Theywillnotgoinsideeachother。Itisnogoodpushingthem。
See!theyonlyrolloutagain。
Thevoicegrowswearilyfretful。Oh!whydotheypersistwhentheyseeitisimpossible？Whatfoolstheyallare!
Suddenlyherecollectsthevoice，andstartsupandstareswildlyabouthim，tryingtorememberwhereheis。Withafiercestrainingofhiswillhegripsthebrainthatisslippingawayfromhim，andholdsit。Assoonashefeelssureofhimselfhestealsoutoftheroomanddownthestairs。
Inthehallhestandslistening；thehouseisverysilent。Hegoestotheheadofthestairsleadingtothekitchenandcallssoftlytotheoldhousekeeper，andshecomesuptohim，pantingandgruntingassheclimbseachstep。Keepingsomedistancefromher，heasksinawhisperwhereAnneis。Thewomananswersthatsheisinthehospital。
\"TellherIhavebeencalledawaysuddenlyonbusiness，\"hesays，speakinginquick，lowtones：\"Ishallbeawayforsomedays。Tellhertoleavehereandreturnhomeimmediately。Theycandowithoutherherenow。Tellhertogobackhomeatonce。Iwilljoinherthere。\"
Hemovestowardthedoorbutstopsandfacesroundagain。
\"TellherIbegandentreathernottostopinthisplaceanhourlonger。Thereisnothingtokeephernow。Itisallover：thereisnothingthatcannotbedonebyanyone。Tellhershemustgohome——
thisverynight。Tellherifshelovesmetoleavethisplaceatonce。\"
Thewoman，alittlebewilderedbyhisvehemence，promises，anddisappearsdownthestairs。Hetakeshishatandcloakfromthechaironwhichhehadthrownthem，andturnsoncemoretocrossthehall。Ashedoesso，thedooropensandAnneenters。
Hedartsbackintotheshadow，squeezinghimselfagainstthewall。
Annecallstohimlaughingly，then，ashedoesnotanswer，withafrightenedaccent：
\"John，——John，dear。Wasnotthatyou？Arenotyouthere？\"
Heholdshisbreath，andcrouchesstillcloserintothedarkcorner；
andAnne，thinkingshemusthavebeenmistakeninthedimlight，passeshimandgoesupstairs。
Thenhecreepsstealthilytothedoor，letshimselfoutandclosesitsoftlybehindhim。
AfterthelapseofafewminutestheoldhousekeeperplodsupstairsanddeliversJohn’smessage。Anne，findingitaltogetherincomprehensible，subjectsthepoordametosevereexamination，butfailstoelicitanythingfurther。Whatisthemeaningofit？What\"business\"canhavecompelledJohn，whofortenweekshasneverletthewordescapehislips，toleaveherlikethis——withoutaword!
withoutakiss!Thensuddenlysherememberstheincidentofafewmomentsago，whenshehadcalledtohim，thinkingshesawhim，andhedidnotanswer；andthewholetruthstrikesherfullintheheart。
Sherefastensthebonnet—stringsshehasbeenslowlyuntying，andgoesdownandoutintothewetstreet。
Shemakesherwayrapidlytothehouseoftheonlydoctorresidentintheneighbourhood——abig，brusque—manneredman，whothroughouttheseterribletwomonthshasbeentheirchiefstayandhelp。Hemeetsheronherentrancewithanembarrassedairthattellsitsowntale，andatoncerendersfutilehisclumsyattemptsatactingHowshouldheknowwhereJohnis？WhotoldherJohnhadthefever——agreat，strong，hulkingfellowlikethat？Shehasbeenworkingtoohard，andhasgotfeveronthebrain。Shemustgostraightbackhome，orshewillbehavingitherself。SheismorelikelytotakeitthanJohn。
Anne，waitingtillhehasfinishedjerkingoutsentenceswhilestampingupanddowntheroom，saysgently，takingnonoticeofhisdenials，——\"IfyouwillnottellmeImustfindoutfromsomeoneelse——thatisall。\"Then，herquickeyesnotinghismomentaryhesitation，shelaysherlittlehandonhisroughpaw，and，withtheshamelessnessofawomanwholovesdeeply，wheedleseverythingoutofhimthathehaspromisedtokeepsecret。
Hestopsher，however，assheisleavingtheroom。\"Don’tgointohimnow，\"hesays；\"hewillworryaboutyou。Waittillto—morrow。\"
So，whileJohnliescountingendlesscasksoftallow，Annesitsbyhisside，tendingherlast\"case。\"
Ofteninhisdeliriumhecallshername，andshetakeshisfeveredhandinhersandholdsit，andhefallsasleep。
Eachmorningthedoctorcomesandlooksathim，asksafewquestionsandgivesafewcommonplacedirections，butmakesnocomment。Itwouldbeidlehisattemptingtodeceiveher。
Thedaysmoveslowlythroughthedarkenedroom。Annewatcheshisthinhandsgrowthinner，hissunkeneyesgrowbigger；yetremainsstrangelycalm，almostcontented。
VeryneartheendtherecomesanhourwhenJohnwakesasfromadream，andremembersallthingsclearly。
Helooksatherhalfgratefully，halfreproachfully。
\"Anne，whyareyouhere？\"heasks，inalow，labouredvoice。\"Didtheynotgiveyoumymessage？\"
Foranswersheturnsherdeepeyesuponhim。
\"Wouldyouhavegoneawayandleftmeheretodie？\"shequestionshim，withafaintsmile。
Shebendsherheaddownnearertohim，sothathersofthairfallsabouthisface。
\"Ourliveswereone，dear，\"shewhisperstohim。\"Icouldnothavelivedwithoutyou；Godknewthat。Weshallbetogetheralways。\"
Shekisseshim，andlayinghisheaduponherbreast，softlystrokesitasshemightachild’s；andheputshisweakarmsaroundher。
Lateronshefeelsthemgrowingcoldabouther，andlayshimgentlybackuponthebed，looksforthelasttimeintohiseyes，thendrawsthelidsdownoverthem。
Hispeopleaskthattheymayburyhiminthechurchyardhardby，sothathemayalwaysbeamongthem；and，Anneconsenting，theydoallthingsneedfulwiththeirownhands，wishfulthatnounlovinglabourmaybemingledwiththeirwork。Theylayhimclosetotheporch，where，goinginandoutthechurch，theirfeetwillpassneartohim；
andoneamongthemwhoiscunningwiththegraver’schiselshapesthestone。
Attheheadhecarvesinbas—reliefthefigureofthegoodSamaritantendingthebrotherfallenbytheway，andunderneaththeletters，\"InRemembranceofJohnIngerfield。\"
