SoIguessed，eversolongago，thattheyhavehadthesameideawithyou。\"
\"Zenobiewasverysharp，\"saidPemberton。\"Andshemadeyouso。\"
\"Ohthatwasn’tZenobie；thatwasnature。Andexperience！\"Morganlaughed。
\"Well，Zenobiewasapartofyourexperience。\"
\"CertainlyIwasapartofhers，poordear！\"theboywiselysighed。
\"AndI’mpartofyours。\"
\"Averyimportantpart。ButIdon’tseehowyouknowthatI’vebeentreatedlikeZenobie。\"
\"Doyoutakemeforthebiggestdunceyou’veknown？\"Morganasked。
\"Haven’tIbeenconsciousofwhatwe’vebeenthroughtogether？\"
\"Whatwe’vebeenthrough？\"
\"Ourprivations-ourdarkdays。\"
\"Ohourdayshavebeenbrightenough。\"
Morganwentoninsilenceforamoment。Thenhesaid：\"Mydearchap，you’reahero！\"
\"Well，you’reanother！\"Pembertonretorted。
\"NoI’mnot，butIain’tababy。Iwon’tstanditanylonger。Youmustgetsomeoccupationthatpays。I’mashamed，I’mashamed！\"
quaveredtheboywitharingofpassion，likesomehighsilvernotefromasmallcathedralcloister，thatdeeplytouchedhisfriend。
\"Weoughttogooffandlivesomewheretogether，\"theyoungmansaid。
\"I’llgolikeashotifyou’lltakeme。\"
\"I’dgetsomeworkthatwouldkeepusbothafloat，\"Pembertoncontinued。
\"SowouldI。Whyshouldn’tIwork？Iain’tsuchabeastlylittlemuffasthatcomesto。\"
\"Thedifficultyisthatyourparentswouldn’thearofit。They’dneverpartwithyou；theyworshipthegroundyoutreadon。Don’tyouseetheproofofit？\"Pembertondeveloped。\"Theydon’tdislikeme；theywishmenoharm；they’reveryamiablepeople；butthey’reperfectlyreadytoexposemetoanyawkwardnessinlifeforyoursake。\"
ThesilenceinwhichMorganreceivedhisfondsophistrystruckPembertonsomehowasexpressive。Afteramomentthechildrepeated：\"Youareahero！\"Thenheadded：\"Theyleavemewithyoualtogether。You’vealltheresponsibility。Theyputmeoffonyoufrommorningtillnight。Whythenshouldtheyobjecttomytakingupwithyoucompletely？I’dhelpyou。\"
\"They’renotparticularlykeenaboutmybeinghelped，andtheydelightinthinkingofyouasTHEIRS。They’retremendouslyproudofyou。\"
\"I’mnotproudofTHEM。Butyouknowthat，\"Morganreturned。
\"Exceptforthelittlematterwespeakofthey’recharmingpeople，\"
saidPemberton，nottakingupthepointmadeforhisintelligence，butwonderinggreatlyattheboy’sown，andespeciallyatthisfreshreminderofsomethinghehadbeenconsciousoffromthefirst-thestrangestthinginhisfriend’slargelittlecomposition，atemper，asensibility，evenaprivateideal，whichmadehimasprivatelydisownthestuffhispeopleweremadeof。Morganhadinsecretasmallloftinesswhichmadehimacuteaboutbetrayedmeanness；aswellasacriticalsenseforthemannersimmediatelysurroundinghimthatwasquitewithoutprecedentinajuvenilenature，especiallywhenonenotedthatithadnotmadethisnature\"old-fashioned，\"asthewordisofchildren-quaintorwizenedoroffensive。Itwasasifhehadbeenalittlegentlemanandhadpaidthepenaltybydiscoveringthathewastheonlysuchpersoninhisfamily。Thiscomparisondidn’tmakehimvain，butitcouldmakehimmelancholyandatrifleaustere。WhilePembertonguessedatthesedimyoungthings，shadowsofshadows，hewaspartlydrawnonandpartlychecked，asforascruple，bythecharmofattemptingtosoundthelittlecoolshallowsthatweresoquicklygrowingdeeper。Whenhetriedtofiguretohimselfthemorningtwilightofchildhood，soastodealwithitsafely，hesawitwasneverfixed，neverarrested，thatignorance，attheinstanthetouchedit，wasalreadyflushingfaintlyintoknowledge，thattherewasnothingthatatagivenmomentyoucouldsayanintelligentchilddidn’tknow。ItseemedtohimthathehimselfknewtoomuchtoimagineMorgan’ssimplicityandtoolittletodisembroilhistangle。
Theboypaidnoheedtohislastremark；heonlywenton：\"I’dhavespokentothemabouttheiridea，asIcallit，longago，ifI
hadn’tbeensurewhatthey’dsay。\"
\"Andwhatwouldtheysay？\"
\"JustwhattheysaidaboutwhatpoorZenobietoldme-thatitwasahorriddreadfulstory，thattheyhadpaidhereverypennytheyowedher。\"
\"Well，perhapstheyhad，\"saidPemberton。
\"Perhapsthey’vepaidyou！\"
\"Letuspretendtheyhave，andn’enparlonsplus。\"
\"Theyaccusedheroflyingandcheating\"-Morganstucktohistorictruth。\"That’swhyIdon’twanttospeaktothem。\"
\"Lesttheyshouldaccuseme，too？\"TothisMorganmadenoanswer，andhiscompanion，lookingdownathim-theboyturnedawayhiseyes，whichhadfilled-sawwhathecouldn’thavetrustedhimselftoutter。\"You’reright。Don’tworrythem，\"Pembertonpursued。
\"Exceptforthat，theyAREcharmingpeople。\"
\"ExceptforTHEIRlyingandTHEIRcheating？\"
\"Isay-Isay！\"criedPemberton，imitatingalittletoneofthelad’swhichwasitselfanimitation。
\"Wemustbefrank，atthelast；weMUSTcometoanunderstanding，\"
saidMorganwiththeimportanceofthesmallboywholetshimselfthinkheisarranginggreataffairs-almostplayingatshipwreckoratIndians。\"Iknowallabouteverything。\"
\"Idaresayyourfatherhashisreasons，’’Pembertonreplied，buttoovaguely，ashewasaware。
\"Forlyingandcheating？\"
\"Forsavingandmanagingandturninghismeanstothebestaccount。
Hehasplentytodowithhismoney。You’reanexpensivefamily。\"
\"Yes，I’mveryexpensive，\"Morganconcurredinamannerthatmadehispreceptorburstoutlaughing。
\"He’ssavingforYOU，\"saidPemberton。\"Theythinkofyouineverythingtheydo。\"
\"Hemight，whilehe’saboutit，savealittle-\"Theboypaused，andhisfriendwaitedtohearwhat。ThenMorganbroughtoutoddly：
\"Alittlereputation。\"
\"Ohthere’splentyofthat。That’sallright！\"
\"Enoughofitforthepeopletheyknow，nodoubt。Thepeopletheyknowareawful。\"
\"Doyoumeantheprinces？Wemustn’tabusetheprinces。\"
