第3章

Amale——evensuchamaleasTibby——wasenoughtostopthefoolery。Thebarrierofsex，thoughdecreasingamongthecivilized，isstillhigh，andhigheronthesideofwomen。Helencouldtellhersisterall，andhercousinmuchaboutPaul；shetoldherbrothernothing。Itwasnotprudishness，forshenowspokeof“theWilcoxideal“withlaughter，andevenwithagrowingbrutality。Norwasitprecaution，forTibbyseldomrepeatedanynewsthatdidnotconcernhimself。Itwasratherthefeelingthatshebetrayedasecretintothecampofmen，andthat，howevertrivialitwasonthissideofthebarrier，itwouldbecomeimportantonthat。Soshestopped，orratherbegantofoolonothersubjects，untilherlong-sufferingrelativesdroveherupstairs。Frä；uleinMosebachfollowedher，butlingeredtosayheavilyoverthebanisterstoMargaret，“Itisallright——shedoesnotlovetheyoungman——hehasnotbeenworthyofher。“

“Yes，Iknow；thanksverymuch。“

“IthoughtIdidrighttotellyou。“

“Eversomanythanks。“

“What\'sthat？“askedTibby。Noonetoldhim，andheproceededintothedining-room，toeatElvasplums。

ThateveningMargarettookdecisiveaction。

Thehousewasveryquiet，andthefog——weareinNovembernow——pressedagainstthewindowslikeanexcludedghost。FriedaandHelenandalltheirluggagehadgone。Tibby，whowasnotfeelingwell，laystretchedonasofabythefire。Margaretsatbyhim，thinking。

Herminddartedfromimpulsetoimpulse，andfinallymarshalledthemallinreview。Thepracticalperson，whoknowswhathewantsatonce，andgenerallyknowsnothingelse，willexcuseherofindecision。

Butthiswasthewayhermindworked。Andwhenshedidact，noonecouldaccuseherofindecisionthen。Shehitoutaslustilyasifshehadnotconsideredthematteratall。TheletterthatshewroteMrs。Wilcoxglowedwiththenativehueofresolution。Thepalecastofthoughtwaswithherabreathratherthanatarnish，abreaththatleavesthecoloursallthemorevividwhenithasbeenwipedaway。DearMrs。Wilcox，Ihavetowritesomethingdiscourteous。

Itwouldbebetterifwedidnotmeet。Bothmysisterandmyaunthavegivendispleasuretoyourfamily，and，inmysister\'scase，thegroundsfordispleasuremightrecur。AsfarasIknow，shenolongeroccupiesherthoughtswithyourson。Butitwouldnotbefair，eithertoherortoyou，iftheymet，anditisthereforerightthatouracquaintancewhichbegansopleasantly，shouldend。

Ifearthatyouwillnotagreewiththis；

indeed，Iknowthatyouwillnot，sinceyouhavebeengoodenoughtocallonus。Itisonlyaninstinctonmypart，andnodoubttheinstinctiswrong。Mysisterwould，undoubtedly，saythatitiswrong。

Iwritewithoutherknowledge，andIhopethatyouwillnotassociateherwithmydiscourtesy。Believeme，Yourstruly，M。J。SchlegelMargaretsentthisletterroundbypost。Nextmorningshereceivedthefollowingreplybyhand:DearMissSchlegel，Youshouldnothavewrittenmesuchaletter。

IcalledtotellyouthatPaulhasgoneabroad。RuthWilcoxMargaret\'scheeksburnt。Shecouldnotfinishherbreakfast。Shewasonfirewithshame。HelenhadtoldherthattheyouthwasleavingEngland，butotherthingshadseemedmoreimportant，andshehadforgotten。Allherabsurdanxietiesfelltotheground，andintheirplacearosethecertaintythatshehadbeenrudetoMrs。Wilcox。

RudenessaffectedMargaretlikeabittertasteinthemouth。Itpoisonedlife。Attimesitisnecessary，butwoetothosewhoemployitwithoutdueneed。Sheflungonahatandshawl，justlikeapoorwoman，andplungedintothefog，whichstillcontinued。Herlipswerecompressed，theletterremainedinherhand，andinthisstateshecrossedthestreet，enteredthemarblevestibuleoftheflats，eludedtheconcierges，andranupthestairstillshereachedthesecond-floor。

Shesentinhername，andtohersurprisewasshownstraightintoMrs。Wilcox\'sbedroom。

“Oh，Mrs。Wilcox，Ihavemadethebaddestblunder。

Iammore，moreashamedandsorrythanIcansay。“

Mrs。Wilcoxbowedgravely。Shewasoffended，anddidnotpretendtothecontrary。Shewassittingupinbed，writinglettersonaninvalidtablethatspannedherknees。Abreakfasttraywasonanothertablebesideher。Thelightofthefire，thelightfromthewindow，andthelightofacandle-lamp，whichthrewaquiveringhaloroundherhands，combinedtocreateastrangeatmosphereofdissolution。

“IknewhewasgoingtoIndiainNovember，butI

forgot。“

“Hesailedonthe17thforNigeria，inAfrica。“

“Iknew——Iknow。Ihavebeentooabsurdallthrough。Iamverymuchashamed。“

Mrs。Wilcoxdidnotanswer。

“IammoresorrythanIcansay，andIhopethatyouwillforgiveme。“

“Itdoesn\'tmatter，MissSchlegel。Itisgoodofyoutohavecomeroundsopromptly。“

“Itdoesmatter，“criedMargaret。“Ihavebeenrudetoyou；andmysisterisnotevenathome，sotherewasnoteventhatexcuse。

“Indeed？“

“ShehasjustgonetoGermany。“

“Shegoneaswell，“murmuredtheother。“Yes，certainly，itisquitesafe——safe，absolutely，now。“

“You\'vebeenworryingtoo！“exclaimedMargaret，gettingmoreandmoreexcited，andtakingachairwithoutinvitation。

“Howperfectlyextraordinary！Icanseethatyouhave。YoufeltasIdo；Helenmustn\'tmeethimagain。“

“Ididthinkitbest。“

“Nowwhy？“

“That\'samostdifficultquestion，“saidMrs。Wilcox，smiling，andalittlelosingherexpressionofannoyance。“Ithinkyouputitbestinyourletter——itwasaninstinct，whichmaybewrong。“

“Itwasn\'tthatyoursonstill——“

“Ohno；heoften——myPaulisveryyoung，yousee。“

“Thenwhatwasit？“

Sherepeated:“Aninstinctwhichmaybewrong。“

“Inotherwords，theybelongtotypesthatcanfallinlove，butcouldn\'tlivetogether。That\'sdreadfullyprobable。

I\'mafraidthatinninecasesoutoftenNaturepullsonewayandhumannatureanother。“

“Theseareindeed\'otherwords，\'“saidMrs。Wilcox。“

Ihadnothingsocoherentinmyhead。IwasmerelyalarmedwhenI

knewthatmyboycaredforyoursister。“

“Ah，Ihavealwaysbeenwantingtoaskyou。

Howdidyouknow？Helenwassosurprisedwhenourauntdroveup，andyousteppedforwardandarrangedthings。DidPaultellyou？“

“Thereisnothingtobegainedbydiscussingthat，“

saidMrs。Wilcoxafteramoment\'spause。

“Mrs。Wilcox，wereyouveryangrywithuslastJune？

Iwroteyoualetterandyoudidn\'tanswerit。“

“IwascertainlyagainsttakingMrs。Matheson\'sflat。Iknewitwasoppositeyourhouse。“

“Butit\'sallrightnow？“

“Ithinkso。“

“Youonlythink？Youaren\'tsure？I

dolovetheselittlemuddlestidiedup？“

“Ohyes，I\'msure，“saidMrs。Wilcox，movingwithuneasinessbeneaththeclothes。“Ialwayssounduncertainoverthings。

