\"Iamgladyouhavebroughtmehere，\"shesaid;\"Ishallnevergrumblenowatnotbeingabletoaffordafortnightinthecountry。Thisisbetterthananythingelse。\"
\"Ithasalwaysbeenmysummerholidaytocomehere，\"hesaid。\"WhenI
firstcameIwaslikeyou，youngandhopeful，andIhadwonderfulvisionsofwhatIintendedtodoandtobe。HereitwasImadeavowthatIwouldbecomeagreatpainter，andwinformyselfarestingplaceinthisveryabbey。Thereishumourinthesituation，istherenot？\"
\"Idon’tliketohearyousaythat，\"sheanswered。\"Itisnotalwayspossibleforustofulfilallourambitions。Still，itisbettertohavehadthem，andfailedofthem，thannottohavehadthematall。\"
\"Possibly，\"hereplied，coldly。Thenheadded，\"Iwishyouwouldtellmeaboutyourself。Youhavealwaysinterestedme。\"
\"Ihavenothingtotellyouaboutmyself，\"sheanswered，frankly。\"I
amaloneintheworld，withoutfriendsandwithoutrelations。TheverynameIuseisnotarealname。Iwasafoundling。AttimesIamsorryIdonotbelongtoanyone，andatothertimesIamglad。YouknowI
amfondofbooksandofart，somylifeisnotaltogetherempty;andI
findmypleasureinhardwork。WhenIsawyouatthegalleryIwishedtoknowyou，andIaskedoneofthestudentswhoyouwere。Hetoldmeyouwereamisanthrope。ThenIdidnotcaresomuchaboutknowingyou，untilonedayyouspoketomeaboutmypainting，andthatwasthebeginningofourfriendship。\"
\"Fortyyearsago，\"hesaid，sadly，\"thefriendofmyboyhooddeceivedme。Ihadnotthoughtitpossiblethathecouldbefalsetome。Hescreenedhimselfbehindme，andbecameprosperousandrespectedattheexpenseofmyhonour。IvowedIwouldneveragainmakeafriend。Afewyearslater，whenIwasbeginningtoholdupmyhead，thewomanwhomI
loveddeceivedme。ThenIputfrommeallaffectionandalllove。
Greaternaturesthanminearebetterabletobearthesetroubles，butmyheartcontractedandwitheredup。\"
Hepausedforamoment，manyrecollectionsoverpoweringhim。Thenhewentontellingherthehistoryofhislife，unfoldingtoherthestoryofhishopesandambitions，describingtohertheveryhomewherehewasborn，andthedark-eyedsisterwhomhehadloved，andwithwhomhehadplayedoverthedaisiedfields，andthroughthecarpetedwoods，andallamongtherichlytintedbracken。Onedayhewastoldshewasdead，andthathemustneverspeakhername;buthespokeitallthedayandallthenight，——Beryl，nothingbutBeryl，——
andhelookedforherinthefieldsandinthewoodsandamongthebracken。Itseemedasifhehadunlockedthecasketofhisheart，closedforsomanyyears，andasifallthememoriesofthepastandallthesecretsofhislifewererushingout，gladtobefreeoncemore，andgratefulfortheopenairofsympathy。
\"Berylwasasswiftasadeer！\"heexclaimed。\"Youwouldhavelaughedtoseeheronthemoor。Ah，itwashardtogiveupallthethoughtsofmeetingheragain。TheytoldmeIshouldseeherinheaven，butIdidnotcareaboutheaven。IwantedBerylonearth，asIknewher，amerrylaughingsister。Ithinkyouareright：wedon’tforget;webecomeresignedinadead，dullkindofway。\"
Suddenlyhesaid，\"Idon’tknowwhyIhavetoldyouallthis。Andyetithasbeensuchapleasuretome。YouaretheonlypersontowhomI
couldhavespokenaboutmyself，fornooneelsebutyouwouldhavecared。\"
\"Don’tyouthink，\"shesaidgently，\"thatyoumadeamistakeinlettingyourexperiencesembitteryou？Becauseyouhadbeenunluckyinoneortwoinstancesitdidnotfollowthatalltheworldwasagainstyou。Perhapsyouunconsciouslyputyourselfagainstalltheworld，andthereforesaweveryoneinanunfavourablelight。Itseemssoeasytodothat。Troublecomestomostpeople，doesn’tit？Andyourphilosophyshouldhavetaughtyoutomakethebestofit。Atleast，thatismynotionofthevalueofphilosophy。\"
Shespokehesitatingly，asthoughshegaveutterancetothesewordsagainstherwill。
\"Iamsureyouareright，child，\"hesaid，eagerly。
Heputhishandstohiseyes，buthecouldnotkeepbackthetears。
\"Ihavebeensuchalonelyoldman，\"hesobbed;\"noonecantellwhatalonely，lovelesslifeminehasbeen。IfIwerenotsooldandsotiredIshouldliketobeginalloveragain。\"
Hesobbedformanyminutes，andshedidnotknowwhattosaytohimofcomfort;butshetookhishandwithinherown，andgentlycaressedit，asonemightdotoalittlechildinpain。Helookedupandsmiledthroughhistears。
\"Youhavebeenverygoodtome，\"hesaid，\"andIdaresayyouhavethoughtmeungrateful。Youmendedmycoatformeonemorning，andnotadayhaspassedbutthatIhavelookedatthatdarnandthoughtofyou。Ilikedtorememberthatyouhaddoneitforme。Butyouhavedonefarmorethanthisforme：youhaveputsomesweetnessintomylife。Whateverbecomesofmehereafter，Ishallneverbeabletothinkofmylifeonearthasanythingbutbeautiful，becauseyouthoughtkindlyofmeandactedkindlyforme。Theothernight，whenthisterriblepaincameoverme，Iwishedyouwerenearme;Iwishedtohearyourvoice。Thereisverybeautifulmusicinyourvoice。\"
\"Iwouldhavecometoyougladly，\"shesaid，smilingquietlyathim。
\"Youmustmakeapromisethatwhenyoufeelillagainyouwillsendforme。ThenyouwillseewhatasplendidnurseIam，andhowsoonyouwillbecomestrongandwellundermycare，strongenoughtopaintmanymorepictures，eachonebetterthanthelast。Nowwillyoupromise？\"
\"Yes，\"hesaid，andheraisedherhandreverentlytohislips。
\"Youarenotangrywithmefordoingthat？\"heasked，suddenly。\"I
shouldnotliketovexyou。\"
\"Iamnotvexed，\"sheanswered，kindly。
\"ThenperhapsImaykissitoncemore？\"heasked。
\"Yes，\"sheanswered;andagainheraisedherhandtohislips。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaidquietly;\"thatwaskindofyou。Doyouseethatbrokensun-rayyonder？Isitnotgolden？Ifinditverypleasanttosithere;andIamquitehappy，andalmostfreefrompain。LatelyI
havebeentroubledwithadullthuddingpainnearmyheart;butnowI
feelsostrongthatIbelieveIshallfinishthatAndreadelSartoafterall。\"
\"Ofcourseyouwill，\"sheanswered，cheerily，\"andIshallhavetoconfessthatyoursisbetterthanmine！Iamquitewillingtoyieldthepalmtoyou。\"
\"Imustaltertheexpressionofthemouth，\"hereplied。\"Thatisthepartwhichhasworriedme。Idon’tthinkItoldyouthatIhavehadacommissiontocopyRembrandt’s’OldJew。’Imustsettoworkonthatnextweek。\"
\"Butyouhavegivenmeyourpaletteandbrushes！\"shelaughed。
\"Youmustbegenerousenoughtolendthemtome，\"hesaid，smiling。
\"Bytheway，Iintendtogiveyoumybooks，allofthem。SomedayI
mustshowthemtoyou。Iespeciallyvaluemyphilosophicalbooks;theyhavebeenmyfaithfulcompanionsthroughmanyyears。IbelieveyoudonotreadGreek。Thatisapity，becauseyouwouldsurelyenjoyAristotle。IthinkImustteachyouGreek;itwouldbeanagreeablelegacytoleaveyouwhenIpassawayintotheGreatSilence。\"
\"Ishouldliketolearn，\"shesaid，wonderingtohearhimspeaksounreservedly。Itseemedasifsomevastbarrierhadbeenrolledaside，andasifsheweregettingtoknowhimbetter，havingbeenallowedtoglanceintohispastlife，tosympathisewithhispastmistakes，andwiththefailureofhisambitions，andwiththedeadeningofhisheart。
\"YoumustreadAEschylus，\"hecontinued，enthusiastically;\"and，ifI
mistakenot，theAgamemnonwillbeanepochinyourlife。Youwillfindthatallthesestudieswillservetoennobleyourart，andyouwillbeabletoputmindintoyourwork，andnotmerelyformandcolour。Doyouknow，IfeelsowellthatIbelieveIshallnotonlylivetofinishAndreadelSarto，butalsotosmokeanotherpipe？\"
