THEMAPPINEDLIFE
\"TheseMappinTerracesattheZoologicalGardensareagreatimprovementontheoldstyleofwild-beastcage,\"saidMrs。JamesGurtleberry,puttingdownanillustratedpaper;\"theygiveonetheillusionofseeingtheanimalsintheirnaturalsurroundings。I
wonderhowmuchoftheillusionispassedontotheanimals?\"
\"Thatwoulddependontheanimal,\"saidherniece;\"ajungle-fowl,forinstance,wouldnodoubtthinkitslawfuljunglesurroundingswerefaithfullyreproducedifyougaveitasufficiencyofwives,agoodlyvarietyofseedfoodandants\'eggs,acommodiousbankoflooseearthtodustitselfin,aconvenientroostingtree,andarivalortwotomakemattersinteresting。Ofcoursethereoughttobejungle-catsandbirdsofpreyandotheragenciesofsuddendeathtoaddtotheillusionofliberty,butthebird\'sownimaginationiscapableofinventingthose——lookhowadomesticfowlwillsquawkanalarmnoteifarookorwoodpigeonpassesoveritsrunwhenithaschickens。\"
\"Youthink,then,theyreallydohaveasortofillusion,ifyougivethemspaceenough——\"
\"Inafewcasesonly。Nothingwillmakemebelievethatanacreorsoofconcreteenclosurewillmakeuptoawolforatiger-catfortherangeofnightprowlingthatwouldbelongtoitinawildstate。
Thinkofthedictionaryofsoundandscentandrecollectionthatunfoldsbeforearealwildbeatasitcomesoutfromitslaireveryevening,withtheknowledgethatinafewminutesitwillbehieingalongtosomedistanthuntinggroundwhereallthejoyandfuryofthechaseawaitsit;thinkofthecrowdedsensationsofthebrainwheneveryrustle,everycry,everybenttwig,andeverywhiffacrossthenostrilsmeanssomething,somethingtodowithlifeanddeathanddinner。Imaginethesatisfactionofstealingdowntoyourownparticulardrinkingspot,choosingyourownparticulartreetoscrapeyourclawson,findingyourownparticularbedofdriedgrasstorollon。Then,intheplaceofallthat,putaconcretepromenade,whichwillbeofexactlythesamedimensionswhetheryouraceorcrawlacrossit,coatedwithstale,unvaryingscentsandsurroundedwithcriesandnoisesthathaveceasedtohavetheleastmeaningorinterest。Asasubstituteforanarrowcagethenewenclosuresareexcellent,butIshouldthinktheyareapoorimitationofalifeofliberty。\"
\"It\'sratherdepressingtothinkthat,\"saidMrs。Gurtleberry;\"theylooksospaciousandsonatural,butIsupposeagooddealofwhatseemsnaturaltouswouldbemeaninglesstoawildanimal。\"
\"Thatiswhereoursuperiorpowersofself-deceptioncomein,\"saidtheniece;\"weareabletoliveourunreal,stupidlittlelivesonourparticularMappinterrace,andpersuadeourselvesthatwereallyareuntrammelledmenandwomenleadingareasonableexistenceinareasonablesphere。\"
\"Butgoodgracious,\"exclaimedtheaunt,bouncingintoanattitudeofscandaliseddefence,\"weareleadingreasonableexistences!Whatonearthdoyoumeanbytrammels?Wearemerelytrammelledbytheordinarydecentconventionsofcivilisedsociety。\"
\"Wearetrammelled,\"saidtheniece,calmlyandpitilessly,\"byrestrictionsofincomeandopportunity,andaboveallbylackofinitiative。Tosomepeoplearestrictedincomedoesn\'tmatterabit,infactitoftenseemstohelpasameansforgettingalotofrealityoutoflife;IamsuretherearemenandwomenwhodotheirshoppinginlittlebackstreetsofParis,buyingfourcarrotsandashredofbeeffortheirdailysustenance,wholeadaperfectlyrealandeventfulexistence。Lackofinitiativeisthethingthatreallycripplesone,andthatiswhereyouandIandUncleJamesaresohopelesslyshutin。WearejustsomanyanimalsstuckdownonaMappinterrace,withthisdifferenceinourdisfavour,thattheanimalsaretheretobelookedat,whilenobodywantstolookatus。
Asamatteroffacttherewouldbenothingtolookat。Wegetcoldsinwinterandhayfeverinsummer,andifawasphappenstostingoneofus,well,thatisthewasp\'sinitiative,notours;allwedoistowaitfortheswellingtogodown。Wheneverwedoclimbintolocalfameandnotice,itisbyindirectmethods;ifithappenstobeagoodfloweringyearformagnoliastheneighbourhoodobserves:
\'HaveyouseentheGurtleberry\'smagnolia?Itisaperfectmassofflowers,\'andwegoabouttellingpeoplethattherearefifty-sevenblossomsasagainstthirty-ninethepreviousyear。\"
\"InCoronationyeartherewereasmanyassixty,\"putintheaunt,\"yourunclehaskeptarecordforthelasteightyears。\"
