byCharlesDickens
　　FIRSTCHAPTER
　　IThappenedinthiswise—
　　But，sittingwithmypeninmyhandlookingatthosewordsagain，withoutdescryinganyhintinthemofthewordsthatshouldfollow，itcomesintomymindthattheyhaveanabruptappearance。Theymayserve，however，ifIletthemremain，tosuggesthowverydifficultIfindittobegintoexplainmyexplanation。Anuncouthphrase：andyetIdonotseemywaytoabetter。
　　SECONDCHAPTER
　　IThappenedinTHISwise—
　　But，lookingatthosewords，andcomparingthemwithmyformeropening，Ifindtheyaretheself—samewordsrepeated。Thisisthemoresurprisingtome，becauseIemploytheminquiteanewconnection。ForindeedIdeclarethatmyintentionwastodiscardthecommencementIfirsthadinmythoughts，andtogivethepreferencetoanotherofanentirelydifferentnature，datingmyexplanationfromananteriorperiodofmylife。Iwillmakeathirdtrial，withouterasingthissecondfailure，protestingthatitisnotmydesigntoconcealanyofmyinfirmities，whethertheybeofheadorheart。
　　THIRDCHAPTER
　　NOTasyetdirectlyaimingathowitcametopass，Iwillcomeuponitbydegrees。Thenaturalmanner，afterall，forGodknowsthatishowitcameuponme。
　　Myparentswereinamiserableconditionoflife，andmyinfanthomewasacellarinPreston。Irecollectthesoundoffather’sLancashireclogsonthestreetpavementabove，asbeingdifferentinmyyounghearingfromthesoundofallotherclogs；andI
　　recollect，that，whenmothercamedownthecellar—steps，Iusedtremblinglytospeculateonherfeethavingagoodoranill—
　　temperedlook，—onherknees，—onherwaist，—untilfinallyherfacecameintoview，andsettledthequestion。FromthisitwillbeseenthatIwastimid，andthatthecellar—stepsweresteep，andthatthedoorwaywasverylow。
　　Motherhadthegripeandclutchofpovertyuponherface，uponherfigure，andnotleastofalluponhervoice。Hersharpandhigh—
　　pitchedwordsweresqueezedoutofher，asbythecompressionofbonyfingersonaleathernbag；andshehadawayofrollinghereyesaboutandaboutthecellar，asshescolded，thatwasgauntandhungry。Father，withhisshouldersrounded，wouldsitquietonathree—leggedstool，lookingattheemptygrate，untilshewouldpluckthestoolfromunderhim，andbidhimgobringsomemoneyhome。Thenhewoulddismallyascendthesteps；andI，holdingmyraggedshirtandtrouserstogetherwithahand（myonlybraces），wouldfeintanddodgefrommother’spursuinggraspatmyhair。
　　Aworldlylittledevilwasmother’susualnameforme。WhetherI
　　criedforthatIwasinthedark，orforthatitwascold，orforthatIwashungry，orwhetherIsqueezedmyselfintoawarmcornerwhentherewasafire，oratevoraciouslywhentherewasfood，shewouldstillsay，’O，youworldlylittledevil！’Andthestingofitwas，thatIquitewellknewmyselftobeaworldlylittledevil。
　　Worldlyastowantingtobehousedandwarmed，worldlyastowantingtobefed，worldlyastothegreedwithwhichIinwardlycomparedhowmuchIgotofthosegoodthingswithhowmuchfatherandmothergot，when，rarely，thosegoodthingsweregoing。
　　Sometimestheybothwentawayseekingwork；andthenIwouldbelockedupinthecellarforadayortwoatatime。Iwasatmyworldliestthen。Leftalone，Iyieldedmyselfuptoaworldlyyearningforenoughofanything（exceptmisery），andforthedeathofmother’sfather，whowasamachine—makeratBirmingham，andonwhosedecease，Ihadheardmothersay，shewouldcomeintoawholecourtfulofhouses’ifshehadherrights。’Worldlylittledevil，Iwouldstandabout，musinglyfittingmycoldbarefeetintocrackedbricksandcrevicesofthedampcellar—floor，—walkingovermygrandfather’sbody，sotospeak，intothecourtfulofhouses，andsellingthemformeatanddrink，andclothestowear。
　　Atlastachangecamedownintoourcellar。Theuniversalchangecamedownevenaslowasthat，—sowillitmounttoanyheightonwhichahumancreaturecanperch，—andbroughtotherchangeswithit。
