第13章

Knightfeltuncomfortablywetandchilled，butglowingwithfervournevertheless。HefullyappreciatedElfride\'sgirlishdelicacyinrefusinghisescortinthemeagrehabilimentsshewore，yetfeltthatnecessaryabstractionofherselfforashorthalf-hourasamostgrievouslosstohim。

Hegatheredupherknottedandtwistedplumageoflinen，lace，andembroiderywork，andlaiditacrosshisarm。Henoticedonthegroundanenvelope，limpandwet。Inendeavouringtorestorethistoitspropershape，heloosenedfromtheenvelopeapieceofpaperithadcontained，whichwasseizedbythewindinfallingfromKnight\'shand。Itwasblowntotheright，blowntotheleft——

itfloatedtotheedgeofthecliffandoverthesea，whereitwashurledaloft。Ittwirledintheair，andthenflewbackoverhishead。

Knightfollowedthepaper，andsecuredit。Havingdoneso，helookedtodiscoverifithadbeenworthsecuring。

Thetroublesomesheetwasabanker\'sreceiptfortwohundredpounds，placedtothecreditofMissSwancourt，whichtheimpracticalgirlhadtotallyforgottenshecarriedwithher。

Knightfoldeditascarefullyasitsmoistconditionwouldallow，putitinhispocket，andfollowedElfride。

ChapterXXIII

\'Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot？\'

BythistimeStephenSmithhadsteppedoutuponthequayatCastleBoterel，andbreathedhisnativeair。

Adarkerskin，amorepronouncedmoustache，andanincipientbeard，werethechiefadditionsandchangesnoticeableinhisappearance。

Inspiteofthefallingrain，whichhadsomewhatlessened，hetookasmallvaliseinhishand，and，leavingtheremainderofhisluggageattheinn，ascendedthehillstowardsEastEndelstow。

Thisplacelayinavaleofitsown，furtherinlandthanthewestvillage，andthoughsonearit，hadlittleofphysicalfeatureincommonwiththelatter。EastEndelstowwasmorewoodedandfertile:itboastedofLordLuxellian\'smansionandpark，andwasfreefromthosebleakopenuplandswhichlentsuchanairofdesolationtothevicinageofthecoast——alwaysexceptingthesmallvalleyinwhichstoodthevicarageandMrs。Swancourt\'soldhouse，TheCrags。

Stephenhadarrivednearlyatthesummitoftheridgewhentherainagainincreaseditsvolume，and，lookingaboutfortemporaryshelter，heascendedasteeppathwhichpenetrateddensehazelbushesinthelowerpartofitscourse。Furtherupitemergeduponaledgeimmediatelyovertheturnpike-road，andshelteredbyanoverhangingfaceofrubblerock，withbushesabove。Forareasonofhisownhemadethisspothisrefugefromthestorm，andturninghisfacetotheleft，connedthelandscapeasabook。

HewasoverlookingthevalleycontainingElfride\'sresidence。

Fromthispointofobservationtheprospectexhibitedthepeculiarityofbeingeitherbrilliantforegroundorthesubduedtoneofdistance，asuddendipinthesurfaceofthecountryloweringoutofsightalltheintermediateprospect。Inapparentcontactwiththetreesandbushesgrowingclosebesidehimappearedthedistanttract，terminatedsuddenlybythebrinkoftheseriesofcliffswhichculminatedinthetallgiantwithoutaname——smallandunimportantasherebeheld。AleafonaboughatStephen\'selbowblottedoutawholehillinthecontrastingdistrictfaraway；agreenbunchofnutscoveredacompleteuplandthere，andthegreatcliffitselfwasoutviedbyapigmycraginthebankhardbyhim。Stephenhadlookeduponthesethingshundredsoftimesbeforeto-day，buthehadneverviewedthemwithsuchtendernessasnow。

Steppingforwardinthisdirectionyetalittlefurther，hecouldseethetowerofWestEndelstowChurch，beneathwhichhewastomeethisElfridethatnight。Andatthesametimehenoticed，comingoverthehillfromthecliffs，awhitespeckinmotion。Itseemedfirsttobeasea-gullflyinglow，butultimatelyprovedtobeahumanfigure，runningwithgreatrapidity。Theformflittedon，heedlessoftherainwhichhadcausedStephen\'shaltinthisplace，droppeddowntheheatheryhill，enteredthevale，andwasoutofsight。

Whilsthemeditateduponthemeaningofthisphenomenon，hewassurprisedtoseeswimintohiskenfromthesamepointofdepartureanothermovingspeck，asdifferentfromthefirstaswellcouldbe，insomuchthatitwasperceptibleonlybyitsblackness。Slowlyandregularlyittookthesamecourse，andtherewasnotmuchdoubtthatthiswastheformofaman。He，too，graduallydescendedfromtheupperlevels，andwaslostinthevalleybelow。

Therainhadbythistimeagainabated，andStephenreturnedtotheroad。Lookingahead，hesawtwomenandacart。Theyweresoonobscuredbytheinterventionofahighhedge。Justbeforetheyemergedagainheheardvoicesinconversation。

\'\'Amustsoonbeinthenaibourhood，too，ifsobehe\'sa-coming，\'

saidatenortongue，whichStepheninstantlyrecognizedasMartinCannister\'s。

\'\'Amust\'ab\'lieve，\'saidanothervoice——thatofStephen\'sfather。

Stephensteppedforward，andcamebeforethemfacetoface。HisfatherandMartinwerewalking，dressedintheirsecondbestsuits，andbesidethemrambledalongagrizzelhorseandbrightlypaintedspring-cart。

\'Allright，Mr。Cannister；here\'sthelostman!\'exclaimedyoungSmith，enteringatonceupontheoldstyleofgreeting。\'Father，hereIam。\'

\'Allright，mysonny；andgladIbefor\'t!\'returnedJohnSmith，overjoyedtoseetheyoungman。\'Howbeye？Well，comealonghome，anddon\'tlet\'sbideouthereinthedamp。SuchweathermustbeterriblebadforayoungchapjustcomefromafierynationlikeIndy；hey，naibourCannister？\'

