’Tain’toftenIgetabitoffreshair。"
　　"Doingwell？"
　　"Thebusiness，"repliedHezekiah，"isgoingupbyleapsandbounds—
　　—leapsandbounds。But，ofcourse，allthatmeansharderworkforme。It’sfromsixinthemorningtilltwelveo’clockatnight。"
　　"There’snothingIknowof，"returnedSolomon，whowassomethingofapessimist，"that’sgivenawayfreegratisfornothingexceptmisfortune。"
　　"Keepingyourselfuptothemarkain’ttooeasy，"continuedHezekiah;"andwhenitcomestootherfolks！play’salltheythinkof。Talkreligiontothem——why，theylaughatyou！Whattheworld’scomingto，Idon’tknow。How’stheprintingbusinessdoing？"
　　"Theprintingbusiness，"respondedtheother，removinghispipeandspeakingsomewhatsadly，"theprintingbusinesslookslikebeingabigthing。Capital，ofcourse，iswhathampersme——or，rather，thewantofit。ButJanet，she’scareful;shedon’twastemuch，Janetdon’t。"
　　"Now，withAnne，"repliedHezekiah，"it’salltheotherway——
　　pleasure，gaiety，adayatRoshervilleortheCrystalPalace——
　　anythingtowastemoney。"
　　"Ah！shewasalwaysfondofherbitoffun，"rememberedSolomon。
　　"Fun！"retortedHezekiah。"Ilikeabitoffunmyself。Butnotifyou’vegottopayforit。Where’sthefuninthat？"
　　"WhatIaskmyselfsometimes，"saidSolomon，lookingstraightinfrontofhim，"iswhatdowedoitfor？"
　　"Whatdowedowhatfor？"
　　"Worklikeblessedslaves，deprivingourselvesofallenjoyments。
　　What’sthesenseofit？What——"
　　AvoicefromtheperambulatorbesidehimbrokethethreadofSolomonAppleyard’sdiscourse。ThesolesurvivingsonofHezekiahGrindley，seekingdistractionandfindingnone，hadcreptbackunperceived。Aperambulator！Athinghisexperiencetoldhimoutofwhichexcitementinsomeformoranothercouldgenerallybeobtained。Youworrieditandtookyourchance。Eitherithowled，inwhichcaseyouhadtorunforyourlife，followed——and，unfortunately，overtakenninetimesoutoften——byawhirlwindofvengeance;oritgurgled：inwhichcasetheheavenssmiledandhalosdescendedonyourhead。Ineithereventyouescapedthedeadlyennuithatistheresultofcontinuousvirtue。MasterGrindley，hisstarhavingpointedouttohimapeacock’sfeatherlyingontheground，had，withoneeyeuponhisunobservantparent，removedthecomplicatedcoveringsshelteringMissHelvetiaAppleyardfromtheworld，andanticipatingbyaquarterofacenturytheprimeenjoymentofBritishyouth，hadsettoworktoticklethatladyonthenose。MissHelvetiaAppleyardawakened，didpreciselywhatthetickledBritishmaidenofto—daymaybereliedupontodoundercorrespondingcircumstances：shefirstofalltookswiftandcomprehensivesurveyofthemalethingbehindthefeather。Hadhebeendispleasinginhereyes，shewould，onemayrelyuponit，haveantecededthebehaviourinsimilarcaseofherdescendantofto—day——thatistosay，haveexpressedresentmentinnouncertainterms。MasterNathanielGrindleyproving，however，tohertaste，thatwhichmighthavebeenconsideredimpertinencebecameacceptedasafitandproperformofintroduction。MissAppleyardsmiledgraciously——nay，further，intimateddesireformore。
　　"Thatyouronlyone？"askedthepaternalGrindley。
　　"She’stheonlyone，"repliedSolomon，speakingintoneslesspessimistic。
　　MissAppleyardhadwiththehelpofGrindleyjuniorwriggledherselfintoasittingposture。Grindleyjuniorcontinuedhisattentions，theladyindicatingbysignsthevariouspointsatwhichshewasmostsusceptible。
　　"Prettypicturetheymaketogether，eh？"suggestedHezekiahinawhispertohisfriend。
　　"Neversawhertaketoanyonelikethatbefore，"returnedSolomon，likewiseinawhisper。
　　Aneighbouringchurchclockchimedtwelve。SolomonAppleyard，knockingtheashesfromhispipe，arose。
　　"Don’tknowanyreasonmyselfwhyweshouldn’tseealittlemoreofoneanotherthanwedo，"suggestedGrindleysenior，shakinghands。
　　"Giveusalook—uponeSundayafternoon，"suggestedSolomon。
　　"Bringtheyoungsterwithyou。"
　　SolomonAppleyardandHezekiahGrindleyhadstartedlifewithinafewmonthsofoneanothersomefive—and—thirtyyearsbefore。
　　Likewisewithinafewhundredyardsofoneanother，Solomonathisfather’sbooksellingandprintingestablishmentontheeastsideoftheHighStreetofasmallYorkshiretown;Hezekiahathisfather’sgroceryshopuponthewestside，opposite。Bothhadmarriedfarmers’daughters。Solomon’snaturalbenttowardsgaietyFatehadcorrectedbydirectinghisaffectionstoapartnerinstinctwithYorkshireshrewdness;andwithshrewdnessgootherqualitiesthatmakeforsuccessratherthanforhappiness。Hezekiah，hadcircumstancesbeenequal，mighthavebeenhisfriend’srivalforJanet’scapableandsavinghand，hadnotsweet—tempered，laughingAnnieGlossop——directedbyProvidencetohermoralwelfare，onemustpresume——falleninlovewithhim。BetweenJane’svirtuesandAnnie’sthreehundredgoldensovereignsHezekiahhadnothesitatedamoment。Goldensovereignsweresolidfacts;wifelyvirtues，byaserious—mindedandstrong—willedhusband，couldbeinstilled——atallevents，light—heartednesssuppressed。Thetwomen，Hezekiahurgedbyhisownambition，Solomonbyhiswife’s，hadarrivedinLondonwithinayearofoneanother：Hezekiahtoopenagrocer’sshopinKensington，whichthosewhoshouldhaveknownassuredhimwasahopelessneighbourhood。ButHezekiahhadtheinstinctofthemoney—maker。Solomon，afterlookingabouthim，hadfixedupontheroomy，substantialhouseinNevill’sCourtasapromisingfoundationforaprinter’sbusiness。
　　Thatwastenyearsago。Thetwofriends，scorningdelights，livinglaboriousdays，hadseenbutlittleofoneanother。Light—heartedAnniehadbornetoherdourpartnertwochildrenwhohaddied。
　　NathanielGeorge，withthelucksupposedtowaitonnumberthree，hadlivedon，and，inheritingfortunatelythetemperamentofhismother，hadbroughtsunshineintothegloomyroomsabovetheshopinHighStreet，Kensington。Mrs。Grindley，grownweakandfretful，hadrestedfromherlabours。
　　Mrs。Appleyard’sguardianangel，prudentlikehisprotege，hadwaitedtillSolomon’sbusinesswaswellestablishedbeforedespatchingthestorktoNevill’sCourt，withalittlegirl。Laterhadsentaboy，who，notfindingthecloseairofSt。Dunstantohisliking，hadfoundhiswaybackagain;thuspassingoutofthisstoryandallothers。AndthereremainedtocarryonthelegendoftheGrindleysandtheAppleyardsonlyNathanielGeorge，nowagedfive，andJanetHelvetia，quiteabeginner，whotookliftseriously。