\"Doesn\'titeverstrikeyou,\"continuedtheniecerelentlessly,\"thatifwemovedawayfromhereorwereblottedoutofexistenceourlocalclaimtofamewouldpassonautomaticallytowhoeverhappenedtotakethehouseandgarden?Peoplewouldsaytooneanother,\'HaveyouseentheSmith-Jenkins\'magnolia?Itisaperfectmassofflowers,\'orelse\'Smith-Jenkinstellsmetherewon\'tbeasingleblossomontheirmagnoliathisyear;theeastwindshaveturnedallthebudsblack。\'Nowif,whenwehadgone,peoplestillassociatedournameswiththemagnoliatree,nomatterwhotemporarilypossessedit,iftheysaid,\'Ah,that\'sthetreeonwhichtheGurtleberryshungtheircookbecauseshesentupthewrongkindofsaucewiththeasparagus,\'thatwouldbesomethingreallyduetoourowninitiative,apartfromanythingeastwindsormagnoliavitalitymighthavetosayinthematter。\"
\"Weshouldneverdosuchathing,\"saidtheaunt。
Theniecegaveareluctantsigh。
\"Ican\'timagineit,\"sheadmitted。\"Ofcourse,\"shecontinued,\"thereareheapsofwaysofleadingarealexistencewithoutcommittingsensationaldeedsofviolence。It\'sthedreadfullittleeverydayactsofpretendedimportancethatgivetheMappinstamptoourlife。Itwouldbeentertaining,ifitwasn\'tsopatheticallytragic,tohearUncleJamesfussinhereinthemorningandannounce,\'ImustjustgodownintothetownandfindoutwhatthementherearesayingaboutMexico。Mattersarebeginningtolookseriousthere。\'Thenhepattersawayintothetown,andtalksinahighlyseriousvoicetothetobacconist,incidentallybuyinganounceoftobacco;perhapshemeetsoneortwoothersoftheworld\'sthinkersandtalkstotheminahighlyseriousvoice,thenhepattersbackhereandannounceswithincreasedimportance,\'I\'vejustbeentalkingtosomemeninthetownabouttheconditionofaffairsinMexico。TheyagreewiththeviewthatIhaveformed,thatthingstherewillhavetogetworsebeforetheygetbetter。\'
OfcoursenobodyinthetowncaredintheleastlittlebitwhathisviewsaboutMexicowereorwhetherhehadany。Thetobacconistwasn\'tevenflutteredathisbuyingtheounceoftobacco;heknowsthathepurchasesthesamequantityofthesamesortoftobaccoeveryweek。UncleJamesmightjustaswellhavelainonhisbackinthegardenandchatteredtothelilactreeaboutthehabitsofcaterpillars。\"
\"Ireallywillnotlistentosuchthingsaboutyouruncle,\"
protestedMrs。JamesGurtleberryangrily。
\"Myowncaseisjustasbadandjustastragic,\"saidtheniece,dispassionately;\"nearlyeverythingaboutmeisconventionalmake-
believe。I\'mnotagooddancer,andnoonecouldhonestlycallmegood-looking,butwhenIgotooneofourdulllittlelocaldancesI\'mconventionallysupposedto\'haveaheavenlytime,\'toattracttheardenthomageofthelocalcavaliers,andtogohomewithmyheadawhirlwithpleasurablerecollections。Asamatteroffact,I\'vemerelyputinsomehoursofindifferentdancing,drunksomebadly-madeclaretcup,andlistenedtoanenormousamountoflaboriouslightconversation。Amoonlighthen-stealingraidwiththemerry-eyedcuratewouldbeinfinitelymoreexciting;imaginethepleasureofcarryingoffallthosewhiteminorcasthattheChibfordsarealwaysbraggingabout。Whenwehaddisposedofthemwecouldgivetheproceedstoacharity,sotherewouldbenothingreallywrongaboutit。ButnothingofthatsortlieswithintheMappinedlimitsofmylife。Oneofthesedayssomebodydullanddecorousandundistinguishedwill\'makehimselfagreeable\'tomeatatennisparty,asthesayingis,andallthedulloldgossipsoftheneighbourhoodwillbegintoaskwhenwearetobeengaged,andatlastweshallbeengaged,andpeoplewillgiveusbutter-dishesandblotting-casesandframedpicturesofyoungwomenfeedingswans。
Hullo,Uncle,areyougoingout?\"
\"I\'mjustgoingdowntothetown,\"announcedMr。JamesGurtleberry,withanairofsomeimportance:\"IwanttohearwhatpeoplearesayingaboutAlbania。Affairstherearebeginningtotakeonaveryseriouslook。It\'smyopinionthatwehaven\'tseentheworstofthingsyet。\"
Inthishewasprobablyright,buttherewasnothingintheimmediateorprospectiveconditionofAlbaniatowarrantMrs。
Gurtleberryinburstingintotears。
FATE
RexDillotwasnearlytwenty-four,almostgood-lookingandquitepenniless。Hismotherwassupposedtomakehimsomesortofanallowanceoutofwhathercreditorsallowedher,andRexoccasionallystrayedintotheranksofthosewhoearnfitfulsalariesassecretariesorcompanionstopeoplewhoareunabletocopeunaidedwiththeircorrespondenceortheirleisure。Forafewmonthshehadbeenassistanteditorandbusinessmanagerofapaperdevotedtofancymice,butthedevotionhadbeenallononeside,andthepaperdisappearedwithacertainabruptnessfromclubreading-roomsandotherhauntswhereithadmadeagratuitousappearance。Still,Rexlivedwithsomeairofcomfortandwell-
being,asonecanliveifoneisbornwithageniusforthatsortofthing,andakindlyProvidenceusuallyarrangedthathisweek-endinvitationscoincidedwiththedatesonwhichhisonewhitedinner-
waistcoatwasinalaundry-returnedconditionofdazzlingcleanness。
