Shouldwenotfirstsettle，notwhat，butwho，weshallallowtheprisonertobe，whenheisbroughtupto-morrowmorning？Settlethis，andtherestwillsettleitself。HehasdeclaredhimselftobetheSunchild，andwillprobablydosoagain。Iampreparedtoidentifyhim，soisDr。Downie，soisMrs。Humdrum，theinterpreter，anddoubtlessmyfather。Othersofknownrespectabilitywillalsodoso，andhismarksandmeasurementsaresuretocorrespondquitesufficiently。Thequestionis，whetherallthisistobeallowedtoappearonevidence，orwhetheritistobeestablished，asiteasilymay，ifwegiveourmindstoit，thatheisnottheSunchild。”
“Whateverelseheis。”saidHanky，“hemustnotbetheSunchild。
Hemust，ifthechargeofpoachingcannotbedropped，beapoacherandaforeigndevil。IwasdoubtlesstoohastywhenIsaidthatI
believedIrecognizedthemanasonewhohadmorethanoncedeclaredhimselftobetheSunchild——“
“But，Hanky。”interruptedPanky，“areyousurethatyoucansweartothisman’sbeingthemanwemetonThursdaynight？Weonlysawhimbyfirelight，andIdoubtwhetherIshouldfeeljustifiedinswearingtohim。”
“Well，well：onsecondthoughtsIamnotsure，Panky，butwhatyoumayberightafterall；itispossiblethathemaybewhatIsaidhewasinmysermon。”
“Irejoicetohearyousayso。”saidGeorge，“forinthiscasethechargeofpoachingwillfallthrough。Therewillbenoevidenceagainsttheprisoner。AndIrejoicealsotothinkthatIshallhavenothingtowarrantmeinbelievinghimtobeaforeigndevil。
ForifheisnottobetheSunchild，andnottobeyourpoacher，hebecomesameremonomaniac。Ifheapologisesforhavingmadeadisturbanceinthetemple，andpromisesnottooffendagain，afine，andafewdays’imprisonment，willmeetthecase，andhemaybedischarged。”
“Isee，Isee。”saidHankyveryangrily。“Youaredeterminedtogetthismanoffifyoucan。”
“Ishallact。”saidGeorge，“inaccordancewithswornevidence，andnototherwise。Choosewhetheryouwillhavetheprisonertobeyourpoacherorno：givemeyoursworndepositionsonewayortheother，andIshallknowhowtoact。Ifyoudeposeonoathtotheidentityoftheprisonerandyourpoacher，hewillbeconvictedandimprisoned。Astohisbeingaforeigndevil，ifheistheSunchild，ofcourseheisone；butotherwiseIcannotBlue-Poolhimevenwhenhissentenceisexpired，withouttestimonydeposedtomeonoathinprivate，thoughnoopentrialisrequired。Acaseforsuspicionwasmadeoutinmyhearinglastnight，butImusthavedepositionsonoathtoalltheleadingfactsbeforeIcandecidewhatmydutyis。Whatwillyouswearto？“
“Allthis。”saidHanky，inavoicehuskywithpassion，“shallbereportedtotheKing。”
“Iintendtoreporteverywordofit；butthatisnotthepoint：
thequestioniswhatyougentlemenwillswearto？“
“Verywell。Iwillsettleitthus。WewillswearthattheprisoneristhepoacherwemetonThursdaynight，andthatheisalsoaforeigndevil：hiswearingtheforbiddendress；hisforeignaccent；thefoot-trackswefoundinthesnow，asofonecomingoverfromtheotherside；hisobviousignoranceoftheAfforestingAct，asshownbyhishavinglitafireandmakingnoefforttoconcealhisquailstillourpermitshewedhimhisblunder；thecock-and-
bullstoryhetoldusaboutyourorders，andthatotherstoryabouthishavingkilledaforeigndevil——ifthesefactsdonotsatisfyyou，theywillsatisfytheKingthattheprisonerisaforeigndevilaswellasapoacher。”
“Someofthesefacts。”answeredGeorge，“arenewtome。Howdoyouknowthatthefoot-tracksweremadebytheprisoner？“
Pankybroughtouthisnote-bookandreadthedetailshehadnoted。
“Didyouexaminetheman’sboots？“
“Oneofthem，therightfoot；this，withthemeasurements，wasquiteenough。”
“Hardly。Pleasetolookatbothsolesofmyownboots；youwillfindthatthosetracksweremine。Iwillhavetheprisoner’sbootsexamined；inthemeantimeletmetellyouthatIwasupatthestatuesonThursdaymorning，walkedthreeorfourhundredyardsbeyondthem，overgroundwheretherewaslesssnow，returnedoverthesnow，andwenttwoorthreetimesroundthem，asitistheRanger’sdutytodoonceayearinordertoseethatnoneofthemarebeginningtolean。”
Heshowedthesolesofhisboots，andtheProfessorswereobligedtoadmitthatthetrackswerehis。Hecautionedthemastotherestofthepointsonwhichtheyrelied。Mighttheynotbeasmistaken，astheyhadjustprovedtobeaboutthetracks？Hecouldnot，however，stirthemfromstickingtoitthattherewasenoughevidencetoprovemyfathertobeaforeigndevil，anddeclaringtheirreadinesstodeposetothefactsonoath。IntheendHankyagainfiercelyaccusedhimoftryingtoshieldtheprisoner。
“Youarequiteright。”saidGeorge，“andyouwillseemyreasonsshortly。”
“Ihavenodoubt。”saidHankysignificantly，“thattheyaresuchaswouldweighwithanymanofordinaryfeeling。”
“Iunderstand，then。”saidGeorge，appearingtotakenonoticeofHanky’sinnuendo，“thatyouwillsweartothefactsasyouhaveabovestatedthem？“
“Certainly。”
“ThenkindlywaitwhileIwritethemontheformthatIhavebroughtwithme；theMayorcanadministertheoathandsignyourdepositions。Ishallthenbeabletoleaveyou，andproceedwithgettingupthecaseagainsttheprisoner。”
Sosaying，hewenttoawriting-tableinanotherpartoftheroom，andmadeoutthedepositions。
MeanwhiletheMayor，Mrs。Humdrum，andDr。Downiewhohadeachofthemmorethanoncevainlytriedtotakepartintheabovediscussionconversedeagerlyinanundertoneamongthemselves。
Hankywasblindwithrage，forhehadasensethathewasgoingtobeoutwitted；theMayor，Yram，andMrs。HumdrumhadalreadyseenthatGeorgethoughthehadallthetrumpsinhisownhand，buttheydidnotknowmore。Dr。Downiewasfrightened，andPankysomuddledastobehorsdecombat。
GeorgenowrejoinedtheProfessors，andreadthedepositions：theMayoradministeredtheoathaccordingtoErewhoniancustom；theProfessorssignedwithoutaword，andGeorgethenhandedthedocumenttohisfathertocountersign。
TheMayorexaminedit，andalmostimmediatelysaid，“MydearGeorge，youhavemadeamistake；thesedepositionsareonaformreservedfordeponentswhoareonthepointofdeath。”
“Alas！“answeredGeorge，“thereisnohelpforit。Ididmyutmosttopreventtheirsigning。Iknewthatthosedepositionsweretheirowndeathwarrant，——andthatiswhy，thoughIwassatisfiedthattheprisonerisaforeigndevil，Ihadhopedtobeabletoshutmyeyes。Icannownolongerdoso，andastheinevitableconsequence，ImustBlue-PoolboththeProfessorsbeforemidnight。
Whatmanofordinaryfeelingwouldnotunderthesecircumstanceshavetriedtodissuadethemfromdeposingastheyhavedone？“
BythistimetheProfessorshadstartedtotheirfeet，andtherewasalookofhorrifiedastonishmentonthefacesofallpresent，savethatofGeorge，whoseemedquitehappy。
“Whatmonstrousabsurdityisthis？“shoutedHanky；“doyoumeantomurderus？“
“Certainlynot。ButyouhaveinsistedthatIshoulddomyduty，andImeantodoit。Yougentlemenhavenowbeenprovedtomysatisfactiontohavehadtrafficwithaforeigndevil；andundersection37oftheAfforestingAct，ImustatonceBlue-Poolanysuchpersonswithoutpublictrial。”
“Nonsense，nonsense，therewasnothingofthekindonourpermit，andasfortraffickingwiththisforeigndevil，wespoketohim，butweneitherboughtnorsold。WhereistheAct？“
“Here。Onyourpermityouwerereferredtocertainotherclausesnotsetouttherein，whichmightbeseenattheMayor’soffice。
Clause37isasfollows：-
“ItisfurthermoreenactedthatshouldanyofhisMajesty’ssubjectsbefound，afterexaminationbytheHeadRanger，tohavehadtrafficofanykindbywayofsaleorbarterwithanyforeigndevil，thesaidRanger，onbeingsatisfiedthatsuchtraffichastakenplace，shallforthwith，withorwithouttheassistanceofhisunder-rangers，conveysuchsubjectsofhisMajestytotheBluePool，bindthem，weightthem，andflingthemintoit，withouttheformalityofatrial，andshallreportthecircumstancesofthecasetohisMajesty。”
