ThereoughttobepeopleatPardons。LadyConant'squiteright。"
　　"Iwasthinkingmoreofthewoodsandtheroads。Icoulddoublethevalueoftheplaceinsixmonths。"
　　"Whatdotheywantforit？"Sheshookherhead，andherloosenedhairfellglowinglyabouthercheeks。
　　"Seventy-fivethousanddollars。They'lltakesixty-eight。"
　　"Lessthanhalfwhatwepaidforouroldyachtwhenwemarried。
　　Andwedidn'thaveagoodtimeinher。Youwere——"
　　"Well，IdiscoveredIwastoomuchofanAmericantobecontenttobearichman'sson。Youaren'tblamingmeforthat？"
　　"Oh，no。Onlyitwasaverybusinesslikehoneymoon。Howfarareyoualongwiththedeal，George？"
　　"Icanmailthedepositonthepurchasemoneyto-morrowmorning，andwecanhavethethingcompletedinafortnightorthreeweeks——ifyousayso。"
　　"FriarsPardon——FriarsPardon!"Sophiechantedrapturously，herdarkgrayeyesbigwithdelight。"Allthefarms？GaleAnstey，BurntHouse，Rocketts，theHomeFarm，andGriffons？Sureyou'vegot'emall？"
　　"Sure。"Hesmiled。
　　"Andthewoods？HighPardonsWood，LowerPardons，Suttons，Dutton'sShaw，Reuben'sGhyll，Maxey'sGhyll，andboththeOakHangers？Sureyou'vegot'emall？"
　　"Everylaststick。Why，youknowthemaswellasIdo。"Helaughed。"Theysaythere'sfivethousand——athousandpounds'
　　worthoflumber——timbertheycallit——intheHangersalone。"
　　"Mrs。Cloke'sovenmustbemendedfirstthing，andthekitchenroof。IthinkI'llhaveallthiswhitewashed，"Sophiebrokein，pointingtotheceiling。"Thewholeplaceisascandal。LadyConantisquiteright。George，whendidyoubegintofallinlovewiththehouse？Inthegreenroomthatfirstday？Idid。"
　　"I'mnotinlovewithit。Onemustdosomethingtomarktimetillone'sfitforwork。"
　　"Orwhenwestoodundertheoaks，andthedooropened？Oh!OughtItogotopoorIggulden'sfuneral？"Shesighedwithutterhappiness。
　　"Wouldn'ttheycallitalibertynow？"saidhe。
　　"ButIlikedhim。"
　　"Butyoudidn'townhimatthedateofhisdeath。"
　　"Thatwouldn'tkeepmeaway。Only，theymadesuchafussaboutthewatching"——shecaughtherbreath——"itmightbeostentatiousfromthatpointofview，too。Oh，George"——shereachedforhishand——"we'retwolittleorphansmovinginworldsnotrealized，andweshallmakesomebadbreaks。Butwe'regoingtohavethetimeofourlives。"
　　"We'llrunuptoLondonto-morrow，andseeifwecanhurrythoseEnglishlawsolicitors。Iwanttogettowork。"
　　Theywent。TheysufferedmanythingseretheyreturnedacrossthefieldsinaflyoneSaturdaynight，nursingatwobytwo-and-a-halfboxofdeedsandmaps——lawfulownersofFriarsPardonandthefivedecayedfarmstherewith。
　　"Idomostsincerely'opeandtrustyou'llbe'appy，Madam，"Mrs。
　　Clokegasped，whenshewastoldthenewsbythekitchenfire。
　　"Goodness!Itisn'tamarriage!"Sophieexclaimed，alittleawed；
　　fortothemthejoke，whichtoanAmericanmeanswork，wasonlyjustbeginning。
　　"Ifit'stookinaproperspirit"——Mrs。Cloke'seyeturnedtowardheroven。
　　"Sendandhavethatmendedto-morrow，"Sophiewhispered。
　　"Wecouldn't'elpnoticing，"saidClokeslowly，"fromthetimesyouwalkedthere，thatyouan'yourladywasdrawntoit，but——butIdon'tknowasweeverpreciselythought——"Hiswife'sglancecheckedhim。
　　"Thatwewerethatsortofpeople，"saidGeorge。"Wearen'tsureofitourselvesyet。"
　　"Perhaps，"saidCloke，rubbinghisknees，"justforthesakeofsayingsomething，perhapsyou'llparkit？"
