Shewasupandfacingtowardthequeeninamoment.Sheindicatedme,andsaid:
　　"Madame,HEsaiththismaynotbe.Recallthecommandment,orhewilldissolvethecastleanditshallvanishawayliketheinstablefabricofadream!"
　　Confoundit,whatacrazycontracttopledgeapersonto!Whatifthequeen——
　　Butmyconsternationsubsidedthere,andmypanicpassedoff;forthequeen,allinacollapse,madenoshowofresistancebutgaveacountermandingsignandsunkintoherseat.Whenshereacheditshewassober.Soweremanyoftheothers.Theassemblagerose,whiffedceremonytothewinds,andrushedforthedoorlikeamob;overturningchairs,smashingcrockery,tugging,struggling,shouldering,crowding——anythingtogetoutbeforeIshouldchangemymindandpuffthecastleintothemeasurelessdimvacanciesofspace.Well,well,well,theyWEREasuperstitiouslot.Itisallabodycandotoconceiveofit.
　　Thepoorqueenwassoscaredandhumbledthatshewasevenafraidtohangthecomposerwithoutfirstconsultingme.Iwasverysorryforher——indeed,anyonewouldhavebeen,forshewasreallysuffering;soI
　　waswillingtodoanythingthatwasreasonable,andhadnodesiretocarrythingstowantonextremities.Ithereforeconsideredthematterthoughtfully,andendedbyhavingthemusiciansorderedintoourpresencetoplaythatSweetByeandByeagain,whichtheydid.ThenIsawthatshewasright,andgaveherpermissiontohangthewholeband.Thislittlerelaxationofsternnesshadagoodeffectuponthequeen.Astatesmangainslittlebythearbitraryexerciseofiron-cladauthorityuponalloccasionsthatoffer,forthiswoundsthejustprideofhissubordinates,andthustendstounderminehisstrength.Alittleconcession,nowandthen,whereitcandonoharm,isthewiserpolicy.
　　Nowthatthequeenwasateaseinhermindoncemore,andmeasurablyhappy,herwinenaturallybegantoassertitselfagain,anditgotalittlethestartofher.Imeanitsethermusicgoing——hersilverbellofatongue.Dearme,shewasamastertalker.ItwouldnotbecomemetosuggestthatitwasprettylateandthatIwasatiredmanandverysleepy.IwishedIhadgoneofftobedwhenIhadthechance.NowImuststickitout;therewasnootherway.Soshetinkledalongandalong,intheotherwiseprofoundandghostlyhushofthesleepingcastle,untilbyandbytherecame,asiffromdeepdownunderus,afar-awaysound,asofamuffledshriek——
　　withanexpressionofagonyaboutitthatmademyfleshcrawl.Thequeenstopped,andhereyeslightedwithpleasure;shetiltedhergracefulheadasabirddoeswhenitlistens.Thesoundboreditswayupthroughthestillnessagain.
　　"Whatisit?"Isaid.
　　"Itistrulyastubbornsoul,andendurethlong.Itismanyhoursnow."
　　"Endurethwhat?"
　　"Therack.Come——yeshallseeablithesight.Anheyieldnothissecretnow,yeshallseehimtornasunder."
　　Whatasilkysmoothhellionshewas;andsocomposedandserene,whenthecordsalldownmylegswerehurtinginsympathywiththatman'spain.
　　Conductedbymailedguardsbearingflaringtorches,wetrampedalongechoingcorridors,anddownstonestairwaysdankanddripping,andsmellingofmouldandagesofimprisonednight——achill,uncannyjourneyandalongone,andnotmadetheshorterorthecheerierbythesorceress'stalk,whichwasaboutthissuffererandhiscrime.Hehadbeenaccusedbyananonymousinformer,ofhavingkilledastagintheroyalpreserves.Isaid:
　　"Anonymoustestimonyisn'tjusttherightthing,yourHighness.Itwerefairertoconfronttheaccusedwiththeaccuser."
　　"Ihadnotthoughtofthat,itbeingbutofsmallconsequence.ButanIwould,Icouldnot,forthattheaccusercamemaskedbynight,andtoldtheforester,andstraightwaygothimhenceagain,andsotheforesterknowethhimnot."
　　"ThenisthisUnknowntheonlypersonwhosawthestagkilled?"
　　"Marry,NOmanSAWthekilling,butthisUnknownsawthishardywretchneartothespotwherethestaglay,andcamewithrightloyalzealandbetrayedhimtotheforester."
　　"SotheUnknownwasnearthedeadstag,too?Isn'titjustpossiblethathedidthekillinghimself?Hisloyalzeal——inamask——looksjustashadesuspicious.Butwhatisyourhighness'sideaforrackingtheprisoner?
　　Whereistheprofit?"
　　"Hewillnotconfess,else;andthenwerehissoullost.Forhiscrimehislifeisforfeitedbythelaw——andofasuretywillIseethathepayethit!——butitwereperiltomyownsoultolethimdieunconfessedandunabsolved.Nay,IwereafooltoflingmeintohellforHISaccommodation."
　　"But,yourHighness,supposehehasnothingtoconfess?"
　　"Astothat,weshallsee,anon.AnIrackhimtodeathandheconfessnot,itwillperadventureshowthathehadindeednaughttoconfess——
　　yewillgrantthatthatissooth?ThenshallInotbedamnedforanunconfessedmanthathadnaughttoconfess——wherefore,Ishallbesafe."
　　Itwasthestubbornunreasoningofthetime.Itwasuselesstoarguewithher.Argumentshavenochanceagainstpetrifiedtraining;theywearitaslittleasthewaveswearacliff.Andhertrainingwaseverybody's.