　　Therearenosuchthingsasfacts。Narrow—mindedfolk——surveyors，auctioneers，andsuchlike——wouldhaveinsistedthatthegardenbetweentheoldGeorgianhouseandNevill’sCourtwasastripoflandonehundredandeighteenfeetbyninety—two，containingalaburnumtree，sixlaurelbushes，andadwarfdeodora。ToNathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiaitwasthelandofThule，"thefurthestboundariesofwhichnomanhasreached。"OnrainySundayafternoonstheyplayedinthegreat，gloomypressroom，wheresilentogres，standingmotionless，stretchedoutironarmstoseizethemastheyran。ThenjustwhenNathanielGeorgewaseight，andJanetHelvetiafourandahalf，Hezekiahlaunchedthecelebrated"Grindley’sSauce。"Itaddedarelishtochopsandsteaks，transformedcoldmuttonintoaluxury，andswelledtheheadofHezekiahGrindley——whichwasbigenoughinallconscienceasitwas——andshrivelleduphislittlehardheart。TheGrindleysandtheAppleyardsvisitednomore。Asasensiblefellowoughttohaveseenforhimself，sothoughtHezekiah，theSaucehadalteredallthings。Thepossibilityofamarriagebetweentheirchildren，thingshavingremainedequal，mighthavebeenaprettyfancy;butthesonofthegreatGrindley，whosenameinthree—footlettersfacedtheworldfromeveryhoarding，wouldhavetolookhigherthanaprinter’sdaughter。Solomon，asuddenandvehementconverttotheprinciplesofmediaevalfeudalism，wouldratherseehisonlychild，granddaughteroftheauthorofTheHistoryofKettlewellandotherworks，deadandburiedthanmarriedtoagrocer’sson，eventhoughhemightinheritafortunemadeoutofpoisoningthepublicwithamixtureofmustardandsourbeer。ItwasmanyyearsbeforeNathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiametoneanotheragain，andwhentheydidtheyhadforgottenoneanother，HezekiahS。Grindley，ashort，stout，andpompousgentleman，satunderapalminthegorgeouslyfurnisheddrawing—roomofhisbighouseatNottingHill。Mrs。Grindley，athin，fadedwoman，thedespairofherdressmaker，satasneartothefireasitsmassiveandimposingcopperoutworkswouldpermit，andshivered。Grindleyjunior，afair—haired，well—shapedyouth，witheyesthattheothersexfoundattractive，leantwithhishandsinhispocketsagainstascrupulouslyrobedstatueofDiana，andappeareduncomfortable。
　　"I’mmakingthemoney——makingithandoverfist。Allyou’llhavetodowillbetospendit，"Grindleyseniorwasexplainingtohissonandheir。
　　"I’lldothatallright，dad。"
　　"I’mnotsosureofit，"washisfather’sopinion。"You’vegottoproveyourselfworthytospendit。Don’tyouthinkIshallbecontenttohaveslavedalltheseyearsmerelytoprovideabrainlessyoungidiotwiththemeansofself—indulgence。Ileavemymoneytosomebodyworthyofme。Understand，sir？——somebodyworthyofme。"
　　Mrs。Grindleycommencedasentence;Mr。Grindleyturnedhissmalleyesuponher。Thesentenceremainedunfinished。
　　"Youwereabouttosaysomething，"herhusbandremindedher。
　　Mrs。Grindleysaiditwasnothing。
　　"Ifitisanythingworthhearing——ifitisanythingthatwillassistthediscussion，let’shaveit。"Mr。Grindleywaited。"Ifnot，ifyouyourselfdonotconsideritworthfinishing，whyhavebegunit？"
　　Mr。Grindleyreturnedtohissonandheir。"Youhaven’tdonetoowellatschool——infact，yourschoolcareerhasdisappointedme。"
　　"IknowI’mnotclever，"Grindleyjuniorofferedasanexcuse。
　　"Whynot？Whyaren’tyouclever？"
　　Hissonandheirwasunabletoexplain。
　　"Youaremyson——whyaren’tyouclever？It’slaziness，sir;sheerlaziness！"
　　"I’lltryanddobetteratOxford，sir——honourbrightIwill！"
　　"Youhadbetter，"advisedhimhisfather;"becauseIwarnyou，yourwholefuturedependsuponit。Youknowme。You’vegottobeacredittome，tobeworthyofthenameofGrindley——orthename，myboy，isallyou’llhave。"
　　OldGrindleymeantit，andhissonknewthathemeantit。TheoldPuritanprinciplesandinstinctswerestrongintheoldgentleman——
　　formed，perhaps，thebetterpartofhim。Idlenesswasanabominationtohim;devotiontopleasure，otherthanthepleasureofmoney—making，agrievoussininhiseyes。GrindleyjuniorfullyintendedtodowellatOxford，andmighthavesucceeded。Inaccusinghimselfoflackofcleverness，hedidhimselfaninjustice。Hehadbrains，hehadenergy，hehadcharacter。Ourvirtuescanbeourstumbling—blocksaswellasourvices。YoungGrindleyhadoneadmirablevirtuethatneeds，aboveallothers，carefulcontrolling：hewasamiabilityitself。Beforethecharmandsweetnessofit，Oxfordsnobbishnesswentdown。TheSauce，againsttheearnestcounselofitsownadvertisement，wasforgotten;thepicklespassedby。ToescapethenaturalresultofhispopularitywouldhaveneededastrongerwillthanyoungGrindleypossessed。ForatimethetruestateofaffairswashiddenfromtheeyeofGrindleysenior。To"slack"itthisterm，withthefulldeterminationof"swotting"itthenext，isalwayseasy;thedifficultybeginningonlywiththenewterm。PossiblywithluckyoungGrindleymighthaveretrievedhispositionandcoveredupthetracesofhisfolly，butforanunfortunateaccident。Returningtocollegewithsomeotherchoicespiritsattwoo’clockinthemorning，itoccurredtoyoungGrindleythattroublemightbesavedallroundbycuttingoutapaneofglasswithadiamondringandenteringhisrooms，whichwereontheground—floor，bythewindow。That，inmistakeforhisown，heshouldhaveselectedthebedroomoftheCollegeRectorwasamisfortunethatmighthaveoccurredtoanyonewhohadcommencedtheeveningonchampagneandfinisheditonwhisky。YoungGrindley，havingbeenwarnedalreadytwicebefore，was"sentdown。"Andthen，ofcourse，thewholehistoryofthethreewastedyearscameout。OldGrindleyinhisstudychairhavingtalkedforhalfanhouratthetopofhisvoice，chose，partlybyreasonofphysicalnecessity，partlybyreasonofdormantdramaticinstinct，tospeakquietlyandslowly。
　　"I’llgiveyouonechancemore，myboy，andoneonly。I’vetriedyouasagentleman——perhapsthatwasmymistake。NowI’lltryyouasagrocer。"
　　"Asawhat？"
