Part1
AndnowforsomeweeksAnnVeronicawastotesthermarketvalueintheworld。ShewentaboutinanegligentNovemberLondonthathadbecomeverydarkandfoggyandgreasyandforbiddingindeed，andtriedtofindthatmodestbutindependentemploymentshehadsorashlyassumed。Shewentabout，intent-lookingandself-possessed，trimandfine，concealingheremotionswhatevertheywere，astherealitiesofherpositionopenedoutbeforeher。Herlittlebed-sitting-roomwaslikealair，andshewentoutfromitintothisvast，dunworld，withitssmoke-grayhouses，itsglaringstreetsofshops，itsdarkstreetsofhomes，itsorange-litwindows，underskiesofdullcopperormuddygrayorblack，muchasananimalgoesouttoseekfood。Shewouldcomebackandwriteletters，carefullyplannedandwrittenletters，orreadsomebookshehadfetchedfromMudie’s——shehadinvestedahalf-guineawithMudie’s——orsitoverherfireandthink。
SlowlyandreluctantlyshecametorealizethatVivieWarrenwaswhatiscalledan\"ideal。\"Therewerenosuchgirlsandnosuchpositions。Noworkthatofferedwasatallofthequalityshehadvaguelypostulatedforherself。Withsuchqualificationsasshepossessed，twochiefchannelsofemploymentlayopen，andneitherattractedher，neitherseemedreallytoofferaconclusiveescapefromthatsubjectiontomankindagainstwhich，inthepersonofherfather，shewasrebelling。Onemainavenuewasforhertobecomeasortofsalariedaccessorywifeormother，tobeagovernessoranassistantschoolmistress，oraveryhightypeofgoverness-nurse。Theotherwastogointobusiness——intoaphotographer’sreception-room，forexample，oracostumer’sorhat-shop。Thefirstsetofoccupationsseemedtohertobealtogethertoodomesticandrestricted；forthelattershewasdreadfullyhandicappedbyherwantofexperience。Andalsoshedidn’tlikethem。Shedidn’tliketheshops，shedidn’tliketheotherwomen’sfaces；shethoughtthesmirkingmeninfrock-coatswhodominatedtheseestablishmentsthemostintolerablepersonsshehadeverhadtoface。Onecalledherverydistinctly\"Mydear！\"
Twosecretarialpostsdidindeedseemtoofferthemselvesinwhich，atleast，therewasnospecificexclusionofwomanhood；
onewasunderaRadicalMemberofParliament，andtheotherunderaHarleyStreetdoctor，andbothmendeclinedherprofferedserviceswiththeutmostcivilityandadmirationandterror。
Therewasalsoacuriousinterviewatabighotelwithamiddle-aged，white-powderedwoman，allcoveredwithjewelsandreekingofscent，whowantedaCompanion。ShedidnotthinkAnnVeronicawoulddoashercompanion。
Andnearlyallthesethingswerefearfullyill-paid。Theycarriednomorethanbaresubsistencewages；andtheydemandedallhertimeandenergy。Shehadheardofwomenjournalists，womenwriters，andsoforth；butshewasnotevenadmittedtothepresenceoftheeditorsshedemandedtosee，andbynomeanssurethatifshehadbeenshecouldhavedoneanyworktheymighthavegivenher。OnedayshedesistedfromhersearchandwentunexpectedlytotheTredgoldCollege。Herplacewasnotfilled；
shehadbeensimplynotedasabsent，andshedidacomfortingdayofadmirabledissectionuponthetortoise。Shewassointerested，andthiswassucharelieffromthetrudginganxietyofhersearchforwork，thatshewentonforawholeweekasifshewasstilllivingathome。Thenathirdsecretarialopeningoccurredandrenewedherhopesagain:apositionasamanuensis——withwhichsomeofthelighterdutiesofanursewerecombined——toaninfirmgentlemanofmeanslivingatTwickenham，andengageduponagreatliteraryresearchtoprovethatthe\"FaeryQueen\"wasreallyatreatiseuponmolecularchemistrywritteninapeculiarandpicturesquelyhandledcipher。
Part2
Now，whileAnnVeronicawastakingthesesoundingsintheindustrialsea，andmeasuringherselfagainsttheworldasitis，shewasalsomakingextensiveexplorationsamongtheideasandattitudesofanumberofhumanbeingswhoseemedtobelargelyconcernedwiththeworldasitoughttobe。ShewasdrawnfirstbyMissMiniver，andthenbyherownnaturalinterest，intoacuriousstratumofpeoplewhoarebusiedwithdreamsofworldprogress，ofgreatandfundamentalchanges，ofaNewAgethatistoreplaceallthestressesanddisordersofcontemporarylife。
MissMiniverlearnedofherflightandgotheraddressfromtheWidgetts。Shearrivedaboutnineo’clockthenexteveninginastateoftremulousenthusiasm。Shefollowedthelandladyhalfwayup-stairs，andcalleduptoAnnVeronica，\"MayIcomeup？It’sme！Youknow——NettieMiniver！\"SheappearedbeforeAnnVeronicacouldclearlyrecallwhoNettieMinivermightbe。
Therewasawildlightinhereye，andherstraighthairwasoutdemonstratingandsuffragettinguponsomeindependentnotionsofitsown。Herfingerswereburstingthroughhergloves，asiftogetatonceintotouchwithAnnVeronica。\"You’reGlorious！\"
saidMissMiniverintonesofrapture，holdingahandineachofhersandpeeringupintoAnnVeronica’sface。\"Glorious！You’resocalm，dear，andsoresolute，soserene！
\"It’sgirlslikeyouwhowillshowthemwhatWeare，\"saidMissMiniver；\"girlswhosespiritshavenotbeenbroken！\"
AnnVeronicasunnedherselfalittleinthiswarmth。
\"IwaswatchingyouatMorningsidePark，dear，\"saidMissMiniver。\"Iamgettingtowatchallwomen。Ithoughtthenperhapsyoudidn’tcare，thatyouwerelikesomanyofthem。NOW
it’sjustasthoughyouhadgrownupsuddenly。\"
Shestopped，andthensuggested:\"Iwonder——Ishouldlove——ifitwasanything_I_said。\"
ShedidnotwaitforAnnVeronica’sreply。Sheseemedtoassumethatitmustcertainlybesomethingshehadsaid。\"Theyallcatchon，\"shesaid。\"Itspreadslikewildfire。Thisissuchagrandtime！Suchaglorioustime！Thereneverwassuchatimeasthis！Everythingseemssoclosetofruition，socomingonandleadingon！TheInsurrectionofWomen！Theyspringupeverywhere。Tellmeallthathappened，onesister-womantoanother。\"
ShechilledAnnVeronicaalittlebythatlastphrase，andyetthemagnetismofherfellowshipandenthusiasmwasverystrong；
anditwaspleasanttobemadeoutaheroineaftersomuchexpostulationandsomanysecretdoubts。
Butshedidnotlistenlong；shewantedtotalk。Shesat，crouchedtogether，bythecornerofthehearthrugunderthebookcasethatsupportedthepig’sskull，andlookedintothefireandupatAnnVeronica’sface，andletherselfgo。\"Letusputthelampout，\"shesaid；\"theflamesareeversomuchbetterfortalking，\"andAnnVeronicaagreed。\"Youarecomingrightoutintolife——facingitall。\"
AnnVeronicasatwithherchinonherhand，red-litandsayinglittle，andMissMiniverdiscoursed。Asshetalked，thedriftandsignificanceofwhatshewassayingshapeditselfslowlytoAnnVeronica’sapprehension。Itpresenteditselfinthelikenessofagreat，gray，dullworld——abrutal，superstitious，confused，andwrong-headedworld，thathurtpeopleandlimitedpeopleunaccountably。Inremotetimesandcountriesitseviltendencieshadexpressedthemselvesintheformoftyrannies，massacres，wars，andwhatnot；butjustatpresentinEnglandtheyshapedascommercialismandcompetition，silkhats，suburbanmorals，thesweatingsystem，andthesubjectionofwomen。Sofarthethingwasacceptableenough。ButoveragainsttheworldMissMiniverassembledasmallbutenergeticminority，theChildrenofLight——peopleshedescribedas\"beinginthevan，\"or\"altogetherinthevan，\"aboutwhomAnnVeronica’smindwasdisposedtobemoresceptical。
Everything，MissMiniversaid，was\"workingup，\"everythingwas\"comingon\"——theHigherThought，theSimpleLife，Socialism，Humanitarianism，itwasallthesamereally。Shelovedtobethere，takingpartinitall，breathingit，beingit。Hithertointheworld’shistorytherehadbeenprecursorsofthisProgressatgreatintervals，voicesthathadspokenandceased，butnowitwasallcomingontogetherinarush。Shementioned，withfamiliarrespect，ChristandBuddhaandShelleyandNietzscheandPlato。Pioneersallofthem。Suchnamesshonebrightlyinthedarkness，withblackspacesofunilluminatedemptinessaboutthem，asstarsshineinthenight；butnow——nowitwasdifferent；
nowitwasdawn——therealdawn。
\"Thewomenaretakingitup，\"saidMissMiniver；\"thewomenandthecommonpeople，allpressingforward，allroused。\"
AnnVeronicalistenedwithhereyesonthefire。
\"Everybodyistakingitup，\"saidMissMiniver。\"YOUhadtocomein。Youcouldn’thelpit。Somethingdrewyou。Somethingdrawseverybody。Fromsuburbs，fromcountrytowns——everywhere。IseealltheMovements。AsfarasIcan，Ibelongtothemall。Ikeepmyfingeronthepulseofthings。\"
AnnVeronicasaidnothing。
\"Thedawn！\"saidMissMiniver，withherglassesreflectingthefirelikepoolsofblood-redflame。
\"IcametoLondon，\"saidAnnVeronica，\"ratherbecauseofmyowndifficulty。Idon’tknowthatIunderstandaltogether。\"
\"Ofcourseyoudon’t，\"saidMissMiniver，gesticulatingtriumphantlywithherthinhandandthinnerwrist，andpattingAnnVeronica’sknee。\"Ofcourseyoudon’t。That’sthewonderofit。Butyouwill，youwill。Youmustletmetakeyoutothings——tomeetingsandthings，toconferencesandtalks。Thenyouwillbegintosee。Youwillbegintoseeitallopeningout。
Iamuptotheearsinitall——everymomentIcanspare。Ithrowupwork——everything！Ijustteachinoneschool，onegoodschool，threedaysaweek。Alltherest——Movements！Icanlivenowonfourpenceaday。Thinkhowfreethatleavesmetofollowthingsup！Imusttakeyoueverywhere。ImusttakeyoutotheSuffragepeople，andtheTolstoyans，andtheFabians。\"