\"Whynot？Theyhaven’tmarriedPaula-theyhaven’tmarriedAmy。
TheyonlycleanoutUlick。\"
\"YouDOknoweverything！\"Pembertondeclared。
\"No，Idon’t，afterall。Idon’tknowwhattheyliveon，orhowtheylive，orWHYtheylive！Whathavetheygotandhowdidtheygetit？Aretheyrich，aretheypoor，orhavetheyamodesteaisance？Whyaretheyalwayschiveyingmeabout-livingoneyearlikeambassadorsandthenextlikepaupers？Whoarethey，anyway，andwhatarethey？I’vethoughtofallthat-I’vethoughtofalotofthings。They’resobeastlyworldly。That’swhatIhatemost-oh，I’veSEENit！Alltheycareaboutistomakeanappearanceandtopassforsomethingorother。Whatthedickensdotheywanttopassfor？WhatDOthey，Mr。Pemberton？\"
\"Youpauseforareply，\"saidPemberton，treatingthequestionasajoke，yetwonderingtooandgreatlystruckwithhismate’sintenseifimperfectvision。\"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。\"
\"Andwhatgooddoesitdo？Haven’tIseenthewaypeopletreatthem-the’nice’people，theonestheywanttoknow？They’lltakeanythingfromthem-they’llliedownandbetrampledon。Theniceoneshatethat-theyjustsickenthem。You’retheonlyreallynicepersonweknow。\"
\"Areyousure？Theydon’tliedownforme！\"
\"Well，youshan’tliedownforthem。You’vegottogo-that’swhatyou’vegottodo，\"saidMorgan。
\"Andwhatwillbecomeofyou？\"
\"OhI’mgrowingup。Ishallgetoffbeforelong。I’llseeyoulater。\"
\"Youhadbetterletmefinishyou，\"Pembertonurged，lendinghimselftothechild’sstrangesuperiority。
Morganstoppedintheirwalk，lookingupathim。Hehadtolookupmuchlessthanacoupleofyearsbefore-hehadgrown，inhislooseleanness，solongandhigh。\"Finishme？\"heechoed。
\"Therearesuchalotofjollythingswecandotogetheryet。I
wanttoturnyouout-Iwantyoutodomecredit。\"
Morgancontinuedtolookathim。\"Togiveyoucredit-doyoumean？\"
\"Mydearfellow，you’retooclevertolive。\"
\"That’sjustwhatI’mafraidyouthink。No，no；itisn’tfair-I
can’tendureit。We’llseparatenextweek。Thesoonerit’soverthesoonertosleep。\"
\"IfIhearofanything-anyotherchance-Ipromisetogo，\"
Pembertonsaid。
Morganconsentedtoconsiderthis。\"Butyou’llbehonest，\"hedemanded；\"youwon’tpretendyouhaven’theard？\"
\"I’mmuchmorelikelytopretendIhave。\"
\"Butwhatcanyouhearof，thisway，stuckinaholewithus？Yououghttobeonthespot，togotoEngland-yououghttogotoAmerica。\"
\"OnewouldthinkyouwereMYtutor！\"saidPemberton。
Morganwalkedonandafteralittlehadbegunagain：\"Well，nowthatyouknowIknowandthatwelookatthefactsandkeepnothingback-it’smuchmorecomfortable，isn’tit？\"
\"Mydearboy，it’ssoamusing，sointeresting，thatitwillsurelybequiteimpossibleformetoforegosuchhoursasthese。\"
ThismadeMorganstoponcemore。\"YouDOkeepsomethingback。Ohyou’renotstraight-Iam！\"
\"HowamInotstraight？\"
\"Ohyou’vegotyouridea！\"
\"Myidea？\"
\"WhythatIprobablyshan’tmakeold-makeolder-bones，andthatyoucanstickitouttillI’mremoved。\"
\"YouAREtooclevertolive！\"Pembertonrepeated。
\"Icallitameanidea，\"Morganpursued。\"ButIshallpunishyoubythewayIhangon。\"
\"LookoutorI’llpoisonyou！\"Pembertonlaughed。
\"I’mstrongerandbettereveryyear。Haven’tyounoticedthattherehasn’tbeenadoctornearmesinceyoucame？\"
\"I’Myourdoctor，\"saidtheyoungman，takinghisarmanddrawinghimtenderlyonagain。
Morganproceededandafterafewstepsgaveasighofmingledwearinessandrelief。\"Ahnowthatwelookatthefactsit’sallright！\"
CHAPTERVII
TheylookedatthefactsagooddealafterthisandoneofthefirstconsequencesoftheirdoingsowasthatPembertonstuckitout，inhisfriend’sparlance，forthepurpose。Morganmadethefactssovividandsodroll，andatthesametimesobaldandsougly，thattherewasfascinationintalkingthemoverwithhim，justastherewouldhavebeenheartlessnessinleavinghimalonewiththem。Nowthatthepairhadsuchperceptionsincommonitwasuselessforthemtopretendtheydidn’tjudgesuchpeople；buttheveryjudgementandtheexchangeofperceptionscreatedanothertie。
Morganhadneverbeensointerestingasnowthathehimselfwasmadeplainerbythesidelightoftheseconfidences。Whatcameoutinitmostwasthesmallfinepassionofhispride。Hehadplentyofthat，Pembertonfelt-somuchthatonemightperhapswiselywishforitsomeearlybruises。Hewouldhavelikedhispeopletohaveaspiritandhadwakeduptothesenseoftheirperpetuallyeatinghumble-pie。Hismotherwouldconsumeanyamount，andhisfatherwouldconsumeevenmorethanhismother。HehadatheorythatUlickhadwriggledoutofan\"affair\"atNice：therehadoncebeenaflurryathome，aregularpanic，afterwhichtheyallwenttobedandtookmedicine，nottobeaccountedforonanyothersupposition。Morganhadaromanticimagination，ledbypoetryandhistory，andhewouldhavelikedthosewho\"borehisname\"-asheusedtosaytoPembertonwiththehumourthatmadehisqueerdelicaciesmanly-tocarrythemselveswithanair。Buttheironeideawastogetinwithpeoplewhodidn’twantthemandtotakesnubsasittheywerehonourablescars。Whypeopledidn’twantthemmorehedidn’tknow-thatwaspeople’sownaffair；afteralltheyweren’tsuperficiallyrepulsive，theywereahundredtimesclevererthanmostofthedrearygrandees，the\"poorswells\"theyrushedaboutEuropetocatchupwith。\"AfteralltheyAREamusing-theyare！\"heusedtopronouncewiththewisdomoftheages。TowhichPembertonalwaysreplied：\"Amusing-thegreatMoreentroupe？Whythey’realtogetherdelightful；andifitweren’tforthehitchthatyouandI（feebleperformers！）makeintheensemblethey’dcarryeverythingbeforethem。\"