Itismywayofspeaking。“

“That\'sallright，andI\'msuretoo。“

Herethemaidcameintoremovethebreakfast-tray。

Theywereinterrupted，andwhentheyresumedconversationitwasonmorenormallines。

“Imustsaygood-byenow——youwillbegettingup。“

“No——pleasestopalittlelonger——Iamtakingadayinbed。NowandthenIdo。“

“Ithoughtofyouasoneoftheearlyrisers。“

“AtHowardsEnd——yes；thereisnothingtogetupforinLondon。“

“Nothingtogetupfor？“criedthescandalizedMargaret。

“Whentherearealltheautumnexhibitions，andYsayeplayingintheafternoon！

Nottomentionpeople。“

“Thetruthis，Iamalittletired。Firstcamethewedding，andthenPaulwentoff，and，insteadofrestingyesterday，Ipaidaroundofcalls。“

“Awedding？“

“Yes；Charles，myelderson，ismarried。“

“Indeed！“

“Wetooktheflatchieflyonthataccount，andalsothatPaulcouldgethisAfricanoutfit。Theflatbelongstoacousinofmyhusband\'s，andshemostkindlyofferedittous。SobeforethedaycamewewereabletomaketheacquaintanceofDolly\'speople，whichwehadnotyetdone。“

MargaretaskedwhoDolly\'speoplewere。

“Fussell。ThefatherisintheIndianarmy——retired；

thebrotherisinthearmy。Themotherisdead。“

Soperhapsthesewerethe“chinlesssunburntmen“

whomHelenhadespiedoneafternoonthroughthewindow。MargaretfeltmildlyinterestedinthefortunesoftheWilcoxfamily。ShehadacquiredthehabitonHelen\'saccount，anditstillclungtoher。

SheaskedformoreinformationaboutMissDollyFussellthatwas，andwasgivenitineven，unemotionaltones。Mrs。Wilcox\'svoice，thoughsweetandcompelling，hadlittlerangeofexpression。Itsuggestedthatpictures，concerts，andpeopleareallofsmallandequalvalue。

Onlyoncehaditquickened——whenspeakingofHowardsEnd。

“CharlesandAlbertFussellhaveknownoneanothersometime。Theybelongtothesameclub，andarebothdevotedtogolf。Dollyplaysgolftoo，thoughIbelievenotsowell，andtheyfirstmetinamixedfoursome。Wealllikeher，andareverymuchpleased。Theyweremarriedonthe11th，afewdaysbeforePaulsailed。

Charleswasveryanxioustohavehisbrotherasbestman，sohemadeagreatpointofhavingitonthe11th。TheFussellswouldhavepreferreditafterChristmas，buttheywereveryniceaboutit。ThereisDolly\'sphotograph——inthatdoubleframe。“

“AreyouquitecertainthatI\'mnotinterrupting，Mrs。Wilcox？“

“Yes，quite。“

“ThenIwillstay。I\'menjoyingthis。“

Dolly\'sphotographwasnowexamined。Itwassigned“FordearMims，“whichMrs。Wilcoxinterpretedas“thenamesheandCharleshadsettledthatsheshouldcallme。“Dollylookedsilly，andhadoneofthosetriangularfacesthatsooftenproveattractivetoarobustman。Shewasverypretty。FromherMargaretpassedtoCharles，whosefeaturesprevailedopposite。ShespeculatedontheforcesthathaddrawnthetwotogethertillGodpartedthem。Shefoundtimetohopethattheywouldbehappy。

“TheyhavegonetoNaplesfortheirhoneymoon。“

“Luckypeople！“

“IcanhardlyimagineCharlesinItaly。“

“Doesn\'thecarefortravelling？“

“Helikestravel，buthedoesseethroughforeignersso。WhatheenjoysmostisamotortourinEngland，andIthinkthatwouldhavecarriedthedayiftheweatherhadnotbeensoabominable。

Hisfathergavehimacarofhisownforaweddingpresent，whichforthepresentisbeingstoredatHowardsEnd。“

“Isupposeyouhaveagaragethere？“

“Yes。Myhusbandbuiltalittleoneonlylastmonth，tothewestofthehouse，notfarfromthewych-elm，inwhatusedtobethepaddockforthepony。“

Thelastwordshadanindescribableringaboutthem。

“Where\'stheponygone？“askedMargaretafterapause。

“Thepony？Oh，dead，eversolongago。““Thewych-elmIremember。Helenspokeofitasaverysplendidtree。“

“Itisthefinestwych-elminHertfordshire。

Didyoursistertellyouabouttheteeth？“

“No。“

“Oh，itmightinterestyou。Therearepigs\'

teethstuckintothetrunk，aboutfourfeetfromtheground。Thecountrypeopleputtheminlongago，andtheythinkthatiftheychewapieceofthebark，itwillcurethetoothache。Theteetharealmostgrownovernow，andnoonecomestothetree。“

“Ishould。Ilovefolkloreandallfesteringsuperstitions。“

“Doyouthinkthatthetreereallydidcuretoothache，ifonebelievedinit？“

“Ofcourseitdid。Itwouldcureanything——once。“

“CertainlyIremembercases——youseeIlivedatHowardsEndlong，longbeforeMr。Wilcoxknewit。Iwasbornthere。“

Theconversationagainshifted。Atthetimeitseemedlittlemorethanaimlesschatter。ShewasinterestedwhenherhostessexplainedthatHowardsEndwasherownproperty。ShewasboredwhentoominuteanaccountwasgivenoftheFussellfamily，oftheanxietiesofCharlesconcerningNaples，ofthemovementsofMr。WilcoxandEvie，whoweremotoringinYorkshire。Margaretcouldnotbearbeingbored。Shegrewinattentive，playedwiththephotographframe，droppedit，smashedDolly\'sglass，apologized，waspardoned，cutherfingerthereon，waspitied，andfinallysaidshemustbegoing——therewasallthehousekeepingtodo，andshehadtointerviewTibby\'sriding-master。

Thenthecuriousnotewasstruckagain。

“Good-bye，MissSchlegel，good-bye。Thankyouforcoming。Youhavecheeredmeup。“

“I\'msoglad！“

“I——Iwonderwhetheryoueverthinkaboutyourself。？“

“Ithinkofnothingelse，“saidMargaret，blushing，butlettingherhandremaininthatoftheinvalid。

“Iwonder。IwonderedatHeidelberg。“

“I\'msure！“

“Ialmostthink——“

“Yes？“askedMargaret，fortherewasalongpause——apausethatwassomehowakintotheflickerofthefire，thequiverofthereading-lampupontheirhands，thewhiteblurfromthewindow；apauseofshiftingandeternalshadows。

“Ialmostthinkyouforgetyou\'reagirl。“

Margaretwasstartledandalittleannoyed。

“I\'mtwenty-nine，“sheremarked。“Thatnotsowildlygirlish。“

Mrs。Wilcoxsmiled。

“Whatmakesyousaythat？DoyoumeanthatIhavebeengaucheandrude？“

Ashakeofthehead。“IonlymeantthatI

amfifty-one，andthattomebothofyou——Readitallinsomebookorother；

Icannotputthingsclearly。“

“Oh，I\'vegotit——inexperience。I\'mnobetterthanHelen，youmean，andyetIpresumetoadviseher。“

