CHAPTERXI
IfancyVeronicaisgoingtobeanauthoress。Hermotherthinksthismayaccountformanythingsaboutherthathavebeentroublingus。
Thestorynevergotfar。Itwaslaidasideforthemorealluringworkofplay—writing，andapparentlyforgotten。Icameacrossthecopy—bookcontainingher\"RoughNotes\"theotherday。Thereisdecidedflavouraboutthem。Itranscribeselections；thespelling，asbefore，beingmyown。
\"ThesceneislaidintheMoon。Buteverythingisjustthesameasdownhere。Withoneexception。Thechildrenrule。Thegrown—upsdonotlikeit。Buttheycannothelpit。Somethinghashappenedtothem。Theydon’tknowwhat。Andtheworldisasitusedtobe。Inthesweetoldstory—books。Beforesincame。Therearefairiesthatdanceo’nights。AndWitches。Thatlureyou。Andthenturnyouintothings。Andadragonwholivesinacave。Andspringsoutatpeople。Andeatsthem。Sothatyouhavetobecareful。Andalltheanimalstalk。Andtherearegiants。Andlotsofmagic。Anditisthechildrenwhoknoweverything。Andwhattodoforit。Andtheyhavetoteachthegrown—ups。Andthegrown—upsdon’tbelievehalfofit。Andarefartoofondofarguing。Whichisasoretrialtothechildren。Buttheyhavepatience，andarejust。
\"Ofcoursethegrown—upshavetogotoschool。Theyhavemuchtolearn。Poorthings！Andtheyhateit。Theytakenointerestinfairylore。AndwhatwouldhappentothemiftheygotwreckedonaDesertIslandtheydon’tseemtocare。Andthentherearelanguages。
Whattheywillneedwhentheycometobechildren。Andhavetotalktoalltheanimals。Andmagic。Whichisdeep。Andtheyhateit。
Andsayitisrot。Theyarefulloftricks。Onecatchesthemreadingtrashynovels。Underthedesk。Allaboutlove。Whichiswastingtheirchildren’smoney。AndGodknowsitishardenoughtoearn。Butthechildrenarenotangrywiththem。Rememberinghowtheyfeltthemselves。Whentheyweregrownup。Onlyfirm。
\"Thechildrengivethemplentyofholidays。Becauseholidaysaregoodforeveryone。Theyfreshenyouup。Butthegrown—upsareverystupid。Anddonotcareforsensiblegames。SuchasIndians。AndPirates。Whatwouldsharpentheirfaculties。Andsofitthemforthefuture。Theyonlycaretoplaywithaball。Whichisofnohelp。Tothesternrealitiesoflife。Ortalk。Lord，howtheytalk！
\"Thereisonegrown—up。Whoisveryclever。Hecantalkabouteverything。Butitleadstonothing。Andspoilstheparty。Sotheysendhimtobed。Andtherearetwogrown—ups。Amaleandafemale。
Andtheytalklove。Allthetime。Evenonfinedays。Whichismaudlin。Butthechildrenarepatientwiththem。Knowingittakesallsorts。Tomakeaworld。Andtrustingtheywillgrowoutofit。
Andofcoursetherearegrown—upswhoaregood。Andacomforttotheirchildren。
\"Andeverythingthechildrenlikeisgood。Andwholesome。Andeverythingthegrown—upslikeisbadforthem。ANDTHEYMUSTN’THAVE
IT。Theyclamourforteaandcoffee。Whatunderminestheirnervoussystem。Andwastetheirmoneyinthetuckshop。Uponchops。Andturtlesoup。Andthechildrenhavetoputthemtobed。Andgivethempills。Tilltheyfeelbetter。
\"ThereisalittlegirlnamedPrue。WholiveswithalittleboynamedSimon。Theymeanwell。Buthaven’tmuchsense。Theyhavetwogrown—ups。Amaleandafemale。NamedPeterandMartha。
Respectively。Theyarejusttheordinarygrown—ups。Neitherbetternorworse。Andmuchmightbedonewiththem。Bykindness。ButPrueandSimonGOTHEWRONGWAYTOWORK。Itisblameblamealldaylong。
Butasforpraise。Ohnever！
\"Onesummer’sdayPrueandSimontakePeterforawalk。Inthecountry。Andtheymeetacow。Andtheythinkthisagoodopportunity。TotestPeter’sknowledge。Oflanguages。Sotheytellhimtotalktothecow。Andhetalkstothecow。Andthecowdon’tunderstandhim。Andhedon’tunderstandthecow。Andtheyaremadwithhim。’Whatistheuse，’theysay。’Ofourpayingexpensivefees。Tohaveyoutaughtthelanguage。Byafirst—classcow。Andwhenyoucomeoutintothecountry。Youcan’ttalkit。’Andhesayshedidtalkit。Buttheywillnotlistentohim。Butgoonraving。
Andintheenditturnsout。ITWASAJERSEYCOW！Whattalkedadialect。Soofcoursehecouldn’tunderstandit。Butdidtheyapologise？Ohdearno。
\"Anothertime。Onemorningatbreakfast。Marthadidn’tlikeherraspberryvinegar。Soshedidn’tdrinkit。AndSimoncameintothenursery。AndhesawthatMarthahadn’tdrunkherraspberryvinegar。
Andheaskedherwhy。Andshesaidshedidn’tlikeit。Becauseitwasnasty。Andhesaiditwasn’tnasty。AndthatsheOUGHTtolikeit。Andhowitwasshocking。Thewaygrown—upsnowadaysgrumbled。
Atgoodwholesomefood。Providedforthembytheirtoo—indulgentchildren。AndhowwhenHEwasagrown—up。Hewouldneverhavedared。Andsoon。Allintheusualstyle。Andtoproveitwasn’tnasty。Hepouredhimselfoutacupful。Anddrankitoff。Inagulp。
Andhesaiditwasdelicious。Andturnedpale。Andlefttheroom。
\"AndPruecameintothenursery。AndshesawthatMarthahadn’tdrunkherraspberryvinegar。Andsheaskedherwhy。AndMarthatoldherhowshedidn’tlikeit。Becauseitwasnasty。AndPruetoldhersheoughttobeashamedofherself。Fornotlikingit。Becauseitwasgoodforher。Andreallyverynice。Andanyhowshe’dGOTtolikeit。Andnotgetstuffingherselfupwithmessyteaandcoffee。
Becauseshewouldn’thaveit。Andtherewasanendofit。Andsoon。Andtoproveitwasallright。Shepouredherselfoutacupful。
Anddrankitoff。Inagulp。Andshesaidtherewasnothingwrongwithit。Nothingwhatever。Andturnedpale。Andlefttheroom。
\"Anditwasn’traspberryvinegar。Butjustredink。Whathadgotputintotheraspberryvinegardecanter。Byanoversight。Andtheyneedn’thavebeenillatall。Ifonlytheyhadlistened。TopooroldMartha。Butno。Thatwastheirfixedidea。Thatgrown—upshadn’tanysense。Atall。Whatisamistake。Asoneperceives。\"
Othercharactershadbeensketched，someofthemtobeabandonedafterafewboldtouches：thedifficultyofavoidingtoocloseaportraituretothelivingoriginalhavingapparentlyprovedirksome。
Againstonesuch，evidentlyanattempttohelpDickseehimselfinhistruecolours，Ifindthismarginal，noteinpencil：\"Betternot。
Mightmakehimratty。\"Oppositetoanother——obviouslyofMrs。St。
Leonard，andwithinstinctforalliteration——isscribbled；\"Tooterriblytrue。She’dtwigit。\"
Anothercharacteristhatofagent：\"Withacertaingift。Fortellingstories。SomeofthemNOTBAD。\"Apromisingparty，onthewhole。Indeed，onemightsay，judgingfromdescription，aquiterationalperson：\"WHENNOTONTHERANTAN。Butinconsistent。\"Heisthegrown—upofalittlegirl：\"Notbeautiful。Butstrangelyattractive。WhomwewillcallEnid。\"OnegathersthatifallthechildrenhadbeenEnids，thensurelythelastwordinworldshadbeensaid。Shehasonlythisonegrown—upofherveryown；butshemakesitherbusinesstoadoptandreformalltheincorrigibleoldfolktheotherchildrenhavedespairedof。Itisalldonebykindness。\"SheisEVERpatient。Andjust。\"ProminentamonghernumerousPROTEGEES
