"No，"saidSimmons;"sheain’tinnow。"
　　"Youain’ther’usband，areye？"
　　"Yus。"
　　Themantookhispipefromhismouthandgrinnedsilentlyandlong。
　　"Blimy，"hesaidatlength，"youlooklikethesorto’blokeshe’dlike，"andwiththathegrinnedagain。Then，seeingthatSimmonsmadereadytoshutthedoor，heputafootonthesillandahandagainstthepanel。"Don’tbeina’hurry，matey，"hesaid;"Icome’eret’
　　’avealittletalkwithyou，mantoman，d’yesee？"Andhefrownedfiercely。
　　TommySimmonsfeltuncomfortable，butthedoorwouldnotshut，soheparleyed。"Wotjerwant？"heasked，"Idunnoyou。"
　　"Then，ifyou’llexcusetheliberty，I’llinterdoocemeself，inamannerofspeaking。"Hetouchedhiscapwithabobofmockhumility。
　　"I’mBobFord，"hesaid，"comebackouto’kingdomcomesotosay。Measwentdownwiththe/Mooltan/——safedeadfiveyeargone。Icometoseemywife。"
　　DuringthisspeechThomasSimmons’sjawwasdroppinglowerandlower。
　　Attheendofithepokedhisfingersupthroughhishair，lookeddownatthemat，thenupatthefanlight，thenoutintothestreet，thenhardathisvisitor。Buthefoundnothingtosay。
　　"Cometoseemywife，"themanrepeated。"Sonowwecantalkitover——
　　asmantoman。"
　　Simmonsslowlyshuthismouth，andledthewayupstairsmechanically，hisfingersstillinhishair。Asenseofthestateofaffairssankgraduallyintohisbrain，andthesmalldevilwokeagain。Supposethisman/was/Ford？Supposehe/did/claimhiswife？Woulditbeaknock-
　　downblow？Wouldithithimout？——ornot？Hethoughtofthetrousers，thetea-things，themangling，theknives，thekettles，andthewindows;andhethoughtoftheminthewayofabackslider。
　　OnthelandingFordclutchedathisarm，andaskedinahoarsewhisper，"’Owlong’foreshe’sback？"
　　"’Boutanhour，Iexpect，"Simmonsreplied，havingfirstofallrepeatedthequestioninhisownmind。Andthenheopenedtheparlourdoor。
　　"Ah，"saidFord，lookingabouthim，"you’vebinprettycomf’table。
　　Themchairsan’things，"jerkinghispipetowardthem，"washers——
　　mine，thatistosay，speakin’straight，andmantoman。"Hesatdown，puffingmeditativelyathispipe，andpresently，"Well，"hecontinued，"’ereIamagin，ol’BobFord，deadan’donefor——gonedowninthe/Mooltan/。On’yI/ain’t/donefor，see？"AndhepointedthestemofhispipeatSimmons’swaistcoat。"Iain’tdonefor，’causewhy？
　　Cons’kenceo’bein’pickedupbyaol’Germansailin’-’utchan’tookto’Frisco’forethemast。I’ve’adafewyearso’knockin’aboutsincethen，an’now"——lookinghardatSimmons——"I’vecomebacktoseemywife。"
　　"She——shedon’tlikesmokein’ere，"saidSimmons，asitwereatrandom。
　　"No，Ibetshedon’t，"Fordanswered，takinghispipefromhismouthandholdingitlowinhishand。"Iknow’Anner。’Owd’youfind’her？
　　Doshemakeyecleanthewinders？"
　　"Well，"Simmonsadmitted，uneasily，"I——Ido’elp’ersometimes，o’
　　course。"
　　"Ah！An’theknivestoo，Ibet，an’thebloomin’kittles。Iknow。
　　W’y"——heroseandbenttolookbehindSimmons’shead——"s’’elpme，I
　　b’lieveshecutsyer’air！Well，I’mdammed！Jes’wotshewoulddo，too。"
　　HeinspectedtheblushingSimmonsfromdiverspointsofvantage。Thenheliftedalegofthetrousershangingbehindthedoor。"I’dbetatrifle，"hesaid，"shemadethese’eretrucks。No-bodyelse’uddo’emlikethat。Damme！they’rewuss’nwotyou’regoton。"
　　Thesmalldevilbegantohavetheargumentallitsownway。Ifthismantookhiswifebackperhapshe’dhavetowearthosetrousers。
　　"Ah，"Fordpursued，"sheain’tgotnomilder。An’，mydavy，wotajore！"
　　Simmonsbegantofeelthatthiswasnolongerhisbusiness。Plainly，’Annerwasthisotherman’swife，andhewasboundinhonourtoacknowledgethefact。Thesmalldevilputittohimasamatterofduty。
　　"Well，"saidFord，suddenly，"time’sshortan’thisain’tbusiness。I
　　won’tbe’ardonyou，matey。Ioughtprop’lytostandonmyrights，butseein’asyou’reawell-meaningyoungman，sotospeak，an’allsettledan’a-livin’’erequietan’matrimonual，I’ll"——thiswithaburstofgenerosity——"damme！yus，I’llcompoundthefelonyan’takeme’ook。Come，I’llnameafigure，asmantoman，fustan’last，nolessan’nomore。Fivepounddoesit。"
　　Simmonshadn’tfivepounds，——hehadn’tevenfivepence，——andhesaidso。"An’Iwouldn’tthinktocomebetweenamanan’’iswife，"headded，"notonnoaccount。Itmayberoughonme，butit’sadooty。
　　/I’ll/’ookit。"
　　"No，"saidFord，hastily，clutchingSimmonsbythearm，"don’tdothat。I’llmakeitabitcheaper。Saythreequid——come，that’sreasonable，ain’tit？Threequidain’tmuchcompensationformegoin’
　　awayforever——wherethestormywindsdoblow，sotosay——an’neverasmuchasseein’meownwifeaginforbetternorwuss。Betweenmanan’
　　man，now，threequid，an’I’llshunt。That’sfair，ain’tit？"
　　"Ofcourseit’sfair，"Simmonsreplied，effusively。"It’smore’nfair：
　　it’snoble——downrightnoble，/I/callit。ButIain’tgoin’totakeameanadvantageo’yourgood-’artedness，Mr。Ford。She’syourwife，an’
　　Ioughtn’tto’a’comebetweenyou。Iapologise。Youstopan’’aveyerproperrights。It’smeasoughttoshunt，an’Iwill。"Andhemadeasteptowardthedoor。
　　"’Oldon，"quothFord，andgotbetweenSimmonsandthedoor;"don’tdothingsrash。Lookwotalossit’llbetoyouwithno’ometogoto，an’nobodytolookafterye，an’allthat。It’llbedreadful。Sayacouple——there，wewon’tquarrel，jestasinglequid，betweenmanan’
　　man，an’I’llstandapotouto’themoney。Youcaneasyraiseaquid——theclock’udprettynighdoit。Aquiddoesit，an’I’ll——"
　　Therewasalouddoubleknockatthefrontdoor。IntheEastEndadoubleknockisalwaysfortheupstairslodgers。
　　"Oo’sthat？"askedBobFord，apprehensively。
　　"I’llsee，"saidThomasSimmons，inreply，andhemadearushforthestaircase。
　　BobFordheardhimopenthefrontdoor。Thehewenttothewindow，andjustbelowhimhesawthecrownofabonnet。Itvanished，andbornetohimfromwithinthedoortherefelluponhisearthesoundofawell-
