第8章

"No，notthat。Thebroaderlinesofpoliticalorreligiousdifferencedon\'tmatter。YoucanhaveChurchofEnglandandUnitarianandBuddhistunderthesameroofwithoutcourtingdisaster；theonlyBuddhistIeverhaddownherequarrelledwitheverybody，butthatwasonaccountofhisnaturallysquabblesometemperament；ithadnothingtodowithhisreligion。AndI\'vealwaysfoundthatpeoplecandifferprofoundlyaboutpoliticsandmeetonperfectlygoodtermsatbreakfast。Now，MissLarborJones，whowasstayingherelastyear，worshipsLloydGeorgeasasortofwinglessangel，whileMrs。Walters，whowasdownhereatthesametime，privatelyconsidershimtobe——anantelope，letussay。"

"Anantelope？"

"Well，notanantelopeexactly，butsomethingwithhornsandhoofsandtail。"

"Oh，Isee。"

"Still，thatdidn\'tpreventthemfrombeingthechummiestofmortalsonthetenniscourtandinthebilliard-room。Theydidquarrelfinally，aboutaleadinadoubledhandofno-trumps，butthatofcourseisathingthatnoaccountofjudiciousguest-groupingcouldprevent。Mrs。Waltershadgotking，knave，ten，andsevenofclubs——

"

"Youweresayingthattherewereotherlinesofdemarcationthatcausedthebother，"interruptedLena。

"Exactly。Itistheminordifferencesandside-issuesthatgivesomuchtrouble，"saidLadyProwche；"nottomydyingdayshallI

forgetlastyear\'supheavalovertheSuffragettequestion。LauraHenniseedleftthehouseinastateofspeechlessindignation，butbeforeshehadreachedthatstateshehadusedlanguagethatwouldnothavebeentoleratedintheAustrianReichsrath。Intensivebear-

gardeningwasSirRichard\'sdescriptionofthewholeaffair，andI

don\'tthinkheexaggerated。"

"OfcoursetheSuffragettequestionisaburningone，andletsloosethemostdreadfulill-feeling，"saidLena；"butonecangenerallyfindoutbeforehandwhatpeople\'sopinions——"

"Mydear，theyearbeforeitwasworse。ItwasChristianScience。

SelinaGoobieisasortofHighPriestessoftheCult，andsheputdownalloppositionwithahighhand。Thenoneevening，afterdinner，ClovisSangrailputawaspdownherback，toseeifhertheoryaboutthenon-existenceofpaincouldbedependedoninanemergency。Thewaspwassmall，butveryefficient，andithadbeensouredintemperbybeingkeptinapapercagealltheafternoon。

Waspsdon\'tstandconfinementwell，atleastthisonedidn\'t。I

don\'tthinkIeverrealisedtillthatmomentwhattheword\'invective\'couldbemadetomean。IsometimeswakeinthenightandthinkIstillhearSelinadescribingClovis\'sconductandgeneralcharacter。ThatwastheyearthatSirRichardwaswritinghisvolumeon\'DomesticLifeinTartary。\'Thecriticsallblameditforalackofconcentration。"

"He\'sengagedonaveryimportantworkthisyear，isn\'the？"askedLena。

"\'Land-tenureinTurkestan，\'"saidLadyProwche；"heisjustatworkonthefinalchaptersandtheyrequirealltheconcentrationhecangivethem。ThatiswhyIamsoveryanxiousnottohaveanyunfortunatedisturbancethisyear。IhavetakeneveryprecautionI

canthinkoftobringnon-conflictingandharmoniouselementstogether；theonlytwopeopleIamnotquiteeasyaboutaretheAtkinsonmanandMarcusPopham。Theyarethetwowhowillbedownherelongesttogether，andiftheyaregoingtofallfoulofoneanotheraboutanyburningquestion，well，therewillbemoreunpleasantness。"

"Can\'tyoufindoutanythingaboutthem？Abouttheiropinions，I

mean。"

"Anything？MydearLena，there\'sscarcelyanythingthatIhaven\'tfoundoutaboutthem。They\'rebothofthemmoderateLiberal，Evangelical，mildlyopposedtofemalesuffrage，theyapproveoftheFalconerReport，andtheStewards\'decisionaboutCraganour。Thankgoodnessinthiscountrywedon\'tflyintoviolentpassionsaboutWagnerandBrahmsandthingsofthatsort。ThereisonlyonethornysubjectthatIhaven\'tbeenabletomakesureabout，theonlystonethatIhaveleftunturned。Aretheyunanimouslyanti-vivisectionistordotheybothupholdthenecessityforscientificexperiment？

Therehasbeenalotofcorrespondenceonthesubjectinourlocalnewspapersoflate，andthevicariscertaintopreachasermonaboutit；vicarsaredreadfullyprovocativeattimes。Now，ifyoucouldonlyfindoutformewhetherthesetwomenaredivergentlyfororagainst——"

"I！"exclaimedLena；"howamItofindout？Idon\'tknoweitherofthemtospeakto。"

"Stillyoumightdiscover，insomeroundaboutway。Writetothem，underasassumednameofcourse，forsubscriptionstooneorothercause——or，betterstill，sendastampedtype-writtenreplypostcard，witharequestforadeclarationfororagainstvivisection；peoplewhowouldhesitatetocommitthemselvestoasubscriptionwillcheerfullywriteYesorNoonaprepaidpostcard。Ifyoucan\'tmanageitthatway，tryandmeetthematsomeone\'shouseandgetintoargumentonthesubject。IthinkMillyoccasionallyhasoneorotherofthematherat-homes；youmighthavethelucktomeetbothofthemtherethesameevening。Onlyitmustbedonesoon。MyinvitationsoughttogooutbyWednesdayorThursdayatthelatest，andto-dayisFriday。

"Milly\'sat-homesarenotveryamusing，asarule，"saidLena，"andonenevergetsachanceoftalkinguninterruptedlytoanyoneforacoupleofminutesatatime；Millyisoneofthoserestlesshostesseswhoalwaysseemtobetryingtoseehowyoulookindifferentpartsoftheroom，infreshgroupingeffects。EvenifI

gottospeaktoPophamorAtkinsonIcouldn\'tplungeintoatopiclikevivisectionstraightaway。No，Ithinkthepostcardschemewouldbemorehopefulanddecidedlylesstiresome。Howwoulditbebesttowordthem？"

"Oh，somethinglikethis：\'Areyouinfavourofexperimentsonlivinganimalsforthepurposeofscientificresearch——YesorNo？\'

Thatisquitesimpleandunmistakable。Iftheydon\'tansweritwillatleastbeanindicationthattheyareindifferentaboutthesubject，andthatisallIwanttoknow。"

"Allright，"saidLena，"I\'llgetmybrother-in-lawtoletmehavethemaddressedtohisoffice，andhecantelephonetheresultoftheplebiscitedirecttoyou。"

