第7章

Onafineafternooninlateautumnhewasputtingsomefinishingtouchestoastudyofmeadowweedswhenhisneighbour，AdelaPingsford，assailedtheouterdoorofhisstudiowithloudperemptoryknockings。

"Thereisanoxinmygarden，"sheannounced，inexplanationofthetempestuousintrusion。

"Anox，"saidEshleyblankly，andratherfatuously；

"whatkindofox？"

"Oh，Idon\'tknowwhatkind，"snappedthelady。"A

commonorgardenox，tousetheslangexpression。ItisthegardenpartofitthatIobjectto。Mygardenhasjustbeenputstraightforthewinter，andanoxroamingaboutinitwon\'timprovematters。Besides，therearethechrysanthemumsjustcomingintoflower。"

"Howdiditgetintothegarden？"askedEshley。

"Iimagineitcameinbythegate，"saidtheladyimpatiently；"itcouldn\'thaveclimbedthewalls，andI

don\'tsupposeanyonedroppeditfromanaeroplaneasaBovriladvertisement。Theimmediatelyimportantquestionisnothowitgotin，buthowtogetitout。"

"Won\'titgo？"saidEshley。

"Ifitwasanxioustogo，"saidAdelaPingsfordratherangrily，"Ishouldnothavecomeheretochatwithyouaboutit。I\'mpracticallyallalone；thehousemaidishavingherafternoonoutandthecookislyingdownwithanattackofneuralgia。AnythingthatImayhavelearnedatschoolorinafterlifeabouthowtoremovealargeoxfromasmallgardenseemstohaveescapedfrommymemorynow。AllIcouldthinkofwasthatyouwereanearneighbourandacattlepainter，presumablymoreorlessfamiliarwiththesubjectsthatyoupainted，andthatyoumightbeofsomeslightassistance。PossiblyI

wasmistaken。"

"Ipaintdairycows，certainly，"admittedEshley，"butIcannotclaimtohavehadanyexperienceinrounding-upstrayoxen。I\'veseenitdoneonacinemafilm，ofcourse，buttherewerealwayshorsesandlotsofotheraccessories；besides，oneneverknowshowmuchofthosepicturesarefaked。"

AdelaPingsfordsaidnothing，butledthewaytohergarden。Itwasnormallyafair-sizedgarden，butitlookedsmallincomparisonwiththeox，ahugemottledbrute，dullredabouttheheadandshoulders，passingtodirtywhiteontheflanksandhind-quarters，withshaggyearsandlargeblood-shoteyes。ItboreaboutasmuchresemblancetothedaintypaddockheifersthatEshleywasaccustomedtopaintasthechiefofaKurdishnomadclanwouldtoaJapanesetea-shopgirl。Eshleystoodverynearthegatewhilehestudiedtheanimal\'sappearanceanddemeanour。AdelaPingsfordcontinuedtosaynothing。

"It\'seatingachrysanthemum，"saidEshleyatlast，whenthesilencehadbecomeunbearable。

"Howobservantyouare，"saidAdelabitterly。"Youseemtonoticeeverything。Asamatteroffact，ithasgotsixchrysanthemumsinitsmouthatthepresentmoment。"

Thenecessityfordoingsomethingwasbecomingimperative。Eshleytookasteportwointhedirectionoftheanimal，clappedhishands，andmadenoisesofthe"Hish"and"Shoo"variety。Iftheoxheardthemitgavenooutwardindicationofthefact。

"Ifanyhensshouldeverstrayintomygarden，"saidAdela，"Ishouldcertainlysendforyoutofrightenthemout。You\'shoo\'beautifully。Meanwhile，doyoumindtryingtodrivethatoxaway？ThatisaMADEMOISELLE

LOUISEBICHOTthathe\'sbegunonnow，"sheaddedinicycalm，asaglowingorangeheadwascrushedintothehugemunchingmouth。

"Sinceyouhavebeensofrankaboutthevarietyofthechrysanthemum，"saidEshley，"Idon\'tmindtellingyouthatthisisanAyrshireox。"

Theicycalmbrokedown；AdelaPingsfordusedlanguagethatsenttheartistinstinctivelyafewfeetnearertotheox。Hepickedupapea-stickandflungitwithsomedeterminationagainsttheanimal\'smottledflanks。TheoperationofmashingMADEMOISELLELOUISE

BICHOTintoapetalsaladwassuspendedforalongmoment，whiletheoxgazedwithconcentratedinquiryatthestick-thrower。Adelagazedwithequalconcentrationandmoreobvioushostilityatthesamefocus。AsthebeastneitherlowereditsheadnorstampeditsfeetEshleyventuredonanotherjavelinexercisewithanotherpea-stick。Theoxseemedtorealiseatoncethatitwastogo；itgaveahurriedfinalpluckatthebedwherethechrysanthemumshadbeen，andstrodeswiftlyupthegarden。Eshleyrantoheadittowardsthegate，butonlysucceededinquickeningitspacefromawalktoalumberingtrot。Withanairofinquiry，butwithnorealhesitation，itcrossedthetinystripofturfthatthecharitablecalledthecroquetlawn，andpusheditswaythroughtheopenFrenchwindowintothemorning-room。

Somechrysanthemumsandotherautumnherbagestoodabouttheroominvases，andtheanimalresumeditsbrowsingoperations；allthesame，Eshleyfanciedthatthebeginningsofahuntedlookhadcomeintoitseyes，alookthatcounselledrespect。Hediscontinuedhisattempttointerferewithitschoiceofsurroundings。

"Mr。Eshley，"saidAdelainashakingvoice，"I

askedyoutodrivethatbeastoutofmygarden，butIdidnotaskyoutodriveitintomyhouse。IfImusthaveitanywhereonthepremisesIpreferthegardentothemorning-room。"

"Cattledrivesarenotinmyline，"saidEshley；"ifIrememberItoldyousoattheoutset。""Iquiteagree，"retortedthelady，"paintingprettypicturesofprettylittlecowsiswhatyou\'resuitedfor。Perhapsyou\'dliketodoanicesketchofthatoxmakingitselfathomeinmymorning-room？"

Thistimeitseemedasifthewormhadturned；

Eshleybeganstridingaway。

"Whereareyougoing？"screamedAdela。

"Tofetchimplements，"wastheanswer。

"Implements？Iwon\'thaveyouusealasso。Theroomwillbewreckedifthere\'sastruggle。"

