"Itisnotabitmoreperfunctorythanthepresentsystem，"saidEgbert；"IhaveonlythesameconventionallanguageofgratitudeatmydisposalwithwhichtothankdearoldColonelChuttleforhisperfectlydeliciousStilton，whichweshalldevourtothelastmorsel，andtheFroplinsonsfortheircalendar，whichweshallneverlookat。ColonelChuttleknowsthatwearegratefulfortheStilton，withouthavingtobetoldso，andtheFroplinsonsknowthatweareboredwiththeircalendar，whateverwemaysaytothecontrary，justasweknowthattheyareboredwiththebridge-markersinspiteoftheirwrittenassurancethattheythankedusforourcharminglittlegift。Whatismore，theColonelknowsthatevenifwehadtakenasuddenaversiontoStiltonorbeenforbiddenitbythedoctor，weshouldstillhavewrittenaletterofheartythanksaroundit。Soyouseethepresentsystemofacknowledgmentisjustasperfunctoryandconventionalasthecounterfoilbusinesswouldbe，onlytentimesmoretiresomeandbrain-racking。"
"YourplanwouldcertainlybringtheidealofaHappyChristmasastepnearerrealisation，"saidJanetta。
"Thereareexceptions，ofcourse，"saidEgbert，"peoplewhoreallytrytoinfuseabreathofrealityintotheirlettersofacknowledgment。AuntSusan，forinstance，whowrites：'Thankyouverymuchfortheham；
notsuchagoodflavourastheoneyousentlastyear，whichitselfwasnotaparticularlygoodone。Hamsarenotwhattheyusedtobe。'ItwouldbeapitytobedeprivedofherChristmascomments，butthatlosswouldbeswallowedupinthegeneralgain。"
"Meanwhile，"saidJanetta，"whatamItosaytotheFroplinsons？"
THENAME-DAY
ADVENTURES，accordingtotheproverb，aretotheadventurous。Quiteasoftentheyaretothenon-
adventurous，totheretiring，totheconstitutionallytimid。JohnJamesAbblewayhadbeenendowedbyNaturewiththesortofdispositionthatinstinctivelyavoidsCarlistintrigues，slumcrusades，thetrackingofwoundedwildbeasts，andthemovingofhostileamendmentsatpoliticalmeetings。IfamaddogoraMadMullahhadcomehiswayhewouldhavesurrenderedthewaywithouthesitation。AtschoolhehadunwillinglyacquiredathoroughknowledgeoftheGermantongueoutofdeferencetotheplainly-expressedwishesofaforeign-languagesmaster，who，thoughhetaughtmodernsubjects，employedold-fashionedmethodsindrivinghislessonshome。ItwasthisenforcedfamiliaritywithanimportantcommerciallanguagewhichthrustAbblewayinlateryearsintostrangelandswhereadventureswerelesseasytoguardagainstthanintheorderedatmosphereofanEnglishcountrytown。ThefirmthatheworkedforsawfittosendhimonedayonaprosaicbusinesserrandtothefarcityofVienna，and，havingsenthimthere，continuedtokeephimthere，stillengagedinhumdrumaffairsofcommerce，butwiththepossibilitiesofromanceandadventure，orevenmisadventure，jostlingathiselbow。Aftertwoandahalfyearsofexile，however，JohnJamesAbblewayhadembarkedononlyonehazardousundertaking，andthatwasofanaturewhichwouldassuredlyhaveovertakenhimsoonerorlaterifhehadbeenleadingasheltered，stay-at-homeexistenceatDorkingorHuntingdon。HefellplacidlyinlovewithaplacidlylovableEnglishgirl，thesisterofoneofhiscommercialcolleagues，whowasimprovinghermindbyashorttriptoforeignparts，andinduecoursehewasformallyacceptedastheyoungmanshewasengagedto。
ThefurtherstepbywhichshewastobecomeMrs。JohnAbblewaywastotakeplaceatwelvemonthhenceinatownintheEnglishmidlands，bywhichtimethefirmthatemployedJohnJameswouldhavenofurtherneedforhispresenceintheAustriancapital。
ItwasearlyinApril，twomonthsaftertheinstallationofAbblewayastheyoungmanMissPenningwasengagedto，whenhereceivedaletterfromher，writtenfromVenice。Shewasstillperegrinatingunderthewingofherbrother，andasthelatter'sbusinessarrangementswouldtakehimacrosstoFiumeforadayortwo，shehadconceivedtheideathatitwouldberatherjollyifJohncouldobtainleaveofabsenceandrundowntotheAdriaticcoasttomeetthem。Shehadlookeduptherouteonthemap，andthejourneydidnotappearlikelytobeexpensive。Betweenthelinesofhercommunicationtherelayahintthatifhereallycaredforher-
AbblewayobtainedleaveofabsenceandaddedajourneytoFiumetohislife'sadventures。HeleftViennaonacold，cheerlessday。Theflowershopswerefullofspringblooms，andtheweeklyorgansofillustratedhumourwerefullofspringtopics，buttheskieswereheavywithcloudsthatlookedlikecotton-woolthathasbeenkeptoverlonginashopwindow。
"Snowcomes，"saidthetrainofficialtothestationofficials；andtheyagreedthatsnowwasabouttocome。
Anditcame，rapidly，plenteously。Thetrainhadnotbeenmorethananhouronitsjourneywhenthecotton-
woolcloudscommencedtodissolveinablindingdownpourofsnowflakes。Theforesttreesoneithersideofthelinewerespeedilycoatedwithaheavywhitemantle，thetelegraphwiresbecamethickglisteningropes，thelineitselfwasburiedmoreandmorecompletelyunderacarpetingofsnow，throughwhichthenotverypowerfulengineplougheditswaywithincreasingdifficulty。TheVienna-FiumelineisscarcelythebestequippedoftheAustrianStaterailways，andAbblewaybegantohaveseriousfearsforabreakdown。Thetrainhadsloweddowntoapainfulandprecariouscrawlandpresentlycametoahaltataspotwherethedriftingsnowhadaccumulatedinaformidablebarrier。Theenginemadeaspecialeffortandbrokethroughtheobstruction，butinthecourseofanothertwentyminutesitwasagainheldup。Theprocessofbreakingthroughwasrenewed，andthetraindoggedlyresumeditsway，encounteringandsurmountingfreshhindrancesatfrequentintervals。AfterastandstillofunusuallylongdurationinaparticularlydeepdriftthecompartmentinwhichAbblewaywassittinggaveahugejerkandalurch，andthenseemedtoremainstationary；
itundoubtedlywasnotmoving，andyethecouldhearthepuffingoftheengineandtheslowrumblingandjoltingofwheels。Thepuffingandrumblinggrewfainter，asthoughitweredyingawaythroughtheagencyofinterveningdistance。Abblewaysuddenlygaveventtoanexclamationofscandalisedalarm，openedthewindow，andpeeredoutintothesnowstorm。Theflakesperchedonhiseyelashesandblurredhisvision，buthesawenoughtohelphimtorealisewhathadhappened。Theenginehadmadeamightyplungethroughthedriftandhadgonemerrilyforward，lightenedoftheloadofitsrearcarriage，whosecouplinghadsnappedunderthestrain。
Abblewaywasalone，oralmostalone，withaderelictrailwaywaggon，intheheartofsomeStyrianorCroatianforest。Inthethird-classcompartmentnexttohisownherememberedtohaveseenapeasantwoman，whohadenteredthetrainatasmallwaysidestation。"Withtheexceptionofthatwoman，"heexclaimeddramaticallytohimself，"thenearestlivingbeingsareprobablyapackofwolves。"
