\"No，\"saidSimmons;\"sheain’tinnow。\"
\"Youain’ther’usband，areye？\"
\"Yus。\"
Themantookhispipefromhismouthandgrinnedsilentlyandlong。
\"Blimy，\"hesaidatlength，\"youlooklikethesorto’blokeshe’dlike，\"andwiththathegrinnedagain。Then，seeingthatSimmonsmadereadytoshutthedoor，heputafootonthesillandahandagainstthepanel。\"Don’tbeina’hurry，matey，\"hesaid;\"Icome’eret’
’avealittletalkwithyou，mantoman，d’yesee？\"Andhefrownedfiercely。
TommySimmonsfeltuncomfortable，butthedoorwouldnotshut，soheparleyed。\"Wotjerwant？\"heasked，\"Idunnoyou。\"
\"Then，ifyou’llexcusetheliberty，I’llinterdoocemeself，inamannerofspeaking。\"Hetouchedhiscapwithabobofmockhumility。
\"I’mBobFord，\"hesaid，\"comebackouto’kingdomcomesotosay。Measwentdownwiththe/Mooltan/——safedeadfiveyeargone。Icometoseemywife。\"
DuringthisspeechThomasSimmons’sjawwasdroppinglowerandlower。
Attheendofithepokedhisfingersupthroughhishair，lookeddownatthemat，thenupatthefanlight，thenoutintothestreet，thenhardathisvisitor。Buthefoundnothingtosay。
\"Cometoseemywife，\"themanrepeated。\"Sonowwecantalkitover——
asmantoman。\"
Simmonsslowlyshuthismouth，andledthewayupstairsmechanically，hisfingersstillinhishair。Asenseofthestateofaffairssankgraduallyintohisbrain，andthesmalldevilwokeagain。Supposethisman/was/Ford？Supposehe/did/claimhiswife？Woulditbeaknock-
downblow？Wouldithithimout？——ornot？Hethoughtofthetrousers，thetea-things，themangling，theknives，thekettles，andthewindows;andhethoughtoftheminthewayofabackslider。
OnthelandingFordclutchedathisarm，andaskedinahoarsewhisper，\"’Owlong’foreshe’sback？\"
\"’Boutanhour，Iexpect，\"Simmonsreplied，havingfirstofallrepeatedthequestioninhisownmind。Andthenheopenedtheparlourdoor。
\"Ah，\"saidFord，lookingabouthim，\"you’vebinprettycomf’table。
Themchairsan’things，\"jerkinghispipetowardthem，\"washers——
mine，thatistosay，speakin’straight，andmantoman。\"Hesatdown，puffingmeditativelyathispipe，andpresently，\"Well，\"hecontinued，\"’ereIamagin，ol’BobFord，deadan’donefor——gonedowninthe/Mooltan/。On’yI/ain’t/donefor，see？\"AndhepointedthestemofhispipeatSimmons’swaistcoat。\"Iain’tdonefor，’causewhy？
Cons’kenceo’bein’pickedupbyaol’Germansailin’-’utchan’tookto’Frisco’forethemast。I’ve’adafewyearso’knockin’aboutsincethen，an’now\"——lookinghardatSimmons——\"I’vecomebacktoseemywife。\"
\"She——shedon’tlikesmokein’ere，\"saidSimmons，asitwereatrandom。
\"No，Ibetshedon’t，\"Fordanswered，takinghispipefromhismouthandholdingitlowinhishand。\"Iknow’Anner。’Owd’youfind’her？
Doshemakeyecleanthewinders？\"
\"Well，\"Simmonsadmitted，uneasily，\"I——Ido’elp’ersometimes，o’
course。\"
\"Ah！An’theknivestoo，Ibet，an’thebloomin’kittles。Iknow。
W’y\"——heroseandbenttolookbehindSimmons’shead——\"s’’elpme，I
b’lieveshecutsyer’air！Well，I’mdammed！Jes’wotshewoulddo，too。\"
HeinspectedtheblushingSimmonsfromdiverspointsofvantage。Thenheliftedalegofthetrousershangingbehindthedoor。\"I’dbetatrifle，\"hesaid，\"shemadethese’eretrucks。No-bodyelse’uddo’emlikethat。Damme！they’rewuss’nwotyou’regoton。\"
Thesmalldevilbegantohavetheargumentallitsownway。Ifthismantookhiswifebackperhapshe’dhavetowearthosetrousers。
\"Ah，\"Fordpursued，\"sheain’tgotnomilder。An’，mydavy，wotajore！\"
Simmonsbegantofeelthatthiswasnolongerhisbusiness。Plainly，’Annerwasthisotherman’swife，andhewasboundinhonourtoacknowledgethefact。Thesmalldevilputittohimasamatterofduty。
\"Well，\"saidFord，suddenly，\"time’sshortan’thisain’tbusiness。I
won’tbe’ardonyou，matey。Ioughtprop’lytostandonmyrights，butseein’asyou’reawell-meaningyoungman，sotospeak，an’allsettledan’a-livin’’erequietan’matrimonual，I’ll\"——thiswithaburstofgenerosity——\"damme！yus，I’llcompoundthefelonyan’takeme’ook。Come，I’llnameafigure，asmantoman，fustan’last，nolessan’nomore。Fivepounddoesit。\"
Simmonshadn’tfivepounds，——hehadn’tevenfivepence，——andhesaidso。\"An’Iwouldn’tthinktocomebetweenamanan’’iswife，\"headded，\"notonnoaccount。Itmayberoughonme，butit’sadooty。
/I’ll/’ookit。\"
\"No，\"saidFord，hastily，clutchingSimmonsbythearm，\"don’tdothat。I’llmakeitabitcheaper。Saythreequid——come，that’sreasonable，ain’tit？Threequidain’tmuchcompensationformegoin’
awayforever——wherethestormywindsdoblow，sotosay——an’neverasmuchasseein’meownwifeaginforbetternorwuss。Betweenmanan’
man，now，threequid，an’I’llshunt。That’sfair，ain’tit？\"
\"Ofcourseit’sfair，\"Simmonsreplied，effusively。\"It’smore’nfair：
it’snoble——downrightnoble，/I/callit。ButIain’tgoin’totakeameanadvantageo’yourgood-’artedness，Mr。Ford。She’syourwife，an’
Ioughtn’tto’a’comebetweenyou。Iapologise。Youstopan’’aveyerproperrights。It’smeasoughttoshunt，an’Iwill。\"Andhemadeasteptowardthedoor。
\"’Oldon，\"quothFord，andgotbetweenSimmonsandthedoor;\"don’tdothingsrash。Lookwotalossit’llbetoyouwithno’ometogoto，an’nobodytolookafterye，an’allthat。It’llbedreadful。Sayacouple——there，wewon’tquarrel，jestasinglequid，betweenmanan’
man，an’I’llstandapotouto’themoney。Youcaneasyraiseaquid——theclock’udprettynighdoit。Aquiddoesit，an’I’ll——\"
Therewasalouddoubleknockatthefrontdoor。IntheEastEndadoubleknockisalwaysfortheupstairslodgers。
\"Oo’sthat？\"askedBobFord，apprehensively。
\"I’llsee，\"saidThomasSimmons，inreply，andhemadearushforthestaircase。
BobFordheardhimopenthefrontdoor。Thehewenttothewindow，andjustbelowhimhesawthecrownofabonnet。Itvanished，andbornetohimfromwithinthedoortherefelluponhisearthesoundofawell-