　　"Asagrocer，sir——g—r—o—c—e—r——grocer，amanwhostandsbehindacounterinawhiteapronandhisshirt—sleeves;whosellsteaandsugarandcandiedpeelandsuch—likethingstocustomers——oldladies，littlegirls;whorisesatsixinthemorning，takesdowntheshutters，sweepsouttheshop，cleansthewindows;whohashalfanhourforhisdinnerofcornedbeefandbread;whoputsuptheshuttersatteno’clockatnight，tidiesuptheshop，hashissupper，andgoestobed，feelinghisdayhasnotbeenwasted。I
　　meanttospareyou。Iwaswrong。YoushallgothroughthemillasIwentthroughit。Ifattheendoftwoyearsyou’vedonewellwithyourtime，learnedsomething——learnedtobeaman，atallevents——youcancometomeandthankme。"
　　"I’mafraid，sir，"suggestedGrindleyjunior，whosehandsomefaceduringthelastfewminuteshadgrownverywhite，"Imightnotmakeaverysatisfactorygrocer。Yousee，sir，I’vehadnoexperience。"
　　"Iamgladyouhavesomesense，"returnedhisfatherdrily。"Youarequiteright。Evenagrocer’sbusinessrequireslearning。Itwillcostmealittlemoney;butitwillbethelastIshalleverspenduponyou。Forthefirstyearyouwillhavetobeapprenticed，andIshallallowyousomethingtoliveon。ItshallbemorethanIhadatyourage——we’llsayapoundaweek。AfterthatIshallexpectyoutokeepyourself。"
　　Grindleyseniorrose。"Youneednotgivemeyouranswertilltheevening。Youareofage。Ihavenocontroloveryouunlessyouarewillingtoagree。Youcangomyway，oryoucangoyourown。"
　　YoungGrindley，whohadinheritedagooddealofhisfather’sgrit，feltverymuchinclinedtogohisown;but，hamperedontheotherhandbythesweetnessofdispositionhehadinheritedfromhismother，wasunabletowithstandtheargumentofthatlady’stears，sothateveningacceptedoldGrindley’sterms，askingonlyasafavourthatthesceneofhisprobationmightbeinsomeout—of—the—
　　wayneighbourhoodwheretherewouldbelittlechanceofhisbeingmetbyoldfriends。
　　"Ihavethoughtofallthat，"answeredhisfather。"Myobjectisn’ttohumiliateyoumorethanisnecessaryforyourgood。TheshopIhavealreadyselected，ontheassumptionthatyouwouldsubmit，isasquietandout—of—the—wayasyoucouldwish。ItisinaturningoffFetterLane，whereyou’llseefewotherpeoplethanprintersandcaretakers。You’lllodgewithawoman，aMrs。
　　Postwhistle，whoseemsaverysensibleperson。She’llboardyouandlodgeyou，andeverySaturdayyou’llreceiveapost—officeorderforsixshillings，outofwhichyou’llfindyourselfinclothes。Youcantakewithyousufficienttolastyouforthefirstsixmonths，butnomore。Attheendoftheyearyoucanchangeifyoulikeandgotoanothershop，ormakeyourownarrangementswithMrs。Postwhistle。Ifallissettled，yougothereto—morrow。Yougooutofthishouseto—morrowinanyevent。"
　　Mrs。Postwhistlewasalarge，placidladyofphilosophictemperament。Hithertothelittlegrocer’sshopinRollsCourt，FetterLane，hadbeeneasyofmanagementbyherownunaidedefforts;buttheneighbourhoodwasrapidlychanging。Othergrocers’shopsweredisappearingonebyone，makingwayforhugeblocksofbuildings，wherehundredsofironpresses，singingdayandnight，spreadtotheearththesongoftheMightyPen。Therewerehourswhenthelittleshopcouldhardlyaccommodateitscrowdofcustomers。Mrs。Postwhistle，ofabulknottobemovedquickly，had，aftermatureconsideration，conqueringanaturaldisinclinationtochange，decidedtoseekassistance。
　　YoungGrindley，alightingfromafour—wheeledcabinFetterLane，marchedupthecourt，followedbyaweak—kneedwastrelstaggeringundertheweightofasmallbox。Inthedoorwayofthelittleshop，youngGrindleypausedandraisedhishat。
　　"Mrs。Postwhistle？"
　　Thelady，fromherchairbehindthecounter，roseslowly。
　　"IamMr。NathanielGrindley，thenewassistant。"
　　Theweak—kneedwastrelletfalltheboxwithathuduponthefloor。
　　Mrs。Postwhistlelookedhernewassistantupanddown。
　　"Oh！"saidMrs。Postwhistle。"Well，Ishouldn’t’avefeltinstinctivelyitmustbeyou，notifI’d’adtopickyououtofacrowd。Butifyoutellmeso，why，Isupposeyouare。Comein。"
　　Theweak—kneedwastrel，receivingtohisastonishmentashilling，departed。
　　Grindleyseniorhadselectedwisely。Mrs。Postwhistle’stheorywasthatalthoughveryfewpeopleinthisworldunderstoodtheirownbusiness，theyunderstooditbetterthananyoneelsecouldunderstanditforthem。Ifhandsome，well—educatedyounggentlemen，whogaveshillingstowastrels，felttheywantedtobecomesmartandcapablegrocers’assistants，thatwastheiraffair。Herbusinesswastoteachthemtheirwork，and，forherownsake，toseethattheydidit。Amonthwentby。Mrs。
　　Postwhistlefoundhernewassistanthard—working，willing，somewhatclumsy，butwithasmileandalaughthattransformedmistakes，forwhichanotherwouldhavebeensoundlyrated，intowelcomevariationsoftheday’smonotony。
　　"Ifyouwerethesortofwomanthatcaredtomakeyourfortune，"
　　saidoneWilliamClodd，anoldfriendofMrs。Postwhistle’s，youngGrindleyhavingdescendedintothecellartogrindcoffee，"I’dtellyouwhattodo。Takeabun—shopsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofagirls’school，andputthatassistantofyoursinthewindow。You’ddoaroaringbusiness。"
　　"There’samysteryabout’im，"saidMrs。Postwhistle。
　　"Knowwhatitis？"
　　"IfIknewwhatitwas，Ishouldn’tbecallingitamystery，"
　　repliedMrs。Postwhistle，whowasastylistinherway。
　　"Howdidyougethim？Winhiminaraffle？"
　　"Jones，theagent，sent’imtomeallina’urry。AnassistantiswhatIreallywanted，notanapprentice;butthepremiumwasgood，andthereferenceseverythingonecoulddesire。"
　　"Grindley，Grindley，"murmuredClodd。"AnyrelationtotheSauce，Iwonder？"
　　"Abitmorewholesome，Ishouldsay，fromthelookofhim，"thoughtMrs。Postwhistle。
　　Thequestionofapostofficetomeetitsgrowingneedhadlongbeenunderdiscussionbytheneighbourhood。Mrs。Postwhistlewasapproacheduponthesubject。Grindleyjunior，eagerforanythingthatmightbringvarietyintohisnew，crampedexistence，undertooktoqualifyhimself。
　　Withintwomonthsthearrangementswerecomplete。Grindleyjuniordividedhistimebetweendispensinggroceriesanddespatchingtelegramsandletters，andwasgratefulforthechange。
　　Grindleyjunior’smindwasfixeduponthefashioningofacornucopiatoreceiveaquarterofapoundofmoist。Thecustomer，anextremelyyounglady，wasseekingtohastenhisoperationsbytappingincessantlywithapennyonthecounter。Itdidnothurryhim;itonlyworriedhim。Grindleyjuniorhadnotacquiredfacilityinthefashioningofcornucopias——thevertexwouldinvariablybecomeunrolledatthelastmoment，allowingthecontentstodribbleoutontothefloororcounter。Grindleyjuniorwassweet—temperedasarule，butwhenengageduponthefashioningofacornucopia，wasirritable。
