Theythentalkedaboutthestatues，concerningwhichitwasplainthatnothingwasknown。Butmyfathersoonbrokeinupontheirconversationwiththefirstinstalmentofquails，whichafewminuteshadsufficedtocook。
“Whatadeliciousbirdaquailis。”saidHanky。
“Landrail，Hanky，landrail。”saidtheotherreproachfully。
Havingfinishedthefirstbirdsinaveryfewminutestheyreturnedtothestatues。
“OldMrs。Nosnibor。”saidPanky，“saystheSunchildtoldhertheyweresymbolicoftentribeswhohadincurredthedispleasureofthesun，hisfather。”
Imakenocommentonmyfather’sfeelings。
“Ofthesun！hisfiddlesticks’ends。”retortedHanky。“Henevercalledthesunhisfather。Besides，fromallIhaveheardabouthim，Itakeithewasapreciousidiot。”
“OHanky，Hanky！youwillwreckthewholethingifyoueverallowyourselftotalkinthatway。”
“Youaremorelikelytowreckityourself，Panky，byneverdoingso。Peoplelikebeingdeceived，buttheylikealsotohaveaninklingoftheirowndeception，andyouneverinklethem。”
“TheQueen。”saidPanky，returningtothestatues，“stickstoitthat……“
“Herecomesanotherbird。”interruptedHanky；“nevermindabouttheQueen。”
Thebirdwassooneaten，whereonPankyagaintookuphisparableabouttheQueen。
“TheQueensaystheyareconnectedwiththecultoftheancientGoddessKiss-me-quick。”
“Whatiftheyare？ButtheQueenseesKiss-me-quickineverything。
Anotherquail，ifyouplease，Mr。Ranger。”
Myfatherbroughtupanotherbirdalmostdirectly。Silencewhileitwasbeingeaten。
“TalkingoftheSunchild。”saidPanky；“didyoueverseehim？“
“Neverseteyesonhim，andhopeInevershall。”
Andsoontillthelastbirdwaseaten。
“Fellow。”saidPanky，“fetchsomemorewood；thefireisnearlydead。”
“Icanfindnomore，sir。”saidmyfather，whowasafraidlestsomegenuinerangermightbeattractedbythelight，andwasdeterminedtoletitgooutassoonashehaddonecooking。
“Nevermind。”saidHanky，“themoonwillbeupsoon。”
“Andnow，Hanky。”saidPanky，“tellmewhatyouproposetosayonSunday。Isupposeyouhaveprettywellmadeupyourmindaboutitbythistime。”
“Prettynearly。Ishallkeepitmuchontheusuallines。IshalldwelluponthebenightedstatefromwhichtheSunchildrescuedus，andshallshowhowtheMusicalBanks，byatoncetakingupthemovement，havebeentheblessedmeansofitsnowalmostuniversalsuccess。IshalltalkabouttheimmortalglorysheduponSunch’stonbytheSun-child’sresidenceintheprison，andwindupwiththeSunchildEvidenceSociety，andanearnestappealforfundstoendowthecanonriesrequiredforthedueserviceofthetemple。”
“Temple！whattemple？“groanedmyfatherinwardly。
“Andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutthefourblackandwhitehorses？“
“Sticktothem，ofcourse——unlessImakethemsix。”
“Ireallydonotseewhytheymightnothavebeenhorses。”
“Idaresayyoudonot。”returnedtheotherdrily，“buttheywereblackandwhitestorks，andyouknowthataswellasIdo。Still，theyhavecaughton，andtheyareinthealtar-piece，prancingandcurvettingmagnificently，soIshalltrotthemout。”
“Altar-piece！Altar-piece！“againgroanedmyfatherinwardly。
Heneednothavegroaned，forwhenhecametoseetheso-calledaltar-piecehefoundthatthetableabovewhichitwasplacedhadnothingincommonwiththealtarinaChristianchurch。Itwasameretable，onwhichwereplacedtwobowlsfullofMusicalBankcoins；twocashiers，whosatoneithersideofit，dispensedafewofthesetoallcomers，whiletherewasaboxinfrontofitwhereinpeopledepositedcoinoftherealmaccordingtotheirwillorability。Theideaofsacrificewasnotcontemplated，andthepositionofthetable，aswellasthenamegiventoit，wasaninstanceofthewayinwhichtheErewhonianshadcaughtnamesandpracticesfrommyfather，withoutunderstandingwhattheyeitherwereormeant。So，again，whenProfessorHankyhadspokenofcanonries，hehadnonebutthevaguestideaofwhatacanonryis。
ImayaddfurtherthatasaboymyfatherhadhadhisBiblewelldrilledintohim，andneverforgotit。Hencebiblicalpassagesandexpressionshadbeenofteninhismouth，astheeffectofmereunconsciouscerebration。TheErewhonianshadcaughtmanyofthese，sometimescorruptingthemsothattheywerehardlyrecognizable。
Thingsthatherememberedhavingsaidwerecontinuallymeetinghimduringthefewdaysofhissecondvisit，anditshockedhimdeeplytomeetsomegrosstravestyofhisownwords，orofwordsmoresacredthanhisown，andyettobeunabletocorrectit。“I
wonder。”hesaidtome，“thatnoonehaseverhitonthisasapunishmentforthedamnedinHades。”
LetmenowreturntoProfessorHanky，whomIfearthatIhavelefttoolong。
“Andofcourse。”hecontinued，“IshallsayallsortsofprettythingsabouttheMayoress——forIsupposewemustnoteventhinkofherasYramnow。”
“TheMayoress。”repliedPanky，“isaverydangerouswoman；seehowshestoodoutaboutthewayinwhichtheSunchildhadwornhisclothesbeforetheygavehimthethenErewhoniandress。Besides，sheisascepticatheart，andsoisthatprecioussonofhers。”
“Shewasquiteright。”saidHanky，withsomethingofasnort。“Shebroughthimhisdinnerwhilehewasstillwearingtheclotheshecamein，andifmendonotnoticehowamanwearshisclothes，womendo。Besides，therearemanylivingwhosawhimwearthem。”
“Perhaps。”saidPanky，“butweshouldneverhavetalkedtheKingoverifwehadnothumouredhimonthispoint。Yramnearlywreckedusbyherobstinacy。Ifwehadnotfrightenedher，andifyourstudy，Hanky，hadnothappenedtohavebeenburned……“
“Come，come，Panky，nomoreofthat。”
“OfcourseIdonotdoubtthatitwasanaccident；neverthelessifyourstudyhadnotbeenaccidentallyburned，ontheverynighttheclotheswereentrustedtoyouforearnest，patient，careful，scientificinvestigation——andYramverynearlyburnedtoo——weshouldneverhavecarrieditthrough。SeewhatworkwehadtogettheKingtoallowthewayinwhichtheclotheswereworntobeamatterofopinion，notdogma。WhatapityitisthattheclotheswerenotburnedbeforetheKing’stailorhadcopiedthem。”
Hankylaughedheartilyenough。“Yes。”hesaid，“itwastouchandgo。Why，Iwonder，couldnottheQueenhaveputtheclothesonadummythatwouldshowbackfromfront？AssoonasitwasbroughtintothecouncilchambertheKingjumpedtoaconclusion，andwehadtobundlebothdummyandYramoutoftheroyalpresence，forneithershenortheKingwouldbudgeaninch。
EvenPankysmiled。“Whatcouldwedo？ThecommonpeoplealmostworshipYram；andsodoesherhusband，thoughherfair-hairedeldestsonwasbornbarelysevenmonthsaftermarriage。ThepeopleinthesepartsliketothinkthattheSunchild’sbloodisinthecountry，andyettheyswearthroughthickandthinthatheistheMayor’sdulybegottenoffspring——Faugh！Doyouthinktheywouldhavestoodhisbeingjobbedintotheranger-shipbyanyoneelsebutYram？“
Myfather’sfeelingsmaybeimagined，butIwillnothereinterrupttheProfessors。
“Well，well。”saidHanky；“formenmustrobandwomenmustjobsolongastheworldgoeson。IdidthebestIcould。TheKingwouldneverhaveembracedSunchildismifIhadnottoldhimhewasright；
then，whensatisfiedthatweagreedwithhim，heyieldedtopopularprejudiceandallowedthequestiontoremainopen。OneofhisRoyalProfessorswastoweartheclothesoneway，andtheothertheother。”