\"IhaveheardoftheFabians，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"It’sTHESociety！\"saidMissMiniver。\"It’sthecentreoftheintellectuals。Someofthemeetingsarewonderful！Suchearnest，beautifulwomen！Suchdeep-browedmen！……Andtothinkthattheretheyaremakinghistory！Theretheyareputtingtogethertheplansofanewworld。Almoslight-heartedly。ThereisShaw，andWebb，andWilkinstheauthor，andToomer，andDoctorTumpany——themostwonderfulpeople！Thereyouseethemdiscussing，deciding，planning！Justthink——THEYAREMAKINGANEW
WORLD！\"
\"ButAREthesepeoplegoingtoaltereverything？\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Whatelsecanhappen？\"askedMissMiniver，withalittleweakgestureattheglow。\"Whatelsecanpossiblyhappen——asthingsaregoingnow？\"
Part3
MissMiniverletAnnVeronicaintoherpeculiarlevelsoftheworldwithsoenthusiasticagenerositythatitseemedingratitudetoremaincritical。Indeed，almostinsensiblyAnnVeronicabecamehabituatedtothepeculiarappearanceandthepeculiarmannersofthepeople\"inthevan。\"Theshockoftheirintellectualattitudewasover，usagerobbeditofthefirstquainteffectofdeliberateunreason。Theywereinmanyrespectssoright；sheclungtothat，andshirkedmoreandmoretheparadoxicalconvictionthattheywerealsosomehow，andevenindirectrelationtothatrightness，absurd。
VerycentralinMissMiniver’suniverseweretheGoopes。TheGoopesweretheoddestlittlecoupleconceivable，followingafruitariancareeruponanupperfloorinTheobald’sRoad。Theywerechildlessandservantless，andtheyhadreducedsimplelivingtothefinestoffinearts。Mr。Goopes，AnnVeronicagathered，wasamathematicaltutorandvisitedschools，andhiswifewroteaweeklycolumninNewIdeasuponvegetariancookery，vivisection，degeneration，thelactealsecretion，appendicitis，andtheHigherThoughtgenerally，andassistedinthemanagementofafruitshopintheTottenhamCourtRoad。Theirveryfurniturehadmysteriouslyahigh-browedquality，andMr。Goopeswhenathomedressedsimplyinapajama-shapedsuitofcanvassackingtiedwithbrownribbons，whilehiswifeworeapurpledjibbahwitharichlyembroideredyoke。Hewasasmall，dark，reservedman，withalargeinflexible-lookingconvexforehead，andhiswifewasverypinkandhigh-spirited，withoneofthosechinsthatpassinsensiblyintoafull，strongneck。Onceaweek，everySaturday，theyhadalittlegatheringfromninetillthesmallhours，justtalkandperhapsreadingaloudandfruitarianrefreshments——chestnutsandwichesbutteredwithnuttose，andsoforth——andlemonadeandunfermentedwine；andtooneofthesesymposiaMissMiniverafteragooddealofpreliminarysolicitude，conductedAnnVeronica。
Shewasintroduced，perhapsalittletooobviouslyforhertaste，asagirlwhowasstandingoutagainstherpeople，toagatheringthatconsistedofaveryoldladywithanextremelywrinkledskinandadeepvoicewhowaswearingwhatappearedtoAnnVeronica’sinexperiencedeyetobeanantimacassaruponherhead，ashy，blondyoungmanwithanarrowforeheadandglasses，twoundistinguishedwomeninplainskirtsandblouses，andamiddle-agedcouple，veryfatandalikeinblack，Mr。andMrs。
AldermanDunstable，oftheBoroughCouncilofMarylebone。Thesewereseatedinanimperfectsemicircleaboutaverycopper-adornedfireplace，surmountedbyacarvedwoodinscription:
\"DOITNOW。\"
Andtothemwerepresentlyaddedaroguish-lookingyoungman，withreddishhair，anorangetie，andafluffytweedsuit，andotherswho，inAnnVeronica’smemory，inspiteofhereffortstorecalldetails，remainedobstinatelyjust\"others。\"
Thetalkwasanimated，andremainedalwaysbrilliantinformevenwhenitceasedtobebrilliantinsubstance。ThereweremomentswhenAnnVeronicarathermorethansuspectedthechiefspeakerstobe，asschool-boyssay，showingoffather。
TheytalkedofanewsubstitutefordrippinginvegetariancookerythatMrs。Goopeswasconvincedexercisedanexceptionallypurifyinginfluenceonthemind。AndthentheytalkedofAnarchismandSocialism，andwhethertheformerwastheexactoppositeofthelatteroronlyahigherform。Thereddish-hairedyoungmancontributedallusionstotheHegelianphilosophythatmomentarilyconfusedthediscussion。ThenAldermanDunstable，whohadhithertobeensilent，brokeoutintospeechandwentoffatatangent，andgavehispersonalimpressionsofquiteanumberofhisfellow-councillors。Hecontinuedtodothisfortherestoftheeveningintermittently，inandout，amongothertopics。HeaddressedhimselfchieflytoGoopes，andspokeasifinreplytolong-sustainedinquiriesonthepartofGoopesintothepersonneloftheMaryleboneBoroughCouncil。\"Ifyouweretoaskme，\"hewouldsay，\"IshouldsayBlindersisstraight。Anordinarytype，ofcourse——\"
Mrs。Dunstable’scontributionstotheconversationwereentirelyintheformofnods；wheneverAldermanDunstablepraisedorblamedshenoddedtwiceorthrice，accordingtotherequirementsofhisemphasis。AndsheseemedalwaystokeeponeeyeonAnnVeronica’sdress。Mrs。GoopesdisconcertedtheAldermanalittlebyabruptlychallengingtheroguish-lookingyoungmanintheorangetie(who，itseemed，wastheassistanteditorofNewIdeas)uponacritiqueofNietzscheandTolstoythathadappearedinhispaper，inwhichdoubtshadbeencastupontheperfectsincerityofthelatter。EverybodyseemedgreatlyconcernedaboutthesincerityofTolstoy。
MissMiniversaidthatifonceshelostherfaithinTolstoy’ssincerity，nothingshefeltwouldreallymattermuchanymore，andsheappealedtoAnnVeronicawhethershedidnotfeelthesame；andMr。Goopessaidthatwemustdistinguishbetweensincerityandirony，whichwasoftenindeednomorethansincerityatthesublimatedlevel。
AldermanDunstablesaidthatsinceritywasoftenamatterofopportunity，andillustratedthepointtothefairyoungmanwithananecdoteaboutBlindersontheDustDestructorCommittee，duringwhichtheyoungmanintheorangetiesucceededingivingthewholediscussionadaringanderoticflavorbyquestioningwhetheranyonecouldbeperfectlysincereinlove。
MissMiniverthoughtthattherewasnotruesincerityexceptinlove，andappealedtoAnnVeronica，buttheyoungmanintheorangetiewentontodeclarethatitwasquitepossibletobesincerelyinlovewithtwopeopleatthesametime，althoughperhapsondifferentplaneswitheachindividual，anddeceivingthemboth。ButthatbroughtMrs。GoopesdownonhimwiththelessonTitianteachessobeautifullyinhis\"SacredandProfaneLove，\"andbecamequiteeloquentupontheimpossibilityofanydeceptionintheformer。
Thentheydiscoursedonloveforatime，andAldermanDunstable，turningbacktotheshy，blondyoungmanandspeakinginundertonesoftheutmostclearness，gaveabriefandconfidentialaccountofanunfoundedrumorofthebifurcationoftheaffectionsofBlindersthathadledtoasituationofsomeunpleasantnessupontheBoroughCouncil。
TheveryoldladyintheantimacassartouchedAnnVeronica’sarmsuddenly，andsaid，inadeep，archvoice:
\"Talkingofloveagain；springagain，loveagain。Oh！youyoungpeople！\"
Theyoungmanwiththeorangetie，inspiteofSisyphus-likeeffortsonthepartofGoopestogetthetopicontoahigherplane，displayedgreatpersistenceinspeculatinguponthepossibledistributionoftheaffectionsofhighlydevelopedmoderntypes。
Theoldladyintheantimacassarsaid，abruptly，\"Ah！youyoungpeople，youyoungpeople，ifyouonlyknew！\"andthenlaughedandthenmusedinamarkedmanner；andtheyoungmanwiththenarrowforeheadandglassesclearedhisthroatandaskedtheyoungmanintheorangetiewhetherhebelievedthatPlatoniclovewaspossible。Mrs。Goopessaidshebelievedinnothingelse，andwiththatsheglancedatAnnVeronica，rosealittleabruptly，anddirectedGoopesandtheshyyoungmaninthehandingofrefreshments。
Buttheyoungmanwiththeorangetieremainedinhisplace，disputingwhetherthebodyhadnotsomethingorotherwhichhecalleditslegitimateclaims。AndfromthattheycamebackbywayoftheKreutzerSonataandResurrectiontoTolstoyagain。
Sothetalkwenton。Goopes，whohadatfirstbeenalittlereserved，resortedpresentlytotheSocraticmethodtorestraintheyoungmanwiththeorangetie，andbenthisforeheadoverhim，andbroughtoutatlastveryclearlyfromhimthatthebodywasonlyillusionandeverythingnothingbutjustspiritandmoleculesofthought。Itbecameasortofduelatlastbetweenthem，andalltheotherssatandlistened——everyone，thatis，excepttheAlderman，whohadgottheblondyoungmanintoacornerbythegreen-staineddresserwiththealuminumthings，andwassittingwithhisbacktoeveryoneelse，holdingonehandoverhismouthforgreaterprivacy，andtellinghim，withanaccentofconfidentialadmission，inwhispersofthechronicstrugglebetweenthenaturalmodestyandgeneralinoffensivenessoftheBoroughCouncilandthesocialevilinMarylebone。
Sothetalkwenton，andpresentlytheywerecriticisingnovelists，andcertaindaringessaysofWilkinsgottheirdueshareofattention，andthentheywerediscussingthefutureofthetheatre。AnnVeronicaintervenedalittleinthenovelistdiscussionwithadefenceofEsmondandadenialthattheEgoistwasobscure，andwhenshespokeeveryoneelsestoppedtalkingandlistened。ThentheydeliberatedwhetherBernardShawoughttogointoParliament。Andthatbroughtthemtovegetarianismandteetotalism，andtheyoungmanintheorangetieandMrs。
Goopeshadagreatset-toaboutthesincerityofChestertonandBellocthatwasendedbyGoopesshowingsignsofresumingtheSocraticmethod。
AndatlastAnnVeronicaandMissMinivercamedownthedarkstaircaseandoutintothefoggyspacesoftheLondonsquares，andcrossedRussellSquare，WoburnSquare，GordonSquare，makinganobliqueroutetoAnnVeronica’slodging。Theytrudgedalongalittlehungry，becauseofthefruitarianrefreshments，andmentallyveryactive。AndMissMiniverfelldiscussingwhetherGoopesorBernardShaworTolstoyorDoctorTumpanyorWilkinstheauthorhadthemorepowerfulandperfectmindinexistenceatthepresenttime。Shewascleartherewerenoothermindsliketheminalltheworld。