　　"Hurryup，oldman！"urgedtheextremelyyounglady。"I’vegotanotherappointmentinlessthanhalfanhour。"
　　"Oh，damnthething！"saidGrindleyjunior，asthepaperforthefourthtimerevertedtoitsoriginalshape。
　　Anolderlady，standingbehindtheextremelyyoungladyandholdingatelegram—forminherhand，lookedindignant。
　　"Temper，temper，"remarkedtheextremelyyoungladyinreprovingtone。
　　Thefifthtimewasmoresuccessful。Theextremelyyoungladywentout，commentinguponthewasteoftimealwaysresultingwhenboyswereemployedtodotheworkofmen。Theolderlady，ahaughtyperson，handedacrosshertelegramwiththerequestthatitshouldbesentoffatonce。
　　Grindleyjuniortookhispencilfromhispocketandcommencedtocount。
　　"Digniori，notdigniorus，"commentedGrindleyjunior，correctingtheword，"daturdigniori，dativesingular。"Grindleyjunior，stillirritablefromthestrugglewiththecornucopia，spokesharply。
　　Thehaughtyladywithdrewhereyesfromaspotsometenmilesbeyondthebackoftheshop，wherehithertotheyhadbeenresting，andfixedthemforthefirsttimeuponGrindleyjunior。
　　"Thankyou，"saidthehaughtylady。
　　Grindleyjuniorlookedupandimmediately，tohisannoyance，feltthathewasblushing。Grindleyjuniorblushedeasily——itannoyedhimverymuch。
　　Thehaughtyyoungladyalsoblushed。Shedidnotoftenblush;whenshedid，shefeltangrywithherself。
　　"Ashillingandapenny，"demandedGrindleyjunior。
　　Thehaughtyyoungladycountedoutthemoneyanddeparted。
　　Grindleyjunior，peepingfrombehindatinofAbernethybiscuits，noticedthatasshepassedthewindowsheturnedandlookedback。
　　Shewasaverypretty，haughtylady。Grindleyjuniorratheradmireddark，levelbrowsandfinelycut，tremulouslips，especiallywhencombinedwithamassofsoft，brownhair，andaricholivecomplexionthatflushedandpaledasonelookedatit。
　　"Mightsendthattelegramoffifyou’venothingelsetodo，andthere’snoparticularreasonforkeepingitback，"suggestedMrs。
　　Postwhistle。
　　"It’sonlyjustbeenhandedin，"explainedGrindleyjunior，somewhathurt。
　　"You’vebeenlookingatitforthelastfiveminutesbytheclock，"
　　saidMrs。Postwhistle。
　　Grindleyjuniorsatdowntothemachine。ThenameandaddressofthesenderwasHelvetiaAppleyard，Nevill’sCourt。
　　Threedayspassed——singularlyemptydaystheyappearedtoGrindleyjunior。Onthefourth，HelvetiaAppleyardhadoccasiontodespatchanothertelegram——thistimeentirelyinEnglish。
　　"One—and—fourpence，"sighedGrindleyjunior。
　　MissAppleyarddrewforthherpurse。Theshopwasempty。
　　"HowdidyoucometoknowLatin？"inquiredMissAppleyardinquiteacasualtone。
　　"Ipickedupalittleatschool。ItwasaphraseIhappenedtoremember，"confessedGrindleyjunior，wonderingwhyheshouldbefeelingashamedofhimself。
　　"Iamalwayssorry，"saidMissAppleyard，"whenIseeanyonecontentwiththelowerlifewhosetalentsmight，perhaps，fithimforthehigher。"SomethingaboutthetoneandmannerofMissAppleyardremindedGrindleyjuniorofhisformerRector。Eachseemedtohavearrivedbydifferentroadsatthesamephilosophicalaloofnessfromtheworld，temperedbychastenedinterestinhumanphenomena。"Wouldyouliketotrytoraiseyourself——toimproveyourself——toeducateyourself？"
　　Anunseenlittlerogue，whowasenjoyinghimselfimmensely，whisperedtoGrindleyjuniortosaynothingbut"Yes，"heshould。
　　"Willyouletmehelpyou？"askedMissAppleyard。AndthesimpleandheartfeltgratitudewithwhichGrindleyjuniorclosedupontheofferprovedtoMissAppleyardhowtrueitisthattodogoodtoothersisthehighestjoy。
　　MissAppleyardhadcomepreparedforpossibleacceptance。"Youhadbetterbeginwiththis，"thoughtMissAppleyard。"Ihavemarkedthepassagesthatyoushouldlearnbyheart。Makeanoteofanythingyoudonotunderstand，andIwillexplainittoyouwhen——
　　whennextIhappentobepassing。"
　　Grindleyjuniortookthebook——Bell’sIntroductiontotheStudyoftheClassics，forUseofBeginners——andhelditbetweenbothhands。
　　Itspricewasninepence，butGrindleyjuniorappearedtoregarditasavolumeofgreatvalue。
　　"Itwillbehardworkatfirst，"MissAppleyardwarnedhim;"butyoumustpersevere。Ihavetakenaninterestinyou;youmusttrynottodisappointme。"
　　AndMissAppleyard，feelingallthesensationsofaHypatia，departed，takinglightwithherandforgettingtopayforthetelegram。MissAppleyardbelongedtotheclassthatyoungladieswhopridethemselvesonbeingtiresomelyignorantandfoolishsneeratas"blue—stockings";thatistosay，possessingbrains，shehadfeltthenecessityofusingthem。SolomonAppleyard，widower，asensibleoldgentleman，prosperingintheprintingbusiness，andseeingnonecessityforawomanregardingherselfasnothingbutadoll，asomewhatuninterestingplaythingthenewnessoncewornoff，thankfullyencouragedher。MissAppleyardhadreturnedfromGirtonwiseinmanythings，butnotinknowledgeoftheworld，whichknowledge，tooearlyacquired，doesnotalwaysmakeforgoodinyoungmanorwoman。Aseriouslittlevirgin，MissAppleyard’sambitionwastohelpthehumanrace。Whatmoreusefulworkcouldhavecometoherhandthantheraisingofthispoorbutintelligentyounggrocer’sassistantuntotheknowledgeandtheloveofhigherthings。ThatGrindleyjuniorhappenedtobeanexceedinglygood—
　　lookingandcharmingyounggrocer’sassistanthadnothingtodowiththematter，soMissAppleyardwouldhaveinformedyou。Inherownreasoningshewasconvincedthatherinterestinhimwouldhavebeenthesamehadhebeentheleastattractiveofhissex。Thattherecouldbedangerinsuchrelationshipneveroccurredtoher。
　　MissAppleyard，aconvincedRadical，couldnotconceivethepossibilityofagrocer’sassistantregardingthedaughterofawell—to—doprinterinanyotherlightthanthatofagraciouslycondescendingpatron。Thattherecouldbedangertoherself！youwouldhavebeensorryyouhadsuggestedtheidea。Theexpressionofloftyscornwouldhavemadeyoufeelyourselfcontemptible。
