Whoeverexpecteditwouldbelarge？Shape？Whataquestiontoask！Noshape。Whatsortofastreet？Why，nostreet。Shops？
　　Yes，ofcourse（quiteindignant）。Howmany？Whoeverwentintoaplacetocounttheshops？Eversomany。Six？Perhaps。A
　　library？Why，ofcourse（indignantagain）。Goodcollectionofbooks？Mostlikely-couldn’tsay-hadseennothinginitbutapairofscales。Anyreading-room？Ofcourse，therewasareading-
　　room。Where？Where！why，overthere。Wherewasoverthere？Why，THERE！LetMr。Idlecarryhiseyetothatbitofwastegroundabovehigh-watermark，wheretherankgrassandloosestonesweremostinalitter;andhewouldseeasortoflong，ruinousbrickloft，nextdoortoaruinousbrickout-house，whichlofthadaladderoutside，togetupby。Thatwasthereading-room，andifMr。Idledidn’tliketheideaofaweaver’sshuttlethrobbingunderareading-room，thatwashislookout。HEwasnottodictate，Mr。
　　Goodchildsupposed（indignantagain），tothecompany。
　　’By-the-by，’ThomasIdleobserved;’thecompany？’
　　Well！（Mr。Goodchildwentontoreport）verynicecompany。Wherewerethey？Why，theretheywere。Mr。Idlecouldseethetopsoftheirhats，hesupposed。What？Thoseninestrawhatsagain，fivegentlemen’sandfourladies’？Yes，tobesure。Mr。Goodchildhopedthecompanywerenottobeexpectedtowearhelmets，topleaseMr。Idle。
　　Beginningtorecoverhistemperataboutthispoint，Mr。Goodchildvoluntarilyreportedthatifyouwantedtobeprimitive，youcouldbeprimitivehere，andthatifyouwantedtobeidle，youcouldbeidlehere。Inthecourseofsomedays，headded，thattherewerethreefishing-boats，butnorigging，andthattherewereplentyoffishermenwhoneverfished。Thattheygottheirlivingentirelybylookingattheocean。Whatnourishmenttheylookedoutofittosupporttheirstrength，hecouldn’tsay;but，hesupposeditwassomesortofIodine。Theplacewasfulloftheirchildren，whowerealwaysupsidedownonthepublicbuildings（twosmallbridgesoverthebrook），andalwayshurtingthemselvesoroneanother，sothattheirwailingsmademorecontinualnoiseintheairthancouldhavebeengotinabusyplace。Thehousespeoplelodgedin，werenowhereinparticular，andwereincapitalaccordancewiththebeach;beingallmoreorlesscrackedanddamagedasitsshellswere，andallempty-asitsshellswere。Amongthem，wasanedificeofdestituteappearance，withanumberofwall-eyedwindowsinit，lookingdesperatelyouttoScotlandasifforhelp，whichsaiditwasaBazaar（anditoughttoknow），andwhereyoumightbuyanythingyouwanted-supposingwhatyouwanted，wasalittlecamp-stoolorachild’swheelbarrow。Thebrookcrawledorstoppedbetweenthehousesandthesea，andthedonkeywasalwaysrunningaway，andwhenhegotintothebrookhewaspeltedoutwithstones，whichneverhithim，andwhichalwayshitsomeofthechildrenwhowereupsidedownonthepublicbuildings，andmadetheirlamentationslouder。ThisdonkeywasthepublicexcitementofAllonby，andwasprobablysupportedatthepublicexpense。
　　Theforegoingdescriptions，deliveredinseparateitems，onseparatedaysofadventurousdiscovery，Mr。Goodchildseverallywoundup，bylookingoutofwindow，lookinginagain，andsaying，’Butthereisthesea，andherearetheshrimps-letuseat’em。’
　　TherewerefinesunsetsatAllonbywhenthelowflatbeach，withitspoolsofwateranditsdrypatches，changedintolongbarsofsilverandgoldinvariousstatesofburnishing，andtherewerefineviews-onfinedays-oftheScottishcoast。But，whenitrainedatAllonby，Allonbythrownbackuponitsraggedself，becameakindofplacewhichthedonkeyseemedtohavefoundout，andtohavehishighlysagaciousreasonsforwishingtoboltfrom。ThomasIdleobserved，too，thatMr。Goodchild，withanobleshowofdisinterestedness，becameeverydaymorereadytowalktoMaryportandback，forletters;andsuspicionsbegantoharbourinthemindofThomas，thathisfrienddeceivedhim，andthatMaryportwasapreferableplace。
　　Therefore，ThomassaidtoFrancisonadaywhentheyhadlookedattheseaandeatentheshrimps，’Mymindmisgivesme，Goodchild，thatyougotoMaryport，liketheboyinthestory-book，toaskIT
　　tobeidlewithyou。’
　　’Judge，then，’returnedFrancis，adoptingthestyleofthestory-
　　book，’withwhatsuccess。Igotoaregionwhichisabitofwater-sideBristol，withasliceofWapping，aseasoningofWolverhampton，andagarnishofPortsmouth，andIsay，"WillYOU
　　comeandbeidlewithme？"Anditanswers，"No;forIamagreatdealtoovaporous，andagreatdealtoorusty，andagreatdealtoomuddy，andagreatdealtoodirtyaltogether;andIhaveshipstoload，andpitchandtartoboil，andirontohammer，andsteamtogetup，andsmoketomake，andstonetoquarry，andfiftyotherdisagreeablethingstodo，andIcan’tbeidlewithyou。"ThenI
　　gointojaggedup-hillanddown-hillstreets，whereIaminthepastrycook’sshopatonemoment，andnextmomentinsavagefastnessesofmoorandmorass，beyondtheconfinesofcivilisation，andIsaytothosemurkyandblack-dustystreets，"WillYOUcomeandbeidlewithme？"Towhichtheyreply，"No，wecan’t，indeed，forwehaven’tthespirits，andwearestartledbytheechoofyourfeetonthesharppavement，andwehavesomanygoodsinourshop-
　　windowswhichnobodywants，andwehavesomuchtodoforalimitedpublicwhichnevercomestoustobedonefor，thatwearealtogetheroutofsortsandcan’tenjoyourselveswithanyone。"
　　SoIgotothePost-office，andknockattheshutter，andIsaytothePost-master，"WillYOUcomeandbeidlewithme？"Towhichherejoins，"No，Ireallycan’t，forIlive，asyoumaysee，insuchaverylittlePost-office，andpassmylifebehindsuchaverylittleshutter，thatmyhand，whenIputitout，isasthehandofagiantcrammedthroughthewindowofadwarf’shouseatafair，andIamamerePost-officeanchoriteinacellmuchtoosmallforhim，andI
　　can’tgetout，andIcan’tgetin，andIhavenospacetobeidlein，evenifIwould。"So，theboy，’saidMr。Goodchild，concludingthetale，’comesbackwiththelettersafterall，andliveshappyneverafterwards。’
　　Butitmay，notunreasonably，beasked-whileFrancisGoodchildwaswanderinghitherandthither，storinghismindwithperpetualobservationofmenandthings，andsincerelybelievinghimselftobethelaziestcreatureinexistenceallthetime-howdidThomasIdle，crippledandconfinedtothehouse，contrivetogetthroughthehoursoftheday？