　　Thebrightestintellectinthelandwouldnothavebeenabletoseethatherpositionwasdefective.
　　Asweenteredtherack-cellIcaughtapicturethatwillnotgofromme;Iwishitwould.Anativeyounggiantofthirtyorthereaboutslaystretchedupontheframeonhisback,withhiswristsandanklestiedtoropeswhichledoverwindlassesateitherend.Therewasnocolorinhim;
　　hisfeatureswerecontortedandset,andsweat-dropsstooduponhisforehead.
　　Apriestbentoverhimoneachside;theexecutionerstoodby;guardswereonduty;smokingtorchesstoodinsocketsalongthewalls;inacornercrouchedapooryoungcreature,herfacedrawnwithanguish,ahalf-wildandhuntedlookinhereyes,andinherlaplayalittlechildasleep.
　　Justaswesteppedacrossthethresholdtheexecutionergavehismachineaslightturn,whichwrungacryfromboththeprisonerandthewoman;
　　butIshouted,andtheexecutionerreleasedthestrainwithoutwaitingtoseewhospoke.Icouldnotletthishorrorgoon;itwouldhavekilledmetoseeit.Iaskedthequeentoletmecleartheplaceandspeaktotheprisonerprivately;andwhenshewasgoingtoobjectIspokeinalowvoiceandsaidIdidnotwanttomakeascenebeforeherservants,butImusthavemyway;forIwasKingArthur'srepresentative,andwasspeakinginhisname.Shesawshehadtoyield.Iaskedhertoindorsemetothesepeople,andthenleaveme.Itwasnotpleasantforher,butshetookthepill;andevenwentfurtherthanIwasmeaningtorequire.Ionlywantedthebackingofherownauthority;butshesaid:
　　"Yewilldoinallthingsasthislordshallcommand.ItisTheBoss."
　　Itwascertainlyagoodwordtoconjurewith:youcouldseeitbythesquirmingoftheserats.Thequeen'sguardsfellintoline,andsheandtheymarchedaway,withtheirtorch-bearers,andwoketheechoesofthecavernoustunnelswiththemeasuredbeatoftheirretreatingfootfalls.
　　Ihadtheprisonertakenfromtherackandplaceduponhisbed,andmedicamentsappliedtohishurts,andwinegivenhimtodrink.Thewomancreptnearandlookedon,eagerly,lovingly,buttimorously,——likeonewhofearsarepulse;indeed,shetriedfurtivelytotouchtheman'sforehead,andjumpedback,thepictureoffright,whenIturnedunconsciouslytowardher.Itwaspitifultosee.
　　"Lord,"Isaid,"strokehim,lass,ifyouwantto.Doanythingyou'reamindto;don'tmindme."
　　Why,hereyeswereasgratefulasananimal's,whenyoudoitakindnessthatitunderstands.Thebabywasoutofherwayandshehadhercheekagainsttheman'sinaminute.andherhandsfondlinghishair,andherhappytearsrunningdown.Themanrevivedandcaressedhiswifewithhiseyes,whichwasallhecoulddo.IjudgedImightcleartheden,now,andIdid;cleareditofallbutthefamilyandmyself.ThenIsaid:
　　"Now,myfriend,tellmeyoursideofthismatter;Iknowtheotherside."
　　Themanmovedhisheadinsignofrefusal.Butthewomanlookedpleased——asitseemedtome——pleasedwithmysuggestion.Iwenton——
　　"Youknowofme?"
　　"Yes.Alldo,inArthur'srealms."
　　"Ifmyreputationhascometoyourightandstraight,youshouldnotbeafraidtospeak."
　　Thewomanbrokein,eagerly:
　　"Ah,fairmylord,dothoupersuadehim!Thoucanstanthouwilt.Ah,hesufferethso;anditisforme——forME!AndhowcanIbearit?IwouldImightseehimdie——asweet,swiftdeath;oh,myHugo,Icannotbearthisone!"
　　Andshefelltosobbingandgrovellingaboutmyfeet,andstillimploring.
　　Imploringwhat?Theman'sdeath?Icouldnotquitegetthebearingsofthething.ButHugointerruptedherandsaid:
　　"Peace!Yewitnotwhatyeask.ShallIstarvewhomIlove,towinagentledeath?Iwendthouknewestmebetter."
　　"Well,"Isaid,"Ican'tquitemakethisout.Itisapuzzle.Now——"
　　"Ah,dearmylord,anyewillbutpersuadehim!Considerhowthesehistortureswoundme!Oh,andhewillnotspeak!——whereas,thehealing,thesolacethatlieinablessedswiftdeath——"
　　"WhatAREyoumaunderingabout?He'sgoingoutfromhereafreemanandwhole——he'snotgoingtodie."
　　Theman'swhitefacelitup,andthewomanflungherselfatmeinamostsurprisingexplosionofjoy,andcriedout:
　　"Heissaved!——foritistheking'swordbythemouthoftheking'sservant——Arthur,thekingwhosewordisgold!"
　　"Well,thenyoudobelieveIcanbetrusted,afterall.Whydidn'tyoubefore?"
　　"Whodoubted?NotI,indeed;andnotshe."
　　"Well,whywouldn'tyoutellmeyourstory,then?"
　　"Yehadmadenopromise;elsehaditbeenotherwise."
　　"Isee,IseeAndyetIbelieveIdon'tquitesee,afterall.Youstoodthetortureandrefusedtoconfess;whichshowsplainenoughtoeventhedullestunderstandingthatyouhadnothingtoconfess——"
　　"I,mylord?Howso?ItwasIthatkilledthedeer!"
