第12章

CHAPTERII。 LETTERSFORTHEPOST。 Nothingbutdroughtanddearth，butbushandbrake，Whichwaysoe\'erIlook，Isee。 Somemaydreammerrily，butwhentheywake，Theydressthemselves，andcometothee。 GEORGEHERBERT——Home。 Hegothiswritingmaterials，andwrotetotheeffect，thatagraduateofaScotchuniversitywaspreparedtogiveprivatelessonsintheclassicsandmathematics，oreveninanyoftheinferiorbranchesofeducation，&c。，&c。ThishewouldtaketotheTimesnextday。 Assoonashehaddonethis，Dutyliftedupherhead，andcalledhim。Heobeyed，andwrotetohismother。Dutycalledagain；andhewrote，thoughwithmuchtrepidationandhumiliation，toDavidElginbrod。 Itwasagoodbeginning。HehadcommencedhisLondonlifeindoingwhatheknewheoughttodo。HistrepidationinwritingtoDavid，aroseinpart，itmustbeconfessed，fromthestrangeresultofoneoftheexperimentsatArnstead。 Thiswashisletter。Buthesatandmeditatedalongtimebeforehebeganit。 “MYDEARFRIEND，——IfIdidnotthinkyouwouldforgiveme，Ishouldfeel，nowthatIhaveonceallowedmymindtorestuponmyconducttoyou，asifIcouldneverholdupmyheadagain。Aftermuchoccupationofthoughtandfeelingwithotherthings，aseasonofsilencehascome，andmysinslookmeintheface。Firstofthemallismyneglectofyou，towhomIowemorethantoanymanelse，except，perhaps，myfather。Forgiveme，forforgiveness\'sake。Youknowittakesalongtimeforachildtoknowitsmother。Ittakeseverythingasamatterofcourse，tillsuddenlyonedayitliftsupitseyes，andknowsthatafaceislookingatit。Ihavebeenlikethechildtowardsyou；butIambeginningtofeelwhatyouhavebeentome。Iwanttobegood。IamverylonelynowingreatnoisyLondon。Writetome，ifyouplease，andcomfortme。IwishIwereasgoodasyou。Theneverythingwouldgorightwithme。DonotsupposethatIamingreattroubleofanykind。AsyetIamverycomfortable，asfarasexternalcircumstancesgo。ButIhaveakindofachinginsideme。Somethingisnotright，andIwantyourhelp。 YouwillknowwhatImean。WhatamItodo？Pleasetoremembermeinthekindest，mostgratefulmannertoMrs。ElginbrodandMargaret。 ItismorethanIdeserve，butIhopetheyhavenotforgottenmeasIhaveseemedtoforgetthem。 “Iam，mydearMr。Elginbrod，“Youroldfriend，“HUGHSUTHERLAND。“ Imayaswellinserthereanotherletter，whicharrivedatTurriepuffit，likewiseaddressedtoDavid，somesixweeksaftertheforegoing。TheywerebothtakentoJanet，ofcourse： “SIR，——Ihaveheardfromonewhoknowsyou，thatyoubelieve——reallybelieveinGod。ThatiswhyIwritetoyou。Itmayseemverystrangeinmetodoso，buthowcanIhelpit？Iamaveryunhappywoman，forIaminthepowerofabadman。Icannotexplainitalltoyou，andIwillnotattemptit；forsometimesIalmostthinkIamoutofmymind，andthatitisalladelusion。But，alas！delusionornot，itisadreadfulrealitytomeinallitsconsequences。Itisofsuchanaturethatnoonecanhelpme——butGod，iftherebeaGod；andifyoucanmakemebelievethatthereisaGod，Ishallnotneedtobepersuadedthathewillhelpme；forIwillbesiegehimwithprayersnightanddaytosetmefree。AndevenifIamoutofmymind，whocanhelpmebuthim？Ah！isitnotwhenwearedriventodespair，whenthereisnomorehelpanywhere，thatwelookaroundforsomepowerofgoodthatcanputrightallthatiswrong？Tellme，dearsir，whattodo。TellmethattherecertainlyisaGod； elseIshalldieraving。Hesaidyouknewabouthimbetterthananybodyelse。 “Iam，honouredSir，“Yourobedientservant，“EUPHRASIACAMERON。 “Arnstead，Surrey，&c。，&c。“ David\'sanswertothisletter，wouldhavebeensomethingworthhaving。ButIthinkitwouldhavebeenallsummedupinoneword： Tryandsee：callandlisten。 ButwhatcouldJanetdowithsuchletters？Shedidtheonlythingshecould：shesentthemtoMargaret。 Hughfounditnogreathardshiptogotobedinthesameroominwhichhesat。Thebedlookedpeculiarlyinviting；for，strangetotell，itwasactuallyhungwiththesamepatternofold-fashionedchintz，asthebedwhichhadbeenhisfromhisearliestrecollection，tillhelefthisfather\'shouse。Howcouldhemistakethetrees，growingwithtuftstotheground，orthegreatbirdswhichheusedtothinkwerecrows，notwithstandingtheirredandyellowplumage？Itwasalloverred，brown，andyellow。Hecouldremember，andreconstructtheveryfaces，distortedandawful，which，inthedeliriumofchildishsicknesses，heusedtodiscoverinthefoliageandstemsofthetrees。Itmadethewholeplaceseemtohimhomelyandkind。Whenhegottired，hekneltbyhisbedside，whichhehadnotdoneforalongtime，andthenwenttobed。 Hardship！No。Itwasverypleasanttoseethedyingfire，andhisbooksaboutandhispapers；andtodream，half-asleepandhalf-awake，thatthehouse-fairieswerestealingouttogambolforalittleinthefire-lightedsilenceoftheroomasheslept，andtovanishastheembersturnedblack。Hehadnotbeensohappyforalongtimeasnow。Thewritingofthatletterhadremovedaloadfromhisheart。True，wecanneverbeatpeacetillwehaveperformedthehighestdutyofall——tillwehavearisen，andgonetoourFather；buttheperformanceofsmallerduties，yes，evenofthesmallest，willdomoretogiveustemporaryrepose，willactmoreashealthfulanodynes，thanthegreatestjoysthatcancometousfromanyotherquarter。Hesoonfellasleep，anddreamedthathewasalittlechildlostinasnow-storm；andthatjustasthesnowhadreachedabovehishead，andhewasbeginningtobesmothered，agreathandcaughtholdofhimbythearmandliftedhimout；and，lo！thestormhadceased，andthestarsweresparklingoverheadlikediamondsthathadbeendrinkingthelightofthesunallday；andhesawthatitwasDavid，asstrongasever，whohadrescuedhim，thelittlechild，andwasleadinghimhometoJanet。Buthegotsleepyandfaintupontheway，whichwaslongandcold；andthenDavidliftedhimupandcarriedhiminhisbosom，andhefellasleep。 Whenhewoke，and，openinghiseyes，lookeduptohimwhoborehim，itwasDavidnolonger。Thefacewasthatwhichwasmarredmorethananyman\'s，becausethesoulwithinhadlovedmore；itwasthefaceoftheSonofMan，andhewascarryinghimlikealambinhisbosom。Hegazedmoreandmoreastheytravelledthroughthecoldnight；andthejoyoflyingintheembraceofthatman，grewandgrew，tillitbecametoostrongforthebondsofsleep；andheawokeinthefogofaLondonmorning。 CHAPTERIII。 ENDEAVOURS。 And，evenshouldmisfortunescome，——I，herewhasit，haemetwi\'some，An\'sthankfu\'forthemyet。 Theygiethewitofagetoyouth； Theyletuskenoursel\'； Theymak\'usseethenakedtruth，Therealguidandill。 Tho\'losses，andcrosses，Belessonsrightsevere，There\'switthere，ye\'llgetthere，Ye\'llfindnaeotherwhere。 BURNS。 HughtookhisadvertisementtotheTimesoffice，andpaidwhatseemedtohimanawfulamountforitsinsertion。ThenhewanderedaboutLondontillthemiddleoftheday，whenhewentintoabaker\'sshop，andboughttwopennyloaves，whichheputinhispocket。 HavingfoundhiswaytotheBritishMuseum，hedevouredthemathisleisureashewalkedthroughtheGrecianandRomansaloons。“Whatistheuseofgoodhealth，“hesaidtohimself，“ifamancannotliveuponbread？”