\"Halloa!\"hecried。\"Halloa!Thisway!Cometothelight!\"
When，asheheldthecurtainwithonehand，andwiththeotherraisedthelampandtriedtopiercethegloomthatfilledtheplace，somethingrushedpasthimintotheroomlikeawild—cat，andcroucheddowninacorner。
\"Whatisit？\"hesaid，hastily。
Hemighthaveasked\"Whatisit？\"evenhadheseenitwell，aspresentlyhedidwhenhestoodlookingatitgatheredupinitscorner。
Abundleoftatters，heldtogetherbyahand，insizeandformalmostaninfant’s，butinitsgreedy，desperatelittleclutch，abadoldman’s。Afaceroundedandsmoothedbysomehalf—dozenyears，butpinchedandtwistedbytheexperiencesofalife。
Brighteyes，butnotyouthful。Nakedfeet，beautifulintheirchildishdelicacy，—uglyinthebloodanddirtthatcrackeduponthem。Ababysavage，ayoungmonster，achildwhohadneverbeenachild，acreaturewhomightlivetotaketheoutwardformofman，butwho，within，wouldliveandperishamerebeast。
Used，already，tobeworriedandhuntedlikeabeast，theboycroucheddownashewaslookedat，andlookedbackagain，andinterposedhisarmtowardofftheexpectedblow。
\"I’llbite，\"hesaid，\"ifyouhitme!\"
Thetimehadbeen，andnotmanyminutessince，whensuchasightasthiswouldhavewrungtheChemist’sheart。Helookeduponitnow，coldly；butwithaheavyefforttoremembersomething—hedidnotknowwhat—heaskedtheboywhathedidthere，andwhencehecame。
\"Where’sthewoman？\"hereplied。\"Iwanttofindthewoman。\"
\"Who？\"
\"Thewoman。Herthatbroughtmehere，andsetmebythelargefire。Shewassolonggone，thatIwenttolookforher，andlostmyself。Idon’twantyou。Iwantthewoman。\"
Hemadeaspring，sosuddenly，togetaway，thatthedullsoundofhisnakedfeetuponthefloorwasnearthecurtain，whenRedlawcaughthimbyhisrags。
\"Come!youletmego!\"mutteredtheboy，struggling，andclenchinghisteeth。\"I’vedonenothingtoyou。Letmego，willyou，tothewoman!\"
\"Thatisnottheway。Thereisanearerone，\"saidRedlaw，detaininghim，inthesameblankefforttoremembersomeassociationthatought，ofright，tobearuponthismonstrousobject。\"Whatisyourname？\"
\"Gotnone。\"
\"Wheredoyoulive？
\"Live!What’sthat？\"
Theboyshookhishairfromhiseyestolookathimforamoment，andthen，twistingroundhislegsandwrestlingwithhim，brokeagainintohisrepetitionof\"Youletmego，willyou？Iwanttofindthewoman。\"
TheChemistledhimtothedoor。\"Thisway，\"hesaid，lookingathimstillconfusedly，butwithrepugnanceandavoidance，growingoutofhiscoldness。\"I’lltakeyoutoher。\"
Thesharpeyesinthechild’shead，wanderingroundtheroom，lightedonthetablewheretheremnantsofthedinnerwere。
\"Givemesomeofthat!\"hesaid，covetously。
\"Hasshenotfedyou？\"
\"Ishallbehungryagainto—morrow，sha’n’tI？Ain’tIhungryeveryday？\"
Findinghimselfreleased，heboundedatthetablelikesomesmallanimalofprey，andhuggingtohisbreastbreadandmeat，andhisownrags，alltogether，said：
\"There!Nowtakemetothewoman!\"
AstheChemist，withanew—borndisliketotouchhim，sternlymotionedhimtofollow，andwasgoingoutofthedoor，hetrembledandstopped。
\"ThegiftthatIhavegiven，youshallgiveagain，gowhereyouwill!\"
ThePhantom’swordswereblowinginthewind，andthewindblewchilluponhim。
\"I’llnotgothere，to—night，\"hemurmuredfaintly。\"I’llgonowhereto—night。Boy!straightdownthislong—archedpassage，andpastthegreatdarkdoorintotheyard，—youseethefireshiningonthewindowthere。\"
\"Thewoman’sfire？\"inquiredtheboy。
Henodded，andthenakedfeethadsprungaway。Hecamebackwithhislamp，lockedhisdoorhastily，andsatdowninhischair，coveringhisfacelikeonewhowasfrightenedathimself。
Fornowhewas，indeed，alone。Alone，alone。
CHAPTERII—TheGiftDiffusedASMALLmansatinasmallparlour，partitionedofffromasmallshopbyasmallscreen，pastedalloverwithsmallscrapsofnewspapers。Incompanywiththesmallman，wasalmostanyamountofsmallchildrenyoumaypleasetoname—atleastitseemedso；
theymade，inthatverylimitedsphereofaction，suchanimposingeffect，inpointofnumbers。
Ofthesesmallfry，twohad，bysomestrongmachinery，beengotintobedinacorner，wheretheymighthavereposedsnuglyenoughinthesleepofinnocence，butforaconstitutionalpropensitytokeepawake，andalsotoscuffleinandoutofbed。Theimmediateoccasionofthesepredatorydashesatthewakingworld，wastheconstructionofanoyster—shellwallinacorner，bytwootheryouthsoftenderage；onwhichfortificationthetwoinbedmadeharassingdescents（likethoseaccursedPictsandScotswhobeleaguertheearlyhistoricalstudiesofmostyoungBritons），andthenwithdrewtotheirownterritory。
Inadditiontothestirattendantontheseinroads，andtheretortsoftheinvaded，whopursuedhotly，andmadelungesatthebed—
clothesunderwhichthemarauderstookrefuge，anotherlittleboy，inanotherlittlebed，contributedhismiteofconfusiontothefamilystock，bycastinghisbootsuponthewaters；inotherwords，bylaunchingtheseandseveralsmallobjects，inoffensiveinthemselves，thoughofahardsubstanceconsideredasmissiles，atthedisturbersofhisrepose，—whowerenotslowtoreturnthesecompliments。
Besideswhich，anotherlittleboy—thebiggestthere，butstilllittle—wastotteringtoandfro，bentononeside，andconsiderablyaffectedinhiskneesbytheweightofalargebaby，whichhewassupposedbyafictionthatobtainssometimesinsanguinefamilies，tobehushingtosleep。Butoh!theinexhaustibleregionsofcontemplationandwatchfulnessintowhichthisbaby’seyeswerethenonlybeginningtocomposethemselvestostare，overhisunconsciousshoulder!
