Contents
THETWENTY-FIRSTOFOCTOBER
DIESIRAE
MUTABILESEMPER
THEMAGICRING
ITSWALLSWEREASOFJASPER
ASAGAOFTHESEAS
THERELUCTANTDRAGON
ADEPARTURE
DreamDaysTHETWENTY-FIRSTOF
OCTOBER
Inthematterofgeneralcultureandattainments，weyoungstersstoodonprettylevelground。True，itwasalwayshappeningthatoneofuswouldbesingledoutatanymoment，freakishly，andwithoutregardtohisownpreferences，towrestlewiththeinflectionsofsomeidioticlanguagelongrightlydead;whileanother，fromsomefanciedartistictendencywhichalwaysfailedtojustifyitself，mightbetoldoffwithoutwarningtohammeroutscalesandexercises，andtobedewthesenselesskeyswithtearsofwearinessorofrevolt。Butinsubjectscommontoeithersex，andheldtobenecessaryevenforhimwhoseambitionsoarednohigherthantocrackawhipinacircus-ring——
ingeography，forinstance，arithmetic，orthewearydoingsofkingsandqueens——eachwouldhavescornedtoexcel。And，indeed，whateverourindividualgifts，ageneraldoggeddeterminationtoshirkandtoevadekeptusallatmuchthesamedeadlevel，——alevelofignorancetemperedbyinsubordination。
Fortunatelythereexistedawiderangeofsubjects，ofhealthiertonethanthosealreadyenumerated，inwhichwewerefreetochooseforourselves，andwhichwewouldhavescornedtoconsidereducation;andinthesewefreelyfollowedeachhisownparticularline，oftenattaininganamountofspecialknowledgewhichstruckourignoranteldersassimplyuncanny。ForEdward，theuniforms，accoutrements，colours，andmottoesoftheregimentscomposingtheBritishArmyhadaspecialglamour。
Inthematteroffacingshewassimplyfaultless;amongchevrons，badges，medals，andstars，hemovedfamiliarly;heevenknewthenamesofmostofthecolonelsincommand;andhewouldsquandersunnyhoursproneonthelawn，heedlessofchallengefrombirdorbeast，poringoveratatteredArmyList。Myownaccomplishmentwasofanothercharacter——took，asitseemedtome，awiderandamoreuntrammelledrange。DragoonsmighthaveswaggeredinLincolngreen，riflemenmighthavedonnedsporransovertartantrews，withoutexcitingnoticeorcommentfromme。ButdidyouseekpreciseinformationastothefaunaoftheAmericancontinent，thenyouhadcometotherightshop。Whereandwhythebison\"wallowed\";howbeaverweretobetrappedandwildturkeysstalked;thegrizzlyandhowtohandlehim，andtheprettypressingwaysoftheconstrictor，——infine，thehauntsandthehabitsofallthatburrowed，strutted，roared，orwriggledbetweentheAtlanticandthePacific，——allthisknowledgeItookformyprovince。Bytheothersmyequipmentwasfullyrecognized。Supposingabookwithabear-huntinitmadeitswayintothehouse，andtheatmospherewaselectricwithexcitement;
still，itwasnecessarythatIshouldfirstdecidewhethertheslothadbeenproperlydescribedandproperlyfollowedup，eretheworkcouldbestampedwithfullapproval。Awritermighthavewonfamethroughoutthecivilizedglobeforhistrappersandhisrealisticbackwoods，andallwentfornothing。IfhispemmicanwerenotproperlycompoundedIdamnedhisachievement，anditwasheardnomoreof。
Haroldwashardlyoldenoughtopossessaspecialsubjectofhisown。Hehadhisinstincts，indeed，andatbird’s-nestingtheyalmostamountedtoprophecy。Whereweothersonlysuspectedeggs，surmisedpossibleeggs，hinteddoubtfullyateggsintheneighbourhood，Haroldwentstraightfortherightbush，bough，orholeasifhecarriedadivining-rod。Butthisfacultybelongedtotheclassofmeregifts，andwasnottoberankedwithEdward’sloreregardingfacings，andmineastothehabitsofprairie-dogs，bothgainedbypainfulstudyandextensivetravelinthose\"realmsofgold，\"theArmyListandBallantyne。
Selina’ssubject，quiteunaccountably，happenedtobenavalhistory。Thereisnolayingdownrulesastosubjects;youjustpossessthem——orrather，theypossessyou——andtheirgenesisorprotoplasmisrarelytobetrackeddown。Selinahadneversomuchasseenthesea;butforthatmatterneitherhadIeversetfootontheAmericancontinent，theby-waysofwhichIknewsointimately。AndjustasI，ifsetdownwithoutwarninginthemiddleoftheRockyMountains，wouldhavebeenperfectlyathome，soSelina，ifageniehaddroppedhersuddenlyonPortsmouthHard，couldhavegivenpointstomostofitsfrequenters。FromthedaysofBlakedowntothedeathofNelson（shenevercondescendedfurther）SelinahadtakenspiritualpartineverynotableengagementoftheBritishNavy;andeveninthedarkdayswhenshehadtopickupskirtsandflee，chasedbyanungallantDeRuyterorVanTromp，shewasyetcheerfulintheconsciousnessthaterelongshewouldbegleefullyhammeringthefleetsoftheworld，intheglorioustimestofollow。Whenthatgoldenperiodarrived，Selinawasbusyindeed;and，whilelovingbesttostandwherethesplinterswereflyingthethickest。shewasalsoacarefulandcriticalstudentofseamanshipandofmanoeuvre。Sheknewtheorderinwhichthegreatline-of-battleshipsmovedintoaction，thevesselstheyrespectivelyengaged，themomentwheneachletgoitsanchor，andwhichofthemhadaspringonitscable（whilenotunderstandingthephrase，shecarefullynotedthefact）;andshehabituallywentintoanengagementonthequarter-deckofthegallantshipthatreserveditsfirethelongest。
AtthetimeofSelina’sweirdseizureIwasunfortunatelyawayfromhome，onaloathsomevisittoanaunt;andmyaccountisthereforefeeblycompoundedfromhearsay。ItwasanabsenceI
neverceasedtoregret——scoringitup，withasenseofinjury，againsttheaunt。Therewasasplendiduselessnessaboutthewholeperformancethatspeciallyappealedtomyartisticsense。
ThatitshouldhavebeenSelina，too，whoshouldbreakoutthisway——Selina，whohadjustbecomearegularsubscribertothe\"YoungLadies’Journal，\"andwhoallowedherselftobetakenouttostrangeteaswithanairofresignationpalpablyassumed——thiswasaspecialjoy，andservedtoremindmethatmuchofthisdreadedconventionthatwascreepingoverusmightbe，afterall，onlyveneer。Edwardalsowasabsent，gettinglickedintoshapeatschool;buttohimthelosswasnothing。Withhissternpracticalbenthewouldn’thaveseenanysenseinit——torecalloneofhisfavouriteexpressions。ToHarold，however，forwhomthegodshadalwayscherishedaspecialtenderness，itwasgranted，notonlytowitness，butalso，priestlike，tofeedthesacredfireitself。Andifatthetimehepaidthepenaltyexactedbythesordidunimaginativeoneswhotemporarilyruletheroast，hemusteverafter，onefeelssure，havecarriedinsidehimsomeofthewhitegladnessoftheacolytewho，greatlyprivileged，hasbeenpermittedtoswingacenseratthesacringoftheveryMass。
