"THAT'Sploombism"saidmyunclecasually。
"What？"saidI。
"Ploombism。AndtheotherdayIsawafoolofagirl，andwhatd'youthink？She'dgotabasinthathadn'tbeenfired，acrackedpieceofbiscuititwas，upontheshelfoverherhead，justalloverglaze，killingglaze，man，andshewasputtingupherhandifyouplease，andeatingherdinneroutofit。Gotherdinnerinit！
"Eatingherdinneroutofit，"herepeatedinloudandbittertones，andpunchedmehardintheribs。
"AndthentheycomestoTHAT——andgrumbles。AndthefoolsupinWestminsterwantyoutoputinfanshereandfansthere——theLongtonfoolshave……Andtheneatingtheirdinnersoutofitallthetime！"……
Athighteathatnight——myunclewasstillholdingoutagainsteveningdinner——SibylandGertrudemadewhatwasevidentlyaconcerteddemandforamotorcar。
"You'vegotyourmother'sbrougham，"hesaid，that'sgoodenoughforyou。"ButheseemedshakenbythefactthatsomeBurslemrivalwaslaunchingoutwiththenewinvention。"Hespoilshisgirls，"heremarked。"He'safool，"andbecamethoughtful。
Afterwardsheaskedmetocometohimintohisstudy；itwasaroomwithawriting-deskandfullofpiecesofearthenwareandsuchlikelitter，andwehadourgreatrowaboutCambridge。
"Haveyouthoughtthingsover，Dick？"hesaid。
"IthinkI'llgotoTrinity，Uncle，"Isaidfirmly。"IwanttogotoTrinity。Itisagreatcollege。"
Hewasmanifestlychagrined。"You'reafool，"hesaid。
Imadenoanswer。
"You'readamnedfool，"hesaid。"ButIsupposeyou'vegottodoit。Youcouldhavecomehere——Thatdon'tmatter，though，now……
You'llhaveyourtimeandspendyourmoney，andbeapoorhalf-
starvedclergyman，muckingaboutwiththewomenallthedayandafraidtohaveoneofyourownever，oryou'llbeaschoolmasterorsomesuchfoolfortherestofyourlife。Orsomenewspaperchap。
That'swhatyou'llgetfromCambridge。I'mhalfamindnottoletyou。Eh？Morethanhalfamind……"
"You'vegottodothethingyoucan，"hesaid，afterapause，"andlikelyit'swhatyou'refittedfor。"
4
IpaidseveralshortvisitstoStaffordshireduringmyCambridgedays，andalwaystheserelationsofmineproducedthesameeffectofhardness。Myuncle'sthoughtshadneitheratmospherenormystery。
Helivedinadifferentuniversefromthedreamsofscientificconstructionthatfilledmymind。HecouldaseasilyhaveunderstoodChinesepoetry。Hismotivesweremadeupofintenserivalrieswithothermenofhisclassandkind，afewvindictivehatesspringingfromrealandfanciedslights，ahabitofacquisitionthathadbecomeasecondnature，akeenlovebothofefficiencyanddisplayinhisownaffairs。Heseemedtometohavenosenseofthestate，nosenseandmuchlessanyloveofbeauty，nocharityandnosortofreligiousfeelingwhatever。Hehadstrongbodilyappetites，heateanddrankfreely，smokedagreatdeal，andoccasionallywascarriedoffbyhispassionsfora"bitofaspree"
toBirminghamorLiverpoolorManchester。Theindulgencesoftheseoccasionswereusuallyfollowedbyaperiodofreaction，whenhewasurgentforthesuppressionofnudityinthelocalArtGalleryandaharshandforcibleelevationofthesuperficialmoralsofthevalley。Andhespokeoftheladieswhoministeredtothedelightsofhisjolly-dogperiod，whenhespokeofthematall，bytheunprintablefeminineequivalent。Myaunthetreatedwithakindlycontemptandconsiderablefinancialgenerosity，buthisdaughterstorehisheart；hewassoproudofthem，sogladtofindthemmoneytospend，soresolvedtoownthem，soinstinctivelyjealousofeverymanwhocamenearthem。
Myunclehasbeenthecluetoagreatnumberofmenforme。Hewasanilluminatingextreme。Ihavelearntwhatnottoexpectfromthemthroughhim，andtocomprehendresentmentsanddangeroussuddenantagonismsIshouldhavefoundincomprehensibleintheirmorecomplexforms，ifIhadnotfirstseentheminhimintheirferalstate。
Withhissoftfelthatatthebackofhishead，hisratherheavy，rathermottledface，hisrationallythickbootsandslouchingtweed-
cladform，alittleround-shoulderedandveryobstinatelooking，hestrollsthroughallmyspeculationssuckinghisteethaudibly，andoccasionallythrowingoutashrewdaphorism，theintractableunavoidableoreofthenewcivilisation。
Essentiallyhewassimple。Generallyspeaking，hehatedanddespisedinequalmeasurewhateverseemedtosuggestthathepersonallywasnotthemostperfecthumanbeingconceivable。Hehatedalleducationafterfifteenbecausehehadhadnoeducationafterfifteen，hehatedallpeoplewhodidnothavehighteauntilhehimselfunderduressgaveuphightea，hehatedeverygameexceptfootball，whichhehadplayedandcouldjudge，hehatedallpeoplewhospokeforeignlanguagesbecauseheknewnolanguagebutStaffordshire，hehatedallforeignersbecausehewasEnglish，andallforeignwaysbecausetheywerenothisways。Alsohehatedparticularly，andinthisorder，Londoner's，Yorkshiremen，Scotch，WelchandIrish，becausetheywerenot"reetStaffordshire，"andhehatedallotherStaffordshiremenasinsufficiently"reet。"Hewantedtohaveallhisownwomeninviolate，andtofancyhehadacalluponeveryotherwomanintheworld。Hewantedtohavethebestcigarsandthebestbrandyintheworldtoconsumeorgiveawaymagnificently，andeveryoneelsetohaveinferiorones。Hisbilliardtablewasanextralargesize，speciallymadeandveryinconvenient。AndhehatedTradeUnionsbecausetheyinterferedwithhisautocraticdirectionofhisworks，andhisworkpeoplebecausetheywerenotobedientanduntiringmechanismstodohisbidding。Hewas，infact，averynaive，vigoroushumanbeing。Hewasaboutasmuchcivilised，aboutasmuchtamedtotheideasofcollectiveactionandmutualconsiderationasaCentralAfricannegro。
Therearehordesofsuchmenashethroughoutallthemodernindustrialworld。YouwillfindthesametypewiththeslightestmodificationsinthePasdeCalaisorRhenishPrussiaorNewJerseyorNorthItaly。NodoubtyouwouldfinditinNewJapan。Thesemenhaveraisedthemselvesupfromthegeneralmassofuntrained，uncultured，poorishpeopleinahardindustriousselfishstruggle。
Todriveotherstheyhavehadfirsttodrivethemselves。Theyhaveneveryethadoccasionnorleisuretothinkofthestateorsociallifeasawhole，andasfordreamsorbeauty，itwasaconditionofsurvivalthattheyshouldignoresuchcravings。Allthedistinctivequalitiesofmyunclecanbethoughtofasdictatedbyhisconditions；hissuccessandharshness，theextravagancesthatexpressedhisprideinmakingmoney，theuncongenialluxurythatsprangfromrivalry，andhisself-reliance，hiscontemptforbroadviews，hiscontemptforeverythingthathecouldnotunderstand。
Hisdaughtersweretheinevitablechildrenofhislife。Queergirlstheywere！Curiously"spirited"aspeoplephraseit，andcuriouslylimited。DuringmyCambridgedaysIwentdowntoStaffordshireseveraltimes。Myuncle，thoughhestillresentedmyrefusaltogointohisbusiness，wasalsoinhisoddwayproudofme。Iwashisnephewandpoorrelation，andyetthereIwas，ayounggentlemanlearningallsortsofunremunerativethingsinthegrandestmanner，"Latinandmook，"whilethesonsofhisneighhours，notnephewsmerely，butsons，stayedunpolishedintheirnativetown。EverytimeIwentdownIfoundextensivechangesandalteredrelations，andbeforeIhadsettleddowntothemoffIwentagain。Idon'tthinkIwasonepersontothem；Iwasaseriesofvisitors。Thereisagulfofagesbetweenagauntschoolboyofsixteeninunbecomingmourningandtwovividlyself-consciousgirlsofeighteenandnineteen，butaCambridge"man"oftwoandtwentywithafirstandgoodtennisandagrowingsocialexperience，isafaircontemporaryfortwogirlsoftwenty-threeandtwenty-four。