ItwasaveryMolochofababy，onwhoseinsatiatealtarthewholeexistenceofthisparticularyoungbrotherwasofferedupadailysacrifice。Itspersonalitymaybesaidtohaveconsistedinitsneverbeingquiet，inanyoneplace，forfiveconsecutiveminutes，andnevergoingtosleepwhenrequired。\"Tetterby’sbaby\"wasaswellknownintheneighbourhoodasthepostmanorthepot—boy。Itrovedfromdoor—steptodoor—step，inthearmsoflittleJohnnyTetterby，andlaggedheavilyattherearoftroopsofjuvenileswhofollowedtheTumblersortheMonkey，andcameup，allononeside，alittletoolateforeverythingthatwasattractive，fromMondaymorninguntilSaturdaynight。Whereverchildhoodcongregatedtoplay，therewaslittleMolochmakingJohnnyfagandtoil。WhereverJohnnydesiredtostay，littleMolochbecamefractious，andwouldnotremain。WheneverJohnnywantedtogoout，Molochwasasleep，andmustbewatched。WheneverJohnnywantedtostayathome，Molochwasawake，andmustbetakenout。YetJohnnywasverilypersuadedthatitwasafaultlessbaby，withoutitspeerintherealmofEngland，andwasquitecontenttocatchmeekglimpsesofthingsingeneralfrombehinditsskirts，oroveritslimpflappingbonnet，andtogostaggeringaboutwithitlikeaverylittleporterwithaverylargeparcel，whichwasnotdirectedtoanybody，andcouldneverbedeliveredanywhere。
Thesmallmanwhosatinthesmallparlour，makingfruitlessattemptstoreadhisnewspaperpeaceablyinthemidstofthisdisturbance，wasthefatherofthefamily，andthechiefofthefirmdescribedintheinscriptionoverthelittleshopfront，bythenameandtitleofA。TETTERBYANDCO。，NEWSMEN。Indeed，strictlyspeaking，hewastheonlypersonageansweringtothatdesignation，asCo。wasamerepoeticalabstraction，altogetherbaselessandimpersonal。
Tetterby’swasthecornershopinJerusalemBuildings。Therewasagoodshowofliteratureinthewindow，chieflyconsistingofpicture—newspapersoutofdate，andserialpirates，andfootpads。
Walking—sticks，likewise，andmarbles，wereincludedinthestockintrade。Ithadonceextendedintothelightconfectioneryline；
butitwouldseemthatthoseeleganciesoflifewerenotindemandaboutJerusalemBuildings，fornothingconnectedwiththatbranchofcommerceremainedinthewindow，exceptasortofsmallglasslanterncontainingalanguishingmassofbull’s—eyes，whichhadmeltedinthesummerandcongealedinthewinteruntilallhopeofevergettingthemout，orofeatingthemwithouteatingthelanterntoo，wasgoneforever。Tetterby’shadtrieditshandatseveralthings。Ithadoncemadeafeeblelittledartatthetoybusiness；
for，inanotherlantern，therewasaheapofminutewaxdolls，allstickingtogetherupsidedown，inthedirestconfusion，withtheirfeetononeanother’sheads，andaprecipitateofbrokenarmsandlegsatthebottom。Ithadmadeamoveinthemillinerydirection，whichafewdry，wirybonnet—shapesremainedinacornerofthewindowtoattest。Ithadfanciedthatalivingmightliehiddeninthetobaccotrade，andhadstuckuparepresentationofanativeofeachofthethreeintegralportionsoftheBritishEmpire，intheactofconsumingthatfragrantweed；withapoeticlegendattached，importingthatunitedinonecausetheysatandjoked，onechewedtobacco，onetooksnuff，onesmoked：butnothingseemedtohavecomeofit—exceptflies。Timehadbeenwhenithadputaforlorntrustinimitativejewellery，forinonepaneofglasstherewasacardofcheapseals，andanotherofpencil—cases，andamysteriousblackamuletofinscrutableintention，labelledninepence。But，tothathour，JerusalemBuildingshadboughtnoneofthem。Inshort，Tetterby’shadtriedsohardtogetalivelihoodoutofJerusalemBuildingsinonewayorother，andappearedtohavedonesoindifferentlyinall，thatthebestpositioninthefirmwastooevidentlyCo。’s；Co。，asabodilesscreation，beinguntroubledwiththevulgarinconveniencesofhungerandthirst，beingchargeableneithertothepoor’s—ratesnortheassessedtaxes，andhavingnoyoungfamilytoprovidefor。
Tetterbyhimself，however，inhislittleparlour，asalreadymentioned，havingthepresenceofayoungfamilyimpresseduponhismindinamannertooclamoroustobedisregarded，ortocomportwiththequietperusalofanewspaper，laiddownhispaper，wheeled，inhisdistraction，afewtimesroundtheparlour，likeanundecidedcarrier—pigeon，madeanineffectualrushatoneortwoflyinglittlefiguresinbed—gownsthatskimmedpasthim，andthen，bearingsuddenlydownupontheonlyunoffendingmemberofthefamily，boxedtheearsoflittleMoloch’snurse。
\"Youbadboy!\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"haven’tyouanyfeelingforyourpoorfatherafterthefatiguesandanxietiesofahardwinter’sday，sincefiveo’clockinthemorning，butmustyouwitherhisrest，andcorrodehislatestintelligence，withYOURwicioustricks？Isn’titenough，sir，thatyourbrother’Dolphusistoilingandmoilinginthefogandcold，andyourollinginthelapofluxurywitha—withababy，andeverythingyoucanwishfor，\"
saidMr。Tetterby，heapingthisupasagreatclimaxofblessings，\"butmustyoumakeawildernessofhome，andmaniacsofyourparents？Mustyou，Johnny？Hey？\"Ateachinterrogation，Mr。
Tetterbymadeafeintofboxinghisearsagain，butthoughtbetterofit，andheldhishand。
\"Oh，father!\"whimperedJohnny，\"whenIwasn’tdoinganything，I’msure，buttakingsuchcareofSally，andgettinghertosleep。Oh，father!\"
\"Iwishmylittlewomanwouldcomehome!\"saidMr。Tetterby，relentingandrepenting，\"Ionlywishmylittlewomanwouldcomehome!Iain’tfittodealwith’em。Theymakemyheadgoround，andgetthebetterofme。Oh，Johnny!Isn’titenoughthatyourdearmotherhasprovidedyouwiththatsweetsister？\"indicatingMoloch；\"isn’titenoughthatyouweresevenboysbeforewithoutarayofgal，andthatyourdearmotherwentthroughwhatsheDIDgothrough，onpurposethatyoumightallofyouhavealittlesister，butmustyousobehaveyourselfastomakemyheadswim？\"
