下载辰思小说免费APP
Theinterludecloses。IthastakenplaceinCharles\'sgardenatHilton。HeandDollyaresittingindeck-chairs，andtheirmotorisregardingthemplacidlyfromitsgarageacrossthelawn。
Ashort-frockededitionofCharlesalsoregardsthemplacidly；aperambulatoreditionissqueaking；athirdeditionisexpectedshortly。NatureisturningoutWilcoxesinthispeacefulabode，sothattheymayinherittheearth。Chapter22Margaretgreetedherlordwithpeculiartendernessonthemorrow。
Matureashewas，shemightyetbeabletohelphimtothebuildingoftherainbowbridgethatshouldconnecttheproseinuswiththepassion。
Withoutitwearemeaninglessfragments，halfmonks，halfbeasts，unconnectedarchesthathaveneverjoinedintoaman。Withitloveisborn，andalightsonthehighestcurve，glowingagainstthegrey，soberagainstthefire。Happythemanwhoseesfromeitheraspectthegloryoftheseoutspreadwings。Theroadsofhissoullieclear，andheandhisfriendsshallfindeasy-going。
Itwashard-goingintheroadsofMr。Wilcox\'ssoul。
Fromboyhoodhehadneglectedthem。“Iamnotafellowwhobothersaboutmyowninside。“Outwardlyhewascheerful，reliable，andbrave；
butwithin，allhadrevertedtochaos，ruled，sofarasitwasruledatall，byanincompleteasceticism。Whetherasboy，husband，orwidower，hehadalwaysthesneakingbeliefthatbodilypassionisbad，abeliefthatisdesirableonlywhenheldpassionately。Religionhadconfirmedhim。ThewordsthatwerereadaloudonSundaytohimandtootherrespectablemenwerethewordsthathadoncekindledthesoulsofSt。CatharineandSt。Francisintoawhite-hothatredofthecarnal。Hecould-notbeasthesaintsandlovetheInfinitewithaseraphicardour，buthecouldbealittleashamedoflovingawife。“Amabat，amaretimebat。“
AnditwasherethatMargarethopedtohelphim。
Itdidnotseemsodifficult。Sheneedtroublehimwithnogiftofherown。Shewouldonlypointoutthesalvationthatwaslatentinhisownsoul，andinthesoulofeveryman。Onlyconnect！Thatwasthewholeofhersermon。Onlyconnecttheproseandthepassion，andbothwillbeexalted，andhumanlovewillbeseenatitsheight。Liveinfragmentsnolonger。Onlyconnect，andthebeastandthemonk，robbedoftheisolationthatislifetoeither，willdie。
Norwasthemessagedifficulttogive。Itneednottaketheformofagood“talking。“Byquietindicationsthebridgewouldbebuiltandspantheirliveswithbeauty。
Butshefailed。FortherewasonequalityinHenryforwhichshewasneverprepared，howevermuchsheremindedherselfofit:hisobtuseness。Hesimplydidnotnoticethings，andtherewasnomoretobesaid。HenevernoticedthatHelenandFriedawerehostile，orthatTibbywasnotinterestedincurrantplantations；henevernoticedthelightsandshadesthatexistinthegrayestconversation，thefinger-posts，themilestones，thecollisions，theillimitableviews。
Once——onanotheroccasion——shescoldedhimaboutit。Hewaspuzzled，butrepliedwithalaugh:“MymottoisConcentrate。I\'venointentionoffritteringawaymystrengthonthatsortofthing。““Itisn\'tfritteringawaythestrength，“sheprotested。“It\'senlargingthespaceinwhichyoumaybestrong。“Heanswered:“You\'reacleverlittlewoman，butmymotto\'sConcentrate。“Andthismorningheconcentratedwithavengeance。
Theymetintherhododendronsofyesterday。
Inthedaylightthebusheswereinconsiderableandthepathwasbrightinthemorningsun。ShewaswithHelen，whohadbeenominouslyquietsincetheaffairwassettled。“Hereweallare！“shecried，andtookhimbyonehand，retaininghersister\'sintheother。
“Hereweare。Good-morning，Helen。“
Helenreplied，“Good-morning，Mr。Wilcox。“
“Henry，shehashadsuchaniceletterfromthequeer，crossboy——Doyourememberhim？Hehadasadmoustache，butthebackofhisheadwasyoung。“
“Ihavehadalettertoo。Notaniceone——I
wanttotalkitoverwithyou:“forLeonardBastwasnothingtohimnowthatshehadgivenhimherword；thetriangleofsexwasbrokenforever。
“Thankstoyourhint，he\'sclearingoutofthePorphyrion。“
“NotabadbusinessthatPorphyrion，“hesaidabsently，ashetookhisownletteroutofhispocket。
“Notabad——“sheexclaimed，droppinghishand。“Surely，onChelseaEmbankment——“
“Here\'sourhostess。Good-morning，Mrs。Munt。
Finerhododendrons。Goodmorning，FrauLiesecke；wemanagetogrowflowersinEngland，don\'twe？“
“Notabadbusiness？“
“No。Myletter\'saboutHowardsEnd。
Brycehasbeenorderedabroad，andwantstosubletit。IamfarfromsurethatIshallgivehimpermission。Therewasnoclauseintheagreement。Inmyopinion，sublettingisamistake。Ifhecanfindmeanothertenant，whomIconsidersuitable，Imaycanceltheagreement。
Morning，Schlegel。Don\'tyouthinkthat\'sbetterthansubletting？“
Helenhaddroppedherhandnow，andhehadsteeredherpastthewholepartytotheseawardsideofthehouse。Beneaththemwasthebourgeoislittlebay，whichmusthaveyearnedallthroughthecenturiesforjustsuchawatering-placeasSwanagetobebuiltonitsmargin。Thewaveswerecolourless，andtheBournemouthsteamergaveafurthertouchofinsipidity，drawnupagainstthepierandhootingwildlyforexcursionists。
“WhenthereisasubletIfindthatdamage——“
“Doexcuseme，butaboutthePorphyrion。I
don\'tfeeleasy——mightIjustbotheryou，Henry？“