Heplayedmostgamesbadly,andwasshrewdenoughtorecognisethefact,buthehaddevelopedamarvellouslyaccuratejudgementinestimatingtheplayandchancesofotherpeople,whetherinagolfmatch,billiardhandicap,orcroquettournament。Bydintofparadinghisopinionofsuchandsuchaplayer\'ssuperioritywithasufficientdegreeofyouthfulassertivenessheusuallysucceededinprovokingawageratliberalodds,andhelookedtohisweek-endwinningstocarryhimthroughthefinancialembarrassmentsofhismid-weekexistence。Thetroublewas,asheconfidedtoClovisSangrail,thatheneverhadenoughavailableorevenprospectivecashathiscommandtoenablehimtofixthewageratafigurereallyworthwinning。
\"Someday,\"hesaid,\"Ishallcomeacrossareallysafething,abetthatsimplycan\'tgoastray,andthenIshallputitupforallI\'mworth,orratherforagooddealmorethanI\'mworthifyousoldmeuptothelastbutton。\"
\"Itwouldbeawkwardifitdidn\'thappentocomeoff,\"saidClovis。
\"Itwouldbemorethanawkward,\"saidRex;\"itwouldbeatragedy。
Allthesame,itwouldbeextremelyamusingtobringitoff。Fancyawakinginthemorningwithaboutthreehundredpoundsstandingtoone\'scredit。Ishouldgoandclearoutmyhostess\'spigeon-loftbeforebreakfastoutofsheergood-temper。\"
\"Yourhostessofthemomentmightn\'thaveapigeon-loft,\"saidClovis。
\"Ialwayschoosehostessesthathave,\"saidRex;\"apigeon-loftisindicativeofacareless,extravagant,genialdisposition,suchasI
liketoseearoundme。PeoplewhostrewcornbroadcastforalotoffeatheredinanitiesthatjustsitaboutcooingandgivingeachotherthegladeyeinaLouisQuatorzemannerareprettycertaintodoyouwell。\"
\"YoungStrinnitiscomingdownthisafternoon,\"saidClovisreflectively;\"Idaresayyouwon\'tfinditdifficulttogethimtobackhimselfatbilliards。Heplaysaprettyusefulgame,buthe\'snotquiteasgoodashefanciesheis。\"
\"Iknowonememberofthepartywhocanwalkroundhim,\"saidRexsoftly,analertlookcomingintohiseyes;\"thatcadaverous-lookingMajorwhoarrivedlastnight。I\'veseenhimplayatSt。Moritz。IfIcouldgetStrinnittolayoddsonhimselfagainsttheMajorthemoneywouldbesafeinmypocket。ThislookslikethegoodthingI\'vebeenwatchingandprayingfor。\"
\"Don\'tberash,\"counselledClovis,\"Strinnitmayplayuptohisself-imaginedformonceinabluemoon。\"
\"Iintendtoberash,\"saidRexquietly,andthelookonhisfacecorroboratedhiswords。
\"Areyouallgoingtoflocktothebilliard-room?\"askedTeresaThundleford,afterdinner,withanairofsomedisapprovalandagooddealofannoyance。\"Ican\'tseewhatparticularamusementyoufindinwatchingtwomenproddinglittleivoryballsaboutonatable。\"
\"Oh,well,\"saidherhostess,\"it\'sawayofpassingthetime,youknow。\"
\"Averypoorway,tomymind,\"saidMrs。Thundleford;\"nowIwasgoingtohaveshownallofyouthephotographsItookinVenicelastsummer。\"
\"Youshowedthemtouslastnight,\"saidMrs。Cuveringhastily。
\"ThoseweretheonesItookinFlorence。Thesearequiteadifferentlot。\"
\"Oh,well,sometimeto-morrowwecanlookatthem。Youcanleavethemdowninthedrawing-room,andtheneveryonecanhavealook。\"
\"Ishouldprefertoshowthemwhenyouareallgatheredtogether,asIhavequitealotofexplanatoryremarkstomake,aboutVenetianartandarchitecture,onthesamelinesasmyremarkslastnightontheFlorentinegalleries。Also,therearesomeversesofminethatIshouldliketoreadyou,ontherebuildingoftheCampanile。But,ofcourse,ifyouallprefertowatchMajorLattonandMr。Strinnitknockingballsaboutonatable——\"
\"Theyarebothsupposedtobefirst-rateplayers,\"saidthehostess。
\"Ihaveyettolearnthatmyversesandmyartcauserieareofsecond-ratequality,\"saidMrs。Thundlefordwithacerbity。
\"However,asyouallseembentonwatchingasillygame,there\'snomoretobesaid。Ishallgoupstairsandfinishsomewriting。
Lateron,perhaps,Iwillcomedownandjoinyou。\"
Toone,atleast,oftheonlookersthegamewasanythingbutsilly。
Itwasabsorbing,exciting,exasperating,nerve-stretching,andfinallyitgrewtobetragic。TheMajorwiththeSt。Moritzreputationwasplayingalongwaybelowhisform,youngStrinnitwasplayingslightlyabovehis,andhadalltheluckofthegameaswell。Fromtheverystarttheballsseemedpossessedbyademonofcontrariness;theytrundledaboutcomplacentlyforoneplayer,theywouldgonowherefortheother。
\"Ahundredandseventy,seventy-four,\"sangouttheyouthwhowasmarking。Inagameoftwohundredandfiftyupitwasanenormousleadtohold。CloviswatchedtheflushofexcitementdieawayfromDillot\'sface,andahardwhitelooktakeitsplace。
\"Howmuchhaveyougoon?\"whisperedClovis。Theotherwhisperedthesumthroughdry,shakinglips。Itwasmorethanheoranyoneconnectedwithhimcouldpay;hehaddonewhathehadsaidhewoulddo。Hehadbeenrash。
