第8章

Sheltonstopped；thequestionseemedsovulgar——onemighthaveaskeditofagroom。

"No，"saidShelton，andhisanswersoundedlikeagroan。

"Youknow，mydearoldDick，"murmuredhismother，"itseemsalittlemad。"

"Iknowitseemsmad。"

"Come!"saidMrs。Shelton，takinghishandbetweenherown；"youneverusedtobelikethis。"

"No，"saidShelton，withalaugh；"Ineverusedtobelikethis。"

Mrs。SheltonsnuggledinherChudashawl。

"Oh，"shesaid，withcheerysympathy，"Iknowexactlyhowyoufeel!"

Shelton，holdinghishead，staredatthefire，whichplayedandbubbledlikehismother\'sface。

"Butyou\'resofondofeachother，"shebeganagain。"Suchasweetgirl!"

"Youdon\'tunderstand，"mutteredSheltongloomily；"it\'snother——

it\'snothing——it\'s——myself!"

Mrs。Sheltonagainseizedhishand，andthistimepressedittohersoft，warmcheek，thathadlosttheelasticityofyouth。

"Oh!"shecriedagain；"Iunderstand。Iknowexactlywhatyou\'refeeling。"ButSheltonsawfromthefixedbeaminhereyesthatshehadnotaninkling。Todohimjustice，hewasnotsofoolishastotrytogiveherone。Mrs。Sheltonsighed。"Itwouldbesolovelyifyoucouldwakeupto-morrowandthinkdifferently。IfIwereyou，mydear，Iwouldhaveagoodlongwalk，andthenaTurkishbath；andthenIwouldjustwritetoher，andtellherallaboutit，andyou\'llseehowbeautifullyit\'llallcomestraight"；andintheenthusiasmofadviceMrs。Sheltonrose，and，withafaintstretchofhertinyfigure，stillsoyoung，claspedherhandstogether。"Nowdo，that\'sadearoldDick!You\'lljustseehowlovelyit\'llbe!"Sheltonsmiled；hehadnotthehearttochaseawaythisvision。"Andgivehermywarmestlove，andtellherI\'mlongingforthewedding。Come，now，mydearboy，promisemethat\'swhatyou\'lldo。"

AndSheltonsaid:"I\'llthinkaboutit。"

Mrs。Sheltonhadtakenupherstandwithonefootonthefender，inspiteofhersciatica，。

"Cheerup!"shecried；hereyesbeamedasifintoxicatedbyhersympathy。

Wonderfulwoman!Theuncomplicatedoptimismthatcarriedherthroughgoodandillhadnotdescendedtoherson。

>Frompoletopolehehadbeenthrownthatday，fromtheFrenchbarber，whoseintellectacceptednothingwithoutcarping，andwhoselittlefingersworkedallday，tosavehimselffromdyingout，tohisownmother，whoseintellectacceptedanythingpresentedwithsufficientglow，butwho，untilshedied，wouldneverstirafinger。

WhenSheltonreachedhisrooms，hewrotetoAntonia:

Ican\'twaitaboutinLondonanylonger；IamgoingdowntoBidefordtostartawalkingtour。IshallworkmywaytoOxford，andstaytheretillImaycometoHolmOaks。Ishallsendyoumyaddress；dowriteasusual。

Hecollectedallthephotographshehadofher——amateurgroups，takenbyMrs。Dennant——andpackedtheminthepocketofhisshooting-

jacket。Therewasonewhereshewasstandingjustbelowherlittlebrother，whowaspercheduponawall。Inherhalf-closedeyes，roundthroat，andsoftlytiltedchin，therewassomethingcoolandwatchful，protectingtheragamuffinupaboveherhead。Thishekeptaparttobelookedatdaily，asamansayshisprayers。

PARTII

THECOUNTRY

CHAPTERXVI

THEINDIANCIVILIAN

Onemorningthen，aweeklater，SheltonfoundhimselfatthewallsofPrincetownPrison。

Hehadseenthislugubriousstonecagebefore。Butthemagicofhismorningwalkacrossthemoor，thesightofthepagantors，thesongsofthelastcuckoo，hadunpreparedhimforthatdrearybuilding。Heleftthestreet，and，enteringthefosse，beganacircuit，scanningthewallswithmorbidfascination。

This，then，wasthesystembywhichmenenforcedthewillofthemajority，anditwassuddenlyborneinonhimthatalltheideasandmaximswhichhisChristiancountrymenbelievedthemselvestobefulfillingdailywerestultifiedineverycelluleofthesocialhoneycomb。Suchteachingsas"Hethatiswithoutsinamongstyou"

hadbeenpronouncedunpracticalbypeersandjudges，bishops，statesmen，merchants，husbands——infact，byeverytrulyChristianpersoninthecountry。

"Yes，"thoughtShelton，asifhehadfoundoutsomethingnew，"themoreChristianthenation，thelessithastodowiththeChristianspirit。"

Societywasacharitableorganisation，givingnothingfornothing，littleforsixpence；anditwasonlyfearthatforcedittogiveatall!