　　WehadaheapofIdon’tknowwhatfoullitterinthedarkestcorner，whichwecalled’thebed。’Forthreedaysmotherlayuponitwithoutgettingup，andthenbeganattimestolaugh。IfIhadeverheardherlaughbefore，ithadbeensoseldomthatthestrangesoundfrightenedme。Itfrightenedfathertoo；andwetookitbyturnstogiveherwater。Thenshebegantomoveherheadfromsidetoside，andsing。Afterthat，shegettingnobetter，fatherfella—laughinganda—singing；andthentherewasonlyItogivethembothwater，andtheybothdied。
　　FOURTHCHAPTER
　　WHENIwasliftedoutofthecellarbytwomen，ofwhomonecamepeepingdownalonefirst，andranawayandbroughttheother，I
　　couldhardlybearthelightofthestreet。Iwassittingintheroad—way，blinkingatit，andataringofpeoplecollectedaroundme，butnotclosetome，when，truetomycharacterofworldlylittledevil，Ibrokesilencebysaying，’Iamhungryandthirsty！’
　　’Doesheknowtheyaredead？’askedoneofanother。
　　’Doyouknowyourfatherandmotherarebothdeadoffever？’askedathirdofmeseverely。
　　’Idon’tknowwhatitistobedead。Isupposeditmeantthat，whenthecuprattledagainsttheirteeth，andthewaterspiltoverthem。Iamhungryandthirsty。’ThatwasallIhadtosayaboutit。
　　TheringofpeoplewidenedoutwardfromtheinnersideasIlookedaroundme；andIsmeltvinegar，andwhatIknowtobecamphor，thrownintowardswhereIsat。Presentlysomeoneputagreatvesselofsmokingvinegaronthegroundnearme；andthentheyalllookedatmeinsilenthorrorasIateanddrankofwhatwasbroughtforme。Iknewatthetimetheyhadahorrorofme，butI
　　couldn’thelpit。
　　Iwasstilleatinganddrinking，andamurmurofdiscussionhadbeguntoariserespectingwhatwastobedonewithmenext，whenI
　　heardacrackedvoicesomewhereintheringsay，’MynameisHawkyard，Mr。VerityHawkyard，ofWestBromwich。’Thentheringsplitinoneplace；andayellow—faced，peak—nosedgentleman，cladalliniron—graytohisgaiters，pressedforwardwithapolicemanandanotherofficialofsomesort。Hecameforwardclosetothevesselofsmokingvinegar；fromwhichhesprinkledhimselfcarefully，andmecopiously。
　　’HehadagrandfatheratBirmingham，thisyoungboy，whoisjustdeadtoo，’saidMr。Hawkyard。
　　Iturnedmyeyesuponthespeaker，andsaidinaraveningmanner，’Where’shishouses？’
　　’Hah！Horribleworldlinessontheedgeofthegrave，’saidMr。
　　Hawkyard，castingmoreofthevinegaroverme，asiftogetmydeviloutofme。’Ihaveundertakenaslight—averyslight—
　　trustinbehalfofthisboy；quiteavoluntarytrust：amatterofmerehonour，ifnotofmeresentiment：stillIhavetakenituponmyself，anditshallbe（O，yes，itshallbe！）discharged。’
　　Thebystandersseemedtoformanopinionofthisgentlemanmuchmorefavourablethantheiropinionofme。
　　’Heshallbetaught，’saidMr。Hawkyard，’（O，yes，heshallbetaught！）butwhatistobedonewithhimforthepresent？Hemaybeinfected。Hemaydisseminateinfection。’Theringwidenedconsiderably。’Whatistobedonewithhim？’
　　Heheldsometalkwiththetwoofficials。Icoulddistinguishnowordsave’Farm—house。’Therewasanothersoundseveraltimesrepeated，whichwaswhollymeaninglessinmyearsthen，butwhichI
　　knewafterwardstobe’HoghtonTowers。’
　　’Yes，’saidMr。Hawkyard。’Ithinkthatsoundspromising；Ithinkthatsoundshopeful。Andhecanbeputbyhimselfinaward，foranightortwo，yousay？’
　　Itseemedtobethepolice—officerwhohadsaidso；foritwashewhoreplied，Yes！Itwashe，too，whofinallytookmebythearm，andwalkedmebeforehimthroughthestreets，intoawhitewashedroominabarebuilding，whereIhadachairtositin，atabletositat，anironbedsteadandgoodmattresstolieupon，andarugandblankettocoverme。WhereIhadenoughtoeattoo，andwasshownhowtocleanthetinporringerinwhichitwasconveyedtome，untilitwasasgoodasalooking—glass。Here，likewise，Iwasputinabath，andhadnewclothesbroughttome；andmyoldragswereburnt，andIwascamphoredandvinegaredanddisinfectedinavarietyofways。
