`Small！Isit？I’mgladtohearthat。Butit’sapityyoudidn’tkeepaway，then。Thisfighttakesitoutofhimfrightfully。Theman’sgettingexhausted。Ifeelitbythewayheleansonmyarmaswewalkover。And，Isay，ishesafeinthestreets？Mullinshasbeenmarchinghismenupherethisafternoon。There’saconstablestuckbyeverylamp—post，andeverysecondpersonwemeetbetweenthisandPalaceYardisanobvioustec。Itwillgetonhisnervespresently。Isay，theseforeignscoundrelsaren’tlikelytothrowsomethingathim—arethey？Itwouldbeanationalcalamity。Thecountrycan’tsparehim。’
　　`Nottomentionyourself。Heleansonyourarm，’suggestedtheAssistantCommissioner，soberly。`Youwouldbothgo。’
　　`Itwouldbeaneasywayforayoungmantogodownintohistory。NotsomanyBritishMinistershavebeenassassinatedastomakeitaminorincident。Butseriouslynow——’
　　`Iamafraidthatifyouwanttogodownintohistoryyou’llhavetodosomethingforit。Seriously，there’snodangerwhateverforbothofyoubutfromoverwork。’
　　ThesympatheticToodleswelcomedthisopeningforachuckle。
　　`TheFisherieswon’tkillme。Iamusedtolatehours，’hedeclared，withingenuouslevity。But，feelinganinstantcompunction，hebegantoassumeanairofstatesmanlikemoodiness，asonedrawsonaglove。`Hismassiveintellectwillstandanyamountofwork。It’shisnervesthatI
　　amafraidof。Thereactionarygang，withthatabusivebruteCheesemanattheirhead，insulthimeverynight。’
　　`Ifhewillinsistonbeginningarevolution！’murmuredtheAssistantCommissioner。
　　`Thetimehascome，andheistheonlymangreatenoughforthework，’
　　protestedtherevolutionaryToodles，flaringupunderthecalm，speculativegazeoftheAssistantCommissioner。Somewhereinacorridoradistantbelltinkledurgently，andwithdevotedvigilancetheyoungmanprickeduphisearsatthesound。`He’sreadytogonow，’heexclaimedinawhisper，snatcheduphishat，andvanishedfromtheroom。
　　TheAssistantCommissionerwentoutbyanotherdoorinalesselasticmanner。Againhecrossedthewidethoroughfare，walkedalonganarrowstreet，andre—enteredhastilyhisowndepartmentalbuildings。Hekeptupthisacceleratedpacetothedoorofhisprivateroom。Beforehehadcloseditfairlyhiseyessoughthisdesk。Hestoodstillforamoment，thenwalkedup，lookedallroundonthefloor，satdowninhischair，rangabell，andwaited。
　　`ChiefInspectorHeatgoneyet？’
　　`Yes，sir。Wentawayhalfanhourago。’
　　Henodded。`Thatwilldo。’Andsittingstill，withhishatpushedoffhisforehead，hethoughtthatitwasjustlikeHeat’sconfoundedcheektocarryoffquietlytheonlypieceofmaterialevidence。Buthethoughtthiswithoutanimosity。Oldandvaluedservantswilltakeliberties。Thepieceofovercoatwiththeaddresssewnonwascertainlynotathingtoleaveabout。DismissingfromhismindthismanifestationofChiefInspectorHeat’smistrust，hewroteanddispatchedanotetohiswife，charginghertomakehisapologiestoMichaelis’sgreatlady，withwhomtheywereengagedtodinethatevening。
　　Theshortjacketandthelow，roundhatheassumedinasortofcurtainedalcovecontainingawashstand，arowofwoodenpegsandashelf，broughtoutwonderfullythelengthofhisgrave，brownface。Hesteppedbackintothefulllightoftheroom，lookinglikethevisionofacool，reflectiveDonQuixote，withthesunkeneyesofadarkenthusiastandaverydeliberatemanner。Heleftthesceneofhisdailylaboursquicklylikeanunobtrusiveshadow。Hisdescentintothestreetwaslikethedescentintoaslimyaquariumfromwhichthewaterhadbeenrunoff。Amurky，gloomydampnessenvelopedhim。Thewallsofthehouseswerewet，themudoftheroadwayglistenedwithaneffectofphosphorescence，andwhenheemergedintotheStrandoutofanarrowstreetbythesideofCharingCrossStationthegeniusofthelocalityassimilatedhim。Hemighthavebeenbutonemoreofthequeerforeignfishthatcanbeseenofaneveningaboutthereflittingroundthedarkcorners。
