Agreatfireroared。Therewasascentofcookedpastry。Hewasdue，atseveno’clock，buthewouldbelate。Thethreechildrenhadgone，tomeethim。Shewasalone。ButataquartertosevenMorelcame，inagain。Neitherwifenorhusbandspoke。Hesatinhisarmchair，quiteawkwardwithexcitement，andshequietlywentonwithherbaking。
　　Onlybythecarefulwayinwhichshedidthingscoulditbetold，howmuchmovedshewas。Theclocktickedon。
　　“Whattimedostsayhe’scoming？”Morelaskedforthefifthtime。
　　“Thetraingetsinathalf-pastsix，“sherepliedemphatically。
　　“Thenhe’llbehereattenpastseven。”
　　“Eh，blessyou，it’llbehourslateontheMidland，“
　　shesaidindifferently。Butshehoped，byexpectinghimlate，tobringhimearly。Morelwentdowntheentrytolookforhim。
　　Thenhecameback。
　　“Goodness，man！”shesaid。”You’relikeanill-sittinghen。”
　　“Hadnayoubetterbegettin’himsummatt’eatready？”
　　askedthefather。
　　“There’splentyoftime，“sheanswered。
　　“There’snotsomuchasIcanseeon，“heanswered，turningcrosslyinhischair。Shebegantoclearhertable。
　　Thekettlewassinging。Theywaitedandwaited。
　　MeantimethethreechildrenwereontheplatformatSethleyBridge，ontheMidlandmainline，twomilesfromhome。Theywaitedonehour。
　　Atraincame——hewasnotthere。Downthelinetheredandgreen，lightsshone。Itwasverydarkandverycold。
　　“AskhimiftheLondontrain’scome，“saidPaultoAnnie，whentheysawamaninatipcap。
　　“I’mnot，“saidAnnie。”Youbequiet——hemightsendusoff。”
　　ButPaulwasdyingforthemantoknowtheywereexpecting，someonebytheLondontrain：，itsoundedsogrand。Yethewasmuch，toomuchscaredofbroachinganyman，letaloneoneinapeakedcap，todaretoask。Thethreechildrencouldscarcelygointothe，waiting-roomforfearofbeingsentaway，andforfear，somethingshouldhappenwhilsttheywereofftheplatform。
　　Stilltheywaitedinthedarkandcold。
　　“It’sanhouran’ahalflate，“saidArthurpathetically。
　　“Well，“saidAnnie，“it’sChristmasEve。”
　　Theyallgrewsilent。Hewasn’tcoming。Theylooked，downthedarknessoftherailway。TherewasLondon！，Itseemed，theutter-mostofdistance。Theythoughtanythingmighthappen，ifonecamefromLondon。Theywerealltootroubledtotalk。
　　Cold，andunhappy，andsilent，theyhuddledtogetherontheplatform。
　　Atlast，aftermorethantwohours，theysawthelightsofan，enginepeeringround，awaydownthedarkness。Aporterranout。
　　Thechildrendrewbackwithbeatinghearts。Agreattrain，boundforManchester，drewup。Twodoorsopened，andfromone，ofthem，William。Theyflewtohim。Hehandedparcelstothem，cheerily，andimmediatelybegantoexplainthatthisgreattrainhad，stoppedforHISsakeatsuchasmallstationasSethleyBridge：
　　itwasnotbookedtostop。
　　Meanwhiletheparentsweregettinganxious。Thetablewasset，thechopwascooked，everythingwasready。Mrs。Morelputon，herblackapron。Shewaswearingherbestdress。Thenshesat，pretendingtoread。Theminuteswereatorturetoher。
　　“H’m！”saidMorel。”It’sanhouran’aha’ef。”
　　“Andthosechildrenwaiting！”shesaid。
　　“Th’traincannaha’comeinyet，“hesaid。
　　“Itellyou，onChristmasEvethey’reHOURSwrong。”
　　Theywerebothabitcrosswitheachother，sognawed，withanxiety。Theashtreemoanedoutsideinacold，rawwind。
　　AndallthatspaceofnightfromLondonhome！，Mrs。Morelsuffered。
　　Theslightclickoftheworksinsidetheclockirritatedher。
　　Itwasgettingsolate;itwasgettingunbearable。
　　Atlasttherewasasoundofvoices，andafootstepintheentry。
　　“Ha’shere！”criedMorel，jumpingup。
　　Thenhestoodback。Themotherranafewstepstowards，thedoorandwaited。Therewasarushandapatteroffeet，thedoorburstopen。Williamwasthere。HedroppedhisGladstone，bagandtookhismotherinhisarms。
　　“Mater！”hesaid。
　　“Myboy！”shecried。
　　Andfortwoseconds，nolonger，sheclaspedhimandkissedhim。
　　Thenshewithdrewandsaid，tryingtobequitenormal：
　　“Buthowlateyouare！”
　　“Aren’tI！”hecried，turningtohisfather。”Well，dad！”
　　Thetwomenshookhands。
　　“Well，mylad！”
　　Morel’seyeswerewet。
　　“Wethoughttha’dniverbecommin’，“hesaid。
　　“Oh，I’dcome！”exclaimedWilliam。
　　Thenthesonturnedroundtohismother。
　　“Butyoulookwell，“shesaidproudly，laughing。
　　“Well！”heexclaimed。”Ishouldthinkso——cominghome！”
　　Hewasafinefellow，big，straight，andfearless-looking。He，lookedroundattheevergreensandthekissingbunch，andthelittle，tartsthatlayintheirtinsonthehearth。
　　“Byjove！mother，it’snotdifferent！”hesaid，asifinrelief。
　　Everybodywasstillforasecond。Thenhesuddenlysprangforward，pickedatartfromthehearth，andpusheditwholeintohismouth。
　　“Well，didiveryouseesuchaparishoven！”thefatherexclaimed。
　　Hehadbroughtthemendlesspresents。Everypennyhehadhehad，spentonthem。Therewasasenseofluxuryoverflowinginthehouse。
　　Forhismothertherewasanumbrellawithgoldonthepalehandle。
　　Shekeptittoherdyingday，andwouldhavelostanythingrather，thanthat。Everybodyhadsomethinggorgeous，andbesides，therewere，poundsofunknownsweets：，Turkishdelight，crystallisedpineapple，andsuch-likethingswhich，thechildrenthought，onlythesplendour，ofLondoncouldprovide。AndPaulboastedofthesesweetsamong，hisfriends。
　　“Realpineapple，cutoffinslices，andthenturnedinto，crystal——fairgrand！”
　　Everybodywasmadwithhappinessinthefamily。Homewashome，andtheyloveditwithapassionoflove，whateverthesuffering，hadbeen。Therewereparties，therewererejoicings。Peoplecame，intoseeWilliam，toseewhatdifferenceLondonhadmadetohim。
　　Andtheyallfoundhim“suchagentleman，andSUCHafinefellow，myword“！
　　Whenhewentawayagainthechildrenretiredtovariousplaces，toweepalone。Morelwenttobedinmisery，andMrs。Morelfeltas，ifshewerenumbedbysomedrug，asifherfeelingswereparalysed。
　　Shelovedhimpassionately。
　　Hewasintheofficeofalawyerconnectedwithalarge，shippingfirm，andatthemidsummerhischiefofferedhimatrip，intheMediterraneanononeoftheboats，forquiteasmallcost。
　　Mrs。Morelwrote：，“Go，go，myboy。Youmayneverhaveachanceagain，andIshouldlovetothinkofyoucruisingthereintheMediterranean，almostbetterthantohaveyouathome。”，ButWilliamcamehomefor，hisfortnight’sholiday。NoteventheMediterranean，whichpulled，atallhisyoungman’sdesiretotravel，andathispoorman’swonder，attheglamoroussouth，couldtakehimawaywhenhemightcomehome。
　　Thatcompensatedhismotherformuch。
　　CHAPTERV
　　PAULLAUNCHESINTOLIFE
　　MORELwasratheraheedlessman，carelessofdanger。Sohehad，endlessaccidents。Now，whenMrs。Morelheardtherattleofanempty，coal-cartceaseatherentry-end，sheranintotheparlourtolook，expectingalmosttoseeherhusbandseatedinthewaggon，hisface，greyunderhisdirt，hisbodylimpandsickwithsomehurtorother。
　　Ifitwerehe，shewouldrunouttohelp。
