第6章

THEMAPPINEDLIFE

"TheseMappinTerracesattheZoologicalGardensareagreatimprovementontheoldstyleofwild-beastcage，"saidMrs。JamesGurtleberry，puttingdownanillustratedpaper；"theygiveonetheillusionofseeingtheanimalsintheirnaturalsurroundings。I

wonderhowmuchoftheillusionispassedontotheanimals？"

"Thatwoulddependontheanimal，"saidherniece；"ajungle-fowl，forinstance，wouldnodoubtthinkitslawfuljunglesurroundingswerefaithfullyreproducedifyougaveitasufficiencyofwives，agoodlyvarietyofseedfoodandants\'eggs，acommodiousbankoflooseearthtodustitselfin，aconvenientroostingtree，andarivalortwotomakemattersinteresting。Ofcoursethereoughttobejungle-catsandbirdsofpreyandotheragenciesofsuddendeathtoaddtotheillusionofliberty，butthebird\'sownimaginationiscapableofinventingthose——lookhowadomesticfowlwillsquawkanalarmnoteifarookorwoodpigeonpassesoveritsrunwhenithaschickens。"

"Youthink，then，theyreallydohaveasortofillusion，ifyougivethemspaceenough——"

"Inafewcasesonly。Nothingwillmakemebelievethatanacreorsoofconcreteenclosurewillmakeuptoawolforatiger-catfortherangeofnightprowlingthatwouldbelongtoitinawildstate。

Thinkofthedictionaryofsoundandscentandrecollectionthatunfoldsbeforearealwildbeatasitcomesoutfromitslaireveryevening，withtheknowledgethatinafewminutesitwillbehieingalongtosomedistanthuntinggroundwhereallthejoyandfuryofthechaseawaitsit；thinkofthecrowdedsensationsofthebrainwheneveryrustle，everycry，everybenttwig，andeverywhiffacrossthenostrilsmeanssomething，somethingtodowithlifeanddeathanddinner。Imaginethesatisfactionofstealingdowntoyourownparticulardrinkingspot，choosingyourownparticulartreetoscrapeyourclawson，findingyourownparticularbedofdriedgrasstorollon。Then，intheplaceofallthat，putaconcretepromenade，whichwillbeofexactlythesamedimensionswhetheryouraceorcrawlacrossit，coatedwithstale，unvaryingscentsandsurroundedwithcriesandnoisesthathaveceasedtohavetheleastmeaningorinterest。Asasubstituteforanarrowcagethenewenclosuresareexcellent，butIshouldthinktheyareapoorimitationofalifeofliberty。"

"It\'sratherdepressingtothinkthat，"saidMrs。Gurtleberry；"theylooksospaciousandsonatural，butIsupposeagooddealofwhatseemsnaturaltouswouldbemeaninglesstoawildanimal。"

"Thatiswhereoursuperiorpowersofself-deceptioncomein，"saidtheniece；"weareabletoliveourunreal，stupidlittlelivesonourparticularMappinterrace，andpersuadeourselvesthatwereallyareuntrammelledmenandwomenleadingareasonableexistenceinareasonablesphere。"

"Butgoodgracious，"exclaimedtheaunt，bouncingintoanattitudeofscandaliseddefence，"weareleadingreasonableexistences！Whatonearthdoyoumeanbytrammels？Wearemerelytrammelledbytheordinarydecentconventionsofcivilisedsociety。"

"Wearetrammelled，"saidtheniece，calmlyandpitilessly，"byrestrictionsofincomeandopportunity，andaboveallbylackofinitiative。Tosomepeoplearestrictedincomedoesn\'tmatterabit，infactitoftenseemstohelpasameansforgettingalotofrealityoutoflife；IamsuretherearemenandwomenwhodotheirshoppinginlittlebackstreetsofParis，buyingfourcarrotsandashredofbeeffortheirdailysustenance，wholeadaperfectlyrealandeventfulexistence。Lackofinitiativeisthethingthatreallycripplesone，andthatiswhereyouandIandUncleJamesaresohopelesslyshutin。WearejustsomanyanimalsstuckdownonaMappinterrace，withthisdifferenceinourdisfavour，thattheanimalsaretheretobelookedat，whilenobodywantstolookatus。

Asamatteroffacttherewouldbenothingtolookat。Wegetcoldsinwinterandhayfeverinsummer，andifawasphappenstostingoneofus，well，thatisthewasp\'sinitiative，notours；allwedoistowaitfortheswellingtogodown。Wheneverwedoclimbintolocalfameandnotice，itisbyindirectmethods；ifithappenstobeagoodfloweringyearformagnoliastheneighbourhoodobserves：

\'HaveyouseentheGurtleberry\'smagnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，\'andwegoabouttellingpeoplethattherearefifty-sevenblossomsasagainstthirty-ninethepreviousyear。"

"InCoronationyeartherewereasmanyassixty，"putintheaunt，"yourunclehaskeptarecordforthelasteightyears。"