HethinkstoputaverseofScriptureimmediatelyafter；butthegruffdoctorsays，\"Betterleaveaspace，incaseyouwanttoaddanothername。\"
Sothestoneremainsalittlewhileunfinished；tillthesamehandcarvesthereon，afewweekslater，\"AndofAnne，hisWife。\"
THEWOMANOFTHESAETER。
Wild—reindeerstalkingishardlysoexcitingasportastheevening’sverandahtalkinNorrowayhotelswouldleadthetrustfultravellertosuppose。Underthechargeofyourguide，averyyoungmanwiththedreamy，wistfuleyesofthosewholiveinvalleys，youleavethefarmsteadearlyintheforenoon，arrivingtowardstwilightatthedesolatehutwhich，forsolongasyouremainupontheuplands，willbeyoursomewhatcheerlessheadquarters。
Nextmorning，inthechill，mist—ladendawn，yourise；and，afterabreakfastofcoffeeanddriedfish，shoulderyourRemington，andstepforthsilentlyintotheraw，dampair；theguidelockingthedoorbehindyou，thekeygratingharshlyintherustylock。
Forhourafterhouryoutoiloverthesteep，stonyground，orwindthroughthepines，speakinginwhispers，lestyourvoicereachthequickearsofyourprey，thatkeepsitsheadeverpressedagainstthewind。Hereandthere，inthehollowsofthehillsliewidefieldsofsnow，overwhichyoupickyourstepsthoughtfully，listeningtothesmotheredthunderofthetorrent，tunnellingitswaybeneathyourfeet，andwonderingwhetherthefrozenarchaboveitbeatallpointsasfirmasisdesirable。Nowandagain，asinsinglefileyouwalkcautiouslyalongsomejaggedridge，youcatchglimpsesofthegreenworld，threethousandfeetbelowyou；thoughyougazenotlongupontheview，foryourattentionischieflydirectedtowatchingthefootprintsoftheguide，lestbydeviatingtotherightorleftyoufindyourselfatonestridebackinthevalley——or，tobemorecorrect，arefoundthere。
Thesethingsyoudo，andasexercisetheyarehealthfulandinvigorating。Butareindeeryouneversee，andunless，overcomingtheprejudicesofyourBritish—bredconscience，youcaretotakeanoccasionalpopatafox，youhadbetterhaveleftyourrifleatthehut，and，instead，havebroughtastickwhichwouldhavebeenhelpful。Notwithstandingwhichtheguidecontinuessanguine，andinbrokenEnglish，helpedoutbystirringgesture，tellsoftheterribleslaughtergenerallydonebysportsmenunderhissuperintendence，andofthevastherdsthatgenerallyinfestthesefields；andwhenyougrowscepticaluponthesubjectofReinshewhispersalluringlyofBears。
Onceinawayyouwillcomeacrossatrack，andwillfollowitbreathlesslyforhours，anditwillleadtoasheerprecipice。
Whethertheexplanationissuicide，orareprehensibletendencyonthepartoftheanimaltowardspracticaljoking，youarelefttodecideforyourself。Then，withmanyroughmilesbetweenyouandyourrest，youabandonthechase。
ButIspeakfrompersonalexperiencemerely。
Alldaylongwehadtrampedthroughthepitilessrain，stoppingonlyforanhouratnoontoeatsomedriedvenisonandsmokeapipebeneaththeshelterofanoverhangingcliff。SoonafterwardsMichaelknockedoveraryper（abirdthatwillhardlytakethetroubletohopoutofyourway）withhisgun—barrel，whichincidentcheeredusalittle；and，lateron，ourflaggingspiritswerestillfurtherrevivedbythediscoveryofapparentlyveryrecentdeer—tracks。
Thesewefollowed，forgetful，inoureagerness，ofthelengtheningdistancebacktothehut，ofthefadingdaylight，ofthegatheringmist。Thetrackledushigherandhigher，fartherandfartherintothemountains，untilontheshoresofadesolaterock—boundvanditabruptlyended，andwestoodstaringatoneanother，andthesnowbegantofall。
Unlessinthenexthalf—hourwecouldchanceuponasaeter，thismeantpassingthenightuponthemountain。MichaelandIlookedattheguide；butthough，withcharacteristicNorwegiansturdiness，heputaboldfaceuponit，wecouldseethatinthatdeepeningdarknessheknewnomorethanwedid。Wastingnotimeonwords，wemadestraightforthenearestpointofdescent，knowingthatanyhumanhabitationmustbefarbelowus。
Downwescrambled，heedlessoftornclothesandbleedinghands，thedarknesspressingcloserroundus。Thensuddenlyitbecameblack——
blackaspitch——andwecouldonlyheareachother。Anotherstepmightmeandeath。Westretchedoutourhands，andfelteachother。
Whywespokeinwhispers，Idonotknow，butweseemedafraidofourownvoices。Weagreedtherewasnothingforitbuttostopwhereweweretillmorning，clingingtotheshortgrass；sowelaytheresidebyside，forwhatmayhavebeenfiveminutesormayhavebeenanhour。Then，attemptingtoturn，Ilostmygripandrolled。Imadeconvulsiveeffortstoclutchtheground，buttheinclinewastoosteep。HowfarIfellIcouldnotsay，butatlastsomethingstoppedme。Ifeltitcautiouslywithmyfoot：itdidnotyield，soI
twistedmyselfroundandtoucheditwithmyhand。Itseemedplantedfirmlyintheearth。Ipassedmyarmalongtotheright，thentotheleft。Ishoutedwithjoy。Itwasafence。
Risingandgropingaboutme，Ifoundanopening，andpassedthrough，andcreptforwardwithpalmsoutstretcheduntilItouchedthelogsofahut；then，feelingmywayround，discoveredthedoor，andknocked。
Therecamenoresponse，soIknockedlouder；thenpushed，andtheheavywoodworkyielded，groaning。Butthedarknesswithinwasevendarkerthanthedarknesswithout。Theothershadcontrivedtocrawldownandjoinme。Michaelstruckawaxvestaandhelditup，andslowlytheroomcameoutofthedarknessandstoodroundus。
Thensomethingratherstartlinghappened。Givingoneswiftglanceabouthim，ourguideutteredacry，andrushedoutintothenight。
Wefollowedtothedoor，andcalledafterhim，butonlyavoicecametousoutoftheblackness，andtheonlywordsthatwecouldcatch，shriekedbackinterror，were：\"Saetervronen!Saetervronen!\"（\"Thewomanofthesaeter\"）。
