第3章

CHAPTERX-STEPHENBLACKPOOL

IENTERTAINaweakideathattheEnglishpeopleareashard-workedasanypeopleuponwhomthesunshines。Iacknowledgetothisridiculousidiosyncrasy，asareasonwhyIwouldgivethemalittlemoreplay。

InthehardestworkingpartofCoketown；intheinnermostfortificationsofthatuglycitadel，whereNaturewasasstronglybrickedoutaskillingairsandgaseswerebrickedin；attheheartofthelabyrinthofnarrowcourtsuponcourts，andclosestreetsuponstreets，whichhadcomeintoexistencepiecemeal，everypieceinaviolenthurryforsomeoneman\'spurpose，andthewholeanunnaturalfamily，shouldering，andtrampling，andpressingoneanothertodeath；inthelastclosenookofthisgreatexhaustedreceiver，wherethechimneys，forwantofairtomakeadraught，werebuiltinanimmensevarietyofstuntedandcrookedshapes，asthougheveryhouseputoutasignofthekindofpeoplewhomightbeexpectedtobeborninit；amongthemultitudeofCoketown，genericallycalled\'theHands，\'-aracewhowouldhavefoundmorefavourwithsomepeople，ifProvidencehadseenfittomakethemonlyhands，or，likethelowercreaturesoftheseashore，onlyhandsandstomachs-livedacertainStephenBlackpool，fortyyearsofage。

Stephenlookedolder，buthehadhadahardlife。Itissaidthateverylifehasitsrosesandthorns；thereseemed，however，tohavebeenamisadventureormistakeinStephen\'scase，wherebysomebodyelsehadbecomepossessedofhisroses，andhehadbecomepossessedofthesamesomebodyelse\'sthornsinadditiontohisown。Hehadknown，tousehiswords，apeckoftrouble。HewasusuallycalledOldStephen，inakindofroughhomagetothefact。

Aratherstoopingman，withaknittedbrow，aponderingexpressionofface，andahard-lookingheadsufficientlycapacious，onwhichhisiron-greyhairlaylongandthin，OldStephenmighthavepassedforaparticularlyintelligentmaninhiscondition。Yethewasnot。Hetooknoplaceamongthoseremarkable\'Hands，\'who，piecingtogethertheirbrokenintervalsofleisurethroughmanyyears，hadmastereddifficultsciences，andacquiredaknowledgeofmostunlikelythings。HeheldnostationamongtheHandswhocouldmakespeechesandcarryondebates。Thousandsofhiscompeerscouldtalkmuchbetterthanhe，atanytime。Hewasagoodpower-loomweaver，andamanofperfectintegrity。Whatmorehewas，orwhatelsehehadinhim，ifanything，lethimshowforhimself。

Thelightsinthegreatfactories，whichlooked，whentheywereilluminated，likeFairypalaces-orthetravellersbyexpress-

trainsaidso-wereallextinguished；andthebellshadrungforknockingoffforthenight，andhadceasedagain；andtheHands，menandwomen，boyandgirl，wereclatteringhome。OldStephenwasstandinginthestreet，withtheoldsensationuponhimwhichthestoppageofthemachineryalwaysproduced-thesensationofitshavingworkedandstoppedinhisownhead。

\'YetIdon\'tseeRachael，still！\'saidhe。

Itwasawetnight，andmanygroupsofyoungwomenpassedhim，withtheirshawlsdrawnovertheirbareheadsandheldcloseundertheirchinstokeeptherainout。HeknewRachaelwell，foraglanceatanyoneofthesegroupswassufficienttoshowhimthatshewasnotthere。Atlast，therewerenomoretocome；andthenheturnedaway，sayinginatoneofdisappointment，\'Why，then，ha\'missedher！\'

But，hehadnotgonethelengthofthreestreets，whenhesawanotheroftheshawledfiguresinadvanceofhim，atwhichhelookedsokeenlythatperhapsitsmereshadowindistinctlyreflectedonthewetpavement-ifhecouldhaveseenitwithoutthefigureitselfmovingalongfromlamptolamp，brighteningandfadingasitwent-wouldhavebeenenoughtotellhimwhowasthere。Makinghispaceatoncemuchquickerandmuchsofter，hedartedonuntilhewasverynearthisfigure，thenfellintohisformerwalk，andcalled\'Rachael！\'

Sheturned，beingtheninthebrightnessofalamp；andraisingherhoodalittle，showedaquietovalface，darkandratherdelicate，irradiatedbyapairofverygentleeyes，andfurthersetoffbytheperfectorderofhershiningblackhair。Itwasnotafaceinitsfirstbloom；shewasawomanfiveandthirtyyearsofage。

\'Ah，lad！\'Tisthou？\'Whenshehadsaidthis，withasmilewhichwouldhavebeenquiteexpressed，thoughnothingofherhadbeenseenbutherpleasanteyes，shereplacedherhoodagain，andtheywentontogether。

\'Ithoughtthouwastahindme，Rachael？\'

\'No。\'

\'Earlyt\'night，lass？\'

\'\'TimesI\'malittleearly，Stephen！\'timesalittlelate。I\'mnevertobecountedon，goinghome。\'

\'Norgoingt\'otherway，neither，\'tseemstome，Rachael？\'

\'No，Stephen。\'

Helookedatherwithsomedisappointmentinhisface，butwitharespectfulandpatientconvictionthatshemustberightinwhatevershedid。Theexpressionwasnotlostuponher；shelaidherhandlightlyonhisarmamomentasiftothankhimforit。

\'Wearesuchtruefriends，lad，andsucholdfriends，andgettingtobesucholdfolk，now。\'

\'No，Rachael，thou\'rtasyoungaseverthouwast。\'

\'Oneofuswouldbepuzzledhowtogetold，Stephen，without\'tothergettingsotoo，bothbeingalive，\'sheanswered，laughing；

\'but，anyways，we\'resucholdfriends，andt\'hideawordofhonesttruthfro\'oneanotherwouldbeasinandapity。\'Tisbetternottowalktoomuchtogether。\'Times，yes！\'Twouldbehard，indeed，if\'twasnottobeatall，\'shesaid，withacheerfulnessshesoughttocommunicatetohim。

\'\'Tishard，anyways，Rachael。\'

\'Trytothinknot；and\'twillseembetter。\'

\'I\'vetriedalongtime，and\'ta\'ntgotbetter。Butthou\'rtright；

\'tmightmakfoktalk，evenofthee。Thouhastbeenthattome，Rachael，throughsomanyyear:thouhastdonemesomuchgood，andheartenedofmeinthatcheeringway，thatthywordisalawtome。

Ah，lass，andabrightgoodlaw！Betterthansomerealones。\'

\'Neverfretaboutthem，Stephen，\'sheansweredquickly，andnotwithoutananxiousglanceathisface。\'Letthelawsbe。\'

\'Yes，\'hesaid，withaslownodortwo。\'Let\'embe。Leteverythingbe。Letallsortsalone。\'Tisamuddle，andthat\'saw。\'

\'Alwaysamuddle？\'saidRachael，withanothergentletouchuponhisarm，asiftorecallhimoutofthethoughtfulness，inwhichhewasbitingthelongendsofhislooseneckerchiefashewalkedalong。

Thetouchhaditsinstantaneouseffect。Heletthemfall，turnedasmilingfaceuponher，andsaid，ashebrokeintoagood-humouredlaugh，\'Ay，Rachael，lass，awlusamuddle。That\'swhereIstick。

Icometothemuddlemanytimesandagen，andInevergetbeyondit。\'

Theyhadwalkedsomedistance，andwereneartheirownhomes。Thewoman\'swasthefirstreached。Itwasinoneofthemanysmallstreetsforwhichthefavouriteundertaker(whoturnedahandsomesumoutoftheonepoorghastlypompoftheneighbourhood)keptablackladder，inorderthatthosewhohaddonetheirdailygropingupanddownthenarrowstairsmightslideoutofthisworkingworldbythewindows。Shestoppedatthecorner，andputtingherhandinhis，wishedhimgoodnight。

\'Goodnight，dearlass；goodnight！\'

