第8章

"Itisnotabitmoreperfunctorythanthepresentsystem，"saidEgbert；"IhaveonlythesameconventionallanguageofgratitudeatmydisposalwithwhichtothankdearoldColonelChuttleforhisperfectlydeliciousStilton，whichweshalldevourtothelastmorsel，andtheFroplinsonsfortheircalendar，whichweshallneverlookat。ColonelChuttleknowsthatwearegratefulfortheStilton，withouthavingtobetoldso，andtheFroplinsonsknowthatweareboredwiththeircalendar，whateverwemaysaytothecontrary，justasweknowthattheyareboredwiththebridge-markersinspiteoftheirwrittenassurancethattheythankedusforourcharminglittlegift。Whatismore，theColonelknowsthatevenifwehadtakenasuddenaversiontoStiltonorbeenforbiddenitbythedoctor，weshouldstillhavewrittenaletterofheartythanksaroundit。Soyouseethepresentsystemofacknowledgmentisjustasperfunctoryandconventionalasthecounterfoilbusinesswouldbe，onlytentimesmoretiresomeandbrain-racking。"

"YourplanwouldcertainlybringtheidealofaHappyChristmasastepnearerrealisation，"saidJanetta。

"Thereareexceptions，ofcourse，"saidEgbert，"peoplewhoreallytrytoinfuseabreathofrealityintotheirlettersofacknowledgment。AuntSusan，forinstance，whowrites：\'Thankyouverymuchfortheham；

notsuchagoodflavourastheoneyousentlastyear，whichitselfwasnotaparticularlygoodone。Hamsarenotwhattheyusedtobe。\'ItwouldbeapitytobedeprivedofherChristmascomments，butthatlosswouldbeswallowedupinthegeneralgain。"

"Meanwhile，"saidJanetta，"whatamItosaytotheFroplinsons？"

THENAME-DAY

ADVENTURES，accordingtotheproverb，aretotheadventurous。Quiteasoftentheyaretothenon-

adventurous，totheretiring，totheconstitutionallytimid。JohnJamesAbblewayhadbeenendowedbyNaturewiththesortofdispositionthatinstinctivelyavoidsCarlistintrigues，slumcrusades，thetrackingofwoundedwildbeasts，andthemovingofhostileamendmentsatpoliticalmeetings。IfamaddogoraMadMullahhadcomehiswayhewouldhavesurrenderedthewaywithouthesitation。AtschoolhehadunwillinglyacquiredathoroughknowledgeoftheGermantongueoutofdeferencetotheplainly-expressedwishesofaforeign-languagesmaster，who，thoughhetaughtmodernsubjects，employedold-fashionedmethodsindrivinghislessonshome。ItwasthisenforcedfamiliaritywithanimportantcommerciallanguagewhichthrustAbblewayinlateryearsintostrangelandswhereadventureswerelesseasytoguardagainstthanintheorderedatmosphereofanEnglishcountrytown。ThefirmthatheworkedforsawfittosendhimonedayonaprosaicbusinesserrandtothefarcityofVienna，and，havingsenthimthere，continuedtokeephimthere，stillengagedinhumdrumaffairsofcommerce，butwiththepossibilitiesofromanceandadventure，orevenmisadventure，jostlingathiselbow。Aftertwoandahalfyearsofexile，however，JohnJamesAbblewayhadembarkedononlyonehazardousundertaking，andthatwasofanaturewhichwouldassuredlyhaveovertakenhimsoonerorlaterifhehadbeenleadingasheltered，stay-at-homeexistenceatDorkingorHuntingdon。HefellplacidlyinlovewithaplacidlylovableEnglishgirl，thesisterofoneofhiscommercialcolleagues，whowasimprovinghermindbyashorttriptoforeignparts，andinduecoursehewasformallyacceptedastheyoungmanshewasengagedto。

ThefurtherstepbywhichshewastobecomeMrs。JohnAbblewaywastotakeplaceatwelvemonthhenceinatownintheEnglishmidlands，bywhichtimethefirmthatemployedJohnJameswouldhavenofurtherneedforhispresenceintheAustriancapital。

ItwasearlyinApril，twomonthsaftertheinstallationofAbblewayastheyoungmanMissPenningwasengagedto，whenhereceivedaletterfromher，writtenfromVenice。Shewasstillperegrinatingunderthewingofherbrother，andasthelatter\'sbusinessarrangementswouldtakehimacrosstoFiumeforadayortwo，shehadconceivedtheideathatitwouldberatherjollyifJohncouldobtainleaveofabsenceandrundowntotheAdriaticcoasttomeetthem。Shehadlookeduptherouteonthemap，andthejourneydidnotappearlikelytobeexpensive。Betweenthelinesofhercommunicationtherelayahintthatifhereallycaredforher-

AbblewayobtainedleaveofabsenceandaddedajourneytoFiumetohislife\'sadventures。HeleftViennaonacold，cheerlessday。Theflowershopswerefullofspringblooms，andtheweeklyorgansofillustratedhumourwerefullofspringtopics，buttheskieswereheavywithcloudsthatlookedlikecotton-woolthathasbeenkeptoverlonginashopwindow。

"Snowcomes，"saidthetrainofficialtothestationofficials；andtheyagreedthatsnowwasabouttocome。

Anditcame，rapidly，plenteously。Thetrainhadnotbeenmorethananhouronitsjourneywhenthecotton-

woolcloudscommencedtodissolveinablindingdownpourofsnowflakes。Theforesttreesoneithersideofthelinewerespeedilycoatedwithaheavywhitemantle，thetelegraphwiresbecamethickglisteningropes，thelineitselfwasburiedmoreandmorecompletelyunderacarpetingofsnow，throughwhichthenotverypowerfulengineplougheditswaywithincreasingdifficulty。TheVienna-FiumelineisscarcelythebestequippedoftheAustrianStaterailways，andAbblewaybegantohaveseriousfearsforabreakdown。Thetrainhadsloweddowntoapainfulandprecariouscrawlandpresentlycametoahaltataspotwherethedriftingsnowhadaccumulatedinaformidablebarrier。Theenginemadeaspecialeffortandbrokethroughtheobstruction，butinthecourseofanothertwentyminutesitwasagainheldup。Theprocessofbreakingthroughwasrenewed，andthetraindoggedlyresumeditsway，encounteringandsurmountingfreshhindrancesatfrequentintervals。AfterastandstillofunusuallylongdurationinaparticularlydeepdriftthecompartmentinwhichAbblewaywassittinggaveahugejerkandalurch，andthenseemedtoremainstationary；

itundoubtedlywasnotmoving，andyethecouldhearthepuffingoftheengineandtheslowrumblingandjoltingofwheels。Thepuffingandrumblinggrewfainter，asthoughitweredyingawaythroughtheagencyofinterveningdistance。Abblewaysuddenlygaveventtoanexclamationofscandalisedalarm，openedthewindow，andpeeredoutintothesnowstorm。Theflakesperchedonhiseyelashesandblurredhisvision，buthesawenoughtohelphimtorealisewhathadhappened。Theenginehadmadeamightyplungethroughthedriftandhadgonemerrilyforward，lightenedoftheloadofitsrearcarriage，whosecouplinghadsnappedunderthestrain。

Abblewaywasalone，oralmostalone，withaderelictrailwaywaggon，intheheartofsomeStyrianorCroatianforest。Inthethird-classcompartmentnexttohisownherememberedtohaveseenapeasantwoman，whohadenteredthetrainatasmallwaysidestation。"Withtheexceptionofthatwoman，"heexclaimeddramaticallytohimself，"thenearestlivingbeingsareprobablyapackofwolves。"

Beforemakinghiswaytothethird-classcompartmenttoacquainthisfellow-travellerwiththeextentofthedisasterAbblewayhurriedlyponderedthequestionofthewoman\'snationality。HehadacquiredasmatteringofSlavonictonguesduringhisresidenceinVienna，andfeltcompetenttograpplewithseveralracialpossibilities。

