Timecame，perhaps，allsosoon，whenourthoughtsover-leapedthatnarrowboundary；whentherewassomeone（verydear，wethoughtthen，verybeautiful，andabsolutelyperfect）wantingtothefulnessofourhappiness；whenwewerewantingtoo（orwethoughtso，whichdidjustaswell）attheChristmashearthbywhichthatsomeonesat；andwhenweintertwinedwitheverywreathandgarlandofourlifethatsomeone’sname。
ThatwasthetimeforthebrightvisionaryChristmaseswhichhavelongarisenfromustoshowfaintly，aftersummerrain，inthepalestedgesoftherainbow！Thatwasthetimeforthebeatifiedenjoymentofthethingsthatweretobe，andneverwere，andyetthethingsthatweresorealinourresolutehopethatitwouldbehardtosay，now，whatrealitiesachievedsince，havebeenstronger！
What！DidthatChristmasneverreallycomewhenweandthepricelesspearlwhowasouryoungchoicewerereceived，afterthehappiestoftotallyimpossiblemarriages，bythetwounitedfamiliespreviouslyatdaggers——drawnonouraccount？Whenbrothersandsisters-in-lawwhohadalwaysbeenrathercooltousbeforeourrelationshipwaseffected，perfectlydotedonus，andwhenfathersandmothersoverwhelmeduswithunlimitedincomes？WasthatChristmasdinnerneverreallyeaten，afterwhichwearose，andgenerouslyandeloquentlyrenderedhonourtoourlaterival，presentinthecompany，thenandthereexchangingfriendshipandforgiveness，andfoundinganattachment，nottobesurpassedinGreekorRomanstory，whichsubsisteduntildeath？Hasthatsamerivallongceasedtocareforthatsamepricelesspearl，andmarriedformoney，andbecomeusurious？Aboveall，dowereallyknow，now，thatweshouldprobablyhavebeenmiserableifwehadwonandwornthepearl，andthatwearebetterwithouther？
ThatChristmaswhenwehadrecentlyachievedsomuchfame；whenwehadbeencarriedintriumphsomewhere，fordoingsomethinggreatandgood；whenwehadwonanhonouredandennobledname，andarrivedandwerereceivedathomeinashoweroftearsofjoy；isitpossiblethatTHATChristmashasnotcomeyet？
Andisourlifehere，atthebest，soconstitutedthat，pausingasweadvanceatsuchanoticeablemile-stoneinthetrackasthisgreatbirthday，welookbackonthethingsthatneverwere，asnaturallyandfullasgravelyasonthethingsthathavebeenandaregone，orhavebeenandstillare？Ifitbeso，andsoitseemstobe，mustwecometotheconclusionthatlifeislittlebetterthanadream，andlittleworththelovesandstrivingsthatwecrowdintoit？
No！Farbesuchmiscalledphilosophyfromus，dearReader，onChristmasDay！NearerandclosertoourheartsbetheChristmasspirit，whichisthespiritofactiveusefulness，perseverance，cheerfuldischargeofduty，kindnessandforbearance！Itisinthelastvirtuesespecially，thatweare，orshouldbe，strengthenedbytheunaccomplishedvisionsofouryouth；for，whoshallsaythattheyarenotourteacherstodealgentlyevenwiththeimpalpablenothingsoftheearth！
Therefore，aswegrowolder，letusbemorethankfulthatthecircleofourChristmasassociationsandofthelessonsthattheybring，expands！Letuswelcomeeveryoneofthem，andsummonthemtotaketheirplacesbytheChristmashearth。
Welcome，oldaspirations，glitteringcreaturesofanardentfancy，toyourshelterunderneaththeholly！Weknowyou，andhavenotoutlivedyouyet。Welcome，oldprojectsandoldloves，howeverfleeting，toyournooksamongthesteadierlightsthatburnaroundus。Welcome，allthatwaseverrealtoourhearts；andfortheearnestnessthatmadeyoureal，thankstoHeaven！DowebuildnoChristmascastlesinthecloudsnow？Letourthoughts，flutteringlikebutterfliesamongtheseflowersofchildren，bearwitness！
Beforethisboy，therestretchesoutaFuture，brighterthanweeverlookedoninouroldromantictime，butbrightwithhonourandwithtruth。Aroundthislittleheadonwhichthesunnycurlslieheaped，thegracessport，asprettily，asairily，aswhentherewasnoscythewithinthereachofTimetoshearawaythecurlsofourfirst-love。Uponanothergirl’sfacenearit——placiderbutsmilingbright——aquietandcontentedlittleface，weseeHomefairlywritten。Shiningfromtheword，asraysshinefromastar，weseehow，whenourgravesareold，otherhopesthanoursareyoung，otherheartsthanoursaremoved；howotherwaysaresmoothed；howotherhappinessblooms，ripens，anddecays——no，notdecays，forotherhomesandotherbandsofchildren，notyetinbeingnorforagesyettobe，arise，andbloomandripentotheendofall！
Welcome，everything！Welcome，alikewhathasbeen，andwhatneverwas，andwhatwehopemaybe，toyourshelterunderneaththeholly，toyourplacesroundtheChristmasfire，wherewhatissitsopen-
hearted！Inyondershadow，doweseeobtrudingfurtivelyupontheblaze，anenemy’sface？ByChristmasDaywedoforgivehim！Iftheinjuryhehasdoneusmayadmitofsuchcompanionship，lethimcomehereandtakehisplace。Ifotherwise，unhappily，lethimgohence，assuredthatwewillneverinjurenoraccusehim。
