Andalltheattachmentofhissoulwouldnotkeephim。Verywell，hewouldhavetogo。Buthewouldcomebackwhenhehadtiredofhis，newsensation。
　　Hehackedattheearthtillshewasfrettedtodeath。Sherose。
　　Hesatflinginglumpsofearthinthestream。
　　“Wewillgoandhaveteahere？”heasked。
　　“Yes，“sheanswered。
　　Theychatteredoverirrelevantsubjectsduringtea。
　　Heheldforthontheloveofornament——thecottageparlourmovedhim，thereto——anditsconnectionwithaesthetics。Shewascoldandquiet。
　　Astheywalkedhome，sheasked：
　　“Andweshallnotseeeachother？”
　　“No——orrarely，“heanswered。
　　“Norwrite？”sheasked，almostsarcastically。
　　“Asyouwill，“heanswered。”We’renotstrangers——never，shouldbe，whateverhappened。Iwillwritetoyounowandagain。
　　Youpleaseyourself。”
　　“Isee！”sheansweredcuttingly。
　　Buthewasatthatstageatwhichnothingelsehurts。
　　Hehadmadeagreatcleavageinhislife。Hehadhadagreatshock，whenshehadtoldhimtheirlovehadbeenalwaysaconflict。
　　Nothingmoremattered。Ifitneverhadbeenmuch，therewasnoneed，tomakeafussthatitwasended。
　　Heleftheratthelane-end。Asshewenthome，solitary，inhernewfrock，havingherpeopletofaceattheotherend，hestoodstillwithshameandpaininthehighroad，thinkingof，thesufferinghecausedher。
　　Inthereactiontowardsrestoringhisself-esteem，hewent，intotheWillowTreeforadrink。Therewerefourgirlswhohad，beenoutfortheday，drinkingamodestglassofport。Theyhad，somechocolatesonthetable。Paulsatnearwithhiswhisky。
　　Henoticedthegirlswhisperingandnudging。Presentlyone，abonnydarkhussy，leanedtohimandsaid：
　　“Haveachocolate？”
　　Theotherslaughedloudlyatherimpudence。
　　“Allright，“saidPaul。”Givemeahardone——nut。Idon’t，likecreams。”
　　“Hereyouare，then，“saidthegirl;“here’sanalmondforyou。”
　　Sheheldthesweetbetweenherfingers。Heopenedhismouth。
　　Shepoppeditin，andblushed。
　　“YouAREnice！”hesaid。
　　“Well，“sheanswered，“wethoughtyoulookedovercast，andtheydaredmeofferyouachocolate。”
　　“Idon’tmindifIhaveanother——anothersort，“hesaid。
　　Andpresentlytheywerealllaughingtogether。
　　Itwasnineo’clockwhenhegothome，fallingdark。Heentered，thehouseinsilence。Hismother，whohadbeenwaiting，roseanxiously。
　　“Itoldher，“hesaid。
　　“I’mglad，“repliedthemother，withgreatrelief。
　　Hehunguphiscapwearily。
　　“Isaidwe’dhavedonealtogether，“hesaid。
　　“That’sright，myson，“saidthemother。”It’shardforhernow，butbestinthelongrun。Iknow。Youweren’tsuitedforher。”
　　Helaughedshakilyashesatdown。
　　“I’vehadsuchalarkwithsomegirlsinapub，“hesaid。
　　Hismotherlookedathim。HehadforgottenMiriamnow。Hetold，heraboutthegirlsintheWillowTree。Mrs。Morellookedathim。
　　Itseemedunreal，hisgaiety。Atthebackofitwastoomuchhorror，andmisery。
　　“Nowhavesomesupper，“shesaidverygently。
　　Afterwardshesaidwistfully：
　　“Sheneverthoughtshe’dhaveme，mother，notfromthefirst，andsoshe’snotdisappointed。”
　　“I’mafraid，“saidhismother，“shedoesn’tgiveuphopes，ofyouyet。”
　　“No，“hesaid，“perhapsnot。”
　　“You’llfindit’sbettertohavedone，“shesaid。
　　“Idon’tknow，“hesaiddesperately。
　　“Well，leaveheralone，“repliedhismother。Sohelefther，andshewasalone。Veryfewpeoplecaredforher，andsheforvery，fewpeople。Sheremainedalonewithherself，waiting。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　PASSION
　　HEwasgraduallymakingitpossibletoearnalivelihoodby，hisart。Liberty’shadtakenseveralofhispainteddesigns，onvariousstuffs，andhecouldselldesignsforembroideries，foraltar-cloths，andsimilarthings，inoneortwoplaces。
　　Itwasnotverymuchhemadeatpresent，buthemightextendit。
　　Hehadalsomadefriendswiththedesignerforapotteryfirm，andwasgainingsomeknowledgeofhisnewacquaintance’sart。
　　Theappliedartsinterestedhimverymuch。Atthesametime，helabouredslowlyathispictures。Helovedtopaintlargefigures，fulloflight，butnotmerelymadeupoflightsandcastshadows，liketheimpressionists;ratherdefinitefiguresthathadacertain，luminousquality，likesomeofMichaelAngelo’speople。Andthese，hefittedintoalandscape，inwhathethoughttrueproportion。
　　Heworkedagreatdealfrommemory，usingeverybodyheknew。
　　Hebelievedfirmlyinhiswork，thatitwasgoodandvaluable。
　　Inspiteoffitsofdepression，shrinking，everything，hebelieved，inhiswork。
　　Hewastwenty-fourwhenhesaidhisfirstconfidentthing，tohismother。
　　“Mother，“hesaid，“Is’llmakeapainterthatthey’llattendto。”
　　Shesniffedinherquaintfashion。Itwaslikeahalf-pleased，shrugoftheshoulders。
　　“Verywell，myboy，we’llsee，“shesaid。
　　“Youshallsee，mypigeon！，Youseeifyou’renotswanky，oneofthesedays！”
　　“I’mquitecontent，myboy，“shesmiled。
　　“Butyou’llhavetoalter。LookatyouwithMinnie！”
　　Minniewasthesmallservant，agirloffourteen。
　　“AndwhataboutMinnie？”askedMrs。Morel，withdignity。
　　“Iheardherthismorning：，’Eh，Mrs。Morel！，Iwasgoing，todothat，’whenyouwentoutintherainforsomecoal，“hesaid。
　　“Thatlooksalotlikeyourbeingabletomanageservants！”
　　“Well，itwasonlythechild’sniceness，“saidMrs。Morel。
　　“Andyouapologisingtoher：，’Youcan’tdotwothingsatonce，canyou？’“
　　“SheWASbusywashingup，“repliedMrs。Morel。
　　“Andwhatdidshesay？，’Itcouldeasyhavewaitedabit。
　　Nowlookhowyourfeetpaddle！’“
　　“Yes——brazenyoungbaggage！”saidMrs。Morel，smiling。
　　Helookedathismother，laughing。Shewasquitewarmand，rosyagainwithloveofhim。Itseemedasifallthesunshine，wereonherforamoment。Hecontinuedhisworkgladly。
　　Sheseemedsowellwhenshewashappythatheforgothergreyhair。
　　AndthatyearshewentwithhimtotheIsleofWightfor，aholiday。Itwastooexcitingforthemboth，andtoobeautiful。
　　Mrs。Morelwasfullofjoyandwonder。Buthewouldhaveher，walkwithhimmorethanshewasable。Shehadabadfaintingbout。
　　Sogreyherfacewas，sobluehermouth！，Itwasagonytohim。