Whattheboycouldn’tgetoverwasthefactthatthisparticularblightseemed，inatraditionofself-respect，soundeservedandsoarbitrary。Nodoubtpeoplehadarighttotakethelinetheyliked；butwhyshouldhispeoplehavelikedthelineofpushingandtoadyingandlyingandcheating？Whathadtheirforefathers-alldecentfolk，sofarasheknew-donetothem，orwhathadhedonetothem？Whohadpoisonedtheirbloodwiththefifth-ratesocialideal，thefixedideaofmakingsmartacquaintancesandgettingintothemondechic，especiallywhenitwasforedoomedtofailureandexposure？Theyshowedsowhattheywereafter；thatwaswhatmadethepeopletheywantednotwantTHEM。Andneverawincefordignity，neverathrobofshameatlookingeachotherintheface，neveranyindependenceorresentmentordisgust。Ifhisfatherorhisbrotherwouldonlyknocksomeonedownonceortwiceayear！
Cleverastheyweretheyneverguessedtheimpressiontheymade。
Theyweregood-natured，yes-asgood-naturedasJewsatthedoorsofclothing-shops！Butwasthatthemodelonewantedone’sfamilytofollow？Morganhaddimmemoriesofanoldgrandfather，thematernal，inNewYork，whomhehadbeentakenacrosstheoceanattheageoffivetosee：agentlemanwithahighneck-clothandagooddealofpronunciation，whoworeadress-coatinthemorning，whichmadeonewonderwhatheworeintheevening，andhad，orwassupposedtohave\"property\"andsomethingtodowiththeBibleSociety。Itcouldn’thavebeenbutthathewasagoodtype。
PembertonhimselfrememberedMrs。Clancy，awidowedsisterofMr。
Moreen’s，whowasasirritatingasamoraltaleandhadpaidafortnight’svisittothefamilyatNiceshortlyafterhecametolivewiththem。Shewas\"pureandrefined，\"asAmysaidoverthebanjo，andhadtheairofnotknowingwhattheymeantwhentheytalked，andofkeepingsomethingratherimportantback。Pembertonjudgedthatwhatshekeptbackwasanapprovalofmanyoftheirways；thereforeitwastobesupposedthatshetoowasofagoodtype，andthatMr。andMrs。MoreenandUlickandPaulaandAmymighteasilyhavebeenofabetteroneiftheywould。
Butthattheywouldn’twasmoreandmoreperceptiblefromdaytoday。Theycontinuedto\"chivey，\"asMorgancalledit，andinduetimebecameawareofavarietyofreasonsforproceedingtoVenice。
Theymentionedagreatmanyofthem-theywerealwaysstrikinglyfrankandhadthebrightestfriendlychatter，atthelateforeignbreakfastinespecial，beforetheladieshadmadeuptheirfaces，whentheyleanedtheirarmsonthetable，hadsomethingtofollowthedemitasse，and，intheheatoffamiliardiscussionastowhatthey\"reallyought\"todo，fellinevitablyintothelanguagesinwhichtheycouldtutoyer。EvenPembertonlikedthemthen；hecouldendureevenUlickwhenheheardhimgivehislittleflatvoiceforthe\"sweetsea-city。\"Thatwaswhatmadehimhaveasneakingkindnessforthem-thattheyweresooutoftheworkadayworldandkepthimsooutofit。Thesummerhadwanedwhen，withcriesofecstasy，theyallpassedoutonthebalconythatoverhungtheGrandCanal。ThesunsetsthenweresplendidandtheDorringtonshadarrived。TheDorringtonsweretheonlyreasontheyhadn’ttalkedofatbreakfast；butthereasonstheydidn’ttalkofatbreakfastalwayscameoutintheend。TheDorringtonsontheotherhandcameoutverylittle；orelsewhentheydidtheystayed-aswasnatural-forhours，duringwhichperiodsMrs。Moreenandthegirlssometimescalledattheirhotel（toseeiftheyhadreturned）asmanyasthreetimesrunning。Thegondolawasfortheladies，asinVenicetootherewere\"days，\"whichMrs。Moreenknewintheirorderanhouraftershearrived。Sheimmediatelytookoneherself，towhichtheDorringtonsnevercame，thoughonacertainoccasionwhenPembertonandhispupilweretogetheratSt。Mark’s-where，takingthebestwalkstheyhadeverhadandhauntingahundredchurches，theyspentagreatdealoftime-theysawtheoldlordturnupwithMr。MoreenandUlick，whoshowedhimthedimbasilicaasifitbelongedtothem。Pembertonnotedhowmuchless，amongitscuriosities，LordDorringtoncarriedhimselfasamanoftheworld；
wonderingtoowhether，forsuchservices，hiscompanionstookafeefromhim。Theautumnatanyratewaned，theDorringtonsdeparted，andLordVerschoyle，theeldestson，hadproposedneitherforAmynorforPaula。
OnesadNovemberday，whilethewindroaredroundtheoldpalaceandtherainlashedthelagoon，Pemberton，forexerciseandevensomewhatforwarmth-theMoreenswerehorriblyfrugalaboutfires；
itwasacauseofsufferingtotheirinmate-walkedupanddownthebigbaresalawithhispupil。Thescagliolafloorwascold，thehighbatteredcasementsshookinthestorm，andthestatelydecayoftheplacewasunrelievedbyaparticleoffurniture。
Pemberton’sspiritswerelow，anditcameoverhimthatthefortuneoftheMoreenswasnowevenlower。Ablastofdesolation，aportentofdisgraceanddisaster，seemedtodrawthroughthecomfortlesshall。Mr。MoreenandUlickwereinthePiazza，lookingoutforsomething，strollingdrearily，inmackintoshes，underthearcades；butstill，inspiteofmackintoshes，unmistakeablemenoftheworld。PaulaandAmywereinbed-itmighthavebeenthoughttheywerestayingtheretokeepwarm。Pembertonlookedaskanceattheboyathisside，toseetowhatextenthewasconsciousofthesedarkomens。ButMorgan，luckilyforhim，wasnowmainlyconsciousofgrowingtallerandstrongerandindeedofbeinginhisfifteenthyear。Thisfactwasintenselyinterestingtohimandthebasisofaprivatetheory-which，however，hehadimpartedtohistutor-thatinalittlewhileheshouldstandonhisownfeet。Heconsideredthatthesituationwouldchange-thatinshortheshouldbe\"finished，\"grownup，producibleintheworldofaffairsandreadytoprovehimselfofsterlingability。Sharplyashewascapableattimesofanalysing，ashecalledit，hislife，therewerehappyhourswhenheremained，ashealsocalledit-andasthename，really，oftheirrightideal-\"jolly\"superficial；theproofofwhichwashisfundamentalassumptionthatheshouldpresentlygotoOxford，toPemberton’scollege，and，aidedandabettedbyPemberton，dothemostwonderfulthings。Itdepressedtheyoungmantoseehowlittleinsuchaprojecthetookaccountofwaysandmeans：inotherconnexionshemostlykepttothemeasure。PembertontriedtoimaginetheMoreensatOxfordandfortunatelyfailed；yetunlesstheyweretoadoptitasaresidencetherewouldbenomodusvivendiforMorgan。Howcouldhelivewithoutanallowance，andwherewastheallowancetocomefrom？