　　"YouDID?Oh,dear,thisisthemostmixed-upbusinessthatever——"
　　"Dearlord,Ibeggedhimonmykneestoconfess,but——"
　　"YouDID!Itgetsthickerandthicker.Whatdidyouwanthimtodothatfor?"
　　"Sithitwouldbringhimaquickdeathandsavehimallthiscruelpain."
　　"Well——yes,thereisreasoninthat.ButHEdidn'twantthequickdeath."
　　"He?Why,ofasuretyheDID."
　　"Well,then,whyintheworldDIDN'Theconfess?"
　　"Ah,sweetsir,andleavemywifeandchickwithoutbreadandshelter?"
　　"Oh,heartofgold,nowIseeit!Thebitterlawtakestheconvictedman'sestateandbeggarshiswidowandhisorphans.Theycouldtortureyoutodeath,butwithoutconvictionorconfessiontheycouldnotrobyourwifeandbaby.Youstoodbythemlikeaman;andYOU——truewifeandthewomanthatyouare——youwouldhaveboughthimreleasefromtortureatcosttoyourselfofslowstarvationanddeath——well,ithumblesabodytothinkwhatyoursexcandowhenitcomestoself-sacrifice.I'llbookyoubothformycolony;you'lllikeitthere;it'saFactorywhereI'mgoingtoturngropingandgrubbingautomataintoMEN."
　　AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur'sCourt-Chapter18Chapter18-InTheQueen'sDungeonsWELL,Iarrangedallthat;andIhadthemansenttohishome.Ihadagreatdesiretoracktheexecutioner;notbecausehewasagood,painstakingandpaingivingofficial,——forsurelyitwasnottohisdiscreditthatheperformedhisfunctionswell——buttopayhimbackforwantonlycuffingandotherwisedistressingthatyoungwoman.Theprieststoldmeaboutthis,andweregenerouslyhottohavehimpunished.Somethingofthisdisagreeablesortwasturningupeverynowandthen.Imean,episodesthatshowedthatnotallpriestswerefraudsandself-seekers,butthatmany,eventhegreatmajority,ofthesethatweredownonthegroundamongthecommonpeople,weresincereandright-hearted,anddevotedtothealleviationofhumantroublesandsufferings.Well,itwasathingwhichcouldnotbehelped,soIseldomfrettedaboutit,andnevermanyminutesatatime;ithasneverbeenmywaytobothermuchaboutthingswhichyoucan'tcure.ButIdidnotlikeit,foritwasjustthesortofthingtokeeppeoplereconciledtoanEstablishedChurch.WeMUSThaveareligion——itgoeswithoutsaying——butmyideais,tohaveitcutupintofortyfreesects,sothattheywillpoliceeachother,ashadbeenthecaseintheUnitedStatesinmytime.Concentrationofpowerinapoliticalmachineisbad;andandanEstablishedChurchisonlyapoliticalmachine;itwasinventedforthat;
　　itisnursed,cradled,preservedforthat;itisanenemytohumanliberty,anddoesnogoodwhichitcouldnotbetterdoinasplit-upandscatteredcondition.Thatwasn'tlaw;itwasn'tgospel:itwasonlyanopinion——
　　myopinion,andIwasonlyaman,oneman:soitwasn'tworthanymorethanthepope's——oranyless,forthatmatter.
　　Well,Icouldn'tracktheexecutioner,neitherwouldIoverlookthejustcomplaintofthepriests.Themanmustbepunishedsomehoworother,soIdegradedhimfromhisofficeandmadehimleaderoftheband——thenewonethatwastobestarted.Hebeggedhard,andsaidhecouldn'tplay——aplausibleexcuse,buttoothin;therewasn'tamusicianinthecountrythatcould.
　　Thequeenwasagooddealoutraged,nextmorningwhenshefoundshewasgoingtohaveneitherHugo'slifenorhisproperty.ButItoldhershemustbearthiscross;thatwhilebylawandcustomshecertainlywasentitledtoboththeman'slifeandhisproperty,therewereextenuatingcircumstances,andsoinArthurtheking'snameIhadpardonedhim.Thedeerwasravagingtheman'sfields,andhehadkilleditinsuddenpassion,andnotforgain;andhehadcarrieditintotheroyalforestinthehopethatthatmightmakedetectionofthemisdoerimpossible.Confoundher,Icouldn'tmakeherseethatsuddenpassionisanextenuatingcircumstanceinthekillingofvenison——orofaperson——soIgaveitupandlethersulkitoutIDIDthinkIwasgoingtomakeherseeitbyremarkingthatherownsuddenpassioninthecaseofthepagemodifiedthatcrime.
　　"Crime!"sheexclaimed."Howthoutalkest!Crime,forsooth!Man,IamgoingtoPAYforhim!"
　　Oh,itwasnousetowastesenseonher.Training——trainingiseverything;
　　trainingisallthereisTOaperson.Wespeakofnature;itisfolly;
　　thereisnosuchthingasnature;whatwecallbythatmisleadingnameismerelyheredityandtraining.Wehavenothoughtsofourown,noopinionsofourown;theyaretransmittedtous,trainedintous.Allthatisoriginalinus,andthereforefairlycreditableordiscreditabletous,canbecoveredupandhiddenbythepointofacambricneedle,alltherestbeingatomscontributedby,andinheritedfrom,aprocessionofancestorsthatstretchesbackabillionyearstotheAdam-clamorgrasshopperormonkeyfromwhomourracehasbeensotediouslyandostentatiouslyandunprofitablydeveloped.