“Mywayofwearingthem。”saidPanky，“ismuchthemostconvenient。”
“Notabitofit，saidHankywarmly。OnthisthetwoProfessorsfellout，andthediscussiongrewsohotthatmyfatherinterferedbyadvisingthemnottotalksoloudlestanotherrangershouldhearthem。“Youknow。”hesaid，“thereareagoodmanylandrailboneslyingabout，anditmightbeawkward。”
TheProfessorshushedatonce。“Bytheway。”saidPanky，afterapause，“itisverystrangeaboutthosefootprintsinthesnow。Themanhadevidentlywalkedroundthestatuestwoorthreetimes，asthoughtheywerestrangetohim，andhehadcertainlycomefromtheotherside。”
“Itwasoneoftherangers。”saidHankyimpatiently，“whohadgonealittlebeyondthestatues，andcomebackagain。”
“Thenweshouldhaveseenhisfootprintsashewent。IamgladI
measuredthem。”
“Thereisnothinginit；butwhatwereyourmeasurements？“
“Eleveninchesbyfourandahalf；nailsonthesoles；onenailmissingontherightfootandtwoontheleft。”Then，turningtomyfatherquickly，hesaid，“Myman，allowmetohavealookatyourboots。”
“Nonsense，Panky，nonsense！“
Nowmyfatherbythistimewaswonderingwhetherheshouldnotsetuponthesetwomen，killthemifhecould，andmakethebestofhiswayback，buthehadstillacardtoplay。
“Certainly，sir。”saidhe，“butIshouldtellyouthattheyarenotmyboots。”
HetookoffhisrightbootandhandedittoPanky。
“Exactlyso！Eleveninchesbyfourandahalf，andonenailmissing。Andnow，Mr。Ranger，willyoubegoodenoughtoexplainhowyoubecamepossessedofthatboot。Youneednotshowmetheother。”Andhespokelikeanexaminerwhowasconfidentthathecouldfloorhisexamineeinvivavoce。
“Youknowourorders。”answeredmyfather，“youhaveseenthemonyourpermit。Imetoneofthoseforeigndevilsfromtheotherside，ofwhomwehavehadmorethanonelately；hecamefromoutofthecloudsthathanghigherup，andashehadnopermitandcouldnotspeakawordofourlanguage，Igrippedhim，flunghim，andstrangledhim。ThusfarIwasonlyobeyingorders，butseeinghowmuchbetterhisbootswerethanmine，andfindingthattheywouldfitme，Iresolvedtokeepthem。YoumaybesureIshouldnothavedonesoifIhadknowntherewassnowonthetopofthepass。”
“Hecouldnotinventthat。”saidHanky；“itisplainhehasnotbeenuptothestatues。”
Pankywasstaggered。“Andofcourse。”saidheironically，“youtooknothingfromthispoorwretchexcepthisboots。”
“Sir。”saidmyfather，“Iwillmakeacleanbreastofeverything。
Iflunghisbody，hisclothes，andmyownoldbootsintothepool；
butIkepthisblanket，somethingsheusedforcooking，andsomestrangestuffthatlookslikedriedleaves，aswellasasmallbagofsomethingwhichIbelieveisgold。IthoughtIcouldsellthelottosomedealerincuriositieswhowouldasknoquestions。”
“Andwhat，pray，haveyoudonewithallthesethings？“
“Theyarehere，sir。”Andashespokehedivedintothewood，returningwiththeblanket，billy，pannikin，tea，andthelittlebagofnuggets，whichhehadkeptaccessible。
“Thisisverystrange。”saidHanky，whowasbeginningtobeafraidofmyfatherwhenhelearnedthathesometimeskilledpeople。
HeretheProfessorstalkedhurriedlytooneanotherinatonguewhichmyfathercouldnotunderstand，butwhichhefeltsurewasthehypotheticallanguageofwhichhehasspokeninhisbook。
PresentlyHankysaidtomyfatherquitecivilly，“Andwhat，mygoodman，doyouproposetodowithallthesethings？Ishouldtellyouatoncethatwhatyoutaketobegoldisnothingofthekind；itisabasemetal，hardly，ifatall，worthmorethancopper。”
“Ihavehadenoughofthem；to-morrowmorningIshalltakethemwithmetotheBluePool，anddropthemintoit。”
“Itisapityyoushoulddothat。”saidHankymusingly：“thethingsareinterestingascuriosities，and——and——and——whatwillyoutakeforthem？“
“Icouldnotdoit，sir。”answeredmyfather。“Iwouldnotdoit，no，notfor——“andhenamedasumequivalenttoaboutfivepoundsofourmoney。ForhewantedErewhonianmoney，andthoughtitworthhiswhiletosacrificehistenpounds’worthofnuggetsinordertogetasupplyofcurrentcoin。
Hankytriedtobeathimdown，assuringhimthatnocuriositydealerwouldgivehalfasmuch，andmyfathersofaryieldedastotake4
pounds，10s。insilver，which，asIhavealreadyexplained，wouldnotbeworthmorethanhalfasovereigningold。Atthisfigureabargainwasstruck，andtheProfessorspaidupwithoutofferinghimasingleMusicalBankcoin。Theywantedtoincludethebootsinthepurchase，butheremyfatherstoodout。
Buthecouldnotstandoutasregardsanothermatter，whichcausedhimsomeanxiety。Pankyinsistedthatmyfathershouldgivethemareceiptforthemoney，andtherewasanaltercationbetweentheProfessorsonthispoint，muchlongerthanIcanherefindspacetogive。Hankyarguedthatareceiptwasuseless，inasmuchasitwouldberuintomyfatherevertorefertothesubjectagain。
Panky，however，wasanxious，notlestmyfathershouldagainclaimthemoney，butthoughhedidnotsaysooutrightlestHankyshouldclaimthewholepurchaseashisown。InsotheendPanky，forawonder，carriedtheday，andareceiptwasdrawnuptotheeffectthattheundersignedacknowledgedtohavereceivedfromProfessorsHankyandPankythesumof4pounds，10s。Itranslatetheamount，asjointpurchasersofcertainpiecesofyellowore，ablanket，andsundryarticlesfoundwithoutanownerintheKing’spreserves。Thispaperwasdated，asthepermithadbeen，XIX。
xii。29。
Myfather，generallysoready，wasathiswits’endforaname，andcouldthinkofnonebutMr。Nosnibor’s。Happily，rememberingthatthisgentlemanhadalsobeencalledSenoj——anamecommonenoughinErewhon——hesignedhimselfSenoj，Under-ranger。”
Pankywasnowsatisfied。“Wewillputitinthebag。”hesaid，“withthepiecesofyellowore。”
“Putitwhereyoulike。”saidHankycontemptuously；andintothebagitwasput。
Whenallwasnowconcluded，myfatherlaughinglysaid，“Ifyouhavedealtunfairlybyme，Iforgiveyou。Mymottois，’Forgiveusourtrespasses，asweforgivethemthattrespassagainstus。’“
“Repeatthoselastwords。”saidPankyeagerly。Myfatherwasalarmedathismanner，butthoughtitsafertorepeatthem。
“Youhearthat，Hanky？Iamconvinced；Ihavenotanotherwordtosay。ThemanisatrueErewhonian；hehasourcorruptreadingoftheSunchild’sprayer。”
“Pleaseexplain。”
“Why，canyounotsee？“saidPanky，whowasbywayofbeinggreatatconjecturalemendations。“CanyounotseehowimpossibleitisfortheSunchild，oranyofthepeopletowhomhedeclaredaswenowknowprovisionallythathebelonged，couldhavemadetheforgivenessofhisownsinsdependonthereadinesswithwhichheforgaveotherpeople？Nomaninhissenseswoulddreamofsuchathing。Itwouldbeaskingasupposedall-powerfulbeingnottoforgivehissinsatall，oratbesttoforgivethemimperfectly。
No；Yramgotitwrong。Shemistook’butdonot’for’aswe。’Thesoundofthewordsisverymuchalike；thecorrectreadingshouldobviouslybe，’Forgiveusourtrespasses，butdonotforgivethemthattrespassagainstus。’Thismakessense，andturnsanimpossibleprayerintoonethatgoesstraighttotheheartofeveryoneofus。”Then，turningtomyfather，hesaid，“Youcanseethis，myman，canyounot，assoonasitispointedouttoyou？“
Myfathersaidthathesawitnow，buthadalwaysheardthewordsashehadhimselfspokenthem。
