Sheltonstopped；thequestionseemedsovulgar——onemighthaveaskeditofagroom。
"No，"saidShelton，andhisanswersoundedlikeagroan。
"Youknow，mydearoldDick，"murmuredhismother，"itseemsalittlemad。"
"Iknowitseemsmad。"
"Come!"saidMrs。Shelton，takinghishandbetweenherown；"youneverusedtobelikethis。"
"No，"saidShelton，withalaugh；"Ineverusedtobelikethis。"
Mrs。SheltonsnuggledinherChudashawl。
"Oh，"shesaid，withcheerysympathy，"Iknowexactlyhowyoufeel!"
Shelton，holdinghishead，staredatthefire，whichplayedandbubbledlikehismother'sface。
"Butyou'resofondofeachother，"shebeganagain。"Suchasweetgirl!"
"Youdon'tunderstand，"mutteredSheltongloomily；"it'snother——
it'snothing——it's——myself!"
Mrs。Sheltonagainseizedhishand，andthistimepressedittohersoft，warmcheek，thathadlosttheelasticityofyouth。
"Oh!"shecriedagain；"Iunderstand。Iknowexactlywhatyou'refeeling。"ButSheltonsawfromthefixedbeaminhereyesthatshehadnotaninkling。Todohimjustice，hewasnotsofoolishastotrytogiveherone。Mrs。Sheltonsighed。"Itwouldbesolovelyifyoucouldwakeupto-morrowandthinkdifferently。IfIwereyou，mydear，Iwouldhaveagoodlongwalk，andthenaTurkishbath；andthenIwouldjustwritetoher，andtellherallaboutit，andyou'llseehowbeautifullyit'llallcomestraight"；andintheenthusiasmofadviceMrs。Sheltonrose，and，withafaintstretchofhertinyfigure，stillsoyoung，claspedherhandstogether。"Nowdo，that'sadearoldDick!You'lljustseehowlovelyit'llbe!"Sheltonsmiled；hehadnotthehearttochaseawaythisvision。"Andgivehermywarmestlove，andtellherI'mlongingforthewedding。Come，now，mydearboy，promisemethat'swhatyou'lldo。"
AndSheltonsaid:"I'llthinkaboutit。"
Mrs。Sheltonhadtakenupherstandwithonefootonthefender，inspiteofhersciatica，。
"Cheerup!"shecried；hereyesbeamedasifintoxicatedbyhersympathy。
Wonderfulwoman!Theuncomplicatedoptimismthatcarriedherthroughgoodandillhadnotdescendedtoherson。
>Frompoletopolehehadbeenthrownthatday，fromtheFrenchbarber，whoseintellectacceptednothingwithoutcarping，andwhoselittlefingersworkedallday，tosavehimselffromdyingout，tohisownmother，whoseintellectacceptedanythingpresentedwithsufficientglow，butwho，untilshedied，wouldneverstirafinger。
WhenSheltonreachedhisrooms，hewrotetoAntonia:
Ican'twaitaboutinLondonanylonger；IamgoingdowntoBidefordtostartawalkingtour。IshallworkmywaytoOxford，andstaytheretillImaycometoHolmOaks。Ishallsendyoumyaddress；dowriteasusual。
Hecollectedallthephotographshehadofher——amateurgroups，takenbyMrs。Dennant——andpackedtheminthepocketofhisshooting-
jacket。Therewasonewhereshewasstandingjustbelowherlittlebrother，whowaspercheduponawall。Inherhalf-closedeyes，roundthroat，andsoftlytiltedchin，therewassomethingcoolandwatchful，protectingtheragamuffinupaboveherhead。Thishekeptaparttobelookedatdaily，asamansayshisprayers。
PARTII
THECOUNTRY
CHAPTERXVI
THEINDIANCIVILIAN
Onemorningthen，aweeklater，SheltonfoundhimselfatthewallsofPrincetownPrison。
Hehadseenthislugubriousstonecagebefore。Butthemagicofhismorningwalkacrossthemoor，thesightofthepagantors，thesongsofthelastcuckoo，hadunpreparedhimforthatdrearybuilding。Heleftthestreet，and，enteringthefosse，beganacircuit，scanningthewallswithmorbidfascination。
This，then，wasthesystembywhichmenenforcedthewillofthemajority，anditwassuddenlyborneinonhimthatalltheideasandmaximswhichhisChristiancountrymenbelievedthemselvestobefulfillingdailywerestultifiedineverycelluleofthesocialhoneycomb。Suchteachingsas"Hethatiswithoutsinamongstyou"
hadbeenpronouncedunpracticalbypeersandjudges，bishops，statesmen，merchants，husbands——infact，byeverytrulyChristianpersoninthecountry。
"Yes，"thoughtShelton，asifhehadfoundoutsomethingnew，"themoreChristianthenation，thelessithastodowiththeChristianspirit。"
Societywasacharitableorganisation，givingnothingfornothing，littleforsixpence；anditwasonlyfearthatforcedittogiveatall!
