Part1
WeleftMissStanleywithAnnVeronica’sfancydressinherhandsandhereyesdirectedtoAnnVeronica’spseudo-Turkishslippers。
WhenMr。Stanleycamehomeataquartertosix——anearliertrainbyfifteenminutesthanheaffected——hissistermethiminthehallwithahushedexpression。\"I’msogladyou’rehere，Peter，\"
shesaid。\"Shemeanstogo。\"
\"Go！\"hesaid。\"Where？\"
\"Tothatball。\"
\"Whatball？\"Thequestionwasrhetorical。Heknew。
\"Ibelieveshe’sdressingup-stairs——now。\"
\"Thentellhertoundress，confoundher！\"TheCityhadbeenthoroughlyannoyingthatday，andhewasangryfromtheoutset。
MissStanleyreflectedonthisproposalforamoment。
\"Idon’tthinkshewill，\"shesaid。
\"Shemust，\"saidMr。Stanley，andwentintohisstudy。Hissisterfollowed。\"Shecan’tgonow。She’llhavetowaitfordinner，\"hesaid，uncomfortably。
\"She’sgoingtohavesomesortofmealwiththeWidgettsdowntheAvenue，andgoupwiththem。
\"Shetoldyouthat？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"When？\"
\"Attea。\"
\"Butwhydidn’tyouprohibitonceforallthewholething？Howdaredshetellyouthat？\"
\"Outofdefiance。Shejustsatandtoldmethatwasherarrangement。I’veneverseenherquitesosureofherself。\"
\"Whatdidyousay？\"
\"Isaid，’MydearVeronica！howcanyouthinkofsuchthings？’\"
\"Andthen？\"
\"Shehadtwomorecupsofteaandsomecake，andtoldmeofherwalk。\"
\"She’llmeetsomebodyoneofthesedays——walkingaboutlikethat。\"
\"Shedidn’tsayshe’dmetanyone。\"
\"Butdidn’tyousaysomemoreaboutthatball？\"
\"IsaideverythingIcouldsayassoonasIrealizedshewastryingtoavoidthetopic。Isaid，’ItisnouseyourtellingmeaboutthiswalkandpretendI’vebeentoldabouttheball，becauseyouhaven’t。Yourfatherhasforbiddenyoutogo！’\"
\"Well？\"
\"Shesaid，’Ihatebeinghorridtoyouandfather，butIfeelitmydutytogotothatball！’\"
\"Feltitherduty！\"
\"’Verywell，’Isaid，’thenIwashmyhandsofthewholebusiness。Yourdisobediencebeuponyourownhead。’\"
\"Butthatisflatrebellion！\"saidMr。Stanley，standingonthehearthrugwithhisbacktotheunlitgas-fire。\"Yououghtatonce——yououghtatoncetohavetoldherthat。Whatdutydoesagirlowetoanyonebeforeherfather？Obediencetohim，thatissurelythefirstlaw。WhatCANsheputbeforethat？\"Hisvoicebegantorise。\"OnewouldthinkIhadsaidnothingaboutthematter。OnewouldthinkIhadagreedtohergoing。IsupposethisiswhatshelearnsinherinfernalLondoncolleges。I
supposethisisthesortofdamnedrubbish——\"
\"Oh！Ssh，Peter！\"criedMissStanley。
Hestoppedabruptly。Inthepauseadoorcouldbeheardopeningandclosingonthelandingup-stairs。Thenlightfootstepsbecameaudible，descendingthestaircasewithacertaindeliberationandafaintrustleofskirts。
\"Tellher，\"saidMr。Stanley，withanimperiousgesture，\"tocomeinhere。\"
Part2
MissStanleyemergedfromthestudyandstoodwatchingAnnVeronicadescend。
Thegirlwasflushedwithexcitement，bright-eyed，andbracedforastruggle；heraunthadneverseenherlookingsofineorsopretty。Herfancydress，saveforthegreen-graystockings，thepseudo-Turkishslippers，andbaggysilktrouseredendsnaturaltoaCorsair’sbride，washiddeninalargeblack-silk-hoodedopera-cloak。Beneaththehooditwasevidentthatherrebellioushairwasboundupwithredsilk，andfastenedbysomedeviceinherears(unlessshehadthempierced，whichwastoodreadfulathingtosuppose！)werelongbrassfiligreeearrings。
\"I’mjustoff，aunt，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Yourfatherisinthestudyandwishestospeaktoyou。\"
AnnVeronicahesitated，andthenstoodintheopendoorwayandregardedherfather’ssternpresence。Shespokewithanentirelyfalsenoteofcheerfuloff-handedness。\"I’mjustintimetosaygood-byebeforeIgo，father。I’mgoinguptoLondonwiththeWidgettstothatball。\"
\"Nowlookhere，AnnVeronica，\"saidMr。Stanley，\"justamoment。
YouareNOTgoingtothatball！\"
AnnVeronicatriedalessgenial，moredignifiednote。
\"Ithoughtwehaddiscussedthat，father。\"
\"Youarenotgoingtothatball！Youarenotgoingoutofthishouseinthatget-up！\"
AnnVeronicatriedyetmoreearnestlytotreathim，asshewouldtreatanyman，withaninsistenceuponherdueofmasculinerespect。\"Yousee，\"shesaid，verygently，\"IAMgoing。Iamsorrytoseemtodisobeyyou，butIam。Iwish\"——shefoundshehadembarkedonabadsentence——\"Iwishweneedn’thavequarrelled。\"
Shestoppedabruptly，andturnedabouttowardthefrontdoor。Inamomenthewasbesideher。\"Idon’tthinkyoucanhaveheardme，Vee，\"hesaid，withintenselycontrolledfury。\"Isaidyouwere\"——heshouted——\"NOTTOGO！\"
Shemade，andoverdid，animmenseefforttobeaprincess。Shetossedherhead，and，havingnofurtherwords，movedtowardthedoor。Herfatherinterceptedher，andforamomentsheandhestruggledwiththeirhandsuponthelatch。Acommonrageflushedtheirfaces。\"Letgo！\"shegaspedathim，ablazeofanger。
\"Veronica！\"criedMissStanley，warningly，and，\"Peter！\"
Foramomenttheyseemedonthevergeofanaltogetherdesperatescuffle。Neverforamomenthadviolencecomebetweenthesetwosincelongagohehad，inspiteofhermother’sprotestinthebackground，carriedherkickingandsquallingtothenurseryforsomeforgottencrime。Withsomethingneartohorrortheyfoundthemselvesthusconfronted。
Thedoorwasfastenedbyacatchandalatchwithaninsidekey，towhichatnightachainandtwoboltswereadded。Carefullyabstainingfromthrustingagainsteachother，AnnVeronicaandherfatherbegananabsurdlydesperatestruggle，theonetoopenthedoor，theothertokeepitfastened。Sheseizedthekey，andhegraspedherhandandsqueezeditroughlyandpainfullybetweenthehandleandthewardasshetriedtoturnit。Hisgriptwistedherwrist。Shecriedoutwiththepainofit。
Awildpassionofshameandself-disgustsweptoverher。Herspiritawokeindismaytoanaffectioninruins，totheimmenseundignifieddisasterthathadcometothem。
Abruptlyshedesisted，recoiled，andturnedandfledup-stairs。
Shemadenoisesbetweenweepingandlaughterasshewent。Shegainedherroom，andslammedherdoorandlockeditasthoughshefearedviolenceandpursuit。
\"OhGod！\"shecried，\"OhGod！\"andflungasideheropera-cloak，andforatimewalkedabouttheroom——aCorsair’sbrideatacrisisofemotion。\"Whycan’thereasonwithme，\"shesaid，againandagain，\"insteadofdoingthis？\"
Part3
Therepresentlycameaphaseinwhichshesaid:\"IWON’Tstanditevennow。Iwillgoto-night。\"
Shewentasfarasherdoor，thenturnedtothewindow。Sheopenedthisandscrambledout——athingshehadnotdoneforfivelongyearsofadolescence——upontheleadedspaceabovethebuilt-outbath-roomonthefirstfloor。OnceuponatimesheandRoddyhaddescendedthencebythedrain-pipe。
Butthingsthatagirlofsixteenmaydoinshortskirtsarenotthingstobedonebyayoungladyoftwenty-oneinfancydressandanopera-cloak，andjustasshewascomingunaidedtoanadequaterealizationofthis，shediscoveredMr。Pragmar，thewholesaledruggist，wholivedthreegardensaway，andwhohadbeenmowinghislawntogetanappetitefordinner，standinginafascinatedattitudebesidetheforgottenlawn-mowerandwatchingherintently。
Shefounditextremelydifficulttoinfuseanairofquietcorrectitudeintoherreturnthroughthewindow，andwhenshewassafelyinsideshewavedclinchedfistsandexecutedanoiselessdanceofrage。
WhenshereflectedthatMr。PragmarprobablyknewMr。Ramage，andmightdescribetheaffairtohim，shecried\"Oh！\"withrenewedvexation，andrepeatedsomestepsofherdanceinanewandmoreecstaticmeasure。
Part4
AteightthateveningMissStanleytappedatAnnVeronica’sbedroomdoor。
\"I’vebroughtyouupsomedinner，Vee，\"shesaid。
AnnVeronicawaslyingonherbedinadarklingroomstaringattheceiling。Shereflectedbeforeanswering。Shewasfrightfullyhungry。Shehadeatenlittleornotea，andhermid-daymealhadbeenworsethannothing。
Shegotupandunlockedthedoor。
Herauntdidnotobjecttocapitalpunishmentorwar，ortheindustrialsystemorcasualwards，orfloggingofcriminalsortheCongoFreeState，becausenoneofthesethingsreallygotholdofherimagination；butshedidobject，shedidnotlike，shecouldnotbeartothinkofpeoplenothavingandenjoyingtheirmeals。Itwasherdistinctivetestofanemotionalstate，itsinterferencewithakindlynormaldigestion。Anyoneverybadlymovedchokeddownafewmouthfuls；thesymptomofsupremedistresswasnottobeabletotouchabit。SothatthethoughtofAnnVeronicaup-stairshadbeenextremelypainfulforherthroughallthesilentdinner-timethatnight。Assoonasdinnerwasovershewentintothekitchenanddevotedherselftocompilingatray——notatraymerelyofhalf-cooleddinnerthings，butaspeciallyprepared\"nice\"tray，suitablefortemptinganyone。Withthisshenowentered。
