第5章

"THAT\'Sploombism"saidmyunclecasually。

"What？"saidI。

"Ploombism。AndtheotherdayIsawafoolofagirl，andwhatd\'youthink？She\'dgotabasinthathadn\'tbeenfired，acrackedpieceofbiscuititwas，upontheshelfoverherhead，justalloverglaze，killingglaze，man，andshewasputtingupherhandifyouplease，andeatingherdinneroutofit。Gotherdinnerinit！

"Eatingherdinneroutofit，"herepeatedinloudandbittertones，andpunchedmehardintheribs。

"AndthentheycomestoTHAT——andgrumbles。AndthefoolsupinWestminsterwantyoutoputinfanshereandfansthere——theLongtonfoolshave……Andtheneatingtheirdinnersoutofitallthetime！"……

Athighteathatnight——myunclewasstillholdingoutagainsteveningdinner——SibylandGertrudemadewhatwasevidentlyaconcerteddemandforamotorcar。

"You\'vegotyourmother\'sbrougham，"hesaid，that\'sgoodenoughforyou。"ButheseemedshakenbythefactthatsomeBurslemrivalwaslaunchingoutwiththenewinvention。"Hespoilshisgirls，"heremarked。"He\'safool，"andbecamethoughtful。

Afterwardsheaskedmetocometohimintohisstudy；itwasaroomwithawriting-deskandfullofpiecesofearthenwareandsuchlikelitter，andwehadourgreatrowaboutCambridge。

"Haveyouthoughtthingsover，Dick？"hesaid。

"IthinkI\'llgotoTrinity，Uncle，"Isaidfirmly。"IwanttogotoTrinity。Itisagreatcollege。"

Hewasmanifestlychagrined。"You\'reafool，"hesaid。

Imadenoanswer。

"You\'readamnedfool，"hesaid。"ButIsupposeyou\'vegottodoit。Youcouldhavecomehere——Thatdon\'tmatter，though，now……

You\'llhaveyourtimeandspendyourmoney，andbeapoorhalf-

starvedclergyman，muckingaboutwiththewomenallthedayandafraidtohaveoneofyourownever，oryou\'llbeaschoolmasterorsomesuchfoolfortherestofyourlife。Orsomenewspaperchap。

That\'swhatyou\'llgetfromCambridge。I\'mhalfamindnottoletyou。Eh？Morethanhalfamind……"

"You\'vegottodothethingyoucan，"hesaid，afterapause，"andlikelyit\'swhatyou\'refittedfor。"

4

IpaidseveralshortvisitstoStaffordshireduringmyCambridgedays，andalwaystheserelationsofmineproducedthesameeffectofhardness。Myuncle\'sthoughtshadneitheratmospherenormystery。

Helivedinadifferentuniversefromthedreamsofscientificconstructionthatfilledmymind。HecouldaseasilyhaveunderstoodChinesepoetry。Hismotivesweremadeupofintenserivalrieswithothermenofhisclassandkind，afewvindictivehatesspringingfromrealandfanciedslights，ahabitofacquisitionthathadbecomeasecondnature，akeenlovebothofefficiencyanddisplayinhisownaffairs。Heseemedtometohavenosenseofthestate，nosenseandmuchlessanyloveofbeauty，nocharityandnosortofreligiousfeelingwhatever。Hehadstrongbodilyappetites，heateanddrankfreely，smokedagreatdeal，andoccasionallywascarriedoffbyhispassionsfora"bitofaspree"

toBirminghamorLiverpoolorManchester。Theindulgencesoftheseoccasionswereusuallyfollowedbyaperiodofreaction，whenhewasurgentforthesuppressionofnudityinthelocalArtGalleryandaharshandforcibleelevationofthesuperficialmoralsofthevalley。Andhespokeoftheladieswhoministeredtothedelightsofhisjolly-dogperiod，whenhespokeofthematall，bytheunprintablefeminineequivalent。Myaunthetreatedwithakindlycontemptandconsiderablefinancialgenerosity，buthisdaughterstorehisheart；hewassoproudofthem，sogladtofindthemmoneytospend，soresolvedtoownthem，soinstinctivelyjealousofeverymanwhocamenearthem。

Myunclehasbeenthecluetoagreatnumberofmenforme。Hewasanilluminatingextreme。Ihavelearntwhatnottoexpectfromthemthroughhim，andtocomprehendresentmentsanddangeroussuddenantagonismsIshouldhavefoundincomprehensibleintheirmorecomplexforms，ifIhadnotfirstseentheminhimintheirferalstate。

Withhissoftfelthatatthebackofhishead，hisratherheavy，rathermottledface，hisrationallythickbootsandslouchingtweed-

cladform，alittleround-shoulderedandveryobstinatelooking，hestrollsthroughallmyspeculationssuckinghisteethaudibly，andoccasionallythrowingoutashrewdaphorism，theintractableunavoidableoreofthenewcivilisation。

Essentiallyhewassimple。Generallyspeaking，hehatedanddespisedinequalmeasurewhateverseemedtosuggestthathepersonallywasnotthemostperfecthumanbeingconceivable。Hehatedalleducationafterfifteenbecausehehadhadnoeducationafterfifteen，hehatedallpeoplewhodidnothavehighteauntilhehimselfunderduressgaveuphightea，hehatedeverygameexceptfootball，whichhehadplayedandcouldjudge，hehatedallpeoplewhospokeforeignlanguagesbecauseheknewnolanguagebutStaffordshire，hehatedallforeignersbecausehewasEnglish，andallforeignwaysbecausetheywerenothisways。Alsohehatedparticularly，andinthisorder，Londoner\'s，Yorkshiremen，Scotch，WelchandIrish，becausetheywerenot"reetStaffordshire，"andhehatedallotherStaffordshiremenasinsufficiently"reet。"Hewantedtohaveallhisownwomeninviolate，andtofancyhehadacalluponeveryotherwomanintheworld。Hewantedtohavethebestcigarsandthebestbrandyintheworldtoconsumeorgiveawaymagnificently，andeveryoneelsetohaveinferiorones。(Hisbilliardtablewasanextralargesize，speciallymadeandveryinconvenient。)AndhehatedTradeUnionsbecausetheyinterferedwithhisautocraticdirectionofhisworks，andhisworkpeoplebecausetheywerenotobedientanduntiringmechanismstodohisbidding。Hewas，infact，averynaive，vigoroushumanbeing。Hewasaboutasmuchcivilised，aboutasmuchtamedtotheideasofcollectiveactionandmutualconsiderationasaCentralAfricannegro。

Therearehordesofsuchmenashethroughoutallthemodernindustrialworld。YouwillfindthesametypewiththeslightestmodificationsinthePasdeCalaisorRhenishPrussiaorNewJerseyorNorthItaly。NodoubtyouwouldfinditinNewJapan。Thesemenhaveraisedthemselvesupfromthegeneralmassofuntrained，uncultured，poorishpeopleinahardindustriousselfishstruggle。

Todriveotherstheyhavehadfirsttodrivethemselves。Theyhaveneveryethadoccasionnorleisuretothinkofthestateorsociallifeasawhole，andasfordreamsorbeauty，itwasaconditionofsurvivalthattheyshouldignoresuchcravings。Allthedistinctivequalitiesofmyunclecanbethoughtofasdictatedbyhisconditions；hissuccessandharshness，theextravagancesthatexpressedhisprideinmakingmoney，theuncongenialluxurythatsprangfromrivalry，andhisself-reliance，hiscontemptforbroadviews，hiscontemptforeverythingthathecouldnotunderstand。

Hisdaughtersweretheinevitablechildrenofhislife。Queergirlstheywere！Curiously"spirited"aspeoplephraseit，andcuriouslylimited。DuringmyCambridgedaysIwentdowntoStaffordshireseveraltimes。Myuncle，thoughhestillresentedmyrefusaltogointohisbusiness，wasalsoinhisoddwayproudofme。Iwashisnephewandpoorrelation，andyetthereIwas，ayounggentlemanlearningallsortsofunremunerativethingsinthegrandestmanner，"Latinandmook，"whilethesonsofhisneighhours，notnephewsmerely，butsons，stayedunpolishedintheirnativetown。EverytimeIwentdownIfoundextensivechangesandalteredrelations，andbeforeIhadsettleddowntothemoffIwentagain。Idon\'tthinkIwasonepersontothem；Iwasaseriesofvisitors。Thereisagulfofagesbetweenagauntschoolboyofsixteeninunbecomingmourningandtwovividlyself-consciousgirlsofeighteenandnineteen，butaCambridge"man"oftwoandtwentywithafirstandgoodtennisandagrowingsocialexperience，isafaircontemporaryfortwogirlsoftwenty-threeandtwenty-four。

