\"No，notthat。Thebroaderlinesofpoliticalorreligiousdifferencedon\'tmatter。YoucanhaveChurchofEnglandandUnitarianandBuddhistunderthesameroofwithoutcourtingdisaster；theonlyBuddhistIeverhaddownherequarrelledwitheverybody，butthatwasonaccountofhisnaturallysquabblesometemperament；ithadnothingtodowithhisreligion。AndI\'vealwaysfoundthatpeoplecandifferprofoundlyaboutpoliticsandmeetonperfectlygoodtermsatbreakfast。Now，MissLarborJones，whowasstayingherelastyear，worshipsLloydGeorgeasasortofwinglessangel，whileMrs。Walters，whowasdownhereatthesametime，privatelyconsidershimtobe——anantelope，letussay。\"
\"Anantelope？\"
\"Well，notanantelopeexactly，butsomethingwithhornsandhoofsandtail。\"
\"Oh，Isee。\"
\"Still，thatdidn\'tpreventthemfrombeingthechummiestofmortalsonthetenniscourtandinthebilliard-room。Theydidquarrelfinally，aboutaleadinadoubledhandofno-trumps，butthatofcourseisathingthatnoaccountofjudiciousguest-groupingcouldprevent。Mrs。Waltershadgotking，knave，ten，andsevenofclubs——
\"
\"Youweresayingthattherewereotherlinesofdemarcationthatcausedthebother，\"interruptedLena。
\"Exactly。Itistheminordifferencesandside-issuesthatgivesomuchtrouble，\"saidLadyProwche；\"nottomydyingdayshallI
forgetlastyear\'supheavalovertheSuffragettequestion。LauraHenniseedleftthehouseinastateofspeechlessindignation，butbeforeshehadreachedthatstateshehadusedlanguagethatwouldnothavebeentoleratedintheAustrianReichsrath。Intensivebear-
gardeningwasSirRichard\'sdescriptionofthewholeaffair，andI
don\'tthinkheexaggerated。\"
\"OfcoursetheSuffragettequestionisaburningone，andletsloosethemostdreadfulill-feeling，\"saidLena；\"butonecangenerallyfindoutbeforehandwhatpeople\'sopinions——\"
\"Mydear，theyearbeforeitwasworse。ItwasChristianScience。
SelinaGoobieisasortofHighPriestessoftheCult，andsheputdownalloppositionwithahighhand。Thenoneevening，afterdinner，ClovisSangrailputawaspdownherback，toseeifhertheoryaboutthenon-existenceofpaincouldbedependedoninanemergency。Thewaspwassmall，butveryefficient，andithadbeensouredintemperbybeingkeptinapapercagealltheafternoon。
Waspsdon\'tstandconfinementwell，atleastthisonedidn\'t。I
don\'tthinkIeverrealisedtillthatmomentwhattheword\'invective\'couldbemadetomean。IsometimeswakeinthenightandthinkIstillhearSelinadescribingClovis\'sconductandgeneralcharacter。ThatwastheyearthatSirRichardwaswritinghisvolumeon\'DomesticLifeinTartary。\'Thecriticsallblameditforalackofconcentration。\"
\"He\'sengagedonaveryimportantworkthisyear，isn\'the？\"askedLena。
\"\'Land-tenureinTurkestan，\'\"saidLadyProwche；\"heisjustatworkonthefinalchaptersandtheyrequirealltheconcentrationhecangivethem。ThatiswhyIamsoveryanxiousnottohaveanyunfortunatedisturbancethisyear。IhavetakeneveryprecautionI
canthinkoftobringnon-conflictingandharmoniouselementstogether；theonlytwopeopleIamnotquiteeasyaboutaretheAtkinsonmanandMarcusPopham。Theyarethetwowhowillbedownherelongesttogether，andiftheyaregoingtofallfoulofoneanotheraboutanyburningquestion，well，therewillbemoreunpleasantness。\"
\"Can\'tyoufindoutanythingaboutthem？Abouttheiropinions，I
mean。\"
\"Anything？MydearLena，there\'sscarcelyanythingthatIhaven\'tfoundoutaboutthem。They\'rebothofthemmoderateLiberal，Evangelical，mildlyopposedtofemalesuffrage，theyapproveoftheFalconerReport，andtheStewards\'decisionaboutCraganour。Thankgoodnessinthiscountrywedon\'tflyintoviolentpassionsaboutWagnerandBrahmsandthingsofthatsort。ThereisonlyonethornysubjectthatIhaven\'tbeenabletomakesureabout，theonlystonethatIhaveleftunturned。Aretheyunanimouslyanti-vivisectionistordotheybothupholdthenecessityforscientificexperiment？
Therehasbeenalotofcorrespondenceonthesubjectinourlocalnewspapersoflate，andthevicariscertaintopreachasermonaboutit；vicarsaredreadfullyprovocativeattimes。Now，ifyoucouldonlyfindoutformewhetherthesetwomenaredivergentlyfororagainst——\"
\"I！\"exclaimedLena；\"howamItofindout？Idon\'tknoweitherofthemtospeakto。\"
\"Stillyoumightdiscover，insomeroundaboutway。Writetothem，underasassumednameofcourse，forsubscriptionstooneorothercause——or，betterstill，sendastampedtype-writtenreplypostcard，witharequestforadeclarationfororagainstvivisection；peoplewhowouldhesitatetocommitthemselvestoasubscriptionwillcheerfullywriteYesorNoonaprepaidpostcard。Ifyoucan\'tmanageitthatway，tryandmeetthematsomeone\'shouseandgetintoargumentonthesubject。IthinkMillyoccasionallyhasoneorotherofthematherat-homes；youmighthavethelucktomeetbothofthemtherethesameevening。Onlyitmustbedonesoon。MyinvitationsoughttogooutbyWednesdayorThursdayatthelatest，andto-dayisFriday。
\"Milly\'sat-homesarenotveryamusing，asarule，\"saidLena，\"andonenevergetsachanceoftalkinguninterruptedlytoanyoneforacoupleofminutesatatime；Millyisoneofthoserestlesshostesseswhoalwaysseemtobetryingtoseehowyoulookindifferentpartsoftheroom，infreshgroupingeffects。EvenifI
gottospeaktoPophamorAtkinsonIcouldn\'tplungeintoatopiclikevivisectionstraightaway。No，Ithinkthepostcardschemewouldbemorehopefulanddecidedlylesstiresome。Howwoulditbebesttowordthem？\"
\"Oh，somethinglikethis：\'Areyouinfavourofexperimentsonlivinganimalsforthepurposeofscientificresearch——YesorNo？\'
Thatisquitesimpleandunmistakable。Iftheydon\'tansweritwillatleastbeanindicationthattheyareindifferentaboutthesubject，andthatisallIwanttoknow。\"
\"Allright，\"saidLena，\"I\'llgetmybrother-in-lawtoletmehavethemaddressedtohisoffice，andhecantelephonetheresultoftheplebiscitedirecttoyou。\"