\"Youhavebeentoorashto-day，\"shelaughed，\"givingawayyourpipeandpouch，yourpaletteandbrushes，inthisrecklessmanner！Imustgetyouanewpipeto-morrow。IwonderyoudidnotpartwithyourvenerableLucretius。\"
\"Thatremindsme，\"hesaid，fumblinginhispocket;\"IthinkIhavedroppedmyLucretius。IfancyIleftitsomewhereinthePoets’
Corner。Itwouldgrievemetolosethatbook。\"
\"Letmegoandlookforit，\"shesaid，andsheadvancedafewsteps，andthencamebacktohim。
\"Youhavebeensayingmanykindwordstome，\"shesaid，assheputherhandonhisarm，\"andIhavenottoldyouthatIvalueyourfriendship，andamgratefultoyouforlettingmebemorethanamerestrangertoyou。Ihavebeenverylonelyinmylife，forIamnotonetomakefriendseasily，andithasbeenagreatprivilegetometotalkwithyou。Iwantyoutoknowthis：forifIhavebeenanythingtoyou，youhavebeenagreatdealtome。Ihavenevermetwithmuchsympathyfromthoseofmyownage：Ihavefoundthemnarrowandunyielding，andtheyfoundmedullanduninteresting。Theyhadpassedthroughfewexperiencesandknewnothingaboutfailureorsuccess，andsomeofthemdidnotevenunderstandtheearnestnessofendeavour，andlaughedatmewhenIspokeofahighideal。SoIwithdrewintomyself，andshouldprobablyhavegrownstillmoreisolatedthanIwasbefore，butthatImetyou，and，astimewenton，webecamefriends。Ishallalwaysrememberyourteaching，andIwilltrytokeeptoahighidealoflifeandartandendeavour，andIwillnotletdespaircreepintomyheart，andIwillnotlosemyfaithinhumanity。\"
Asshespokealingeringrayofsunshinelitupherfaceandgentlycaressedhersoftbrownhair;slightthoughherform，sombreherclothes，andunlovelyherfeatures，sheseemedagraciouspresencebecauseofherearnestness。
\"Now，\"shesaid，cheerily，\"youresthereuntilIcomebackwithyourLucretius，andthenIthinkImustbegettingonmywayhome。ButyoumustfixatimeforourfirstGreeklesson，forwemustbeginto-morrow。\"
Whenshehadgonehewalkedinthecloisters，holdinghishatinhishandandhisstickunderhisarm。Therewasaquietsmileonhisface，whichwascalledforthbypleasantthoughtsinhismind，andhedidnotlookquitesoshrunkenandshrivelledasusual。Hiseyeswerefixedontheground，butheraisedthem，andobservedawhitecatcreepingtowardhim。Itcameandrubbeditselfagainsthisfoot，and，purringwithallitsmight，seemeddeterminedtowinsomekindofnoticefromhim。Theoldmanstoopeddowntostrokeit，andwasjusttouchingitssleekcoatwhenhesuddenlywithdrewhishandandgroaneddeeply。Hestruggledtotherecess，andsankback。Thestickfellonthestonewithaclatter，andthebatteredhatrolleddownbesideit，andthewhitecatfledawayinterror;butrealisingthattherewasnocauseforalarm，itcamebackandcrouchednearthesilentfigureoftheoldman，watchinghimintently。Thenitstretchedoutitspawandplayedwithhishand，doingitsutmosttocoaxhimintoalittlefun;
buthewouldnotbecoaxed，andthecatlostallpatiencewithhim，andlefthimtohimself。
MeanwhileHelenStanleywaslookingforthelostLucretiusinthePoets’Corner。ShefounditlayingnearChaucer’stomb，andwasjustgoingtotakeittoherfriendwhenshesawtheworkmantowhomtheyhadspokeninTrafalgarSquare。Herecognisedheratonce，andcametowardher。
\"I’vebeenhavingaquiethalf-hourhere，\"hesaid。\"Itdoesmeasightofgoodtositintheabbey。\"
\"Youshouldgointothecloisters，\"shesaid，kindly。\"Ihavebeensittingtherewithmyfriend。Hewillbeinterestedtohearthatyoulovethisbeautifulabbey。\"
\"Ishouldliketoseehimagain，\"saidtheworkman。\"Hehadakindwayabouthim，andthatpipehegavemeisanuncommongoodone。Still，I
amsorryIsmashedthelittleclaypipe。I’dgrownusedtoit。I’dsmokediteversincemylittlegirldiedandleftmealoneintheworld。Iusedtobringmylittlegirlhere，andnowIcomealone。Butitisn’tthesamething。\"
\"No，itcouldnotbethesamething，\"saidHelen，gently。\"Butyoufindsomecomforthere？\"
\"Somelittlecomfort，\"heanswered。\"Onecan’texpectmuch。\"
Theywenttogetherintothecloisters，andastheycameneartherecesswheretheoldmanrestedHelensaid：
\"Why，hehasfallenasleep！Hemusthavebeenverytired。Andhehasdroppedhishatandstick。Thankyou。Ifyouwillputthemdownthere，Iwillwatchbyhissideuntilhewakesup。Idon’tsupposehewillsleepforlong。\"
Theworkmanstoopeddowntopickupthehatandstick，andglancedatthesleeper。Somethinginthesleeper’scountenancearrestedhisattention。Heturnedtothegirl，andsawthatshewaswatchinghim。
\"Whatisit？\"sheaskedanxiously。\"Whatisthematterwithyou？\"
Hetriedtospeak，buthisvoicefailedhim，andallhecoulddowastopointwithtremblinghandtotheoldman。
Helenlooked，andaloudcrybrokefromherlips。Theoldmanwasdead。
THEOMNIBUS
BY
QUILLER-COUCH
Allthatfollowswasspokeninasmalltavern，astone’sthrowfromCheapside，thedaybeforeIleftLondon。Itwasspokeninadullvoice，acrossagreasytable-cloth，andamidanatmospheresothickwiththereekofcookingthatonelongedtochangeitforthetorridstreetagain，tobroilinanamplerfurnace。OldTomPickfordspokeit，whohasbeenaclerkforfifty-twoyearsinTweedy’sEastIndiawarehouse，andinallthattimehasneverbeenoutofLondon，butwhenhetakesaholidayspendsitinhangingaboutTweedy’s，andobservingthatunlovelyplaceofbusinessfromtheoutside。Thedust，ifnottheiron，ofTweedy’shasenteredintohissoul;andTweedy’syoungmenknowhimas\"theMastodon。\"Heisathin，baldseptuagenarian，withslopingshoulders，andahabitofregardingthepavementwhenhewalks，sothatheseemstosteerhiswaybyinstinctratherthansight。Ingeneralhekeepssilencewhileeatinghischop;andonthisoccasiontherewassomethingunnaturalinhisutterance，adivorceofmannerbetweenthespeakerandhiswords，suchasonewouldexpectinasibyldisclaimingunderstressofthegod。Ifanciedithadsomethingtodowithablacknecktiethatheworeinsteadofthebluebird’s-eyecravatfamiliartoTweedy’s，andwithhisextraordinaryconductinrefusingto-daythechopthatthewaiterbrought，andlimitinghislunchtocheeseandlettuce。
Havingpulledthelettucetopieces，hepushedhimselfbackalittlefromthetable，lookedoverhisspectaclesatme，thenatthetable-
cloth，andbeganinadreamyvoice：
\"OldGabrielisdead。Iheardthenewsattheofficethismorning，andwentoutandboughtablacktie。IamtheoldestmaninTweedy’snow——
olderbysixyearsthanSamCollins，whocomesnext;sothereisnomistakeaboutit。Samislookingfortheplace;Isawitinhiseyewhenhetoldme，andIexpecthe’llgetit。ButI’mtheoldestclerkinTweedy’s。OnlyGodAlmightycanalterthat，andit’sverysatisfactorytome。Idon’tcareaboutthemoney。SamCollinswillbestuckupoverit，likeenough;buthe’llneverwriteahandlikeGabriel’s，notifhelivestobeahundred;andheknowsit，andknowsI’llbetheretoremindhimofit。Gabriel’swasabeautifulfist——sosmall，too，ifhechose。Why，once，inhissparehours，hewroteoutallthePsalms，withtheheadings，ononesideofafoliosheet，andhaditframedandhungupinhisparlour，outatShepherd’sBush。Hediedinthenight——ohyes，quiteeasily。Hewasdownattheofficeallyesterday，andspoketomeasbriskasabird。Theyfoundhimdeadinhisbedthismorning。
\"Iseemcutupaboutit？Well，notexactly。Ah，younoticedthatI
refusedmychopto-day。Blessyoursoul，that’snotonGabriel’saccount。Iamwelloninyears，andIsupposeitwouldbenaturalofmetopityoldmen，andexpectpity。ButIcan’t;no，/it’sonlytheyoungthatIpity/。Ifyou/must/know，Ididn’ttakethechopto-daybecauseIhaven’tthemoneyinmypockettopayforit。Yousee，therewasthisblacktiethatIgaveeighteenpencefor;butsomethingelsehappenedthismorningthatI’lltellyouabout。