　　Hecametoastandontheveryedgeofthepavement，andwaited。Hisexercisedeyeshadmadeoutintheconfusedmovementoflightsandshowsthrongingtheroadwaythecrawlingapproachofahansom。Hegavenosign;
　　butwhenthelowstepglidingalongthekerbstonecametohisfeethedodgedinskilfullyinfrontofthebigturningwheel，’andspokeupthroughthelittletrapdooralmostbeforethemangazingsupinelyaheadfromhisperchwasawareofhavingbeenboardedbyafare。
　　Itwasnotalongdrive。Itendedbysignalabruptly，nowhereinparticular，betweentwolamp—postsbeforealargedraperyestablishment—alongrangeofshopsalreadylappedupinsheetsofcorrugatedironforthenight。
　　Tenderingacointhroughthetrapdoorthefareslippedoutandaway，leavinganeffectofuncanny，eccentricghostlinessuponthedriver’smind。Butthesizeofthecoinwassatisfactorytohistouch，andhiseducationnotbeingliterary，heremaineduntroubledbythefearoffindingitpresentlyturnedtoadeadleafinhispocket。Raisedabovetheworldoffaresbythenatureofhiscalling，hecontemplatedtheiractionwithalimitedinterest。Thesharppullingofhishorserightroundexpressedhisphilosophy。
　　Meantime，theAssistantCommissionerwasalreadygivinghisordertoawaiterinalittleItalianrestaurantroundthecorner—oneofthosetrapsforthehungry，longandnarrow，baitedwithaperspectiveofmirrorsandwhitenapery;withoutair，butwithanatmosphereoftheirown—anatmosphereoffraudulentcookerymockinganabjectmankindinthemostpressingofitsmiserablenecessities。InthisimmoralatmospheretheAssistantCommissioner，reflectinguponhisenterprise，seemedtolosesomemoreofhisidentity。Hehadasenseofloneliness，ofevilfreedom。Itwasratherpleasant。When，afterpayingforhisshortmeal，hestoodupandwaitedforhischange，hesawhimselfinthesheetofglass，andwasstruckbyhisforeignappearance。HecontemplatedhisownimagewithamelancholyandInquisitivegaze，thenbysuddeninspirationraisedthecollarofhisjacket。Thisarrangementappearedtohimcommendable，andhecompleteditbygivinganupwardtwisttotheendsofhisblackmoustache。Hewassatisfiedbythesubtlemodificationofhispersonalaspectcausedbythesesmallchanges。`That’lldoverywell，’hethought。`I’llgetalittlewet，alittlesplashed——’
　　Hebecameawareofthewaiterathiselbowandofasmallpileofsilvercoinsontheedgeofthetablebeforehim。Thewaiterkeptoneeyeonit，whilehisothereyefollowedthelongbackofatall，notveryyounggirl，whopasseduptoadistanttablelookingperfectlysightlessandaltogetherunapproachable。Sheseemedtobeanhabitualcustomer。
　　OngoingouttheAssistantCommissionermadetohimselftheobservationthatthepatronsoftheplacehadlostinthefrequentationoffraudulentcookeryalltheirnationalandprivatecharacteristics。Andthiswasstrange，sincetheItalianrestaurantissuchapeculiarlyBritishinstitution。