Buttheartistmarchedoutofthegarden。Inacoupleofminuteshereturned，ladenwitheasel，sketching-stool，andpaintingmaterials。

"Doyoumeantosaythatyou\'regoingtositquietlydownandpaintthatbrutewhileit\'sdestroyingmymorning-room？"gaspedAdela。

"Itwasyoursuggestion，"saidEshley，settinghiscanvasinposition。

"Iforbidit；Iabsolutelyforbidit！"stormedAdela。

"Idon\'tseewhatstandingyouhaveinthematter，"

saidtheartist；"youcanhardlypretendthatit\'syourox，evenbyadoption。"

"Youseemtoforgetthatit\'sinmymorning-room，eatingmyflowers，"cametheragingretort。

"Youseemtoforgetthatthecookhasneuralgia，"

saidEshley；"shemaybejustdozingoffintoamercifulsleepandyouroutcrywillwakenher。Considerationforothersshouldbetheguidingprincipleofpeopleinourstationoflife。"

"Themanismad！"exclaimedAdelatragically。A

momentlateritwasAdelaherselfwhoappearedtogomad。

Theoxhadfinishedthevase-flowersandthecoverof"IsraelKalisch，"andappearedtobethinkingofleavingitsratherrestrictedquarters。EshleynoticeditsrestlessnessandpromptlyflungitsomebunchesofVirginiacreeperleavesasaninducementtocontinuethesitting。

"Iforgethowtheproverbruns，"heobserved；ofsomethingabout\'betteradinnerofherbsthanastalledoxwherehateis。\'Weseemtohavealltheingredientsfortheproverbreadytohand。"

"IshallgotothePublicLibraryandgetthemtotelephoneforthepolice，"announcedAdela，and，ragingaudibly，shedeparted。

Someminuteslatertheox，awakeningprobablytothesuspicionthatoilcakeandchoppedmangoldwaswaitingforitinsomeappointedbyre，steppedwithmuchprecautionoutofthemorning-room，staredwithgraveinquiryatthenolongerobtrusiveandpea-stick-throwinghuman，andthenlumberedheavilybutswiftlyoutofthegarden。Eshleypackeduphistoolsandfollowedtheanimal\'sexampleand"Larkdene"waslefttoneuralgiaandthecook。

Theepisodewastheturning-pointinEshley\'sartisticcareer。Hisremarkablepicture，"Oxinamorning-room，lateautumn，"wasoneofthesensationsandsuccessesofthenextParisSalon，andwhenitwassubsequentlyexhibitedatMunichitwasboughtbytheBavarianGovernment，intheteethofthespiritedbiddingofthreemeat-extractfirms。Fromthatmomenthissuccesswascontinuousandassured，andtheRoyalAcademywasthankful，twoyearslater，togiveaconspicuouspositiononitswallstohislargecanvas"BarbaryApesWreckingaBoudoir。"

EshleypresentedAdelaPingsfordwithanewcopyof"IsraelKalisch，"andacoupleoffinelyfloweringplantsofMADAMEADNREBLUSSET，butnothinginthenatureofarealreconciliationhastakenplacebetweenthem。

THESTORY-TELLER

ITwasahotafternoon，andtherailwaycarriagewascorrespondinglysultry，andthenextstopwasatTemplecombe，nearlyanhourahead。Theoccupantsofthecarriagewereasmallgirl，andasmallergirl，andasmallboy。Anauntbelongingtothechildrenoccupiedonecornerseat，andthefurthercornerseatontheoppositesidewasoccupiedbyabachelorwhowasastrangertotheirparty，butthesmallgirlsandthesmallboyemphaticallyoccupiedthecompartment。Boththeauntandthechildrenwereconversationalinalimited，persistentway，remindingoneoftheattentionsofahouseflythatrefusestobediscouraged。Mostoftheaunt\'sremarksseemedtobeginwith"Don\'t，"andnearlyallofthechildren\'sremarksbeganwith"Why？"

Thebachelorsaidnothingoutloud。"Don\'t，Cyril，don\'t，"exclaimedtheaunt，asthesmallboybegansmackingthecushionsoftheseat，producingacloudofdustateachblow。

"Comeandlookoutofthewindow，"sheadded。

Thechildmovedreluctantlytothewindow。"Whyarethosesheepbeingdrivenoutofthatfield？"heasked。

"Iexpecttheyarebeingdriventoanotherfieldwherethereismoregrass，"saidtheauntweakly。

"Butthereislotsofgrassinthatfield，"

protestedtheboy；"there\'snothingelsebutgrassthere。

Aunt，there\'slotsofgrassinthatfield。"

"Perhapsthegrassintheotherfieldisbetter，"

suggestedtheauntfatuously。

"Whyisitbetter？"cametheswift，inevitablequestion。

"Oh，lookatthosecows！"exclaimedtheaunt。

Nearlyeveryfieldalongthelinehadcontainedcowsorbullocks，butshespokeasthoughsheweredrawingattentiontoararity。

"Whyisthegrassintheotherfieldbetter？"

persistedCyril。

Thefrownonthebachelor\'sfacewasdeepeningtoascowl。Hewasahard，unsympatheticman，theauntdecidedinhermind。Shewasutterlyunabletocometoanysatisfactorydecisionaboutthegrassintheotherfield。

Thesmallergirlcreatedadiversionbybeginningtorecite"OntheRoadtoMandalay。"Sheonlyknewthefirstline，butsheputherlimitedknowledgetothefullestpossibleuse。Sherepeatedthelineoverandoveragaininadreamybutresoluteandveryaudiblevoice；itseemedtothebachelorasthoughsomeonehadhadabetwithherthatshecouldnotrepeatthelinealoudtwothousandtimeswithoutstopping。Whoeveritwaswhohadmadethewagerwaslikelytolosehisbet。

"Comeoverhereandlistentoastory，"saidtheaunt，whenthebachelorhadlookedtwiceatherandonceatthecommunicationcord。

Thechildrenmovedlistlesslytowardstheaunt\'sendofthecarriage。Evidentlyherreputationasastory-

tellerdidnotrankhighintheirestimation。

Inalow，confidentialvoice，interruptedatfrequentintervalsbyloud，petulantquestioningsfromherlisteners，shebegananunenterprisinganddeplorablyuninterestingstoryaboutalittlegirlwhowasgood，andmadefriendswitheveryoneonaccountofhergoodness，andwasfinallysavedfromamadbullbyanumberofrescuerswhoadmiredhermoralcharacter。

