第4章

"Ifyouwillexcuseme，"hesaid，"Iwilltelltheboythathecango."

Weheardhim，amomentlater，turnthekeyintheouterdoor;andwhenhecamebackandhadmadeupthefire，hetoldusthebeginningofthestory.

ThenameofthemanburiedinHighgateCemeterywasHepworth，afterall.NotMichael，butAlex，theelderbrother.

Fromboyhoodhehadbeenviolent，brutal，unscrupulous.JudgingfromEllenby’sstory，itwasdifficulttoaccepthimasaproductofmoderncivilisation.Ratherhewouldseemtohavebeenathrowbacktosomesavage，buccaneeringancestor.Toexpecthimtowork，whilehecouldliveinviciousidlenessatsomebodyelse’sexpense，wasfoundtobehopeless.Hisdebtswerepaidforaboutthethirdorfourthtime，andhewasshippedofftotheColonies.Unfortunately，therewerenomeansofkeepinghimthere.Sosoonasthemoneyprovidedhimhadbeensquandered，hereturned，demandingmorebymenacesandthreats.Meetingwithunexpectedfirmness，heseemstohaveregardedtheftandforgeryastheonlyalternativelefttohim.

Tosavehimfrompunishmentandthefamilynamefromdisgrace，hisparents’savingsweresacrificed.Itwasgriefandshamethat，accordingtoEllenby，killedthembothwithinafewmonthsofoneanother.

Deprivedbythisblowofwhathenodoubthadcometoconsiderhisnaturalmeansofsupport，andhissister，fortunatelyforherself，beingwelloutofhisreach，henextfixeduponhisbrotherMichaelashisstay—by.Michael，weak，timid，andnotperhapswithoutsomeremainsofboyishaffectionforastrong，handsome，elderbrother，foolishlyyielded.Thedemands，ofcourse，increased，until，intheend，itcamealmostasareliefwhentheman’sviciouslifeledtohisgettingmixedupwithacrimeofaparticularlyodiousnature.

Hewasanxiousnowforhisownsaketogetaway，andMichael，withlittleenoughtospareforhimself，providedhimwiththemeans，onthesolemnunderstandingthathewouldneverreturn.

ButtheworryandmiseryofitallhadleftyoungMichaelabrokenman.Unabletoconcentratehismindanylongeruponhisprofession，hiscravingwastogetawayfromallhisoldassociations——tomakeafreshstartinlife.ItwasEllenbywhosuggestedLondonandtheshipfurnishingbusiness，whereMichael’ssmallremainingcapitalwouldbeofservice.ThenameofHepworthwouldbevaluableinshippingcircles，andEllenby，arguingthisconsideration，butchieflywiththehopeofgivingyoungMichaelmoreinterestinthebusiness，hadinsistedthatthefirmshouldbeHepworthandCo.

Theyhadnotbeenstartedayearbeforethemanreturned，asusualdemandingmoremoney.Michael，actingunderEllenby’sguidance，refusedintermsthatconvincedhisbrotherthatthegameofbullyingwasup.Hewaitedawhile，andthenwrotepatheticallythathewasillandstarving.Ifonlyforthesakeofhisyoungwife，wouldnotMichaelcomeandseethem？

Thiswasthefirsttheyhadheardofhismarriage.Therewasjustafainthopethatitmighthaveeffectedachange，andMichael，againstEllenby’sadvice，decidedtogo.Inamiserablelodging—houseintheEastEndhefoundtheyoungwife，butnothisbrother，whodidnotreturntillhewasonthepointofleaving.IntheintervalthegirlseemstohaveconfidedherstorytoMichael.

Shehadbeenasinger，engagedatamusic—hallinRotterdam.ThereAlexHepworth，callinghimselfCharlieMartin，hadmetherandmadelovetoher.Whenhechose，hecouldbeagreeableenough，andnodoubtheryouthandbeautyhadgiventohisprotestations，forthetimebeing，agenuineringofadmirationanddesire.Itwastoescapefromhersurroundings，morethananythingelse，thatshehadconsented.Shewaslittlemorethanachild，andanythingseemedpreferabletothenightlyhorrortowhichherlifeexposedher.

Hehadnevermarriedher.Atleast，thatwasherbeliefatthetime.Duringhisfirstdrunkenbouthehadflungitinherfacethattheformtheyhadgonethroughwasmerebunkum.Unfortunatelyforher，thiswasalie.Hehadalwaysbeencoollycalculating.Itwasprobablywiththeideaofasafeinvestmentthathehadseentoitthattheceremonyhadbeenstrictlylegal.

Herlifewithhim，sosoonasthefirstnoveltyofherhadwornoff，hadbeenunspeakable.Thebandthatsheworeroundherneckwastohidewhere，inafitofsavagery，becauseshehadrefusedtoearnmoneyforhimonthestreets，hehadtriedtocutherthroat.NowthatshehadgotbacktoEnglandsheintendedtoleavehim.Ifhefollowedandkilledhershedidnotcare.

ItwasforhersakethatyoungHepwortheventuallyofferedtohelphisbrotheragain，ontheconditionthathewouldgoawaybyhimself.Tothistheotheragreed.Heseemstohavegivenashortdisplayofremorse.Theremusthavebeenagrinonhisfaceasheturnedaway.Hiscunningeyeshadforeseenwhatwaslikelytohappen.Theideaofblackmailwasnodoubtinhismindfromthebeginning.Withthechargeofbigamyasaweaponinhishand，hemightrelyfortherestofhislifeuponasteadyandincreasingincome.

Michaelsawhisbrotheroffasasecond—classpassengeronashipboundfortheCape.Ofcourse，therewaslittlechanceofhiskeepinghisword，buttherewasalwaysthechanceofhisgettinghimselfknockedontheheadinsomebrawl.Anyhow，hewouldbeoutofthewayforaseason，andthegirl，Lola，wouldbeleft.Amonthlaterhemarriedher，andfourmonthsafterthatreceivedaletterfromhisbrothercontainingmessagestoMrs.Martin，"fromherlovinghusband，Charlie，"whohopedbeforelongtohavethepleasureofseeingheragain.

InquiriesthroughtheEnglishConsulinRotterdamprovedthatthethreatwasnomerebluff.Themarriagehadbeenlegalandbinding.

Whathappenedonthenightofthemurder，wasverymuchasmyfriendhadreconstructedit.Ellenby，reachingtheofficeathisusualtimethenextmorning，hadfoundHepworthwaitingforhim.Therehehadremainedinhidinguntilonemorning，withdyedhairandaslightmoustache，hehadventuredforth.