　　Butthesepeoplewereasdenationalizedasthedishessetbeforethemwitheverycircumstanceofunstampedrespectability。Neitherwastheirpersonalitystampedinanyway，professionally，sociallyorracially。TheyseemedcreatedfortheItalianrestaurant，unlesstheItalianrestauranthadbeenperchancecreatedforthem。Butthatlasthypothesiswasunthinkable，sinceonecouldnotplacethemanywhereoutsidethosespecialestablishments。Onenevermettheseenigmaticalpersonselsewhere。Itwasimpossibletoformapreciseideawhatoccupationstheyfollowedbydayandwheretheywenttobedatnight。Andhehimselfhadbecomeunplaced。Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforanybodytoguesshisoccupation。Astogoingtobed，therewasadoubteveninhisownmind。Notindeedinregardtohisdomicileitself，butverymuchsoinrespectofthetimewhenhewouldbeabletoreturnthere。
　　Apleasurablefeelingofindependencepossessedhimwhenheheardtheglassdoorsswingtobehindhisbackwithasortofimperfectbaffledthud。HeadvancedatonceintoanimmensityofgreasyslimeanddampplasterInterspersedwithlamps，andenveloped，oppressed，penetrated，choked，andsuffocatedbytheblacknessofawetLondonnight，whichiscomposedofsootanddropsofwater。
　　BrettStreetwasnotveryfaraway。Itbranchesoff，narrow，fromthesideofanopentriangularspacesurroundedbydarkandmysterioushouses，templesofpettycommerceemptiedoftradersforthenight。Onlyafruiterer’sstallatthecornermadeaviolentblazeoflightandcolour。Beyondallwasblack，andthefewpeoplepassinginthatdirectionvanishedatonestridebeyondtheglowingheapsoforangesandlemons。Nofootstepsechoed。
　　Theywouldneverbeheardofagain。TheadventurousheadoftheSpecialCrimesDepartmentwatchedthesedisappearancesfromadistancewithaninterestedeye。Hefeltlight—hearted，asthoughhehadbeenambushedallaloneinajunglemanythousandsofmilesawayfromdepartmentaldesksandofficialinkstands。Thisjoyousnessanddispersionofthoughtbeforeataskofsomeimportanceseemstoprovethatthisworldofoursisnotsuchaveryseriousaffairafterall。FortheAssistantCommissionerwasnotconstitutionallyinclinedtolevity。
　　Thepolicemanonthebeatprojectedhissombreandmovingformagainsttheluminousgloryoforangesandlemons，andenteredBrettStreetwithouthaste。TheAssistantCommissioner，asthoughhewereamemberofthecriminalclasses，lingeredoutofsight，awaitinghisreturn。Butthisconstableseemedtobelostforevertotheforce。Heneverreturned:musthavegoneoutattheotherendofBrettStreet。
　　TheAssistantCommissioner，reachingthisconclusion，enteredthestreetinhisturn，andcameuponalargevanarrestedinfrontofthedimlylitwindow—panesofacarter’seating—house。Themanwasrefreshinghimselfinside，andthehorses，theirbigheadsloweredtotheground，fedoutofnose—bagssteadily。Fartheron，ontheoppositesideofthestreet，anothersuspectpatchofdimlightissuedfromMrVerloc’sshopfront，hungwithpapers，heavingwithvaguepilesofcardboardboxesandtheshapesofbooks。TheAssistantCommissionerstoodobservingitacrosstheroadway。
　　Therecouldbenomistake。Bythesideofthefrontwindow，encumberedbytheshadowsofnondescriptthings，thedoor，standingajar，letescapeonthepavementanarrow，clearstreakofgaslightwithin。
　　BehindtheAssistantCommissionerthevanandhorses，mergedintoonemass，seemedsomethingalive—asquare—backedblackmonsterblockinghalfthestreet，withsuddeniron—shodstampings，fiercejingles，andheavy，blowingsighs。Theharshlyfestive，ill—omenedglareofalargeandprosperouspublic—housefacedtheotherendofBrettStreetacrossawideroad。Thisbarrierofblazinglights，opposingtheshadowsgatheredaboutthehumbleabodeofMrVerloc’sdomestichappiness，seemedtodrivetheobscurityofthestreetbackuponitself，makeitmoresullen，brooding，andsinister。