Hetookaseatonawall，andbegantowatchawarderwhowasslowlyparingalastyear'sapple。Theexpressionofhisface，thewayhestoodwithhissolidlegsapart，hisheadpokedforwardandhislowerjawthrustout，allmadehimaperfectpillarofSociety。HewasundisturbedbyShelton'sscrutiny，watchingtherindcoildownbelowtheapple；untilinaspringingspiralitfellonthepathandcollapsedlikeatoysnake。Hetookabite；histeethwerejagged；
andhismouthimmense。Itwasobviousthatheconsideredhimselfamostsuperiorman。Sheltonfrowned，gotdownslowly，fromthewall，andproceededonhisway。
Alittlefurtherdownthehillhestoppedagaintowatchagroupofconvictsinafield。Theyseemedtobedancinginaslowandsadcotillon，whilebehindthehedgeoneverysidewerewardersarmedwithguns。Justsuchasight，substitutingspearscouldhavebeenseeninRomantimes。
Whilehethusstoodlooking，aman，walking，rapidly，stoppedbesidehim，andaskedhowmanymilesitwastoExeter。Hisroundvisage；
andlong，browneyes，slidingaboutbeneaththeir，brows，hiscroppedhairandshortneck，seemedfamiliar。
"YournameisCrocker，i5n'tit？"。
"Why!it'stheBird!"exclaimedthetraveller；puttingouthishand。"Haven'tseenyousincewebothwentdown。"
Sheltonreturnedhishandgrip。Crockerhadlivedabovehisheadatcollege，andoftenkepthim，sleeplesshalfthenightbyplayingonthehautboy。
"Wherehaveyousprungfrom？"
"India。Gotmylongleave。Isay，areyougoingthisway？Let'sgotogether。"
Theywent，andveryfast；fasterandfastereveryminute。
"Whereareyougoingatthispace？"askedShelton。
"London。"
"Oh!onlyasfarasLondon？"
"I'vesetmyselftodoitinaweek。"
"Areyouintraining？"
"No。"
"You'llkillyourself。"
Crockeransweredwithachuckle。
Sheltonnotedwithalarmtheexpressionofhiseye；therewasasortofstubbornaspirationinit。"Stillanidealist!"hethought；
"poorfellow!""Well，"heinquired，"whatsortofatimehaveyouhadinIndia？"
"Oh，"saidtheIndiancivilianabsently，"I've，hadtheplague。"
"GoodGod!"
Crockersmiled，andadded:
"Caughtitonfamineduty。"
"Isee，"saidShelton；"plagueandfamine!Isupposeyoufellowsreallythinkyou'redoinggoodoutthere？"
Hiscompanionlookedathimsurprised，thenansweredmodestly:
"Wegetverygoodscrews。"
"That'sthegreatthing，"respondedShelton。
Afteramoment'ssilence，Crocker，lookingstraightbeforehim，asked:
"Don'tyouthinkwearedoinggood？"
"I'mnotanauthority；but，asamatteroffact，Idon't。"
Crockerseemeddisconcerted。
"Why？"hebluntlyasked。
Sheltonwasnotanxioustoexplainhisviews，andhedidnotreply。
Hisfriendrepeated:
"Whydon'tyouthinkwe'redoinggoodinIndia？"
"Well，"saidSheltongruffly，"howcanprogressbeimposedonnationsfromoutside？"
TheIndiancivilian，glancingatSheltoninanaffectionateanddoubtfulway，replied:
"Youhaven'tchangedabit，oldchap。"
"No，no，"saidShelton；"you'renotgoingtogetoutofitthatway。
Givemeasingleexampleofanation，oranindividual，forthatmatter，who'severdoneanygoodwithouthavingworkeduptoitfromwithin。"
Crocker，grunting，muttered，"Evils。"
"That'sit，"saidShelton；"wetakepeoplesentirelydifferentfromourown，andstoptheirnaturaldevelopmentbysubstitutingacivilisationgrownforourownuse。Suppose，lookingatatropicalferninahothouse，youweretosay:'Thisheat'sunhealthyforme；
thereforeitmustbebadforthefern，I'lltakeitupandplantitoutsideinthefreshair。'"
"DoyouknowthatmeansgivingupIndia？"saidtheIndiancivilianshrewdly。
"Idon'tsaythat；buttotalkaboutdoinggoodtoIndiais——h'm!"