“Ofcourseyouhave，mygoodfellow，anditisbecauseofthisthatIknowtheynevercanhavereachedyouexceptfromanErewhoniansource。”
Hankysmiled，——snorted，andmutteredinanundertone，“Ishallbegintothinkthatthisfellowisaforeigndevilafterall。”
“Andnow，gentlemen。”saidmyfather，“themoonisrisen。Imustbeafterthequailsatday-break；Iwillthereforegototheranger’sshelter“ashelter，bytheway，whichexistedonlyinmyfather’sinvention，“andgetacoupleofhours’sleep，soastobebothclosetothequail-ground；andfreshforrunning。Youaresoneartheboundaryofthepreservesthatyouwillnotwantyourpermitfurther；noonewillmeetyou，andshouldanyonedoso，youneedonlygiveyournamesandsaythatyouhavemadeamistake。
Youwillhavetogiveitupto-morrowattheRanger’soffice；itwillsaveyoutroubleifIcollectitnow，andgiveitupwhenI
delivermyquails。
“Asregardsthecuriosities，hidethemasyoubestcanoutsidethelimits。Irecommendyoutocarrythematonceoutoftheforest，andrestbeyondthelimitsratherthanhere。Youcanthenrecoverthemwhenever，andinwhateverway，youmayfindconvenient。ButI
hopeyouwillsaynothingaboutanyforeigndevil’shavingcomeoverontothisside。Anywhispertothiseffectunsettlespeople’sminds，andtheyaretoomuchunsettledalready；henceourorderstokillanyonefromoverthereatonce，andtotellnoonebuttheHeadRanger。Iwasforcedbyyou，gentlemen，todisobeytheseordersinself-defence；ImusttrustyourgenerositytokeepwhatIhavetoldyousecret。Ishall，ofcourse，reportittotheHeadRanger。Andnow，ifyouthinkproper，youcangivemeupyourpermit。”
AllthiswassoplausiblethattheProfessorsgaveuptheirpermitwithoutawordbutthanks。Theybundledtheircuriositieshurriedlyinto“thepoorforeigndevil’s“blanket，reservingamorecarefulpackingtilltheywereoutofthepreserves。Theywishedmyfatheraverygoodnight，andallsuccesswithhisquailsinthemorning；theythankedhimagainforthecarehehadtakenoftheminthematterofthelandrails，andPankyevenwentsofarastogivehimafewMusicalBankcoins，whichhegratefullyaccepted。
TheythenstartedoffinthedirectionofSunch’ston。
Myfathergathereduptheremainingquails，someofwhichhemeanttoeatinthemorning，whiletheothershewouldthrowawayassoonashecouldfindasafeplace。Heturnedtowardsthemountains，butbeforehehadgoneadozenyardsheheardavoice，whichherecognisedasPanky’s，shoutingafterhim，andsaying-
“MindyoudonotforgetthetruereadingoftheSunchild’sprayer。”
“Youareanoldfool。”shoutedmyfatherinEnglish，knowingthathecouldhardlybeheard，stilllessunderstood，andthankfultorelievehisfeelings。
CHAPTERV：MYFATHERMEETSASON，OFWHOSEEXISTENCEHEWAS
IGNORANT；ANDSTRIKESABARGAINWITHHIM
Theincidentsrecordedinthetwolastchaptershadoccupiedabouttwohours，sothatitwasnearlymidnightbeforemyfathercouldbegintoretracehisstepsandmaketowardsthecampthathehadleftthatmorning。Thiswasnecessary，forhecouldnotgoanyfurtherinacostumethathenowknewtobeforbidden。Atthishournorangerwaslikelytomeethimbeforehereachedthestatues，andbymakingapushforithecouldreturnintimetocrossthelimitsofthepreservesbeforetheProfessors’permithadexpired。Ifchallenged，hemustbrazenitoutthathewasoneorotherofthepersonsthereinnamed。
Fatiguedthoughhewas，hereachedthestatuesasnearashecouldguess，ataboutthreeinthemorning。Whatlittlewindtherehadbeenwaswarm，sothatthetracks，whichtheProfessorsmusthaveseenshortlyafterhehadmadethem，haddisappeared。Thestatueslookedveryweirdinthemoonlightbuttheywerenotchanting。
Whileascending，hepiecedtogethertheinformationhehadpickedupfromtheProfessors。Plainly，theSunchild，orchildofthesun，wasnoneotherthanhimself，andthenewnameofColdharbourwasdoubtlessintendedtocommemoratethefactthatthiswasthefirsttownhehadreachedinErewhon。Plainly，also，hewassupposedtobeofsuperhumanorigin——hisflightintheballoonhavingbeennotunnaturallybelievedtobemiraculous。TheErewhonianshadforcenturiesbeeneffacingallknowledgeoftheirformerculture；archaeologists，indeed，couldstillgleanalittlefrommuseums，andfromvolumeshardtocomeby，andstillhardertounderstand；butarchaeologistswerefew，andeventhoughtheyhadmaderesearcheswhichtheymayormaynothavedone，theirlabourshadneverreachedthemasses。Whatwonder，then，thatthemushroomspawnofmyth，everpresentinanatmospherehighlychargedwithignorance，hadgerminatedinasoilsofavourablypreparedforitsreception？
Hesawitallnow。ItwastwentyyearsnextSundaysinceheandmymotherhadeloped。ThatwasthemeaningofXIX。xii。29。Theyhadmadeanewera，datingfromthedayofhisreturntothepalaceofthesunwithabridewhowasdoubtlesstounitetheErewhoniannaturewiththatofthesun。TheNewYear，then，woulddatefromSunday，December7，whichwouldthereforebecomeXX。i。1。TheThursday，nownearlyifnotquiteover，beingonlytwodaysdistantfromtheendofamonthofthirty-onedays，whichwasalsothelastoftheyear，wouldbeXIX。xii。29，asontheProfessors’permit。
Ishouldliketoexplainherewhatwillappearmoreclearlyonalaterpage——Imean，thattheErewhonians，accordingtotheirnewsystem，donotbelievethesuntobeagodexceptasregardsthisworldandhisotherplanets。Myfatherhadtoldthemalittleaboutastronomy，andhadassuredthemthatallthefixedstarsweresunslikeourown，withplanetsrevolvingroundthem，whichwereprobablytenantedbyintelligentlivingbeings，howeverunliketheymightbetoourselves。Fromthistheyevolvedthetheorythatthesunwastherulerofthisplanetarysystem，andthathemustbepersonified，astheyhadpersonifiedtheair-god，thegodsoftimeandspace，hope，justice，andtheotherdeitiesmentionedinmyfather’sbook。Theyretaintheiroldbeliefintheactualexistenceofthesegods，buttheynowmakethemallsubordinatetothesun。ThenearestapproachtheymaketoourownconceptionofGodistosaythatHeistheruleroverallthesunsthroughouttheuniverse——thesunsbeingtoHimmuchasourplanetsandtheirdenizensaretoourownsun。TheydenythatHetakesmoreinterestinonesunanditssystemthaninanother。AllthesunswiththeirattendantplanetsaresupposedtobeequallyHischildren，andHedeputestoeachsunthesupervisionandprotectionofitsownsystem。Hencetheysaythatthoughwemaypraytotheair-god，&c。，andeventothesun，wemustnotpraytoGod。WemaybethankfultoHimforwatchingoverthesuns，butwemustnotgofurther。
Goingbacktomyfather’sreflections，heperceivedthattheErewhonianshadnotonlyadoptedourcalendar，ashehadrepeatedlyexplainedittotheNosnibors，buthadtakenourweekaswell，andweremakingSundayahighday，justaswedo。NextSunday，incommemorationofthetwentiethyearafterhisascent，theywereabouttodedicateatempletohim；inthistherewastobeapictureshowinghimselfandhisearthlybrideontheirheavenwardjourney，inachariotdrawnbyfourblackandwhitehorses——which，however，ProfessorHankyhadpositivelyaffirmedtohavebeenonlystorks。
HereIinterruptedmyfather。“Butwerethere。”Isaid，“anystorks？“
