Whoeverexpecteditwouldbelarge？Shape？Whataquestiontoask！Noshape。Whatsortofastreet？Why，nostreet。Shops？
Yes，ofcourse（quiteindignant）。Howmany？Whoeverwentintoaplacetocounttheshops？Eversomany。Six？Perhaps。A
library？Why，ofcourse（indignantagain）。Goodcollectionofbooks？Mostlikely-couldn’tsay-hadseennothinginitbutapairofscales。Anyreading-room？Ofcourse，therewasareading-
room。Where？Where！why，overthere。Wherewasoverthere？Why，THERE！LetMr。Idlecarryhiseyetothatbitofwastegroundabovehigh-watermark，wheretherankgrassandloosestonesweremostinalitter;andhewouldseeasortoflong，ruinousbrickloft，nextdoortoaruinousbrickout-house，whichlofthadaladderoutside，togetupby。Thatwasthereading-room，andifMr。Idledidn’tliketheideaofaweaver’sshuttlethrobbingunderareading-room，thatwashislookout。HEwasnottodictate，Mr。
Goodchildsupposed（indignantagain），tothecompany。
’By-the-by，’ThomasIdleobserved;’thecompany？’
Well！（Mr。Goodchildwentontoreport）verynicecompany。Wherewerethey？Why，theretheywere。Mr。Idlecouldseethetopsoftheirhats，hesupposed。What？Thoseninestrawhatsagain，fivegentlemen’sandfourladies’？Yes，tobesure。Mr。Goodchildhopedthecompanywerenottobeexpectedtowearhelmets，topleaseMr。Idle。
Beginningtorecoverhistemperataboutthispoint，Mr。Goodchildvoluntarilyreportedthatifyouwantedtobeprimitive，youcouldbeprimitivehere，andthatifyouwantedtobeidle，youcouldbeidlehere。Inthecourseofsomedays，headded，thattherewerethreefishing-boats，butnorigging，andthattherewereplentyoffishermenwhoneverfished。Thattheygottheirlivingentirelybylookingattheocean。Whatnourishmenttheylookedoutofittosupporttheirstrength，hecouldn’tsay;but，hesupposeditwassomesortofIodine。Theplacewasfulloftheirchildren，whowerealwaysupsidedownonthepublicbuildings（twosmallbridgesoverthebrook），andalwayshurtingthemselvesoroneanother，sothattheirwailingsmademorecontinualnoiseintheairthancouldhavebeengotinabusyplace。Thehousespeoplelodgedin，werenowhereinparticular，andwereincapitalaccordancewiththebeach;beingallmoreorlesscrackedanddamagedasitsshellswere，andallempty-asitsshellswere。Amongthem，wasanedificeofdestituteappearance，withanumberofwall-eyedwindowsinit，lookingdesperatelyouttoScotlandasifforhelp，whichsaiditwasaBazaar（anditoughttoknow），andwhereyoumightbuyanythingyouwanted-supposingwhatyouwanted，wasalittlecamp-stoolorachild’swheelbarrow。Thebrookcrawledorstoppedbetweenthehousesandthesea，andthedonkeywasalwaysrunningaway，andwhenhegotintothebrookhewaspeltedoutwithstones，whichneverhithim，andwhichalwayshitsomeofthechildrenwhowereupsidedownonthepublicbuildings，andmadetheirlamentationslouder。ThisdonkeywasthepublicexcitementofAllonby，andwasprobablysupportedatthepublicexpense。
Theforegoingdescriptions，deliveredinseparateitems，onseparatedaysofadventurousdiscovery，Mr。Goodchildseverallywoundup，bylookingoutofwindow，lookinginagain，andsaying，’Butthereisthesea，andherearetheshrimps-letuseat’em。’
TherewerefinesunsetsatAllonbywhenthelowflatbeach，withitspoolsofwateranditsdrypatches，changedintolongbarsofsilverandgoldinvariousstatesofburnishing，andtherewerefineviews-onfinedays-oftheScottishcoast。But，whenitrainedatAllonby，Allonbythrownbackuponitsraggedself，becameakindofplacewhichthedonkeyseemedtohavefoundout，andtohavehishighlysagaciousreasonsforwishingtoboltfrom。ThomasIdleobserved，too，thatMr。Goodchild，withanobleshowofdisinterestedness，becameeverydaymorereadytowalktoMaryportandback，forletters;andsuspicionsbegantoharbourinthemindofThomas，thathisfrienddeceivedhim，andthatMaryportwasapreferableplace。
Therefore，ThomassaidtoFrancisonadaywhentheyhadlookedattheseaandeatentheshrimps，’Mymindmisgivesme，Goodchild，thatyougotoMaryport，liketheboyinthestory-book，toaskIT
tobeidlewithyou。’
’Judge，then，’returnedFrancis，adoptingthestyleofthestory-
book，’withwhatsuccess。Igotoaregionwhichisabitofwater-sideBristol，withasliceofWapping，aseasoningofWolverhampton，andagarnishofPortsmouth，andIsay，\"WillYOU
comeandbeidlewithme？\"Anditanswers，\"No;forIamagreatdealtoovaporous，andagreatdealtoorusty，andagreatdealtoomuddy，andagreatdealtoodirtyaltogether;andIhaveshipstoload，andpitchandtartoboil，andirontohammer，andsteamtogetup，andsmoketomake，andstonetoquarry，andfiftyotherdisagreeablethingstodo，andIcan’tbeidlewithyou。\"ThenI
gointojaggedup-hillanddown-hillstreets，whereIaminthepastrycook’sshopatonemoment，andnextmomentinsavagefastnessesofmoorandmorass，beyondtheconfinesofcivilisation，andIsaytothosemurkyandblack-dustystreets，\"WillYOUcomeandbeidlewithme？\"Towhichtheyreply，\"No，wecan’t，indeed，forwehaven’tthespirits，andwearestartledbytheechoofyourfeetonthesharppavement，andwehavesomanygoodsinourshop-
windowswhichnobodywants，andwehavesomuchtodoforalimitedpublicwhichnevercomestoustobedonefor，thatwearealtogetheroutofsortsandcan’tenjoyourselveswithanyone。\"
SoIgotothePost-office，andknockattheshutter，andIsaytothePost-master，\"WillYOUcomeandbeidlewithme？\"Towhichherejoins，\"No，Ireallycan’t，forIlive，asyoumaysee，insuchaverylittlePost-office，andpassmylifebehindsuchaverylittleshutter，thatmyhand，whenIputitout，isasthehandofagiantcrammedthroughthewindowofadwarf’shouseatafair，andIamamerePost-officeanchoriteinacellmuchtoosmallforhim，andI
can’tgetout，andIcan’tgetin，andIhavenospacetobeidlein，evenifIwould。\"So，theboy，’saidMr。Goodchild，concludingthetale，’comesbackwiththelettersafterall，andliveshappyneverafterwards。’
Butitmay，notunreasonably，beasked-whileFrancisGoodchildwaswanderinghitherandthither，storinghismindwithperpetualobservationofmenandthings，andsincerelybelievinghimselftobethelaziestcreatureinexistenceallthetime-howdidThomasIdle，crippledandconfinedtothehouse，contrivetogetthroughthehoursoftheday？