AnnVeronicafoundherselfinthepresenceofthemostdisconcertingfactinhumanexperience，thekindlinessofpeopleyoubelievetobethoroughlywrong。Shetookthetraywithbothhands，gulped，andgavewaytotears。
Herauntleapedunhappilytothethoughtofpenitence。
\"Mydear，\"shebegan，withanaffectionatehandonAnnVeronica’sshoulder，\"IdoSOwishyouwouldrealizehowitgrievesyourfather。\"
AnnVeronicaflungawayfromherhand，andthepepper-potonthetrayupset，sendingapuffofpepperintotheairandinstantlyfillingthembothwithanintensedesiretosneeze。
\"Idon’tthinkyousee，\"shereplied，withtearsonhercheeks，andherbrowsknitting，\"howitshamesand，ah！——disgracesme——AH
TISHU！\"
Sheputdownthetraywithaconcussiononhertoilet-table。
\"But，dear，think！Heisyourfather。SHOOH！\"
\"That’snoreason，\"saidAnnVeronica，speakingthroughherhandkerchiefandstoppingabruptly。
Nieceandauntregardedeachotherforamomentovertheirpocket-handkerchiefswithwaterybutantagonisticeyes，eachfartooprofoundlymovedtoseetheabsurdityoftheposition。
\"Ihope，\"saidMissStanley，withdignity，andturneddoorwardwithfeaturesincivilwarfare。\"Betterstateofmind，\"shegasped……
AnnVeronicastoodinthetwilightroomstaringatthedoorthathadslammeduponheraunt，herpocket-handkerchiefrolledtightlyinherhand。Hersoulwasfullofthesenseofdisaster。Shehadmadeherfirstfightfordignityandfreedomasagrown-upandindependentPerson，andthiswashowtheuniversehadtreatedher。Ithadneithersuccumbedtohernorwrathfullyoverwhelmedher。Ithadthrustherbackwithanundignifiedscuffle，withvulgarcomedy，withanunendurable，scornfulgrin。
\"ByGod！\"saidAnnVeronicaforthefirsttimeinherlife。\"ButIwill！Iwill！\"
CHAPTERTHEFIFTH
THEFLIGHTTOLONDON
Part1
AnnVeronicahadanimpressionthatshedidnotsleepatallthatnight，andatanyrateshegotthroughanimmenseamountoffeverishfeelingandthinking。
Whatwasshegoingtodo？
Onemainideapossessedher:shemustgetawayfromhome，shemustassertherselfatonceorperish。\"Verywell，\"shewouldsay，\"thenImustgo。\"Toremain，shefelt，wastoconcedeeverything。Andshewouldhavetogoto-morrow。Itwasclearitmustbeto-morrow。Ifshedelayedadayshewoulddelaytwodays，ifshedelayedtwodaysshewoulddelayaweek，andafteraweekthingswouldbeadjustedtosubmissionforever。\"I’llgo，\"
shevowedtothenight，\"orI’lldie！\"Shemadeplansandestimatedmeansandresources。Theseandhergeneralpreparationshadperhapsacertaindisproportion。Shehadagoldwatch，averygoodgoldwatchthathadbeenhermother’s，apearlnecklacethatwasalsoprettygood，someunpretendingrings，somesilverbanglesandafewothersuchinferiortrinkets，threepoundsthirteenshillingsunspentofherdressandbookallowanceandafewgoodsalablebooks。Soequipped，sheproposedtosetupaseparateestablishmentintheworld。
Andthenshewouldfindwork。
Formostofalongandfluctuatingnightshewasfairlyconfidentthatshewouldfindwork；sheknewherselftobestrong，intelligent，andcapablebythestandardsofmostofthegirlssheknew。Shewasnotquiteclearhowsheshouldfindit，butshefeltshewould。Thenshewouldwriteandtellherfatherwhatshehaddone，andputtheirrelationshiponanewfooting。
Thatwashowsheprojectedit，andingeneraltermsitseemedplausibleandpossible。Butinbetweenthesewiderphasesofcomparativeconfidenceweregapsofdisconcertingdoubt，whentheuniversewaspresentedasmakingsinisterandthreateningfacesather，defyinghertodefy，preparingahumiliatingandshamefuloverthrow。\"Idon’tcare，\"saidAnnVeronicatothedarkness；
\"I’llfightit。\"
Shetriedtoplanherproceedingsindetail。TheonlydifficultiesthatpresentedthemselvesclearlytoherwerethedifficultiesofgettingawayfromMorningsidePark，andnotthedifficultiesattheotherendofthejourney。Theseweresooutsideherexperiencethatshefounditpossibletothrustthemalmostoutofsightbysayingtheywouldbe\"allright\"inconfidenttonestoherself。Butstillsheknewtheywerenotright，andattimestheybecameahorribleobsessionasofsomethingwaitingforherroundthecorner。Shetriedtoimagineherself\"gettingsomething，\"toprojectherselfassittingdownatadeskandwriting，orasreturningafterherworktosomepleasantlyequippedandfreeandindependentflat。Foratimeshefurnishedtheflat。Butevenwiththatfurnitureitremainedextremelyvague，thepossiblegoodandthepossibleevilaswell！
Thepossibleevil！\"I’llgo，\"saidAnnVeronicaforthehundredthtime。\"I’llgo。Idon’tcareWHAThappens。\"
Sheawokeoutofadoze，asthoughshehadneverbeensleeping。
Itwastimetogetup。
Shesatontheedgeofherbedandlookedabouther，atherroom，attherowofblack-coveredbooksandthepig’sskull。\"Imusttakethem，\"shesaid，tohelpherselfoverherownincredulity。
\"HowshallIgetmyluggageoutofthehouse？……\"
Thefigureofheraunt，alittledistant，alittlepropitiatory，behindthecoffeethings，filledherwithasenseofalmostcatastrophicadventure。Perhapsshemightnevercomebacktothatbreakfast-roomagain。Never！Perhapssomeday，quitesoon，shemightregretthatbreakfast-room。Shehelpedherselftotheremainderoftheslightlycongealedbacon，andrevertedtotheproblemofgettingherluggageoutofthehouse。ShedecidedtocallinthehelpofTeddyWidgett，or，failinghim，ofoneofhissisters。
Part2
ShefoundtheyoungergenerationoftheWidgettsengagedinlanguidreminiscences，andall，astheyexpressedit，a\"bitdecayed。\"EveryonebecametremendouslyanimatedwhentheyheardthatAnnVeronicahadfailedthembecauseshehadbeen，assheexpressedit，\"lockedin。\"
\"MyGod！\"saidTeddy，moreimpressivelythanever。
\"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？\"askedHetty。
\"Whatcanonedo？\"askedAnnVeronica。\"Wouldyoustandit？I’mgoingtoclearout。\"
\"Clearout？\"criedHetty。
\"GotoLondon，\"saidAnnVeronica。
Shehadexpectedsympatheticadmiration，butinsteadthewholeWidgettfamily，exceptTeddy，expressedacommondismay。\"Buthowcanyou？\"askedConstance。\"Whowillyoustopwith？\"
\"Ishallgoonmyown。Takearoom！\"
\"Isay！\"saidConstance。\"Butwho’sgoingtopayfortheroom？\"
\"I’vegotmoney，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Anythingisbetterthanthis——thisstifledlifedownhere。\"AndseeingthatHettyandConstancewereobviouslydevelopingobjections，sheplungedatonceintoademandforhelp。\"I’vegotnothingintheworldtopackwithexceptatoysizeportmanteau。Canyoulendmesomestuff？\"
\"YouAREachap！\"saidConstance，andwarmedonlyslowlyfromtheideaofdissuasiontotheideaofhelp。Buttheydidwhattheycouldforher。Theyagreedtolendhertheirhold-allandalarge，formlessbagwhichtheycalledthecommunaltrunk。AndTeddydeclaredhimselfreadytogototheendsoftheearthforher，andcarryherluggagealltheway。
Hetty，lookingoutofthewindow——shealwayssmokedherafter-breakfastcigaretteatthewindowforthebenefitofthelessadvancedsectionofMorningsideParksociety——andtryingnottoraiseobjections，sawMissStanleygoingdowntowardtheshops。
\"Ifyoumustgoonwithit，\"saidHetty，\"now’syourtime。\"AndAnnVeronicaatoncewentbackwiththehold-all，tryingnottohurryindecentlybuttokeepupherdignifiedairofbeingawrongedpersondoingtherightthingatasmarttrot，topack。
Teddywentroundbythegardenbacksanddroppedthebagoverthefence。Allthiswasexcitingandentertaining。Herauntreturnedbeforethepackingwasdone，andAnnVeronicalunchedwithanuneasysenseofbagandhold-allpackedup-stairsandinadequatelyhiddenfromchanceintrudersbythevalanceofthebed。Shewentdown，flushedandlight-hearted，totheWidgetts’
afterlunchtomakesomefinalarrangementsandthen，assoonasheraunthadretiredtoliedownforherusualdigestivehour，tooktheriskoftheservantshavingtheenterprisetoreportherproceedingsandcarriedherbagandhold-alltothegardengate，whenceTeddy，inastateofecstaticservice，borethemtotherailwaystation。Thenshewentup-stairsagain，dressedherselfcarefullyfortown，putonhermostbusinesslike-lookinghat，andwithawaveofemotionshefoundithardtocontrol，walkeddowntocatchthe3。17up-train。