"Wouldn\'ttheyhavesavedherifshehadn\'tbeengood？"demandedthebiggerofthesmallgirls。Itwasexactlythequestionthatthebachelorhadwantedtoask。

"Well，yes，"admittedtheauntlamely，"butIdon\'tthinktheywouldhaverunquitesofasttoherhelpiftheyhadnotlikedhersomuch。"

"It\'sthestupideststoryI\'veeverheard，"saidthebiggerofthesmallgirls，withimmenseconviction。

"Ididn\'tlistenafterthefirstbit，itwassostupid，"saidCyril。

Thesmallergirlmadenoactualcommentonthestory，butshehadlongagorecommencedamurmuredrepetitionofherfavouriteline。

"Youdon\'tseemtobeasuccessasastory-teller，"

saidthebachelorsuddenlyfromhiscorner。

Theauntbristledininstantdefenceatthisunexpectedattack。

"It\'saverydifficultthingtotellstoriesthatchildrencanbothunderstandandappreciate，"shesaidstiffly。

"Idon\'tagreewithyou，"saidthebachelor。

"Perhapsyouwouldliketotellthemastory，"wastheaunt\'sretort。

"Tellusastory，"demandedthebiggerofthesmallgirls。

"Onceuponatime，"beganthebachelor，"therewasalittlegirlcalledBertha，whowasextra-ordinarilygood。"

Thechildren\'smomentarily-arousedinterestbeganatoncetoflicker；allstoriesseemeddreadfullyalike，nomatterwhotoldthem。

"Shedidallthatshewastold，shewasalwaystruthful，shekeptherclothesclean，atemilkpuddingsasthoughtheywerejamtarts，learnedherlessonsperfectly，andwaspoliteinhermanners。"

"Wasshepretty？"askedthebiggerofthesmallgirls。

"Notasprettyasanyofyou，"saidthebachelor，"butshewashorriblygood。"

Therewasawaveofreactioninfavourofthestory；

thewordhorribleinconnectionwithgoodnesswasanoveltythatcommendeditself。Itseemedtointroducearingoftruththatwasabsentfromtheaunt\'stalesofinfantlife。

"Shewassogood，"continuedthebachelor，"thatshewonseveralmedalsforgoodness，whichshealwayswore，pinnedontoherdress。Therewasamedalforobedience，anothermedalforpunctuality，andathirdforgoodbehaviour。Theywerelargemetalmedalsandtheyclickedagainstoneanotherasshewalked。Nootherchildinthetownwhereshelivedhadasmanyasthreemedals，soeverybodyknewthatshemustbeanextragoodchild。"

"Horriblygood，"quotedCyril。

"Everybodytalkedabouthergoodness，andthePrinceofthecountrygottohearaboutit，andhesaidthatasshewassoverygoodshemightbeallowedonceaweektowalkinhispark，whichwasjustoutsidethetown。Itwasabeautifulpark，andnochildrenwereeverallowedinit，soitwasagreathonourforBerthatobeallowedtogothere。"

"Werethereanysheepinthepark？"demandedCyril。

"No；"saidthebachelor，"therewerenosheep。"

"Whyweren\'tthereanysheep？"cametheinevitablequestionarisingoutofthatanswer。

Theauntpermittedherselfasmile，whichmightalmosthavebeendescribedasagrin。

"Therewerenosheepinthepark，"saidthebachelor，"becausethePrince\'smotherhadoncehadadreamthathersonwouldeitherbekilledbyasheeporelsebyaclockfallingonhim。ForthatreasonthePrinceneverkeptasheepinhisparkoraclockinhispalace。"

Theauntsuppressedagaspofadmiration。

"WasthePrincekilledbyasheeporbyaclock？"

askedCyril。

"Heisstillalive，sowecan\'ttellwhetherthedreamwillcometrue，"saidthebachelorunconcernedly；

"anyway，therewerenosheepinthepark，buttherewerelotsoflittlepigsrunningallovertheplace。"

"Whatcolourwerethey？"

"Blackwithwhitefaces，whitewithblackspots，blackallover，greywithwhitepatches，andsomewerewhiteallover。"

Thestorytellerpausedtoletafullideaofthepark\'streasuressinkintothechildren\'simaginations；

thenheresumed：

"Berthawasrathersorrytofindthattherewerenoflowersinthepark。Shehadpromisedheraunts，withtearsinhereyes，thatshewouldnotpickanyofthekindPrince\'sflowers，andshehadmeanttokeepherpromise，soofcourseitmadeherfeelsillytofindthattherewerenoflowerstopick。"

"Whyweren\'tthereanyflowers？"

"Becausethepigshadeatenthemall，"saidthebachelorpromptly。"ThegardenershadtoldthePrincethatyoucouldn\'thavepigsandflowers，sohedecidedtohavepigsandnoflowers。"

TherewasamurmurofapprovalattheexcellenceofthePrince\'sdecision；somanypeoplewouldhavedecidedtheotherway。

"Therewerelotsofotherdelightfulthingsinthepark。Therewerepondswithgoldandblueandgreenfishinthem，andtreeswithbeautifulparrotsthatsaidcleverthingsatamoment\'snotice，andhummingbirdsthathummedallthepopulartunesoftheday。Berthawalkedupanddownandenjoyedherselfimmensely，andthoughttoherself：\'IfIwerenotsoextraordinarilygoodIshouldnothavebeenallowedtocomeintothisbeautifulparkandenjoyallthatthereistobeseeninit，\'andherthreemedalsclinkedagainstoneanotherasshewalkedandhelpedtoremindherhowverygoodshereallywas。Justthenanenormouswolfcameprowlingintotheparktoseeifitcouldcatchafatlittlepigforitssupper。"

"Whatcolourwasit？"askedthechildren，amidanimmediatequickeningofinterest。

"Mud-colourallover，withablacktongueandpalegreyeyesthatgleamedwithunspeakableferocity。ThefirstthingthatitsawintheparkwasBertha；herpinaforewassospotlesslywhiteandcleanthatitcouldbeseenfromagreatdistance。Berthasawthewolfandsawthatitwasstealingtowardsher，andshebegantowishthatshehadneverbeenallowedtocomeintothepark。Sheranashardasshecould，andthewolfcameafterherwithhugeleapsandbounds。Shemanagedtoreachashrubberyofmyrtlebushesandshehidherselfinoneofthethickestofthebushes。Thewolfcamesniffingamongthebranches，itsblacktonguelollingoutofitsmouthanditspalegreyeyesglaringwithrage。