Hermannerwassoseriousthathestopped，andaskedheralittlesharplywhatshewanted。
“YousaidonChelseaEmbankment，surely，thatitwasabadconcern，soweadvisedthisclerktoclearout。Hewritesthismorningthathe\'stakenouradvice，andnowyousayit\'snotabadconcern。“
“Aclerkwhoclearsoutofanyconcern，goodorbad，withoutsecuringaberthsomewhereelsefirst，isafool，andI\'venopityforhim。“
“Hehasnotdonethat。He\'sgoingintoabankinCamdenTown，hesays。Thesalary\'smuchlower，buthehopestomanage——abranchofDempster\'sBank。Isthatallright？“
“Dempster！Mygoodnessme，yes。“
“MorerightthanthePorphyrion？“
“Yes，yes，yes；safeashouses——safer。“
“Verymanythanks。I\'msorry——ifyousublet——？“
“Ifhesublets，Ishan\'thavethesamecontrol。
IntheorythereshouldbenomoredamagedoneatHowardsEnd；inpracticetherewillbe。Thingsmaybedoneforwhichnomoneycancompensate。
Forinstance，Ishouldn\'twantthatfinewych-elmspoilt。Ithangs——Margaret，wemustgoandseetheoldplacesometime。It\'sprettyinitsway。
We\'llmotordownandhavelunchwithCharles。“
“Ishouldenjoythat，“saidMargaretbravely。
“WhataboutnextWednesday？“
“Wednesday？No，Icouldn\'twelldothat。
AuntJuleyexpectsustostophereanotherweekatleast。“
“Butyoucangivethatupnow。“
“Er——no，“saidMargaret，afteramoment\'sthought。
“Oh，that\'llbeallright。I\'llspeaktoher。“
“Thisvisitisahighsolemnity。Myauntcountsonityearafteryear。Sheturnsthehouseupsidedownforus；sheinvitesourspecialfriends——shescarcelyknowsFrieda，andwecan\'tleaveheronherhands。Imissedoneday，andshewouldbesohurtifI
didn\'tstaythefullten。“
“ButI\'llsayawordtoher。Don\'tyoubother。“
“Henry，Iwon\'tgo。Don\'tbullyme。“
“Youwanttoseethehouse，though？“
“Verymuch——I\'veheardsomuchaboutit，onewayortheother。Aren\'ttherepigs\'teethinthewych-elm？“
“Pigs\'teeth？“
“Andyouchewthebarkfortoothache。“
“Whatarumnotion！Ofcoursenot！“
“PerhapsIhaveconfuseditwithsomeothertree。
TherearestillagreatnumberofsacredtreesinEngland，itseems。“
ButhelefthertointerceptMrs。Munt，whosevoicecouldbeheardinthedistance:tobeinterceptedhimselfbyHelen。
“Oh，Mr。Wilcox，aboutthePorphyrion——“shebegan，andwentscarletalloverherface。
“It\'sallright，“calledMargaret，catchingthemup。“Dempster\'sBank\'sbetter。“
“ButIthinkyoutoldusthePorphyrionwasbad，andwouldsmashbeforeChristmas。“
“DidI？ItwasstilloutsidetheTariffRing，andhadtotakerottenpolicies。Latelyitcamein——safeashousesnow。“
“Inotherwords，Mr。Bastneedneverhaveleftit。“
“No，thefellowneedn\'t。“
“——andneedn\'thavestartedlifeelsewhereatagreatlyreducedsalary。“
“Heonlysays\'reduced，\'“correctedMargaret，seeingtroubleahead。
“Withamansopoor，everyreductionmustbegreat。
Iconsideritadeplorablemisfortune。“
Mr。Wilcox，intentonhisbusinesswithMrs。Munt，wasgoingsteadilyon，butthelastremarkmadehimsay:“What？What\'sthat？DoyoumeanthatI\'mresponsible？“
“You\'reridiculous，Helen。“
“Youseemtothink——“Helookedathiswatch。
“Letmeexplainthepointtoyou。Itislikethis。Youseemtoassume，whenabusinessconcernisconductingadelicatenegotiation，itoughttokeepthepublicinformedstagebystage。ThePorphyrion，accordingtoyou，wasboundtosay，\'IamtryingallIcantogetintotheTariffRing。IamnotsurethatIshallsucceed，butitistheonlythingthatwillsavemefrominsolvency，andIamtrying。\'MydearHelen——“
“Isthatyourpoint？Amanwhohadlittlemoneyhasless——that\'smine。“
“Iamgrievedforyourclerk。Butitisallintheday\'swork。It\'spartofthebattleoflife。“
“Amanwhohadlittlemoney，“sherepeated，“hasless，owingtous。UnderthesecircumstancesIdonotconsider\'thebattleoflife\'ahappyexpression。“
“Ohcome，come！“heprotestedpleasantly。
“You\'renottoblame。Noone\'stoblame。“
“Isnoonetoblameforanything？“
“Iwouldn\'tsaythat，butyou\'retakingitfartooseriously。Whoisthisfellow？“
“Wehavetoldyouaboutthefellowtwicealready，“
saidHelen。“Youhaveevenmetthefellow。Heisverypoorandhiswifeisanextravagantimbecile。Heiscapableofbetterthings。We——we，theupperclasses——thoughtwewouldhelphimfromtheheightofoursuperiorknowledge——andhere\'stheresult！“
Heraisedhisfinger。“Now，awordofadvice。“
“Irequirenomoreadvice。“
“Awordofadvice。Don\'ttakeupthatsentimentalattitudeoverthepoor。Seethatshedoesn\'t，Margaret。Thepoorarepoor，andone\'ssorryforthem，butthereitis。Ascivilizationmovesforward，theshoeisboundtopinchinplaces，andit\'sabsurdtopretendthatanyoneisresponsiblepersonally。Neitheryou，norI，normyinformant，northemanwhoinformedhim，northedirectorsofthePorphyrion，aretoblameforthisclerk\'slossofsalary。It\'sjusttheshoepinching——noonecanhelpit；anditmighteasilyhavebeenworse。“
Helenquiveredwithindignation。
“Byallmeanssubscribetocharities——subscribetothemlargely——butdon\'tgetcarriedawaybyabsurdschemesofSocialReform。Iseeagooddealbehindthescenes，andyoucantakeitfrommethatthereisnoSocialQuestion——exceptforafewjournalistswhotrytogetalivingoutofthephrase。Therearejustrichandpoor，astherealwayshavebeenandalwayswillbe。Pointmeoutatimewhenmenhavebeenequal——“