Octoberwasmellowingfast，andwithittheyearitself;fulloftenderhints，inwoodlandandhedgerow，ofacoursewell-nighcompleted。Fromallsidesthatstillafternoonyoucaughtthequickbreathingandsoboftherunnernearingthegoal。
Preoccupiedandpossessed，Selinahadstrayeddownthegardenandoutintothepasturebeyond，where，onabitofrisinggroundthatdominatedthegardenononesideandthedownswiththeoldcoach-roadontheother，shehadcastherselfdowntochewthecudoffancy。ThereshewaspresentlyjoinedbyHarold，breathlessandveryfullofhislatestgrievance。
\"Iaskedhimnotto，\"heburstout。\"Isaidifhe’donlypleasewaitabitandEdwardwouldbebacksoon，anditcouldn’tmattertoHIM，andthepigwouldn’tmind，andEdward’dbepleasedandeverybody’dbehappy。Buthejustsaidhewasverysorry，butbacondidn’twaitfornobody。SoItoldhimhewasaregularbeast，andthenIcameaway。And——andIb’lievethey’redoingitnow！\"
\"Yes，he’sabeast，\"agreedSelina，absently。Shehadforgottenallaboutthepig-killing。Haroldkickedawayafreshlythrown-
upmole-hill，andproddeddowntheholewithastick。FromthedirectionofFarmerLarkin’sdemesnecamealong-drawnnoteofsorrow，athincryandappeal，tellingthatthestoutsoulofablackBerkshirepigwasalreadyfaringdownthestonytracktoHades。
\"D’youknowwhatdayitis？\"saidSelinapresently，inalowvoice，lookingfarawaybeforeher。
Harolddidnotappeartoknow，noryettocare。Hehadlaidopenhismole-runforayardorso，andwasstillgrubbingatitabsorbedly。
\"It’sTrafalgarDay，\"wentonSelina，trancedly;\"TrafalgarDay——
andnobodycares！\"
SomethinginhertonetoldHaroldthathewasnotbehavingquitebecomingly。Hedidn’texactlyknowinwhatmanner;still，heabandonedhismole-huntforamorecourteousattitudeofattention。
\"Overthere，\"resumedSelina——shewasgazingoutinthedirectionoftheoldhighroad——\"overtherethecoachesusedtogoby。
UncleThomaswastellingmeaboutittheotherday。Andthepeopleusedtowatchfor’emcoming，totellthetimeby，andp’r’apstogettheirparcels。Andonemorning——theywouldn’tbeexpectinganythingdifferent——onemorning，firsttherewouldbeacloudofdust，asusual，andthenthecoachwouldcomeracingby，andTHENtheywouldknow！Forthecoachwouldbedressedinlaurel，alllaurelfromstemtostern！Andthecoachmanwouldbewearinglaurel，andtheguardwouldbewearinglaurel;andthentheywouldknow，thentheywouldknow！\"
Haroldlistenedinrespectfulsilence。Hewouldmuchratherhavebeenhuntingthemole，whomusthavebeenamileawaybythistimeifhehadhiswitsabouthim。Buthehadallthenaturalinstinctsofagentleman;ofwhomitisoneoftheprincipalmarks，ifnotthecompletedefinition，nevertoshowsignsofbeingbored。
Selinarosetoherfeet，andpacedtheturfrestlesslywithashortquarter-deckwalk。
\"Whycan’tweDOsomething？\"sheburstoutpresently。
\"HE——hedideverything——whycan’twedoanythingforhim？\"
\"WHOdideverything？\"inquiredHarold，meekly。Itwasuselesswastingfurtherlongingsonthatmole。Likethedead，hetravelledfast。
\"Why，Nelson，ofcourse，\"saidSelina，shortly，stilllookingrestlesslyaroundforhelporsuggestion。
\"Buthe’s——he’sDEAD，isn’the？\"askedHarold，slightlypuzzled。
\"What’sthatgottodowithit？\"retortedhissister，resuminghercaged-lionpromenade。
Haroldwassomewhattakenaback。Inthecaseofthepig，forinstance，whoselastoutcryhadnowpassedintostillness，hehadconsideredthechapterasfinallyclosed。WhateverinnocentmirththeholidaysmightholdinstoreforEdward，thatparticularpig，atleast，wouldnotbeacontributor。Andnowhewasgiventounderstandthatthesituationhadnotmateriallychanged！Hewouldhavetorevisehisideas，itseemed。
Sittinguponend，helookedtowardsthegardenforassistanceinthetask。Thence，evenashegazed，atinycolumnofsmokerosestraightupintothestillair。Thegardenerhadbeensweepingthatafternoon，andnow，anunconsciouspriest，wasofferinghissacrificeofautumnleavestothecalm-eyedgoddessofchanginghuesandchillforebodingswhowasmovingslowlyaboutthelandthatgoldenafternoon。Haroldwasupandoffinamoment，forgettingNelson，forgettingthepig，themole，theLarkinbetrayal，andSelina’sstrangefeverofconscience。Herewasfire，realfire，toplaywith，andthatwasevenbetterthanmessingwithwater，orremodellingtheplasticsurfaceoftheearth。Ofallthetoystheworldprovidesforright-mindedpersons，theoriginalelementsrankeasilythefirst。
ButSelinasatonwhereshewas，herchinonherfists;andherfancieswhirledanddrifted，hereandthere，incurlsandeddies，alongwiththesmokeshewaswatching。Asthequick-
footedduskoftheshortOctoberdaysteppedlightlyoverthegarden，littleredtonguesoffiremightbeseentoleapandvanishinthesmoke。Harold，anonstaggeringunderarmfulsofleaves，anonstokingvigorously，wasdiscernibleonlyatfitfulintervals。ItwasanothersortofsmokethattheinnereyeofSelinawaslookingupon，——asmokethathunginsullenbanksroundthemastsandthehullsofthefightingships;asmokefrombeneathwhichcamethunderandthecrashandthesplinter-rip，theshoutoftheboardingparty，thechokingsobofthegunnerstretchedbyhisgun;asmokefromoutofwhichatlastshesaw，asthrougharivenpall，theradiantspiritoftheVictor，crownedwiththecoronalofaperfectdeath，leapinfullassuranceupintotheetherthatImmortalsbreathe。Theduskwasgloomingtowardsdarknesswhensheroseandmovedslowlydowntowardsthebeckoningfire;somethingofthepriestessinherstride，somethingofthedevoteeinthesetpurposeofhereye。
Theleaveswerewellalightbythistime，andHaroldhadjustaddedanoldfurzebush，whichflamedandcrackledstirringly。
\"Go’n’getsomemoresticks，\"orderedSelina，\"andshavings，’n’
chunksofwood，’n’anythingyoucanfind。Lookhere——inthekitchen-gardenthere’sapileofoldpea-sticks。Fetchasmanyasyoucancarry，andthengobackandbringsomemore！\"