Proneonthesofa，Thomasmadenoattempttogetthroughthehours，butpassivelyallowedthehourstogetthroughHIM。Whereothermeninhissituationwouldhavereadbooksandimprovedtheirminds，Thomassleptandrestedhisbody。Whereothermenwouldhaveponderedanxiouslyovertheirfutureprospects，Thomasdreamedlazilyofhispastlife。Theonesolitarythinghedid，whichmostotherpeoplewouldhavedoneinhisplace，wastoresolveonmakingcertainalterationsandimprovementsinhismodeofexistence，assoonastheeffectsofthemisfortunethathadovertakenhimhadallpassedaway。Rememberingthatthecurrentofhislifehadhithertooozedalonginonesmoothstreamoflaziness，occasionallytroubledonthesurfacebyaslightpassingrippleofindustry，hispresentideasonthesubjectofself-reform，inclinedhim-notasthereadermaybedisposedtoimagine，toprojectschemesforanewexistenceofenterpriseandexertion-but，onthecontrary，toresolvethathewouldnever，ifhecouldpossiblyhelpit，beactiveorindustriousagain，throughoutthewholeofhisfuturecareer。
ItisduetoMr。Idletorelatethathismindsaunteredtowardsthispeculiarconclusionondistinctandlogically-produciblegrounds。Afterreviewing，quiteathisease，andwithmanyneedfulintervalsofrepose，thegenerally-placidspectacleofhispastexistence，hearrivedatthediscoverythatallthegreatdisasterswhichhadtriedhispatienceandequanimityinearlylife，hadbeencausedbyhishavingallowedhimselftobedeludedintoimitatingsomeperniciousexampleofactivityandindustrythathadbeensethimbyothers。Thetrialstowhichheherealludeswerethreeinnumber，andmaybethusreckonedup：First，thedisasterofbeinganunpopularandathrashedboyatschool;secondly，thedisasteroffallingseriouslyill;thirdly，thedisasterofbecomingacquaintedwithagreatbore。
ThefirstdisasteroccurredafterThomashadbeenanidleandapopularboyatschool，forsomehappyyears。OneChristmas-time，hewasstimulatedbytheevilexampleofacompanion，whomhehadalwaystrustedandliked，tobeuntruetohimself，andtotryforaprizeattheensuinghalf-yearlyexamination。Hedidtry，andhegotaprize-how，hedidnotdistinctlyknowatthemoment，andcannotremembernow。Nosooner，however，hadthebook-MoralHintstotheYoungontheValueofTime-beenplacedinhishands，thanthefirsttroublesofhislifebegan。Theidleboysdesertedhim，asatraitortotheircause。Theindustriousboysavoidedhim，asadangerousinterloper;oneoftheirnumber，whohadalwayswontheprizeonpreviousoccasions，expressingjustresentmentattheinvasionofhisprivilegesbycallingThomasintotheplay-
ground，andthenandthereadministeringtohimthefirstsoundandgenuinethrashingthathehadeverreceivedinhislife。Unpopularfromthatmoment，asabeatenboy，whobelongedtonosideandwasrejectedbyallparties，youngIdlesoonlostcastewithhismasters，ashehadpreviouslylostcastewithhisschoolfellows。
Hehadforfeitedthecomfortablereputationofbeingtheonelazymemberoftheyouthfulcommunitywhomitwasquitehopelesstopunish。Neveragaindidheheartheheadmastersayreproachfullytoanindustriousboywhohadcommittedafault，’ImighthaveexpectedthisinThomasIdle，butitisinexcusable，sir，inyou，whoknowbetter。’Nevermore，afterwinningthatfatalprize，didheescapetheretributiveimposition，ortheavengingbirch。Fromthattime，themastersmadehimwork，andtheboyswouldnotlethimplay。Fromthattimehissocialpositionsteadilydeclined，andhislifeatschoolbecameaperpetualburdentohim。
So，again，withtheseconddisaster。WhileThomaswaslazy，hewasamodelofhealth。Hisfirstattemptatactiveexertionandhisfirstsufferingfromsevereillnessareconnectedtogetherbytheintimaterelationsofcauseandeffect。Shortlyafterleavingschool，heaccompaniedapartyoffriendstoacricket-field，inhisnaturalandappropriatecharacterofspectatoronly。Onthegrounditwasdiscoveredthattheplayersfellshortoftherequirednumber，andfacileThomaswaspersuadedtoassistinmakingupthecomplement。Atacertainappointedtime，hewasrousedfrompeacefulslumberinadryditch，andplacedbeforethreewicketswithabatinhishand。Oppositetohim，behindthreemorewickets，stoodoneofhisbosomfriends，fillingthesituation（ashewasinformed）ofbowler。NowordscandescribeMr。Idle’shorrorandamazement，whenhesawthisyoungman-onordinaryoccasions，themeekestandmildestofhumanbeings-
suddenlycontracthiseye-brows，compresshislips，assumetheaspectofaninfuriatedsavage，runbackafewsteps，thenrunforward，and，withouttheslightestpreviousprovocation，hurladetestablyhardballwithallhismightstraightatThomas’slegs。
Stimulatedtopreternaturalactivityofbodyandsharpnessofeyebytheinstinctofself-preservation，Mr。Idlecontrived，byjumpingdeftlyasideattherightmoment，andbyusinghisbat（ridiculouslynarrowasitwasforthepurpose）asashield，topreservehislifeandlimbsfromthedastardlyattackthathadbeenmadeonboth，toleavethefullforceofthedeadlymissiletostrikehiswicketinsteadofhisleg;andtoendtheinnings，sofarashissidewasconcerned，bybeingimmediatelybowledout。
Gratefulforhisescape，hewasabouttoreturntothedryditch，whenhewasperemptorilystopped，andtoldthattheothersidewas’goingin，’andthathewasexpectedto’field。’Hisconceptionofthewholeartandmysteryof’fielding，’maybesummedupinthethreewordsofseriousadvicewhichheprivatelyadministeredtohimselfonthattryingoccasion-avoidtheball。Fortifiedbythissoundandsalutaryprinciple，hetookhisowncourse，imperviousaliketoridiculeandabuse。Whenevertheballcamenearhim，hethoughtofhisshins，andgotoutofthewayimmediately。’Catchit！’’Stopit！’’Pitchitup！’werecriesthatpassedbyhimliketheidlewindthatheregardednot。Heduckedunderit，hejumpedoverit，hewhiskedhimselfawayfromitoneitherside。Neveronce，throughthewholeinningsdidheandtheballcometogetheronanythingapproachingtointimateterms。
TheunnaturalactivityofbodywhichwasnecessarilycalledforthfortheaccomplishmentofthisresultthrewThomasIdle，forthefirsttimeinhislife，intoaperspiration。Theperspiration，inconsequenceofhiswantofpracticeinthemanagementofthatparticularresultofbodilyactivity，wassuddenlychecked;theinevitablechillsucceeded;andthat，initsturn，wasfollowedbyafever。Forthefirsttimesincehisbirth，Mr。Idlefoundhimselfconfinedtohisbedformanyweekstogether，wastedandwornbyalongillness，ofwhichhisowndisastrousmuscularexertionhadbeenthesolefirstcause。
