第4章

Havingregardtothephenomenawearecompelledtoadmit，Ithinkitillogicaltodisbelieveanythingweareunabletodisprove。"

"Formypart，"remarkedMacShaughnassy，"IcanbelieveintheabilityofourspiritfriendstogivethequaintentertainmentscreditedtothemmucheasierthanIcanintheirdesiretodoso。"

"Youmean，"addedJephson，"thatyoucannotunderstandwhyaspirit，notcompelledaswearebytheexigenciesofsociety，shouldcaretospenditseveningscarryingonalabouredandchildishconversationwitharoomfullofabnormallyuninterestingpeople。"

"ThatispreciselywhatIcannotunderstand，"MacShaughnassyagreed。

"NorI，either，"saidJephson。"ButIwasthinkingofsomethingverydifferentaltogether。Supposeamandiedwiththedearestwishofhisheartunfulfilled，doyoubelievethathisspiritmighthavepowertoreturntoearthandcompletetheinterruptedwork？"

"Well，"answeredMacShaughnassy，"ifoneadmitsthepossibilityofspiritsretaininganyinterestintheaffairsofthisworldatall，itiscertainlymorereasonabletoimaginethemengageduponatasksuchasyousuggest，thantobelievethattheyoccupythemselveswiththeperformanceofmeredrawing—roomtricks。Butwhatareyouleadingupto？"

"Why，tothis，"repliedJephson，seatinghimselfstraddle—leggedacrosshischair，andleaninghisarmsupontheback。"IwastoldastorythismorningatthehospitalbyanoldFrenchdoctor。Theactualfactsarefewandsimple；allthatisknowncanbereadintheParispolicerecordsofsixty—twoyearsago。

"Themostimportantpartofthecase，however，isthepartthatisnotknown，andthatneverwillbeknown。

"Thestorybeginswithagreatwrongdonebyonemanuntoanotherman。WhatthewrongwasIdonotknow。Iaminclinedtothink，however，itwasconnectedwithawoman。Ithinkthat，becausehewhohadbeenwrongedhatedhimwhohadwrongedhimwithahatesuchasdoesnotoftenburninaman’sbrain，unlessitbefannedbythememoryofawoman’sbreath。

"Stillthatisonlyconjecture，andthepointisimmaterial。Themanwhohaddonethewrongfled，andtheothermanfollowedhim。Itbecameapoint—to—pointrace，thefirstmanhavingtheadvantageofaday’sstart。Thecoursewasthewholeworld，andthestakeswerethefirstman’slife。

"Travellerswerefewandfarbetweeninthosedays，andthismadethetraileasytofollow。Thefirstman，neverknowinghowfarorhowneartheotherwasbehindhim，andhopingnowandagainthathemighthavebaffledhim，wouldrestforawhile。Thesecondman，knowingalwaysjusthowfarthefirstonewasbeforehim，neverpaused，andthuseachdaythemanwhowasspurredbyHatedrewnearertothemanwhowasspurredbyFear。

"Atthistowntheanswertothenever—variedquestionwouldbe：—

"’Atseveno’clocklastevening，M’sieur。’

"’Seven——ah；eighteenhours。Givemesomethingtoeat，quick，whilethehorsesarebeingputto。’

"Atthenextthecalculationwouldbesixteenhours。

"Passingalonelychalet，Monsieurputshisheadoutofthewindow：—

"’Howlongsinceacarriagepassedthisway，withatall，fairmaninside？’

"’Suchaonepassedearlythismorning，M’sieur。’

"’Thanks，driveon，ahundredfrancsapieceifyouarethroughthepassbeforedaybreak。’

"’Andwhatfordeadhorses，M’sieur？’

"’Twicetheirvaluewhenliving。’

"OnedaythemanwhowasriddenbyFearlookedup，andsawbeforehimtheopendoorofacathedral，and，passingin，kneltdownandprayed。Heprayedlongandfervently，formen，whentheyareinsorestraits，clutcheagerlyatthestrawsoffaith。Heprayedthathemightbeforgivenhissin，and，moreimportantstill，thathemightbepardonedtheconsequencesofhissin，andbedeliveredfromhisadversary；andafewchairsfromhim，facinghim，knelthisenemy，prayingalso。

"Butthesecondman’sprayer，beingathanksgivingmerely，wasshort，sothatwhenthefirstmanraisedhiseyes，hesawthefaceofhisenemygazingathimacrossthechair—tops，withamockingsmileuponit。

"Hemadenoattempttorise，butremainedkneeling，fascinatedbythelookofjoythatshoneoutoftheotherman’seyes。Andtheothermanmovedthehigh—backedchairsonebyone，andcametowardshimsoftly。

"Then，justasthemanwhohadbeenwrongedstoodbesidethemanwhohadwrongedhim，fullofgladnessthathisopportunityhadcome，thereburstfromthecathedraltowerasuddenclashofbells，andtheman，whoseopportunityhadcome，brokehisheartandfellbackdead，withthatmockingsmilestillplayingroundhismouth。

"Andsohelaythere。

’Thenthemanwhohaddonethewrongroseupandpassedout，praisingGod。

"Whatbecameofthebodyoftheothermanisnotknown。Itwasthebodyofastrangerwhohaddiedsuddenlyinthecathedral。Therewasnonetoidentifyit，nonetoclaimit。

"Yearspassedaway，andthesurvivorinthetragedybecameaworthyandusefulcitizen，andanotedmanofscience。

"Inhislaboratoryweremanyobjectsnecessarytohiminhisresearches，and，prominentamongthem，stoodinacertaincornerahumanskeleton。Itwasaveryoldandmuch—mendedskeleton，andonedaythelong—expectedendarrived，andittumbledtopieces。

"Thusitbecamenecessarytopurchaseanother。

"Themanofsciencevisitedadealerhewellknew——alittleparchment—facedoldmanwhokeptadingyshop，wherenothingwaseversold，withintheshadowofthetowersofNotreDame。

"Thelittleparchment—facedoldmanhadjusttheverythingthatMonsieurwanted——asingularlyfineandwell—proportioned’study。’

ItshouldbesentroundandsetupinMonsieur’slaboratorythatveryafternoon。

"Thedealerwasasgoodashisword。WhenMonsieurenteredhislaboratorythatevening，thethingwasinitsplace。

"Monsieurseatedhimselfinhishigh—backedchair，andtriedtocollecthisthoughts。ButMonsieur’sthoughtswereunruly，andinclinedtowander，andtowanderalwaysinonedirection。

"Monsieuropenedalargevolumeandcommencedtoread。Hereadofamanwhohadwrongedanotherandfledfromhim，theothermanfollowing。Findinghimselfreadingthis，heclosedthebookangrily，andwentandstoodbythewindowandlookedout。Hesawbeforehimthesun—piercednaveofagreatcathedral，andonthestoneslayadeadmanwithamockingsmileuponhisface。

"Cursinghimselfforafool，heturnedawaywithalaugh。Buthislaughwasshort—lived，foritseemedtohimthatsomethingelseintheroomwaslaughingalso。Strucksuddenlystill，withhisfeetgluedtotheground，hestoodlisteningforawhile：thensoughtwithstartingeyesthecornerfromwherethesoundhadseemedtocome。Butthewhitethingstandingtherewasonlygrinning。

"Monsieurwipedthedampsweatfromhisheadandhands，andstoleout。

"Foracoupleofdayshedidnotentertheroomagain。Onthethird，tellinghimselfthathisfearswerethoseofahystericalgirl，heopenedthedoorandwentin。Toshamehimself，hetookhislampinhishand，andcrossingovertothefarcornerwheretheskeletonstood，examinedit。Asetofbonesboughtforthreehundredfrancs。Washeachild，tobescaredbysuchabogey！

"Heheldhislampupinfrontofthething’sgrinninghead。Theflameofthelampflickeredasthoughafaintbreathhadpassedoverit。

