下载辰思小说免费APP
ButIthoughtyouwantedtobeintown。Onebitofadvice:fixyourdistrict，thenfixyourprice，andthendon\'tbudge。That\'showI
gotbothDucieStreetandOniton。Isaidtomyself，\'Imeantobeexactlyhere，\'andIwas，andOniton\'saplaceinathousand。“
“ButIdobudge。Gentlemenseemtomesmerizehouses——cowthemwithaneye，anduptheycome，trembling。Ladiescan\'t。It\'sthehousesthataremesmerizingme。I\'venocontroloverthesaucythings。Housesarealive。No？“
“I\'moutofmydepth，“hesaid，andadded:“Didn\'tyoutalkratherlikethattoyourofficeboy？“
“DidI？——ImeanIdid，moreorless。Italkthesamewaytoeveryone——ortryto。“
“Yes，Iknow。Andhowmuchdoyousupposethatheunderstoodofit？“
“That\'shislookout。Idon\'tbelieveinsuitingmyconversationtomycompany。Onecandoubtlesshituponsomemediumofexchangethatseemstodowellenough，butit\'snomoreliketherealthingthanmoneyislikefood。There\'snonourishmentinit。
Youpassittothelowerclasses，andtheypassitbacktoyou，andthisyoucall\'socialintercourse\'or\'mutualendeavour，\'whenit\'smutualpriggishnessifit\'sanything。OurfriendsatChelseadon\'tseethis。Theysayoneoughttobeatallcostsintelligible，andsacrifice——“
“Lowerclasses，“interruptedMr。Wilcox，asitwerethrustinghishandintoherspeech。“Well，youdoadmitthattherearerichandpoor。That\'ssomething。“
Margaretcouldnotreply。Washeincrediblystupid，ordidheunderstandherbetterthansheunderstoodherself？
“Youdoadmitthat，ifwealthwasdividedupequally，inafewyearstherewouldberichandpooragainjustthesame。
Thehard-workingmanwouldcometothetop，thewastrelsinktothebottom。“
“Everyoneadmitsthat。“
“YourSocialistsdon\'t。“
“MySocialistsdo。Yoursmayn\'t；butIstronglysuspectyoursofbeingnotSocialists，butninepins，whichyouhaveconstructedforyourownamusement。Ican\'timagineanylivingcreaturewhowouldbowloverquitesoeasily。“
Hewouldhaveresentedthishadshenotbeenawoman。
Butwomenmaysayanything——itwasoneofhisholiestbeliefs——andheonlyretorted，withagaysmile:“Idon\'tcare。You\'vemadetwodamagingadmissions，andI\'mheartilywithyouinboth。“
Intimetheyfinishedlunch，andMargaret，whohadexcusedherselffromtheHippodrome，tookherleave。Eviehadscarcelyaddressedher，andshesuspectedthattheentertainmenthadbeenplannedbythefather。Heandshewereadvancingoutoftheirrespectivefamiliestowardsamoreintimateacquaintance。Ithadbegunlongago。Shehadbeenhiswife\'sfriend，and，assuch，hehadgivenherthatsilvervinaigretteasamemento。Itwasprettyofhimtohavegiventhatvinaigrette，andhehadalwayspreferredhertoHelen——unlikemostmen。Buttheadvancehadbeenastonishinglately。Theyhaddonemoreinaweekthanintwoyears，andwerereallybeginningtoknoweachother。
ShedidnotforgethispromisetosampleEustaceMiles，andaskedhimassoonasshecouldsecureTibbyashischaperon。
Hecame，andpartookofbody-buildingdisheswithhumility。
NextmorningtheSchlegelsleftforSwanage。
Theyhadnotsucceededinfindinganewhome。Chapter18AstheywereseatedatAuntJuley\'sbreakfast-tableatTheBays，parryingherexcessivehospitalityandenjoyingtheviewofthebay，alettercameforMargaretandthrewherintoperturbation。ItwasfromMr。Wilcox。
Itannouncedan“importantchange“inhisplans。OwingtoEvie\'smarriage，hehaddecidedtogiveuphishouseinDucieStreet，andwaswillingtoletitonayearlytenancy。Itwasabusinesslikeletter，andstatedfranklywhathewoulddoforthemandwhathewouldnotdo。
Alsotherent。Iftheyapproved，Margaretwastocomeupatonce——thewordswereunderlined，asisnecessarywhendealingwithwomen——andtogooverthehousewithhim。Iftheydisapproved，awirewouldoblige，asheshouldputitintothehandsofanagent。
Theletterperturbed，becauseshewasnotsurewhatitmeant。Ifhelikedher，ifhehadmanoeuvredtogethertoSimpson\'s，mightthisbeamanoeuvretogethertoLondon，andresultinanofferofmarriage？Sheputittoherselfasindelicatelyaspossible，inthehopethatherbrainwouldcry，“Rubbish，you\'reaself-consciousfool！“
Butherbrainonlytingledalittleandwassilent，andforatimeshesatgazingatthemincingwaves，andwonderingwhetherthenewswouldseemstrangetotheothers。
Assoonasshebeganspeaking，thesoundofherownvoicereassuredher。Therecouldbenothinginit。Therepliesalsoweretypical，andinthebuffofconversationherfearsvanished。
“Youneedn\'tgothough——“beganherhostess。
“Ineedn\'t，buthadn\'tIbetter？It\'sreallygettingratherserious。Weletchanceafterchanceslip，andtheendofitisweshallbebundledoutbagandbaggageintothestreet。
Wedon\'tknowwhatwewant，that\'sthemischiefwithus——“
“No，wehavenorealties，“saidHelen，helpingherselftotoast。
“Shan\'tIgouptotowntoday，takethehouseifit\'stheleastpossible，andthencomedownbytheafternoontraintomorrow，andstartenjoyingmyself。Ishallbenofuntomyselfortoothersuntilthisbusinessisoffmymind。“
“Butyouwon\'tdoanythingrash，Margaret？“
“There\'snothingrashtodo。“
“WhoaretheWilcoxes？“saidTibby，aquestionthatsoundssilly，butwasreallyextremelysubtle，ashisauntfoundtohercostwhenshetriedtoanswerit。“Idon\'tmanagetheWilcoxes；Idon\'tseewheretheycomein。“
“NomoredoI，“agreedHelen。“It\'sfunnythatwejustdon\'tlosesightofthem。Outofallourhotelacquaintances，Mr。Wilcoxistheonlyonewhohasstuck。Itisnowoverthreeyears，andwehavedriftedawayfromfarmoreinterestingpeopleinthattime。
“Interestingpeopledon\'tgetonehouses。“
“Meg，ifyoustartinyourhonest-Englishvein，Ishallthrowthetreacleatyou。“
“It\'sabetterveinthanthecosmopolitan，“saidMargaret，gettingup。“Now，children，whichisittobe？YouknowtheDucieStreethouse。ShallIsayyesorshallIsayno？
Tibbylove——which？I\'mspeciallyanxioustopinyouboth。“
“Italldependswhatmeaningyouattachtotheword\'possi——\'“
“Itdependsonnothingofthesort。Say\'yes。\'“
“Say\'no。\'“
ThenMargaretspokeratherseriously。“Ithink，“
shesaid，“thatourraceisdegenerating。Wecannotsettleeventhislittlething；whatwillitbelikewhenwehavetosettleabigone？“
“Itwillbeaseasyaseating，“returnedHelen。
“IwasthinkingofFather。HowcouldhesettletoleaveGermanyashedid，whenhehadfoughtforitasayoungman，andallhisfeelingsandfriendswerePrussian？HowcouldhebreakloosewithPatriotismandbeginaimingatsomethingelse？Itwouldhavekilledme。Whenhewasnearlyfortyhecouldchangecountriesandideals——andwe，atourage，can\'tchangehouses。It\'shumiliating。“