OnthisdayweshutoutNothing！
\"Pause，\"saysalowvoice。\"Nothing？Think！\"
\"OnChristmasDay，wewillshutoutfromourfireside，Nothing。\"
\"NottheshadowofavastCitywherethewitheredleavesarelyingdeep？\"thevoicereplies。\"Nottheshadowthatdarkensthewholeglobe？NottheshadowoftheCityoftheDead？\"
Noteventhat。Ofalldaysintheyear，wewillturnourfacestowardsthatCityuponChristmasDay，andfromitssilenthostsbringthoseweloved，amongus。CityoftheDead，intheblessednamewhereinwearegatheredtogetheratthistime，andinthePresencethatishereamongusaccordingtothepromise，wewillreceive，andnotdismiss，thypeoplewhoaredeartous！
Yes。Wecanlookuponthesechildrenangelsthatalight，sosolemnly，sobeautifullyamongthelivingchildrenbythefire，andcanbeartothinkhowtheydepartedfromus。Entertainingangelsunawares，asthePatriarchsdid，theplayfulchildrenareunconsciousoftheirguests；butwecanseethem——canseearadiantarmaroundonefavouriteneck，asiftherewereatemptingofthatchildaway。Amongthecelestialfiguresthereisone，apoormisshapenboyonearth，ofagloriousbeautynow，ofwhomhisdyingmothersaiditgrievedhermuchtoleavehimhere，alone，forsomanyyearsasitwaslikelywouldelapsebeforehecametoher——
beingsuchalittlechild。Buthewentquickly，andwaslaiduponherbreast，andinherhandsheleadshim。
Therewasagallantboy，whofell，faraway，uponaburningsandbeneathaburningsun，andsaid，\"Tellthemathome，withmylastlove，howmuchIcouldhavewishedtokissthemonce，butthatI
diedcontentedandhaddonemyduty！\"Ortherewasanother，overwhomtheyreadthewords，\"Thereforewecommithisbodytothedeep，\"andsoconsignedhimtothelonelyoceanandsailedon。Ortherewasanother，wholaydowntohisrestinthedarkshadowofgreatforests，and，onearth，awokenomore。Oshalltheynot，fromsandandseaandforest，bebroughthomeatsuchatime！
Therewasadeargirl——almostawoman——nevertobeone——whomadeamourningChristmasinahouseofjoy，andwenthertracklesswaytothesilentCity。Dowerecollecther，wornout，faintlywhisperingwhatcouldnotbeheard，andfallingintothatlastsleepforweariness？Olookuponhernow！Olookuponherbeauty，herserenity，herchangelessyouth，herhappiness！ThedaughterofJairuswasrecalledtolife，todie；butshe，moreblest，hasheardthesamevoice，sayinguntoher，\"Ariseforever！\"
Wehadafriendwhowasourfriendfromearlydays，withwhomweoftenpicturedthechangesthatweretocomeuponourlives，andmerrilyimaginedhowwewouldspeak，andwalk，andthink，andtalk，whenwecametobeold。HisdestinedhabitationintheCityoftheDeadreceivedhiminhisprime。ShallhebeshutoutfromourChristmasremembrance？Wouldhislovehavesoexcludedus？Lostfriend，lostchild，lostparent，sister，brother，husband，wife，wewillnotsodiscardyou！YoushallholdyourcherishedplacesinourChristmashearts，andbyourChristmasfires；andintheseasonofimmortalhope，andonthebirthdayofimmortalmercy，wewillshutoutNothing！
Thewintersungoesdownovertownandvillage；ontheseaitmakesarosypath，asiftheSacredtreadwerefreshuponthewater。A
fewmoremoments，anditsinks，andnightcomeson，andlightsbegintosparkleintheprospect。Onthehill-sidebeyondtheshapelessly-diffusedtown，andinthequietkeepingofthetreesthatgirdthevillage-steeple，remembrancesarecutinstone，plantedincommonflowers，growingingrass，entwinedwithlowlybramblesaroundmanyamoundofearth。Intownandvillage，therearedoorsandwindowsclosedagainsttheweather，thereareflaminglogsheapedhigh，therearejoyfulfaces，thereishealthymusicofvoices。BeallungentlenessandharmexcludedfromthetemplesoftheHouseholdGods，butbethoseremembrancesadmittedwithtenderencouragement！Theyareofthetimeandallitscomfortingandpeacefulreassurances；andofthehistorythatre-unitedevenuponearththelivingandthedead；andofthebroadbeneficenceandgoodnessthattoomanymenhavetriedtoteartonarrowshreds。
THEPOORRELATION’SSTORY
Hewasveryreluctanttotakeprecedenceofsomanyrespectedmembersofthefamily，bybeginningtheroundofstoriestheyweretorelateastheysatinagoodlycirclebytheChristmasfire；andhemodestlysuggestedthatitwouldbemorecorrectif\"Johnouresteemedhost\"（whosehealthhebeggedtodrink）wouldhavethekindnesstobegin。Forastohimself，hesaid，hewassolittleusedtoleadthewaythatreally——Butastheyallcriedouthere，thathemustbegin，andagreedwithonevoicethathemight，could，would，andshouldbegin，heleftoffrubbinghishands，andtookhislegsoutfromunderhisarmchair，anddidbegin。
Ihavenodoubt（saidthepoorrelation）thatIshallsurprisetheassembledmembersofourfamily，andparticularlyJohnouresteemedhosttowhomwearesomuchindebtedforthegreathospitalitywithwhichhehasthisdayentertainedus，bytheconfessionIamgoingtomake。But，ifyoudomethehonourtobesurprisedatanythingthatfallsfromapersonsounimportantinthefamilyasIam，IcanonlysaythatIshallbescrupulouslyaccurateinallIrelate。