\"Icamedownina’bus，asusual。Yourememberwhatmuggyweatheritwasuptoteno’clock——thoughyouwouldn’tthinkit，tofeeltheheatnow。Well，the’buswaspacked，insideandout。Atleast，therewasjustroomforonemoreinsidewhenwepulledupbyCharingCross，andtherehegotin——aboywithastickandabundleinabluehandkerchief。
\"Hewasn’tmorethanthirteen;boundforthedocks，youcouldtellataglance;andbythewayhelookedaboutyoucouldtellaseasilythatinsteppingoutsideCharingCrossstationhe’dsetfootonLondonstonesforthefirsttime。Godknowshowitstruckhim——theslushanddrizzle，theuglyshop-fronts，thehorsesslippinginthebrownmud，thecrowdonthepavementpushinghimthissideandthat。Thepoorlittlechapwasstandinginthemiddleofitwithdazedeyes，likeahare’s，whenthe’buspulledup。Hiseyelidswerepinkandswollen;
buthewasn’tcrying，thoughhewantedto。Instead，hegaveagulpashecameonboardwithstickandbundle，andtriedtolookbraveasalion。
\"I’dhavegivenworldstospeaktohim，butIcouldn’t。Onmyword，sir，Ishouldhavecried。Itwasn’tsomuchthelittlechap’slook。
Buttotheknotofhisbundletherewastiedabunchofcottageflowers，——sweet-williams，boy’s-love，andaroseortwo，——andthesightandsmelloftheminthatstuffyomnibuswereliketearsonthirstyeyelids。It’stheyoungthatIpity，sir。ForGabriel，inhisbedupatShepherd’sBush，there’snomoretobesaid，asfarasIcansee;andasforme，I’mtheoldestclerkinTweedy’s，whichisverysatisfactory。It’stheyoungfaces，settowardtheroadalongwhichwehavetravelled，thattroubleme。Sometimes，sir，Ilieawakeinmylodgingsandlisten，andthewholeofthisLondonseemsfilledwiththesoundofchildren’sfeetrunning，andIcansobaloud。Youmaysaythatitisonlyselfishness，andwhatIreallypityismyownboyhood。
Idaresayyou’reright。It’scertainthat，asIkeptglancingattheboyandhisseakitandhisbunchofflowers，mymindwentbacktotheJanuarymorning，sixty-fiveyearsback，whenthecoachtookmeoffforthefirsttimefromthevillagewhereIwasborntoaLondoncharity-
school。Iwasworseoffthantheboyintheomnibus，forIhadjustlostfatherandmother。Yetitwasthesticksandstonesandflower-
bedsthatImostlythoughtof。Iwentroundandsaidgood-byetothelilacs，andtoldthemtobeinflowerbythetimeIcameback。Isaidtotherose-bush，’YoumustbeashighasmywindownextMay;youknowyouonlymisseditbythreeincheslastsummer。’ThenIwenttothecow-house，andkissedthecows，onebyone。Theyweretobesoldbyauctiontheverynextweek，butIguessednothingofit，andorderedthemnottoforgetme。AndlastIlookedattheswallows’nestsunderthethatch，——thelastyear’snests，——andtoldmyselfthattheywouldbefilledagainwhenIreturned。Irememberedthis，andhowI
stretchedoutmyhandstotheplacefromthecoach-top;andhowatReading，wherewestopped，IspentthetwoshillingsthatIpossessedinacocoanutandabrightclasp-knife;andhow，whenIopenedit，thenutwassour;andhowIcriedmyselftosleep，andwokeinLondon。
\"TheyoungmeninTweedy’s，thoughtheyrespectmylongstandingthere，makefunofmeattimesbecauseInevertakeaholidayinthecountry。Why，sir，/Idarenot/。Ishouldwanderbacktomyoldvillage，and——Well，Iknowhowitwouldbethen。Ishouldfinditsmallerandmeaner;Ishouldsearchaboutfortheflowersandnests，andlistenforthemusicthatIknewsixty-fiveyearsago，andremember;andtheywouldnotbediscoverable。Alsoeveryfacewouldstareatme，forallthefacesIknowaredead。ThenIshouldthinkI
hadmissedmywayandcometothewrongplace;or（worse）thatnosuchspoteverexisted，andIhavebeencheatingmyselfalltheseyears;
that，infact，Iwasmadallthewhile，andhavenostablereasonforexisting——I，theoldestclerkinTweedy’s！Tobesure，therewouldbemyparents’headstonesinthechurchyard。Butwhatarethey，ifthechurchyarditselfischanged？
\"Asitis，withthreehundredpoundsperannum，andenoughlaidbytokeephim，ifIfail，anoldbachelorhasnoreasontogrumble。Butthesightofthatlittlechap’snosegay，andthethoughtofthemotherwhotieditthere，mademyheartswellasIfancytheearthmustswellwhenrainiscoming。Hiseyesfilledonce，andhebrushedthemunderthepretenceofpullinghiscapforward，andstoleaglanceroundtoseeifanyonehadnoticedhim。Theotherpassengerswerebusywiththeirownthoughts，andIpretendedtostareoutofthewindowopposite;buttherewasthedrop，sureenough，onhishandashelaiditonhislapagain。
\"Hewasboundforthedocks，andthencefortheopensea，andI，thatwasboundforTweedy’sonly，hadtogetoutatthetopofCheapside。I
knowthe’busconductor，——averyhonestman，——and，ingettingout，I
slippedhalfacrownintohishandtogivetotheboy，withmyblessing，athisjourney’send。WhenIpicturehisface，sir，IwishI
hadmadeitfiveshillings，andgonewithoutanewtieanddinneraltogether。\"
THEHIREDBABY
BY
MARIECORELLI
Adark，desolateDecembernight，anightthatclungtothemetropolislikeawetblackshroud，anightinwhichtheheavy，low-hangingvapoursmeltedeverynowandthenintoaslow，reluctantrain，coldasicicle-dropsinarockcavern。Peoplepassedandrepassedinthestreetslikeghostsinabaddream;thetwinklinggas-lightshowedthematonemomentrisingoutofthefog，andthendisappearingfromviewasthoughsuddenlyengulfedinavaporousebonsea。Withmuffled，angryshrieks，themetropolitantrainsdepositedtheirshoalsofshivering，coughingtravelersattheseveralstations，wheresleepyofficials，renderedviciousbytheweather，snatchedtheticketsfromtheirhandswithoffensivehasteandroughness。Omnibusconductorsgrewill-temperedandabusivewithoutanyseeminglyadequatereason;
shopkeepersbecameflippant，disobliging，andcarelessofcustom;
cabmenshoutedderisiveordenunciatorylanguageaftertheirrapidlyretreatingfares;inshort，everybodywasinadiscontented，almostspitefulhumour，withtheexceptionofthosefewaggressivelycheerfulpersonswhoareinthehabitofalwaysmakingthebestofeverything，evenbadweather。DownthelongwidevistaoftheCromwellRoad，Kensington，thefoghaditallitsownway;itsweptonsteadily，likethicksmokefromahugefire，chokingthethroatsandblindingtheeyesoffoot-passengers，stealingthroughthecranniesofthehouses，andchillingthebloodofeventhoseluxuriousindividualswho，seatedinelegantdrawing-roomsbeforeblazingfires，easilyforgotthatthereweresuchbitterthingsascoldandpovertyinthatoutsideworldagainstwhichtheyhadbarredtheirwindows。Atonehouseinparticular——ahousewithgaudyglassdoorsandsomewhatspoiledyellowsilkcurtainsatthewindows，ahousethatplainlysaidtoitself，\"Doneupforshow！\"toallwhocaredtoexamineitsexterior——therestoodaclosedbrougham，drawnbyaprancingpairoffathorses。A