"IfsheisCroatorSerborBosniakIshallbeabletomakeherunderstand，"hepromisedhimself。"IfsheisMagyar，heavenhelpme！Weshallhavetoconverseentirelybysigns。"

HeenteredthecarriageandmadehismomentousannouncementinthebestapproachtoCroatspeechthathecouldachieve。

"Thetrainhasbrokenawayandleftus！"

Thewomanshookherheadwithamovementthatmightbeintendedtoconveyresignationtothewillofheaven，butprobablymeantnoncomprehension。AbblewayrepeatedhisinformationwithvariationsofSlavonictonguesandgenerousdisplaysofpantomime。

"Ah，"saidthewomanatlastinGermandialect，"thetrainhasgone？Weareleft。Ah，so。"

SheseemedaboutasmuchinterestedasthoughAbblewayhadtoldhertheresultofthemunicipalelectionsinAmsterdam。

"Theywillfindoutatsomestation，andwhenthelineisclearofsnowtheywillsendanengine。Ithappensthatwaysometimes。"

"Wemaybehereallnight！"exclaimedAbbleway。

Thewomannoddedasthoughshethoughtitpossible。

"Aretherewolvesintheseparts？"askedAbblewayhurriedly。

"Many，"saidthewoman；"justoutsidethisforestmyauntwasdevouredthreeyearsago，asshewascominghomefrommarket。Thehorseandayoungpigthatwasinthecartwereeatentoo。Thehorsewasaveryoldone，butitwasabeautifulyoungpig，oh，sofat。IcriedwhenI

heardthatitwastaken。Theysparenothing。"

"Theymayattackushere，"saidAbblewaytremulously；"theycouldeasilybreakin，thesecarriagesarelikematchwood。Wemaybothbedevoured。"

"You，perhaps，"saidthewomancalmly；"notme。"

"Whynotyou？"demandedAbbleway。

"ItisthedayofSaintMariaKleopha，myname-day。

Shewouldnotallowmetobeeatenbywolvesonherday。

Suchathingcouldnotbethoughtof。You，yes，butnotme。"

Abblewaychangedthesubject。

"Itisonlyafternoonnow；ifwearetobeleftheretillmorningweshallbestarving。"

"Ihaveheresomegoodeatables，"saidthewomantranquilly；"onmyfestivaldayitisnaturalthatI

shouldhaveprovisionwithme。Ihavefivegoodblood-

sausages；inthetownshopstheycosttwenty-fivehellereach。Thingsaredearinthetownshops。"

"Iwillgiveyoufiftyhellerapieceforacoupleofthem，"saidAbblewaywithsomeenthusiasm。

"Inarailwayaccidentthingsbecomeverydear，"

saidthewoman；"theseblood-sausagesarefourkronenapiece。"

"Fourkronen！"exclaimedAbbleway；"fourkronenforablood-sausage！"

"Youcannotgetthemanycheaperonthistrain，"

saidthewoman，withrelentlesslogic，"becausetherearen\'tanyotherstoget。InAgramyoucanbuythemcheaper，andinParadisenodoubttheywillbegiventousfornothing，butheretheycostfourkroneneach。I

haveasmallpieceofEmmenthalercheeseandahoney-cakeandapieceofbreadthatIcanletyouhave。Thatwillbeanotherthreekronen，elevenkroneninall。Thereisapieceofham，butthatIcannotletyouhaveonmyname-day。"

Abblewaywonderedtohimselfwhatpriceshewouldhaveputontheham，andhurriedtopayhertheelevenkronenbeforeheremergencytariffexpandedintoafaminetariff。Ashewastakingpossessionofhismodeststoreofeatableshesuddenlyheardanoisewhichsethisheartthumpinginamiserablefeveroffear。\'Therewasascrapingandshufflingasofsomeanimaloranimalstryingtoclimbuptothefootboard。Inanothermoment，throughthesnow-encrustedglassofthecarriagewindow，hesawagauntprick-earedhead，withgapingjawandlollingtongueandgleamingteeth；asecondlateranotherheadshotup。

"Therearehundredsofthem，"whisperedAbbleway；

"theyhavescentedus。Theywilltearthecarriagetopieces。Weshallbedevoured。"

"Notme，onmyname-day。TheholyMariaKleophawouldnotpermitit，"saidthewomanwithprovokingcalm。

Theheadsdroppeddownfromthewindowandanuncannysilencefellonthebeleagueredcarriage。

Abblewayneithermovednorspoke。Perhapsthebruteshadnotclearlyseenorwindedthehumanoccupantsofthecarriage，andhadprowledawayonsomeothererrandofrapine。

Thelongtorture-ladenminutespassedslowlyaway。

"Itgrowscold，"saidthewomansuddenly，crossingovertothefarendofthecarriage，wheretheheadshadappeared。"Theheatingapparatusdoesnotworkanylonger。See，overtherebeyondthetrees，thereisachimneywithsmokecomingfromit。Itisnotfar，andthesnowhasnearlystopped，Ishallfindapaththroughtheforesttothathousewiththechimney。"

"Butthewolves！"exclaimedAbbleway；"theymay-"

"Notonmyname-day，"saidthewomanobstinately，andbeforehecouldstophershehadopenedthedoorandclimbeddownintothesnow。Amomentlaterhehidhisfaceinhishands；twogauntleanfiguresrusheduponherfromtheforest。Nodoubtshehadcourtedherfate，butAbblewayhadnowishtoseeahumanbeingtorntopiecesanddevouredbeforehiseyes。

Whenhelookedatlastanewsensationofscandalisedastonishmenttookpossessionofhim。HehadbeenstraitlybroughtupinasmallEnglishtown，andhewasnotpreparedtobethewitnessofamiracle。Thewolveswerenotdoinganythingworsetothewomanthandrenchherwithsnowastheygambolledroundher。

Ashort，joyousbarkrevealedthecluetothesituation。

"Arethose-dogs？"hecalledweakly。

"MycousinKarl\'sdogs，yes，"sheanswered；thatishisinn，overbeyondthetrees。Iknewitwasthere，butIdidnotwanttotakeyouthere；heisalwaysgraspingwithstrangers。However，itgrowstoocoldtoremaininthetrain。Ah，ah，seewhatcomes！"

Awhistlesounded，andareliefenginemadeitsappearance，snortingitswaysulkilythroughthesnow。

AbblewaydidnothavetheopportunityforfindingoutwhetherKarlwasreallyavaricious。

THELUMBERROOM

THEchildrenweretobedriven，asaspecialtreat，tothesandsatJagborough。Nicholaswasnottobeoftheparty；hewasindisgrace。Onlythatmorninghehadrefusedtoeathiswholesomebread-and-milkontheseeminglyfrivolousgroundthattherewasafroginit。

Olderandwiserandbetterpeoplehadtoldhimthattherecouldnotpossiblybeafroginhisbread-and-milkandthathewasnottotalknonsense；hecontinued，nevertheless，totalkwhatseemedtheveriestnonsense，anddescribedwithmuchdetailthecolourationandmarkingsoftheallegedfrog。ThedramaticpartoftheincidentwasthattherereallywasafroginNicholas\'

basinofbread-and-milk；hehadputittherehimself，sohefeltentitledtoknowsomethingaboutit。Thesinoftakingafrogfromthegardenandputtingitintoabowlofwholesomebread-and-milkwasenlargedonatgreatlength，butthefactthatstoodoutclearestinthewholeaffair，asitpresenteditselftothemindofNicholas，wasthattheolder，wiser，andbetterpeoplehadbeenprovedtobeprofoundlyinerrorinmattersaboutwhichtheyhadexpressedtheutmostassurance。