Crockerknittedhisbrows，tryingtoseethepointofviewhisfriendwasshowinghim。
"Come，now!ShouldwegoonadministeringIndiaifitweredeadloss？No。Well，totalkaboutadministeringthecountryforthepurposeofpocketingmoneyiscynical，andthere'sgenerallysometruthincynicism；buttotalkabouttheadministrationofacountrybywhichweprofit，asifitwereagreatandgoodthing，iscant。
Ihityouinthewindforthebenefitofmyself——allright:lawofnature；buttosayitdoesyougoodatthesametimeisbeyondme。"
"No，no，"returnedCrocker，graveandanxious；"youcan'tpersuademethatwe'renotdoinggood。"
"Waitabit。It'sallaquestionofhorizons；youlookatitfromtooclose。Putthehorizonfurtherback。YouhitIndiainthewind，andsayit'svirtuous。Well，nowlet'sseewhathappens。Eitherthewindnevercomesback，andIndiagaspstoanuntimelydeath，orthewinddoescomeback，andinthepantofreactionyourblow——that'stosayyourlabour——islost，morallylostlabourthatyoumighthavespentwhereitwouldn'thavebeenlost。"
"Aren'tyouanImperialist？"askedCrocker，genuinelyconcerned。
"Imaybe，butIkeepmymouthshutaboutthebenefitswe'reconferringuponotherpeople。"
"Thenyoucan'tbelieveinabstractright，orjustice？"
"WhatonearthhaveourideasofjusticeorrightgottodowithIndia？"
"IfIthoughtasyoudo，"sighedtheunhappyCrocker，"Ishouldbealladrift。"
"Quiteso。Wealwaysthinkourstandardsbestforthewholeworld。
It'sacapitalbeliefforus。Readthespeechesofourpublicmen。
Doesn'titstrikeyouasamazinghowsuretheyareofbeingintheright？It'ssocharmingtobenefityourselfandothersatthesametime，though，whenyoucometothinkofit，oneman'smeatisusuallyanother'spoison。Lookatnature。ButinEnglandweneverlookatnature——there'snonecessity。Ournationalpointofviewhasfilledourpockets，that'sallthatmatters。"
"Isay，oldchap，that'sawfullybitter，"saidCrocker，withasortofwonderingsadness。
"It'senoughtomakeanyonebitterthewaywePhariseeswaxfat，andatthesametimegiveourselvesthemoralairsofaballoon。
Imuststickapininsometimes，justtohearthegasescape。"
Sheltonwassurprisedathisownheat，andforsomestrangereasonthoughtofAntonia——surely，shewasnotaPharisee。
Hiscompanionstrodealong，andSheltonfeltsorryforthesignsoftroubleonhisface。
"Tofillyourpockets，"saidCrocker，"isn'tthemainthing。Onehasjustgottodothingswithoutthinkingofwhywedothem。"
"Doyoueverseetheothersidetoanyquestion？"askedShelton。
"Isupposenot。Youalwaysbegintoactbeforeyoustopthinking，don'tyou？"
Crockergrinned。
"He'saPharisee，too，"thoughtShelton，"withoutaPharisee'spride。
Queerthingthat!"
Afterwalkingsomedistance，asifthinkingdeeply，Crockerchuckledout:
"You'renotconsistent；yououghttobeinfavourofgivingupIndia。"
Sheltonsmileduneasily。
"Whyshouldn'twefillourpockets？Ionlyobjecttothehumbugthatwetalk。"
TheIndiancivilianputhishandshylythroughhisarm。
"IfIthoughtlikeyou，"hesaid，"Icouldn'tstayanotherdayinIndia。"
AndtothisSheltonmadenoreply。
Thewindhadnowbeguntodrop，andsomethingofthemorning'smagicwasstealingagainuponthemoor。Theywerenearingtheoutskirtfieldsofcultivation。Itwaspastfivewhen，droppingfromthelevelofthetors，theycameintothesunnyvaleofMonkland。
"Theysay，"saidCrocker，readingfromhisguide-book——"theysaythisplaceoccupiesapositionofuniqueisolation。"
Thetwotravellers，intranquilsolitude，tooktheirseatsunderanoldlime-treeonthevillagegreen。Thesmokeoftheirpipes，thesleepyair，thewarmthfromthebakedground，theconstanthum，madeSheltondrowsy。
"Doyouremember，"hiscompanionasked，"those'jaws'youusedtohavewithBusgateandoldHalidomeinmyroomsonSundayevenings？
HowisoldHalidome？"
"Married，"repliedShelton。
Crockersighed。"Andareyou？"heasked。
"Notyet，"saidSheltongrimly；"I'm——engaged。"
Crockertookholdofhisarmabovetheelbow，and，squeezingit，hegrunted。Sheltonhadnotreceivedcongratulationsthatpleasedhimmore；therewasthespiceofenvyinthem。
"IshouldliketogetmarriedwhileI'mhome，"saidthecivilianafteralongpause。Hislegswerestretchedapart，throwingshadowsonthegreen，hishandsdeepthrustintohispockets，hisheadalittletooneside。Anabsent-mindedsmileplayedroundhismouth。
Thesunhadsunkbehindator，butthewarmthkeptrisingfromtheground，andthesweet-briaronacottagebathedthemwithitsspicyperfume。Fromtheconverginglanesfigurespassednowandthen，loungedby，staringatthestrangers，gossipingamongstthemselves，andvanishedintothecottagesthatheadedtheincline。Aclockstruckseven，androundtheshadylime-treeachaferorsomeheavyinsectcommenceditsboomingrushes。Allwasmarvellouslysaneandslumbrous。Thesoftair，thedrawlingvoices，theshapesandmurmurs，therisingsmellofwood-smokefromfresh-kindledfires——
werefullofthespiritofsecurityandofhome。Theoutsideworldwasfarindeed。Typicalofsomeislandnationwasthisnestofrefuge——wheremengrewquietlytall，fattened，andwithoutfussdroppedofftheirperches；wherecontentmentflourished，assunflowersflourishedinthesun。
Crocker'scapslippedoff；hewasnodding，andSheltonlookedathim。
>Fromamanorhouseinsomesuchvillagehehadissued；tooneofathousandsuchhomeshewouldfindhiswayatlast，untouchedbythestruggleswithfaminesorwithplagues，uninfectedinhisfibre，hisprejudices，andhisprinciples，unchangedbycontactwithstrangepeoples，newconditions，oddfeelings，orqueerpointsofview!