　　rememberedfemalevoice。
　　"Whereyegoin’nowwithno’at？"askedthevoice，sharply。
　　"Awright，’Anner——there’s——there’ssomebodyupstairstoseeyou，"
　　Simmonsanswered。And，asBobFordcouldsee，amanwentscuttlingdownthestreetinthegatheringdusk。Andbehold，itwasThomasSimmons。
　　Fordreachedthelandinginthreestrides。Hiswifewasstillatthefrontdoor，staringafterSimmons。Heflungintothebackroom，threwopenthewindow，droppedfromthewash-houseroofintothebackyard，scrambleddesperatelyoverthefence，anddisappearedintothegloom。
　　Hewasseenbynolivingsoul。AndthatiswhySimmons’sbasedesertion——underhiswife’sveryeyes，too——isstillanastonishmenttotheneighbours。
　　AROSEOFTHEGHETTO
　　BY
　　ISRAELZANGWILL
　　OnedayitoccurredtoLeibelthatheoughttogetmarried。HewenttoSugarmantheShadchanforthwith。
　　"Ihavetheverythingforyou，"saidthegreatmarriagebroker。
　　"Isshepretty？"askedLeibel。
　　"Herfatherhasabootandshoewarehouse，"repliedSugarman，enthusiastically。
　　"Thenthereoughttobeadowrywithher，"saidLeibel，eagerly。
　　"Certainlyadowry！Afinemanlikeyou！"
　　"Howmuchdoyouthinkitwouldbe？"
　　"Ofcourseitisnotalargewarehouse;butthenyoucouldgetyourbootsattradeprice，andyourwife’s，perhaps，forthecostoftheleather。"
　　"WhencouldIseeher？"
　　"IwillarrangeforyoutocallnextSabbathafternoon。"
　　"Youwon’tchargememorethanasovereign？"
　　"Notagroschenmore！Suchapiousmaiden！I’msureyouwillbehappy。
　　Shehassomuchway-of-the-country[breeding]。Andofcoursefivepercentonthedowry？"
　　"H’m！Well，Idon’tmind！""Perhapstheywon’tgiveadowry，"hethoughtwithaconsolatorysenseofoutwittingtheShadchan。
　　OntheSaturdayLeibelwenttoseethedamsel，andontheSundayhewenttoseeSugarmantheShadchan。
　　"Butyourmaidensquints！"hecried，resentfully。
　　"Anexcellentthing！"saidSugarman。"Awifewhosquintscanneverlookherhusbandstraightinthefaceandoverwhelmhim。Whowouldquailbeforeawomanwithasquint？"
　　"Icouldendurethesquint，"wentonLeibel，dubiously，"butshealsostammers。"
　　"Well，whatisbetter，intheeventofaquarrel？Thedifficultyshehasintalkingwillkeepherfarmoresilentthanmostwives。Youhadbestsecureherwhileyouhavethechance。"
　　"Butshehaltsontheleftleg，"criedLeibel，exasperated。
　　"/GottinHimmel！/Doyoumeantosayyoudonotseewhatanadvantageitistohaveawifeunabletoaccompanyyouinallyourgoings？"
　　Leibellostpatience。
　　"Why，thegirlisahunchback！"heprotested，furiously。
　　"MydearLeibel，"saidthemarriagebroker，deprecatinglyshrugginghisshouldersandspreadingouthispalms，"youcan’texpectperfection！"
　　NeverthelessLeibelpersistedinhisunreasonableattitude。HeaccusedSugarmanofwastinghistime，ofmakingafoolofhim。
　　"Afoolofyou！"echoedtheShadchan，indignantly，"whenIgiveyouachanceofabootandshoemanufacturer’sdaughter？Youwillmakeafoolofyourselfifyourefuse。Idaresayherdowrywouldbeenoughtosetyouupasamastertailor。Atpresentyouarecompelledtoslaveawayasacutterforthirtyshillingsaweek。Itismostunjust。
　　Ifyouonlyhadafewmachinesyouwouldbeabletoemployyourowncutters。Andtheycanbegotsocheapnowadays。"
　　ThisgaveLeibelpause，andhedepartedwithouthavingdefinitelybrokenthenegotiations。Hiswholeweekwasbefoggedbydoubt，hisworkbecameuncertain，hischalkmarkslackedtheirusualdecision，andhedidnotalwayscuthiscoataccordingtohiscloth。HisaberrationsbecamesomarkedthatprettyRoseGreen，thesweater’seldestdaughter，whomanagedamachineinthesameroom，divined，withallawoman’sintuition，thathewasinlove。
　　"Whatisthematter？"shesaid，inrallyingYiddish，whentheyweretakingtheirlunchofbreadandcheeseandginger-beeramidtheclatterofmachines，whoseserfshadnotyetknockedoffwork。
　　"Theyareproposingmeamatch，"heanswered，sullenly。
　　"Amatch！"ejaculatedRose。"Thou！"Shehadworkedbyhissideforyears，andfamiliaritybredthesecondpersonsingular。Leibelnoddedhishead，andputamouthfulofDutchcheeseintoit。
　　"Withwhom？"askedRose。Somehowhefeltashamed。Hegurgledtheanswerintothestoneginger-beerbottle，whichheputtohisthirstylips。
　　"WithLeahVolcovitch！"
　　"LeahVolcovitch！"gaspedRose。"Leah，thebootandshoemanufacturer’sdaughter？"
　　Leibelhunghishead——hescarceknewwhy。Hedidnotdaremeethergaze。Hisdroopsaid"Yes。"Therewasalongpause。
　　"Andwhydostthounothaveher？"saidRose。Itwasmorethananinquiry;therewascontemptinit，andperhapsevenpique。
　　Leibeldidnotreply。Theembarrassingsilencereignedagain，andreignedlong。Rosebrokeitatlast。
　　"Isitthatthoulikestmebetter？"sheasked。
　　Leibelseemedtoseeaballoflightningintheair;itburst，andhefelttheelectriccurrentstrikerightthroughhisheart。Theshockthrewhisheadupwithajerk，sothathiseyesgazedintoafacewhosebeautyandtendernesswererevealedtohimforthefirsttime。
　　Thefaceofhisoldacquaintancehadvanished;thiswasacajoling，coquettish，smilingface，suggestingundreamed-ofthings。
　　"/Nu/，yes，"hereplied，withoutperceptiblepause。
　　"/Nu/，good！"sherejoinedasquickly。
　　AndintheecstasyofthatmomentofmutualunderstandingLeibelforgottowonderwhyhehadneverthoughtofRosebefore。Afterwardherememberedthatshehadalwaysbeenhissocialsuperior。
　　Thesituationseemedtoodream-likeforexplanationtotheroomjustyet。Leibellovinglypassedabottleofginger-beer，andRosetookasip，withabeautifulairofplightingtroth，understoodonlyofthosetwo。WhenLeibelquaffedtheremnantitintoxicatedhim。Therelicsofthebreadandcheeseweretheambrosiatothisnectar。Theydidnotdarekiss;thesuddennessofitallleftthembashful，andthesmackoflipswouldhavebeenlikeacannon-pealannouncingtheirengagement。Therewasasubtlersweetnessinthissenseofasecret，apartfromthefactthatneithercaredtobreakthenewstothemastertailor，asternlittleoldman。Leibel’schalkmarkscontinuedindecisivethatafternoon，whichshowshowcorrectlyRosehadconnectedthemwithlove。