“Yes。Youhavegotit。Inexperienceistheword。“

“Inexperience，“repeatedMargaret，inseriousyetbuoyanttones。“Ofcourse，Ihaveeverythingtolearn——absolutelyeverything——justasmuchasHelen。Life\'sverydifficultandfullofsurprises。Atallevents，I\'vegotasfarasthat。Tobehumbleandkind，togostraightahead，tolovepeopleratherthanpitythem，torememberthesubmerged——well，onecan\'tdoallthesethingsatonce，worseluck，becausethey\'resocontradictory。It\'sthenthatproportioncomesin——tolivebyproportion。Don\'tbeginwithproportion。Onlyprigsdothat。Letproportioncomeinasalastresource，whenthebetterthingshavefailed，andadeadlock——Graciousme，I\'vestartedpreaching！“

“Indeed，youputthedifficultiesoflifesplendidly，“

saidMrs。Wilcox，withdrawingherhandintothedeepershadows。“ItisjustwhatIshouldhavelikedtosayaboutthemmyself。“Chapter9Mrs。WilcoxcannotbeaccusedofgivingMargaretmuchinformationaboutlife。AndMargaret，ontheotherhand，hasmadeafairshowofmodesty，andhaspretendedtoaninexperiencethatshecertainlydidnotfeel。

Shehadkepthouseforovertenyears；shehadentertained，almostwithdistinction；shehadbroughtupacharmingsister，andwasbringingupabrother。Surely，ifexperienceisattainable，shehadattainedit。

Yetthelittleluncheon-partythatshegaveinMrs。

Wilcox\'shonourwasnotasuccess。Thenewfrienddidnotblendwiththe“oneortwodelightfulpeople“whohadbeenaskedtomeether，andtheatmospherewasoneofpolitebewilderment。Hertastesweresimple，herknowledgeofcultureslight，andshewasnotinterestedintheNewEnglishArtClub，norinthedividing-linebetweenJournalismandLiterature，whichwasstartedasaconversationalhare。Thedelightfulpeopledartedafteritwithcriesofjoy，Margaretleadingthem，andnottillthemealwashalfoverdidtheyrealizethattheprincipalguesthadtakennopartinthechase。Therewasnocommontopic。Mrs。Wilcox，whoselifehadbeenspentintheserviceofhusbandandsons，hadlittletosaytostrangerswhohadneversharedit，andwhoseagewashalfherown。Clevertalkalarmedher，andwitheredherdelicateimaginings；

itwasthesocial；counterpartofamotorcar，alljerks，andshewasawispofhay，aflower。Twiceshedeploredtheweather，twicecriticizedthetrainserviceontheGreatNorthernRailway。Theyvigorouslyassented，andrushedon，andwhensheinquiredwhethertherewasanynewsofHelen，herhostesswastoomuchoccupiedinplacingRothensteintoanswer。

Thequestionwasrepeated:“IhopethatyoursisterissafeinGermanybynow。“Margaretcheckedherselfandsaid，“Yes，thankyou；IheardonTuesday。“Butthedemonofvociferationwasinher，andthenextmomentshewasoffagain。

“OnlyonTuesday，fortheyliverightawayatStettin。

DidyoueverknowanyonelivingatStettin？“

“Never，“saidMrs。Wilcoxgravely，whileherneighbour，ayoungmanlowdownintheEducationOffice，begantodiscusswhatpeoplewholivedatStettinoughttolooklike。WastheresuchathingasStettininity？Margaretswepton。

“PeopleatStettindropthingsintoboatsoutofoverhangingwarehouses。Atleast，ourcousinsdo，butaren\'tparticularlyrich。Thetownisn\'tinteresting，exceptforaclockthatrollsitseyes，andtheviewoftheOder，whichtrulyissomethingspecial。

Oh，Mrs。Wilcox，youwouldlovetheOder！Theriver，orratherrivers——thereseemtobedozensofthem——areintenseblue，andtheplaintheyrunthroughanintensestgreen。“

“Indeed！Thatsoundslikeamostbeautifulview，MissSchlegel。“

“SoIsay，butHelen，whowillmuddlethings，saysno，it\'slikemusic。ThecourseoftheOderistobelikemusic。

It\'sobligedtoremindherofasymphonicpoem。Thepartbythelanding-stageisinBminor，ifIrememberrightly，butlowerdownthingsgetextremelymixed。Thereisaslodgythemeinseveralkeysatonce，meaningmud-banks，andanotherforthenavigablecanal，andtheexitintotheBalticisinCsharpmajor，pianissimo。“

“Whatdotheoverhangingwarehousesmakeofthat？“

askedtheman，laughing。

“Theymakeagreatdealofit，“repliedMargaret，unexpectedlyrushingoffonanewtrack。“Ithinkit\'saffectationtocomparetheOdertomusic，andsodoyou，buttheoverhangingwarehousesofStettintakebeautyseriously，whichwedon\'t，andtheaverageEnglishmandoesn\'t，anddespisesallwhodo。Nowdon\'tsay\'Germanshavenotaste，\'orIshallscream。Theyhaven\'t。But——but——suchatremendousbut！——theytakepoetryseriously。Theydotakepoetryseriously。

“Isanythinggainedbythat？“

“Yes，yes。TheGermanisalwaysonthelookoutforbeauty。Hemaymissitthroughstupidity，ormisinterpretit，butheisalwaysaskingbeautytoenterhislife，andIbelievethatintheenditwillcome。AtHeidelbergImetafatveterinarysurgeonwhosevoicebrokewithsobsasherepeatedsomemawkishpoetry。Soeasyformetolaugh——I，whoneverrepeatpoetry，goodorbad，andcannotrememberonefragmentofversetothrillmyselfwith。Mybloodboils——well，I\'mhalfGerman，soputitdowntopatriotism——whenIlistentothetastefulcontemptoftheaverageislanderforthingsTeutonic，whetherthey\'reBö；cklinormyveterinarysurgeon。\'Oh，Bö；cklin，\'theysay；\'hestrainsafterbeauty，hepeoplesNaturewithgodstooconsciously。\'OfcourseBö；cklinstrains，becausehewantssomething——beautyandalltheotherintangiblegiftsthatarefloatingabouttheworld。Sohislandscapesdon\'tcomeoff，andLeader\'sdo。“

“IamnotsurethatIagree。Doyou？“saidhe，turningtoMrs。Wilcox。

Shereplied:“IthinkMissSchlegelputseverythingsplendidly“；andachillfellontheconversation。

“Oh，Mrs。Wilcox，saysomethingnicerthanthat。

It\'ssuchasnubtobetoldyouputthingssplendidly。“

“Idonotmeanitasasnub。Yourlastspeechinterestedmesomuch。GenerallypeopledonotseemquitetolikeGermany。Ihavelongwantedtohearwhatissaidontheotherside。“

“Theotherside？Thenyoudodisagree。

Oh，good！Giveusyourside。“

“Ihavenoside。Butmyhusband“——hervoicesoftened，thechillincreased——“hasverylittlefaithintheContinent，andourchildrenhavealltakenafterhim。“

“Onwhatgrounds？DotheyfeelthattheContinentisinbadform？“

Mrs。Wilcoxhadnoidea；shepaidlittleattentiontogrounds。Shewasnotintellectual，norevenalert，anditwasoddthat，allthesame，sheshouldgivetheideaofgreatness。Margaret，zigzaggingwithherfriendsoverThoughtandArt，wasconsciousofapersonalitythattranscendedtheirownanddwarfedtheiractivities。TherewasnobitternessinMrs。Wilcox；therewasnotevencriticism；shewaslovable，andnoungraciousoruncharitablewordhadpassedherlips。Yetsheanddailylifewereoutoffocus:oneortheothermustshowblurred。