　　Hefeltasifsomeonewerepushingaknifeinhischest。Thenshe，wasbetteragain，andheforgot。Buttheanxietyremainedinsidehim，likeawoundthatdidnotclose。
　　AfterleavingMiriamhewentalmoststraighttoClara。
　　OntheMondayfollowingthedayoftherupturehewentdownto，thework-room。Shelookedupathimandsmiled。Theyhadgrown，veryintimateunawares。Shesawanewbrightnessabouthim。
　　“Well，QueenofSheba！”hesaid，laughing。
　　“Butwhy？”sheasked。
　　“Ithinkitsuitsyou。You’vegotanewfrockon。”
　　Sheflushed，asking：
　　“Andwhatofit？”
　　“Suitsyou——awfully！，Icoulddesignyouadress。”
　　“Howwoulditbe？”
　　Hestoodinfrontofher，hiseyesglitteringasheexpounded。
　　Hekepthereyesfixedwithhis。Thensuddenlyhetookholdofher。
　　Shehalf-startedback。Hedrewthestuffofherblousetighter，smootheditoverherbreast。
　　“MoreSO！”heexplained。
　　Buttheywerebothofthemflamingwithblushes，andimmediately，heranaway。Hehadtouchedher。Hiswholebodywasquivering，withthesensation。
　　Therewasalreadyasortofsecretunderstandingbetweenthem。
　　Thenexteveninghewenttothecinematographwithherforafew，minutesbeforetrain-time。Astheysat，hesawherhandlying，nearhim。Forsomemomentshedarednottouchit。Thepictures，dancedanddithered。Thenhetookherhandinhis。Itwaslarge，andfirm;itfilledhisgrasp。Hehelditfast。Sheneither，movednormadeanysign。Whentheycameouthistrainwasdue。
　　Hehesitated。
　　“Good-night，“shesaid。Hedartedawayacrosstheroad。
　　Thenextdayhecameagain，talkingtoher。Shewasrather，superiorwithhim。
　　“ShallwegoawalkonMonday？”heasked。
　　Sheturnedherfaceaside。
　　“ShallyoutellMiriam？”sherepliedsarcastically。
　　“Ihavebrokenoffwithher，“hesaid。
　　“When？”
　　“LastSunday。”
　　“Youquarrelled？”
　　“No！，Ihadmadeupmymind。ItoldherquitedefinitelyI
　　shouldconsidermyselffree。”
　　Claradidnotanswer，andhereturnedtohiswork。Shewas，soquietandsosuperb！
　　OntheSaturdayeveningheaskedhertocomeanddrinkcoffee，withhiminarestaurant，meetinghimafterworkwasover。Shecame，lookingveryreservedandverydistant。Hehadthree-quarters，ofanhourtotrain-time。
　　“Wewillwalkalittlewhile，“hesaid。
　　Sheagreed，andtheywentpasttheCastleintothePark。
　　Hewasafraidofher。Shewalkedmoodilyathisside，withakind，ofresentful，reluctant，angrywalk。Hewasafraidtotakeherhand。
　　“Whichwayshallwego？”heaskedastheywalkedindarkness。
　　“Idon’tmind。”
　　“Thenwe’llgoupthesteps。”
　　Hesuddenlyturnedround。TheyhadpassedtheParksteps。
　　Shestoodstillinresentmentathissuddenlyabandoningher。
　　Helookedforher。Shestoodaloof。Hecaughthersuddenlyin，hisarms，heldherstrainedforamoment，kissedher。Thenhelet，hergo。
　　“Comealong，“hesaid，penitent。
　　Shefollowedhim。Hetookherhandandkissedher，finger-tips。Theywentinsilence。Whentheycametothelight，heletgoherhand。Neitherspoketilltheyreachedthestation。
　　Thentheylookedeachotherintheeyes。
　　“Good-night，“shesaid。
　　Andhewentforhistrain。Hisbodyactedmechanically。
　　Peopletalkedtohim。Heheardfaintechoesansweringthem。
　　Hewasinadelirium。HefeltthathewouldgomadifMondaydid，notcomeatonce。OnMondayhewouldseeheragain。Allhimself，waspitchedthere，ahead。Sundayintervened。Hecouldnotbearit。
　　HecouldnotseehertillMonday。AndSundayintervened——hour，afterhouroftension。Hewantedtobeathisheadagainstthe，doorofthecarriage。Buthesatstill。Hedranksomewhisky，onthewayhome，butitonlymadeitworse。Hismothermustnot，beupset，thatwasall。Hedissembled，andgotquicklytobed。
　　Therehesat，dressed，withhischinonhisknees，staringoutof，thewindowatthefarhill，withitsfewlights。Heneitherthoughtnorslept，butsatperfectlystill，staring。Andwhenatlasthewassocoldthat，hecametohimself，hefoundhiswatchhadstoppedathalf-pasttwo。
　　Itwasafterthreeo’clock。Hewasexhausted，butstilltherewas，thetormentofknowingitwasonlySundaymorning。Hewenttobed，andslept。Thenhecycledalldaylong，tillhewasfaggedout。
　　Andhescarcelyknewwherehehadbeen。ButthedayafterwasMonday。
　　Heslepttillfouro’clock。Thenhelayandthought。Hewascoming，nearertohimself——hecouldseehimself，real，somewhereinfront。
　　Shewouldgoawalkwithhimintheafternoon。Afternoon！，Itseemed，yearsahead。
　　Slowlythehourscrawled。Hisfathergotup;heheardhim，potteringabout。Thentheminersetofftothepit，hisheavy，bootsscrapingtheyard。Cockswerestillcrowing。Acart，wentdowntheroad。Hismothergotup。Sheknockedthefire。
　　Presentlyshecalledhimsoftly。Heansweredasifhewereasleep。
　　Thisshellofhimselfdidwell。
　　Hewaswalkingtothestation——anothermile！，Thetrain，wasnearNottingham。Woulditstopbeforethetunnels？
　　Butitdidnotmatter;itwouldgettherebeforedinner-time。He，wasatJordan’s。Shewouldcomeinhalfanhour。Atanyrate，shewouldbenear。Hehaddonetheletters。Shewouldbethere。
　　Perhapsshehadnotcome。Herandownstairs。Ah！hesawher，throughtheglassdoor。Hershouldersstoopingalittletoher，workmadehimfeelhecouldnotgoforward;hecouldnotstand。
　　Hewentin。Hewaspale，nervous，awkward，andquitecold。
　　Wouldshemisunderstandhim？，Hecouldnotwritehisrealself，withthisshell。
　　“Andthisafternoon，“hestruggledtosay。”Youwillcome？”
　　“Ithinkso，“shereplied，murmuring。
　　Hestoodbeforeher，unabletosayaword。Shehidher，facefromhim。Againcameoverhimthefeelingthathewould，loseconsciousness。Hesethisteethandwentupstairs。Hehad，doneeverythingcorrectlyyet，andhewoulddoso。Allthemorning，thingsseemedalongwayoff，astheydotoamanunderchloroform。
　　Hehimselfseemedunderatightbandofconstraint。Thentherewashis，otherself，inthedistance，doingthings，enteringstuffinaledger，andhewatchedthatfar-offhimcarefullytoseehemadenomistake。
　　Buttheacheandstrainofitcouldnotgoonmuchlonger。