“Yourfathermayhavebeenabletochangecountries，“
saidMrs。Muntwithasperity，“andthatmayormaynotbeagoodthing。
Buthecouldchangehousesnobetterthanyoucan，infact，muchworse。
NevershallIforgetwhatpoorEmilysufferedinthemovefromManchester。“
“Iknewit，“criedHelen。“Itoldyouso。
Itisthelittlethingsonebunglesat。Thebig，realonesarenothingwhentheycome。“
“Bungle，mydear！Youaretoolittletorecollect——infact，youweren\'tthere。ButthefurniturewasactuallyinthevansandonthemovebeforetheleaseforWickhamPlacewassigned，andEmilytooktrainwithbaby——whowasMargaretthen——andthesmallerluggageforLondon，withoutsomuchasknowingwherehernewhomewouldbe。Gettingawayfromthathousemaybehard，butitisnothingtothemiserythatweallwentthroughgettingyouintoit。“
Helen，withhermouthfull，cried:“Andthat\'sthemanwhobeattheAustrians，andtheDanes，andtheFrench，andwhobeattheGermansthatwereinsidehimself。Andwe\'relikehim。“
“Speakforyourself，“saidTibby。“RememberthatIamcosmopolitan，please。“
“Helenmayberight。“
“Ofcourseshe\'sright，“saidHelen。
Helenmightberight，butshedidnotgouptoLondon。
Margaretdidthat。Aninterruptedholidayistheworstoftheminorworries，andonemaybepardonedforfeelingmorbidwhenabusinesslettersnatchesoneawayfromtheseaandfriends。Shecouldnotbelievethatherfatherhadeverfeltthesame。Hereyeshadbeentroublingherlately，sothatshecouldnotreadinthetrain，anditboredhertolookatthelandscape，whichshehadseenbutyesterday。AtSouthamptonshe“waved“toFrieda:FriedawasonherwaydowntojointhematSwanage，andMrs。Munthadcalculatedthattheirtrainswouldcross。ButFriedawaslookingtheotherway，andMargarettravelledontotownfeelingsolitaryandold-maidish。HowlikeanoldmaidtofancythatMr。Wilcoxwascourtingher！Shehadoncevisitedaspinster——poor，silly，andunattractive——whosemaniaitwasthateverymanwhoapproachedherfellinlove。HowMargaret\'shearthadbledforthedeludedthing！Howshehadlectured，reasoned，andindespairacquiesced！“Imayhavebeendeceivedbythecurate，mydear，buttheyoungfellowwhobringsthemiddaypostreallyisfondofme，andhas，asamatterfact——“Ithadalwaysseemedtoherthemosthideouscornerofoldage，yetshemightbedrivenintoitherselfbythemerepressureofvirginity。
Mr。WilcoxmetheratWaterloohimself。Shefeltcertainthathewasnotthesameasusual；foronething，hetookoffenceateverythingshesaid。
“Thisisawfullykindofyou，“shebegan，“butI\'mafraidit\'snotgoingtodo。ThehousehasnotbeenbuiltthatsuitstheSchlegelfamily。“
“What！Haveyoucomeupdeterminednottodeal？“
“Notexactly。“
“Notexactly？Inthatcaselet\'sbestarting。“
Shelingeredtoadmirethemotor，whichwasnewandafairercreaturethanthevermiliongiantthathadborneAuntJuleytoherdoomthreeyearsbefore。
“Presumablyit\'sverybeautiful，“shesaid。
“Howdoyoulikeit，Crane？“
“Come，let\'sbestarting，“repeatedherhost。
“HowonearthdidyouknowthatmychauffeurwascalledCrane？“
“Why，IknowCrane:I\'vebeenforadrivewithEvieonce。Iknowthatyou\'vegotaparlourmaidcalledMilton。I
knowallsortsofthings。“
“Evie！“heechoedininjuredtones。“Youwon\'tseeher。She\'sgoneoutwithCahill。It\'snofun，Icantellyou，beingleftsomuchalone。I\'vegotmyworkallday——indeed，agreatdealtoomuchofit——butwhenIcomehomeintheevening，Itellyou，Ican\'tstandthehouse。“
“Inmyabsurdway，I\'mlonelytoo，“Margaretreplied。
“It\'sheart-breakingtoleaveone\'soldhome。IscarcelyrememberanythingbeforeWickhamPlace，andHelenandTibbywerebornthere。
Helensays——“
“You，too，feellonely？“
“Horribly。Hullo，Parliament\'sback！“
Mr。WilcoxglancedatParliamentcontemptuously。
Themoreimportantropesoflifelayelsewhere。“Yes，theyaretalkingagain。“saidhe。“Butyouweregoingtosay——“
“Onlysomerubbishaboutfurniture。Helensaysitaloneendureswhilemenandhousesperish，andthatintheendtheworldwillbeadesertofchairsandsofas——justimagineit！——rollingthroughinfinitywithnoonetosituponthem。“
“Yoursisteralwayslikesherlittlejoke。
“Shesays\'Yes，\'mybrothersays\'No，\'toDucieStreet。It\'snofunhelpingus，Mr。Wilcox，Iassureyou。“
“Youarenotasunpracticalasyoupretend。
Ishallneverbelieveit。“
Margaretlaughed。Butshewas——quiteasunpractical。
Shecouldnotconcentrateondetails。Parliament，theThames，theirresponsivechauffeur，wouldflashintothefieldofhouse-hunting，andalldemandsomecommentorresponse。Itisimpossibletoseemodernlifesteadilyandseeitwhole，andshehadchosentoseeitwhole。
Mr。Wilcoxsawsteadily。Heneverbotheredoverthemysteriousortheprivate。TheThamesmightruninlandfromthesea，thechauffeurmightconcealallpassionandphilosophybeneathhisunhealthyskin。
Theyknewtheirownbusiness，andheknewhis。
Yetshelikedbeingwithhim。Hewasnotarebuke，butastimulus，andbanishedmorbidity。Sometwentyyearshersenior，hepreservedagiftthatshesupposedherselftohavealreadylost——notyouth\'screativepower，butitsself-confidenceandoptimism。
Hewassosurethatitwasaverypleasantworld。Hiscomplexionwasrobust，hishairhadrecededbutnotthinned，thethickmoustacheandtheeyesthatHelenhadcomparedtobrandy-ballshadanagreeablemenaceinthem，whethertheywereturnedtowardstheslumsortowardsthestars。
Someday——inthemillennium——theremaybenoneedforhistype。Atpresent，homageisduetoitfromthosewhothinkthemselvessuperior，andwhopossiblyare。“
“Atalleventsyourespondedtomytelegrampromptly，“
heremarked。
“Oh，evenIknowagoodthingwhenIseeit。“
“I\'mgladyoudon\'tdespisethegoodsofthisworld。“
“Heavens，no！Onlyidiotsandprigsdothat。“
“Iamglad，veryglad，“herepeated，suddenlysofteningandturningtoher，asiftheremarkhadpleasedhim。“Thereissomuchcanttalkedinwould-beintellectualcircles。Iamgladyoudon\'tshareit。Self-denialisallverywellasameansofstrengtheningthecharacter。ButIcan\'tstandthosepeoplewhorundowncomforts。
Theyhaveusuallysomeaxetogrind。Canyou？“
“Comfortsareoftwokinds，“saidMargaret，whowaskeepingherselfinhand——“thosewecansharewithothers，likefire，weather，ormusic；andthosewecan\'t——food，forinstance。Itdepends。“