　　Whenallthiswasdone，—Idon’tknowinhowmanydaysorhowfew，butitmattersnot，—Mr。Hawkyardsteppedinatthedoor，remainingclosetoit，andsaid，’Goandstandagainsttheoppositewall，GeorgeSilverman。Asfaroffasyoucan。That’lldo。Howdoyoufeel？’
　　ItoldhimthatIdidn’tfeelcold，anddidn’tfeelhungry，anddidn’tfeelthirsty。Thatwasthewholeroundofhumanfeelings，asfarasIknew，exceptthepainofbeingbeaten。
　　’Well，’saidhe，’youaregoing，George，toahealthyfarm—housetobepurified。Keepintheairthereasmuchasyoucan。Liveanout—of—doorlifethere，untilyouarefetchedaway。Youhadbetternotsaymuch—infact，youhadbetterbeverycarefulnottosayanything—aboutwhatyourparentsdiedof，ortheymightnotliketotakeyouin。Behavewell，andI’llputyoutoschool；O，yes！
　　I’llputyoutoschool，thoughI’mnotobligatedtodoit。IamaservantoftheLord，George；andIhavebeenagoodservanttohim，Ihave，thesefive—and—thirtyyears。TheLordhashadagoodservantinme，andheknowsit。’
　　WhatIthensupposedhimtomeanbythis，Icannotimagine。AslittledoIknowwhenIbegantocomprehendthathewasaprominentmemberofsomeobscuredenominationorcongregation，everymemberofwhichheldforthtotherestwhensoinclined，andamongwhomhewascalledBrotherHawkyard。Itwasenoughformetoknow，onthatdayintheward，thatthefarmer’scartwaswaitingformeatthestreetcorner。Iwasnotslowtogetintoit；foritwasthefirstrideIeverhadinmylife。
　　Itmademesleepy，andIslept。First，IstaredatPrestonstreetsaslongastheylasted；and，meanwhile，Imayhavehadsomesmalldumbwonderingwithinmewhereaboutsourcellarwas；butIdoubtit。SuchaworldlylittledevilwasI，thatItooknothoughtwhowouldburyfatherandmother，orwheretheywouldbeburied，orwhen。Thequestionwhethertheeatinganddrinkingbyday，andthecoveringbynight，wouldbeasgoodatthefarm—houseasatthewardsupersededthosequestions。
　　Thejoltingofthecartonaloosestonyroadawokeme；andIfoundthatweweremountingasteephill，wheretheroadwasaruttyby—
　　roadthroughafield。Andso，byfragmentsofanancientterrace，andbysomeruggedoutbuildingsthathadoncebeenfortified，andpassingunderaruinedgatewaywecametotheoldfarm—houseinthethickstonewalloutsidetheoldquadrangleofHoghtonTowers：
　　whichIlookedatlikeastupidsavage，seeingnospeciallyin，seeingnoantiquityin；assumingallfarm—housestoresembleit；
　　assigningthedecayInoticedtotheonepotentcauseofallruinthatIknew，—poverty；eyeingthepigeonsintheirflights，thecattleintheirstalls，theducksinthepond，andthefowlspeckingabouttheyard，withahungryhopethatplentyofthemmightbekilledfordinnerwhileIstayedthere；wonderingwhetherthescrubbeddairyvessels，dryinginthesunlight，couldbegoodlyporringersoutofwhichthemasteratehisbelly—fillingfood，andwhichhepolishedwhenhehaddone，accordingtomywardexperience；shrinkinglydoubtfulwhethertheshadows，passingoverthatairyheightonthebrightspringday，werenotsomethinginthenatureoffrowns，—sordid，afraid，unadmiring，—asmallbrutetoshudderat。
　　TothattimeIhadneverhadthefaintestimpressionofduty。I
　　hadhadnoknowledgewhateverthattherewasanythinglovelyinthislife。WhenIhadoccasionallyslunkupthecellar—stepsintothestreet，andglaredinatshop—windows，Ihaddonesowithnohigherfeelingsthanwemaysupposetoanimateamangyyoungdogorwolf—cub。ItisequallythefactthatIhadneverbeenalone，inthesenseofholdingunselfishconversewithmyself。Ihadbeensolitaryoftenenough，butnothingbetter。
　　SuchwasmyconditionwhenIsatdowntomydinnerthatday，inthekitchenoftheoldfarm—house。SuchwasmyconditionwhenIlayonmybedintheoldfarm—housethatnight，stretchedoutoppositethenarrowmullionedwindow，inthecoldlightofthemoon，likeayoungvampire。