ThethirdoccasiononwhichThomasfoundreasontoreproachhimselfbitterlyforthemistakeofhavingattemptedtobeindustrious，wasconnectedwithhischoiceofacallinginlife。HavingnointerestintheChurch，heappropriatelyselectedthenextbestprofessionforalazymaninEngland-theBar。AlthoughtheBenchersoftheInnsofCourthavelatelyabandonedtheirgoodoldprinciples，andobligetheirstudentstomakesomeshowofstudying，inMr。Idle’stimenosuchinnovationasthisexisted。Youngmenwhoaspiredtothehonourabletitleofbarristerwere，veryproperly，notaskedtolearnanythingofthelaw，butweremerelyrequiredtoeatacertainnumberofdinnersatthetableoftheirHall，andtopayacertainsumofmoney;andwerecalledtotheBarassoonastheycouldprovethattheyhadsufficientlycompliedwiththeseextremelysensibleregulations。NeverdidThomasmovemoreharmoniouslyinconcertwithhiseldersandbettersthanwhenhewasqualifyinghimselfforadmissionamongthebarristersofhisnativecountry。Neverdidhefeelmoredeeplywhatreallazinesswasinalltheserenemajestyofitsnature，thanonthememorabledaywhenhewascalledtotheBar，afterhavingcarefullyabstainedfromopeninghislaw-booksduringhisperiodofprobation，excepttofallasleepoverthem。Howhecouldeveragainhavebecomeindustrious，evenfortheshortestperiod，afterthatgreatrewardconferreduponhisidleness，quitepasseshiscomprehension。ThekindBenchersdideverythingtheycouldtoshowhimthefollyofexertinghimself。Theywroteouthisprobationaryexerciseforhim，andneverexpectedhimeventotakethetroubleofreadingitthroughwhenitwaswritten。Theyinvitedhim，withsevenotherchoicespiritsaslazyashimself，tocomeandbecalledtotheBar，whiletheyweresittingovertheirwineandfruitafterdinner。Theyputhisoathsofallegiance，andhisdreadfulofficialdenunciationsofthePopeandthePretender，sogentlyintohismouth，thathehardlyknewhowthewordsgotthere。Theywheeledalltheirchairssoftlyroundfromthetable，andsatsurveyingtheyoungbarristerswiththeirbackstotheirbottles，ratherthanstandup，oradjourntoheartheexercisesread。AndwhenMr。Idleandthesevenunlabouringneophytes，rangedinorder，asaclass，withtheirbacksconsideratelyplacedagainstascreen，hadbegun，inrotation，toreadtheexerciseswhichtheyhadnotwritten，eventhen，eachBencher，truetothegreatlazyprincipleofthewholeproceeding，stoppedeachneophytebeforehehadstammeredthroughhisfirstline，andbowedtohim，andtoldhimpolitelythathewasabarristerfromthatmoment。Thiswasalltheceremony。Itwasfollowedbyasocialsupper，andbythepresentation，inaccordancewithancientcustom，ofapoundofsweetmeatsandabottleofMadeira，offeredinthewayofneedfulrefreshment，byeachgratefulneophytetoeachbeneficentBencher。
ItmayseeminconceivablethatThomasshouldeverhaveforgottenthegreatdo-nothingprincipleinstilledbysuchaceremonyasthis;butitis，nevertheless，true，thatcertaindesigningstudentsofindustrioushabitsfoundhimout，tookadvantageofhiseasyhumour，persuadedhimthatitwasdiscreditabletobeabarristerandtoknownothingwhateveraboutthelaw，andluredhim，bytheforceoftheirownevilexample，intoaconveyancer’schambers，tomakeupforlosttime，andtoqualifyhimselfforpracticeattheBar。Afterafortnightofself-delusion，thecurtainfellfromhiseyes;heresumedhisnaturalcharacter，andshutuphisbooks。Buttheretributionwhichhadhithertoalwaysfollowedhislittlecasualerrorsofindustryfollowedthemstill。
Hecouldgetawayfromtheconveyancer’schambers，buthecouldnotgetawayfromoneofthepupils，whohadtakenafancytohim，-atall，serious，raw-boned，hard-working，disputatiouspupil，withideasofhisownaboutreformingtheLawofRealProperty，whohasbeenthescourgeofMr。Idle’sexistenceeversincethefataldaywhenhefellintothemistakeofattemptingtostudythelaw。
Beforethattimehisfriendswereallsociableidlerslikehimself。
Sincethattimetheburdenofbearingwithahard-workingyoungmanhasbecomepartofhislotinlife。Gowherehewillnow，hecanneverfeelcertainthattheraw-bonedpupilisnotaffectionatelywaitingforhimroundacorner，totellhimalittlemoreabouttheLawofRealProperty。Sufferashemayundertheinfliction，hecannevercomplain，forhemustalwaysremember，withunavailingregret，thathehashisownthoughtlessindustrytothankforfirstexposinghimtothegreatsocialcalamityofknowingabore。
Theseeventsofhispastlife，withthesignificantresultsthattheybroughtabout，passdrowsilythroughThomasIdle’smemory，whileheliesaloneonthesofaatAllonbyandelsewhere，dreamingawaythetimewhichhisfellow-apprenticegetsthroughsoactivelyoutofdoors。Rememberingthelessonoflazinesswhichhispastdisastersteach，andbearinginmindalsothefactthatheiscrippledinonelegbecauseheexertedhimselftogoupamountain，whenheoughttohaveknownthathispropercourseofconductwastostopatthebottomofit，heholdsnow，andwillforthefuturefirmlycontinuetohold，byhisnewresolutionnevertobeindustriousagain，onanypretencewhatever，fortherestofhislife。Thephysicalresultsofhisaccidenthavebeenrelatedinapreviouschapter。Themoralresultsnowstandonrecord;and，withtheenumerationofthese，thatpartofthepresentnarrativewhichisoccupiedbytheEpisodeofTheSprainedAnklemaynowperhapsbeconsidered，inallitsaspects，asfinishedandcomplete。
’Howdoyouproposethatwegetthroughthispresentafternoonandevening？’demandedThomasIdle，aftertwoorthreehoursoftheforegoingreflectionsatAllonby。
Mr。Goodchildfaltered，lookedoutofwindow，lookedinagain，andsaid，ashehadsooftensaidbefore，’Thereisthesea，andherearetheshrimps;-letuseat’em’！’
But，thewisedonkeywasatthatmomentintheactofbolting：notwiththeirresolutionofhispreviouseffortswhichhadbeenwantinginsustainedforceofcharacter，butwithrealvigourofpurpose：shakingthedustoffhismaneandhind-feetatAllonby，andtearingawayfromit，asifhehadnoblymadeuphismindthatheneverwouldbetakenalive。Atsightofthisinspiringspectacle，whichwasvisiblefromhissofa，ThomasIdlestretchedhisneckanddweltuponitrapturously。
’FrancisGoodchild，’hethensaid，turningtohiscompanionwithasolemnair，’thisisadelightfullittleInn，excellentlykeptbythemostcomfortableoflandladiesandthemostattentiveoflandlords，but-thedonkey’sright！’
