Mydearfullybelievinghewasofferingmesomethingwithhisobligingforeignmanners，——snuffforanythingIknew，——IgavealittlebendofmyheadandIsaysifyou’llcreditit，\"NoIthankyou。Ihavenotcontractedthehabit。\"
Thegentlemanlooksperplexedandsays\"Lodgers！\"
\"Oh！\"saysIlaughing。\"Blesstheman！Whyyestobesure！\"
\"Mayitnotbeaformerlodger？\"saysthegentleman。\"Somelodgerthatyoupardonedsomerrwent？Youhavepardonedlodgerssomerrwent？\"
\"Hem！Ithashappenedsir\"saysI，\"butIassureyouIcancalltomindnogentlemanofthatdescriptionthatthisisatalllikelytobe。\"
Inshortmydear，wecouldmakenothingofit，andthegentlemannoteddownwhatIsaidandwentaway。Butheleftmethepaperofwhichhehadtwowithhim，andwhentheMajorcameinIsaystotheMajorasIputitinhishand\"Majorhere’sOldMoore’sAlmanacwiththehieroglyphiccomplete，foryouropinion。\"
IttooktheMajoralittlelongertoreadthanIshouldhavethought，judgingfromthecopiousflowwithwhichheseemedtobegiftedwhenattackingtheorgan—men，butatlasthegotthroughit，andstoodagazingatmeinamazement。
\"Major\"Isays\"you’reparalysed。\"
\"Madam\"saystheMajor，\"JemmyJackmanisdoubledup。\"
NowitdidsohappenthattheMajorhadbeenouttogetalittleinformationaboutrailroadsandsteamboats，asourboywascominghomeforhisMidsummerholidaysnextdayandweweregoingtotakehimsomewhereforatreatandachange。SowhiletheMajorstoodagazingitcameintomyheadtosaytohim\"MajorIwishyou’dgoandlookatsomeofyourbooksandmaps，andseewhereaboutsthissametownofSensisinFrance。\"
TheMajorherousedhimselfandhewentintotheParloursandhepokedaboutalittle，andhecamebacktomeandhesays，\"Sensmydearestmadamisseventy—oddmilessouthofParis。\"
WithwhatImaytrulycalladesperateeffort\"Major，\"Isays\"we’llgotherewithourblessedboy。\"
IfevertheMajorwasbesidehimselfitwasatthethoughtsofthatjourney。Alldaylonghewaslikethewildmanofthewoodsaftermeetingwithanadvertisementinthepaperstellinghimsomethingtohisadvantage，andearlynextmorninghoursbeforeJemmycouldpossiblycomehomehewasoutsideinthestreetreadytocallouttohimthatwewasallagoingtoFrance。YoungRosycheeksyoumaybelievewasaswildastheMajor，andtheydidcarryontothatdegreethatIsays\"Ifyoutwochildrenain’tmoreorderlyI’llpackyoubothofftobed。\"AndthentheyfelltocleaninguptheMajor’stelescopetoseeFrancewith，andwentoutandboughtaleatherbagwithasnaptohangroundJemmy，andhimtocarrythemoneylikealittleFortunatuswithhispurse。
IfIhadn’tpassedmywordandraisedtheirhopes，IdoubtifI
couldhavegonethroughwiththeundertakingbutitwastoolatetogobacknow。SoontheseconddayafterMidsummerDaywewentoffbythemorningmail。AndwhenwecametotheseawhichIhadneverseenbutonceinmylifeandthatwhenmypoorLirriperwascourtingme，thefreshnessofitandthedeepnessandtheairinessandtothinkthatithadbeenrollingeversinceandthatitwasalwaysarollingandsofewofusminding，mademefeelquiteserious。ButI
felthappytooandsodidJemmyandtheMajorandnotmuchmotiononthewhole，thoughmewithaswimmingintheheadandasinkingbutabletotakenoticethattheforeigninsidesappeartobeconstructedhollowerthantheEnglish，leadingtomuchmoretremenjousnoiseswhenbadsailors。