Amotor-carappeared，Ithinkinmysecondvisit，abottle-greenaffairthatopenedbehind，haddarkpurplecushions，andwascontrolledmysteriouslybyamaninshinyblackcostumeandaflatcap。Thehighteahadbeenshiftedtosevenandrechristeneddinner，butmyunclewouldnotdressnorconsenttohavewine；andafteronepainfulexperiment，Igathered，andascene，heputhisfootdownandprohibitedanybuthigh-neckeddresses。
"Daddy'sperfectlyimpossible，"Sybiltoldme。
Thefoothaddescendedvehemently！"Myowndaughters！"hehadsaid，"dresseduplike——"——andhadarrestedhimselfandfumbledanddecidedtosay——"actresses，andshowin'theirfatarmsforeveryfooltostareat！"Norwouldhehaveanypeopleinvitedtodinner。
Hedidn't，hehadexplained，wantstrangerspokingaboutinhishousewhenhecamehometired。Sosuchcallingasoccurredwentonduringhisabsenceintheafternoon。
Oneofthepeculiaritiesofthelifeoftheseascendantfamiliesoftheindustrialclasstowhichwealthhascome，isitstremendousinsulations。TherewerenocustomsofintercourseintheFiveTowns。Alltheisolatedprosperitiesofthedistrictsprangfromeconomising，harddrivenhomes，inwhichtherewasneithertimenormeansforhospitality。Socialintercoursecentredverylargelyuponthechurchorchapel，andthechapelswerebetteratbringingpeopletogetherthantheEstablishmenttowhichmycousinsbelonged。Theirchiefoutlettothewiderworldlaythereforethroughtheacquaintancestheyhadformedatschool，andthroughtwomuchlessprosperousfamiliesofrelationswholivedatLongtonandHanley。A
numberofgossipingfriendshipswitholdschoolmateswere"keptup，"andmycousinswould"spendtheafternoon"orevenspendthedaywiththese；suchoccasionsledtootherencountersandinterlacedwiththefurtivecorrespondencesandsnatchedmeetingsthatformedtheemotionalthreadoftheirlives。Whenthebilliardtablehadbeennew，myunclehadtakentoaskinginafewapprovedfriendsforanoccasionalgame，butmostlythebilliard-roomwasforgloryandthegirls。Bothofthemplayedverywell。Theynever，sofarasIknow，dinedout，andwhenatlastafterbitterdomesticconflictstheybegantogotodances，theywentwiththequaveringconnivanceofmyaunt，andchangedintoballfrocksatfriends'
housesontheway。Therewasatennisclubthatformedaconvenientafternoonrendezvous，andIrecallthatintheperiodofmyearliervisitstheyoungbloodsofthedistrictfoundmuchsatisfactionintakinggirlsfordrivesindog-cartsandsuchlikehigh-wheeledvehicles，adispositionthatdiedintangledtandemsattheapparitionofmotor-car's。
Myauntandunclehadconceivednoplansinlifefortheirdaughtersatall。Intheundifferentiatedindustrialcommunityfromwhichtheyhadsprung，girlsgotmarriedsomehow，anditdidnotoccurtothemthattheconcentrationofpropertythathadmadethemwealthy，hadcuttheirchildrenofffromthegeneralsocialseainwhichtheirownawkwardmeetinghadoccurred，withoutnecessarilyopeninganyotherworldinexchange。Myunclewastoomuchoccupiedwiththeworksandhisbusinessaffairsandhisprivatevicestophilosophiseabouthisgirls；hewantedthemjusttokeepgirls，preferablyaboutsixteen，andtobeasortofanimatedflowersandmakehomebrightandbegiventhings。Hewasirritatedthattheywouldnotremainatthis，andstillmoreirritatedthattheyfailedtosuppressaltogethertheirnaturalinterestinyoungmen。Thetandemswouldbesteeredbyweirdanddeviousroutestoevadethebarechanceofhisbloodshoteye。Myauntseemedtohavenoideaswhateveraboutwhatwaslikelytohappentoherchildren。Shehadindeednoideasaboutanything；shetookherhusbandandthedaysastheycame。
Icanseenowthepatheticdifficultyofmycousins'positioninlife；theabsenceofanyguidanceorinstructionorprovisionfortheirdevelopment。Theysupplementedthesilencesofhomebytheconversationofschoolfellowsandthesuggestionsofpopularfiction。Theyhadtomakewhattheycouldoutoflifewithsuchhintsasthese。Thechurchwasfartoomodesttoofferthemanyadvice。Itwasobtrudeduponmyminduponmyfirstvisitthattheywerebothcarryingoncorrespondencesandhavinglittlefurtivepassingsandseeingsandmeetingswiththemysteriousownersofcertaininitials，S。andL。K。，and，ifIrememberrightly，"theR。
N。"brothersandcousins，Isuppose，oftheirfriends。Thesamethingwasgoingon，withacertainintensification，atmynextvisit，exceptingonlythattheinitialsweredifferent。ButwhenI
cameagaintheirmethodswerematurerorIwasnolongeranegligiblequantity，andthenotesandtheinitialswerenolongerflauntedquitesoopenlyinmyface。
Mycousinshadworkeditoutfromtheindicationsoftheiruniversethattheendoflifeistohavea"goodtime。"Theyusedthephrase。Thatandthedrivesindog-cartswereonlythefirstofendlesspointsofresemblancebetweenthemandthecommonersortofAmericangirl。WhensomeyearsagoIpaidmyfirstandonlyvisittoAmericaIseemedtorecovermycousins'atmosphereassoonasI
enteredthetrainatEuston。Therewerethreegirlsinmycompartmentsuppliedwithhugedecoratedcasesofsweets，andbeingseenoffbyacompanyoffriends，noisilyarchandeageraboutthe"steamerletters"theywouldgetatLiverpool；theyweretheverysoul-sistersofmycousins。Thechiefelementsofagoodtime，asmycousinsjudgedit，asthesecountlessthousandsofrichyoungwomenjudgeit，areapettyeventfulness，laughter，andtofeelthatyouarelookingwellandattractingattention。Shoppingisoneofitsleadingjoys。Youbuythings，clothesandtrinketsforyourselfandpresentsforyourfriends。Presentsalwaysseemedtobeflyingaboutinthatcircle；flowersandboxesofsweetswerecommoncurrency。Mycousinswerealwaysgettingandgiving，myunclecaressedthemwithparcelsandcheques。TheykissedhimandheexudedsovereignsasastrokedAPHISexudeshoney。ItwaslikethenewlanguageoftheAcademyofLagadotome，andIneverlearnthowtoexpressmyselfinit，fornatureandtrainingmakemefeelencumberedtoreceivepresentsandembarrassedingivingthem。Butthen，likemyfather，Ihateanddistrustpossessions。
OfthequalityoftheirprivateimaginationIneverlearntanything；
Isupposeitfollowedthelinesofthefictiontheyreadandwasromanticandsentimental。Sofarasmarriagewent，themarriedstateseemedatonceveryattractiveanddreadfullyserioustothem，composedinequalmeasureofbecomingimportantandbecomingold。I
don'tknowwhattheythoughtaboutchildren。Idoubtiftheythoughtaboutthematall。Itwasverysecretiftheydid。
Asforthepooranddingypeopleallaboutthem，mycousinswerealwaysreadytotakepartinaCharitableBazaar。Theywereunawareofanyeconomiccorrelationoftheirownprosperityandthatcircumambientpoverty，andtheyknewofTradeUnionssimplyasdisagreeableexternalthingsthatupsetmyuncle'stemper。Theyknewofnothingwronginsociallifeatallexceptthattherewere"Agitators。"Itsurprisedthemalittle，Ithink，thatAgitatorswerenotmoredrasticallyputdown。Buttheyhadasortofinstinctivedreadofsocialdiscussionasofsomethingthatmightbreachthehappinessoftheirignorance……
5
MycousinsdidmorethanillustrateMarxforme；theyalsoundertookastageofmyemotionaleducation。Theirmethodinthatasineverythingelsewasextremelysimple，butittookmyinexperiencebysurprise。
ItmusthavebeenonmythirdvisitthatSybiltookmeinhand。
HithertoIseemedtohaveseenheronlyinprofile，butnowshebecamealmostcompletelyfullface，manifestlyregardedmewiththosevioleteyesofhers。ShepassedmethingsIneededatbreakfast——itwasthefirstmorningofmyvisit——beforeIaskedforthem。
Whenyoungmenarelookedatbyprettycousins，theybecomeintenselyawareofthosecousins。ItseemedtomethatIhadalwaysadmiredSybil'seyesverygreatly，andthattherewassomethinginhertemperamentcongenialtomine。ItwasoddIhadnotnoteditonmypreviousvisits。