Part4
ThenoneeveningAnnVeronicawentwithMissMiniverintothebackseatsofthegalleryatEssexHall，andheardandsawthegiantleadersoftheFabianSocietywhoarere-makingtheworld:
BernardShawandToomerandDoctorTumpanyandWilkinstheauthor，alldisplayeduponaplatform。Theplacewascrowded，andthepeopleaboutherwerealmostequallymadeupofverygood-lookingandenthusiasticyoungpeopleandagreatvarietyofGoopes-liketypes。Inthediscussiontherewastheoddestmixtureofthingsthatwerepersonalandpettywithanidealistdevotionthatwasfinebeyonddispute。Innearlyeveryspeechsheheardwasthesameimplicationofgreatandnecessarychangesintheworld——changestobewonbyeffortandsacrificeindeed，butsurelytobewon。Andafterwardshesawaverymuchlargerandmoreenthusiasticgathering，ameetingoftheadvancedsectionofthewomanmovementinCaxtonHall，wherethesamenoteofvastchangesinprogresssounded；andshewenttoasoireeoftheDressReformAssociationandvisitedaFoodReformExhibition，whereimminentchangewasmadeevenalarminglyvisible。Thewomen’smeetingwasmuchmorechargedwithemotionalforcethantheSocialists’。AnnVeronicawascarriedoffherintellectualandcriticalfeetbyitaltogether，andapplaudedandutteredcriesthatsubsequentreflectionfailedtoendorse。\"Iknewyouwouldfeelit，\"saidMissMiniver，astheycameawayflushedandheated。\"Iknewyouwouldbegintoseehowitallfallsintoplacetogether。\"
Itdidbegintofallintoplacetogether。Shebecamemoreandmorealive，notsomuchtoasystemofideasastoabigdiffusedimpulsetowardchange，toagreatdiscontentwithandcriticismoflifeasitislived，toaclamorousconfusionofideasforreconstruction——reconstructionofthemethodsofbusiness，ofeconomicdevelopment，oftherulesofproperty，ofthestatusofchildren，oftheclothingandfeedingandteachingofeveryone；
shedevelopedaquiteexaggeratedconsciousnessofamultitudeofpeoplegoingabouttheswarmingspacesofLondonwiththeirmindsfull，theirtalkandgesturesfull，theirveryclothingchargedwiththesuggestionoftheurgencyofthispervasiveprojectofalteration。Someindeedcarriedthemselves，dressedthemselveseven，ratherasforeignvisitorsfromthelandof\"LookingBackward\"and\"NewsfromNowhere\"thanastheindigenousLondonerstheywere。Forthemostparttheseweredetachedpeople:menpractisingtheplasticarts，youngwriters，youngmeninemployment，averylargeproportionofgirlsandwomen——self-
supportingwomenorgirlsofthestudentclass。TheymadeastratumintowhichAnnVeronicawasnowplungeduptoherneck；
ithadbecomeherstratum。
NoneofthethingstheysaidanddidwerealtogethernewtoAnnVeronica，butnowshegotthemmassedandalive，insteadofbyglimpsesorinbooks——aliveandarticulateandinsistent。TheLondonbackgrounds，inBloomsburyandMarylebone，againstwhichthesepeoplewenttoandfro，tookon，byreasonoftheirgrayfacades，theirimplacablyrespectablewindowsandwindow-blinds，theirreiteratedunmeaningironrailings，astrongerandstrongersuggestionoftheflavorofherfatherathismostobduratephase，andofallthatshefeltherselffightingagainst。
ShewasalreadyalittlepreparedbyherdiscursivereadinganddiscussionundertheWidgettinfluenceforideasand\"movements，\"
thoughtemperamentallyperhapsshewasratherdisposedtoresistandcriticisethanembracethem。ButthepeopleamongwhomshewasnowthrownthroughthesocialexertionsofMissMiniverandtheWidgetts——forTeddyandHettycameupfromMorningsideParkandtookhertoaneighteen-pennydinnerinSohoandintroducedhertosomeartstudents，whowerealsoSocialists，andsoopenedthewaytoaneveningofmeanderingtalkinastudio——carriedwiththemlikeanatmospherethisimplication，notonlythattheworldwasinsomestupidandevenobviouswayWRONG，withwhichindeedshewasquitepreparedtoagree，butthatitneededonlyafewpioneerstobehaveassuchandbethoroughlyandindiscriminately\"advanced，\"forthenewordertoachieveitself。
Whenninetypercent。outofthetenortwelvepeopleonemeetsinamonthnotonlysaybutfeelandassumeathing，itisveryhardnottofallintothebeliefthatthethingisso。
ImperceptiblyalmostAnnVeronicabegantoacquirethenewattitude，evenwhilehermindstillresistedthefeltedideasthatwentwithit。AndMissMiniverbegantoswayher。
TheveryfactsthatMissMiniverneverstatedanargumentclearly，thatshewasneverembarrassedbyasenseofself-contradiction，andhadlittlemorerespectforconsistencyofstatementthanawasherwomanhasforwispsofvapor，whichmadeAnnVeronicacriticalandhostileattheirfirstencounterinMorningsidePark，becameatlastwithconstantassociationthesecretofMissMiniver’sgrowinginfluence。Thebraintiresofresistance，andwhenitmeetsagainandagain，incoherentlyactive，thesamephrases，thesameideasthatithasalreadyslain，exposedanddissectedandburied，itbecomeslessandlessenergetictorepeattheoperation。Theremustbesomething，onefeels，inideasthatachievepersistentlyasuccessfulresurrection。WhatMissMiniverwouldhavecalledtheHigherTruthsupervenes。
Yetthroughthesetalks，thesemeetingsandconferences，thesemovementsandefforts，AnnVeronica，forallthatshewentwithherfriend，andattimesapplaudedwithherenthusiastically，yetwentneverthelesswitheyesthatgrewmoreandmorepuzzled，andfineeyebrowsmoreandmoredisposedtoknit。Shewaswiththesemovements——akintothem，shefeltitattimesintensely——andyetsomethingeludedher。MorningsideParkhadbeenpassiveanddefective；allthisrushedaboutandwasactive，butitwasstilldefective。Itstillfailedinsomething。Itdidseemgermanetothematterthatsomanyofthepeople\"inthevan\"wereplainpeople，orfadedpeople，ortired-lookingpeople。Itdidaffectthebusinessthattheyallarguedbadlyandwereegotisticalintheirmannersandinconsistentintheirphrases。Thereweremomentswhenshedoubtedwhetherthewholemassofmovementsandsocietiesandgatheringsandtalkswasnotsimplyonecoherentspectacleoffailureprotectingitselffromabjectionbytheglamourofitsownassertions。IthappenedthatattheextremestpointofAnnVeronica’ssocialcirclefromtheWidgettswasthefamilyoftheMorningsideParkhorse-dealer，acompanyofextremelydressyandhilariousyoungwomen，withoneequestrianbrotheraddictedtofancywaistcoats，cigars，andfacialspots。
Thesegirlsworehatsatremarkableanglesandbowstostartleandkill；theylikedtoberightonthespoteverytimeanduptoeverythingthatwasitfromtheverybeginningandtheyrenderedtheirconceptionofSocialistsandallreformersbythewords\"positivelyfrightening\"and\"weird。\"Well，itwasbeyonddisputethatthesewordsdidconveyacertainqualityoftheMovementsingeneralamidwhichMissMiniverdisportedherself。
TheyWEREweird。Andyetforallthat——
ItgotintoAnnVeronica’snightsatlastandkeptherawake，theperplexingcontrastbetweentheadvancedthoughtandtheadvancedthinker。ThegeneralpropositionsofSocialism，forexample，struckherasadmirable，butshecertainlydidnotextendheradmirationtoanyofitsexponents。Shewasstillmorestirredbytheideaoftheequalcitizenshipofmenandwomen，bytherealizationthatabigandgrowingorganizationofwomenweregivingformandageneralizedexpressiontojustthatpersonalpride，thataspirationforpersonalfreedomandrespectwhichhadbroughthertoLondon；butwhensheheardMissMiniverdiscoursingonthenextstepinthesuffragecampaign，orreadofwomenbadgeringCabinetMinisters，padlockedtorailings，orgettingupinapublicmeetingtopipeoutademandforvotesandbecarriedoutkickingandscreaming，hersoulrevolted。Shecouldnotpartwithdignity。Somethingasyetunformulatedwithinherkeptherestrangedfromallthesepracticalaspectsofherbeliefs。
\"Notforthesethings，OAnnVeronica，haveyourevolted，\"itsaid；\"andthisisnotyourappropriatepurpose。\"
Itwasasifshefacedadarknessinwhichwassomethingverybeautifulandwonderfulasyetunimagined。Thelittlepuckerinherbrowsbecamemoreperceptible。
Part5
InthebeginningofDecemberAnnVeronicabegantospeculateprivatelyupontheprocedureofpawning。Shehaddecidedthatshewouldbeginwithherpearlnecklace。Shespentaverydisagreeableafternoonandevening——itwasrainingfastoutside，andshehadveryunwiselylefthersoundestpairofbootsinthebootholeofherfather’shouseinMorningsidePark——thinkingovertheeconomicsituationandplanningacourseofaction。HeraunthadsecretlysentontoAnnVeronicasomenewwarmunderclothing，adozenpairsofstockings，andherlastwinter’sjacket，butthedearladyhadoverlookedthoseboots。
Thesethingsilluminatedhersituationextremely。Finallyshedecideduponastepthathadalwaysseemedreasonabletoher，butthathithertoshehad，frommotivestoofaintforhertoformulate，refrainedfromtaking。SheresolvedtogointotheCitytoRamageandaskforhisadvice。Andnextmorningsheattiredherselfwithespecialcareandneatness，foundhisaddressintheDirectoryatapost-office，andwenttohim。
Shehadtowaitsomeminutesinanouteroffice，whereinthreeyoungmenofspiritedcostumeandappearanceregardedherwithill-concealedcuriosityandadmiration。ThenRamageappearedwitheffusion，andusheredherintohisinnerapartment。Thethreeyoungmenexchangedexpressiveglances。
Theinnerapartmentwasrathergracefullyfurnishedwithathick，fineTurkishcarpet，agoodbrassfender，afineoldbureau，andonthewallswereengravingsoftwoyounggirls’headsbyGreuze，andofsomemodernpictureofboysbathinginasunlitpool。