　　Andasforme,allthatIthinkaboutinthisploddingsadpilgrimage,thispatheticdriftbetweentheeternities,istolookoutandhumblyliveapureandhighandblamelesslife,andsavethatonemicroscopicatominmethatistrulyME:therestmaylandinSheolandwelcomeforallIcare.
　　No,confoundher,herintellectwasgood,shehadbrainsenough,buthertrainingmadeheranass——thatis,fromamany-centuries-laterpointofview.Tokillthepagewasnocrime——itwasherright;anduponherrightshestood,serenelyandunconsciousofoffense.Shewasaresultofgenerationsoftrainingintheunexaminedandunassailedbeliefthatthelawwhichpermittedhertokillasubjectwhenshechosewasaperfectlyrightandrighteousone.
　　Well,wemustgiveevenSatanhisdue.Shedeservedacomplimentforonething;andItriedtopayit,butthewordsstuckinmythroat.Shehadarighttokilltheboy,butshewasinnowiseobligedtopayforhim.Thatwaslawforsomeotherpeople,butnotforher.Sheknewquitewellthatshewasdoingalargeandgenerousthingtopayforthatlad,andthatIoughtincommonfairnesstocomeoutwithsomethinghandsomeaboutit,butIcouldn't——mymouthrefused.Icouldn'thelpseeing,inmyfancy,thatpooroldgrandmawiththebrokenheart,andthatfairyoungcreaturelyingbutchered,hislittlesilkenpompsandvanitieslacedwithhisgoldenblood.HowcouldshePAYforhim!WHOMcouldshepay?Andso,wellknowingthatthiswoman,trainedasshehadbeen,deservedpraise,evenadulation,Iwasyetnotabletoutterit,trainedasIhadbeen.
　　ThebestIcoulddowastofishupacomplimentfromoutside,sotospeak——andthepityofitwas,thatitwastrue:
　　"Madame,yourpeoplewilladoreyouforthis."
　　Quitetrue,butImeanttohangherforitsomedayifIlived.Someofthoselawsweretoobad,altogethertoobad.Amastermightkillhisslavefornothing——formerespite,malice,ortopassthetime——justaswehaveseenthatthecrownedheadcoulddoitwithHISslave,thatistosay,anybody.Agentlemancouldkillafreecommoner,andpayforhim——cashorgarden-truck.Anoblecouldkillanoblewithoutexpense,asfarasthelawwasconcerned,butreprisalsinkindweretobeexpected.
　　ANYbodycouldkillSOME-body,exceptthecommonerandtheslave;thesehadnoprivileges.Iftheykilled,itwasmurder,andthelawwouldn'tstandmurder.Itmadeshortworkoftheexperimenter——andofhisfamily,too,ifhemurderedsomebodywhobelongedupamongtheornamentalranks.
　　IfacommonergaveanobleevensomuchasaDamiens-scratchwhichdidn'tkillorevenhurt,hegotDamiens'doseforitjustthesame;theypulledhimtoragsandtatterswithhorses,andalltheworldcametoseetheshow,andcrackjokes,andhaveagoodtime;andsomeoftheperformancesofthebestpeoplepresentwereastough,andasproperlyunprintable,asanythathavebeenprintedbythepleasantCasanovainhischapteraboutthedismembermentofLouisXV.'spoorawkwardenemy.
　　Ihadhadenoughofthisgrislyplacebythistime,andwantedtoleave,butIcouldn't,becauseIhadsomethingonmymindthatmyconsciencekeptproddingmeabout,andwouldn'tletmeforget.IfIhadtheremakingofman,hewouldn'thaveanyconscience.Itisoneofthemostdisagreeablethingsconnectedwithaperson;andalthoughitcertainlydoesagreatdealofgood,itcannotbesaidtopay,inthelongrun;itwouldbemuchbettertohavelessgoodandmorecomfort.Still,thisisonlymyopinion,andIamonlyoneman;others,withlessexperience,maythinkdifferently.
　　Theyhavearighttotheirview.Ionlystandtothis:Ihavenoticedmyconscienceformanyyears,andIknowitismoretroubleandbothertomethananythingelseIstartedwith.IsupposethatinthebeginningI
　　prizedit,becauseweprizeanythingthatisours;andyethowfoolishitwastothinkso.Ifwelookatitinanotherway,weseehowabsurditis:ifIhadananvilinmewouldIprizeit?Ofcoursenot.Andyetwhenyoucometothink,thereisnorealdifferencebetweenaconscienceandananvil——Imeanforcomfort.Ihavenoticeditathousandtimes.
　　Andyoucoulddissolveananvilwithacids,whenyoucouldn'tstanditanylonger;butthereisn'tanywaythatyoucanworkoffaconscience——atleastsoitwillstayworkedoff;notthatIknowof,anyway.
　　TherewassomethingIwantedtodobeforeleaving,butitwasadisagreeablematter,andIhatedtogoatit.Well,itbotheredmeallthemorning.
　　Icouldhavementionedittotheoldking,butwhatwouldbetheuse?——
　　hewasbutanextinctvolcano;hehadbeenactiveinhistime,buthisfirewasout,thisgoodwhile,hewasonlyastatelyash-pilenow;gentleenough,andkindlyenoughformypurpose,withoutdoubt,butnotusable.
　　Hewasnothing,thisso-calledking:thequeenwastheonlypowerthere.
　　AndshewasaVesuvius.Asafavor,shemightconsenttowarmaflockofsparrowsforyou,butthenshemighttakethatveryopportunitytoturnherselflooseandburyacity.However,Ireflectedthatasoftenasanyotherway,whenyouareexpectingtheworst,yougetsomethingthatisnotsobad,afterall.