Softeningmoreandmore，ashisowntenderfeelingsandthoseofhisinjuredsonwereworkedon，Mr。Tetterbyconcludedbyembracinghim，andimmediatelybreakingawaytocatchoneoftherealdelinquents。Areasonablygoodstartoccurring，hesucceeded，afterashortbutsmartrun，andsomeratherseverecross—countryworkunderandoverthebedsteads，andinandoutamongtheintricaciesofthechairs，incapturingthisinfant，whomhecondignlypunished，andboretobed。Thisexamplehadapowerful，andapparently，mesmericinfluenceonhimoftheboots，whoinstantlyfellintoadeepsleep，thoughhehadbeen，butamomentbefore，broadawake，andinthehighestpossiblefeather。Norwasitlostuponthetwoyoungarchitects，whoretiredtobed，inanadjoiningcloset，withgreatprivacyandspeed。ThecomradeoftheInterceptedOnealsoshrinkingintohisnestwithsimilardiscretion，Mr。Tetterby，whenhepausedforbreath，foundhimselfunexpectedlyinasceneofpeace。
\"Mylittlewomanherself，\"saidMr。Tetterby，wipinghisflushedface，\"couldhardlyhavedoneitbetter!Ionlywishmylittlewomanhadhadittodo，Idoindeed!\"
Mr。Tetterbysoughtuponhisscreenforapassageappropriatetobeimpresseduponhischildren’smindsontheoccasion，andreadthefollowing。
\"’Itisanundoubtedfactthatallremarkablemenhavehadremarkablemothers，andhaverespectedtheminafterlifeastheirbestfriends。’Thinkofyourownremarkablemother，myboys，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"andknowhervaluewhilesheisstillamongyou!\"
Hesatdownagaininhischairbythefire，andcomposedhimself，cross—legged，overhisnewspaper。
\"Letanybody，Idon’tcarewhoitis，getoutofbedagain，\"saidTetterby，asageneralproclamation，deliveredinaverysoft—
heartedmanner，\"andastonishmentwillbetheportionofthatrespectedcontemporary!\"—whichexpressionMr。Tetterbyselectedfromhisscreen。\"Johnny，mychild，takecareofyouronlysister，Sally；forshe’sthebrightestgemthateversparkledonyourearlybrow。\"
Johnnysatdownonalittlestool，anddevotedlycrushedhimselfbeneaththeweightofMoloch。
\"Ah，whatagiftthatbabyistoyou，Johnny!\"saidhisfather，\"andhowthankfulyououghttobe!’Itisnotgenerallyknown，Johnny，’\"hewasnowreferringtothescreenagain，\"’butitisafactascertained，byaccuratecalculations，thatthefollowingimmensepercentageofbabiesneverattaintotwoyearsold；thatistosay—’\"
\"Oh，don’t，father，please!\"criedJohnny。\"Ican’tbearit，whenIthinkofSally。\"
Mr。Tetterbydesisting，Johnny，withaprofoundsenseofhistrust，wipedhiseyes，andhushedhissister。
\"Yourbrother’Dolphus，\"saidhisfather，pokingthefire，\"islateto—night，Johnny，andwillcomehomelikealumpofice。What’sgotyourpreciousmother？\"
\"Here’smother，and’Dolphustoo，father!\"exclaimedJohnny，\"I
think。\"
\"You’reright!\"returnedhisfather，listening。\"Yes，that’sthefootstepofmylittlewoman。\"
Theprocessofinduction，bywhichMrTetterbyhadcometotheconclusionthathiswifewasalittlewoman，washisownsecret。
Shewouldhavemadetwoeditionsofhimself，veryeasily。
Consideredasanindividual，shewasratherremarkableforbeingrobustandportly；butconsideredwithreferencetoherhusband，herdimensionsbecamemagnificent。Nordidtheyassumealessimposingproportion，whenstudiedwithreferencetothesizeofhersevensons，whowerebutdiminutive。InthecaseofSally，however，Mrs。Tetterbyhadassertedherself，atlast；asnobodyknewbetterthanthevictimJohnny，whoweighedandmeasuredthatexactingidoleveryhourintheday。
Mrs。Tetterby，whohadbeenmarketing，andcarriedabasket，threwbackherbonnetandshawl，andsittingdown，fatigued，commandedJohnnytobringhissweetchargetoherstraightway，forakiss。
Johnnyhavingcomplied，andgonebacktohisstool，andagaincrushedhimself，MasterAdolphusTetterby，whohadbythistimeunwoundhistorsooutofaprismaticcomforter，apparentlyinterminable，requestedthesamefavour。Johnnyhavingagaincomplied，andagaingonebacktohisstool，andagaincrushedhimself，Mr。Tetterby，struckbyasuddenthought，preferredthesameclaimonhisownparentalpart。Thesatisfactionofthisthirddesirecompletelyexhaustedthesacrifice，whohadhardlybreathenoughlefttogetbacktohisstool，crushhimselfagain，andpantathisrelations。
\"Whateveryoudo，Johnny，\"saidMrs。Tetterby，shakingherhead，\"takecareofher，orneverlookyourmotherinthefaceagain。\"
\"Noryourbrother，\"saidAdolphus。
\"Noryourfather，Johnny，\"addedMr。Tetterby。
Johnny，muchaffectedbythisconditionalrenunciationofhim，lookeddownatMoloch’seyestoseethattheywereallright，sofar，andskilfullypattedherback（whichwasuppermost），androckedherwithhisfoot。
\"Areyouwet，’Dolphus，myboy？\"saidhisfather。\"Comeandtakemychair，anddryyourself。\"
\"No，father，thank’ee，\"saidAdolphus，smoothinghimselfdownwithhishands。\"Ian’tverywet，Idon’tthink。Doesmyfaceshinemuch，father？\"
\"Well，itDOESlookwaxy，myboy，\"returnedMr。Tetterby。
\"It’stheweather，father，\"saidAdolphus，polishinghischeeksonthewornsleeveofhisjacket。\"Whatwithrain，andsleet，andwind，andsnow，andfog，myfacegetsquitebroughtoutintoarashsometimes。Andshines，itdoes—oh，don’tit，though!\"
MasterAdolphuswasalsointhenewspaperlineoflife，beingemployed，byamorethrivingfirmthanhisfatherandCo。，tovendnewspapersatarailwaystation，wherehischubbylittleperson，likeashabbily—disguisedCupid，andhisshrilllittlevoice（hewasnotmuchmorethantenyearsold），wereaswellknownasthehoarsepantingofthelocomotives，runninginandout。Hisjuvenilitymighthavebeenatsomelossforaharmlessoutlet，inthisearlyapplicationtotraffic，butforafortunatediscoveryhemadeofameansofentertaininghimself，andofdividingthelongdayintostagesofinterest，withoutneglectingbusiness。Thisingeniousinvention，remarkable，likemanygreatdiscoveries，foritssimplicity，consistedinvaryingthefirstvowelintheword\"paper，\"andsubstituting，initsstead，atdifferentperiodsoftheday，alltheothervowelsingrammaticalsuccession。Thus，beforedaylightinthewinter—time，hewenttoandfro，inhislittleoilskincapandcape，andhisbigcomforter，piercingtheheavyairwithhiscryof\"Morn—ingPa—per!\"which，aboutanhourbeforenoon，changedto\"Morn—ingPepper!\"which，atabouttwo，changedto\"Morn—ingPip—per!\"whichinacoupleofhourschangedto\"Morn—ingPop—per!\"andsodeclinedwiththesuninto\"Eve—ningPup—per!\"tothegreatreliefandcomfortofthisyounggentleman’sspirits。
Mrs。Tetterby，hislady—mother，whohadbeensittingwithherbonnetandshawlthrownback，asaforesaid，thoughtfullyturningherwedding—ringroundandrounduponherfinger，nowrose，anddivestingherselfofherout—of—doorattire，begantolaytheclothforsupper。
