第4章

Hehelpedtobroadenmygeographicalsenseimmensely，andheprovidedphrasesforjustthatdesirefordisciplineanddevotionandorganisedefforttheSocialismofourtimefailedtoexpress，thatthecurrentsocialistmovementstillfails，Ithink，toexpress。Thesortofthingthatfollows，forexample，toresomethingoutofmyinmostnatureandgaveitashape，andItookitbackfromhimshapedandletmuchoftherestofhim，thetumultandthebullying，thehysteriaandtheimpatience，theincoherenceandinconsistency，gouncriticisedforthesakeofit：——

"KeepyetheLaw——beswiftinallobedience——

Clearthelandofevil，drivetheroadandbridgetheford，MakeyesuretoeachhisownThathereapwherehehathsown；

BythepeaceamongOurpeoplesletmenknowweservetheLord！"

Andthenagain，andforallourlatercriticism，thissticksinmymind，stickstherenowasquintessentialwisdom：

The\'eathenin\'isblindnessbowsdowntowoodan\'stone；

\'Edon\'tobeynoordersunlesstheyis\'isown；

\'Ekeeps\'isside-armsawful：\'eleaves\'emallaboutAn\'thencomesuptheregimentan\'pokesthe\'eathenout。

Allalongo\'dirtiness，allalongo\'mess，Allalongo\'doin\'thingsrather-more-or-less，Allalongofabby-nay，kul，an\'hazar-ho，Mindyoukeepyourriflean\'yourselfjus\'so！"

ItisafterallasecondarymatterthatKipling，nothavingbeenbornandbroughtupinBromsteadandPenge，andthewarinSouthAfricabeingyetinthewomboftime，couldquitehonestlyentertainthenowremarkabledelusionthatEnglandhadherside-armsatthattimekeptanythingbut"awful。"Helearntbetter，andwealllearntwithhiminthedarkyearsofexasperatingandhumiliatingstrugglethatfollowed，andIdonotseethatwefellowlearnersarejustifiedinturningresentfullyuponhimforacommonignoranceandassumption……

SouthAfricaseemsalwayspaintedonthebackclothofmyCambridgememories。Howimmensethosedisastersseemedatthetime，disastersourfacileEnglishworldhaslongsincecontrivedinanyedifyingorprofitablesensetoforget！Howwethrilledtotheshoutingnewspapersellersasthefirstfalseflushofvictorygaveplacetotherealisationofdefeat。Farawaythereourarmyshoweditselfhuman，mortalandhumaninthesightofalltheworld，thepleasantofficerswehadimaginedwouldchangetowonderfulheroesatthefirstcracklingofrifles，remainedthepleasant，ratherincompetentmentheyhadalwaysbeen，failingtoimagine，failingtoplanandco-operate，failingtogrip。Andthecommonsoldiers，too，theywerejustwhatourstreetsandcountry-sidehadmadethem，nosuddenmagiccameoutofthewarbuglesforthem。Neithersplendidnordisgracefulwerethey，——justill-trainedandfairlypluckyandwonderfullygood-temperedmen——payingforit。AndhowitloweredourvitalityallthatfirstwintertohearofNicholson\'sNek，andthenpresentlycloseupononeanother，torealisethebloodywasteofMagersfontein，theshatteringretreatfromStormberg，Colenso——

Colenso，thatblunderingbattle，withWhite，asitseemed，inLadysmithnearthepointofsurrender！andsothroughthelongunfoldingcatalogueofbleakdisillusionments，ofaching，unconcealedanxietylestworseshouldfollow。Toadvanceuponyourenemysingingabouthislackofcleanlinessandmethodwentoutoffashionaltogether！ThedirtyretrogressiveBoervanishedfromourschemeofillusion。

AllthroughmymiddleCambridgeperiod，thegunsboomedandtheriflescrackledawaythereontheveldt，andthehorsemenrodeandthetaleofaccidentsandblunderingwenton。Men，mules，horses，storesandmoneypouredintoSouthAfrica，andtheconvalescentwoundedstreamedhome。IseeitinmymemoryasifIhadlookedatitthroughawindowinsteadofthroughthepagesoftheillustratedpapers；IrecallasifIhadbeentherethewideopenspaces，theraggedhillsides，theopenorderattacksofhelmetedmeninkhaki，thescarcevisiblesmokeoftheguns，thewreckedtrainsingreatlonelyplaces，theburntisolatedfarms，andatlasttheblockhousesandthefencesofbarbedwireuncoilingandspreadingforendlessmilesacrossthedesert，nettingtheelusiveenemyuntilatlast，thoughhebrokethemeshesagainandagain，wehadhiminthetoils。

Ifone\'sattentionstrayedinthelecture-roomitwanderedtothosebattle-fields。

AndthatimaginedpanoramaofwarunfoldstoanaccompanimentofyellingnewsboysinthenarrowoldCambridgestreets，oftheflickerofpapershastilyboughtandtornopeninthetwilight，ofthedoubtfulreceptionofdoubtfulvictories，andtheinsensaterejoicingsatlastthatseemedtosomeofusmoreshamefulthandefeats……

7

Abookthatstandsoutamongthesememories，thatstimulatedmeimmenselysothatIforcedituponmycompanions，halfinthespiritofpropagandaandhalftotestitbytheircomments，wasMeredith\'sONEOFOURCONQUERORS。Itisoneofthebooksthathavemademe。

InthatIgotasupplementandcorrectiveofKipling。ItwasthefirstdetachedandadversecriticismoftheEnglishmanIhadeverencountered。ItmusthavebeenpublishedalreadynineortenyearswhenIreadit。Thecountryhadpaidnoheedtoit，hadgoneontotheexpensivelessonsoftheWarbecauseofthedullaversionourpeoplefeelforallsuchintimations，andsoIcouldreaditasabookjustified。Thewarendorseditseverywordforme，underlinedeachwarningindicationofthegiganticdangersthatgatheredagainstoursystemacrossthenarrowseas。ItdiscoveredEuropetome，aswatchingandcritical。

ButwhileIcouldrespondtoallitscriticismsofmycountry\'sintellectualindolence，ofmycountry\'swantoftraininganddisciplineandmoralcourage，Irememberthattheideathatonthecontinenttherewereotherpeoplesgoingaheadofus，mentallyalertwhilewefumbled，disciplinedwhileweslouched，aggressiveandpreparingtobringourImperialpridetoareckoning，wasextremelynovelanddistastefultome。Itsetmeworryingofnights。Itputallmyprojectsforsocialandpoliticalreconstructionuponanewuncomfortablefooting。Itmadethemnolongermerelydesirablebuturgent。Insteadofprideandtheloveofmakingonemightowntoabasermotive。UnderKipling\'sswayIhadalittleforgottenthecontinentofEurope，treateditasamereenviousechotoourownworld-widedisplay。Ibegannowtohaveadisturbingsenseasitwereofbusysearchlightsoverthehorizon……

OneconsequenceofthepatrioticchagrinMeredithproducedinmewasanattempttobelittlehismerit。"Itisn\'tagoodnovel，anyhow，"

Isaid。

ThechargeIbroughtagainstitwas，Iremember，alackofunity。

ItprofessedtobeastudyoftheEnglishsituationintheearlynineties，butitwasalldeflected，Isaid，andalltheinterestwasconfusedbythestoryofVictorRadnor\'sfightwithsocietytovindicatethewomanhehadlovedandnevermarried。Nowintheretrospectandwithamindfullofbitterenlightenment，IcandoMeredithjustice，andadmittheconflictwasnotonlyessentialbutcardinalinhispicture，thattheterribleinflexibilityoftherichauntsandthestillmoreterribleclaimofMrs。BurmanRadnor，the"infernalpunctilio，"andDudleySowerby\'slimitations，werethecentralsubstanceofthatinalertnessthebooksetitselftoassail。

Somanythingshavebeenbroughttogetherinmymindthatwereonceremotelyseparated。Apeoplethatwillnotvaliantlyfaceandunderstandandadmitloveandpassioncanunderstandnothingwhatever。Butinthosedayswhatisnowjustobvioustruthtomewasaltogetheroutsidemyrangeofcomprehension……

8

AsIseektorecapitulatetheinterlacinggrowthofmyapprehensionoftheworld，asIflounderamongthehalf-remembereddevelopmentsthatfoundmeacrudeschoolboyandleftmeaman，therecomesout，asifitstoodforalltherest，myfirstholidayabroad。ThatdidnothappenuntilIwastwenty-two。IwasafellowofTrinity，andthePeaceofVereeniginghadjustbeensigned。