　　Heworkedincessantly。Stillitwasonlytwelveo’clock。Asifhe，hadnailedhisclothingagainstthedesk，hestoodthereandworked，forcingeverystrokeoutofhimself。Itwasaquartertoone;
　　hecouldclearaway。Thenherandownstairs。
　　“YouwillmeetmeattheFountainattwoo’clock，“hesaid。
　　“Ican’tbetheretillhalf-past。”
　　“Yes！”hesaid。
　　Shesawhisdark，madeyes。
　　“Iwilltryataquarterpast。”
　　Andhehadtobecontent。Hewentandgotsomedinner。
　　Allthetimehewasstillunderchloroform，andeveryminute，wasstretchedoutindefinitely。Hewalkedmilesofstreets。
　　Thenhethoughthewouldbelateatthemeeting-place。Hewasat，theFountainatfivepasttwo。Thetortureofthenextquarter，ofanhourwasrefinedbeyondexpression。Itwastheanguish，ofcombiningthelivingselfwiththeshell。Thenhesawher。
　　Shecame！，Andhewasthere。
　　“Youarelate，“hesaid。
　　“Onlyfiveminutes，“sheanswered。
　　“I’dneverhavedoneittoyou，“helaughed。
　　Shewasinadarkbluecostume。Helookedatherbeautifulfigure。
　　“Youwantsomeflowers，“hesaid，goingtothenearestflorist’s。
　　Shefollowedhiminsilence。Heboughtherabunchofscarlet，brick-redcarnations。Sheputtheminhercoat，flushing。
　　“That’safinecolour！”hesaid。
　　“I’dratherhavehadsomethingsofter，“shesaid。
　　Helaughed。
　　“Doyoufeellikeablotofvermilionwalkingdownthestreet？”
　　hesaid。
　　Shehungherhead，afraidofthepeopletheymet。
　　Helookedsidewaysatherastheywalked。Therewasawonderful，closedownonherfaceneartheearthathewantedtotouch。
　　Andacertainheaviness，theheavinessofaveryfullearof，cornthatdipsslightlyinthewind，thattherewasabouther，madehisbrainspin。Heseemedtobespinningdownthestreet，everythinggoinground。
　　Astheysatinthetramcar，sheleanedherheavyshoulder，againsthim，andhetookherhand。Hefelthimselfcominground，fromtheanaesthetic，beginningtobreathe。Herear，half-hiddenamong，herblondehair，wasneartohim。Thetemptationtokissitwas，almosttoogreat。Buttherewereotherpeopleontopofthecar。
　　Itstillremainedtohimtokissit。Afterall，hewasnothimself，hewassomeattributeofhers，likethesunshinethatfellonher。
　　Helookedquicklyaway。Ithadbeenraining。Thebigbluff，oftheCastlerockwasstreakedwithrain，asitrearedabove，theflatofthetown。Theycrossedthewide，blackspaceofthe，MidlandRailway，andpassedthecattleenclosurethatstoodoutwhite。
　　ThentheyrandownsordidWilfordRoad。
　　Sherockedslightlytothetram’smotion，andassheleaned，againsthim，rockeduponhim。Hewasavigorous，slenderman，withexhaustlessenergy。Hisfacewasrough，withrough-hewnfeatures，likethecommonpeople’s;buthiseyesunderthedeepbrowswere，sofulloflifethattheyfascinatedher。Theyseemedtodance，andyettheywerestilltremblingonthefinestbalanceoflaughter。
　　Hismouththesamewasjustgoingtospringintoalaughoftriumph，yetdidnot。Therewasasharpsuspenseabouthim。Shebither，lipmoodily。Hishandwashardclenchedoverhers。
　　Theypaidtheirtwohalfpenniesattheturnstileandcrossed，thebridge。TheTrentwasveryfull。Itsweptsilentandinsidious，underthebridge，travellinginasoftbody。Therehadbeenagreat，dealofrain。Ontheriverlevelswereflatgleamsoffloodwater。
　　Theskywasgrey，withglistenofsilverhereandthere。InWilford，churchyardthedahliasweresoddenwithrain——wetblack-crimsonballs。
　　Noonewasonthepaththatwentalongthegreenrivermeadow，alongtheelm-treecolonnade。
　　Therewasthefaintesthazeoverthesilvery-darkwater，andthegreenmeadow-bank，andtheelm-treesthatwerespangled，withgold。Theriverslidbyinabody，utterlysilentandswift，intertwiningamongitselflikesomesubtle，complexcreature。
　　Clarawalkedmoodilybesidehim。
　　“Why，“sheaskedatlength，inratherajarringtone，“didyou，leaveMiriam？”
　　Hefrowned。
　　“BecauseIWANTEDtoleaveher，“hesaid。
　　“Why？”
　　“BecauseIdidn’twanttogoonwithher。AndIdidn’twant，tomarry。”
　　Shewassilentforamoment。Theypickedtheirwaydownthemuddypath。
　　Dropsofwaterfellfromtheelm-trees。
　　“Youdidn’twanttomarryMiriam，oryoudidn’twanttomarry，atall？”sheasked。
　　“Both，“heanswered——“both！”
　　Theyhadtomanoeuvretogettothestile，becauseofthepools，ofwater。
　　“Andwhatdidshesay？”Claraasked。
　　“Miriam？，ShesaidIwasababyoffour，andthatIalways，HADbattledheroff。”
　　Claraponderedoverthisforatime。
　　“Butyouhavereallybeengoingwithherforsometime？”
　　sheasked。
　　“Yes。”
　　“Andnowyoudon’twantanymoreofher？”
　　“No。Iknowit’snogood。”
　　Sheponderedagain。
　　“Don’tyouthinkyou’vetreatedherratherbadly？”sheasked。
　　“Yes;Ioughttohavedroppedityearsback。Butitwould，havebeennogoodgoingon。Twowrongsdon’tmakearight。”
　　“HowoldAREyou？”Claraasked。
　　“Twenty-five。”
　　“AndIamthirty，“shesaid。
　　“Iknowyouare。”
　　“Ishallbethirty-one——orAMIthirty-one？”
　　“Ineitherknownorcare。Whatdoesitmatter！”
　　TheywereattheentrancetotheGrove。Thewet，redtrack，alreadystickywithfallenleaves，wentupthesteepbankbetween，thegrass。Oneithersidestoodtheelm-treeslikepillarsalong，agreataisle，archingoverandmakinghighuparooffromwhichthe，deadleavesfell。Allwasemptyandsilentandwet。Shestoodon，topofthestile，andheheldbothherhands。Laughing，shelooked，downintohiseyes。Thensheleaped。Herbreastcameagainsthis;
　　heheldher，andcoveredherfacewithkisses。
　　Theywentonuptheslippery，steepredpath。Presentlyshe，releasedhishandandputitroundherwaist。
　　“Youpresstheveininmyarm，holdingitsotightly，“
　　shesaid。
　　Theywalkedalong。Hisfinger-tipsfelttherockingofherbreast。
　　Allwassilentanddeserted。Onthelefttheredwetplough-land，showedthroughthedoorwaysbetweentheelm-bolesand，theirbranches。Ontheright，lookingdown，theycouldseethetree-tops，ofelmsgrowingfarbeneaththem，hearoccasionallythegurgleof，theriver。Sometimestherebelowtheycaughtglimpsesofthefull，soft-slidingTrent，andofwater-meadowsdottedwithsmallcattle。
　　“IthasscarcelyalteredsincelittleKirkeWhiteusedtocome，“