"Doesn\'titeverstrikeyou，"continuedtheniecerelentlessly，"thatifwemovedawayfromhereorwereblottedoutofexistenceourlocalclaimtofamewouldpassonautomaticallytowhoeverhappenedtotakethehouseandgarden？Peoplewouldsaytooneanother，\'HaveyouseentheSmith-Jenkins\'magnolia？Itisaperfectmassofflowers，\'orelse\'Smith-Jenkinstellsmetherewon\'tbeasingleblossomontheirmagnoliathisyear；theeastwindshaveturnedallthebudsblack。\'Nowif，whenwehadgone，peoplestillassociatedournameswiththemagnoliatree，nomatterwhotemporarilypossessedit，iftheysaid，\'Ah，that\'sthetreeonwhichtheGurtleberryshungtheircookbecauseshesentupthewrongkindofsaucewiththeasparagus，\'thatwouldbesomethingreallyduetoourowninitiative，apartfromanythingeastwindsormagnoliavitalitymighthavetosayinthematter。"

"Weshouldneverdosuchathing，"saidtheaunt。

Theniecegaveareluctantsigh。

"Ican\'timagineit，"sheadmitted。"Ofcourse，"shecontinued，"thereareheapsofwaysofleadingarealexistencewithoutcommittingsensationaldeedsofviolence。It\'sthedreadfullittleeverydayactsofpretendedimportancethatgivetheMappinstamptoourlife。Itwouldbeentertaining，ifitwasn\'tsopatheticallytragic，tohearUncleJamesfussinhereinthemorningandannounce，\'ImustjustgodownintothetownandfindoutwhatthementherearesayingaboutMexico。Mattersarebeginningtolookseriousthere。\'Thenhepattersawayintothetown，andtalksinahighlyseriousvoicetothetobacconist，incidentallybuyinganounceoftobacco；perhapshemeetsoneortwoothersoftheworld\'sthinkersandtalkstotheminahighlyseriousvoice，thenhepattersbackhereandannounceswithincreasedimportance，\'I\'vejustbeentalkingtosomemeninthetownabouttheconditionofaffairsinMexico。TheyagreewiththeviewthatIhaveformed，thatthingstherewillhavetogetworsebeforetheygetbetter。\'

OfcoursenobodyinthetowncaredintheleastlittlebitwhathisviewsaboutMexicowereorwhetherhehadany。Thetobacconistwasn\'tevenflutteredathisbuyingtheounceoftobacco；heknowsthathepurchasesthesamequantityofthesamesortoftobaccoeveryweek。UncleJamesmightjustaswellhavelainonhisbackinthegardenandchatteredtothelilactreeaboutthehabitsofcaterpillars。"

"Ireallywillnotlistentosuchthingsaboutyouruncle，"

protestedMrs。JamesGurtleberryangrily。

"Myowncaseisjustasbadandjustastragic，"saidtheniece，dispassionately；"nearlyeverythingaboutmeisconventionalmake-

believe。I\'mnotagooddancer，andnoonecouldhonestlycallmegood-looking，butwhenIgotooneofourdulllittlelocaldancesI\'mconventionallysupposedto\'haveaheavenlytime，\'toattracttheardenthomageofthelocalcavaliers，andtogohomewithmyheadawhirlwithpleasurablerecollections。Asamatteroffact，I\'vemerelyputinsomehoursofindifferentdancing，drunksomebadly-madeclaretcup，andlistenedtoanenormousamountoflaboriouslightconversation。Amoonlighthen-stealingraidwiththemerry-eyedcuratewouldbeinfinitelymoreexciting；imaginethepleasureofcarryingoffallthosewhiteminorcasthattheChibfordsarealwaysbraggingabout。Whenwehaddisposedofthemwecouldgivetheproceedstoacharity，sotherewouldbenothingreallywrongaboutit。ButnothingofthatsortlieswithintheMappinedlimitsofmylife。Oneofthesedayssomebodydullanddecorousandundistinguishedwill\'makehimselfagreeable\'tomeatatennisparty，asthesayingis，andallthedulloldgossipsoftheneighbourhoodwillbegintoaskwhenwearetobeengaged，andatlastweshallbeengaged，andpeoplewillgiveusbutter-dishesandblotting-casesandframedpicturesofyoungwomenfeedingswans。

Hullo，Uncle，areyougoingout？"

"I\'mjustgoingdowntothetown，"announcedMr。JamesGurtleberry，withanairofsomeimportance："IwanttohearwhatpeoplearesayingaboutAlbania。Affairstherearebeginningtotakeonaveryseriouslook。It\'smyopinionthatwehaven\'tseentheworstofthingsyet。"

Inthishewasprobablyright，buttherewasnothingintheimmediateorprospectiveconditionofAlbaniatowarrantMrs。

Gurtleberryinburstingintotears。

FATE

RexDillotwasnearlytwenty-four，almostgood-lookingandquitepenniless。Hismotherwassupposedtomakehimsomesortofanallowanceoutofwhathercreditorsallowedher，andRexoccasionallystrayedintotheranksofthosewhoearnfitfulsalariesassecretariesorcompanionstopeoplewhoareunabletocopeunaidedwiththeircorrespondenceortheirleisure。Forafewmonthshehadbeenassistanteditorandbusinessmanagerofapaperdevotedtofancymice，butthedevotionhadbeenallononeside，andthepaperdisappearedwithacertainabruptnessfromclubreading-roomsandotherhauntswhereithadmadeagratuitousappearance。Still，Rexlivedwithsomeairofcomfortandwell-

being，asonecanliveifoneisbornwithageniusforthatsortofthing，andakindlyProvidenceusuallyarrangedthathisweek-endinvitationscoincidedwiththedatesonwhichhisonewhitedinner-

waistcoatwasinalaundry-returnedconditionofdazzlingcleanness。

Heplayedmostgamesbadly，andwasshrewdenoughtorecognisethefact，buthehaddevelopedamarvellouslyaccuratejudgementinestimatingtheplayandchancesofotherpeople，whetherinagolfmatch，billiardhandicap，orcroquettournament。Bydintofparadinghisopinionofsuchandsuchaplayer\'ssuperioritywithasufficientdegreeofyouthfulassertivenessheusuallysucceededinprovokingawageratliberalodds，andhelookedtohisweek-endwinningstocarryhimthroughthefinancialembarrassmentsofhismid-weekexistence。Thetroublewas，asheconfidedtoClovisSangrail，thatheneverhadenoughavailableorevenprospectivecashathiscommandtoenablehimtofixthewageratafigurereallyworthwinning。

