"No，notthat。Thebroaderlinesofpoliticalorreligiousdifferencedon'tmatter。YoucanhaveChurchofEnglandandUnitarianandBuddhistunderthesameroofwithoutcourtingdisaster；theonlyBuddhistIeverhaddownherequarrelledwitheverybody，butthatwasonaccountofhisnaturallysquabblesometemperament；ithadnothingtodowithhisreligion。AndI'vealwaysfoundthatpeoplecandifferprofoundlyaboutpoliticsandmeetonperfectlygoodtermsatbreakfast。Now，MissLarborJones，whowasstayingherelastyear，worshipsLloydGeorgeasasortofwinglessangel，whileMrs。Walters，whowasdownhereatthesametime，privatelyconsidershimtobe——anantelope，letussay。"
"Anantelope？"
"Well，notanantelopeexactly，butsomethingwithhornsandhoofsandtail。"
"Oh，Isee。"
"Still，thatdidn'tpreventthemfrombeingthechummiestofmortalsonthetenniscourtandinthebilliard-room。Theydidquarrelfinally，aboutaleadinadoubledhandofno-trumps，butthatofcourseisathingthatnoaccountofjudiciousguest-groupingcouldprevent。Mrs。Waltershadgotking，knave，ten，andsevenofclubs——
"
"Youweresayingthattherewereotherlinesofdemarcationthatcausedthebother，"interruptedLena。
"Exactly。Itistheminordifferencesandside-issuesthatgivesomuchtrouble，"saidLadyProwche；"nottomydyingdayshallI
forgetlastyear'supheavalovertheSuffragettequestion。LauraHenniseedleftthehouseinastateofspeechlessindignation，butbeforeshehadreachedthatstateshehadusedlanguagethatwouldnothavebeentoleratedintheAustrianReichsrath。Intensivebear-
gardeningwasSirRichard'sdescriptionofthewholeaffair，andI
don'tthinkheexaggerated。"
"OfcoursetheSuffragettequestionisaburningone，andletsloosethemostdreadfulill-feeling，"saidLena；"butonecangenerallyfindoutbeforehandwhatpeople'sopinions——"
"Mydear，theyearbeforeitwasworse。ItwasChristianScience。
SelinaGoobieisasortofHighPriestessoftheCult，andsheputdownalloppositionwithahighhand。Thenoneevening，afterdinner，ClovisSangrailputawaspdownherback，toseeifhertheoryaboutthenon-existenceofpaincouldbedependedoninanemergency。Thewaspwassmall，butveryefficient，andithadbeensouredintemperbybeingkeptinapapercagealltheafternoon。
Waspsdon'tstandconfinementwell，atleastthisonedidn't。I
don'tthinkIeverrealisedtillthatmomentwhattheword'invective'couldbemadetomean。IsometimeswakeinthenightandthinkIstillhearSelinadescribingClovis'sconductandgeneralcharacter。ThatwastheyearthatSirRichardwaswritinghisvolumeon'DomesticLifeinTartary。'Thecriticsallblameditforalackofconcentration。"
"He'sengagedonaveryimportantworkthisyear，isn'the？"askedLena。
"'Land-tenureinTurkestan，'"saidLadyProwche；"heisjustatworkonthefinalchaptersandtheyrequirealltheconcentrationhecangivethem。ThatiswhyIamsoveryanxiousnottohaveanyunfortunatedisturbancethisyear。IhavetakeneveryprecautionI
canthinkoftobringnon-conflictingandharmoniouselementstogether；theonlytwopeopleIamnotquiteeasyaboutaretheAtkinsonmanandMarcusPopham。Theyarethetwowhowillbedownherelongesttogether，andiftheyaregoingtofallfoulofoneanotheraboutanyburningquestion，well，therewillbemoreunpleasantness。"
"Can'tyoufindoutanythingaboutthem？Abouttheiropinions，I
mean。"
"Anything？MydearLena，there'sscarcelyanythingthatIhaven'tfoundoutaboutthem。They'rebothofthemmoderateLiberal，Evangelical，mildlyopposedtofemalesuffrage，theyapproveoftheFalconerReport，andtheStewards'decisionaboutCraganour。Thankgoodnessinthiscountrywedon'tflyintoviolentpassionsaboutWagnerandBrahmsandthingsofthatsort。ThereisonlyonethornysubjectthatIhaven'tbeenabletomakesureabout，theonlystonethatIhaveleftunturned。Aretheyunanimouslyanti-vivisectionistordotheybothupholdthenecessityforscientificexperiment？
Therehasbeenalotofcorrespondenceonthesubjectinourlocalnewspapersoflate，andthevicariscertaintopreachasermonaboutit；vicarsaredreadfullyprovocativeattimes。Now，ifyoucouldonlyfindoutformewhetherthesetwomenaredivergentlyfororagainst——"
"I！"exclaimedLena；"howamItofindout？Idon'tknoweitherofthemtospeakto。"
"Stillyoumightdiscover，insomeroundaboutway。Writetothem，underasassumednameofcourse，forsubscriptionstooneorothercause——or，betterstill，sendastampedtype-writtenreplypostcard，witharequestforadeclarationfororagainstvivisection；peoplewhowouldhesitatetocommitthemselvestoasubscriptionwillcheerfullywriteYesorNoonaprepaidpostcard。Ifyoucan'tmanageitthatway，tryandmeetthematsomeone'shouseandgetintoargumentonthesubject。IthinkMillyoccasionallyhasoneorotherofthematherat-homes；youmighthavethelucktomeetbothofthemtherethesameevening。Onlyitmustbedonesoon。MyinvitationsoughttogooutbyWednesdayorThursdayatthelatest，andto-dayisFriday。
"Milly'sat-homesarenotveryamusing，asarule，"saidLena，"andonenevergetsachanceoftalkinguninterruptedlytoanyoneforacoupleofminutesatatime；Millyisoneofthoserestlesshostesseswhoalwaysseemtobetryingtoseehowyoulookindifferentpartsoftheroom，infreshgroupingeffects。EvenifI
gottospeaktoPophamorAtkinsonIcouldn'tplungeintoatopiclikevivisectionstraightaway。No，Ithinkthepostcardschemewouldbemorehopefulanddecidedlylesstiresome。Howwoulditbebesttowordthem？"
"Oh，somethinglikethis：'Areyouinfavourofexperimentsonlivinganimalsforthepurposeofscientificresearch——YesorNo？'
Thatisquitesimpleandunmistakable。Iftheydon'tansweritwillatleastbeanindicationthattheyareindifferentaboutthesubject，andthatisallIwanttoknow。"
"Allright，"saidLena，"I'llgetmybrother-in-lawtoletmehavethemaddressedtohisoffice，andhecantelephonetheresultoftheplebiscitedirecttoyou。"