Beforemakinghiswaytothethird-classcompartmenttoacquainthisfellow-travellerwiththeextentofthedisasterAbblewayhurriedlyponderedthequestionofthewoman'snationality。HehadacquiredasmatteringofSlavonictonguesduringhisresidenceinVienna，andfeltcompetenttograpplewithseveralracialpossibilities。
"IfsheisCroatorSerborBosniakIshallbeabletomakeherunderstand，"hepromisedhimself。"IfsheisMagyar，heavenhelpme！Weshallhavetoconverseentirelybysigns。"
HeenteredthecarriageandmadehismomentousannouncementinthebestapproachtoCroatspeechthathecouldachieve。
"Thetrainhasbrokenawayandleftus！"
Thewomanshookherheadwithamovementthatmightbeintendedtoconveyresignationtothewillofheaven，butprobablymeantnoncomprehension。AbblewayrepeatedhisinformationwithvariationsofSlavonictonguesandgenerousdisplaysofpantomime。
"Ah，"saidthewomanatlastinGermandialect，"thetrainhasgone？Weareleft。Ah，so。"
SheseemedaboutasmuchinterestedasthoughAbblewayhadtoldhertheresultofthemunicipalelectionsinAmsterdam。
"Theywillfindoutatsomestation，andwhenthelineisclearofsnowtheywillsendanengine。Ithappensthatwaysometimes。"
"Wemaybehereallnight！"exclaimedAbbleway。
Thewomannoddedasthoughshethoughtitpossible。
"Aretherewolvesintheseparts？"askedAbblewayhurriedly。
"Many，"saidthewoman；"justoutsidethisforestmyauntwasdevouredthreeyearsago，asshewascominghomefrommarket。Thehorseandayoungpigthatwasinthecartwereeatentoo。Thehorsewasaveryoldone，butitwasabeautifulyoungpig，oh，sofat。IcriedwhenI
heardthatitwastaken。Theysparenothing。"
"Theymayattackushere，"saidAbblewaytremulously；"theycouldeasilybreakin，thesecarriagesarelikematchwood。Wemaybothbedevoured。"
"You，perhaps，"saidthewomancalmly；"notme。"
"Whynotyou？"demandedAbbleway。
"ItisthedayofSaintMariaKleopha，myname-day。
Shewouldnotallowmetobeeatenbywolvesonherday。
Suchathingcouldnotbethoughtof。You，yes，butnotme。"
Abblewaychangedthesubject。
"Itisonlyafternoonnow；ifwearetobeleftheretillmorningweshallbestarving。"
"Ihaveheresomegoodeatables，"saidthewomantranquilly；"onmyfestivaldayitisnaturalthatI
shouldhaveprovisionwithme。Ihavefivegoodblood-
sausages；inthetownshopstheycosttwenty-fivehellereach。Thingsaredearinthetownshops。"
"Iwillgiveyoufiftyhellerapieceforacoupleofthem，"saidAbblewaywithsomeenthusiasm。
"Inarailwayaccidentthingsbecomeverydear，"
saidthewoman；"theseblood-sausagesarefourkronenapiece。"
"Fourkronen！"exclaimedAbbleway；"fourkronenforablood-sausage！"
"Youcannotgetthemanycheaperonthistrain，"
saidthewoman，withrelentlesslogic，"becausetherearen'tanyotherstoget。InAgramyoucanbuythemcheaper，andinParadisenodoubttheywillbegiventousfornothing，butheretheycostfourkroneneach。I
haveasmallpieceofEmmenthalercheeseandahoney-cakeandapieceofbreadthatIcanletyouhave。Thatwillbeanotherthreekronen，elevenkroneninall。Thereisapieceofham，butthatIcannotletyouhaveonmyname-day。"
Abblewaywonderedtohimselfwhatpriceshewouldhaveputontheham，andhurriedtopayhertheelevenkronenbeforeheremergencytariffexpandedintoafaminetariff。Ashewastakingpossessionofhismodeststoreofeatableshesuddenlyheardanoisewhichsethisheartthumpinginamiserablefeveroffear。'Therewasascrapingandshufflingasofsomeanimaloranimalstryingtoclimbuptothefootboard。Inanothermoment，throughthesnow-encrustedglassofthecarriagewindow，hesawagauntprick-earedhead，withgapingjawandlollingtongueandgleamingteeth；asecondlateranotherheadshotup。
"Therearehundredsofthem，"whisperedAbbleway；
"theyhavescentedus。Theywilltearthecarriagetopieces。Weshallbedevoured。"
"Notme，onmyname-day。TheholyMariaKleophawouldnotpermitit，"saidthewomanwithprovokingcalm。
Theheadsdroppeddownfromthewindowandanuncannysilencefellonthebeleagueredcarriage。
Abblewayneithermovednorspoke。Perhapsthebruteshadnotclearlyseenorwindedthehumanoccupantsofthecarriage，andhadprowledawayonsomeothererrandofrapine。
Thelongtorture-ladenminutespassedslowlyaway。
"Itgrowscold，"saidthewomansuddenly，crossingovertothefarendofthecarriage，wheretheheadshadappeared。"Theheatingapparatusdoesnotworkanylonger。See，overtherebeyondthetrees，thereisachimneywithsmokecomingfromit。Itisnotfar，andthesnowhasnearlystopped，Ishallfindapaththroughtheforesttothathousewiththechimney。"
"Butthewolves！"exclaimedAbbleway；"theymay-"
"Notonmyname-day，"saidthewomanobstinately，andbeforehecouldstophershehadopenedthedoorandclimbeddownintothesnow。Amomentlaterhehidhisfaceinhishands；twogauntleanfiguresrusheduponherfromtheforest。Nodoubtshehadcourtedherfate，butAbblewayhadnowishtoseeahumanbeingtorntopiecesanddevouredbeforehiseyes。
Whenhelookedatlastanewsensationofscandalisedastonishmenttookpossessionofhim。HehadbeenstraitlybroughtupinasmallEnglishtown，andhewasnotpreparedtobethewitnessofamiracle。Thewolveswerenotdoinganythingworsetothewomanthandrenchherwithsnowastheygambolledroundher。
Ashort，joyousbarkrevealedthecluetothesituation。
"Arethose-dogs？"hecalledweakly。
"MycousinKarl'sdogs，yes，"sheanswered；thatishisinn，overbeyondthetrees。Iknewitwasthere，butIdidnotwanttotakeyouthere；heisalwaysgraspingwithstrangers。However，itgrowstoocoldtoremaininthetrain。Ah，ah，seewhatcomes！"
Awhistlesounded，andareliefenginemadeitsappearance，snortingitswaysulkilythroughthesnow。
AbblewaydidnothavetheopportunityforfindingoutwhetherKarlwasreallyavaricious。
THELUMBERROOM
THEchildrenweretobedriven，asaspecialtreat，tothesandsatJagborough。Nicholaswasnottobeoftheparty；hewasindisgrace。Onlythatmorninghehadrefusedtoeathiswholesomebread-and-milkontheseeminglyfrivolousgroundthattherewasafroginit。
Olderandwiserandbetterpeoplehadtoldhimthattherecouldnotpossiblybeafroginhisbread-and-milkandthathewasnottotalknonsense；hecontinued，nevertheless，totalkwhatseemedtheveriestnonsense，anddescribedwithmuchdetailthecolourationandmarkingsoftheallegedfrog。ThedramaticpartoftheincidentwasthattherereallywasafroginNicholas'
basinofbread-and-milk；hehadputittherehimself，sohefeltentitledtoknowsomethingaboutit。Thesinoftakingafrogfromthegardenandputtingitintoabowlofwholesomebread-and-milkwasenlargedonatgreatlength，butthefactthatstoodoutclearestinthewholeaffair，asitpresenteditselftothemindofNicholas，wasthattheolder，wiser，andbetterpeoplehadbeenprovedtobeprofoundlyinerrorinmattersaboutwhichtheyhadexpressedtheutmostassurance。
