Knightfeltuncomfortablywetandchilled，butglowingwithfervournevertheless。HefullyappreciatedElfride'sgirlishdelicacyinrefusinghisescortinthemeagrehabilimentsshewore，yetfeltthatnecessaryabstractionofherselfforashorthalf-hourasamostgrievouslosstohim。
　　Hegatheredupherknottedandtwistedplumageoflinen，lace，andembroiderywork，andlaiditacrosshisarm。Henoticedonthegroundanenvelope，limpandwet。Inendeavouringtorestorethistoitspropershape，heloosenedfromtheenvelopeapieceofpaperithadcontained，whichwasseizedbythewindinfallingfromKnight'shand。Itwasblowntotheright，blowntotheleft——
　　itfloatedtotheedgeofthecliffandoverthesea，whereitwashurledaloft。Ittwirledintheair，andthenflewbackoverhishead。
　　Knightfollowedthepaper，andsecuredit。Havingdoneso，helookedtodiscoverifithadbeenworthsecuring。
　　Thetroublesomesheetwasabanker'sreceiptfortwohundredpounds，placedtothecreditofMissSwancourt，whichtheimpracticalgirlhadtotallyforgottenshecarriedwithher。
　　Knightfoldeditascarefullyasitsmoistconditionwouldallow，putitinhispocket，andfollowedElfride。
　　ChapterXXIII
　　'Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot？'
　　BythistimeStephenSmithhadsteppedoutuponthequayatCastleBoterel，andbreathedhisnativeair。
　　Adarkerskin，amorepronouncedmoustache，andanincipientbeard，werethechiefadditionsandchangesnoticeableinhisappearance。
　　Inspiteofthefallingrain，whichhadsomewhatlessened，hetookasmallvaliseinhishand，and，leavingtheremainderofhisluggageattheinn，ascendedthehillstowardsEastEndelstow。
　　Thisplacelayinavaleofitsown，furtherinlandthanthewestvillage，andthoughsonearit，hadlittleofphysicalfeatureincommonwiththelatter。EastEndelstowwasmorewoodedandfertile:itboastedofLordLuxellian'smansionandpark，andwasfreefromthosebleakopenuplandswhichlentsuchanairofdesolationtothevicinageofthecoast——alwaysexceptingthesmallvalleyinwhichstoodthevicarageandMrs。Swancourt'soldhouse，TheCrags。
　　Stephenhadarrivednearlyatthesummitoftheridgewhentherainagainincreaseditsvolume，and，lookingaboutfortemporaryshelter，heascendedasteeppathwhichpenetrateddensehazelbushesinthelowerpartofitscourse。Furtherupitemergeduponaledgeimmediatelyovertheturnpike-road，andshelteredbyanoverhangingfaceofrubblerock，withbushesabove。Forareasonofhisownhemadethisspothisrefugefromthestorm，andturninghisfacetotheleft，connedthelandscapeasabook。
　　HewasoverlookingthevalleycontainingElfride'sresidence。
　　Fromthispointofobservationtheprospectexhibitedthepeculiarityofbeingeitherbrilliantforegroundorthesubduedtoneofdistance，asuddendipinthesurfaceofthecountryloweringoutofsightalltheintermediateprospect。Inapparentcontactwiththetreesandbushesgrowingclosebesidehimappearedthedistanttract，terminatedsuddenlybythebrinkoftheseriesofcliffswhichculminatedinthetallgiantwithoutaname——smallandunimportantasherebeheld。AleafonaboughatStephen'selbowblottedoutawholehillinthecontrastingdistrictfaraway；agreenbunchofnutscoveredacompleteuplandthere，andthegreatcliffitselfwasoutviedbyapigmycraginthebankhardbyhim。Stephenhadlookeduponthesethingshundredsoftimesbeforeto-day，buthehadneverviewedthemwithsuchtendernessasnow。
　　Steppingforwardinthisdirectionyetalittlefurther，hecouldseethetowerofWestEndelstowChurch，beneathwhichhewastomeethisElfridethatnight。Andatthesametimehenoticed，comingoverthehillfromthecliffs，awhitespeckinmotion。Itseemedfirsttobeasea-gullflyinglow，butultimatelyprovedtobeahumanfigure，runningwithgreatrapidity。Theformflittedon，heedlessoftherainwhichhadcausedStephen'shaltinthisplace，droppeddowntheheatheryhill，enteredthevale，andwasoutofsight。
　　Whilsthemeditateduponthemeaningofthisphenomenon，hewassurprisedtoseeswimintohiskenfromthesamepointofdepartureanothermovingspeck，asdifferentfromthefirstaswellcouldbe，insomuchthatitwasperceptibleonlybyitsblackness。Slowlyandregularlyittookthesamecourse，andtherewasnotmuchdoubtthatthiswastheformofaman。He，too，graduallydescendedfromtheupperlevels，andwaslostinthevalleybelow。
　　Therainhadbythistimeagainabated，andStephenreturnedtotheroad。Lookingahead，hesawtwomenandacart。Theyweresoonobscuredbytheinterventionofahighhedge。Justbeforetheyemergedagainheheardvoicesinconversation。
　　''Amustsoonbeinthenaibourhood，too，ifsobehe'sa-coming，'
　　saidatenortongue，whichStepheninstantlyrecognizedasMartinCannister's。
　　''Amust'ab'lieve，'saidanothervoice——thatofStephen'sfather。
　　Stephensteppedforward，andcamebeforethemfacetoface。HisfatherandMartinwerewalking，dressedintheirsecondbestsuits，andbesidethemrambledalongagrizzelhorseandbrightlypaintedspring-cart。
　　'Allright，Mr。Cannister；here'sthelostman!'exclaimedyoungSmith，enteringatonceupontheoldstyleofgreeting。'Father，hereIam。'
　　'Allright，mysonny；andgladIbefor't!'returnedJohnSmith，overjoyedtoseetheyoungman。'Howbeye？Well，comealonghome，anddon'tlet'sbideouthereinthedamp。SuchweathermustbeterriblebadforayoungchapjustcomefromafierynationlikeIndy；hey，naibourCannister？'
　　'Trew，trew。Andaboutgettinghomehistraps？Boxes，monstrousbales，andnoblepackagesofforeigndescription，Imakenodoubt？'
　　'Hardlyallthat，'saidStephenlaughing。