“Ididn\'tsay——“
“Pointmeoutatimewhendesireforequalityhasmadethemhappier。No，no。Youcan\'t。Therealwayshavebeenrichandpoor。I\'mnofatalist。Heavenforbid！Butourcivilizationismouldedbygreatimpersonalforces“(hisvoicegrewcomplacent；italwaysdidwhenheeliminatedthepersonal)，“andtherealwayswillberichandpoor。Youcan\'tdenyit“(andnowitwasarespectfulvoice)——“andyoucan\'tdenythat，inspiteofall，thetendencyofcivilizationhasonthewholebeenupward。“
“OwingtoGod，Isuppose，“flashedHelen。
Hestaredather。
“Yougrabthedollars。Goddoestherest。“
ItwasnogoodinstructingthegirlifshewasgoingtotalkaboutGodinthatneuroticmodernway。Fraternaltothelast，heleftherforthequietercompanyofMrs。Munt。Hethought，“SheratherremindsmeofDolly。“
Helenlookedoutatthesea。
“Don\'tevendiscusspoliticaleconomywithHenry，“
advisedhersister。“It\'llonlyendinacry。“
“Buthemustbeoneofthosemenwhohavereconciledsciencewithreligion，“saidHelenslowly。“Idon\'tlikethosemen。
Theyarescientificthemselves，andtalkofthesurvivalofthefittest，andcutdownthesalariesoftheirclerks，andstunttheindependenceofallwhomaymenacetheircomfort，butyettheybelievethatsomehowgood——anditisalwaysthatsloppy\'somehow\'——willbetheoutcome，andthatinsomemysticalwaytheMr。BastsofthefuturewillbenefitbecausetheMr。Bastsoftodayareinpain。“
“Heissuchamanintheory。Butoh，Helen，intheory！“
“Butoh，Meg，whatatheory！“
“Whyshouldyouputthingssobitterly，dearie？“
“BecauseI\'manoldmaid，“saidHelen，bitingherlip。“Ican\'tthinkwhyIgoonlikethismyself。“Sheshookoffhersister\'shandandwentintothehouse。Margaret，distressedattheday\'sbeginning，followedtheBournemouthsteamerwithhereyes。
ShesawthatHelen\'snerveswereexasperatedbytheunluckyBastbusinessbeyondtheboundsofpoliteness。Theremightatanyminutebearealexplosion，whichevenHenrywouldnotice。Henrymustberemoved。
“Margaret！“herauntcalled。“Magsy！
Itisn\'ttrue，surely，whatMr。Wilcoxsays，thatyouwanttogoawayearlynextweek？“
“Not\'want，\'“wasMargaret\'spromptreply；“butthereissomuchtobesettled，andIdowanttoseetheCharles\'。“
“ButgoingawaywithouttakingtheWeymouthtrip，oreventheLulworth？“saidMrs。Munt，comingnearer。“WithoutgoingoncemoreupNineBarrowsDown？“
“I\'mafraidso。“
Mr。Wilcoxrejoinedherwith，“Good！Ididthebreakingoftheice。“
Awaveoftendernesscameoverher。Sheputahandoneithershoulder，andlookeddeeplyintotheblack，brighteyes。
Whatwasbehindtheircompetentstare？Sheknew，butwasnotdisquieted。Chapter23Margarethadnointentionoflettingthingsslide，andtheeveningbeforesheleftSwanageshegavehersisterathoroughscolding。Shecensuredher，notfordisapprovingoftheengagement，butforthrowingoverherdisapprovalaveilofmystery。Helenwasequallyfrank。“Yes，“
shesaid，withtheairofonelookinginwards，“thereisamystery。
Ican\'thelpit。It\'snotmyfault。It\'sthewaylifehasbeenmade。“Heleninthosedayswasover-interestedinthesubconsciousself。
SheexaggeratedthePunchandJudyaspectoflife，andspokeofmankindaspuppets，whomaninvisibleshowmantwitchesintoloveandwar。
Margaretpointedoutthatifshedweltonthisshe，too，wouldeliminatethepersonal。Helenwassilentforaminute，andthenburstintoaqueerspeech，whichclearedtheair。“Goonandmarryhim。
Ithinkyou\'resplendid；andifanyonecanpullitoff，youwill。“Margaretdeniedthattherewasanythingto“pulloff，“butshecontinued:“Yes，thereis，andIwasn\'tuptoitwithPaul。Icanonlydowhat\'seasy。
Icanonlyenticeandbeenticed。Ican\'t，andwon\'tattemptdifficultrelations。IfImarry，itwilleitherbeamanwho\'sstrongenoughtobossmeorwhomI\'mstrongenoughtoboss。SoIshan\'tevermarry，fortherearen\'tsuchmen。AndHeavenhelpanyonewhomIdomarry，forIshallcertainlyrunawayfromhimbeforeyoucansay\'JackRobinson。\'
There！BecauseI\'muneducated。Butyou，you\'redifferent；you\'reaheroine。“
“Oh，Helen！AmI？WillitbeasdreadfulforpoorHenryasallthat？“
“Youmeantokeepproportion，andthat\'sheroic，it\'sGreek，andIdon\'tseewhyitshouldn\'tsucceedwithyou。Goonandfightwithhimandhelphim。Don\'taskmeforhelp，orevenforsympathy。HenceforwardI\'mgoingmyownway。I
meantobethorough，becausethoroughnessiseasy。Imeantodislikeyourhusband，andtotellhimso。ImeantomakenoconcessionstoTibby。IfTibbywantstolivewithme，hemustlumpme。Imeantoloveyoumorethanever。Yes，Ido。YouandIhavebuiltupsomethingreal，becauseitispurelyspiritual。There\'snoveilofmysteryoverus。Unrealityandmysterybeginassoonasonetouchesthebody。Thepopularviewis，asusual，exactlythewrongone。Ourbothersareovertangiblethings——money，husbands，house-hunting。ButHeavenwillworkofitself。“
Margaretwasgratefulforthisexpressionofaffection，andanswered，“Perhaps。“Allvistascloseintheunseen——noonedoubtsit——butHelenclosedthemrathertooquicklyforhertaste。Ateveryturnofspeechonewasconfrontedwithrealityandtheabsolute。