Porridgeandoatmealcakeswouldhavepleasedhimaswell；butthatfoodforhorsesisnotsoeasilyprocuredinLondon，andcostsmorethantheother。AcousinofhishadlivedinEdinburghforsixmonthsuponeighteen-penceaweekinthatway，andhadsleptthegreaterpartofthetimeuponthefloor，traininghimselfforthehardshipsofasoldier\'slife。Andhecouldnotforgetthecollegeyouthwhomhiscomradeshadconsideredmean，tilltheylearnedthat，outofhispoorbursaryoffourteenpoundsasession，andwhathecouldmakebesidesbyprivateteachingattheratepreviouslymentionedorevenless，hehelpedhisparentstoeducateayoungerbrother；and，inordertodoso，livedhimselfuponoatmealandpotatoes。Buttheydidnotfindthisouttillafterhewasdead，poorfellow！Hecouldnotstandit。 Ioughtatthesametimetomention，thatHughrarelymadeuseofacrossingonamuddyday，withoutfindingahalf-pennysomewhereabouthimforthesweeper。Hewouldratherwalkthroughoceansofmud，thancrossatthenaturalplacewhenhehadnocoppers——especiallyifhehadpatentleatherbootson。 Afterhehadeatenhisbread，hewenthometogetsomewater。Then，ashehadnothingelsetodo，hesatdowninhisroom，andbegantomanufactureastory，thinkingitjustpossibleitmightbeacceptedbyoneorotherofthepseudo-literarypublicationswithwhichLondonisinundatedinhebdomadalfloods。Hefoundspinningalmostaseasyasifhehadbeenaspider，forhehadareadyinvention，andanaturalgiftofspeech；sothat，inafewdays，hehadfinishedastory，quiteasgoodasmostofthosethatappearinthebettersortofweeklypublications。This，inhismodesty，hesenttooneoftheinferiorsort，andheardnothingmoreofitthanifhehadflungitintothesea。Possiblyheflewtoolow。Hetriedagain，butwithnobettersuccess。Hisambitiongrewwithhisdisappointments，orperhapsratherwiththeexerciseofhisfaculties。Beforemanydayshadpassedhemadeuphismindtotryanovel。Forthreemonthsheworkedatthissixhoursadayregularly。Whenmaterialfailedhim，fromtheexhaustionconsequentuponuninterruptedproduction，hewouldrecreatehimselfbylyingfallowforanhourortwo，orwalkingoutinamoodformerelypassiveobservation。Butthisanticipates。 Hisadvertisementdidnotproduceasingleinquiry，andheshrunkfromspendingmoremoneyinsuchanapparentlyunprofitableappliance。Dayafterdaywentby，andnovoicereachedhimfromtheunknownworldoflabour。Hewentatlasttoseveralstationers\' shopsintheneighbourhood，boughtsomenecessaryarticles，andtooktheseopportunitiesofaskingiftheyknewofanyoneinwantofsuchassistanceashecouldgive。Butunpleasantashefeltittomakesuchinquiries，hesoonfoundthattomostpeopleitwasequallyunpleasanttoreplytothem。Thereseemedtobesomethingdisreputableinhavingtoanswersuchquestions，tojudgefromtheconstrained，indifferent，andsometimes，thoughnotoften，surlyanswerswhichhereceived。“Canitbe，“thoughtHugh，“asdisgracefultoaskforworkastoaskforbread？”Ifhehadhadathousandayear，andhadwantedasituationofanotherthousand，itwouldhavebeenquitecommendable；buttotrytoeludecoldandhungerbyinquiringafterpaltryshillings\'worthsofhardlabour，wasdespicable。 Soheplacedthemorehopeuponhisnovel，andworkedatthatdiligently。Buthedidnotfinditquitesoeasyashehadatfirstexpected。Noonefindsanythingeithersoeasyorsodifficultas，inoppositemoods，hehadexpectedtofindit。Everythingispossible；butwithoutlabourandfailurenothingisachievable。Thelabour，however，comesnaturally，andexperiencegrowswithoutagonizingtransitions；whilethefailuregenerallypoints，initsdetectedcause，tothewayoffuturesuccess。Heworkedon。 Hedidnot，however，forgetthering。Frequentwerehismeditations，inthepausesofhisstory，andwhenwalkinginthestreets，astothebestmeansofrecoveringit。Ishouldrathersayanymeansthanbest；foritwasnotyetaquestionofchoiceanddegrees。Thecountcouldnotbuthaveknownthattheringwasofnomoneyvalue；thereforeitwasnotlikelythathehadstolenitinordertopartwithitagain。Consequentlyitwouldbeofnousetoadvertiseit，ortosearchforitinthepawnbrokers\'orsecond-handjewellers\'shops。Tofindthecrystal，itwasclearasitselfthathemustfirstfindthecount。 Buthow？——Hecouldthinkofnoplan。Anyalarmwouldplacethecountonthedefensive，andthejewelatoncebeyondreach。 Besides，hewishedtokeepthewholematterquiet，andgainhisobjectwithouthisoranyothernamecomingbeforethepublic。 Thereforehewouldnotventuretoapplytothepolice，thoughdoubtlesstheywouldbeabletodiscovertheman，ifhewereanywhereinLondon。Hesurmisedthatinallprobabilitytheyknewhimalready。Buthecouldnotcometoanyconclusionastotheobjecthemusthavehadinviewinsecuringsuchatrifle。 Hughhadallbutforgottenthecount\'schequeforahundredguineas； for，inthefirstplace，hehadneverintendedpresentingit——therepugnancewhichsomemindsfeeltousingmoneywhichtheyhaveneitherreceivedbygiftnoracquiredbyhonestearning，beingatleastequaltothepleasureothermindsfeelingainingitwithouttheexpenseofeitherlabourorobligation；andinthesecondplace，sinceheknewmoreaboutthedrawer，hehadfeltsurethatitwouldbeofnousetopresentit。Tomakethislatterconvictionacertainty，hedidpresentit，andfoundthattherewerenoeffects。 CHAPTERIV。 ALETTERFROMTHEPOST。 Hipolito。Isyourwifethendeparted？ Orlando。She\'sanolddwellerinthosehighcountries，yetnotfromme：here，she\'shere；agoodcoupleareseldomparted——DEKKER。 Whatwonderfulthingslettersare！Intremblingandhopethefingersunclasp，andthefoldedsheetdropsinto——no，notthepost-officeletter-box——butintospace。 Ihavereadastorysomewhereofapoorchildthatdroppedaletterintothepost-office，addressedtoJesusChristinHeaven。Anditreachedhim，andthechildhadheranswer。ForwasitnotChristpresentinthegoodmanorwoman——Iforgettheparticularsofthestory——whosentthechildthehelpsheneeded？Therewasnonecessityforhimtoanswerinperson，asinthecaseofAbgarus，kingofEdessa。 Outofspacefromsomewherecomestheanswer。Suchlettersasthosegiveninapreviouschapter，areeachaspirit-crysentout，likeaNoah\'sdove，intotheabyss；andthespiritturnsitsear，whereitsmouthhadbeenturnedbefore，andleanslisteningforthespirit-echo——theechowithasoulinit——theansweringvoicewhichoutoftheabysswillenterbythegatenowturnedtoreceiveit。 Whosewillbethevoice？Whatwillbethesense？Whatchordsontheharpoflifehavebeenstruckafaroffbythearrow-wordsoftheletter？Whattoneswilltheysendbacktothelonging，hungeringear？Themouthhathspoken，thatthefaintingearmaybefilledbythereturnofitswordsthroughthealembicofanothersoul。 OnecauseofgreatuneasinesstoHughwas，that，forsometimeafterareplymighthavebeenexpected，hereceivednoanswerfromDavidElginbrod。Atlength，however，aletterarrived，uponthehand-writingofwhichhespeculatedinvain，perplexedwitharesemblanceinittosomewritingthatheknew；andwhenheopenedit，hefoundthefollowinganswertohisown： “DEARMR。