第1章

CHAPTERONE

TheWicket-GateIspentone-thirdofmyjourneylookingoutofthewindowofafirst-classcarriage，thenextinalocalmotor-carfollowingthecourseofatroutstreaminashallowvalley，andthelasttrampingoveraridgeofdownlandthroughgreatbeech-woodstomyquartersforthenight。InthefirstpartIwasinaninfamoustemper；inthesecondIwasworriedandmystified；butthecooltwilightofthethirdstagecalmedandheartenedme，andIreachedthegatesofFosseManorwithamightyappetiteandaquietmind。

AsweslippeduptheThamesvalleyonthesmoothGreatWesternlineIhadreflectedruefullyonthethornsinthepathofduty。FormorethanayearIhadneverbeenoutofkhaki，exceptthemonthsIspentinhospital。TheygavememybattalionbeforetheSomme，andIcameoutofthatwearybattleafterthefirstbigSeptemberfightingwithacrackinmyheadandaD。S。O。IhadreceivedaC。B。

fortheErzerumbusiness，sowhatwiththeseandmyMatabeleandSouthAfricanmedalsandtheLegionofHonour，IhadachestliketheHighPriest\'sbreastplate。IrejoinedinJanuary，andgotabrigadeontheeveofArras。Therewehadastarturn，andtookaboutasmanyprisonersasweputinfantryoverthetop。Afterthatwewerehauledoutforamonth，andsubsequentlyplantedinabadbitontheScarpewithahintthatwewouldsoonbeusedforabigpush。ThensuddenlyIwasorderedhometoreporttotheWarOffice，andpassedonbythemtoBullivantandhismerrymen。SohereIwassittinginarailwaycarriageinagreytweedsuit，withaneatnewsuitcaseontheracklabelledC。B。TheinitialsstoodforCorneliusBrand，forthatwasmynamenow。AndanoldboyinthecornerwasaskingmequestionsandwonderingaudiblywhyI

wasn\'tfighting，whileayoungbloodofasecondlieutenantwithawoundstripewaseyeingmewithscorn。

Theoldchapwasoneofthecross-examiningtype，andafterhehadborrowedmymatcheshesettoworktofindoutallaboutme。

Hewasatremendousfire-eater，andabitofapessimistaboutourslowprogressinthewest。ItoldhimIcamefromSouthAfricaandwasaminingengineer。

\'BeenfightingwithBotha？\'heasked。

\'No，\'Isaid。\'I\'mnotthefightingkind。\'

Thesecondlieutenantscreweduphisnose。

\'IstherenoconscriptioninSouthAfrica？\'

\'ThankGodthereisn\'t，\'Isaid，andtheoldfellowbeggedpermissiontotellmealotofunpalatablethings。Iknewhiskindanddidn\'tgivemuchforit。Hewasthesortwho，ifhehadbeenunderfifty，wouldhavecrawledonhisbellytohistribunaltogetexempted，butbeingoveragewasabletoposeasapatriot。ButI

didn\'tlikethesecondlieutenant\'sgrin，forheseemedagoodclassoflad。Ilookedsteadilyoutofthewindowfortherestoftheway，andwasn\'tsorrywhenIgottomystation。

IhadhadthequeerestinterviewwithBullivantandMacgillivray。

TheyaskedmefirstifIwaswillingtoserveagainintheoldgame，andIsaidIwas。Ifeltasbitterassin，forIhadgotfixedinthemilitarygroove，andhadmadegoodthere。HerewasI-abrigadierandstillunderforty，andwithanotheryearofthewartherewasnosayingwhereImightend。Ihadstartedoutwithoutanyambition，onlyagreatwishtoseethebusinessfinished。ButnowIhadacquiredaprofessionalinterestinthething，Ihadanailinggoodbrigade，andIhadgotthehangofournewkindofwaraswellasanyfellowfromSandhurstandCamberley。TheywereaskingmetoscrapallIhadlearnedandstartagaininanewjob。Ihadtoagree，fordiscipline\'sdiscipline，butIcouldhaveknockedtheirheadstogetherinmyvexation。

Whatwasworsetheywouldn\'t，orcouldn\'t，tellmeanythingaboutwhattheywantedmefor。Itwastheoldgameofrunningmeinblinkers。Theyaskedmetotakeitontrustandputmyselfunreservedlyintheirhands。Iwouldgetmyinstructionslater，theysaid。

Iaskedifitwasimportant。

Bullivantnarrowedhiseyes。\'Ifitweren\'t，doyousupposewecouldhavewrunganactivebrigadieroutoftheWarOffice？Asitwas，itwaslikedrawingteeth。\'

\'Isitrisky？\'wasmynextquestion。

\'inthelongrun-damnably，\'wastheanswer。

\'Andyoucan\'ttellmeanythingmore？\'

\'Nothingasyet。You\'llgetyourinstructionssoonenough。Youknowbothofus，Hannay，andyouknowwewouldn\'twastethetimeofagoodmanonfolly。Wearegoingtoaskyouforsomethingwhichwillmakeabigcallonyourpatriotism。Itwillbeadifficultandarduoustask，anditmaybeaverygrimonebeforeyougettotheendofit，butwebelieveyoucandoit，andthatnooneelsecan……Youknowusprettywell。Willyouletusjudgeforyou？\'

IlookedatBullivant\'sshrewd，kindoldfaceandMacgillivray\'ssteadyeyes。Thesemenweremyfriendsandwouldn\'tplaywithMe。

\'Allright，\'Isaid。\'I\'mwilling。What\'sthefirststep？\'

\'Getoutofuniformandforgetyoueverwereasoldier。Changeyourname。Youroldone，CornelisBrandt，willdo，butyou\'dbetterspellit“Brand“thistime。RememberthatyouareanengineerjustbackfromSouthAfrica，andthatyoudon\'tcarearushaboutthewar。Youcan\'tunderstandwhatallthefoolsarefightingabout，andyouthinkwemighthavepeaceatoncebyalittlefriendlybusinesstalk。Youneedn\'tbepro-German-ifyoulikeyoucanberathersevereontheHun。Butyoumustbeindeadlyearnestaboutaspeedypeace。\'

Iexpectthecornersofmymouthfell，forBullivantburstoutlaughing。

\'Hangitall，man，it\'snotsodifficult。Ifeelsometimesinclinedtoarguethatwaymyself，whenmydinnerdoesn\'tagreewithme。It\'snotsohardastowanderroundtheFatherlandabusingBritain，whichwasyourlastjob。\'

\'I\'mready，\'Isaid。\'ButIwanttodooneerrandonmyownfirst。

Imustseeafellowinmybrigadewhoisinashell-shockhospitalintheCotswolds。Isham\'sthenameoftheplace。\'

Thetwomenexchangedglances。\'Thislookslikefate，\'saidBullivant。\'ByallmeansgotoIsham。Theplacewhereyourworkbeginsisonlyacoupleofmilesoff。IwantyoutospendnextThursdaynightastheguestoftwomaidenladiescalledWymondhamatFosseManor。YouwillgodownthereasaloneSouthAfricanvisitingasickfriend。Theyarehospitablesoulsandentertainmanyangelsunawares。\'

\'AndIgetmyordersthere？\'

\'Yougetyourorders，andyouareunderbondtoobeythem。\'

AndBullivantandMacgillivraysmiledateachother。

IwasthinkinghardaboutthatoddconversationasthesmallFordcar，whichIhadwiredfortotheinn，carriedmeawayfromthesuburbsofthecountytownintoalandofrollinghillsandgreenwater-meadows。ItwasagorgeousafternoonandtheblossomofearlyJunewasoneverytree。ButIhadnoeyesforlandscapeandthesummer，beingengagedinreprobatingBullivantandcursingmyfantasticfate。Idetestedmynewpartandlookedforwardtonakedshame。Itwasbadenoughforanyonetohavetoposeasapacifist，butforme，strongasabullandassunburntasagipsyandnotlookingmyfortyyears，itwasablackdisgrace。TogointoGermanyasananti-BritishAfrikanderwasastoutishadventure，buttoloungeaboutathometalkingrotwasaverydifferent-sizedjob。Mystomachroseatthethoughtofit，andIhadprettywelldecidedtowiretoBullivantandcryoff。Therearesomethingsthatnoonehasarighttoaskofanywhiteman。