\"Twohundredandsix,ninety-eight。\"
Rexheardaclockstriketensomewhereinthehall,thenanothersomewhereelse,andanother,andanother;thehouseseemedfullofstrikingclocks。Theninthedistancethestableclockchimedin。
Inanotherhourtheywouldallbestrikingeleven,andhewouldbelisteningtothemasadisgracedoutcast,unabletopay,eveninpart,thewagerhehadchallenged。
\"Twohundredandeighteen,ahundredandthree。\"Thegamewasasgoodasover。Rexwasasgoodasdonefor。Helongeddesperatelyfortheceilingtofallin,forthehousetocatchfire,foranythingtohappenthatwouldputanendtothathorriblerollingtoandfroofredandwhiteivorythatwasjostlinghimnearerandnearertohisdoom。
\"Twohundredandtwenty-eight,ahundredandseven。\"
Rexopenedhiscigarette-case;itwasempty。Thatatleastgavehimapretexttoslipawayfromtheroomforthepurposeofrefillingit;hewouldsparehimselfthedrawn-outtortureofwatchingthathopelessgameplayedouttothebitterend。Hebackedawayfromthecircleofabsorbedwatchersandmadehiswayupashortstairwaytoalong,silentcorridorofbedrooms,eachwithaguests\'namewritteninalittlesquareonthedoor。Inthehushthatreignedinthispartofthehousehecouldstillhearthehatefulclick-clickoftheballs;ifhewaitedforafewminuteslongerhewouldhearthelittleoutbreakofclappingandbuzzofcongratulationthatwouldhailStrinnit\'svictory。Onthealerttensionofhisnervestherebrokeanothersound,theaggressive,wrath-inducingbreathingofonewhosleepsinheavyafter-dinnerslumber。Thesoundcamefromaroomjustathiselbow;thecardonthedoorboretheannouncement\"Mrs。Thundleford。\"Thedoorwasjustslightlyajar;
Rexpusheditopenaninchortwomoreandlookedin。TheaugustTeresahadfallenasleepoveranillustratedguidetoFlorentineart-galleries;atherside,somewhatdangerouslyneartheedgeofthetable,wasareading-lamp。IfFatehadbeendecentlykindtohim,thoughtRex,bitterly,thatlampwouldhavebeenknockedoverbythesleeperandwouldhavegiventhemsomethingtothinkofbesidesbilliardmatches。
Thereareoccasionswhenonemusttakeone\'sFateinone\'shands。
Rextookthelampinhis。
\"Twohundredandthirty-seven,onehundredandfifteen。\"Strinnitwasatthetable,andtheballslayingoodpositionforhim;hehadachoiceoftwofairlyeasyshots,achoicewhichhewasnevertodecide。Asuddenhurricaneofshrieksandarushofstumblingfeetsenteveryoneflockingtothedoor。TheDillotboycrashedintotheroom,carryinginhisarmsthevociferousandsomewhatdishevelledTeresaThundleford;herclothingwascertainlynotamassofflames,asthemoreexcitablemembersofthepartyafterwardsdeclared,buttheedgeofherskirtandpartofthetable-coverinwhichshehadbeenhastilywrappedwerealightinaflickering,half-heartedmanner。Rexflunghisstrugglingburdenonthebilliardtable,andforonebreathlessminutetheworkofbeatingoutthesparkswithrugsandcushionsandplayingonthemwithsoda-watersyphonsengrossedtheenergiesoftheentirecompany。
\"ItwasluckyIwaspassingwhenithappened,\"pantedRex;\"someonehadbetterseetotheroom,Ithinkthecarpetisalight。\"
Asamatteroffactthepromptitudeandenergyoftherescuerhadpreventedanygreatdamagebeingdone,eithertothevictimorhersurroundings。Thebilliardtablehadsufferedmost,andhadtobelaidupforrepairs;perhapsitwasnotthebestplacetohavechosenforthesceneofsalvageoperations;butthen,asClovisremarked,whenoneisrushingaboutwithablazingwomaninone\'sarmsonecan\'tstoptothinkoutexactlywhereoneisgoingtoputher。
THEBULL
TomYorkfieldhadalwaysregardedhishalf-brother,Laurence,withalazyinstinctofdislike,toneddown,asyearswenton,toatolerantfeelingofindifference。Therewasnothingverytangibletodislikehimfor;hewasjustablood-relation,withwhomTomhadnosingletasteorinterestincommon,andwithwhom,atthesametime,hehadhadnooccasionforquarrel。Laurencehadleftthefarmearlyinlife,andhadlivedforafewyearsonasmallsumofmoneylefthimbyhismother;hehadtakenuppaintingasaprofession,andwasreportedtobedoingfairlywellatit,wellenough,atanyrate,tokeepbodyandsoultogether。Hespecialisedinpaintinganimals,andhewassuccessfulinfindingacertainnumberofpeopletobuyhispictures。Tomfeltacomfortingsenseofassuredsuperiorityincontrastinghispositionwiththatofhishalf-brother;Laurencewasanartist-chap,justthatandnothingmore,thoughyoumightmakeitsoundmoreimportantbycallingananimalpainter;Tomwasafarmer,notinaverybigway,itwastrue,buttheHelseryfarmhadbeeninthefamilyforsomegenerations,andithadagoodreputationforthestockraisedonit。Tomhaddonehisbest,withthelittlecapitalathiscommand,tomaintainandimprovethestandardofhissmallherdofcattle,andinCloverFairyhehadbredabullwhichwassomethingratherbetterthananythathisimmediateneighbourscouldshow。Itwouldnothavemadeasensationinthejudging-ringatanimportantcattleshow,butitwasasvigorous,shapely,andhealthyayounganimalasanysmallpracticalfarmercouldwishtopossess。AttheKing\'sHeadonmarketdaysCloverFairywasveryhighlyspokenof,andYorkfieldusedtodeclarethathewouldnotpartwithhimforahundredpounds;ahundredpoundsisalotofmoneyinthesmallfarmingline,andprobablyanythingovereightywouldhavetemptedhim。