\"ButIsay，——\"beganHarold，amazedly，scarceknowinghissister，andwithavisionofafrenziedgardener，pea-sticklessandthreateningretribution。
\"Goandfetch’emquick！\"shoutedSelina，stampingwithimpatience。
Haroldranoffatonce，truetothesternsystemofdisciplineinwhichhehadbeennurtured。ButhiseyeswerelikeroundO’s，andasheranhetalkedfasttohimself，inevidentdisorderofmind。
Thepea-sticksmadearareblaze，andthefire，nolongersmoulderingsullenly，leaptupandbegantoassumetheappearanceofagenuinebonfire。Harold，awedintosilenceatfirst，begantojumprounditwithshoutsoftriumph。Selinalookedongrimly，withknittedbrow;shewasnotyetfullysatisfied。
\"Can’tyougetanymoresticks？\"shesaidpresently。\"Goandhuntabout。Getsomeoldhampersandmattingandthingsoutofthetool-house。SmashupthatoldcucumberframeEdwardshovedyouinto，thedaywewereplayingscoutsandMohicans。Stopabit！Hooray！Iknow。Youcomealongwithme。\"
Hardbytherewasahot-house，AuntEliza’sspecialprideandjoy，andevengrimlyapprovedofbythegardener。Atoneend，inanout-houseadjoining，thenecessaryfiringwasstored;andtothissacredfuel，ofwhichwewerestrictlyforbiddentotouchastick，Selinawentstraight。Haroldfollowedobediently，preparedforanycrimeafterthatofthepea-sticks，butpinchinghimselftoseeifhewerereallyawake。
\"Youbringsomecoals，\"saidSelinabriefly，withoutanypalaverorpro-and-condiscussion。\"Here’sabasket。I’LLmanagethefaggots！\"
Inaveryfewminutestherewaslittledoubtaboutitsbeingagenuinebonfireandnopaltrymakeshift。Selina，aMaenadnow，hatlessandtossingdisorderedlocks，allthedrossoftheyoungladypurgedoutofher，stalkedaroundthepyreofherownpurloining，orproddeditwithapea-stick。Andassheproddedshemurmuredatintervals，\"IKNEWtherewassomethingwecoulddo！Itisn’tmuch——butstillit’sSOMETHING！\"
Thegardenerhadgonehometohistea。AuntElizahaddrivenoutforhersalongwayoff，andwasnotexpectedbacktillquitelate;andthisfarendofthegardenwasnotoverlookedbyanywindows。SotheTributeblazedonmerrilyunchecked。Villagersfaraway，catchingsightoftheflare，mutteredsomethingabout\"themyoungdevilsattheirtricksagain，\"andtrudgedonbeer-
wards。Neverathoughtofwhatdayitwas，neverathoughtforNelson，whopreservedtheirhonestpint-pots，tobepaidforinhonestpence，andsavedthemfromlitresanddecimalcoinage。
Nearerathand，frightenedrabbitspoppedupandvanishedwithaflickofwhitetails;scaredbirdsflutteredamongthebranches，orspedacrossthegladetoquietersleeping-quarters;
butneverabirdnorabeastgaveathoughttotheherotowhomtheyoweditthateachyeartheirlittlehomesofhorsehair，wool，ormoss，weresafestablished’neaththeflapoftheBritishflag;andthatGameLaws，quietlypermanent，madelachasseaterroronlytotheirbetters。Nooneseemedtoknow，nortocare，nortosympathise。Inalltheecstasyofherburnt-
offeringandsacrifice，Selinastoodalone。
Andyet——notquitealone！For，asthefirewasroaringatitsbest，certainstarssteppeddelicatelyforthonthesurfaceoftheimmensityabove，andpeereddowndoubtfully——withwonderatfirst，thenwithinterest，thenwithrecognition，withastartofgladsurprise。THEYatleastknewallaboutit，THEY
understood。AmongTHEMtheNamewasadailyfamiliarword;hisstorywasapartofthemusictowhichtheyswung，himselfwastheirfellowandtheirmateandcomrade。Sotheypeeped，andwinked，andpeepedagain，andcalledtotheirlaggardbrotherstocomequickandsee……
\"Thebestoflifeisbutintoxication;\"andSelina，whoduringherbriefinebriationhadlivedinanecstasyasgoldenasourdrabexistenceaffords，hadtoexperiencetheinevitablebitternessofawakeningsobriety，whenthedyingdownoftheflamesintosullenemberscoincidedwiththefrenziedentranceofAuntElizaonthescene。Itwasnotsomuchthatshewasatonceandforeverdisrated，broke，sentbeforethemast，andbrandedasoneonwhomnoreliancecouldbeplaced，evenwithEdwardsafeatschool，andmyselfunderthedistantvigilanceofanaunt;thatherpocketmoneywasstoppedindefinitely，andhernewChurchService，theprideofherlastbirthday，removedfromherowncustodyandplacedunderthecontrolofaTrust。ShesorrowedratherbecauseshehaddraggedpoorHarold，againsthisbetterjudgment，intoamosthorriblescrape，andmoreoverbecause，whenthereactionhadfairlysetin，whentheexaltationhadfizzledawayandtheyoung-ladyportionofherhadcrepttimorouslybacktoitswontedlodging，shecouldonlyseeherselfasaplainfool，unjustified，undeniable，withoutashadowofanexcuseorexplanation。
AsforHarold，youthandashortmemorymadehiscaselesspitifulthanitseemedtohismoresensitivesister。True，hestartedupstairstohislonelycotbellowingdismally，beforehimadrearyfutureofpainsandpenalties，sufficienttolasttothecrackofdoom。Outsidehisdoor，however，hetumbledoverAugustusthecat，andmadecaptureofhim;andatoncehismourningwaschangedintoasongoftriumph，asheconveyedhisprizeintoport。ForAugustus，whodetestedaboveallthingsgoingtobedwithlittleboys，wasevermoreknavethanfool，andthetrapperwhowaswilyenoughtoensnarehimhadachievedsomethingnotable。Augustus，whenherealizedthathisfatewassealed，andhisnight’slodgingsettled，wiselymadethebestofthings，andlistened，withalanguorousairofcompletecomprehension，totheincoherentbabbleconcerningpigsandheroes，molesandbonfires，whichservedHaroldforaself-sunglullaby。YetitmaybedoubtedwhetherAugustuswasoneofthoserarefellowswhothoroughlyunderstood。
ButSelinaknewnomoreofthissourceofconsolationthanofthesympathywithwhichthestarswerewinkingaboveher;anditwasonlyaftersomesadintervaloftime，andonaverymoistpillow，thatshedriftedintothatquaintinconsequentcountrywhereyoumaymeetyourownpetherostrollingdowntheroad，andcommitwhathair-brainedodditiesyoulike，andeverybodyunderstandsandappreciates。
DIESIRAE
Thosememorabledaysthatmoveinprocession，theirheadsjustoutofthemistofyearslongdead——themostofthemarefull-