rememberedfemalevoice。
\"Whereyegoin’nowwithno’at？\"askedthevoice，sharply。
\"Awright，’Anner——there’s——there’ssomebodyupstairstoseeyou，\"
Simmonsanswered。And，asBobFordcouldsee，amanwentscuttlingdownthestreetinthegatheringdusk。Andbehold，itwasThomasSimmons。
Fordreachedthelandinginthreestrides。Hiswifewasstillatthefrontdoor，staringafterSimmons。Heflungintothebackroom，threwopenthewindow，droppedfromthewash-houseroofintothebackyard，scrambleddesperatelyoverthefence，anddisappearedintothegloom。
Hewasseenbynolivingsoul。AndthatiswhySimmons’sbasedesertion——underhiswife’sveryeyes，too——isstillanastonishmenttotheneighbours。
AROSEOFTHEGHETTO
BY
ISRAELZANGWILL
OnedayitoccurredtoLeibelthatheoughttogetmarried。HewenttoSugarmantheShadchanforthwith。
\"Ihavetheverythingforyou，\"saidthegreatmarriagebroker。
\"Isshepretty？\"askedLeibel。
\"Herfatherhasabootandshoewarehouse，\"repliedSugarman，enthusiastically。
\"Thenthereoughttobeadowrywithher，\"saidLeibel，eagerly。
\"Certainlyadowry！Afinemanlikeyou！\"
\"Howmuchdoyouthinkitwouldbe？\"
\"Ofcourseitisnotalargewarehouse;butthenyoucouldgetyourbootsattradeprice，andyourwife’s，perhaps，forthecostoftheleather。\"
\"WhencouldIseeher？\"
\"IwillarrangeforyoutocallnextSabbathafternoon。\"
\"Youwon’tchargememorethanasovereign？\"
\"Notagroschenmore！Suchapiousmaiden！I’msureyouwillbehappy。
Shehassomuchway-of-the-country[breeding]。Andofcoursefivepercentonthedowry？\"
\"H’m！Well，Idon’tmind！\"\"Perhapstheywon’tgiveadowry，\"hethoughtwithaconsolatorysenseofoutwittingtheShadchan。
OntheSaturdayLeibelwenttoseethedamsel，andontheSundayhewenttoseeSugarmantheShadchan。
\"Butyourmaidensquints！\"hecried，resentfully。
\"Anexcellentthing！\"saidSugarman。\"Awifewhosquintscanneverlookherhusbandstraightinthefaceandoverwhelmhim。Whowouldquailbeforeawomanwithasquint？\"
\"Icouldendurethesquint，\"wentonLeibel，dubiously，\"butshealsostammers。\"
\"Well，whatisbetter，intheeventofaquarrel？Thedifficultyshehasintalkingwillkeepherfarmoresilentthanmostwives。Youhadbestsecureherwhileyouhavethechance。\"
\"Butshehaltsontheleftleg，\"criedLeibel，exasperated。
\"/GottinHimmel！/Doyoumeantosayyoudonotseewhatanadvantageitistohaveawifeunabletoaccompanyyouinallyourgoings？\"
Leibellostpatience。
\"Why，thegirlisahunchback！\"heprotested，furiously。
\"MydearLeibel，\"saidthemarriagebroker，deprecatinglyshrugginghisshouldersandspreadingouthispalms，\"youcan’texpectperfection！\"
NeverthelessLeibelpersistedinhisunreasonableattitude。HeaccusedSugarmanofwastinghistime，ofmakingafoolofhim。
\"Afoolofyou！\"echoedtheShadchan，indignantly，\"whenIgiveyouachanceofabootandshoemanufacturer’sdaughter？Youwillmakeafoolofyourselfifyourefuse。Idaresayherdowrywouldbeenoughtosetyouupasamastertailor。Atpresentyouarecompelledtoslaveawayasacutterforthirtyshillingsaweek。Itismostunjust。
Ifyouonlyhadafewmachinesyouwouldbeabletoemployyourowncutters。Andtheycanbegotsocheapnowadays。\"
ThisgaveLeibelpause，andhedepartedwithouthavingdefinitelybrokenthenegotiations。Hiswholeweekwasbefoggedbydoubt，hisworkbecameuncertain，hischalkmarkslackedtheirusualdecision，andhedidnotalwayscuthiscoataccordingtohiscloth。HisaberrationsbecamesomarkedthatprettyRoseGreen，thesweater’seldestdaughter，whomanagedamachineinthesameroom，divined，withallawoman’sintuition，thathewasinlove。
\"Whatisthematter？\"shesaid，inrallyingYiddish，whentheyweretakingtheirlunchofbreadandcheeseandginger-beeramidtheclatterofmachines，whoseserfshadnotyetknockedoffwork。
\"Theyareproposingmeamatch，\"heanswered，sullenly。
\"Amatch！\"ejaculatedRose。\"Thou！\"Shehadworkedbyhissideforyears，andfamiliaritybredthesecondpersonsingular。Leibelnoddedhishead，andputamouthfulofDutchcheeseintoit。
\"Withwhom？\"askedRose。Somehowhefeltashamed。Hegurgledtheanswerintothestoneginger-beerbottle，whichheputtohisthirstylips。
\"WithLeahVolcovitch！\"
\"LeahVolcovitch！\"gaspedRose。\"Leah，thebootandshoemanufacturer’sdaughter？\"
Leibelhunghishead——hescarceknewwhy。Hedidnotdaremeethergaze。Hisdroopsaid\"Yes。\"Therewasalongpause。
\"Andwhydostthounothaveher？\"saidRose。Itwasmorethananinquiry;therewascontemptinit，andperhapsevenpique。
Leibeldidnotreply。Theembarrassingsilencereignedagain，andreignedlong。Rosebrokeitatlast。
\"Isitthatthoulikestmebetter？\"sheasked。
Leibelseemedtoseeaballoflightningintheair;itburst，andhefelttheelectriccurrentstrikerightthroughhisheart。Theshockthrewhisheadupwithajerk，sothathiseyesgazedintoafacewhosebeautyandtendernesswererevealedtohimforthefirsttime。
Thefaceofhisoldacquaintancehadvanished;thiswasacajoling，coquettish，smilingface，suggestingundreamed-ofthings。
\"/Nu/，yes，\"hereplied，withoutperceptiblepause。
\"/Nu/，good！\"sherejoinedasquickly。
AndintheecstasyofthatmomentofmutualunderstandingLeibelforgottowonderwhyhehadneverthoughtofRosebefore。Afterwardherememberedthatshehadalwaysbeenhissocialsuperior。
Thesituationseemedtoodream-likeforexplanationtotheroomjustyet。Leibellovinglypassedabottleofginger-beer，andRosetookasip，withabeautifulairofplightingtroth，understoodonlyofthosetwo。WhenLeibelquaffedtheremnantitintoxicatedhim。Therelicsofthebreadandcheeseweretheambrosiatothisnectar。Theydidnotdarekiss;thesuddennessofitallleftthembashful，andthesmackoflipswouldhavebeenlikeacannon-pealannouncingtheirengagement。Therewasasubtlersweetnessinthissenseofasecret，apartfromthefactthatneithercaredtobreakthenewstothemastertailor，asternlittleoldman。Leibel’schalkmarkscontinuedindecisivethatafternoon，whichshowshowcorrectlyRosehadconnectedthemwithlove。