Amotor-carappeared，Ithinkinmysecondvisit，abottle-greenaffairthatopenedbehind，haddarkpurplecushions，andwascontrolledmysteriouslybyamaninshinyblackcostumeandaflatcap。Thehighteahadbeenshiftedtosevenandrechristeneddinner，butmyunclewouldnotdressnorconsenttohavewine；andafteronepainfulexperiment，Igathered，andascene，heputhisfootdownandprohibitedanybuthigh-neckeddresses。

"Daddy\'sperfectlyimpossible，"Sybiltoldme。

Thefoothaddescendedvehemently！"Myowndaughters！"hehadsaid，"dresseduplike——"——andhadarrestedhimselfandfumbledanddecidedtosay——"actresses，andshowin\'theirfatarmsforeveryfooltostareat！"Norwouldhehaveanypeopleinvitedtodinner。

Hedidn\'t，hehadexplained，wantstrangerspokingaboutinhishousewhenhecamehometired。Sosuchcallingasoccurredwentonduringhisabsenceintheafternoon。

Oneofthepeculiaritiesofthelifeoftheseascendantfamiliesoftheindustrialclasstowhichwealthhascome，isitstremendousinsulations。TherewerenocustomsofintercourseintheFiveTowns。Alltheisolatedprosperitiesofthedistrictsprangfromeconomising，harddrivenhomes，inwhichtherewasneithertimenormeansforhospitality。Socialintercoursecentredverylargelyuponthechurchorchapel，andthechapelswerebetteratbringingpeopletogetherthantheEstablishmenttowhichmycousinsbelonged。Theirchiefoutlettothewiderworldlaythereforethroughtheacquaintancestheyhadformedatschool，andthroughtwomuchlessprosperousfamiliesofrelationswholivedatLongtonandHanley。A

numberofgossipingfriendshipswitholdschoolmateswere"keptup，"andmycousinswould"spendtheafternoon"orevenspendthedaywiththese；suchoccasionsledtootherencountersandinterlacedwiththefurtivecorrespondencesandsnatchedmeetingsthatformedtheemotionalthreadoftheirlives。Whenthebilliardtablehadbeennew，myunclehadtakentoaskinginafewapprovedfriendsforanoccasionalgame，butmostlythebilliard-roomwasforgloryandthegirls。Bothofthemplayedverywell。Theynever，sofarasIknow，dinedout，andwhenatlastafterbitterdomesticconflictstheybegantogotodances，theywentwiththequaveringconnivanceofmyaunt，andchangedintoballfrocksatfriends\'

housesontheway。Therewasatennisclubthatformedaconvenientafternoonrendezvous，andIrecallthatintheperiodofmyearliervisitstheyoungbloodsofthedistrictfoundmuchsatisfactionintakinggirlsfordrivesindog-cartsandsuchlikehigh-wheeledvehicles，adispositionthatdiedintangledtandemsattheapparitionofmotor-car\'s。

Myauntandunclehadconceivednoplansinlifefortheirdaughtersatall。Intheundifferentiatedindustrialcommunityfromwhichtheyhadsprung，girlsgotmarriedsomehow，anditdidnotoccurtothemthattheconcentrationofpropertythathadmadethemwealthy，hadcuttheirchildrenofffromthegeneralsocialseainwhichtheirownawkwardmeetinghadoccurred，withoutnecessarilyopeninganyotherworldinexchange。Myunclewastoomuchoccupiedwiththeworksandhisbusinessaffairsandhisprivatevicestophilosophiseabouthisgirls；hewantedthemjusttokeepgirls，preferablyaboutsixteen，andtobeasortofanimatedflowersandmakehomebrightandbegiventhings。Hewasirritatedthattheywouldnotremainatthis，andstillmoreirritatedthattheyfailedtosuppressaltogethertheirnaturalinterestinyoungmen。Thetandemswouldbesteeredbyweirdanddeviousroutestoevadethebarechanceofhisbloodshoteye。Myauntseemedtohavenoideaswhateveraboutwhatwaslikelytohappentoherchildren。Shehadindeednoideasaboutanything；shetookherhusbandandthedaysastheycame。

Icanseenowthepatheticdifficultyofmycousins\'positioninlife；theabsenceofanyguidanceorinstructionorprovisionfortheirdevelopment。Theysupplementedthesilencesofhomebytheconversationofschoolfellowsandthesuggestionsofpopularfiction。Theyhadtomakewhattheycouldoutoflifewithsuchhintsasthese。Thechurchwasfartoomodesttoofferthemanyadvice。Itwasobtrudeduponmyminduponmyfirstvisitthattheywerebothcarryingoncorrespondencesandhavinglittlefurtivepassingsandseeingsandmeetingswiththemysteriousownersofcertaininitials，S。andL。K。，and，ifIrememberrightly，"theR。

N。"brothersandcousins，Isuppose，oftheirfriends。Thesamethingwasgoingon，withacertainintensification，atmynextvisit，exceptingonlythattheinitialsweredifferent。ButwhenI

cameagaintheirmethodswerematurerorIwasnolongeranegligiblequantity，andthenotesandtheinitialswerenolongerflauntedquitesoopenlyinmyface。

Mycousinshadworkeditoutfromtheindicationsoftheiruniversethattheendoflifeistohavea"goodtime。"Theyusedthephrase。Thatandthedrivesindog-cartswereonlythefirstofendlesspointsofresemblancebetweenthemandthecommonersortofAmericangirl。WhensomeyearsagoIpaidmyfirstandonlyvisittoAmericaIseemedtorecovermycousins\'atmosphereassoonasI

enteredthetrainatEuston。Therewerethreegirlsinmycompartmentsuppliedwithhugedecoratedcasesofsweets，andbeingseenoffbyacompanyoffriends，noisilyarchandeageraboutthe"steamerletters"theywouldgetatLiverpool；theyweretheverysoul-sistersofmycousins。Thechiefelementsofagoodtime，asmycousinsjudgedit，asthesecountlessthousandsofrichyoungwomenjudgeit，areapettyeventfulness，laughter，andtofeelthatyouarelookingwellandattractingattention。Shoppingisoneofitsleadingjoys。Youbuythings，clothesandtrinketsforyourselfandpresentsforyourfriends。Presentsalwaysseemedtobeflyingaboutinthatcircle；flowersandboxesofsweetswerecommoncurrency。Mycousinswerealwaysgettingandgiving，myunclecaressedthemwithparcelsandcheques。TheykissedhimandheexudedsovereignsasastrokedAPHISexudeshoney。ItwaslikethenewlanguageoftheAcademyofLagadotome，andIneverlearnthowtoexpressmyselfinit，fornatureandtrainingmakemefeelencumberedtoreceivepresentsandembarrassedingivingthem。Butthen，likemyfather，Ihateanddistrustpossessions。

OfthequalityoftheirprivateimaginationIneverlearntanything；

Isupposeitfollowedthelinesofthefictiontheyreadandwasromanticandsentimental。Sofarasmarriagewent，themarriedstateseemedatonceveryattractiveanddreadfullyserioustothem，composedinequalmeasureofbecomingimportantandbecomingold。I

don\'tknowwhattheythoughtaboutchildren。Idoubtiftheythoughtaboutthematall。Itwasverysecretiftheydid。

Asforthepooranddingypeopleallaboutthem，mycousinswerealwaysreadytotakepartinaCharitableBazaar。Theywereunawareofanyeconomiccorrelationoftheirownprosperityandthatcircumambientpoverty，andtheyknewofTradeUnionssimplyasdisagreeableexternalthingsthatupsetmyuncle\'stemper。Theyknewofnothingwronginsociallifeatallexceptthattherewere"Agitators。"Itsurprisedthemalittle，Ithink，thatAgitatorswerenotmoredrasticallyputdown。Buttheyhadasortofinstinctivedreadofsocialdiscussionasofsomethingthatmightbreachthehappinessoftheirignorance……

5

MycousinsdidmorethanillustrateMarxforme；theyalsoundertookastageofmyemotionaleducation。Theirmethodinthatasineverythingelsewasextremelysimple，butittookmyinexperiencebysurprise。

ItmusthavebeenonmythirdvisitthatSybiltookmeinhand。

HithertoIseemedtohaveseenheronlyinprofile，butnowshebecamealmostcompletelyfullface，manifestlyregardedmewiththosevioleteyesofhers。ShepassedmethingsIneededatbreakfast——itwasthefirstmorningofmyvisit——beforeIaskedforthem。

Whenyoungmenarelookedatbyprettycousins，theybecomeintenselyawareofthosecousins。ItseemedtomethatIhadalwaysadmiredSybil\'seyesverygreatly，andthattherewassomethinginhertemperamentcongenialtomine。ItwasoddIhadnotnoteditonmypreviousvisits。

