byCharlesDickens
FIRSTCHAPTER
IThappenedinthiswise—
But，sittingwithmypeninmyhandlookingatthosewordsagain，withoutdescryinganyhintinthemofthewordsthatshouldfollow，itcomesintomymindthattheyhaveanabruptappearance。Theymayserve，however，ifIletthemremain，tosuggesthowverydifficultIfindittobegintoexplainmyexplanation。Anuncouthphrase：andyetIdonotseemywaytoabetter。
SECONDCHAPTER
IThappenedinTHISwise—
But，lookingatthosewords，andcomparingthemwithmyformeropening，Ifindtheyaretheself—samewordsrepeated。Thisisthemoresurprisingtome，becauseIemploytheminquiteanewconnection。ForindeedIdeclarethatmyintentionwastodiscardthecommencementIfirsthadinmythoughts，andtogivethepreferencetoanotherofanentirelydifferentnature，datingmyexplanationfromananteriorperiodofmylife。Iwillmakeathirdtrial，withouterasingthissecondfailure，protestingthatitisnotmydesigntoconcealanyofmyinfirmities，whethertheybeofheadorheart。
THIRDCHAPTER
NOTasyetdirectlyaimingathowitcametopass，Iwillcomeuponitbydegrees。Thenaturalmanner，afterall，forGodknowsthatishowitcameuponme。
Myparentswereinamiserableconditionoflife，andmyinfanthomewasacellarinPreston。Irecollectthesoundoffather’sLancashireclogsonthestreetpavementabove，asbeingdifferentinmyyounghearingfromthesoundofallotherclogs；andI
recollect，that，whenmothercamedownthecellar—steps，Iusedtremblinglytospeculateonherfeethavingagoodoranill—
temperedlook，—onherknees，—onherwaist，—untilfinallyherfacecameintoview，andsettledthequestion。FromthisitwillbeseenthatIwastimid，andthatthecellar—stepsweresteep，andthatthedoorwaywasverylow。
Motherhadthegripeandclutchofpovertyuponherface，uponherfigure，andnotleastofalluponhervoice。Hersharpandhigh—
pitchedwordsweresqueezedoutofher，asbythecompressionofbonyfingersonaleathernbag；andshehadawayofrollinghereyesaboutandaboutthecellar，asshescolded，thatwasgauntandhungry。Father，withhisshouldersrounded，wouldsitquietonathree—leggedstool，lookingattheemptygrate，untilshewouldpluckthestoolfromunderhim，andbidhimgobringsomemoneyhome。Thenhewoulddismallyascendthesteps；andI，holdingmyraggedshirtandtrouserstogetherwithahand（myonlybraces），wouldfeintanddodgefrommother’spursuinggraspatmyhair。
Aworldlylittledevilwasmother’susualnameforme。WhetherI
criedforthatIwasinthedark，orforthatitwascold，orforthatIwashungry，orwhetherIsqueezedmyselfintoawarmcornerwhentherewasafire，oratevoraciouslywhentherewasfood，shewouldstillsay，’O，youworldlylittledevil！’Andthestingofitwas，thatIquitewellknewmyselftobeaworldlylittledevil。
Worldlyastowantingtobehousedandwarmed，worldlyastowantingtobefed，worldlyastothegreedwithwhichIinwardlycomparedhowmuchIgotofthosegoodthingswithhowmuchfatherandmothergot，when，rarely，thosegoodthingsweregoing。
Sometimestheybothwentawayseekingwork；andthenIwouldbelockedupinthecellarforadayortwoatatime。Iwasatmyworldliestthen。Leftalone，Iyieldedmyselfuptoaworldlyyearningforenoughofanything（exceptmisery），andforthedeathofmother’sfather，whowasamachine—makeratBirmingham，andonwhosedecease，Ihadheardmothersay，shewouldcomeintoawholecourtfulofhouses’ifshehadherrights。’Worldlylittledevil，Iwouldstandabout，musinglyfittingmycoldbarefeetintocrackedbricksandcrevicesofthedampcellar—floor，—walkingovermygrandfather’sbody，sotospeak，intothecourtfulofhouses，andsellingthemformeatanddrink，andclothestowear。
Atlastachangecamedownintoourcellar。Theuniversalchangecamedownevenaslowasthat，—sowillitmounttoanyheightonwhichahumancreaturecanperch，—andbroughtotherchangeswithit。