\"Butthisisasurprise！\"saidRamage。\"Thisiswonderful！I’vebeenfeelingthatyouhadvanishedfrommyworld。HaveyoubeenawayfromMorningsidePark？\"
\"I’mnotinterruptingyou？\"
\"Youare。Splendidly。Businessexistsforsuchinterruptions。
Thereyouare，thebestclient’schair。\"
AnnVeronicasatdown，andRamage’seagereyesfeastedonher。
\"I’vebeenlookingoutforyou，\"hesaid。\"Iconfessit。\"
Shehadnot，shereflected，rememberedhowprominenthiseyeswere。
\"Iwantsomeadvice，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Yes？\"
\"Yourememberonce，howwetalked——atagateontheDowns？Wetalkedabouthowagirlmightgetanindependentliving。\"
\"Yes，yes。\"
\"Well，yousee，somethinghashappenedathome。\"
Shepaused。
\"NothinghashappenedtoMr。Stanley？\"
\"I’vefallenoutwithmyfather。Itwasabout——aquestionofwhatImightdoormightnotdo。He——Infact，he——helockedmeinmyroom。Practically。\"
Herbreathleftherforamoment。
\"ISAY！\"saidMr。Ramage。
\"Iwantedtogotoanart-studentballofwhichhedisapproved。\"
\"Andwhyshouldn’tyou？\"
\"Ifeltthatsortofthingcouldn’tgoon。SoIpackedupandcametoLondonnextday。\"
\"Toafriend？\"
\"Tolodgings——alone。\"
\"Isay，youknow，youhavesomepluck。Youdiditonyourown？\"
AnnVeronicasmiled。\"Quiteonmyown，\"shesaid。
\"It’smagnificent！\"Heleanedbackandregardedherwithhisheadalittleononeside。\"ByJove！\"hesaid，\"thereissomethingdirectaboutyou。IwonderifIshouldhavelockedyouupifI’dbeenyourfather。LuckilyI’mnot。Andyoustartedoutforthwithtofighttheworldandbeacitizenonyourownbasis？\"
Hecameforwardagainandfoldedhishandsunderhimonhisdesk。
\"Howhastheworldtakenit？\"heasked。\"IfIwastheworldI
thinkIshouldhaveputdownacrimsoncarpet，andaskedyoutosaywhatyouwanted，andgenerallywalkoverme。Buttheworlddidn’tdothat。\"
\"Notexactly。\"
\"Itpresentedalargeimpenetrableback，andwentonthinkingaboutsomethingelse。\"
\"Itofferedfromfifteentotwo-and-twentyshillingsaweek——fordrudgery。\"
\"Theworldhasnosenseofwhatisduetoyouthandcourage。Itneverhashad。\"
\"Yes，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Butthethingis，Iwantajob。\"
\"Exactly！Andsoyoucamealongtome。Andyousee，Idon’tturnmyback，andIamlookingatyouandthinkingaboutyoufromtoptotoe。\"
\"AndwhatdoyouthinkIoughttodo？\"
\"Exactly！\"Heliftedapaper-weightanddabbeditgentlydownagain。\"Whatoughtyoutodo？\"
\"I’vehuntedupallsortsofthings。\"
\"Thepointtonoteisthatfundamentallyyoudon’twantparticularlytodoit。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand。\"
\"Youwanttobefreeandsoforth，yes。Butyoudon’tparticularlywanttodothejobthatsetsyoufree——foritsownsake。Imeanthatitdoesn’tinterestyouinitself。\"
\"Isupposenot。\"
\"That’soneofourdifferences。Wemenarelikechildren。Wecangetabsorbedinplay，ingames，inthebusinesswedo。
That’sreallywhywedothemsometimesratherwellandgeton。
Butwomen——womenasaruledon’tthrowthemselvesintothingslikethat。Asamatteroffactitisn’ttheiraffair。Andasanaturalconsequence，theydon’tdosowell，andtheydon’tgeton——andsotheworlddoesn’tpaythem。Theydon’tcatchontodiscursiveinterests，yousee，becausetheyaremoreserious，theyareconcentratedonthecentralrealityoflife，andalittleimpatientofits——itsouteraspects。Atleastthat，I
think，iswhatmakesacleverwoman’sindependentcareersomuchmoredifficultthanacleverman’s。\"
\"Shedoesn’tdevelopaspecialty。\"AnnVeronicawasdoingherbesttofollowhim。
\"Shehasone，that’swhy。Herspecialtyisthecentralthinginlife，itislifeitself，thewarmthoflife，sex——andlove。\"
HepronouncedthiswithanairofprofoundconvictionandwithhiseyesonAnnVeronica’sface。Hehadanairofhavingtoldheradeep，personalsecret。Shewincedashethrustthefactather，wasabouttoanswer，andcheckedherself。Shecoloredfaintly。
\"Thatdoesn’ttouchthequestionIaskedyou，\"shesaid。\"Itmaybetrue，butitisn’tquitewhatIhaveinmind。\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidRamage，asonewhorouseshimselffromdeeppreoccupationsAndhebegantoquestionherinabusiness-likewayuponthestepsshehadtakenandtheinquiriesshehadmade。
Hedisplayednoneoftheairyoptimismoftheirprevioustalkoverthedownlandgate。Hewashelpful，butgravelydubious。
\"Yousee，\"hesaid，\"frommypointofviewyou’regrownup——you’reasoldasallthegoddessesandthecontemporaryofanymanalive。Butfromthe——theeconomicpointofviewyou’reaveryyoungandaltogetherinexperiencedperson。\"
Hereturnedtoanddevelopedthatidea。\"You’restill，\"hesaid，\"intheeducationalyears。Fromthepointofviewofmostthingsintheworldofemploymentwhichawomancandoreasonablywellandearnalivingby，you’reunripeandhalf-educated。Ifyouhadtakenyourdegree，forexample。\"
Hespokeofsecretarialwork，buteventhereshewouldneedtobeabletodotypingandshorthand。Hemadeitmoreandmoreevidenttoherthatherpropercoursewasnottoearnasalarybuttoaccumulateequipment。\"Yousee，\"hesaid，\"youarelikeaninaccessiblegold-mineinallthissortofmatter。You’resplendidstuff，youknow，butyou’vegotnothingreadytosell。
That’stheflatbusinesssituation。\"
Hethought。Thenheslappedhishandonhisdeskandlookedupwiththeairofamanstruckbyabrilliantidea。\"Lookhere，\"
hesaid，protrudinghiseyes；\"whygetanythingtodoatalljustyet？Why，ifyoumustbefree，whynotdothesensiblething？
Makeyourselfworthadecentfreedom。GoonwithyourstudiesattheImperialCollege，forexample，getadegree，andmakeyourselfgoodvalue。Orbecomeathorough-goingtypistandstenographerandsecretarialexpert。\"
\"ButIcan’tdothat。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Yousee，ifIdogohomemyfatherobjectstotheCollege，andasfortyping——\"
\"Don’tgohome。\"
\"Yes，butyouforget；howamItolive？\"
\"Easily。Easily……Borrow……Fromme。\"
\"Icouldn’tdothat，\"saidAnnVeronica，sharply。
\"Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldn’t。\"
\"It’simpossible。\"
\"Asonefriendtoanother。Menarealwaysdoingit，andifyousetuptobeaman——\"
\"No，it’sabsolutelyoutofthequestion，Mr。Ramage。\"AndAnnVeronica’sfacewashot。
Ramagepursedhisratherlooselipsandshruggedhisshoulders，withhiseyesfixedsteadilyuponher。\"Wellanyhow——Idon’tseetheforceofyourobjection，youknow。That’smyadvicetoyou。HereIam。Consideryou’vegotresourcesdepositedwithme。Perhapsatthefirstblush——itstrikesyouasodd。Peoplearebroughtuptobesoshyaboutmoney。Asthoughitwasindelicate——it’sjustasortofshyness。ButhereIamtodrawupon。HereIamasanalternativeeithertonastywork——orgoinghome。\"
\"It’sverykindofyou——\"beganAnnVeronica。
\"Notabit。Justafriendlypolitesuggestion。Idon’tsuggestanyphilanthropy。Ishallchargeyoufivepercent。，youknow，fairandsquare。\"
AnnVeronicaopenedherlipsquicklyanddidnotspeak。Butthefivepercent。certainlydidseemtoimprovetheaspectofRamage’ssuggestion。
\"Well，anyhow，consideritopen。\"Hedabbedwithhispaper-weightagain，andspokeinanentirelyindifferenttone。
\"Andnowtellme，please，howyouelopedfromMorningsidePark。
Howdidyougetyourluggageoutofthehouse？Wasn’tit——wasn’titratherinsomerespects——ratheralark？It’soneofmyregretsformylostyouth。Ineverranawayfromanywherewithanybodyanywhen。Andnow——IsupposeIshouldbeconsideredtooold。Idon’tfeelit……Didn’tyoufeelratherEVENTFUL——inthetrain——cominguptoWaterloo？\"
Part6
BeforeChristmasAnnVeronicahadgonetoRamageagainandacceptedthisoffershehadatfirstdeclined。
Manylittlethingshadcontributedtothatdecision。Thechiefinfluencewasherawakeningsenseoftheneedofmoney。Shehadbeenforcedtobuyherselfthatpairofbootsandawalking-skirt，andthepearlnecklaceatthepawnbrokers’hadyieldedverydisappointingly。And，also，shewantedtoborrowthatmoney。ItdidseeminsomanywaysexactlywhatRamagesaiditwas——thesensiblethingtodo。Thereitwas——tobeborrowed。
Itwouldputthewholeadventureonabroaderandbetterfooting；
itseemed，indeed，almosttheonlypossiblewayinwhichshemightemergefromherrebellionwithanythinglikesuccess。Ifonlyforthesakeofherargumentwithherhome，shewantedsuccess。Andwhy，afterall，shouldshenotborrowmoneyfromRamage？
Itwassotruewhathesaid；middle-classpeopleWERE
ridiculouslysqueamishaboutmoney。Whyshouldtheybe？
SheandRamagewerefriends，verygoodfriends。Ifshewasinapositiontohelphimshewouldhelphim；onlyithappenedtobetheotherwayround。Hewasinapositiontohelpher。Whatwastheobjection？
Shefounditimpossibletolookherowndiffidenceintheface。
SoshewenttoRamageandcametothepointalmostatonce。
\"Canyousparemefortypounds？\"shesaid。
Mr。Ramagecontrolledhisexpressionandthoughtveryquickly。
\"Agreed，\"hesaid，\"certainly，\"anddrewacheckbooktowardhim。
\"It’sbest，\"hesaid，\"tomakeitagoodroundsum。
\"Iwon’tgiveyouacheckthough——Yes，Iwill。I’llgiveyouanuncrossedcheck，andthenyoucangetitatthebankhere，quitecloseby……You’dbetternothaveallthemoneyonyou；youhadbetteropenasmallaccountinthepost-officeanddrawitoutafiveratatime。Thatwon’tinvolvereferences，asabankaccountwould——andallthatsortofthing。Themoneywilllastlonger，and——itwon’tbotheryou。\"
Hestoodupratherclosetoherandlookedintohereyes。Heseemedtobetryingtounderstandsomethingveryperplexingandelusive。\"It’sjolly，\"hesaid，\"tofeelyouhavecometome。