Butmydearthebluenessandthelightnessandthecolouredlookofeverythingandtheverysentry—boxesstripedandtheshiningrattlingdrumsandthelittlesoldierswiththeirwaistsandtidygaiters，whenwegotacrosstotheContinent——itmademefeelasifIdon’tknowwhat——asiftheatmospherehadbeenliftedoffme。AndastolunchwhyblessyouifIkeptaman—cookandtwokitchen—maidsIcouldn’tgotitdonefortwicethemoney，andnoinjuredyoungwomanaglaringatyouandgrudgingyouandacknowledgingyourpatronagebywishingthatyourfoodmightchokeyou，butsocivilandsohotandattentiveandeverywaycomfortableexceptJemmypouringwinedownhisthroatbytumblers—fullandmeexpectingtoseehimdropunderthetable。
AndthewayinwhichJemmyspokehisFrenchwasarealcharm。Itwasoftenwantedofhim，forwheneveranybodyspokeasyllabletomeIsays\"Non—comprenny，you’reverykind，butit’snouse——NowJemmy！\"andthenJemmyhefiresawayat’emlovely，theonlythingwantinginJemmy’sFrenchbeingasitappearedtomethathehardlyeverunderstoodawordofwhattheysaidtohimwhichmadeitscarcelyoftheuseitmighthavebeenthoughinotherrespectsaperfectNative，andregardingtheMajor’sfluencyIshouldhavebeenoftheopinionjudgingFrenchbyEnglishthattheremighthavebeenagreaterchoiceofwordsinthelanguagethoughstillImustadmitthatifIhadn’tknownhimwhenheaskedamilitarygentlemaninagraycloakwhato’clockitwasIshouldhavetookhimforaFrenchmanborn。
BeforegoingontolookaftermyLegacyweweretomakeoneregulardayinParis，andIleaveyoutojudgemydearwhatadayTHATwaswithJemmyandtheMajorandthetelescopeandmeandtheprowlingyoungmanattheinndoor（butveryciviltoo）thatwentalongwithustoshowthesights。AllalongtherailwaytoParisJemmyandtheMajorhadbeenfrighteningmetodeathbystoopingdownontheplatformsatstationstoinspecttheenginesunderneaththeirmechanicalstomachs，andbycreepinginandoutIdon’tknowwhereall，tofindimprovementsfortheUnitedGrandJunctionParlour，butwhenwegotoutintothebrilliantstreetsonabrightmorningtheygaveupalltheirLondonimprovementsasabadjobandgavetheirmindstoParis。Saystheprowlingyoungmantome\"WillIspeakInglisNo？\"SoIsays\"IfyoucanyoungmanIshalltakeitasafavour，\"butafterhalf—an—hourofitwhenIfullybelievedthemanhadgonemadandmetooIsays\"BesogoodasfallbackonyourFrenchsir，\"knowingthatthenIshouldn’thavetheagoniesoftryingtounderstandhim，whichwasahappyrelease。NotthatI
lostmuchmorethantheresteither，forIgenerallynoticedthatwhenhehaddescribedsomethingverylongindeedandIsaystoJemmy\"WhatdoeshesayJemmy？\"Jemmysayslookingwithvengeanceinhiseye\"Heissojollyindistinct！\"andthatwhenhehaddescribeditlongeralloveragainandIsaystoJemmy\"WellJemmywhat’sitallabout？\"Jemmysays\"Hesaysthebuildingwasrepairedinseventeenhundredandfour，Gran。\"
WhereverthatprowlingyoungmanformedhisprowlinghabitsIcannotbeexpectedtoknow，butthewayinwhichhewentroundthecornerwhilewehadourbreakfastsandwasthereagainwhenweswallowedthelastcrumbwasmostmarvellous，andjustthesameatdinnerandatnight，prowlingequallyatthetheatreandtheinngatewayandtheshopdoorswhenweboughtatrifleortwoandeverywhereelsebuttroubledwithatendencytospit。AndofParisIcantellyounomoremydearthanthatit’stownandcountrybothinone，andcarvedstoneandlongstreetsofhighhousesandgardensandfountainsandstatuesandtreesandgold，andimmenselybigsoldiersandimmenselylittlesoldiersandthepleasantestnurseswiththewhitestcapsaplayingatskipping—ropewiththebunchiestbabiesintheflattestcaps，andcleantable—clothsspreadeverywherefordinnerandpeoplesittingoutofdoorssmokingandsippingalldaylongandlittleplaysbeingactedintheopenairforlittlepeopleandeveryshopacompleteandelegantroom，andeverybodyseemingtoplayateverythinginthisworld。Andastothesparklinglightsmydearafterdark，glitteringhighupandlowdownandonbeforeandonbehindandallround，andthecrowdoftheatresandthecrowdofpeopleandthecrowdofallsorts，it’spureenchantment。Andprettywelltheonlythingthatgratedonmewasthatwhetheryoupayyourfareattherailwayorwhetheryouchangeyourmoneyatamoney—dealer’sorwhetheryoutakeyourticketatthetheatre，theladyorgentlemaniscagedup（Isupposebygovernment）behindthestrongestironbarshavingmoreofaZoologicalappearancethanafreecountry。