“Imeanreasonablecomforts，ofcourse。I
shouldn\'tliketothinkthatyou——“Hebentnearer；thesentencediedunfinished。
Margaret\'sheadturnedverystupid，andtheinsideofitseemedtorevolvelikethebeaconinalighthouse。Hedidnotkissher，forthehourwashalf-pasttwelve，andthecarwaspassingbythestablesofBuckinghamPalace。Buttheatmospherewassochargedwithemotionthatpeopleonlyseemedtoexistonheraccount，andshewassurprisedthatCranedidnotrealizethis，andturnround。Idiotthoughshemightbe，surelyMr。Wilcoxwasmore——howshouldoneputit？——morepsychologicalthanusual。
Alwaysagoodjudgeofcharacterforbusinesspurposes，heseemedthisafternoontoenlargehisfield，andtonotequalitiesoutsideneatness，obedience，anddecision。
“Iwanttogooverthewholehouse，“sheannouncedwhentheyarrived。“AssoonasIgetbacktoSwanage，whichwillbetomorrowafternoon，I\'lltalkitoveroncemorewithHelenandTibby，andwireyou\'yes\'or\'no。\'“
“Right。Thedining-room。“Andtheybegantheirsurvey。
Thedining-roomwasbig，butover-furnished。
Chelseawouldhavemoanedaloud。Mr。Wilcoxhadeschewedthosedecorativeschemesthatwince，andrelent，andrefrain，andachievebeautybysacrificingcomfortandpluck。Aftersomuchself-colourandself-denial，Margaretviewedwithreliefthesumptuousdado，thefrieze，thegildedwall-paper，amidwhosefoliageparrotssang。Itwouldneverdowithherownfurniture，butthoseheavychairs，thatimmenseside-boardloadedwithpresentationplate，stoodupagainstitspressurelikemen。Theroomsuggestedmen，andMargaret，keentoderivethemoderncapitalistfromthewarriorsandhuntersofthepast，sawitasanancientguest-hall，wherethelordsatatmeatamonghisthanes。EventheBible——theDutchBiblethatCharleshadbroughtbackfromtheBoerWar——fellintoposition。Sucharoomadmittedloot。
“Nowtheentrance-hall。“
Theentrance-hallwaspaved。
“Herewefellowssmoke。“
Wefellowssmokedinchairsofmaroonleather。
Itwasasifamotor-carhadspawned。“Oh，jolly！“saidMargaret，sinkingintooneofthem。
“Youdolikeit？“hesaid，fixinghiseyesonherupturnedface，andsurelybetrayinganalmostintimatenote。“It\'sallrubbishnotmakingoneselfcomfortable。Isn\'tit？“
“Ye-es。Semi-rubbish。ArethoseCruikshanks？“
“Gillrays。Shallwegoonupstairs？“
“DoesallthisfurniturecomefromHowardsEnd？“
“TheHowardsEndfurniturehasallgonetoOniton。“
“Does——However，I\'mconcernedwiththehouse，notthefurniture。Howbigisthissmoking-room？“
“Thirtybyfifteen。No，waitaminute。
Fifteenandahalf？。“
“Ah，well。Mr。Wilcox，aren\'tyoueveramusedatthesolemnitywithwhichwemiddleclassesapproachthesubjectofhouses？“
Theyproceededtothedrawing-room。Chelseamanagedbetterhere。Itwassallowandineffective。Onecouldvisualizetheladieswithdrawingtoit，whiletheirlordsdiscussedlife\'srealitiesbelow，totheaccompanimentofcigars。HadMrs。Wilcox\'sdrawing-roomlookedthusatHowardsEnd？JustasthisthoughtenteredMargaret\'sbrain，Mr。Wilcoxdidaskhertobehiswife，andtheknowledgethatshehadbeenrightsoovercameherthatshenearlyfainted。
Buttheproposalwasnottorankamongtheworld\'sgreatlovescenes。
“MissSchlegel“——hisvoicewasfirm——“Ihavehadyouuponfalsepretences。Iwanttospeakaboutamuchmoreseriousmatterthanahouse。“
Margaretalmostanswered:“Iknow——“
“Couldyoubeinducedtosharemy——isitprobable——“
“Oh，Mr。Wilcox！“sheinterrupted，holdingthepianoandavertinghereyes。“Isee，Isee。IwillwritetoyouafterwardsifImay。“
Hebegantostammer。“MissSchlegel——Margaret——youdon\'tunderstand。“
“Ohyes！Indeed，yes！“saidMargaret。
“Iamaskingyoutobemywife。“
Sodeepalreadywashersympathy，thatwhenhesaid，“Iamaskingyoutobemywife，“shemadeherselfgivealittlestart。
Shemustshowsurpriseifheexpectedit。Animmensejoycameoverher。Itwasindescribable。Ithadnothingtodowithhumanity，andmostresembledtheall-pervadinghappinessoffineweather。Fineweatherisduetothesun，butMargaretcouldthinkofnocentralradiancehere。Shestoodinhisdrawing-roomhappy，andlongingtogivehappiness。
Onleavinghimsherealizedthatthecentralradiancehadbeenlove。
“Youaren\'toffended，MissSchlegel？“
“HowcouldIbeoffended？“
Therewasamoment\'spause。Hewasanxioustogetridofher，andsheknewit。Shehadtoomuchintuitiontolookathimashestruggledforpossessionsthatmoneycannotbuy。
Hedesiredcomradeshipandaffection，buthefearedthem，andshe，whohadtaughtherselfonlytodesire，andcouldhaveclothedthestrugglewithbeauty，heldback，andhesitatedwithhim。
“Good-bye，“shecontinued。“Youwillhavealetterfromme——IamgoingbacktoSwanagetomorrow。
“Thankyou。“
“Good-bye，andit\'syouIthank。“
“Imayorderthemotorround，mayn\'tI？“
“Thatwouldbemostkind。“
“IwishIhadwritteninstead。OughtItohavewritten？“
“Notatall。“
“There\'sjustonequestion——“
Sheshookherhead。Helookedalittlebewildered，andtheyparted。
Theypartedwithoutshakinghands:shehadkepttheinterview，forhissake，intintsofthequietestgrey。Yetshethrilledwithhappinessereshereachedherownhouse。Othershadlovedherinthepast，ifonemayapplytotheirbriefdesiressograveaword，butthoseothershadbeen“ninnies“——youngmenwhohadnothingtodo，oldmenwhocouldfindnobodybetter。Andshehadoften“loved，“
too，butonlysofarasthefactsofsexdemanded:mereyearningsforthemasculine，tobedismissedforwhattheywereworth，withasmile。
Neverbeforehadherpersonalitybeentouched。Shewasnotyoungorveryrich，anditamazedherthatamanofanystandingshouldtakeherseriously。Asshesattryingtodoaccountsinheremptyhouse，amidstbeautifulpicturesandnoblebooks，wavesofemotionbroke，asifatideofpassionwasflowingthroughthenightair。Sheshookherhead，triedtoconcentrateherattention，andfailed。Invaindidsherepeat:“ButI\'vebeenthroughthissortofthingbefore。“Shehadneverbeenthroughit；thebigmachinery，asopposedtothelittle，hadbeensetinmotion，andtheideathatMr。Wilcoxloved，obsessedherbeforeshecametolovehiminreturn。