\'Trew，trew。Andaboutgettinghomehistraps？Boxes，monstrousbales，andnoblepackagesofforeigndescription，Imakenodoubt？\'

\'Hardlyallthat，\'saidStephenlaughing。

\'Webroughtthecart，maningtogorightontoCastleBoterelaforeyelanded，\'saidhisfather。\'"Putinthehorse，"saysMartin。"Ay，"saysI，"sowewill；"anddiditstraightway。Now，maybe，Martinhadbettergoonwi\'thecartforthethings，andyouandIwalkhome-along。\'

\'AndIshallbebacka\'mostassoonasyou。Peggyisaprettystepstill，thoughtimed\'begintotelluponherasupontheresto\'us。\'

StephentoldMartinwheretofindhisbaggage，andthencontinuedhisjourneyhomewardinthecompanyofhisfather。

\'Owingtoyourcomingadaysoonerthanwefirstexpected，\'saidJohn，\'you\'llfindusinaturkofamess，sir——"sir，"saysItomyownson!butye\'vegoneupso，Stephen。We\'vekilledthepigthismorningforye，thinkingye\'dbehungry，andgladofamorseloffreshmate。And\'awon\'tbecutuptillto-night。However，wecanmakeyeagoodsupperoffry，whichwillchawupwellwi\'adabo\'mustardandafewnicenewtaters，andadropofshillingaletowashitdown。Yourmotherhavescrubbedthehousethroughbecauseyewerecoming，anddustedallthechimmerfurniture，andboughtanewbasinandjugofatravellingcrockery-womanthatcametoourdoor，andscouredthecannel-sticks，andclanedthewinders!Ay，Idon\'tknowwhat\'aha\'n\'tadone。Neverweresuchasteer，\'ab\'lieve。\'

ConversationofthiskindandinquiriesofStephenforhismother\'swellbeingoccupiedthemfortheremainderofthejourney。

Whentheydrewneartheriver，andthecottagebehindit，theycouldhearthemaster-mason\'sclockstrikingoffthebygonehoursofthedayatintervalsofaquarterofaminute，duringwhichintervalsStephen\'simaginationreadilypicturedhismother\'sforefingerwanderingroundthedialincompanywiththeminute-

hand。

\'Theclockstoppedthismorning，andyourmotherinputtingenrightseemingly，\'saidhisfatherinanexplanatorytone；andtheywentupthegardentothedoor。

Whentheyhadentered，andStephenhaddutifullyandwarmlygreetedhismother——whoappearedinacottondressofadark-blueground，coveredbroadcastwithamultitudeofnewandfullmoons，stars，andplanets，withanoccasionaldashofacomet-likeaspecttodiversifythescene——thecrackleofcart-wheelswasheardoutside，andMartinCannisterstampedinatthedoorway，intheformofapairoflegsbeneathagreatbox，hisbodybeingnowherevisible。Whentheluggagehadbeenalltakendown，andStephenhadgoneupstairstochangehisclothes，Mrs。Smith\'smindseemedtorecoveralostthread。

\'Reallyourclockisnotworthapenny，\'shesaid，turningtoitandattemptingtostartthependulum。

\'Stoppedagain？\'inquiredMartinwithcommiseration。

\'Yes，sure，\'repliedMrs。Smith；andcontinuedafterthemannerofcertainmatrons，towhosetonguestheharmonyofasubjectwithacasualmoodisagreaterrecommendationthanitspertinencetotheoccasion，\'Johnwouldspendpoundsayearuponthejimcrackoldthing，ifhemight，inhavingitclaned，whenatthesametimeyoumaydoctorityourselfaswell。"Theclock\'sstoppedagain，John，"Isaytohim。"Betterhaveenclaned，"sayshe。There\'sfiveshillings。"Thatclockgrindsagain，"Isaytoen。"Betterhaveenclaned，"\'asaysagain。"Thatclockstrikeswrong，John，"

saysI。"Betterhaveenclaned，"hegoeson。ThewheelswouldhavebeenpolishedtoskeletonsbythistimeifIhadlistenedtoen，andIassureyouwecouldhaveboughtachainey-facedbeautywi\'thegoodmoneywe\'veflungawaytheselasttenyearsuponthisoldgreen-facedmortal。And，Martin，youmustbewet。Mysonisgoneuptochange。JohnisdamperthanIshouldliketobe，but\'acallsitnothing。SomeofMrs。Swancourt\'sservantshavebeenhere——theyraninoutoftherainwhengoingforawalk——andI

assureyouthestateoftheirbonnetswasfrightful。\'

\'How\'sthefolks？We\'vebeenovertoCastleBoterel，andwhatwi\'

runningandstoppingoutofthestorms，mypoorheadisbeyondeverything!fizz，fizzfizz；\'tisfryingo\'fishfrommorningtonight，\'saidacrackedvoiceinthedoorwayatthisinstant。

\'Lordso\'s，who\'sthat？\'saidMrs。Smith，inaprivateexclamation，andturningroundsawWilliamWorm，endeavouringtomakehimselflookpassingcivilandfriendlybyoverspreadinghisfacewithalargesmilethatseemedtohavenoconnectionwiththehumourhewasin。Behindhimstoodawomanabouttwicehissize，withalargeumbrellaoverherhead。ThiswasMrs。Worm，William\'swife。

\'Comein，William，\'saidJohnSmith。\'Wedon\'tkillapigeveryday。Andyou，likewise，Mrs。Worm。Imakeyewelcome。SinceyeleftParsonSwancourt，William，Idon\'tseemuchof\'ee。\'

\'No，fortotellthetruth，sinceItooktotheturn-pike-gateline，I\'vebeenoutbutlittle，comingtochurcho\'Sundaysnotbeingmydutynow，as\'twasinaparson\'sfamily，yousee。

However，ourboyisabletomindthegatenow，andIsaid，saysI，"Barbara，let\'scallandseeJohnSmith。”\'

\'Iamsorrytohearyerporeheadissobadstill。\'