　　"What'sthat？"saidGeorge。
　　"TurnitallintoafineparklikeVioletHill"——hejerkedathumbtowestward——"thatMr。Sangresbought。Itwasfourfarms，andMr。Sangresmadeafineparkofthem，withaherdoffallerdeer。"
　　"Thenitwouldn'tbeFriarsPardon，"saidSophie。"Wouldit？"
　　"Idon'tknowasI'veeverheardPardonswaseveranythingbutwheatan'wool。Onlysomegentlemensaythatparksarelesstroublethantenants。"Helaughednervously。"Butthegentry，o'
　　course，theykeeponprettymuchastheywasusedto。"
　　"Isee，"saidSophie。"HowdidMr。Sangresmakehismoney？"
　　"Ineverrightlyheard。Itwaspepperan'spices，oritmayha'
　　beengloves。No。GloveswasSirReginaldLissatMarleyEnd。
　　SpiceswasMr。Sangres。He'saBraziliangentleman——verysunburntlike。"
　　"Besureo'onething。Youwon't'aveanytrouble，"saidMrs。
　　Cloke，justbeforetheywenttobed。
　　NowthenewsofthepurchasewastoldtoMr。andMrs。Clokealoneat8P。M。ofaSaturday。Noneleftthefarmtilltheysetoutforchurchnextmorning。Yetwhentheyreachedthechurchandwereabouttoslipasideintotheirusualseats，alittlebeyondthefont，wheretheycouldseethered-furredtailsofthebellropeswaggleandtwistatringingtime，theyweresweptforwardirresistibly，aClokeoneitherflankandyettheyhadnotwalkedwiththeClokes，upontheever-retiringbosomofablack-gownedverger，whousheredthemintoaroomofapewattheheadoftheleftaisle，underthepulpit。
　　"This，"hesighedreproachfully，"isthePardons'Pew，"andshutthemin。
　　Theycouldseelittlemorethanthechoirboysinthechancel，buttotherootsofthehairoftheirneckstheyfeltthecongregationbehindmercilesslydevouringthembylook。
　　"Whenthewickedmanturnethaway。"Thestrong，alienvoiceofthepriestvibratedunderthehammer-beamroof，andalonelinessunfeltbeforeswampedtheirhearts，astheysearchedforplacesintheunfamiliarChurchofEnglandservice。TheLord'sPrayer"OurFather，whichart"——setthesealonthatdesolation。Sophiefoundherselfthinkinghowinotherlandstheirpurchasewouldlongerethishavebeendiscussedfromeverypointofviewinadozenprints，forgettingthatGeorgeformonthshadnotbeenallowedtoglanceatthoseblackandbellowinghead-lines。Herewasnothingbutsilence——notevenhostility!Thegamewasuptothem；theotherplayershidtheircardsandwaited。Suspense，shefelt，wasintheair，andwhenhersightcleared，saw，indeed，amuraltabletofafootlessbirdbroodinguponthecarvenmotto，"
　　Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。"
　　AttheLitanyGeorgehadtroublewithanunstablehassock，anddrewtheslipofcarpetunderthepewseat。Sophiepushedherendbackalso，andshuthereyesagainstaburningthatfeltliketears。Whensheopenedthemshewaslookingathermother'smaidenname，fairlycarvedonablueflagstoneonthepewfloor:
　　EllenLashmar。ob。1796。aetat27。
　　ShenudgedGeorgeandpointed。Sheltered，astheykneeled，theylookedformoreknowledge，buttherestoftheslabwasblank。
　　"Everhearofher？"hewhispered。
　　"Neverknewanyofuscamefromhere。"
　　"Coincidence？"
　　"Perhaps。Butitmakesmefeelbetter，"andshesmiledandwinkedawayatearonherlashes，andtookhishandwhiletheyprayedfor"allwomenlabouringofchild"——not"intheperilsofchildbirth"；andthesparrowswhohadfoundtheirwaythroughtheguardsbehindtheglasswindowschirpedabovethefadedgiltandalabasterfamilytreeoftheConants。