Shewouldcometonodecisionyet。“Oh，sir，thisissosudden“——thatprudishphraseexactlyexpressedherwhenhertimecame。Premonitionsarenotpreparation。Shemustexaminemorecloselyherownnatureandhis；shemusttalkitoverjudiciallywithHelen。Ithadbeenastrangelove-scene——thecentralradianceunacknowledgedfromfirsttolast。She，inhisplace，wouldhavesaid“Ichliebedich，“butperhapsitwasnothishabittoopentheheart。Hemighthavedoneitifshehadpressedhim——asamatterofduty，perhaps；Englandexpectseverymantoopenhisheartonce；buttheeffortwouldhavejarredhim，andnever，ifshecouldavoidit，shouldhelosethosedefencesthathehadchosentoraiseagainsttheworld。Hemustneverbebotheredwithemotionaltalk，orwithadisplayofsympathy。Hewasanelderlymannow，anditwouldbefutileandimpudenttocorrecthim。
Mrs。Wilcoxstrayedinandout，everawelcomeghost；
surveyingthescene，thoughtMargaret，withoutonehintofbitterness。Chapter19IfonewantedtoshowaforeignerEngland，perhapsthewisestcoursewouldbetotakehimtothefinalsectionofthePurbeckHills，andstandhimontheirsummit，afewmilestotheeastofCorfe。Thensystemaftersystemofourislandwouldrolltogetherunderhisfeet。BeneathhimisthevalleyoftheFrome，andallthewildlandsthatcometossingdownfromDorchester，blackandgold，tomirrortheirgorseintheexpansesofPoole。ThevalleyoftheStourisbeyond，unaccountablestream，dirtyatBlandford，pureatWimborne——theStour，slidingoutoffatfields，tomarrytheAvonbeneaththetowerofChristchurch。ThevalleyoftheAvon——invisible，butfartothenorththetrainedeyemayseeClearburyRingthatguardsit，andtheimaginationmayleapbeyondthatontoSalisburyPlainitself，andbeyondthePlaintoallthegloriousdownsofCentralEngland。NorisSuburbiaabsent。Bournemouth\'signoblecoastcowerstotheright，heraldingthepine-treesthatmean，foralltheirbeauty，redhouses，andtheStockExchange，andextendtothegatesofLondonitself。SotremendousistheCity\'strail！ButthecliffsofFreshwateritshallnevertouch，andtheislandwillguardtheIsland\'spuritytilltheendoftime。Seenfromthewest，theWightisbeautifulbeyondalllawsofbeauty。ItisasifafragmentofEnglandfloatedforwardtogreettheforeigner——chalkofourchalk，turfofourturf，epitomeofwhatwillfollow。AndbehindthefragmentliesSouthampton，hostesstothenations，andPortsmouth，alatentfire，andallaroundit，withdoubleandtreblecollisionoftides，swirlsthesea。Howmanyvillagesappearinthisview！Howmanycastles！Howmanychurches，vanishedortriumphant！Howmanyships，railways，androads！Whatincrediblevarietyofmenworkingbeneaththatlucentskytowhatfinalend！
Thereasonfails，likeawaveontheSwanagebeach；theimaginationswells，spreads，anddeepens，untilitbecomesgeographicandencirclesEngland。
SoFriedaMosebach，nowFrauArchitectLiesecke，andmothertoherhusband\'sbaby，wasbroughtuptotheseheightstobeimpressed，and，afteraprolongedgaze，shesaidthatthehillsweremoreswellingherethaninPomerania，whichwastrue，butdidnotseemtoMrs。
Muntapposite。PooleHarbourwasdry，whichledhertopraisetheabsenceofmuddyforeshoreatFriedrichWilhelmsBad，Rü；gen，wherebeech-treeshangoverthetidelessBaltic，andcowsmaycontemplatethebrine。RatherunhealthyMrs。Muntthoughtthiswouldbe，waterbeingsaferwhenitmovedabout。
“AndyourEnglishlakes——Vindermere，Grasmere——arethey，then，unhealthy？“
“No，FrauLiesecke；butthatisbecausetheyarefreshwater，anddifferent。Saltwateroughttohavetides，andgoupanddownagreatdeal，orelseitsmells。Look，forinstance，atanaquarium。“
“Anaquarium！Oh，MeesisMunt，youmeantotellmethatfreshaquariumsstinklessthansalt？Why，whenVictor，mybrother-in-law，collectedmanytadpoles——“
“Youarenottosay\'stink，\'“interruptedHelen；
“atleast，youmaysayit，butyoumustpretendyouarebeingfunnywhileyousayit。“
“Then\'smell。\'AndthemudofyourPooldownthere——doesitnotsmell，ormayIsay\'stink，ha，ha\'？“
“TherealwayshasbeenmudinPooleHarbour，“saidMrs。Munt，withaslightfrown。“Theriversbringitdown，andamostvaluableoyster-fisherydependsuponit。“
“Yes，thatisso，“concededFrieda；andanotherinternationalincidentwasclosed。
“\'Bournemouthis，\'“resumedtheirhostess，quotingalocalrhymetowhichshewasmuchattached——“\'Bournemouthis，Poolewas，andSwanageistobethemostimportanttownofallandbiggestofthethree。\'Now，FrauLiesecke，IhaveshownyouBournemouth，andIhaveshownyouPoole，soletuswalkbackwardalittle，andlookdownagainatSwanage。“
“AuntJuley，wouldn\'tthatbeMeg\'strain？“
Atinypuffofsmokehadbeencirclingtheharbour，andnowwasbearingsouthwardstowardsthemovertheblackandthegold。
“Oh，dearestMargaret，Idohopeshewon\'tbeovertired。“
“Oh，Idowonder——Idowonderwhethershe\'stakenthehouse。“
“Ihopeshehasn\'tbeenhasty。“
“SodoI——oh，sodoI。“
“WillitbeasbeautifulasWickhamPlace？“Friedaasked。
“Ishouldthinkitwould。TrustMr。Wilcoxfordoinghimselfproud。AllthoseDucieStreethousesarebeautifulintheirmodernway，andIcan\'tthinkwhyhedoesn\'tkeeponwithit。
Butit\'sreallyforEviethathewentthere，andnowthatEvie\'sgoingtobemarried——“
“Ah！“
“You\'veneverseenMissWilcox，Frieda。Howabsurdlymatrimonialyouare！“
“ButsistertothatPaul？“
“Yes。“
“AndtothatCharles，“saidMrs。Muntwithfeeling。
“Oh，Helen，Helen，whatatimethatwas！“
Helenlaughed。“MegandIhaven\'tgotsuchtenderhearts。Ifthere\'sachanceofacheaphouse，wegoforit。“
“Nowlook，FrauLiesecke，atmyniece\'strain。
Yousee，itiscomingtowardsus——coming，coming；and，whenitgetstoCorfe，itwillactuallygothroughthedowns，onwhichwearestanding，sothat，ifwewalkover，asIsuggested，andlookdownonSwanage，weshallseeitcomingontheotherside。Shallwe？“
Friedaassented，andinafewminutestheyhadcrossedtheridgeandexchangedthegreaterviewforthelesser。Ratheradullvalleylaybelow，backedbytheslopeofthecoastwarddowns。
TheywerelookingacrosstheIsleofPurbeckandontoSwanage，soontobethemostimportanttownofall，andugliestofthethree。Margaret\'strainreappearedaspromised，andwasgreetedwithapprovalbyheraunt。
Itcametoastandstillinthemiddledistance，andthereithadbeenplannedthatTibbyshouldmeether，anddriveher，andatea-basket，uptojointhem。
“Yousee，“continuedHelentohercousin，“theWilcoxescollecthousesasyourVictorcollectstadpoles。Theyhave，one，DucieStreet；two，HowardsEnd，wheremygreatrumpuswas；three，acountryseatinShropshire；four，CharleshasahouseinHilton；andfive，anothernearEpsom；andsix，Eviewillhaveahousewhenshemarries，andprobablyapied-à；-terreinthecountry——whichmakesseven。Ohyes，andPaulahutinAfricamakeseight。IwishwecouldgetHowardsEnd。Thatwassomethinglikeadearlittlehouse！Didn\'tyouthinkso，AuntJuley？“