Shewent，withherneatfigureandhersoberwomanlystep，downthedarkstreet，andhestoodlookingafterheruntilsheturnedintooneofthesmallhouses。Therewasnotaflutterofhercoarseshawl，perhaps，buthaditsinterestinthisman\'seyes；notatoneofhervoicebuthaditsechoinhisinnermostheart。

Whenshewaslosttohisview，hepursuedhishomewardway，glancingupsometimesatthesky，wherethecloudsweresailingfastandwildly。But，theywerebrokennow，andtherainhadceased，andthemoonshone，-lookingdownthehighchimneysofCoketownonthedeepfurnacesbelow，andcastingTitanicshadowsofthesteam-enginesatrest，uponthewallswheretheywerelodged。

Themanseemedtohavebrightenedwiththenight，ashewenton。

Hishome，insuchanotherstreetasthefirst，savingthatitwasnarrower，wasoveralittleshop。Howitcametopassthatanypeoplefounditworththeirwhiletosellorbuythewretchedlittletoys，mixedupinitswindowwithcheapnewspapersandpork(therewasalegtoberaffledforto-morrow-night)，mattersnothere。Hetookhisendofcandlefromashelf，lighteditatanotherendofcandleonthecounter，withoutdisturbingthemistressoftheshopwhowasasleepinherlittleroom，andwentupstairsintohislodging。

Itwasaroom，notunacquaintedwiththeblackladderundervarioustenants；butasneat，atpresent，assucharoomcouldbe。Afewbooksandwritingswereonanoldbureauinacorner，thefurniturewasdecentandsufficient，and，thoughtheatmospherewastainted，theroomwasclean。

Goingtothehearthtosetthecandledownuponaroundthree-

leggedtablestandingthere，hestumbledagainstsomething。Asherecoiled，lookingdownatit，itraiseditselfupintotheformofawomaninasittingattitude。

\'Heaven\'smercy，woman！\'hecried，fallingfartherofffromthefigure。\'Hastthoucomebackagain！\'

Suchawoman！Adisabled，drunkencreature，barelyabletopreservehersittingposturebysteadyingherselfwithonebegrimedhandonthefloor，whiletheotherwassopurposelessintryingtopushawayhertangledhairfromherface，thatitonlyblindedherthemorewiththedirtuponit。Acreaturesofoultolookat，inhertatters，stainsandsplashes，butsomuchfoulerthanthatinhermoralinfamy，thatitwasashamefulthingeventoseeher。

Afteranimpatientoathortwo，andsomestupidclawingofherselfwiththehandnotnecessarytohersupport，shegotherhairawayfromhereyessufficientlytoobtainasightofhim。Thenshesatswayingherbodytoandfro，andmakinggestureswithherunnervedarm，whichseemedintendedastheaccompanimenttoafitoflaughter，thoughherfacewasstolidanddrowsy。

\'Eigh，lad？What，yo\'rthere？\'Somehoarsesoundsmeantforthis，camemockinglyoutofheratlast；andherheaddroppedforwardonherbreast。

\'Backagen？\'shescreeched，aftersomeminutes，asifhehadthatmomentsaidit。\'Yes！Andbackagen。Backageneverandeversooften。Back？Yes，back。Whynot？\'

Rousedbytheunmeaningviolencewithwhichshecrieditout，shescrambledup，andstoodsupportingherselfwithhershouldersagainstthewall；danglinginonehandbythestring，adunghill-

fragmentofabonnet，andtryingtolookscornfullyathim。

\'I\'llselltheeoffagain，andI\'llselltheeoffagain，andI\'llselltheeoffascoreoftimes！\'shecried，withsomethingbetweenafuriousmenaceandaneffortatadefiantdance。\'Comeawa\'fromth\'bed！\'Hewassittingonthesideofit，withhisfacehiddeninhishands。\'Comeawa！from\'t。\'Tismine，andI\'vearighttot\'！\'

Asshestaggeredtoit，heavoidedherwithashudder，andpassed-

hisfacestillhidden-totheoppositeendoftheroom。Shethrewherselfuponthebedheavily，andsoonwassnoringhard。Hesunkintoachair，andmovedbutonceallthatnight。Itwastothrowacoveringoverher；asifhishandswerenotenoughtohideher，eveninthedarkness。

CHAPTERXI-NOWAYOUT

THEFairypalacesburstintoillumination，beforepalemorningshowedthemonstrousserpentsofsmoketrailingthemselvesoverCoketown。Aclatteringofclogsuponthepavement；arapidringingofbells；andallthemelancholymadelephants，polishedandoiledupfortheday\'smonotony，wereattheirheavyexerciseagain。

Stephenbentoverhisloom，quiet，watchful，andsteady。Aspecialcontrast，aseverymanwasintheforestofloomswhereStephenworked，tothecrashing，smashing，tearingpieceofmechanismatwhichhelaboured。Neverfear，goodpeopleofananxiousturnofmind，thatArtwillconsignNaturetooblivion。Setanywhere，sidebyside，theworkofGODandtheworkofman；andtheformer，eventhoughitbeatroopofHandsofverysmallaccount，willgainindignityfromthecomparison。

SomanyhundredHandsinthisMill；somanyhundredhorseSteamPower。Itisknown，totheforceofasinglepoundweight，whattheenginewilldo；but，notallthecalculatorsoftheNationalDebtcantellmethecapacityforgoodorevil，forloveorhatred，forpatriotismordiscontent，forthedecompositionofvirtueintovice，orthereverse，atanysinglemomentinthesoulofoneoftheseitsquietservants，withthecomposedfacesandtheregulatedactions。Thereisnomysteryinit；thereisanunfathomablemysteryinthemeanestofthem，forever-Supposingweweretoreverseourarithmeticformaterialobjects，andtogoverntheseawfulunknownquantitiesbyothermeans！

Thedaygrewstrong，andshoweditselfoutside，evenagainsttheflaminglightswithin。Thelightswereturnedout，andtheworkwenton。Therainfell，andtheSmoke-serpents，submissivetothecurseofallthattribe，trailedthemselvesupontheearth。Inthewaste-yardoutside，thesteamfromtheescapepipe，thelitterofbarrelsandoldiron，theshiningheapsofcoals，theasheseverywhere，wereshroudedinaveilofmistandrain。

Theworkwenton，untilthenoon-bellrang。Moreclatteringuponthepavements。Thelooms，andwheels，andHandsalloutofgearforanhour。

Stephencameoutofthehotmillintothedampwindandcoldwetstreets，haggardandworn。Heturnedfromhisownclassandhisownquarter，takingnothingbutalittlebreadashewalkedalong，towardsthehillonwhichhisprincipalemployerlived，inaredhousewithblackoutsideshutters，greeninsideblinds，ablackstreetdoor，uptwowhitesteps，BOUNDERBY(inlettersverylikehimself)uponabrazenplate，andaroundbrazendoor-handleunderneathit，likeabrazenfull-stop。

Mr。Bounderbywasathislunch。SoStephenhadexpected。WouldhisservantsaythatoneoftheHandsbeggedleavetospeaktohim？

Messageinreturn，requiringnameofsuchHand。StephenBlackpool。

TherewasnothingtroublesomeagainstStephenBlackpool；yes，hemightcomein。

StephenBlackpoolintheparlour。Mr。Bounderby(whomhejustknewbysight)，atlunchonchopandsherry。Mrs。Sparsitnettingatthefireside，inaside-saddleattitude，withonefootinacottonstirrup。Itwasapart，atonceofMrs。Sparsit\'sdignityandservice，nottolunch。Shesupervisedthemealofficially，butimpliedthatinherownstatelypersonsheconsideredlunchaweakness。

\'Now，Stephen，\'saidMr。Bounderby，\'what\'sthematterwithyou？\'

Stephenmadeabow。Notaservileone-theseHandswillneverdothat！Lordblessyou，sir，you\'llnevercatchthematthat，iftheyhavebeenwithyoutwentyyears！-and，asacomplimentarytoiletforMrs。Sparsit，tuckedhisneckerchiefendsintohiswaistcoat。