　　CONRAD:TheSecretAgent，Chapter8CHAPTER8
　　Havinginfusedbypersistentimportunitiessomesortofheatintothechillyinterestofseverallicensedvictuallers（theacquaintancesonceuponatimeofherlateunluckyhusband），MrsVerloc’smotherhadatlastsecuredheradmissiontocertainalmshousesfoundedbyawealthyinnkeeperforthedestitutewidowsofthetrade。
　　Thisend，conceivedintheastutenessofheruneasyheart，theoldwomanhadpursuedwithsecrecyanddetermination。ThatwasthetimewhenherdaughterWinniecouldnothelppassingaremarktoMrVerlocthatmotherhasbeenspendinghalf—crownsandfiveshillingsalmosteverydaythislastweekincabfares’。Buttheremarkwasnotmadegrudgingly。Winnierespectedhermother’sinfirmities。Shewasonlyalittlesurprisedatthissuddenmaniaforlocomotion。MrVerloc，whowassufficientlymagnificentinhisway，hadgruntedtheremarkimpatientlyasideasinterferingwithhismeditations。Thesewerefrequent，deep，andprolonged;theyboreuponamattermoreimportantthanfiveshillings。Distinctlymoreimportant，andbeyondallcomparisonmoredifficulttoconsiderinallitsaspectswithphilosophicalserenity。Herobjectattainedinastutesecrecy，theheroicoldwomanhadmadeacleanbreastofittoMrsVerloc。Hersoulwastriumphantandherhearttremulous。Inwardly，shequaked，becauseshedreadedandadmiredthecalm，self—containedcharacterofherdaughterWinnie，whosedispleasurewasmaderedoubtablebyadiversityofdreadfulsilences。Butshedidnotallowherinwardapprehensionstorobheroftheadvantageofvenerableplacidityconferreduponheroutwardpersonbyhertriplechin，thefloatingamplenessofherancientform，andtheimpotentconditionofherlegs。
　　TheshockoftheinformationwassounexpectedthatMrsVerloc，againstherusualpracticewhenaddressed，interruptedthedomesticoccupationshewasengagedupon。Itwasthedustingofthefurnitureintheparlourbehindtheshop。Sheturnedherheadtowardshermother。
　　`Whateverdidyouwanttodothatfor？’sheexclaimed，inscandalizedastonishment。
　　Theshockmusthavebeenseveretomakeherdepartfromthatdistantanduninquiringacceptanceoffactswhichwasherforceandhersafeguardinlife。
　　`Weren’tyoumadecomfortableenoughhere？’
　　Shehadlapsedintotheseinquiries，butnextmomentshesavedtheconsistencyofherconductbyresumingherdusting，whiletheoldwomansatscaredanddumbunderherdingywhitecapandlustrelessdarkwig。
　　Winniefinishedthechair，andranthedusteralongthemahoganyatthebackofthehorsehairsofaonwhichMrVerloclovedtotakehiseaseinhatandovercoat。Shewasintentonherwork，butpresentlyshepermittedherselfanotherquestion。
　　`Howintheworlddidyoumanageit，mother？’
　　Asnotaffectingtheinwardnessofthings，whichitwasMrsVerloc’sprincipletoignore，thiscuriositywasexcusable。Itboremerelyonthemethods。Theoldwomanwelcomediteagerlyasbringingforwardsomethingthatcouldbetalkedaboutwithmuchsincerity。
　　Shefavouredherdaughterbyanexhaustiveanswerfullofnamesandenrichedbyside—commentsupontheravagesoftimeasobservedinthealterationofhumancountenances。Thenameswereprincipallythenamesoflicensedvictuallers—`poordaddy’sfriends，mydear’。Sheenlargedwithspecialappreciationonthekindnessandcondescensionofalargebrewer，aBaronetandanM。P。，theChairmanoftheGovernorsoftheCharity。SheexpressedherselfthuswarmlybecauseshehadbeenallowedtointerviewbyappointmenthisPrivateSecretary—`averypolitegentleman，allinblack，withagentle，sadvoice，butsovery，verythinandquiet。Hewaslikeashadow，mydear。’