\'Ay，Iassureyouthatfryingo\'fishisgoingonfornightsanddays。And，youknow，sometimes\'tisn\'tonlyfish，butrasherso\'

baconandinions。Ay，Icanhearthefatpopandfizzasnateralaslife；can\'tI，Barbara？\'

Mrs。Worm，whohadbeenallthistimeengagedinclosingherumbrella，corroboratedthisstatement，andnow，comingindoors，showedherselftobeawide-faced，comfortable-lookingwoman，withawartuponhercheek，bearingasmalltuftofhairinitscentre。

\'Haveyeevertriedanythingtocureyernoise，MaisterWorm？\'

inquiredMartinCannister。

\'Ohay；blessye，I\'vetriedeverything。Ay，Providenceisamercifulman，andIhavehopedHe\'dhavefounditoutbythistime，livingsomanyyearsinaparson\'sfamily，too，asIhave，but\'adon\'tseemtorelieveme。Ay，Ibeapoorwamblingman，andlife\'saminto\'trouble!\'

\'True，mournfultrue，WilliamWorm。\'Tisso。Theworldwantslookingto，or\'tisallsixesandsevenswi\'us。\'

\'Takeyourthingsoff，Mrs。Worm，\'saidMrs。Smith。\'Weberatherinamuddle，totellthetruth，formysonisjustdroppedinfromIndyadaysoonerthanweexpected，andthepig-killeriscomingpresentlytocutup。\'

Mrs。BarbaraWorm，notwishingtotakeanymeanadvantageofpersonsinamuddlebyobservingthem，removedherbonnetandmantlewitheyesfixedupontheflowersintheplotoutsidethedoor。

\'Whatbeautifultiger-lilies!\'saidMrs。Worm。

\'Yes，theybeverywell，butsuchatroubletomeonaccountofthechildrenthatcomehere。Theywillgoeatingtheberriesonthestem，andcall\'emcurrants。Tastewi\'junivalsisquitefancy，really。\'

\'Andyoursnapdragonslookasfierceasever。\'

\'Well，really，\'answeredMrs。Smith，enteringdidacticallyintothesubject，\'theyaremorelikeChristiansthanflowers。Buttheymakeupwellenoughwi\'therest，anddon\'trequiremuchtending。Andthesamecanbesaido\'thesemiller\'swheels。\'TisaflowerIlikeverymuch，thoughsosimple。Johnsayshenevercaresabouttheflowerso\'\'em，butmenhavenoeyeforanythingneat。Hesayshisfavouriteflowerisacauliflower。AndI

assureyouItrembleinthespringtime，for\'tisperfectmurder。\'

\'Youdon\'tsayso，Mrs。Smith!\'

\'Johndigsroundtheroots，youknow。Ingoeshisblunderingspade，throughroots，bulbs，everythingthathasn\'tgotagoodshowaboveground，turning\'emupcutalltoslices。OnlytheverylastfallIwenttomovesometulips，whenIfoundeverybulbupsidedown，andthestemscrookedround。Hehadturned\'emoverinthespring，andthecunningcreatureshadsoonfoundthatheavenwasnotwhereitusedtobe。\'

\'What\'sthatlong-favouredflowerunderthehedge？\'

\'They？OLord，theyarethehorridJacob\'sladders!Insteadofpraising\'em，Ibemadwi\'\'emforbeingsoreadytobidewheretheyarenotwanted。Theybeverywellintheirway，butIdonotcareforthingsthatneglectwon\'tkill。DowhatIwill，dig，drag，scrap，pull，Igettoomanyof\'em。Ichoptheroots:upthey\'llcome，treblestrong。Throw\'emoverhedge；therethey\'llgrow，staringmeinthefacelikeahungrydogdrivenaway，andcreepbackagaininaweekortwothesameasbefore。\'TisJacob\'sladderhere，Jacob\'sladderthere，andplant\'emwherenothingintheworldwillgrow，yougetcrowdsof\'eminamonthortwo。Johnmadeanewmanuremixenlastsummer，andhesaid，"Maria，nowifyou\'vegotanyflowersorsuchlike，thatyoudon\'twant，youmayplant\'emroundmymixensoastohideitabit，though\'tisnotlikelyanythingofmuchvaluewillgrowthere。”I

thought，"There\'sthemJacob\'sladders；I\'llputthemthere，sincetheycan\'tdoharminsuchaplace；"andIplantedtheJacob\'sladderssureenough。Theygrowed，andtheygrowed，inthemixenandoutofthemixen，alloverthelitter，coveringitquiteup。

WhenJohnwantedtouseitaboutthegarden，\'asaid，"NationseizethemJacob\'sladdersofyours，Maria!They\'veeatthegoodnessoutofeverymorselofmymanure，sothat\'tisnobetterthansanditself!"Sureenoughthehungrymortalshad。\'Tismybeliefthatinthesecretsoulso\'\'em，Jacob\'sladdersbeweeds，andnotflowersatall，ifthetruthwasknown。\'

RobertLickpan，pig-killerandcarrier，arrivedatthismoment。

Thefattedanimalhanginginthebackkitchenwascleftdownthemiddleofitsbackbone，Mrs。Smithbeingmeanwhileengagedincookingsupper。

Betweenthecuttingandchopping，alewashandedround，andWormandthepig-killerlistenedtoJohnSmith\'sdescriptionofthemeetingwithStephen，witheyesblanklyfixeduponthetable-

cloth，inorderthatnothingintheexternalworldshouldinterrupttheireffortstoconjureupthescenecorrectly。

Stephencamedownstairsinthemiddleofthestory，andafterthelittleinterruptionoccasionedbyhisentranceandwelcome，thenarrativewasagaincontinued，preciselyasifhehadnotbeenthereatall，andwastoldinclusivelytohim，astosomebodywhoknewnothingaboutthematter。