"Yousaidtherecouldn\'tpossiblybeafroginmybread-and-milk；thereWASafroginmybread-and-milk，"

herepeated，withtheinsistenceofaskilledtacticianwhodoesnotintendtoshiftfromfavourableground。

Sohisboy-cousinandgirl-cousinandhisquiteuninterestingyoungerbrotherweretobetakentoJagboroughsandsthatafternoonandhewastostayathome。Hiscousins\'aunt，whoinsisted，byanunwarrantedstretchofimagination，instylingherselfhisauntalso，hadhastilyinventedtheJagboroughexpeditioninordertoimpressonNicholasthedelightsthathehadjustlyforfeitedbyhisdisgracefulconductatthebreakfast-

table。Itwasherhabit，wheneveroneofthechildrenfellfromgrace，toimprovisesomethingofafestivalnaturefromwhichtheoffenderwouldberigorouslydebarred；ifallthechildrensinnedcollectivelytheyweresuddenlyinformedofacircusinaneighbouringtown，acircusofunrivalledmeritanduncountedelephants，towhich，butfortheirdepravity，theywouldhavebeentakenthatveryday。

AfewdecenttearswerelookedforonthepartofNicholaswhenthemomentforthedepartureoftheexpeditionarrived。Asamatteroffact，however，allthecryingwasdonebyhisgirl-cousin，whoscrapedherkneeratherpainfullyagainstthestepofthecarriageasshewasscramblingin。

"Howshedidhowl，"saidNicholascheerfully，asthepartydroveoffwithoutanyoftheelationofhighspiritsthatshouldhavecharacterisedit。

"She\'llsoongetoverthat，"saidtheSOI-DISANT

aunt；"itwillbeagloriousafternoonforracingaboutoverthosebeautifulsands。Howtheywillenjoythemselves！"

"Bobbywon\'tenjoyhimselfmuch，andhewon\'tracemucheither，"saidNicholaswithagrimchuckle；hisbootsarehurtinghim。They\'retootight。"

"Whydidn\'thetellmetheywerehurting？"askedtheauntwithsomeasperity。

"Hetoldyoutwice，butyouweren\'tlistening。Youoftendon\'tlistenwhenwetellyouimportantthings。"

"Youarenottogointothegooseberrygarden，"saidtheaunt，changingthesubject。

"Whynot？"demandedNicholas。

"Becauseyouareindisgrace，"saidtheauntloftily。

Nicholasdidnotadmittheflawlessnessofthereasoning；hefeltperfectlycapableofbeingindisgraceandinagooseberrygardenatthesamemoment。Hisfacetookonanexpressionofconsiderableobstinacy。Itwascleartohisauntthathewasdeterminedtogetintothegooseberrygarden，"only，"assheremarkedtoherself，"becauseIhavetoldhimheisnotto。"

Nowthegooseberrygardenhadtwodoorsbywhichitmightbeentered，andonceasmallpersonlikeNicholascouldslipintherehecouldeffectuallydisappearfromviewamidthemaskinggrowthofartichokes，raspberrycanes，andfruitbushes。Theaunthadmanyotherthingstodothatafternoon，butshespentanhourortwointrivialgardeningoperationsamongflowerbedsandshrubberies，whenceshecouldkeepawatchfuleyeonthetwodoorsthatledtotheforbiddenparadise。Shewasawomanoffewideas，withimmensepowersofconcentration。

Nicholasmadeoneortwosortiesintothefrontgarden，wrigglinghiswaywithobviousstealthofpurposetowardsoneorotherofthedoors，butneverableforamomenttoevadetheaunt\'swatchfuleye。Asamatteroffact，hehadnointentionoftryingtogetintothegooseberrygarden，butitwasextremelyconvenientforhimthathisauntshouldbelievethathehad；itwasabeliefthatwouldkeepheronself-imposedsentry-dutyforthegreaterpartoftheafternoon。HavingthoroughlyconfirmedandfortifiedhersuspicionsNicholasslippedbackintothehouseandrapidlyputintoexecutionaplanofactionthathadlonggerminatedinhisbrain。Bystandingonachairinthelibraryonecouldreachashelfonwhichreposedafat，important-lookingkey。Thekeywasasimportantasitlooked；itwastheinstrumentwhichkeptthemysteriesofthelumber-roomsecurefromunauthorisedintrusion，whichopenedawayonlyforauntsandsuch-likeprivilegedpersons。Nicholashadnothadmuchexperienceoftheartoffittingkeysintokeyholesandturninglocks，butforsomedayspasthehadpractisedwiththekeyoftheschoolroomdoor；hedidnotbelieveintrustingtoomuchtoluckandaccident。Thekeyturnedstifflyinthelock，butitturned。Thedooropened，andNicholaswasinanunknownland，comparedwithwhichthegooseberrygardenwasastaledelight，amerematerialpleasure。

OftenandoftenNicholashadpicturedtohimselfwhatthelumber-roommightbelike，thatregionthatwassocarefullysealedfromyouthfuleyesandconcerningwhichnoquestionswereeveranswered。Itcameuptohisexpectations。Inthefirstplaceitwaslargeanddimlylit，onehighwindowopeningontotheforbiddengardenbeingitsonlysourceofillumination。Inthesecondplaceitwasastorehouseofunimaginedtreasures。Theaunt-by-assertionwasoneofthosepeoplewhothinkthatthingsspoilbyuseandconsignthemtodustanddampbywayofpreservingthem。SuchpartsofthehouseasNicholasknewbestwereratherbareandcheerless，butheretherewerewonderfulthingsfortheeyetofeaston。

Firstandforemosttherewasapieceofframedtapestrythatwasevidentlymeanttobeafire-screen。ToNicholasitwasaliving，breathingstory；hesatdownonarollofIndianhangings，glowinginwonderfulcoloursbeneathalayerofdust，andtookinallthedetailsofthetapestrypicture。Aman，dressedinthehuntingcostumeofsomeremoteperiod，hadjusttransfixedastagwithanarrow；itcouldnothavebeenadifficultshotbecausethestagwasonlyoneortwopacesawayfromhim；

inthethickly-growingvegetationthatthepicturesuggesteditwouldnothavebeendifficulttocreepuptoafeedingstag，andthetwospotteddogsthatwerespringingforwardtojoininthechasehadevidentlybeentrainedtokeeptoheeltillthearrowwasdischarged。

Thatpartofthepicturewassimple，ifinteresting，butdidthehuntsmansee，whatNicholassaw，thatfourgallopingwolveswerecominginhisdirectionthroughthewood？Theremightbemorethanfourofthemhiddenbehindthetrees，andinanycasewouldthemanandhisdogsbeabletocopewiththefourwolvesiftheymadeanattack？Themanhadonlytwoarrowsleftinhisquiver，andhemightmisswithoneorbothofthem；alloneknewabouthisskillinshootingwasthathecouldhitalargestagataridiculouslyshortrange。Nicholassatformanygoldenminutesrevolvingthepossibilitiesofthescene；hewasinclinedtothinkthatthereweremorethanfourwolvesandthatthemanandhisdogswereinatightcorner。

