Fred。Patties，ma’am！kickshaws！Ihatekickshaws。Notworthputtingunderacover，ma’am。Andwhynothaveglasscovers，thatonemayseeone’sdinnerbeforeone，beforeitgrowscoldwithaskingquestions，Mrs。
　　Carbuncle，andliftingupcovers？Butnobodyhasanysense：andIseenowaterplatesanywhere，lately。
　　Mar。Do，pray，doctor，letmehelpyoutoabitofchickenbeforeitgetscold，mydear。
　　Fred。aside。Mydear，again，Marianne！
　　Mar。Yes，brother，becausesheisfrightened，youknow，andMrs。
　　Carbunclealwayssaysmydeartohimwhenshe’sfrightened，andlookssopalefromsidetoside。andsometimesshecriesbeforedinner’sdone，andthenallthecompanyarequitesilent，anddon’tknowwhattodo。
　　Oh，suchalittlecreature。tohavesomuchsense，too！exclaimedMrs。
　　Theresa，withrapture。Mr。Frederick，you’llmakemediewithlaughing！
　　Praygoon，Dr。Carbuncle。
　　Fred。Well，ma’am，thenifImusteatsomething，sendmeabitoffowl。
　　alegandwing，theliverwing，andabitofthebreast，oystersauce，andasliceofthatham，ifyouplease，ma’am。
　　Dr。Carbuncleeatsvoraciously，withhisheaddowntohisplate，and，droppingthesauce，hebuttonsuphiscoattightacrossthebreast。
　　Fred。Here。aplate，knifeandfork，bito’bread，aglassofDorchesterale！
　　Oh，admirable！exclaimedMrs。Tattle，clappingherhands。
　　Now，brother，supposethatitisafterdinner，saidMarianne。andshowushowthedoctorgoestosleep。
　　Frederickthrewhimselfbackinanarm-chair，leaninghisheadback，withhismouthopen，snoring。noddedfromtimetotime，crossedanduncrossedhislegs，triedtoawakehimselfbytwitchinghiswig，settlinghiscollar，blowinghisnoseandrappingonthelidofhissnuff-box。
　　AllwhichinfinitelydivertedMrs。Tattle，who，whenshecouldstopherselffromlaughing，declaredItmadehersigh，too，tothinkofthelifepoorMrs。Carbuncleledwiththatman，andallfornothing，too。forherjointurewasnothing，nexttonothing，thoughagreatthing，tobesure，herfriendsthoughtforher，whenshewasonlySallyRidgewaybeforeshewasmarried。Suchawifeasshemakes，continuedMrs。
　　Theresa，liftingupherhandsandeyestoheaven，andsomuchasshehasgonethrough，thebruteoughttobeashamedofhimselfifhedoesnotleavehersomethingextraordinaryinhiswill。forturnitwhichwayshewill，shecanneverkeepacarriage，orlivelikeanybodyelse，onherjointure，afterall，shetellsme，poorsoul！Asadprospect，afterherhusband’sdeath，tolookforwardto，insteadofbeingcomfortable，asherfriendsexpected。andshe，pooryoungthing！knowingnobetterwhentheymarriedher！Peopleshouldlookintothesethings，beforehand，ornevermarryatall，Isay，MissMarianne。
　　MissMarianne，whodidnotclearlycomprehendthisaffairofthejointure，orthereasonwhyMrs。Carbunclewouldbesounhappyafterherhusband’sdeath，turnedtoFrederick，whowasatthatinstantstudyingMrs。Theresaasafuturecharactertomimic。Brother，saidMarianne，nowsinganItaliansongforuslikeMissCroker。Pray，MissCroker，favouruswithasong。Mrs。TheresaTattlehasneverhadthepleasureofhearingyousing。she’squiteimpatienttohearyousing。
　　Yes，indeed，Iam，saidMrs。Theresa。
　　Frederickputhishandsbeforehimaffectedly。Oh，indeed，ma’am！
　　indeed，ladies！Ireallyamsohoarse，itdistressesmesotobepressedtosing。besides，uponmyword，Ihavequiteleftoffsinging。I’veneversungonce，exceptforveryparticularpeople，thiswinter。
　　Mar。ButMrs。TheresaTattleisaveryparticularperson。I’msureyou’llsingforher。
　　Fred。Certainly，ma’am，Iallowthatyouuseapowerfulargument。butI
　　assureyounow，Iwoulddomybesttoobligeyou，butIabsolutelyhaveforgottenallmyEnglishsongs。NobodyhearsanythingbutItaliannow，andIhavebeensogiddyastoleavemyItalianmusicbehindme。
　　Besides，Imakeitarulenevertohazardmyselfwithoutanaccompaniment。
　　Mar。Oh，try，MissCroker，foronce。
　　[Fredericksings，aftermuchpreluding。]
　　Violanteinthepantry，Gnawingofamutton-bone。
　　Howshegnawedit，Howsheclaw’dit，Whenshefoundherselfalone！
　　Charming！exclaimedMrs。Tattle。solikeMissCroker，I’msureIshallthinkofyou，Mr。Frederick，whenIhearheraskedtosingagain。Hervoice，however，introduceshertoverypleasantparties，andshe’sagirlthat’sverymuchtakennoticeof，andIdon’tdoubtwillgooffvastlywell。She’saparticularfavouriteofmine，youmustknow。andImeantodoherapieceofservicethefirstopportunity，bysayingsomethingorother，thatshallgoroundtoherrelationsinNorthumberland，andmakethemdosomethingforher。aswelltheymay，fortheyareallrollingingold，andwon’tgiveherapenny。
　　Mar。Now，brother，readthenewspaperlikeCounsellorPuff。
　　Oh，praydo，Mr。Frederick，forIdeclareIadmireyouofallthings！
　　Youarequiteyourselfto-night。Here’sanewspaper，sir，prayletushaveCounsellorPuff。It’snotlate。
　　[Frederickreadsinapompousvoice。]
　　Asadelicatewhitehandhaseverbeendeemedadistinguishingornamentineithersex，Messrs。ValiantandWiseconceiveittobetheirdutytotaketheearliestopportunitytoadvertisethenobilityandgentryofGreatBritainingeneral，andtheirfriendsinparticular，thattheyhavenowreadyforsale，asusual，attheHippocrates’Head，afreshassortmentofnew-invented，muchadmired，primrosesoap。Topreventimpositionsandcounterfeits，thepublicarerequestedtotakenotice，thattheonlygenuineprimrosesoapisstampedontheoutside，’ValiantandWise。’
　　Oh，youmostincomparablemimic！’tisabsolutelythecounsellorhimself。
　　Iabsolutelymustshowyou，someday，tomyfriendLadyBattersby。you’dabsolutelymakeherdiewithlaughing。andshe’dquiteadoreyou，saidMrs。Theresa，whowaswellawarethateverypausemustbefilledwithflattery。Praygoon，praygoon。Ishallneverbetired，ifIsitlookingatyouthesehundredyears。
　　Stimulatedbytheseplaudits，FrederickproceededtoshowhowColonelEpauletteblewhisnose，flourishedhiscambrichandkerchief，bowedtoLadyDianaPeriwinkle，andadmiredherwork，saying，Donebynohands，asyoumayguess，butthoseofFairlyFair。WhilstLadyDiana，heobserved，simperedsoprettily，andtookherselfsoquietlyforFairlyFair，notperceivingthatthecolonelwasadmiringhisownnailsallthewhile。
　　NexttoColonelEpaulette，Frederick，atMarianne’sparticulardesire，cameintotheroomlikeSirCharlesSlang。
　　Verywell，brother，criedshe，yourhanddowntotheverybottomofyourpocket，andyourothershoulderuptoyourear。butyouarenotquitewoodenenough，andyoushouldwalkasifyourhipwereoutofjoint。Therenow，Mrs。Tattle，arenotthosegoodeyes？Theystaresolikehis，withoutseemingtoseeanythingallthewhile。