\'"Ay，"Isaid，asIcatchedsighto\'enthroughthebrimbles，"that\'sthelad，forId\'knowenbyhisgrand-father\'swalk；"for\'astappedoutlikepoorfatherforalltheworld。Stilltherewasatoucho\'thefriskythatsetmewondering。\'Agotcloser，andIsaid，"That\'sthelad，forId\'knowenbyhiscarryingablackcaselikeatravellingman。”Still，aroadiscommontoalltheworld，andtherebemoretravellingmenthanone。ButIkeptmyeyecocked，andIsaidtoMartin，"\'Tistheboy，now，forId\'

knowenbythewoldtwirlo\'thestickandthefamilystep。”Then\'acomecloser，anda\'said，"Allright。”Icouldsweartoenthen。\'

Stephen\'spersonalappearancewasnextcriticised。

\'Hed\'lookadealthinnerinface，surely，thanwhenIseedenattheparson\'s，andneverknoweden，ifye\'llbelieveme，\'saidMartin。

\'Ay，there，\'saidanother，withoutremovinghiseyesfromStephen\'sface，\'Ishouldha\'knowedenanywhere。\'Tishisfather\'snosetoaT。\'

\'Ithasbeenoftenremarked，\'saidStephenmodestly。

\'Andhe\'scertainlytaller，\'saidMartin，lettinghisglancerunoverStephen\'sformfrombottomtotop。

\'Iwasthinking\'awasexactlythesameheight，\'Wormreplied。

\'Blessthysoul，that\'sbecausehe\'sbiggerroundlikewise。\'AndtheunitedeyesallmovedtoStephen\'swaist。

\'Ibeapoorwamblingman，butIcanmakeallowances，\'saidWilliamWorm。\'Ah，sure，andhowhecameasastrangerandpilgrimtoParsonSwancourt\'sthattime，notasoulknowingenaftersomanyyears!Ay，life\'sastrangepicter，Stephen:butI

supposeImustsaySirtoye？\'

\'Oh，itisnotnecessaryatpresent，\'Stephenreplied，thoughmentallyresolvingtoavoidthevicinityofthatfamiliarfriendassoonashehadmadepretensionstothehandofElfride。

\'Ah，well，\'saidWormmusingly，\'somewouldhavelookedfornolessthanaSir。There\'sasightofdifferenceinpeople。\'

\'Andinpigslikewise，\'observedJohnSmith，lookingatthehalvedcarcassofhisown。

RobertLickpan，thepig-killer，hereseemedcalledupontoenterthelistsofconversation。

\'Yes，they\'vegottheirparticularnatersgood-now，\'heremarkedinitially。\'Many\'stherum-temperedpigI\'veknowed。\'

\'Idon\'tdoubtit，MasterLickpan，\'answeredMartin，inatoneexpressingthathisconvictions，nolessthangoodmanners，demandedthereply。

\'Yes，\'continuedthepig-killer，asoneaccustomedtobeheard。

\'OnethatIknowedwasdeafanddumb，andwecouldn\'tmakeoutwhatwasthematterwi\'thepig。\'Awouldeatwellenoughwhen\'aseedthetrough，butwhenhisbackwasturned，youmighta-rattledthebucketallday，thepoorsoulneverheardye。Yecouldplaytricksuponenbehindhisback，anda\'wouldn\'tfinditoutnoquickerthanpoordeafGrammerCates。Buta\'fattedwell，andI

neverseedapigopenbetterwhena\'waskilled，and\'awasverytendereating，very；asprettyabitofmateaseveryousee；youcouldsuckthatmatethroughaquill。

\'AndanotherIknowed，\'resumedthekiller，afterquietlylettingapintofalerundownhisthroatofitsownaccord，andsettingdownthecupwithmathematicalexactnessuponthespotfromwhichhehadraisedit——\'anotherwentoutofhismind。\'

\'Howverymournful!\'murmuredMrs。Worm。

\'Ay，poorthing，\'adid!AscleanoutofhismindasthecleverestChristiancouldgo。Inearlylife\'awasverymelancholy，andneverseemedahopefulpigbynomeans。\'TwasAndrewStainer\'spig——that\'swhosepig\'twas。\'

\'Icanmindthepigwellenough，\'attestedJohnSmith。

\'Andaprettylittleporker\'awas。AndyouallknowFarmerBuckle\'ssort？Everyjacko\'emsufferfromtherheumatismtothisday，owingtoadampstytheylivedinwhentheywerestriplings，as\'twere。\'

\'Well，nowwe\'llweigh，\'saidJohn。

\'Ifsobehewerenotsofine，we\'dweighenwhole:butasheis，we\'lltakeasideatatime。John，youcanmindmyoldjoke，ey？\'

\'Idoso；though\'twasagoodfewyearsagoIfirsthearden。\'

\'Yes，\'saidLickpan，\'thatthereoldfamiliarjokehavebeeninourfamilyforgenerations，Imaysay。Myfatherusedthatjokeregularatpig-killingsformorethanfiveandfortyyears——thetimehefollowedthecalling。And\'atoldmethat\'ahaditfromhisfatherwhenhewasquiteachiel，whomadeuseo\'enjustthesameateverykillingmoreorless；andpig-killingswerepig-

killingsinthosedays。\'

\'Trewlytheywere。\'

\'I\'veneverheardthejoke，\'saidMrs。Smithtentatively。

\'NorI，\'chimedinMrs。Worm，who，beingtheonlyotherladyintheroom，feltboundbythelawsofcourtesytofeellikeMrs。

Smithineverything。

\'Surely，surelyyouhave，\'saidthekiller，lookingscepticallyatthebenightedfemales。\'However，\'tisn\'tmuch——Idon\'twishtosayitis。Itcommenceslikethis:"Bobwilltelltheweightofyourpig，\'ab\'lieve，"saysI。ThecongregationofneighboursthinkImanemysonBob，naturally；butthesecretisthatImanethebobo\'thesteelyard。Ha，ha，ha!\'

\'Haw，haw，haw!\'laughedMartinCannister，whohadheardtheexplanationofthisstrikingstoryforthehundredthtime。