Wewalkedroundthegardensomewhenthatmorning，andtalkedaboutCambridge。Sheaskedquitealotofquestionsaboutmyworkandmyambitions。ShesaidshehadalwaysfeltsureIwasclever。

Theconversationlanguishedalittle，andwepickedsomeflowersforthehouse。ThensheaskedifIcouldrun。Iconcededhervariousstartsandweracedupanddownthemiddlegardenpath。Then，alittlebreathless，wewentintothenewtwenty-fiveguineasummer-

houseattheendoftheherbaceousborder。

Wesatsidebyside，pleasantlyhiddenfromthehouse，andshebecameanxiousaboutherhair，whichwasslightlyandprettilydisarranged，andaskedmetohelpherwiththeadjustmentofahairpin。Ihadneverinmylifebeensonearthesoftcurlyhairandthedaintyeyebrowandeyelidandwarmsoftcheekofagirl，andIwasstirred——

Itstirsmenowtorecallit。

Ibecameabattlegroundofimpulsesandinhibitions。

"Thankyou，"saidmycousin，andmovedalittleawayfromme。

Shebegantotalkaboutfriendship，andlostherthreadandforgotthelittleelectricstressbetweenusinarathermeanderinganalysisofherprincipalgirlfriends。

Butafterwardssheresumedherpurpose。

Iwenttobedthatnightwithonepropostionovershadowingeverythingelseinmymind，namely，thatkissingmycousinSybilwasadifficult，butnotimpossible，achievement。Idonotrecallanyshadowofadoubtwhetheronthewholeitwasworthdoing。Thethinghadcomeintomyexistence，disturbingandinterruptingitsflowexactlyasafeverdoes。Sybilhadinfectedmewithherself。

Thenextdaymatterscametoacrisisinthelittleupstairssitting-roomwhichhadbeenassignedmeasastudyduringmyvisit。

Iwasworkingupthere，orrathertryingtoworkinspiteoftheoutrageouscaperingofsomeveryprimitiveelementsinmybrain，whenshecameuptome，underatransparentpretextoflookingforabook。

Iturnedroundandthengotupatthesightofher。Iquiteforgetwhatourconversationwasabout，butIknowsheledmetobelieveI

mightkissher。ThenwhenIattemptedtodososheavertedherface。

"HowCOULDyou？"shesaid；"Ididn\'tmeanthat！"

Thatremainedthestateofourrelationsfortwodays。IdevelopedagrowingirritationwithandresentmentagainstcousinSybil，combinedwithanintensedesiretogetthatkissforwhichI

hungeredandthirsted。CousinSybilwentaboutinthehappypersuasionthatIwasmadlyinlovewithher，andhergame，sofarasshewasconcerned，wasplayedandwon。Itwasn\'tuntilIhadfrettedfortwodaysthatIrealisedthatIwasbeingusedforthecommonestformofexcitementpossibletoacommonplacegirl；thatdozensperhapsofyoungmenhadplayedthepartofTantalusatcousinSybil\'slips。Iwalkedaboutmyroomatnights，damningherandcallingherbytermswhichonthewholesheratherdeserved，whileSybilwenttosleeppitying"pooroldDick！"

"Damnit！"Isaid，"IWILLbeequalwithyou。"

ButIneverdidequalisethedisadvantage，andperhapsit\'saswell，forIfancythatsortofrevengecutsbothpeopletoomuchforarationalmantoseekit……

"Whyaremensosilly？"saidcousinSybilnextmorning，wrigglingbackwithdown-bentheadtoreleaseherselffromwhatshouldhavebeenacompellingembrace。

"Confoundit！"Isaidwithaflashofclearvision。"YouSTARTED

thisgame。"

"Oh！"

Shestoodbackagainstahedgeofroses，alittleflushedandexcitedandinterested，andreadyforthedelightfuldefensiveifI

shouldrenewmyattack。

"Beastlyhotforscuffling，"Isaid，whitewithanger。"Idon\'tknowwhetherI\'msokeenonkissingyou，Sybil，afterall。Ijustthoughtyouwantedmeto。"

Icouldhavewhippedher，andmyvoicestungmorethanmywords。

Oureyesmet；arealhatredinhersleapinguptomeetmine。

"Let\'splaytennis，"Isaid，afteramoment\'spause。

"No，"sheansweredshortly，"I\'mgoingindoors。"

"Verywell。"

AndthatendedtheaffairwithSybil。

IwasstillinthefullglareofthisdisillusionmentwhenGertrudeawokefromsomepreoccupationtoaninterestinmyexistence。Shedevelopedadispositiontotouchmyhandbyaccident，andletherfingersrestincontactwithitforamoment，——shehadpleasantsofthands；——shebegantodriftintosummerhouseswithme，toletherarmresttrustfullyagainstmine，toaskquestionsaboutCambridge。

TheyweremuchthesamequestionsthatSybilhadasked。ButI

controlledmyselfandmaintainedaprofileofintelligentandentirelycivilindifferencetoherblandishments。

WhatGertrudemadeofitcameoutoneeveninginsometalk——Iforgetaboutwhat——withSybil。

"Oh，Dick！"saidGertrudealittleimpatiently，"Dick\'sPi。"

AndIneverdisillusionedherbyanysubsequentlevityfromthistheoryofmyinnateandvirginalpiety。

6

ItwasagainstthisharshandcrudeStaffordshirebackgroundthatI

thinkImusthaveseenMargaretforthefirsttime。IsayIthinkbecauseitisquitepossiblethatwehadpassedeachotherinthestreetsofCambridge，nodoubtwiththataffectationofmutualdisregardwhichwasoncecustomarybetweenundergraduatesandNewnhamgirls。ButifthatwassoIhadnotednothingoftheslendergraciousnessthatshoneoutsopleasinglyagainstthebleakermidlandsurroundings。

Shewasayoungerschoolfellowofmycousins\'，andthestep-daughterofSeddon，aprominentsolicitorofBurslem。Shewasnotonlynotinmycousins\'generationbutnotintheirset，shewasoneofasmallhardworkinggroupwhokeptimmaculatenote-books，anddidasmuchasishumanlypossibleofthatinsensatepileofwrittenworkthattheGirls\'PublicSchoolmovementhasinflicteduponschool-

girls。ShereallylearntFrenchandGermanadmirablyandthoroughly，shegotasfarinmathematicsasanunflinchingindustrycancarryanyonewithnogreatnaturalaptitude，andshewentuptoBennettHall，Newnham，aftertheusualconflictwithherfamily，toworkfortheHistoryTripos。

Thereinherthirdyearshemadeherselfthoroughlyillthroughoverwork，soillthatshehadtogiveupNewnhamaltogetherandgoabroadwithherstepmother。Shemadeherselfill，assomanygirlsdointhoseuniversitycolleges，throughthebadnessofherhomeandschooltraining。Shethoughtstudymustneedsbeahardstrainingofthemind。Sheworriedherwork，shegaveherselfnoleisuretoseeitasawhole，shefeltherselfnotmakingheadwayandshecuthergamesandexerciseinordertoincreaseherhoursoftoil，andworkedintothenight。Shecarriedaknackoflaboriousthoroughnessintotheblindalleysandinessentialsofhersubject。

Itdidn\'tneedthebadnessofthefoodforwhichBennettHalliscelebratedandtheremarkabledietaryofnocturnalcocoa，cakesandsoftbiscuitswithwhichthegirlshavesupplementedit，toensurehercollapse。Hermotherbroughtherhome，frettinganddistressed，andthenfindingherhopelesslyunhappyathome，tookherandherhalf-brother，aratherailingyoungsteroftenwhodiedthreeyearslater，forajourneytoItaly。

ItalydidmuchtoassuageMargaret\'schagrin。Ithinkallthreeofthemhadaverygoodtimethere。AthomeMr。Seddon，herstep-

father，playedthepartofawell-meaningblightbyreasonofthemoodsthatarosefromnervousdyspepsia。TheywenttoFlorence，equippedwithvariousintroductionsandmuchsoundadvicefromsympatheticCambridgefriends，andhavingacquiredaneaseinItalythere，wentontoSiena，Orvieto，andatlastRome。Theyreturned，ifIrememberrightly，byPisa，Genoa，MilanandParis。Sixmonthsormoretheyhadhadabroad，andnowMargaretwasbackinBurslem，inhealthagainandconsciouslyaverycivilisedperson。

Newideaswereabroad，itwasMaytimeandaspringofabundantflowers——daffodilswereparticularlygoodthatyear——andMrs。Seddoncelebratedherreturnbygivinganafternoonreceptionatshortnotice，withtheclearintentionoflettingeveryoneoutintothegardeniftheweatherheld。