　　AboutayearafterWilliamwenttoLondon，andjustafterPaul，hadleftschool，beforehegotwork，Mrs。Morelwasupstairsandher，sonwaspaintinginthekitchen——hewasverycleverwithhisbrush——when，therecameaknockatthedoor。Crosslyheputdownhisbrushtogo。
　　Atthesamemomenthismotheropenedawindowupstairsandlookeddown。
　　Apit-ladinhisdirtstoodonthethreshold。
　　“IsthisWalterMorel’s？”heasked。
　　“Yes，“saidMrs。Morel。”Whatisit？”
　　Butshehadguessedalready。
　　“Yourmester’sgothurt，“hesaid。
　　“Eh，dearme！”sheexclaimed。”It’sawonderifhehadn’t，lad。
　　Andwhat’shedonethistime？”
　　“Idon’tknowforsure，butit’s’islegsomewhere。Theyta’ein’
　　’imterth’’ospital。”
　　“Goodgraciousme！”sheexclaimed。”Eh，dear，whataoneheis！
　　There’snotfiveminutesofpeace，I’llbehangedifthereis！
　　Histhumb’snearlybetter，andnow——Didyouseehim？”
　　“Iseedhimatth’bottom。An’Iseed’embring’imupin，atub，an’’eworinadeadfaint。Butheshoutedlikeanythink，whenDoctorFraserexaminedhimi’th’lampcabin——an’cossedan’
　　swore，an’saidas’eworgoin’tobeta’enwhoam——’eworn’tgoin’
　　terth’’ospital。”
　　Theboyfalteredtoanend。
　　“HeWOULDwanttocomehome，sothatIcanhaveallthebother。
　　Thankyou，mylad。Eh，dear，ifI’mnotsick——sickandsurfeited，Iam！”
　　Shecamedownstairs。Paulhadmechanicallyresumedhispainting。
　　“Anditmustbeprettybadifthey’vetakenhimtothehospital，“
　　shewenton。”ButwhataCARELESScreatureheis！，OTHERmendon’t，havealltheseaccidents。Yes，heWOULDwanttoputalltheburden，onme。Eh，dear，justasweWEREgettingeasyabitatlast。
　　Putthosethingsaway，there’snotimetobepaintingnow。Whattime，isthereatrain？，IknowIs’llhavetogotrailingtoKeston。
　　Is’llhavetoleavethatbedroom。”
　　“Icanfinishit，“saidPaul。
　　“Youneedn’t。Ishallcatchtheseveno’clockback，Ishouldthink。Oh，myblessedheart，thefussandcommotion，he’llmake！，AndthosegranitesettsatTinderHill——hemight，wellcallthemkidneypebbles——they’lljolthimalmosttobits。
　　Iwonderwhytheycan’tmendthem，thestatethey’rein，an’
　　allthemenasgoacrossinthatambulance。You’dthinkthey’d，haveahospitalhere。Themenboughttheground，and，mysirs，there’dbeaccidentsenoughtokeepitgoing。Butno，theymust，trailthemtenmilesinaslowambulancetoNottingham。It’sa，cryingshame！，Oh，andthefusshe’llmake！，Iknowhewill！
　　Iwonderwho’swithhim。Barker，Is’dthink。Poorbeggar，he’llwishhimselfanywhererather。Buthe’lllookafterhim，Iknow。
　　Nowthere’snotellinghowlonghe’llbestuckinthathospital——and，WON’Thehateit！，Butifit’sonlyhislegit’snotsobad。”
　　Allthetimeshewasgettingready。Hurriedlytakingoffher，bodice，shecrouchedattheboiler，whilethewaterranslowlyintoherlading-can。
　　“Iwishthisboilerwasatthebottomofthesea！”sheexclaimed，wrigglingthehandleimpatiently。Shehadveryhandsome，strongarms，rathersurprisingonasmallishwoman。
　　Paulclearedaway，putonthekettle，andsetthetable。
　　“Thereisn’tatraintillfour-twenty，“hesaid。
　　“You’vetimeenough。”
　　“Ohno，Ihaven’t！”shecried，blinkingathimoverthetowel，asshewipedherface。
　　“Yes，youhave。Youmustdrinkacupofteaatanyrate。
　　ShouldIcomewithyoutoKeston？”
　　“Comewithme？，Whatfor，Ishouldliketoknow？，Now，whathave，Itotakehim？，Eh，dear！，Hiscleanshirt——andit’sablessingit，ISclean。Butithadbetterbeaired。Andstockings——hewon’twant，them——andatowel，Isuppose;andhandkerchiefs。Nowwhatelse？”
　　“Acomb，aknifeandforkandspoon，“saidPaul。Hisfather，hadbeeninthehospitalbefore。
　　“Goodnessknowswhatsortofstatehisfeetwerein，“
　　continuedMrs。Morel，asshecombedherlongbrownhair，thatwas，fineassilk，andwastouchednowwithgrey。”He’sveryparticular，towashhimselftothewaist，butbelowhethinksdoesn’tmatter。
　　Butthere，Isupposetheyseeplentylikeit。”
　　Paulhadlaidthetable。Hecuthismotheroneortwopieces，ofverythinbreadandbutter。
　　“Hereyouare，“hesaid，puttinghercupofteainherplace。
　　“Ican’tbebothered！”sheexclaimedcrossly。
　　“Well，you’vegotto，sothere，nowit’sputoutready，“
　　heinsisted。
　　Soshesatdownandsippedhertea，andatealittle，insilence。
　　Shewasthinking。
　　Inafewminutesshewasgone，towalkthetwoandahalfmiles，toKestonStation。Allthethingsshewastakinghimshehadinher，bulgingstringbag。Paulwatchedhergouptheroadbetweenthe，hedges——alittle，quick-steppingfigure，andhisheartachedforher，thatshewasthrustforwardagainintopainandtrouble。Andshe，trippingsoquicklyinheranxiety，feltatthebackofherher，son’sheartwaitingonher，felthimbearingwhatpartoftheburden，hecould，evensupportingher。Andwhenshewasatthehospital，shethought：，“ItWILLupsetthatladwhenItellhimhowbaditis。
　　I’dbetterbecareful。”，Andwhenshewastrudginghomeagain，shefelthewascomingtoshareherburden。
　　“Isitbad？”askedPaul，assoonassheenteredthehouse。
　　“It’sbadenough，“shereplied。
　　“What？”
　　Shesighedandsatdown，undoingherbonnet-strings。Herson，watchedherfaceasitwaslifted，andhersmall，work-hardenedhands，fingeringatthebowunderherchin。
　　“Well，“sheanswered，“it’snotreallydangerous，butthenurse，saysit’sadreadfulsmash。Yousee，agreatpieceofrockfell，onhisleg——here——andit’sacompoundfracture。Therearepieces，ofbonestickingthrough——“
　　“Ugh——howhorrid！”exclaimedthechildren。
　　“And，“shecontinued，“ofcoursehesayshe’sgoingtodie——it，wouldn’tbehimifhedidn’t。’I’mdonefor，mylass！’hesaid，lookingatme。’Don’tbesosilly，’Isaidtohim。’You’renotgoing，todieofabrokenleg，howeverbadlyit’ssmashed。’，’Is’llniver，comeoutof’erebutinawoodenbox，’hegroaned。’Well，’Isaid，’ifyouwantthemtocarryyouintothegardeninawoodenbox，whenyou’rebetter，I’venodoubttheywill。’，’Ifwethinkit’s，goodforhim，’saidtheSister。She’sanawfullyniceSister，butratherstrict。”
　　Mrs。Moreltookoffherbonnet。Thechildrenwaitedinsilence。
　　“Ofcourse，heISbad，“shecontinued，“andhewillbe。
　　It’sagreatshock，andhe’slostalotofblood;and，ofcourse，itISaverydangeroussmash。It’snotatallsurethatitwillmend，soeasily。Andthenthere’sthefeverandthemortification——ifittook，badwayshe’dquicklybegone。Butthere，he’saclean-bloodedman，withwonderfulhealingflesh，andsoIseenoreasonwhyitSHOULD
　　takebadways。Ofcoursethere’sawound——“
　　Shewaspalenowwithemotionandanxiety。Thethreechildren，realisedthatitwasverybadfortheirfather，andthehouse，wassilent，anxious。
　　“Buthealwaysgetsbetter，“saidPaulafterawhile。
　　“That’swhatItellhim，“saidthemother。
　　Everybodymovedaboutinsilence。
　　“Andhereallylookednearlydonefor，“shesaid。”Butthe，Sistersaysthatisthepain。”
　　Annietookawayhermother’scoatandbonnet。
　　“AndhelookedatmewhenIcameaway！，Isaid：，’Is’ll，havetogonow，Walter，becauseofthetrain——andthechildren。’