BeforeheleftthatnightRosesaidtohim，\"ArtthousurethouwouldstnotratherhaveLeahVolcovitch？\"
\"Notforallthebootsandshoesintheworld，\"repliedLeibel，vehemently。
\"AndI，\"protestedRose，\"wouldrathergowithoutmyownthanwithoutthee。\"
Thelandingoutsidetheworkshopwassobadlylightedthattheirlipscametogetherinthedarkness。
\"Nay，nay;thoumustnotyet，\"saidRose。\"ThouartstillcourtingLeahVolcovitch。Foraughtthouknowest，SugarmantheShadchanmayhaveentangledtheebeyondredemption。\"
\"Notso，\"assertedLeibel。\"Ihaveonlyseenthemaidenonce。\"
\"Yes。ButSugarmanhasseenherfatherseveraltimes，\"persistedRose。
\"Forsomisshapenamaidenhiscommissionwouldbelarge。ThoumustgotoSugarmanto-night，andtellhimthatthoucanstnotfinditinthyhearttogoonwiththematch。\"
\"Kissme，andIwillgo，\"pleadedLeibel。
\"Go，andIwillkissthee，\"saidRose，resolutely。
\"Andwhenshallwetellthyfather？\"heasked，pressingherhand，asthenextbestthingtoherlips。
\"AssoonasthouartfreefromLeah。\"
\"Butwillheconsent？\"
\"Hewillnotbeglad，\"saidRose，frankly。\"Butaftermother’sdeath——
peacebeuponher——therulepassedfromherhandsintomine。\"
\"Ah，thatiswell，\"saidLeibel。Hewasasuperficialthinker。
LeibelfoundSugarmanatsupper。ThegreatShadchanofferedhimachair，butnothingelse。Hospitalitywasassociatedinhismindwithspecialoccasionsonly，andinvolvedlemonadeand\"stuffedmonkeys。\"
Hewasveryputout——almosttothepointofindigestion——tohearofLeibel’sfinaldetermination，andpliedhimwithreproachfulinquiries。
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatyougiveupabootandshoemanufacturermerelybecausehisdaughterhasroundshoulders！\"heexclaimed，incredulously。
\"Itismorethanroundshoulders——itisahump！\"criedLeibel。
\"Andsuppose？Seehowmuchbetteroffyouwillbewhenyougetyourownmachines！Wedonotrefusetoletcamelscarryourburdensbecausetheyhavehumps。\"
\"Ah，butawifeisnotacamel，\"saidLeibel，withasageair。
\"Andacutterisnotamastertailor，\"retortedSugarman。
\"Enough，enough！\"criedLeibel。\"Itellyou，Iwouldnothaveherifshewereamachinewarehouse。\"
\"Therestickssomethingbehind，\"persistedSugarman，unconvinced。
Leibelshookhishead。\"Onlyherhump\"hesaidwithaflashofhumour。
\"MosesMendelssohnhadahump，\"expostulatedSugarman，reproachfully。
\"Yes，buthewasaheretic，\"rejoinedLeibel，whowasnotwithoutreading。\"Andthenhewasaman！Amanwithtwohumpscouldfindawifeforeach。Butawomanwithahumpcannotexpectahusbandinaddition。\"
\"Guardyourtonguefromevil，\"quoththeShadchan，angrily。\"IfeverybodyweretotalklikeyouLeahVolcovitchwouldneverbemarriedatall。\"
Leibelshruggedhisshoulders，andremindedhimthathunchbackedgirlswhostammeredandsquintedandhaltedonleftlegswerenotusuallyledunderthecanopy。
\"Nonsense！Stuff！\"criedSugarman，angrily。\"Thatisbecausetheydonotcometome。\"
\"LeahVolcovitch/has/cometoyou，\"saidLeibel，\"butsheshallnotcometome。\"Andherose，anxioustoescape。
InstantlySugarmangaveasighofresignation。\"Beitso！ThenIshallhavetolookoutforanother，that’sall。\"
\"No，Idon’twantany，\"repliedLeibel，quickly。
Sugarmanstoppedeating。\"Youdon’twantany？\"hecried。\"Butyoucametomeforone？\"
\"I——I——know，\"stammeredLeibel。\"ButI’ve——I’vealteredmymind。\"
\"OneneedsHillel’spatiencetodealwithyou！\"criedSugarman。\"ButI
shallchargeyou，allthesame，formytrouble。Youcannotcancelanorderlikethisinthemiddle！No，no！YoucanplayfastandloosewithLeahVolcovitch，butyoushallnotmakeafoolofme。\"
\"ButifIdon’twantone？\"saidLeibel，sullenly。
Sugarmangazedathimwithacunninglookofsuspicion。\"Didn’tIsaytherewassomethingstickingbehind？\"
Leibelfeltguilty。\"Butwhomhaveyougotinyoureye？\"heinquired，desperately。
\"Perhapsyoumayhavesomeoneinyours！\"naivelyansweredSugarman。
Leibelgaveahypocriticlong-drawn\"U-m-m-m！IwonderifRoseGreen——
whereIwork——\"hesaid，andstopped。
\"Ifearnot，\"saidSugarman。\"Sheisonmylist。Herfathergavehertomesomemonthsago，butheishardtoplease。Eventhemaidenherselfisnoteasy，beingpretty。\"
\"Perhapsshehaswaitedforsomeone，\"suggestedLeibel。
Sugarman’skeenearcaughtthenoteofcomplacenttriumph。
\"Youhavebeenaskingheryourself！\"heexclaimed，inhorror-strickenaccents。
\"AndifIhave？\"saidLeibel，defiantly。
\"Youhavecheatedme！AndsohasEliphazGreen——Ialwaysknewhewastricky！Youhavebothdefraudedme！\"
\"Ididnotmeanto，\"saidLeibel，mildly。
\"You/did/meanto。Youhadnobusinesstotakethematteroutofmyhands。WhatrighthadyoutoproposetoRoseGreen？\"
\"Ididnot，\"criedLeibel，excitedly。
\"Thenyouaskedherfather！\"
\"No;Ihavenotaskedherfatheryet。\"
\"Thenhowdoyouknowshewillhaveyou？\"
\"I——Iknow，\"stammeredLeibel，feelinghimselfsomehowaliaraswellasathief。Hisbrainwasinawhirl;hecouldnotrememberhowthethinghadcomeabout。Certainlyhehadnotproposed;norcouldhesaythatshehad。
\"Youknowshewillhaveyou，\"repeatedSugarman，reflectively。\"Anddoes/she/know？\"
\"Yes。Infact，\"heblurtedout，\"wearrangedittogether。\"
\"Ah，youbothknow。Anddoesherfatherknow？\"
\"Notyet。\"
\"Ah，thenImustgethisconsent，\"saidSugarman，decisively。
\"I——Ithoughtofspeakingtohimmyself。\"