"Themanexplainedthistohimselfbysayingthatthewallsofthehousewereoldandcracked，andthatthewindmightcreepinanywhere。Herepeatedthisexplanationtohimselfasherecrossedtheroom，walkingbackwards，withhiseyesfixedonthething。Whenhereachedhisdesk，hesatdownandgrippedthearmsofhischairtillhisfingersturnedwhite。

"Hetriedtowork，buttheemptysocketsinthatgrinningheadseemedtobedrawinghimtowardsthem。Heroseandbattledwithhisinclinationtoflyscreamingfromtheroom。Glancingfearfullyabouthim，hiseyefelluponahighscreen，standingbeforethedoor。Hedraggeditforward，andplaceditbetweenhimselfandthething，sothathecouldnotseeit——noritseehim。Thenhesatdownagaintohiswork。Forawhileheforcedhimselftolookatthebookinfrontofhim，butatlast，unabletocontrolhimselfanylonger，hesufferedhiseyestofollowtheirownbent。

"Itmayhavebeenanhallucination。Hemayhaveaccidentallyplacedthescreensoastofavoursuchanillusion。Butwhathesawwasabonyhandcomingroundthecornerofthescreen，and，withacry，hefelltothefloorinaswoon。

"Thepeopleofthehousecamerunningin，andliftinghimup，carriedhimout，andlaidhimuponhisbed。Assoonasherecovered，hisfirstquestionwas，wherehadtheyfoundthething——

wherewasitwhentheyenteredtheroom？andwhentheytoldhimtheyhadseenitstandingwhereitalwaysstood，andhadgonedownintotheroomtolookagain，becauseofhisfrenziedentreaties，andreturnedtryingtohidetheirsmiles，helistenedtotheirtalkaboutoverwork，andthenecessityforchangeandrest，andsaidtheymightdowithhimastheywould。

"Soformanymonthsthelaboratorydoorremainedlocked。Thentherecameachillautumneveningwhenthemanofscienceopeneditagain，andcloseditbehindhim。

"Helightedhislamp，andgatheredhisinstrumentsandbooksaroundhim，andsatdownbeforetheminhishigh—backedchair。Andtheoldterrorreturnedtohim。

"Butthistimehemeanttoconquerhimself。Hisnerveswerestrongernow，andhisbrainclearer；hewouldfighthisunreasoningfear。Hecrossedtothedoorandlockedhimselfin，andflungthekeytotheotherendoftheroom，whereitfellamongjarsandbottleswithanechoingclatter。

"Lateron，hisoldhousekeeper，goingherfinalround，tappedathisdoorandwishedhimgood—night，aswashercustom。Shereceivednoresponse，atfirst，and，growingnervous，tappedlouderandcalledagain；andatlengthananswering’good—night’camebacktoher。

"Shethoughtlittleaboutitatthetime，butafterwardssherememberedthatthevoicethathadrepliedtoherhadbeenstrangelygratingandmechanical。Tryingtodescribeit，shelikenedittosuchavoiceasshewouldimaginecomingfromastatue。

"Nextmorninghisdoorremainedstilllocked。Itwasnounusualthingforhimtoworkallnightandfarintothenextday，sonoonethoughttobesurprised。When，however，eveningcame，andyethedidnotappear，hisservantsgatheredoutsidetheroomandwhispered，rememberingwhathadhappenedoncebefore。

"Theylistened，butcouldhearnosound。Theyshookthedoorandcalledtohim，thenbeatwiththeirfistsuponthewoodenpanels。

Butstillnosoundcamefromtheroom。

"Becomingalarmed，theydecidedtoburstopenthedoor，and，aftermanyblows，itgaveway，andtheycrowdedin。

Hesatboltuprightinhishigh—backedchair。Theythoughtatfirsthehaddiedinhissleep。Butwhentheydrewnearerandthelightfelluponhim，theysawthelividmarksofbonyfingersroundhisthroat；andinhiseyestherewasaterrorsuchasisnotoftenseeninhumaneyes。"

Brownwasthefirsttobreakthesilencethatfollowed。HeaskedmeifIhadanybrandyonboard。Hesaidhefeltheshouldlikejustanipofbrandybeforegoingtobed。ThatisoneofthechiefcharmsofJephson’sstories：theyalwaysmakeyoufeelyouwantalittlebrandy。

CHAPTERVI

"Cats，"remarkedJephsontome，oneafternoon，aswesatinthepuntdiscussingtheplotofournovel，"catsareanimalsforwhomI

entertainaverygreatrespect。CatsandNonconformistsseemtometheonlythingsinthisworldpossessedofapracticableworkingconscience。Watchacatdoingsomethingmeanandwrong——ifeveronegivesyouthechance；noticehowanxioussheisthatnobodyshouldseeherdoingit；andhowprompt，ifdetected，topretendthatshewasnotdoingit——thatshewasnoteventhinkingofdoingit——that，asamatteroffact，shewasjustabouttodosomethingelse，quitedifferent。Youmightalmostthinktheyhadasoul。

"OnlythismorningIwaswatchingthattortoise—shellofyoursonthehouseboat。Shewascreepingalongtheroof，behindtheflower—

boxes，stalkingayoungthrushthathadpercheduponacoilofrope。

Murdergleamedfromhereye，assassinationlurkedineverytwitchingmuscleofherbody。Asshecrouchedtospring，Fate，foroncefavouringtheweak，directedherattentiontomyself，andshebecame，forthefirsttime，awareofmypresence。ItacteduponherasaheavenlyvisionuponaBiblicalcriminal。Inaninstantshewasachangedbeing。Thewickedbeast，goingaboutseekingwhomitmightdevour，hadvanished。Initsplacesatalong—tailed，furryangel，gazingupintotheskywithanexpressionthatwasone—thirdinnocenceandtwo—thirdsadmirationofthebeautiesofnature。Whatwasshedoingthere，didIwanttoknow？Why，couldInotsee，playingwithabitofearth。SurelyIwasnotsoevil—mindedastoimagineshewantedtokillthatdearlittlebird——Godblessit。

"ThennoteanoldTom，slinkinghomeintheearlymorning，afteranightspentonaroofofbadrepute。Canyoupicturetoyourselfalivingcreaturelesseagertoattractattention？’Dearme，’youcanallbuthearitsayingtoitself，’I’dnoideaitwassolate；howtimedoesgowhenoneisenjoyingoneself。IdohopeIshan’tmeetanyoneIknow——veryawkward，it’sbeingsolight。’

"Inthedistanceitseesapoliceman，andstopssuddenlywithintheshelterofashadow。’Nowwhat’shedoingthere，’itsays，’andclosetoourdoortoo？Ican’tgoinwhilehe’shangingabout。

He’ssuretoseeandrecogniseme；andhe’sjustthesortofmantotalktotheservants。’

"Ithidesitselfbehindapostandwaits，peepingcautiouslyroundthecornerfromtimetotime。Thepoliceman，however，seemstohavetakenuphisresidenceatthatparticularspot，andthecatbecomesworriedandexcited。

"’What’sthematterwiththefool？’itmuttersindignantly；’ishedead？Whydon’themoveon，he’salwaystellingotherpeopleto。

Stupidass。’

"Justthenafar—offcryof’milk’isheard，andthecatstartsupinanagonyofalarm。’GreatScott，harkatthat！Why，everybodywillbedownbeforeIgetin。Well，Ican’thelpit。Imustchanceit。’

"Heglancesroundathimself，andhesitates。’Iwouldn’tmindifI

didn’tlooksodirtyanduntidy，’hemuses；’peoplearesopronetothinkevilinthisworld。’

"’Ah，well，’headds，givinghimselfashake，’there’snothingelseforit，ImustputmytrustinProvidence，it’spulledmethroughbefore：heregoes。’

"Heassumesanaspectofchastenedsorrow，andtrotsalongwithademureandsaddenedstep。ItisevidenthewishestoconveytheideathathehasbeenoutallnightonworkconnectedwiththeVigilanceAssociation，andisnowreturninghomesickatheartbecauseofthesightsthathehasseen。