\"Ah，dearme，dearme，dearme!\"saidMrs。Tetterby。\"That’sthewaytheworldgoes!\"
\"Whichisthewaytheworldgoes，mydear？\"askedMr。Tetterby，lookinground。
\"Oh，nothing，\"saidMrs。Tetterby。
Mr。Tetterbyelevatedhiseyebrows，foldedhisnewspaperafresh，andcarriedhiseyesupit，anddownit，andacrossit，butwaswanderinginhisattention，andnotreadingit。
Mrs。Tetterby，atthesametime，laidthecloth，butratherasifshewerepunishingthetablethanpreparingthefamilysupper；
hittingitunnecessarilyhardwiththeknivesandforks，slappingitwiththeplates，dintingitwiththesalt—cellar，andcomingheavilydownuponitwiththeloaf。
\"Ah，dearme，dearme，dearme!\"saidMrs。Tetterby。\"That’sthewaytheworldgoes!\"
\"Myduck，\"returnedherhusband，lookingroundagain，\"yousaidthatbefore。Whichisthewaytheworldgoes？\"
\"Oh，nothing!\"saidMrs。Tetterby。
\"Sophia!\"remonstratedherhusband，\"yousaidTHATbefore，too。\"
\"Well，I’llsayitagainifyoulike，\"returnedMrs。Tetterby。\"Ohnothing—there!Andagainifyoulike，ohnothing—there!Andagainifyoulike，ohnothing—nowthen!\"
Mr。Tetterbybroughthiseyetobearuponthepartnerofhisbosom，andsaid，inmildastonishment：
\"Mylittlewoman，whathasputyouout？\"
\"I’msureIdon’tknow，\"sheretorted。\"Don’taskme。WhosaidI
wasputoutatall？Ineverdid。\"
Mr。Tetterbygaveuptheperusalofhisnewspaperasabadjob，and，takingaslowwalkacrosstheroom，withhishandsbehindhim，andhisshouldersraised—hisgaitaccordingperfectlywiththeresignationofhismanner—addressedhimselftohistwoeldestoffspring。
\"Yoursupperwillbereadyinaminute，’Dolphus，\"saidMr。
Tetterby。\"Yourmotherhasbeenoutinthewet，tothecook’sshop，tobuyit。Itwasverygoodofyourmothersotodo。YOU
shallgetsomesuppertoo，verysoon，Johnny。Yourmother’spleasedwithyou，myman，forbeingsoattentivetoyourprecioussister。\"
Mrs。Tetterby，withoutanyremark，butwithadecidedsubsidenceofheranimositytowardsthetable，finishedherpreparations，andtook，fromheramplebasket，asubstantialslabofhotpeasepuddingwrappedinpaper，andabasincoveredwithasaucer，which，onbeinguncovered，sentforthanodoursoagreeable，thatthethreepairofeyesinthetwobedsopenedwideandfixedthemselvesuponthebanquet。Mr。Tetterby，withoutregardingthistacitinvitationtobeseated，stoodrepeatingslowly，\"Yes，yes，yoursupperwillbereadyinaminute，’Dolphus—yourmotherwentoutinthewet，tothecook’sshop，tobuyit。Itwasverygoodofyourmothersotodo\"—untilMrs。Tetterby，whohadbeenexhibitingsundrytokensofcontritionbehindhim，caughthimroundtheneck，andwept。
\"Oh，Dolphus!\"saidMrs。Tetterby，\"howcouldIgoandbehaveso？\"
ThisreconciliationaffectedAdolphustheyoungerandJohnnytothatdegree，thattheyboth，aswithoneaccord，raisedadismalcry，whichhadtheeffectofimmediatelyshuttinguptheroundeyesinthebeds，andutterlyroutingthetworemaininglittleTetterbys，justthenstealinginfromtheadjoiningclosettoseewhatwasgoingonintheeatingway。
\"Iamsure，’Dolphus，\"sobbedMrs。Tetterby，\"cominghome，Ihadnomoreideathanachildunborn—\"
Mr。Tetterbyseemedtodislikethisfigureofspeech，andobserved，\"Saythanthebaby，mydear。\"
\"—Hadnomoreideathanthebaby，\"saidMrs。Tetterby。—\"Johnny，don’tlookatme，butlookather，orshe’llfalloutofyourlapandbekilled，andthenyou’lldieinagoniesofabrokenheart，andserveyouright。—NomoreideaIhadn’tthanthatdarling，ofbeingcrosswhenIcamehome；butsomehow，’Dolphus—\"Mrs。
Tetterbypaused，andagainturnedherwedding—ringroundandrounduponherfinger。
\"Isee!\"saidMr。Tetterby。\"Iunderstand!Mylittlewomanwasputout。Hardtimes，andhardweather，andhardwork，makeittryingnowandthen。Isee，blessyoursoul!Nowonder!Dolf，myman，\"continuedMr。Tetterby，exploringthebasinwithafork，\"here’syourmotherbeenandbought，atthecook’sshop，besidespeasepudding，awholeknuckleofalovelyroastlegofpork，withlotsofcracklingleftuponit，andwithseasoninggravyandmustardquiteunlimited。Handinyourplate，myboy，andbeginwhileit’ssimmering。\"
MasterAdolphus，needingnosecondsummons，receivedhisportionwitheyesrenderedmoistbyappetite，andwithdrawingtohisparticularstool，felluponhissuppertoothandnail。Johnnywasnotforgotten，butreceivedhisrationsonbread，lestheshould，inaflushofgravy，trickleanyonthebaby。Hewasrequired，forsimilarreasons，tokeephispudding，whennotonactiveservice，inhispocket。
Theremighthavebeenmoreporkontheknucklebone，—whichknucklebonethecarveratthecook’sshophadassuredlynotforgottenincarvingforpreviouscustomers—buttherewasnostintofseasoning，andthatisanaccessorydreamilysuggestingpork，andpleasantlycheatingthesenseoftaste。Thepeasepudding，too，thegravyandmustard，liketheEasternroseinrespectofthenightingale，iftheywerenotabsolutelypork，hadlivednearit；so，uponthewhole，therewastheflavourofamiddle—sizedpig。ItwasirresistibletotheTetterbysinbed，who，thoughprofessingtoslumberpeacefully，crawledoutwhenunseenbytheirparents，andsilentlyappealedtotheirbrothersforanygastronomictokenoffraternalaffection。They，nothardofheart，presentingscrapsinreturn，itresultedthatapartyoflightskirmishersinnightgownswerecareeringabouttheparlourallthroughsupper，whichharassedMr。Tetterbyexceedingly，andonceortwiceimposeduponhimthenecessityofacharge，beforewhichtheseguerillatroopsretiredinalldirectionsandingreatconfusion。
Mrs。Tetterbydidnotenjoyhersupper。ThereseemedtobesomethingonMrs。Tetterby’smind。Atonetimeshelaughedwithoutreason，andatanothertimeshecriedwithoutreason，andatlastshelaughedandcriedtogetherinamannersoveryunreasonablethatherhusbandwasconfounded。
\"Mylittlewoman，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"iftheworldgoesthatway，itappearstogothewrongway，andtochokeyou。\"
\"Givemeadropofwater，\"saidMrs。Tetterby，strugglingwithherself，\"anddon’tspeaktomeforthepresent，ortakeanynoticeofme。Don’tdoit!\"
Mr。Tetterbyhavingadministeredthewater，turnedsuddenlyontheunluckyJohnny（whowasfullofsympathy），anddemandedwhyhewaswallowingthere，ingluttonyandidleness，insteadofcomingforwardwiththebaby，thatthesightofhermightrevivehismother。Johnnyimmediatelyapproached，bornedownbyitsweight；