Hetookaseatonawall，andbegantowatchawarderwhowasslowlyparingalastyear\'sapple。Theexpressionofhisface，thewayhestoodwithhissolidlegsapart，hisheadpokedforwardandhislowerjawthrustout，allmadehimaperfectpillarofSociety。HewasundisturbedbyShelton\'sscrutiny，watchingtherindcoildownbelowtheapple；untilinaspringingspiralitfellonthepathandcollapsedlikeatoysnake。Hetookabite；histeethwerejagged；

andhismouthimmense。Itwasobviousthatheconsideredhimselfamostsuperiorman。Sheltonfrowned，gotdownslowly，fromthewall，andproceededonhisway。

Alittlefurtherdownthehillhestoppedagaintowatchagroupofconvictsinafield。Theyseemedtobedancinginaslowandsadcotillon，whilebehindthehedgeoneverysidewerewardersarmedwithguns。Justsuchasight，substitutingspearscouldhavebeenseeninRomantimes。

Whilehethusstoodlooking，aman，walking，rapidly，stoppedbesidehim，andaskedhowmanymilesitwastoExeter。Hisroundvisage；

andlong，browneyes，slidingaboutbeneaththeir，brows，hiscroppedhairandshortneck，seemedfamiliar。

"YournameisCrocker，i5n\'tit？"。

"Why!it\'stheBird!"exclaimedthetraveller；puttingouthishand。"Haven\'tseenyousincewebothwentdown。"

Sheltonreturnedhishandgrip。Crockerhadlivedabovehisheadatcollege，andoftenkepthim，sleeplesshalfthenightbyplayingonthehautboy。

"Wherehaveyousprungfrom？"

"India。Gotmylongleave。Isay，areyougoingthisway？Let\'sgotogether。"

Theywent，andveryfast；fasterandfastereveryminute。

"Whereareyougoingatthispace？"askedShelton。

"London。"

"Oh!onlyasfarasLondon？"

"I\'vesetmyselftodoitinaweek。"

"Areyouintraining？"

"No。"

"You\'llkillyourself。"

Crockeransweredwithachuckle。

Sheltonnotedwithalarmtheexpressionofhiseye；therewasasortofstubbornaspirationinit。"Stillanidealist!"hethought；

"poorfellow!""Well，"heinquired，"whatsortofatimehaveyouhadinIndia？"

"Oh，"saidtheIndiancivilianabsently，"I\'ve，hadtheplague。"

"GoodGod!"

Crockersmiled，andadded:

"Caughtitonfamineduty。"

"Isee，"saidShelton；"plagueandfamine!Isupposeyoufellowsreallythinkyou\'redoinggoodoutthere？"

Hiscompanionlookedathimsurprised，thenansweredmodestly:

"Wegetverygoodscrews。"

"That\'sthegreatthing，"respondedShelton。

Afteramoment\'ssilence，Crocker，lookingstraightbeforehim，asked:

"Don\'tyouthinkwearedoinggood？"

"I\'mnotanauthority；but，asamatteroffact，Idon\'t。"

Crockerseemeddisconcerted。

"Why？"hebluntlyasked。

Sheltonwasnotanxioustoexplainhisviews，andhedidnotreply。

Hisfriendrepeated:

"Whydon\'tyouthinkwe\'redoinggoodinIndia？"

"Well，"saidSheltongruffly，"howcanprogressbeimposedonnationsfromoutside？"

TheIndiancivilian，glancingatSheltoninanaffectionateanddoubtfulway，replied:

"Youhaven\'tchangedabit，oldchap。"

"No，no，"saidShelton；"you\'renotgoingtogetoutofitthatway。

Givemeasingleexampleofanation，oranindividual，forthatmatter，who\'severdoneanygoodwithouthavingworkeduptoitfromwithin。"

Crocker，grunting，muttered，"Evils。"

"That\'sit，"saidShelton；"wetakepeoplesentirelydifferentfromourown，andstoptheirnaturaldevelopmentbysubstitutingacivilisationgrownforourownuse。Suppose，lookingatatropicalferninahothouse，youweretosay:\'Thisheat\'sunhealthyforme；

thereforeitmustbebadforthefern，I\'lltakeitupandplantitoutsideinthefreshair。\'"

"DoyouknowthatmeansgivingupIndia？"saidtheIndiancivilianshrewdly。

"Idon\'tsaythat；buttotalkaboutdoinggoodtoIndiais——h\'m!"

Crockerknittedhisbrows，tryingtoseethepointofviewhisfriendwasshowinghim。

"Come，now!ShouldwegoonadministeringIndiaifitweredeadloss？No。Well，totalkaboutadministeringthecountryforthepurposeofpocketingmoneyiscynical，andthere\'sgenerallysometruthincynicism；buttotalkabouttheadministrationofacountrybywhichweprofit，asifitwereagreatandgoodthing，iscant。

Ihityouinthewindforthebenefitofmyself——allright:lawofnature；buttosayitdoesyougoodatthesametimeisbeyondme。"

"No，no，"returnedCrocker，graveandanxious；"youcan\'tpersuademethatwe\'renotdoinggood。"