\'Now，youknow，\'saidMr。Bounderby，takingsomesherry，\'wehaveneverhadanydifficultywithyou，andyouhaveneverbeenoneoftheunreasonableones。Youdon\'texpecttobesetupinacoachandsix，andtobefedonturtlesoupandvenison，withagoldspoon，asagoodmanyof\'emdo！\'Mr。Bounderbyalwaysrepresentedthistobethesole，immediate，anddirectobjectofanyHandwhowasnotentirelysatisfied；\'andthereforeIknowalreadythatyouhavenotcomeheretomakeacomplaint。Now，youknow，Iamcertainofthat，beforehand。\'

\'No，sir，sureIha\'notcoomfornowto\'th\'kind。\'

Mr。Bounderbyseemedagreeablysurprised，notwithstandinghispreviousstrongconviction。\'Verywell，\'hereturned。\'You\'reasteadyHand，andIwasnotmistaken。Now，letmehearwhatit\'sallabout。Asit\'snotthat，letmehearwhatitis。Whathaveyougottosay？Outwithit，lad！\'

StephenhappenedtoglancetowardsMrs。Sparsit。\'Icango，Mr。

Bounderby，ifyouwishit，\'saidthatself-sacrificinglady，makingafeintoftakingherfootoutofthestirrup。

Mr。Bounderbystayedher，byholdingamouthfulofchopinsuspensionbeforeswallowingit，andputtingouthislefthand。

Then，withdrawinghishandandswallowinghismouthfulofchop，hesaidtoStephen:

\'Nowyouknow，thisgoodladyisabornlady，ahighlady。Youarenottosupposebecauseshekeepsmyhouseforme，thatshehasn\'tbeenveryhighupthetree-ah，upatthetopofthetree！Now，ifyouhavegotanythingtosaythatcan\'tbesaidbeforeabornlady，thisladywillleavetheroom。Ifwhatyouhavegottosaycanbesaidbeforeabornlady，thisladywillstaywheresheis。\'

\'Sir，IhopeIneverhadnowttosay，notfittenforabornladytoyear，sin\'Iwerebornmysen\'，\'wasthereply，accompaniedwithaslightflush。

\'Verywell，\'saidMr。Bounderby，pushingawayhisplate，andleaningback。\'Fireaway！\'

\'Iha\'coom，\'Stephenbegan，raisinghiseyesfromthefloor，afteramoment\'sconsideration，\'toaskyoyoradvice。Ineed\'tovermuch。IweremarriedonEas\'rMondaynineteenyearsin，longanddree。Shewereayounglass-prettyenow-wi\'goodaccountsofherseln。Well！Shewentbad-soon。Notalongofme。GonnowsIwerenotaunkindhusbandtoher。\'

\'Ihaveheardallthisbefore，\'saidMr。Bounderby。\'Shetooktodrinking，leftoffworking，soldthefurniture，pawnedtheclothes，andplayedoldGooseberry。\'

\'Iwerepatientwi\'her。\'

(\'Themorefoolyou，Ithink，\'saidMr。Bounderby，inconfidencetohiswine-glass。)

\'Iwereverypatientwi\'her。Itriedtoweanherfra\'towerandoweragen。Itriedthis，Itriedthat，Itriedt\'other。Iha\'

gonehome，many\'sthetime，andfoundallvanishedasIhadintheworld，andherwithoutasenselefttoblessherselnlyingonbareground。Iha\'dun\'tnotonce，nottwice-twentytime！\'

Everylineinhisfacedeepenedashesaidit，andputinitsaffectingevidenceofthesufferinghehadundergone。

\'Frombadtoworse，fromworsetoworsen。Sheleftme。Shedisgracedherselneveryways，bitterandbad。Shecoomback，shecoomback，shecoomback。WhatcouldIdot\'hinderher？Iha\'

walkedthestreetsnightslong，ereeverI\'dgohome。Iha\'gonet\'th\'brigg，mindedtoflingmyselnower，andha\'nomoreon\'t。I

ha\'borethatmuch，thatIwereowdwhenIwereyoung。\'

Mrs。Sparsit，easilyamblingalongwithhernetting-needles，raisedtheCoriolanianeyebrowsandshookherhead，asmuchastosay，\'Thegreatknowtroubleaswellasthesmall。PleasetoturnyourhumbleeyeinMydirection。\'

\'Iha\'paidhertokeepawa\'fra\'me。ThesefiveyearIha\'paidher。Iha\'gottendecentfewtrilsaboutmeagen。Iha\'livedhardandsad，butnotashamedandfearfo\'a\'theminnitso\'mylife。

Lastnight，Iwenthome。Thereshelayuponmyhar-stone！Theresheis！\'

Inthestrengthofhismisfortune，andtheenergyofhisdistress，hefiredforthemomentlikeaproudman。Inanothermoment，hestoodashehadstoodallthetime-hisusualstoopuponhim；hisponderingfaceaddressedtoMr。Bounderby，withacuriousexpressiononit，halfshrewd，halfperplexed，asifhismindweresetuponunravellingsomethingverydifficult；hishatheldtightinhislefthand，whichrestedonhiship；hisrightarm，witharuggedproprietyandforceofaction，veryearnestlyemphasizingwhathesaid:notleastsowhenitalwayspaused，alittlebent，butnotwithdrawn，ashepaused。

\'Iwasacquaintedwithallthis，youknow，\'saidMr。Bounderby，\'exceptthelastclause，longago。It\'sabadjob；that\'swhatitis。Youhadbetterhavebeensatisfiedasyouwere，andnothavegotmarried。However，it\'stoolatetosaythat。\'

\'Wasitanunequalmarriage，sir，inpointofyears？\'askedMrs。

Sparsit。

\'Youhearwhatthisladyasks。Wasitanunequalmarriageinpointofyears，thisunluckyjobofyours？\'saidMr。Bounderby。

\'Note\'enso。Iwereone-and-twentymyseln；sheweretwentynighbut。\'

\'Indeed，sir？\'saidMrs。SparsittoherChief，withgreatplacidity。\'Iinferred，fromitsbeingsomiserableamarriage，thatitwasprobablyanunequaloneinpointofyears。\'

Mr。Bounderbylookedveryhardatthegoodladyinaside-longwaythathadanoddsheepishnessaboutit。Hefortifiedhimselfwithalittlemoresherry。

\'Well？Whydon\'tyougoon？\'hethenasked，turningratherirritablyonStephenBlackpool。

\'Iha\'coomtoaskyo，sir，howIamtoberiddedo\'thiswoman。\'

Stepheninfusedayetdeepergravityintothemixedexpressionofhisattentiveface。Mrs。Sparsitutteredagentleejaculation，ashavingreceivedamoralshock。

\'Whatdoyoumean？\'saidBounderby，gettinguptoleanhisbackagainstthechimney-piece。\'Whatareyoutalkingabout？Youtookherforbetterforworse。\'

\'Imun\'beriddeno\'her。Icannotbear\'tnommore。Iha\'livedunder\'tsolong，forthatIha\'had\'nthepityandcomfortingwordso\'th\'bestlasslivingordead。Haply，butforher，I

shouldha\'gonebatteringmad。\'

\'Hewishestobefree，tomarrythefemaleofwhomhespeaks，I

fear，sir，\'observedMrs。Sparsitinanundertone，andmuchdejectedbytheimmoralityofthepeople。

\'Ido。Theladysayswhat\'sright。Ido。Iwereacomingto\'t。

Iha\'readi\'th\'papersthatgreatfolk(fairfaw\'ema\'！I

wishes\'emnohurt！)arenotbondedtogetherforbetterforworstsofast，butthattheycanbesetfreefro\'theirmisfortnetmarriages，an\'marryoweragen。Whentheydunnotagree，forthattheirtempersisill-sorted，theyhasroomso\'onekindan\'anotherintheirhouses，aboveabit，andtheycanliveasunders。Wefokha\'onlyoneroom，andwecan\'t。Whenthatwon\'tdo，theyha\'gowdan\'othercash，an\'theycansay"Thisforyo\'an\'thatforme，"

an\'theycangotheirseparateways。Wecan\'t。Spiteo\'allthat，theycanbesetfreeforsmallerwrongsthanmine。So，Imunberiddeno\'thiswoman，andIwantt\'knowhow？\'

