Contents
TotheGentleReaderInRemembranceofJohnIngerfieldandofAnne，hisWifeTheWomanoftheSaeterVarietyPatterSilhouettesTheLeaseofthe\"CrossKeys\"
TOTHEGENTLEREADER；
alsoTOTHEGENTLECRITIC。
Onceuponatime，Iwrotealittlestoryofawomanwhowascrushedtodeathbyapython。Adayortwoafteritspublication，afriendstoppedmeinthestreet。\"Charminglittlestoryofyours，\"hesaid，\"thataboutthewomanandthesnake；butit’snotasfunnyassomeofyourthings!\"Thenextweek，anewspaper，referringtothetale，remarked，\"Wehaveheardtheincidentrelatedbeforewithinfinitelygreaterhumour。\"
Withthis——andmanysimilarexperiences——inmind，Iwishdistinctlytostatethat\"JohnIngerfield，\"\"TheWomanoftheSaeter，\"and\"Silhouettes，\"arenotintendedtobeamusing。Thetwootheritems——
\"VarietyPatter，\"and\"TheLeaseoftheCrossKeys\"——Igiveovertothecriticsofthenewhumourtorendastheywill；but\"JohnIngerfield，\"\"TheWomanoftheSaeter，\"and\"Silhouettes，\"Irepeat，Ishouldbegladiftheywouldjudgefromsomeotherstandpointthanthatofhumour，neworold。
INREMEMBRANCEOFJOHNINGERFIELDANDOFANNE，HISWIFE
ASTORYOFOLDLONDON，INTWOCHAPTERS
CHAPTERI。
IfyoutaketheUndergroundRailwaytoWhitechapelRoad（theEaststation），andfromtheretakeoneoftheyellowtramcarsthatstartfromthatpoint，andgodowntheCommercialRoad，pasttheGeorge，infrontofwhichstarts——orusedtostand——ahighflagstaff，atthebaseofwhichsits——orusedtosit——anelderlyfemalepurveyorofpigs’trottersatthree—ha’penceapiece，untilyoucometowherearailwayarchcrossestheroadobliquely，andtheregetdownandturntotherightupanarrow，noisystreetleadingtotheriver，andthentotherightagainupastillnarrowerstreet，whichyoumayknowbyitshavingapublic—houseatonecorner（asisinthenatureofthings）andamarinestore—dealer’sattheother，outsidewhichstrangelystiffandunaccommodatinggarmentsofgiganticsizeflutterghost—likeinthewind，youwillcometoadingyrailed—inchurchyard，surroundedonallsidesbycheerless，many—peopledhouses。Sad—lookinglittleoldhousestheyare，inspiteofthetumultoflifeabouttheireveropendoors。Theyandtheancientchurchintheirmidstseemwearyoftheceaselessjanglearoundthem。
Perhaps，standingthereforsomanyyears，listeningtothelongsilenceofthedead，thefretfulvoicesofthelivingsoundfoolishintheirears。
Peeringthroughtherailingsonthesidenearesttheriver，youwillseebeneaththeshadowofthesoot—grimedchurch’ssoot—grimedporch—
—thatis，ifthesunhappen，byrarechance，tobestrongenoughtocastanyshadowatallinthatregionofgreylight——acuriouslyhighandnarrowheadstonethatoncewaswhiteandstraight，nottotteringandbentwithageasitisnow。Thereisuponthisstoneacarvinginbas—relief，asyouwillseeforyourselfifyouwillmakeyourwaytoitthroughthegatewayontheoppositesideofthesquare。Itrepresents，sofarascanbemadeout，foritismuchwornbytimeanddirt，afigurelyingonthegroundwithanotherfigurebendingoverit，whileatalittledistancestandsathirdobject。Butthislastissoindistinctthatitmightbealmostanything，fromanangeltoapost。
Andbelowthecarvingarethewords（alreadyhalfobliterated）thatI
haveusedforthetitleofthisstory。
ShouldyoueverwanderofaSundaymorningwithinsoundofthecrackedbellthatcallsafewhabit—bound，old—fashionedfolktoworshipwithinthosedamp—stainedwalls，anddropintotalkwiththeoldmenwhoonsuchdayssometimessit，eachinhisbrass—buttonedlongbrowncoat，uponthelowstonecopingunderneaththosebrokenrailings，youmighthearthistalefromthem，asIdid，moreyearsagothanIcaretorecollect。
Butlestyoudonotchoosetogotoallthistrouble，orlesttheoldmenwhocouldtellityouhavegrowntiredofalltalk，andarenottoberousedeveragainintothetellingoftales，andyouyetwishforthestory，Iwillheresetitdownforyou。
ButIcannotrecountittoyouastheytoldittome，fortomeitwasonlyatalethatIheardandremembered，thinkingtotellitagainforprofit，whiletothemitwasathingthathadbeen，andthethreadsofitwereinterwovenwiththewoofoftheirownlife。Astheytalked，facesthatIdidnotseepassedbyamongthecrowdandturnedandlookedatthem，andvoicesthatIdidnothearspoketothembelowtheclamourofthestreet，sothatthroughtheirthinpipingvoicestherequiveredthedeepmusicoflifeanddeath，andmytalemustbetotheirsbutasagossip’schattertothestoryofhimwhosebreasthasfeltthepressofbattle。
JohnIngerfield，oilandtallowrefiner，ofLavenderWharf，Limehouse，comesofahard—headed，hard—fistedstock。ThefirstoftheracethattheeyeofRecord，piercingthedeepeningmistsuponthecenturiesbehindher，isabletodiscernwithanyclearnessisalong—haired，sea—bronzedpersonage，whommencallvariouslyIngeorUnger。OutofthewildNorthSeahehascome。Recordobserveshim，oneofasmall，fiercegroup，standingonthesandsofdesolateNorthumbria，staringlandward，hisworldlywealthuponhisback。
Thisconsistsofatwo—handedbattle—axe，valueperhapssomefortystycasinthecurrencyofthetime。Acarefulman，withbusinesscapabilities，may，however，manipulateasmallcapitaltogreatadvantage。Inwhatwouldappear，tothoseaccustomedtoourslowmodernmethods，anincrediblyshortspaceoftime，Inge’stwo—handedbattle—axehasdevelopedintowidelandsandmanyheadofcattle；
whichlattercontinuetomultiplywitharapiditybeyondthedreamsofpresent—daybreeders。Inge’sdescendantswouldseemtohaveinheritedthegeniusoftheirancestor，fortheyprosperandtheirworldlygoodsincrease。Theyareamoney—makingrace。Inalltimes，outofallthings，byallmeans，theymakemoney。Theyfightformoney，marryformoney，liveformoney，arereadytodieformoney。