"Thankyoueversomuch，"saidLadyProwchegratefully，"andbesuretogetthecardssentoffassoonaspossible。"
OnthefollowingTuesdaythevoiceofanofficeclerk，speakingthroughthetelephone，informedLadyProwchethatthepostcardpollshowedunanimoushostilitytoexperimentsonlivinganimals。
LadyProwchethankedtheofficeclerk，andinalouderandmoreferventvoiceshethankedHeaven。Thetwoinvitations，alreadysealedandaddressed，wereimmediatelydispatched；induecoursetheywerebothaccepted。Thehousepartyofthehalcyonhours，astheprospectivehostesscalledit，wasauspiciouslylaunched。
LenaLuddlefordwasnotincludedamongtheguests，havingpreviouslycommittedherselftoanotherinvitation。Attheopeningdayofacricketfestival，however，sheranacrossLadyProwche，whohadmotoredoverfromtheothersideofthecounty。Sheworetheairofonewhoisnotinterestedincricketandnotparticularlyinterestedinlife。SheshookhandslimplywithLena，andremarkedthatitwasabeastlyday。
"Theparty，howhasitgoneoff？"askedLenaquickly。
"Don'tspeakofit！"wasthetragicalanswer；"whydoIalwayshavesuchrottenluck？"
"Butwhathashappened？"
"Ithasbeenawful。Hyaenascouldnothavebehavedwithgreatersavagery。SirRichardsaidso，andhehasbeenincountrieswherehyaenaslive，soheoughttoknow。Theyactuallycametoblows！"
"Blows？"
"Blowsandcurses。ItreallymighthavebeenascenefromoneofHogarth'spictures。Ineverfeltsohumiliatedinmylife。Whattheservantsmusthavethought！"
"Butwhoweretheoffenders？"
"Oh，naturallytheverytwothatwetookallthetroubleabout。"
"Ithoughttheyagreedoneverysubjectthatonecouldviolentlydisagreeabout——religion，politics，vivisection，theDerbydecision，theFalconerReport；whatelsewastherelefttoquarrelabout？"
"Mydear，wewerefoolsnottohavethoughtofit。OneofthemwasPro-GreekandtheotherPro-Bulgar。"
HYACINTH
"Thenewfashionofintroducingthecandidate'schildrenintoanelectioncontestisaprettyone，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；"ittakesawaysomethingfromtheacerbityofpartywarfare，anditmakesaninterestingexperienceforchildrentolookbackoninafteryears。
Still，ifyouwilllistentomyadvice，Matilda，youwillnottakeHyacinthwithyoudowntoLuffbridgeonelectionday。"
"NottakeHyacinth！"exclaimedhismother；"butwhynot？Jutterlyisbringinghisthreechildren，andtheyaregoingtodriveapairofNubiandonkeysaboutthetown，toemphasisethefactthattheirfatherhasbeenappointedColonialSecretary。WearemakingthedemandforastrongNavyaspecialfeatureinourcampaign，anditwillbeparticularlyappropriatetohaveHyacinthdressedinhissailorsuit。He'lllookheavenly。"
"Thequestionis，nothowhe'lllook，buthowhe'llbehave。He'sadelightfulchild，ofcourse，butthereisastrainofunbridledpugnacityinhimthatbreaksoutattimesinareallyalarmingfashion。YoumayhaveforgottentheaffairofthelittleGaffinchildren；Ihaven't。"
"IwasinIndiaatthetime，andI'veonlyavaguerecollectionofwhathappened；hewasverynaughty，Iknow。"
"Hewasinhisgoat-carriage，andmettheGaffinsintheirperambulator，andhedrovethegoatfulltiltatthemandsenttheperambulatorspinning。LittleJackyGaffinwaspinneddownunderthewreckage，andwhilethenursehadherhandsfullwiththegoatHyacinthwaslayingintoJacky'slegswithhisbeltlikeasmallfury。"
"I'mnotdefendinghim，"saidMatilda，"buttheymusthavedonesomethingtoannoyhim。"
"Nothingintentionally，butsomeonehadunfortunatelytoldhimthattheywerehalfFrench——theirmotherwasaDuboc，youknow——andhehadbeenhavingahistorylessonthatmorning，andhadjustheardofthefinallossofCalaisbytheEnglish，andwasfuriousaboutit。
Hesaidhe'dteachthelittletoadstogosnatchingtownsfromus，butwedidn'tknowatthetimethathewasreferringtotheGaffins。
Itoldhimafterwardsthatallbadfeelingbetweenthetwonationshaddiedoutlongago，andthatanyhowtheGaffinswereonlyhalfFrench，andhesaidthatitwasonlytheFrenchhalfofJackythathehadbeenhitting；theresthadbeenburiedundertheperambulator。IfthelossofCalaisunloosedsuchfuryinhim，I
trembletothinkwhatthepossiblelossoftheelectionmightentail。"
"Allthathappenedwhenhewaseight；he'soldernowandknowsbetter。"
"ChildrenwithHyacinth'stemperamentdon'tknowbetterastheygrowolder；theymerelyknowmore。"
"Nonsense。Hewillenjoythefunoftheelection，andinanycasehe'llbetiredoutbythetimethepollisdeclared，andthenewsailorsuitthatI'vehadmadeforhimisjustintherightshadeofblueforourelectioncolours，anditwillexactlymatchtheblueofhiseyes。Hewillbeaperfectlycharmingnoteofcolour。"
"Thereissuchathingaslettingone'saestheticsenseoverrideone'smoralsense，"saidMrs。Panstreppon。"IbelieveyouwouldhavecondonedtheSouthSeaBubbleandthepersecutionoftheAlbigensesiftheyhadbeencarriedoutineffectivecolourschemes。
However，ifanythingunfortunateshouldhappendownatLuffbridge，don'tsayitwasn'tforeseenbyonememberofthefamily。"
Theelectionwaskeenlybutdecorouslycontested。Thenewly-
appointedColonialSecretarywaspersonallypopular，whiletheGovernmenttowhichheadheredwasdistinctlyunpopular，andtherewassomeexpectancythatthemajorityoffourhundred，obtainedatthelastelection，wouldbealtogetherwipedout。Bothsideswerehopeful，butneithercouldfeelconfident。Thechildrenwereagreatsuccess；thelittleJutterlysdrovetheirchubbydonkeyssolemnlyupanddownthemainstreets，displayingposterswhichadvocatedtheclaimsoftheirfatheronthebroadgeneralgroundsthathewastheirfather，whileasforHyacinth，hisconductmighthaveservedasamodelforanyseraph-childthathadstrayedunwittinglyontothesceneofanelectoralcontest。Ofhisownaccord，andunderthedelightedeyesofhalfadozencameraoperators，hehadgoneuptotheJutterlychildrenandpresentedthemwithapacketofbutterscotch；"weneedn'tbeenemiesbecausewe'rewearingtheoppositecolours，"hesaidwithengagingfriendliness，andtheoccupantsofthedonkey-cartacceptedhisofferingwithpolitesolemnity。Thegrown-upmembersofbothpoliticalcampsweredelightedattheincident——withtheexceptionofMrs。Panstreppon，whoshuddered。