SUTHERLAND，——Yourlettertomyfatherhasbeensenttomebymymother，forwhatyouwillfeeltobethesadreason，thatheisnomoreinthisworld。ButIcannotsayitissoverysadtometothinkthatheisgonehome，wheremymotherandIwillsoonjoinhim。Truelovecanwaitwell。Norindeed，dearMr。Sutherland，mustyoubetoomuchtroubledthatyourletterneverreachedhim。 MyfatherwaslikeGodinthis，thathealwaysforgaveanythingthemomenttherewasanythingtoforgive；forwhenelsecouldtherebesuchagoodtime？——although，ofcourse，thepersonforgivencouldnotknowittillheaskedforforgiveness。But，dearMr。 Sutherland，ifyoucouldseemesmilingasIwrite，andcouldyetseehowearnestmyheartisinwritingit，Iwouldventuretosaythat，invirtueofmyknowingmyfatherasIdo——forIamsureI knowhisverysoul，asnearashumanlovecouldknowit——Iforgiveyou，inhisname，foranythingandeverythingwithwhichyoureproachyourselfinregardtohim。Ah！howmuchIoweyou！Andhowmuchheusedtosayheowedyou！Weshallthankyouoneday，whenweallmeet。 “Iam，dearMr。Sutherland，“Yourgratefulscholar，“MARGARETELGINBROD。“ Hughburstintotearsonreadingthisletter，——withnooverpoweringsenseofhisownsin，forhefeltthathewasforgiven；butwithasuddeninsightintothebeautyandgrandeurofthemanwhomhehadneglected，andthewondrouslovelinesswhichhehadtransmittedfromthefemininepartofhisnaturetothewhollyfeminineandthereforedelicatelypowerfulnatureofMargaret。ThevisionhehadbeheldinthelibraryatArnstead，aboutwhich，aswellasaboutmanyotherthingsthathadhappenedtohimthere，hecouldformnotheorycapableofembracingallthefacts——thisvisionreturnedtohismind\'seye，andhefeltthattheglorifiedfacehehadbeheldmustsurelyhavebeenMargaret\'s，whetherhehadseenitinthebodyoroutofthebody：suchafacealoneseemedtohimworthyofthewriterofthisletter。Purposelyornot，therewasnoaddressgiveninit；andtohissurprise，whenheexaminedtheenvelopewiththeutmostcare，hecoulddiscovernopostmarkbuttheLondonone。Thedate-stamplikewiseshowedthatitmusthavebeenpostedinLondon。 “So，“saidhetohimself，“inmyquestofadevil，Imaycrossthetrackofanangel，whoknows？Buthowcanshebehere？” Tothisofcoursehehadnoanswerathand。 CHAPTERV。 BEGINNINGS。 Sinceamanisboundnofarthertohimselfthantodowisely，chanceisonlytotroublethemthatstanduponchance——SIRPHILIP SIDNEY——TheArcadia。 Meantimeafeeblestar，butsparklingsomeraysofcomfort，begantoshineuponHugh\'swintryprospects。Thestararoseinagrocer\'sshop。Foronedayhislandlady，whosegrimattentionshadbeenincreasingratherthandiminishing，addressedhimsuddenlyasshewasremovinghisbreakfastapparatus。Thiswasaveryextraordinaryevent，forsheseldomaddressedhimitall；andreplied，whenheaddressedher，onlyinthebriefestmannerpossible。 “Haveyougotanypupilsyet，Mr。Sutherland？” “No——Iamsorrytosay。ButhowdidyoucometoknowIwantedany，MissTalbot？” “Youshouldn\'thavesecretsathome，Mr。Sutherland。Iliketoknowwhatconcernsmyownfamily，andIgenerallyfindout。“ “Yousawmyadvertisement，perhaps？” TothissuggestionMissTalbotmadenootheranswerthantheusualcompressionofherlips。 “Youwouldn\'tbeaboveteachingatradesman\'ssontobeginwith？” “Certainlynot。Ishouldbeveryhappy。Doyouknowofsuchapupil？” “Well，Ican\'texactlysayIdoknoworIdon\'tknow；butIhappenedtomentiontomygrocerroundthecornerthatyouwantedpupils。 Don\'tsuppose，Mr。Sutherland，thatI\'minthewayoftalkingaboutanyyoungmenofmine；butit——“ “Notforamoment，“interruptedHugh；andMissTalbotresumed，evidentlygratified。 “Well，ifyouwouldn\'tmindsteppingroundthecorner，Ishouldn\'twonderifyoumightmakeanarrangementwithMr。Appleditch。Hesaidyoumightcalluponhimifyouliked。“ Hughjumpedup，andgothishatatonce；receivedthefewnecessarydirectionsfromMissTalbot，andsoonfoundtheshop。Therewereagoodmanypoorpeopleinit，buyingsugar，andsoap，&c。；andoneladyapparentlygivingalargeorder。AyoungmancametoHugh，andbentoverthecounterinarecipientposition，likealivepointofinterrogation。Hughanswered—— “Mr。Appleditch。“ “Mr。Appleditchwillbedisengagedinafewminutes。Willyoutakeaseat？” Thegrocerwasoccupiedwiththeladyandherorder；butassoonasshedeparted，heapproachedHughbehindtherampart，andstoodtowardshimintheusualretailattitude。 “MynameisSutherland。“ “Sutherland？”saidMr。Appleditch；“IthinkI\'ve\'eardthenamesomewheres，butIdon\'tknowtheface。“ “MissTalbotmentionedmetoyou，Iunderstand，Mr。Appleditch。“ “Oh！ah！Iremember。Ibegyourpardon。Willyoustepthisway，Mr。Sutherland？” Hughfollowedhimthroughasortofdraw-bridgewhichheliftedinthecounter，intoalittleappendixatthebackoftheshop。Mr。 Appleditchwasameek-lookingman，withlargeeyes，plumppastycheeks，andathinlittleperson。 “\'Owdedo，Mr。Sutherland？”saidhe，holdingouthishand，assoonastheyhadreachedthisretreat。 “Thankyou——quitewell；“answeredSutherland，shakinghandswithhimaswellashecould，thecontactnotbeingaltogetherpleasant。 “Soyouwantpupils，doyou，sir？” “Yes。“ “Ah！wellyousee，sir，pupilsisscarceatthisseason。Theyain\'ttobeboughtineveryshop——ha！ha！”(Thelaughwasverymild。)“ButIthinkMrs。Appleditchcouldfindyouone，ifyoucouldagreewithheraboutthecharge，youknow，andallthat。“ “Howoldishe？Aboy，Isuppose？” “Well，you\'reright，sir。Itisaboy。Notveryold，though。MySamuelisjustten，butawonderfulforwardboyforhisyears——blesshim！” “Andwhatwouldyouwishhimtolearn？” “Oh！LatinandGreek，andallthat。Weintendbringinghimupfortheministry——Ihopeyouropinionsaredecided，sir？” “Onsomepoints，theyare。ButIdonotknowtowhatyourefer，exactly。“ “Imeantheologicalopinions，sir。“ “ButIshallnothavetoteachyourlittleboytheology。“ “Certainlynot，sir。ThatdepartmentbelongstohismotherandI。 Unworthyvessels，sir；mereearthenvessels；butfilledwiththegraceofGod，Ihope，sir。“ Thegrocerpartedhishands，whichhehadbeenrubbingtogetherduringthisconversation，andliftedthemupwardsfromthewrists，likethefinsofaseal；then，droppingthem，felltorubbingthemagain。 “Ihopeso。Well——youknowthebestwaywillbeforme——notknowingyouropinions——toavoideverythingofareligiouskind。“ “Ah！butitshouldbelineuponline，youknow；herealittle，andtherealittle，sir。Asthebowisbent，youknow——the——hoopismade，youknow，sir。“ HereMr。Appleditchsteppedtothedoorsuddenly，andpeepedout，asifhefearedhewaswanted；butpresentlyreturning，hecontinued： “Buttime\'sapreciousgift，sir，andwemustnotwasteit。So，ifyou\'lldousthehonour，sir，todinewithusnextLord\'sday——wemaycallitaworkofnecessity，youknow——youwillseethelittleSamuel，and——and——Mrs。Appleditch。“ “Ishallbeveryhappy。Whatisyouraddress，Mr。Appleditch？” “YouhadbettercometoSalemChapel，Dervishtown，andwecangohometogether。Servicecommencesateleven。Mrs。Appleditchwillbegladtoseeyou。AskforMr。Appleditch\'spew。Goo-oodmorning，sir。“ Hughtookhisleave，halfinclinedtosendanexcusebeforethedayarrived，anddeclinetheconnection。