WhenIgottoIshamandfoundpooroldBlaikieIdidn\'tfeelhappier。HehadbeenafriendofmineinRhodesia，andaftertheGermanSouth-WestaffairwasoverhadcomehometoaFusilierbattalion，whichwasinmybrigadeatArras。Hehadbeenburiedbyabigcrumpjustbeforewegotoursecondobjective，andwasdugoutwithoutascratchonhim，butasdaftasahatter。Ihadheardhewasmending，andhadpromisedhisfamilytolookhimupthefirstchanceIgot。Ifoundhimsittingonagardenseat，staringsteadilybeforehimlikealookoutatsea。Heknewmeallrightandcheeredupforasecond，butverysoonhewasbackathisstaring，andeverywordheutteredwaslikethecarefulspeechofadrunkenman。A

birdflewoutofabush，andIcouldseehimholdinghimselftighttokeepfromscreaming。ThebestIcoulddowastoputahandonhisshoulderandstrokehimasonestrokesafrightenedhorse。Thesightofthepricemyoldfriendhadpaiddidn\'tputmeinlovewithpacificism。

WetalkedofbrotherofficersandSouthAfrica，forIwantedtokeephisthoughtsoffthewar，buthekeptedgingroundtoit。

\'Howlongwillthedamnedthinglast？\'heasked。

\'Oh，it\'spracticallyover，\'Iliedcheerfully。\'Nomorefightingforyouandpreciouslittleforme。TheBocheisdoneinallright……Whatyou\'vegottodo，mylad，istosleepfourteenhoursinthetwenty-fourandspendhalftherestcatchingtrout。We\'llhaveashotatthegrouse-

birdtogetherthisautumnandwe\'llgetsomeoftheoldgangtojoinus。\'

Someoneputatea-trayonthetablebesideus，andIlookeduptoseetheveryprettiestgirlIeverseteyeson。Sheseemedlittlemorethanachild，andbeforethewarwouldprobablyhavestillrankedasaflapper。SheworetheneatbluedressandapronofaV。A。D。

andherwhitecapwassetonhairlikespungold。Shesmileddemurelyasshearrangedthetea-things，andIthoughtIhadneverseeneyesatoncesomerryandsograve。Istaredafterherasshewalkedacrossthelawn，andIremembernoticingthatshemovedwiththefreegraceofanathleticboy。

\'Whoonearth\'sthat？\'IaskedBlaikie。

\'That？Oh，oneofthesisters，\'hesaidlistlessly。\'Therearesquadsofthem。Ican\'ttellonefromanother。\'

Nothinggavemesuchanimpressionofmyfriend\'ssicknessasthefactthatheshouldhavenointerestinsomethingsofreshandjollyasthatgirl。PresentlymytimewasupandIhadtogo，andasI

lookedbackIsawhimsunkinhischairagain，hiseyesfixedonvacancy，andhishandsgrippinghisknees。

Thethoughtofhimdepressedmehorribly。HerewasIcondemnedtosomerottenbuffooneryininglorioussafety，whilethesaltoftheearthlikeBlaikiewaspayingtheghastliestprice。FromhimmythoughtsflewtooldPeterPienaar，andIsatdownonaroadsidewallandreadhislastletter。Itnearlymademehowl。

Peter，youmustknow，hadshavedhisbeardandjoinedtheRoyalFlyingCorpsthesummerbeforewhenwegotbackfromtheGreenmantleaffair。Thatwastheonlykindofrewardhewanted，and，thoughhewasabsurdlyoverage，theauthoritiesallowedit。

Theywerewisenottostickleaboutrules，forPeter\'seyesightandnervewereasgoodasthoseofanyboyoftwenty。Iknewhewoulddowell，butIwasnotpreparedforhisimmediatelyblazingsuccess。

Hegothispilot\'scertificateinrecordtimeandwentouttoFrance；

andpresentlyevenwefoot-sloggers，busyshiftinggroundbeforetheSomme，begantohearrumoursofhisdoings。Hedevelopedaperfectgeniusforair-fighting。Therewereplentybettertrick-flyers，andplentywhoknewmoreaboutthescienceofthegame，buttherewasnoonewithquitePeter\'sgeniusforanactualscrap。HewasasfullofdodgesacoupleofmilesupintheskyashehadbeenamongtherocksoftheBerg。HeapparentlyknewhowtohideintheemptyairascleverlyasinthelonggrassoftheLebomboFlats。

Amazingyarnsbegantocirculateamongtheinfantryaboutthisnewairman，whocouldtakecoverbelowoneplaneofanenemysquadronwhilealltherestwerelookingforhim。IremembertalkingabouthimwiththeSouthAfricanswhenwewereoutrestingnextdoortothemafterthebloodyDelvilleWoodbusiness。

ThedaybeforewehadseenagoodbattleinthecloudswhentheBocheplanehadcrashed，andaTransvaalmachine-gunofficerbroughtthereportthattheBritishairmanhadbeenPienaar。\'Welldone，theold_takhaar！\'hecried，andstartedtoyarnaboutPeter\'smethods。ItappearedthatPeterhadatheorythateverymanhasablindspot，andthatheknewjusthowtofindthatblindspotintheworldofair。Thebestcover，hemaintained，wasnotincloudorawispoffog，butintheunseeingpatchintheeyeofyourenemy。I

recognizedthattalkfortherealthing。ItwasonaparwithPeter\'sdoctrineof\'atmosphere\'and\'thedoublebluff\'andalltheotherprinciplesthathisqueeroldmindhadcogitatedoutofhisracketylife。

BytheendofAugustthatyearPeter\'swasaboutthebest-knownfigureintheFlyingCorps。Ifthereportshadmentionednameshewouldhavebeenanationalhero，buthewasonly\'LieutenantBlank\'，andthenewspapers，whichexpatiatedonhisdeeds，hadtopraisetheServiceandnottheman。Thatwasrightenough，forhalfthemagicofourFlyingCorpswasitsfreedomfromadvertisement。

ButtheBritishArmyknewallabouthim，andthemeninthetrenchesusedtodiscusshimasifhewereacrackfootball-player。

TherewasaverybigGermanairmancalledLensch，oneoftheAlbatrossheroes，whoabouttheendofAugustclaimedtohavedestroyedthirty-twoAlliedmachines。Peterhadthenonlyseventeenplanestohiscredit，buthewasrapidlyincreasinghisscore。Lenschwasamightymanofvalourandagoodsportsmanafterhisfashion。

Hewasamazinglyquickatmanoeuvringhismachineintheactualfight，butPeterwassupposedtobebetteratforcingthekindoffighthewanted。Lensch，ifyoulike，wasthetacticianandPeterthestrategist。Anyhowthetwowereouttogeteachother。TherewereplentyoffellowswhosawthecampaignasastrugglenotbetweenHunandBriton，butbetweenLenschandPienaar。

The15thSeptembercame，andIgotknockedoutandwenttohospital。WhenIwasfittoreadthepapersagainandreceiveletters，IfoundtomyconsternationthatPeterhadbeendowned。IthappenedattheendofOctoberwhenthesouthwestgalesbadlyhandicappedourairwork。Whenourbombingorreconnaissancejobsbehindtheenemylineswerecompleted，insteadofbeingabletoglidebackintosafety，wehadtofightourwayhomeslowlyagainstahead-windexposedtoArchiesandHunplanes。SomewhereeastofBapaumeonareturnjourneyPeterfellinwithLensch-atleasttheGermanPressgaveLenschthecredit。HispetroltankwasshottobitsandhewasforcedtodescendinawoodnearMorchies。

\'ThecelebratedBritishairman，Pinner，\'inthewordsoftheGermancommunique，wasmadeprisoner。

IhadnoletterfromhimtillthebeginningoftheNewYear，whenIwaspreparingtoreturntoFrance。Itwasaverycontentedletter。Heseemedtohavebeenfairlywelltreated，thoughhehadalwaysalowstandardofwhatheexpectedfromtheworldinthewayofcomfort。IinferredthathiscaptorshadnotidentifiedinthebrilliantairmantheDutchmiscreantwhoayearbeforehadbrokenoutofaGermanjail。Hehaddiscoveredthepleasuresofreadingandhadperfectedhimselfinanartwhichhehadoncepractisedindifferently。Somehoworotherhehadgota_Pilgrim\'s_Progress，fromwhichheseemedtoextractenormouspleasure。Andthenattheend，quitecasually，hementionedthathehadbeenbadlywoundedandthathisleftlegwouldneverbemuchuseagain。

AfterthatIgotfrequentletters，andIwrotetohimeveryweekandsenthimeverykindofparcelIcouldthinkof。Hislettersusedtomakemebothashamedandhappy。IhadalwaysbankedonoldPeter，andherehewasbehavinglikeanearlyChristianmartyr-

neverawordofcomplaint，andjustascheeryasifitwereawintermorningonthehighveldandwewereofftoridedownspringbok。

Iknewwhatthelossofalegmustmeantohim，forbodilyfitnesshadalwaysbeenhispride。Therestoflifemusthaveunrolleditselfbeforehimverydrabanddustytothegrave。Buthewroteasifhewereonthetopofhisformandkeptcommiseratingmeonthediscomfortsofmyjob。Thepictureofthatpatient，gentleoldfellow，hobblingabouthiscompoundandpuzzlingoverhis_Pilgrim\'s_Progress，acrippleforlifeafterfivemonthsofblazingglory，wouldhavestiffenedthebackofajellyfish。