It’sasortofguaranteeofconfidence。Lasttime——youmademefeelsnubbed。\"
Hehesitated，andwentoffatatangent。\"There’snoendofthingsI’dliketotalkoverwithyou。It’sjustuponmylunch-time。Comeandhavelunchwithme。\"
AnnVeronicafencedforamoment。\"Idon’twanttotakeupyourtime。\"
\"Wewon’tgotoanyoftheseCityplaces。They’rejustallmen，andnooneissafefromscandal。ButIknowalittleplacewherewe’llgetalittlequiettalk。\"
AnnVeronicaforsomeindefinablereasondidnotwanttolunchwithhim，areasonindeedsoindefinablethatshedismissedit，andRamagewentthroughtheouterofficewithher，alertandattentive，tothevividinterestofthethreeclerks。Thethreeclerksfoughtfortheonlywindow，andsawherwhiskedintoahansom。Theirsubsequentconversationisoutsidethescopeofourstory。
\"Ritter’s！\"saidRamagetothedriver，\"DeanStreet。\"
ItwasrarethatAnnVeronicausedhansoms，andtobeinonewasitselfeventfulandexhilarating。Shelikedthehigh，easyswingofthethingoveritsbigwheels，thequickclatter-patterofthehorse，thepassageoftheteemingstreets。SheadmittedherpleasuretoRamage。
AndRitter’s，too，wasveryamusingandforeignanddiscreet；alittleramblingroomwithanumberofsmalltables，withredelectriclightshadesandflowers。Itwasanovercastday，albeitnotfoggy，andtheelectriclightshadesglowedwarmly，andanItalianwaiterwithinsufficientEnglishtookRamage’sorders，andwaitedwithanappearanceofaffection。AnnVeronicathoughtthewholeaffairratherjolly。Rittersoldbetterfoodthanmostofhiscompatriots，andcookeditbetter，andRamage，withafineperceptionofafemininepalate，orderedVeroCapri。
Itwas，AnnVeronicafelt，asasiporsoofthatremarkableblendwarmedherblood，justthesortofthingthatherauntwouldnotapprove，tobelunchingthus，tete-a-tetewithaman；
andyetatthesametimeitwasaperfectlyinnocentaswellasagreeableproceeding。
TheytalkedacrosstheirmealinaneasyandfriendlymanneraboutAnnVeronica’saffairs。Hewasreallyverybrightandclever，withasortofconversationalboldnessthatwasjustwithinthelimitsofpermissibledaring。ShedescribedtheGoopesandtheFabianstohim，andgavehimasketchofherlandlady；andhetalkedinthemostliberalandentertainingwayofamodernyoungwoman’soutlook。Heseemedtoknowagreatdealaboutlife。Hegaveglimpsesofpossibilities。Herousedcuriosities。Hecontrastedwonderfullywiththeemptyshowing-offofTeddy。Hisfriendshipseemedathingworthhaving……
Butwhenshewasthinkingitoverinherroomthateveningvagueandbafflingdoubtscamedriftingacrossthisconviction。Shedoubtedhowshestoodtowardhimandwhattherestrainedgleamofhisfacemightsignify。Shefeltthatperhaps，inherdesiretoplayanadequatepartintheconversation，shehadtalkedrathermorefreelythansheoughttohavedone，andgivenhimawrongimpressionofherself。
Part7
ThatwastwodaysbeforeChristmasEve。Thenextmorningcameacompactletterfromherfather。
\"MYDEARDAUGHTER，\"itran，——\"Here，onthevergeoftheseasonofforgivenessIholdoutalasthandtoyouinthehopeofareconciliation。Iaskyou，althoughitisnotmyplacetoaskyou，toreturnhome。Thisroofisstillopentoyou。Youwillnotbetauntedifyoureturnandeverythingthatcanbedonewillbedonetomakeyouhappy。
\"Indeed，Imustimploreyoutoreturn。Thisadventureofyourshasgoneonaltogethertoolong；ithasbecomeaseriousdistresstobothyourauntandmyself。Wefailaltogethertounderstandyourmotivesindoingwhatyouaredoing，or，indeed，howyouaremanagingtodoit，orwhatyouaremanagingon。Ifyouwillthinkonlyofonetriflingaspect——theinconvenienceitmustbetoustoexplainyourabsence——Ithinkyoumaybegintorealizewhatitallmeansforus。Ineedhardlysaythatyourauntjoinswithmeveryheartilyinthisrequest。
\"Pleasecomehome。Youwillnotfindmeunreasonablewithyou。
\"Youraffectionate\"FATHER。\"
AnnVeronicasatoverherfirewithherfather’snoteinherhand。\"Queerlettershewrites，\"shesaid。\"Isupposemostpeople’slettersarequeer。Roofopen——likeaNoah’sArk。I
wonderifhereallywantsmetogohome。It’soddhowlittleI
knowofhim，andofhowhefeelsandwhathefeels。\"
\"IwonderhowhetreatedGwen。\"
Herminddriftedintoaspeculationabouthersister。\"IoughttolookupGwen，\"shesaid。\"Iwonderwhathappened。\"
Thenshefelltothinkingaboutheraunt。\"Iwouldliketogohome，\"shecried，\"topleaseher。Shehasbeenadear。
Consideringhowlittleheletsherhave。\"
Thetruthprevailed。\"TheunaccountablethingisthatIwouldn’tgohometopleaseher。Sheis，inherway，adear。OneOUGHTtowanttopleaseher。AndIdon’t。Idon’tcare。Ican’tevenmakemyselfcare。\"
Presently，asifforcomparisonwithherfather’sletter，shegotoutRamage’scheckfromtheboxthatcontainedherpapers。Forsofarshehadkeptituncashed。Shehadnotevenendorsedit。
\"SupposeIchuckit，\"sheremarked，standingwiththemauveslipinherhand——\"supposeIchuckit，andsurrenderandgohome！
Perhaps，afterall，Roddywasright！
\"Fatherkeepsopeningthedoorandshuttingit，butatimewillcome——
\"Icouldstillgohome！\"
SheheldRamage’scheckasiftotearitacross。\"No，\"shesaidatlast；\"I’mahumanbeing——notatimidfemale。WhatcouldIdoathome？Theother’sacrumple-up——justsurrender。Funk！I’llseeitout。\"
CHAPTERTHEEIGHTH
BIOLOGY
Part1
JanuaryfoundAnnVeronicaastudentinthebiologicallaboratoryoftheCentralImperialCollegethattowersupfromamongthebackstreetsintheanglebetweenEustonRoadandGreatPortlandStreet。ShewasworkingverysteadilyattheAdvancedCourseinComparativeAnatomy，wonderfullyrelievedtohavehermindengagedupononemethodicallydevelopingthemeintheplaceofthediscursiveuncertaintiesoftheprevioustwomonths，anddoingherutmosttokeeprightinthebackofhermindandoutofsightthefacts，firstly，thatshehadachievedthishavenofsatisfactoryactivitybyincurringadebttoRamageoffortypounds，and，secondly，thatherpresentpositionwasnecessarilytemporaryandheroutlookquiteuncertain。
Thebiologicallaboratoryhadanatmospherethatwasallitsown。
Itwasatthetopofthebuilding，andlookedclearoveraclusteringmassofinferiorbuildingstowardRegent’sPark。Itwaslongandnarrow，awell-lit，well-ventilated，quietgalleryofsmalltablesandsinks，pervadedbyathinsmellofmethylatedspiritandofamitigatedandsterilizedorganicdecay。AlongtheinnersidewasawonderfullyarrangedseriesofdisplayedspecimensthatRussellhimselfhadprepared。ThesupremeeffectforAnnVeronicawasitssurpassingrelevance；itmadeeveryotheratmospheresheknewseemdiscursiveandconfused。Thewholeplaceandeverythinginitaimedatonething——toillustrate，toelaborate，tocriticiseandilluminate，andmakeeverplainerandplainerthesignificanceofanimalandvegetablestructure。ItdealtfromfloortoceilingandendtoendwiththeTheoryoftheFormsofLife；theverydusterbytheblackboardwastheretodoitsshareinthatwork，theverywashersinthetaps；theroomwasmoresimplyconcentratedinaimeventhanachurch。Tothat，perhaps，alargepartofitssatisfyingnesswasdue。ContrastedwiththeconfusedmovementandpresencesofaFabianmeeting，ortheinexplicableenthusiasmbehindthesuffragedemand，withthespeechesthatwerepartlyegotisticaldisplays，partlyartfulmanoeuvres，andpartlyincoherentcriesforunsoundlyformulatedends，comparedwiththecomingsandgoingsofaudiencesandsupportersthatwereliketheeddy-drivendriftofpaperinthestreet，thislong，quiet，methodicalchambershonelikeastarseenthroughclouds。
Dayafterdayforameasuredhourinthelecture-theatre，withelaboratepowerandpatience，Russellpiecedtogetherdifficultyandsuggestion，instanceandcounter-instance，intheelaborateconstructionofthefamilytreeoflife。Andthenthestudentswentintothelonglaboratoryandfollowedoutthesefactsinalmostlivingtissuewithmicroscopeandscalpel，probeandmicrotome，andtheutmostoftheirskillandcare，makingnowandthenaraidintothecompactmuseumofillustrationnextdoor，inwhichspecimensandmodelsanddirectionsstoodindisciplinedranks，underthedirectionofthedemonstratorCapes。Therewasacoupleofblackboardsateachendoftheaisleoftables，andattheseCapes，withquickandnervousspeechthatcontrastedvividlywithRussell’sslow，definitivearticulation，directedthedissectionandmadeilluminatingcommentsonthestructuresunderexamination。Thenhewouldcomealongthelaboratory，sittingdownbyeachstudentinturn，checkingtheworkanddiscussingitsdifficulties，andansweringquestionsarisingoutofRussell’slecture。
AnnVeronicahadcometotheImperialCollegeobsessedbythegreatfigureofRussell，bytheparthehadplayedintheDarwiniancontroversies，andbytheresoluteeffectofthegrim-lipped，yellow，leoninefacebeneaththemaneofsilveryhair。Capeswasratheradiscovery。Capeswassomethingsuperadded。Russellburnedlikeabeacon，butCapesilluminatedbydartingflashesandthrewlight，evenifitwasbutmomentarylight，intoahundredcornersthatRussellleftsteadfastlyintheshade。
Capeswasanexceptionallyfairmanoftwoorthree-and-thirty，soruddilyblondthatitwasamercyhehadescapedlighteyelashes，andwithaminorbutbynomeanscontemptiblereputationofhisown。Hetalkedattheblackboardinapleasant，veryslightlylispingvoicewithacuriousspontaneity，andwassometimesveryclumsyinhisexposition，andsometimesveryvivid。Hedissectedratherawkwardlyandhurriedly，but，onthewhole，effectively，anddrewwithanimpatientdirectnessthatmadeupinsignificancewhatitlackedinprecision。Acrosstheblackboardthecoloredchalksflewlikeflightsofvariouslytintedrocketsasdiagramafterdiagramflickeredintobeing。