　　Thebaronet'spewwasontherightoftheaisle。Afterserviceitsinhabitantsmovedforthwithouthaste，butsoastoblockeffectivelyaduskypersonwithalargefamilywhochampedintheirrear。
　　"Spices，Ithink，"saidSophie，deeplydelightedastheSangresclosedupaftertheConants。"Let'emgetaway，George。"
　　Butwhentheycameoutmanyfolkwhoseeyeswereonestilllingeredbythelychgate。
　　"IwanttoseeifanymoreLashmarsareburiedhere，"saidSophie。
　　"Notnow。Thisseemstobeshowday。Comehomequickly，"hereplied。
　　Agroupoffamilies，theClokesalittleapart，openedtoletthemthrough。Themensalutedwithjerkynods，thewomenwithremnantsofacurtsey。OnlyIggulden'sson，hismotheronhisarm，liftedhishatasSophiepassed。
　　"Yourpeople，"saidtheclearvoiceofLadyConantinherear。
　　"Isupposeso，"saidSophie，blushing，fortheywerewithintwoyardsofher；butitwasnotaquestion。
　　"Thenthatchildlooksasifitwerecomingdownwithmumps。Yououghttotellthemothersheshouldn'thavebroughtittochurch。"
　　"Ican'tleave'erbehind，mylady，"thewomansaid。"She'dsetthe'ouseafireinaminute，she'sthatforwardwiththematches。
　　Ain'tyou，Maudiedear？"
　　"HasDr。Dallasseenher？"
　　"Notyet，mylady。"
　　"Hemust。Youcan'tgetaway，ofcourse。M-m!Myidioticmaidiscominginforherteethto-morrowattwelve。Sheshallpickherup——atGaleAnstey，isn'tit？——ateleven。"
　　"Yes。Thankyouverymuch，mylady。"
　　"Ioughtn'ttohavedoneit，"saidLadyConantapologetically，"buttherehasbeennooneatPardonsforsolongthatyou'llforgivemypoaching。Now，can'tyoulunchwithus？Thevicarusuallycomestoo。Idon'tusethehorsesonaSunday"——sheglancedattheBrazilian'ssilver-platedchariot。"It'sonlyamileacrossthefields。"
　　"You——you'reverykind，"saidSophie，hatingherselfbecauseherliptrembled。
　　"Mydear，"thecompellingtonedroppedtoasoothinggurgle，"d'yousupposeIdon'tknowhowitfeelstocometoastrangecounty——countryIshouldsay——awayfromone'sownpeople？WhenI
　　firstlefttheShires——I'mShropshire，youknow——Icriedforadayandanight。Butfrettingdoesn'tmakelonelinessanybetter。
　　Oh，here'sDora。Shedidsprainherlegthatday。"
　　"I'maslameasatreestill，"saidthetallmaidenfrankly。"Yououghttogooutwiththeotter-hounds，Mrs。Chapin。Ibelievethey'redrawingyourwaternextweek。"
　　SirWalterhadalreadyledoffGeorge，andthevicarcameupontheothersideofSophie。Therewasnoescapingtheswiftprocessionortheleisurelylunch，wheretalkcameandwentinlow-voicededdiesthathadthevillagefortheircentre。SophieheardthevicarandSirWalteraddressherhusbandlightlyasChapin!ShealsorememberedmanywomenknowninapreviouslifewhohabituallyaddressedtheirhusbandsasMr。Such-an-one。
　　AfterlunchLadyConanttalkedtoherexplicitlyofmaternityasthatisachievedincottagesandfarm-housesremotefromaid，andofthedutytheretoofthemistressofPardons。
　　Agateinabeechhedge，reachedacrosstriplelawns，letthemoutbeforetea-timeintotheunkemptsouthsideoftheirland。
　　"Iwantyourhand，please，"saidSophieassoonastheyweresafeamongthebeechbolesandthelawlesshollies。"D'youremembertheoldmaidin'ProvidenceandtheGuitar'whoheardtheCommissaryswear，andhardlyreckonedherselfamaidenladyafterward？BecauseI'marelativeofhers。LadyConantis——"