\'Huh，huh，huh!\'laughedJohnSmith，whohadhearditforthethousandth。

\'Hee，hee，hee!\'laughedWilliamWorm，whohadneverhearditatall，butwasafraidtosayso。

\'Thygrandfather，Robert，musthavebeenawide-awakechaptomakethatstory，\'saidMartinCannister，subsidingtoaplacidaspectofdelightedcriticism。

\'Hehadahead，byallaccount。And，yousee，asthefirst-bornoftheLickpanshaveallbeenRoberts，they\'veallbeenBobs，sothestorywashandeddowntothepresentday。\'

\'PoorJoseph，yoursecondboy，willneverbeabletobringitoutincompany，whichisratherunfortunate，\'saidMrs。Wormthoughtfully。

\'\'Awon\'t。Yes，grandferwasacleverchap，asyesay；butI

knowedacleverer。\'TwasmyuncleLevi。UncleLevimadeasnuff-

boxthatshouldbeapuzzletohisfriendstoopen。Heusedtohandenroundatweddingparties，christenings，funerals，andinotherjollycompany，andlet\'emtrytheirskill。Thisextraordinarysnuff-boxhadaspringbehindthatwouldpushinandout——ahingewhereseemedtobethecover；aslideattheend，ascrewinfront，andknobsandqueernotcheseverywhere。Onemanwouldtrythespring，anotherwouldtrythescrew，anotherwouldtrytheslide；buttryastheywould，theboxwouldn\'topen。Andtheycouldn\'topenen，andtheydidn\'topenen。Nowwhatmightyouthinkwasthesecretofthatbox？\'

Allputonanexpressionthattheirunitedthoughtswereinadequatetotheoccasion。

\'Whytheboxwouldn\'topenatall。\'Aweremadenottoopen，andyemighthavetriedtilltheendofRevelations，\'twouldhavebeenasnaught，fortheboxweregluedallround。\'

\'Averydeepmantohavemadesuchabox。\'

\'Yes。\'TwaslikeuncleLeviallover。\'

\'\'Twas。Icanmindthemanverywell。TallestmaneverIseed。\'

\'\'Awasso。Heneversleptuponabedsteadafterhegrowedupahardboy-chap——nevercouldgetonelongenough。When\'alivedinthatlittlesmallhousebythepond，heusedtohavetoleaveopenhischamberdooreverynightatgoingtohisbed，andlethisfeetpokeoutuponthelanding。\'

\'He\'sdeadandgonenow，nevertheless，poorman，asweallshall，\'

observedWorm，tofillthepausewhichfollowedtheconclusionofRobertLickpan\'sspeech。

TheweighingandcuttingupwaspursuedamidananimateddiscourseonStephen\'stravels；andatthefinish，thefirst-fruitsoftheday\'sslaughter，friedinonions，werethenturnedfromthepanintoadishonthetable，eachpiecesteamingandhissingtillitreachedtheirverymouths。

Itmustbeownedthatthegentlemanlysonofthehouselookedratheroutofplaceinthecourseofthisoperation。Norwashismindquitephilosophicenoughtoallowhimtobecomfortablewiththeseold-establishedpersons，hisfather\'sfriends。Hehadneverlivedlongathome——scarcelyatallsincehischildhood。ThepresenceofWilliamWormwasthemostawkwardfeatureofthecase，for，thoughWormhadleftthehouseofMr。Swancourt，thebeinghand-in-glovewithaci-devantservitorremindedStephentooforciblyofthevicar\'sclassificationofhimselfbeforehewentfromEngland。Mrs。Smithwasconsciousofthedefectinherarrangementswhichhadbroughtabouttheundesiredconjunction。

ShespoketoStephenprivately。

\'Iamabovehavingsuchpeoplehere，Stephen；butwhatcouldIdo？

Andyourfatherissoroughinhisnaturethathe\'smoremixedupwiththemthanneedbe。\'

\'Nevermind，mother，\'saidStephen；\'I\'llputupwithitnow。\'

\'Whenweleavemylord\'sservice，andgetfurtherupthecountry——

asIhopeweshallsoon——itwillbedifferent。Weshallbeamongfreshpeople，andinalargerhouse，andshallkeepourselvesupabit，Ihope。\'

\'IsMissSwancourtathome，doyouknow？\'Stepheninquired\'Yes，yourfathersawherthismorning。\'

\'Doyouoftenseeher？\'

\'Scarcelyever。Mr。Glim，thecurate，callsoccasionally，buttheSwancourtsdon\'tcomeintothevillagenowanymorethantodrivethroughit。Theydineatmylord\'softenerthantheyused。Ah，here\'sanotewasbroughtthismorningforyoubyaboy。\'

Stepheneagerlytookthenoteandopenedit，hismotherwatchinghim。HereadwhatElfridehadwrittenandsentbeforeshestartedforthecliffthatafternoon:

\'Yes；Iwillmeetyouinthechurchatnineto-night——E。S。\'

\'Idon\'tknow，Stephen，\'hismothersaidmeaningly，\'whe\'ryoustillthinkaboutMissElfride，butifIwereyouIwouldn\'tconcernabouther。TheysaythatnoneofoldMrs。Swancourt\'smoneywillcometoherstep-daughter。\'

\'Iseetheeveninghasturnedoutfine；Iamgoingoutforalittlewhiletolookroundtheplace，\'hesaid，evadingthedirectquery。\'ProbablybythetimeIreturnourvisitorswillbegone，andwe\'llhaveamoreconfidentialtalk。\'

ChapterXXIV

\'Breeze，bird，andflowerconfessthehour。\'

Therainhadceasedsincethesunset，butitwasacloudynight；

andthelightofthemoon，softenedanddispersedbyitsmistyveil，wasdistributedoverthelandinpalegray。

AdarkfiguresteppedfromthedoorwayofJohnSmith\'sriver-sidecottage，andstroderapidlytowardsWestEndelstowwithalightfootstep。Soonascendingfromthelowerlevelsheturnedacorner，followedacart-track，andsawthetowerofthechurchhewasinquestofdistinctlyshapedforthagainstthesky。Inlessthanhalfanhourfromthetimeofstartingheswunghimselfoverthechurchyardstile。