“Butweneverboughtanythingfromtheprisoner。Whatevidencecanyouhaveofthisbutthewordofaforeigndevilinsuchstraitsthathewouldsweartoanything？“
“Theprisonerhasnothingtodowithit。IamconvincedbythisreceiptinProfessorPanky’shandwritingwhichstatesthatheandyoujointlypurchasedhiskitfromtheprisoner，andalsothisbagofgoldnuggetsworthabout100poundsinsilver，fortheabsurdlysmallsumof4pounds，10s。insilver。IamfurtherconvincedbythishandkerchiefmarkedwithProfessorHanky’sname，inwhichwasfoundabrokenpacketofdriedleavesthatarenowatmyofficewiththerestoftheprisoner’skit。”
“Thenwewerewatchedanddogged。”saidHanky，“onThursdayevening。”
“That，sir。”repliedGeorge，“ismybusiness，notyours。”
HerePankylaidhisarmsonthetable，buriedhisheadinthem，andburstintotears。Everyoneseemedaghast，buttheMayor，Yram，andMrs。HumdrumsawthatGeorgewasenjoyingitallfartookeenlytobeserious。Dr。DowniewasstillfrightenedforGeorge’ssurfacemannerwasRhadamanthineanddidhisutmosttoconsolePanky。Georgepoundedawayruthlesslyathiscase。
“Isaynothingaboutyourhavingboughtquailsfromtheprisonerandeatenthem。Asyoujustlyremarkedjustnow，thereisnoobjectinpreferringasmallerchargewhenonemustinflictthedeathpenaltyonamoreseriousone。Still，ProfessorHanky，thesearebonesofthequailsyouateasyousateoppositetheprisoneronthesideofthefirenearestSunch’ston；theseareProfessorPanky’sbones，withwhichIneednotdisturbhim。Thisisyourpermit，whichwasfoundupontheprisoner，andwhichtherecanbenodoubtyousoldhim，havingbeenbribedbytheofferofthenuggetsfor——“
“Monstrous，monstrous！Infamousfalsehood！Whowillbelievesuchachildishtrumpedupstory！“
“Who，sir，willbelieveanythingelse？Youwillhardlycontendthatyoudidnotknowthenuggetsweregold，andnoonewillbelieveyoumeanenoughtohavetriedtogetthispoorman’spropertyoutofhimforasong——youknowingitsvalue，andhenotknowingthesame。Noonewillbelievethatyoudidnotknowthemantobeaforeigndevil，orthathecouldhoodwinktwosuchlearnedProfessorssocleverlyastogettheirpermitoutofthem。
Obviouslyheseducedyouintosellinghimyourpermit，and——I
presumebecausehewantedalittleofourmoney——hemadeyoupayhimforhiskit。Iamsatisfiedthatyouhavenotonlyhadtrafficwithaforeigndevil，buttrafficofasingularlyatrociouskind，andthisbeingso，IshallBlue-PoolbothofyouassoonasIcangetyouuptothePoolitself。Thesoonerwestartthebetter。I
shallgagyou，anddriveyouupinaclosecarriageasfarastheroadgoes；fromthatpointyoucanwalkup，orbedraggedupasyoumayprefer，butyouwillprobablyfindwalkingmorecomfortable。”
“But。”saidHanky，“comewhatmay，Imustbeatthebanquet。Iamsetdowntospeak。”
“TheMayorwillexplainthatyouhavebeentakensomewhatsuddenlyunwell。”
HereYram，whohadbeentalkingquietlywithherhusband，Dr。
Downie，andMrs。Humdrum，motionedhersontosilence。
“Ifeared。”shesaid，“thatdifficultiesmightarise，thoughIdidnotforeseehowseriouslytheywouldaffectmyguests。LetMrs。
Humdrumonourside，andDr。DownieonthatoftheProfessors，gointothenextroomandtalkthematterquietlyover；letusthenseewhetherwecannotagreetobeboundbytheirdecision。Idonotdoubtbuttheywillfindsomemeansofavertinganycatastrophemoreserious——No，ProfessorHanky，thedoorsarelocked——thanalittleperjuryinwhichweshallallshareandsharealike。”
“Dowhatyoulike。”saidHanky，lookingforalltheworldlikearatcaughtinatrap。Ashespokeheseizedaknifefromthetable，whereonGeorgepulledapairofhandcuffsfromhispocketandslippedthemontohiswristsbeforehewellknewwhatwasbeingdonetohim。
“George。”saidtheMayor，“thisisgoingtoofar。DoyoumeantoBlue-PooltheProfessorsorno？“
“Notiftheywillcompromise。Iftheywillbereasonable，theywillnotbeBlue-Pooled；iftheythinktheycanhaveeverythingtheirownway，theeelswillbeatthembeforemorning。”
AvoicewasheardfromtheheadofPankywhichhehadburiedinhisarmsuponthetable。“Co-co-co-compromise。”itsaid；andtheeffectwassocomicthateveryoneexceptHankysmiled。MeanwhileYramhadconductedDr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumintoanadjoiningroom。
CHAPTERXX：MRS。HUMDRUMANDDR。DOWNIEPROPOSEACOMPROMISE，WHICH，AFTERANAMENDMENTBYGEORGE，ISCARRIEDNEM。CON。
Theyreturnedinabouttenminutes，andDr。DownieaskedMrs。
Humdrumtosaywhattheyhadagreedtorecommend。
“Wethink。”saidsheverydemurely，“thatthestrictcoursewouldbetodropthechargeofpoaching，andBlue-PoolboththeProfessorsandtheprisonerwithoutdelay。
“WealsothinkthattheproperthingwouldbetoplaceonrecordthattheprisoneristheSunchild——aboutwhichneitherDr。DownienorIhaveashadowofdoubt。
“Thesemeasuresweholdtobetheonlylegalones，butatthesametimewedonotrecommendthem。Wethinkitwouldoffendthepublicconscienceifitcametobeknown，asitcertainlywould，thattheSunchildwasviolentlykilled，ontheverydaythathadseenusdedicateatempleinhishonour，andperhapsattheveryhourwhenlaudatoryspeecheswerebeingmadeabouthimattheMayor’sbanquet；wethinkalsothatweshouldstrainagoodmanypointsratherthanBlue-PooltheProfessors。
“Nothingisperfect，andTruthmakeshermistakeslikeotherpeople；whenshegoeswrongandreducesherselftosuchanabsurdityasshehasheredone，thosewholovehermustsaveherfromherself，correcther，andrehabilitateher。
“Ourconclusion，therefore，isthis：-
“TheprisonermustrecantonoathhisstatementthatheistheSunchild。Theinterpretermustbesquared，orconvincedofhismistake。TheMayoress，Dr。Downie，I，andthegaolerwiththeinterpreterifwecanmanagehim，mustdeposeonoaththattheprisonerisnotHiggs。ThismustbeourcontributiontotherehabilitationofTruth。
“TheProfessorsmustcontributeasfollows：TheymustswearthattheprisonerisnotthemantheymetwithquailsinhispossessiononThursdaynight。Theymustfurtherswearthattheyhaveoneorbothofthemknownhim，offandon，formanyyearspast，asamonomaniacwithSunchildismonthebrainbutotherwiseharmless。
Iftheywilldothis，noproceedingsaretobetakenagainstthem。
“TheMayor’scontributionshallbetoreprimandtheprisoner，andorderhimtorepeathisrecantationinthenewtemplebeforetheManagerandHeadCashier，andtoconfirmhisstatementonoathbykissingthereliquarycontainingthenewlyfoundrelic。
“TheRangerandtheMasteroftheGaolmustcontributethattheprisoner’smeasurements，andthemarksfoundonhisbody，negativeallpossibilityofhisidentitywiththeSunchild，andthatallthehaironthecoveredaswellastheuncoveredpartsofhisbodywasfoundtobejetblack。
“Weadvisefurtherthattheprisonershouldhavehisnuggetsandhiskitreturnedtohim，andthatthereceiptgivenbytheProfessorstogetherwithProfessorHanky’shandkerchiefbegivenbacktotheProfessors。
“Furthermore，seeingthatweshouldallofusliketohaveaquieteveningwiththeprisoner，weshouldpetitiontheMayorandMayoresstoaskhimtomeetallherepresentatdinnerto-morrowevening，afterhisdischarge，onthepleathatProfessorsHankyandPankyandDr。Downiemaygivehimcounsel，convincehimofhisfolly，andifpossiblefreehimhenceforthfromthemonomaniaunderwhichhenowsuffers。
“Theprisonershallgivehiswordofhonour，nevertoreturntoErewhon，nortoencourageanyofhiscountrymentodoso。AfterthedinnertowhichwehopetheMayoressWillinviteus，theRanger，ifthenightisfair，shallescorttheprisonerasfarasthestatues，whencehewillfindhisownwayhome。
“Thosewhoareinfavourofthiscompromiseholduptheirhands。”
TheMayorandYramhelduptheirs。“Willyouholdupyours，ProfessorHanky。”saidGeorge，“ifIreleaseyou？“
“Yes。”saidHankywithagrufflaugh，whereonGeorgereleasedhimandheheldupbothhishands。
Pankydidnotholduphis，whereonHankysaid，“Holdupyourhands，Panky，can’tyou？Wearereallyverywelloutofit。”