Teddyhandedherintothesecond-classcompartmentherseason-ticketwarranted，anddeclaredshewas\"simplysplendid。\"
\"Ifyouwantanything，\"hesaid，\"orgetintoanytrouble，wireme。I’dcomebackfromtheendsoftheearth。I’ddoanything，Vee。It’shorribletothinkofyou！\"
\"You’reanawfulbrick，Teddy！\"shesaid。
\"Whowouldn’tbeforyou？\"
Thetrainbegantomove。\"You’resplendid！\"saidTeddy，withhishairwildinthewind。\"Goodluck！Goodluck！\"
Shewavedfromthewindowuntilthebendhidhim。
Shefoundherselfaloneinthetrainaskingherselfwhatshemustdonext，andtryingnottothinkofherselfascutofffromhomeoranyrefugewhateverfromtheworldshehadresolvedtoface。
Shefeltsmallerandmoreadventurouseventhanshehadexpectedtofeel。\"Letmesee，\"shesaidtoherself，tryingtocontrolaslightsinkingoftheheart，\"Iamgoingtotakearoominalodging-housebecausethatischeaper……ButperhapsIhadbettergetaroominanhotelto-nightandlookround……
\"It’sboundtobeallright，\"shesaid。
Butherheartkeptonsinking。Whathotelshouldshegoto？Ifshetoldacabmantodrivetoanhotel，anyhotel，whatwouldhedo——orsay？Hemightdrivetosomethingdreadfullyexpensive，andnotatallthequietsortofthingsherequired。Finallyshedecidedthatevenforanhotelshemustlookround，andthatmeanwhileshewould\"book\"herluggageatWaterloo。Shetoldtheportertotakeittothebooking-office，anditwasonlyafteradisconcertingmomentorsothatshefoundsheoughttohavedirectedhimtogotothecloak-room。Butthatwassoonputright，andshewalkedoutintoLondonwithapeculiarexaltationofmind，anexaltationthatpartookofpanicanddefiance，butwaschieflyasenseofvastunexampledrelease。
Sheinhaledadeepbreathofair——Londonair。
Part3
Shedismissedthefirsthotelsshepassed，shescarcelyknewwhy，mainlyperhapsfromthemeredreadofenteringthem，andcrossedWaterlooBridgeataleisurelypace。Itwashighafternoon，therewasnogreatthrongoffoot-passengers，andmanyaneyefromomnibusandpavementrestedgratefullyonherfresh，trimpresenceasshepassedyounganderect，withthelightofdeterminationshiningthroughthequietself-possessionofherface。ShewasdressedasEnglishgirlsdodressfortown，withouteithercoquetryorharshness:hercollarlessblouseconfessedaprettyneck，hereyeswerebrightandsteady，andherdarkhairwavedlooselyandgraciouslyoverherears……
Itseemedatfirstthemostbeautifulafternoonofalltimetoher，andperhapsthethrillofherexcitementdidaddadistinctiveandculminatingkeennesstotheday。Theriver，thebigbuildingsonthenorthbank，Westminster，andSt。Paul’s，wererichandwonderfulwiththesoftsunshineofLondon，thesoftest，thefinestgrained，themostpenetratingandleastemphaticsunshineintheworld。TheverycartsandvansandcabsthatWellingtonStreetpouredoutincessantlyuponthebridgeseemedripeandgoodinhereyes。Atrafficofcopiousbargesslumberedoverthefaceoftheriver-bargeseitheraltogetherstagnantordreamingalonginthewakeoffussytugs；andabovecircled，urbanelyvoracious，theLondonseagulls。Shehadneverbeentherebeforeatthathour，inthatlight，anditseemedtoherasifshecametoitallforthefirsttime。Andthisgreatmellowplace，thisLondon，nowwashers，tostrugglewith，togowhereshepleasedin，toovercomeandlivein。\"Iamglad，\"shetoldherself，\"Icame。\"
ShemarkedanhotelthatseemedneitheropulentnoroddinalittlesidestreetopeningontheEmbankment，madeuphermindwithaneffort，and，returningbyHungerfordBridgetoWaterloo，tookacabtothischosenrefugewithhertwopiecesofluggage。
Therewasjustaminute’shesitationbeforetheygaveheraroom。
Theyoungladyinthebureausaidshewouldinquire，andAnnVeronica，whilesheaffectedtoreadtheappealonahospitalcollecting-boxuponthebureaucounter，hadadisagreeablesenseofbeingsurveyedfrombehindbyasmall，whiskeredgentlemaninafrock-coat，whocameoutoftheinnerofficeandintothehallamonganumberofequallyobservantgreenporterstolookatherandherbags。Butthesurveywassatisfactory，andshefoundherselfpresentlyinRoomNo。47，straighteningherhatandwaitingforherluggagetoappear。
\"Allrightsofar，\"shesaidtoherself……
Part4
Butpresently，asshesatontheoneantimacassaredredsilkchairandsurveyedherhold-allandbaginthattidy，rathervacant，anddehumanizedapartment，withitsemptywardrobeanddeserttoilet-tableandpicturelesswallsandstereotypedfurnishings，asuddenblanknesscameuponherasthoughshedidn’tmatter，andhadbeenthrustawayintothisimpersonalcorner，sheandhergear……
ShedecidedtogooutintotheLondonafternoonagainandgetsomethingtoeatinanAeratedBreadshoporsomesuchplace，andperhapsfindacheaproomforherself。Ofcoursethatwaswhatshehadtodo；shehadtofindacheaproomforherselfandwork！
ThisRoomNo。47wasnomorethanasortofrailwaycompartmentonthewaytothat。
Howdoesonegetwork？
ShewalkedalongtheStrandandacrossTrafalgarSquare，andbytheHaymarkettoPiccadilly，andsothroughdignifiedsquaresandpalatialalleystoOxfordStreet；andhermindwasdividedbetweenaspeculativetreatmentofemploymentontheonehand，andbreezes——zephyrbreezes——ofthekeenestappreciationforLondon，ontheother。ThejollypartofitwasthatforthefirsttimeinherlifesofarasLondonwasconcerned，shewasnotgoinganywhereinparticular；forthefirsttimeinherlifeitseemedtohershewastakingLondonin。
Shetriedtothinkhowpeoplegetwork。Oughtshetowalkintosomeoftheseplacesandtellthemwhatshecoulddo？Shehesitatedatthewindowofashipping-officeinCockspurStreetandattheArmyandNavyStores，butdecidedthatperhapstherewouldbesomespecialandcustomaryhour，andthatitwouldbebetterforhertofindthisoutbeforeshemadeherattempt。And，besides，shedidn’tjustimmediatelywanttomakeherattempt。
Shefellintoapleasantdreamofpositionsandwork。Behindeveryoneofthesemyriadfrontsshepassedtheremustbeacareerorcareers。Herideasofwomen’semploymentandamodernwoman’sposeinlifewerebasedlargelyonthefigureofVivieWarreninMrs。Warren’sProfession。ShehadseenMrs。Warren’sProfessionfurtivelywithHettyWidgettfromthegalleryofaStageSocietyperformanceoneMondayafternoon。Mostofithadbeenincomprehensibletoher，orcomprehensibleinawaythatcheckedfurthercuriosity，butthefigureofVivien，hard，capable，successful，andbullying，andorderingaboutaveritableTeddyinthepersonofFrankGardner，appealedtoher。ShesawherselfinverymuchVivie’sposition——managingsomething。
HerthoughtsweredeflectedfromVivieWarrenbythepeculiarbehaviorofamiddle-agedgentlemaninPiccadilly。HeappearedsuddenlyfromtheinfiniteintheneighborhoodoftheBurlingtonArcade，crossingthepavementtowardherandwithhiseyesuponher。Heseemedtoherindistinguishablyaboutherfather’sage。
Heworeasilkhatalittletilted，andamorningcoatbuttonedroundatight，containedfigure；andawhiteslipgaveafinishtohiscostumeandendorsedthequietdistinctionofhistie。
Hisfacewasalittleflushedperhaps，andhissmall，browneyeswerebright。Hestoppedonthecurb-stone，notfacingherbutasifhewasonhiswaytocrosstheroad，andspoketohersuddenlyoverhisshoulder。
\"Whitheraway？\"hesaid，verydistinctlyinacuriouslywheedlingvoice。AnnVeronicastaredathisfoolish，propitiatorysmile，hishungrygaze，throughonemomentofamazement，thensteppedasideandwentonherwaywithaquickenedstep。Buthermindwasruffled，anditsmirror-likesurfaceofsatisfactionwasnoteasilyrestored。
Queeroldgentleman！
Theartofignoringisoneoftheaccomplishmentsofeverywell-bredgirl，socarefullyinstilledthatatlastshecanevenignoreherownthoughtsandherownknowledge。AnnVeronicacouldatthesametimeaskherselfwhatthisqueeroldgentlemancouldhavemeantbyspeakingtoher，andknow——knowingeneralterms，atleast——whatthataccostingsignified。Abouther，asshehadgonedaybydaytoandfromtheTredgoldCollege，shehadseenandnotseenmanyanincidentalaspectofthosesidesoflifeaboutwhichgirlsareexpectedtoknownothing，aspectsthatwereextraordinarilyrelevanttoherownpositionandoutlookontheworld，andyetbyconventionineffablyremote。Forallthatshewasofexceptionalintellectualenterprise，shehadneveryetconsideredthesethingswithunavertedeyes。Shehadviewedthemaskance，andwithoutexchangingideaswithanyoneelseintheworldaboutthem。
Shewentonherwaynownolongerdreamingandappreciative，butdisturbedandunwillinglyobservantbehindhermaskofserenecontentment。