coachmanofdistinguishedappearancesatonthebox;afootmanofirreproachablefigurestoodwaitingonthepavement，hisyellow-glovedhandrestingelegantlyonthepolishedsilverknobofthecarriagedoor。Boththesegentlemenwereresoluteandinflexibleofface;theylookedasiftheyhaddeterminedonsomegreatdeedthatshouldmovetheworldtowildapplause;but，truthtotell，theyhadonlyjustfinishedahighlysatisfactory\"meat-tea，\"andbeforethisgravesilencehadfallenuponthem，theyhadbeendiscussingtheadvisabilityofbroiledsteakandonionsforsupper。Thecoachmanhadinclinedtoplainmutton-chopsasbeingeasierofdigestion;thefootmanhadearnestlyasseveratedhisbeliefinthesuperiorsucculenceandsweetnessofthesteakandonions，andintheendhehadgainedhispoint。Thisweightyquestionbeingsettled，theyhadgraduallygrownreflectiveonthepast，present，andfuturejoysofeatingatsomeoneelse’sexpense，andinthisblandandpleasingstateofmeditationtheywerestillabsorbed。Thehorseswereimpatient，andpawedthemuddygroundwithmanyatossoftheirlongmanesandtails，thesteamfromtheirglossycoatsminglingwiththeever-thickeningdensityofthefog。Onthewhitestonestepsoftheresidencebeforewhichtheywaitedwasanalmostinvisiblebundle，apparentlyshapelessandimmovable。Neitherofthetwogorgeouspersonagesinliveryobservedit;itwastoofarbackinadimcorner，toounobtrusive，forthecasualregardoftheirloftyeyes。Suddenlytheglassdoorsbeforementionedwerethrownapartwithaclatteringnoise，awarmthandradiancefromtheentrance-hallthusdisplayedstreamedintothefoggystreet，andatthesameinstantthefootman，stillwithgraveandimperturbablecountenance，openedthebrougham。
Anelderlylady，richlydressed，withdiamondssparklinginhergrayhair，camerustlingdownthesteps，bringingwithherfaintodoursofpatchoulyandviolet-powder。Shewasfollowedbyagirlofdoll-likeprettiness，withasnubnoseandpetulantlittlemouth，whohelduphersatin-and-laceskirtswithasortoffastidiousdisdain，asthoughshescornedtosetfootonearththatwasnotcarpetedwiththebestvelvetpile。Astheyapproachedtheircarriagetheinertdarkbundle，crouchedinthecorner，startedintolife——awoman，withwildhairandwildereyes，whosepalelipsquiveredwithsuppressedweepingasherpiteousvoicebrokeintosuddenclamour：
\"Oh，lady！\"shecried，\"fortheloveofGod，atrifle！Oh，lady，lady！\"
Butthe\"lady，\"withacontemptuoussniffandashakeofherscentedgarments，passedherbeforeshecouldcontinueherappeal，andsheturnedwithasortoffainthopetothesofterfaceofthegirl。
\"Oh，mydear，dohavepity！Justthesmallestlittlething，andGodwillblessyou！Youarerichandhappy——andIamstarving！Onlyapenny！Forthebaby——thepoorlittlebaby！\"Andshemadeasthoughshewouldopenhertatteredshawlandrevealsometreasurehiddentherein，butshrunkback，repelledbythecold，mercilessgazethatfelluponherfromthoseeyes，inwhichyouthdweltwithouttenderness。
\"Youhavenobusinessonourdoorstep，\"saidthegirl，harshly。\"Goawaydirectly，orIshalltellmyservanttocallapoliceman。\"
Then，assheenteredthebroughamafterhermother，sheaddressedtherespectablefootmanangrily，givinghimthebenefitofastrongnasalintonation。
\"Howard，whydoyouletsuchdirtybeggarscomenearthecarriage？
Whatareyoupaidfor，Ishouldliketoknow？Itisperfectlydisgracefultothehouse！\"
\"Verysorry，miss！\"saidthefootman，gravely。\"Ididn’tseethe——thepersonbefore。\"Thenshuttingthebroughamdoor，heturnedwithadignifiedairtotheunfortunatecreature，whostilllingerednear，and，withasweepinggestureofhisgold-embroideredcoat-sleeve，saidmajestically：
\"Doyou’ear？Behoff！\"
Then，havingthusperformedhisduty，hemountedtheboxbesidehisfriendthecoachman，andtheequipagerattledquicklyaway，itsgleaminglightssoonlostinthesmoke-ladenvapoursthatdroopeddownwardlikefuneralhangingsfromtheinvisibleskytothescarcelyvisibleground。Lefttoherself，thewomanwhohadvainlysoughtcharityfromthoseinwhomnocharityexisted，lookedupdespairingly，asonedistraught，andseemedasthoughshewouldhavegivenventtosomefierceexclamation，whenafeeblewailcamepitifullyforthfromtheshelteringfoldsofhershawl。Sherestrainedherselfinstantly，andwalkedonatarapidpace，scarcelyheedingwhithershewent，tillshereachedtheCatholicchurchknownasthe\"Oratory。\"Itsunfinishedfacadeloomeddarklyoutofthefog;therewasnothingpicturesqueorinvitingaboutit，yettherewerepeoplepassingsoftlyinandout，andthroughtheswingingtoandfrooftheredbaize-covereddoorstherecameacomfortingwarmglimmeroflight。Thewomanpaused，hesitated，andthen，havingapparentlymadeuphermind，ascendedthebroadsteps，lookedin，andfinallyentered。Theplacewasstrangetoher;sheknewnothingofitsreligiousmeaning，anditscold，uncompletedappearanceoppressedher。Therewereonlysomehalf-dozenpersonsscatteredabout，likeblackspecks，initsvastwhiteinterior，andthefoghungheavilyinthevaulteddomeanddarklittlechapels。Onecorneraloneblazedwithbrilliancyandcolour;thiswasthealtaroftheVirgin。Towarditthetiredvagrantmadeherway，andonreachingitsankonthenearestchairasthoughexhausted。Shedidnotraisehereyestothemarblesplendoursoftheshrine——oneofthemasterpiecesofoldItalianart;shehadbeenmerelyattractedtothespotbytheglitterofthelampsandcandles，andtooknothoughtastothereasonoftheirbeinglighted，thoughshewassensibleofacertaincomfortinthesoftlustreshedaroundher。Sheseemedstillyoung;herface，renderedhaggardbylongandbitterprivation，showedtracesofpastbeauty，andhereyes，fulloffeverishtrouble，werelarge，dark，andstilllustrous。Hermouthalone——thatsensitivebetrayerofthelife’sgoodandbadactions——revealedthatallhadnotbeenwellwithher;itslineswerehardandvicious，andtheresentfulcurveoftheupperlipspokeoffoolishpride，notunmixedwithrecklesssensuality。Shesatforamomentortwomotionless;then，withexceedingcareandtenderness，shebegantounfoldherthin，tornshawlbygentledegrees，lookingdownwithanxioussolicitudeattheobjectconcealedwithin。Onlyababy——andwithalababysotinyandwhiteandfrailthatitseemedasthoughitmustmeltlikeasnowflakebeneaththelightesttouch。Asitswrappingswerelooseneditopenedapairoflarge，solemnblueeyes，andgazedatthewoman’sfacewithastrange，pitifulwistfulness。Itlayquiet，withoutmoan，apinched，paleminiatureofsufferinghumanity——aninfantwithsorrow’smarkpainfullyimpresseduponitsdrawn，smallfeatures。Presentlyitstretchedforthapunyhandandfeeblycaresseditsprotectress，andthis，too，withthefaintestglimmerofasmile。Thewomanrespondedtoitsaffectionwithasortofrapture;shecaughtitfondlytoherbreastandcovereditwithkisses，rockingittoandfrowithbrokenwordsofendearment。\"Mylittledarling！\"shewhispered，softly。\"Mylittlepet！Yes，yes，Iknow！Sotired，socoldandhungry！Nevermind，baby，nevermind！Wewillrestherealittle;thenwewillsingasongpresently，andgetsomemoneytotakeushome。Sleepawhilelonger，deary！There！nowwearewarmandcoseyagain。\"
Sosaying，sherearrangedhershawlincloserandtighterfolds，soastoprotectthechildmorethoroughly。Whileshewasengagedinthisoperationaladyindeepmourningpassedclosebyher，and，advancingtotheverystepsofthealtar，kneltdown，hidingherfacewithherclaspedhands。Thetiredwayfarer’sattentionwasattractedbythis;
shegazedwithasortofdullwonderatthekneelingfigurerobedinrichrustlingsilkandcrape，andgraduallyhereyeswanderedupward，upward，tilltheyrestedonthegravelysweetandserenelysmilingmarbleimageoftheVirginandChild。Shelookedandlookedagain——
surprised——incredulous;thensuddenlyrosetoherfeetandmadeherwaytothealtarrailing。Thereshepaused，staringvaguelyatabasketofflowers，whiteandodorous，thathadbeenlefttherebysomereverentworshipper。Sheglanceddoubtfullyattheswingingsilverlamps，thetwinklingcandles;shewasconscious，too，ofasubtle，strangefragranceintheair，asthoughabasketfullofspringvioletsanddaffodilshadjustbeencarriedby;then，asherwanderinggazecamebacktothesolitarywomaninblack，whostillkneltmotionlessnearher，asortofchokingsensationcameintoherthroatandastingingmoisturestruggledinhereyes。Shestrovetoturnthishystericalsensationtoalowlaughofdisdain。