Buthisprinciplewas，totakewhateveroffered，andthusmakewayforthenextthing。Besides，hethusavoidedtheresponsibilityofchoice，fromwhichhealwaysshrunk。 Hereturnedtohisnovel；but，alas！theinventivefacultypoint-blankrefusedtoworkundertheweightofsuchaSundayinprospect。Hewanderedout，quitedispirited；but，beforelong，totakehisrevengeuponcircumstances，resolvedatleasttohaveadinneroutofthem。Sohewenttoachophouse，hadachopandaglassofale，andwasastonishedtofindhowmuchheenjoyedthem。 Infact，abstinencegavehisveryplaindinnermorethanallthecharmsofafeast——afactofwhichHughhasnotbeentheonlydiscoverer。HestudiedPunchallthetimeheate，androsewithhisspiritsperfectlyrestored。 “NowIaminforit，“saidhe，“Iwillbeextravagantforonce。“Sohewentandboughtacigar，whichhespunoutintothreemilesofsmoke，ashewanderedthroughShoreditch，andHoundsditch，andPetticoat-lane，gazingatthefacesofhisbrothersandsisters； whichfaceshavingbeensomanyyearswraptinafogbothmoralandphysical，nowlookedoutofitasiftheywereonlythecondensednucleiofthesamefogandfilth。 AshewasreturningthroughWhitechapel，hepassedamanonthepavement，whoseappearancewassoremarkablethathecouldnothelplookingbackafterhim。Whenhereflectedaboutit，hethoughtthatitmusthavebeenacertainindescribableresemblancetoDavidElginbrodthathadsoattractedhim。Themanwasverytall。 Six-foot。Hughfeltdwarfedbesidehim；forhehadtolookrightup，ashepassed，toseehisface。Hewasdressedinloose，shabbyblack。Hehadhighandotherwiseverymarkedfeatures，andadarkcomplexion。Ageneralcarelessnessofdemeanourwasstrangelycombinedwithanexpressionofreposefulstrengthandquietconcentrationofwill。AthowmuchofthisconclusionHugharrivedafterknowingmoreofhim，Icannottell；butsuchwasthedescriptionhegaveofhimashesawhimfirst：anditwasthoroughlycorrect。Hiscountenancealwaysseemedtome(forIknewhimwell)torepresentanatureeverbentinonedirection，butneverinhaste，becauseneverindoubt。 Tocarryhisextravaganceanddissipationstillfurther，HughnowbetookhimselftothepitoftheOlympicTheatre；andnoonecouldhavelaughedmoreheartily，orcriedmorehelplessly，thatnight，thanhe；forhegavehimselfwhollyuptotheinfluencesoftherulerofthehour，theadmirableRobson。Butwhatwashissurprisewhen，standingupatthecloseofthefirstact，andlookingaroundandabovehim，hesaw，unmistakeably，thesameremarkablecountenancelookingdownuponhimfromthefrontrowofthegallery。 Hecontinuedhiscircuitofobservation，tryingtodiscoverthefaceofFunkelsteinintheboxesorcircles；butinvoluntarilyheturnedhisgazebacktothestrangecountenance，whichstillseemedbenttowardshis。Thecurtainrose，andduringthesecondactheforgotallabouteverythingelse。Atitscloseheglanceduptothegalleryagain，andtherewasthefacestill，andstilllookingathim。Atthecloseofthethirdactithadvanished，andhesawnothingmoreofitthatevening。Whentheafter-piecewasover，forhesatitout，hewalkedquietlyhome，muchrefreshed。Hehadneededsomerelaxation，aftermanydaysofcloseandcontinuouslabour。 ButawfullysolemnwasthefaceofgoodMissTalbot，assheopenedthedoorforhimatmidnight。Hughtookespecialpainswithhisbootsandthedoor-mat，butitwasofnouse：theausterityofhercountenancewouldnotrelaxintheleast。Sohetookhiscandleandwalkedup-stairstohisroom，sayingonlyashewent——beingunabletothinkofanythingelse： “Goodnight，MissTalbot。“ Butnoresponseproceededfromtheoffendeddivinityoftheplace。 Hewenttobed，somewhatdistressedatthebehaviourofMissTalbot，forhehadaweaknessforbeingongoodtermswitheverybody。Butheresolvedtohaveitoutwithhernextmorning；andsofellasleepanddreamedofthestrangemanwhohadwatchedhimatthetheatre。 Herosenextmorningattheusualtime。Buthisbreakfastwasdelayedhalfanhour；andwhenitcame，themaidwaiteduponhim，andnothermistress，asusual。Whenhehadfinished，andshereturnedtotakeawaytheruins，heaskedhertosaytohermistressthathewantedtospeaktoher。Shebroughtbackamessage，whichshedeliveredwithsomedifficulty，andevidentlyundercompulsion——thatifMr。Sutherlandwantedtospeaktoher，hewouldfindherinthebackparlour。Hughwentdowninstantly，andfoundMissTalbotinadoublyfrozencondition，herfaceabsolutelybluewithphysicalandmentalcoldcombined。Shewaitedforhimtospeak。Hughbegan： “MissTalbot，itseemssomethingiswrongbetweenyouandme。“ “Yes，Mr。Sutherland。“ “IsitbecauseIwasratherlatelastnight。“ “Ratherlate，Mr。Sutherland？” MissTalbotshowednoexcitement。Withher，thethermometer，inplaceofrisingundertheinfluenceofirritation，steadilysank。 “Icannotmakemyselfaprisoneronparole，youknow，MissTalbot。 Youmustleavememyliberty。“ “Oh，yes，Mr。Sutherland。Takeyourliberty。You\'llgothewayofalltherest。It\'snousetryingtosaveanyofyou。“ “ButI\'mnotawarethatIaminanyparticularwantofsaving，MissTalbot。“ “Thereitis！——Well，tillasinneriscalledandawakened，ofcourseit\'snouse。SoI\'lljustdothebestIcanforyou。WhocantellwhentheSpiritmaybepouredfromonhigh？Butit\'sverysadtome，Mr。Sutherland，toseeanamiableyoungmanlikeyougoingthewayoftransgressors，whichishard。Iamsorryforyou，Mr。 Sutherland。“ Thoughtheicewasnotgoneyet，ithadbeguntomeltundertheinfluencesofHugh\'sgood-temper，andMissTalbot\'ssympathywithhisthreateningfate。Conscience，too，hadsomethingtodowiththechange；for，muchasoneofhertemperamentmusthavedislikedmakingsuchaconfession，sheendedbyadding，afterapause： “Andverysorry，Mr。Sutherland，thatIshowedyouanybadtemperlastnight。“ PoorMissTalbot！Hughsawthatshewasgenuinelytroubledabouthim，andresolvedtooffendbutseldom，whilehewasunderherroof。 “Perhaps，whenyouknowmelonger，youwillfindIamsteadierthanyouthink。“ “Well，itmaybe。Butsteadinesswon\'tmakeaChristianofyou。“ “Itmaymakeatolerablelodgerofme，though，“answeredHugh；“andyouwouldn\'tturnmeintothestreetbecauseIamsteadyandnothingmore，wouldyou？” “IsaidIwassorry，Mr。Sutherland。Doyouwishmetosaymore？” “Blessyourkindheart！”saidHugh。“Iwasonlyjoking。“ HeheldouthishandtoMissTalbot，andhereyesglistenedasshetookit。Shepresseditkindly，andabandoneditinstantly。 Soallwasrightbetweenthemoncemore。 “Whoknows，“murmuredMissTalbot，“buttheLordmaysavehim？He\'ssurelynotfarfromthekingdomofheaven。I\'lldoallIcantomakehimcomfortable。“ CHAPTERVI。 ASUNDAY\'SDINNER。 Somebooksareliesfraeendtoend，Andsomegreatlieswereneverpenned： Evenministers，theyhaebeenkenned，Inholyrapture，Greatliesandnonsensebaithtovend，Andnail\'twi\'Scripture。 BURNS。 TothegreatdiscomposureofHugh，Sundaywasinevitable，andhehadtosetoutforSalemChapel。HefounditaneatlittleNoah\'sArkofaplace，builtintheshapeofacathedral，andconsequentlysharinginthegeneraldisadvantagestowhichdwarfsofallkindsaresubjected，absurdityincluded。