\"Somefoolishsuperstitionabouttheplace，Isuppose，\"saidMichael。
\"Inthesemountainsolitudesmenbreedghostsforcompany。Letusmakeafire。Perhaps，whenheseesthelight，hisdesireforfoodandsheltermaygetthebetterofhisfears。\"
Wefeltaboutinthesmallenclosureroundthehouse，andgatheredjuniperandbirch—twigs，andkindledafireupontheopenstovebuiltinthecorneroftheroom。Fortunately，wehadsomedriedreindeerandbreadinourbag，andonthatandtheryperandthecontentsofourflaskswesupped。Afterwards，towhileawaythetime，wemadeaninspectionofthestrangeeyriewehadlightedon。
Itwasanoldlog—builtsaeter。Someofthesemountainfarmsteadsareasoldasthestoneruinsofothercountries。Carvingsofstrangebeastsanddemonswereuponitsblackenedrafters，andonthelintel，inrunicletters，ranthislegend：\"HundbuildedmeinthedaysofHaarfager。\"Thehouseconsistedoftwolargeapartments。
Originally，nodoubt，thesehadbeenseparatedwellingsstandingbesideoneanother，buttheywerenowconnectedbyalong，lowgallery。Mostofthescantyfurniturewasalmostasancientasthewallsthemselves，butmanyarticlesofacomparativelyrecentdatehadbeenadded。Allwasnow，however，rottingandfallingintodecay。
Theplaceappearedtohavebeendesertedsuddenlybyitslastoccupants。Householdutensilslayastheywereleft，rustanddirtencrustedonthem。Anopenbook，limpandmildewed，layfacedownwardsonthetable，whilemanyotherswerescatteredaboutbothrooms，togetherwithmuchpaper，scoredwithfadedink。Thecurtainshunginshredsaboutthewindows；awoman’scloak，ofanantiquatedfashion，droopedfromanailbehindthedoor。Inanoakchestwefoundatumbledheapofyellowletters。Theywereofvariousdates，extendingoveraperiodoffourmonths；andwiththem，apparentlyintendedtoreceivethem，layalargeenvelope，inscribedwithanaddressinLondonthathassincedisappeared。
Strongcuriosityovercomingfaintscruples，wereadthembythedullglowoftheburningjunipertwigs，and，aswelayasidethelastofthem，thererosefromthedepthsbelowusawailingcry，andallnightlongitroseanddiedaway，androseagain，anddiedawayagain；whetherbornofourbrainorofsomehumanthing，Godknows。
Andthese，alittlealteredandshortened，aretheletters：—
Extractfromfirstletter：
\"Icannottellyou，mydearJoyce，whatahavenofpeacethisplaceistomeaftertheracketandfretoftown。Iamalmostquiterecoveredalready，andamgrowingstrongereveryday；and，joyofjoys，mybrainhascomebacktome，fresherandmorevigorous，I
think，foritsholiday。Inthissilenceandsolitudemythoughtsflowfreely，andthedifficultiesofmytaskaredisappearingasifbymagic。Wearepercheduponatinyplateauhalfwayupthemountain。Ononesidetherockrisesalmostperpendicularly，piercingthesky；whileontheother，twothousandfeetbelowus，thetorrenthurlsitselfintotheblackwatersofthefiord。Thehouseconsistsoftworooms——or，rather，itistwocabinsconnectedbyapassage。Thelargeroneweuseasalivingroom，andtheotherisoursleepingapartment。Wehavenoservant，butdoeverythingforourselves。IfearsometimesMurielmustfinditlonely。Thenearesthumanhabitationiseightmilesaway，acrossthemountain，andnotasoulcomesnearus。IspendasmuchtimeasIcanwithher，however，duringtheday，andmakeupforitbyworkingatnightaftershehasgonetosleep；andwhenIquestionher，sheonlylaughs，andanswersthatshelovestohavemealltoherself。（Hereyouwillsmilecynically，Iknow，andsay，’Humph，Iwonderwillshesaythesamewhentheyhavebeenmarriedsixyearsinsteadofsixmonths。’）AttherateIamworkingnowIshallhavefinishedmyfirstvolumebythespring，andthen，mydearfellow，youmusttryandcomeover，andwewillwalkandtalktogether’amidthesestorm—rearedtemplesofthegods。’IhavefeltanewmansinceIarrivedhere。Insteadofhavingto’cudgelmybrains，’aswesay，thoughtscrowduponme。
Thisworkwillmakemyname。\"
Partofthethirdletter，thesecondbeingmeretalkaboutthebook（ahistoryapparently）thatthemanwaswriting：
\"MYDEARJOYCE，——Ihavewrittenyoutwoletters——thiswillmakethethird——buthavebeenunabletopostthem。EverydayIhavebeenexpectingavisitfromsomefarmerorvillager，fortheNorwegiansarekindlypeopletowardsstrangers——tosaynothingoftheinducementsoftrade。Afortnighthavingpassed，however，andthecommissariatquestionhavingbecomeserious，Iyesterdaysetoutbeforedawn，andmademywaydowntothevalley；andthisgivesmesomethingtotellyou。Nearingthevillage，Imetapeasantwoman。
Tomyintensesurprise，insteadofreturningmysalutation，shestaredatme，asifIweresomewildanimal，andshrankawayfrommeasfarasthewidthoftheroadwouldpermit。Inthevillagethesameexperienceawaitedme。Thechildrenranfromme，thepeopleavoidedme。Atlastagrey—hairedoldmanappearedtotakepityonme，andfromhimIlearnttheexplanationofthemystery。Itseemsthereisastrangesuperstitionattachingtothishouseinwhichweareliving。MythingswerebroughtupherebythetwomenwhoaccompaniedmefromDrontheim，butthenativesareafraidtogoneartheplace，andprefertokeepasfaraspossiblefromanyoneconnectedwithit。
\"ThestoryisthatthehousewasbuiltbyoneHund，’amakerofrunes’（oneoftheoldsagawriters，nodoubt），wholivedherewithhisyoungwife。Allwentpeacefullyuntil，unfortunatelyforhim，acertainmaidenstationedataneighbouringsaetergrewtolovehim。
\"ForgivemeifIamtellingyouwhatyouknow，buta’saeter’isthenamegiventotheuplandpasturestowhich，duringthesummer，aresentthecattle，generallyunderthechargeofoneormoreofthemaids。Hereforthreemonthsthesegirlswillliveintheirlonelyhuts，entirelyshutofffromtheworld。Customschangelittleinthisland。Twoorthreesuchstationsarewithinclimbingdistanceofthishouse，atthisday，lookedafterbythefarmers’daughters，asinthedaysofHund，’makerofrunes。’