　　SoIbracedupandplacedmymatterbeforeherroyalHighness.IsaidIhadbeenhavingageneraljail-deliveryatCamelotandamongneighboringcastles,andwithherpermissionIwouldliketoexaminehercollection,herbric-a-brac——thatistosay,herprisoners.Sheresisted;butIwasexpectingthat.Butshefinallyconsented.Iwasexpectingthat,too,butnotsosoon.Thataboutendedmydiscomfort.Shecalledherguardsandtorches,andwewentdownintothedungeons.Theseweredownunderthecastle'sfoundations,andmainlyweresmallcellshollowedoutofthelivingrock.Someofthesecellshadnolightatall.Inoneofthemwasawoman,infoulrags,whosatontheground,andwouldnotansweraquestionorspeakaword,butonlylookedupatusonceortwice,throughacobweboftangledhair,asiftoseewhatcasualthingitmightbethatwasdisturbingwithsoundandlightthemeaninglessdulldreamthatwasbecomeherlife;
　　afterthat,shesatbowed,withherdirt-cakedfingersidlyinterlockedinherlap,andgavenofurthersign.Thispoorrackofboneswasawomanofmiddleage,apparently;butonlyapparently;shehadbeentherenineyears,andwaseighteenwhensheentered.Shewasacommoner,andhadbeensenthereonherbridalnightbySirBreuseSancePite,aneighboringlordwhosevassalherfatherwas,andtowhichsaidlordshehadrefusedwhathassincebeencalledledroitduseigneur,and,moreover,hadopposedviolencetoviolenceandspilthalfagillofhisalmostsacredblood.
　　Theyounghusbandhadinterferedatthatpoint.believingthebride'slifeindanger,andhadflungthenobleoutintothemidstofthehumbleandtremblingweddingguests,intheparlor,andlefthimthereastonishedatthisstrangetreatment,andimplacablyembitteredagainstbothbrideandgroom.Thesaidlordbeingcrampedfordungeon-roomhadaskedthequeentoaccommodatehistwocriminals,andhereinherbastiletheyhadbeeneversince;hither,indeed,theyhadcomebeforetheircrimewasanhourold,andhadneverseeneachothersince.Heretheywere,kenneledliketoadsinthesamerock;theyhadpassedninepitchdarkyearswithinfiftyfeetofeachother,yetneitherknewwhethertheotherwasaliveornot.
　　Allthefirstyears,theironlyquestionhadbeen——askedwithbeseechingsandtearsthatmighthavemovedstones,intime,perhaps,butheartsarenotstones:"Ishealive?""Isshealive?"Buttheyhadnevergotananswer;
　　andatlastthatquestionwasnotaskedanymore——oranyother.
　　Iwantedtoseetheman,afterhearingallthis.Hewasthirty-fouryearsold,andlookedsixty.Hesatuponasquaredblockofstone,withhisheadbentdown,hisforearmsrestingonhisknees,hislonghairhanginglikeafringebeforehisface,andhewasmutteringtohimself.Heraisedhischinandlookedusslowlyover,inalistlessdullway,blinkingwiththedistressofthetorchlight,thendroppedhisheadandfelltomutteringagainandtooknofurthernoticeofus.Thereweresomepatheticallysuggestivedumbwitnessespresent.Onhiswristsandankleswerecicatrices,oldsmoothscars,andfastenedtothestoneonwhichhesatwasachainwithmanaclesandfettersattached;butthisapparatuslayidleontheground,andwasthickwithrust.Chainsceasetobeneededafterthespirithasgoneoutofaprisoner.
　　Icouldnotrousetheman;soIsaidwewouldtakehimtoher,andsee——tothebridewhowasthefairestthingintheearthtohim,once——
　　roses,pearls,anddewmadeflesh,forhim;awonder-work,themaster-workofnature:witheyeslikenoothereyes,andvoicelikenoothervoice,andafreshness,andlitheyounggrace,andbeauty,thatbelongedproperlytothecreaturesofdreams——ashethought——andtonoother.Thesightofherwouldsethisstagnantbloodleaping;thesightofher——
　　Butitwasadisappointment.Theysattogetheronthegroundandlookeddimlywonderingintoeachother'sfacesawhile,withasortofweakanimalcuriosity;thenforgoteachother'spresence,anddroppedtheireyes,andyousawthattheywereawayagainandwanderinginsomefarlandofdreamsandshadowsthatweknownothingabout.
　　Ihadthemtakenoutandsenttotheirfriends.Thequeendidnotlikeitmuch.Notthatshefeltanypersonalinterestinthematter,butshethoughtitdisrespectfultoSirBreuseSancePite.However,Iassuredherthatifhefoundhecouldn'tstanditIwouldfixhimsothathecould.
　　Isetforty-sevenprisonerslooseoutofthoseawfulrat-holes,andleftonlyoneincaptivity.Hewasalord,andhadkilledanotherlord,asortofkinsmanofthequeen.Thatotherlordhadambushedhimtoassassinatehim,butthisfellowhadgotthebestofhimandcuthisthroat.However,itwasnotforthatthatIlefthimjailed,butformaliciouslydestroyingtheonlypublicwellinoneofhiswretchedvillages.Thequeenwasboundtohanghimforkillingherkinsman,butIwouldnotallowit:itwasnocrimetokillanassassin.ButIsaidIwaswillingtoletherhanghimfordestroyingthewell;sosheconcludedtoputupwiththat,asitwasbetterthannothing.