Hadtheman’sdeathbeenbroughtaboutbyanyothermeans，Ellenbywouldhavecounselledhiscomingforwardandfacinghistrial，ashehimselfwasanxioustodo;but，viewedinconjunctionwiththerelieftheman’sdeathmusthavebeentobothofthem，thatloadedrevolverwastoosuggestiveofpremeditation.Theisolationofthehouse，thatconvenientlynearpond，wouldlookasifthoughtofbeforehand.Evenifpleadingextremeprovocation，Michaelescapedtherope，alongtermofpenalservitudewouldbeinevitable.

Norwasitcertainthateventhenthewomanwouldgofree.Themurderedmanwouldstill，byastrangefreak，beherhusband;themurderer——intheeyeofthelaw——herlover.

Herpassionatewillhadprevailed.YoungHepworthhadsailedforAmerica.Therehehadnodifficultyinobtainingemployment——ofcourse，underanothername——inanarchitectsoffice;andlaterhadsetupforhimself.Sincethenightofthemurdertheyhadnotseeneachothertillsomethreeweeksago.

***

Ineversawthewomanagain.Myfriend，Ibelieve，calledonher.

HepworthhadalreadyreturnedtoAmerica，andmyfriendhadsucceededinobtainingforhersomesortofapolicepermitthatpracticallyleftherfree.

SometimesofaneveningIfindmyselfpassingthroughthestreet.

AndalwaysIhavethefeelingofhavingblunderedintoanemptytheatre——wheretheplayisended.

HISEVENINGOUT.

Theevidenceofthepark—keeper，DavidBristow，ofGilderStreet，CamdenTown，isasfollows：

IwasondutyinSt.James’sParkonThursdayevening，mysphereextendingfromtheMalltothenorthernshoreoftheornamentalwatereastofthesuspensionbridge.Atfive—and—twentytosevenI

tookupapositionbetweenthepeninsulaandthebridgetoawaitmycolleague.Heoughttohaverelievedmeathalf—pastsix，butdidnotarriveuntilafewminutesbeforeseven，owing，soheexplained，tothebreakingdownofhismotor—’bus——whichmayhavebeentrueormaynot，asthesayingis.

Ihadjustcometoahalt，whenmyattentionwasarrestedbyalady.

IamunabletoexplainwhythepresenceofaladyinSt.James’sParkshouldhaveseemedinanywayworthyofnoticeexceptthat，forcertainreasons，sheremindedmeofmyfirstwife.Iobservedthatshehesitatedbetweenoneofthepublicseatsandtwovacantchairsstandingbythemselvesalittlefarthertotheeast.Eventuallysheselectedoneofthechairs，and，havingcleaneditwithaneveningpaper——thebirdsinthisportionoftheParkbeingextremelyprolific——satdownuponit.Therewasplentyofroomuponthepublicseatclosetoit，exceptforsomechildrenwhowereplayingtouch;andinconsequenceofthisIjudgedhertobeapersonofmeans.

IwalkedtoapointfromwhereIcouldcommandthesouthernapproachestothebridge，mycolleaguearrivingsometimesbywayofBirdcageWalkandsometimesbywayoftheHorseGuardsParade.Notseeinganysignsofhiminthedirectionofthebridge，Iturnedback.AlittlewaypastthechairwheretheladywassittingImetMr.Parable.IknowMr.Parablequitewellbysight.Hewaswearingtheusualgreysuitandsoftfelthatwithwhichthepicturesinthenewspapershavemadeusallfamiliar.IjudgedthatMr.ParablehadcomefromtheHousesofParliament，andthenextmorningmysuspicionswereconfirmedbyreadingthathehadbeenpresentatatea—partygivenontheterracebyMr.WillCrooks.Mr.

Parableconveyedtomethesuggestionofamanabsorbedinthought，andnotquiteawareofwhathewasdoing;butinthis，ofcourse，I

mayhavebeenmistaken.Hepausedforamomenttolookovertherailingsatthepelican.Mr.ParablesaidsomethingtothepelicanwhichIwasnotnearenoughtooverhear;andthen，stillapparentlyinastateofabstraction，crossedthepathandseatedhimselfonthechairnexttothatoccupiedbytheyounglady.

FromthetreeagainstwhichIwasstandingIwasabletowatchthesubsequentproceedingsunobserved.TheladylookedatMr.Parableandthenturnedawayandsmiledtoherself.Itwasapeculiarsmile，and，againinsomewayIamunabletoexplain，remindedmeofmyfirstwife.ItwasnottillthepelicanputdownhisotherlegandwalkedawaythatMr.Parable，turninghisgazewestward，becameawareofthelady’spresence.

Frominformationthathassubsequentlycometomyknowledge，IampreparedtobelievethatMr.Parable，fromthebeginning，reallythoughttheladywasafriendofhis.Whattheladythoughtisamatterforconjecture;Icanonlyspeaktothefacts.Mr.Parablelookedattheladyonceortwice.Indeed，onemightsaywithtruththathekeptondoingit.Thelady，itmustbeadmitted，behavedforawhilewithextremepropriety;butafteratime，asIfeltmusthappen，theireyesmet，andthenitwasIheardhersay：

"Goodevening，Mr.Parable."

SheaccompaniedthewordswiththesamepeculiarsmiletowhichI

havealreadyalluded.TheexactwordsofMr.Parable’sreplyI

cannotremember.Butitwastotheeffectthathehadthoughtfromthefirstthathehadknownherbuthadnotbeenquitesure.Itwasatthispointthat，thinkingIsawmycolleagueapproaching，Iwenttomeethim.IfoundIwasmistaken，andslowlyretracedmysteps.

IpassedMr.Parableandthelady.TheyweretalkingtogetherwithwhatIshoulddescribeasanimation.Iwentasfarasthesouthernextremityofthesuspensionbridge，andmusthavewaitedtherequitetenminutesbeforereturningeastward.ItwaswhileIwaspassingbehindthemonthegrass，partiallyscreenedbytherhododendrons，thatIheardMr.Parablesaytothelady：

"Whyshouldn’twehaveittogether？"

Towhichtheladyreplied：

"ButwhataboutMissClebb？"

Icouldnotoverhearwhatfollowed，owingtotheirsinkingtheirvoices.Itseemedtobeanargument.Itendedwiththeyoungladylaughingandthenrising.Mr.Parablealsorose，andtheywalkedofftogether.AstheypassedmeIheardtheladysay：

"Iwonderifthere’sanyplaceinLondonwhereyou’renotlikelytoberecognised."

Mr.Parable，whogavemetheideaofbeinginastateofgrowingexcitement，repliedquiteloudly：

"Oh，let’em！"

Iwasfollowingbehindthemwhentheladysuddenlystopped.

"Iknow！"shesaid."ThePopularCafe."

Thepark—keepersaidhewasconvincedhewouldknowtheladyagain，havingtakenparticularnoticeofher.Shehadbrowneyesandwaswearingablackhatsupplementedwithpoppies.