\"Thankyoueversomuch，\"saidLadyProwchegratefully，\"andbesuretogetthecardssentoffassoonaspossible。\"
OnthefollowingTuesdaythevoiceofanofficeclerk，speakingthroughthetelephone，informedLadyProwchethatthepostcardpollshowedunanimoushostilitytoexperimentsonlivinganimals。
LadyProwchethankedtheofficeclerk，andinalouderandmoreferventvoiceshethankedHeaven。Thetwoinvitations，alreadysealedandaddressed，wereimmediatelydispatched；induecoursetheywerebothaccepted。Thehousepartyofthehalcyonhours，astheprospectivehostesscalledit，wasauspiciouslylaunched。
LenaLuddlefordwasnotincludedamongtheguests，havingpreviouslycommittedherselftoanotherinvitation。Attheopeningdayofacricketfestival，however，sheranacrossLadyProwche，whohadmotoredoverfromtheothersideofthecounty。Sheworetheairofonewhoisnotinterestedincricketandnotparticularlyinterestedinlife。SheshookhandslimplywithLena，andremarkedthatitwasabeastlyday。
\"Theparty，howhasitgoneoff？\"askedLenaquickly。
\"Don\'tspeakofit！\"wasthetragicalanswer；\"whydoIalwayshavesuchrottenluck？\"
\"Butwhathashappened？\"
\"Ithasbeenawful。Hyaenascouldnothavebehavedwithgreatersavagery。SirRichardsaidso，andhehasbeenincountrieswherehyaenaslive，soheoughttoknow。Theyactuallycametoblows！\"
\"Blows？\"
\"Blowsandcurses。ItreallymighthavebeenascenefromoneofHogarth\'spictures。Ineverfeltsohumiliatedinmylife。Whattheservantsmusthavethought！\"
\"Butwhoweretheoffenders？\"
\"Oh，naturallytheverytwothatwetookallthetroubleabout。\"
\"Ithoughttheyagreedoneverysubjectthatonecouldviolentlydisagreeabout——religion，politics，vivisection，theDerbydecision，theFalconerReport；whatelsewastherelefttoquarrelabout？\"
\"Mydear，wewerefoolsnottohavethoughtofit。OneofthemwasPro-GreekandtheotherPro-Bulgar。\"
HYACINTH
\"Thenewfashionofintroducingthecandidate\'schildrenintoanelectioncontestisaprettyone，\"saidMrs。Panstreppon；\"ittakesawaysomethingfromtheacerbityofpartywarfare，anditmakesaninterestingexperienceforchildrentolookbackoninafteryears。
Still，ifyouwilllistentomyadvice，Matilda，youwillnottakeHyacinthwithyoudowntoLuffbridgeonelectionday。\"
\"NottakeHyacinth！\"exclaimedhismother；\"butwhynot？Jutterlyisbringinghisthreechildren，andtheyaregoingtodriveapairofNubiandonkeysaboutthetown，toemphasisethefactthattheirfatherhasbeenappointedColonialSecretary。WearemakingthedemandforastrongNavyaspecialfeatureinourcampaign，anditwillbeparticularlyappropriatetohaveHyacinthdressedinhissailorsuit。He\'lllookheavenly。\"
\"Thequestionis，nothowhe\'lllook，buthowhe\'llbehave。He\'sadelightfulchild，ofcourse，butthereisastrainofunbridledpugnacityinhimthatbreaksoutattimesinareallyalarmingfashion。YoumayhaveforgottentheaffairofthelittleGaffinchildren；Ihaven\'t。\"
\"IwasinIndiaatthetime，andI\'veonlyavaguerecollectionofwhathappened；hewasverynaughty，Iknow。\"
\"Hewasinhisgoat-carriage，andmettheGaffinsintheirperambulator，andhedrovethegoatfulltiltatthemandsenttheperambulatorspinning。LittleJackyGaffinwaspinneddownunderthewreckage，andwhilethenursehadherhandsfullwiththegoatHyacinthwaslayingintoJacky\'slegswithhisbeltlikeasmallfury。\"
\"I\'mnotdefendinghim，\"saidMatilda，\"buttheymusthavedonesomethingtoannoyhim。\"
\"Nothingintentionally，butsomeonehadunfortunatelytoldhimthattheywerehalfFrench——theirmotherwasaDuboc，youknow——andhehadbeenhavingahistorylessonthatmorning，andhadjustheardofthefinallossofCalaisbytheEnglish，andwasfuriousaboutit。
Hesaidhe\'dteachthelittletoadstogosnatchingtownsfromus，butwedidn\'tknowatthetimethathewasreferringtotheGaffins。
Itoldhimafterwardsthatallbadfeelingbetweenthetwonationshaddiedoutlongago，andthatanyhowtheGaffinswereonlyhalfFrench，andhesaidthatitwasonlytheFrenchhalfofJackythathehadbeenhitting；theresthadbeenburiedundertheperambulator。IfthelossofCalaisunloosedsuchfuryinhim，I
trembletothinkwhatthepossiblelossoftheelectionmightentail。\"
\"Allthathappenedwhenhewaseight；he\'soldernowandknowsbetter。\"
\"ChildrenwithHyacinth\'stemperamentdon\'tknowbetterastheygrowolder；theymerelyknowmore。\"
\"Nonsense。Hewillenjoythefunoftheelection，andinanycasehe\'llbetiredoutbythetimethepollisdeclared，andthenewsailorsuitthatI\'vehadmadeforhimisjustintherightshadeofblueforourelectioncolours，anditwillexactlymatchtheblueofhiseyes。Hewillbeaperfectlycharmingnoteofcolour。\"
\"Thereissuchathingaslettingone\'saestheticsenseoverrideone\'smoralsense，\"saidMrs。Panstreppon。\"IbelieveyouwouldhavecondonedtheSouthSeaBubbleandthepersecutionoftheAlbigensesiftheyhadbeencarriedoutineffectivecolourschemes。
However，ifanythingunfortunateshouldhappendownatLuffbridge，don\'tsayitwasn\'tforeseenbyonememberofthefamily。\"
Theelectionwaskeenlybutdecorouslycontested。Thenewly-
appointedColonialSecretarywaspersonallypopular，whiletheGovernmenttowhichheadheredwasdistinctlyunpopular，andtherewassomeexpectancythatthemajorityoffourhundred，obtainedatthelastelection，wouldbealtogetherwipedout。Bothsideswerehopeful，butneithercouldfeelconfident。Thechildrenwereagreatsuccess；thelittleJutterlysdrovetheirchubbydonkeyssolemnlyupanddownthemainstreets，displayingposterswhichadvocatedtheclaimsoftheirfatheronthebroadgeneralgroundsthathewastheirfather，whileasforHyacinth，hisconductmighthaveservedasamodelforanyseraph-childthathadstrayedunwittinglyontothesceneofanelectoralcontest。Ofhisownaccord，andunderthedelightedeyesofhalfadozencameraoperators，hehadgoneuptotheJutterlychildrenandpresentedthemwithapacketofbutterscotch；\"weneedn\'tbeenemiesbecausewe\'rewearingtheoppositecolours，\"hesaidwithengagingfriendliness，andtheoccupantsofthedonkey-cartacceptedhisofferingwithpolitesolemnity。Thegrown-upmembersofbothpoliticalcampsweredelightedattheincident——withtheexceptionofMrs。Panstreppon，whoshuddered。