InthedayswhenthemostsaleableandthehighestpricedarticleinthemarketsofEuropewasastrongarmandacoolhead，theneachIngerfield（as\"Inge，\"longrootedinYorkshiresoil，hadgrownorbeencorruptedto）wasasoldieroffortune，andofferedhisstrongarmandhiscoolheadtothehighestbidder。Theyfoughtfortheirprice，andtheytookgoodcarethattheyobtainedtheirprice；but，thepricesettled，theyfoughtwell，fortheywerestaunchmenandtrue，accordingtotheirlights，thoughtheselightsmayhavebeenplacedsomewhatlowdown，neartheearth。
Thenfollowedthedayswhenthechiefrichesoftheworldlaytossedfordaringhandstograspuponthebosomofthesea，andthesleepingspiritoftheoldNorseRoverstirredintheirveins，andtheliltofawildsea—songtheyhadneverheardkeptringingintheirears；andtheybuiltthemshipsandsailedfortheSpanishMain，andwonmuchwealth，aswastheirwont。
Lateron，whenCivilisationbegantolaydownandenforcesternerrulesforthegameoflife，andpeacefulmethodspromisedtoprovemoreprofitablethanviolent，theIngerfieldsbecametradersandmerchantsofgravemienandsoberlife；fortheirambitionfromgenerationtogenerationremainseverthesame，theirvariouscallingsbeingbutmeanstoanend。
Ahard，sternraceofmentheywouldseemtohavebeen，butjust——sofarastheyunderstoodjustice。Theyhavethereputationofhavingbeengoodhusbands，fathers，andmasters；butonecannothelpthinkingofthemasmorerespectedthanloved。
Theywerementoexacttheuttermostfarthingduetothem，yetnotwithoutasenseofthethingduefromthem，theirowndutyandresponsibility——nay，notaltogetherwithouttheirmomentsofheroism，whichisthedutyofgreatmen。HistoryrelateshowacertainCaptainIngerfield，returningwithmuchtreasurefromtheWestIndies——howacquireditwere，perhaps，bestnottoinquiretooclosely——isoverhauleduponthehighseasbyKing’sfrigate。CaptainofKing’sfrigatesendspolitemessagetoCaptainIngerfieldrequestinghimtobesokindastopromptlyhandoveracertainmemberofhisship’scompany，who，bysomemeansoranother，hasmadehimselfobjectionabletoKing’sfriends，inorderthathe（thesaidobjectionableperson）maybeforthwithhangedfromtheyard—arm。
CaptainIngerfieldreturnspoliteanswertoCaptainofKing’sfrigatethathe（CaptainIngerfield）will，withmuchpleasure，hanganymemberofhisship’scompanythatneedshanging，butthatneithertheKingofEnglandnoranyoneelseonGodAlmighty’sseaisgoingtodoitforhim。CaptainofKing’sfrigatesendsbackwordthatifobjectionablepersonbenotatoncegivenupheshallbecompelledwithmuchregrettosendIngerfieldandhisshiptothebottomoftheAtlantic。RepliesCaptainIngerfield，\"ThatisjustwhathewillhavetodobeforeIgiveuponeofmypeople，\"andfightsthebigfrigate——fightsitsofiercelythatafterthreehoursCaptainofKing’sfrigatethinksitwillbegoodtotryargumentagain，andsendsthereforeafurthermessage，courteouslyacknowledgingCaptainIngerfield’scourageandskill，andsuggestingthat，hehavingdonesufficienttovindicatehishonourandrenown，itwouldbepolitictonowhandovertheunimportantcauseofcontention，andsoescapewithhistreasure。
\"TellyourCaptain，\"shoutsbackthisIngerfield，whohasdiscoveredtherearesweeterthingstofightforthanevenmoney，\"thattheWildGoosehasflowntheseaswithherbellyfulloftreasurebeforenow，andwill，ifitbeGod’spleasure，sodoagain，butthatmasterandmaninhersailtogether，fighttogether，anddietogether。\"
WhereuponKing’sfrigatepoundsawaymorevigorouslythanever，andsucceedseventuallyincarryingoutherthreat。DowngoestheWildGoose，herlastchaseended——downshegoeswithaplunge，spitforemostwithhercoloursflying；anddownwithhergoeseverymanleftstandingonherdecks；andatthebottomoftheAtlantictheylietothisday，masterandmansidebyside，keepingguardupontheirtreasure。
Whichincident，anditiswellauthenticated，goesfartoprovethattheIngerfields，hardmenandgraspingmenthoughtheybe——mencaringmoreforthegettingofmoneythanforthegettingoflove——lovingmorethecoldgripofgoldthanthegripofkithorkin，yetbearburiedintheirheartstheseedsofanoblermanhood，forwhich，however，thebarrensoiloftheirambitionaffordsscantnourishment。
TheJohnIngerfieldofthisstoryisamanverytypicalofhisrace。
Hehasdiscoveredthattheoilandtallowrefiningbusiness，thoughnotapleasantone，isanexceedinglylucrativeone。ThesearethegooddayswhenGeorgetheThirdisking，andLondonisrapidlybecomingacityofbrightnight。Tallowandoilandallmaterialsakintheretoareinever—growingrequest，andyoungJohnIngerfieldbuildshimselfalargerefininghouseandwarehouseinthegrowingsuburbofLimehouse，whichliesbetweentheteemingriverandthequietfields，gathersmanypeopleroundabouthim，putshisstrongheartintohiswork，andprospers。
Allthedaysofhisyouthhelaboursandgarners，andlaysoutandgarnersyetagain。Inearlymiddleagehefindshimselfawealthyman。Thechiefbusinessoflife，thegettingofmoney，ispracticallydone；hisenterpriseisfirmlyestablished，andwillcontinuetogrowwitheverlessneedofhusbandry。Itistimeforhimtothinkaboutthesecondarybusinessoflife，thegettingtogetherofawifeandhome，fortheIngerfieldshaveeverbeengoodcitizens，worthyheadsoffamilies，openhandedhosts，makingabraveshowamongfriendsandneighbours。
JohnIngerfield，sittinginhisstiff，high—backedchair，inhisstiffly，butsolidly，furnisheddining—room，abovehiscounting—
house，sippingslowlyhisoneglassofport，takescounselwithhimself。
Whatshallshebe？