isamilitaryman，anelderlycolonel；untilshetookhiminhand，theawfulexampleofwhatagrown—upmighteasilybecome，lefttothecareofincompetentinfants。Hedefieshisownchild，avirtuousyouth，but\"lackinginsympathy；\"isrudetohislittlenephewsandnieces；aholyterrortohisgoverness。Heuseswickedwords，pickedupfromretiredpirates。\"Ofcoursewithoutunderstanding。Theirterriblesignificance。\"HestealstheIndian’sfire—water。\"Whatfewcanpartakeof。Withimpunity。\"CertainlynottheColonel。
\"Canthisbehe！Thisgibberingwreck！\"Hehidescigarsinahollowtree，andsmokesonthesly。Heplaystruant。Luresotheroldgentlemenawayfromtheirlessonstojoinhim。Theyarediscoveredinthewoods，inacave，playingwhistforsixpennypoints。
DoesEnidstormandbullyrag；threatenthatifevershecatcheshimsomuchaslookingatacardagainshewillgostraightoutandtellthedragon，whowillinhisturnbesoshockedthatinallprobabilityhewilldecideoncomingbackwithhertokillandeattheColonelonthespot？No。\"Sucharenothermethods。\"Insteadshesmiles：\"indulgently。\"Shesaysitisonlynaturalforgrown—
upstolikeplayingcards。Sheisnotangrywithhim。Andthereisnoneedforhimtorunawayandhideinanastydampcave。\"SHE
HERSELFWILLPLAYWHISTWITHHIM。\"TheeffectupontheColonelisimmediate：heburstsintotears。Sheplayswhistwithhiminthegarden：\"Afterschoolhours。WhenhehasbeenGOOD。\"Doubledummy，onepresumes。OneleavestheColonel，intheend，curedofhispassionforwhist。Whetherastheconsequenceofherplayorherinfluencethe\"RoughNotes\"givenoindication。
Intheplay，Iaminclinedtothink，Veronicareceivedassistance。
ThehousehadgotitselffinishedearlyinSeptember。YoungButehascertainlydonewonders。Weperformeditintheemptybilliard—room，followedbyaone—actpieceofmyown。Theoccasiondiddutyasahouse—warming。Wehadquiteacrowd，andendedupwithadance。
Everybodyseemedtoenjoythemselves，exceptyoungBertieSt。
Leonard，whoplayedthePrince，andcouldnotgetoutofhishelmetintimeforsupper。Itwasagoodhelmet，buthadbeenfastenedclumsily；andinexperiencedpeopletryingtohelphadonlysucceededinjambingallthescrews。Notonlywouldn’titcomeoff，itwouldnotevenopenforadrink。Allthoughtitanexcellentjoke，withtheexceptionofyoungHerbertSt。Leonard。OurMayor，acheerfullittlemanandverypopular，saidthatitoughttobesenttoPUNCH。
ThelocalreporterremindedhimthatthelateJohnLeechhadalreadymadeuseofpreciselythesameincidentforacomicillustration，afterwardsrememberingthatitwasnotLeech，butthelatePhilMay。
Heseemedtothinkthisendedthematter。St。LeonardandtheVicar，whoarerivalauthoritiesuponthesubject，fellintoanargumentuponarmouringeneral，withspecialreferencetothefourteenthcentury。Eachusedtheboy’sheadtoconfirmhisowntheory，passingittriumphantlyfromonetotheother。WehadtosendoffyoungHopkinsinthedonkey—cartfortheblacksmith。Ihavefoundout，bytheway，howitisyoungHopkinsmakesourdonkeygo。YoungHopkinsarguesitisfarlessbrutalthanwhackinghim，especiallyafterexperiencehasprovedthatheevidentlydoesnotknowwhyyouarewhackinghim。Iamnotatallsuretheboyisnotright。
JanieplayedtheFairyGodmammainawhitewigandpanniers。Shewillmakeabeautifuloldlady。Thewhitehairgiveshertheonethingthatshelacks：distinction。Ifoundmyselfglancingapprehensivelyroundtheroom，wishingwehadnotinvitedsomanyeligiblebachelors。Dickismakingmeanxious。Thesenseofhisownunworthiness，whichhascometohimquitesuddenly，andapparentlywithalltheshockofanewdiscovery，hascompletelyunnervedhim。
Itisahealthysentiment，anddoeshimgood。ButIdonotwantitcarriedtothelengthoflosingher。Thethoughtofwhathemightonedaybringhomehasbeenanightmaretomeeversinceheleftschool。Isupposeitistomostfathers。Especiallyifonethinksofthewomenonelovedoneselfwhenintheearlytwenties。Alargepale—facedgirl，whoservedinabun—shopintheStrand，isthefirstIcanrecollect。HowItrembledwhenbychanceherhandtouchedmine！Icannotrecallasingleattractionaboutherexcepthersize，yetfornearlysixmonthsIlunchedoffpastryandmineralwatersmerelytobenearher。Tothisverydayanattackofindigestionwillalwaysrecreateherimageinmymind。Anotherwasathin，sallowgirl，butwithmagnificenteyes，ImetoneafternoonintheSouthKensingtonMuseum。Shewasabrainless，vixenishgirl，butthememoryofhereyeswouldalwaysdrawmebacktoher。Morethantwo—
thirdsofourtimetogetherwespentinviolentquarrels；andallmyhopesofeternityIwouldhavegiventomakehermycompanionforlife。ButforLuck，intheshapeofawell—to—docabproprietor，asgreatanidiotasmyselfImighthavedoneit。Thethirdwasachorusgirl：onthewhole，thebestofthebunch。Herfatherwasacoachman，andshehadtenbrothersandsisters，mostofthemdoingwellinservice。Andshewassucceeded——ifIhavetheordercorrect—
—bytheex—wifeofasolicitor，asprightlylady；accordingtoherownaccountthevictimofcomplicatedinjustice。Idaresaytherewereothers，ifItookthetimetothink；butnotoneofthemcanI
rememberwithoutreturningthankstoProvidenceforhavinglosther。
Whatisonetodo？Therearedaysinspringtimewhenayoungmanoughtnottobeallowedoutsidethehouse。ThankHeavenandConventionitisnotthegirlswhopropose！Fewwomen，whowouldchoosetherightmomenttoputtheirhandsuponayoungman’sshoulders，and，lookingintohiseyes，askhimtomarrythemnextweek，wouldreceiveNoforananswer。Itisonlyourshynessthatsavesus。Awisefriendofmine，whohasobservedmuch，wouldhaveallthosemarryingunderfive—and—twentydivorcedbyautomaticeffluxionoftimeatforty，leavingthefewwhohadchosensatisfactorilytobereunitediftheywished：hisargumentbeingthattocondemngrownmenandwomentoabidebythechoiceofinexperiencedboysandgirlsisunjustandabsurd。TherewerenicegirlsIcouldhavefalleninlovewith。Theyneveroccurredtome。
Itwouldseemasifamanhadtolearntasteinwomenasinallotherthings，namely，byeducation。Hereandtheremayexistthebornconnoisseur。Butwithmostofusourfirstinstinctsaretowardsvulgarity。ItisBarrie，Ithink，whosaysthatifonlythereweresillywomenenoughtogoround，goodwomenwouldnevergetalookin。
Itiscertainlyremarkable，thenumberofsweetoldmaidsonemeets。
Almostasremarkableasthenumberofstupid，cross—grainedwives。