PerhapsMargaretgrewtoooldformetaphysics，perhapsHenrywasweaningherfromthem，butshefeltthattherewassomethingalittleunbalancedinthemindthatsoreadilyshredsthevisible。Thebusinessmanwhoassumesthatthislifeiseverything，andthemysticwhoassertsthatitisnothing，fail，onthissideandonthat，tohitthetruth。
“Yes，Isee，dear；it\'sabouthalfwaybetween，“AuntJuleyhadhazardedinearlieryears。No；truth，beingalive，wasnothalfwaybetweenanything。Itwasonlytobefoundbycontinuousexcursionsintoeitherrealm，andthoughproportionisthefinalsecret，toespouseitattheoutsetistoinsuresterility。
Helen，agreeinghere，disagreeingthere，wouldhavetalkedtillmidnight，butMargaret，withherpackingtodo，focussedtheconversationonHenry。ShemightabuseHenrybehindhisback，butpleasewouldshealways，beciviltohimincompany？“Idefinitelydislikehim，butI\'lldowhatIcan，“promisedHelen。“Dowhatyoucanwithmyfriendsinreturn。“
ThisconversationmadeMargareteasier。TheirinnerlifewassosafethattheycouldbargainoverexternalsinawaythatwouldhavebeenincredibletoAuntJuley，andimpossibleforTibbyorCharles。Therearemomentswhentheinnerlifeactually“pays，“
whenyearsofself-scrutiny，conductedfornoulteriormotive，aresuddenlyofpracticaluse。SuchmomentsarestillrareintheWest；thattheycomeatallpromisesafairerfuture。Margaret，thoughunabletounderstandhersister，wasassuredagainstestrangement，andreturnedtoLondonwithamorepeacefulmind。
Thefollowingmorning，ateleveno\'clock，shepresentedherselfattheofficesoftheImperialandWestAfricanRubberCompany。
Shewasgladtogothere，forHenryhadimpliedhisbusinessratherthandescribedit，andtheformlessnessandvaguenessthatoneassociateswithAfricahadhithertobroodedoverthemainsourcesofhiswealth。
Notthatavisittotheofficeclearedthingsup。Therewasjusttheordinarysurfacescumofledgersandpolishedcountersandbrassbarsthatbeganandstoppedfornopossiblereason，ofelectric-lightglobesblossomingintriplets，oflittlerabbithutchesfacedwithglassorwire，oflittlerabbits。Andevenwhenshepenetratedtotheinnerdepths，shefoundonlytheordinarytableandTurkeycarpet，andthoughthemapoverthefireplacediddepictahelpingofWestAfrica，itwasaveryordinarymap。Anothermaphungopposite，onwhichthewholecontinentappeared，lookinglikeawhalemarkedoutforblubber，andbyitssidewasadoor，shut，butHenry\'svoicecamethroughit，dictatinga“strong“letter。
ShemighthavebeenatthePorphyrion，orDempster\'sBank，orherownwine-merchant\'s。
Everythingseemsjustalikeinthesedays。ButperhapsshewasseeingtheImperialsideofthecompanyratherthanitsWestAfrican，andImperialismalwayshadbeenoneofherdifficulties。
“Oneminute！“calledMr。Wilcoxonreceivinghername。Hetouchedabell，theeffectofwhichwastoproduceCharles。
Charleshadwrittenhisfatheranadequateletter——moreadequatethanEvie\'s，throughwhichagirlishindignationthrobbed。
Andhegreetedhisfuturestepmotherwithpropriety。
“Ihopethatmywife——howdoyoudo？——willgiveyouadecentlunch，“washisopening。“Ileftinstructions，butweliveinarough-and-readyway。Sheexpectsyoubacktotea，too，afteryouhavehadalookatHowardsEnd。Iwonderwhatyou\'llthinkoftheplace。Iwouldn\'ttouchitwithtongsmyself。Dositdown！It\'sameaslylittleplace。“
“Ishallenjoyseeingit，“saidMargaret，feeling，forthefirsttime，shy。
“You\'llseeitatitsworst，forBrycedecampedabroadlastMondaywithoutevenarrangingforacharwomantoclearupafterhim。Ineversawsuchadisgracefulmess。It\'sunbelievable。
Hewasn\'tinthehouseamonth。“
“I\'vemorethanalittlebonetopickwithBryce，“
calledHenryfromtheinnerchamber。
“Whydidhegososuddenly？“
“Invalidtype；couldn\'tsleep。“
“Poorfellow！“
“Poorfiddlesticks！“saidMr。Wilcox，joiningthem。
“Hehadtheimpudencetoputupnotice-boardswithoutasmuchassayingwithyourleaveorbyyourleave。Charlesflungthemdown。“
“Yes，Iflungthemdown，“saidCharlesmodestly。
“I\'vesentatelegramafterhim，andaprettysharpone，too。He，andheinpersonisresponsiblefortheupkeepofthathouseforthenextthreeyears。“
“Thekeysareatthefarm；wewouldn\'thavethekeys。“
“Quiteright。“
“Dollywouldhavetakenthem，butIwasin，fortunately。“
“What\'sMr。Brycelike？“askedMargaret。
Butnobodycared。Mr。Brycewasthetenant，whohadnorighttosublet；tohavedefinedhimfurtherwasawasteoftime。Onhismisdeedstheydescantedprofusely，untilthegirlwhohadbeentypingthestronglettercameoutwithit。Mr。Wilcoxaddedhissignature。“Nowwe\'llbeoff，“saidhe。
Amotor-drive，aformoffelicitydetestedbyMargaret，awaitedher。Charlessawthemin，civiltothelast，andinamomenttheofficesoftheImperialandWestAfricanRubberCompanyfadedaway。
Butitwasnotanimpressivedrive。Perhapstheweatherwastoblame，beinggreyandbankedhighwithwearyclouds。PerhapsHertfordshireisscarcelyintendedformotorists。DidnotagentlemanoncemotorsoquicklythroughWestmorelandthathemissedit？andifWestmorelandcanbemissed，itwillfareillwithacountywhosedelicatestructureparticularlyneedstheattentiveeye。HertfordshireisEnglandatitsquietest，withlittleemphasisofriverandhill；itisEnglandmeditative。