butMrs。Tetterbyholdingoutherhandtosignifythatshewasnotinaconditiontobearthattryingappealtoherfeelings，hewasinterdictedfromadvancinganotherinch，onpainofperpetualhatredfromallhisdearestconnections；andaccordinglyretiredtohisstoolagain，andcrushedhimselfasbefore。
Afterapause，Mrs。Tetterbysaidshewasbetternow，andbegantolaugh。
\"Mylittlewoman，\"saidherhusband，dubiously，\"areyouquitesureyou’rebetter？Orareyou，Sophia，abouttobreakoutinafreshdirection？\"
\"No，’Dolphus，no，\"repliedhiswife。\"I’mquitemyself。\"Withthat，settlingherhair，andpressingthepalmsofherhandsuponhereyes，shelaughedagain。
\"WhatawickedfoolIwas，tothinksoforamoment!\"saidMrs。
Tetterby。\"Comenearer，’Dolphus，andletmeeasemymind，andtellyouwhatImean。Letmetellyouallaboutit。\"
Mr。Tetterbybringinghischaircloser，Mrs。Tetterbylaughedagain，gavehimahug，andwipedhereyes。
\"Youknow，Dolphus，mydear，\"saidMrs。Tetterby，\"thatwhenIwassingle，Imighthavegivenmyselfawayinseveraldirections。Atonetime，fouraftermeatonce；twoofthemweresonsofMars。\"
\"We’reallsonsofMa’s，mydear，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"jointlywithPa’s。\"
\"Idon’tmeanthat，\"repliedhiswife，\"Imeansoldiers—
serjeants。\"
\"Oh!\"saidMr。Tetterby。
\"Well，’Dolphus，I’msureIneverthinkofsuchthingsnow，toregretthem；andI’msureI’vegotasgoodahusband，andwoulddoasmuchtoprovethatIwasfondofhim，as—\"
\"Asanylittlewomanintheworld，\"saidMr。Tetterby。\"Verygood。
VERYgood。\"
IfMr。Tetterbyhadbeentenfeethigh，hecouldnothaveexpressedagentlerconsiderationforMrs。Tetterby’sfairy—likestature；andifMrs。Tetterbyhadbeentwofeethigh，shecouldnothavefeltitmoreappropriatelyherdue。
\"Butyousee，’Dolphus，\"saidMrs。Tetterby，\"thisbeingChristmas—
time，whenallpeoplewhocan，makeholiday，andwhenallpeoplewhohavegotmoney，liketospendsome，Idid，somehow，getalittleoutofsortswhenIwasinthestreetsjustnow。Thereweresomanythingstobesold—suchdeliciousthingstoeat，suchfinethingstolookat，suchdelightfulthingstohave—andtherewassomuchcalculatingandcalculatingnecessary，beforeIdurstlayoutasixpenceforthecommonestthing；andthebasketwassolarge，andwantedsomuchinit；andmystockofmoneywassosmall，andwouldgosuchalittleway；—youhateme，don’tyou，’Dolphus？\"
\"Notquite，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"asyet。\"
\"Well!I’lltellyouthewholetruth，\"pursuedhiswife，penitently，\"andthenperhapsyouwill。Ifeltallthis，somuch，whenIwastrudgingaboutinthecold，andwhenIsawalotofothercalculatingfacesandlargebasketstrudgingabout，too，thatIbegantothinkwhetherImightn’thavedonebetter，andbeenhappier，if—I—hadn’t—\"thewedding—ringwentroundagain，andMrs。Tetterbyshookherdowncastheadassheturnedit。
\"Isee，\"saidherhusbandquietly；\"ifyouhadn’tmarriedatall，orifyouhadmarriedsomebodyelse？\"
\"Yes，\"sobbedMrs。Tetterby。\"That’sreallywhatIthought。Doyouhatemenow，’Dolphus？\"
\"Whyno，\"saidMr。Tetterby。\"Idon’tfindthatIdo，asyet。\"
Mrs。Tetterbygavehimathankfulkiss，andwenton。
\"Ibegintohopeyouwon’t，now，’Dolphus，thoughI’mafraidI
haven’ttoldyoutheworst。Ican’tthinkwhatcameoverme。I
don’tknowwhetherIwasill，ormad，orwhatIwas，butIcouldn’tcallupanythingthatseemedtobindustoeachother，ortoreconcilemetomyfortune。Allthepleasuresandenjoymentswehadeverhad—THEYseemedsopoorandinsignificant，Ihatedthem。
Icouldhavetroddenonthem。AndIcouldthinkofnothingelse，exceptourbeingpoor，andthenumberofmouthstherewereathome。\"
\"Well，well，mydear，\"saidMr。Tetterby，shakingherhandencouragingly，\"that’struth，afterall。WeAREpoor，andthereAREanumberofmouthsathomehere。\"
\"Ah!but，Dolf，Dolf!\"criedhiswife，layingherhandsuponhisneck，\"mygood，kind，patientfellow，whenIhadbeenathomeaverylittlewhile—howdifferent!Oh，Dolf，dear，howdifferentitwas!Ifeltasiftherewasarushofrecollectiononme，allatonce，thatsoftenedmyhardheart，andfilledituptillitwasbursting。Allourstrugglesforalivelihood，allourcaresandwantssincewehavebeenmarried，allthetimesofsickness，allthehoursofwatching，wehaveeverhad，byoneanother，orbythechildren，seemedtospeaktome，andsaythattheyhadmadeusone，andthatInevermighthavebeen，orcouldhavebeen，orwouldhavebeen，anyotherthanthewifeandmotherIam。Then，thecheapenjoymentsthatIcouldhavetroddenonsocruelly，gottobesoprecioustome—Ohsopriceless，anddear!—thatIcouldn’tbeartothinkhowmuchIhadwrongedthem；andIsaid，andsayagainahundredtimes，howcouldIeverbehaveso，’Dolphus，howcouldI
everhavethehearttodoit!\"
Thegoodwoman，quitecarriedawaybyherhonesttendernessandremorse，wasweepingwithallherheart，whenshestartedupwithascream，andranbehindherhusband。Hercrywassoterrified，thatthechildrenstartedfromtheirsleepandfromtheirbeds，andclungabouther。Nordidhergazebeliehervoice，asshepointedtoapalemaninablackcloakwhohadcomeintotheroom。
\"Lookatthatman!Lookthere!Whatdoeshewant？\"
\"Mydear，\"returnedherhusband，\"I’llaskhimifyou’llletmego。
What’sthematter!Howyoushake!\"
\"Isawhiminthestreet，whenIwasoutjustnow。Helookedatme，andstoodnearme。Iamafraidofhim。\"
\"Afraidofhim!Why？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhy—I—stop!husband!\"forhewasgoingtowardsthestranger。
Shehadonehandpresseduponherforehead，andoneuponherbreast；andtherewasapeculiarflutteringalloverher，andahurriedunsteadymotionofhereyes，asifshehadlostsomething。
\"Areyouill，mydear？\"
\"Whatisitthatisgoingfrommeagain？\"shemuttered，inalowvoice。\"WhatISthisthatisgoingaway？\"
Thensheabruptlyanswered：\"Ill？No，Iamquitewell，\"andstoodlookingvacantlyatthefloor。
Herhusband，whohadnotbeenaltogetherfreefromtheinfectionofherfearatfirst，andwhomthepresentstrangenessofhermannerdidnottendtoreassure，addressedhimselftothepalevisitorintheblackcloak，whostoodstill，andwhoseeyeswerebentupontheground。
\"Whatmaybeyourpleasure，sir，\"heasked，\"withus？\"
\"Ifearthatmycominginunperceived，\"returnedthevisitor，\"hasalarmedyou；butyouweretalkinganddidnothearme。\"