　　'Webroughtthecart，maningtogorightontoCastleBoterelaforeyelanded，'saidhisfather。'"Putinthehorse，"saysMartin。"Ay，"saysI，"sowewill；"anddiditstraightway。Now，maybe，Martinhadbettergoonwi'thecartforthethings，andyouandIwalkhome-along。'
　　'AndIshallbebacka'mostassoonasyou。Peggyisaprettystepstill，thoughtimed'begintotelluponherasupontheresto'us。'
　　StephentoldMartinwheretofindhisbaggage，andthencontinuedhisjourneyhomewardinthecompanyofhisfather。
　　'Owingtoyourcomingadaysoonerthanwefirstexpected，'saidJohn，'you'llfindusinaturkofamess，sir——"sir，"saysItomyownson!butye'vegoneupso，Stephen。We'vekilledthepigthismorningforye，thinkingye'dbehungry，andgladofamorseloffreshmate。And'awon'tbecutuptillto-night。However，wecanmakeyeagoodsupperoffry，whichwillchawupwellwi'adabo'mustardandafewnicenewtaters，andadropofshillingaletowashitdown。Yourmotherhavescrubbedthehousethroughbecauseyewerecoming，anddustedallthechimmerfurniture，andboughtanewbasinandjugofatravellingcrockery-womanthatcametoourdoor，andscouredthecannel-sticks，andclanedthewinders!Ay，Idon'tknowwhat'aha'n'tadone。Neverweresuchasteer，'ab'lieve。'
　　ConversationofthiskindandinquiriesofStephenforhismother'swellbeingoccupiedthemfortheremainderofthejourney。
　　Whentheydrewneartheriver，andthecottagebehindit，theycouldhearthemaster-mason'sclockstrikingoffthebygonehoursofthedayatintervalsofaquarterofaminute，duringwhichintervalsStephen'simaginationreadilypicturedhismother'sforefingerwanderingroundthedialincompanywiththeminute-
　　hand。
　　'Theclockstoppedthismorning，andyourmotherinputtingenrightseemingly，'saidhisfatherinanexplanatorytone；andtheywentupthegardentothedoor。
　　Whentheyhadentered，andStephenhaddutifullyandwarmlygreetedhismother——whoappearedinacottondressofadark-blueground，coveredbroadcastwithamultitudeofnewandfullmoons，stars，andplanets，withanoccasionaldashofacomet-likeaspecttodiversifythescene——thecrackleofcart-wheelswasheardoutside，andMartinCannisterstampedinatthedoorway，intheformofapairoflegsbeneathagreatbox，hisbodybeingnowherevisible。Whentheluggagehadbeenalltakendown，andStephenhadgoneupstairstochangehisclothes，Mrs。Smith'smindseemedtorecoveralostthread。
　　'Reallyourclockisnotworthapenny，'shesaid，turningtoitandattemptingtostartthependulum。
　　'Stoppedagain？'inquiredMartinwithcommiseration。
　　'Yes，sure，'repliedMrs。Smith；andcontinuedafterthemannerofcertainmatrons，towhosetonguestheharmonyofasubjectwithacasualmoodisagreaterrecommendationthanitspertinencetotheoccasion，'Johnwouldspendpoundsayearuponthejimcrackoldthing，ifhemight，inhavingitclaned，whenatthesametimeyoumaydoctorityourselfaswell。"Theclock'sstoppedagain，John，"Isaytohim。"Betterhaveenclaned，"sayshe。There'sfiveshillings。"Thatclockgrindsagain，"Isaytoen。"Betterhaveenclaned，"'asaysagain。"Thatclockstrikeswrong，John，"
　　saysI。"Betterhaveenclaned，"hegoeson。ThewheelswouldhavebeenpolishedtoskeletonsbythistimeifIhadlistenedtoen，andIassureyouwecouldhaveboughtachainey-facedbeautywi'thegoodmoneywe'veflungawaytheselasttenyearsuponthisoldgreen-facedmortal。And，Martin，youmustbewet。Mysonisgoneuptochange。JohnisdamperthanIshouldliketobe，but'acallsitnothing。SomeofMrs。Swancourt'sservantshavebeenhere——theyraninoutoftherainwhengoingforawalk——andI
　　assureyouthestateoftheirbonnetswasfrightful。'
　　'How'sthefolks？We'vebeenovertoCastleBoterel，andwhatwi'
　　runningandstoppingoutofthestorms，mypoorheadisbeyondeverything!fizz，fizzfizz；'tisfryingo'fishfrommorningtonight，'saidacrackedvoiceinthedoorwayatthisinstant。
　　'Lordso's，who'sthat？'saidMrs。Smith，inaprivateexclamation，andturningroundsawWilliamWorm，endeavouringtomakehimselflookpassingcivilandfriendlybyoverspreadinghisfacewithalargesmilethatseemedtohavenoconnectionwiththehumourhewasin。Behindhimstoodawomanabouttwicehissize，withalargeumbrellaoverherhead。ThiswasMrs。Worm，William'swife。
　　'Comein，William，'saidJohnSmith。'Wedon'tkillapigeveryday。Andyou，likewise，Mrs。Worm。Imakeyewelcome。SinceyeleftParsonSwancourt，William，Idon'tseemuchof'ee。'
　　'No，fortotellthetruth，sinceItooktotheturn-pike-gateline，I'vebeenoutbutlittle，comingtochurcho'Sundaysnotbeingmydutynow，as'twasinaparson'sfamily，yousee。
　　However，ourboyisabletomindthegatenow，andIsaid，saysI，"Barbara，let'scallandseeJohnSmith。”'
　　'Iamsorrytohearyerporeheadissobadstill。'
　　'Ay，Iassureyouthatfryingo'fishisgoingonfornightsanddays。And，youknow，sometimes'tisn'tonlyfish，butrasherso'
　　baconandinions。Ay，Icanhearthefatpopandfizzasnateralaslife；can'tI，Barbara？'
　　Mrs。Worm，whohadbeenallthistimeengagedinclosingherumbrella，corroboratedthisstatement，andnow，comingindoors，showedherselftobeawide-faced，comfortable-lookingwoman，withawartuponhercheek，bearingasmalltuftofhairinitscentre。
　　'Haveyeevertriedanythingtocureyernoise，MaisterWorm？'
　　inquiredMartinCannister。
　　'Ohay；blessye，I'vetriedeverything。Ay，Providenceisamercifulman，andIhavehopedHe'dhavefounditoutbythistime，livingsomanyyearsinaparson'sfamily，too，asIhave，but'adon'tseemtorelieveme。Ay，Ibeapoorwamblingman，andlife'saminto'trouble!'