\"NeverwasClytemnestra\'skisssweeterthanonthenightsheslewme，\"shequoted，butmadethequotationtoherself。
Thelasthourofthepollwasaperiodofunremittinglabourforbothparties；itwasgenerallyestimatedthatnotmorethanadozenvotesseparatedthecandidates，andeveryeffortwasmadetobringupobstinatelywaveringelectors。Itwaswithafeelingofrelaxationandreliefthateveryoneheardtheclocksstrikethehourforthecloseofthepoll。Exclamationsbrokeoutfromthetiredworkers，andcorksflewoutfrombottles。
\"Well，ifwehaven\'twon；we\'vedoneourlevelbest。\"\"Ithasbeenacleanstraightfight，withnorancour。\"\"Thechildrenwerequiteacharmingfeature，weren\'tthey？\"
Thechildren？Itsuddenlyoccurredtoeverybodythattheyhadseennothingofthechildrenforthelasthour。WhathadbecomeofthethreelittleJutterlysandtheirdonkey-cart，and，forthematterofthat，whathadbecomeofHyacinth。Hurried，anxiousembassieswentbackwardsandforwardsbetweentherespectivepartyheadquartersandthevariouscommittee-rooms，buttherewasblankignoranceeverywhereastothewhereaboutsofthechildren。Everyonehadbeentoobusyintheclosingmomentsofthepolltobestowathoughtonthem。ThentherecameatelephonecallattheUnionistWomen\'sCommittee-rooms，andthevoiceofHyacinthwashearddemandingwhenthepollwouldbedeclared。
\"Whereareyou，andwherearetheJutterlychildren？\"askedhismother。
\"I\'vejustfinishedhavinghigh-teaatapastry-cook\'s，\"cametheanswer，\"andtheyletmetelephone。I\'vehadapoachedeggandasausagerollandfourmeringues。\"
\"You\'llbeill。ArethelittleJutterlyswithyou？\"
\"Rathernot。They\'reinapigstye。\"
\"Apigstye？Why？Whatpigstye？\"
\"NeartheCrawleighRoad。Imetthemdrivingaboutabackroad，andtoldthemtheyweretohaveteawithme，andputtheirdonkeysinayardthatIknewof。ThenItookthemtoseeanoldsowthathadgottenlittlepigs。Igotthesowintotheouterstyebygivingherbitsofbread，whiletheJutterlyswentintolookatthelitter，thenIboltedthedoorandleftthemthere。\"
\"Youwickedboy，doyoumeantosayyou\'veleftthosepoorchildrentherealoneinthepigstye？\"
\"They\'renotalone，they\'vegottenlittlepigsinwiththem；
they\'rejollywellcrowded。Theywereprettymadatbeingshutin，butnothalfasmadastheoldsowisatbeingshutoutfromheryoungones。Ifshegetsinwhilethey\'rethereshe\'llbitethemintomincemeat。Icangetthemoutbylettingashortladderdownthroughthetopwindow，andthat\'swhatI\'mgoingtodoIFWEWIN。
Iftheirblightedfathergetsin，I\'mjustgoingtoopenthedoorforthesow，andletherdowhatshedashedwelllikestothem。
That\'swhyIwanttoknowwhenthepollwillbedeclared。\"
Herethenarratorrangoff。Awildstampedeandafranticsending-
offofmessengerstookplaceattheotherendofthetelephone。
Nearlyalltheworkersoneithersidehaddisappearedtotheirvariousclub-roomsandpublic-housebarstoawaitthedeclarationofthepoll，butenoughlocalinformationcouldbesecuredtodeterminethesceneofHyacinth\'sexploit。Mr。JohnBallhadastableyarddownneartheCrawleighRoad，upashortlane，andhissowwasknowntohavealitteroftenyoungones。Thitherwentinheadlonghasteboththecandidates，Hyacinth\'smother，hisaunt（Mrs。Panstreppon），andtwoorthreehurriedly-summonedfriends。ThetwoNubiandonkeys，contentedlymunchingatbundlesofhay，mettheirgazeastheyenteredtheyard。Thehoarsesavagegruntingofanenragedanimalandtheshrillernoteofthirteenyoungvoices，threeofthemhuman，guidedthemtothestye，intheouteryardofwhichahugeYorkshiresowkeptupaceaselessragingpatrolbeforeacloseddoor。Recliningonthebroadledgeofanopenwindow，fromwhichpointofvantagehecouldreachdownandshoottheboltofthedoor，wasHyacinth，hisbluesailor-suitsomewhattheworseofwear，andhisangelsmileexchangedforalookofdemoniacaldetermination。
\"Ifanyofyoucomeastepnearer，\"heshouted，\"thesowwillbeinsideinhalfajiffy。\"
Astormofthreatening，arguing，entreatingexpostulationbrokefromthebaffledrescueparty，butitmadenomoreimpressiononHyacinththanthesquealingtempestthatragedwithinthestye。
\"IfJutterlyheadsthepollI\'mgoingtoletthesowin。I\'llteachtheblighterstowinelectionsfromus。\"
\"Hemeansit，\"saidMrs。Panstreppon；\"IfearedtheworstwhenIsawthatbutterscotchincident。\"
\"It\'sallright，mylittleman，\"saidJutterly，withtheduplicitytowhichevenaColonialSecretarycansometimesstoop，\"yourfatherhasbeenelectedbyalargemajority。\"
\"Liar！\"retortedHyacinth，withthedirectnessofspeechthatisnotmerelyexcusable，butalmostobligatory，inthepoliticalprofession；\"thevotesaren\'tcountedyet。Youwon\'tgammonmeastotheresult，either。AboythatI\'vepalledwithisgoingtofireagunwhenthepollisdeclared；twoshotsifwe\'vewon，oneshotifwehaven\'t。\"
Thesituationbegantolookcritical。\"Drugthesow，\"whisperedHyacinth\'sfather。
Someonewentoffinthemotortothenearestchemist\'sshopandreturnedpresentlywithtwolargepiecesofbread，liberallydosedwithnarcotic。Thebreadwasthrowndeftlyandunostentatiouslyintothestye，butHyacinthsawthroughthemanoeuvre。HesetupapiercingimitationofasmallpitinPurgatory，andtheinfuriatedmotherrampedroundandroundthestye；thepiecesofbreadweretrampledintoslush。
Atanymomentnowthepollmightbedeclared。JutterlyflewbacktotheTownHall，wherethevoteswerebeingcounted。Hisagentmethimwithasmileofhope。
\"You\'reelevenaheadatpresent，andonlyabouteightymoretobecounted；you\'rejustgoingtosqueakthrough。\"