\"Lord，Lord！\"shemutteredbeneathherbreath，\"whatsortofplaceisthis，wheretheypraytoawomanandababy？\"
Atthatmomentthewomaninblackrose;shewasyoung，withaproud，fair，butwearyface。Hereyeslightedonhersoiledandpoverty-
strickensister，andshepausedwithapityinglook。Thestreetwanderermadeuseoftheopportunitythusoffered，andinanurgentwhisperimploredcharity。Theladydrewoutapurse，thenhesitated，lookingwistfullyatthebundleintheshawl。
\"Youhaveachildthere？\"sheasked，ingentleaccents。\"MayIseeit？\"
\"Yes，lady，\"andthewrapperwasturneddownsufficientlytodisclosethetinywhiteface，nowmoreinfinitelytouchingthaneverinthepathosofsleep。
\"Ilostmylittleoneaweekago，\"saidthelady，simply，asshelookedatit。\"HewasallIhad。\"Hervoicetrembled;sheopenedherpurse，andplacedahalf-crowninthehandofherastonishedsupplicant。\"YouarehappierthanIam;perhapsyouwillprayforme。
Iamverylonely！\"
Thendroppingherlongcrapeveilsothatitcompletelyhidherfeatures，shebentherheadandmovedsoftlyaway。Thewomanwatchedhertillhergracefulfigurewascompletelylostinthegloomofthegreatchurch，andthenturnedagainvaguelytothealtar。
\"Prayforher！\"shethought。\"I！AsifIcouldpray！\"Andshesmiledbitterly。Againshelookedatthestatueintheshrine;ithadnomeaningatallforher。ShehadneverheardofChristianitysavethroughthemediumofatract，whoseconsolingtitlehadbeen\"Stop！
YouareGoingtoHell！\"Religionofeverysortwasmockedatbythoseamongwhomherlotwascast，thenameofChristwasonlyusedasaconveniencetoswearby，andthereforethismysterious，smiling，gentlyinvitingmarblefigurewasincomprehensibletohermind。
\"AsifIcouldpray！\"sherepeated，withasortofderision。Thenshelookedatthebroadsilvercoininherhandandthesleepingbabyinherarms。Withasuddenimpulseshedroppedonherknees。
\"Whoeveryouare，\"shemuttered，addressingthestatueaboveher，\"itseemsyou’vegotachildofyourown;perhapsyou’llhelpmetotakecareofthisone。Itisn’tmine;Iwishitwas！Anyway，Iloveitmorethanitsownmotherdoes。Idaresayyouwon’tlistentothelikesofme，butiftherewasGodanywhereaboutI’daskHimtoblessthatgoodsoulthat’slostherbaby。Iblessherwithallmyheart，butmyblessingain’tgoodformuch。Ah！\"andshesurveyedanewtheVirgin’sserenewhitecountenance，\"youjustlookasifyouunderstoodme;butIdon’tbelieveyoudo。Nevermind，I’vesaidallIwantedtosaythistime。\"
Herstrangepetition，orratherdiscourse，concluded，sheroseandwalkedaway。Thegreatdoorsofthechurchswungheavilybehindherasshesteppedoutandstoodoncemoreinthemuddystreet。Itwasrainingsteadily——afine，cold，penetratingrain。Butthecoinsheheldwasatalismanagainstouterdiscomforts，andshecontinuedtowalkontillshecametoaclean-lookingdairy，whereforacoupleofpenceshewasabletoreplenishtheinfant’slongagoemptiedfeedingbottle;butshepurchasednothingforherself。Shehadstarvedallday，andwasnowtoofainttoeat。Soonsheenteredanomnibus，andwasdriventoCharingCross，andalightingatthegreatstation，brilliantwithitselectriclight，shepacedupanddownoutsideit，accostingseveralofthepassers-byandimploringtheirpity。Onemangaveherapenny;another，youngandhandsome，withaflushed，intemperateface，andalookofhisfast-fadingboyhoodstillabouthim，puthishandinhispocketanddrewoutalltheloosecoppersitcontained，amountingtothreepenniesandanoddfarthing，and，droppingthemintoheroutstretchedpalm，said，halfgaily，halfboldly：\"Yououghttodobetterthanthatwiththosebigeyesofyours！\"Shedrewbackandshuddered;hebrokeintoacoarselaugh，andwenthisway。Standingwherehehadlefther，sheseemedforatimelostinwretchedreflections;thefretful，wailingcryofthechildshecarriedrousedher，andhushingitsoftly，shemurmured，\"Yes，yes，darling，itistoowetandcoldforyou;wehadbettergo。\"Andactingsuddenlyonherresolve，shehailedanotheromnibus，thistimeboundforTottenhamCourtRoad，andwas，aftersomedrearyjolting，setdownatherfinaldestination——adirtyalleyintheworstpartofSevenDials。Enteringit，shewashailedwithashoutofderisivelaughterfromsomerough-lookingmenandwomen，whowerestandinggroupedroundalowgin-shopatthecorner。
\"Here’sLiz！\"criedone。\"Here’sLizandthebloomin’kid！\"
\"Now，oldgel，forkout！Howmuch’aveyougot，Liz？Treatustoadropallround！\"
Lizwakedpastthemsteadily;theconspicuouscurveofherupperlipcameintofullplay，andhereyesflasheddisdainfully，butshesaidnothing。Hersilenceexasperatedatangle-haired，cat-facedgirlofseventeenyears，who，morethanhalfdrunk，satontheground，claspingherkneeswithbotharmsandrockingherselflazilytoandfro。
\"MotherMawks！\"criedshe，\"MotherMawks！You’rewanted！Here’sLizcomebackwithyourbabby！\"
Asifherwordshadbeenapowerfulincantationtosummonforthanevilspirit，adoorinoneofthemiserablehouseswasthrownopen，andastoutwoman，nearlynakedtothewaist，withaswollen，blotched，andmosthideouscountenance，rushedoutfuriously，anddartingatLiz，shookherviolentlybythearm。
\"Where’smyshullin’？\"sheyelled，\"where’smygin？Outwithit！Outwithmyshullin’an’fourpence！Noneofyersneakin’wayswithme;abargain’sabargainalltheworldover！Yer’remakingafortin’withmybabby——yerknowy’are;paysyeragooddealbetterthanyeroldtrade！Don’tsayitdon’t——yerknowitdo。Yer’llnotfindsuchasicklykidanywheres，an’it’sthesicklykidswotpaysan’movesthe’artsofthekyindladiesan’goodgentlemen\"——thiswithanimitativewhinethatexcitedthelaughterandapplauseofherhearers。\"Yer’vegotitcheap，Ikintellyer，an’ifyerdon’tpayupreg’lar，there’sothersthat’lltakethechance，an’thankfultoo！\"
Shestoppedforlackofbreath，andLizspokequietly：
\"It’sallright，MotherMawks，\"shesaid，withanattemptatasmile;
\"here’syourshilling，here’sthefourpenniesforthegin。Idon’toweyouanythingforthechildnow。\"Shestoppedandhesitated，lookingdowntenderlyatthefrailcreatureinherarms;thenadded，almostpleadingly，\"It’sasleepnow。MayItakeitwithmeto-night？\"
MotherMawks，whohadbeentestingthecoinsLizhadgivenherbybitingthemferociouslywithherlargeyellowteeth，brokeintoaloudlaugh。
\"Takeitwithyer！Ilikethat！Wotimperence！Takeitwithyer！\"
Then，withherhugeredarmsakimbo，sheadded，withagrin，\"Tellyerwot，ifyerlikestopayme’arfacrown，yercan’aveittocuddle，an’welcome！\"
Anothershoutofapprovingmerrimentburstfromthedrink-soddenspectatorsofthelittlescene，andthegirlcrouchedonthegroundremovedherencirclinghandsfromherkneestoclapthemloudly，assheexclaimed：
\"Welldone，MotherMawks！Onedoesn’tletoutkidsatnightfornothing！’Toughttobemoreexpensivethandaytime！\"
ThefaceofLizhadgrownwhiteandrigid。
\"YouknowIcan’tgiveyouthatmoney，\"shesaid，slowly。\"Ihavenottastedbitordropallday。Imustlive，thoughitdoesn’tseemworthwhile。Thechild\"——andhervoicesoftenedinvoluntarily——\"isfastasleep;it’sapitytowakeit，that’sall。Itwillcryandfretallnight，and——andIwillmakeitwarmandcomfortableifyou’dletme。\"
Sheraisedhereyeshopefullyandanxiously。\"Willyou？\"
MotherMawkswasevidentlyaladyofanexcitabledisposition。Thesimplerequestseemedtodrivehernearlyfrantic。Sheraisedhervoicetoanabsolutescream，thrustingherdirtyhandsthroughherstilldirtierhairastheproperaccompanyinggesturetohervituperativeoratory。