Thislastletterwashorriblytouching，forsummerhadcomeandthesmellofthewoodsbehindhisprisonremindedPeterofaplaceintheWoodbush，andonecouldreadineverysentencetheacheofexile。IsatonthatstonewallandconsideredhowtriflingwerethecrumpledleavesinmybedoflifecomparedwiththethornsPeterandBlaikiehadtolieon。IthoughtofSandyfaroffinMesopotamia，andoldBlenkirongroaningwithdyspepsiasomewhereinAmerica，andIconsideredthattheywerethekindoffellowswhodidtheirjobswithoutcomplaining。TheresultwasthatwhenIgotuptogoonIhadrecoveredamanliertemper。Iwasn\'tgoingtoshamemyfriendsorpickandchoosemyduty。IwouldtrustmyselftoProvidence，for，asBlenkironusedtosay，Providencewasallrightifyougavehimachance。

ItwasnotonlyPeter\'sletterthatsteadiedandcalmedme。Ishamstoodhighupinafoldofthehillsawayfromthemainvalley，andtheroadIwastakingbroughtmeovertheridgeandbacktothestream-side。Iclimbedthroughgreatbeechwoods，whichseemedinthetwilightlikesomegreenplacefarbelowthesea，andthenoverashortstretchofhillpasturetotherimofthevale。Allaboutmewerelittlefieldsenclosedwithwallsofgreystoneandfullofdimsheep。BelowwereduskywoodsaroundwhatItooktobeFosseManor，forthegreatRomanFosseWay，straightasanarrow，passedoverthehillstothesouthandskirteditsgrounds。Icouldseethestreamslippingamongitswater-meadowsandcouldheartheplashoftheweir。Atinyvillagesettledinacrookofthehill，anditschurch-towersoundedsevenwithacuriouslysweetchime。

Otherwisetherewasnonoisebutthetwitterofsmallbirdsandthenightwindinthetopsofthebeeches。

InthatmomentIhadakindofrevelation。IhadavisionofwhatIhadbeenfightingfor，whatweallwerefightingfor。Itwaspeace，deepandholyandancient，peaceolderthantheoldestwars，peacewhichwouldendurewhenallourswordswerehammeredintoploughshares。Itwasmore；forinthathourEnglandfirsttookholdofme。BeforemycountryhadbeenSouthAfrica，andwhenI

thoughtofhomeithadbeenthewidesun-steepedspacesoftheveldorsomescentedglenoftheBerg。ButnowIrealizedthatI

hadanewhome。IunderstoodwhatapreciousthingthislittleEnglandwas，howoldandkindlyandcomforting，howwhollyworthstrivingfor。Thefreedomofanacreofhersoilwascheaplyboughtbythebloodofthebestofus。Iknewwhatitmeanttobeapoet，thoughforthelifeofmeIcouldnothavemadealineofverse。ForinthathourIhadaprospectasiffromahilltopwhichmadeallthepresenttroublesoftheroadseemofnoaccount。Isawnotonlyvictoryafterwar，butanewandhappierworldaftervictory，whenIshouldinheritsomethingofthisEnglishpeaceandwrapmyselfinittilltheendofmydays。

Veryhumblyandquietly，likeamanwalkingthroughacathedral，IwentdownthehilltotheManorlodge，andcametoadoorinanoldred-brickfacade，smotheredinmagnoliaswhichsmeltlikehotlemonsintheJunedusk。Thecarfromtheinnhadbroughtonmybaggage，andpresentlyIwasdressinginaroomwhichlookedoutonawater-garden。ForthefirsttimeformorethanayearIputonastarchedshirtandadinner-jacket，andasIdressedIcouldhavesungfrompurelightheartedness。Iwasinforsomearduousjob，andsometimethateveninginthatplaceIshouldgetmymarchingorders。Someonewouldarrive-perhapsBullivant-andreadmetheriddle。Butwhateveritwas，Iwasreadyforit，formywholebeinghadfoundanewpurpose。Livinginthetrenches，youareapttogetyourhorizonnarroweddowntothefrontlineofenemybarbedwireononesideandthenearestrestbilletsontheother。

ButnowIseemedtoseebeyondthefogtoahappycountry。

High-pitchedvoicesgreetedmyearsasIcamedownthebroadstaircase，voiceswhichscarcelyaccordedwiththepanelledwallsandtheausterefamilyportraits；andwhenIfoundmyhostessesinthehallIthoughttheirlooksstilllessinkeepingwiththehouse。

Bothladieswereonthewrongsideofforty，buttheirdresswasthatofyounggirls。MissDoriaWymondhamwastallandthinwithamassofnondescriptpalehairconfinedbyablackvelvetfillet。

MissClaireWymondhamwasshorterandplumperandhaddoneherbestbyill-appliedcosmeticstomakeherselflooklikeaforeigndemi-mondaine。TheygreetedmewiththefriendlycasualnesswhichIhadlongagodiscoveredwastherightEnglishmannertowardsyourguests；asiftheyhadjuststrolledinandbilletedthemselves，andyouwerequitegladtoseethembutmustn\'tbeaskedtotroubleyourselffurther。Thenextsecondtheywerecooinglikepigeonsroundapicturewhichayoungmanwasholdingupinthelamplight。

Hewasatallish，leanfellowofroundaboutthirtyyears，wearinggreyflannelsandshoesdustyfromthecountryroads。Histhinfacewassallowasiffromlivingindoors，andhehadrathermorehaironhisheadthanmostofus。Intheglowofthelamphisfeatureswereveryclear，andIexaminedthemwithinterest，for，remember，Iwasexpectingastrangertogivemeorders。Hehadalong，ratherstrongchinandanobstinatemouthwithpeevishlinesaboutitscorners。Buttheremarkablefeaturewashiseyes。Icanbestdescribethembysayingthattheylookedhot-notfierceorangry，butsorestlessthattheyseemedtoachephysicallyandtowantspongingwithcoldwater。

Theyfinishedtheirtalkaboutthepicture-whichwascouchedinajargonofwhichIdidnotunderstandoneword-andMissDoriaturnedtomeandtheyoungman。

\'MycousinLauncelotWake-MrBrand。\'

WenoddedstifflyandMrWake\'shandwentuptosmoothhishairinaself-consciousgesture。

\'HasBarnardannounceddinner？Bytheway，whereisMary？\'

\'ShecameinfiveminutesagoandIsenthertochange，\'saidMissClaire。\'Iwon\'thaveherspoilingtheeveningwiththathorriduniform。Shemaymasqueradeasshelikesout-of-doors，butthishouseisforcivilizedpeople。\'

Thebutlerappearedandmumbledsomething。\'Comealong，\'

criedMissDoria，\'forI\'msureyouarestarving，MrBrand。AndLauncelothasbicycledtenmiles。\'

Thedining-roomwasveryunlikethehall。Thepanellinghadbeenstrippedoff，andthewallsandceilingwerecoveredwithadead-

blacksatinypaperonwhichhungthemostmonstrouspicturesinlargedull-goldframes。Icouldonlyseethemdimly，buttheyseemedtobeamereriotofuglycolour。Theyoungmannoddedtowardsthem。\'IseeyouhavegottheDegousseshungatlast，\'hesaid。

\'Howexquisitetheyare！\'criedMissClaire。\'Howsubtleandcandidandbrave！DoriaandIwarmoursoulsattheirflame。\'

Somearomaticwoodhadbeenburnedintheroom，andtherewasaqueersicklyscentabout。Everythinginthatplacewasstrainedanduneasyandabnormal-thecandleshadesonthetable，themassoffakedchinafruitinthecentredish，thegaudyhangingsandthenightmarishwalls。Butthefoodwasmagnificent。ItwasthebestdinnerIhadeatensince1914。

\'Tellme，MrBrand，\'saidMissDoria，herlongwhitefaceproppedonamuch-beringedhand。\'Youareoneofus？Youareinrevoltagainstthiscrazywar？\'

\'Why，yes，\'Isaid，rememberingmypart。\'Ithinkalittlecommon-sensewouldsettleitrightaway。\'

\'Withalittlecommon-senseitwouldneverhavestarted，\'saidMrWake。

\'Launcelot\'saC。O。，youknow，\'saidMissDoria。

Ididnotknow，forhedidnotlookanykindofsoldier……Iwasjustabouttoaskhimwhathecommanded，whenIrememberedthatthelettersstoodalsofor\'ConscientiousObjector，\'andstoppedintime。