eyedasthedandelionthatfromdawntoshadehassteepeditselfinsunlight。Hereandthereintheirranks，however，movesaforlornonewhoisblind——blindinthesenseofthedulledwindow-paneonwhichthepeltingraindropshavemingledandrundown，obscuringsunshineandthecirclingbirds，happyfields，andstoriedgarden;blindwiththespatterofamiseryuncomprehended，unanalysed，onlyfeltassomethingcorporealinitsbuffetingeffects。
Marthabeganit;andyetMarthawasnotreallytoblame。Indeed，thatwashalfthetroubleofit——nosolidpersonstoodfullinview，tobeblamedandtomakeatonement。Therewasonlyawretched，impalpableconditiontodealwith。Breakfastwasjustover;thesunwassummoningus，imperiousasaheraldwithclamouroftrumpet;Iranupstairstoherwithabrokenbootlaceinmyhand，andthereshewas，cryinginacorner，herheadinherapron。Nothingcouldbegotfromherbutthesamedismalsuccessionofsobsthatwouldnothavedone，thatstruckandhurtlikeaphysicalbeating;andmeanwhilethesunwasgettingimpatient，andIwantedmybootlace。
Inquirybelowstairsrevealedthecause。Martha’sbrotherwasdead，itseemed——hersailorbrotherBilly;drownedinoneofthosestrangefar-offseasitwasourdreamtonavigateoneday。
WehadknownBillywell，andappreciatedhim。WhenanapproachingvisitofBillytohissisterhadbeenannounced，wehadcountedthedaystoit。Whenhischeeryvoicewasatlastheardinthekitchenandwehaddescendedwithshouts，firstofallhehadtoexhibithistattooedarms，alwaysasubjectforfreshdelightandenvyandawe;thenhewascalleduponfortricks，jugglings，andstrange，fearfulgymnastics;andlastlycameyarns，andmoreyarns，andyarnstillbedtime。TherehadneverbeenanyonelikeBillyinhisownparticularsphere;andnowhewasdrowned，theysaid，andMarthawasmiserable，and——andIcouldn’tgetanewbootlace。TheytoldmethatBillywouldnevercomebackanymore，andIstaredoutofthewindowatthesunwhichcameback，rightenough，everyday，andtheirnewsconveyednothingwhatevertome。Martha’ssorrowhithomealittle，butonlybecausetheactualsightandsoundofitgavemeadull，badsortofpainlowdowninside——apainnottobeactuallylocated。Moreover，Iwasstillwantingmybootlace。
Thiswasapoorsortofabeginningtoadaythat，sofarasoutsideconditionswent，hadpromisedsowell。Iriggedupasortofjurymastofabootlacewithabitofoldstring，andwanderedofftolookupthegirls，consciousofajarandadiscordanceintheschemeofthings。ThemomentIenteredtheschoolroomsomethingintheairseemedtotellmethathere，too，matterswerestrainedandawry。Selinawasstaringlistlesslyoutofthewindow，onefootcurledroundherleg。WhenIspoketohershejerkedashouldertestily，butdidnotcondescendtothecivilityofareply。Charlotte，absolutelyunoccupied，sprawledinachair，andthereweresignsofsnifflesabouther，evenatthatearlyhour。Itwasbutatriflingmatterthathadcausedallthiselectricityintheatmosphere，andthegirls’
manneroftakingitseemedtomemostunreasonable。WithinthelastfewdaysthetimehadcomeroundforthedespatchofahampertoEdwardatschool。Onlyonehamperatermwaspermittedhim，soitspreparationwasasortofblendofrevelryandreligiousceremony。Afterthemaincorpusofthethinghadbeencarefullyselectedandsafelybestowed——thepotsofjam，thecake，thesausages，andtheapplesthatfilledupcornerssonicely——afterthelastpackagehadbeenwedgedin，thegirlshaddepositedtheirownprivateandpersonalofferingsonthetop。I
forgettheirprecisenature;anyhow，theywerenothingofanyparticularpracticalusetoaboy。Buttheyhadinvolvedsomecontrivanceandlabour，someskimpingofpocketmoney，andmuchdelightfulcloud-buildingastotheeffectontheirenrapturedrecipient。Well，yesterdaytherehadcomeaterseacknowledgmentfromEdward，heartilycommendingthecakesandthejam，stampingthesausageswiththesealofSmithmajor’sapproval，andfinallyhintingthat，fortifiedashenowwas，nothingmorewasnecessarybutaremittanceoffiveshillingsinpostagestampstoenablehimtofacetheworldarmedagainsteverybuffetoffate。Thatwasall。Neverawordorahintofthepersonaltributesorofhisappreciationofthem。Tous——toHaroldandme，thatis——theletterseemednaturalandsensibleenough。Afterall，provenderwasthemainthing，andfiveshillingsstoodforacompleteequipmentagainstthemostunexpectedturnsofluck。Thepresentswereverywellintheirway——verynice，andsoon——butlifewasaseriousmatter，andthecontestcalledforcakesandhalfcrownstocarryiton，notgew-
gawsandknittedmittensandthelike。Thegirls，however，intheirobstinateway，persistedintakingtheirownviewoftheslight。HenceitwasthatIreceivedmysecondrebuffofthemorning。
Somewhatdisheartened，Imademywaydownstairsandoutintothesunlight，whereIfoundHaroldplayingconspiratorsbyhimselfonthegravel。Hehaddugasmallholeinthewalkandhadlaidanimaginarytrainofpowderthereto;and，ashesoughtrefugeinthelaurelsfromtheinevitableexplosion，Iheardhimmurmur：
\"`MyGod！’saidtheCzar，`myplansarefrustrated！’\"Itseemedanexcellentoccasionforbeingablackpuma。Haroldlikedblackpumas，onthewhole，aswellasanyanimalwewerefamiliarwith。
SoIlaunchedmyselfonhim，withtheappropriatehowl，rollinghimoveronthegravel。
Lifemaybesaidtobecomposedofthingsthatcomeoffandthingsthatdon’tcomeoff。Thisthing，unfortunately，wasoneofthethingsthatdidn’tcomeoff。FrombeneathmeIheardashrillcryof，\"Oh，it’smysoreknee！\"AndHaroldwriggledhimselffreefromthepuma’sclutches，bellowingdismally。Now，Ihonestlydidn’tknowhehadasoreknee，and，what’smore，heknewIdidn’tknowhehadasoreknee。Accordingtoboyethics，therefore，hisattitudewaswrong，sorekneeornot，andnoapologywasduefromme。Imadehalf-wayadvances，however，suggestingweshouldlieinambushbytheedgeofthepondandcutofftheducksastheywaddleddowninsimple，unsuspectingsinglefile;thenhuntthemasbisonsflyingscatteredoverthevastprairie。Afascinatingpursuitthis，andstrictlyillicit。
ButHaroldwouldnoneofmyovertures，andretreatedtothehousewailingwithfulllungs。
Thingsweregettingsimplyinfernal。Istruckoutblindlyfortheopencountry;andevenasImadeforthegateashrillvoicefromawindowbademekeepofftheflower-beds。WhenthegatehadswungtobehindmewithaviciousclickIfeltbetter，andaftertenminutesalongtheroaditbegantogrowonmethatsomeradicalchangewasneeded，thatIwasinablindalley，andthatthisintolerablestateofthingsmustsomehowcease。AllthatI