　　BeforeheleftthatnightRosesaidtohim，"ArtthousurethouwouldstnotratherhaveLeahVolcovitch？"
　　"Notforallthebootsandshoesintheworld，"repliedLeibel，vehemently。
　　"AndI，"protestedRose，"wouldrathergowithoutmyownthanwithoutthee。"
　　Thelandingoutsidetheworkshopwassobadlylightedthattheirlipscametogetherinthedarkness。
　　"Nay，nay;thoumustnotyet，"saidRose。"ThouartstillcourtingLeahVolcovitch。Foraughtthouknowest，SugarmantheShadchanmayhaveentangledtheebeyondredemption。"
　　"Notso，"assertedLeibel。"Ihaveonlyseenthemaidenonce。"
　　"Yes。ButSugarmanhasseenherfatherseveraltimes，"persistedRose。
　　"Forsomisshapenamaidenhiscommissionwouldbelarge。ThoumustgotoSugarmanto-night，andtellhimthatthoucanstnotfinditinthyhearttogoonwiththematch。"
　　"Kissme，andIwillgo，"pleadedLeibel。
　　"Go，andIwillkissthee，"saidRose，resolutely。
　　"Andwhenshallwetellthyfather？"heasked，pressingherhand，asthenextbestthingtoherlips。
　　"AssoonasthouartfreefromLeah。"
　　"Butwillheconsent？"
　　"Hewillnotbeglad，"saidRose，frankly。"Butaftermother’sdeath——
　　peacebeuponher——therulepassedfromherhandsintomine。"
　　"Ah，thatiswell，"saidLeibel。Hewasasuperficialthinker。
　　LeibelfoundSugarmanatsupper。ThegreatShadchanofferedhimachair，butnothingelse。Hospitalitywasassociatedinhismindwithspecialoccasionsonly，andinvolvedlemonadeand"stuffedmonkeys。"
　　Hewasveryputout——almosttothepointofindigestion——tohearofLeibel’sfinaldetermination，andpliedhimwithreproachfulinquiries。
　　"Youdon’tmeantosaythatyougiveupabootandshoemanufacturermerelybecausehisdaughterhasroundshoulders！"heexclaimed，incredulously。
　　"Itismorethanroundshoulders——itisahump！"criedLeibel。
　　"Andsuppose？Seehowmuchbetteroffyouwillbewhenyougetyourownmachines！Wedonotrefusetoletcamelscarryourburdensbecausetheyhavehumps。"
　　"Ah，butawifeisnotacamel，"saidLeibel，withasageair。
　　"Andacutterisnotamastertailor，"retortedSugarman。
　　"Enough，enough！"criedLeibel。"Itellyou，Iwouldnothaveherifshewereamachinewarehouse。"
　　"Therestickssomethingbehind，"persistedSugarman，unconvinced。
　　Leibelshookhishead。"Onlyherhump"hesaidwithaflashofhumour。
　　"MosesMendelssohnhadahump，"expostulatedSugarman，reproachfully。
　　"Yes，buthewasaheretic，"rejoinedLeibel，whowasnotwithoutreading。"Andthenhewasaman！Amanwithtwohumpscouldfindawifeforeach。Butawomanwithahumpcannotexpectahusbandinaddition。"
　　"Guardyourtonguefromevil，"quoththeShadchan，angrily。"IfeverybodyweretotalklikeyouLeahVolcovitchwouldneverbemarriedatall。"
　　Leibelshruggedhisshoulders，andremindedhimthathunchbackedgirlswhostammeredandsquintedandhaltedonleftlegswerenotusuallyledunderthecanopy。
　　"Nonsense！Stuff！"criedSugarman，angrily。"Thatisbecausetheydonotcometome。"
　　"LeahVolcovitch/has/cometoyou，"saidLeibel，"butsheshallnotcometome。"Andherose，anxioustoescape。
　　InstantlySugarmangaveasighofresignation。"Beitso！ThenIshallhavetolookoutforanother，that’sall。"
　　"No，Idon’twantany，"repliedLeibel，quickly。
　　Sugarmanstoppedeating。"Youdon’twantany？"hecried。"Butyoucametomeforone？"
　　"I——I——know，"stammeredLeibel。"ButI’ve——I’vealteredmymind。"
　　"OneneedsHillel’spatiencetodealwithyou！"criedSugarman。"ButI
　　shallchargeyou，allthesame，formytrouble。Youcannotcancelanorderlikethisinthemiddle！No，no！YoucanplayfastandloosewithLeahVolcovitch，butyoushallnotmakeafoolofme。"
　　"ButifIdon’twantone？"saidLeibel，sullenly。
　　Sugarmangazedathimwithacunninglookofsuspicion。"Didn’tIsaytherewassomethingstickingbehind？"
　　Leibelfeltguilty。"Butwhomhaveyougotinyoureye？"heinquired，desperately。
　　"Perhapsyoumayhavesomeoneinyours！"naivelyansweredSugarman。
　　Leibelgaveahypocriticlong-drawn"U-m-m-m！IwonderifRoseGreen——
　　whereIwork——"hesaid，andstopped。
　　"Ifearnot，"saidSugarman。"Sheisonmylist。Herfathergavehertomesomemonthsago，butheishardtoplease。Eventhemaidenherselfisnoteasy，beingpretty。"
　　"Perhapsshehaswaitedforsomeone，"suggestedLeibel。
　　Sugarman’skeenearcaughtthenoteofcomplacenttriumph。
　　"Youhavebeenaskingheryourself！"heexclaimed，inhorror-strickenaccents。
　　"AndifIhave？"saidLeibel，defiantly。
　　"Youhavecheatedme！AndsohasEliphazGreen——Ialwaysknewhewastricky！Youhavebothdefraudedme！"
　　"Ididnotmeanto，"saidLeibel，mildly。
　　"You/did/meanto。Youhadnobusinesstotakethematteroutofmyhands。WhatrighthadyoutoproposetoRoseGreen？"
　　"Ididnot，"criedLeibel，excitedly。
　　"Thenyouaskedherfather！"
　　"No;Ihavenotaskedherfatheryet。"
　　"Thenhowdoyouknowshewillhaveyou？"
　　"I——Iknow，"stammeredLeibel，feelinghimselfsomehowaliaraswellasathief。Hisbrainwasinawhirl;hecouldnotrememberhowthethinghadcomeabout。Certainlyhehadnotproposed;norcouldhesaythatshehad。
　　"Youknowshewillhaveyou，"repeatedSugarman，reflectively。"Anddoes/she/know？"
　　"Yes。Infact，"heblurtedout，"wearrangedittogether。"
　　"Ah，youbothknow。Anddoesherfatherknow？"
　　"Notyet。"
　　"Ah，thenImustgethisconsent，"saidSugarman，decisively。
　　"I——Ithoughtofspeakingtohimmyself。"
　　"Yourself！"echoedSugarman，inhorror。"Areyouunsoundinthehead？
　　Why，thatwouldbeworsethanthemistakeyouhavealreadymade！"