WehadaheapofIdon’tknowwhatfoullitterinthedarkestcorner，whichwecalled’thebed。’Forthreedaysmotherlayuponitwithoutgettingup，andthenbeganattimestolaugh。IfIhadeverheardherlaughbefore，ithadbeensoseldomthatthestrangesoundfrightenedme。Itfrightenedfathertoo；andwetookitbyturnstogiveherwater。Thenshebegantomoveherheadfromsidetoside，andsing。Afterthat，shegettingnobetter，fatherfella—laughinganda—singing；andthentherewasonlyItogivethembothwater，andtheybothdied。
FOURTHCHAPTER
WHENIwasliftedoutofthecellarbytwomen，ofwhomonecamepeepingdownalonefirst，andranawayandbroughttheother，I
couldhardlybearthelightofthestreet。Iwassittingintheroad—way，blinkingatit，andataringofpeoplecollectedaroundme，butnotclosetome，when，truetomycharacterofworldlylittledevil，Ibrokesilencebysaying，’Iamhungryandthirsty！’
’Doesheknowtheyaredead？’askedoneofanother。
’Doyouknowyourfatherandmotherarebothdeadoffever？’askedathirdofmeseverely。
’Idon’tknowwhatitistobedead。Isupposeditmeantthat，whenthecuprattledagainsttheirteeth，andthewaterspiltoverthem。Iamhungryandthirsty。’ThatwasallIhadtosayaboutit。
TheringofpeoplewidenedoutwardfromtheinnersideasIlookedaroundme；andIsmeltvinegar，andwhatIknowtobecamphor，thrownintowardswhereIsat。Presentlysomeoneputagreatvesselofsmokingvinegaronthegroundnearme；andthentheyalllookedatmeinsilenthorrorasIateanddrankofwhatwasbroughtforme。Iknewatthetimetheyhadahorrorofme，butI
couldn’thelpit。
Iwasstilleatinganddrinking，andamurmurofdiscussionhadbeguntoariserespectingwhatwastobedonewithmenext，whenI
heardacrackedvoicesomewhereintheringsay，’MynameisHawkyard，Mr。VerityHawkyard，ofWestBromwich。’Thentheringsplitinoneplace；andayellow—faced，peak—nosedgentleman，cladalliniron—graytohisgaiters，pressedforwardwithapolicemanandanotherofficialofsomesort。Hecameforwardclosetothevesselofsmokingvinegar；fromwhichhesprinkledhimselfcarefully，andmecopiously。
’HehadagrandfatheratBirmingham，thisyoungboy，whoisjustdeadtoo，’saidMr。Hawkyard。
Iturnedmyeyesuponthespeaker，andsaidinaraveningmanner，’Where’shishouses？’
’Hah！Horribleworldlinessontheedgeofthegrave，’saidMr。
Hawkyard，castingmoreofthevinegaroverme，asiftogetmydeviloutofme。’Ihaveundertakenaslight—averyslight—
trustinbehalfofthisboy；quiteavoluntarytrust：amatterofmerehonour，ifnotofmeresentiment：stillIhavetakenituponmyself，anditshallbe（O，yes，itshallbe！）discharged。’
Thebystandersseemedtoformanopinionofthisgentlemanmuchmorefavourablethantheiropinionofme。
’Heshallbetaught，’saidMr。Hawkyard，’（O，yes，heshallbetaught！）butwhatistobedonewithhimforthepresent？Hemaybeinfected。Hemaydisseminateinfection。’Theringwidenedconsiderably。’Whatistobedonewithhim？’
Heheldsometalkwiththetwoofficials。Icoulddistinguishnowordsave’Farm—house。’Therewasanothersoundseveraltimesrepeated，whichwaswhollymeaninglessinmyearsthen，butwhichI
knewafterwardstobe’HoghtonTowers。’
’Yes，’saidMr。Hawkyard。’Ithinkthatsoundspromising；Ithinkthatsoundshopeful。Andhecanbeputbyhimselfinaward，foranightortwo，yousay？’
Itseemedtobethepolice—officerwhohadsaidso；foritwashewhoreplied，Yes！Itwashe，too，whofinallytookmebythearm，andwalkedmebeforehimthroughthestreets，intoawhitewashedroominabarebuilding，whereIhadachairtositin，atabletositat，anironbedsteadandgoodmattresstolieupon，andarugandblankettocoverme。WhereIhadenoughtoeattoo，andwasshownhowtocleanthetinporringerinwhichitwasconveyedtome，untilitwasasgoodasalooking—glass。Here，likewise，Iwasputinabath，andhadnewclothesbroughttome；andmyoldragswereburnt，andIwascamphoredandvinegaredanddisinfectedinavarietyofways。
