Itgrewcolderanddark。Heturnedthecollarofhiscoatuptohisears。HehadvisionsofPiccadilly。Thiswild—goosechaseappearedsuddenlyadangerous，unfathomablebusiness。Lights，fellowship，security！’Neveragain！’hebrooded;’whywon’ttheyletmealone？’
　　Butitwasnotclearwhetherby’they’hemeanttheconventions，theBoleskeys，hispassions，orthosehauntingmemoriesofRozsi。Ifhehadonlyhadabagwithhim！Whatwashegoingtosay？Whatwashegoingtogetbythis？Hereceivednoanswertothesequestions。Thedarknessitselfwaslessobscurethanhissensations。Fromtimetotimehetookouthiswatch。Ateachvillagethedrivermadeinquiries。Itwaspasttenwhenhestoppedthecarriagewithajerk。
　　Thestarswerebrightassteel，andbythesideoftheroadareedylakeshowedinthemoonlight。Swithinshivered。Amanonahorsehadhaltedinthecentreoftheroad。"Driveon！"calledSwithin，withastolidface。ItturnedouttobeBoleskey，who，onagauntwhitehorse，lookedlikesomewingedcreature。Hestoodwherehecouldbartheprogressofthecarriage，holdingoutapistol。
　　’Theatricalbeggar！’thoughtSwithin，withanervoussmile。Hemadenosignofrecognition。SlowlyBoleskeybroughthisleanhorseuptothecarriage。Whenhesawwhowaswithinheshowedastonishmentandjoy。
　　"You？"hecried，slappinghishandonhisattenuatedthigh，andleaningovertillhisbeardtouchedSwithin。"Youhavecome？Youfollowedus？"
　　"Itseemsso，"Swithingruntedout。
　　"Youthrowinyourlotwithus。Isitpossible？You——youareaknight—errantthen！"
　　"GoodGod！"saidSwithin。Boleskey，flogginghisdejectedsteed，canteredforwardinthemoonlight。Hecameback，bringinganoldcloak，whichheinsistedonwrappingroundSwithin’sshoulders。Hehandedhim，too，acapaciousflask。
　　"Howcoldyoulook！"hesaid。"Wonderful！Wonderful！youEnglish！"
　　HisgratefuleyesneverleftSwithinforamoment。Theyhadcomeuptotheheelsoftheothercarriagenow，butSwithin，hunchedinthecloak，didnottrytoseewhatwasinfrontofhim。TothebottomofhissoulheresentedtheHungarian’sgratitude。Heremarkedatlast，withwastedirony:
　　"You’reinahurry，itseems！"
　　"Ifwehadwings，"Boleskeyanswered，"wewouldusethem。"
　　"Wings！"mutteredSwithinthickly;"legsaregoodenoughforme。"
　　X
　　Arrivedattheinnwheretheyweretopassthenight，Swithinwaited，hopingtogetintothehousewithouta"scene，"butwhenatlasthealightedthegirlswereinthedoorway，andMargitgreetedhimwithanadmiringmurmur，inwhich，however，heseemedtodetectirony。
　　Rozsi，paleandtremulous，withahalf—scaredlook，gavehimherhand，and，quicklywithdrawingit，shrankbehindhersister。WhentheyhadgoneuptotheirroomSwithinsoughtBoleskey。Hisspiritshadrisenremarkably。"Tellthelandlordtogetussupper，"hesaid;
　　"we’llcrackabottletoourluck。"Hehurriedonthelandlord’spreparations。Thewindowofthe，roomfacedawood，sonearthathecouldalmosttouchthetrees。Thescentfromthepinesblewinonhim。Heturnedawayfromthatscenteddarkness，andbegantodrawthecorksofwinebottles。ThesoundseemedtoconjureupBoleskey。
　　Hecamein，splashedallover，smellingslightlyofstables;soonafter，Margitappeared，freshandserene，butRozsididnotcome。
　　"Whereisyoursister？"Swithinsaid。Rozsi，itseemed，wastired。
　　"Itwilldohergoodtoeat，"saidSwithin。AndBoleskey，murmuring，"Shemustdrinktoourcountry，"wentouttosummonher，Margitfollowedhim，whileSwithincutupachicken。Theycamebackwithouther。Shehad"amegrimofthespirit。"