"Hesquirmsin，unnoticed，throughawindow，andhasjusttimetogivehimselfahurriedlickdownbeforehehearsthecook’ssteponthestairs。Whensheentersthekitchenheiscurleduponthehearthrug，fastasleep。Theopeningoftheshuttersawakeshim。Herisesandcomesforward，yawningandstretchinghimself。

"’Dearme，isitmorning，then？’hesaysdrowsily。’Heigh—ho！I’vehadsuchalovelysleep，cook；andsuchabeautifuldreamaboutpoormother。’

"Cats！doyoucallthem？Why，theyareChristiansineverythingexceptthenumberoflegs。"

"Theycertainlyare，"Iresponded，"wonderfullycunninglittleanimals，anditisnotbytheirmoralandreligiousinstinctsalonethattheyaresocloselylinkedtoman；themarvellousabilitytheydisplayintakingcareof’numberone’isworthyofthehumanraceitself。Somefriendsofminehadacat，abigblackTom：theyhavegothalfofhimstill。Theyhadrearedhimfromakitten，and，intheirhomely，undemonstrativeway，theylikedhim。Therewasnothing，however，approachingpassiononeitherside。

"OnedayaChinchillacametoliveintheneighbourhood，underthechargeofanelderlyspinster，andthetwocatsmetatagardenwallparty。

"’Whatsortofdiggingshaveyougot？’askedtheChinchilla。

"’Oh，prettyfair。’

"’Nicepeople？’

"’Yes，niceenough——aspeoplego。’

"’Prettywilling？Lookafteryouwell，andallthatsortofthing？’

"’Yes——ohyes。I’venofaulttofindwiththem。’

"’What’sthevictualslike？’

"’Oh，theusualthing，youknow，bonesandscraps，andabitofdog—

biscuitnowandthenforachange。’

"’Bonesanddog—biscuits！Doyoumeantosayyoueatbones？’

"’Yes，whenIcanget’em。Why，what’swrongaboutthem？’

"’ShadeofEgyptianIsis，bonesanddog—biscuits！Don’tyouevergetanyspringchickens，orasardine，oralambcutlet？’

"’Chickens！Sardines！Whatareyoutalkingabout？Whataresardines？’

"’Whataresardines！Oh，mydearchild（theChinchillawasaladycat，andalwayscalledgentlemenfriendsalittleolderthanherself’dearchild’），thesepeopleofyoursaretreatingyoujustshamefully。Come，sitdownandtellmeallaboutit。Whatdotheygiveyoutosleepon？’

"’Thefloor。’

"’Ithoughtso；andskimmilkandwatertodrink，Isuppose？’

"’ItISabitthin。’

"’Icanquiteimagineit。Youmustleavethesepeople，mydear，atonce。’

"’ButwhereamItogoto？’

"’Anywhere。’

"’Butwho’lltakemein？’

"’Anybody，ifyougotherightwaytowork。HowmanytimesdoyouthinkI’vechangedmypeople？Seven！——andbetteredmyselfoneachoccasion。Why，doyouknowwhereIwasborn？Inapig—sty。Therewerethreeofus，motherandIandmylittlebrother。Motherwouldleaveuseveryevening，returninggenerallyjustasitwasgettinglight。Onemorningshedidnotcomeback。Wewaitedandwaited，butthedaypassedonandshedidnotreturn，andwegrewhungrierandhungrier，andatlastwelaydown，sidebyside，andcriedourselvestosleep。

"’Intheevening，peepingthroughaholeinthedoor，wesawhercomingacrossthefield。Shewascrawlingveryslowly，withherbodyclosedownagainsttheground。Wecalledtoher，andsheansweredwithalow"crroo"；butshedidnothastenherpace。

"’Shecreptinandrolledoveronherside，andwerantoher，forwewerealmoststarving。Welaylonguponherbreasts，andshelickedusoverandover。

"’Idroppedasleepuponher，andinthenightIawoke，feelingcold。

Icreptclosertoher，butthatonlymademecolderstill，andshewaswetandclammywithadarkmoisturethatwasoozingfromherside。Ididnotknowwhatitwasatthattime，butIhavelearntsince。

"’ThatwaswhenIcouldhardlyhavebeenfourweeksold，andfromthatdaytothisI’velookedaftermyself：you’vegottodothatinthisworld，mydear。Forawhile，Iandmybrotherlivedoninthatstyandkeptourselves。Itwasagrimstruggleatfirst，twobabiesfightingforlife；butwepulledthrough。Attheendofaboutthreemonths，wanderingfartherfromhomethanusual，Icameuponacottage，standinginthefields。Itlookedwarmandcosythroughtheopendoor，andIwentin：Ihavealwaysbeenblessedwithplentyofnerve。Somechildrenwereplayingroundthefire，andtheywelcomedmeandmademuchofme。Itwasanewsensationtome，andIstayedthere。Ithoughttheplaceapalaceatthetime。

"’Imighthavegoneonthinkingsoifithadnotbeenthat，passingthroughthevillageoneday，Ihappenedtocatchsightofaroombehindashop。Therewasacarpetonthefloor，andarugbeforethefire。Ihadneverknowntillthenthatthereweresuchluxuriesintheworld。Ideterminedtomakethatshopmyhome，andIdidso。’

"’Howdidyoumanageit？’askedtheblackcat，whowasgrowinginterested。

"’Bythesimpleprocessofwalkinginandsittingdown。Mydearchild，cheek’sthe"Opensesame"toeverydoor。Thecatthatworksharddiesofstarvation，thecatthathasbrainsiskickeddownstairsforafool，andthecatthathasvirtueisdrownedforascamp；butthecatthathascheeksleepsonavelvetcushionanddinesoncreamandhorseflesh。Imarchedstraightinandrubbedmyselfagainsttheoldman’slegs。Heandhiswifewerequitetakenwithwhattheycalledmy"trustfulness，"andadoptedmewithenthusiasm。StrollingaboutthefieldsofaneveningIoftenusedtohearthechildrenofthecottagecallingmyname。Itwasweeksbeforetheygaveupseekingforme。Oneofthem，theyoungest，wouldsobherselftosleepofanight，thinkingthatIwasdead：

theywereaffectionatechildren。

"’Iboardedwithmyshopkeepingfriendsfornearlyayear，andfromthemIwenttosomenewpeoplewhohadlatelycometotheneighbourhood，andwhopossessedareallyexcellentcook。IthinkI

couldhavebeenverysatisfiedwiththesepeople，but，unfortunately，theycamedownintheworld，andhadtogiveupthebighouseandthecook，andtakeacottage，andIdidnotcaretogobacktothatsortoflife。

"’AccordinglyIlookedaboutforafreshopening。Therewasacuriousoldfellowwholivednotfaroff。Peoplesaidhewasrich，butnobodylikedhim。Hewasshapeddifferentlyfromothermen。I

turnedthematteroverinmymindforadayortwo，andthendeterminedtogivehimatrial。Beingalonelysortofman，hemightmakeafussoverme，andifnotIcouldgo。

"’Mysurmiseprovedcorrect。IhaveneverbeenmorepettedthanI

wasby"Toady，"asthevillageboyshaddubbedhim。Mypresentguardianisfoolishenoughoverme，goodnessknows，butshehasotherties，while"Toady"hadnothingelsetolove，notevenhimself。HecouldhardlybelievehiseyesatfirstwhenIjumpeduponhiskneesandrubbedmyselfagainsthisuglyface。"Why，Kitty，"

hesaid，"doyouknowyou’rethefirstlivingthingthathasevercometomeofitsownaccord。"Thereweretearsinhisfunnylittleredeyesashesaidthat。