Whenallthiswasdone，—Idon’tknowinhowmanydaysorhowfew，butitmattersnot，—Mr。Hawkyardsteppedinatthedoor，remainingclosetoit，andsaid，’Goandstandagainsttheoppositewall，GeorgeSilverman。Asfaroffasyoucan。That’lldo。Howdoyoufeel？’
ItoldhimthatIdidn’tfeelcold，anddidn’tfeelhungry，anddidn’tfeelthirsty。Thatwasthewholeroundofhumanfeelings，asfarasIknew，exceptthepainofbeingbeaten。
’Well，’saidhe，’youaregoing，George，toahealthyfarm—housetobepurified。Keepintheairthereasmuchasyoucan。Liveanout—of—doorlifethere，untilyouarefetchedaway。Youhadbetternotsaymuch—infact，youhadbetterbeverycarefulnottosayanything—aboutwhatyourparentsdiedof，ortheymightnotliketotakeyouin。Behavewell，andI’llputyoutoschool；O，yes！
I’llputyoutoschool，thoughI’mnotobligatedtodoit。IamaservantoftheLord，George；andIhavebeenagoodservanttohim，Ihave，thesefive—and—thirtyyears。TheLordhashadagoodservantinme，andheknowsit。’
WhatIthensupposedhimtomeanbythis，Icannotimagine。AslittledoIknowwhenIbegantocomprehendthathewasaprominentmemberofsomeobscuredenominationorcongregation，everymemberofwhichheldforthtotherestwhensoinclined，andamongwhomhewascalledBrotherHawkyard。Itwasenoughformetoknow，onthatdayintheward，thatthefarmer’scartwaswaitingformeatthestreetcorner。Iwasnotslowtogetintoit；foritwasthefirstrideIeverhadinmylife。
Itmademesleepy，andIslept。First，IstaredatPrestonstreetsaslongastheylasted；and，meanwhile，Imayhavehadsomesmalldumbwonderingwithinmewhereaboutsourcellarwas；butIdoubtit。SuchaworldlylittledevilwasI，thatItooknothoughtwhowouldburyfatherandmother，orwheretheywouldbeburied，orwhen。Thequestionwhethertheeatinganddrinkingbyday，andthecoveringbynight，wouldbeasgoodatthefarm—houseasatthewardsupersededthosequestions。
Thejoltingofthecartonaloosestonyroadawokeme；andIfoundthatweweremountingasteephill，wheretheroadwasaruttyby—
roadthroughafield。Andso，byfragmentsofanancientterrace，andbysomeruggedoutbuildingsthathadoncebeenfortified，andpassingunderaruinedgatewaywecametotheoldfarm—houseinthethickstonewalloutsidetheoldquadrangleofHoghtonTowers：
whichIlookedatlikeastupidsavage，seeingnospeciallyin，seeingnoantiquityin；assumingallfarm—housestoresembleit；
assigningthedecayInoticedtotheonepotentcauseofallruinthatIknew，—poverty；eyeingthepigeonsintheirflights，thecattleintheirstalls，theducksinthepond，andthefowlspeckingabouttheyard，withahungryhopethatplentyofthemmightbekilledfordinnerwhileIstayedthere；wonderingwhetherthescrubbeddairyvessels，dryinginthesunlight，couldbegoodlyporringersoutofwhichthemasteratehisbelly—fillingfood，andwhichhepolishedwhenhehaddone，accordingtomywardexperience；shrinkinglydoubtfulwhethertheshadows，passingoverthatairyheightonthebrightspringday，werenotsomethinginthenatureoffrowns，—sordid，afraid，unadmiring，—asmallbrutetoshudderat。
TothattimeIhadneverhadthefaintestimpressionofduty。I
hadhadnoknowledgewhateverthattherewasanythinglovelyinthislife。WhenIhadoccasionallyslunkupthecellar—stepsintothestreet，andglaredinatshop—windows，Ihaddonesowithnohigherfeelingsthanwemaysupposetoanimateamangyyoungdogorwolf—cub。ItisequallythefactthatIhadneverbeenalone，inthesenseofholdingunselfishconversewithmyself。Ihadbeensolitaryoftenenough，butnothingbetter。
SuchwasmyconditionwhenIsatdowntomydinnerthatday，inthekitchenoftheoldfarm—house。SuchwasmyconditionwhenIlayonmybedintheoldfarm—housethatnight，stretchedoutoppositethenarrowmullionedwindow，inthecoldlightofthemoon，likeayoungvampire。
