第9章

HiswaytakinghimpastTellson\'s，andhebothbankingatTellson\'sandknowingMr。LorryastheintimatefriendoftheManettes，itenteredMr。Stryver\'smindtoenterthebank，andrevealtoMr。LorrythebrightnessoftheSohohorizon。So，hepushedopenthedoorwiththeweakrattleinitsthroat，stumbleddownthetwosteps，gotpastthetwoancientcashiers，andshoulderedhimselfintothemustybackclosetwhereMr。Lorrysatatgreatbooksruledforfigures，withperpendicularironbarstohiswindowasifthatwereruledforfigurestoo，andeverythingunderthecloudswereasum。

`Halloa!\'saidMr。Stryver。`Howdoyoudo?Ihopeyouarewell!\'

ItwasStryver\'sgrandpeculiaritythathealwaysseemedtoobigforanyplace，orspace。HewassomuchtoobigforTellson\'s，thatoldclerksindistantcornerslookedupwithlooksofremonstrance，asthoughhesqueezedthemagainstthewall。TheHouseitself，magnificentlyreadingthepaperquiteinthefar-offperspective，lowereddispleased，asiftheStryverheadhadbeenbuttedintoitsresponsiblewaistcoat。

ThediscreetMr。Lorrysaid，inasampletoneofthevoicehewouldrecommendunderthecircumstances，`Howdoyoudo，Mr。Stryver?Howdoyoudo，sir?\'andshookhands。Therewasapeculiarityinhismannerofshakinghands，alwaystobeseeninanyclerkatTellson\'swhoshookhandswithacustomerwhentheHousepervadedtheair。Heshookinaself-abnegatingway，asonewhoshookforTellsonandCo。

`CanIdoanythingforyou，Mr。Stryver?\'askedMr。Lorry，inhisbusinesscharacter。

`Why，no，thankyou；thisisaprivatevisittoyourself，Mr。

Lorry；Ihavecomeforaprivateword。\'

`Ohindeed!\'saidMr。Lorry，bendingdownhisear，whilehiseyestrayedtotheHouseafaroff。

`Iamgoing，\'saidMr。Stryver，leaninghisarmsconfidentiallyonthedesk:whereupon，althoughitwasalargedoubleone，thereappearedtobenothalfdeskenoughforhim:`Iamgoingtomakeanofferofmyselfinmarriagetoyouragreeablelittlefriend，MissManette，Mr。Lorry。\'

Ohdearme!\'criedMr。Lorry，rubbinghischin，andlookingathisvisitordubiously。

`Ohdearme，sir?\'repeatedStryver，drawingback。

`Ohdearyou，sir?Whatmayyourmeaningbe，Mr。Lorry?\'

`Mymeaning，\'answeredthemanofbusiness，`is，ofcourse，friendlyandappreciative，andthatitdoesyouthegreatestcredit，and——inshort，mymeaningiseverythingyoucoulddesire。But——really，youknow，Mr。Stryver——\'Mr。Lorrypaused，andshookhisheadathimintheoddestmanner，asifhewerecompelledagainsthiswilltoadd，internally，`youknowtherereallyissomuchtoomuchofyou!\'

`Well!\'saidStryver，slappingthedeskwithhiscontentioushand，openinghiseyeswider，andtakingalongbreath，`ifIunderstandyou，Mr。Lorry，I\'llbehanged!\'

Mr。Lorryadjustedhislittlewigatbothearsasameanstowardsthatend，andbitthefeatherofapen。

`D——nitall，sir!\'saidStryver，staringathim，`amInoteligible?\'

`Ohdearyes!Yes。Ohyes，you\'reeligible!\'saidMr。Lorry。`Ifyousayeligible，youareeligible。\'

`AmInotprosperous?\'askedStryver。

`Oh!ifyoucometoprosperous，youareprosperous，\'saidMr。

Lorry。

`Andadvancing?\'

`Ifyoucometoadvancing，youknow，\'saidMr。Lorry，delightedtobeabletomakeanotheradmission，`nobodycandoubtthat。\'

`Thenwhatonearthisyourmeaning，Mr。Lorry?\'demandedStryver，perceptiblycrestfallen。

`Well!IWereyougoingtherenow?\'askedMr。Lorry。`Straight!\'

saidStryver，withaplumpofhisfistonthedesk。`ThenIthinkIwouldn\'t，ifIwasyou。\'

`Why?\'saidStryver。`Now，I\'llputyouinacorner，\'forensicallyshakingaforefingerathim。`Youareamanofbusinessandboundtohaveareason。Stateyourreason。

Whywouldn\'tyougo?\'

`Because，\'saidMr。Lorry，`Iwouldn\'tgoonsuchanobjectwithouthavingsomecausetobelievethatIshouldsucceed。\'

`D——nME!\'criedStryver，`butthisbeatseverything。\'

Mr。LorryglancedatthedistantHouse，andglancedattheangryStryver。

`Here\'samanofbusiness——amanofyears——amanofexperience——inaBank，\'saidStryver；`andhavingsummedupthreeleadingreasonsforcompletesuccess，hesaysthere\'snoreasonatall!Saysitwithhisheadon!\'Mr。Stryverremarkedupontilepeculiarityasifitwouldhavebeeninfinitelylessremarkableifhehadsaiditwithhisheadoff。