\"Yourself！\"echoedSugarman，inhorror。\"Areyouunsoundinthehead？
Why，thatwouldbeworsethanthemistakeyouhavealreadymade！\"
\"Whatmistake？\"askedLeibel，firingup。
\"Themistakeofaskingthemaidenherself。Whenyouquarrelwithherafteryourmarriageshewillalwaysthrowitinyourteeththatyouwishedtomarryher。Moreover，ifyoutellamaidenyouloveher，herfatherwillthinkyououghttomarryherasshestands。Still，whatisdoneisdone。\"Andhesighedregretfully。
\"AndwhatmoredoIwant？Iloveher。\"
\"Youpieceofclay！\"criedSugarman，contemptuously。\"Lovewillnotturnmachines，muchlessbuythem。Youmusthaveadowry。Herfatherhasabigstocking;hecanwellaffordit。\"
Leibel’seyeslitup。Therewasreallynoreasonwhyheshouldnothavebreadandcheesewithhiskisses。
\"Now，if/you/wenttoherfather，\"pursuedtheShadchan，\"theoddsarethathewouldnotevengiveyouhisdaughter——tosaynothingofthedowry。Afterall，itisacheekofyoutoaspiresohigh。Asyoutoldmefromthefirst，youhaven’tsavedapenny。Evenmycommissionyouwon’tbeabletopaytillyougetthedowry。Butif/I/goIdonotdespairofgettingasubstantialsum——tosaynothingofthedaughter。\"
\"Yes，Ithinkyouhadbettergo，\"saidLeibel，eagerly。
\"ButifIdothisthingforyouIshallwantapoundmore，\"rejoinedSugarman。
\"Apoundmore！\"echoedLeibel，indismay。\"Why？\"
\"BecauseRoseGreen’shumpisofgold，\"repliedSugarman，oracularly。
\"Also，sheisfairtosee，andmanymendesireher。\"
\"Butyouhavealwaysyourfivepercent，onthedowry。\"
\"ItwillbelessthanVolcovitch’s，\"explainedSugarman。\"Yousee，Greenhasotherandlessbeautifuldaughters。\"
\"Yes，butthenitsettlesitselfmoreeasily。Sayfiveshillings。\"
\"EliphazGreenisahardman，\"saidtheShadchaninstead。
\"TenshillingsisthemostIwillgive！\"
\"TwelveandsixpenceistheleastIwilltake。EliphazGreenhagglessoterribly。\"
Theysplitthedifference，andsoelevenandthreepencerepresentedthepredominanceofEliphazGreen’sstinginessoverVolcovitch’s。
TheverynextdaySugarmaninvadedtheGreenworkroom。Rosebentoverherseams，herheartfluttering。Leibelhaddulyapprisedheroftheroundaboutmannerinwhichshewouldhavetobewon，andshehadacquiescedinthecomedy。Attheleastitwouldsaveherthetroubleoffather-taming。
Sugarman’sentrywasbrusqueandbreathless。Hewasoverwhelmedwithjoyousemotion。Hisbluebandanatrailedagitatedlyfromhiscoat-
tail。
\"Atlast！\"hecried，addressingthelittlewhite-hairedmastertailor;
\"Ihavetheverymanforyou。\"
\"Yes？\"gruntedEliphaz，unimpressed。Themonosyllablewaspackedwithemotion。Itsaid，\"Haveyoureallythefacetocometomeagainwithanidealman？\"
\"Hehasallthequalitiesthatyoudesire，\"begantheShadchan，inatonethatrepudiatedtheimplicationsofthemonosyllable。\"Heisyoung，strong，God-fearing——\"
\"Hasheanymoney？\"grumpilyinterruptedEliphaz。
\"He/will/havemoney，\"repliedSugarman，unhesitatingly，\"whenhemarries。\"
\"Ah！\"Thefather’svoicerelaxed，andhisfootlaylimponthetreadle。Heworkedoneofhismachineshimself，andpaidhimselfthewagessoastoenjoytheprofit。\"Howmuchwillhehave？\"
\"Ithinkhewillhavefiftypounds;andtheleastyoucandoistolethimhavefiftypounds，\"repliedSugarman，withthesamehappyambiguity。
Eliphazshookhisheadonprinciple。
\"Yes，youwill，\"saidSugarman，\"whenyoulearnhowfineamanheis。\"
TheflushofconfusionandtrepidationalreadyonLeibel’scountenancebecamearosyglowofmodesty，forhecouldnothelpoverhearingwhatwasbeingsaid，owingtothelullofthemastertailor’smachine。
\"Tellme，then，\"rejoinedEliphaz。
\"Tellme，first，ifyouwillgivefiftytoayoung，healthy，hard-
working，God-fearingman，whoseideaitistostartasamastertailoronhisownaccount？Andyouknowhowprofitablethatis！\"
\"Toamanlikethat，\"saidEliphaz，inaburstofenthusiasm，\"Iwouldgiveasmuchastwenty-sevenpoundsten！\"
Sugarmangroanedinwardly，butLeibel’sheartleapedwithjoy。Togetfourmonths’wagesatastroke！Withtwenty-sevenpoundstenhecouldcertainlyprocureseveralmachines，especiallyontheinstalmentsystem。OutofthecornersofhiseyesheshotaglanceatRose，whowasbeyondearshot。
\"Unlessyoucanpromisethirtyitiswasteoftimementioninghisname，\"saidSugarman。
\"Well，well——whoishe？\"
Sugarmanbentdown，loweringhisvoiceintothefather’sear。
\"What！Leibel！\"criedEliphaz，outraged。
\"Sh！\"saidSugarman，\"orhewilloverhearyourdelight，andaskmore。
Hehashisnosehighenough，asitis。\"
\"B——b——b——ut，\"sputteredthebewilderedparent，\"IknowLeibelmyself。
Iseehimeveryday。Idon’twantaShadchantofindmeamanIknow——
amerehandinmyownworkshop！\"
\"Yourtalkhasneitherfacenorfigure，\"answeredSugarman，sternly。
\"Itisjustthepeopleoneseeseverydaythatoneknowsleast。I
warrantthatifIhadnotputitintoyourheadyouwouldneverhavedreamtofLeibelasason-in-law。Comenow，confess。\"
Eliphazgruntedvaguely，andtheShadchanwentontriumphantly：\"I
thoughtasmuch。Andyetwherecouldyoufindabettermantokeepyourdaughter？\"
\"Heoughttobecontentwithheralone，\"grumbledherfather。
Sugarmansawthesignsofweakening，anddashedin，fullstrength：
\"It’saquestionwhetherhewillhaveheratall。Ihavenotbeentohimaboutheryet。Iawaitedyourapprovaloftheidea。\"Leibeladmiredtheverbalaccuracyofthesestatements，whichhehadjustcaught。
\"ButIdidn’tknowhewouldbehavingmoney，\"murmuredEliphaz。
\"Ofcourseyoudidn’tknow。That’swhattheShadchanisfor——topointoutthethingsthatareunderyournose。\"
\"Butwherewillhebegettingthismoneyfrom？\"
\"Fromyou，\"saidSugarman，frankly。
\"Fromme？\"
\"Fromwhomelse？Areyounothisemployer？Ithasbeenputbyforhismarriageday。\"
\"Hehassavedit？\"