"Someday，"hesaid，"Ishallcomeacrossareallysafething，abetthatsimplycan\'tgoastray，andthenIshallputitupforallI\'mworth，orratherforagooddealmorethanI\'mworthifyousoldmeuptothelastbutton。"

"Itwouldbeawkwardifitdidn\'thappentocomeoff，"saidClovis。

"Itwouldbemorethanawkward，"saidRex；"itwouldbeatragedy。

Allthesame，itwouldbeextremelyamusingtobringitoff。Fancyawakinginthemorningwithaboutthreehundredpoundsstandingtoone\'scredit。Ishouldgoandclearoutmyhostess\'spigeon-loftbeforebreakfastoutofsheergood-temper。"

"Yourhostessofthemomentmightn\'thaveapigeon-loft，"saidClovis。

"Ialwayschoosehostessesthathave，"saidRex；"apigeon-loftisindicativeofacareless，extravagant，genialdisposition，suchasI

liketoseearoundme。PeoplewhostrewcornbroadcastforalotoffeatheredinanitiesthatjustsitaboutcooingandgivingeachotherthegladeyeinaLouisQuatorzemannerareprettycertaintodoyouwell。"

"YoungStrinnitiscomingdownthisafternoon，"saidClovisreflectively；"Idaresayyouwon\'tfinditdifficulttogethimtobackhimselfatbilliards。Heplaysaprettyusefulgame，buthe\'snotquiteasgoodashefanciesheis。"

"Iknowonememberofthepartywhocanwalkroundhim，"saidRexsoftly，analertlookcomingintohiseyes；"thatcadaverous-lookingMajorwhoarrivedlastnight。I\'veseenhimplayatSt。Moritz。IfIcouldgetStrinnittolayoddsonhimselfagainsttheMajorthemoneywouldbesafeinmypocket。ThislookslikethegoodthingI\'vebeenwatchingandprayingfor。"

"Don\'tberash，"counselledClovis，"Strinnitmayplayuptohisself-imaginedformonceinabluemoon。"

"Iintendtoberash，"saidRexquietly，andthelookonhisfacecorroboratedhiswords。

"Areyouallgoingtoflocktothebilliard-room？"askedTeresaThundleford，afterdinner，withanairofsomedisapprovalandagooddealofannoyance。"Ican\'tseewhatparticularamusementyoufindinwatchingtwomenproddinglittleivoryballsaboutonatable。"

"Oh，well，"saidherhostess，"it\'sawayofpassingthetime，youknow。"

"Averypoorway，tomymind，"saidMrs。Thundleford；"nowIwasgoingtohaveshownallofyouthephotographsItookinVenicelastsummer。"

"Youshowedthemtouslastnight，"saidMrs。Cuveringhastily。

"ThoseweretheonesItookinFlorence。Thesearequiteadifferentlot。"

"Oh，well，sometimeto-morrowwecanlookatthem。Youcanleavethemdowninthedrawing-room，andtheneveryonecanhavealook。"

"Ishouldprefertoshowthemwhenyouareallgatheredtogether，asIhavequitealotofexplanatoryremarkstomake，aboutVenetianartandarchitecture，onthesamelinesasmyremarkslastnightontheFlorentinegalleries。Also，therearesomeversesofminethatIshouldliketoreadyou，ontherebuildingoftheCampanile。But，ofcourse，ifyouallprefertowatchMajorLattonandMr。Strinnitknockingballsaboutonatable——"

"Theyarebothsupposedtobefirst-rateplayers，"saidthehostess。

"Ihaveyettolearnthatmyversesandmyartcauserieareofsecond-ratequality，"saidMrs。Thundlefordwithacerbity。

"However，asyouallseembentonwatchingasillygame，there\'snomoretobesaid。Ishallgoupstairsandfinishsomewriting。

Lateron，perhaps，Iwillcomedownandjoinyou。"

Toone，atleast，oftheonlookersthegamewasanythingbutsilly。

Itwasabsorbing，exciting，exasperating，nerve-stretching，andfinallyitgrewtobetragic。TheMajorwiththeSt。Moritzreputationwasplayingalongwaybelowhisform，youngStrinnitwasplayingslightlyabovehis，andhadalltheluckofthegameaswell。Fromtheverystarttheballsseemedpossessedbyademonofcontrariness；theytrundledaboutcomplacentlyforoneplayer，theywouldgonowherefortheother。

"Ahundredandseventy，seventy-four，"sangouttheyouthwhowasmarking。Inagameoftwohundredandfiftyupitwasanenormousleadtohold。CloviswatchedtheflushofexcitementdieawayfromDillot\'sface，andahardwhitelooktakeitsplace。

"Howmuchhaveyougoon？"whisperedClovis。Theotherwhisperedthesumthroughdry，shakinglips。Itwasmorethanheoranyoneconnectedwithhimcouldpay；hehaddonewhathehadsaidhewoulddo。Hehadbeenrash。