　　Excellent！admirable！Mr。Frederick。ImustsaythatyouarethebestmimicofyourageIeversaw，andI’msureLadyBattersbywillthinksotoo。ThatisSirCharlestotheverylife。Butwithallthat，youmustknowhe’samightypleasant，fashionableyoungmanwhenyoucometoknowhim，andhasagreatdealofsenseunderallthat，andisofaverygoodfamily——theSlangs，youknow。SirCharleswillcomeintoafinefortunehimselfnextyear，ifhecankeepclearofgambling，whichIhearishisfoible，pooryoungman！Praygoon。Iinterruptyou，Mr。Frederick。
　　Now，brother，saidMarianne。
　　No，Marianne，Icandonomore。I’mquitetired，andIwilldonomore，saidFrederick，stretchinghimselfatfulllengthuponasofa。
　　Eveninthemidstoflaughter，andwhilstthevoiceofflatteryyetsoundedinhisear，Frederickfeltsad，displeasedwithhimself，anddisgustedwithMrs。Theresa。
　　Whatadeepsighwasthere！saidMrs。Theresa。whatcanmakeyousighsobitterly？You，whomakeeverybodyelselaugh。Oh，suchanothersighagain！
　　Marianne，criedFrederick，doyourememberthemaninthemask？
　　Whatmaninthemask，brother？
　　Theman——theactor——thebuffoon，thatmyfathertoldusof，whousedtocrybehindthemaskthatmadeeverybodyelselaugh。
　　Cry！blessme，saidMrs。Theresa，mightyodd！veryextraordinary！butonecan’tbesurprisedatmeetingwithextraordinarycharactersamongstthatraceofpeople，actorsbyprofession，youknow。fortheyarebroughtupfromtheeggtomaketheirfortune，oratleasttheirbreadbytheiroddities。But，mydearMr。Frederick，youarequitepale，quiteexhausted。nowonder——whatwillyouhave？aglassofcowslip-wine？
　　Ohno，thankyou，ma’am，saidFrederick。
　　Ohyes。indeedyoumustnotleavemewithouttakingsomething。andMissMariannemusthaveanothermacaroon。Iinsistuponit，saidMrs。
　　Theresa，ringingthebell。Itisnotlate，andmymanChristopherwillbringupthecowslip-wineinaminute。
　　But，Sophy！andpapaandmamma，youknow，willcomehomepresently，
　　saidMarianne。
　　Oh！MissSophyhasherbooksanddrawings。Youknowshe’sneverafraidofbeingalone。Besides，to-nightitwasherownchoice。Andastoyourpapaandmamma，theywon’tbehometo-night，I’mprettysure。foragentleman，whohaditfromtheirownauthority，toldmewheretheyweregoing，whichisfurtheroffthantheythink。buttheydidnotconsultme。
　　andIfancythey’llbeobligedtosleepout。soyouneednotbeinahurryaboutthem。We’llhavecandles。
　　ThedooropenedjustasMrs。Tattlewasgoingtoringthebellagainforcandlesandthecowslip-wine。Christopher！Christopher！saidMrs。
　　Theresa，whowasstandingatthefire，withherbacktothedoor，whenitopened，Christopher！praybring——Doyouhear？butnoChristopheranswered。and，uponturninground，Mrs。Tattle，insteadofChristopher，beheldtwolittleblackfigures，whichstoodperfectlystillandsilent。
　　Itwassodark，thattheirformscouldscarcelybediscerned。
　　Inthenameofheaven，whoandwhatmayyoube？Speak，Iconjureyou！
　　whatareye？
　　Thechimney-sweepers，ma’am，an’pleaseyourladyship。
　　Chimney-sweepers！repeatedFrederickandMarianne，burstingouta-
　　laughing。
　　Chimney-sweepers！repeatedMrs。Theresa，provokedattherecollectionofherlatesolemnaddresstothem。Chimney-sweepers！andcouldnotyousaysoalittlesooner？Pray，whatbringsyouhere，gentlemen，atthistimeofnight？
　　Thebellrang，ma’am，，answeredasqueakingvoice。
　　Thebellrang！yes，forChristopher。Theboy’smad，ordrunk。
　　Ma’am，saidthetallestofthechimney-sweepers，whohadnotyetspoken，andwhonowbeganinaverybluntmanner。ma’am，yourbrotherdesiredustocomeupwhenthebellrang。sowedid。
　　Mybrother？Ihavenobrother，dunce，saidMrs。Theresa。
　　Mr。Eden，madam。
　　Ho，ho！saidMrs。Tattle，inamorecomplacenttone，theboytakesmeforMissBerthaEden，Iperceive。and，flatteredtobetakeninthedarkbyachimney-sweeperforayoungandhandsomelady，Mrs。Theresalaughed，andinformedhimthattheyhadmistakentheroom。andtheymustgoupanotherpairofstairs，andturntotheleft。
　　Thechimney-sweeperwiththesqueakingvoicebowed，thankedherladyshipforthisinformation，said，Goodnighttoye，quality。andtheybothmovedtowardsthedoor。
　　Stay，saidMrs。Tattle，whosecuriositywasexcited。whatcantheEdenswantwithchimney-sweepersatthistimeo’night，Iwonder？
　　Christopher，didyouhearanythingaboutit？saidtheladytoherfootman，whowasnowlightingthecandles。
　　Uponmyword，ma’am，saidtheservant，Ican’tsay。butI’llstepdownbelowandinquire。Iheardthemtalkingaboutitinthekitchen。butI
　　onlygotawordhereandthere，forIwashuntingforthesnuff-dish，asIknewitmustbeforcandleswhenIheardthebellring，ma’am。soI
　　thoughttofindthesnuff-dishbeforeIansweredthebell，forIknewitmustbeforcandlesyourang。But，ifyouplease，I’llstepdownnow，ma’am，andseeaboutthechimney-sweepers。
　　Yes，stepdown，do。and，Christopher，bringupthecowslip-wine，andsomemoremacaroonsformylittleMarianne。
　　MariannewithdrewrathercoldlyfromakisswhichMrs。Tattlewasgoingtogiveher。forshewassomewhatsurprisedatthefamiliaritywithwhichthisladytalkedtoherfootman。Shehadnotbeenaccustomedtothesefamiliaritiesinherfatherandmother，andshedidnotlikethem。
　　Well，saidMrs。TattletoChristopher，whowasnowreturned，whatisthenews？
　　Ma’am，thelittlefellowwiththesqueakingvoicehasbeentellingmethewholestory。Theothermorning，ma’am，early，heandtheotherweredownthehillsweepinginParadiseRow。Thosechimneys，theysay，aredifficult。andthesquarefellow，ma’am，thebiggestofthetwoboys，gotwedgedinthechimney。Theotherlittlefellowwasupatthetopatthetime，andheheardthecry。butinhisfright，andall，hedidnotknowwhattodo，ma’am。forhelookedaboutfromthetopofthechimney，andnotasoulcouldheseestirring，butafewthathecouldnotmakeattendtohisscreech。theboywithinalmoststiflingtoo。Sohescreeched，andscreeched，allhecould。andbythegreatestchanceinlife，ma’am，oldMr。Edenwasjustgoingdownthehilltofetchhismorningwalk。
　　Ay，interruptedMrs。Theresa，friendEphraimisoneofyourearlyrisers。
　　Well，saidMarianne，impatiently。
　　So，ma’am，hearingthescreech，heturnsandseesthesweep。andatonceheunderstandsthematter——
　　I’msurehemusthavetakensometimetounderstandit，interposedMrs。
　　Tattle，forhe’stheslowestcreaturebreathing，andthedeafestincompany。Goon，Christopher。Sothesweepdidmakehimhear。
　　Sohesays，ma’am。andsotheoldgentlemanwentinandpulledtheboyoutofthechimney，withmuchado，ma’am。
　　Blessme！exclaimedMrs。Theresa。butdidoldEdengoupthechimneyhimselfaftertheboy，wigandall？