Thewildirregularenclosurewasasmuchaseveranintegralpartoftheoldhill。Thegrasswasstilllong，thegraveswereshapedpreciselyaspassingyearschosetoalterthemfromtheirorthodoxformaslaiddownbyMartinCannister，andbyStephen\'sowngrandfatherbeforehim。

AsoundspedintotheairfromthedirectioninwhichCastleBoterellay。Itwasthestrikingofthechurchclock，distinctinthestillatmosphereasifithadcomefromthetowerhardby，which，wraptinitssolitarysilentness，gaveoutnosuchsoundsoflife。

\'One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine。\'Stephencarefullycountedthestrokes，thoughhewellknewtheirnumberbeforehand。Nineo\'clock。ItwasthehourElfridehadherselfnamedasthemostconvenientformeetinghim。

Stephenstoodatthedooroftheporchandlistened。Hecouldhaveheardthesoftestbreathingofanypersonwithintheporch；

nobodywasthere。Hewentinsidethedoorway，satdownuponthestonebench，andwaitedwithabeatingheart。

Thefaintsoundsheardonlyaccentuatedthesilence。Therisingandfallingofthesea，farawayalongthecoast，wasthemostimportant。Aminorsoundwasthescurrofadistantnight-hawk。

Amongtheminutestwhereallwereminutewerethelightsettlementofgossamerfragmentsfloatingintheair，atoadhumblylabouringalongthroughthegrassneartheentrance，thecrackleofadeadleafwhichawormwasendeavouringtopullintotheearth，awaftofair，gettingnearerandnearer，andexpiringathisfeetundertheburdenofawingedseed。

Amongallthesesoftsoundscamenottheonlysoftsoundhecaredtohear——thefootfallofElfride。

ForawholequarterofanhourStephensatthusintent，withoutmovingamuscle。Attheendofthattimehewalkedtothewestfrontofthechurch。Turningthecornerofthetower，awhiteformstaredhimintheface。Hestartedback，andrecoveredhimself。ItwasthetombofyoungfarmerJethway，lookingstillasfreshandasnewaswhenitwasfirsterected，thewhitestoneinwhichitwashewnhavingasingularweirdnessamidthedarkblueslabsfromlocalquarries，ofwhichthewholeremaininggravestoneswereformed。

HethoughtofthenightwhenhehadsatthereonwithElfrideashiscompanion，andwellrememberedhisregretthatshehadreceived，evenunwillingly，earlierhomagethanhisown。Buthispresenttangibleanxietyreducedsuchafeelingtosentimentalnonsenseincomparison；andhestrolledonoverthegravestotheborderofthechurchyard，whenceinthedaytimecouldbeclearlyseenthevicarageandthepresentresidenceoftheSwancourts。Nofootstepwasdiscernibleuponthepathupthehill，butalightwasshiningfromawindowinthelast-namedhouse。

Stephenknewtherecouldbenomistakeaboutthetimeorplace，andnodifficultyaboutkeepingtheengagement。Hewaitedyetlonger，passingfromimpatienceintoamoodwhichfailedtotakeanyaccountofthelapseoftime。HewasawakenedfromhisreveriebyCastleBoterelclock。

One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine，TEN。

Onelittlefallofthehammerinadditiontothenumberithadbeensharppleasuretohear，andwhatadifferencetohim!

Heleftthechurchyardonthesideoppositetohispointofentrance，andwentdownthehill。Slowlyhedrewnearthegateofherhouse。Thishesoftlyopened，andwalkedupthegraveldrivetothedoor。Herehepausedforseveralminutes。

Attheexpirationofthattimethemurmuredspeechofamanlyvoicecameouttohisearsthroughanopenwindowbehindthecornerofthehouse。Thiswasrespondedtobyaclearsoftlaugh。

ItwasthelaughofElfride。

Stephenwasconsciousofagnawingpainathisheart。Heretreatedashehadcome。Therearedisappointmentswhichwringus，andtherearethosewhichinflictawoundwhosemarkwebeartoourgraves。Sucharesokeenthatnofuturegratificationofthesamedesirecaneverobliteratethem:theybecomeregisteredasapermanentlossofhappiness。SuchaonewasStephen\'snow:

thecrowningaureolaofthedreamhadbeenthemeetingherebystealth；andifElfridehadcometohimonlytenminutesafterhehadturnedaway，thedisappointmentwouldhavebeenrecognizablestill。

Whentheyoungmanreachedhomehefoundtherealetterwhichhadarrivedinhisabsence。Believingittocontainsomereasonforhernon-appearance，yetunabletoimagineonethatcouldjustifyher，hehastilytoreopentheenvelope。

ThepapercontainednotawordfromElfride。Itwasthedeposit-

noteforhistwohundredpounds。Onthebackwastheformofacheque，andthisshehadfilledupwiththesamesum，payabletothebearer。

Stephenwasconfounded。Heattemptedtodivinehermotive。

Consideringhowlimitedwashisknowledgeofherlateractions，heguessedrathershrewdlythat，betweenthetimeofhersendingthenoteinthemorningandtheevening\'ssilentrefusalofhisgift，somethinghadoccurredwhichhadcausedatotalchangeinherattitudetowardshim。

Heknewnotwhattodo。Itseemedabsurdnowtogotoherfathernextmorning，ashehadpurposed，andaskforanengagementwithher，apossibilityimpendingallthewhilethatElfrideherselfwouldnotbeonhisside。Onlyonecourserecommendeditselfaswise。Towaitandseewhatthedayswouldbringforth；togoandexecutehiscommissionsinBirmingham；thentoreturn，learnifanythinghadhappened，andtrywhatameetingmightdo；perhapshersurpriseathisbackwardnesswouldbringherforwardtoshowlatentwarmthasdecidedlyasinoldtimes。

ThisactofpatiencewasinkeepingonlywiththenatureofamanpreciselyofStephen\'sconstitution。Ninemenoutoftenwouldperhapshaverushedoff，gotintoherpresence，byfairmeansorfoul，andprovokedacatastropheofsomesort。Possiblyforthebetter，probablyfortheworse。