"Thankyoueversomuch，"saidLadyProwchegratefully，"andbesuretogetthecardssentoffassoonaspossible。"

OnthefollowingTuesdaythevoiceofanofficeclerk，speakingthroughthetelephone，informedLadyProwchethatthepostcardpollshowedunanimoushostilitytoexperimentsonlivinganimals。

LadyProwchethankedtheofficeclerk，andinalouderandmoreferventvoiceshethankedHeaven。Thetwoinvitations，alreadysealedandaddressed，wereimmediatelydispatched；induecoursetheywerebothaccepted。Thehousepartyofthehalcyonhours，astheprospectivehostesscalledit，wasauspiciouslylaunched。

LenaLuddlefordwasnotincludedamongtheguests，havingpreviouslycommittedherselftoanotherinvitation。Attheopeningdayofacricketfestival，however，sheranacrossLadyProwche，whohadmotoredoverfromtheothersideofthecounty。Sheworetheairofonewhoisnotinterestedincricketandnotparticularlyinterestedinlife。SheshookhandslimplywithLena，andremarkedthatitwasabeastlyday。

"Theparty，howhasitgoneoff？"askedLenaquickly。

"Don\'tspeakofit！"wasthetragicalanswer；"whydoIalwayshavesuchrottenluck？"

"Butwhathashappened？"

"Ithasbeenawful。Hyaenascouldnothavebehavedwithgreatersavagery。SirRichardsaidso，andhehasbeenincountrieswherehyaenaslive，soheoughttoknow。Theyactuallycametoblows！"

"Blows？"

"Blowsandcurses。ItreallymighthavebeenascenefromoneofHogarth\'spictures。Ineverfeltsohumiliatedinmylife。Whattheservantsmusthavethought！"

"Butwhoweretheoffenders？"

"Oh，naturallytheverytwothatwetookallthetroubleabout。"

"Ithoughttheyagreedoneverysubjectthatonecouldviolentlydisagreeabout——religion，politics，vivisection，theDerbydecision，theFalconerReport；whatelsewastherelefttoquarrelabout？"

"Mydear，wewerefoolsnottohavethoughtofit。OneofthemwasPro-GreekandtheotherPro-Bulgar。"

HYACINTH

"Thenewfashionofintroducingthecandidate\'schildrenintoanelectioncontestisaprettyone，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；"ittakesawaysomethingfromtheacerbityofpartywarfare，anditmakesaninterestingexperienceforchildrentolookbackoninafteryears。

Still，ifyouwilllistentomyadvice，Matilda，youwillnottakeHyacinthwithyoudowntoLuffbridgeonelectionday。"

"NottakeHyacinth！"exclaimedhismother；"butwhynot？Jutterlyisbringinghisthreechildren，andtheyaregoingtodriveapairofNubiandonkeysaboutthetown，toemphasisethefactthattheirfatherhasbeenappointedColonialSecretary。WearemakingthedemandforastrongNavyaspecialfeatureinourcampaign，anditwillbeparticularlyappropriatetohaveHyacinthdressedinhissailorsuit。He\'lllookheavenly。"

"Thequestionis，nothowhe\'lllook，buthowhe\'llbehave。He\'sadelightfulchild，ofcourse，butthereisastrainofunbridledpugnacityinhimthatbreaksoutattimesinareallyalarmingfashion。YoumayhaveforgottentheaffairofthelittleGaffinchildren；Ihaven\'t。"

"IwasinIndiaatthetime，andI\'veonlyavaguerecollectionofwhathappened；hewasverynaughty，Iknow。"

"Hewasinhisgoat-carriage，andmettheGaffinsintheirperambulator，andhedrovethegoatfulltiltatthemandsenttheperambulatorspinning。LittleJackyGaffinwaspinneddownunderthewreckage，andwhilethenursehadherhandsfullwiththegoatHyacinthwaslayingintoJacky\'slegswithhisbeltlikeasmallfury。"

"I\'mnotdefendinghim，"saidMatilda，"buttheymusthavedonesomethingtoannoyhim。"

"Nothingintentionally，butsomeonehadunfortunatelytoldhimthattheywerehalfFrench——theirmotherwasaDuboc，youknow——andhehadbeenhavingahistorylessonthatmorning，andhadjustheardofthefinallossofCalaisbytheEnglish，andwasfuriousaboutit。

Hesaidhe\'dteachthelittletoadstogosnatchingtownsfromus，butwedidn\'tknowatthetimethathewasreferringtotheGaffins。

Itoldhimafterwardsthatallbadfeelingbetweenthetwonationshaddiedoutlongago，andthatanyhowtheGaffinswereonlyhalfFrench，andhesaidthatitwasonlytheFrenchhalfofJackythathehadbeenhitting；theresthadbeenburiedundertheperambulator。IfthelossofCalaisunloosedsuchfuryinhim，I

trembletothinkwhatthepossiblelossoftheelectionmightentail。"

"Allthathappenedwhenhewaseight；he\'soldernowandknowsbetter。"

"ChildrenwithHyacinth\'stemperamentdon\'tknowbetterastheygrowolder；theymerelyknowmore。"

"Nonsense。Hewillenjoythefunoftheelection，andinanycasehe\'llbetiredoutbythetimethepollisdeclared，andthenewsailorsuitthatI\'vehadmadeforhimisjustintherightshadeofblueforourelectioncolours，anditwillexactlymatchtheblueofhiseyes。Hewillbeaperfectlycharmingnoteofcolour。"

"Thereissuchathingaslettingone\'saestheticsenseoverrideone\'smoralsense，"saidMrs。Panstreppon。"IbelieveyouwouldhavecondonedtheSouthSeaBubbleandthepersecutionoftheAlbigensesiftheyhadbeencarriedoutineffectivecolourschemes。

However，ifanythingunfortunateshouldhappendownatLuffbridge，don\'tsayitwasn\'tforeseenbyonememberofthefamily。"

Theelectionwaskeenlybutdecorouslycontested。Thenewly-

appointedColonialSecretarywaspersonallypopular，whiletheGovernmenttowhichheadheredwasdistinctlyunpopular，andtherewassomeexpectancythatthemajorityoffourhundred，obtainedatthelastelection，wouldbealtogetherwipedout。Bothsideswerehopeful，butneithercouldfeelconfident。Thechildrenwereagreatsuccess；thelittleJutterlysdrovetheirchubbydonkeyssolemnlyupanddownthemainstreets，displayingposterswhichadvocatedtheclaimsoftheirfatheronthebroadgeneralgroundsthathewastheirfather，whileasforHyacinth，hisconductmighthaveservedasamodelforanyseraph-childthathadstrayedunwittinglyontothesceneofanelectoralcontest。Ofhisownaccord，andunderthedelightedeyesofhalfadozencameraoperators，hehadgoneuptotheJutterlychildrenandpresentedthemwithapacketofbutterscotch；"weneedn\'tbeenemiesbecausewe\'rewearingtheoppositecolours，"hesaidwithengagingfriendliness，andtheoccupantsofthedonkey-cartacceptedhisofferingwithpolitesolemnity。Thegrown-upmembersofbothpoliticalcampsweredelightedattheincident——withtheexceptionofMrs。Panstreppon，whoshuddered。