　　Dearme,forwhattriflingoffensesthemostofthoseforty-sevenmenandwomenwereshutupthere!Indeed,someweretherefornodistinctoffenseatall,butonlytogratifysomebody'sspite;andnotalwaysthequeen'sbyanymeans,butafriend's.Thenewestprisoner'scrimewasamereremarkwhichhehadmade.Hesaidhebelievedthatmenwereaboutallalike,andonemanasgoodasanother,barringclothes.Hesaidhebelievedthatifyouweretostripthenationnakedandsendastrangerthroughthecrowd,hecouldn'ttellthekingfromaquackdoctor,noradukefromahotelclerk.Apparentlyherewasamanwhosebrainshadnotbeenreducedtoanineffectualmushbyidiotictraining.IsethimlooseandsenthimtotheFactory.
　　Someofthecellscarvedinthelivingrockwerejustbehindthefaceoftheprecipice,andineachoftheseanarrow-slithadbeenpiercedoutwardtothedaylight,andsothecaptivehadathinrayfromtheblessedsunforhiscomfort.Thecaseofoneofthesepoorfellowswasparticularlyhard.Fromhisduskyswallow'sholehighupinthatvastwallofnativerockhecouldpeeroutthroughthearrow-slitandseehisownhomeoffyonderinthevalley;andfortwenty-twoyearshehadwatchedit,withheartacheandlonging,throughthatcrack.Hecouldseethelightsshinethereatnight,andinthedaytimehecouldseefiguresgoinandcomeout——hiswifeandchildren,someofthem,nodoubt,thoughhecouldnotmakeoutatthatdistance.Inthecourseofyearshenotedfestivitiesthere,andtriedtorejoice,andwonderediftheywereweddingsorwhattheymightbe.Andhenotedfunerals;andtheywrunghisheart.Hecouldmakeoutthecoffin,buthecouldnotdetermineitssize,andsocouldnottellwhetheritwaswifeorchild.Hecouldseetheprocessionform,withpriestsandmourners,andmovesolemnlyaway,bearingthesecretwiththem.Hehadleftbehindhimfivechildrenandawife;andinnineteenyearshehadseenfivefuneralsissue,andnoneofthemhumbleenoughinpomptodenoteaservant.Sohehadlostfiveofhistreasures;theremuststillbeoneremaining——onenowinfinitely,unspeakablyprecious,——
　　butWHICHone?wife,orchild?Thatwasthequestionthattorturedhim,bynightandbyday,asleepandawake.Well,tohaveaninterest,ofsomesort,andhalfarayoflight,whenyouareinadungeon,isagreatsupporttothebodyandpreserveroftheintellect.Thismanwasinprettygoodconditionyet.Bythetimehehadfinishedtellingmehisdistressfultale,Iwasinthesamestateofmindthatyouwouldhavebeeninyourself,ifyouhavegotaveragehumancuriosity;thatistosay,Iwasasburningupashewastofindoutwhichmemberofthefamilyitwasthatwasleft.
　　SoItookhimoverhomemyself;andanamazingkindofasurprisepartyitwas,too——typhoonsandcyclonesoffranticjoy,andwholeNiagarasofhappytears;andbyGeorge!wefoundtheaforetimeyoungmatrongrayingtowardtheimminentvergeofherhalfcentury,andthebabiesallmenandwomen,andsomeofthemmarriedandexperimentingfamilywisethemselves——fornotasoulofthetribewasdead!Conceiveoftheingeniousdevilishnessofthatqueen:shehadaspecialhatredforthisprisoner,andshehadINVENTEDallthosefuneralsherself,toscorchhisheartwith;andthesublimeststrokeofgeniusofthewholethingwasleavingthefamily-invoiceafuneralSHORT,soastolethimwearhispooroldsouloutguessing.
　　Butforme,heneverwouldhavegotout.MorganleFayhatedhimwithherwholeheart,andsheneverwouldhavesoftenedtowardhim.Andyethiscrimewascommittedmoreinthoughtlessnessthandeliberatedepravity.
　　Hehadsaidshehadredhair.Well,shehad;butthatwasnowaytospeakofit.Whenredheadedpeopleareaboveacertainsocialgradetheirhairisauburn.
　　Considerit:amongtheseforty-sevencaptivestherewerefivewhosenames,offenses,anddatesofincarcerationwerenolongerknown!Onewomanandfourmen——allbent,andwrinkled,andmind-extinguishedpatriarchs.
　　Theythemselveshadlongagoforgottenthesedetails;atanyratetheyhadmerevaguetheoriesaboutthem,nothingdefiniteandnothingthattheyrepeatedtwiceinthesameway.ThesuccessionofpriestswhoseofficeithadbeentopraydailywiththecaptivesandremindthemthatGodhadputthemthere,forsomewisepurposeorother,andteachthemthatpatience,humbleness,andsubmissiontooppressionwaswhatHelovedtoseeinpartiesofasubordinaterank,hadtraditionsaboutthesepooroldhumanruins,butnothingmore.Thesetraditionswentbutlittleway,fortheyconcernedthelengthoftheincarcerationonly,andnotthenamesoftheoffenses.
　　Andevenbythehelpoftraditiontheonlythingthatcouldbeprovenwasthatnoneofthefivehadseendaylightforthirty-fiveyears:howmuchlongerthisprivationhaslastedwasnotguessable.Thekingandthequeenknewnothingaboutthesepoorcreatures,exceptthattheywereheirlooms,assetsinherited,alongwiththethrone,fromtheformerfirm.Nothingoftheirhistoryhadbeentransmittedwiththeirpersons,andsotheinheritingownershadconsideredthemofnovalue,andhadfeltnointerestinthem.