　　"Whatmistake？"askedLeibel，firingup。
　　"Themistakeofaskingthemaidenherself。Whenyouquarrelwithherafteryourmarriageshewillalwaysthrowitinyourteeththatyouwishedtomarryher。Moreover，ifyoutellamaidenyouloveher，herfatherwillthinkyououghttomarryherasshestands。Still，whatisdoneisdone。"Andhesighedregretfully。
　　"AndwhatmoredoIwant？Iloveher。"
　　"Youpieceofclay！"criedSugarman，contemptuously。"Lovewillnotturnmachines，muchlessbuythem。Youmusthaveadowry。Herfatherhasabigstocking;hecanwellaffordit。"
　　Leibel’seyeslitup。Therewasreallynoreasonwhyheshouldnothavebreadandcheesewithhiskisses。
　　"Now，if/you/wenttoherfather，"pursuedtheShadchan，"theoddsarethathewouldnotevengiveyouhisdaughter——tosaynothingofthedowry。Afterall，itisacheekofyoutoaspiresohigh。Asyoutoldmefromthefirst，youhaven’tsavedapenny。Evenmycommissionyouwon’tbeabletopaytillyougetthedowry。Butif/I/goIdonotdespairofgettingasubstantialsum——tosaynothingofthedaughter。"
　　"Yes，Ithinkyouhadbettergo，"saidLeibel，eagerly。
　　"ButifIdothisthingforyouIshallwantapoundmore，"rejoinedSugarman。
　　"Apoundmore！"echoedLeibel，indismay。"Why？"
　　"BecauseRoseGreen’shumpisofgold，"repliedSugarman，oracularly。
　　"Also，sheisfairtosee，andmanymendesireher。"
　　"Butyouhavealwaysyourfivepercent，onthedowry。"
　　"ItwillbelessthanVolcovitch’s，"explainedSugarman。"Yousee，Greenhasotherandlessbeautifuldaughters。"
　　"Yes，butthenitsettlesitselfmoreeasily。Sayfiveshillings。"
　　"EliphazGreenisahardman，"saidtheShadchaninstead。
　　"TenshillingsisthemostIwillgive！"
　　"TwelveandsixpenceistheleastIwilltake。EliphazGreenhagglessoterribly。"
　　Theysplitthedifference，andsoelevenandthreepencerepresentedthepredominanceofEliphazGreen’sstinginessoverVolcovitch’s。
　　TheverynextdaySugarmaninvadedtheGreenworkroom。Rosebentoverherseams，herheartfluttering。Leibelhaddulyapprisedheroftheroundaboutmannerinwhichshewouldhavetobewon，andshehadacquiescedinthecomedy。Attheleastitwouldsaveherthetroubleoffather-taming。
　　Sugarman’sentrywasbrusqueandbreathless。Hewasoverwhelmedwithjoyousemotion。Hisbluebandanatrailedagitatedlyfromhiscoat-
　　tail。
　　"Atlast！"hecried，addressingthelittlewhite-hairedmastertailor;
　　"Ihavetheverymanforyou。"
　　"Yes？"gruntedEliphaz，unimpressed。Themonosyllablewaspackedwithemotion。Itsaid，"Haveyoureallythefacetocometomeagainwithanidealman？"
　　"Hehasallthequalitiesthatyoudesire，"begantheShadchan，inatonethatrepudiatedtheimplicationsofthemonosyllable。"Heisyoung，strong，God-fearing——"
　　"Hasheanymoney？"grumpilyinterruptedEliphaz。
　　"He/will/havemoney，"repliedSugarman，unhesitatingly，"whenhemarries。"
　　"Ah！"Thefather’svoicerelaxed，andhisfootlaylimponthetreadle。Heworkedoneofhismachineshimself，andpaidhimselfthewagessoastoenjoytheprofit。"Howmuchwillhehave？"
　　"Ithinkhewillhavefiftypounds;andtheleastyoucandoistolethimhavefiftypounds，"repliedSugarman，withthesamehappyambiguity。
　　Eliphazshookhisheadonprinciple。
　　"Yes，youwill，"saidSugarman，"whenyoulearnhowfineamanheis。"
　　TheflushofconfusionandtrepidationalreadyonLeibel’scountenancebecamearosyglowofmodesty，forhecouldnothelpoverhearingwhatwasbeingsaid，owingtothelullofthemastertailor’smachine。
　　"Tellme，then，"rejoinedEliphaz。
　　"Tellme，first，ifyouwillgivefiftytoayoung，healthy，hard-
　　working，God-fearingman，whoseideaitistostartasamastertailoronhisownaccount？Andyouknowhowprofitablethatis！"
　　"Toamanlikethat，"saidEliphaz，inaburstofenthusiasm，"Iwouldgiveasmuchastwenty-sevenpoundsten！"
　　Sugarmangroanedinwardly，butLeibel’sheartleapedwithjoy。Togetfourmonths’wagesatastroke！Withtwenty-sevenpoundstenhecouldcertainlyprocureseveralmachines，especiallyontheinstalmentsystem。OutofthecornersofhiseyesheshotaglanceatRose，whowasbeyondearshot。
　　"Unlessyoucanpromisethirtyitiswasteoftimementioninghisname，"saidSugarman。
　　"Well，well——whoishe？"
　　Sugarmanbentdown，loweringhisvoiceintothefather’sear。
　　"What！Leibel！"criedEliphaz，outraged。
　　"Sh！"saidSugarman，"orhewilloverhearyourdelight，andaskmore。
　　Hehashisnosehighenough，asitis。"
　　"B——b——b——ut，"sputteredthebewilderedparent，"IknowLeibelmyself。
　　Iseehimeveryday。Idon’twantaShadchantofindmeamanIknow——
　　amerehandinmyownworkshop！"
　　"Yourtalkhasneitherfacenorfigure，"answeredSugarman，sternly。
　　"Itisjustthepeopleoneseeseverydaythatoneknowsleast。I
　　warrantthatifIhadnotputitintoyourheadyouwouldneverhavedreamtofLeibelasason-in-law。Comenow，confess。"
　　Eliphazgruntedvaguely，andtheShadchanwentontriumphantly："I
　　thoughtasmuch。Andyetwherecouldyoufindabettermantokeepyourdaughter？"
　　"Heoughttobecontentwithheralone，"grumbledherfather。
　　Sugarmansawthesignsofweakening，anddashedin，fullstrength：
　　"It’saquestionwhetherhewillhaveheratall。Ihavenotbeentohimaboutheryet。Iawaitedyourapprovaloftheidea。"Leibeladmiredtheverbalaccuracyofthesestatements，whichhehadjustcaught。
　　"ButIdidn’tknowhewouldbehavingmoney，"murmuredEliphaz。
　　"Ofcourseyoudidn’tknow。That’swhattheShadchanisfor——topointoutthethingsthatareunderyournose。"
　　"Butwherewillhebegettingthismoneyfrom？"
　　"Fromyou，"saidSugarman，frankly。
　　"Fromme？"
　　"Fromwhomelse？Areyounothisemployer？Ithasbeenputbyforhismarriageday。"
　　"Hehassavedit？"
　　"Hehasnot/spent/it，"saidSugarman，impatiently。
　　"Butdoyoumeantosayhehassavedfiftypounds？"