“Yes。”heanswered。“AssoonasIheardHanky’swordsIrememberedthataflightofsomefourorfiveofthelargestorkssocommoninErewhonduringthesummermonthshadbeenwheelinghighaloftinoneofthoseaerialdancesthatsomuchdelightthem。Ihadquiteforgottenit，butitcamebacktomeatoncethatthesecreatures，attracteddoubtlessbywhattheytooktobeanunknownkindofbird，swoopeddowntowardstheballoonandcircledrounditlikesomanysatellitestoaheavenlybody。Iwasfearfullesttheyshouldstrikeatitwiththeirlongandformidablebeaks，inwhichcaseallwouldhavebeensoonover；eithertheywereafraid，ortheyhadsatisfiedtheircuriosity——atanyrate，theyletusalone；buttheykeptwithustillwewerewellawayfromthecapital。Strange，howcompletelythisincidenthadescapedme。”
Ireturntomyfather’sthoughtsashemadehiswaybacktohisoldcamp。
AsforthereversedpositionofProfessorPanky’sclothes，herememberedhavinggivenhisownoldonestotheQueen，andhavingthoughtthatshemighthavegotabetterdummyonwhichtodisplaythemthantheheadlessscarecrow，which，however，hesupposedwasallherladies-in-waitingcouldlaytheirhandsonatthemoment。
Ifthatdummyhadneverbeenreplaced，itwasperhapsnotverystrangethattheKingcouldnotatthefirstglancetellbackfromfront，andifhedidnotguessrightatfirst，therewaslittlechanceofhischanging，forhisfirstideaswereapttobehislast。Buthemustfindoutmoreaboutthis。
Thenhowaboutthewatch？Hadtheirviewsaboutmachineryalsochanged？Orwasthereanexceptionmadeaboutanymachinethathehadhimselfcarried？
Yramtoo。Shemusthavebeenmarriednotlongaftersheandhehadparted。SoshewasnowwifetotheMayor，andwasevidentlyabletohavethingsprettymuchherownwayinSunch’ston，ashesupposedhemustnowcallit。Thankheavenshewasprosperous！Itwasinterestingtoknowthatshewasatheartasceptic，aswasalsoherlight-hairedson，nowHeadRanger。Andthatson？Justtwentyyearsofage！Bornsevenmonthsaftermarriage！ThentheMayordoubtlesshadlighthairtoo；butwhydidnotthosewretchessayinwhichmonthYramwasmarried？Ifshehadmarriedsoonafterhehadleft，thiswaswhyhehadnotbeensentfororwrittento。
Prayheavenitwasso。Asforcurrentgossip，peoplewouldtalk，andiftheladwaswellbegotten，whatcoulditmattertothemwhosesonhewas？“But。”thoughtmyfather，“IamgladIdidnotmeethimonmywaydown。Ihadratherhavebeenkilledbysomeoneelse。”
HankyandPankyagain。HerememberedBridgefordasthetownwheretheCollegesofUnreasonhadbeenmostrife；hehadvisitedit，buthehadforgottenthatitwascalled“Thecityofthepeoplewhoareabovesuspicion。”ItsProfessorswereevidentlygoingtomusteringreatforceonSunday；iftwoofthemhadrobbedhim，hecouldforgivethem，fortheinformationhehadgleanedfromthemhadfurnishedhimwithapiedaterre。Moreover，hehadgotasmuchErewhonianmoneyasheshouldwant，forhehadresolvedtoretracehisstepsimmediatelyafterseeingthetemplededicatedtohimself。
Heknewthedangerheshouldruninreturningoverthepreserveswithoutapermit，buthiscuriositywassogreatthatheresolvedtoriskit。
Soonafterhehadpassedthestatueshebegantodescend，anditbeingnowbroadday，hedidsobyleapsandbounds，forthegroundwasnotprecipitous。Hereachedhisoldcampsoonafterfive——
this，atanyrate，wasthehouratwhichhesethiswatchonfindingthatithadrundownduringhisabsence。Therewasnownoreasonwhyheshouldnottakeitwithhim，soheputitinhispocket。Theparrotshadattackedhissaddle-bags，saddle，andbridle，astheyweresuretodo，buttheyhadnotgotinsidethebags。HetookouthisEnglishclothesandputthemon——stowinghisbagsofgoldinvariouspockets，butkeepinghisErewhonianmoneyintheonethatwasmostaccessible。HeputhisErewhoniandressbackintothesaddle-bags，intendingtokeepitasacuriosity；healsorefreshedthedyeuponhishands，face，andhair；helithimselfafire，madetea，cookedandatetwobraceofquails，whichhehadpluckedwhilewalkingsoastosavetime，andthenflunghimselfontothegroundtosnatchanhour’sverynecessaryrest。
Whenhewokehefoundhehadslepttwohours，notone，whichwasperhapsaswell，andbyeighthebegantoreascendthepass。
Hereachedthestatuesaboutnoon，forheallowedhimselfnotamoment’srest。Thistimetherewasastiffishwind，andtheywerechantinglustily。Hepassedthemwithallspeed，andhadnearlyreachedtheplacewherehehadcaughtthequails，whenhesawamaninadresswhichheguessedatoncetobearanger’s，butwhich，strangelyenough，seeingthathewasintheKing’semploy，wasnotreversed。Myfather’sheartbeatfast；hegotouthispermitandhelditopeninhishand，thenwithasmilingfacehewenttowardstheRanger，whowasstandinghisground。
“IbelieveyouaretheHeadRanger。”saidmyfather，whosawthathewasstillsmooth-facedandhadlighthair。“IamProfessorPanky，andhereismypermit。MybrotherProfessorhasbeenpreventedfromcomingwithme，and，asyousee，Iamalone。”
MyfatherhadprofessedtopasshimselfoffasPanky，forhehadrathergatheredthatHankywasthebetterknownmanofthetwo。
Whiletheyouthwasscrutinisingthepermit，evidentlywithsuspicion，myfathertookstockofhim，andsawhisownpastselfinhimtooplainly——knowingallheknew——todoubtwhosesonhewas。
Hehadthegreatestdifficultyinhidinghisemotion，fortheladwasindeedoneofwhomanyfathermightbeproud。Helongedtobeabletoembracehimandclaimhimforwhathewas，butthis，ashewellknew，mightnotbe。Thetearsagainwelledintohiseyeswhenhetoldmeofthestrugglewithhimselfthathehadthenhad。
“Don’tbejealous，mydearestboy。”hesaidtome。“IloveyouquiteasdearlyasIlovehim，orbetter，buthewassprunguponmesosuddenly，anddazzledmewithhiscomelydebonairface，sofullofyouth，andhealth，andfrankness。Didyouseehim，hewouldgostraighttoyourheart，forheiswonderfullylikeyouinspiteofyourtakingsomuchafteryourpoormother。”
Iwasnotjealous；onthecontrary，Ilongedtoseethisyouth，andfindinhimsuchabrotherasIhadoftenwishedtohave。Butletmereturntomyfather’sstory。
Theyoungman，afterexaminingthepermit，declaredittobeinform，andreturnedittomyfather，butheeyedhimwithpolitedisfavour。
“Isuppose。”hesaid，“youhavecomeup，assomanyaredoing，fromBridgefordandalloverthecountry，tothededicationonSunday。”
“Yes。”saidmyfather。“Blessme！“headded，“whatawindyouhaveuphere！Howitmakesone’seyeswater，tobesure；“buthespokewithacluckinhisthroatwhichnowindthatblowscancause。
“Haveyoumetanysuspiciouscharactersbetweenhereandthestatues？“askedtheyouth。“Icameacrosstheashesofafirelowerdown；therehadbeenthreemensittingforsometimeroundit，andtheyhadallbeeneatingquails。Herearesomeofthebonesandfeathers，whichIshallkeep。Theyhadnotbeengonemorethanacoupleofhours，fortheasheswerestillwarm；theyaregettingbolderandbolder——whowouldhavethoughttheywoulddaretolightafire？Isupposeyouhavenotmetanyone；butifyouhaveseenasingleperson，letmeknow。”
Myfathersaidquitetrulythathehadmetnoone。Hethenlaughinglyaskedhowtheyouthhadbeenabletodiscoverasmuchashehad。
“Therewerethreewell-markedforms，andthreeseparatelotsofquailboneshiddenintheashes。Onemanhaddonealltheplucking。Thisisstrange，butIdaresayIshallgetatitlater。”