Thewords，’Thereisthesea，andherearethe-’againtrembledonthelipsofGoodchild，unaccompaniedhoweverbyanysound。
’Letusinstantlypacktheportmanteaus，’saidThomasIdle，’paythebill，andorderaflyout，withinstructionstothedrivertofollowthedonkey！’
Mr。Goodchild，whohadonlywantedencouragementtodisclosetherealstateofhisfeelings，andwhohadbeenpiningbeneathhiswearysecret，nowburstintotears，andconfessedthathethoughtanotherdayintheplacewouldbethedeathofhim。
So，thetwoidleapprenticesfollowedthedonkeyuntilthenightwasfaradvanced。Whetherhewasrecapturedbythetown-council，orisboltingatthishourthroughtheUnitedKingdom，theyknownot。Theyhopehemaybestillbolting;ifso，theirbestwishesarewithhim。
ItenteredMr。Idle’shead，onthebordersofCumberland，thattherecouldbenoidlerplacetostayat，exceptbysnatchesofafewminuteseach，thanarailwaystation。’Anintermediatestationonaline-ajunction-anythingofthatsort，’Thomassuggested。
Mr。Goodchildapprovedoftheideaaseccentric，andtheyjourneyedonandon，untiltheycametosuchastationwheretherewasanInn。
’Here，’saidThomas，’wemaybeluxuriouslylazy;otherpeoplewilltravelforus，asitwere，andweshalllaughattheirfolly。’
ItwasaJunction-Station，wherethewoodenrazorsbeforementionedshavedtheairveryoften，andwherethesharpelectric-telegraphbellwasinaveryrestlesscondition。Allmannerofcross-linesofrailscamezig-zaggingintoit，likeaCongressofironvipers;
and，alittlewayoutofit，apointsmaninanelevatedsignal-boxwasconstantlygoingthroughthemotionsofdrawingimmensequantitiesofbeeratapublic-housebar。Inonedirection，confusedperspectivesofembankmentsandarchesweretobeseenfromtheplatform;intheother，therailssoondisentangledthemselvesintotwotracksandshotawayunderabridge，andcurvedroundacorner。Sidingswerethere，inwhichemptyluggage-vansandcattle-boxesoftenbuttedagainsteachotherasiftheycouldn’tagree;andwarehouseswerethere，inwhichgreatquantitiesofgoodsseemedtohavetakentheveil（oftheconsistencyoftarpaulin），andtohaveretiredfromtheworldwithoutanyhopeofgettingbacktoit。Refreshment-roomswerethere;one，forthehungryandthirstyIronLocomotiveswheretheircokeandwaterwereready，andofgoodquality，fortheyweredangeroustoplaytrickswith;theother，forthehungryandthirstyhumanLocomotives，whomighttakewhattheycouldget，andwhosechiefconsolationwasprovidedintheformofthreeterrificurnsorvasesofwhitemetal，containingnothing，eachformingabreastworkforadefiantandapparentlymuch-injuredwoman。
EstablishedatthisStation，Mr。ThomasIdleandMr。FrancisGoodchildresolvedtoenjoyit。But，itscontrastswereveryviolent，andtherewasalsoaninfectioninit。
First，astoitscontrasts。Theywereonlytwo，buttheywereLethargyandMadness。TheStationwaseithertotallyunconscious，orwildlyraving。Byday，initsunconsciousstate，itlookedasifnolifecouldcometoit，-asifitwereallrust，dust，andashes-asifthelasttrainforever，hadgonewithoutissuinganyReturn-Tickets-asifthelastEnginehaduttereditslastshriekandburst。Oneawkwardshaveoftheairfromthewoodenrazor，andeverythingchanged。Tightoffice-doorsflewopen，panelsyielded，books，newspapers，travelling-capsandwrappersbrokeoutofbrickwalls，moneychinked，conveyancesoppressedbynightmaresofluggagecamecareeringintotheyard，portersstartedupfromsecretplaces，dittothemuch-injuredwomen，theshiningbell，wholivedinalittletrayonstiltsbyhimself，flewintoaman’shandandclamouredviolently。Thepointsmanaloftinthesignal-boxmadethemotionsofdrawing，withsomedifficulty，hogsheadsofbeer。DownTrain！Morebear！UpTrain！Morebeer。CrossjunctionTrain！Morebeer！CattleTrain！Morebeer。GoodsTrain！Simmering，whistling，trembling，rumbling，thundering。
Trainsonthewholeconfusionofintersectingrails，crossingoneanother，bumpingoneanother，hissingoneanother，backingtogoforward，tearingintodistancetocomeclose。Peoplefrantic。
Exilesseekingrestorationtotheirnativecarriages，andbanishedtoremoterclimes。Morebeerandmorebell。Then，inaminute，theStationrelapsedintostuporasthestokeroftheCattleTrain，thelasttodepart，wentglidingoutofit，wipingthelongnoseofhisoil-canwithadirtypocket-handkerchief。
Bynight，initsunconsciousstate，theStationwasnotsomuchasvisible。Somethingintheair，likeanenterprisingchemist’sestablishedinbusinessononeoftheboughsofJack’sbeanstalk，wasallthatcouldbediscernedofitunderthestars。Inamomentitwouldbreakout，aconstellationofgas。Inanothermoment，twentyrivalchemists，ontwentyrivalbeanstalks，cameintoexistence。Then，theFurieswouldbeseen，wavingtheirluridtorchesupanddowntheconfusedperspectivesofembankmentsandarches-wouldbeheard，too，wailingandshrieking。Then，theStationwouldbefullofpalpitatingtrains，asintheday;withtheheighteningdifferencethattheywerenotsoclearlyseenasintheday，whereastheStationwalls，startingforwardunderthegas，likeahippopotamus’seyes，dazzledthehumanlocomotiveswiththesauce-bottle，thecheapmusic，thebedstead，thedistortedrangeofbuildingswherethepatentsafesaremade，thegentlemanintherainwiththeregisteredumbrella，theladyreturningfromtheballwiththeregisteredrespirator，andalltheirotherembellishments。
Andnow，thehumanlocomotives，creasedastotheircountenancesandpurblindastotheireyes，wouldswarmforthinaheap，addressingthemselvestothemysteriousurnsandthemuch-injuredwomen;whiletheironlocomotives，drippingfireandwater，shedtheirsteamaboutplentifully，makingthedulloxenintheircages，withheadsdepressed，andfoamhangingfromtheirmouthsastheirredlooksglancedfearfullyatthesurroundingterrors，seemasthoughtheyhadbeendrinkingathalf-frozenwatersandwerehungwithicicles。Throughthesamesteamwouldbecaughtglimpsesoftheirfellow-travellers，thesheep，gettingtheirwhitekidfacestogether，awayfromthebars，andstuffingtheintersticeswithtremblingwool。Also，downamongthewheels，ofthemanwiththesledge-hammer，ringingtheaxlesofthefastnight-train;againstwhomtheoxenhaveamisgivingthatheisthemanwiththepole-axewhoistocomeby-and-by，andsothenearestofthemtrytogetback，andgetapurchaseforathrustathimthroughthebars。