\"WillI！WillI！\"shescreeched。\"WillIletoutmyhownbabbyforthenightfornuthin’？WillI？No，Iwon’t！I’llseeyerblowedintothemiddleofnextweekfust！Lor’’a’mussey！’ow’ighan’mightywearegittin’，tobesure！Thebabby’llbequietwithyou，MissLiz，willit，hindeed！An’itwillcryan’fretwithitshownmother，willit，hindeed！\"AndateverysentencesheapproachedLizmorenearly，increasinginfuryassheadvanced。\"Yerlowhussy！D’yethinkI’dletye’avemybabbyforahourunlessyerpaidfor’it？Asitis，yerpaysfartoolittle。I’manhonestwomanasworksformylivin’an’
wotdrinksreasonable，betterthanyoubyalongsight，withyerstuck-upairs！Aprettydrabyouare！Gi’methebabby;ye’a’n’tnobusinesstokeepitaminitlonger。\"AndshemadeagrabatLiz’sshelteringshawl。
\"Oh，don’thurtit！\"pleadedLiz，tremblingly。\"Suchalittlething——
don’thurtit！\"
MotherMawksstaredsowildlythatherblood-shoteyesseemedprotrudingfromherhead。
\"’Urtit！Hain’tIarighttodowotIlikeswithmyhownbabby？’Urtit！Well，Inever！Look’ere！\"——andsheturnedroundontheassembledneighbours——\"hain’tsheareg’larone？Shedon’tcareforthelaw，notshe！She’skeepin’backachildfromitshownmother！\"Andwiththatshemadeafierceattackontheshawl，andsucceededindraggingtheinfantfromLiz’sreluctantarms。Wakenedthusroughlyfromitsslumbers，thepoormitesetupafeeblewailing;itsmother，enragedatthesound，shookitviolentlytillitgaspedforbreath。
\"Dratthelittlebeast！\"shecried。\"Whydon’titchokean’’avedonewithit！\"
And，withoutheedingtheterrifiedremonstrancesofLiz，sheflungthechildroughly，asthoughitwereaball，throughtheopendoorofherlodgings，whereitfellonaheapofdirtyclothes，andlaymotionless;itswailinghadceased。
\"Oh，baby，baby！\"exclaimedLiz，inaccentsofpoignantdistress。\"Oh，youhavekilledit，Iamsure！Oh，youarecruel，cruel！Oh，baby，baby！\"
Andshebrokeintoatempestuouspassionofsobsandtears。Thebystanderslookedoninunmovedsilence。MotherMawksgatheredhertorngarmentsroundherwithagestureofdefiance，andsniffedtheairasthoughshesaid，\"Anyonewhowantstomeddlewithmewillgettheworstofit。\"Therewasabriefpause;suddenlyamanstaggeredoutofthegin-shop，smearingthebackofhishandacrosshismouthashecame——amassivelybuilt，ill-favouredbrute，withashockofuncombedredhairandsmallferret-likeeyes。HestaredstupidlyattheweepingLiz，thenatMotherMawks，finallyfromonetotheotheroftheloaferswhostoodby。\"Wot’stherow？\"hedemanded，quickly。
\"Wot’sup？’Aveitoutfair！JoeMawks’llstandbyandseefairgame。
Fireaway，myhearties！fire，fireaway！\"And，withachucklingidiotlaugh，hedivedintothepocketofhistorncorduroytrousersandproducedapipe。Fillingthisleisurelyfromagreasypouch，withsuchunsteadyfingersthatthetobaccodroppedalloverhim，helightedit，repeating，withincreasedthicknessofutterance，\"Wot’stherow！’Aveitoutfair！\"
\"It’saboutyourbabby，Joe！\"criedthegirlbeforementioned，jumpingupfromherseatonthegroundwithsuchforcethatherhaircametumblingallaboutherinadark，dankmist，throughwhichherthin，eagerfacespitefullypeered。\"Lizhasgonecrazy！Shewantsyourbabbytocuddle！\"Andshescreamedwithsuddenlaughter。\"Eh，eh，fancy！Wantsababbytocuddle！\"
ThestupefiedJoeblinkeddrowsilyandsuckedthestemofhispipewithapparentrelish。Them，asifhehadbeenengagedindeepmeditationonthesubject，heremovedhissmokyconsolerfromhismouth，andsaid，\"W’ynot？Wantsababbytocuddle？Allright！Let’er’aveit——w’ynot？\"
AtthesewordsLizlookeduphopefullythroughhertears，butMotherMawksdartedforwardinravingindignation。
\"Yergreatdrunkenfool！\"sheyelledtoherbesottedspouse，\"aren’tyerashamedofyerself？Wot！letoutbabbyforawholenightfornuthin’？It’sluckyI’vemywitsaboutme，an’IsayLizsha’n’t’aveit！There，now！\"
Themanlookedather，andadoggedresolutiondarkenedhisrepulsivecountenance。Heraisedhisbigfist，clinchedit，andhitstraightout，givinghisinfuriatedwifeablackeyeinmuchlessthanaminute。\"An’Isaysheshall’aveit。Whereareyenow？\"
InanswertothequeryMotherMawksmighthavesaidthatshewas\"allthere，\"forshereturnedherhusband’sblowwithinterestandforce，andinacoupleofsecondsthehappypairwereengagedina\"stand-up\"
fight，totheintenseadmirationandexcitementofalltheinhabitantsofthelittlealley。Everyoneintheplacethrongedtowatchthecombatants，andtoheartheblasphemousoathsandcurseswithwhichthebattlewasaccompanied。
Inthemidstoftheaffrayawizened，bentoldman，whohadbeensittingathisdoorsortingragsinabasket，andapparentlytakingnoheedoftheclamouraroundhim，madeasigntoLiz。
\"Takethekidnow，\"hewhispered。\"Nobody’llnotice。I’llseetheydon’tcryarterye。\"
Lizthankedhimmutelybyalook，andrushingtothehousewherethechildstilllay，seeminglyinanimate，ontheflooramongthesoiledclothes，shecaughtitupeagerly，andhurriedawaytoherownpoorgarretinatumble-downtenementatthefarthestendofthealley。Theinfanthadbeenstunnedbyitsfall，butunderhertendercare，androckedinthewarmthofhercaressingarms，itsoonrecovered，thoughwhenitsblueeyesopenedtheywerefullofabewilderedpain，suchasmaybeseenintheeyesofashotbird。
\"Mypet！mypoorlittledarling！\"shemurmuredoverandoveragain，kissingitsweewhitefaceandsofthands;IwishIwasyourmother——
LordknowsIdo！Asitis，you’reallI’vegottocarefor。Andyoudoloveme，baby，don’tyou？justalittle，littlebit！\"Andassherenewedherfondlingembraces，thetiny，sad-visagedcreatureutteredalow，crooningsoundofbabysatisfactioninresponsetoherendearments——asoundmoresweettoherearsthanthemostexquisitemusic，andwhichbroughtasmiletohermouthandapathostoherdarkeyes，renderingherfaceforthemomentalmostbeautiful。Holdingthechildcloselytoherbreast，shelookedcautiouslyoutofhernarrowwindow，andperceivedthattheconnubialfightwasover。Fromtheshoutsoflaughterandplauditsthatreachedherears，JoeMawkshadevidentlywontheday;hiswifehaddisappearedfromthefield。Shesawthelittlecrowddispersing，mostofthosewhocomposeditenteredthegin-shop，andverysoonthealleywascomparativelyquietanddeserted。By-and-byesheheardhernamecalledinalowvoice：\"Liz！
Liz！\"
ShelookeddownandsawtheoldmanwhohadpromisedherhisprotectionincaseMotherMawksshouldpersecuteher。\"Isthatyou，Jim？Comeupstairs;it’sbetterthantalkingoutthere。\"Heobeyed，andstoodbeforeherinthewretchedroom，lookingcuriouslybothatherandthebaby。Awiry，wolfish-facedbeingwasJimDuds，ashewasfamiliarlycalled，thoughhisownnamewasthearistocraticandsingularlyinappropriateoneofJamesDouglas。Hewasmorelikeananimalthanahumancreature，withhisstragglinggrayhair，bushybeard，andsharpteethprotrudinglikefangsfrombeneathhisupperlip。Hisprofessionwasthatofanareathief，andheconsidereditasufficientlyrespectablecalling。
\"MotherMawkshasgotitthistime，\"hesaid，withagrinwhichwasmorelikeasnarl。\"Joe’sbloodwasup，andhepoundedhernighintoajelly。She’llleaveyequietnow;solongasyepaythehirereg’larye’llhaveJoeonyerside。Ifsobeasthere’sabadday，ye’dbetternotcomehomeatall。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidLiz;\"butshe’salwayshadthemoneyforthechild，andsurelyitwasn’tmuchtoaskhertoletmekeepitwarmonsuchacoldnightasthis。\"