　　"DidyoufindoutanythingabouttheLashmars？"heinterrupted。
　　"Ididn'task。I'mgoingtowritetoAuntSydneyaboutitfirst。
　　Oh，LadyConantsaidsomethingatlunchabouttheirhavingboughtsomelandfromsomeLashmarsafewyearsago。Ifounditwasatthebeginningoflastcentury。"
　　"Whatdidyousay？"
　　"Isaid，'Really，howinteresting!'Likethat。I'mnotgoingtopushmyselfforward。I'vebeenhearingaboutMr。Sangres'seffortsinthatdirection。Andyou？Icouldn'tseeyoubehindtheflowers。Wasitverydeepwater，dear？"
　　Georgemoppedabrowalreadybrownedbyoutdoorexposures。
　　"Ohno——deadeasy，"heanswered。"I'veboughtFriarsPardontopreventSirWalter'sbirdsstraying。"
　　Acockpheasantscutteredthroughthedryleavesandexplodedalmostundertheirfeet。Sophiejumped。
　　"That'soneof'em，"saidGeorgecalmly。
　　"Well，yournervesarebetter，atanyrate，"saidshe。"Didyoutell'emyou'dboughtthethingtoplaywith？"
　　"No。Thatwaswheremynervebrokedown。Ionlymadeonebadbreak——Ithink。IsaidIcouldn'tseewhyhiringlandtomentofarmwasn'tasmuchabusinesspropositionasanythingelse。"
　　"Andwhatdidtheysay？"
　　"Theysmiled。Ishallknowwhatthatsmilemeanssomeday。Theydon'twastetheirsmiles。D'youseethattrackbyGaleAnstey？"
　　Theylookeddownfromtheedgeofthehangeroveracup-likehollow。PeoplebytwosandthreesintheirSundaybestfiledslowlyalongthepathsthatconnectedfarmtofarm。
　　"I'veneverseensomanyonourlandbefore，"saidSophie。"Whyisit？"
　　"Toshowuswemustn'tshutuptheirrightsofway。"
　　"Thosecow-trackswe'vebeenusingcrosslots？"saidSophieforcibly。
　　"Yes。Anyoneof'emwouldcostustwothousandpoundseachinlegalexpensestoclose。"
　　"Butwedon'twantto，"shesaid。
　　"Thewholecommunitywouldfightifwedid。"
　　"Butit'sourland。Wecandowhatwelike。"
　　"It'snotourland。We'veonlypaidforit。Webelongtoit，anditbelongstothepeople——ourpeopletheycall'em。I'vebeentolunchwiththeEnglishtoo。"
　　Theypassedslowlyfromonebracken-dottedfieldtothenext——flushedwithprideofownership，plottingalterationsandrestorationsateachturn；haltingintheirtrackstoargue，spreadingaparttoembracetwoviewsatonce，orclosingintoconsiderone。Couplesmovedoutoftheirway，butsmilingcovertly。
　　"Weshallmakesomebadbreaks，"hesaidatlast。
　　"Together，though。Youwon'tletanyoneelsein，willyou？"
　　"Exceptthecontractors。Thissyndicatehandles，thispropositionbyitslittlelone。"
　　"Butyoumightfeelthewantofsomeone，"sheinsisted。
　　"Ishall——butitwillbeyou。It'sbusiness，Sophie，butit'sgoingtobegoodfun。"
　　"PleaseGod，"sheansweredflushing，andcriedtoherselfastheywentbacktotea。"It'sworthit。Oh，it'sworthit。"
　　TherepairingandmovingintoFriarsPardonwasbusinessofthemostvariedandsearching，butalldoneEnglishfashion，withoutfriction。Timeandmoneyalonewereasked。TherestlayinthehandsofbeneficentadvisersfromLondon，orspirits，maleandfemale，calledupbyMr。andMrs。Clokefromthewastesofthefarms。InthecentrestoodGeorgeandSophie，alittleaghast，theirinterestsreachingoutoneveryside。
　　"Iain'tsayin'anythingagainstLondoners，"saidCloke，self-appointedclerkoftheouterworks，consultingengineer，headoftheimmigrationbureau，andsuperintendentofwoodsandforests；"butyourownpeoplewon'tgoabouttomakemorethanafairprofitoutofyou。"