IfDraytonwerewithusagaintowriteaneweditionofhisincomparablepoem，hewouldsingthenymphsofHertfordshireasindeterminateoffeature，withhairobfuscatedbytheLondonsmoke。Theireyeswouldbesad，andavertedfromtheirfatetowardstheNorthernflats，theirleadernotIsisorSabrina，buttheslowlyflowingLea。Nogloryofraimentwouldbetheirs，nourgencyofdance；buttheywouldberealnymphs。
Thechauffeurcouldnottravelasquicklyashehadhoped，fortheGreatNorthRoadwasfullofEastertraffic。ButhewentquitequickenoughforMargaret，apoor-spiritedcreature，whohadchickensandchildrenonthebrain。
“They\'reallright，“saidMr。Wilcox。“They\'lllearn——liketheswallowsandthetelegraph-wires。“
“Yes，but，whilethey\'relearning——“
“Themotor\'scometostay，“heanswered。“Onemustgetabout。There\'saprettychurch——oh，youaren\'tsharpenough。
Well，lookout，iftheroadworriesyou——rightoutwardatthescenery。
“
Shelookedatthescenery。Itheavedandmergedlikeporridge。Presentlyitcongealed。Theyhadarrived。
Charles\'shouseontheleft；ontherighttheswellingformsoftheSixHills。Theirappearanceinsuchaneighbourhoodsurprisedher。TheyinterruptedthestreamofresidencesthatwasthickeninguptowardsHilton。Beyondthemshesawmeadowsandawood，andbeneaththemshesettledthatsoldiersofthebestkindlayburied。
Shehatedwarandlikedsoldiers——itwasoneofheramiableinconsistencies。
ButherewasDolly，dresseduptothenines，standingatthedoortogreetthem，andherewerethefirstdropsoftherain。
Theyraningaily，andafteralongwaitinthedrawing-roomsatdowntotherough-and-readylunch，everydishinwhichconcealedorexudedcream。
Mr。Brycewasthechieftopicofconversation。Dollydescribedhisvisitwiththekey，whileherfather-in-lawgavesatisfactionbychaffingherandcontradictingallshesaid。ItwasevidentlythecustomtolaughatDolly。HechaffedMargaret，too，andMargaret，rousedfromagravemeditation，waspleased，andchaffedhimback。Dollyseemedsurprised，andeyedhercuriously。Afterlunchthetwochildrencamedown。Margaretdislikedbabies，buthititoffbetterwiththetwo-year-old，andsentDollyintofitsoflaughterbytalkingsensetohim。“Kissthemnow，andcomeaway，“saidMr。Wilcox。Shecame，butrefusedtokissthem:itwassuchhardluckonthelittlethings，shesaid，andthoughDollyprofferedChorly-worlyandPorgly-wogglesinturn，shewasobdurate。
Bythistimeitwasrainingsteadily。Thecarcameroundwiththehoodup，andagainshelostallsenseofspace。
Inafewminutestheystopped，andCraneopenedthedoorofthecar。
“What\'shappened？“askedMargaret。
“Whatdoyousuppose？“saidHenry。
Alittleporchwascloseupagainstherface。
“Arewetherealready？“
“Weare。“
“Well，Inever！Inyearsagoitseemedsofaraway。“
Smiling，butsomehowdisillusioned，shejumpedout，andherimpetuscarriedhertothefront-door。Shewasabouttoopenit，whenHenrysaid:“That\'snogood；it\'slocked。Who\'sgotthekey？“
Ashehadhimselfforgottentocallforthekeyatthefarm，noonereplied。Healsowantedtoknowwhohadleftthefrontgateopen，sinceacowhadstrayedinfromtheroad，andwasspoilingthecroquetlawn。Thenhesaidrathercrossly:“Margaret，youwaitinthedry。I\'llgodownforthekey。Itisn\'tahundredyards。
“Mayn\'tIcometoo？“
“No；IshallbebackbeforeI\'mgone。“
Thenthecarturnedaway，anditwasasifacurtainhadrisen。Forthesecondtimethatdayshesawtheappearanceoftheearth。
Therewerethegreengage-treesthatHelenhadoncedescribed，therethetennislawn，therethehedgethatwouldbegloriouswithdog-rosesinJune，butthevisionnowwasofblackandpalestgreen。
Downbythedell-holemorevividcolourswereawakening，andLentLiliesstoodsentinelonitsmargin，oradvancedinbattalionsoverthegrass。
Tulipswereatrayofjewels。Shecouldnotseethewych-elmtree，butabranchofthecelebratedvine，studdedwithvelvetknobs，hadcoveredtheporch。Shewasstruckbythefertilityofthesoil；shehadseldombeeninagardenwheretheflowerslookedsowell，andeventheweedsshewasidlypluckingoutoftheporchwereintenselygreen。WhyhadpoorMr。Brycefledfromallthisbeauty？Forshehadalreadydecidedthattheplacewasbeautiful。
“Naughtycow！Goaway！“criedMargarettothecow，butwithoutindignation。
Hardercametherain，pouringoutofawindlesssky，andspatteringupfromthenotice-boardsofthehouse-agents，whichlayinarowonthelawnwhereCharleshadhurledthem。ShemusthaveinterviewedCharlesinanotherworld——whereonedidhaveinterviews。
HowHelenwouldrevelinsuchanotion！Charlesdead，allpeopledead，nothingalivebuthousesandgardens。Theobviousdead，theintangiblealive，and——noconnectionatallbetweenthem！Margaretsmiled。Wouldthatherownfancieswereasclear-cut！Wouldthatshecoulddealashigh-handedlywiththeworld！Smilingandsighing，shelaidherhanduponthedoor。Itopened。Thehousewasnotlockedupatall。
Shehesitated。OughtshetowaitforHenry？
Hefeltstronglyaboutproperty，andmightprefertoshowheroverhimself。
Ontheotherhand，hehadtoldhertokeepinthedry，andtheporchwasbeginningtodrip。Soshewentin，andthedroughtfrominsideslammedthedoorbehind。
Desolationgreetedher。Dirtyfinger-printswereonthehall-windows，flueandrubbishonitsunwashedboards。
Thecivilizationofluggagehadbeenhereforamonth，andthendecamped。