"NeverwasClytemnestra'skisssweeterthanonthenightsheslewme，"shequoted，butmadethequotationtoherself。
Thelasthourofthepollwasaperiodofunremittinglabourforbothparties；itwasgenerallyestimatedthatnotmorethanadozenvotesseparatedthecandidates，andeveryeffortwasmadetobringupobstinatelywaveringelectors。Itwaswithafeelingofrelaxationandreliefthateveryoneheardtheclocksstrikethehourforthecloseofthepoll。Exclamationsbrokeoutfromthetiredworkers，andcorksflewoutfrombottles。
"Well，ifwehaven'twon；we'vedoneourlevelbest。""Ithasbeenacleanstraightfight，withnorancour。""Thechildrenwerequiteacharmingfeature，weren'tthey？"
Thechildren？Itsuddenlyoccurredtoeverybodythattheyhadseennothingofthechildrenforthelasthour。WhathadbecomeofthethreelittleJutterlysandtheirdonkey-cart，and，forthematterofthat，whathadbecomeofHyacinth。Hurried，anxiousembassieswentbackwardsandforwardsbetweentherespectivepartyheadquartersandthevariouscommittee-rooms，buttherewasblankignoranceeverywhereastothewhereaboutsofthechildren。Everyonehadbeentoobusyintheclosingmomentsofthepolltobestowathoughtonthem。ThentherecameatelephonecallattheUnionistWomen'sCommittee-rooms，andthevoiceofHyacinthwashearddemandingwhenthepollwouldbedeclared。
"Whereareyou，andwherearetheJutterlychildren？"askedhismother。
"I'vejustfinishedhavinghigh-teaatapastry-cook's，"cametheanswer，"andtheyletmetelephone。I'vehadapoachedeggandasausagerollandfourmeringues。"
"You'llbeill。ArethelittleJutterlyswithyou？"
"Rathernot。They'reinapigstye。"
"Apigstye？Why？Whatpigstye？"
"NeartheCrawleighRoad。Imetthemdrivingaboutabackroad，andtoldthemtheyweretohaveteawithme，andputtheirdonkeysinayardthatIknewof。ThenItookthemtoseeanoldsowthathadgottenlittlepigs。Igotthesowintotheouterstyebygivingherbitsofbread，whiletheJutterlyswentintolookatthelitter，thenIboltedthedoorandleftthemthere。"
"Youwickedboy，doyoumeantosayyou'veleftthosepoorchildrentherealoneinthepigstye？"
"They'renotalone，they'vegottenlittlepigsinwiththem；
they'rejollywellcrowded。Theywereprettymadatbeingshutin，butnothalfasmadastheoldsowisatbeingshutoutfromheryoungones。Ifshegetsinwhilethey'rethereshe'llbitethemintomincemeat。Icangetthemoutbylettingashortladderdownthroughthetopwindow，andthat'swhatI'mgoingtodoIFWEWIN。
Iftheirblightedfathergetsin，I'mjustgoingtoopenthedoorforthesow，andletherdowhatshedashedwelllikestothem。
That'swhyIwanttoknowwhenthepollwillbedeclared。"
Herethenarratorrangoff。Awildstampedeandafranticsending-
offofmessengerstookplaceattheotherendofthetelephone。
Nearlyalltheworkersoneithersidehaddisappearedtotheirvariousclub-roomsandpublic-housebarstoawaitthedeclarationofthepoll，butenoughlocalinformationcouldbesecuredtodeterminethesceneofHyacinth'sexploit。Mr。JohnBallhadastableyarddownneartheCrawleighRoad，upashortlane，andhissowwasknowntohavealitteroftenyoungones。Thitherwentinheadlonghasteboththecandidates，Hyacinth'smother，hisaunt（Mrs。Panstreppon），andtwoorthreehurriedly-summonedfriends。ThetwoNubiandonkeys，contentedlymunchingatbundlesofhay，mettheirgazeastheyenteredtheyard。Thehoarsesavagegruntingofanenragedanimalandtheshrillernoteofthirteenyoungvoices，threeofthemhuman，guidedthemtothestye，intheouteryardofwhichahugeYorkshiresowkeptupaceaselessragingpatrolbeforeacloseddoor。Recliningonthebroadledgeofanopenwindow，fromwhichpointofvantagehecouldreachdownandshoottheboltofthedoor，wasHyacinth，hisbluesailor-suitsomewhattheworseofwear，andhisangelsmileexchangedforalookofdemoniacaldetermination。
"Ifanyofyoucomeastepnearer，"heshouted，"thesowwillbeinsideinhalfajiffy。"
Astormofthreatening，arguing，entreatingexpostulationbrokefromthebaffledrescueparty，butitmadenomoreimpressiononHyacinththanthesquealingtempestthatragedwithinthestye。
"IfJutterlyheadsthepollI'mgoingtoletthesowin。I'llteachtheblighterstowinelectionsfromus。"
"Hemeansit，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；"IfearedtheworstwhenIsawthatbutterscotchincident。"
"It'sallright，mylittleman，"saidJutterly，withtheduplicitytowhichevenaColonialSecretarycansometimesstoop，"yourfatherhasbeenelectedbyalargemajority。"
"Liar！"retortedHyacinth，withthedirectnessofspeechthatisnotmerelyexcusable，butalmostobligatory，inthepoliticalprofession；"thevotesaren'tcountedyet。Youwon'tgammonmeastotheresult，either。AboythatI'vepalledwithisgoingtofireagunwhenthepollisdeclared；twoshotsifwe'vewon，oneshotifwehaven't。"
Thesituationbegantolookcritical。"Drugthesow，"whisperedHyacinth'sfather。
Someonewentoffinthemotortothenearestchemist'sshopandreturnedpresentlywithtwolargepiecesofbread，liberallydosedwithnarcotic。Thebreadwasthrowndeftlyandunostentatiouslyintothestye，butHyacinthsawthroughthemanoeuvre。HesetupapiercingimitationofasmallpitinPurgatory，andtheinfuriatedmotherrampedroundandroundthestye；thepiecesofbreadweretrampledintoslush。
Atanymomentnowthepollmightbedeclared。JutterlyflewbacktotheTownHall，wherethevoteswerebeingcounted。Hisagentmethimwithasmileofhope。
"You'reelevenaheadatpresent，andonlyabouteightymoretobecounted；you'rejustgoingtosqueakthrough。"