　　FIFTHCHAPTER
　　WHATdoIknowofHoghtonTowers？Verylittle；forIhavebeengratefullyunwillingtodisturbmyfirstimpressions。Ahouse，centuriesold，onhighgroundamileorsoremovedfromtheroadbetweenPrestonandBlackburn，wherethefirstJamesofEngland，inhishurrytomakemoneybymakingbaronets，perhapsmadesomeofthoseremunerativedignitaries。Ahouse，centuriesold，desertedandfallingtopieces，itswoodsandgardenslongsincegrass—landorploughedup，theRiversRibbleandDarwenglancingbelowit，andavaguehazeofsmoke，againstwhichnoteventhesupernaturalprescienceofthefirstStuartcouldforeseeacounter—blast，hintingatsteam—power，powerfulintwodistances。
　　WhatdidIknowthenofHoghtonTowers？WhenIfirstpeepedinatthegateofthelifelessquadrangle，andstartedfromthemoulderingstatuebecomingvisibletomelikeitsguardianghost；
　　whenIstoleroundbythebackofthefarm—house，andgotinamongtheancientrooms，manyofthemwiththeirfloorsandceilingsfalling，thebeamsandraftershangingdangerouslydown，theplasterdroppingasItrod，theoakenpanelsstrippedaway，thewindowshalfwalledup，halfbroken；whenIdiscoveredagallerycommandingtheoldkitchen，andlookeddownbetweenbalustradesuponamassiveoldtableandbenches，fearingtoseeIknownotwhatdead—alivecreaturescomeinandseatthemselves，andlookupwithIknownotwhatdreadfuleyes，orlackofeyes，atme；whenalloverthehouseIwasawedbygapsandchinkswheretheskystaredsorrowfullyatme，wherethebirdspassed，andtheivyrustled，andthestainsofwinterweatherblotchedtherottenfloors；whendownatthebottomofdarkpitsofstaircase，intowhichthestairshadsunk，greenleavestrembled，butterfliesfluttered，andbeeshummedinandoutthroughthebrokendoor—ways；
　　whenencirclingthewholeruinweresweetscents，andsightsoffreshgreengrowth，andever—renewinglife，thatIhadneverdreamedof，—Isay，whenIpassedintosuchcloudedperceptionofthesethingsasmydarksoulcouldcompass，whatdidIknowthenofHoghtonTowers？
　　Ihavewrittenthattheskystaredsorrowfullyatme。ThereinhaveIanticipatedtheanswer。Iknewthatallthesethingslookedsorrowfullyatme；thattheyseemedtosighorwhisper，notwithoutpityforme，’Alas！poorworldlylittledevil！’
　　ThereweretwoorthreeratsatthebottomofoneofthesmallerpitsofbrokenstaircasewhenIcranedoverandlookedin。Theywerescufflingforsomepreythatwasthere；and，whentheystartedandhidthemselvesclosetogetherinthedark，Ithoughtoftheoldlife（ithadgrownoldalready）inthecellar。
　　Hownottobethisworldlylittledevil？hownottohavearepugnancetowardsmyselfasIhadtowardstherats？Ihidinacornerofoneofthesmallerchambers，frightenedatmyself，andcrying（itwasthefirsttimeIhadevercriedforanycausenotpurelyphysical），andItriedtothinkaboutit。Oneofthefarm—
　　ploughscameintomyrangeofviewjustthen；anditseemedtohelpmeasitwentonwithitstwohorsesupanddownthefieldsopeacefullyandquietly。
　　Therewasagirlofaboutmyownageinthefarm—housefamily，andshesatoppositetomeatthenarrowtableatmeal—times。Ithadcomeintomymind，atourfirstdinner，thatshemighttakethefeverfromme。Thethoughthadnotdisquietedmethen。Ihadonlyspeculatedhowshewouldlookunderthealteredcircumstances，andwhethershewoulddie。Butitcameintomymindnow，thatImighttrytopreventhertakingthefeverbykeepingawayfromher。I
　　knewIshouldhavebutscramblingboardifIdid；somuchthelessworldlyandlessdevilishthedeedwouldbe，Ithought。
　　Fromthathour，Iwithdrewmyselfatearlymorningintosecretcornersoftheruinedhouse，andremainedhiddenthereuntilshewenttobed。Atfirst，whenmealswereready，Iusedtohearthemcallingme；andthenmyresolutionweakened。ButIstrengtheneditagainbygoingfartheroffintotheruin，andgettingoutofhearing。Ioftenwatchedforheratthedimwindows；and，whenI