AsItellDick，Ihavenodesireforadaughter—in—lawofwhomhefeelshimselfworthy。Ifhecan’tdobetterthanthathehadbestremainsingle。Janieandhe，ifIknowanythingoflife，arejustsuitedforoneanother。Helpfulpeopletaketheirhappinessinhelping。Iknewjustsuchanother，once：asweet，industrious，sensiblegirl。Shemadethemistakeofmarryingathoroughlygoodman。Therewasnothingforhertodo。Sheendedbylosingallinterestinhim，devotingherselftoaHomeintheEastEndforthereformationofnewsboys。Itwasapitifulwaste：somanywomenwouldhavebeengladofhim；whiletotheordinarysinfulmanshewouldhavebeenalife—longcomfort。ImusthaveaserioustalktoDick。Ishallpointoutwhatagoodthingitwillbeforher。IcanseeDickkeepingherbusyandcontentedfortherestofherdays。
VeronicaplayedthePrincess，——withlittleboyFoy——\"SirRobertoftheCurse\"——asherpage。Anythingmoredignifiedhas，Ishouldsay，rarelybeenseenupontheEnglishstage。Amongherweddingpresentswere：TwoVotesforWomen，presentedbythelocalFireBrigade；aFlyingMachineof\"provedstability。Mightbeusedasabathingtent；\"aNationalTheatre，\"withColdWaterDoucheinBasementforreceptionofEnglishDramatists；\"RecipeforbuildingaNavy，withoutpayingforit，\"GiftofthatgreatFinancialExpert，SirHocusPocus；\"oneConscientiousIncomeTaxpayer，\"hasbeendrivenbyaLady；\"twoSocialistsinagreementastowhatitmeans，\"smalleroneslightlydamaged；\"oneContentedFarmer，\"BabylonianPeriod；\"andoneextra—sizedbottle，\"SolutionoftheServantProblem。\"
Dickplayedthe\"DragonwithoutaTail。\"Wehadtomakehimwithoutatailowingtothesmallnessofthestage。Hehadoncehadatail。
Butthatwasalongstory：addedtowhichtherewasnottimetotellit。LittleSallySt。Leonardplayedhiswife，andRobinawashismother—in—law。Somuchdependsuponone’smood。Whatanoceanofboredommightbesavedifsciencecouldbutgiveusabarometerforetellingusourchangesoftemperament！Howmuchmoretoourcomfortwecouldplanourlives，knowingthatonMonday，say，weshouldbefeelingfrivolous；onSaturday\"dulltobad—tempered。\"
ItookamanoncetoseeThePrivateSecretary。Ibeganbyenjoyingmyself，andendedbyfeelingashamedofmyselfandvexedwiththeschemeofcreation。Thatauthorsshouldwritesuchplays，thatactorsshouldbewillingtodegradeourcommonnaturebyappearinginthemwasexplainable，hesupposed，bythelawofsupplyanddemand。
Whathecouldnotunderstandwashowthepubliccouldcontrivetoextractamusementfromthem。Whatwastherefunnyinseeingapoorgentlemanshutupinabox？Whyshouldeverybodyroarwithlaughterwhenheaskedforabun？Peopleaskedforbunseveryday——peopleinrailwayrefreshmentrooms，inaeratedbreadshops。Wherewasthejoke？AmonthlaterIfoundmyselfbychanceoccupyingtheseatjustbehindhimatthepantomime。Thelowcomedianwasbathingababy，andtearsofmerrimentwererollingdownhischeeks。Tomethewholebusinessseemedpainfulandrevolting。Wewerebeingaskedtofinddelightinthespectacleofafather——scouringdownaninfantoftenderyearswithascrubbing—brush。Howwomen——manyofthemmothers——couldremainthroughsuchanexhibitionwithoutrisinginprotestappearedtomeanargumentagainstfemalesuffrage。Aladyentered，thewife，sotheprogrammeinformedme，ofaBaron！AllI
cansayisthatamorevulgar，lessprepossessingfemaleIneverwishtomeet。Ievendoubtedhersobriety。Shesatdownplumpuponthebaby。Shemusthavebeenawomanrisingsixteenstone，andforoneminutefifteensecondsbymywatchthewholehouserockedwithlaughter。ThatthethingwasonlyastagepropertyIfeltwasnoexcuse。Thehumour——heavensavethemark——layinthesuppositionthatwhatwewerewitnessingwastheagonyanddeath——fornochildcouldhavesurvivedthatwoman’sweight——ofarealbaby。HadIbeenabletotapmyselfbeforehandIshouldhavelearnedthatonthatparticularSaturdayIwasgoingtobe\"set—serious。\"InsteadofbookingaseatforthepantomimeIshouldhavegonetoalectureonEgyptianpotterywhichwasbeinggivenbyafriendofmineattheLondonLibrary，andhavehadagoodtime。
Childrencouldtaptheirparents，warneachotherthatfatherwas\"goingdown；\"thatmothernextweekwaslikelytobe\"gusty。\"
Childrenthemselvesmighthangouttheirlittlebarometers。I
rememberarainydayinacountryhouseduringtheChristmasholidays。WehadamongusaMemberofParliament：amanofsunnydisposition，extremelyfondofchildren。Hesaiditwasawfullyhardlinesonthelittlebeggarscoopedupinanursery；andborrowinghishost’smotor—coat，pretendedhewasabear。Heploddedroundonhishandsandkneesandgrowledagooddeal，andthechildrensatonthesofaandwatchedhim。Buttheydidn’tseemtobeenjoyingit，notmuch；andafteraquarterofanhourorsohenoticedthishimself。
Hethoughtitwas，maybe，thattheyweretiredofbears，andfanciedthatawhalemightrousethem。Heturnedthetableupsidedownandplacedthechildreninitonthreechairs，explainingtothemthattheywereship—wreckedsailorsonaraft，andthattheymustbecarefulthewhaledidnotgetunderneathitandupsetthem。Hedrapedasheetoverthetowel—horsetorepresentaniceberg，androlledhimselfupinamackintoshandfloppedabouttheflooronhisstomach，buttinghisheadoccasionallyagainstthetableinordertosuggesttothemtheirdanger。Theattitudeofthechildrenstillremainedthatofpolitespectators。True，theyoungestboydidmakethesuggestionofborrowingthekitchentoasting—fork，andemployingitasaharpoon；buteventhisappearedtobetheoutcomeratherofadesiretopleasethanofanywarmerinterest；and，thewhaleobjecting，theideafellthrough。Afterthatheclimbeduponthedresserandannouncedtothemthathewasanourang—outang。Theywatchedhimbreakasoup—tureen，andthentheeldestboy，steppingoutintothemiddleoftheroom，helduphisarm，andtheMemberofParliament，somewhatsurprised，satdownonthedresserandlistened。
\"Please，sir，\"saidtheeldestboy，\"we’reawfullysorry。It’sawfullygoodofyou，sir。Butsomehowwe’renotfeelinginthemoodforwildbeaststhisafternoon。\"
TheMemberofParliamentbroughtthemdownintothedrawing—room，wherewehadmusic；andthechildren，attheirownrequest，wereallowedtosinghymns。Thenextdaytheycameoftheirownaccord，andaskedtheMemberofParliamenttoplayatbeastswiththem；butitseemedhehadletterstowrite。
Therearetimeswhenjokesaboutmothers—in—lawstrikemeaslackingbothintasteandfreshness。Onthisparticulareveningtheycametomebringingwiththemallthefragranceofthedaysthatarenomore。
ThefirstplayIeversawdealtwiththesubjectofthemother—in—
law——the\"Problem\"Ithinkitwascalledinthosedays。TheoccasionwasanamateurperformancegiveninaidofthelocalRaggedSchool。
Acousinofmine，latelymarried，playedthewife；andmyaunt，I
remember，gotupandwalkedoutinthemiddleofthesecondact。