\"Mylittlewomansays—perhapsyouheardhersayit，\"returnedMr。
Tetterby，\"thatit’snotthefirsttimeyouhavealarmedherto—
night。\"
\"Iamsorryforit。Iremembertohaveobservedher，forafewmomentsonly，inthestreet。Ihadnointentionoffrighteningher。\"
Asheraisedhiseyesinspeaking，sheraisedhers。Itwasextraordinarytoseewhatdreadshehadofhim，andwithwhatdreadheobservedit—andyethownarrowlyandclosely。
\"Myname，\"hesaid，\"isRedlaw。Icomefromtheoldcollegehardby。Ayounggentlemanwhoisastudentthere，lodgesinyourhouse，doeshenot？\"
\"Mr。Denham？\"saidTetterby。
\"Yes。\"
Itwasanaturalaction，andsoslightastobehardlynoticeable；
butthelittleman，beforespeakingagain，passedhishandacrosshisforehead，andlookedquicklyroundtheroom，asthoughheweresensibleofsomechangeinitsatmosphere。TheChemist，instantlytransferringtohimthelookofdreadhehaddirectedtowardsthewife，steppedback，andhisfaceturnedpaler。
\"Thegentleman’sroom，\"saidTetterby，\"isupstairs，sir。There’samoreconvenientprivateentrance；butasyouhavecomeinhere，itwillsaveyourgoingoutintothecold，ifyou’lltakethislittlestaircase，\"showingonecommunicatingdirectlywiththeparlour，\"andgouptohimthatway，ifyouwishtoseehim。\"
\"Yes，Iwishtoseehim，\"saidtheChemist。\"Canyousparealight？\"
Thewatchfulnessofhishaggardlook，andtheinexplicabledistrustthatdarkenedit，seemedtotroubleMr。Tetterby。Hepaused；andlookingfixedlyathiminreturn，stoodforaminuteorso，likeamanstupefied，orfascinated。
Atlengthhesaid，\"I’lllightyou，sir，ifyou’llfollowme。\"
\"No，\"repliedtheChemist，\"Idon’twishtobeattended，orannouncedtohim。Hedoesnotexpectme。Iwouldrathergoalone。
Pleasetogivemethelight，ifyoucanspareit，andI’llfindtheway。\"
Inthequicknessofhisexpressionofthisdesire，andintakingthecandlefromthenewsman，hetouchedhimonthebreast。
Withdrawinghishandhastily，almostasthoughhehadwoundedhimbyaccident（forhedidnotknowinwhatpartofhimselfhisnewpowerresided，orhowitwascommunicated，orhowthemannerofitsreceptionvariedindifferentpersons），heturnedandascendedthestair。
Butwhenhereachedthetop，hestoppedandlookeddown。Thewifewasstandinginthesameplace，twistingherringroundandrounduponherfinger。Thehusband，withhisheadbentforwardonhisbreast，wasmusingheavilyandsullenly。Thechildren，stillclusteringaboutthemother，gazedtimidlyafterthevisitor，andnestledtogetherwhentheysawhimlookingdown。
\"Come!\"saidthefather，roughly。\"There’senoughofthis。Gettobedhere!\"
\"Theplaceisinconvenientandsmallenough，\"themotheradded，\"withoutyou。Gettobed!\"
Thewholebrood，scaredandsad，creptaway；littleJohnnyandthebabylagginglast。Themother，glancingcontemptuouslyroundthesordidroom，andtossingfromherthefragmentsoftheirmeal，stoppedonthethresholdofhertaskofclearingthetable，andsatdown，ponderingidlyanddejectedly。Thefatherbetookhimselftothechimney—corner，andimpatientlyrakingthesmallfiretogether，bentoveritasifhewouldmonopoliseitall。Theydidnotinterchangeaword。
TheChemist，palerthanbefore，stoleupwardlikeathief；lookingbackuponthechangebelow，anddreadingequallytogoonorreturn。
\"WhathaveIdone!\"hesaid，confusedly。\"WhatamIgoingtodo!\"
\"Tobethebenefactorofmankind，\"hethoughtheheardavoicereply。
Helookedround，buttherewasnothingthere；andapassagenowshuttingoutthelittleparlourfromhisview，hewenton，directinghiseyesbeforehimatthewayhewent。
\"Itisonlysincelastnight，\"hemutteredgloomily，\"thatIhaveremainedshutup，andyetallthingsarestrangetome。Iamstrangetomyself。Iamhere，asinadream。WhatinteresthaveI
inthisplace，orinanyplacethatIcanbringtomyremembrance？
Mymindisgoingblind!\"
Therewasadoorbeforehim，andheknockedatit。Beinginvited，byavoicewithin，toenter，hecomplied。
\"Isthatmykindnurse？\"saidthevoice。\"ButIneednotaskher。
Thereisnooneelsetocomehere。\"
Itspokecheerfully，thoughinalanguidtone，andattractedhisattentiontoayoungmanlyingonacouch，drawnbeforethechimney—piece，withthebacktowardsthedoor。Ameagrescantystove，pinchedandhollowedlikeasickman’scheeks，andbrickedintothecentreofahearththatitcouldscarcelywarm，containedthefire，towhichhisfacewasturned。Beingsonearthewindyhouse—top，itwastedquickly，andwithabusysound，andtheburningashesdroppeddownfast。
\"Theychinkwhentheyshootouthere，\"saidthestudent，smiling，\"so，accordingtothegossips，theyarenotcoffins，butpurses。I
shallbewellandrichyet，someday，ifitpleaseGod，andshallliveperhapstoloveadaughterMilly，inremembranceofthekindestnatureandthegentlestheartintheworld。\"
Heputuphishandasifexpectinghertotakeit，but，beingweakened，helaystill，withhisfacerestingonhisotherhand，anddidnotturnround。
TheChemistglancedabouttheroom；—atthestudent’sbooksandpapers，pileduponatableinacorner，wherethey，andhisextinguishedreading—lamp，nowprohibitedandputaway，toldoftheattentivehoursthathadgonebeforethisillness，andperhapscausedit；—atsuchsignsofhisoldhealthandfreedom，astheout—of—doorattirethathungidleonthewall；—atthoseremembrancesofotherandlesssolitaryscenes，thelittleminiaturesuponthechimney—piece，andthedrawingofhome；—atthattokenofhisemulation，perhaps，insomesort，ofhispersonalattachmenttoo，theframedengravingofhimself，thelooker—on。
Thetimehadbeen，onlyyesterday，whennotoneoftheseobjects，initsremotestassociationofinterestwiththelivingfigurebeforehim，wouldhavebeenlostonRedlaw。Now，theywerebutobjects；or，ifanygleamofsuchconnexionshotuponhim，itperplexed，andnotenlightenedhim，ashestoodlookingroundwithadullwonder。
Thestudent，recallingthethinhandwhichhadremainedsolonguntouched，raisedhimselfonthecouch，andturnedhishead。
\"Mr。Redlaw!\"heexclaimed，andstartedup。
Redlawputouthisarm。
\"Don’tcomenearertome。Iwillsithere。Remainyou，whereyouare!\"
Hesatdownonachairnearthedoor，andhavingglancedattheyoungmanstandingleaningwithhishanduponthecouch，spokewithhiseyesavertedtowardstheground。
\"Iheard，byanaccident，bywhataccidentisnomatter，thatoneofmyclasswasillandsolitary。Ireceivednootherdescriptionofhim，thanthathelivedinthisstreet。Beginningmyinquiriesatthefirsthouseinit，Ihavefoundhim。\"