　　'True，mournfultrue，WilliamWorm。'Tisso。Theworldwantslookingto，or'tisallsixesandsevenswi'us。'
　　'Takeyourthingsoff，Mrs。Worm，'saidMrs。Smith。'Weberatherinamuddle，totellthetruth，formysonisjustdroppedinfromIndyadaysoonerthanweexpected，andthepig-killeriscomingpresentlytocutup。'
　　Mrs。BarbaraWorm，notwishingtotakeanymeanadvantageofpersonsinamuddlebyobservingthem，removedherbonnetandmantlewitheyesfixedupontheflowersintheplotoutsidethedoor。
　　'Whatbeautifultiger-lilies!'saidMrs。Worm。
　　'Yes，theybeverywell，butsuchatroubletomeonaccountofthechildrenthatcomehere。Theywillgoeatingtheberriesonthestem，andcall'emcurrants。Tastewi'junivalsisquitefancy，really。'
　　'Andyoursnapdragonslookasfierceasever。'
　　'Well，really，'answeredMrs。Smith，enteringdidacticallyintothesubject，'theyaremorelikeChristiansthanflowers。Buttheymakeupwellenoughwi'therest，anddon'trequiremuchtending。Andthesamecanbesaido'thesemiller'swheels。'TisaflowerIlikeverymuch，thoughsosimple。Johnsayshenevercaresabouttheflowerso''em，butmenhavenoeyeforanythingneat。Hesayshisfavouriteflowerisacauliflower。AndI
　　assureyouItrembleinthespringtime，for'tisperfectmurder。'
　　'Youdon'tsayso，Mrs。Smith!'
　　'Johndigsroundtheroots，youknow。Ingoeshisblunderingspade，throughroots，bulbs，everythingthathasn'tgotagoodshowaboveground，turning'emupcutalltoslices。OnlytheverylastfallIwenttomovesometulips，whenIfoundeverybulbupsidedown，andthestemscrookedround。Hehadturned'emoverinthespring，andthecunningcreatureshadsoonfoundthatheavenwasnotwhereitusedtobe。'
　　'What'sthatlong-favouredflowerunderthehedge？'
　　'They？OLord，theyarethehorridJacob'sladders!Insteadofpraising'em，Ibemadwi''emforbeingsoreadytobidewheretheyarenotwanted。Theybeverywellintheirway，butIdonotcareforthingsthatneglectwon'tkill。DowhatIwill，dig，drag，scrap，pull，Igettoomanyof'em。Ichoptheroots:upthey'llcome，treblestrong。Throw'emoverhedge；therethey'llgrow，staringmeinthefacelikeahungrydogdrivenaway，andcreepbackagaininaweekortwothesameasbefore。'TisJacob'sladderhere，Jacob'sladderthere，andplant'emwherenothingintheworldwillgrow，yougetcrowdsof'eminamonthortwo。Johnmadeanewmanuremixenlastsummer，andhesaid，"Maria，nowifyou'vegotanyflowersorsuchlike，thatyoudon'twant，youmayplant'emroundmymixensoastohideitabit，though'tisnotlikelyanythingofmuchvaluewillgrowthere。”I
　　thought，"There'sthemJacob'sladders；I'llputthemthere，sincetheycan'tdoharminsuchaplace；"andIplantedtheJacob'sladderssureenough。Theygrowed，andtheygrowed，inthemixenandoutofthemixen，alloverthelitter，coveringitquiteup。
　　WhenJohnwantedtouseitaboutthegarden，'asaid，"NationseizethemJacob'sladdersofyours，Maria!They'veeatthegoodnessoutofeverymorselofmymanure，sothat'tisnobetterthansanditself!"Sureenoughthehungrymortalshad。'Tismybeliefthatinthesecretsoulso''em，Jacob'sladdersbeweeds，andnotflowersatall，ifthetruthwasknown。'
　　RobertLickpan，pig-killerandcarrier，arrivedatthismoment。
　　Thefattedanimalhanginginthebackkitchenwascleftdownthemiddleofitsbackbone，Mrs。Smithbeingmeanwhileengagedincookingsupper。
　　Betweenthecuttingandchopping，alewashandedround，andWormandthepig-killerlistenedtoJohnSmith'sdescriptionofthemeetingwithStephen，witheyesblanklyfixeduponthetable-
　　cloth，inorderthatnothingintheexternalworldshouldinterrupttheireffortstoconjureupthescenecorrectly。
　　Stephencamedownstairsinthemiddleofthestory，andafterthelittleinterruptionoccasionedbyhisentranceandwelcome，thenarrativewasagaincontinued，preciselyasifhehadnotbeenthereatall，andwastoldinclusivelytohim，astosomebodywhoknewnothingaboutthematter。
　　'"Ay，"Isaid，asIcatchedsighto'enthroughthebrimbles，"that'sthelad，forId'knowenbyhisgrand-father'swalk；"for'astappedoutlikepoorfatherforalltheworld。Stilltherewasatoucho'thefriskythatsetmewondering。'Agotcloser，andIsaid，"That'sthelad，forId'knowenbyhiscarryingablackcaselikeatravellingman。”Still，aroadiscommontoalltheworld，andtherebemoretravellingmenthanone。ButIkeptmyeyecocked，andIsaidtoMartin，"'Tistheboy，now，forId'