Robina，inspectaclesandanearlyVictorianbonnet，remindedmeofher。YoungButeplayedacomiccabman。ItwasattheoldHaymarket，inBuckstone’stime，thatIfirstmetthecabmanofartandliterature。Dearbibulous，becoatedcreature，withever—wrathfuloutstretchedpalmandhusky\"’Ere！Wot’sthis？\"Howgooditwastoseehimonceagain！IfeltIwantedtoclimboverthefoot—lightsandshakehimbythehand。ThetwinsplayedacoupleofYoungTurks，muchconcernedabouttheirconstitutions；andmadequiteahitwithatopicalduettotherefrain：\"AndsoyouseeThereasonheIsnottheBossforus。\"WeallagreeditwasapunworthyofTomHoodhimself。TheVicarthoughthehadhearditbefore，butthisseemedimprobable。TherewasaunanimouscallforAuthor，givingrisetosoundsofdiscussionbehindthecurtain。Eventuallythewholecompanyappeared，withVeronicainthecentre。IhadnoticedthroughoutthatthecentreofthestageappearedtobeVeronica’sfavouritespot。IcanseethemakingsofaleadingactressinVeronica。
Inmyownpiece，whichfollowed，RobinaandButeplayedayoungmarriedcouplewhodonotknowhowtoquarrel。Ithasalwaysstruckmehowmuchmoresatisfactorilypeoplequarrelonthestagethaninreallife。Onthestagetheman，havingmadeuphismind——tohaveitout，entersandclosesthedoor。Helightsacigarette；ifnotateetotallermixeshimselfabrandy—and—soda。Hiswifeallthistimeiscarefultoremainsilent。Quiteevidentitisthatheispreparingforherbenefitsomethingunpleasant，andchattermightdisturbhim。Tofillupthetimeshetoyswithanovelortouchessoftlythekeysofthepianountilheisquitecomfortableandreadytobegin。Heglidesintohissubjectwiththestudiedcalmofonewithalltheafternoonbeforehim。Shelistenstohiminraptattention。Shedoesnotdreamofinterruptinghim；wouldscornthesuggestionofchippinginwithanylittlenotionofherownlikelytodisarrangehistrainofthought。Allshedoeswhenhepauses，asoccasionallyhehastoforthepurposeoftakingbreath，istocometohisassistancewithshortencouragingremarks，such，forinstance，as：\"Well。\"\"Youthinkthat。\"\"AndifIdid？\"Herobjectseemstobetohelphimon。\"Goon，\"shesaysfromtimetotime，bitterly。
Andhegoeson。Towardstheend，whenheshowssignsofeasingup，sheputsittohimasonesportsmantoanother：Ishequitefinished？Isthatall？Sometimesitisn’t。Asoftenasnothehasbeensavingthepickofthebasketforthelast。
\"No，\"hesays，\"thatisnotall。Thereissomethingelse！\"
Thatisquiteenoughforher。Thatisallshewantedtoknow。Shemerelyaskedincasetheremightbe。Asitappearsthereis，shere—
settlesherselfinherchairandisagainallears。
Whenitdoescome——whenheisquitesurethereisnothinghehasforgotten，nolittlepointthathehasoverlooked，sherises。
\"Ihavelistenedpatiently，\"shebegins，\"toallthatyouhavesaid。\"
（Thedevilhimselfcouldnotdenythis。\"Patience\"hardlyseemstheword。\"Enthusiastically\"shemightalmosthavesaid）。\"Now\"——withrisinginflection——\"youlistentome。\"
Thestagehusband——alwaysthegentleman——bows；——stifflymaybe，butquitepolitely；andpreparesinhisturntooccupytheroleofdumbbutdignifieddefendant。Toemphasisethecomingchangeintheirpositions，theladymostprobablycrossesovertowhathashithertobeenhissideofthestage；whilehe，startingatthesamemoment，andpassingheraboutthecentre，settleshimselfdowninwhatmustberegardedasthelistener’sendoftheroom。Wethenhavethewholestoryoveragainfromherpointofview；andthistimeitisthegentlemanwhowouldbiteoffhistongueratherthanmakearetortcalculatedtoputtheladyoff。
Intheenditisthepartywhoisintherightthatconquers。Offthestagethisismoreorlessofatoss—up；onthestage，never。Ifjusticebewiththehusband，thenitishisvoicethat，graduallygrowinglouderandlouder，ringsatlasttriumphantthroughthehouse。Theladyseesherselfthatshehasbeentoblame，andwonderswhyitdidnotoccurtoherbefore——isgratefulfortherevelation，andaskstobeforgiven。If，ontheotherhand，itwasthehusbandwhowasatfault，thenitistheladywhowillbefoundeventuallyoccupyingthecentreofthestage；themiserablehusbandwho，morallyspeaking，willbetryingtogetunderthetable。
Now，inreallifethingsdon’thappenquitelikethis。Whatthequarrelinreallifesuffersfromiswantofsystem。Thereisnoorder，nosettledplan。Thereismuchtoomuchgo—as—you—pleaseaboutthequarrelinreallife，andtheresultisnaturallypuremuddle。Theman，turningthingsoverinthemorningwhileshaving，makesuphismindtohavethismatteroutandhavedonewithit。Heknowsexactlywhatheisgoingtosay。Herepeatsittohimselfatintervalsduringtheday。HewillfirstsayThis，andthenhewillgoontoThat；whileheisaboutithewillperhapsmentiontheOther。Hereckonsitwilltakehimaquarterofanhour。Whichwilljustgivehimtimetodressfordinner。
Afteritisover，andhelooksathiswatch，hefindsithastakenhimlongerthanthat。Addedtowhichhehassaidnexttonothing——
nexttonothing，thatis，ofwhathemeanttosay。Itwentwrongfromtheverystart。Asamatteroffacttherewasn’tanystart。Heenteredtheroomandclosedthedoor。Thatisasfarashegot。Thecigaretteheneverevenlighted。Thereoughttohavebeenaboxofmatchesonthemantelpiecebehindthephoto—frame。Andofcoursetherewerenonethere。Forhertoflyintoatempermerelybecauseheremindedherthathehadspokenaboutthisverymatteratleastahundredtimesbefore，andaccusehimofgoingabouthisownhouse\"stealing\"hisownmatcheswaspositivelylaughable。Theyhadquarrelledforaboutfiveminutesoverthosewretchedmatches，andthenforanothertenbecausehesaidthatwomenhadnosenseofhumour，andshewantedtoknowhowheknew。Afterthattherehadcroppedupthelastquarter’sgas—bill，andthatbyaprocessstillmysterioustohimhadledthemintothesubjectofhisbehaviouronthenightoftheHockeyClubdance。Byaneffortofalmostsupernaturalself—controlhehadcontrivedatlengthtointroducethesubjecthehadcomehomehalfanhourearlierthanusualonpurposetodiscuss。Itdidn’tinterestherintheleast。WhatshewasfullofbythistimewasagirlnamedArabellaJones。Shegotinquitealotwhilehewasvainlytryingtorememberwherehehadlastseenthedamnedgirl。HehadjustsucceededingettingbacktohisowntopicwhentheCuddifordgirlfromnextdoordashedinwithoutahattoborrowatuning—fork。Ithadbeenquiteabusinessfindingthetuning—fork，andwhenshewasgonetheyhadtobeginalloveragain。
Theyhadquarrelledaboutthedrawing—roomcarpet；abouthersisterFlorrie’sbirthdaypresent；andthewayhedrovethemotor—car。Ithadtakenthemoveranhourandahalf，andratherthanwastetheticketsforthetheatre，theyhadgonewithouttheirdinner。Thematterofthecoldchiselstillremainedtobethrashedout。