HewasshowntoMr。Appleditch\'spew。Thatworthymanreceivedhiminsleekblackclothes，withwhiteneck-cloth，andSundayfacecomposedofanabsurdmixtureofstupidityandsanctity。Hestoodup，andMrs。Appleditchstoodup，andMasterAppleditchstoodup，andHughsawthattheceremonyoftheplacerequiredthatheshouldforcehiswaybetweenthefrontofthepewandthepersonofeachofthehumanbeingsoccupyingit，tillhereachedthetop，wheretherewasroomforhimtositdown。 Nootherrecognitionwastakentillafterservice。 Meantimetheministerascendedthepulpitstair，withallthesolemnityofoneoftheself-elect，andapriestbesides。Hewasjustoldenoughfortheintermittentattacksofself-importancetowhichallyouthisexposed，tohaveinhiscasebecomechronic。Hestoodupandworshippedhiscreatoraloud，afteramannerwhichseemedtosayineverytone：“BeholdIamhethatworshippethThee！ HowmightyartThou！”ThenhereadtheBibleinaquarrelsomesortofway，asifhewereabantam，andeveryversewereacrowofdefiancetothesinner。ThentheysangahymninafashionwhichbroughtdearoldScotlandtoHugh\'smind，whichhasthesweetestsongsinitscottages，andtheworstsinginginitschurches，ofanycountryintheworld。Butitwasalmostequalledhere；thechiefcauseofitsbadnessbeingtheabsenceofamodestself-restraint，andconsequenttemperingofthetones，onthepartofthesingers； sothattheresultwaswhatHughcoulddescribeonlyasscraichin。1 Iwasoncepresentattheworshipofsomebeingwhoissupposedbynegroestolovedrumsandcymbals，andallclangorousnoises。Theresemblance，accordingtoHugh\'sdescription，couldnothavebeenaverydistantone。AndyetIdoubtnotthatsomethoughtsofworshippinglovemingledwiththenoise；andperhapstheharmonyofthesewiththesphericmelodies，soundedthesweetertotheangels，fromtheearthlydiscordinwhichtheywerelapped。 Thencamethesermon。ThetextwasthestoryofthegoodSamaritan。 Someidea，ifnotofthesermon，yetofthevalueofit，maybeformedfromthefact，thatthefirstthingtobeconsidered，or，inotherwords，thefirstheadwas，“TheculpableimprudenceofthemaningoingfromJerusalemtoJerichowithoutanescort。“ Itwasintruthastrange，grotesque，andsomewhatawfulmedley——notunlikeadanceofdeath，inwhichthepainterhasgivenherealovelyface，andthereabeautifularmoranexquisitefoot，tothewild-prancingandexultantskeletons。Butthepartsofthesermoncorrespondingtothebeautifulfaceorarmorfoot，werebutthefragmentsofScripture，shininglikegoldamidsttheworthlessoreoftheman\'sownproduction——worthless，saveasgravelorchafforhuskshaveworth，inaworldwheredilution，andnotalwaysconcentration，isnecessaryforhealthfulness。 ButthereareIndianswhoeatclay，andthriveonitmoreorless，I suppose。Thepowerofassimilationwhichagrowingnaturemustpossessisastonishing。Itwillfinditsfood，itsrealSundaydinner，inthemidstofawholecartloadofrefuse；anditwilldothewholeweek\'sworkonit。OnnoothersuppositionwoulditbepossibletoaccountfortheearnestfaceofMissTalbot，whichHughespiedturneduptothepreacher，asifhisfaceweretheverystarintheeast，shiningtoguidethechosenkings。ItwaswellforHugh\'spowerofendurance，thathehadheardmuchthesamethinginScotland，andthesamethingbetterdressed，andlessgrotesque，butmorelifeless，andatheartasill-mannered，inthechurchofArnstead。 Justbeforeconcludingtheservice，thepastormadeanannouncementinthefollowingterms：“Afterthecloseofthepresentservice，I shallbefoundintheadjoiningvestrybyallpersonsdesirousofcommunicatingwithmeonthestateoftheirsouls，orofbeingadmittedtotheprivilegesofchurch-fellowship。Brethren，wehavethistreasureinearthenvessels，andsolongasthisvessellasts“——herehestruckhischestsothatitresounded——“itshallbefaithfullyandliberallydispensed。Letuspray。“ Aftertheprayer，hespreadabroadhisarmsandhandsasifhewouldclasptheworldinhisembrace，andpronouncedthebenedictioninastyleofarrogancethatthepopehimselfwouldhavebeenashamedof。 Theservicebeingthusconcluded，theorganabsolutelyblastedthecongregationoutofthechapel，sodiditstormandravewithafervouranythingbutdivine。 MyreadersmustnotsupposethatIgivethischapelasthetypeoforthodoxdissentingchapels。Igiveitonlyasanapproximatespecimenofalargeclassofthem。Thereligiouslifewhichthesecommunitiesoncepossessed，stilllingersinthoseofmanycountrydistrictsandsmalltowns，butis，Ifear，allbutgonefromthoseofthecitiesandlargertowns。Whatofitremainsinthese，hasitschiefmanifestationinthefungousgrowthofsuchchapelsastheoneIhavedescribed，thecongregationsthemselvestakingthisforasureindicationoftheprosperityofthebody。Howmuchevenofthekindofprosperitywhichtheyoughttoindicate，isinrealityatthefoundationoftheseappearances，Iwouldrecommendthosetojudgewhoareversedinthemysteriesofchapel-buildingsocieties。 AstoHugh，whetheritwasthatthewholewassuggestiveofEgyptianbondage，orthathisownmoodwas，atthetime，oftheleastcomfortablesort，Iwillnotpretendtodetermine；butheassuredmethathefeltallthetime，asif，insteadofbeinginachapelbuiltofbricksharmoniouslyarranged，asbythelyreofAmphion，hewerewanderinginthewaste，wretchedfieldwhencethesebrickshadbeendug，ofallplacesontheearth\'ssurfacethemostmiserable，assailedbythenauseousodours，whichhavenotcharacterenoughtobedescribed，andonlyremindoneofthecoloursonasnake\'sback。 Whentheyreachedtheopenair，Mr。AppleditchintroducedHughtoMrs。Appleditch，onthestepsinfrontofthechapel。 “ThisisMr。Sutherland，Mrs。Appleditch。“ Hughliftedhishat，andMrs。Appleditchmadeacourtesy。Shewasaverytallwoman——aheadbeyondherhusband，extremelythin，withsharpnose，hollowcheeks，andgoodeyes。Infact，shewaspartlypretty，andmighthavebeenpleasant-looking，butforalarge，thin-lipped，vampire-likemouth，andageneralexpressionofgreedandcontempt。Shewasmeantforalady，andhadmadeherselfamoney-maggot。Shewasrichlyandplainlydressed；anduntilshebegantobeatherease，mighthavepassedforanunpleasantlady。 MasterAppleditch，thefuturepastor，wasafatboy，dressedlikeadwarf，inafrockcoatandman\'shat，withafaceinwhichthemeannessandkeennessstroveformastery，andbetweenthemkeptdowntheappearanceofstupidityconsequentonfatness。Theywalkedhomeinsilence，Mr。andMrs。Appleditchapparentlyponderingeitheruponthespiritualfoodtheyhadjustreceived，orthecorporealfoodforwhichtheywereabouttobethankful。 Theirhousewasoneofmanyinacrescent。Notcontentwithhissignintown，thegrocerhadalargebrassplateonhisdoor，withAppleditchengraveduponitincapitals：itsavedthemalwayslookingatthenumbers。Theboyranonbefore，andassailedthisdoorwithasuccessionofexplosiveknocks。 Assoonasitwasopened，inherushed，bawling： “Peter，Peter，here\'sthenewapprentice！Papa\'sbroughthimhometodinner，becausehewasatchapelthismorning。