　　Swithin’sfacefell。"Lookhere！"hesaid，"I’llgoandtry。Don’twaitforme。"
　　"Yes，"answeredBoleskey，sinkingmournfullyintoachair;"try，brother，try—byallmeans，try。"
　　Swithinwalkeddownthecorridorwithanodd，sweet，sinkingsensationinhischest;andtappedonRozsi’sdoor。Inaminute，shepeepedforth，withherhairloose，andwonderingeyes。
　　"Rozsi，"hestammered，"whatmakesyouafraidofme，now？"
　　Shestaredathim，butdidnotanswer。
　　"Whywon’tyoucome？"
　　Stillshedidnotspeak，butsuddenlystretchedouttohimherbarearm。Swithinpressedhisfacetoit。Withashiver，shewhisperedabovehim，"Iwillcome，"andgentlyshutthedoor。
　　Swithinstealthilyretracedhissteps，andpausedaminuteoutsidethesitting—roomtoregainhisself—control。
　　ThesightofBoleskeywithabottleinhishandsteadiedhim。
　　"Sheiscoming，"hesaid。Andverysoonshedidcome，herthickhairroughlytwistedinaplait。
　　Swithinsatbetweenthegirls;butdidnottalk，forhewasreallyhungry。Boleskeytoowassilent，plungedingloom;Rozsiwasdumb;
　　Margitalonechattered。
　　"YouwillcometoourFather—town？Weshallhavethingstoshowyou。
　　Rozsi，whatthingswewillshowhim！"Rozsi，withalittleappealingmovementofherhands，repeated，"Whatthingswewillshowyou！"Sheseemedsuddenlytofindhervoice，andwithglowingcheeks，mouthsfull，andeyesbrightassquirrels’，theychatteredreminiscencesofthe"dearFather—town，"of"dearfriends，"ofthe"dearhome。"
　　’Apoorplace！’Swithincouldnothelpthinking。Thisenthusiasmseemedtohimcommon;buthewascarefultoassumealookofinterest，feedingontheglancesflashedathimfromRozsi’srestlesseyes。
　　AsthewinewanedBoleskeygrewmoreandmoregloomy，butnowandthenasortofgleamingflickerpassedoverhisface。Herosetohisfeetatlast。
　　"Letusnotforget，"hesaid，"thatwegoperhapstoruin，todeath;
　　inthefaceofallthiswego，becauseourcountryneeds——inthisthereisnocredit，neithertomenortoyou，mydaughters;butforthisnobleEnglishman，whatshallwesay？GivethankstoGodforagreatheart。Hecomes——notforcountry，notforfame，notformoney，buttohelptheweakandtheoppressed。Letusdrink，then，tohim;
　　letusdrinkagainandagaintoheroicForsyte！"Inthemidstofthedeadsilence，SwithincaughtthelookofsuppliantmockeryinRozsi’seyes。HeglancedattheHungarian。Washelaughingathim？ButBoleskey，afterdrinkinguphiswine，hadsunkagainintohisseat;
　　andtheresuddenly，tothesurpriseofall，hebegantosnore。
　　Margitroseand，bendingoverhimlikeamother，murmured:"Heistired——itistheride！"Sheraisedhiminherstrongarms，andleaningonhershoulderBoleskeystaggeredfromtheroom。SwithinandRozsiwereleftalone。Heslidhishandtowardsherhandthatlaysoclose，ontheroughtable—cloth。Itseemedtoawaithistouch。Somethinggavewayinhim，andwordscamewellingup;forthemomentheforgothimself，forgoteverythingbutthathewasnearher。
　　Herheaddroppedonhisshoulder，hebreathedtheperfumeofherhair。"Good—night！"shewhispered，andthewhisperwaslikeakiss;
　　yetbeforehecouldstophershewasgone。Herfootstepsdiedawayinthepassage，butSwithinsatgazingintentlyatasinglebrightdropofspiltwinequiveringonthetable’sedge。Inthatmomentshe，inherhelplessnessandemotion，wasallinalltohim——hislifenothing;alltherealthings——hisconventions，convictions，training，andhimself——allseemedremote，behindamistofpassionandstrangechivalry。Carefullywithabitofbreadhesoakedupthebrightdrop;andsuddenlyhethought:’Thisistremendous！’Foralongtimehestoodthereinthewindow，closetothedarkpine—trees。