"Yousaidtherecouldn'tpossiblybeafroginmybread-and-milk；thereWASafroginmybread-and-milk，"
herepeated，withtheinsistenceofaskilledtacticianwhodoesnotintendtoshiftfromfavourableground。
Sohisboy-cousinandgirl-cousinandhisquiteuninterestingyoungerbrotherweretobetakentoJagboroughsandsthatafternoonandhewastostayathome。Hiscousins'aunt，whoinsisted，byanunwarrantedstretchofimagination，instylingherselfhisauntalso，hadhastilyinventedtheJagboroughexpeditioninordertoimpressonNicholasthedelightsthathehadjustlyforfeitedbyhisdisgracefulconductatthebreakfast-
table。Itwasherhabit，wheneveroneofthechildrenfellfromgrace，toimprovisesomethingofafestivalnaturefromwhichtheoffenderwouldberigorouslydebarred；ifallthechildrensinnedcollectivelytheyweresuddenlyinformedofacircusinaneighbouringtown，acircusofunrivalledmeritanduncountedelephants，towhich，butfortheirdepravity，theywouldhavebeentakenthatveryday。
AfewdecenttearswerelookedforonthepartofNicholaswhenthemomentforthedepartureoftheexpeditionarrived。Asamatteroffact，however，allthecryingwasdonebyhisgirl-cousin，whoscrapedherkneeratherpainfullyagainstthestepofthecarriageasshewasscramblingin。
"Howshedidhowl，"saidNicholascheerfully，asthepartydroveoffwithoutanyoftheelationofhighspiritsthatshouldhavecharacterisedit。
"She'llsoongetoverthat，"saidtheSOI-DISANT
aunt；"itwillbeagloriousafternoonforracingaboutoverthosebeautifulsands。Howtheywillenjoythemselves！"
"Bobbywon'tenjoyhimselfmuch，andhewon'tracemucheither，"saidNicholaswithagrimchuckle；hisbootsarehurtinghim。They'retootight。"
"Whydidn'thetellmetheywerehurting？"askedtheauntwithsomeasperity。
"Hetoldyoutwice，butyouweren'tlistening。Youoftendon'tlistenwhenwetellyouimportantthings。"
"Youarenottogointothegooseberrygarden，"saidtheaunt，changingthesubject。
"Whynot？"demandedNicholas。
"Becauseyouareindisgrace，"saidtheauntloftily。
Nicholasdidnotadmittheflawlessnessofthereasoning；hefeltperfectlycapableofbeingindisgraceandinagooseberrygardenatthesamemoment。Hisfacetookonanexpressionofconsiderableobstinacy。Itwascleartohisauntthathewasdeterminedtogetintothegooseberrygarden，"only，"assheremarkedtoherself，"becauseIhavetoldhimheisnotto。"
Nowthegooseberrygardenhadtwodoorsbywhichitmightbeentered，andonceasmallpersonlikeNicholascouldslipintherehecouldeffectuallydisappearfromviewamidthemaskinggrowthofartichokes，raspberrycanes，andfruitbushes。Theaunthadmanyotherthingstodothatafternoon，butshespentanhourortwointrivialgardeningoperationsamongflowerbedsandshrubberies，whenceshecouldkeepawatchfuleyeonthetwodoorsthatledtotheforbiddenparadise。Shewasawomanoffewideas，withimmensepowersofconcentration。
Nicholasmadeoneortwosortiesintothefrontgarden，wrigglinghiswaywithobviousstealthofpurposetowardsoneorotherofthedoors，butneverableforamomenttoevadetheaunt'swatchfuleye。Asamatteroffact，hehadnointentionoftryingtogetintothegooseberrygarden，butitwasextremelyconvenientforhimthathisauntshouldbelievethathehad；itwasabeliefthatwouldkeepheronself-imposedsentry-dutyforthegreaterpartoftheafternoon。HavingthoroughlyconfirmedandfortifiedhersuspicionsNicholasslippedbackintothehouseandrapidlyputintoexecutionaplanofactionthathadlonggerminatedinhisbrain。Bystandingonachairinthelibraryonecouldreachashelfonwhichreposedafat，important-lookingkey。Thekeywasasimportantasitlooked；itwastheinstrumentwhichkeptthemysteriesofthelumber-roomsecurefromunauthorisedintrusion，whichopenedawayonlyforauntsandsuch-likeprivilegedpersons。Nicholashadnothadmuchexperienceoftheartoffittingkeysintokeyholesandturninglocks，butforsomedayspasthehadpractisedwiththekeyoftheschoolroomdoor；hedidnotbelieveintrustingtoomuchtoluckandaccident。Thekeyturnedstifflyinthelock，butitturned。Thedooropened，andNicholaswasinanunknownland，comparedwithwhichthegooseberrygardenwasastaledelight，amerematerialpleasure。
OftenandoftenNicholashadpicturedtohimselfwhatthelumber-roommightbelike，thatregionthatwassocarefullysealedfromyouthfuleyesandconcerningwhichnoquestionswereeveranswered。Itcameuptohisexpectations。Inthefirstplaceitwaslargeanddimlylit，onehighwindowopeningontotheforbiddengardenbeingitsonlysourceofillumination。Inthesecondplaceitwasastorehouseofunimaginedtreasures。Theaunt-by-assertionwasoneofthosepeoplewhothinkthatthingsspoilbyuseandconsignthemtodustanddampbywayofpreservingthem。SuchpartsofthehouseasNicholasknewbestwereratherbareandcheerless，butheretherewerewonderfulthingsfortheeyetofeaston。
Firstandforemosttherewasapieceofframedtapestrythatwasevidentlymeanttobeafire-screen。ToNicholasitwasaliving，breathingstory；hesatdownonarollofIndianhangings，glowinginwonderfulcoloursbeneathalayerofdust，andtookinallthedetailsofthetapestrypicture。Aman，dressedinthehuntingcostumeofsomeremoteperiod，hadjusttransfixedastagwithanarrow；itcouldnothavebeenadifficultshotbecausethestagwasonlyoneortwopacesawayfromhim；
inthethickly-growingvegetationthatthepicturesuggesteditwouldnothavebeendifficulttocreepuptoafeedingstag，andthetwospotteddogsthatwerespringingforwardtojoininthechasehadevidentlybeentrainedtokeeptoheeltillthearrowwasdischarged。
Thatpartofthepicturewassimple，ifinteresting，butdidthehuntsmansee，whatNicholassaw，thatfourgallopingwolveswerecominginhisdirectionthroughthewood？Theremightbemorethanfourofthemhiddenbehindthetrees，andinanycasewouldthemanandhisdogsbeabletocopewiththefourwolvesiftheymadeanattack？Themanhadonlytwoarrowsleftinhisquiver，andhemightmisswithoneorbothofthem；alloneknewabouthisskillinshootingwasthathecouldhitalargestagataridiculouslyshortrange。Nicholassatformanygoldenminutesrevolvingthepossibilitiesofthescene；hewasinclinedtothinkthatthereweremorethanfourwolvesandthatthemanandhisdogswereinatightcorner。