Thechaferbuzzedagainsthisshoulder，gatheredflightagain，andboomedaway。Crockerrousedhimself，and，turninghisamiableface，joggedShelton'sarm。
"Whatareyouthinkingabout，Bird？"heasked。
CHAPTERXVII
APARSON
Sheltoncontinuedtotravelwithhiscollegefriend，andonWednesdaynight，fourdaysafterjoiningcompany，theyreachedthevillageofDowdenhame。Alldaylongtheroadhadlainthroughpastureland，withthickgreenhedgesandheavilyfeatheredelms。Onceortwicetheyhadbrokenthemonotonybyastretchalongthetowing-pathofacanal，which，chokedwithwater-lilyplantsandshiningweeds，broodedsluggishlybesidethefields。Nature，inoneofherironicmoods，hadcastagreyandiron-hardcloakoverallthecountry'sblandluxuriance。Fromdawntilldarknessfelltherehadbeennomovementinthesteelydistantsky；acoldwindruffedinthehedge-
tops，andsentshiversthroughthebranchesoftheelms。Thecattle，dappled，pied，orbay，orwhite，continuedgrazingwithanairofgrumblingattheirbirthright。InameadowclosetothecanalSheltonsawfivemagpies，andaboutfiveo'clocktherainbegan，asteady，coldly-sneeringrain，whichCrocker，lookingatthesky，declaredwasgoingtobeoverinaminute。Butitwasnotoverinaminute；theyweresoondrenched。Sheltonwastired，anditannoyedhimverymuchthathiscompanion，whowasalsotired，shouldgrowmorecheerful。HisthoughtskeptharpinguponFerrand:"Thismustbesomethinglikewhathedescribedtome，trampingonandonwhenyou'redead-beat，untilyoucancadgeupsupperandabed。"AndsulkilyhekeptonploughingthroughthemudwithglancesattheexasperatingCrocker，whohadskinnedoneheelandwaslimpinghorribly。Itsuddenlycamehometohimthatlifeforthreequartersoftheworldmeantphysicalexhaustioneveryday，withoutapossibilityofalternative，andthatassoonas，forsomecausebeyondcontrol，theyfailedthustoexhaustthemselves，theywerereducedtobegorstarve。"Andthenwe，whodon'tknowthemeaningofthewordexhaustion，callthem'idlescamps，'"hesaidaloud。
ItwaspastnineanddarkwhentheyreachedDowdenhame。Thestreetyieldednoaccommodation，andwhiledebatingwheretogotheypassedthechurch，withasquaretower，andnexttoitahousewhichwascertainlytheparsonage。
"Suppose，"saidCrocker，leaningonhisarmsuponthegate，"weaskhimwheretogo"；and，withoutwaitingforShelton'sanswer，herangthebell。
Thedoorwasopenedbytheparson，abloodlessandclean-shavenman，whosehollowcheeksandbonyhandssuggestedaperpetualstruggle。
Asceticallybenevolentwerehisgreyeyes；apaleandghostlysmileplayedonthecurvesofhisthinlips。
"WhatcanIdoforyou？"heasked。"Inn？yes，there'stheBlueChequers，butI'mafraidyou'llfinditshut。They'reearlypeople，I'mgladtosay"；andhiseyesseemedtomuseovertheproperfoldforthesedampsheep。"AreyouOxfordmen，byanychance？"heasked，asifthatmightthrowsomelightuponthematter。
"OfMary's？Really!I'mofPaul'smyself。Ladyman——BillingtonLadyman；youmightremembermyyoungestbrother。Icouldgiveyouaroomhereifyoucouldmanagewithoutsheets。Myhousekeeperhastwodays'holiday；she'sfoolishlytakenthekeys。"
Sheltonacceptedgladly，feelingthattheintonationintheparson'svoicewasnecessaryuntohiscalling，andthathedidnotwanttopatronise。
"You'rehungry，Iexpect，afteryourtramp。I'mverymuchafraidthere's——er——nothinginthehousebutbread；Icouldboilyouwater；
hotlemonadeisbetterthannothing。
Conductingthemintothekitchen，hemadeafire，andputakettleontoboil；then，afterleavingthemtoshedtheirsoakingclothes，returnedwithancient，greenishcoats，somecarpetslippers，andsomeblankets。Wrappedinthese，andcarryingtheirglasses，thetravellersfollowedtothestudy，where，bydoubtfullamp-light，heseemed，frombooksuponthetable，tohavebeenworkingathissermon。
"We'regivingyoualotoftrouble，"saidShelton，"it'sreallyverygoodofyou。"
"Notatall，"theparsonanswered；I'monlygrievedthehouseisempty。"
Itwasatrulydismalcontrasttothefatnessofthelandtheyhadbeenpassingthrough，andtheparson'svoiceissuingfrombloodlesslips，althoughcomplacent，waspathetic。Itwaspeculiar，thatvoiceofhis，seemingtoindicateanintimateacquaintanceshipwithwhatwasfatandfine，toconveycontemptforthevulgarneedofmoney，whileallthetimehiseyes——thosewatery，asceticeyes——asplainasspeechtheysaid，"Oh，toknowwhatitmustbeliketohaveapoundortwotosparejustonceayear，orso!"