TheSeddonshadabigoldfarmhousemodifiedtomodernideasofcomfortontheroadouttowardsMisterton，withanorchardthathadbeenratherpleasantlysubduedfromusetoornament。Ithadrichblossomingcherryandappletrees。Largepatchesofgrassfullofnoddingyellowtrumpetshadbeenleftamidstthenottoopreciselymowngrass，whichwasasitweregrasspathwithanoccasionallapseintolawnorglade。AndMargaret，hatless，withthefairhairaboveherthin，delicatelypinkfaceverysimplydone，cametomeetourrathertooconsciouslydressedparty，——wehadcomeinthemotorfourstrong，withmyauntingreysilk。Margaretworeasoftflowingfloweredbluedressofdiaphanousmaterial，allunconnectedwiththefashionandtiedwithprettyribbons，likeaslenderer，unbountifulPrimavera。

ItwasoneofthoseMaydaysthatapethelightandheatofsummer，andIrememberdisconnectedlyquiteanumberofbrightlylitfiguresandgroupswalkingabout，andawhitegatebetweenorchardandgardenandalargelawnwithanoaktreeandaredGeorgianhousewithaverandahandopenFrenchwindows，throughwhichtheteadrinkinghadcomeoutuponthemoss-edgedflagstonesevenasMrs。

Seddonhadplanned。

Thepartywasalmostentirelyfeminineexceptforalittlecuratewithalargehead，agoodvoiceandaradiantmanner，whowasobviouslyattractedbyMargaret，andtwoorthreeyounghusbandsstillsufficientlyaddictedtotheirwivestoaccompanythem。OneofthemIrecallasaquiteromanticfigurewithabundantblondcurlyhaironwhichwaspoisedagreyfelthatencircledbyarefinedblackband。Hewore，moreover，alooserichshotsilktieofredandpurple，alongfrockcoat，greytrousersandbrownshoes，andpresentlyheremovedhishatandcarrieditinonehand。Thereweretwotennis-playingyouthsbesidesmyself。Therewasalsoonefatherwiththreedaughtersinanxiouscontrol，afatheroftheoldschoolscarcelyhalfbrokenin，reluctant，rebelliousandconsciouslyandconscientiously"reetStaffordshire。"Thedaughterswereallalerttosuppressthepossibleplungings，theundesirablehumorousimpulsesofthisalmostferalguest。Theynippedhisverygesturesinthebud。Therestofthepeopleweremainlymotherswithdaughters——daughtersofallages，andascatteringofaunts，andtherewasatendencytoclotting，partieskepttogetherandregardedpartiessuspiciously。Mr。Seddonwasinhiding，Ithink，allthetime，thoughnotformallyabsent。

MatterscentredupontheteainthelongroomoftheFrenchwindows，wherefourtrimmaidswenttoandfrobusilybetweenthehouseandtheclumpsofpeopleseatedorstandingbeforeit；andtennisandcroquetwereintermittentlyvisibleandaudiblebeyondabankofrockworkrichwiththespikesandcupsandbellsofhighspring。

Mrs。Seddonpresidedattheteaurn，andMargaretpartlyassistedandpartlytalkedtomeandmycousinSibyl——Gertrudehadfoundadisusedandfadedinitialandwaspartneringhimattennisinastateofgentlerevival——whiletheirmotherexercisedadividedchaperonagefromaseatnearMrs。Seddon。Thelittlecurate，stirringapartiallyemptycupoftea，mingledwithourparty，andpreluded，Iremember，everyobservationhemadebyavigorousresumptionofstirring。

WetalkedofCambridge，andMargaretkeptustoit。ThecuratewasaSelwynmanandhadtakenapassdegreeintheology，butMargarethadcometoGaylord\'slecturersinTrinityforatermbeforeherbreakdown，andunderstoodthesedifferences。Shehadtheeagernessofanexiletoheartheoldfamiliarnamesofplacesandpersonalities。WecappedfamiliaranecdotesandwereenthusiasticaboutKings\'ChapelandtheBacks，andthecurate，addressinghimselfmoreparticularlytoSibyl，toldalongconfusedstoryillustrativeofhisdispositiontorecklessdevilry(ofapure-

mindedkindlysort)aboutupsettingtwocanoesquiteneedlesslyonthewaytoGrantchester。

IcanstillseeMargaretasIsawherthatafternoon，seeherfreshfairface，withthelittleobliquityoftheupperlip，andherbrowalwaysslightlyknitted，andhermannerasofonebreathlesslyshybutdetermined。Shehadratheropenblueeyes，andshespokeinanevenmusicalvoicewiththegentlestofstressesandtheghostofalisp。Anditwastrue，shegathered，thatCambridgestillexisted。

"IwenttoGrantchester，"shesaid，"lastyear，andhadteaundertheapple-blossom。Ididn\'tthinkthenIshouldhavetocomedown。"

(Itwasthatstartedthecurateuponhisanecdote。)

"I\'veseenalotofpictures，andlearntalotaboutthem——atthePittiandtheBrera，——theBreraiswonderful——wonderfulplaces，——butitisn\'tlikerealstudy，"shewassayingpresently……"Weboughtbalesofphotographs，"shesaid。

Ithoughtthebalesalittleoutofkeeping。

Butfair-hairedandquitesimplyandyetgraciouslyandfancifullydressed，talkingofartandbeautifulthingsandabeautifulland，andwithsomuchmanifestregretforlearningdenied，sheseemedadifferentkindofbeingaltogetherfrommysmart，hard，high-

coloured，black-hairedandresolutelyhattedcousin；sheseemedtranslucentbesideGertrude。Eventhelittletwistanddroopofherslenderbodywasagracetome。

IlikedherfromthemomentIsawher，andsetmyselftointerestandpleaseheraswellasIknewhow。

WerecalledacaseofraggingthathadrustledtheshrubsofNewnham，andthenChrisRobinson\'svisit——hehadgivenatalktoBennettHallalso——andourimpressionofhim。

"Hedisappointedme，too，"saidMargaret。

IwasmovedtotellMargaretsomethingofmyownviewsinthematterofsocialprogress，andshelistened——oh！withakindofurgedattention，andherbrowalittlemoreknitted，veryearnestly。Thelittlecuratedesistedfromtheappendicesandrefuseheapsandgeneraldebrisofhisstory，andmadehimselflookveryalertandintelligent。

"WedidalotofthatwhenIwasupintheeighties，"hesaid。"I\'mgladImperialismhasn\'tswampedyoufellowsaltogether。"

Gertrude，lookingbrightandconfident，cametojoinourtalkfromtheshrubbery；theinitial，alittleflushedandevidentlyinastateofrefreshedrelationship，camewithher，andacheerfulladyinpinkandmoreparticularlydistinguishedbyapinkbonnetjoinedourlittlegroup。Gertrudehadbeensippingadmirationandwasnotdisposedtoplayapassivepartinthetalk。

"Socialism！"shecried，catchingtheword。"It\'swellPaisn\'there。HehasFitswhenpeopletalkofsocialism。Fits！"

Theinitiallaughedinageneralkindofway。

ThecuratesaidtherewassocialismANDsocialism，andlookedatMargarettogaugewhetherhehadbeentooboldinthisutterance。

Butshewasall，heperceived，forbroad-mindness，andhestirredhimself(andincidentallyhistea)tostillmoreliberalityofexpression。Hesaidthestateofthepoorwasappalling，simplyappalling；thatthereweretimeswhenhewantedtoshatterthewholesystem，"only，"hesaid，turningtomeappealingly，"Whathavewegottoputinitsplace？"

"Thethingthatexistsisalwaysthemoreevidentalternative，"I

said。

Thelittlecuratelookedatitforamoment。"Precisely，"hesaidexplosively，andturnedstirringandwithhisheadalittleononeside，tohearwhatMargaretwassaying。

Margaretwassaying，withaswiftblushandaneffectofdaring，thatshehadnodoubtshewasasocialist。

"Andwearingagoldchain！"saidGertrude，"Anddrinkingoutofeggshell！Ilikethat！"

IcametoMargaret\'srescue。"Itdoesn\'tfollowthatbecauseone\'sasocialistoneoughttodressinsackclothandashes。"

Theinitialcoloureddeeply，andhavingsecuredmyattentionbyproddingmeslightlywiththewristofthehandthatheldhisteacup，clearedhisthroatandsuggestedthat"oneoughttobeconsistent。"