\"Imustn\'tsqueakthrough，\"exclaimedJutterly，hoarsely。\"Youmustobjecttoeverydoubtfulvoteonoursidethatcanpossiblybedisallowed。ImustNOThavethemajority。\"
Thenwasseentheunprecedentedsightofapartyagentchallengingthevotesonhisownsidewithacaptiousnessthathisopponentswouldhavehesitatedtodisplay。Oneortwovotesthatwouldhavecertainlypassedmusterunderordinarycircumstancesweredisallowed，butevensoJutterlywassixaheadwithonlythirtymoretobecounted。
Tothewatchersbythestyethemomentsseemedintolerable。Asalastresortsomeonehadbeensentforagunwithwhichtoshootthesow，thoughHyacinthwouldprobablydrawtheboltthemomentsuchaweaponwasbroughtintotheyard。Nearlyallthemenwereawayfromtheirhomes，however，onelectionnight，andthemessengerhadevidentlygonefarafieldinhissearch。Itmustbeamatterofminutesnowtothedeclarationofthepoll。
AsuddenroarofshoutingandcheeringwasheardfromthedirectionoftheTownHall。Hyacinth\'sfatherclutchedapitchforkandpreparedtodashintothestyeintheforlornhopeofbeingintime。
Ashotrangoutintheeveningair。Hyacinthstoopeddownfromhisperchandputhisfingeronthebolt。Thesowpressedfuriouslyagainstthedoor。
\"Bang，\"cameanothershot。
Hyacinthwriggledback，andsentashortladderdownthroughthewindowoftheinnerstye。
\"Nowyoucancomeup，youuncleanlittleblighters，\"hesangout；
\"mydaddy\'sgotin，notyours。Hurryup，Ican\'tkeepthesowwaitingmuchlonger。Anddon\'tyoujollywellcomebuttingintoanyelectionagainwhereI\'monthejob。\"
Inthereactionthatsetinafterthedeliverancefuriousrecriminationwereindulgedinbythelatelyopposedcandidates，theirwomenfolk，agents，andpartyhelpers。Arecountwasdemanded，butfailedtoestablishthefactthattheColonialSecretaryhadobtainedamajority。Altogethertheelectionleftalegacyofsorenessbehindit，apartfromanythatwasexperiencedbyHyacinthinperson。
\"ItisthelasttimeIshalllethimgotoanelection，\"exclaimedhismother。
\"ThereIthinkyouaregoingtoextremes，\"saidMrs。Panstreppon；
\"ifthereshouldbeageneralelectioninMexicoIthinkyoumightsafelylethimgothere，butIdoubtwhetherourEnglishpoliticsaresuitedtotheroughandtumbleofanangel-child。\"
THEIMAGEOFTHELOSTSOLE
TherewereanumberofcarvedstonefiguresplacedatintervalsalongtheparapetsoftheoldCathedral；someofthemrepresentedangels，otherskingsandbishops，andnearlyallwereinattitudesofpiousexaltationandcomposure。Butonefigure，lowdownonthecoldnorthsideofthebuilding，hadneithercrown，mitre，notnimbus，anditsfacewashardandbitteranddowncast；itmustbeademon，declaredthefatbluepigeonsthatroostedandsunnedthemselvesalldayontheledgesoftheparapet；buttheoldbelfryjackdaw，whowasanauthorityonecclesiasticalarchitecture，saiditwasalostsoul。Andtherethematterrested。
OneautumndaythereflutteredontotheCathedralroofaslender，sweet-voicedbirdthathadwanderedawayfromthebarefieldsandthinninghedgerowsinsearchofawinterroosting-place。Ittriedtorestitstiredfeetundertheshadeofagreatangel-wingortonestleinthesculpturedfoldsofakinglyrobe，butthefatpigeonshustleditawayfromwhereveritsettled，andthenoisysparrow-folkdroveitofftheledges。Norespectablebirdsangwithsomuchfeeling，theycheepedonetoanother，andthewandererhadtomoveon。
OnlytheeffigyoftheLostSoulofferedaplaceofrefuge。Thepigeonsdidnotconsideritsafetoperchonaprojectionthatleanedsomuchoutoftheperpendicular，andwas，besides，toomuchintheshadow。Thefiguredidnotcrossitshandsinthepiousattitudeoftheothergravendignitaries，butitsarmswerefoldedasindefianceandtheiranglemadeasnugresting-placeforthelittlebird。Everyeveningitcrepttrustfullyintoitscorneragainstthestonebreastoftheimage，andthedarklingeyesseemedtokeepwatchoveritsslumbers。Thelonelybirdgrewtoloveitslonelyprotector，andduringthedayitwouldsitfromtimetotimeonsomerainshootorotherabutmentandtrillforthitssweetestmusicingratefulthanksforitsnightlyshelter。And，itmayhavebeentheworkofwindandweather，orsomeotherinfluence，butthewilddrawnfaceseemedgraduallytolosesomeofitshardnessandunhappiness。Everyday，throughthelongmonotonoushours，thesongofhislittleguestwouldcomeupinsnatchestothelonelywatcher，andatevening，whenthevesper-bellwasringingandthegreatgreybatsslidoutoftheirhiding-placesinthebelfryroof，thebright-
eyedbirdwouldreturn，twitterafewsleepynotes，andnestleintothearmsthatwerewaitingforhim。ThosewerehappydaysfortheDarkImage。OnlythegreatbelloftheCathedralrangoutdailyitsmockingmessage，\"Afterjoy……sorrow。\"
Thefolkintheverger\'slodgenoticedalittlebrownbirdflittingabouttheCathedralprecincts，andadmireditsbeautifulsinging。
\"Butitisapity，\"saidthey，\"thatallthatwarblingshouldbelostandwastedfaroutofhearingupontheparapet。\"Theywerepoor，buttheyunderstoodtheprinciplesofpoliticaleconomy。Sotheycaughtthebirdandputitinalittlewickercageoutsidethelodgedoor。
Thatnightthelittlesongsterwasmissingfromitsaccustomedhaunt，andtheDarkImageknewmorethaneverthebitternessofloneliness。Perhapshislittlefriendhadbeenkilledbyaprowlingcatorhurtbyastone。Perhaps……perhapshehadflownelsewhere。Butwhenmorningcametherefloateduptohim，throughthenoiseandbustleoftheCathedralworld，afaintheart-achingmessagefromtheprisonerinthewickercagefarbelow。Andeveryday，athighnoon，whenthefatpigeonswerestupefiedintosilenceaftertheirmiddaymealandthesparrowswerewashingthemselvesinthestreet-puddles，thesongofthelittlebirdcameuptotheparapets——asongofhungerandlongingandhopelessness，acrythatcouldneverbeanswered。Thepigeonsremarked，betweenmealtimes，thatthefigureleanedforwardmorethaneveroutoftheperpendicular。