WelltobesurewhenIdidafterallgetmypreciousbonestobedthatnight，andmyYoungRoguecameintokissmeandasks\"WhatdoyouthinkofthislovelylovelyParis，Gran？\"Isays\"JemmyIfeelasifitwasbeautifulfireworksbeingletoffinmyhead。\"AndverycoolandrefreshingthepleasantcountrywasnextdaywhenwewentontolookaftermyLegacy，andrestedmemuchanddidmeadealofgood。
SoatlengthandatlastmydearwecometoSens，aprettylittletownwithagreattwo—toweredcathedralandtherooksflyinginandoutoftheloopholesandanothertoweratopofoneofthetowerslikeasortofastonepulpit。Inwhichpulpitwiththebirdsskimmingbelowhimifyou’llbelieveme，IsawaspeckwhileIwasrestingattheinnbeforedinnerwhichtheymadesignstomewasJemmyandwhichreallywas。IhadbeenafancyingasIsatinthebalconyofthehotelthatanAngelmightlightthereandcalldowntothepeopletobegood，butIlittlethoughtwhatJemmyallunknowntohimselfwasacallingdownfromthathighplacetosomeoneinthetown。
Thepleasantest—situatedinnmydear！Rightunderthetwotowers，withtheirshadowsachanginguponitalldaylikeakindofasundial，andcountrypeopledrivinginandoutofthecourtyardincartsandhoodedcabrioletsandsuchlike，andamarketoutsideinfrontofthecathedral，andallsoquaintandlikeapicter。TheMajorandmeagreedthatwhatevercameofmyLegacythiswastheplacetostayinforourholiday，andwealsoagreedthatourdearboyhadbestnotbecheckedinhisjoythatnightbythesightoftheEnglishmanifhewasstillalive，butthatwewouldgotogetherandalone。ForyouaretounderstandthattheMajornotfeelinghimselfquiteequalinhiswindtotheheighttowhichJemmyhadclimbed，hadcomebacktomeandlefthimwiththeGuide。
SoafterdinnerwhenJemmyhadsetofftoseetheriver，theMajorwentdowntotheMairie，andpresentlycamebackwithamilitarycharacterinaswordandspursandacockedhatandayellowshoulder—beltandlongtagsabouthimthathemusthavefoundinconvenient。AndtheMajorsays\"TheEnglishmanstillliesinthesamestatedearestmadam。Thisgentlemanwillconductustohislodging。\"Uponwhichthemilitarycharacterpulledoffhiscockedhattome，andItooknoticethathehadshavedhisforeheadinimitationofNapoleonBonapartebutnotlike。
WewontoutatthecourtyardgateandpastthegreatdoorsofthecathedralanddownanarrowHighStreetwherethepeopleweresittingchattingattheirshopdoorsandthechildrenwereatplay。
Themilitarycharacterwentinfrontandhestoppedatapork—shopwithalittlestatueofapigsittingup，inthewindow，andaprivatedoorthatadonkeywaslookingoutof。
Whenthedonkeysawthemilitarycharacterhecameslippingoutonthepavementtoturnroundandthenclatteredalongthepassageintoabackyard。Sothecoastbeingclear，theMajorandmewereconductedupthecommonstairandintothefrontroomonthesecond，abareroomwitharedtiledfloorandtheoutsidelatticeblindspulledclosetodarkenit。AsthemilitarycharacteropenedtheblindsIsawthetowerwhereIhadseenJemmy，darkeningasthesungotlow，andIturnedtothebedbythewallandsawtheEnglishman。