IamnotwhatIamsupposedtobe。Iamquiteanotherthing。
PerhapsbeforeIgofurther，IhadbetterglanceatwhatIAM
supposedtobe。
Itissupposed，unlessImistake——theassembledmembersofourfamilywillcorrectmeifIdo，whichisverylikely（herethepoorrelationlookedmildlyabouthimforcontradiction）；thatIamnobody’senemybutmyown。ThatInevermetwithanyparticularsuccessinanything。ThatIfailedinbusinessbecauseIwasunbusiness-likeandcredulous——innotbeingpreparedfortheinteresteddesignsofmypartner。ThatIfailedinlove，becauseI
wasridiculouslytrustful——inthinkingitimpossiblethatChristianacoulddeceiveme。ThatIfailedinmyexpectationsfrommyuncleChill，onaccountofnotbeingassharpashecouldhavewishedinworldlymatters。That，throughlife，Ihavebeenratherputuponanddisappointedinageneralway。ThatIamatpresentabachelorofbetweenfifty-nineandsixtyyearsofage，livingonalimitedincomeintheformofaquarterlyallowance，towhichIseethatJohnouresteemedhostwishesmetomakenofurtherallusion。
Thesuppositionastomypresentpursuitsandhabitsistothefollowingeffect。
IliveinalodgingintheClaphamRoad——averycleanbackroom，inaveryrespectablehouse——whereIamexpectednottobeathomeintheday-time，unlesspoorly；andwhichIusuallyleaveinthemorningatnineo’clock，onpretenceofgoingtobusiness。Itakemybreakfast——myrollandbutter，andmyhalf-pintofcoffee——attheold-establishedcoffee-shopnearWestminsterBridge；andthenIgointotheCity——Idon’tknowwhy——andsitinGarraway’sCoffeeHouse，andon’Change，andwalkabout，andlookintoafewofficesandcounting-houseswheresomeofmyrelationsoracquaintancearesogoodastotolerateme，andwhereIstandbythefireiftheweatherhappenstobecold。Igetthroughthedayinthiswayuntilfiveo’clock，andthenIdine：atacost，ontheaverage，ofoneandthreepence。Havingstillalittlemoneytospendonmyevening’sentertainment，Ilookintotheold-establishedcoffee-shopasIgohome，andtakemycupoftea，andperhapsmybitoftoast。So，asthelargehandoftheclockmakesitswayroundtothemorninghouragain，ImakemywayroundtotheClaphamRoadagain，andgotobedwhenIgettomylodging——firebeingexpensive，andbeingobjectedtobythefamilyonaccountofitsgivingtroubleandmakingadirt。
Sometimes，oneofmyrelationsoracquaintancesissoobligingastoaskmetodinner。Thoseareholidayoccasions，andthenIgenerallywalkinthePark。Iamasolitaryman，andseldomwalkwithanybody。NotthatIamavoidedbecauseIamshabby；forIamnotatallshabby，havingalwaysaverygoodsuitofblackon（orratherOxfordmixture，whichhastheappearanceofblackandwearsmuchbetter）；butIhavegotintoahabitofspeakinglow，andbeingrathersilent，andmyspiritsarenothigh，andIamsensiblethatI
amnotanattractivecompanion。
Theonlyexceptiontothisgeneralruleisthechildofmyfirstcousin，LittleFrank。Ihaveaparticularaffectionforthatchild，andhetakesverykindlytome。Heisadiffidentboybynature；
andinacrowdheissoonrunover，asImaysay，andforgotten。HeandI，however，getonexceedinglywell。Ihaveafancythatthepoorchildwillintimesucceedtomypeculiarpositioninthefamily。Wetalkbutlittle；still，weunderstandeachother。Wewalkabout，handinhand；andwithoutmuchspeakingheknowswhatI
mean，andIknowwhathemeans。Whenhewasverylittleindeed，I
usedtotakehimtothewindowsofthetoy-shops，andshowhimthetoysinside。ItissurprisinghowsoonhefoundoutthatIwouldhavemadehimagreatmanypresentsifIhadbeenincircumstancestodoit。
LittleFrankandIgoandlookattheoutsideoftheMonument——heisveryfondoftheMonument——andattheBridges，andatallthesightsthatarefree。Ontwoofmybirthdays，wehavedinedone-la-modebeef，andgoneathalf-pricetotheplay，andbeendeeplyinterested。IwasoncewalkingwithhiminLombardStreet，whichweoftenvisitonaccountofmyhavingmentionedtohimthattherearegreatrichesthere——heisveryfondofLombardStreet——whenagentlemansaidtomeashepassedby，\"Sir，yourlittlesonhasdroppedhisglove。\"Iassureyou，ifyouwillexcusemyremarkingonsotrivialacircumstance，thisaccidentalmentionofthechildasmine，quitetouchedmyheartandbroughtthefoolishtearsintomyeyes。
WhenLittleFrankissenttoschoolinthecountry，Ishallbeverymuchatalosswhattodowithmyself，butIhavetheintentionofwalkingdownthereonceamonthandseeinghimonahalfholiday。I
amtoldhewillthenbeatplayupontheHeath；andifmyvisitsshouldbeobjectedto，asunsettlingthechild，Icanseehimfromadistancewithouthisseeingme，andwalkbackagain。Hismothercomesofahighlygenteelfamily，andratherdisapproves，Iamaware，ofourbeingtoomuchtogether。IknowthatIamnotcalculatedtoimprovehisretiringdisposition；butIthinkhewouldmissmebeyondthefeelingofthemomentifwewerewhollyseparated。