　　hesaid。
　　Buthewaswatchingherthroatbelowtheear，wheretheflushwas，fusingintothehoney-white，andhermouththatpouteddisconsolate。
　　Shestirredagainsthimasshewalked，andhisbodywaslike，atautstring。
　　Halfwayupthebigcolonnadeofelms，wheretheGroverose，highestabovetheriver，theirforwardmovementfalteredtoanend。
　　Heledheracrosstothegrass，underthetreesattheedgeofthepath。
　　Thecliffofredearthslopedswiftlydown，throughtreesandbushes，totheriverthatglimmeredandwasdarkbetweenthefoliage。
　　Thefar-belowwater-meadowswereverygreen。Heandshestoodleaning，againstoneanother，silent，afraid，theirbodiestouchingallalong。
　　Therecameaquickgurglefromtheriverbelow。
　　“Why，“heaskedatlength，“didyouhateBaxterDawes？”
　　Sheturnedtohimwithasplendidmovement。Hermouthwas，offeredhim，andherthroat;hereyeswerehalf-shut;herbreast，wastiltedasifitaskedforhim。Heflashedwithasmalllaugh，shuthiseyes，andmetherinalong，wholekiss。Hermouthfused，withhis;theirbodiesweresealedandannealed。Itwassomeminutes，beforetheywithdrew。Theywerestandingbesidethepublicpath。
　　“Willyougodowntotheriver？”heasked。
　　Shelookedathim，leavingherselfinhishands。Hewent，overthebrimofthedeclivityandbegantoclimbdown。
　　“Itisslippery，“hesaid。
　　“Nevermind，“shereplied。
　　Theredclaywentdownalmostsheer。Heslid，wentfromone，tuftofgrasstothenext，hangingontothebushes，makingfora，littleplatformatthefootofatree。Therehewaitedforher，laughingwithexcitement。Hershoeswerecloggedwithredearth。
　　Itwashardforher。Hefrowned。Atlasthecaughtherhand，andshestoodbesidehim。Thecliffroseabovethemandfellaway，below。Hercolourwasup，hereyesflashed。Helookedatthebig，dropbelowthem。
　　“It’srisky，“hesaid;“ormessy，atanyrate。Shallwe，goback？”
　　“Notformysake，“shesaidquickly。
　　“Allright。Yousee，Ican’thelpyou;Ishouldonlyhinder。
　　Givemethatlittleparcelandyourgloves。Yourpoorshoes！”
　　Theystoodperchedonthefaceofthedeclivity，underthetrees。
　　“Well，I’llgoagain，“hesaid。
　　Awayhewent，slipping，staggering，slidingtothenexttree，intowhichhefellwithaslamthatnearlyshookthebreathoutofhim。
　　Shecameaftercautiously，hangingontothetwigsandgrasses。
　　Sotheydescended，stagebystage，totheriver’sbrink。There，tohisdisgust，thefloodhadeatenawaythepath，andthered，declineranstraightintothewater。Heduginhisheelsandbrought，himselfupviolently。Thestringoftheparcelbrokewithasnap;
　　thebrownparcelboundeddown，leapedintothewater，andsailed，smoothlyaway。Hehungontohistree。
　　“Well，I’llbedamned！”hecriedcrossly。Thenhelaughed。
　　Shewascomingperilouslydown。
　　“Mind！”hewarnedher。Hestoodwithhisbacktothetree，waiting。”Comenow，“hecalled，openinghisarms。
　　Sheletherselfrun。Hecaughther，andtogethertheystood，watchingthedarkwaterscoopattherawedgeofthebank。
　　Theparcelhadsailedoutofsight。
　　“Itdoesn’tmatter，“shesaid。
　　Heheldhercloseandkissedher。Therewasonlyroom，fortheirfourfeet。
　　“It’saswindle！”hesaid。”Butthere’sarutwhereaman，hasbeen，soifwegoonIguessweshallfindthepathagain。”
　　Theriverslidandtwineditsgreatvolume。Ontheotherbank，cattlewerefeedingonthedesolateflats。Thecliffrosehigh，abovePaulandClaraontheirrighthand。Theystoodagainst，thetreeinthewaterysilence。
　　“Letustrygoingforward，“hesaid;andtheystruggled，intheredclayalongthegrooveaman’snailedbootshadmade。
　　Theywerehotandflushed。Theirbarkledshoeshungheavyon，theirsteps。Atlasttheyfoundthebrokenpath。Itwaslittered，withrubblefromthewater，butatanyrateitwaseasier。
　　Theycleanedtheirbootswithtwigs。Hisheartwasbeatingthick，andfast。
　　Suddenly，comingontothelittlelevel，hesawtwofigures，ofmenstandingsilentatthewater’sedge。Hisheartleaped。
　　Theywerefishing。HeturnedandputhishandupwarninglytoClara。
　　Shehesitated，buttonedhercoat。Thetwowentontogether。
　　Thefishermenturnedcuriouslytowatchthetwointruders，ontheirprivacyandsolitude。Theyhadhadafire，butitwas，nearlyout。Allkeptperfectlystill。Thementurnedagainto，theirfishing，stoodoverthegreyglintingriverlikestatues。
　　Clarawentwithbowedhead，flushing;hewaslaughingtohimself。
　　Directlytheypassedoutofsightbehindthewillows。
　　“Nowtheyoughttobedrowned，“saidPaulsoftly。
　　Claradidnotanswer。Theytoiledforwardalongatinypath，ontheriver’slip。Suddenlyitvanished。Thebankwassheerred，solidclayinfrontofthem，slopingstraightintotheriver。
　　Hestoodandcursedbeneathhisbreath，settinghisteeth。
　　“It’simpossible！”saidClara。
　　Hestooderect，lookinground。Justaheadweretwoislets，inthestream，coveredwithosiers。Buttheywereunattainable。
　　Thecliffcamedownlikeaslopingwallfromfarabovetheirheads。
　　Behind，notfarback，werethefishermen。Acrosstheriverthe，distantcattlefedsilentlyinthedesolateafternoon。Hecursed，againdeeplyunderhisbreath。Hegazedupthegreatsteepbank。
　　Wastherenohopebuttoscalebacktothepublicpath？
　　“Stopaminute，“hesaid，and，digginghisheelssideways，intothesteepbankofredclay，hebegannimblytomount。
　　Helookedacrossateverytree-foot。Atlasthefoundwhathewanted。
　　Twobeech-treessidebysideonthehillheldalittlelevelonthe，upperfacebetweentheirroots。Itwaslitteredwithdampleaves，butitwoulddo。Thefishermenwereperhapssufficientlyoutofsight。
　　Hethrewdownhisrainproofandwavedtohertocome。
　　Shetoiledtohisside。Arrivingthere，shelookedathim，heavily，dumbly，andlaidherheadonhisshoulder。Heheldherfast，ashelookedround。Theyweresafeenoughfromallbutthesmall，lonelycowsovertheriver。Hesunkhismouthonherthroat，wherehefeltherheavypulsebeatunderhislips。Everythingwas，perfectlystill。Therewasnothingintheafternoonbutthemselves。