　　XI
　　Intheearlymorningheawoke，fullofthediscomfortofthisstrangeplaceandthemedleyofhisdreams。Lying，withhisnosepeepingoverthequilt，hewasvisitedbyahorriblesuspicion。Whenhecouldbearitnolonger，hestartedupinbed。Whatifitwereallaplottogethimtomarryher？Thethoughtwastreacherous，andinspiredinhimafaintdisgust。Still，shemightbeignorantofit！
　　Butwasshesoinnocent？Whatinnocentgirlwouldhavecometohisroomlikethat？Whatinnocentgirl？Herfather，whopretendedtobecaringonlyforhiscountry？Itwasnotprobablethatanymanwassuchafool;itwasallpartofthegame—aschemingrascal！
　　Kasteliz，too——histhreats！Theyintendedhimtomarryher！Andthehorridideawasstrengthenedbyhisreverenceformarriage。Itwastheproper，therespectablecondition;hewasgenuinelyafraidofthisothersortofliaison——itwassomehowtooprimitive！Andyetthethoughtofthatmarriagemadehisbloodruncold。Consideringthatshehadalreadyyielded，itwouldbeallthemoremonstrous！
　　Withthecold，fatalclearnessofthemorninglighthenowforthefirsttimesawhispositioninitsfullbearings。And，likeafishpulledoutofwater，hegaspedatwhatwasdisclosed。Sullenresentmentagainstthisattempttoforcehimsettleddeepintohissoul。
　　Heseatedhimselfonthebed，holdinghisheadinhishands，solemnlythinkingoutwhatsuchmarriagemeant。Inthefirstplaceitmeantridicule，inthenextplaceridicule，inthelastplaceridicule。
　　Shewouldeatchickenboneswithherfingers——thosefingershislipsstillburnedtokiss。Shewoulddancewildlywithothermen。Shewouldtalkofher"dearFather—town，"andallthetimehereyeswouldlookbeyondhim，somewhereorotherintosomed——dplaceheknewnothingof。Hesprangupandpacedtheroom，andforamomentthoughthewouldgomad。
　　Theymeanthimtomarryher！Evenshe——shemeanthimtomarryher！
　　Hertantalisinginscrutability;hersuddenlittletendernesses;herquicklaughter;herswift，burningkisses;eventhemovementsofherhands;hertears——allwereevidenceagainsther。NotoneofthesethingsthatNaturemadeherdocountedonherside，buthowtheyfannedhislonging，hisdesire，anddistress！Hewenttotheglassandtriedtoparthishairwithhisfingers，butbeingratherfine，itfellintolankstreaks。Therewasnocomforttobegotfromit。
　　Hedrewhismuddybootson。Suddenlyhethought:’IfIcouldseeheralone，Icouldarriveatsomearrangement！’Then，withasenseofstupefaction，hemadethediscoverythatnoarrangementcouldpossiblybemadethatwouldnotbedangerous，evendesperate。Heseizedhishat，and，likearabbitthathasbeenfiredat，boltedfromtheroom。Heploddedalongamongstthedampwoodswithhisheaddown，andresentmentanddismayinhisheart。But，asthesunrose，andtheairgrewsweetwithpinescent，heslowlyregainedasortofequability。Afterall，shehadalreadyyielded;itwasnotasif……！
　　Andthetrampofhisownfootstepslulledhimintofeelingthatitwouldallcomeright。
　　’Lookatthethingpractically，’hethought。Thefasterhewalkedthefirmerbecamehisconvictionthathecouldstillseeitthrough。
　　Hetookouthiswatch——itwaspastseven——hebegantohastenback。
　　Intheyardoftheinnhisdriverwasharnessingthehorses;Swithinwentuptohim。
　　"Whotoldyoutoputthemin？"heasked。
　　Thedriveranswered，"DerHerr。"