Everythingintheroomhadbeenboughtforcheapness；noluxurieswerethere，andnecessariesnotenough。Itwasbleakandbare；theceilingcracked，thewall-paperdiscoloured，andthosebooks——prim，shiningbooks，fat-backed，witharmsstampedonthem——glaredinthesurroundingbarrenness。
"Mypredecessor，"saidtheparson，"playedratherhavocwiththehouse。Thepoorfellowhadadreadfulstruggle，Iwastold。Youcan，unfortunately，expectnothingelsethesedays，whenlivingshavecomedownsoterriblyinvalue!Hewasamarriedman——largefamily!"
Crocker，whohaddrunkhissteaminglemonade，wassmilingandalreadynoddinginhischair；withhisblackgarmentbuttonedcloselyroundhisthroat，hislonglegsrolledupinablanket，andstretchedtowardsthefeebleflameofthenewly-lightedfire，hehadaratherpatchyair。Shelton，ontheotherhand，hadlosthisfeelingoffatigue；thestrangenessoftheplacewasstimulatinghisbrain；hekeptstealingglancesatthescantinessaround；theroom，theparson，thefurniture，theveryfire，allgavehimthefeelingcausedbyseeinglegsthathaveoutgrowntheirtrousers。Buttherewassomethingunderlyingthatleannessofthelandscape，somethingsuperiorandacademic，whichdefiedallsympathy。Itwaspurenervousnesswhichmadehimsay:
"Ah!whydotheyhavesuchfamilies？"
Afaintredmountedtotheparson'scheeks；itsappearancetherewasstartling，andCrockerchuckled，asasleepymanwillchucklewhofeelsboundtoshowthatheisnotasleep。
"It'sveryunfortunate，"murmuredtheparson，"certainly，inmanycases。"
Sheltonwouldnowhavechangedthesubject，butatthismomenttheunhappyCrockersnored。Beingamanofaction，hehadgonetosleep。
"Itseemstome，"saidSheltonhurriedly，ashesawtheparson'seyebrowsrisingatthesound，"almostwhatyoumightcallwrong。"
"Dearme，buthowcanitbewrong？"
Sheltonnowfeltthathemustjustifyhissayingsomehow。
"Idon'tknow，"hesaid，"onlyonehearsofsuchalotofcases——
clergymen'sfamilies；I'vetwounclesofmyown，who——"
Anewexpressiongatheredontheparson'sface；hismouthhadtightened，andhischinrecededslightly。"Why，he'slikeamule!"
thoughtShelton。Hiseyes，too，hadgrownharder，greyer，andmoreparroty。Sheltonnolongerlikedhisface。
"PerhapsyouandI，"theparsonsaid，"wouldnotunderstandeachotheronsuchmatters。"
AndSheltonfeltashamed。
"Ishouldliketoaskyouaquestioninturn，however，"theparsonsaid，asifdesirousofmeetingSheltononhislowground:"Howdoyoujustifymarriageifitisnottofollowthelawsofnature？"
"IcanonlytellyouwhatIpersonallyfeel。"
"Mydearsir，youforgetthatawoman'schiefdelightisinhermotherhood。"
"Ishouldhavethoughtitapleasurelikelytopallwithtoomuchrepetition。Motherhoodismotherhood，whetherofoneorofadozen。"
"I'mafraid，"repliedtheparson，withimpatience，thoughstillkeepingonhisguest'slowground，"yourtheoriesarenotcalculatedtopopulatetheworld。"
"HaveyoueverlivedinLondon？"Sheltonasked。"Italwaysmakesmefeeladoubtwhetherwehaveanyrighttohavechildrenatall。"
"Surely，"saidtheparsonwithwonderfulrestraint，andthejointsofhisfingerscrackedwiththegriphehaduponhischair，"youareleavingoutdutytowardsthecountry；nationalgrowthisparamount!"
"Therearetwowaysoflookingatthat。Itdependsonwhatyouwantyourcountrytobecome。"
"Ididn'tknow，"saidtheparson——fanaticismnowhadcreptintohissmile——"therecouldbeanydoubtonsuchasubject。"
ThemoreSheltonfeltthatcommandswerebeinggivenhim，themorecontroversialhenaturallybecame——apartfromthemeritsofthissubject，towhichhehadhardlyevergiventhought。
"IdaresayI'mwrong，"hesaid，fasteninghiseyesontheblanketinwhichhislegswerewrapped；"butitseemstomeatleastanopenquestionwhetherit'sbetterforthecountrytobesowellpopulatedastobequiteincapableofsupportingitself。"-
"Surely，"saidtheparson，whosefaceregaineditspallor，"you'renotaLittleEnglander？"
OnSheltonthisphrasehadamysteriouseffect。Resistinganimpulsetodiscoverwhathereallywas，heansweredhastily:
"OfcourseI'mnot!"
