl，andnothingwilldescribehergoodnesstoyouthroughthetyphoidfever。No——itisjustthesamethingeverywhere。”
\"Letmejustputyourbonnetaway，mayI？\"
\"Surelyhecouldanswerhercivillyforonehalf-hour？\"
\"Cecilhasaveryhighstandardforpeople，\"falteredLucy，seeingtroubleahead。\"It\'spartofhisideals——itisreallythatthatmakeshimsometimesseem——\"
\"Oh，rubbish!Ifhighidealsmakeayoungmanrude，thesoonerhegetsridofthemthebetter，\"saidMrs。Honeychurch，handingherthebonnet。
\"Now，mother!I\'veseenyoucrosswithMrs。Butterworthyourself!\"
\"Notinthatway。AttimesIcouldwringherneck。Butnotinthatway。No。ItisthesamewithCecilallover。”
\"By-the-by——Inevertoldyou。IhadaletterfromCharlottewhileIwasawayinLondon。”
Thisattempttodiverttheconversationwastoopuerile，andMrs。
Honeychurchresentedit。
\"SinceCecilcamebackfromLondon，nothingappearstopleasehim。WheneverIspeakhewinces；——Iseehim，Lucy；itisuselesstocontradictme。NodoubtIamneitherartisticnorliterarynorintellectualnormusical，butIcannothelpthedrawing-roomfurniture；yourfatherboughtitandwemustputupwithit，willCecilkindlyremember。”
\"I——Iseewhatyoumean，andcertainlyCeciloughtn\'tto。Buthedoesnotmeantobeuncivil——heonceexplained——itisthethingsthatupsethim——heiseasilyupsetbyuglythings——heisnotunciviltoPEOPLE。”
\"IsitathingorapersonwhenFreddysings？\"
\"Youcan\'texpectareallymusicalpersontoenjoycomicsongsaswedo。”
\"Thenwhydidn\'theleavetheroom？Whysitwrigglingandsneeringandspoilingeveryone\'spleasure？\"
\"Wemustn\'tbeunjusttopeople，\"falteredLucy。Somethinghadenfeebledher，andthecaseforCecil，whichshehadmasteredsoperfectlyinLondon，wouldnotcomeforthinaneffectiveform。
Thetwocivilizationshadclashed——Cecilhintedthattheymight——
andshewasdazzledandbewildered，asthoughtheradiancethatliesbehindallcivilizationhadblindedhereyes。Goodtasteandbadtastewereonlycatchwords，garmentsofdiversecut；andmusicitselfdissolvedtoawhisperthroughpine-trees，wherethesongisnotdistinguishablefromthecomicsong。
Sheremainedinmuchembarrassment，whileMrs。Honeychurchchangedherfrockfordinner；andeverynowandthenshesaidaword，andmadethingsnobetter。Therewasnoconcealingthefact，Cecilhadmeanttobesupercilious，andhehadsucceeded。
AndLucy——sheknewnotwhy——wishedthatthetroublecouldhavecomeatanyothertime。
\"Goanddress，dear；you\'llbelate。”
\"Allright，mother——\"
\"Don\'tsay\'Allright\'andstop。Go。”
Sheobeyed，butloitereddisconsolatelyatthelandingwindow。Itfacednorth，sotherewaslittleview，andnoviewofthesky。
Now，asinthewinter，thepine-treeshungclosetohereyes。Oneconnectedthelandingwindowwithdepression。Nodefiniteproblemmenacedher，butshesighedtoherself，\"Oh，dear，whatshallI
do，whatshallIdo？\"Itseemedtoherthateveryoneelsewasbehavingverybadly。AndsheoughtnottohavementionedMissBartlett\'sletter。Shemustbemorecareful；hermotherwasratherinquisitive，andmighthaveaskedwhatitwasabout。Oh，dear，shouldshedo？——andthenFreddycameboundingup-stairs，andjoinedtheranksoftheill-behaved。
\"Isay，thosearetoppingpeople。”
\"Mydearbaby，howtiresomeyou\'vebeen!YouhavenobusinesstotakethembathingintheSacredit\'smuchtoopublic。Itwasallrightforyoubutmostawkwardforeveryoneelse。Dobemorecareful。Youforgettheplaceisgrowinghalfsuburban。”
\"Isay，isanythingonto-morrowweek？\"