`WhenIspeakofsuccess，Ispeakofsuccesswiththeyounglady；

andwhenIspeakofcausesandreasonstomakesuccessprobable，Ispeakofcausesandreasonsthatwilltellassuchwiththeyounglady。Theyounglady，mygoodsir，\'saidMr。Lorry，mildlytappingtheStryverarm，`theyounglady。Theyoungladygoesbeforeall。\'

`Thenyoumeantotellme，Mr。Lorry，\'saidStryver，squaringhiselbows，`thatitisyourdeliberateopinionthattheyoungladyatpresentinquestionisamincingFool?\'

`Notexactlyso。Imeantotellyou，Mr。Stryver，\'saidMr。Lorry，reddening，`thatIwillhearnodisrespectfulwordOfthatyoungladyfromanylips；andthatifIknewanyman——whichIhopeIdonot——whosetastewassocoarse，andwhosetemperwassooverbearing，thathecouldnotrestrainhimselffromspeakingdisrespectfullyofthatyoungladyatthisdesk，notevenTellson\'sshouldpreventmygivinghimapieceofmymind。\'

ThenecessityofbeingangryinasuppressedtonehadputMr。

Stryver\'sblood-vesselsintoadangerousstatewhenitwashisturntobeangry；Mr。Lorry\'sveins，methodicalastheircoursescouldusuallybe，wereinnobetterstatenowitwashisturn。

`ThatiswhatImeantotellyou，sir，\'saidMr。Lorry。`Praylettherebenomistakeaboutit。\'

Mr。Stryversuckedtileendofarulerforalittlewhileandthenstoodhittingatuneoutofhisteethwithit，which\'probablygavehimthetoothache。Hebroketheawkwardsilencebysaying:

`Thisissomethingnewtome，Mr。Lorry。YoudeliberatelyadvisemenottogouptoSohoandoffermyself——myself，StryveroftheKing\'sBenchbar?\'

`Doyouaskmeformyadvice，Mr。Stryver?\'

`Yes，Ido。\'

`Verygood。ThenIgiveit，andyouhaverepeateditcorrectly。\'

`AndallIcansayofitis，\'laughedStryverwithavexedlaugh，`thatthis——ha，ha!——beatseverythingpast，present，andtocome。\'

`Nowunderstandme，\'pursuedMr。Lorry。`Asamanofbusiness，Iamnotjustifiedinsayinganythingaboutthismatter，for，asamanofbusiness，Iknownothingofit。But，asanoldfellow，whohascarriedMissManetteinhisarms，whoisthetrustedfriendofMissManetteandofherfathertoo，andwhohasagreataffectionforthemboth，Ihavespoken。Theconfidenceisnotofmyseeking，recollect。Now，youthinkImaynotberight?\'

`NotI!\'saidStryver，whistling。`Ican\'tundertaketofindthirdpartiesincommonsense；IcanonlyfinditformyselfIsupposesenseincertainquarters；yousupposemincingbread-and-butternonsense。It\'snewtome，butyouareright，Idaresay。\'

`WhatIsuppose，Mr。Stryver，IclaimtocharacteriseformyselfAndunderstandme，sir，\'saidMr。Lorry，quicklyflushingagain，`Iwillnot——notevenatTellson\'s——haveitcharacterisedformebyanygentlemanbreathing。\'

`There!Ibegyourpardon!\'saidStryver。

`Granted。Thankyou。Well，Mr。Stryver，Iwasabouttosay——itmightbepainfultoyoutofindyourselfmistaken，itmightbepainfultoDoctorManettetohavethetaskofbeingexplicitwithyou，itmightbeverypainfultoMissManettetohavethetaskofbeingexplicitwithyou。YouknowthetermsuponwhichIhavethehonourandhappinesstostandwiththefamily。Ifyouplease，committingyouinnoway，representingyouinnoway，Iwillundertaketocorrectmyadvicebytheexerciseofalittlenewobservationandjudgmentexpresslybroughttobearuponit。

Ifyoushouldthenbedissatisfiedwithit，youcanbuttestitssoundnessforyourself；if，ontheotherhand，youshouldbesatisfiedwithit，anditshouldbewhatitnowis，itmayspareallsideswhatisbestspared。

Whatdoyousay?\'

`Howlongwouldyoukeepmeintown?\'

`Oh!Itisonlyaquestionofafewhours。IcouldgotoSohointheevening，andcometoyourchambersafterwards。\'

`ThenIsayyes，\'saidStryver:`Iwon\'tgouptherenow，Iamnotsohotuponitasthatcomesto；Isayyes，andIshallexpectyoutolookinto-night。Good-morning。\'

ThenMr。StryverturnedandburstoutoftheBank，causingsuchaconcussionofaironhispassagethrough，thattostandupagainstitbowingbehindthetwocounters，requiredtheutmostremainingstrengthofthetwoancientclerks。

Thosevenerableandfeeblepersonswerealwaysseenbythepublicintheactofbowing，andwerepopularlybelieved，whentheyhadbowedacustomerout，stilltokeeponbowingintheemptyofficeuntiltheybowedanothercustomerin。

Thebarristerwaskeenenoughtodivinethatthebankerwouldnothavegonesofarinhisexpressionofopiniononanylesssolidgroundthanmoralcertainty。Unpreparedashewasforthelargepillhehadtoswallow，hegotitdown。`Andnow，\'saidMr。Stryver，shakinghisforensicforefingerattheTempleingeneral，whenitwasdown，`mywayoutofthis，is，toputyouallinthewrong。\'