"Twohundredandsix，ninety-eight。"

Rexheardaclockstriketensomewhereinthehall，thenanothersomewhereelse，andanother，andanother；thehouseseemedfullofstrikingclocks。Theninthedistancethestableclockchimedin。

Inanotherhourtheywouldallbestrikingeleven，andhewouldbelisteningtothemasadisgracedoutcast，unabletopay，eveninpart，thewagerhehadchallenged。

"Twohundredandeighteen，ahundredandthree。"Thegamewasasgoodasover。Rexwasasgoodasdonefor。Helongeddesperatelyfortheceilingtofallin，forthehousetocatchfire，foranythingtohappenthatwouldputanendtothathorriblerollingtoandfroofredandwhiteivorythatwasjostlinghimnearerandnearertohisdoom。

"Twohundredandtwenty-eight，ahundredandseven。"

Rexopenedhiscigarette-case；itwasempty。Thatatleastgavehimapretexttoslipawayfromtheroomforthepurposeofrefillingit；hewouldsparehimselfthedrawn-outtortureofwatchingthathopelessgameplayedouttothebitterend。Hebackedawayfromthecircleofabsorbedwatchersandmadehiswayupashortstairwaytoalong，silentcorridorofbedrooms，eachwithaguests\'namewritteninalittlesquareonthedoor。Inthehushthatreignedinthispartofthehousehecouldstillhearthehatefulclick-clickoftheballs；ifhewaitedforafewminuteslongerhewouldhearthelittleoutbreakofclappingandbuzzofcongratulationthatwouldhailStrinnit\'svictory。Onthealerttensionofhisnervestherebrokeanothersound，theaggressive，wrath-inducingbreathingofonewhosleepsinheavyafter-dinnerslumber。Thesoundcamefromaroomjustathiselbow；thecardonthedoorboretheannouncement"Mrs。Thundleford。"Thedoorwasjustslightlyajar；

Rexpusheditopenaninchortwomoreandlookedin。TheaugustTeresahadfallenasleepoveranillustratedguidetoFlorentineart-galleries；atherside，somewhatdangerouslyneartheedgeofthetable，wasareading-lamp。IfFatehadbeendecentlykindtohim，thoughtRex，bitterly，thatlampwouldhavebeenknockedoverbythesleeperandwouldhavegiventhemsomethingtothinkofbesidesbilliardmatches。

Thereareoccasionswhenonemusttakeone\'sFateinone\'shands。

Rextookthelampinhis。

"Twohundredandthirty-seven，onehundredandfifteen。"Strinnitwasatthetable，andtheballslayingoodpositionforhim；hehadachoiceoftwofairlyeasyshots，achoicewhichhewasnevertodecide。Asuddenhurricaneofshrieksandarushofstumblingfeetsenteveryoneflockingtothedoor。TheDillotboycrashedintotheroom，carryinginhisarmsthevociferousandsomewhatdishevelledTeresaThundleford；herclothingwascertainlynotamassofflames，asthemoreexcitablemembersofthepartyafterwardsdeclared，buttheedgeofherskirtandpartofthetable-coverinwhichshehadbeenhastilywrappedwerealightinaflickering，half-heartedmanner。Rexflunghisstrugglingburdenonthebilliardtable，andforonebreathlessminutetheworkofbeatingoutthesparkswithrugsandcushionsandplayingonthemwithsoda-watersyphonsengrossedtheenergiesoftheentirecompany。

"ItwasluckyIwaspassingwhenithappened，"pantedRex；"someonehadbetterseetotheroom，Ithinkthecarpetisalight。"

Asamatteroffactthepromptitudeandenergyoftherescuerhadpreventedanygreatdamagebeingdone，eithertothevictimorhersurroundings。Thebilliardtablehadsufferedmost，andhadtobelaidupforrepairs；perhapsitwasnotthebestplacetohavechosenforthesceneofsalvageoperations；butthen，asClovisremarked，whenoneisrushingaboutwithablazingwomaninone\'sarmsonecan\'tstoptothinkoutexactlywhereoneisgoingtoputher。

THEBULL

TomYorkfieldhadalwaysregardedhishalf-brother，Laurence，withalazyinstinctofdislike，toneddown，asyearswenton，toatolerantfeelingofindifference。Therewasnothingverytangibletodislikehimfor；hewasjustablood-relation，withwhomTomhadnosingletasteorinterestincommon，andwithwhom，atthesametime，hehadhadnooccasionforquarrel。Laurencehadleftthefarmearlyinlife，andhadlivedforafewyearsonasmallsumofmoneylefthimbyhismother；hehadtakenuppaintingasaprofession，andwasreportedtobedoingfairlywellatit，wellenough，atanyrate，tokeepbodyandsoultogether。Hespecialisedinpaintinganimals，andhewassuccessfulinfindingacertainnumberofpeopletobuyhispictures。Tomfeltacomfortingsenseofassuredsuperiorityincontrastinghispositionwiththatofhishalf-brother；Laurencewasanartist-chap，justthatandnothingmore，thoughyoumightmakeitsoundmoreimportantbycallingananimalpainter；Tomwasafarmer，notinaverybigway，itwastrue，buttheHelseryfarmhadbeeninthefamilyforsomegenerations，andithadagoodreputationforthestockraisedonit。Tomhaddonehisbest，withthelittlecapitalathiscommand，tomaintainandimprovethestandardofhissmallherdofcattle，andinCloverFairyhehadbredabullwhichwassomethingratherbetterthananythathisimmediateneighbourscouldshow。Itwouldnothavemadeasensationinthejudging-ringatanimportantcattleshow，butitwasasvigorous，shapely，andhealthyayounganimalasanysmallpracticalfarmercouldwishtopossess。AttheKing\'sHeadonmarketdaysCloverFairywasveryhighlyspokenof，andYorkfieldusedtodeclarethathewouldnotpartwithhimforahundredpounds；ahundredpoundsisalotofmoneyinthesmallfarmingline，andprobablyanythingovereightywouldhavetemptedhim。