Dining-roomanddrawingroom——rightandleft——wereguessedonlybytheirwall-papers。Theywerejustroomswhereonecouldshelterfromtherain。Acrosstheceilingofeachranagreatbeam。Thedining-roomandhallrevealedtheirsopenly，butthedrawing-room\'swasmatch-boarded——becausethefactsoflifemustbeconcealedfromladies？Drawing-room，dining-room，andhall——howpettythenamessounded！Hereweresimplythreeroomswherechildrencouldplayandfriendsshelterfromtherain。Yes，andtheywerebeautiful。
Thensheopenedoneofthedoorsopposite——thereweretwo——andexchangedwall-papersforwhitewash。Itwastheservants\'
part，thoughshescarcelyrealizedthat:justroomsagain，wherefriendsmightshelter。Thegardenatthebackwasfulloffloweringcherriesandplums。Fartheronwerehintsofthemeadowandablackcliffofpines。Yes，themeadowwasbeautiful。
Pennedinbythedesolateweather，sherecapturedthesenseofspacewhichthemotorhadtriedtorobfromher。Sherememberedagainthattensquaremilesarenottentimesaswonderfulasonesquaremile，thatathousandsquaremilesarenotpracticallythesameasheaven。Thephantomofbigness，whichLondonencourages，waslaidforeverwhenshepacedfromthehallatHowardsEndtoitskitchenandheardtherainsrunthiswayandthatwherethewatershedoftheroofdividedthem。
NowHelencametohermind，scrutinizinghalfWessexfromtheridgeofthePurbeckDowns，andsaying:“Youwillhavetolosesomething。“Shewasnotsosure。Forinstance，shewoulddoubleherkingdombyopeningthedoorthatconcealedthestairs。
NowshethoughtofthemapofAfrica；ofempires；
ofherfather；ofthetwosupremenations，streamsofwhoselifewarmedherblood，but，mingling，hadcooledherbrain。Shepacedbackintothehall，andasshedidsothehousereverberated。
“Isthatyou，Henry？“shecalled。
Therewasnoanswer，butthehousereverberatedagain。
“Henry，haveyougotin？“
Butitwastheheartofthehousebeating，faintlyatfirst，thenloudly，martially。Itdominatedtherain。
Itisthestarvedimagination，notthewell-nourished，thatisafraid。Margaretflungopenthedoortothestairs。
Anoiseasofdrumsseemedtodeafenher。Awoman，anoldwoman，wasdescending，withfigureerect，withfaceimpassive，withlipsthatpartedandsaiddryly:
“Oh！Well，ItookyouforRuthWilcox。“
Margaretstammered:“I——Mrs。Wilcox——I？“
“Infancy，ofcourse——infancy。Youhadherwayofwalking。Good-day。“Andtheoldwomanpassedoutintotherain。Chapter24“Itgaveherquiteaturn，“saidMr。Wilcox，whenretailingtheincidenttoDollyattea-time。“Noneofyougirlshaveanynerves，really。
Ofcourse，awordfrommeputitallright，butsillyoldMissAvery——shefrightenedyou，didn\'tshe，Margaret？Thereyoustoodclutchingabunchofweeds。Shemighthavesaidsomething，insteadofcomingdownthestairswiththatalarmingbonneton。IpassedherasIcamein。Enoughtomakethecarshy。IbelieveMissAverygoesinforbeingacharacter；someoldmaidsdo。“Helitacigarette。“Itistheirlastresource。Heavenknowswhatshewasdoingintheplace；
butthat\'sBryce\'sbusiness，notmine。“
“Iwasn\'tasfoolishasyousuggest，“saidMargaret。
“Sheonlystartledme，forthehousehadbeensilentsolong。“
“Didyoutakeherforaspook？“askedDolly，forwhom“spooks“and“goingtochurch“summarizedtheunseen。
“Notexactly。“
“Shereallydidfrightenyou，“saidHenry，whowasfarfromdiscouragingtimidityinfemales。“PoorMargaret！
Andverynaturally。Uneducatedclassesaresostupid。“
“IsMissAveryuneducatedclasses？“Margaretasked，andfoundherselflookingatthedecorationschemeofDolly\'sdrawing-room。
“She\'sjustoneofthecrewatthefarm。Peoplelikethatalwaysassumethings。Sheassumedyou\'dknowwhoshewas。
SheleftalltheHowardsEndkeysinthefrontlobby，andassumedthatyou\'dseenthemasyoucamein，thatyou\'dlockupthehousewhenyou\'ddone，andwouldbringthemondowntoher。Andtherewasherniecehuntingforthemdownatthefarm。Lackofeducationmakespeopleverycasual。HiltonwasfullofwomenlikeMissAveryonce。“
“Ishouldn\'thavedislikedit，perhaps。“
“OrMissAverygivingmeaweddingpresent，“saidDolly。
Whichwasillogicalbutinteresting。ThroughDolly，Margaretwasdestinedtolearnagooddeal。
“ButCharlessaidImusttrynottomind，becauseshehadknownhisgrandmother。“
“Asusual，you\'vegotthestorywrong，mygoodDorothea。“
“Imeangreat-grandmother——theonewholeftMrs。
Wilcoxthehouse。Weren\'tbothofthemandMissAveryfriendswhenHowardsEnd，too，wasafarm？“
Herfather-in-lawblewoutashaftofsmoke。
Hisattitudetohisdeadwifewascurious。Hewouldalludetoher，andhearherdiscussed，butnevermentionedherbyname。Norwasheinterestedinthedim，bucolicpast。Dollywas——forthefollowingreason。
“Thenhadn\'tMrs。Wilcoxabrother——orwasitanuncle？Anyhow，hepoppedthequestion，andMissAvery，shesaid\'No。\'
Justimagine，ifshe\'dsaid\'Yes，\'shewouldhavebeenCharles\'saunt。
(Oh，Isay，——that\'srathergood！\'Charlie\'sAunt\'！Imustchaffhimaboutthatthisevening。)Andthemanwentoutandwaskilled。
Yes，I\'mcertainI\'vegotitrightnow。TomHoward——hewasthelastofthem。“
“Ibelieveso，“saidMr。Wilcoxnegligently。
“Isay！HowardsEnd——Howard\'sEnded！“criedDolly。“I\'mratheronthespotthisevening，eh？“
“Iwishyou\'daskwhetherCrane\'sended。“