coulddoIhadalreadydone。Aswell-meaningafellowaseversteppedwaspoundingalongtheroadthatday，withanexceedingsoreheart;onewhoonlywishedtoliveandletlive，intouchwithhisfellows，andappreciatingwhatjoyslifehadtooffer。
Whatwaswantednowwasacompletechangeofenvironment。Somewhereintheworld，Ifeltsure，justiceandsympathystillresided。Therewereplacescalledpampas，forinstance，thatsoundedwell。Leagueuponleagueofgrass，withjustanoccasionalwildhorse，andnotarelationwithinthehorizon！Toabruisedspiritthisseemedasaneandahealingsortofexistence。Therewereotherpleasantcorners，again，whereyoudivedforpearlsandstabbedsharksinthestomachwithyourbigknife。Norelationswouldbelikelytocomeinterferingwithyouwhenthusblissfullyoccupied。AndyetIdidnotwish——justyet——tohavedonewithrelationsentirely。Theyshouldbemadetofeeltheirpositionfirst，toseethemselvesastheyreallywere，andtowish——whenitwastoolate——thattheyhadbehavedmoreproperly。
Ofallprofessions，thearmyseemedtolenditselfthemostthoroughlytothescheme。Youenlisted，youfollowedthedrum，youmarched，fought，andportedarms，understrangeskies，throughunrecordedyears。Atlast，atlonglast，youropportunitywouldcome，whenthehorrorsofwarwereflickeringthroughthequietcountry-sidewhereyouwerecradledandbred，butwherethememoryofyouhadlongbeendim。Folkwouldruntogether，clamorous，palsiedwithfear;andamongtheterror-strickengroupswouldfigurecertainaunts。\"Whathopeisleftus？\"theywouldaskthemselves，\"saveintheclemencyoftheGeneral，themysterious，invincibleGeneral，ofwhommentellsuchromantictales？\"Andthearmywouldmarchin，andthegunswouldrattleandleapalongthevillagestreet，and，lastofall，you——you，theGeneral，thefabledhero——youwouldenter，onyourcoal-blackcharger，yourpalesetfaceseamedbyaninterestingsabre-cut。Andthen——buteveryboyhasrehearsedthisfamiliarpieceascoreoftimes。Youaremagnanimous，infine——thatgoeswithoutsaying;youhaveacoal-blackhorse，andasabre-cut，andyoucanaffordtobeverymagnanimous。Butallthesameyougivethemagoodtalking-to。
Thispleasantconceitsimplyravishedmysoulforsometwentyminutes，andthentheoldsenseofinjurybegantowellupafresh，andtocallfornewplastersandsoothingsyrups。ThistimeItookrefugeinhappythoughtsofthesea。Theseawasmyrealsphere，afterall。Onthesea，inespecial，youcouldcombinedistinctionwithlawlessness，whereasthearmyseemedtobealwaysweightedbyacertainploddingsubmissiontodiscipline。Tobesure，byallaccounts，thelifewasatfirstaroughone。ButjustthenIwantedtosufferkeenly;Iwantedtobeapoordevilofacabinboy，kicked，beaten，andswornat——foratime。Perhapssomehint，someinklingofmysufferingsmightreachtheirears。Induecoursetheslooporfeluccawouldturnup——italwaysdid——therakish-lookingcraft，blackofhull，lowinthewater，andbristlingwithguns;thejollyRogerflappingoverhead，andmyselfforsolecommander。Byandby，asusuallyhappened，anEastIndiamanwouldcomesailingalongfullofrelations——notanecessaryrelationwouldbemissing。Andthecrewshouldwalktheplank，andthecaptainshoulddancefromhisownyardarm，andthenIwouldtakethepassengersinhand——thatmiserablegroupofwell-knownfigurescoweringonthequarter-
deck！——andthen——andthenthesameoldperformance：theairthickwithmagnanimity。Inalltherepertoryofheroes，noneismoretrulymagnanimousthanyourpiratechief。
WhenatlastIbroughtmyselfbackfromthefuturetotheactualpresent，IfoundthatthesedelectablevisionshadhelpedmeoveralongerstretchofroadthanIhadimagined;andIlookedaroundandtookmybearings。Totherightofmewasalonglowbuildingofgreystone，new，andyetnotsmuglyso;new，andyetpossessingdistinction，markedwithacharacterthatdidnotdependonlichenoroncrumblingsemi-effacementofmouldingandmullion。Strangersmighthavebeenpuzzledtoclassifyit;tome，anexplorerfromearliestyears，theplacewasfamiliarenough。Mostfolkcalledit\"TheSettlement\";others，withquitesufficientconcisenessforourneighbourhood，spokeof\"themtherefellowsupbyHalliday’s\";othersagain，withahintofderision，namedthemthe\"monks。\"ThislasttitleIsupposedtobeintendedforsatire，andknewtobefatuouslywrong。Iwasthoroughlyacquaintedwithmonks——inbooks——andwellknewthecutoftheirlongfrocks，theirshavenpolls，andtheirfascinatingbigdogs，withbrandy-bottlesroundtheirnecks，incessantlyhaulinghappytravellersoutofthesnow。TheonlydogatthesettlementwasanIrishterrier，andthegoodfellowswhoownedhim，andwereownedbyhim，incommon，woreclothesofthemostnondescriptorder，andmostlycultivatedside-whiskers。Ihadwanderedupthereoneday，searching（asusual）forsomethingI
neverfound，andhadbeentakeninbythemandtreatedasfriendandcomrade。Theyhadmademefreeoftheirideallittlerooms，fullofbooksandpictures，andcleanoftheantimacassartaint;
theyhadshownmetheirchapel，high，hushed;andfaintlyscented，beautifulwithastrangenewbeautybornbothofwhatithadandwhatithadnot——thattoofamiliardowdinessofcommonplacesofworship。Theyhadalsofedmeintheirdining-hall，wherealongtablestoodontrestlesplaintoview，andallthewoodworkwasnatural，unpainted，healthilyscrubbed，andredolentoftheforestitcamefrom。Ibroughtawayfromthatvisit，andkeptbymeformanydays，asenseofcleanness，ofthefreshnessthatpricksthesenses——thefreshnessofcoolspringwater;andthelargesweptspacesoftherooms，theredtiles，andtheoakensettles，suggestedacomfortthathadnoconnexionwithpaddedupholstery。
OnthisparticularmorningIwasinmuchtoounsociableamindforpayingfriendlycalls。Still，somethingintheaspectoftheplaceharmonisedwithmyhumour，andIworkedmywayroundtotheback，wheretheground，afteraffordinglevelenoughforakitchen-garden，brokesteeplyaway。BoththewordGothicandthethingitselfwerestillunknowntome;yetdoubtlessthearchitectureoftheplace，consistentthroughout，accountedforitssenseofcomradeshipinmyhourofdisheartenment。AsI