　　Why，ma’am，saidChristopher，withalookofgreatdelight，thatwasallasone，asthevery’denticalwordsIputtotheboymyself，whenhetelledmehisstory。But，ma’am，thatwaswhatIcouldn’tgetoutofhim，neither，rightly，forheisachurl——thebigboythatwasstuckinthechimney，Imean。forwhenIputthequestiontohimaboutthewig，laughinglike，hewouldn’ttakeitlaughinglikeatall。butwouldonlymakeanswertouslikeabear，’Hesavedmylife，that’sallIknow’。andthisoveragain，ma’am，toallthekitchenround，thatcross-questionedhim。ButIfindshimstupidandill-manneredlike，forIofferedhimashilling，ma’am，myself，totellaboutthewig。butheputitbackinawaythatdidnotbecomesuchashe，tonolady’sbutler，ma’am。whereuponIturnstotheslimfellowandhe’ssmarterer，andmoremannerly，ma’am，withatongueinhisheadforhisbetters，buthecouldnotresolvememyquestioneither。forhewasupatthetopofthechimneythebestparto’thetime：andwhenhecamedownMr。Edenhadhiswigon，buthadhisarmallbareandbloody，ma’am。
　　PoorMr。Eden！exclaimedMarianne。
　　Oh，miss，continuedtheservant，andthechimney-sweephimselfwassobruised，andmusthavebeenkilled。
　　Well，well！buthe’salivenow。goonwithyourstory，Christopher，
　　saidMrs。T。Chimney-sweepersgetwedgedinchimneyseveryday。it’spartoftheirtrade，andit’sahappythingwhentheycomeoffwithafewbruises。*Tobesure，addedshe，observingthatbothFrederickandMariannelookeddispleasedatthisspeech，tobesure，ifonemaybelievethisstory，therewassomerealdanger。
　　*Thisatrociouspracticeisnowhappilysupersededbytheuseofsweepingmachines。
　　Realdanger！yes，indeed，saidMarianne。andI’msureIthinkMr。Edenwasverygood。
　　Certainlyitwasamostcommendableaction，andquiteprovidential。SoIshalltakeanopportunityofsaying，whenItellthestoryinallcompanies。andtheboymaythankhiskindstars，I’msure，totheendofhisdays，forsuchanescape——Butpray，Christopher，saidshe，persistinginherconversationwithChristopher，whowasnowlayingtheclothforsupper，pray，whichhousewasitinParadiseRow？wheretheEaglesortheMissRoperslodge？orwhich？
　　ItwasatmyLadyBattersby’s，ma’am。
　　Ha！ha！criedMrs。Theresa，Ithoughtweshouldgettothebottomoftheaffairatlast。Thisisexcellent！ThiswillmakeanadmirablestoryformyLadyBattersbythenexttimeIseeher。TheseQuakersaresosly！OldEden，Iknow，haslongwantedtoobtainanintroductionintothathouse。andacharmingcharitableexpedienthitupon！MyLadyBattersbywillenjoythis，ofallthings。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　Now，continuedMrs。Theresa，turningtoFrederick，assoonastheservanthadlefttheroom，now，Mr。FrederickMontague，Ihaveafavour——
　　suchafavour——toaskofyou。it’safavourwhichonlyyoucangrant。
　　youhavesuchtalents，andwoulddothethingsoadmirably。andmyLadyBattersbywouldquiteadoreyouforit。Shewilldomethehonourtobeheretospendaneveningto-morrow。I’mconvincedMr。andMrs。Montaguewillfindthemselvesobligedtostayoutanotherday，andIsolongtoshowyouofftoherladyship。andyourDoctorCarbuncle，andyourCounsellorPuff，andyourMissCroker，andallyourcharmingcharacters。
　　Youmustletmeintroduceyoutoherladyshipto-morrowevening。Promiseme。
　　Oh，ma’am，saidFrederick，Icannotpromiseyouanysuchthing，indeed。Iammuchobligedtoyou。butindeedIcannotcome。
　　Whynot，mydearsir？whynot？Youdon’tthinkImeanyoushouldpromise，ifyouarecertainyourpapaandmammawillbehome。
　　Iftheydocomehome，Iwillaskthemaboutit，saidFrederick，hesitating。forthoughhebynomeanswishedtoaccepttheinvitation，hehadnotyetacquiredthenecessarypowerofdecidedlysayingNo。
　　Askthem！repeatedMrs。Theresa。Mydearsir，atyourage，mustyouaskyourpapaandmammaaboutsuchthings？
　　Must！no，ma’am，saidFrederick。butIsaidIwould。IknowIneednot，becausemyfatherandmotheralwaysletmejudgeformyselfalmostabouteverything。
　　Andaboutthis，Iamsure，criedMarianne。Papaandmamma，youknow，justastheyweregoingaway，said，’IfMrs。Theresaasksyoutocome，doasyouthinkbest’
　　Well，then，saidMrs。Theresa，youknowitrestswithyourselves，ifyoumaydoasyouplease。
　　TobesureImay，madam，saidFrederick，colouringfromthatspeciesofemotionwhichisjustlycalledfalseshame，andwhichoftenconquersrealshame。tobesure，ma’am，ImaydoasIplease。
　　ThenImaymakesureofyou，saidMrs。Theresa。fornowitwouldbedownrightrudenesstotellaladyyouwon’tdoasshepleases。Mr。
　　FrederickMontague，I’msure，istoowellbredayounggentlemantodosounpolite，soungallantathing！
　　Thejargonofpolitenessandgallantryisfrequentlybroughtbythesillyacquaintanceofyoungpeopletoconfusetheirsimplemoralityandcleargoodsense。Anewandunintelligiblesystemispresentedtothem，inalanguageforeigntotheirunderstanding，andcontradictorytotheirfeelings。Theyhesitatebetweennewmotivesandoldprinciples。Fromthefearofbeingthoughtignorant，theybecomeaffected。andfromthedreadofbeingthoughttobechildrenactlikefools。ButallthistheyfeelonlywhentheyareinthecompanyofsuchpeopleasMrs。TheresaTattle。
　　Ma’am，Frederickbegan，Idon’tmeantoberude。butIhopeyou’llexcusemefromcomingtodrinkteawithyouto-morrow，becausemyfatherandmotherarenotacquaintedwithLadyBattersby，andmaybetheymightnotlike——
　　Takecare，takecare，saidMrs。Theresa，laughingathisperplexity：
　　youwanttogetofffromobligingme，andyoudon’tknowhow。YouhadverynearlymadeamostshockingblunderinputtingitalluponpoorLadyBattersby。Nowyouknowit’simpossiblethatMr。andMrs。MontaguecouldhaveinnaturetheslightestobjectiontointroducingyoutomyLadyBattersbyatmyownhouse。for，don’tyouknow，that，besidesherladyship’smanyunquestionablequalities，whichoneneednottalkof，sheiscousin，butonceremoved，totheTrottersofLancashire——yourmother’sgreatfavourites？AndthereisnotapersonattheWells，I’llventuretosay，couldbeofmoreadvantagetoyoursisterSophy，inthewayofpartners，whenshecomestogotheballs，whichit’stobesupposedshewill，sometimeorother。andasyouaresogoodabrother，that’sathingtobelookedto，youknow。Besides，astoyourself，there’snothingherladyshipdelightsinsomuchasinagoodmimic。andshe’llquiteadoreyou！
　　ButIdon’twanthertoadoreme，ma’am，saidFrederick，bluntly。then，correctinghimself，added，Imeanforbeingamimic。
　　Whynot，mylove？Betweenfriends，cantherebeanyharminshowingone’stalents？Youthathavesuchtalentstoshow。She’llkeepyoursecret，I’llanswerforher。and，addedshe，youneedn’tbeafraidofhercriticism。for，betweenyouandme，she’snogreatcritic。soyou’llcome。Well，thankyou，that’ssettled。Howyouhavemademebegandpray！butyouknowyourownvalue，Isee。asyouentertainingpeoplealwaysdo。Onemustaskawit，likeafinesinger，sooften。Well，butnowforthefavourIwasgoingtoaskyou。
　　Fredericklookedsurprised。forhethoughtthatthefavourofhiscompanywaswhatshemeant：butsheexplainedherselffarther。