　　Whenshearose，he，lookingonthegroundallthetime，sawsuddenlysprinkledontheblackwetbeech-rootsmanyscarlet，carnationpetals，likesplasheddropsofblood;andred，small，splashesfellfromherbosom，streamingdownherdresstoherfeet。
　　“Yourflowersaresmashed，“hesaid。
　　Shelookedathimheavilyassheputbackherhair。
　　Suddenlyheputhisfinger-tipsonhercheek。
　　“Whydostlooksoheavy？”hereproachedher。
　　Shesmiledsadly，asifshefeltaloneinherself。Hecaressed，hercheekwithhisfingers，andkissedher。
　　“Nay！”hesaid。”Nevertheebother！”
　　Shegrippedhisfingerstight，andlaughedshakily。
　　Thenshedroppedherhand。Heputthehairbackfromherbrows，strokinghertemples，kissingthemlightly。
　　“Butthashouldnaworrit！”hesaidsoftly，pleading。
　　“No，Idon’tworry！”shelaughedtenderlyandresigned。
　　“Yea，thadoes！，Dunnatheeworrit，“heimplored，caressing。
　　“No！”sheconsoledhim，kissinghim。
　　Theyhadastiffclimbtogettothetopagain。Ittookthem，aquarterofanhour。Whenhegotontothelevelgrass，hethrew，offhiscap，wipedthesweatfromhisforehead，andsighed。
　　“Nowwe’rebackattheordinarylevel，“hesaid。
　　Shesatdown，panting，onthetussockygrass。Hercheeks，wereflushedpink。Hekissedher，andshegavewaytojoy。
　　“AndnowI’llcleanthybootsandmaketheefit，forrespectablefolk，“hesaid。
　　Hekneeledatherfeet，workedawaywithastickandtufts，ofgrass。Sheputherfingersinhishair，drewhisheadtoher，andkissedit。
　　“WhatamIsupposedtobedoing，“hesaid，lookingatherlaughing;
　　“cleaningshoesordibblingwithlove？，Answermethat！”
　　“JustwhicheverIplease，“shereplied。
　　“I’myourboot-boyforthetimebeing，andnothingelse！”
　　Buttheyremainedlookingintoeachother’seyesandlaughing。
　　Thentheykissedwithlittlenibblingkisses。
　　“T-t-t-t！”hewentwithhistongue，likehismother。
　　“Itellyou，nothinggetsdonewhenthere’sawomanabout。”
　　Andhereturnedtohisboot-cleaning，singingsoftly。
　　Shetouchedhisthickhair，andhekissedherfingers。Heworked，awayathershoes。Atlasttheywerequitepresentable。
　　“Thereyouare，yousee！”hesaid。”Aren’tIagreathandat，restoringyoutorespectability？，Standup！
　　There，youlookasirreproachableasBritanniaherself！”
　　Hecleanedhisownbootsalittle，washedhishandsinapuddle，andsang。TheywentonintoCliftonvillage。Hewasmadlyinlove，withher;everymovementshemade，everycreaseinhergarments，sentahotflashthroughhimandseemedadorable。
　　Theoldladyatwhosehousetheyhadteawasrousedintogaiety，bythem。
　　“Icouldwishyou’dhadsomethingofabetterday，“shesaid，hoveringround。
　　“Nay！”helaughed。”We’vebeensayinghowniceitis。”
　　Theoldladylookedathimcuriously。Therewasapeculiar，glowandcharmabouthim。Hiseyesweredarkandlaughing。
　　Herubbedhismoustachewithagladmovement。
　　“HaveyoubeensayingSO！”sheexclaimed，alightrousing，inheroldeyes。
　　“Truly！”helaughed。
　　“ThenI’msuretheday’sgoodenough，“saidtheoldlady。
　　Shefussedabout，anddidnotwanttoleavethem。
　　“Idon’tknowwhetheryou’dlikesomeradishesaswell，“
　　shesaidtoClara;“butI’vegotsomeinthegarden——ANDacucumber。”
　　Claraflushed。Shelookedveryhandsome。
　　“Ishouldlikesomeradishes，“sheanswered。
　　Andtheoldladypotteredoffgleefully。
　　“Ifsheknew！”saidClaraquietlytohim。
　　“Well，shedoesn’tknow;anditshowswe’reniceinourselves，atanyrate。Youlookquiteenoughtosatisfyanarchangel，andI’m，sureIfeelharmless——so——ifitmakesyoulooknice，andmakesfolk，happywhentheyhaveus，andmakesushappy——why，we’renotcheating，themoutofmuch！”
　　Theywentonwiththemeal。Whentheyweregoingaway，theoldladycametimidlywiththreetinydahliasinfullblow，neatasbees，andspeckledscarletandwhite。ShestoodbeforeClara，pleasedwithherself，saying：
　　“Idon’tknowwhether——“andholdingtheflowersforward，inheroldhand。
　　“Oh，howpretty！”criedClara，acceptingtheflowers。
　　“Shallshehavethemall？”askedPaulreproachfullyofthe，oldwoman。
　　“Yes，sheshallhavethemall，“shereplied，beamingwithjoy。
　　“Youhavegotenoughforyourshare。”
　　“Ah，butIshallaskhertogivemeone！”heteased。
　　“Thenshedoesasshepleases，“saidtheoldlady，smiling。
　　Andshebobbedalittlecurtseyofdelight。
　　Clarawasratherquietanduncomfortable。Astheywalkedalong，hesaid：
　　“Youdon’tfeelcriminal，doyou？”
　　Shelookedathimwithstartledgreyeyes。
　　“Criminal！”shesaid。”No。”
　　“Butyouseemtofeelyouhavedoneawrong？”
　　“No，“shesaid。”Ionlythink，’Iftheyknew！’“
　　“Iftheyknew，they’dceasetounderstand。Asitis，theydo，understand，andtheylikeit。Whatdotheymatter？，Here，withonly，thetreesandme，youdon’tfeelnottheleastbitwrong，doyou？”
　　Hetookherbythearm，heldherfacinghim，holdinghereyes，withhis。Somethingfrettedhim。
　　“Notsinners，arewe？”hesaid，withanuneasylittlefrown。
　　“No，“shereplied。
　　Hekissedher，laughing。
　　“Youlikeyourlittlebitofguiltiness，Ibelieve，“hesaid。
　　“IbelieveEveenjoyedit，whenshewentcoweringoutofParadise。”
　　Buttherewasacertainglowandquietnessaboutherthatmade，himglad。Whenhewasaloneintherailway-carriage，hefound，himselftumultuouslyhappy，andthepeopleexceedinglynice，andthenightlovely，andeverythinggood。
　　Mrs。Morelwassittingreadingwhenhegothome。Herhealth，wasnotgoodnow，andtherehadcomethativorypallorintoherface，whichhenevernoticed，andwhichafterwardsheneverforgot。
　　Shedidnotmentionherownill-healthtohim。Afterall，shethought，itwasnotmuch。
　　“Youarelate！”shesaid，lookingathim。
　　Hiseyeswereshining;hisfaceseemedtoglow。Hesmiled，toher。
　　“Yes;I’vebeendownCliftonGrovewithClara。”
　　Hismotherlookedathimagain。
　　“Butwon’tpeopletalk？”shesaid。
　　“Why？，Theyknowshe’sasuffragette，andsoon。Andwhat，iftheydotalk！”
　　“Ofcourse，theremaybenothingwronginit，“saidhismother。
　　“Butyouknowwhatfolksare，andifonceshegetstalkedabout——“
　　“Well，Ican’thelpit。Theirjawisn’tsoalmightyimportant，afterall。”
　　“IthinkyououghttoconsiderHER。”