ItwasabitoftheartofanOldBaileytactician，inwhichhefoundgreatrelief。`Youshallnotputmeinthewrong，younglady，\'saidMr。

Stryver；`I\'lldothatforyou。\'

Accordingly，whenMr。Lorrycalledthatnightaslateasteno\'clock，Mr。Stryver，amongaquantityofbooksandpaperslitteredoutforthepurpose，seemedtohavenothinglessonhismindthanthesubjectofthemorning。HeevenshowedsurprisewhenhesawMr。Lorry，andwasaltogetherinanabsentandpreoccupiedstate。

`Well!\'saidthatgood-naturedemissary，afterafullhalf-hourofbootlessattemptstobringhimroundtothequestion。`IhavebeentoSoho。\'

`ToSoho?\'repeatedMr。Stryver，coldly。`Oh，tobesure!WhatamIthinkingof!\'

`AndIhavenodoubt，\'saidMr。Lorry，`thatIwasrightintheconversationwehad。Myopinionisconfirmed，andIreiteratemyadvice。\'

`Iassureyou，\'returnedMr。Stryver，inthefriendliestway，`thatIamsorryforitonyouraccount，andsorryforitonthepoorfather\'saccount。Iknowthismustalwaysbeasoresubjectwiththefamily；letussaynomoreaboutit。\'

`Idon\'tunderstandyou，\'saidMrLorry。

`Idaresaynot，\'rejoinedStryver，noddinghisheadinasmoothingandfinalway；nomatter，nomatter。\'

`Butitdoesmatter，\'Mr。Lorryurged。

`Noitdoesn\'t；Iassureyouitdoesn\'t。Havingsupposedthattherewassensewherethereisnosense，andalaudableambitionwherethereisnotalaudableambition，Iamwelloutofmymistake，andnoharmisdone。Youngwomenhavecommittedsimilarfolliesoftenbefore，andhaverepentedtheminpovertyandobscurityoftenbefore。Inanunselfishaspect，Iamsorrythatthethingisdropped，becauseitwouldhavebeenabadthingformeinaworldlypointofview；inaselfishaspect，Iamgladthatthethinghasdropped，becauseitwouldhavebeenabadthingformeinaworldlypointofview——itishardlynecessarytosayIcouldhavegainednothingbyit。Thereisnoharmatalldone。Ihavenotproposedtotheyounglady，and，betweenourselves，Iambynomeanscertain，onreflection，thatIevershouldhavecommittedmyselftothatextent。Mr。

Lorry，youcannotcontrolthemincingvanitiesandgiddinessesofempty-headedgirls；youmustnotexpecttodoit，oryouwillalwayshedisappointed。

Now，praysaynomoreaboutit。Itellyou，Iregretitonaccountofothers，butIamsatisfiedonmyownaccount。AndIamreallyverymuchobligedtoyouforallowingmetosoundyou，andforgivingmeyouradvice；

youknowtheyoungladybetterthanIdo；youwereright，itneverwouldhavedone。

Mr。Lorrywassotakenaback，thathelookedquitestupidlyatMr。Stryvershoulderinghimtowardsthedoor，withanappearanceofshoweringgenerosity，forbearance，andgoodwill，onhiserringhead。\'Makethebestofit，mydearsir，\'saidStryver；`saynomoreaboutit；thankyouagainforallowingmetosoundyou；good-night!\'Mr。Lorrywasoutinthenight，beforeheknewwherehewas。Mr。Stryverwaslyingbackonhissofa，winkingathisCeiling。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIIITheFellowofDelicacyIFSydneyCartonevershoneanywhere，hecertainlynevershonethehouseofDoctorManette。Hehadbeenthereoften，duringawholeyear，andhadalwaysbeenthesamemoodyandmoroseloungerthere。Whenhecaredtotalk，hetalkedwell；but，thecloudofcaringfornothing，whichovershadowedhimwithsuchafataldarkness，wasveryrarelypiercedbythelightwithinhim。

Andyethedidcaresomethingforthestreetsthatenvironedthathouse，andforthesenselessstonesthatmadetheirpavements。Manyanighthevaguelyandunhappilywanderedthere，whenwinehadbroughtnotransitorygladnesstohim；manyadrearydaybreakrevealedhissolitaryfigurelingeringthere，andstilllingeringtherewhenthefirstbeamsofthesunbroughtintostrongrelief，removedbeautiesofarchitectureinspiresofchurchesandloftybuildings，asperhapsthequiettimebroughtsomesenseofbetterthings，elseforgottenandunattainable，intohismind。Oflate，theneglectedbedintheTempleCourthadknownhimmorescantilythinever；andoftenwhenhehadthrownhimselfuponitnolongerthanafewminutes，hehadgotupagain，andhauntedthatneighbourhood。

OnadayinAugust，whenMr。Stryver(afternotifyingtohisjackalthat`hehadthoughtbetterofthatmarryingmatter\')hadcarriedhisdelicacyintoDevonshire，andwhenthesightandscentofflowersintheCitystreetshadsomewaifsofgoodnessinthemfortheworst，ofhealthforthesickliest，andofyouthfortheoldest，Sydney\'sfeetstilltrodthosestones。Frombeingirresoluteandpurposeless，hisfeetbecameanimatedbyanintention，and，intheworkingoutofthatintention，theytookhimtotheDoctor\'sdoor。