FIFTHCHAPTER
WHATdoIknowofHoghtonTowers？Verylittle；forIhavebeengratefullyunwillingtodisturbmyfirstimpressions。Ahouse，centuriesold，onhighgroundamileorsoremovedfromtheroadbetweenPrestonandBlackburn，wherethefirstJamesofEngland，inhishurrytomakemoneybymakingbaronets，perhapsmadesomeofthoseremunerativedignitaries。Ahouse，centuriesold，desertedandfallingtopieces，itswoodsandgardenslongsincegrass—landorploughedup，theRiversRibbleandDarwenglancingbelowit，andavaguehazeofsmoke，againstwhichnoteventhesupernaturalprescienceofthefirstStuartcouldforeseeacounter—blast，hintingatsteam—power，powerfulintwodistances。
WhatdidIknowthenofHoghtonTowers？WhenIfirstpeepedinatthegateofthelifelessquadrangle，andstartedfromthemoulderingstatuebecomingvisibletomelikeitsguardianghost；
whenIstoleroundbythebackofthefarm—house，andgotinamongtheancientrooms，manyofthemwiththeirfloorsandceilingsfalling，thebeamsandraftershangingdangerouslydown，theplasterdroppingasItrod，theoakenpanelsstrippedaway，thewindowshalfwalledup，halfbroken；whenIdiscoveredagallerycommandingtheoldkitchen，andlookeddownbetweenbalustradesuponamassiveoldtableandbenches，fearingtoseeIknownotwhatdead—alivecreaturescomeinandseatthemselves，andlookupwithIknownotwhatdreadfuleyes，orlackofeyes，atme；whenalloverthehouseIwasawedbygapsandchinkswheretheskystaredsorrowfullyatme，wherethebirdspassed，andtheivyrustled，andthestainsofwinterweatherblotchedtherottenfloors；whendownatthebottomofdarkpitsofstaircase，intowhichthestairshadsunk，greenleavestrembled，butterfliesfluttered，andbeeshummedinandoutthroughthebrokendoor—ways；
whenencirclingthewholeruinweresweetscents，andsightsoffreshgreengrowth，andever—renewinglife，thatIhadneverdreamedof，—Isay，whenIpassedintosuchcloudedperceptionofthesethingsasmydarksoulcouldcompass，whatdidIknowthenofHoghtonTowers？
Ihavewrittenthattheskystaredsorrowfullyatme。ThereinhaveIanticipatedtheanswer。Iknewthatallthesethingslookedsorrowfullyatme；thattheyseemedtosighorwhisper，notwithoutpityforme，’Alas！poorworldlylittledevil！’
ThereweretwoorthreeratsatthebottomofoneofthesmallerpitsofbrokenstaircasewhenIcranedoverandlookedin。Theywerescufflingforsomepreythatwasthere；and，whentheystartedandhidthemselvesclosetogetherinthedark，Ithoughtoftheoldlife（ithadgrownoldalready）inthecellar。
Hownottobethisworldlylittledevil？hownottohavearepugnancetowardsmyselfasIhadtowardstherats？Ihidinacornerofoneofthesmallerchambers，frightenedatmyself，andcrying（itwasthefirsttimeIhadevercriedforanycausenotpurelyphysical），andItriedtothinkaboutit。Oneofthefarm—
ploughscameintomyrangeofviewjustthen；anditseemedtohelpmeasitwentonwithitstwohorsesupanddownthefieldsopeacefullyandquietly。
Therewasagirlofaboutmyownageinthefarm—housefamily，andshesatoppositetomeatthenarrowtableatmeal—times。Ithadcomeintomymind，atourfirstdinner，thatshemighttakethefeverfromme。Thethoughthadnotdisquietedmethen。Ihadonlyspeculatedhowshewouldlookunderthealteredcircumstances，andwhethershewoulddie。Butitcameintomymindnow，thatImighttrytopreventhertakingthefeverbykeepingawayfromher。I
knewIshouldhavebutscramblingboardifIdid；somuchthelessworldlyandlessdevilishthedeedwouldbe，Ithought。
Fromthathour，Iwithdrewmyselfatearlymorningintosecretcornersoftheruinedhouse，andremainedhiddenthereuntilshewenttobed。Atfirst，whenmealswereready，Iusedtohearthemcallingme；andthenmyresolutionweakened。ButIstrengtheneditagainbygoingfartheroffintotheruin，andgettingoutofhearing。Ioftenwatchedforheratthedimwindows；and，whenI