　　MissAppleyard’sjudgmentofmankindwasjustified;nomorepromisingpupilcouldhavebeenselected。ItwasreallymarvelloustheprogressmadebyGrindleyjunior，underthetutelageofHelvetiaAppleyard。Hisearnestness，hisenthusiasm，itquitetouchedtheheartofHelvetiaAppleyard。Thereweremanypoints，itistrue，thatpuzzledGrindleyjunior。Eachtimethelistofthemgrewlonger。ButwhenHelvetiaAppleyardexplainedthem，allbecameclear。Shemarvelledherselfatherownwisdom，thatinamomentmadedarknessluminoustothisyoungman;hisraptattentionwhileshetalked，itwasmostencouraging。Theboymustsurelybeagenius。Tothinkthatbutforherintuitionhemighthaveremainedwastedinagrocer’sshop！Torescuesuchagemfromoblivion，topolishit，wassurelythedutyofaconscientiousHypatia。Twovisits——threevisitsaweektothelittleshopinRollsCourtwerequiteinadequate，somanypassagestherewererequiringelucidation。Londoninearlymorningbecametheirclassroom：thegreat，wide，empty，silentstreets;themist—
　　curtainedparks，thesilencebrokenonlybytheblackbirds’amorouswhistle，thethrushes’invitationtodelight;theoldgardens，hiddenbehindnarrowways。NathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiawouldrestuponaseat，nolivingcreaturewithinsight，saveperhapsapassingpolicemanorsomedissipatedcat。JanetHelvetiawouldexpound。NathanielGeorge，hisfineeyesfixedonhers，seemednevertotireofdrinkinginherwisdom。
　　ThereweretimeswhenJanetHelvetia，toreassureherselfastothemaidenlycorrectnessofherbehaviour，hadtorecallquiteforciblythefactthatshewasthedaughterofSolomonAppleyard，ownerofthebigprintingestablishment;andheasimplegrocer。Oneday，raisedalittleinthesocialscale，thankstoher，NathanielGeorgewouldmarrysomeoneinhisownrankoflife。ReflectinguponthefutureofNathanielGeorge，JanetHelvetiacouldnotescapeashadeofsadness。ItwasdifficulttoimaginepreciselythewifeshewouldhavechosenforNathanielGeorge。Shehopedhewoulddonothingfoolish。Risingyoungmensooftenmarrywivesthathamperratherthanhelpthem。
　　OneSundaymorninginlateautumn，theywalkedandtalkedintheshadygardenofLincoln’sInn。Greektheythoughtitwastheyhadbeentalking;asamatteroffact，amucholderlanguage。Ayounggardenerwaswateringflowers，andastheypassedhimhegrinned。
　　Itwasnotanoffensivegrin，ratherasympatheticgrin;butMissAppleyarddidn’tlikebeinggrinnedat。Whatwastheretogrinat？
　　Herpersonalappearance？somegaucherieinherdress？Impossible。
　　NoladyinallSt。Dunstanwasevermoreprecise。Sheglancedathercompanion：aclean—looking，well—groomed，well—dressedyouth。
　　SuddenlyitoccurredtoMissAppleyardthatsheandGrindleyjuniorwereholdingeachother’shand。MissAppleyardwasjustlyindignant。
　　"Howdareyou！"saidMissAppleyard。"Iamexceedinglyangrywithyou。Howdareyou！"
　　Theoliveskinwasscarlet。Thereweretearsinthehazeleyes。
　　"Leavemethisminute！"commandedMissAppleyard。
　　Insteadofwhich，Grindleyjuniorseizedbothherhands。
　　"Iloveyou！Iadoreyou！Iworshipyou！"pouredforthyoungGrindley，forgetfulofallMissAppleyardhadevertoldhimconcerningthefollyoftautology。
　　"Youhadnoright，"saidMissAppleyard。
　　"Icouldn’thelpit，"pleadedyoungGrindley。"Andthatisn’ttheworst。"
　　MissAppleyardpaledvisibly。Foragrocer’sassistanttodaretofallinlovewithher，especiallyafterallthetroubleshehadtakenwithhim！Whatcouldbeworse？
　　"I’mnotagrocer，"continuedyoungGrindley，deeplyconsciousofcrime。"Imean，notarealgrocer。"
　　AndGrindleyjuniorthenandtheremadeacleanbreastofthewholesad，terribletaleofshamelessdeceit，practisedbythegreatestvillaintheworldhadeverproduced，uponthenoblestandmostbeautifulmaidenthateverturnedgrimLondontownintoafairycityofenchantedways。
　　NotatfirstcouldMissAppleyardentirelygraspit;nottillhourslater，whenshesataloneinherownroom，where，fortunatelyforhimself，Grindleyjuniorwasnot，didthewholeforceandmeaningofthethingcomehometoher。Itwasalargeroom，takinguphalfofthetopstoryofthebigGeorgianhouseinNevill’sCourt;butevenasitwas，MissAppleyardfeltcramped。
　　"Forayear——fornearlyawholeyear，"saidMissAppleyard，addressingthebustofWilliamShakespeare，"haveIbeenslavingmylifeout，teachinghimelementaryLatinandthefirstfivebooksofEuclid！"
　　Asithasbeenremarked，itwasfortunateforGrindleyjuniorhewasoutofreach。ThebustofWilliamShakespearemaintaineditsirritatingaspectofbenignphilosophy。
　　"IsupposeIshould，"musedMissAppleyard，"ifhehadtoldmeatfirst——asheoughttohavetoldme——ofcourseIshouldnaturallyhavehadnothingmoretodowithhim。Isuppose，"musedMissAppleyard，"amaninlove，ifheisreallyinlove，doesn’tquiteknowwhathe’sdoing。Isupposeoneoughttomakeallowances。
　　But，oh！whenIthinkofit——"
　　AndthenGrindleyjunior’sguardianangelmustsurelyhaveslippedintotheroom，forMissAppleyard，irritatedbeyondenduranceatthephilosophicalindifferenceofthebustofWilliamShakespeare，turnedawayfromit，andasshedidso，caughtsightofherselfinthelooking—glass。MissAppleyardapproachedtheglassalittlenearer。Awoman’shairisneverquiteasitshouldbe。MissAppleyard，standingbeforetheglass，began，sheknewnotwhy，tofindreasonsexcusingGrindleyjunior。Afterall，wasnotforgivenessanexcellentthinginwoman？Noneofusarequiteperfect。TheguardianangelofGrindleyjuniorseizedtheopportunity。
　　ThateveningSolomonAppleyardsatuprightinhischair，feelingconfused。Sofarashecouldunderstandit，acertainyoungman，agrocer’sassistant，butnotagrocer’sassistant——butthat，ofcourse，wasnothisfault，hisfatherbeinganoldbrute——hadbehavedmostabominably;butnot，onreflection，asbadlyashemighthavedone，andhadactedonthewholeveryhonourably，takingintoconsiderationthefactthatonesupposedhecouldhardlyhelpit。Helvetiawas，ofcourse，veryindignantwithhim，butontheotherhand，didnotquiteseewhatelseshecouldhavedone，shebeingnotatallsurewhethershereallycaredforhimorwhethershedidn’t;thateverythinghadbeenquiteproperandwouldnothavehappenedifshehadknownit;thateverythingwasherfault，exceptmostthings，whichweren’t;butthatofthetwosheblamedherselfentirely，seeingthatshecouldnothaveguessedanythingofthekind。Anddidhe，SolomonAppleyard，thinkthatsheoughttobeveryangryandnevermarryanybodyelse，orwasshejustifiedinoverlookingitandengagingherselftotheonlymanshefeltshecouldeverlove？