IwentwithamannamedWillersley，amansomeyearsseniortomyself，whohadjustmissedafellowshipandthehigherdivisionoftheCivilService，andwhohadbecomeanenthusiasticmemberoftheLondonSchoolBoard，uponwhichthecumulativevoteandthesupportofthe"advanced"peoplehadplacedhim。Hehad，likemyself，asmallindependentincomethatrelievedhimofanynecessitytoearnaliving，andhehadakindredcravingforsocialtheorisingandsomeformofsocialservice。Hehadsoughtmyacquaintanceafterreadingapaperofmine(begottenbythevisitofChrisRobinson)onthelimitsofpuredemocracy。Ithadmarchedwithsomethoughtsofhisown。

WewentbytraintoSpiezontheLakeofThun，thenuptheGemmi，andthencewithoneortwohaltsanddigressionsandalittlemodestclimbingwecrossedoverbytheAntronapass(onwhichwewerebenighted)intoItaly，andbywayofDomoD\'ossolaandtheSantaMariaMaggiorevalleytoCannobio，andthenceupthelaketoLocarno(where，asIshalltell，westayedsomeeventfuldays)andsouptheValMaggiaandovertoAiroloandhome。

AsIwriteofthatlongtrampofours，somethingofitsfreshnessandenlargementreturnstome。Ifeelagainthefaintpleasantexcitementoftheboattrain，thetramplingprocessionofpeoplewithhandbaggageandladenportersalongtheplatformoftheFolkestonepier，thescarcelyperceptibleswayingofthemooredboatbeneathourfeet。Then，veryobviousandsimple，thelittleemotionofstandingoutfromthehomelandandseeingthelongwhiteKentishcliffsrecede。Onewalkedabouttheboatdoingone\'sbestnottofeelabsurdlyadventurous，andpresentlyamovementofpeopledirectedone\'sattentiontoawhitelighthouseonaclifftotheeastofus，comingupsuddenly；andthenoneturnedtoscanthelittledifferentFrenchcoastvillages，andthen，slidingbyinapalesunshinecamealongwoodenpierwithoddlydressedchildrenuponit，andtheclusteringtownofBoulogne。

Onetookitallwiththeoutwardcalmthatbecameayoungmanofnearlythreeandtwenty，butonewasalivetoone\'sfinger-tipswithpleasinglittlestimulations。Thecustomhouseexaminationexcitedone，thestrangenessofababbleinaforeigntongue；onefoundtheFrenchofCityMerchants\'andCambridgeashyandviscousflow，andthenonewasstandinginthetrainasitwentslowlythroughtherail-laidstreettoBoulogneVille，andonelookedoutattheworldinFrench，portersinblouses，workmeninenormouspurpletrousers，policeofficersinpeakedcapsinsteadofhelmetsandromanticallycloaked，bigcarts，allontwowheelsinsteadoffour，greenshutteredcasementsinsteadofsashwindows，andgreatnumbersofneatlydressedwomenineconomicalmourning。

"Oh！there\'sapriest！"onesaid，andwasbetrayedintosuchlikeartlesscries。

Itwasarealotherworld，withdifferentgovernmentanddifferentmethods，andinthenightonewasrousedfromuneasyslumbersandsatblinkingandsurly，wrappedupinone\'scouvertureandwithone\'soreillerallawry，toencounteranewsocialphenomenon，theGermanofficial，sodifferentinmannerfromtheBritish；andwhenonewokeagainafterthatonehadcometoBale，andoutonetumbledtogetcoffeeinSwitzerland……

Ihavebeenoverthatroutedozensoftimessince，butitstillrevivesacertainlingeringyouthfulness，acertainsenseofcheerfulreleaseinme。

IrememberthatIandWillersleybecameverysociologicalasweranontoSpiez，andmadeallsortsofgeneralisationsfromthesteeplyslopingfieldsonthehillsides，andfromthepeoplewesawonplatformsandfromlittledifferencesinthewaythingsweredone。

ThecleanprosperityofBaleandSwitzerland，thebigcleanstations，filledmewithpatrioticmisgivings，asIthoughtofthevastdirtinessofLondon，themeandirtinessofCambridgeshire。Itcametomethatperhapsmyschemeofinternationalvalueswasallwrong，thatquitestupendouspossibilitiesandchallengesforusandourempiremightbedevelopinghere——andIrecalledMeredith\'sSkepseyinFrancewithanewunderstanding。

Willersleyhaddressedhimselfinaworld-wornNorfolksuitofgreenishgreytweedsthatendedunfamiliarlyathisratherimpending，spectacled，intellectualvisage。Ididn\'t，Iremember，likethecontrastofhimwiththedrilledSwissandGermansaboutus。Convictcolouredstockingsandvasthobnailbootsfinishedhimbelow，andallhisluggagewasaborrowedrucksacthathehadtiedaskew。Hedidnotwanttoshaveinthetrain，butImadehimatoneoftheSwissstations——IdisliketheseOxfordslovenlinesses——andthenconfoundhim！hecuthimselfandbled……

Nextmorningwewerebreathingathinexhilaratingairthatseemedtohavewashedourveryveinstoanincrediblecleanliness，andeatinghard-boiledeggsinavastclearspaceofrime-edgedrocks，snow-mottled，aboveablue-gashedglacier。Allaboutusthemonstrousrocksurfacesrosetowardstheshiningpeaksabove，andtherewerewindingmorainesfromwhichtheicehadreceded，andthendarkclusteringfirtreesfarbelow。

Ihadanextraordinaryfeelingofhavingcomeoutofthings，ofbeingoutside。

"Butthisistheroundworld！"Isaid，withasenseofneverhavingperceiveditbefore；"thisistheroundworld！"

9

Thatholidaywasfullofbigcomprehensiveeffects；thefirstviewoftheRhonevalleyandthedistantValaisianAlps，forexample，whichwesawfromtheshoulderofthemountainabovetheGemmi，andtheearlysummerdawnbreakingoverItalyaswemovedfromournight\'scrouchingandmunchedbreadandchocolateandstretchedourstifflimbsamongthetumbledandprecipitousrocksthathungoverLakeCingolo，andsurveyedthewindingtiringrockytrackgoingdownanddowntoAntronapiano。

Andourthoughtswereascomprehensiveasourimpressions。

Willersley\'smindaboundedinhistoricalmatter；hehadaninaccurateabundanthabitoftopographicalreference；hemademeseeandtraceandseeagaintheRomanEmpiresweepupthesewindingvalleys，andthecomingofthefirstgreatPeaceamongthewarringtribesofmen……

Intheretrospecteachofusseemstohavebeentalkingaboutouroutlookalmostcontinually。Eachofus，yousee，wasfullofthesamequestion，verynearandaltogetherpredominanttous，thequestion："WhatamIgoingtodowithmylife？"HesawitalmostasimportantlyasI，butfromadifferentangle，becausehischoicewaslargelymadeandminestillhunginthebalance。

"Ifeelwemightdosomanythings，"Isaid，"andeverythingthatcallsone，callsoneawayfromsomethingelse。"

Willersleyagreedwithoutanymodestdisavowals。

"Wehavegottothinkout，"hesaid，"justwhatweareandwhatweareupto。We\'vegottodothatnow。Andthen——it\'soneofthosequestionsitisinadvisabletoreopensubsequently。"

Hebeamedatmethroughhisglasses。Thesententioususeoflongwordswasaplayfulhabitwithhim，thatandaslightdeliberatehumour，habitsoccasionalExtensionLecturingwasdoingverymuchtointensify。

"You\'vemadeyourdecision？"

Henoddedwithapeculiarforwardmovementofhishead。

"Howwouldyouputit？"

"SocialService——education。Whateverelsemattersordoesn\'tmatter，itseemstomethereisonethingweMUSThaveandincrease，andthatisthenumberofpeoplewhocanthinkalittle——andhave"——

hebeamedagain——"anadequatesenseofcausation。"

"You\'resureit\'sworthwhile。"

"Forme——certainly。Idon\'tdiscussthatanymore。"

"Idon\'tlimitmyselftoonarrowly，"headded。"Afterall，theworkisallone。Wewhoknow，wewhofeel，arebuildingthegreatmodernstate，joiningwalltowallandwaytoway，thenewgreatEnglandrisingoutofthedecayingold……wearetherealstatesmen——I

likethatuseof\'statesmen。\'……"

"Yes，"Isaidwithmanydoubts。"Yes，ofcourse……"