ItwaswithsomeespecialpleasurethatTomtookadvantageofoneofLaurence\'srarevisitstothefarmtoleadhimdowntotheenclosurewhereCloverFairykeptsolitarystate——thegrasswidowerofagrazingharem。Tomfeltsomeofhisolddislikeforhishalf-

brotherreviving；theartistwasbecomingmorelanguidinhismanner，moreunsuitablyturned-outinattire，andheseemedinclinedtoimpartaslightlypatronisingtonetohisconversation。Hetooknoheedofaflourishingpotatocrop，butwaxedenthusiasticoveraclumpofyellow-floweringweedthatstoodinacornerbyagateway，whichwasrathergallingtotheownerofareallyverywellweededfarm；again，whenhemighthavebeendulycomplimentaryaboutagroupoffat，black-facedlambs，thatsimplycriedaloudforadmiration，hebecameeloquentoverthefoliagetintsofanoakcopseonthehillopposite。ButnowhewasbeingtakentoinspectthecrowningprideandgloryofHelsery；howevergrudginghemightbeinhispraises，howeverbackwardandniggardlywithhiscongratulations，hewouldhavetoseeandacknowledgethemanyexcellencesofthatredoubtableanimal。Someweeksago，whileonabusinessjourneytoTaunton，Tomhadbeeninvitedbyhishalf-

brothertovisitastudiointhattown，whereLaurencewasexhibitingoneofhispictures，alargecanvasrepresentingabullstandingknee-deepinsomemarshyground；ithadbeengoodofitskind，nodoubt，andLaurencehadseemedinordinatelypleasedwithit；"thebestthingI\'vedoneyet，"hehadsaidoverandoveragain，andTomhadgenerouslyagreedthatitwasfairlylife-like。Now，themanofpigmentswasgoingtobeshownarealpicture，alivingmodelofstrengthandcomeliness，athingtofeasttheeyeson，apicturethatexhibitednewposeandactionwitheveryshiftingminute，insteadofstandinggluedintooneunvaryingattitudebetweenthefourwallsofaframe。Tomunfastenedastoutwoodendoorandledthewayintoastraw-beddedyard。

"Ishequiet？"askedtheartist，asayoungbullwithacurlyredcoatcameinquiringlytowardsthem。

"He\'splayfulattimes，"saidTom，leavinghishalf-brothertowonderwhetherthebull\'sideasofplaywereofthecatch-as-catch-

canorder。Laurencemadeoneortwoperfunctorycommentsontheanimal\'sappearanceandaskedaquestionorsoastohisageandsuch-likedetails；thenhecoollyturnedthetalkintoanotherchannel。

"DoyourememberthepictureIshowedyouatTaunton？"heasked。

"Yes，"gruntedTom；"awhite-facedbullstandinginsomeslush。

Don\'tadmirethoseHerefordsmuchmyself；bulky-lookingbrutes，don\'tseemtohavemuchlifeinthem。Daresaythey\'reeasiertopaintthatway；now，thisyoungbeggarisonthemoveallthetime，aren\'tyou，Fairy？"

"I\'vesoldthatpicture，"saidLaurence，withconsiderablecomplacencyinhisvoice。

"Haveyou？"saidTom；"gladtohearit，I\'msure。Hopeyou\'repleasedwithwhatyou\'vegotforit。"

"Igotthreehundredpoundsforit，"saidLaurence。

Tomturnedtowardshimwithaslowlyrisingflushofangerinhisface。Threehundredpounds！UnderthemostfavourablemarketconditionsthathecouldimaginehisprizedCloverFairywouldhardlyfetchahundred，yetherewasapieceofvarnishedcanvas，paintedbyhishalf-brother，sellingforthreetimesthatsum。Itwasacruelinsultthatwenthomewithallthemoreforcebecauseitemphasisedthetriumphofthepatronising，self-satisfiedLaurence。

Theyoungfarmerhadmeanttoputhisrelativejustalittleoutofconceitwithhimselfbydisplayingthejewelofhispossessions，andnowthetableswereturned，andhisvaluedbeastwasmadetolookcheapandinsignificantbesidethepricepaidforamerepicture。

Itwassomonstrouslyunjust；thepaintingwouldneverbeanythingmorethanadexterouspieceofcounterfeitlife，whileCloverFairywastherealthing，amonarchinhislittleworld，apersonalityinthecountryside。Afterhewasdead，even，hewouldstillbesomethingofapersonality；hisdescendantswouldgrazeinthosevalleymeadowsandhillsidepastures，theywouldfillstallandbyreandmilking-shed，theirgoodredcoatswouldspecklethelandscapeandcrowdthemarket-place；menwouldnoteapromisingheiferorawell-proportionedsteer，andsay："Ah，thatonecomesofgoodoldCloverFairy\'sstock。"Allthattimethepicturewouldbehanging，lifelessandunchanging，beneathitsdustandvarnish，achattelthatceasedtomeananythingifyouchosetoturnitwithitsbacktothewall。ThesethoughtschasedthemselvesangrilythroughTomYorkfield\'smind，buthecouldnotputthemintowords。Whenhegavetonguetohisfeelingsheputmattersbluntlyandharshly。