Atthatmomentsomeoneslippedintothevacantseatonmyrighthand。IturnedandsawtheV。A。D。girlwhohadbroughtteatoBlaikiethatafternoonatthehospital。

\'HewasexemptedbyhisDepartment，\'theladywenton，\'forhe\'saCivilServant，andsoheneverhadachanceoftestifyingincourt，butnoonehasdonebetterworkforourcause。HeisonthecommitteeoftheL。D。A。，andquestionshavebeenaskedabouthiminParliament。\'

Themanwasnotquitecomfortableatthisbiography。Heglancednervouslyatmeandwasgoingtobeginsomekindofexplanation，whenMissDoriacuthimshort。\'Rememberourrule，Launcelot。

Noturgidwarcontroversywithinthesewalls。\'

Iagreedwithher。ThewarhadseemedcloselyknittotheSummerlandscapeforallitspeace，andtothenobleoldchambersoftheManor。Butinthatdementedmodishdining-roomitwasshriekinglyincongruous。

Thentheyspokeofotherthings。Mostlyofpicturesorcommonfriends，andalittleofbooks。Theypaidnoheedtome，whichwasfortunate，forIknownothingaboutthesemattersanddidn\'tunderstandhalfthelanguage。ButonceMissDoriatriedtobringmein。

TheyweretalkingaboutsomeRussiannovel-anamelikeLeprousSouls-andsheaskedmeifIhadreadit。ByacuriouschanceIhad。

Ithaddriftedsomehowintoourdug-outontheScarpe，andafterwehadallstuckinthesecondchapterithaddisappearedinthemudtowhichitnaturallybelonged。Theladypraisedits\'poignancy\'

and\'gravebeauty\'。Iassentedandcongratulatedmyselfonmysecondescape-forifthequestionhadbeenputtomeIshouldhavedescribeditasGod-forgottentwaddle。

Iturnedtothegirl，whowelcomedmewithasmile。IhadthoughtherprettyinherV。A。D。dress，butnow，inafilmyblackgownandwithherhairnolongerhiddenbyacap，shewasthemostravishingthingyoueversaw。AndIobservedsomethingelse。

Therewasmorethangoodlooksinheryoungface。Herbroad，lowbrowandherlaughingeyeswereamazinglyintelligent。Shehadanuncannypowerofmakinghereyesgosuddenlygraveanddeep，likeaglitteringrivernarrowingintoapool。

\'Weshallneverbeintroduced，\'shesaid，\'soletmerevealmyself。

I\'mMaryLamingtonandthesearemyaunts……DidyoureallylikeLeprousSouls？\'

itwaseasyenoughtotalktoher。AndoddlyenoughhermerepresencetookawaytheoppressionIhadfeltinthatroom。Forshebelongedtotheout-of-doorsandtotheoldhouseandtotheworldatlarge。Shebelongedtothewar，andtothathappierworldbeyondit-aworldwhichmustbewonbygoingthroughthestruggleandnotbyshirkingit，likethosetwosillyladies。

IcouldseeWake\'seyesoftenonthegirl，whileheboomedandoraculatedandtheMissesWymondhamprattled。Presentlytheconversationseemedtoleavetheflowerypathsofartandtovergeperilouslynearforbiddentopics。Hebegantoabuseourgeneralsinthefield。Icouldnotchoosebutlisten。MissLamington\'sbrowswereslightlybent，asifindisapproval，andmyowntemperbegantorise。

Hehadeverykindofidioticcriticism-incompetence，faint-

heartedness，corruption。WherehegotthestuffIcan\'timagine，forthemostgrousingTommy，withhisleavestopped，neverputtogethersuchbalderdash。Worstofallheaskedmetoagreewithhim。

Ittookallmysenseofdiscipline。\'Idon\'tknowmuchaboutthesubject，\'Isaid，\'butoutinSouthAfricaIdidhearthattheBritishleadingwastheweakpoint。Iexpectthere\'sagooddealinwhatyousay。\'

Itmayhavebeenfancy，butthegirlatmysideseemedtowhisper\'Welldone！\'

WakeandIdidnotremainlongbehindbeforejoiningtheladies；

Ipurposelycutitshort，forIwasinmortalfearlestIshouldlosemytemperandspoileverything。Istoodupwithmybackagainstthemantelpieceforaslongasamanmaysmokeacigarette，andI

lethimyarntome，whileIlookedsteadilyathisface。BythistimeI

wasveryclearthatWakewasnotthefellowtogivememyinstructions。

Hewasn\'tplayingagame。Hewasaperfectlyhonestcrank，butnotafanatic，forhewasn\'tsureofhimself。Hehadsomehowlosthisself-respectandwastryingtoarguehimselfbackintoit。Hehadconsiderablebrains，forthereasonshegavefordifferingfrommostofhiscountrymenweregoodsofarastheywent。Ishouldn\'thavecaredtotakehimoninpublicargument。IfyouhadtoldmeaboutsuchafellowaweekbeforeIshouldhavebeensickatthethoughtofhim。ButnowIdidn\'tdislikehim。IwasboredbyhimandIwasalsotremendouslysorryforhim。Youcouldseehewasasrestlessasahen。

Whenwewentbacktothehallheannouncedthathemustgetontheroad，andcommandeeredMissLamingtontohelphimfindhisbicycle。Itappearedhewasstayingataninnadozenmilesoffforacoupleofdays\'fishing，andthenewssomehowmademelikehimbetter。PresentlytheladiesofthehousedepartedtobedfortheirbeautysleepandIwaslefttomyowndevices。

ForsometimeIsatsmokinginthehallwonderingwhenthemessengerwouldarrive。Itwasgettinglateandthereseemedtobenopreparationinthehousetoreceiveanybody。ThebutlercameinwithatrayofdrinksandIaskedhimifheexpectedanotherguestthatnight。

\'I\'adn\'t\'eardofit，sir，\'washisanswer。\'There\'asn\'tbeenatelegramthatIknowof，andI\'avereceivednoinstructions。\'

Ilitmypipeandsatfortwentyminutesreadingaweeklypaper。

ThenIgotupandlookedatthefamilyportraits。Themooncomingthroughthelatticeinvitedmeout-of-doorsasacureformyanxiety。Itwasaftereleveno\'clock，andIwasstillwithoutanyknowledgeofmynextstep。Itisamaddeningbusinesstobescrewedupforanunpleasantjobandtohavethewheelsoftheconfoundedthingtarry。

Outsidethehousebeyondaflaggedterracethelawnfellaway，whiteinthemoonshine，totheedgeofthestream，whichherehadexpandedintoaminiaturelake。Bythewater\'sedgewasalittleformalgardenwithgreystoneparapetswhichnowgleamedlikeduskymarble。Greatwaftsofscentrosefromit，forthelilacswerescarcelyoverandthemaywasinfullblossom。Outfromtheshadeofitcamesuddenlyavoicelikeanightingale。

Itwassingingtheoldsong\'CherryRipe\'，acommonenoughthingwhichIhadchieflyknownfrombarrel-organs。ButheardinthescentedmoonlightitseemedtoholdallthelingeringmagicofanelderEnglandandofthishallowedcountryside。IsteppedinsidethegardenboundsandsawtheheadofthegirlMary。

Shewasconsciousofmypresence，forsheturnedtowardsme。

\'Iwascomingtolookforyou，\'shesaid，\'nowthatthehouseisquiet。Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou，GeneralHannay。\'

Sheknewmynameandmustbesomehowinthebusiness。Thethoughtentrancedme。

\'ThankGodIcanspeaktoyoufreely，\'Icried。\'Whoandwhatareyou-livinginthathouseinthatkindofcompany？\'

\'Mygoodaunts！\'Shelaughedsoftly。\'Theytalkagreatdealabouttheirsouls，buttheyreallymeantheirnerves。Why，theyarewhatyoucallmycamouflage，andaverygoodonetoo。\'

\'Andthatcadaverousyoungprig？\'

\'PoorLauncelot！Yes-camouflagetoo-perhapssomethingalittlemore。Youmustnotjudgehimtooharshly。\'

\'But……but-\'Ididnotknowhowtoputit，andstammeredinmyeagerness。\'HowcanItellthatyouaretherightpersonformetospeakto？YouseeIamunderorders，andIhavegotnoneaboutyou。\'

\'IwillgiveYouProof，\'shesaid。\'ThreedaysagoSirWalterBullivantandMrMacgillivraytoldyoutocomeheretonightandtowaithereforfurtherinstructions。Youmettheminthelittlesmoking-roomatthebackoftheRotaClub。YouwerebiddentakethenameofCorneliusBrand，andturnyourselffromasuccessfulgeneralintoapacifistSouthAfricanengineer。Isthatcorrect？\'

\'Perfectly。\'