Wewalkedroundthegardensomewhenthatmorning，andtalkedaboutCambridge。Sheaskedquitealotofquestionsaboutmyworkandmyambitions。ShesaidshehadalwaysfeltsureIwasclever。
Theconversationlanguishedalittle，andwepickedsomeflowersforthehouse。ThensheaskedifIcouldrun。Iconcededhervariousstartsandweracedupanddownthemiddlegardenpath。Then，alittlebreathless，wewentintothenewtwenty-fiveguineasummer-
houseattheendoftheherbaceousborder。
Wesatsidebyside，pleasantlyhiddenfromthehouse，andshebecameanxiousaboutherhair，whichwasslightlyandprettilydisarranged，andaskedmetohelpherwiththeadjustmentofahairpin。Ihadneverinmylifebeensonearthesoftcurlyhairandthedaintyeyebrowandeyelidandwarmsoftcheekofagirl，andIwasstirred——
Itstirsmenowtorecallit。
Ibecameabattlegroundofimpulsesandinhibitions。
"Thankyou，"saidmycousin，andmovedalittleawayfromme。
Shebegantotalkaboutfriendship，andlostherthreadandforgotthelittleelectricstressbetweenusinarathermeanderinganalysisofherprincipalgirlfriends。
Butafterwardssheresumedherpurpose。
Iwenttobedthatnightwithonepropostionovershadowingeverythingelseinmymind，namely，thatkissingmycousinSybilwasadifficult，butnotimpossible，achievement。Idonotrecallanyshadowofadoubtwhetheronthewholeitwasworthdoing。Thethinghadcomeintomyexistence，disturbingandinterruptingitsflowexactlyasafeverdoes。Sybilhadinfectedmewithherself。
Thenextdaymatterscametoacrisisinthelittleupstairssitting-roomwhichhadbeenassignedmeasastudyduringmyvisit。
Iwasworkingupthere，orrathertryingtoworkinspiteoftheoutrageouscaperingofsomeveryprimitiveelementsinmybrain，whenshecameuptome，underatransparentpretextoflookingforabook。
Iturnedroundandthengotupatthesightofher。Iquiteforgetwhatourconversationwasabout，butIknowsheledmetobelieveI
mightkissher。ThenwhenIattemptedtodososheavertedherface。
"HowCOULDyou？"shesaid；"Ididn'tmeanthat！"
Thatremainedthestateofourrelationsfortwodays。IdevelopedagrowingirritationwithandresentmentagainstcousinSybil，combinedwithanintensedesiretogetthatkissforwhichI
hungeredandthirsted。CousinSybilwentaboutinthehappypersuasionthatIwasmadlyinlovewithher，andhergame，sofarasshewasconcerned，wasplayedandwon。Itwasn'tuntilIhadfrettedfortwodaysthatIrealisedthatIwasbeingusedforthecommonestformofexcitementpossibletoacommonplacegirl；thatdozensperhapsofyoungmenhadplayedthepartofTantalusatcousinSybil'slips。Iwalkedaboutmyroomatnights，damningherandcallingherbytermswhichonthewholesheratherdeserved，whileSybilwenttosleeppitying"pooroldDick！"
"Damnit！"Isaid，"IWILLbeequalwithyou。"
ButIneverdidequalisethedisadvantage，andperhapsit'saswell，forIfancythatsortofrevengecutsbothpeopletoomuchforarationalmantoseekit……
"Whyaremensosilly？"saidcousinSybilnextmorning，wrigglingbackwithdown-bentheadtoreleaseherselffromwhatshouldhavebeenacompellingembrace。
"Confoundit！"Isaidwithaflashofclearvision。"YouSTARTED
thisgame。"
"Oh！"
Shestoodbackagainstahedgeofroses，alittleflushedandexcitedandinterested，andreadyforthedelightfuldefensiveifI
shouldrenewmyattack。
"Beastlyhotforscuffling，"Isaid，whitewithanger。"Idon'tknowwhetherI'msokeenonkissingyou，Sybil，afterall。Ijustthoughtyouwantedmeto。"
Icouldhavewhippedher，andmyvoicestungmorethanmywords。
Oureyesmet；arealhatredinhersleapinguptomeetmine。
"Let'splaytennis，"Isaid，afteramoment'spause。
"No，"sheansweredshortly，"I'mgoingindoors。"
"Verywell。"
AndthatendedtheaffairwithSybil。
IwasstillinthefullglareofthisdisillusionmentwhenGertrudeawokefromsomepreoccupationtoaninterestinmyexistence。Shedevelopedadispositiontotouchmyhandbyaccident，andletherfingersrestincontactwithitforamoment，——shehadpleasantsofthands；——shebegantodriftintosummerhouseswithme，toletherarmresttrustfullyagainstmine，toaskquestionsaboutCambridge。
TheyweremuchthesamequestionsthatSybilhadasked。ButI
controlledmyselfandmaintainedaprofileofintelligentandentirelycivilindifferencetoherblandishments。
WhatGertrudemadeofitcameoutoneeveninginsometalk——Iforgetaboutwhat——withSybil。
"Oh，Dick！"saidGertrudealittleimpatiently，"Dick'sPi。"
AndIneverdisillusionedherbyanysubsequentlevityfromthistheoryofmyinnateandvirginalpiety。
6
ItwasagainstthisharshandcrudeStaffordshirebackgroundthatI
thinkImusthaveseenMargaretforthefirsttime。IsayIthinkbecauseitisquitepossiblethatwehadpassedeachotherinthestreetsofCambridge，nodoubtwiththataffectationofmutualdisregardwhichwasoncecustomarybetweenundergraduatesandNewnhamgirls。ButifthatwassoIhadnotednothingoftheslendergraciousnessthatshoneoutsopleasinglyagainstthebleakermidlandsurroundings。
Shewasayoungerschoolfellowofmycousins'，andthestep-daughterofSeddon，aprominentsolicitorofBurslem。Shewasnotonlynotinmycousins'generationbutnotintheirset，shewasoneofasmallhardworkinggroupwhokeptimmaculatenote-books，anddidasmuchasishumanlypossibleofthatinsensatepileofwrittenworkthattheGirls'PublicSchoolmovementhasinflicteduponschool-
girls。ShereallylearntFrenchandGermanadmirablyandthoroughly，shegotasfarinmathematicsasanunflinchingindustrycancarryanyonewithnogreatnaturalaptitude，andshewentuptoBennettHall，Newnham，aftertheusualconflictwithherfamily，toworkfortheHistoryTripos。
Thereinherthirdyearshemadeherselfthoroughlyillthroughoverwork，soillthatshehadtogiveupNewnhamaltogetherandgoabroadwithherstepmother。Shemadeherselfill，assomanygirlsdointhoseuniversitycolleges，throughthebadnessofherhomeandschooltraining。Shethoughtstudymustneedsbeahardstrainingofthemind。Sheworriedherwork，shegaveherselfnoleisuretoseeitasawhole，shefeltherselfnotmakingheadwayandshecuthergamesandexerciseinordertoincreaseherhoursoftoil，andworkedintothenight。Shecarriedaknackoflaboriousthoroughnessintotheblindalleysandinessentialsofhersubject。
Itdidn'tneedthebadnessofthefoodforwhichBennettHalliscelebratedandtheremarkabledietaryofnocturnalcocoa，cakesandsoftbiscuitswithwhichthegirlshavesupplementedit，toensurehercollapse。Hermotherbroughtherhome，frettinganddistressed，andthenfindingherhopelesslyunhappyathome，tookherandherhalf-brother，aratherailingyoungsteroftenwhodiedthreeyearslater，forajourneytoItaly。
ItalydidmuchtoassuageMargaret'schagrin。Ithinkallthreeofthemhadaverygoodtimethere。AthomeMr。Seddon，herstep-
father，playedthepartofawell-meaningblightbyreasonofthemoodsthatarosefromnervousdyspepsia。TheywenttoFlorence，equippedwithvariousintroductionsandmuchsoundadvicefromsympatheticCambridgefriends，andhavingacquiredaneaseinItalythere，wentontoSiena，Orvieto，andatlastRome。Theyreturned，ifIrememberrightly，byPisa，Genoa，MilanandParis。Sixmonthsormoretheyhadhadabroad，andnowMargaretwasbackinBurslem，inhealthagainandconsciouslyaverycivilisedperson。
Newideaswereabroad，itwasMaytimeandaspringofabundantflowers——daffodilswereparticularlygoodthatyear——andMrs。Seddoncelebratedherreturnbygivinganafternoonreceptionatshortnotice，withtheclearintentionoflettingeveryoneoutintothegardeniftheweatherheld。