Andatlunchsheseemedmoreoutoffocusthanusual，andnearerthelinethatdivideslifefromalifethatmaybeofgreaterimportance。

“Youwilladmit，though，thattheContinent——itseemssillytospeakof\'theContinent，\'butreallyitisallmorelikeitselfthananypartofitislikeEngland。Englandisunique。

Dohaveanotherjellyfirst。IwasgoingtosaythattheContinent，forgoodorforevil，isinterestedinideas。ItsLiteratureandArthavewhatonemightcallthekinkoftheunseenaboutthem，andthispersistseventhroughdecadenceandaffectation。ThereismorelibertyofactioninEngland，butforlibertyofthoughtgotobureaucraticPrussia。

Peoplewilltherediscusswithhumilityvitalquestionsthatweherethinkourselvestoogoodtotouchwithtongs。“

“IdonotwanttogotoPrussian“saidMrs。Wilcox——“noteventoseethatinterestingviewthatyouweredescribing。AndfordiscussingwithhumilityIamtooold。WeneverdiscussanythingatHowardsEnd。“

“Thenyououghtto！“saidMargaret。“Discussionkeepsahousealive。Itcannotstandbybricksandmortaralone。“

“Itcannotstandwithoutthem，“saidMrs。Wilcox，unexpectedlycatchingontothethought，androusing，forthefirstandlasttime，afainthopeinthebreastsofthedelightfulpeople。

“Itcannotstandwithoutthem，andIsometimesthink——ButIcannotexpectyourgenerationtoagree，forevenmydaughterdisagreeswithmehere。“

“Nevermindusorher。Dosay！“

“Isometimesthinkthatitiswisertoleaveactionanddiscussiontomen。“

Therewasalittlesilence。

“Oneadmitsthattheargumentsagainstthesuffrageareextraordinarilystrong，“saidagirlopposite，leaningforwardandcrumblingherbread。

“Arethey？Ineverfollowanyarguments。

Iamonlytoothankfulnottohaveavotemyself。“

“Wedidn\'tmeanthevote，though，didwe？“suppliedMargaret。“Aren\'twedifferingonsomethingmuchwider，Mrs。Wilcox？

Whetherwomenaretoremainwhattheyhavebeensincethedawnofhistory；

orwhether，sincemenhavemovedforwardsofar，theytoomaymoveforwardalittlenow。Isaytheymay。Iwouldevenadmitabiologicalchange。“

“Idon\'tknow，Idon\'tknow。“

“Imustbegettingbacktomyoverhangingwarehouse，“

saidtheman。“They\'veturneddisgracefullystrict。

Mrs。Wilcoxalsorose。

“Oh，butcomeupstairsforalittle。MissQuestedplays。DoyoulikeMacDowell？Doyoumindhimonlyhavingtwonoises？Ifyoumustreallygo，I\'llseeyouout。

Won\'tyouevenhavecoffee？“

Theyleftthedining-room，closingthedoorbehindthem，andasMrs。Wilcoxbuttonedupherjacket，shesaid:“WhataninterestinglifeyouallleadinLondon！“

“No，wedon\'t，“saidMargaret，withasuddenrevulsion。

“Weleadthelivesofgibberingmonkeys。Mrs。Wilcox——really——Wehavesomethingquietandstableatthebottom。Wereallyhave。

Allmyfriendshave。Don\'tpretendyouenjoyedlunch，foryouloathedit，butforgivemebycomingagain，alone，orbyaskingmetoyou。“

“Iamusedtoyoungpeople，“saidMrs。Wilcox，andwitheachwordshespoketheoutlinesofknownthingsgrewdim。“I

hearagreatdealofchatterathome，forwe，likeyou，entertainagreatdeal。Withusitismoresportandpolitics，but——Ienjoyedmylunchverymuch，MissSchlegel，dear，andamnotpretending，andonlywishI

couldhavejoinedinmore。Foronething，I\'mnotparticularlywelljusttoday。Foranother，youyoungerpeoplemovesoquicklythatitdazesme。Charlesisthesame，Dollythesame。Butweareallinthesameboat，oldandyoung。Ineverforgetthat。“

Theyweresilentforamoment。Then，withanewbornemotion，theyshookhands。TheconversationceasedsuddenlywhenMargaretre-enteredthedining-room:herfriendshadbeentalkingoverhernewfriend，andhaddismissedherasuninteresting。Chapter10Severaldayspassed。

WasMrs。Wilcoxoneoftheunsatisfactorypeople——therearemanyofthem——whodangleintimacyandthenwithdrawit？Theyevokeourinterestsandaffections，andkeepthelifeofthespiritdawdlingroundthem。Thentheywithdraw。Whenphysicalpassionisinvolved，thereisadefinitenameforsuchbehaviour——flirting——andifcarriedfarenoughitispunishablebylaw。Butnolaw——notpublicopinioneven——punishesthosewhocoquettewithfriendship，thoughthedullachethattheyinflict，thesenseofmisdirectedeffortandexhaustion，maybeasintolerable。

Wassheoneofthese？

Margaretfearedsoatfirst，for，withaLondoner\'simpatience，shewantedeverythingtobesettledupimmediately。Shemistrustedtheperiodsofquietthatareessentialtotruegrowth。

DesiringtobookMrs。Wilcoxasafriend，shepressedontheceremony，pencil，asitwere，inhand，pressingthemorebecausetherestofthefamilywereaway，andtheopportunityseemedfavourable。Buttheelderwomanwouldnotbehurried。SherefusedtofitinwiththeWickhamPlaceset，ortoreopendiscussionofHelenandPaul，whomMargaretwouldhaveutilizedasashort-cut。Shetookhertime，orperhapslettimetakeher，andwhenthecrisisdidcomeallwasready。

Thecrisisopenedwithamessage:wouldMissSchlegelcomeshopping？Christmaswasnearing，andMrs。Wilcoxfeltbehind-handwiththepresents。Shehadtakensomemoredaysinbed，andmustmakeupforlosttime。Margaretaccepted，andateleveno\'clockonecheerlessmorningtheystartedoutinabrougham。

“Firstofall，“beganMargaret，“wemustmakealistandtickoffthepeople\'snames。Myauntalwaysdoes，andthisfogmaythickenupanymoment。Haveyouanyideas？“

“IthoughtwewouldgotoHarrod\'sortheHaymarketStores，“saidMrs。Wilcoxratherhopelessly。“Everythingissuretobethere。Iamnotagoodshopper。Thedinissoconfusing，andyourauntisquiteright——oneoughttomakealist。Takemynotebook，then，andwriteyourownnameatthetopofthepage。“

“Oh，hooray！“saidMargaret，writingit。“Howverykindofyoutostartwithme！“Butshedidnotwanttoreceiveanythingexpensive。Theiracquaintancewassingularratherthanintimate，andshedivinedthattheWilcoxclanwouldresentanyexpenditureonoutsiders；

themorecompactfamiliesdo。ShedidnotwanttobethoughtasecondHelen，whowouldsnatchpresentssinceshecouldnotsnatchyoungmen，nortobeexposed，likeasecondAuntJuley，totheinsultsofCharles。

Acertainausterityofdemeanourwasbest，andsheadded:“Idon\'treallywantaYuletidegift，though。Infact，I\'drathernot。“

“Why？“

“BecauseI\'veoddideasaboutChristmas。BecauseIhaveallthatmoneycanbuy。Iwantmorepeople，butnomorethings。“

“Ishouldliketogiveyousomethingworthyouracquaintance，MissSchlegel，inmemoryofyourkindnesstomeduringmylonelyfortnight。IthassohappenedthatIhavebeenleftalone，andyouhavestoppedmefrombrooding。Iamtooapttobrood。“