He，Pemberton，mightliveonMorgan；buthowcouldMorganliveonHIM？Whatwastobecomeofhimanyhow？Somehowthefactthathewasabigboynow，withbetterprospectsofhealth，madethequestionofhisfuturemoredifficult。Solongashewasmarkedlyfrailthegreatconsiderationheinspiredseemedenoughofananswertoit。ButatthebottomofPemberton’sheartwastherecognitionofhisprobablybeingstrongenoughtoliveandnotyetstrongenoughtostruggleortothrive。Morganhimselfatanyratewasinthefirstflushoftherosiestconsciousnessofadolescence，sothatthebeatingofthetempestseemedtohimafterallbutthevoiceoflifeandthechallengeoffate。Hehadonhisshabbylittleovercoat，withthecollarup，butwasenjoyinghiswalk。
Itwasinterruptedatlastbytheappearanceofhismotherattheendofthesala。Shebeckonedhimtocometoher，andwhilePembertonsawhim，complaisant，passdownthelongvistaandoverthedampfalsemarble，hewonderedwhatwasintheair。Mrs。
Moreensaidawordtotheboyandmadehimgointotheroomshehadquitted。Then，havingclosedthedoorafterhim，shedirectedherstepsswiftlytoPemberton。Therewassomethingintheair，buthiswildestflightoffancywouldn’thavesuggestedwhatitprovedtobe。ShesignifiedthatshehadmadeapretexttogetMorganoutoftheway，andthensheenquired-withouthesitation-iftheyoungmancouldfavourherwiththeloanofthreelouis。While，beforeburstingintoalaugh，hestaredatherwithsurprise，shedeclaredthatshewasawfullypressedforthemoney；shewasdesperateforit-itwouldsaveherlife。
\"Dearlady，c’esttropfort！\"Pembertonlaughedinthemannerandwiththeborrowedgraceofidiomthatmarkedthebestcolloquial，thebestanecdotic，momentsofhisfriendsthemselves。\"WhereintheworlddoyousupposeIshouldgetthreelouis，dutraindontvousallez？\"
\"Ithoughtyouworked-wrotethings。Don’ttheypayyou？\"
\"Notapenny。\"
\"Areyousuchafoolastoworkfornothing？\"
\"Yououghtsurelytoknowthat。\"
Mrs。Moreenstared，thenshecolouredalittle。Pembertonsawshehadquiteforgottentheterms-if\"terms\"theycouldbecalled-
thathehadendedbyacceptingfromherself；theyhadburdenedhermemoryaslittleasherconscience。\"Ohyes，Iseewhatyoumean-
you’vebeenveryniceaboutthat；butwhydragitinsooften？\"
ShehadbeenperfectlyurbanewithhimeversincetheroughsceneofexplanationinhisroomthemorninghemadeheracceptHIS
\"terms\"-thenecessityofhismakinghiscaseknowntoMorgan。
ShehadfeltnoresentmentafterseeingtherewasnodangerMorganwouldtakethematterupwithher。Indeed，attributingthisimmunitytothegoodtasteofhisinfluencewiththeboy，shehadoncesaidtoPemberton\"Mydearfellow，it’sanimmensecomfortyou’reagentleman。\"Sherepeatedthisinsubstancenow。\"Ofcourseyou’reagentleman-that’sabothertheless！\"Pembertonremindedherthathehadnot\"draggedin\"anythingthatwasn’talreadyinasmuchashisfootwasinhisshoe；andshealsorepeatedherprayerthat，somewhereandsomehow，hewouldfindhersixtyfrancs。Hetookthelibertyofhintingthatifhecouldfindthemitwouldn’tbetolendthemtoHER-astowhichheconsciouslydidhimselfinjustice，knowingthatifhehadthemhewouldcertainlyputthematherdisposal。Heaccusedhimself，atbottomandnotunveraciously，ofafantastic，ademoralisedsympathywithher。Ifmiserymadestrangebedfellowsitalsomadestrangesympathies。Itwasmoreoverapartoftheabasementoflivingwithsuchpeoplethatonehadtomakevulgarretorts，quiteoutofone’sowntraditionofgoodmanners。\"Morgan，Morgan，towhatpasshaveIcomeforyou？\"hegroanedwhileMrs。Moreenfloatedvoluminouslydownthesalaagaintoliberatetheboy，wailingasshewentthateverythingwastooodious。
Beforetheiryoungfriendwasliberatedtherecameathumpatthedoorcommunicatingwiththestaircase，followedbytheapparitionofadrippingyouthwhopokedinhishead。Pembertonrecognisedhimasthebearerofatelegramandrecognisedthetelegramasaddressedtohimself。Morgancamebackas，afterglancingatthesignature-thatofarelativeinLondon-hewasreadingthewords：\"Foundajollyjobforyou，engagementtocoachopulentyouthonownterms。Comeatonce。\"Theanswerhappilywaspaidandthemessengerwaited。Morgan，whohaddrawnnear，waitedtooandlookedhardatPemberton；andPemberton，afteramoment，havingmethislook，handedhimthetelegram。Itwasreallybywiselooks-theykneweachothersowellnow-that，whilethetelegraph-boy，inhiswaterproofcape，madeagreatpuddleonthefloor，thethingwassettledbetweenthem。Pembertonwrotetheanswerwithapencilagainstthefrescoedwall，andthemessengerdeparted。Whenhehadgonetheyoungmanexplainedhimself。
\"I’llmakeatremendouscharge；I’llearnalotofmoneyinashorttime，andwe’llliveonit。\"
\"Well，Ihopetheopulentyouthwillbeadismaldunce-heprobablywill-\"Morganparenthesised-\"andkeepyoualongtimea-hammeringofitin。\"
\"Ofcoursethelongerhekeepsmethemoreweshallhaveforouroldage。\"
\"ButsupposeTHEYdon’tpayyou！\"Morganawfullysuggested。
\"Ohtherearenottwosuch-！\"ButPembertonpulledup；hehadbeenonthepointofusingtooinvidiousaterm。Insteadofthishesaid\"Twosuchfatalities。\"
Morganflushed-thetearscametohiseyes。\"Ditestoujourstwosuchrascallycrews！\"Theninadifferenttoneheadded：\"Happyopulentyouth！\"