Thatdelightfulsenseoffree，unembarrassedmovementwasgone。
AsshenearedthebottomofthedipinPiccadillyshesawawomanapproachingherfromtheoppositedirection——atallwomanwhoatthefirstglanceseemedaltogetherbeautifulandfine。Shecamealongwiththeflutteringassuranceofsometallship。Thenasshedrewnearerpaintshoweduponherface，andaharshpurposebehindthequietexpressionofheropencountenance，andasortofunrealityinhersplendorbetrayeditselfforwhichAnnVeronicacouldnotrecalltherightword——aword，halfunderstood，thatlurkedandhidinhermind，theword\"meretricious。\"Behindthiswomanandalittletothesideofher，walkedamansmartlydressed，withdesireandappraisalinhiseyes。Somethinginsistedthatthosetwoweremysteriouslylinked——thatthewomanknewthemanwasthere。
Itwasasecondreminderthatagainstherclaimtogofreeanduntrammelledtherewasacasetobemade，thatafterallitwastruethatagirldoesnotgoaloneintheworldunchallenged，noreverhasgonefreelyaloneintheworld，thatevilwalksabroadanddangers，andpettyinsultsmoreirritatingthandangers，lurk。
ItwasinthequietstreetsandsquarestowardOxfordStreetthatitfirstcameintoherheaddisagreeablythatsheherselfwasbeingfollowed。Sheobservedamanwalkingontheoppositesideofthewayandlookingtowardher。
\"Botheritall！\"sheswore。\"Bother！\"anddecidedthatthiswasnotso，andwouldnotlooktorightorleftagain。
BeyondtheCircusAnnVeronicawentintoaBritishTea-TableCompanyshoptogetsometea。Andasshewasyetwaitingforherteatocomeshesawthismanagain。Eitheritwasanunfortunaterecoveryofatrail，orhehadfollowedherfromMayfair。Therewasnomistakinghisintentionsthistime。Hecamedowntheshoplookingforherquiteobviously，andtookupapositionontheothersideagainstamirrorinwhichhewasabletoregardhersteadfastly。
BeneaththesereneunconcernofAnnVeronica’sfacewasaboilingtumult。Shewasfuriouslyangry。ShegazedwithaquietdetachmenttowardthewindowandtheOxfordStreettraffic，andinherheartshewasbusykickingthismantodeath。HeHAD
followedher！Whathadhefollowedherfor？HemusthavefollowedherallthewayfrombeyondGrosvenorSquare。
Hewasatallmanandfair，withbluisheyesthatwereratherprotuberant，andlongwhitehandsofwhichhemadeadisplay。Hehadremovedhissilkhat，andnowsatlookingatAnnVeronicaoveranuntouchedcupoftea；hesatgloatinguponher，tryingtocatchhereye。Once，whenhethoughthehaddoneso，hesmiledaningratiatingsmile。Hemoved，afterquietintervals，withaquicklittlemovement，andeverandagainstrokedhissmallmustacheandcoughedaself-consciouscough。
\"Thatheshouldbeinthesameworldwithme！\"saidAnnVeronica，reducedtoreadingthelistofgoodthingstheBritishTea-TableCompanyhadpricedforitspatrons。
Heavenknowswhatdimandtawdryconceptionsofpassionanddesirewereinthatblondcranium，whatromance-begottendreamsofintrigueandadventure！buttheysufficed，whenpresentlyAnnVeronicawentoutintothedarklingstreetagain，toinspireaflitting，doggedpursuit，idiotic，exasperating，indecent。
Shehadnoideawhatsheshoulddo。Ifshespoketoapolicemanshedidnotknowwhatwouldensue。Perhapsshewouldhavetochargethismanandappearinapolice-courtnextday。
Shebecameangrywithherself。Shewouldnotbedriveninbythispersistent，sneakingaggression。Shewouldignorehim。
Surelyshecouldignorehim。Shestoppedabruptly，andlookedinaflower-shopwindow。Hepassed，andcameloiteringbackandstoodbesideher，silentlylookingintoherface。
Theafternoonhadpassednowintotwilight。Theshopswerelightingupintogiganticlanternsofcolor，thestreetlampswereglowingintoexistence，andshehadlostherway。Shehadlosthersenseofdirection，andwasamongunfamiliarstreets。
Shewentonfromstreettostreet，andallthegloryofLondonhaddeparted。Againstthesinister，thethreatening，monstrousinhumanityofthelimitlesscity，therewasnothingnowbutthissupreme，uglyfactofapursuit——thepursuitoftheundesired，persistentmale。
ForasecondtimeAnnVeronicawantedtoswearattheuniverse。
Thereweremomentswhenshethoughtofturninguponthismanandtalkingtohim。Buttherewassomethinginhisfaceatoncestupidandinvinciblethattoldherhewouldgoonforcinghimselfuponher，thathewouldesteemspeechwithheragreatpointgained。Inthetwilighthehadceasedtobeapersononecouldtackleandshame；hehadbecomesomethingmoregeneral，asomethingthatcrawledandsneakedtowardherandwouldnotletheralone……
Then，whenthetensionwasgettingunendurable，andshewasonthevergeofspeakingtosomecasualpasser-byanddemandinghelp，herfollowervanished。Foratimeshecouldscarcelybelievehewasgone。Hehad。Thenighthadswallowedhimup，buthisworkonherwasdone。Shehadlosthernerve，andtherewasnomorefreedominLondonforherthatnight。Shewasgladtojoininthestreamofhurryinghomewardworkersthatwasnowwellingoutofathousandplacesofemployment，andtoimitatetheirdriven，preoccupiedhaste。ShehadfollowedabobbingwhitehatandgrayjacketuntilshereachedtheEustonRoadcornerofTottenhamCourtRoad，andthere，bythenameonabusandthecriesofaconductor，shemadeaguessofherway。Andshedidnotmerelyaffecttobedriven——shefeltdriven。Shewasafraidpeoplewouldfollowher，shewasafraidofthedark，opendoorwaysshepassed，andafraidoftheblazesoflight；shewasafraidtobealone，andsheknewnotwhatitwasshefeared。
Itwaspastsevenwhenshegotbacktoherhotel。Shethoughtthenthatshehadshakenoffthemanofthebulgingblueeyesforever，butthatnightshefoundhefollowedherintoherdreams。Hestalkedher，hestaredather，hecravedher，hesidledslinkingandpropitiatoryandyetrelentlesslytowardher，untilatlastsheawokefromthesuffocatingnightmarenearnessofhisapproach，andlayawakeinfearandhorrorlisteningtotheunaccustomedsoundsofthehotel。
Shecameverynearthatnighttoresolvingthatshewouldreturntoherhomenextmorning。Butthemorningbroughtcourageagain，andthosefirstintimationsofhorrorvanishedcompletelyfromhermind。
Part5
ShehadsentherfatheratelegramfromtheEastStrandpost-officewordedthus:
|All|is|well|with|me|
|——|——|——|——|——|
|and|quite|safe|Veronica||——
andafterwardshehaddinedalacarteuponacutlet，andhadthensetherselftowriteananswertoMr。Manning’sproposalofmarriage。Butshehadfounditverydifficult。
\"DEARMR。MANNING，shehadbegun。Sofarithadbeenplainsailing，andithadseemedfairlyevidenttogoon:\"Ifinditverydifficulttoansweryourletter。\"
Butafterthatneitherideasnorphraseshadcomeandshehadfallenthinkingoftheeventsoftheday。Shehaddecidedthatshewouldspendthenextmorningansweringadvertisementsinthepapersthataboundedinthewriting-room；andso，afterhalfanhour’sperusalofbacknumbersoftheSketchinthedrawing-room，shehadgonetobed。
Shefoundnextmorning，whenshecametothisadvertisementanswering，thatitwasmoredifficultthanshehadsupposed。Inthefirstplacetherewerenotsomanysuitableadvertisementsasshehadexpected。Shesatdownbythepaper-rackwithageneralfeelingofresemblancetoVivieWarren，andlookedthroughtheMorningPostandStandardandTelegraph，andafterwardthehalf-pennysheets。TheMorningPostwashungryforgovernessesandnurserygovernesses，butheldoutnootherhopes；theDailyTelegraphthatmorningseemedeageronlyforskirthands。Shewenttoawriting-deskandmadesomememorandaonasheetofnote-paper，andthenrememberedthatshehadnoaddressasyettowhichletterscouldbesent。
ShedecidedtoleavethismatteruntilthemorrowanddevotethemorningtosettlingupwithMr。Manning。Atthecostofquiteanumberoftorndraftsshesucceededinevolvingthis:
\"DEARMR。MANNING，——Ifinditverydifficulttoansweryourletter。Ihopeyouwon’tmindifIsayfirstthatIthinkitdoesmeanextraordinaryhonorthatyoushouldthinkofanyonelikemyselfsohighlyandseriously，and，secondly，thatIwishithadnotbeenwritten。\"
Shesurveyedthissentenceforsometimebeforegoingon。\"I
wonder，\"shesaid，\"whyonewriteshimsentenceslikethat？
It’llhavetogo，\"shedecided，\"I’vewrittentoomanyalready。\"
Shewenton，withadesperateattempttobeeasyandcolloquial:
\"Yousee，wewererathergoodfriends，Ithought，andnowperhapsitwillbedifficultforustogetbacktotheoldfriendlyfooting。ButifthatcanpossiblybedoneIwantittobedone。