Theparsonfolloweduphistriumph，and，shiftingthegroundofthediscussionfromShelton'stohisown，hegravelysaid:
"Surelyyoumustseethatyourtheoryisfoundedinimmorality。Itis，ifImaysayso，extravagant，evenwicked。"
ButShelton，sufferingfromirritationathisowndishonesty，repliedwithheat:
"Whynotsayatonce，sir，'hysterical，unhealthy'？Anyopinionwhichgoescontrarytothatofthemajorityisalwayscalledso，I
believe。"
"Well，"returnedtheparson，whoseeyesseemedtryingtobindSheltontohiswill，"Imustsayyourideasdoseemtomebothextravagantandunhealthy。Thepropagationofchildrenisenjoinedofmarriage。"
Sheltonbowedabovehisblanket，buttheparsondidnotsmile。
"Weliveinverydangeroustimes，"hesaid，"anditgrievesmewhenamanofyourstandingpanderstothesenotions。"
"Those，"saidShelton，"whomtheshoedoesn'tpinchmakethisruleofmorality，andthrustitontosuchastheshoedoespinch。"
"Therulewasnevermade，"saidtheparson；"itwasgivenus。"
"Oh!"saidShelton，"Ibegyourpardon。"Hewasindangerofforgettingthedelicatepositionhewasin。"Hewantstoramhisnotionsdownmythroat，"hethought；anditseemedtohimthattheparson'sfacehadgrownmorelikeamule's，hisaccentmoresuperior，hiseyesmoredictatorial:Toberightinthisargumentseemednowofgreatimportance，whereas，intruth，itwasofnoimportancewhatsoever。Thatwhich，however，wasimportantwasthefactthatinnothingcouldtheyeverhaveagreed。
ButCrockerhadsuddenlyceasedtosnore；hisheadhadfallensothatapeculiarwhistlingaroseinstead。BothSheltonandtheparsonlookedathim，andthesightsoberedthem。
"Yourfriendseemsverytired，"saidtheparson。
Sheltonforgotallhisannoyance，forhishostseemedsuddenlypathetic，withthosebaggygarments，hollowcheeks，andtheslightlyreddenednosethatcomesfromnotimbibingquiteenough。Akindfellow，afterall!
Thekindfellowrose，and，puttinghishandsbehindhisback，placedhimselfbeforetheblackeningfire。Wholecenturiesofauthoritystoodbehindhim。Itwasanaccidentthatthemantelpiecewaschippedandrusty，thefire-ironsbentandworn，hislinenfrayedaboutthecuffs。
"Idon'twishtodictate，"saidhe，"butwhereitseemstomethatyouarewhollywronginthatyourideasfosterinwomenthoselaxviewsofthefamilylifethataresoprevalentinSocietynowadays。"
ThoughtsofAntoniawithhercandideyes，thetouchoffrecklingonherpink-whiteskin，thefairhairgatheredback，sprangupinShelton，andthatword——"lax"seemedridiculous。AndthewomenhewaswonttoseedraggingaboutthestreetsofLondonwithtwoorthreesmallchildren，Womenbentbeneaththeweightofbabiesthattheycouldnotleave，womengoingtoworkwithbabiesstillunborn，anaemic-lookingwomen，impecuniousmothersinhisownclass，withtwelveorfourteenchildren，allthevictimsofthesanctityofmarriage，andagaintheword"lax"seemedtoberidiculous。
"Wearenotputintotheworldtoexerciseourwits，"——mutteredShelton。
"Ourwantonwills，"theparsonsaidseverely。
"That，sir，mayhavebeenallrightforthelastgeneration，thecountryismorecrowdednow。Ican'tseewhyweshouldn'tdecideitforourselves。"
"Suchaviewofmorality，"saidtheparson，lookingdownatCrockerwithaghostlysmile，"tomeisunintelligible。"
Cracker'swhistlinggrewintoneandinvariety。
"WhatIhate，"saidShelton，"isthewaywemendecidewhatwomenaretobear，andthencallthemimmoral，decadent，orwhatyouwill，iftheydon'tfallinwithourviews。"
"Mr。Shelton，"saidtheparson，"IthinkwemaysafelyleaveitinthehandsofGod。"
Sheltonwassilent。
"Thequestionsofmorality，"saidtheparsonpromptly，"havealwayslainthroughGodinthehandsofmen，notwomen。Wearethereasonablesex。"
Sheltonstubbornlyreplied"We'recertainlythegreaterhumbugs，ifthat'sthesame。"
"Thisistoobad，"exclaimedtheparsonwithsomeheat。
"I'msorry，sir；buthowcanyouexpectwomennowadaystohavethesameviewsasourgrandmothers？Wemen，byourcommercialenterprise，havebroughtaboutadifferentstateofthings；yet，forthesakeofourowncomfort，wetrytokeepwomenwheretheywere。
It'salwaysthosemenwhoaremostkeenabouttheircomfort"——andinhisheatthesarcasmofusingtheword"comfort"inthatroomwaslostonhim——"whoaresoreadytoaccusewomenofdesertingtheoldmorality。"