　　Swithinturnedaway。’Intenminutes，’hethought，’Ishallbeinthatcarriageagain，withthisgoingoninmyhead！DrivingawayfromEngland，fromallI’musedto—drivingto—what？’Couldhefaceit？Couldhefaceallthathehadbeenthroughthatmorning;faceitdayafterday，nightafternight？Lookingup，hesawRozsiatheropenwindowgazingdownathim;neverhadshelookedsweeter，moreroguish。Aninexplicableterrorseizedonhim;heranacrosstheyardandjumpedintohiscarriage。"ToSalzburg！"hecried;"driveon！"Andrattlingoutoftheyardwithoutalookbehind，heflungasovereignatthehostler。Flyingbackalongtheroadfastereventhanhehadcome，withpaleface，andeyesblankandstaringlikeapug—dog’s，Swithinspokenosingleword;nor，tillhehadreachedthedoorofhislodgings，didhesufferthedrivertodrawrein。
　　XII
　　Towardsevening，fivedayslater，Swithin，yellowandtravel—worn，wasferriedinagondolatoDanielli’sHotel。Hisbrother，whowasonthesteps，lookedathimwithanapprehensivecuriosity。
　　"Why，it’syou！"hemumbled。"Soyou’vegotheresafe？"
　　"Safe？"growledSwithin。
　　Jamesreplied，"Ithoughtyouwouldn’tleaveyourfriends！"Then，withajerkofsuspicion，"Youhaven’tbroughtyourfriends？"
　　"Whatfriends？"growledSwithin。
　　Jameschangedthesubject。"Youdon’tlookthething，"hesaid。
　　"Really！"mutteredSwithin;"what’sthattoyou？"
　　Heappearedatdinnerthatnight，butfellasleepoverhiscoffee。
　　NeitherTraquairnorJamesaskedhimanyfurtherquestion，nordidtheyalludetoSalzburg;andduringthefourdayswhichconcludedthestayinVeniceSwithinwentaboutwithhisheadup，buthiseyeshalf—closedlikeadazedman。OnlyaftertheyhadtakenshipatGenoadidheshowsignsofanyhealthyinterestinlife，when，findingthatamanonboardwasperpetuallystrumming，helockedthepianoupandpitchedthekeyintothesea。
　　ThatwinterinLondonhebehavedmuchasusual，butfitsofmorosenesswouldseizeonhim，duringwhichhewasnotpleasanttoapproach。
　　OneeveningwhenhewaswalkingwithafriendinPiccadilly，agirlcomingfromaside—streetaccostedhiminGerman。Swithin，afterstaringatherinsilenceforsomeseconds，handedherafive—poundnote，tothegreatamazementofhisfriend;norcouldhehimselfhaveexplainedthemeaningofthisfreakofgenerosity。
　　OfRozsiheneverheardagain……
　　This，then，wasthesubstanceofwhatherememberedashelayillinbed。Stretchingouthishandhepressedthebell。Hisvaletappeared，crossingtheroomlikeacat;aSwede，whohadbeenwithSwithinmanyyears;alittlemanwithadriedfaceandfiercemoustache，morbidlysharpnerves，andaqueerdevotiontohismaster。
　　Swithinmadeafeeblegesture。"Adolf，"hesaid，"I’mverybad。"
　　"Yes，sir！"
　　"Whydoyoustandtherelikeacow？"askedSwithin;"can’tyouseeI’mverybad？"
　　"Yes，sir！"Thevalet’sfacetwitchedasthoughitmaskedthedanceofobscureemotions。
　　"Ishallfeelbetterafterdinner。Whattimeisit？"
　　"Fiveo’clock。"
　　"Ithoughtitwasmore。Theafternoonsareverylong。"
　　"Yes，sir！"Swithinsighed，asthoughhehadexpectedtheconsolationofdenial。
　　"VerylikelyIshallhaveanap。Bringuphotwaterathalf—pastsixandshavemebeforedinner。"
　　Thevaletmovedtowardsthedoor。Swithinraisedhimself。
　　"WhatdidMr。Jamessaytoyou？"
　　"Hesaidyououghttohaveanotherdoctor;twodoctors，hesaid，betterthanone。Hesaid，also，hewouldlookinagainonhisway’home。’"
　　Swithingrunted，"Umph！Whatelsedidhesay？"
　　"Hesaidyoudidn’ttakecareofyourself。"
　　Swithinglared。
　　"Hasanybodyelsebeentoseeme？"
　　Thevaletturnedawayhiseyes。"Mrs。ThomasForsytecamelastMondayfortnight。"
　　"HowlonghaveIbeenill？"
　　"FiveweeksonSaturday。"
　　"DoyouthinkI’mverybad？"