Therehappenedthatyeartobeanunusualproportionofgirlsandwomenintheadvancedlaboratory，perhapsbecausetheclassasawholewasanexceptionallysmallone。Itnumberednine，andfourofthesewerewomenstudents。Asaconsequenceofitssmallsize，itwaspossibletogetalongwiththeworkonamucheasierandmorecolloquialfootingthanalargerclasswouldhavepermitted。Andacustomhadgrownupofageneralteaatfouro’clock，undertheauspicesofaMissGarvice，atallandgracefulgirlofdistinguishedintellectualincompetence，inwhomthehostessinstinctseemedtobeabnormallydeveloped。
Capeswouldcometotheseteas；heevidentlylikedtocome，andhewouldappearinthedoorwayofthepreparation-room，apleasingnoteofshynessinhismanner，hoveringforaninvitation。
Fromthefirst，AnnVeronicafoundhimanexceptionallyinterestingman。Tobeginwith，hestruckherasbeingthemostvariablepersonshehadeverencountered。Attimeshewasbrilliantandmasterful，talkedroundandovereveryone，andwouldhavebeendomineeringifhehadnotbeenextraordinarilykindly；attimeshewasalmostmonosyllabic，anddefeatedMissGarvice’smostskilfulattemptstodrawhimout。Sometimeshewasobviouslyirritableanduncomfortableandunfortunateinhiseffortstoseematease。Andsometimesheoverflowedwithapeculiarlymalignantwitthatplayed，withdevastatingeffect，uponanytopicsthathadthecouragetofaceit。AnnVeronica’sexperiencesofmenhadbeenamongmorestabletypes——Teddy，whowasalwaysabsurd；herfather，whowasalwaysauthoritativeandsentimental；Manning，whowasalwaysManning。Andmostoftheothersshehadmethad，shefelt，thesamesteadfastness。
Goopes，shewassurewasalwayshigh-browedandslowandSocratic。AndRamagetoo——aboutRamagetherewouldalwaysbethatairofavidity，thatairofknowledgeandinquiry，themixtureofthingsinhistalkthatwererathergoodwiththingsthatwereratherpoor。ButonecouldnotcountwithanyconfidenceuponCapes。
Thefivemenstudentswereamixedcompany。Therewasaverywhite-facedyoungsterofeighteenwhobrushedbackhishairexactlyinRussell’smanner，andwasdisposedtobeuncomfortablysilentwhenhewasnearher，andtowhomshefeltitwasonlyChristiankindnesstobeconsistentlypleasant；andalaxyoungmanoffive-and-twentyinnavyblue，whomingledMarxandBebelwiththemoreorthodoxgodsofthebiologicalpantheon。Therewasashort，red-faced，resoluteyouthwhoinheritedanauthoritativeattitudeuponbacteriologyfromhisfather；aJapanesestudentofunassumingmannerswhodrewbeautifullyandhadanimperfectknowledgeofEnglish；andadark，unwashedScotchmanwithcomplicatedspectacles，whowouldcomeeverymorningasasortofvolunteersupplementarydemonstrator，lookverycloselyatherworkandher，tellherthatherdissectionswere\"fairish，\"or\"veryfairishindeed，\"or\"highabovethenormalfemalestandard，\"hoverasifforsomeoutbreakofpassionategratitudeandwithadmiringretrospectsthatmadethefacettedspectaclesgleamlikediamonds，returntohisownplace。
Thewomen，AnnVeronicathought，werenotquitesointerestingasthemen。Thereweretwoschool-mistresses，oneofwhom——MissKlegg——mighthavebeenafirstcousintoMissMiniver，shehadsomanyMinivertraits；therewasapreoccupiedgirlwhosenameAnnVeronicaneverlearned，butwhoworkedremarkablywell；andMissGarvice，whobeganbyattractingherverygreatly——shemovedsobeautifully——andendedbygivinghertheimpressionthatmovingbeautifullywasthebeginningandendofherbeing。
Part2
ThenextfewweekswereatimeoftheveryliveliestthoughtandgrowthforAnnVeronica。Thecrowdingimpressionsofthepreviousweeksseemedtoruntogetherdirectlyhermindleftthechaoticsearchforemploymentandcameintotouchagainwithacoherentandsystematicdevelopmentofideas。TheadvancedworkattheCentralImperialCollegewasintheclosesttouchwithlivinginterestsandcurrentcontroversies；itdrewitsillustrationsandmaterialfromRussell’stwogreatresearches——upontherelationofthebrachiopodstotheechinodermata，anduponthesecondaryandtertiarymammalianandpseudo-mammalianfactorsinthefreelarvalformsofvariousmarineorganisms。Moreover，avigorousfireofmutualcriticismwasgoingonnowbetweentheImperialCollegeandtheCambridgeMendeliansandechoedinthelectures。Frombeginningtoenditwasfirst-handstuff。
Buttheinfluenceofthescienceradiatedfarbeyonditsownspecialfield——beyondthosebeautifulbuthighlytechnicalproblemswithwhichwedonotproposeforamomenttotroublethenaturallyterrifiedreader。Biologyisanextraordinarilydigestivescience。Itthrowsoutanumberofbroadexperimentalgeneralizations，andthensetsouttobringintoharmonyorrelationwiththeseaninfinitelymultifariouscollectionofphenomena。Thelittlestreaksuponthegerminatingareaofanegg，thenervousmovementsofanimpatienthorse，thetrickofacalculatingboy，thesensesofafish，thefungusattherootofagardenflower，andtheslimeuponasea-wetrock——tenthousandsuchthingsbeartheirwitnessandareilluminated。Andnotonlydidthesetentaculargeneralizationsgatherallthefactsofnaturalhistoryandcomparativeanatomytogether，buttheyseemedalwaysstretchingoutfurtherandfurtherintoaworldofintereststhatlayaltogetheroutsidetheirlegitimatebounds。
ItcametoAnnVeronicaonenightafteralongtalkwithMissMiniver，asasuddenremarkablething，asagrotesque，novelaspect，thatthisslowlyelaboratingbiologicalschemehadsomethingmorethananacademicinterestforherself。Andnotonlyso，butthatitwasafterall，amoresystematicandparticularmethodofexaminingjustthesamequestionsthatunderlaythediscussionsoftheFabianSociety，thetalkoftheWestCentralArtsClub，thechatterofthestudiosandthedeep，thebottomlessdiscussionsofthesimple-lifehomes。ItwasthesameBioswhosenatureanddriftandwaysandmethodsandaspectsengagedthemall。Andshe，sheinherownpersontoo，wasthiseternalBios，beginningagainitsrecurrentjourneytoselectionandmultiplicationandfailureorsurvival。
Butthiswasbutamomentarygleamofpersonalapplication，andatthistimeshefolloweditupnofurther。
AndnowAnnVeronica’seveningswerealsobecomingverybusy。
ShepursuedherinterestintheSocialistmovementandintheSuffragistagitationinthecompanyofMissMiniver。TheywenttovariouscentralandlocalFabiangatherings，andtoanumberofsuffragemeetings。TeddyWidgetthoveredonthefringeofallthesegatherings，blinkingatAnnVeronicaandoccasionallymakingawildlyfriendlydashather，andcarryingherandMissMiniverofftodrinkcocoawithachoicediversityofotheryouthfulandcongenialFabiansafterthemeetings。ThenMr。
Manningloomedupeverandagainintoherworld，fullofafutilesolicitude，andalmostalwaysdeclaringshewassplendid，splendid，andwishinghecouldtalkthingsoutwithher。TeashecontributedtothecommissariatofAnnVeronica’scampaign——quiteanumberofteas。Hewouldgethertocometoteawithhim，usuallyinapleasanttea-roomoverafruit-shopinTottenhamCourtRoad，andhewoulddiscusshisownpointofviewandhintatathousanddevotionswereshebuttocommandhim。Andhewouldexpressvariousartisticsensibilitiesandaestheticappreciationsincarefullypunctuatedsentencesandalarge，clearvoice。AtChristmashegaveherasetofasmalleditionofMeredith’snovels，veryprettilyboundinflexibleleather，beingguidedinthechoiceofanauthor，asheintimated，ratherbyherpreferencesthanhisown。
Therewassomethingmarkedlyanddeliberatelyliberal-mindedinhismannerinalltheirencounters。Heconveyednotonlyhissenseoftheextremewantofcorrectitudeintheirunsanctionedmeetings，butalsothat，sofarashewasconcerned，thisirregularitymatterednotatall，thathehadflung——andkeptonflinging——suchconsiderationstothewind。
And，inaddition，shewasnowseeingandtalkingtoRamagealmostweekly，onatheorywhichshetookverygravely，thattheywereexceptionallyfriends。HewouldaskhertocometodinnerwithhiminsomelittleItalianorsemi-BohemianrestaurantinthedistricttowardSoho，orinoneofthemorestylishandmagnificentestablishmentsaboutPiccadillyCircus，andforthemostpartshedidnotcaretorefuse。Nor，indeed，didshewanttorefuse。Thesedinners，fromtheirlavishdisplayofambiguoushorsd’oeuvretotheirskimpyicesindishesoffrilledpaper，withtheirChiantiflasksandParmesandishesandtheirpolyglotwaitersandpolyglotclientele，wereveryfunnyandbright；andshereallylikedRamage，andvaluedhishelpandadvice。Itwasinterestingtoseehowdifferentandcharacteristichismodeofapproachwastoallsortsofquestionsthatinterestedher，anditwasamusingtodiscoverthisothersidetothelifeofaMorningsideParkinhabitant。ShehadthoughtthatallMorningsideParkhouseholderscamehomebeforesevenatthelatest，asherfatherusuallydid。Ramagetalkedalwaysaboutwomenorsomewoman’sconcern，andverymuchaboutAnnVeronica’sownoutlookuponlife。Hewasalwaysdrawingcontrastsbetweenawoman’slotandaman’s，andtreatingherasawonderfulnewdepartureinthiscomparison。AnnVeronicalikedtheirrelationshipallthemorebecauseitwasanunusualone。
Afterthesedinnerstheywouldhaveawalk，usuallytotheThamesEmbankmenttoseethetwosweepsofriveroneithersideofWaterlooBridge；andthentheywouldpartatWestminsterBridge，perhaps，andhewouldgoontoWaterloo。Oncehesuggestedtheyshouldgotoamusic-hallandseeawonderfulnewdancer，butAnnVeronicadidnotfeelshecaredtoseeanewdancer。So，instead，theytalkedofdancingandwhatitmightmeaninahumanlife。AnnVeronicathoughtitwasaspontaneousreleaseofenergyexpressiveofwell-being，butRamagethoughtthatbydancing，men，andsuchbirdsandanimalsasdance，cometofeelandthinkoftheirbodies。