“Theninalowertone——“Imeantohavearideonhisbackthisafternoon。“ Thefatherandmotherlaughed。Asolemnpriggishlittlevoiceanswered： “Oh，no，Johnny。Don\'tyouknowwhatdaythisis？ThisistheSabbath-day。“ “Thedearboy！”sighedhismother。 “Thatboyistoogoodtolive，“respondedthefather。 Hughwasshownintothedining-room，wherethetablewasalreadylaidfordinner。ItwasevidentthattheAppleditcheswerewell-to-dopeople。Theroomwasfullofwhatiscalledhandsomefurniture，inahighstateofpolish。Overthechimney-piecehungtheportraitofapreacheringownandbands，themostprominentofwhosefeatureswerehischeeks。 Inafewminutesthehostandhostessentered，followedbyapale-facedlittleboy，theownerofthevoiceofreproof。 “Comehere，Peetie，“saidhismother，“andtellMr。Sutherlandwhatyouhavegot。“Shereferredtosometoy——no，nottoy，foritwastheSabbath——tosomebook，probably。 Peetieansweredinasolemnvoice，mouthingeveryvowel： “I\'vegotfivebagsofgoldintheBankofEngland。“ “Poorchild！”saidhismother，withascornfulgiggle。“Youwouldn\'thavemuchtoreckonon，ifthatwereall。“ Twoorthreegailydressedriflemenpassedthewindow。Thepoorfellows，unabletobearthelookoftheirSundayclothes，iftheyhadany，afterbeingusedtotheiruniform，hadcomeoutinallitsmagnificence。 “Ah！”saidMr。Appleditch，“that\'sallverywellinastateofnature；butwhenamanisoncebornintoastateofgrace，Mr。 Sutherland——ah！” “Really，“respondedMrs。Appleditch，“theworldlinessofthelowerclassesisquiteawful。Buttheyaresparedforadayofwrath，poorthings！IamsurethataccidentontherailwaylastSabbath，mighthavebeenawarningtothemall。Afterthattheycan\'tsaythereisnotaGodthatrulethintheearth，andtakethvengeanceforhisbrokenSabbaths。“ “Mr。Idon\'tknowyourname，“saidPeter，whoseageHughhadjustbeentryinginvaintoconjecture。 “Mr。Sutherland，“saidthemother。 “Mr。Slubberman，areyouaconvertedcharacter？”resumedPeter。 “Whydoyouaskmethat，MasterPeter？”saidHugh，tryingtosmile。 “Ithinkyoulookgood，butmammasaysshedon\'tthinkyouare，becauseyousaySundayinsteadofSabbath，andshealwaysfindspeoplewhodoareworldly。“ Mrs。Appleditchturnedred——notblushed，andsaid，quickly： “Petershouldn\'trepeateverythinghehears。“ “NomoreIdo，ma。Ihaven\'ttoldwhatyousaidabout——“Herehismothercaughthimup，andcarriedhimoutoftheroom，saying： “Younaughtyboy！Youshallgotobed。“ “Oh，no，Ishan\'t！” “Yes，youshall。Here，Jane，takethisnaughtyboytobed。“ “I\'llscream。“ “Willyou？” “Yes，Iwill！” AndsuchayellwasthereOfsuddenandportentousbirth，Asif…… tencatswerebeingcookedalive。 “Well！well！well！myPeetie！Heshan\'tgotobed，ifhe\'llbeagoodboy。Willhebegood？” “MayIstayuptosupper，then？MayI？” “Yes，yes；anythingtostopsuchdreadfulscreaming。Youareverynaughty——verynaughtyindeed。“ “No。I\'mnotnaughty。I\'llscreamagain。“ “No，no。Goandgetyourpinaforeon，andcomedowntodinner。 Anythingratherthanascream。“ Iamsickofallthis，anddoubtifitisworthprinting；butitamusedmeverymuchonenightasHughrelateditoverabottleofChablisandapipe。 HecertainlydidnotrepresentMrs。Appleditchinaveryfavourablelightonthewhole；buthetookcaretosaythattherewasacertainliberalityaboutthetable，andakindofheartinessinherwayofpressinghimtohavemorethanhecouldpossiblyeat，whichcontrastedstrangelywithherbehaviourafterwardsinmoneymatters。 Therearemanypeoplewhocanbeliberalinalmostanythingbutmoney。Theyseemtosay，“Takeanythingbutmypurse。“MissTalbottoldhimafterwards，thatthissameladywasquiteactiveamongstthepoorofherdistrict。Shemadeitarulenevertogivemoney，oratleastnevermorethansixpence；butsheturnedscrapsofvictualsandcast-offclothestothebestaccount；and，ifshedidnotmakefriendswiththemammonofunrighteousness，sheyetkeptaneyeontheeternalhabitationsinthedistributionofthecrumbsthatfellfromhertable。PoorMr。Appleditch，ontheotherhand，oftenembezzledashillingorahalf-crownfromthetill，fortheuseofapoormemberofthesamechurch——meaningbychurch，theindividualcommunitytowhichhebelonged；butofthis，Mrs。 Appleditchwascarefullykeptignorant。 Afterdinnerwasover，andthechildrenhadbeensentaway，whichwaseffectedwithoutagreateramountofdifficultythan，fromtheanticipativeprecautionsadopted，appearedtobelawfulandordinary，Mr。Appleditchproceededtobusiness。 “Now，Mr。Sutherland，whatdoyouthinkofJohnnie，sir？” “Itisimpossibleformetosayyet；butIamquitewillingtoteachhimifyoulike。“ “He\'saforwardboy，“saidhismother。 “Notadoubtofit，“respondedHugh；forherememberedtheboyaskinghim，acrossthetable：“Isn\'tourMr。Lixom“——(thepastor)——“aoner？” “Andveryeagerandretentive，“saidhisfather。 Hughhadseenthelittlegluttonpaintbothcheekstotheeyeswithdamsontart，andrendermorethanaquantityproportionatetothecolouring，invisible。 “Yes，heiseager，andretentive，too，Idaresay，“hesaid；“butmuchwilldependonwhetherhehasaturnforstudy。“ “Well，youwillfindthatoutto-morrow。Ithinkyouwillbesurprised，sir。“ “Atwhathourwouldyoulikemetocome？” “Stop，Mr。Appleditch，“interposedhiswife。“Youhavesaidnothingyetaboutterms；andthatisofsomeimportance，consideringtherentandtaxeswepay。“ “Well，mylove，whatdoyoufeelinclinedtogive？” “Howmuchdoyouchargealesson，Mr。Sutherland？Onlyletmeremindyou，sir，thatheisaverylittleboy，althoughstout，andthatyoucannotexpecttoputmuchGreekandLatinintohimforsometimeyet。Besides，wewantyoutocomeeveryday，whichoughttobeconsideredintherateofcharge。“ “Ofcourseitought，“saidHugh。 “Howmuchdoyousay，then，sir？” “Ishouldbecontentwithhalf-a-crownalesson。“ “Idaresayyouwould！”repliedthelady，withindignation。 “Half-a-crown！That\'s——sixhalf-crownsis——fifteenshillings。 Fifteenshillingsaweekforthatmiteofaboy！Mr。Sutherland，yououghttobeashamedofyourself，sir。“ “Youforget，Mrs。Appleditch，thatitisasmuchtroubletometoteachonelittleboy——yes，agreatdealmorethantoteachtwentygrownmen。“ “Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，sir。YouaChristianman，andtalkoftroubleinteachingsuchalittlecherubasthat？” “ButdoprayrememberthedistanceIhavetocome，andthatitwilltakenearlyfourhoursofmytimeeveryday。“ “Thenyoucangetlodgingsnearer。“ “ButIcouldnotgetanysocheap。“ “Thenyoucanthebetteraffordtodoit。“ Andshethrewherselfbackinherchair，asifshehadstruckthedecisiveblow。Mr。Appleditchremarked，gently： “Itisgoodforyourhealthtowalkthedistance，sir。“ Mrs。Appleditchresumed： “Iwon\'tgiveafarthingmorethanoneshillingalesson。There，now！” “Verywell，“saidHugh，rising；“thenImustwishyougoodday。Weneednotwastemoretimeintalkingaboutit。“ “SurelyyouarenotgoingtomakeanyuseofyourtimeonaSunday？” saidthegrocer，mildly。“Don\'tbeinahurry，Mr。Sutherland。Wetradespeopleliketomakethebestbargainwecan。“ “Mr。Appleditch，Iamashamedofyou。Youalwayswillbevulgar。 