Yousee，theplainfactofthecaseisthatIthinkIamtooyoungandignorantformarriage。Ihavebeenthinkingthesethingsoverlately，anditseemstomethatmarriageforagirlisjustthesupremestthinginlife。Itisn’tjustoneamonganumberofimportantthings；forheritistheimportantthing，anduntilsheknowsfarmorethanIknowofthefactsoflife，howisshetoundertakeit？Soplease；ifyouwill，forgetthatyouwrotethatletter，andforgivethisanswer。IwantyoutothinkofmejustasifIwasaman，andquiteoutsidemarriagealtogether。
\"Idohopeyouwillbeabletodothis，becauseIvaluemenfriends。IshallbeverysorryifIcannothaveyouforafriend。Ithinkthatthereisnobetterfriendforagirlthanamanratherolderthanherself。
\"PerhapsbythistimeyouwillhaveheardofthestepIhavetakeninleavingmyhome。VerylikelyyouwilldisapprovehighlyofwhatIhavedone——lwonder？Youmay，perhaps，thinkIhavedoneitjustinafitofchildishpetulancebecausemyfatherlockedmeinwhenIwantedtogotoaballofwhichhedidnotapprove。Butreallyitismuchmorethanthat。AtMorningsideParkIfeelasthoughallmygrowingupwaspresentlytostop，asthoughIwasbeingshutinfromthelightoflife，and，astheysayinbotany，etiolated。Iwasjustlikeasortofdummythatdoesthingsasitistold——thatistosay，asthestringsarepulled。Iwanttobeapersonbymyself，andtopullmyownstrings。Ihadratherhavetroubleandhardshiplikethatthanbetakencareofbyothers。Iwanttobemyself。lwonderifamancanquiteunderstandthatpassionatefeeling？Itisquiteapassionatefeeling。SoIamalreadynolongerthegirlyouknewatMorningsidePark。Iamayoungpersonseekingemploymentandfreedomandself-development，justasinquiteourfirsttalkofallIsaidIwantedtobe。
\"Idohopeyouwillseehowthingsare，andnotbeoffendedwithmeorfrightfullyshockedanddistressedbywhatIhavedone。
\"Verysincerelyyours，\"ANNVERONICASTANLEY。\"
Part6
Intheafternoonsheresumedhersearchforapartments。Theintoxicatingsenseofnoveltyhadgivenplacetoamorebusiness-likemood。ShedriftednorthwardfromtheStrand，andcameonsomequeeranddingyquarters。
Shehadneverimaginedlifewashalfsosinisterasitlookedtoherinthebeginningoftheseinvestigations。Shefoundherselfagaininthepresenceofsomeelementinlifeaboutwhichshehadbeentrainednottothink，aboutwhichshewasperhapsinstinctivelyindisposedtothink；somethingwhichjarred，inspiteofallhermentalresistance，withallherpreconceptionsofacleanandcourageousgirlwalkingoutfromMorningsideParkasonewalksoutofacellintoafreeandspaciousworld。Oneortwolandladiesrefusedherwithanairofconsciousvirtuethatshefoundhardtoexplain。\"Wedon’tlettoladies，\"theysaid。
Shedrifted，viaTheobald’sRoad，obliquelytowardtheregionaboutTitchfieldStreet。Suchapartmentsasshesawwereeitherscandalouslydirtyorunaccountablydear，orboth。Andsomewereadornedwithengravingsthatstruckherasbeingmorevulgarandundesirablethananythingshehadeverseeninherlife。AnnVeronicalovedbeautifulthings，andthebeautyofundrapedlovelinessnotleastamongthem；butthesewerepicturesthatdidbutinsistcoarselyupontheroundnessofwomen’sbodies。Thewindowsoftheseroomswereobscuredwithdraperies，theirfloorsacarpetpatchwork；thechinaornamentsontheirmantelswereofaclassapart。Afterthefirstonsetseveralofthewomenwhohadapartmentstoletsaidshewouldnotdoforthem，andineffectdismissedher。Thisalsostruckherasodd。
Aboutmanyofthesehouseshungamysterioustaintasofsomethingweaklyandcommonlyanddustilyevil；thewomenwhonegotiatedtheroomslookedoutthroughafriendlymannerasthoughitwasamask，withhard，defianteyes。Thenoneoldcrone，short-sightedandshaky-handed，calledAnnVeronica\"dearie，\"andmadesomeremark，obscureandslangy，ofwhichthespiritratherthanthewordspenetratedtoherunderstanding。
Foratimeshelookedatnomoreapartments，andwalkedthroughgauntandill-cleanedstreets，throughthesordidundersideoflife，perplexedandtroubled，ashamedofherpreviousobtuseness。
ShehadsomethingofthefeelingaHindoomustexperiencewhohasbeenintosurroundingsortouchedsomethingthatoffendshiscaste。Shepassedpeopleinthestreetsandregardedthemwithaquickeningapprehension，onceortwicecamegirlsdressedinslatternlyfinery，goingtowardRegentStreetfromouttheseplaces。Itdidnotoccurtoherthattheyatleasthadfoundawayofearningaliving，andhadthatmucheconomicsuperioritytoherself。Itdidnotoccurtoherthatsaveforsomeaccidentsofeducationandcharactertheyhadsoulslikeherown。
ForatimeAnnVeronicawentonherwaygaugingthequalityofsordidstreets。Atlast，alittlewaytothenorthwardofEustonRoad，themoralcloudseemedtolift，themoralatmospheretochange；cleanblindsappearedinthewindows，cleandoorstepsbeforethedoors，adifferentappealintheneatlyplacedcardsbearingtheword——
|APARTMENTS|——
intheclearbrightwindows。AtlastinastreetneartheHampsteadRoadshehituponaroomthathadanexceptionalqualityofspaceandorder，andatallwomanwithakindlyfacetoshowit。\"You’reastudent，perhaps？\"saidthetallwoman。
\"AttheTredgoldWomen’sCollege，\"saidAnnVeronica。Shefeltitwouldsaveexplanationsifshedidnotstateshehadleftherhomeandwaslookingforemployment。Theroomwaspaperedwithgreen，large-patternedpaperthatwasatworstatrifledingy，andthearm-chairandtheseatsoftheotherchairswerecoveredwiththeunusualbrightnessofalarge-patternedchintz，whichalsosuppliedthewindow-curtain。Therewasaroundtablecovered，notwiththeusual\"tapestry\"cover，butwithaplaingreencloththatwentpassablywiththewall-paper。Intherecessbesidethefireplaceweresomeopenbookshelves。Thecarpetwasaquietdruggetandnotexcessivelyworn，andthebedinthecornerwascoveredbyawhitequilt。Therewereneithertextsnorrubbishonthewalls，butonlyastirringversionofBelshazzar’sfeast，asteelengravingintheearlyVictorianmannerthathadsomesatisfactoryblacks。Andthewomanwhoshowedthisroomwastall，withanunderstandingeyeandthequietmannerofthewell-trainedservant。
AnnVeronicabroughtherluggageinacabfromthehotel；shetippedthehotelportersixpenceandoverpaidthecabmaneighteenpence，unpackedsomeofherbooksandpossessions，andsomadetheroomalittlehomelike，andthensatdowninabynomeansuncomfortablearm-chairbeforethefire。Shehadarrangedforasupperoftea，aboiledegg，andsometinnedpeaches。Shehaddiscussedthegeneralquestionofsupplieswiththehelpfullandlady。\"Andnow，\"saidAnnVeronicasurveyingherapartmentwithanunprecedentedsenseofproprietorship，\"whatisthenextstep？\"
Shespenttheeveninginwriting——itwasalittledifficult——toherfatherand——whichwaseasier——totheWidgetts。Shewasgreatlyheartenedbydoingthis。Thenecessityofdefendingherselfandassumingaconfidentandsecuretonedidmuchtodispellthesenseofbeingexposedandindefensibleinahugedingyworldthataboundedinsinisterpossibilities。Sheaddressedherletters，meditatedonthemforatime，andthentookthemoutandpostedthem。Afterwardshewantedtogetherlettertoherfatherbackinordertoreaditoveragain，and，ifittalliedwithhergeneralimpressionofit，re-writeit。
Hewouldknowheraddressto-morrow。Shereflecteduponthatwithathrillofterrorthatwasalso，somehow，insomefaintremoteway，gleeful。
\"DearoldDaddy，\"shesaid，\"he’llmakeafearfulfuss。Well，ithadtohappensomewhen……Somehow。Iwonderwhathe’llsay？\"
CHAPTERTHESIXTH
EXPOSTULATIONS
Part1
Thenextmorningopenedcalmly，andAnnVeronicasatinherownroom，herveryownroom，andconsumedaneggandmarmalade，andreadtheadvertisementsintheDailyTelegraph。Thenbeganexpostulations，preludedbyatelegramandheadedbyheraunt。
ThetelegramremindedAnnVeronicathatshehadnoplaceforinterviewsexceptherbed-sitting-room，andshesoughtherlandladyandnegotiatedhastilyfortheuseofthegroundfloorparlor，whichveryfortunatelywasvacant。Sheexplainedshewasexpectinganimportantinterview，andaskedthathervisitorshouldbedulyshownin。Herauntarrivedabouthalf-pastten，inblackandwithanunusuallythickspottedveil。Sheraisedthiswiththeairofaconspiratorunmasking，anddisplayedatear-flushedface。Foramomentsheremainedsilent。
\"Mydear，\"shesaid，whenshecouldgetherbreath，\"youmustcomehomeatonce。\"
AnnVeronicaclosedthedoorquitesoftlyandstoodstill。
\"Thishasalmostkilledyourfather……AfterGwen！\"
\"Isentatelegram。\"
\"Hecaressomuchforyou。Hedidsocareforyou。\"
\"IsentatelegramtosayIwasallright。\"