Buttherewereotherobjectsofdelightandinterestclaiminghisinstantattention：therewerequainttwistedcandlesticksintheshapeofsnakes，andateapotfashionedlikeachinaduck，outofwhoseopenbeaktheteawassupposedtocome。Howdullandshapelessthenurseryteapotseemedincomparison！Andtherewasacarvedsandal-woodboxpackedtightwitharomaticcottonwool，andbetweenthelayersofcottonwoolwerelittlebrassfigures，hump-neckedbulls，andpeacocksandgoblins，delightfultoseeandtohandle。Lesspromisinginappearancewasalargesquarebookwithplainblackcovers；Nicholaspeepedintoit，and，behold，itwasfullofcolouredpicturesofbirds。Andsuchbirds！Inthegarden，andinthelaneswhenhewentforawalk，Nicholascameacrossafewbirds，ofwhichthelargestwereanoccasionalmagpieorwood-pigeon；herewereheronsandbustards，kites，toucans，tiger-bitterns，brushturkeys，ibises，goldenpheasants，awholeportraitgalleryofundreamed-ofcreatures。Andashewasadmiringthecolouringofthemandarinduckandassigningalife-historytoit，thevoiceofhisauntinshrillvociferationofhisnamecamefromthegooseberrygardenwithout。Shehadgrownsuspiciousathislongdisappearance，andhadleapttotheconclusionthathehadclimbedoverthewallbehindtheshelteringscreenofthelilacbushes；shewasnowengagedinenergeticandratherhopelesssearchforhimamongtheartichokesandraspberrycanes。
"Nicholas，Nicholas！"shescreamed，"youaretocomeoutofthisatonce。It'snousetryingtohidethere；I
canseeyouallthetime。"
Itwasprobablythefirsttimefortwentyyearsthatanyonehadsmiledinthatlumber-room。
PresentlytheangryrepetitionsofNicholas'namegavewaytoashriek，andacryforsomebodytocomequickly。Nicholasshutthebook，restoreditcarefullytoitsplaceinacorner，andshooksomedustfromaneighbouringpileofnewspapersoverit。Thenhecreptfromtheroom，lockedthedoor，andreplacedthekeyexactlywherehehadfoundit。Hisauntwasstillcallinghisnamewhenhesaunteredintothefrontgarden。
"Who'scalling？"heasked。
"Me，"cametheanswerfromtheothersideofthewall；"didn'tyouhearme？I'vebeenlookingforyouinthegooseberrygarden，andI'veslippedintotherain-
watertank。Luckilythere'snowaterinit，butthesidesareslipperyandIcan'tgetout。Fetchthelittleladderfromunderthecherrytree-"
"IwastoldIwasn'ttogointothegooseberrygarden，"saidNicholaspromptly。
"Itoldyounotto，andnowItellyouthatyoumay，"camethevoicefromtherain-watertank，ratherimpatiently。
"Yourvoicedoesn'tsoundlikeaunt's，"objectedNicholas；"youmaybetheEvilOnetemptingmetobedisobedient。AuntoftentellsmethattheEvilOnetemptsmeandthatIalwaysyield。ThistimeI'mnotgoingtoyield。"
"Don'ttalknonsense，"saidtheprisonerinthetank；"goandfetchtheladder。"
"Willtherebestrawberryjamfortea？"askedNicholasinnocently。
"Certainlytherewillbe，"saidtheaunt，privatelyresolvingthatNicholasshouldhavenoneofit。
"NowIknowthatyouaretheEvilOneandnotaunt，"
shoutedNicholasgleefully；"whenweaskedauntforstrawberryjamyesterdayshesaidtherewasn'tany。I
knowtherearefourjarsofitinthestorecupboard，becauseIlooked，andofcourseyouknowit'sthere，butshedoesn't，becauseshesaidtherewasn'tany。Oh，Devil，youHAVEsoldyourself！"
TherewasanunusualsenseofluxuryinbeingabletotalktoanauntasthoughonewastalkingtotheEvilOne，butNicholasknew，withchildishdiscernment，thatsuchluxurieswerenottobeover-indulgedin。Hewalkednoisilyaway，anditwasakitchenmaid，insearchofparsley，whoeventuallyrescuedtheauntfromtherain-
watertank。
Teathateveningwaspartakenofinafearsomesilence。ThetidehadbeenatitshighestwhenthechildrenhadarrivedatJagboroughCove，sotherehadbeennosandstoplayon-acircumstancethattheaunthadoverlookedinthehasteoforganisingherpunitiveexpedition。ThetightnessofBobby'sbootshadhaddisastrouseffectonhistemperthewholeoftheafternoon，andaltogetherthechildrencouldnothavebeensaidtohaveenjoyedthemselves。Theauntmaintainedthefrozenmutenessofonewhohassufferedundignifiedandunmeriteddetentioninarain-watertankforthirty-fiveminutes。AsforNicholas，he，too，wassilent，intheabsorptionofonewhohasmuchtothinkabout；itwasjustpossible，heconsidered，thatthehuntsmanwouldescapewithhishoundswhilethewolvesfeastedonthestrickenstag。
FUR
"YOUlookworried，dear，"saidEleanor。
"Iamworried，"admittedSuzanne；"notworriedexactly，butanxious。Yousee，mybirthdayhappensnextweek-"
"Youluckyperson，"interruptedEleanor；"mybirthdaydoesn'tcometilltheendofMarch。"
"Well，oldBertramKneyghtisoverinEnglandjustnowfromtheArgentine。He'sakindofdistantcousinofmymother's，andsoenormouslyrichthatwe'veneverlettherelationshipdropoutofsight。Evenifwedon'tseehimorhearfromhimforyearsheisalwaysCousinBertramwhenhedoesturnup。Ican'tsayhe'severbeenofmuchsolidusetous，butyesterdaythesubjectofmybirthdaycroppedup，andheaskedmetolethimknowwhatIwantedforapresent。"
"NowIunderstandtheanxiety，"observedEleanor。
"Asarulewhenoneisconfrontedwithaproblemlikethat，"saidSuzanne，"allone'sideasvanish；onedoesn'tseemtohaveadesireintheworld。NowitsohappensthatIhavebeenverykeenonalittleDresdenfigurethatIsawsomewhereinKensington；aboutthirty-
sixshillings，quitebeyondmymeans。Iwasverynearlydescribingthefigure，andgivingBertramtheaddressoftheshop。Andthenitsuddenlystruckmethatthirty-sixshillingswassucharidiculouslyinadequatesumforamanofhisimmensewealthtospendonabirthdaypresent。
Hecouldgivethirty-sixpoundsaseasilyasyouorI
couldbuyabunchofviolets。Idon'twanttobegreedy，ofcourse，butIdon'tlikebeingwasteful。"
"Thequestionis，"saidEleanor，"whatarehisideasastopresent-giving？Someofthewealthiestpeoplehavecuriouslycrampedviewsonthatsubject。Whenpeoplegrowgraduallyrichtheirrequirementsandstandardoflivingexpandinproportion，whiletheirpresent-givinginstinctsoftenremainintheundevelopedconditionoftheirearlierdays。Somethingshowyandnot-too-
expensiveinashopistheironlyconceptionoftheidealgift。Thatiswhyevenquitegoodshopshavetheircountersandwindowscrowdedwiththingsworthaboutfourshillingsthatlookasiftheymightbeworthseven-and-
six，andarepricedattenshillingsandlabelledseasonablegifts。'"
"Iknow，"saidSuzanne；"thatiswhyitissoriskytobevaguewhenoneisgivingindicationsofone'swants。NowifIsaytohim：'IamgoingouttoDavosthiswinter，soanythinginthetravellinglinewouldbeacceptable，'hemightgivemeadressing-bagwithgold-
mountedfittings，but，ontheotherhand，hemightgivemeBaedeker'sSwitzerland，or`SkiingwithoutTears，'orsomethingofthatsort。"
"Hewouldbemorelikelytosay：'She'llbegoingtolotsofdances，afanwillbesuretobeuseful。'"
"Yes，andI'vegottonsoffans，soyouseewherethedangerandanxietylies。NowifthereisonethingmorethananotherthatIreallyurgentlywantitisfurs。