AfteralittlefurtherconversationtheRangersaidhewasnowgoingdowntoSunch’ston，and，thoughsomewhatcurtly，proposedthatheandmyfathershouldwalktogether。
“Byallmeans。”answeredmyfather。
“Beforetheyhadgonemorethanafewhundredyardshiscompanionsaid，“Ifyouwillcomewithmealittletotheleft，IcanshowyoutheBluePool。”
Toavoidtheprecipitousgroundoverwhichthestreamherefell，theyhaddivergedtotheright，wheretheyhadfoundasmootherdescent；returningnowtothestream，whichwasabouttoenteronalevelstretchforsomedistance，theyfoundthemselvesonthebrinkofarockybasin，ofnogreatsize，butveryblue，andevidentlydeep。
“This。”saidtheRanger，“iswhereourorderstellustoflinganyforeigndevilwhocomesoverfromtheotherside。IhaveonlybeenHeadRangeraboutninemonths，andhavenotyethadtofacethishorridduty；but。”andherehesmiled，“whenIfirstcaughtsightofyouIthoughtIshouldhavetomakeabeginning。IwasverygladwhenIsawyouhadapermit。”
“Andhowmanyskeletonsdoyousupposearelyingatthebottomofthispool？“
“Ibelievenotmorethansevenoreightinall。Therewerethreeorfourabouteighteenyearsago，andaboutthesamenumberoflateyears；onemanwasflunghereonlyaboutthreemonthsbeforeIwasappointed。Ihavethefulllist，withdates，downinmyoffice，buttherangersneverletpeopleinSunch’stonknowwhentheyhaveBlue-Pooledanyone；itwouldunsettlemen’sminds，andsomeofthemwouldbecominguphereinthedarktodragthepool，andseewhethertheycouldfindanythingonthebody。”
Myfatherwasgladtoturnawayfromthismostrepulsiveplace。
Afteratimehesaid，“AndwhatdoyougoodpeoplehereaboutsthinkofnextSunday’sgranddoings？“
BearinginmindwhathehadgleanedfromtheProfessorsabouttheRanger’sopinions，myfathergaveaslightlyironicalturntohispronunciationofthewords“granddoings。”Theyouthglancedathimwithaquickpenetrativelook，andlaughedashesaid，“Thedoingswillbegrandenough。”
“Whatafinetempletheyhavebuilt。”saidmyfather。“Ihavenotyetseenthepicture，buttheysaythefourblackandwhitehorsesaremagnificentlypainted。IsawtheSunchildascend，butIsawnohorsesinthesky，noranythinglikehorses。”
Theyouthwasmuchinterested。“Didyoureallyseehimascend？“heasked；“andwhat，pray，doyouthinkitallwas？“
“Whateveritwas，therewerenohorses。”
“Buttheremusthavebeen，for，asyouofcourseknow，theyhavelatelyfoundsomedroppingsfromoneofthem，whichhavebeenmiraculouslypreserved，andtheyaregoingtoshowthemnextSundayinagoldreliquary。”
“Iknow。”saidmyfather，who，however，waslearningthefactforthefirsttime。“Ihavenotyetseenthispreciousrelic，butI
thinktheymighthavefoundsomethinglessunpleasant。”
“Perhapstheywouldiftheycould。”repliedtheyouth，laughing，“buttherewasnothingelsethatthehorsescouldleave。Itisonlyanumberofcuriouslyroundedstones，andnotatalllikewhattheysayitis。”
“Well，well。”continuedmyfather，“butrelicornorelic，therearemanywho，whiletheyfullyrecognisethevalueoftheSunchild’steaching，dislikethesecockandbullstoriesasblasphemyagainstGod’smostblessedgiftofreason。TherearemanyinBridgefordwhohatethisstoryofthehorses。”
Theyouthwasnowquitereassured。“Sotherearehere，sir。”hesaidwarmly，“andwhohatetheSunchildtoo。Ifthereissuchahellasheusedtotalkabouttomymother，wedoubtnotbutthathewillbecastintoitsdeepestfires。Seehowhehasturnedusallupsidedown。Butwedarenotsaywhatwethink。ThereisnocourageleftinErewhon。”
Thenwaxingcalmerhesaid，“ItisyouBridgefordpeopleandyourMusicalBanksthathavedoneitall。TheMusicalBankManagerssawthatthepeoplewerefallingawayfromthem。FindingthatthevulgarbelievedthisforeigndevilHiggs——forhegavethisnametomymotherwhenhewasinprison——findingthat——ButyouknowallthisaswellasIdo。HowcanyouBridgefordProfessorspretendtobelieveaboutthesehorses，andabouttheSunchild’sbeingsontothesun，whenallthetimeyouknowthereisnotruthinit？“
“Myson——forconsideringthedifferenceinouragesImaybeallowedtocallyouso——weatBridgefordaremuchlikeyouatSunch’ston；wedarenotalwayssaywhatwethink。Norwoulditbewisetodoso，whenweshouldnotbelistenedto。Thisfiremustburnitselfout，forithasgotsuchholdthatnothingcaneitherstayorturnit。EventhoughHiggshimselfweretoreturnandtellitfromthehouse-topsthathewasamortal——ay，andaverycommonone——hewouldbekilled，butnotbelieved。”
“Lethimcome；lethimshowhimself，speakoutanddie，ifthepeoplechoosetokillhim。InthatcaseIwouldforgivehim，accepthimformyfather，assillypeoplesometimessayheis，andhonourhimtomydyingday。”
“Wouldthatbeabargain？“saidmyfather，smilinginspiteofemotionsostrongthathecouldhardlybringthewordsoutofhismouth。
“Yes，itwould。”saidtheyouthdoggedly。
“Thenletmeshakehandswithyouonhisbehalf，andletuschangetheconversation。”
Hetookmyfather’shand，doubtfullyandsomewhatdisdainfully，buthedidnotrefuseit。
CHAPTERVI：FURTHERCONVERSATIONBETWEENFATHERANDSON——THE
PROFESSORS’HOARD
Itisonethingtodesireaconversationtobechanged，andanothertochangeit。Aftersomelittlesilencemyfathersaid，“AndmayI
askwhatnameyourmothergaveyou？“
“Myname。”heanswered，laughing，“isGeorge，andIwishitweresomeother，foritisthefirstnameofthatarch-impostorHiggs。
IhateitasIhatethemanwhoownedit。”
Myfathersaidnothing，buthehidhisfaceinhishands。
“Sir。”saidtheother，“Ifearyouareinsomedistress。”
“Youremindme。”repliedmyfather，“ofasonwhowasstolenfrommewhenhewasachild。Isearchedforhim，duringmanyyears，andatlastfellinwithhimbyaccident，tofindhimalltheheartoffathercouldwish。Butalas！hedidnottakekindlytomeasItohim，andaftertwodaysheleftme；norshallIeveragainseehim。”
“Then，sir，hadInotbetterleaveyou？“
“No，staywithmetillyourroadtakesyouelsewhere；forthoughI
cannotseemyson，youaresolikehimthatIcouldalmostfancyheiswithme。Andnow——forIshallshownomoreweakness——yousayyourmotherknewtheSunchild，asIamusedtocallhim。Tellmewhatkindofamanshefoundhim。”
“Shelikedhimwellenoughinspiteofhisbeingalittlesilly。
Shedoesnotbelieveheevercalledhimselfchildofthesun。Heusedtosayhehadafatherinheaventowhomheprayed，andwhocouldhearhim；buthesaidthatallofus，mymotherasmuchashe，havethisunseenfather。Mymotherdoesnotbelievehemeantdoingusanyharm，butonlythathewantedtogethimselfandMrs。
Nosnibor’syoungerdaughteroutofthecountry。Asfortherehavingbeenanythingsupernaturalabouttheballoon，shewillhavenoneofit；shesaysthatitwassomemachinewhichheknewhowtomake，butwhichwehavelosttheartofmaking，aswehaveofmanyanother。
“Thisiswhatshesaysamongstourselves，butinpublicsheconfirmsallthattheMusicalBankManagerssayabouthim。Sheisafraidofthem。Youknow，perhaps，thatProfessorHanky，whosenameIseeonyourpermit，triedtoburnheralive？“
“Thankheaven！“thoughtmyfather，“thatIamPanky；“butaloudhesaid，“Oh，horrible！horrible！IcannotbelievethisevenofHanky。”