Willersleyismiddle-agednow，withsilverinhishairandadeepeningbenevolenceinhisalwaysamiableface，andhehasveryfairlykepthisword。Hehaslivedforsocialserviceandtodovastmassesofuseful，undistinguished，fertilisingwork。Thinkofthedaysofaridadministrativeploddingandofcontentionstillmorearidandunrewarded，thathemusthavespent！Hislittleaffectationsofgestureandmanner，imitativeaffectationsforthemostpart，haveincreased，andthehumorousbeamandthehumorousintonationshavebecomeathingheputsoneverymorninglikeanoldcoat。Hisdevotionismingledwithaconsiderablewhimsicality，andtheysayheiseasilyflatteredbysubordinatesandeasilyoffendedintooppositionbycolleagues；hehasmademistakesattimesandfollowedwrongcourses，stillthereheis，aflatcontradictiontoalltheordinarydoctrineofmotives，amanwhohasforegoneanychancesofwealthandprofit，foregoneanyeasierpathstodistinction，foregonemarriageandparentage，inordertoservethecommunity。Hedoesitwithoutanyfeeorrewardexcepthispersonalself-satisfactionindoingthiswork，andhedoesitwithoutanyhopeoffuturejoysandpunishments，forheisanimplacableRationalist。Nodoubtheidealiseshimselfalittle，anddreamsofrecognition。Nodoubthegetshispleasurefromasenseofpower，fromthespendingandhusbandingoflargesumsofpublicmoney，andfromtheinevitableproprietorshiphemustfeelinthefair，fine，well-orderedschoolshehasdonesomuchtodevelop。"Butforme，"

hecansay，"therewouldhavebeenaJobaboutthosediagrams，andthatsubjectorthiswouldhavebeenlessablytaught。"……

Thefactremainsthatforhimtherewardshavebeenadequate，ifnottocontentatanyratetokeephimworking。Ofcoursehecovetsthenoticeoftheworldhehasserved，asalovercovetsthenoticeofhismistress。Ofcoursehethinkssomewhere，somewhen，hewillgetcredit。OnlylastyearIheardsomementalkingofhim，andtheywerenoting，withlittlemeansmiles，howhehadshownhimselfself-

consciouswhiletherewastalkofsomehonorarydegree-givingorother；itwould，Ihavenodoubt，pleasehimgreatlyifhisworkweretoflowerintoacrimsongowninsomeAcademicparterre。Whyshouldn\'tit？Butthatisincidentalvanityattheworst；hegoesonanyhow。Mostmendon\'t。

Butwehadourwalktwentyyearsandmoreagonow。Hewasoldisheventhenasayoungman，justasheisoldishstillinmiddleage。

Longmayhisindustriouselderlinessflourishforthegoodoftheworld！Helecturedalittleinconversationthen；helecturesmorenowandlistensless，toilsomelydisentanglingwhatyoualreadyunderstand，givingyouindetailthedatayouknow；thesearethingslikecallositiesthatcomefromaman\'swork。

Ourlongthreeweeks\'talkcomesbacktomeasamemoryofideasanddeterminationsslowlygrowing，allmixedupwithasmellofwoodsmokeandpinewoodsandhugeprecipicesandremotegleamsofsnow-

fieldsandthesoundofcascadingtorrentsrushingthroughdeepgorgesfarbelow。Itismixed，too，withgossipswithwaitressesandfellowtravellers，withmyfirstessaysincolloquialGermanandItalian，withdisputesaboutthewaytotake，andotherthingsthatIwilltellofinanothersection。Butthewhitepassionofhumanservicewasourdominanttheme。Notsimplyperhapsnoraltogetherunselfishly，butquitehonestly，andwithatleastafrequentself-

forgetfulness，didwewanttodofineandnoblethings，tohelpintheirdeveloping，tolessenmisery，tobroadenandexaltlife。Itisveryhard——perhapsitisimpossible——topresentinapageortwothesubstanceandqualityofnearlyamonth\'sconversation，conversationthatiscasualanddiscursiveinform，thatrangescarelesslyfromtrivialitytoimmensity，andyetisconstantlyresumingaconstructiveprocess，asworkmenonawallloiterandjestandgoandcomeback，andallthewhilebuild。

Wegotitmoreandmoredefinitethatthecoreofourpurposebeneathallitsvariedaspectsmustneedsbeorderanddiscipline。

"Muddle，"saidI，"istheenemy。"Thatremainsmybelieftothisday。Clearnessandorder，lightandforesight，thesethingsIknowforGood。Itwasmuddlehadjustgivenusallthestillfreshlypainfuldisastersandhumiliationsofthewar，muddlethatgivesusthevisiblysprawlingdisorderofourcitiesandindustrialcountry-

side，muddlethatgivesusthewasteoflife，thelimitations，wretchednessandunemploymentofthepoor。Muddle！IremembermyselfquotingKipling——

"Allalongo\'dirtiness，allalongo\'mess，Allalongo\'doin\'thingsrather-more-or-less。"

"Webuildthestate，"wesaidoverandoveragain。"Thatiswhatwearefor——servantsofthenewreorganisation！"

WeplannedhalfinearnestandhalfUtopianising，aLeagueofSocialService。

Wetalkedofthesplendidworldofmenthatmightgrowoutofsuchunpaidandill-paidworkasweweresettingourfacestodo。Wespokeoftheintricatedifficulties，themonstrouspassiveresistances，thehostilitiestosuchadevelopmentasweconceivedourworksubserved，andwespokewiththatunderlyingconfidenceintheinvincibilityofthecausesweadoptedthatisnaturaltoyoungandscarcelytriedmen。

Wetalkedmuchofthedetailedlifeofpoliticssofarasitwasknowntous，andthereWillersleywasmoreexperiencedandfarbetterinformedthanI；wediscussedpossiblecombinationsandpossibledevelopments，andthechancesofsomegreatconstructivemovementcomingfromtheheart-searchingstheBoerwarhadoccasioned。Wewouldsinktogossip——evenattheSuetoniuslevel。

WillersleywoulddeclinetowardsilluminatinganecdotesthatI

cappedmoreorlesslooselyfrommyprivatereading。Wewereparticularlywise，Iremember，uponthemanagementofnewspapers，becauseaboutthatweknewnothingwhatever。Weperceivedthatgreatthingsweretobedonethroughnewspapers。Wetalkedofswayingopinionandmovinggreatclassestomassiveaction。

Menareegotisticalevenindevotion。Alloursplendidprojectswerethicksetwiththefirstpersonalpronoun。Webothcouldwrite，andallthatwesaidingeneraltermswasreflectedintheparticularinourminds；itwasourselveswesaw，andnoothers，writingandspeakingthatmovingword。Wehadalreadyproducedmanuscriptandpassedtheinitiationsofproofreading；IhadbeenafrequentspeakerintheUnion，andWillersleywasanactivemanontheSchoolBoard。Ourfeetwerealreadyonthelowerrungsthatledupandup。Hewassixandtwenty，andItwenty-two。Weintimatedourindividualcareersintermsofboldexpectation。Ihadpropheticglimpsesofwallsandhoardingsclamorouswith"VoteforRemington，"andWillersleynodoubtsawhimselfchairmanofthiscommitteeandthat，sayingafewslightlyironicalwordsafterthedeclarationofthepoll，andthensittingfriendlybesidemeonthegovernmentbenches。Therewasnothingimpossibleinsuchdreams。

WhynottheBoardofEducationforhim？MypreferenceatthattimewaveredbetweentheLocalGovernmentBoard——Ihadgreatideasabouttown-planning，aboutrevisionsofmunicipalareasandre-organisedinternaltransit——andtheWarOffice。Iswayedstronglytowardsthelatterasthejourneyprogressed。Myeducationalbiascamelater。

TheswellingambitionsthathavetrampedoverAlpinepasses！Howmanyofthem，likemine，havecomealmostwithinsightofrealisationbeforetheyfailed？

Thereweretimeswhenweposedlikeyounggods(ofunassumingexterior)，andtimeswhenwewerefulloftheabsurdestlittlesolicitudesaboutourprospects。Thereweretimeswhenonesurveyedthewholeworldofmenasifitwasalittlethingatone\'sfeet，andbywayofcontrastIrememberoncelyinginbed——itmusthavebeenduringthisholiday，thoughIcannotforthelifeofmefixwhere——andspeculatingwhetherperhapssomedayImightnotbeaK。C。B。，SirRichardRemington，K。C。B。，M。P。

Butthebigstyleprevailed……

Wecouldnottellfromminutetominutewhetherwewereplanningforaworldofsolidreality，ortellingourselvesfairytalesaboutthisprospectoflife。Somuchseemedpossible，andeverythingwecouldthinkofsoimprobable。TherewerelapseswhenitseemedtomeIcouldneverbeanythingbutjusttheentirelyunimportantandundistinguishedyoungmanIwasforeverandever。Icouldn\'teventhinkofmyselfasfiveandthirty。

OnceIrememberWillersleygoingoveralistoffailures，andwhytheyhadfailed——butyoungmeninthetwentiesdonotknowmuchaboutfailures。