\"Everynight，bydeviousmountainpaths，thewomanwouldcomeandtaplightlyatHund’sdoor。Hundhadbuilthimselftwocabins，onebehindtheother（thesearenow，asIthinkIhaveexplainedtoyou，connectedbyapassage）；thesmalleronewasthehomestead；intheotherhecarvedandwrote，sothatwhiletheyoungwifesleptthe’makerofrunes’andthesaeterwomansatwhispering。
\"Onenight，however，thewifelearntallthings，butsaidnoword。
Then，asnow，theravineinfrontoftheenclosurewascrossedbyaslightbridgeofplanks，andoverthisbridgethewomanofthesaeterpassedandrepassedeachnight。OnadaywhenHundhadgonedowntofishinthefiord，thewifetookanaxe，andhackedandhewedatthebridge，yetitstilllookedfirmandsolid；andthatnight，asHundsatwaitinginhisworkshop，therestruckuponhisearsapiercingcry，andacrashingoflogsandrollingrock，andthenagainthedullroaringofthetorrentfarbelow。
\"Butthewomandidnotdieunavenged；forthatwinteraman，skatingfardownthefiord，noticedacuriousobjectembeddedintheice；andwhen，stooping，helookedcloser，hesawtwocorpses，onegrippingtheotherbythethroat，andthebodieswerethebodiesofHundandhisyoungwife。
\"Sincethen，theysay，thewomanofthesaeterhauntsHund’shouse，andifsheseesalightwithinshetapsuponthedoor，andnomanmaykeepherout。Many，atdifferenttimes，havetriedtooccupythehouse，butstrangetalesaretoldofthem。’MendonotliveatHund’ssaeter，’saidmyoldgrey—hairedfriend，concludinghistale，—
—’theydiethere。’
\"Ihavepersuadedsomeofthebraverofthevillagerstobringwhatprovisionsandothernecessarieswerequireuptoaplateauaboutamilefromthehouseandleavethemthere。ThatisthemostIhavebeenabletodo。Itcomessomewhatasashocktoonetofindmenandwomen——fairlyeducatedandintelligentasmanyofthemare——slavestofearsthatonewouldexpectachildtolaughat。Butthereisnoreasoningwithsuperstition。\"
Extractfromthesameletter，butfromapartseeminglywrittenadayortwolater：
\"AthomeIshouldhaveforgottensuchataleanhourafterIhadheardit，butthesemountainfastnessesseemstrangelyfittobethelaststrongholdofthesupernatural。Thewomanhauntsmealready。
Atnightinsteadofworking，Ifindmyselflisteningforhertappingatthedoor；andyesterdayanincidentoccurredthatmakesmefearformyowncommonsense。Ihadgoneoutforalongwalkalone，andthetwilightwasthickeningintodarknessasInearedhome。Suddenlylookingupfrommyreverie，Isaw，standingonaknolltheothersideoftheravine，thefigureofawoman。Sheheldacloakaboutherhead，andIcouldnotseeherface。Itookoffmycap，andcalledoutagood—nighttoher，butshenevermovedorspoke。Then——Godknowswhy，formybrainwasfullofotherthoughtsatthetime——aclammychillcreptoverme，andmytonguegrewdryandparched。I
stoodrootedtothespot，staringatheracrosstheyawninggorgethatdividedus；andslowlyshemovedaway，andpassedintothegloom，andIcontinuedmyway。IhavesaidnothingtoMuriel，andshallnot。Theeffectthestoryhashaduponmyselfwarnsmenottodoso。\"
Fromaletterdatedelevendayslater：
\"Shehascome。Ihaveknownshewould，sincethateveningIsawheronthemountain；andlastnightshecame，andwehavesatandlookedintoeachother’seyes。Youwillsay，ofcourse，thatIammad——thatIhavenotrecoveredfrommyfever——thatIhavebeenworkingtoohard——thatIhaveheardafoolishtale，andthatithasfilledmyoverstrungbrainwithfoolishfancies：Ihavetoldmyselfallthat。
Butthethingcame，nevertheless——acreatureoffleshandblood？acreatureofair？acreatureofmyownimagination？——whatmatter？itwasrealtome。
\"Itcamelastnight，asIsatworking，alone。EachnightIhavewaitedforit，listenedforit——longedforit，Iknownow。Iheardthepassingofitsfeetuponthebridge，thetappingofitshanduponthedoor，threetimes——tap，tap，tap。Ifeltmyloinsgrowcold，andaprickingpainaboutmyhead；andIgrippedmychairwithbothhands，andwaited，andagaintherecamethetapping——tap，tap，tap。
Iroseandslippedtheboltofthedoorleadingtotheotherroom，andagainIwaited，andagaintherecamethetapping——tap，tap，tap。
ThenIopenedtheheavyouterdoor，andthewindrushedpastme，scatteringmypapers，andthewomanenteredin，andIclosedthedoorbehindher。Shethrewherhoodbackfromherhead，andunwoundakerchieffromaboutherneck，andlaiditonthetable。Thenshecrossedandsatbeforethefire，andInoticedherbarefeetweredampwiththenightdew。
\"Istoodoveragainstherandgazedather，andshesmiledatme——astrange，wickedsmile，butIcouldhavelaidmysoulatherfeet。
Sheneverspokeormoved，andneitherdidIfeeltheneedofspokenwords，forIunderstoodthemeaningofthoseupontheMountwhentheysaid，’Letusmakeheretabernacles：itisgoodforustobehere。’
\"HowlongatimepassedthusIdonotknow，butsuddenlythewomanheldherhandup，listening，andtherecameafaintsoundfromtheotherroom。Thenswiftlyshedrewherhoodaboutherfaceandpassedout，closingthedoorsoftlybehindher；andIdrewbacktheboltoftheinnerdoorandwaited，andhearingnothingmore，satdown，andmusthavefallenasleepinmychair。
\"Iawoke，andinstantlythereflashedthroughmymindthethoughtofthekerchiefthewomanhadleftbehindher，andIstartedfrommychairtohideit。Butthetablewasalreadylaidforbreakfast，andmywifesatwithherelbowsonthetableandherheadbetweenherhands，watchingmewithalookinhereyesthatwasnewtome。
\"Shekissedme，thoughherlipswerecold；andIarguedtomyselfthatthewholethingmusthavebeenadream。Butlaterintheday，passingtheopendoorwhenherbackwastowardsme，Isawhertakethekerchieffromalockedchestandlookatit。