“Hedeniesit，andwesaywebelievehim；hewasmostkindandattentivetomymotherduringalltherestofherstayinBridgeford。Heandshepartedexcellentfriends，butIknowwhatshethinks。IshallbesuretoseehimwhileheisinSunch’ston，Ishallhavetobeciviltohimbutitmakesmesicktothinkofit。”
“Whenshallyouseehim？“saidmyfather，whowasalarmedatlearningthatHankyandtheRangerwerelikelytomeet。WhocouldtellbutthathemightseePankytoo？
“Ihavebeenawayfromhomeafortnight，andshallnotbebacktilllateonSaturdaynight。IdonotsupposeIshallseehimbeforeSunday。”
“Thatwilldo。”thoughtmyfather，whoatthatmomentdeemedthatnothingwouldmattertohimmuchwhenSundaywasover。Then，turningtotheRanger，hesaid，“Igather，then，thatyourmotherdoesnotthinksobadlyoftheSunchildafterall？“
“Shelaughsathimsometimes，butifanyofusboysandgirlssayawordagainsthimwegetsnappedupdirectly。Mymotherturnseveryoneroundherfinger。HerwordislawinSunch’ston；everyoneobeysher；shehasfacedmorethanonemob，andquelledthemwhenmyfathercouldnotdoso。”
“Icanbelieveallyousayofher。Whatotherchildrenhasshebesidesyourself？“
“Wearefoursons，ofwhomtheyoungestisnowfourteen，andthreedaughters。”
“Mayallhealthandhappinessattendherandyou，andallofyou，henceforthandforever。”andmyfatherinvoluntarilybaredhisheadashespoke。
“Sir。”saidtheyouth，impressedbythefervencyofmyfather’smanner，“Ithankyou，butyoudonottalkasBridgefordProfessorsgenerallydo，sofarasIhaveseenorheardthem。Whydoyouwishusallwellsoveryheartily？IsitbecauseyouthinkIamlikeyourson，oristheresomeotherreason？“
“Itisnotmysonalonethatyouresemble。”saidmyfathertremulously，forheknewhewasgoingtoofar。Hecarrieditoffbyadding，“Youresembleallwholovetruthandhatelies，asI
do。”
“Then，sir。”saidtheyouthgravely，“youmuchbelieyourreputation。AndnowImustleaveyouforanotherpartofthepreserves，whereIthinkitlikelythatlastnight’spoachersmaynowbe，andwhereIshallpassthenightinwatchingforthem。Youmaywantyourpermitforafewmilesfurther，soIwillnottakeit。NeitherneedyougiveitupatSunch’ston。Itisdated，andwillbeuselessafterthisevening。”
Withthishestrodeoffintotheforest，bowingpolitelybutsomewhatcoldly，andwithoutencouragingmyfather’shalfprofferedhand。
Myfatherturnedsadandunsatisfiedaway。
“Itservesmeright。”hesaidtohimself；“heoughtnevertohavebeenmyson；andyet，ifsuchmencanbebroughtbyhookorbycrookintotheworld，surelytheworldshouldnotaskquestionsaboutthebringing。Howcheerlesseverythinglooksnowthathehasleftme。”
***
Bythistimeitwasthreeo’clock，andinanotherfewminutesmyfathercameupontheashesofthefirebesidewhichheandtheProfessorshadsuppedontheprecedingevening。Itwasonlysomeeighteenhourssincetheyhadcomeuponhim，andyetwhatanageitseemed！ItwaswelltheRangerhadlefthim，forthoughmyfather，ofcourse，wouldhaveknownnothingabouteitherfireorpoachers，itmighthaveledtofurtherfalsehood，andbythistimehehadbecomeexhausted——nottosay，forthetimebeing，sickofliesaltogether。
Hetrudgedslowlyon，withoutmeetingasoul，untilhecameuponsomestonesthatevidentlymarkedthelimitsofthepreserves。
Whenhehadgotamileorsobeyondthese，hestruckanarrowandnotmuchfrequentedpath，whichhewassurewouldleadhimtowardsSunch’ston，andsoonafterwards，seeingahugeoldchestnuttreesomethirtyorfortyyardsfromthepathitself，hemadetowardsitandflunghimselfonthegroundbeneathitsbranches。Therewereabundantsignsthathewasnearingfarmlandsandhomesteads，buttherewasnooneabout，andifanyonesawhimtherewasnothinginhisappearancetoarousesuspicion。
Hedetermined，therefore，torestheretillhungershouldwakehim，anddrivehimintoSunch’ston，which，however，hedidnotwishtoreachtillduskifhecouldhelpit。Hemeanttobuyavaliseandafewtoilettenecessariesbeforetheshopsshouldclose，andthenengageabedroomattheleastfrequentedinnhecouldfindthatlookedfairlycleanandcomfortable。
Heslepttillnearlysix，andonwakinggatheredhisthoughtstogether。Hecouldnotshakehisnewlyfoundsonfromoutofthem，buttherewasnogoodindwellinguponhimnow，andheturnedhisthoughtstotheProfessors。How，hewondered，weretheygettingon，andwhathadtheydonewiththethingstheyhadboughtfromhim？
“Howdelightfulitwouldbe。”hesaidtohimself，“ifIcouldfindwheretheyhavehiddentheirhoard，andhideitsomewhereelse。”
HetriedtoprojecthismindintothoseoftheProfessors，asthoughtheywereateamofstrayingbullockswhoseprobableactionhemustdeterminebeforehesetouttolookforthem。
Onreflection，heconcludedthatthehiddenpropertywasnotlikelytobefarfromthespotonwhichhenowwas。TheProfessorswouldwaittilltheyhadgotsomewaydowntowardsSunch’ston，soastohavereadieraccesstotheirpropertywhentheywantedtoremoveit；butwhentheycameuponapathandothersignsthatinhabiteddwellingscouldnotbefardistant，theywouldbegintolookoutforahiding-place。Andtheywouldtakeprettywellthefirstthatcame。“Why，blessmyheart。”heexclaimed，“thistreeishollow；I
wonderwhether——“andonlookinguphesawaninnocentlittlestripoftheverytoughfibrousleafcommonlyusedwhilegreenasstring，orevenrope，bytheErewhonians。TheplantthatmakesthisleafissoliketheubiquitousNewZealandPhormiumtenax，orflax，asitistherecalled，thatIshallspeakofitasflaxinfuture，asindeedIhavealreadydonewithoutexplanationonanearlierpage；
forthisplantgrowsonbothsidesofthegreatrange。Thepieceofflax，then，whichmyfathercaughtsightofwasfastened，atnogreatheightfromtheground，roundthebranchofastrongsuckerthathadgrownfromtherootsofthechestnuttree，andgoingthenceforacoupleoffeetorsotowardstheplacewheretheparenttreebecamehollow，itdisappearedintothecavitybelow。
Myfatherhadlittledifficultyinswarmingthesuckertillhereachedtheboughontowhichtheflaxwastied，andsoonfoundhimselfhaulingupsomethingfromthebottomofthetree。Inlesstimethanittakestotellthetalehesawhisownfamiliarredblanketbegintoshowabovethebrokenedgeofthehollow，andinanothersecondtherewasaclinkum-clankumasthebundlefellupontheground。Thiswascausedbythebillyandthepannikin，whichwerewrappedinsidetheblanket。Asfortheblanket，ithadbeentiedtightlyatbothends，aswellasatseveralpointsbetween，andmyfatherinwardlycomplimentedtheProfessorsontheneatnesswithwhichtheyhadpackedandhiddentheirpurchase。“But。”hesaidtohimselfwithalaugh，“Ithinkoneofthemmusthavegotontheother’sbacktoreachthatbough。”
“Ofcourse。”thoughthe，“theywillhavetakenthenuggetswiththem。”Andyethehadseemedtohearadumpingaswellasaclinkum-clankum。Heundidtheblanket，carefullyuntyingeveryknotandkeepingtheflax。Whenhehadunrolledit，hefoundtohisverypleasurablesurprisethatthepannikinwasinsidethebilly，andthenuggetswiththereceiptinsidethepannikin。Thepapercontainingtheteahavingbeentorn，waswrappedupinahandkerchiefmarkedwithHanky’sname。