"Imustn'tsqueakthrough，"exclaimedJutterly，hoarsely。"Youmustobjecttoeverydoubtfulvoteonoursidethatcanpossiblybedisallowed。ImustNOThavethemajority。"
Thenwasseentheunprecedentedsightofapartyagentchallengingthevotesonhisownsidewithacaptiousnessthathisopponentswouldhavehesitatedtodisplay。Oneortwovotesthatwouldhavecertainlypassedmusterunderordinarycircumstancesweredisallowed，butevensoJutterlywassixaheadwithonlythirtymoretobecounted。
Tothewatchersbythestyethemomentsseemedintolerable。Asalastresortsomeonehadbeensentforagunwithwhichtoshootthesow，thoughHyacinthwouldprobablydrawtheboltthemomentsuchaweaponwasbroughtintotheyard。Nearlyallthemenwereawayfromtheirhomes，however，onelectionnight，andthemessengerhadevidentlygonefarafieldinhissearch。Itmustbeamatterofminutesnowtothedeclarationofthepoll。
AsuddenroarofshoutingandcheeringwasheardfromthedirectionoftheTownHall。Hyacinth'sfatherclutchedapitchforkandpreparedtodashintothestyeintheforlornhopeofbeingintime。
Ashotrangoutintheeveningair。Hyacinthstoopeddownfromhisperchandputhisfingeronthebolt。Thesowpressedfuriouslyagainstthedoor。
"Bang，"cameanothershot。
Hyacinthwriggledback，andsentashortladderdownthroughthewindowoftheinnerstye。
"Nowyoucancomeup，youuncleanlittleblighters，"hesangout；
"mydaddy'sgotin，notyours。Hurryup，Ican'tkeepthesowwaitingmuchlonger。Anddon'tyoujollywellcomebuttingintoanyelectionagainwhereI'monthejob。"
Inthereactionthatsetinafterthedeliverancefuriousrecriminationwereindulgedinbythelatelyopposedcandidates，theirwomenfolk，agents，andpartyhelpers。Arecountwasdemanded，butfailedtoestablishthefactthattheColonialSecretaryhadobtainedamajority。Altogethertheelectionleftalegacyofsorenessbehindit，apartfromanythatwasexperiencedbyHyacinthinperson。
"ItisthelasttimeIshalllethimgotoanelection，"exclaimedhismother。
"ThereIthinkyouaregoingtoextremes，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；
"ifthereshouldbeageneralelectioninMexicoIthinkyoumightsafelylethimgothere，butIdoubtwhetherourEnglishpoliticsaresuitedtotheroughandtumbleofanangel-child。"
THEIMAGEOFTHELOSTSOLE
TherewereanumberofcarvedstonefiguresplacedatintervalsalongtheparapetsoftheoldCathedral；someofthemrepresentedangels，otherskingsandbishops，andnearlyallwereinattitudesofpiousexaltationandcomposure。Butonefigure，lowdownonthecoldnorthsideofthebuilding，hadneithercrown，mitre，notnimbus，anditsfacewashardandbitteranddowncast；itmustbeademon，declaredthefatbluepigeonsthatroostedandsunnedthemselvesalldayontheledgesoftheparapet；buttheoldbelfryjackdaw，whowasanauthorityonecclesiasticalarchitecture，saiditwasalostsoul。Andtherethematterrested。
OneautumndaythereflutteredontotheCathedralroofaslender，sweet-voicedbirdthathadwanderedawayfromthebarefieldsandthinninghedgerowsinsearchofawinterroosting-place。Ittriedtorestitstiredfeetundertheshadeofagreatangel-wingortonestleinthesculpturedfoldsofakinglyrobe，butthefatpigeonshustleditawayfromwhereveritsettled，andthenoisysparrow-folkdroveitofftheledges。Norespectablebirdsangwithsomuchfeeling，theycheepedonetoanother，andthewandererhadtomoveon。
OnlytheeffigyoftheLostSoulofferedaplaceofrefuge。Thepigeonsdidnotconsideritsafetoperchonaprojectionthatleanedsomuchoutoftheperpendicular，andwas，besides，toomuchintheshadow。Thefiguredidnotcrossitshandsinthepiousattitudeoftheothergravendignitaries，butitsarmswerefoldedasindefianceandtheiranglemadeasnugresting-placeforthelittlebird。Everyeveningitcrepttrustfullyintoitscorneragainstthestonebreastoftheimage，andthedarklingeyesseemedtokeepwatchoveritsslumbers。Thelonelybirdgrewtoloveitslonelyprotector，andduringthedayitwouldsitfromtimetotimeonsomerainshootorotherabutmentandtrillforthitssweetestmusicingratefulthanksforitsnightlyshelter。And，itmayhavebeentheworkofwindandweather，orsomeotherinfluence，butthewilddrawnfaceseemedgraduallytolosesomeofitshardnessandunhappiness。Everyday，throughthelongmonotonoushours，thesongofhislittleguestwouldcomeupinsnatchestothelonelywatcher，andatevening，whenthevesper-bellwasringingandthegreatgreybatsslidoutoftheirhiding-placesinthebelfryroof，thebright-
eyedbirdwouldreturn，twitterafewsleepynotes，andnestleintothearmsthatwerewaitingforhim。ThosewerehappydaysfortheDarkImage。OnlythegreatbelloftheCathedralrangoutdailyitsmockingmessage，"Afterjoy……sorrow。"
Thefolkintheverger'slodgenoticedalittlebrownbirdflittingabouttheCathedralprecincts，andadmireditsbeautifulsinging。
"Butitisapity，"saidthey，"thatallthatwarblingshouldbelostandwastedfaroutofhearingupontheparapet。"Theywerepoor，buttheyunderstoodtheprinciplesofpoliticaleconomy。Sotheycaughtthebirdandputitinalittlewickercageoutsidethelodgedoor。
Thatnightthelittlesongsterwasmissingfromitsaccustomedhaunt，andtheDarkImageknewmorethaneverthebitternessofloneliness。Perhapshislittlefriendhadbeenkilledbyaprowlingcatorhurtbyastone。Perhaps……perhapshehadflownelsewhere。Butwhenmorningcametherefloateduptohim，throughthenoiseandbustleoftheCathedralworld，afaintheart-achingmessagefromtheprisonerinthewickercagefarbelow。Andeveryday，athighnoon，whenthefatpigeonswerestupefiedintosilenceaftertheirmiddaymealandthesparrowswerewashingthemselvesinthestreet-puddles，thesongofthelittlebirdcameuptotheparapets——asongofhungerandlongingandhopelessness，acrythatcouldneverbeanswered。Thepigeonsremarked，betweenmealtimes，thatthefigureleanedforwardmorethaneveroutoftheperpendicular。