"Waitabit。It\'sallaquestionofhorizons；youlookatitfromtooclose。Putthehorizonfurtherback。YouhitIndiainthewind，andsayit\'svirtuous。Well，nowlet\'sseewhathappens。Eitherthewindnevercomesback，andIndiagaspstoanuntimelydeath，orthewinddoescomeback，andinthepantofreactionyourblow——that\'stosayyourlabour——islost，morallylostlabourthatyoumighthavespentwhereitwouldn\'thavebeenlost。"

"Aren\'tyouanImperialist？"askedCrocker，genuinelyconcerned。

"Imaybe，butIkeepmymouthshutaboutthebenefitswe\'reconferringuponotherpeople。"

"Thenyoucan\'tbelieveinabstractright，orjustice？"

"WhatonearthhaveourideasofjusticeorrightgottodowithIndia？"

"IfIthoughtasyoudo，"sighedtheunhappyCrocker，"Ishouldbealladrift。"

"Quiteso。Wealwaysthinkourstandardsbestforthewholeworld。

It\'sacapitalbeliefforus。Readthespeechesofourpublicmen。

Doesn\'titstrikeyouasamazinghowsuretheyareofbeingintheright？It\'ssocharmingtobenefityourselfandothersatthesametime，though，whenyoucometothinkofit，oneman\'smeatisusuallyanother\'spoison。Lookatnature。ButinEnglandweneverlookatnature——there\'snonecessity。Ournationalpointofviewhasfilledourpockets，that\'sallthatmatters。"

"Isay，oldchap，that\'sawfullybitter，"saidCrocker，withasortofwonderingsadness。

"It\'senoughtomakeanyonebitterthewaywePhariseeswaxfat，andatthesametimegiveourselvesthemoralairsofaballoon。

Imuststickapininsometimes，justtohearthegasescape。"

Sheltonwassurprisedathisownheat，andforsomestrangereasonthoughtofAntonia——surely，shewasnotaPharisee。

Hiscompanionstrodealong，andSheltonfeltsorryforthesignsoftroubleonhisface。

"Tofillyourpockets，"saidCrocker，"isn\'tthemainthing。Onehasjustgottodothingswithoutthinkingofwhywedothem。"

"Doyoueverseetheothersidetoanyquestion？"askedShelton。

"Isupposenot。Youalwaysbegintoactbeforeyoustopthinking，don\'tyou？"

Crockergrinned。

"He\'saPharisee，too，"thoughtShelton，"withoutaPharisee\'spride。

Queerthingthat!"

Afterwalkingsomedistance，asifthinkingdeeply，Crockerchuckledout:

"You\'renotconsistent；yououghttobeinfavourofgivingupIndia。"

Sheltonsmileduneasily。

"Whyshouldn\'twefillourpockets？Ionlyobjecttothehumbugthatwetalk。"

TheIndiancivilianputhishandshylythroughhisarm。

"IfIthoughtlikeyou，"hesaid，"Icouldn\'tstayanotherdayinIndia。"

AndtothisSheltonmadenoreply。

Thewindhadnowbeguntodrop，andsomethingofthemorning\'smagicwasstealingagainuponthemoor。Theywerenearingtheoutskirtfieldsofcultivation。Itwaspastfivewhen，droppingfromthelevelofthetors，theycameintothesunnyvaleofMonkland。

"Theysay，"saidCrocker，readingfromhisguide-book——"theysaythisplaceoccupiesapositionofuniqueisolation。"

Thetwotravellers，intranquilsolitude，tooktheirseatsunderanoldlime-treeonthevillagegreen。Thesmokeoftheirpipes，thesleepyair，thewarmthfromthebakedground，theconstanthum，madeSheltondrowsy。

"Doyouremember，"hiscompanionasked，"those\'jaws\'youusedtohavewithBusgateandoldHalidomeinmyroomsonSundayevenings？

HowisoldHalidome？"

"Married，"repliedShelton。

Crockersighed。"Andareyou？"heasked。

"Notyet，"saidSheltongrimly；"I\'m——engaged。"

Crockertookholdofhisarmabovetheelbow，and，squeezingit，hegrunted。Sheltonhadnotreceivedcongratulationsthatpleasedhimmore；therewasthespiceofenvyinthem。

"IshouldliketogetmarriedwhileI\'mhome，"saidthecivilianafteralongpause。Hislegswerestretchedapart，throwingshadowsonthegreen，hishandsdeepthrustintohispockets，hisheadalittletooneside。Anabsent-mindedsmileplayedroundhismouth。

Thesunhadsunkbehindator，butthewarmthkeptrisingfromtheground，andthesweet-briaronacottagebathedthemwithitsspicyperfume。Fromtheconverginglanesfigurespassednowandthen，loungedby，staringatthestrangers，gossipingamongstthemselves，andvanishedintothecottagesthatheadedtheincline。Aclockstruckseven，androundtheshadylime-treeachaferorsomeheavyinsectcommenceditsboomingrushes。Allwasmarvellouslysaneandslumbrous。Thesoftair，thedrawlingvoices，theshapesandmurmurs，therisingsmellofwood-smokefromfresh-kindledfires——

werefullofthespiritofsecurityandofhome。Theoutsideworldwasfarindeed。Typicalofsomeislandnationwasthisnestofrefuge——wheremengrewquietlytall，fattened，andwithoutfussdroppedofftheirperches；wherecontentmentflourished，assunflowersflourishedinthesun。

Crocker\'scapslippedoff；hewasnodding，andSheltonlookedathim。

>Fromamanorhouseinsomesuchvillagehehadissued；tooneofathousandsuchhomeshewouldfindhiswayatlast，untouchedbythestruggleswithfaminesorwithplagues，uninfectedinhisfibre，hisprejudices，andhisprinciples，unchangedbycontactwithstrangepeoples，newconditions，oddfeelings，orqueerpointsofview!