Isimplyhaven'tany。I'mtoldthatDavosisfullofRussians，andtheyaresuretowearthemostlovelysablesandthings。Tobeamongpeoplewhoaresmotheredinfurswhenonehasn'tanyoneselfmakesonewanttobreakmostoftheCommandments。"
"Ifit'sfursthatyou'reoutfor，"saidEleanor，"youwillhavetosuperintendthechoiceoftheminperson。Youcan'tbesurethatyourcousinknowsthedifferencebetweensilver-foxandordinarysquirrel。"
"Therearesomeheavenlysilver-foxstolesatGoliathandMastodon's，"saidSuzanne，withasigh；"ifI
couldonlyinveigleBertramintotheirbuildingandtakehimforastrollthroughthefurdepartment！"
"Helivessomewherenearthere，doesn'the？"saidEleanor。"Doyouknowwhathishabitsare？Doeshetakeawalkatanyparticulartimeofday？"
"Heusuallywalksdowntohisclubaboutthreeo'clock，ifit'safineday。ThattakeshimrightpastGoliathandMastodon's。"
"Letustwomeethimaccidentallyatthestreetcornerto-morrow，"saidEleanor；"wecanwalkalittlewaywithhim，andwithluckweoughttobeabletoside-
trackhimintotheshop。Youcansayyouwanttogetahair-netorsomething。Whenwe'resafelythereIcansay：'Iwishyou'dtellmewhatyouwantforyourbirthday。'Thenyou'llhaveeverythingreadytohand-
therichcousin，thefurdepartment，andthetopicofbirthdaypresents。"
"It'sagreatidea，"saidSuzanne；"youreallyareabrick。Comeroundto-morrowattwentytothree；don'tbelate，wemustcarryoutourambushtotheminute。"
Atafewminutestothreethenextafternoonthefur-trapperswalkedwarilytowardstheselectedcorner。
IntheneardistancerosethecolossalpileofMessrs。
GoliathandMastodon'sfamedestablishment。Theafternoonwasbrilliantlyfine，exactlythesortofweathertotemptagentlemanofadvancingyearsintothediscreetexerciseofaleisurelywalk。
"Isay，dear，Iwishyou'ddosomethingformethisevening，"saidEleanortohercompanion；"justdropinafterdinneronsomepretextorother，andstayontomakeafourthatbridgewithAdelaandtheaunts。
OtherwiseIshallhavetoplay，andHarryScarisbrookeisgoingtocomeinunexpectedlyaboutnine-fifteen，andI
particularlywanttobefreetotalktohimwhiletheothersareplaying。"
"Sorry，mydear，nocando，"saidSuzanne；"ordinarybridgeatthreepenceahundred，withsuchdreadfullyslowplayersasyouraunts，boresmetotears。Inearlygotosleepoverit。"
"ButImostparticularlywantanopportunitytotalkwithHarry，"urgedEleanor，anangryglintcomingintohereyes。
"Sorry，anythingtooblige，butnotthat，"saidSuzannecheerfully；thesacrificesoffriendshipwerebeautifulinhereyesaslongasshewasnotaskedtomakethem。
Eleanorsaidnothingfurtheronthesubject，butthecornersofhermouthrearrangedthemselves。
"There'sourman！"exclaimedSuzannesuddenly；
"hurry！"
Mr。BertramKneyghtgreetedhiscousinandherfriendwithgenuineheartiness，andreadilyacceptedtheirinvitationtoexplorethecrowdedmartthatstoodtemptinglyattheirelbow。Theplate-glassdoorsswungopenandthetrioplungedbravelyintothejostlingthrongofbuyersandloiterers。
"Isitalwaysasfullasthis？"askedBertramofEleanor。
"Moreorless，andautumnsalesareonjustnow，"
shereplied。
Suzanne，inheranxietytopilothercousintothedesiredhavenofthefurdepartment，wasusuallyafewpacesaheadoftheothers，comingbacktothemnowandtheniftheylingeredforamomentatsomeattractivecounter，withthenervoussolicitudeofaparentrookencouragingitsyoungonesontheirfirstflyingexpedition。
"It'sSuzanne'sbirthdayonWednesdaynext，"
confidedEleanortoBertramKneyghtatamomentwhenSuzannehadleftthemunusuallyfarbehind；"mybirthdaycomesthedaybefore，sowearebothonthelook-outforsomethingtogiveeachother。"
"Ah，"saidBertram。"Now，perhapsyoucanadvisemeonthatverypoint。IwanttogiveSuzannesomething，andIhaven'ttheleastideawhatshewants。"
"She'sratheraproblem，"saidEleanor。"Sheseemstohaveeverythingonecanthinkof，luckygirl。Afanisalwaysuseful；she'llbegoingtoalotofdancesatDavosthiswinter。Yes，Ishouldthinkafanwouldpleasehermorethananything。Afterourbirthdaysareoverweinspecteachother'smusterofpresents，andI
alwaysfeeldreadfullyhumble。Shegetssuchnicethings，andIneverhaveanythingworthshowing。Yousee，noneofmyrelationsoranyofthepeoplewhogivemepresentsareatallwelloff，soIcan'texpectthemtodoanythingmorethanjustrememberthedaywithsomelittletrifle。Twoyearsagoanuncleonmymother'ssideofthefamily，whohadcomeintoasmalllegacy，promisedmeasilver-foxstoleformybirthday。Ican'ttellyouhowexcitedIwasaboutit，howIpicturedmyselfshowingitofftoallmyfriendsandenemies。
Thenjustatthatmomenthiswifedied，and，ofcourse，poorman，hecouldnotbeexpectedtothinkofbirthdaypresentsatsuchatime。Hehaslivedabroadeversince，andInevergotmyfur。Doyouknow，tothisdayIcanscarcelylookatasilver-foxpeltinashopwindoworroundanyone'sneckwithoutfeelingreadytoburstintotears。IsupposeifIhadn'thadtheprospectofgettingoneIshouldn'tfeelthatway。Look，thereisthefancounter，onyourleft；youcaneasilyslipawayinthecrowd。Getherasniceaoneasyoucansee-sheissuchadear，deargirl。"
"Hullo，IthoughtIhadlostyou，"saidSuzanne，makingherwaythroughanobstructiveknotofshoppers。
"WhereisBertram？"
"Igotseparatedfromhimlongago。Ithoughthewasonaheadwithyou，"saidEleanor。"Weshallneverfindhiminthiscrush。"
Whichturnedouttobeatrueprediction。
"Allourtroubleandforethoughtthrownaway，"saidSuzannesulkily，whentheyhadpushedtheirwayfruitlesslythroughhalfadozendepartments。
"Ican'tthinkwhyyoudidn'tgrabhimbythearm，"
saidEleanor；"IwouldhaveifI'dknownhimlonger，butI'donlyjustbeenintroduced。It'snearlyfournow，we'dbetterhavetea。"
SomedayslaterSuzannerangEleanoruponthetelephone。
"Thankyouverymuchforthephotographframe。ItwasjustwhatIwanted。Verygoodofyou。Isay，doyouknowwhatthatKneyghtpersonhasgivenme？Justwhatyousaidhewould-awretchedfan。What？Ohyes，quiteagoodenoughfaninitsway，butstill……"
"Youmustcomeandseewhathe'sgivenme，"cameinEleanor'svoiceoverthe'phone。
"You！Whyshouldhegiveyouanything？"
"Yourcousinappearstobeoneofthoserarepeopleofwealthwhotakeapleasureingivinggoodpresents，"
camethereply。
"Iwonderedwhyhewassoanxioustoknowwhereshelived，"snappedSuzannetoherselfassherangoff。
Acloudhasarisenbetweenthefriendshipsofthetwoyoungwomen；asfarasEleanorisconcernedthecloudhasasilver-foxlining。
THEPHILANTHROPISTANDTHEHAPPYCAT
JOCANTHABESSBURYwasinthemoodtobeserenelyandgraciouslyhappy。Herworldwasapleasantplace，anditwaswearingoneofitspleasantestaspects。Gregoryhadmanagedtogethomeforahurriedlunchandasmokeafterwardsinthelittlesnuggery；thelunchhadbeenagoodone，andtherewasjusttimetodojusticetothecoffeeandcigarettes。Bothwereexcellentintheirway，andGregorywas，inhisway，anexcellenthusband。