Onedaynosongcameupfromthelittlewickercage。Itwasthecoldestdayofthewinter，andthepigeonsandsparrowsontheCathedralrooflookedanxiouslyonallsidesforthescrapsoffoodwhichtheyweredependentoninhardweather。
"Havethelodge-folkthrownoutanythingontothedust-heap？"
inquiredonepigeonofanotherwhichwaspeeringovertheedgeofthenorthparapet。
"Onlyalittledeadbird，"wastheanswer。
TherewasacracklingsoundinthenightontheCathedralroofandanoiseasoffallingmasonry。Thebelfryjackdawsaidthefrostwasaffectingthefabric，andashehadexperiencedmanyfrostsitmusthavebeenso。InthemorningitwasseenthattheFigureoftheLostSoulhadtoppledfromitscorniceandlaynowinabrokenmassonthedustheapoutsidetheverger'slodge。
"Itisjustaswell，"cooedthefatpigeons，aftertheyhadpeeredatthematterforsomeminutes；"nowweshallhaveaniceangelputupthere。Certainlytheywillputanangelthere。"
"Afterjoy……sorrow，"rangoutthegreatbell。
THEPURPLEOFTHEBALKANKINGS
LuitpoldWolkenstein，financieranddiplomatonasmall，obtrusive，self-importantscale，satinhisfavouredcafeintheworld-wiseHabsburgcapital，confrontedwiththeNeueFreiePresseandthecupofcream-toppedcoffeeandattendantglassofwaterthatasleek-
headedpiccolohadjustbroughthim。Foryearslongerthanadog'slifetimesleek-headedpiccoloshadplacedtheNeueFreiePresseandacupofcream-toppedcoffeeonhistable；foryearshehadsatatthesamespot，underthedust-coated，stuffedeagle，thathadoncebeenaliving，soaringbirdontheStyrianmountains，andwasnowmademonstrousandsymbolicalwithasecondheadgraftedontoitsneckandagiltcrownplantedoneitherdustyskull。To-dayLuitpoldWolkensteinreadnomorethanthefirstarticleinhispaper，butreaditagainandagain。
"TheTurkishfortressofKirkKilissehhasfallen……TheSerbs，itisofficiallyannounced，havetakenKumanovo……ThefortressofKirkKilissehlost，KumanovotakenbytheSerbs，thesearetidingforConstantinopleresemblingsomethingoutofShakspeare'stragediesofthekings……TheneighbourhoodofAdrianopleandtheEasternregion，wherethegreatbattleisnowinprogress，willnotrevealmerelythefutureofTurkey，butalsowhatpositionandwhatinfluencetheBalkanStatesaretohaveintheworld。"
Foryearslongerthanadog'slifetimeLuitpoldWolkensteinhaddisposedofthepretensionsandstrivingsoftheBalkanStatesoverthecupofcream-toppedcoffeethatsleek-headedpiccoloshadbroughthim。Nevertravellingfurthereastwardthanthehorse-fairatTemesvar，neverinvitingpersonalriskinanencounterwithanythingmorepotentiallydesperatethanahareorpartridge，hehadconstitutedhimselfthecriticalappraiserandarbiterofthemilitaryandnationalprowessofthesmallcountriesthatfringedtheDualMonarchyonitsDanubeborder。Andhisjudgmenthadbeenoneofunsparingcontemptforsmall-scaleefforts，ofunquestioningrespectforthebigbattalionsandfullpurses。OverthewholesceneoftheBalkanterritoriesandtheirtroubledhistorieshadloomedthecommandingmagicofthewords"theGreatPowers"——evenmoreimposingintheirTeutonicrendering，"DieGrossmachte。"
Worshippingpowerandforceandmoney-masteryasanelderlynerve-
riddenwomanmightworshipyouthfulphysicalenergy，thecomfortable，plump-bodiedcafe-oraclehadjestedandgibedattheambitionsoftheBalkankingletsandtheirpeoples，hadunloosedagainstthemthatbatteryofstrangelip-soundsthataVienneseemploysalmostasanauxiliarylanguagetoexpressthethoughtswhenhisthoughtsarenotcomplimentary。BritishtravellershadvisitedtheBalkanlandsandreportedhighthingsoftheBulgariansandtheirfuture，Russianofficershadtakenpeepsattheirarmyandconfessed"thisisathingtobereckonedwith，anditisnotwewhohavecreatedit，theyhavedoneitbythemselves。"Butoverhiscupsofcoffeeandhishour-longgamesofdominoestheoraclehadlaughedandwaggedhisheadanddistilledtheworldlywisdomofhiscastle。TheGrossmachtehadnotsucceededinstiflingtherollofthewar-drum，thatwastrue；thebigbattalionsoftheOttomanEmpirewouldhavetodosometalking，andthenthebigpursesandbigthreateningsofthePowerswouldspeakandthelastwordwouldbewiththem。InimaginationLuitpoldheardtheonwardtrampofthered-fezzedbayonetbearersechoingthroughtheBalkanpasses，sawthelittlesheepskin-cladmannikinsdrivenbacktotheirvillages，sawtheaugustlychidingspokesmanofthePowersdictating，adjusting，restoring，settlingthingsonceagainintheirallottedplaces，sweepingupthedustofconflict，andnowhisearshadtolistentothewar-drumrollinginquiteanotherdirection，hadtolistentothetrampofbattalionsthatwerebiggerandbolderandbetterskilledinwar-craftthanhehaddeemedpossibleinthatquarter；hiseyeshadtoreadinthecolumnsofhisaccustomednewspaperawarningtotheGrossmachtethattheyhadsomethingnewtolearn，somethingnewtoreckonwith，muchthatwastime-honouredtorelinquish。"TheGreatPowerswillhavenotlittledifficultyinpersuadingtheBalkanStatesoftheinviolabilityoftheprinciplethatEuropecannotpermitanyfreshpartitionofterritoryintheEastwithoutherapproval。Evennow，whilethecampaignisstillundecided，therearerumoursofaprojectoffiscalunity，extendingovertheentireBalkanlands，andfurtherofaconstitutionalunioninimitationoftheGermanEmpire。Thatisperhapsonlyapoliticalstrawblownbythestorm，butitisnotpossibletodismissthereflectionthattheBalkanStatesleaguedtogethercommandamilitarystrengthwithwhichtheGreatPowerswillhavetoreckon……ThepeoplewhohavepouredouttheirbloodonthebattlefieldsandsacrificedtheavailablearmedmenofanentiregenerationinordertoencompassaunionwiththeirkinsfolkwillnotremainanylongerinanattitudeofdependenceontheGreatPowersoronRussia，butwillgotheirownways……Thebloodthathasbeenpouredforthto-daygivesforthefirsttimeagenuinetonetothepurpleoftheBalkanKings。TheGreatPowerscannotoverlookthefactthatapeoplethathastastedvictorywillnotletitselfbedrivenbackagainwithinitsformerlimits。Turkeyhaslostto-daynotonlyKirkKilissehandKumanovo，butMacedoniaalso。"