Suddenly，thebellwouldring，thesteamwouldstopwithonehissandayell，thechemistsonthebeanstalkswouldbebusy，theavengingFurieswouldbestirthemselves，thefastnight-trainwouldmeltfromeyeandear，theothertrainsgoingtheirwaysmoreslowlywouldbeheardfaintlyrattlinginthedistancelikeold-
fashionedwatchesrunningdown，thesauce-bottleandcheapmusicretiredfromview，eventhebedsteadwenttobed，andtherewasnosuchvisiblethingastheStationtovexthecoolwindinitsblowing，orperhapstheautumnlightning，asitfoundouttheironrails。
TheinfectionoftheStationwasthis：-Whenitwasinitsravingstate，theApprenticesfounditimpossibletobethere，withoutlabouringunderthedelusionthattheywereinahurry。ToMr。
Goodchild，whoseideasofidlenessweresoimperfect，thiswasnounpleasanthallucination，andaccordinglythatgentlemanwentthroughgreatexertionsinyieldingtoit，andrunningupanddowntheplatform，jostlingeverybody，undertheimpressionthathehadahighlyimportantmissionsomewhere，andhadnotamomenttolose。
But，toThomasIdle，thiscontagionwassoveryunacceptableanincidentofthesituation，thathestruckonthefourthday，andrequestedtobemoved。
’Thisplacefillsmewithadreadfulsensation，’saidThomas，’ofhavingsomethingtodo。Removeme，Francis。’
’Wherewouldyouliketogonext？’wasthequestionoftheever-
engagingGoodchild。
’IhaveheardthereisagoodoldInnatLancaster，establishedinafineoldhouse：anInnwheretheygiveyouBride-cakeeverydayafterdinner，’saidThomasIdle。’LetuseatBride-cakewithoutthetroubleofbeingmarried，orofknowinganybodyinthatridiculousdilemma。’
Mr。Goodchild，withalover’ssigh，assented。TheydepartedfromtheStationinaviolenthurry（forwhich，itisunnecessarytoobserve，therewasnottheleastoccasion），andweredeliveredatthefineoldhouseatLancaster，onthesamenight。
ItisMr。Goodchild’sopinion，thatifavisitoronhisarrivalatLancastercouldbeaccommodatedwithapolewhichwouldpushtheoppositesideofthestreetsomeyardsfartheroff，itwouldbebetterforallparties。Protestingagainstbeingrequiredtoliveinatrench，andobligedtospeculatealldayuponwhatthepeoplecanpossiblybedoingwithinamysteriousoppositewindow，whichisashop-windowtolookat，butnotashop-windowinrespectofitsofferingnothingforsaleanddecliningtogiveanyaccountwhateverofitself，Mr。GoodchildconcedesLancastertobeapleasantplace。Aplacedroppedinthemidstofacharminglandscape，aplacewithafineancientfragmentofcastle，aplaceoflovelywalks，aplacepossessingstaidoldhousesrichlyfittedwitholdHondurasmahogany，whichhasgrownsodarkwithtimethatitseemstohavegotsomethingofaretrospectivemirror-qualityintoitself，andtoshowthevisitor，inthedepthofitsgrain，throughallitspolish，thehueofthewretchedslaveswhogroanedlongagounderoldLancastermerchants。AndMr。GoodchildaddsthatthestonesofLancasterdosometimeswhisper，evenyet，ofrichmenpassedaway-uponwhosegreatprosperitysomeoftheseolddoorwaysfrownedsulleninthebrightestweather-thattheirslave-gainturnedtocurses，astheArabianWizard’smoneyturnedtoleaves，andthatnogoodevercameofit，evenuntothethirdandfourthgenerations，untilitwaswastedandgone。
Itwasagallantsighttobehold，theSundayprocessionoftheLancasterelderstoChurch-allinblack，andlookingfearfullylikeafuneralwithouttheBody-undertheescortofThreeBeadles。
’Think，’saidFrancis，ashestoodattheInnwindow，admiring，’ofbeingtakentothesacrededificebythreeBeadles！Ihave，inmyearlytime，beentakenoutofitbyoneBeadle;but，tobetakenintoitbythree，OThomas，isadistinctionIshallneverenjoy！’
CHAPTERIV
WhenMr。GoodchildhadlookedoutoftheLancasterInnwindowfortwohoursonend，withgreatperseverance，hebeguntoentertainamisgivingthathewasgrowingindustrious。Hethereforesethimselfnext，toexplorethecountryfromthetopsofallthesteephillsintheneighbourhood。
Hecamebackatdinner-time，redandglowing，totellThomasIdlewhathehadseen。Thomas，onhisbackreading，listenedwithgreatcomposure，andaskedhimwhetherhereallyhadgoneupthosehills，andbotheredhimselfwiththoseviews，andwalkedallthosemiles？
’BecauseIwanttoknow，’addedThomas，’whatyouwouldsayofit，ifyouwereobligedtodoit？’
’Itwouldbedifferent，then，’saidFrancis。’Itwouldbework，then;now，it’splay。’
’Play！’repliedThomasIdle，utterlyrepudiatingthereply。’Play！
Hereisamangoessystematicallytearinghimselftopieces，andputtinghimselfthroughanincessantcourseoftraining，asifhewerealwaysunderarticlestofightamatchforthechampion’sbelt，andhecallsitPlay！Play！’exclaimedThomasIdle，scornfullycontemplatinghisonebootintheair。’YouCAN’Tplay。
Youdon’tknowwhatitis。Youmakeworkofeverything。’
ThebrightGoodchildamiablysmiled。
’Soyoudo，’saidThomas。’Imeanit。Tomeyouareanabsolutelyterriblefellow。Youdonothinglikeanotherman。Whereanotherfellowwouldfallintoafootbathofactionoremotion，youfallintoamine。Whereanyotherfellowwouldbeapaintedbutterfly，youareafierydragon。Whereanothermanwouldstakeasixpence，youstakeyourexistence。Ifyouweretogoupinaballoon，youwouldmakeforHeaven;andifyouweretodiveintothedepthsoftheearth，nothingshortoftheotherplacewouldcontentyou。
Whatafellowyouare，Francis！’ThecheerfulGoodchildlaughed。
’It’sallverywelltolaugh，butIwonderyoudon’tfeelittobeserious，’saidIdle。’Amanwhocandonothingbyhalvesappearstometobeafearfulman。’
’Tom，Tom，’returnedGoodchild，’ifIcandonothingbyhalves，andbenothingbyhalves，it’sprettyclearthatyoumusttakemeasawhole，andmakethebestofme。’
Withthisphilosophicalrejoinder，theairyGoodchildclappedMr。
Idleontheshoulderinafinalmanner，andtheysatdowntodinner。
’By-the-by，’saidGoodchild，’Ihavebeenoveralunaticasylumtoo，sinceIhavebeenout。’
’Hehasbeen，’exclaimedThomasIdle，castinguphiseyes，’overalunaticasylum！NotcontentwithbeingasgreatanAssasCaptainBarclayinthepedestrianway，hemakesaLunacyCommissionerofhimself-fornothing！’
’Animmenseplace，’saidGoodchild，’admirableoffices，verygoodarrangements，verygoodattendants;altogetheraremarkableplace。’
’Andwhatdidyouseethere？’askedMr。Idle，adaptingHamlet’sadvicetotheoccasion，andassumingthevirtueofinterest，thoughhehaditnot。