　　Winnie，prolongingherdustingoperationstillthetalewastoldtotheend，walkedoutoftheparlourintothekitchen（downtwosteps）inherusualmanner，withouttheslightestcomment。
　　Sheddingafewtearsinsignofrejoicingatherdaughter’smansuetudeinthisterribleaffair，MrsVerloc’smothergaveplaytoherastutenessinthedirectionofherfurniture，becauseitwasherown;andsometimesshewishedithadn’tbeen。Heroismisallverywell，buttherearecircumstanceswhenthedisposalofafewtablesandchairs，brassbedsteads，andsoon，maybebigwithremoteanddisastrousconsequences。Sherequiredafewpiecesherself，theFoundationwhich，aftermanyimportunities，hadgatheredhertoitscharitablebreast，givingnothingbutbareplanksandcheaplypaperedbrickstotheobjectsofitssolicitude。Thedelicacyguidingherchoicetotheleastvaluableandmostdilapidatedarticlespassedunacknowledged，becauseWinnie’sphilosophyconsistedinnottakingnoticeoftheinsideoffacts;sheassumedthatmothertookwhatsuitedherbest。AstoMrVerloc，hisintensemeditation，likeasortofChinesewall，isolatedhimcompletelyfromthephenomenaofthisworldofvaineffortandillusoryappearances。
　　Herselectionmade，thedisposaloftherestbecameaperplexingquestioninaparticularway。ShewasleavingitinBrettStreet，ofcourse。Butshehadtwochildren。Winniewasprovidedforbyhersensibleunionwiththatexcellenthusband，MrVerloc。Steviewasdestitute—andalittlepeculiar。Hispositionhadtobeconsideredbeforetheclaimsoflegaljusticeandeventhepromptingsofpartiality。Thepossessionofthefurniturewouldnotbeinanysenseaprovision。Heoughttohaveit—thepoorboy。
　　Buttogiveiftohimwouldbeliketamperingwithhispositionofcompletedependence。Itwasasortofclaimwhichshefearedtoweaken。Moreover，thesusceptibilitiesofMrVerlocwouldperhapsnotbrookbeingbeholdentohisbrother—in—lawforthechairshesaton。Inalongexperienceofgentlemenlodgers，MrsVerloc’smotherhadacquiredadismalbutresignednotionofthefantasticsideofhumannature。WhatifMrVerlocsuddenlytookitintohisheadtotellStevietotakehisblessedstickssomewhereoutofthat？Adivision，ontheotherhand，howevercarefullymade，mightgivesomecauseofoffencetoWinnie。No。Steviemustremaindestituteanddependent。AndatthemomentofleavingBrettStreetshehadsaidtoherdaughter:`NousewaitingtillIamdead，isthere？EverythingIleavehereisaltogetheryourownnow，mydear。’
　　Winnie，withherhaton，silentbehindhermother’sback，wentonarrangingthecollaroftheoldwoman’scloak。Shegotherhandbag，anumbrella，withanimpassiveface。Thetimehadcomefortheexpenditureofthesumofthreeandsixpenceonwhatmightwellbesupposedthelastcab—driveofMrsVerloc’smother’slife。Theywentoutattheshopdoor。
　　Theconveyanceawaitingthemwouldhaveillustratedtheproverbthat`truthcanbemorecruelthancaricature’，ifsuchaproverbexisted。Crawlingbehindaninfirmhorse，ametropolitanhackneydrewuponwobblywheelsandwithamaimeddriveronthebox。Thislastpeculiaritycausedsomeembarrassment。Catchingsightofahookedironcontrivanceprotrudingfromtheleftsleeveoftheman’scoat，MrsVerloc’smotherlostsuddenlytheheroiccourageofthesedays。Shereallycouldn’ttrustherself。`Whatdoyouthink，Winnie？’Shehungback。Thepassionateexpostulationsofthebig—facedcabmanseemedtobesqueezedoutofablockedthroat。Leaningoverfromhisbox，hewhisperedwithmysteriousindignation。Whatwasthematternow？Wasitpossibletotreatamanso？Hisenormousandunwashedcountenanceflamedredinthemuddystretchofthestreet。Wasitlikelytheywouldhavegivenhimalicence，heinquireddesperately，if——