　　sawthatshewasfreshandrosy，feltmuchhappier。
　　Outofthisholdingherinmythoughts，tothehumanisingofmyself，Isupposesomechildishlovearosewithinme。Ifelt，insomesort，dignifiedbytheprideofprotectingher，—bytheprideofmakingthesacrificeforher。Asmyheartswelledwiththatnewfeeling，itinsensiblysoftenedaboutmotherandfather。Itseemedtohavebeenfrozenbefore，andnowtobethawed。Theoldruinandallthelovelythingsthathaunteditwerenotsorrowfulformeonly，butsorrowfulformotherandfatheraswell。ThereforedidI
　　cryagain，andoftentoo。
　　Thefarm—housefamilyconceivedmetobeofamorosetemper，andwereveryshortwithme；thoughtheyneverstintedmeinsuchbrokenfareaswastobegotoutofregularhours。OnenightwhenIliftedthekitchenlatchatmyusualtime，Sylvia（thatwasherprettyname）hadbutjustgoneoutoftheroom。Seeingherascendingtheoppositestairs，Istoodstillatthedoor。Shehadheardtheclinkofthelatch，andlookedround。
　　’George，’shecalledtomeinapleasedvoice，’to—morrowismybirthday；andwearetohaveafiddler，andthere’sapartyofboysandgirlscominginacart，andweshalldance。Iinviteyou。Besociableforonce，George。’
　　’Iamverysorry，miss，’Ianswered；’butI—but，no；Ican’tcome。’
　　’Youareadisagreeable，ill—humouredlad，’shereturneddisdainfully；’andIoughtnottohaveaskedyou。Ishallneverspeaktoyouagain。’
　　AsIstoodwithmyeyesfixedonthefire，aftershewasgone，I
　　feltthatthefarmerbenthisbrowsuponme。
　　’Eh，lad！’saidhe；’Sylvy’sright。You’reasmoodyandbroodyaladasneverIseteyesonyet。’
　　ItriedtoassurehimthatImeantnoharm；butheonlysaidcoldly，’Maybenot，maybenot！There，getthysupper，getthysupper；andthenthoucanstsulktothyheart’scontentagain。’
　　Ah！iftheycouldhaveseenmenextday，intheruin，watchingforthearrivalofthecartfullofmerryyoungguests；iftheycouldhaveseenmeatnight，glidingoutfrombehindtheghostlystatue，listeningtothemusicandthefallofdancingfeet，andwatchingthelightedfarm—housewindowsfromthequadranglewhenalltheruinwasdark；iftheycouldhavereadmyheart，asIcreptuptobedbythebackway，comfortingmyselfwiththereflection，’Theywilltakenohurtfromme，’—theywouldnothavethoughtmineamoroseoranunsocialnature。
　　ItwasinthesewaysthatIbegantoformashydisposition；tobeofatimidlysilentcharacterundermisconstruction；tohaveaninexpressible，perhapsamorbid，dreadofeverbeingsordidorworldly。Itwasinthesewaysthatmynaturecametoshapeitselftosuchamould，evenbeforeitwasaffectedbytheinfluencesofthestudiousandretiredlifeofapoorscholar。
　　SIXTHCHAPTER
　　BROTHERHAWKYARD（asheinsistedonmycallinghim）putmetoschool，andtoldmetoworkmyway。’Youareallright，George，’
　　hesaid。’IhavebeenthebestservanttheLordhashadinhisserviceforthisfive—and—thirtyyear（O，Ihave！）；andheknowsthevalueofsuchaservantasIhavebeentohim（O，yes，hedoes！）；andhe’llprosperyourschoolingasapartofmyreward。
　　That’swhatHE’lldo，George。He’lldoitforme。’
　　FromthefirstIcouldnotlikethisfamiliarknowledgeofthewaysofthesublime，inscrutableAlmighty，onBrotherHawkyard’spart。
　　AsIgrewalittlewiser，andstillalittlewiser，Ilikeditlessandless。Hismanner，too，ofconfirminghimselfinaparenthesis，—asif，knowinghimself，hedoubtedhisownword，—Ifounddistasteful。Icannottellhowmuchthesedislikescostme；forI
　　hadadreadthattheywereworldly。
　　Astimewenton，IbecameaFoundation—boyonagoodfoundation，andIcostBrotherHawkyardnothing。WhenIhadworkedmywaysofar，Iworkedyetharder，inthehopeofultimatelygettingapresentationtocollegeandafellowship。Myhealthhasneverbeenstrong（somevapourfromthePrestoncellarcleavestome，I