***

ArthurHorton，waiteratthePopularCafe，statesasfollows：

IknowMr.JohnParablebysight.Haveoftenheardhimspeakatpublicmeetings.AmabitofaSocialistmyself.RememberhisdiningatthePopularCafeontheeveningofThursday.Didn’trecognisehimimmediatelyonhisentrancefortworeasons.Onewashishat，andtheotherwashisgirl.Itookitfromhimandhungitup.Imean，ofcourse，thehat.Itwasabrand—newbowler，atrifleikeyaboutthebrim.Havealwaysassociatedhimwithasoftgreyfelt.Butneverwithgirls.Females，yes，toanyextent.Butthiswastherealarticle.YouknowwhatImean——thesortofgirlthatyouturnroundtolookafter.Itwasshewhoselectedthetableinthecornerbehindthedoor.Beentherebefore，Ishouldsay.

Ishould，intheordinarycourseofbusiness，haveaddressedMr.

Parablebyname，suchbeingourinstructionsinthecaseofcustomersknowntous.But，puttingthehatandthegirltogether，Idecidednotto.Mr.Parablewasallforourthree—and—six—pennytabled’hote;heevidentlynotwantingtothink.Buttheladywouldn’thearofit.

"RememberMissClebb，"sheremindedhim.

Ofcourse，atthetimeIdidnotknowwhatwasmeant.Sheorderedthinsoup，agrilledsole，andcutletsaugratin.Itcertainlycouldn’thavebeenthedinner.Withregardtothechampagne，hewouldhavehisownway.Ipickedhimoutadry’94，thatyoumighthaveweanedababyon.Isupposeitwasthewholethingcombined.

ItwasafterthesolethatIheardMr.Parablelaugh.Icouldhardlycreditmyears，buthalf—waythroughthecutletshediditagain.

Therearetwokindsofwomen.Thereisthewomanwho，themoresheeatsanddrinks，thestodgiershegets，andthewomanwholightsupafterit.IsuggestedapecheMelbabetweenthem，andwhenI

returnedwithit，Mr.ParablewassittingwithhiselbowsonthetablegazingacrossatherwithanexpressionthatIcanonlydescribeasquitehuman.ItwaswhenIbroughtthecoffeethatheturnedtomeandasked：

"What’sdoing？Nothingstuffy，"headded."IsthereanExhibitionanywhere——somethingintheopenair？"

"YouareforgettingMissClebb，"theladyremindedhim.

"Fortwopins，"saidMr.Parable，"IwouldgetupatthemeetingandtellMissClebbwhatIreallythinkabouther."

IsuggestedtheEarl’sCourtExhibition，littlethinkingatthetimewhatitwasgoingtoleadto;buttheladyatfirstwouldn’thearofit，andthepartyatthenexttablecallingfortheirbill（theyhadaskedforitonceortwicebefore，whenIcametothinkofit），I

hadtogoacrosstothem.

WhenIgotbacktheargumenthadjustconcluded，andtheladywasholdingupherfinger.

"Onconditionthatweleaveathalf—pastnine，andthatyougostraighttoCaxtonHall，"shesaid.

"We’llseeaboutit，"saidMr.Parable，andofferedmehalfacrown.

Tipsbeingagainsttherules，Icouldn’ttakeit.Besides，oneofthejumpershadhiseyeonme.Iexplainedtohim，jocosely，thatI

wasdoingitforabet.HewassurprisedwhenIhandedhimhishat，but，theladywhisperingtohim，herememberedhimselfintime.

AstheywentouttogetherIheardMr.Parablesaytothelady：

"It’sfunnywhatashockingmemoryIhavefornames."

Towhichtheladyreplied：

"You’llthinkitfunnierstillto—morrow."Andthenshelaughed.

Mr.Hortonthoughthewouldknowtheladyagain.Heputsdownherageatabouttwenty—six，describingher——tousehisownpiquantexpression——as"abitofallright."Shehadbrowneyesandatakingwaywithher.

***

MissIdaJenks，inchargeoftheEasternCigaretteKioskattheEarl’sCourtExhibition，givesthefollowingparticulars：

FromwhereIgenerallystandIcaneasilycommandaviewoftheinterioroftheVictoriaHall;thatis，ofcourse，tosaywhenthedoorsareopen，asonawarmnightisusuallythecase.

OntheeveningofThursday，thetwenty—seventh，itwasfairlywelloccupied，butnottoanygreatextent.Onecoupleattractedmyattentionbyreasonofthegentleman’serraticsteering.HadhebeenmypartnerIshouldhavesuggestedapolka，thetangonotbeingthesortofdancethatcanbepickedupinanevening.WhatImeantosayis，thathestruckmeasbeingmorewillingthanexperienced.

Someofthebumpsshegotwouldhavemademecross;butweallhaveourfancies，and，sofarasIcouldjudge，theybothappearedtobeenjoyingthemselves.Itwasafterthe"HitchyKoo"thattheycameoutside.

Theseattotheleftofthedoorispopularbyreasonofitsbeingpartlyscreenedbybushes，butbyleaningforwardalittleitisquitepossibleformetoseewhatgoesonthere.Theywerethefirstcoupleout，havinghadabadcollisionnearthebandstand，soeasilysecuredit.Thegentlemanwaslaughing.

TherewassomethingabouthimfromthefirstthatmademethinkI

knewhim，andwhenhetookoffhishattowipehisheaditcametomeallofasudden，hebeingtheexactimageofhiseffigyatMadameTussaud’s，which，byacuriouscoincidence，Ihappenedtohavevisitedwithafriendthatveryafternoon.Theladywaswhatsomepeoplewouldcallgood—looking，andothersmightn’t.

Iwaswatchingthem，naturallyalittleinterested.Mr.Parable，inhelpingtheladytoadjusthercloak，drewher——itmayhavebeenbyaccident——towardshim;andthenitwasthatafloridgentlemanwithashortpipeinhismouthsteppedforwardandaddressedthelady.

Heraisedhishatand，remarking"Goodevening，"addedthathehopedshewas"havingapleasanttime."Histone，Ishouldexplain，wassarcastic.

Theyoungwoman，whateverelsemaybesaidofher，struckmeasbehavingquitecorrectly.Replyingtohissalutationwithacoldanddistantbow，sherose，and，turningtoMr.Parable，observedthatshethoughtitwasperhapstimeforthemtobegoing.

Thegentleman，whohadtakenhispipefromhismouth，said——againinasarcastictone——thathethoughtsotoo，andofferedtheladyhisarm.

"Idon’tthinkweneedtroubleyou，"saidMr.Parable，andsteppedbetweenthem.