Buttherewereotherobjectsofdelightandinterestclaiminghisinstantattention：therewerequainttwistedcandlesticksintheshapeofsnakes，andateapotfashionedlikeachinaduck，outofwhoseopenbeaktheteawassupposedtocome。Howdullandshapelessthenurseryteapotseemedincomparison！Andtherewasacarvedsandal-woodboxpackedtightwitharomaticcottonwool，andbetweenthelayersofcottonwoolwerelittlebrassfigures，hump-neckedbulls，andpeacocksandgoblins，delightfultoseeandtohandle。Lesspromisinginappearancewasalargesquarebookwithplainblackcovers；Nicholaspeepedintoit，and，behold，itwasfullofcolouredpicturesofbirds。Andsuchbirds！Inthegarden，andinthelaneswhenhewentforawalk，Nicholascameacrossafewbirds，ofwhichthelargestwereanoccasionalmagpieorwood-pigeon；herewereheronsandbustards，kites，toucans，tiger-bitterns，brushturkeys，ibises，goldenpheasants，awholeportraitgalleryofundreamed-ofcreatures。Andashewasadmiringthecolouringofthemandarinduckandassigningalife-historytoit，thevoiceofhisauntinshrillvociferationofhisnamecamefromthegooseberrygardenwithout。Shehadgrownsuspiciousathislongdisappearance，andhadleapttotheconclusionthathehadclimbedoverthewallbehindtheshelteringscreenofthelilacbushes；shewasnowengagedinenergeticandratherhopelesssearchforhimamongtheartichokesandraspberrycanes。

"Nicholas，Nicholas！"shescreamed，"youaretocomeoutofthisatonce。It\'snousetryingtohidethere；I

canseeyouallthetime。"

Itwasprobablythefirsttimefortwentyyearsthatanyonehadsmiledinthatlumber-room。

PresentlytheangryrepetitionsofNicholas\'namegavewaytoashriek，andacryforsomebodytocomequickly。Nicholasshutthebook，restoreditcarefullytoitsplaceinacorner，andshooksomedustfromaneighbouringpileofnewspapersoverit。Thenhecreptfromtheroom，lockedthedoor，andreplacedthekeyexactlywherehehadfoundit。Hisauntwasstillcallinghisnamewhenhesaunteredintothefrontgarden。

"Who\'scalling？"heasked。

"Me，"cametheanswerfromtheothersideofthewall；"didn\'tyouhearme？I\'vebeenlookingforyouinthegooseberrygarden，andI\'veslippedintotherain-

watertank。Luckilythere\'snowaterinit，butthesidesareslipperyandIcan\'tgetout。Fetchthelittleladderfromunderthecherrytree-"

"IwastoldIwasn\'ttogointothegooseberrygarden，"saidNicholaspromptly。

"Itoldyounotto，andnowItellyouthatyoumay，"camethevoicefromtherain-watertank，ratherimpatiently。

"Yourvoicedoesn\'tsoundlikeaunt\'s，"objectedNicholas；"youmaybetheEvilOnetemptingmetobedisobedient。AuntoftentellsmethattheEvilOnetemptsmeandthatIalwaysyield。ThistimeI\'mnotgoingtoyield。"

"Don\'ttalknonsense，"saidtheprisonerinthetank；"goandfetchtheladder。"

"Willtherebestrawberryjamfortea？"askedNicholasinnocently。

"Certainlytherewillbe，"saidtheaunt，privatelyresolvingthatNicholasshouldhavenoneofit。

"NowIknowthatyouaretheEvilOneandnotaunt，"

shoutedNicholasgleefully；"whenweaskedauntforstrawberryjamyesterdayshesaidtherewasn\'tany。I

knowtherearefourjarsofitinthestorecupboard，becauseIlooked，andofcourseyouknowit\'sthere，butshedoesn\'t，becauseshesaidtherewasn\'tany。Oh，Devil，youHAVEsoldyourself！"

TherewasanunusualsenseofluxuryinbeingabletotalktoanauntasthoughonewastalkingtotheEvilOne，butNicholasknew，withchildishdiscernment，thatsuchluxurieswerenottobeover-indulgedin。Hewalkednoisilyaway，anditwasakitchenmaid，insearchofparsley，whoeventuallyrescuedtheauntfromtherain-

watertank。

Teathateveningwaspartakenofinafearsomesilence。ThetidehadbeenatitshighestwhenthechildrenhadarrivedatJagboroughCove，sotherehadbeennosandstoplayon-acircumstancethattheaunthadoverlookedinthehasteoforganisingherpunitiveexpedition。ThetightnessofBobby\'sbootshadhaddisastrouseffectonhistemperthewholeoftheafternoon，andaltogetherthechildrencouldnothavebeensaidtohaveenjoyedthemselves。Theauntmaintainedthefrozenmutenessofonewhohassufferedundignifiedandunmeriteddetentioninarain-watertankforthirty-fiveminutes。AsforNicholas，he，too，wassilent，intheabsorptionofonewhohasmuchtothinkabout；itwasjustpossible，heconsidered，thatthehuntsmanwouldescapewithhishoundswhilethewolvesfeastedonthestrickenstag。

FUR

"YOUlookworried，dear，"saidEleanor。

"Iamworried，"admittedSuzanne；"notworriedexactly，butanxious。Yousee，mybirthdayhappensnextweek-"

"Youluckyperson，"interruptedEleanor；"mybirthdaydoesn\'tcometilltheendofMarch。"

"Well，oldBertramKneyghtisoverinEnglandjustnowfromtheArgentine。He\'sakindofdistantcousinofmymother\'s，andsoenormouslyrichthatwe\'veneverlettherelationshipdropoutofsight。Evenifwedon\'tseehimorhearfromhimforyearsheisalwaysCousinBertramwhenhedoesturnup。Ican\'tsayhe\'severbeenofmuchsolidusetous，butyesterdaythesubjectofmybirthdaycroppedup，andheaskedmetolethimknowwhatIwantedforapresent。"

"NowIunderstandtheanxiety，"observedEleanor。

"Asarulewhenoneisconfrontedwithaproblemlikethat，"saidSuzanne，"allone\'sideasvanish；onedoesn\'tseemtohaveadesireintheworld。NowitsohappensthatIhavebeenverykeenonalittleDresdenfigurethatIsawsomewhereinKensington；aboutthirty-

sixshillings，quitebeyondmymeans。Iwasverynearlydescribingthefigure，andgivingBertramtheaddressoftheshop。Andthenitsuddenlystruckmethatthirty-sixshillingswassucharidiculouslyinadequatesumforamanofhisimmensewealthtospendonabirthdaypresent。

Hecouldgivethirty-sixpoundsaseasilyasyouorI

couldbuyabunchofviolets。Idon\'twanttobegreedy，ofcourse，butIdon\'tlikebeingwasteful。"

"Thequestionis，"saidEleanor，"whatarehisideasastopresent-giving？Someofthewealthiestpeoplehavecuriouslycrampedviewsonthatsubject。Whenpeoplegrowgraduallyrichtheirrequirementsandstandardoflivingexpandinproportion，whiletheirpresent-givinginstinctsoftenremainintheundevelopedconditionoftheirearlierdays。Somethingshowyandnot-too-

expensiveinashopistheironlyconceptionoftheidealgift。Thatiswhyevenquitegoodshopshavetheircountersandwindowscrowdedwiththingsworthaboutfourshillingsthatlookasiftheymightbeworthseven-and-

six，andarepricedattenshillingsandlabelledseasonablegifts。\'"

"Iknow，"saidSuzanne；"thatiswhyitissoriskytobevaguewhenoneisgivingindicationsofone\'swants。NowifIsaytohim：\'IamgoingouttoDavosthiswinter，soanythinginthetravellinglinewouldbeacceptable，\'hemightgivemeadressing-bagwithgold-

mountedfittings，but，ontheotherhand，hemightgivemeBaedeker\'sSwitzerland，or`SkiingwithoutTears，\'orsomethingofthatsort。"

"Hewouldbemorelikelytosay：\'She\'llbegoingtolotsofdances，afanwillbesuretobeuseful。\'"

"Yes，andI\'vegottonsoffans，soyouseewherethedangerandanxietylies。NowifthereisonethingmorethananotherthatIreallyurgentlywantitisfurs。

Isimplyhaven\'tany。I\'mtoldthatDavosisfullofRussians，andtheyaresuretowearthemostlovelysablesandthings。Tobeamongpeoplewhoaresmotheredinfurswhenonehasn\'tanyoneselfmakesonewanttobreakmostoftheCommandments。"