\'Youhavebeenrestlessalleveninglookingforthemessengertogiveyoutheseinstructions。Setyourmindatease。Nomessengeriscoming。Youwillgetyourordersfromme。\'

\'Icouldnottakethemfromamorewelcomesource，\'Isaid。

\'Veryprettilyput。IfyouwantfurthercredentialsIcantellyoumuchaboutyourowndoingsinthepastthreeyears。Icanexplaintoyouwhodon\'tneedtheexplanation，everystepinthebusinessoftheBlackStone。IthinkIcoulddrawaprettyaccuratemapofyourjourneytoErzerum。YouhavealetterfromPeterPienaarinyourpocket-Icantellyouitscontents。Areyouwillingtotrustme？\'

\'Withallmyheart，\'Isaid。

\'Good。Thenmyfirstorderwilltryyouprettyhard。ForIhavenoorderstogiveyouexcepttobidyougoandsteepyourselfinaparticularkindoflife。Yourfirstdutyistoget“atmosphere“，asyourfriendPeterusedtosay。Oh，Iwilltellyouwheretogoandhowtobehave。ButIcan\'tbidyoudoanything，onlyliveidlywithopeneyesandearstillyouhavegotthe“feel“ofthesituation。\'

Shestoppedandlaidahandonmyarm。

\'Itwon\'tbeeasy。Itwouldmaddenme，anditwillbeafarheavierburdenforamanlikeyou。Youhavegottosinkdowndeepintothelifeofthehalf-baked，thepeoplewhomthiswarhasn\'ttouchedorhastouchedinthewrongway，thepeoplewhosplithairsalldayandareengrossedinwhatyouandIwouldcallselfishlittlefads。Yes。PeoplelikemyauntsandLauncelot，onlyforthemostpartinadifferentsocialgrade。Youwon\'tliveinanoldmanorlikethis，butamonggimcracklittle“arty“houses。Youwillheareverythingyouregardassacredlaughedatandcondemned，andeverykindofnauseousfollyacclaimed，andyoumustholdyourtongueandpretendtoagree。Youwillhavenothingintheworldtodoexcepttoletthelifesoakintoyou，and，asIhavesaid，keepyoureyesandearsopen。\'

\'ButyoumustgivemesomeclueastowhatIshouldbelookingfor？\'

\'Myordersaretogiveyounone。Ourchiefs-yoursandmine-

wantyoutogowhereyouaregoingwithoutanykindof_parti_pris。

Rememberwearestillintheintelligencestageoftheaffair。Thetimehasn\'tyetcomeforaplanofcampaign，andstilllessforaction。\'

\'Tellmeonething，\'Isaid。\'Isitareallybigthingwe\'reafter？\'

\'A-really-big-thing，\'shesaidslowlyandverygravely。\'YouandIandsomehundredothersarehuntingthemostdangerousmaninalltheworld。TillwesucceedeverythingthatBritaindoesiscrippled。IfwefailorsucceedtoolatetheAlliesmayneverwinthevictorywhichistheirright。Iwilltellyouonethingtocheeryou。

Itisinsomesortaraceagainsttime，soyourpurgatorywon\'tenduretoolong。\'

Iwasboundtoobey，andsheknewit，forshetookmywillingnessforgranted。

Fromalittlegoldsatchelsheselectedatinybox，andopeningitextractedathinglikeapurplewaferwithawhiteStAndrew\'sCrossonit。

\'Whatkindofwatchhaveyou？Ah，ahunter。Pastethatinsidethelid。Somedayyoumaybecalledontoshowit……Oneotherthing。Buytomorrowacopyofthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progressandgetitbyheart。YouwillreceivelettersandmessagessomedayandthestyleofourfriendsisapttobereminiscentofJohnBunyan……Thecarwillbeatthedoortomorrowtocatchtheten-thirty，andIwillgiveyoutheaddressoftheroomsthathavebeentakenforyou……

BeyondthatIhavenothingtosay，excepttobegyoutoplaythepartwellandkeepyourtemper。Youbehavedverynicelyatdinner。\'

Iaskedonelastquestionaswesaidgoodnightinthehall。\'ShallIseeyouagain？\'

\'Soon，andoften，\'wastheanswer。\'Rememberwearecolleagues。\'

Iwentupstairsfeelingextraordinarilycomforted。Ihadaperfectlybeastlytimeaheadofme，butnowitwasallglorifiedandcolouredwiththethoughtofthegirlwhohadsung\'CherryRipe\'inthegarden。IcommendedthewisdomofthatoldserpentBullivantinthechoiceofhisintermediary，forI\'mhangedifIwouldhavetakensuchordersfromanyoneelse。

CHAPTERTWO

\'TheVillageNamedMorality\'

UPonthehighveldourriversareapttobestringsofpoolslinkedbymuddytrickles-themoststagnantkindofwatercourseyouwouldlookforinaday\'sjourney。Butpresentlytheyreachtheedgeoftheplateauandaretosseddownintotheflatsinnobleravines，androllthereafterinfullandsoundingcurrentstothesea。

SowiththestoryIamtelling。Itbeganinsmoothreaches，asidleasamill-pond；yetthedaysooncamewhenIwasinthegripofatorrent，flungbreathlessfromrocktorockbyadestinywhichI

couldnotcontrol。ButforthepresentIwasinabackwater，nolessthantheGardenCityofBiggleswick，whereMrCorneliusBrand，aSouthAfricangentlemanvisitingEnglandonholiday，lodgedinapairofroomsinthecottageofMrTancredjimson。

Thehouse-or\'home\'astheypreferredtonameitatBiggleswick-wasoneofsometwohundredotherswhichringedapleasantMidlandcommon。Itwasbadlybuiltandoddlyfurnished；thebedwastooshort，thewindowsdidnotfit，thedoorsdidnotstayshut；

butitwasascleanassoapandwaterandscrubbingcouldmakeit。

Thethree-quartersofanacreofgardenweremainlydevotedtothecultureofpotatoes，thoughundertheparlourwindowMrsjimsonhadaplotofsweet-smellingherbs，andlinesoflanksunflowersfringedthepaththatledtothefrontdoor。ItwasMrsjimsonwhoreceivedmeasIdescendedfromthestationfly-alargeredwomanwithhairbleachedbyconstantexposuretoweather，cladinagownwhich，bothinshapeandmaterial，seemedtohavebeenmodelledonachintzcurtain。Shewasagoodkindlysoul，andasproudasPunchofherhouse。

\'Wefollowthesimplelifehere，MrBrand，\'shesaid。\'Youmusttakeusasyoufindus。\'

IassuredherthatIaskedfornothingbetter，andasI

unpackedinmyfreshlittlebedroomwithawestwindblowinginatthewindowIconsideredthatIhadseenworsequarters。

IhadboughtinLondonaconsiderablenumberofbooks，forI

thoughtthat，asIwouldhavetimeonmyhands，Imightaswelldosomethingaboutmyeducation。TheyweremostlyEnglishclassics，whosenamesIknewbutwhichIhadneverread，andtheywereallinalittleflat-backedseriesatashillingapiece。Iarrangedthemontopofachestofdrawers，butIkeptthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progressbesidemybed，forthatwasoneofmyworkingtoolsandIhadgottogetitbyheart。

Mrsjimson，whocameinwhileIwasunpackingtoseeiftheroomwastomyliking，approvedmytaste。Atourmiddaydinnershewantedtodiscussbookswithme，andwassofullofherownknowledgethatIwasabletoconcealmyignorance。

\'Wearealllabouringtoexpressourpersonalities，\'sheinformedme。\'Haveyoufoundyourmedium，MrBrand？isittobethepenorthepencil？Orperhapsitismusic？Youhavethebrowofanartist，thefrontal“barofMichelangelo“，youremember！\'

ItoldherthatIconcludedIwouldtryliterature，butbeforewritinganythingIwouldreadabitmore。

ItwasaSaturday，sojimsoncamebackfromtownintheearlyafternoon。Hewasamanagingclerkinsomeshippingoffice，butyouwouldn\'thaveguesseditfromhisappearance。Hiscityclotheswereloosedark-greyflannels，asoftcollar，anorangetie，andasoftblackhat。Hiswifewentdowntheroadtomeethim，andtheyreturnedhand-in-hand，swingingtheirarmslikeacoupleofschoolchildren。Hehadaskimpyredbeardstreakedwithgrey，andmildblueeyesbehindstrongglasses。Hewasthemostfriendlycreatureintheworld，fullofrapidquestions，andeagertomakemefeeloneofthefamily。PresentlyhegotintoatweedNorfolkjacket，andstartedtocultivatehisgarden。Itookoffmycoatandlenthimahand，andwhenhestoppedtorestfromhislabours-whichwaseveryfiveminutes，forhehadnokindofphysique-hewouldmophisbrowandrubhisspectaclesanddeclaimaboutthegoodsmelloftheearthandthejoyofgettingclosetoNature。