sawthatshewasfreshandrosy，feltmuchhappier。
Outofthisholdingherinmythoughts，tothehumanisingofmyself，Isupposesomechildishlovearosewithinme。Ifelt，insomesort，dignifiedbytheprideofprotectingher，—bytheprideofmakingthesacrificeforher。Asmyheartswelledwiththatnewfeeling，itinsensiblysoftenedaboutmotherandfather。Itseemedtohavebeenfrozenbefore，andnowtobethawed。Theoldruinandallthelovelythingsthathaunteditwerenotsorrowfulformeonly，butsorrowfulformotherandfatheraswell。ThereforedidI
cryagain，andoftentoo。
Thefarm—housefamilyconceivedmetobeofamorosetemper，andwereveryshortwithme；thoughtheyneverstintedmeinsuchbrokenfareaswastobegotoutofregularhours。OnenightwhenIliftedthekitchenlatchatmyusualtime，Sylvia（thatwasherprettyname）hadbutjustgoneoutoftheroom。Seeingherascendingtheoppositestairs，Istoodstillatthedoor。Shehadheardtheclinkofthelatch，andlookedround。
’George，’shecalledtomeinapleasedvoice，’to—morrowismybirthday；andwearetohaveafiddler，andthere’sapartyofboysandgirlscominginacart，andweshalldance。Iinviteyou。Besociableforonce，George。’
’Iamverysorry，miss，’Ianswered；’butI—but，no；Ican’tcome。’
’Youareadisagreeable，ill—humouredlad，’shereturneddisdainfully；’andIoughtnottohaveaskedyou。Ishallneverspeaktoyouagain。’
AsIstoodwithmyeyesfixedonthefire，aftershewasgone，I
feltthatthefarmerbenthisbrowsuponme。
’Eh，lad！’saidhe；’Sylvy’sright。You’reasmoodyandbroodyaladasneverIseteyesonyet。’
ItriedtoassurehimthatImeantnoharm；butheonlysaidcoldly，’Maybenot，maybenot！There，getthysupper，getthysupper；andthenthoucanstsulktothyheart’scontentagain。’
Ah！iftheycouldhaveseenmenextday，intheruin，watchingforthearrivalofthecartfullofmerryyoungguests；iftheycouldhaveseenmeatnight，glidingoutfrombehindtheghostlystatue，listeningtothemusicandthefallofdancingfeet，andwatchingthelightedfarm—housewindowsfromthequadranglewhenalltheruinwasdark；iftheycouldhavereadmyheart，asIcreptuptobedbythebackway，comfortingmyselfwiththereflection，’Theywilltakenohurtfromme，’—theywouldnothavethoughtmineamoroseoranunsocialnature。
ItwasinthesewaysthatIbegantoformashydisposition；tobeofatimidlysilentcharacterundermisconstruction；tohaveaninexpressible，perhapsamorbid，dreadofeverbeingsordidorworldly。Itwasinthesewaysthatmynaturecametoshapeitselftosuchamould，evenbeforeitwasaffectedbytheinfluencesofthestudiousandretiredlifeofapoorscholar。
SIXTHCHAPTER
BROTHERHAWKYARD（asheinsistedonmycallinghim）putmetoschool，andtoldmetoworkmyway。’Youareallright，George，’
hesaid。’IhavebeenthebestservanttheLordhashadinhisserviceforthisfive—and—thirtyyear（O，Ihave！）；andheknowsthevalueofsuchaservantasIhavebeentohim（O，yes，hedoes！）；andhe’llprosperyourschoolingasapartofmyreward。
That’swhatHE’lldo，George。He’lldoitforme。’
FromthefirstIcouldnotlikethisfamiliarknowledgeofthewaysofthesublime，inscrutableAlmighty，onBrotherHawkyard’spart。
AsIgrewalittlewiser，andstillalittlewiser，Ilikeditlessandless。Hismanner，too，ofconfirminghimselfinaparenthesis，—asif，knowinghimself，hedoubtedhisownword，—Ifounddistasteful。Icannottellhowmuchthesedislikescostme；forI
hadadreadthattheywereworldly。
Astimewenton，IbecameaFoundation—boyonagoodfoundation，andIcostBrotherHawkyardnothing。WhenIhadworkedmywaysofar，Iworkedyetharder，inthehopeofultimatelygettingapresentationtocollegeandafellowship。Myhealthhasneverbeenstrong（somevapourfromthePrestoncellarcleavestome，I