10

WillersleyandIprofessedourselvesSocialists，butbythistimeI

knewmyRodbertusaswellasmyMarx，andtherewasmuchinoursocialismthatwouldhaveshockedChrisRobinsonasmuchasanythinginlifecouldhaveshockedhim。Socialismasasimpledemocraticcrywehaddonewithforever。WeweresocialistsbecauseIndividualismforusmeantmuddle，meantacrowdofseparated，undisciplinedlittlepeopleallobstinatelyandignorantlydoingthingsjarringly，eachoneinhisownway。"Each，"Isaidquotingwordsofmyfather\'sthatroseaptinmymemory，"snarlingfromhisownlittlebitofproperty，likeadogtiedtoacart\'stail。"

"Essentially，"saidWillersley，"essentiallywe\'reforconscription，inpeaceandwaralike。Themanwhoownspropertyisapublicofficialandhastobehaveassuch。That\'sthegistofsocialismasIunderstandit。"

"Orbedismissedfromhispost，"Isaid，"andreplacedbysomebettersortofofficial。Aman\'snonethelessanofficialbecausehe\'sirresponsible。Whathedoeswithhispropertyaffectspeoplejustthesame。Private！Nooneisreallyprivatebutanoutlaw……

Orderanddevotionweretheveryessenceofoursocialism，andasplendidcollectivevigourandhappinessitsend。Weprojectedanidealstate，anorganisedstateasconfidentandpowerfulasmodernscience，asbalancedandbeautifulasabody，asbeneficentassunshine，theorganisedstatethatshouldendmuddleforever；itruledallouridealsandgaveformtoallourambitions。

Everymanwastobedefinitelyrelatedtothat，tohavehispredominantdutytothat。SuchwastheEnglandrenewedwehadinmind，andhowtoservethatend，tosubdueundisciplinedworkerandundisciplinedwealthtoit，andmaketheScientificCommonweal，King，wasthecontinuingsubstanceofourintercourse。

11

Everydaythewineofthemountainswasstrongerinourblood，andtheflushofouryouthdeeper。WewouldgointhemorningsunlightalongsomenarrowAlpinemule-pathshoutinglargesuggestionsfornationalre-organisation，andweighingconsiderationsaslightlyasthoughtheworldwaswaxinourhands。"GreatEngland，"wesaidineffect，overandoveragain，"andwewillbeamongthemakers！

Englandrenewed！Thecountryhasbeenwarned；ithaslearntitslesson。Thedisastersandanxietiesofthewarhavesunkin。

Englandhasbecomeserious……Oh！therearebigthingsbeforeustodo；bigenduringthings！"

Oneeveningwewalkeduptotheloggiaofalittlepilgrimagechurch，Iforgetitsname，thatstandsoutonaconicalhillattheheadofawindingstairabovethetownofLocarno。Downbelowthehousesclusteredamidstaconfusionofheat-bittengreenery。Ihadbeensittingsilentlyontheparapet，lookingacrosstothepurplemountainmasseswhereSwitzerlandpassesintoItaly，andthedriftofourtalkseemedsuddenlytogathertoahead。

Ibrokeintospeech，givingformtothethoughtsthathadbeenaccumulating。Mywordshavelongsincepassedoutofmymemory，thephrasesoffamiliarexpressionhavealteredforme，butthesubstanceremainsasclearasever。Isaidhowwewereinourmeasureemperorsandkings，menundriven，freetodoaswepleasedwithlife；weclassedamongthehappyones，ourbreadandcommonnecessitiesweregivenusfornothing，wehadabilities，——itwasn\'tmodestybutcowardicetobehaveasifwehadn\'t——andFortunewatchedustoseewhatwemightdowithopportunityandtheworld。

"Therearesomanythingstodo，yousee，"beganWillersley，inhisjudiciallecturer\'svoice。

"Somanythingswemaydo，"Iinterrupted，"withalltheseyearsbeforeus……We\'reexceptionalmen。It\'sourplace，ourduty，todothings。"

"Hereanyhow，"Isaid，answeringthefaintamusementofhisface；

"I\'vegotnomodesty。Everythingconspirestosetmeup。WhyshouldIrunaboutlikeallthosegrubbylittlebeastsdownthere，seekingnothingbutmeanlittlevanitiesandindulgencies——andthentakecreditformodesty？IKNOWIamcapable。IKNOWIhaveimagination。Modesty！IknowifIdon\'tattempttheverybiggestthingsinlifeIamadamnedshirk。Theverybiggest！Somebodyhastoattemptthem。Ifeellikealoadedgunthatisonlyalittleperplexedbecauseithastofindoutjustwheretoaimitself……"

Thelakeandthefrontiervillages，awhitepuffofsteamonthedistantrailwaytoLuino，thebusyboatsandsteamerstrailingtriangularwakesoffoam，thelongvistaeastwardtowardsbattlementedBellinzona，thevastmountaindistances，nowtingedwithsunsetlight，behindthisnearerlandscape，andthesouthwardwaterswithremotecoasttownsshiningdimly，watersthatmergedatlastinaluminousgoldenhaze，madeabroadpanoramicspectacle。

Itwasasifonesurveyedtheworld，——anditwaslikethegamesI

usedtosetoutuponmynurseryfloor。Iwasexaltedbyit；Ifeltlargerthanmen。Sokingsshouldfeel。

Thatsenseoflargnesscametomethen，andithascometomesince，againandagain，asplendidintimationorasplendidvanity。Once，Iremember，whenIlookedatGenoafromthemountaincrestbehindthetownandsawthatmultitudinousplaceinallitsbeautyofwidthandabundanceandclusteringhumaneffort，andonceasIwassteamingpastthebrownlowhillsofStatenIslandtowardsthetoweringvigourandclamorousvitalityofNewYorkCity，thatmoodrosetoitsquintessence。Andonceitcametome，asIshalltell，onDovercliffs。AndahundredtimeswhenIhavethoughtofEnglandasourcountrymightbe，withnowretchedpoor，nowretchedrich，anationarmedandordered，trainedandpurposefulamidstitsvalesandrivers，thatemotionofcollectiveendsandcollectivepurposeshasreturnedtome。Ifeltasgreatashumanity。ForabriefmomentIwashumanity，lookingattheworldIhadmadeandhadstilltomake……

12

Andmingledwiththesedreamsofpowerandpatrioticservicetherewasanotherseriesofadifferentqualityandadifferentcolour，liketheantagonisticcolourofashotsilk。Thewhitelifeandtheredlife，contrastedandinterchanged，passingswiftlyataturnfromonetoanother，andrefusingevertominglepeacefullyonewiththeother。Iwasaskingmyselfopenlyanddistinctly：whatareyougoingtodofortheworld？Whatareyougoingtodowithyourself？

andwithanincreasingstrengthandpersistenceNatureinspiteofmyavertedattentionwasaskingmeinpenetratingundertones：whatareyougoingtodoaboutthisotherfundamentalmatter，thebeautyofgirlsandwomenandyourdesireforthem？

Ihavetoldofmysisterlessyouthandthenarrowcircumstancesofmyupbringing。Itmadeallwomen-kindmysterioustome。IfithadnotbeenformyStaffordshirecousinsIdonotthinkIshouldhaveknownanygirlsatalluntilIwastwenty。OfStaffordshireIwilltellalittlelater。ButIcanrememberstillhowthroughallthoseripeningyears，thethoughtofwomen\'sbeauty，theirmagicpresenceintheworldbesidemeandtheunknown，untriedreactionsoftheirintercourse，grewuponmeandgrew，asastrangepresencegrowsinaroomwhenoneisoccupiedbyotherthings。Ibusiedmyselfandpretendedtobewhollyoccupied，andtherethewomanstood，fullhalfoflifeneglected，anditseemedtomyavertedmindsometimesthatshewastherecladanddignifiedanddivine，andsometimesAphroditeshiningandcommanding，andsometimesthatVenuswhostoopsandallures。

Thistravelabroadseemedtohavereleasedamultitudeofthingsinmymind；theclearair，thebeautyofthesunshine，theveryblueoftheglaciersmademefeelmybodyandquickenedallthosedisregardeddreams。Isawthesheathedbeautyofwomen\'sformsallaboutme，inthecheerfulwaitressesattheinns，inthepedestriansoneencounteredinthetracks，inthechancefellowtravellersatthehoteltables。"Confoundit！"saidI，andtalkedallthemorezealouslyofthatgreaterEnglandthatwascallingus。

IrememberthatwepassedtwoGermans，anoldmanandatallfairgirl，fatheranddaughter，whowerewalkingdownfromSaas。Shecameswingingandshiningtowardsus，easyandstrong。Iworshippedherassheapproached。

"GutTag！"saidWillersley，removinghishat。

"Morgen！"saidtheoldman，saluting。

Istaredstockishlyatthegirl，whopassedwithanindifferentface。

Thatsticksinmymindasapictureremainsinaroom，ithaskepttherebrightandfreshasathingseenyesterday，fortwentyyears……