Iperceivedwewereembarkeduponadiscussionoftheelements。Webegananinterestinglittlewrangleoneofthosecrudediscussionsofgeneralideasthataredeartotheheartofyouth。IandMargaretsupportedoneanotherassocialists，GertrudeandSybilandtheinitialmaintainedananti-socialistposition，thecurateattemptedacross-benchpositionwithanairofintendingtocomedownuponuspresentlywithacastingvote。Heremindedusofanumberofusefulprinciplestoooftenoverlookedinargument，thatinabigquestionlikethistherewasmuchtobesaidonbothsides，thatifeveryonedidhisorherdutytoeveryoneaboutthemtherewouldbenodifficultywithsocialproblemsatall，thatoverandaboveallenactmentsweneededmoralchangesinpeoplethemselves。

MycousinGertrudewasadifficultcontroversialisttomanage，beingunconsciousofinconsistencyinstatementandabsolutelyimpervioustoreply。Herstandpointwasessentiallymaterialistic；shedidn\'tseewhysheshouldn\'thaveagoodtimebecauseotherpeopledidn\'t；

theywouldhaveagoodtime，shewassure，ifshedidn\'t。Shesaidthatifwedidgiveupeverythingwehadtootherpeople，theywouldn\'tverylikelyknowwhattodowithit。Sheaskedifweweresofondofwork-people，whywedidn\'tgoandliveamongthem，andexpressedtheinflexiblepersuasionthatifweHADsocialism，everythingwouldbejustthesameagainintenyears\'time。Shealsothrewuponustheimputationofingratitudeforabeautifulworldbysayingthatsofarasshewasconcernedshedidn\'twanttoupseteverything。Shewascontentedwiththingsastheywere，thankyou。

ThediscussionledinsomewaythatIdon\'tintheleastrecallnow，andpossiblybyabrupttransitions，toacroquetfoursomeinwhichMargaretinvolvedthecuratewithoutinvolvingherself，andthenstoodbesidemeontheedgeofthelawnwhiletheothersplayed。Wewatchedsilentlyforamoment。

"IHATEthatsortofview，"shesaidsuddenlyinaconfidentialundertone，withherdelicatepinkflushreturning。

"It\'swantofimagination，"Isaid。

"Tothinkwearejusttoenjoyourselves，"shewenton；"justtogoondressingandplayingandhavingmealsandspendingmoney！"Sheseemedtobereferringnotsimplytomycousins，buttothewholeworldofindustryandpropertyaboutus。"Butwhatisonetodo？"

sheasked。"IdowishIhadnothadtocomedown。It\'sallsopointlesshere。Thereseemstobenothinggoingforward，noideas，nodreams。NoonehereseemstofeelquitewhatIfeel，thesortofneedthereisforMEANINGinthings。Ihatethingswithoutmeaning。"

"Don\'tyoudo——localwork？"

"IsupposeIshall。IsupposeImustfindsomething。Doyouthink——

ifoneweretoattemptsomesortofpropaganda？"

"Couldyou——？"Ibeganalittledoubtfully。

"IsupposeIcouldn\'t，"sheanswered，afterathoughtfulmoment。"I

supposeitwouldcometonothing。AndyetIfeelthereissomuchtobedonefortheworld，somuchoneoughttobedoing……I

wanttodosomethingfortheworld。"

Icanseehernowasshestoodtherewithherbrowsnearlyfrowning，herblueeyeslookingbeforeher，hermouthalmostpetulant。"Onefeelsthattherearesomanythingsgoingon——outofone\'sreach，"

shesaid。

Iwentbackinthemotor-carwithmymindfullofher，thequalityofdelicatediscontent，thesuggestionofexile。Evenakindofweaknessinherwassympathetic。Shetoldtremendouslyagainstherbackground。Shewas，Isay，likeaprotestingbluefloweruponacinderheap。Itiscurious，too，howsheconnectsandmingleswiththefuriousquarrelIhadwithmyunclethatveryevening。Thatcameabsurdly。IndirectlyMargaretwasresponsible。Mymindwasrunningonideasshehadrevivedandquestionsshehadsetclamouring，andquiteinadvertentlyinmyattempttofindsolutionsItalkedsoastooutragehisprofoundestfeelings……

7

Whatapreposterousshindythatwas！

Isatwithhiminthesmoking-room，propoundingwhatIconsideredtobethemostindisputableandnon-contentiouspropositionsconceivable——until，tomyinfiniteamazement，heexplodedandcalledmea"damnedyoungpuppy。"

Itwasseismic。

"Tremendouslyinterestingtime，"Isaid，"justinthebeginningofmakingacivilisation。"

"Ah！"hesaid，withanavertedface，andnodded，leaningforwardoverhiscigar。

Ihadnottheremotestthoughtofannoyinghim。

"Monstrousmuddleofthingswehavegot，"Isaid，"jumbledstreets，uglypopulation，uglyfactories——"

"You\'ddoasightbetterifyouhadtodowithit，"saidmyuncle，regardingmeaskance。

"Notme。Butaworldthathadacollectiveplanandknewwhereitmeanttobegoingwoulddoasightbetter，anyhow。We\'reallswimminginafloodofill-calculatedchances——"

"You\'llbemakingoutIorganisedthatbusinessdownthere——bychance——next，"saidmyuncle，hisvoicethickwithchallenge。

IwentonasthoughIwasbackinTrinity。

"There\'salotofchanceinthemakingofallgreatbusinesses，"I

said。

MyuncleremarkedthatthatshowedhowmuchIknewaboutbusinesses。

Ifchancemadebusinesses，whywasitthathealwayssucceededandgrewwhilethosefoolsAckroydandSonsalwaystooksecondplace？

HeshowedadispositiontotelltheglorioushistoryofhowonceAckroyd\'sovershadowedhim，andhownowhecouldbuyupAckroyd\'sthreetimesover。ButIwantedtogetoutwhatwasinmymind。

"Oh！"Isaid，"asbetweenmanandmanandbusinessandbusiness，someofcoursegetthepullbythisqualityorthat——butit\'sforcesquiteoutsidetheindividualcasethatmakethebigpartofanysuccessundermodernconditions。YOUneverinventedpottery，noranyprocessinpotterythatmattersarapinyourworks；itwasn\'tYOURforesightthatjoinedallEnglandupwithrailwaysandmadeitpossibletoorganiseproductiononanaltogetherdifferentscale。

Youreallyattheutmostcan\'ttakecreditformuchmorethanbeingthesortofmanwhohappenedtofitwhathappenedtobetherequirementsofthetime，andwhohappenedtobeinapositiontotakeadvantageofthem——"

Itwasthenmyunclecriedoutandcalledmeadamnedyoungpuppy，andbecameinvolvedinsomeunexpectedtroubleofhisown。

Iwokeupasitwerefrommyanalysisofthesituationtodiscoverhimbentoverasplendidspittoon，cursingincoherently，retchingalittle，andspittingouttheendofhiscigarwhichhehadbittenoffinhislastattemptatself-control，andwithalfullypreparedassoonashehadclearedforactiontogivemejustallthatheconsideredtobethecontentsofhismindupontheconditionofmine。

Well，whyshouldn\'tItalkmymindtohim？He\'dneverhadanoutsideviewofhimselfforyears，andIresolvedtostanduptohim。Wewentatithammerandtongs！ItbecameclearthathesupposedmetobeaSocialist，azealous，embitteredhaterofallownership——andalsoaneducatedmanofthevilest，mostpretentiouslysuperiordescription。HisprincipalgrievancewasthatIthoughtIkneweverything；tothatherecurredagainandagain……

WehadbeenmaintaininganarmedtrucewitheachothersincemyresolvetogouptoCambridge，andnowwehadoutallthathadaccumulatedbetweenus。Therehadbeenstupendousaccumulations……

Theparticularthingswesaidanddidinthatbawlmgencountermatternothingatallinthisstory。Ican\'tnowestimatehownearwecametofisticuffs。Itendedwithmysaying，afterapungentreminderofbenefitsconferredandremembered，thatIdidn\'twanttostayanotherhourinhishouse。Iwentupstairs，inastateofpuerilefury，topackandgoofftotheRailwayHotel，whilehe，withironicalcivility，telephonedforacab。

"Goodriddance！"shoutedmyuncle，seeingmeoffintothenight。

Onthefaceofitourrowwaspreposterous，buttheunderlyingrealityofourquarrelwastheessentialantagonism，itseemedtome，inallhumanaffairs，theantagonismbetweenideasandtheestablishedmethod，thatistosay，betweenideasandtheruleofthumb。TheworldIhateistherule-of-thumbworld，thethingIandmykindofpeopleexistforprimarilyistobattlewiththat，toannoyit，disarrangeit，reconstructit。Wequestioneverything，disturbanythingthatcannotgiveaclearjustificationtoourquestioning，becausewebelieveinherentlythatoursenseofdisorderimpliesthepossibilityofabetterorder。Ofcoursewearedetestable。Myunclewasofthatothervastermasswhoaccepteverythingforthethingitseemstobe，hateenquiryandanalysisasatramphateswashing，dreadandresistchange，opposeexperiment，despisescience。Theworldisourbattleground；andallhistory，allliteraturethatmatters，allscience，dealswiththisconflictofthethingthatisandthespeculative"if"thatwilldestroyit。