　　Proneonthesofa，Thomasmadenoattempttogetthroughthehours，butpassivelyallowedthehourstogetthroughHIM。Whereothermeninhissituationwouldhavereadbooksandimprovedtheirminds，Thomassleptandrestedhisbody。Whereothermenwouldhaveponderedanxiouslyovertheirfutureprospects，Thomasdreamedlazilyofhispastlife。Theonesolitarythinghedid，whichmostotherpeoplewouldhavedoneinhisplace，wastoresolveonmakingcertainalterationsandimprovementsinhismodeofexistence，assoonastheeffectsofthemisfortunethathadovertakenhimhadallpassedaway。Rememberingthatthecurrentofhislifehadhithertooozedalonginonesmoothstreamoflaziness，occasionallytroubledonthesurfacebyaslightpassingrippleofindustry，hispresentideasonthesubjectofself-reform，inclinedhim-notasthereadermaybedisposedtoimagine，toprojectschemesforanewexistenceofenterpriseandexertion-but，onthecontrary，toresolvethathewouldnever，ifhecouldpossiblyhelpit，beactiveorindustriousagain，throughoutthewholeofhisfuturecareer。
　　ItisduetoMr。Idletorelatethathismindsaunteredtowardsthispeculiarconclusionondistinctandlogically-produciblegrounds。Afterreviewing，quiteathisease，andwithmanyneedfulintervalsofrepose，thegenerally-placidspectacleofhispastexistence，hearrivedatthediscoverythatallthegreatdisasterswhichhadtriedhispatienceandequanimityinearlylife，hadbeencausedbyhishavingallowedhimselftobedeludedintoimitatingsomeperniciousexampleofactivityandindustrythathadbeensethimbyothers。Thetrialstowhichheherealludeswerethreeinnumber，andmaybethusreckonedup：First，thedisasterofbeinganunpopularandathrashedboyatschool;secondly，thedisasteroffallingseriouslyill;thirdly，thedisasterofbecomingacquaintedwithagreatbore。
　　ThefirstdisasteroccurredafterThomashadbeenanidleandapopularboyatschool，forsomehappyyears。OneChristmas-time，hewasstimulatedbytheevilexampleofacompanion，whomhehadalwaystrustedandliked，tobeuntruetohimself，andtotryforaprizeattheensuinghalf-yearlyexamination。Hedidtry，andhegotaprize-how，hedidnotdistinctlyknowatthemoment，andcannotremembernow。Nosooner，however，hadthebook-MoralHintstotheYoungontheValueofTime-beenplacedinhishands，thanthefirsttroublesofhislifebegan。Theidleboysdesertedhim，asatraitortotheircause。Theindustriousboysavoidedhim，asadangerousinterloper;oneoftheirnumber，whohadalwayswontheprizeonpreviousoccasions，expressingjustresentmentattheinvasionofhisprivilegesbycallingThomasintotheplay-
　　ground，andthenandthereadministeringtohimthefirstsoundandgenuinethrashingthathehadeverreceivedinhislife。Unpopularfromthatmoment，asabeatenboy，whobelongedtonosideandwasrejectedbyallparties，youngIdlesoonlostcastewithhismasters，ashehadpreviouslylostcastewithhisschoolfellows。
　　Hehadforfeitedthecomfortablereputationofbeingtheonelazymemberoftheyouthfulcommunitywhomitwasquitehopelesstopunish。Neveragaindidheheartheheadmastersayreproachfullytoanindustriousboywhohadcommittedafault，’ImighthaveexpectedthisinThomasIdle，butitisinexcusable，sir，inyou，whoknowbetter。’Nevermore，afterwinningthatfatalprize，didheescapetheretributiveimposition，ortheavengingbirch。Fromthattime，themastersmadehimwork，andtheboyswouldnotlethimplay。Fromthattimehissocialpositionsteadilydeclined，andhislifeatschoolbecameaperpetualburdentohim。
　　So，again，withtheseconddisaster。WhileThomaswaslazy，hewasamodelofhealth。Hisfirstattemptatactiveexertionandhisfirstsufferingfromsevereillnessareconnectedtogetherbytheintimaterelationsofcauseandeffect。Shortlyafterleavingschool，heaccompaniedapartyoffriendstoacricket-field，inhisnaturalandappropriatecharacterofspectatoronly。Onthegrounditwasdiscoveredthattheplayersfellshortoftherequirednumber，andfacileThomaswaspersuadedtoassistinmakingupthecomplement。Atacertainappointedtime，hewasrousedfrompeacefulslumberinadryditch，andplacedbeforethreewicketswithabatinhishand。Oppositetohim，behindthreemorewickets，stoodoneofhisbosomfriends，fillingthesituation（ashewasinformed）ofbowler。NowordscandescribeMr。Idle’shorrorandamazement，whenhesawthisyoungman-onordinaryoccasions，themeekestandmildestofhumanbeings-
　　suddenlycontracthiseye-brows，compresshislips，assumetheaspectofaninfuriatedsavage，runbackafewsteps，thenrunforward，and，withouttheslightestpreviousprovocation，hurladetestablyhardballwithallhismightstraightatThomas’slegs。
　　Stimulatedtopreternaturalactivityofbodyandsharpnessofeyebytheinstinctofself-preservation，Mr。Idlecontrived，byjumpingdeftlyasideattherightmoment，andbyusinghisbat（ridiculouslynarrowasitwasforthepurpose）asashield，topreservehislifeandlimbsfromthedastardlyattackthathadbeenmadeonboth，toleavethefullforceofthedeadlymissiletostrikehiswicketinsteadofhisleg;andtoendtheinnings，sofarashissidewasconcerned，bybeingimmediatelybowledout。
　　Gratefulforhisescape，hewasabouttoreturntothedryditch，whenhewasperemptorilystopped，andtoldthattheothersidewas’goingin，’andthathewasexpectedto’field。’Hisconceptionofthewholeartandmysteryof’fielding，’maybesummedupinthethreewordsofseriousadvicewhichheprivatelyadministeredtohimselfonthattryingoccasion-avoidtheball。Fortifiedbythissoundandsalutaryprinciple，hetookhisowncourse，imperviousaliketoridiculeandabuse。Whenevertheballcamenearhim，hethoughtofhisshins，andgotoutofthewayimmediately。’Catchit！’’Stopit！’’Pitchitup！’werecriesthatpassedbyhimliketheidlewindthatheregardednot。Heduckedunderit，hejumpedoverit，hewhiskedhimselfawayfromitoneitherside。Neveronce，throughthewholeinningsdidheandtheballcometogetheronanythingapproachingtointimateterms。
　　TheunnaturalactivityofbodywhichwasnecessarilycalledforthfortheaccomplishmentofthisresultthrewThomasIdle，forthefirsttimeinhislife，intoaperspiration。Theperspiration，inconsequenceofhiswantofpracticeinthemanagementofthatparticularresultofbodilyactivity，wassuddenlychecked;theinevitablechillsucceeded;andthat，initsturn，wasfollowedbyafever。Forthefirsttimesincehisbirth，Mr。Idlefoundhimselfconfinedtohisbedformanyweekstogether，wastedandwornbyalongillness，ofwhichhisowndisastrousmuscularexertionhadbeenthesolefirstcause。