IthadoccurredtomethatthroughthemediumofthedramaImightshowhowthedomesticquarrelcouldsoeasilybeimproved。AdolphusGoodbody，aworthyyoungmandeeplyattachedtohiswife，feelsneverthelessthatthedinnerssheisinflictinguponhimarethreateningwithpermanentdamagehisdigestivesystem。Hedetermines，comewhatmay，toinsistuponachange。ElviraGoodbody，acharminggirl，admiringanddevotedtoherhusband，isnotwithstandingatrifleentete，especiallywhenherdomesticarrangementshappentobethethemeofdiscussion。Adolphus，hiscouragescrewedtothesticking—point，broachesthedifficultsubject；andforthefirsthalfoftheactmyaimwastopicturetheprogressofthehumanquarrel，notasitshouldbe，butasitis。
Theyneverreachthecook。Thefirstmentionoftheword\"dinner\"
remindsElvira（quicktoperceivethatargumentisbrewing，andalivetotheadvantageofgettinginfirst）thattwicethemonthbeforehehaddinedout，notreturningtillthesmallhoursofthemorning。
Whatshewantstoknowiswherethissortofthingisgoingtoend？
IfthepurposeofFreemasonryistheruinofthehomeandthedesertionofwomen，thenallshehastosay——itturnsouttobequiteagooddeal。Adolphus，whenabletogetinaword，suggeststhateleveno’clockatthelatestcanhardlybedescribedasthe\"smallhoursofthemorning\"：thefaultwithwomenisthattheyneverwillconfinethemselvestothesimpletruth。Fromthatpointonwards，ascanbeimagined，thescenealmostwroteitself。Theyhavepassedthroughallthecustomarystages，andareplanning，withexaggeratedcalm，arrangementsfortheseparationwhicheachnowfeelstobeinevitable，whenaknockcomestothefront—door，andthereentersamutualfriend。
Theirhastyattemptstocoverupthetracesofmentaldisorderwithwhichtheatmosphereisstreweddonotdeceivehim。Therehasbeen，letussay，arippleonthewatersofperfectagreement。Come！Whatwasitallabout？
\"About！\"Theylookfromonetotheother。SurelyitwouldbesimplertotellhimwhatithadNOTbeenabout。Ithadbeenabouttheparrot，aboutherwantofpunctuality，abouthisusingthebutter—knifeforthemarmalade，aboutapairofslippershehadlostatChristmas，abouttheeducationquestion，andherdressmaker’sbill，andhisfriendGeorge，andthenext—doordog—
Themutualfriendcutsshortthecatalogue。Clearlythereisnothingforitbuttobeginthequarrelalloveragain；andthistime，iftheywillputthemselvesintohishands，hefeelssurehecanpromisevictorytowhicheveroneisintheright。
Elvira——shehasasweet，impulsivenature——throwsherarmsaroundhim：thatisallshewants。IfonlyAdolphuscouldbebroughttosee！Adolphusgripshimbythehand。IfonlyElvirawouldlistentosense！
Themutualfriend——heisanoldstage—manager——arrangesthescene：
Elviraineasy—chairbyfirewithcrochet。EnterAdolphus。Helightsacigarette；flingsthematchonthefloor；withhishandsinhispocketspacesupanddowntheroom；kicksafootstooloutofhisway。
\"TellmewhenIamtobegin，\"saysElvira。
Themutualfriendpromisestogivehertherightcue。
Adolphuscomestoahaltinthecentreoftheroom。
\"Iamsorry，mydear，\"hesays，\"butthereissomethingImustsaytoyou——somethingthatmaynotbealtogetherpleasantforyoutohear。\"
TowhichElvira，stillcrocheting，replies，\"Oh，indeed。Andpraywhatmaythatbe？\"
ThiswasnotElvira’sownidea。Springingfromherchair，shehadgotasfaras：\"Lookhere。Ifyouhavecomehomeearlymerelyforthepurposeofmakingarow——\"beforethemutualfriendcouldstopher。Themutualfriendwasfirm。Onlybyexactingstrictobediencecouldheguaranteeasuccessfulissue。Whatshehadgottosaywas，\"Oh，indeed。Etcetera。\"Themutualfriendhadneedofallhistacttopreventitsbecomingaquarrelofthree。
Adolphus，allowedtoproceed，explainedthatthesubjectaboutwhichhewishedtospeakwasthesubjectofdinner。Themutualfriendthistimewasbeforehand。Elvira’sretorttothatwas：\"Dinner！YoucomplainofthedinnersIprovideforyou？\"enablinghimtoreply，\"Yes，madam，Idocomplain，\"andtogivereasons。ItseemedtoElvirathatthemutualfriendhadlosthissenses。Totellherto\"wait\"；that\"hertimewouldcome\"；ofwhatusewasthat！Halfofwhatshewantedtosaywouldbegoneoutofherhead。AdolphusbroughttoaconclusionhiscriticismofElvira’skitchen；andthenElvira，incapableofrestrainingherselffurther，rosemajestically。
ThemutualfriendwassavedthetroubleofsuppressingAdolphus。
UntilElvirahadfinishedAdolphusnevergotanopening。Hegrumbledattheirdinners。He！whocandinenightafternightwithhispreciousFreemasons。Doeshethinkshelikesthemanybetter？She，doomedtostayathomeandeatthem。Whatdoeshetakeherfor？Anostrich？Whosefaultisitthattheykeepanincompetentcooktoooldtolearnandtooobstinatetowantto？Whoseoldfamilyservantwasshe？NotElvira’s。IthasbeentopleaseAdolphusthatshehassufferedthewoman。Andthisisherreward。This！Shebreaksdown。
Adolphusisastonishedandtroubled。Personallyheneverlikedthewoman。Faithfulshemayhavebeen，butacooknever。Hisownidea，hadhebeenconsulted，wouldhavebeenasmallpension。Elvirafallsuponhisneck。Whydidhenotsaysobefore？Adolphuspresseshertohisbosom。Ifonlyhehadknown！Theypromisethemutualfriendnevertoquarrelagainwithouthisassistance。
Theactingallroundwasquitegood。Ourcurate，whoisabachelor，saidittaughtalesson。Veronicahadtearsinhereyes。Shewhisperedtomethatshethoughtitbeautiful。ThereismoreinVeronicathanpeoplethink。
CHAPTERXII
Iamsorrythehouseisfinished。Thereisaproverb：\"Foolsbuildhousesforwisementolivein。\"Itdependsuponwhatyouareafter。
Thefoolgetsthefun，andthewisementhebricksandmortar。I
rememberawhimsicalstoryIpickedupatthebookstalloftheGaredeLyon。IreaditbetweenParisandFontainebleaumanyyearsago。
Threefriends，youthfulBohemians，smokingtheirpipesafterthemeagredinnerofacheaprestaurantintheLatinQuarter，felltothinkingoftheirpoverty，ofthelongandbitterstrugglethatlaybeforethem。
\"Mythemesaresooriginal，\"sighedtheMusician。\"Itwilltakemeayearoffetedaystoteachthepublictounderstandthem，evenifeverIdosucceed。AndmeanwhileIshallliveunknown，neglected；
watchingthemenwithoutidealspassingmebyintherace，splashedwiththemudfromtheircarriage—wheelsasIbeatthepavementswithwornshoes。Itisreallyamostunjustworld。\"
\"Anabominableworld，\"agreedthePoet。\"Butthinkofme！Mycaseisfarharderthanyours。Yourgiftlieswithinyou。Mineistotranslatewhatliesaroundme；andthat，forsofaraheadasIcansee，willalwaysbetheshadowsideoflife。TodevelopmygeniustoitsfullestIneedthesunshineofexistence。Mysoulisbeingstarvedforlackofthebeautifulthingsoflife。AlittleofthewealththatvulgarpeoplewastewouldmakeagreatpoetforFrance。