ButthatiswhyIdidnotseeMargaretSeddonagainforfiveyears。

CHAPTERTHESECOND

MARGARETINLONDON

1

Iwastwenty-sevenwhenImetMargaretagain，andtheinterveningfiveyearshadbeenyearsofvigorousactivityforme，ifnotofveryremarkablegrowth。WhenIsawheragain，Icouldcountmyselfagrownman。Ithink，indeed，IcountedmyselfmorecompletelygrownthanIwas。Atanyrate，byallordinarystandards，Ihad"goton"verywell，andmyideas，iftheyhadnotchangedverygreatly，hadbecomemuchmoredefiniteandmyambitionsclearerandbolder。

IhadlongsinceabandonedmyfellowshipandcometoLondon。Ihadpublishedtwobooksthathadbeentalkedabout，writtenseveralarticles，andestablishedaregularrelationshipwiththeWEEKLY

REVIEWandtheEVENINGGAZETTE。IwasamemberoftheEightyClubandlearningtoadaptthestyleoftheCambridgeUniontolargeruses。TheLondonworldhadopenedouttomeveryreadily。Ihaddevelopedapleasantvarietyofsocialconnections。IhadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。Evesham，whohadbeenattractedbymyNEWRULER，andwhotalkedaboutitandme，andsodidaverygreatdealtomakeawayformeintothecompanyofprominentandamusingpeople。I

dinedoutquitefrequently。TheglitterandinterestofgoodLondondinnerpartiesbecameacommonexperience。Ilikedthesortofconversationonegotatthemextremely，thelittleglowofduologuesburningupintomoregeneraldiscussions，theclosing-inofthemenafterthegoingofthewomen，thesage，substantialmasculinegossiping，thelaterresumptionofeffectivetalkwithsomepleasantwoman，graciouslyatherbest。Ihadawiderangeofhouses；

Cambridgehadlinkedmetooneortwocorrelatedsetsofartisticandliterarypeople，andmybooksandMr。Eveshamandopenedtomethebigvagueworldof"society。"Iwasn\'taggressivenorparticularlysnobbishnortroublesome，sometimesItalkedwell，andifIhadnothinginterestingtosayIsaidaslittleaspossible，andIhadayouthfulgravityofmannerthatwaslikedbyhostesses。

AndtheothersideofmynaturethatfirstflaredthroughthecoverofrestraintsatLocarno，thattoohadhadopportunitytodevelopalongthelineLondonrenderspracticable。Ihadhadmyexperiencesandsecretsandadventuresamongthatfringeofill-matedorerraticordiscreditedwomentheLondonworldpossesses。Thethinghadlongagoceasedtobeamatterofmagicormystery，andhadbecomeaquestionofappetitesandexcitement，andamongotherthingstheexcitementofnotbeingfoundout。

Iwriteratherdoubtfullyofmygrowingduringthisperiod。IndeedIfindithardtojudgewhetherIcansaythatIgrewatallinanyrealsenseoftheword，betweenthreeandtwentyandtwenty-seven。

Itseemstomenowtohavebeenratheraphaseofrealisationandclarification。Allthebroadlinesofmythoughtwerelaiddown，I

amsure，bythedateofmyLocarnoadventure，butinthosefiveyearsIdiscussedthingsoverandoveragainwithmyselfandothers，filledoutwithconcretefactformsIhadatfirstapprehendedsketchilyandconversationally，measuredmypowersagainstmyidealsandtheforcesintheworldaboutme。Itwasevidentthatmanymennobetterthanmyselfandwithnogreateradvantagesthanminehadraisedthemselvestoinfluentialandevendecisivepositionsintheworldsofpoliticsandthought。Iwasgatheringtheconfidenceandknowledgenecessarytoattacktheworldinthelargemanner；IfoundIcouldwrite，andthatpeoplewouldletmewriteifIchose，asonehavingauthorityandnotasthescribes。SociallyandpoliticallyandintellectuallyIknewmyselfforanhonestman，andthatquitewithoutanydeliberationonmypartthisshowedandmadethingseasyforme。Peopletrustedmygoodfaithfromthebeginning——forallthatIcamefromnowhereandhadnobetterpositionthananyadventurer。

Butthegrowthprocesswasarrested，Iwasnothingbiggerattwenty-

seventhanattwenty-two，howevermuchsanerandstronger，andanyonelookingcloselyintomymindduringthatperiodmightwellhaveimaginedgrowthfinishedaltogether。ItisparticularlyevidenttomenowthatIcamenonearertoanyunderstandingofwomenduringthattime。ThatLocarnoaffairwasinfinitelymoretomethanIhadsupposed。Itendedsomething——nippedsomethinginthebudperhaps——

tookmeatastridefromavague，fine，ignorant，closedworldofemotiontointrigueandaperfectlydefiniteandlimitedsensuality。

Itendedmyyouth，andforatimeitpreventedmymanhood。Ihadneveryetevenpeepedatthesweetest，profoundestthingintheworld，theheartandmeaningofagirl，ordreamtwithanyqualityofrealityofawifeoranysuchthingasafriendamongwomanhood。

Myvagueanticipationofsuchthingsinlifehadvanishedaltogether。Iturnedawayfromtheirpossibility。ItseemedtomeIknewwhathadtobeknownaboutwomankind。Iwantedtoworkhard，togetontoapositioninwhichIcoulddevelopandforwardmyconstructiveprojects。Women，Ithought，hadnothingtodowiththat。ItseemedclearIcouldnotmarryforsomeyears；Iwasattractivetocertaintypesofwomen，Ihadvanityenoughtogivemeanagreeableconfidenceinlove-making，andIwentaboutseekingaconvenientmistressquitedeliberately，someonewhoshouldservemypurposeandsayintheend，likethatkindlyfirstmistressofmine，"I\'vedoneyounoharm，"andsoreleaseme。ItseemedtheonlywisewayofdisposingofurgenciesthatmightotherwiseentangleandwreckthecareerIwasintentupon。

Idon\'tapologisefor，ordefendmymentalandmoralphases。SoitwasIappraisedlifeandpreparedtotakeit，andsoitisathousandambitiousmenseeitto-day……

Fortherestthesefiveyearswereaperiodofdefinition。Mypoliticalconceptionswereperfectlyplainandhonest。Ihadoneconstantdesirerulingmythoughts。ImeanttoleaveEnglandandtheempirebetterorderedthanIfoundit，toorganiseanddiscipline，tobuildupaconstructiveandcontrollingStateoutofmyworld\'sconfusions。Wehad，Isaw，tosuffuseeducationwithpublicintention，todevelopanewbetter-livinggenerationwithacollectivisthabitofthought，tolinknowchaoticactivitiesineveryhumanaffair，andparticularlytocatchthatescaped，world-

making，world-ruining，dangerousthing，industrialandfinancialenterprise，andbringitbacktotheserviceofthegeneralgood。I

hadthenthepreciseimagethatstillservesmeasasymbolforallIwishtobringabout，theimageofanengineerbuildingalockinaswellingtorrent——withwaterpressureashisonlysourceofpower。

Mythoughtsandactswerehabituallyturnedtothatenterprise；itgaveshapeanddirectiontoallmylife。Theproblemthatmostengagedmymindduringthoseyearswasthepracticalandpersonalproblemofjustwheretoapplymyselftoservethisalmostinnatepurpose。HowwasI，achildofthisconfusion，strugglingupwardthroughtheconfusion，totakeholdofthings？Somewherebetweenpoliticsandliteraturemygripmustneedsbefound，butwhere？

AlwaysIseemtohavebeenlookingforthatinthoseopeningyears，anddisregardingeverythingelsetodiscoverit。

2

TheBaileys，underwhoseauspicesImetMargaretagain，wereinthesharpestcontrastwiththenarrowindustrialismoftheStaffordshireworld。Theywereindeedattheotherextremeofthescale，twoactiveself-centredpeople，excessivelydevotedtothepublicservice。ItwasnaturalIshouldgravitatetothem，fortheyseemedtostandforthematurer，moredisciplined，betterinformedexpressionofallIwasthenurgenttoattempttodo。Thebulkoftheirfriendswerepoliticiansorpublicofficials，theydescribedthemselvesaspublicists——avagueyetsufficientlysignificantterm。