Oncehelookedatmybigbrownhandsandmusculararmswithakindofwistfulness。\'Youareoneofthedoers，MrBrand，\'hesaid，\'andIcouldfinditinmyhearttoenvyyou。YouhaveseenNatureinwildformsinfarcountries。SomedayIhopeyouwilltellusaboutyourlife。Imustbecontentwithmylittlecorner，buthappilytherearenoterritoriallimitsforthemind。Thismodestdwellingisawatch-towerfromwhichIlookoveralltheworld。\'

Afterthathetookmeforawalk。Wemetpartiesofreturningtennis-playersandhereandthereagolfer。Thereseemedtobeanabundanceofyoungmen，mostlyratherweedy-looking，butwithoneortwowell-grownoneswhoshouldhavebeenfighting。Thenamesofsomeofthemjimsonmentionedwithawe。AnunwholesomeyouthwasAronson，thegreatnovelist；asturdy，bristlingfellowwithafiercemoustachewasLetchford，thecelebratedleader-writeroftheCritic。Severalwerepointedouttomeasartistswhohadgoneonebetterthananybodyelse，andavastbillowycreaturewasdescribedastheleaderofthenewOrientalisminEngland。Inoticedthatthesepeople，accordingtojimson，wereall\'great\'，andthattheyalldabbledinsomething\'new\'。Therewerequantitiesofyoungwomen，too，mostofthemratherbadlydressedandincliningtountidyhair。Andtherewereseveraldecentcouplestakingtheairlikehouse-holdersofaneveningalltheworldOver。

Mostoftheselastwerejimson\'sfriends，towhomheintroducedme。Theywerehisownclass-modestfolk，whosoughtforacolouredbackgroundtotheirprosaiccitylivesandfounditinthisoddsettlement。

AtsupperIwasinitiatedintothepeculiarmeritsofBiggleswick。

\'Itisonegreatlaboratoryofthought，\'saidMrsjimson。\'Itisglorioustofeelthatyouarelivingamongtheeager，vitalpeoplewhoareattheheadofallthenewestmovements，andthattheintellectualhistoryofEnglandisbeingmadeinourstudiesandgardens。Thewartousseemsaremoteandsecondaryaffair。Assomeonehassaid，thegreatfightsoftheworldareallfoughtinthemind。\'

Aspasmofpaincrossedherhusband\'sface。\'IwishIcouldfeelitfaraway。Afterall，Ursula，itisthesacrificeoftheyoungthatgivespeoplelikeusleisureandpeacetothink。Ourdutyistodothebestwhichispermittedtous，butthatdutyisapoorthingcomparedwithwhatouryoungsoldiersaregiving！Imaybequitewrongaboutthewar……IknowIcan\'targuewithLetchford。ButIwillnotpretendtoasuperiorityIdonotfeel。\'

IwenttobedfeelingthatinjimsonIhadstruckaprettysoundfellow。AsIlitthecandlesonmydressing-tableIobservedthatthestackofsilverwhichIhadtakenoutofmypocketswhenIwashedbeforesupperwastop-heavy。Ithadtwobigcoinsatthetopandsixpencesandshillingsbeneath。NowitisoneofmyodditiesthateversinceIwasasmallboyIhavearrangedmyloosecoinssymmetrically，withthesmallestuppermost。Thatmademeobservantandledmetonoticeasecondpoint。TheEnglishclassicsonthetopofthechestofdrawerswerenotintheorderIhadleftthem。

IzaakWaltonhadgottotheleftofSirThomasBrowne，andthepoetBurnswaswedgeddisconsolatelybetweentwovolumesofHazlitt。MoreoverareceiptedbillwhichIhadstuckinthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progresstomarkmyplacehadbeenmoved。Someonehadbeengoingthroughmybelongings。

Amoment\'sreflectionconvincedmethatitcouldn\'thavebeenMrsjimson。Shehadnoservantanddidthehouseworkherself，butmythingshadbeenuntouchedwhenIlefttheroombeforesupper，forshehadcometotidyupbeforeIhadgonedownstairs。Someonehadbeenherewhilewewereatsupper，andhadexaminedelaboratelyeverythingIpossessed。HappilyIhadlittleluggage，andnopaperssavethenewbooksandabillortwointhenameofCorneliusBrand-Theinquisitor，whoeverhewas，hadfoundnothing……Theincidentgavemeagooddealofcomfort。Ithadbeenhardtobelievethatanymysterycouldexistinthispublicplace，wherepeoplelivedbrazenlyintheopen，andworetheirheartsontheirsleevesandproclaimedtheiropinionsfromtherooftops。Yetmysterytheremustbe，oraninoffensivestrangerwithakit-bagwouldnothavereceivedthesestrangeattentions。I

madeapracticeafterthatofsleepingwithmywatchbelowmypillow，forinsidethecasewasMaryLamington\'slabel。Nowbeganaperiodofpleasantidlereceptiveness。OnceaweekitwasmycustomtogouptoLondonforthedaytoreceivelettersandinstructions，ifanyshouldcome。IhadmovedfrommychambersinParkLane，whichIleasedundermypropername，toasmallflatinWestminstertakeninthenameofCorneliusBrand。ThelettersaddressedtoParkLanewereforwardedtoSirWalter，whosentthemroundundercovertomynewaddress。FortherestIusedtospendmymorningsreadinginthegarden，andIdiscoveredforthefirsttimewhatapleasurewastobegotfromoldbooks。TheyrecalledandamplifiedthatvisionIhadseenfromtheCotswoldridge，therevelationofthepricelessheritagewhichisEngland。I

imbibedamightyquantityofhistory，butespeciallyIlikedthewriters，likeWalton，whogotattheveryheartoftheEnglishcountryside。Soon，too，Ifoundthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progressnotadutybutadelight。Idiscoverednewjewelsdailyinthehonestoldstory，andmyletterstoPeterbegantobeasfullofitasPeter\'sownepistles。I

loved，also，thesongsoftheElizabethans，fortheyremindedmeofthegirlwhohadsungtomeintheJunenight。

IntheafternoonsItookmyexerciseinlongtrampsalongthegooddustyEnglishroads。ThecountryfellawayfromBiggleswickintoaplainofwoodandpasture-land，withlowhillsonthehorizon。

ThePlacewassownwithvillages，eachwithitsgreenandpondandancientchurch。Most，too，hadinns，andthereIhadmanyadraughtofcoolnuttyale，fortheinnatBiggleswickwasareformedplacewhichsoldnothingbutwashycider。Often，trampinghomeinthedusk，IwassomuchinlovewiththelandthatIcouldhavesungwiththepurejoyofit。Andintheevening，afterabath，therewouldbesupper，whenaratherfaggedjimsonstruggledbetweensleepandhunger，andthelady，withanartisticmutchonheruntidyhead，talkedruthlesslyofculture。

BitbybitIedgedmywayintolocalsociety。TheJimsonswereagreathelp，fortheywerepopularandhadanoddingacquaintancewithmostoftheinhabitants。Theyregardedmeasameritoriousaspiranttowardsahigherlife，andIwasparadedbeforetheirfriendswiththesuggestionofavivid，ifPhilistine，past。IfIhadanygiftforwriting，IwouldmakeabookabouttheinhabitantsofBiggleswick。Abouthalfwererespectablecitizenswhocamethereforcountryairandlowrates，buteventhesehadatouchofqueernessandhadpickedupthejargonoftheplace。TheyoungermenweremostlyGovernmentclerksorwritersorartists。Therewereafewwidowswithflocksofdaughters，andontheoutskirtswereseveralbiggerhouses-mostlyhouseswhichhadbeentherebeforethegardencitywasplanted。Oneofthemwasbrand-new，astaringvillawithsham-antiquetimbering，stuckonthetopofahillamongrawgardens。ItbelongedtoamancalledMoxonIvery，whowasakindofacademicpacificistandagreatgodintheplace。

Another，aquietGeorgianmanorhouse，wasownedbyaLondonpublisher，anardentLiberalwhoseparticularbranchofbusinesscompelledhimtokeepintouchwiththenewmovements。Iusedtoseehimhurryingtothestationswingingalittleblackbagandreturningatnightwiththefishfordinner。

Isoongottoknowasurprisinglotofpeople，andtheyweretherummiestbirdsyoucanimagine。Forexample，thereweretheWeekeses，threegirlswholivedwiththeirmotherinahousesoartisticthatyoubrokeyourheadwhicheverwayyouturnedinit。

Thesonofthefamilywasaconscientiousobjectorwhohadrefusedtodoanysortofworkwhatever，andhadgotquoddedforhispains。TheywereimmenselyproudofhimandusedtorelatehissufferingsinDartmoorwithagustowhichIthoughtratherheartless。