\"Allright！AndIneverdreamedanythingofthesortwasgoingon。Ihadnoidea！\"Shesatdownabruptlyandthrewherwristslimplyuponthetable。\"Oh，Veronica！\"shesaid，\"toleaveyourhome！\"
Shehadbeenweeping。Shewasweepingnow。AnnVeronicawasovercomebythisamountofemotion。
\"Whydidyoudoit？\"heraunturged。\"Whycouldyounotconfideinus？\"
\"Dowhat？\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Whatyouhavedone。\"
\"ButwhathaveIdone？\"
\"Elope！Gooffinthisway。Wehadnoidea。Wehadsuchaprideinyou，suchhopeinyou。Ihadnoideayouwerenotthehappiestgirl。EverythingIcoulddo！Yourfathersatupallnight。UntilatlastIpersuadedhimtogotobed。Hewantedtoputonhisovercoatandcomeafteryouandlookforyou——inLondon。WemadesureitwasjustlikeGwen。OnlyGwenleftaletteronthepincushion。Youdidn’tevendothatVee；noteventhat。\"
\"Isentatelegram，aunt，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Likeastab。Youdidn’tevenputthetwelvewords。\"
\"IsaidIwasallright。\"
\"Gwensaidshewashappy。Beforethatcameyourfatherdidn’tevenknowyouweregone。Hewasjustgettingcrossaboutyourbeinglatefordinner——youknowhisway——whenitcame。Heopenedit——justoff-hand，andthenwhenhesawwhatitwashehitatthetableandsenthissoupspoonflyingandsplashingontothetablecloth。’MyGod！’hesaid，’I’llgoafterthemandkillhim。
I’llgoafterthemandkillhim。’ForthemomentIthoughtitwasatelegramfromGwen。\"
\"Butwhatdidfatherimagine？\"
\"Ofcourseheimagined！Anyonewould！’Whathashappened，Peter？’Iasked。Hewasstandingupwiththetelegramcrumpledinhishand。Heusedamostawfulword！Thenhesaid，’It’sAnnVeronicagonetojoinhersister！’’Gone！’Isaid。’Gone！’hesaid。’Readthat，’andthrewthetelegramatme，sothatitwentintothetureen。HesworewhenItriedtogetitoutwiththeladle，andtoldmewhatitsaid。Thenhesatdownagaininachairandsaidthatpeoplewhowrotenovelsoughttobestrungup。ItwasasmuchasIcoulddotopreventhimflyingoutofthehousethereandthenandcomingafteryou。NeversinceIwasagirlhaveIseenyourfathersomoved。’Oh！littleVee！’hecried，’littleVee！’andputhisfacebetweenhishandsandsatstillforalongtimebeforehebrokeoutagain。\"
AnnVeronicahadremainedstandingwhileherauntspoke。
\"Doyoumean，aunt，\"sheasked，\"thatmyfatherthoughtIhadgoneoff——withsomeman？\"
\"WhatelseCOULDhethink？WouldanyoneDREAMyouwouldbesomadastogooffalone？\"
\"After——afterwhathadhappenedthenightbefore？\"
\"Oh，whyraiseupoldscores？Ifyoucouldseehimthismorning，hispoorfaceaswhiteasasheetandallcutaboutwithshaving！
Hewasforcomingupbytheveryfirsttrainandlookingforyou，butIsaidtohim，’Waitfortheletters，’andthere，sureenough，wasyours。Hecouldhardlyopentheenvelope，hetrembledso。Thenhethrewtheletteratme。’Goandfetchherhome，’hesaid；’itisn’twhatwethought！It’sjustapracticaljokeofhers。’AndwiththathewentofftotheCity，sternandsilent，leavinghisbacononhisplate——agreatsliceofbaconhardlytouched。Nobreakfast，he’shadnodinner，hardlyamouthfulofsoup——sinceyesterdayattea。\"
Shestopped。Auntandnieceregardedeachothersilently。
\"Youmustcomehometohimatonce，\"saidMissStanley。
AnnVeronicalookeddownatherfingersontheclaret-coloredtable-cloth。Heraunthadsummonedupanaltogethertoovividpictureofherfatherasthemasterfulman，overbearing，emphatic，sentimental，noisy，aimless。Whyonearthcouldn’theleavehertogrowinherownway？Herprideroseatthebarethoughtofreturn\"Idon’tthinkICANdothat，\"shesaid。Shelookedupandsaid，alittlebreathlessly，\"I’msorry，aunt，butIdon’tthinkI
can。\"
Part2
Thenitwastheexpostulationsreallybegan。
Fromfirsttolast，onthisoccasion，herauntexpostulatedforabouttwohours。\"But，mydear，\"shebegan，\"itisImpossible！
ItisquiteoutoftheQuestion。Yousimplycan’t。\"Andtothat，throughvastrhetoricalmeanderings，sheclung。ItreachedheronlyslowlythatAnnVeronicawasstandingtoherresolution。
\"Howwillyoulive？\"sheappealed。\"Thinkofwhatpeoplewillsay！\"Thatbecamearefrain。\"ThinkofwhatLadyPalsworthywillsay！Thinkofwhat\"——So-and-so——\"willsay！Whatarewetotellpeople？
\"Besides，whatamItotellyourfather？\"
AtfirstithadnotbeenatallcleartoAnnVeronicathatshewouldrefusetoreturnhome；shehadhadsomedreamofacapitulationthatshouldleaveheranenlargedanddefinedfreedom，butasherauntputthisaspectandthatofherflighttoher，asshewanderedillogicallyandinconsistentlyfromoneurgentconsiderationtoanother，asshemingledassurancesandaspectsandemotions，itbecameclearerandclearertothegirlthattherecouldbelittleornochangeinthepositionofthingsifshereturned。\"AndwhatwillMr。Manningthink？\"saidheraunt。
\"Idon’tcarewhatanyonethinks，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Ican’timaginewhathascomeoveryou，\"saidheraunt。\"I
can’tconceivewhatyouwant。Youfoolishgirl！\"
AnnVeronicatookthatinsilence。Atthebackofhermind，dimandyetdisconcerting，wastheperceptionthatsheherselfdidnotknowwhatshewanted。Andyetsheknewitwasnotfairtocallherafoolishgirl。
\"Don’tyoucareforMr。Manning？\"saidheraunt。
\"Idon’tseewhathehastodowithmycomingtoLondon？\"
\"He——heworshipsthegroundyoutreadon。Youdon’tdeserveit，buthedoes。Oratleasthedidthedaybeforeyesterday。Andhereyouare！\"
Herauntopenedallthefingersofherglovedhandinarhetoricalgesture。\"Itseemstomeallmadness——madness！Justbecauseyourfather——wouldn’tletyoudisobeyhim！\"
Part3
IntheafternoonthetaskofexpostulationwastakenupbyMr。
Stanleyinperson。Herfather’sideasofexpostulationwerealittleharshandforcible，andovertheclaret-coloredtable-clothandunderthegaschandelier，withhishatandumbrellabetweenthemlikethemaceinParliament，heandhisdaughtercontrivedtohaveaviolentquarrel。Shehadintendedtobequietlydignified，buthewasinasmoulderingragefromthebeginning，andbeganbyassuming，whichalonewasmorethanfleshandbloodcouldstand，thattheinsurrectionwasoverandthatshewascominghomesubmissively。Inhisdesiretobeemphaticandtoavengehimselfforhisover-nightdistresses，hespeedilybecamebrutal，morebrutalthanshehadeverknownhimbefore。
\"Anicetimeofanxietyyou’vegivenme，younglady，\"hesaid，asheenteredtheroom。\"Ihopeyou’resatisfied。\"
Shewasfrightened——hisangeralwaysdidfrightenher——andinherresolvetoconcealherfrightshecarriedaqueen-likedignitytowhatshefeltevenatthetimewasapreposterouspitch。Shesaidshehopedshehadnotdistressedhimbythecourseshehadfeltobligedtotake，andhetoldhernottobeafool。Shetriedtokeephersideupbydeclaringthathehadputherintoanimpossibleposition，andherepliedbyshouting，\"Nonsense！
Nonsense！AnyfatherinmyplacewouldhavedonewhatIdid。\"
Thenhewentontosay:\"Well，you’vehadyourlittleadventure，andIhopenowyou’vehadenoughofit。Sogoup-stairsandgetyourthingstogetherwhileIlookoutforahansom。\"
Towhichtheonlypossiblereplyseemedtobe，\"I’mnotcominghome。\"
\"Notcominghome！\"
\"No！\"And，inspiteofherresolvetobeaPerson，AnnVeronicabegantoweepwithterroratherself。Apparentlyshewasalwaysdoomedtoweepwhenshetalkedtoherfather。Buthewasalwaysforcinghertosayanddosuchunexpectedlyconclusivethings。
Shefearedhemighttakehertearsasasignofweakness。Soshesaid:\"Iwon’tcomehome。I’dratherstarve！\"
Foramomenttheconversationhunguponthatdeclaration。ThenMr。Stanley，puttinghishandsonthetableinthemannerratherofabarristerthanasolicitor，andregardingherbalefullythroughhisglasseswithquiteundisguisedanimosity，asked，\"AndmayIpresumetoinquire，then，whatyoumeantodo？——howdoyouproposetolive？\"
\"Ishalllive，\"sobbedAnnVeronica。\"Youneedn’tbeanxiousaboutthat！Ishallcontrivetolive。\"
\"ButIAManxious，\"saidMr。Stanley，\"Iamanxious。Doyouthinkit’snothingtometohavemydaughterrunningaboutLondonlookingforoddjobsanddisgracingherself？\"
\"Sha’n’tgetoddjobs，\"saidAnnVeronica，wipinghereyes。
Andfromthatpointtheywentontoathoroughlyembitteringwrangle。Mr。Stanleyusedhisauthority，andcommandedAnnVeronicatocomehome，towhich，ofcourse，shesaidshewouldn’t；andthenhewarnedhernottodefyhim，warnedherverysolemnly，andthencommandedheragain。Hethensaidthatifshewouldnotobeyhiminthiscoursesheshould\"neverdarkenhisdoorsagain，\"andwas，indeed，frightfullyabusive。ThisthreatterrifiedAnnVeronicasomuchthatshedeclaredwithsobsandvehemencethatshewouldnevercomehomeagain，andforatimebothtalkedatonceandverywildly。Heaskedherwhethersheunderstoodwhatshewassaying，andwentontosaystillmorepreciselythatsheshouldnevertouchapennyofhismoneyuntilshecamehomeagain——notonepenny。AnnVeronicasaidshedidn’tcare。