"NeverwasClytemnestra\'skisssweeterthanonthenightsheslewme，"shequoted，butmadethequotationtoherself。

Thelasthourofthepollwasaperiodofunremittinglabourforbothparties；itwasgenerallyestimatedthatnotmorethanadozenvotesseparatedthecandidates，andeveryeffortwasmadetobringupobstinatelywaveringelectors。Itwaswithafeelingofrelaxationandreliefthateveryoneheardtheclocksstrikethehourforthecloseofthepoll。Exclamationsbrokeoutfromthetiredworkers，andcorksflewoutfrombottles。

"Well，ifwehaven\'twon；we\'vedoneourlevelbest。""Ithasbeenacleanstraightfight，withnorancour。""Thechildrenwerequiteacharmingfeature，weren\'tthey？"

Thechildren？Itsuddenlyoccurredtoeverybodythattheyhadseennothingofthechildrenforthelasthour。WhathadbecomeofthethreelittleJutterlysandtheirdonkey-cart，and，forthematterofthat，whathadbecomeofHyacinth。Hurried，anxiousembassieswentbackwardsandforwardsbetweentherespectivepartyheadquartersandthevariouscommittee-rooms，buttherewasblankignoranceeverywhereastothewhereaboutsofthechildren。Everyonehadbeentoobusyintheclosingmomentsofthepolltobestowathoughtonthem。ThentherecameatelephonecallattheUnionistWomen\'sCommittee-rooms，andthevoiceofHyacinthwashearddemandingwhenthepollwouldbedeclared。

"Whereareyou，andwherearetheJutterlychildren？"askedhismother。

"I\'vejustfinishedhavinghigh-teaatapastry-cook\'s，"cametheanswer，"andtheyletmetelephone。I\'vehadapoachedeggandasausagerollandfourmeringues。"

"You\'llbeill。ArethelittleJutterlyswithyou？"

"Rathernot。They\'reinapigstye。"

"Apigstye？Why？Whatpigstye？"

"NeartheCrawleighRoad。Imetthemdrivingaboutabackroad，andtoldthemtheyweretohaveteawithme，andputtheirdonkeysinayardthatIknewof。ThenItookthemtoseeanoldsowthathadgottenlittlepigs。Igotthesowintotheouterstyebygivingherbitsofbread，whiletheJutterlyswentintolookatthelitter，thenIboltedthedoorandleftthemthere。"

"Youwickedboy，doyoumeantosayyou\'veleftthosepoorchildrentherealoneinthepigstye？"

"They\'renotalone，they\'vegottenlittlepigsinwiththem；

they\'rejollywellcrowded。Theywereprettymadatbeingshutin，butnothalfasmadastheoldsowisatbeingshutoutfromheryoungones。Ifshegetsinwhilethey\'rethereshe\'llbitethemintomincemeat。Icangetthemoutbylettingashortladderdownthroughthetopwindow，andthat\'swhatI\'mgoingtodoIFWEWIN。

Iftheirblightedfathergetsin，I\'mjustgoingtoopenthedoorforthesow，andletherdowhatshedashedwelllikestothem。

That\'swhyIwanttoknowwhenthepollwillbedeclared。"

Herethenarratorrangoff。Awildstampedeandafranticsending-

offofmessengerstookplaceattheotherendofthetelephone。

Nearlyalltheworkersoneithersidehaddisappearedtotheirvariousclub-roomsandpublic-housebarstoawaitthedeclarationofthepoll，butenoughlocalinformationcouldbesecuredtodeterminethesceneofHyacinth\'sexploit。Mr。JohnBallhadastableyarddownneartheCrawleighRoad，upashortlane，andhissowwasknowntohavealitteroftenyoungones。Thitherwentinheadlonghasteboththecandidates，Hyacinth\'smother，hisaunt（Mrs。Panstreppon），andtwoorthreehurriedly-summonedfriends。ThetwoNubiandonkeys，contentedlymunchingatbundlesofhay，mettheirgazeastheyenteredtheyard。Thehoarsesavagegruntingofanenragedanimalandtheshrillernoteofthirteenyoungvoices，threeofthemhuman，guidedthemtothestye，intheouteryardofwhichahugeYorkshiresowkeptupaceaselessragingpatrolbeforeacloseddoor。Recliningonthebroadledgeofanopenwindow，fromwhichpointofvantagehecouldreachdownandshoottheboltofthedoor，wasHyacinth，hisbluesailor-suitsomewhattheworseofwear，andhisangelsmileexchangedforalookofdemoniacaldetermination。

"Ifanyofyoucomeastepnearer，"heshouted，"thesowwillbeinsideinhalfajiffy。"

Astormofthreatening，arguing，entreatingexpostulationbrokefromthebaffledrescueparty，butitmadenomoreimpressiononHyacinththanthesquealingtempestthatragedwithinthestye。

"IfJutterlyheadsthepollI\'mgoingtoletthesowin。I\'llteachtheblighterstowinelectionsfromus。"

"Hemeansit，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；"IfearedtheworstwhenIsawthatbutterscotchincident。"

"It\'sallright，mylittleman，"saidJutterly，withtheduplicitytowhichevenaColonialSecretarycansometimesstoop，"yourfatherhasbeenelectedbyalargemajority。"

"Liar！"retortedHyacinth，withthedirectnessofspeechthatisnotmerelyexcusable，butalmostobligatory，inthepoliticalprofession；"thevotesaren\'tcountedyet。Youwon\'tgammonmeastotheresult，either。AboythatI\'vepalledwithisgoingtofireagunwhenthepollisdeclared；twoshotsifwe\'vewon，oneshotifwehaven\'t。"

Thesituationbegantolookcritical。"Drugthesow，"whisperedHyacinth\'sfather。

Someonewentoffinthemotortothenearestchemist\'sshopandreturnedpresentlywithtwolargepiecesofbread，liberallydosedwithnarcotic。Thebreadwasthrowndeftlyandunostentatiouslyintothestye，butHyacinthsawthroughthemanoeuvre。HesetupapiercingimitationofasmallpitinPurgatory，andtheinfuriatedmotherrampedroundandroundthestye；thepiecesofbreadweretrampledintoslush。

Atanymomentnowthepollmightbedeclared。JutterlyflewbacktotheTownHall，wherethevoteswerebeingcounted。Hisagentmethimwithasmileofhope。