　　"Howisonetoknow？"saidGeorge。
　　"Fiveyearsfromnow，orsoon，maybe，you'llbelookin'overyourfirstyear'saccounts，and，knowin'whatyou'llknowthen，you'llsay:'Well，BillyBeartup'——orOldClokeasitmightbe——'didmeproperwhenIwasnew。'Nomanlikestohavethatsortofthinglaidupagainsthim。"
　　"IthinkIsee，"saidGeorge。"Butfiveyearsisalongtimetolookahead。"
　　"IdoubtifthatoakBillyBeartupthrowedinReuben'sGhyllwillbefitforherdrawin-roomfloorinlessthanseven，"Clokedrawled。
　　"Yes，that'smywork，"saidSophie。BillyBeartupofGriffons，awoodmanbytrainingandbirth，atenantfarmerbymisfortuneofmarriage，hadlaidhisbroadaxeatherfeetamonthbefore。
　　"SorryifI'vecommittedyoutoanothereternity。"
　　"Andweshan'tevenknowwherewe'vegonewrongwithyournewcarriagedrivebeforethattimeeither，"saidCloke，everanxioustokeepthebalancetruewithanounceortwoinSophie'sfavour。
　　ThepastfourmonthshadtaughtGeorgebetterthantoreply。Thecarriageroadwindingupthehillwashispresentkeeninterest。
　　Theysetofftolookatit，andtheimportedAmericanscraperwhichhadblightedthenonetoosunnysoulof"Skim"Winsh，thecarter。
　　ButyoungIgguldenwasinchargenow，andunderhisguidance，BullerandRoberts，thegreathorses，movedmountains。
　　"Youlif'herlikethat，an'youtipherlikethat，"heexplainedtothegang。"MyunclehewasroadmasterinConnecticut。"
　　"Aretheyroadsyonder？"saidSkim，sittingunderthelaurels。
　　"Nobetterthanaccommodationroads。Dirt，theycall'em。They'dsuityou，Skim。"
　　"Why？"saidtheincautiousSkim。
　　"Causeyou'dtakenohurtwhenyoufalloutofyourcartdrunkonaSaturday，"wastheanswer。
　　"Ididn'tlasttimeneither，"Skimroared。
　　Aftertheloudlaugh，oldWhybarneofGaleAnsteypipedfeebly，"Well，dirtornodirt，there'snodenyin'Chapinknowsagoodjobwhenheseesit。'Edon'tbuildonedayanddee-stroythenext，likethatniggerSangres。"
　　"SHE'stheonethatknowsherownmind，"saidPinky，brothertoSkimWinsh，andaNapoleonamongcarterswhohadhelpedtobringthegrandpianoacrossthefieldsintheautumnrains。
　　"Shehadoughtto，"saidIggulden。"Whoa，Buller!She'saLashmar。Theyneverwasdouble-thinking。"
　　"Oh，youfoundthat？Hastheanswercomefromyouruncle？"saidSkim，doubtfulwhethersoremotealandasAmericahadposts。
　　Theotherslookedathimscornfully。Skimwasalwaysadaybehindthefair。Igguldenrestedfromhislabours。"She'saLashmarrightenough。Istarteduptowritetomyuncle——atonce——themonthaftershesaidherfolkscamefromVeeringHoller。"
　　"Wherethereain'tanyroads？"Skiminterrupted，butnonelaughed。
　　"MyunclehemarriedanAmericanwomanforhissecond，andshetookituplikealikethecoroner。She'saLashmaroutoftheoldLashmarplace，'foretheysoldtoConants。Sheain'tnoTootHillLashmar，noranyo'theCrayfordlot。Herfolkcomeoutofthegroundhere，neitherchalknorforest，butwildishers。TheysailedovertoAmerica——I'vegotitallwritdownbymyuncle'swoman——ineighteenhundredan'nothing。Myunclesaysthey'reallslowbegetterslike。"
　　"Wouldtheybegentryyondernow？"Skimasked。
　　"Nah——there'snogentryinAmerica，nomatterhowlongyou'rethere。It'sagainsttheirlaw。There'sonlyrichandpoorallowed。They'vebeenlawyersandsuchlikeoveryonderforahundredyearsbutshe'saLashmarforallthat。"
　　"Lord!What'sahundredyears？"saidWhybarne，whohadseenseventy-eightofthem。