“Ihadtoomuchtodo，dear，tolookatit，“saidMrs。Munt，withagraciousdignity。“Ihadeverythingtosettleandexplain，andCharlesWilcoxtokeepinhisplacebesides。Itisn\'tlikelyIshouldremembermuch。Ijustrememberhavinglunchinyourbedroom。“
“YessodoI。But，ohdear，dear，howdeaditallseems！Andintheautumntherebeganthisanti-Paulinemovement——you，andFrieda，andMeg，andMrs。Wilcox，allobsessedwiththeideathatI
mightyetmarryPaul。“
“Youyetmay，“saidFriedadespondently。
Helenshookherhead。“TheGreatWilcoxPerilwillneverreturn。IfI\'mcertainofanythingit\'softhat。“
“Oneiscertainofnothingbutthetruthofone\'sownemotions。“
Theremarkfelldamplyontheconversation。
ButHelenslippedherarmroundhercousin，somehowlikingherthebetterformakingit。Itwasnotanoriginalremark，norhadFriedaappropriateditpassionately，forshehadapatrioticratherthanaphilosophicmind。
YetitbetrayedthatinterestintheuniversalwhichtheaverageTeutonpossessesandtheaverageEnglishmandoesnot。Itwas，howeverillogically，thegood，thebeautiful，thetrue，asopposedtotherespectable，thepretty，theadequate。ItwasalandscapeofBö；cklin\'sbesidealandscapeofLeader\'s，stridentandill-considered，butquiveringintosupernaturallife。Itsharpenedidealism，stirredthesoul。Itmayhavebeenabadpreparationforwhatfollowed。
“Look！“criedAuntJuley，hurryingawayfromgeneralitiesoverthenarrowsummitofthedown。“StandwhereIstand，andyouwillseethepony-cartcoming。Iseethepony-cartcoming。“
Theystoodandsawthepony-cartcoming。MargaretandTibbywerepresentlyseencominginit。LeavingtheoutskirtsofSwanage，itdroveforalittlethroughthebuddinglanes，andthenbegantheascent。
“Haveyougotthehouse？“theyshouted，longbeforeshecouldpossiblyhear。
Helenrandowntomeether。Thehighroadpassedoverasaddle，andatrackwentthenceatrightanglesalongtheridgeofthedown。
“Haveyougotthehouse？“
Margaretshookherhead。
“Oh，whatanuisance！Sowe\'reaswewere？“
“Notexactly。“
Shegotout，lookingtired。
“Somemystery，“saidTibby。“Wearetobeenlightenedpresently。“
MargaretcamecloseuptoherandwhisperedthatshehadhadaproposalofmarriagefromMr。Wilcox。
Helenwasamused。Sheopenedthegateontothedownssothatherbrothermightleadtheponythrough。“It\'sjustlikeawidower，“sheremarked。“They\'vecheekenoughforanything，andinvariablyselectoneoftheirfirstwife\'sfriends。“
Margaret\'sfaceflasheddespair。
“Thattype——“Shebrokeoffwithacry。“Meg，notanythingwrongwithyou？“
“Waitoneminute，“saidMargaret，whisperingalways。
“Butyou\'veneverconceivably——you\'venever——“Shepulledherselftogether。“Tibby，hurryupthrough；Ican\'tholdthisgateindefinitely。AuntJuley！Isay，AuntJuley，makethetea，willyou，andFrieda；we\'vegottotalkhouses，andI\'llcomeonafterwards。“
Andthen，turningherfacetohersister\'s，sheburstintotears。
Margaretwasstupefied。Sheheardherselfsaying，“Oh，really——“Shefeltherselftouchedwithahandthattrembled。
“Don\'t，“sobbedHelen，“don\'t，don\'t，Meg，don\'t！“
Sheseemedincapableofsayinganyotherword。Margaret，tremblingherself，ledherforwarduptheroad，tilltheystrayedthroughanothergateontothedown。
“Don\'t，don\'tdosuchathing！Itellyounotto——don\'t！Iknow——don\'t！“
“Whatdoyouknow？“
“Panicandemptiness，“sobbedHelen。“Don\'t！“
ThenMargaretthought，“Helenisalittleselfish。
Ihaveneverbehavedlikethiswhentherehasseemedachanceofhermarrying。
Shesaid:“Butwewouldstillseeeachotherveryoften，and——“
“It\'snotathinglikethat，“sobbedHelen。
Andshebrokerightawayandwandereddistractedlyupwards，stretchingherhandstowardstheviewandcrying。
“What\'shappenedtoyou？“calledMargaret，followingthroughthewindthatgathersatsundownonthenorthernslopesofhills。
“Butit\'sstupid！“Andsuddenlystupidityseizedher，andtheimmenselandscapewasblurred。ButHelenturnedback。
“Meg——“
“Idon\'tknowwhat\'shappenedtoeitherofus，“
saidMargaret，wipinghereyes。“Wemustbothhavegonemad。“
ThenHelenwipedhers，andtheyevenlaughedalittle。
“Lookhere，sitdown。“
“Allright；I\'llsitdownifyou\'llsitdown。“
“There。(Onekiss。)Now，whatever，whateveristhematter？“
“IdomeanwhatIsaid。Don\'t；itwouldn\'tdo。“
“Oh，Helen，stopsaying\'don\'t\'！It\'signorant。
It\'sasifyourheadwasn\'toutoftheslime。\'Don\'t\'isprobablywhatMrs。BastsaysallthedaytoMr。Bast。“
Helenwassilent。
“Well？“
“Tellmeaboutitfirst，andmeanwhileperhapsI\'llhavegotmyheadoutoftheslime。“
“That\'sbetter。Well，whereshallIbegin？
WhenIarrivedatWaterloo——no，I\'llgobackbeforethat，becauseI\'manxiousyoushouldknoweverythingfromthefirst。The\'first\'wasabouttendaysago。ItwasthedayMr。Bastcametoteaandlosthistemper。
Iwasdefendinghim，andMr。Wilcoxbecamejealousaboutme，howeverslightly。
Ithoughtitwastheinvoluntarything，whichmencan\'thelpanymorethanwecan。Youknow——atleast，Iknowinmyowncase——whenamanhassaidtome，\'So-and-so\'saprettygirl，\'IamseizedwithamomentarysournessagainstSo-and-so，andlongtotweakherear。It\'satiresomefeeling，butnotanimportantone，andoneeasilymanagesit。Butitwasn\'tonlythisinMr。Wilcox\'scase，Igathernow。“
“Thenyoulovehim？“
Margaretconsidered。“Itiswonderfulknowingthatarealmancaresforyou，“shesaid。“Themerefactofthatgrowsmoretremendous。Remember，I\'veknownandlikedhimsteadilyfornearlythreeyears。
“Butlovedhim？“
Margaretpeeredintoherpast。Itispleasanttoanalyzefeelingswhiletheyarestillonlyfeelings，andunembodiedinthesocialfabric。WithherarmroundHelen，andhereyesshiftingovertheview，asifthiscountyorthatcouldrevealthesecretofherownheart，shemeditatedhonestly，andsaid，“No。“
“Butyouwill？“
“Yes，“saidMargaret，“ofthatI\'mprettysure。
Indeed，Ibeganthemomenthespoketome。“
“Andhavesettledtomarryhim？“
“Ihad，butamwantingalongtalkaboutitnow。
Whatisitagainsthim，Helen？Youmusttryandsay。“
Helen，inherturn，lookedoutwards。“ItiseversincePaul，“shesaidfinally。
“ButwhathasMr。WilcoxtodowithPaul？“