Thechaferbuzzedagainsthisshoulder，gatheredflightagain，andboomedaway。Crockerrousedhimself，and，turninghisamiableface，joggedShelton\'sarm。

"Whatareyouthinkingabout，Bird？"heasked。

CHAPTERXVII

APARSON

Sheltoncontinuedtotravelwithhiscollegefriend，andonWednesdaynight，fourdaysafterjoiningcompany，theyreachedthevillageofDowdenhame。Alldaylongtheroadhadlainthroughpastureland，withthickgreenhedgesandheavilyfeatheredelms。Onceortwicetheyhadbrokenthemonotonybyastretchalongthetowing-pathofacanal，which，chokedwithwater-lilyplantsandshiningweeds，broodedsluggishlybesidethefields。Nature，inoneofherironicmoods，hadcastagreyandiron-hardcloakoverallthecountry\'sblandluxuriance。Fromdawntilldarknessfelltherehadbeennomovementinthesteelydistantsky；acoldwindruffedinthehedge-

tops，andsentshiversthroughthebranchesoftheelms。Thecattle，dappled，pied，orbay，orwhite，continuedgrazingwithanairofgrumblingattheirbirthright。InameadowclosetothecanalSheltonsawfivemagpies，andaboutfiveo\'clocktherainbegan，asteady，coldly-sneeringrain，whichCrocker，lookingatthesky，declaredwasgoingtobeoverinaminute。Butitwasnotoverinaminute；theyweresoondrenched。Sheltonwastired，anditannoyedhimverymuchthathiscompanion，whowasalsotired，shouldgrowmorecheerful。HisthoughtskeptharpinguponFerrand:"Thismustbesomethinglikewhathedescribedtome，trampingonandonwhenyou\'redead-beat，untilyoucancadgeupsupperandabed。"AndsulkilyhekeptonploughingthroughthemudwithglancesattheexasperatingCrocker，whohadskinnedoneheelandwaslimpinghorribly。Itsuddenlycamehometohimthatlifeforthreequartersoftheworldmeantphysicalexhaustioneveryday，withoutapossibilityofalternative，andthatassoonas，forsomecausebeyondcontrol，theyfailedthustoexhaustthemselves，theywerereducedtobegorstarve。"Andthenwe，whodon\'tknowthemeaningofthewordexhaustion，callthem\'idlescamps，\'"hesaidaloud。

ItwaspastnineanddarkwhentheyreachedDowdenhame。Thestreetyieldednoaccommodation，andwhiledebatingwheretogotheypassedthechurch，withasquaretower，andnexttoitahousewhichwascertainlytheparsonage。

"Suppose，"saidCrocker，leaningonhisarmsuponthegate，"weaskhimwheretogo"；and，withoutwaitingforShelton\'sanswer，herangthebell。

Thedoorwasopenedbytheparson，abloodlessandclean-shavenman，whosehollowcheeksandbonyhandssuggestedaperpetualstruggle。

Asceticallybenevolentwerehisgreyeyes；apaleandghostlysmileplayedonthecurvesofhisthinlips。

"WhatcanIdoforyou？"heasked。"Inn？yes，there\'stheBlueChequers，butI\'mafraidyou\'llfinditshut。They\'reearlypeople，I\'mgladtosay"；andhiseyesseemedtomuseovertheproperfoldforthesedampsheep。"AreyouOxfordmen，byanychance？"heasked，asifthatmightthrowsomelightuponthematter。

"OfMary\'s？Really!I\'mofPaul\'smyself。Ladyman——BillingtonLadyman；youmightremembermyyoungestbrother。Icouldgiveyouaroomhereifyoucouldmanagewithoutsheets。Myhousekeeperhastwodays\'holiday；she\'sfoolishlytakenthekeys。"

Sheltonacceptedgladly，feelingthattheintonationintheparson\'svoicewasnecessaryuntohiscalling，andthathedidnotwanttopatronise。

"You\'rehungry，Iexpect，afteryourtramp。I\'mverymuchafraidthere\'s——er——nothinginthehousebutbread；Icouldboilyouwater；

hotlemonadeisbetterthannothing。

Conductingthemintothekitchen，hemadeafire，andputakettleontoboil；then，afterleavingthemtoshedtheirsoakingclothes，returnedwithancient，greenishcoats，somecarpetslippers，andsomeblankets。Wrappedinthese，andcarryingtheirglasses，thetravellersfollowedtothestudy，where，bydoubtfullamp-light，heseemed，frombooksuponthetable，tohavebeenworkingathissermon。

"We\'regivingyoualotoftrouble，"saidShelton，"it\'sreallyverygoodofyou。"

"Notatall，"theparsonanswered；I\'monlygrievedthehouseisempty。"

Itwasatrulydismalcontrasttothefatnessofthelandtheyhadbeenpassingthrough，andtheparson\'svoiceissuingfrombloodlesslips，althoughcomplacent，waspathetic。Itwaspeculiar，thatvoiceofhis，seemingtoindicateanintimateacquaintanceshipwithwhatwasfatandfine，toconveycontemptforthevulgarneedofmoney，whileallthetimehiseyes——thosewatery，asceticeyes——asplainasspeechtheysaid，"Oh，toknowwhatitmustbeliketohaveapoundortwotosparejustonceayear，orso!"