think）；andwhatwithmuchworkandsomeweakness，Icameagaintoberegarded—thatis，bymyfellow—students—asunsocial。
Allthroughmytimeasafoundation—boy，IwaswithinafewmilesofBrotherHawkyard’scongregation；andwheneverIwaswhatwecalledaleave—boyonaSunday，Iwentoverthereathisdesire。
Beforetheknowledgebecameforceduponmethatoutsidetheirplaceofmeetingthesebrothersandsisterswerenobetterthantherestofthehumanfamily，butonthewholewere，toputthecasemildly，asbadasmost，inrespectofgivingshortweightintheirshops，andnotspeakingthetruth，—Isay，beforethisknowledgebecameforceduponme，theirprolixaddresses，theirinordinateconceit，theirdaringignorance，theirinvestmentoftheSupremeRulerofheavenandearthwiththeirownmiserablemeannessesandlittlenesses，greatlyshockedme。Still，astheirtermfortheframeofmindthatcouldnotperceivethemtobeinanexaltedstateofgracewasthe’worldly’state，Ididforatimesuffertorturesundermyinquiriesofmyselfwhetherthatyoungworldly—
devilishspiritofminecouldsecretlybelingeringatthebottomofmynon—appreciation。
BrotherHawkyardwasthepopularexpounderinthisassembly，andgenerallyoccupiedtheplatform（therewasalittleplatformwithatableonit，inlieuofapulpit）first，onaSundayafternoon。Hewasbytradeadrysalter。BrotherGimblet，anelderlymanwithacrabbedface，alargedog’s—earedshirt—collar，andaspottedblueneckerchiefreachingupbehindtothecrownofhishead，wasalsoadrysalterandanexpounder。BrotherGimbletprofessedthegreatestadmirationforBrotherHawkyard，but（Ihadthoughtmorethanonce）
borehimajealousgrudge。
Letwhosoevermayperusetheselineskindlytakethepainsheretoreadtwicemysolemnpledge，thatwhatIwriteofthelanguageandcustomsofthecongregationinquestionIwritescrupulously，literally，exactly，fromthelifeandthetruth。
OnthefirstSundayafterIhadwonwhatIhadsolongtriedfor，andwhenitwascertainthatIwasgoinguptocollege，BrotherHawkyardconcludedalongexhortationthus：
’Well，myfriendsandfellow—sinners，nowItoldyouwhenIbegan，thatIdidn’tknowawordofwhatIwasgoingtosaytoyou（andno，Ididnot！），butthatitwasallonetome，becauseIknewtheLordwouldputintomymouththewordsIwanted。’
（’That’sit！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
’AndhedidputintomymouththewordsIwanted。’
（’Sohedid！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
’Andwhy？’
（’Ah，let’shavethat！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
’BecauseIhavebeenhisfaithfulservantforfive—and—thirtyyears，andbecauseheknowsit。Forfive—and—thirtyyears！Andheknowsit，mindyou！IgotthosewordsthatIwantedonaccountofmywages。Igot’emfromtheLord，myfellow—sinners。Down！I
said，\"Here’saheapofwagesdue；letushavesomethingdown，onaccount。\"AndIgotitdown，andIpaiditovertoyou；andyouwon’twrapitupinanapkin，noryetinatowel，noryetpocketankercher，butyou’llputitoutatgoodinterest。Verywell。Now，mybrothersandsistersandfellow—sinners，Iamgoingtoconcludewithaquestion，andI’llmakeitsoplain（withthehelpoftheLord，afterfive—and—thirtyyears，Ishouldratherhope！）asthattheDevilshallnotbeabletoconfuseitinyourheads，—whichhewouldbeoverjoyedtodo。’
（’Justhisway。Craftyoldblackguard！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
’Andthequestionisthis，Aretheangelslearned？’
（’Notthey。Notabitonit！’fromBrotherGimblet，withthegreatestconfidence。）
’Notthey。Andwhere’stheproof？sentready—madebythehandoftheLord。Why，there’soneamongusherenow，thathasgotallthelearningthatcanbecrammedintohim。Igothimallthelearningthatcouldbecrammedintohim。Hisgrandfather’（thisIhadneverheardbefore）’wasabrotherofours。HewasBrotherParksop。