　　"Ifhecouldmanagetosavefiftypoundsoutofyourwageshewouldbeindeedatreasure，"saidSugarman。"Perhapsitmightbethirty。"
　　"Butyousaidfifty。"
　　"Well，/you/camedowntothirty，"retortedtheShadchan。"Youcannotexpecthimtohavemorethanyourdaughterbrings。"
　　"Ineversaidthirty，"Eliphazremindedhim。"Twenty-seventenwasmylastbid。"
　　"Verywell;thatwilldoasabasisofnegotiations，"saidSugarman，resignedly。"Iwillcalluponhimthisevening。IfIweretogooverandspeaktohimnow，hewouldperceiveyouwereanxious，andraisehisterms，andthatwillneverdo。Ofcourseyouwillnotmindallowingmeapoundmoreforfindingyousoeconomicalason-in-law？"
　　"Notapennymore。"
　　"Youneednotfear，"saidSugarman，resentfully。"ItisnotlikelyI
　　shallbeabletopersuadehimtotakesoeconomicalafather-in-law。
　　Soyouwillbenonetheworseforpromising。"
　　"Beitso，"saidEliphaz，withagestureofweariness，andhestartedhismachineagain。
　　"Twenty-sevenpoundsten，remember，"saidSugarman，abovethewhir。
　　Eliphaznoddedhishead，whirringhiswheel-worklouder。
　　"Andpaidbeforethewedding，mind。"
　　Themachinetooknonotice。
　　"Beforethewedding，mind，"repeatedSugarman。"Beforewegounderthecanopy。"
　　"Gonow，gonow！"gruntedEliphaz，withagestureofimpatience。"Itshallallbewell。"Andthewhite-hairedheadbowedimmovablyoveritswork。
　　IntheeveningRoseextractedfromherfatherthemotiveofSugarman’svisit，andconfessedthattheideawastoherliking。
　　"Butdostthouthinkhewillhaveme，littlefather？"sheasked，withcajolingeyes。
　　"AnyonewouldhavemyRose。"
　　"Ah，butLeibelisdifferent。Somanyyearshehassatatmysideandsaidnothing。"
　　"Hehadhisworktothinkof。Heisagood，savingyouth。"
　　"AtthisverymomentSugarmanistryingtopersuadehim——notso？I
　　supposehewillwantmuchmoney。"
　　"Beeasy，mychild。"Andhepassedhisdiscolouredhandoverherhair。
　　Sugarmanturnedupthenextday，andreportedthatLeibelwasunobtainableunderthirtypounds，andEliphaz，wearyofthecontest，calledoverLeibel，tillthatmomentcarefullyabsorbedinhisscientificchalkmarks，andmentionedthethingtohimforthefirsttime。"Iamnotamantobargain，"Eliphazsaid，andsohegavetheyoungmanhistawnyhand，andabottleofrumsprangfromsomewhere，andworkwassuspendedforfiveminutes，andthe"hands"alldrankamidsurprisedexcitement。Sugarman’svisitshadpreparedthemtocongratulateRose;butLeibelwasashock。
　　Theformalengagementwasmarkedbyevengreaterjunketing，andatlastthemarriagedaycame。Leibelwasresplendentinadiagonalfrockcoat，cutbyhisownhand;andRosesteppedfromthecabamedleyofflowers，fairness，andwhitesilk，andbehindhercametwobridesmaids，——hersisters，——atriothatglorifiedthespectator-strewnpavementoutsidethesynagogue。Eliphazlookedalmosttallinhisshinyhighhatandfrilledshirt-front。Sugarmanarrivedonfoot，carryingred-sockedlittleEbenezertuckedunderhisarm。
　　LeibelandRosewerenottheonlycoupletobedisposedof，foritwasthethirty-thirddayoftheOmer——adayfruitfulinmarriages。
　　Butatlasttheirturncame。Theydidnot，however，comeintheirturn，andtheirspecialfriendsamongtheaudiencewonderedwhytheyhadlosttheirprecedence。Afterseverallatermarriageshadtakenplaceawhisperbegantocirculate。Therumourofahitchgainedgroundsteadily，andthesensationwasproportionate。And，indeed，therosewasnottobepickedwithoutatouchofthethorn。
　　Graduallythefactsleakedout，andabuzzoftalkandcommentranthroughthewaitingsynagogue。Eliphazhadnotpaidup！
　　Atfirsthedeclaredhewouldputdownthemoneyimmediatelyaftertheceremony。ButthewarySugarman，schooledbyexperience，demandeditsinstantdeliveryonbehalfofhisotherclient。Hardpressed，Eliphazproducedtensovereignsfromhistrousers-pocket，andtenderedthemonaccount。TheseSugarmandisdainfullyrefused，andthenegotiationsweresuspended。Thebridegroom’spartywasencampedinoneroom，thebride’sinanother，andafterapainfuldelayEliphazsentanemissarytosaythathalftheamountshouldbeforthcoming，theextrafivepoundsinabrightnewBankofEnglandnote。Leibel，instructedandencouragedbySugarman，stoodfirm。
　　Andthenaroseahubbubofvoices，achaosofsuggestions;friendsrushedtoandfrobetweenthecamps，someemergingfromtheirseatsinthesynagoguetoaddtotheconfusion。ButEliphazhadtakenhisstanduponarock——hehadnomorereadymoney。To-morrow，thenextday，hewouldhavesome。AndLeibel，paleanddogged，clutchedtighteratthosemachinesthatwereslippingawaymomentlyfromhim。Hehadnotyetseenhisbridethatmorning，andsoherfacewasshadowycomparedwiththetangibilityofthosemachines。Mostoftheothermaidensweremarriedwomenbynow，andthesituationwasgrowingdesperate。Fromthefemalecampcameterriblerumoursofbridesmaidsinhysterics，andabridethattoreherwreathinapassionofshameandhumiliation。
　　EliphazsentwordthathewouldgiveanIOUforthebalance，butthathereallycouldnotmusteranymorecurrentcoin。SugarmaninstructedtheambassadortosuggestthatEliphazshouldraisethemoneyamonghisfriends。
　　Andtheshortspringdayslippedaway。Invaintheminister，apprisedoftheblock，lengthenedouttheformulaefortheotherpairs，andblessedthemwithmorereposefulunction。ItwasimpossibletostaveofftheLeibel-Greenitemindefinitely，andatlastRoseremainedtheonlyorange-wreathedspinsterinthesynagogue。Andthentherewasahushofsolemnsuspense，thatswelledgraduallyintoasteadyrumbleofbabblingtongues，asminutesucceededminuteandthefinalbridalpartystillfailedtoappear。Thelatestbulletinpicturedthebrideinadeadfaint。Theafternoonwaswaningfast。Theministerlefthispostnearthecanopy，underwhichsomanyliveshadbeenunited，andcametoaddhiswhitetietotheforcesforcompromise。Buthefarednobetterthantheothers。Incensedattheobstinacyoftheantagonists，hedeclaredhewouldclosethesynagogue。Hegavethecoupletenminutestomarryinorquit。Thenchaoscame，andpandemonium——afranticbabelofsuggestionandexhortationfromthecrowd。WhenfiveminuteshadpassedalegatefromEliphazannouncedthathissidehadscrapedtogethertwentypounds，andthatthiswastheirfinalbid。