LuitpoldWolkensteindrankhiscoffee，buttheflavourhadsomehowgoneoutofit。Hisworld，hispompous，imposing，dictatingworld，hadsuddenlyrolledupintonarrowerdimensions。Thebigpursesandthebigthreatshadbeenpushedunceremoniouslyononeside；aforcethathecouldnotfathom，couldnotcomprehend，hadmadeitselfrudelyfelt。TheaugustCaesarsofMammonandarmamenthadlookeddownfrowninglyonthecombat，andthoseabouttodiehadnotsaluted，hadnointentionofsaluting。Alessonwasbeingimposedonunwillinglearners，alessonofrespectforcertainfundamentalprinciples，anditwasnotthesmallstrugglingStateswhowerebeingtaughtthelesson。
LuitpoldWolkensteindidnotwaitforthequorumofdominoplayerstoarrive。TheywouldallhavereadthearticleintheFreiePresse。Andtherearemomentswhenanoraclefindsitsgreatestsalvationinwithdrawingitselffromtheareaofhumanquestioning。
THECUPBOARDOFTHEYESTERDAYS
"Warisacruellydestructivething，"saidtheWanderer，droppinghisnewspapertothefloorandstaringreflectivelyintospace。
"Ah，yes，indeed，"saidtheMerchant，respondingreadilytowhatseemedlikeasafeplatitude；"whenonethinksofthelossoflifeandlimb，thedesolatedhomesteads，theruined——"
"Iwasn'tthinkingofanythingofthesort，"saidtheWanderer；"I
wasthinkingofthetendencythatmodernwarhastodestroyandbanishtheveryelementsofpicturesquenessandexcitementthatareitschiefexcuseandcharm。Itislikeafirethatflaresupbrilliantlyforawhileandthenleaveseverythingblackerandbleakerthanbefore。AftereveryimportantwarinSouth-EastEuropeinrecenttimestherehasbeenashrinkingoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoffrontierlines，anintrusionofcivilisedmonotony。AndimaginewhatmayhappenattheconclusionofthiswariftheTurkshouldreallybedrivenoutofEurope。"
"Well，itwouldbeagaintothecauseofgoodgovernment，I
suppose，"saidtheMerchant。
"Buthaveyoucountedtheloss？"saidtheother。"TheBalkanshavelongbeenthelastsurvivingshredofhappyhunting-groundfortheadventurous，aplaygroundforpassionsthatarefastbecomingatrophiedforwantofexercise。InoldbygonedayswehadthewarsintheLowCountriesalwaysatourdoors，asitwere；therewasnoneedtogofarafieldintomalaria-strickenwildsifonewantedalifeofbootandsaddleandlicencetokillandbekilled。Thosewhowishedtoseelifehadadecentopportunityforseeingdeathatthesametime。"
"Itisscarcelyrighttotalkofkillingandbloodshedinthatway，"
saidtheMerchantreprovingly；"onemustrememberthatallmenarebrothers。"
"Onemustalsorememberthatalargepercentageofthemareyoungerbrothers；insteadofgoingintobankruptcy，whichistheusualtendencyoftheyoungerbrothernowadays，theygavetheirfamiliesafairchanceofgoingintomourning。Everybulletfindsabillet，accordingtoaratheroptimisticproverb，andyoumustadmitthatnowadaysitisbecomingincreasinglydifficulttofindbilletsforalotofyounggentlemenwhowouldhaveadorned，andprobablythoroughlyenjoyed，oneoftheold-timehappy-go-luckywars。Butthatisnotexactlytheburdenofmycomplaint。TheBalkanlandsareespeciallyinterestingtousintheserapidly-movingdaysbecausetheyaffordusthelastremainingglimpseofavanishingperiodofEuropeanhistory。WhenIwasachildoneoftheearliesteventsoftheoutsideworldthatforceditselfcoherentlyundermynoticewasawarintheBalkans；Irememberasunburnt，soldierlymanputtinglittlepin-flagsinawar-map，redflagsfortheTurkishforcesandyellowflagsfortheRussians。Itseemedamagicalregion，withitsmountainpassesandfrozenriversandgrimbattlefields，itsdriftingsnows，andprowlingwolves；therewasagreatstretchofwaterthatborethesinisterbutengagingnameoftheBlackSea——nothingthatIeverlearnedbeforeorafterinageographylessonmadethesameimpressiononmeasthatstrange-
namedinlandsea，andIdon'tthinkitsmagichaseverfadedoutofmyimagination。AndtherewasabattlecalledPlevnathatwentonandonwithvaryingfortunesforwhatseemedlikeagreatpartofalifetime；IrememberthedayofwrathandmourningwhenthelittleredflaghadtobetakenawayfromPlevna——likeothermaturerjudges，Iwasbackingthewronghorse，atanyratethelosinghorse。
Andnowto-dayweareputtinglittlepin-flagsagainintomapsoftheBalkanregion，andthepassionsarebeingturnedlooseoncemoreintheirplayground。"
"Thewarwillbelocalised，"saidtheMerchantvaguely；"atleasteveryonehopesso。"
"Itcouldn'twishforabetterlocality，"saidtheWanderer；"thereisacharmaboutthosecountriesthatyoufindnowhereelseinEurope，thecharmofuncertaintyandlandslide，andthelittledramatichappeningsthatmakeallthedifferencebetweentheordinaryandthedesirable。"
"Lifeisheldverycheapinthoseparts，"saidtheMerchant。
"Toacertainextent，yes，"saidtheWanderer。"IrememberamanatSofiawhousedtoteachmeBulgarianinaratherinefficientmanner，interspersedwithalotofquitewearisomegossip。Ineverknewwhathispersonalhistorywas，butthatwasonlybecauseIdidn'tlisten；hetoldittomemanytimes。AfterIleftBulgariaheusedtosendmeSofianewspapersfromtimetotime。IfeltthathewouldberathertiresomeifIeverwentthereagain。AndthenIheardafterwardsthatsomemencameinonedayfromHeavenknowswhere，justasthingsdohappenintheBalkans，andmurderedhimintheopenstreet，andwentawayasquietlyastheyhadcome。Youwillnotunderstandit，buttometherewassomethingratherpiquantintheideaofsuchathinghappeningtosuchaman；afterhisdullnessandhislong-windedsmall-talkitseemedasortofbrilliantespritd'esalieronhisparttomeetwithanendofsuchruthlesslyplannedandexecutedviolence。"