TheSeddonshadabigoldfarmhousemodifiedtomodernideasofcomfortontheroadouttowardsMisterton，withanorchardthathadbeenratherpleasantlysubduedfromusetoornament。Ithadrichblossomingcherryandappletrees。Largepatchesofgrassfullofnoddingyellowtrumpetshadbeenleftamidstthenottoopreciselymowngrass，whichwasasitweregrasspathwithanoccasionallapseintolawnorglade。AndMargaret，hatless，withthefairhairaboveherthin，delicatelypinkfaceverysimplydone，cametomeetourrathertooconsciouslydressedparty，——wehadcomeinthemotorfourstrong，withmyauntingreysilk。Margaretworeasoftflowingfloweredbluedressofdiaphanousmaterial，allunconnectedwiththefashionandtiedwithprettyribbons，likeaslenderer，unbountifulPrimavera。
ItwasoneofthoseMaydaysthatapethelightandheatofsummer，andIrememberdisconnectedlyquiteanumberofbrightlylitfiguresandgroupswalkingabout，andawhitegatebetweenorchardandgardenandalargelawnwithanoaktreeandaredGeorgianhousewithaverandahandopenFrenchwindows，throughwhichtheteadrinkinghadcomeoutuponthemoss-edgedflagstonesevenasMrs。
Seddonhadplanned。
Thepartywasalmostentirelyfeminineexceptforalittlecuratewithalargehead，agoodvoiceandaradiantmanner，whowasobviouslyattractedbyMargaret，andtwoorthreeyounghusbandsstillsufficientlyaddictedtotheirwivestoaccompanythem。OneofthemIrecallasaquiteromanticfigurewithabundantblondcurlyhaironwhichwaspoisedagreyfelthatencircledbyarefinedblackband。Hewore，moreover，alooserichshotsilktieofredandpurple，alongfrockcoat，greytrousersandbrownshoes，andpresentlyheremovedhishatandcarrieditinonehand。Thereweretwotennis-playingyouthsbesidesmyself。Therewasalsoonefatherwiththreedaughtersinanxiouscontrol，afatheroftheoldschoolscarcelyhalfbrokenin，reluctant，rebelliousandconsciouslyandconscientiously"reetStaffordshire。"Thedaughterswereallalerttosuppressthepossibleplungings，theundesirablehumorousimpulsesofthisalmostferalguest。Theynippedhisverygesturesinthebud。Therestofthepeopleweremainlymotherswithdaughters——daughtersofallages，andascatteringofaunts，andtherewasatendencytoclotting，partieskepttogetherandregardedpartiessuspiciously。Mr。Seddonwasinhiding，Ithink，allthetime，thoughnotformallyabsent。
MatterscentredupontheteainthelongroomoftheFrenchwindows，wherefourtrimmaidswenttoandfrobusilybetweenthehouseandtheclumpsofpeopleseatedorstandingbeforeit；andtennisandcroquetwereintermittentlyvisibleandaudiblebeyondabankofrockworkrichwiththespikesandcupsandbellsofhighspring。
Mrs。Seddonpresidedattheteaurn，andMargaretpartlyassistedandpartlytalkedtomeandmycousinSibyl——Gertrudehadfoundadisusedandfadedinitialandwaspartneringhimattennisinastateofgentlerevival——whiletheirmotherexercisedadividedchaperonagefromaseatnearMrs。Seddon。Thelittlecurate，stirringapartiallyemptycupoftea，mingledwithourparty，andpreluded，Iremember，everyobservationhemadebyavigorousresumptionofstirring。
WetalkedofCambridge，andMargaretkeptustoit。ThecuratewasaSelwynmanandhadtakenapassdegreeintheology，butMargarethadcometoGaylord'slecturersinTrinityforatermbeforeherbreakdown，andunderstoodthesedifferences。Shehadtheeagernessofanexiletoheartheoldfamiliarnamesofplacesandpersonalities。WecappedfamiliaranecdotesandwereenthusiasticaboutKings'ChapelandtheBacks，andthecurate，addressinghimselfmoreparticularlytoSibyl，toldalongconfusedstoryillustrativeofhisdispositiontorecklessdevilryofapure-
mindedkindlysortaboutupsettingtwocanoesquiteneedlesslyonthewaytoGrantchester。
IcanstillseeMargaretasIsawherthatafternoon，seeherfreshfairface，withthelittleobliquityoftheupperlip，andherbrowalwaysslightlyknitted，andhermannerasofonebreathlesslyshybutdetermined。Shehadratheropenblueeyes，andshespokeinanevenmusicalvoicewiththegentlestofstressesandtheghostofalisp。Anditwastrue，shegathered，thatCambridgestillexisted。
"IwenttoGrantchester，"shesaid，"lastyear，andhadteaundertheapple-blossom。Ididn'tthinkthenIshouldhavetocomedown。"
Itwasthatstartedthecurateuponhisanecdote。
"I'veseenalotofpictures，andlearntalotaboutthem——atthePittiandtheBrera，——theBreraiswonderful——wonderfulplaces，——butitisn'tlikerealstudy，"shewassayingpresently……"Weboughtbalesofphotographs，"shesaid。
Ithoughtthebalesalittleoutofkeeping。
Butfair-hairedandquitesimplyandyetgraciouslyandfancifullydressed，talkingofartandbeautifulthingsandabeautifulland，andwithsomuchmanifestregretforlearningdenied，sheseemedadifferentkindofbeingaltogetherfrommysmart，hard，high-
coloured，black-hairedandresolutelyhattedcousin；sheseemedtranslucentbesideGertrude。Eventhelittletwistanddroopofherslenderbodywasagracetome。
IlikedherfromthemomentIsawher，andsetmyselftointerestandpleaseheraswellasIknewhow。
WerecalledacaseofraggingthathadrustledtheshrubsofNewnham，andthenChrisRobinson'svisit——hehadgivenatalktoBennettHallalso——andourimpressionofhim。
"Hedisappointedme，too，"saidMargaret。
IwasmovedtotellMargaretsomethingofmyownviewsinthematterofsocialprogress，andshelistened——oh！withakindofurgedattention，andherbrowalittlemoreknitted，veryearnestly。Thelittlecuratedesistedfromtheappendicesandrefuseheapsandgeneraldebrisofhisstory，andmadehimselflookveryalertandintelligent。
"WedidalotofthatwhenIwasupintheeighties，"hesaid。"I'mgladImperialismhasn'tswampedyoufellowsaltogether。"
Gertrude，lookingbrightandconfident，cametojoinourtalkfromtheshrubbery；theinitial，alittleflushedandevidentlyinastateofrefreshedrelationship，camewithher，andacheerfulladyinpinkandmoreparticularlydistinguishedbyapinkbonnetjoinedourlittlegroup。Gertrudehadbeensippingadmirationandwasnotdisposedtoplayapassivepartinthetalk。
"Socialism！"shecried，catchingtheword。"It'swellPaisn'there。HehasFitswhenpeopletalkofsocialism。Fits！"
Theinitiallaughedinageneralkindofway。
ThecuratesaidtherewassocialismANDsocialism，andlookedatMargarettogaugewhetherhehadbeentooboldinthisutterance。
Butshewasall，heperceived，forbroad-mindness，andhestirredhimselfandincidentallyhisteatostillmoreliberalityofexpression。Hesaidthestateofthepoorwasappalling，simplyappalling；thatthereweretimeswhenhewantedtoshatterthewholesystem，"only，"hesaid，turningtomeappealingly，"Whathavewegottoputinitsplace？"
"Thethingthatexistsisalwaysthemoreevidentalternative，"I
said。
Thelittlecuratelookedatitforamoment。"Precisely，"hesaidexplosively，andturnedstirringandwithhisheadalittleononeside，tohearwhatMargaretwassaying。
Margaretwassaying，withaswiftblushandaneffectofdaring，thatshehadnodoubtshewasasocialist。
"Andwearingagoldchain！"saidGertrude，"Anddrinkingoutofeggshell！Ilikethat！"
IcametoMargaret'srescue。"Itdoesn'tfollowthatbecauseone'sasocialistoneoughttodressinsackclothandashes。"
Theinitialcoloureddeeply，andhavingsecuredmyattentionbyproddingmeslightlywiththewristofthehandthatheldhisteacup，clearedhisthroatandsuggestedthat"oneoughttobeconsistent。"
Iperceivedwewereembarkeduponadiscussionoftheelements。Webegananinterestinglittlewrangleoneofthosecrudediscussionsofgeneralideasthataredeartotheheartofyouth。IandMargaretsupportedoneanotherassocialists，GertrudeandSybilandtheinitialmaintainedananti-socialistposition，thecurateattemptedacross-benchpositionwithanairofintendingtocomedownuponuspresentlywithacastingvote。Heremindedusofanumberofusefulprinciplestoooftenoverlookedinargument，thatinabigquestionlikethistherewasmuchtobesaidonbothsides，thatifeveryonedidhisorherdutytoeveryoneaboutthemtherewouldbenodifficultywithsocialproblemsatall，thatoverandaboveallenactmentsweneededmoralchangesinpeoplethemselves。