　　Leibelwavered;thelongday’scombathadtolduponhim;thereportsofthebride’sdistresshadweakenedhim。EvenSugarmanhadlosthiscocksurenessofvictory。Afewminutesmoreandbothcommissionsmightslipthroughhisfingers。Oncethepartiesleftthesynagogue，itwouldnotbeeasytodrivethemthereanotherday。Buthecheeredonhismanstill：onecouldalwayssurrenderatthetenthminute。
　　Attheeighththebuzzoftonguesfalteredsuddenly，tobetransposedintoanewkey，sotospeak。Throughthegesticulatingassemblysweptthatmurmurofexpectationwhichcrowdsknowwhentheprocessioniscomingatlast。BysomemysteriousmagnetismallwereawarethattheBRIDEherself——thepoorhystericbride——hadleftthepaternalcamp，wascominginpersontopleadwithhermercenarylover。
　　AndasthegloryofherandtheflowersandthewhitedraperiesloomeduponLeibel’svisionhisheartmeltedinworship，andheknewhiscitadelwouldcrumbleinruinsatherfirstglance，atherfirsttouch。Wasitfairfighting？Ashistroubledvisioncleared，andasshecamenighuntohim，hesawtohisamazementthatshewasspecklessandcomposed——notraceoftearsdimmedthefairnessofherface，therewasnodisarrayinherbridalwreath。
　　Theclockshowedtheninthminute。
　　Sheputherhandappeallinglyonhisarm，whileaheavenlylightcameintoherface——theexpressionofaJoanofArcanimatinghercountry。
　　"Donotgivein，Leibel！"shesaid。"Donothaveme！Donotletthempersuadethee！Bymylife，thoumustnot！Gohome！"
　　SoattheeleventhminutethevanquishedEliphazproducedthebalance，andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafterward。
　　ANIDYLOFLONDON
　　BY
　　BEATRICEHARRADEN
　　Itwasoneo’clock，andmanyofthestudentsintheNationalGalleryhadleftoffworkandwererefreshingthemselveswithlunchandconversation。Therewasoneoldworkerwhohadnotstirredfromhisplace，buthehadputdownhisbrush，andhadtakenfromhispocketasmallbook，whichwaslikeitsowner——thinandshabbyofcovering。Heseemedtofindpleasureinreadingit，forheturnedoveritspageswithallthetendernesscharacteristicofonewholoveswhathereads。
　　NowandagainheglancedathisunfinishedcopyofthebeautifulportraitofAndreadelSarto，andoncehiseyesrestedonanothercopynexttohis，betterandtruerthanhis，andoncehestoppedtopickupagirl’sprune-colouredtie，whichhadfallenfromtheneighbouringeasel。Afterthisheseemedtobecomeunconsciousofhissurroundings，asunconscious，indeed，asanyoneofthepicturesnearhim。Anyonemighthavebeenjustifiedinmistakinghimfortheportraitofaman，butthathislipsmoved;foritwashiscustomtoreadsoftlytohimself。
　　Thestudentspassedbacktotheirplaces，nottroublingtonoticehim，becausetheyknewfromexperiencethathenevernoticedthem，andthatallgreetingswerewastedonhimandallwordswerewantonexpenditureofbreath。Theyhadcometoregardhimverymuchinthesamewayasmanyofusregardthewondersofnature，withoutastonishment，withoutanyquestionings，andoftenwithoutanyinterest。Onegirl，anew-
　　comer，didchancetosaytohercompanion：
　　"Howillthatoldmanlooks！"
　　"Oh，healwayslookslikethat，"wastheanswer。"Youwillsoongetaccustomedtohim。Comealong！Imustfinishmy’BlindBeggar’thisafternoon。"
　　Inafewminutesmostoftheworkerswerebusyagain，althoughthereweresomewhocontinuedtochatquietly，andseveralyoungmenwhoseemedreluctanttoleavetheirgirlfriends，andwhowerebynomeansencouragedtogo！Oneyoungmancametoclaimhisbookandpipe，whichhehadleftinthechargeofabright-eyedgirl，whowascopyingSirJoshua’s"Angels。"Shegavehimhistreasures，andreceivedinexchangeadark-redrose，whichshefastenedinherbelt;andthenhereturnedtohisportraitofMrs。Siddons。ButtherewassomethinginhisdisconsolatemannerwhichmadeonesuspectthathethoughtlessofMrs。Siddons’sbeautythanofthebeautyofthegirlwhowaswearingthedark-redrose！Thestrangers，strollingthroughtherooms，stoppednowandagaintopeercuriouslyatthestudents’work。Theywerestaredatindignantlybythestudentsthemselves，buttheymadenoattempttomoveaway，andevenventuredsometimestopasscriticismsofnotendercharacteronsomeofthecopies。Thefierce-lookingmanwhowascopying"TheHorseFair"deliberatelyputdownhisbrushes，foldedhisarms，andwaiteddefiantlyuntiltheyhadgoneby;butothers，wiserintheirgeneration，wentonpaintingcalmly。SeveralworkerswerepaintingthenewRaphael;oneofthemwasawhite-hairedoldgentlewoman，whosehandwastrembling，andyetskilfulstill。Morethanoncesheturnedtogiveafewhintstotheyounggirlnearher，wholookedinsomedistressanddoubt。Justtheneedfulhelpwasgiven，andthenthegirlpliedherbrushmerrily，smilingthewhilewithpleasureandgratitude。Thereseemedtobeagenial，kindlyinfluenceatwork，acertainhomelinesstoo，whichmustneedsassertitselfwheremanyaregatheredtogether，workingsidebyside。Allmadeaharmony;thewonderfulpictures，collectedfrommanylandsandmanycenturies，eachwithitsmeaninganditsmessagefromthepast;
　　theever-presentmemoriesofthepaintersthemselves，whohadworkedandstrivenandconquered;andthelivinghumanbeings，eachwithhiswealthofearnestendeavourandhope。
　　Meanwhiletheoldmanreadonuninterruptedlyuntiltwohandswereputoverhisbookandagentlevoicesaid：