HestartedforBirminghamthenextmorning。Aday\'sdelaywouldhavemadenodifference；buthecouldnotrestuntilhehadbegunandendedtheprogrammeproposedtohimself。Bodilyactivitywillsometimestakethestingoutofanxietyascompletelyasassuranceitself。

ChapterXXV

\'Mineownfamiliarfriend。\'

DuringthesedaysofabsenceStephenlivedunderalternateconditions。Wheneverhisemotionswereactive，hewasinagony。

Wheneverhewasnotinagony，thebusinessinhandhaddrivenoutofhismindbysheerforcealldeepreflectiononthesubjectofElfrideandlove。

Bythetimehetookhisreturnjourneyattheweek\'send，Stephenhadverynearlyworkedhimselfuptoanintentiontocallandseeherfacetoface。Onthisoccasionalsoheadoptedhisfavouriteroute——bythelittlesummersteamerfromBristoltoCastleBoterel；thetimesavedbyspeedontherailwaybeingwastedatjunctions，andinfollowingadeviouscourse。

ItwasabrightsilenteveningatthebeginningofSeptemberwhenSmithagainsetfootinthelittletown。Hefeltinclinedtolingerawhileuponthequaybeforeascendingthehills，havingformedaromanticintentiontogohomebywayofherhouse，yetnotwishingtowanderinitsneighbourhoodtilltheeveningshadesshouldsufficientlyscreenhimfromobservation。

Andthuswaitingfornight\'snearerapproach，hewatchedtheplacidscene，overwhichthepaleluminosityofthewestcastasorrowfulmonochrome，thatbecameslowlyembrownedbythedusk。A

starappeared，andanother，andanother。Theysparkledamidtheyardsandriggingofthetwocoalbrigslyingalangside，asiftheyhadbeentinylampssuspendedintheropes。Themastsrockedsleepilytotheinfinitesimalfluxofthetide，whichcluckedandgurgledwithidleregularityinnooksandholesoftheharbourwall。

Thetwilightwasnowquitepronouncedenoughforhispurpose；andas，rathersadatheart，hewasabouttomoveon，alittleboatcontainingtwopersonsglidedupthemiddleoftheharbourwiththelightnessofashadow。Theboatcameoppositehim，passedon，andtouchedthelanding-stepsatthefurtherend。Oneofitsoccupantswasaman，asStephenhadknownbytheeasystrokeoftheoars。Whenthepairascendedthesteps，andcameintogreaterprominence，hewasenabledtodiscernthatthesecondpersonagewasawoman；alsothatsheworeawhitedecoration——apparentlyafeather——inherhatorbonnet，whichspotofwhitewastheonlydistinctlyvisibleportionofherclothing。

Stephenremainedamomentintheirrear，andtheypassedon，whenhepursuedhiswayalso，andsoonforgotthecircumstance。Havingcrossedabridge，forsakenthehighroad，andenteredthefootpathwhichledupthevaletoWestEndelstow，heheardalittlewicketclicksoftlytogethersomeyardsahead。BythetimethatStephenhadreachedthewicketandpassedit，heheardanotherclickofpreciselythesamenaturefromanothergateyetfurtheron。

Clearlysomepersonorpersonswereprecedinghimalongthepath，theirfootstepsbeingrenderednoiselessbythesoftcarpetofturf。Stephennowwalkedalittlequicker，andperceivedtwoforms。Oneofthemborealoftthewhitefeatherhehadnoticedinthewoman\'shatonthequay:theywerethecouplehehadseenintheboat。Stephendroppedalittlefurthertotherear。

Fromthebottomofthevalley，alongwhichthepathhadhithertolain，besidethemarginofthetricklingstreamlet，anotherpathnowdiverged，andascendedtheslopeoftheleft-handhill。ThisfootwayledonlytotheresidenceofMrs。Swancourtandacottageortwoinitsvicinity。Nograsscoveredthisdivergingpathinportionsofitslength，andStephenwasremindedthatthepairinfrontofhimhadtakenthisroutebytheoccasionalrattleofloosestonesundertheirfeet。Stephenclimbedinthesamedirection，butforsomeundefinedreasonhetrodmoresoftlythandidthoseprecedinghim。Hismindwasunconsciouslyinexerciseuponwhomthewomanmightbe——whetheravisitortoTheCrags，aservant，orElfride。Heputittohimselfyetmoreforcibly；

couldtheladybeElfride？Apossiblereasonforherunaccountablefailuretokeeptheappointmentwithhimreturnedwithpainfulforce。

Theyenteredthegroundsofthehousebythesidewicket，whencethepath，nowwideandwelltrimmed，woundfantasticallythroughtheshrubberytoanoctagonalpavilioncalledtheBelvedere，byreasonofthecomprehensiveviewovertheadjacentdistrictthatitsgreenseatsafforded。Thepathpassedthiserectionandwentontothehouseaswellastothegardener\'scottageontheotherside，stragglingthencetoEastEndelstow；sothatStephenfeltnohesitationinenteringapromenadewhichcouldscarcelybecalledprivate。

Hefanciedthatheheardthegateopenandswingtogetheragainbehindhim。Turning，hesawnobody。

Thepeopleoftheboatcametothesummer-house。Oneofthemspoke。

\'Iamafraidweshallgetascoldingforbeingsolate。\'

Stepheninstantlyrecognisedthefamiliarvoice，richerandfullernowthanitusedtobe。\'Elfride!\'hewhisperedtohimself，andheldfastbyasapling，tosteadyhimselfundertheagitationherpresencecausedhim。Hisheartswervedfromitsbeat；heshunnedreceivingthemeaninghesought。

\'Abreezeisrisingagain；howtheashtreerustles!\'saidElfride。\'Don\'tyouhearit？Iwonderwhatthetimeis。\'

Stephenrelinquishedthesapling。

Iwillgetalightandtellyou。Stepintothesummer-house；theairisquietthere。\'