Hewasshownupstairs，andfoundLucieatherwork，alone。Shehadneverbeenquiteathereasewithhim，andreceivedhimwithsomelittleembarrassmentasheseatedhimselfnearhertable。But，lookingupathisfaceintheinterchangeofthefirstfewcommonplaces，sheobservedachangeinit。

`Ifearyouarenotwell，Mr。Carton!\'

`No。ButthelifeIlead，MissManette，isnotconducivetohealth。

Whatistobeexpectedoforby，suchprofligates?\'

`Isitnot——forgiveme；Ihavebegunthequestiononmylips——apitytolivenobetterlife?\'

`Godknowsitisashame!\'

`Thenwhynotchangeit?\'

Lookinggentlyathimagain，shewassurprisedandsaddenedtoseethatthereweretearsinhiseyes。Thereweretearsinhisvoicetoo，asheanswered:

`Itistoolateforthat。IshallneverbebetterthanIam。I

shallsinklower，andbeworse。\'

Heleanedanelbowonhertable，andcoveredhiseyeswithhishand。Thetabletrembledinthesilencethatfollowed。

Shehadneverseenhintsoftened，andwasmuchdistressed。Heknewhertobeso，withoutlookingather，andsaid:

`Prayforgiveme，MissManette。IbreakdownbeforetheknowledgeofwhatIwanttosaytoyou。Willyouhearme?\'

`Ifitwilldoyouanygood，Mr。Carton，ifitwouldmakeyouhappier，itwouldmakemeveryglad!\'

`Godblessyouforyoursweetcompassion!\'

Heunshadedhisfaceafteralittlewhile，andspokesteadily。

`Don\'tbeafraidtohearme。Don\'tshrinkfromanythingIsay。Iamlikeonewhodiedyoung。Allmylifemighthavebeen。\'

`No，Mr。Carton。Iamsurethatthebestpartofitmightstillbe；Iamsurethatyoumightbemuch，muchworthierofyourself。\'

`Sayofyou，MissManette，andalthoughIknowbetter——althoughinthemysteryofmyownwretchedheartIknowbetter——IshallneverforgetitI\'

Shewaspaleandtrembling。Hecametoherreliefwithafixeddespairofhimselfwhichmadetheinterviewunlikeanyotherthatcouldhavebeenholden。

`Ifithadbeenpossible，MissManette，thatyoucouldhavereturnedtheloveofthemanyouseebeforeyou——self-flungaway，wasted，drunken，poorcreatureofmisuseasyouknowhimtobe——hewouldhavebeenconsciousthisdayandhour，inspiteofhishappiness，thathewouldbringyoutomisery，bringyoutosorrowandrepentance，blightyou，disgraceyou，pullyoudownwithhim。Iknowverywellthatyoucanhavenotendernessforme；Iaskfornone；Iameventhankfulthatitcannothe。\'

`Withoutit，canInotsaveyou，Mr。Carton?CanInotrecallyou——forgivemeagain!——toabettercourse?CanIinnowayrepayyourconfidence?Iknobthisisaconfidence，\'shemodestlysaid，afteralittlehesitation，andinearnesttears，`Iknowyouwouldsaythistonooneelse。CanIturnittonogoodaccountforyourself，Mr。Carton?\'

Heshookhishead。

`Tonone。No，MissManette，tonone。Ifyouwillhearmethroughaverylittlemore，allyoucaneverdoformeisdone。Iwishyoutoknowthatyouhavebeenthelastdreamofmysoul。InmydegradationIhavenotbeensodegradedbutthatthesightofyouwithyourfather，andofthishomemadesuchahomebyyou，hasstirredoldshadowsthatIthoughthaddiedoutofme。SinceIknewyou，IhavebeentroubledbyaremorsethatIthoughtwouldneverreproachmeagain，andhaveheardwhispersfromoldvoicesimpellingmeupward，thatIthoughtweresilentforever。I

havehadunformedideasofstrivingafresh，beginninganew，shakingoffslothandsensuality，andfightingouttheabandonedfight。Adream，alladream，thatendsinnothing，andleavesthesleeperwherehelaydown，butIwishyoutoknowthatyouinspiredit。\'

`Willnothingofitremain?OMr。Carton，thinkagain!Tryagain!\'

`No，MissManette；allthroughit，Ihaveknownmyselftobequiteundeserving。AndyetIhavehadtheweakness，andhavestilltheweakness，towishyoutoknowwithwhatasuddenmasteryyoukindledme，heapofashesthatIam，intofire——afire，however，inseparableinitsnaturefrommyself，quickeningnothing，lightingnothing，doingnoservice，idlyburningaway。\'

`Sinceitismymisfortune，Mr。Carton，tohavemoreunhappythanyouwerebeforeyouknewme——

`Don\'tsaythat，MissManette，foryouwouldhavereclaimedme，ifanythingcould。Youwillnotbethecauseofmybecomingworse。\'

`Sincethestateofyourmindthatyoudescribe，is，atallevents，attributabletosomeinfluenceofmine——thisiswhatImean，ifIcanmakeitplain——canIusenoinfluencetoserveyou?HaveInopowerforgood，withyou，atall?\'

`TheutmostgoodthatIamcapableofnow，MissManette，Ihavecomeheretorealise。Letmecarrythroughtherestofmymisdirectedlife，theremembrancethatIopenedmyhearttoyou，lastofalltheworld；andthattherewassomethingleftinmeatthistimewhichyoucoulddeploreandpity。\'

`WhichIentreatedyoutobelieve，againandagain，mostfervently，withallmyheart，wascapableofbetterthings，Mr。Carton!\'