　　think）；andwhatwithmuchworkandsomeweakness，Icameagaintoberegarded—thatis，bymyfellow—students—asunsocial。
　　Allthroughmytimeasafoundation—boy，IwaswithinafewmilesofBrotherHawkyard’scongregation；andwheneverIwaswhatwecalledaleave—boyonaSunday，Iwentoverthereathisdesire。
　　Beforetheknowledgebecameforceduponmethatoutsidetheirplaceofmeetingthesebrothersandsisterswerenobetterthantherestofthehumanfamily，butonthewholewere，toputthecasemildly，asbadasmost，inrespectofgivingshortweightintheirshops，andnotspeakingthetruth，—Isay，beforethisknowledgebecameforceduponme，theirprolixaddresses，theirinordinateconceit，theirdaringignorance，theirinvestmentoftheSupremeRulerofheavenandearthwiththeirownmiserablemeannessesandlittlenesses，greatlyshockedme。Still，astheirtermfortheframeofmindthatcouldnotperceivethemtobeinanexaltedstateofgracewasthe’worldly’state，Ididforatimesuffertorturesundermyinquiriesofmyselfwhetherthatyoungworldly—
　　devilishspiritofminecouldsecretlybelingeringatthebottomofmynon—appreciation。
　　BrotherHawkyardwasthepopularexpounderinthisassembly，andgenerallyoccupiedtheplatform（therewasalittleplatformwithatableonit，inlieuofapulpit）first，onaSundayafternoon。Hewasbytradeadrysalter。BrotherGimblet，anelderlymanwithacrabbedface，alargedog’s—earedshirt—collar，andaspottedblueneckerchiefreachingupbehindtothecrownofhishead，wasalsoadrysalterandanexpounder。BrotherGimbletprofessedthegreatestadmirationforBrotherHawkyard，but（Ihadthoughtmorethanonce）
　　borehimajealousgrudge。
　　Letwhosoevermayperusetheselineskindlytakethepainsheretoreadtwicemysolemnpledge，thatwhatIwriteofthelanguageandcustomsofthecongregationinquestionIwritescrupulously，literally，exactly，fromthelifeandthetruth。
　　OnthefirstSundayafterIhadwonwhatIhadsolongtriedfor，andwhenitwascertainthatIwasgoinguptocollege，BrotherHawkyardconcludedalongexhortationthus：
　　’Well，myfriendsandfellow—sinners，nowItoldyouwhenIbegan，thatIdidn’tknowawordofwhatIwasgoingtosaytoyou（andno，Ididnot！），butthatitwasallonetome，becauseIknewtheLordwouldputintomymouththewordsIwanted。’
　　（’That’sit！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
　　’AndhedidputintomymouththewordsIwanted。’
　　（’Sohedid！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
　　’Andwhy？’
　　（’Ah，let’shavethat！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
　　’BecauseIhavebeenhisfaithfulservantforfive—and—thirtyyears，andbecauseheknowsit。Forfive—and—thirtyyears！Andheknowsit，mindyou！IgotthosewordsthatIwantedonaccountofmywages。Igot’emfromtheLord，myfellow—sinners。Down！I
　　said，"Here’saheapofwagesdue；letushavesomethingdown，onaccount。"AndIgotitdown，andIpaiditovertoyou；andyouwon’twrapitupinanapkin，noryetinatowel，noryetpocketankercher，butyou’llputitoutatgoodinterest。Verywell。Now，mybrothersandsistersandfellow—sinners，Iamgoingtoconcludewithaquestion，andI’llmakeitsoplain（withthehelpoftheLord，afterfive—and—thirtyyears，Ishouldratherhope！）asthattheDevilshallnotbeabletoconfuseitinyourheads，—whichhewouldbeoverjoyedtodo。’
　　（’Justhisway。Craftyoldblackguard！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
　　’Andthequestionisthis，Aretheangelslearned？’
　　（’Notthey。Notabitonit！’fromBrotherGimblet，withthegreatestconfidence。）
　　’Notthey。Andwhere’stheproof？sentready—madebythehandoftheLord。Why，there’soneamongusherenow，thathasgotallthelearningthatcanbecrammedintohim。Igothimallthelearningthatcouldbecrammedintohim。Hisgrandfather’（thisIhadneverheardbefore）’wasabrotherofours。HewasBrotherParksop。