　　AstotheoldQuakerwholodgesabove，oldEphraimEden——myLadyBattersbyandIhavesomuchdiversionabouthim。Heisthebestcharacter，theoddestcreature！Ifyouwerebuttoseehimcomeintotheroomswiththosestiffskirts，orwalkingwithhiseternalsisterBertha，andhiseverlastingbroad-brimmedhat！Oneknowshimamileoff！Butthenhisvoiceandway，andaltogether，ifonecouldgetthemtothelife，they’dbebetterthananythingonthestage。bettereventhananythingI’veseento-night。andIthinkyou’dmakeacapitalQuakerformyLadyBattersby。butthenthethingis，onecannevergettoheartheoldquiztalk。Nowyou，whohavesomuchinventionandcleverness——I
　　havenoinventionmyself。butcouldyounothituponsomewayofseeinghim，sothatyoumightgethimbyheart？I’msureyou，whoaresoquick，wouldonlywanttoseehim，andhearhim，forhalfaminute，tobeabletotakehimoff，soastokillonewithlaughing。ButIhavenoinvention。
　　Oh，astotheinvention，saidFrederick，Iknowanadmirablewayofdoingthething，ifthatisall。butthenremember，Idon’tsayIwilldothething，forIwillnot。ButIknowawayofgettingupintohisroom，andseeinghim，withouthisknowingmetobethere。
　　Oh，tellitme，youcharming，clevercreature！
　　But，remember，IdonotsayIwilldoit。
　　Well，well，letushearit。andyoushalldoasyoupleaseafterwards。
　　Mercifulgoodness！exclaimedMrs。Tattle，domyearsdeceiveme？I
　　declareIlookedround，andthoughtIheardthesqueakingchimney-sweeperwasintheroom！
　　SodidI，Frederick，Ideclare，criedMarianne，laughing，Ineverheardanythingsolikehisvoiceinmylife。
　　Frederickimitatedthesqueakingvoiceofthischimney-sweepertogreatperfection。
　　Now，continuedhe，thisfellowisjustmyheight。TheoldQuaker，ifmyfacewereblackened，andifIweretochangeclotheswiththechimney-
　　sweeper，I’llanswerforit，wouldneverknowme。
　　Oh，it’sanadmirableinvention！Igiveyouinfinitecreditforit！
　　exclaimedMrs。Theresa。Itshall，itmustbedone。I’llring，andhavethefellowupthisminute。
　　Oh，no。donotring，saidFrederick，stoppingherhand，Idon’tmeantodoit。YouknowyoupromisedthatIshoulddoasIpleased。Ionlytoldyoumyinvention。
　　Well，well。butonlyletmering，andaskwhetherthechimney-sweepersarebelow。Youshalldoasyoupleaseafterwards。
　　Christopher，shutthedoor。Christopher，saidshetotheservantwhocameupwhensherang，prayarethesweepsgoneyet？
　　No，ma’am。
　　ButhavetheybeenuptooldEdenyet？
　　Oh，no，ma’am。norbenottogotillthebellrings。forMissBertha，ma’am，wasasleepa-lyingdown，andherbrotherwouldn’thaveherwakenedonnoaccountwhatsomever。Hecamedownhisselftothekitchentothesweeps，though。butwouldn’thave，asIheardhimsay，hissisterwakedfornoaccount。ButMissBertha’sbellwillringwhenshewakensforthesweeps，ma’am。’Twasshewantedtoseetheboyasherbrothersaved，andIsupposesentforhimtogivehimsomethingcharitable，ma’am。
　　Well，nevermindyoursuppositions，saidMrs。Theresa。rundownthisveryminutetothelittlesqueakingchimney-sweep，andsendhimuptome。
　　Quick，butdon’tlettheotherbearcomeupwithhim。
　　Christopher，whohadcuriosity，aswellashismistress，whenhereturnedwiththechimney-sweeper，prolongedhisownstayintheroombysweepingthehearth，throwingdownthetongsandshovel，andpickingthemupagain。
　　Thatwilldo，Christopher！Christopher，thatwilldo，Isay，Mrs。
　　Theresarepeatedinvain。Shewasobligedtosay，Christopher，youmaygo，beforehewoulddepart。
　　Now，saidshetoFrederick，stepinheretothenextroomwiththiscandle，andyou’llbeequippedinaninstant。Onlyjustchangeclotheswiththeboy。onlyjustletmeseewhatacharmingchimney-sweeperyou’dmake。Youshalldoasyoupleaseafterwards。
　　Well，I’llonlychangeclotheswithhim，justtoshowyouforoneminute。
　　But，saidMariannetoMrs。TheresawhilstFrederickwaschanginghisclothes，IthinkFrederickisrightabout——
　　Aboutwhat，love？
　　Ithinkheisintherightnottogoup，thoughhecandoitsoeasily，toseethatgentleman。Imeanonpurposetomimicandlaughathimafterwards。Idon’tthinkthatwouldbequiteright。
　　Why，pray，MissMarianne？
　　Why，becauseheissogood-naturedtohissister。Hewouldnotletherbewakened。
　　Dear，it’seasytobegoodinsuchlittlethings。andhewon’thavelongtobegoodtoherneither。forIdon’tthinkshewilltroublehimlonginthisworld，anyhow。
　　Whatdoyoumean？saidMarianne。
　　Thatshe’lldie，child。
　　Die！diewiththatbeautifulcolourinhercheeks！Howsorryherpoor，poorbrotherwillbe！Butshewillnotdie，I’msure，forshewalksaboutandrunsupstairssolightly！Oh，youmustbequitemistaken，I
　　hope。
　　IfI’mmistaken，Dr。PanadoCardamum’smistakentoo，then，that’smycomfort。Hesays，unlessthewatersworkamiracle，shestandsabadchance。andshewon’tfollowmyadvice，andconsultthedoctorforherhealth。
　　Hewouldfrightenhertodeath，perhaps，saidMarianne。IhopeFrederickwon’tgouptodisturbher。
　　Lud，child，youareturnedsimpletonallofasudden。howcanyourbrotherdisturbhermorethantherealchimney-sweeper？
　　ButIdon’tthinkit’sright，persistedMarianne，andIshalltellhimso。
　　Nay，MissMarianne，Idon’tcommendyounow。Youngladiesshouldnotbesoforwardtogiveopinionsandadvicetotheirelderbrothersunasked。
　　andIpresumethatMr。FrederickandImustknowwhat’srightaswellasMissMarianne。Hush！hereheis。Oh，thecapitalfigure！criedMrs。
　　Theresa。Bravo，bravo！criedshe，asFrederickenteredinthechimney-
　　sweeper’sdress。andashespoke，saying，I’mafraid，pleaseyourladyship，todirtyourladyship’scarpet，shebrokeoutintoimmoderateraptures，callinghimhercharmingchimney-sweeper！andrepeatingthatsheknewbeforehandthecharacterwoulddoforhim。
　　Mrs。Theresainstantlyrangthebell，inspiteofallexpostulation——
　　orderedChristophertosenduptheotherchimney-sweeper——triumphedinobservingthatChristopherdidnotknowFrederickwhenhecameintotheroom。andofferedtolayanywagerthattheotherchimney-sweeperwouldmistakehimforhiscompanion。Andsohedid。andwhenFrederickspoke，thevoicewassoverylike，thatitwasscarcelypossiblethatheshouldhaveperceivedthedifference。
　　Mariannewasdivertedbythisscene。butshestarted，wheninthemidstofittheyheardabellring。
　　That’sthelady’sbell，andwemustgo，saidthebluntchimney-sweeper。
　　Go，then，aboutyourbusiness，saidMrs。Theresa，andhere’sashillingforyou，todrink，myhonestfellow。IdidnotknowyouweresomuchbruisedwhenIfirstsawyou。Iwon’tdetainyou。Go，saidshe，pushingFredericktowardsthedoor。Mariannesprangforwardtospeaktohim。butMrs。Theresakeptheroff。and，thoughFrederickresisted，theladyshutthedooruponhimbysuperiorforce，and，havinglockedit，therewasnoretreat。Mrs。TattleandMariannewaitedimpatientlyforFrederick’sreturn。
　　Ihearthem，criedMarianne，Ihearthemcomingdownstairs。Theylistenedagain，andallwassilent。Atlengththeysuddenlyheardagreatnoiseofmanystepsinthehall。