ItwaswithsomeespecialpleasurethatTomtookadvantageofoneofLaurence\'srarevisitstothefarmtoleadhimdowntotheenclosurewhereCloverFairykeptsolitarystate——thegrasswidowerofagrazingharem。Tomfeltsomeofhisolddislikeforhishalf-
brotherreviving;theartistwasbecomingmorelanguidinhismanner,moreunsuitablyturned-outinattire,andheseemedinclinedtoimpartaslightlypatronisingtonetohisconversation。Hetooknoheedofaflourishingpotatocrop,butwaxedenthusiasticoveraclumpofyellow-floweringweedthatstoodinacornerbyagateway,whichwasrathergallingtotheownerofareallyverywellweededfarm;again,whenhemighthavebeendulycomplimentaryaboutagroupoffat,black-facedlambs,thatsimplycriedaloudforadmiration,hebecameeloquentoverthefoliagetintsofanoakcopseonthehillopposite。ButnowhewasbeingtakentoinspectthecrowningprideandgloryofHelsery;howevergrudginghemightbeinhispraises,howeverbackwardandniggardlywithhiscongratulations,hewouldhavetoseeandacknowledgethemanyexcellencesofthatredoubtableanimal。Someweeksago,whileonabusinessjourneytoTaunton,Tomhadbeeninvitedbyhishalf-
brothertovisitastudiointhattown,whereLaurencewasexhibitingoneofhispictures,alargecanvasrepresentingabullstandingknee-deepinsomemarshyground;ithadbeengoodofitskind,nodoubt,andLaurencehadseemedinordinatelypleasedwithit;\"thebestthingI\'vedoneyet,\"hehadsaidoverandoveragain,andTomhadgenerouslyagreedthatitwasfairlylife-like。Now,themanofpigmentswasgoingtobeshownarealpicture,alivingmodelofstrengthandcomeliness,athingtofeasttheeyeson,apicturethatexhibitednewposeandactionwitheveryshiftingminute,insteadofstandinggluedintooneunvaryingattitudebetweenthefourwallsofaframe。Tomunfastenedastoutwoodendoorandledthewayintoastraw-beddedyard。
\"Ishequiet?\"askedtheartist,asayoungbullwithacurlyredcoatcameinquiringlytowardsthem。
\"He\'splayfulattimes,\"saidTom,leavinghishalf-brothertowonderwhetherthebull\'sideasofplaywereofthecatch-as-catch-
canorder。Laurencemadeoneortwoperfunctorycommentsontheanimal\'sappearanceandaskedaquestionorsoastohisageandsuch-likedetails;thenhecoollyturnedthetalkintoanotherchannel。
\"DoyourememberthepictureIshowedyouatTaunton?\"heasked。
\"Yes,\"gruntedTom;\"awhite-facedbullstandinginsomeslush。
Don\'tadmirethoseHerefordsmuchmyself;bulky-lookingbrutes,don\'tseemtohavemuchlifeinthem。Daresaythey\'reeasiertopaintthatway;now,thisyoungbeggarisonthemoveallthetime,aren\'tyou,Fairy?\"
\"I\'vesoldthatpicture,\"saidLaurence,withconsiderablecomplacencyinhisvoice。
\"Haveyou?\"saidTom;\"gladtohearit,I\'msure。Hopeyou\'repleasedwithwhatyou\'vegotforit。\"
\"Igotthreehundredpoundsforit,\"saidLaurence。
Tomturnedtowardshimwithaslowlyrisingflushofangerinhisface。Threehundredpounds!UnderthemostfavourablemarketconditionsthathecouldimaginehisprizedCloverFairywouldhardlyfetchahundred,yetherewasapieceofvarnishedcanvas,paintedbyhishalf-brother,sellingforthreetimesthatsum。Itwasacruelinsultthatwenthomewithallthemoreforcebecauseitemphasisedthetriumphofthepatronising,self-satisfiedLaurence。
Theyoungfarmerhadmeanttoputhisrelativejustalittleoutofconceitwithhimselfbydisplayingthejewelofhispossessions,andnowthetableswereturned,andhisvaluedbeastwasmadetolookcheapandinsignificantbesidethepricepaidforamerepicture。
Itwassomonstrouslyunjust;thepaintingwouldneverbeanythingmorethanadexterouspieceofcounterfeitlife,whileCloverFairywastherealthing,amonarchinhislittleworld,apersonalityinthecountryside。Afterhewasdead,even,hewouldstillbesomethingofapersonality;hisdescendantswouldgrazeinthosevalleymeadowsandhillsidepastures,theywouldfillstallandbyreandmilking-shed,theirgoodredcoatswouldspecklethelandscapeandcrowdthemarket-place;menwouldnoteapromisingheiferorawell-proportionedsteer,andsay:\"Ah,thatonecomesofgoodoldCloverFairy\'sstock。\"Allthattimethepicturewouldbehanging,lifelessandunchanging,beneathitsdustandvarnish,achattelthatceasedtomeananythingifyouchosetoturnitwithitsbacktothewall。ThesethoughtschasedthemselvesangrilythroughTomYorkfield\'smind,buthecouldnotputthemintowords。Whenhegavetonguetohisfeelingsheputmattersbluntlyandharshly。