Onedaynosongcameupfromthelittlewickercage。Itwasthecoldestdayofthewinter，andthepigeonsandsparrowsontheCathedralrooflookedanxiouslyonallsidesforthescrapsoffoodwhichtheyweredependentoninhardweather。
\"Havethelodge-folkthrownoutanythingontothedust-heap？\"
inquiredonepigeonofanotherwhichwaspeeringovertheedgeofthenorthparapet。
\"Onlyalittledeadbird，\"wastheanswer。
TherewasacracklingsoundinthenightontheCathedralroofandanoiseasoffallingmasonry。Thebelfryjackdawsaidthefrostwasaffectingthefabric，andashehadexperiencedmanyfrostsitmusthavebeenso。InthemorningitwasseenthattheFigureoftheLostSoulhadtoppledfromitscorniceandlaynowinabrokenmassonthedustheapoutsidetheverger\'slodge。
\"Itisjustaswell，\"cooedthefatpigeons，aftertheyhadpeeredatthematterforsomeminutes；\"nowweshallhaveaniceangelputupthere。Certainlytheywillputanangelthere。\"
\"Afterjoy……sorrow，\"rangoutthegreatbell。
THEPURPLEOFTHEBALKANKINGS
LuitpoldWolkenstein，financieranddiplomatonasmall，obtrusive，self-importantscale，satinhisfavouredcafeintheworld-wiseHabsburgcapital，confrontedwiththeNeueFreiePresseandthecupofcream-toppedcoffeeandattendantglassofwaterthatasleek-
headedpiccolohadjustbroughthim。Foryearslongerthanadog\'slifetimesleek-headedpiccoloshadplacedtheNeueFreiePresseandacupofcream-toppedcoffeeonhistable；foryearshehadsatatthesamespot，underthedust-coated，stuffedeagle，thathadoncebeenaliving，soaringbirdontheStyrianmountains，andwasnowmademonstrousandsymbolicalwithasecondheadgraftedontoitsneckandagiltcrownplantedoneitherdustyskull。To-dayLuitpoldWolkensteinreadnomorethanthefirstarticleinhispaper，butreaditagainandagain。
\"TheTurkishfortressofKirkKilissehhasfallen……TheSerbs，itisofficiallyannounced，havetakenKumanovo……ThefortressofKirkKilissehlost，KumanovotakenbytheSerbs，thesearetidingforConstantinopleresemblingsomethingoutofShakspeare\'stragediesofthekings……TheneighbourhoodofAdrianopleandtheEasternregion，wherethegreatbattleisnowinprogress，willnotrevealmerelythefutureofTurkey，butalsowhatpositionandwhatinfluencetheBalkanStatesaretohaveintheworld。\"
Foryearslongerthanadog\'slifetimeLuitpoldWolkensteinhaddisposedofthepretensionsandstrivingsoftheBalkanStatesoverthecupofcream-toppedcoffeethatsleek-headedpiccoloshadbroughthim。Nevertravellingfurthereastwardthanthehorse-fairatTemesvar，neverinvitingpersonalriskinanencounterwithanythingmorepotentiallydesperatethanahareorpartridge，hehadconstitutedhimselfthecriticalappraiserandarbiterofthemilitaryandnationalprowessofthesmallcountriesthatfringedtheDualMonarchyonitsDanubeborder。Andhisjudgmenthadbeenoneofunsparingcontemptforsmall-scaleefforts，ofunquestioningrespectforthebigbattalionsandfullpurses。OverthewholesceneoftheBalkanterritoriesandtheirtroubledhistorieshadloomedthecommandingmagicofthewords\"theGreatPowers\"——evenmoreimposingintheirTeutonicrendering，\"DieGrossmachte。\"
Worshippingpowerandforceandmoney-masteryasanelderlynerve-
riddenwomanmightworshipyouthfulphysicalenergy，thecomfortable，plump-bodiedcafe-oraclehadjestedandgibedattheambitionsoftheBalkankingletsandtheirpeoples，hadunloosedagainstthemthatbatteryofstrangelip-soundsthataVienneseemploysalmostasanauxiliarylanguagetoexpressthethoughtswhenhisthoughtsarenotcomplimentary。BritishtravellershadvisitedtheBalkanlandsandreportedhighthingsoftheBulgariansandtheirfuture，Russianofficershadtakenpeepsattheirarmyandconfessed\"thisisathingtobereckonedwith，anditisnotwewhohavecreatedit，theyhavedoneitbythemselves。\"Butoverhiscupsofcoffeeandhishour-longgamesofdominoestheoraclehadlaughedandwaggedhisheadanddistilledtheworldlywisdomofhiscastle。TheGrossmachtehadnotsucceededinstiflingtherollofthewar-drum，thatwastrue；thebigbattalionsoftheOttomanEmpirewouldhavetodosometalking，andthenthebigpursesandbigthreateningsofthePowerswouldspeakandthelastwordwouldbewiththem。InimaginationLuitpoldheardtheonwardtrampofthered-fezzedbayonetbearersechoingthroughtheBalkanpasses，sawthelittlesheepskin-cladmannikinsdrivenbacktotheirvillages，sawtheaugustlychidingspokesmanofthePowersdictating，adjusting，restoring，settlingthingsonceagainintheirallottedplaces，sweepingupthedustofconflict，andnowhisearshadtolistentothewar-drumrollinginquiteanotherdirection，hadtolistentothetrampofbattalionsthatwerebiggerandbolderandbetterskilledinwar-craftthanhehaddeemedpossibleinthatquarter；hiseyeshadtoreadinthecolumnsofhisaccustomednewspaperawarningtotheGrossmachtethattheyhadsomethingnewtolearn，somethingnewtoreckonwith，muchthatwastime-honouredtorelinquish。\"TheGreatPowerswillhavenotlittledifficultyinpersuadingtheBalkanStatesoftheinviolabilityoftheprinciplethatEuropecannotpermitanyfreshpartitionofterritoryintheEastwithoutherapproval。Evennow，whilethecampaignisstillundecided，therearerumoursofaprojectoffiscalunity，extendingovertheentireBalkanlands，andfurtherofaconstitutionalunioninimitationoftheGermanEmpire。Thatisperhapsonlyapoliticalstrawblownbythestorm，butitisnotpossibletodismissthereflectionthattheBalkanStatesleaguedtogethercommandamilitarystrengthwithwhichtheGreatPowerswillhavetoreckon……ThepeoplewhohavepouredouttheirbloodonthebattlefieldsandsacrificedtheavailablearmedmenofanentiregenerationinordertoencompassaunionwiththeirkinsfolkwillnotremainanylongerinanattitudeofdependenceontheGreatPowersoronRussia，butwillgotheirownways……Thebloodthathasbeenpouredforthto-daygivesforthefirsttimeagenuinetonetothepurpleoftheBalkanKings。TheGreatPowerscannotoverlookthefactthatapeoplethathastastedvictorywillnotletitselfbedrivenbackagainwithinitsformerlimits。Turkeyhaslostto-daynotonlyKirkKilissehandKumanovo，butMacedoniaalso。\"