Jocantharathersuspectedherselfofmakinghimaverycharmingwife，andmorethansuspectedherselfofhavingafirst-ratedressmaker。
"Idon'tsupposeamorethoroughlycontentedpersonalityistobefoundinallChelsea，"observedJocanthainallusiontoherself；"exceptperhapsAttab，"
shecontinued，glancingtowardsthelargetabby-markedcatthatlayinconsiderableeaseinacornerofthedivan。"Heliesthere，purringanddreaming，shiftinghislimbsnowandtheninanecstasyofcushionedcomfort。Heseemstheincarnationofeverythingsoftandsilkyandvelvety，withoutasharpedgeinhiscomposition，adreamerwhosephilosophyissleepandletsleep；andthen，aseveningdrawson，hegoesoutintothegardenwitharedglintinhiseyesandslaysadrowsysparrow。"
"Aseverypairofsparrowshatchesouttenormoreyoungonesintheyear，whiletheirfoodsupplyremainsstationary，itisjustaswellthattheAttabsofthecommunityshouldhavethatideaofhowtopassanamusingafternoon，"saidGregory。Havingdeliveredhimselfofthissagecommenthelitanothercigarette，badeJocanthaaplayfullyaffectionategood-bye，anddepartedintotheouterworld。
"Remember，dinner'saweebitearlierto-night，aswe'regoingtotheHaymarket，"shecalledafterhim。
Lefttoherself，Jocanthacontinuedtheprocessoflookingatherlifewithplacid，introspectiveeyes。Ifshehadnoteverythingshewantedinthisworld，atleastshewasverywellpleasedwithwhatshehadgot。Shewasverywellpleased，forinstance，withthesnuggery，whichcontrivedsomehowtobecosyanddaintyandexpensiveallatonce。Theporcelainwasrareandbeautiful，theChineseenamelstookonwonderfultintsinthefirelight，therugsandhangingsledtheeyethroughsumptuousharmoniesofcolouring。Itwasaroominwhichonemighthavesuitablyentertainedanambassadororanarchbishop，butitwasalsoaroominwhichonecouldcutoutpicturesforascrap-bookwithoutfeelingthatonewasscandalisingthedeitiesoftheplacewithone'slitter。
Andaswiththesnuggery，sowiththerestofthehouse，andaswiththehouse，sowiththeotherdepartmentsofJocantha'slife；shereallyhadgoodreasonforbeingoneofthemostcontentedwomeninChelsea。
Frombeinginamoodofsimmeringsatisfactionwithherlotshepassedtothephaseofbeinggenerouslycommiseratingforthosethousandsaroundherwhoselivesandcircumstancesweredull，cheap，pleasureless，andempty。Workgirls，shopassistantsandsoforth，theclassthathaveneitherthehappy-go-luckyfreedomofthepoornortheleisuredfreedomoftherich，camespeciallywithintherangeofhersympathy。Itwassadtothinkthattherewereyoungpeoplewho，afteralongday'swork，hadtositaloneinchill，drearybedroomsbecausetheycouldnotaffordthepriceofacupofcoffeeandasandwichinarestaurant，stilllessashillingforatheatregallery。
Jocantha'smindwasstilldwellingonthisthemewhenshestartedforthonanafternooncampaignofdesultoryshopping；itwouldberatheracomfortingthing，shetoldherself，ifshecoulddosomething，onthespurofthemoment，tobringagleamofpleasureandinterestintothelifeofevenoneortwowistful-
hearted，empty-pocketedworkers；itwouldaddagooddealtohersenseofenjoymentatthetheatrethatnight。Shewouldgettwouppercircleticketsforapopularplay，makeherwayintosomecheaptea-shop，andpresenttheticketstothefirstcoupleofinterestingworkgirlswithwhomshecouldcasuallydropintoconversation。Shecouldexplainmattersbysayingthatshewasunabletousetheticketsherselfanddidnotwantthemtobewasted，and，ontheotherhand，didnotwantthetroubleofsendingthemback。Onfurtherreflectionshedecidedthatitmightbebettertogetonlyoneticketandgiveittosomelonely-lookinggirlsittingeatingherfrugalmealbyherself；thegirlmightscrapeacquaintancewithhernext-seatneighbouratthetheatreandlaythefoundationsofalastingfriendship。
WiththeFairyGodmotherimpulsestronguponher，Jocanthamarchedintoaticketagencyandselectedwithimmensecareanuppercircleseatforthe"YellowPeacock，"aplaythatwasattractingaconsiderableamountofdiscussionandcriticism。Thenshewentforthinsearchofatea-shopandphilanthropicadventure，ataboutthesametimethatAttabsaunteredintothegardenwithamindattunedtosparrowstalking。InacornerofanA。B。C。shopshefoundanunoccupiedtable，whereatshepromptlyinstalledherself，impelledbythefactthatatthenexttablewassittingayounggirl，ratherplainoffeature，withtired，listlesseyes，andageneralairofuncomplainingforlornness。Herdresswasofpoormaterial，butaimedatbeinginthefashion，herhairwaspretty，andhercomplexionbad；shewasfinishingamodestmealofteaandscone，andshewasnotverydifferentinherwayfromthousandsofothergirlswhowerefinishing，orbeginning，orcontinuingtheirteasinLondontea-shopsatthatexactmoment。Theoddswereenormouslyinfavourofthesuppositionthatshehadneverseenthe"YellowPeacock"；obviouslyshesuppliedexcellentmaterialforJocantha'sfirstexperimentinhaphazardbenefaction。
Jocanthaorderedsometeaandamuffin，andthenturnedafriendlyscrutinyonherneighbourwithaviewtocatchinghereye。Atthatprecisemomentthegirl'sfacelitupwithsuddenpleasure，hereyessparkled，aflushcameintohercheeks，andshelookedalmostpretty。
Ayoungman，whomshegreetedwithanaffectionate"Hullo，Bertie，"cameuptohertableandtookhisseatinachairfacingher。Jocanthalookedhardatthenew-
comer；hewasinappearanceafewyearsyoungerthanherself，verymuchbetterlookingthanGregory，ratherbetterlooking，infact，thananyoftheyoungmenofherset。Sheguessedhimtobeawell-manneredyoungclerkinsomewholesalewarehouse，existingandamusinghimselfasbesthemightonatinysalary，andcommandingaholidayofabouttwoweeksintheyear。Hewasaware，ofcourse，ofhisgoodlooks，butwiththeshyself-
consciousnessoftheAnglo-Saxon，nottheblatantcomplacencyoftheLatinorSemite。Hewasobviouslyontermsoffriendlyintimacywiththegirlhewastalkingto，probablytheyweredriftingtowardsaformalengagement。Jocanthapicturedtheboy'shome，inarathernarrowcircle，withatiresomemotherwhoalwayswantedtoknowhowandwherehespenthisevenings。Hewouldexchangethathumdrumthraldominduecourseforahomeofhisown，dominatedbyachronicscarcityofpounds，shillings，andpence，andadearthofmostofthethingsthatmadelifeattractiveorcomfortable。
Jocanthafeltextremelysorryforhim。Shewonderedifhehadseenthe"YellowPeacock"；theoddswereenormouslyinfavourofthesuppositionthathehadnot。