`Entreatmetobelieveitnomore，MissManette。Ihaveprovedmyself，andIknowbetter。Idistressyou；Idrawfasttoanend。Willyouletmebelieve，whenIrecallthisday，thatthelastconfidenceofmylifewasreposedinyourpureandinnocentbreast，andthatitliestherealone，andwillbesharedbynoone?\'

`Ifthatwillbeaconsolationtoyou，yes。\'

`Notevenbythedearestoneevertobeknowntoyou?\'

`Mr。Carton，\'sheanswered，afteranagitatedpause，`thesecretisyours，notmine；andIpromisetorespectit。\'

`Thankyou。Andagain，Godblessyou。\'

Heputherhandtohislips，andmovedtowardsthedoor。`Beundernoapprehension，MissManette，ofmyeverresumingthisconversationbysomuchasapassingword。Iwillneverrefertoitagain。IfIweredead，thatcouldnotbesurerthanitishenceforth。Inthehourofmydeath，Ishallholdsacredtheonegoodremembrance——andshallthankandblessyouforit——thatmylastavowalofmyselfwasmadetoyou，andthatmyname，andfaults，andmiseriesweregentlycarriedinyourheart。Mayitotherwisebelightandhappy!\'

Hewassounlikewhathehadevershownhimselftobe，anditwassosadtothinkhowmuchhehadthrownaway，andhowmuchheeverydaykeptdownandperverted，thatLucieManetteweptmournfullyforhimashestoodlookingbackather。

`Becomforted!\'hesaid，`Iamnotworthsuchfeeling，MissManette。

Anhourortwohence，andthelowcompanionsandlowhabitsthatIscornbutyieldto，willrendermelessworthsuchtearsasthose，thananywretchwhocreepsalongthestreets。BecomfortedBut，withinmyself，Ishallalwaysbe，towardsyou，whatIamnow，thoughoutwardlyIshallbewhatyouhaveheretoforeseenme。ThelastsupplicationbutoneImaketoyou，is，thatyouwillbelievethisofme。\'

`Iwill，Mr。Carton。\'

`Mylastsupplicationofall，isthis；andwithit，IwillrelieveyouofavisitorwithwhomIwellknowyouhavenothinginunison，andbetweenwhomandyouthereisanimpassablespace。Itisuselesstosayit，Iknow，butitrisesoutofmysoul。Foryou，andforanydeartoyou，Iwoulddoanything。Ifmycareerwereofthatbetterkindthattherewasanyopportunityorcapacityofsacrificeinit，Iwouldembraceanysacrificeforyouandforthosedeartoyou。Trytoholdmeinyourmind，atsomequiettimes，asardentandsincereinthisonething。Thetimewillcome，thetimewillnotbelongincoming，whennewtieswillbeformedaboutyou——tiesthatwillbindyouyetmoretenderlyandstronglytothehomeyousoadorn——thedearesttiesthatwillevergraceandgladdenyou。O

MissManette，whenthelittlepictureofahappyfather\'sfacelooksupinyours，whenyouseeyourownbrightbeautyspringingupanewatyourfeet，thinknowandthenthatthereisamanwhowouldgivehislife，tokeepalifeyoulovebesideyou!\'Hesaid，`Farewell!\'saidalast`Godblessyou!\'andlefther。

[NextChapter][TableofContents]ATaleofTwoCities:BooktheSecond[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIVTheHonestTradesmanTOtheeyesofMr。JeremiahCruncher，sittingonhisstoolinFleetStreetwithhisgrislyurchinbesidehim，avastnumberandvarietyofobjectsinmovementwereeverydaypresented。WhocouldsituponanythinginFleetStreetduringthebusyhoursoftheday，andnotbedazedanddeafenedbytwoimmenseprocessions，oneevertendingwestwardwiththesun，theotherevertendingeastwardfromthesun，bothevertendingtotheplainsbeyondtherangeofredandpurplewherethesungoesdown!

Withhisstrawinhismouth，Mr。Crunchersatwatchingthetwostreams，liketheheathenrusticwhohasforseveralcenturiesbeenondutywatchingonestream——savingthatJerryhadnoexpectationoftheireverrunningdry。Norwouldithavebeenanexpectationofahopefulkind，sinceBallpartofhisincomewasderivedfromthepilotageoftimidwomen(mostlyofafullhabitandpastthemiddleoflife)fromTellson\'ssideofthetidestotheoppositeore。Briefassuchcompanionshipwasineveryseparateinstance，Mr。Cruncherneverfailedtobecomesointerestedtheladyastoexpressastrongdesiretohavethehonourdrinkingherverygoodhealth。Anditwasfromthegiftstoweduponhimtowardstheexecutionofthisbenevolentpurpose，thatherecruitedhisfinances，asjustnowobserved。

Timewas，whenapoetsatuponastoolinapublicplace，andmusedinthesightofmen。Mr。Cruncher，sittingonstoolinapublicplace，butnotbeingapoet，musedaslittleaspossible，andlookedabouthim。

Itfelloutthathewasthusengagedinaseasonwhencrowdswerefew，andbelatedwomenfew，andwhenhisaffairsingeneralweresounprosperousastoawakenastrongsuspicioninhisbreastthatMrs。Crunchermusthavebeen`flopping\'insomepointedmanner，whenanunusualconcoursepouringdownFleetStreetwestward，attractedhisattention。Lookingthatway，Mr。Crunchermadeoutthatmekindoffuneralwascomingalong，andthattherewaspopularobjectiontothisfuneral，whichengendereduproar。