“Buthewasthere，theywerealltherethatmorningwhenIcamedowntobreakfast，andsawthatPaulwasfrightened——themanwholovedmefrightenedandallhisparaphernaliafallen，sothatIknewitwasimpossible，becausepersonalrelationsaretheimportantthingforeverandever，andnotthisouterlifeoftelegramsandanger。“
Shepouredthesentenceforthinonebreath，buthersisterunderstoodit，becauseittouchedonthoughtsthatwerefamiliarbetweenthem。
“That\'sfoolish。Inthefirstplace，Idisagreeabouttheouterlife。Well，we\'veoftenarguedthat。Therealpointisthatthereisthewidestgulfbetweenmylove-makingandyours。
Yours——wasromance；minewillbeprose。I\'mnotrunningitdown——averygoodkindofprose，butwellconsidered，wellthoughtout。Forinstance，IknowallMr。Wilcox\'sfaults。He\'safraidofemotion。
Hecarestoomuchaboutsuccess，toolittleaboutthepast。Hissympathylackspoetry，andsoisn\'tsympathyreally。I\'devensay“——shelookedattheshininglagoons——“that，spiritually，he\'snotashonestasIam。
Doesn\'tthatsatisfyyou？“
“No，itdoesn\'t，“saidHelen。“Itmakesmefeelworseandworse。Youmustbemad。“
Margaretmadeamovementofirritation。
“Idon\'tintendhim，oranymanoranywoman，tobeallmylife——goodheavens，no！Thereareheapsofthingsinmethathedoesn\'t，andshallnever，understand。“
Thusshespokebeforetheweddingceremonyandthephysicalunion，beforetheastonishingglassshadehadfallenthatinterposesbetweenmarriedcouplesandtheworld。Shewastokeepherindependencemorethandomostwomenasyet。Marriagewastoalterherfortunesratherthanhercharacter，andshewasnotfarwronginboastingthatsheunderstoodherfuturehusband。Yethedidalterhercharacter——alittle。Therewasanunforeseensurprise，acessationofthewindsandodoursoflife，asocialpressurethatwouldhaveherthinkconjugally。
“Sowithhim，“shecontinued。“Thereareheapsofthingsinhim——moreespeciallythingsthathedoes——thatwillalwaysbehiddenfromme。Hehasallthosepublicqualitieswhichyousodespiseandenableallthis——“Shewavedherhandatthelandscape，whichconfirmedanything。“IfWilcoxeshadn\'tworkedanddiedinEnglandforthousandsofyears，youandIcouldn\'tsitherewithouthavingourthroatscut。Therewouldbenotrains，noshipstocarryusliterarypeopleaboutin，nofieldseven。Justsavagery。No——perhapsnoteventhat。Withouttheirspiritlifemightneverhavemovedoutofprotoplasm。MoreandmoredoIrefusetodrawmyincomeandsneeratthosewhoguaranteeit。Therearetimeswhenitseemstome——“
“Andtome，andtoallwomen。SoonekissedPaul。“
“That\'sbrutal，“saidMargaret。“Mineisanabsolutelydifferentcase。I\'vethoughtthingsout。“
“Itmakesnodifferencethinkingthingsout。
Theycometothesame。“
“Rubbish！“
Therewasalongsilence，duringwhichthetidereturnedintoPooleHarbour。“Onewouldlosesomething，“murmuredHelen，apparentlytoherself。Thewatercreptoverthemud-flatstowardsthegorseandtheblackenedheather。BrankseaIslandlostitsimmenseforeshores，andbecameasombreepisodeoftrees。FromewasforcedinwardtowardsDorchester，StouragainstWimborne，AvontowardsSalisbury，andovertheimmensedisplacementthesunpresided，leadingittotriumpherehesanktorest。Englandwasalive，throbbingthroughallherestuaries，cryingforjoythroughthemouthsofallhergulls，andthenorthwind，withcontrarymotion，blewstrongeragainstherrisingseas。Whatdiditmean？Forwhatendareherfaircomplexities，herchangesofsoil，hersinuouscoast？Doesshebelongtothosewhohavemouldedherandmadeherfearedbyotherlands，ortothosewhohaveaddednothingtoherpower，buthavesomehowseenher，seenthewholeislandatonce，lyingasajewelinasilversea，sailingasashipofsouls，withallthebraveworld\'sfleetaccompanyinghertowardseternity？Chapter20Margarethadoftenwonderedatthedisturbancethattakesplaceintheworld\'swaters，whenLove，whoseemssotinyapebble，slipsin。
WhomdoesLoveconcernbeyondthebelovedandthelover？Yethisimpactdelugesahundredshores。Nodoubtthedisturbanceisreallythespiritofthegenerations，welcomingthenewgeneration，andchafingagainsttheultimateFate，whoholdsalltheseasinthepalmofherhand。
ButLovecannotunderstandthis。Hecannotcomprehendanother\'sinfinity；
heisconsciousonlyofhisown——flyingsunbeam，fallingrose，pebblethatasksforonequietplungebelowthefrettinginterplayofspaceandtime。
Heknowsthathewillsurviveattheendofthings，andbegatheredbyFateasajewelfromtheslime，andbehandedwithadmirationroundtheassemblyofthegods。“Mendidproducethis，“theywillsay，and，saying，theywillgivemenimmortality。Butmeanwhile——whatagitationsmeanwhile！ThefoundationsofPropertyandProprietyarelaidbare，twinrocks；FamilyPrideflounderstothesurface，puffingandblowing，andrefusingtobecomforted；Theology，vaguelyascetic，getsupanastygroundswell。Thenthelawyersarearoused——coldbrood——andcreepoutoftheirholes。Theydowhattheycan；theytidyupPropertyandPropriety，reassureTheologyandFamilyPride。Half-guineasarepouredonthetroubledwaters，thelawyerscreepback，and，ifallhasgonewell，LovejoinsonemanandwomantogetherinMatrimony。
Margarethadexpectedthedisturbance，andwasnotirritatedbyit。Forasensitivewomanshehadsteadynerves，andcouldbearwiththeincongruousandthegrotesque；and，besides，therewasnothingexcessiveaboutherlove-affair。Good-humourwasthedominantnoteofherrelationswithMr。Wilcox，or，asImustnowcallhim，Henry。Henrydidnotencourageromance，andshewasnogirltofidgetforit。Anacquaintancehadbecomealover，mightbecomeahusband，butwouldretainallthatshehadnotedintheacquaintance；
andlovemustconfirmanoldrelationratherthanrevealanewone。
Inthisspiritshepromisedtomarryhim。
HewasinSwanageonthemorrow，bearingtheengagement-ring。
TheygreetedoneanotherwithaheartycordialitythatimpressedAuntJuley。
HenrydinedatTheBays，buthehadengagedabedroomintheprincipalhotel:hewasoneofthosemenwhoknewtheprincipalhotelbyinstinct。
AfterdinnerheaskedMargaretifshewouldn\'tcareforaturnontheParade。
Sheaccepted，andcouldnotrepressalittletremor；itwouldbeherfirstreallovescene。Butassheputonherhatsheburstoutlaughing。
Lovewassounlikethearticleservedupinbooks:thejoy，thoughgenuine，wasdifferent；themysteryanunexpectedmystery。Foronething，Mr。Wilcoxstillseemedastranger。