"Ifit\'sfursthatyou\'reoutfor，"saidEleanor，"youwillhavetosuperintendthechoiceoftheminperson。Youcan\'tbesurethatyourcousinknowsthedifferencebetweensilver-foxandordinarysquirrel。"

"Therearesomeheavenlysilver-foxstolesatGoliathandMastodon\'s，"saidSuzanne，withasigh；"ifI

couldonlyinveigleBertramintotheirbuildingandtakehimforastrollthroughthefurdepartment！"

"Helivessomewherenearthere，doesn\'the？"saidEleanor。"Doyouknowwhathishabitsare？Doeshetakeawalkatanyparticulartimeofday？"

"Heusuallywalksdowntohisclubaboutthreeo\'clock，ifit\'safineday。ThattakeshimrightpastGoliathandMastodon\'s。"

"Letustwomeethimaccidentallyatthestreetcornerto-morrow，"saidEleanor；"wecanwalkalittlewaywithhim，andwithluckweoughttobeabletoside-

trackhimintotheshop。Youcansayyouwanttogetahair-netorsomething。Whenwe\'resafelythereIcansay：\'Iwishyou\'dtellmewhatyouwantforyourbirthday。\'Thenyou\'llhaveeverythingreadytohand-

therichcousin，thefurdepartment，andthetopicofbirthdaypresents。"

"It\'sagreatidea，"saidSuzanne；"youreallyareabrick。Comeroundto-morrowattwentytothree；don\'tbelate，wemustcarryoutourambushtotheminute。"

Atafewminutestothreethenextafternoonthefur-trapperswalkedwarilytowardstheselectedcorner。

IntheneardistancerosethecolossalpileofMessrs。

GoliathandMastodon\'sfamedestablishment。Theafternoonwasbrilliantlyfine，exactlythesortofweathertotemptagentlemanofadvancingyearsintothediscreetexerciseofaleisurelywalk。

"Isay，dear，Iwishyou\'ddosomethingformethisevening，"saidEleanortohercompanion；"justdropinafterdinneronsomepretextorother，andstayontomakeafourthatbridgewithAdelaandtheaunts。

OtherwiseIshallhavetoplay，andHarryScarisbrookeisgoingtocomeinunexpectedlyaboutnine-fifteen，andI

particularlywanttobefreetotalktohimwhiletheothersareplaying。"

"Sorry，mydear，nocando，"saidSuzanne；"ordinarybridgeatthreepenceahundred，withsuchdreadfullyslowplayersasyouraunts，boresmetotears。Inearlygotosleepoverit。"

"ButImostparticularlywantanopportunitytotalkwithHarry，"urgedEleanor，anangryglintcomingintohereyes。

"Sorry，anythingtooblige，butnotthat，"saidSuzannecheerfully；thesacrificesoffriendshipwerebeautifulinhereyesaslongasshewasnotaskedtomakethem。

Eleanorsaidnothingfurtheronthesubject，butthecornersofhermouthrearrangedthemselves。

"There\'sourman！"exclaimedSuzannesuddenly；

"hurry！"

Mr。BertramKneyghtgreetedhiscousinandherfriendwithgenuineheartiness，andreadilyacceptedtheirinvitationtoexplorethecrowdedmartthatstoodtemptinglyattheirelbow。Theplate-glassdoorsswungopenandthetrioplungedbravelyintothejostlingthrongofbuyersandloiterers。

"Isitalwaysasfullasthis？"askedBertramofEleanor。

"Moreorless，andautumnsalesareonjustnow，"

shereplied。

Suzanne，inheranxietytopilothercousintothedesiredhavenofthefurdepartment，wasusuallyafewpacesaheadoftheothers，comingbacktothemnowandtheniftheylingeredforamomentatsomeattractivecounter，withthenervoussolicitudeofaparentrookencouragingitsyoungonesontheirfirstflyingexpedition。

"It\'sSuzanne\'sbirthdayonWednesdaynext，"

confidedEleanortoBertramKneyghtatamomentwhenSuzannehadleftthemunusuallyfarbehind；"mybirthdaycomesthedaybefore，sowearebothonthelook-outforsomethingtogiveeachother。"

"Ah，"saidBertram。"Now，perhapsyoucanadvisemeonthatverypoint。IwanttogiveSuzannesomething，andIhaven\'ttheleastideawhatshewants。"

"She\'sratheraproblem，"saidEleanor。"Sheseemstohaveeverythingonecanthinkof，luckygirl。Afanisalwaysuseful；she\'llbegoingtoalotofdancesatDavosthiswinter。Yes，Ishouldthinkafanwouldpleasehermorethananything。Afterourbirthdaysareoverweinspecteachother\'smusterofpresents，andI

alwaysfeeldreadfullyhumble。Shegetssuchnicethings，andIneverhaveanythingworthshowing。Yousee，noneofmyrelationsoranyofthepeoplewhogivemepresentsareatallwelloff，soIcan\'texpectthemtodoanythingmorethanjustrememberthedaywithsomelittletrifle。Twoyearsagoanuncleonmymother\'ssideofthefamily，whohadcomeintoasmalllegacy，promisedmeasilver-foxstoleformybirthday。Ican\'ttellyouhowexcitedIwasaboutit，howIpicturedmyselfshowingitofftoallmyfriendsandenemies。

Thenjustatthatmomenthiswifedied，and，ofcourse，poorman，hecouldnotbeexpectedtothinkofbirthdaypresentsatsuchatime。Hehaslivedabroadeversince，andInevergotmyfur。Doyouknow，tothisdayIcanscarcelylookatasilver-foxpeltinashopwindoworroundanyone\'sneckwithoutfeelingreadytoburstintotears。IsupposeifIhadn\'thadtheprospectofgettingoneIshouldn\'tfeelthatway。Look，thereisthefancounter，onyourleft；youcaneasilyslipawayinthecrowd。Getherasniceaoneasyoucansee-sheissuchadear，deargirl。"

"Hullo，IthoughtIhadlostyou，"saidSuzanne，makingherwaythroughanobstructiveknotofshoppers。

"WhereisBertram？"

"Igotseparatedfromhimlongago。Ithoughthewasonaheadwithyou，"saidEleanor。"Weshallneverfindhiminthiscrush。"

Whichturnedouttobeatrueprediction。

"Allourtroubleandforethoughtthrownaway，"saidSuzannesulkily，whentheyhadpushedtheirwayfruitlesslythroughhalfadozendepartments。

"Ican\'tthinkwhyyoudidn\'tgrabhimbythearm，"

saidEleanor；"IwouldhaveifI\'dknownhimlonger，butI\'donlyjustbeenintroduced。It\'snearlyfournow，we\'dbetterhavetea。"

SomedayslaterSuzannerangEleanoruponthetelephone。

"Thankyouverymuchforthephotographframe。ItwasjustwhatIwanted。Verygoodofyou。Isay，doyouknowwhatthatKneyghtpersonhasgivenme？Justwhatyousaidhewould-awretchedfan。What？Ohyes，quiteagoodenoughfaninitsway，butstill……"

"Youmustcomeandseewhathe\'sgivenme，"cameinEleanor\'svoiceoverthe\'phone。

"You！Whyshouldhegiveyouanything？"

"Yourcousinappearstobeoneofthoserarepeopleofwealthwhotakeapleasureingivinggoodpresents，"

camethereply。

"Iwonderedwhyhewassoanxioustoknowwhereshelived，"snappedSuzannetoherselfassherangoff。

Acloudhasarisenbetweenthefriendshipsofthetwoyoungwomen；asfarasEleanorisconcernedthecloudhasasilver-foxlining。