　　ThethirdoccasiononwhichThomasfoundreasontoreproachhimselfbitterlyforthemistakeofhavingattemptedtobeindustrious，wasconnectedwithhischoiceofacallinginlife。HavingnointerestintheChurch，heappropriatelyselectedthenextbestprofessionforalazymaninEngland-theBar。AlthoughtheBenchersoftheInnsofCourthavelatelyabandonedtheirgoodoldprinciples，andobligetheirstudentstomakesomeshowofstudying，inMr。Idle’stimenosuchinnovationasthisexisted。Youngmenwhoaspiredtothehonourabletitleofbarristerwere，veryproperly，notaskedtolearnanythingofthelaw，butweremerelyrequiredtoeatacertainnumberofdinnersatthetableoftheirHall，andtopayacertainsumofmoney;andwerecalledtotheBarassoonastheycouldprovethattheyhadsufficientlycompliedwiththeseextremelysensibleregulations。NeverdidThomasmovemoreharmoniouslyinconcertwithhiseldersandbettersthanwhenhewasqualifyinghimselfforadmissionamongthebarristersofhisnativecountry。Neverdidhefeelmoredeeplywhatreallazinesswasinalltheserenemajestyofitsnature，thanonthememorabledaywhenhewascalledtotheBar，afterhavingcarefullyabstainedfromopeninghislaw-booksduringhisperiodofprobation，excepttofallasleepoverthem。Howhecouldeveragainhavebecomeindustrious，evenfortheshortestperiod，afterthatgreatrewardconferreduponhisidleness，quitepasseshiscomprehension。ThekindBenchersdideverythingtheycouldtoshowhimthefollyofexertinghimself。Theywroteouthisprobationaryexerciseforhim，andneverexpectedhimeventotakethetroubleofreadingitthroughwhenitwaswritten。Theyinvitedhim，withsevenotherchoicespiritsaslazyashimself，tocomeandbecalledtotheBar，whiletheyweresittingovertheirwineandfruitafterdinner。Theyputhisoathsofallegiance，andhisdreadfulofficialdenunciationsofthePopeandthePretender，sogentlyintohismouth，thathehardlyknewhowthewordsgotthere。Theywheeledalltheirchairssoftlyroundfromthetable，andsatsurveyingtheyoungbarristerswiththeirbackstotheirbottles，ratherthanstandup，oradjourntoheartheexercisesread。AndwhenMr。Idleandthesevenunlabouringneophytes，rangedinorder，asaclass，withtheirbacksconsideratelyplacedagainstascreen，hadbegun，inrotation，toreadtheexerciseswhichtheyhadnotwritten，eventhen，eachBencher，truetothegreatlazyprincipleofthewholeproceeding，stoppedeachneophytebeforehehadstammeredthroughhisfirstline，andbowedtohim，andtoldhimpolitelythathewasabarristerfromthatmoment。Thiswasalltheceremony。Itwasfollowedbyasocialsupper，andbythepresentation，inaccordancewithancientcustom，ofapoundofsweetmeatsandabottleofMadeira，offeredinthewayofneedfulrefreshment，byeachgratefulneophytetoeachbeneficentBencher。
　　ItmayseeminconceivablethatThomasshouldeverhaveforgottenthegreatdo-nothingprincipleinstilledbysuchaceremonyasthis;butitis，nevertheless，true，thatcertaindesigningstudentsofindustrioushabitsfoundhimout，tookadvantageofhiseasyhumour，persuadedhimthatitwasdiscreditabletobeabarristerandtoknownothingwhateveraboutthelaw，andluredhim，bytheforceoftheirownevilexample，intoaconveyancer’schambers，tomakeupforlosttime，andtoqualifyhimselfforpracticeattheBar。Afterafortnightofself-delusion，thecurtainfellfromhiseyes;heresumedhisnaturalcharacter，andshutuphisbooks。Buttheretributionwhichhadhithertoalwaysfollowedhislittlecasualerrorsofindustryfollowedthemstill。
　　Hecouldgetawayfromtheconveyancer’schambers，buthecouldnotgetawayfromoneofthepupils，whohadtakenafancytohim，-atall，serious，raw-boned，hard-working，disputatiouspupil，withideasofhisownaboutreformingtheLawofRealProperty，whohasbeenthescourgeofMr。Idle’sexistenceeversincethefataldaywhenhefellintothemistakeofattemptingtostudythelaw。
　　Beforethattimehisfriendswereallsociableidlerslikehimself。
　　Sincethattimetheburdenofbearingwithahard-workingyoungmanhasbecomepartofhislotinlife。Gowherehewillnow，hecanneverfeelcertainthattheraw-bonedpupilisnotaffectionatelywaitingforhimroundacorner，totellhimalittlemoreabouttheLawofRealProperty。Sufferashemayundertheinfliction，hecannevercomplain，forhemustalwaysremember，withunavailingregret，thathehashisownthoughtlessindustrytothankforfirstexposinghimtothegreatsocialcalamityofknowingabore。
　　Theseeventsofhispastlife，withthesignificantresultsthattheybroughtabout，passdrowsilythroughThomasIdle’smemory，whileheliesaloneonthesofaatAllonbyandelsewhere，dreamingawaythetimewhichhisfellow-apprenticegetsthroughsoactivelyoutofdoors。Rememberingthelessonoflazinesswhichhispastdisastersteach，andbearinginmindalsothefactthatheiscrippledinonelegbecauseheexertedhimselftogoupamountain，whenheoughttohaveknownthathispropercourseofconductwastostopatthebottomofit，heholdsnow，andwillforthefuturefirmlycontinuetohold，byhisnewresolutionnevertobeindustriousagain，onanypretencewhatever，fortherestofhislife。Thephysicalresultsofhisaccidenthavebeenrelatedinapreviouschapter。Themoralresultsnowstandonrecord;and，withtheenumerationofthese，thatpartofthepresentnarrativewhichisoccupiedbytheEpisodeofTheSprainedAnklemaynowperhapsbeconsidered，inallitsaspects，asfinishedandcomplete。
　　’Howdoyouproposethatwegetthroughthispresentafternoonandevening？’demandedThomasIdle，aftertwoorthreehoursoftheforegoingreflectionsatAllonby。
　　Mr。Goodchildfaltered，lookedoutofwindow，lookedinagain，andsaid，ashehadsooftensaidbefore，’Thereisthesea，andherearetheshrimps;-letuseat’em’！’
　　But，thewisedonkeywasatthatmomentintheactofbolting：notwiththeirresolutionofhispreviouseffortswhichhadbeenwantinginsustainedforceofcharacter，butwithrealvigourofpurpose：shakingthedustoffhismaneandhind-feetatAllonby，andtearingawayfromit，asifhehadnoblymadeuphismindthatheneverwouldbetakenalive。Atsightofthisinspiringspectacle，whichwasvisiblefromhissofa，ThomasIdlestretchedhisneckanddweltuponitrapturously。
　　’FrancisGoodchild，’hethensaid，turningtohiscompanionwithasolemnair，’thisisadelightfullittleInn，excellentlykeptbythemostcomfortableoflandladiesandthemostattentiveoflandlords，but-thedonkey’sright！’