　　Andhelookedatme。Itseemshard。”
　　Paultookuphisbrushagainandwentonpainting。Arthurwent，outsideforsomecoal。Anniesatlookingdismal。AndMrs。Morel，inherlittlerocking-chairthatherhusbandhadmadeforher，whenthefirstbabywascoming，remainedmotionless，brooding。
　　Shewasgrieved，andbitterlysorryforthemanwhowashurtsomuch。
　　Butstill，inherheartofhearts，wheretheloveshouldhaveburned，therewasablank。Now，whenallherwoman’spitywasrousedtoits，fullextent，whenshewouldhaveslavedherselftodeathtonurse，himandtosavehim，whenshewouldhavetakenthepainherself，ifshecould，somewherefarawayinsideher，shefeltindifferent，tohimandtohissuffering。Ithurthermostofall，thisfailure，tolovehim，evenwhenherousedherstrongemotions。Shebrooded，awhile。
　　“Andthere，“shesaidsuddenly，“whenI’dgothalfwaytoKeston，IfoundI’dcomeoutinmyworkingboots——andLOOKatthem。”
　　TheywereanoldpairofPaul’s，brownandrubbedthroughat，thetoes。”Ididn’tknowwhattodowithmyself，forshame，“
　　sheadded。
　　Inthemorning，whenAnnieandArthurwereatschool，Mrs。Morel，talkedagaintoherson，whowashelpingherwithherhousework。
　　“IfoundBarkeratthehospital。Hedidlookbad，poorlittlefellow！，’Well，’Isaidtohim，’whatsortofa，journeydidyouhavewithhim？’，’Dunnaaxme，missis！’hesaid。
　　’Ay，’Isaid，’Iknowwhathe’dbe。’，’ButitWORbadforhim，Mrs。Morel，itWORthat！’hesaid。’Iknow，’Isaid。’Ativryjolt，Ithoughtmy’eartwouldha’flowncleanouto’mymouth，’hesaid。
　　’An’thescream’egivessometimes！，Missis，notforafortunewould，Igothroughwi’itagain。’，’Icanquiteunderstandit，’Isaid。
　　’It’sanastyjob，though，’hesaid，’an’oneas’llbealong，whileaforeit’srightagain。’，’I’mafraiditwill，’Isaid。
　　IlikeMr。Barker——IDOlikehim。There’ssomethingsomanly，abouthim。”
　　Paulresumedhistasksilently。
　　“Andofcourse，“Mrs。Morelcontinued，“foramanlikeyourfather，thehospitalIShard。HeCAN’Tunderstandrulesandregulations。
　　Andhewon’tletanybodyelsetouchhim，notifhecanhelpit。
　　Whenhesmashedthemusclesofhisthigh，andithadtobedressed，fourtimesaday，WOULDheletanybodybutmeorhismotherdoit？
　　Hewouldn’t。So，ofcourse，he’llsufferintherewiththenurses。
　　AndIdidn’tlikeleavinghim。I’msure，whenIkissedhiman’cameaway，itseemedashame。”
　　Soshetalkedtoherson，almostasifshewerethinking，aloudtohim，andhetookitinasbesthecould，bysharingher，troubletolightenit。Andintheendshesharedalmosteverything，withhimwithoutknowing。
　　Morelhadaverybadtime。Foraweekhewasina，criticalcondition。Thenhebegantomend。Andthen，knowinghe，wasgoingtogetbetter，thewholefamilysighedwithrelief，andproceededtolivehappily。
　　TheywerenotbadlyoffwhilstMorelwasinthehospital。
　　Therewerefourteenshillingsaweekfromthepit，tenshillings，fromthesickclub，andfiveshillingsfromtheDisabilityFund;
　　andtheneveryweekthebuttieshadsomethingforMrs。Morel——five，orsevenshillings——sothatshewasquitewelltodo。Andwhilst，Morelwasprogressingfavourablyinthehospital，thefamilywas，extraordinarilyhappyandpeaceful。OnSaturdaysandWednesdays，Mrs。MorelwenttoNottinghamtoseeherhusband。Thenshealways，broughtbacksomelittlething：，asmalltubeofpaintsforPaul，orsomethickpaper;acoupleofpostcardsforAnnie，thatthewhole，familyrejoicedoverfordaysbeforethegirlwasallowedtosend，themaway;orafret-sawforArthur，orabitofprettywood。
　　Shedescribedheradventuresintothebigshopswithjoy。
　　Soonthefolkinthepicture-shopknewher，andknewaboutPaul。
　　Thegirlinthebook-shoptookakeeninterestinher。Mrs。Morel，wasfullofinformationwhenshegothomefromNottingham。Thethree，satroundtillbed-time，listening，puttingin，arguing。ThenPaul，oftenrakedthefire。
　　“I’mthemaninthehousenow，“heusedtosaytohismother，withjoy。Theylearnedhowperfectlypeacefulthehomecouldbe。
　　Andtheyalmostregretted——thoughnoneofthemwouldhaveownedto，suchcallousness——thattheirfatherwassooncomingback。
　　Paulwasnowfourteen，andwaslookingforwork。Hewasa，rathersmallandratherfinely-madeboy，withdarkbrownhairand，lightblueeyes。Hisfacehadalreadylostitsyouthfulchubbiness，andwasbecomingsomewhatlikeWilliam’s——rough-featured，almost，rugged——anditwasextraordinarilymobile。Usuallyhelooked，asifhesawthings，wasfulloflife，andwarm;thenhissmile，likehismother’s，camesuddenlyandwasverylovable;andthen，whentherewasanycloginhissoul’squickrunning，hisfacewent，stupidandugly。Hewasthesortofboythatbecomesaclown，andaloutassoonasheisnotunderstood，orfeelshimself，heldcheap;and，again，isadorableatthefirsttouchofwarmth。
　　Hesufferedverymuchfromthefirstcontactwithanything。
　　Whenhewasseven，thestartingschoolhadbeenanightmareanda，torturetohim。Butafterwardshelikedit。Andnowthathefelt，hehadtogooutintolife，hewentthroughagoniesofshrinking，self-consciousness。Hewasquiteacleverpainterforaboyofhisyears，andheknewsomeFrenchandGermanandmathematicsthatMr。Heaton，hadtaughthim。Butnothinghehadwasofanycommercialvalue。
　　Hewasnotstrongenoughforheavymanualwork，hismothersaid。
　　Hedidnotcareformakingthingswithhishands，preferredracingabout，ormakingexcursionsintothecountry，orreading，orpainting。
　　“Whatdoyouwanttobe？”hismotherasked。
　　“Anything。”
　　“Thatisnoanswer，“saidMrs。Morel。
　　Butitwasquitetruthfullytheonlyanswerhecouldgive。
　　Hisambition，asfarasthisworld’sgearwent，wasquietlytoearn，histhirtyorthirty-fiveshillingsaweeksomewherenearhome，andthen，whenhisfatherdied，haveacottagewithhismother，paintandgooutasheliked，andlivehappyeverafter。Thatwashis，programmeasfarasdoingthingswent。Buthewasproudwithinhimself，measuringpeopleagainsthimself，andplacingthem，inexorably。Andhe，thoughtthatPERHAPShemightalsomakeapainter，therealthing。
　　Butthatheleftalone。
　　“Then，“saidhismother，“youmustlookinthepaper，fortheadvertisements。”
　　Helookedather。Itseemedtohimabitterhumiliation，andananguishtogothrough。Buthesaidnothing。Whenhegotup，inthemorning，hiswholebeingwasknottedupoverthisonethought：
　　“I’vegottogoandlookforadvertisementsforajob。”
　　Itstoodinfrontofthemorning，thatthought，killingall，joyandevenlife，forhim。Hisheartfeltlikeatightknot。
　　Andthen，atteno’clock，hesetoff。Hewassupposedtobe，aqueer，quietchild。Goingupthesunnystreetofthelittletown，hefeltasifallthefolkhemetsaidtothemselves：，“He’sgoing，totheCo-op。reading-roomtolookinthepapersforaplace。