MycousinGertrudewasadifficultcontroversialisttomanage，beingunconsciousofinconsistencyinstatementandabsolutelyimpervioustoreply。Herstandpointwasessentiallymaterialistic；shedidn'tseewhysheshouldn'thaveagoodtimebecauseotherpeopledidn't；
theywouldhaveagoodtime，shewassure，ifshedidn't。Shesaidthatifwedidgiveupeverythingwehadtootherpeople，theywouldn'tverylikelyknowwhattodowithit。Sheaskedifweweresofondofwork-people，whywedidn'tgoandliveamongthem，andexpressedtheinflexiblepersuasionthatifweHADsocialism，everythingwouldbejustthesameagainintenyears'time。Shealsothrewuponustheimputationofingratitudeforabeautifulworldbysayingthatsofarasshewasconcernedshedidn'twanttoupseteverything。Shewascontentedwiththingsastheywere，thankyou。
ThediscussionledinsomewaythatIdon'tintheleastrecallnow，andpossiblybyabrupttransitions，toacroquetfoursomeinwhichMargaretinvolvedthecuratewithoutinvolvingherself，andthenstoodbesidemeontheedgeofthelawnwhiletheothersplayed。Wewatchedsilentlyforamoment。
"IHATEthatsortofview，"shesaidsuddenlyinaconfidentialundertone，withherdelicatepinkflushreturning。
"It'swantofimagination，"Isaid。
"Tothinkwearejusttoenjoyourselves，"shewenton；"justtogoondressingandplayingandhavingmealsandspendingmoney！"Sheseemedtobereferringnotsimplytomycousins，buttothewholeworldofindustryandpropertyaboutus。"Butwhatisonetodo？"
sheasked。"IdowishIhadnothadtocomedown。It'sallsopointlesshere。Thereseemstobenothinggoingforward，noideas，nodreams。NoonehereseemstofeelquitewhatIfeel，thesortofneedthereisforMEANINGinthings。Ihatethingswithoutmeaning。"
"Don'tyoudo——localwork？"
"IsupposeIshall。IsupposeImustfindsomething。Doyouthink——
ifoneweretoattemptsomesortofpropaganda？"
"Couldyou——？"Ibeganalittledoubtfully。
"IsupposeIcouldn't，"sheanswered，afterathoughtfulmoment。"I
supposeitwouldcometonothing。AndyetIfeelthereissomuchtobedonefortheworld，somuchoneoughttobedoing……I
wanttodosomethingfortheworld。"
Icanseehernowasshestoodtherewithherbrowsnearlyfrowning，herblueeyeslookingbeforeher，hermouthalmostpetulant。"Onefeelsthattherearesomanythingsgoingon——outofone'sreach，"
shesaid。
Iwentbackinthemotor-carwithmymindfullofher，thequalityofdelicatediscontent，thesuggestionofexile。Evenakindofweaknessinherwassympathetic。Shetoldtremendouslyagainstherbackground。Shewas，Isay，likeaprotestingbluefloweruponacinderheap。Itiscurious，too，howsheconnectsandmingleswiththefuriousquarrelIhadwithmyunclethatveryevening。Thatcameabsurdly。IndirectlyMargaretwasresponsible。Mymindwasrunningonideasshehadrevivedandquestionsshehadsetclamouring，andquiteinadvertentlyinmyattempttofindsolutionsItalkedsoastooutragehisprofoundestfeelings……
7
Whatapreposterousshindythatwas！
Isatwithhiminthesmoking-room，propoundingwhatIconsideredtobethemostindisputableandnon-contentiouspropositionsconceivable——until，tomyinfiniteamazement，heexplodedandcalledmea"damnedyoungpuppy。"
Itwasseismic。
"Tremendouslyinterestingtime，"Isaid，"justinthebeginningofmakingacivilisation。"
"Ah！"hesaid，withanavertedface，andnodded，leaningforwardoverhiscigar。
Ihadnottheremotestthoughtofannoyinghim。
"Monstrousmuddleofthingswehavegot，"Isaid，"jumbledstreets，uglypopulation，uglyfactories——"
"You'ddoasightbetterifyouhadtodowithit，"saidmyuncle，regardingmeaskance。
"Notme。Butaworldthathadacollectiveplanandknewwhereitmeanttobegoingwoulddoasightbetter，anyhow。We'reallswimminginafloodofill-calculatedchances——"
"You'llbemakingoutIorganisedthatbusinessdownthere——bychance——next，"saidmyuncle，hisvoicethickwithchallenge。
IwentonasthoughIwasbackinTrinity。
"There'salotofchanceinthemakingofallgreatbusinesses，"I
said。
MyuncleremarkedthatthatshowedhowmuchIknewaboutbusinesses。
Ifchancemadebusinesses，whywasitthathealwayssucceededandgrewwhilethosefoolsAckroydandSonsalwaystooksecondplace？
HeshowedadispositiontotelltheglorioushistoryofhowonceAckroyd'sovershadowedhim，andhownowhecouldbuyupAckroyd'sthreetimesover。ButIwantedtogetoutwhatwasinmymind。
"Oh！"Isaid，"asbetweenmanandmanandbusinessandbusiness，someofcoursegetthepullbythisqualityorthat——butit'sforcesquiteoutsidetheindividualcasethatmakethebigpartofanysuccessundermodernconditions。YOUneverinventedpottery，noranyprocessinpotterythatmattersarapinyourworks；itwasn'tYOURforesightthatjoinedallEnglandupwithrailwaysandmadeitpossibletoorganiseproductiononanaltogetherdifferentscale。
Youreallyattheutmostcan'ttakecreditformuchmorethanbeingthesortofmanwhohappenedtofitwhathappenedtobetherequirementsofthetime，andwhohappenedtobeinapositiontotakeadvantageofthem——"
Itwasthenmyunclecriedoutandcalledmeadamnedyoungpuppy，andbecameinvolvedinsomeunexpectedtroubleofhisown。
Iwokeupasitwerefrommyanalysisofthesituationtodiscoverhimbentoverasplendidspittoon，cursingincoherently，retchingalittle，andspittingouttheendofhiscigarwhichhehadbittenoffinhislastattemptatself-control，andwithalfullypreparedassoonashehadclearedforactiontogivemejustallthatheconsideredtobethecontentsofhismindupontheconditionofmine。
Well，whyshouldn'tItalkmymindtohim？He'dneverhadanoutsideviewofhimselfforyears，andIresolvedtostanduptohim。Wewentatithammerandtongs！ItbecameclearthathesupposedmetobeaSocialist，azealous，embitteredhaterofallownership——andalsoaneducatedmanofthevilest，mostpretentiouslysuperiordescription。HisprincipalgrievancewasthatIthoughtIkneweverything；tothatherecurredagainandagain……
WehadbeenmaintaininganarmedtrucewitheachothersincemyresolvetogouptoCambridge，andnowwehadoutallthathadaccumulatedbetweenus。Therehadbeenstupendousaccumulations……
Theparticularthingswesaidanddidinthatbawlmgencountermatternothingatallinthisstory。Ican'tnowestimatehownearwecametofisticuffs。Itendedwithmysaying，afterapungentreminderofbenefitsconferredandremembered，thatIdidn'twanttostayanotherhourinhishouse。Iwentupstairs，inastateofpuerilefury，topackandgoofftotheRailwayHotel，whilehe，withironicalcivility，telephonedforacab。
"Goodriddance！"shoutedmyuncle，seeingmeoffintothenight。
Onthefaceofitourrowwaspreposterous，buttheunderlyingrealityofourquarrelwastheessentialantagonism，itseemedtome，inallhumanaffairs，theantagonismbetweenideasandtheestablishedmethod，thatistosay，betweenideasandtheruleofthumb。TheworldIhateistherule-of-thumbworld，thethingIandmykindofpeopleexistforprimarilyistobattlewiththat，toannoyit，disarrangeit，reconstructit。Wequestioneverything，disturbanythingthatcannotgiveaclearjustificationtoourquestioning，becausewebelieveinherentlythatoursenseofdisorderimpliesthepossibilityofabetterorder。Ofcoursewearedetestable。Myunclewasofthatothervastermasswhoaccepteverythingforthethingitseemstobe，hateenquiryandanalysisasatramphateswashing，dreadandresistchange，opposeexperiment，despisescience。Theworldisourbattleground；andallhistory，allliteraturethatmatters，allscience，dealswiththisconflictofthethingthatisandthespeculative"if"thatwilldestroyit。