THEPHILANTHROPISTANDTHEHAPPYCAT

JOCANTHABESSBURYwasinthemoodtobeserenelyandgraciouslyhappy。Herworldwasapleasantplace，anditwaswearingoneofitspleasantestaspects。Gregoryhadmanagedtogethomeforahurriedlunchandasmokeafterwardsinthelittlesnuggery；thelunchhadbeenagoodone，andtherewasjusttimetodojusticetothecoffeeandcigarettes。Bothwereexcellentintheirway，andGregorywas，inhisway，anexcellenthusband。

Jocantharathersuspectedherselfofmakinghimaverycharmingwife，andmorethansuspectedherselfofhavingafirst-ratedressmaker。

"Idon\'tsupposeamorethoroughlycontentedpersonalityistobefoundinallChelsea，"observedJocanthainallusiontoherself；"exceptperhapsAttab，"

shecontinued，glancingtowardsthelargetabby-markedcatthatlayinconsiderableeaseinacornerofthedivan。"Heliesthere，purringanddreaming，shiftinghislimbsnowandtheninanecstasyofcushionedcomfort。Heseemstheincarnationofeverythingsoftandsilkyandvelvety，withoutasharpedgeinhiscomposition，adreamerwhosephilosophyissleepandletsleep；andthen，aseveningdrawson，hegoesoutintothegardenwitharedglintinhiseyesandslaysadrowsysparrow。"

"Aseverypairofsparrowshatchesouttenormoreyoungonesintheyear，whiletheirfoodsupplyremainsstationary，itisjustaswellthattheAttabsofthecommunityshouldhavethatideaofhowtopassanamusingafternoon，"saidGregory。Havingdeliveredhimselfofthissagecommenthelitanothercigarette，badeJocanthaaplayfullyaffectionategood-bye，anddepartedintotheouterworld。

"Remember，dinner\'saweebitearlierto-night，aswe\'regoingtotheHaymarket，"shecalledafterhim。

Lefttoherself，Jocanthacontinuedtheprocessoflookingatherlifewithplacid，introspectiveeyes。Ifshehadnoteverythingshewantedinthisworld，atleastshewasverywellpleasedwithwhatshehadgot。Shewasverywellpleased，forinstance，withthesnuggery，whichcontrivedsomehowtobecosyanddaintyandexpensiveallatonce。Theporcelainwasrareandbeautiful，theChineseenamelstookonwonderfultintsinthefirelight，therugsandhangingsledtheeyethroughsumptuousharmoniesofcolouring。Itwasaroominwhichonemighthavesuitablyentertainedanambassadororanarchbishop，butitwasalsoaroominwhichonecouldcutoutpicturesforascrap-bookwithoutfeelingthatonewasscandalisingthedeitiesoftheplacewithone\'slitter。

Andaswiththesnuggery，sowiththerestofthehouse，andaswiththehouse，sowiththeotherdepartmentsofJocantha\'slife；shereallyhadgoodreasonforbeingoneofthemostcontentedwomeninChelsea。

Frombeinginamoodofsimmeringsatisfactionwithherlotshepassedtothephaseofbeinggenerouslycommiseratingforthosethousandsaroundherwhoselivesandcircumstancesweredull，cheap，pleasureless，andempty。Workgirls，shopassistantsandsoforth，theclassthathaveneitherthehappy-go-luckyfreedomofthepoornortheleisuredfreedomoftherich，camespeciallywithintherangeofhersympathy。Itwassadtothinkthattherewereyoungpeoplewho，afteralongday\'swork，hadtositaloneinchill，drearybedroomsbecausetheycouldnotaffordthepriceofacupofcoffeeandasandwichinarestaurant，stilllessashillingforatheatregallery。

Jocantha\'smindwasstilldwellingonthisthemewhenshestartedforthonanafternooncampaignofdesultoryshopping；itwouldberatheracomfortingthing，shetoldherself，ifshecoulddosomething，onthespurofthemoment，tobringagleamofpleasureandinterestintothelifeofevenoneortwowistful-

hearted，empty-pocketedworkers；itwouldaddagooddealtohersenseofenjoymentatthetheatrethatnight。Shewouldgettwouppercircleticketsforapopularplay，makeherwayintosomecheaptea-shop，andpresenttheticketstothefirstcoupleofinterestingworkgirlswithwhomshecouldcasuallydropintoconversation。Shecouldexplainmattersbysayingthatshewasunabletousetheticketsherselfanddidnotwantthemtobewasted，and，ontheotherhand，didnotwantthetroubleofsendingthemback。Onfurtherreflectionshedecidedthatitmightbebettertogetonlyoneticketandgiveittosomelonely-lookinggirlsittingeatingherfrugalmealbyherself；thegirlmightscrapeacquaintancewithhernext-seatneighbouratthetheatreandlaythefoundationsofalastingfriendship。

WiththeFairyGodmotherimpulsestronguponher，Jocanthamarchedintoaticketagencyandselectedwithimmensecareanuppercircleseatforthe"YellowPeacock，"aplaythatwasattractingaconsiderableamountofdiscussionandcriticism。Thenshewentforthinsearchofatea-shopandphilanthropicadventure，ataboutthesametimethatAttabsaunteredintothegardenwithamindattunedtosparrowstalking。InacornerofanA。B。C。shopshefoundanunoccupiedtable，whereatshepromptlyinstalledherself，impelledbythefactthatatthenexttablewassittingayounggirl，ratherplainoffeature，withtired，listlesseyes，andageneralairofuncomplainingforlornness。Herdresswasofpoormaterial，butaimedatbeinginthefashion，herhairwaspretty，andhercomplexionbad；shewasfinishingamodestmealofteaandscone，andshewasnotverydifferentinherwayfromthousandsofothergirlswhowerefinishing，orbeginning，orcontinuingtheirteasinLondontea-shopsatthatexactmoment。Theoddswereenormouslyinfavourofthesuppositionthatshehadneverseenthe"YellowPeacock"；obviouslyshesuppliedexcellentmaterialforJocantha\'sfirstexperimentinhaphazardbenefaction。

Jocanthaorderedsometeaandamuffin，andthenturnedafriendlyscrutinyonherneighbourwithaviewtocatchinghereye。Atthatprecisemomentthegirl\'sfacelitupwithsuddenpleasure，hereyessparkled，aflushcameintohercheeks，andshelookedalmostpretty。

Ayoungman，whomshegreetedwithanaffectionate"Hullo，Bertie，"cameuptohertableandtookhisseatinachairfacingher。Jocanthalookedhardatthenew-

comer；hewasinappearanceafewyearsyoungerthanherself，verymuchbetterlookingthanGregory，ratherbetterlooking，infact，thananyoftheyoungmenofherset。Sheguessedhimtobeawell-manneredyoungclerkinsomewholesalewarehouse，existingandamusinghimselfasbesthemightonatinysalary，andcommandingaholidayofabouttwoweeksintheyear。Hewasaware，ofcourse，ofhisgoodlooks，butwiththeshyself-

consciousnessoftheAnglo-Saxon，nottheblatantcomplacencyoftheLatinorSemite。Hewasobviouslyontermsoffriendlyintimacywiththegirlhewastalkingto，probablytheyweredriftingtowardsaformalengagement。Jocanthapicturedtheboy\'shome，inarathernarrowcircle，withatiresomemotherwhoalwayswantedtoknowhowandwherehespenthisevenings。Hewouldexchangethathumdrumthraldominduecourseforahomeofhisown，dominatedbyachronicscarcityofpounds，shillings，andpence，andadearthofmostofthethingsthatmadelifeattractiveorcomfortable。

Jocanthafeltextremelysorryforhim。Shewonderedifhehadseenthe"YellowPeacock"；theoddswereenormouslyinfavourofthesuppositionthathehadnot。