　　That’swhathewas。Parksop；BrotherParksop。HisworldlynamewasParksop，andhewasabrotherofthisbrotherhood。Thenwasn’theBrotherParksop？’
　　（’Mustbe。Couldn’thelphisself！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
　　’Well，heleftthatonenowherepresentamongustothecareofabrother—sinnerofhis（andthatbrother—sinner，mindyou，wasasinnerofabiggersizeinhistimethananyofyou；praisetheLord！），BrotherHawkyard。Me。Igothimwithoutfeeorreward，—
　　withoutamorselofmyrrh，orfrankincense，noryetamber，lettingalonethehoneycomb，—allthelearningthatcouldbecrammedintohim。Hasitbroughthimintoourtemple，inthespirit？No。Havewehadanyignorantbrothersandsistersthatdidn’tknowroundO
　　fromcrookedS，comeinamongusmeanwhile？Many。ThentheangelsareNOTlearned；thentheydon’tsomuchasknowtheiralphabet。
　　Andnow，myfriendsandfellow—sinners，havingbroughtittothat，perhapssomebrotherpresent—perhapsyou，BrotherGimblet—willprayabitforus？’
　　BrotherGimbletundertookthesacredfunction，afterhavingdrawnhissleeveacrosshismouth，andmuttered，’Well！Idon’tknowasIseemywaytohittinganyofyouquiteintherightplaceneither。’Hesaidthiswithadarksmile，andthenbegantobellow。Whatwewerespeciallytobepreservedfrom，accordingtohissolicitations，was，despoilmentoftheorphan，suppressionoftestamentaryintentionsonthepartofafatheror（say）
　　grandfather，appropriationoftheorphan’shouse—property，feigningtogiveincharitytothewrongedonefromwhomwewithheldhisdue；andthatclassofsins。Heendedwiththepetition，’Giveuspeace！’which，speakingformyself，wasverymuchneededaftertwentyminutesofhisbellowing。
　　EventhoughIhadnotseenhimwhenherosefromhisknees，steamingwithperspiration，glanceatBrotherHawkyard，andeventhoughIhadnotheardBrotherHawkyard’stoneofcongratulatinghimonthevigourwithwhichhehadroared，Ishouldhavedetectedamaliciousapplicationinthisprayer。Unformedsuspicionstoasimilareffecthadsometimespassedthroughmymindinmyearlierschool—days，andhadalwayscausedmegreatdistress；fortheywereworldlyintheirnature，andwide，verywide，ofthespiritthathaddrawnmefromSylvia。Theyweresordidsuspicions，withoutashadowofproof。Theywereworthytohaveoriginatedintheunwholesomecellar。Theywerenotonlywithoutproof，butagainstproof；forwasInotmyselfalivingproofofwhatBrotherHawkyardhaddone？andwithouthim，howshouldIeverhaveseentheskylooksorrowfullydownuponthatwretchedboyatHoghtonTowers？
　　AlthoughthedreadofarelapseintoastageofsavageselfishnesswaslessstronguponmeasIapproachedmanhood，andcouldactinanincreaseddegreeformyself，yetIwasalwaysonmyguardagainstanytendencytosuchrelapse。Aftergettingthesesuspicionsundermyfeet，IhadbeentroubledbynotbeingabletolikeBrotherHawkyard’smanner，orhisprofessedreligion。Soitcameabout，that，asIwalkedbackthatSundayevening，Ithoughtitwouldbeanactofreparationforanysuchinjurymystrugglingthoughtshadunwillinglydonehim，ifIwrote，andplacedinhishands，beforegoingtocollege，afullacknowledgmentofhisgoodnesstome，andanampletributeofthanks。Itmightserveasanimpliedvindicationofhimagainstanydarkscandalfromarivalbrotherandexpounder，orfromanyotherquarter。
　　Accordingly，Iwrotethedocumentwithmuchcare。Imayaddwithmuchfeelingtoo；foritaffectedmeasIwenton。Havingnosetstudiestopursue，inthebriefintervalbetweenleavingtheFoundationandgoingtoCambridge，Ideterminedtowalkouttohisplaceofbusiness，andgiveitintohisownhands。
　　Itwasawinterafternoon，whenItappedatthedoorofhislittlecounting—house，whichwasatthefartherendofhislong，lowshop。