Panky，hardlyliftinghishead，sobbedout，“Ithinkweoughttohaveourf-f-fo-fo-fourpoundstenreturnedtous。”
“Iamafraid，sir。”saidGeorge，“thattheprisonermusthavespentthegreaterpartofthismoney。”
Everyonesmiled，indeeditwasallGeorgecoulddotopreventhimselffromlaughingoutright。TheMayorbroughtouthispurse，countedthemoney，andhandeditgood-humouredlytoPanky，whogratefullyreceivedit，andsaidhewoulddivideitwithHanky。Hethenhelduphishands，“But。”headded，turningtohisbrotherProfessor，“solongasIlive，Hanky，Iwillnevergooutanywhereagainwithyou。”
GeorgethenturnedtoHankyandsaid，“IamafraidImustnowtroubleyouandProfessorPankytodeposeonoathtothefactswhichMrs。HumdrumandDr。Downieproposeyoushouldsweartoinopencourtto-morrow。Iknewyouwoulddoso，andhavebroughtanordinaryform，dulyfilledup，whichdeclaresthattheprisonerisnotthepoacheryoumetonThursday；andalso，thathehasbeenlongknowntobothofyouasaharmlessmonomaniac。”
Ashespokehebroughtoutdepositionstotheaboveeffectwhichhehadjustwritteninhisoffice；heshewedtheProfessorsthattheformwasthistimeaninnocentone，whereontheymadenodemurtosigningandswearinginthepresenceoftheMayor，whoattested。
“Theformerdepositions。”saidHanky，“hadbetterbedestroyedatonce。”
“That。”saidGeorge，“mayhardlybe，butsolongasyousticktowhatyouhavejustswornto，theywillnotbeusedagainstyou。”
Hankyscowled，butknewthathewaspowerlessandsaidnomore。
***
Theknowledgeofwhatensueddidnotreachmefrommyfather。
Georgeandhismother，seeinghowillhelooked，andwhatashocktheeventsofthelastfewdayshadgivenhim，resolvedthatheshouldnotknowoftheriskthatGeorgewasabouttorun；theythereforesaidnothingtohimaboutit。WhatIshallnowtell，I
learnedontheoccasionalreadyreferredtowhenIhadthehappinesstomeetGeorge。Iaminsomedoubtwhetheritismorefitlytoldhere，orwhenIcometotheinterviewbetweenhimandme；onthewhole，however，Isupposechronologicalorderisleastoutragedbydealingwithithere。
AssoonastheProfessorshadsignedtheseconddepositions，Georgesaid，“Ihavenotyetheldupmyhands，butIwillholdthemupifMrs。HumdrumandDr。DowniewillapproveofwhatIpropose。Theircompromisedoesnotgofarenough，forswearaswemay，itissuretogetnoisedabroad，withtheusualexaggerations，thattheSunchildhasbeenhere，andthathehasbeenspiritedawayeitherbyus，orbythesunhisfather。Foronepersonwhomweknowofashavingidentifiedhim，therewillbefive，ofwhomweknownothing，andwhomwecannotsquare。ReportswillreachtheKingsoonerorlater，andIshallbesentfor。MeanwhiletheProfessorswillbelivinginfearofintrigueonmypart，andI，howeverunreasonably，shallfearthelikeontheirs。Thisshouldnotbe。Imean，therefore，onthedayfollowingmyreturnfromescortingtheprisoner，tosetoutforthecapital，seetheKing，andmakeacleanbreastofthewholematter。TothisendImusthavethenuggets，theprisoner’skit，hisreceipt，ProfessorHanky’shandkerchief，and，ofcourse，thetwodepositionsjustsworntobytheProfessors。IhopeandthinkthattheKingwillpardonusallround；butwhateverhemaydoIshalltellhimeverything。”
Hankywasupinarmsatonce。“Sheermadness。”heexclaimed。YramandtheMayorlookedanxious；Dr。DownieeyedGeorgeasthoughheweresomecuriouscreature，whichheheardofbuthadneverseen，andwasratherdisposedtolike。Mrs。Humdrumnoddedherheadapprovingly。
“Quiteright，George。”saidshe，“tellhisMajestyeverything。”
Dr。Downiethensaid，“Yourson，Mayoress，isaverysensiblefellow。Iwillgowithhim，andwiththeProfessors——fortheyhadbettercometoo：eachwillhearwhattheothersays，andwewilltellthetruth，thewholetruth，andnothingbutthetruth。Iam，asyouknow，apersonagrataatCourt；IwillsaythatIadvisedyourson’saction。TheKinghaslikedhimeversincehewasaboy，andIamnotmuchafraidaboutwhathewilldo。Inpublic，nodoubtwehadbetterhushthingsup，butinprivatetheKingmustbetold。”
Hankyfoughthardforsometime，butGeorgetoldhimthatitdidnotmatterwhetherheagreedorno。“Youcancome。”hesaid，“orstopaway，justasyouplease。Ifyoucome，youcanhearandspeak；ifyoudonot，youwillnothear，butthesetwodepositionswillspeakforyou。Pleaseyourself。”
“Verywell。”hesaidatlast，“Isupposewehadbettergo。”
Everyonehavingnowunderstoodwhathisorherpartwastobe，Yramsaidtheyhadbettershakehandsallroundandtakeacoupleofhours’restbeforegettingreadyforthebanquet。GeorgesaidthattheProfessorsdidnotshakehandswithhimverycordially，butthefarcewasgonethrough。Whenthehand-shakingwasover，Dr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumleftthehouse，andtheProfessorsretiredgrumpilytotheirownroom。
IwillsayherethatnoharmhappenedeithertoGeorgeortheProfessorsinconsequenceofhishavingtoldtheKing，butwillreserveparticularsformyconcludingchapter。
CHAPTERXXI：YRAM，ONGETTINGRIDOFHERGUESTS，GOESTOTHE
PRISONTOSEEMYFATHER
Yramdidnottaketheadviceshehadgivenherguests，butsetaboutpreparingabasketofthebestcolddaintiesshecouldfind，includingabottleofchoicewinethatsheknewmyfatherwouldlike；thusloadedshewenttothegaol，whichsheenteredbyherfather’sprivateentrance。
Itwasnowabouthalf-pastfour，sothatmuchmoremusthavebeensaidanddoneafterluncheonattheMayor’sthaneverreachedmyfather。Thewonderisthathewasabletocollectsomuch。He，poorman，assoonasGeorgelefthim，flunghimselfontothebedthatwasinhiscellandlaytherewakeful，butnotunquiet，tillnearthetimewhenYramreachedthegaol。
Theoldgaolercametotellhimthatshehadcomeandwouldbegladtoseehim；muchashedreadedthemeetingtherewasnoavoidingit，andinafewminutesYramstoodbeforehim。
Bothwereagitated，butYrambetrayedlessofwhatshefeltthanmyfather。Hecouldonlybowhisheadandcoverhisfacewithhishands。Yramsaid，“Weareoldfriends；takeyourhandsfromyourfaceandletmeseeyou。There！Thatiswell。”
Shetookhisrighthandbetweenbothhers，lookedathimwitheyesfullofkindness，andsaidsoftly-
“Youarenotmuchchanged，butyoulookhaggard，worn，andill；I
amuneasyaboutyou。Remember，youareamongfriends，whowillseethatnoharmbefallsyou。Thereisalookinyoureyesthatfrightensme。”
Asshespokeshetookthewineoutofherbasket，andpouredhimoutaglass，butrathertogivehimsomelittlethingtodistracthisattention，thanbecausesheexpectedhimtodrinkit——whichhecouldnotdo。
Sheneveraskedhimwhetherhefoundheraltered，orturnedtheconversationeversuchalittleontoherself；allwasforhim；tosootheandcomforthim，notinwordsalone，butinlook，manner，andvoice。Myfatherknewthathecouldthankherbestbycontrollinghimself，andlettinghimselfbesoothedandcomforted——
atanyratesofarashecouldseemtobe。
Uptothistimetheyhadbeenstanding，butnowYram，seeingmyfathercalmer，said，“Enough，letussitdown。”
Sosayingsheseatedherselfatoneendofthesmalltablethatwasinthecell，andmotionedmyfathertositoppositetoher。“Thelighthurtsyou？“shesaid，forthesunwascomingintotheroom。
“Changeplaceswithme，Iamasunworshipper。No，wecanmovethetable，andwecanthenseeeachotherbetter。”
Thisdone，shesaid，stillverysoftly，“Andnowtellmewhatitisallabout。Whyhaveyoucomehere？“
“Tellmefirst。”saidmyfather，“whatbefellyouafterIhadbeentakenaway。Whydidyounotsendmewordwhenyoufoundwhathadhappened？orcomeafterme？YouknowIshouldhavemarriedyouatonce，unlesstheyboundmeinfetters。”
“Iknowyouwould；butyourememberMrs。Humdrum？Yes，Iseeyoudo。Itoldhereverything；itwasshewhosavedme。Wethoughtofyou，butshesawthatitwouldnotdo。AsIwastomarryMr。