JimDudslookedmeditative。\"Wotmakesyercareforthatbabbysomuch？\"heasked。\"’Tain’tyourn。\"
Lizsighed。
\"No，\"shesaid，sadly。\"That’strue。Butitseemssomethingtoholdonto，like。Seewhatmylifehasbeen！\"Shestopped，andawaveofcolourflushedherpallidfeatures。\"Fromalittlegirl，nothingbutthestreets——thelong，cruelstreets！andIjustabitofdirtonthepavement——nomore;flunghere，flungthere，andatlastsweptintothegutter。Alldark——alluseless！\"Shelaughedalittle。\"Fancy，Jim！
I’veneverseenthecountry！\"
\"NorI，\"saidJim，bitingapieceofstrawreflectively。\"Itmustbepowerfulfine，withnaughtbutgreentreesan’posiesa-blowin’an’agrowin’everywheres。Thereain’tmanykitchingareasthere，though，I’mtold。\"
Lizwenton，scarcelyheedinghim：\"Thebabyseemstomelikewhatthecountrymustbe——allharmlessandsweetandquiet;whenIholditso，myheartgetspeacefulsomehow——Idon’tknowwhy。\"
AgainJimlookedspeculative。Hewavedhisbittenstrawexpressively。
\"Ye’vehad’sperience，Liz。Hain’tyemetnomanlikewotyecouldcarefur？\"
Liztrembled，andhereyesgrewwild……
\"Men！\"shecried，withbitterestscorn——\"nomenhavecomemyway，onlybrutes！\"
Jimstared，butwassilent;hehadnofitanswerready。PresentlyLizspokeagain，moresoftly：
\"Jim，doyouknowIwentintoagreatchurchto-day？\"
\"Worseluck！\"saidJim，sententiously。\"Churchain’tnousenohowasfarasIcansee。\"
\"Therewasafigurethere，Jim，\"wentonLiz，earnestly，\"ofaWomanholdingupaBaby，andpeoplekneltdownbeforeit。Whatdoyous’poseitwas？\"
\"Can’tsay！\"repliedthepuzzledJim。\"Areyesure’twasachurch？
Mostlike’twasamooseum。\"
\"No，no！\"saidLiz。\"’Twasachurchforcertain;therewerefolksprayinginit。\"
\"Ah，well，\"growledJim，gruffly，\"muchgooditmaydo’em！I’mnotoftheprayin’sort。Awomanan’ababby，didyesay？Don’tyegetsuchcrankynotionsintoyerhead，Liz！Womenan’babbiesarecommonenough——toocommon，byalongchalk;an’asforprayin’to’em——\"Jim’suttercontemptandincredulityweretoogreatforfurtherexpression，andheturnedaway，wishingheracurt\"Good-night！\"
\"Good-night！\"saidLiz，softly;andlongafterhehadlefthershestillsatsilent，thinking，thinking，withthebabyasleepinherarms，listeningtotherainasitdripped，drippedheavily，likeclodsfallingonacoffinlid。Shewasnotagoodwoman——farfromit。Herverymotiveinhiringtheinfantatsomuchadaywasentirelyinexcusable;itwassimplytogainmoneyuponfalsepretences——byexcitingmorepitythanwouldotherwisehavebeenbestowedonherhadshebeggedforherselfalone，withoutachildinherarms。Atfirstshehadcarriedthebabyabouttoserveasameretrickofhertrade，butthewarmfeelofitslittlehelplessbodyagainstherbosomdayafterdayhadsoftenedherhearttowarditsinnocenceandpitifulweakness，andatlastshehadgrowntoloveitwithastrange，intensepassion——somuchthatshewouldwillinglyhavesacrificedherlifeforitssake。Sheknewthatitsownparentscarednothingforit，exceptforthemoneyitbroughtthemthroughherhands;andoftenwildplanswouldforminherpoortiredbrain——plansofrunningawaywithitaltogetherfromtheroaring，devouringcity，tosomesweet，humblecountryvillage，theretoobtainworkanddevoteherselftomakingthislittlechildhappy。PoorLiz！Poor，bewildered，heart-brokenLiz！
IgnorantLondonheathenasshewas，therewasonefragrantflowerblossominginthedesertofhersoiledandwastedexistence——theflowerofapureandguilelessloveforoneofthose\"littleones，\"ofwhomithathbeensaidbyanall-pityingDivinityunknowntoher，\"SufferthemtocomeuntoMe，andforbidthemnot：forofsuchisthekingdomofheaven。\"
Thedrearywinterdayscreptonapace，and，astheydrewnearChristmas，dwellersinthestreetsleadingofftheStrandgrewaccustomedofnightstoheartheplaintivevoiceofawoman，singinginapeculiarlythrillingandpatheticmannersomeoftheoldsongsandballadsfamiliaranddeartotheheartofeveryEnglishman——\"TheBanksofAllanWater，\"\"TheBailiff’sDaughter，\"\"SallyinourAlley，\"
\"TheLastRoseofSummer。\"Allthesewell-loveddittiesshesangoneaftertheother，and，thoughhernoteswereneitherfreshnorpowerful，theyweretrueandoftentender，moreparticularlyinthehackneyed，butstillcaptivating，melodyof\"Home，SweetHome。\"
Windowswereopened，andpenniesfreelyshoweredonthestreetvocalist，whowasaccompaniedinallherwanderingsbyafragileinfant，whichsheseemedtocarrywithespecialcareandtenderness。
Sometimes，too，inthebleakafternoons，shewouldbeseenwendingherwaythroughmudandmire，settingherwearyfaceagainstthebittereastwind，andpatientlysingingon;andmotherlywomen，comingfromthegayshopsandstores，wheretheyhadbeenpurchasingChristmastoysfortheirownchildren，wouldoftenstoptolookatthebaby’spinched，whitefeatureswithpity，andwouldsay，whilegivingtheirsparepennies，\"Poorlittlething！Isitnotveryill？\"AndLiz，herheartfreezingwithsuddenterror，wouldexclaim，hurriedly，\"Oh，no，no！Itisalwayspale;itisjustalittlebitweak，that’sall！\"Andthekindlyquestioners，touchedbythelargedespairofherdarkeyes，wouldpassonandsaynomore。AndChristmascame——thebirthdayoftheChildChrist——afeastthesacredmeaningofwhichwasunknowntoLiz;
sheonlyrecognizeditasasortoflargeandsomewhatdullbank-
holiday，whenallLondondevoteditselftochurch-goingandtheeatingofroastbeefandplum-pudding。Thewholethingwasincomprehensibletohermind，butevenhersadcountenancewasbrighterthanusualonChristmaseve，andshefeltalmostgay，forhadshenot，bymeansofalittleextrastarvationonherownpart，beenabletobuyawondrousgold-and-crimsonworstedbirdsuspendedfromanelasticstring，abirdwhichbobbedupanddowntocommandinthemostlivelyandartisticmanner？Andhadnotherhiredbabyactuallylaughedattheclumsytoy——laughedanelfishandweirdlaugh，thefirstithadeverindulgedin？AndLizhadlaughedtoo，forpuregladnessinthechild’smirth，andtheworstedbirdbecameasortofuncouthcharmtomakethembothmerry。
ButafterChristmashadcomeandgone，andthemelancholydays，thelastbeatingofthefailingpulseoftheOldYear，throbbedslowlyandheavilyaway，thebabytookuponitswanvisageastrangeexpression——
thesolemnexpressionofworn-outandsufferingage。Itsblueeyesgrewmoresolemnlyspeculativeanddreamy，andafterawhileitseemedtolosealltasteforthepettythingsofthisworldandthelowdesiresofmerehumanity。ItlayveryquietinLiz’sarms;itnevercried，andwasnolongerfretful，anditseemedtolistenwithasortofmildapprovaltothetonesofhervoiceastheyrangoutinthedrearystreets，throughwhich，bydayandnight，shepatientlywandered。By-and-bytheworstedbird，too，felloutoffavour;itjumpedandglitteredinvain;thebabysurveyeditwithanunmovedairofsuperiorwisdom，justasifithadsuddenlyfoundoutwhatrealbirdswerelike，andwasnottobedeceivedintoacceptingsopooranimitationofnature。Lizgrewuneasy，butshehadnooneinwhomtoconfideherfears。ShehadbeenveryregularinherpaymentstoMotherMawks，andthatiratelady，keptinorderbyherbull-dogofahusband，hadbeenoflateverycontentedtoletherhavethechildwithoutfurtherinterference。Lizknewwellenoughthatnooneinthemiserablealleywhereshedweltwouldcarewhetherthebabywereillornot。Theywouldtellher，\"Themoresicklythebetterforyourtrade。\"Besides，shewasjealous;shecouldnotenduretheideaofanyonetendingitortouchingitbutherself。Childrenwereoftenailing，shethought，andiflefttothemselveswithoutdoctor’sstufftheyrecoveredsometimesmorequicklythantheyhadsickened。Thussoothingherinwardtremorsasbestshemight，shetookmorecarethaneverofherfrailcharge，stintingherselfthanshemightnourishit，thoughthebabyseemedtocarelessandlessformundanenecessities，andonlysubmittedtobefed，asitwere，underpatientandsilentprotest。