Everythingintheroomhadbeenboughtforcheapness；noluxurieswerethere，andnecessariesnotenough。Itwasbleakandbare；theceilingcracked，thewall-paperdiscoloured，andthosebooks——prim，shiningbooks，fat-backed，witharmsstampedonthem——glaredinthesurroundingbarrenness。

"Mypredecessor，"saidtheparson，"playedratherhavocwiththehouse。Thepoorfellowhadadreadfulstruggle，Iwastold。Youcan，unfortunately，expectnothingelsethesedays，whenlivingshavecomedownsoterriblyinvalue!Hewasamarriedman——largefamily!"

Crocker，whohaddrunkhissteaminglemonade，wassmilingandalreadynoddinginhischair；withhisblackgarmentbuttonedcloselyroundhisthroat，hislonglegsrolledupinablanket，andstretchedtowardsthefeebleflameofthenewly-lightedfire，hehadaratherpatchyair。Shelton，ontheotherhand，hadlosthisfeelingoffatigue；thestrangenessoftheplacewasstimulatinghisbrain；hekeptstealingglancesatthescantinessaround；theroom，theparson，thefurniture，theveryfire，allgavehimthefeelingcausedbyseeinglegsthathaveoutgrowntheirtrousers。Buttherewassomethingunderlyingthatleannessofthelandscape，somethingsuperiorandacademic，whichdefiedallsympathy。Itwaspurenervousnesswhichmadehimsay:

"Ah!whydotheyhavesuchfamilies？"

Afaintredmountedtotheparson\'scheeks；itsappearancetherewasstartling，andCrockerchuckled，asasleepymanwillchucklewhofeelsboundtoshowthatheisnotasleep。

"It\'sveryunfortunate，"murmuredtheparson，"certainly，inmanycases。"

Sheltonwouldnowhavechangedthesubject，butatthismomenttheunhappyCrockersnored。Beingamanofaction，hehadgonetosleep。

"Itseemstome，"saidSheltonhurriedly，ashesawtheparson\'seyebrowsrisingatthesound，"almostwhatyoumightcallwrong。"

"Dearme，buthowcanitbewrong？"

Sheltonnowfeltthathemustjustifyhissayingsomehow。

"Idon\'tknow，"hesaid，"onlyonehearsofsuchalotofcases——

clergymen\'sfamilies；I\'vetwounclesofmyown，who——"

Anewexpressiongatheredontheparson\'sface；hismouthhadtightened，andhischinrecededslightly。"Why，he\'slikeamule!"

thoughtShelton。Hiseyes，too，hadgrownharder，greyer，andmoreparroty。Sheltonnolongerlikedhisface。

"PerhapsyouandI，"theparsonsaid，"wouldnotunderstandeachotheronsuchmatters。"

AndSheltonfeltashamed。

"Ishouldliketoaskyouaquestioninturn，however，"theparsonsaid，asifdesirousofmeetingSheltononhislowground:"Howdoyoujustifymarriageifitisnottofollowthelawsofnature？"

"IcanonlytellyouwhatIpersonallyfeel。"

"Mydearsir，youforgetthatawoman\'schiefdelightisinhermotherhood。"

"Ishouldhavethoughtitapleasurelikelytopallwithtoomuchrepetition。Motherhoodismotherhood，whetherofoneorofadozen。"

"I\'mafraid，"repliedtheparson，withimpatience，thoughstillkeepingonhisguest\'slowground，"yourtheoriesarenotcalculatedtopopulatetheworld。"

"HaveyoueverlivedinLondon？"Sheltonasked。"Italwaysmakesmefeeladoubtwhetherwehaveanyrighttohavechildrenatall。"

"Surely，"saidtheparsonwithwonderfulrestraint，andthejointsofhisfingerscrackedwiththegriphehaduponhischair，"youareleavingoutdutytowardsthecountry；nationalgrowthisparamount!"

"Therearetwowaysoflookingatthat。Itdependsonwhatyouwantyourcountrytobecome。"

"Ididn\'tknow，"saidtheparson——fanaticismnowhadcreptintohissmile——"therecouldbeanydoubtonsuchasubject。"

ThemoreSheltonfeltthatcommandswerebeinggivenhim，themorecontroversialhenaturallybecame——apartfromthemeritsofthissubject，towhichhehadhardlyevergiventhought。

"IdaresayI\'mwrong，"hesaid，fasteninghiseyesontheblanketinwhichhislegswerewrapped；"butitseemstomeatleastanopenquestionwhetherit\'sbetterforthecountrytobesowellpopulatedastobequiteincapableofsupportingitself。"-

"Surely，"saidtheparson，whosefaceregaineditspallor，"you\'renotaLittleEnglander？"

OnSheltonthisphrasehadamysteriouseffect。Resistinganimpulsetodiscoverwhathereallywas，heansweredhastily:

"OfcourseI\'mnot!"