\"Somesoft-wittedfoolsmayliketothrowawaythreehundredpoundsonabitofpaintwork;can\'tsayasIenvythemtheirtaste。I\'dratherhavetherealthingthanapictureofit。\"
Henoddedtowardstheyoungbull,thatwasalternatelystaringatthemwithnoseheldhighandloweringitshornswithahalf-playful,half-impatientshakeofthehead。
Laurencelaughedalaughofirritating,indulgentamusement。
\"Idon\'tthinkthepurchaserofmybitofpaintwork,asyoucallit,needworryabouthavingthrownhismoneyaway。AsIgettobebetterknownandrecognisedmypictureswillgoupinvalue。Thatparticularonewillprobablyfetchfourhundredinasale-roomfiveorsixyearshence;picturesaren\'tabadinvestmentifyouknowenoughtopickouttheworkoftherightmen。Nowyoucan\'tsayyourpreciousbullisgoingtogetmorevaluablethelongeryoukeephim;he\'llhavehislittleday,andthen,ifyougoonkeepinghim,he\'llcomedownatlasttoafewshillingsworthofhoofsandhide,justatatime,perhaps,whenmybullisbeingboughtforabigsumforsomeimportantpicturegallery。\"
Itwastoomuch。TheunitedforceoftruthandslanderandinsultputoverheavyastrainonTomYorkfield\'spowersofrestraint。Inhisrighthandheheldausefuloakcudgel,withhislefthemadeagrabattheloosecollarofLaurence\'scanary-colouredsilkshirt。
Laurencewasnotafightingman;thefearofphysicalviolencethrewhimoffhisbalanceascompletelyasovermasteringindignationhadthrownTomoffhis,andthusitcametopassthatCloverFairywasregaledwiththeunprecedentedsightofahumanbeingscuddingandsquawkingacrosstheenclosure,likethehenthatwouldpersistintryingtoestablishanesting-placeinthemanger。InanothercrowdedhappymomentthebullwastryingtojerkLaurenceoverhisleftshoulder,toprodhimintheribswhilestillintheair,andtokneelonhimwhenhereachedtheground。ItwasonlythevigorousinterventionofTomthatinducedhimtorelinquishthelastitemofhisprogramme。
Tomdevotedlyandungrudginglynursedhishalfbrothertoacompleterecoveryfromhisinjuries,whichconsistedofnothingmoreseriousthanadislocatedshoulder,abrokenribortwo,andalittlenervousprostration。Afterall,therewasnofurtheroccasionforrancourintheyoungfarmer\'smind;Laurence\'sbullmightsellforthreehundred,orforsixhundred,andbeadmiredbythousandsinsomebigpicturegallery,butitwouldnevertossamanoveroneshoulderandcatchhimajabintheribsbeforehehadfallenontheotherside。ThatwasCloverFairy\'snoteworthyachievement,whichcouldneverbetakenawayfromhim。
Laurencecontinuestobepopularasananimalartist,buthissubjectsarealwayskittensorfawnsorlambkins——neverbulls。
MORLVERA
TheOlympicToyEmporiumoccupiedaconspicuousfrontageinanimportantWestEndstreet。ItwashappilynamedToyEmporium,becauseonewouldneverhavedreamedofaccordingitthefamiliarandyetpulse-quickeningnameoftoyshop。Therewasanairofcoldsplendourandelaboratefailureaboutthewaresthatweresetoutinitsamplewindows;theywerethesortoftoysthatatiredshop-
assistantdisplaysandexplainsatChristmastimetoexclamatoryparentsandbored,silentchildren。Theanimaltoyslookedmorelikenaturalhistorymodelsthanthecomfortable,sympatheticcompanionsthatonewouldwish,atacertainage,totaketobedwithone,andtosmuggleintothebath-room。Themechanicaltoysincessantlydidthingsthatnoonecouldwantatoytodomorethanahalfadozentimesinitslife-time;itwasamercifulreflectionthatinanyright-mindednurserythelifetimewouldcertainlybeshort。
Prominentamongtheelegantly-dresseddollsthatfilledanentiresectionofthewindowfrontagewasalargehobble-skirtedladyinaconfectionofpeach-colouredvelvet,elaboratelysetoffwithleopardskinaccessories,ifonemayusesuchaconvenientlycomprehensivewordindescribinganintricatefemininetoilette。
Shelackednothingthatistobefoundinacarefullydetailedfashion-plate——infact,shemightbesaidtohavesomethingmorethantheaveragefashion-platefemalepossesses;inplaceofavacant,expressionlessstareshehadcharacterinherface。Itmustbeadmittedthatitwasbadcharacter,cold,hostile,inquisitorial,withasinisterloweringofoneeyebrowandamercilesshardnessaboutthecornersofthemouth。Onemighthaveimaginedhistoriesaboutherbythehour,historiesinwhichunworthyambition,thedesireformoney,andanentireabsenceofalldecentfeelingwouldplayaconspicuouspart。