Thisintercourse，whichhadbeenplannedtowarmAnnVeronicatoafamiliaraffectionwithRamage，wascertainlywarmingRamagetoaconstantlydeepeninginterestinAnnVeronica。Hefeltthathewasgettingonwithherveryslowlyindeed，buthedidnotseehowhecouldgetonfaster。Hehad，hefelt，tocreatecertainideasandvivifycertaincuriositiesandfeelingsinher。Untilthatwasdoneacertainexperienceoflifeassuredhimthatagirlisalockedcoldnessagainstaman’sapproach。Shehadallthefascinationofbeingabsolutelyperplexinginthisrespect。
Ontheonehand，sheseemedtothinkplainlyandsimply，andwouldtalkserenelyandfreelyabouttopicsthatmostwomenhavebeentrainedeithertoavoidorconceal；andontheothershewasunconscious，orelseshehadanairofbeingunconscious——thatwastheriddle——toallsortsofpersonalapplicationsthatalmostanygirlorwoman，onemighthavethought，wouldhavemade。Hewasalwaysdoinghisbesttocallherattentiontothefactthathewasamanofspiritandqualityandexperience，andsheayoungandbeautifulwoman，andthatallsortsofconstructionsupontheirrelationshipwerepossible，trustinghertogoonfromthattotheideathatallsortsofrelationshipswerepossible。
Sherespondedwithanunfalteringappearanceofinsensibility，andneverasayoungandbeautifulwomanconsciousofsex；alwaysinthecharacterofanintelligentgirlstudent。
Hisperceptionofherpersonalbeautydeepenedandquickenedwitheachencounter。Everynowandthenhergeneralpresencebecameradiantlydazzlinginhiseyes；shewouldappearinthestreetcomingtowardhim，asurprise，sofineandsmilingandwelcomingwasshe，soexpandedandilluminatedandliving，incontrastwithhismereexpectation。Orhewouldfindsomething——awaveinherhair，alittlelineinthecontourofherbroworneck，thatmadeanexquisitediscovery。
Hewasbeginningtothinkaboutherinordinately。Hewouldsitinhisinnerofficeandcomposeconversationswithher，penetrating，illuminating，andnearlyconclusive——conversationsthatneverprovedtobeoftheslightestuseatallwithherwhenhemetherfacetoface。Andhebeganalsoattimestowakeatnightandthinkabouther。
Hethoughtofherandhimself，andnolongerinthatveinofincidentaladventureinwhichhehadbegun。Hethought，too，ofthefretfulinvalidwholayinthenextroomtohis，whosemoneyhadcreatedhisbusinessandmadehispositionintheworld。
\"I’vehadmostofthethingsIwanted，\"saidRamage，inthestillnessofthenight。
Part3
ForatimeAnnVeronica’sfamilyhaddesistedfromdirectoffersofafreepardon；theywereevidentlywaitingforherresourcestocometoanend。Neitherfather，aunt，norbrothersmadeasign，andthenoneafternooninearlyFebruaryherauntcameupinastatebetweenexpostulationanddignifiedresentment，butobviouslyveryanxiousforAnnVeronica’swelfare。\"Ihadadreaminthenight，\"shesaid。\"Isawyouinasortofsloping，slipperyplace，holdingonbyyourhandsandslipping。Youseemedtometobeslippingandslipping，andyourfacewaswhite。Itwasreallymostvivid，mostvivid！Youseemedtobeslippingandjustgoingtotumbleandholdingon。Itmademewakeup，andthereIlaythinkingofyou，spendingyournightsuphereallalone，andnoonetolookafteryou。Iwonderedwhatyoucouldbedoingandwhatmightbehappeningtoyou。Isaidtomyselfatonce，’Eitherthisisacoincidenceorthecapersauce。’ButImadesureitwasyou。IfeltIMUSTdosomethinganyhow，andupIcamejustassoonasIcouldtoseeyou。\"
Shehadspokenratherrapidly。\"Ican’thelpsayingit，\"shesaid，withthequalityofhervoicealtering，\"butIdoNOTthinkitisrightforanunprotectedgirltobeinLondonaloneasyouare。\"
\"ButI’mquiteequaltotakingcareofmyself，aunt。\"
\"Itmustbemostuncomfortablehere。Itismostuncomfortableforeveryoneconcerned。\"
Shespokewithacertainasperity。ShefeltthatAnnVeronicahaddupedherinthatdream，andnowthatshehadcomeuptoLondonshemightaswellspeakhermind。
\"NoChristmasdinner，\"shesaid，\"oranythingnice！Onedoesn’tevenknowwhatyouaredoing。\"
\"I’mgoingonworkingformydegree。\"
\"Whycouldn’tyoudothatathome？\"
\"I’mworkingattheImperialCollege。Yousee，aunt，it’stheonlypossiblewayformetogetagooddegreeinmysubjects，andfatherwon’thearofit。There’donlybeendlessrowsifIwasathome。AndhowcouldIcomehome——whenhelocksmeinroomsandallthat？\"
\"Idowishthiswasn’tgoingon，\"saidMissStanley，afterapause。\"Idowishyouandyourfathercouldcometosomeagreement。\"
AnnVeronicarespondedwithconviction:\"Iwishso，too。\"
\"Can’twearrangesomething？Can’twemakeasortoftreaty？\"
\"Hewouldn’tkeepit。Hewouldgetverycrossoneeveningandnoonewoulddaretoremindhimofit。\"
\"Howcanyousaysuchthings？\"
\"Buthewould！\"
\"Still，itisn’tyourplacetosayso。\"
\"Itpreventsatreaty。\"
\"Couldn’t_I_makeatreaty？\"
AnnVeronicathought，andcouldnotseeanypossibletreatythatwouldleaveitopenforhertohavequasi-surreptitiousdinnerswithRamageorgoonwalkingroundtheLondonsquaresdiscussingSocialismwithMissMinivertowardthesmallhours。Shehadtastedfreedomnow，andsofarshehadnotfelttheneedofprotection。Still，therecertainlywassomethingintheideaofatreaty。
\"Idon’tseeatallhowyoucanbemanaging，\"saidMissStanley，andAnnVeronicahastenedtoreply，\"Idoonverylittle。\"Hermindwentbacktothattreaty。
\"Andaren’ttherefeestopayattheImperialCollege？\"herauntwassaying——adisagreeablequestion。
\"Thereareafewfees。\"
\"Thenhowhaveyoumanaged？\"
\"Bother！\"saidAnnVeronicatoherself，andtriednottolookguilty。\"Iwasabletoborrowthemoney。\"
\"Borrowthemoney！Butwholentyouthemoney？\"
\"Afriend，\"saidAnnVeronica。
Shefeltherselfgettingintoacorner。Shesoughthastilyinhermindforaplausibleanswertoanobviousquestionthatdidn’tcome。Herauntwentoffatatangent。\"ButmydearAnnVeronica，youwillbegettingintodebt！\"
AnnVeronicaatonce，andwithafeelingofimmenserelief，tookrefugeinherdignity。\"Ithink，aunt，\"shesaid，\"youmighttrusttomyself-respecttokeepmeoutofthat。\"
Forthemomentherauntcouldnotthinkofanyreplytothiscounterstroke，andAnnVeronicafollowedupheradvantagebyasuddeninquiryaboutherabandonedboots。
Butinthetraingoinghomeherauntreasoneditout。
\"Ifsheisborrowingmoney，\"saidMissStanley，\"sheMUSTbegettingintodebt。It’sallnonsense……\"
Part4
ItwasbyimperceptibledegreesthatCapesbecameimportantinAnnVeronica’sthoughts。Butthenhebegantotakesteps，and，atlast，stridestosomethingmoreandmorelikepredominance。
Shebeganbybeinginterestedinhisdemonstrationsandhisbiologicaltheory，thenshewasattractedbyhischaracter，andthen，inamanner，shefellinlovewithhismind。
Onedaytheywereatteainthelaboratoryandadiscussionsprangupaboutthequestionofwomen’ssuffrage。Themovementwastheninitsearliermilitantphases，andoneofthewomenonly，MissGarvice，opposedit，thoughAnnVeronicawasdisposedtobelukewarm。Butaman’soppositionalwaysinclinedhertothesuffrageside；shehadacuriousfeelingofloyaltyinseeingthemoreaggressivewomenthrough。Capeswasirritatinglyjudicialinthematter，neitherabsurdlyagainst，inwhichcaseonemighthavesmashedhim，orhopelesslyundecided，buttepidlysceptical。MissKleggandtheyoungestgirlmadeavigorousattackonMissGarvice，whohadsaidshethoughtwomenlostsomethinginfinitelypreciousbyminglingintheconflictsoflife。Thediscussionwandered，andwaspunctuatedwithbreadandbutter。CapeswasinclinedtosupportMissKlegguntilMissGarvicecorneredhimbyquotinghimagainsthimself，andcitingarecentpaperintheNineteenthCentury，inwhich，followingAtkinson，hehadmadeavigorousanddamagingattackonLesterWard’scasefortheprimitivematriarchateandthepredominantimportanceofthefemalethroughouttheanimalkingdom。
AnnVeronicawasnotawareofthisliterarysideofherteacher；
shehadalittletingeofannoyanceatMissGarvice’sadvantage。
Afterwardsshehuntedupthearticleinquestion，anditseemedtoherquitedelightfullywrittenandargued。Capeshadthegiftofeasy，unaffectedwriting，coupledwithveryclearandlogicalthinking，andtofollowhiswrittenthoughtgaveherthesensationofcuttingthingswithaperfectlynew，perfectlysharpknife。Shefoundherselfanxioustoreadmoreofhim，andthenextWednesdayshewenttotheBritishMuseumandhuntedfirstamongthehalf-crownmagazinesforhisessaysandthenthroughvariousscientificquarterliesforhisresearchpapers。Theordinaryresearchpaper，whenitisnotextravaganttheorizing，isapttoberathersawdustyintexture，andAnnVeronicawasdelightedtofindthesameeasyandconfidentluminositythatdistinguishedhisworkforthegeneralreader。Shereturnedtotheselatter，andatthebackofhermind，asshelookedthemoveragain，wasaverydistinctresolvetoquotethemafterthemannerofMissGarviceattheveryfirstopportunity。
Whenshegothometoherlodgingsthateveningshereflectedwithsomethinglikesurpriseuponherhalf-day’semployment，anddecidedthatitshowednothingmorenorlessthanthatCapeswasareallyveryinterestingpersonindeed。
AndthenshefellintoamusingaboutCapes。Shewonderedwhyhewassodistinctive，sounlikeothermen，anditneveroccurredtoherforsometimethatthismightbebecauseshewasfallinginlovewithhim。
Part5
YetAnnVeronicawasthinkingaverygreatdealaboutlove。A