\"NotthatIknowof。”
\"ThenIwanttoasktheEmersonsuptoSundaytennis。”
\"Oh，Iwouldn\'tdothat，Freddy，Iwouldn\'tdothatwithallthismuddle。”
\"What\'swrongwiththecourt？Theywon\'tmindabumportwo，andI\'veorderednewballs。”
\"Imeantit\'sbetternot。Ireallymeanit。”
Heseizedherbytheelbowsandhumorouslydancedherupanddownthepassage。Shepretendednottomind，butshecouldhavescreamedwithtemper。CecilglancedatthemasheproceededtohistoiletandtheyimpededMarywithherbroodofhot-watercans。ThenMrs。Honeychurchopenedherdoorandsaid:\"Lucy，whatanoiseyou\'remaking!Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。DidyousayyouhadhadaletterfromCharlotte？\"andFreddyranaway。
\"Yes。Ireallycan\'tstop。Imustdresstoo。”
\"How\'sCharlotte？\"
\"Allright。”
\"Lucy!\"
Theunfortunategirlreturned。
\"You\'veabadhabitofhurryingawayinthemiddleofone\'ssentences。DidCharlottementionherboiler？\"
\"HerWHAT？\"
\"Don\'tyourememberthatherboilerwastobehadoutinOctober，andherbathcisterncleanedout，andallkindsofterribleto-doings？\"
\"Ican\'trememberallCharlotte\'sworries，\"saidLucybitterly。
\"Ishallhaveenoughofmyown，nowthatyouarenotpleasedwithCecil。”
Mrs。Honeychurchmighthaveflamedout。Shedidnot。Shesaid:
\"Comehere，oldlady——thankyouforputtingawaymybonnet——kissme。”And，thoughnothingisperfect，LucyfeltforthemomentthathermotherandWindyCornerandtheWealdinthedecliningsunwereperfect。
Sothegrittinesswentoutoflife。ItgenerallydidatWindyCorner。Atthelastminute，whenthesocialmachinewascloggedhopelessly，onememberorotherofthefamilypouredinadropofoil。Cecildespisedtheirmethods——perhapsrightly。Ata11
events，theywerenothisown。
Dinnerwasathalf-pastseven。Freddygabbledthegrace，andtheydrewuptheirheavychairsandfellto。Fortunately，themenwerehungry。Nothinguntowardoccurreduntilthepudding。ThenFreddysaid:
\"Lucy，what\'sEmersonlike？\"
\"IsawhiminFlorence，\"saidLucy，hopingthatthiswouldpassforareply。
\"Ishethecleversort，orisheadecentchap？\"
\"AskCecil；itisCecilwhobroughthimhere。”
\"Heisthecleversort，likemyself，\"saidCecil。
Freddylookedathimdoubtfully。
\"HowwelldidyouknowthemattheBertolini？\"askedMrs。
Honeychurch。
\"Oh，veryslightly。Imean，CharlotteknewthemevenlessthanI
did。”
\"Oh，thatremindsme——younevertoldmewhatCharlottesaidinherletter。”
\"Onethingandanother，\"saidLucy，wonderingwhethershewouldgetthroughthemealwithoutalie。\"Amongotherthings，thatanawfulfriendofhershadbeenbicyclingthroughSummerStreet，wonderedifshe\'dcomeupandseeus，andmercifullydidn\'t。”
\"Lucy，Idocallthewayyoutalkunkind。”
\"Shewasanovelist，\"saidLucycraftily。Theremarkwasahappyone，fornothingrousedMrs。Honeychurchsomuchasliteratureinthehandsoffemales。Shewouldabandoneverytopictoinveighagainstthosewomenwho(insteadofmindingtheirhousesandtheirchildren)seeknotorietybyprint。Herattitudewas:\"Ifbooksmustbewritten，letthembewrittenbymen\"；andshede-
velopeditatgreatlength，whileCecilyawnedandFreddyplayedat\"Thisyear，nextyear，now，never，\"withhisplum-stones，andLucyartfullyfedtheflamesofhermother\'swrath。Butsoontheconflagrationdieddown，andtheghostsbegantogatherinthedarkness。Thereweretoomanyghostsabout。Theoriginalghost——
thattouchoflipsonhercheek——hadsurelybeenlaidlongago；