Asamatteroffact,shewasnotwithoutherjudgesandbiographers,eveninthisshop-windowstageofhercareer。Emmeline,agedten,andBert,agedseven,hadhaltedonthewayfromtheirobscurebackstreettotheminnow-stockedwaterofSt。James\'sPark,andwerecriticallyexaminingthehobble-skirteddoll,anddissectinghercharacterinnoverytolerantspirit。Thereisprobablyalatentenmitybetweenthenecessarilyunder-cladandtheunnecessarilyover-dressed,butalittlekindnessandgoodfellowshiponthepartofthelatterwilloftenchangethesentimenttoadmiringdevotion;
iftheladyinpeach-colouredvelvetandleopardskinhadwornapleasantexpressioninadditiontoherotherelaboratefurnishings,Emmelineatleastmighthaverespectedandevenlovedher。Asitwas,shegaveherahorriblereputation,basedchieflyonasecondhandknowledgeofgildeddepravityderivedfromtheconversationofthosewhowereskilledintheartofnovelettereading;Bertfilledinafewdamagingdetailsfromhisownlimitedimagination。
\"She\'sabadlot,thatoneis,\"declaredEmmeline,afteralongunfriendlystare;\"\'er\'usbind\'ates\'er。\"
\"\'Eknocks\'erabart,\"saidBert,withenthusiasm。
\"No,\'edon\'t,cos\'e\'sdead;shepoisoned\'imslowandgradual,sothatnobodydidn\'tknow。Nowshewantstomarryalord,with\'eapsand\'eapsofmoney。\'E\'sgotawifealready,butshe\'sgoingtopoison\'er,too。\"
\"She\'sabadlot,\"saidBertwithgrowinghostility。
\"\'Ermother\'atesher,andshe\'safraidof\'er,too,cosshe\'sgotaserkestictongue;alwaystalkingserkesms,sheis。She\'sgreedy,too;ifthere\'sfishgoing,sheeats\'erownshareand\'erlittlegirl\'saswell,thoughthelittlegirlisdellikit。\"
\"She\'adalittleboyonce,\"saidBert,\"butshepushed\'imintothewaterwhennobodywasn\'tlooking。\"
\"Noshedidn\'t,\"saidEmmeline,\"shesent\'imawaytobekep\'bypoorpeople,so\'er\'usbindwouldn\'tknowwhere\'ewas。Theyill-
treat\'imsomethinkcruel。\"
\"Wot\'s\'ernime?\"askedBert,thinkingthatitwastimethatsointerestingapersonalityshouldbelabelled。
\"\'Ernime?\"saidEmmeline,thinkinghard,\"\'ernime\'sMorlvera。\"Itwasasnearasshecouldgettothenameofanadventuresswhofiguredprominentlyinacinemadrama。Therewassilenceforamomentwhilethepossibilitiesofthenamewereturnedoverinthechildren\'sminds。
\"Thoseclothesshe\'sgotonain\'tpaidfor,andneverwon\'tbe,\"
saidEmmeline;\"shethinksshe\'llgettherichlordtopayfor\'em,but\'ewon\'t。\'E\'sgiven\'erjools,\'underdsofpounds\'worth。\"
\"\'Ewon\'tpayfortheclothes,\"saidBert,withconviction。
Evidentlytherewassomelimittotheweakgoodnatureofwealthylords。
Atthatmomentamotorcarriagewithliveriedservantsdrewupattheemporiumentrance;alargelady,withapenetratingandratherhurriedmanneroftalking,steppedout,followedslowlyandsulkilybyasmallboy,whohadaveryblackscowlonhisfaceandaverywhitesailorsuitovertherestofhim。TheladywascontinuinganargumentwhichhadprobablycommencedinPortmanSquare。
\"Now,Victor,youaretocomeinandbuyanicedollforyourcousinBertha。Shegaveyouabeautifulboxofsoldiersonyourbirthday,andyoumustgiveherapresentonhers。\"
\"Berthaisafatlittlefool,\"saidVictor,inavoicethatwasasloudashismother\'sandhadmoreassuranceinit。
\"Victor,youarenottosaysuchthings。Berthaisnotafool,andsheisnotintheleastfat。Youaretocomeinandchooseadollforher。\"
Thecouplepassedintotheshop,outofviewandhearingofthetwoback-streetchildren。
\"My,heisinawickedtemper,\"exclaimedEmmeline,butbothsheandBertwereinclinedtosidewithhimagainsttheabsentBertha,whowasdoubtlessasfatandfoolishashehaddescribedhertobe。
\"Iwanttoseesomedolls,\"saidthemotherofVictortothenearestassistant;\"it\'sforalittlegirlofeleven。\"
\"Afatlittlegirlofeleven,\"addedVictorbywayofsupplementaryinformation。
\"Victor,ifyousaysuchrudethingsaboutyourcousin,youshallgotobedthemomentwegethome,withouthavinganytea。\"
\"Thisisoneofthenewestthingswehaveindolls,\"saidtheassistant,removingahobble-skirtedfigureinpeach-colouredvelvetfromthewindow;\"leopardskintoqueandstole,thelatestfashion。
Youwon\'tgetanythingnewerthanthatanywhere。It\'sanexclusivedesign。\"
\"Look!\"whisperedEmmelineoutside;\"they\'vebinandtookMorlvera。\"
Therewasaminglingofexcitementandacertainsenseofbereavementinhermind;shewouldhavelikedtogazeatthatembodimentofoverdresseddepravityforjustalittlelonger。
\"I\'spectshe\'sgoingawayinakerridgetomarrytherichlord,\"