Artwastheirgreatsubject，andIamafraidtheyfoundmeprettyheavygoing。Itwastheirfashionnevertoadmireanythingthatwasobviouslybeautiful，likeasunsetoraprettywoman，buttofindsurprisinglovelinessinthingswhichIthoughthideous。

Alsotheytalkedalanguagethatwasbeyondme。Thiskindofconversationusedtohappen-missWEEKES:\'Don\'tyouadmireUrsulajimson？\'SELF:\'Rather！\'missw。:\'SheissoJohn-esqueinherlines。\'SELF:\'Exactly！\'missw。:\'AndTancred，too-heissofullofnuances。\'SELF:\'Rather！\'missw。:\'HesuggestsoneofDegousse\'scountrymen。\'SELF:\'Exactly！\'

Theyhadn\'tmuchuseforbooks，exceptsomeRussianones，andIacquiredmeritintheireyesforhavingreadLeprousSouls。Ifyoutalkedtothemaboutthatdivinecountryside，youfoundtheydidn\'tgivearapforitandhadneverbeenamilebeyondthevillage。

ButtheyadmiredgreatlythesombreeffectofatraingoingintoMarylebonestationonarainyday。

Butitwasthemenwhointerestedmemost。Aronson，thenovelist，provedonacquaintancetheworstkindofblighter。Heconsideredhimselfageniuswhomitwasthedutyofthecountrytosupport，andhespongedonhiswretchedrelativesandanyonewhowouldlendhimmoney。Hewasalwaysbabblingabouthissins，andprettysqualidtheywere。Ishouldliketohaveflunghimamongafewgoodold-fashionedfull-bloodedsinnersofmyacquaintance；

theywouldhavescaredhimconsiderably。Hetoldmethathesought\'reality\'and\'life\'and\'truth\'，butitwashardtoseehowhecouldknowmuchaboutthem，forhespenthalfthedayinbedsmokingcheapcigarettes，andtherestsunninghimselfintheadmirationofhalf-wittedgirls。Thecreaturewastuberculousinmindandbody，andtheonlynovelofhisIread，prettywellturnedmystomach。MrAronson\'sstrongpointwasjokesaboutthewar。Ifheheardofanyacquaintancewhohadjoineduporwasevendoingwarworkhismerrimentknewnobounds。Myfingersusedtoitchtoboxthelittlewretch\'sears。

Letchfordwasadifferentpairofshoes。Hewassomekindofaman，tobeginwith，andhadanexcellentbrainandtheworstmannersconceivable。Hecontradictedeverythingyousaid，andlookedoutforanargumentasotherpeoplelookfortheirdinner。

Hewasadouble-engined，high-speedpacificist，becausehewasthekindofcantankerousfellowwhomustalwaysbeinaminority。ifBritainhadstoodoutofthewarhewouldhavebeenaravingmilitarist，butsinceshewasinithehadgottofindreasonswhyshewaswrong。Andjollygoodreasonstheywere，too。Icouldn\'thavemethisargumentsifIhadwantedto，soIsatdocilelyathisfeet。

TheworldwasallcrookedforLetchford，andGodhadcreatedhimwithtwolefthands。Butthefellowhadmerits。Hehadacoupleofjollychildrenwhomheadored，andhewouldwalkmileswithmeonaSunday，andspoutpoetryaboutthebeautyandgreatnessofEngland。Hewasforty-five；ifhehadbeenthirtyandinmybattalionIcouldhavemadeasoldieroutofhim。

ThereweredozensmorewhosenamesIhaveforgotten，buttheyhadonecommoncharacteristic。Theywerepuffedupwithspiritualpride，andIusedtoamusemyselfwithfindingtheiroriginalsinthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progress。WhenItriedtojudgethembythestandardofoldPeter，theyfellwoefullyshort。Theyshutoutthewarfromtheirlives，someoutoffunk，someoutofpurelevityofmind，andsomebecausetheywerereallyconvincedthatthethingwasallwrong。IthinkIgrewratherpopularinmyroleoftheseekeraftertruth，thehonestcolonialwhowasagainstthewarbyinstinctandwaslookingforinstructioninthematter。Theyregardedmeasaconvertfromanalienworldofactionwhichtheysecretlydreaded，thoughtheyaffectedtodespiseit。Anyhowtheytalkedtomeveryfreely，andbeforelongIhadallthepacifistargumentsbyheart。I

madeoutthattherewerethreeschools。Oneobjectedtowaraltogether，andthishadfewadherentsexceptAronsonandWeekes，C。O。，nowlanguishinginDartmoor。ThesecondthoughtthattheAllies\'causewastainted，andthatBritainhadcontributedasmuchasGermanytothecatastrophe。ThisincludedalltheadherentsoftheL。D。A-orLeagueofDemocratsagainstAggression-averyproudbody。Thethirdandmuchthelargest，whichembracedeverybodyelse，heldthatwehadfoughtlongenoughandthatthebusinesscouldnowbesettledbynegotiation，sinceGermanyhadlearnedherlesson。Iwasmyselfamodestmemberofthelastschool，butIwasgraduallyworkingmywayuptothesecond，andIhopedwithlucktoqualifyforthefirst。Myacquaintancesapprovedmyprogress。LetchfordsaidIhadacoreoffanaticisminmyslownature，andthatIwouldendbywavingtheredflag。

Spiritualprideandvanity，asIhavesaid，wereatthebottomofmostofthem，and，tryasImight，Icouldfindnothingverydangerousinitall。Thisvexedme，forIbegantowonderifthemissionwhichIhadembarkedonsosolemnlywerenotgoingtobeafiasco。Sometimestheyworriedmebeyondendurance。WhenthenewsofMessinescamenobodytooktheslightestinterest，whileI

wasachingtotootheverydetailofthegreatfight。Andwhentheytalkedonmilitaryaffairs，asLetchfordandothersdidsometimes，itwasdifficulttokeepfromsendingthemalltothedevil，fortheiramateurcocksurenesswouldhaveriledjob。Onehadgottobattendowntherecollectionofourfellowsouttherewhoweresweatingbloodtokeepthesefoolssnug。YetIfounditimpossibletobeangrywiththemforlong，theyweresobabyishlyinnocent。Indeed，Icouldn\'thelplikingthem，andfindingasortofqualityinthem。I

hadspentthreeyearsamongsoldiers，andtheBritishregular，greatfollowthatheis，hashisfaults。Hisdisciplinemakeshiminafunkofred-tapeandanykindofsuperiorauthority。Nowthesepeoplewerequitehonestandinapervertedwaycourageous。Letchfordwas，atanyrate。IcouldnomorehavedonewhathedidandgothuntedoffplatformsbythecrowdandhootedatbywomeninthestreetsthanIcouldhavewrittenhisleadingarticles。

AllthesameIwasratherlowaboutmyjob。Barringtheepisodeoftheransackingofmyeffectsthefirstnight，Ihadnotasuspicionofaclueorahintofanymystery。TheplaceandthepeoplewereasopenandbrightasaY。M。C。A。hut。ButonedayIgotasolidwadofcomfort。InacornerofLetchford\'spaper，the_Critic，IfoundaletterwhichwasoneofthesteepestpiecesofinvectiveIhadevermetwith。Thewritergavetonguelikeabeaglepupabouttheprostitution，ashecalledit，ofAmericanrepublicanismtothevicesofEuropeanaristocracies。HedeclaredthatSenatorLaFollettewasamuch-misunderstoodpatriot，seeingthathealonespokeforthetoilingmillionswhohadnootherfriend。HewasmadwithPresidentWilson，andheprophesiedagreatawakeningwhenUncleSamgotupagainstJohnBullinEuropeandfoundoutthekindofstandpatterhewas。Theletterwassigned\'JohnS。Blenkiron\'anddated\'London，3July-\'

ThethoughtthatBlenkironwasinEnglandputanewcomplexiononmybusiness。IreckonedIwouldseehimsoon，forhewasn\'tthemantostandstillinhistracks。HehadtakenuptherolehehadplayedbeforeheleftinDecember1915，andveryrighttoo，fornotmorethanhalfadozenpeopleknewoftheErzerumaffair，andtotheBritishpublichewasonlythemanwhohadbeenfiredoutoftheSavoyfortalkingtreason。Ihadfeltabitlonelybefore，butnowsomewherewithinthefourcornersoftheislandthebestcompanionGodevermadewaswritingnonsensewithhistongueinhisoldcheek。