　　“SoIDO！，Whatcanpeoplesay？——thatwetakeawalktogether。
　　Ibelieveyou’rejealous。”
　　“YouknowIshouldbeGLADifsheweren’tamarriedwoman。”
　　“Well，mydear，shelivesseparatefromherhusband，andtalks，onplatforms;soshe’salreadysingledoutfromthesheep，and，asfar，asIcansee，hasn’tmuchtolose。No;herlife’snothingtoher，sowhat’stheworthofnothing？，Shegoeswithme——itbecomessomething。
　　Thenshemustpay——webothmustpay！，Folkaresofrightenedofpaying;
　　they’dratherstarveanddie。”
　　“Verywell，myson。We’llseehowitwillend。”
　　“Verywell，mymother。I’llabidebytheend。”
　　“We’llsee！”
　　“Andshe’s——she’sAWFULLYnice，mother;sheisreally！
　　Youdon’tknow！”
　　“That’snotthesameasmarryingher。”
　　“It’sperhapsbetter。”
　　Therewassilenceforawhile。Hewanted，toaskhismothersomething，butwasafraid。
　　“Shouldyouliketoknowher？”Hehesitated。
　　“Yes，“saidMrs。Morelcoolly。”Ishouldliketoknow，whatshe’slike。”
　　“Butshe’snice，mother，sheis！，Andnotabitcommon！”
　　“Ineversuggestedshewas。”
　　“Butyouseemtothinkshe’s——notasgoodas——，She’sbetterthan，ninety-ninefolkoutofahundred，Itellyou！，She’sBETTER，sheis！
　　She’sfair，she’shonest，she’sstraight！，Thereisn’tanything，underhandorsuperiorabouther。Don’tbemeanabouther！”
　　Mrs。Morelflushed。
　　“IamsureIamnotmeanabouther。Shemaybequite，asyousay，but——“
　　“Youdon’tapprove，“hefinished。
　　“Anddoyouexpectmeto？”sheansweredcoldly。
　　“Yes！——yes！——ifyou’danythingaboutyou，you’dbeglad！
　　DoyouWANTtoseeher？”
　　“IsaidIdid。”
　　“ThenI’llbringher——shallIbringherhere？”
　　“Youpleaseyourself。”
　　“ThenIWILLbringherhere——oneSunday——totea。Ifyouthink，ahorridthingabouther，Ishan’tforgiveyou。”
　　Hismotherlaughed。
　　“Asifitwouldmakeanydifference！”shesaid。Heknewhe，hadwon。
　　“Oh，butitfeelssofine，whenshe’sthere！，She’ssuch，aqueeninherway。”
　　OccasionallyhestillwalkedalittlewayfromchapelwithMiriam，andEdgar。Hedidnotgouptothefarm。She，however，wasverymuch，thesamewithhim，andhedidnotfeelembarrassedinherpresence。
　　Oneeveningshewasalonewhenheaccompaniedher。Theybegan，bytalkingbooks：，itwastheirunfailingtopic。Mrs。Morelhad，saidthathisandMiriam’saffairwaslikeafirefedonbooks——if，therewerenomorevolumesitwoulddieout。Miriam，forherpart，boastedthatshecouldreadhimlikeabook，couldplaceherfinger，anyminuteonthechapterandtheline。He，easilytakenin，believedthatMiriamknewmoreabouthimthananyoneelse。Soit，pleasedhimtotalktoherabouthimself，likethesimplestegoist。
　　Verysoontheconversationdriftedtohisowndoings。Itflattered，himimmenselythathewasofsuchsupremeinterest。
　　“Andwhathaveyoubeendoinglately？”
　　“I——oh，notmuch！，ImadeasketchofBestwoodfromthegarden，thatisnearlyrightatlast。It’sthehundredthtry。”
　　Sotheywenton。Thenshesaid：
　　“You’venotbeenout，then，lately？”
　　“Yes;IwentupCliftonGroveonMondayafternoonwithClara。”
　　“Itwasnotveryniceweather，“saidMiriam，“wasit？”
　　“ButIwantedtogoout，anditwasallright。TheTrent，ISfull。”
　　“AnddidyougotoBarton？”sheasked。
　　“No;wehadteainClifton。”
　　“DIDyou！，Thatwouldbenice。”
　　“Itwas！，Thejolliestoldwoman！，Shegaveusseveral，pompomdahlias，asprettyasyoulike。”
　　Miriambowedherheadandbrooded。Hewasquiteunconscious，ofconcealinganythingfromher。
　　“Whatmadehergivethemyou？”sheasked。
　　Helaughed。
　　“Becauseshelikedus——becausewewerejolly，Ishouldthink。”
　　Miriamputherfingerinhermouth。
　　“Wereyoulatehome？”sheasked。
　　Atlastheresentedhertone。
　　“Icaughttheseven-thirty。”
　　“Ha！”
　　Theywalkedoninsilence，andhewasangry。
　　“AndhowISClara？”askedMiriam。
　　“Quiteallright，Ithink。”
　　“That’sgood！”shesaid，withatingeofirony。”Bytheway，whatofherhusband？，Oneneverhearsanythingofhim。”
　　“He’sgotsomeotherwoman，andisalsoquiteallright，“
　　hereplied。”Atleast，soIthink。”
　　“Isee——youdon’tknowforcertain。Don’tyouthinkaposition，likethatishardonawoman？”
　　“Rottenlyhard！”
　　“It’ssounjust！”saidMiriam。”Themandoesashelikes——“
　　“Thenletthewomanalso，“hesaid。
　　“Howcanshe？，Andifshedoes，lookatherposition！”
　　“Whatofit？”
　　“Why，it’simpossible！，Youdon’tunderstandwhatawomanforfeits——“
　　“No，Idon’t。Butifawoman’sgotnothingbutherfairfame，tofeedon，why，it’sthintack，andadonkeywoulddieofit！”
　　Sosheunderstoodhismoralattitude，atleast，andsheknew，hewouldactaccordingly。
　　Sheneveraskedhimanythingdirect，butshegottoknowenough。
　　Anotherday，whenhesawMiriam，theconversationturned，tomarriage，thentoClara’smarriagewithDawes。
　　“Yousee，“hesaid，“sheneverknewthefearfulimportance，ofmarriage。Shethoughtitwasallintheday’smarch——itwould，havetocome——andDawes——well，agoodmanywomenwouldhavegiven，theirsoulstogethim;sowhynothim？，Thenshedevelopedinto，thefemmeincomprise，andtreatedhimbadly，I’llbetmyboots。”
　　“Andshelefthimbecausehedidn’tunderstandher？”
　　“Isupposeso。Isupposeshehadto。Itisn’taltogether，aquestionofunderstanding;it’saquestionofliving。Withhim，shewasonlyhalf-alive;therestwasdormant，deadened。Andthe，dormantwomanwasthefemmeincomprise，andsheHADtobeawakened。”
　　“Andwhatabouthim。”
　　“Idon’tknow。Iratherthinkhelovesherasmuchashecan，buthe’safool。”
　　“Itwassomethinglikeyourmotherandfather，“saidMiriam。
　　“Yes;butmymother，Ibelieve，gotrealjoyandsatisfaction，outofmyfatheratfirst。Ibelieveshehadapassionforhim;
　　that’swhyshestayedwithhim。Afterall，theywereboundto，eachother。”
　　“Yes，“saidMiriam。
　　“That’swhatoneMUSTHAVE，Ithink，“hecontinued——“thereal，realflameoffeelingthroughanotherperson——once，onlyonce，ifitonlylaststhreemonths。See，mymotherlooksasifshe’d，HADeverythingthatwasnecessaryforherlivinganddeveloping。
　　There’snotatinybitoffeelingofsterilityabouther。”
　　“No，“saidMiriam。