"Somesoft-wittedfoolsmayliketothrowawaythreehundredpoundsonabitofpaintwork；can\'tsayasIenvythemtheirtaste。I\'dratherhavetherealthingthanapictureofit。"

Henoddedtowardstheyoungbull，thatwasalternatelystaringatthemwithnoseheldhighandloweringitshornswithahalf-playful，half-impatientshakeofthehead。

Laurencelaughedalaughofirritating，indulgentamusement。

"Idon\'tthinkthepurchaserofmybitofpaintwork，asyoucallit，needworryabouthavingthrownhismoneyaway。AsIgettobebetterknownandrecognisedmypictureswillgoupinvalue。Thatparticularonewillprobablyfetchfourhundredinasale-roomfiveorsixyearshence；picturesaren\'tabadinvestmentifyouknowenoughtopickouttheworkoftherightmen。Nowyoucan\'tsayyourpreciousbullisgoingtogetmorevaluablethelongeryoukeephim；he\'llhavehislittleday，andthen，ifyougoonkeepinghim，he\'llcomedownatlasttoafewshillingsworthofhoofsandhide，justatatime，perhaps，whenmybullisbeingboughtforabigsumforsomeimportantpicturegallery。"

Itwastoomuch。TheunitedforceoftruthandslanderandinsultputoverheavyastrainonTomYorkfield\'spowersofrestraint。Inhisrighthandheheldausefuloakcudgel，withhislefthemadeagrabattheloosecollarofLaurence\'scanary-colouredsilkshirt。

Laurencewasnotafightingman；thefearofphysicalviolencethrewhimoffhisbalanceascompletelyasovermasteringindignationhadthrownTomoffhis，andthusitcametopassthatCloverFairywasregaledwiththeunprecedentedsightofahumanbeingscuddingandsquawkingacrosstheenclosure，likethehenthatwouldpersistintryingtoestablishanesting-placeinthemanger。InanothercrowdedhappymomentthebullwastryingtojerkLaurenceoverhisleftshoulder，toprodhimintheribswhilestillintheair，andtokneelonhimwhenhereachedtheground。ItwasonlythevigorousinterventionofTomthatinducedhimtorelinquishthelastitemofhisprogramme。

Tomdevotedlyandungrudginglynursedhishalfbrothertoacompleterecoveryfromhisinjuries，whichconsistedofnothingmoreseriousthanadislocatedshoulder，abrokenribortwo，andalittlenervousprostration。Afterall，therewasnofurtheroccasionforrancourintheyoungfarmer\'smind；Laurence\'sbullmightsellforthreehundred，orforsixhundred，andbeadmiredbythousandsinsomebigpicturegallery，butitwouldnevertossamanoveroneshoulderandcatchhimajabintheribsbeforehehadfallenontheotherside。ThatwasCloverFairy\'snoteworthyachievement，whichcouldneverbetakenawayfromhim。

Laurencecontinuestobepopularasananimalartist，buthissubjectsarealwayskittensorfawnsorlambkins——neverbulls。

MORLVERA

TheOlympicToyEmporiumoccupiedaconspicuousfrontageinanimportantWestEndstreet。ItwashappilynamedToyEmporium，becauseonewouldneverhavedreamedofaccordingitthefamiliarandyetpulse-quickeningnameoftoyshop。Therewasanairofcoldsplendourandelaboratefailureaboutthewaresthatweresetoutinitsamplewindows；theywerethesortoftoysthatatiredshop-

assistantdisplaysandexplainsatChristmastimetoexclamatoryparentsandbored，silentchildren。Theanimaltoyslookedmorelikenaturalhistorymodelsthanthecomfortable，sympatheticcompanionsthatonewouldwish，atacertainage，totaketobedwithone，andtosmuggleintothebath-room。Themechanicaltoysincessantlydidthingsthatnoonecouldwantatoytodomorethanahalfadozentimesinitslife-time；itwasamercifulreflectionthatinanyright-mindednurserythelifetimewouldcertainlybeshort。

Prominentamongtheelegantly-dresseddollsthatfilledanentiresectionofthewindowfrontagewasalargehobble-skirtedladyinaconfectionofpeach-colouredvelvet，elaboratelysetoffwithleopardskinaccessories，ifonemayusesuchaconvenientlycomprehensivewordindescribinganintricatefemininetoilette。

Shelackednothingthatistobefoundinacarefullydetailedfashion-plate——infact，shemightbesaidtohavesomethingmorethantheaveragefashion-platefemalepossesses；inplaceofavacant，expressionlessstareshehadcharacterinherface。Itmustbeadmittedthatitwasbadcharacter，cold，hostile，inquisitorial，withasinisterloweringofoneeyebrowandamercilesshardnessaboutthecornersofthemouth。Onemighthaveimaginedhistoriesaboutherbythehour，historiesinwhichunworthyambition，thedesireformoney，andanentireabsenceofalldecentfeelingwouldplayaconspicuouspart。