"You\'reelevenaheadatpresent，andonlyabouteightymoretobecounted；you\'rejustgoingtosqueakthrough。"

"Imustn\'tsqueakthrough，"exclaimedJutterly，hoarsely。"Youmustobjecttoeverydoubtfulvoteonoursidethatcanpossiblybedisallowed。ImustNOThavethemajority。"

Thenwasseentheunprecedentedsightofapartyagentchallengingthevotesonhisownsidewithacaptiousnessthathisopponentswouldhavehesitatedtodisplay。Oneortwovotesthatwouldhavecertainlypassedmusterunderordinarycircumstancesweredisallowed，butevensoJutterlywassixaheadwithonlythirtymoretobecounted。

Tothewatchersbythestyethemomentsseemedintolerable。Asalastresortsomeonehadbeensentforagunwithwhichtoshootthesow，thoughHyacinthwouldprobablydrawtheboltthemomentsuchaweaponwasbroughtintotheyard。Nearlyallthemenwereawayfromtheirhomes，however，onelectionnight，andthemessengerhadevidentlygonefarafieldinhissearch。Itmustbeamatterofminutesnowtothedeclarationofthepoll。

AsuddenroarofshoutingandcheeringwasheardfromthedirectionoftheTownHall。Hyacinth\'sfatherclutchedapitchforkandpreparedtodashintothestyeintheforlornhopeofbeingintime。

Ashotrangoutintheeveningair。Hyacinthstoopeddownfromhisperchandputhisfingeronthebolt。Thesowpressedfuriouslyagainstthedoor。

"Bang，"cameanothershot。

Hyacinthwriggledback，andsentashortladderdownthroughthewindowoftheinnerstye。

"Nowyoucancomeup，youuncleanlittleblighters，"hesangout；

"mydaddy\'sgotin，notyours。Hurryup，Ican\'tkeepthesowwaitingmuchlonger。Anddon\'tyoujollywellcomebuttingintoanyelectionagainwhereI\'monthejob。"

Inthereactionthatsetinafterthedeliverancefuriousrecriminationwereindulgedinbythelatelyopposedcandidates，theirwomenfolk，agents，andpartyhelpers。Arecountwasdemanded，butfailedtoestablishthefactthattheColonialSecretaryhadobtainedamajority。Altogethertheelectionleftalegacyofsorenessbehindit，apartfromanythatwasexperiencedbyHyacinthinperson。

"ItisthelasttimeIshalllethimgotoanelection，"exclaimedhismother。

"ThereIthinkyouaregoingtoextremes，"saidMrs。Panstreppon；

"ifthereshouldbeageneralelectioninMexicoIthinkyoumightsafelylethimgothere，butIdoubtwhetherourEnglishpoliticsaresuitedtotheroughandtumbleofanangel-child。"

THEIMAGEOFTHELOSTSOLE

TherewereanumberofcarvedstonefiguresplacedatintervalsalongtheparapetsoftheoldCathedral；someofthemrepresentedangels，otherskingsandbishops，andnearlyallwereinattitudesofpiousexaltationandcomposure。Butonefigure，lowdownonthecoldnorthsideofthebuilding，hadneithercrown，mitre，notnimbus，anditsfacewashardandbitteranddowncast；itmustbeademon，declaredthefatbluepigeonsthatroostedandsunnedthemselvesalldayontheledgesoftheparapet；buttheoldbelfryjackdaw，whowasanauthorityonecclesiasticalarchitecture，saiditwasalostsoul。Andtherethematterrested。

OneautumndaythereflutteredontotheCathedralroofaslender，sweet-voicedbirdthathadwanderedawayfromthebarefieldsandthinninghedgerowsinsearchofawinterroosting-place。Ittriedtorestitstiredfeetundertheshadeofagreatangel-wingortonestleinthesculpturedfoldsofakinglyrobe，butthefatpigeonshustleditawayfromwhereveritsettled，andthenoisysparrow-folkdroveitofftheledges。Norespectablebirdsangwithsomuchfeeling，theycheepedonetoanother，andthewandererhadtomoveon。

OnlytheeffigyoftheLostSoulofferedaplaceofrefuge。Thepigeonsdidnotconsideritsafetoperchonaprojectionthatleanedsomuchoutoftheperpendicular，andwas，besides，toomuchintheshadow。Thefiguredidnotcrossitshandsinthepiousattitudeoftheothergravendignitaries，butitsarmswerefoldedasindefianceandtheiranglemadeasnugresting-placeforthelittlebird。Everyeveningitcrepttrustfullyintoitscorneragainstthestonebreastoftheimage，andthedarklingeyesseemedtokeepwatchoveritsslumbers。Thelonelybirdgrewtoloveitslonelyprotector，andduringthedayitwouldsitfromtimetotimeonsomerainshootorotherabutmentandtrillforthitssweetestmusicingratefulthanksforitsnightlyshelter。And，itmayhavebeentheworkofwindandweather，orsomeotherinfluence，butthewilddrawnfaceseemedgraduallytolosesomeofitshardnessandunhappiness。Everyday，throughthelongmonotonoushours，thesongofhislittleguestwouldcomeupinsnatchestothelonelywatcher，andatevening，whenthevesper-bellwasringingandthegreatgreybatsslidoutoftheirhiding-placesinthebelfryroof，thebright-

eyedbirdwouldreturn，twitterafewsleepynotes，andnestleintothearmsthatwerewaitingforhim。ThosewerehappydaysfortheDarkImage。OnlythegreatbelloftheCathedralrangoutdailyitsmockingmessage，"Afterjoy……sorrow。"

Thefolkintheverger\'slodgenoticedalittlebrownbirdflittingabouttheCathedralprecincts，andadmireditsbeautifulsinging。

"Butitisapity，"saidthey，"thatallthatwarblingshouldbelostandwastedfaroutofhearingupontheparapet。"Theywerepoor，buttheyunderstoodtheprinciplesofpoliticaleconomy。Sotheycaughtthebirdandputitinalittlewickercageoutsidethelodgedoor。

Thatnightthelittlesongsterwasmissingfromitsaccustomedhaunt，andtheDarkImageknewmorethaneverthebitternessofloneliness。Perhapshislittlefriendhadbeenkilledbyaprowlingcatorhurtbyastone。Perhaps……perhapshehadflownelsewhere。Butwhenmorningcametherefloateduptohim，throughthenoiseandbustleoftheCathedralworld，afaintheart-achingmessagefromtheprisonerinthewickercagefarbelow。Andeveryday，athighnoon，whenthefatpigeonswerestupefiedintosilenceaftertheirmiddaymealandthesparrowswerewashingthemselvesinthestreet-puddles，thesongofthelittlebirdcameuptotheparapets——asongofhungerandlongingandhopelessness，acrythatcouldneverbeanswered。Thepigeonsremarked，betweenmealtimes，thatthefigureleanedforwardmorethaneveroutoftheperpendicular。