　　Isaidtothequeen:
　　"Thenwhyintheworlddidn'tyousetthemfree?"
　　Thequestionwasapuzzler.Shedidn'tknowWHYshehadn't,thethinghadnevercomeupinhermind.Sohereshewas,forecastingtheveritablehistoryoffutureprisonersoftheCastled'If,withoutknowingit.Itseemedplaintomenow,thatwithhertraining,thoseinheritedprisonersweremerelyproperty——nothingmore,nothingless.Well,whenweinheritproperty,itdoesnotoccurtoustothrowitaway,evenwhenwedonotvalueit.
　　WhenIbroughtmyprocessionofhumanbatsupintotheopenworldandtheglareoftheafternoonsun——previouslyblindfoldingthem,incharityforeyessolonguntorturedbylight——theywereaspectacletolookat.
　　Skeletons,scarecrows,goblins,patheticfrights,everyone;legitimatestpossiblechildrenofMonarchybytheGraceofGodandtheEstablishedChurch.
　　Imutteredabsently:
　　"IWISHIcouldphotographthem!"
　　Youhaveseenthatkindofpeoplewhowillneverletonthattheydon'tknowthemeaningofanewbigword.Themoreignoranttheyare,themorepitifullycertaintheyaretopretendyouhaven'tshotovertheirheads.
　　Thequeenwasjustoneofthatsort,andwasalwaysmakingthestupidestblundersbyreasonofit.Shehesitatedamoment;thenherfacebrightenedupwithsuddencomprehension,andshesaidshewoulddoitforme.
　　Ithoughttomyself:She?whywhatcansheknowaboutphotography?Butitwasapoortimetobethinking.WhenIlookedaround,shewasmovingontheprocessionwithanaxe!
　　Well,shecertainlywasacuriousone,wasMorganleFay.Ihaveseenagoodmanykindsofwomeninmytime,butshelaidoverthemallforvariety.
　　Andhowsharplycharacteristicofherthisepisodewas.Shehadnomoreideathanahorseofhowtophotographaprocession;butbeingindoubt,itwasjustlikehertotrytodoitwithanaxe.
　　AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur'sCourt-Chapter19Chapter19-Knight-ErrantryasaTradeSANDYandIwereontheroadagain,nextmorning,brightandearly.Itwassogoodtoopenupone'slungsandtakeinwholelusciousbarrels-fuloftheblessedGod'suntainted,dew-fashioned,woodlandscentedaironcemore,aftersuffocatingbodyandmindfortwodaysandnightsinthemoralandphysicalstenchesofthatintolerableoldbuzzard-roost!mean,forme:ofcoursetheplacewasallrightandagreeableenoughforSandy,forshehadbeenusedtohighlifeallherdays.
　　Poorgirl,herjawshadhadawearisomerestnowforawhile,andI
　　wasexpectingtogettheconsequences.Iwasright;butshehadstoodbymemosthelpfullyinthecastle,andhadmightilysupportedandreinforcedmewithgiganticfoolishnesseswhichwereworthmorefortheoccasionthanwisdomsdoubletheirsize;soIthoughtshehadearnedarighttoworkhermillforawhile,ifshewantedto,andIfeltnotapangwhenshestarteditup:
　　"NowturnweuntoSirMarhausthatrodewiththedamselofthirtywinterofagesouthward——"
　　"Areyougoingtoseeifyoucanworkupanotherhalf-stretchonthetrailofthecowboys,Sandy?"
　　"Evenso,fairmylord."
　　"Goahead,then.Iwon'tinterruptthistime,ifIcanhelpit.Beginoveragain;startfair,andshakeoutallyourreefs,andIwillloadmypipeandgivegoodattention."
　　"NowturnweuntoSirMarhausthatrodewiththedamselofthirtywinterofagesouthward.Andsotheycameintoadeepforest,andbyfortunetheywerenighted,androdealonginadeepway,andatthelasttheycameintoacourtelagewhereabodethedukeofSouthMarches,andtheretheyaskedharbour.AndonthemornthedukesentuntoSirMarhaus,andbadhimmakehimready.AndsoSirMarhausaroseandarmedhim,andtherewasamasssungaforehim,andhebrakehisfast,andsomountedonhorsebackinthecourtofthecastle,theretheyshoulddothebattle.Sotherewasthedukealreadyonhorseback,cleanarmed,andhissixsonsbyhim,andeveryeachhadaspearinhishand,andsotheyencountered,whereasthedukeandhistwosonsbraketheirspearsuponhim,butSirMarhaushelduphisspearandtouchednoneofthem.Thencamethefoursonsbycouples,andtwoofthembraketheirspears,andsodidtheothertwo.AndallthiswhileSirMarhaustouchedthemnot.ThenSirMarhausrantotheduke,andsmotehimwithhisspearthathorseandmanfelltotheearth.Andsoheservedhissons.AndthenSirMarhausalightdown,andbadthedukeyieldhimorelsehewouldslayhim.Andthensomeofhissonsrecovered,andwouldhavesetuponSirMarhaus.ThenSirMarhaussaidtotheduke,Ceasethysons,orelseIwilldotheuttermosttoyouall.Whenthedukesawhemightnotescapethedeath,hecriedtohissons,andchargedthemtoyieldthemtoSirMarhaus.Andtheykneeledalldownandputthepommelsoftheirswordstotheknight,andsohereceivedthem.Andthentheyholpuptheirfather,andsobytheircommonassentpromiseduntoSirMarhausnevertobefoesuntoKingArthur,andthereuponatWhitsuntideafter,tocomeheandhissons,andputthemintheking'sgrace.*
　　[*Footnote:Thestoryisborrowed,languageandall,fromtheMorted'Arthur——M.T.]