TodescribewhatfollowedI，beingalady，amhamperedforwords.I

rememberseeingMr.Parable’shatgoupintotheair，andthenthenextmomentthefloridgentleman’sheadwaslyingonmycountersmotheredincigarettes.Inaturallyscreamedforthepolice，butthecrowdwasdeadagainstme;anditwasonlyafterwhatIbelieveintechnicallanguagewouldbetermed"thefourthround"thattheyappeareduponthescene.

ThelastIsawofMr.Parablehewasshakingayoungconstablewhohadlosthishelmet，whilethreeotherpolicemenhadholdofhimfrombehind.Thefloridgentleman’shatIfoundonthefloorofmykioskandreturnedtohim;butafterauselessattempttogetitonhishead，hedisappearedwithitinhishand.Theladywasnowheretobeseen.

MissJenksthinksshewouldknowheragain.Shewaswearingahattrimmedwithblackchiffonandasprayofpoppies，andwasslightlyfreckled.

***

SuperintendentS.Wade，inanswertoquestionsputtohimbyourrepresentative，vouchsafedthefollowingreplies：

Yes.IwasinchargeattheVineStreetPoliceStationonthenightofThursday，thetwenty—seventh.

No.IhavenorecollectionofachargeofanydescriptionbeingpreferredagainstanygentlemanofthenameofParable.

Yes.Agentlemanwasbroughtinaboutteno’clockchargedwithbrawlingattheEarl’sCourtExhibitionandassaultingaconstableinthedischargeofhisduty.

ThegentlemangavethenameofMr.ArchibaldQuincey，HarcourtBuildings，Temple.

No.Thegentlemanmadenoapplicationrespectingbail，electingtopassthenightinthecells.Acertainamountofdiscretionispermittedtous，andwemadehimascomfortableaspossible.

Yes.Alady.

No.AboutagentlemanwhohadgothimselfintotroubleattheEarl’sCourtExhibition.Shementionednoname.

Ishowedherthechargesheet.Shethankedmeandwentaway.

ThatIcannotsay.Icanonlytellyouthatatnine—fifteenonFridaymorningbailwastendered，and，afterinquiries，acceptedinthepersonofJuliusAddisonTupp，oftheSunnybrookSteamLaundry，Twickenham.

Thatisnobusinessofours.

Theaccusedwho，Ihadseentoit，hadhadacupofteaandalittletoastatseven—thirty，leftincompanywithMr.Tuppsoonafterten.

SuperintendentWadeadmittedhehadknowncaseswhereaccusedparties，toavoidunpleasantness，hadstatedtheirnamestobeotherthantheirown，butdeclinedtodiscussthematterfurther.

SuperintendentWade，whileexpressinghisregretthathehadnomoretimetobestowuponourrepresentative，thoughtithighlyprobablethathewouldknowtheladyagainifhesawher.

Withoutprofessingtobeajudgeofsuchmatters，SuperintendentWadethinksshemightbedescribedasahighlyintelligentyoungwoman，andofexceptionallyprepossessingappearance.

***

FromMr.JuliusTupp，oftheSunnybrookSteamLaundry，Twickenham，uponwhomourrepresentativenextcalled，wehavebeenunabletoobtainmuchassistance，Mr.Tuppreplyingtoallquestionsputtohimbytheoneformula，"Nottalking."

Fortunately，ourrepresentative，onhiswayoutthroughthedryingground，wasabletoobtainabriefinterviewwithMrs.Tupp.

Mrs.TuppremembersadmittingayoungladytothehouseonthemorningofFriday，thetwenty—eighth，whensheopenedthedoortotakeinthemilk.Thelady，Mrs.Tuppremembers，spokeinahuskyvoice，theresult，astheyoungladyexplainedwithapleasantlaugh，ofhavingpassedthenightwanderingaboutHamCommon，shehavingbeenmisdirectedthepreviouseveningbyafoolofarailwayporter，andnotwishingtodisturbtheneighbourhoodbywakingpeopleupattwoo’clockinthemorning，which，inMrs.Tupp’sopinion，wassensibleofher.

Mrs.Tuppdescribestheyoungladyasofagreeablemanners，butlooking，naturally，abitwashedout.TheladyaskedforMr.Tupp，explainingthatafriendofhiswasintrouble，whichdidnotintheleastsurpriseMrs.Tupp，sheherselfnotholdingwithSocialistsandsuchlike.Mr.Tupp，onbeinginformed，dressedhastilyandwentdownstairs，andheandtheyoungladyleftthehousetogether.

Mr.Tupp，onbeingquestionedastothenameofhisfriend，hadcalledupthatitwasnooneMrs.Tuppwouldknow，aMr.Quince——itmayhavebeenQuincey.

Mrs.TuppisawarethatMr.ParableisalsoaSocialist，andisacquaintedwiththesayingaboutthieveshangingtogether.ButhasworkedforMr.Parableforyearsandhasalwaysfoundhimamostsatisfactoryclient;and，Mr.Tuppappearingatthispoint，ourrepresentativethankedMrs.Tuppforherinformationandtookhisdeparture.

***

Mr.HoratiusCondor，Junior，whoconsentedtopartakeofluncheonincompanywithourrepresentativeattheHolbornRestaurant，wasatfirstdisinclinedtobeofmuchassistance，buteventuallysuppliedourrepresentativewiththefollowinginformation：

MyrelationshiptoMr.ArchibaldQuincey，HarcourtBuildings，Temple，isperhapsalittledifficulttodefine.

HowhehimselfregardsmeIamneverquitesure.Therewillbedaystogetherwhenwewillbequitefriendlylike，andatothertimeshewillbethatoffhandedandperemptoryyoumightthinkIwashisbloomingofficeboy.

OnFridaymorning，thetwenty—eighth，Ididn’tgettoHarcourtBuildingsattheusualtime，knowingthatMr.Quinceywouldnotbetherehimself，hehavingarrangedtointerviewMr.ParablefortheDailyChronicleatteno’clock.Iallowedhimhalfanhour，tobequitesafe，andhecameinataquarterpasteleven.

Hetooknonoticeofme.Forabouttenminutes——itmayhavebeenless——hewalkedupanddowntheroom，cursingandswearingandkickingthefurnitureabout.Helandedanoccasionalwalnuttableinthemiddleofmyshins，uponwhichItooktheopportunityofwishinghim"Goodmorning，"andhesortofwokeup，asyoumightsay.

"Howdidtheinterviewgooff？"Isays."Gotanythinginteresting？"

"Yes，"hesays;"quiteinteresting.Oh，yes，decidedlyinteresting."

Hewasholdinghimselfin，ifyouunderstand，speakingwithhorribleslownessanddeliberation.

"D’youknowwherehewaslastnight？"heasksme.

"Yes，"Isays;"CaxtonHall，wasn’tit？——meetingtodemandthereleaseofMissClebb."