TheylivedandworkedinahardlittlehouseinChambersStreet，Westminster，andmadeacentreforquiteanastonishingamountofpoliticalandsocialactivity。

Willersleytookmethereoneevening。Theplacewasalmostpretentiouslymatter-of-factandunassuming。Thenarrowpassage-

hall，paperedwithsomeancientyellowishpaper，grainedtoimitatewood，waschokedwithhatsandcloaksandanoccasionalfemininewrap。MotionedratherthanannouncedbyatallScotchservantwoman，theonlydomesticIeverrememberseeingthere，wemadeourwayupanarrowstaircasepasttheopendoorofasmallstudypackedwithblue-books，todiscoverAltioraBaileyreceivingbeforethefireplaceinherdrawing-room。Shewasatallcommandingfigure，splendidbutalittleuntidyinblacksilkandredbeads，withdarkeyesthathadnodepths，withaclearhardvoicethathadanalmostvisibleprominence，aquilinefeaturesandstraightblackhairthatwasapttogetastray，thatwasnowastrayliketheheadfeathersofaneagleinagale。Shestoodwithherhandsbehindherback，andtalkedinahightenorofaprojectedTownPlanningBillwithBlupp，whowaspracticallyinthosedaysthesecretaryofthelocalGovernmentBoard。Averyshortbroadmanwiththickearsandfatwhitehandswrithingintertwinedbehindhim，stoodwithhisbacktous，eagertobarkinterruptionsintoAltiora\'sdiscourse。Aslendergirlinpaleblue，manifestlyayoungpoliticalwife，stoodwithonefootonthefenderlisteningwithanexpressionofentirelypuzzledpropitiation。Atallsandy-beardedbishopwiththeexpressionofamaninatrancecompletedthiscentralgroup。

Theroomwasoneofthoselongapartmentsoncedividedbyfoldingdoors，andreachingfrombacktofront，thatarecommonuponthefirstfloorsofLondonhouses。Itswallswerehungwithtwoorthreeindifferentwatercolours，therewasscarcelyanyfurniturebutasofaorsoandachair，andthefloor，severelycarpetedwithmatting，wascrowdedwithacuriousmedleyofpeople，menpredominating。Severalwereineveningdress，butmosthadthemorninggarbofthepolitician；thewomenwereeitherseverelyrationalorradiantlymagnificent。WillersleypointedouttomethewifeoftheSecretaryofStateforWar，andIrecognisedtheDuchessofClynes，whoatthattimecultivatedintellectuality。Ilookedround，identifyingafacehereorthere，andsteppingbacktrodonsomeone\'stoe，andturnedtofinditbelongedtotheRightHon。G。

B。Mottisham，deartothePUNCHcaricaturists。Hereceivedmyapologywiththatintentionalcharmthatisoneofhismostdelightfultraits，andresumedhisdiscussion。BesidehimwasEsmeerofTrinity，whomIhadnotseensincemyCambridgedays……

Willersleyfoundanex-memberoftheSchoolBoardforwhomhehadaffinities，andleftmetoexchangeexperiencesandcommentsuponthecompanywithEsmeer。Esmeerwasstilladon；buthewasnibbling，hesaid，atcertainnegotiationswiththeTIMESthatmightbringhimdowntoLondon。HewantedtocometoLondon。"WepeepatthingsfromCambridge，"hesaid。

"Thissortofthing，"Isaid，"makesLondonnecessary。It\'stheoddestgathering。"

"Everyonecomeshere，"saidEsmeer。"Mostlywehatethemlikepoison——jealousy——andlittleirritations——Altioracanbeahorrorattimes——butweHAVEtocome。"

"Thingsarebeingdone？"

"Oh！——nodoubtofit。It\'soneofthepartsoftheBritishmachinery——thatdoesn\'tshow……Butnobodyelsecoulddoit。

"Twopeople，"saidEsmeer，"who\'veplannedtobeapower——inanoriginalway。AndbyJove！they\'vedoneit！"

IdidnotforsometimepickoutOscarBailey，andthenEsmeershowedhimtomeinelaboratelyconfidentialtalkinacornerwithadistinguished-lookingstrangerwearingaribbon。Oscarhadnoneofthefineappearanceofhiswife；hewasashortsturdyfigurewitharoundedprotrudingabdomenandacuriousbroad，flattened，clean-

shavenfacethatseemednearlyallforehead。HewasofAnglo-

Hungarianextraction，andIhavealwaysfanciedsomethingMongolianinhistype。Hepeeredupwithreddishswollen-lookingeyesovergilt-edgedglassesthatweredividedhorizontallyintoportionsofdifferentrefractivepower，andhetalkinginaningratiatingundertone，withbusythinlips，aneagerlispandnervousmovementsofthehand。

PeoplesaythatthirtyyearsbeforeatOxfordhewasalmostexactlythesameeager，cleverlittlemanhewaswhenIfirstmethim。HehadcomeuptoBalliolbristlingwithextraordinarydegreesandprizescapturnedinprovincialandIrishandScotchuniversities——

andhadmadeanameforhimselfasthemostformidabledealerinexactfacttherhetoriciansoftheUnionhadeverhadtoencounter。

FromOxfordhehadgoneontoapositionintheHigherDivisionoftheCivilService，IthinkintheWarOffice，andhadspeedilymadeaplaceforhimselfasapoliticaljournalist。Hewasaparticularlyneatcontroversialist，andveryfullofpoliticalandsociologicalideas。Hehadaquiteastoundingmemoryforfactsandamasteryofdetailedanalysis，andthetimeaffordedscopeforthesegifts。Thelatereightieswerefullofpolitico-socialdiscussion，andhebecameaprominentnameuponthecontentslistoftheNINETEENTHCENTURY，theFORTNIGHTLYandCONTEMPORARYchieflyasahalfsympatheticbutfrequentlyverydamagingcriticofthesocialismofthatperiod。Hewontheimmenserespectofeveryonespeciallyinterestedinsocialandpoliticalquestions，hesoonachievedthelimiteddistinctionthatisawardedsuchcapacity，andatthatIthinkhewouldhaveremainedfortherestofhislifeifhehadnotencounteredAltiora。

ButAltioraMacvitiewasanaltogetherexceptionalwoman，anextraordinarymixtureofqualities，theonewomanintheworldwhocouldmakesomethingmoreoutofBaileythanthat。Shehadmuchofthevigourandhandsomenessofaslenderimpudentyoungman，andanunscrupulousnessaltogetherfeminine。Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarewaitingin——whatistheword？——muliebrity。Shehadcourageandinitiativeandaphilosophicalwayofhandlingquestions，andshecouldbeboredbyregularworklikeaman。Shewasentirelyunfittedforhersex\'ssphere。Shewasneitheruncertain，coynorhardtoplease，andaltogethertoostimulatingandaggressiveforanygentleman\'shoursofease。Hercookerywouldhavebeenaboutassketchyasherhandwriting，whichwasgenerallyquiteillegible，andshewouldhavemade，Ifeelsure，ashockingbadnurse。Yetyoumustn\'timagineshewasaninelegantorunbeautifulwoman，andsheisinconceivabletomeinhighcollarsoranysortofmasculinegarment。Buthersoulwasbony，andatthebaseofherwasavanitygauntandgreedy！Whenshewasn\'tinastateofpersonaluntidinessthatwaspartlyaprotestagainstthewasteofhoursexactedbythetoiletandpartlyanaturaldisinclination，shehadagypsysplendourofblackandredandsilverallherown。AndsomewhenintheearlyninetiesshemetandmarriedBailey。

Iknowverylittleaboutherearlyyears。ShewastheonlydaughterofSirDeightonMacvitie，whoappliedtheiodoformprocesstocotton，andonlyhissubsequentunfortunateattemptstobecomeaCottonKingpreventedherbeingaveryrichwoman。Asitwasshehadatolerableindependence。Shecameintoprominenceasoneofthemoreableofthelittleshoalofyoungwomenwhowereledintopolitico-philanthropicactivitiesbytheinfluenceoftheearliernovelsofMrs。HumphryWard——theMarcellacrop。Shewent"slumming"withdistinguishedvigour，whichwasquiteusualinthosedays——andreturnedfromherexperiencesasanamateurflowergirlwithclearandoriginalviewsabouttheproblem——whichisandalwayshadbeenunusual。Shehadnotmarried，Isupposebecauseherstandardswerehigh，andmenarecowardsandwithaninstinctiveappetiteformuliebrity。Shehadkepthouseforherfatherbyspeakingoccasionallytothehousekeeper，butlerandcookhermotherhadlefther，andgatheringthemostinterestingdinnerpartiesshecould，andhadmarriedofffourorphanniecesinaharshandsuccessfulmanner。Afterherfather\'ssmashanddeathshecameoutasawriteruponsocialquestionsandascathingcriticoftheCharityOrganisationSociety，andshewasthreeandthirtyandalittleatlooseendswhenshemetOscarBailey，sotospeak，intheCONTEMPORARYREVIEW。Thelurkingwomaninhernaturewasfascinatedbytheeaseandprecisionwithwhichthelittlemanrolledoverallsortsofimportantandauthoritativepeople，shewasthefirsttodiscoverasortofimaginativebignessinhisstillgrowingmind，theforeheadperhapscarriedhimoffphysically，andshetookoccasiontomeetandsubjugatehim，and，sosoonashehadsufficientlyrecoveredfromhisabjecthumilityandacertainpanicatherattentions，marryhim。