\"Notifhe’sadismaldunce。\"
\"Ohthey’rehappierthen。Butyoucan’thaveeverything，canyou？\"
theboysmiled。
Pembertonheldhimfast，handsonhisshoulders-hehadneverlovedhimso。\"Whatwillbecomeofyou，whatwillyoudo？\"HethoughtofMrs。Moreen，desperateforsixtyfrancs。
\"Ishallbecomeanhommefait。\"AndthenasifherecognisedallthebearingsofPemberton’sallusion：\"Ishallgetonwiththembetterwhenyou’renothere。\"
\"Ahdon’tsaythat-itsoundsasifIsetyouagainstthem！\"
\"Youdo-thesightofyou。It’sallright；youknowwhatImean。
Ishallbebeautiful。I’lltaketheiraffairsinhand；I’llmarrymysisters。\"
\"You’llmarryyourself！\"jokedPemberton；ashigh，rathertensepleasantrywouldevidentlybetheright，orthesafest，tonefortheirseparation。
Itwas，however，notpurelyinthisstrainthatMorgansuddenlyasked：\"ButIsay-howwillyougettoyourjollyjob？You’llhavetotelegraphtotheopulentyouthformoneytocomeon。\"
Pembertonbethoughthimself。\"Theywon’tlikethat，willthey？\"
\"Ohlookoutforthem！\"
ThenPembertonbroughtouthisremedy。\"I’llgototheAmericanConsul；I’llborrowsomemoneyofhim-justforthefewdays，onthestrengthofthetelegram。\"
Morganwashilarious。\"Showhimthetelegram-thencollarthemoneyandstay！\"
PembertonenteredintothejokesufficientlytoreplythatforMorganhewasreallycapableofthat；buttheboy，growingmoreserious，andtoprovehehadn’tmeantwhathesaid，notonlyhurriedhimofftotheConsulate-sincehewastostartthatevening，ashehadwiredtohisfriend-butmadesureoftheiraffairbygoingwithhim。Theysplashedthroughthetortuousperforationsandoverthehumpbackedbridges，andtheypassedthroughthePiazza，wheretheysawMr。MoreenandUlickgointoajeweller’sshop。TheConsulprovedaccommodating-Pembertonsaiditwasn’ttheletter，butMorgan’sgrandair-andontheirwaybacktheywentintoSaintMark’sforahushedtenminutes。Latertheytookupandkeptupthefunofittotheveryend；anditseemedtoPembertonapartofthatfunthatMrs。Moreen，whowasveryangrywhenhehadannouncedherhisintention，shouldchargehim，grotesquelyandvulgarlyandinreferencetotheloanshehadvainlyendeavouredtoeffect，withboltinglesttheyshould\"getsomethingout\"ofhim。OntheotherhandhehadtodoMr。MoreenandUlickthejusticetorecognisethatwhenoncomingintheyheardthecruelnewstheytookitlikeperfectmenoftheworld。
CHAPTERVIIII
Whenhegotatworkwiththeopulentyouth，whowastobetakeninhandforBalliol，hefoundhimselfunabletosayifthisaspiranthadreallysuchpoorpartsoriftheappearancewereonlybegottenofhisownlongassociationwithanintenselylivinglittlemind。
FromMorganheheardhalfadozentimes：theboywrotecharmingyoungletters，apatchworkoftongues，withindulgentpostscriptsinthefamilyVolapukand，inlittlesquaresandroundsandcranniesofthetext，thedrollestillustrations-lettersthathewasdividedbetweentheimpulsetoshowhispresentchargeasavain，awastedincentive，andthesenseofsomethinginthemthatpublicitywouldprofane。Theopulentyouthwentupinduecourseandfailedtopass；butitseemedtoaddtothepresumptionthatbrilliancywasnotexpectedofhimallatoncethathisparents，condoningthelapse，whichtheygood-naturedlytreatedaslittleaspossibleasifitwerePemberton’s，shouldhavesoundedtherallyagain，beggedtheyoungcoachtorenewthesiege。
TheyoungcoachwasnowinapositiontolendMrs。Moreenthreelouis，andhesentherapost-officeorderevenforalargeramount。Inreturnforthisfavourhereceivedafranticscribbledlinefromher：\"Imploreyoutocomebackinstantly-Morgandreadfullyill。\"Theywereonthererebound，oncemoreinParis-oftenasPembertonhadseenthemdepressedhehadneverseenthemcrushed-andcommunicationwasthereforerapid。Hewrotetotheboytoascertainthestateofhishealth，butawaitedtheanswerinvain。
Heaccordingly，afterthreedays，tookanabruptleaveoftheopulentyouthand，crossingtheChannel，alightedatthesmallhotel，inthequarteroftheChampsElysees，ofwhichMrs。Moreenhadgivenhimtheaddress。Adeepifdumbdissatisfactionwiththisladyandhercompanionsborehimcompany：theycouldn’tbevulgarlyhonest，buttheycouldliveathotels，invelvetyentresols，amidasmellofburntpastilles，surroundedbythemostexpensivecityinEurope。WhenhehadlefttheminVeniceitwaswithanirrepressiblesuspicionthatsomethingwasgoingtohappen；
buttheonlythingthatcouldhavetakenplacewasagaintheirmasterlyretreat。\"Howishe？whereishe？\"heaskedofMrs。
Moreen；butbeforeshecouldspeakthesequestionswereansweredbythepressureroundhidneckofapairofarms，inshrunkensleeves，whichstillwereperfectlycapableofaneffusiveyoungforeignsqueeze。
\"Dreadfullyill-Idon’tseeit！\"theyoungmancried。AndthentoMorgan：\"Whyonearthdidn’tyourelieveme？Whydidn’tyouanswermyletter？\"
Mrs。Moreendeclaredthatwhenshewrotehewasverybad，andPembertonlearnedatthesametimefromtheboythathehadansweredeveryletterhehadreceived。ThisledtotheclearinferencethatPemberton’snotehadbeenkeptfromhimsothatthegamepractisedshouldnotbeinterferedwith。Mrs。Moreenwaspreparedtoseethefactexposed，asPembertonsawthemomenthefacedherthatshewaspreparedforagoodmanyotherthings。Shewaspreparedabovealltomaintainthatshehadactedfromasenseofduty，thatshewasenchantedshehadgothimover，whatevertheymightsay，andthatitwasuselessofhimtopretendhedidn’tknowinallhisbonesthathisplaceatsuchatimewaswithMorgan。Hehadtakentheboyawayfromthemandnowhadnorighttoabandonhim。Hehadcreatedforhimselfthegravestresponsibilitiesandmustatleastabidebywhathehaddone。