LuitpoldWolkensteindrankhiscoffee，buttheflavourhadsomehowgoneoutofit。Hisworld，hispompous，imposing，dictatingworld，hadsuddenlyrolledupintonarrowerdimensions。Thebigpursesandthebigthreatshadbeenpushedunceremoniouslyononeside；aforcethathecouldnotfathom，couldnotcomprehend，hadmadeitselfrudelyfelt。TheaugustCaesarsofMammonandarmamenthadlookeddownfrowninglyonthecombat，andthoseabouttodiehadnotsaluted，hadnointentionofsaluting。Alessonwasbeingimposedonunwillinglearners，alessonofrespectforcertainfundamentalprinciples，anditwasnotthesmallstrugglingStateswhowerebeingtaughtthelesson。
LuitpoldWolkensteindidnotwaitforthequorumofdominoplayerstoarrive。TheywouldallhavereadthearticleintheFreiePresse。Andtherearemomentswhenanoraclefindsitsgreatestsalvationinwithdrawingitselffromtheareaofhumanquestioning。
THECUPBOARDOFTHEYESTERDAYS
\"Warisacruellydestructivething，\"saidtheWanderer，droppinghisnewspapertothefloorandstaringreflectivelyintospace。
\"Ah，yes，indeed，\"saidtheMerchant，respondingreadilytowhatseemedlikeasafeplatitude；\"whenonethinksofthelossoflifeandlimb，thedesolatedhomesteads，theruined——\"
\"Iwasn\'tthinkingofanythingofthesort，\"saidtheWanderer；\"I
wasthinkingofthetendencythatmodernwarhastodestroyandbanishtheveryelementsofpicturesquenessandexcitementthatareitschiefexcuseandcharm。Itislikeafirethatflaresupbrilliantlyforawhileandthenleaveseverythingblackerandbleakerthanbefore。AftereveryimportantwarinSouth-EastEuropeinrecenttimestherehasbeenashrinkingoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoftheareaofchronicallydisturbedterritory，astiffeningoffrontierlines，anintrusionofcivilisedmonotony。AndimaginewhatmayhappenattheconclusionofthiswariftheTurkshouldreallybedrivenoutofEurope。\"
\"Well，itwouldbeagaintothecauseofgoodgovernment，I
suppose，\"saidtheMerchant。
\"Buthaveyoucountedtheloss？\"saidtheother。\"TheBalkanshavelongbeenthelastsurvivingshredofhappyhunting-groundfortheadventurous，aplaygroundforpassionsthatarefastbecomingatrophiedforwantofexercise。InoldbygonedayswehadthewarsintheLowCountriesalwaysatourdoors，asitwere；therewasnoneedtogofarafieldintomalaria-strickenwildsifonewantedalifeofbootandsaddleandlicencetokillandbekilled。Thosewhowishedtoseelifehadadecentopportunityforseeingdeathatthesametime。\"
\"Itisscarcelyrighttotalkofkillingandbloodshedinthatway，\"
saidtheMerchantreprovingly；\"onemustrememberthatallmenarebrothers。\"
\"Onemustalsorememberthatalargepercentageofthemareyoungerbrothers；insteadofgoingintobankruptcy，whichistheusualtendencyoftheyoungerbrothernowadays，theygavetheirfamiliesafairchanceofgoingintomourning。Everybulletfindsabillet，accordingtoaratheroptimisticproverb，andyoumustadmitthatnowadaysitisbecomingincreasinglydifficulttofindbilletsforalotofyounggentlemenwhowouldhaveadorned，andprobablythoroughlyenjoyed，oneoftheold-timehappy-go-luckywars。Butthatisnotexactlytheburdenofmycomplaint。TheBalkanlandsareespeciallyinterestingtousintheserapidly-movingdaysbecausetheyaffordusthelastremainingglimpseofavanishingperiodofEuropeanhistory。WhenIwasachildoneoftheearliesteventsoftheoutsideworldthatforceditselfcoherentlyundermynoticewasawarintheBalkans；Irememberasunburnt，soldierlymanputtinglittlepin-flagsinawar-map，redflagsfortheTurkishforcesandyellowflagsfortheRussians。Itseemedamagicalregion，withitsmountainpassesandfrozenriversandgrimbattlefields，itsdriftingsnows，andprowlingwolves；therewasagreatstretchofwaterthatborethesinisterbutengagingnameoftheBlackSea——nothingthatIeverlearnedbeforeorafterinageographylessonmadethesameimpressiononmeasthatstrange-
namedinlandsea，andIdon\'tthinkitsmagichaseverfadedoutofmyimagination。AndtherewasabattlecalledPlevnathatwentonandonwithvaryingfortunesforwhatseemedlikeagreatpartofalifetime；IrememberthedayofwrathandmourningwhenthelittleredflaghadtobetakenawayfromPlevna——likeothermaturerjudges，Iwasbackingthewronghorse，atanyratethelosinghorse。
Andnowto-dayweareputtinglittlepin-flagsagainintomapsoftheBalkanregion，andthepassionsarebeingturnedlooseoncemoreintheirplayground。\"
\"Thewarwillbelocalised，\"saidtheMerchantvaguely；\"atleasteveryonehopesso。\"
\"Itcouldn\'twishforabetterlocality，\"saidtheWanderer；\"thereisacharmaboutthosecountriesthatyoufindnowhereelseinEurope，thecharmofuncertaintyandlandslide，andthelittledramatichappeningsthatmakeallthedifferencebetweentheordinaryandthedesirable。\"
\"Lifeisheldverycheapinthoseparts，\"saidtheMerchant。
\"Toacertainextent，yes，\"saidtheWanderer。\"IrememberamanatSofiawhousedtoteachmeBulgarianinaratherinefficientmanner，interspersedwithalotofquitewearisomegossip。Ineverknewwhathispersonalhistorywas，butthatwasonlybecauseIdidn\'tlisten；hetoldittomemanytimes。AfterIleftBulgariaheusedtosendmeSofianewspapersfromtimetotime。IfeltthathewouldberathertiresomeifIeverwentthereagain。AndthenIheardafterwardsthatsomemencameinonedayfromHeavenknowswhere，justasthingsdohappenintheBalkans，andmurderedhimintheopenstreet，andwentawayasquietlyastheyhadcome。Youwillnotunderstandit，buttometherewassomethingratherpiquantintheideaofsuchathinghappeningtosuchaman；afterhisdullnessandhislong-windedsmall-talkitseemedasortofbrilliantespritd\'esalieronhisparttomeetwithanendofsuchruthlesslyplannedandexecutedviolence。\"