Heisrich，andcanaffordagoodarticle。Shemustbeyoungandhandsome，fittogracethefinehousehewilltakeforherinfashionableBloomsbury，farfromtheodourandtouchofoilandtallow。Shemustbewellbred，withagracious，noblemanner，thatwillcharmhisguestsandreflecthonourandcredituponhimself；shemust，aboveall，beofgoodfamily，withagenealogicaltreesufficientlyumbrageoustohideLavenderWharffromtheeyesofSociety。
Whatelseshemayormaynotbehedoesnotverymuchcare。Shewill，ofcourse，bevirtuousandmoderatelypious，asitisfitandproperthatwomenshouldbe。Itwillalsobewellthatherdispositionbegentleandyielding，butthatisofminorimportance，atalleventssofarasheisconcerned：theIngerfieldhusbandsarenottheclassofmenuponwhomwivesventtheirtempers。
HavingdecidedinhismindWHATsheshallbe，heproceedstodiscusswithhimselfWHOsheshallbe。Hissocialcircleissmall。
Methodically，inthought，hemakestheentireroundofit，mentallyscrutinisingeverymaidenthatheknows。Somearecharming，somearefair，somearerich；butnooneofthemapproachesneartohiscarefullyconsideredideal。
Hekeepsthesubjectinhismind，andmusesonitintheintervalsofbusiness。Atoddmomentshejotsdownnamesastheyoccurtohimuponaslipofpaper，whichhepinsforthepurposeontheinsideofthecoverofhisdesk。Hearrangesthemalphabetically，andwhenitisascompleteashismemorycanmakeit，hegoescriticallydownthelist，makingafewnotesagainsteach。Asaresult，itbecomescleartohimthathemustseekamongstrangersforhiswife。
Hehasafriend，orratheranacquaintance，anoldschool—fellow，whohasdevelopedintooneofthosecurioussocialfliesthatinallagesaretobemetwithbuzzingcontentedlywithinthemostexclusivecircles，andconcerningwhom，seeingthattheyareneitherrarenorrich，norextraordinarilyclevernorwellborn，onewonders\"howthedeviltheygotthere!\"Meetingthismanbychanceoneafternoon，helinkshisarminhisandinviteshimhometodinner。
Sosoonastheyareleftalone，withthewalnutsandwinebetweenthem，JohnIngerfieldsays，thoughtfullycrackingahardnutbetweenhisfingers—
\"Will，I’mgoingtogetmarried。\"
\"Excellentidea——delightedtohearit，I’msure，\"repliesWill，somewhatlessinterestedintheinformationthaninthedelicatelyflavouredMadeiraheislovinglysipping。\"Who’sthelady？\"
\"Idon’tknow，yet，\"isJohnIngerfield’sanswer。
Hisfriendglancesslylyathimoverhisglass，notsurewhetherheisexpectedtobeamusedorsympatheticallyhelpful。
\"Iwantyoutofindoneforme。\"
WillCathcartputsdownhisglassandstaresathishostacrossthetable。
\"Shouldbedelightedtohelpyou，Jack，\"hestammers，inanalarmedtone——\"’ponmysoulIshould；butreallydon’tknowadamnedwomanI
couldrecommend——’ponmysoulIdon’t。\"
\"Youmustseeagoodmany：Iwishyou’dlookoutforonethatyouCOULDrecommend。\"
\"CertainlyIwill，mydearJack!\"answerstheother，inarelievedvoice。\"Neverthoughtabout’eminthatwaybefore。DaresayIshallcomeacrosstheverygirltosuityou。I’llkeepmyeyesopenandletyouknow。\"
\"Ishallbeobligedtoyouifyouwill，\"repliesJohnIngerfield，quietly；\"andit’syourturn，Ithink，toobligeme，Will。Ihaveobligedyou，ifyourecollect。\"
\"Shallneverforgetit，mydearJack，\"murmursWill，alittleuneasily。\"Itwasuncommonlygoodofyou。Yousavedmefromruin，Jack：shallthinkaboutittomydyingday——’ponmysoulIshall。\"
\"Noneedtoletitworryyouforsolongaperiodasthat，\"returnsJohn，withthefaintestsuspicionofasmileplayingroundhisfirmmouth。\"Thebillfallsdueattheendofnextmonth。Youcandischargethedebtthen，andthematterwillbeoffyourmind。\"
Willfindshischairgrowinguncomfortableunderhim，whiletheMadeirasomehowlosesitsflavour。Hegivesashort，nervouslaugh。
\"ByJove，\"hesays：\"sosoonasthat？Thedatehadquiteslippedmymemory。\"
\"FortunatethatIremindedyou，\"saysJohn，thesmileroundhislipsdeepening。
Willfidgetsonhisseat。\"I’mafraid，mydearJack，\"hesays，\"I
shallhavetogetyoutorenewit，justforamonthortwo，——deucedawkwardthing，butI’mremarkablyshortofmoneythisyear。Truthis，Ican’tgetwhat’sowingtomyself。\"
\"That’sveryawkward，certainly，\"replieshisfriend，\"becauseIamnotatallsurethatIshallbeabletorenewit。\"
Willstaresathiminsomealarm。\"ButwhatamItodoifIhav’n’tthemoney？\"
JohnIngerfieldshrugshisshoulders。
\"Youdon’tmean，mydearJack，thatyouwouldputmeinprison？\"
\"Whynot？Otherpeoplehavetogotherewhocan’tpaytheirdebts。\"
WillCathcart’salarmgrowstoseriousproportions。\"Butourfriendship，\"hecries，\"our——\"
\"MydearWill，\"interruptstheother，\"therearefewfriendsIwouldlendthreehundredpoundstoandmakenoefforttogetitback。You，certainly，arenotoneofthem。\"
\"Letusmakeabargain，\"hecontinues。\"Findmeawife，andonthedayofmymarriageIwillsendyoubackthatbillwith，perhaps，acoupleofhundredadded。Ifbytheendofnextmonthyouhavenotintroducedmetoaladyfittobe，andwillingtobe，Mrs。JohnIngerfield，Ishalldeclinetorenewit。\"
JohnIngerfieldrefillshisownglassandhospitablypushesthebottletowardshisguest——who，however，contrarytohiscustom，takesnonoticeofit，butstareshardathisshoe—buckles。
\"Areyouserious？\"hesaysatlength。
\"Quiteserious，\"istheanswer。\"Iwanttomarry。Mywifemustbealadybybirthandeducation。Shemustbeofgoodfamily——offamilysufficientlygood，indeed，tocompensatefortherefinery。Shemustbeyoungandbeautifulandcharming。Iampurelyabusinessman。I
wantawomancapableofconductingthesocialdepartmentofmylife。
Iknowofnosuchladymyself。Iappealtoyou，becauseyou，Iknow，areintimatewiththeclassamongwhomshemustbesought。\"
\"Theremaybesomedifficultyinpersuadingaladyoftherequiredqualificationstoacceptthesituation，\"saysCathcart，withatouchofmalice。