Berthawasterriblyfrightened，andthoughttoherself：

\'IfIhadnotbeensoextraordinarilygoodIshouldhavebeensafeinthetownatthismoment。\'However，thescentofthemyrtlewassostrongthatthewolfcouldnotsniffoutwhereBerthawashiding，andthebushesweresothickthathemighthavehuntedaboutinthemforalongtimewithoutcatchingsightofher，sohethoughthemightaswellgooffandcatchalittlepiginstead。

Berthawastremblingverymuchathavingthewolfprowlingandsniffingsonearher，andasshetrembledthemedalforobedienceclinkedagainstthemedalsforgoodconductandpunctuality。Thewolfwasjustmovingawaywhenheheardthesoundofthemedalsclinkingandstoppedtolisten；theyclinkedagaininabushquitenearhim。Hedashedintothebush，hispalegreyeyesgleamingwithferocityandtriumph，anddraggedBerthaoutanddevouredhertothelastmorsel。Allthatwasleftofherwerehershoes，bitsofclothing，andthethreemedalsforgoodness。"

"Wereanyofthelittlepigskilled？"

"No，theyallescaped。"

"Thestorybeganbadly，"saidthesmallerofthesmallgirls，"butithadabeautifulending。"

"ItisthemostbeautifulstorythatIeverheard，"

saidthebiggerofthesmallgirls，withimmensedecision。

"ItistheONLYbeautifulstoryIhaveeverheard，"

saidCyril。

Adissentientopinioncamefromtheaunt。

"Amostimproperstorytotelltoyoungchildren！

Youhaveunderminedtheeffectofyearsofcarefulteaching。"

"Atanyrate，"saidthebachelor，collectinghisbelongingspreparatorytoleavingthecarriage，"Ikeptthemquietfortenminutes，whichwasmorethanyouwereabletodo。"

"Unhappywoman！"heobservedtohimselfashewalkeddowntheplatformofTemplecombestation；"forthenextsixmonthsorsothosechildrenwillassailherinpublicwithdemandsforanimproperstory！"

ADEFENSIVEDIAMOND

TREDDLEFORDsatinaneasefularm-chairinfrontofaslumberousfire，withavolumeofverseinhishandandthecomfortableconsciousnessthatoutsidetheclubwindowstherainwasdrippingandpatteringwithpersistentpurpose。Achill，wetOctoberafternoonwasmergingintoableak，wetOctoberevening，andtheclubsmoking-roomseemedwarmerandcosierbycontrast。Itwasanafternoononwhichtobewaftedawayfromone\'sclimaticsurroundings，and"TheGoldenjourneytoSamarkand"promisedtobearTreddlefordwellandbravelyintootherlandsandunderotherskies。HehadalreadymigratedfromLondontherain-swepttoBagdadtheBeautiful，andstoodbytheSunGate"intheoldentime"

whenanicybreathofimminentannoyanceseemedtocreepbetweenthebookandhimself。Amblecope，themanwiththerestless，prominenteyesandthemouthreadymobilisedforconversationalopenings，hadplantedhimselfinaneighbouringarm-chair。ForatwelvemonthandsomeoddweeksTreddlefordhadskilfullyavoidedmakingtheacquaintanceofhisvolublefellow-clubman；hehadmarvellouslyescapedfromtheinflictionofhisrelentlessrecordoftediouspersonalachievements，orallegedachievements，ongolflinks，turf，andgamingtable，byfloodandfieldandcovert-side。Nowhisseasonofimmunitywascomingtoanend。Therewasnoescape；inanothermomenthewouldbenumberedamongthosewhoknewAmblecopetospeakto-orrather，tosufferbeingspokento。

TheintruderwasarmedwithacopyofCOUNTRYLIFE，notforpurposesofreading，butasanaidtoconversationalice-breaking。

"RatheragoodportraitofThrostlewing，"heremarkedexplosively，turninghislargechallengingeyesonTreddleford；"somehowitremindsmeverymuchofYellowstep，whowassupposedtobesuchagoodthingfortheGrandPrixin1903。Curiousracethatwas；IsupposeI\'veseeneveryracefortheGrandPrixforthelast-"

"BekindenoughnevertomentiontheGrandPrixinmyhearing，"saidTreddleforddesperately；"itawakensacutelydistressingmemories。Ican\'texplainwhywithoutgoingintoalongandcomplicatedstory。"

"Oh，certainly，certainly，"saidAmblecopehastily；

longandcomplicatedstoriesthatwerenottoldbyhimselfwereabominableinhiseyes。HeturnedthepagesofCOUNTRYLIFEandbecamespuriouslyinterestedinthepictureofaMongolianpheasant。

"NotabadrepresentationoftheMongolianvariety，"

heexclaimed，holdingitupforhisneighbour\'sinspection。"Theydoverywellinsomecovers。Takesomestoppingtoo，oncethey\'refairlyonthewing。I

supposethebiggestbagIevermadeintwosuccessivedays-"

"Myaunt，whoownsthegreaterpartofLincolnshire，"brokeinTreddleford，withdramaticabruptness，"possessesperhapsthemostremarkablerecordinthewayofapheasantbagthathaseverbeenachieved。

Sheisseventy-fiveandcan\'thitathing，butshealwaysgoesoutwiththeguns。WhenIsayshecan\'thitathing，Idon\'tmeantosaythatshedoesn\'toccasionallyendangerthelivesofherfellow-guns，becausethatwouldn\'tbetrue。Infact，thechiefGovernmentWhipwon\'tallowMinisterialM。P。\'stogooutwithher；\'Wedon\'twanttoincurby-electionsneedlessly，\'hequitereasonablyobserved。Well，theotherdayshewingedapheasant，andbroughtittoearthwithafeatherortwoknockedoutofit；itwasarunner，andmyauntsawherselfindangerofbeingdoneoutofabouttheonlybirdshe\'dhitduringthepresentreign。Ofcourseshewasn\'tgoingtostandthat；shefolloweditthroughbrackenandbrushwood，andwhenittooktotheopencountryandstartedacrossaploughedfieldshejumpedontotheshootingponyandwentafterit。Thechasewasalongone，andwhenmyauntatlastranthebirdtoastandstillshewasnearerhomethanshewastotheshootingparty；shehadleftthatsomefivemilesbehindher。"