musedthere，withthelow，grey，purposeful-lookingbuildingbeforeme，andthoughtofmypleasantfriendswithin，andwhatgoodtimestheyalwaysseemedtobehaving，andhowtheylarkedwiththeIrishterrier，whosefootingwasoneofaperfectequality，Ithoughtofacertainlookintheirfaces，asiftheyhadacommonpurposeandabusiness，andwereactingunderordersthoroughlyrecognisedandunderstood。Iremembered，too，somethingthatMarthahadtoldme，aboutthesesamefellowsdoing\"apowero’good，\"andotherhintsIhadcollectedvaguely，ofrenouncements，rules，self-denials，andthelike。Thereupon，outofthedepthsofmymorbidsoulswamupanewandfascinatingidea;andatoncethecareerofarmsseemedover-actedandstale，andpiracy，asaprofession，flatandunprofitable。This，then，orsomethinglikeit，shouldbemyvocationandmyrevenge。
Asevererlineofbusiness，perhaps，suchasIhadreadof;
somethingthatincludedblackbreadandahair-shirt。Thereshouldbevows，too——irrevocable，bloodcurdlingvows;andanirongrating。Thisirongratingwasthemostnecessaryfeatureofall，forIintendedthatontheothersideofitmyrelationsshouldrangethemselves——Imentallyranoverthecatalogue，andsawthatthewholegangwaspresent，allintheirproperplaces——
asad-eyedrow，combinedintristfulappeal。\"Weseeourerrornow，\"theywouldsay;\"wewerealwaysdulldogs，slowtocatch——
especiallyinthoseakintous——thefinerqualitiesofsoul！Wemisunderstoodyou，misappreciatedyou，andweownuptoit。Andnow——\"\"Alas，mydearfriends，\"Iwouldstrikeinhere，wavingtowardsthemanascetichand——oneoftheemaciatedsort，thatletsthelightshinethroughatthefinger-tips——\"Alas，youcometoolate！Thisconductisfittingandmeritoriousonyourpart，andindeedIalwaysexpecteditofyou，soonerorlater;
butthedieiscast，andyoumaygohomeagainandbewailatyourleisurethistootardyrepentanceofyours。Forme，Iamvowedanddedicated，andmyrelationshenceforthareausterityandholyworks。Onceamonth，shouldyouwishit，itshallbeyourprivilegetocomeandgazeatmethroughthisverysolidgrating;
but——\"WHACK！
Awell-aimedclodofgardensoil，whizzingjustpastmyear，starredonatree-trunkbehind，spatteringmewithdirt。Thepresentcamebacktomeinaflash，andInimblytookcoverbehindthetrees，realisingthattheenemywasupandabroad，withambuscades，alarms，andthrillingsallies。Itwasthegardener’sboy，Iknewwellenough;aredproletariat，whohatedmejustbecauseIwasagentleman。Hastilypickingupanicestickyclodinonehand，withtheotherIdelicatelyprojectedmyhatbeyondtheshelterofthetree-trunk。IhadnotfoughtwithRed-skinsalltheseyearsfornothing。
AsIhadexpected，anotherclod，ofthefirstclassforsizeandstickiness，tookmypoorhatfullinthecentre。Then，Ajax-
like，shoutingterribly，Iissuedfromshelteranddischargedmyammunition。Woethenforthegardener’sboy，who，unprepared，skippinginprematuretriumph，tooktheclodfullinhisstomach！
He，thefoolishone，witlessonwhosesidethegodswerefightingthatday，dischargedyetothermissiles，waveringandwideofthemark;forhiswindhadbeentakenwiththefirstclod，andheshotwildly，asonealreadydesperateandinflight。Igotanotherclodinatshortrange;weclinchedonthebrowofthehill，androlleddowntothebottomtogether。Whenhehadshakenhimselffreeandregainedhislegs，hetrottedsmartlyoffinthedirectionofhismother’scottage;butoverhisshoulderhedischargedatmebothimprecationanddeprecation，menacemixedupwithanunder-currentoftears。
Butasforme，Imadeoffsmartlyfortheroad，myframetingling，myheadhigh，withneverabackwardlookattheSettlementofsuggestiveaspect，oratmywell-plannedfuturewhichlayinfragmentsaroundit。Lifehaditsjollities，then;
lifewasaction，contest，victory！Thepresentwasrosyoncemore，surpriseslurkedoneveryside，andIwasbeginningtofeelvillainouslyhungry。
JustasIgainedtheroadacartcamerattlingby，andIrushedforit，caughtthechainthathungbelow，andswungthrillinglybetweenthedizzywheels，chokedandblindedwithdelicious-
smellingdust，theworldslippingbymelikeastreakyribbonbelow，tillthedriverlickedatmewithhiswhip，andIhadtodescendtoearthagain。Abandoningthebeatentrack，Ithenstruckhomewardsthroughthefields;notthatthewaywasverymuchshorter，butratherbecauseonthatrouteoneavoidedthebridge，andhadtosplashthroughthestreamandgetrefreshinglywet。Bridgesweremadefornarrowfolk，forpeoplewithaimsandvocationswhichcompelledabandonmentofmanyoflife’shighestpleasures。Trulywisemencalledoneachelementaliketoministertotheirjoy，andwhilethetouchofsun-bathedair，thefragranceofgardensoil，theductiblequalitiesofmud，andthespark-whirlingraptureofplayingwithfire，hadeachtheirspecialcharm，theydidnotoverlooktheblissofgettingtheirfeetwet。AsIcameforthonthecommonHaroldbrokeoutofanadjoiningcopseandrantomeetme，themorningrain-cloudsallblownawayfromhisface。Hehadmadeanewsquirrel-stick，itseemed。Madeitallhimself;meltedtheleadandeverything！
Iexaminedtheinstrumentcritically，andpronounceditabsolutelymagnificent。Aswepassedinatourgatethegirlsweredistantlyvisible，gardeningwithazealincheerfulcontrasttotheirheartsicklassitudeofthemorning。\"There’sbinanotherlettercometo-day，\"Haroldexplained，\"andthehampergotjoggledaboutonthejourney，andthepresentsworkeddownintothestrawandallovertheplace。Oneof’emturnedupinsidethecoldduck。Andthat’swhytheyweren’tfoundatfirst。AndEdwardsaid，ThanksAWFULLY\"
IdidnotseeMarthaagainuntilwewereallre-assembledattea-
time，whensheseemedred-eyedandstrangelysilent，neitherscoldingnorfindingfaultwithanything。Instead，shewasverykindandthoughtfulwithjamsandthings，feverishlypressingunwonteddelicaciesonus，whowantedlittlepressingenough。
Thensuddenly，whenIwasbusiest，shedisappeared;andCharlottewhisperedmepresentlythatshehadheardhergotoherroomandlockherselfin。Thisstruckmeasafunnysortofproceeding。
MUTABILESEMPER
Shestoodontheothersideofthegardenfence，andregardedmegravelyasIcamedowntheroad。Thenshesaid，\"Hi-o！\"andI