\'Nohow，\'returnedMr。Bounderby。

\'IfIdoheranyhurt，sir，there\'salawtopunishme？\'

\'Ofcoursethereis。\'

\'IfIfleefromher，there\'salawtopunishme？\'

\'Ofcoursethereis。\'

\'IfImarryt\'ootherdearlass，there\'salawtopunishme？\'

\'Ofcoursethereis。\'

\'IfIwastolivewi\'heran\'notmarryher-sayingsuchathingcouldbe，whichitnevercouldorwould，an\'hersogood-there\'salawtopunishme，ineveryinnocentchildbelongingtome？\'

\'Ofcoursethereis。\'

\'Now，a\'God\'sname，\'saidStephenBlackpool，\'showmethelawtohelpme！\'

\'Hem！There\'sasanctityinthisrelationoflife，\'saidMr。

Bounderby，\'and-and-itmustbekeptup。\'

\'Nono，dunnotsaythat，sir。\'Tan\'tkep\'upthatway。Notthatway。\'Tiskep\'downthatway。I\'maweaver，Iwereinafact\'rywhenachilt，butIha\'gotteneentoseewi\'andeerntoyearwi\'。

Ireadinth\'papersevery\'Sizes，everySessions-andyoureadtoo-Iknowit！-withdismay-howth\'supposedunpossibilityo\'

evergettingunchainedfromoneanother，atanyprice，onanyterms，bringsblooduponthisland，andbringsmanycommonmarriedfoktobattle，murder，andsuddendeath。Letusha\'this，rightunderstood。Mine\'sagrievouscase，an\'Iwant-ifyowillbesogood-t\'knowthelawthathelpsme。\'

\'Now，Itellyouwhat！\'saidMr。Bounderby，puttinghishandsinhispockets。\'Thereissuchalaw。\'

Stephen，subsidingintohisquietmanner，andneverwanderinginhisattention，gaveanod。

\'Butit\'snotforyouatall。Itcostsmoney。Itcostsamintofmoney。\'

\'Howmuchmightthatbe？\'Stephencalmlyasked。

\'Why，you\'dhavetogotoDoctors\'Commonswithasuit，andyou\'dhavetogotoacourtofCommonLawwithasuit，andyou\'dhavetogototheHouseofLordswithasuit，andyou\'dhavetogetanActofParliamenttoenableyoutomarryagain，anditwouldcostyou(ifitwasacaseofveryplainsailing)，Isupposefromathousandtofifteenhundredpound，\'saidMr。Bounderby。\'Perhapstwicethemoney。\'

\'There\'snootherlaw？\'

\'Certainlynot。\'

\'Whythen，sir，\'saidStephen，turningwhite，andmotioningwiththatrighthandofhis，asifhegaveeverythingtothefourwinds，\'\'tisamuddle。\'Tisjustamuddlea\'toogether，an\'thesoonerI

amdead，thebetter。\'

(Mrs。Sparsitagaindejectedbytheimpietyofthepeople。)

\'Pooh，pooh！Don\'tyoutalknonsense，mygoodfellow，\'saidMr。

Bounderby，\'aboutthingsyoudon\'tunderstand；anddon\'tyoucalltheInstitutionsofyourcountryamuddle，oryou\'llgetyourselfintoarealmuddleoneofthesefinemornings。Theinstitutionsofyourcountryarenotyourpiece-work，andtheonlythingyouhavegottodo，is，tomindyourpiece-work。Youdidn\'ttakeyourwifeforfastandforloose；butforbetterforworse。Ifshehasturnedoutworse-why，allwehavegottosayis，shemighthaveturnedoutbetter。\'

\'\'Tisamuddle，\'saidStephen，shakinghisheadashemovedtothedoor。\'\'Tisa\'amuddle！\'

\'Now，I\'lltellyouwhat！\'Mr。Bounderbyresumed，asavaledictoryaddress。\'WithwhatIshallcallyourunhallowedopinions，youhavebeenquiteshockingthislady:who，asIhavealreadytoldyou，isabornlady，andwho，asIhavenotalreadytoldyou，hashadherownmarriagemisfortunestothetuneoftensofthousandsofpounds-tensofThousandsofPounds！\'(herepeateditwithgreatrelish)。\'Now，youhavealwaysbeenasteadyHandhitherto；

butmyopinionis，andsoItellyouplainly，thatyouareturningintothewrongroad。Youhavebeenlisteningtosomemischievousstrangerorother-they\'realwaysabout-andthebestthingyoucandois，tocomeoutofthat。Nowyouknow；\'herehiscountenanceexpressedmarvellousacuteness；\'Icanseeasfarintoagrindstoneasanotherman；fartherthanagoodmany，perhaps，becauseIhadmynosewellkepttoitwhenIwasyoung。Iseetracesoftheturtlesoup，andvenison，andgoldspooninthis。

Yes，Ido！\'criedMr。Bounderby，shakinghisheadwithobstinatecunning。\'BytheLordHarry，Ido！\'

Withaverydifferentshakeoftheheadanddeepsigh，Stephensaid，\'Thankyou，sir，Iwishyougoodday。\'SoheleftMr。

Bounderbyswellingathisownportraitonthewall，asifheweregoingtoexplodehimselfintoit；andMrs。Sparsitstillamblingonwithherfootinherstirrup，lookingquitecastdownbythepopularvices。

CHAPTERXII-THEOLDWOMAN

OLDSTEPHENdescendedthetwowhitesteps，shuttingtheblackdoorwiththebrazendoor-plate，bytheaidofthebrazenfull-stop，towhichhegaveapartingpolishwiththesleeveofhiscoat，observingthathishothandcloudedit。Hecrossedthestreetwithhiseyesbentupontheground，andthuswaswalkingsorrowfullyaway，whenhefeltatouchuponhisarm。

Itwasnotthetouchheneededmostatsuchamoment-thetouchthatcouldcalmthewildwatersofhissoul，astheupliftedhandofthesublimestloveandpatiencecouldabatetheragingofthesea-yetitwasawoman\'shandtoo。Itwasanoldwoman，tallandshapelystill，thoughwitheredbytime，onwhomhiseyesfellwhenhestoppedandturned。Shewasverycleanlyandplainlydressed，hadcountrymuduponhershoes，andwasnewlycomefromajourney。

Theflutterofhermanner，intheunwontednoiseofthestreets；

thespareshawl，carriedunfoldedonherarm；theheavyumbrella，andlittlebasket；thelooselong-fingeredgloves，towhichherhandswereunused；allbespokeanoldwomanfromthecountry，inherplainholidayclothes，comeintoCoketownonanexpeditionofrareoccurrence。Remarkingthisataglance，withthequickobservationofhisclass，StephenBlackpoolbenthisattentiveface-hisface，which，likethefacesofmanyofhisorder，bydintoflongworkingwitheyesandhandsinthemidstofaprodigiousnoise，hadacquiredtheconcentratedlookwithwhichwearefamiliarinthecountenancesofthedeaf-thebettertohearwhatsheaskedhim。

\'Pray，sir，\'saidtheoldwoman，\'didn\'tIseeyoucomeoutofthatgentleman\'shouse？\'pointingbacktoMr。Bounderby\'s。\'Ibelieveitwasyou，unlessIhavehadthebadlucktomistakethepersoninfollowing？\'

\'Yes，missus，\'returnedStephen，\'itwereme。\'

\'Haveyou-you\'llexcuseanoldwoman\'scuriosity-haveyouseenthegentleman？\'

\'Yes，missus。\'

\'Andhowdidhelook，sir？Washeportly，bold，outspoken，andhearty？\'Asshestraightenedherownfigure，andheldupherheadinadaptingheractiontoherwords，theideacrossedStephenthathehadseenthisoldwomanbefore，andhadnotquitelikedher。

\'Oyes，\'hereturned，observinghermoreattentively，\'hewereallthat。\'

\'Andhealthy，\'saidtheoldwoman，\'asthefreshwind？\'

\'Yes，\'returnedStephen。\'Hewereett\'nanddrinking-aslargeandasloudasaHummobee。\'