Iflirtedhesitatinglyonceortwicewithcomelyservinggirls，andwasalittleashamedlestWillersleyshoulddetectthekeeninterestItookinthem，andthenaswecameoverthepassfromSantaMariaMaggioretoCannobio，mysecretpreoccupationtookmebysurpriseandfloodedmeandbrokedownmypretences。

Thewomeninthatvalleyareverybeautiful——womenvaryfromvalleytovalleyintheAlpsandareplainandsquathereanddivinitiesfivemilesaway——andaswecamedownwepassedagroupoffiveorsixofthemrestingbythewayside。Theirburthenswerebesidethem，andonelikeCeresheldareapinghookinherbrownhand。Shewatchedusapproachingandsmiledfaintly，hereyesatmine。

Therewassomegreeting，andtwoofthemlaughedtogether。

Wepassed。

"Gloriousgirlstheywere，"saidWillersley，andsuddenlyanimmensesenseofboredomenvelopedme。Isawmyselfstridingondownthatwindingroad，talkingofpoliticsandpartiesandbillsofparliamentandallsortsofdessicatedthings。Thatroadseemedtometowindonforeverdowntodustandinfinitedreariness。Iknewitforawayofdeath。Realitywasbehindus。

Willersleysethimselftodrawasociologicalmoral。"I\'mnotsosure，"hesaidinavoiceofintensediscriminations，"afterall，thatagriculturalworkisn\'tgoodforwomen。"

"Damnagriculturalwork！"Isaid，andbrokeoutintoavigorouscursingofallIhelddear。"Fetteredthingsweare！"Icried。"I

wonderwhyIstandit！"

"Standwhat？"

"Whydon\'tIgobackandmakelovetothosegirlsandlettheworldandyouandeverythinggohang？Deepbreastsandroundedlimbs——andwepooremasculateddevilsgotrampingbywiththebloodofyouthinus！……"

"I\'mnotquitesure，Remington，"saidWillersley，lookingatmewithadeliberatelyquaintexpressionoverhisglasses，"thatpicturesquesceneryisaltogethergoodforyourmorals。"

ThatfeverwasstillinmybloodwhenwecametoLocarno。

13

AlongthehotanddustylowerroadbetweentheOrridoofTraffiumeandCannobioWillersleyhaddevelopedhisfirstblister。Andpartlybecauseofthatandpartlybecausetherewasabagatthestationthatgaveustherefreshmentofcleanlinenandpartlybecauseofthelazylowerairintowhichwehadcome，wedecideduponthreeorfourdays\'sojournintheEmpressHotel。

Wedinedthatnightatatable-d\'hote，andIfoundmyselfnexttoanEnglishwomanwhobeganaconversationthatwasresumedpresentlyinthehotellounge。Shewasawomanofperhapsthirty-threeorthirty-four，slenderlybuilt，withawarmreddishskinandveryabundantfairgoldenhair，thewifeofapetulant-lookingheavy-

facedmanofperhapsfifty-three，whosmokedacigaranddozedoverhiscoffeeandpresentlywenttobed。"Healwaysgoestobedlikethat，"sheconfidedstartlingly。"Hesleepsafterallhismeals。I

neverknewsuchamantosleep。"

Thenshereturnedtoourtalk，whateveritwas。

Wehadbegunatthedinnertablewithitinerariesandtheusualtopographicaltalk，andshehadenviedourpedestriantravel。"Myhusbanddoesn\'twalk，"shesaid。"Hisheartisweakandhecannotmanagethehills。"

Therewassomethingfriendlyandadventurousinhermanner；sheconveyedshelikedme，andwhenpresentlyWillersleydriftedofftowritelettersourtalksankatoncetoeasyconfidentialundertones。

Ifeltenterprising，andindeeditiseasytobedaringwithpeopleonehasneverseenbeforeandmayneverseeagain。IsaidIlovedbeautifulsceneryandallbeautifulthings，andthepointingnoteinmyvoicemadeherlaugh。ShetoldmeIhadboldeyes，andsofarasIcanrememberIsaidshemadethembold。"Bluetheyare，"sheremarked，smilingarchly。"Ilikeblueeyes。"ThenIthinkwecomparedages，andshesaidshewastheWomanofThirty，"GeorgeMoore\'sWomanofThirty。"

IhadnotreadGeorgeMooreatthetime，butIpretendedtounderstand。

That，Ithink，wasourlimitthatevening。Shewenttobed，smilinggood-nightquiteprettilydownthebigstaircase，andIandWillersleywentouttosmokeinthegarden。Myheadwasfullofher，andIfounditnecessarytotalkabouther。SoImadeheraprobleminsociology。"Whothedeucearethesepeople？"Isaid，andhowdotheygetaliving？Theyseemtohaveplentyofmoney。Hestrikesmeasbeing——Willersley，whatisadrysalter？Ithinkhe\'saretireddrysalter。"

WillersleytheorisedwhileIthoughtofthewomanandthatprovocativequalityofdashshehaddisplayed。ThenextdayatlunchsheandImetlikeoldfriends。Ahugemassofprivatethinkingduringtheintervalhadbeenaddedtooureffectupononeanother。Wetalkedforatimeofinsignificantthings。

"Whatdoyoudo，"sheaskedratherquickly，"afterlunch？Takeasiesta？"

"Sometimes，"Isaid，andhungforamomenteyetoeye。

Wehadn\'tadoubtofeachother，butmyheartwasbeatinglikeasteamerpropellerwhenitliftsoutofthewater。

"Doyougetaviewfromyourroom？"sheaskedafterapause。

"It\'sonthethirdfloor，Numberseventeen，nearthestaircase。Myfriend\'snextdoor。"

Shebegantotalkofbooks。ShewasinterestedinChristianScience，shesaid，andspokeofabook。Iforgetaltogetherwhatthatbookwascalled，thoughIremembertothisdaywiththeutmostexactnessthepurplishmagentaofitscover。Shesaidshewouldlendittomeandhesitated。

Wlllersleywantedtogoforanexpeditionacrossthelakethatafternoon，butIrefused。HemadesomeotherproposalsthatI

rejectedabruptly。"Ishallwriteinmyroom，"Isaid。

"Whynotwritedownhere？"

"Ishallwriteinmyroom，"Isnarledlikeathwartedanimal，andhelookedatmecuriously。"Verywell，"hesaid；"thenI\'llmakesomenotesandthinkaboutthatorderofoursoutunderthemagnolias。"

Ihoveredabouttheloungeforatimebuyingpostcardsandfeverishlyrestless，watchingthemovementsoftheotherpeople。

FinallyIwentuptomyroomandsatdownbythewindows，staringout。Therecamealittletapattheunlockeddoorandinaninstant，likethegoofatautbowstring，Iwasupandhaditopen。

"Hereisthatbook，"shesaid，andwehesitated。

"COMEIN！"Iwhispered，tremblingfromheadtofoot。

"You\'rejustaboy，"shesaidinalowtone。

Ididnotfeelabitlikealover，Ifeltlikeaburglarwiththesafe-doornearlyopened。"Comein，"Isaidalmostimpatiently，foranyonemightbeinthepassage，andIgrippedherwristanddrewhertowardsme。

"Whatdoyoumean？"sheansweredwithafaintsmileonherlips，andawkwardandyielding。

Ishutthedoorbehindher，stillholdingherwithonehand，thenturneduponher——shewaslaughingnervously——andwithoutaworddrewhertomeandkissedher。AndIrememberthatasIkissedhershemadealittlenoisealmostlikethepurringmiaowwithwhichacatwillgreetoneandherface，closetomine，becamesolemnandtender。

Shewassuddenlyadifferentbeingfromthediscontentedwifewhohadtappedamomentsinceonmydoor，awomantransfigured……

ThateveningIcamedowntodinneramonsterofpride，forbehold！I

wasaman。Ifeltmyselfthemostwonderfulandunprecedentedofadventurers。Itwashardtobelievethatanyoneintheworldbeforehaddoneasmuch。MymistressandImetsmiling，wecarriedthingsoffadmirably，anditseemedtomethatWillersleywasthedullestolddogintheworld。Iwantedtogivehimadvice。I

wantedtogivehimderisivepokes。AfterdinnerandcoffeeintheloungeIwastooexcitedandhilarioustogotobed，Imadehimcomewithmedowntothecafeunderthearchesbythepier，andtheredrankbeerandtalkedextravagantnonsenseabouteverythingunderthesun，inordernottotalkaboutthehappeningsoftheafternoon。

Allthetimesomethingshoutedwithinme："Iamaman！Iamaman！"……

"Whatshallwedoto-morrow？"saidhe。

"I\'mforloafing，"Isaid。"Let\'srowinthemorningandspendto-

morrowafternoonjustaswedidto-day。"