"’Iremainedtwoyearswith"Toady，"andwasveryhappyindeed。

Thenhefellill，andstrangepeoplecametothehouse，andIwasneglected。"Toady"likedmetocomeupandlieuponthebed，wherehecouldstrokemewithhislong，thinhand，andatfirstIusedtodothis。Butasickmanisnotthebestofcompany，asyoucanimagine，andtheatmosphereofasickroomnottoohealthy，so，allthingsconsidered，Ifeltitwastimeformetomakeafreshmove。

"’Ihadsomedifficultyingettingaway。"Toady"wasalwaysaskingforme，andtheytriedtokeepmewithhim：heseemedtolieeasierwhenIwasthere。Isucceededatlength，however，and，onceoutsidethedoor，Iputsufficientdistancebetweenmyselfandthehousetoensuremynotbeingcaptured，forIknew"Toady"solongashelivedwouldneverceasehopingtogetmeback。

"’Wheretogo，Ididnotknow。Twoorthreehomeswereofferedme，butnoneofthemquitesuitedme。Atoneplace，whereIputupforaday，justtoseehowIlikedit，therewasadog；andatanother，whichwouldotherwisehavedoneadmirably，theykeptababy。

Whateveryoudo，neverstopatahousewheretheykeepababy。Ifachildpullsyourtailortiesapaperbagroundyourhead，youcangiveitoneforitselfandnobodyblamesyou。"Well，serveyouright，"theysaytotheyellingbrat，"youshouldn’tteasethepoorthing。"Butifyouresentababy’sholdingyoubythethroatandtryingtogougeoutyoureyewithawoodenladle，youarecalledaspitefulbeast，and"shoo’d"allroundthegarden。Ifpeoplekeepbabies，theydon’tkeepme；that’smyrule。

"’Aftersamplingsomethreeorfourfamilies，Ifinallyfixeduponabanker。Offersmoreadvantageousfromaworldlypointofviewwereopentome。Icouldhavegonetoapublic—house，wherethevictualsweresimplyunlimited，andwherethebackdoorwasleftopenallnight。Butaboutthebanker’s（hewasalsoachurchwarden，andhiswifeneversmiledatanythinglessthanajokebythebishop）therewasanatmosphereofsolidrespectabilitythatIfeltwouldbecomfortingtomynature。Mydearchild，youwillcomeacrosscynicswhowillsneeratrespectability：don’tyoulistentothem。

Respectabilityisitsownreward——andaveryrealandpracticalreward。Itmaynotbringyoudaintydishesandsoftbeds，butitbringsyousomethingbetterandmorelasting。Itbringsyoutheconsciousnessthatyouarelivingtherightlife，thatyouaredoingtherightthing，that，sofarasearthlyingenuitycanfixit，youaregoingtotherightplace，andthatotherfolksain’t。Don’tyoueverletanyonesetyouagainstrespectability。It’sthemostsatisfyingthingIknowofinthisworld——andaboutthecheapest。

"’Iwasnearlythreeyearswiththisfamily，andwassorrywhenI

hadtogo。IshouldneverhaveleftifIcouldhavehelpedit，butonedaysomethinghappenedatthebankwhichnecessitatedthebanker’stakingasuddenjourneytoSpain，and，afterthat，thehousebecameasomewhatunpleasantplacetolivein。Noisy，disagreeablepeoplewerecontinuallyknockingatthedoorandmakingrowsinthepassage；andatnightfolksthrewbricksatthewindows。

"’Iwasinadelicatestateofhealthatthetime，andmynervescouldnotstandit。Isaidgood—byetothetown，andmakingmywaybackintothecountry，putupwithacountyfamily。

"’Theyweregreatswells，butIshouldhavepreferredthemhadtheybeenmorehomely。Iamofanaffectionatedisposition，andIlikeeveryoneaboutmetoloveme。Theyweregoodenoughtomeintheirdistantway，buttheydidnottakemuchnoticeofme，andIsoongottiredoflavishingattentionsonpeoplethatneithervaluednorrespondedtothem。

"’FromthesepeopleIwenttoaretiredpotatomerchant。Itwasasocialdescent，butarisesofarascomfortandappreciationwereconcerned。Theyappearedtobeanexceedinglynicefamily，andtobeextremelyfondofme。Isaythey"appeared"tobethesethings，becausethesequelprovedthattheywereneither。SixmonthsafterIhadcometothemtheywentawayandleftme。Theyneveraskedmetoaccompanythem。Theymadenoarrangementsformetostaybehind。

Theyevidentlydidnotcarewhatbecameofme。SuchegotisticalindifferencetotheclaimsoffriendshipIhadneverbeforemetwith。Itshookmyfaith——nevertoorobust——inhumannature。I

determinedthat，infuture，nooneshouldhavetheopportunityofdisappointingmytrustinthem。Iselectedmypresentmistressontherecommendationofagentlemanfriendofminewhohadformerlylivedwithher。Hesaidshewasanexcellentcaterer。Theonlyreasonhehadleftherwasthatsheexpectedhimtobeinatteneachnight，andthathourdidn’tfitinwithhisotherarrangements。

Itmadenodifferencetome——asamatteroffact，Idonotcareforthesemidnightreunionsthataresopopularamongstus。Therearealwaystoomanycatsforoneproperlytoenjoyoneself，andsoonerorlaterarowdyelementissuretocreepin。Iofferedmyselftoher，andsheacceptedmegratefully。ButIhaveneverlikedher，andnevershall。Sheisasillyoldwoman，andboresme。Sheis，however，devotedtome，and，unlesssomethingextraattractiveturnsup，Ishallsticktoher。

"’That，mydear，isthestoryofmylife，sofarasithasgone。I

tellityoutoshowyouhoweasyitistobe"takenin。"Fixonyourhouse，andmewpiteouslyatthebackdoor。Whenitisopenedruninandrubyourselfagainstthefirstlegyoucomeacross。Rubhard，andlookupconfidingly。Nothinggetsroundhumanbeings，I

havenoticed，quickerthanconfidence。Theydon’tgetmuchofit，anditpleasesthem。Alwaysbeconfiding。Atthesametimebepreparedforemergencies。Ifyouarestilldoubtfulastoyourreception，tryandgetyourselfslightlywet。WhypeopleshouldpreferawetcattoadryoneIhaveneverbeenabletounderstand；

butthatawetcatispracticallysureofbeingtakeninandgushedover，whileadrycatisliabletohavethegardenhoseturneduponit，isanundoubtedfact。Also，ifyoucanpossiblymanageit，anditisofferedyou，eatabitofdrybread。TheHumanRaceisalwaysstirredtoitsdeepestdepthsbythesightofacateatingabitofdrybread。’

"Myfriend’sblackTomprofitedbytheChinchilla’swisdom。A

catlesscouplehadlatelycometolivenextdoor。Hedeterminedtoadoptthemontrial。Accordingly，onthefirstrainyday，hewentoutsoonafterlunchandsatforfourhoursinanopenfield。Intheevening，soakedtotheskin，andfeelingprettyhungry，hewentmewingtotheirdoor。Oneofthemaidsopenedit，herushedunderherskirtsandrubbedhimselfagainstherlegs。Shescreamed，anddowncamethemasterandthemistresstoknowwhatwasthematter。

"’It’sastraycat，mum，’saidthegirl。

"’Turnitout，’saidthemaster。

"’Ohno，don’t，’saidthemistress。

"’Oh，poorthing，it’swet，’saidthehousemaid。

"’Perhapsit’shungry，’saidthecook。

"’Tryitwithabitofdrybread，’sneeredthemaster，whowroteforthenewspapers，andthoughthekneweverything。

"Astalecrustwasproffered。Thecatateitgreedily，andafterwardsrubbedhimselfgratefullyagainsttheman’slighttrousers。