ItisnotonlyofmyselfthatIamthinking。\"
ThePainterlaughed。\"Icannotsoartoyourheights，\"hesaid。
\"Franklyspeaking，itismyselfthatchieflyappealstome。Whynot？
IgivetheworldBeauty，andinreturnwhatdoesitgiveme？Thisdingyrestaurant，whereIeatill—flavouredfoodoffhideousplatters，afoulgarretgivingontochimney—pots。Afterlongyearsofill—requitedlabourImay——asothershavebeforeme——comeintomykingdom：possessmystudiointheChampsElysees，myfinehouseatNeuilly；buttheprospectoftheinterveningperiod，Iconfess，appalsme。\"
Absorbedinthemselves，theyhadnotnoticedthatastranger，seatedataneighbouringtable，hadbeenlisteningwithattention。Heroseand，apologisingwitheasygraceforintrusionintoaconversationhecouldhardlyhaveavoidedoverhearing，requestedpermissiontobeofservice。Therestaurantwasdimlylighted；thethreefriendsonenteringhadchosenitsobscurestcorner。TheStrangerappearedtobewell—dressed；hisvoiceandbearingsuggestedthemanofaffairs；
hisface——whatfeeblelighttherewasbeingbehindhim——remainedinshadow。
Thethreefriendseyedhimfurtively：possiblysomerichbuteccentricpatronofthearts；notbeyondtheboundsofspeculationthathewasacquaintedwiththeirwork，hadreadthePoet’sversesinoneoftheminormagazines，hadstumbleduponsomesketchofthePainter’swhilebargain—huntingamongthedealersoftheQuartierSt。
Antoine，beenstruckbythebeautyoftheComposer’sNocturneinF
heardatsomestudent’sconcert；havingmadeenquiriesconcerningtheirhaunts，hadchosenthismethodofintroducinghimself。Theyoungmenmaderoomforhimwithfeelingsofhopemingledwithcuriosity。TheaffableStrangercalledforliqueurs，andhandedroundhiscigar—case。Andalmosthisfirstwordsbroughtthemjoy。
\"Beforewegofurther，\"saidthesmilingStranger，\"itismypleasuretoinformyouthatallthreeofyouaredestinedtobecomegreat。\"
Theliqueurstotheirunaccustomedpalateswereprovingpotent。TheStranger’scigarsweresingularlyaromatic。ItseemedthemostreasonablethingintheworldthattheStrangershouldbethusabletoforetelltothemtheirfuture。
\"Fame，fortunewillbeyours，\"continuedtheagreeableStranger。
\"Allthingsdelightfulwillbetoyourhand：theadorationofwomen，thehonourofmen，theincenseofSociety，joysspiritualandmaterial，beauteoussurroundings，choicefoods，allluxuryandease，theworldyourpleasure—ground。\"
Thestainedwallsofthedingyrestaurantwerefadingintospacebeforetheyoungmen’seyes。Theysawthemselvesasgodswalkinginthegardenoftheirhearts’desires。
\"But，alas，\"wentontheStranger——andwiththefirstnoteofhischangedvoicethevisionsvanished，thedingywallscameback——\"thesethingstaketime。Youwill，allthree，bewellpastmiddle—agebeforeyouwillreapthejustrewardofyourtoilandtalents。
Meanwhile——\"thesympatheticStrangershruggedhisshoulders——\"itistheoldstory：geniusspendingitsyouthbattlingforrecognitionagainstindifference，ridicule，envy；thespiritcrushedbyitssordidenvironment，thedrabmonotonyofnarrowdays。Therewillbewinternightswhenyouwilltrampthestreets，cold，hungry，forlorn；
summerdayswhenyouwillhideinyourattics，ashamedofthesunlightonyourraggedgarments；chilldawnswhenyouwillwatchwild—eyedthesufferingofthoseyoulove，helplessbyreasonofyourpovertytoalleviatetheirpain。\"
TheStrangerpausedwhiletheancientwaiterreplenishedtheemptyglasses。Thethreefriendsdrankinsilence。
\"Ipropose，\"saidtheStranger，withapleasantlaugh，\"thatwepassoverthiscustomaryperiodofprobation——thatweskiptheinterveningyears——arriveatonceatourtruedestination。\"
TheStranger，leaningbackinhischair，regardedthethreefriendswithasmiletheyfeltratherthansaw。AndsomethingabouttheStranger——theycouldnothavetoldthemselveswhat——madeallthingspossible。
\"Aquitesimplematter，\"theStrangerassuredthem。\"Alittlesleepandaforgetting，andtheyearsliebehindus。Come，gentlemen。
HaveIyourconsent？\"
Itseemedaquestionhardlyneedinganswer。Toescapeatonestridethelong，wearystruggle；toenterwithoutfightingintovictory！
Theyoungmenlookedatoneanother。Andeachone，thinkingofhisgain，barteredthebattleforthespoil。
Itseemedtothemthatsuddenlythelightswentout；andadarknesslikearushingwindsweptpastthem，filledwithmanysounds。Andthenforgetfulness。Andthenthecomingbackoflight。
Theywereseatedatatable，glitteringwithsilveranddaintychinaware，towhichtheredwineinVenetiangoblets，thevariedfruitandflowers，gavecolour。Theroom，furnishedtoogorgeouslyfortaste，theyjudgedtobeaprivatecabinetinoneofthegreatrestaurants。Ofsuchinteriorstheyhadoccasionallycaughtglimpsesthroughopenwindowsonsummernights。Itwassoftlyilluminatedbyshadedlamps。TheStranger’sfacewasstillinshadow。Butwhatsurprisedeachofthethreemostwastoobserveoppositehimtwomoreorlessbald—headedgentlemenofsomewhatflabbyappearance，whosefeatures，however，insomemysteriouswayappearedfamiliar。TheStrangerhadhiswine—glassraisedinhishand。
\"OurdearPaul，\"theStrangerwassaying，\"hasdeclined，withhiscustomarymodesty，anypublicrecognitionofhistriumph。Hewillnotrefusethreeoldfriendstheprivilegeofofferinghimtheirheartiestcongratulations。Gentlemen，IdrinknotonlytoourdearPaul，buttotheFrenchAcademy，whichinhonouringhimhashonouredFrance。\"
TheStranger，risingfromhischair，turnedhispiercingeyes——theonlypartofhimthatcouldbeclearlyseen——upontheastonishedPoet。Thetwoelderlygentlemenopposite，evidentlyasbewilderedasPaulhimself，takingtheircuefromtheStranger，drainedtheirglasses。StillfollowingtheStranger’slead，leanteachacrossthetableandshookhimwarmlybythehand。
\"Ibegpardon，\"saidthePoet，\"butreallyIamafraidImusthavebeenasleep。Woulditsoundrudetoyou\"——headdressedhimselftotheStranger：thefacesoftheelderlygentlemenoppositedidnotsuggesttheirbeingofmuchassistancetohim——\"ifIaskedyouwhereIwas？\"
AgainthereflickeredacrosstheStranger’sfacethesmilethatwasfeltratherthanseen。\"YouareinaprivateroomoftheCafePretali，\"heanswered。\"WearemetthiseveningtocelebrateyourrecentelevationintothecompanyoftheImmortals。\"
\"Oh，\"saidthePoet，\"thankyou。\"