“Oh，Mr。Wilcox，howcanyou？“
“Because，ifhehashadenoughtea，weoughttogo——Dolly\'sagoodlittlewoman，“hecontinued，“butalittleofhergoesalongway。Icouldn\'tlivenearherifyoupaidme。“
Margaretsmiled。Thoughpresentingafirmfronttooutsiders，noWilcoxcouldlivenear，ornearthepossessionsof，anyotherWilcox。Theyhadthecolonialspirit，andwerealwaysmakingforsomespotwherethewhitemanmightcarryhisburdenunobserved。
Ofcourse，HowardsEndwasimpossible，solongastheyoungercouplewereestablishedinHilton。Hisobjectionstothehousewereplainasdaylightnow。
Cranehadhadenoughtea，andwassenttothegarage，wheretheircarhadbeentricklingmuddywateroverCharles\'s。ThedownpourhadsurelypenetratedtheSixHillsbynow，bringingnewsofourrestlesscivilization。“Curiousmounds，“said，Henry，“butinwithyounow；anothertime。“HehadtobeupinLondonbyseven——ifpossible，bysix-thirty。Oncemoreshelostthesenseofspace；oncemoretrees，houses，people，animals，hills，mergedandheavedintoonedirtiness，andshewasatWickhamPlace。
Hereveningwaspleasant。Thesenseoffluxwhichhadhauntedheralltheyeardisappearedforatime。Sheforgottheluggageandthemotor-cars，andthehurryingmenwhoknowsomuchandconnectsolittle。Sherecapturedthesenseofspace，whichisthebasisofallearthlybeauty，and，startingfromHowardsEnd，sheattemptedtorealizeEngland。Shefailed——visionsdonotcomewhenwetry，thoughtheymaycomethroughtrying。Butanunexpectedloveoftheislandawokeinher，connectingonthissidewiththejoysoftheflesh，onthatwiththeinconceivable。Helenandherfatherhadknownthislove，poorLeonardBastwasgropingafterit，butithadbeenhiddenfromMargarettillthisafternoon。IthadcertainlycomethroughthehouseandoldMissAvery。Throughthem:thenotionof“through“persisted；
hermindtrembledtowardsaconclusionwhichonlytheunwisehaveputintowords。Then，veeringbackintowarmth，itdweltonruddybricks，floweringplum-trees，andallthetangiblejoysof，spring。
Henry，afterallayingheragitation，hadtakenheroverhisproperty，andhadexplainedtohertheuseanddimensionsofthevariousrooms。Hehadsketchedthehistoryofthelittleestate。
“Itissounlucky，“ranthemonologue，“thatmoneywasn\'tputintoitaboutfiftyyearsago。Thenithadfour——five-timestheland——thirtyacresatleast。Onecouldhavemadesomethingoutofitthen——asmallpark，oratalleventsshrubberies，andrebuiltthehousefartherawayfromtheroad。What\'sthegoodoftakingitinhandnow？Nothingbutthemeadowleft，andeventhatwasheavilymortgagedwhenIfirsthadtodowiththings——yes，andthehousetoo。Oh，itwasnojoke。“Shesawtwowomenashespoke，oneold，theotheryoung，watchingtheirinheritancemeltaway。Shesawthemgreethimasadeliverer。“Mismanagementdidit——besides，thedaysforsmallfarmsareover。Itdoesn\'tpay——exceptwithintensivecultivation。Smallholdings，backtotheland——ah！
philanthropicbunkum。Takeitasarulethatnothingpaysonasmallscale。Mostofthelandyousee(theywerestandingatanupperwindow，theonlyonewhichfacedwest)belongstothepeopleatthePark——theymadetheirpileovercopper——goodchaps。Avery\'sFarm，Sishe\'s——whattheycalltheCommon，whereyouseethatruinedoak——oneaftertheotherfellin，andsodidthis，asnearasisnomatter。“ButHenryhadsavedit；withoutfinefeelingsordeepinsight，buthehadsavedit，andshelovedhimforthedeed。“WhenIhadmorecontrolIdidwhatI
could:soldoffthetwoandahalfanimals，andthemangypony，andthesuperannuatedtools；pulleddowntheouthouses；drained；thinnedoutI
don\'tknowhowmanyguelder-rosesandelder-trees；andinsidethehouseIturnedtheoldkitchenintoahall，andmadeakitchenbehindwherethedairywas。Garageandsooncamelater。Butonecouldstilltellit\'sbeenanoldfarm。Andyetitisn\'ttheplacethatwouldfetchoneofyourartisticcrew。“No，itwasn\'t；andifhedidnotquiteunderstandit，theartisticcrewwouldstillless:itwasEnglish，andthewych-elmthatshesawfromthewindowwasanEnglishtree。Noreporthadpreparedherforitspeculiarglory。Itwasneitherwarrior，norlover，norgod；innoneoftheserolesdotheEnglishexcel。
Itwasacomrade，bendingoverthehouse，strengthandadventureinitsroots，butinitsutmostfingerstenderness，andthegirth，thatadozenmencouldnothavespanned，becameintheendevanescent，tillpalebudclustersseemedtofloatintheair。Itwasacomrade。Houseandtreetranscendedanysimilesofsex。Margaretthoughtofthemnow，andwastothinkofthemthroughmanyawindynightandLondonday，buttocompareeithertoman，towoman，alwaysdwarfedthevision。
Yettheykeptwithinlimitsofthehuman。Theirmessagewasnotofeternity，butofhopeonthissideofthegrave。Asshestoodintheone，gazingattheother，truerrelationshiphadgleamed。
Anothertouch，andtheaccountofherdayisfinished。
Theyenteredthegardenforaminute，andtoMr。Wilcox\'ssurpriseshewasright。Teeth，pigs\'teeth，couldbeseeninthebarkofthewych-elmtree——justthewhitetipsofthemshowing。“Extraordinary！“hecried。
“Whotoldyou？“