\"Iwantyoutofindonewhowill，\"saysJohnIngerfield。
EarlyintheeveningWillCathcarttakesleaveofhishost，anddepartsthoughtfulandanxious；andJohnIngerfieldstrollscontemplativelyupanddownhiswharf，forthesmellofoilandtallowhasgrowntobeverysweettohim，anditispleasanttowatchthemoonbeamsshiningonthepiled—upcasks。
Sixweeksgoby。OnthefirstdayoftheseventhJohntakesWillCathcart’sacceptancefromitsplaceinthelargesafe，andlaysitinthesmallerboxbesidehisdesk，devotedtomorepressingandimmediatebusiness。TwodayslaterCathcartpickshiswayacrosstheslimyyard，passesthroughthecounting—house，andentershisfriend’sinnersanctum，closingthedoorbehindhim。
Hewearsajubilantair，andslapsthegraveJohnontheback。\"I’vegother，Jack，\"hecries。\"It’sbeenhardwork，Icantellyou：
soundingsuspiciousolddowagers，bribingconfidentialservants，fishingforinformationamongfriendsofthefamily。ByJove，I
shallbeabletojointheDuke’sstaffasspy—in—chieftoHisMajesty’sentireforcesafterthis!\"
\"Whatisshelike？\"asksJohn，withoutstoppinghiswriting。
\"Like!MydearJack，you’llfalloverheadandearsinlovewithherthemomentyouseeher。Alittlecold，perhaps，butthatwilljustsuityou。\"
\"Goodfamily？\"asksJohn，signingandfoldingtheletterhehasfinished。
\"SogoodthatIwasafraidatfirstitwouldbeuselessthinkingofher。Butshe’sasensiblegirl，noconfoundednonsenseabouther，andthefamilyarepooraschurchmice。Infact——well，totellthetruth，wehavebecomemostexcellentfriends，andshetoldmeherselffranklythatshemeanttomarryarichman，anddidn’tmuchcarewhom。\"
\"Thatsoundshopeful，\"remarksthewould—bebridegroom，withhispeculiardrysmile：\"whenshallIhavethepleasureofseeingher？\"
\"Iwantyoutocomewithmeto—nighttotheGarden，\"repliestheother；\"shewillbeinLadyHeatherington’sbox，andIwillintroduceyou。\"
SothateveningJohnIngerfieldgoestoCoventGardenTheatre，withthebloodrunningatriflequickerinhisveins，butnotmuch，thanwouldbethecasewerehegoingtothedockstopurchasetallow——
examines，covertly，theproposedarticlefromtheoppositesideofthehouse，andapprovesher——isintroducedtoher，and，oncloserinspection，approvesherstillmore——receivesaninvitationtovisit—
—visitsfrequently，andeachtimeismoresatisfiedoftherarity，serviceableness，andqualityofthearticle。
IfallJohnIngerfieldrequiresforawifeisabeautifulsocialmachine，surelyherehehasfoundhisideal。AnneSingleton，onlydaughterofthatpersistentlyunfortunatebutmostcharmingofbaronets，SirHarrySingleton（morecharming，itisrumoured，outsidehisfamilycirclethanwithinit），isastatelygraceful，high—bredwoman。Herportrait，byReynolds，stilltobeseenabovethecarvedwainscotingofoneoftheoldCityhalls，showsawonderfullyhandsomeandcleverface，butatthesametimeawonderfullycoldandheartlessone。Itisthefaceofawomanhalfwearyof，halfsneeringattheworld。Onereadsinoldfamilyletters，whereoftheinkisnowveryfadedandthepaperveryyellow，longcriticismsofthisportrait。Thewriterscomplainthatifthepictureisatalllikehershemusthavegreatlychangedsincehergirlhood，fortheyrememberherthenashavingalaughingandwinsomeexpression。
Theysay——theywhoknewherinafter—life——thatthisearlierfacecamebacktoherintheend，sothatthemanywhorememberedopeningtheireyesandseeingherbendingdownoverthemcouldneverrecognisetheportraitofthebeautifulsneeringlady，evenwhentheyweretoldwhomitrepresented。
ButatthetimeofJohnIngerfield’sstrangewooingshewastheAnneSingletonofSirJoshua’sportrait，andJohnIngerfieldlikedherthebetterthatshewas。
Hehadnofeelingofsentimentinthematterhimself，anditsimplifiedthecasethatshehadnoneeither。Heofferedheraplainbargain，andsheacceptedit。Forallhekneworcared，herattitudetowardsthissubjectofmarriagewastheusualoneassumedbywomen。
Veryyounggirlshadtheirheadsfullofromanticideas。Itwasbetterforherandforhimthatshehadgotridofthem。
\"Ourswillbeaunionfoundedongoodsense，\"saidJohnIngerfield。
\"Letushopetheexperimentwillsucceed，\"saidAnneSingleton。
CHAPTERII。
Buttheexperimentdoesnotsucceed。ThelawsofGoddecreethatmanshallpurchasewoman，thatwomanshallgiveherselftoman，forothercointhanthatofgoodsense。Goodsenseisnotalegaltenderinthemarriagemart。Menandwomenwhoenterthereinwithonlysenseintheirpursehavenorighttocomplainif，onreachinghome，theyfindtheyhaveconcludedanunsatisfactorybargain。
JohnIngerfield，whenheaskedAnneSingletontobehiswife，feltnomoreloveforherthanhefeltforanyoftheothersumptuoushouseholdappointmentshewaspurchasingaboutthesametime，andmadenopretenceofdoingso。Nor，hadhedoneso，wouldshehavebelievedhim；forAnneSingletonhaslearnedmuchinhertwenty—twosummersandwinters，andknowsthatloveisonlyameteorinlife’ssky，andthatthetruelodestarofthisworldisgold。AnneSingletonhashadherromanceandburieditdeepdowninherdeepnatureandoveritsgrave，tokeepitsghostfromrising，haspiledthestonesofindifferenceandcontempt，asmanyawomanhasdonebeforeandsince。OnceuponatimeAnneSingletonsatdreamingoutastory。Itwasastoryoldasthehills——olderthansomeofthem——buttoher，then，itwasquitenewandverywonderful。Itcontainedalltheusualstockmaterialcommontosuchstories：theladandthelass，theplightedtroth，therichersuitors，theangryparents，thelovethatwasworthbravingalltheworldfor。Onedayintothisdreamtherefellfromthelandofthewakingaletter，apoor，pitifulletter：\"YouknowIloveyouandonlyyou，\"itran；\"myheartwillalwaysbeyourstillIdie。Butmyfatherthreatenstostopmyallowance，and，asyouknow，Ihavenothingofmyownexceptdebts。Somewouldcallherhandsome，buthowcanIthinkofherbesideyou？Oh，whywasmoneyeverlettocomeintotheworldtocurseus？\"withmanyotherpuzzlingquestionsofalikecharacter，andmuchseverecondemnationofFateandHeavenandotherpartiesgenerally，andmuchself—commiseration。