　　AsIdidso（havingenteredbythebackyard，wherecasksandboxesweretakenin，andwheretherewastheinscription，’Privatewaytothecounting—house’），ashopmancalledtomefromthecounterthathewasengaged。
　　’BrotherGimblet’（saidtheshopman，whowasoneofthebrotherhood）’iswithhim。’
　　Ithoughtthisallthebetterformypurpose，andmadeboldtotapagain。Theyweretalkinginalowtone，andmoneywaspassing；forIhearditbeingcountedout。
　　’Whoisit？’askedBrotherHawkyard，sharply。
　　’GeorgeSilverman，’Ianswered，holdingthedooropen。’MayIcomein？’
　　BothbrothersseemedsoastoundedtoseemethatIfeltshyerthanusual。Buttheylookedquitecadaverousintheearlygaslight，andperhapsthataccidentalcircumstanceexaggeratedtheexpressionoftheirfaces。
　　’Whatisthematter？’askedBrotherHawkyard。
　　’Ay！whatisthematter？’askedBrotherGimblet。
　　’Nothingatall，’Isaid，diffidentlyproducingmydocument：’Iamonlythebearerofaletterfrommyself。’
　　’Fromyourself，George？’criedBrotherHawkyard。
　　’Andtoyou，’saidI。
　　’Andtome，George？’
　　Heturnedpaler，andopenedithurriedly；butlookingoverit，andseeinggenerallywhatitwas，becamelesshurried，recoveredhiscolour，andsaid，’PraisetheLord！’
　　’That’sit！’criedBrotherGimblet。’Wellput！Amen。’
　　BrotherHawkyardthensaid，inalivelierstrain，’Youmustknow，George，thatBrotherGimbletandIaregoingtomakeourtwobusinessesone。Wearegoingintopartnership。Wearesettlingitnow。BrotherGimbletistotakeoneclearhalfoftheprofits（O，yes！heshallhaveit；heshallhaveittothelastfarthing）。’
　　’D。V。！’saidBrotherGimblet，withhisrightfistfirmlyclinchedonhisrightleg。
　　’Thereisnoobjection，’pursuedBrotherHawkyard，’tomyreadingthisaloud，George？’
　　AsitwaswhatIexpresslydesiredshouldbedone，afteryesterday’sprayer，Imorethanreadilybeggedhimtoreaditaloud。Hedidso；andBrotherGimbletlistenedwithacrabbedsmile。
　　’ItwasinagoodhourthatIcamehere，’hesaid，wrinklinguphiseyes。’Itwasinagoodhour，likewise，thatIwasmovedyesterdaytodepictfortheterrorofevil—doersacharacterthedirectoppositeofBrotherHawkyard’s。ButitwastheLordthatdoneit：
　　IfelthimatitwhileIwasperspiring。’
　　AfterthatitwasproposedbybothofthemthatIshouldattendthecongregationoncemorebeforemyfinaldeparture。Whatmyshyreservewouldundergo，frombeingexpresslypreachedatandprayedat，Iknewbeforehand。ButIreflectedthatitwouldbeforthelasttime，andthatitmightaddtotheweightofmyletter。ItwaswellknowntothebrothersandsistersthattherewasnoplacetakenformeinTHEIRparadise；andifIshowedthislasttokenofdeferencetoBrotherHawkyard，notoriouslyindespiteofmyownsinfulinclinations，itmightgosomelittlewayinaidofmystatementthathehadbeengoodtome，andthatIwasgratefultohim。Merelystipulating，therefore，thatnoexpressendeavourshouldbemadeformyconversion，—whichwouldinvolvetherollingofseveralbrothersandsistersonthefloor，declaringthattheyfeltalltheirsinsinaheapontheirleftside，weighingsomanypoundsavoirdupois，asIknewfromwhatIhadseenofthoserepulsivemysteries，—Ipromised。
　　Sincethereadingofmyletter，BrotherGimblethadbeenatintervalswipingoneeyewithanendofhisspottedblueneckerchief，andgrinningtohimself。Itwas，however，ahabitthatbrotherhad，togrininanuglymannerevenwhenexpounding。
　　Icalltomindadelightedsnarlwithwhichheusedtodetailfromtheplatformthetormentsreservedforthewicked（meaningallhumancreationexceptthebrotherhood），asbeingremarkablyhideous。
　　Ileftthetwotosettletheirarticlesofpartnership，andcountmoney；andIneversawthemagainbutonthefollowingSunday。
　　BrotherHawkyarddiedwithintwoorthreeyears，leavingallhepossessedtoBrotherGimblet，invirtueofawilldated（asIhavebeentold）thatveryday。