WhenIdieintheClaphamRoad，IshallnotleavemuchmoreinthisworldthanIshalltakeoutofit；but，Ihappentohaveaminiatureofabright-facedboy，withacurlinghead，andanopenshirt-frillwavingdownhisbosom（mymotherhadittakenforme，butIcan’tbelievethatitwaseverlike），whichwillbeworthnothingtosell，andwhichIshallbegmayhegiventoFrank。Ihavewrittenmydearboyalittleletterwithit，inwhichIhavetoldhimthatIfeltverysorrytopartfromhim，thoughboundtoconfessthatIknewnoreasonwhyIshouldremainhere。Ihavegivenhimsomeshortadvice，thebestinmypower，totakewarningoftheconsequencesofbeingnobody’senemybuthisown；andIhaveendeavouredtocomforthimforwhatIfearhewillconsiderabereavement，bypointingouttohim，thatIwasonlyasuperfluoussomethingtoeveryonebuthim；andthathavingbysomemeansfailedtofindaplaceinthisgreatassembly，Iambetteroutofit。
Such（saidthepoorrelation，clearinghisthroatandbeginningtospeakalittlelouder）isthegeneralimpressionaboutme。Now，itisaremarkablecircumstancewhichformstheaimandpurposeofmystory，thatthisisallwrong。Thisisnotmylife，andthesearenotmyhabits。IdonotevenliveintheClaphamRoad。
Comparativelyspeaking，Iamveryseldomthere。Ireside，mostly，ina——Iamalmostashamedtosaytheword，itsoundssofullofpretension——inaCastle。Idonotmeanthatitisanoldbaronialhabitation，butstillitisabuildingalwaysknowntoeveryonebythenameofaCastle。Init，Ipreservetheparticularsofmyhistory；theyrunthus：
ItwaswhenIfirsttookJohnSpatter（whohadbeenmyclerk）intopartnership，andwhenIwasstillayoungmanofnotmorethanfive-
and-twenty，residinginthehouseofmyuncleChill，fromwhomIhadconsiderableexpectations，thatIventuredtoproposetoChristiana。
IhadlovedChristianaalongtime。Shewasverybeautiful，andverywinninginallrespects。Irathermistrustedherwidowedmother，whoIfearedwasofaplottingandmercenaryturnofmind；
but，IthoughtaswellofherasIcould，forChristiana’ssake。I
neverhadlovedanyonebutChristiana，andshehadbeenalltheworld，andOfarmorethanalltheworld，tome，fromourchildhood！
Christianaacceptedmewithhermother’sconsent，andIwasrenderedveryhappyindeed。MylifeatmyuncleChill’swasofasparedullkind，andmygarretchamberwasasdull，andbare，andcold，asanupperprisonroominsomesternnorthernfortress。But，havingChristiana’slove，Iwantednothinguponearth。Iwouldnothavechangedmylotwithanyhumanbeing。
Avaricewas，unhappily，myuncleChill’smaster-vice。Thoughhewasrich，hepinched，andscraped，andclutched，andlivedmiserably。
AsChristianahadnofortune，Iwasforsometimealittlefearfulofconfessingourengagementtohim；but，atlengthIwrotehimaletter，sayinghowitalltrulywas。Iputitintohishandonenight，ongoingtobed。
AsIcamedown-stairsnextmorning，shiveringinthecoldDecemberair；colderinmyuncle’sunwarmedhousethaninthestreet，wherethewintersundidsometimesshine，andwhichwasatalleventsenlivenedbycheerfulfacesandvoicespassingalong；Icarriedaheavyhearttowardsthelong，lowbreakfast-roominwhichmyunclesat。Itwasalargeroomwithasmallfire，andtherewasagreatbaywindowinitwhichtherainhadmarkedinthenightasifwiththetearsofhouselesspeople。Itstareduponarawyard，withacrackedstonepavement，andsomerustedironrailingshalfuprooted，whenceanuglyout-buildingthathadoncebeenadissecting-room（inthetimeofthegreatsurgeonwhohadmortgagedthehousetomyuncle），staredatit。
Werosesoearlyalways，thatatthattimeoftheyearwebreakfastedbycandle-light。WhenIwentintotheroom，myunclewassocontractedbythecold，andsohuddledtogetherinhischairbehindtheonedimcandle，thatIdidnotseehimuntilIwasclosetothetable。
AsIheldoutmyhandtohim，hecaughtuphisstick（beinginfirm，healwayswalkedaboutthehousewithastick），andmadeablowatme，andsaid，\"Youfool！\"
\"Uncle，\"Ireturned，\"Ididn’texpectyoutobesoangryasthis。\"
NorhadIexpectedit，thoughhewasahardandangryoldman。
\"Youdidn’texpect！\"saidhe；\"whendidyoueverexpect？Whendidyouevercalculate，orlookforward，youcontemptibledog？\"
\"Thesearehardwords，uncle！\"
\"Hardwords？Feathers，topeltsuchanidiotasyouwith，\"saidhe。
\"Here！BetsySnap！Lookathim！\"
BetsySnapwasawithered，hard-favoured，yellowoldwoman——ouronlydomestic——alwaysemployed，atthistimeofthemorning，inrubbingmyuncle’slegs。Asmyuncleadjuredhertolookatme，heputhisleangriponthecrownofherhead，shekneelingbesidehim，andturnedherfacetowardsme。AninvoluntarythoughtconnectingthembothwiththeDissectingRoom，asitmustoftenhavebeeninthesurgeon’stime，passedacrossmymindinthemidstofmyanxiety。
\"Lookatthesnivellingmilksop！\"saidmyuncle。\"Lookatthebaby！