"Thismadethemanashamedofhimself，likewiseofhistrousers。

’Oh，well，letitstopifitwantsto，’hesaid。

"Sothecatwasmadecomfortable，andstayedon。

"Meanwhileitsownfamilywereseekingforithighandlow。Theyhadnotcaredovermuchforitwhiletheyhadhadit；nowitwasgone，theywereinconsolable。Inthelightofitsabsence，itappearedtothemtheonethingthathadmadetheplacehome。Theshadowsofsuspiciongatheredroundthecase。Thecat’sdisappearance，atfirstregardedasamystery，begantoassumetheshapeofacrime。Thewifeopenlyaccusedthehusbandofneverhavinglikedtheanimal，andmorethanhintedthatheandthegardenerbetweenthemcouldgiveatolerablytruthfulaccountofitslastmoments；aninsinuationthatthehusbandrepudiatedwithawarmththatonlyaddedcredencetotheoriginalsurmise。

"Thebull—terrierwashadupandsearchinglyexamined。Fortunatelyforhim，hehadnothadasinglefightfortwowholedays。Hadanyrecenttracesofbloodbeendetecteduponhim，itwouldhavegonehardwithhim。

"Thepersonwhosufferedmost，however，wastheyoungestboy。Threeweeksbefore，hehaddressedthecatindoll’sclothesandtakenitroundthegardenintheperambulator。Hehimselfhadforgottentheincident，butJustice，thoughtardy，wasonhistrack。Themisdeedwassuddenlyrememberedattheverymomentwhenunavailingregretforthelossofthefavouritewasatitsdeepest，sothattoboxhisearsandsendhim，thenandthere，straightofftobedwasfelttobeapositiverelief。

"Attheendofafortnight，thecat，findinghehadnot，afterall，betteredhimself，cameback。Thefamilyweresosurprisedthatatfirsttheycouldnotbesurewhetherhewasfleshandblood，oraspiritcometocomfortthem。Afterwatchinghimeathalfapoundofrawsteak，theydecidedhewasmaterial，andcaughthimupandhuggedhimtotheirbosoms。Foraweektheyover—fedhimandmademuchofhim。Then，theexcitementcooling，hefoundhimselfdroppingbackintohisoldposition，anddidn’tlikeit，andwentnextdooragain。

"Thenextdoorpeoplehadalsomissedhim，andtheylikewisegreetedhisreturnwithextravagantebullitionsofjoy。Thisgavethecatanidea。Hesawthathisgamewastoplaythetwofamiliesoffoneagainsttheother；whichhedid。Hespentanalternatefortnightwitheach，andlivedlikeafightingcock。Hisreturnwasalwaysgreetedwithenthusiasm，andeverymeanswereadoptedtoinducehimtostay。Hislittlewhimswerecarefullystudied，hisfavouritedisheskeptinconstantreadiness。

"Thedestinationofhisgoingsleakedoutatlength，andthenthetwofamiliesquarrelledabouthimoverthefence。Myfriendaccusedthenewspapermanofhavingluredhimaway。Thenewspapermanretortedthatthepoorcreaturehadcometohisdoorwetandstarving，andaddedthathewouldbeashamedtokeepananimalmerelytoill—treatit。Theyhaveaquarrelabouthimtwiceaweekontheaverage。Itwillprobablycometoblowsoneofthesedays。"

Jephsonappearedmuchsurprisedbythisstory。Heremainedthoughtfulandsilent。Iaskedhimifhewouldliketohearanymore，andasheofferednoactiveoppositionIwenton。（Maybehewasasleep；thatideadidnotoccurtomeatthetime。）

Itoldhimofmygrandmother’scat，who，afterlivingablamelesslifeforupwardsofelevenyears，andbringingupafamilyofsomethinglikesixty—six，notcountingthosethatdiedininfancyandthewater—butt，tooktodrinkinheroldage，andwasrunoverwhileinastateofintoxication（oh，thejusticeofit！）byabrewer’sdray。Ihavereadintemperancetractsthatnodumbanimalwilltouchadropofalcoholicliquor。Myadviceis，ifyouwishtokeepthemrespectable，don’tgivethemachancetogetatit。I

knewapony——Butnevermindhim；wearetalkingaboutmygrandmother’scat。

Aleakybeer—tapwasthecauseofherdownfall。Asaucerusedtobeplacedunderneathittocatchthedrippings。Onedaythecat，cominginthirsty，andfindingnothingelsetodrink，lappedupalittle，likedit，andlappedalittlemore，wentawayforhalfanhour，andcamebackandfinishedthesaucerful。Thensatdownbesideit，andwaitedforittofillagain。

Fromthatdaytillthehourshedied，Idon’tbelievethatcatwaseveroncequitesober。Herdaysshepassedinadrunkenstuporbeforethekitchenfire。Hernightsshespentinthebeercellar。

Mygrandmother，shockedandgrievedbeyondexpression，gaveupherbarrelandadoptedbottles。Thecat，thuscondemnedtoenforcedabstinence，meanderedaboutthehouseforadayandahalfinadisconsolate，quarrelsomemood。Thenshedisappeared，returningateleveno’clockastightasadrum。

Whereshewent，andhowshemanagedtoprocurethedrink，weneverdiscovered；butthesameprogrammewasrepeatedeveryday。Sometimeduringthemorningshewouldcontrivetoeludeourvigilanceandescape；andlateeveryeveningshewouldcomereelinghomeacrossthefieldsinaconditionthatIwillnotsullymypenbyattemptingtodescribe。

ItwasonSaturdaynightthatshemetthesadendtowhichIhavebeforealluded。Shemusthavebeenverydrunk，forthemantoldusthat，inconsequenceofthedarkness，andthefactthathishorsesweretired，hewasproceedingatlittlemorethanasnail’space。

Ithinkmygrandmotherwasratherrelievedthanotherwise。Shehadbeenveryfondofthecatatonetime，butitsrecentconducthadalienatedheraffection。Wechildrenburieditinthegardenunderthemulberrytree，buttheoldladyinsistedthatthereshouldbenotombstone，notevenamoundraised。Soitliesthere，unhonoured，inadrunkard’sgrave。

Ialsotoldhimofanothercatourfamilyhadoncepossessed。ShewasthemostmotherlythingIhaveeverknown。Shewasneverhappywithoutafamily。Indeed，Icannotrememberherwhenshehadn’tafamilyinonestageoranother。Shewasnotveryparticularwhatsortofafamilyitwas。Ifshecouldnothavekittens，thenshewouldcontentherselfwithpuppiesorrats。Anythingthatshecouldwashandfeedseemedtosatisfyher。Ibelieveshewouldhavebroughtupchickensifwehadentrustedthemtoher。

Allherbrainsmusthaveruntomotherliness，forshehadn’tmuchsense。Shecouldnevertellthedifferencebetweenherownchildrenandotherpeople’s。Shethoughteverythingyoungwasakitten。Weoncemixedupaspanielpuppythathadlostitsownmotheramongherprogeny。Ishallneverforgetherastonishmentwhenitfirstbarked。Sheboxedbothitsears，andthensatlookingdownatitwithanexpressionofindignantsorrowthatwasreallytouching。

"You’regoingtobeacredittoyourmother，"sheseemedtobesaying"you’reanicecomforttoanyone’soldage，youare，makingarowlikethat。Andlookatyourearsfloppingalloveryourface。

Idon’tknowwhereyoupickupsuchways。"

Hewasagoodlittledog。Hedidtrytomew，andhedidtrytowashhisfacewithhispaw，andtokeephistailstill，buthissuccesswasnotcommensuratewithhiswill。Idonotknowwhichwasthesaddertoreflectupon，hiseffortstobecomeacreditablekitten，orhisfoster—mother’sdespairofevermakinghimone。

Lateronwegaveherababysquirreltorear。Shewasnursingafamilyofherownatthetime，butsheadoptedhimwithenthusiasm，undertheimpressionthathewasanotherkitten，thoughshecouldnotquitemakeouthowshehadcometooverlookhim。Hesoonbecameherprimefavourite。Shelikedhiscolour，andtookamother’sprideinhistail。Whattroubledherwasthatitwouldcockupoverhishead。Shewouldholditdownwithonepaw，andlickitbythehalf—hourtogether，tryingtomakeitsetproperly。Butthemomentsheletitgoupitwouldcockagain。Ihaveheardhercrywithvexationbecauseofthis。