　　"Youmustn’tthink，Dad，thatImeanttodeceiveyou。Ishouldhavetoldyouatthebeginning——youknowIwould——ifithadn’tallhappenedsosuddenly。"
　　"Letmesee，"saidSolomonAppleyard，"didyoutellmehisname，ordidn’tyou？"
　　"Nathaniel，"saidMissAppleyard。"Didn’tImentionit？"
　　"Don’thappentoknowhissurname，doyou，"inquiredherfather。
　　"Grindley，"explainedMissAppleyard——"thesonofGrindley，theSauceman。"
　　MissAppleyardexperiencedoneofthesurprisesofherlife。Neverbeforetoherrecollectionhadherfatherthwartedasinglewishofherlife。Awidowerforthelasttwelveyears，hischiefdelighthadbeentohumourher。Hisvoice，ashepassionatelysworethatneverwithhisconsentshouldhisdaughtermarrythesonofHezekiahGrindley，soundedstrangetoher。Pleadings，eventears，forthefirsttimeinherlifeprovedfruitless。
　　Herewasaprettykettleoffish！ThatGrindleyjuniorshoulddefyhisownparent，riskpossiblythelossofhisinheritance，hadseemedtobothanotimproperproceeding。WhenNathanielGeorgehadsaidwithfineenthusiasm："Lethimkeephismoneyifhewill;
　　I’llmakemyownway;thereisn’tenoughmoneyintheworldtopayforlosingyou！"JanetHelvetia，thoughshehadexpresseddisapprovalofsuchunfilialattitude，hadinsecretsympathised。
　　Butforhertodisregardthewishesofherowndotingfatherwasnottobethoughtof。Whatwastobedone？
　　PerhapsonePeterHope，residinginGoughSquarehardby，mighthelpyoungfolksinsoredilemmawithwisecounsel。PeterHope，editorandpartproprietorofGoodHumour，onepennyweekly，wasmuchesteemedbySolomonAppleyard，printerandpublisherofaforesaidpaper。
　　"Agoodfellow，oldHope，"Solomonwouldoftenimpressuponhismanagingclerk。"Don’tworryhimmorethanyoucanhelp;thingswillimprove。Wecantrusthim。"
　　PeterHopesatathisdesk，facingMissAppleyard。Grindleyjuniorsatonthecushionedseatbeneaththemiddlewindow。GoodHumour’ssub—editorstoodbeforethefire，herhandsbehindherback。
　　ThecaseappearedtoPeterHopetobeoneofexceedingdifficulty。
　　"Ofcourse，"explainedMissAppleyard，"Ishallnevermarrywithoutmyfather’sconsent。"
　　PeterHopethoughttheresolutionmostproper。
　　"Ontheotherhand，"continuedMissAppleyard，"nothingshallinducemetomarryamanIdonotlove。"MissAppleyardthoughttheprobabilitieswerethatshewouldendbybecomingafemalemissionary。
　　PeterHope’sexperiencehadledhimtotheconclusionthatyoungpeoplesometimeschangedtheirmind。
　　TheopinionoftheHouse，clearlythoughsilentlyexpressed，wasthatPeterHope’sexperience，asregardedthisparticularcase，countedfornothing。
　　"IshallgostraighttotheGovernor，"explainedGrindleyjunior，"andtellhimthatIconsidermyselfengagedforlifetoMissAppleyard。Iknowwhatwillhappen——Iknowthesortofideahehasgotintohishead。Hewilldisownme，andIshallgoofftoAfrica。"
　　PeterHopewasunabletoseehowGrindleyjunior’sdisappearanceintothewildsofAfricawasgoingtoassistthematterunderdiscussion。
　　Grindleyjunior’sviewwasthatthewildsofAfricawouldaffordafittingbackgroundtothepassingawayofablightedexistence。
　　PeterHopehadasuspicionthatGrindleyjuniorhadforthemomentpartedcompanywiththatsweetreasonablenessthatotherwise，soPeterHopefeltsure，wasGrindleyjunior’sguidingstar。
　　"Imeanit，sir，"reassertedGrindleyjunior。"Iam——"Grindleyjuniorwasabouttoadd"welleducated";butdiviningthateducationwasatopicnotpleasingatthemomenttotheearsofHelvetiaAppleyard，hadtactenoughtosubstitute"notafool。I
　　canearnmyownliving;andIshouldliketogetaway。"
　　"Itseemstome——"saidthesub—editor。
　　"Now，Tommy——ImeanJane，"warnedherPeterHope。HealwayscalledherJaneincompany，unlesshewasexcited。"Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay。Iwon’thaveit。"
　　"Iwasonlygoingtosay——"urgedthesub—editorintoneofonesufferinginjustice。
　　"Iquiteknowwhatyouweregoingtosay，"retortedPeterhotly。
　　"Icanseeitbyyourchin。Youaregoingtotaketheirpart——andsuggesttheiractingundutifullytowardstheirparents。"
　　"Iwasn’t，"returnedthesub—editor。"Iwasonly——"
　　"Youwere，"persistedPeter。"Ioughtnottohaveallowedyoutobepresent。Imighthaveknownyouwouldinterfere。"
　　"——goingtosayweareinwantofsomehelpintheoffice。Youknowweare。AndthatifMr。Grindleywouldbecontentwithasmallsalary——"
　　"Smallsalarybehanged！"snarledPeter。
　　"——therewouldbenoneedforhisgoingtoAfrica。"
　　"Andhowwouldthathelpus？"demandedPeter。"Eveniftheboywereso——soheadstrong，sounfilialastodefyhisfather，whohasworkedforhimalltheseyears，howwouldthatremovetheobstacleofMr。Appleyard’srefusal？"
　　"Why，don’tyousee——"explainedthesub—editor。
　　"No，Idon’t，"snappedPeter。
　　"If，onhisdeclaringtohisfatherthatnothingwilleverinducehimtomarryanyotherwomanbutMissAppleyard，hisfatherdisownshim，ashethinksitlikely——"
　　"Adeadcert！"wasGrindleyjunior’sconviction。
　　"Verywell;heisnolongeroldGrindley’sson，andwhatpossibleobjectioncanMr。Appleyardhavetohimthen？"
　　PeterHopearoseandexpoundedatlengthandinsuitablelanguagethefollyanduselessnessofthescheme。
　　ButwhatchancehadeverthewisdomofAgeagainsttheenthusiasmofYouth，reachingforitsobject。PoorPeter，expostulating，wassweptintotheconspiracy。GrindleyjuniorthenextmorningstoodbeforehisfatherintheprivateofficeinHighHolborn。
　　"Iamsorry，sir，"saidGrindleyjunior，"ifIhaveprovedadisappointmenttoyou。"
　　"Damnyoursympathy！"saidGrindleysenior。"Keepittillyouareaskedforit。"
　　"Ihopewepartfriends，sir，"saidGrindleyjunior，holdingouthishand。
　　"Whydoyouirateme？"askedGrindleysenior。"Ihavethoughtofnothingbutyouthesefive—and—twentyyears。"
　　"Idon’t，sir，"answeredGrindleyjunior。"Ican’tsayIloveyou。
　　Itdidnotseemtomeyou——youwantedit。ButIlikeyou，sir，andIrespectyou。And——andI’msorrytohavetohurtyou，sir。"
　　"Andyouaredeterminedtogiveupallyourprospects，allthemoney，forthesakeofthis——thisgirl？"
　　"Itdoesn’tseemlikegivingupanything，sir，"repliedGrindleyjunior，simply。