`YoungJerry，\'saidMr。Cruncher，turningtohisoffspring，`it\'saburyin\'。\'

`Hooroar，father!\'criedYoungJerry。

Theyounggentlemanutteredthisexultantsoundwithmysterioussignificance。Theeldergentlemantookthecrysoill，thathewatchedhisopportunity，andsmotetheyounggentlemanontheear。

`Whatd\'yemean?Whatareyouhooroaringat?Whatdoyouwanttoconweytoyourownfather，youyoungRip?Thisboyisagettingtoomanyforme!\'saidMr。Cruncher，surveyinghim。`Himandhishooroars。

Don\'tletmehearnomoreofyou，oryoushallfeelsomemoreofme。D\'yehear?\'

`Iwarn\'tdoingnoharm，\'YoungJerryprotested，rubbinghischeek。

`Dropitthen，\'saidMr。Cruncher；`Iwon\'thavenoneofyournoharms。Getatopofthatthereseat，andlookatthecrowd。\'

Hissonobeyed，andthecrowdapproached；theywerebawlingandhissingroundadingyhearseanddingymourningcoach，inwhichmourningcoachtherewasonlyonemourner，dressedinthedingytrappingsthatwereconsideredessentialtothedignityoftheposition。Thepositionappearedbynomeanstopleasehim，however，withanincreasingrabblesurroundingthecoach，deridinghim，makinggrimacesathim，andincessantlygroaningandcallingout:`Yah!Spies!Tst!Yaha!Spies!\'withmanycomplimentstoonumerousandforcibletorepeat。

FuneralshadatalltimesaremarkableattractionforMr。Cruncher；

healwaysprickeduphissenses，andbecameexcited，whenafuneralpassedTellson\'s。Naturally，therefore，afuneralwiththisuncommonattendanceexcitedhimgreatly，andheaskedofthefirstmanwhoranagainsthim:

`Whatisit，brother?What\'sitabout?\'

`Idon\'tknow，\'saidtheman。`Spies!Yaha!Tst!Spies!\'

Heaskedanotherman。`Whoisit?\'

`Idon\'tknow，\'returnedtheman，clappinghishandstohismouthnevertheless，andvociferatinginasurprisingheatandwiththegreatestardour，`Spies!Yaha!Tst，tst!Spi-ies!\'

Atlength，apersonbetterinformedonthemeritsofthecase，tumbledagainsthim，andfromthispersonhelearnedthatthefuneralwasthefuneralofOneRogerCly。

`WasHeaspy?\'askedMr。Cruncher。

`OldBaileyspy，\'returnedhisinformant。`YahaTst!Yah!OldBaileySpi-i-ies!\'

`Why，tobesure!\'exclaimedJerry，recallingtheTrialatwhichhehadassisted。`I\'veseenhim。Dead，ishe?\'

`Deadasmutton，\'returnedtheother，`andcan\'tbetoodead。

Have`emout，thereSpies!Pull`emout，there!Spies!\'

Theideawassoacceptableintheprevalentabsenceofanyidea，thatthecrowdcaughtitupwitheagerness，and，loudlyrepeatingthesuggestiontohave`emout，andtopullemout，mobbedthetwovehiclessocloselythattheycametoastop。Onthecrowd\'sopeningthecoachdoors，theonemournerscuffledoutofhimselfandwasintheirhandsforamoment；buthewassoalert，andmadesuchgooduseofhistime，thatinanothermomenthewasscouringawayupabystreet，aftersheddinghiscloak，hat，longhatband，whitepockethandkerchief，andothersymbolicaltears。

These，thepeopletoretopiecesandscatteredfarandwidewithgreatenjoyment，whilethetradesmenhurriedlyshutuptheirshops；foracrowdinthosetimesstoppedatnothing，andwasamonstermuchdreaded。

Theyhadalreadygotthelengthofopeningthehearsetotakethecoffinout，whensomebrightergeniusproposedinstead，itsbeingescortedtodestinationamidstgeneralrejoicing。Practicalsuggestionsbeingmuchneeded，thissuggestion，too，wasreceivedwithacclamation，andthecoachwasimmediatelyfilledwitheightinsideandadozenout，whileasmanypeoplegotontheroofofthehearseascouldbyanyexerciseofingenuitystickuponit。AmongthefirstofthesevolunteerswasJerryCruncherhimself，whomodestlyconcealedhisspikyheadfromtheobservationofTellson\'s，inthefurthercornerofthemourningcoach。

Theofficiatingundertakersmadesomeprotestagainstthesechangesintheceremonies；but，theriverbeingalarminglynear，andseveralvoicesremarkingontheefficacyofcoldimmersioninbringingrefractorymembersoftheprofessiontoreason，theprotestwasfaintandbrief。Theremodelledprocessionstarted，withachimney-sweepdrivingthehearse——advisedbytheregulardriver，whowasperchedbesidehim，undercloseinspection，forthepurpose——andwithapieman，alsoattendedbyhiscabinetminister，drivingthemourningcoach。Abear-leader，apopularstreetcharacterofthetime，wasimpressedasanadditionalornament，beforethecavalcadehadgonefardowntheStrand；andhisbear，whowasblackandverymangy，gavequiteanUndertakingairtothatpartoftheprocessioninwhichhewalked。