Strong，themoreyouwerelostsightofthebetter，butwithGeorgeeverwithmeIhavenotbeenabletoforgetyou。Imighthavebeenveryhappywithyou，butIcouldnothavebeenhappierthanIhavebeeneversincethatshortdreadfultimewasover。Georgemusttellyoutherest。Icannotdoso。Alliswell。Ilovemyhusbandwithmywholeheartandsoul，andhelovesmewithhis。Asbetweenhimandme，heknowseverything；Georgeishisson，notyours；wehavesettleditso，thoughwebothknowotherwise；asbetweenyouandme，forthisonehour，here，thereisnouseinpretendingthatyouarenotGeorge’sfather。IhavesaidallI
needsay。Now，tellmewhatIaskedyou——Whyareyouhere？“
“Ifear。”saidmyfather，setatrestbythesweetnessofYram’svoiceandmanner——hetoldmehehadneverseenanyonetocomparewithherexceptmymother——“Ifear，todoasmuchharmnowasIdidbefore，andwithaslittlewishtodoanyharmatall。”
Hethentoldherallthatthereaderknows，andexplainedhowhehadthoughthecouldhavegoneaboutthecountryasapeasant，andseenhowsheherselfhadfared，withouther，oranyone，evensuspectingthathewasinthecountry。
“Yousayyourwifeisdead，andthatsheleftyouwithason——ishelikeGeorge？“
“Inmindanddisposition，wonderfully；inappearance，no；heisdarkandtakesafterhismother，andthoughheishandsome，heisnotsogood-lookingasGeorge。”
“Noone。”saidGeorge’smother，“everwas，oreverwillbe，andheisasgoodashelooks。”
“Ishouldnothavebelievedyouifyouhadsaidhewasnot。”
“Thatisright。Iamgladyouareproudofhim。Heirradiatesthelivesofeveryoneofus。”
“Andthemereknowledgethatheexistswillirradiatetherestofmine。”
“Longmayitdoso。Letusnowtalkaboutthismorning——didyoumeantodeclareyourself？“
“IdonotknowwhatImeant；whatImostcaredaboutwasthedoingwhatIthoughtGeorgewouldwishtoseehisfatherdo。”
“Youdidthat；buthesayshetoldyounottosaywhoyouwere。”
“Sohedid，butIknewwhathewouldthinkright。Hewasuppermostinmythoughtsallthetime。”
Yramsmiled，andsaid，“Georgeisadangerousperson；youwerebothofyouveryfoolish；oneasbadastheother。”
“Idonotknow。Idonotknowanything。Itisbeyondme；butIamatpeaceaboutit，andhopeIshalldothelikeagainto-morrowbeforetheMayor。”
“Iheartilyhopeyouwilldonothingofthekind。Georgetellsmeyouhavepromisedhimtobegoodandtodoaswebidyou。”
“SoIwill；buthewillnottellmetosaythatIamnotwhatI
am。”
“Yes，hewill，andIwilltellyouwhy。IfwepermityoutobeHiggstheSunchild，hemusteitherthrowhisownfatherintotheBluePool——whichhewillnotdo——orrungreatriskofbeingthrownintoithimself，fornothavingBlue-Pooledaforeigner。Iamafraidweshallhavetomakeyoudoagooddealthatneitheryounorweshalllike。”
Shethentoldhimbrieflyofwhathadpassedafterluncheonatherhouse，andwhatithadbeensettledtodo，leavingGeorgetotellthedetailswhileescortinghimtowardsthestatuesonthefollowingevening。Shesaidthateveryonewouldbesocompletelyineveryoneelse’spowerthattherewasnofearofanyone’sturningtraitor。ButshesaidnothingaboutGeorge’sintentionofsettingoutforthecapitalonWednesdaymorningtotellthewholestorytotheKing。
“Now。”shesaid，whenshehadtoldhimasmuchaswasnecessary，“begood，anddoasyousaidyouwould。”
“Iwill。Iwilldenymyself，notonce，nortwice，butasoftenasisnecessary。Iwillkissthereliquary，andwhenImeetHankyandPankyatyourtable，Iwillbeswornbrothertothem——solong，thatis，asGeorgeisoutofhearing；forIcannotliewelltothemwhenheislistening。”
“Ohyes，youcan。Hewillunderstandallaboutit；heenjoysfalsehoodaswellaswealldo，andhasthenicestsenseofwhentolieandwhennottodoso。”
“Whatgiftcanbemoreinvaluable？“
Myfather，knowingthathemightnothaveanotherchanceofseeingYramalone，nowchangedtheconversation。
“Ihavesomething。”hesaid，“forGeorge，buthemustknownothingaboutittillafterIamgone。”
Ashespoke，hetookfromhispocketstheninesmallbagsofnuggetsthatremainedtohim。
“Butthis。”saidYram，“beinggold，isalargesum：canyouindeedspareit，anddoyoureallywishGeorgetohaveitall？“
“Ishallbeveryunhappyifhedoesnot，buthemustknownothingaboutittillIamoutofErewhon。”
Myfatherthenexplainedtoherthathewasnowveryrich，andwouldhavebroughttentimesasmuch，ifhehadknownofGeorge’sexistence。“Then。”saidYram，musing，“ifyouarerich，Iacceptandthankyouheartilyonhisbehalf。Icanseeareasonforhisnotknowingwhatyouaregivinghimatpresent，butitistoolongtotell。”
Thereasonwas，thatifGeorgeknewofthisgoldbeforehesawtheKing，hewouldbesuretotellhimofit，andtheKingmightclaimit，forGeorgewouldneverexplainthatitwasagiftfromfathertoson；whereasiftheKinghadoncepardonedhim，hewouldnotbesosqueamishastoopenupthewholethingagainwithapostscripttohisconfession。Butofthisshesaidnotaword。
Myfatherthentoldheroftheboxofsovereignsthathehadleftinhissaddle-bags。“Theyarecoined。”hesaid，“andGeorgewillhavetomeltthemdown，buthewillfindsomewayofdoingthis。
Theywillbeworthrathermorethantheseninebagsofnuggets。”
“Thedifficultywillbetogethimtogodownandfetchthem，foritisagainsthisoathtogofarbeyondthestatues。Ifyoucouldbetakenfaintandsayyouwantedhelp，hewouldseeyoutoyourcampinggroundwithoutaword，buthewouldbeangryifhefoundhehadbeentrickedintobreakinghisoathinorderthatmoneymightbegivenhim。Itwouldneverdo。Besides，therewouldnotbetime，forhemustbebackhereonTuesdaynight。No；ifhebreakshisoathhemustdoitwithhiseyesopen——andhewilldoitlateron——orIwillgoandfetchthemoneyforhimmyself。Heisinlovewithagrand-daughterofMrs。Humdrum’s，andthissum，togetherwithwhatyouarenowleavingwithme，willmakehimawell-to-doman。IhavealwaysbeenunhappyabouthishavinganyoftheMayor’smoney，andhissalarywasnotquiteenoughforhimtomarryon。WhatcanIsaytothankyou？“
“Tellme，please，aboutMrs。Humdrum’sgrand-daughter。YoulikeherasawifeforGeorge？“
“Absolutely。Sheisjustsuchanotherashergrandmothermusthavebeen。SheandGeorgehavebeenswornloverseversincehewasten，andsheeight。Theonlydrawbackisthathermother，Mrs。
Humdrum’sseconddaughter，marriedforlove，andtherearemanychildren，sothattherewillbenomoneywithher；butwhatyouareleavingwillmakeeverythingquiteeasy，forhewillsellthegoldatonce。Iamsogladaboutit。”
“CanyouaskMrs。Humdrumtobringhergrand-daughterwithherto-
morrowevening？“
“Iamafraidnot，forweshallwanttotalkfreelyatdinner，andshemustnotknowthatyouaretheSunchild；sheshallcometomyhouseintheafternoonandyoucanseeherthen。Youwillbequitehappyabouther，butofcourseshemustnotknowthatyouareherfather-in-lawthatistobe。”
“Onethingmore。AsGeorgemustknownothingaboutthesovereigns，ImusttellyouhowIwillhidethem。Theyareinasilverbox，whichIwillbindtotheboughofsometreeclosetomycamp；orifIcanfindatreewithaholeinitIwilldroptheboxintothehole。Hecannotmissmycamp；hehasonlytofollowthestreamthatrunsdownfromthepasstillitgetsnearalargeriver，andonasmalltriangularpatchofflatground，hewillseetheashesofmycampfire，afewyardsawayfromthestreamonhisrighthandashedescends。InwhatevertreeImayhidethebox，Iwillstrewwoodashesforsomeyardsinastraightlinetowardsit。Iwillthenlightanotherfireunderneath，andblazethetreewithaknifethatIhaveleftatmycampingground。Heissuretofindit。”
Yramagainthankedhim，andthenmyfather，tochangetheconversation，askedwhethershethoughtthatGeorgereallywouldhaveBlue-PooledtheProfessors。
“Thereisnoknowing。”saidYram。“Heisthegentlestcreaturelivingtillsomegreatprovocationrouseshim，andIneversawhimhateanddespiseanyoneashedoestheProfessors。Muchofwhathesaidwasmerelyputon，forheknewtheProfessorsmustyield。
Idonotlikehiseverhavingtothrowanyoneintothathorridplace，nomoredoeshe，buttheRangershipisexactlythesortofthingtosuithim，andtheopeningwastoogoodtolose。Imustnowleaveyou，andgetreadyfortheMayor’sbanquet。Weshallmeetagainto-morrowevening。TryandeatwhatIhavebroughtyouinthisbasket。Ihopeyouwilllikethewine。”Sheputoutherhand，whichmyfathertook，andinanothermomentshewasgone，forshesawalookinhisfaceasthoughhewouldfainhaveaskedhertolethimoncemorepresshislipstohers。Hadhedonethis，withoutthinkingaboutit，itislikelyenoughshewouldnothavebeenillpleased。Butwhocansay？