　　"Itisn’tsomuchasIthoughtitwasgoingtobe，"saidtheoldman，afterapause。"Perhapsitisforthebest。Imighthavebeenmoreobstinateifthingshadbeengoingallright。TheLordhaschastenedme。"
　　"Isn’tthebusinessdoingwell，Dad？"askedtheyoungman，withsorrowinhisvoice。
　　"What’sitgottodowithyou？"snappedhisfather。"You’vecutyourselfadriftfromit。YouleavemenowIamgoingdown。"
　　Grindleyjunior，notknowingwhattosay，puthisarmsroundthelittleoldman。
　　AndinthiswayTommy’sbrilliantschemefellthroughandcametonaught。Instead，oldGrindleyvisitedonceagainthebighouseinNevill’sCourt，andremainedlongclosetedwitholdSolomonintheofficeonthesecondfloor。ItwaslateintheeveningwhenSolomonopenedthedoorandcalledupstairstoJanetHelvetiatocomedown。
　　"Iusedtoknowyoulongago，"saidHezekiahGrindley，rising。
　　"Youwerequitealittlegirlthen。"
　　Later，thetroublesomeSaucedisappearedentirely，cutoutbynewerflavours。Grindleyjuniorstudiedtheprintingbusiness。ItalmostseemedasifoldAppleyardhadbeenwaitingbutforthis。
　　Somesixmonthslatertheyfoundhimdeadinhiscounting—house。
　　GrindleyjuniorbecametheprinterandpublisherofGoodHumour。
　　STORYTHEFOURTH：MissRamsbothamgivesherServicesToregardMissRamsbothamasamarriageablequantitywouldhaveoccurredtofewmen。EndowedbyNaturewitheveryfemininequalitycalculatedtoinspireliking，shehad，ontheotherhand，beendisinheritedofeveryattributecalculatedtoexcitepassion。Anuglywomanhasforsomemenanattraction;theproofiseverpresenttooureyes。MissRamsbothamwasplainbutpleasantlooking。Large，healthyinmindandbody，capable，self—reliant，andcheerful，blessedwithahappydispositiontogetherwithakeensenseofhumour，therewasaboutherabsolutelynothingfortendernesstolayholdof。Anidealwife，shewasanimpossiblesweetheart。Everymanwasherfriend。Thesuggestionthatanymancouldbeherloversheherselfwouldhavegreetedwithaclear，ringinglaugh。
　　Notthatsheheldloveindespite;forsuchfollyshewaspossessedoffartoomuchsoundsense。"Tohavesomebodyinlovewithyou——
　　somebodystrongandgood，"soshewouldconfesstoherfewcloseintimates，adreamyexpressioncloudingforaninstantherbroad，sunnyface，"why，itmustbejustlovely！"ForMissRamsbothamwaspronetoAmericanphraseology，andhadevenbeenatsomepains，duringasixmonths’journeythroughtheStates（whithershehadbeencommissionedbyaconscientioustradejournalseekingreliableinformationconcerningtheconditionoffemaletextileworkers）toacquireaslightbutdecidedAmericanaccent。Itwasheroneaffectation，butassumed，asonemightfeelcertain，forapracticalandlegitimateobject。
　　"Youcanhavenoconception，"shewouldexplain，laughing，"whatahelpIfindit。’I’m’Muriken’isthe’CivisRomanussum’ofthemodernwoman’sworld。Itopenseverydoortous。IfIringthebellandsay，’Oh，ifyouplease，IhavecometointerviewMr。So—
　　and—Soforsuch—and—suchapaper，’thefootmanlooksthroughmeattheoppositesideofthestreet，andtellsmetowaitinthehallwhileheinquiresifMr。So—and—Sowillseemeornot。ButifI
　　say，’That’smykeerd，youngman。YoutellyourmasterMissRamsbothamiswaitingforhimintheshowroom，andwilltakeitrealkindifhe’lljustbustlehimself，’thepoorfellowwalksbackwardstillhestumblesagainstthebottomstair，andmygentlemancomesdownwithprofuseapologiesforhavingkeptmewaitingthreeminutesandahalf。
　　"’Andtobeinlovewithsomeone，"shewouldcontinue，"someonegreatthatonecouldlookuptoandhonourandworship——someonethatwouldfillone’swholelife，makeitbeautiful，makeeverydayworthliving，Ithinkthatwouldbebetterstill。Toworkmerelyforone’sself，tothinkmerelyforone’sself，itissomuchlessinteresting。"
　　Then，atsomesuchpointoftheargument，MissRamsbothamwouldjumpupfromherchairandshakeherselfindignantly。
　　"Why，whatnonsenseI’mtalking，"shewouldtellherself，andherlisteners。"Imakeaveryfairincome，haveahostoffriends，andenjoyeveryhourofmylife。Ishouldliketohavebeenprettyorhandsome，ofcourse;butnoonecanhaveallthegoodthingsofthisworld，andIhavemybrains。Atonetime，perhaps，yes;butnow——no，honestlyIwouldnotchangemyself。"
　　MissRamsbothamwassorrythatnomanhadeverfalleninlovewithher，butthatshecouldunderstand。
　　"Itisquitecleartome。"Soshehadonceunburdenedherselftoherbosomfriend。"Manforthepurposesoftheracehasbeengiventwokindsoflove，betweenwhich，accordingtohisopportunitiesandtemperament，heisfreetochoose：hecanfalldownuponhiskneesandadorephysicalbeauty（forNatureignoresentirelyourmentalside），orhecantakedelightincirclingwithhisprotectingarmtheweakandhelpless。Now，Imakenoappealtoeitherinstinct。Ipossessneitherthecharmnorbeautytoattract——"
　　"Beauty，"remindedherthebosomfriend，consolingly，"dwellsinthebeholder’seye。"
　　"Mydear，"cheerfullyrepliedMissRamsbotham，"itwouldhavetobeaneyeoftherangeandcapacitySamWellerfranklyowneduptonotpossessing——apatentdouble—millionmagnifying，capableofseeingthroughadealboardandroundthecornersortofeye——todetectanybeautyinme。AndIammuchtoobigandsensibleforanymannotafoolevertothinkofwantingtotakecareofme。
　　"Ibelieve，"rememberedMissRamsbotham，"ifitdoesnotsoundlikeidleboasting，Imighthavehadahusband，ofakind，ifFatehadnotcompelledmetosavehislife。ImethimoneyearatHuyst，asmall，quietwatering—placeontheDutchcoast。Hewouldwalkalwayshalfastepbehindme，regardingmeoutofthecornerofhiseyequiteapprovinglyattimes。Hewasawidower——agoodlittleman，devotedtohisthreecharmingchildren。Theytookanimmensefancytome，andIreallythinkIcouldhavegotonwithhim。Iamveryadaptable，asyouknow。Butitwasnottobe。Hegotoutofhisdepthonemorning，andunfortunatelytherewasnoonewithindistancebutmyselfwhocouldswim。Iknewwhattheresultwouldbe。YourememberLabiche’scomedy，LesVoyagedeMonsieurPerrichon？Ofcourse，everymanhateshavinghadhislifesaved，afteritisover;andyoucanimaginehowhemusthatehavingitsavedbyawoman。ButwhatwasItodo？Ineithercasehewouldbelosttome，whetherIlethimdrownorwhetherIrescuedhim。
　　So，asitreallymadenodifference，Irescuedhim。Hewasverygrateful，andleftthenextmorning。