"Theysaythechurchbehindthetownisworthseeing。"

"We\'llgoupaboutsunset；that\'sthebesttimeforit。Wecanstartaboutfive。"

Weheardmusic，andwentfurtheralongthearcadetodiscoveraplacewheregirlsinoperaticSwisspeasantcostumeweresinginganddancingonacreaking，protestinglittlestage。Ieyedtheirgenerousdisplayofpinkneckandarmwiththeseasonedeyeofamanwhohaslivedintheworld。Lifewasperfectlysimpleandeasy，I

felt，ifonetookittherightway。

NextdayWillersleywantedtogoon，butIdelayed。AltogetherI

kepthimbackfourdays。Thenabruptlymymoodchanged，andwedecidedtostartearlythefollowingmorning。Iremember，thoughalittleindistinctly，thefeelingofmylasttalkwiththatwomanwhosesurname，oddasitmayseem，eitherIneverlearntorIhaveforgotten。(HerchristiannamewasMilly。)Shewastiredandratherlow-spirited，anddisposedtobesentimental，andforthefirsttimeinourintercourseIfoundmyselflikingherforthesakeofherownpersonality。Therewassomethingkindlyandgenerousappearingbehindtheveilofnaiveanduncontrolledsensualityshehadworn。Therewasacuriousqualityofmotherlinessinherattitudetomethatsomethinginmynatureansweredandapproved。

Shedidn\'tpretendtokeepitupthatshehadyieldedtomyinitiative。"I\'vedoneyounoharm，"shesaidalittledoubtfully，anoddnoteforaman\'svictim！And，"we\'vehadagoodtime。Youhavelikedme，haven\'tyou？"

Sheinterestedmeinherlonelydissatisfiedlife；shewaschildlessandhadnohopeofchildren，andherhusbandwastheonlysonofarichmeatsalesman，verymean，amightysmoker——"hereeksofit，"

shesaid，"always"——andinterestedinnothingbutgolf，billiards(whichheplayedverybadly)，pigeonshooting，convivialFreeMasonryandStockExchangepunting。MostlytheydriftedabouttheRiviera。Hermotherhadcontrivedhermarriagewhenshewaseighteen。TheywerethefirstsamplesIeverencounteredofthegreatmultitudeoffunctionlesspropertyownerswhichencumbersmoderncivilisation——butatthetimeIdidn\'tthinkmuchofthataspectofthem……

Itellallthisbusinessasithappenedwithoutcomment，becauseI

havenocommenttomake。Itwasallstrangetome，strangeratherthanwonderful，and，itmaybe，somedreamofbeautydiedforeverinthosefurtivemeetings；ithappenedtome，andIcouldscarcelyhavebeenmoreirresponsibleinthematterorcontrolledeventslessifIhadbeensuddenlypushedoveracliffintowater。Iswam，ofcourse——findingmyselfinit。Thingstestedme，andIreacted，asI

havetold。Thebloomofmyinnocence，ifevertherehadbeensuchathing，wasgone。Andhereistheremarkablethingaboutit；atthetimeandforsomedaysIwasover-weeninglyproud；Ihaveneverbeensoproudbeforeorsince；IfeltIhadbeenpromotedtovirility；I

wasunabletoconcealmyexultationfromWillersley。Itwasamoodofshiningshamelessungraciousself-approval。AsheandIwentalonginthecoolmorningsunshinebythericefieldsinthethroatoftheValMaggiaasilencefellbetweenus。

"Youknow？"Isaidabruptly，——"aboutthatwoman？"

Willersleydidnotanswerforamoment。Helookedatmeoverthecornerofhisspectacles。

"Thingswentprettyfar？"heasked。

"Oh！alltheway！"andIhadatwingeoffatuousprideinmyunpremeditatedachievement。

"Shecametoyourroom？"

Inodded。

"Iheardher。Iheardherwhispering……Thewhisperingandrustlingandsoon。Iwasinmyroomyesterday……Anyonemighthaveheardyou。"

Iwentonwithmyheadintheair。

"Youmighthavebeencaught，andthatwouldhavemeantendlesstrouble。Youmighthaveincurredallsortsofconsequences。Whatdidyouknowabouther？……Wehavewastedfourdaysinthathotcloseplace。WhenwefoundthatLeagueofSocialServiceweweretalkingabout，"hesaidwithadeterminedeyeuponme，"chastitywillbefirstamongthevirtuesprescribed。"

"Ishallformarivalleague，"Isaidalittledamped。"I\'mhangedifIgiveupasingledesireinmeuntilIknowwhy。"

Heliftedhischinandstaredbeforehimthroughhisglassesatnothing。"Therearesomethings，"hesaid，"thatamanwhomeanstowork——todogreatpublicservices——MUSTturnhisbackupon。I\'mnotdiscussingtherightsorwrongsofthissortofthing。Ithappenstobetheconditionsweworkunder。Itwillprobablyalwaysbeso。

Ifyouwanttoexperimentinthatway，ifyouwanteventodiscussit，——outyougofrompoliticallife。Youmustknowthat\'sso……

You\'reastrangeman，Remington，withakindofkinkinyou。You\'veasortofforce。Youmighthappentodoimmensethings……

Only——"

Hestopped。Hehadsaidallthathehadforcedhimselftosay。

"ImeantotakemyselfasIam，"Isaid。"I\'mgoingtogetexperienceforhumanityoutofallmytalents——andburynothing。"

Willersleytwistedhisfacetoitshumorousexpression。"Idoubtifsexualproclivities，"hesaiddrily，comewithinthescopeoftheparable。"

Iletthatgoforalittlewhile。ThenIbrokeout。"Sex！"saidI，"isafundamentalthinginlife。WewentthroughallthisatTrinity。I\'mgoingtolookatit，experienceit，thinkaboutit——

andgetitsquarewiththerestoflife。CareerandPoliticsmusttaketheirchancesofthat。It\'spartofthegeneralEnglishslacknessthattheywon\'tlookthisintheface。Gods！whatamuffledtimewe\'recomingoutof！Sexmeansbreeding，andbreedingisanecessaryfunctioninanation。TheRomansbrokeupuponthat。

TheAmericansfadeoutamidsttheirsuccesses。Eugenics——"

"THATwasn\'tEugenics，"saidWillersley。

"Itwasawoman，"Isaidafteralittleinterval，feelingoddlythatIhadfailedaltogethertoanswerhim，andyethadastrongdumbcaseagainsthim。

BOOKTHESECOND

MARGARET

CHAPTERTHEFIRST

MARGARETINSTAFFORDSHIRE

1

Imustgobackalittlewaywithmystory。InthepreviousbookI

havedescribedthekindofeducationthathappenstoamanofmyclassnowadays，andithasbeenconvenienttoleapaphaseinmyexperiencethatImustnowsetoutatlength。IwanttotellinthissecondhookhowIcametomarry，andtodothatImustgivesomethingoftheatmosphereinwhichIfirstmetmywifeandsomeintimationsoftheforcesthatwenttohermaking。ImetherinStaffordshirewhileIwasstayingwiththatuncleofwhomIhavealreadyspoken，theunclewhosoldmyfather\'shousesandsettledmymotherinPenge。MargaretwastwentythenandIwastwenty-two。

ItwasjustbeforethewalkingtourinSwitzerlandthatopenedupsomuchoftheworldtome。Isawheronce，foranafternoon，andcircumstancessothrewherupinreliefthatIformedaveryvividmemoryofher。Shewasinthesharpestcontrastwiththeindustrialworldabouther；sheimpressedmeasadaintyblueflowermightdo，comeuponsuddenlyonaclinkerheap。Sheremainedinmymindatonceaperplexinginterrogationandasymbol……

ButfirstImusttellofmyStaffordshirecousinsandtheworldthatservedasafoilforher。

2

IfirstwenttostaywithmycousinswhenIwasanawkwardyouthofsixteen，wearingdeepmourningformymother。Myunclewantedtotalkthingsoverwithme，hesaid，andifhecould，topersuademetogointobusinessinsteadofgoinguptoCambridge。

Irememberthatvisitonaccountofallsortsofnovelthings，butchiefly，Ithink，becauseitwasthefirsttimeIencounteredanythingthatdeservestobespokenofaswealth。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIhadtodowithpeoplewhoseemedtohaveendlesssuppliesofmoney，unlimitedgoodclothes，numerousservants；whosedailylifewasmadeupofthingsthatIhadhithertoconsideredtobetreatsorexceptionalextravagances。Mycousinsofeighteenandnineteentookcabs，forinstance，withtheutmostfreedom，andtravelledfirst-classinthelocaltrainsthatrunupanddownthedistrictoftheFiveTownswithanentireunconsciousnessofthemagnificence，asitseemedtome，ofsuchaproceeding。