Thisisthegentlemanwho，peoplesay，isnobody’senemybuthisown。Thisisthegentlemanwhocan’tsayno。Thisisthegentlemanwhowasmakingsuchlargeprofitsinhisbusinessthathemustneedstakeapartner，t’otherday。Thisisthegentlemanwhoisgoingtomarryawifewithoutapenny，andwhofallsintothehandsofJezabelswhoarespeculatingonmydeath！\"
Iknew，now，howgreatmyuncle’sragewas；fornothingshortofhisbeingalmostbesidehimselfwouldhaveinducedhimtoutterthatconcludingword，whichheheldinsuchrepugnancethatitwasneverspokenorhintedatbeforehimonanyaccount。
\"Onmydeath，\"herepeated，asifheweredefyingmebydefyinghisownabhorrenceoftheword。\"Onmydeath——death——Death！ButI’llspoilthespeculation。Eatyourlastunderthisroof，youfeeblewretch，andmayitchokeyou！\"
YoumaysupposethatIhadnotmuchappetiteforthebreakfasttowhichIwasbiddenintheseterms；but，Itookmyaccustomedseat。
IsawthatIwasrepudiatedhenceforthbymyuncle；stillIcouldbearthatverywell，possessingChristiana’sheart。
Heemptiedhisbasinofbreadandmilkasusual，onlythathetookitonhiskneeswithhischairturnedawayfromthetablewhereI
sat。Whenhehaddone，hecarefullysnuffedoutthecandle；andthecold，slate-coloured，miserabledaylookedinuponus。
\"Now，Mr。Michael，\"saidhe，\"beforewepart，Ishouldliketohaveawordwiththeseladiesinyourpresence。\"
\"Asyouwill，sir，\"Ireturned；\"butyoudeceiveyourself，andwrongus，cruelly，ifyousupposethatthereisanyfeelingatstakeinthiscontractbutpure，disinterested，faithfullove。\"
Tothis，heonlyreplied，\"Youlie！\"andnotoneotherword。
Wewent，throughhalf-thawedsnowandhalf-frozenrain，tothehousewhereChristianaandhermotherlived。Myuncleknewthemverywell。Theyweresittingattheirbreakfast，andweresurprisedtoseeusatthathour。
\"Yourservant，ma’am，\"saidmyuncletothemother。\"Youdivinethepurposeofmyvisit，Idaresay，ma’am。Iunderstandthereisaworldofpure，disinterested，faithfullovecoopeduphere。Iamhappytobringitallitwants，tomakeitcomplete。Ibringyouyourson-in-law，ma’am——andyou，yourhusband，miss。Thegentlemanisaperfectstrangertome，butIwishhimjoyofhiswisebargain。\"
Hesnarledatmeashewentout，andIneversawhimagain。
Itisaltogetheramistake（continuedthepoorrelation）tosupposethatmydearChristiana，over-persuadedandinfluencedbyhermother，marriedarichman，thedirtfromwhosecarriagewheelsisoften，inthesechangedtimes，thrownuponmeassheridesby。No，no。Shemarriedme。
Thewaywecametobemarriedrathersoonerthanweintended，wasthis。Itookafrugallodgingandwassavingandplanningforhersake，when，oneday，shespoketomewithgreatearnestness，andsaid：
\"MydearMichael，Ihavegivenyoumyheart。IhavesaidthatI
lovedyou，andIhavepledgedmyselftobeyourwife。Iamasmuchyoursthroughallchangesofgoodandevilasifwehadbeenmarriedonthedaywhensuchwordspassedbetweenus。Iknowyouwell，andknowthatifweshouldbeseparatedandourunionbrokenoff，yourwholelifewouldbeshadowed，andallthatmight，evennow，bestrongerinyourcharacterfortheconflictwiththeworldwouldthenbeweakenedtotheshadowofwhatitis！\"
\"Godhelpme，Christiana！\"saidI。\"Youspeakthetruth。\"
\"Michael！\"saidshe，puttingherhandinmine，inallmaidenlydevotion，\"letuskeepapartnolonger。ItisbutformetosaythatIcanlivecontenteduponsuchmeansasyouhave，andIwellknowyouarehappy。Isaysofrommyheart。Strivenomorealone；
letusstrivetogether。MydearMichael，itisnotrightthatI
shouldkeepsecretfromyouwhatyoudonotsuspect，butwhatdistressesmywholelife。Mymother：withoutconsideringthatwhatyouhavelost，youhavelostforme，andontheassuranceofmyfaith：setsherheartonriches，andurgesanothersuituponme，tomymisery。Icannotbearthis，fortobearitistobeuntruetoyou。Iwouldrathershareyourstrugglesthanlookon。Iwantnobetterhomethanyoucangiveme。IknowthatyouwillaspireandlabourwithahighercourageifIamwhollyyours，andletitbesowhenyouwill！\"
Iwasblestindeed，thatday，andanewworldopenedtome。Weweremarriedinaverylittlewhile，andItookmywifetoourhappyhome。ThatwasthebeginningoftheresidenceIhavespokenof；theCastlewehaveeversinceinhabitedtogether，datesfromthattime。
Allourchildrenhavebeenborninit。Ourfirstchild——nowmarried——wasalittlegirl，whomwecalledChristiana。HersonissolikeLittleFrank，thatIhardlyknowwhichiswhich。
Thecurrentimpressionastomypartner’sdealingswithmeisalsoquiteerroneous。Hedidnotbegintotreatmecoldly，asapoorsimpleton，whenmyuncleandIsofatallyquarrelled；nordidheafterwardsgraduallypossesshimselfofourbusinessandedgemeout。Onthecontrary，hebehavedtomewiththeutmostgoodfaithandhonour。
Mattersbetweenustookthisturn：-Onthedayofmyseparationfrommyuncle，andevenbeforethearrivalatourcounting-houseofmytrunks（whichhesentafterme，NOTcarriagepaid），Iwentdowntoourroomofbusiness，onourlittlewharf，overlookingtheriver；