“Down，conscience，down！“heexclaimedashetransferredthenuggets，receipt，andhandkerchieftohisownpocket。“Eyeofmysoulthatyouare！ifyouoffendmeImustpluckyouout。”Hisconsciencefearedhimandsaidnothing。Asforthetea，heleftitinitstornpaper。
Hethenputthebilly，pannikin，andtea，backagaininsidetheblanket，whichhetiedneatlyup，tiefortiewiththeProfessor’sownflax，leavingnosignofanydisturbance。Heagainswarmedthesucker，tillhereachedtheboughtowhichtheblanketanditscontentshadbeenmadefast，andhavingattachedthebundle，hedroppeditbackintothehollowofthetree。Hedideverythingquiteleisurely，fortheProfessorswouldbesuretowaittillnightfallbeforecomingtofetchtheirpropertyaway。
“IfItakenothingbutthenuggets。”heargued，“eachoftheProfessorswillsuspecttheotherofhavingconjuredthemintohisownpocketwhilethebundlewasbeingmadeup。Asforthehandkerchief，theymustthinkwhattheylike；butitwillpuzzleHankytoknowwhyPankyshouldhavebeensoanxiousforareceipt，ifhemeantstealingthenuggets。Letthemmuddleitouttheirownway。”
Reflectingfurther，heconcluded，perhapsrightly，thattheyhadleftthenuggetswherehehadfoundthem，becauseneithercouldtrusttheothernottofilchafew，ifhehadtheminhisownpossession，andtheycouldnotmakeanicedivisionwithoutapairofscales。“Atanyrate。”hesaidtohimself，“therewillbeaprettyquarrelwhentheyfindthemgone。”
Thuscharitablydidhebroodoverthingsthatwerenottohappen。
ThediscoveryoftheProfessors’hoardhadrefreshedhimalmostasmuchashissleephaddone，anditbeingnowpastseven，helithispipe——which，however，hesmokedasfurtivelyashehaddonewhenhewasaboyatschool，forheknewnotwhethersmokinghadyetbecomeanErewhonianvirtueorno——andwalkedbrisklyontowardsSunch’ston。
CHAPTERVII：SIGNSOFTHENEWORDEROFTHINGSCATCHMYFATHER’S
EYEONEVERYSIDE
Hehadnotgonefarbeforeaturninthepath——nowrapidlywidening——showedhimtwohightowers，seeminglysometwomilesoff；
thesehefeltsuremustbeatSunch’ston，hethereforesteppedout，lestheshouldfindtheshopsshutbeforehegotthere。
Onhisformervisithehadseenlittleofthetown，forhewasinprisonduringhiswholestay。HehadhadaglimpseofitonbeingbroughttherebythepeopleofthevillagewherehehadspenthisfirstnightinErewhon——avillagewhichhehadseenatsomelittledistanceonhisrighthand，butwhichitwouldhavebeenoutofhiswaytovisit，evenifhehadwishedtodoso；andhehadseentheMuseumofoldmachines，butonleavingtheprisonhehadbeenblindfolded。Neverthelesshefeltsurethatifthetowershadbeenthereheshouldhaveseenthem，andrightlyguessedthattheymustbelongtothetemplewhichwastobededicatedtohimselfonSunday。
Whenhehadpassedthroughthesuburbshefoundhimselfinthemainstreet。Spacewillnotallowmetodwellonmorethanafewofthethingswhichcaughthiseye，andassuredhimthatthechangeinErewhonianhabitsandopinionshadbeenevenmorecataclysmicthanhehadalreadydivined。ThefirstimportantbuildingthathecametoproclaimeditselfastheCollegeofSpiritualAthletics，andinthewindowofashopthatwasevidentlyaffiliatedtothecollegehesawanannouncementthatmoraltry-your-strengths，suitableforeverykindofordinarytemptation，wouldbeprovidedontheshortestnotice。Someofthosethataimedatthemorecommonkindsoftemptationwerekeptinstock，buttheseconsistedchieflyoftrialstothetemper。Ondropping，forexample，apennyintoaslot，youcouldhaveajetoffinepepper，flour，orbrickdust，whicheveryoumightprefer，thrownontoyourface，andthusdiscoverwhetheryourcomposurestoodinneedoffurtherdevelopmentorno。Myfathergatheredthisfromthewritingthatwaspastedontothetry-your-strength，buthehadnotimetogoinsidetheshopandtesteitherthemachineorhisowntemper。
Othertemptationstoirritabilityrequiredtheagencyoflivingpeople，oratanyratelivingbeings。Cryingchildren，screamingparrots，aspitefulmonkey，mightbehiredonridiculouslyeasyterms。Hesawoneadvertisement，nicelyframed，whichranasfollows：-
“Mrs。Tantrums，Nagger，certificatedbytheCollegeofSpiritualAthletics。Termsforordinarynagging，twoshillingsandsixpenceperhour。Hystericsextra。”
Thenfollowedaseriesoftestimonials——forexample：-
“DearMrs。Tantrums，——Ihaveforyearsbeentorturedwithahusbandofunusuallypeevish，irritabletemper，whomademylifesointolerablethatIsometimesansweredhiminawaythatledtohisusingpersonalviolencetowardsme。Aftertakingacourseoftwelvesittingsfromyou，Ifoundmyhusband’stempercomparativelyangelic，andwehaveeversincelivedtogetherincompleteharmony。”
Anotherwasfromahusband：-
“Mr——presentshiscomplimentstoMrs。Tantrums，andbegstoassureherthatherextraspecialhystericshavesofarsurpassedanythinghiswifecando，astorenderhimcalloustothoseattackswhichhehadformerlyfoundsodistressing。”
Thereweremanyothersofalikepurport，buttimedidnotpermitmyfathertodomorethanglanceatthem。Hecontentedhimselfwiththetwofollowing，ofwhichthefirstran：-
“Hedidtryitatlast。Alittlecorrectionoftherightkindtakenattherightmomentisinvaluable。Nomoreswearing。Nomorebadlanguageofanykind。Alamb-liketemperensuredinabouttwentyminutes，byasingledoseofoneofourspiritualindigestiontabloids。Incasesofallthemoreordinarymoralailments，fromsimplelying，tohomicidalmania，incasesagainoftendencytohatred，malice，anduncharitableness；ofatrophyorhypertrophyoftheconscience，ofcostivenessordiarrhoeaofthesympatheticinstincts，&c。，&c。，ourspiritualindigestiontabloidswillaffordunfailingandimmediaterelief。
“N。B——AbottleortwoofourSunchildCordialwillassisttheoperationofthetabloids。”
ThesecondandlastthatIcangivewasasfollows：-
“Allelseisuseless。Ifyouwishtobeasocialsuccess，makeyourselfagoodlistener。Thereisnoshortcuttothis。Awould-
belistenermustlearntherudimentsofhisartandgothroughthemilllikeotherpeople。Ifhewoulddevelopapowerofsufferingfoolsgladly，hemustbeginbysufferingthemwithoutthegladness。
ProfessorProser，ex-straightener，certificatedbore，pragmaticorcoruscating，withorwithoutanecdotes，attendspupilsattheirownhouses。Termsmoderate。
“Mrs。Proser，whosesuccessasaprofessionalmind-dresserissowell-knownthatlengthenedadvertisementisunnecessary，preparesladiesorgentlemenwithappropriateremarkstobemadeatdinner-
partiesorat-homes。Mrs。P。keepsherselfwelluptodatewithallthelatestscandals。”
“Poor，poor，straighteners！“saidmyfathertohimself。“Alas！
thatitshouldhavebeenmyfatetoruinyou——forIsupposeyouroccupationisgone。”
TearinghimselfawayfromtheCollegeofSpiritualAthleticsanditsaffiliatedshop，hepassedonafewdoors，onlytofindhimselflookinginatwhatwasneithermorenorlessthanachemist’sshop。
Inthewindowtherewereadvertisementswhichshowedthatthepracticeofmedicinewasnowlegal，butmyfathercouldnotstaytocopyasingleoneofthefantasticannouncementsthatahurriedglancerevealedtohim。
Itwasalsoplainhere，asfromtheshopalreadymorefullydescribed，thattheedictsagainstmachineshadbeenrepealed，fortherewerephysicaltry-your-strengths，asintheothershoptherehadbeenmoralones，andsuchmachinesundertheoldlawwouldnothavebeentoleratedforamoment。