Fortherestoftheeveningmyfatherwasleftverymuchtohisownnottoocomfortablereflections。Hespentpartofitinpostingupthenotesfromwhich，aswellasfromhisownmouth，mystoryisingreatparttaken。ThegoodthingsthatYramhadleftwithhim，andhispipe，whichshehadtoldhimhemightsmokequitefreely，occupiedanotherpart，andbyteno’clockhewenttobed。
CHAPTERXXII：MAINLYOCCUPIEDWITHAVERACIOUSEXTRACTFROMA
SUNCH’STONIANJOURNAL
Whilemyfatherwasthuswilingawaythehoursinhiscell，thewholetownwasbeingilluminatedinhishonour，andnotmorethanacoupleofhundredyardsoff，attheMayor’sbanquet，hewasbeingextolledasasuperhumanbeing。
Thebanquet，whichwasatthetownhall，wasindeedaverybrilliantaffair，butthelittlespacethatisleftmeforbidsmysayingmorethanthatHankymadewhatwasconsideredthespeechoftheevening，andbetrayednosignofilleffectsfromthebadquarterofanhourwhichhehadspentsorecently。NotatracewastobeseenofanydesireonhisparttochangehistoneasregardsSunchildism——as，forexample，tominimizetheimportanceoftherelic，ortoremindhishearersthatthoughthechariotandhorseshadundoubtedlycomedownfromtheskyandcarriedawaymyfatherandmother，yetthattheearlierstageoftheascenthadbeenmadeinaballoon。Italmostseemed，soGeorgetoldmyfather，asthoughhehadresolvedthathewouldspeaklies，alllies，andnothingbutlies。
Panky，whowasalsotohavespoken，wasexcusedbytheMayoronthegroundthatthegreatheatandtheexcitementoftheday’sproceedingshadquiterobbedhimofhisvoice。
Dr。Downiehadajumpingcatbeforehismentalvision。Hespokequietlyandsensibly，dwellingchieflyonthebenefitsthathadalreadyaccruedtothekingdomthroughtheabolitionoftheedictsagainstmachinery，andthegreatdevelopmentswhichheforesawasprobableinthenearfuture。HehelduptheSunchild’sexample，andhisethicalteaching，totheimitationandadmirationofhishearers，buthesaidnothingaboutthemiraculouselementinmyfather’scareer，onwhichhedeclaredthathisfriendProfessorHankyhadalreadysoeloquentlyenlargedastomakefurtherallusiontoitsuperfluous。
Thereaderknowswhatwastohappenonthefollowingmorning。TheprogrammeconcertedattheMayor’swasstrictlyadheredto。Thefollowingaccount，however，whichappearedintheSunch’stonbi-
weeklynewspapertwodaysaftermyfatherhadleft，wasgivenmebyGeorgeayearlater，ontheoccasionofthatinterviewtowhichI
havealreadymorethanoncereferred。Therewereotheraccountsinotherpapers，buttheoneIamgivingdepartstheleastwidelyfromthefacts。Itran：-
“THECLOSEOFADISAGREEABLEINCIDENT——OurreaderswillrememberthatonSundaylastduringthesolemninaugurationofthetemplenowdedicatedtotheSunchild，anindividualonthefrontbenchofthosesetapartforthepublicsuddenlyinterruptedProfessorHanky’seloquentsermonbydeclaringhimselftobetheSunchild，andsayingthathehadcomedownfromthesuntosanctifybyhispresencethegloriousfanewhichthepietyofourfellow-citizensandothershaserectedinhishonour。
“WildrumoursobtainedcredencethroughoutthecongregationtotheeffectthatthispersonwasnoneotherthantheSunchildhimself，andinspiteofthefactthathiscomplexionandthecolourofhishairshowedthistobeimpossible，morethanonepersonwascarriedawaybytheexcitementofthemoment，andbysomefewpointsofresemblancebetweenthestrangerandtheSunchild。Undertheinfluenceofthisbelief，theywerepreparingtogivehimthehonourwhichtheysupposedjustlyduetohim，whentothesurpriseofeveryonehewastakenintocustodybythedeservedlypopularRangeroftheKing’spreserves，andinthecourseoftheafternoonitbecamegenerallyknownthathehadbeenarrestedonthechargeofbeingoneofagangofpoacherswhohavebeenknownforsometimepasttobemakingmuchhavocamongthequailsonthepreserves。
“Thisoffence，atalltimesdeploredbythosewhodesirethathisMajestyshouldenjoygoodsportwhenhehonoursuswithavisit，isdoublydeplorableduringtheseasonwhen，onthehigherpartsofthepreserves，theyoungbirdsarenotyetabletoshiftforthemselves；theRanger，therefore，isindefatigableinhiseffortstobreakupthegang，andwiththisendinview，forthelastfortnighthasbeenoutnightanddayontheremotersectionsoftheforest——littlesuspectingthatthemarauderswouldventuresonearSunch’stonasitnowseemstheyhavedone。Itistohisextremeanxietytodetectandpunishthesemiscreantsthatwemustascribethearrestofaman，who，howeverfoolish，andindeedguilty，heisinotherrespects，isinnocentoftheparticularcrimeimputedtohim。Thecircumstancesthatledtohisarresthavereachedusfromanexceptionallywell-informedsource，andareasfollows：-
“Ourdistinguishedguests，ProfessorsHankyandPanky，bothofthemjustlycelebratedarchaeologists，hadavailedthemselvesoftheopportunityaffordedthembytheirvisittoSunch’ston，toinspectthemysteriousstatuesattheheadofthestreamthatcomesdownnearthiscity，andwhichhavehithertobaffledallthosewhohavetriedtoascertaintheirdateandpurpose。
“OntheirdescentafterafatiguingdaytheProfessorswerebenighted，andlosttheirway。Seeingthelightofasmallfireamongsometreesnearthem，theymadetowardsit，hopingtobedirectedrightly，andfoundaman，respectablydressed，sittingbythefirewithseveralbraceofquailsbesidehim，someofthemplucked。Believingthatinspiteofhisappearance，whichwouldnothaveledthemtosupposethathewasapoacher，hemustunquestionablybeone，theyhurriedlyenquiredtheirway，intendingtoleavehimassoonastheyhadgottheiranswer；he，however，attackedthem，ormadeasthoughhewoulddoso，andsaidhewouldshowthemawaywhichtheyshouldbeinnofearoflosing，whereonProfessorHanky，withawell-directedblow，felledhimtotheground。ThetwoProfessors，fearingthatotherpoachersmightcometohisassistance，madeoffasnearlyastheycouldguessinthedirectionofSunch’ston。Whentheyhadgoneamileortwoonwardathaphazard，theysatdownunderalargetree，andwaitedtilldaybegantobreak；theythenresumedtheirjourney，andbeforelongstruckapathwhichledthemtoaspotfromwhichtheycouldseethetowersofthenewtemple。
“Fatiguedthoughtheywere，theywaitedbeforetakingtherestofwhichtheystoodmuchinneed，tilltheyhadreportedtheiradventureattheRanger’soffice。TheRangerwasstilloutonthepreserves，butimmediatelyonhisreturnonSaturdaymorninghereadthedescriptionofthepoacher’sappearanceanddress，aboutwhichlast，however，theonlyremarkablefeaturewasthatitwasbetterthanapoachermightbeexpectedtopossess，andgaveanairofrespectabilitytothewearerthatmighteasilydisarmsuspicion。
“TheRangermadeenquiriesatalltheinnsinSunch’ston，andatlengthsucceededinhearingofastrangerwhoappearedtocorrespondwiththepoacherwhomtheProfessorshadseen；butthemanhadalreadyleft，andthoughtheRangerdidhisbesttotracehimhedidnotsucceed。OnSundaymorning，however，heobservedtheprisoner，andfoundthatheansweredthedescriptiongivenbytheProfessors；hethereforearrestedhimquietlyinthetemple，buttoldhimthatheshouldnottakehimtoprisontilltheservicewasover。Themansaidhewouldcomequietlyinasmuchasheshouldeasilybeabletoprovehisinnocence。Inthemeantime，however，heprofessedtheutmostanxietytohearProfessorHanky’ssermon，whichhesaidhebelievedwouldconcernhimnearly。TheRangerpaidnoattentiontothis，andwasasmuchastoundedastherestofthecongregationwere，whenimmediatelyafteroneofProfessorHanky’smosteloquentpassages，themanstartedupanddeclaredhimselftobetheSunchild。OnthistheRangertookhimawayatonce，andfortheman’sownprotectionhurriedhimofftoprison。