　　Hecan’tgetajob。Isupposehe’slivingonhismother。”，Thenhe，creptupthestonestairsbehindthedraperyshopattheCo-op。，andpeepedinthereading-room。Usuallyoneortwomenwerethere，eitherold，uselessfellows，orcolliers“ontheclub“。Soheentered，fullofshrinkingandsufferingwhentheylookedup，seatedhimselfat，thetable，andpretendedtoscanthenews。Heknewtheywouldthink：
　　“Whatdoesaladofthirteenwantinareading-roomwithanewspaper？”
　　andhesuffered。
　　Thenhelookedwistfullyoutofthewindow。Alreadyhewas，aprisonerofindustrialism。Largesunflowersstaredoverthe，oldredwallofthegardenopposite，lookingintheirjollyway，downonthewomenwhowerehurryingwithsomethingfordinner。
　　Thevalleywasfullofcorn，brighteninginthesun。Twocollieries，amongthefields，wavedtheirsmallwhiteplumesofsteam。Faroff，onthehillswerethewoodsofAnnesley，darkandfascinating。
　　Alreadyhisheartwentdown。Hewasbeingtakenintobondage。
　　Hisfreedominthebelovedhomevalleywasgoingnow。
　　Thebrewers’waggonscamerollingupfromKestonwithenormous，barrels，fouraside，likebeansinaburstbean-pod。Thewaggoner，thronedaloft，rollingmassivelyinhisseat，wasnotsomuch，belowPaul’seye。Theman’shair，onhissmall，bullethead，wasbleachedalmostwhitebythesun，andonhisthickredarms，rockingidlyonhissackapron，thewhitehairsglistened。
　　Hisredfaceshoneandwasalmostasleepwithsunshine。Thehorses，handsomeandbrown，wentonbythemselves，lookingbyfarthemasters，oftheshow。
　　Paulwishedhewerestupid。”Iwish，“hethoughttohimself，“Iwasfatlikehim，andlikeadoginthesun。IwishIwasapig，andabrewer’swaggoner。”
　　Then，theroombeingatlastempty，hewouldhastilycopy，anadvertisementonascrapofpaper，thenanother，andslip，outinimmenserelief。Hismotherwouldscanoverhiscopies。
　　“Yes，“shesaid，“youmaytry。”
　　Williamhadwrittenoutaletterofapplication，couchedin，admirablebusinesslanguage，whichPaulcopied，withvariations。
　　Theboy’shandwritingwasexecrable，sothatWilliam，whodidall，thingswell，gotintoafeverofimpatience。
　　Theelderbrotherwasbecomingquiteswanky。InLondonhefound，thathecouldassociatewithmenfarabovehisBestwoodfriends，instation。Someoftheclerksintheofficehadstudiedforthelaw，andweremoreorlessgoingthroughakindofapprenticeship。
　　Williamalwaysmadefriendsamongmenwhereverhewent，hewassojolly。
　　Thereforehewassoonvisitingandstayinginhousesofmenwho，inBestwood，wouldhavelookeddownontheunapproachablebankmanager，andwouldmerelyhavecalledindifferentlyontheRector。Sohebegan，tofancyhimselfasagreatgun。Hewas，indeed，rathersurprised，attheeasewithwhichhebecameagentleman。
　　Hismotherwasglad，heseemedsopleased。Andhislodging，inWalthamstowwassodreary。Butnowthereseemedtocomeakind，offeverintotheyoungman’sletters。Hewasunsettledbyall，thechange，hedidnotstandfirmonhisownfeet，butseemedtospin，rathergiddilyonthequickcurrentofthenewlife。Hismotherwas，anxiousforhim。Shecouldfeelhimlosinghimself。Hehaddanced，andgonetothetheatre，boatedontheriver，beenoutwithfriends;
　　andsheknewhesatupafterwardsinhiscoldbedroomgrindingaway，atLatin，becauseheintendedtogetoninhisoffice，andinthe，lawasmuchashecould。Heneversenthismotheranymoneynow。
　　Itwasalltaken，thelittlehehad，forhisownlife。Andshe，didnotwantany，exceptsometimes，whenshewasinatightcorner，andwhentenshillingswouldhavesavedhermuchworry。Shestill，dreamedofWilliam，andofwhathewoulddo，withherselfbehindhim。
　　Neverforaminutewouldsheadmittoherselfhowheavyandanxious，herheartwasbecauseofhim。
　　Alsohetalkedagooddealnowofagirlhehadmetatadance，ahandsomebrunette，quiteyoung，andalady，afterwhomthemen，wererunningthickandfast。
　　“Iwonderifyouwouldrun，myboy，“hismotherwrote，tohim，“unlessyousawalltheothermenchasinghertoo。
　　Youfeelsafeenoughandvainenoughinacrowd。Buttakecare，andseehowyoufeelwhenyoufindyourselfalone，andintriumph。”
　　Williamresentedthesethings，andcontinuedthechase。Hehad，takenthegirlontheriver。”Ifyousawher，mother，youwould，knowhowIfeel。Tallandelegant，withtheclearestofclear，transparentolivecomplexions，hairasblackasjet，andsuch，greyeyes——bright，mocking，likelightsonwateratnight。
　　Itisallverywelltobeabitsatiricaltillyouseeher。
　　AndshedressesaswellasanywomaninLondon。Itellyou，yoursondoesn’thalfputhisheadupwhenshegoeswalkingdown，Piccadillywithhim。”
　　Mrs。Morelwondered，inherheart，ifhersondidnotgo，walkingdownPiccadillywithanelegantfigureandfineclothes，ratherthanwithawomanwhowasneartohim。Butshecongratulated，himinherdoubtfulfashion。And，asshestoodoverthewashing-tub，themotherbroodedoverherson。Shesawhimsaddledwithan，elegantandexpensivewife，earninglittlemoney，draggingalong，andgettingdraggledinsomesmall，uglyhouseinasuburb。
　　“Butthere，“shetoldherself，“Iamverylikelyasilly——meeting，troublehalfway。”，Nevertheless，theloadofanxietyscarcelyever，leftherheart，lestWilliamshoulddothewrongthingbyhimself。
　　Presently，PaulwasbiddencalluponThomasJordan，ManufacturerofSurgicalAppliances，at21，SpanielRow，Nottingham。
　　Mrs。Morelwasalljoy。
　　“There，yousee！”shecried，hereyesshining。”You’veonly，writtenfourletters，andthethirdisanswered。You’relucky，myboy，asIalwayssaidyouwere。”
　　Paullookedatthepictureofawoodenleg，adornedwithelastic，stockingsandotherappliances，thatfiguredonMr。Jordan’snotepaper，andhefeltalarmed。Hehadnotknownthatelasticstockingsexisted。
　　Andheseemedtofeelthebusinessworld，withitsregulatedsystem，ofvalues，anditsimpersonality，andhedreadedit。Itseemed，monstrousalsothatabusinesscouldberunonwoodenlegs。
　　MotherandsonsetofftogetheroneTuesdaymorning。
　　ItwasAugustandblazinghot。Paulwalkedwithsomethingscrewedup，tightinsidehim。Hewouldhavesufferedmuchphysicalpainrather，thanthisunreasonablesufferingatbeingexposedtostrangers，tobeacceptedorrejected。Yethechatteredawaywithhismother。
　　Hewouldneverhaveconfessedtoherhowhesufferedoverthesethings，andsheonlypartlyguessed。Shewasgay，likeasweetheart。
　　Shestoodinfrontoftheticket-officeatBestwood，andPaulwatched，hertakefromherpursethemoneyforthetickets。
　　Ashesawherhandsintheiroldblackkidglovesgetting，thesilveroutofthewornpurse，hisheartcontractedwithpain，ofloveofher。
　　Shewasquiteexcited，andquitegay。Hesufferedbecauseshe，WOULDtalkaloudinpresenceoftheothertravellers。
　　“Nowlookatthatsillycow！”shesaid，“careeringround，asifitthoughtitwasacircus。”
　　“It’smostlikelyabottfly，“hesaidverylow。
　　“Awhat？”sheaskedbrightlyandunashamed。
　　Theythoughtawhile。Hewassensibleallthetimeofhaving，heroppositehim。Suddenlytheireyesmet，andshesmiledto，him——arare，intimatesmile，beautifulwithbrightnessandlove。