dozenshynessesandintellectualbarrierswerebeingoutflankedorbrokendowninhermind。Alltheinfluencesaboutherworkedwithherownpredispositionandagainstallthetraditionsofherhomeandupbringingtodealwiththefactsoflifeinanunabashedmanner。Ramage，byahundredskilfulhintshadledhertorealizethattheproblemofherownlifewasinseparablyassociatedwith，andindeedonlyonespecialcaseof，theproblemsofanywoman’slife，andthattheproblemofawoman’slifeislove。
\"Ayoungmancomesintolifeaskinghowbesthemayplacehimself，\"Ramagehadsaid；\"awomancomesintolifethinkinginstinctivelyhowbestshemaygiveherself。\"
Shenotedthatasagoodsaying，anditgerminatedandspreadtentaclesofexplanationthroughherbrain。Thebiologicallaboratory，perpetuallyviewinglifeaspairingandbreedingandselection，andagainpairingandbreeding，seemedonlyatranslatedgeneralizationofthatassertion。AndallthetalkoftheMiniverpeopleandtheWidgettpeopleseemedalwaystobelikeashipinadverseweatherontheleeshoreoflove。\"Forsevenyears，\"saidAnnVeronica，\"Ihavebeentryingtokeepmyselffromthinkingaboutlove……
\"Ihavebeentrainingmyselftolookaskanceatbeautifulthings。\"
Shegaveherselfpermissionnowtolookatthissquarely。Shemadeherselfaprivatedeclarationofliberty。\"Thisismerenonsense，meretongue-tiedfear！\"shesaid。\"Thisistheslaveryoftheveiledlife。ImightaswellbeatMorningsidePark。
Thisbusinessofloveisthesupremeaffairinlife，itisthewoman’soneeventandcrisisthatmakesupforallherotherrestrictions，andIcower——asweallcower——withablushingandparalyzedminduntilitovertakesme！……
\"I’llbehangedifIdo。\"
Butshecouldnottalkfreelyaboutlove，shefound，forallthatmanumission。
Ramageseemedalwaysfencingabouttheforbiddentopic，probingforopenings，andshewonderedwhyshedidnotgivehimthem。
Butsomethinginstinctivepreventedthat，andwiththefinestresolvenottobe\"silly\"andprudishshefoundthatwheneverhebecameatallboldinthismattershebecameseverelyscientificandimpersonal，almostentomologicalindeed，inhermethod；shekilledeveryremarkashemadeitandpinneditoutforexamination。Inthebiologicallaboratorythatwastheirinvincibletone。Butshedisapprovedmoreandmoreofherownmentalausterity。Herewasanexperiencedmanoftheworld，herfriend，whoevidentlytookagreatinterestinthissupremetopicandwaswillingtogiveherthebenefitofhisexperiences！Whyshouldnotshebeathereasewithhim？Whyshouldnotsheknowthings？Itishardenoughanyhowforahumanbeingtolearn，shedecided，butitisadozentimesmoredifficultthanitneedbebecauseofallthislockingofthelipsandthoughts。
Shecontrivedtobreakdownthebarriersofshynessatlastinonedirection，andtalkedonenightofloveandthefactsoflovewithMissMiniver。
ButMissMiniverwashighlyunsatisfactory。SherepeatedphrasesofMrs。Goopes’s:\"Advancedpeople，\"shesaid，withanairofgreatelucidation，\"tendtoGENERALIZElove。’Heprayethbestwholovethbest——allthingsbothgreatandsmall。’FormyownpartIgoaboutloving。\"
\"Yes，butmen；\"saidAnnVeronica，plunging；\"don’tyouwanttheloveofmen？\"
Forsomesecondstheyremainedsilent，bothshockedbythisquestion。
MissMiniverlookedoverherglassesatherfriendalmostbalefully。\"NO！\"shesaid，atlast，withsomethinginhervoicethatremindedAnnVeronicaofasprungtennis-racket。
\"I’vebeenthroughallthat，\"shewenton，afterapause。
Shespokeslowly。\"IhaveneveryetmetamanwhoseintellectI
couldrespect。\"
AnnVeronicalookedatherthoughtfullyforamoment，anddecidedtopersistonprinciple。
\"Butifyouhad？\"shesaid。
\"Ican’timagineit，\"saidMissMiniver。\"Andthink，think\"——hervoicesank——\"ofthehorriblecoarseness！\"
\"Whatcoarseness？\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"MydearVee！\"Hervoicebecameverylow。\"Don’tyouknow？\"
\"Oh！Iknow——\"
\"Well——\"Herfacewasanunaccustomedpink。
AnnVeronicaignoredherfriend’sconfusion。
\"Don’tweallratherhumbugaboutthecoarseness？Allwewomen，I
mean，\"saidshe。Shedecidedtogoon，afteramomentaryhalt。
\"Wepretendbodiesareugly。Reallytheyarethemostbeautifulthingsintheworld。Wepretendweneverthinkofeverythingthatmakesuswhatweare。\"
\"No，\"criedMissMiniver，almostvehemently。\"Youarewrong！I
didnotthinkyouthoughtsuchthings。Bodies！Bodies！Horriblethings！Wearesouls。Lovelivesonahigherplane。Wearenotanimals。IfeverIdidmeetamanIcouldlove，Ishouldlovehim\"——hervoicedroppedagain——\"platonically。\"
Shemadeherglassesglint。\"Absolutelyplatonically，\"shesaid。
\"Soultosoul。\"
Sheturnedherfacetothefire，grippedherhandsuponherelbows，anddrewherthinshoulderstogetherinashrug。\"Ugh！\"
shesaid。
AnnVeronicawatchedherandwonderedabouther。
\"Wedonotwantthemen，\"saidMissMiniver；\"wedonotwantthem，withtheirsneersandloudlaughter。Empty，silly，coarsebrutes。Brutes！Theyarethebrutestillwithus！Sciencesomedaymayteachusawaytodowithoutthem。Itisonlythewomenmatter。Itisnoteverysortofcreatureneeds——thesemales。Somehavenomales。\"
\"There’sgreen-fly，\"admittedAnnVeronica。\"Andeventhen——\"
Theconversationhungforathoughtfulmoment。
AnnVeronicareadjustedherchinonherhand。\"Iwonderwhichofusisright，\"shesaid。\"Ihaven’tascrap——ofthissortofaversion。\"
\"Tolstoyissogoodaboutthis，\"saidMissMiniver，regardlessofherfriend’sattitude。\"Heseesthroughitall。TheHigherLifeandtheLower。Heseesmenalldefiledbycoarsethoughts，coarsewaysoflivingcruelties。Simplybecausetheyarehardenedby——bybestiality，andpoisonedbythejuicesofmeatslaininangerandfermenteddrinks——fancy！drinksthathavebeenswarmedinbythousandsandthousandsofhorriblelittlebacteria！\"
\"It’syeast，\"saidAnnVeronica——\"avegetable。\"
\"It’sallthesame，\"saidMissMiniver。\"Andthentheyareswollenupandinflamedanddrunkenwithmatter。Theyareblindedtoallfineandsubtlethings——theylookatlifewithbloodshoteyesanddilatednostrils。Theyarearbitraryandunjustanddogmaticandbrutishandlustful。\"
\"Butdoyoureallythinkmen’smindsarealteredbythefoodtheyeat？\"
\"Iknowit，\"saidMissMiniver。\"Expertecredo。WhenIamleadingatruelife，apureandsimplelifefreeofallstimulantsandexcitements，Ithink——Ithink——oh！withpellucidclearness；butifIsomuchastakeamouthfulofmeat——oranything——themirrorisallblurred。\"
Part6
Then，arisingsheknewnothow，likeanew-bornappetite，cameacravinginAnnVeronicaforthesightandsoundofbeauty。
Itwasasifheraestheticsensehadbecomeinflamed。Hermindturnedandaccuseditselfofhavingbeencoldandhard。Shebegantolookforbeautyanddiscoveritinunexpectedaspectsandplaces。Hithertoshehadseenitchieflyinpicturesandotherworksofart，incidentally，andasathingtakenoutoflife。Nowthesenseofbeautywasspreadingtoamultitudeofhithertounsuspectedaspectsoftheworldabouther。
Thethoughtofbeautybecameanobsession。Itinterwovewithherbiologicalwork。Shefoundherselfaskingmoreandmorecuriously，\"Why，ontheprincipleofthesurvivalofthefittest，haveIanysenseofbeautyatall？\"Thatenabledhertogoonthinkingaboutbeautywhenitseemedtoherrightthatsheshouldbethinkingaboutbiology。
Shewasverygreatlyexercisedbythetwosystemsofvalues——thetwoseriesofexplanationsthathercomparativeanatomyontheonehandandhersenseofbeautyontheother，setgoinginherthoughts。Shecouldnotmakeuphermindwhichwasthefiner，moreelementalthing，whichgaveitsvaluestotheother。Wasitthatthestruggleofthingstosurviveproducedasasortofnecessaryby-producttheseintensepreferencesandappreciations，orwasitthatsomemysticalouterthing，somegreatforce，drovelifebeautyward，eveninspiteofexpediency，regardlessofsurvivalvalueandallthemanifestdiscretionsoflife？ShewenttoCapeswiththatriddleandputittohimverycarefullyandclearly，andhetalkedwell——healwaystalkedatsomelengthwhenshetookadifficultytohim——andsenthertoavariousliteratureuponthemarkingsofbutterflies，theincomprehensibleelaborationandsplendorofbirdsofParadiseandhumming-birds’
plumes，thepatterningoftigers，andaleopard’sspots。Hewasinterestingandinconclusive，andtheoriginalpaperstowhichhereferredherdiscursivewereatbestonlysuggestive。Afterward，oneafternoon，hehoveredabouther，andcameandsatbesideherandtalkedofbeautyandtheriddleofbeautyforsometime。Hedisplayedaquiteunprofessionalveinofmysticisminthematter。
HecontrastedwithRussell，whoseintellectualmethodswere，sotospeak，scepticallydogmatic。Theirtalkdriftedtothebeautyofmusic，andtheytookthatupagainattea-time。
ButasthestudentssataboutMissGarvice’stea-potanddrankteaorsmokedcigarettes，thetalkgotawayfromCapes。TheScotchmaninformedAnnVeronicathatyourviewofbeautynecessarilydependedonyourmetaphysicalpremises，andtheyoungmanwiththeRussell-likehairbecameanxioustodistinguishhimselfbytellingtheJapanesestudentthatWesternartwassymmetricalandEasternartasymmetrical，andthatamongthehigherorganismsthetendencywastowardanexternalsymmetryveilinganinternalwantofbalance。AnnVeronicadecidedshewouldhavetogoonwithCapesanotherday，and，lookingup，discoveredhimsittingonastoolwithhishandsinhispocketsandhisheadalittleononeside，regardingherwithathoughtfulexpression。Shemethiseyeforamomentincurioussurprise。
HeturnedhiseyesandstaredatMissGarvicelikeonewhowakesfromareverie，andthengotupandstrolleddownthelaboratorytowardhisrefuge，thepreparation-room。