Onedayaneighbouringcatcametoseeher，andthesquirrelwasclearlythesubjectoftheirtalk。

"It’sagoodcolour，"saidthefriend，lookingcriticallyatthesupposedkitten，whowassittinguponhishaunchescombinghiswhiskers，andsayingtheonlytruthfullypleasantthingabouthimthatshecouldthinkof。

"He’salovelycolour，"exclaimedourcatproudly。

"Idon’tlikehislegsmuch，"remarkedthefriend。

"No，"respondedhismotherthoughtfully，"you’rerightthere。Hislegsarehisweakpoint。Ican’tsayIthinkmuchofhislegsmyself。"

"Maybethey’llfilloutlateron，"suggestedthefriend，kindly。

"Oh，Ihopeso，"repliedthemother，regaininghermomentarilydashedcheerfulness。"Ohyes，they’llcomeallrightintime。Andthenlookathistail。Now，honestly，didyoueverseeakittenwithafinertail？"

"Yes，it’sagoodtail，"assentedtheother；"butwhydoyoudoitupoverhishead？"

"Idon’t，"answeredourcat。"Itgoesthatway。Ican’tmakeitout。Isupposeitwillcomestraightashegetsolder。"

"Itwillbeawkwardifitdon’t，"saidthefriend。

"Oh，butI’msureitwill，"repliedourcat。"Imustlickitmore。

It’satailthatwantsagooddealoflicking，youcanseethat。"

Andforhoursthatafternoon，aftertheothercathadgone，shesattrimmingit；and，attheend，whensheliftedherpawoffit，anditflewbackagainlikeasteelspringoverthesquirrel’shead，shesatandgazedatitwithfeelingsthatonlythoseamongmyreaderswhohavebeenmothersthemselveswillbeabletocomprehend。

"WhathaveIdone，"sheseemedtosay——"whathaveIdonethatthistroubleshouldcomeuponme？"

Jephsonrousedhimselfonmycompletionofthisanecdoteandsatup。

"Youandyourfriendsappeartohavebeenthepossessorsofsomeveryremarkablecats，"heobserved。

"Yes，"Ianswered，"ourfamilyhasbeensingularlyfortunateinitscats。"

"Singularlyso，"agreedJephson；"IhavenevermetbutonemanfromwhomIhaveheardmorewonderfulcattalkthan，atonetimeoranother，Ihavefromyou。"

"Oh，"Isaid，not，perhapswithoutatouchofjealousyinmyvoice，"andwhowashe？"

"Hewasaseafaringman，"repliedJephson。"ImethimonaHampsteadtram，andwediscussedthesubjectofanimalsagacity。

"’Yes，sir，’hesaid，’monkeysiscute。I’vecomeacrossmonkeysascouldgivepointstooneortwolubbersI’vesailedunder；andelephantsisprettyspry，ifyoucanbelieveallthat’stoldof’em。

I’veheardsometalltalesaboutelephants。And，ofcourse，dogshastheirheadsscrewedonallright：Idon’tsayastheyain’t。

ButwhatIdosayis：thatforstraightfor’ard，level—headedreasoning，givemecats。Yousee，sir，adog，hethinksapowerfuldealofaman——neverwassuchacutethingasaman，inadog’sopinion；andhetakesgoodcarethateverybodyknowsit。Naturallyenough，wesaysadogisthemostintellectualanimalthereis。Nowacat，she’sgotherownopinionabouthumanbeings。Shedon’tsaymuch，butyoucantellenoughtomakeyouanxiousnottohearthewholeofit。Theconsequenceis，wesaysacat’sgotnointelligence。That’swhereweletourprejudicesteerourjudgmentwrong。Inamatterofplaincommonsense，thereain’tacatlivingascouldn’ttaketheleesideofadogandflyroundhim。Now，haveyouevernoticedadogattheendofachain，tryingtokillacatasissittingwashingherfacethree—quartersofaninchoutofhisreach？Ofcourseyouhave。Well，who’sgotthesenseoutofthosetwo？Thecatknowsthatitain’tinthenatureofsteelchainstostretch。Thedog，whoought，you’dthink，toknowadurnedsightmoreabout’emthanshedoes，issuretheywillifyouonlybarkloudenough。

"’Thenagain，haveyoueverbeenmademadbycatsscreechinginthenight，andjumpedoutofbedandopenedthewindowandyelledatthem？Didtheyeverbudgeaninchforthat，thoughyoushriekedloudenoughtoskeerthedead，andwavedyourarmsaboutlikeamaninaplay？Notthey。They’veturnedandlookedatyou，that’sall。

"Yellaway，oldman，"they’vesaid，"weliketohearyou：themorethemerrier。"Thenwhathaveyoudone？Why，you’vesnatchedupahair—brush，oraboot，oracandlestick，andmadeasifyou’dthrowitatthem。They’veseenyourattitude，they’veseenthethinginyourhand，buttheyain’tmovedapoint。Theyknewasyouweren’tgoingtochuckvaluablepropertyoutofwindowwiththechanceofgettingitlostorspoiled。They’vegotsensethemselves，andtheygiveyoucreditforhavingsome。Ifyoudon’tbelievethat’sthereason，youtryshowingthemalumpofcoal，orhalfabrick，nexttime——somethingastheyknowyouWILLthrow。Beforeyou’rereadytoheaveit，therewon’tbeacatwithinaim。

"’Thenastojudgmentandknowledgeoftheworld，whydogsarebabiesto’em。Haveyouevertriedtellingayarnbeforeacat，sir？’

"Irepliedthatcatshadoftenbeenpresentduringanecdotalrecitalsofmine，butthat，hitherto，Ihadpaidnoparticularattentiontotheirdemeanour。

"’Ah，well，youtakeanopportunityofdoingsooneday，sir，’

answeredtheoldfellow；’it’sworththeexperiment。Ifyou’retellingastorybeforeacat，andshedon’tgetuneasyduringanypartofthenarrative，youcanreckonyou’vegotholdofathingasitwillbesafeforyoutotelltotheLordChiefJusticeofEngland。

"’I’vegotamessmate，’hecontinued；’WilliamCooleyishisname。

WecallhimTruthfulBilly。He’sasgoodaseamanasevertrodquarter—deck；butwhenhegetsspinningyarnsheain’tthesortofmanasIcouldadviseyoutorelyupon。Well，Billy，he’sgotadog，andI’veseenhimsitandtellyarnsbeforethatdogthatwouldmakeacatsquirmoutofitsskin，andthatdog’staken’eminandbelieved’em。Onenight，upathisoldwoman’s，Billtoldusayarnbythesideofwhichsaltjunktwovoyagesoldwouldpassforspringchicken。Iwatchedthedog，toseehowhewouldtakeit。Helistenedtoitfrombeginningtoendwithcockedears，andneversomuchasblinked。Everynowandthenhewouldlookroundwithanexpressionofastonishmentordelightthatseemedtosay：

"Wonderful，isn’tit！""Dearme，justthinkofit！""Didyouever！""Well，ifthatdon’tbeateverything！"Hewasachuckle—

headeddog；youcouldhavetoldhimanything。

"’ItirritatedmethatBillshouldhavesuchananimalabouthimtoencouragehim，andwhenhehadfinishedIsaidtohim，"Iwishyou’dtellthatyarnroundatmyquartersoneevening。"