　　"Mr。Lindall，youhavehadnolunchagain。Doyouknow，IbegintohateLucretius。Healwaysmakesyouforgetyourfood。"
　　Theoldmanlookedup，andsomethinglikeasmilepassedoverhisjoylessfacewhenhesawHelenStanleybendingoverhim。
　　"Ah，"heanswered，"youmustnothateLucretius。Ihavehadmorepleasanthourswithhimthanwithanylivingperson。"
　　HeroseandcameforwardtoexaminehercopyofAndreadelSarto’sportrait。
　　"Yoursisbetterthanmine，"hesaid，critically;"infact，mineisafailure。IthinkIshallonlygetasmallpriceformine;indeed，I
　　doubtwhetherIshallgetsufficienttopayformyfuneral。"
　　"Youspeakdismally，"sheanswered，smiling。
　　"Imissedyouyesterday，"hecontinued，halfdreamily。"Ileftmywork，andIwanderedthroughtherooms，andIdidnotevenreadLucretius。Somethingseemedtohavegonefrommylife。AtfirstI
　　thoughtitmustbemyfavouriteRaphael，ortheMurillo;butitwasneithertheonenortheother;itwasyou。Thatwasstrange，wasn’tit？Butyouknowwegetaccustomedtoanything，andperhapsIshouldhavemissedyoulessthesecondday，andbytheendofaweekIshouldnothavemissedyouatall。Mercifully，wehaveinusthepowerofforgetting。"
　　"Idonotwishtopleadformyself，"shesaid，"butIdonotbelievethatyouoranyonecouldreallyforget。Thatwhichoutsiderscallforgetfulnessmightbecalledbythebetternameofresignation。"
　　"Idon’tcareabouttalkinganymorenow，"hesaid，suddenly，andhewenttohiseaselandworkedsilentlyathispicture;andHelenStanleyglancedathim，andthoughtshehadneverseenheroldcompanionlooksoforlornanddesolateashedidto-day。Helookedasifnogentlehandhadeverbeenplacedonhiminkindlinessandaffection，andthatseemedtoheraterriblething;forshewasoneofthoseprehistoricallymindedpersonswhopersistinbelievingthataffectionisasneedfultohumanlifeasraintoflowerlife。Whenfirstshecametoworkatthegallery——sometwelvemonthsago——shehadnoticedthisoldman，andhadwishedforhiscompanionship;shewasherselflonelyandsorrowful，and，althoughyoung，hadtofightherownbattles，andhadlearnedsomethingofthedifficultiesoffighting，andthishadgivenheranexperiencebeyondheryears。Shewasnotmorethantwenty-fouryearsofage，butshelookedratherolder，and，thoughshehadbeautifuleyes，fullofmeaningandkindness，herfeaturesweredecidedlyplainaswellasunattractive。
　　Thereweresomeinthegallerywhosaidamongthemselvesthat，asMr。
　　Lindallhadwaitedsomanyyearsbeforetalkingtoanyone，hemighthavechosensomeonebetterworththewaitingfor！ButtheysoonbecameaccustomedtoseeingHelenStanleyandMr。Lindalltogether，andtheylaughedlessthanbefore;andmeanwhiletheacquaintanceripenedintoasortoffriendship，halfsulkyonhispartandwhollykindonherpart。Hetoldhernothingabouthimself，andheaskednothingaboutherself;forweeksheneverevenknewhername。
　　Sometimeshedidnotspeakatall，andthetwofriendswouldworksilentlysidebysideuntilitwastimetogo;andthenhewaiteduntilshewasready，andwalkedwithheracrossTrafalgarSquare，wheretheypartedandwenttheirownways。
　　Butoccasionally，whensheleastexpectedit，hewouldspeakwithglowingenthusiasmonart;thenhiseyesseemedtobecomebright，andhisbentfiguremoreerect，andhiswholebearingproudanddignified。
　　Thereweretimes，too，whenhewouldspeakonothersubjects：onthemoralityoffreethought——onBruno，ofblessedmemory，onhim，andscoresofotherstoo。Hewouldspeakofthedifferentschoolsofphilosophy;hewouldlaughathimself，andatallwho，havinggiventimeandthoughttothestudyoflife’scomplicatedproblems，hadnotreachedonestepfurtherthantheOld-Worldthinkers。Perhapshewouldquoteoneofhisfavouritephilosophers，andthensuddenlyrelapseintosilence，returningtohiswontedabstractionandtohisindifferencetohissurroundings。HelenStanleyhadlearnedtounderstandhiswaysandtoappreciatehismind，and，withoutintrudingonhiminanymanner，hadputherselfgentlyintohislifeashisquietchampionandhisfriend。Nooneinherpresencedaredspeakslightinglyoftheoldman，ortomakefunofhistumble-downappearance，orofhisworn-outsilkhatwithacrackintheside，orofhisragofablacktie，which，togetherwithhisovercoat，had"seenbetterdays。"Onceshebroughtherneedleandthread，anddarnedthetornsleeveduringherlunch-time;and，thoughheneverknewit，itwasasatisfactiontohertohavehelpedhim。
　　To-dayshenoticedthathewaspaintingbadly，andthatheseemedtotakenointerestinhiswork;butshewentonbusilywithherownpicture，andwassoengrossedinitthatshedidnotatfirstobservethathehadpackeduphisbrushesandwaspreparingtogohome。
　　"Threemorestrokes，"hesaid，quietly，"andyouwillhavefinishedyourpicture。Ishallneverfinishmine;perhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtosetitrightforme。Iamnotcominghereagain。Idon’tseemtohavecaughtthetrueexpression;whatdoyouthink？ButIamnotgoingtoletitworryme，forIamsureyouwillpromisetodoyourbestforme。See，Iwillhandoverthesecoloursandthesebrushestoyou，andnodoubtyouwillacceptthepaletteaswell。I
　　havenofurtheruseforit。"
　　HelenStanleytookthepalettewhichheheldouttowardher，andlookedathimasthoughshewouldwishtoquestionhim。
　　"Itisveryhothere，"hecontinued，"andIamgoingout。Iamtiredofwork。"
　　Hehesitated，andthenadded，"Ishouldlikeyoutocomewithme，ifyoucansparethetime。"
　　Shepackedupherthingsatonce，andthetwofriendsmovedslowlyaway，hegazingabsentlyatthepictures，andshewonderinginhermindastothemeaningofhisstrangemood。
　　Whentheywereonthestepsinsidethebuilding，heturnedtoHelenStanleyandsaid：
　　"Ishouldliketogobacktothepicturesoncemore。IfeelasifI