Theparsonfolloweduphistriumph，and，shiftingthegroundofthediscussionfromShelton\'stohisown，hegravelysaid:

"Surelyyoumustseethatyourtheoryisfoundedinimmorality。Itis，ifImaysayso，extravagant，evenwicked。"

ButShelton，sufferingfromirritationathisowndishonesty，repliedwithheat:

"Whynotsayatonce，sir，\'hysterical，unhealthy\'？Anyopinionwhichgoescontrarytothatofthemajorityisalwayscalledso，I

believe。"

"Well，"returnedtheparson，whoseeyesseemedtryingtobindSheltontohiswill，"Imustsayyourideasdoseemtomebothextravagantandunhealthy。Thepropagationofchildrenisenjoinedofmarriage。"

Sheltonbowedabovehisblanket，buttheparsondidnotsmile。

"Weliveinverydangeroustimes，"hesaid，"anditgrievesmewhenamanofyourstandingpanderstothesenotions。"

"Those，"saidShelton，"whomtheshoedoesn\'tpinchmakethisruleofmorality，andthrustitontosuchastheshoedoespinch。"

"Therulewasnevermade，"saidtheparson；"itwasgivenus。"

"Oh!"saidShelton，"Ibegyourpardon。"Hewasindangerofforgettingthedelicatepositionhewasin。"Hewantstoramhisnotionsdownmythroat，"hethought；anditseemedtohimthattheparson\'sfacehadgrownmorelikeamule\'s，hisaccentmoresuperior，hiseyesmoredictatorial:Toberightinthisargumentseemednowofgreatimportance，whereas，intruth，itwasofnoimportancewhatsoever。Thatwhich，however，wasimportantwasthefactthatinnothingcouldtheyeverhaveagreed。

ButCrockerhadsuddenlyceasedtosnore；hisheadhadfallensothatapeculiarwhistlingaroseinstead。BothSheltonandtheparsonlookedathim，andthesightsoberedthem。

"Yourfriendseemsverytired，"saidtheparson。

Sheltonforgotallhisannoyance，forhishostseemedsuddenlypathetic，withthosebaggygarments，hollowcheeks，andtheslightlyreddenednosethatcomesfromnotimbibingquiteenough。Akindfellow，afterall!

Thekindfellowrose，and，puttinghishandsbehindhisback，placedhimselfbeforetheblackeningfire。Wholecenturiesofauthoritystoodbehindhim。Itwasanaccidentthatthemantelpiecewaschippedandrusty，thefire-ironsbentandworn，hislinenfrayedaboutthecuffs。

"Idon\'twishtodictate，"saidhe，"butwhereitseemstomethatyouarewhollywronginthatyourideasfosterinwomenthoselaxviewsofthefamilylifethataresoprevalentinSocietynowadays。"

ThoughtsofAntoniawithhercandideyes，thetouchoffrecklingonherpink-whiteskin，thefairhairgatheredback，sprangupinShelton，andthatword——"lax"seemedridiculous。AndthewomenhewaswonttoseedraggingaboutthestreetsofLondonwithtwoorthreesmallchildren，Womenbentbeneaththeweightofbabiesthattheycouldnotleave，womengoingtoworkwithbabiesstillunborn，anaemic-lookingwomen，impecuniousmothersinhisownclass，withtwelveorfourteenchildren，allthevictimsofthesanctityofmarriage，andagaintheword"lax"seemedtoberidiculous。

"Wearenotputintotheworldtoexerciseourwits，"——mutteredShelton。

"Ourwantonwills，"theparsonsaidseverely。

"That，sir，mayhavebeenallrightforthelastgeneration，thecountryismorecrowdednow。Ican\'tseewhyweshouldn\'tdecideitforourselves。"

"Suchaviewofmorality，"saidtheparson，lookingdownatCrockerwithaghostlysmile，"tomeisunintelligible。"

Cracker\'swhistlinggrewintoneandinvariety。

"WhatIhate，"saidShelton，"isthewaywemendecidewhatwomenaretobear，andthencallthemimmoral，decadent，orwhatyouwill，iftheydon\'tfallinwithourviews。"

"Mr。Shelton，"saidtheparson，"IthinkwemaysafelyleaveitinthehandsofGod。"

Sheltonwassilent。

"Thequestionsofmorality，"saidtheparsonpromptly，"havealwayslainthroughGodinthehandsofmen，notwomen。Wearethereasonablesex。"

Sheltonstubbornlyreplied"We\'recertainlythegreaterhumbugs，ifthat\'sthesame。"

"Thisistoobad，"exclaimedtheparsonwithsomeheat。

"I\'msorry，sir；buthowcanyouexpectwomennowadaystohavethesameviewsasourgrandmothers？Wemen，byourcommercialenterprise，havebroughtaboutadifferentstateofthings；yet，forthesakeofourowncomfort，wetrytokeepwomenwheretheywere。