\'Thankyou！\'saidtheoldwoman，withinfinitecontent。\'Thankyou！\'

Hecertainlyneverhadseenthisoldwomanbefore。Yettherewasavagueremembranceinhismind，asifhehadmorethanoncedreamedofsomeoldwomanlikeher。

Shewalkedalongathisside，and，gentlyaccommodatinghimselftoherhumour，hesaidCoketownwasabusyplace，wasitnot？Towhichsheanswered\'Eighsure！Dreadfulbusy！\'Thenhesaid，shecamefromthecountry，hesaw？Towhichsheansweredintheaffirmative。

\'ByParliamentary，thismorning。IcamefortymilebyParliamentarythismorning，andI\'mgoingbackthesamefortymilethisafternoon。Iwalkedninemiletothestationthismorning，andifIfindnobodyontheroadtogivemealift，Ishallwalktheninemilebackto-night。That\'sprettywell，sir，atmyage！\'

saidthechattyoldwoman，hereyebrighteningwithexultation。

\'\'Deed\'tis。Don\'tdo\'ttoooften，missus。\'

\'No，no。Onceayear，\'sheanswered，shakingherhead。\'Ispendmysavingsso，onceeveryyear。Icomeregular，totrampaboutthestreets，andseethegentlemen。\'

\'Onlytosee\'em？\'returnedStephen。

\'That\'senoughforme，\'shereplied，withgreatearnestnessandinterestofmanner。\'Iasknomore！Ihavebeenstandingabout，onthissideoftheway，toseethatgentleman，\'turningherheadbacktowardsMr。Bounderby\'sagain，\'comeout。But，he\'slatethisyear，andIhavenotseenhim。Youcameoutinstead。Now，ifIamobligedtogobackwithoutaglimpseofhim-Ionlywantaglimpse-well！Ihaveseenyou，andyouhaveseenhim，andImustmakethatdo。\'Sayingthis，shelookedatStephenasiftofixhisfeaturesinhermind，andhereyewasnotsobrightasithadbeen。

Withalargeallowancefordifferenceoftastes，andwithallsubmissiontothepatriciansofCoketown，thisseemedsoextraordinaryasourceofinteresttotakesomuchtroubleabout，thatitperplexedhim。Buttheywerepassingthechurchnow，andashiseyecaughttheclock，hequickenedhispace。

Hewasgoingtohiswork？theoldwomansaid，quickeninghers，too，quiteeasily。Yes，timewasnearlyout。Onhistellingherwhereheworked，theoldwomanbecameamoresingularoldwomanthanbefore。

\'An\'tyouhappy？\'sheaskedhim。

\'Why-there\'sawmostnobbodybuthastheirtroubles，missus。\'Heansweredevasively，becausetheoldwomanappearedtotakeitforgrantedthathewouldbeveryhappyindeed，andhehadnotthehearttodisappointher。Heknewthattherewastroubleenoughintheworld；andiftheoldwomanhadlivedsolong，andcouldcountuponhishavingsolittle，whysomuchthebetterforher，andnonetheworseforhim。

\'Ay，ay！Youhaveyourtroublesathome，youmean？\'shesaid。

\'Times。Justnowandthen，\'heanswered，slightly。

\'But，workingundersuchagentleman，theydon\'tfollowyoutotheFactory？\'

No，no；theydidn\'tfollowhimthere，saidStephen。Allcorrectthere。Everythingaccordantthere。(Hedidnotgosofarastosay，forherpleasure，thattherewasasortofDivineRightthere；

but，Ihaveheardclaimsalmostasmagnificentoflateyears。)

Theywerenowintheblackby-roadneartheplace，andtheHandswerecrowdingin。Thebellwasringing，andtheSerpentwasaSerpentofmanycoils，andtheElephantwasgettingready。Thestrangeoldwomanwasdelightedwiththeverybell。Itwasthebeautifullestbellshehadeverheard，shesaid，andsoundedgrand！

Sheaskedhim，whenhestoppedgood-naturedlytoshakehandswithherbeforegoingin，howlonghehadworkedthere？

\'Adozenyear，\'hetoldher。

\'Imustkissthehand，\'saidshe，\'thathasworkedinthisfinefactoryforadozenyear！\'Andsheliftedit，thoughhewouldhavepreventedher，andputittoherlips。Whatharmony，besidesherageandhersimplicity，surroundedher，hedidnotknow，buteveninthisfantasticactiontherewasasomethingneitheroutoftimenorplace:asomethingwhichitseemedasifnobodyelsecouldhavemadeasserious，ordonewithsuchanaturalandtouchingair。

Hehadbeenathisloomfullhalfanhour，thinkingaboutthisoldwoman，when，havingoccasiontomoveroundtheloomforitsadjustment，heglancedthroughawindowwhichwasinhiscorner，andsawherstilllookingupatthepileofbuilding，lostinadmiration。Heedlessofthesmokeandmudandwet，andofhertwolongjourneys，shewasgazingatit，asiftheheavythrumthatissuedfromitsmanystorieswereproudmusictoher。

Shewasgonebyandby，andthedaywentafterher，andthelightssprungupagain，andtheExpresswhirledinfullsightoftheFairyPalaceoverthearchesnear:littlefeltamidthejarringofthemachinery，andscarcelyheardaboveitscrashandrattle。Longbeforethenhisthoughtshadgonebacktothedrearyroomabovethelittleshop，andtotheshamefulfigureheavyonthebed，butheavieronhisheart。

Machineryslackened；throbbingfeeblylikeafaintingpulse；

stopped。Thebellagain；theglareoflightandheatdispelled；

thefactories，loomingheavyintheblackwetnight-theirtallchimneysrisingupintotheairlikecompetingTowersofBabel。

HehadspokentoRachaelonlylastnight，itwastrue，andhadwalkedwithheralittleway；buthehadhisnewmisfortuneonhim，inwhichnooneelsecouldgivehimamoment\'srelief，and，forthesakeofit，andbecauseheknewhimselftowantthatsofteningofhisangerwhichnovoicebutherscouldeffect，hefelthemightsofardisregardwhatshehadsaidastowaitforheragain。Hewaited，butshehadeludedhim。Shewasgone。Onnoothernightintheyearcouldhesoillhavesparedherpatientface。

O！Bettertohavenohomeinwhichtolayhishead，thantohaveahomeanddreadtogotoit，throughsuchacause。Heateanddrank，forhewasexhausted-buthelittlekneworcaredwhat；andhewanderedaboutinthechillrain，thinkingandthinking，andbroodingandbrooding。

Nowordofanewmarriagehadeverpassedbetweenthem；butRachaelhadtakengreatpityonhimyearsago，andtoheralonehehadopenedhisclosedheartallthistime，onthesubjectofhismiseries；andheknewverywellthatifhewerefreetoaskher，shewouldtakehim。Hethoughtofthehomehemightatthatmomenthavebeenseekingwithpleasureandpride；ofthedifferentmanhemighthavebeenthatnight；ofthelightnesstheninhisnowheavy-

ladenbreast；ofthethenrestoredhonour，self-respect，andtranquillityalltorntopieces。Hethoughtofthewasteofthebestpartofhislife，ofthechangeitmadeinhischaracterfortheworseeveryday，ofthedreadfulnatureofhisexistence，boundhandandfoot，toadeadwoman，andtormentedbyademoninhershape。HethoughtofRachael，howyoungwhentheywerefirstbroughttogetherinthesecircumstances，howmaturenow，howsoontogrowold。Hethoughtofthenumberofgirlsandwomenshehadseenmarry，howmanyhomeswithchildreninthemshehadseengrowuparoundher，howshehadcontentedlypursuedherownlonequietpath-forhim-andhowhehadsometimesseenashadeofmelancholyonherblessedface，thatsmotehimwithremorseanddespair。Hesetthepictureofherup，besidetheinfamousimageoflastnight；andthought，Coulditbe，thatthewholeearthlycourseofonesogentle，good，andself-denying，wassubjugatetosuchawretchasthat！

Filledwiththesethoughts-sofilledthathehadanunwholesomesenseofgrowinglarger，ofbeingplacedinsomenewanddiseasedrelationtowardstheobjectsamongwhichhepassed，ofseeingtheirisroundeverymistylightturnred-hewenthomeforshelter。