Onedaynosongcameupfromthelittlewickercage。Itwasthecoldestdayofthewinter，andthepigeonsandsparrowsontheCathedralrooflookedanxiouslyonallsidesforthescrapsoffoodwhichtheyweredependentoninhardweather。

"Havethelodge-folkthrownoutanythingontothedust-heap？"

inquiredonepigeonofanotherwhichwaspeeringovertheedgeofthenorthparapet。

"Onlyalittledeadbird，"wastheanswer。

TherewasacracklingsoundinthenightontheCathedralroofandanoiseasoffallingmasonry。Thebelfryjackdawsaidthefrostwasaffectingthefabric，andashehadexperiencedmanyfrostsitmusthavebeenso。InthemorningitwasseenthattheFigureoftheLostSoulhadtoppledfromitscorniceandlaynowinabrokenmassonthedustheapoutsidetheverger\'slodge。

"Itisjustaswell，"cooedthefatpigeons，aftertheyhadpeeredatthematterforsomeminutes；"nowweshallhaveaniceangelputupthere。Certainlytheywillputanangelthere。"

"Afterjoy……sorrow，"rangoutthegreatbell。

THEPURPLEOFTHEBALKANKINGS

LuitpoldWolkenstein，financieranddiplomatonasmall，obtrusive，self-importantscale，satinhisfavouredcafeintheworld-wiseHabsburgcapital，confrontedwiththeNeueFreiePresseandthecupofcream-toppedcoffeeandattendantglassofwaterthatasleek-

headedpiccolohadjustbroughthim。Foryearslongerthanadog\'slifetimesleek-headedpiccoloshadplacedtheNeueFreiePresseandacupofcream-toppedcoffeeonhistable；foryearshehadsatatthesamespot，underthedust-coated，stuffedeagle，thathadoncebeenaliving，soaringbirdontheStyrianmountains，andwasnowmademonstrousandsymbolicalwithasecondheadgraftedontoitsneckandagiltcrownplantedoneitherdustyskull。To-dayLuitpoldWolkensteinreadnomorethanthefirstarticleinhispaper，butreaditagainandagain。

"TheTurkishfortressofKirkKilissehhasfallen……TheSerbs，itisofficiallyannounced，havetakenKumanovo……ThefortressofKirkKilissehlost，KumanovotakenbytheSerbs，thesearetidingforConstantinopleresemblingsomethingoutofShakspeare\'stragediesofthekings……TheneighbourhoodofAdrianopleandtheEasternregion，wherethegreatbattleisnowinprogress，willnotrevealmerelythefutureofTurkey，butalsowhatpositionandwhatinfluencetheBalkanStatesaretohaveintheworld。"

Foryearslongerthanadog\'slifetimeLuitpoldWolkensteinhaddisposedofthepretensionsandstrivingsoftheBalkanStatesoverthecupofcream-toppedcoffeethatsleek-headedpiccoloshadbroughthim。Nevertravellingfurthereastwardthanthehorse-fairatTemesvar，neverinvitingpersonalriskinanencounterwithanythingmorepotentiallydesperatethanahareorpartridge，hehadconstitutedhimselfthecriticalappraiserandarbiterofthemilitaryandnationalprowessofthesmallcountriesthatfringedtheDualMonarchyonitsDanubeborder。Andhisjudgmenthadbeenoneofunsparingcontemptforsmall-scaleefforts，ofunquestioningrespectforthebigbattalionsandfullpurses。OverthewholesceneoftheBalkanterritoriesandtheirtroubledhistorieshadloomedthecommandingmagicofthewords"theGreatPowers"——evenmoreimposingintheirTeutonicrendering，"DieGrossmachte。"

Worshippingpowerandforceandmoney-masteryasanelderlynerve-

riddenwomanmightworshipyouthfulphysicalenergy，thecomfortable，plump-bodiedcafe-oraclehadjestedandgibedattheambitionsoftheBalkankingletsandtheirpeoples，hadunloosedagainstthemthatbatteryofstrangelip-soundsthataVienneseemploysalmostasanauxiliarylanguagetoexpressthethoughtswhenhisthoughtsarenotcomplimentary。BritishtravellershadvisitedtheBalkanlandsandreportedhighthingsoftheBulgariansandtheirfuture，Russianofficershadtakenpeepsattheirarmyandconfessed"thisisathingtobereckonedwith，anditisnotwewhohavecreatedit，theyhavedoneitbythemselves。"Butoverhiscupsofcoffeeandhishour-longgamesofdominoestheoraclehadlaughedandwaggedhisheadanddistilledtheworldlywisdomofhiscastle。TheGrossmachtehadnotsucceededinstiflingtherollofthewar-drum，thatwastrue；thebigbattalionsoftheOttomanEmpirewouldhavetodosometalking，andthenthebigpursesandbigthreateningsofthePowerswouldspeakandthelastwordwouldbewiththem。InimaginationLuitpoldheardtheonwardtrampofthered-fezzedbayonetbearersechoingthroughtheBalkanpasses，sawthelittlesheepskin-cladmannikinsdrivenbacktotheirvillages，sawtheaugustlychidingspokesmanofthePowersdictating，adjusting，restoring，settlingthingsonceagainintheirallottedplaces，sweepingupthedustofconflict，andnowhisearshadtolistentothewar-drumrollinginquiteanotherdirection，hadtolistentothetrampofbattalionsthatwerebiggerandbolderandbetterskilledinwar-craftthanhehaddeemedpossibleinthatquarter；hiseyeshadtoreadinthecolumnsofhisaccustomednewspaperawarningtotheGrossmachtethattheyhadsomethingnewtolearn，somethingnewtoreckonwith，muchthatwastime-honouredtorelinquish。"TheGreatPowerswillhavenotlittledifficultyinpersuadingtheBalkanStatesoftheinviolabilityoftheprinciplethatEuropecannotpermitanyfreshpartitionofterritoryintheEastwithoutherapproval。Evennow，whilethecampaignisstillundecided，therearerumoursofaprojectoffiscalunity，extendingovertheentireBalkanlands，andfurtherofaconstitutionalunioninimitationoftheGermanEmpire。Thatisperhapsonlyapoliticalstrawblownbythestorm，butitisnotpossibletodismissthereflectionthattheBalkanStatesleaguedtogethercommandamilitarystrengthwithwhichtheGreatPowerswillhavetoreckon……ThepeoplewhohavepouredouttheirbloodonthebattlefieldsandsacrificedtheavailablearmedmenofanentiregenerationinordertoencompassaunionwiththeirkinsfolkwillnotremainanylongerinanattitudeofdependenceontheGreatPowersoronRussia，butwillgotheirownways……Thebloodthathasbeenpouredforthto-daygivesforthefirsttimeagenuinetonetothepurpleoftheBalkanKings。TheGreatPowerscannotoverlookthefactthatapeoplethathastastedvictorywillnotletitselfbedrivenbackagainwithinitsformerlimits。Turkeyhaslostto-daynotonlyKirkKilissehandKumanovo，butMacedoniaalso。"