ButthatiswhyIdidnotseeMargaretSeddonagainforfiveyears。
CHAPTERTHESECOND
MARGARETINLONDON
1
Iwastwenty-sevenwhenImetMargaretagain，andtheinterveningfiveyearshadbeenyearsofvigorousactivityforme，ifnotofveryremarkablegrowth。WhenIsawheragain，Icouldcountmyselfagrownman。Ithink，indeed，IcountedmyselfmorecompletelygrownthanIwas。Atanyrate，byallordinarystandards，Ihad"goton"verywell，andmyideas，iftheyhadnotchangedverygreatly，hadbecomemuchmoredefiniteandmyambitionsclearerandbolder。
IhadlongsinceabandonedmyfellowshipandcometoLondon。Ihadpublishedtwobooksthathadbeentalkedabout，writtenseveralarticles，andestablishedaregularrelationshipwiththeWEEKLY
REVIEWandtheEVENINGGAZETTE。IwasamemberoftheEightyClubandlearningtoadaptthestyleoftheCambridgeUniontolargeruses。TheLondonworldhadopenedouttomeveryreadily。Ihaddevelopedapleasantvarietyofsocialconnections。IhadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。Evesham，whohadbeenattractedbymyNEWRULER，andwhotalkedaboutitandme，andsodidaverygreatdealtomakeawayformeintothecompanyofprominentandamusingpeople。I
dinedoutquitefrequently。TheglitterandinterestofgoodLondondinnerpartiesbecameacommonexperience。Ilikedthesortofconversationonegotatthemextremely，thelittleglowofduologuesburningupintomoregeneraldiscussions，theclosing-inofthemenafterthegoingofthewomen，thesage，substantialmasculinegossiping，thelaterresumptionofeffectivetalkwithsomepleasantwoman，graciouslyatherbest。Ihadawiderangeofhouses；
Cambridgehadlinkedmetooneortwocorrelatedsetsofartisticandliterarypeople，andmybooksandMr。Eveshamandopenedtomethebigvagueworldof"society。"Iwasn'taggressivenorparticularlysnobbishnortroublesome，sometimesItalkedwell，andifIhadnothinginterestingtosayIsaidaslittleaspossible，andIhadayouthfulgravityofmannerthatwaslikedbyhostesses。
AndtheothersideofmynaturethatfirstflaredthroughthecoverofrestraintsatLocarno，thattoohadhadopportunitytodevelopalongthelineLondonrenderspracticable。Ihadhadmyexperiencesandsecretsandadventuresamongthatfringeofill-matedorerraticordiscreditedwomentheLondonworldpossesses。Thethinghadlongagoceasedtobeamatterofmagicormystery，andhadbecomeaquestionofappetitesandexcitement，andamongotherthingstheexcitementofnotbeingfoundout。
Iwriteratherdoubtfullyofmygrowingduringthisperiod。IndeedIfindithardtojudgewhetherIcansaythatIgrewatallinanyrealsenseoftheword，betweenthreeandtwentyandtwenty-seven。
Itseemstomenowtohavebeenratheraphaseofrealisationandclarification。Allthebroadlinesofmythoughtwerelaiddown，I
amsure，bythedateofmyLocarnoadventure，butinthosefiveyearsIdiscussedthingsoverandoveragainwithmyselfandothers，filledoutwithconcretefactformsIhadatfirstapprehendedsketchilyandconversationally，measuredmypowersagainstmyidealsandtheforcesintheworldaboutme。Itwasevidentthatmanymennobetterthanmyselfandwithnogreateradvantagesthanminehadraisedthemselvestoinfluentialandevendecisivepositionsintheworldsofpoliticsandthought。Iwasgatheringtheconfidenceandknowledgenecessarytoattacktheworldinthelargemanner；IfoundIcouldwrite，andthatpeoplewouldletmewriteifIchose，asonehavingauthorityandnotasthescribes。SociallyandpoliticallyandintellectuallyIknewmyselfforanhonestman，andthatquitewithoutanydeliberationonmypartthisshowedandmadethingseasyforme。Peopletrustedmygoodfaithfromthebeginning——forallthatIcamefromnowhereandhadnobetterpositionthananyadventurer。
Butthegrowthprocesswasarrested，Iwasnothingbiggerattwenty-
seventhanattwenty-two，howevermuchsanerandstronger，andanyonelookingcloselyintomymindduringthatperiodmightwellhaveimaginedgrowthfinishedaltogether。ItisparticularlyevidenttomenowthatIcamenonearertoanyunderstandingofwomenduringthattime。ThatLocarnoaffairwasinfinitelymoretomethanIhadsupposed。Itendedsomething——nippedsomethinginthebudperhaps——
tookmeatastridefromavague，fine，ignorant，closedworldofemotiontointrigueandaperfectlydefiniteandlimitedsensuality。
Itendedmyyouth，andforatimeitpreventedmymanhood。Ihadneveryetevenpeepedatthesweetest，profoundestthingintheworld，theheartandmeaningofagirl，ordreamtwithanyqualityofrealityofawifeoranysuchthingasafriendamongwomanhood。
Myvagueanticipationofsuchthingsinlifehadvanishedaltogether。Iturnedawayfromtheirpossibility。ItseemedtomeIknewwhathadtobeknownaboutwomankind。Iwantedtoworkhard，togetontoapositioninwhichIcoulddevelopandforwardmyconstructiveprojects。Women，Ithought，hadnothingtodowiththat。ItseemedclearIcouldnotmarryforsomeyears；Iwasattractivetocertaintypesofwomen，Ihadvanityenoughtogivemeanagreeableconfidenceinlove-making，andIwentaboutseekingaconvenientmistressquitedeliberately，someonewhoshouldservemypurposeandsayintheend，likethatkindlyfirstmistressofmine，"I'vedoneyounoharm，"andsoreleaseme。ItseemedtheonlywisewayofdisposingofurgenciesthatmightotherwiseentangleandwreckthecareerIwasintentupon。
Idon'tapologisefor，ordefendmymentalandmoralphases。SoitwasIappraisedlifeandpreparedtotakeit，andsoitisathousandambitiousmenseeitto-day……
Fortherestthesefiveyearswereaperiodofdefinition。Mypoliticalconceptionswereperfectlyplainandhonest。Ihadoneconstantdesirerulingmythoughts。ImeanttoleaveEnglandandtheempirebetterorderedthanIfoundit，toorganiseanddiscipline，tobuildupaconstructiveandcontrollingStateoutofmyworld'sconfusions。Wehad，Isaw，tosuffuseeducationwithpublicintention，todevelopanewbetter-livinggenerationwithacollectivisthabitofthought，tolinknowchaoticactivitiesineveryhumanaffair，andparticularlytocatchthatescaped，world-
making，world-ruining，dangerousthing，industrialandfinancialenterprise，andbringitbacktotheserviceofthegeneralgood。I
hadthenthepreciseimagethatstillservesmeasasymbolforallIwishtobringabout，theimageofanengineerbuildingalockinaswellingtorrent——withwaterpressureashisonlysourceofpower。
Mythoughtsandactswerehabituallyturnedtothatenterprise；itgaveshapeanddirectiontoallmylife。Theproblemthatmostengagedmymindduringthoseyearswasthepracticalandpersonalproblemofjustwheretoapplymyselftoservethisalmostinnatepurpose。HowwasI，achildofthisconfusion，strugglingupwardthroughtheconfusion，totakeholdofthings？Somewherebetweenpoliticsandliteraturemygripmustneedsbefound，butwhere？
AlwaysIseemtohavebeenlookingforthatinthoseopeningyears，anddisregardingeverythingelsetodiscoverit。
2
TheBaileys，underwhoseauspicesImetMargaretagain，wereinthesharpestcontrastwiththenarrowindustrialismoftheStaffordshireworld。Theywereindeedattheotherextremeofthescale，twoactiveself-centredpeople，excessivelydevotedtothepublicservice。ItwasnaturalIshouldgravitatetothem，fortheyseemedtostandforthematurer，moredisciplined，betterinformedexpressionofallIwasthenurgenttoattempttodo。Thebulkoftheirfriendswerepoliticiansorpublicofficials，theydescribedthemselvesaspublicists——avagueyetsufficientlysignificantterm。
TheylivedandworkedinahardlittlehouseinChambersStreet，Westminster，andmadeacentreforquiteanastonishingamountofpoliticalandsocialactivity。
Willersleytookmethereoneevening。Theplacewasalmostpretentiouslymatter-of-factandunassuming。Thenarrowpassage-