That’swhathewas。Parksop；BrotherParksop。HisworldlynamewasParksop，andhewasabrotherofthisbrotherhood。Thenwasn’theBrotherParksop？’
（’Mustbe。Couldn’thelphisself！’fromBrotherGimblet。）
’Well，heleftthatonenowherepresentamongustothecareofabrother—sinnerofhis（andthatbrother—sinner，mindyou，wasasinnerofabiggersizeinhistimethananyofyou；praisetheLord！），BrotherHawkyard。Me。Igothimwithoutfeeorreward，—
withoutamorselofmyrrh，orfrankincense，noryetamber，lettingalonethehoneycomb，—allthelearningthatcouldbecrammedintohim。Hasitbroughthimintoourtemple，inthespirit？No。Havewehadanyignorantbrothersandsistersthatdidn’tknowroundO
fromcrookedS，comeinamongusmeanwhile？Many。ThentheangelsareNOTlearned；thentheydon’tsomuchasknowtheiralphabet。
Andnow，myfriendsandfellow—sinners，havingbroughtittothat，perhapssomebrotherpresent—perhapsyou，BrotherGimblet—willprayabitforus？’
BrotherGimbletundertookthesacredfunction，afterhavingdrawnhissleeveacrosshismouth，andmuttered，’Well！Idon’tknowasIseemywaytohittinganyofyouquiteintherightplaceneither。’Hesaidthiswithadarksmile，andthenbegantobellow。Whatwewerespeciallytobepreservedfrom，accordingtohissolicitations，was，despoilmentoftheorphan，suppressionoftestamentaryintentionsonthepartofafatheror（say）
grandfather，appropriationoftheorphan’shouse—property，feigningtogiveincharitytothewrongedonefromwhomwewithheldhisdue；andthatclassofsins。Heendedwiththepetition，’Giveuspeace！’which，speakingformyself，wasverymuchneededaftertwentyminutesofhisbellowing。
EventhoughIhadnotseenhimwhenherosefromhisknees，steamingwithperspiration，glanceatBrotherHawkyard，andeventhoughIhadnotheardBrotherHawkyard’stoneofcongratulatinghimonthevigourwithwhichhehadroared，Ishouldhavedetectedamaliciousapplicationinthisprayer。Unformedsuspicionstoasimilareffecthadsometimespassedthroughmymindinmyearlierschool—days，andhadalwayscausedmegreatdistress；fortheywereworldlyintheirnature，andwide，verywide，ofthespiritthathaddrawnmefromSylvia。Theyweresordidsuspicions，withoutashadowofproof。Theywereworthytohaveoriginatedintheunwholesomecellar。Theywerenotonlywithoutproof，butagainstproof；forwasInotmyselfalivingproofofwhatBrotherHawkyardhaddone？andwithouthim，howshouldIeverhaveseentheskylooksorrowfullydownuponthatwretchedboyatHoghtonTowers？
AlthoughthedreadofarelapseintoastageofsavageselfishnesswaslessstronguponmeasIapproachedmanhood，andcouldactinanincreaseddegreeformyself，yetIwasalwaysonmyguardagainstanytendencytosuchrelapse。Aftergettingthesesuspicionsundermyfeet，IhadbeentroubledbynotbeingabletolikeBrotherHawkyard’smanner，orhisprofessedreligion。Soitcameabout，that，asIwalkedbackthatSundayevening，Ithoughtitwouldbeanactofreparationforanysuchinjurymystrugglingthoughtshadunwillinglydonehim，ifIwrote，andplacedinhishands，beforegoingtocollege，afullacknowledgmentofhisgoodnesstome，andanampletributeofthanks。Itmightserveasanimpliedvindicationofhimagainstanydarkscandalfromarivalbrotherandexpounder，orfromanyotherquarter。
Accordingly，Iwrotethedocumentwithmuchcare。Imayaddwithmuchfeelingtoo；foritaffectedmeasIwenton。Havingnosetstudiestopursue，inthebriefintervalbetweenleavingtheFoundationandgoingtoCambridge，Ideterminedtowalkouttohisplaceofbusiness，andgiveitintohisownhands。
Itwasawinterafternoon，whenItappedatthedoorofhislittlecounting—house，whichwasatthefartherendofhislong，lowshop。