responded，\"Hullo！\"andpulledupsomewhatnervously。
Totellthetruth，theencounterwasnotentirelyunexpectedonmypart。ThepreviousSundayIhadseenherinchurch，andafterserviceithadtranspiredwhoshewas，thisnew-comer，andwhatauntshewasstayingwith。Thatmorningavolunteerhadbeencalledfor，totakeanotetotheParsonage，andrathertomyownsurpriseIhadfoundmyselfsteppingforwardwithalacrity，whiletheothershadbecomesuddenlyabsorbedinvariouspursuits，orhadsneakedunobtrusivelyoutofview。CertainlyIhadnotyetformedanydeliberateplanofaction;yetIsupposeI
recollectedthattheroadtotheParsonageledpastheraunt’sgarden。
Shebegantheconversation，whileIhoppedbackwardsandforwardsovertheditch，feigningacarelessease。
\"SawyouinchurchonSunday，\"shesaid;\"onlyyoulookeddifferentthen。Alldressedup，andyourhairquitesmooth，andbrushedupatthesides，andoh，soshiny！Whatdotheyputonittomakeitshinelikethat？Don’tyouhatehavingyourhairbrushed？\"sheranon，withoutwaitingforananswer。\"Howyourbootssqueakedwhenyoucamedowntheaisle！Whenminesqueak，I
walkinallthepuddlestilltheystop。ThinkI’llgetoverthefence。\"
Thissheproceededtodoinabusinesslikeway，while，withmyhandsdeepinmypockets，Iregardedhermovementswithsilentinterest，asthoseofsomestrangenewanimal。
\"I’vebeengardening，\"sheexplained，whenshehadjoinedme，\"butIdidn’tlikeit。There’ssomanywormsaboutto-day。I
hateworms。Wishthey’dkeepoutofthewaywhenI’mdigging。\"
\"Oh，IlikewormswhenI’mdigging，\"Irepliedheartily，\"seemtomakethingsmorelively，don’tthey？\"
Shereflected。\"Shouldn’tmind’emsomuchiftheywerewarmandDRY，\"shesaid，\"but——\"heresheshivered，andsomehowIlikedherforit，thoughifithadbeenmyownfleshandbloodhootsofderisionwouldhaveinstantlyassailedher。
Fromwormswepassed，naturallyenough，tofrogs，andthencetopigs，aunts，gardeners，rocking-horses，andotherfellow-citizensofourcommonkingdom。Infiveminuteswehadeachother’sconfidences，andIseemedtohaveknownherforalifetime。
Somehow，onthesubjectofone’sselfitwaseasiertobefrankandcommunicativewithherthanwithone’sfemalekin。Itmustbe，Isupposed，becauseshewaslessfamiliarwithone’sfaulty，tatteredpast。
\"Iwaswatchingyouasyoucamealongtheroad，\"shesaidpresently，\"andyouhadyourheaddownandyourhandsinyourpockets，andyouweren’tthrowingstonesatanything，orwhistling，orjumpingoverthings;andIthoughtperhapsyou’dbinscolded，orgotastomach-ache。\"
\"No，\"Iansweredshyly，\"itwasn’tthat。Factis，Iwas——I
often——butit’sasecret。\"
ThereImadeanerrorintactics。Thatenkindlingwordsetherdancingroundme，halfbeseeching，halfimperious。\"Oh，dotellitme！\"shecried。\"Youmust！I’llnevertellanyoneelseatall，IvowanddeclareIwon’t！\"
Hersmallframewriggledwithemotion，andwithimploringeyesshejiggedimpatientlyjustinfrontofme。Herhairwastumbledbewitchinglyonhershoulders，andeventhelossofafronttooth——alossincidentaltoherage——seemedbuttoaddapiquancytoherface。
\"Youwon’tcaretohearaboutit，\"Isaid，wavering。\"Besides，I
can’texplainexactly。IthinkIwon’ttellyou。\"ButallthetimeIknewIshouldhaveto。
\"ButIDOcare，\"shewailedplaintively。\"Ididn’tthinkyou’dbesounkind！\"
Thiswouldneverdo。Thatlittledownwardtugateithercornerofthemouth——Iknewthesymptomonlytoowell！
\"It’slikethis，\"Ibeganstammeringly。\"Thisbitofroadhere——
upasfarasthatcorner——youknowit’sahorriddullbitofroad。I’malwayshavingtogoupanddownit，andIknowitsowell，andI’msosickofit。SowheneverIgettothatcorner，I
just——well，Igorightofftoanotherplace！\"
\"Whatsortofaplace？\"sheasked，lookingroundhergravely。
\"Ofcourseit’sjustaplaceIimagine，\"Iwentonhurriedlyandrathershamefacedly：\"butit’sanawfullyniceplace——thenicestplaceyoueversaw。AndIalwaysgooffthereinchurch，orduringjoggraphylessons。\"
\"I’msureit’snotnicerthanmyhome，\"shecriedpatriotically。
\"Oh，yououghttoseemyhome——it’slovely！We’vegot——\"
\"Yesitis，eversomuchnicer，\"Iinterrupted。\"Imean\"——Iwentonapologetically——\"ofcourseIknowyourhome’sbeautifulandallthat。ButthisMUSTbenicer，’cosifyouwantanythingatall，you’veonlyGOTtowantit，andyoucanhaveit！\"
\"Thatsoundsjolly，\"shemurmured。\"Tellmemoreaboutit，please。Tellmehowyougetthere，first。\"
\"I——don’t——quite——know——exactly，\"Ireplied。\"Ijustgo。Butgenerallyitbeginsby——well，you’regoingupabroad，clearriverinasortofaboat。You’renotrowingoranything——you’rejustmovingalong。Andthere’sbeautifulgrassmeadowsonbothsides，andtheriver’sveryfull，quiteuptothelevelofthegrass。Andyouglidealongbytheedge。Andthepeoplearehaymakingthere，andplayinggames，andwalkingabout;andtheyshouttoyou，andyoushoutbacktothem，andtheybringyouthingstoeatoutoftheirbaskets，andletyoudrinkoutoftheirbottles;andsomeof’emarethenicepeopleyoureadaboutinbooks。AndsoatlastyoucometothePalacesteps——greatbroadmarblesteps，reachingrightdowntothewater。Andthereatthestepsyoufindeverysortofboatyoucanimagine——
schooners，andpunts，androw-boats，andlittlemen-of-war。Andyouhaveanysortofboatingyouwantto——rowing，orsailing，orshovingaboutinapunt！\"
\"I’dgosailing，\"shesaiddecidedly：\"andI’dsteer。No，YOU’Dhavetosteer，andI’dsitaboutonthedeck。No，I
wouldn’tthough;I’drow——atleastI’dmakeyourow，andI’dsteer。Andthenwe’d——Oh，no！I’lltellyouwhatwe’ddo！We’djustsitinapuntanddabble！\"
\"Ofcoursewe’lldojustwhatyoulike，\"Isaidhospitably;butalreadyIwasbeginningtofeelmylibertyofactionsomewhatcurtailedbythisexigentvisitorIhadsorashlyadmittedintomysanctum。
\"Idon’tthinkwe’dboatatall，\"shefinallydecided。\"It’salwayssoWOBBLY。Wheredoyoucometonext？\"
\"Yougoupthesteps，\"Icontinued，\"andinatthedoor，andtheveryfirstplaceyoucometoistheChocolate-room！\"
Shebrightenedupatthis，andIheardhermurmurwithgusto，\"Chocolate-room！\"
\"It’sgoteverysortofchocolateyoucanthinkof，\"Iwenton：
\"softchocolate，withstickystuffinside，whiteandpink，whatgirlslike;andhardshinychocolate，thatcrackswhenyoubiteit，andtakessuchanicelongtimetosuck！\"