　　knowenbythewoldtwirlo'thestickandthefamilystep。”Then'acomecloser，anda'said，"Allright。”Icouldsweartoenthen。'
　　Stephen'spersonalappearancewasnextcriticised。
　　'Hed'lookadealthinnerinface，surely，thanwhenIseedenattheparson's，andneverknoweden，ifye'llbelieveme，'saidMartin。
　　'Ay，there，'saidanother，withoutremovinghiseyesfromStephen'sface，'Ishouldha'knowedenanywhere。'Tishisfather'snosetoaT。'
　　'Ithasbeenoftenremarked，'saidStephenmodestly。
　　'Andhe'scertainlytaller，'saidMartin，lettinghisglancerunoverStephen'sformfrombottomtotop。
　　'Iwasthinking'awasexactlythesameheight，'Wormreplied。
　　'Blessthysoul，that'sbecausehe'sbiggerroundlikewise。'AndtheunitedeyesallmovedtoStephen'swaist。
　　'Ibeapoorwamblingman，butIcanmakeallowances，'saidWilliamWorm。'Ah，sure，andhowhecameasastrangerandpilgrimtoParsonSwancourt'sthattime，notasoulknowingenaftersomanyyears!Ay，life'sastrangepicter，Stephen:butI
　　supposeImustsaySirtoye？'
　　'Oh，itisnotnecessaryatpresent，'Stephenreplied，thoughmentallyresolvingtoavoidthevicinityofthatfamiliarfriendassoonashehadmadepretensionstothehandofElfride。
　　'Ah，well，'saidWormmusingly，'somewouldhavelookedfornolessthanaSir。There'sasightofdifferenceinpeople。'
　　'Andinpigslikewise，'observedJohnSmith，lookingatthehalvedcarcassofhisown。
　　RobertLickpan，thepig-killer，hereseemedcalledupontoenterthelistsofconversation。
　　'Yes，they'vegottheirparticularnatersgood-now，'heremarkedinitially。'Many'stherum-temperedpigI'veknowed。'
　　'Idon'tdoubtit，MasterLickpan，'answeredMartin，inatoneexpressingthathisconvictions，nolessthangoodmanners，demandedthereply。
　　'Yes，'continuedthepig-killer，asoneaccustomedtobeheard。
　　'OnethatIknowedwasdeafanddumb，andwecouldn'tmakeoutwhatwasthematterwi'thepig。'Awouldeatwellenoughwhen'aseedthetrough，butwhenhisbackwasturned，youmighta-rattledthebucketallday，thepoorsoulneverheardye。Yecouldplaytricksuponenbehindhisback，anda'wouldn'tfinditoutnoquickerthanpoordeafGrammerCates。Buta'fattedwell，andI
　　neverseedapigopenbetterwhena'waskilled，and'awasverytendereating，very；asprettyabitofmateaseveryousee；youcouldsuckthatmatethroughaquill。
　　'AndanotherIknowed，'resumedthekiller，afterquietlylettingapintofalerundownhisthroatofitsownaccord，andsettingdownthecupwithmathematicalexactnessuponthespotfromwhichhehadraisedit——'anotherwentoutofhismind。'
　　'Howverymournful!'murmuredMrs。Worm。
　　'Ay，poorthing，'adid!AscleanoutofhismindasthecleverestChristiancouldgo。Inearlylife'awasverymelancholy，andneverseemedahopefulpigbynomeans。'TwasAndrewStainer'spig——that'swhosepig'twas。'
　　'Icanmindthepigwellenough，'attestedJohnSmith。
　　'Andaprettylittleporker'awas。AndyouallknowFarmerBuckle'ssort？Everyjacko'emsufferfromtherheumatismtothisday，owingtoadampstytheylivedinwhentheywerestriplings，as'twere。'
　　'Well，nowwe'llweigh，'saidJohn。
　　'Ifsobehewerenotsofine，we'dweighenwhole:butasheis，we'lltakeasideatatime。John，youcanmindmyoldjoke，ey？'
　　'Idoso；though'twasagoodfewyearsagoIfirsthearden。'
　　'Yes，'saidLickpan，'thatthereoldfamiliarjokehavebeeninourfamilyforgenerations，Imaysay。Myfatherusedthatjokeregularatpig-killingsformorethanfiveandfortyyears——thetimehefollowedthecalling。And'atoldmethat'ahaditfromhisfatherwhenhewasquiteachiel，whomadeuseo'enjustthesameateverykillingmoreorless；andpig-killingswerepig-
　　killingsinthosedays。'
　　'Trewlytheywere。'
　　'I'veneverheardthejoke，'saidMrs。Smithtentatively。
　　'NorI，'chimedinMrs。Worm，who，beingtheonlyotherladyintheroom，feltboundbythelawsofcourtesytofeellikeMrs。
　　Smithineverything。
　　'Surely，surelyyouhave，'saidthekiller，lookingscepticallyatthebenightedfemales。'However，'tisn'tmuch——Idon'twishtosayitis。Itcommenceslikethis:"Bobwilltelltheweightofyourpig，'ab'lieve，"saysI。ThecongregationofneighboursthinkImanemysonBob，naturally；butthesecretisthatImanethebobo'thesteelyard。Ha，ha，ha!'