\"Hehasnot/spent/it，\"saidSugarman，impatiently。
\"Butdoyoumeantosayhehassavedfiftypounds？\"
\"Ifhecouldmanagetosavefiftypoundsoutofyourwageshewouldbeindeedatreasure，\"saidSugarman。\"Perhapsitmightbethirty。\"
\"Butyousaidfifty。\"
\"Well，/you/camedowntothirty，\"retortedtheShadchan。\"Youcannotexpecthimtohavemorethanyourdaughterbrings。\"
\"Ineversaidthirty，\"Eliphazremindedhim。\"Twenty-seventenwasmylastbid。\"
\"Verywell;thatwilldoasabasisofnegotiations，\"saidSugarman，resignedly。\"Iwillcalluponhimthisevening。IfIweretogooverandspeaktohimnow，hewouldperceiveyouwereanxious，andraisehisterms，andthatwillneverdo。Ofcourseyouwillnotmindallowingmeapoundmoreforfindingyousoeconomicalason-in-law？\"
\"Notapennymore。\"
\"Youneednotfear，\"saidSugarman，resentfully。\"ItisnotlikelyI
shallbeabletopersuadehimtotakesoeconomicalafather-in-law。
Soyouwillbenonetheworseforpromising。\"
\"Beitso，\"saidEliphaz，withagestureofweariness，andhestartedhismachineagain。
\"Twenty-sevenpoundsten，remember，\"saidSugarman，abovethewhir。
Eliphaznoddedhishead，whirringhiswheel-worklouder。
\"Andpaidbeforethewedding，mind。\"
Themachinetooknonotice。
\"Beforethewedding，mind，\"repeatedSugarman。\"Beforewegounderthecanopy。\"
\"Gonow，gonow！\"gruntedEliphaz，withagestureofimpatience。\"Itshallallbewell。\"Andthewhite-hairedheadbowedimmovablyoveritswork。
IntheeveningRoseextractedfromherfatherthemotiveofSugarman’svisit，andconfessedthattheideawastoherliking。
\"Butdostthouthinkhewillhaveme，littlefather？\"sheasked，withcajolingeyes。
\"AnyonewouldhavemyRose。\"
\"Ah，butLeibelisdifferent。Somanyyearshehassatatmysideandsaidnothing。\"
\"Hehadhisworktothinkof。Heisagood，savingyouth。\"
\"AtthisverymomentSugarmanistryingtopersuadehim——notso？I
supposehewillwantmuchmoney。\"
\"Beeasy，mychild。\"Andhepassedhisdiscolouredhandoverherhair。
Sugarmanturnedupthenextday，andreportedthatLeibelwasunobtainableunderthirtypounds，andEliphaz，wearyofthecontest，calledoverLeibel，tillthatmomentcarefullyabsorbedinhisscientificchalkmarks，andmentionedthethingtohimforthefirsttime。\"Iamnotamantobargain，\"Eliphazsaid，andsohegavetheyoungmanhistawnyhand，andabottleofrumsprangfromsomewhere，andworkwassuspendedforfiveminutes，andthe\"hands\"alldrankamidsurprisedexcitement。Sugarman’svisitshadpreparedthemtocongratulateRose;butLeibelwasashock。
Theformalengagementwasmarkedbyevengreaterjunketing，andatlastthemarriagedaycame。Leibelwasresplendentinadiagonalfrockcoat，cutbyhisownhand;andRosesteppedfromthecabamedleyofflowers，fairness，andwhitesilk，andbehindhercametwobridesmaids，——hersisters，——atriothatglorifiedthespectator-strewnpavementoutsidethesynagogue。Eliphazlookedalmosttallinhisshinyhighhatandfrilledshirt-front。Sugarmanarrivedonfoot，carryingred-sockedlittleEbenezertuckedunderhisarm。
LeibelandRosewerenottheonlycoupletobedisposedof，foritwasthethirty-thirddayoftheOmer——adayfruitfulinmarriages。
Butatlasttheirturncame。Theydidnot，however，comeintheirturn，andtheirspecialfriendsamongtheaudiencewonderedwhytheyhadlosttheirprecedence。Afterseverallatermarriageshadtakenplaceawhisperbegantocirculate。Therumourofahitchgainedgroundsteadily，andthesensationwasproportionate。And，indeed，therosewasnottobepickedwithoutatouchofthethorn。
Graduallythefactsleakedout，andabuzzoftalkandcommentranthroughthewaitingsynagogue。Eliphazhadnotpaidup！
Atfirsthedeclaredhewouldputdownthemoneyimmediatelyaftertheceremony。ButthewarySugarman，schooledbyexperience，demandeditsinstantdeliveryonbehalfofhisotherclient。Hardpressed，Eliphazproducedtensovereignsfromhistrousers-pocket，andtenderedthemonaccount。TheseSugarmandisdainfullyrefused，andthenegotiationsweresuspended。Thebridegroom’spartywasencampedinoneroom，thebride’sinanother，andafterapainfuldelayEliphazsentanemissarytosaythathalftheamountshouldbeforthcoming，theextrafivepoundsinabrightnewBankofEnglandnote。Leibel，instructedandencouragedbySugarman，stoodfirm。
Andthenaroseahubbubofvoices，achaosofsuggestions;friendsrushedtoandfrobetweenthecamps，someemergingfromtheirseatsinthesynagoguetoaddtotheconfusion。ButEliphazhadtakenhisstanduponarock——hehadnomorereadymoney。To-morrow，thenextday，hewouldhavesome。AndLeibel，paleanddogged，clutchedtighteratthosemachinesthatwereslippingawaymomentlyfromhim。Hehadnotyetseenhisbridethatmorning，andsoherfacewasshadowycomparedwiththetangibilityofthosemachines。Mostoftheothermaidensweremarriedwomenbynow，andthesituationwasgrowingdesperate。Fromthefemalecampcameterriblerumoursofbridesmaidsinhysterics，andabridethattoreherwreathinapassionofshameandhumiliation。
EliphazsentwordthathewouldgiveanIOUforthebalance，butthathereallycouldnotmusteranymorecurrentcoin。SugarmaninstructedtheambassadortosuggestthatEliphazshouldraisethemoneyamonghisfriends。
Andtheshortspringdayslippedaway。Invaintheminister，apprisedoftheblock，lengthenedouttheformulaefortheotherpairs，andblessedthemwithmorereposefulunction。ItwasimpossibletostaveofftheLeibel-Greenitemindefinitely，andatlastRoseremainedtheonlyorange-wreathedspinsterinthesynagogue。Andthentherewasahushofsolemnsuspense，thatswelledgraduallyintoasteadyrumbleofbabblingtongues，asminutesucceededminuteandthefinalbridalpartystillfailedtoappear。Thelatestbulletinpicturedthebrideinadeadfaint。Theafternoonwaswaningfast。Theministerlefthispostnearthecanopy，underwhichsomanyliveshadbeenunited，andcametoaddhiswhitetietotheforcesforcompromise。Buthefarednobetterthantheothers。Incensedattheobstinacyoftheantagonists，hedeclaredhewouldclosethesynagogue。Hegavethecoupletenminutestomarryinorquit。Thenchaoscame，andpandemonium——afranticbabelofsuggestionandexhortationfromthecrowd。WhenfiveminuteshadpassedalegatefromEliphazannouncedthathissidehadscrapedtogethertwentypounds，andthatthiswastheirfinalbid。