\"Ilikethesoftstuffbest，\"shesaid：\"’cosyoucaneatsuchalotmoreofit！\"
Thiswastomeanewaspectofthechocolatequestion，andI
regardedherwithinterestandsomerespect。Withus，chocolatewasnonetoocommonathing，and，wheneverwehappenedtocomebyany，weresortedtothequaintestdevicesinordertomakeitlastout。Still，legendshadreachedusofchildrenwhoactuallyhad，fromtimetotime，asmuchchocolateastheycouldpossiblyeat;andhere，apparently，wasoneofthem。
\"Youcanhaveallthecreams，\"Isaidmagnanimously，\"andI’lleatthehardsticks，’cosIlike’embest。\"
\"Oh，butyoumustn’t！\"shecriedimpetuously。\"YoumusteatthesameasIdo！Itisn’tnicetowanttoeatdifferent。I’lltellyouwhat——youmustgiveMEallthechocolate，andthenI’llgiveYOU——I’llgiveyouwhatyououghttohave！\"
\"Oh，allright，\"Isaid，inasubduedsortofway。Itseemedalittlehardtobeputunderasentimentalrestrictionlikethisinone’sownChocolate-room。
\"Inthenextroomyoucometo，\"Iproceeded，\"there’sfizzydrinks！There’samarble-slabbusinessallroundtheroom，andlittlesilvertaps;andyoujustturntherighttap，andhaveanykindoffizzydrinkyouwant。\"
\"Whatfizzydrinksarethere？\"sheinquired。
\"Oh，allsorts，\"Iansweredhastily，hurryingon。（Shemightrestrictmyeatables，butI’dbehangedifIwasgoingtohavehermeddlewithmydrinks。）\"Thenyougodownthecorridor，andatthebackofthepalacethere’sagreatbigpark——thefinestparkyoueversaw。Andthere’sponiestorideon，andcarriagesandcarts;andalittlerailway，allcomplete，engineandguard’svanandall;andyouworkityourself，andyoucangofirst-
class，orinthevan，orontheengine，justwhicheveryouchoose。\"
\"I’dgoontheengine，\"shemurmureddreamily。\"No，Iwouldn’t，I’d——\"
\"Thenthere’sallthesoldiers，\"Istruckin。Reallythelinehadtobedrawnsomewhere，andIcouldnothavemyrailwaysystemdisorganisedandturnedupsidedownbyameregirl。
\"There’sanyquantityof’em，finebigsoldiers，andtheyallbelongtome。Andarowofbrasscannonsallalongtheterrace！
AndeverynowandthenIgivetheorder，andtheyfireoffalltheguns！\"
\"No，theydon’t，\"sheinterruptedhastily。\"Iwon’thave’emfireoffanyguns！Youmusttell’emnotto。Ihateguns，andassoonastheybeginfiringIshallrunrightaway！\"
\"But——butthat’swhatthey’reTHEREfor，\"Iprotested，aghast。
\"Idon’tcare，\"sheinsisted。\"Theymustn’tdoit。Theycanwalkaboutbehindmeiftheylike，andtalktome，andcarrythings。Buttheymustn’tfireoffanyguns。\"
Iwassadlyconsciousbythistimethatinthisbravepalaceofmine，whereinIwaswonttoswaggerdaily，irresponsibleandunquestioned，Iwasrapidlybecoming——sotospeak——amerelodger。
Theideaofmyfinebigsoldiersbeingtoldoffto\"carrythings\"！Iwasnotinclinedtotellheranymore，thoughtherestillremainedplentymoretotell。
\"Anyotherboysthere？\"sheaskedpresently，inacasualsortofway。
\"Ohyes，\"Iunguardedlyreplied。\"Nicechaps，too。We’llhavegreat——\"ThenIrecollectedmyself。\"We’llplaywiththem，ofcourse，\"Iwenton。\"ButyouaregoingtobeMYfriend，aren’tyou？Andyou’llcomeinmyboat，andwe’lltravelintheguard’svantogether，andI’llstopthesoldiersfiringofftheirguns！\"
Butshelookedmischievouslyaway，and——dowhatIwould——Icouldnotgethertopromise。
Justthenthestrikingofthevillageclockawokewithinmeanotherclamoroustimepiece，remindingmeofmid-daymuttonagoodhalf-mileaway，andofpenaltiesandcurtailmentsattachingtoalateappearance。Wetookahurriedfarewellofeachother，andbeforewepartedIgotfromheranadmissionthatshemightbegardeningagainthatafternoon，ifonlythewormswouldbelessaggressiveandgiveherachance。
\"Remember，\"IsaidasIturnedtogo，\"youmustn’ttellanybodyaboutwhatI’vebeentellingyou！\"
Sheappearedtohesitate，swingingonelegtoandfrowhilesheregardedmesidewayswithhalf-shuteyes。
\"It’sadeadsecret，\"Isaidartfully。\"Asecretbetweenustwo，andnobodyknowsitexceptourselves！\"
Thenshepromised，noddingviolently，big-eyed，hermouthpursedupsmall。Thedelightofrevelation，andtheblissofpossessingasecret，runeachotherveryclose。Butthelattergenerallywins——foratime。
Ihadpassedthemuttonstageandwaswelteringinwarmricepudding，beforeIfoundleisuretopauseandtakeinthingsgenerally;andthenaglanceinthedirectionofthewindowtoldme，tomydismay，thatitwasraininghard。Thiswasannoyingineveryway，for，evenifitcleareduplater，theworms——Iknewwellfromexperience——wouldbeoffensivelynumerousandfrisky。
SulkilyIsaidgraceandaccompaniedtheothersupstairstotheschoolroom;whereIgotoutmypaint-boxandresolvedtodevotemyselfseriouslytoArt，whichoflateIhadmuchneglected。
Haroldgotholdofasheetofpaperandapencil，retiredtoatableinthecorner，squaredhiselbows，andprotrudedhistongue。LiteraturehadalwaysbeenHISformofartisticexpression。
Selinahadafitofthefidgets，bredoftheunpromisingweather，and，insteadofsettlingdowntosomethingonherownaccount，mustneedswalkroundandannoyusartists，intentonembodyingourconceptionsoftheideal。ShehadbeenlookingovermyshouldersomeminutesbeforeIknewofit;orIwouldhavehadawordortwotosayuponthesubject。
\"Isupposeyoucallthatthingaship，\"sheremarkedcontemptuously。\"Whoeverheardofapinkship？Hoo-hoo！\"
Istifledmywrath，knowingthatinordertoscoreproperlyitwasnecessarytokeepacoolhead。
\"Thereisapinkship，\"Iobservedwithforcedcalmness，\"lyinginthetoy-shopwindownow。Youcangoandlookatitifyoulike。D’yousupposeyouknowmoreaboutshipsthanthefellowswhomake’em？\"
Selina，baffledforthemoment，returnedtothechargepresently。
\"Thosearefunnythings，too，\"sheobserved。\"S’posethey’remeanttobetrees。Butthey’reBLUE。\"
\"TheyAREtrees，\"Irepliedwithseverity;\"andtheyARE
blue。They’vegottobeblue，’cosyoustolemygambogelastweek，soIcan’tmixupanygreen。\"
\"DIDN’Tstealyourgamboge，\"declaredSelina，haughtily，edgingaway，however，inthedirectionofHarold。\"AndI
wouldn’ttelllies，either，ifIwasyou，aboutadirtylittlebitofgamboge。\"
Ipreservedadiscreetsilence。Afterall，IknewSHEknewshestolemygamboge。