　　'Haw，haw，haw!'laughedMartinCannister，whohadheardtheexplanationofthisstrikingstoryforthehundredthtime。
　　'Huh，huh，huh!'laughedJohnSmith，whohadhearditforthethousandth。
　　'Hee，hee，hee!'laughedWilliamWorm，whohadneverhearditatall，butwasafraidtosayso。
　　'Thygrandfather，Robert，musthavebeenawide-awakechaptomakethatstory，'saidMartinCannister，subsidingtoaplacidaspectofdelightedcriticism。
　　'Hehadahead，byallaccount。And，yousee，asthefirst-bornoftheLickpanshaveallbeenRoberts，they'veallbeenBobs，sothestorywashandeddowntothepresentday。'
　　'PoorJoseph，yoursecondboy，willneverbeabletobringitoutincompany，whichisratherunfortunate，'saidMrs。Wormthoughtfully。
　　''Awon't。Yes，grandferwasacleverchap，asyesay；butI
　　knowedacleverer。'TwasmyuncleLevi。UncleLevimadeasnuff-
　　boxthatshouldbeapuzzletohisfriendstoopen。Heusedtohandenroundatweddingparties，christenings，funerals，andinotherjollycompany，andlet'emtrytheirskill。Thisextraordinarysnuff-boxhadaspringbehindthatwouldpushinandout——ahingewhereseemedtobethecover；aslideattheend，ascrewinfront，andknobsandqueernotcheseverywhere。Onemanwouldtrythespring，anotherwouldtrythescrew，anotherwouldtrytheslide；buttryastheywould，theboxwouldn'topen。Andtheycouldn'topenen，andtheydidn'topenen。Nowwhatmightyouthinkwasthesecretofthatbox？'
　　Allputonanexpressionthattheirunitedthoughtswereinadequatetotheoccasion。
　　'Whytheboxwouldn'topenatall。'Aweremadenottoopen，andyemighthavetriedtilltheendofRevelations，'twouldhavebeenasnaught，fortheboxweregluedallround。'
　　'Averydeepmantohavemadesuchabox。'
　　'Yes。'TwaslikeuncleLeviallover。'
　　''Twas。Icanmindthemanverywell。TallestmaneverIseed。'
　　''Awasso。Heneversleptuponabedsteadafterhegrowedupahardboy-chap——nevercouldgetonelongenough。When'alivedinthatlittlesmallhousebythepond，heusedtohavetoleaveopenhischamberdooreverynightatgoingtohisbed，andlethisfeetpokeoutuponthelanding。'
　　'He'sdeadandgonenow，nevertheless，poorman，asweallshall，'
　　observedWorm，tofillthepausewhichfollowedtheconclusionofRobertLickpan'sspeech。
　　TheweighingandcuttingupwaspursuedamidananimateddiscourseonStephen'stravels；andatthefinish，thefirst-fruitsoftheday'sslaughter，friedinonions，werethenturnedfromthepanintoadishonthetable，eachpiecesteamingandhissingtillitreachedtheirverymouths。
　　Itmustbeownedthatthegentlemanlysonofthehouselookedratheroutofplaceinthecourseofthisoperation。Norwashismindquitephilosophicenoughtoallowhimtobecomfortablewiththeseold-establishedpersons，hisfather'sfriends。Hehadneverlivedlongathome——scarcelyatallsincehischildhood。ThepresenceofWilliamWormwasthemostawkwardfeatureofthecase，for，thoughWormhadleftthehouseofMr。Swancourt，thebeinghand-in-glovewithaci-devantservitorremindedStephentooforciblyofthevicar'sclassificationofhimselfbeforehewentfromEngland。Mrs。Smithwasconsciousofthedefectinherarrangementswhichhadbroughtabouttheundesiredconjunction。
　　ShespoketoStephenprivately。
　　'Iamabovehavingsuchpeoplehere，Stephen；butwhatcouldIdo？
　　Andyourfatherissoroughinhisnaturethathe'smoremixedupwiththemthanneedbe。'
　　'Nevermind，mother，'saidStephen；'I'llputupwithitnow。'
　　'Whenweleavemylord'sservice，andgetfurtherupthecountry——
　　asIhopeweshallsoon——itwillbedifferent。Weshallbeamongfreshpeople，andinalargerhouse，andshallkeepourselvesupabit，Ihope。'
　　'IsMissSwancourtathome，doyouknow？'Stepheninquired'Yes，yourfathersawherthismorning。'
　　'Doyouoftenseeher？'
　　'Scarcelyever。Mr。Glim，thecurate，callsoccasionally，buttheSwancourtsdon'tcomeintothevillagenowanymorethantodrivethroughit。Theydineatmylord'softenerthantheyused。Ah，here'sanotewasbroughtthismorningforyoubyaboy。'
　　Stepheneagerlytookthenoteandopenedit，hismotherwatchinghim。HereadwhatElfridehadwrittenandsentbeforeshestartedforthecliffthatafternoon:
　　'Yes；Iwillmeetyouinthechurchatnineto-night——E。S。'
　　'Idon'tknow，Stephen，'hismothersaidmeaningly，'whe'ryoustillthinkaboutMissElfride，butifIwereyouIwouldn'tconcernabouther。TheysaythatnoneofoldMrs。Swancourt'smoneywillcometoherstep-daughter。'
　　'Iseetheeveninghasturnedoutfine；Iamgoingoutforalittlewhiletolookroundtheplace，'hesaid，evadingthedirectquery。'ProbablybythetimeIreturnourvisitorswillbegone，andwe'llhaveamoreconfidentialtalk。'
　　ChapterXXIV
　　'Breeze，bird，andflowerconfessthehour。'
　　Therainhadceasedsincethesunset，butitwasacloudynight；
　　andthelightofthemoon，softenedanddispersedbyitsmistyveil，wasdistributedoverthelandinpalegray。
　　AdarkfiguresteppedfromthedoorwayofJohnSmith'sriver-sidecottage，andstroderapidlytowardsWestEndelstowwithalightfootstep。Soonascendingfromthelowerlevelsheturnedacorner，followedacart-track，andsawthetowerofthechurchhewasinquestofdistinctlyshapedforthagainstthesky。Inlessthanhalfanhourfromthetimeofstartingheswunghimselfoverthechurchyardstile。