　　muststandamongthemjustalittlelonger。Theyhavebeenmycompanionsforsolongthattheyarealmostpartofmyself。Icanclosemyeyesandrecallthemfaithfully。ButIwanttotakealastlookatthem;Iwanttofeeloncemorethepresenceofthegreatmasters，andtorefreshmymindwiththeirgenius。WhenIlookattheirworkIthinkoftheirlife，andcanonlywonderattheirdeath。
　　Itwassostrangethattheyshoulddie。"
　　Theywentbacktogether，andhetookhertohisfavouritepictures，butremainedspeechlessbeforethem，andshedidnotdisturbhisthoughts。Atlasthesaid：
　　"Iamreadytogo。Ihavesaidfarewelltothemall。Iknownothingmorewonderfulthanbeingamonganumberoffinepictures。Itisalmostoverwhelming。Onceexpectsnaturetobegrand，butonedoesnotexpectmantobegrand。"
　　"Youknowwedon’tagreethere，"sheanswered。"/I/expecteverythinggrandandgreatfromman。"
　　Theywentoutofthegallery，andintoTrafalgarSquare。ItwasascorchingafternooninAugust，buttherewassomecoolingcomfortinseeingthedancingwaterofthefountainssparklingsobrightlyinthesunshine。
　　"Doyoumindstoppinghereafewminutes？"hesaid。"Ishouldliketositdownandwatch。Thereissomuchtosee。"
　　Sheledthewaytoaseat，oneendofwhichwasoccupiedbyaworkman，whowassleepingsoundly，andsnoringtoo，hisarmsfoldedtightlytogether。Hehadalittleclaypipeinthecornerofhismouth;itseemedtobetuckedinsosnuglythattherewasnotmuchdangerofitsfallingtotheground。AtlastHelenspoketohercompanion。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthatyouwillnotbeabletofinishyourpicture？Perhapsyouarenotwell。Indeed，youdon’tlookwell。Youmakemeanxious，forIhaveagreatregardforyou。"
　　"Iamillandsuffering，"heanswered，quietly。"IthoughtIshouldhavediedyesterday;butImadeupmymindtoliveuntilIsawyouagain，andIthoughtIwouldaskyoutospendtheafternoonwithme，andgowithmetoWestminsterAbbey，andsitwithmeinthecloisters。
　　Idonotfeelabletogobymyself，andIknowofnoonetoaskexceptyou;andIbelievedyouwouldnotrefuseme，foryouhavebeenverykindtome。Idonotquiteunderstandwhyyouhavebeenkindtome，butIamwonderfullygratefultoyou。TodayIheardsomeoneinthegallerysaythatyouwereplain。IturnedroundandIsaid，’Ibegyourpardon;/I/thinksheisverybeautiful。’Ithinktheylaughed，andthatpuzzledme;foryouhavealwaysseemedtomeaverybeautifulperson。"
　　Atthatmomentthelittleclaypipefellfromtheworkman’smouthandwasbrokenintobits。Heawokewithastart，gazedstupidlyattheoldmanandhiscompanion，andatthebrokenclaypipe。
　　"Cursemyluck！"hesaid，yawning。"Iwasfondofthatdamnedlittlepipe。"
　　Theoldmandrewhisownpipeandhisowntobacco-pouchfromhispocket。
　　"Takethese，stranger，"hesaid。"Idon’twantthem。Andgoodlucktoyou。"
　　Theman’sfacebrightenedupashetookthepipeandpouch。
　　"You’reuncommonkind，"hesaid。"Canyousparethem？"headded，holdingthemouthalfreluctantly。
　　"Yes，"answeredtheoldman;"Ishallnotsmokeagain。Youmayaswellhavethesematchestoo。"
　　Thelabourerputtheminhispocket，smiledhisthanks，andwalkedsomelittledistanceoff;andHelenwatchedhimexaminehisnewpipe，andthenfillitwithtobaccoandlightit。
　　Mr。LindallproposedthattheyshouldbegettingontheirwaytoWestminster，andtheysoonfoundthemselvesintheabbey。TheysattogetherinthePoets’Corner;asmileofquiethappinessbrokeovertheoldman’stiredfaceashelookedaroundandtookinallthesolemnbeautyandgrandeuroftheresting-placeofthegreat。
　　"Youknow，"hesaid，halftohimself，halftohiscompanion，"Ihavenobeliefofanykind，andnohopesandnofears;butallthroughmylifeithasbeenacomforttometositquietlyinachurchoracathedral。Thegracefularches，thesunshiningthroughthestainedwindows，thevaultedroof，thenoblecolumns，havehelpedmetounderstandthemysterywhichallourbooksofphilosophycannotmakeclear，thoughwebendoverthemyearafteryear，andgrowoldoverthem，oldinageandinspirit。ThoughImyselfhaveneverbeenoutwardlyaworshipper，Ihaveneversatinaplaceofworshipbutthat，forthetimebeing，Ihavefeltabetterman。Butdirectlythevoiceofdoctrineordogmawasraisedthespellwasbrokenforme，andthatwhichIhopedwasbeingmadeclearhadnofurthermeaningforme。
　　Therewasonlyonevoicewhicheverhelpedme，thevoiceoftheorgan，arousingme，thrillingme，fillingmewithstrangelonging，withwelcomesadness，withsolemngladness。Ihavealwaysthoughtthatmusiccangiveananswerwheneverythingelseisofnoavail。Idonotknowwhatyoubelieve。"
　　"Iamsoyoungtohavefoundout，"shesaid，almostpleadingly。
　　"Don’tworryyourself，"heanswered，kindly。"Bebraveandstrong，andlettherestgo。Ishouldliketolivelongenoughtoseewhatyouwillmakeofyourlife。Ibelieveyouwillneverbefalsetoyourselfortoanyone。Thatisrare。Ibelieveyouwillnotletanyloweridealtaketheplaceofyourhighidealofwhatisbeautifulandnobleinart，inlife。Ibelievethatyouwillneverletdespairgettheupperhandofyou。Ifitdoesyoumayaswelldie;yes，youmayaswell。AndIentreatyounottoloseyourentirefaithinhumanity。
　　Thereisnothinglikethatforwitheringuptheverycoreoftheheart。Itellyou，humanityandnaturehavesomuchincommonwitheachotherthatifyoulosepartofyourpleasureinthelatter;youwillseelessbeautyinthetrees，theflowers，andthefields，lessgrandeurinthemightymountainsandthesea。Theseasonswillcomeandgo，andyouwillscarcelyheedtheircomingandgoing：winterwillsettleoveryoursoul，justasitsettledovermine。AndyouseewhatIam。"
　　Theyhadnowpassedintothecloisters，andtheysatdowninoneoftherecessesofthewindows，andlookedoutupontherichplotofgrasswhichthecloistersenclose。Therewasnotasoulthereexceptthemselves;thecoolandthequietandthebeautyofthespotrefreshedthesepilgrims，andtheyrestedincalmenjoyment。
　　Helenwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。