　　"An'theywritetoo，fromyonder——myuncle'swomanwrites——thatyoucanstilltell'embyheadmark。Theirhair'sfoxy-redstill——an'theythrowoutwhentheywalk。He'sin-toed-treadslikeagipsy；butyouwatch，an'you'llsee'erthrow，out——likeacolt。"
　　"Yourtracewantstakingup。"Pinky'slargeearshadcaughtthesoundofvoices，andasthetwobrokethroughthelaurelsthemenwerehardatwork，theireyesonSophie'sfeet。
　　ShehadbeenlessfortunateinherinquiriesthanIggulden，forherAuntSydneyofMeridenabadgedandcertificatedDaughteroftheRevolutiontobootansweredherinquirieswithatwo-pageddiscourseonpatriotism，theleafletsofaVillageImprovementSociety，ofwhichshewaspresident，andademandforanoverduesubscriptiontoaFactoryGirls'ReadingCircle。SophieburneditallintheOrpheusandEurydicegrate，andkeptherowncounsel。
　　"WhatIwanttoknow，"saidGeorge，whenSpringwascoming，andthegardensneededthought。"iswhowilleverpaymeformylabour？I'veputinatleasthalfamilliondollars'worthalready。"
　　"Sureyou'renottakingtoomuchoutofyourself？"hiswifeasked。
　　"Oh，no；Ihaven'tbeenconsciousofmyselfallwinter。"HelookedathisbrownEnglishgaitersandsmiled。"It'sallbehindmenow。IbelieveIcouldsitdownandthinkofallthat——thosemonthsbeforewesailed。"
　　"Don't——ah，don't!"shecried。
　　"ButImustgobackoneday。Youdon'twanttokeepmeoutofbusinessalways——ordoyou？"Heendedwithanervouslaugh。
　　Sophiesighedasshedrewherownground-ashofoldIggulden'scuttingfromthehallrack。
　　"Aren'tyouoverdoingittoo？Youlookalittletired，"hesaid。
　　"Youmakemetired。I'mgoingtoRockettstoseeMrs。ClokeaboutMary。"Thiswasthesisterofthetelegraphist，promotedtobesewing-maidatPardons。"Coming？"
　　"I'mdueatBurntHousetoseeaboutthenewwell。Bytheway，there'sasorethroatatGaleAnstey——"
　　"That'smyprovince。Don'tinterfere。TheWhybarnechildrenalwayshavesorethroats。Theydoitforjujubes。"
　　"KeepawayfromGaleAnsteytillImakesure，honey。Clokeoughttohavetoldme。"
　　"Thesepeopledon'ttell。Haven'tyoulearntthatyet？ButI'llobey，melord。Seeyoulater!"
　　Shesetoffafoot，forwithinthethreemainroadsthatboundedtheblunttriangleoftheestateevenbynightonecouldscarcelyhearthecartsonthem，wheelswerenotusedexceptforfarmwork。Thefootpathsservedallotherpurposes。Andthoughatfirsttheyhadplannedimprovements，theyhadsoonfalleninwiththecustomsoftheirhiddenkingdom，andmovedaboutthesoft-footedwaysbywoodland，hedgerow，andshawasfreelyastherabbits。Indeed，forthemostpartSophiewalkedbareheadedbeneathherhelmetofchestnuthair；butshehadbeenplaguedoflatebyvaguetoothaches，whichsheexplainedtoMrs。Cloke，whoaskedsomequestions。HowitcameaboutSophieneverknew，butafterawhilebeholdMrs。Cloke'sarmwasaboutherwaist，andherheadwasonthatdeepbosombehindtheshutkitchendoor。
　　"Mydear!Mydear!"theelderwomanalmostsobbed。"An'd'youmeantotellmeyouneversuspicioned？Why——why——wherewasyouevertaughtanythingatall？Ofcourseitis。It'swhatwe'vebeenonlywaitin'for，allofus。TimeandagainI'vesaidtoLady——"shecheckedherself。"An'nowweshallbeasweshouldbe。"
　　"But——but——but——"Sophiewhimpered。
　　"An'toseeyoubuildin'yournestsobusy——pianosandbooks——an'
　　neverthinkin'ofanursery!"