AnneSingletontooklongtoreadtheletter。Whenshehadfinishedit，andhadreaditthroughagain，sherose，and，crushingitherhand，flungitinthefirewithalaugh，andastheflameburntupanddiedawayfeltthatherlifehaddiedwithit，notknowingthatbruisedheartscanheal。
SowhenJohnIngerfieldcomeswooing，andspeakstohernowordoflovebutonlyofmoney，shefeelsthathereatlastisagenuinevoicethatshecantrust。Loveofthelessersideoflifeisstilllefttoher。Itwillbepleasanttobethewealthymistressofafinehouse，togivegreatreceptions，toexchangethesecretpovertyofhomefordisplayandluxury。Thesethingsareofferedtoherontheverytermsshewouldhavesuggestedherself。Accompaniedbyloveshewouldhaverefusedthem，knowingshecouldgivenoneinreturn。
Butawomanfindsitonethingnottodesireaffectionandanotherthingnottopossessit。DaybydaytheatmosphereofthefinehouseinBloomsburygrowscoldandcolderaboutherheart。Guestswarmitattimesforafewhours，thendepart，leavingitchillierthanbefore。
Forherhusbandsheattemptstofeelindifference，butlivingcreaturesjoinedtogethercannotfeelindifferenceforeachother。
Eventwodogsinaleasharecompelledtothinkofoneanother。A
manandwifemustloveorhate，likeordislike，indegreeasthebondconnectingthemisdrawntightorallowedtohangslack。Bymutualdesiretheirchainsofwedlockhavebeenfastenedaslooselyasrespectforsecuritywillpermit，withthehappyconsequencethatheraversiontohimdoesnotobtrudeitselfbeyondthelimitsofpoliteness。
Herpartofthecontractshefaithfullyfulfils，fortheSingletonsalsohavetheircodeofhonour。Herbeauty，hertact，hercharm，herinfluence，aredevotedtohisservice——totheadvancementofhisposition，thefurtheranceofhisambition。Doorsthatwouldotherwiseremainclosedsheopenstohim。Society，thatwouldotherwisepassbywithasneer，sitsroundhistable。Hiswishesandpleasuresarehers。Inallthingssheyieldshimwifelyduty，seekstorenderherselfagreeabletohim，suffersinsilencehisoccasionalcaresses。Whateverwasimpliedinthebargain，thatshewillperformtotheletter。
He，onhisside，likewiseperformshispartwithbusinesslikeconscientiousness——nay，seeingthatthepleasingofherbringsnopersonalgratificationtohimself——notwithoutgenerosity。Heiseverthoughtfulofanddeferentialtoher，awardingheratalltimesanunvaryingcourteousnessthatisnonethelesssincereforbeingstudied。Hereveryexpressedwantisgratified，hereveryknowndistasterespected。Consciousofhispresencebeinganoppressiontoher，heisevencarefulnottointrudeituponheroftenerthanisnecessary。
Attimesheaskshimself，somewhatpertinently，whathehasgainedbymarriage——wonderswhetherthissocialracewasquitethemostinterestinggamehecouldhaveelectedtooccupyhisleisure——wonderswhether，afterall，hewouldnothavebeenhappieroverhiscounting—
housethaninthesesumptuous，glitteringrooms，wherehealwaysseems，andfeelshimselftobe，theuninvitedguest。
Theonlyfeelingthatacloserintimacyhascreatedinhimforhiswifeisthatofindulgentcontempt。Asthereisnoequalitybetweenmanandwoman，sotherecanbenorespect。Sheisadifferentbeing。
Hemusteitherlookuptoherassuperiortohimself，ordownuponherasinferior。Whenamandoestheformerheismoreorlessinlove，andlovetoJohnIngerfieldisanunknownemotion。Herbeauty，hercharm，hersocialtact——evenwhilehemakesuseofthemforhisownpurposes，hedespisesastheweaponsofaweaknature。
Sointheirbig，coldmansionJohnIngerfieldandAnne，hiswife，sitfarapart，strangerstooneanother，neitherdesiringtoknowtheothernearer。
Abouthisbusinessheneverspeakstoher，andsheneverquestionshim。Tocompensatefortheslightshrinkageoftimeheisabletodevotetoit，hebecomesmorestrictandexacting；growsaharshermastertohispeople，asternercreditor，agreedierdealer，squeezingtheuttermostoutofeveryone，feverishtogrowricher，sothathemayspendmoreuponthegamethatdaybydayhefindsmoretiresomeanduninteresting。
Andthepiled—upcasksuponhiswharvesincreaseandmultiply；andonthedirtyriverhisshipsandbargeslieinever—lengtheninglines；
androundhisgreasycauldronssweating，witch—likecreaturesswarminever—densernumbers，stirringoilandtallowintogold。
Untilonesummer，fromitsnestinthefarEast，thereflutterswestwardafoulthing。HoveringoverLimehousesuburb，seeingitcrowdedandunclean，likingitsfetidsmell，itsettlesdownuponit。
Typhusisthecreature’sname。Atfirstitlurksthereunnoticed，batteningupontherich，rankfooditfindsaroundit，until，growntoobigtohidelonger，itboldlyshowsitshideoushead，andthewhitefaceofTerrorrunsswiftlythroughalleyandstreet，cryingasitruns，forcesitselfintoJohnIngerfield’scounting—house，andtellsitstale。JohnIngerfieldsitsforawhilethinking。Thenhemountshishorseandrideshomeatashardapaceastheconditionofthestreetswillallow。InthehallhemeetsAnnegoingout，andstopsher。
\"Don’tcometoonearme，\"hesaysquietly。\"TyphusfeverhasbrokenoutatLimehouse，andtheysayonecancommunicateit，evenwithouthavingitoneself。YouhadbetterleaveLondonforafewweeks。Godowntoyourfather’s：Iwillcomeandfetchyouwhenitisallover。\"