　　"Evensostandeththehistory,fairSirBoss.NowyeshallwitthatthatverydukeandhissixsonsaretheywhombutfewdayspastyoualsodidovercomeandsendtoArthur'scourt!"
　　"Why,Sandy,youcan'tmeanit!"
　　"AnIspeaknotsooth,letitbetheworseforme."
　　"Well,well,well,——nowwhowouldeverhavethoughtit?Onewholedukeandsixdukelets;why,Sandy,itwasaneleganthaul.Knight-errantryisamostchuckle-headedtrade,anditistedioushardwork,too,butI
　　begintoseethatthereISmoneyinit,afterall,ifyouhaveluck.NotthatIwouldeverengageinitasabusiness,forIwouldn't.Nosoundandlegitimatebusinesscanbeestablishedonabasisofspeculation.A
　　successfulwhirlintheknight-errantryline——nowwhatisitwhenyoublowawaythenonsenseandcomedowntothecoldfacts?It'sjustacornerinpork,that'sall,andyoucan'tmakeanythingelseoutofit.You'rerich——yes,——suddenlyrich——foraboutaday,maybeaweek;thensomebodycornersthemarketonYOU,anddowngoesyourbucketshop;ain'tthatso,Sandy?"
　　"Whethersoeveritbethatmymindmiscarrieth,bewrayingsimplelanguageinsuchsortthatthewordsdoseemtocomeendlongandoverthwart——"
　　"There'snouseinbeatingaboutthebushandtryingtogetarounditthatway,Sandy,it'sSO,justasIsay.IKNOWit'sso.And,moreover,whenyoucomerightdowntothebedrock,knight-errantryisWORSEthanpork;forwhateverhappens,thepork'sleft,andsosomebody'sbenefitedanyway;butwhenthemarketbreaks,inaknight-errantrywhirl,andeveryknightinthepoolpassesinhischecks,whathaveyougotforassets?
　　Justarubbish-pileofbatteredcorpsesandabarrelortwoofbustedhardware.
　　CanyoucallTHOSEassets?Givemepork,everytime.AmIright?"
　　"Ah,peradventuremyheadbeingdistraughtbythemanifoldmatterswhereuntotheconfusionsofthesebutlateadventuredhapsandfortuningswherebynotIalonenoryoualone,buteveryeachofus,meseemeth——"
　　"No,it'snotyourhead,Sandy.Yourhead'sallright,asfarasitgoes,butyoudon'tknowbusiness;that'swherethetroubleis.Itunfitsyoutoargueaboutbusiness,andyou'rewrongtobealwaystrying.However,thataside,itwasagoodhaul,anyway,andwillbreedahandsomecropofreputationinArthur'scourt.Andspeakingofthecowboys,whatacuriouscountrythisisforwomenandmenthatnevergetold.Nowthere'sMorganleFay,asfreshandyoungasaVassarpullet,toallappearances,andhereisthisolddukeoftheSouthMarchesstillslashingawaywithswordandlanceathistimeoflife,afterraisingsuchafamilyashehasraised.
　　AsIunderstandit,SirGawainekilledsevenofhissons,andstillhehadsixleftforSirMarhausandmetotakeintocamp.Andthentherewasthatdamselofsixtywinterofagestillexcursioningaroundinherfrostybloom——Howoldareyou,Sandy?"
　　ItwasthefirsttimeIeverstruckastillplaceinher.Themillhadshutdownforrepairs,orsomething.
　　AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur'sCourt-Chapter20Chapter20-TheOgre'sCastleBETWEENsixandninewemadetenmiles,whichwasplentyforahorsecarryingtriple——man,woman,andarmor;thenwestoppedforalongnooningundersometreesbyalimpidbrook.
　　Rightsocamebyandbyaknightriding;andashedrewnearhemadedolorousmoan,andbythewordsofitIperceivedthathewascursingandswearing;yetneverthelesswasIgladofhiscoming,forthatIsawheboreabulletin-boardwhereoninlettersallofshininggoldwaswrit:
　　"USEPETERSONSPROPHYLACTICTOOTH-BRUSH——ALLTHEGO."
　　Iwasgladofhiscoming,forevenbythistokenIknewhimforknightofmine.ItwasSirMadokdelaMontaine,aburlygreatfellowwhosechiefdistinctionwasthathehadcomewithinanaceofsendingSirLauncelotdownoverhishorse-tailonce.Hewasneverlonginastranger'spresencewithoutfindingsomepretextorothertoletoutthatgreatfact.Buttherewasanotherfactofnearlythesamesize,whichheneverpusheduponanybodyunasked,andyetneverwithheldwhenasked:thatwas,thatthereasonhedidn'tquitesucceedwas,thathewasinterruptedandsentdownoverhorse-tailhimself.Thisinnocentvastlubberdidnotseeanyparticulardifferencebetweenthetwofacts.Ilikedhim,forhewasearnestinhiswork,andveryvaluable.Andhewassofinetolookat,withhisbroadmailedshoulders,andthegrandleoninesetofhisplumedhead,andhisbigshieldwithitsquaintdeviceofagauntletedhandclutchingaprophylactictooth-brush,withmotto:"TryNoyoudont."Thiswasatooth-washthatIwasintroducing.
　　Hewasaweary,hesaid,andindeedhelookedit;buthewouldnotalight.