　　Thepoliceconstableofthelocalityquietedhimbyafriendlyglance;
　　thenaddressinghimselftothetwowomenwithoutmarkedconsideration，said:`He’sbeendrivingacabfortwentyyears。Ineverknewhimtohaveanaccident。’
　　`Accident！’shoutedthedriverinascornfulwhisper。
　　Thepoliceman’stestimonysettledit。Themodestassemblageofsevenpeople，mostlyunderage，dispersed。Winniefollowedhermotherintothecab。Stevieclimbedonthebox。Hisvacantmouthanddistressedeyesdepictedthestateofhismindinregardtothetransactionswhichweretakingplace。
　　Inthenarrowstreetstheprogressofthejourneywasmadesensibletothosewithinbythenearfrontsofthehousesglidingpastslowlyandshakily，withagreatrattleandjinglingofglass，asifabouttocollapsebehindthecab;andtheinfirmhorse，withtheharnesshungoverhissharpbackboneflappingverylooseabouthisthighs，appearingtobedancingmincinglyonhistoeswithinfinitepatience。Lateron，inthewiderspaceofWhitehall，allvisualevidencesofmotionbecameimperceptible。TherattleandjingleofglasswentonindefinitelyinfrontofthelongTreasurybuilding—
　　andtimeitselfseemedtostandstill。
　　AtlastWinnieobserved:`Thisisn’taverygoodhorse。’
　　Hereyesgleamedintheshadowofthecabstraightahead，immovable。
　　Onthebox，Stevieshuthisvacantmouthfirst，inordertoejaculateearnestly:
　　`Don’t。’
　　Thedriver，holdinghighthereinstwistedaroundthehook，tooknonotice。Perhapshehadnotheard。Stevie’sbreastheaved。
　　`Don’twhip。’
　　Themanturnedslowlyhisbloatedandsoddenfaceofmanycoloursbristlingwithwhitehairs。Hislittleredeyesglistenedwithmoisture。Hisbiglipshadaviolettint。Theyremainedclosed。Withthedirtybackofhiswhip—handherubbedthestubblesproutingonhisenormouschin。
　　`Youmustn’t，’stammeredoutStevie，violently，`ithurts。’
　　`Mustn’twhip，’queriedtheotherinathoughtfulwhisper，andimmediatelywhipped。Hedidthis，notbecausehissoulwascruelandhisheartevil，butbecausehehadtoearnhisfare。AndforatimethewallsofStStephen’s，withitstowersandpinnacles，contemplatedinimmobilityandsilenceacabthatjingled。Itrolled，too，however。Butonthebridgetherewasacommotion。Steviesuddenlyproceededtogetdownfromthebox。Therewereshoutsonthepavement，peopleranforward，thedriverpulledup，whisperingcursesofindignationandastonishment。Winnieloweredthewindow，andputherheadout，whiteasaghost。Inthedepthsofthecab，hermotherwasexclaiming，intonesofanguish:`Isthatboyhurt？Isthatboyhurt？’
　　Steviewasnothurt，hehadnotevenfallen，butexcitementasusualhadrobbedhimofthepowerofconnectedspeech。Hecoulddonomorethanstammeratthewindow:`Tooheavy。Tooheavy。’Winnieputoutherhandontohisshoulder。
　　`Stevie！Getupontheboxdirectly，anddon’ttrytogetdownagain。’
　　`No。No。Walk。Mustwalk。’
　　Intryingtostatethenatureofthatnecessityhestammeredhimselfintoutterincoherence。Nophysicalimpossibilitystoodinthewayofhiswhim。Steviecouldhavemanagedeasilytokeeppacewiththeinfirm，dancinghorsewithoutgettingoutofbreath。Buthissisterwithheldherconsentdecisively。`Theidea！Whoeverheardofsuchathing！Runafteracab！’
　　Hermother，frightenedandhelplessinthedepthoftheconveyance，entreated:
　　`Oh，don’tlethim，Winnie。He’llgetlost。Don’tlethim。’