“ProfessorHankywassomuchshockedatsuchoutrageousconduct，thatforthemomenthefailedtorecognisetheoffender；afterafewseconds，however，hegraspedthesituation，andknewhimtobeonewhoonpreviousoccasions，nearBridgeford，haddonewhathewasnowdoing。ItseemsthatheisnotoriousintheneighbourhoodofBridgeford，asamonomaniacwhoissodeeplyimpressedwiththebeautyoftheSunchild’scharacter——andwepresumealsoofhisown——
astobelievethatheishimselftheSunchild。
“Recoveringalmostinstantlyfromtheshocktheinterruptionhadgivenhim，thelearnedProfessorcalmedhishearersbyacquaintingthemwiththefactsofthecase，andcontinuedhissermontothedelightofallwhoheardit。Weshouldsay，however，thatthegentlemanwhotwentyyearsagoinstructedtheSunchildintheErewhonianlanguage，wassostruckwithsomefewpointsofresemblancebetweenthestranger，andhisformerpupil，thatheacclaimedhim，andwasremovedforciblybythevergers。
“OnMondaymorningtheprisonerwasbroughtupbeforetheMayor。
Wecannotsaywhetheritwasthesoberingeffectofprisonwalls，orwhetherhehadbeendrinkingbeforeheenteredthetemple，andhadnowhadtimeenoughtorecoverhimself——atanyrateforsomereasonorotherhewasabjectlypenitentwhenhiscasecameonforhearing。Thechargeofpoachingwasfirstgoneinto，butwasimmediatelydisposedofbytheevidenceofthetwoProfessors，whostatedthattheprisonerborenoresemblancetothepoachertheyhadseen，savethathewasaboutthesameheightandage，andwasrespectablydressed。
“ThechargeofdisturbingthecongregationbydeclaringhimselftheSunchildwasthenproceededwith，andunnecessaryasitmayappeartobe，itwasthoughtadvisabletopreventallpossibilityoftheman’sassertionbeingacceptedbytheignorantastrue，atsomelaterdate，whenthosewhocouldproveitsfalsehoodwerenolongerliving。Theprisoner，therefore，wasremovedtohiscell，andtheremeasuredbytheMasteroftheGaol，andtheRangerinthepresenceoftheMayor，whoattestedtheaccuracyofthemeasurements。NotonesingleoneofthemcorrespondedwiththoserecordedoftheSunchildhimself，andafewmarkssuchasmoles，andpermanentscarsontheSunchild’sbodywerenotfoundontheprisoner’s。Furthermoretheprisonerwasshaggy-breasted，withmuchcoarsejetblackhaironthefore-armsandfromthekneesdownwards，whereastheSunchildhadlittlehairsaveonhishead，andwhatlittletherewas，wasfine，andverylightincolour。
“Confrontedwiththesediscrepancies，thegentlemanwhohadtaughttheSunchildourlanguagewasconvincedofhismistake，thoughhestillmaintainedthattherewassomesuperficiallikenessbetweenhisformerpupilandtheprisoner。HerehewasconfirmedbytheMasteroftheGaol，theMayoress，Mrs。Humdrum，andProfessorsHankyandPanky，whoallofthemcouldseewhattheinterpretermeant，butdeniedthattheprisonercouldbemistakenfortheSunchildformorethanafewseconds。Nodoubttheprisoner’sunhappydelusionhasbeenfostered，ifnotentirelycaused，byhishavingbeenrepeatedlytoldthathewasliketheSunchild。ThecelebratedDr。Downie，whowellrememberstheSunchild，wasalsoexamined，andgavehisevidencewithsomuchconvincingdetailastomakeitunnecessarytocallfurtherwitnesses。
“IthavingbeenthusonceforallofficiallyandauthoritativelyplacedonrecordthattheprisonerwasnottheSunchild，ProfessorsHankyandPankythenidentifiedhimasawellknownmonomaniaconthesubjectofSunchildism，whoinotherrespectswasharmless。Wewithholdhisnameandplaceofabode，outofconsiderationforthewellknownandhighlyrespectablefamilytowhichhebelongs。Theprisoneradmittedwithmuchcontritionthathehadmadeadisturbanceinthetemple，butpleadedthathehadbeencarriedawaybytheeloquenceofProfessorHanky；hepromisedtoavoidalllikeoffenceinfuture，andthrewhimselfonthemercyofthecourt。
“TheMayor，unwillingthatSunday’smemorableceremonyshouldbetheoccasionofaseriouspunishmenttoanyofthosewhotookpartinit，reprimandedtheprisonerinafewseverebutnotunkindlywords，inflictedafineoffortyshillings，andorderedthattheprisonershouldbetakendirectlytothetemple，whereheshouldconfesshisfollytotheManagerandHeadCashier，andconfirmhiswordsbykissingthereliquaryinwhichthenewlyfoundrelichasbeenplaced。Theprisonerbeingunabletopaythefine，someoftheladiesandgentlemenincourtkindlyraisedtheamountamongstthem，inpityforthepoorcreature’sobviouscontrition，ratherthanseehimsenttoprisonforamonthindefaultofpayment。
“Theprisonerwasthenconductedtothetemple，followedbyaconsiderablenumberofpeople。Strangetosay，inspiteoftheoverwhelmingevidencethattheyhadjustheard，somefewamongthefollowers，whoseloveofthemarvellousoverpoweredtheirreason，stillmaintainedthattheprisonerwastheSunchild。Nothingcouldbemoredecorousthantheprisoner’sbehaviourwhen，afterhearingtherecantationthatwasreadouttohimbytheManager，hesignedthedocumentwithhisnameandaddress，whichweagainwithhold，andkissedthereliquaryinconfirmationofhiswords。
“TheMayorthendeclaredtheprisonertobeatliberty。Whenhehaddonesohesaid，’Istronglyurgeyoutoplaceyourselfundermyprotectionforthepresent，thatyoumaybefreedfromtheimpertinentfollyandcuriosityofsomewhoseinfatuationmightleadyoufromthatbettermindtowhichIbelieveyouarenowhappilyrestored。Iwishyoutoremainforsomefewhourssecludedintheprivacyofmyownstudy，whereDr。DownieandthetwoexcellentProfessorswilladministerthatghostlycounseltoyou，whichwillbelikelytoprotectyoufromanyreturnofyourunhappydelusion。’
“Themanhumblybowedassent，andwastakenbytheMayor’syoungersonstotheMayor’sownhouse，wherehewasdulycaredfor。Aboutmidnight，whenallwasquiet，hewasconductedtotheoutskirtsofthetowntowardsClearwater，andfurnishedwithenoughmoneytoprovideforhismorepressingnecessitiestillhecouldreachsomerelativeswhoresidethreeorfourdays’walkdownontheroadtowardsthecapital。HedesiredthemanwhoaccompaniedhimtorepeattotheMayorhisheartfeltthanksfortheforbearanceandgenerositywithwhichhehadbeentreated。Theremembranceofthis，hesaid，shouldbeeverpresentwithhim，andhewasconfidentwouldprotecthimifhisunhappymonomaniashewedanysignsofreturning。
“Letusnow，however，remindourreadersthatthepoacherwhothreatenedProfessorsHankyandPanky’slifeonThursdayeveninglastisstillatlarge。Heisevidentlyamanofdesperatecharacter，anditistobehopedthatourfellow-citizenswillgiveimmediateinformationattheRanger’sofficeiftheyseeanystrangerintheneighbourhoodofthepreserveswhomtheymayhavereasonablegroundsforsuspecting。
“P。S——Asweareonthepointofgoingtopresswelearnthatadangerouslunatic，whohasbeenforsomeyearsconfinedintheClearwaterasylum，succeededinescapingonthenightofWednesdaylast，anditissurmisedwithmuchprobability，thatthiswasthemanwhothreatenedthetwoProfessorsonThursdayevening。Hisbeingalone，hishavingdaredtolightafire，probablytocookquailswhichhehadbeendriventokillfromstressofhunger，therespectabilityofhisdress，andthefurywithwhichhewouldhaveattackedthetwoProfessorssingle-handed，butforProfessorHanky’spresenceofmindingivinghimaknock-downblow，allpointinthedirectionofthinkingthathewasnotruepoacher，but，whatisevenmoredangerous——amadmanatlarge。Wehavenotreceivedanyparticularsastotheman’sappearance，northeclotheshewaswearing，butwehavelittledoubtthatthesewillconfirmthesurmisetowhichwenowgivepublicity。Ifitiscorrectitbecomesdoublyincumbentonallourfellow-citizenstobebothonthewatch，andontheirguard。