Thegirlhadfinishedherteaandwouldshortlybegoingbacktoherwork；whentheboywasaloneitwouldbequiteeasyforJocanthatosay："Myhusbandhasmadeotherarrangementsformethisevening；wouldyoucaretomakeuseofthisticket，whichwouldotherwisebewasted？"Thenshecouldcomethereagainoneafternoonfortea，and，ifshesawhim，askhimhowhelikedtheplay。Ifhewasaniceboyandimprovedonacquaintancehecouldbegivenmoretheatretickets，andperhapsaskedtocomeoneSundaytoteaatChelsea。Jocanthamadeuphermindthathewouldimproveonacquaintance，andthatGregorywouldlikehim，andthattheFairyGodmotherbusinesswouldprovefarmoreentertainingthanshehadoriginallyanticipated。Theboywasdistinctlypresentable；heknewhowtobrushhishair，whichwaspossiblyanimitativefaculty；heknewwhatcolouroftiesuitedhim，whichmightbeintuition；hewasexactlythetypethatJocanthaadmired，whichofcoursewasaccident。

Altogethershewasratherpleasedwhenthegirllookedattheclockandbadeafriendlybuthurriedfarewelltohercompanion。Bertienodded"good-bye，"gulpeddownamouthfuloftea，andthenproducedfromhisovercoatpocketapaper-coveredbook，bearingthetitle"SepoyandSahib，ataleofthegreatMutiny。"

Thelawsoftea-shopetiquetteforbidthatyoushouldoffertheatreticketstoastrangerwithouthavingfirstcaughtthestranger\'seye。Itisevenbetterifyoucanasktohaveasugarbasinpassedtoyou，havingpreviouslyconcealedthefactthatyouhavealargeandwell-filledsugarbasinonyourowntable；thisisnotdifficulttomanage，astheprintedmenuisgenerallynearlyaslargeasthetable，andcanbemadetostandonend。Jocanthasettoworkhopefully；shehadalongandratherhigh-pitcheddiscussionwiththewaitressconcerningallegeddefectsinanaltogetherblamelessmuffin，shemadeloudandplaintiveinquiriesaboutthetubeservicetosomeimpossiblyremotesuburb，shetalkedwithbrilliantinsinceritytothetea-shopkitten，andasalastresortsheupsetamilk-jugandsworeatitdaintily。Altogethersheattractedagooddealofattention，butneverforamomentdidsheattracttheattentionoftheboywiththebeautifully-brushedhair，whowassomethousandsofmilesawayinthebakingplainsofHindostan，amiddesertedbungalows，seethingbazaars，andriotousbarracksquares，listeningtothethrobbingoftom-tomsandthedistantrattleofmusketry。

JocanthawentbacktoherhouseinChelsea，whichstruckherforthefirsttimeaslookingdullandover-

furnished。ShehadaresentfulconvictionthatGregorywouldbeuninterestingatdinner，andthattheplaywouldbestupidafterdinner。OnthewholeherframeofmindshowedamarkeddivergencefromthepurringcomplacencyofAttab，whowasagaincurledupinhiscornerofthedivanwithagreatpeaceradiatingfromeverycurveofhisbody。

Butthenhehadkilledhissparrow。

ONAPPROVAL

OFallthegenuineBohemianswhostrayedfromtimetotimeintothewould-beBohemiancircleoftheRestaurantNuremberg，OwlStreet，Soho，nonewasmoreinterestingandmoreelusivethanGebhardKnopfschrank。

Hehadnofriends，andthoughhetreatedalltherestaurantfrequentersasacquaintancesheneverseemedtowishtocarrytheacquaintanceshipbeyondthedoorthatledintoOwlStreetandtheouterworld。Hedealtwiththemallratherasamarketwomanmightdealwithchancepassers-by，exhibitingherwaresandchatteringabouttheweatherandtheslacknessofbusiness，occasionallyaboutrheumatism，butnevershowingadesiretopenetrateintotheirdailylivesortodissecttheirambitions。

Hewasunderstoodtobelongtoafamilyofpeasantfarmers，somewhereinPomerania；sometwoyearsago，accordingtoallthatwasknownofhim，hehadabandonedthelaboursandresponsibilitiesofswinetendingandgooserearingtotryhisfortuneasanartistinLondon。

"WhyLondonandnotParisorMunich？"hehadbeenaskedbythecurious。

Well，therewasashipthatleftStolpmundeforLondontwiceamonth，thatcarriedfewpassengers，butcarriedthemcheaply；therailwayfarestoMunichorPariswerenotcheap。ThusitwasthathecametoselectLondonasthesceneofhisgreatadventure。

ThequestionthathadlongandseriouslyagitatedthefrequentersoftheNurembergwaswhetherthisgoose-

boymigrantwasreallyasoul-drivengenius，spreadinghiswingstothelight，ormerelyanenterprisingyoungmanwhofanciedhecouldpaintandwaspardonablyanxioustoescapefromthemonotonyofryebreaddietandthesandy，swine-bestrewnplainsofPomerania。Therewasreasonablegroundfordoubtandcaution；theartisticgroupsthatforegatheredatthelittlerestaurantcontainedsomanyyoungwomenwithshorthairandsomanyyoungmenwithlonghair，whosupposedthemselvestobeabnormallygiftedinthedomainofmusic，poetry，painting，orstagecraft，withlittleornothingtosupportthesupposition，thataself-announcedgeniusofanysortintheirmidstwasinevitablysuspect。Ontheotherhand，therewastheever-imminentdangerofentertaining，andsnubbing，anangelunawares。TherehadbeenthelamentablecaseofSledonti，thedramaticpoet，whohadbeenbelittledandcold-shoulderedintheOwlStreethallofjudgment，andhadbeenafterwardshailedasamastersingerbytheGrandDukeConstantineConstantinovitch-"themosteducatedoftheRomanoffs，"

accordingtoSylviaStrubble，whospokeratherasonewhokneweveryindividualmemberoftheRussianimperialfamily；asamatteroffact，sheknewanewspapercorrespondent，ayoungmanwhoateBORTSCHwiththeairofhavinginventedit。Sledonti\'s"PoemsofDeathandPassion"werenowbeingsoldbythethousandinsevenEuropeanlanguages，andwereabouttobetranslatedintoSyrian，acircumstancewhichmadethediscerningcriticsoftheNurembergrathershyofmaturingtheirfuturejudgmentstoorapidlyandtooirrevocably。

AsregardsKnopfschrank\'swork，theydidnotlackopportunityforinspectingandappraisingit。Howeverresolutelyhemightholdhimselfalooffromthesociallifeofhisrestaurantacquaintances，hewasnotmindedtohidehisartisticperformancesfromtheirinquiringgaze。Everyevening，ornearlyeveryevening，ataboutseveno\'clock，hewouldmakehisappearance，sithimselfdownathisaccustomedtable，throwabulkyblackportfolioontothechairoppositehim，nodroundindiscriminatelyathisfellow-guests，andcommencetheseriousbusinessofeatinganddrinking。Whenthecoffeestagewasreachedhewouldlightacigarette，drawtheportfolioovertohim，andbegintorummageamongitscontents。Withslowdeliberationhewouldselectafewofhismorerecentstudiesandsketches，andsilentlypassthemroundfromtabletotable，payingespecialattentiontoanynewdinerswhomightbepresent。Onthebackofeachsketchwasmarkedinplainfigurestheannouncement"Pricetenshillings。"