　　Merciful！exclaimedMrs。Theresa，itmustbeyourfatherandmothercomeback。Mariannerantounlocktheroomdoor，andMrs。Theresafollowedherintothehall。Thehallwasratherdark，butunderthelampacrowdofpeople，alltheservantsinthehousehavinggatheredtogether。
　　AsMrs。Theresaapproached，thecrowdopenedinsilence，andinthemidstshebeheldFrederick，withbloodstreamingfromhisface。HisheadwasheldbyChristopher。andthechimney-sweeperwasholdingabasinforhim。
　　Merciful！whatwillbecomeofme？exclaimedMrs。Theresa。Bleeding！
　　he’llbleedtodeath！Cannobodythinkofanythingthatwillstopbloodinaminute？Akey，alargekeydownhisback——akey——hasnobodyakey？
　　Mr。andMrs。Montaguewillbeherebeforehehasdonebleeding。Akey！
　　cobwebs！apuffball！formercy’ssake！Cannobodythinkofanythingthatwillstopbloodinaminute？Graciousme！he’llbleedtodeath，I
　　believe。
　　He’llbleedtodeath！Oh，mybrother！criedMarianne，catchingholdofthewords。andterrified，sheranupstairs，crying，Sophy，oh，Sophy！
　　comedownthisminute，orhe’llbedead！Mybrother’sbleedingtodeath！
　　Sophy！Sophy！comedown，orhe’llbedead！
　　Letgothebasin，you，saidChristopher，pullingthebasinoutofthechimney-sweeper’shand，whohadallthistimestoodinsilence。youarenotfittoholdthebasinforagentleman。
　　Lethimholdit，saidFrederick。hedidnotmeantohurtme。
　　That’smorethanhedeserves。I’mcertainsurehemighthaveknownwellenoughitwasMr。Frederickallthetime，andhe’dnobusinesstogotofight——suchaoneashe——withagentleman。
　　Ididnotknowhewasagentleman！saidthechimney-sweeper，howcouldI？
　　Howcouldhe，indeed！saidFrederick。heshallholdthebasin。
　　Graciousme！I’mgladtohearhimspeaklikehimselfagain，atanyrate，criedMrs。Theresa。AndherecomesMissSophy，too。
　　Sophy！criedFrederick。Oh，Sophy，don’tyoucome——don’tlookatme。
　　you’lldespiseme。
　　Mybrother！where？where？saidSophy，looking，asshethought，atthetwochimney-sweepers。
　　It’sFrederick，saidMarianne：that’smybrother。
　　MissSophy，don’tbealarmed，Mrs。Theresabegan。butgraciousgoodness！IwishMissBertha——
　　Atthisinstantafemalefigureinwhiteappeareduponthestairs。shepassedswiftlyon，whilsteveryonegavewaybeforeher。Oh，MissBertha！criedMrs。Theresa，catchingholdofhergowntostopher，asshecamenearFrederick。Oh，MissEden，yourbeautifulIndiamuslin！
　　takecareofthechimneysweeper，forheaven’ssake。Butshepressedforward。
　　It’smybrother，willhedie？criedMarianne，throwingherarmsroundher，andlookingupasiftoabeingofasuperiororder。Willhebleedtodeath？
　　No，mylove！answeredasweetvoice：donotfrightenthyself。
　　I’vedonebleeding，saidFrederick。
　　Dearme，MissMarianne，ifyouwouldnotmakesucharout，criedMrs。
　　Tattle。MissBertha，it’snothingbutafrolic。YouseeMr。FrederickMontagueonlyinamasqueradedress。Nothingintheworldbutafrolic，ma’am。Youseehe’sstoppedbleeding。Iwasfrightenedoutofmywitsatfirst。Ithoughtitwashiseye，butIseeit’sonlyhisnose。All’swellthatendswell。Mr。Frederick，we’llkeepyourcounsel。Pray，ma’am，letusasknoquestions。it’sonlyaboyishfrolic。Come，Mr。
　　Frederick，thisway，intomyroom，andI’llgiveyouatowelandsomecleanwater，andyoucangetridofthismasqueradedress。Makehaste，forfearyourfatherandmothershoulddropinuponus。
　　Donotbeafraidofthyfatherandmother。Theyaresurelythybestfriends，saidavoice。Itwasthevoiceofanelderlygentleman，whonowstoodbehindFrederick。
　　Oh，sir，oh，Mr。Eden，saidFrederick，turningtohim。
　　Don’tbetrayme！forgoodness’sake！whisperedMrs。Tattle，saynothingaboutme。
　　I’mnotthinkingaboutyou。Letmespeak，criedhe，pushingawayherhand，whichstoppedhismouth。Ishallsaynothingaboutyou，Ipromiseyou，saidFrederick，withalookofcontempt。
　　No，butforyourownsake，mydearsir，yourpapaandmamma。Blessme！
　　isnotthatMrs。Montague’scarriage？
　　Mybrother，ma’am，saidSophy，isnotafraidofmyfatherandmother’scomingback。Lethimspeak。hewasgoingtospeakthetruth。
　　Tobesure，MissSophia，Iwouldn’thinderhimfromspeakingthetruth。
　　butit’snotproper，Ipresume，ma’am，tospeaktruthatalltimes，andinallplaces，andbeforeeverybody，servantsandall。Ionlywanted，ma’am，tohinderyourbrotherfromexposinghimself。Ahall，I
　　apprehend，isnotaproperplaceforexplanation。
　　Here，saidMr。Eden，openingthedoorofhisroom，whichwasontheoppositesideofthehalltoMrs。Tattle’s。Hereisaplace，saidhetoFrederick，wherethoumaystspeakthetruthatalltimes，andbeforeeverybody。
　　Nay，myroom’satMr。FrederickMontague’sservice，andmydoor’sopentoo。Thisway，pray，saidshe，pullinghisarm。ButFrederickbrokefromher，andfollowedMr。Eden。
　　Oh，sir，willyouforgiveme？criedhe。
　　Forgivethee！——andwhathaveItoforgive！
　　Forgive，brother，withoutaskingwhat，saidBertha，smiling。
　　Heshallknowall！criedFrederick。allthatconcernsmyself，Imean。
　　Sir，Idisguisedmyselfinthisdress。Icameuptoyourroomto-nightonpurposetoseeyou，withoutyourknowingit，thatImightmimicyou。Thechimney-sweeper，whereishe？saidFrederick，lookinground。andheranintothehalltoseeforhim。Mayhecomein？hemay——heisabrave，anhonest，good，gratefulboy。HeneverguessedwhoIwas。Afterweleftyouwewentdowntothekitchentogether，andthere，foolasIwas，forthepleasureofmakingMr。Christopherandtheservantslaugh，begantomimicyou。Thisboysaidhewouldnotstandbyandhearyoulaughedat。
　　thatyouhadsavedhislife。thatIoughttobeashamedofmyself。thatyouhadjustgivenmehalfacrown。andsoyouhad。butIwenton，andtoldhimI’dknockhimdownifhesaidanotherword。Hedid。Igavethefirstblow。wefought。Icametotheground。theservantspulledmeupagain。Theyfoundout，Idon’tknowhow，thatIwasnotachimney-
　　sweeper。Therestyousaw。Andnowcanyouforgiveme，sir？saidFredericktoMr。Eden，seizingholdofhishand。
　　Theotherhand，friend，saidtheQuaker，gentlywithdrawinghisrighthand，whicheverybodynowobservedwasmuchswelled，andputtingitintohisbosomagain。This，andwelcome，offeringhisotherhandtoFrederick，andshakinghiswithasmile。
　　Oh，thatotherhand！saidFrederick，thatwashurt，Iremember。HowillIhavebehaved——extremelyill！ButthisisalessonthatIshallneverforgetaslongasIlive。IhopeforthefutureIshallbehavelikeagentleman。
　　Andlikeaman——andlikeagoodman，Iamsurethouwilt，saidthegoodQuaker，shakingFrederick’shandaffectionately。orIammuchmistaken，friend，inthatblackcountenance。
　　Youarenotmistaken，criedMarianne。Frederickwillneverbepersuadedagainbyanybodytodowhathedoesnotthinkright：andnow，brother，youmaywashyourblackcountenance。