It\'salwaysthosemenwhoaremostkeenabouttheircomfort"——andinhisheatthesarcasmofusingtheword"comfort"inthatroomwaslostonhim——"whoaresoreadytoaccusewomenofdesertingtheoldmorality。"

Theparsonquiveredwithimpatientirony。

"Oldmorality!newmorality!"hesaid。"Thesearestrangewords。"

"Forgiveme，"explainedShelton；"we\'retalkingofworkingmorality，Iimagine。There\'snotamaninamillionfittotalkoftruemorality。"

Theeyesofhishostcontracted。

"Ithink，"hesaid——andhisvoicesoundedasifhehadpincheditintheendeavourtoimpresshislistener——"thatanywell-educatedmanwhohonestlytriestoservehisGodhastherighthumbly——Isayhumbly——toclaimmorality。"

Sheltonwasonthepointofsayingsomethingbitter，butcheckedhimself。"HereamI，"thoughthe，"tryingtogetthelastword，likeanoldwoman。"

Atthismomenttherewasheardapiteousmewing；theparsonwenttowardsthedoor。

"Excusemeamoment；I\'mafraidthat\'soneofmycatsoutinthewet。"Hereturnedaminutelaterwithawetcatinhisarms。"Theywillgetout，"hesaidtoShelton，withasmileonhisthinface，suffusedbystooping。Andabsentlyhestrokedthedrippingcat，whileadropofwetranoffhisnose。"Poorpussy，poorpussy!"Thesoundofthat"Poorpussy!"likenothinghumaninitscrackedsuperiority，thesoftnessofthatsmile，likethesmileofgentlenessitself，hauntedSheltontillhefellasleep。

CHAPTERXVIII

ACADEMIC

ThelastsunlightwasplayingontheroofswhenthetravellersenteredthatHighStreetgraveandholytoallOxfordmen。ThespirithoveringabovethespireswasasdifferentfromitsconcretionsintheircapsandgownsaseverthespiritofChristwasfromchurchdogmas。

"ShallwegointoGrinnings\'？"askedShelton，astheypassedtheclub。

Buteachlookedathisclothes，fortwoelegantyoungmeninflannelsuitswerecomingout。

"Yougo，"saidCrocker，withasmirk。

Sheltonshookhishead。Neverbeforehadhefeltsuchloveforthisoldcity。Itwasgonenowfromouthislife，buteverythingaboutitseemedsogoodandfine；evenitsexclusiveairwasnotignoble。

Clothedinthecalmofhistory，thegoldenwebofglorioustradition，radiantwiththealchemyofmemories，itbewitchedhimliketheperfumeofawoman\'sdress。Attheentranceofacollegetheyglancedinatthecoolgreypatchofstonebeyond，andthescarletofawindowflowerbox——secluded，mysteriouslycalm——anarrowvisionofthesacredpast。Paleandtrencher-capped，ayouthwithpimplyfaceandrandomnose，grabbingathisclovengown，wasgazingatthenoticeboard。Thecollegeporter——largeman，fresh-faced，andsmall-

mouthed——stoodathislodgedoorinafrankanddeferentialattitude。

Animageofroutine，helookedlikeoneengagedtogiveadecorousairtomultitudesofpecadilloes。Hisblueeyesrestedonthetravellers。"Idon\'tknowyou，sirs，butifyouwanttospeakI

shallbegladtoheartheobservationsyoumayhavetomake，"theyseemedtosay。

Againstthewallreposedabicyclewithtennis-racquetbuckledtoitshandle。Abull-dogbitch，workinghersnoutfromsidetoside，wassnufflinghorribly；thegreatiron-studdeddoortowhichherchainwasfastenedstayedimmovable。Throughthisnarrowmouth，humanmetalhadbeenpouredforcenturies——poured，moulded，givenback。

"Comealong，"saidShelton。

TheynowenteredtheBishop\'sHead，andhadtheirdinnerintheroomwhereSheltonhadgivenhisDerbydinnertofour-and-twentywell-bredyouths；herewasthepictureoftheracehorsethatthewineglass，thrownbyoneofthem，hadmissedwhenithitthewaiter；andthere，servingCrockerwithanchovysauce，wastheverywaiter。Whentheyhadfinished，Sheltonfelttheolddesiretorisewithdifficultyfromthetable；theoldlongingtopatrolthestreetswitharmhookedinsomeotherarm；theoldeagernesstodareanddosomethingheroic——andunlawful；theoldsensethathewasoftheforestset，intheforestcollege，oftheforestcountryinthefinestworld。Thestreets，allgraveandmellowinthesunset，seemedtoapplaudthisafter-dinnerstroll；theentrancequadofhisoldcollege——spaciouslymajestic，monasticallymodern，foryearstheheartofhisuniverse，thefocusofwhathadgonebeforeitinhislife，castingtheshadowofitsgreywallsoverallthathadcomeafter-broughthimasenseofrestfromconflict，andtrustinhisownimportantsafety。Thegarden-gate，whoseloftyspikeshehadsooftencrownedwithemptywater-bottles，failedtorousehim。Norwhentheypassedthestaircasewherehehadflungalegoflambatsomeindelicatedisturbingtutor，didhefeelremorse。Highonthatstaircaseweretheroomsinwhichhehadcrammedforhisdegree，uponthesystembywhichthescholarsimmersonthefireofcramming，boilsoveratthemomentofexamination，andisextinctforeverafter。Hiscoach\'sfacerecurredtohim，amanwiththrustingeyes，whoreeledoffknowledgealltheweek，anddisappearedtotownonSundays。