andthereItoldJohnSpatterwhathadhappened。Johndidnotsay，inreply，thatricholdrelativeswerepalpablefacts，andthatloveandsentimentweremoonshineandfiction。Headdressedmethus：
\"Michael，\"saidJohn，\"wewereatschooltogether，andIgenerallyhadtheknackofgettingonbetterthanyou，andmakingahigherreputation。\"
\"Youhad，John，\"Ireturned。
\"Although\"saidJohn，\"Iborrowedyourbooksandlostthem；borrowedyourpocket-money，andneverrepaidit；gotyoutobuymydamagedknivesatahigherpricethanIhadgivenforthemnew；andtoowntothewindowsthatIhadbroken。\"
\"Allnotworthmentioning，JohnSpatter，\"saidI，\"butcertainlytrue。\"
\"Whenyouwerefirstestablishedinthisinfantbusiness，whichpromisestothrivesowell，\"pursuedJohn，\"Icametoyou，inmysearchforalmostanyemployment，andyoumademeyourclerk。\"
\"Stillnotworthmentioning，mydearJohnSpatter，\"saidI；\"still，equallytrue。\"
\"AndfindingthatIhadagoodheadforbusiness，andthatIwasreallyusefulTOthebusiness，youdidnotliketoretainmeinthatcapacity，andthoughtitanactofjusticesoontomakemeyourpartner。\"
\"Stilllessworthmentioningthananyofthoseotherlittlecircumstancesyouhaverecalled，JohnSpatter，\"saidI；\"forIwas，andam，sensibleofyourmeritsandmydeficiencies。\"
\"Now，mygoodfriend，\"saidJohn，drawingmyarmthroughhis，ashehadhadahabitofdoingatschool；whiletwovesselsoutsidethewindowsofourcounting-house——whichwereshapedlikethesternwindowsofaship——wentlightlydowntheriverwiththetide，asJohnandImightthenbesailingawayincompany，andintrustandconfidence，onourvoyageoflife；\"letthere，underthesefriendlycircumstances，bearightunderstandingbetweenus。Youaretooeasy，Michael。Youarenobody’senemybutyourown。IfIweretogiveyouthatdamagingcharacteramongourconnexion，withashrug，andashakeofthehead，andasigh；andifIwerefurthertoabusethetrustyouplaceinme——\"
\"Butyouneverwillabuseitatall，John，\"Iobserved。
\"Never！\"saidhe；\"butIamputtingacase——Isay，andifIwerefurthertoabusethattrustbykeepingthispieceofourcommonaffairsinthedark，andthisotherpieceinthelight，andagainthisotherpieceinthetwilight，andsoon，Ishouldstrengthenmystrength，andweakenyourweakness，daybyday，untilatlastI
foundmyselfonthehighroadtofortune，andyouleftbehindonsomebarecommon，ahopelessnumberofmilesoutoftheway。\"
\"Exactlyso，\"saidI。
\"Topreventthis，Michael，\"saidJohnSpatter，\"ortheremotestchanceofthis，theremustbeperfectopennessbetweenus。Nothingmustbeconcealed，andwemusthavebutoneinterest。\"
\"MydearJohnSpatter，\"Iassuredhim，\"thatispreciselywhatI
mean。\"
\"Andwhenyouaretooeasy，\"pursuedJohn，hisfaceglowingwithfriendship，\"youmustallowmetopreventthatimperfectioninyournaturefrombeingtakenadvantageof，byanyone；youmustnotexpectmetohumourit——\"
\"MydearJohnSpatter，\"Iinterrupted，\"IDON’Texpectyoutohumourit。Iwanttocorrectit。\"
\"AndI，too，\"saidJohn。
\"Exactlyso！\"criedI。\"Webothhavethesameendinview；and，honourablyseekingit，andfullytrustingoneanother，andhavingbutoneinterest，ourswillbeaprosperousandhappypartnership。\"
\"Iamsureofit！\"returnedJohnSpatter。Andweshookhandsmostaffectionately。
ItookJohnhometomyCastle，andwehadaveryhappyday。Ourpartnershipthrovewell。MyfriendandpartnersuppliedwhatI
wanted，asIhadforeseenthathewould，andbyimprovingboththebusinessandmyself，amplyacknowledgedanylittleriseinlifetowhichIhadhelpedhim。
Iamnot（saidthepoorrelation，lookingatthefireasheslowlyrubbedhishands）veryrich，forInevercaredtobethat；butI
haveenough，andamaboveallmoderatewantsandanxieties。MyCastleisnotasplendidplace，butitisverycomfortable，andithasawarmandcheerfulair，andisquiteapictureofHome。
Oureldestgirl，whoisverylikehermother，marriedJohnSpatter’seldestson。Ourtwofamiliesarecloselyunitedinothertiesofattachment。Itisverypleasantofanevening，whenweareallassembledtogether——whichfrequentlyhappens——andwhenJohnandI
talkoveroldtimes，andtheoneinteresttherehasalwaysbeenbetweenus。
Ireallydonotknow，inmyCastle，whatlonelinessis。Someofourchildrenorgrandchildrenarealwaysaboutit，andtheyoungvoicesofmydescendantsaredelightful——O，howdelightful！——tometohear。
Mydearestandmostdevotedwife，everfaithful，everloving，everhelpfulandsustainingandconsoling，isthepricelessblessingofmyhouse；fromwhomallitsotherblessingsspring。Weareratheramusicalfamily，andwhenChristianaseesme，atanytime，alittlewearyordepressed，shestealstothepianoandsingsagentleairsheusedtosingwhenwewerefirstbetrothed。SoweakamanamI，thatIcannotbeartohearitfromanyothersource。Theyplayeditonce，attheTheatre，whenIwastherewithLittleFrank；andthechildsaidwondering，\"CousinMichael，whosehottearsarethesethathavefallenonmyhand！\"