　　JustwhenFrederickhadgotridofhalfhisblackcountenance，adoubleknockwasheardatthedoor。ItwasMr。andMrs。Montague。Whatwillyoudonow？whisperedMrs。TheresatoFrederick，ashisfatherandmothercameintotheroom。
　　Achimney-sweepercoveredwithblood！exclaimedMr。andMrs。Montague。
　　Father，IamFrederick，saidhe，steppingforwardtowardsthem，astheystoodinastonishment。
　　Frederick！myson！
　　Yes，mother，I’mnothurthalfsomuchasIdeserve。I’lltellyou——
　　Nay，interruptedBertha，letmybrothertellthestorythistime。
　　Thouhasttolditonce，andtolditwell。noonebutmybrothercouldtellitbetter。
　　Astorynevertellssowellthesecondtime，tobesure，saidMrs。
　　Theresa。butMr。Edenwillcertainlymakethebestofit。
　　WithouttakinganynoticeofMrs。Tattle，orherapprehensivelooks，Mr。
　　Edenexplainedallheknewoftheaffairinafewwords。Yourson，
　　concludedhe，willquicklyputoffhisdirtydress。Thedresshathnotstainedthemind。thatisfairandhonourable。Whenhefoundhimselfinthewrong，hesaidso。norwasheinhastetoconcealhisadventurefromhisfather。thismademethinkwellofbothfatherandson。Ispeakplainly，friend，forthatisbest。Butwhatisbecomeoftheotherchimney-sweeper？Hewillwanttogohome，saidMr。Eden，turningtoMrs。Theresa。Withoutmakinganyreply，shehurriedoutoftheroomasfastaspossible，andreturnedinafewmoments，withalookofextremeconsternation。
　　Hereisacatastropheindeed！Now，indeed，Mr。Frederick，yourpapaandmammahavereasontobeangry。Anewsuitofclothes！——thebarefacedvillain！gone！nosignoftheminmycloset，oranywhere。Thedoorwaslocked。hemusthavegoneupthechimney，outupontheleads，andsoescaped。butChristopherisafterhim。Iprotest，Mrs。Montague，youtakeittooquietly。Thewretch！——anewsuitofclothes，bluecoatandbuffwaistcoat。Ineverheardofsuchathing！Ideclare，Mr。Montague，youarevastlygood，nottobeinapassion，addedMrs。Theresa。
　　Madam，repliedMr。Montague，withalookofmuchcivilcontempt，I
　　thinkthelossofasuitofclothes，andeventhedisgracethatmysonhasbeenbroughttothisevening，fortunatecircumstancesinhiseducation。Hewill，Iampersuaded，judgeandactforhimselfmorewiselyinfuture。Norwillhebetemptedtooffendagainsthumanity，forthesakeofbeingcalled’Thebestmimicintheworld。’
　　THEBARRINGOUT。OR，PARTYSPIRIT。
　　Themotherofmischief，saysanoldproverb，isnobiggerthanamidge’swing。
　　AtDoctorMiddleton’sschool，therewasagreattalldunceofthenameofFisher，whonevercouldbetaughthowtolookoutawordinthedictionary。Heusedtotormenteverybodywith——Doprayhelpme！I
　　can’tmakeoutthisoneword。Thepersonwhousuallyhelpedhiminhisdistresswasaveryclever，goodnaturedboy，ofthenameofDeGrey，whohadbeenmanyyearsunderDr。Middleton’scare，andwho，byhisabilitiesandgoodconduct，didhimgreatcredit。Thedoctorcertainlywasbothproudandfondofhim。buthewassowellbeloved，orsomuchesteemedbyhiscompanions，thatnobodyhadevercalledhimbytheodiousnameoffavourite，untilthearrivalofanewscholarofthenameofArcher。
　　TillArchercame，theideasofFAVOURITESandPARTIESwerealmostunknownatDr。Middleton’s。buthebroughtalltheseideasfreshfromagreatpublicschool，atwhichhehadbeeneducated——atwhichhehadacquiredasufficientquantityofGreekandLatin，andasuperabundantquantityofpartyspirit。Hisaim，themomenthecametoanewschool，wastogettotheheadofit，oratleasttoformthestrongestparty。Hisinfluence，forhewasaboyofconsiderableabilities，wasquicklyfelt，thoughhehadapowerfulrival，ashethoughtpropertocallhim，inDeGrey。and，withHIM，arivalwasalwaysanenemy。DeGrey，sofarfromgivinghimanycauseofhatred，treatedhimwithadegreeofcordiality，whichwouldprobablyhavehadaneffectuponArcher’smind，ifithadnotbeenfortheartificesofFisher。
　　Itmayseemsurprising，thataGREATDUNCEshouldbeabletoworkuponaboylikeanArcher，whowascalledagreatgenius。butwhengeniusisjoinedtoaviolenttemper，insteadofbeingunitedtogoodsense，itisatthemercyevenofdunces。
　　FisherwasmortallyoffendedonemorningbyDeGrey’srefusingtotranslatehiswholelessonforhim。HewentovertoArcher，who，consideringhimasapartisandesertingfromtheenemy，receivedhimwithopenarms，andtranslatedhiswholelessonwithoutexpressingMUCH
　　contemptforhisstupidity。FromthismomentFisherforgotallDeGrey’sformerkindness，andconsideredonlyhowhecouldinhisturnmortifythepersonwhomhefelttobesomuchhissuperior。
　　DeGreyandArcherwerenowreadingforapremium，whichwastobegivenintheirclass。FisherbettedonArcher’shead，whohadnotsenseenoughtodespisethebetofablockhead。Onthecontraryhesufferedhimtoexcitethespiritofrivalshipinitsutmostfurybycollectingthebetsofalltheschool。Sothatthispremiumnowbecameamatterofthegreatestconsequence，andArcher，insteadoftakingthemeanstosecureajudgmentinhisfavour，waslisteningtotheopinionsofallhiscompanions。Itwasaprizewhichwastobewonbyhisownexertions。buthesufferedhimselftoconsideritasanaffairofchance。Theconsequencewas，thathetrustedtochance——hispartisanslosttheirwagers，andhethepremium——andhistemper。
　　Mr。Archer，saidDr。Middleton，afterthegrandaffairwasdecided，youhavedoneallthatgeniusalonecoulddo。butyou，DeGrey，havedoneallthatgeniusandindustryunitedcoulddo。
　　Well！criedArcher，withaffectedgaiety，assoonasthedoctorhadlefttheroom——Well，I’mcontentwithMYsentence。Geniusalone！forme——industryforthosewhoWANTit，addedhe，withasignificantlookatDeGrey。
　　Fisherapplaudedthisasaveryspiritedspeech。and，byinsinuationsthatDr。MiddletonalwaysgavethepremiumtoDeGrey，andthatthosewhohadlosttheirbetsmightthankthemselvesforit，forbeingsuchsimpletonsastobetagainstthefavourite，heraisedamurmurhighlyflatteringtoArcher，amongstsomeofthemostcredulousboys。whilstothersloudlyproclaimedtheirbeliefinDr。Middleton’simpartiality。
　　ThesewarmlycongratulatedDeGrey。AtthisArchergrewmoreandmoreangry，andwhenFisherwasproceedingtospeaknonsenseFORhim，pushedforwardintothecircletoDeGrey，crying，Iwish，Mr。Fisher，youwouldletmefightmyownbattles！
　　And_I_wish，saidyoungTownsend，whowasfonderofdiversionsthanofpremiums，orbattles，orofanythingelse——_I_wish，thatwewerenottohaveanybattles。afterhavingworkedlikehorses，don’tsetabouttofightlikedogs。Come，saidhe，tappingDeGrey’sshoulder，letusseeyournewplayhouse，do——it’saholiday，andletusmakethemostofit。
　　Letushavethe’SchoolforScandal，’do。andI’llplayCharlesforyou，andyou，DeGrey，shallbeMYLITTLEPREMIUM。Come，doopenthisnewplayhouseofyoursto-night。
　　Comethen！saidDeGrey，andheranacrosstheplaygroundtoawastebuildingatthefarthestendofit，inwhich，attheearnestrequestofthewholecommunity，andwiththepermissionofDr。Middleton，hehadwithmuchpainandingenuityerectedatheatre。