Foratimetheytalkedaboutthering；thenshesaid:
“DoyouremembertheEmbankmentatChelsea？
Itcan\'tbetendaysago。“
“Yes，“hesaid，laughing。“AndyouandyoursisterwereheadandearsdeepinsomeQuixoticscheme。Ahwell！“
“Ilittlethoughtthen，certainly。Didyou？“
“Idon\'tknowaboutthat；Ishouldn\'tliketosay。“
“Why，wasitearlier？“shecried。“Didyouthinkofmethiswayearlier！Howextraordinarilyinteresting，Henry！
Tellme。“
ButHenryhadnointentionoftelling。Perhapshecouldnothavetold，forhismentalstatesbecameobscureassoonashehadpassedthroughthem。Hemislikedtheveryword“interesting，“
connotingitwithwastedenergyandevenwithmorbidity。Hardfactswereenoughforhim。
“Ididn\'tthinkofit，“shepursued。“No；
whenyouspoketomeinthedrawing-room，thatwaspracticallythefirst。
Itwasallsodifferentfromwhatit\'ssupposedtobe。Onthestage，orinbooks，aproposalis——howshallIputit？——afull-blownaffair，akindofbouquet；itlosesitsliteralmeaning。Butinlifeaproposalreallyisaproposal——“
“Bytheway——“
“——asuggestion，aseed，“sheconcluded；andthethoughtflewawayintodarkness。
“Iwasthinking，ifyoudidn\'tmind，thatweoughttospendthiseveninginabusinesstalk；therewillbesomuchtosettle。“
“Ithinksotoo。Tellme，inthefirstplace，howdidyougetonwithTibby？“
“Withyourbrother？“
“Yes，duringcigarettes。“
“Oh，verywell。“
“Iamsoglad，“sheanswered，alittlesurprised。
“Whatdidyoutalkabout？Me，presumably。“
“AboutGreecetoo。“
“Greecewasaverygoodcard，Henry。Tibby\'sonlyaboystill，andonehastopickandchoosesubjectsalittle。
Welldone。“
“IwastellinghimIhavesharesinacurrant-farmnearCalamata。
“Whatadelightfulthingtohavesharesin！
Can\'twegothereforourhoneymoon？“
“Whattodo？“
“Toeatthecurrants。Andisn\'ttheremarvellousscenery？“
“Moderately，butit\'snotthekindofplaceonecouldpossiblygotowithalady。“
“Whynot？“
“Nohotels。“
“Someladiesdowithouthotels。AreyouawarethatHelenandIhavewalkedaloneovertheApennines，withourluggageonourbacks？“
“Iwasn\'taware，and，ifIcanmanageit，youwillneverdosuchathingagain。“
Shesaidmoregravely:“Youhaven\'tfoundtimeforatalkwithHelenyet，Isuppose？“
“No。“
“Do，beforeyougo。Iamsoanxiousyoutwoshouldbefriends。“
“YoursisterandIhavealwayshititoff，“hesaidnegligently。“Butwe\'redriftingawayfromourbusiness。Letmebeginatthebeginning。YouknowthatEvieisgoingtomarryPercyCahill。“
“Dolly\'suncle。“
“Exactly。Thegirl\'smadlyinlovewithhim。
Averygoodsortoffellow，buthedemands——andrightly——asuitableprovisionwithher。Andinthesecondplace，youwillnaturallyunderstand，thereisCharles。Beforeleavingtown，IwroteCharlesaverycarefulletter。Yousee，hehasanincreasingfamilyandincreasingexpenses，andtheI。andW。A。isnothingparticularjustnow，thoughcapableofdevelopment。
“Poorfellow！“murmuredMargaret，lookingouttosea，andnotunderstanding。
“Charlesbeingtheelderson，somedayCharleswillhaveHowardsEnd；butIamanxious，inmyownhappiness，nottobeunjusttoothers。“
“Ofcoursenot，“shebegan，andthengavealittlecry。“Youmeanmoney。HowstupidIam！Ofcoursenot！“
Oddlyenough，hewincedalittleattheword。
“Yes。Money，sinceyouputitsofrankly。Iamdeterminedtobejusttoall——justtoyou，justtothem。Iamdeterminedthatmychildrenshallhavenocaseagainstme。“
“Begeneroustothem，“shesaidsharply。“Botherjustice！“
“Iamdetermined——andhavealreadywrittentoCharlestothateffect——“
“Buthowmuchhaveyougot？“
“What？“
“Howmuchhaveyouayear？I\'vesixhundred。“
“Myincome？“
“Yes。Wemustbeginwithhowmuchyouhave，beforewecansettlehowmuchyoucangiveCharles。Justice，andevengenerosity，dependonthat。“
“Imustsayyou\'readownrightyoungwoman，“heobserved，pattingherarmandlaughingalittle。“Whataquestiontospringonafellow！“
“Don\'tyouknowyourincome？Ordon\'tyouwanttotellitme？“
“I——“
“That\'sallright“——nowshepattedhim——“don\'ttellme。Idon\'twanttoknow。Icandothesumjustaswellbyproportion。Divideyourincomeintotenparts。HowmanypartswouldyougivetoEvie，howmanytoCharles，howmanytoPaul？“
“Thefactis，mydear，Ihadn\'tanyintentionofbotheringyouwithdetails。Ionlywantedtoletyouknowthat——well，thatsomethingmustbedonefortheothers，andyou\'veunderstoodmeperfectly，solet\'spassontothenextpoint。“
“Yes，we\'vesettledthat，“saidMargaret，undisturbedbyhisstrategicblunderings。“Goahead；giveawayallyoucan，bearinginmindI\'veaclearsixhundred。Whatamercyitistohaveallthismoneyaboutone！“
“We\'venonetoomuch，Iassureyou；you\'remarryingapoorman。
“Helenwouldn\'tagreewithmehere，“shecontinued。
“Helendaren\'tslangtherich，beingrichherself，butshewouldliketo。
There\'sanoddnotion，thatIhaven\'tyetgotholdof，runningaboutatthebackofherbrain，thatpovertyissomehow\'real。\'Shedislikesallorganization，andprobablyconfuseswealthwiththetechniqueofwealth。
Sovereignsinastockingwouldn\'tbotherher；chequesdo。Helenistoorelentless。Onecan\'tdealinherhigh-handedmannerwiththeworld。“
“There\'sthisotherpoint，andthenImustgobacktomyhotelandwritesomeletters。What\'stobedonenowaboutthehouseinDucieStreet？“
“Keepiton——atleast，itdepends。Whendoyouwanttomarryme？“
Sheraisedhervoice，astoooften，andsomeyouths，whowerealsotakingtheeveningair，overheardher。“Gettingabithot，eh？“saidone。Mr。Wilcoxturnedonthem，andsaidsharply，“Isay！“Therewassilence。“TakecareIdon\'treportyoutothepolice。“Theymovedawayquietlyenough，butwereonlybidingtheirtime，andtherestoftheconversationwaspunctuatedbypealsofungovernablelaughter。
Loweringhisvoiceandinfusingahintofreproofintoit，hesaid:“EviewillprobablybemarriedinSeptember。Wecouldscarcelythinkofanythingbeforethen。“
“Theearlierthenicer，Henry。Femalesarenotsupposedtosaysuchthings，buttheearlierthenicer。“
“HowaboutSeptemberforustoo？“heasked，ratherdryly。
“Right。ShallwegointoDucieStreetourselvesinSeptember？OrshallwetrytobounceHelenandTibbyintoit？
That\'sratheranidea。Theyaresounbusinesslike，wecouldmakethemdoanythingbyjudiciousmanagement。Lookhere——yes。We\'lldothat。AndweourselvescouldliveatHowardsEndorShropshire。“