LuitpoldWolkensteindrankhiscoffee，buttheflavourhadsomehowgoneoutofit。Hisworld，hispompous，imposing，dictatingworld，hadsuddenlyrolledupintonarrowerdimensions。Thebigpursesandthebigthreatshadbeenpushedunceremoniouslyononeside；aforcethathecouldnotfathom，couldnotcomprehend，hadmadeitselfrudelyfelt。TheaugustCaesarsofMammonandarmamenthadlookeddownfrowninglyonthecombat，andthoseabouttodiehadnotsaluted，hadnointentionofsaluting。Alessonwasbeingimposedonunwillinglearners，alessonofrespectforcertainfundamentalprinciples，anditwasnotthesmallstrugglingStateswhowerebeingtaughtthelesson。

LuitpoldWolkensteindidnotwaitforthequorumofdominoplayerstoarrive。TheywouldallhavereadthearticleintheFreiePresse。Andtherearemomentswhenanoraclefindsitsgreatestsalvationinwithdrawingitselffromtheareaofhumanquestioning。

THECUPBOARDOFTHEYESTERDAYS

"Warisacruellydestructivething，"saidtheWanderer，droppinghisnewspapertothefloorandstaringreflectivelyintospace。

"Ah，yes，indeed，"saidtheMerchant，respondingreadilytowhatseemedlikeasafeplatitude；"whenonethinksofthelossoflifeandlimb，thedesolatedhomesteads，theruined——"

"Iwasn\'tthinkingofanythingofthesort，"saidtheWanderer；"I

wasthinkingofthetendencythatmodernwarhastodestroyandbanishtheveryelementsofpicturesquenessandexcitementthatareitschiefexcuseandcharm。Itislikeafirethatflaresupbrilliantlyforawhileandthenleaveseverythingblackerandbleakerthanbefore。AftereveryimportantwarinSouth-EastEuropeinrecenttimestherehasbeenashrinkingoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoffrontierlines，anintrusionofcivilisedmonotony。AndimaginewhatmayhappenattheconclusionofthiswariftheTurkshouldreallybedrivenoutofEurope。"

"Well，itwouldbeagaintothecauseofgoodgovernment，I

suppose，"saidtheMerchant。

"Buthaveyoucountedtheloss？"saidtheother。"TheBalkanshavelongbeenthelastsurvivingshredofhappyhunting-groundfortheadventurous，aplaygroundforpassionsthatarefastbecomingatrophiedforwantofexercise。InoldbygonedayswehadthewarsintheLowCountriesalwaysatourdoors，asitwere；therewasnoneedtogofarafieldintomalaria-strickenwildsifonewantedalifeofbootandsaddleandlicencetokillandbekilled。Thosewhowishedtoseelifehadadecentopportunityforseeingdeathatthesametime。"

"Itisscarcelyrighttotalkofkillingandbloodshedinthatway，"

saidtheMerchantreprovingly；"onemustrememberthatallmenarebrothers。"

"Onemustalsorememberthatalargepercentageofthemareyoungerbrothers；insteadofgoingintobankruptcy，whichistheusualtendencyoftheyoungerbrothernowadays，theygavetheirfamiliesafairchanceofgoingintomourning。Everybulletfindsabillet，accordingtoaratheroptimisticproverb，andyoumustadmitthatnowadaysitisbecomingincreasinglydifficulttofindbilletsforalotofyounggentlemenwhowouldhaveadorned，andprobablythoroughlyenjoyed，oneoftheold-timehappy-go-luckywars。Butthatisnotexactlytheburdenofmycomplaint。TheBalkanlandsareespeciallyinterestingtousintheserapidly-movingdaysbecausetheyaffordusthelastremainingglimpseofavanishingperiodofEuropeanhistory。WhenIwasachildoneoftheearliesteventsoftheoutsideworldthatforceditselfcoherentlyundermynoticewasawarintheBalkans；Irememberasunburnt，soldierlymanputtinglittlepin-flagsinawar-map，redflagsfortheTurkishforcesandyellowflagsfortheRussians。Itseemedamagicalregion，withitsmountainpassesandfrozenriversandgrimbattlefields，itsdriftingsnows，andprowlingwolves；therewasagreatstretchofwaterthatborethesinisterbutengagingnameoftheBlackSea——nothingthatIeverlearnedbeforeorafterinageographylessonmadethesameimpressiononmeasthatstrange-

namedinlandsea，andIdon\'tthinkitsmagichaseverfadedoutofmyimagination。AndtherewasabattlecalledPlevnathatwentonandonwithvaryingfortunesforwhatseemedlikeagreatpartofalifetime；IrememberthedayofwrathandmourningwhenthelittleredflaghadtobetakenawayfromPlevna——likeothermaturerjudges，Iwasbackingthewronghorse，atanyratethelosinghorse。

Andnowto-dayweareputtinglittlepin-flagsagainintomapsoftheBalkanregion，andthepassionsarebeingturnedlooseoncemoreintheirplayground。"

"Thewarwillbelocalised，"saidtheMerchantvaguely；"atleasteveryonehopesso。"

"Itcouldn\'twishforabetterlocality，"saidtheWanderer；"thereisacharmaboutthosecountriesthatyoufindnowhereelseinEurope，thecharmofuncertaintyandlandslide，andthelittledramatichappeningsthatmakeallthedifferencebetweentheordinaryandthedesirable。"

"Lifeisheldverycheapinthoseparts，"saidtheMerchant。

"Toacertainextent，yes，"saidtheWanderer。"IrememberamanatSofiawhousedtoteachmeBulgarianinaratherinefficientmanner，interspersedwithalotofquitewearisomegossip。Ineverknewwhathispersonalhistorywas，butthatwasonlybecauseIdidn\'tlisten；hetoldittomemanytimes。AfterIleftBulgariaheusedtosendmeSofianewspapersfromtimetotime。IfeltthathewouldberathertiresomeifIeverwentthereagain。AndthenIheardafterwardsthatsomemencameinonedayfromHeavenknowswhere，justasthingsdohappenintheBalkans，andmurderedhimintheopenstreet，andwentawayasquietlyastheyhadcome。Youwillnotunderstandit，buttometherewassomethingratherpiquantintheideaofsuchathinghappeningtosuchaman；afterhisdullnessandhislong-windedsmall-talkitseemedasortofbrilliantespritd\'esalieronhisparttomeetwithanendofsuchruthlesslyplannedandexecutedviolence。"