\"Ihavetoldmyselfitmusthavebeenakerchiefofherown，andthatalltheresthasbeenmyimagination；that，ifnot，thenmystrangevisitantwasnospirit，butawoman；andthat，ifhumanthingknowshumanthing，itwasnocreatureoffleshandbloodthatsatbesidemelastnight。Besides，whatwomanwouldshebe？Thenearestsaeterisathree—hours’climbtoastrongman，andthepathsaredangerousevenindaylight：whatwomanwouldhavefoundtheminthenight？
Whatwomanwouldhavechilledtheairaroundher，andhavemadethebloodflowcoldthroughallmyveins？YetifshecomeagainIwillspeaktoher。Iwillstretchoutmyhandandseewhethershebemortalthingoronlyair。\"
Thefifthletter：
\"MYDEARJOYCE，——Whetheryoureyeswilleverseetheselettersisdoubtful。FromthisplaceIshallneversendthem。Theywouldreadtoyouastheravingsofamadman。IfeverIreturntoEnglandImayonedayshowthemtoyou，butwhenIdoitwillbewhenI，withyou，canlaughoverthem。AtpresentIwritethemmerelytohideaway，——
puttingthewordsdownonpapersavesmyscreamingthemaloud。
\"Shecomeseachnightnow，takingthesameseatbesidetheembers，andfixinguponmethoseeyes，withthehell—lightinthem，thatburnintomybrain；andatraretimesshesmiles，andallmybeingpassesoutofme，andishers。Imakenoattempttowork。Isitlisteningforherfootstepsonthecreakingbridge，fortherustlingofherfeetuponthegrass，forthetappingofherhanduponthedoor。Nowordisutteredbetweenus。EachdayIsay：’Whenshecomesto—
nightIwillspeaktoher。Iwillstretchoutmyhandandtouchher。’Yetwhensheenters，allthoughtandwillgoesoutfromme。
\"Lastnight，asIstoodgazingather，mysoulfilledwithherwondrousbeautyasalakewithmoonlight，herlipsparted，andshestartedfromherchair；and，turning，IthoughtIsawawhitefacepressedagainstthewindow，butasIlookeditvanished。Thenshedrewhercloakabouther，andpassedout。IslidbacktheboltI
alwaysdrawnow，andstoleintotheotherroom，and，takingdownthelantern，helditabovethebed。ButMuriel’seyeswereclosedasifinsleep。\"
Extractfromthesixthletter：
\"ItisnotthenightIfear，buttheday。IhatethesightofthiswomanwithwhomIlive，whomIcall’wife。’Ishrinkfromtheblowofhercoldlips，thecurseofherstonyeyes。Shehasseen，shehaslearnt；Ifeelit，Iknowit。Yetshewindsherarmsaroundmyneck，andcallsmesweetheart，andsmoothesmyhairwithhersoft，falsehands。Wespeakmockingwordsoflovetooneanother，butIknowhercrueleyesareeverfollowingme。Sheisplottingherrevenge，andI
hateher，Ihateher，Ihateher!\"
Partoftheseventhletter：
\"ThismorningIwentdowntothefiord。ItoldherIshouldnotbebackuntiltheevening。Shestoodbythedoorwatchingmeuntilweweremerespeckstooneanother，andapromontoryofthemountainshutmefromview。Then，turningasidefromthetrack，Imademyway，runningandstumblingoverthejaggedground，roundtotheothersideofthemountain，andbegantoclimbagain。Itwasslow，wearywork。OftenIhadtogomilesoutofmyroadtoavoidaravine，andtwiceIreachedahighpointonlytohavetodescendagain。ButatlengthIcrossedtheridge，andcreptdowntoaspotfromwhere，concealed，Icouldspyuponmyownhouse。She——mywife——stoodbytheflimsybridge。Ashorthatchet，suchasbutchersuse，wasinherhand。Sheleantagainstapinetrunk，withherarmbehindher，asonestandswhosebackacheswithlongstoopinginsomecrampedposition；andevenatthatdistanceIcouldseethecruelsmileaboutherlips。
\"ThenIrecrossedtheridge，andcrawleddownagain，and，waitinguntilevening，walkedslowlyupthepath。AsIcameinviewofthehouseshesawme，andwavedherhandkerchieftome，andinanswerI
wavedmyhat，andshoutedcursesatherthatthewindwhirledawayintothetorrent。Shemetmewithakiss，andIbreathednohinttoherthatIhadseen。Letherdevil’sworkremainundisturbed。Letitprovetomewhatmannerofthingthisisthathauntsme。Ifitbeaspirit，thenthebridgewiltbearitsafely；ifitbewoman—
\"ButIdismissthethought。Ifitbehumanthing，whydoesitsitgazingatme，neverspeaking？whydoesmytonguerefusetoquestionit？whydoesallpowerforsakemeinitspresence，sothatIstandasinadream？Yetifitbespirit，whydoIhearthepassingofherfeet？andwhydoesthenight—rainglistenonherhair？
\"Iforcemyselfbackintomychair。Itisfarintothenight，andI
amalone，waiting，listening。Ifitbespirit，shewillcometome；
andifitbewoman，Ishallhearhercryabovethestorm——unlessitbeademonmockingme。
\"Ihaveheardthecry。Itrose，piercingandshrill，abovethestorm，abovetherivingandrendingofthebridge，abovethedownwardcrashingofthelogsandloosenedstones。IhearitasIlistennow。
Itiscleavingitswayupwardfromthedepthsbelow。ItiswailingthroughtheroomasIsitwriting。
\"Ihavecrawleduponmybellytotheutmostedgeofthestillstandingpier，untilIcouldfeelwithmyhandthejaggedsplintersleftbythefallenplanks，andhavelookeddown。Butthechasmwasfulltothebrimwithdarkness。Ishouted，butthewindshookmyvoiceintomockinglaughter。Isithere，feeblystrikingatthemadnessthatiscreepingnearerandnearertome。Itellmyselfthewholethingisbutthefeverinmybrain。Thebridgewasrotten。
Thestormwasstrong。Thecryisbutasingleoneamongthemanyvoicesofthemountain。YetstillIlisten；anditrises，clearandshrill，abovethemoaningofthepines，abovethesobbingofthewaters。Itbeatslikeblowsuponmyskull，andIknowthatshewillnevercomeagain。\"
Extractfromthelastletter：
\"Ishalladdressanenvelopetoyou，andleaveitamongtheseletters。Then，shouldInevercomeback，somechancewanderermayonedayfindandpostthemtoyou，andyouwillknow。