　　Adolf’sfacewascoveredsuddenlywithcrow’s—feet。"Youhavenobusinesstoaskmequestionlikethat！Iamnotpaid，sir，toanswerquestionlikethat。"
　　Swithinsaidfaintly:"You’reapepperyfool！Openabottleofchampagne！"
　　Adolftookabottleofchampagne——fromacupboardandheldnipperstoit。HefixedhiseyesonSwithin。"Thedoctorsaid——"
　　"Openthebottle！"
　　"Itisnot——"
　　"Openthebottle——orIgiveyouwarning。"
　　Adolfremovedthecork。Hewipedaglasselaborately，filledit，andboreitscrupulouslytothebedside。Suddenlytwirlinghismoustaches，hewrunghishands，andburstout:"Itispoison。"
　　Swithingrinnedfaintly。"Youforeignfool！"hesaid。"Getout！"
　　Thevaletvanished。
　　’Heforgothimself！’thoughtSwithin。Slowlyheraisedtheglass，slowlyputitback，andsankgaspingonhispillows。Almostatoncehefellasleep。
　　Hedreamedthathewasathisclub，sittingafterdinnerinthecrowdedsmoking—room，withitsbrightwallsandtrefoilsoflight。
　　Itwastherethathesateveryevening，patient，solemn，lonely，andsometimesfellasleep，hissquare，paleoldfacenoddingtooneside。
　　Hedreamedthathewasgazingatthepictureoverthefireplace，ofanoldstatesmanwithahighcollar，supremelyfinishedface，andscepticaleyebrows——thepicture，smooth，andreticentassealing—wax，ofonewhoseemedforeverexhalingthenarrowwisdomoffinaljudgments。Allroundhim，hisfellowmemberswerechattering。Onlyhehimself，theoldsickmember，wassilent。Iffellowsonlyknewwhatitwasliketositbyyourselfandfeelillallthetime！Whattheyweresayinghehadheardahundredtimes。Theyweretalkingofinvestments，ofcigars，horses，actresses，machinery。Whatwasthat？
　　Aforeignpatentforcleaningboilers？Therewasnosuchthing;
　　boilerscouldn’tbecleaned，anyfoolknewthat！IfanEnglishmancouldn’tcleanaboiler，noforeignercouldcleanone。Heappealedtotheoldstatesman’seyes。Butforoncethoseeyesseemedhesitating，blurred，wantinginfinality。Theyvanished。IntheirplacewereRozsi’slittledeep—seteyes，withtheirwideandfar—offlook;andashegazedtheyseemedtogrowbrightassteel，andtospeaktohim。Slowlythewholefacegrewtobethere，floatingonthedarkbackgroundofthepicture;itwaspink，aloof，unfathomable，enticing，withitsfluffyhairandquicklips，justashehadlastseenit。"Areyoulookingforsomething？"sheseemedtosay:"I
　　couldshowyou。"
　　"Ihaveeverythingsafeenough，"answeredSwithin，andinhissleephegroaned。
　　Hefeltthetouchoffingersonhisforehead。’I’mdreaming，’hethoughtinhisdream。
　　Shehadvanished;andfaraway，frombehindthepicture，cameasoundoffootsteps。
　　Aloud，inhissleep，Swithinmuttered:"I’vemissedit。"
　　Againheheardtherustlingofthoselightfootsteps，andcloseinhisearasound，likeasob。Heawoke;thesobwashisown。Greatdropsofperspirationstoodonhisforehead。’Whatisit？’hethought;’whathaveIlost？’Slowlyhismindtravelledoverhisinvestments;hecouldnotthinkofanysingleonethatwasunsafe。
　　Whatwasit，then，thathehadlost？Strugglingonhispillows，heclutchedthewine—glass。Hislipstouchedthewine。’Thisisn’tthe"Heidseck"！’hethoughtangrily，andbeforetherealityofthatdispleasureallthedimvisionpassedaway。Butashebenttodrink，somethingsnapped，and，withasigh，SwithinForsytediedabovethebubbles……
　　WhenJamesForsytecameinagainonhiswayhome，thevalet，tremblingtookhishatandstick。
　　"How’syourmaster？"
　　"Mymasterisdead，sir！"
　　"Dead！Hecan’tbe！Ilefthimsafeanhourago。