　　Thewildirregularenclosurewasasmuchaseveranintegralpartoftheoldhill。Thegrasswasstilllong，thegraveswereshapedpreciselyaspassingyearschosetoalterthemfromtheirorthodoxformaslaiddownbyMartinCannister，andbyStephen'sowngrandfatherbeforehim。
　　AsoundspedintotheairfromthedirectioninwhichCastleBoterellay。Itwasthestrikingofthechurchclock，distinctinthestillatmosphereasifithadcomefromthetowerhardby，which，wraptinitssolitarysilentness，gaveoutnosuchsoundsoflife。
　　'One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine。'Stephencarefullycountedthestrokes，thoughhewellknewtheirnumberbeforehand。Nineo'clock。ItwasthehourElfridehadherselfnamedasthemostconvenientformeetinghim。
　　Stephenstoodatthedooroftheporchandlistened。Hecouldhaveheardthesoftestbreathingofanypersonwithintheporch；
　　nobodywasthere。Hewentinsidethedoorway，satdownuponthestonebench，andwaitedwithabeatingheart。
　　Thefaintsoundsheardonlyaccentuatedthesilence。Therisingandfallingofthesea，farawayalongthecoast，wasthemostimportant。Aminorsoundwasthescurrofadistantnight-hawk。
　　Amongtheminutestwhereallwereminutewerethelightsettlementofgossamerfragmentsfloatingintheair，atoadhumblylabouringalongthroughthegrassneartheentrance，thecrackleofadeadleafwhichawormwasendeavouringtopullintotheearth，awaftofair，gettingnearerandnearer，andexpiringathisfeetundertheburdenofawingedseed。
　　Amongallthesesoftsoundscamenottheonlysoftsoundhecaredtohear——thefootfallofElfride。
　　ForawholequarterofanhourStephensatthusintent，withoutmovingamuscle。Attheendofthattimehewalkedtothewestfrontofthechurch。Turningthecornerofthetower，awhiteformstaredhimintheface。Hestartedback，andrecoveredhimself。ItwasthetombofyoungfarmerJethway，lookingstillasfreshandasnewaswhenitwasfirsterected，thewhitestoneinwhichitwashewnhavingasingularweirdnessamidthedarkblueslabsfromlocalquarries，ofwhichthewholeremaininggravestoneswereformed。
　　HethoughtofthenightwhenhehadsatthereonwithElfrideashiscompanion，andwellrememberedhisregretthatshehadreceived，evenunwillingly，earlierhomagethanhisown。Buthispresenttangibleanxietyreducedsuchafeelingtosentimentalnonsenseincomparison；andhestrolledonoverthegravestotheborderofthechurchyard，whenceinthedaytimecouldbeclearlyseenthevicarageandthepresentresidenceoftheSwancourts。Nofootstepwasdiscernibleuponthepathupthehill，butalightwasshiningfromawindowinthelast-namedhouse。
　　Stephenknewtherecouldbenomistakeaboutthetimeorplace，andnodifficultyaboutkeepingtheengagement。Hewaitedyetlonger，passingfromimpatienceintoamoodwhichfailedtotakeanyaccountofthelapseoftime。HewasawakenedfromhisreveriebyCastleBoterelclock。
　　One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine，TEN。
　　Onelittlefallofthehammerinadditiontothenumberithadbeensharppleasuretohear，andwhatadifferencetohim!
　　Heleftthechurchyardonthesideoppositetohispointofentrance，andwentdownthehill。Slowlyhedrewnearthegateofherhouse。Thishesoftlyopened，andwalkedupthegraveldrivetothedoor。Herehepausedforseveralminutes。
　　Attheexpirationofthattimethemurmuredspeechofamanlyvoicecameouttohisearsthroughanopenwindowbehindthecornerofthehouse。Thiswasrespondedtobyaclearsoftlaugh。
　　ItwasthelaughofElfride。
　　Stephenwasconsciousofagnawingpainathisheart。Heretreatedashehadcome。Therearedisappointmentswhichwringus，andtherearethosewhichinflictawoundwhosemarkwebeartoourgraves。Sucharesokeenthatnofuturegratificationofthesamedesirecaneverobliteratethem:theybecomeregisteredasapermanentlossofhappiness。SuchaonewasStephen'snow:
　　thecrowningaureolaofthedreamhadbeenthemeetingherebystealth；andifElfridehadcometohimonlytenminutesafterhehadturnedaway，thedisappointmentwouldhavebeenrecognizablestill。
　　Whentheyoungmanreachedhomehefoundtherealetterwhichhadarrivedinhisabsence。Believingittocontainsomereasonforhernon-appearance，yetunabletoimagineonethatcouldjustifyher，hehastilytoreopentheenvelope。
　　ThepapercontainednotawordfromElfride。Itwasthedeposit-
　　noteforhistwohundredpounds。Onthebackwastheformofacheque，andthisshehadfilledupwiththesamesum，payabletothebearer。
　　Stephenwasconfounded。Heattemptedtodivinehermotive。
　　Consideringhowlimitedwashisknowledgeofherlateractions，heguessedrathershrewdlythat，betweenthetimeofhersendingthenoteinthemorningandtheevening'ssilentrefusalofhisgift，somethinghadoccurredwhichhadcausedatotalchangeinherattitudetowardshim。
　　Heknewnotwhattodo。Itseemedabsurdnowtogotoherfathernextmorning，ashehadpurposed，andaskforanengagementwithher，apossibilityimpendingallthewhilethatElfrideherselfwouldnotbeonhisside。Onlyonecourserecommendeditselfaswise。Towaitandseewhatthedayswouldbringforth；togoandexecutehiscommissionsinBirmingham；thentoreturn，learnifanythinghadhappened，andtrywhatameetingmightdo；perhapshersurpriseathisbackwardnesswouldbringherforwardtoshowlatentwarmthasdecidedlyasinoldtimes。
　　ThisactofpatiencewasinkeepingonlywiththenatureofamanpreciselyofStephen'sconstitution。Ninemenoutoftenwouldperhapshaverushedoff，gotintoherpresence，byfairmeansorfoul，andprovokedacatastropheofsomesort。Possiblyforthebetter，probablyfortheworse。