TheMerchantshookhishead；thepiquancyoftheincidentwasnotwithinstrikingdistanceofhiscomprehension。

"IshouldhavebeenshockedathearingsuchathingaboutanyoneI

hadknown，"hesaid。

"Thepresentwar，"continuedhiscompanion，withoutstoppingtodiscusstwohopelesslydivergentpointsofview，"maybethebeginningoftheendofmuchthathashithertosurvivedtheresistlesscreeping-inofcivilisation。IftheBalkanlandsaretobefinallyparcelledoutbetweenthecompetingChristianKingdomsandthehaphazardruleoftheTurkbanishedtobeyondtheSeaofMarmora，theoldorder，ordisorderifyoulike，willhavereceiveditsdeath-blow。Somethingofitsspiritwilllingerperhapsforawhileintheoldcharmedregionswhereitboresway；theGreekvillagerswilldoubtlessberestlessandturbulentandunhappywheretheBulgarsrule，andtheBulgarswillcertainlyberestlessandturbulentandunhappyunderGreekadministration，andtherivalflocksoftheExarchateandPatriarchatewillmakethemselvesintenselydisagreeabletooneanotherwherevertheopportunityoffers；thehabitsofalifetime，ofseverallifetimes，arenotlaidasideallatonce。AndtheAlbanians，ofcourse，weshallhavewithusstill，atroubledMoslempoolleftbytherecedingwaveofIslaminEurope。Buttheoldatmospherewillhavechanged，theglamourwillhavegone；thedustofformalityandbureaucraticneatnesswillslowlysettledownoverthetime-honouredlandmarks；theSanjakofNoviBazar，theMuerstegAgreement，theKomitadjebands，theVilayetofAdrianople，allthosefamiliaroutlandishnamesandthingsandplaces，thatwehaveknownsolongaspartandparceloftheBalkanQuestion，willhavepassedawayintothecupboardofyesterdays，ascompletelyastheHansaLeagueandthewarsoftheGuises。

"Theyweretheheritagethathistoryhandeddowntous，spoiledanddiminishednodoubt，incomparisonwithyetearlierdaysthatweneverknew，butstillsomethingtothrillandenlivenonelittlecornerofourContinent，somethingtohelpustoconjureupinourimaginationthedayswhentheTurkwasthunderingatthegatesofVienna。Andwhatshallwehavetohanddowntoourchildren？ThinkofwhattheirnewsfromtheBalkanswillbeinthecourseofanothertenorfifteenyears。SocialistCongressatUskub，electionriotatMonastir，greatdockstrikeatSalonika，visitoftheY。M。C。A。toVarna。Varna——onthecoastofthatenchantedsea！Theywilldriveouttosomesuburbtotea，andwritehomeaboutitastheBexhilloftheEast。

"Warisawickedlydestructivething。"

"Still，youmustadmit——"begantheMerchant。ButtheWandererwasnotinthemoodtoadmitanything。Heroseimpatientlyandwalkedtowherethetape-machinewasbusywiththenewsfromAdrianople。

FORTHEDURATIONOFTHEWAR

TheRev。WilfridGaspilton，inoneofthoseclericalmigrationsinconsequent-seemingtothelaymind，hadremovedfromthemoderatelyfashionableparishofSt。Luke\'s，Kensingate，totheimmoderatelyruralparishofSt。Chuddocks，somewhereinYondershire。Thereweredoubtlesssubstantialadvantagesconnectedwiththemove，buttherewerecertainlysomeveryobviousdrawbacks。

Neitherthemigratoryclergymannorhiswifewereabletoadaptthemselvesnaturallyandcomfortablytotheconditionsofcountrylife。Beryl，Mrs。Gaspilton，hadalwayslookedindulgentlyonthecountryasaplacewherepeopleofirreproachableincomeandhospitableinstinctscultivatedtennis-lawnsandrose-gardensandJacobeanpleasaunces，whereinselectedgatheringsofinterestedweek-endguestsmightdisportthemselves。Mrs。Gaspiltonconsideredherselfasdistinctlyaninterestingpersonality，andfromalimitedstandpointshewasdoubtlessright。Shehadindolentdarkeyesandacomfortablechin，whichbeliedtheslightlyplaintiveinflectionwhichshethrewintohervoiceatsuitableintervals。Shewastolerablywellsatisfiedwiththesmalleradvantagesoflife，butsheregrettedthatFatehadnotseenitswaytoreserveforhersomeoftheamplersuccessesforwhichshefeltherselfwellqualified。

Shewouldhavelikedtobethecentreofaliterary，slightlypoliticalsalon，wherediscerningsatellitesmighthaverecognisedthebreadthofheroutlookonhumanaffairsandtheundoubtedsmallnessofherfeet。Asitwas，Destinyhadchosenforherthatsheshouldbethewifeofarector，andhadnowfurtherdecreedthatacountryrectoryshouldbethebackgroundtoherexistence。Sherapidlymadeuphermindthathersurroundingsdidnotcallforexploration；NoahhadpredictedtheFlood，butnooneexpectedhimtoswimaboutinit。Digginginawetgardenortrudgingthroughmuddylaneswereexertionswhichshedidnotproposetoundertake。

AslongasthegardenproducedasparagusandcarnationsatpleasinglyfrequentintervalsMrs。Gaspiltonwascontenttoapproveofitsexpenseandotherwiseignoreitsexistence。Shewouldfoldherselfup，sotospeak，inanelegant，indolentlittleworldofherown，enjoyingtheminorrecreationsofbeinggentlyrudetothedoctor\'swifeandcontinuingtheleisurelyproductionofheroneliteraryeffort，TheForbiddenHorsepond，atranslationofBaptisteLeopoy\'sL\'Abreuvoirinterdit。Itwasalabourwhichhadalreadybeensolongdrawn-outthatitseemedprobablethatBaptisteLepoywoulddropoutofvoguebeforehertranslationofhistemporarilyfamousnovelwasfinished。However，thelanguidprosecutionoftheworkhadinvestedMrs。Gaspiltonwithacertainliterarydignity，eveninKensingatecircles，andwouldplaceheronapinnacleinSt。

Chuddocks，wherehardlyanyonereadFrench，andassuredlynoonehadheardofL\'Abreuvoirinterdit。