Heleansacrossthetabletillhisfacewaswithinafewinchesofmine.

"Guessagain，"hesays.

Iwasn’tdoinganyguessing.Hehadhurtmewiththewalnuttable，andIwasfeelingabitshort—tempered.

"Oh！don’tmakeagameofit，"Isays."It’stooearlyinthemorning."

"AttheEarl’sCourtExhibition，"hesays;"dancingthetangowithaladythathepickedupinSt.James’sPark."

"Well，"Isays，"whynot？Hedon’toftengetmuchfun."Ithoughtitbesttotreatitlightly.

Hetakesnonoticeofmyobservation.

"Arivalcomesuponthescene，"hecontinues——"afatheadedass，accordingtomyinformation——andtheyhaveastand—upfight.HegetsruninandspendsthenightinaVineStreetpolicecell."

IsupposeIwasgrinningwithoutknowingit.

"Funny，ain’tit？"hesays.

"Well，"Isays，"ithasitshumorousside，hasn’tit？What’llheget？"

"IamnotworryingaboutwhatHEisgoingtoget，"heanswersback.

"Iamworryingaboutwhat_I_amgoingtoget."

Ithoughthehadgonedotty.

"What’sitgottodowithyou？"Isays.

"IfoldWotherspoonisinagoodhumour，"hecontinues，"andtheconstable’sheadhasgonedownabitbetweennowandWednesday，I

maygetoffwithfortyshillingsandapublicreprimand.

"Ontheotherhand，"hegoeson——hewasworkinghimselfintoasortoffit——"iftheconstable’sheadgoesonswelling，andoldWotherspoon’slivergetsworse，I’vegottobepreparedforamonthwithouttheoption.Thatis，ifIamfoolenough——"

Hehadleftboththedoorsopen，whichinthedaytimewegenerallydo，ourchambersbeingatthetop.MissDorton——that’sMr.

Parable’ssecretary——bargesintotheroom.Shedidn’tseemtonoticeme.Shestaggerstoachairandburstsintotears.

"He’sgone，"shesays;"he’stakencookwithhimandgone."

"Gone！"saystheguv’nor."Where’shegone？"

"ToFingest，"shesaysthroughhersobs——"tothecottage.MissBulstrodecameinjustafteryouhadleft，"shesays."Hewantstogetawayfromeveryoneandhaveafewdays’quiet.Andthenheiscomingback，andheisgoingtodoithimself."

"Dowhat？"saystheguv’nor，irritablelike.

"Fourteendays，"shewails."It’llkillhim."

"Butthecasedoesn’tcomeontillWednesday，"saystheguv’nor.

"Howdoyouknowit’sgoingtobefourteendays？"

"MissBulstrode，"shesays，"she’sseenthemagistrate.Hesayshealwaysgivesfourteendaysincasesofunprovokedassault."

"Butitwasn’tunprovoked，"saystheguv’nor."Theothermanbeganitbyknockingoffhishat.Itwasself—defence."

"Sheputthattohim，"shesays，"andheagreedthatthatwouldalterhisviewofthecase.But，yousee，"shecontinues，"wecan’tfindtheotherman.Heisn’tlikelytocomeforwardofhisownaccord."

"Thegirlmustknow，"saystheguv’nor——"thisgirlhepicksupinSt.James’sPark，andgoesdancingwith.Themanmusthavebeensomefriendofhers."

"Butwecan’tfindhereither，"shesays."Hedoesn’tevenknowhername——hecan’trememberit."

"Youwilldoit，won’tyou？"shesays.

"Dowhat？"saystheguv’noragain.

"Thefourteendays，"shesays.

"ButIthoughtyousaidhewasgoingtodoithimself？"hesays.

"Buthemustn’t，"shesays."MissBulstrodeiscomingroundtoseeyou.Thinkofit！Thinkoftheheadlinesinthepapers，"shesays.

"ThinkoftheFabianSociety.ThinkoftheSuffragecause.Wemustn’tlethim."

"Whataboutme？"saystheguv’nor."Doesn’tanybodycareforme？"

"Youdon’tmatter，"shesays."Besides，"shesays，"withyourinfluenceyou’llbeabletokeepitoutofthepapers.IfitcomesoutthatitwasMr.Parable，nothingonearthwillbeableto."

Theguv’norwasalmostasmuchexcitedbythistimeasshewas.

"I’llseetheFabianSocietyandtheWomen’sVoteandtheHomeforLostCatsatBattersea，andalltherestoftheblessedbagoftricks——"

I’dbeenthinkingtomyself，andhadjustworkeditout.

"What’shewanttotakehiscookdownwithhimfor？"Isays.

"Tocookforhim，"saystheguv’nor."Whatd’yougenerallywantacookfor？"

"Rats！"Isays."Doesheusuallytakehiscookwithhim？"

"No，"answeredMissDorton."NowIcometothinkofit，hehasalwayshithertoputupwithMrs.Meadows."

"YouwillfindtheladydownatFingest，"Isays，"sittingoppositehimandenjoyingarecherchedinnerfortwo."

Theguv’norslapsmeontheback，andliftsMissDortonoutofherchair.

"Yougetonback，"hesays，"andtelephonetoMissBulstrode.I’llberoundathalf—pasttwelve."

MissDortonwentoutinadazedsortofcondition，andtheguv’norgivesmeasovereign，andtellsmeIcanhavetherestofthedaytomyself.

Mr.Condor，Junior，considersthatwhathappenedsubsequentlygoestoprovethathewasrightmorethanitprovesthathewaswrong.

Mr.Condor，Junior，alsopromisedtosendusaphotographofhimselfforreproduction，but，unfortunately，uptothetimeofgoingtopressithadnotarrived.

***

FromMrs.Meadows，widowofthelateCorporalJohnMeadows，V.C.，Turberville，Bucks，thefollowingfurtherparticularswereobtainedbyourlocalrepresentative：

IhavedoneforMr.Parablenowforsomeyearspast，mycottagebeingonlyamileoff，whichmakesiteasyformetolookafterhim.

Mr.Parablelikestheplacetobealwaysreadysothathecandropinwhenhechooses，hesometimesgivingmewarningandsometimesnot.Itwasabouttheendoflastmonth——onaFriday，ifIrememberrightly——thathesuddenlyturnedup.

Asarule，hewalksfromHenleystation，butonthisoccasionhearrivedinafly，hehavingayoungwomanwithhim，andshehavingabag——hiscook，asheexplainedtome.Asarule，IdoeverythingforMr.Parable，sleepinginthecottagewhenheisthere;buttotellthetruth，Iwasgladtoseeher.Ineverwasmuchofacookmyself，asmypoordeadhusbandhasremarkedonmorethanoneoccasion，andIdon’tpretendtobe.Mr.Parableadded，apologeticlike，thathehadbeensufferinglatelyfromindigestion.