Itwassomekindofbrainfeverhehadhad，andhishairwasallgone，andsomewettedfoldedlinenlayuponhishead。Ilookedathimveryattentiveashelaythereallwastedawaywithhiseyesclosed，andIsaystotheMajor\"Ineversawthisfacebefore。\"
TheMajorlookedathimveryattentivetoo，andhesays\"Ineversawthisfacebefore。\"
WhentheMajorexplainedourwordstothemilitarycharacter，thatgentlemanshruggedhisshouldersandshowedtheMajorthecardonwhichitwaswrittenabouttheLegacyforme。Ithadbeenwrittenwithaweakandtremblinghandinbed，andIknewnomoreofthewritingthanoftheface。NeitherdidtheMajor。
Thoughlyingtherealone，thepoorcreeturwasaswelltakencareofascouldbehoped，andwouldhavebeenquiteunconsciousofanyone’ssittingbyhimthen。IgottheMajortosaythatwewerenotgoingawayatpresentandthatIwouldcomebackto—morrowandwatchabitbythebedside。ButIgothimtoadd——andIshookmyheadhardtomakeitstronger——\"Weagreethatweneversawthisfacebefore。\"
Ourboywasgreatlysurprisedwhenwetoldhimsittingoutinthebalconyinthestarlight，andheranoversomeofthosestoriesofformerLodgers，oftheMajor’sputtingdown，andaskedwasn’titpossiblethatitmightbethislodgerorthatlodger。Itwasnotpossible，andwewenttobed。
Inthemorningjustatbreakfast—timethemilitarycharactercamejinglinground，andsaidthatthedoctorthoughtfromthesignshesawtheremightbesomerallybeforetheend。SoIsaystotheMajorandJemmy，\"Youtwoboysgoandenjoyyourselves，andI’lltakemyPrayerBookandgositbythebed。\"SoIwent，andIsattheresomehours，readingaprayerforhimpoorsoulnowandthen，anditwasquiteoninthedaywhenhemovedhishand。
Hehadbeensostill，thatthemomenthemovedIknewofit，andI
pulledoffmyspectaclesandlaiddownmybookandroseandlookedathim。Frommovingonehandhebegantomoveboth，andthenhisactionwastheactionofapersongropinginthedark。Longafterhiseyeshadopened，therewasafilmoverthemandhestillfeltforhiswayoutintolight。Butbyslowdegreeshissightclearedandhishandsstopped。Hesawtheceiling，hesawthewall，hesawme。Ashissightcleared，mineclearedtoo，andwhenatlastwelookedinoneanother’sfaces，Istartedback，andIcriespassionately：
\"Oyouwickedwickedman！Yoursinhasfoundyouout！\"
ForIknewhim，themomentlifelookedoutofhiseyes，tobeMr。
Edson，Jemmy’sfatherwhohadsocruellydesertedJemmy’syoungunmarriedmotherwhohaddiedinmyarms，poortendercreetur，andleftJemmytome。
\"Youcruelwickedman！Youbadblacktraitor！\"
Withthelittlestrengthhehad，hemadeanattempttoturnoveronhiswretchedfacetohideit。Hisarmdroppedoutofthebedandhisheadwithit，andtherehelaybeforemecrushedinbodyandinmind。Surelythemiserablestsightunderthesummersun！
\"OblessedHeaven，\"Isaysacrying，\"teachmewhattosaytothisbrokenmortal！Iamapoorsinfulcreetur，andtheJudgmentisnotmine。\"
AsIliftedmyeyesuptotheclearbrightsky，IsawthehightowerwhereJemmyhadstoodabovethebirds，seeingthatverywindow；andthelastlookofthatpoorprettyyoungmotherwhenhersoulbrightenedandgotfree，seemedtoshinedownfromit。
\"Oman，man，man！\"Isays，andIwentonmykneesbesidethebed；
\"ifyourheartisrentasunderandyouaretrulypenitentforwhatyoudid，OurSaviourwillhavemercyonyouyet！\"
AsIleanedmyfaceagainstthebed，hisfeeblehandcouldjustmoveitselfenoughtotouchme。Ihopethetouchwaspenitent。Ittriedtoholdmydressandkeephold，butthefingersweretooweaktoclose。
IliftedhimbackuponthepillowsandIsaystohim：
\"Canyouhearme？\"
Helookedyes。
\"Doyouknowme？\"
Helookedyes，evenyetmoreplainly。
\"Iamnotherealone。TheMajoriswithme。YourecollecttheMajor？\"
Yes。Thatistosayhemadeoutyes，inthesamewayasbefore。