ThenabruptlyMr。Stanleychangedhiskey。\"Youpoorchild！\"hesaid；\"don’tyouseetheinfinitefollyoftheseproceedings？
Think！Thinkoftheloveandaffectionyouabandon！Thinkofyouraunt，asecondmothertoyou。Thinkifyourownmotherwasalive！\"
Hepaused，deeplymoved。
\"Ifmyownmotherwasalive，\"sobbedAnnVeronica，\"shewouldunderstand。\"
Thetalkbecamemoreandmoreinconclusiveandexhausting。AnnVeronicafoundherselfincompetent，undignified，anddetestable，holdingondesperatelytoahardeningantagonismtoherfather，quarrellingwithhim，wranglingwithhim，thinkingofrepartees——almostasifhewasabrother。Itwashorrible，butwhatcouldshedo？Shemeanttoliveherownlife，andhemeant，withcontemptandinsults，topreventher。Anythingelsethatwassaidshenowregardedonlyasanaspectofordiversionfromthat。
Intheretrospectshewasamazedtothinkhowthingshadgonetopieces，forattheoutsetshehadbeenquitepreparedtogohomeagainuponterms。Whilewaitingforhiscomingshehadstatedherpresentandfuturerelationswithhimwithwhathadseemedtoherthemostsatisfactorylucidityandcompleteness。Shehadlookedforwardtoanexplanation。Insteadhadcomethisstorm，thisshouting，thisweeping，thisconfusionofthreatsandirrelevantappeals。Itwasnotonlythatherfatherhadsaidallsortsofinconsistentandunreasonablethings，butthatbysomeincomprehensibleinfectionsheherselfhadrepliedinthesamevein。Hehadassumedthatherleavinghomewasthepointatissue，thateverythingturnedonthat，andthatthesolealternativewasobedience，andshehadfalleninwiththatassumptionuntilrebellionseemedasacredprinciple。Moreover，atrociouslyandinexorably，heallowedittoappeareverandagaininhorriblegleamsthathesuspectedtherewassomemaninthecase……Someman！
Andtoconcludeitallwasthefigureofherfatherinthedoorway，givingheralastchance，hishatinonehand，hisumbrellaintheother，shakenathertoemphasizehispoint。
\"Youunderstand，then，\"hewassaying，\"youunderstand？\"
\"Iunderstand，\"saidAnnVeronica，tear-wetandflushedwithareciprocalpassion，butstandinguptohimwithanequalitythatamazedevenherself，\"Iunderstand。\"Shecontrolledasob。\"Notapenny——notonepenny——andneverdarkenyourdoorsagain！\"
Part4
Thenextdayherauntcameagainandexpostulated，andwasjustsayingitwas\"anunheard-ofthing\"foragirltoleaveherhomeasAnnVeronicahaddone，whenherfatherarrived，andwasshowninbythepleasant-facedlandlady。
Herfatherhaddeterminedonanewline。Heputdownhishatandumbrella，restedhishandsonhiships，andregardedAnnVeronicafirmly。
\"Now，\"hesaid，quietly，\"it’stimewestoppedthisnonsense。\"
AnnVeronicawasabouttoreply，whenhewenton，withastillmoredeadlyquiet:\"Iamnotheretobandywordswithyou。Letushavenomoreofthishumbug。Youaretocomehome。\"
\"IthoughtIexplained——\"
\"Idon’tthinkyoucanhaveheardme，\"saidherfather；\"Ihavetoldyoutocomehome。\"
\"IthoughtIexplained——\"
\"Comehome！\"
AnnVeronicashruggedhershoulders。
\"Verywell，\"saidherfather。
\"Ithinkthisendsthebusiness，\"hesaid，turningtohissister。
\"It’snotforustosupplicateanymore。Shemustlearnwisdom——asGodpleases。\"
\"But，mydearPeter！\"saidMissStanley。
\"No，\"saidherbrother，conclusively，\"it’snotforaparenttogoonpersuadingachild。\"
MissStanleyroseandregardedAnnVeronicafixedly。Thegirlstoodwithherhandsbehindherback，sulky，resolute，andintelligent，astrandofherblackhairoveroneeyeandlookingmorethanusuallydelicate-featured，andmorethaneverlikeanobduratechild。
\"Shedoesn’tknow。\"
\"Shedoes。\"
\"Ican’timaginewhatmakesyouflyoutagainsteverythinglikethis，\"saidMissStanleytoherniece。
\"Whatisthegoodoftalking？\"saidherbrother。\"Shemustgoherownway。Aman’schildrennowadaysarenothisown。That’sthefactofthematter。Theirmindsareturnedagainsthim……
Rubbishynovelsandperniciousrascals。Wecan’tevenprotectthemfromthemselves。\"
Animmensegulfseemedtoopenbetweenfatheranddaughterashesaidthesewords。
\"Idon’tsee，\"gaspedAnnVeronica，\"whyparentsandchildren……shouldn’tbefriends。\"
\"Friends！\"saidherfather。\"Whenweseeyougoingthroughdisobediencetothedevil！Come，Molly，shemustgoherownway。
I’vetriedtousemyauthority。Andshedefiesme。Whatmoreistheretobesaid？Shedefiesme！\"
Itwasextraordinary。AnnVeronicafeltsuddenlyaneffectoftremendouspathos；shewouldhavegivenanythingtohavebeenabletoframeandmakesomeappeal，someutterancethatshouldbridgethisbottomlesschasmthathadopenedbetweenherandherfather，andshecouldfindnothingwhatevertosaythatwasintheleastsincereandappealing。
\"Father，\"shecried，\"Ihavetolive！\"
Hemisunderstoodher。\"That，\"hesaid，grimly，withhishandonthedoor-handle，\"mustbeyourownaffair，unlessyouchoosetoliveatMorningsidePark。\"
MissStanleyturnedtoher。\"Vee，\"shesaid，\"comehome。Beforeitistoolate。\"
\"Come，Molly，\"saidMr。Stanley，atthedoor。
\"Vee！\"saidMissStanley，\"youhearwhatyourfathersays！\"
MissStanleystruggledwithemotion。Shemadeacuriousmovementtowardherniece，thensuddenly，convulsively，shedabbeddownsomethinglumpyonthetableandturnedtofollowherbrother。
AnnVeronicastaredforamomentinamazementatthisdark-greenobjectthatclashedasitwasputdown。Itwasapurse。Shemadeastepforward。\"Aunt！\"shesaid，\"Ican’t——\"
Thenshecaughtawildappealinheraunt’sblueeye，halted，andthedoorclickeduponthem。
Therewasapause，andthenthefrontdoorslammed……
AnnVeronicarealizedthatshewasalonewiththeworld。Andthistimethedeparturehadatremendouseffectoffinality。Shehadtoresistanimpulseofsheerterror，torunoutafterthemandgivein。
\"Gods，\"shesaid，atlast，\"I’vedoneitthistime！\"
\"Well！\"Shetookuptheneatmoroccopurse，openedit，andexaminedthecontents。
Itcontainedthreesovereigns，sixandfourpence，twopostagestamps，asmallkey，andheraunt’sreturnhalftickettoMorningsidePark。
Part5
AftertheinterviewAnnVeronicaconsideredherselfformallycutofffromhome。Ifnothingelsehadclinchedthat，thepursehad。
Neverthelesstherecamearesiduumofexpostulations。HerbrotherRoddy，whowasinthemotorline，cametoexpostulate；
hersisterAlicewrote。AndMr。Manningcalled。
HersisterAliceseemedtohavedevelopedareligioussenseawaythereinYorkshire，andmadeappealsthathadnomeaningforAnnVeronica’smind。SheexhortedAnnVeronicanottobecomeoneof\"thoseunsexedintellectuals，neithermannorwoman。\"
AnnVeronicameditatedoverthatphrase。\"That’sHIM，\"saidAnnVeronica，insound，idiomaticEnglish。\"PooroldAlice！\"
HerbrotherRoddycametoheranddemandedtea，andaskedhertostateacase。\"Bitthickontheoldman，isn’tit？\"saidRoddy，whohaddevelopedabluff，straightforwardstyleinthemotorshop。
\"Mindmysmoking？\"saidRoddy。\"Idon’tseequitewhatyourgameis，Vee，butIsupposeyou’vegotagameonsomewhere。
\"Rummylotweare！\"saidRoddy。\"Alice——Alicegonedotty，andalloverkids。Gwen——IsawGwentheotherday，andthepaint’sthickerthanever。JimisuptotheneckinMahatmasandTheosophyandHigherThoughtandrot——writeslettersworsethanAlice。AndnowYOU’REonthewar-path。IbelieveI’mtheonlysanememberofthefamilyleft。TheG。V。’sasmadasanyofyou，inspiteofallhisrespectability；notabitofhimstraightanywhere，notonebit。\"
\"Straight？\"
\"Notabitofit！He’sbeenoutaftereightpercent。sincethebeginning。Eightpercent。！He’llcomeacropperoneofthesedays，ifyouaskme。He’sbeennearitonceortwicealready。
That’sgothisnervestorags。Isupposewe’reallhumanbeingsreally，butwhatpricethesacredInstitutionoftheFamily！Usasabundle！Eh？……Idon’thalfdisagreewithyou，Vee，really；onlythingis，Idon’tseehowyou’regoingtopullitoff。AhomeMAYbeasortofcage，butstill——it’sahome。
Givesyouarighttohangontotheoldmanuntilhebusts——practically。Jollyhardlifeforagirl，gettingaliving。NotMYaffair。\"
Heaskedquestionsandlistenedtoherviewsforatime。
\"I’dchuckthislarkrightoffifIwereyou，Vee，\"hesaid。
\"I’mfiveyearsolderthanyou，andnoendwiser，beingaman。