itcouldbenothingtoherthatamanhadkissedheronamountainonce。Butithadbegottenaspectralfamily——Mr。Harris，MissBartlett\'sletter，Mr。Beebe\'smemoriesofviolets——andoneorotherofthesewasboundtohauntherbeforeCecil\'sveryeyes。ItwasMissBartlettwhoreturnednow，andwithappallingvividness。
\"Ihavebeenthinking，Lucy，ofthatletterofCharlotte\'s。Howisshe？\"
\"Itorethethingup。”
\"Didn\'tshesayhowshewas？Howdoesshesound？Cheerful？\"
\"Oh，yesIsupposeso——no——notverycheerful，Isuppose。”
\"Then，dependuponit，itIStheboiler。Iknowmyselfhowwaterpreysuponone\'smind。Iwouldratheranythingelse——evenamisfortunewiththemeat。”
Cecillaidhishandoverhiseyes。
\"SowouldI，\"assertedFreddy，backinghismotherup——backingupthespiritofherremarkratherthanthesubstance。
\"AndIhavebeenthinking，\"sheaddedrathernervously，\"surelywecouldsqueezeCharlotteinherenextweek，andgiveheraniceholidaywhileplumbersatTunbridgeWellsfinish。IhavenotseenpoorCharlotteforsolong。”
Itwasmorethanhernervescouldstand。Andshecouldnotprotestviolentlyafterhermother\'sgoodnesstoherupstairs。
\"Mother，no!\"shepleaded。\"It\'simpossible。Wecan\'thaveCharlotteonthetopoftheotherthings；we\'resqueezedtodeathasitis。Freddy\'sgotafriendcomingTuesday，there\'sCecil，andyou\'vepromisedtotakeinMinnieBeebebecauseofthediphtheriascare。Itsimplycan\'tbedone。”
\"Nonsense!Itcan。”
\"IfMinniesleepsinthebath。Nototherwise。”
\"Minniecansleepwithyou。”
\"Iwon\'thaveher。”
\"Then，ifyou\'resoselfish，Mr。FloydmustsharearoomwithFreddy。”
\"MissBartlett，MissBartlett，MissBartlett，\"moanedCecil，againlayinghishandoverhiseyes。
\"It\'simpossible，\"repeatedLucy。\"Idon\'twanttomakedifficulties，butitreallyisn\'tfaironthemaidstofillupthehouseso。”
Alas!
\"Thetruthis，dear，youdon\'tlikeCharlotte。”
\"No，Idon\'t。AndnomoredoesCecil。Shegetsonournerves。Youhaven\'tseenherlately，anddon\'trealizehowtiresomeshecanbe，thoughsogood。Soplease，mother，don\'tworryusthislastsummer；butspoilusbynotaskinghertocome。”
\"Hear，hear!\"saidCecil。
Mrs。Honeychurch，withmoregravitythanusual，andwithmorefeelingthansheusuallypermittedherself，replied:\"Thisisn\'tverykindofyoutwo。Youhaveeachotherandallthesewoodstowalkin，sofullofbeautifulthings；andpoorCharlottehasonlythewaterturnedoffandplumbers。Youareyoung，dears，andhowevercleveryoungpeopleare，andhowevermanybookstheyread，theywillneverguesswhatitfeelsliketogrowold。”
Cecilcrumbledhisbread。
\"ImustsayCousinCharlottewasverykindtomethatyearI
calledonmybike，\"putinFreddy。\"ShethankedmeforcomingtillIfeltlikesuchafool，andfussedroundnoendtogetaneggboiledformyteajustright。”
\"Iknow，dear。Sheiskindtoeveryone，andyetLucymakesthisdifficultywhenwetrytogivehersomelittlereturn。”
ButLucyhardenedherheart。ItwasnogoodbeingkindtoMissBartlett。Shehadtriedherselftoooftenandtoorecently。Onemightlayuptreasureinheavenbytheattempt，butoneenrichedneitherMissBartlettnoranyoneelseuponearth。Shewasreducedtosaying:\"Ican\'thelpit，mother。Idon\'tlikeCharlotte。Iadmitit\'shorridofme。”
\"Fromyourownaccount，youtoldherasmuch。”
\"Well，shewouldleaveFlorencesostupidly。Sheflurried——\"
Theghostswerereturning；theyfilledItaly，theywereevenusurpingtheplacesshehadknownasachild。TheSacredLakewouldneverbethesameagain，and，onSundayweek，somethingwouldevenhappentoWindyCorner。Howwouldshefightagainstghosts？Foramomentthevisibleworldfadedaway，andmemoriesandemotionsaloneseemedreal。