“Wemayaddthatthemanwasfullybelievedtohavetakenthedirectiontowardsthecapital；hencenoattemptsweremadetolookforhimintheneighbourhoodofSunch’ston，untilnewsofthethreatenedattackontheProfessorsledthekeeperoftheasylumtofeelconfidentthathehadhithertobeenonawrongscent。”
CHAPTERXXIII：MYFATHERISESCORTEDTOTHEMAYOR’SHOUSE，ANDIS
INTRODUCEDTOAFUTUREDAUGHTER-IN-LAW
MyfathersaidhewasfollowedtotheMayor’shousebyagoodmanypeople，whomtheMayor’ssonsinvaintriedtogetridof。OneortwoofthesestillpersistedinsayinghewastheSunchild——whereonanothersaid，“Buthishairisblack。”
“Yes。”wastheanswer，“butamancandyehishair，canhenot？
lookathisblueeyesandhiseye-lashes？“
MyfatherwasdoubtingwhetherheoughtnottoagaindenyhisidentityoutofloyaltytotheMayorandYram，whenGeorge’snextbrothersaid，“Paynoattentiontothem，butstepoutasfastasyoucan。”Thissettledthematter，andinafewminutestheywereattheMayor’s，wheretheyoungmentookhimintothestudy；theeldersaidwithasmile，“Weshouldliketostayandtalktoyou，butmymothersaidwewerenottodoso。”Whereontheylefthimmuchtohisregret，buthegatheredrightlythattheyhadnotbeenofficiallytoldwhohewas，andweretobelefttothinkwhattheyliked，atanyrateforthepresent。
InafewminutestheMayorentered，andgoingstraightuptomyfathershookhimcordiallybythehand。
“Ihavebroughtyouthismorning’spaper。”saidhe。“YouwillfindafullreportofProfessorHanky’ssermon，andofthespeechesatlastnight’sbanquet。Youseetheypassoveryourlittleinterruptionwithhardlyaword，butIdaresaytheywillhavemadeuptheirmindsaboutitallbyThursday’sissue。”
Helaughedasheproducedthepaper——whichmyfatherbroughthomewithhim，andwithoutwhichIshouldnothavebeenabletoreportHanky’ssermonasfullyasIhavedone。Butmyfathercouldnotletthingspassoverthuslightly。
“Ithankyou。”hesaid，“butIhavemuchmoretothankyoufor，andknownothowtodoit。”
“Canyounottrustmetotakeeverythingassaid？“
“Yes，butIcannottrustmyselfnottobehauntedifIdonotsay——
oratanyratetrytosay——somepartofwhatIoughttosay。”
“Verywell；thenIwillsaysomethingmyself。Ihaveasmalljoke，theonlyoneIevermade，whichIinflictperiodicallyuponmywife。You，andIsupposeGeorge，aretheonlytwootherpeopleintheworldtowhomitcaneverbetold；letmesee，then，ifI
cannotbreaktheicewithit。Itisthis。Somemenhavetwinsons；Georgeinthistopsyturveyworldofourshastwinfathers——
youbyluck，andmebycunning。Iseeyousmile；givemeyourhand。”
MyfathertooktheMayor’shandbetweenbothhisown。“HadIbeeninyourplace。”hesaid，“IshouldbegladtohopethatImighthavedoneasyoudid。”
“AndI。”saidtheMayor，morereadilythanmighthavebeenexpectedofhim，“fearthatifIhadbeeninyours——Ishouldhavemadeittheproperthingforyoutodo。There！Theiceiswellbroken，andnowforbusiness。Youwilllunchwithus，anddineintheevening。Ihavegivenitoutthatyouareofgoodfamily，sothereisnothingoddinthis。AtlunchyouwillnotbetheSunchild，formyyoungerchildrenwillbethere；atdinnerallpresentwillknowwhoyouare，soweshallbefreeassoonastheservantsareoutoftheroom。
“Iamsorry，butImustsendyouawaywithGeorgeassoonasthestreetsareempty——sayatmidnight——fortheexcitementistoogreattoallowofyourstayinglonger。Wemustkeepyourrugandthethingsyoucookwith，butmywifewillfindyouwhatwillserveyourturn。Thereisnomoon，soyouandGeorgewillcampoutassoonasyougetwellontothepreserves；theweatherishot，andyouwillneitherofyoutakeanyharm。To-morrowbymid-dayyouwillbeatthestatues，whereGeorgemustbidyougood-bye，forhemustbeatSunch’stonto-morrownight。Youwilldoubtlessgetsafelyhome；IwishwithallmyheartthatIcouldhearofyourhavingdoneso，butthis，Ifear，maynotbe。”
“Sobeit。”repliedmyfather，“butthereissomethingIshouldyetsay。TheMayoresshasnodoubttoldyouofsomegold，coinedanduncoined，thatIamleavingforGeorge。ShewillalsohavetoldyouthatIamrich；thisbeingso，Ishouldhavebroughthimmuchmore，ifIhadknownthattherewasanysuchperson。Youhaveotherchildren；ifyouleavehimanything，youwillbetakingitawayfromyourownfleshandblood；ifyouleavehimnothing，itwillbeasluruponhim。Imustthereforesendyouenoughgold，toprovideforGeorgeasyourotherchildrenwillbeprovidedfor；youcansettleituponhimatonce，andmakeitclearthatthesettlementisinsteadofprovisionforhimbywill。ThedifficultyisinthegettingthegoldintoErewhon，anduntilitisactuallyhere，hemustknownothingaboutit。”
Ihavenospaceforthediscussionthatfollowed。IntheenditwassettledthatGeorgewastohave2000poundsingold，whichtheMayordeclaredtobetoomuch，andmyfathertoolittle。Both，however，wereagreedthatErewhonwouldbeforelongbecompelledtoenterintorelationswithforeigncountries，inwhichcasethevalueofgoldwoulddeclinesomuchastomake2000poundsworthlittlemorethanitwouldbeinEngland。TheMayorproposedtobuylandwithit，whichhewouldhandovertoGeorgeasagiftfromhimself，andthismyfatheratonceaccededto。Allsortsofquestionssuchaswilloccurtothereaderwereraisedandsettled，butImustbeghimtobecontentwithknowingthateverythingwasarrangedwiththegoodsensethattwosuchmenweresuretobringtobearuponit。
ThegettingthegoldintoErewhonwastobemanagedthus。Georgewastoknownothing，butapromisewastobegotfromhimthatatnoononthefollowingNewYear’sday，orwhateverdaymightbeagreedupon，hewouldbeatthestatues，whereeithermyfatherormyselfwouldmeethim，spendacoupleofhourswithhim，andthenreturn。WhoevermetGeorgewastobringthegoldasthoughitwerefortheMayor，andGeorgecouldbetrustedtobehumanenoughtobringitdown，whenhesawthatitwouldbeleftwhereitwasifhedidnotdoso。
“Hewillkickagooddeal。”saidtheMayor，“atfirst，buthewillcomeroundintheend。”
Luncheonwasnowannounced。Myfatherwasfeelingfaintandill；
morethanonceduringtheforenoonhehadhadareturnofthestrangegiddinessandmomentarylossofmemorywhichhadalreadytwiceattackedhim，buthehadrecoveredineachcasesoquicklythatnoonehadseenhewasunwell。He，poorman，didnotyetknowwhatseriousbrainexhaustiontheseattacksbetokened，andfindinghimselfinhisusualhealthassoonastheypassedaway，setthemdownassimplyeffectsoffatigueandundueexcitement。
Georgedidnotlunchwiththeothers。Yramexplainedthathehadtodrawupareportwhichwouldoccupyhimtilldinnertime。Herthreeothersons，andherthreelovelydaughters，werethere。Myfatherwasdelightedwithallofthem，fortheymadefriendswithhimatonce。Hehadfearedthathewouldhavebeendisgracedintheireyes，byhishavingjustcomefromprison，butwhatevertheymayhavethought，notraceofanythingbutalittleengagingtimidityonthegirls’partwastobeseen。Thetwoelderboys——orratheryoungmen，fortheyseemedfullygrown，though，likeGeorge，notyetbearded——treatedhimasalreadyanoldacquaintance，whiletheyoungest，aladoffourteen，walkedstraightuptohim，putouthishand，andsaid，“Howdoyoudo，sir？“withaprettyblushthatwentstraighttomyfather’sheart。
“Theseboys。”hesaidtoYramaside，“whohavenothingtoblushfor——seehowthebloodmantlesintotheiryoungcheeks，whileI，whoshouldblushatbeingspokentobythem，cannotdoso。”
“Donottalknonsense。”saidYram，withmockseverity。
Butitwasnononsensetomypoorfather。Hewasawedatthegoodnessandbeautywithwhichhefoundhimselfsurrounded。Histhoughtsweretoofullofwhathadbeen，whatwas，andwhatwasyettobe，tolethimdevotehimselftotheseyoungpeopleashewoulddearlyhavelikedtodo。Hecouldonlylookatthem，wonderatthem，fallinlovewiththem，andthankheaventhatGeorgehadbeenbroughtupinsuchahousehold。
Whenluncheonwasover，Yramsaid，“Iwillnowsendyoutoaroomwhereyoucanliedownandgotosleepforafewhours。Youwillbeoutlateto-night，andhadbetterrestwhileyoucan。Doyourememberthedrinkyoutaughtustomakeofcornparchedandground？Youusedtosayyoulikedit。Acupshallbebroughttoyourroomataboutfive，foryoumusttryandsleeptillthen。Ifyounoticealittleboxonthedressing-tableofyourroom，youwillopenitornoasyoulike。Abouthalf-pastfivetherewillbeavisitor，whosenameyoucanguess，butIshallnotletherstaylongwithyou。Herecomestheservanttotakeyoutoyourroom。”