\"AndeventheMajorandIarenotalone。Mygrandson——hisgodson——
iswithus。Doyouhear？Mygrandson。\"
Thefingersmadeanothertrialtocatchmysleeve，butcouldonlycreepnearitandfall。
\"Doyouknowwhomygrandsonis？\"
Yes。
\"Ipitiedandlovedhislonelymother。WhenhismotherlayadyingIsaidtoher，’Mydear，thisbabyissenttoachildlessoldwoman。’Hehasbeenmyprideandjoyeversince。Ilovehimasdearlyasifhehaddrunkfrommybreast。Doyouasktoseemygrandsonbeforeyoudie？\"
Yes。
\"Showme，whenIleaveoffspeaking，ifyoucorrectlyunderstandwhatIsay。Hehasbeenkeptunacquaintedwiththestoryofhisbirth。Hehasnoknowledgeofit。Nosuspicionofit。IfIbringhimheretothesideofthisbed，hewillsupposeyoutobeaperfectstranger。ItismorethanIcandotokeepfromhimtheknowledgethatthereissuchwrongandmiseryintheworld；butthatitwaseversonearhiminhisinnocentcradleIhavekeptfromhim，andIdokeepfromhim，andIeverwillkeepfromhim，forhismother’ssake，andforhisown。\"
Heshowedmethathedistinctlyunderstood，andthetearsfellfromhiseyes。
\"Nowrest，andyoushallseehim。\"
SoIgothimalittlewineandsomebrandy，andIputthingsstraightabouthisbed。ButIbegantobetroubledinmymindlestJemmyandtheMajormightbetoolongofcomingback。Whatwiththisoccupationformythoughtsandhands，Ididn’thearafootuponthestairs，andwasstartledwhenIsawtheMajorstoppedshortinthemiddleoftheroombytheeyesofthemanuponthebed，andknowinghimthen，asIhadknownhimalittlewhileago。
TherewasangerintheMajor’sface，andtherewashorrorandrepugnanceandIdon’tknowwhat。SoIwentuptohimandIledhimtothebedside，andwhenIclaspedmyhandsandliftedofthemup，theMajordidthelike。
\"OLord\"Isays\"ThouknowestwhatwetwosawtogetherofthesufferingsandsorrowsofthatyoungcreeturnowwithThee。Ifthisdyingmanistrulypenitent，wetwotogetherhumblyprayTheetohavemercyonhim！\"
TheMajorsays\"Amen！\"andthenafteralittlestopIwhispershim，\"Dearoldfriendfetchourbelovedboy。\"AndtheMajor，socleverastohavegottounderstanditallwithoutbeingtoldaword，wentawayandbroughthim。
NevernevernevershallIforgetthefairbrightfaceofourboywhenhestoodatthefootofthebed，lookingathisunknownfather。
AndOsolikehisdearyoungmotherthen！
\"Jemmy\"Isays，\"Ihavefoundoutallaboutthispoorgentlemanwhoissoill，andhedidlodgeintheoldhouseonce。Andashewantstoseeallbelongingtoit，nowthatheispassingaway，Isentforyou。\"
\"Ahpoorman！\"saysJemmysteppingforwardandtouchingoneofhishandswithgreatgentleness。\"Myheartmeltsforhim。Poor，poorman！\"
Theeyesthatweresosoontocloseforeverturnedtome，andIwasnotthatstrongintheprideofmystrengththatIcouldresistthem。
\"Mydarlingboy，thereisareasoninthesecrethistoryofthisfellow—creeturlyingasthebestandworstofusmustalllieoneday，whichIthinkwouldeasehisspiritinhislasthourifyouwouldlayyourcheekagainsthisforeheadandsay，’MayGodforgiveyou！’\"
\"OGran，\"saysJemmywithafullheart，\"Iamnotworthy！\"Butheleaneddownanddidit。Thenthefalteringfingersmadeouttocatchholdofmysleeveatlast，andIbelievehewasa—tryingtokissmewhenhedied。
***
Theremydear！ThereyouhavethestoryofmyLegacyinfull，andit’sworthtentimesthetroubleIhavespentuponitifyouarepleasedtolikeit。
YoumightsupposethatitsetusagainstthelittleFrenchtownofSens，butnowedidn’tfindthat。IfoundmyselfthatIneverlookedupatthehightoweratopoftheothertower，butthedayscamebackagainwhenthatfairyoungcreeturwithherprettybrighthairtrustedinmelikeamother，andtherecollectionmadetheplacesopeacefultomeasIcan’texpress。AndeverysoulaboutthehoteldowntothepigeonsinthecourtyardmadefriendswithJemmyandtheMajor，andwentlumberingawaywiththemonallsortsofexpeditionsinallsortsofvehiclesdrawnbyrampagiouscart—