　　`Certainlynot。Whatnext！MrVerlocwillbesorrytohearofthisnonsense，Stevie—Icantellyou。Hewon’tbehappyatall。’
　　TheideaofMrVerloc’sgriefandunhappinessactingasusualpowerfullyuponStevie’sfundamentallydociledisposition，heabandonedallresistanceandclimbedupagainonthebox，withafaceofdespair。
　　Thecabbyturnedathimhisenormousandinflamedcountenancetruculently。
　　`Don’tyougofortryingthissillygameagain，youngfellow。’
　　Afterdeliveringhimselfthusinasternwhisper，strainedalmosttoextinction，hedroveon，ruminatingsolemnly。Tohismindtheincidentremainedsomewhatobscure。Buthisintellect，thoughithadlostitspristinevivacityinthebenumbingyearsofsedentaryexposuretotheweather，lackednotindependenceorsanity。GravelyhedismissedthehypothesisofSteviebeingadrunkenyoungnipper。
　　Insidethecabthespellofsilence，inwhichthetwowomenhadenduredshouldertoshoulderthejolting，rattling，andjinglingofthejourney，hadbeenbrokenbyStevie’soutbreak。Winnieraisedhervoice。
　　`You’vedonewhatyouwanted，mother。Youhaveonlyyourselftothankforitifyouaren’thappyafterwards。AndIdon’tthinkyou’llbe。ThatIdon’t。Weren’tyoucomfortableenoughinthehouse？Whateverpeople’llthinkofus—youthrowingyourselflikethisonaCharity？’
　　`Mydear，’screamedtheoldwomanearnestlyabovethenoise，`you’vebeenthebestofdaughterstome。AstoMrVerloc—there——
　　WordsfailingheronthesubjectofMrVerloc’sexcellence，sheturnedheroldtearfuleyestotheroofofthecab。Thensheavertedherheadonthepretenceoflookingoutofthewindow，asiftojudgeoftheirprogress。
　　Itwasinsignificant，andwentonclosetothekerbstone。Night，theearlydirtynight，thesinister，noisy，hopeless，androwdynightofSouthLondon，hadovertakenheronherlastcabdrive。Inthegas—lightofthelow—frontedshopsherbigcheeksglowedwithanorangehueunderablackandmauvebonnet。
　　MrsVerloc’smother’scomplexionhadbecomeyellowbytheeffectofageandfromanaturalpredispositiontobiliousness，favouredbythetrialsofadifficultandworriedexistence，firstaswife，thenaswidow。Itwasacomplexionthatundertheinfluenceofablushwouldtakeonanorangetint。Andthiswoman，modestindeedbuthardenedinthefiresofadversity，ofanage，moreover，whenblushesarenotexpected，hadpositivelyblushedbeforeherdaughter。Intheprivacyofafour—wheeler，onherwaytoacharitycottage（oneofarow）whichbytheexiguityofitsdimensionsandthesimplicityofitsaccommodation，mightwellhavebeendevisedinkindnessasaplaceoftrainingforthestillmorestraitenedcircumstancesofthegrave，shewasforcedtohidefromherownchildablushofremorseandshame。
　　Whateverpeoplewillthink？Sheknewverywellwhattheydidthink，thepeopleWinniehadinhermind—theoldfriendsofherhusband，andotherstoo，whoseinterestshehadsolicitedwithsuchflatteringsuccess。
　　Shehadnotknownbeforewhatagoodbeggarshecouldbe。Butsheguessedverywellwhatinferencewasdrawnfromherapplication。Onaccountofthatshrinkingdelicacy，whichexistssidebysidewithaggressivebrutalityinmasculinenature，theinquiriesintohercircumstanceshadnotbeenpushedveryfar。Shehadcheckedthembyavisiblecompressionofthelipsandsomedisplayofanemotiondeterminedtobeeloquentlysilent。Andthemenwouldbecomesuddenlyincurious，afterthemanneroftheirkind。