TheMerchantshookhishead；thepiquancyoftheincidentwasnotwithinstrikingdistanceofhiscomprehension。
"IshouldhavebeenshockedathearingsuchathingaboutanyoneI
hadknown，"hesaid。
"Thepresentwar，"continuedhiscompanion，withoutstoppingtodiscusstwohopelesslydivergentpointsofview，"maybethebeginningoftheendofmuchthathashithertosurvivedtheresistlesscreeping-inofcivilisation。IftheBalkanlandsaretobefinallyparcelledoutbetweenthecompetingChristianKingdomsandthehaphazardruleoftheTurkbanishedtobeyondtheSeaofMarmora，theoldorder，ordisorderifyoulike，willhavereceiveditsdeath-blow。Somethingofitsspiritwilllingerperhapsforawhileintheoldcharmedregionswhereitboresway；theGreekvillagerswilldoubtlessberestlessandturbulentandunhappywheretheBulgarsrule，andtheBulgarswillcertainlyberestlessandturbulentandunhappyunderGreekadministration，andtherivalflocksoftheExarchateandPatriarchatewillmakethemselvesintenselydisagreeabletooneanotherwherevertheopportunityoffers；thehabitsofalifetime，ofseverallifetimes，arenotlaidasideallatonce。AndtheAlbanians，ofcourse，weshallhavewithusstill，atroubledMoslempoolleftbytherecedingwaveofIslaminEurope。Buttheoldatmospherewillhavechanged，theglamourwillhavegone；thedustofformalityandbureaucraticneatnesswillslowlysettledownoverthetime-honouredlandmarks；theSanjakofNoviBazar，theMuerstegAgreement，theKomitadjebands，theVilayetofAdrianople，allthosefamiliaroutlandishnamesandthingsandplaces，thatwehaveknownsolongaspartandparceloftheBalkanQuestion，willhavepassedawayintothecupboardofyesterdays，ascompletelyastheHansaLeagueandthewarsoftheGuises。
"Theyweretheheritagethathistoryhandeddowntous，spoiledanddiminishednodoubt，incomparisonwithyetearlierdaysthatweneverknew，butstillsomethingtothrillandenlivenonelittlecornerofourContinent，somethingtohelpustoconjureupinourimaginationthedayswhentheTurkwasthunderingatthegatesofVienna。Andwhatshallwehavetohanddowntoourchildren？ThinkofwhattheirnewsfromtheBalkanswillbeinthecourseofanothertenorfifteenyears。SocialistCongressatUskub，electionriotatMonastir，greatdockstrikeatSalonika，visitoftheY。M。C。A。toVarna。Varna——onthecoastofthatenchantedsea！Theywilldriveouttosomesuburbtotea，andwritehomeaboutitastheBexhilloftheEast。
"Warisawickedlydestructivething。"
"Still，youmustadmit——"begantheMerchant。ButtheWandererwasnotinthemoodtoadmitanything。Heroseimpatientlyandwalkedtowherethetape-machinewasbusywiththenewsfromAdrianople。
FORTHEDURATIONOFTHEWAR
TheRev。WilfridGaspilton，inoneofthoseclericalmigrationsinconsequent-seemingtothelaymind，hadremovedfromthemoderatelyfashionableparishofSt。Luke's，Kensingate，totheimmoderatelyruralparishofSt。Chuddocks，somewhereinYondershire。Thereweredoubtlesssubstantialadvantagesconnectedwiththemove，buttherewerecertainlysomeveryobviousdrawbacks。
Neitherthemigratoryclergymannorhiswifewereabletoadaptthemselvesnaturallyandcomfortablytotheconditionsofcountrylife。Beryl，Mrs。Gaspilton，hadalwayslookedindulgentlyonthecountryasaplacewherepeopleofirreproachableincomeandhospitableinstinctscultivatedtennis-lawnsandrose-gardensandJacobeanpleasaunces，whereinselectedgatheringsofinterestedweek-endguestsmightdisportthemselves。Mrs。Gaspiltonconsideredherselfasdistinctlyaninterestingpersonality，andfromalimitedstandpointshewasdoubtlessright。Shehadindolentdarkeyesandacomfortablechin，whichbeliedtheslightlyplaintiveinflectionwhichshethrewintohervoiceatsuitableintervals。Shewastolerablywellsatisfiedwiththesmalleradvantagesoflife，butsheregrettedthatFatehadnotseenitswaytoreserveforhersomeoftheamplersuccessesforwhichshefeltherselfwellqualified。
Shewouldhavelikedtobethecentreofaliterary，slightlypoliticalsalon，wherediscerningsatellitesmighthaverecognisedthebreadthofheroutlookonhumanaffairsandtheundoubtedsmallnessofherfeet。Asitwas，Destinyhadchosenforherthatsheshouldbethewifeofarector，andhadnowfurtherdecreedthatacountryrectoryshouldbethebackgroundtoherexistence。Sherapidlymadeuphermindthathersurroundingsdidnotcallforexploration；NoahhadpredictedtheFlood，butnooneexpectedhimtoswimaboutinit。Digginginawetgardenortrudgingthroughmuddylaneswereexertionswhichshedidnotproposetoundertake。
AslongasthegardenproducedasparagusandcarnationsatpleasinglyfrequentintervalsMrs。Gaspiltonwascontenttoapproveofitsexpenseandotherwiseignoreitsexistence。Shewouldfoldherselfup，sotospeak，inanelegant，indolentlittleworldofherown，enjoyingtheminorrecreationsofbeinggentlyrudetothedoctor'swifeandcontinuingtheleisurelyproductionofheroneliteraryeffort，TheForbiddenHorsepond，atranslationofBaptisteLeopoy'sL'Abreuvoirinterdit。Itwasalabourwhichhadalreadybeensolongdrawn-outthatitseemedprobablethatBaptisteLepoywoulddropoutofvoguebeforehertranslationofhistemporarilyfamousnovelwasfinished。However，thelanguidprosecutionoftheworkhadinvestedMrs。Gaspiltonwithacertainliterarydignity，eveninKensingatecircles，andwouldplaceheronapinnacleinSt。
Chuddocks，wherehardlyanyonereadFrench，andassuredlynoonehadheardofL'Abreuvoirinterdit。