　　Theneachlookedoutofthewindow。
　　Thesixteenslowmilesofrailwayjourneypassed。Themother，andsonwalkeddownStationStreet，feelingtheexcitementoflovers，havinganadventuretogether。InCarringtonStreettheystopped，tohangovertheparapetandlookatthebargesonthecanalbelow。
　　“It’sjustlikeVenice，“hesaid，seeingthesunshine，onthewaterthatlaybetweenhighfactorywalls。
　　“Perhaps，“sheanswered，smiling。
　　Theyenjoyedtheshopsimmensely。
　　“Nowyouseethatblouse，“shewouldsay，“wouldn’tthatjust，suitourAnnie？，Andforone-and-eleven-three。Isn’tthatcheap？”
　　“Andmadeofneedleworkaswell，“hesaid。
　　“Yes。”
　　Theyhadplentyoftime，sotheydidnothurry。Thetown，wasstrangeanddelightfultothem。Buttheboywastiedupinside，inaknotofapprehension。HedreadedtheinterviewwithThomasJordan。
　　Itwasnearlyeleveno’clockbySt。Peter’sChurch。
　　TheyturnedupanarrowstreetthatledtotheCastle。Itwas，gloomyandold-fashioned，havinglowdarkshopsanddarkgreenhouse，doorswithbrassknockers，andyellow-ochreddoorstepsprojecting，ontothepavement;thenanotheroldshopwhosesmallwindowlooked，likeacunning，half-shuteye。Motherandsonwentcautiously，lookingeverywherefor“ThomasJordanandSon“。Itwaslikehunting，insomewildplace。Theywereontiptoeofexcitement。
　　Suddenlytheyspiedabig，darkarchway，inwhichwerenames，ofvariousfirms，ThomasJordanamongthem。
　　“Hereitis！”saidMrs。Morel。”ButnowWHEREisit？”
　　Theylookedround。Ononesidewasaqueer，dark，cardboardfactory，ontheotheraCommercialHotel。
　　“It’suptheentry，“saidPaul。
　　Andtheyventuredunderthearchway，asintothejaws，ofthedragon。Theyemergedintoawideyard，likeawell，withbuildingsallround。Itwaslitteredwithstrawandboxes，andcardboard。Thesunshineactuallycaughtonecratewhosestraw，wasstreamingontotheyardlikegold。Butelsewheretheplace，waslikeapit。Therewereseveraldoors，andtwoflightsofsteps。
　　Straightinfront，onadirtyglassdooratthetopofastaircase，loomedtheominouswords“ThomasJordanandSon——SurgicalAppliances。”
　　Mrs。Morelwentfirst，hersonfollowedher。CharlesImountedhis，scaffoldwithalighterheartthanhadPaulMorelashefollowedhis，motherupthedirtystepstothedirtydoor。
　　Shepushedopenthedoor，andstoodinpleasedsurprise。Infront，ofherwasabigwarehouse，withcreamypaperparcelseverywhere，andclerks，withtheirshirt-sleevesrolledback，weregoingabout，inanat-homesortofway。Thelightwassubdued，theglossycream，parcelsseemedluminous，thecounterswereofdarkbrownwood。
　　Allwasquietandveryhomely。Mrs。Moreltooktwostepsforward，thenwaited。Paulstoodbehindher。ShehadonherSunday，bonnetandablackveil;heworeaboy’sbroadwhitecollaranda，Norfolksuit。
　　Oneoftheclerkslookedup。Hewasthinandtall，witha，smallface。Hiswayoflookingwasalert。Thenheglancedround，totheotherendoftheroom，wherewasaglassoffice。Andthen，hecameforward。Hedidnotsayanything，butleanedinagentle，inquiringfashiontowardsMrs。Morel。
　　“CanIseeMr。Jordan？”sheasked。
　　“I’llfetchhim，“answeredtheyoungman。
　　Hewentdowntotheglassoffice。Ared-faced，white-whiskered，oldmanlookedup。HeremindedPaulofapomeraniandog。
　　Thenthesamelittlemancameuptheroom。Hehadshortlegs，wasratherstout，andworeanalpacajacket。So，withoneearup，asitwere，hecamestoutlyandinquiringlydowntheroom。
　　“Good-morning！”hesaid，hesitatingbeforeMrs。Morel，indoubtastowhethershewereacustomerornot。
　　“Good-morning。Icamewithmyson，PaulMorel。Youaskedhim，tocallthismorning。”
　　“Comethisway，“saidMr。Jordan，inarathersnappylittle，mannerintendedtobebusinesslike。
　　Theyfollowedthemanufacturerintoagrubbylittleroom，upholsteredinblackAmericanleather，glossywiththerubbingof，manycustomers。Onthetablewasapileoftrusses，yellowwash-leather，hoopstangledtogether。Theylookednewandliving。Paulsniffedthe，odourofnewwash-leather。Hewonderedwhatthethingswere。Bythis，timehewassomuchstunnedthatheonlynoticedtheoutsidethings。
　　“Sitdown！”saidMr。Jordan，irritablypointingMrs。Morel，toahorse-hairchair。Shesatontheedgeinanuncertainfashion。
　　Thenthelittleoldmanfidgetedandfoundapaper。
　　“Didyouwritethisletter？”hesnapped，thrustingwhatPaul，recognisedashisownnotepaperinfrontofhim。
　　“Yes，“heanswered。
　　Atthatmomenthewasoccupiedintwoways：，first，infeeling，guiltyfortellingalie，sinceWilliamhadcomposedtheletter;
　　second，inwonderingwhyhisletterseemedsostrangeanddifferent，inthefat，redhandoftheman，fromwhatithadbeenwhenitlay，onthekitchentable。Itwaslikepartofhimself，goneastray。
　　Heresentedthewaythemanheldit。
　　“Wheredidyoulearntowrite？”saidtheoldmancrossly。
　　Paulmerelylookedathimshamedly，anddidnotanswer。
　　“HeISabadwriter，“putinMrs。Morelapologetically。
　　Thenshepushedupherveil。Paulhatedherfornotbeingprouder，withthiscommonlittleman，andhelovedherfaceclearoftheveil。
　　“AndyousayyouknowFrench？”inquiredthelittleman，stillsharply。
　　“Yes，“saidPaul。
　　“Whatschooldidyougoto？”
　　“TheBoard-school。”
　　“Anddidyoulearnitthere？”
　　“No——I——“Theboywentcrimsonandgotnofarther。
　　“Hisgodfathergavehimlessons，“saidMrs。Morel，halfpleading，andratherdistant。
　　Mr。Jordanhesitated。Then，inhisirritablemanner——healways，seemedtokeephishandsreadyforaction——hepulledanothersheetof，paperfromhispocket，unfoldedit。Thepapermadeacracklingnoise。
　　HehandedittoPaul。
　　“Readthat，“hesaid。
　　ItwasanoteinFrench，inthin，flimsyforeignhandwriting，thattheboycouldnotdecipher。Hestaredblanklyatthepaper。
　　“’Monsieur，’“hebegan;thenhelookedingreatconfusion，atMr。Jordan。”It’sthe——it’sthe——“
　　Hewantedtosay“handwriting“buthiswitswouldnolongerwork，evensufficientlytosupplyhimwiththeword。Feelinganutterfool，andhatingMr。Jordan，heturneddesperatelytothepaperagain。
　　“’Sir，——Pleasesendme’——er——er——Ican’ttellthe——er——’two，pairs——grisfilbas——greythreadstockings’——er——er——’sans——without’——
　　er——Ican’ttellthewords——er——’doigts——fingers’——er——Ican’ttellthe——“
　　Hewantedtosay“handwriting“butthewordstillrefused，tocome。Seeinghimstuck，Mr。Jordansnatchedthepaperfromhim。
　　“’Pleasesendbyreturntwopairsgreythreadstockings，withoutTOES。’“
　　“Well，“flashedPaul，“’doigts’means’fingers’——aswell——as，arule——“
　　Thelittlemanlookedathim。Hedidnotknowwhether“doigts“
　　meant“fingers“;heknewthatforallHISpurposesitmeant“toes“。
　　“Fingerstostockings！”hesnapped。
　　“Well，itDOESmeanfingers，“theboypersisted。
　　Hehatedthelittleman，whomadesuchaclodofhim。
　　Mr。Jordanlookedatthepale，stupid，defiantboy，thenatthemother，whosatquietandwiththatpeculiarshut-offlookofthepoor，whohavetodependonthefavourofothers。