hazardedBert。
\"She\'suptonogood,\"saidEmmelinevaguely。
Insidetheshopthepurchaseofthedollhadbeendecidedon。
\"It\'sabeautifuldoll,andBerthawillbedelightedwithit,\"
assertedthemotherofVictorloudly。
\"Oh,verywell,\"saidVictorsulkily;\"youneedn\'thaveitstuckintoaboxandwaitanhourwhileit\'sbeingdoneupintoaparcel。
I\'lltakeitasitis,andwecangoroundtoManchesterSquareandgiveittoBertha,andgetthethingdonewith。Thatwillsavemethetroubleofwriting:\'FordearBertha,withVictor\'slove,\'onabitofpaper。\"
\"Verywell,\"saidhismother,\"wecangotoManchesterSquareonourwayhome。Youmustwishhermanyhappyreturnsofto-morrow,andgiveherthedoll。\"
\"Iwon\'tletthelittlebeastkissme,\"stipulatedVictor。
Hismothersaidnothing;Victorhadnotbeenhalfastroublesomeasshehadanticipated。Whenhechosehecouldreallybedreadfullynaughty。
EmmelineandBertwerejustmovingawayfromthewindowwhenMorlveramadeherexitfromtheshop,verycarefullyinVictor\'sarms。Alookofsinistertriumphseemedtoglowinherhard,inquisitorialface。AsforVictor,acertainscornfulserenityhadreplacedtheearlierscowls;hehadevidentlyaccepteddefeatwithacontemptuousgoodgrace。
Thetallladygaveadirectiontothefootmanandsettledherselfinthecarriage。Thelittlefigureinthewhitesailorsuitclamberedinbesideher,stillcarefullyholdingtheelegantlygarbeddoll。
Thecarhadtobebackedafewyardsintheprocessofturning。
Verystealthily,verygently,verymercilesslyVictorsentMorlveraflyingoverhisshoulder,sothatshefellintotheroadjustbehindtheretrogressingwheel。Withasoft,pleasant-soundingscrunchthecarwentovertheprostrateform,thenitmovedforwardagainwithanotherscrunch。ThecarriagemovedoffandleftBertandEmmelinegazinginscareddelightatasorrymessofpetrol-smearedvelvet,sawdust,andleopardskin,whichwasallthatremainedofthehatefulMorlvera。Theygaveashrillcheer,andthenracedawayshudderingfromthesceneofsomuchrapidlyenactedtragedy。
Laterthatafternoon,whentheywereengagedinthepursuitofminnowsbythewatersideinSt。James\'sPark,EmmelinesaidinasolemnundertonetoBert-
\"I\'vebinfinking。Doyouknowoo\'ewas?\'Ewas\'erlittleboywotshe\'dsentawaytolivewivpoorfolks。\'Ecomebackanddonethat。\"
SHOCKTATICS
OnalatespringafternoonEllaMcCarthysatonagreen-paintedchairinKensingtonGardens,staringlistlesslyatanuninterestingstretchofparklandscape,thatblossomedsuddenlyintotropicalradianceasanexpectedfigureappearedinthemiddledistance。
\"Hullo,Bertie!\"sheexclaimedsedately,whenthefigurearrivedatthepaintedchairthatwasthenearestneighbourtoherown,anddroppedintoiteagerly,yetwithacertaindueregardforthesetofitstrousers;\"hasn\'titbeenaperfectspringafternoon?\"
ThestatementwasadistinctuntruthasfarasElla\'sownfeelingswereconcerned;untilthearrivalofBertietheafternoonhadbeenanythingbutperfect。
Bertiemadeasuitablereply,inwhichaquestioningnoteseemedtohover。
\"Thankyoueversomuchforthoselovelyhandkerchiefs,\"saidElla,answeringtheunspokenquestion;\"theywerejustwhatI\'vebeenwanting。There\'sonlyonethingspoiltmypleasureinyourgift,\"
sheadded,withapout。
\"Whatwasthat?\"askedBertieanxiously,fearfulthatperhapshehadchosenasizeofhandkerchiefthatwasnotwithinthecorrectfemininelimit。
\"IshouldhavelikedtohavewrittenandthankedyouforthemassoonasIgotthem,\"saidElla,andBertie\'sskycloudedatonce。
\"Youknowwhatmotheris,\"heprotested;\"sheopensallmyletters,andifshefoundI\'dbeengivingpresentstoanyonethere\'dhavebeensomethingtotalkaboutforthenextfortnight。\"
\"Surely,attheageoftwenty——\"beganElla。
\"I\'mnottwentytillSeptember,\"interruptedBertie。
\"Attheageofnineteenyearsandeightmonths,\"persistedElla,\"youmightbeallowedtokeepyourcorrespondenceprivatetoyourself。\"
\"Ioughttobe,butthingsaren\'talwayswhattheyoughttobe。
Motheropenseveryletterthatcomesintothehouse,whoeverit\'sfor。MysistersandIhavemaderowsaboutittimeandagain,butshegoesondoingit。\"
\"I\'dfindsomewaytostopherifIwereinyourplace,\"saidEllavaliantly,andBertiefeltthattheglamourofhisanxiouslydeliberatedpresenthadfadedawayinthedisagreeablerestrictionthathedgedrounditsacknowledgment。
\"Isanythingthematter?\"askedBertie\'sfriendCloviswhentheymetthateveningattheswimming-bath。
\"Whydoyouask?\"saidBertie。
\"Whenyouwearalookoftragicgloominaswimming-bath,\"saidClovis,\"it\'sespeciallynoticeablefromthefactthatyou\'rewearingverylittleelse。Didn\'tshelikethehandkerchiefs?\"
Bertieexplainedthesituation。