"Ratheralongrunforawoundedpheasant，"snappedAmblecope。

"Thestoryrestsonmyaunt\'sauthority，"saidTreddlefordcoldly，"andsheislocalvice-presidentoftheYoungWomen\'sChristianAssociation。Shetrottedthreemilesorsotoherhome，anditwasnottillthemiddleoftheafternoonthatitwasdiscoveredthatthelunchfortheentireshootingpartywasinapannierattachedtothepony\'ssaddle。Anyway，shegotherbird。"

"Somebirds，ofcourse，takealotofkilling，"saidAmblecope；"sodosomefish。IrememberonceIwasfishingintheExe，lovelytroutstream，lotsoffish，thoughtheydon\'truntoanygreatsize-"

"Oneofthemdid，"announcedTreddleford，withemphasis。"Myuncle，theBishopofSouthmolton，cameacrossagianttroutinapooljustoffthemainstreamoftheExenearUgworthy；hetrieditwitheverykindofflyandwormeverydayforthreeweekswithoutanatomofsuccess，andthenFateintervenedonhisbehalf。Therewasalowstonebridgejustoverthispool，andonthelastdayofhisfishingholidayamotorvanranviolentlyintotheparapetandturnedcompletelyover；noonewashurt，butpartoftheparapetwasknockedaway，andtheentireloadthatthevanwascarryingwaspitchedoverandfellalittlewayintothepool。Inacoupleofminutesthegianttroutwasflappingandtwistingonbaremudatthebottomofawaterlesspool，andmyunclewasabletowalkdowntohimandfoldhimtohisbreast。Thevan-loadconsistedofblotting-paper，andeverydropofwaterinthatpoolhadbeensuckedupintothemassofspiltcargo。"

Therewassilencefornearlyhalfaminuteinthesmoking-room，andTreddlefordbegantolethismindstealbacktowardsthegoldenroadthatledtoSamarkand。

Amblecope，however，rallied，andremarkedinarathertiredanddispiritedvoice：

"Talkingofmotoraccidents，thenarrowestsqueakI

everhadwastheotherday，motoringwitholdTommyYarbyinNorthWales。Awfullygoodsort，oldYarby，thoroughgoodsportsman，andthebest-"

"ItwasinNorthWales，"saidTreddleford，"thatmysistermetwithhersensationalcarriageaccidentlastyear。Shewasonherwaytoagarden-partyatLadyNineveh\'s，abouttheonlygarden-partythatevercomestopassinthosepartsinthecourseoftheyear，andthereforeathingthatshewouldhavebeenverysorrytomiss。Shewasdrivingayounghorsethatshe\'donlyboughtaweekortwopreviously，warrantedtobeperfectlysteadywithmotortraffic，bicycles，andothercommonobjectsoftheroadside。Theanimalliveduptoitsreputation，andpassedthemostexplosiveofmotor-

bikeswithanindifferencethatalmostamountedtoapathy。However，Isupposewealldrawthelinesomewhere，andthisparticularcobdrewitattravellingwildbeastshows。Ofcoursemysisterdidn\'tknowthat，butsheknewitverydistinctlywhensheturnedasharpcornerandfoundherselfinamixedcompanyofcamels，piebaldhorses，andcanary-colouredvans。Thedogcartwasoverturnedinaditchandkickedtosplinters，andthecobwenthomeacrosscountry。Neithermysisternorthegroomwashurt，buttheproblemofhowtogettotheNinevehgarden-party，somethreemilesdistant，seemedratherdifficulttosolve；oncethere，ofcourse，mysisterwouldeasilyfindsomeonetodriveherhome。\'I

supposeyouwouldn\'tcarefortheloanofacoupleofmycamels？\'theshowmansuggested，inhumoroussympathy。\'

Iwould，\'saidmysister，whohadriddencamel-backinEgypt，andsheoverruledtheobjectionsofthegroom，whohadn\'t。Shepickedouttwoofthemostpresentable-

lookingofthebeastsandhadthemdustedandmadeastidyaswaspossibleatshortnotice，andsetoutfortheNinevehmansion。Youmayimaginethesensationthathersmallbutimposingcaravancreatedwhenshearrivedatthehalldoor。Theentiregarden-partyflockeduptogape。Mysisterwasrathergladtoslipdownfromhercamel，andthegroomwasthankfultoscrambledownfromhis。ThenyoungBillyDoulton，oftheDragoonGuards，whohasbeenalotatAdenandthinksheknowscamel-

languagebackwards，thoughthewouldshowoffbymakingthebeastskneeldowninorthodoxfashion。Unfortunatelycamelwords-of-commandarenotthesamealltheworldover；theseweremagnificentTurkestancamels，accustomedtostrideupthestonyterracesofmountainpasses，andwhenDoultonshoutedatthemtheywentsidebysideupthefrontsteps，intotheentrancehall，andupthegrandstaircase。TheGermangovernessmetthemjustattheturnofthecorridor。TheNinevehsnursedherwithdevotedattentionforweeks，andwhenIlastheardfromthemshewaswellenoughtogoaboutherdutiesagain，butthedoctorsaysshewillalwayssufferfromHagenbeckheart。"

Amblecopegotupfromhischairandmovedtoanotherpartoftheroom。TreddlefordreopenedhisbookandbetookhimselfoncemoreacrossThedragon-green，theluminous，thedark，theserpent-hauntedsea。

Forablessedhalf-hourhedisportedhimselfinimaginationbythe"gayAleppo-Gate，"andlistenedtothebird-voicedsinging-man。Thentheworldofto-daycalledhimback；apagesummonedhimtospeakwithafriendonthetelephone。

AsTreddlefordwasabouttopassoutoftheroomheencounteredAmblecope，alsopassingout，onhiswaytothebilliard-room，where，perchance，somelucklesswightmightbesecuredandheldfasttolistentothenumberofhisattendancesattheGrandPrix，withsubsequentremarksonNewmarketandtheCambridgeshire。Amblecopemadeasiftopassoutfirst，butanew-bornpridewassurginginTreddleford\'sbreastandhewavedhimback。

"IbelieveItakeprecedence，"hesaidcoldly；"youaremerelytheclubBore；IamtheclubLiar。"

THEELK

TERESA，Mrs。Thropplestance，wastherichestandmostintractableoldwomaninthecountyofWoldshire。