　　“Andwithmyfather，atfirst，I’msureshehadtherealthing。
　　Sheknows;shehasbeenthere。Youcanfeetitabouther，andabouthim，andabouthundredsofpeopleyoumeeteveryday;and，onceithas，happenedtoyou，youcangoonwithanythingandripen。”
　　“Whathappened，exactly？”askedMiriam。
　　“It’ssohardtosay，butthesomethingbigandintensethat，changesyouwhenyoureallycometogetherwithsomebodyelse。
　　Italmostseemstofertiliseyoursoulandmakeitthatyoucango，onandmature。”
　　“Andyouthinkyourmotherhaditwithyourfather？”
　　“Yes;andatthebottomshefeelsgratefultohimforgiving，ither，evennow，thoughtheyaremilesapart。”
　　“AndyouthinkClaraneverhadit？”
　　“I’msure。”
　　Miriamponderedthis。Shesawwhathewasseeking——asort，ofbaptismoffireinpassion，itseemedtoher。Sherealised，thathewouldneverbesatisfiedtillhehadit。Perhapsitwas，essentialtohim，astosomemen，tosowwildoats;andafterwards，whenhewassatisfied，hewouldnotragewithrestlessnessanymore，butcouldsettledownandgiveherhislifeintoherhands。Well，then，ifhemustgo，lethimgoandhavehisfill——somethingbigandintense，hecalledit。Atanyrate，whenhehadgotit，hewouldnotwant，it——thathesaidhimself;hewouldwanttheotherthingthatshe，couldgivehim。Hewouldwanttobeowned，sothathecouldwork。
　　Itseemedtoherabitterthingthathemustgo，butshecouldlet，himgointoaninnforaglassofwhisky，soshecouldlethimgo，toClara，solongasitwassomethingthatwouldsatisfyaneedinhim，andleavehimfreeforherselftopossess。
　　“HaveyoutoldyourmotheraboutClara？”sheasked。
　　Sheknewthiswouldbeatestoftheseriousnessofhis，feelingfortheotherwoman：，sheknewhewasgoingtoClarafor，somethingvital，notasamangoesforpleasuretoaprostitute，ifhetoldhismother。
　　“Yes，“hesaid，“andsheiscomingtoteaonSunday。”
　　“Toyourhouse？”
　　“Yes;Iwantmatertoseeher。”
　　“Ah！”
　　Therewasasilence。Thingshadgonequickerthanshethought。
　　Shefeltasuddenbitternessthathecouldleavehersosoon，andsoentirely。AndwasClaratobeacceptedbyhispeople，whohadbeensohostiletoherself？
　　“ImaycallinasIgotochapel，“shesaid。”Itisalong，timesinceIsawClara。”
　　“Verywell，“hesaid，astonished，andunconsciouslyangry。
　　OntheSundayafternoonhewenttoKestontomeetClaraat，thestation。Ashestoodontheplatformhewastryingtoexamine，inhimselfifhehadapremonition。
　　“DoIFEELasifshe’dcome？”hesaidtohimself，andhetried，tofindout。Hisheartfeltqueerandcontracted。Thatseemed，likeforeboding。ThenheHADaforebodingshewouldnotcome！
　　Thenshewouldnotcome，andinsteadoftakingheroverthe，fieldshome，ashehadimagined，hewouldhavetogoalone。
　　Thetrainwaslate;theafternoonwouldbewasted，andtheevening。
　　Hehatedherfornotcoming。Whyhadshepromised，then，ifshe，couldnotkeepherpromise？，Perhapsshehadmissedhertrain——he，himselfwasalwaysmissingtrains——butthatwasnoreasonwhy，sheshouldmissthisparticularone。Hewasangrywithher;
　　hewasfurious。
　　Suddenlyhesawthetraincrawling，sneakingroundthecorner。
　　Here，then，wasthetrain，butofcourseshehadnotcome。Thegreen，enginehissedalongtheplatform，therowofbrowncarriagesdrewup，severaldoorsopened。No;shehadnotcome！，No！，Yes;ah，there，shewas！，Shehadabigblackhaton！，Hewasathersideinamoment。
　　“Ithoughtyouweren’tcoming，“hesaid。
　　Shewaslaughingratherbreathlesslyassheputoutherhand，tohim;theireyesmet。Hetookherquicklyalongtheplatform，talkingatagreatratetohidehisfeeling。Shelookedbeautiful。
　　Inherhatwerelargesilkroses，colouredliketarnishedgold。
　　Hercostumeofdarkclothfittedsobeautifullyoverherbreast，andshoulders。Hispridewentupashewalkedwithher。
　　Hefeltthestationpeople，whoknewhim，eyedherwithawe，andadmiration。
　　“Iwassureyouweren’tcoming，“helaughedshakily。
　　Shelaughedinanswer，almostwithalittlecry。
　　“AndIwondered，whenIwasinthetrain，WHATEVERIshould，doifyouweren’tthere！”shesaid。
　　Hecaughtherhandimpulsively，andtheywentalong，thenarrowtwitchel。TheytooktheroadintoNuttalland，overtheReckoningHouseFarm。Itwasablue，mildday。
　　Everywherethebrownleaveslayscattered;manyscarlethips，stooduponthehedgebesidethewood。Hegatheredafewforhertowear。
　　“Though，really，“hesaid，ashefittedthemintothebreast，ofhercoat，“yououghttoobjecttomygettingthem，becauseof，thebirds。Buttheydon’tcaremuchforrose-hipsinthispart，wheretheycangetplentyofstuff。Youoftenfindtheberries，goingrotteninthespringtime。”
　　Sohechattered，scarcelyawareofwhathesaid，onlyknowing，hewasputtingberriesinthebosomofhercoat，whileshestood，patientlyforhim。Andshewatchedhisquickhands，sofulloflife，anditseemedtohershehadneverSEENanythingbefore。Tillnow，everythinghadbeenindistinct。
　　Theycameneartothecolliery。Itstoodquitestillandblack，amongthecorn-fields，itsimmenseheapofslagseenrisingalmost，fromtheoats。
　　“Whatapitythereisacoal-pitherewhereitissopretty！”
　　saidClara。
　　“Doyouthinkso？”heanswered。”Yousee，Iamsousedtoit，Ishouldmissit。No;andIlikethepitshereandthere。Ilikethe，rowsoftrucks，andtheheadstocks，andthesteaminthedaytime，andthelightsatnight。WhenIwasaboy，Ialwaysthought，apillarofcloudbydayandapillaroffirebynightwasapit，withitssteam，anditslights，andtheburningbank，——andIthought，theLordwasalwaysatthepit-top。”
　　Astheydrewnearhomeshewalkedinsilence，andseemed，tohangback。Hepressedherfingersinhisown。Sheflushed，butgavenoresponse。
　　“Don’tyouwanttocomehome？”heasked。
　　“Yes，Iwanttocome，“shereplied。
　　Itdidnotoccurtohimthatherpositioninhishomewould，beratherapeculiaranddifficultone。Tohimitseemedjustasif，oneofhismenfriendsweregoingtobeintroducedtohismother，onlynicer。