Asamatteroffact，shewasnotwithoutherjudgesandbiographers，eveninthisshop-windowstageofhercareer。Emmeline，agedten，andBert，agedseven，hadhaltedonthewayfromtheirobscurebackstreettotheminnow-stockedwaterofSt。James\'sPark，andwerecriticallyexaminingthehobble-skirteddoll，anddissectinghercharacterinnoverytolerantspirit。Thereisprobablyalatentenmitybetweenthenecessarilyunder-cladandtheunnecessarilyover-dressed，butalittlekindnessandgoodfellowshiponthepartofthelatterwilloftenchangethesentimenttoadmiringdevotion；

iftheladyinpeach-colouredvelvetandleopardskinhadwornapleasantexpressioninadditiontoherotherelaboratefurnishings，Emmelineatleastmighthaverespectedandevenlovedher。Asitwas，shegaveherahorriblereputation，basedchieflyonasecondhandknowledgeofgildeddepravityderivedfromtheconversationofthosewhowereskilledintheartofnovelettereading；Bertfilledinafewdamagingdetailsfromhisownlimitedimagination。

"She\'sabadlot，thatoneis，"declaredEmmeline，afteralongunfriendlystare；"\'er\'usbind\'ates\'er。"

"\'Eknocks\'erabart，"saidBert，withenthusiasm。

"No，\'edon\'t，cos\'e\'sdead；shepoisoned\'imslowandgradual，sothatnobodydidn\'tknow。Nowshewantstomarryalord，with\'eapsand\'eapsofmoney。\'E\'sgotawifealready，butshe\'sgoingtopoison\'er，too。"

"She\'sabadlot，"saidBertwithgrowinghostility。

"\'Ermother\'atesher，andshe\'safraidof\'er，too，cosshe\'sgotaserkestictongue；alwaystalkingserkesms，sheis。She\'sgreedy，too；ifthere\'sfishgoing，sheeats\'erownshareand\'erlittlegirl\'saswell，thoughthelittlegirlisdellikit。"

"She\'adalittleboyonce，"saidBert，"butshepushed\'imintothewaterwhennobodywasn\'tlooking。"

"Noshedidn\'t，"saidEmmeline，"shesent\'imawaytobekep\'bypoorpeople，so\'er\'usbindwouldn\'tknowwhere\'ewas。Theyill-

treat\'imsomethinkcruel。"

"Wot\'s\'ernime？"askedBert，thinkingthatitwastimethatsointerestingapersonalityshouldbelabelled。

"\'Ernime？"saidEmmeline，thinkinghard，"\'ernime\'sMorlvera。"Itwasasnearasshecouldgettothenameofanadventuresswhofiguredprominentlyinacinemadrama。Therewassilenceforamomentwhilethepossibilitiesofthenamewereturnedoverinthechildren\'sminds。

"Thoseclothesshe\'sgotonain\'tpaidfor，andneverwon\'tbe，"

saidEmmeline；"shethinksshe\'llgettherichlordtopayfor\'em，but\'ewon\'t。\'E\'sgiven\'erjools，\'underdsofpounds\'worth。"

"\'Ewon\'tpayfortheclothes，"saidBert，withconviction。

Evidentlytherewassomelimittotheweakgoodnatureofwealthylords。

Atthatmomentamotorcarriagewithliveriedservantsdrewupattheemporiumentrance；alargelady，withapenetratingandratherhurriedmanneroftalking，steppedout，followedslowlyandsulkilybyasmallboy，whohadaveryblackscowlonhisfaceandaverywhitesailorsuitovertherestofhim。TheladywascontinuinganargumentwhichhadprobablycommencedinPortmanSquare。

"Now，Victor，youaretocomeinandbuyanicedollforyourcousinBertha。Shegaveyouabeautifulboxofsoldiersonyourbirthday，andyoumustgiveherapresentonhers。"

"Berthaisafatlittlefool，"saidVictor，inavoicethatwasasloudashismother\'sandhadmoreassuranceinit。

"Victor，youarenottosaysuchthings。Berthaisnotafool，andsheisnotintheleastfat。Youaretocomeinandchooseadollforher。"

Thecouplepassedintotheshop，outofviewandhearingofthetwoback-streetchildren。

"My，heisinawickedtemper，"exclaimedEmmeline，butbothsheandBertwereinclinedtosidewithhimagainsttheabsentBertha，whowasdoubtlessasfatandfoolishashehaddescribedhertobe。

"Iwanttoseesomedolls，"saidthemotherofVictortothenearestassistant；"it\'sforalittlegirlofeleven。"

"Afatlittlegirlofeleven，"addedVictorbywayofsupplementaryinformation。

"Victor，ifyousaysuchrudethingsaboutyourcousin，youshallgotobedthemomentwegethome，withouthavinganytea。"

"Thisisoneofthenewestthingswehaveindolls，"saidtheassistant，removingahobble-skirtedfigureinpeach-colouredvelvetfromthewindow；"leopardskintoqueandstole，thelatestfashion。

Youwon\'tgetanythingnewerthanthatanywhere。It\'sanexclusivedesign。"

"Look！"whisperedEmmelineoutside；"they\'vebinandtookMorlvera。"

Therewasaminglingofexcitementandacertainsenseofbereavementinhermind；shewouldhavelikedtogazeatthatembodimentofoverdresseddepravityforjustalittlelonger。