　　“Andwhencouldhecome？”heasked。
　　“Well，“saidMrs。Morel，“assoonasyouwish。Hehasfinished，schoolnow。”
　　“HewouldliveinBestwood？”
　　“Yes;buthecouldbein——atthestation——atquartertoeight。”
　　“H’m！”
　　ItendedbyPaul’sbeingengagedasjuniorspiralclerkateight，shillingsaweek。Theboydidnotopenhismouthtosayanother，word，afterhavinginsistedthat“doigts“meant“fingers“。He，followedhismotherdownthestairs。Shelookedathimwithher，brightblueeyesfullofloveandjoy。
　　“Ithinkyou’lllikeit，“shesaid。
　　“’Doigts’doesmean’fingers’，mother，anditwasthewriting。
　　Icouldn’treadthewriting。”
　　“Nevermind，myboy。I’msurehe’llbeallright，andyou，won’tseemuchofhim。Wasn’tthatfirstyoungfellownice？
　　I’msureyou’lllikethem。”
　　“Butwasn’tMr。Jordancommon，mother？，Doesheownitall？”
　　“Isupposehewasaworkmanwhohasgoton，“shesaid。
　　“Youmustn’tmindpeoplesomuch。They’renotbeingdisagreeable，toYOU——it’stheirway。Youalwaysthinkpeoplearemeaningthings，foryou。Buttheydon’t。”
　　Itwasverysunny。Overthebigdesolatespaceofthemarket-place，theblueskyshimmered，andthegranitecobblesofthepavingglistened。
　　ShopsdowntheLongRowweredeepinobscurity，andtheshadowwasfull，ofcolour。Justwherethehorsetramstrundledacrossthemarket，wasarowoffruitstalls，withfruitblazinginthesun——apples，andpilesofreddishoranges，smallgreen-gageplumsandbananas。
　　Therewasawarmscentoffruitasmotherandsonpassed。
　　Graduallyhisfeelingofignominyandofragesank。
　　“Whereshouldwegofordinner？”askedthemother。
　　Itwasfelttobearecklessextravagance。Paulhadonly，beeninaneating-houseonceortwiceinhislife，andthenonly，tohaveacupofteaandabun。MostofthepeopleofBestwood，consideredthatteaandbread-and-butter，andperhapspottedbeef，wasalltheycouldaffordtoeatinNottingham。Realcookeddinner，wasconsideredgreatextravagance。Paulfeltratherguilty。
　　Theyfoundaplacethatlookedquitecheap。ButwhenMrs。Morel，scannedthebilloffare，herheartwasheavy，thingsweresodear。
　　Sosheorderedkidney-piesandpotatoesasthecheapestavailabledish。
　　“Weoughtn’ttohavecomehere，mother，“saidPaul。
　　“Nevermind，“shesaid。”Wewon’tcomeagain。”
　　Sheinsistedonhishavingasmallcurranttart，becausehe，likedsweets。
　　“Idon’twantit，mother，“hepleaded。
　　“Yes，“sheinsisted;“you’llhaveit。”
　　Andshelookedroundforthewaitress。Butthewaitress，wasbusy，andMrs。Moreldidnotliketobotherherthen。
　　Sothemotherandsonwaitedforthegirl’spleasure，whilstshe，flirtedamongthemen。
　　“Brazenhussy！”saidMrs。MoreltoPaul。”Looknow，she’stakingthatmanHISpudding，andhecamelongafterus。”
　　“Itdoesn’tmatter，mother，“saidPaul。
　　Mrs。Morelwasangry。Butshewastoopoor，andherorders，weretoomeagre，sothatshehadnotthecouragetoinsistonher，rightsjustthen。Theywaitedandwaited。
　　“Shouldwego，mother？”hesaid。
　　ThenMrs。Morelstoodup。Thegirlwaspassingnear。
　　“Willyoubringonecurranttart？”saidMrs。Morelclearly。
　　Thegirllookedroundinsolently。
　　“Directly，“shesaid。
　　“Wehavewaitedquitelongenough，“saidMrs。Morel。
　　Inamomentthegirlcamebackwiththetart。Mrs。Morel，askedcoldlyforthebill。Paulwantedtosinkthroughthefloor。
　　Hemarvelledathismother’shardness。Heknewthatonlyyears，ofbattlinghadtaughthertoinsistevensolittleonherrights。
　　Sheshrankasmuchashe。
　　“It’sthelasttimeIgoTHEREforanything！”shedeclared，whentheywereoutsidetheplace，thankfultobeclear。
　　“We’llgo，“shesaid，“andlookatKeep’sandBoot’s，andone，ortwoplaces，shallwe？”
　　Theyhaddiscussionsoverthepictures，andMrs。Morel，wantedtobuyhimalittlesablebrushthatbehankeredafter。
　　Butthisindulgenceherefused。Hestoodinfrontofmilliners’
　　shopsanddrapers’shopsalmostbored，butcontentforherto，beinterested。Theywanderedon。
　　“Now，justlookatthoseblackgrapes！”shesaid。”Theymake，yourmouthwater。I’vewantedsomeofthoseforyears，butIs’ll，havetowaitabitbeforeIgetthem。”
　　Thensherejoicedintheflorists，standinginthedoorwaysniffing。
　　“Oh！oh！，Isn’titsimplylovely！”
　　Paulsaw，inthedarknessoftheshop，anelegantyounglady，inblackpeeringoverthecountercuriously。
　　“They’relookingatyou，“hesaid，tryingtodrawhismotheraway。
　　“Butwhatisit？”sheexclaimed，refusingtobemoved。
　　“Stocks！”heanswered，sniffinghastily。”Look，there’s，atubful。”
　　“Sothereis——redandwhite。Butreally，Ineverknew，stockstosmelllikeit！”And，tohisgreatrelief，shemoved，outofthedoorway，butonlytostandinfrontofthewindow。
　　“Paul！”shecriedtohim，whowastryingtogetoutof，sightoftheelegantyoungladyinblack——theshop-girl。“Paul！
　　Justlookhere！”
　　Hecamereluctantlyback。
　　“Now，justlookatthatfuchsia！”sheexclaimed，pointing。
　　“H’m！”Hemadeacurious，interestedsound。”You’dthink，everysecondastheflowerswasgoingtofalloff，theyhang，sobigan’heavy。”
　　“Andsuchanabundance！”shecried。
　　“Andthewaytheydropdownwardswiththeirthreadsandknots！”
　　“Yes！”sheexclaimed。”Lovely！”
　　“Iwonderwho’llbuyit！”hesaid。
　　“Iwonder！”sheanswered。”Notus。”
　　“Itwoulddieinourparlour。”
　　“Yes，beastlycold，sunlesshole;itkillseverybitofaplant，youputin，andthekitchenchokesthemtodeath。”
　　Theyboughtafewthings，andsetofftowardsthestation。
　　Lookingupthecanal，throughthedarkpassofthebuildings，theysawtheCastleonitsbluffofbrown，green-bushedrock，inapositivemiracleofdelicatesunshine。
　　“Won’titbeniceformetocomeoutatdinner-times？”saidPaul。
　　“Icangoallroundhereandseeeverything。Is’llloveit。”
　　“Youwill，“assentedhismother。
　　Hehadspentaperfectafternoonwithhismother。Theyarrived，homeinthemellowevening，happy，andglowing，andtired。
　　Inthemorninghefilledintheformforhisseason-ticket，andtookittothestation。Whenhegotback，hismotherwasjust，beginningtowashthefloor。Hesatcroucheduponthesofa。
　　“Hesaysit’llbehereonSaturday，“hesaid。
　　“Andhowmuchwillitbe？”
　　“Aboutonepoundeleven，“hesaid。
　　Shewentonwashingherfloorinsilence。
　　“Isitalot？”heasked。
　　“It’snomorethanIthought，“sheanswered。
　　“An’Is’llearneightshillingsaweek，“hesaid。
　　Shedidnotanswer，butwentonwithherwork。Atlastshesaid：
　　“ThatWilliampromisedme，whenhewenttoLondon，ashe’dgive，meapoundamonth。Hehasgivenmetenshillings——twice;andnowI
　　knowhehasn’tafarthingifIaskedhim。NotthatIwantit。
　　Onlyjustnowyou’dthinkhemightbeabletohelpwiththisticket，whichI’dneverexpected。”
　　“Heearnsalot，“saidPaul。
　　“Heearnsahundredandthirtypounds。Butthey’reallalike。
　　They’relargeinpromises，butit’spreciouslittlefulfilment，youget。”
　　“Hespendsoverfiftyshillingsaweekonhimself，“saidPaul。