AsIdidso（havingenteredbythebackyard，wherecasksandboxesweretakenin，andwheretherewastheinscription，’Privatewaytothecounting—house’），ashopmancalledtomefromthecounterthathewasengaged。
’BrotherGimblet’（saidtheshopman，whowasoneofthebrotherhood）’iswithhim。’
Ithoughtthisallthebetterformypurpose，andmadeboldtotapagain。Theyweretalkinginalowtone，andmoneywaspassing；forIhearditbeingcountedout。
’Whoisit？’askedBrotherHawkyard，sharply。
’GeorgeSilverman，’Ianswered，holdingthedooropen。’MayIcomein？’
BothbrothersseemedsoastoundedtoseemethatIfeltshyerthanusual。Buttheylookedquitecadaverousintheearlygaslight，andperhapsthataccidentalcircumstanceexaggeratedtheexpressionoftheirfaces。
’Whatisthematter？’askedBrotherHawkyard。
’Ay！whatisthematter？’askedBrotherGimblet。
’Nothingatall，’Isaid，diffidentlyproducingmydocument：’Iamonlythebearerofaletterfrommyself。’
’Fromyourself，George？’criedBrotherHawkyard。
’Andtoyou，’saidI。
’Andtome，George？’
Heturnedpaler，andopenedithurriedly；butlookingoverit，andseeinggenerallywhatitwas，becamelesshurried，recoveredhiscolour，andsaid，’PraisetheLord！’
’That’sit！’criedBrotherGimblet。’Wellput！Amen。’
BrotherHawkyardthensaid，inalivelierstrain，’Youmustknow，George，thatBrotherGimbletandIaregoingtomakeourtwobusinessesone。Wearegoingintopartnership。Wearesettlingitnow。BrotherGimbletistotakeoneclearhalfoftheprofits（O，yes！heshallhaveit；heshallhaveittothelastfarthing）。’
’D。V。！’saidBrotherGimblet，withhisrightfistfirmlyclinchedonhisrightleg。
’Thereisnoobjection，’pursuedBrotherHawkyard，’tomyreadingthisaloud，George？’
AsitwaswhatIexpresslydesiredshouldbedone，afteryesterday’sprayer，Imorethanreadilybeggedhimtoreaditaloud。Hedidso；andBrotherGimbletlistenedwithacrabbedsmile。
’ItwasinagoodhourthatIcamehere，’hesaid，wrinklinguphiseyes。’Itwasinagoodhour，likewise，thatIwasmovedyesterdaytodepictfortheterrorofevil—doersacharacterthedirectoppositeofBrotherHawkyard’s。ButitwastheLordthatdoneit：
IfelthimatitwhileIwasperspiring。’
AfterthatitwasproposedbybothofthemthatIshouldattendthecongregationoncemorebeforemyfinaldeparture。Whatmyshyreservewouldundergo，frombeingexpresslypreachedatandprayedat，Iknewbeforehand。ButIreflectedthatitwouldbeforthelasttime，andthatitmightaddtotheweightofmyletter。ItwaswellknowntothebrothersandsistersthattherewasnoplacetakenformeinTHEIRparadise；andifIshowedthislasttokenofdeferencetoBrotherHawkyard，notoriouslyindespiteofmyownsinfulinclinations，itmightgosomelittlewayinaidofmystatementthathehadbeengoodtome，andthatIwasgratefultohim。Merelystipulating，therefore，thatnoexpressendeavourshouldbemadeformyconversion，—whichwouldinvolvetherollingofseveralbrothersandsistersonthefloor，declaringthattheyfeltalltheirsinsinaheapontheirleftside，weighingsomanypoundsavoirdupois，asIknewfromwhatIhadseenofthoserepulsivemysteries，—Ipromised。
Sincethereadingofmyletter，BrotherGimblethadbeenatintervalswipingoneeyewithanendofhisspottedblueneckerchief，andgrinningtohimself。Itwas，however，ahabitthatbrotherhad，togrininanuglymannerevenwhenexpounding。
Icalltomindadelightedsnarlwithwhichheusedtodetailfromtheplatformthetormentsreservedforthewicked（meaningallhumancreationexceptthebrotherhood），asbeingremarkablyhideous。
Ileftthetwotosettletheirarticlesofpartnership，andcountmoney；andIneversawthemagainbutonthefollowingSunday。
BrotherHawkyarddiedwithintwoorthreeyears，leavingallhepossessedtoBrotherGimblet，invirtueofawilldated（asIhavebeentold）thatveryday。