CHAPTERXIII-RACHAEL

ACANDLEfaintlyburnedinthewindow，towhichtheblackladderhadoftenbeenraisedfortheslidingawayofallthatwasmostpreciousinthisworldtoastrivingwifeandabroodofhungrybabies；andStephenaddedtohisotherthoughtsthesternreflection，thatofallthecasualtiesofthisexistenceuponearth，notonewasdealtoutwithsounequalahandasDeath。TheinequalityofBirthwasnothingtoit。For，saythatthechildofaKingandthechildofaWeaverwerebornto-nightinthesamemoment，whatwasthatdisparity，tothedeathofanyhumancreaturewhowasserviceableto，orbelovedby，another，whilethisabandonedwomanlivedon！

Fromtheoutsideofhishomehegloomilypassedtotheinside，withsuspendedbreathandwithaslowfootstep。Hewentuptohisdoor，openedit，andsointotheroom。

Quietandpeacewerethere。Rachaelwasthere，sittingbythebed。

Sheturnedherhead，andthelightofherfaceshoneinuponthemidnightofhismind。Shesatbythebed，watchingandtendinghiswife。Thatistosay，hesawthatsomeonelaythere，andheknewtoowellitmustbeshe；butRachael\'shandshadputacurtainup，sothatshewasscreenedfromhiseyes。Herdisgracefulgarmentswereremoved，andsomeofRachael\'swereintheroom。Everythingwasinitsplaceandorderashehadalwayskeptit，thelittlefirewasnewlytrimmed，andthehearthwasfreshlyswept。ItappearedtohimthathesawallthisinRachael\'sface，andlookedatnothingbesides。Whilelookingatit，itwasshutoutfromhisviewbythesoftenedtearsthatfilledhiseyes；butnotbeforehehadseenhowearnestlyshelookedathim，andhowherowneyeswerefilledtoo。

Sheturnedagaintowardsthebed，andsatisfyingherselfthatallwasquietthere，spokeinalow，calm，cheerfulvoice。

\'Iamgladyouhavecomeatlast，Stephen。Youareverylate。\'

\'Iha\'beenwalkingupan\'down。\'

\'Ithoughtso。But\'tistoobadanightforthat。Therainfallsveryheavy，andthewindhasrisen。\'

Thewind？True。Itwasblowinghard。Harktothethunderinginthechimney，andthesurgingnoise！Tohavebeenoutinsuchawind，andnottohaveknownitwasblowing！

\'Ihavebeenhereoncebefore，to-day，Stephen。Landladycameroundformeatdinner-time。Therewassomeoneherethatneededlookingto，shesaid。And\'deedshewasright。Allwanderingandlost，Stephen。Woundedtoo，andbruised。\'

Heslowlymovedtoachairandsatdown，droopinghisheadbeforeher。

\'IcametodowhatlittleIcould，Stephen；first，forthatsheworkedwithmewhenweweregirlsboth，andforthatyoucourtedherandmarriedherwhenIwasherfriend-\'

Helaidhisfurrowedforeheadonhishand，withalowgroan。

\'Andnext，forthatIknowyourheart，andamrightsureandcertainthat\'tisfartoomercifultoletherdie，orevensomuchassuffer，forwantofaid。Thouknowestwhosaid，"Lethimwhoiswithoutsinamongyoucastthefirststoneather！"Therehavebeenplentytodothat。Thouartnotthemantocastthelaststone，Stephen，whensheisbroughtsolow。\'

\'ORachael，Rachael！\'

\'Thouhastbeenacruelsufferer，Heavenrewardthee！\'shesaid，incompassionateaccents。\'Iamthypoorfriend，withallmyheartandmind。\'

Thewoundsofwhichshehadspoken，seemedtobeabouttheneckoftheself-madeoutcast。Shedressedthemnow，stillwithoutshowingher。Shesteepedapieceoflineninabasin，intowhichshepouredsomeliquidfromabottle，andlaiditwithagentlehanduponthesore。Thethree-leggedtablehadbeendrawnclosetothebedside，andonitthereweretwobottles。Thiswasone。

Itwasnotsofaroff，butthatStephen，followingherhandswithhiseyes，couldreadwhatwasprintedonitinlargeletters。Heturnedofadeadlyhue，andasuddenhorrorseemedtofalluponhim。

\'Iwillstayhere，Stephen，\'saidRachael，quietlyresumingherseat，\'tillthebellsgoThree。\'Tistobedoneagainatthree，andthenshemaybelefttillmorning。\'

\'Butthyrestagento-morrow\'swork，mydear。\'

\'Isleptsoundlastnight。Icanwakemanynights，whenIamputtoit。\'Tisthouwhoartinneedofrest-sowhiteandtired。

Trytosleepinthechairthere，whileIwatch。Thouhadstnosleeplastnight，Icanwellbelieve。To-morrow\'sworkisfarharderfortheethanforme。\'

Heheardthethunderingandsurgingoutofdoors，anditseemedtohimasifhislateangrymoodweregoingabouttryingtogetathim。Shehadcastitout；shewouldkeepitout；hetrustedtohertodefendhimfromhimself。

\'Shedon\'tknowme，Stephen；shejustdrowsilymuttersandstares。

Ihavespokentohertimesandagain，butshedon\'tnotice！\'Tisaswellso。Whenshecomestoherrightmindoncemore，IshallhavedonewhatIcan，andsheneverthewiser。\'

\'Howlong，Rachael，is\'tlookedfor，thatshe\'llbeso？\'

\'Doctorsaidshewouldhaplycometohermindto-morrow。\'

Hiseyesfellagainonthebottle，andatremblepassedoverhim，causinghimtoshiverineverylimb。Shethoughthewaschilledwiththewet。\'No，\'hesaid，\'itwasnotthat。Hehadhadafright。\'

\'Afright？\'

\'Ay，ay！comingin。WhenIwerewalking。WhenIwerethinking。

WhenI-\'Itseizedhimagain；andhestoodup，holdingbythemantel-shelf，ashepressedhisdankcoldhairdownwithahandthatshookasifitwerepalsied。

\'Stephen！\'

Shewascomingtohim，buthestretchedouthisarmtostopher。

\'No！Don\'t，please；don\'t。Letmeseetheesettenbythebed。

Letmeseethee，a\'sogood，andsoforgiving。LetmeseetheeasIseetheewhenIcoomin。Icanneverseetheebetterthanso。

Never，never，never！\'

Hehadaviolentfitoftrembling，andthensunkintohischair。

Afteratimehecontrolledhimself，and，restingwithanelbowononeknee，andhisheaduponthathand，couldlooktowardsRachael。

Seenacrossthedimcandlewithhismoistenedeyes，shelookedasifshehadagloryshiningroundherhead。Hecouldhavebelievedshehad。Hedidbelieveit，asthenoisewithoutshookthewindow，rattledatthedoorbelow，andwentaboutthehouseclamouringandlamenting。

\'Whenshegetsbetter，Stephen，\'tistobehopedshe\'llleavetheetothyselfagain，anddotheenomorehurt。Anywayswewillhopesonow。AndnowIshallkeepsilence，forIwanttheetosleep。\'

Heclosedhiseyes，moretopleaseherthantoresthiswearyhead；

but，byslowdegreesashelistenedtothegreatnoiseofthewind，heceasedtohearit，oritchangedintotheworkingofhisloom，orevenintothevoicesoftheday(hisownincluded)sayingwhathadbeenreallysaid。Eventhisimperfectconsciousnessfadedawayatlast，andhedreamedalong，troubleddream。