Thus，withbeer-drinking，pipe-smoking，song-roaring，andinfinitecaricaturingofwoe，thedisorderlyprocessionwentitsway，recruitingateverystep，andalltheshopsshuttingupbeforeit。ItsdestinationwastheoldchurchofSaintPancras，faroffinthefields。Itgotthereincourseoftime；insistedonpouringintotheburial-ground；finally，accomplishedtheintermentofthedeceasedRogerClyinitsownway，andhighlytoitsownsatisfaction。

Thedeadmandisposedof，andthecrowdbeingunderthenecessityofprovidingsomeotherentertainmentforitself，anotherbrightergenius(orperhapsthesame)conceivedthehumourofimpeachingcasualpassersby，asOldBaileyspies，andwreakingvengeanceonthem。ChasewasgiventosomescoresofinoffensivepersonswhohadneverbeenneartheOldBaileyintheirlives，intherealisationofthisfancy，andtheywereroughlyhustledandmaltreated。Thetransitiontothesportofwindow-breaking，andthencetotheplunderingofpublic-houses，waseasyandnatural。Atlast，afterseveralhours，whensundrysummerhouseshadbeenpulleddowandsomearea-railingshadbeentornup，toarmthemorebelligerentspirits，arumourgotaboutthattheGuardswecoming。Beforethisrumour，thecrowdgraduallymeltedaway，andperhapstheGuardscame，andperhapstheynevercame，andthiswastheusualprogressofamob。

Mr。Cruncherdidnotassistattheclosingsports，huthadremainedbehindinthechurchyard，toconferandcondolewiththeundertakers。Theplacehadasoothinginfluenceonhim。Heprocuredapipefromaneighbouringpublichouse，andsmokedit，lookinginattherailingsandmaturelyconsideringthespot。

`Jerry，\'saidMr。Cruncher，apostrophisinghimselfinhisusualway，`youseethatthereClythatday，andyouseewithyourowneyesthathewasayoung`unandastraightmade`un。\'

Havingsmokedhispipeout，andruminatedalittlelonger，heturnedhimselfabout，thathemightappear，beforethehourofclosing，onhisstationatTellson\'s。Whetherhismeditationsonmortalityhadtouchedhisliver，orwhetherhisgeneralhealthhadbeenpreviouslyatallamiss，orwhetherhedesiredtoshowalittleattentiontoaneminentman，isnotsomuchtothepurpose，asthathemadeashortcalluponhismedicaladviser——adistinguishedsurgeon——onhiswayback。

YoungJerryrelievedhisfatherwithdutifulinterest，andreportedNojobinhisabsence。Thebankclosed，theancientclerkscameOut，theusualwatchwasset，andMr。Cruncherandhissonwenthometotea。

`Now，Itellyouwhereitis!\'saidMr。Crunchertohiswife，onentering。`If，asahonesttradesman，mywentursgoeswrongtonight，Ishallmakesurethatyou\'vebeenprayingagainme，andIshallworkyouforitjustthesameasifIseenyoudoit。\'

ThedejectedMrs。Crunchershookherhead。

`Why，you\'reatitaforemyface!\'saidMr。Cruncher，withsignsofangryapprehension。

`Iamsayingnothing。\'

`Well，then；don\'tmeditatenothing。Youmightaswellmeditate。

Youmayaswellgoagainmeonewayasanother。Dropitaltogether。\'

`YesJerry。\'

`Yes，Jerry，\'repeatedMr。Cruncher，sittingdowntotea。`Ah!

Itisyes，Jerry。That\'saboutit。Youmaysayyes，Jerry。\'

Mr。Cruncherhadnoparticularmeaninginthesesulkycorroborations，butmadeuseofthem，aspeoplenotunfrequentlydo，toexpressgeneralironicaldissatisfaction。

`Youandyouryes，Jerry，\'saidMr。Cruncher，takingabiteoutofhisbread-and-butter，andseemingtohelpitdownwithalargeinvisibleoysteroutofhissaucer。`Ah!Ithinkso。Ibelieveyou。\'

`Youaregoingoutto-night?\'askedhisdecentwife，whenhetookanotherbite。

`Yes，Iam。\'

`MayIgowithyou，father?\'askedhisson，briskly。

`No，youmayn\'t。I\'magoing——asyourmotherknows——afishing。That\'swhereI\'mgoingto。Goingafishing。\'

`Yourfishingrodgetsratherrusty；don\'tit，father?\'

`Neveryoumind。\'

`Shallyoubringanyfishhome，father?\'

`IfIdon\'t，you\'llhaveshortcommons，tomorrow，\'returnedthatgentleman，shakinghishead；`that\'squestionsenoughforyou；Iain\'tagoingout，tillyou\'vebeenlonga-bed。\'

HedevotedhimselfduringtheremainderoftheeveningtokeepingamostvigilantwatchonMrs。Cruncher，andsullenlyholdingherinconversationthatshemightbepreventedfrommeditatinganypetitionstohisdisadvantage。

Withthisview，heurgedhissontoholdherinconversationalso，andledtheunfortunatewomanahardlifebydwellingonanycausesofcomplaintliecouldbringagainsther，ratherthanhewouldleaveherforamomenttoherownreflections。ThedevoutestpersoncouldhaverenderednogreaterhomagetotheefficacyofanhonestprayerthanhedidinthisdistrustofhisMile。Itwasasifaprofessedunbelieveringhostsshouldbefrightenedbyaghoststory。

`Andmindyou!\'saidMr。Cruncher。`Nogamestomorrow!IfI，asahonesttradesman，succeedinprovidingajinteofmeatortwo，noneofyournottouchingofit，andstickingtobread。IfI，asahonesttradesman，amabletoprovidealittlebeer，noneofyourdeclaringonwater。WhenyougotoRome，doasRomedoes。Romewillbeauglycustomertoyou，ifyoudon\'t。`I\'myourRome，youknow。\'

Thenhebegangrumblingagain:

`Withyourflyingintothefaceofyourownwittlesanddrink!