“Ifthatisso，“saidMargaret，“ifIhavehappenedtobeofusetoyou，whichIdidn\'tknow，youcannotpaymebackwithanythingtangible。“

“Isupposenot，butonewouldliketo。PerhapsIshallthinkofsomethingaswegoabout。“

Hernameremainedattheheadofthelist，butnothingwaswrittenoppositeit。Theydrovefromshoptoshop。Theairwaswhite，andwhentheyalightedittastedlikecoldpennies。

Attimestheypassedthroughaclotofgrey。Mrs。Wilcox\'svitalitywaslowthatmorning，anditwasMargaretwhodecidedonahorseforthislittlegirl，agolliwogforthat，fortherector\'swifeacopperwarming-tray。

“Wealwaysgivetheservantsmoney。““Yes，doyou，yes，mucheasier，“repliedMargaret，butfeltthegrotesqueimpactoftheunseenupontheseen，andsawissuingfromaforgottenmangeratBethlehemthistorrentofcoinsandtoys。Vulgarityreigned。Public-houses，besidestheirusualexhortationagainsttemperancereform，invitedmento“JoinourChristmasgooseclub“——onebottleofgin，etc。，ortwo，accordingtosubscription。

AposterofawomanintightsheraldedtheChristmaspantomime，andlittlereddevils，whohadcomeinagainthatyear，wereprevalentupontheChristmas-cards。

Margaretwasnomorbididealist。Shedidnotwishthisspateofbusinessandself-advertisementchecked。Itwasonlytheoccasionofitthatstruckherwithamazementannually。Howmanyofthesevacillatingshoppersandtiredshop-assistantsrealizedthatitwasadivineeventthatdrewthemtogether？Sherealizedit，thoughstandingoutsideinthematter。ShewasnotaChristianintheacceptedsense；shedidnotbelievethatGodhadeverworkedamongusasayoungartisan。

Thesepeople，ormostofthem，believedit，andifpressed，wouldaffirmitinwords。ButthevisiblesignsoftheirbeliefwereRegentStreetorDruryLane，alittlemuddisplaced，alittlemoneyspent，alittlefoodcooked，eaten，andforgotten。Inadequate。Butinpublicwhoshallexpresstheunseenadequately？Itisprivatelifethatholdsoutthemirrortoinfinity；personalintercourse，andthatalone，thateverhintsatapersonalitybeyondourdailyvision。

“No，IdolikeChristmasonthewhole，“sheannounced。

“Initsclumsyway，itdoesapproachPeaceandGoodwill。Butoh，itisclumsiereveryyear。“

“Isit？IamonlyusedtocountryChristmases。“

“WeareusuallyinLondon，andplaythegamewithvigour——carolsattheAbbey，clumsymiddaymeal，clumsydinnerforthemaids，followedbyChristmas-treeanddancingofpoorchildren，withsongsfromHelen。Thedrawing-roomdoesverywellforthat。Weputthetreeinthepowder-closet，anddrawacurtainwhenthecandlesarelighted，andwiththelooking-glassbehinditlooksquitepretty。

Iwishwemighthaveapowder-closetinournexthouse。Ofcourse，thetreehastobeverysmall，andthepresentsdon\'thangonit。

No；thepresentsresideinasortofrockylandscapemadeofcrumpledbrownpaper。“

“Youspokeofyour\'nexthouse，\'MissSchlegel。

ThenareyouleavingWickhamPlace？“

“Yes，intwoorthreeyears，whentheleaseexpires。

Wemust。“

“Haveyoubeentherelong？“

“Allourlives。“

“Youwillbeverysorrytoleaveit。“

“Isupposeso。Wescarcelyrealizeityet。

Myfather——“Shebrokeoff，fortheyhadreachedthestationerydepartmentoftheHaymarketStores，andMrs。Wilcoxwantedtoordersomeprivategreetingcards。

“Ifpossible，somethingdistinctive，“shesighed。

Atthecountershefoundafriend，bentonthesameerrand，andconversedwithherinsipidly，wastingmuchtime。“Myhusbandandourdaughteraremotoring。“

“Berthatoo？Oh，fancy，whatacoincidence！“

Margaret，thoughnotpractical，couldshineinsuchcompanyasthis。

Whiletheytalked，shewentthroughavolumeofspecimencards，andsubmittedoneforMrs。Wilcox\'sinspection。Mrs。Wilcoxwasdelighted——sooriginal，wordssosweet；shewouldorderahundredlikethat，andcouldneverbesufficientlygrateful。Then，justastheassistantwasbookingtheorder，shesaid:“Doyouknow，I\'llwait。Onsecondthoughts，I\'llwait。There\'splentyoftimestill，isn\'tthere，andIshallbeabletogetEvie\'sopinion。“

Theyreturnedtothecarriagebydeviouspaths；

whentheywerein，shesaid，“Butcouldn\'tyougetitrenewed？“

“Ibegyourpardon？“askedMargaret。

“Thelease，Imean。“

“Oh，thelease！Haveyoubeenthinkingofthatallthetime？Howverykindofyou！“

“Surelysomethingcouldbedone。“

“No；valueshaverisentooenormously。TheymeantopulldownWickhamPlace，andbuildflatslikeyours。“

“Buthowhorrible！“

“Landlordsarehorrible。“

Thenshesaidvehemently:“Itismonstrous，MissSchlegel；itisn\'tright。Ihadnoideathatthiswashangingoveryou。Idopityyoufromthebottomofmyheart。Tobepartedfromyourhouse，yourfather\'shouse——itoughtn\'ttobeallowed。

Itisworsethandying。Iwouldratherdiethan——Oh，poorgirls！

Canwhattheycallcivilizationberight，ifpeoplemayn\'tdieintheroomwheretheywereborn？Mydear，Iamsosorry——“

Margaretdidnotknowwhattosay。Mrs。Wilcoxhadbeenovertiredbytheshopping，andwasinclinedtohysteria。

“HowardsEndwasnearlypulleddownonce。

Itwouldhavekilledme。“

“HowardsEndmustbeaverydifferenthousetoours。

Wearefondofours，butthereisnothingdistinctiveaboutit。Asyousaw，itisanordinaryLondonhouse。Weshalleasilyfindanother。“

“Soyouthink。“

“Againmylackofexperience，Isuppose！“saidMargaret，easingawayfromthesubject。“Ican\'tsayanythingwhenyoutakeupthatline，Mrs。Wilcox。IwishIcouldseemyselfasyouseeme——foreshortenedintoabackfisch。Quitetheingé；nue。Verycharming——wonderfullywellreadformyage，butincapable——“

Mrs。Wilcoxwouldnotbedeterred。“ComedownwithmetoHowardsEndnow，“shesaid，morevehementlythanever。

“Iwantyoutoseeit。Youhaveneverseenit。Iwanttohearwhatyousayaboutit，foryoudoputthingssowonderfully。“

Margaretglancedatthepitilessairandthenatthetiredfaceofhercompanion。“LateronIshouldloveit，“shecontinued，“butit\'shardlytheweatherforsuchanexpedition，andweoughttostartwhenwe\'refresh。Isn\'tthehouseshutup，too？“

Shereceivednoanswer。Mrs。Wilcoxappearedtobeannoyed。

“MightIcomesomeotherday？“

Mrs。Wilcoxbentforwardandtappedtheglass。

“BacktoWickhamPlace，please！“washerordertothecoachman。Margarethadbeensnubbed。

“Athousandthanks，MissSchlegel，forallyourhelp。“

“Notatall。“

“Itissuchacomforttogetthepresentsoffmymind——theChristmas-cardsespecially。Idoadmireyourchoice。“