Onthisshesmiled，andturnedsomewhathurriedlyaway。
Myfatheronreachinghisroomwenttothedressing-table，wherehesawasmallunpretendingbox，whichheimmediatelyopened。Onthetopwasapaperwiththewords，“Look——saynothing——forget。”
Beneaththiswassomecottonwool，andthen——thetwobuttonsandthelockofhisownhair，thathehadgivenYramwhenhesaidgood-
byetoher。
TheghostofthelockthatYramhadthengivenhim，rosefromthedead，andsmotehimaswithawhipacrosstheface。Onwhatdust-
heaphaditnotbeenthrownhowmanylongyearsago？Thenshehadneverforgottenhim？tohavebeenrememberedalltheseyearsbysuchawomanasthat，andnevertohaveheededit——nevertohavefoundoutwhatshewasthoughhehadseenherdayafterdayformonths。Ah！butshewasthenstillbudding。Thatwasnoexcuse。
Ifaloveablewoman——aye，oranywoman——haslovedaman，eventhoughhecannotmarryher，orevenwishtodoso，atanyratelethimnotforgether——andhehadforgottenYramascompletelyuntilthelastfewdays，asthoughhehadneverseenher。Hetookherlittlemissive，andunder“Look。”hewrote，“Ihave；“under“Saynothing。”“Iwill；“under“forget。”“never。”“AndInevershall。”
hesaidtohimself，ashereplacedtheboxuponthetable。Hethenlaydowntorestuponthebed，buthecouldgetnosleep。
Whentheservantbroughthimhisimitationcoffee——animitationsosuccessfulthatYrammadehimapacketofittoreplacetheteathathemustleavebehindhim——heroseandpresentlycamedownstairsintothedrawing-room，wherehefoundYramandMrs。
Humdrum’sgrand-daughter，ofwhomIwillsaynothing，forIhaveneverseenher，andknownothingabouther，exceptthatmyfatherfoundherasweet-lookinggirl，ofgracefulfigureandveryattractiveexpression。Hewasquitehappyabouther，butshewastooyoungandshytomakeitpossibleforhimtodomorethanadmireherappearance，andtakeYram’swordforitthatshewasasgoodasshelooked。
CHAPTERXXIV：AFTERDINNER，DR。DOWNIEANDTHEPROFESSORSWOULDBE
GLADTOKNOWWHATISTOBEDONEABOUTSUNCHILDISM
ItwasaboutsixwhenGeorge’sfianceeleftthehouse，andassoonasshehaddoneso，Yrambegantoseeabouttherugandthebestsubstitutesshecouldfindforthebillyandpannikin。ShehadabasketpackedwithallthatmyfatherandGeorgewouldwanttoeatanddrinkwhileonthepreserves，andenoughofeverything，exceptmeat，tokeepmyfathergoingtillhecouldreachtheshepherd’shutofwhichIhavealreadyspoken。Meatwouldnotkeep，andmyfathercouldgetplentyofflappers——i。e。ducksthatcannotyetfly——whenhewasontheriver-beddownbelow。
Theabovepreparationshadnotbeenmadeverylong，beforeMrs。
Humdrumarrived，followedpresentlybyDr。DownieandinduecoursebytheProfessors，whowerestillstayinginthehouse。MyfatherrememberedMrs。Humdrum’sgoodhonestface，butcouldnotbringDr。
DownietohisrecollectiontilltheDoctortoldhimwhenandwheretheyhadmet，andthenhecouldonlyveryuncertainlyrecallhim，thoughhevowedthathecouldnowdosoperfectlywell。
“Atanyrate。”saidHanky，advancingtowardshimwithhisbestBridgefordmanner，“youwillnothaveforgottenmeetingmybrotherProfessorandmyself。”
“Ithasbeenratheraforgettingsortofamorning。”saidmyfatherdemurely，“butIcanrememberthatmuch，andamdelightedtorenewmyacquaintancewithbothofyou。”
AshespokeheshookhandswithbothProfessors。
Georgewasalittlelate，butwhenhecame，dinnerwasannounced。
MyfathersatonYram’sright-hand，Dr。Downieonherleft。Georgewasnextmyfather，withMrs。Humdrumoppositetohim。TheProfessorssatoneoneithersideoftheMayor。Duringdinnertheconversationturnedalmostentirelyonmyfather’sflight，hisnarrowescapefromdrowning，andhisadventuresonhisreturntoEngland；abouttheselastmyfatherwasveryreticent，forhesaidnothingabouthisbook，andantedatedhisaccessionofwealthbysomefifteenyears，butashewalkeduptowardsthestatueswithGeorgehetoldhimeverything。
Myfatherrepeatedlytriedtoturntheconversationfromhimself，butMrs。HumdrumandYramwantedtoknowaboutNnaHaras，astheypersistedincallingmymother——howsheenduredherterribleexperiencesintheballoon，whensheandmyfatherweremarried，allaboutmyunworthyself，andEnglandgenerally。NomatterhowoftenhebegantoaskquestionsabouttheNosniborsandotheroldacquaintances，boththeladiessoonwentbacktohisownadventures。Hesucceeded，however，inlearningthatMr。Nosniborwasdead，andZulora，anoldmaidofthemostunattractivekind，whohadpersistentlyrefusedtoacceptSunchildism，whileMrs。
Nosniborwastherecipientofhonourshardlyinferiortothoseconferredbythepeopleatlargeonmyfatherandmother，withwhom，indeed，shebelievedherselftohavefrequentinterviewsbywayofvisionaryrevelations。SointolerableweretheserevelationstoZulora，thataseparateestablishmenthadbeenprovidedforher。Georgesaidtomyfatherquietly——“DoyouknowI
begintothinkthatZuloramustberatheraniceperson。”
“Perhaps。”saidmyfathergrimly，“butmywifeandIdidnotfinditout。”
Whentheladieslefttheroom，Dr。DownietookYram’sseat，andHankyDr。Downie’s；theMayortookMrs。Humdrum’s，leavingmyfather，George，andPanky，intheiroldplaces。Almostimmediately，Dr。Downiesaid，“Andnow，Mr，Higgs，tellus，asamanoftheworld，whatwearetodoaboutSunchildism？“
Myfathersmiledatthis。“Youknow，mydearsir，aswellasIdo，thattheproperthingwouldbetoputmebackinprison，andkeepmetheretillyoucansendmedowntothecapital。Youshouldeatyouroathsofthismorning，asIwouldeatmine；telleveryoneherewhoIam；letthemseethatmyhairhasbeendyed；getallwhoknewmewhenIwasherebeforetocomeandseeme；appointanunimpeachablecommitteetoexaminetherecordofmymarksandmeasurements，andcompareitwiththoseofmyownbody。YoushouldletmebeseenineverytownatwhichIlodgedonmywaydown，andtellpeoplethatyouhadmadeamistake。Whenyougettothecapital，handmeovertotheKing’stendermerciesandsaythatouroathswereonlytakenthismorningtopreventafermentinthetown。Iwillplaymypartverywillingly。TheKingcanonlykillme，andIshoulddielikeagentleman。”
“Theywillnotdoit。”saidGeorgequietlytomyfather，“andIamgladofit。”
Hewasright。“This。”saidDr。Downie，“isacounselofperfection。Thingshavegonetoofar，andwearefleshandblood。
WhatwouldthosewhoinyourcountrycomenearesttousMusicalBankManagersdo，iftheyfoundtheyhadmadesuchamistakeaswehave，anddarednotownit？“
“Donotaskme。”saidmyfather；“thestoryistoolong，andtooterrible。”
“Atanyrate，then，telluswhatyouwouldhaveusdothatiswithinourreach。”
“Ihavedoneyouharmenough，andifIpreach，aslikelyasnotI
shalldomore。”
Seeing，however，thatDr。Downiewasanxioustohearwhathethought，myfathersaid-
“ThenImusttellyou。Ourreligionsetsbeforeusanidealwhichweallcordiallyaccept，butitalsotellsusofmarvelslikeyourchariotandhorses，whichwemostofusreject。Ourbestteachersinsistontheideal，andkeepthemarvelsinthebackground。Iftheycouldsayoutrightthatouragehasoutgrownthem，theywouldsayso，butthistheymaynotdo；neverthelesstheycontrivetolettheiropinionsbesufficientlywellknown，andtheirhearersarecontentwiththis。
“Wehaveotherswhotakeaverydifferentcourse，butoftheseI
willnotspeak。Roughly，then，ifyoucannotabolishmealtogether，makemeapegonwhichtohangallyourownbestethicalandspiritualconceptions。Ifyouwilldothis，andwriggleoutofthatwretchedrelic，withthatnotlesswretchedpicture——ifyouwillmakemeouttobemuchbetterandablerthanI
was，orevershallbe，Sunchildismmayserveyourturnformanyalongyeartocome。Otherwiseitwilltumbleaboutyourheadsbeforeyouthinkitwill。