　　Thewords，’Thereisthesea，andherearethe-’againtrembledonthelipsofGoodchild，unaccompaniedhoweverbyanysound。
　　’Letusinstantlypacktheportmanteaus，’saidThomasIdle，’paythebill，andorderaflyout，withinstructionstothedrivertofollowthedonkey！’
　　Mr。Goodchild，whohadonlywantedencouragementtodisclosetherealstateofhisfeelings，andwhohadbeenpiningbeneathhiswearysecret，nowburstintotears，andconfessedthathethoughtanotherdayintheplacewouldbethedeathofhim。
　　So，thetwoidleapprenticesfollowedthedonkeyuntilthenightwasfaradvanced。Whetherhewasrecapturedbythetown-council，orisboltingatthishourthroughtheUnitedKingdom，theyknownot。Theyhopehemaybestillbolting;ifso，theirbestwishesarewithhim。
　　ItenteredMr。Idle’shead，onthebordersofCumberland，thattherecouldbenoidlerplacetostayat，exceptbysnatchesofafewminuteseach，thanarailwaystation。’Anintermediatestationonaline-ajunction-anythingofthatsort，’Thomassuggested。
　　Mr。Goodchildapprovedoftheideaaseccentric，andtheyjourneyedonandon，untiltheycametosuchastationwheretherewasanInn。
　　’Here，’saidThomas，’wemaybeluxuriouslylazy;otherpeoplewilltravelforus，asitwere，andweshalllaughattheirfolly。’
　　ItwasaJunction-Station，wherethewoodenrazorsbeforementionedshavedtheairveryoften，andwherethesharpelectric-telegraphbellwasinaveryrestlesscondition。Allmannerofcross-linesofrailscamezig-zaggingintoit，likeaCongressofironvipers;
　　and，alittlewayoutofit，apointsmaninanelevatedsignal-boxwasconstantlygoingthroughthemotionsofdrawingimmensequantitiesofbeeratapublic-housebar。Inonedirection，confusedperspectivesofembankmentsandarchesweretobeseenfromtheplatform;intheother，therailssoondisentangledthemselvesintotwotracksandshotawayunderabridge，andcurvedroundacorner。Sidingswerethere，inwhichemptyluggage-vansandcattle-boxesoftenbuttedagainsteachotherasiftheycouldn’tagree;andwarehouseswerethere，inwhichgreatquantitiesofgoodsseemedtohavetakentheveil（oftheconsistencyoftarpaulin），andtohaveretiredfromtheworldwithoutanyhopeofgettingbacktoit。Refreshment-roomswerethere;one，forthehungryandthirstyIronLocomotiveswheretheircokeandwaterwereready，andofgoodquality，fortheyweredangeroustoplaytrickswith;theother，forthehungryandthirstyhumanLocomotives，whomighttakewhattheycouldget，andwhosechiefconsolationwasprovidedintheformofthreeterrificurnsorvasesofwhitemetal，containingnothing，eachformingabreastworkforadefiantandapparentlymuch-injuredwoman。
　　EstablishedatthisStation，Mr。ThomasIdleandMr。FrancisGoodchildresolvedtoenjoyit。But，itscontrastswereveryviolent，andtherewasalsoaninfectioninit。
　　First，astoitscontrasts。Theywereonlytwo，buttheywereLethargyandMadness。TheStationwaseithertotallyunconscious，orwildlyraving。Byday，initsunconsciousstate，itlookedasifnolifecouldcometoit，-asifitwereallrust，dust，andashes-asifthelasttrainforever，hadgonewithoutissuinganyReturn-Tickets-asifthelastEnginehaduttereditslastshriekandburst。Oneawkwardshaveoftheairfromthewoodenrazor，andeverythingchanged。Tightoffice-doorsflewopen，panelsyielded，books，newspapers，travelling-capsandwrappersbrokeoutofbrickwalls，moneychinked，conveyancesoppressedbynightmaresofluggagecamecareeringintotheyard，portersstartedupfromsecretplaces，dittothemuch-injuredwomen，theshiningbell，wholivedinalittletrayonstiltsbyhimself，flewintoaman’shandandclamouredviolently。Thepointsmanaloftinthesignal-boxmadethemotionsofdrawing，withsomedifficulty，hogsheadsofbeer。DownTrain！Morebear！UpTrain！Morebeer。CrossjunctionTrain！Morebeer！CattleTrain！Morebeer。GoodsTrain！Simmering，whistling，trembling，rumbling，thundering。
　　Trainsonthewholeconfusionofintersectingrails，crossingoneanother，bumpingoneanother，hissingoneanother，backingtogoforward，tearingintodistancetocomeclose。Peoplefrantic。
　　Exilesseekingrestorationtotheirnativecarriages，andbanishedtoremoterclimes。Morebeerandmorebell。Then，inaminute，theStationrelapsedintostuporasthestokeroftheCattleTrain，thelasttodepart，wentglidingoutofit，wipingthelongnoseofhisoil-canwithadirtypocket-handkerchief。
　　Bynight，initsunconsciousstate，theStationwasnotsomuchasvisible。Somethingintheair，likeanenterprisingchemist’sestablishedinbusinessononeoftheboughsofJack’sbeanstalk，wasallthatcouldbediscernedofitunderthestars。Inamomentitwouldbreakout，aconstellationofgas。Inanothermoment，twentyrivalchemists，ontwentyrivalbeanstalks，cameintoexistence。Then，theFurieswouldbeseen，wavingtheirluridtorchesupanddowntheconfusedperspectivesofembankmentsandarches-wouldbeheard，too，wailingandshrieking。Then，theStationwouldbefullofpalpitatingtrains，asintheday;withtheheighteningdifferencethattheywerenotsoclearlyseenasintheday，whereastheStationwalls，startingforwardunderthegas，likeahippopotamus’seyes，dazzledthehumanlocomotiveswiththesauce-bottle，thecheapmusic，thebedstead，thedistortedrangeofbuildingswherethepatentsafesaremade，thegentlemanintherainwiththeregisteredumbrella，theladyreturningfromtheballwiththeregisteredrespirator，andalltheirotherembellishments。
　　Andnow，thehumanlocomotives，creasedastotheircountenancesandpurblindastotheireyes，wouldswarmforthinaheap，addressingthemselvestothemysteriousurnsandthemuch-injuredwomen;whiletheironlocomotives，drippingfireandwater，shedtheirsteamaboutplentifully，makingthedulloxenintheircages，withheadsdepressed，andfoamhangingfromtheirmouthsastheirredlooksglancedfearfullyatthesurroundingterrors，seemasthoughtheyhadbeendrinkingathalf-frozenwatersandwerehungwithicicles。Throughthesamesteamwouldbecaughtglimpsesoftheirfellow-travellers，thesheep，gettingtheirwhitekidfacestogether，awayfromthebars，andstuffingtheintersticeswithtremblingwool。Also，downamongthewheels，ofthemanwiththesledge-hammer，ringingtheaxlesofthefastnight-train;againstwhomtheoxenhaveamisgivingthatheisthemanwiththepole-axewhoistocomeby-and-by，andsothenearestofthemtrytogetback，andgetapurchaseforathrustathimthroughthebars。