"Iamonlytoopleasedtoseeher，"Isays."Therearethetwobedsinmyroom，andweshan’tquarrel."Shewasquiteasensibleyoungwoman，asIhadjudgedfromthefirstlookather，thoughsufferingatthetimefromacold.ShehiresabicyclefromEmmaTidd，whoonlyusesitonaSunday，and，takingamarketbasket，offshestartsforHenley，Mr.Parablesayinghewouldgowithhertoshowhertheway.

Theyweregoneagoodishtime，which，seeingit’seightmiles，didn’tsomuchsurpriseme;andwhentheygotbackweallthreehaddinnertogether，Mr.Parablearguingthatitmadeforwhathecalled"laboursaving."AfterwardsIclearedaway，leavingthemtalkingtogether;andlaterontheyhadawalkroundthegarden，itbeingamoonlightnight，butabittoocoldformyfancy.

InthemorningIhadachatwithherbeforehewasdown.Sheseemedabitworried.

"Ihopepeoplewon’tgettalking，"shesays."Hewouldinsistonmycoming."

"Well，"Isays，"surelyagentcanbringhiscookalongwithhimtocookforhim.Andasforpeopletalking，whatIalwayssayis，onemayjustaswellgivethemsomethingtotalkaboutandsavethemthetroubleofmakingitup."

"IfonlyIwasaplain，middle—agedwoman，"shesays，"itwouldbeallright."

"Perhapsyouwillbe，allingoodtime，"Isays，but，ofcourse，I

couldseewhatshewasdrivingat.Anice，clean，pleasant—facedyoungwomanshewas，andnotoftheordinaryclass."Meanwhile，"I

says，"ifyoudon’tmindtakingabitofmotherlyadvice，youmightrememberthatyourplaceisthekitchen，andhistheparlour.He’sadeargoodman，Iknow，buthumannatureishumannature，andit’snogoodpretendingitisn’t."

SheandIhadourbreakfasttogetherbeforehewasup，sothatwhenhecamedownhehadtohavehisalone，butafterwardsshecomesintothekitchenandclosesthedoor.

"HewantstoshowmethewaytoHighWycombe，"shesays."HewillhaveittherearebettershopsatWycombe.WhatoughtItodo？"

Myexperienceisthatadvisingfolkstodowhattheydon’twanttodoisn’tthewaytodoit.

"Whatd’youthinkyourself？"Iaskedher.

"Ifeellikegoingwithhim，"shesays，"andmakingthemostofeverymile."

Andthenshebegantocry.

"What’stheharm！"shesays."Ihaveheardhimfromadozenplatformsridiculingclassdistinctions.Besides，"shesays，"mypeoplehavebeenfarmersforgenerations.WhatwasMissBulstrode’sfatherbutagrocer？Heranahundredshopsinsteadofone.Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？"

"Whendiditallbegin？"Isays."Whendidhefirsttakenoticeofyoulike？"

"Thedaybeforeyesterday，"sheanswers."Hehadneverseenmebefore，"shesays."Iwasjust’Cook’——somethinginacapandapronthathepassedoccasionallyonthestairs.OnThursdayhesawmeinmybestclothes，andfellinlovewithme.Hedoesn’tknowithimself，poordear，notyet，butthat’swhathe’sdone."

Well，Icouldn’tcontradicther，notafterthewayIhadseenhimlookingatheracrossthetable.

"Whatareyourfeelingstowardshim，"Isays，"tobequitehonest？

He’sratheragoodcatchforayoungpersoninyourposition."

"That’smytrouble，"shesays."Ican’thelpthinkingofthat.Andthentobe’Mrs.JohnParable’！That’senoughtoturnawoman’shead."

"He’dbeabitdifficulttolivewith，"Isays.

"Geniusesalwaysare，"shesays;"it’seasyenoughifyoujustthinkofthemaschildren.He’dbeabitfractiousattimes，that’sall.

Underneath，he’sjustthekindest，dearest——"

"Oh，youtakeyourbasketandgotoHighWycombe，"Isays."Hemightdoworse."

Iwasn’texpectingthembacksoon，andtheydidn’tcomebacksoon.

Intheafternoonamotorstopsatthegate，andoutofitstepsMissBulstrode，MissDorton——that’stheyoungladythatwritesforhim——andMr.Quincey.ItoldthemIcouldn’tsaywhenhe’dbeback，andtheysaiditdidn’tmatter，theyjusthappeningtobepassing.

"Didanybodycallonhimyesterday？"asksMissBulstrode，carelesslike——"alady？"

"No，"Isays;"youarethefirstasyet."

"He’sbroughthiscookdownwithhim，hasn’the？"saysMr.Quincey.

"Yes，"Isays，"andaverygoodcooktoo，"whichwasthetruth.

"I’dlikejusttospeakafewwordswithher，"saysMissBulstrode.

"Sorry，m’am，"Isays，"butshe’soutatpresent;she’sgonetoWycombe."

"GonetoWycombe！"theyallsaystogether.

"Tomarket，"Isays."It’salittlefarther，but，ofcourse，itstandstoreasontheshopstherearebetter."

Theylookedatoneanother.

"Thatsettlesit，"saysMr.Quincey."DelicaciesworthytobesetbeforehernotavailablenearerthanWycombe，butmustbehad.

There’sgoingtobeapleasantlittledinnerhereto—night."

"Thehussy！"saysMissBulstrode，underherbreath.

Theywhisperedtogetherforamoment，thentheyturnstome.

"Goodafternoon，Mrs.Meadows，"saysMr.Quincey."Youneedn’tsaywecalled.Hewantedtobealone，anditmightvexhim."

IsaidIwouldn’t，andIdidn’t.Theyclimbedbackintothemotorandwentoff.

BeforedinnerIhadcalltogointothewoodshed.IheardascuttlingasIopenedthedoor.IfIamnotmistaken，MissDortonwashidinginthecornerwherewekeepthecoke.Ididn’tseeanygoodinmakingafuss，soIleftherthere.WhenIgotbacktothekitchen，cookaskedmeifwe’dgotanyparsley.

"You’llfindabitinthefront，"Isays，"totheleftofthegate，"

andshewentout.Shecamebacklookingscared.

"Anybodykeepgoatsroundhere？"sheaskedme.

"NotthatIknowof，nearerthanIbstoneCommon，"Isays.

"IcouldhaveswornIsawagoat’sfacelookingatmeoutofthegooseberrybusheswhileIwaspickingtheparsley，"shesays."Ithadabeard."

"It’sthehalflight，"Isays."Onecanimagineanything."

"IdohopeI’mnotgettingnervy，"shesays.