\"IsupposeMissBartlettmustcome，sincesheboilseggssowell，\"saidCecil，whowasinratherahappierframeofmind，thankstotheadmirablecooking。
\"Ididn\'tmeantheeggwasWELLboiled，\"correctedFreddy，\"becauseinpointoffactsheforgottotakeitoff，andasamatteroffactIdon\'tcareforeggs。Ionlymeanthowjollykindsheseemed。”
Cecilfrownedagain。Oh，theseHoneychurches!Eggs，boilers，hydrangeas，maids——ofsuchweretheirlivescompact。\"MaymeandLucygetdownfromourchairs？\"heasked，withscarcelyveiledinsolence。\"Wedon\'twantnodessert。”
ChapterXIV:HowLucyFacedtheExternalSituationBravely0fcourseMissBartlettaccepted。And，equallyofcourse，shefeltsurethatshewouldproveanuisance，andbeggedtobegivenaninferiorspareroom——somethingwithnoview，anything。HerlovetoLucy。And，equallyofcourse，GeorgeEmersoncouldcometotennisontheSundayweek。
Lucyfacedthesituationbravely，though，likemostofus，sheonlyfacedthesituationthatencompassedher。Shenevergazedinwards。Ifattimesstrangeimagesrosefromthedepths，sheputthemdowntonerves。WhenCecilbroughttheEmersonstoSummerStreet，ithadupsethernerves。Charlottewouldburnishuppastfoolishness，andthismightupsethernerves。Shewasnervousatnight。WhenshetalkedtoGeorge——theymetagainalmostimmediatelyattheRectory——hisvoicemovedherdeeply，andshewishedtoremainnearhim。Howdreadfulifshereallywishedtoremainnearhim!Ofcourse，thewishwasduetonerves，whichlovetoplaysuchperversetricksuponus。Onceshehadsufferedfrom\"thingsthatcameoutofnothingandmeantshedidn\'tknowwhat。”NowCecilhadexplainedpsychologytoheronewetafternoon，andallthetroublesofyouthinanunknownworldcouldbedismissed。
Itisobviousenoughforthereadertoconclude，\"ShelovesyoungEmerson。”AreaderinLucy\'splacewouldnotfinditobvious。
Lifeiseasytochronicle，butbewilderingtopractice，andwewelcome\"nerves\"oranyothershibboleththatwillcloakourpersonaldesire。ShelovedCecil；Georgemadehernervous；willthereaderexplaintoherthatthephrasesshouldhavebeenreversed？
Buttheexternalsituation——shewillfacethatbravely。
ThemeetingattheRectoryhadpassedoffwellenough。StandingbetweenMr。BeebeandCecil，shehadmadeafewtemperateallusionstoItaly，andGeorgehadreplied。Shewasanxioustoshowthatshewasnotshy，andwasgladthathedidnotseemshyeither。
\"Anicefellow，\"saidMr。Beebeafterwards\"Hewillworkoffhiscruditiesintime。Irathermistrustyoungmenwhoslipintolifegracefully。”
Lucysaid，\"Heseemsinbetterspirits。Helaughsmore。”
\"Yes，\"repliedtheclergyman。\"Heiswakingup。”
Thatwasall。But，astheweekworeon，moreofherdefencesfell，andsheentertainedanimagethathadphysicalbeauty。
Inspiteoftheclearestdirections，MissBartlettcontrivedtobungleherarrival。ShewasdueattheSouth-EasternstationatDorking，whitherMrs。Honeychurchdrovetomeether。ShearrivedattheLondonandBrightonstation，andhadtohireacabup。NoonewasathomeexceptFreddyandhisfriend，whohadtostoptheirtennisandtoentertainherforasolidhour。CecilandLucyturnedupatfouro\'clock，andthese，withlittleMinnieBeebe，madeasomewhatlugubrioussextetteupontheupperlawnfortea。
\"Ishallneverforgivemyself，\"saidMissBartlett，whokeptonrisingfromherseat，andhadtobebeggedbytheunitedcompanytoremain。\"Ihaveupseteverything。Burstinginonyoungpeople!