Ifhisworkwasnotobviouslystampedwiththehall-

markofgenius，atanyrateitwasremarkableforitschoiceofanunusualandunvaryingtheme。Hispicturesalwaysrepresentedsomewell-knownstreetorpublicplaceinLondon，fallenintodecayanddenudedofitshumanpopulation，intheplaceofwhichthereroamedawildfauna，which，fromitswealthofexoticspecies，musthaveoriginallyescapedfromZoologicalGardensandtravellingbeastshows。"Giraffesdrinkingatthefountainpools，TrafalgarSquare，"wasoneofthemostnotableandcharacteristicofhisstudies，whileevenmoresensationalwasthegruesomepictureof"VulturesattackingdyingcamelinUpperBerkeleyStreet。"Therewerealsophotographsofthelargecanvasonwhichhehadbeenengagedforsomemonths，andwhichhewasnowendeavouringtoselltosomeenterprisingdealeroradventurousamateur。Thesubjectwas"HyaenasasleepinEustonStation，"acompositionthatleftnothingtobedesiredinthewayofsuggestingunfathomeddepthsofdesolation。

"Ofcourseitmaybeimmenselyclever，itmaybesomethingepoch-makingintherealmofart，"saidSylviaStrubbletoherownparticularcircleoflisteners，"but，ontheotherhand，itmaybemerelymad。Onemustn\'tpaytoomuchattentiontothecommercialaspectofthecase，ofcourse，butstill，ifsomedealerwouldmakeabidforthathyaenapicture，orevenforsomeofthesketches，weshouldknowbetterhowtoplacethemanandhiswork。"

"Wemayallbecursingourselvesoneofthesedays，"

saidMrs。Nougat-Jones，"fornothavingboughtuphisentireportfolioofsketches。Atthesametime，whenthereissomuchrealtalentgoingabout，onedoesnotfeellikeplankingdowntenshillingsforwhatlookslikeabitofwhimsicaloddity。Nowthatpicturethatheshoweduslastweek，\'Sand-grouseroostingontheAlbertMemorial，\'wasveryimpressive，andofcourseIcouldseetherewasgoodworkmanshipinitandbreadthoftreatment；butitdidn\'tintheleastconveytheAlbertMemorialtome，andSirJamesBeanquesttellsmethatsand-grousedon\'troost，theysleepontheground。"

WhatevertalentorgeniusthePomeranianartistmightpossess，itcertainlyfailedtoreceivecommercialsanction。Theportfolioremainedbulkywithunsoldsketches，andthe"EustonSiesta，"asthewitsoftheNurembergnicknamedthelargecanvas，wasstillinthemarket。Theoutwardandvisiblesignsoffinancialembarrassmentbegantobenoticeable；thehalf-bottleofcheapclaretatdinner-timegavewaytoasmallglassoflager，andthisinturnwasdisplacedbywater。Theone-

and-sixpennysetdinnerrecededfromaneverydayeventtoaSundayextravagance；onordinarydaystheartistcontentedhimselfwithasevenpennyomeletteandsomebreadandcheese，andtherewereeveningswhenhedidnotputinanappearanceatall。OntherareoccasionswhenhespokeofhisownaffairsitwasobservedthathebegantotalkmoreaboutPomeraniaandlessaboutthegreatworldofart。

"Itisabusytimetherenowwithus，"hesaidwistfully；"theschwinesaredrivenoutintothefieldsafterharvest，andmustbelookedafter。IcouldbehelpingtolookafterifIwasthere。Hereitisdifficulttolive；artisnotappreciate。"

"Whydon\'tyougohomeonavisit？"someoneaskedtactfully。

"Ah，itcostmoney！ThereistheshippassagetoStolpmunde，andthereismoneythatIoweatmylodgings。

EvenhereIoweafewschillings。IfIcouldsellsomeofmysketches-"

"Perhaps，"suggestedMrs。Nougat-Jones，"ifyouweretoofferthemforalittleless，someofuswouldbegladtobuyafew。Tenshillingsisalwaysaconsideration，youknow，topeoplewhoarenotoverwelloff。Perhapsifyouweretoasksixorsevenshillings-"

Onceapeasant，alwaysapeasant。Themeresuggestionofabargaintobestruckbroughtatwinkleofawakenedalertnessintotheartist\'seyes，andhardenedthelinesofhismouth。

"Nineschillingninepenceeach，"hesnapped，andseemeddisappointedthatMrs。Nougat-Jonesdidnotpursuethesubjectfurther。Hehadevidentlyexpectedhertooffersevenandfourpence。

Theweeksspedby，andKnopfschrankcamemorerarelytotherestaurantinOwlStreet，whilehismealsonthoseoccasionsbecamemoreandmoremeagre。Andthencameatriumphalday，whenheappearedearlyintheeveninginahighstateofelation，andorderedanelaboratemealthatscarcelystoppedshortofbeingabanquet。Theordinaryresourcesofthekitchenweresupplementedbyanimporteddishofsmokedgoosebreast，aPomeraniandelicacythatwasluckilyprocurableatafirmofDELIKATESSEN

merchantsinCoventryStreet，whilealong-neckedbottleofRhinewinegaveafinishingtouchoffestivityandgoodcheertothecrowdedtable。

"Hehasevidentlysoldhismasterpiece，"whisperedSylviaStrubbletoMrs。Nougat-Jones，whohadcomeinlate。

"Whohasboughtit？"shewhisperedback。

"Don\'tknow；hehasn\'tsaidanythingyet，butitmustbesomeAmerican。Doyousee，hehasgotalittleAmericanflagonthedessertdish，andhehasputpenniesinthemusicboxthreetimes，oncetoplaythe\'Star-

spangledBanner，\'thenaSousamarch，andthenthe\'Star-

spangledBanner\'again。ItmustbeanAmericanmillionaire，andhe\'sevidentlygotaverybigpriceforit；he\'sjustbeamingandchucklingwithsatisfaction。"

"Wemustaskhimwhohasboughtit，"saidMrs。

Nougat-Jones。

"Hush！no，don\'t。Let\'sbuysomeofhissketches，quick，beforewearesupposedtoknowthathe\'sfamous；

otherwisehe\'llbedoublingtheprices。Iamsogladhe\'shadasuccessatlast。Ialwaysbelievedinhim，youknow。"

ForthesumoftenshillingseachMissStrubbleacquiredthedrawingsofthecameldyinginUpperBerkeleyStreetandofthegiraffesquenchingtheirthirstinTrafalgarSquare；atthesamepriceMrs。

Nougat-Jonessecuredthestudyofroostingsand-grouse。

Amoreambitiouspicture，"WolvesandwapitifightingonthestepsoftheAthenaeumClub，"foundapurchaseratfifteenshillings。

"Andnowwhatareyourplans？"askedayoungmanwhocontributedoccasionalparagraphstoanartisticweekly。

"IgobacktoStolpmundeassoonastheshipsails，"

saidtheartist，"andIdonotreturn。Never。"

"Butyourwork？Yourcareeraspainter？"

"Ah，thereisnossinginit。Onestarves。Tillto-

dayIhavesoldnotoneofmysketches。To-nightyouhaveboughtafew，becauseIamgoingawayfromyou，butatothertimes，notone。"

"ButhasnotsomeAmerican-？"

"Ah，therichAmerican，"chuckledtheartist。"Godbethanked。Hedashhiscarrightintoourherdofschwinesastheywerebeingdrivenouttothefields。

Manyofourbestschwineshekilled，buthepaidalldamages。Hepaidperhapsmorethantheywereworth，manytimesmorethantheywouldhavefetchedinthemarketafteramonthoffattening，buthewasinahurrytogetontoDantzig。

Whenoneisinahurryonemustpaywhatoneisasked。GodbethankedforrichAmericans，whoarealwaysinahurrytogetsomewhereelse。Myfatherandmother，theyhavenowsoplentyofmoney；theysendmesometopaymydebtsandcomehome。IstartonMondayforStolpmundeandIdonotcomeback。Never。"

"Butyourpicture，thehyaenas？"

"Nogood。ItistoobigtocarrytoStolpmunde。I

burnit。"

Intimehewillbeforgotten，butatpresentKnopfschrankisalmostassoreasubjectasSledontiwithsomeofthefrequentersoftheNurembergRestaurant，OwlStreet，Soho。