　　HestartedforBirminghamthenextmorning。Aday'sdelaywouldhavemadenodifference；buthecouldnotrestuntilhehadbegunandendedtheprogrammeproposedtohimself。Bodilyactivitywillsometimestakethestingoutofanxietyascompletelyasassuranceitself。
　　ChapterXXV
　　'Mineownfamiliarfriend。'
　　DuringthesedaysofabsenceStephenlivedunderalternateconditions。Wheneverhisemotionswereactive，hewasinagony。
　　Wheneverhewasnotinagony，thebusinessinhandhaddrivenoutofhismindbysheerforcealldeepreflectiononthesubjectofElfrideandlove。
　　Bythetimehetookhisreturnjourneyattheweek'send，Stephenhadverynearlyworkedhimselfuptoanintentiontocallandseeherfacetoface。Onthisoccasionalsoheadoptedhisfavouriteroute——bythelittlesummersteamerfromBristoltoCastleBoterel；thetimesavedbyspeedontherailwaybeingwastedatjunctions，andinfollowingadeviouscourse。
　　ItwasabrightsilenteveningatthebeginningofSeptemberwhenSmithagainsetfootinthelittletown。Hefeltinclinedtolingerawhileuponthequaybeforeascendingthehills，havingformedaromanticintentiontogohomebywayofherhouse，yetnotwishingtowanderinitsneighbourhoodtilltheeveningshadesshouldsufficientlyscreenhimfromobservation。
　　Andthuswaitingfornight'snearerapproach，hewatchedtheplacidscene，overwhichthepaleluminosityofthewestcastasorrowfulmonochrome，thatbecameslowlyembrownedbythedusk。A
　　starappeared，andanother，andanother。Theysparkledamidtheyardsandriggingofthetwocoalbrigslyingalangside，asiftheyhadbeentinylampssuspendedintheropes。Themastsrockedsleepilytotheinfinitesimalfluxofthetide，whichcluckedandgurgledwithidleregularityinnooksandholesoftheharbourwall。
　　Thetwilightwasnowquitepronouncedenoughforhispurpose；andas，rathersadatheart，hewasabouttomoveon，alittleboatcontainingtwopersonsglidedupthemiddleoftheharbourwiththelightnessofashadow。Theboatcameoppositehim，passedon，andtouchedthelanding-stepsatthefurtherend。Oneofitsoccupantswasaman，asStephenhadknownbytheeasystrokeoftheoars。Whenthepairascendedthesteps，andcameintogreaterprominence，hewasenabledtodiscernthatthesecondpersonagewasawoman；alsothatsheworeawhitedecoration——apparentlyafeather——inherhatorbonnet，whichspotofwhitewastheonlydistinctlyvisibleportionofherclothing。
　　Stephenremainedamomentintheirrear，andtheypassedon，whenhepursuedhiswayalso，andsoonforgotthecircumstance。Havingcrossedabridge，forsakenthehighroad，andenteredthefootpathwhichledupthevaletoWestEndelstow，heheardalittlewicketclicksoftlytogethersomeyardsahead。BythetimethatStephenhadreachedthewicketandpassedit，heheardanotherclickofpreciselythesamenaturefromanothergateyetfurtheron。
　　Clearlysomepersonorpersonswereprecedinghimalongthepath，theirfootstepsbeingrenderednoiselessbythesoftcarpetofturf。Stephennowwalkedalittlequicker，andperceivedtwoforms。Oneofthemborealoftthewhitefeatherhehadnoticedinthewoman'shatonthequay:theywerethecouplehehadseenintheboat。Stephendroppedalittlefurthertotherear。
　　Fromthebottomofthevalley，alongwhichthepathhadhithertolain，besidethemarginofthetricklingstreamlet，anotherpathnowdiverged，andascendedtheslopeoftheleft-handhill。ThisfootwayledonlytotheresidenceofMrs。Swancourtandacottageortwoinitsvicinity。Nograsscoveredthisdivergingpathinportionsofitslength，andStephenwasremindedthatthepairinfrontofhimhadtakenthisroutebytheoccasionalrattleofloosestonesundertheirfeet。Stephenclimbedinthesamedirection，butforsomeundefinedreasonhetrodmoresoftlythandidthoseprecedinghim。Hismindwasunconsciouslyinexerciseuponwhomthewomanmightbe——whetheravisitortoTheCrags，aservant，orElfride。Heputittohimselfyetmoreforcibly；
　　couldtheladybeElfride？Apossiblereasonforherunaccountablefailuretokeeptheappointmentwithhimreturnedwithpainfulforce。
　　Theyenteredthegroundsofthehousebythesidewicket，whencethepath，nowwideandwelltrimmed，woundfantasticallythroughtheshrubberytoanoctagonalpavilioncalledtheBelvedere，byreasonofthecomprehensiveviewovertheadjacentdistrictthatitsgreenseatsafforded。Thepathpassedthiserectionandwentontothehouseaswellastothegardener'scottageontheotherside，stragglingthencetoEastEndelstow；sothatStephenfeltnohesitationinenteringapromenadewhichcouldscarcelybecalledprivate。
　　Hefanciedthatheheardthegateopenandswingtogetheragainbehindhim。Turning，hesawnobody。
　　Thepeopleoftheboatcametothesummer-house。Oneofthemspoke。
　　'Iamafraidweshallgetascoldingforbeingsolate。'
　　Stepheninstantlyrecognisedthefamiliarvoice，richerandfullernowthanitusedtobe。'Elfride!'hewhisperedtohimself，andheldfastbyasapling，tosteadyhimselfundertheagitationherpresencecausedhim。Hisheartswervedfromitsbeat；heshunnedreceivingthemeaninghesought。
　　'Abreezeisrisingagain；howtheashtreerustles!'saidElfride。'Don'tyouhearit？Iwonderwhatthetimeis。'
　　Stephenrelinquishedthesapling。
　　Iwillgetalightandtellyou。Stepintothesummer-house；theairisquietthere。'