Theypassedtheirtutor\'sstaircase。

"IwonderiflittleTurlwouldrememberus？"saidCrocker；"Ishouldliketoseehim。Shallwegoandlookhimup？"

"LittleTurl？"saidSheltondreamily。

Mounting，theyknockeduponasoliddoor。

"Comein，"saidthevoiceofSleepitself。

Alittlemanwithapinkfaceandlargeredearswassittinginafatpinkchair，asifhehadbeengrownthere。

"Whatdoyouwant？"heaskedofthem，blinking。

"Don\'tyouknowme，sir？"

"Godblessme!Crocker，isn\'tit？Ididn\'trecogniseyouwithabeard。"

Crocker，whohadnotbeenshavedsincestartingonhistravels，chuckledfeebly。

"YourememberShelton，sir？"hesaid。

"Shelton？Ohyes!Howdoyoudo，Shelton？Sitdown；takeacigar"；

and，crossinghisfatlittlelegs，thelittlegentlemanlookedthemupanddownwithdrowsyinterest，aswhoshouldsay，"Now，after，allyouknow，whycomeandwakemeuplikethis？"

SheltonandCrockertooktwootherchairs；theytooseemedthinking，"Yes，whydidwecomeandwakehimuplikethis？"AndShelton，whocouldnottellthereasonwhy，tookrefugeinthesmokeofhiscigar。

ThepanelledwallswerehungwithprintsofcelebratedGreekremains；

thesoft，thickcarpetonthefloorwasgratefultohistiredfeet；

thebacksofmanybooksgleamedrichlyinthelightoftheoillamps；

thecultureandtobaccosmokestoleonhissenses；hebutvaguelycomprehendedCrocker\'samiabletalk，vaguelytheanswersofhislittlehost，whoseface，blinkingbehindthebowlofhishugemeerschaumpipe，hadsuchaqueerresemblancetoamoon。Thedoorwasopened，andatallcreature，whoseeyeswerelargeandbrown，whosefacewasrosyandironical，enteredwithamanlystride。

"Oh!"hesaid，lookingroundhimwithhischinalittleintheair，"amIintruding，Turl？"

Thelittlehost，blinkingmorethanever，murmured，"Notatall，Berryman——takeapew!"

ThevisitorcalledBerrymansatdown，andgazedupatthewallwithhisfineeyes。

Sheltonhadafaintremembranceofthisdon，andbowed；butthenew-

comersatsmiling，anddidnotnoticethesalute。

"TrimmerandWasherarecominground，"hesaid，andashespokethedooropenedtoadmitthesegentlemen。Ofthesameheight，butdifferentappearance，theirmannerwasfaintlyjocular，faintlysupercilious，asiftheytoleratedeverything。TheonewhosenamewasTrimmerhadpatchesofredonhislargecheek-bones，andonhischeeksabluishtint。Hislipswereratherfull，sothathehadalikenesstoaspider。Washer，whowasthinandpale，woreanintellectualsmile。

Thelittlefathostmovedthehandthatheldthemeerschaum。

"Crocker，Shelton，"hesaid。

Anawkwardsilencefollowed。Sheltontriedtorousetheculturedportionofhiswits；butthesensethatnothingwouldbetreatedseriouslyparalysedhisfaculties；hestayedsilent，staringattheglowingtipofhiscigar。Itseemedtohimunfairtohaveintrudedonthesegentlemenwithoutitshavingbeenmadequitecleartothembeforehandwhoandwhathewas；herosetotakehisleave，butWasherhadbeguntospeak。

"MadameBovary!"hesaidquizzically，readingthetitleofthebookonthelittlefatman\'sbookrest；and，holdingitclosertohisboiled-lookingeyes，herepeated，asthoughitwereajoke，"MadameBovary!"

"Doyoumeantosay，Turl，thatyoucanstandthatstuff？"saidBerryman。

Asmighthavebeenexpected，thiscelebratednovel\'snamehadgalvanisedhimintolife；hestrolledovertothebookcase，tookdownabook，openedit，andbegantoread，wanderinginadesultorywayabouttheroom。

"Ha!Berryman，"saidaconciliatoryvoicebehind——itcamefromTrimmer，whohadsethisbackagainstthehearth，andgraspedwitheitherhandafistfulofhisgown——"thebook\'saclassic!"

"Classic!"exclaimedBerryman，transfixingSheltonwithhiseyes；

"thefellowoughttohavebeenhorsewhippedforwritingsuchputridity!"

AfeelingofhostilityinstantlysprangupinShelton；helookedathislittlehost，who，however，merelyblinked。

"Berrymanonlymeans，"explainsWasher，acertainmaliceinhissmile，"thattheauthorisn\'toneofhisparticularpets。"