InherdealingswiththeworldingeneralhermannersuggestedablendbetweenaMistressoftheRobesandaMasterofFoxhounds，withthevocabularyofboth。Inherdomesticcircleshecomportedherselfinthearbitrarystylethatoneattributes，probablywithouttheleastjustification，toanAmericanpoliticalBossinthebosomofhiscaucus。ThelateTheodoreThropplestancehadlefther，somethirty-fiveyearsago，inabsolutepossessionofaconsiderablefortune，alargelandedproperty，andagalleryfullofvaluablepictures。Inthoseinterveningyearsshehadoutlivedhersonandquarrelledwithhereldergrandson，whohadmarriedwithoutherconsentorapproval。BertieThropplestance，heryoungergrandson，wastheheir-designatetoherproperty，andassuchhewasacentreofinterestandconcerntosomehalf-hundredambitiousmotherswithdaughtersofmarriageableage。

Bertiewasanamiable，easy-goingyoungman，whowasquitereadytomarryanyonewhowasfavourablyrecommendedtohisnotice，buthewasnotgoingtowastehistimeinfallinginlovewithanyonewhowouldcomeunderhisgrandmother\'sveto。ThefavourablerecommendationwouldhavetocomefromMrs。

Thropplestance。

Teresa\'shouse-partieswerealwaysroundedoffwithaplentifulgarnishingofpresentableyoungwomenandalert，attendantmothers，buttheoldladywasemphaticallydiscouragingwheneveranyoneofhergirlguestsbecameatalllikelytooutbidtheothersasapossiblegranddaughter-in-law。Itwastheinheritanceofherfortuneandestatethatwasinquestion，andshewasevidentlydisposedtoexerciseandenjoyherpowersofselectionandrejectiontotheutmost。Bertie\'spreferencesdidnotgreatlymatter；hewasofthesortwhocanbestolidlyhappywithanykindofwife；hehadcheerfullyputupwithhisgrandmotherallhislife，sowasnotlikelytofretandfumeoveranythingthatmightbefallhiminthewayofahelpmate。

ThepartythatgatheredunderTeresa\'sroofinChristmasweekoftheyearnineteen-hundred-and-somethingwasofsmallerproportionsthanusual，andMrs。Yonelet，whoformedoneoftheparty，wasinclinedtodeducehopefulauguryfromthiscircumstance。DoraYoneletandBertieweresoobviouslymadeforoneanother，sheconfidedtothevicar\'swife，andiftheoldladywereaccustomedtoseeingthemaboutalottogethershemightadopttheviewthattheywouldmakeasuitablemarriedcouple。

"Peoplesoongetusedtoanideaifitisdangledconstantlybeforetheireyes，"saidMrs。Yonelethopefully，"andthemoreoftenTeresaseesthoseyoungpeopletogether，happyineachother\'scompany，themoreshewillgettotakeakindlyinterestinDoraasapossibleanddesirablewifeforBertie。"

"Mydear，"saidthevicar\'swiferesignedly，"myownSybilwasthrowntogetherwithBertieunderthemostromanticcircumstances-I\'lltellyouaboutitsomeday-butitmadenoimpressionwhateveronTeresa；sheputherfootdowninthemostuncompromisingfashion，andSybilmarriedanIndiancivilian。"

"Quiterightofher，"saidMrs。Yoneletwithvagueapproval；"it\'swhatanygirlofspiritwouldhavedone。

Still，thatwasayearortwoago，Ibelieve；Bertieisoldernow，andsoisTeresa。Naturallyshemustbeanxioustoseehimsettled。"

Thevicar\'swifereflectedthatTeresaseemedtobetheonepersonwhoshowednoimmediateanxietytosupplyBertiewithawife，butshekeptthethoughttoherself。

Mrs。Yoneletwasawomanofresourcefulenergyandgeneralship；sheinvolvedtheothermembersofthehouse-

party，thedeadweight，sotospeak，inallmannerofexercisesandoccupationsthatsegregatedthemfromBertieandDora，whowerelefttotheirowndevisings-

thatistosay，toDora\'sdevisingsandBertie\'saccommodatingacquiescence。DorahelpedintheChristmasdecorationsoftheparishchurch，andBertiehelpedhertohelp。Togethertheyfedtheswans，tillthebirdswentonadyspepsia-strike，togethertheyplayedbilliards，togethertheyphotographedthevillagealmshouses，and，atarespectfuldistance，thetameelkthatbrowsedinsolitaryaloofnessinthepark。Itwas"tame"inthesensethatithadlongagodiscardedtheleastvestigeoffearofthehumanrace；nothinginitsrecordencourageditshumanneighbourstofeelareciprocalconfidence。

WhateversportorexerciseoroccupationBertieandDoraindulgedintogetherwasunfailinglychronicledandadvertisedbyMrs。YoneletforthedueenlightenmentofBertie\'sgrandmother。

"Thosetwoinseparableshavejustcomeinfromabicycleride，"shewouldannounce；"quiteapicturetheymake，sofreshandglowingaftertheirspin。"

"Apictureneedingwords，"wouldbeTeresa\'sprivatecomment，andasfarasBertiewasconcernedshewasdeterminedthatthewordsshouldremainunspoken。

OntheafternoonafterChristmasDayMrs。Yoneletdashedintothedrawing-room，whereherhostesswassittingamidacircleofguestsandteacupsandmuffin-

dishes。Fatehadplacedwhatseemedlikeatrump-cardinthehandsofthepatiently-manoeuvringmother。Witheyesblazingwithexcitementandavoiceheavilyescortedwithexclamationmarksshemadeadramaticannouncement。

"BertiehassavedDorafromtheelk！"

Inswift，excitedsentences，brokenwithmaternalemotion，shegavesupplementaryinformationastohowthetreacherousanimalhadambushedDoraasshewashuntingforastrayedgolfball，andhowBertiehaddashedtoherrescuewithastableforkanddriventhebeastoffinthenickoftime。

"Itwastouchandgo！Shethrewherniblickatit，butthatdidn\'tstopit。Inanothermomentshewouldhavebeencrushedbeneathitshoofs，"pantedMrs。

Yonelet。

"Theanimalisnotsafe，"saidTeresa，handingheragitatedguestacupoftea。"Iforgetifyoutakesugar。Isupposethesolitarylifeitleadshassoureditstemper。Therearemuffinsinthegrate。It\'snotmyfault；I\'vetriedtogetitamateforeversolong。Youdon\'tknowofanyonewithaladyelkforsaleorexchange，doyou？"sheaskedthecompanygenerally。