\"Mybooksandwritingsremainuntouched。Wesittogetherofanight—
—thiswomanIcall’wife’andI——sheholdinginherhandssomeknittedthingthatnevergrowslongerbyasinglestitch，andIwithavolumebeforemethatiseveropenatthesamepage。Anddayandnightwewatcheachotherstealthily，movingtoandfroaboutthesilenthouse；andattimes，lookingroundswiftly，Icatchthesmileuponherlipsbeforeshehastimetosmoothitaway。
\"Wespeaklikestrangersaboutthisandthat，makingtalktohideourthoughts。Wemakeapretenceofbusyingourselvesaboutwhateverwillhelpustokeepapartfromoneanother。
\"Atnight，sittingherebetweentheshadowsandthedullglowofthesmoulderingtwigs，IsometimesthinkIhearthetappingIhavelearnttolistenfor，andIstartfrommyseat，andsoftlyopenthedoorandlookout。ButonlytheNightstandsthere。ThenIclose—tothelatch，andshe——thelivingwoman——asksmeinherpurringvoicewhatsoundIheard，hidingasmileasshestoopslowoverherwork；andI
answerlightly，and，movingtowardsher，putmyarmabouther，feelinghersoftnessandhersuppleness，andwondering，supposingI
heldherclosetomewithonearmwhilepressingherfrommewiththeother，howlongbeforeIshouldhearthecrackingofherbones。
\"Forhere，amidthesesavagesolitudes，Ialsoamgrownsavage。Theoldprimevalpassionsofloveandhatestirwithinme，andtheyarefierceandcruelandstrong，beyondwhatyoumenofthelateragescouldunderstand。Thecultureofthecenturieshasfallenfrommeasaflimsygarmentwhirledawaybythemountainwind；theoldsavageinstinctsoftheraceliebare。OnedayIshalltwinemyfingersaboutherfullwhitethroat，andhereyeswillslowlycometowardsme，andherlipswillpart，andtheredtonguecreepout；andbackwards，stepbystep，Ishallpushherbeforeme，gazingthewhileuponherbloodlessface，anditwillbemyturntosmile。Backwardsthroughtheopendoor，backwardsalongthegardenpathbetweenthejuniperbushes，backwardstillherheelsareoverhangingtheravine，andshegripslifewithnothingbutherlittletoes，Ishallforceher，stepbystep，beforeme。ThenIshallleanforward，closer，closer，tillIkissherpurplinglips，anddown，down，down，pastthestartledsea—birds，pastthewhitesprayofthefoss，pastthedownwardpeepingpines，down，down，down，wewillgotogether，tillwefindthethingthatliessleepingbeneaththewatersofthefiord。\"
Withthesewordsendedthelastletter，unsigned。Atthefirststreakofdawnweleftthehouse，and，aftermuchwandering，foundourwaybacktothevalley。Butofourguideweheardnonews。
Whetherheremainedstilluponthemountain，orwhetherbysomefalsestephehadperisheduponthatnight，weneverlearnt。
VARIETYPATTER。
MyfirstappearanceataMusicHallwasintheyearonethousandeighthundredands——。Well，Iwouldrathernotmentiontheexactdate。Iwasfourteenatthetime。ItwasduringtheChristmasholidays，andmyaunthadgivenmefiveshillingstogoandseePhelps——IthinkitwasPhelps——inCoriolanus——IthinkitwasCoriolanus。Anyhow，itwastoseeahigh—classandimprovingentertainment，Iknow。
IsuggestedthatIshouldinduceyoungSkegson，wholivedinourroad，togowithme。Skegsonisabarristernow，andcouldnottellyouthedifferencebetweenaknaveofclubsandaclubofknaves。A
fewyearshencehewill，ifheworkshard，beinnocentenoughforajudge。ButattheperiodofwhichIspeakhewasared—hairedboyofworldlytastes，notwithstandingwhichIlovedhimasabrother。Mydearmotherwishedtoseehimbeforeconsentingtothearrangement，soastobeabletoformherownopinionastowhetherhewasafitandpropercompanionforme；and，accordingly，hewasinvitedtotea。
Hecame，andmadeamostfavourableimpressionuponbothmymotherandmyaunt。Hehadawayoftalkingabouttheadvantagesofapplicationtostudyinearlylife，andthedutiesofyouthtowardsthoseplacedinauthorityoverit，thatwonforhimmuchesteemingrown—upcircles。ThespiritoftheBarhaddescendeduponSkegsonataveryearlyperiodofhiscareer。
Myaunt，indeed，wassomuchpleasedwithhimthatshegavehimtwoshillingstowardshisownexpenses（\"sprunghalfadollar\"washowheexplainedthetransactionwhenwewereoutside），andcommendedmetohisespecialcare。
Skegsonwasverysilentduringthejourney。Anideawasevidentlymaturinginhismind。AttheAngelhestoppedandsaid：\"Lookhere，I’lltellyouwhatwe’lldo。Don’tlet’sgoandseethatrot。Let’sgotoaMusicHall。\"
Igaspedforbreath。IhadheardofMusicHalls。Astoutladyhaddenouncedthemacrossourdinnertableononeoccasion——fixingthewhileasteelyeyeuponherhusband，whosatoppositeandseemeduncomfortable——aslow，horridplaces，wherepeoplesmokedanddrank，andworeshortskirts，andhadaddedanopinionthattheyoughttobeputdownbythepolice——whethertheskirtsorthehallsshedidnotexplain。Ialsorecollectedthatourcharwoman，whosesonhadlatelyleftLondonforaprotractedstayinDevonshire，had，inconversationwithmymother，datedhisdownfallfromthedaywhenhefirstvisitedoneoftheseplaces；andlikewisethatMrs。Philcox’snursemaid，uponherconfessingthatshehadspentaneveningatonewithheryoungman，hadbeencalledashamelesshussy，andsummarilydismissedasbeingnolongerafitassociateforthebaby。
Butthespiritoflawlessnesswasstrongwithinmeinthosedays，sothatIhearkenedtothevoiceofSkegson，thetempter，andheluredmyfeetfromthepathsthatledtovirtueandSadler’sWells，andwewanderedintothebroadandcrowdedwaysthatbranchofffromtheAngeltowardsMerryIslington。
Skegsoninsistedthatweshoulddothethinginstyle，sowestoppedatashopneartheAgriculturalHallandpurchasedsomebigcigars。