TheMerchantshookhishead；thepiquancyoftheincidentwasnotwithinstrikingdistanceofhiscomprehension。
\"IshouldhavebeenshockedathearingsuchathingaboutanyoneI
hadknown，\"hesaid。
\"Thepresentwar，\"continuedhiscompanion，withoutstoppingtodiscusstwohopelesslydivergentpointsofview，\"maybethebeginningoftheendofmuchthathashithertosurvivedtheresistlesscreeping-inofcivilisation。IftheBalkanlandsaretobefinallyparcelledoutbetweenthecompetingChristianKingdomsandthehaphazardruleoftheTurkbanishedtobeyondtheSeaofMarmora，theoldorder，ordisorderifyoulike，willhavereceiveditsdeath-blow。Somethingofitsspiritwilllingerperhapsforawhileintheoldcharmedregionswhereitboresway；theGreekvillagerswilldoubtlessberestlessandturbulentandunhappywheretheBulgarsrule，andtheBulgarswillcertainlyberestlessandturbulentandunhappyunderGreekadministration，andtherivalflocksoftheExarchateandPatriarchatewillmakethemselvesintenselydisagreeabletooneanotherwherevertheopportunityoffers；thehabitsofalifetime，ofseverallifetimes，arenotlaidasideallatonce。AndtheAlbanians，ofcourse，weshallhavewithusstill，atroubledMoslempoolleftbytherecedingwaveofIslaminEurope。Buttheoldatmospherewillhavechanged，theglamourwillhavegone；thedustofformalityandbureaucraticneatnesswillslowlysettledownoverthetime-honouredlandmarks；theSanjakofNoviBazar，theMuerstegAgreement，theKomitadjebands，theVilayetofAdrianople，allthosefamiliaroutlandishnamesandthingsandplaces，thatwehaveknownsolongaspartandparceloftheBalkanQuestion，willhavepassedawayintothecupboardofyesterdays，ascompletelyastheHansaLeagueandthewarsoftheGuises。
\"Theyweretheheritagethathistoryhandeddowntous，spoiledanddiminishednodoubt，incomparisonwithyetearlierdaysthatweneverknew，butstillsomethingtothrillandenlivenonelittlecornerofourContinent，somethingtohelpustoconjureupinourimaginationthedayswhentheTurkwasthunderingatthegatesofVienna。Andwhatshallwehavetohanddowntoourchildren？ThinkofwhattheirnewsfromtheBalkanswillbeinthecourseofanothertenorfifteenyears。SocialistCongressatUskub，electionriotatMonastir，greatdockstrikeatSalonika，visitoftheY。M。C。A。toVarna。Varna——onthecoastofthatenchantedsea！Theywilldriveouttosomesuburbtotea，andwritehomeaboutitastheBexhilloftheEast。
\"Warisawickedlydestructivething。\"
\"Still，youmustadmit——\"begantheMerchant。ButtheWandererwasnotinthemoodtoadmitanything。Heroseimpatientlyandwalkedtowherethetape-machinewasbusywiththenewsfromAdrianople。
FORTHEDURATIONOFTHEWAR
TheRev。WilfridGaspilton，inoneofthoseclericalmigrationsinconsequent-seemingtothelaymind，hadremovedfromthemoderatelyfashionableparishofSt。Luke\'s，Kensingate，totheimmoderatelyruralparishofSt。Chuddocks，somewhereinYondershire。Thereweredoubtlesssubstantialadvantagesconnectedwiththemove，buttherewerecertainlysomeveryobviousdrawbacks。
Neitherthemigratoryclergymannorhiswifewereabletoadaptthemselvesnaturallyandcomfortablytotheconditionsofcountrylife。Beryl，Mrs。Gaspilton，hadalwayslookedindulgentlyonthecountryasaplacewherepeopleofirreproachableincomeandhospitableinstinctscultivatedtennis-lawnsandrose-gardensandJacobeanpleasaunces，whereinselectedgatheringsofinterestedweek-endguestsmightdisportthemselves。Mrs。Gaspiltonconsideredherselfasdistinctlyaninterestingpersonality，andfromalimitedstandpointshewasdoubtlessright。Shehadindolentdarkeyesandacomfortablechin，whichbeliedtheslightlyplaintiveinflectionwhichshethrewintohervoiceatsuitableintervals。Shewastolerablywellsatisfiedwiththesmalleradvantagesoflife，butsheregrettedthatFatehadnotseenitswaytoreserveforhersomeoftheamplersuccessesforwhichshefeltherselfwellqualified。
Shewouldhavelikedtobethecentreofaliterary，slightlypoliticalsalon，wherediscerningsatellitesmighthaverecognisedthebreadthofheroutlookonhumanaffairsandtheundoubtedsmallnessofherfeet。Asitwas，Destinyhadchosenforherthatsheshouldbethewifeofarector，andhadnowfurtherdecreedthatacountryrectoryshouldbethebackgroundtoherexistence。Sherapidlymadeuphermindthathersurroundingsdidnotcallforexploration；NoahhadpredictedtheFlood，butnooneexpectedhimtoswimaboutinit。Digginginawetgardenortrudgingthroughmuddylaneswereexertionswhichshedidnotproposetoundertake。
AslongasthegardenproducedasparagusandcarnationsatpleasinglyfrequentintervalsMrs。Gaspiltonwascontenttoapproveofitsexpenseandotherwiseignoreitsexistence。Shewouldfoldherselfup，sotospeak，inanelegant，indolentlittleworldofherown，enjoyingtheminorrecreationsofbeinggentlyrudetothedoctor\'swifeandcontinuingtheleisurelyproductionofheroneliteraryeffort，TheForbiddenHorsepond，atranslationofBaptisteLeopoy\'sL\'Abreuvoirinterdit。Itwasalabourwhichhadalreadybeensolongdrawn-outthatitseemedprobablethatBaptisteLepoywoulddropoutofvoguebeforehertranslationofhistemporarilyfamousnovelwasfinished。However，thelanguidprosecutionoftheworkhadinvestedMrs。Gaspiltonwithacertainliterarydignity，eveninKensingatecircles，andwouldplaceheronapinnacleinSt。
Chuddocks，wherehardlyanyonereadFrench，andassuredlynoonehadheardofL\'Abreuvoirinterdit。