Idon\'tknowhowscarceyoumayn\'tmakethewittlesanddrinkhere，byyourfloppingtricksandyourunfeelingconduct。Lookatyourboy:heisyour\'n，ain\'the?He\'sasthinasalath。Doyoucallyourselfamother，andnotknowthatamother\'sfirstdutyistoblowherboyout?\'

ThistouchedYoungJerryonatenderplace；whoadjuredhismothertoperformherfirstduty，and，whateverelseshedidorneglected，aboveallthingstolayespecialstressonthedischargeofthatmaternalfunctionsoaffectinglyanddelicatelyindicatedbyhisotherparent。

ThustheeveningworeawaywiththeCruncherfamily，untilYoungJerrywasorderedtobed，andhismother，laidundersimilarinjunctions，obeyedthem。Mr。Cruncherbeguiledtheearlierwatchesofthenightwithsolitarypipes，anddidnotstartuponhisexcursionuntilnearlyoneo\'clock。

Towardsthatsmallandghostlyhour，heroseupfromhischair，tookakeyoutofhispocket，openedalockedcupboard，andbroughtforthasack，acrowbarofconvenientsize，aropeandchain，andotherfishingtackleofthatnature。Disposingthesearticlesabouthiminskilfulmanner，hebestowedapartingdefianceonMrs。Cruncher，extinguishedthelight，andwentout。

YoungJerry，whohadonlymadeafeintofundressingwhenhewenttobed，wasnotlongafterhisfather。Undercoverofthedarknesshefollowedoutoftheroom，followeddownthestairs，followeddownthecourt，followedoutintothestreets。Hewasinnouneasinessconcerninghisgettingintothehouseagain，foritwasfulloflodgers，andthedoorstoodajarallnight。

Impelledbyalaudableambitiontostudytheartandmysteryofhisfather\'shonestcalling，YoungJerry，keepingasclosetohouse-fronts，walls，anddoorways，ashiseyeswereclosetooneanother，heldhishonouredparentinview。ThehonouredparentsteeringNorthward，hadnotgonefar，whenhewasjoinedbyanotherdiscipleofIzaakWalton，andthetwotrudgedontogether。

Withinhalfanhourfromthefirststarting，theywerebeyondthewinkinglamps，andthemorethanwinkingwatchmen，andwereoutuponalonelyroad。AnotherfishermanwasPickeduphere——andthatsosilently，thatifYoungJerryhadbeensuperstitious，hemighthavesupposedthesecondfollowerofthegentlecrafttohave，allofasudden，splithimselfintwo。

Thethreewenton，andYoungJerrywenton，untilthethreestoppedunderabankoverhangingtheroad。Uponthetopofthebankwasalowbrickwall，surmountedbyanironrailing。Intheshadowofbankandwallthethreeturnedoutoftheroad，andupablindlane，ofwhichthewall——there，risentosomeeightortenfeethigh——formedoneside。Crouchingdowninacorner，peepingupthelane，thenextobjectthatYoungJerrysaw，wastheformofhishonouredparent，prettywelldefinedagainstawateryandcloudedmoon，nimblyscalinganirongate。Hewassoonover，andthenthesecondfishermangotover，andthenthethird。Theyalldroppedsoftlyonthegroundwithinthegate，andlaytherealittle——listeningperhaps。

Then，theymovedawayontheirhandsandknees。

ItwasnowYoungJerry\'sturntoapproachthegate:whichhedid，holdinghisbreath。Crouchingdownagaininacornerthere，andlookingin，hemadeoutthethreefishermencreepingthroughsomerankgrass，andallthegravestonesinthechurchyard——itwasalargechurchyardthattheywereinlooking——onlikeghostsinwhite，whilethechurchtoweritselflookedonliketheghostofamonstrousgiant。Theydidnotcreepfar，beforetheystoppedandstoodupright。Andthentheybegantofish。

Theyfishedwithaspade，atfirst。Presentlythehonouredparentappearedtobeadjustingsomeinstrumentlikeagreatcorkscrew。Whatevertoolstheyworkedwith，theyworkedhard，untiltheawfulstrikingofthechurchclocksoterrifiedYoung，Jerry，thathemadeoff，withhishairasstiffashisfather\'s。

But，hislong-cherisheddesiretoknowmoreaboutthesematters，notonlystoppedhiminhisrunningaway，butluredhimbackagain。Theywerestillfishingperseveringly，whenhepeepedinatthegateforthesecondtime；but，nowtheyseemedtohavegotabite。Therewasascrewingandcomplainingsounddownbelow，andtheirbentfigureswerestrained，asifbyaweight。Byslowdegreestheweightbrokeawaytheearthuponit，andcametothesurface。YoungJerryverywellknewwhatitwouldbe；

but，whenhesawit，andsawhishonouredparentabouttowrenchitopen，hewassofrightened，beingnewtothesight，thathemadeoffagain，andneverstoppeduntilhehadrunamileormore。