Leibelwavered;thelongday’scombathadtolduponhim;thereportsofthebride’sdistresshadweakenedhim。EvenSugarmanhadlosthiscocksurenessofvictory。Afewminutesmoreandbothcommissionsmightslipthroughhisfingers。Oncethepartiesleftthesynagogue，itwouldnotbeeasytodrivethemthereanotherday。Buthecheeredonhismanstill：onecouldalwayssurrenderatthetenthminute。
Attheeighththebuzzoftonguesfalteredsuddenly，tobetransposedintoanewkey，sotospeak。Throughthegesticulatingassemblysweptthatmurmurofexpectationwhichcrowdsknowwhentheprocessioniscomingatlast。BysomemysteriousmagnetismallwereawarethattheBRIDEherself——thepoorhystericbride——hadleftthepaternalcamp，wascominginpersontopleadwithhermercenarylover。
AndasthegloryofherandtheflowersandthewhitedraperiesloomeduponLeibel’svisionhisheartmeltedinworship，andheknewhiscitadelwouldcrumbleinruinsatherfirstglance，atherfirsttouch。Wasitfairfighting？Ashistroubledvisioncleared，andasshecamenighuntohim，hesawtohisamazementthatshewasspecklessandcomposed——notraceoftearsdimmedthefairnessofherface，therewasnodisarrayinherbridalwreath。
Theclockshowedtheninthminute。
Sheputherhandappeallinglyonhisarm，whileaheavenlylightcameintoherface——theexpressionofaJoanofArcanimatinghercountry。
\"Donotgivein，Leibel！\"shesaid。\"Donothaveme！Donotletthempersuadethee！Bymylife，thoumustnot！Gohome！\"
SoattheeleventhminutethevanquishedEliphazproducedthebalance，andtheyalllivedhappilyeverafterward。
ANIDYLOFLONDON
BY
BEATRICEHARRADEN
Itwasoneo’clock，andmanyofthestudentsintheNationalGalleryhadleftoffworkandwererefreshingthemselveswithlunchandconversation。Therewasoneoldworkerwhohadnotstirredfromhisplace，buthehadputdownhisbrush，andhadtakenfromhispocketasmallbook，whichwaslikeitsowner——thinandshabbyofcovering。Heseemedtofindpleasureinreadingit，forheturnedoveritspageswithallthetendernesscharacteristicofonewholoveswhathereads。
NowandagainheglancedathisunfinishedcopyofthebeautifulportraitofAndreadelSarto，andoncehiseyesrestedonanothercopynexttohis，betterandtruerthanhis，andoncehestoppedtopickupagirl’sprune-colouredtie，whichhadfallenfromtheneighbouringeasel。Afterthisheseemedtobecomeunconsciousofhissurroundings，asunconscious，indeed，asanyoneofthepicturesnearhim。Anyonemighthavebeenjustifiedinmistakinghimfortheportraitofaman，butthathislipsmoved;foritwashiscustomtoreadsoftlytohimself。
Thestudentspassedbacktotheirplaces，nottroublingtonoticehim，becausetheyknewfromexperiencethathenevernoticedthem，andthatallgreetingswerewastedonhimandallwordswerewantonexpenditureofbreath。Theyhadcometoregardhimverymuchinthesamewayasmanyofusregardthewondersofnature，withoutastonishment，withoutanyquestionings，andoftenwithoutanyinterest。Onegirl，anew-
comer，didchancetosaytohercompanion：
\"Howillthatoldmanlooks！\"
\"Oh，healwayslookslikethat，\"wastheanswer。\"Youwillsoongetaccustomedtohim。Comealong！Imustfinishmy’BlindBeggar’thisafternoon。\"
Inafewminutesmostoftheworkerswerebusyagain，althoughthereweresomewhocontinuedtochatquietly，andseveralyoungmenwhoseemedreluctanttoleavetheirgirlfriends，andwhowerebynomeansencouragedtogo！Oneyoungmancametoclaimhisbookandpipe，whichhehadleftinthechargeofabright-eyedgirl，whowascopyingSirJoshua’s\"Angels。\"Shegavehimhistreasures，andreceivedinexchangeadark-redrose，whichshefastenedinherbelt;andthenhereturnedtohisportraitofMrs。Siddons。ButtherewassomethinginhisdisconsolatemannerwhichmadeonesuspectthathethoughtlessofMrs。Siddons’sbeautythanofthebeautyofthegirlwhowaswearingthedark-redrose！Thestrangers，strollingthroughtherooms，stoppednowandagaintopeercuriouslyatthestudents’work。Theywerestaredatindignantlybythestudentsthemselves，buttheymadenoattempttomoveaway，andevenventuredsometimestopasscriticismsofnotendercharacteronsomeofthecopies。Thefierce-lookingmanwhowascopying\"TheHorseFair\"deliberatelyputdownhisbrushes，foldedhisarms，andwaiteddefiantlyuntiltheyhadgoneby;butothers，wiserintheirgeneration，wentonpaintingcalmly。SeveralworkerswerepaintingthenewRaphael;oneofthemwasawhite-hairedoldgentlewoman，whosehandwastrembling，andyetskilfulstill。Morethanoncesheturnedtogiveafewhintstotheyounggirlnearher，wholookedinsomedistressanddoubt。Justtheneedfulhelpwasgiven，andthenthegirlpliedherbrushmerrily，smilingthewhilewithpleasureandgratitude。Thereseemedtobeagenial，kindlyinfluenceatwork，acertainhomelinesstoo，whichmustneedsassertitselfwheremanyaregatheredtogether，workingsidebyside。Allmadeaharmony;thewonderfulpictures，collectedfrommanylandsandmanycenturies，eachwithitsmeaninganditsmessagefromthepast;
theever-presentmemoriesofthepaintersthemselves，whohadworkedandstrivenandconquered;andthelivinghumanbeings，eachwithhiswealthofearnestendeavourandhope。
Meanwhiletheoldmanreadonuninterruptedlyuntiltwohandswereputoverhisbookandagentlevoicesaid：