ButMrs。Yoneletwasinnohumourtolistentotalkofelkmarriages。Thematingoftwohumanbeingswasthesubjectuppermostinhermind，andtheopportunityforadvancingherpetprojectwastoovaluabletobeneglected。

"Teresa，"sheexclaimedimpressively，"afterthosetwoyoungpeoplehavebeenthrowntogethersodramatically，nothingcanbequitethesameagainbetweenthem。BertiehasdonemorethansaveDora\'slife；hehasearnedheraffection。OnecannothelpfeelingthatFatehasconsecratedthemforoneanother。"

"Exactlywhatthevicar\'swifesaidwhenBertiesavedSybilfromtheelkayearortwoago，"observedTeresaplacidly；"IpointedouttoherthathehadrescuedMirabelHicksfromthesamepredicementafewmonthspreviously，andthatpriorityreallybelongedtothegardener\'sboy，whohadbeenrescuedintheJanuaryofthatyear。Thereisagooddealofsamenessincountrylife，youknow。"

"Itseemstobeaverydangerousanimal，"saidoneoftheguests。

"That\'swhatthemotherofthegardener\'sboysaid，"

remarkedTeresa；"shewantedmetohaveitdestroyed，butIpointedouttoherthatshehadelevenchildrenandI

hadonlyoneelk。Ialsogaveherablacksilkskirt；

shesaidthatthoughtherehadn\'tbeenafuneralinherfamilyshefeltasiftherehadbeen。Anyhow，wepartedfriends。Ican\'tofferyouasilkskirt，Emily，butyoumayhaveanothercupoftea。AsIhavealreadyremarked，therearemuffinsinthegrate。"

Teresadosedthediscussion，havingdeftlyconveyedtheimpressionthatsheconsideredthemotherofthegardener\'sboyhadshownafarmorereasonablespiritthantheparentsofotherelk-assaultedvictims。

"Teresaisdevoidoffeeling，"saidMrs。Yoneletafterwardstothevicar\'swife；"tositthere，talkingofmuffins，withanappallingtragedyonlynarrowlyaverted-"

"OfcourseyouknowwhomshereallyintendsBertietomarry？"askedthevicar\'swife；"I\'venoticeditforsometime。TheBickelbys\'Germangoverness。"

"AGermangoverness！Whatanidea！"gaspedMrs。

Yonelet。

"She\'sofquitegoodfamily，Ibelieve，"saidthevicar\'swife，"andnotatallthemouse-in-the-back-

groundsortofpersonthatgovernessesareusuallysupposedtobe。Infact，nexttoTeresa，she\'saboutthemostassertiveandcombativepersonalityintheneighbourhood。She\'spointedouttomyhusbandallsortsoferrorsinhissermons，andshegaveSirLaurenceapubliclectureonhowheoughttohandlethehounds。YouknowhowsensitiveSirLaurenceisaboutanycriticismofhisMastership，andtohaveagovernesslayingdownthelawtohimnearlydrovehimintoafit。She\'sbehavedlikethattoeveryone，except，ofcourse，Teresa，andeveryonehasbeendefensivelyrudetoherinreturn。

TheBickelbysaresimplytooafraidofhertogetridofher。Nowisn\'tthatexactlythesortofwomanwhomTeresawouldtakeadelightininstallingashersuccessor？ImaginethediscomfortandawkwardnessinthecountyifwesuddenlyfoundthatshewastobethefuturehostessattheHall。Teresa\'sonlyregretwillbethatshewon\'tbealivetoseeit。"

"But，"objectedMrs。Yonelet，"surelyBertiehasn\'tshowntheleastsignofbeingattractedinthatquarter？"

"Oh，she\'squitenice-lookinginaway，anddresseswell，andplaysagoodgameoftennis。SheoftencomesacrosstheparkwithmessagesfromtheBickelbymansion，andoneofthesedaysBertiewillrescueherfromtheelk，whichhasbecomealmostahabitwithhim，andTeresawillsaythatFatehasconsecratedthemtooneanother。

BertiemightnotbedisposedtopaymuchattentiontotheconsecrationsofFate，buthewouldnotdreamofopposinghisgrandmother。"

Thevicar\'swifespokewiththequietauthorityofonewhohasintuitiveknowledge，andinherheartofheartsMrs。Yoneletbelievedher。

Sixmonthslatertheelkhadtobedestroyed。InafitofexceptionalmorosenessithadkilledtheBickelbys\'Germangoverness。Itwasanironyofitsfatethatitshouldachievepopularityinthelastmomentsofitscareer；atanyrate，itestablished，therecordofbeingtheonlylivingthingthathadpermanentlythwartedTeresaThropplestance\'splans。

DoraYoneletbrokeoffherengagementwithanIndiancivilian，andmarriedBertiethreemonthsafterhisgrandmother\'sdeath-TeresadidnotlongsurvivetheGermangovernessfiasco。AtChristmastimeeveryyearyoungMrs。Thropplestancehangsanextralargefestoonofevergreensontheelkhornsthatdecoratethehall。

"Itwasafearsomebeast，"sheobservestoBertie，"butIalwaysfeelthatitwasinstrumentalinbringingustogether。"

Which，ofcourse，wastrue。

"DOWNPENS"

"HAVEyouwrittentothanktheFroplinsonsforwhattheysentus？"askedEgbert。

"No，"saidJanetta，withanoteoftireddefianceinhervoice；"I\'vewrittenelevenlettersto-dayexpressingsurpriseandgratitudeforsundryunmeritedgifts，butI

haven\'twrittentotheFroplinsons。"

"Someonewillhavetowritetothem，"saidEgbert。

"Idon\'tdisputethenecessity，butIdon\'tthinkthesomeoneshouldbeme，"saidJanetta。"Iwouldn\'tmindwritingaletterofangryrecriminationorheartlesssatiretosomesuitablerecipient；infact，Ishouldratherenjoyit，butI\'vecometotheendofmycapacityforexpressingservileamiability。Elevenlettersto-dayandnineyesterday，allcouchedinthesamestrainofecstaticthankfulness：really，youcan\'texpectmetositdowntoanother。Thereissuchathingaswritingoneselfout。"

"I\'vewrittennearlyasmany，"saidEgbert，"andI\'vehadmyusualbusinesscorrespondencetogetthrough，too。Besides，Idon\'tknowwhatitwasthattheFroplinsonssentus。"