　　“AndIkeepthishouseonlessthanthirty，“shereplied;
　　“andamsupposedtofindmoneyforextras。Buttheydon’tcare，abouthelpingyou，oncethey’vegone。He’dratherspenditon，thatdressed-upcreature。”
　　“Sheshouldhaveherownmoneyifshe’ssogrand，“saidPaul。
　　“Sheshould，butshehasn’t。Iaskedhim。AndIknowhe，doesn’tbuyheragoldbanglefornothing。Iwonderwhoeverbought，MEagoldbangle。”
　　Williamwassucceedingwithhis“Gipsy“ashecalledher。
　　Heaskedthegirl——hernamewasLouisaLilyDenysWestern——fora，photographtosendtohismother。Thephotocame——ahandsomebrunette，takeninprofile，smirkingslightly——and，itmightbe，quitenaked，foronthephotographnotascrapofclothingwastobeseen，onlyanakedbust。
　　“Yes，“wroteMrs。Moreltoherson，“thephotographof，Louieisverystriking，andIcanseeshemustbeattractive。
　　Butdoyouthink，myboy，itwasverygoodtasteofagirlto，giveheryoungmanthatphototosendtohismother——thefirst？
　　Certainlytheshouldersarebeautiful，asyousay。ButIhardly，expectedtoseesomuchofthematthefirstview。”
　　Morelfoundthephotographstandingonthechiffonierin，theparlour。Hecameoutwithitbetweenhisthickthumbandfinger。
　　“Whodostreckonthisis？”heaskedofhiswife。
　　“It’sthegirlourWilliamisgoingwith，“repliedMrs。Morel。
　　“H’m！’Er’sabrightspark，fromth’lookon’er，an’
　　oneaswunnadohimowermuchgoodneither。Whoisshe？”
　　“HernameisLouisaLilyDenysWestern。”
　　“An’comeagainto-morrer！”exclaimedtheminer。”An’is’er，anactress？”
　　“Sheisnot。She’ssupposedtobealady。”
　　“I’llbet！”heexclaimed，stillstaringatthephoto。”Alady，isshe？，An’howmuchdoesshereckonterkeepupthissorto’
　　gameon？”
　　“Onnothing。Sheliveswithanoldaunt，whomshehates，andtakeswhatbitofmoney’sgivenher。”
　　“H’m！”saidMorel，layingdownthephotograph。”Thenhe’s，afooltoha’ta’enupwi’suchaoneasthat。”
　　“DearMater，“Williamreplied。”I’msorryyoudidn’tlike，thephotograph。ItneveroccurredtomewhenIsentit，thatyou，mightn’tthinkitdecent。However，ItoldGypthatitdidn’tquite，suityourprimandpropernotions，soshe’sgoingtosendyouanother，thatIhopewillpleaseyoubetter。She’salwaysbeingphotographed;
　　infact，thephotographersaskheriftheymaytakeherfornothing。”
　　Presentlythenewphotographcame，withalittlesillynote，fromthegirl。Thistimetheyoungladywasseeninablacksatin，eveningbodice，cutsquare，withlittlepuffsleeves，andblack，lacehangingdownherbeautifularms。
　　“Iwonderifsheeverwearsanythingexcepteveningclothes，“
　　saidMrs。Morelsarcastically。”I’msureIoughttobeimpressed。”
　　“Youaredisagreeable，mother，“saidPaul。”Ithinkthefirst，onewithbareshouldersislovely。”
　　“Doyou？”answeredhismother。”Well，Idon’t。”
　　OntheMondaymorningtheboygotupatsixtostartwork。
　　Hehadtheseason-ticket，whichhadcostsuchbitterness，inhis，waistcoatpocket。Heloveditwithitsbarsofyellowacross。
　　Hismotherpackedhisdinnerinasmall，shut-upbasket，andheset，offataquartertoseventocatchthe7。15train。Mrs。Morelcame，totheentry-endtoseehimoff。
　　Itwasaperfectmorning。Fromtheashtreetheslender，greenfruitsthatthechildrencall“pigeons“weretwinklinggaily，downonalittlebreeze，intothefrontgardensofthehouses。
　　Thevalleywasfullofalustrousdarkhaze，throughwhichtheripe，cornshimmered，andinwhichthesteamfromMintonpitmeltedswiftly。
　　Puffsofwindcame。PaullookedoverthehighwoodsofAldersley，wherethecountrygleamed，andhomehadneverpulledathim，sopowerfully。
　　“Good-morning，mother，“hesaid，smiling，butfeelingveryunhappy。
　　“Good-morning，“sherepliedcheerfullyandtenderly。
　　Shestoodinherwhiteapronontheopenroad，watchinghim，ashecrossedthefield。Hehadasmall，compactbodythatlooked，fulloflife。Shefelt，asshesawhimtrudgingoverthefield，thatwherehedeterminedtogohewouldget。ShethoughtofWilliam。
　　Hewouldhaveleapedthefenceinsteadofgoingroundthestile。
　　HewasawayinLondon，doingwell。PaulwouldbeworkinginNottingham。
　　Nowshehadtwosonsintheworld。Shecouldthinkoftwoplaces，greatcentresofindustry，andfeelthatshehadputamanintoeach，ofthem，thatthesemenwouldworkoutwhatSHEwanted;theywere，derivedfromher，theywereofher，andtheirworksalsowouldbehers。
　　AllthemorninglongshethoughtofPaul。
　　Ateighto’clockheclimbedthedismalstairsofJordan’s，SurgicalApplianceFactory，andstoodhelplesslyagainstthefirst，greatparcel-rack，waitingforsomebodytopickhimup。Theplace，wasstillnotawake。Overthecountersweregreatdustsheets。
　　Twomenonlyhadarrived，andwereheardtalkinginacorner，astheytookofftheircoatsandrolleduptheirshirt-sleeves。It，wastenpasteight。Evidentlytherewasnorushofpunctuality。
　　Paullistenedtothevoicesofthetwoclerks。Thenheheard，someonecough，andsawintheofficeattheendoftheroomanold，decayingclerk，inaroundsmoking-capofblackvelvetembroidered，withredandgreen，openingletters。Hewaitedandwaited。
　　Oneofthejuniorclerkswenttotheoldman，greetedhim，cheerilyandloudly。Evidentlytheold“chief“wasdeaf。
　　Thentheyoungfellowcamestridingimportantlydowntohiscounter。
　　HespiedPaul。
　　“Hello！”hesaid。”Youthenewlad？”
　　“Yes，“saidPaul。
　　“H’m！What’syourname？”
　　“PaulMorel。”
　　“PaulMorel？，Allright，youcomeonroundhere。”
　　Paulfollowedhimroundtherectangleofcounters。Theroom，wassecondstorey。Ithadagreatholeinthemiddleofthefloor，fencedaswithawallofcounters，anddownthiswideshaft，theliftswent，andthelightforthebottomstorey。Alsothere，wasacorrespondingbig，oblongholeintheceiling，andone，couldseeabove，overthefenceofthetopfloor，somemachinery;
　　andrightawayoverheadwastheglassroof，andalllightforthe，threestoreyscamedownwards，gettingdimmer，sothatitwasalways，nightonthegroundfloorandrathergloomyonthesecondfloor。
　　Thefactorywasthetopfloor，thewarehousethesecond，thestorehouse，thegroundfloor。Itwasaninsanitary，ancientplace。
　　Paulwasledroundtoaverydarkcorner。
　　“Thisisthe’Spiral’corner，“saidtheclerk。”You’reSpiral，withPappleworth。He’syourboss，buthe’snotcomeyet。Hedoesn’t，getheretillhalf-pasteight。Soyoucanfetchtheletters，ifyoulike，fromMr。Mellingdownthere。”
　　Theyoungmanpointedtotheoldclerkintheoffice。
　　“Allright，“saidPaul。
　　“Here’sapegtohangyourcapon。Hereareyourentryledgers。
　　Mr。Pappleworthwon’tbelong。”
　　Andthethinyoungmanstalkedawaywithlong，busystrides，overthehollowwoodenfloor。
　　AfteraminuteortwoPaulwentdownandstoodinthedoor，oftheglassoffice。Theoldclerkinthesmoking-caplooked，downovertherimofhisspectacles。
　　“Good-morning，“hesaid，kindlyandimpressively。”Youwant，thelettersfortheSpiraldepartment，Thomas？”