Youalwayssmelloftheshop。“ “Well，mydear，howcanIhelpit？Thesugarandsoft-soapwillsmell，youknow。“ “Mr。Appleditch，youdisgustme！” “Dear！dear！Iamsorryforthat——SupposewesaytoMr。 Sutherland——“ “Now，youleavethattome。I\'lltellyouwhat，Mr。 Sutherland——I\'llgiveyoueighteenpencealesson，andyourdinnerontheSabbath；thatis，ifyousitunderMr。Lixominourpew，andwalkhomewithus。“ “ThatImustdecline“saidHugh。“ImusthavemySundaysformyself。“ Mrs。Appleditchwasdisappointed。Shehadcovetedtheadditionalimportancewhichthevisiblepossessionofalivetutorwouldsecureherat“Salem。“ “Ah！Mr。Sutherland，“shesaid。“AndImusttrustmychild，withanimmortalsoulinhisinside，toonewhowantstheLord\'sonlydayforhimself！——forhimself，Mr。Sutherland！” Hughmadenoanswer，becausehehadnonetomake。AgainMrs。 Appleditchresumed： “Shallitbeabargain，Mr。Sutherland？Eighteen-pencealesson——that\'snineshillingsaweek——andbegintomorrow？” Hugh\'sheartsunkwithinhim，notsomuchwithdisappointmentaswithdisgust。 Buttoamanwhoismakingnothing，theprospectofearningeversolittle，isirresistiblyattractive。Evenonashillingaday，hecouldkeephungeratarm\'slength。Andabeginningishalfthebattle。Heresolved。 “Letitbeabargain，then，Mrs。Appleditch。“ Theladyimmediatelybrightenedup，andatonceputonhercompany-mannersagain，behavingtohimwithgreatpoliteness，andasneerthatwouldnotbehidawayunderit。FromthisHughsuspectedthatshehadmadeabetterbargainthanshehadhoped；butthediscoverywasnowtoolate，evenifhecouldhavebroughthimselftotakeadvantageofit。Hehatedbargain-makingasheartilyasthegrocer\'swifelovedit。 Heverysoonrosetotakehisleave。 “Oh！”saidMrs。Appleditchtoherhusband，“butMr。Sutherlandhasnotseenthedrawing-room！” Hughwonderedwhattherecouldberemarkableaboutthedrawing-room； buthesoonfoundthatitwastheprideofMrs。Appleditch\'sheart。 Sheabstainedfromalluseofitexceptupongreatoccasions——whenpartiesofherfriendscametodrinkteawithher。Shemadeapoint，however，ofshowingittoeverybodywhoenteredthehouseforthefirsttime。SoHughwasledup-stairs，toundergotheoperationofbeingshownthedrawing-room，andbeingexpectedtobeastonishedatit。 Iaskedhimwhatitwaslike。Heanswered：“Itwasjustwhatitoughttobe——richandugly。Mr。Appleditch，inhisdeacon\'suniform，hungoverthefire，andMrs。Appleditch，inherwedding-dress，overthepiano；fortherewasapiano，andshecouldplaypsalm-tunesonitwithonefinger。Theroundtableinthemiddleoftheroomhadbooksingildedredandbluecoverssymmetricallyarrangedallroundit。ThisisallIcanrecollect。“ Havingfeastedhiseyesonthemagnificencethusdiscoveredtohim，hewalkedhome，moredepressedattheprospectofhisnewemploymentthanhecouldhavebelievedpossible。 OnhiswayheturnedasideintotheRegent\'sPark，wherethesightofthepeopleenjoyingthemselves——foritwasafinedayfortheseason——partiallydispelledthesenseoflivingcorruptionandprematureburialwhichhehadexperiencedalldaylong。Hekeptasfarofffromtherankofopen-airpreachersaspossible，andreallywasabletothankGodthatalltheworlddidnotkeepScotchSabbath——adayneitherMosaic，norJewish，norChristian：notMosaic，inasmuchasitkillstheveryessenceofthefourthcommandment，whichisRest，transmutingitintowhatthechemistswouldcallamechanicalmixtureofserviceandinertia；notJewish，inasmuchasitistentimesmoresevere，andformal，andfullofnegations，thanthatoftheSabbatarianJewsreprovedbytheSaviourfortheiridolatryoftheday；andunchristian，inasmuchasitinsists，beyondappeal，ontheobservanceoftimesandseasons，abolished，asfaraslawisconcerned，bythewordofthechiefoftheapostles；andelevatesintoanespecialtestofpietyacustomnotevenmentionedbythefoundersofchristianityatall——that，namely，ofaccountingthisdaymoreholythanalltherest。 Theselastarebutoutsidereasonsforcallingitunchristian。 Therearefardeeperandmoreimportantones，whichcannotwellbeproducedhere。 ItisnotHugh，however，whoistobeconsideredaccountableforallthis，butthehistorianofhisfortunes，betweenwhomandthevisionofaLord\'sDayindeed，therearisestoooftenthenightmare-memoryofaScotchSaabbath——betweenwhichanditscousin，theEnglishSunday，thereistoomuchofafamilylikeness。ThegrandmenandwomenwhomIhaveknowninScotland，seemtome，asIlookback，tomoveaboutinthemistsofaScotchSabbath，likeacompanyofway-wornangelsintheLimboofVanity，inwhichthereisnoairwhereupontosmitetheirsoundingwings，thattheymayriseintothesunlightofGod\'spresence。 CHAPTERVII。 SUNDAYEVENING。 Nowrestethinmymemorybutthispoint，whichindeedisthechieftoyouofallothers；whichisthechoiceofwhatmenyouaretodirectyourselfto；foritiscertainnovesselcanleaveaworsetasteintheliquoritcontains，thanawrongteacherinfectsanunskilfulhearerwiththatwhichhardlywilleverout……Butyoumaysay，“HowshallIgetexcellentmentotakepainstospeakwithme？” Truly，infewwords，eitherbymuchexpenseormuchhumbleness。 LetterofSirPhilipSidneytohisbrotherRobert。 Howmanythingswhich，atthefirstmoment，strikeusascuriouscoincidences，afterwardsbecomesooperativeonourlives，andsointerwovenwiththewholeweboftheirhistories，thatinsteadofappearinganymoreasstrangeaccidents，theyassumetheshapeofunavoidablenecessities，ofhomely，ordinary，lawfuloccurrences，asmuchintheirownplaceasanyshaftorpinionofagreatmachine！ ItwasduskbeforeHughturnedhisstepshomeward。Hewanderedalong，thinkingofEuphraandtheCountandthestolenrings。HegreatlydesiredtoclearhimselftoMr。Arnold。HesawthatthenatureoftheringtendedtojustifyMr。Arnold\'ssuspicions；foramanwhowouldnotstealformoney\'sworth，mightyetstealforvalueofanothersort，addressingitselftosomepeculiarweakness；andMr。Arnoldmighthavemetwithinstancesofthisnatureinhispositionasmagistrate。Hegreatlydesired，likewise，forEuphra\'ssake，tohaveFunkelsteininhispower。Hisownringwasbeyondrecovery；butif，byitsmeans，hecouldholdsuchalashoverhimaswouldterrifyhimfromagainexercisinghisvillanousinfluencesonher，hewouldhesatisfied。 Whileplungedinthiscontemplation，hecameupontwopolicementalkingtogether。HerecognizedoneofthemasaScotchman，fromhisspeech。Itoccurredtohimatoncetoaskhisadvice，inamodifiedmanner；andamoment\'sreflectionconvincedhimthatitwouldatleastdonoharm。Hewoulddoit。Itwasoneofthoseresolutionsatwhichonearrivesbyanarrowflightoftheintellect。 “Youareacountrymanofmine，Ithink，“saidhe，assoonasthetwohadparted。 “Ifye\'reaScotchman，sir——maybeay，maybeno。“ “Whaurcomeyefrae，man？” “Ou，Aberdeen-awa。“ “It\'smineaincalf-country。An\'whatdotheyca\'ye？” “Theyca\'meJohnMacPherson。“ “Myname\'sSutherland。“ “Eh，man！It\'smyainmither\'sname。Gie\'sagrupo\'yerhan\'，MaisterSutherlan\'——Eh，man！”herepeated，shakingHugh\'shandwithvehemence。 “Ihavenodoubt，“saidHugh，relapsingintoEnglish，“thatwearesomecousinsorother。It\'sveryluckyformetofindarelative，forIwantedsome——advice。“ Hetookcaretosayadvice，whichaScotchmanisgenerallypreparedtobestowofhisbest。Haditbeensixpence，thecousinshipwouldhaverequiredelaborateproof，beforethetreatycouldhavemadefurtherprogress。 “I\'mfullyatyourservice，sir。“ “Whenwillyoubeoffduty？” “Atnineo\'clockpreceesely。“ “CometoNo。13，——Square，andaskforme。It\'snotfar。“ “Wi\'pleesir，sir，\'gin\'twartwiseasfar。“ HughwouldnothaveventuredtoaskhimtohishouseonSundaynight，whennorefreshmentscouldbeprocured，hadhenotrememberedasmallpig(Anglic？stonebottle)ofrealmountaindew，whichhehadcarriedwithhimwhenhewenttoArnstead，andwhichhadlainunopenedinoneofhisboxes。 MissTalbotreceivedherlodgerwithmoreshowofpleasurethanusual，forhecamelappedintheodourofthedeacon\'ssanctity。 Butshewasconsiderablyalarmedandbeyondmeasureshockedwhenthepolicemancalledandrequestedtoseehim。Sallyhadrushedintohermistressindismay。 “Please\'m，there\'sapleacemanwantsMr。Sutherland。Oh！lor\'m！” “Well，goandletMr。Sutherlandknow，youstupidgirl，“answeredhermistress，trembling。 “Oh！lor\'m！”wasallSally\'sreply，asshevanishedtobeartheawfultidingstoHugh。 “Hecan\'thavebeenhousebreakingalready，“saidMissTalbottoherself，assheconfessedafterwards。“Butitmaybeforgeryorembezzlement。Itoldthepoordeludedyoungmanthatthewayoftransgressorswashard。“ “Please，sir，you\'rewanted，sir，“saidSally，outofbreath，andpaleasherSundayapron。 “Whowantsme？”askedHugh。 “Please，sir，thepleaceman，sir，“answeredSally，andburstintotears。 Hughwasperfectlybewilderedbythegirl\'sbehaviour，andsaidinatoneofsurprise： “Well，showhimup，then。“ “Ooh！sir，“saidSally，withaPlutonicsigh，andbegantoundothehooksofherdress；“ifyouwouldn\'tmind，sir，justputonmyfrockandapron，andtakeajuginyourhand，an\'thepleaceman\'llneverlookatyou。I\'lltakecareofeverythingtillyoucomeback，sir。“ Andagainsheburstintotears。 SallywasagreatreaderoftheFamilyHerald，andknewthatthiswasanorthodoxplanofrescuingaprisoner。ThekindnessofheranxietymoderatedtheexpressionofHugh\'samusement；andhavingconvincedherthathewasinnodanger，heeasilyprevaileduponhertobringthepolicemanupstairs。 Overatumbleroftoddy，theweakeringredientsofwhichwereprocuredbySally\'sgladconnivance，withalingeringideaofpropitiation，andagentlehintthatMissusmustn\'tknow——thetwoScotchmen，seatedatoppositecornersofthefire，hadalongchat。 Theybeganabouttheoldcountry，andtheplacesandpeopletheybothknew，andbothdidn\'tknow。IftheyhadmetontheshoresofthecentrallakeofAfrica，theycouldscarcelyhavebeenmorecouthytogether。AtlengthHughreferredtotheobjectofhisapplicationtoMacPherson。 “Whatplanwouldyouhavemepursue，John，togetholdofamaninLondon？” “Icouldmanagethatforye，sir。Ikenmaistthehaillmengieo\' thedetaictives。“ “Butyousee，unfortunately，Idon\'twish，forparticularreasons，thatthepoliceshouldhaveanythingtodowithit。“ “Ay！ay！Hm！Hm！Iseebrawly。Ye\'llbeefterastraysheep，naedoot？” Hughdidnotreply；soleavinghimtoformanyconclusionhepleased。 “Yesee，“MacPhersoncontinued，“it\'snothateasytoabodythat\'snouptothetrade。Haeyeonycluelike，tosetyespierin\'upo\'？” “Nottheleast。“ Themanponderedawhile。 “Ihae\'t，“heexclaimedatlast。“WhatafuleIwasnotothinko\' thatafore！Gin\'tbeapuirbityow-lammielike，\'atye\'reefter，I\'lltellyewhat：there\'saeman，acountrymano\'ourain，an\'agentlemanforbye，that\'lldomairforyeinthatway，nora\'thedetaictivesthegither；an\'that\'sRobertFalconer，Esquire——Ikenhimweel。“ “ButIdon\'t，“saidHugh。 “ButI\'llintroduceyetill\'im。Hebidescloseathan\'here；roun\' twacornersjist。An\'I\'mthinkin\'he\'llbeathamethenoo；forI sawhimgaeinthatget，aforeyecam\'uptome。An\'thesunerwegang，thebetter；forhe\'snoayetobegottenhando\'。Fegs！hemaybeinShoreditchorthis。“ “Butwillhenotconsideritanintrusion？” “Na，na；there\'snofearo\'that。He\'sonyman\'san\'ilkawoman\'sfreen——sobehecandothemaguidturn；buthe\'snofordrinkin\' anddaffin\'an\'that。Comeawa\'，MaisterSutherlan\'，he\'syerverraman。“ Thusurged，Hughroseandaccompaniedthepoliceman。Hetookhimroundrathermorethantwocorners；butwithinfiveminutestheystoodatMr。Falconer\'sdoor。Johnrang。Thedooropenedwithoutvisibleservice，andtheyascendedtothefirstfloor，whichwasenclosedsomethingaftertheScotchfashion。Herearespectablelookingwomanawaitedtheirascent。 “IsMr。Falconerathom\'，mem？”saidHugh\'sguide。 “Heis；butIthinkhe\'sjustgoingoutagain。“ “Willyetellhim，mem，\'athooJohnMacPherson，thepoliceman，wouldlikesairtoseehim？” “Iwill，“sheanswered；andwentin，leavingthematthedoor。 Shereturnedinamoment，and，invitingthemtoenter，usheredthemintoalargebareroom，inwhichtherewasjustlightenoughforHughtorecognize，tohisastonishment，theunmistakeablefigureofthemanwhomhehadmetinWhitechapel，andwhomhehadafterwardsseenapparentlywatchinghimfromthegalleryoftheOlympicTheatre。 “Howareyou，MacPherson？”saidadeeppowerfulvoice，outofthegloom。 “Verraweel，Ithankye，Mr。Falconer。Hooareyeyersel\'，sir？” “Verywelltoo，thankyou。Whoiswithyou？” “It\'sagentleman，sir，bythenameo\'Mr。Sutherlan\'，whawantsyourhelp，sir，abootsomebodyorither\'athe\'senteresstitin，wha\'sdisappeared。“ Falconeradvanced，and，bowingtoHughsaid，verygraciously： “IshallbemosthappytoserveMr。Sutherland，ifinmypower。OurfriendMacPhersonhasrathertooexaltedanideaofmycapabilities，however。“ “Weel，MaisterFalconer，Ionlyjistspieratyersel\'，whetherornoyewaseverdungwi\'onythingyetookinhan\'。“ Falconermadenoreplytothis。Therewasthestoryofawholelifeinhissilence——pastandtocome。 Hemerelysaid： “Youcanleavethegentlemanwithme，then，John。I\'lltakecareofhim。“ “Nofearo\'that，sir。Deilabit！thougha\'thepolicemeni\' Lonnonwarefter\'im。“ “I\'mmuchobligedtoyouforbringinghim。“ “Theobligation\'sminesir——an\'thegentleman\'s。Goodnicht，sir。 Goodnicht，Mr。Sutherlan\'。Ye\'llkenwhaurtofin\'meginyewantme。Yon\'smybeatforanitherfortnicht。“ “Andyouknowmyquarters，“saidHugh，shakinghimbythehand。“I amgreatlyobligedtoyou。“ “Notabit，sir。Orginyewar，yesudbehertilywelcome。“ “Bringcandles，Mrs。Ashton，“Falconercalledfromthedoor。Then，turningtoHugh，“Sitdown，Mr。Sutherland，“hesaid，“ifyoucanfindachairthatisnotillegallyoccupiedalready。Perhapswehadbetterwaitforthecandles。Whatapleasantdaywehavehad！” “ThenyouhavebeenmorepleasantlyoccupiedthanIhave，“thoughtHugh，towhosemindreturnedtheimagesoftheAppleditchfamilyanditsdrawing-room，followedbytheanticipationofthedistastefuldutiesofthemorrow。Butheonlysaid： “Ithasbeenamostpleasantday。“ “Ispentitstrangely，“saidFalconer。