　　Thecadenceofthatvoice——itspeculiarityseemedtocomehometohimlikethatofsomenotesofthenorthernbirdsonhisreturntohisnativeclime，asanoldnaturalthingrenewed，yetnotparticularlynoticedasnaturalbeforethatrenewal。
　　TheyenteredtheBelvedere。Inthelowerpartitwasformedofclosewood-worknailedcrosswise，andhadopeningsintheupperbywayofwindows。
　　Thescratchofastrikinglightwasheard，andabrightglowradiatedfromtheinteriorofthebuilding。Thelightgavebirthtodancingleaf-shadows，stem-shadows，lustrousstreaks，dots，sparkles，andthreadsofsilversheenofallimaginablevarietyandtransience。Itawakenedgnats，whichflewtowardsit，revealedshinygossamerthreads，disturbedearthworms。Stephengavebutlittleattentiontothesephenomena，andlesstime。Hesawinthesummer-houseastronglyilluminatedpicture。
　　First，thefaceofhisfriendandpreceptorHenryKnight，betweenwhomandhimselfanestrangementhadarisen，notfromanydefinitecausesbeyondthoseofabsence，increasingage，anddivergingsympathies。
　　Next，hisbrightparticularstar，Elfride。ThefaceofElfridewasmorewomanlythanwhenshehadcalledherselfhis，butasclearandhealthyasever。Herplenteoustwinesofbeautifulhairwerelookingmuchasusual，withtheexceptionofaslightmodificationintheirarrangementindeferencetothechangesoffashion。
　　Theirtwoforeheadswereclosetogether，almosttouching，andbothwerelookingdown。Elfridewasholdingherwatch，Knightwasholdingthelightwithonehand，hisleftarmbeingroundherwaist。PartofthescenereachedStephen'seyesthroughthehorizontalbarsofwoodwork，whichcrossedtheirformsliketheribsofaskeleton。
　　Knight'sarmstolestillfurtherroundthewaistofElfride。
　　'Itishalf-pasteight，'shesaidinalowvoice，whichhadapeculiarmusicinit，seeminglybornofathrillofpleasureatthenewproofthatshewasbeloved。
　　Theflamedwindleddown，diedaway，andallwaswrappedinadarknesstowhichthegloombeforetheilluminationborenocomparisoninapparentdensity。Stephen，shatteredinspiritandsicktohisheart'scentre，turnedaway。Inturning，hesawashadowyoutlinebehindthesummer-houseontheotherside。Hiseyesgrewaccustomedtothedarkness。Wastheformahumanform，orwasitanopaquebushofjuniper？
　　Theloversarose，brushedagainstthelaurestines，andpursuedtheirwaytothehouse。Theindistinctfigurehadmoved，andnowpassedacrossSmith'sfront。Socompletelyenvelopedwastheperson，thatitwasimpossibletodiscernhimorheranymorethanasashape。Theshapeglidednoiselesslyon。
　　Stephensteppedforward，fearinganymischiefwasintendedtotheothertwo。'Whoareyou？'hesaid。
　　'NevermindwhoIam，'answeredaweakwhisperfromtheenvelopingfolds。'WHATIam，mayshebe!PerhapsIknewwell——ah，sowell!——
　　ayouthwhoseplaceyoutook，ashetherenowtakesyours。Willyouletherbreakyourheart，andbringyoutoanuntimelygrave，asshedidtheonebeforeyou？'
　　'YouareMrs。Jethway，Ithink。Whatdoyoudohere？Andwhydoyoutalksowildly？'
　　'Becausemyheartisdesolate，andnobodycaresaboutit。Mayhersbesothatbroughttroubleuponme!'
　　'Silence!'saidStephen，staunchtoElfrideinspiteofhimself'Shewouldharmnobodywilfully，neverwouldshe!Howdoyoucomehere？'
　　'Isawthetwocomingupthepath，andwantedtolearnifshewerenotoneofthem。CanIhelpdislikingherifIthinkofthepast？
　　CanIhelpwatchingherifIremembermyboy？CanIhelpill-
　　wishingherifIwell-wishhim？'
　　Thebowedformwenton，passedthroughthewicket，andwasenvelopedbytheshadowsofthefield。
　　StephenhadheardthatMrs。Jethway，sincethedeathofherson，hadbecomeacrazed，forlornwoman；andbestowingapityingthoughtuponher，hedismissedherfanciedwrongsfromhismind，butnothercondemnationofElfride'sfaithlessness。Thatenteredintoandmingledwiththesensationshisnewexperiencehadbegotten。Thetaletoldbythelittlescenehehadwitnessedranparallelwiththeunhappywoman'sopinion，which，howeverbaselessitmighthavebeenantecedently，hadbecometrueenoughasregardedhimself。
　　Aslowweightofdespair，asdistinctfromaviolentparoxysmasstarvationfromamortalshot，filledhimandwrunghimbodyandsoul。Thediscoveryhadnotbeenaltogetherunexpected，forthroughouthisanxietyofthelastfewdayssincethenightinthechurchyard，hehadbeeninclinedtoconstruetheuncertaintyunfavourablyforhimself。Hishopesforthebesthadbeenbutperiodicinterruptionstoachronicfearoftheworst。
　　Astrangeconcomitantofhismiserywasthesingularityofitsform。ThathisrivalshouldbeKnight，whomonceuponatimehehadadoredasamanisveryrarelyadoredbyanotherinmoderntimes，andwhomhelovednow，addeddeprecationtosorrow，andcynicismtoboth。HenryKnight，whosepraiseshehadsofrequentlytrumpetedinherears，ofwhomshehadactuallybeenjealous，lestsheherselfshouldbelessenedinStephen'sloveonaccountofhim，hadprobablywonherthemoreeasilybyreasonofthoseverypraiseswhichhehadonlyceasedtoutterbyhercommand。Shehadruledhimlikeaqueeninthatmatter，asinallothers。Stephencouldtellbyhermanner，briefashadbeenhisobservationofit，andbyherwords，fewastheywere，thatherpositionwasfardifferentwithKnight。Thatshelookedupatandadoredhernewloverfrombelowhispedestal，wasevenmoreperceptiblethanthatshehadsmileddownuponStephenfromaheightabovehim。