ThefamilyoccupiedalargevillainNewcastle，withbiglawnsbeforeitandbehind，ashrubberywithquitealotofshrubs，acoachhouseandstable，andsubordinatedwelling-placesforthegardenerandthecoachman。Everybedroomcontainedagasheaterandacanopiedbrassbedstead，andhadalittlebathroomattachedequippedwiththeporcelainbathsandfittingsmyunclemanufactured，brightandsanitaryandstampedwithhisname，andthehousewasfurnishedthroughoutwithchairsandtablesinbrightshiningwood，softandprevalentlyredTurkishcarpets，cosycorners，curtainedarchways，gold-framedlandscapes，overmantels，adining-roomsideboardlikeapalacewithalargeTantalus，andelectriclightfittingsofagayandexpensivequality。Therewasafinebilliard-roomonthegroundfloorwiththreecomfortablesofasandarotatingbookcasecontaininganexcellentcollectionoftheEnglishandAmericanhumoristsfromTHREEMENINABOATtothepenultimateMarkTwain。Therewasalsoaconservatoryopeningoutofthedining-room，towhichthegardenerbroughtpottedflowersintheirseason……

Myauntwasalittlewomanwithascaredlookandacapthatwouldgetoveroneeye，notverylikemymother，andnearlyeightyearsherjunior；shewasverymuchconcernedwithkeepingeverythingnice，andunmercifullybulliedbymytwocousins，whotookaftertheirfatherandfollowedtheimaginationsoftheirownhearts。

Theyweretall，dark，warmlyflushedgirlshandsomeratherthanpretty。Gertrude，theeldestandtallest，hadeyesthatwerealmostblack；Sibylwasofastouterbuild，andhereyes，ofwhichshewasshamelesslyproud，weredarkblue。Sibyl\'shairwaved，andGertrude\'swasseverelystraight。Theytreatedmeonmyfirstvisitwithallthecontemptoftheadolescentgirlforaboyalittleyoungerandinfinitelylessexpertinthebusinessoflifethanherself。Theywereverybusywiththewritingsofnotesandcertainmysteriousgoingsandcomingsoftheirown，andleftmeverymuchtomyowndevices。Theirspeechinmypresencewasfullofunfathomableallusions。Theywerethesortofgirlswhowilltalkoverandthroughanuninitiatedstrangerwiththepleasantestsenseofsuperiority。

Imetthematbreakfastandatlunchandatthehalf-pastsixo\'clockhighteathatformedthethirdchiefmealoftheday。I

heardthemrattlingoffthecompositionsofChaminadeandMoskowski，withgreatdecisionandeffect，andhoveredontheedgeoftennisfoursomeswhereitwasmanifesttothedullestintelligencethatmypresencewasunnecessary。ThenIwentofftofindsomereadablebookintheplace，butapartfrommiscellaneouspopularnovels，someveterinaryworks，anumberofcomicbooks，oldboundvolumesofTHE

ILLUSTRATEDLONDONNEWSandalarge，popularillustratedHistoryofEngland，therewasverylittletobefound。Myanuttalkedtomeinacasualfeebleway，chieflyaboutmymotber\'slastillness。Thetwobadseenverylittleofeachotherformanyyears；shemadenosecretofitthattheineligiblequalitiesofmyfatherwerethecauseoftheestrangement。TheonlyothersocietyinthehouseduringthedaywasanoldandratherdecayedSkyeterrierinconstantconflictwithwhatwerenodoubtimaginaryfleas。Itookmyselfoffforaseriesofwalks，andacquiredaconsiderableknowledgeofthesceneryandtopographyofthePotteries。

ItpuzzledmyauntthatIdidnotgowestward，whereitwascountry-

sideandoftenquitepretty，withhedgerowsandfieldsandcopsesandflowers。ButalwaysIwenteastward，whereinalongvalleyindustrialismsmokesandsprawls。ThatwasthestufftowhichI

turnedbynature，tothehumaneffort，andtheaccumulationandjarofmen\'sactivities。Andinsuchacountryasthatvalleysocialandeconomicrelationsweresimpleandmanifest。InsteadofthelimitlessconfusionofLondon\'spopulation，inwhichnomancantraceanybutthemostslendercorrelationbetweenrichandpoor，inwhicheveryoneseemsdisconnectedandadriftfromeveryone，youcanseeheretheworks，thepotbankortheironworksorwhatnot，andherecloseathandthecongested，meanly-housedworkers，andatalittledistanceasmallmiddle-classquarter，andagainremoter，thebighouseoftheemployer。Itwaslikeaverysimplifieddiagram——

aftertheuntraceableconfusionofLondon。

Iprowledalone，curiousandinterested，throughshabbybackstreetsofmeanlittlehomes；Ifollowedcanals，sometimescanalsofmysteriouslyheatedwaterswithghostlywispsofsteamrisingagainstblackenedwallsoradistantprospectofdustbin-fedvegetablegardens，Isawthewomenpouringoutfromthepotbanks，heardthehooterssummoningthetoilerstowork，lostmywayuponslagheapsasbigasthehillsofthesouthcountry，dodgedtrainsatmanifestlydangerouslevelcrossings，andsurveyedacrossdarkinterveningspaces，theflaminguproar，thegnome-likeactivitiesofironfoundries。Iheardtalkofstrikesandrumoursofstrikes，andlearntfromthecolumnsofsomeobscurelabourpaperIboughtoneday，ofthehorrorsoftheleadpoisoningthatwasinthosedaysoneofthenormalrisksofcertainsortsofpotteryworkers。ThenbackIcame，bytheuglygroaningandclangingsteamtramofthatperiod，tomyuncle\'shouseandlavishabundanceofmoneyandmoreorlessfurtiveflirtationsandthetinkleofMoskowskiandChaminade。Itwas，Isay，diagrammatic。Onesawtheexpropriatorandtheexpropriated——asifMarxhadarrangedthepicture。ItwasasjumbledandfarmoredingyanddisastrousthananyoftheconfusionsofbuildinganddevelopmentthathadsurroundedmyyouthatBromsteadandPenge，butithadanovelqualityofbeingexplicable。

Ifoundgreatvirtueintheword"exploitation。"

Therestuckinmymindasifitwassymbolicalofthewholethingthetwistedfigureofaman，whosefacehadbeenhorriblyscalded——I

can\'tdescribehow，exceptthatoneeyewasjustexpressionlesswhite——andhegroundatanorganbearingacardwhichtoldinweakandbitterlysatiricalphrasingthathehadbeenscaldedbythehotwaterfromthetuyeresoftheblastfurnaceofLordPandram\'sworks。

Hehadbeenscaldedandquiteinadequatelycompensatedanddismissed。AndLordPandramwasworthhalfamillion。

Thatupturnedsightlesswhiteeyeofhistookpossessionofmyimagination。Idon\'tthinkthateventhenIwasswayedbyanycrudemelodramaticconceptionofinjustice。Iwasquitepreparedtobelievethecardwasn\'tapunctiliouslyaccuratestatementoffact，andthatacasecouldbemadeoutforLordPandram。Stillthereinthemuddygutter，painfullyanddreadfully，wastheman，andhewassmashedandscaldedandwretched，andhegroundhisdismalhurdygurdywithawearyarm，callinguponHeavenandthepasser-byforhelp，forhelpandsomesortofrighting——onecouldnotimaginequitewhat。Therehewasasafact，asaby-productofthesystemthatheapedmycousinswithtrinketsandprovidedthecomicnovelsandtheabundantcigarsandspaciousbilliard-roomofmyuncle\'shouse。Icouldn\'tdisconnecthimandthem。

Myuncleonhispartdidnothingtoconcealthestateofwarthatexistedbetweenhimselfandhisworkers，andthemingledcontemptandanimosityhefeltfromthem。

3

Prosperityhadovertakenmyuncle。Soquitenaturallyhebelievedthateverymanwhowasnotasprosperousashewashadonlyhimselftoblame。Hewasrichandhehadleftschoolandgoneintohisfather\'sbusinessatfifteen，andthatseemedtohimtheproperageatwhicheveryone\'seducationshouldterminate。HewasveryanxioustodissuademefromgoinguptoCambridge，andwearguedintermittentlythroughallmyvisit。

Ihadrememberedhimasabigandbuoyantman，stridingdestructivelyaboutthenurseryfloorofmychildhood，andsalutingmyexistencebyslaps，loudlaughter，andquestionsabouthalfherringsandhalfeggssubtlyframedtopuzzleandconfusemymind。