\"Ihavebeenill，sir，\"returnedthestudent，notmerelywithamodesthesitation，butwithakindofaweofhim，\"butamgreatlybetter。Anattackoffever—ofthebrain，Ibelieve—hasweakenedme，butIammuchbetter。IcannotsayIhavebeensolitary，inmyillness，orIshouldforgettheministeringhandthathasbeennearme。\"
\"Youarespeakingofthekeeper’swife，\"saidRedlaw。
\"Yes。\"Thestudentbenthishead，asifherenderedhersomesilenthomage。
TheChemist，inwhomtherewasacold，monotonousapathy，whichrenderedhimmorelikeamarbleimageonthetombofthemanwhohadstartedfromhisdinneryesterdayatthefirstmentionofthisstudent’scase，thanthebreathingmanhimself，glancedagainatthestudentleaningwithhishanduponthecouch，andlookedupontheground，andintheair，asifforlightforhisblindedmind。
\"Irememberedyourname，\"hesaid，\"whenitwasmentionedtomedownstairs，justnow；andIrecollectyourface。Wehaveheldbutverylittlepersonalcommunicationtogether？\"
\"Verylittle。\"
\"Youhaveretiredandwithdrawnfromme，morethananyoftherest，Ithink？\"
Thestudentsignifiedassent。
\"Andwhy？\"saidtheChemist；notwiththeleastexpressionofinterest，butwithamoody，waywardkindofcuriosity。\"Why？Howcomesitthatyouhavesoughttokeepespeciallyfromme，theknowledgeofyourremaininghere，atthisseason，whenalltheresthavedispersed，andofyourbeingill？Iwanttoknowwhythisis？\"
Theyoungman，whohadheardhimwithincreasingagitation，raisedhisdowncasteyestohisface，andclaspinghishandstogether，criedwithsuddenearnestnessandwithtremblinglips：
\"Mr。Redlaw!Youhavediscoveredme。Youknowmysecret!\"
\"Secret？\"saidtheChemist，harshly。\"Iknow？\"
\"Yes!Yourmanner，sodifferentfromtheinterestandsympathywhichendearyoutosomanyhearts，youralteredvoice，theconstraintthereisineverythingyousay，andinyourlooks，\"
repliedthestudent，\"warnmethatyouknowme。Thatyouwouldconcealit，evennow，isbutaprooftome（GodknowsIneednone!）
ofyournaturalkindnessandofthebarthereisbetweenus。\"
Avacantandcontemptuouslaugh，wasallhisanswer。
\"But，Mr。Redlaw，\"saidthestudent，\"asajustman，andagoodman，thinkhowinnocentIam，exceptinnameanddescent，ofparticipationinanywronginflictedonyouorinanysorrowyouhaveborne。\"
\"Sorrow!\"saidRedlaw，laughing。\"Wrong!Whatarethosetome？\"
\"ForHeaven’ssake，\"entreatedtheshrinkingstudent，\"donotletthemereinterchangeofafewwordswithmechangeyoulikethis，sir!Letmepassagainfromyourknowledgeandnotice。Letmeoccupymyoldreservedanddistantplaceamongthosewhomyouinstruct。KnowmeonlybythenameIhaveassumed，andnotbythatofLongford—\"
\"Longford!\"exclaimedtheother。
Heclaspedhisheadwithbothhishands，andforamomentturnedupontheyoungmanhisownintelligentandthoughtfulface。Butthelightpassedfromit，likethesun—beamofaninstant，anditcloudedasbefore。
\"Thenamemymotherbears，sir，\"falteredtheyoungman，\"thenameshetook，whenshemight，perhaps，havetakenonemorehonoured。
Mr。Redlaw，\"hesitating，\"IbelieveIknowthathistory。Wheremyinformationhalts，myguessesatwhatiswantingmaysupplysomethingnotremotefromthetruth。Iamthechildofamarriagethathasnotproveditselfawell—assortedorahappyone。Frominfancy，Ihaveheardyouspokenofwithhonourandrespect—withsomethingthatwasalmostreverence。Ihaveheardofsuchdevotion，ofsuchfortitudeandtenderness，ofsuchrisingupagainsttheobstacleswhichpressmendown，thatmyfancy，sinceI
learntmylittlelessonfrommymother，hasshedalustreonyourname。Atlast，apoorstudentmyself，fromwhomcouldIlearnbutyou？\"
Redlaw，unmoved，unchanged，andlookingathimwithastaringfrown，answeredbynowordorsign。
\"Icannotsay，\"pursuedtheother，\"Ishouldtryinvaintosay，howmuchithasimpressedme，andaffectedme，tofindthegracioustracesofthepast，inthatcertainpowerofwinninggratitudeandconfidencewhichisassociatedamongusstudents（amongthehumblestofus，most）withMr。Redlaw’sgenerousname。Ouragesandpositionsaresodifferent，sir，andIamsoaccustomedtoregardyoufromadistance，thatIwonderatmyownpresumptionwhenItouch，howeverlightly，onthattheme。Buttoonewho—I
maysay，whofeltnocommoninterestinmymotheronce—itmaybesomethingtohear，nowthatallispast，withwhatindescribablefeelingsofaffectionIhave，inmyobscurity，regardedhim；withwhatpainandreluctanceIhavekeptalooffromhisencouragement，whenawordofitwouldhavemademerich；yethowIhavefeltitfitthatIshouldholdmycourse，contenttoknowhim，andtobeunknown。Mr。Redlaw，\"saidthestudent，faintly，\"whatIwouldhavesaid，Ihavesaidill，formystrengthisstrangetomeasyet；butforanythingunworthyinthisfraudofmine，forgiveme，andforalltherestforgetme!\"
ThestaringfrownremainedonRedlaw’sface，andyieldedtonootherexpressionuntilthestudent，withthesewords，advancedtowardshim，asiftotouchhishand，whenhedrewbackandcriedtohim：
\"Don’tcomenearertome!\"
Theyoungmanstopped，shockedbytheeagernessofhisrecoil，andbythesternnessofhisrepulsion；andhepassedhishand，thoughtfully，acrosshisforehead。
\"Thepastispast，\"saidtheChemist。\"Itdieslikethebrutes。
Whotalkstomeofitstracesinmylife？Heravesorlies!WhathaveItodowithyourdistempereddreams？Ifyouwantmoney，hereitis。Icametoofferit；andthatisallIcamefor。Therecanbenothingelsethatbringsmehere，\"hemuttered，holdinghisheadagain，withbothhishands。\"ThereCANbenothingelse，andyet—
\"
Hehadtossedhispurseuponthetable。Ashefellintothisdimcogitationwithhimself，thestudenttookitup，andhelditouttohim。
\"Takeitback，sir，\"hesaidproudly，thoughnotangrily。\"Iwishyoucouldtakefromme，withit，theremembranceofyourwordsandoffer。\"
\"Youdo？\"heretorted，withawildlightinhiseyes。\"Youdo？\"
\"Ido!\"
TheChemistwentclosetohim，forthefirsttime，andtookthepurse，andturnedhimbythearm，andlookedhimintheface。
\"Thereissorrowandtroubleinsickness，istherenot？\"hedemanded，withalaugh。
Thewonderingstudentanswered，\"Yes。\"
\"Initsunrest，initsanxiety，initssuspense，inallitstrainofphysicalandmentalmiseries？\"saidtheChemist，withawildunearthlyexultation。\"Allbestforgotten，aretheynot？\"