　　"Itismydestiny。Nomanhaseverfalleninlovewithme，andnomaneverwill。IusedtoworrymyselfaboutitwhenIwasyounger。
　　AsachildIhuggedtomybosomforyearsanobservationIhadoverheardanauntofminewhispertomymotheroneafternoonastheysatknittingandtalking，notthinkingIwaslistening。’Younevercantell，’murmuredmyaunt，keepinghereyescarefullyfixeduponherneedles;’childrenchangeso。Ihaveknowntheplainestgirlsgrowupintoquitebeautifulwomen。IshouldnotworryaboutitifIwereyou——notyetawhile。’Mymotherwasnotatallabad—
　　lookingwoman，andmyfatherwasdecidedlyhandsome;sothereseemednoreasonwhyIshouldnothope。IpicturedmyselftheuglyducklingofAndersen’sfairy—tale，andeverymorningonwakingI
　　wouldrunstraighttomyglassandtrytopersuademyselfthatthefeathersoftheswanwerebeginningatlasttoshowthemselves。"
　　MissRamsbothamlaughed，agenuinelaughofamusement，forofself—
　　pitynotatracewasnowremainingtoher。
　　"LaterIpluckedhopeagain，"continuedMissRamsbothamherconfession，"fromthereadingofacertainschooloffictionmorepopulartwentyyearsagothannow。Intheseromancestheheroinewasneverwhatyouwouldcallbeautiful，unlessincommonwiththeheroyouhappenedtopossessexceptionalpowersofobservation。
　　Butshewasbetterthanthat，shewasgood。IdonotregardastimewastedthehoursIspentstudyingthisquaintliterature。Ithelpedme，Iamsure，toformhabitsthathavesincebeenofservicetome。Imadeapoint，whenanyyoungmanvisitorhappenedtobestayingwithus，ofrisingexceptionallyearlyinthemorning，sothatIalwaysappearedatthebreakfast—tablefresh，cheerful，andcarefullydressed，with，whenpossible，adew—
　　besprinkledflowerinmyhairtoprovethatIhadalreadybeenoutinthegarden。Theeffort，asfarastheyoungmanvisitorwasconcerned，wasalwaysthrownaway;asageneralrule，hecamedownlatehimself，andgenerallytoodrowsytonoticeanythingmuch。
　　Butitwasexcellentpracticeforme。Iwakenowatseveno’clockasamatterofcourse，whatevertimeIgotobed。Imademyowndressesandmostofourcakes，andtookcaretoleteverybodyknowit。ThoughIsayitwhoshouldnot，Iplayandsingratherwell。
　　Icertainlywasneverafool。Ihadnolittlebrothersandsisterstowhomtobeexceptionallydevoted，butIhadmycousinsaboutthehouseasmuchaspossible，anddamagedtheircharacters，ifanything，byover—indulgence。Mydear，itnevercaughtevenacurate！Iamnotoneofthosewomentorundownmen;Ithinkthemdelightfulcreatures，andinageneralwayIfindthemveryintelligent。Butwheretheirheartsareconcerneditisthegirlwiththefrizzyhair，whowantstwopeopletohelpheroverthestile，thatistheirideaofanangel。Nomancouldfallinlovewithme;hecouldn’tifhetried。ThatIcanunderstand;but"——
　　MissRamsbothamsunkhervoicetoamoreconfidentialtone——"whatI
　　cannotunderstandisthatIhaveneverfalleninlovewithanyman，becauseIlikethemall。"
　　"Youhavegiventheexplanationyourself，"suggestedthebosomfriend——oneSusanFossett，the"AuntEmma"ofTheLadies’Journal，anicewoman，buttalkative。"Youaretoosensible。"
　　MissRamsbothamshookherhead，"Ishouldjustlovetofallinlove。WhenIthinkaboutit，Ifeelquiteashamedofmyselffornothavingdoneso。"
　　Whetheritwasthisidea，namely，thatitwasherduty，orwhetheritwasthatpassioncametoher，unsought，somewhatlateinlife，andthereforeallthestronger，sheherselfwouldperhapshavebeenunabletodeclare。Certainonlyitisthatatoverthirtyyearsofagethisclever，sensible，clear—seeingwomanfelltosighingandblushing，startingandstammeringatthesoundingofaname，asthoughforalltheworldshehadbeenalove—sickgirlinherteens。
　　SusanFossett，herbosomfriend，broughtthestrangetidingstoBohemiaonefoggyNovemberafternoon，heropportunitybeingatea—
　　partygivenbyPeterHopetocommemoratethebirthdayofhisadopteddaughterandsub—editor，JaneHelen，commonlycalledTommy。
　　TheactualdateofTommy’sbirthdaywasknownonlytothegods;butoutoftheLondonmisttowifeless，childlessPetershehadcometheeveningofacertainNovembertheeighteenth，andthereforebyPeterandhisfriendsNovembertheeighteenthhadbeenmarkeduponthecalendarasadayonwhichtheyshouldrejoicetogether。
　　"Itisboundtoleakoutsoonerorlater，"SusanFossettwasconvinced，"soImayaswelltellyou：thatgabyMaryRamsbothamhasgotherselfengaged。"
　　"Nonsense！"wasPeterHope’sinvoluntaryejaculation。
　　"PreciselywhatImeantotellhertheverynexttimeIseeher，"
　　addedSusan。
　　"Whoto？"demandedTommy。
　　"Youmean’towhom。’Thepreepositiongovernstheobjectivecase，"
　　correctedherJamesDouglasMcTear，commonlycalled"TheWeeLaddie，"whohimselfwroteEnglishbetterthanhespokeit。
　　"Imeant’towhom，’"explainedTommy。
　　"Yedidnasayit，"persistedtheWeeLaddie。
　　"Idon’tknowtowhom，"repliedMissRamsbotham’sbosomfriend，sippingteaandbreathingindignation。"Tosomethingidioticandincongruousthatwillmakeherlifeamiserytoher。"
　　Somerville，thebriefless，heldthatintheabsenceofalldatasuchconclusionwasunjustifiable。
　　"Ifithadbeentoanythingsensible，"wasMissFossett’sopinion，"shewouldnothavekeptmeinthedarkaboutit，tospringituponmelikeabombshell。I’veneverhadsomuchasahintfromheruntilIreceivedthisabsurdscrawlanhourago。"
　　MissFossettproducedfromherbagaletterwritteninpencil。
　　"Therecanbenoharminyourhearingit，"wasMissFossett’sexcuse;"itwillgiveyouanideaofthestateofthepoorthing’smind。"
　　Thetea—drinkerslefttheircupsandgatheredroundher。"DearSusan，"readMissFossett，"Ishallnotbeabletobewithyouto—
　　morrow。Pleasegetmeoutofitnicely。Ican’trememberatthemomentwhatitis。You’llbesurprisedtohearthatI’mENGAGED——
　　tobemarried，Imean，IcanhardlyREALISEit。IhardlyseemtoknowwhereIam。HavejustmadeupmymindtorundowntoYorkshireandseegrandmamma。ImustdoSOMETHING。ImustTALKtoSOMEBODYand——forgiveme，dear——butyouAREsosensible，andjustnow——wellIdon’tFEELsensible。WilltellyouallaboutitwhenI
　　seeyou——nextweek，perhaps。YoumustTRYtolikehim。HeisSO
　　handsomeandREALLYclever——inhisownway。Don’tscoldme。I
　　neverthoughtitpossiblethatANYONEcouldbesohappy。It’squiteadifferentsortofhappinesstoANYothersortofhappiness。