SuchismyCastle，andsucharetherealparticularsofmylifethereinpreserved。IoftentakeLittleFrankhomethere。Heisverywelcometomygrandchildren，andtheyplaytogether。Atthistimeoftheyear——theChristmasandNewYeartime——IamseldomoutofmyCastle。For，theassociationsoftheseasonseemtoholdmethere，andthepreceptsoftheseasonseemtoteachmethatitiswelltobethere。
\"AndtheCastleis——\"observedagrave，kindvoiceamongthecompany。
\"Yes。MyCastle，\"saidthepoorrelation，shakinghisheadashestilllookedatthefire，\"isintheAir。Johnouresteemedhostsuggestsitssituationaccurately。MyCastleisintheAir！Ihavedone。Willyoubesogoodastopassthestory？\"
THECHILD’SSTORY
Onceuponatime，agoodmanyyearsago，therewasatraveller，andhesetoutuponajourney。Itwasamagicjourney，andwastoseemverylongwhenhebeganit，andveryshortwhenhegothalfwaythrough。
Hetravelledalongaratherdarkpathforsomelittletime，withoutmeetinganything，untilatlasthecametoabeautifulchild。Sohesaidtothechild，\"Whatdoyoudohere？\"Andthechildsaid，\"Iamalwaysatplay。Comeandplaywithme！\"
So，heplayedwiththatchild，thewholedaylong，andtheywereverymerry。Theskywassoblue，thesunwassobright，thewaterwassosparkling，theleavesweresogreen，theflowersweresolovely，andtheyheardsuchsinging-birdsandsawsomanybutteries，thateverythingwasbeautiful。Thiswasinfineweather。Whenitrained，theylovedtowatchthefallingdrops，andtosmellthefreshscents。Whenitblew，itwasdelightfultolistentothewind，andfancywhatitsaid，asitcamerushingfromitshome——
wherewasthat，theywondered！——whistlingandhowling，drivingthecloudsbeforeit，bendingthetrees，rumblinginthechimneys，shakingthehouse，andmakingthesearoarinfury。But，whenitsnowed，thatwasbestofall；for，theylikednothingsowellastolookupatthewhiteflakesfallingfastandthick，likedownfromthebreastsofmillionsofwhitebirds；andtoseehowsmoothanddeepthedriftwas；andtolistentothehushuponthepathsandroads。
Theyhadplentyofthefinesttoysintheworld，andthemostastonishingpicture-books：allaboutscimitarsandslippersandturbans，anddwarfsandgiantsandgeniiandfairies，andblue-
beardsandbean-stalksandrichesandcavernsandforestsandValentinesandOrsons：andallnewandalltrue。
But，oneday，ofasudden，thetravellerlostthechild。Hecalledtohimoverandoveragain，butgotnoanswer。So，hewentuponhisroad，andwentonforalittlewhilewithoutmeetinganything，untilatlasthecametoahandsomeboy。So，hesaidtotheboy，\"Whatdoyoudohere？\"Andtheboysaid，\"Iamalwayslearning。Comeandlearnwithme。\"
SohelearnedwiththatboyaboutJupiterandJuno，andtheGreeksandtheRomans，andIdon’tknowwhat，andlearnedmorethanIcouldtell——orheeither，forhesoonforgotagreatdealofit。But，theywerenotalwayslearning；theyhadthemerriestgamesthateverwereplayed。Theyrowedupontheriverinsummer，andskatedontheiceinwinter；theywereactiveafoot，andactiveonhorseback；atcricket，andallgamesatball；atprisoner’sbase，hareandhounds，followmyleader，andmoresportsthanIcanthinkof；nobodycouldbeatthem。Theyhadholidaystoo，andTwelfthcakes，andpartieswheretheydancedtillmidnight，andrealTheatreswheretheysawpalacesofrealgoldandsilverriseoutoftherealearth，andsawallthewondersoftheworldatonce。Astofriends，theyhadsuchdearfriendsandsomanyofthem，thatIwantthetimetoreckonthemup。Theywereallyoung，likethehandsomeboy，andwerenevertobestrangetooneanotheralltheirlivesthrough。
Still，oneday，inthemidstofallthesepleasures，thetravellerlosttheboyashehadlostthechild，and，aftercallingtohiminvain，wentonuponhisjourney。Sohewentonforalittlewhilewithoutseeinganything，untilatlasthecametoayoungman。So，hesaidtotheyoungman，\"Whatdoyoudohere？\"Andtheyoungmansaid，\"Iamalwaysinlove。Comeandlovewithme。\"
So，hewentawaywiththatyoungman，andpresentlytheycametooneoftheprettiestgirlsthateverwasseen——justlikeFannyinthecornerthere——andshehadeyeslikeFanny，andhairlikeFanny，anddimpleslikeFanny’s，andshelaughedandcolouredjustasFannydoeswhileIamtalkingabouther。So，theyoungmanfellinlovedirectly——justasSomebodyIwon’tmention，thefirsttimehecamehere，didwithFanny。Well！hewasteasedsometimes——justasSomebodyusedtobebyFanny；andtheyquarrelledsometimes——justasSomebodyandFannyusedtoquarrel；andtheymadeitup，andsatinthedark，andwroteletterseveryday，andneverwerehappyasunder，andwerealwayslookingoutforoneanotherandpretendingnotto，andwereengagedatChristmas-time，andsatclosetooneanotherbythefire，andweregoingtobemarriedverysoon——allexactlylikeSomebodyIwon’tmention，andFanny！