Itwasherturntoreceivenoanswer。InherturnMargaretbecameannoyed。

“MyhusbandandEviewillbebackthedayaftertomorrow。ThatiswhyIdraggedyououtshoppingtoday。Istayedintownchieflytoshop，butgotthroughnothing，andnowhewritesthattheymustcuttheirtourshort，theweatherissobad，andthepolice-trapshavebeensobad——nearlyasbadasinSurrey。Oursissuchacarefulchauffeur，andmyhusbandfeelsitparticularlyhardthattheyshouldbetreatedlikeroadhogs。“

“Why？“

“Well，naturallyhe——heisn\'taroad-hog。“

“Hewasexceedingthespeed-limit，Iconclude。

Hemustexpecttosufferwiththeloweranimals。“

Mrs。Wilcoxwassilenced。Ingrowingdiscomforttheydrovehomewards。ThecityseemedSatanic，thenarrowerstreetsoppressinglikethegalleriesofamine。Noharmwasdonebythefogtotrade，foritlayhigh，andthelightedwindowsoftheshopswerethrongedwithcustomers。Itwasratheradarkeningofthespiritwhichfellbackuponitself，tofindamoregrievousdarknesswithin。

Margaretnearlyspokeadozentimes，butsomethingthrottledher。

Shefeltpettyandawkward，andhermeditationsonChristmasgrewmorecynical。Peace？Itmaybringothergifts，butisthereasingleLondonertowhomChristmasispeaceful？Thecravingforexcitementandforelaborationhasruinedthatblessing。Goodwill？Hadsheseenanyexampleofitinthehordesofpurchasers？Orinherself。

Shehadfailedtorespondtothisinvitationmerelybecauseitwasalittlequeerandimaginative——she，whosebirthrightitwastonourishimagination！

Bettertohaveaccepted，tohavetiredthemselvesalittlebythejourney，thancoldlytoreply，“MightIcomesomeotherday？“Hercynicismlefther。Therewouldbenootherday。Thisshadowywomanwouldneveraskheragain。

TheypartedattheMansions。Mrs。Wilcoxwentinafterduecivilities，andMargaretwatchedthetall，lonelyfiguresweepupthehalltothelift。Astheglassdoorsclosedonitshehadthesenseofanimprisonment。Thebeautifulheaddisappearedfirst，stillburiedinthemuff，thelongtrailingskirtfollowed。Awomanofundefinableraritywasgoingupheaven-ward，likeaspecimeninabottle。

Andintowhataheaven——avaultasofhell，sootyblack，fromwhichsootsdescended！

Atlunchherbrother，seeingherinclinedforsilence，insistedontalking。Tibbywasnotill-natured，butfrombabyhoodsomethingdrovehimtodotheunwelcomeandtheunexpected。Nowhegaveheralongaccountoftheday-schoolthathesometimespatronized。

Theaccountwasinteresting，andshehadoftenpressedhimforitbefore，butshecouldnotattendnow，forhermindwasfocussedontheinvisible。

ShediscernedthatMrs。Wilcox，thoughalovingwifeandmother，hadonlyonepassioninlife——herhouse——andthatthemomentwassolemnwhensheinvitedafriendtosharethispassionwithher。Toanswer“anotherday“wastoanswerasafool。“Anotherday“willdoforbrickandmortar，butnotfortheHolyofHoliesintowhichHowardsEndhadbeentransfigured。Herowncuriositywasslight。Shehadheardmorethanenoughaboutitinthesummer。Theninewindows，thevine，andthewych-elmhadnopleasantconnectionsforher，andshewouldhavepreferredtospendtheafternoonataconcert。Butimaginationtriumphed。

Whileherbrotherheldforthshedeterminedtogo，atwhatevercost，andtocompelMrs。Wilcoxtogo，too。Whenlunchwasovershesteppedovertotheflats。

Mrs。Wilcoxhadjustgoneawayforthenight。

Margaretsaidthatitwasofnoconsequence，hurrieddownstairs，andtookahansomtoKing\'sCross。Shewasconvincedthattheescapadewasimportant，thoughitwouldhavepuzzledhertosaywhy。Therewasaquestionofimprisonmentandescape，andthoughshedidnotknowthetimeofthetrain，shestrainedhereyesfortheSt。

Pancras\'clock。

ThentheclockofKing\'sCrossswungintosight，asecondmooninthatinfernalsky，andhercabdrewupatthestation。

TherewasatrainforHiltoninfiveminutes。Shetookaticket，askinginheragitationforasingle。Asshedidso，agraveandhappyvoicesalutedherandthankedher。

“IwillcomeifIstillmay，“saidMargaret，laughingnervously。

“Youarecomingtosleep，dear，too。Itisinthemorningthatmyhouseismostbeautiful。Youarecomingtostop。Icannotshowyoumymeadowproperlyexceptatsunrise。

Thesefogs“——shepointedatthestationroof——“neverspreadfar。

IdaresaytheyaresittinginthesuninHertfordshire，andyouwillneverrepentjoiningthem。

“Ishallneverrepentjoiningyou。“

“Itisthesame。“

Theybeganthewalkupthelongplatform。

Faratitsendstoodthetrain，breastingthedarknesswithout。Theyneverreachedit。Beforeimaginationcouldtriumph，therewerecriesof“Mother！Mother！“andaheavy-browedgirldartedoutofthecloak-roomandseizedMrs。Wilcoxbythearm。

“Evie！“shegasped。“Evie，mypet——“

Thegirlcalled，“Father！Isay！lookwho\'shere。“

“Evie，dearestgirl，whyaren\'tyouinYorkshire？“

“No——motorsmash——changedplans——Father\'scoming。“

“Why，Ruth！“criedMr。Wilcox，joiningthem。

“Whatinthenameofallthat\'swonderfulareyoudoinghere，Ruth？“

Mrs。Wilcoxhadrecoveredherself。

“Oh，Henrydear！——here\'salovelysurprise——butletmeintroduce——butIthinkyouknowMissSchlegel。“

“Oh，yes，“hereplied，notgreatlyinterested。

“Buthow\'syourself，Ruth？“

“Fitasafiddle，“sheansweredgaily。

“Soareweandsowasourcar，whichranA-1asfarasRipon，butthereawretchedhorseandcartwhichafoolofadriver——“

“MissSchlegel，ourlittleoutingmustbeforanotherday。“

“Iwassayingthatthisfoolofadriver，asthepolicemanhimselfadmits——“

“Anotherday，Mrs。Wilcox。Ofcourse。“

“——Butaswe\'veinsuredagainstthirdpartyrisks，itwon\'tsomuchmatter——“

“——Cartandcarbeingpracticallyatrightangles——“

Thevoicesofthehappyfamilyrosehigh。

Margaretwasleftalone。Noonewantedher。Mrs。WilcoxwalkedoutofKing\'sCrossbetweenherhusbandandherdaughter，listeningtobothofthem。Chapter11Thefuneralwasover。Thecarriagesrolledawaythroughthesoftmud，andonlythepoorremained。Theyapproachedtothenewly-dugshaftandlookedtheirlastatthecoffin，nowalmosthiddenbeneaththespadefulsofclay。Itwastheirmoment。Mostofthemwerewomenfromthedeadwoman\'sdistrict，towhomblackgarmentshadbeenservedoutbyMr。Wilcox\'sorders。Purecuriosityhadbroughtothers。