TherewasaninstitutioninBiggleswickwhichdeservesmention。

Onthesouthofthecommon，nearthestation，stoodared-brickbuildingcalledtheMootHall，whichwasakindofchurchfortheveryundevoutpopulation。Undevoutintheordinarysense，Imean，forIhadalreadycountedtwenty-sevenvarietiesofreligiousconviction，includingthreeBuddhists，aCelestialHierarch，fiveLatter-

daySaints，andabouttenvarietiesofMysticwhosenamesIcouldneverremember。ThehallhadbeenthegiftofthepublisherIhavespokenof，andtwiceaweekitwasusedforlecturesanddebates。

Theplacewasmanagedbyacommitteeandwassurprisinglypopular，foritgaveallthebubblingintellectsachanceofairingtheirviews。Whenyouaskedwheresomebodywasandweretoldhewas\'atMoot，\'theanswerwasspokenintherespectfultoneinwhichyouwouldmentionasacrament。

Iwentthereregularlyandgotmymindbroadenedtocrackingpoint。WehadallthestarsoftheNewMovements。WehadDoctorChirk，wholecturedon\'God\'，which，asfarasIcouldmakeout，wasanewnamehehadinventedforhimself。Therewasawoman，aterriblewoman，whohadcomebackfromRussiawithwhatshecalleda\'messageofhealing\'。Andtomyjoy，onenighttherewasagreatbuckniggerwhohadalottosayabout\'AfricafortheAfricans\'。IhadafewwordswithhiminSesutuafterwards，andratherspoiledhisvisit。Someofthepeoplewereextraordinarilygood，especiallyonejollyoldfellowwhotalkedaboutEnglishfolksongsanddances，andwantedustosetupaMaypole。InthedebateswhichgenerallyfollowedIbegantojoin，verycoylyatfirst，butpresentlywithsomeconfidence。IfmytimeatBiggleswickdidnothingelseittaughtmetoargueonmyfeet。

ThefirstbigeffortImadewasonafull-dressoccasion，whenLauncelotWakecamedowntospeak。MrIverywasinthechair-

thefirstIhadseenofhim-aplumpmiddle-agedman，withacolourlessfaceandnondescriptfeatures。Iwasnotinterestedinhimtillhebegantotalk，andthenIsatboltuprightandtooknotice。

Forhewasthegenuinesilver-tongue，thesentencesflowingfromhismouthassmoothasbutterandasneatlydovetailedasaparquetfloor。Hehadasortofman-of-the-worldmanner，treatinghisopponentswithcondescendinggeniality，deprecatingallpassionandexaggerationandmakingyoufeelthathisurbanestatementmustberight，forifhehadwantedhecouldhaveputthecasesomuchhigher。Iwatchedhim，fascinated，studyinghisfacecarefully；

andthethingthatstruckmewasthattherewasnothinginit-

nothing，thatistosay，tolayholdon。Itwassimplynondescript，soalmightilycommonplacethatthatveryfactmadeitratherremarkable。

WakewasspeakingoftherevelationsoftheSukhomhnovtrialinRussia，whichshowedthatGermanyhadnotbeenresponsibleforthewar。Hewasjollygoodatthejob，andputasclearanargumentasafirst-classlawyer。Ihadbeensweatingawayatthesubjectandhadalltheordinarycaseatmyfingers\'ends，sowhenI

gotachanceofspeakingIgavethemalongharangue，withsomegoodquotationsIhadcribbedoutofthe_Vossische_Zeitung，whichLetchfordlentme。Ifeltitwasuptometobeextraviolent，forI

wantedtoestablishmycharacterwithWake，seeingthathewasafriendofMaryandMarywouldknowthatIwasplayingthegame。

Igottremendouslyapplauded，farmorethanthechiefspeaker，andafterthemeetingWakecameuptomewithhishoteyes，andwrungmyhand。\'You\'recomingonwell，Brand，\'hesaid，andthenheintroducedmetoMrIvery。\'Here\'sasecondandabetterSmuts，\'hesaid。

Iverymademewalkabitoftheroadhomewithhim。\'Iamstruckbyyourgriponthesedifficultproblems，MrBrand，\'hetoldme。\'ThereismuchIcantellyou，andyoumaybeofgreatvaluetoourcause。\'Heaskedmealotofquestionsaboutmypast，whichI

answeredwitheasymendacity。Beforewepartedhemademepromisetocomeonenighttosupper。

NextdayIgotaglimpseofMary，andtomyvexationshecutmedead。Shewaswalkingwithaflockofbare-headedgirls，allchatteringhard，andthoughshesawmequiteplainlysheturnedawayhereyes。Ihadbeenwaitingformycue，soIdidnotliftmyhat，butpassedonasifwewerestrangers。Ireckoneditwaspartofthegame，butthattriflingthingannoyedme，andIspentamoroseevening。

ThefollowingdayIsawheragain，thistimetalkingsedatelywithMrIvery，anddressedinaveryprettysummergown，andabroad-brimmedstrawhatwithflowersinit。Thistimeshestoppedwithabrightsmileandheldoutherhand。\'MrBrand，isn\'tit？\'

sheaskedwithaprettyhesitation。Andthen，turningtohercompanion-\'ThisisMrBrand。HestayedwithuslastmonthinGloucestershire。\'

MrIveryannouncedthatheandIwerealreadyacquainted。Seeninbroaddaylighthewasaverypersonablefellow，somewherebetweenforty-fiveandfifty，withamiddle-agedfigureandacuriouslyyoungface。Inoticedthattherewerehardlyanylinesonit，anditwasratherthatofaverywisechildthanthatofaman。Hehadapleasantsmilewhichmadehisjawandcheeksexpandlikeindiarubber。\'Youarecomingtosupwithme，MrBrand，\'hecriedafterme。\'OnTuesdayafterMoot。Ihavealreadywritten。\'HewhiskedMaryawayfromme，andIhadtocontentmyselfwithcontemplatingherfiguretillitdisappearedroundabendoftheroad。

NextdayinLondonIfoundaletterfromPeter。Hehadbeenverysolemnoflate，andveryreminiscentofolddaysnowthatheconcludedhisactivelifewasover。Butthistimehewasinadifferentmood。\'_I_think，\'hewrote，\'__thatyouandIwillmeetagainsoon，myoldfriend。Doyourememberwhenwewentafterthebigblack-manedlionintheRooirandandcouldn\'tgetonhistrack，andthenonemorningwewokeupandsaidwewouldgethimtoday？-andwedid，butheveryneargotyoufirst。I\'vehadafeeltheselastdaysthatwe\'rebothgoingdownintotheValleytomeetwithApolyon，andthatthedevilwillgiveusabadtime，butanyhowwe\'llbe_together。\'

Ihadthesamekindoffeelmyself，thoughIdidn\'tseehowPeterandIweregoingtomeet，unlessIwentouttotheFrontagainandgotputinthebagandsenttothesameBocheprison。

ButIhadaninstinctthatmytimeinBiggleswickwasdrawingtoaclose，andthatpresentlyIwouldbeinrougherquarters。Ifeltquiteaffectionatetowardstheplace，andtookallmyfavouritewalks，anddrankmyownhealthinthebrewofthevillageinns，withaconsciousnessofsayinggoodbye。AlsoImadehastetofinishmyEnglishclassics，forIconcludedIwouldn\'thavemuchtimeinthefutureformiscellaneousreading。

TheTuesdaycame，andintheeveningIsetoutratherlatefortheMootHall，forIhadbeengettingintodecentclothesafteralong，hotstride。WhenIreachedtheplaceitwasprettywellpacked，andIcouldonlyfindaseatonthebackbenches。ThereontheplatformwasIvery，andbesidehimsatafigurethatthrilledeveryinchofmewithaffectionandawildanticipation。\'Ihavenowtheprivilege，\'saidthechairman，\'ofintroducingtoyouthespeakerwhomwesowarmlywelcome，ourfearlessandindefatigableAmericanfriend，MrBlenkiron。\'

ItwastheoldBlenkiron，butalmightilychanged。Hisstoutnesshadgone，andhewasasleanasAbrahamLincoln。Insteadofapuffyface，hischeek-bonesandjawstoodouthardandsharp，andinplaceofhisformerpastycolourhiscomplexionhadtheclearglowofhealth。Isawnowthathewasasplendidfigureofaman，andwhenhegottohisfeeteverymovementhadthesupplenessofanathleteintraining。InthatmomentIrealizedthatmyseriousbusinesshadnowbegun。Mysensessuddenlyseemedquicker，mynervestenser，mybrainmoreactive。Thebiggamehadstarted，andheandIwereplayingittogether。

Iwatchedhimwithstrainedattention。Itwasafunnyspeech，stuffedwithextravaganceandvehemence，notverywellarguedandterriblydiscursive。HismainpointwasthatGermanywasnowinafinedemocraticmoodandmightwellbeadmittedintoabrotherlypartnership-thatindeedshehadneverbeeninanyothermood，buthadbeenforcedintoviolencebytheplotsofherenemies。