But，thetravellerlostthemoneday，ashehadlosttherestofhisfriends，and，aftercallingtothemtocomeback，whichtheyneverdid，wentonuponhisjourney。So，hewentonforalittlewhilewithoutseeinganything，untilatlasthecametoamiddle-agedgentleman。So，hesaidtothegentleman，\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
Andhisanswerwas，\"Iamalwaysbusy。Comeandbebusywithme！\"
So，hebegantobeverybusywiththatgentleman，andtheywentonthroughthewoodtogether。Thewholejourneywasthroughawood，onlyithadbeenopenandgreenatfirst，likeawoodinspring；andnowbegantobethickanddark，likeawoodinsummer；someofthelittletreesthathadcomeoutearliest，wereeventurningbrown。
Thegentlemanwasnotalone，buthadaladyofaboutthesameagewithhim，whowashisWife；andtheyhadchildren，whowerewiththemtoo。So，theyallwentontogetherthroughthewood，cuttingdownthetrees，andmakingapaththroughthebranchesandthefallenleaves，andcarryingburdens，andworkinghard。
Sometimes，theycametoalonggreenavenuethatopenedintodeeperwoods。Thentheywouldhearaverylittle，distantvoicecrying，\"Father，father，Iamanotherchild！Stopforme！\"Andpresentlytheywouldseeaverylittlefigure，growinglargerasitcamealong，runningtojointhem。Whenitcameup，theyallcrowdedroundit，andkissedandwelcomedit；andthentheyallwentontogether。
Sometimes，theycametoseveralavenuesatonce，andthentheyallstoodstill，andoneofthechildrensaid，\"Father，Iamgoingtosea，\"andanothersaid，\"Father，IamgoingtoIndia，\"andanother，\"Father，IamgoingtoseekmyfortunewhereIcan，\"andanother，\"Father，IamgoingtoHeaven！\"So，withmanytearsatparting，theywent，solitary，downthoseavenues，eachchilduponitsway；
andthechildwhowenttoHeaven，roseintothegoldenairandvanished。
Wheneverthesepartingshappened，thetravellerlookedatthegentleman，andsawhimglanceupattheskyabovethetrees，wherethedaywasbeginningtodecline，andthesunsettocomeon。Hesaw，too，thathishairwasturninggrey。But，theynevercouldrestlong，fortheyhadtheirjourneytoperform，anditwasnecessaryforthemtobealwaysbusy。
Atlast，therehadbeensomanypartingsthattherewerenochildrenleft，andonlythetraveller，thegentleman，andthelady，wentupontheirwayincompany。Andnowthewoodwasyellow；andnowbrown；
andtheleaves，evenoftheforesttrees，begantofall。
So，theycametoanavenuethatwasdarkerthantherest，andwerepressingforwardontheirjourneywithoutlookingdownitwhentheladystopped。
\"Myhusband，\"saidthelady。\"Iamcalled。\"
Theylistened，andtheyheardavoicealongwaydowntheavenue，say，\"Mother，mother！\"
Itwasthevoiceofthefirstchildwhohadsaid，\"IamgoingtoHeaven！\"andthefathersaid，\"Ipraynotyet。Thesunsetisverynear。Ipraynotyet！\"
But，thevoicecried，\"Mother，mother！\"withoutmindinghim，thoughhishairwasnowquitewhite，andtearswereonhisface。
Then，themother，whowasalreadydrawnintotheshadeofthedarkavenueandmovingawaywithherarmsstillroundhisneck，kissedhim，andsaid，\"Mydearest，Iamsummoned，andIgo！\"Andshewasgone。Andthetravellerandhewereleftalonetogether。
Andtheywentonandontogether，untiltheycametoveryneartheendofthewood：sonear，thattheycouldseethesunsetshiningredbeforethemthroughthetrees。
Yet，oncemore，whilehebrokehiswayamongthebranches，thetravellerlosthisfriend。Hecalledandcalled，buttherewasnoreply，andwhenhepassedoutofthewood，andsawthepeacefulsungoingdownuponawidepurpleprospect，hecametoanoldmansittingonafallentree。So，hesaidtotheoldman，\"Whatdoyoudohere？\"Andtheoldmansaidwithacalmsmile，\"Iamalwaysremembering。Comeandrememberwithme！\"
Sothetravellersatdownbythesideofthatoldman，facetofacewiththeserenesunset；andallhisfriendscamesoftlybackandstoodaroundhim。Thebeautifulchild，thehandsomeboy，theyoungmaninlove，thefather，mother，andchildren：everyoneofthemwasthere，andhehadlostnothing。So，helovedthemall，andwaskindandforbearingwiththemall，andwasalwayspleasedtowatchthemall，andtheyallhonouredandlovedhim。AndIthinkthetravellermustbeyourself，dearGrandfather，becausethiswhatyoudotous，andwhatwedotoyou。
THESCHOOLBOY’SSTORY
Beingratheryoungatpresent——Iamgettingoninyears，butstillI
amratheryoung——Ihavenoparticularadventuresofmyowntofallbackupon。Itwouldn’tmuchinterestanybodyhere，Isuppose，toknowwhatascrewtheReverendis，orwhatagriffinSHEis，orhowtheydostickitintoparents——particularlyhair-cutting，andmedicalattendance。Oneofourfellowswaschargedinhishalf’saccounttwelveandsixpencefortwopills——tolerablyprofitableatsixandthreepencea-piece，Ishouldthink——andhenevertookthemeither，butputthemupthesleeveofhisjacket。