　　Suddenly，thebellwouldring，thesteamwouldstopwithonehissandayell，thechemistsonthebeanstalkswouldbebusy，theavengingFurieswouldbestirthemselves，thefastnight-trainwouldmeltfromeyeandear，theothertrainsgoingtheirwaysmoreslowlywouldbeheardfaintlyrattlinginthedistancelikeold-
　　fashionedwatchesrunningdown，thesauce-bottleandcheapmusicretiredfromview，eventhebedsteadwenttobed，andtherewasnosuchvisiblethingastheStationtovexthecoolwindinitsblowing，orperhapstheautumnlightning，asitfoundouttheironrails。
　　TheinfectionoftheStationwasthis：-Whenitwasinitsravingstate，theApprenticesfounditimpossibletobethere，withoutlabouringunderthedelusionthattheywereinahurry。ToMr。
　　Goodchild，whoseideasofidlenessweresoimperfect，thiswasnounpleasanthallucination，andaccordinglythatgentlemanwentthroughgreatexertionsinyieldingtoit，andrunningupanddowntheplatform，jostlingeverybody，undertheimpressionthathehadahighlyimportantmissionsomewhere，andhadnotamomenttolose。
　　But，toThomasIdle，thiscontagionwassoveryunacceptableanincidentofthesituation，thathestruckonthefourthday，andrequestedtobemoved。
　　’Thisplacefillsmewithadreadfulsensation，’saidThomas，’ofhavingsomethingtodo。Removeme，Francis。’
　　’Wherewouldyouliketogonext？’wasthequestionoftheever-
　　engagingGoodchild。
　　’IhaveheardthereisagoodoldInnatLancaster，establishedinafineoldhouse：anInnwheretheygiveyouBride-cakeeverydayafterdinner，’saidThomasIdle。’LetuseatBride-cakewithoutthetroubleofbeingmarried，orofknowinganybodyinthatridiculousdilemma。’
　　Mr。Goodchild，withalover’ssigh，assented。TheydepartedfromtheStationinaviolenthurry（forwhich，itisunnecessarytoobserve，therewasnottheleastoccasion），andweredeliveredatthefineoldhouseatLancaster，onthesamenight。
　　ItisMr。Goodchild’sopinion，thatifavisitoronhisarrivalatLancastercouldbeaccommodatedwithapolewhichwouldpushtheoppositesideofthestreetsomeyardsfartheroff，itwouldbebetterforallparties。Protestingagainstbeingrequiredtoliveinatrench，andobligedtospeculatealldayuponwhatthepeoplecanpossiblybedoingwithinamysteriousoppositewindow，whichisashop-windowtolookat，butnotashop-windowinrespectofitsofferingnothingforsaleanddecliningtogiveanyaccountwhateverofitself，Mr。GoodchildconcedesLancastertobeapleasantplace。Aplacedroppedinthemidstofacharminglandscape，aplacewithafineancientfragmentofcastle，aplaceoflovelywalks，aplacepossessingstaidoldhousesrichlyfittedwitholdHondurasmahogany，whichhasgrownsodarkwithtimethatitseemstohavegotsomethingofaretrospectivemirror-qualityintoitself，andtoshowthevisitor，inthedepthofitsgrain，throughallitspolish，thehueofthewretchedslaveswhogroanedlongagounderoldLancastermerchants。AndMr。GoodchildaddsthatthestonesofLancasterdosometimeswhisper，evenyet，ofrichmenpassedaway-uponwhosegreatprosperitysomeoftheseolddoorwaysfrownedsulleninthebrightestweather-thattheirslave-gainturnedtocurses，astheArabianWizard’smoneyturnedtoleaves，andthatnogoodevercameofit，evenuntothethirdandfourthgenerations，untilitwaswastedandgone。
　　Itwasagallantsighttobehold，theSundayprocessionoftheLancasterelderstoChurch-allinblack，andlookingfearfullylikeafuneralwithouttheBody-undertheescortofThreeBeadles。
　　’Think，’saidFrancis，ashestoodattheInnwindow，admiring，’ofbeingtakentothesacrededificebythreeBeadles！Ihave，inmyearlytime，beentakenoutofitbyoneBeadle;but，tobetakenintoitbythree，OThomas，isadistinctionIshallneverenjoy！’
　　CHAPTERIV
　　WhenMr。GoodchildhadlookedoutoftheLancasterInnwindowfortwohoursonend，withgreatperseverance，hebeguntoentertainamisgivingthathewasgrowingindustrious。Hethereforesethimselfnext，toexplorethecountryfromthetopsofallthesteephillsintheneighbourhood。
　　Hecamebackatdinner-time，redandglowing，totellThomasIdlewhathehadseen。Thomas，onhisbackreading，listenedwithgreatcomposure，andaskedhimwhetherhereallyhadgoneupthosehills，andbotheredhimselfwiththoseviews，andwalkedallthosemiles？
　　’BecauseIwanttoknow，’addedThomas，’whatyouwouldsayofit，ifyouwereobligedtodoit？’
　　’Itwouldbedifferent，then，’saidFrancis。’Itwouldbework，then;now，it’splay。’
　　’Play！’repliedThomasIdle，utterlyrepudiatingthereply。’Play！
　　Hereisamangoessystematicallytearinghimselftopieces，andputtinghimselfthroughanincessantcourseoftraining，asifhewerealwaysunderarticlestofightamatchforthechampion’sbelt，andhecallsitPlay！Play！’exclaimedThomasIdle，scornfullycontemplatinghisonebootintheair。’YouCAN’Tplay。
　　Youdon’tknowwhatitis。Youmakeworkofeverything。’
　　ThebrightGoodchildamiablysmiled。
　　’Soyoudo，’saidThomas。’Imeanit。Tomeyouareanabsolutelyterriblefellow。Youdonothinglikeanotherman。Whereanotherfellowwouldfallintoafootbathofactionoremotion，youfallintoamine。Whereanyotherfellowwouldbeapaintedbutterfly，youareafierydragon。Whereanothermanwouldstakeasixpence，youstakeyourexistence。Ifyouweretogoupinaballoon，youwouldmakeforHeaven;andifyouweretodiveintothedepthsoftheearth，nothingshortoftheotherplacewouldcontentyou。
　　Whatafellowyouare，Francis！’ThecheerfulGoodchildlaughed。
　　’It’sallverywelltolaugh，butIwonderyoudon’tfeelittobeserious，’saidIdle。’Amanwhocandonothingbyhalvesappearstometobeafearfulman。’
　　’Tom，Tom，’returnedGoodchild，’ifIcandonothingbyhalves，andbenothingbyhalves，it’sprettyclearthatyoumusttakemeasawhole，andmakethebestofme。’
　　Withthisphilosophicalrejoinder，theairyGoodchildclappedMr。
　　Idleontheshoulderinafinalmanner，andtheysatdowntodinner。
　　’By-the-by，’saidGoodchild，’Ihavebeenoveralunaticasylumtoo，sinceIhavebeenout。’
　　’Hehasbeen，’exclaimedThomasIdle，castinguphiseyes，’overalunaticasylum！NotcontentwithbeingasgreatanAssasCaptainBarclayinthepedestrianway，hemakesaLunacyCommissionerofhimself-fornothing！’
　　’Animmenseplace，’saidGoodchild，’admirableoffices，verygoodarrangements，verygoodattendants;altogetheraremarkableplace。’
　　’Andwhatdidyouseethere？’askedMr。Idle，adaptingHamlet’sadvicetotheoccasion，andassumingthevirtueofinterest，thoughhehaditnot。