IthoughtI’dhaveanotherlookround，andmadetheexcusethatI

wantedapailofwater.Iwasstoopingoverthewell，whichisjustunderthemulberrytree，whensomethingfellclosetomeandlodgeduponthebricks.Itwasahairpin.Ifixedthecovercarefullyuponthewellincaseofaccident，andwhenIgotinIwentroundmyselfandwascarefultoseethatallthecurtainsweredrawn.

JustbeforewethreesatdowntodinneragainItookcookaside.

"Ishouldn’tgoforanystrollinthegardento—night，"Isays.

"Peoplefromthevillagemaybeabout，andwedon’twantthemgossiping."Andshethankedme.

Nextnighttheywerethereagain.IthoughtIwouldn’tspoilthedinner，butmentionitafterwards.Isawtoitagainthatthecurtainsweredrawn，andslippedthecatchofboththedoors.AndjustaswellthatIdid.

IhadalwaysheardthatMr.Parablewasanamusingspeaker，butonpreviousvisitshadnotmyselfnoticedit.ButthistimeheseemedtenyearsyoungerthanIhadeverknownhimbefore;andduringdinner，whileweweretalkingandlaughingquitemerrylike，Ihadthefeelingmorethanoncethatpeopleweremeanderingaboutoutside.Ihadjustfinishedclearingaway，andcookwasmakingthecoffee，whentherecameaknockatthedoor.

"Who’sthat？"saysMr.Parable."Iamnotathometoanyone."

"I’llsee，"Isays.AndonmywayIslippedintothekitchen.

"Coffeeforone，cook，"Isays，andsheunderstood.Hercapandapronwerehangingbehindthedoor.Iflungthemacrosstoher，andshecaughtthem;andthenIopenedthefrontdoor.

Theypushedpastmewithoutspeaking，andwentstraightintotheparlour.Andtheydidn’twastemanywordsonhimeither.

"Whereisshe？"askedMissBulstrode.

"Where’swho？"saysMr.Parable.

"Don’tlieaboutit，"saidMissBulstrode，makingnoefforttocontrolherself."Thehussyyou’vebeendiningwith？"

"DoyoumeanMrs.Meadows？"saysMr.Parable.

Ithoughtshewasgoingtoshakehim.

"Wherehaveyouhiddenher？"shesays.

Itwasatthatmomentcookenteredwiththecoffee.

Iftheyhadtakenthetroubletolookathertheymighthavehadanidea.Thetraywastremblinginherhands，andinherhasteandexcitementshehadputonhercapthewrongwayround.Butshekeptcontrolofhervoice，andaskedifsheshouldbringsomemorecoffee.

"Ah，yes！You’dalllikesomecoffee，wouldn’tyou？"saysMr.

Parable.MissBulstrodedidnotreply，butMr.Quinceysaidhewascoldandwouldlikeit.Itwasanastynight，withathinrain.

"Thankyou，sir，"sayscook，andwewentouttogether.

Cottagesareonlycottages，andifpeopleintheparlourpersistintalkingloudly，peopleinthekitchencan’tverywellhelpoverhearing.

Therewasagooddealoftalkabout"fourteendays，"whichMr.

Parablesaidhewasgoingtodohimself，andwhichMissDortonsaidhemustn’t，because，ifhedid，itwouldbeavictoryfortheenemiesofhumanity.Mr.Parablesaidsomethingabout"humanity，"

whichIdidn’trightlyhear，but，whateveritwas，itstartedMissDortoncrying;andMissBulstrodecalledMr.Parablea"blindSamson，"whohadhadhishaircutbyadesigningminxwhohadbeenhiredtodoit.

ItwasallFrenchtome，butcookwasdrinkingineveryword，andwhenshereturnedfromtakingthemintheircoffeeshemadenobonesaboutit，buttookupherplaceatthedoorwithhereartothekeyhole.

ItwasMr.Quinceywhogotthemallquiet，andthenhebegantoexplainthings.Itseemedthatiftheycouldonlyfindacertaingentlemanandpersuadehimtocomeforwardandacknowledgethathebeganarow，thatthenallwouldbewell.Mr.Quinceywouldbefinedfortyshillings，andMr.Parable’snamewouldneverappear.

Failingthat，Mr.Parable，accordingtoMr.Quincey，coulddohisfourteendayshimself.

"I’vetoldyouonce，"saysMr.Parable，"andItellyouagain，thatIdon’tknowtheman’sname，andcan’tgiveityou."

"Wearenotaskingyouto，"saysMr.Quincey."Yougiveusthenameofyourtangopartner，andwe’lldotherest."

Icouldseecook’sface;Ihadgotabitinterestedmyself，andwewerebothclosetothedoor.Shehardlyseemedtobebreathing.

"Iamsorry，"saysMr.Parable，speakingverydeliberate—like，"butIamnotgoingtohavehernamedraggedintothisbusiness."

"Itwouldn’tbe，"saysMr.Quincey."Allwewanttogetoutofheristhenameandaddressofthegentlemanwhowassoanxioustoseeherhome."

"Whowashe？"saysMissBulstrode."Herhusband？"

"No，"saysMr.Parable;"hewasn’t."

"Thenwhowashe？"saysMissBulstrode."Hemusthavebeensomethingtoher——fiance？"

"Iamgoingtodothefourteendaysmyself，"saysMr.Parable."I

shallcomeoutallthefresherafterafortnight’scompleterestandchange."

Cookleavesthedoorwithasmileonherfacethatmadeherlookquitebeautiful，and，takingsomepaperfromthedresserdrawer，begantowritealetter.

Theywentontalkingintheotherroomforanothertenminutes，andthenMr.Parableletsthemouthimself，andgoesalittlewaywiththem.Whenhecamebackwecouldhearhimwalkingupanddowntheotherroom.

Shehadwrittenandstampedtheenvelope;itwaslyingonthetable.

"’JosephOnions，Esq.，’"Isays，readingtheaddress."’AuctioneerandHouseAgent，Broadway，Hammersmith.’Isthattheyoungman？"

"Thatistheyoungman，"shesays，foldingherletterandputtingitintheenvelope.

"Andwasheyourfiance？"Iasked.

"No，"shesays."ButhewillbeifhedoeswhatI’mtellinghimtodo."

"AndwhataboutMr.Parable？"Isays.

"Alittlejokethatwillamusehimlateron，"shesays，slippingacloakonhershoulders."Howoncehenearlymarriedhiscook."

"Ishan’tbeaminute，"shesays.And，withtheletterinherhand，sheslipsout.

Mrs.Meadows，weunderstand，hasexpressedindignationatourpublicationofthisinterview，shebeingundertheimpressionthatshewassimplyhavingafriendlygossipwithaneighbour.Ourrepresentative，however，issureheexplainedtoMrs.Meadowsthathisvisitwasofficial;and，inanycase，ourdutytothepublicmustbeheldtoexonerateusfromallblameinthematter.