　　OnthebedSwithin’sbodywasdoubledlikeasack;hishandstillgraspedtheglass。
　　JamesForsytepaused。"Swithin！"hesaid，andwithhishandtohisearhewaitedforananswer;butnonecame，andslowlyintheglassalastbubbleroseandburst。
　　December1900。
　　ToMYSISTER
　　MABELEDITHREYNOLDS
　　THESILENCE
　　I
　　InacaroftheNaplesexpressaminingexpertwasdivingintoabagforpapers。Thestrongsunlightshowedthefinewrinklesonhisbrownfaceandtheshabbinessofhisshort，roughbeard。Anewspapercuttingslippedfromhisfingers;hepickeditup，thinking:’Howthedickensdidthatgetinhere？’Itwasfromacolonialprintofthreeyearsback;andhesatstaring，asifinthatforlornslipofyellowpaperhehadencounteredsomeghostfromhispast。
　　Thesewerethewordsheread:"Wehopethatthesetbacktocivilisation，thechecktocommerceanddevelopment，inthispromisingcentreofourcolonymaybebuttemporary;andthatcapitalmayagaincometotherescue。Whereonemanwassuccessful，othersshouldsurelynotfail？Weareconvincedthatitonlyneeds……"
　　Andthelastwords:"Forwhatcanbesadderthantoseetheforestspreadingitslengtheningshadows，likesymbolsofdefeat，overtheuntenanteddwellingsofmen;andwherewasoncethemerrychatterofhumanvoices，topassbyinthesilence……"
　　Onanafternoon，thirteenyearsbefore，hehadbeeninthecityofLondon，atoneofthoseemporiumswhereminingexpertsperch，beforefreshflights，likesea—gullsonsomefavouriterock。Aclerksaidtohim:"Mr。Scorrier，theyareaskingforyoudownstairs——Mr。
　　HemmingsoftheNewCollieryCompany。"
　　Scorriertookupthespeakingtube。"Isthatyou，Mr。Scorrier？I
　　hopeyouareverywell，sir，Iam——Hemmings——Iam——comingup。"
　　Intwominutesheappeared，ChristopherHemmings，secretaryoftheNewCollieryCompany，knownintheCity—behindhisback——as"Down—by—
　　the—starn"Hemmings。HegraspedScorrier’shand——thegesturewasdeferential，yetdistinguished。Toohandsome，toocapable，tooimportant，hisfigure，thecutofhisiron—greybeard，andhisintrusivelyfineeyes，conveyedacontinualcourteousinvitationtoinspecttheirinfallibilities。Hestood，likeaCity"Atlas，"withhislegsapart，hiscoat—tailsgatheredinhishands，awholeglobeoffinancialmattersdeftlybalancedonhisnose。"Lookatme！"heseemedtosay。"It’sheavy，buthoweasilyIcarryit。Notthemantoletitdown，Sir！"
　　"IhopeIseeyouwell，Mr。Scorrier，"hebegan。"Ihavecomeroundaboutourmine。Thereisaquestionofafreshfieldbeingopenedup——betweenourselves，notbeforeit’swanted。IfinditdifficulttogetmyBoardtotakeacomprehensiveview。Inshort，thequestionis:Areyoupreparedtogooutforus，andreportonit？Thefeeswillbeallright。"Hislefteyeclosed。"Thingshavebeenvery——
　　er——dicky;wearegoingtochangeoursuperintendent。IhavegotlittlePippin——youknowlittlePippin？"
　　Scorriermurmured，withafeelingofvagueresentment:"Ohyes。He’snotaminingman！"
　　Hemmingsreplied:"Wethinkthathewilldo。"’Doyou？’thoughtScorrier;’that’sgoodofyou！’
　　HehadnotaltogethershakenoffaworshiphehadfeltforPippin——
　　"King"Pippinhewasalwayscalled，whentheyhadbeenboysattheCamborneGrammar—school。"King"Pippin！theboywiththebrightcolour，verybrighthair，bright，subtle，elusiveeyes，broadshoulders，littlestoopintheneck，andawayofmovingitquicklylikeabird;theboywhowasalwaysatthetopofeverything，andheldhisheadasiflookingforsomethingfurthertobethetopof。