Hepassesher，givingherawideberth，andgoesupstairs，whereheremainsforsomeminutesinconversationwithhisvalet。Then，comingdown，heremountsandridesoffagain。
AfteralittlewhileAnnegoesupintohisroom。Hismaniskneelinginthemiddleofthefloor，packingavalise。
\"Whereareyoutotakeit？\"sheasks。
\"Downtothewharf，ma’am，\"answerstheman：\"Mr。Ingerfieldisgoingtobethereforadayortwo。\"
ThenAnnesitsinthegreatemptydrawing—room，andtakesHERturnatthinking。
JohnIngerfieldfinds，onhisreturntoLimehouse，thattheevilhasgreatlyincreasedduringtheshorttimehehasbeenaway。Fannedbyfearandignorance，fedbypovertyanddirt，thescourgeisspreadingthroughthedistrictlikeafire。Longsmoulderinginsecret，ithasnowburstforthatfiftydifferentpointsatonce。Notastreet，notacourtbuthasits\"case。\"OveradozenofJohn’shandsaredownwithitalready。Twomorehavesunkprostratebesidetheirworkwithinthelasthour。Thepanicgrowsgrotesque。Menandwomenteartheirclothesoff，lookingtoseeiftheyhaveanywhereuponthemarashorapatchofmottledskin，findthattheyhave，orimaginethattheyhave，andrush，screaming，half—undressed，intothestreet。Twomen，meetinginanarrowpassage，bothrushback，toofrightenedtopasseachother。Aboystoopsdownandscratcheshisleg——notanactionthatunderordinarycircumstanceswouldexcitemuchsurpriseinthatneighbourhood。Inaninstantthereisawildstampedefromtheroom，thestrongtramplingontheweakintheireagernesstoescape。
Thesearenotthedaysoforganiseddefenceagainstdisease。TherearekindheartsandwillinghandsinLondontown，buttheyarenotyetcloselyenoughbandedtogethertomeetaswiftfoesuchasthis。
Therearehospitalsandcharitiesgalore，butthesearemostlyintheCity，maintainedbytheCityFathersfortheexclusivebenefitofpoorcitizensandmembersoftheguilds。Thefewfreehospitalsarealreadyover—crowdedandill—prepared。Squalid，outlyingLimehouse，belongingtonowhere，caredforbynobody，mustfightforitself。
JohnIngerfieldcallstheoldermentogether，andwiththeirhelpattemptstoinstilsomesenseandreasonintohisterrifiedpeople。
Standingonthestepofhiscounting—house，andaddressingasmanyofthemasarenottooscaredtolisten，hetellsthemofthedangeroffearandofthenecessityforcalmnessandcourage。
\"Wemustfaceandfightthisthinglikemen，\"hecries，inthatdeep，din—conqueringvoicethathasservedtheIngerfieldsingoodsteadonmanyasteel—sweptfield，onmanyastorm—strucksea；\"theremustbenocowardlyselfishness，nofaint—hearteddespair。Ifwe’vegottodiewe’lldie；butpleaseGodwe’lllive。Anyhow，wewillsticktogether，andhelpeachother。Imeantostopherewithyou，anddowhatIcanforyou。Noneofmypeopleshallwant。\"
JohnIngerfieldceases，andasthevibrationsofhisstrongtonesrollawayasweetvoicefrombesidehimrisesclearandfirm：—
\"Ihavecomedowntobewithyoualso，andtohelpmyhusband。I
shalltakechargeofthenursingandtendingofyoursick，andIhopeIshallbeofsomerealusetoyou。MyhusbandandIaresosorryforyouinyourtrouble。Iknowyouwillbebraveandpatient。Wewillalldoourbest，andbehopeful。\"
Heturns，halfexpectingtoseeonlytheemptyairandtowonderatthedeliriuminhisbrain。Sheputsherhandinhis，andtheireyesmeet；andinthatmoment，forthefirsttimeintheirlives，thesetwoseeoneanother。
Theyspeaknoword。Thereisnoopportunityforwords。Thereisworktobedone，anddonequickly，andAnnegraspsitwiththegreedofawomanlonghungryforthejoyofdoing。AsJohnwatcheshermovingswiftlyandquietlythroughthebewilderedthrong，questioning，comforting，gentlycompelling，thethoughtcomestohim，Oughthetoallowhertobehere，riskingherlifeforhispeople？
followedbythethought，Howishegoingtopreventit？ForinthishourtheknowledgeisbornwithinhimthatAnneisnothisproperty；
thatheandshearefellowhandstakingtheirordersfromthesameMaster；thatthoughitbewellforthemtoworktogetherandhelpeachother，theymustnothinderoneanother。
AsyetJohndoesnotunderstandallthis。Theideaisnewandstrangetohim。Hefeelsasthechildinafairystoryonsuddenlydiscoveringthatthetreesandflowershashepassedbycarelesslyathousandtimescanthinkandtalk。Oncehewhisperstoherofthelabourandthedanger，butsheanswerssimply，\"Theyaremypeopletoo，John：itismywork\"；andheletsherhaveherway。
Annehasatruewoman’sinstinctfornursing，andherstrongsensestandsherinsteadofexperience。Aglanceintooneortwoofthesqualiddenswherethesepeoplelivetellsherthatifherpatientsaretobesavedtheymustbenursedawayfromtheirownhomes；andshedeterminestoconvertthelargecounting—house——along，loftyroomattheoppositeendofthewharftotherefinery——intoatemporaryhospital。Selectingsomesevenoreightofthemostreliablewomentoassisther，sheproceedstoprepareitforitspurpose。Ledgersmightbevolumesofpoetry，billsofladingmerestreetballads，foralltherespectthatisshowntothem。Theolderclerksstandstaringaghast，feelingthattheendofallthingsissurelyathand，andthattheuniverseisrushingdownintospace，until，theiridlenessbeingdetected，theyarethemselvespromptlyimpressedforthesacrilegiouswork，andmadetoassistinthedemolitionoftheirowntemple。