\"Takenhimawayfromyou？\"Pembertonexclaimedindignantly。
\"Doit-doitforpity’ssake；that’sjustwhatIwant。Ican’tstandTHIS-andsuchscenes。They’reawfulfrauds-poordears！\"
ThesewordsbrokefromMorgan，whohadintermittedhisembrace，inakeywhichmadePembertonturnquicklytohimandseethathehadsuddenlyseatedhimself，wasbreathingingreatpain，andwasverypale。
\"NOWdoyousayhe’snotinastate，mypreciouspet？\"shoutedhismother，droppingonherkneesbeforehimwithclaspedhands，buttouchinghimnomorethanifhehadbeenagildedidol。\"Itwillpass-it’sonlyforaninstant；butdon’tsaysuchdreadfulthings！\"
\"I’mallright-allright，\"MorganpantedtoPemberton，whomhesatlookingupatwithastrangesmile，hishandsrestingoneithersideofthesofa。
\"NowdoyoupretendI’vebeendishonest，thatI’vedeceived？\"Mrs。
MoreenflashedatPembertonasshegotup。
\"Itisn’tHEsaysit，it’sI！\"theboyreturned，apparentlyeasier，butsinkingbackagainstthewall；whilehisrestoredfriend，whohadsatdownbesidehim，tookhishandandbentoverhim。
\"Darlingchild，onedoeswhatonecan；therearesomanythingstoconsider，\"urgedMrs。Moreen。\"It’shisPLACE-hisonlyplace。
YouseeYOUthinkitisnow。\"
\"Takemeaway-takemeaway，\"Morganwenton，smilingtoPembertonwithhiswhiteface。
\"WhereshallItakeyou，andhow-ohHOW，myboy？\"theyoungmanstammered，thinkingoftherudewayinwhichhisfriendsinLondonheldthat，forhisconvenience，withnoassuranceofpromptreturn，hehadthrownthemover；ofthejustresentmentwithwhichtheywouldalreadyhavecalledinasuccessor，andofthescanthelptofindingfreshemploymentthatresidedforhiminthegrossnessofhishavingfailedtopasshispupil。
\"Ohwe’llsettlethat。Youusedtotalkaboutit，\"saidMorgan。
\"Ifwecanonlygoalltherest’sadetail。\"
\"Talkaboutitasmuchasyoulike，butdon’tthinkyoucanattemptit。Mr。Moreenwouldneverconsent-itwouldbesoVERYhand-to-
mouth，\"Pemberton’shostessbeautifullyexplainedtohim。ThentoMorganshemadeitclearer：\"Itwoulddestroyourpeace，itwouldbreakourhearts。Nowthathe’sbackitwillbeallthesameagain。You’llhaveyourlife，yourworkandyourfreedom，andwe’llallbehappyasweusedtobe。You’llbloomandgrowperfectlywell，andwewon’thaveanymoresillyexperiments，willwe？They’retooabsurd。It’sMr。Pemberton’splace-everyoneinhisplace。Youinyours，yourpapainhis，meinmine-n’est-cepas，cheri？We’llallforgethowfoolishwe’vebeenandhavelovelytimes。\"
ShecontinuedtotalkandtosurgevaguelyaboutthelittledrapedstuffysalonwhilePembertonsatwiththeboy，whosecolourgraduallycameback；andshemixedupherreasons，hintingthatthereweregoingtobechanges，thattheotherchildrenmightscatter（whoknew？-Paulahadherideas）andthatthenitmightbefanciedhowmuchthepooroldparent-birdswouldwantthelittlenestling。MorganlookedatPemberton，whowouldn’tlethimmove；
andPembertonknewexactlyhowhefeltathearinghimselfcalledalittlenestling。Headmittedthathehadhadoneortwobaddays，butheprotestedafreshagainstthewrongofhismother’shavingmadethemthegroundofanappealtopoorPemberton。PoorPembertoncouldlaughnow，apartfromthecomicalityofMrs。
Moreen’smusteringsomuchphilosophyforherdefence-sheseemedtoshakeitoutofheragitatedpetticoats，whichknockedoverthelightgiltchairs-solittledidtheiryoungcompanion，MARKED，unmistakeablymarkedatthebest，strikehimasqualifiedtorepudiateanyadvantage。
Hehimselfwasinforitatanyrate。HeshouldhaveMorganonhishandsagainindefinitely；thoughindeedhesawtheladhadaprivatetheorytoproducewhichwouldbeintendedtosmooththisdown。Hewasobligedtohimforitinadvance；butthesuggestedamendmentdidn’tkeephisheartratherfromsinking，anymorethanitpreventedhimfromacceptingtheprospectonthespot，withsomeconfidencemoreoverthatheshoulddosoevenbetterifhecouldhavealittlesupper。Mrs。Moreenthrewoutmorehintsaboutthechangesthatweretobelookedfor，butshewassuchamixtureofsmilesandshudders-sheconfessedshewasverynervous-thathecouldn’ttellifshewereinhighfeatheroronlyinhysterics。Ifthefamilywasreallyatlastgoingtopieceswhyshouldn’tsherecognisethenecessityofpitchingMorganintosomesortoflifeboat？Thispresumptionwasfosteredbythefactthattheywereestablishedinluxuriousquartersinthecapitalofpleasure；thatwasexactlywheretheynaturallyWOULDbeestablishedinviewofgoingtopieces。Moreoverdidn’tshementionthatMr。MoreenandtheotherswereenjoyingthemselvesattheoperawithMr。Granger，andwasn’tTHATalsopreciselywhereonewouldlookforthemontheeveofasmash？PembertongatheredthatMr。GrangerwasarichvacantAmerican-abigbillwithaflourishyheadingandnoitems；
sothatoneofPaula’s\"ideas\"wasprobablythatthistimeshehadn’tmissedfire-bywhichstraightshotindeedshewouldhaveshatteredthegeneralcohesion。AndifthecohesionwastocrumblewhatwouldbecomeofpoorPemberton？Hefeltquiteenoughboundupwiththemtofiguretohisalarmasadislodgedblockintheedifice。
ItwasMorganwhoeventuallyaskedifnosupperhadbeenorderedforhim；sittingwithhimbelow，later，atthedimdelayedmeal，inthepresenceofagreatdealofcordedgreenplush，aplateofornamentalbiscuitandanaloofnessmarkedonthepartofthewaiter。Mrs。Moreenhadexplainedthattheyhadbeenobligedtosecurearoomforthevisitoroutofthehouse；andMorgan’sconsolation-heoffereditwhilePembertonreflectedonthenastinessoflukewarmsauces-provedtobe，largely，thathiscircumstancewouldfacilitatetheirescape。Hetalkedoftheirescape-recurringtoitoftenafterwards-asiftheyweremakingupa\"boy’sbook\"together。Buthelikewiseexpressedhissensethattherewassomethingintheair，thattheMoreenscouldn’tkeepitupmuchlonger。Inpointoffact，asPembertonwastosee，theykeptitupforfiveorsixmonths。Allthewhile，however，Morgan’scontentionwasdesignedtocheerhim。Mr。MoreenandUlick，whomhehadmetthedayafterhisreturn，acceptedthatreturnlikeperfectmenoftheworld。IfPaulaandAmytreateditevenwithlessformalityanallowancewastobemadeforthem，inasmuchasMr。Grangerhadn’tcometotheoperaafterall。Hehadonlyplacedhisboxattheirservice，withabouquetforeachoftheparty；therewasevenoneapiece，embitteringthethoughtofhisprofusion，forMr。MoreenandUlick。\"They’realllikethat，\"