Thecadenceofthatvoice——itspeculiarityseemedtocomehometohimlikethatofsomenotesofthenorthernbirdsonhisreturntohisnativeclime，asanoldnaturalthingrenewed，yetnotparticularlynoticedasnaturalbeforethatrenewal。

TheyenteredtheBelvedere。Inthelowerpartitwasformedofclosewood-worknailedcrosswise，andhadopeningsintheupperbywayofwindows。

Thescratchofastrikinglightwasheard，andabrightglowradiatedfromtheinteriorofthebuilding。Thelightgavebirthtodancingleaf-shadows，stem-shadows，lustrousstreaks，dots，sparkles，andthreadsofsilversheenofallimaginablevarietyandtransience。Itawakenedgnats，whichflewtowardsit，revealedshinygossamerthreads，disturbedearthworms。Stephengavebutlittleattentiontothesephenomena，andlesstime。Hesawinthesummer-houseastronglyilluminatedpicture。

First，thefaceofhisfriendandpreceptorHenryKnight，betweenwhomandhimselfanestrangementhadarisen，notfromanydefinitecausesbeyondthoseofabsence，increasingage，anddivergingsympathies。

Next，hisbrightparticularstar，Elfride。ThefaceofElfridewasmorewomanlythanwhenshehadcalledherselfhis，butasclearandhealthyasever。Herplenteoustwinesofbeautifulhairwerelookingmuchasusual，withtheexceptionofaslightmodificationintheirarrangementindeferencetothechangesoffashion。

Theirtwoforeheadswereclosetogether，almosttouching，andbothwerelookingdown。Elfridewasholdingherwatch，Knightwasholdingthelightwithonehand，hisleftarmbeingroundherwaist。PartofthescenereachedStephen\'seyesthroughthehorizontalbarsofwoodwork，whichcrossedtheirformsliketheribsofaskeleton。

Knight\'sarmstolestillfurtherroundthewaistofElfride。

\'Itishalf-pasteight，\'shesaidinalowvoice，whichhadapeculiarmusicinit，seeminglybornofathrillofpleasureatthenewproofthatshewasbeloved。

Theflamedwindleddown，diedaway，andallwaswrappedinadarknesstowhichthegloombeforetheilluminationborenocomparisoninapparentdensity。Stephen，shatteredinspiritandsicktohisheart\'scentre，turnedaway。Inturning，hesawashadowyoutlinebehindthesummer-houseontheotherside。Hiseyesgrewaccustomedtothedarkness。Wastheformahumanform，orwasitanopaquebushofjuniper？

Theloversarose，brushedagainstthelaurestines，andpursuedtheirwaytothehouse。Theindistinctfigurehadmoved，andnowpassedacrossSmith\'sfront。Socompletelyenvelopedwastheperson，thatitwasimpossibletodiscernhimorheranymorethanasashape。Theshapeglidednoiselesslyon。

Stephensteppedforward，fearinganymischiefwasintendedtotheothertwo。\'Whoareyou？\'hesaid。

\'NevermindwhoIam，\'answeredaweakwhisperfromtheenvelopingfolds。\'WHATIam，mayshebe!PerhapsIknewwell——ah，sowell!——

ayouthwhoseplaceyoutook，ashetherenowtakesyours。Willyouletherbreakyourheart，andbringyoutoanuntimelygrave，asshedidtheonebeforeyou？\'

\'YouareMrs。Jethway，Ithink。Whatdoyoudohere？Andwhydoyoutalksowildly？\'

\'Becausemyheartisdesolate，andnobodycaresaboutit。Mayhersbesothatbroughttroubleuponme!\'

\'Silence!\'saidStephen，staunchtoElfrideinspiteofhimself\'Shewouldharmnobodywilfully，neverwouldshe!Howdoyoucomehere？\'

\'Isawthetwocomingupthepath，andwantedtolearnifshewerenotoneofthem。CanIhelpdislikingherifIthinkofthepast？

CanIhelpwatchingherifIremembermyboy？CanIhelpill-

wishingherifIwell-wishhim？\'

Thebowedformwenton，passedthroughthewicket，andwasenvelopedbytheshadowsofthefield。

StephenhadheardthatMrs。Jethway，sincethedeathofherson，hadbecomeacrazed，forlornwoman；andbestowingapityingthoughtuponher，hedismissedherfanciedwrongsfromhismind，butnothercondemnationofElfride\'sfaithlessness。Thatenteredintoandmingledwiththesensationshisnewexperiencehadbegotten。Thetaletoldbythelittlescenehehadwitnessedranparallelwiththeunhappywoman\'sopinion，which，howeverbaselessitmighthavebeenantecedently，hadbecometrueenoughasregardedhimself。

Aslowweightofdespair，asdistinctfromaviolentparoxysmasstarvationfromamortalshot，filledhimandwrunghimbodyandsoul。Thediscoveryhadnotbeenaltogetherunexpected，forthroughouthisanxietyofthelastfewdayssincethenightinthechurchyard，hehadbeeninclinedtoconstruetheuncertaintyunfavourablyforhimself。Hishopesforthebesthadbeenbutperiodicinterruptionstoachronicfearoftheworst。

Astrangeconcomitantofhismiserywasthesingularityofitsform。ThathisrivalshouldbeKnight，whomonceuponatimehehadadoredasamanisveryrarelyadoredbyanotherinmoderntimes，andwhomhelovednow，addeddeprecationtosorrow，andcynicismtoboth。HenryKnight，whosepraiseshehadsofrequentlytrumpetedinherears，ofwhomshehadactuallybeenjealous，lestsheherselfshouldbelessenedinStephen\'sloveonaccountofhim，hadprobablywonherthemoreeasilybyreasonofthoseverypraiseswhichhehadonlyceasedtoutterbyhercommand。Shehadruledhimlikeaqueeninthatmatter，asinallothers。Stephencouldtellbyhermanner，briefashadbeenhisobservationofit，andbyherwords，fewastheywere，thatherpositionwasfardifferentwithKnight。Thatshelookedupatandadoredhernewloverfrombelowhispedestal，wasevenmoreperceptiblethanthatshehadsmileddownuponStephenfromaheightabovehim。