　　Thenewtheatreisgoingtobeopened！Followthemanager！Followthemanager！echoedamultitudeofvoices。
　　FOLLOWTHEMANAGER！echoedverydisagreeablyinArcher’sear。butashecouldnotbeLEFTALONE，hewasalsoobligedtofollowthemanager。Themomentthatthedoorwasunlocked，thecrowdrushedin：thedelightandwonderexpressedatthesightwasgreat，andtheapplauseandthankswhichwerebestoweduponthemanagerwerelongandloud。
　　Archeratleastthoughtthemlong，forhewasimpatienttillhisvoicecouldbeheard。Whenatlengththeacclamationshadspentthemselves，hewalkedacrossthestagewithaknowingair，andlookingroundcontemptuously。
　　AndisTHISyourfamousplayhouse？criedhe。Iwishyouhad，anyofyou，seentheplayhouse_I_havebeenusedto？
　　Thesewordsmadeagreatandvisiblechangeinthefeelingsandopinionsofthepublic。Whowouldbeaservantofthepublic？orwhowouldtoilforpopularapplause？Afewwordsspokeninadecisivetonebyanewvoiceoperatedasacharm，andtheplayhousewasinaninstantmetamorphosedintheeyesofthespectators。Allgratitudeforthepastwasforgotten，andtheexpectationofsomethingbetterjustifiedtothecapriciousmultitudetheirdisdainofwhattheyhadsolatelypronouncedtobeexcellent。
　　Everyonenowbegantocriticise。Oneobserved，thatthegreencurtainwasfullofholes，andwouldnotdrawup。Anotherattackedthescenes。
　　Scenes！theywerenotlikerealscenes——Archermustknowbest，becausehewasusedtothesethings。SoeverybodycrowdedtohearsomethingoftheOTHERplayhouse。TheygatheredroundArchertohearthedescriptionofhisplayhouse，andateverysentenceinsultingcomparisonsweremade。
　　Whenhehaddone，hisauditorslookedround，sighedandwishedthatArcherhadbeentheirmanager。TheyturnedfromDeGreyasfromapersonwhohaddonethemaninjury。Someofhisfriends——forhehadfriendswhowerenotswayedbythepopularopinion——feltindignationatthisingratitude，andweregoingtoexpresstheirfeelings。butDeGreystoppedthem，andbeggedthathemightspeakforhimself。
　　Gentlemen，saidhe，comingforward，assoonashefeltthathehadsufficientcommandofhimself。Myfriends，Iseeyouarediscontentedwithmeandmyplayhouse。Ihavedonemybesttopleaseyou。butifanybodyelsecanpleaseyoubetter，Ishallbegladofit。Ididnotworksohardforthegloryofbeingyourmanager。Youhavemyfreeleavetoteardown——Herehisvoicefaltered，buthehurriedon——Youhavemyfreeleavetoteardownallmyworkasfastasyouplease。Archer，shakehandsfirst，however，toshowthatthere’snomaliceinthecase。
　　Archer，whowastouchedbywhathisrivalsaid，and，stoppingthehandofhisnewpartisan，Fisher，cried，No，Fisher！no！——nopullingdown。Wecanalterit。Thereisagreatdealofingenuityinit，considering。
　　InvainArcherwouldnowhaverecalledthepublictoreason，——thetimeforreasonwaspassed：enthusiasmhadtakenholdoftheirminds。Downwithit！Downwithit！Archerforever！criedFisher，andtoredownthecurtain。Theriotoncebegun，nothingcouldstopthelittlemob，tillthewholetheatrewasdemolished。TheloveofpowerprevailedinthemindofArcher。hewassecretlyflatteredbythezealofhisPARTY，andhemistooktheirloveofmischiefforattachmenttohimself。DeGreylookedonsuperior。IsaidIcouldbeartoseeallthis，andIcan，
　　saidhe。nowitisallover。Andnowitwasallover，therewassilence。Theriotersstoodstilltotakebreath，andtolookatwhattheyhaddone。Therewasablankspacebeforethem。
　　Inthismomentofsilencetherewasheardsomethinglikeavoice。Hush！
　　Whatstrangevoiceisthat？saidArcher。Fishercaughtfastholdofhisarm。Everybodylookedroundtoseewherethevoicecamefrom。Itwasdusk。Twowindow-shuttersatthefarthestendofthebuildingwereseentomoveslowlyinwards。DeGrey，andinthesameinstantArcher，wentforward。and，astheshuttersopened，thereappearedthroughtheholethedarkfaceandshrivelledhandsofaveryoldgipsy。Shedidnotspeak。
　　butshelookedfirstatoneandthenatanother。AtlengthshefixedhereyesonDeGrey。Well，woman，saidhe，whatdoyouwantwithme？
　　Want！——nothing——withYOU，saidtheoldwoman。doyouwantnothingwithME？
　　Nothing，saidDeGrey。HereyeimmediatelyturneduponArcher，——YOU
　　wantsomethingwithme，saidshe，withemphasis。
　　I——whatdoIwant？repliedArcher。
　　No，saidshe，changinghertone，youwantnothing——nothingwillyoueverwant，orIammuchmistakeninthatFACE。
　　InthatWATCH-CHAIN，sheshouldhavesaid，forherquickeyehadespiedArcher’swatch-chain。Hewastheonlypersoninthecompanywhohadawatch，andshethereforejudgedhimtobetherichest。
　　Hadyoueveryourfortunetold，sir，inyourlife？
　　NotI！saidhe，lookingatDeGrey，asifhewasafraidofhisridicule，ifhelistenedtothegipsy。
　　Notyou！No！foryouwillmakeyourownfortune，andthefortuneofallthatbelongtoyou！
　　There’sgoodnewsformyfriends！criedArcher。
　　AndI’moneofthem，rememberthat，criedFisher。AndI，AndI，
　　joinedanumberofvoices。
　　Goodlucktothem！criedthegipsy，goodlucktothemall！
　　Then，assoonastheyhadacquiredsufficientconfidenceinhergoodwill，theypresseduptothewindow。There，criedTownsend，ashechancedtostumbleoverthecarpenter’smitrebox，whichstoodintheway，there’sagoodomenforme。I’vestumbledonthemitrebox。I
　　shallcertainlybeabishop。
　　Happyhewhohadsixpence，forhebidfairtobeajudgeuponthebench。
　　Andhappierhewhohadashilling，forhewasinthehighroadtobeonedayuponthewoolsack，LordHighChancellorofEngland。Noonehadhalfacrown，ornoonewouldsurelyhavekeptitinhispocketuponsuchanoccasion，forhemighthavebeenanarchbishop，aking，orwhathepleased。
　　Fisher，wholikeallweakpeoplewasextremelycredulous，kepthispostimmovableinthefrontrowallthetime，hismouthopen，andhisstupideyesfixeduponthegipsy，inwhomhefeltimplicitfaith。
　　Thosewhohaveleastconfidenceintheirownpowers，andwhohaveleastexpectationfromthesuccessoftheirownexertions，arealwaysmostdisposedtotrustinfortune-tellersandfortune。TheyhopetoWIN，whentheycannotEARN。andastheycanneverbeconvincedbythosewhospeaksense，itisnowondertheyarealwayspersuadedbythosewhotalknonsense。
　　Ihaveaquestiontoput，saidFisher，inasolemntone。
　　Putit，then，saidArcher，whathindersyou？
　　Buttheywillhearme，saidhe，lookingsuspiciouslyatDeGrey。
　　_I_shallnothearyou，saidDeGrey，Iamgoing。Everybodyelsedrewback，andlefthimtowhisperhisquestioninthegipsy’sear。
　　WhatisbecomeofmyLivy？
　　YourSISTERLivy，doyoumean？saidthegipsy。
　　No，myLATINLivy。
　　Thegipsypausedforinformation。Ithadaleaftornoutinthebeginning，andIHATEDR。MIDDLETON——
　　Writteninit，interruptedthegipsy。