TheRector'swifemightbecontenttoturnherbackcomplacentlyonthecountry；itwastheRector'stragedythatthecountryturneditsbackonhim。WiththebestintentionintheworldandtheimmortalexampleofGilbertWhitebeforehim，theRev。WilfridfoundhimselfasboredandillateaseinhisnewsurroundingsasCharlesIIwouldhavebeenatamodernWesleyanConference。Thebirdsthathoppedacrosshislawnhoppedacrossitasthoughitweretheirlawn，andnothis，andgavehimplainlytounderstandthatintheireyeshewasinfinitelylessinterestingthanagardenwormortherectorycat。Thehedgesideandmeadowflowerswereequallyuninspiring；thelessercelandineseemedparticularlyunworthyoftheattentionthatEnglishpoetshadbestowedonit，andtheRectorknewthathewouldbeutterlymiserableifleftaloneforaquarterofanhourinitscompany。Withthehumaninhabitantsofhisparishhewasnobetteroff；toknowthemwasmerelytoknowtheirailments，andtheailmentswerealmostinvariablyrheumatism。Some，ofcourse，hadotherbodilyinfirmities，buttheyalwayshadrheumatismaswell。
TheRectorhadnotyetgraspedthefactthatinruralcottagelifenottohaverheumatismisasglaringanomissionasnottohavebeenpresentedatCourtwouldbeinmoreambitiouscircles。AndwithallthisdeathoflocalinteresttherewasBerylshuttingherselfoffwithherridiculouslaboursonTheForbiddenHorsepond。
"Idon'tseewhyyoushouldsupposethatanyonewantstoreadBaptisteLepoyinEnglish，"theReverendWilfridremarkedtohiswifeonemorning，findinghersurroundedwithherusualelegantlitterofdictionaries，fountainpens，andscribblingpaper；"hardlyanyonebotherstoreadhimnowinFrance。"
"Mydear，"saidBeryl，withanintonationofgentleweariness，"haven'ttwoorthreeleadingLondonpublisherstoldmetheywonderednoonehadevertranslatedL'Abreuvoirinterdit，andbeggedme——"
"Publishersalwaysclamourforthebooksthatnoonehaseverwritten，andturnacoldshoulderonthemassoonasthey'rewritten。IfSt。PaulwerelivingnowtheywouldpesterhimtowriteanEpistletotheEsquimaux，butnoLondonpublisherwoulddreamofreadinghisEpistletotheEphesians。"
"Isthereanyasparagusinthegarden？"askedBeryl；"becauseI'vetoldcook——"
"Notanywhereinthegarden，"snappedtheRector，"butthere'snodoubtplentyintheasparagus-bed，whichistheusualplaceforit。"
Andhewalkedawayintotheregionoffruittreesandvegetablebedstoexchangeirritationforboredom。Itwasthere，amongthegooseberrybushesandbeneaththemedlartrees，thatthetemptationtotheperpetrationofagreatliteraryfraudcametohim。
SomeweekslatertheBi-MonthlyReviewgavetotheworld，undertheguaranteeoftheRev。WilfridGaspilton，somefragmentsofPersianverse，allegedtohavebeenunearthedandtranslatedbyanephewwhowasatpresentcampaigningsomewhereintheTigrisvalley。TheRev。
Wilfridpossessedahostofnephews，anditwasofcourse，quitepossiblethatoneormoreofthemmightbeinmilitaryemployinMesopotamia，thoughnoonecouldcalltomindanyparticularnephewwhocouldhavebeensuspectedofbeingaPersianscholar。
TheverseswereattributedtooneGhurab，ahunter，or，accordingtootheraccounts，wardenoftheroyalfishponds，wholived，insomeunspecifiedcentury，intheneighbourhoodofKarmanshah。Theybreathedaspiritofcomfortable，even-temperedsatireandphilosophy，disclosingamockerythatdidnottroubletobebitter，ajoyinlifethatwasnotpassionatetothevergeofbeingtroublesome。
"AMousethatprayedforAllah'saidBlasphemedwhennosuchaidbefell：
ACat，whofeastedonthatmouse，ThoughtAllahmanagedvastlywell。
PraynotforaidtoOnewhomadeAsetofnever-changingLaws，ButinyourneedrememberwellHegaveyouspeed，orguile——orclaws。
Somelaudalifeofmildcontent：
Contentmayfall，aswellasPride。
TheFrogwhohuggedhislowlyDitchWasmuchdisgruntledwhenitdried。
'YouarenotontheRoadtoHell，'
Youtellmewithfanaticglee：
Vainboaster，whatshallthatavailIfHellisontheroadtothee？
APoetpraisedtheEveningStar，AnotherpraisedtheParrot'shue：
AMerchantpraisedhismerchandise，Andhe，atleast，praisedwhatheknew。"
Itwasthisversewhichgavethecriticsandcommentatorssomeclueastotheprobabledateofthecomposition；theparrot，theyremindedthepublic，wasinhighvogueasatypeofeleganceinthedaysofHafizofShiraz；inthequatrainsofOmaritmakesnoappearance。
Thenextverse，itwaspointedout，wouldapplytothepoliticalconditionsofthepresentdayasstrikinglyastotheregionanderaforwhichitwaswritten-
"ASultandreamedday-longofPeace，ThewhilehisRivals'armiesgrew：
TheychangedhisDay-dreamsintosleep-ThePeace，methinks，heneverknew。"
Womanappearedlittle，andwinenotatallintheverseofthehunter-poet，buttherewasatleastonecontributiontothelove-
philosophyoftheEast-
"OMoon-facedCharmer，andStar-drownedEyes，Andcheeksofsoftdelight，exhalingmusk，Theytellmethatthycharmwillfade；ahwell，TheRoseitselfgrowshue-lessintheDusk。"
Finally，therewasarecognitionoftheInevitable，achillbreathblowingacrossthepoet'scomfortableestimateoflife-
"ThereisasadnessineachDawn，Asadnessthatyoucannotrede：
ThejoyousDaybringsinitstrainTheFeast，theLovedOne，andtheSteed。
Ah，thereshallcomeaDawnatlastThatbringsnolife-stirtoyourken，Along，coldDawnwithoutaDay，Andyeshallredeitssadnessthen。"
TheversesofGhurabcameonthepublicatamomentwhenacomfortable，slightlyquizzicalphilosophywascertaintobewelcome，andtheirreceptionwasenthusiastic。Elderlycolonels，whohadoutlivedtheloveoftruth，wrotetothepaperstosaythattheyhadbeenfamiliarwiththeworksofGhurabinAfghanistan，andAden，andothersuitablelocalitiesaquarterofacenturyago。A
Ghurab-of-KarmanshahClubsprangintoexistence，themembersofwhichalludedtoeachotherasBrotherGhurabiansontheslightestprovocation。Andtothefloodofinquiries，criticisms，andrequestsforinformation，whichnaturallypouredinonthediscoverer，orratherthediscloser，ofthislong-hiddenpoet，theRev。Wilfridmadeoneeffectualreply：Militaryconsiderationsforbadeanydisclosureswhichmightthrowunnecessarylightonhisnephew'smovements。
AfterthewartheRector'spositionwillbeoneofunthinkableembarrassment，butforthemoment，atanyrate，hehasdrivenTheForbiddenHorsepondoutofthefield。