　　Shecongratulatedherselfmorethanonceonhavingnothingtodowithwomen，whobeingnaturallymorecallousandavidofdetails，wouldhavebeenanxioustobeexactlyinformedbywhatsortofunkindconductherdaughterandson—in—lawhaddrivenhertothatsadextremity。ItwasonlybeforetheSecretaryofthegreatbrewerM。P。andChairmanoftheCharity，who，actingforhisprincipal，feltboundtobeconscientiouslyinquisitiveastotherealcircumstancesoftheapplicant，thatshehadburstintotearsoutrightandaloud，asacorneredwomanwillweep。Thethinandpolitegentleman，aftercontemplatingherwithanairofbeing`struckallofaheap’，abandonedhispositionunderthecoverofsoothingremarks。Shemustnotdistressherself。ThedeedoftheCharitydidnotabsolutelyspecify`childlesswidows’。Infact，itdidnotbyanymeansdisqualifyher。ButthediscretionoftheCommitteemustbeaninformeddiscretion。Onecouldunderstandverywellherunwillingnesstobeaburden，etc。，etc。Thereupon，tohisprofounddisappointment，MrsVerloc’smotherweptsomemorewithanaugmentedvehemence。
　　Thetearsofthatlargefemaleinadark，dustywig，andancientsilkdressfestoonedwithdingywhitecottonlace，werethetearsofgenuinedistress。Shehadweptbecauseshewasheroicandunscrupulousandfullofloveforbothherchildren。Girlsfrequentlygetsacrificedtothewelfareoftheboys。InthiscaseshewassacrificingWinnie。Bythesuppressionoftruthshewasslanderingher。Ofcourse，Winniewasindependent，andneednotcarefortheopinionofpeoplethatshewouldneverseeandwhowouldneverseeher;whereaspoorSteviehadnothingintheworldhecouldcallhisownexcepthismother’sheroismandunscrupulousness。
　　ThefirstsenseofsecurityfollowingonWinnie’smarriageworeoffintime（fornothinglasts），andMrsVerloc’smother，intheseclusionofthebackbedroom，hadrecalledtheteachingofthatexperiencewhichtheworldimpressesuponawidowedwoman。Butshehadrecalleditwithoutvainbitterness;herstoreofresignationamountedalmosttodignity。Shereflectedstoicallythateverythingdecays，wearsout，inthisworld;chatthewayofkindnessshouldbemadeeasytothewelldisposed;thatherdaughterWinniewasamostdevotedsister，andaveryself—confidentwifeindeed。AsregardsWinnie’ssisterlydevotion，herstoicismflinched。Sheexceptedthatsentimentfromtheruleofdecayaffectingallthingshumanandsomethingsdivine。Shecouldnothelpit;nottodosowouldhavefrightenedhertoomuch。Butinconsideringtheconditionsofherdaughter’smarriedstate，sherejectedfirmlyallflatteringillusions。ShetookthecoldandreasonableviewthatthelessstrainputonMrVerloc’skindnessthelongeritseffectswerelikely’tolast。Thatexcellentmanlovedhiswife，ofcourse，buthewould，nodoubt，prefertokeepasfewofherrelationsaswasconsistentwiththeproperdisplayofthatsentiment。ItwouldbebetterifitswholeeffectwereconcentratedonpoorStevie。Andtheheroicoldwomanresolvedongoingawayfromherchildrenasanactofdevotionandasamoveofdeeppolicy。
　　The`virtue’ofthispolicyconsistedinthis（MrsVerloc’smotherwassubtleinherway），thatStevie’smoralclaimwouldbestrengthened。Thepoorboy—agood，usefulboy，ifalittlepeculiar—hadnotasufficientstanding。Hehadbeentakenoverwithhismother，somewhatinthesamewayasthefurnitureoftheBelgravianmansionhadbeentakenover，asifonthegroundofbelongingtoherexclusively。Whatwillhappen，sheaskedherself（forMrsVerloc’smotherwasinameasureimaginative），whenIdie？Andwhensheaskedherselfthatquestionitwaswithdread。Itwasalsoterribletothinkthatshewouldnotthenhavethemeansofknowingwhathappenedtothepoorboy。Butbymakinghimovertohissister，bygoingthusaway，shegavehimtheadvantageofadirectlydependentposition。