Theparsonquiveredwithimpatientirony。
"Oldmorality!newmorality!"hesaid。"Thesearestrangewords。"
"Forgiveme，"explainedShelton；"we'retalkingofworkingmorality，Iimagine。There'snotamaninamillionfittotalkoftruemorality。"
Theeyesofhishostcontracted。
"Ithink，"hesaid——andhisvoicesoundedasifhehadpincheditintheendeavourtoimpresshislistener——"thatanywell-educatedmanwhohonestlytriestoservehisGodhastherighthumbly——Isayhumbly——toclaimmorality。"
Sheltonwasonthepointofsayingsomethingbitter，butcheckedhimself。"HereamI，"thoughthe，"tryingtogetthelastword，likeanoldwoman。"
Atthismomenttherewasheardapiteousmewing；theparsonwenttowardsthedoor。
"Excusemeamoment；I'mafraidthat'soneofmycatsoutinthewet。"Hereturnedaminutelaterwithawetcatinhisarms。"Theywillgetout，"hesaidtoShelton，withasmileonhisthinface，suffusedbystooping。Andabsentlyhestrokedthedrippingcat，whileadropofwetranoffhisnose。"Poorpussy，poorpussy!"Thesoundofthat"Poorpussy!"likenothinghumaninitscrackedsuperiority，thesoftnessofthatsmile，likethesmileofgentlenessitself，hauntedSheltontillhefellasleep。
CHAPTERXVIII
ACADEMIC
ThelastsunlightwasplayingontheroofswhenthetravellersenteredthatHighStreetgraveandholytoallOxfordmen。ThespirithoveringabovethespireswasasdifferentfromitsconcretionsintheircapsandgownsaseverthespiritofChristwasfromchurchdogmas。
"ShallwegointoGrinnings'？"askedShelton，astheypassedtheclub。
Buteachlookedathisclothes，fortwoelegantyoungmeninflannelsuitswerecomingout。
"Yougo，"saidCrocker，withasmirk。
Sheltonshookhishead。Neverbeforehadhefeltsuchloveforthisoldcity。Itwasgonenowfromouthislife，buteverythingaboutitseemedsogoodandfine；evenitsexclusiveairwasnotignoble。
Clothedinthecalmofhistory，thegoldenwebofglorioustradition，radiantwiththealchemyofmemories，itbewitchedhimliketheperfumeofawoman'sdress。Attheentranceofacollegetheyglancedinatthecoolgreypatchofstonebeyond，andthescarletofawindowflowerbox——secluded，mysteriouslycalm——anarrowvisionofthesacredpast。Paleandtrencher-capped，ayouthwithpimplyfaceandrandomnose，grabbingathisclovengown，wasgazingatthenoticeboard。Thecollegeporter——largeman，fresh-faced，andsmall-
mouthed——stoodathislodgedoorinafrankanddeferentialattitude。
Animageofroutine，helookedlikeoneengagedtogiveadecorousairtomultitudesofpecadilloes。Hisblueeyesrestedonthetravellers。"Idon'tknowyou，sirs，butifyouwanttospeakI
shallbegladtoheartheobservationsyoumayhavetomake，"theyseemedtosay。
Againstthewallreposedabicyclewithtennis-racquetbuckledtoitshandle。Abull-dogbitch，workinghersnoutfromsidetoside，wassnufflinghorribly；thegreatiron-studdeddoortowhichherchainwasfastenedstayedimmovable。Throughthisnarrowmouth，humanmetalhadbeenpouredforcenturies——poured，moulded，givenback。
"Comealong，"saidShelton。
TheynowenteredtheBishop'sHead，andhadtheirdinnerintheroomwhereSheltonhadgivenhisDerbydinnertofour-and-twentywell-bredyouths；herewasthepictureoftheracehorsethatthewineglass，thrownbyoneofthem，hadmissedwhenithitthewaiter；andthere，servingCrockerwithanchovysauce，wastheverywaiter。Whentheyhadfinished，Sheltonfelttheolddesiretorisewithdifficultyfromthetable；theoldlongingtopatrolthestreetswitharmhookedinsomeotherarm；theoldeagernesstodareanddosomethingheroic——andunlawful；theoldsensethathewasoftheforestset，intheforestcollege，oftheforestcountryinthefinestworld。Thestreets，allgraveandmellowinthesunset，seemedtoapplaudthisafter-dinnerstroll；theentrancequadofhisoldcollege——spaciouslymajestic，monasticallymodern，foryearstheheartofhisuniverse，thefocusofwhathadgonebeforeitinhislife，castingtheshadowofitsgreywallsoverallthathadcomeafter-broughthimasenseofrestfromconflict，andtrustinhisownimportantsafety。Thegarden-gate，whoseloftyspikeshehadsooftencrownedwithemptywater-bottles，failedtorousehim。Norwhentheypassedthestaircasewherehehadflungalegoflambatsomeindelicatedisturbingtutor，didhefeelremorse。Highonthatstaircaseweretheroomsinwhichhehadcrammedforhisdegree，uponthesystembywhichthescholarsimmersonthefireofcramming，boilsoveratthemomentofexamination，andisextinctforeverafter。Hiscoach'sfacerecurredtohim，amanwiththrustingeyes，whoreeledoffknowledgealltheweek，anddisappearedtotownonSundays。