Ahugecardinthewindowclaimedforthesethattheywere\"themostsatisfactorytwopennysmokesinLondon。\"Ismokedtwoofthemduringtheevening，andneverfeltmoresatisfied——usingthewordinitstruesense，asimplyingthatapersonhashadenoughofathing，anddoesnotdesireanymoreofit，justthen——inallmylife。Wherewewent，andwhatwesaw，mymemoryisnotveryclearupon。Wesatatalittlemarbletable。Iknowitwasmarblebecauseitwassohard，andcooltothehead。Fromoutofthesmokymistaponderouscreatureofstrange，undefinedshapefloatedheavilytowardsus，anddepositedasquattumblerinfrontofmecontainingapaleyellowishliquor，whichsubsequentinvestigationhasledmetobelievemusthavebeenScotchwhisky。ItseemedtomethenthemostnauseousstuffIhadeverswallowed。Itiscurioustolookbackandnoticehowone’stasteschange。
Ireachedhomeverylateandverysick。Thatwasmyfirstdissipation，and，asalesson，ithasbeenofmorepracticalusetomethanallthegoodbooksandsermonsintheworldcouldhavebeen。
Icanremembertothisdaystandinginthemiddleoftheroominmynight—shirt，tryingtocatchmybedasitcameround。
NextmorningIconfessedeverythingtomymother，and，forseveralmonthsafterwards，wasareformedcharacter。Indeed，thependulumofmyconscienceswungtoofartheotherway，andIgrewexaggeratedlyremorsefulandunhealthilymoral。
Therewaspublishedinthosedays，fortheedificationofyoungpeople，asingularlypessimisticperiodical，entitledTheChildren’sBandofHopeReview。Itwasamagazinemuchinfavouramonggrown—uppeople，andaboundcopyofVol。IX。hadlatelybeenwonbymysisterasaprizeforpunctuality（Ifancyshemusthaveexhaustedallthevirtuesheeverpossessed，inthatdirection，uponthewinningofthatprize。Atallevents，Ihavenoticednoostentatiousdisplayofthequalityinherlaterlife。）Ihadformerlyexpressedcontemptforthisbook，butnow，inmyregeneratestate，Itookamorbidpleasureinporingoveritsdenunciationsofsinandsinners。Therewasonepictureinitthatappearedpeculiarlyapplicabletomyself。
Itrepresentedagaudilycostumedyoungman，standingonthetopmostofthreesteepsteps，smokingalargecigar。Behindhimwasaverysmallchurch，andbelow，abrightandnotaltogetheruninvitinglookinghell。Thepicturewasheaded\"TheThreeStepstoRuin，\"andthethreestairswerelabelledrespectively\"Smoking，\"\"Drinking，\"
\"Gambling。\"Ihadalreadytravelledtwo—thirdsoftheroad!WasI
goingalltheway，orshouldIbeabletoretracethosesteps？I
usedtolieawakeatnightandthinkaboutittillIgrewhalfcrazy。
Alas!sincethenIhavecompletedthedescent，sowheremyfuturewillbespentIdonotcaretothink。
Anotherpictureinthebookthattroubledmewasthefrontispiece。
Thiswasahighly—colouredprint，illustratingthebroadandnarrowways。ThenarrowwayledupwardpastaSunday—schoolandaliontoacityintheclouds。Thiscitywasreferredtointheaccompanyingletterpressasaplaceof\"RestandPeace，\"butinasmuchasthetownwasrepresentedintheillustrationassurroundedbyaperfectmobofangels，eachoneblowingatrumpettwicehisownsize，andobviouslyblowingitforallhewasworth，acertainconfusionofideaswouldseemtohavecreptintotheallegory。
Theotherpath——the\"broadway\"——whichendedinwhatatfirstglanceappearedtobeahighlysuccessfuldisplayoffireworks，startedfromthedoorofatavern，andledpastaMusicHall，onthestepsofwhichstoodagentlemansmokingacigar。Allthewickedpeopleinthisbooksmokedcigars——allexceptoneyoungmanwhohadkilledhismotheranddiedravingmad。Hehadgoneastrayonshortpipes。
ThismadeituncomfortablycleartomewhichdirectionIhadchosen，andIwasgreatlyalarmed，until，onexaminingthepicturemoreclosely，Inoticed，withmuchsatisfaction，thataboutmidwaythetwopathswereconnectedbyahandylittlebridge，bytheuseofwhichitseemedfeasible，startingontheonepathandendingupontheother，tocombinethepracticaladvantagesofbothroads。FromsubsequentobservationIhavecometotheconclusionthatagoodmanypeoplehavemadeanoteofthatlittlebridge。
Myownbeliefinthepossibilityofsuchconvenientcompromisemust，Ifear，haveledtoanethicalrelapse，forthererecurstomymindasomewhatpainfulsceneofafewmonths’laterdate，inwhichIamseekingtoconvinceasingularlyunresponsivelandedproprietorthatmypresenceinhisorchardissolelyandentirelyduetomyhavingunfortunatelylostmyway。
ItwasnotuntilIwasnearlyseventeenthattheideaoccurredtometovisitaMusicHallagain。Then，havingregardtomydoublecapacityof\"ManAboutTown\"andjournalist（forIhadwrittenalettertoTheEra，complainingofthewaypitdoorsweremadetoopen，andithadbeeninserted），IfeltIhadnolongeranyrighttoneglectacquaintanceshipwithsoimportantafeatureinthelifeofthepeople。Accordingly，oneSaturdaynight，Iwendedmywaytothe\"Pav。\"；andtherethefirstpersonthatIranagainstwasmyuncle。
Helaidaheavyhanduponmyshoulder，andaskedme，inseveretones，whatIwasdoingthere。Ifeltthistobeanawkwardquestion，foritwouldhavebeenuselesstryingtomakehimunderstandmyrealmotives（one’sownrelationsareneversympathetic），andIwassomewhatnonplussedforananswer，untilthereflectionoccurredtome：WhatwasHEdoingthere？ThisriddleI，inmyturn，propoundedtohim，withtheresultthatweenteredintotreaty，bythetermsofwhichitwasagreedthatnofuturereferenceshouldbemadetothemeetingbyeitherofus——especiallynotinthepresenceofmyaunt——
andthecompactwasratifiedaccordingtotheusualcustom，myunclepayingthenecessaryexpenses。
Inthosedays，wesat，somefourorsixofus，roundalittletable，onwhichwereplacedourdrinks。Nowwehavetobalancethemuponanarrowledge；andladies，astheypass，diptheendsoftheircloaksintothem，andgentlemenstirthemupforuswiththeferrulesoftheirumbrellas，orelsesweepthemoffintoourlapswiththeircoattails，sayingastheydoso，\"Oh，Ibegyourpardon。\"