AndsothesandsinTime’shour-glassranslowlybutsurelyaway，anditwasNew-Year’seve。Lizhadwanderedaboutallday，singingherlittlerepertoireofballadsintheteethofacruel，snow-ladenwind——socruelthatpeopleotherwisecharitablydisposedhadshutclosetheirdoorsandwindows，andhadnotevenheardhervoice。ThusthelastspanoftheOldYearhadprovedmostunprofitableanddreary;shehadgainednomorethansixpence;howcouldshereturnwithonlythathumbleamounttofaceMotherMawksandhervituperativefury？Herthroatached;shewasverytired，and，asthenightdarkenedfrompaletodeepandstarlessshadows，shestrolledmechanicallyfromtheStrandtotheEmbankment，andafterwalkingsomelittledistanceshesatdowninacornerclosetoCleopatra’sNeedle——thatmockingobeliskthathaslookeduponthedecayofempires，itselfimpassive，andthatstillappearstosay，\"Passon，yepunygenerations！I，amerecarvenblockofstone，shalloutliveyouall！\"Forthefirsttimeinallherexperiencethechildinherarmsseemedaheavyburden。Sheputasidehershawlandsurveyedittenderly;itwasfastasleep，asmall，peacefulsmileonitsthin，quietface。Thoroughlywornoutherself，sheleanedherheadagainstthedampstonewallbehindher，andclaspingtheinfanttightlytoherbreast，shealsoslept——theheavy，dreamlesssleepofutterfatigueandphysicalexhaustion。Thesolemnnightmovedon，anightofblackvapours;thepageantoftheOldYear’sdeathbedwasunbrightenedbysomuchasasinglestar。Noneofthehurryingpassers-byperceivedthewearywomanwhereshesleptinthatobscurecorner，andforalongwhilesherestedthereundisturbed。Suddenlyavividglareoflightdazzledhereyes;shestartedtoherfeethalfasleep，butstillinstinctivelyretainingtheinfantinhercloseembrace。Adarkform，buttonedtothethroatandholdingabrilliantbull’s-eyelantern，stoodbeforeher。
\"Comenow，\"saidthispersonage，\"thiswon’tdo！Moveon！\"
Lizsmiledfaintlyandapologetically。
\"Allright！\"sheanswered，strivingtospeakcheerfully，andraisinghereyestothepoliceman’sgood-naturedcountenance。\"Ididn’tmeantofallasleephere。Idon’tknowhowIcametodoit。Imustgohome，ofcourse。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidthepoliceman，somewhatmollifiedbyherevidenthumility，andtouchedinspiteofhimselfbythepathosofhereyes。
Thenturninghislampmorefullyuponher，hecontinued，\"Isthatababyyou’vegotthere？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLiz，halfproudly，halftenderly。\"Poorlittledear！it’sbeenailingsadly——butIthinkit’sbetternowthanitwas。\"
And，encouragedbyhisfriendlytone，sheopenedthefoldsofhershawltoshowhimheronetreasure。Thebulls-eyecameintostillcloserrequisitionasthekindlyguardianofthepeacepeeredinquiringlyatthetinybundle。Hehadscarcelylookedwhenhestartedbackwithanexclamation：
\"Godblessmysoul！\"hecried，\"it’sdead！\"
\"Dead！\"shriekedLiz;\"oh，no，no！Notdead！Don’tsayso，oh，don’t，don’tsayso！Oh，youcan’tmeanit！Oh，forGod’slove，sayyoudidn’tmeanit！Itcan’tbedead，notreallydead！——no，no，indeed！
Oh，baby，baby！Youarenotdead，mypetmyangel，notdead，ohno！\"
Andbreathless，franticwithfear，shefeltthelittlething’shandsandfeetandface，kisseditwildly，andcalleditbyathousandendearingnames，invain——invain！Itstinybodywasalreadystiffandrigid;ithadbeenacorpsemorethantwohours。
Thepolicemancoughed，andbrushedhisthickgauntletgloveacrosshiseyes。Hewasanemissaryofthelaw，buthehadaheart。Hethoughtofhisbright-eyedwifeathome，andofthesoft-cheeked，cuddlinglittlecreaturethatclungtoherbosomandcrowedwithrapturewheneverhecamenear。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，verygently，layingonehandonthewoman’sshoulderasshecrouchedshiveringagainstthewall，andstaringpiteouslyatthemotionlesswaxenforminherarms;\"it’snousefrettingaboutit。\"Hepaused;therewasanuncomfortablelumpinhisthroat，andhehadtocoughagaintogetitdown。\"Thepoorlittlecreature’sgone——there’snohelpforit。Thenextworld’sabetterplacethanthis，youknow！There，there，don’ttakeonsoaboutit\"——
thisasLizshudderedandsighed;asighofsuchcompletedespairthatitwentstraighttohishonestsoul，andshowedhimhowfutilewerehiseffortsatconsolation。Buthehadhisdutytoattendto，andhewentoninfirmertones：\"Now，likeagoodwoman，youjustmoveofffromhereandgohome。IfIleaveyouherebyyourselfabit，willyoupromisemetogostraighthome？Imustn’tfindyouherewhenIcomebackonthisbeat，d’yeunderstand？\"Liznodded。\"That’sright！\"heresumed，cheerily。\"I’llgiveyoujusttenminutes;youjustgostraighthome。\"
Andwitha\"Good-night，\"utteredinaccentsmeanttobecomforting，heturnedawayandpacedon，hismeasuredtreadechoingonthesilenceatfirstloudly，thenfainterandfainter，tillitaltogetherdiedaway，ashisbulkyfiguredisappearedinthedistance。Lefttoherself，Lizrosefromhercrouchingposture;rockingthedeadchildinherarms，shesmiled。
\"Gostraighthome！\"shemurmured，halfaloud。\"Home，sweethome！Yes，baby;yes，mydarling，wewillgohometogether！\"
Andcreepingcautiouslyalongintheshadows，shereachedaflightofthebroadstonestepsleadingdowntotheriver。Shedescendedthem，onebyone;theblackwaterlappedagainstthemheavily，heavily;thetidewasfullup。Shepaused;asonorous，deep-tonedironvoicerangthroughtheairwithreverberating，solemnmelody。ItwasthegreatbellofSt。Paul’stollingmidnight——theOldYearwasdead。
\"Straighthome！\"sherepeated，withabeautiful，expectantlookinherwild，wearyeyes。\"Mylittledarling！Yes，wearebothtired;wewillgohome！Home，sweethome！Wewillgo！\"
Kissingthecoldfaceofthebabycorpsesheheld，shethrewherselfforward;therefollowedasullen，deepsplash——aslightstruggle——andallwasover！Thewaterlappedagainstthestepsheavily，heavily，asbefore;thepolicemanpassedoncemore，andsawtohissatisfactionthatthecoastwasclear;throughthedarkveiloftheskyonestarlookedoutandtwinkledforabriefinstant，thendisappearedagain。A
clashandclamourofbellsstartledthebroodingnight，hereandthereawindowwasopened，andfiguresappearedinbalconiestolisten。TheywereringingintheNewYear——thefestivalofhope，thebirthdayoftheworld！ButwhatwereNewYearstoher，who，withwhite，upturnedface，andarmsthatembracedaninfantinthetenaciousgripofdeath，wentdrifting，driftingsolemnlydownthedarkriver，unseen，unpitiedbyallthosewhoawoketonewhopesandaspirationsonthatfirstmorningofanotherlife-probation！Lizhadgone;gonetomakeherpeacewithGod——perhapsthroughtheaidofher\"hired\"baby，thelittlesinlesssoulshehadsofondlycherished;gonetothatsweetest\"home\"wedreamofandprayfor，wherethelostandbewilderedwanderersofthisearthshallfindtruewelcomeandrestfromgriefandexile;gonetothatfair，farglory-worldwherereignsthedivineMaster，whosewordsstillringabovethetumultofages：\"Seethatyedespisenotoneoftheselittleones;forIsayuntoyou，thattheirangelsdoalwaysbeholdthefaceofMyFatherwhoisinheaven。\"