Thegirlhadfinishedherteaandwouldshortlybegoingbacktoherwork；whentheboywasaloneitwouldbequiteeasyforJocanthatosay："Myhusbandhasmadeotherarrangementsformethisevening；wouldyoucaretomakeuseofthisticket，whichwouldotherwisebewasted？"Thenshecouldcomethereagainoneafternoonfortea，and，ifshesawhim，askhimhowhelikedtheplay。Ifhewasaniceboyandimprovedonacquaintancehecouldbegivenmoretheatretickets，andperhapsaskedtocomeoneSundaytoteaatChelsea。Jocanthamadeuphermindthathewouldimproveonacquaintance，andthatGregorywouldlikehim，andthattheFairyGodmotherbusinesswouldprovefarmoreentertainingthanshehadoriginallyanticipated。Theboywasdistinctlypresentable；heknewhowtobrushhishair，whichwaspossiblyanimitativefaculty；heknewwhatcolouroftiesuitedhim，whichmightbeintuition；hewasexactlythetypethatJocanthaadmired，whichofcoursewasaccident。
Altogethershewasratherpleasedwhenthegirllookedattheclockandbadeafriendlybuthurriedfarewelltohercompanion。Bertienodded"good-bye，"gulpeddownamouthfuloftea，andthenproducedfromhisovercoatpocketapaper-coveredbook，bearingthetitle"SepoyandSahib，ataleofthegreatMutiny。"
Thelawsoftea-shopetiquetteforbidthatyoushouldoffertheatreticketstoastrangerwithouthavingfirstcaughtthestranger'seye。Itisevenbetterifyoucanasktohaveasugarbasinpassedtoyou，havingpreviouslyconcealedthefactthatyouhavealargeandwell-filledsugarbasinonyourowntable；thisisnotdifficulttomanage，astheprintedmenuisgenerallynearlyaslargeasthetable，andcanbemadetostandonend。Jocanthasettoworkhopefully；shehadalongandratherhigh-pitcheddiscussionwiththewaitressconcerningallegeddefectsinanaltogetherblamelessmuffin，shemadeloudandplaintiveinquiriesaboutthetubeservicetosomeimpossiblyremotesuburb，shetalkedwithbrilliantinsinceritytothetea-shopkitten，andasalastresortsheupsetamilk-jugandsworeatitdaintily。Altogethersheattractedagooddealofattention，butneverforamomentdidsheattracttheattentionoftheboywiththebeautifully-brushedhair，whowassomethousandsofmilesawayinthebakingplainsofHindostan，amiddesertedbungalows，seethingbazaars，andriotousbarracksquares，listeningtothethrobbingoftom-tomsandthedistantrattleofmusketry。
JocanthawentbacktoherhouseinChelsea，whichstruckherforthefirsttimeaslookingdullandover-
furnished。ShehadaresentfulconvictionthatGregorywouldbeuninterestingatdinner，andthattheplaywouldbestupidafterdinner。OnthewholeherframeofmindshowedamarkeddivergencefromthepurringcomplacencyofAttab，whowasagaincurledupinhiscornerofthedivanwithagreatpeaceradiatingfromeverycurveofhisbody。
Butthenhehadkilledhissparrow。
ONAPPROVAL
OFallthegenuineBohemianswhostrayedfromtimetotimeintothewould-beBohemiancircleoftheRestaurantNuremberg，OwlStreet，Soho，nonewasmoreinterestingandmoreelusivethanGebhardKnopfschrank。
Hehadnofriends，andthoughhetreatedalltherestaurantfrequentersasacquaintancesheneverseemedtowishtocarrytheacquaintanceshipbeyondthedoorthatledintoOwlStreetandtheouterworld。Hedealtwiththemallratherasamarketwomanmightdealwithchancepassers-by，exhibitingherwaresandchatteringabouttheweatherandtheslacknessofbusiness，occasionallyaboutrheumatism，butnevershowingadesiretopenetrateintotheirdailylivesortodissecttheirambitions。
Hewasunderstoodtobelongtoafamilyofpeasantfarmers，somewhereinPomerania；sometwoyearsago，accordingtoallthatwasknownofhim，hehadabandonedthelaboursandresponsibilitiesofswinetendingandgooserearingtotryhisfortuneasanartistinLondon。
"WhyLondonandnotParisorMunich？"hehadbeenaskedbythecurious。
Well，therewasashipthatleftStolpmundeforLondontwiceamonth，thatcarriedfewpassengers，butcarriedthemcheaply；therailwayfarestoMunichorPariswerenotcheap。ThusitwasthathecametoselectLondonasthesceneofhisgreatadventure。
ThequestionthathadlongandseriouslyagitatedthefrequentersoftheNurembergwaswhetherthisgoose-
boymigrantwasreallyasoul-drivengenius，spreadinghiswingstothelight，ormerelyanenterprisingyoungmanwhofanciedhecouldpaintandwaspardonablyanxioustoescapefromthemonotonyofryebreaddietandthesandy，swine-bestrewnplainsofPomerania。Therewasreasonablegroundfordoubtandcaution；theartisticgroupsthatforegatheredatthelittlerestaurantcontainedsomanyyoungwomenwithshorthairandsomanyyoungmenwithlonghair，whosupposedthemselvestobeabnormallygiftedinthedomainofmusic，poetry，painting，orstagecraft，withlittleornothingtosupportthesupposition，thataself-announcedgeniusofanysortintheirmidstwasinevitablysuspect。Ontheotherhand，therewastheever-imminentdangerofentertaining，andsnubbing，anangelunawares。TherehadbeenthelamentablecaseofSledonti，thedramaticpoet，whohadbeenbelittledandcold-shoulderedintheOwlStreethallofjudgment，andhadbeenafterwardshailedasamastersingerbytheGrandDukeConstantineConstantinovitch-"themosteducatedoftheRomanoffs，"
accordingtoSylviaStrubble，whospokeratherasonewhokneweveryindividualmemberoftheRussianimperialfamily；asamatteroffact，sheknewanewspapercorrespondent，ayoungmanwhoateBORTSCHwiththeairofhavinginventedit。Sledonti's"PoemsofDeathandPassion"werenowbeingsoldbythethousandinsevenEuropeanlanguages，andwereabouttobetranslatedintoSyrian，acircumstancewhichmadethediscerningcriticsoftheNurembergrathershyofmaturingtheirfuturejudgmentstoorapidlyandtooirrevocably。
AsregardsKnopfschrank'swork，theydidnotlackopportunityforinspectingandappraisingit。Howeverresolutelyhemightholdhimselfalooffromthesociallifeofhisrestaurantacquaintances，hewasnotmindedtohidehisartisticperformancesfromtheirinquiringgaze。Everyevening，ornearlyeveryevening，ataboutseveno'clock，hewouldmakehisappearance，sithimselfdownathisaccustomedtable，throwabulkyblackportfolioontothechairoppositehim，nodroundindiscriminatelyathisfellow-guests，andcommencetheseriousbusinessofeatinganddrinking。Whenthecoffeestagewasreachedhewouldlightacigarette，drawtheportfolioovertohim，andbegintorummageamongitscontents。Withslowdeliberationhewouldselectafewofhismorerecentstudiesandsketches，andsilentlypassthemroundfromtabletotable，payingespecialattentiontoanynewdinerswhomightbepresent。Onthebackofeachsketchwasmarkedinplainfigurestheannouncement"Pricetenshillings。"
Ifhisworkwasnotobviouslystampedwiththehall-