Theythrilledwiththeexcitementofadeath，andofarapiddeath，andstoodingroupsormovedbetweenthegraves，likedropsofink。Thesonofoneofthem，awood-cutter，wasperchedhighabovetheirheads，pollardingoneofthechurchyardelms。FromwherehesathecouldseethevillageofHilton，strungupontheNorthRoad，withitsaccretingsuburbs；thesunsetbeyond，scarletandorange，winkingathimbeneathbrowsofgrey；thechurch；theplantations；andbehindhimanunspoiltcountryoffieldsandfarms。Buthe，too，wasrollingtheeventluxuriouslyinhismouth。Hetriedtotellhismotherdownbelowallthathehadfeltwhenhesawthecoffinapproaching:howhecouldnotleavehiswork，andyetdidnotliketogoonwithit；howhehadalmostslippedoutofthetree，hewassoupset；therookshadcawed，andnowonder——itwasasifrooksknewtoo。Hismotherclaimedthepropheticpowerherself——shehadseenastrangelookaboutMrs。Wilcoxforsometime。

Londonhaddonethemischief，saidothers。Shehadbeenakindlady；

hergrandmotherhadbeenkind，too——aplainerperson，butverykind。

Ah，theoldsortwasdyingout！Mr。Wilcox，hewasakindgentleman。

Theyadvancedtothetopicagainandagain，dully，butwithexaltation。

ThefuneralofarichpersonwastothemwhatthefuneralofAlcestisorOpheliaistotheeducated。ItwasArt；thoughremotefromlife，itenhancedlife\'svalues，andtheywitnesseditavidly。

Thegrave-diggers，whohadkeptupanundercurrentofdisapproval——theydislikedCharles；itwasnotamomenttospeakofsuchthings，buttheydidnotlikeCharlesWilcox——thegrave-diggersfinishedtheirworkandpiledupthewreathsandcrossesaboveit。ThesunsetoverHilton:thegreybrowsoftheeveningflushedalittle，andwerecleftwithonescarletfrown。Chatteringsadlytoeachother，themournerspassedthroughthelych-gateandtraversedthechestnutavenuesthatleddowntothevillage。Theyoungwood-cutterstayedalittlelonger，poisedabovethesilenceandswayingrhythmically。Atlasttheboughfellbeneathhissaw。Withagrunt，hedescended，histhoughtsdwellingnolongerondeath，butonlove，forhewasmating。Hestoppedashepassedthenewgrave；asheafoftawnychrysanthemumshadcaughthiseye。“Theydidn\'toughttohavecolouredflowersatburyings，“

hereflected。Trudgingonafewsteps，hestoppedagain，lookedfurtivelyatthedusk，turnedback，wrenchedachrysanthemumfromthesheaf，andhiditinhispocket。

Afterhimcamesilenceabsolute。Thecottagethatabuttedonthechurchyardwasempty，andnootherhousestoodnear。

Hourafterhourthesceneoftheintermentremainedwithoutaneyetowitnessit。Cloudsdriftedoveritfromthewest；orthechurchmayhavebeenaship，high-prowed，steeringwithallitscompanytowardsinfinity。

Towardsmorningtheairgrewcolder，theskyclearer，thesurfaceoftheearthhardandsparklingabovetheprostratedead。Thewood-cutter，returningafteranightofjoy，reflected:“Theylilies，theychrysants；

it\'sapityIdidn\'ttakethemall。“

UpatHowardsEndtheywereattemptingbreakfast。

CharlesandEviesatinthedining-room，withMrs。Charles。Theirfather，whocouldnotbeartoseeaface，breakfastedupstairs。Hesufferedacutely。Paincameoverhiminspasms，asifitwasphysical，andevenwhilehewasabouttoeat，hiseyeswouldfillwithtears，andhewouldlaydownthemorseluntasted。

Herememberedhiswife\'sevengoodnessduringthirtyyears。Notanythingindetail——notcourtshiporearlyraptures——butjusttheunvaryingvirtue，thatseemedtohimawoman\'snoblestquality。

Somanywomenarecapricious，breakingintooddflawsofpassionorfrivolity。

Notsohiswife。Yearafteryear，summerandwinter，asbrideandmother，shehadbeenthesame，hehadalwaystrustedher。Hertenderness！

Herinnocence！ThewonderfulinnocencethatwashersbythegiftofGod。Ruthknewnomoreofworldlywickednessandwisdomthandidtheflowersinhergarden，orthegrassinherfield。Herideaofbusiness——“Henry，whydopeoplewhohaveenoughmoneytrytogetmoremoney？“

Herideaofpolitics——“Iamsurethatifthemothersofvariousnationscouldmeet，therewouldbenomorewars。“Herideaofreligion——ah，thishadbeenacloud，butacloudthatpassed。ShecameofQuakerstock，andheandhisfamily，formerlyDissenters，werenowmembersoftheChurchofEngland。Therector\'ssermonshadatfirstrepelledher，andshehadexpressedadesirefor“amoreinwardlight，“adding，“notsomuchformyselfasforbaby“(Charles)。Inwardlightmusthavebeengranted，forheheardnocomplaintsinlateryears。Theybroughtuptheirthreechildrenwithoutdispute。Theyhadneverdisputed。

Shelayundertheearthnow。Shehadgone，andasiftomakehergoingthemorebitter，hadgonewithatouchofmysterythatwasallunlikeher。“Whydidn\'tyoutellmeyouknewofit？“

hehadmoaned，andherfaintvoicehadanswered:“Ididn\'twantto，Henry——I

mighthavebeenwrong——andeveryonehatesillnesses。“Hehadbeentoldofthehorrorbyastrangedoctor，whomshehadconsultedduringhisabsencefromtown。Wasthisaltogetherjust？Withoutfullyexplaining，shehaddied。Itwasafaultonherpart，and——tearsrushedintohiseyes——whatalittlefault！Itwastheonlytimeshehaddeceivedhiminthosethirtyyears。

Herosetohisfeetandlookedoutofthewindow，forEviehadcomeinwiththeletters，andhecouldmeetnoone\'seye。

Ahyes——shehadbeenagoodwoman——shehadbeensteady。Hechosetheworddeliberately。Tohimsteadinessincludedallpraise。

Hehimself，gazingatthewintrygarden，isinappearanceasteadyman。Hisfacewasnotassquareashisson\'s，and，indeed，thechin，thoughfirmenoughinoutline，retreatedalittle，andthelips，ambiguous，werecurtainedbyamoustache。Buttherewasnoexternalhintofweakness。Theeyes，ifcapableofkindnessandgoodfellowship，ifruddyforthemomentwithtears，weretheeyesofonewhocouldnotbedriven。Theforehead，too，waslikeCharles\'s。Highandstraight，brownandpolished，mergingabruptlyintotemplesandskull，ithastheeffectofabastionthatprotectedhisheadfromtheworld。

Attimesithadtheeffectofablankwall。Hehaddweltbehindit，intactandhappy，forfiftyyears。

“Thepost\'scome，Father，“saidEvieawkwardly。

“Thanks。Putitdown。“

“Hasthebreakfastbeenallright？“

“Yes，thanks。“

Thegirlglancedathimandatitwithconstraint。

Shedidnotknowwhattodo。

“CharlessaysdoyouwanttheTimes？“

“No，I\'llreaditlater。“

“Ringifyouwantanything，Father，won\'tyou？“

“I\'veallIwant。“

Havingsortedthelettersfromthecirculars，shewentbacktothedining-room。

“Father\'seatennothing，“sheannounced，sittingdownwithwrinkledbrowsbehindthetea-urn——