　　Right——theverybook！criedFisherwithjoy。ButhowCOULDyouknowitwasDr。Middleton’sname？IthoughtIhadscratchedit，sothatnobodycouldmakeitout。
　　NobodyCOULDmakeitoutbutME，repliedthegipsy。Butneverthinktodeceiveme，saidshe，shakingherheadathiminamannerthatmadehimtremble。
　　Idon’tdeceiveyouindeed，Itellyouthewholetruth。Ilostitaweekago。
　　True。
　　AndwhenshallIfindit？
　　Meetmehereatthishourto-morrowevening，andIwillansweryou。Nomore！Imustbegone。Notawordmoreto-night。
　　Shepulledtheshutterstowardsher，andlefttheyouthindarkness。Allhiscompanionsweregone。Hehadbeensodeeplyengagedinthisconference，thathehadnotperceivedtheirdeparture。Hefoundalltheworldatsupper，butnoentreatiescouldprevailuponhimtodisclosehissecret。Townsendralliedinvain。AsforArcher，hewasnotdisposedtodestroybyridiculetheeffectwhichhesawthattheoldwoman’spredictionsinhisfavourhadhadupontheimaginationofmanyofhislittlepartisans。Hehadprivatelyslippedtwogoodshillingsintothegipsy’shandtosecureher。forhewaswillingtopayanypriceforANY
　　meansofacquiringpower。
　　Thewatch-chainhadnotdeceivedthegipsy，forArcherwastherichestpersoninthecommunity。Hisfriendshadimprudentlysuppliedhimwithmoremoneythanisusuallytrustedtoboysofhisage。Dr。Middletonhadrefusedtogivehimalargermonthlyallowancethantherestofhiscompanions。buthebroughttoschoolwithhimsecretlythesumoffiveguineas。Thisappearedtohisfriendsandtohimselfaninexhaustibletreasure。
　　Richesandtalentswould，heflatteredhimself，securetohimthatascendancyofwhichhewassoambitious。AmIyourmanager，ornot？
　　wasnowhisquestion。Iscorntotakeadvantageofahastymoment。butsincelastnightyouhavehadtimetoconsider。Ifyoudesiremetobeyourmanager，youshallseewhatatheatreIwillmakeforyou。Inthispurse，saidhe，showingthroughthenetworkaglimpseoftheshiningtreasure——inthispurseisAladdin’swonderfullamp。AmIyourmanager？
　　Putittothevote。
　　Itwasputtothevote。Abouttenofthemostreasonableoftheassemblydeclaredtheirgratitudeandhighapprobationoftheiroldfriend，DeGrey。butthenumberswereinfavourofthenewfriend。Andasnometaphysicaldistinctionsrelativetotheideaofamajorityhadeverenteredtheirthoughts，themostnumerouspartyconsideredthemselvesasnowbeyonddisputeintheright。Theydrewoffononesideintriumph，andtheirleader，whoknewtheconsequenceofanameinpartymatters，immediatelydistinguishedhispartisansbythegallantnameofARCHERS，stigmatizingthefriendsofDeGreybytheodiousepithetofGreybeards。
　　AmongsttheArcherswasaclassnotveryremarkablefortheirmentalqualifications。butwho，bytheirbodilyactivity，andbythepeculiaradvantagesannexedtotheirwayoflife，renderedthemselvesofthehighestconsequence，especiallytotherichandenterprising。
　　ThejudiciousreaderwillapprehendthatIalludetothepersonscalleddayscholars。Amongstthese，Fisherwasdistinguishedbyhisknowledgeofallthestreetsandshopsintheadjacenttown。and，thoughadullscholar，hehadsuchreputationasamanofbusiness，thatwhoeverhadcommissionstoexecuteattheconfectioner’s，wassuretoapplytohim。
　　Someoftheyoungestofhisemployershad，itistrue，attimescomplainedthathemademistakesofhalfpenceandpenceintheiraccounts。butastheseaffairscouldneverbebroughttoapublictrial，Fisher’scharacterandconsequencewereundiminished，tillthefataldaywhenhisAuntBarbaraforbadehisvisitstotheconfectioner’s。or，rather，tillsherequestedtheconfectioner，whohadhisprivatereasonsforobeyingher，notTORECEIVEhernephew’svisits，ashehadmadehimselfsickathishouse，andMrs。Barbara’sfearsforhishealthwereincessant。
　　Thoughhisvisitstotheconfectioner’swerethusatanend，thereweremanyothershopsopentohim。andwithofficiouszealheofferedhisservicestothenewmanager，topurchasewhatevermightbewantingforthetheatre。
　　Sincehisfather’sdeathFisherhadbecomeaboarderatDr。Middleton’s，buthisfrequentvisitstohisAuntBarbaraaffordedhimopportunitiesofgoingintothetown。Thecarpenter，DeGrey’sfriend，wasdiscardedbyArcher，forhavingsaidLACK-A-DAISY！whenhesawthattheoldtheatrewaspulleddown。Anewcarpenterandpaperhanger，recommendedbyFisher，wereappointedtoattend，withtheirtools，fororders，attwoo’clock。Archer，impatienttoshowhisingenuityandhisgenerosity，gavehisplanandhisordersinafewminutes，inamostdecidedmanner。
　　Thesethings，heobserved，shouldbedonewithsomespirit。
　　Towhichthecarpenterreadilyassented，andadded，thatgentlemenofspiritneverlookedtotheEXPENSE，butalwaystotheEFFECT。UponthisprincipleMr。Chipsettoworkwithallpossiblealacrity。Inafewhours’timehepromisedtoproduceagrandeffect。Highexpectationswereformed。Nothingwastalkedofbutthenewplayhouse。andsointentuponitwaseveryhead，thatnolessonscouldbegot。Archerwasobliged，inthemidstofhisvariousoccupations，toperformthepartofgrammaranddictionaryfortwentydifferentpeople。
　　OyeAthenians！heexclaimed，howharddoIworktoobtainyourpraise！
　　Impatienttoreturntothetheatre，themomentthehoursdestinedforinstruction，or，astheyaretermedbyschoolboys，school-hours，wereover，eachprisonerstartedupwithashoutofjoy。
　　Stoponemoment，gentlemen，ifyouplease，saidDr。Middleton，inanawfulvoice。Mr。Archer，returntoyourplace。Areyouallhere？Thenamesofalltheboyswerecalledover，andwheneachhadansweredtohisname，Dr。Middletonsaid——
　　Gentlemen，Iamsorrytointerruptyouramusements。but，tillyouhavecontraryordersfromme，noone，onpainofmyseriousdispleasure，mustgointoTHATbuildingpointingtotheplacewherethetheatrewaserecting。Mr。Archer，yourcarpenterisatthedoor。Youwillbesogoodastodismisshim。Idonotthinkpropertogivemyreasonsfortheseorders。butyouwhoKNOWme，saidthedoctor，andhiseyeturnedtowardsDeGrey，willnotsuspectmeofcaprice。Idepend，gentlemen，uponyourobedience。
　　Tothedeadsilencewithwhichtheseorderswerereceived，succeededinafewminutesauniversalgroan。So！saidTownsend，allourdiversionisover。So，whisperedFisherinthemanager’sear，thisissometrickoftheGreybeard’s。DidyounotobservehowhelookedatDeGrey？
　　Firedbythisthought，whichhadneverenteredhismindbefore，Archerstartedfromhisreverie，andstrikinghishanduponthetable，sworethathewouldnotbeoutwittedbyanyGreybeardinEurope——no，norbyallofthemputtogether。TheArchersweresurelyamatchforthem。Hewouldstandbythem，iftheywouldstandbyhim，hedeclared，withaloudvoice，againstthewholeworld，andDr。Middletonhimself，with’LITTLEPREMIUMS’athisrighthand。
　　EverybodyadmiredArcher’sspirit，butwerealittleappalledatthesoundofstandingagainstDr。Middleton。