ButIinsistonpayingformycabup。Grantthat，atanyrate。”
\"Ourvisitorsneverdosuchdreadfulthings，\"saidLucy，whileherbrother，inwhosememorytheboiledegghadalreadygrownunsubstantial，exclaimedinirritabletones:\"JustwhatI\'vebeentryingtoconvinceCousinCharlotteof，Lucy，forthelasthalfhour。”
\"Idonotfeelmyselfanordinaryvisitor，\"saidMissBartlett，andlookedatherfrayedglove\"Allright，ifyou\'dreallyrather。Fiveshillings，andIgaveabobtothedriver。”
MissBartlettlookedinherpurse。Onlysovereignsandpennies。
Couldanyonegiveherchange？Freddyhadhalfaquidandhisfriendhadfourhalf-crowns。MissBartlettacceptedtheirmoneysandthensaid:\"ButwhoamItogivethesovereignto？\"
\"Let\'sleaveitalltillmothercomesback，\"suggestedLucy。
\"No，dear；yourmothermaytakequitealongdrivenowthatsheisnothamperedwithme。Weallhaveourlittlefoibles，andmineisthepromptsettlingofaccounts。”
HereFreddy\'sfriend，Mr。Floyd，madetheoneremarkofhisthatneedbequoted:heofferedtotossFreddyforMissBartlett\'squid。Asolutionseemedinsight，andevenCecil，whohadbeenostentatiouslydrinkinghisteaattheview，felttheeternalattractionofChance，andturnedround。
Butthisdidnotdo，either。
\"Please——please——IknowIamasadspoilsport，butitwouldmakemewretched。Ishouldpracticallyberobbingtheonewholost。”
\"Freddyowesmefifteenshillings，\"interposedCecil。\"Soitwillworkoutrightifyougivethepoundtome。”
\"Fifteenshillings，\"saidMissBartlettdubiously。\"Howisthat，Mr。Vyse？\"
\"Because，don\'tyousee，Freddypaidyourcab。Givemethepound，andweshallavoidthisdeplorablegambling。”
MissBartlett，whowaspooratfigures，becamebewilderedandrenderedupthesovereign，amidstthesuppressedgurglesoftheotheryouths。ForamomentCecilwashappy。Hewasplayingatnonsenseamonghispeers。ThenheglancedatLucy，inwhosefacepettyanxietieshadmarredthesmiles。InJanuaryhewouldrescuehisLeonardofromthisstupefyingtwaddle。
\"ButIdon\'tseethat!\"exclaimedMinnieBeebewhohadnarrowlywatchedtheiniquitoustransaction。\"Idon\'tseewhyMr。Vyseistohavethequid。”
\"Becauseofthefifteenshillingsandthefive，\"theysaidsolemnly。\"Fifteenshillingsandfiveshillingsmakeonepound，yousee。”
\"ButIdon\'tsee——\"
Theytriedtostifleherwithcake。
\"No，thankyou。I\'mdone。Idon\'tseewhy——Freddy，don\'tpokeme。
MissHoneychurch，yourbrother\'shurtingme。Ow!WhataboutMr。
Floyd\'stenshillings？Ow!No，Idon\'tseeandInevershallseewhyMissWhat\'s-her-nameshouldn\'tpaythatbobforthedriver。”\'
\"Ihadforgottenthedriver，\"saidMissBartlett，reddening。
\"Thankyou，dear，forremindingme。Ashillingwasit？Cananyonegivemechangeforhalfacrown？\"
\"I\'llgetit，\"saidtheyounghostess，risingwithdecision。
\"Cecil，givemethatsovereign。No，givemeupthatsovereign。
I\'llgetEuphemiatochangeit，andwe\'llstartthewholethingagainfromthebeginning。”
\"Lucy——Lucy——whatanuisanceIam!\"protestedMissBartlett，andfollowedheracrossthelawn。Lucytrippedahead，simulatinghilarity。WhentheywereoutofearshotMissBartlettstoppedherwailsandsaidquitebriskly:\"Haveyoutoldhimabouthimyet？\"
\"No，Ihaven\'t，\"repliedLucy，andthencouldhavebittenhertongueforunderstandingsoquicklywhathercousinmeant。\"Letmesee——asovereign\'sworthofsilver。”
Sheescapedintothekitchen。MissBartlett\'ssuddentransitionsweretoouncanny。Itsometimesseemedasifsheplannedeverywordshespokeorcausedtobespoken；asifallthisworryaboutcabsandchangehadbeenarusetosurprisethesoul。
\"No，Ihaven\'ttoldCeciloranyone，\"sheremarked，whenshereturned。\"IpromisedyouIshouldn\'t。Hereisyourmoney——allshillings，excepttwohalf-crowns。Wouldyoucountit？Youcansettleyourdebtnicelynow。”