　　TheMorelslivedinahouseinanuglystreetthatrandown，asteephill。Thestreetitselfwashideous。Thehousewasrather，superiortomost。Itwasold，grimy，withabigbaywindow，andit，wassemi-detached;butitlookedgloomy。ThenPaulopenedthedoor，tothegarden，andallwasdifferent。Thesunnyafternoonwasthere，likeanotherland。Bythepathgrewtansyandlittletrees。Infront，ofthewindowwasaplotofsunnygrass，witholdlilacsroundit。
　　Andawaywentthegarden，withheapsofdishevelledchrysanthemums，inthesunshine，downtothesycamore-tree，andthefield，andbeyondonelookedoverafewred-roofedcottagestothehills，withalltheglowoftheautumnafternoon。
　　Mrs。Morelsatinherrocking-chair，wearingherblack，silkblouse。Hergrey-brownhairwastakensmoothbackfromherbrow，andherhightemples;herfacewasratherpale。Clara，suffering，followedPaulintothekitchen。Mrs。Morelrose。Clarathought，heralady，evenratherstiff。Theyoungwomanwasverynervous。
　　Shehadalmostawistfullook，almostresigned。
　　“Mother——Clara，“saidPaul。
　　Mrs。Morelheldoutherhandandsmiled。
　　“Hehastoldmeagooddealaboutyou，“shesaid。
　　ThebloodflamedinClara’scheek。
　　“Ihopeyoudon’tmindmycoming，“shefaltered。
　　“Iwaspleasedwhenhesaidhewouldbringyou，“repliedMrs。Morel。
　　Paul，watching，felthisheartcontractwithpain。Hismother，lookedsosmall，andsallow，anddone-forbesidetheluxuriantClara。
　　“It’ssuchaprettyday，mother！”hesaid。”Andwesawajay。”
　　Hismotherlookedathim;hehadturnedtoher。Shethought，whatamanheseemed，inhisdark，well-madeclothes。Hewaspale，anddetached-looking;itwouldbehardforanywomantokeephim。
　　Herheartglowed;thenshewassorryforClara。
　　“Perhapsyou’llleaveyourthingsintheparlour，“
　　saidMrs。Morelnicelytotheyoungwoman。
　　“Oh，thankyou，“shereplied。
　　“Comeon，“saidPaul，andheledthewayintothelittle，frontroom，withitsoldpiano，itsmahoganyfurniture，itsyellowing，marblemantelpiece。Afirewasburning;theplacewaslittered，withbooksanddrawing-boards。”Ileavemythingslyingabout，“
　　hesaid。”It’ssomucheasier。”
　　Shelovedhisartist’sparaphernalia，andthebooks，andthe，photosofpeople。Soonhewastellingher：，thiswasWilliam，thiswasWilliam’syoungladyintheeveningdress，thiswasAnnie，andherhusband，thiswasArthurandhiswifeandthebaby。
　　Shefeltasifshewerebeingtakenintothefamily。Heshowed，herphotos，books，sketches，andtheytalkedalittlewhile。
　　Thentheyreturnedtothekitchen。Mrs。Morelputasideherbook。
　　Claraworeablouseoffinesilkchiffon，withnarrowblack-and-white，stripes;herhairwasdonesimply，coiledontopofherhead。
　　Shelookedratherstatelyandreserved。
　　“YouhavegonetolivedownSneintonBoulevard？”saidMrs。Morel。
　　“WhenIwasagirl——girl，Isay！——whenIwasayoungwomanWElived，inMinervaTerrace。”
　　“Oh，didyou！”saidClara。”Ihaveafriendinnumber6。”
　　Andtheconversationhadstarted。TheytalkedNottingham，andNottinghampeople;itinterestedthemboth。Clarawasstill，rathernervous;Mrs。Morelwasstillsomewhatonherdignity。
　　Sheclippedherlanguageveryclearandprecise。Buttheyweregoing，togetonwelltogether，Paulsaw。
　　Mrs。Morelmeasuredherselfagainsttheyoungerwoman，andfoundherselfeasilystronger。Clarawasdeferential。
　　SheknewPaul’ssurprisingregardforhismother，andshehad，dreadedthemeeting，expectingsomeoneratherhardandcold。
　　Shewassurprisedtofindthislittleinterestedwomanchattingwith，suchreadiness;andthenshefelt，asshefeltwithPaul，thatshewouldnot，caretostandinMrs。Morel’sway。Therewassomethingsohard，andcertaininhismother，asifsheneverhadamisgivinginherlife。
　　PresentlyMorelcamedown，ruffledandyawning，fromhis，afternoonsleep。Hescratchedhisgrizzledhead，heplodded，inhisstockingfeet，hiswaistcoathungopenoverhisshirt。
　　Heseemedincongruous。
　　“ThisisMrs。Dawes，father，“saidPaul。
　　ThenMorelpulledhimselftogether。ClarasawPaul’smanner，ofbowingandshakinghands。
　　“Oh，indeed！”exclaimedMorel。”Iamverygladtoseeyou——Iam，Iassureyou。Butdon’tdisturbyourself。No，nomakeyourself，quitecomfortable，andbeverywelcome。”
　　Clarawasastonishedatthisfloodofhospitalityfrom，theoldcollier。Hewassocourteous，sogallant！，Shethought，himmostdelightful。
　　“Andmayyouhavecomefar？”heasked。
　　“OnlyfromNottingham，“shesaid。
　　“FromNottingham！，Thenyouhavehadabeautifulday，foryourjourney。”
　　Thenhestrayedintothescullerytowashhishandsandface，andfromforceofhabitcameontothehearthwiththetowelto，dryhimself。
　　AtteaClarafelttherefinementandsang-froidofthehousehold。
　　Mrs。Morelwasperfectlyatherease。Thepouringouttheteaand，attendingtothepeoplewentonunconsciously，withoutinterrupting，herinhertalk。Therewasalotofroomattheovaltable;thechina，ofdarkbluewillow-patternlookedprettyontheglossycloth。
　　Therewasalittlebowlofsmall，yellowchrysanthemums。
　　Clarafeltshecompletedthecircle，anditwasapleasuretoher。
　　Butshewasratherafraidoftheself-possessionoftheMorels，fatherandall。Shetooktheirtone;therewasafeelingofbalance。
　　Itwasacool，clearatmosphere，whereeveryonewashimself，andinharmony。Claraenjoyedit，buttherewasafeardeepatthe，bottomofher。
　　PaulclearedthetablewhilsthismotherandClaratalked。
　　Clarawasconsciousofhisquick，vigorousbodyasitcameandwent，seemingblownquicklybyawindatitswork。Itwasalmostlike，thehitherandthitherofaleafthatcomesunexpected。Mostofherself，wentwithhim。Bythewaysheleanedforward，asiflistening，Mrs。Morelcouldseeshewaspossessedelsewhereasshetalked，andagaintheelderwomanwassorryforher。
　　Havingfinished，hestrolleddownthegarden，leavingthetwo，womentotalk。Itwasahazy，sunnyafternoon，mildandsoft。
　　Claraglancedthroughthewindowafterhimasheloiteredamong，thechrysanthemums。Shefeltasifsomethingalmosttangiblefastened，hertohim;yetheseemedsoeasyinhisgraceful，indolentmovement，sodetachedashetiedupthetoo-heavyflowerbranchestotheirstakes，thatshewantedtoshriekinherhelplessness。
　　Mrs。Morelrose。