　　"NomoreIdid。"Sophiesatboltupright，andbegantolaugh。
　　"Timeenoughyet。"Thefingerstappedthoughtfullyonthebroadknee。"But——theymustbestrange-mindedfolkoveryonderwithyou!Haveyouthoughttosendforyourmother？Shedead？Mydear，mydear!Nevermind!She'llbehappywheresheknows。'TisGod'swork。An'wewasonlywaitin'forit，foryou'veneverfailedinyourdutyyet。Itain'tyourway。WhatdidyousayaboutmyMary'sdoings？"Mrs。Cloke'sfacehardenedasshepressedherchinonSophie'sforehead。"Ifanyofyourgirlsthinkstobe'avearbitrarynow，I'll——Buttheywon't，mydear。I'llseetheydotheirdutytoo。Besureyou'll'avenotrouble。"
　　WhenSophiewalkedbackacrossthefieldsheavenandearthchangedaboutherasonthedayofoldIggulden'sdeath。Foraninstantshethoughtofthewideturnofthestaircase，andthenewivory-whitepaintthatnocoffincornercouldscar，butpresently，theshadowpassedinapurewonderandbewildermentthatmadeherreel。Sheleanedagainstoneoftheirnewgatesandlookedovertheirlandsforsomeotherstay。
　　"Well，"shesaidresignedly，halfaloud，"wemusttrytomakehimfeelthatheisn'tathirdinourparty，"andturnedthecornerthatlookedoverFriarsPardon，giddy，sick，andfaint。
　　Ofasuddenthehousetheyhadboughtforawhimstoodupasshehadneverseenitbefore，low-fronted，broad-winged，ample，preparedbycourseofgenerationsforallsuchthings。Asithadsteadiedherwhenitlaydesolate，sonowthatithadmeaningfromtheirfewmonthsoflifewithin，itsoothedandpromisedgood。Shewentaloneandquicklyintothehall，andkissedeitherdoor-post，whispering:"Begoodtome。Youknow!You'veneverfailedinyourdutyyet。"
　　WhenthematterwasexplainedtoGeorge，hewouldhavesailedatoncetotheirownland，butthisSophieforbade。
　　"Idon'twantscience，"shesaid。"Ijustwanttobeloved，andthereisn'ttimeforthatathome。Besides，"sheadded，lookingoutofthewindow，"itwouldbedesertion。"
　　GeorgewasforcedtosoothehimselfwithlinkingFriarsPardontothetelegraphsystemofGreatBritainbytelephone——three-quartersofamileofpoles，putinbyWhybarneandafewfriends。Oneofthesewasaforeignerfromthenextparish。Saidhewhenthelinewasbeingrun:"There'sanoldellumrightinourroad。Shallusthrowher？"
　　"TootHillparishfolk，neithergracenorgoodluck，Godhelp'em。"OldWhybarneshoutedthelocalproverbfromthreepolesdowntheline。"Weain'tgoin'tolayanyaxe-irontocoffin-woodherenottillweknowwhereweareyetawhile。Swinground'er，swinground!"
　　Tothisday，then，thatsuddenkinkinthestraightlineacrosstheupperpastureremainsamysterytoSophieandGeorge。NorcantheytellwhySkimWinsh，whocametohiscottageunderDuttonShawmostmusicallydrunkat10。45P。MofeverySaturdaynight，ashisfatherhaddonebeforehim，sangnomoreatthebottomofthegardensteps，whereSophiealwaysfearedhewouldbreakhisneck。Thepathwasundoubtedlyanancientrightofway，andat10。45P。M。onSaturdaysSkimremembereditwashisdutytoposteritytokeepitopen——tillMrs。Clokespoketohimonce。ShespokelikewisetoherdaughterMary，sewingmaidatPardons，andtoMary'sbestnewfriend，thefive-foot-sevenimportedLondonhouse-maid，whotaughtMarytotrimhats，andfoundthecountrydullish。
　　Buttherewasnonoise——atnotimewasthereanynoise——andwhenSophiewalkedabroadshemetnooneinherpathunlessshehadsignifiedawishthatway。Thentheyappearedtoprotestthatallwaswellwiththemandtheirchildren，theirchickens，theirroofs，theirwater-supply，andtheirsonsinthepoliceortherailwayservice。
　　"Butdon'tyoufinditdull，dear？"saidGeorge，loyallydoinghisbestnottoworryasthemonthswentby。
　　"I'vebeensobusyputtingmyhouseinorderIhaven'thadtimetothink，"saidshe。"Doyou？"
　　"No——no。IfIcouldonlybesureofyou。"
　　Sheturnedonthegreendrawing-room'scouchitwasEmpire，notHeppelwhiteafterall，andlaidasidealistoflinenandblankets。