"’Why？’saidBill。

"’Oh，it’sjustafancyofmine，’Isays。Ididn’ttellhimIwaswantingmyoldcattohearit。

"’Oh，allright，’saysBill，’youremindme。’Helovedyarning，Billydid。

"’Nextnightbutoneheslingshimselfupinmycabin，andIdoesso。Nothingloth，offhestarts。Therewasabouthalf—a—dozenofusstretchedround，andthecatwassittingbeforethefirefussingitselfup。BeforeBillhadgotfairlyunderweigh，shestopswashingandlooksupatme，puzzledlike，asmuchastosay，"Whathavewegothere，amissionary？"Isignalledtohertokeepquiet，andBillwentonwithhisyarn。Whenhegottothepartaboutthesharks，sheturneddeliberatelyroundandlookedathim。Itellyoutherewasanexpressionofdisgustonthatcat’sfaceasmighthavemadeatravellingCheapJackfeelashamedofhimself。Itwasthathuman，Igiveyoumyword，sir，Iforgotforthemomentasthepooranimalcouldn’tspeak。Icouldseethewordsthatwereonitslips：

"Whydon’tyoutellusyouswallowedtheanchor？"andIsatontenter—hooks，fearingeachinstantthatshewouldsaythemaloud。

ItwasarelieftomewhensheturnedherbackonBill。

"’Forafewminutesshesatverystill，andseemedtobewrestlingwithherselflike。Ineversawacatmoresetoncontrollingitsfeelings，orthatseemedtosuffermoreinsilence。Itmademyheartachetowatchit。

"’AtlastBillcametothepointwhereheandthecaptainbetween’emholdtheshark’smouthopenwhilethecabin—boydivesinheadforemost，andfetchesup，undigested，thegoldwatchandchainasthebo’sunwasa—wearingwhenhefelloverboard；andatthattheoldcatgiv’dascreech，androlledoveronhersidewithherlegsintheair。

"’Ithoughtatfirstthepoorthingwasdead，butsheralliedafterabit，anditseemedasthoughshehadbracedherselfuptohearthethingout。

"’Butalittlefurtheron，Billgottoomuchforheragain，andthistimesheownedherselfbeat。Sheroseupandlookedroundatus：

"You’llexcuseme，gentlemen，"shesaid——leastwaysthatiswhatshesaidiflooksgoforanything——"maybeyou’reusedtothissortofrubbish，anditdon’tgetonyournerves。Withmeit’sdifferent。

IguessI’veheardasmuchofthisfool’stalkasmyconstitutionwillstand，andifit’sallthesametoyouI’llgetoutsidebeforeI’msick。"

"’Withthatshewalkeduptothedoor，andIopeneditforher，andshewentout。

"’Youcan’tfoolacatwithtalksameasyoucanadog。’"

CHAPTERVII

Doesmaneverreform？Balzacsayshedoesn’t。Sofarasmyexperiencegoes，itagreeswiththatofBalzac——afacttheadmirersofthatauthorareatlibertytomakewhatuseoftheyplease。

WhenIwasyoungandaccustomedtotakemyviewsoflifefrompeoplewhowereolderthanmyself，andwhoknewbetter，sotheysaid，I

usedtobelievethathedid。Examplesof"reformedcharacters"werefrequentlypointedouttome——indeed，ourvillage，situateafewmilesfromasmallseaporttown，seemedtobepeculiarlyrichinsuch。Theywere，fromallaccounts，includingtheirown，personswhohadformerlybehavedwithquiteunnecessarydepravity，andwho，atthetimeIknewthem，appearedtobegoingtoequallyobjectionablelengthsintheoppositedirection。Theyinvariablybelongedtooneoftwoclasses，thelow—spiritedortheaggressivelyunpleasant。Theysaid，andIbelieved，thattheywerehappy；butI

couldnothelpreflectinghowverysadtheymusthavebeenbeforetheywerehappy。

Oneofthem，asmall，meek—eyedoldmanwithapipingvoice，hadbeenexceptionallywildinhisyouth。WhathadbeenhisspecialvillainyIcouldneverdiscover。Peoplerespondedtomyinquiriesbysayingthathehadbeen"Oh，generallybad，"andincreasedmylongingfordetailbyaddingthatlittleboysoughtnottowanttoknowaboutsuchthings。FromtheirtoneandmannerIassumedthathemusthavebeenapirateattheveryleast，andregardedhimwithawe，notunmingledwithsecretadmiration。

Whateveritwas，hehadbeensavedfromitbyhiswife，abonyladyofunprepossessingappearance，butirreproachableviews。

Onedayhecalledatourhouseforsomepurposeorother，and，beingleftalonewithhimforafewminutes，Itooktheopportunityofinterviewinghimpersonallyonthesubject。

"Youwereverywickedonce，weren’tyou？"Isaid，seekingbyemphasisonthe"once"tomitigatewhatIfeltmightbethedisagreeablenatureofthequestion。

Tomyintensesurprise，agleamofshamefulglorylituphiswizenedface，andasoundwhichItriedtothinkasigh，butwhichsoundedlikeachuckle，escapedhislips。

"Ay，"hereplied；"I’vebeenabitofaspankerinmytime。"

Theterm"spanker"insuchconnectionpuzzledme。Ihadbeenhithertoledtoregardaspankerasaneminentlyconscientiousperson，especiallywheretheshort—comingsofotherpeoplewereconcerned；apersonwholabouredforthegoodofothers。Thatthewordcouldalsobeemployedtodesignateasinfulpartywasarevelationtome。

"Butyouaregoodnow，aren’tyou？"Icontinued，dismissingfurtherreflectionupontheetymologyof"spanker"toamorefittingoccasion。

"Ay，ay，"heanswered，hiscountenanceresumingitscustomaryaspectofresignedmelancholy。"Ibeabrandpluckedfromtheburning，I

be。Therebeantmuchwrongwi’DeaconSawyers，now。"

"Anditwasyourwifethatmadeyougood，wasn’tit？"Ipersisted，determined，nowthatIhadstartedthisinvestigation，toobtainconfirmationatfirsthandonallpoints。

Atthementionofhiswifehisfeaturesbecamesuddenlytransformed。

Glancinghurriedlyround，tomakesure，apparently，thatnoonebutmyselfwaswithinhearing，heleanedacrossandhissedthesewordsintomyear——Ihaveneverforgottenthem，therewasaringofsuchevidentsincerityaboutthem—

"I’dliketoskinher，I’dliketoskinheralive。"

Itstruckme，eveninthelightofmythenlimitedjudgment，asanunregeneratewish；andthusearlymyfaithinthepossibilityofman’sreformationreceivedthefirstofthosemanyblowsthathaveresultedinshatteringit。

Nature，whetherhumanorotherwise，wasnotmadetobereformed。

Youcandevelop，youcancheck，butyoucannotalterit。

Youcantakeasmalltigerandtrainittositonahearthrug，andtolapmilk，andsolongasyouprovideitwithhearthrugstolieonandsufficientmilktodrink，itwillpurrandbehavelikeanaffectionatedomesticpet。Butitisatiger，withallatiger’sinstincts，anditsprogenytotheendofalltimewillbetigers。

Inthesameway，youcantakeanapeanddevelopitthroughafewthousandgenerationsuntilitlosesitstailandbecomesanaltogethersuperiorape。Youcangoondevelopingitthroughstillafewmorethousandsofgenerationsuntilitgatherstoitselfoutofthewastevapoursofeternityanintellectandasoul，bytheaidofwhichitisenabledtokeeptheoriginalapishnaturemoreorlessundercontrol。

Buttheapeisstillthere，andalwayswillbe，andeverynowandagain，whenConstableCivilisationturnshisbackforamoment，asduring"SpanishFuries，"or"Septembermassacres，"orWesternmobrule，itcreepsoutandbitesandtearsatquiveringflesh，orplungesitshairyarmselbowdeepinblood，ordancesroundaburningnigger。

Iknewamanonce——or，rather，Iknewofaman——whowasaconfirmeddrunkard。Hebecameandcontinuedadrunkard，notthroughweakness，butthroughwill。Whenhisfriendsremonstratedwithhim，hetoldthemtomindtheirownbusiness，andtolethimmindhis。Ifhesawanyreasonfornotgettingdrunkhewouldgiveitup。Meanwhilehelikedgettingdrunk，andhemeanttogetdrunkasoftenaspossible。