horses，——withheadsandwithout，——mudforpaintandropesforharness，——andeverynewfrienddressedinbluelikeabutcher，andeverynewhorsestandingonhishindlegswantingtodevourandconsumeeveryotherhorse，andeverymanthathadawhiptocrackcrack—crack—crack—crack—crackingitasifitwasaschoolboywithhisfirst。AstotheMajormydearthatmanlivedthegreaterpartofhistimewithalittletumblerinonehandandabottleofsmallwineintheother，andwheneverhesawanybodyelsewithalittletumbler，nomatterwhoitwas，——themilitarycharacterwiththetags，ortheinn—servantsattheirsupperinthecourtyard，ortownspeopleachattingonabench，orcountrypeopleastartinghomeaftermarket，——downrushestheMajortoclinkhisglassagainsttheirglassesandcry，——Hola！ViveSomebody！orViveSomething！asifhewasbesidehimself。AndthoughIcouldnotquiteapproveoftheMajor’sdoingit，stillthewaysoftheworldarethewaysoftheworldvaryingaccordingtothedifferentpartsofit，anddancingatallintheopenSquarewithaladythatkeptabarber’sshopmyopinionisthattheMajorwasrighttodancehisbestandtoleadoffwithapowerthatIdidnotthinkwasinhim，thoughIwasalittleuneasyattheBarricadingsoundofthecriesthatweresetupbytheotherdancersandtherestofthecompany，untilwhenI
says\"WhataretheyevercallingoutJemmy？\"Jemmysays，\"They’recallingoutGran，BravotheMilitaryEnglish！BravotheMilitaryEnglish！\"whichwasverygratifyingtomyfeelingsasaBritonandbecamethenametheMajorwasknownby。
Buteveryeveningataregulartimeweallthreesatoutinthebalconyofthehotelattheendofthecourtyard，lookingupatthegoldenandrosylightasitchangedonthegreattowers，andlookingattheshadowsofthetowersastheychangedonallaboutusourselvesincluded，andwhatdoyouthinkwedidthere？Mydear，ifJemmyhadn’tbroughtsomeotherofthosestoriesoftheMajor’stakingdownfromthetellingofformerlodgersatEighty—oneNorfolkStreet，andifhedidn’tbring’emoutwiththisspeech：
\"HereyouareGran！Hereyouaregodfather！Moreof’em！I’llread。Andthoughyouwrote’emforme，godfather，Iknowyouwon’tdisapproveofmymaking’emovertoGran；willyou？\"
\"No，mydearboy，\"saystheMajor。\"Everythingwehaveishers，andwearehers。\"
\"HerseveraffectionatelyanddevotedlyJ。Jackman，andJ。JackmanLirriper，\"criestheYoungRoguegivingmeaclosehug。\"Verywellthengodfather。Lookhere。AsGranisintheLegacywayjustnow，IshallmakethesestoriesapartofGran’sLegacy。I’llleave’emtoher。Whatdoyousaygodfather？\"
\"HiphipHurrah！\"saystheMajor。
\"Verywellthen，\"criesJemmyallinabustle。\"VivetheMilitaryEnglish！VivetheLadyLirriper！VivetheJemmyJackmanDitto！
VivetheLegacy！Now，youlookout，Gran。Andyoulookout，godfather。I’LLread！AndI’lltellyouwhatI’lldobesides。Onthelastnightofourholidayherewhenweareallpackedandgoingaway，I’lltopupwithsomethingofmyown。\"
\"Mindyoudosir\"saysI。
CHAPTERII——MRS。LIRRIPERRELATESHOWJEMMYTOPPEDUP