Heblewouthischeeks。“Heavens！howyouwomendoflyround！Myhead\'sinawhirl。Pointbypoint，Margaret。HowardsEnd\'simpossible。IletittoHamarBryceonathreeyears\'agreementlastMarch。Don\'tyouremember？
Oniton。Well，thatismuch，muchtoofarawaytorelyonentirely。
Youwillbeabletobedownthereentertainingacertainamount，butwemusthaveahousewithineasyreachofTown。OnlyDucieStreethashugedrawbacks。There\'samewsbehind。“
Margaretcouldnothelplaughing。ItwasthefirstshehadheardofthemewsbehindDucieStreet。Whenshewasapossibletenantithadsuppresseditself，notconsciously，butautomatically。
ThebreezyWilcoxmanner，thoughgenuine，lackedtheclearnessofvisionthatisimperativefortruth。WhenHenrylivedinDucieStreetherememberedthemews；whenhetriedtoletheforgotit；andifanyonehadremarkedthatthemewsmustbeeitherthereornot，hewouldhavefeltannoyed，andafterwardshavefoundsomeopportunityofstigmatizingthespeakerasacademic。SodoesmygrocerstigmatizemewhenIcomplainofthequalityofhissultanas，andheanswersinonebreaththattheyarethebestsultanas，andhowcanIexpectthebestsultanasatthatprice？
Itisaflawinherentinthebusinessmind，andMargaretmaydowelltobetendertoit，consideringallthatthebusinessmindhasdoneforEngland。
“Yes，insummerespecially，themewsisaseriousnuisance。Thesmokingroom，too，isanabominablelittleden。
Thehouseoppositehasbeentakenbyoperaticpeople。DucieStreet\'sgoingdown，it\'smyprivateopinion。“
“Howsad！It\'sonlyafewyearssincetheybuiltthoseprettyhouses。“
“Showsthingsaremoving。Goodfortrade。“
“IhatethiscontinualfluxofLondon。Itisanepitomeofusatourworst——eternalformlessness；allthequalities，good，bad，andindifferent，streamingaway——streaming，streamingforever。
That\'swhyIdreaditso。Imistrustrivers，eveninscenery。
Now，thesea——“
“Hightide，yes。“
“Hoytoid“——fromthepromenadingyouths。
“Andthesearethementowhomwegivethevote，“
observedMr。Wilcox，omittingtoaddthattheywerealsothementowhomhegaveworkasclerks——workthatscarcelyencouragedthemtogrowintoothermen。“However，theyhavetheirownlivesandinterests。
Let\'sgeton。“
Heturnedashespoke，andpreparedtoseeherbacktoTheBays。Thebusinesswasover。Hishotelwasintheoppositedirection，andifheaccompaniedherhisletterswouldbelateforthepost。Sheimploredhimnottocome，buthewasobdurate。
“Anicebeginning，ifyourauntsawyouslipinalone！“
“ButIalwaysdogoaboutalone。ConsideringI\'vewalkedovertheApennines，it\'scommonsense。Youwillmakemesoangry。Idon\'ttheleasttakeitasacompliment。“
Helaughed，andlitacigar。“Itisn\'tmeantasacompliment，mydear。Ijustwon\'thaveyougoingaboutinthedark。Suchpeopleabouttoo！It\'sdangerous。“
“Can\'tIlookaftermyself？Idowish——“
“Comealong，Margaret；nowheedling。“
Ayoungerwomanmighthaveresentedhismasterlyways，butMargarethadtoofirmagripoflifetomakeafuss。Shewas，inherownway，asmasterly。Ifhewasafortressshewasamountainpeak，whomallmighttread，butwhomthesnowsmadenightlyvirginal。
Disdainingtheheroicoutfit，excitableinhermethods，garrulous，episodical，shrill，shemisledherlovermuchasshehadmisledheraunt。Hemistookherfertilityforweakness。Hesupposedher“ascleverastheymake\'em，“butnomore，notrealizingthatshewaspenetratingtothedepthsofhissoul，andapprovingofwhatshefoundthere。
Andifinsightweresufficient，iftheinnerlifewerethewholeoflife，theirhappinesshasbeenassured。
Theywalkedaheadbriskly。Theparadeandtheroadafteritwerewelllighted，butitwasdarkerinAuntJuley\'sgarden。Astheyweregoingupbytheside-paths，throughsomerhododendrons，Mr。Wilcox，whowasinfront，said“Margaret“ratherhuskily，turned，droppedhiscigar，andtookherinhisarms。
Shewasstartled，andnearlyscreamed，butrecoveredherselfatonce，andkissedwithgenuinelovethelipsthatwerepressedagainstherown。Itwastheirfirstkiss，andwhenitwasoverhesawhersafelytothedoorandrangthebellforher，butdisappearedintothenightbeforethemaidansweredit。Onlookingback，theincidentdispleasedher。Itwassoisolated。Nothingintheirpreviousconversationhadheraldedit，and，worsestill，notendernesshadensued。
Ifamancannotleaduptopassionhecanatalleventsleaddownfromit，andshehadhoped，afterhercomplaisance，forsomeinterchangeofgentlewords。Buthehadhurriedawayasifashamed，andforaninstantshewasremindedofHelenandPaul。Chapter21CharleshadjustbeenscoldinghisDolly。Shedeservedthescolding，andhadbentbeforeit，butherhead，thoughbloody，wasunsubdued，andherchirrupingsbegantominglewithhisretreatingthunder。
“You\'vewokenthebaby。Iknewyouwould。
(Rum-ti-foo，Rackety-tacketyTompkin！)I\'mnotresponsibleforwhatUnclePercydoes，norforanybodyelseoranything，sothere！“
“WhoaskedhimwhileIwasaway？Whoaskedmysisterdowntomeethim？Whosentthemoutinthemotordayafterday？“
“Charles，thatremindsmeofsomepoem。“
“Doesitindeed？Weshallallbedancingtoaverydifferentmusicpresently。MissSchlegelhasfairlygotusontoast。“
“Icouldsimplyscratchthatwoman\'seyesout，andtosayit\'smyfaultismostunfair。“
“It\'syourfault，andfivemonthsagoyouadmittedit。“
“Ididn\'t。“
“Youdid。“
“Tootle，tootle，playingonthepootle！“exclaimedDolly，suddenlydevotingherselftothechild。
“It\'sallverywelltoturntheconversation，butFatherwouldneverhavedreamtofmarryingaslongasEviewastheretomakehimcomfortable。Butyoumustneedsstartmatch-making。
Besides，Cahill\'stooold。“
“Ofcourse，ifyou\'regoingtoberudetoUnclePercy——“
“MissSchlegelalwaysmeanttogetholdofHowardsEnd，and，thankstoyou，she\'sgotit。“
“Icallthewayyoutwistthingsroundandmakethemhangtogethermostunfair。Youcouldn\'thavebeennastierifyou\'dcaughtmeflirting。Couldhe，diddums？“
“We\'reinabadhole，andmustmakethebestofit。Ishallanswerthepater\'slettercivilly。He\'sevidentlyanxioustodothedecentthing。ButIdonotintendtoforgettheseSchlegelsinahurry。Aslongasthey\'reontheirbestbehaviour——Dolly，areyoulistening？——we\'llbehave，too。ButifIfindthemgivingthemselvesairs，ormonopolizingmyfather，oratallill-treatinghim，orworryinghimwiththeirartisticbeastliness，Iintendtoputmyfootdown，yes，firmly。Takingmymother\'splace！HeavenknowswhatpooroldPaulwillsaywhenthenewsreacheshim。“