　　Herememberedhowoneday"King"Pippinhadsaidtohiminhissoftway，"YoungScorrie，I’lldoyoursumsforyou";andinanswertohisdubious，"Isthatallright？"hadreplied，"Ofcourse——Idon’twantyoutogetbehindthatbeastBlake，he’snotaCornishman"（thebeastBlakewasanIrishmannotyettwelve）。Heremembered，too，anoccasionwhen"King"Pippinwithtwootherboysfoughtsixloutsandgotalicking，andhowPippinsatforhalfanhourafterwards，allbloody，hisheadinhishands，rockingtoandfro，andweepingtearsofmortification;andhowthenextdayhehadsneakedoffbyhimself，and，attackingthesamegang，gotfrightfullymauledasecondtime。
　　Thinkingofthesethingsheansweredcurtly:"WhenshallIstart？"
　　"Down—by—the—starn"Hemmingsrepliedwithasortoffearfulsprightliness:"There’sagoodfellow！Iwillsendinstructions;sogladtoseeyouwell。"ConferringonScorrieralook——finetothevergeofvulgarity——hewithdrew。Scorrierremained，seated;heavywithinsignificanceandvagueoppression，asifhehaddrunkatumblerofsweetport。
　　Aweeklater，incompanywithPippin，hewasonboardaliner。
　　The"King"Pippinofhisschool—dayswasnowamanofforty—four。HeawakenedinScorriertheuncertainwonderwithwhichmenlookbackwardattheiruncomplicatedteens;andstaggeringupanddownthedecksinthelongAtlanticroll，hewouldstealglancesathiscompanion，asifheexpectedtofindoutfromthemsomethingabouthimself。Pippinhadstill"King"Pippin’sbright，finehair，anddazzlingstreaksinhisshortbeard;hehadstillabrightcolourandsuavevoice，andwhattherewereofwrinklessuggestedonlysubtletiesofhumourandironicsympathy。Fromthefirst，andapparentlywithoutnegotiation，hehadhisseatatthecaptain’stable，towhichontheseconddayScorriertoofoundhimselftranslated，andhadtosit，asheexpresseditruefully，"amongthebig—wigs。"
　　DuringthevoyageonlyoneincidentimpresseditselfonScorrier’smemory，andthatforadisconcertingreason。Intheforecastleweretheusualcomplementofemigrants。Oneevening，leaningacrosstherailtowatchthem，hefeltatouchonhisarm;and，lookinground，sawPippin’sfaceandbeardquiveringinthelamplight。"Poorpeople！"hesaid。TheideaflashedonScorrierthathewaslikesomefinewiresound—recordinginstrument。
　　’Supposeheweretosnap！’hethought。Impelledtojustifythisfancy，heblurtedout:"You’reanervouschap。Thewayyoulookatthosepoordevils！"
　　Pippinhustledhimalongthedeck。"Come，come，youtookmeoffmyguard，"hemurmured，withasly，gentlesmile，"that’snotfair。"
　　HefounditacontinualsourceofwonderthatPippin，athisage，shouldcuthimselfadriftfromtheassociationsandsecurityofLondonlifetobeginanewcareerinanewcountrywithdubiousprospectofsuccess。’Ialwaysheardhewasdoingwellallround，’
　　hethought;’thinkshe’llbetterhimself，perhaps。He’satrueCornishman。’
　　Themorningofarrivalatthemineswasgreyandcheerless;acloudofsmoke，beatendownbydrizzle，clungabovetheforest;thewoodenhousesstraggleddismallyintheunkemptsemblanceofastreet，againstabackgroundofendless，silentwoods。Anairofblankdiscouragementbroodedovereverything;cranesjuttedidlyoveremptytrucks;thelongjettyoozedblackslime;minerswithlistlessfacesstoodintherain;dogsfoughtundertheirverylegs。OnthewaytothehoteltheymetnoonebusyorsereneexceptaChineewhowaspolishingadish—cover。
　　Thelatesuperintendent，acowedman，regaledthematlunchwithhisforebodings;hisattitudetowardthesituationwaslikethefood，whichwasgreasyanduninspiring。Alonetogetheroncemore，thetwonewcomerseyedeachothersadly。