"I\'spectshe\'sgoingawayinakerridgetomarrytherichlord，"

hazardedBert。

"She\'suptonogood，"saidEmmelinevaguely。

Insidetheshopthepurchaseofthedollhadbeendecidedon。

"It\'sabeautifuldoll，andBerthawillbedelightedwithit，"

assertedthemotherofVictorloudly。

"Oh，verywell，"saidVictorsulkily；"youneedn\'thaveitstuckintoaboxandwaitanhourwhileit\'sbeingdoneupintoaparcel。

I\'lltakeitasitis，andwecangoroundtoManchesterSquareandgiveittoBertha，andgetthethingdonewith。Thatwillsavemethetroubleofwriting：\'FordearBertha，withVictor\'slove，\'onabitofpaper。"

"Verywell，"saidhismother，"wecangotoManchesterSquareonourwayhome。Youmustwishhermanyhappyreturnsofto-morrow，andgiveherthedoll。"

"Iwon\'tletthelittlebeastkissme，"stipulatedVictor。

Hismothersaidnothing；Victorhadnotbeenhalfastroublesomeasshehadanticipated。Whenhechosehecouldreallybedreadfullynaughty。

EmmelineandBertwerejustmovingawayfromthewindowwhenMorlveramadeherexitfromtheshop，verycarefullyinVictor\'sarms。Alookofsinistertriumphseemedtoglowinherhard，inquisitorialface。AsforVictor，acertainscornfulserenityhadreplacedtheearlierscowls；hehadevidentlyaccepteddefeatwithacontemptuousgoodgrace。

Thetallladygaveadirectiontothefootmanandsettledherselfinthecarriage。Thelittlefigureinthewhitesailorsuitclamberedinbesideher，stillcarefullyholdingtheelegantlygarbeddoll。

Thecarhadtobebackedafewyardsintheprocessofturning。

Verystealthily，verygently，verymercilesslyVictorsentMorlveraflyingoverhisshoulder，sothatshefellintotheroadjustbehindtheretrogressingwheel。Withasoft，pleasant-soundingscrunchthecarwentovertheprostrateform，thenitmovedforwardagainwithanotherscrunch。ThecarriagemovedoffandleftBertandEmmelinegazinginscareddelightatasorrymessofpetrol-smearedvelvet，sawdust，andleopardskin，whichwasallthatremainedofthehatefulMorlvera。Theygaveashrillcheer，andthenracedawayshudderingfromthesceneofsomuchrapidlyenactedtragedy。

Laterthatafternoon，whentheywereengagedinthepursuitofminnowsbythewatersideinSt。James\'sPark，EmmelinesaidinasolemnundertonetoBert-

"I\'vebinfinking。Doyouknowoo\'ewas？\'Ewas\'erlittleboywotshe\'dsentawaytolivewivpoorfolks。\'Ecomebackanddonethat。"

SHOCKTATICS

OnalatespringafternoonEllaMcCarthysatonagreen-paintedchairinKensingtonGardens，staringlistlesslyatanuninterestingstretchofparklandscape，thatblossomedsuddenlyintotropicalradianceasanexpectedfigureappearedinthemiddledistance。

"Hullo，Bertie！"sheexclaimedsedately，whenthefigurearrivedatthepaintedchairthatwasthenearestneighbourtoherown，anddroppedintoiteagerly，yetwithacertaindueregardforthesetofitstrousers；"hasn\'titbeenaperfectspringafternoon？"

ThestatementwasadistinctuntruthasfarasElla\'sownfeelingswereconcerned；untilthearrivalofBertietheafternoonhadbeenanythingbutperfect。

Bertiemadeasuitablereply，inwhichaquestioningnoteseemedtohover。

"Thankyoueversomuchforthoselovelyhandkerchiefs，"saidElla，answeringtheunspokenquestion；"theywerejustwhatI\'vebeenwanting。There\'sonlyonethingspoiltmypleasureinyourgift，"

sheadded，withapout。

"Whatwasthat？"askedBertieanxiously，fearfulthatperhapshehadchosenasizeofhandkerchiefthatwasnotwithinthecorrectfemininelimit。

"IshouldhavelikedtohavewrittenandthankedyouforthemassoonasIgotthem，"saidElla，andBertie\'sskycloudedatonce。

"Youknowwhatmotheris，"heprotested；"sheopensallmyletters，andifshefoundI\'dbeengivingpresentstoanyonethere\'dhavebeensomethingtotalkaboutforthenextfortnight。"

"Surely，attheageoftwenty——"beganElla。

"I\'mnottwentytillSeptember，"interruptedBertie。

"Attheageofnineteenyearsandeightmonths，"persistedElla，"youmightbeallowedtokeepyourcorrespondenceprivatetoyourself。"

"Ioughttobe，butthingsaren\'talwayswhattheyoughttobe。

Motheropenseveryletterthatcomesintothehouse，whoeverit\'sfor。MysistersandIhavemaderowsaboutittimeandagain，butshegoesondoingit。"

"I\'dfindsomewaytostopherifIwereinyourplace，"saidEllavaliantly，andBertiefeltthattheglamourofhisanxiouslydeliberatedpresenthadfadedawayinthedisagreeablerestrictionthathedgedrounditsacknowledgment。

"Isanythingthematter？"askedBertie\'sfriendCloviswhentheymetthateveningattheswimming-bath。

"Whydoyouask？"saidBertie。

"Whenyouwearalookoftragicgloominaswimming-bath，"saidClovis，"it\'sespeciallynoticeablefromthefactthatyou\'rewearingverylittleelse。Didn\'tshelikethehandkerchiefs？"

Bertieexplainedthesituation。