WellmydearandsotheeveningreadingsofthosejottingsoftheMajor’sbroughtusroundatlasttotheeveningwhenwewereallpackedandgoingawaynextday，andIdoassureyouthatbythattimethoughitwasdeliciouslycomfortabletolookforwardtothedearoldhouseinNorfolkStreetagain，IhadformedquiteahighopinionoftheFrenchnationandhadnoticedthemtobemuchmorehomelyanddomesticintheirfamiliesandfarmoresimpleandamiableintheirlivesthanIhadeverbeenledtoexpect，anditdidstrikemebetweenourselvesthatinoneparticulartheymightbeimitatedtoadvantagebyanothernationwhichIwillnotmention，andthatisinthecouragewithwhichtheytaketheirlittleenjoymentsonlittlemeansandwithlittlethingsanddon’tletsolemnbig—wigsstarethemoutofcountenanceorspeechifythemdull，ofwhichsaidsolemnbig—wigsIhaveeverhadtheoneopinionthatIwishtheywereallmadecomfortableseparatelyincopperswiththelidsonandneverletoutanymore。
\"Nowyoungman，\"IsaystoJemmywhenwebroughtourchairsintothebalconythatlastevening，\"youpleasetorememberwhowasto’topup。’\"
\"AllrightGran\"saysJemmy。\"Iamtheillustriouspersonage。\"
Buthelookedsoseriousafterhehadmademethatlightanswer，thattheMajorraisedhiseyebrowsatmeandIraisedmineattheMajor。
\"Granandgodfather，\"saysJemmy，\"youcanhardlythinkhowmuchmymindhasrunonMr。Edson’sdeath。\"
Itgavemealittlecheck。\"Ah！itwasasadscenemylove\"Isays，\"andsadremembrancescomebackstrongerthanmerry。Butthis\"I
saysafteralittlesilence，torousemyselfandtheMajorandJemmyalltogether，\"isnottoppingup。Tellusyourstorymydear。\"
\"Iwill\"saysJemmy。
\"Whatisthedatesir？\"saysI。\"Onceuponatimewhenpigsdrankwine？\"
\"NoGran，\"saysJemmy，stillserious；\"onceuponatimewhentheFrenchdrankwine。\"
AgainIglancedattheMajor，andtheMajorglancedatme。
\"Inshort，Granandgodfather，\"saysJemmy，lookingup，\"thedateisthistime，andI’mgoingtotellyouMr。Edson’sstory。\"
Theflutterthatitthrewmeinto。ThechangeofcolouronthepartoftheMajor！
\"Thatistosay，youunderstand，\"ourbright—eyedboysays，\"Iamgoingtogiveyoumyversionofit。Ishallnotaskwhetherit’srightornot，firstlybecauseyousaidyouknewverylittleaboutit，Gran，andsecondlybecausewhatlittleyoudidknowwasasecret。\"
IfoldedmyhandsinmylapandInevertookmyeyesoffJemmyashewentrunningon。
\"Theunfortunategentleman\"Jemmycommences，\"whoisthesubjectofourpresentnarrativewasthesonofSomebody，andwasbornSomewhere，andchoseaprofessionSomehow。Itisnotwiththosepartsofhiscareerthatwehavetodeal；butwithhisearlyattachmenttoayoungandbeautifullady。\"
IthoughtIshouldhavedropped。Idurstn’tlookattheMajor；butIknowwhathisstatewas，withoutlookingathim。
\"Thefatherofourill—starredhero\"saysJemmy，copyingasitseemedtomethestyleofsomeofhisstory—books，\"wasaworldlymanwhoentertainedambitiousviewsforhisonlysonandwhofirmlysethisfaceagainstthecontemplatedalliancewithavirtuousbutpennilessorphan。Indeedhewentsofarasroundlytoassureourherothatunlessheweanedhisthoughtsfromtheobjectofhisdevotedaffection，hewoulddisinherithim。Atthesametime，heproposedasasuitablematchthedaughterofaneighbouringgentlemanofagoodestate，whowasneitherill—favourednorunamiable，andwhoseeligibilityinapecuniarypointofviewcouldnotbedisputed。ButyoungMr。Edson，truetothefirstandonlylovethathadinflamedhisbreast，rejectedallconsiderationsofself—advancement，and，deprecatinghisfather’sangerinarespectfulletter，ranawaywithher。\"
MydearIhadbeguntotakeaturnforthebetter，butwhenitcometorunningawayIbegantotakeanotherturnfortheworse。
\"Thelovers\"saysJemmy\"fledtoLondonandwereunitedatthealtarofSaintClement’sDanes。Anditisatthisperiodoftheirsimplebuttouchingstorythatwefindtheminmatesofthedwellingofahighly—respectedandbelovedladyofthenameofGran，residingwithinahundredmilesofNorfolkStreet。\"