wasMorgan’scomment；\"attheverylast，justwhenwethinkwe’velandedthemthey’rebackinthedeepsea！\"
Morgan’scommentsinthesedaysweremoreandmorefree；theyevenincludedalargerecognitionoftheextraordinarytendernesswithwhichhehadbeentreatedwhilePembertonwasaway。Ohyes，theycouldn’tdoenoughtobenicetohim，toshowhimtheyhadhimontheirmindandmakeupforhisloss。ThatwasjustwhatmadethewholethingsosadandcausedhimtorejoiceafterallinPemberton’sreturn-hehadtokeepthinkingoftheiraffectionless，hadlesssenseofobligation。Pembertonlaughedoutatthislastreason，andMorganblushedandsaid：\"Well，dashit，youknowwhatImean。\"Pembertonknewperfectlywhathemeant；buttherewereagoodmanythingsthat-dashittoo！-itdidn’tmakeanyclearer。ThisepisodeofhissecondsojourninParisstretcheditselfoutwearily，withtheirresumedreadingsandwanderingsandmaunderings，theirpotteringsonthequays，theirhauntingsofthemuseums，theiroccasionallingeringsinthePalaisRoyalwhenthefirstsharpweathercameonandtherewasacomfortinwarmemanations，beforeChevet’swonderfulsucculentwindow。Morganwantedtohearallabouttheopulentyouth-hetookanimmenseinterestinhim。Someofthedetailsofhisopulence-Pembertoncouldsparehimnoneofthem-evidentlyfedtheboy’sappreciationofallhisfriendhadgivenuptocomebacktohim；butinadditiontothegreaterreciprocityestablishedbythatheroismhehadalwayshislittlebroodingtheory，inwhichtherewasafrivolousgaietytoo，thattheirlongprobationwasdrawingtoaclose。
Morgan’sconvictionthattheMoreenscouldn’tgoonmuchlongerkeptpacewiththeunexpendedimpetuswithwhich，frommonthtomonth，theydidgoon。ThreeweeksafterPembertonhadrejoinedthemtheywentontoanotherhotel，adingieronethanthefirst；
butMorganrejoicedthathistutorhadatleaststillnotsacrificedtheadvantageofaroomoutside。Heclungtotheromanticutilityofthiswhentheday，orratherthenight，shouldarrivefortheirescape。
Forthefirsttime，inthiscomplicatedconnexion，ourfriendfelthiscollargallhim。Itwas，ashehadsaidtoMrs。MoreeninVenice，tropfort-everythingwastropfort。Hecouldneitherreallythrowoffhisblightingburdennorfindinitthebenefitofapacifiedconscienceorofarewardedaffection。HehadspentallthemoneyaccruingtohiminEngland，andhesawhisyouthgoingandthathewasgettingnothingbackforit。ItwasallverywellofMorgantocountitforreparationthatheshouldnowsettleonhimpermanently-therewasanirritatingflawinsuchaview。Hesawwhattheboyhadinhismind；theconceptionthatashisfriendhadhadthegenerositytocomebackhemustshowhisgratitudebygivinghimhislife。Butthepoorfrienddidn’tdesirethegift-
whatcouldhedowithMorgan’sdreadfullittlelife？OfcourseatthesametimethatPembertonwasirritatedherememberedthereason，whichwasveryhonourabletoMorganandwhichdweltsimplyinhismakingonesoforgetthathewasnomorethanapatchedurchin。Ifonedealtwithhimonadifferentbasisone’smisadventureswereone’sownfault。SoPembertonwaitedinaqueerconfusionofyearningandalarmforthecatastrophewhichwasheldtohangoverthehouseofMoreen，ofwhichhecertainlyatmomentsfeltthesymptomsbrushhischeekandastowhichhewonderedmuchinwhatformitwouldfinditsliveliesteffect。
Perhapsitwouldtaketheformofsuddendispersal-afrightenedsauvequipeut，ascuttlingintoselfishcorners。Certainlytheywerelesselasticthanofyore；theywereevidentlylookingforsomethingtheydidn’tfind。TheDorringtonshadn’tre-appeared，theprinceshadscattered；wasn’tthatthebeginningoftheend？
Mrs。Moreenhadlostherreckoningofthefamous\"days\"；hersocialcalendarwasblurred-ithadturneditsfacetothewall。
Pembertonsuspectedthatthegreat，thecrueldiscomfiturehadbeentheunspeakablebehaviourofMr。Granger，whoseemednottoknowwhathewanted，or，whatwasmuchworse，whattheywanted。Hekeptsendingflowers，asiftobestrewthepathofhisretreat，whichwasneverthepathofareturn。Flowerswereallverywell，but-
Pembertoncouldcompletetheproposition。ItwasnowpositivelyconspicuousthatinthelongruntheMoreenswereasocialfailure；
sothattheyoungmanwasalmostgratefultherunhadnotbeenshort。Mr。Moreenindeedwasstilloccasionallyabletogetawayonbusinessand，whatwasmoresurprising，waslikewiseabletogetback。Ulickhadnoclubbutyoucouldn’thavediscovereditfromhisappearance，whichwasasmuchaseverthatofapersonlookingatlifefromthewindowofsuchaninstitution；thereforePembertonwasdoublysurprisedatananswerheonceheardhimmakehismotherinthedesperatetoneofamanfamiliarwiththeworstprivations。
HerquestionPembertonhadnotquitecaught；itappearedtobeanappealforasuggestionastowhomtheymightgettotakeAmy。
\"LettheDeviltakeher！\"Ulicksnapped；sothatPembertoncouldseethattheyhadnotonlylosttheiramiabilitybuthadceasedtobelieveinthemselves。HecouldalsoseethatifMrs。Moreenwastryingtogetpeopletotakeherchildrenshemightberegardedasclosingthehatchesforthestorm。ButMorganwouldbethelastshewouldpartwith。