ThishadopenedanewphaseinthelivesofBaileyandherself。Thetwosupplementedeachothertoanextraordinaryextent。Theirsubsequentcareerwas，Ithink，almostentirelyherinvention。Shewasaggressive，imaginative，andhadagreatcapacityforideas，whilehewasalmostdestituteofinitiative，andcoulddonothingwithideasexceptrememberanddiscussthem。Shewas，ifnotexact，atleastindolent，withastrongdispositiontosaveenergybysketching——evenherhandwritingshowedthat——whilehewasinexhaustiblyindustriouswitharelentlessinvariablecaligraphythatgrewlargerandclearerastheyearspassedby。Shehadaconsiderablepowerofcharming；shecouldbejustasnicetopeople——

andincidentallyjustasnasty——asshewantedtobe。Hewasalwaysjustthesame，alittleconfidentialandSOTTOVOCE，artlesslyrudeandegoisticinanundignifiedway。Shehadconsiderablesocialexperience，goodsocialconnections，andconsiderablesocialambition，whilehehadnoneofthesethings。Shesawinaflashheropportunitytoredeemhisdefects，usehispowers，anddolarge，novel，ratherstartlingthings。Sheranhim。Hermarriage，whichshockedherfriendsandrelationsbeyondmeasure——foratimetheywouldonlyspeakofBaileyas"thatgnome"——wasastrokeofgenius，andforthwiththeyproceededtomakethemselvesthemostformidableanddistinguishedcoupleconceivable。P。B。P。，sheboasted，wasengravedinsidetheirweddingrings，ProBonoPublico，andshemeantittobenoidlethreat。Shehaddiscoveredveryearlythatthelastthinginfluentialpeoplewilldoistowork。Everythingintheirlivestendstomakethemdependentuponasupplyofconfidentlyadministereddetail。Theirbusinessiswiththewindowandnotthestockbehind，andintheendtheyaredependentuponthestockbehindforwhatgoesintothewindow。ShelinkedwiththatthefactthatBaileyhadamindasorderlyasamuseum，andaninvinciblepoweroverdetail。Shesawthatiftwopeopletookthenecessarypainstoknowthefactsofgovernmentandadministrationwithprecision，togathertogetherknowledgethatwasdispersedandconfused，tobeabletosaypreciselywhathadtobedoneandwhatavoidedinthiseventualityorthat，theywouldnecessarilybecomeacentreofreferenceforallsortsoflegislativeproposalsandpoliticalexpedients，andshewentunhesitatinglyuponthat。

Bailey，underhervigorousdirection，threwuphispostintheCivilServiceandabandonedsporadiccontroversies，andtheydevotedthemselvestotheelaborationandrealisationofthiscentreofpublicinformationshehadconceivedastheirrole。Theysetouttostudythemethodsandorganisationandrealitiesofgovernmentinthemostelaboratemanner。Theydidtheworkasnoonehadeverhithertodreamtofdoingit。Theyplannedtheresearchonathoroughlysatisfyingscale，andarrangedtheirlivesalmostentirelyforit。TheytookthathouseinChambersStreetandfurnisheditwithsevereeconomy，theydiscoveredthatScotchdomesticwhoisdestinedtobetheguardianandtyrantoftheirdecliningyears，andtheysettowork。Theirfirstbook，"ThePermanentOfficial，"fillsthreeplumpvolumes，andtookthemandtheirtwosecretariesupwardsoffouryearstodo。Itisanamazinglygoodbook，anenduringachievement。Inahundreddirectionsthehistoryandtheadministrativetreatmentofthepublicservicewasclarifiedforalltime……

Theyworkedregularlyeverymorningfromninetotwelve，theylunchedlightlybutseverely，intheafternoonthey"tookexercise"

orBaileyattendedmeetingsoftheLondonSchoolBoard，onwhichheserved，hesaid，forthepurposesofstudy——healsobecamearailwaydirectorforthesameend。InthelateafternoonAltiorawasathometovariouscallers，andintheeveningcamedinnerorareceptionorboth。

Herdinnersandgatheringswereaveryimportantfeatureintheirscheme。Shegottogetherallsortsofinterestingpeopleinoraboutthepublicservice，shemixedtheobscurelyefficientwiththeill-instructedfamousandtherudderlessrich，gottogetherinoneroommoreofthefactorsinourstrangejumbleofapubliclifethanhadevermeteasilybefore。Shefedthemwithashamelessausteritythatkepttheconversationbrilliant，onasoup，aplainfish，andmuttonorboiledfowlandmilkpudding，withnothingtodrinkbutwhiskyandsoda，andhotandcoldwater，andmilkandlemonade。

Everybodywassoonverygladindeedtocometothat。Sheboastedhowlittleherhousekeepingcosther，andsoughtconstantlyforfresheconomiesthatwouldenableher，shesaid，tosustainanadditionalprivatesecretary。SecretariesweretheBaileys\'oneextravagance，theylovedtothinkofsearchesgoingonintheBritishMuseum，andlettersbeingclearedupandprecismadeoverhead，whiletheysatinthelittlestudyandworkedtogether，Baileywithaclockworkindustry，andAltiorainsplendidflashesbetweenintervalsofcigarettesandmeditation。"Allefficientpubliccareers，"saidAltiora，"consistintheproperdirectionofsecretaries。"

"IfeverythinggoeswellIshallhaveanothersecretarynextyear，"

Altioratoldme。"IwishIcouldrefusepeopledinnernapkins。

Imaginewhatitmeansinwashing！Idaremostthings……Butasitis，theystandalotofhardshiphere。"

"There\'ssomethingofthemiserinboththesepeople，"saidEsmeer，andthethingwasperfectlytrue。For，afterall，themiserisnothingmorethanamanwhoeitherthroughwantofimaginationorwantofsuggestionmisappliestoabaseuseanaturalpowerofconcentrationupononeend。Theconcentrationitselfisneithergoodnorevil，butapowerthatcanbeusedineitherway。AndtheBaileysgatheredandreinvestedusuriouslynotmoney，butknowledgeoftheutmostvalueinhumanaffairs。Theyproducedaneffectofhavingfoundthemselves——completely。Oneenviedthemattimesextraordinarily。Iwasattracted，Iwasdazzled——andatthesametimetherewassomethingaboutBailey\'sbigwrinkledforehead，hislispingbroadmouth，thegesturesofhishandsandanuncivilpreoccupationIcouldnotendure……

3

Theireffectuponmewasfromtheoutsetveryconsiderable。

BothofthemfoundoccasiononthatfirstvisitofminetotalktomeaboutmypublishedwritingsandparticularlyaboutmythenjustpublishedbookTHENEWRULER，whichhadinterestedthemverymuch。

ItfellinindeedsocloselywiththeirownwayofthinkingthatI

doubtiftheyeverunderstoodhowindependentlyIhadarrivedatmyconclusions。Itwastheirweaknesstoclaimexcessively。Thatirritation，however，camelater。Wediscoveredeachotherimmensely；foratimeitproducedatremendoussenseofkindredandcooperation。

Altiora，Iremember，maintainedthatthereexistedagreatarmyofsuchconstructive-mindedpeopleasourselves——asyetundiscoveredbyoneanother。

"It\'slikeboringatunnelthroughamountain，"saidOscar，"andpresentlyhearingthetappingoftheworkersfromtheotherend。"

"Ifyoudidn\'tknowofthembeforehand，"Isaid，"itmightbearatherbadlyjoinedtunnel。"

"Exactly，"saidAltiorawithahighnote，"andthat\'swhyweallwanttofindouteachother……"

Theydidn\'ttalklikethatonourfirstencounter，buttheyurgedmetolunchwiththemnextday，andthenitwaswewentintothings。A

womanFactoryInspectorandtheEducationalMinisterforNewBankslandandhiswifewerealsothere，butIdon\'tremembertheymadeanycontributiontotheconversation。TheBaileyssawtothat。

Theykeptonatmeinanurgentlitigiousway。