\"TheAcademy，\"continuedtheStranger，\"isalwaysalittlelateintheseaffairs。Myself，Icouldhavewishedyourelectionhadtakenplacetenyearsago，whenallFrance——allFrancethatcounts，thatis——wastalkingofyou。Atfifty—three\"——theStrangertouchedlightlywithhisfingersthePoet’sfathand——\"onedoesnotwriteaswhenthesapwasrunningup，insteadofdown。\"
Slowly，memoryofthedingycafeintheRueSt。Louis，ofthestrangehappeningthattookplacetherethatnightwhenhewasyoung，creptbackintothePoet’sbrain。
\"Wouldyoumind，\"saidthePoet，\"woulditbetroublingyoutoomuchtotellmesomethingofwhathasoccurredtome？\"
\"Notintheleast，\"respondedtheagreeableStranger。\"Yourcareerhasbeenmostinteresting——forthefirstfewyearschieflytoyourself。YoumarriedMarguerite。YourememberMarguerite？\"
ThePoetrememberedher。
\"Amadthingtodo，somostpeoplewouldhavesaid，\"continuedtheStranger。\"Youhadnotasoubetweenyou。But，myself，Ithinkyouwerejustified。Youthcomestousbutonce。Andattwenty—fiveourbusinessistolive。Undoubtedlythemarriagehelpedyou。Youlivedanidyllicexistence，foratime，inatumble—downcottageatSuresnes，withagardenthatwentdowntotheriver。Poor，ofcourseyouwere；pooraschurchmice。Butwhofearspovertywhenhopeandlovearesingingonthebough！IreallythinkquiteyourbestworkwasdoneduringthoseyearsatSuresnes。Ah，thesweetness，thetendernessofit！TherehasbeennothinglikeitinFrenchpoetry。
Itmadenomarkatthetime；buttenyearslaterthepublicwentmadaboutit。Shewasdeadthen。Poorchild，ithadbeenahardstruggle。And，asyoumayremember，shewasalwaysfragile。YeteveninherdeathIthinkshehelpedyou。Thereenteredanewnoteintoyourpoetry，adepththathadhithertobeenwanting。Itwasthebestthingthatevercametoyou，yourloveforMarguerite。\"
TheStrangerrefilledhisglass，andpassedthedecanter。ButthePoetleftthewineunheeded。
\"Andthen，ah，yes，thenfollowedthatexcursionintopolitics。
ThosescathingarticlesyouwroteforLaLiberte！ItishardlyanexaggerationtosaythattheyalteredthewholeaspectofFrenchpoliticalthought。ThosewonderfulspeechesyoumadeduringyourelectioncampaignatAngers。Howthepeopleworshippedyou！Youmighthavecarriedyourportfoliohadyoupersisted。Butyoupoetsaresuchrestlessfellows。Andafterall，Idaresayyouhavereallyaccomplishedmorebyyourplays。Youremember——no，ofcourse，howcouldyou？——thefirstnightofLaConquette。ShallIeverforgetit！
Ihavealwaysreckonedthatthecrownofyourcareer。YourmarriagewithMadameDeschenelle——Idonotthinkitwasforthepublicgood。
PoorDeschenelle’smillions——isitnotso？Poetryandmillionsinterferewithoneanother。Butathousandpardons，mydearPaul。
Youhavedonesomuch。Itisonlyrightyoushouldnowbetakingyourease。Yourworkisfinished。\"
ThePoetdoesnotanswer。Sitsstaringbeforehimwitheyesturnedinward。ThePainter，theMusician：whatdidtheyearsbringtothem？TheStrangertellsthemalsoofallthattheyhavelost：ofthegriefsandsorrows，ofthehopesandfearstheyhavenevertasted，oftheirtearsthatendedinlaughter，ofthepainthatgavesweetnesstojoy，ofthetriumphsthatcametotheminthedaysbeforetriumphhadlostitssavour，ofthelovesandthelongingsandfervourstheywouldneverknow。Allwasended。TheStrangerhadgiventhemwhathehadpromised，whattheyhaddesired：thegainwithoutthegetting。
Thentheybreakout。
\"Whatisittome，\"criesthePainter，\"thatIwaketofindmyselfwearingthegoldmedaloftheSalon，robbedofthememoryofallbywhichitwasearned？\"
TheStrangerpointsouttohimthatheisillogical；suchmemorieswouldhaveincludedlongvistasofmeagredinnersindingyrestaurants，ofatticstudios，ofalifethechiefpartofwhichhadbeenpassedamiduglysurroundings。Itwastoescapefromallsuchthathehadclamoured。ThePoetissilent。
\"Iaskedbutforrecognition，\"criestheMusician，\"thatmenmightlistentome；notformymusictobetakenfrommeinexchangefortherecompenseofasuccessfultradesman。Myinspirationisburntout；Ifeelit。Themusicthatoncefilledmysoulismute。\"
\"Itwasbornofthestrifeandanguish，\"theStrangertellshim，\"ofthelovesthatdied，ofthehopesthatfaded，ofthebeatingofyouth’swingsagainstthebarsofsorrow，ofthegloryandmadnessandtormentcalledLife，ofthestruggleyoushrankfromfacing。\"
ThePoettakesupthetale。
\"YouhaverobbedusofLife，\"hecries。\"Youtellusofdeadlipswhosekisseswehaveneverfelt，ofsongsofvictorysungtoourdeafears。Youhavetakenourfires，youhaveleftusbuttheashes。\"
\"Thefiresthatscorchandsear，\"theStrangeradds，\"thelipsthatcriedintheirpain，thevictoryboughtofwounds。\"
\"Itisnotyettoolate，\"theStrangertellsthem。\"Allthiscanbebutatroubleddream，growingfainterwitheachwakingmoment。WillyoubuybackyourYouthatthecostofease？WillyoubuybackLifeatthepriceoftears？\"
Theycrywithonevoice，\"GiveusbackourYouthwithitsburdens，andahearttobearthem！GiveusbackLifewithitsmingledbitterandsweet！\"
ThensuddenlytheStrangerstandsrevealedbeforethem。TheyseethatheisLife——Lifebornofbattle，Lifemadestrongbyendeavour，Lifelearningsongfromsuffering。
Therefollowsmoretalk；whichstruckme，whenIreadthestory，asamistake；forallthathetellsthemtheyhavenowlearnt：thatlifetobeenjoyedmustbelived；thatvictorytobesweetmustbewon。
TheyawakeinthedingycafeintheRueSt。Louis。Theancientwaiterispilingupthechairspreparatorytoclosingtheshutters。
ThePoetdrawsforthhissmallhandfulofcoins；askswhatistopay。
\"Nothing，\"thewaiteranswers。Astrangerwhosatwiththemandtalkedawhilebeforetheyfellasleephaspaidthebill。Theylookatoneanother，butnoonespeaks。
Thestreetsareempty。Athinrainisfalling。Theyturnupthecollarsoftheircoats；strikeoutintothenight。Andastheirfootstepsechoontheglisteningpavementitcomestoeachofthemthattheyarewalkingwithanew，bravestep。
IfeelsosorryforDick——forthetensofthousandsofhappy，healthy，cared—forladsofwhomDickisthetype。Theremustbemillionsofyoungstersintheworldwhohaveneverknownhunger，exceptasanappetisertotheirdinner；whohaveneverfeltwhatitwastobetired，withouttheknowledgethatacomfortablebedwasawaitingthem。