"AWilliamtheConquerorcalendar，"saidJanetta，"withaquotationofoneofhisgreatthoughtsforeverydayintheyear。"

"Impossible，"saidEgbert；"hedidn\'thavethreehundredandsixty-fivethoughtsinthewholeofhislife，or，ifhedid，hekeptthemtohimself。Hewasamanofaction，notofintrospection。"

"Well，itwasWilliamWordsworth，then，"saidJanetta；"IknowWilliamcameintoitsomewhere。"

"Thatsoundsmoreprobable，"saidEgbert；"well，let\'scollaborateonthisletterofthanksandgetitdone。I\'lldictate，andyoucanscribbleitdown。\'DearMrs。Froplinson-thankyouandyourhusbandsomuchfortheveryprettycalendaryousentus。Itwasverygoodofyoutothinkofus。\'"

"Youcan\'tpossiblysaythat，"saidJanetta，layingdownherpen。

"It\'swhatIalwaysdosay，andwhateveryonesaystome，"protestedEgbert。

"Wesentthemsomethingonthetwenty-second，"saidJanetta，"sotheysimplyHADtothinkofus。Therewasnogettingawayfromit。"

"Whatdidwesendthem？"askedEgbertgloomily。

"Bridge-markers，"saidJanetta，"inacardboardcase，withsomeinanityabout\'diggingforfortunewitharoyalspade\'emblazonedonthecover。ThemomentIsawitintheshopIsaidtomyself\'Froplinsons\'andtotheattendant\'Howmuch？\'Whenhesaid\'Ninepence，\'Igavehimtheiraddress，jabbedourcardin，paidtenpenceorelevenpencetocoverthepostage，andthankedheaven。

Withlesssincerityandinfinitelymoretroubletheyeventuallythankedme。"

"TheFroplinsonsdon\'tplaybridge，"saidEgbert。

"Oneisnotsupposedtonoticesocialdeformitiesofthatsort，"saidJanetta；"itwouldn\'tbepolite。

Besides，whattroubledidtheytaketofindoutwhetherwereadWordsworthwithgladness？ForalltheykneworcaredwemightbefranticallyembeddedinthebeliefthatallpoetrybeginsandendswithJohnMasefield，anditmightinfuriateordepressustohaveadailysampleofWordsworthianproductsflungatus。"

"Well，let\'sgetonwiththeletterofthanks，"saidEgbert。

"Proceed，"saidJanetta。

"\'HowcleverofyoutoguessthatWordsworthisourfavouritepoet，\'"dictatedEgbert。

AgainJanettalaiddownherpen。

"Doyourealisewhatthatmeans？"sheasked；"aWordsworthbookletnextChristmas，andanothercalendartheChristmasafter，withthesameproblemofhavingtowritesuitablelettersofthankfulness。No，thebestthingtodoistodropallfurtherallusiontothecalendarandswitchoffontosomeothertopic。"

"Butwhatothertopic？"

"Oh，somethinglikethis：\'WhatdoyouthinkoftheNewYearHonoursList？Afriendofoursmadesuchacleverremarkwhenhereadit。\'Thenyoucanstickinanyremarkthatcomesintoyourhead；itneedn\'tbeclever。TheFroplinsonswon\'tknowwhetheritisorisn\'t。"

"Wedon\'tevenknowonwhichsidetheyareinpolitics，"objectedEgbert；"andanyhowyoucan\'tsuddenlydismissthesubjectofthecalendar。Surelytheremustbesomeintelligentremarkthatcanbemadeaboutit。"

"Well，wecan\'tthinkofone，"saidJanettawearily；

"thefactis，we\'vebothwrittenourselvesout。Heavens！

I\'vejustrememberedMrs。StephenLudberry。Ihaven\'tthankedherforwhatshesent。"

"Whatdidshesend？"

"Iforget；Ithinkitwasacalendar。"

Therewasalongsilence，theforlornsilenceofthosewhoarebereftofhopeandhavealmostceasedtocare。

PresentlyEgbertstartedfromhisseatwithanairofresolution。Thelightofbattlewasinhiseyes。

"Letmecometothewriting-table，"heexclaimed。

"Gladly，"saidJanetta。"AreyougoingtowritetoMrs。LudberryortheFroplinsons？"

"Toneither，"saidEgbert，drawingastackofnotepapertowardshim；"I\'mgoingtowritetotheeditorofeveryenlightenedandinfluentialnewspaperintheKingdom，I\'mgoingtosuggestthatthereshouldbeasortofepistolaryTruceofGodduringthefestivitiesofChristmasandNewYear。Fromthetwenty-fourthofDecembertothethirdorfourthofJanuaryitshallbeconsideredanoffenceagainstgoodsenseandgoodfeelingtowriteorexpectanyletterorcommunicationthatdoesnotdealwiththenecessaryeventsofthemoment。

Answerstoinvitations，arrangementsabouttrains，renewalofclubsubscriptions，and，ofcourse，alltheordinaryeverydayaffairsofbusiness，sickness，engagingnewcooks，andsoforth，thesewillbedealtwithintheusualmannerassomethinginevitable，alegitimatepartofourdailylife。Butallthedevastatingaccretionsofcorrespondence，incidenttothefestiveseason，theseshouldbesweptawaytogivetheseasonachanceofbeingreallyfestive，atimeofuntroubled，unpunctuatedpeaceandgoodwill。"

"Butyouwouldhavetomakesomeacknowledgmentofpresentsreceived，"objectedJanetta；"otherwisepeoplewouldneverknowwhethertheyhadarrivedsafely。"

"Ofcourse，Ihavethoughtofthat，"saidEgbert；

"everypresentthatwassentoffwouldbeaccompaniedbyaticketbearingthedateofdispatchandthesignatureofthesender，andsomeconventionalhieroglyphictoshowthatitwasintendedtobeaChristmasorNewYeargift；

therewouldbeacounterfoilwithspacefortherecipient\'snameandthedateofarrival，andallyouwouldhavetodowouldbetosignanddatethecounterfoil，addaconventionalhieroglyphicindicatingheartfeltthanksandgratifiedsurprise，putthethingintoanenvelopeandpostit。"

"Itsoundsdelightfullysimple，"saidJanettawistfully，"butpeoplewouldconsiderittoocut-and-

dried，tooperfunctory。"