　　’Theusualthing，’saidFrancisGoodchild，withasigh。’Longgrovesofblightedmen-and-women-trees;interminableavenuesofhopelessfaces;numbers，withouttheslightestpowerofreallycombiningforanyearthlypurpose;asocietyofhumancreatureswhohavenothingincommonbutthattheyhavealllostthepowerofbeinghumanlysocialwithoneanother。’
　　’Takeaglassofwinewithme，’saidThomasIdle，’andletUSbesocial。’
　　’Inonegallery，Tom，’pursuedFrancisGoodchild，’whichlookedtomeaboutthelengthoftheLongWalkatWindsor，moreorless-’
　　’Probablyless，’observedThomasIdle。
　　’Inonegallery，whichwasotherwiseclearofpatients（fortheywereallout），therewasapoorlittledark-chinned，meagreman，withaperplexedbrowandapensiveface，stoopinglowoverthemattingonthefloor，andpickingoutwithhisthumbandforefingerthecourseofitsfibres。Theafternoonsunwasslantinginatthelargeend-window，andtherewerecrosspatchesoflightandshadealldownthevista，madebytheunseenwindowsandtheopendoorsofthelittlesleeping-cellsoneitherside。Inaboutthecentreoftheperspective，underanarch，regardlessofthepleasantweather，regardlessofthesolitude，regardlessofapproachingfootsteps，wasthepoorlittledark-chinned，meagreman，poringoverthematting。"Whatareyoudoingthere？"saidmyconductor，whenwecametohim。Helookedup，andpointedtothematting。"I
　　wouldn’tdothat，Ithink，"saidmyconductor，kindly;"ifIwereyou，Iwouldgoandread，orIwouldliedownifIfelttired;butIwouldn’tdothat。"Thepatientconsideredamoment，andvacantlyanswered，"No，sir，Iwon’t;I’ll-I’llgoandread，"andsohelamelyshuffledawayintooneofthelittlerooms。Iturnedmyheadbeforewehadgonemanypaces。Hehadalreadycomeoutagain，andwasagainporingoverthematting，andtrackingoutitsfibreswithhisthumbandforefinger。Istoppedtolookathim，anditcameintomymind，thatprobablythecourseofthosefibresastheyplaitedinandout，overandunder，wastheonlycourseofthingsinthewholewideworldthatitwaslefttohimtounderstand-
　　thathisdarkeningintellecthadnarroweddowntothesmallcleftoflightwhichshowedhim，"Thispiecewastwistedthisway，wentinhere，passedunder，cameoutthere，wascarriedonawayheretotherightwhereInowputmyfingeronit，andinthisprogressofevents，thethingwasmadeandcametobehere。"Then，Iwonderedwhetherhelookedintothematting，next，toseeifitcouldshowhimanythingoftheprocessthroughwhichHEcametobethere，sostrangelyporingoverit。Then，Ithoughthowallofus，GODhelpus！inourdifferentwaysareporingoverourbitsofmatting，blindlyenough，andwhatconfusionsandmysterieswemakeinthepattern。Ihadasadderfellow-feelingwiththelittledark-
　　chinned，meagreman，bythattime，andIcameaway。’
　　Mr。Idledivertingtheconversationtogrouse，custards，andbride-
　　cake，Mr。Goodchildfollowedinthesamedirection。Thebride-cakewasasbiliousandindigestibleasifarealBridehadcutit，andthedinneritcompletedwasanadmirableperformance。
　　Thehousewasagenuineoldhouseofaveryquaintdescription，teemingwitholdcarvings，andbeams，andpanels，andhavinganexcellentoldstaircase，withagalleryorupperstaircase，cutofffromitbyacuriousfence-workofoldoak，oroftheoldHondurasMahoganywood。Itwas，andis，andwillbe，formanyalongyeartocome，aremarkablypicturesquehouse;andacertaingravemysterylurkinginthedepthoftheoldmahoganypanels，asiftheyweresomanydeeppoolsofdarkwater-such，indeed，astheyhadbeenmuchamongwhentheyweretrees-gaveitaverymysteriouscharacterafternightfall。
　　WhenMr。GoodchildandMr。Idlehadfirstalightedatthedoor，andsteppedintothesombre，handsomeoldhall，theyhadbeenreceivedbyhalf-a-dozennoiselessoldmeninblack，alldressedexactlyalike，whoglidedupthestairswiththeobliginglandlordandwaiter-butwithoutappearingtogetintotheirway，ortomindwhethertheydidorno-andwhohadfiledofftotherightandleftontheoldstaircase，astheguestsenteredtheirsitting-
　　room。Itwasthenbroad，brightday。But，Mr。Goodchildhadsaid，whentheirdoorwasshut，’Whooneartharethoseoldmen？’Andafterwards，bothongoingoutandcomingin，hehadnoticedthattherewerenooldmentobeseen。
　　Neither，hadtheoldmen，oranyoneoftheoldmen，reappearedsince。Thetwofriendshadpassedanightinthehouse，buthadseennothingmoreoftheoldmen。Mr。Goodchild，inramblingaboutit，hadlookedalongpassages，andglancedinatdoorways，buthadencounterednooldmen;neitherdiditappearthatanyoldmenwere，byanymemberoftheestablishment，missedorexpected。
　　Anotheroddcircumstanceimpresseditselfontheirattention。Itwas，thatthedooroftheirsitting-roomwasneverleftuntouchedforaquarterofanhour。Itwasopenedwithhesitation，openedwithconfidence，openedalittleway，openedagoodway，-alwaysclapped-toagainwithoutawordofexplanation。Theywerereading，theywerewriting，theywereeating，theyweredrinking，theyweretalking，theyweredozing;thedoorwasalwaysopenedatanunexpectedmoment，andtheylookedtowardsit，anditwasclapped-
　　toagain，andnobodywastobeseen。Whenthishadhappenedfiftytimesorso，Mr。Goodchildhadsaidtohiscompanion，jestingly：
　　’Ibegintothink，Tom，therewassomethingwrongwiththosesixoldmen。’
　　Nighthadcomeagain，andtheyhadbeenwritingfortwoorthreehours：writing，inshort，aportionofthelazynotesfromwhichtheselazysheetsaretaken。Theyhadleftoffwriting，andglasseswereonthetablebetweenthem。Thehousewasclosedandquiet。AroundtheheadofThomasIdle，ashelayuponhissofa，hoveredlightwreathsoffragrantsmoke。ThetemplesofFrancisGoodchild，asheleanedbackinhischair，withhistwohandsclaspedbehindhishead，andhislegscrossed，weresimilarlydecorated。
　　Theyhadbeendiscussingseveralidlesubjectsofspeculation，notomittingthestrangeoldmen，andwerestillsooccupied，whenMr。
　　Goodchildabruptlychangedhisattitudetowinduphiswatch。Theywerejustbecomingdrowsyenoughtobestoppedintheirtalkbyanysuchslightcheck。ThomasIdle，whowasspeakingatthemoment，pausedandsaid，’Howgoesit？’
　　’One，’saidGoodchild。
　　AsifhehadorderedOneoldman，andtheorderwerepromptlyexecuted（truly，allorderswereso，inthatexcellenthotel），thedooropened，andOneoldmanstoodthere。
　　Hedidnotcomein，butstoodwiththedoorinhishand。
　　’Oneofthesix，Tom，atlast！’saidMr。Goodchild，inasurprisedwhisper-’Sir，yourpleasure？’
　　’Sir，YOURpleasure？’saidtheOneoldman。