\"Mr。Lindall，youhavehadnolunchagain。Doyouknow，IbegintohateLucretius。Healwaysmakesyouforgetyourfood。\"
Theoldmanlookedup，andsomethinglikeasmilepassedoverhisjoylessfacewhenhesawHelenStanleybendingoverhim。
\"Ah，\"heanswered，\"youmustnothateLucretius。Ihavehadmorepleasanthourswithhimthanwithanylivingperson。\"
HeroseandcameforwardtoexaminehercopyofAndreadelSarto’sportrait。
\"Yoursisbetterthanmine，\"hesaid，critically;\"infact，mineisafailure。IthinkIshallonlygetasmallpriceformine;indeed，I
doubtwhetherIshallgetsufficienttopayformyfuneral。\"
\"Youspeakdismally，\"sheanswered，smiling。
\"Imissedyouyesterday，\"hecontinued，halfdreamily。\"Ileftmywork，andIwanderedthroughtherooms，andIdidnotevenreadLucretius。Somethingseemedtohavegonefrommylife。AtfirstI
thoughtitmustbemyfavouriteRaphael，ortheMurillo;butitwasneithertheonenortheother;itwasyou。Thatwasstrange，wasn’tit？Butyouknowwegetaccustomedtoanything，andperhapsIshouldhavemissedyoulessthesecondday，andbytheendofaweekIshouldnothavemissedyouatall。Mercifully，wehaveinusthepowerofforgetting。\"
\"Idonotwishtopleadformyself，\"shesaid，\"butIdonotbelievethatyouoranyonecouldreallyforget。Thatwhichoutsiderscallforgetfulnessmightbecalledbythebetternameofresignation。\"
\"Idon’tcareabouttalkinganymorenow，\"hesaid，suddenly，andhewenttohiseaselandworkedsilentlyathispicture;andHelenStanleyglancedathim，andthoughtshehadneverseenheroldcompanionlooksoforlornanddesolateashedidto-day。Helookedasifnogentlehandhadeverbeenplacedonhiminkindlinessandaffection，andthatseemedtoheraterriblething;forshewasoneofthoseprehistoricallymindedpersonswhopersistinbelievingthataffectionisasneedfultohumanlifeasraintoflowerlife。Whenfirstshecametoworkatthegallery——sometwelvemonthsago——shehadnoticedthisoldman，andhadwishedforhiscompanionship;shewasherselflonelyandsorrowful，and，althoughyoung，hadtofightherownbattles，andhadlearnedsomethingofthedifficultiesoffighting，andthishadgivenheranexperiencebeyondheryears。Shewasnotmorethantwenty-fouryearsofage，butshelookedratherolder，and，thoughshehadbeautifuleyes，fullofmeaningandkindness，herfeaturesweredecidedlyplainaswellasunattractive。
Thereweresomeinthegallerywhosaidamongthemselvesthat，asMr。
Lindallhadwaitedsomanyyearsbeforetalkingtoanyone，hemighthavechosensomeonebetterworththewaitingfor！ButtheysoonbecameaccustomedtoseeingHelenStanleyandMr。Lindalltogether，andtheylaughedlessthanbefore;andmeanwhiletheacquaintanceripenedintoasortoffriendship，halfsulkyonhispartandwhollykindonherpart。Hetoldhernothingabouthimself，andheaskednothingaboutherself;forweeksheneverevenknewhername。
Sometimeshedidnotspeakatall，andthetwofriendswouldworksilentlysidebysideuntilitwastimetogo;andthenhewaiteduntilshewasready，andwalkedwithheracrossTrafalgarSquare，wheretheypartedandwenttheirownways。
Butoccasionally，whensheleastexpectedit，hewouldspeakwithglowingenthusiasmonart;thenhiseyesseemedtobecomebright，andhisbentfiguremoreerect，andhiswholebearingproudanddignified。
Thereweretimes，too，whenhewouldspeakonothersubjects：onthemoralityoffreethought——onBruno，ofblessedmemory，onhim，andscoresofotherstoo。Hewouldspeakofthedifferentschoolsofphilosophy;hewouldlaughathimself，andatallwho，havinggiventimeandthoughttothestudyoflife’scomplicatedproblems，hadnotreachedonestepfurtherthantheOld-Worldthinkers。Perhapshewouldquoteoneofhisfavouritephilosophers，andthensuddenlyrelapseintosilence，returningtohiswontedabstractionandtohisindifferencetohissurroundings。HelenStanleyhadlearnedtounderstandhiswaysandtoappreciatehismind，and，withoutintrudingonhiminanymanner，hadputherselfgentlyintohislifeashisquietchampionandhisfriend。Nooneinherpresencedaredspeakslightinglyoftheoldman，ortomakefunofhistumble-downappearance，orofhisworn-outsilkhatwithacrackintheside，orofhisragofablacktie，which，togetherwithhisovercoat，had\"seenbetterdays。\"Onceshebroughtherneedleandthread，anddarnedthetornsleeveduringherlunch-time;and，thoughheneverknewit，itwasasatisfactiontohertohavehelpedhim。
To-dayshenoticedthathewaspaintingbadly，andthatheseemedtotakenointerestinhiswork;butshewentonbusilywithherownpicture，andwassoengrossedinitthatshedidnotatfirstobservethathehadpackeduphisbrushesandwaspreparingtogohome。
\"Threemorestrokes，\"hesaid，quietly，\"andyouwillhavefinishedyourpicture。Ishallneverfinishmine;perhapsyouwillbegoodenoughtosetitrightforme。Iamnotcominghereagain。Idon’tseemtohavecaughtthetrueexpression;whatdoyouthink？ButIamnotgoingtoletitworryme，forIamsureyouwillpromisetodoyourbestforme。See，Iwillhandoverthesecoloursandthesebrushestoyou，andnodoubtyouwillacceptthepaletteaswell。I
havenofurtheruseforit。\"
HelenStanleytookthepalettewhichheheldouttowardher，andlookedathimasthoughshewouldwishtoquestionhim。
\"Itisveryhothere，\"hecontinued，\"andIamgoingout。Iamtiredofwork。\"
Hehesitated，andthenadded，\"Ishouldlikeyoutocomewithme，ifyoucansparethetime。\"
Shepackedupherthingsatonce，andthetwofriendsmovedslowlyaway，hegazingabsentlyatthepictures，andshewonderinginhermindastothemeaningofhisstrangemood。
Whentheywereonthestepsinsidethebuilding，heturnedtoHelenStanleyandsaid：
\"Ishouldliketogobacktothepicturesoncemore。IfeelasifI