TheRector\'swifemightbecontenttoturnherbackcomplacentlyonthecountry；itwastheRector\'stragedythatthecountryturneditsbackonhim。WiththebestintentionintheworldandtheimmortalexampleofGilbertWhitebeforehim，theRev。WilfridfoundhimselfasboredandillateaseinhisnewsurroundingsasCharlesIIwouldhavebeenatamodernWesleyanConference。Thebirdsthathoppedacrosshislawnhoppedacrossitasthoughitweretheirlawn，andnothis，andgavehimplainlytounderstandthatintheireyeshewasinfinitelylessinterestingthanagardenwormortherectorycat。Thehedgesideandmeadowflowerswereequallyuninspiring；thelessercelandineseemedparticularlyunworthyoftheattentionthatEnglishpoetshadbestowedonit，andtheRectorknewthathewouldbeutterlymiserableifleftaloneforaquarterofanhourinitscompany。Withthehumaninhabitantsofhisparishhewasnobetteroff；toknowthemwasmerelytoknowtheirailments，andtheailmentswerealmostinvariablyrheumatism。Some，ofcourse，hadotherbodilyinfirmities，buttheyalwayshadrheumatismaswell。
TheRectorhadnotyetgraspedthefactthatinruralcottagelifenottohaverheumatismisasglaringanomissionasnottohavebeenpresentedatCourtwouldbeinmoreambitiouscircles。AndwithallthisdeathoflocalinteresttherewasBerylshuttingherselfoffwithherridiculouslaboursonTheForbiddenHorsepond。
\"Idon\'tseewhyyoushouldsupposethatanyonewantstoreadBaptisteLepoyinEnglish，\"theReverendWilfridremarkedtohiswifeonemorning，findinghersurroundedwithherusualelegantlitterofdictionaries，fountainpens，andscribblingpaper；\"hardlyanyonebotherstoreadhimnowinFrance。\"
\"Mydear，\"saidBeryl，withanintonationofgentleweariness，\"haven\'ttwoorthreeleadingLondonpublisherstoldmetheywonderednoonehadevertranslatedL\'Abreuvoirinterdit，andbeggedme——\"
\"Publishersalwaysclamourforthebooksthatnoonehaseverwritten，andturnacoldshoulderonthemassoonasthey\'rewritten。IfSt。PaulwerelivingnowtheywouldpesterhimtowriteanEpistletotheEsquimaux，butnoLondonpublisherwoulddreamofreadinghisEpistletotheEphesians。\"
\"Isthereanyasparagusinthegarden？\"askedBeryl；\"becauseI\'vetoldcook——\"
\"Notanywhereinthegarden，\"snappedtheRector，\"butthere\'snodoubtplentyintheasparagus-bed，whichistheusualplaceforit。\"
Andhewalkedawayintotheregionoffruittreesandvegetablebedstoexchangeirritationforboredom。Itwasthere，amongthegooseberrybushesandbeneaththemedlartrees，thatthetemptationtotheperpetrationofagreatliteraryfraudcametohim。
SomeweekslatertheBi-MonthlyReviewgavetotheworld，undertheguaranteeoftheRev。WilfridGaspilton，somefragmentsofPersianverse，allegedtohavebeenunearthedandtranslatedbyanephewwhowasatpresentcampaigningsomewhereintheTigrisvalley。TheRev。
Wilfridpossessedahostofnephews，anditwasofcourse，quitepossiblethatoneormoreofthemmightbeinmilitaryemployinMesopotamia，thoughnoonecouldcalltomindanyparticularnephewwhocouldhavebeensuspectedofbeingaPersianscholar。
TheverseswereattributedtooneGhurab，ahunter，or，accordingtootheraccounts，wardenoftheroyalfishponds，wholived，insomeunspecifiedcentury，intheneighbourhoodofKarmanshah。Theybreathedaspiritofcomfortable，even-temperedsatireandphilosophy，disclosingamockerythatdidnottroubletobebitter，ajoyinlifethatwasnotpassionatetothevergeofbeingtroublesome。
\"AMousethatprayedforAllah\'saidBlasphemedwhennosuchaidbefell：
ACat，whofeastedonthatmouse，ThoughtAllahmanagedvastlywell。
PraynotforaidtoOnewhomadeAsetofnever-changingLaws，ButinyourneedrememberwellHegaveyouspeed，orguile——orclaws。
Somelaudalifeofmildcontent：
Contentmayfall，aswellasPride。
TheFrogwhohuggedhislowlyDitchWasmuchdisgruntledwhenitdried。
\'YouarenotontheRoadtoHell，\'
Youtellmewithfanaticglee：
Vainboaster，whatshallthatavailIfHellisontheroadtothee？
APoetpraisedtheEveningStar，AnotherpraisedtheParrot\'shue：
AMerchantpraisedhismerchandise，Andhe，atleast，praisedwhatheknew。\"
Itwasthisversewhichgavethecriticsandcommentatorssomeclueastotheprobabledateofthecomposition；theparrot，theyremindedthepublic，wasinhighvogueasatypeofeleganceinthedaysofHafizofShiraz；inthequatrainsofOmaritmakesnoappearance。
Thenextverse，itwaspointedout，wouldapplytothepoliticalconditionsofthepresentdayasstrikinglyastotheregionanderaforwhichitwaswritten-
\"ASultandreamedday-longofPeace，ThewhilehisRivals\'armiesgrew：
TheychangedhisDay-dreamsintosleep-ThePeace，methinks，heneverknew。\"
Womanappearedlittle，andwinenotatallintheverseofthehunter-poet，buttherewasatleastonecontributiontothelove-
philosophyoftheEast-
\"OMoon-facedCharmer，andStar-drownedEyes，Andcheeksofsoftdelight，exhalingmusk，Theytellmethatthycharmwillfade；ahwell，TheRoseitselfgrowshue-lessintheDusk。\"
Finally，therewasarecognitionoftheInevitable，achillbreathblowingacrossthepoet\'scomfortableestimateoflife-
\"ThereisasadnessineachDawn，Asadnessthatyoucannotrede：
ThejoyousDaybringsinitstrainTheFeast，theLovedOne，andtheSteed。
Ah，thereshallcomeaDawnatlastThatbringsnolife-stirtoyourken，Along，coldDawnwithoutaDay，Andyeshallredeitssadnessthen。\"
TheversesofGhurabcameonthepublicatamomentwhenacomfortable，slightlyquizzicalphilosophywascertaintobewelcome，andtheirreceptionwasenthusiastic。Elderlycolonels，whohadoutlivedtheloveoftruth，wrotetothepaperstosaythattheyhadbeenfamiliarwiththeworksofGhurabinAfghanistan，andAden，andothersuitablelocalitiesaquarterofacenturyago。A
Ghurab-of-KarmanshahClubsprangintoexistence，themembersofwhichalludedtoeachotherasBrotherGhurabiansontheslightestprovocation。Andtothefloodofinquiries，criticisms，andrequestsforinformation，whichnaturallypouredinonthediscoverer，orratherthediscloser，ofthislong-hiddenpoet，theRev。Wilfridmadeoneeffectualreply：Militaryconsiderationsforbadeanydisclosureswhichmightthrowunnecessarylightonhisnephew\'smovements。
AfterthewartheRector\'spositionwillbeoneofunthinkableembarrassment，butforthemoment，atanyrate，hehasdrivenTheForbiddenHorsepondoutofthefield。