Thestudentdidnotanswer，butagainpassedhishand，confusedly，acrosshisforehead。Redlawstillheldhimbythesleeve，whenMilly’svoicewasheardoutside。
\"Icanseeverywellnow，\"shesaid，\"thankyou，Dolf。Don’tcry，dear。Fatherandmotherwillbecomfortableagain，to—morrow，andhomewillbecomfortabletoo。Agentlemanwithhim，isthere!\"
Redlawreleasedhishold，ashelistened。
\"Ihavefeared，fromthefirstmoment，\"hemurmuredtohimself，\"tomeether。Thereisasteadyqualityofgoodnessinher，thatI
dreadtoinfluence。Imaybethemurdererofwhatistenderestandbestwithinherbosom。\"
Shewasknockingatthedoor。
\"ShallIdismissitasanidleforeboding，orstillavoidher？\"hemuttered，lookinguneasilyaround。
Shewasknockingatthedooragain。
\"Ofallthevisitorswhocouldcomehere，\"hesaid，inahoarsealarmedvoice，turningtohiscompanion，\"thisistheoneIshoulddesiremosttoavoid。Hideme!\"
Thestudentopenedafraildoorinthewall，communicatingwherethegarret—roofbegantoslopetowardsthefloor，withasmallinnerroom。Redlawpassedinhastily，andshutitafterhim。
Thestudentthenresumedhisplaceuponthecouch，andcalledtohertoenter。
\"DearMr。Edmund，\"saidMilly，lookinground，\"theytoldmetherewasagentlemanhere。\"
\"ThereisnooneherebutI。\"
\"Therehasbeensomeone？\"
\"Yes，yes，therehasbeensomeone。\"
Sheputherlittlebasketonthetable，andwentuptothebackofthecouch，asiftotaketheextendedhand—butitwasnotthere。
Alittlesurprised，inherquietway，sheleanedovertolookathisface，andgentlytouchedhimonthebrow。
\"Areyouquiteaswellto—night？Yourheadisnotsocoolasintheafternoon。\"
\"Tut!\"saidthestudent，petulantly，\"verylittleailsme。\"
Alittlemoresurprise，butnoreproach，wasexpressedinherface，asshewithdrewtotheothersideofthetable，andtookasmallpacketofneedleworkfromherbasket。Butshelaiditdownagain，onsecondthoughts，andgoingnoiselesslyabouttheroom，seteverythingexactlyinitsplace，andintheneatestorder；eventothecushionsonthecouch，whichshetouchedwithsolightahand，thathehardlyseemedtoknowit，ashelaylookingatthefire。
Whenallthiswasdone，andshehadsweptthehearth，shesatdown，inhermodestlittlebonnet，toherwork，andwasquietlybusyonitdirectly。
\"It’sthenewmuslincurtainforthewindow，Mr。Edmund，\"saidMilly，stitchingawayasshetalked。\"Itwilllookverycleanandnice，thoughitcostsverylittle，andwillsaveyoureyes，too，fromthelight。MyWilliamsaystheroomshouldnotbetoolightjustnow，whenyouarerecoveringsowell，ortheglaremightmakeyougiddy。\"
Hesaidnothing；buttherewassomethingsofretfulandimpatientinhischangeofposition，thatherquickfingersstopped，andshelookedathimanxiously。
\"Thepillowsarenotcomfortable，\"shesaid，layingdownherworkandrising。\"Iwillsoonputthemright。\"
\"Theyareverywell，\"heanswered。\"Leavethemalone，pray。Youmakesomuchofeverything。\"
Heraisedhisheadtosaythis，andlookedathersothanklessly，that，afterhehadthrownhimselfdownagain，shestoodtimidlypausing。However，sheresumedherseat，andherneedle，withouthavingdirectedevenamurmuringlooktowardshim，andwassoonasbusyasbefore。
\"Ihavebeenthinking，Mr。Edmund，thatYOUhavebeenoftenthinkingoflate，whenIhavebeensittingby，howtruethesayingis，thatadversityisagoodteacher。Healthwillbemoreprecioustoyou，afterthisillness，thanithaseverbeen。Andyearshence，whenthistimeofyearcomesround，andyourememberthedayswhenyoulayheresick，alone，thattheknowledgeofyourillnessmightnotafflictthosewhoaredearesttoyou，yourhomewillbedoublydearanddoublyblest。Now，isn’tthatagood，truething？\"
Shewastoointentuponherwork，andtooearnestinwhatshesaid，andtoocomposedandquietaltogether，tobeonthewatchforanylookhemightdirecttowardsherinreply；sotheshaftofhisungratefulglancefellharmless，anddidnotwoundher。
\"Ah!\"saidMilly，withherprettyheadincliningthoughtfullyononeside，asshelookeddown，followingherbusyfingerswithhereyes。\"Evenonme—andIamverydifferentfromyou，Mr。Edmund，forIhavenolearning，anddon’tknowhowtothinkproperly—thisviewofsuchthingshasmadeagreatimpression，sinceyouhavebeenlyingill。WhenIhaveseenyousotouchedbythekindnessandattentionofthepoorpeopledownstairs，Ihavefeltthatyouthoughteventhatexperiencesomerepaymentforthelossofhealth，andIhavereadinyourface，asplainasifitwasabook，thatbutforsometroubleandsorrowweshouldneverknowhalfthegoodthereisaboutus。\"
Hisgettingupfromthecouch，interruptedher，orshewasgoingontosaymore。
\"Weneedn’tmagnifythemerit，Mrs。William，\"herejoinedslightingly。\"ThepeopledownstairswillbepaidingoodtimeI
daresay，foranylittleextraservicetheymayhaverenderedme；
andperhapstheyanticipatenoless。Iammuchobligedtoyou，too。\"
Herfingersstopped，andshelookedathim。
\"Ican’tbemadetofeelthemoreobligedbyyourexaggeratingthecase，\"hesaid。\"Iamsensiblethatyouhavebeeninterestedinme，andIsayIammuchobligedtoyou。Whatmorewouldyouhave？\"
Herworkfellonherlap，asshestilllookedathimwalkingtoandfrowithanintolerantair，andstoppingnowandthen。
\"Isayagain，Iammuchobligedtoyou。Whyweakenmysenseofwhatisyourdueinobligation，bypreferringenormousclaimsuponme？Trouble，sorrow，affliction，adversity!OnemightsupposeI
hadbeendyingascoreofdeathshere!\"
\"Doyoubelieve，Mr。Edmund，\"sheasked，risingandgoingnearertohim，\"thatIspokeofthepoorpeopleofthehouse，withanyreferencetomyself？Tome？\"layingherhanduponherbosomwithasimpleandinnocentsmileofastonishment。
\"Oh!Ithinknothingaboutit，mygoodcreature，\"hereturned。\"I
havehadanindisposition，whichyoursolicitude—observe!Isaysolicitude—makesagreatdealmoreof，thanitmerits；andit’sover，andwecan’tperpetuateit。\"
Hecoldlytookabook，andsatdownatthetable。
Shewatchedhimforalittlewhile，untilhersmilewasquitegone，andthen，returningtowhereherbasketwas，saidgently：
\"Mr。Edmund，wouldyouratherbealone？\"
\"ThereisnoreasonwhyIshoulddetainyouhere，\"hereplied。
\"Except—\"saidMilly，hesitating，andshowingherwork。
\"Oh!thecurtain，\"heanswered，withasuperciliouslaugh。\"That’snotworthstayingfor。\"
Shemadeupthelittlepacketagain，andputitinherbasket。