Onewinterafternoon-itwasaSunday-heandtheboywalkedfartogetherintheBoisdeBoulogne。Theeveningwassosplendid，thecoldlemon-colouredsunsetsoclear，thestreamofcarriagesandpedestrianssoamusingandthefascinationofParissogreat，thattheystayedoutlaterthanusualandbecameawarethattheyshouldhavetohurryhometoarriveintimefordinner。Theyhurriedaccordingly，arm-in-arm，good-humouredandhungry，agreeingthattherewasnothinglikeParisafterallandthataftereverythingtoothathadcomeandgonetheywerenotyetsatedwithinnocentpleasures。Whentheyreachedthehoteltheyfoundthat，thoughscandalouslylate，theywereintimeforallthedinnertheywerelikelytositdownto。ConfusionreignedintheapartmentsoftheMoreens-veryshabbyonesthistime，butthebestinthehouse-
andbeforetheinterruptedserviceofthetable，withobjectsdisplacedalmostasiftherehadbeenascuffleandagreatwine-
stainfromanoverturnedbottle，Pembertoncouldn’tblinkthefactthattherehadbeenasceneofthelastproprietaryfirmness。Thestormhadcome-theywereallseekingrefuge。Thehatchesweredown，PaulaandAmywereinvisible-theyhadnevertriedthemostcasualartuponPemberton，buthefelttheyhadenoughofaneyetohimnottowishtomeethimasyoungladieswhosefrockshadbeenconfiscated-andUlickappearedtohavejumpedoverboard。Thehostandhisstaff，inaword，hadceasedto\"goon\"atthepaceoftheirguests，andtheairofembarrasseddetention，thankstoapileofgapingtrunksinthepassage，wasstrangelycommingledwiththeairofindignantwithdrawal。WhenMorgantookallthisin-
andhetookitinveryquickly-hecolouredtotherootsofhishair。Hehadwalkedfromhisinfancyamongdifficultiesanddangers，buthehadneverseenapublicexposure。Pembertonnoticedinasecondglanceathimthatthetearshadrushedintohiseyesandthattheyweretearsofanewanduntastedbitterness。
Hewonderedaninstant，fortheboy’ssake，whetherhemightsuccessfullypretendnottounderstand。Notsuccessfully，hefelt，asMr。andMrs。Moreen，dinnerlessbytheirextinguishedhearth，rosebeforehimintheirlittledishonouredsalon，castingaboutwithglassyeyesforthenearestportinsuchastorm。Theywerenotprostratebutwerehorriblywhite，andMrs。Moreenhadevidentlybeencrying。Pembertonquicklylearnedhoweverthathergriefwasnotforthelossofherdinner，muchassheusuallyenjoyedit，butthefruitofablowthatstruckevendeeper，asshemadeallhastetoexplain。Hewouldseeforhimself，sofarasthatwent，howthegreatchangehadcome，thedreadfulbolthadfallen，andhowtheywouldnowallhavetoturnthemselvesabout。
Thereforecruelasitwastothemtopartwiththeirdarlingshemustlooktohimtocarryalittlefurthertheinfluencehehadsofortunatelyacquiredwiththeboy-toinducehisyoungchargetofollowhimintosomemodestretreat。Theydependedonhim-thatwasthefact-totaketheirdelightfulchildtemporarilyunderhisprotection；itwouldleaveMr。Moreenandherselfsomuchmorefreetogivetheproperattention（toolittle，alas！hadbeengiven）tothereadjustmentoftheiraffairs。
\"Wetrustyou-wefeelweCAN，\"saidMrs。Moreen，slowlyrubbingherplumpwhitehandsandlookingwithcompunctionhardatMorgan，whosechin，nottotakeliberties，herhusbandstrokedwithapaternalforefinger。
\"Ohyes-wefeelthatweCAN。WetrustMr。Pembertonfully，Morgan，\"Mr。Moreenpursued。
Pembertonwonderedagainifhemightpretendnottounderstand；buteverythinggoodgavewaytotheintensityofMorgan’sunderstanding。\"Doyoumeanhemaytakemetolivewithhimforeverandever？\"criedtheboy。\"Maytakemeaway，away，anywherehelikes？\"
\"Foreverandever？Commevous-y-allez！\"Mr。Moreenlaughedindulgently。\"ForaslongasMr。Pembertonmaybesogood。\"
\"We’vestruggled，we’vesuffered，\"hiswifewenton；\"butyou’vemadehimsoyourownthatwe’vealreadybeenthroughtheworstofthesacrifice。\"
Morganhadturnedawayfromhisfather-hestoodlookingatPembertonwithalightinhisface。Hissenseofshamefortheircommonhumiliatedstatehaddropped；thecasehadanotherside-
thethingwastoclutchatTHAT。Hehadamomentofboyishjoy，scarcelymitigatedbythereflexionthatwiththisunexpectedconsecrationofhishope-toosuddenandtooviolent；theturntakenwasawayfromaGOODboy’sbook-the\"escape\"wasleftontheirhands。Theboyishjoywasthereaninstant，andPembertonwasalmostscaredattherushofgratitudeandaffectionthatbrokethroughhisfirstabasement。Whenhestammered\"Mydearfellow，whatdoyousaytoTHAT？\"howcouldonenotsaysomethingenthusiastic？Buttherewasmoreneedforcourageatsomethingelsethatimmediatelyfollowedandthatmadetheladsitdownquietlyonthenearestchair。Hehadturnedquitelividandhadraisedhishandtohisleftside。Theywereallthreelookingathim，butMrs。Moreensuddenlyboundedforward。\"Ahhisdarlinglittleheart！\"shebrokeout；andthistime，onherkneesbeforehimandwithoutrespectfortheidol，shecaughthimardentlyinherarms。\"Youwalkedhimtoofar，youhurriedhimtoofast！\"shehurledoverhershoulderatPemberton。Hersonmadenoprotest，andthenextinstant，stillholdinghim，shesprangupwithherfaceconvulsedandwiththeterrifiedcry\"Help，help！he’sgoing，he’sgone！\"Pembertonsawwithequalhorror，byMorgan’sownstrickenface，thathewasbeyondtheirwildestrecall。Hepulledhimhalfoutofhismother’shands，andforamoment，whiletheyheldhimtogether，theylookedalltheirdismayintoeachother’seyes，\"Hecouldn’tstanditwithhisweakorgan，\"saidPemberton-
\"theshock，thewholescene，theviolentemotion。\"
\"ButIthoughtheWANTEDtogotoyou！\"，wailedMrs。Moreen。
\"ITOLDyouhedidn’t，mydear，\"herhusbandmadeanswer。Mr。
Moreenwastremblingalloverandwasinhiswayasdeeplyaffectedashiswife。Butaftertheveryfirsthetookhisbereavementasamanoftheworld。