Myfathermadehispurchasesjustasthelastshopswereclosing。
Henoticedthatalmostallofthemwerefullofarticleslabelled“Dedication。”TherewasDedicationgingerbread，stampedwithamouldedrepresentationofthenewtemple；therewereDedicationsyrups，Dedicationpocket-handkerchiefs，alsoshewingthetemple，andinonecornergivingahighlyidealisedportraitofmyfatherhimself。Thechariotandthehorsesfiguredlargely，andintheconfectioners’shopsthereweremodelsofthenewlydiscoveredrelic——made，somyfatherthought，withalittleheapofcherriesorstrawberries，smotheredinchocolate。Outsideonetailor’sshophesawaflaringadvertisementwhichcanonlybetranslated，“TryourDedicationtrousers，pricetenshillingsandsixpence。”
Presentlyhepassedthenewtemple，butitwastoodarkforhimtodomorethanseethatitwasavastfane，andmusthavecostanuntoldamountofmoney。Ateveryturnhefoundhimselfmoreandmoreshocked，asherealisedmoreandmorefullythemischiefhehadalreadyoccasioned，andthecertaintythatthiswassmallascomparedwiththatwhichwouldgrowuphereafter。
“What。”hesaidtome，verycoherentlyandquietly，“wasItodo？
Ihadstruckabargainwiththatdearfellow，thoughheknewnotwhatImeant，totheeffectthatIshouldtrytoundotheharmI
haddone，bystandingupbeforethepeopleonSundayandsayingwhoIwas。True，theywouldnotbelieveme。Theywouldlookatmyhairandseeitblack，whereasitshouldbeverylight。Onthistheywouldlooknofurther，butverylikelytearmeinpiecesthenandthere。Supposethattheauthoritiesheldapost-mortemexamination，andthatmanywhoknewmeletalonethatallmymeasurementsandmarkswererecordedtwentyyearsagoidentifiedthebodyasmine：wouldthoseinpoweradmitthatIwastheSunchild？Notthey。TheinterestsvestedinmybeingnowinthepalaceofthesunaretoogreattoallowofmyhavingbeentorntopiecesinSunch’ston，nomatterhowtrulyIhadbeentorn；thewholethingwouldbehushedup，andtheutmostthatcouldcomeofitwouldbeaheresywhichwouldintimebecrushed。
“Ontheotherhand，whatbusinesshaveIwith’wouldbe’or’wouldnotbe？’ShouldInotspeakout，comewhatmay，whenIseeawholepeoplebeingledastraybythosewhoaremerelyexploitingthemfortheirownends？ThoughIcoulddobutlittle，oughtInottodothatlittle？Whatdidthatgoodfellow’sinstinct——sostraightfromheaven，sotrue，sohealthy——tellhim？Whatdidmyowninstinctanswer？Whatwouldtheconscienceofanyhonourablemananswer？Whocandoubt？
“Andyet，istherenotreason？andisitnotGod-givenasmuchasinstinct？Irememberhavingheardanantheminmyyoungdays，’O
whereshallwisdombefound？thedeepsaithitisnotinme。’Asthesingerskeptonrepeatingthequestion，Ikeptonsayingsorrowfullytomyself——’Ah，where，where，where？’andwhenthetriumphantanswercame，’ThefearoftheLord，thatiswisdom，andtodepartfromevilisunderstanding，’Ishrunkashamedintomyselffornothavingforeseenit。Inlaterlife，whenIhavetriedtousethisanswerasalightbywhichIcouldwalk，Ifounditservedbuttotheraisingofanotherquestion，’WhatisthefearoftheLord，andwhatisevilinthisparticularcase？’Andmyeasymethodwithspiritualdilemmasprovedtobebutacaseofignotumperignotius。
“IfSatanhimselfisattimestransformedintoanangeloflight，arenotangelsoflightsometimestransformedintothelikenessofSatan？Ifthedevilisnotsoblackasheispainted，isGodalwayssowhite？Andistherenotanotherplaceinwhichitissaid，’ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom，’asthoughitwerenotthelastworduponthesubject？Ifamanshouldnotdoevilthatgoodmaycome，soneithershouldhedogoodthatevilmaycome；andthoughitweregoodformetospeakout，shouldInotdobetterbyrefraining？
“Suchwerethelawlessanduncertainthoughtsthattorturedmeverycruelly，sothatIdidwhatIhadnotdoneformanyalongyear——I
prayedforguidance。’ShewmeThywill，OLord，’Icriedingreatdistress，’andstrengthenmetodoitwhenThouhastshewnitme。’
Buttherewasnoanswer。Instincttoremeonewayandreasonanother。WhereonIsettledthatIwouldobeythereasonwithwhichGodhadendowedme，unlesstheinstinctHehadalsogivenmeshouldthrashitoutofme。Icouldgetnofurtherthanthis，thattheLordhathmercyonwhomHewillhavemercy，andwhomHewillethHehardeneth；andagainIprayedthatImightbeamongthoseonwhomHewouldshewHismercy。
“ThiswasthestrongestinternalconflictthatIeverremembertohavefelt，anditwasattheendofitthatIperceivedthefirst，butasyetveryfaint，symptomsofthatsicknessfromwhichIshallnotrecover。Whetherthisbeatokenofmercyorno，myFatherwhichisinheavenknows，butIknownot。”
Fromwhatmyfatherafterwardstoldme，Idonotthinktheabovereflectionshadengrossedhimformorethanthreeorfourminutes；
thegiddinesswhichhadforsomesecondscompelledhimtolayholdofthefirstthinghecouldcatchatinordertoavoidfalling，passedawaywithoutleavingatracebehindit，andhispathseemedtobecomecomfortablyclearbeforehim。Hesettleditthattheproperthingtodowouldbetobuysomefood，startbackatoncewhilehispermitwasstillvalid，helphimselftothepropertywhichhehadsoldtheProfessors，leavingtheErewhonianstowrestleastheybestmightwiththelotthatithadpleasedHeaventosendthem。
This，however，wastooheroicacourse。Hewastired，andwantedanight’srestinabed；hewashungry，andwantedasubstantialmeal；hewascurious，moreover，toseethetemplededicatedtohimself，andhearHanky’ssermon；therewasalsothisfurtherdifficulty，heshouldhavetotakewhathehadsoldtheProfessorswithoutreturningthemtheir4pounds，10s。，forhecouldnotdowithouthisblanket，&c。；andevenifheleftabagofnuggetsmadefasttothesucker，hemusteitherplaceitwhereitcouldbeseensoeasilythatitwouldverylikelygetstolen，orhideitsocleverlythattheProfessorswouldneverfindit。HethereforecompromisedbyconcludingthathewouldsupandsleepinSunch’ston，getthroughthemorrowashebestcouldwithoutattractingattention，deepenthestainonhisfaceandhair，andrelyonthechangesomadeinhisappearancetopreventhisbeingrecognisedatthededicationofthetemple。Hewoulddonothingtodisillusionthepeople——todothiswouldonlybemakingbadworse。
Assoonastheservicewasover，hewouldsetouttowardsthepreserves，and，whenitwaswelldark，makeforthestatues。HehopedthatonsuchagreatdaytherangersmightbemanyoftheminSunch’ston；iftherewereanyabout，hemusttrustthemoonlessnightandhisownquickeyesandearstogethimthroughthepreservessafely。
Theshopswerebythistimeclosed，butthekeepersofafewstallsweretryingbylamplighttosellthewarestheyhadnotyetgotridof。Oneofthesewasabookstall，and，runninghiseyeoversomeofthevolumes，myfathersawoneentitled-
“TheSayingsoftheSunchildduringhisstayinErewhon，towhichisaddedatrueaccountofhisreturntothepalaceofthesunwithhisErewhonianbride。ThisistheonlyversionauthorisedbythePresidentsandVice-PresidentsoftheMusicalBanks；allotherversionsbeingimperfectandinaccurate——Bridgeford，XVIII。，150
pp。8vo。Price3s。