muststandamongthemjustalittlelonger。Theyhavebeenmycompanionsforsolongthattheyarealmostpartofmyself。Icanclosemyeyesandrecallthemfaithfully。ButIwanttotakealastlookatthem;Iwanttofeeloncemorethepresenceofthegreatmasters，andtorefreshmymindwiththeirgenius。WhenIlookattheirworkIthinkoftheirlife，andcanonlywonderattheirdeath。
Itwassostrangethattheyshoulddie。\"
Theywentbacktogether，andhetookhertohisfavouritepictures，butremainedspeechlessbeforethem，andshedidnotdisturbhisthoughts。Atlasthesaid：
\"Iamreadytogo。Ihavesaidfarewelltothemall。Iknownothingmorewonderfulthanbeingamonganumberoffinepictures。Itisalmostoverwhelming。Onceexpectsnaturetobegrand，butonedoesnotexpectmantobegrand。\"
\"Youknowwedon’tagreethere，\"sheanswered。\"/I/expecteverythinggrandandgreatfromman。\"
Theywentoutofthegallery，andintoTrafalgarSquare。ItwasascorchingafternooninAugust，buttherewassomecoolingcomfortinseeingthedancingwaterofthefountainssparklingsobrightlyinthesunshine。
\"Doyoumindstoppinghereafewminutes？\"hesaid。\"Ishouldliketositdownandwatch。Thereissomuchtosee。\"
Sheledthewaytoaseat，oneendofwhichwasoccupiedbyaworkman，whowassleepingsoundly，andsnoringtoo，hisarmsfoldedtightlytogether。Hehadalittleclaypipeinthecornerofhismouth;itseemedtobetuckedinsosnuglythattherewasnotmuchdangerofitsfallingtotheground。AtlastHelenspoketohercompanion。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthatyouwillnotbeabletofinishyourpicture？Perhapsyouarenotwell。Indeed，youdon’tlookwell。Youmakemeanxious，forIhaveagreatregardforyou。\"
\"Iamillandsuffering，\"heanswered，quietly。\"IthoughtIshouldhavediedyesterday;butImadeupmymindtoliveuntilIsawyouagain，andIthoughtIwouldaskyoutospendtheafternoonwithme，andgowithmetoWestminsterAbbey，andsitwithmeinthecloisters。
Idonotfeelabletogobymyself，andIknowofnoonetoaskexceptyou;andIbelievedyouwouldnotrefuseme，foryouhavebeenverykindtome。Idonotquiteunderstandwhyyouhavebeenkindtome，butIamwonderfullygratefultoyou。TodayIheardsomeoneinthegallerysaythatyouwereplain。IturnedroundandIsaid，’Ibegyourpardon;/I/thinksheisverybeautiful。’Ithinktheylaughed，andthatpuzzledme;foryouhavealwaysseemedtomeaverybeautifulperson。\"
Atthatmomentthelittleclaypipefellfromtheworkman’smouthandwasbrokenintobits。Heawokewithastart，gazedstupidlyattheoldmanandhiscompanion，andatthebrokenclaypipe。
\"Cursemyluck！\"hesaid，yawning。\"Iwasfondofthatdamnedlittlepipe。\"
Theoldmandrewhisownpipeandhisowntobacco-pouchfromhispocket。
\"Takethese，stranger，\"hesaid。\"Idon’twantthem。Andgoodlucktoyou。\"
Theman’sfacebrightenedupashetookthepipeandpouch。
\"You’reuncommonkind，\"hesaid。\"Canyousparethem？\"headded，holdingthemouthalfreluctantly。
\"Yes，\"answeredtheoldman;\"Ishallnotsmokeagain。Youmayaswellhavethesematchestoo。\"
Thelabourerputtheminhispocket，smiledhisthanks，andwalkedsomelittledistanceoff;andHelenwatchedhimexaminehisnewpipe，andthenfillitwithtobaccoandlightit。
Mr。LindallproposedthattheyshouldbegettingontheirwaytoWestminster，andtheysoonfoundthemselvesintheabbey。TheysattogetherinthePoets’Corner;asmileofquiethappinessbrokeovertheoldman’stiredfaceashelookedaroundandtookinallthesolemnbeautyandgrandeuroftheresting-placeofthegreat。
\"Youknow，\"hesaid，halftohimself，halftohiscompanion，\"Ihavenobeliefofanykind，andnohopesandnofears;butallthroughmylifeithasbeenacomforttometositquietlyinachurchoracathedral。Thegracefularches，thesunshiningthroughthestainedwindows，thevaultedroof，thenoblecolumns，havehelpedmetounderstandthemysterywhichallourbooksofphilosophycannotmakeclear，thoughwebendoverthemyearafteryear，andgrowoldoverthem，oldinageandinspirit。ThoughImyselfhaveneverbeenoutwardlyaworshipper，Ihaveneversatinaplaceofworshipbutthat，forthetimebeing，Ihavefeltabetterman。Butdirectlythevoiceofdoctrineordogmawasraisedthespellwasbrokenforme，andthatwhichIhopedwasbeingmadeclearhadnofurthermeaningforme。
Therewasonlyonevoicewhicheverhelpedme，thevoiceoftheorgan，arousingme，thrillingme，fillingmewithstrangelonging，withwelcomesadness，withsolemngladness。Ihavealwaysthoughtthatmusiccangiveananswerwheneverythingelseisofnoavail。Idonotknowwhatyoubelieve。\"
\"Iamsoyoungtohavefoundout，\"shesaid，almostpleadingly。
\"Don’tworryyourself，\"heanswered，kindly。\"Bebraveandstrong，andlettherestgo。Ishouldliketolivelongenoughtoseewhatyouwillmakeofyourlife。Ibelieveyouwillneverbefalsetoyourselfortoanyone。Thatisrare。Ibelieveyouwillnotletanyloweridealtaketheplaceofyourhighidealofwhatisbeautifulandnobleinart，inlife。Ibelievethatyouwillneverletdespairgettheupperhandofyou。Ifitdoesyoumayaswelldie;yes，youmayaswell。AndIentreatyounottoloseyourentirefaithinhumanity。
Thereisnothinglikethatforwitheringuptheverycoreoftheheart。Itellyou，humanityandnaturehavesomuchincommonwitheachotherthatifyoulosepartofyourpleasureinthelatter;youwillseelessbeautyinthetrees，theflowers，andthefields，lessgrandeurinthemightymountainsandthesea。Theseasonswillcomeandgo，andyouwillscarcelyheedtheircomingandgoing：winterwillsettleoveryoursoul，justasitsettledovermine。AndyouseewhatIam。\"
Theyhadnowpassedintothecloisters，andtheysatdowninoneoftherecessesofthewindows，andlookedoutupontherichplotofgrasswhichthecloistersenclose。Therewasnotasoulthereexceptthemselves;thecoolandthequietandthebeautyofthespotrefreshedthesepilgrims，andtheyrestedincalmenjoyment。
Helenwasthefirsttobreakthesilence。