Ididn\'tseehimforsomeyearsuntilmyfather\'sdeath，andthenheseemedrathersmaller，thoughstillafairsize，yellowinsteadofredandmuchlessradiantlyaggressive。Thisalteredeffectwasduenotsomuchtomyownchangedperspectives，Ifancy，astothefactsthathewassufferingforcontinuouscigarsmoking，andbeingtakeninhandbyhisadolescentdaughterswhohadjustreturnedfromschool。

Duringmyfirstvisittherewasaperpetualseriesof——theonlywordisrows，betweenthemandhim。Uptotheageoffifteenorthereabouts，hehadmaintamedhisascendancyoverthembysimpleold-fashionedphysicalchastisement。Thenafteraninterludeofayearithaddawneduponthemthatpowerhadmysteriouslydepartedfromhim。Hehadtriedstoppingtheirpocketmoney，buttheyfoundtheirmotherfinanciallyamenable；besideswhichitwasfundamentaltomyuncle\'sattitudethatheshouldgivethemmoneyfreely。Nottodosowouldseemlikeadmittingadifficultyinmakingit。SothatafterhehadstoppedtheirallowancesforthefourthtimeSybilandGertrudewerepreparedtofacebeggarywithoutaqualm。Ithadbeenhispridetogivethemthelargestallowanceofanygirlsattheschool，notevenexceptingthegranddaughterofFladdentheBoraxKing，andhissoulrecoiledfromthisdisciplineasithadneverrecoiledfromtherudermethodoftheearlierphase。Bothgirlshaddevelopedtoahighpitchintheirmutualrecriminationsagiftfordamagingretort，andhefounditanaltogetherdeadlierthingthanthepoweroftheraisedvoicethathadalwayscowedmyaunt。Wheneverhebecameheatedwiththem，theyfrownedasifinvoluntarily，drewintheirbreathsharply，said："Daddy，youreallymustnotsay——"andcorrectedhispronunciation。Then，atagreatadvantage，theyresumedthediscussion……

Myuncle\'sviewsaboutCambridge，however，wereperfectlyclearanddefinite。Itwaswasteoftimeandmoney。Itwasalldamnedfoolery。Didtheymakeamanabetterbusinessman？Notabitofit。Hegaveinstances。Itspoiltamanforbusinessbygivinghim"falseideas。"Somemensaidthatatcollegeamanformedusefulfriendships。Whatusewerefriendshipstoabusinessman？Hemightgettoknowlords，but，asmyunclepointedout，alord\'srequirementsinhislineoffaiencewerelittlegreaterthanacommonman\'s。Ifcollegeintroducedhimtohotelproprietorstheremightbesomethinginit。PerhapsithelpedamanintoParliament，Parliamentstillbeingaconfusedretrogressivecornerintheworldwherelawyersandsuchlikeshelteredthemselvesfromtheonslaughtsofcommon-sensebehindafogofLatinandGreekandtwaddleandtosh；butIwasn\'tthesorttogointoParliament，unlessImeanttobealawyer。DidImeantobealawyer？Itcostnoendofmoney，andwasfullofuncertainties，andtherewerenojudgesnorgreatsolicitorsamongmyrelations。"Youngchapsthinktheygetonbythemselves，"saidmyuncle。Itisn\'tso。Notunlesstheytaketheircoatsoff。ItookmineoffbeforeIwasyouragebynighayear。"

Wewereatcrosspurposesfromtheoutset，becauseIdidnotthinkmenlivedtomakemoney；andIwasobtusetothehintshewasthrowingoutatthepossibilitiesofhisownpotbank，notwillfullyobtuse，butjustfailingtopenetratehismeaning。WhateverCityMerchantshadorhadnotdoneforme，Flack，TophamandoldGateshadcertainlybarredmymistakingtheprofitableproductionandsaleoflavatorybasinsandbathroomfittingsforthehighestgood。Itwasonlyuponreflectionthatitdawneduponmethatthesplendidchanceforayoungfellowwithmyuncle，"me，havingnosonofmyown，"wasanythingbutanillustrationforcomparisonwithmyownchosencareer。

Istillrememberverydistinctlymyuncle\'stalk，——helovedtospeak"reetStaffordshire"——hisratherflabbyfacewiththemottledcomplexionthattoldofcrudeill-regulatedappetites，hisclumsygestures——hekeptemphasisinghispointsbyproddingatmewithhisfinger——theill-worn，costly，greytweedclothes，thewatchchainofplainsolidgold，andsoftfelthatthrustbackfromhishead。Hetackledmefirstinthegardenafterlunch，andthentriedtoraisemetoenthusiasmbytakingmetohispotbankandshowingmeitsorganisation，fromthedustygrindingmillsinwhichwhitenedmenworkedandcoughed，throughthehighlyventilatedglazingroominwhichstrangelymaskedgirlslookedashamedofthemselves，——"They\'llriskdeath，thefools，toshowtheirfacestoaman，"saidmyuncle，quiteaudibly——tothefiringkilnsandtheglazingkilns，andsoroundthewholeplacetotherailwaysidingandthegratifyingspectacleofthreetrucksladenwithexecutedorders。

Thenwewentupacreakingoutsidestaircasetohislittleoffice，andheshowedoffbeforemeforawhile，withoneortwosubordinatesandthetelephone。

"NoneofyourGas，"hesaid，"allthis。It\'sRealeverybitofit。

Hardcashandhardglaze。"

"Yes，"Isaid，withmemoriesofacarelesslyreadpamphletinmymind，andwithoutanysatiricalintention，"IsupposeyouMUSTuseleadinyourglazes？"

WhereuponIfoundIhadtappedtherulinggrievanceofmyuncle\'slife。Hehatedleadlessglazesmorethanhehatedanything，exceptthebenevolentpeoplewhohadorganisedtheagitationfortheiruse。

"Leadlessglazesain\'tonlyfitforbuns，"hesaid。"Letmetellyou，myboy——"

Hebeganinavoiceofblandpersuasivenessthatpresentlywarmedtoanger，toexplainthewholematter。Ihadn\'ttherightsofthematteratall。Firstly，therewaspracticallynosuchthingasleadpoisoning。Secondly，noteveryonewasliabletoleadpoisoning，anditwouldbequiteeasytopickoutthesusceptibletypes——assoonastheyhadit——andputthemtootherwork。Thirdly，theevileffectsofleadpoisoningweremuchexaggerated。Fourthly，andthiswasinaparticularlyconfidentialundertone，manyofthepeoplelikedtogetleadpoisoning，especiallythewomen，becauseitcausedabortion。Imightnotbelieveit，butheknewitforafact。

Fifthly，thework-peoplesimplywouldnotlearnthegravityofthedanger，andwouldeatwithunwashedhands，andincurallsortsofrisks，sothatasmyuncleputit："thefoolsdeservewhattheyget。"Sixthly，heandseveralassociatedfirmshadorganisedasimpleandgenerousinsuranceschemeagainstlead-poisoningrisks。

Seventhly，heneverweariedinrational(asdistinguishedfromexcessive，futileandexpensive)precautionsagainstthedisease。

Eighthly，intheill-equippedshopsofhisminorcompetitorsleadpoisoningwasafrequentandvirulentevil，andpeoplehadgeneralisedfromtheseexceptionalcases。Thesmallshops，hehazarded，lookingoutofthecrackedanddirtywindowatdistantchimneys，mightbeadvantageouslyclosed……

"Butwhat\'sthegoodoftalking？"saidmyuncle，gettingoffthetableonwhichhehadbeensitting。"Seemstomethere\'llcomeatimewhenamasterwillgetfinedifhedon\'trunroundtheworksblowinghisgirlsnosesforthem。That\'saboutwhatit\'llcometo。"

Hewalkedtotheblackmantelpieceandstoodonthethreadbarerug，andurgedmenottobemisledbythestoriesofprejudicedandinterestedenemiesofournationalindustries。

"They\'llgetastrikeoneofthesedays，ofemployers，andthenwe\'llseeabit，"hesaid。"They\'lldriveCapitalabroadandthenthey\'llwhistletogetitbackagain。"……

Heledthewaydowntheshakywoodenstepsandcheereduptotellmeofhiswayofcheckinghiscoalconsumption。Heexchangedaferociousgreetingwithoneortwoworkpeople，andsowecameoutofthefactorygatesintotheuglynarrowstreets，pavedwithapeculiarlyharddiaperedbrickofanunpleasinginky-bluecolour，andborderedwiththemeanandsqualidhomesofhisworkers。Doorsstoodopenandshowedgrimyinteriors，anddirtyill-cladchildrenplayedinthekennel。

Wepassedasickly-lookinggirlwithasallowface，whodraggedherlimbsandpeeredatusdimlywithpainfuleyes。Shestoodback，aspartlyblindedpeoplewilldo，toallowustopass，althoughtherewasplentyofroomforus。

Iglancedbackather。