markofgenius，atanyrateitwasremarkableforitschoiceofanunusualandunvaryingtheme。Hispicturesalwaysrepresentedsomewell-knownstreetorpublicplaceinLondon，fallenintodecayanddenudedofitshumanpopulation，intheplaceofwhichthereroamedawildfauna，which，fromitswealthofexoticspecies，musthaveoriginallyescapedfromZoologicalGardensandtravellingbeastshows。"Giraffesdrinkingatthefountainpools，TrafalgarSquare，"wasoneofthemostnotableandcharacteristicofhisstudies，whileevenmoresensationalwasthegruesomepictureof"VulturesattackingdyingcamelinUpperBerkeleyStreet。"Therewerealsophotographsofthelargecanvasonwhichhehadbeenengagedforsomemonths，andwhichhewasnowendeavouringtoselltosomeenterprisingdealeroradventurousamateur。Thesubjectwas"HyaenasasleepinEustonStation，"acompositionthatleftnothingtobedesiredinthewayofsuggestingunfathomeddepthsofdesolation。
"Ofcourseitmaybeimmenselyclever，itmaybesomethingepoch-makingintherealmofart，"saidSylviaStrubbletoherownparticularcircleoflisteners，"but，ontheotherhand，itmaybemerelymad。Onemustn'tpaytoomuchattentiontothecommercialaspectofthecase，ofcourse，butstill，ifsomedealerwouldmakeabidforthathyaenapicture，orevenforsomeofthesketches，weshouldknowbetterhowtoplacethemanandhiswork。"
"Wemayallbecursingourselvesoneofthesedays，"
saidMrs。Nougat-Jones，"fornothavingboughtuphisentireportfolioofsketches。Atthesametime，whenthereissomuchrealtalentgoingabout，onedoesnotfeellikeplankingdowntenshillingsforwhatlookslikeabitofwhimsicaloddity。Nowthatpicturethatheshoweduslastweek，'Sand-grouseroostingontheAlbertMemorial，'wasveryimpressive，andofcourseIcouldseetherewasgoodworkmanshipinitandbreadthoftreatment；butitdidn'tintheleastconveytheAlbertMemorialtome，andSirJamesBeanquesttellsmethatsand-grousedon'troost，theysleepontheground。"
WhatevertalentorgeniusthePomeranianartistmightpossess，itcertainlyfailedtoreceivecommercialsanction。Theportfolioremainedbulkywithunsoldsketches，andthe"EustonSiesta，"asthewitsoftheNurembergnicknamedthelargecanvas，wasstillinthemarket。Theoutwardandvisiblesignsoffinancialembarrassmentbegantobenoticeable；thehalf-bottleofcheapclaretatdinner-timegavewaytoasmallglassoflager，andthisinturnwasdisplacedbywater。Theone-
and-sixpennysetdinnerrecededfromaneverydayeventtoaSundayextravagance；onordinarydaystheartistcontentedhimselfwithasevenpennyomeletteandsomebreadandcheese，andtherewereeveningswhenhedidnotputinanappearanceatall。OntherareoccasionswhenhespokeofhisownaffairsitwasobservedthathebegantotalkmoreaboutPomeraniaandlessaboutthegreatworldofart。
"Itisabusytimetherenowwithus，"hesaidwistfully；"theschwinesaredrivenoutintothefieldsafterharvest，andmustbelookedafter。IcouldbehelpingtolookafterifIwasthere。Hereitisdifficulttolive；artisnotappreciate。"
"Whydon'tyougohomeonavisit？"someoneaskedtactfully。
"Ah，itcostmoney！ThereistheshippassagetoStolpmunde，andthereismoneythatIoweatmylodgings。
EvenhereIoweafewschillings。IfIcouldsellsomeofmysketches-"
"Perhaps，"suggestedMrs。Nougat-Jones，"ifyouweretoofferthemforalittleless，someofuswouldbegladtobuyafew。Tenshillingsisalwaysaconsideration，youknow，topeoplewhoarenotoverwelloff。Perhapsifyouweretoasksixorsevenshillings-"
Onceapeasant，alwaysapeasant。Themeresuggestionofabargaintobestruckbroughtatwinkleofawakenedalertnessintotheartist'seyes，andhardenedthelinesofhismouth。
"Nineschillingninepenceeach，"hesnapped，andseemeddisappointedthatMrs。Nougat-Jonesdidnotpursuethesubjectfurther。Hehadevidentlyexpectedhertooffersevenandfourpence。
Theweeksspedby，andKnopfschrankcamemorerarelytotherestaurantinOwlStreet，whilehismealsonthoseoccasionsbecamemoreandmoremeagre。Andthencameatriumphalday，whenheappearedearlyintheeveninginahighstateofelation，andorderedanelaboratemealthatscarcelystoppedshortofbeingabanquet。Theordinaryresourcesofthekitchenweresupplementedbyanimporteddishofsmokedgoosebreast，aPomeraniandelicacythatwasluckilyprocurableatafirmofDELIKATESSEN
merchantsinCoventryStreet，whilealong-neckedbottleofRhinewinegaveafinishingtouchoffestivityandgoodcheertothecrowdedtable。
"Hehasevidentlysoldhismasterpiece，"whisperedSylviaStrubbletoMrs。Nougat-Jones，whohadcomeinlate。
"Whohasboughtit？"shewhisperedback。
"Don'tknow；hehasn'tsaidanythingyet，butitmustbesomeAmerican。Doyousee，hehasgotalittleAmericanflagonthedessertdish，andhehasputpenniesinthemusicboxthreetimes，oncetoplaythe'Star-
spangledBanner，'thenaSousamarch，andthenthe'Star-
spangledBanner'again。ItmustbeanAmericanmillionaire，andhe'sevidentlygotaverybigpriceforit；he'sjustbeamingandchucklingwithsatisfaction。"
"Wemustaskhimwhohasboughtit，"saidMrs。
Nougat-Jones。
"Hush！no，don't。Let'sbuysomeofhissketches，quick，beforewearesupposedtoknowthathe'sfamous；
otherwisehe'llbedoublingtheprices。Iamsogladhe'shadasuccessatlast。Ialwaysbelievedinhim，youknow。"
ForthesumoftenshillingseachMissStrubbleacquiredthedrawingsofthecameldyinginUpperBerkeleyStreetandofthegiraffesquenchingtheirthirstinTrafalgarSquare；atthesamepriceMrs。
Nougat-Jonessecuredthestudyofroostingsand-grouse。
Amoreambitiouspicture，"WolvesandwapitifightingonthestepsoftheAthenaeumClub，"foundapurchaseratfifteenshillings。
"Andnowwhatareyourplans？"askedayoungmanwhocontributedoccasionalparagraphstoanartisticweekly。
"IgobacktoStolpmundeassoonastheshipsails，"
saidtheartist，"andIdonotreturn。Never。"
"Butyourwork？Yourcareeraspainter？"
"Ah，thereisnossinginit。Onestarves。Tillto-
dayIhavesoldnotoneofmysketches。To-nightyouhaveboughtafew，becauseIamgoingawayfromyou，butatothertimes，notone。"
"ButhasnotsomeAmerican-？"
"Ah，therichAmerican，"chuckledtheartist。"Godbethanked。Hedashhiscarrightintoourherdofschwinesastheywerebeingdrivenouttothefields。
Manyofourbestschwineshekilled，buthepaidalldamages。Hepaidperhapsmorethantheywereworth，manytimesmorethantheywouldhavefetchedinthemarketafteramonthoffattening，buthewasinahurrytogetontoDantzig。
Whenoneisinahurryonemustpaywhatoneisasked。GodbethankedforrichAmericans，whoarealwaysinahurrytogetsomewhereelse。Myfatherandmother，theyhavenowsoplentyofmoney；theysendmesometopaymydebtsandcomehome。IstartonMondayforStolpmundeandIdonotcomeback。Never。"
"Butyourpicture，thehyaenas？"
"Nogood。ItistoobigtocarrytoStolpmunde。I
burnit。"
Intimehewillbeforgotten，butatpresentKnopfschrankisalmostassoreasubjectasSledontiwithsomeofthefrequentersoftheNurembergRestaurant，OwlStreet，Soho。