hall，paperedwithsomeancientyellowishpaper，grainedtoimitatewood，waschokedwithhatsandcloaksandanoccasionalfemininewrap。MotionedratherthanannouncedbyatallScotchservantwoman，theonlydomesticIeverrememberseeingthere，wemadeourwayupanarrowstaircasepasttheopendoorofasmallstudypackedwithblue-books，todiscoverAltioraBaileyreceivingbeforethefireplaceinherdrawing-room。Shewasatallcommandingfigure，splendidbutalittleuntidyinblacksilkandredbeads，withdarkeyesthathadnodepths，withaclearhardvoicethathadanalmostvisibleprominence，aquilinefeaturesandstraightblackhairthatwasapttogetastray，thatwasnowastrayliketheheadfeathersofaneagleinagale。Shestoodwithherhandsbehindherback，andtalkedinahightenorofaprojectedTownPlanningBillwithBlupp，whowaspracticallyinthosedaysthesecretaryofthelocalGovernmentBoard。Averyshortbroadmanwiththickearsandfatwhitehandswrithingintertwinedbehindhim，stoodwithhisbacktous，eagertobarkinterruptionsintoAltiora'sdiscourse。Aslendergirlinpaleblue，manifestlyayoungpoliticalwife，stoodwithonefootonthefenderlisteningwithanexpressionofentirelypuzzledpropitiation。Atallsandy-beardedbishopwiththeexpressionofamaninatrancecompletedthiscentralgroup。
Theroomwasoneofthoselongapartmentsoncedividedbyfoldingdoors，andreachingfrombacktofront，thatarecommonuponthefirstfloorsofLondonhouses。Itswallswerehungwithtwoorthreeindifferentwatercolours，therewasscarcelyanyfurniturebutasofaorsoandachair，andthefloor，severelycarpetedwithmatting，wascrowdedwithacuriousmedleyofpeople，menpredominating。Severalwereineveningdress，butmosthadthemorninggarbofthepolitician；thewomenwereeitherseverelyrationalorradiantlymagnificent。WillersleypointedouttomethewifeoftheSecretaryofStateforWar，andIrecognisedtheDuchessofClynes，whoatthattimecultivatedintellectuality。Ilookedround，identifyingafacehereorthere，andsteppingbacktrodonsomeone'stoe，andturnedtofinditbelongedtotheRightHon。G。
B。Mottisham，deartothePUNCHcaricaturists。Hereceivedmyapologywiththatintentionalcharmthatisoneofhismostdelightfultraits，andresumedhisdiscussion。BesidehimwasEsmeerofTrinity，whomIhadnotseensincemyCambridgedays……
Willersleyfoundanex-memberoftheSchoolBoardforwhomhehadaffinities，andleftmetoexchangeexperiencesandcommentsuponthecompanywithEsmeer。Esmeerwasstilladon；buthewasnibbling，hesaid，atcertainnegotiationswiththeTIMESthatmightbringhimdowntoLondon。HewantedtocometoLondon。"WepeepatthingsfromCambridge，"hesaid。
"Thissortofthing，"Isaid，"makesLondonnecessary。It'stheoddestgathering。"
"Everyonecomeshere，"saidEsmeer。"Mostlywehatethemlikepoison——jealousy——andlittleirritations——Altioracanbeahorrorattimes——butweHAVEtocome。"
"Thingsarebeingdone？"
"Oh！——nodoubtofit。It'soneofthepartsoftheBritishmachinery——thatdoesn'tshow……Butnobodyelsecoulddoit。
"Twopeople，"saidEsmeer，"who'veplannedtobeapower——inanoriginalway。AndbyJove！they'vedoneit！"
IdidnotforsometimepickoutOscarBailey，andthenEsmeershowedhimtomeinelaboratelyconfidentialtalkinacornerwithadistinguished-lookingstrangerwearingaribbon。Oscarhadnoneofthefineappearanceofhiswife；hewasashortsturdyfigurewitharoundedprotrudingabdomenandacuriousbroad，flattened，clean-
shavenfacethatseemednearlyallforehead。HewasofAnglo-
Hungarianextraction，andIhavealwaysfanciedsomethingMongolianinhistype。Hepeeredupwithreddishswollen-lookingeyesovergilt-edgedglassesthatweredividedhorizontallyintoportionsofdifferentrefractivepower，andhetalkinginaningratiatingundertone，withbusythinlips，aneagerlispandnervousmovementsofthehand。
PeoplesaythatthirtyyearsbeforeatOxfordhewasalmostexactlythesameeager，cleverlittlemanhewaswhenIfirstmethim。HehadcomeuptoBalliolbristlingwithextraordinarydegreesandprizescapturnedinprovincialandIrishandScotchuniversities——
andhadmadeanameforhimselfasthemostformidabledealerinexactfacttherhetoriciansoftheUnionhadeverhadtoencounter。
FromOxfordhehadgoneontoapositionintheHigherDivisionoftheCivilService，IthinkintheWarOffice，andhadspeedilymadeaplaceforhimselfasapoliticaljournalist。Hewasaparticularlyneatcontroversialist，andveryfullofpoliticalandsociologicalideas。Hehadaquiteastoundingmemoryforfactsandamasteryofdetailedanalysis，andthetimeaffordedscopeforthesegifts。Thelatereightieswerefullofpolitico-socialdiscussion，andhebecameaprominentnameuponthecontentslistoftheNINETEENTHCENTURY，theFORTNIGHTLYandCONTEMPORARYchieflyasahalfsympatheticbutfrequentlyverydamagingcriticofthesocialismofthatperiod。Hewontheimmenserespectofeveryonespeciallyinterestedinsocialandpoliticalquestions，hesoonachievedthelimiteddistinctionthatisawardedsuchcapacity，andatthatIthinkhewouldhaveremainedfortherestofhislifeifhehadnotencounteredAltiora。
ButAltioraMacvitiewasanaltogetherexceptionalwoman，anextraordinarymixtureofqualities，theonewomanintheworldwhocouldmakesomethingmoreoutofBaileythanthat。Shehadmuchofthevigourandhandsomenessofaslenderimpudentyoungman，andanunscrupulousnessaltogetherfeminine。Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarewaitingin——whatistheword？——muliebrity。Shehadcourageandinitiativeandaphilosophicalwayofhandlingquestions，andshecouldbeboredbyregularworklikeaman。Shewasentirelyunfittedforhersex'ssphere。Shewasneitheruncertain，coynorhardtoplease，andaltogethertoostimulatingandaggressiveforanygentleman'shoursofease。Hercookerywouldhavebeenaboutassketchyasherhandwriting，whichwasgenerallyquiteillegible，andshewouldhavemade，Ifeelsure，ashockingbadnurse。Yetyoumustn'timagineshewasaninelegantorunbeautifulwoman，andsheisinconceivabletomeinhighcollarsoranysortofmasculinegarment。Buthersoulwasbony，andatthebaseofherwasavanitygauntandgreedy！Whenshewasn'tinastateofpersonaluntidinessthatwaspartlyaprotestagainstthewasteofhoursexactedbythetoiletandpartlyanaturaldisinclination，shehadagypsysplendourofblackandredandsilverallherown。AndsomewhenintheearlyninetiesshemetandmarriedBailey。
Iknowverylittleaboutherearlyyears。ShewastheonlydaughterofSirDeightonMacvitie，whoappliedtheiodoformprocesstocotton，andonlyhissubsequentunfortunateattemptstobecomeaCottonKingpreventedherbeingaveryrichwoman。Asitwasshehadatolerableindependence。Shecameintoprominenceasoneofthemoreableofthelittleshoalofyoungwomenwhowereledintopolitico-philanthropicactivitiesbytheinfluenceoftheearliernovelsofMrs。HumphryWard——theMarcellacrop。Shewent"slumming"withdistinguishedvigour，whichwasquiteusualinthosedays——andreturnedfromherexperiencesasanamateurflowergirlwithclearandoriginalviewsabouttheproblem——whichisandalwayshadbeenunusual。Shehadnotmarried，Isupposebecauseherstandardswerehigh，andmenarecowardsandwithaninstinctiveappetiteformuliebrity。Shehadkepthouseforherfatherbyspeakingoccasionallytothehousekeeper，butlerandcookhermotherhadlefther，andgatheringthemostinterestingdinnerpartiesshecould，andhadmarriedofffourorphanniecesinaharshandsuccessfulmanner。Afterherfather'ssmashanddeathshecameoutasawriteruponsocialquestionsandascathingcriticoftheCharityOrganisationSociety，andshewasthreeandthirtyandalittleatlooseendswhenshemetOscarBailey，sotospeak，intheCONTEMPORARYREVIEW。Thelurkingwomaninhernaturewasfascinatedbytheeaseandprecisionwithwhichthelittlemanrolledoverallsortsofimportantandauthoritativepeople，shewasthefirsttodiscoverasortofimaginativebignessinhisstillgrowingmind，theforeheadperhapscarriedhimoffphysically，andshetookoccasiontomeetandsubjugatehim，and，sosoonashehadsufficientlyrecoveredfromhisabjecthumilityandacertainpanicatherattentions，marryhim。