Tothewell—to—domanorwomanlifeisoneperpetualnursery。Theyarewakenedinthemorning——nottooearly，nottillthenurseryhasbeensweptoutandmadeready，andthefirelighted——awakenedgentlywithacupofteatogivethemstrengthandcourageforthisgreatbusinessofgettingup——awakenedwithwhisperedwords，lestanysuddenstartshouldmaketheirlittleheadsache——theblindscarefullyarrangedtoexcludethenaughtysun，whichotherwisemightshineintotheirlittleeyesandmakethemfretful。Thewater，withthenastychilloff，isputreadyforthem；theywashtheirlittlehandsandfaces，allbythemselves！Thentheyareshavedandhavetheirhairdone；theirlittlehandsaremanicured，theirlittlecornscutforthem。Whentheyareneatandclean，theytoddleintobreakfast；theyareshownintotheirlittlechairs，theirlittlenapkinshandedtothem；thenicefoodthatissogoodforthemisputupontheirlittleplates；thedrinkispouredoutforthemintotheircups。Iftheywanttoplay，thereisthedaynursery。Theyhaveonlytotellkindnursewhatgameitistheyfancy。Thetoysareatoncebroughtout。Thelittlegunisputintotheirhand；thelittlehorseisdraggedforthfromitscorner，theirlittlefeetcarefullyplacedinthestirrups。Thelittleballandbatistakenfromitsbox。
Ortheywilltaketheair，asthewisedoctorhasordered。Thelittlecarriagewillbereadyinfiveminutes；thenicewarmcloakisbuttonedroundthem，thefootstoolplacedbeneaththeirfeet，thecushionattheirback。
Thedayisdone。Thegameshavebeenplayed；thetoyshavebeentakenfromtheirtiredhands，putbackintothecupboard。Thefoodthatissogoodforthem，thatmakesthemstronglittlemenandwomen，hasallbeeneaten。TheyhavebeendressedforgoingoutintotheprettyPark，undressedanddressedagainforgoingouttoteawiththelittleboysandgirlsnextdoor；undressedanddressedagainfortheparty。Theyhavereadtheirlittlebook？haveseenalittleplay，havelookedatprettypictures。Thekindgentlemanwiththelonghairhasplayedthepianotothem。Theyhavedanced。Theirlittlefeetarereallyquitetired。Thefootmanbringsthemhome。
Theyareputintotheirlittlenighties。Thecandleisblownout，thenurserydoorissoftlyclosed。
Nowandagainsomerestlesslittleman，wearyingofthesmugnursery，willrunoutpastthegardengate，anddownthelongwhiteroad；willfindtheNorthPoleor，failingthat，theSouthPole，orwheretheNilerises，orhowitfeelstofly；willclimbtheMountainsoftheMoon——doanything，goanywhere，toescapefromNurseCivilisation’severlastingapronstrings。
Orsomequeerlittlewoman，wonderingwherethepeoplecomefrom，willrunandruntillshecomestothegreattown，watchinwonderthestrangefolkthatsweatandgroan——thepeacefulnursery，withthetoys，theprettyfrocksneverquitethesameagaintoher。
Buttothenineteen—twentiethsofthewell—to—dotheworldbeyondthenurseryisanunknownland。Terriblethingsoccurouttheretolittlemenandwomenwhohavenoprettynurserytolivein。Peoplepushandshoveyouabout，willeventreadonyourtoesifyouarenotcareful。Outthereisnokind，strongNurseBank—Balancetoholdone’slittlehand，andseethatnoharmcomestoone。Outthere，onehastofightone’sownbattles。Oftenoneiscoldandhungry，outthere。
Onehastofendforoneself，outthere；earnone’sdinnerbeforeoneeatsit，neverquitesureoftheweekafternext。Terriblethingstakeplace，outthere：strainandcontestandfierceendeavour；thewaysarefullofdangersandsurprises；folkgoup，folkgodown；youhavetosetyourteethandfight。Well—to—dolittlemenandwomenshudder。Drawdownthenurseryblinds。
Robinahadalittledog。Itledtheusualdog’slife：sleptinabasketonaneiderdowncushion，shelteredfromanychancedraughtbysilkcurtains；itsmilkwarmedandsweetened；itscosychairreservedforit，inwinter，nearthefire；insummer，wherethesunmightreachit；itsthreemealsadaythatagourmetmighthaveeatengladly；itsveryfleastakenoffitshands。
Andtwiceayearstillextracarewasneeded，lestitshouldwantonlyflingasideitsdaysandnightsofluxuriousease，claimitssmallshareofthepassionandpainthatgotothemakingofdogsandmen。
Fortwiceayeartherecameawind，saltwiththebrineofearth’sceaselesstides，whisperingtoitofawondrouslandwhosesharpeststonesaresweeterthanthesilkencushionsofalltheworldwithout。
Onewinter’snighttherewasgreatcommotion。Babettewasnowheretobefound。Wewerelivinginthecountry，milesawayfromeverywhere。
\"Babette，Babette，\"criedpoorfrenziedRobina；andforanswercameonlythelaughterofthewind，pausinginhisgameofrompswiththesnow—flakes。
NextmorninganoldwomanfromthetownfourmilesawaybroughtbackBabetteattheendofastring。Oh，suchasoaked，bedraggledBabette！Theoldwomanhadfoundhercrouchinginadoorway，abewilderedlittleheapofpalpitatingfemininity；and，readingtheaddressuponhercollar，andmaybescentinganotimpossiblereward，hadthoughtshemightaswellearnitforherself。
Robinawasshocked，disgusted。TothinkthatBabette——dainty，petted，spoiltBabette——shouldhavechosenofherownaccordtogodownintothemudanddarknessofthevulgartown；toleavehercurtainedeiderdowntotrampthestreetslikeanydrab！Robina，towhomBabettehadhithertobeentheidealdog，movedawaytohidehertearsofvexation。Theolddamesmiled。Shehadbornehergoodmaneleven，soshetoldus。Ithadbeenahardstruggle，andsomehadgonedown，andsomeweredead；butsome，thankGod，weredoingwell。
Theolddamewishedusgoodday；butassheturnedtogoanimpulseseizedher。ShecrossedtowhereBabette，ashamed，yethalfdefiant，satawet，woefullittleimageonthehearthrug，stoopedandliftedthelittlecreatureinherthin，wornarms。
\"It’stroubleyou’vebroughtyourself，\"saidtheolddame。\"Youcouldn’thelpit，couldyou？\"
Babette’slittlepinktonguestoleout。
\"Weunderstand，weknow——weMothers，\"theyseemedtobesayingtooneanother。
Andsothetwokissed。
Ithinktheterracewillbemyfavouritespot。Ethelberthathinks，too，thatonsunnydaysshewillliketositthere。Fromit，throughanopeningIhavemadeinthetrees，Icanseethecottagejustamileawayattheedgeofthewood。YoungButetellsmeitistheveryplacehehasbeenlookingfor。Mostofhistime，ofcourse，hehastopassintown，buthisFridaystoMondayshelikestospendinthecountry。MaybeIshallhanditovertohim。St。Leonard’schimneyswecanalsoseeabovethetrees。Dicktellsmehehasquitemadeuphismindtobecomeafarmer。Hethinksitwouldbeagoodplan，forabeginning，togointopartnershipwithSt。Leonard。ItisnotunlikelythatSt。Leonard’srestlesstemperamentmayprompthimeventuallytotireoffarming。HehasabrotherinCanadadoingwellinthelumberbusiness，andSt。Leonardoftentalksoftheadvantagesofthecoloniestoamanwhoisbringingupalargefamily。Ishallbesorrytolosehimasaneighbour；thoughIseetheadvantages，undercertainpossibilities，ofMrs。St。Leonard’saddressbeingManitoba。
Veronicaalsothinkstheterracemaycometobeherfavouriteresting—place。
\"Isuppose，\"saidVeronica，\"thatifanythingwastohappentoRobina，everythingwouldfallonme。\"
\"Itwouldbeachange，Veronica，\"Isuggested。\"Hithertoitisyouwhohavedonemostofthefalling。\"
\"SupposeI’vegottoseeaboutgrowingup，\"saidVeronica。