Charlesdidnotanswer，butafteramomentheranquicklyupstairs，openedthedoor，andsaid:“Lookhere，Father，youmusteat，youknow“；andhavingpausedforareplythatdidnotcome，stoledownagain。“He\'sgoingtoreadhislettersfirst，Ithink，“hesaidevasively；“Idaresayhewillgoonwithhisbreakfastafterwards。“ThenhetookuptheTimes，andforsometimetherewasnosoundexcepttheclinkofcupagainstsaucerandofknifeonplate。

PoorMrs。Charlessatbetweenhersilentcompanions，terrifiedatthecourseofevents，andalittlebored。Shewasarubbishylittlecreature，andsheknewit。AtelegramhaddraggedherfromNaplestothedeath-bedofawomanwhomshehadscarcelyknown。

Awordfromherhusbandhadplungedherintomourning。Shedesiredtomourninwardlyaswell，butshewishedthatMrs。Wilcox，sincefatedtodie，couldhavediedbeforethemarriage，forthenlesswouldhavebeenexpectedofher。Crumblinghertoast，andtoonervoustoaskforthebutter，sheremainedalmostmotionless，thankfulonlyforthis，thatherfather-in-lawwashavinghisbreakfastupstairs。

AtlastCharlesspoke。“Theyhadnobusinesstobepollardingthoseelmsyesterday，“hesaidtohissister。

“Noindeed。“

“Imustmakeanoteofthat，“hecontinued。

“Iamsurprisedthattherectorallowedit。“

“Perhapsitmaynotbetherector\'saffair。“

“Whoseelsecoulditbe？“

“Thelordofthemanor。“

“Impossible。“

“Butter，Dolly？“

“Thankyou，Eviedear。Charles——“

“Yes，dear？“

“Ididn\'tknowonecouldpollardelms。Ithoughtoneonlypollardedwillows。“

“Ohno，onecanpollardelms。“

“Thenwhyoughtn\'ttheelmsinthechurchyardtobepollarded？“

Charlesfrownedalittle，andturnedagaintohissister。“Anotherpoint。ImustspeaktoChalkeley。“

“Yes，rather；youmustcomplaintoChalkeley。

“It\'snogoodhimsayingheisnotresponsibleforthosemen。Heisresponsible。“

“Yes，rather。“

Brotherandsisterwerenotcallous。Theyspokethus，partlybecausetheydesiredtokeepChalkeleyuptothemark——ahealthydesireinitsway——partlybecausetheyavoidedthepersonalnoteinlife。AllWilcoxesdid。Itdidnotseemtothemofsupremeimportance。OritmaybeasHelensupposed:theyrealizeditsimportance，butwereafraidofit。Panicandemptiness，couldoneglancebehind。

Theywerenotcallous，andtheyleftthebreakfast-tablewithachinghearts。

Theirmotherneverhadcomeintobreakfast。Itwasintheotherrooms，andespeciallyinthegarden，thattheyfeltherlossmost。

AsCharleswentouttothegarage，hewasremindedateverystepofthewomanwhohadlovedhimandwhomhecouldneverreplace。Whatbattleshehadfoughtagainsthergentleconservatism！Howshehaddislikedimprovements，yethowloyallyshehadacceptedthemwhenmade！Heandhisfather——whattroubletheyhadhadtogetthisverygarage！

Withwhatdifficultyhadtheypersuadedhertoyieldthemtothepaddockforit——thepaddockthatshelovedmoredearlythanthegardenitself！

Thevine——shehadgotherwayaboutthevine。Itstillencumberedthesouthwallwithitsunproductivebranches。AndsowithEvie，asshestoodtalkingtothecook。Thoughshecouldtakeuphermother\'sworkinsidethehouse，justasthemancouldtakeitupwithout，shefeltthatsomethinguniquehadfallenoutofherlife。Theirgrief，thoughlesspoignantthantheirfather\'s，grewfromdeeperroots，forawifemaybereplaced；amothernever。

Charleswouldgobacktotheoffice。TherewaslittletodoatHowardsEnd。Thecontentsofhismother\'swillhadbeenlongknowntothem。Therewerenolegacies，noannuities，noneoftheposthumousbustlewithwhichsomeofthedeadprolongtheiractivities。Trustingherhusband，shehadlefthimeverythingwithoutreserve。Shewasquiteapoorwoman——thehousehadbeenallherdowry，andthehousewouldcometoCharlesintime。Herwater-coloursMr。

WilcoxintendedtoreserveforPaul，whileEviewouldtakethejewelleryandlace。Howeasilysheslippedoutoflife！Charlesthoughtthehabitlaudable，thoughhedidnotintendtoadoptithimself，whereasMargaretwouldhaveseeninitanalmostculpableindifferencetoearthlyfame。Cynicism——notthesuperficialcynicismthatsnarlsandsneers，butthecynicismthatcangowithcourtesyandtenderness——thatwasthenoteofMrs。Wilcox\'swill。Shewantednottovexpeople。Thataccomplished，theearthmightfreezeoverherforever。

No，therewasnothingforCharlestowaitfor。

Hecouldnotgoonwithhishoneymoon，sohewouldgouptoLondonandwork——hefelttoomiserablehangingabout。HeandDollywouldhavethefurnishedflatwhilehisfatherrestedquietlyinthecountrywithEvie。Hecouldalsokeepaneyeonhisownlittlehouse，whichwasbeingpaintedanddecoratedforhiminoneoftheSurreysuburbs，andinwhichhehopedtoinstallhimselfsoonafterChristmas。Yes，hewouldgoupafterlunchinhisnewmotor，andthetownservants，whohadcomedownforthefuneral，wouldgoupbytrain。

Hefoundhisfather\'schauffeurinthegarage，said，“Morning“withoutlookingattheman\'sface，and，bendingoverthecar，continued:“Hullo！mynewcar\'sbeendriven！“

“Hasit，sir？“

“Yes，“saidCharles，gettingratherred；“andwhoever\'sdrivenithasn\'tcleaneditproperly，forthere\'smudontheaxle。

Takeitoff。“

Themanwentfortheclothswithoutaword。

Hewasachauffeurasuglyassin——notthatthisdidhimdisservicewithCharles，whothoughtcharminamanratherrot，andhadsoongotridofthelittleItalianbeastwithwhomtheyhadstarted。

“Charles——“Hisbridewastrippingafterhimoverthehoar-frost，adaintyblackcolumn，herlittlefaceandelaboratemourninghatformingthecapitalthereof。

“Oneminute，I\'mbusy。Well，Crane，who\'sbeendrivingit，doyousuppose？“

“Don\'tknow，I\'msure，sir。Noone\'sdrivenitsinceI\'vebeenback，but，ofcourse，there\'sthefortnightI\'vebeenawaywiththeothercarinYorkshire。“

Themudcameoffeasily。

“Charles，yourfather\'sdown。Something\'shappened。Hewantsyouinthehouseatonce。Oh，Charles！“

“Wait，dear，waitaminute。Whohadthekeytothegaragewhileyouwereaway，Crane？“

“Thegardener，sir。“

“DoyoumeantotellmethatoldPennycandriveamotor？“

“No，sir；noone\'shadthemotorout，sir。“

“Thenhowdoyouaccountforthemudontheaxle？“

“Ican\'t，ofcourse，sayforthetimeI\'vebeeninYorkshire。Nomoremudnow，sir。“

Charleswasvexed。Themanwastreatinghimasafool，andifhishearthadnotbeensoheavyhewouldhavereportedhimtohisfather。Butitwasnotamorningforcomplaints。

Orderingthemotortoberoundafterlunch，hejoinedhiswife，whohadallthewhilebeenpouringoutsomeincoherentstoryaboutaletterandaMissSchlegel。

“Now，Dolly，Icanattendtoyou。MissSchlegel？

Whatdoesshewant？“