Hethoughtthathe，andsomeoneonwhomhishearthadlongbeenset-butshewasnotRachael，andthatsurprisedhim，eveninthemidstofhisimaginaryhappiness-stoodinthechurchbeingmarried。Whiletheceremonywasperforming，andwhileherecognizedamongthewitnessessomewhomheknewtobeliving，andmanywhomheknewtobedead，darknesscameon，succeededbytheshiningofatremendouslight。Itbrokefromonelineinthetableofcommandmentsatthealtar，andilluminatedthebuildingwiththewords。Theyweresoundedthroughthechurch，too，asiftherewerevoicesinthefieryletters。Uponthis，thewholeappearancebeforehimandaroundhimchanged，andnothingwasleftasithadbeen，buthimselfandtheclergyman。Theystoodinthedaylightbeforeacrowdsovast，thatifallthepeopleintheworldcouldhavebeenbroughttogetherintoonespace，theycouldnothavelooked，hethought，morenumerous；andtheyallabhorredhim，andtherewasnotonepityingorfriendlyeyeamongthemillionsthatwerefastenedonhisface。Hestoodonaraisedstage，underhisownloom；and，lookingupattheshapetheloomtook，andhearingtheburialservicedistinctlyread，heknewthathewastheretosufferdeath。Inaninstantwhathestoodonfellbelowhim，andhewasgone-

Outofwhatmysteryhecamebacktohisusuallife，andtoplacesthatheknew，hewasunabletoconsider；buthewasbackinthoseplacesbysomemeans，andwiththiscondemnationuponhim，thathewasnever，inthisworldorthenext，throughalltheunimaginableagesofeternity，tolookonRachael\'sfaceorhearhervoice。

Wanderingtoandfro，unceasingly，withouthope，andinsearchofheknewnotwhat(heonlyknewthathewasdoomedtoseekit)，hewasthesubjectofanameless，horribledread，amortalfearofoneparticularshapewhicheverythingtook。Whatsoeverhelookedat，grewintothatformsoonerorlater。Theobjectofhismiserableexistencewastopreventitsrecognitionbyanyoneamongthevariouspeopleheencountered。Hopelesslabour！Ifheledthemoutofroomswhereitwas，ifheshutupdrawersandclosetswhereitstood，ifhedrewthecuriousfromplaceswhereheknewittobesecreted，andgotthemoutintothestreets，theverychimneysofthemillsassumedthatshape，androundthemwastheprintedword。

Thewindwasblowingagain，therainwasbeatingonthehouse-tops，andthelargerspacesthroughwhichhehadstrayedcontractedtothefourwallsofhisroom。Savingthatthefirehaddiedout，itwasashiseyeshadcloseduponit。Rachaelseemedtohavefallenintoadoze，inthechairbythebed。Shesatwrappedinhershawl，perfectlystill。Thetablestoodinthesameplace，closebythebedside，andonit，initsrealproportionsandappearance，wastheshapesooftenrepeated。

Hethoughthesawthecurtainmove。Helookedagain，andhewassureitmoved。Hesawahandcomeforthandgropeaboutalittle。

Thenthecurtainmovedmoreperceptibly，andthewomaninthebedputitback，andsatup。

Withherwofuleyes，sohaggardandwild，soheavyandlarge，shelookedallroundtheroom，andpassedthecornerwherehesleptinhischair。Hereyesreturnedtothatcorner，andsheputherhandoverthemasashade，whileshelookedintoit。Againtheywentallroundtheroom，scarcelyheedingRachaelifatall，andreturnedtothatcorner。Hethought，assheoncemoreshadedthem-notsomuchlookingathim，aslookingforhimwithabrutishinstinctthathewasthere-thatnosingletracewasleftinthosedebauchedfeatures，orinthemindthatwentalongwiththem，ofthewomanhehadmarriedeighteenyearsbefore。Butthathehadseenhercometothisbyinches，henevercouldhavebelievedhertobethesame。

Allthistime，asifaspellwereonhim，hewasmotionlessandpowerless，excepttowatchher。

Stupidlydozing，orcommuningwithherincapableselfaboutnothing，shesatforalittlewhilewithherhandsatherears，andherheadrestingonthem。Presently，sheresumedherstaringroundtheroom。Andnow，forthefirsttime，hereyesstoppedatthetablewiththebottlesonit。

Straightwaysheturnedhereyesbacktohiscorner，withthedefianceoflastnight，andmovingverycautiouslyandsoftly，stretchedouthergreedyhand。Shedrewamugintothebed，andsatforawhileconsideringwhichofthetwobottlessheshouldchoose。Finally，shelaidherinsensategraspuponthebottlethathadswiftandcertaindeathinit，and，beforehiseyes，pulledoutthecorkwithherteeth。

Dreamorreality，hehadnovoice，norhadhepowertostir。Ifthisbereal，andherallottedtimebenotyetcome，wake，Rachael，wake！

Shethoughtofthat，too。ShelookedatRachael，andveryslowly，verycautiously，pouredoutthecontents。Thedraughtwasatherlips。Amomentandshewouldbepastallhelp，letthewholeworldwakeandcomeaboutherwithitsutmostpower。ButinthatmomentRachaelstartedupwithasuppressedcry。Thecreaturestruggled，struckher，seizedherbythehair；butRachaelhadthecup。

Stephenbrokeoutofhischair。\'Rachael，amIwakin\'ordreamin\'

thisdreadfo\'night？\'

\'\'Tisallwell，Stephen。Ihavebeenasleep，myself。\'Tisnearthree。Hush！Ihearthebells。\'

Thewindbroughtthesoundsofthechurchclocktothewindow。

Theylistened，anditstruckthree。Stephenlookedather，sawhowpaleshewas，notedthedisorderofherhair，andtheredmarksoffingersonherforehead，andfeltassuredthathissensesofsightandhearinghadbeenawake。Sheheldthecupinherhandevennow。

\'Ithoughtitmustbenearthree，\'shesaid，calmlypouringfromthecupintothebasin，andsteepingthelinenasbefore。\'IamthankfulIstayed！\'Tisdonenow，whenIhaveputthison。There！

Andnowshe\'squietagain。ThefewdropsinthebasinI\'llpouraway，for\'tisbadstufftoleaveabout，thougheversolittleofit。\'Asshespoke，shedrainedthebasinintotheashesofthefire，andbrokethebottleonthehearth。

Shehadnothingtodo，then，buttocoverherselfwithhershawlbeforegoingoutintothewindandrain。

\'Thou\'ltletmewalkwi\'theeatthishour，Rachael？\'

\'No，Stephen。\'Tisbutaminute，andI\'mhome。\'

\'Thou\'rtnotfearfo\'；\'hesaiditinalowvoice，astheywentoutatthedoor；\'toleavemealonewi\'her！\'

Asshelookedathim，saying，\'Stephen？\'hewentdownonhiskneebeforeher，onthepoormeanstairs，andputanendofhershawltohislips。

\'ThouartanAngel。Blessthee，blessthee！\'

\'Iam，asIhavetoldthee，Stephen，thypoorfriend。Angelsarenotlikeme。Betweenthem，andaworkingwomanfu\'offaults，thereisadeepgulfset。Mylittlesisterisamongthem，butsheischanged。\'

Sheraisedhereyesforamomentasshesaidthewords；andthentheyfellagain，inalltheirgentlenessandmildness，onhisface。

\'Thouchangestmefrombadtogood。Thoumak\'stmehumblywishfo\'

tobemorelikethee，andfearfo\'tolosetheewhenthislifeisower，anda\'themuddleclearedawa\'。Thou\'rtanAngel；itmaybe，thouhastsavedmysoulalive！\'

Shelookedathim，onhiskneeatherfeet，withhershawlstillinhishand，andthereproofonherlipsdiedawaywhenshesawtheworkingofhisface。

\'Icoomhomedesp\'rate。Icoomhomewi\'outahope，andmadwi\'

thinkingthatwhenIsaidawordo\'complaintIwasreckonedaunreasonableHand。ItoldtheeIhadhadafright。ItwerethePoison-bottleontable。Ineverhurtalivin\'creetur；buthappenin\'sosuddenlyupon\'t，Ithowt，"HowcanIsaywhatImightha\'donetomyseln，orher，orboth！"\'

Sheputhertwohandsonhismouth，withafaceofterror，tostophimfromsayingmore。Hecaughttheminhisunoccupiedhand，andholdingthem，andstillclaspingtheborderofhershawl，saidhurriedly:

\'ButIseethee，Rachael，settenbythebed。Iha\'seenthee，awthisnight。InmytroubloussleepIha\'knowntheestilltobethere。EvermoreIwillseetheethere。Inevermorewillseeherorthinko\'her，butthoushaltbebesideher。Inevermorewillseeorthinko\'anythingthatangersme，butthou，somuchbetterthanme，shaltbebyth\'sideon\'t。AndsoIwilltryt\'lookt\'

th\'time，andsoIwilltryt\'trustt\'th\'time，whenthouandmeatlastshallwalktogetherfarawa\'，beyondthedeepgulf，inth\'

countrywherethylittlesisteris。\'

Hekissedtheborderofhershawlagain，andlethergo。Shebadehimgoodnightinabrokenvoice，andwentoutintothestreet。

Thewindblewfromthequarterwherethedaywouldsoonappear，andstillblewstrongly。Ithadclearedtheskybeforeit，andtherainhadspentitselfortravelledelsewhere，andthestarswerebright。Hestoodbare-headedintheroad，watchingherquickdisappearance。Astheshiningstarsweretotheheavycandleinthewindow，sowasRachael，intheruggedfancyofthisman，tothecommonexperiencesofhislife。

CHAPTERXIV-THEGREATMANUFACTURER

TIMEwentoninCoketownlikeitsownmachinery:somuchmaterialwroughtup，somuchfuelconsumed，somanypowerswornout，somuchmoneymade。But，lessinexorablethaniron，steal，andbrass，itbroughtitsvaryingseasonsevenintothatwildernessofsmokeandbrick，andmadetheonlystandthateverwasmadeintheplaceagainstitsdirefuluniformity。

\'Louisaisbecoming，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'almostayoungwoman。\'

Time，withhisinnumerablehorse-power，workedaway，notmindingwhatanybodysaid，andpresentlyturnedoutyoungThomasafoottallerthanwhenhisfatherhadlasttakenparticularnoticeofhim。

\'Thomasisbecoming，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'almostayoungman。\'

TimepassedThomasoninthemill，whilehisfatherwasthinkingaboutit，andtherehestoodinalong-tailedcoatandastiffshirt-collar。

\'Really，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'theperiodhasarrivedwhenThomasoughttogotoBounderby。\'

Time，stickingtohim，passedhimonintoBounderby\'sBank，madehimaninmateofBounderby\'shouse，necessitatedthepurchaseofhisfirstrazor，andexercisedhimdiligentlyinhiscalculationsrelativetonumberone。

Thesamegreatmanufacturer，alwayswithanimmensevarietyofworkonhand，ineverystageofdevelopment，passedSissyonwardinhismill，andworkedherupintoaveryprettyarticleindeed。

\'Ifear，Jupe，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'thatyourcontinuanceattheschoolanylongerwouldbeuseless。\'

\'Iamafraiditwould，sir，\'Sissyansweredwithacurtsey。

\'Icannotdisguisefromyou，Jupe，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，knittinghisbrow，\'thattheresultofyourprobationtherehasdisappointedme；hasgreatlydisappointedme。Youhavenotacquired，underMr。

andMrs。M\'Choakumchild，anythinglikethatamountofexactknowledgewhichIlookedfor。Youareextremelydeficientinyourfacts。Youracquaintancewithfiguresisverylimited。Youarealtogetherbackward，andbelowthemark。\'

\'Iamsorry，sir，\'shereturned；\'butIknowitisquitetrue。YetIhavetriedhard，sir。\'

\'Yes，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'yes，Ibelieveyouhavetriedhard；I

haveobservedyou，andIcanfindnofaultinthatrespect。\'

\'Thankyou，sir。Ihavethoughtsometimes；\'Sissyverytimidhere；

\'thatperhapsItriedtolearntoomuch，andthatifIhadaskedtobeallowedtotryalittleless，Imighthave-\'

\'No，Jupe，no，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，shakinghisheadinhisprofoundestandmosteminentlypracticalway。\'No。Thecourseyoupursued，youpursuedaccordingtothesystem-thesystem-andthereisnomoretobesaidaboutit。Icanonlysupposethatthecircumstancesofyourearlylifeweretoounfavourabletothedevelopmentofyourreasoningpowers，andthatwebegantoolate。

Still，asIhavesaidalready，Iamdisappointed。\'

\'IwishIcouldhavemadeabetteracknowledgment，sir，ofyourkindnesstoapoorforlorngirlwhohadnoclaimuponyou，andofyourprotectionofher。\'

\'Don\'tshedtears，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Don\'tshedtears。I

don\'tcomplainofyou。Youareanaffectionate，earnest，goodyoungwoman-and-andwemustmakethatdo。\'

\'Thankyou，sir，verymuch，\'saidSissy，withagratefulcurtsey。

\'YouareusefultoMrs。Gradgrind，and(inagenerallypervadingway)youareserviceableinthefamilyalso；soIunderstandfromMissLouisa，and，indeed，soIhaveobservedmyself。Ithereforehope，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'thatyoucanmakeyourselfhappyinthoserelations。\'

\'Ishouldhavenothingtowish，sir，if-\'

\'Iunderstandyou，\'saidMr。Gradgrind；\'youstillrefertoyourfather。IhaveheardfromMissLouisathatyoustillpreservethatbottle。Well！Ifyourtraininginthescienceofarrivingatexactresultshadbeenmoresuccessful，youwouldhavebeenwiseronthesepoints。Iwillsaynomore。\'

HereallylikedSissytoowelltohaveacontemptforher；

otherwiseheheldhercalculatingpowersinsuchveryslightestimationthathemusthavefallenuponthatconclusion。Somehoworother，hehadbecomepossessedbyanideathattherewassomethinginthisgirlwhichcouldhardlybesetforthinatabularform。Hercapacityofdefinitionmightbeeasilystatedataverylowfigure，hermathematicalknowledgeatnothing；yethewasnotsurethatifhehadbeenrequired，forexample，totickheroffintocolumnsinaparliamentaryreturn，hewouldhavequiteknownhowtodivideher。

Insomestagesofhismanufactureofthehumanfabric，theprocessesofTimeareveryrapid。YoungThomasandSissybeingbothatsuchastageoftheirworkingup，thesechangeswereeffectedinayearortwo；whileMr。Gradgrindhimselfseemedstationaryinhiscourse，andunderwentnoalteration。

Exceptone，whichwasapartfromhisnecessaryprogressthroughthemill。Timehustledhimintoalittlenoisyandratherdirtymachinery，inaby-comer，andmadehimMemberofParliamentforCoketown:oneoftherespectedmembersforounceweightsandmeasures，oneoftherepresentativesofthemultiplicationtable，oneofthedeafhonourablegentlemen，dumbhonourablegentlemen，blindhonourablegentlemen，lamehonourablegentlemen，deadhonourablegentlemen，toeveryotherconsideration。ElsewhereforeliveweinaChristianland，eighteenhundredandoddyearsafterourMaster？

Allthiswhile，Louisahadbeenpassingon，soquietandreserved，andsomuchgiventowatchingthebrightashesattwilightastheyfellintothegrate，andbecameextinct，thatfromtheperiodwhenherfatherhadsaidshewasalmostayoungwoman-whichseemedbutyesterday-shehadscarcelyattractedhisnoticeagain，whenhefoundherquiteayoungwoman。

\'Quiteayoungwoman，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，musing。\'Dearme！\'

Soonafterthisdiscovery，hebecamemorethoughtfulthanusualforseveraldays，andseemedmuchengrossedbyonesubject。Onacertainnight，whenhewasgoingout，andLouisacametobidhimgood-byebeforehisdeparture-ashewasnottobehomeuntillateandshewouldnotseehimagainuntilthemorning-heheldherinhisarms，lookingatherinhiskindestmanner，andsaid:

\'MydearLouisa，youareawoman！\'

Sheansweredwiththeold，quick，searchinglookofthenightwhenshewasfoundattheCircus；thencastdownhereyes。\'Yes，father。\'

\'Mydear，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'Imustspeakwithyoualoneandseriously。Cometomeinmyroomafterbreakfastto-morrow，willyou？\'

\'Yes，father。\'

\'Yourhandsarerathercold，Louisa。Areyounotwell？\'

\'Quitewell，father。\'

\'Andcheerful？\'