’Theusualthing，’saidFrancisGoodchild，withasigh。’Longgrovesofblightedmen-and-women-trees;interminableavenuesofhopelessfaces;numbers，withouttheslightestpowerofreallycombiningforanyearthlypurpose;asocietyofhumancreatureswhohavenothingincommonbutthattheyhavealllostthepowerofbeinghumanlysocialwithoneanother。’
’Takeaglassofwinewithme，’saidThomasIdle，’andletUSbesocial。’
’Inonegallery，Tom，’pursuedFrancisGoodchild，’whichlookedtomeaboutthelengthoftheLongWalkatWindsor，moreorless-’
’Probablyless，’observedThomasIdle。
’Inonegallery，whichwasotherwiseclearofpatients（fortheywereallout），therewasapoorlittledark-chinned，meagreman，withaperplexedbrowandapensiveface，stoopinglowoverthemattingonthefloor，andpickingoutwithhisthumbandforefingerthecourseofitsfibres。Theafternoonsunwasslantinginatthelargeend-window，andtherewerecrosspatchesoflightandshadealldownthevista，madebytheunseenwindowsandtheopendoorsofthelittlesleeping-cellsoneitherside。Inaboutthecentreoftheperspective，underanarch，regardlessofthepleasantweather，regardlessofthesolitude，regardlessofapproachingfootsteps，wasthepoorlittledark-chinned，meagreman，poringoverthematting。\"Whatareyoudoingthere？\"saidmyconductor，whenwecametohim。Helookedup，andpointedtothematting。\"I
wouldn’tdothat，Ithink，\"saidmyconductor，kindly;\"ifIwereyou，Iwouldgoandread，orIwouldliedownifIfelttired;butIwouldn’tdothat。\"Thepatientconsideredamoment，andvacantlyanswered，\"No，sir，Iwon’t;I’ll-I’llgoandread，\"andsohelamelyshuffledawayintooneofthelittlerooms。Iturnedmyheadbeforewehadgonemanypaces。Hehadalreadycomeoutagain，andwasagainporingoverthematting，andtrackingoutitsfibreswithhisthumbandforefinger。Istoppedtolookathim，anditcameintomymind，thatprobablythecourseofthosefibresastheyplaitedinandout，overandunder，wastheonlycourseofthingsinthewholewideworldthatitwaslefttohimtounderstand-
thathisdarkeningintellecthadnarroweddowntothesmallcleftoflightwhichshowedhim，\"Thispiecewastwistedthisway，wentinhere，passedunder，cameoutthere，wascarriedonawayheretotherightwhereInowputmyfingeronit，andinthisprogressofevents，thethingwasmadeandcametobehere。\"Then，Iwonderedwhetherhelookedintothematting，next，toseeifitcouldshowhimanythingoftheprocessthroughwhichHEcametobethere，sostrangelyporingoverit。Then，Ithoughthowallofus，GODhelpus！inourdifferentwaysareporingoverourbitsofmatting，blindlyenough，andwhatconfusionsandmysterieswemakeinthepattern。Ihadasadderfellow-feelingwiththelittledark-
chinned，meagreman，bythattime，andIcameaway。’
Mr。Idledivertingtheconversationtogrouse，custards，andbride-
cake，Mr。Goodchildfollowedinthesamedirection。Thebride-cakewasasbiliousandindigestibleasifarealBridehadcutit，andthedinneritcompletedwasanadmirableperformance。
Thehousewasagenuineoldhouseofaveryquaintdescription，teemingwitholdcarvings，andbeams，andpanels，andhavinganexcellentoldstaircase，withagalleryorupperstaircase，cutofffromitbyacuriousfence-workofoldoak，oroftheoldHondurasMahoganywood。Itwas，andis，andwillbe，formanyalongyeartocome，aremarkablypicturesquehouse;andacertaingravemysterylurkinginthedepthoftheoldmahoganypanels，asiftheyweresomanydeeppoolsofdarkwater-such，indeed，astheyhadbeenmuchamongwhentheyweretrees-gaveitaverymysteriouscharacterafternightfall。
WhenMr。GoodchildandMr。Idlehadfirstalightedatthedoor，andsteppedintothesombre，handsomeoldhall，theyhadbeenreceivedbyhalf-a-dozennoiselessoldmeninblack，alldressedexactlyalike，whoglidedupthestairswiththeobliginglandlordandwaiter-butwithoutappearingtogetintotheirway，ortomindwhethertheydidorno-andwhohadfiledofftotherightandleftontheoldstaircase，astheguestsenteredtheirsitting-
room。Itwasthenbroad，brightday。But，Mr。Goodchildhadsaid，whentheirdoorwasshut，’Whooneartharethoseoldmen？’Andafterwards，bothongoingoutandcomingin，hehadnoticedthattherewerenooldmentobeseen。
Neither，hadtheoldmen，oranyoneoftheoldmen，reappearedsince。Thetwofriendshadpassedanightinthehouse，buthadseennothingmoreoftheoldmen。Mr。Goodchild，inramblingaboutit，hadlookedalongpassages，andglancedinatdoorways，buthadencounterednooldmen;neitherdiditappearthatanyoldmenwere，byanymemberoftheestablishment，missedorexpected。
Anotheroddcircumstanceimpresseditselfontheirattention。Itwas，thatthedooroftheirsitting-roomwasneverleftuntouchedforaquarterofanhour。Itwasopenedwithhesitation，openedwithconfidence，openedalittleway，openedagoodway，-alwaysclapped-toagainwithoutawordofexplanation。Theywerereading，theywerewriting，theywereeating，theyweredrinking，theyweretalking，theyweredozing;thedoorwasalwaysopenedatanunexpectedmoment，andtheylookedtowardsit，anditwasclapped-
toagain，andnobodywastobeseen。Whenthishadhappenedfiftytimesorso，Mr。Goodchildhadsaidtohiscompanion，jestingly：
’Ibegintothink，Tom，therewassomethingwrongwiththosesixoldmen。’
Nighthadcomeagain，andtheyhadbeenwritingfortwoorthreehours：writing，inshort，aportionofthelazynotesfromwhichtheselazysheetsaretaken。Theyhadleftoffwriting，andglasseswereonthetablebetweenthem。Thehousewasclosedandquiet。AroundtheheadofThomasIdle，ashelayuponhissofa，hoveredlightwreathsoffragrantsmoke。ThetemplesofFrancisGoodchild，asheleanedbackinhischair，withhistwohandsclaspedbehindhishead，andhislegscrossed，weresimilarlydecorated。
Theyhadbeendiscussingseveralidlesubjectsofspeculation，notomittingthestrangeoldmen，andwerestillsooccupied，whenMr。
Goodchildabruptlychangedhisattitudetowinduphiswatch。Theywerejustbecomingdrowsyenoughtobestoppedintheirtalkbyanysuchslightcheck。ThomasIdle，whowasspeakingatthemoment，pausedandsaid，’Howgoesit？’
’One，’saidGoodchild。
AsifhehadorderedOneoldman，andtheorderwerepromptlyexecuted（truly，allorderswereso，inthatexcellenthotel），thedooropened，andOneoldmanstoodthere。
Hedidnotcomein，butstoodwiththedoorinhishand。
’Oneofthesix，Tom，atlast！’saidMr。Goodchild，inasurprisedwhisper-’Sir，yourpleasure？’