Anne’scommandsarespokenverysweetly，andareaccompaniedbythesweetestofsmiles；buttheyareneverthelesscommands，andsomehowitdoesnotoccurtoanyonetodisobeythem。John——stern，masterful，authoritativeJohn，whohasneverbeenapproachedwithanythingmoredictatorialthanatimidrequestsinceheleftMerchantTaylors’Schoolnineteenyearsago，whowouldhavethoughtthatsomethinghadsuddenlygonewrongwiththelawsofNatureifhehadbeen——findshimselfhurryingalongthestreetonhiswaytoadruggist’sshop，slackenshispaceaninstanttoaskhimselfwhyandwhereforeheisdoingso，recollectsthathewastoldtodosoandtomakehasteback，marvelswhocouldhavedaredtotellhimtodoanythingandtomakehasteback，remembersthatitwasAnne，isnotquitesurewhattothinkaboutit，buthurrieson。He\"makeshasteback，\"ispraisedforhavingbeensoquick，andfeelspleasedwithhimself；issentoffagaininanotherdirection，withinstructionswhattosaywhenhegetsthere。Hestartsoff（heisbecomingusedtobeingorderedaboutnow）。Halfwaytheregreatalarmseizeshim，foronattemptingtosayoverthemessagetohimself，tobesurethathehasitquiteright，hediscovershehasforgottenit。Hepauses，nervousandexcited；cogitatesastowhetheritwillbesafeforhimtoconcoctamessageofhisown，weighsanxiouslythechances——
supposingthathedoesso——ofbeingfoundout。Suddenly，tohisintensesurpriseandrelief，everywordofwhathewastoldtosaycomesbacktohim；andhehastenson，repeatingitoverandovertohimselfashewalks，lestitshouldescapehimagain。
Andthenafewhundredyardsfartheronthereoccursoneofthemostextraordinaryeventsthathaseverhappenedinthatstreetbeforeorsince：JohnIngerfieldlaughs。
JohnIngerfield，ofLavenderWharf，afterwalkingtwo—thirdsofCreekLane，mutteringtohimselfwithhiseyesontheground，stopsinthemiddleoftheroadandlaughs；andonesmallboy，whotellsthestorytohisdyingday，seeshimandhearshim，andrunshomeatthetopofhisspeedwiththewonderfulnews，andisconscientiouslyslappedbyhismotherfortellinglies。
AllthatdayAnneworkslikeaheroine，Johnhelpingher，andoccasionallygettingintheway。Bynightshehasherlittlehospitalpreparedandthreebedsalreadyupandoccupied；and，allnowdonethatcanbedone，sheandJohngoupstairstohisoldroomsabovethecounting—house。
Johnushersherintothemwithsomemisgiving，forbycontrastwiththehouseatBloomsburytheyarepoorandshabby。Heplacesherinthearm—chairnearthefire，begginghertorestquiet，andthenassistshisoldhousekeeper，whosewits，neverofthestrongest，havebeenscaredbytheday’sproceeding，tolaythemeal。
Anne’seyesfollowhimashemovesabouttheroom。Perhapshere，wherealltherealpartofhislifehasbeenpassed，heismorehistrueselfthanamidtheunfamiliarsurroundingsoffashion；perhapsthissimplerframeshowshimtogreateradvantage；butAnnewondershowitisshehasnevernoticedbeforethatheisawell—set，handsomeman。Nor，indeed，ishesoveryold—looking。Isitatrickofthedimlight，orwhat？Helooksalmostyoung。Butwhyshouldhenotlookyoung，seeingheisonlythirty—six，andatthirty—sixamanisinhisprime？Annewonderswhyshehasalwaysthoughtofhimasanelderlyperson。
AportraitofoneofJohn’sancestorshangsoverthegreatmantelpiece——ofthatsturdyCaptainIngerfieldwhofoughttheKing’sfrigateratherthangiveuponeofhispeople。Anneglancesfromthedeadfacetothelivingandnotesthestronglikenessbetweenthem。
Throughherhalf—closedeyessheseesthegrimoldcaptainhurlingbackhismessageofdefiance，andhisfaceisthefaceshesawafewhoursago，saying，\"ImeantostopherewithyouanddowhatIcanforyou。Noneofmypeopleshallwant。\"
Johnisplacingachairforheratthetable，andthelightfromthecandlesfallsuponhim。Shestealsanotherglanceathisface——astrong，stern，handsomeface，capableofbecominganobleface。Annewondersifithaseverlookeddowntenderlyatanyone；feelsasuddenfiercepainatthethought；dismissesthethoughtasimpossible；
wonders，nevertheless，howtendernesswouldsuitit；thinksshewouldliketoseealookoftendernessuponit，simplyoutofcuriosity；
wondersifsheeverwill。
SherousesherselffromherreverieasJohn，withasmile，tellshersupperisready，andtheyseatthemselvesoppositeeachother，anoddairofembarrassmentpervading。
Daybydaytheirworkgrowsharder；daybydaythefoegrowsstronger，fiercer，moreall—conquering；anddaybyday，fightingsidebysideagainstit，JohnIngerfieldandAnne，hiswife，drawclosertoeachother。Onthebattle—fieldoflifewelearntheworthofstrength。Annefeelsitgood，whengrowingweary，toglanceupandfindhimnearher；feelsitgood，amidthetroubledbabelroundher，tohearthedeep，strongmusicofhisvoice。
AndJohn，watchingAnne’sfairfiguremovingtoandfroamongthestrickenandthemourning；watchingherfair，flutteringhands，busywiththeirholywork，herdeep，soul—hauntingeyes，changefulwiththelightandshadeoftenderness；listeningtohersweet，clearvoice，laughingwiththejoyous，comfortingthecomfortless，gentlycommanding，softlypleading，findscreepingintohisbrainstrangenewthoughtsconcerningwomen——concerningthisonewomaninparticular。
Oneday，rummagingoveranoldchest，hecomesacrossacolouredpicture—bookofBiblestories。Heturnsthetornpagesfondly，rememberingtheSundayafternoonsoflongago。Atonepicture，whereinarerepresentedmanyangels，hepauses；forinoneoftheyoungerangelsofthegroup——onenotquitesosevereoffeatureashersisters——hefancieshecantraceresemblancetoAnne。Helingerslongoverit。Suddenlythererushesthroughhisbrainthethought，Howgoodtostoopandkissthesweetfeetofsuchawoman!and，thinkingit，heblusheslikeaboy。
Sofromthesoilofhumansufferingspringtheflowersofhumanloveandjoy，andfromtheflowerstherefalltheseedsofinfinitepityforhumanpain，GodshapingallthingstoHisends。
ThinkingofAnne，John’sfacegrowsgentler，hishandkinder；
dreamingofhim，herheartgrowsstronger，deeper，fuller。Everyavailableroominthewarehousehasbeenturnedintoaward，andthelittlehospitalisopenfreetoall，forJohnandAnnefeelthatthewholeworldaretheirpeople。Thepiled—upcasksaregone——shippedtoWoolwichandGravesend，bundledanywhereoutoftheway，asthoughoilandtallowandthegoldtheycanbestirredintoweremattersofsmallmomentinthisworld，nottobethoughtofbesidesuchathingasthehelpingofahumanbrotherinsorestrait。