　　’Ididn’tring。’
　　’Thebelldid，’saidtheOneoldman。
　　HesaidBELL，inadeep，strongway，thatwouldhaveexpressedthechurchBell。
　　’Ihadthepleasure，Ibelieve，ofseeingyou，yesterday？’saidGoodchild。
　　’Icannotundertaketosayforcertain，’wasthegrimreplyoftheOneoldman。
　　’Ithinkyousawme？Didyounot？’
　　’SawYOU？’saidtheoldman。’Oyes，Isawyou。But，Iseemanywhoneverseeme。’
　　Achilled，slow，earthy，fixedoldman。Acadaverousoldmanofmeasuredspeech。Anoldmanwhoseemedasunabletowink，asifhiseyelidshadbeennailedtohisforehead。Anoldmanwhoseeyes-twospotsoffire-hadnomoremotionthaniftheyhadbeenconnectedwiththebackofhisskullbyscrewsdriventhroughit，andrivettedandboltedoutside，amonghisgreyhair。
　　Thenighthadturnedsocold，toMr。Goodchild’ssensations，thatheshivered。Heremarkedlightly，andhalfapologetically，’I
　　thinksomebodyiswalkingovermygrave。’
　　’No，’saidtheweirdoldman，’thereisnoonethere。’
　　Mr。GoodchildlookedatIdle，butIdlelaywithhisheadenwreathedinsmoke。
　　’Noonethere？’saidGoodchild。
　　’Thereisnooneatyourgrave，Iassureyou，’saidtheoldman。
　　Hehadcomeinandshutthedoor，andhenowsatdown。Hedidnotbendhimselftosit，asotherpeopledo，butseemedtosinkboltupright，asifinwater，untilthechairstoppedhim。
　　’Myfriend，Mr。Idle，’saidGoodchild，extremelyanxioustointroduceathirdpersonintotheconversation。
　　’Iam，’saidtheoldman，withoutlookingathim，’atMr。Idle’sservice。’
　　’Ifyouareanoldinhabitantofthisplace，’FrancisGoodchildresumed。
　　’Yes。’
　　’PerhapsyoucandecideapointmyfriendandIwereindoubtupon，thismorning。TheyhangcondemnedcriminalsattheCastle，I
　　believe？’
　　’Ibelieveso，’saidtheoldman。
　　’Aretheirfacesturnedtowardsthatnobleprospect？’
　　’Yourfaceisturned，’repliedtheoldman，’totheCastlewall。
　　Whenyouaretiedup，youseeitsstonesexpandingandcontractingviolently，andasimilarexpansionandcontractionseemtotakeplaceinyourownheadandbreast。Then，thereisarushoffireandanearthquake，andtheCastlespringsintotheair，andyoutumbledownaprecipice。’
　　Hiscravatappearedtotroublehim。Heputhishandtohisthroat，andmovedhisneckfromsidetoside。Hewasanoldmanofaswollencharacterofface，andhisnosewasimmoveablyhitchedupononeside，asifbyalittlehookinsertedinthatnostril。Mr。
　　Goodchildfeltexceedinglyuncomfortable，andbegantothinkthenightwashot，andnotcold。
　　’Astrongdescription，sir，’heobserved。
　　’Astrongsensation，’theoldmanrejoined。
　　Again，Mr。GoodchildlookedtoMr。ThomasIdle;butThomaslayonhisbackwithhisfaceattentivelyturnedtowardstheOneoldman，andmadenosign。AtthistimeMr。Goodchildbelievedthathesawthreadsoffirestretchfromtheoldman’seyestohisown，andthereattachthemselves。（Mr。Goodchildwritesthepresentaccountofhisexperience，and，withtheutmostsolemnity，proteststhathehadthestrongestsensationuponhimofbeingforcedtolookattheoldmanalongthosetwofieryfilms，fromthatmoment。）
　　’Imusttellittoyou，’saidtheoldman，withaghastlyandastonystare。
　　’What？’askedFrancisGoodchild。
　　’Youknowwhereittookplace。Yonder！’
　　Whetherhepointedtotheroomabove，ortotheroombelow，ortoanyroominthatoldhouse，ortoaroominsomeotheroldhouseinthatoldtown，Mr。Goodchildwasnot，noris，norevercanbe，sure。HewasconfusedbythecircumstancethattherightforefingeroftheOneoldmanseemedtodipitselfinoneofthethreadsoffire，lightitself，andmakeafierystartintheair，asitpointedsomewhere。Havingpointedsomewhere，itwentout。
　　’YouknowshewasaBride，’saidtheoldman。
　　’IknowtheystillsendupBride-cake，’Mr。Goodchildfaltered。
　　’Thisisaveryoppressiveair。’
　　’ShewasaBride，’saidtheoldman。’Shewasafair，flaxen-
　　haired，large-eyedgirl，whohadnocharacter，nopurpose。Aweak，credulous，incapable，helplessnothing。Notlikehermother。No，no。Itwasherfatherwhosecharactershereflected。
　　’Hermotherhadtakencaretosecureeverythingtoherself，forherownlife，whenthefatherofthisgirl（achildatthattime）died-ofsheerhelplessness;nootherdisorder-andthenHerenewedtheacquaintancethathadoncesubsistedbetweenthemotherandHim。Hehadbeenputasidefortheflaxen-haired，large-eyedman（ornonentity）withMoney。HecouldoverlookthatforMoney。HewantedcompensationinMoney。
　　’So，hereturnedtothesideofthatwomanthemother，madelovetoheragain，dancedattendanceonher，andsubmittedhimselftoherwhims。Shewreakeduponhimeverywhimshehad，orcouldinvent。
　　Heboreit。Andthemorehebore，themorehewantedcompensationinMoney，andthemorehewasresolvedtohaveit。
　　’But，lo！Beforehegotit，shecheatedhim。Inoneofherimperiousstates，shefroze，andneverthawedagain。Sheputherhandstoherheadonenight，utteredacry，stiffened，layinthatattitudecertainhours，anddied。AndhehadgotnocompensationfromherinMoney，yet。BlightandMurrainonher！Notapenny。
　　’Hehadhatedherthroughoutthatsecondpursuit，andhadlongedforretaliationonher。Henowcounterfeitedhersignaturetoaninstrument，leavingallshehadtoleave，toherdaughter-tenyearsoldthen-towhomthepropertypassedabsolutely，andappointinghimselfthedaughter’sGuardian。WhenHesliditunderthepillowofthebedonwhichshelay，HebentdowninthedeafearofDeath，andwhispered："MistressPride，Ihavedeterminedalongtimethat，deadoralive，youmustmakemecompensationinMoney。’
　　’So，nowtherewereonlytwoleft。Whichtwowere，He，andthefairflaxen-haired，large-eyedfoolishdaughter，whoafterwardsbecametheBride。
　　’Heputhertoschool。Inasecret，dark，oppressive，ancienthouse，heputhertoschoolwithawatchfulandunscrupulouswoman。
　　"Myworthylady，"hesaid，"hereisamindtobeformed;willyouhelpmetoformit？"Sheacceptedthetrust。Forwhichshe，too，wantedcompensationinMoney，andhadit。
　　’Thegirlwasformedinthefearofhim，andintheconviction，thattherewasnoescapefromhim。Shewastaught，fromthefirst，toregardhimasherfuturehusband-themanwhomustmarryher-
　　thedestinythatovershadowedher-theappointedcertaintythatcouldneverbeevaded。Thepoorfoolwassoftwhitewaxintheirhands，andtooktheimpressionthattheyputuponher。Ithardenedwithtime。Itbecameapartofherself。Inseparablefromherself，andonlytobetornawayfromher，bytearinglifeawayfromher。