’Sir，YOURpleasure？’saidtheOneoldman。
’Ididn’tring。’
’Thebelldid，’saidtheOneoldman。
HesaidBELL，inadeep，strongway，thatwouldhaveexpressedthechurchBell。
’Ihadthepleasure，Ibelieve，ofseeingyou，yesterday？’saidGoodchild。
’Icannotundertaketosayforcertain，’wasthegrimreplyoftheOneoldman。
’Ithinkyousawme？Didyounot？’
’SawYOU？’saidtheoldman。’Oyes，Isawyou。But，Iseemanywhoneverseeme。’
Achilled，slow，earthy，fixedoldman。Acadaverousoldmanofmeasuredspeech。Anoldmanwhoseemedasunabletowink，asifhiseyelidshadbeennailedtohisforehead。Anoldmanwhoseeyes-twospotsoffire-hadnomoremotionthaniftheyhadbeenconnectedwiththebackofhisskullbyscrewsdriventhroughit，andrivettedandboltedoutside，amonghisgreyhair。
Thenighthadturnedsocold，toMr。Goodchild’ssensations，thatheshivered。Heremarkedlightly，andhalfapologetically，’I
thinksomebodyiswalkingovermygrave。’
’No，’saidtheweirdoldman，’thereisnoonethere。’
Mr。GoodchildlookedatIdle，butIdlelaywithhisheadenwreathedinsmoke。
’Noonethere？’saidGoodchild。
’Thereisnooneatyourgrave，Iassureyou，’saidtheoldman。
Hehadcomeinandshutthedoor，andhenowsatdown。Hedidnotbendhimselftosit，asotherpeopledo，butseemedtosinkboltupright，asifinwater，untilthechairstoppedhim。
’Myfriend，Mr。Idle，’saidGoodchild，extremelyanxioustointroduceathirdpersonintotheconversation。
’Iam，’saidtheoldman，withoutlookingathim，’atMr。Idle’sservice。’
’Ifyouareanoldinhabitantofthisplace，’FrancisGoodchildresumed。
’Yes。’
’PerhapsyoucandecideapointmyfriendandIwereindoubtupon，thismorning。TheyhangcondemnedcriminalsattheCastle，I
believe？’
’Ibelieveso，’saidtheoldman。
’Aretheirfacesturnedtowardsthatnobleprospect？’
’Yourfaceisturned，’repliedtheoldman，’totheCastlewall。
Whenyouaretiedup，youseeitsstonesexpandingandcontractingviolently，andasimilarexpansionandcontractionseemtotakeplaceinyourownheadandbreast。Then，thereisarushoffireandanearthquake，andtheCastlespringsintotheair，andyoutumbledownaprecipice。’
Hiscravatappearedtotroublehim。Heputhishandtohisthroat，andmovedhisneckfromsidetoside。Hewasanoldmanofaswollencharacterofface，andhisnosewasimmoveablyhitchedupononeside，asifbyalittlehookinsertedinthatnostril。Mr。
Goodchildfeltexceedinglyuncomfortable，andbegantothinkthenightwashot，andnotcold。
’Astrongdescription，sir，’heobserved。
’Astrongsensation，’theoldmanrejoined。
Again，Mr。GoodchildlookedtoMr。ThomasIdle;butThomaslayonhisbackwithhisfaceattentivelyturnedtowardstheOneoldman，andmadenosign。AtthistimeMr。Goodchildbelievedthathesawthreadsoffirestretchfromtheoldman’seyestohisown，andthereattachthemselves。（Mr。Goodchildwritesthepresentaccountofhisexperience，and，withtheutmostsolemnity，proteststhathehadthestrongestsensationuponhimofbeingforcedtolookattheoldmanalongthosetwofieryfilms，fromthatmoment。）
’Imusttellittoyou，’saidtheoldman，withaghastlyandastonystare。
’What？’askedFrancisGoodchild。
’Youknowwhereittookplace。Yonder！’
Whetherhepointedtotheroomabove，ortotheroombelow，ortoanyroominthatoldhouse，ortoaroominsomeotheroldhouseinthatoldtown，Mr。Goodchildwasnot，noris，norevercanbe，sure。HewasconfusedbythecircumstancethattherightforefingeroftheOneoldmanseemedtodipitselfinoneofthethreadsoffire，lightitself，andmakeafierystartintheair，asitpointedsomewhere。Havingpointedsomewhere，itwentout。
’YouknowshewasaBride，’saidtheoldman。
’IknowtheystillsendupBride-cake，’Mr。Goodchildfaltered。
’Thisisaveryoppressiveair。’
’ShewasaBride，’saidtheoldman。’Shewasafair，flaxen-
haired，large-eyedgirl，whohadnocharacter，nopurpose。Aweak，credulous，incapable，helplessnothing。Notlikehermother。No，no。Itwasherfatherwhosecharactershereflected。
’Hermotherhadtakencaretosecureeverythingtoherself，forherownlife，whenthefatherofthisgirl（achildatthattime）died-ofsheerhelplessness;nootherdisorder-andthenHerenewedtheacquaintancethathadoncesubsistedbetweenthemotherandHim。Hehadbeenputasidefortheflaxen-haired，large-eyedman（ornonentity）withMoney。HecouldoverlookthatforMoney。HewantedcompensationinMoney。
’So，hereturnedtothesideofthatwomanthemother，madelovetoheragain，dancedattendanceonher，andsubmittedhimselftoherwhims。Shewreakeduponhimeverywhimshehad，orcouldinvent。
Heboreit。Andthemorehebore，themorehewantedcompensationinMoney，andthemorehewasresolvedtohaveit。
’But，lo！Beforehegotit，shecheatedhim。Inoneofherimperiousstates，shefroze，andneverthawedagain。Sheputherhandstoherheadonenight，utteredacry，stiffened，layinthatattitudecertainhours，anddied。AndhehadgotnocompensationfromherinMoney，yet。BlightandMurrainonher！Notapenny。
’Hehadhatedherthroughoutthatsecondpursuit，andhadlongedforretaliationonher。Henowcounterfeitedhersignaturetoaninstrument，leavingallshehadtoleave，toherdaughter-tenyearsoldthen-towhomthepropertypassedabsolutely，andappointinghimselfthedaughter’sGuardian。WhenHesliditunderthepillowofthebedonwhichshelay，HebentdowninthedeafearofDeath，andwhispered：\"MistressPride，Ihavedeterminedalongtimethat，deadoralive，youmustmakemecompensationinMoney。’
’So，nowtherewereonlytwoleft。Whichtwowere，He，andthefairflaxen-haired，large-eyedfoolishdaughter，whoafterwardsbecametheBride。
’Heputhertoschool。Inasecret，dark，oppressive，ancienthouse，heputhertoschoolwithawatchfulandunscrupulouswoman。
\"Myworthylady，\"hesaid，\"hereisamindtobeformed;willyouhelpmetoformit？\"Sheacceptedthetrust。Forwhichshe，too，wantedcompensationinMoney，andhadit。
’Thegirlwasformedinthefearofhim，andintheconviction，thattherewasnoescapefromhim。Shewastaught，fromthefirst，toregardhimasherfuturehusband-themanwhomustmarryher-
thedestinythatovershadowedher-theappointedcertaintythatcouldneverbeevaded。Thepoorfoolwassoftwhitewaxintheirhands，andtooktheimpressionthattheyputuponher。Ithardenedwithtime。Itbecameapartofherself。Inseparablefromherself，andonlytobetornawayfromher，bytearinglifeawayfromher。