Allthelabourofthedayseemslighttothem，lookingforwardtothehourwhentheysittogetherinJohn’soldshabbydining—roomabovethecounting—house。Yetalooker—onmightimaginesuchtimesdulltothem；fortheyarestrangelyshyofoneanother，strangelysparingofwords——fearfulofopeningtheflood—gatesofspeech，feelingthepressureofthepent—upthought。
Oneevening，John，throwingoutwords，notasasoptothenecessityfortalk，butasabaittocatchAnne’svoice，mentionsgirdle—cakes，remembersthathisoldhousekeeperusedtobefamousforthemakingofthem，andwondersifshehasforgottentheart。
Anne，answeringtremulously，asthoughgirdle—cakeswereasomewhatdelicatetopic，claimstobeasuccessfulamateurofthemherself。
John，havingbeengivenalwaystounderstandthatthetalentforthemwasexceedinglyrare，andoneusuallyhereditary，respectfullydoubtsAnne’scapabilities，deferentiallysuggestingthatsheisthinkingofscones。Anneindignantlyrepudiatestheinsinuation，knowsquitewellthedifferencebetweengirdle—cakesandscones，offerstoproveherpowersbydescendingintothekitchenandmakingsomethenandthere，ifJohnwillaccompanyherandfindthethingsforher。
Johnacceptsthechallenge，and，guidingAnnewithoneshy，awkwardhand，whileholdingaloftacandleintheother，leadstheway。Itispastteno’clock，andtheoldhousekeeperisinbed。Ateachcreakingstairtheypause，tolistenifthenoisehasawakenedher；
then，findingallsilent，creepforwardagain，withsuppressedlaughter，wonderingwithalarm，halffeigned，halfreal，whattheprim，methodicaldamewouldsaywereshetocomedownandcatchthem。
Theyreachthekitchen，thanksmoretothesuggestionsofafriendlycatthantoJohn’sacquaintanceshipwiththegeographyofhisownhouse；andAnnerakestogetherthefireandclearsthetableforherwork。WhatpossibleuseJohnistoher——whatneedtherewasforherstipulatingthatheshouldaccompanyher，Annemightfinditdifficult，ifexamined，toexplainsatisfactorily。Asforhis\"findingthethings\"forher，hehasnotthefaintestnotionwheretheyare，andpossessesnonaturalaptitudefordiscovery。Toldtofindflour，heindustriouslysearchesforitinthedresserdrawers；
sentfortherolling—pin——thenatureandcharacteristicsofrolling—
pinsbeingdescribedtohimforhisguidance——hereturns，afteraprolongedabsence，withthecopperstick。Annelaughsathim；butreallyitwouldseemasthoughsheherselfwerealmostasstupid，fornotuntilherhandsarecoveredwithflourdoesitoccurtoherthatshehasnottakenthatpreliminarystepinallcookingoperationsofrollinguphersleeves。
SheholdsoutherarmstoJohn，firstoneandthentheother，askinghimsweetlyifhemindsdoingitforher。Johnisveryslowandclumsy，butAnnestandsverypatient。Inchbyinchhepeelstheblacksleevefromthewhiteroundarm。Hundredsoftimesmusthehaveseenthosefairarms，baretotheshoulder，sparklingwithjewels；butneverbeforehasheseentheirwondrousbeauty。Helongstoclaspthemroundhisneck，yetisfearfullesthistremblingfingerstouchingthemasheperformshistantalisingtaskmayoffendher。Annethankshim，andapologisesforhavinggivenhimsomuchtrouble，andhemurmurssomemeaninglessreply，andstandsfoolishlysilent，watchingher。
Anneseemstofindonehandsufficientforhercake—making，fortheotherrestsidlyonthetable——veryneartooneofJohn’s，asshewouldseewerenothereyessointentuponherwork。Howtheimpulsecametohim，wherehe——grave，sober，business—manJohn——learntsuchstory—bookwayscanneverbeknown；butinoneinstantheisdownonbothknees，smotheringtheflouryhandwithkisses，andthenextmomentAnne’sarmsareroundhisneckandherlipsagainsthis，andthebarrierbetweenthemissweptaway，andthedeepwatersoftheirloverushtogether。
Withthatkisstheyenteranewlifewhereintoonemaynotfollowthem。Onethinksitmusthavebeenalifemadestrangelybeautifulbyself—forgetfulness，strangelysweetbymutualdevotion——alifetooideal，perhaps，tohaveremainedforlongundimmedbythemistsofearth。
Theywhorememberthematthattimespeakoftheminhushedtones，asonespeaksofvisions。Itwouldalmostseemasthoughfromtheirfacesinthosedaysthereshonearadiance，asthoughintheirvoicesdweltatendernessbeyondthetendernessofman。
Theyseemnevertorest，nevertoweary。Dayandnight，throughthatlittlestrickenworld，theycomeandgo，bearinghealingandpeace，tillatlasttheplague，likesomegorgedbeastofprey，slinksslowlybacktowardsitslair，andmenraisetheirheadsandbreathe。
Oneafternoon，returningfromasomewhatlongerroundthanusual，Johnfeelsawearinesscreepingintohislimbs，andquickenshisstep，eagertoreachhomeandrest。Anne，whohasbeenupallthepreviousnight，isasleep，andnotwishingtodisturbher，hegoesintothedining—roomandsitsdownintheeasychairbeforethefire。
Theroomstrikescold。Hestirsthelogs，buttheygiveoutnogreaterheat。Hedrawshischairrightinfrontofthem，andsitsleaningoverthemwithhisfeetonthehearthandhishandsoutstretchedtowardstheblaze；yethestillshivers。
Twilightfillstheroomanddeepensintodusk。HewonderslistlesslyhowitisthatTimeseemstobemovingwithsuchswiftstrides。
Afterawhilehehearsavoiceclosetohim，speakinginaslow，monotonoustone——avoicecuriouslyfamiliartohim，thoughhecannottelltowhomitbelongs。Hedoesnotturnhishead，butsitslisteningtoitdrowsily。Itistalkingabouttallow：onehundredandninety—fourcasksoftallow，andtheymustallstandoneinsidetheother。Itcannotbedone，thevoicecomplainspathetically。