　　Paulresentedbeingcalled“Thomas“。Buthetooktheletters，andreturnedtohisdarkplace，wherethecountermadeanangle，wherethegreatparcel-rackcametoanend，andwherethere，werethreedoorsinthecorner。Hesatonahighstoolandread，theletters——thosewhosehandwritingwasnottoodifficult。
　　Theyranasfollows：
　　“Willyoupleasesendmeatonceapairoflady’ssilkspiral，thigh-hose，withoutfeet，suchasIhadfromyoulastyear;
　　length，thightoknee，etc。”，Or，“MajorChamberlainwishes，torepeathispreviousorderforasilknon-elasticsuspensorybandage。”
　　Manyoftheseletters，someoftheminFrenchorNorwegian，wereagreatpuzzletotheboy。Hesatonhisstoolnervouslyawaiting，thearrivalofhis“boss“。Hesufferedtorturesofshynesswhen，athalf-pasteight，thefactorygirlsforupstairstroopedpasthim。
　　Mr。Papplewortharrived，chewingachlorodynegum，atabout，twentytonine，whenalltheothermenwereatwork。Hewasathin，sallowmanwitharednose，quick，staccato，andsmartlybut，stifflydressed。Hewasaboutthirty-sixyearsold。Therewas，somethingrather“doggy“rathersmart，rather’cuteandshrewd，andsomethingwarm，andsomethingslightlycontemptibleabouthim。
　　“Youmynewlad？”hesaid。
　　Paulstoodupandsaidhewas。
　　“Fetchedtheletters？”
　　Mr。Pappleworthgaveachewtohisgum。
　　“Yes。”
　　“Copied’em？”
　　“No。”
　　“Well，comeonthen，let’slookslippy。Changedyourcoat？”
　　“No。”
　　“Youwanttobringanoldcoatandleaveithere。”，Hepronounced，thelastwordswiththechlorodynegumbetweenhissideteeth。
　　Hevanishedintothedarknessbehindthegreatparcel-rack，reappearedcoatless，turningupasmartstripedshirt-cuffover，athinandhairyarm。Thenheslippedintohiscoat。Paulnoticed，howthinhewas，andthathistrouserswereinfoldsbehind。
　　Heseizedastool，draggeditbesidetheboy’s，andsatdown。
　　“Sitdown，“hesaid。
　　Paultookaseat。
　　Mr。Pappleworthwasveryclosetohim。Themanseized，theletters，snatchedalongentry-bookoutofarackinfront，ofhim，flungitopen，seizedapen，andsaid：
　　“Nowlookhere。Youwanttocopytheselettersinhere。”
　　Hesniffedtwice，gaveaquickchewathisgum，staredfixedlyat，aletter，thenwentverystillandabsorbed，andwrotetheentryrapidly，inabeautifulflourishinghand。HeglancedquicklyatPaul。
　　“Seethat？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Thinkyoucandoitallright？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Allrightthen，let’sseeyou。”
　　Hesprangoffhisstool。Paultookapen。Mr。Pappleworth，disappeared。Paulratherlikedcopyingtheletters，buthewroteslowly，laboriously，andexceedinglybadly。Hewasdoingthefourthletter，andfeelingquitebusyandhappy，whenMr。Pappleworthreappeared。
　　“Nowthen，how’r’yergettingon？，Done’em？”
　　Heleanedovertheboy’sshoulder，chewing，andsmelling，ofchlorodyne。
　　“Strikemybob，lad，butyou’reabeautifulwriter！”
　　heexclaimedsatirically。”Ne’ermind，howmanyh’yerdone？
　　Onlythree！，I’d’aeaten’em。Geton，mylad，an’putnumbers，on’em。Here，look！，Geton！”
　　Paulgroundawayattheletters，whilstMr。Pappleworthfussed，overvariousjobs。Suddenlytheboystartedasashrillwhistle，soundednearhisear。Mr。Pappleworthcame，tookaplugoutofapipe，andsaid，inanamazinglycrossandbossyvoice：
　　“Yes？”
　　Paulheardafaintvoice，likeawoman’s，outofthemouthof，thetube。Hegazedinwonder，neverhavingseenaspeaking-tubebefore。
　　“Well，“saidMr。Pappleworthdisagreeablyintothetube，“you’dbettergetsomeofyourbackworkdone，then。”
　　Againthewoman’stinyvoicewasheard，soundingprettyandcross。
　　“I’venottimetostandherewhileyoutalk，“saidMr。Pappleworth，andhepushedtheplugintothetube。
　　“Come，mylad，“hesaidimploringlytoPaul，“there’sPolly，cryingoutforthemorders。Can’tyoubuckupabit？，Here，comeout！”
　　Hetookthebook，toPaul’simmensechagrin，andbegan，thecopyinghimself。Heworkedquicklyandwell。Thisdone，heseizedsomestripsoflongyellowpaper，aboutthreeincheswide，andmadeouttheday’sordersforthework-girls。
　　“You’dbetterwatchme，“hesaidtoPaul，workingallthe，whilerapidly。Paulwatchedtheweirdlittledrawingsoflegs，andthighs，andankles，withthestrokesacrossandthenumbers，andthefewbriefdirectionswhichhischiefmadeupontheyellowpaper。
　　ThenMr。Pappleworthfinishedandjumpedup。
　　“Comeonwithme，“hesaid，andtheyellowpapersflying，inhishands，hedashedthroughadooranddownsomestairs，intothebasementwherethegaswasburning。Theycrossedthecold，dampstoreroom，thenalong，drearyroomwithalongtableontrestles，intoasmaller，cosyapartment，notveryhigh，whichhadbeen，builtontothemainbuilding。Inthisroomasmallwomanwith，aredsergeblouse，andherblackhairdoneontopofherhead，waswaitinglikeaproudlittlebantam。
　　“Herey’are！”saidPappleworth。
　　“Ithinkitis’hereyouare’！”exclaimedPolly。”Thegirls，havebeenherenearlyhalfanhourwaiting。Justthinkofthe，timewasted！”
　　“YOUthinkofgettingyourworkdoneandnottalkingsomuch，“
　　saidMr。Pappleworth。”Youcouldha’beenfinishingoff。”
　　“YouknowquitewellwefinishedeverythingoffonSaturday！”
　　criedPony，flyingathim，herdarkeyesflashing。
　　“Tu-tu-tu-tu-terterter！”hemocked。”Here’syournewlad。
　　Don’truinhimasyoudidthelast。”
　　“Aswedidthelast！”repeatedPolly。”Yes，WEdoalot，ofruining，wedo。Myword，aladwouldTAKEsomeruiningafter，he’dbeenwithyou。”
　　“It’stimeforworknow，notfortalk，“saidMr。Pappleworth，severelyandcoldly。
　　“Itwastimeforworksometimeback，“saidPolly，marchingaway，withherheadintheair。Shewasanerectlittlebodyofforty。
　　Inthatroomweretworoundspiralmachinesonthebenchunder，thewindow。Throughtheinnerdoorwaywasanotherlongerroom，withsixmoremachines。Alittlegroupofgirls，nicelydressed，inwhiteaprons，stoodtalkingtogether。
　　“Haveyounothingelsetodobuttalk？”saidMr。Pappleworth。
　　“Onlywaitforyou，“saidonehandsomegirl，laughing。
　　“Well，geton，geton，“hesaid。”Comeon，mylad。
　　You’llknowyourroaddownhereagain。”
　　AndPaulranupstairsafterhischief。Hewasgivensome，checkingandinvoicingtodo。Hestoodatthedesk，labouringinhis，execrablehandwriting。PresentlyMr。Jordancamestruttingdownfrom，theglassofficeandstoodbehindhim，totheboy’sgreatdiscomfort。
　　Suddenlyaredandfatfingerwasthrustontheformhewasfillingin。
　　“MR。J。A。Bates，Esquire！”exclaimedthecrossvoicejust，behindhisear。
　　Paullookedat“Mr。J。A。Bates，Esquire“inhisownvilewriting，andwonderedwhatwasthematternow。
　　“Didn’ttheyteachyouanybetterTHANthatwhiletheywereatit？
　　Ifyouput’Mr。’youdon’tputEsquire’-amancan’tbebothatonce。”
　　Theboyregrettedhistoo-muchgenerosityindisposing，ofhonours，hesitated，andwithtremblingfingers，scratchedout，the“Mr。”ThenallatonceMr。Jordansnatchedawaytheinvoice。