Ifeltthatwewerealmostsafenow，Ifeltthatthedearboyhadnosuspicionofthebittertruth，andIlookedattheMajorforthefirsttimeanddrewalongbreath。TheMajorgavemeanod。
\"Ourhero’sfather\"Jemmygoeson\"provingimplacableandcarryinghisthreatintounrelentingexecution，thestrugglesoftheyoungcoupleinLondonweresevere，andwouldhavebeenfarmoreso，butfortheirgoodangel’shavingconductedthemtotheabodeofMrs。
Gran；who，diviningtheirpoverty（inspiteoftheirendeavourstoconcealitfromher），byathousanddelicateartssmoothedtheirroughway，andalleviatedthesharpnessoftheirfirstdistress。\"
HereJemmytookoneofmyhandsinoneofhis，andbeganamarkingtheturnsofhisstorybymakingmegiveabeatfromtimetotimeuponhisotherhand。
\"Afterawhile，theyleftthehouseofMrs。Gran，andpursuedtheirfortunesthroughavarietyofsuccessesandfailureselsewhere。Butinallreverses，whetherforgoodorevil，thewordsofMr。Edsontothefairyoungpartnerofhislifewere，’UnchangingLoveandTruthwillcarryusthroughall！’\"
Myhandtrembledinthedearboy’s，thosewordsweresowofullyunlikethefact。
\"UnchangingLoveandTruth\"saysJemmyoveragain，asifhehadaproudkindofanoblepleasureinit，\"willcarryusthroughall！
Thosewerehiswords。Andsotheyfoughttheirway，poorbutgallantandhappy，untilMrs。Edsongavebirthtoachild。\"
\"Adaughter，\"Isays。
\"No，\"saysJemmy，\"ason。Andthefatherwassoproudofitthathecouldhardlybearitoutofhissight。Butadarkcloudoverspreadthescene。Mrs。Edsonsickened，drooped，anddied。\"
\"Ah！Sickened，drooped，anddied！\"Isays。
\"AndsoMr。Edson’sonlycomfort，onlyhopeonearth，andonlystimulustoaction，washisdarlingboy。Asthechildgrewolder，hegrewsolikehismotherthathewasherlivingpicture。Itusedtomakehimwonderwhyhisfathercriedwhenhekissedhim。Butunhappilyhewaslikehismotherinconstitutionaswellasinface，andlo，diedtoobeforehehadgrownoutofchildhood。ThenMr。
Edson，whohadgoodabilities，inhisforlornnessanddespair，threwthemalltothewinds。Hebecameapathetic，reckless，lost。Littlebylittlehesankdown，down，down，down，untilatlasthealmostlived（Ithink）bygaming。AndsosicknessovertookhiminthetownofSensinFrance，andhelaydowntodie。Butnowthathelaidhimdownwhenallwasdone，andlookedbackuponthegreenPastbeyondthetimewhenhehadcovereditwithashes，hethoughtgratefullyofthegoodMrs。Granlonglostsightof，whohadbeensokindtohimandhisyoungwifeintheearlydaysoftheirmarriage，andheleftthelittlethathehadasalastLegacytoher。Andshe，beingbroughttoseehim，atfirstnomoreknewhimthanshewouldknowfromseeingtheruinofaGreekorRomanTemple，whatitusedtobebeforeitfell；butatlengthsherememberedhim。Andthenhetoldher，withtears，ofhisregretforthemisspentpartofhislife，andbesoughthertothinkasmildlyofitasshecould，becauseitwasthepoorfallenAngelofhisunchangingLoveandConstancyafterall。Andbecauseshehadhergrandsonwithher，andhefanciedthathisownboy，ifhehadlived，mighthavegrowntobesomethinglikehim，heaskedhertolethimtouchhisforeheadwithhischeekandsaycertainpartingwords。\"
Jemmy’svoicesanklowwhenitgottothat，andtearsfilledmyeyes，andfilledtheMajor’s。
\"YoulittleConjurer\"Isays，\"howdidyouevermakeitallout？Goinandwriteiteveryworddown，forit’sawonder。\"
WhichJemmydid，andIhaverepeatedittoyoumydearfromhiswriting。
ThentheMajortookmyhandandkissedit，andsaid，\"Dearestmadamallhasprosperedwithus。\"
\"AhMajor\"Isaysdryingmyeyes，\"weneedn’thavebeenafraid。Wemighthaveknownit。Treacherydon’tcomenaturaltobeamingyouth；
buttrustandpity，loveandconstancy，——theydo，thankGod！\"