ThishadopenedanewphaseinthelivesofBaileyandherself。Thetwosupplementedeachothertoanextraordinaryextent。Theirsubsequentcareerwas，Ithink，almostentirelyherinvention。Shewasaggressive，imaginative，andhadagreatcapacityforideas，whilehewasalmostdestituteofinitiative，andcoulddonothingwithideasexceptrememberanddiscussthem。Shewas，ifnotexact，atleastindolent，withastrongdispositiontosaveenergybysketching——evenherhandwritingshowedthat——whilehewasinexhaustiblyindustriouswitharelentlessinvariablecaligraphythatgrewlargerandclearerastheyearspassedby。Shehadaconsiderablepowerofcharming；shecouldbejustasnicetopeople——
andincidentallyjustasnasty——asshewantedtobe。Hewasalwaysjustthesame，alittleconfidentialandSOTTOVOCE，artlesslyrudeandegoisticinanundignifiedway。Shehadconsiderablesocialexperience，goodsocialconnections，andconsiderablesocialambition，whilehehadnoneofthesethings。Shesawinaflashheropportunitytoredeemhisdefects，usehispowers，anddolarge，novel，ratherstartlingthings。Sheranhim。Hermarriage，whichshockedherfriendsandrelationsbeyondmeasure——foratimetheywouldonlyspeakofBaileyas"thatgnome"——wasastrokeofgenius，andforthwiththeyproceededtomakethemselvesthemostformidableanddistinguishedcoupleconceivable。P。B。P。，sheboasted，wasengravedinsidetheirweddingrings，ProBonoPublico，andshemeantittobenoidlethreat。Shehaddiscoveredveryearlythatthelastthinginfluentialpeoplewilldoistowork。Everythingintheirlivestendstomakethemdependentuponasupplyofconfidentlyadministereddetail。Theirbusinessiswiththewindowandnotthestockbehind，andintheendtheyaredependentuponthestockbehindforwhatgoesintothewindow。ShelinkedwiththatthefactthatBaileyhadamindasorderlyasamuseum，andaninvinciblepoweroverdetail。Shesawthatiftwopeopletookthenecessarypainstoknowthefactsofgovernmentandadministrationwithprecision，togathertogetherknowledgethatwasdispersedandconfused，tobeabletosaypreciselywhathadtobedoneandwhatavoidedinthiseventualityorthat，theywouldnecessarilybecomeacentreofreferenceforallsortsoflegislativeproposalsandpoliticalexpedients，andshewentunhesitatinglyuponthat。
Bailey，underhervigorousdirection，threwuphispostintheCivilServiceandabandonedsporadiccontroversies，andtheydevotedthemselvestotheelaborationandrealisationofthiscentreofpublicinformationshehadconceivedastheirrole。Theysetouttostudythemethodsandorganisationandrealitiesofgovernmentinthemostelaboratemanner。Theydidtheworkasnoonehadeverhithertodreamtofdoingit。Theyplannedtheresearchonathoroughlysatisfyingscale，andarrangedtheirlivesalmostentirelyforit。TheytookthathouseinChambersStreetandfurnisheditwithsevereeconomy，theydiscoveredthatScotchdomesticwhoisdestinedtobetheguardianandtyrantoftheirdecliningyears，andtheysettowork。Theirfirstbook，"ThePermanentOfficial，"fillsthreeplumpvolumes，andtookthemandtheirtwosecretariesupwardsoffouryearstodo。Itisanamazinglygoodbook，anenduringachievement。Inahundreddirectionsthehistoryandtheadministrativetreatmentofthepublicservicewasclarifiedforalltime……
Theyworkedregularlyeverymorningfromninetotwelve，theylunchedlightlybutseverely，intheafternoonthey"tookexercise"
orBaileyattendedmeetingsoftheLondonSchoolBoard，onwhichheserved，hesaid，forthepurposesofstudy——healsobecamearailwaydirectorforthesameend。InthelateafternoonAltiorawasathometovariouscallers，andintheeveningcamedinnerorareceptionorboth。
Herdinnersandgatheringswereaveryimportantfeatureintheirscheme。Shegottogetherallsortsofinterestingpeopleinoraboutthepublicservice，shemixedtheobscurelyefficientwiththeill-instructedfamousandtherudderlessrich，gottogetherinoneroommoreofthefactorsinourstrangejumbleofapubliclifethanhadevermeteasilybefore。Shefedthemwithashamelessausteritythatkepttheconversationbrilliant，onasoup，aplainfish，andmuttonorboiledfowlandmilkpudding，withnothingtodrinkbutwhiskyandsoda，andhotandcoldwater，andmilkandlemonade。
Everybodywassoonverygladindeedtocometothat。Sheboastedhowlittleherhousekeepingcosther，andsoughtconstantlyforfresheconomiesthatwouldenableher，shesaid，tosustainanadditionalprivatesecretary。SecretariesweretheBaileys'oneextravagance，theylovedtothinkofsearchesgoingonintheBritishMuseum，andlettersbeingclearedupandprecismadeoverhead，whiletheysatinthelittlestudyandworkedtogether，Baileywithaclockworkindustry，andAltiorainsplendidflashesbetweenintervalsofcigarettesandmeditation。"Allefficientpubliccareers，"saidAltiora，"consistintheproperdirectionofsecretaries。"
"IfeverythinggoeswellIshallhaveanothersecretarynextyear，"
Altioratoldme。"IwishIcouldrefusepeopledinnernapkins。
Imaginewhatitmeansinwashing！Idaremostthings……Butasitis，theystandalotofhardshiphere。"
"There'ssomethingofthemiserinboththesepeople，"saidEsmeer，andthethingwasperfectlytrue。For，afterall，themiserisnothingmorethanamanwhoeitherthroughwantofimaginationorwantofsuggestionmisappliestoabaseuseanaturalpowerofconcentrationupononeend。Theconcentrationitselfisneithergoodnorevil，butapowerthatcanbeusedineitherway。AndtheBaileysgatheredandreinvestedusuriouslynotmoney，butknowledgeoftheutmostvalueinhumanaffairs。Theyproducedaneffectofhavingfoundthemselves——completely。Oneenviedthemattimesextraordinarily。Iwasattracted，Iwasdazzled——andatthesametimetherewassomethingaboutBailey'sbigwrinkledforehead，hislispingbroadmouth，thegesturesofhishandsandanuncivilpreoccupationIcouldnotendure……
3
Theireffectuponmewasfromtheoutsetveryconsiderable。
BothofthemfoundoccasiononthatfirstvisitofminetotalktomeaboutmypublishedwritingsandparticularlyaboutmythenjustpublishedbookTHENEWRULER，whichhadinterestedthemverymuch。
ItfellinindeedsocloselywiththeirownwayofthinkingthatI
doubtiftheyeverunderstoodhowindependentlyIhadarrivedatmyconclusions。Itwastheirweaknesstoclaimexcessively。Thatirritation，however，camelater。Wediscoveredeachotherimmensely；foratimeitproducedatremendoussenseofkindredandcooperation。
Altiora，Iremember，maintainedthatthereexistedagreatarmyofsuchconstructive-mindedpeopleasourselves——asyetundiscoveredbyoneanother。
"It'slikeboringatunnelthroughamountain，"saidOscar，"andpresentlyhearingthetappingoftheworkersfromtheotherend。"
"Ifyoudidn'tknowofthembeforehand，"Isaid，"itmightbearatherbadlyjoinedtunnel。"
"Exactly，"saidAltiorawithahighnote，"andthat'swhyweallwanttofindouteachother……"
Theydidn'ttalklikethatonourfirstencounter，buttheyurgedmetolunchwiththemnextday，andthenitwaswewentintothings。A
womanFactoryInspectorandtheEducationalMinisterforNewBankslandandhiswifewerealsothere，butIdon'tremembertheymadeanycontributiontotheconversation。TheBaileyssawtothat。
Theykeptonatmeinanurgentlitigiousway。