Theypassedtheirtutor'sstaircase。
"IwonderiflittleTurlwouldrememberus？"saidCrocker；"Ishouldliketoseehim。Shallwegoandlookhimup？"
"LittleTurl？"saidSheltondreamily。
Mounting，theyknockeduponasoliddoor。
"Comein，"saidthevoiceofSleepitself。
Alittlemanwithapinkfaceandlargeredearswassittinginafatpinkchair，asifhehadbeengrownthere。
"Whatdoyouwant？"heaskedofthem，blinking。
"Don'tyouknowme，sir？"
"Godblessme!Crocker，isn'tit？Ididn'trecogniseyouwithabeard。"
Crocker，whohadnotbeenshavedsincestartingonhistravels，chuckledfeebly。
"YourememberShelton，sir？"hesaid。
"Shelton？Ohyes!Howdoyoudo，Shelton？Sitdown；takeacigar"；
and，crossinghisfatlittlelegs，thelittlegentlemanlookedthemupanddownwithdrowsyinterest，aswhoshouldsay，"Now，after，allyouknow，whycomeandwakemeuplikethis？"
SheltonandCrockertooktwootherchairs；theytooseemedthinking，"Yes，whydidwecomeandwakehimuplikethis？"AndShelton，whocouldnottellthereasonwhy，tookrefugeinthesmokeofhiscigar。
ThepanelledwallswerehungwithprintsofcelebratedGreekremains；
thesoft，thickcarpetonthefloorwasgratefultohistiredfeet；
thebacksofmanybooksgleamedrichlyinthelightoftheoillamps；
thecultureandtobaccosmokestoleonhissenses；hebutvaguelycomprehendedCrocker'samiabletalk，vaguelytheanswersofhislittlehost，whoseface，blinkingbehindthebowlofhishugemeerschaumpipe，hadsuchaqueerresemblancetoamoon。Thedoorwasopened，andatallcreature，whoseeyeswerelargeandbrown，whosefacewasrosyandironical，enteredwithamanlystride。
"Oh!"hesaid，lookingroundhimwithhischinalittleintheair，"amIintruding，Turl？"
Thelittlehost，blinkingmorethanever，murmured，"Notatall，Berryman——takeapew!"
ThevisitorcalledBerrymansatdown，andgazedupatthewallwithhisfineeyes。
Sheltonhadafaintremembranceofthisdon，andbowed；butthenew-
comersatsmiling，anddidnotnoticethesalute。
"TrimmerandWasherarecominground，"hesaid，andashespokethedooropenedtoadmitthesegentlemen。Ofthesameheight，butdifferentappearance，theirmannerwasfaintlyjocular，faintlysupercilious，asiftheytoleratedeverything。TheonewhosenamewasTrimmerhadpatchesofredonhislargecheek-bones，andonhischeeksabluishtint。Hislipswereratherfull，sothathehadalikenesstoaspider。Washer，whowasthinandpale，woreanintellectualsmile。
Thelittlefathostmovedthehandthatheldthemeerschaum。
"Crocker，Shelton，"hesaid。
Anawkwardsilencefollowed。Sheltontriedtorousetheculturedportionofhiswits；butthesensethatnothingwouldbetreatedseriouslyparalysedhisfaculties；hestayedsilent，staringattheglowingtipofhiscigar。Itseemedtohimunfairtohaveintrudedonthesegentlemenwithoutitshavingbeenmadequitecleartothembeforehandwhoandwhathewas；herosetotakehisleave，butWasherhadbeguntospeak。
"MadameBovary!"hesaidquizzically，readingthetitleofthebookonthelittlefatman'sbookrest；and，holdingitclosertohisboiled-lookingeyes，herepeated，asthoughitwereajoke，"MadameBovary!"
"Doyoumeantosay，Turl，thatyoucanstandthatstuff？"saidBerryman。
Asmighthavebeenexpected，thiscelebratednovel'snamehadgalvanisedhimintolife；hestrolledovertothebookcase，tookdownabook，openedit，andbegantoread，wanderinginadesultorywayabouttheroom。
"Ha!Berryman，"saidaconciliatoryvoicebehind——itcamefromTrimmer，whohadsethisbackagainstthehearth，andgraspedwitheitherhandafistfulofhisgown——"thebook'saclassic!"
"Classic!"exclaimedBerryman，transfixingSheltonwithhiseyes；
"thefellowoughttohavebeenhorsewhippedforwritingsuchputridity!"
AfeelingofhostilityinstantlysprangupinShelton；helookedathislittlehost，who，however，merelyblinked。
"Berrymanonlymeans，"explainsWasher，acertainmaliceinhissmile，"thattheauthorisn'toneofhisparticularpets。"