Hewentaboutitdeliberately，anddiditthoroughly。Fornearlytenyears，soitwasreported，heneverwenttobedsober。Thismaybeanexaggeration——itwouldbeasingularreportwereitnot——butitcanberelieduponassufficientlytruthfulforallpracticalpurposes。

Thentherecameadaywhenhedidseeareasonfornotgettingdrunk。Hesignednopledge，hetooknooath。Hesaid，"Iwillnevertouchanotherdropofdrink，"andfortwenty—sixyearshekepthisword。

Attheendofthattimeacombinationofcircumstancesoccurredthatmadelifetroublesometohim，sothathedesiredtoberidofitaltogether。Hewasamanaccustomed，whenhedesiredathingwithinhisreach，tostretchouthishandandtakeit。Hereviewedthecasecalmly，anddecidedtocommitsuicide。

Ifthethingweretobedoneatall，itwouldbebest，forreasonsthatifsetforthwouldmakethisalongstory，thatitshouldbedonethatverynight，and，ifpossible，beforeeleveno’clock，whichwastheearliesthouracertainpersoncouldarrivefromacertainplace。

Itwasthenfourintheafternoon。Heattendedtosomenecessarybusiness，andwrotesomenecessaryletters。Thisoccupiedhimuntilseven。Hethencalledacabanddrovetoasmallhotelinthesuburbs，engagedaprivateroom，andorderedupmaterialsforthemakingoftheparticularpunchthathadbeenthelastbeveragehehadgotdrunkon，six—and—twentyyearsago。

Forthreehourshesattheredrinkingsteadily，withhiswatchbeforehim。Athalf—pasttenherangthebell，paidhisbill，camehome，andcuthisthroat。

Foraquarterofacenturypeoplehadbeencallingthatmana"reformedcharacter。"Hischaracterhadnotreformedonejot。Thecravingfordrinkhadneverdied。Fortwenty—sixyearshehad，beingagreatman，helditgrippedbythethroat。Whenallthingsbecameamatterofindifferencetohim，heloosenedhisgrasp，andtheevilinstinctroseupwithinhimasstrongonthedayhediedasonthedayheforceditdown。

Thatisallamancando，prayforstrengthtocrushdowntheevilthatisinhim，andtokeepithelddowndayafterday。Ineverhearwashytalkabout"changedcharacters"and"reformednatures"

butIthinkofasermonIonceheardataWesleyanrevivalistmeetingintheBlackCountry。

"Ah！myfriends，we’veallofusgotthedevilinsideus。I’vegothim，you’vegothim，"criedthepreacher——hewasanoldman，withlongwhitehairandbeard，andwild，fightingeyes。Mostofthepreacherswhocame"reviving，"asitwascalled，throughthatdistrict，hadthoseeyes。Someofthemneeded"reviving"

themselves，inquiteanothersense，beforetheygotclearoutofit。

Iamspeakingnowofmorethanthirtyyearsago。

"Ah！soushave——soushave，"cametheresponse。

"Andyoucarn’tgetridofhim，"continuedthespeaker。

"Notofoursel’s，"ejaculatedaferventvoiceattheendoftheroom，"buttheLordwillhelpus。"

Theoldpreacherturnedonhimalmostfiercely：—

"Butth’Lordwoan’t，"heshouted；"doan’t’eereckononthat，lad。

Ye’vegothiman’ye’vegottakeephim。Yecarn’tgetridofhim。

Th’Lorddoan’tmean’eeto。"

Heretherebrokeforthmurmursofangrydisapproval，buttheoldfellowwenton，unheeding：—

"Itarn’tgoodfor’eetogetridofhim。Ye’vejustgottohughimtight。Doan’tlethimgo。Holdhimfast，and——LAMINTOHIM。I

tell’eeit’sgood，healthyChristianexercise。"

Wehadbeendiscussingthesubjectwithreferencetoourhero。IthadbeensuggestedbyBrownasanunhackneyedidea，andonelendingitself，therefore，tocomparativefreshnessoftreatment，thatourheroshouldbeathorough—pacedscamp。

Jephsonsecondedtheproposal，forthereasonthatitwouldthebetterenableustoaccomplishartisticwork。Hewasofopinionthatweshouldbemoresureofourgroundindrawingavillainthaninattemptingtoportrayagoodman。

MacShaughnassythirded（ifImaycoinwhathasoftenappearedtometobeamuch—neededword）themotionwithardour。Hewastired，hesaid，ofthecrystal—hearted，noble—thinkingyoungmanoffiction。

Besides，itmadebadreadingforthe"youngperson。"Itgaveherfalseideas，andmadeherdissatisfiedwithmankindashereallyis。

And，thereupon，helaunchedforthandsketchedushisideaofahero，withreferencetowhomIcanonlysaythatIshouldnotliketomeethimonadarknight。

Brown，ouroneearnestmember，beggedustobereasonable，andremindedus，notforthefirsttime，andnot，perhaps，altogetherunnecessarily，thatthesemeetingswereforthepurposeofdiscussingbusiness，notoftalkingnonsense。

Thusadjured，weattackedthesubjectconscientiously。

Brown’sideawasthatthemanshouldbeanout—and—outblackguard，untilaboutthemiddleofthebook，whensomeeventshouldtranspirethatwouldhavetheeffectofcompletelyreforminghim。ThisnaturallybroughtthediscussiondowntothequestionwithwhichI

havecommencedthischapter：Doesmaneverreform？Iarguedinthenegative，andgavethereasonsformydisbeliefmuchasIhavesetthemforthhere。MacShaughnassy，ontheotherhand，contendedthathedid，andinstancedthecaseofhimself——amanwho，inhisearlydays，soheasserted，hadbeenascatterbrained，impracticableperson，entirelywithoutstability。

Imaintainedthatthiswasmerelyanexampleofenormouswill—powerenablingamantoovercomeandrisesuperiortothedefectsofcharacterwithwhichnaturehadhandicappedhim。

"Myopinionofyou，"Isaid，"isthatyouarenaturallyahopelesslyirresponsible，well—meaningass。But，"Icontinuedquickly，seeinghishandreachingouttowardsacompleteShakespeareinonevolumethatlayuponthepiano，"yourmentalcapabilitiesareofsuchextraordinarypowerthatyoucandisguisethisfact，andmakeyourselfappearamanofsenseandwisdom。"

BrownagreedwithmethatinMacShaughnassy’scasetracesoftheformerdispositionwereclearlyapparent，butpleadedthattheillustrationwasanunfortunateone，andthatitoughtnottohaveweightinthediscussion。

"Seriouslyspeaking，"saidhe，"don’tyouthinkthattherearesomeexperiencesgreatenoughtobreakupandre—formaman’snature？"

"Tobreakup，"Ireplied，"yes；buttore—form，no。Passingthroughagreatexperiencemayshatteraman，oritmaystrengthenaman，justaspassingthroughafurnacemaymeltorpurifymetal，butnofurnaceeverlituponthisearthcanchangeabarofgoldintoabaroflead，orabarofleadintooneofgold。"

IaskedJephsonwhathethought。Hedidnotconsiderthebarofgoldsimileagoodone。Heheldthataman’scharacterwasnotanimmutableelement。Helikenedittoadrug——poisonorelixir——

compoundedbyeachmanforhimselffromthepharmacopoeiaofallthingsknowntolifeandtime，andsawnoimpossibility，thoughsomeimprobability，intheglassbeingflungasideandafreshdraughtpreparedwithpainandlabour。

"Well，"Isaid，"letusputthecasepractically；didyoueverknowaman’scharactertochange？"

"Yes，"heanswered，"Ididknowamanwhosecharacterseemedtometobecompletelychangedbyanexperiencethathappenedtohim。Itmay，asyousay，onlyhavebeenthathewasshattered，orthatthelessonmayhavetaughthimtokeephisnaturaldispositioneverundercontrol。Theresult，inanycase，wasstriking。"

Weaskedhimtogiveusthehistoryofthecase，andhedidso。