TheRector\'swifemightbecontenttoturnherbackcomplacentlyonthecountry；itwastheRector\'stragedythatthecountryturneditsbackonhim。WiththebestintentionintheworldandtheimmortalexampleofGilbertWhitebeforehim，theRev。WilfridfoundhimselfasboredandillateaseinhisnewsurroundingsasCharlesIIwouldhavebeenatamodernWesleyanConference。Thebirdsthathoppedacrosshislawnhoppedacrossitasthoughitweretheirlawn，andnothis，andgavehimplainlytounderstandthatintheireyeshewasinfinitelylessinterestingthanagardenwormortherectorycat。Thehedgesideandmeadowflowerswereequallyuninspiring；thelessercelandineseemedparticularlyunworthyoftheattentionthatEnglishpoetshadbestowedonit，andtheRectorknewthathewouldbeutterlymiserableifleftaloneforaquarterofanhourinitscompany。Withthehumaninhabitantsofhisparishhewasnobetteroff；toknowthemwasmerelytoknowtheirailments，andtheailmentswerealmostinvariablyrheumatism。Some，ofcourse，hadotherbodilyinfirmities，buttheyalwayshadrheumatismaswell。

TheRectorhadnotyetgraspedthefactthatinruralcottagelifenottohaverheumatismisasglaringanomissionasnottohavebeenpresentedatCourtwouldbeinmoreambitiouscircles。AndwithallthisdeathoflocalinteresttherewasBerylshuttingherselfoffwithherridiculouslaboursonTheForbiddenHorsepond。

"Idon\'tseewhyyoushouldsupposethatanyonewantstoreadBaptisteLepoyinEnglish，"theReverendWilfridremarkedtohiswifeonemorning，findinghersurroundedwithherusualelegantlitterofdictionaries，fountainpens，andscribblingpaper；"hardlyanyonebotherstoreadhimnowinFrance。"

"Mydear，"saidBeryl，withanintonationofgentleweariness，"haven\'ttwoorthreeleadingLondonpublisherstoldmetheywonderednoonehadevertranslatedL\'Abreuvoirinterdit，andbeggedme——"

"Publishersalwaysclamourforthebooksthatnoonehaseverwritten，andturnacoldshoulderonthemassoonasthey\'rewritten。IfSt。PaulwerelivingnowtheywouldpesterhimtowriteanEpistletotheEsquimaux，butnoLondonpublisherwoulddreamofreadinghisEpistletotheEphesians。"

"Isthereanyasparagusinthegarden？"askedBeryl；"becauseI\'vetoldcook——"

"Notanywhereinthegarden，"snappedtheRector，"butthere\'snodoubtplentyintheasparagus-bed，whichistheusualplaceforit。"

Andhewalkedawayintotheregionoffruittreesandvegetablebedstoexchangeirritationforboredom。Itwasthere，amongthegooseberrybushesandbeneaththemedlartrees，thatthetemptationtotheperpetrationofagreatliteraryfraudcametohim。

SomeweekslatertheBi-MonthlyReviewgavetotheworld，undertheguaranteeoftheRev。WilfridGaspilton，somefragmentsofPersianverse，allegedtohavebeenunearthedandtranslatedbyanephewwhowasatpresentcampaigningsomewhereintheTigrisvalley。TheRev。

Wilfridpossessedahostofnephews，anditwasofcourse，quitepossiblethatoneormoreofthemmightbeinmilitaryemployinMesopotamia，thoughnoonecouldcalltomindanyparticularnephewwhocouldhavebeensuspectedofbeingaPersianscholar。

TheverseswereattributedtooneGhurab，ahunter，or，accordingtootheraccounts，wardenoftheroyalfishponds，wholived，insomeunspecifiedcentury，intheneighbourhoodofKarmanshah。Theybreathedaspiritofcomfortable，even-temperedsatireandphilosophy，disclosingamockerythatdidnottroubletobebitter，ajoyinlifethatwasnotpassionatetothevergeofbeingtroublesome。

"AMousethatprayedforAllah\'saidBlasphemedwhennosuchaidbefell：

ACat，whofeastedonthatmouse，ThoughtAllahmanagedvastlywell。

PraynotforaidtoOnewhomadeAsetofnever-changingLaws，ButinyourneedrememberwellHegaveyouspeed，orguile——orclaws。

Somelaudalifeofmildcontent：

Contentmayfall，aswellasPride。

TheFrogwhohuggedhislowlyDitchWasmuchdisgruntledwhenitdried。

\'YouarenotontheRoadtoHell，\'

Youtellmewithfanaticglee：

Vainboaster，whatshallthatavailIfHellisontheroadtothee？

APoetpraisedtheEveningStar，AnotherpraisedtheParrot\'shue：

AMerchantpraisedhismerchandise，Andhe，atleast，praisedwhatheknew。"

Itwasthisversewhichgavethecriticsandcommentatorssomeclueastotheprobabledateofthecomposition；theparrot，theyremindedthepublic，wasinhighvogueasatypeofeleganceinthedaysofHafizofShiraz；inthequatrainsofOmaritmakesnoappearance。

Thenextverse，itwaspointedout，wouldapplytothepoliticalconditionsofthepresentdayasstrikinglyastotheregionanderaforwhichitwaswritten-

"ASultandreamedday-longofPeace，ThewhilehisRivals\'armiesgrew：

TheychangedhisDay-dreamsintosleep-ThePeace，methinks，heneverknew。"

Womanappearedlittle，andwinenotatallintheverseofthehunter-poet，buttherewasatleastonecontributiontothelove-

philosophyoftheEast-

"OMoon-facedCharmer，andStar-drownedEyes，Andcheeksofsoftdelight，exhalingmusk，Theytellmethatthycharmwillfade；ahwell，TheRoseitselfgrowshue-lessintheDusk。"

Finally，therewasarecognitionoftheInevitable，achillbreathblowingacrossthepoet\'scomfortableestimateoflife-

"ThereisasadnessineachDawn，Asadnessthatyoucannotrede：

ThejoyousDaybringsinitstrainTheFeast，theLovedOne，andtheSteed。

Ah，thereshallcomeaDawnatlastThatbringsnolife-stirtoyourken，Along，coldDawnwithoutaDay，Andyeshallredeitssadnessthen。"

TheversesofGhurabcameonthepublicatamomentwhenacomfortable，slightlyquizzicalphilosophywascertaintobewelcome，andtheirreceptionwasenthusiastic。Elderlycolonels，whohadoutlivedtheloveoftruth，wrotetothepaperstosaythattheyhadbeenfamiliarwiththeworksofGhurabinAfghanistan，andAden，andothersuitablelocalitiesaquarterofacenturyago。A

Ghurab-of-KarmanshahClubsprangintoexistence，themembersofwhichalludedtoeachotherasBrotherGhurabiansontheslightestprovocation。Andtothefloodofinquiries，criticisms，andrequestsforinformation，whichnaturallypouredinonthediscoverer，orratherthediscloser，ofthislong-hiddenpoet，theRev。Wilfridmadeoneeffectualreply：Militaryconsiderationsforbadeanydisclosureswhichmightthrowunnecessarylightonhisnephew\'smovements。

AfterthewartheRector\'spositionwillbeoneofunthinkableembarrassment，butforthemoment，atanyrate，hehasdrivenTheForbiddenHorsepondoutofthefield。