Also，inthosedays，therewere\"chairmen\"——affablegentlemen，whowoulddrinkanythingatanybody’sexpense，anddrinkanyquantityofit，andneverseemtogetanyfuller。IwasintroducedtoaMusicHallchairmanonce，andwhenIsaidtohim，\"Whatisyourdrink？\"hetookupthe\"listofbeverages\"thatlaybeforehim，and，openingit，wavedhishandlightlyacrossitsentirecontents，fromclarets，pastchampagnesandspirits，downtoliqueurs。\"That’smydrink，myboy，\"
saidhe。Therewasnothingnarrow—mindedorexclusiveabouthistastes。
Itwasthechairman’sdutytointroducetheartists。\"Ladiesandgentlemen，\"hewouldshout，inavoicethatunitedthemusicalcharacteristicsofafoghornandasteamsaw，\"Miss’EneriettaMontressor，thepopularserio—comic，willnowhappear。\"Theseannouncementswereinvariablyreceivedwithgreatapplausebythechairmanhimself，andgenerallywithchillingindifferencebytherestoftheaudience。
Itwasalsotheprivilegeofthechairmantomaintainorder，andreprimandevil—doers。Thisheusuallydidveryeffectively，employingforthepurposelanguagebothfitandforcible。OnechairmanthatIrememberseemed，however，tobecuriouslydeficientinthenecessaryqualitiesforthispartofhisduty。Hewasamildandsleepylittleman，and，unfortunately，hehadtopresideoveranexceptionallyrowdyaudienceatasmallhallintheSouth—Eastdistrict。OnthenightthatIwaspresent，thereoccurredagreatdisturbance。\"JossJessop，theMonarchofMirth，\"agentlemanevidentlyhighinlocalrequestwas，forsomereasonorother，notforthcoming，andinhisplacethemanagementproposedtoofferafemaleperformeronthezithern，oneSignorinaBallatino。
Thelittlechairmanmadetheannouncementinanervous，deprecatorytone，asifhewereratherashamedofithimself。\"Ladiesandgentlemen，\"hebegan，——thepoorarestaunchsticklersforetiquette：
IoverheardasmallchildexplainingtohermotheronenightinThreeColtsStreet，Limehouse，thatshecouldnotgetintothehousebecausetherewasa\"lady\"onthedoorstep，drunk，——\"SignorinaBallatino，theworld—renowned——\"
Hereavoicefromthegalleryrequestedtoknowwhathadbecomeof\"OldJoss，\"andwasgreetedbyloudcriesof\"’Ear，’ear。\"
Thechairman，ignoringtheinterruption，continued：
\"——theworld—renownedperformeronthezither——\"
\"Onthewhoter？\"cameintonesofplaintiveinquiryfromthebackofthehall。
\"HONthezither，\"retortedthechairman，waxingmildlyindignant；hemeantzithern，buthecalleditazither。\"Ahinstrumentwell—knowntoanybodyas’as’adanylearning。\"
Thissallywasreceivedwithmuchfavour，andagentlemanwhoclaimedtobeacquaintedwiththefamilyhistoryoftheinterrupterbeggedthechairmantoexcusethatill—bredpersononthegroundthathismotherusedtogetdrunkwiththetwopenceaweekandneversenthimtoschool。
Cheeredbythisbreathofpopularity，ourlittlepresidentendeavouredtocompletehisintroductionoftheSignorina。Heagainrepeatedthatshewastheworld—renownedperformeronthezithern；
and，undeterredbytheaudibleremarkofaladyinthepittotheeffectthatshe’d\"never’eardon’er，\"added：
\"Shewillnow，ladiesandgentlemen，withyourkindpermission，giveyouexamplesofthe——\"
\"Blowyerzither!\"herecriedoutthegentlemanwhohadstartedtheagitation；\"wewantJossJessop。\"
Thiswasthesignalformuchcheeringandshrillwhistling，inthemidstofwhichawagwithapipingvoicesuggestedasareasonforthefavourite’snon—appearancethathebadnotbeenpaidhislastweek’ssalary。
Atemporarylulloccurredatthispoint；andthechairman，seizingtheopportunitytocompletehisoft—impededspeech，suddenlyremarked，\"songsoftheSunnySouth\"；andimmediatelysatdownandbeganhammeringuponthetable。
ThenSignoraBallatino，clothedinthecostumeoftheSunnySouth，whereclothesarelessessentialthaninthesecolderclimes，skippedairilyforward，andwasmostungallantlygreetedwithastormofgroansandhisses。Herbelovedinstrumentwasunfeelinglyalludedtoasapie—dish，andshewasadvisedtotakeitbackandgetthepennyonit。Thechairman，addressedbyhisChristiannameof\"Jimmee，\"
wastoldtoliedownandlethersinghimtosleep。Everytimesheattemptedtostartplaying，shoutswereraisedforJoss。
Atlengththechairman，overcominghisevidentdisinclinationtotakeanysortofhandwhateverinthegame，roseandgentlyhintedatthedesirabilityofsilence。Thesuggestionnotmeetingwithanysupport，heproceededtoadoptsternermeasures。Headdressedhimselfpersonallytotheringleaderoftherioters，themanwhohadfirstchampionedthecauseoftheabsentJoss。Thispersonwasabrawnyindividual，who，judgingfromappearances，followedinhisbusinesshoursthecallingofacoalheaver。\"Yes，sir，\"saidthechairman，pointingafingertowardshim，wherehesatinthefrontrowofthegallery；\"you，sir，intheflannelshirt。Icanseeyou。
Willyouallowthisladytogiveherentertainment？\"
\"No，\"answeredheofthecoalheavingprofession，instentoriantones。
\"Then，sir，\"saidthelittlechairman，workinghimselfupintoastatesuggestiveofJoveabouttolaunchathunderbolt——\"then，sir，allIcansayisthatyouarenogentleman。\"
Thiswasalittletoomuch，orratheragooddealtoolittle，fortheSignoraBallatino。Shehadhithertobeenstandinginameekattitudeofpatheticappeal，wearingafixedsmileofineffablesweetnessbutsheevidentlyfeltthatshecouldgoabitfartherthanthatherself，evenifshewasalady。Callingthechairman\"anoldmesser，\"andtellinghimforGawd’ssaketoshutupifthatwasallhecoulddoforhisliving，shecamedowntothefront，andtookthecaseintoherownhands。