Whatyou’reafteristoorisky。It’sadamnedhardthingtodo。
It’sallveryhandsomestartingoutonyourown，butit’stoodamnedhard。That’smyopinion，ifyouaskme。There’snothingagirlcandothatisn’tsweatedtothebone。YousquaretheG。V。，andgohomebeforeyouhaveto。That’smyadvice。Ifyoudon’teathumble-pienowyoumaylivetofareworselater。_I_can’thelpyouacent。Life’shardenoughnowadaysforanunprotectedmale。Letaloneagirl。Yougottotaketheworldasitis，andtheonlypossibletradeforagirlthatisn’tsweatedistogetholdofamanandmakehimdoitforher。It’snogoodflyingoutatthat，Vee；_I_didn’tarrangeit。It’sProvidence。
That’showthingsare；that’stheorderoftheworld。Likeappendicitis。Itisn’tpretty，butwe’remadeso。Rot，nodoubt；butwecan’talterit。YougohomeandliveontheG。V。，andgetsomeothermantoliveonassoonaspossible。Itisn’tsentimentbutit’shorsesense。AllthisWoman-who-Diddery——nodamngood。Afterall，oldP——Providence，Imean——HASarrangeditsothatmenwillkeepyou，moreorless。Hemadetheuniverseonthoselines。You’vegottotakewhatyoucanget。\"
ThatwasthequintessenceofherbrotherRoddy。
Heplayedvariationsonthisthemeforthebetterpartofanhour。
\"Yougohome，\"hesaid，atparting；\"yougohome。It’sallveryfineandallthat，Vee，thisfreedom，butitisn’tgoingtowork。
Theworldisn’treadyforgirlstostartoutontheirownyet；
that’stheplainfactofthecase。Babiesandfemaleshavegottokeepholdofsomebodyorgounder——anyhow，forthenextfewgenerations。Yougohomeandwaitacentury，Vee，andthentryagain。Thenyoumayhaveabitofachance。Nowyouhaven’ttheghostofone——notifyouplaythegamefair。\"
Part6
ItwasremarkabletoAnnVeronicahowcompletelyMr。Manning，inhisentirelydifferentdialect，indorsedherbrotherRoddy’sviewofthings。Hecamealong，hesaid，justtocall，withlarge，loudapologies，radiantlykindandgood。MissStanley，itwasmanifest，hadgivenhimAnnVeronica’saddress。Thekindlyfacedlandladyhadfailedtocatchhisname，andsaidhewasatall，handsomegentlemanwithagreatblackmustache。AnnVeronica，withasighatthecostofhospitality，madeahastynegotiationforanextrateaandforafireintheground-floorapartment，andpreenedherselfcarefullyfortheinterview。Inthelittleapartment，underthegaschandelier，hisinchesandhisstoopwerecertainlyveryeffective。Inthebadlighthelookedatoncemilitaryandsentimentalandstudious，likeoneofOuida’sguardsmenrevisedbyMr。HaldaneandtheLondonSchoolofEconomicsandfinishedintheKelticschool。
\"It’sunforgivableofmetocall，MissStanley，\"hesaid，shakinghandsinapeculiar，high，fashionablemanner；\"butyouknowyousaidwemightbefriends。\"
\"It’sdreadfulforyoutobehere，\"hesaid，indicatingtheyellowpresenceofthefirstfogoftheyearwithout，\"butyouraunttoldmesomethingofwhathadhappened。It’sjustlikeyourSplendidPridetodoit。Quite！\"
Hesatinthearm-chairandtooktea，andconsumedseveraloftheextracakeswhichshehadsentoutforandtalkedtoherandexpressedhimself，lookingveryearnestlyatherwithhisdeep-seteyes，andcarefullyavoidinganycrumbsonhismustachethewhile。AnnVeronicasatfirelitbyhertea-traywith，quiteunconsciously，theairofanexperthostess。
\"Buthowisitallgoingtoend？\"saidMr。Manning。
\"Yourfather，ofcourse，\"hesaid，\"mustcometorealizejusthowSplendidyouare！Hedoesn’tunderstand。I’veseenhim，andhedoesn’tabitunderstand。_I_didn’tunderstandbeforethatletter。ItmakesmewanttobejusteverythingICANbetoyou。
You’relikesomesplendidPrincessinExileintheseDreadfulDingyapartments！\"
\"I’mafraidI’manythingbutaPrincesswhenitcomestoearningasalary，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Butfrankly，ImeantofightthisthroughifIpossiblycan。\"
\"MyGod！\"saidManning，inastage-aside。\"Earningasalary！\"
\"You’relikeaPrincessinExile！\"herepeated，overrulingher。
\"Youcomeintothesesordidsurroundings——youmustn’tmindmycallingthemsordid——anditmakesthemseemasthoughtheydidn’tmatter……Idon’tthinktheydomatter。Idon’tthinkanysurroundingscouldthrowashadowonyou。\"
AnnVeronicafeltaslightembarrassment。\"Won’tyouhavesomemoretea，Mr。Manning？\"sheasked。
\"Youknow——，\"saidMr。Manning，relinquishinghiscupwithoutansweringherquestion，\"whenIhearyoutalkofearningaliving，it’sasifIheardofanarchangelgoingontheStockExchange——orChristsellingdoves……Forgivemydaring。I
couldn’thelpthethought。\"
\"It’saverygoodimage，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Iknewyouwouldn’tmind。\"
\"Butdoesitcorrespondwiththefactsofthecase？Youknow，Mr。
Manning，allthissortofthingisverywellassentiment，butdoesitcorrespondwiththerealities？Arewomentrulysuchangelicthingsandmensochivalrous？Youmenhave，Iknow，meanttomakeusQueensandGoddesses，butinpractice——well，look，forexample，atthestreamofgirlsonemeetsgoingtoworkofamorning，round-shouldered，cheap，andunderfed！Theyaren’tqueens，andnooneistreatingthemasqueens。Andlook，again，atthewomenonefindslettinglodgings……Iwaslookingforroomslastweek。Itgotonmynerves——thewomenIsaw。Worsethananyman。EverywhereIwentandrappedatadoorIfoundbehinditanotherdreadfuldingywoman——anotherfallenqueen，I
suppose——dingierthanthelast，dirty，youknow，ingrain。Theirpoorhands！\"
\"Iknow，\"saidMr。Manning，withentirelysuitableemotion。
\"Andthinkoftheordinarywivesandmothers，withtheiranxiety，theirlimitations，theirswarmsofchildren！\"
Mr。Manningdisplayeddistress。Hefendedthesethingsofffromhimwiththerumpofhisfourthpieceofcake。\"Iknowthatoursocialorderisdreadfulenough，\"hesaid，\"andsacrificesallthatisbestandmostbeautifulinlife。Idon’tdefendit。\"
\"Andbesides，whenitcomestotheideaofqueens，\"AnnVeronicawenton，\"there’stwenty-oneandahalfmillionwomentotwentymillionmen。Supposeourproperplaceisashrine。Still，thatleavesoveramillionshrinesshort，notreckoningwidowswhore-marry。Andmoreboysdiethangirls，sothattherealdisproportionamongadultsisevengreater。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidMrManning，\"IknowtheseDreadfulStatistics。I
knowthere’sasortofrightinyourimpatienceattheslownessofProgress。ButtellmeonethingIdon’tunderstand——tellmeonething:Howcanyouhelpitbycomingdownintothebattleandthemire？That’sthethingthatconcernsme。\"
\"Oh，I’mnottryingtohelpit，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"I’monlyarguingagainstyourpositionofwhatawomanshouldbe，andtryingtogetitclearinmyownmind。I’minthisapartmentandlookingforworkbecause——Well，whatelsecanIdo，whenmyfatherpracticallylocksmeup？\"
\"Iknow，\"saidMr。Manning，\"Iknow。Don’tthinkIcan’tsympathizeandunderstand。Still，hereweareinthisdingy，foggycity。Yegods！whatawildernessitis！Everyonetryingtogetthebetterofeveryone，everyoneregardlessofeveryone——it’soneofthosedayswheneveryonebumpsagainstyou——everyonepouringcoalsmokeintotheairandmakingconfusionworseconfounded，motoromnibusesclatteringandsmelling，ahorsedownintheTottenhamCourtRoad，anoldwomanatthecornercoughingdreadfully——allthepainfulsightsofagreatcity，andhereyoucomeintoittotakeyourchances。It’stoovaliant，MissStanley，toovaliantaltogether！\"
AnnVeronicameditated。Shehadhadtwodaysofemployment-seekingnow。\"Iwonderifitis。\"
\"Itisn’t，\"saidMr。Manning，\"thatImindCourageinaWoman——I
loveandadmireCourage。Whatcouldbemoresplendidthanabeautifulgirlfacingagreat，glorioustiger？UnaandtheLionagain，andallthat！Butthisisn’tthatsortofthing；thisisjustagreat，ugly，endlesswildernessofselfish，sweating，vulgarcompetition！\"
\"Thatyouwanttokeepmeoutof？\"
\"Exactly！\"saidMr。Manning。
\"Inasortofbeautifulgarden-close——wearinglovelydressesandpickingbeautifulflowers？\"
\"Ah！Ifonecould！\"
\"Whilethoseothergirlstrudgetobusinessandthoseotherwomenletlodgings。Andinrealityeventhatmagicgarden-closeresolvesitselfintoavillaatMorningsideParkandmyfatherbeingmoreandmorecrossandoverbearingatmeals——andageneralfeelingofinsecurityandfutility。\"
Mr。Manningrelinquishedhiscup，andlookedmeaninglyatAnnVeronica。\"There，\"hesaid，\"youdon’ttreatmefairly，MissStanley。Mygarden-closewouldbeabetterthingthanthat。\"
CHAPTERTHESEVENTH
IDEALSANDAREALITY