　　’Elevenyearsshehadlivedinthedarkhouseanditsgloomygarden。Hewasjealousoftheverylightandairgettingtoher，andtheykeptherclose。Hestoppedthewidechimneys，shadedthelittlewindows，leftthestrong-stemmedivytowanderwhereitwouldoverthehouse-front，themosstoaccumulateontheuntrimmedfruit-treesinthered-walledgarden，theweedstoover-runitsgreenandyellowwalks。Hesurroundedherwithimagesofsorrowanddesolation。Hecausedhertobefilledwithfearsoftheplaceandofthestoriesthatweretoldofit，andthenonpretextofcorrectingthem，tobeleftinitinsolitude，ormadetoshrinkaboutitinthedark。Whenhermindwasmostdepressedandfullestofterrors，then，hewouldcomeoutofoneofthehiding-placesfromwhichheoverlookedher，andpresenthimselfashersoleresource。
　　’Thus，bybeingfromherchildhoodtheoneembodimentherlifepresentedtoherofpowertocoerceandpowertorelieve，powertobindandpowertoloose，theascendencyoverherweaknesswassecured。Shewastwenty-oneyearsandtwenty-onedaysold，whenhebroughtherhometothegloomyhouse，hishalf-witted，frightened，andsubmissiveBrideofthreeweeks。
　　’Hehaddismissedthegovernessbythattime-whathehadlefttodo，hecouldbestdoalone-andtheycameback，uponarainnight，tothesceneofherlongpreparation。Sheturnedtohimuponthethreshold，astherainwasdrippingfromtheporch，andsaid：
　　’"Osir，itistheDeath-watchtickingforme！"
　　’"Well！"heanswered。"Andifitwere？"
　　’"Osir！"shereturnedtohim，"lookkindlyonme，andbemercifultome！Ibegyourpardon。Iwilldoanythingyouwish，ifyouwillonlyforgiveme！"
　　’Thathadbecomethepoorfool’sconstantsong："Ibegyourpardon，"and"Forgiveme！"
　　’Shewasnotworthhating;hefeltnothingbutcontemptforher。
　　But，shehadlongbeenintheway，andhehadlongbeenweary，andtheworkwasnearitsend，andhadtobeworkedout。
　　’"Youfool，"hesaid。"Goupthestairs！"
　　’Sheobeyedveryquickly，murmuring，"Iwilldoanythingyouwish！"
　　WhenhecameintotheBride’sChamber，havingbeenalittleretardedbytheheavyfasteningsofthegreatdoor（fortheywerealoneinthehouse，andhehadarrangedthatthepeoplewhoattendedonthemshouldcomeandgointheday），hefoundherwithdrawntothefurthestcorner，andtherestandingpressedagainstthepanelingasifshewouldhaveshrunkthroughit：herflaxenhairallwildaboutherface，andherlargeeyesstaringathiminvagueterror。
　　’"Whatareyouafraidof？Comeandsitdownbyme。"
　　’"Iwilldoanythingyouwish。Ibegyourpardon，sir。Forgiveme！"Hermonotonoustuneasusual。
　　’"Ellen，hereisawritingthatyoumustwriteoutto-morrow，inyourownhand。Youmayaswellbeseenbyothers，busilyengageduponit。Whenyouhavewrittenitallfairly，andcorrectedallmistakes，callinanytwopeopletheremaybeaboutthehouse，andsignyournametoitbeforethem。Then，putitinyourbosomtokeepitsafe，andwhenIsithereagainto-morrownight，giveittome。"
　　’"Iwilldoitall，withthegreatestcare。Iwilldoanythingyouwish。"
　　’"Don’tshakeandtremble，then。"
　　’"Iwilltrymyutmostnottodoit-ifyouwillonlyforgiveme！"
　　’Nextday，shesatdownatherdesk，anddidasshehadbeentold。
　　Heoftenpassedinandoutoftheroom，toobserveher，andalwayssawherslowlyandlaboriouslywriting：repeatingtoherselfthewordsshecopied，inappearancequitemechanically，andwithoutcaringorendeavouringtocomprehendthem，sothatshedidhertask。Hesawherfollowthedirectionsshehadreceived，inallparticulars;andatnight，whentheywerealoneagaininthesameBride’sChamber，andhedrewhischairtothehearth，shetimidlyapproachedhimfromherdistantseat，tookthepaperfromherbosom，andgaveitintohishand。
　　’Itsecuredallherpossessionstohim，intheeventofherdeath。
　　Heputherbeforehim，facetoface，thathemightlookathersteadily;andheaskedher，insomanyplainwords，neitherfewernormore，didsheknowthat？
　　’Therewerespotsofinkuponthebosomofherwhitedress，andtheymadeherfacelookwhiterandhereyeslooklargerasshenoddedherhead。Therewerespotsofinkuponthehandwithwhichshestoodbeforehim，nervouslyplaitingandfoldingherwhiteskirts。
　　’Hetookherbythearm，andlookedher，yetmorecloselyandsteadily，intheface。"Now，die！Ihavedonewithyou。"
　　’Sheshrunk，andutteredalow，suppressedcry。
　　’"Iamnotgoingtokillyou。Iwillnotendangermylifeforyours。Die！"
　　’HesatbeforeherinthegloomyBride’sChamber，dayafterday，nightafternight，lookingthewordatherwhenhedidnotutterit。Asoftenasherlargeunmeaningeyeswereraisedfromthehandsinwhichsherockedherhead，tothesternfigure，sittingwithcrossedarmsandknittedforehead，inthechair，theyreadinit，"Die！"Whenshedroppedasleepinexhaustion，shewascalledbacktoshudderingconsciousness，bythewhisper，"Die！"Whenshefelluponheroldentreatytobepardoned，shewasanswered"Die！"
　　Whenshehadout-watchedandout-sufferedthelongnight，andtherisingsunflamedintothesombreroom，sheheardithailedwith，"Anotherdayandnotdead？-Die！"
　　’Shutupinthedesertedmansion，alooffromallmankind，andengagedaloneinsuchastrugglewithoutanyrespite，itcametothis-thateitherhemustdie，orshe。Heknewitverywell，andconcentratedhisstrengthagainstherfeebleness。Hoursuponhoursheheldherbythearmwhenherarmwasblackwhereheheldit，andbadeherDie！
　　’Itwasdone，uponawindymorning，beforesunrise。Hecomputedthetimetobehalf-pastfour;but，hisforgottenwatchhadrundown，andhecouldnotbesure。Shehadbrokenawayfromhiminthenight，withloudandsuddencries-thefirstofthatkindtowhichshehadgivenvent-andhehadhadtoputhishandsoverhermouth。Sincethen，shehadbeenquietinthecornerofthepanelingwhereshehadsunkdown;andhehadlefther，andhadgonebackwithhisfoldedarmsandhisknittedforeheadtohischair。
　　’Palerinthepalelight，morecolourlessthaneverintheleadendawn，hesawhercoming，trailingherselfalongthefloortowardshim-awhitewreckofhair，anddress，andwildeyes，pushingitselfonbyanirresoluteandbendinghand。
　　’"O，forgiveme！Iwilldoanything。O，sir，praytellmeImaylive！"
　　’"Die！"
　　’"Areyousoresolved？Istherenohopeforme？"
　　’"Die！"
　　’Herlargeeyesstrainedthemselveswithwonderandfear;wonderandfearchangedtoreproach;reproachtoblanknothing。Itwasdone。Hewasnotatfirstsosureitwasdone，butthatthemorningsunwashangingjewelsinherhair-hesawthediamond，emerald，andruby，glitteringamongitinlittlepoints，ashestoodlookingdownather-whenheliftedherandlaidheronherbed。