***

Mr.JosephOnions，oftheBroadway，Hammersmith，auctioneerandhouseagent，expressedhimselftoourrepresentativeasmostsurprisedattheturnthateventshadsubsequentlytaken.TheletterthatMr.OnionsreceivedfromMissComfortPricewasexplicitanddefinite.ItwastotheeffectthatifhewouldcalluponacertainMr.Quincey，ofHarcourtBuildings，Temple，andacknowledgethatitwashewhobegantherowattheEarl’sCourtExhibitionontheeveningofthetwenty—seventh，thatthentheengagementbetweenhimselfandMissPrice，hithertounacknowledgedbythelady，mightberegardedasafact.

Mr.Onions，whodescribeshimselfasessentiallyabusinessman，decidedbeforecomplyingwithMissPrice’srequesttotakeafewpreliminarysteps.Astheresultofjudiciouslyconductedinquiries，firstattheVineStreetPoliceStation，andsecondlyatTwickenham，Mr.OnionsarrivedlaterinthedayatMr.Quincey’schambers，with，tousehisownexpression，allthecardsinhishand.ItwasMr.Quinceywho，professinghimselfunabletocomplywithMr.Onion’ssuggestion，arrangedtheinterviewwithMissBulstrode.AnditwasMissBulstrodeherselfwho，onconditionthatMr.OnionsaddedtotheundertakingthefurtherconditionthathewouldmarryMissPricebeforetheendofthemonth，offeredtomakeittwohundred.Itwasintheirjointinterest——Mr.OnionsregardinghimselfandMissPriceasnowone——thatMr.Onionssuggestedhermakingitthree，usingsuchargumentsas，underthecircumstances，naturallyoccurredtohim——as，forexample，thedamagecausedtothelady’sreputationbythewholeproceedings，culminatinginanightspentbythelady，accordingtoherownaccount，onHamCommon.ThatthepricedemandedwasreasonableMr.

OnionsconsidersasprovedbyMissBulstrode’seventualacceptanceofhisterms.That，havinggotoutofhimallthathewanted，Mr.

Quinceyshouldhave"consideredithisduty"tocommunicatetheentiredetailsofthetransactiontoMissPrice，throughthemediumofMr.Andrews，thinkingit"aswellsheshouldknowthecharacterofthemansheproposedtomarry，"Mr.Onionsconsidersagrossbreachofetiquetteasbetweengentlemen;andhavingregardtoMissPrice’safterbehaviour，Mr.Onionscanonlysaythatsheisnotthegirlhetookherfor.

Mr.AaronAndrews，onwhomourrepresentativecalled，wasdesirousatfirstofnotbeingdrawnintothematter;butonourrepresentativeexplainingtohimthatouronlydesirewastocontradictfalserumourslikelytobeharmfultoMr.Parable’sreputation，Mr.Andrewssawthenecessityofputtingourrepresentativeinpossessionofthetruth.

ShecamebackonTuesdayafternoon，explainedMr.Andrews，andIhadatalkwithher.

"Itisallright，Mr.Andrews，"shetoldme;"they’vebeenincommunicationwithmyyoungman，andMissBulstrodehasseenthemagistrateprivately.Thecasewillbedismissedwithafineoffortyshillings，andMr.Quinceyhasarrangedtokeepitoutofthepapers."

"Well，all’swellthatendswell，"Ianswered;"butitmighthavebeenbetter，mygirl，ifyouhadmentionedthatyoungmanofyoursabitearlier."

"Ididnotknowitwasofanyimportance，"sheexplained."Mr.

Parabletoldmenothing.Ifithadn’tbeenforchance，Ishouldneverhaveknownwhatwashappening."

Ihadalwayslikedtheyoungwoman.Mr.QuinceyhadsuggestedmywaitingtillafterWednesday.Butthereseemedtomenoparticularobjectindelay.

"Areyoufondofhim？"Iaskedher.

"Yes，"sheanswered."Iamfonderthan——"Andthenshestoppedherselfsuddenlyandflaredscarlet."Whoareyoutalkingabout？"

shedemanded.

"Thisyoungmanofyours，"Isaid."Mr.——What’shisname——Onions？"

"Oh，that？"sheanswered."Oh，yes;he’sallright."

"Andifhewasn’t？"Isaid，andshelookedatmehard.

"Itoldhim，"shesaid，"thatifhewoulddowhatIaskedhimtodo，I’dmarryhim.Andheseemstohavedoneit."

"Therearewaysofdoingeverything，"Isaid;and，seeingitwasn’tgoingtobreakherheart，Itoldherjusttheplainfacts.Shelistenedwithoutaword，andwhenIhadfinishedsheputherarmsroundmyneckandkissedme.Iamoldenoughtobehergrandfather，buttwentyyearsagoitmighthaveupsetme.

"IthinkIshallbeabletosaveMissBulstrodethatthreehundredpounds，"shelaughed，andranupstairsandchangedherthings.WhenlaterIlookedintothekitchenshewashumming.

Mr.Johncameupbythecar，andIcouldseehewasinoneofhismoods.

"Packmesomethingsforawalkingtour，"hesaid."Don’tforgettheknapsack.IamgoingtoScotlandbytheeight—thirty."

"Willyoubeawaylong？"Iaskedhim.

"Itdependsuponhowlongittakesme，"heanswered."WhenIcomebackIamgoingtobemarried."

"Whoisthelady？"Iasked，though，ofcourse，Iknew.

"MissBulstrode，"hesaid.

"Well，"Isaid，"she——"

"Thatwilldo，"hesaid;"Ihavehadallthatfromthethreeofthemforthelasttwodays.SheisaSocialist，andaSuffragist，andalltherestofit，andmyidealhelpmate.Sheiswelloff，andthatwillenablemetodevoteallmytimetoputtingtheworldtorightswithoutbotheringaboutanythingelse.Ourhomewillbethenurseryofadvancedideas.Weshallsharetogetherthejoysanddelightsofthepublicplatform.Whatmorecananymanwant？"

"Youwillwantyourdinnerearly，"Isaid，"ifyouaregoingbytheeight—thirty.Ihadbettertellcook——"

Heinterruptedmeagain.

"Youcantellcooktogotothedevil，"hesaid.

Inaturallystaredathim.

"Sheisgoingtomarryabeastlylittlerotterofarentcollectorthatshedoesn’tcareadamnfor，"hewenton.

Icouldnotunderstandwhyheseemedsomadaboutit.

"Idon’tsee，inanycase，whatit’sgottodowithyou，"Isaid，"but，asamatteroffact，sheisn’t."

"Isn’twhat？"hesaid，stoppingshortandturningonme.

"Isn’tgoingtomarryhim，"Ianswered.

"Whynot？"hedemanded.