　　"Ithaschangedeverything，hasn'tit？"shewhispered。
　　"Oh，Lord，yes。ButIstillthinkifwewentbacktoBaltimore"
　　"Andmissedourfirstrealsummertogether。Nothankyou，melord。"
　　"Butwe'reabsolutelyalone。"
　　"Isn'tthatwhatI'mdoingmybesttoremedy？Don'tyouworry。I
　　likeit——likeittothemarrowofmylittlebones。Youdon'trealizewhatherhousemeanstoawoman。Wethoughtwewerelivinginitlastyear，butwehadn'tbegunto。Don'tyourejoiceinyourstudy，George？"
　　"Ipreferbeingherewithyou。"Hesatdownonthefloorbythecouchandtookherhand。
　　"Seven，"shesaid，astheFrenchclockstruck。"Yearbeforelastyou'djustbecomingbackfrombusiness。"
　　Hewincedattherecollection，thenlaughed。"Business!I'vebeenatworktensolidhoursto-day。"
　　"Wheredidyoulunch？WiththeConants？"
　　"No；atDuttonShaw，sittingonalog，withmyfeetinaswamp。
　　Butwe'vefoundoutwheretheoldspringis，andwe'regoingtopipeitdowntoGaleAnsteynextyear。"
　　"I'llcomeandseeto-morrow。Oh，pleaseopenthedoor，dear。I
　　wanttolookdownthepassage。Isn'tthatcornerbythestair-headlovelywherethesunstrikesin？"Shelookedthroughhalf-closedeyesatthevistaofivory-whiteandpalegreenallsteepedinliquidgold。
　　"There'sastepoutofJaneElphick'sbedroom，"shewenton——"andhisfirststepintheworldoughttobeup。Ishouldn'twonderifthosepeoplehadn'tputitthereonpurpose。George，willitmakeanyoddstoyouifhe'sagirl？"
　　Heanswered，ashehadmanytimesbefore，thathisinterestwashiswife，notthechild。
　　"Thenyou'retheonlypersonwhothinksso。"Shelaughed。"Don'tbesilly，dear。It'sexpected。Iknow。It'smyduty。Ishan'tbeabletolookourpeopleinthefaceifIfail。"
　　"Whatconcernisitoftheirs，confound'em!"
　　"You'llsee。Luckilythetraditionofthehouseisboys，Mrs。
　　Clokesays，soI'mprovidedfor。Shallyoueverbegintounderstandthesepeople？Ishan't。"
　　"Andweboughtitforfun——forfun!"hegroaned。"Andhereweareheldupforgoodnessknowsbowlong!"
　　"Why？Wereyouthinkingofsellingit？"Hedidnotanswer。"DoyourememberthesecondMrs。Chapin？"shedemanded。
　　Thiswasabold，brazenlittleblack-browedwoman——awidowforchoice——whoonSophie'sdeathwasguilefullytomarryGeorgeforhiswealthandruinhiminayear。Georgebeingbusy，Sophiehadinventedhersometwoyearsafterhermarriage，andconceivedshewasaloneamongwivesinsodoing。
　　"Youaren'tgoingtobringherupagain？"heaskedanxiously。
　　"IonlywanttosaythatIshouldhateanyonewhoboughtPardonstentimesworsethanIusedtohatethesecondMrs。Chapin。Thinkwhatwe'veputintoitofourtwoselves。"
　　"Atleastacoupleofmilliondollars。IknowIcouldhavemade——"Hebrokeoff。
　　"Thebeasts!"shewenton。"They'dbesuretobuildared-bricklodgeatthegates，andcutthelawnupforbeddingout。Youmustleaveinstructionsinyourwillthathe'snevertodothat，George，won'tyou？"
　　Helaughedandtookherhandagainbutsaidnothingtillitwastimetodress。Thenhemuttered"Whatthedeviluseisaman'scountrytohimwhenhecan'tdobusinessinit？"
　　FriarsPardonstoodfaithfultoitstradition。Attheappointedtimewasborn，notthatthirdintheirpartytowhomSophiemeanttobesokind，butagodling；inbeauty，itwasmanifest，excellingEros，asinwisdomConfucius；anenhancerofdelights，arenewerofcompanionshipsandaninterpreterofDestiny。ThislastGeorgedidnotrealisetillhemetLadyConantstridingthroughDuttonShawafewdaysaftertheevent。
　　"Mydearfellow，"shecried，andslappedhimheartilyontheback，"Ican'ttellyouhowgladweallare。Oh，she'llbeallright。There'sneverbeenanytroubleoverthebirthofanheiratPardons。Nowwherethedooceisit？"Shefeltlargelyinherleather-boundskirtanddrewoutasmallsilvermug。"Isentanotetoyourwifeaboutit，butmysillyassofagroomforgottotakethis。Youcansavemeatramp。Givehermylove。"ShemarchedoffamidherguardofgraveAiredales。