’Elevenyearsshehadlivedinthedarkhouseanditsgloomygarden。Hewasjealousoftheverylightandairgettingtoher，andtheykeptherclose。Hestoppedthewidechimneys，shadedthelittlewindows，leftthestrong-stemmedivytowanderwhereitwouldoverthehouse-front，themosstoaccumulateontheuntrimmedfruit-treesinthered-walledgarden，theweedstoover-runitsgreenandyellowwalks。Hesurroundedherwithimagesofsorrowanddesolation。Hecausedhertobefilledwithfearsoftheplaceandofthestoriesthatweretoldofit，andthenonpretextofcorrectingthem，tobeleftinitinsolitude，ormadetoshrinkaboutitinthedark。Whenhermindwasmostdepressedandfullestofterrors，then，hewouldcomeoutofoneofthehiding-placesfromwhichheoverlookedher，andpresenthimselfashersoleresource。
’Thus，bybeingfromherchildhoodtheoneembodimentherlifepresentedtoherofpowertocoerceandpowertorelieve，powertobindandpowertoloose，theascendencyoverherweaknesswassecured。Shewastwenty-oneyearsandtwenty-onedaysold，whenhebroughtherhometothegloomyhouse，hishalf-witted，frightened，andsubmissiveBrideofthreeweeks。
’Hehaddismissedthegovernessbythattime-whathehadlefttodo，hecouldbestdoalone-andtheycameback，uponarainnight，tothesceneofherlongpreparation。Sheturnedtohimuponthethreshold，astherainwasdrippingfromtheporch，andsaid：
’\"Osir，itistheDeath-watchtickingforme！\"
’\"Well！\"heanswered。\"Andifitwere？\"
’\"Osir！\"shereturnedtohim，\"lookkindlyonme，andbemercifultome！Ibegyourpardon。Iwilldoanythingyouwish，ifyouwillonlyforgiveme！\"
’Thathadbecomethepoorfool’sconstantsong：\"Ibegyourpardon，\"and\"Forgiveme！\"
’Shewasnotworthhating;hefeltnothingbutcontemptforher。
But，shehadlongbeenintheway，andhehadlongbeenweary，andtheworkwasnearitsend，andhadtobeworkedout。
’\"Youfool，\"hesaid。\"Goupthestairs！\"
’Sheobeyedveryquickly，murmuring，\"Iwilldoanythingyouwish！\"
WhenhecameintotheBride’sChamber，havingbeenalittleretardedbytheheavyfasteningsofthegreatdoor（fortheywerealoneinthehouse，andhehadarrangedthatthepeoplewhoattendedonthemshouldcomeandgointheday），hefoundherwithdrawntothefurthestcorner，andtherestandingpressedagainstthepanelingasifshewouldhaveshrunkthroughit：herflaxenhairallwildaboutherface，andherlargeeyesstaringathiminvagueterror。
’\"Whatareyouafraidof？Comeandsitdownbyme。\"
’\"Iwilldoanythingyouwish。Ibegyourpardon，sir。Forgiveme！\"Hermonotonoustuneasusual。
’\"Ellen，hereisawritingthatyoumustwriteoutto-morrow，inyourownhand。Youmayaswellbeseenbyothers，busilyengageduponit。Whenyouhavewrittenitallfairly，andcorrectedallmistakes，callinanytwopeopletheremaybeaboutthehouse，andsignyournametoitbeforethem。Then，putitinyourbosomtokeepitsafe，andwhenIsithereagainto-morrownight，giveittome。\"
’\"Iwilldoitall，withthegreatestcare。Iwilldoanythingyouwish。\"
’\"Don’tshakeandtremble，then。\"
’\"Iwilltrymyutmostnottodoit-ifyouwillonlyforgiveme！\"
’Nextday，shesatdownatherdesk，anddidasshehadbeentold。
Heoftenpassedinandoutoftheroom，toobserveher，andalwayssawherslowlyandlaboriouslywriting：repeatingtoherselfthewordsshecopied，inappearancequitemechanically，andwithoutcaringorendeavouringtocomprehendthem，sothatshedidhertask。Hesawherfollowthedirectionsshehadreceived，inallparticulars;andatnight，whentheywerealoneagaininthesameBride’sChamber，andhedrewhischairtothehearth，shetimidlyapproachedhimfromherdistantseat，tookthepaperfromherbosom，andgaveitintohishand。
’Itsecuredallherpossessionstohim，intheeventofherdeath。
Heputherbeforehim，facetoface，thathemightlookathersteadily;andheaskedher，insomanyplainwords，neitherfewernormore，didsheknowthat？
’Therewerespotsofinkuponthebosomofherwhitedress，andtheymadeherfacelookwhiterandhereyeslooklargerasshenoddedherhead。Therewerespotsofinkuponthehandwithwhichshestoodbeforehim，nervouslyplaitingandfoldingherwhiteskirts。
’Hetookherbythearm，andlookedher，yetmorecloselyandsteadily，intheface。\"Now，die！Ihavedonewithyou。\"
’Sheshrunk，andutteredalow，suppressedcry。
’\"Iamnotgoingtokillyou。Iwillnotendangermylifeforyours。Die！\"
’HesatbeforeherinthegloomyBride’sChamber，dayafterday，nightafternight，lookingthewordatherwhenhedidnotutterit。Asoftenasherlargeunmeaningeyeswereraisedfromthehandsinwhichsherockedherhead，tothesternfigure，sittingwithcrossedarmsandknittedforehead，inthechair，theyreadinit，\"Die！\"Whenshedroppedasleepinexhaustion，shewascalledbacktoshudderingconsciousness，bythewhisper，\"Die！\"Whenshefelluponheroldentreatytobepardoned，shewasanswered\"Die！\"
Whenshehadout-watchedandout-sufferedthelongnight，andtherisingsunflamedintothesombreroom，sheheardithailedwith，\"Anotherdayandnotdead？-Die！\"
’Shutupinthedesertedmansion，alooffromallmankind，andengagedaloneinsuchastrugglewithoutanyrespite，itcametothis-thateitherhemustdie，orshe。Heknewitverywell，andconcentratedhisstrengthagainstherfeebleness。Hoursuponhoursheheldherbythearmwhenherarmwasblackwhereheheldit，andbadeherDie！
’Itwasdone，uponawindymorning，beforesunrise。Hecomputedthetimetobehalf-pastfour;but，hisforgottenwatchhadrundown，andhecouldnotbesure。Shehadbrokenawayfromhiminthenight，withloudandsuddencries-thefirstofthatkindtowhichshehadgivenvent-andhehadhadtoputhishandsoverhermouth。Sincethen，shehadbeenquietinthecornerofthepanelingwhereshehadsunkdown;andhehadlefther，andhadgonebackwithhisfoldedarmsandhisknittedforeheadtohischair。
’Palerinthepalelight，morecolourlessthaneverintheleadendawn，hesawhercoming，trailingherselfalongthefloortowardshim-awhitewreckofhair，anddress，andwildeyes，pushingitselfonbyanirresoluteandbendinghand。
’\"O，forgiveme！Iwilldoanything。O，sir，praytellmeImaylive！\"
’\"Die！\"
’\"Areyousoresolved？Istherenohopeforme？\"
’\"Die！\"
’Herlargeeyesstrainedthemselveswithwonderandfear;wonderandfearchangedtoreproach;reproachtoblanknothing。Itwasdone。Hewasnotatfirstsosureitwasdone，butthatthemorningsunwashangingjewelsinherhair-hesawthediamond，emerald，andruby，glitteringamongitinlittlepoints，ashestoodlookingdownather-whenheliftedherandlaidheronherbed。