“IheardofitonewinterinLondon，“washeranswer，forshe，too，avoidedmentioningMrs。Wilcoxbyname。Chapter25Evieheardofherfather\'sengagementwhenshewasinforatennistournament，andherplaywentsimplytopot。Thatsheshouldmarryandleavehimhadseemednaturalenough；thathe，leftalone，shoulddothesamewasdeceitful；andnowCharlesandDollysaidthatitwasallherfault。
“ButIneverdreamtofsuchathing，“shegrumbled。“Dadtookmetocallnowandthen，andmademeaskhertoSimpson\'s。Well，I\'maltogetheroffDad。“Itwasalsoaninsulttotheirmother\'smemory；theretheywereagreed，andEviehadtheideaofreturningMrs。Wilcox\'slaceandjewellery“asaprotest。“Againstwhatitwouldprotestshewasnotclear；butbeingonlyeighteen，theideaofrenunciationappealedtoher，themoreasshedidnotcareforjewelleryorlace。DollythensuggestedthatsheandUnclePercyshouldpretendtobreakofftheirengagement，andthenperhapsMr。WilcoxwouldquarrelwithMissSchlegel，andbreakoffhis；orPaulmightbecabledfor。ButatthispointCharlestoldthemnottotalknonsense。SoEviesettledtomarryassoonaspossible；
itwasnogoodhangingaboutwiththeseSchlegelseyeingher。ThedateofherweddingwasconsequentlyputforwardfromSeptembertoAugust，andintheintoxicationofpresentssherecoveredmuchofhergood-humour。
Margaretfoundthatshewasexpectedtofigureatthisfunction，andtofigurelargely；itwouldbesuchanopportunity，saidHenry，forhertogettoknowhisset。SirJamesBidderwouldbethere，andalltheCahillsandtheFussells，andhissister-in-law，Mrs。WarringtonWilcox，hadfortunatelygotbackfromhertourroundtheworld。Henrysheloved，buthissetpromisedtobeanothermatter。
Hehadnottheknackofsurroundinghimselfwithnicepeople——indeed，foramanofabilityandvirtuehischoicehadbeensingularlyunfortunate；
hehadnoguidingprinciplebeyondacertainpreferenceformediocrity；
hewascontenttosettleoneofthegreatestthingsinlifehaphazard，andso，whilehisinvestmentswentright，hisfriendsgenerallywentwrong。
Shewouldbetold，“Oh，So-and-so\'sagoodsort——athunderinggoodsort，“
andfind，onmeetinghim，thathewasabruteorabore。IfHenryhadshownrealaffection，shewouldhaveunderstood，foraffectionexplainseverything。Butheseemedwithoutsentiment。The“thunderinggoodsort“mightatanymomentbecome“afellowforwhomIneverdidhavemuchuse，andhavelessnow，“andbeshakenoffcheerilyintooblivion。
Margarethaddonethesameasaschoolgirl。Nowsheneverforgotanyoneforwhomshehadoncecared；sheconnected，thoughtheconnectionmightbebitter，andshehopedthatsomedayHenrywoulddothesame。
EviewasnottobemarriedfromDucieStreet。
Shehadafancyforsomethingrural，and，besides，noonewouldbeinLondonthen，sosheleftherboxesforafewweeksatOnitonGrange，andherbannsweredulypublishedintheparishchurch，andforacoupleofdaysthelittletown，dreamingbetweentheruddyhills，wasrousedbytheclangofourcivilization，anddrewupbytheroadsidetoletthemotorspass。
OnitonhadbeenadiscoveryofMr。Wilcox\'s——adiscoveryofwhichhewasnotaltogetherproud。ItwasuptowardstheWelshborder，andsodifficultofaccessthathehadconcludeditmustbesomethingspecial。
Aruinedcastlestoodinthegrounds。Buthavinggotthere，whatwasonetodo？Theshootingwasbad，thefishingindifferent，andwomen-folkreportedthesceneryasnothingmuch。TheplaceturnedouttobeinthewrongpartofShropshire，damnit，andthoughheneverdamnedhisownpropertyaloud，hewasonlywaitingtogetitoffhishands，andthentoletfly。Evie\'smarriagewasitslastappearanceinpublic。
Assoonasatenantwasfound，itbecameahouseforwhichheneverhadhadmuchuse，andhadlessnow，and，likeHowardsEnd，fadedintoLimbo。
ButonMargaretOnitonwasdestinedtomakealastingimpression。Sheregardeditasherfuturehome，andwasanxioustostartstraightwiththeclergy，etc。，and，ifpossible，toseesomethingofthelocallife。Itwasamarket-town——astinyaoneasEnglandpossesses——andhadforagesservedthatlonelyvalley，andguardedourmarchesagainsttheKelt。Inspiteoftheoccasion，inspiteofthenumbinghilaritythatgreetedherassoonasshegotintothereservedsaloonatPaddington，hersenseswereawakeandwatching，andthoughOnitonwastoproveoneofherinnumerablefalsestarts，sheneverforgotit，northethingsthathappenedthere。
TheLondonpartyonlynumberedeight——theFussells，fatherandson，twoAnglo-IndianladiesnamedMrs。PlynlimmonandLadyEdser，Mrs。WarringtonWilcoxandherdaughter，andlastly，thelittlegirl，verysmartandquiet，whofiguresatsomanyweddings，andwhokeptawatchfuleyeonMargaret，thebride-elect，Dollywasabsent——adomesticeventdetainedheratHilton；Paulhadcabledahumorousmessage；CharleswastomeetthemwithatrioofmotorsatShrewsbury。Helenhadrefusedherinvitation；Tibbyhadneveransweredhis。Themanagementwasexcellent，aswastobeexpectedwithanythingthatHenryundertook；onewasconsciousofhissensibleandgenerousbraininthebackground。
Theywerehisguestsassoonastheyreachedthetrain；aspeciallabelfortheirluggage；acourier；aspeciallunch；theyhadonlytolookpleasantand，wherepossible，pretty。Margaretthoughtwithdismayofherownnuptials——presumablyunderthemanagementofTibby。“Mr。TheobaldSchlegelandMissHelenSchlegelrequestthepleasureofMrs。Plynlimmon\'scompanyontheoccasionofthemarriageoftheirsisterMargaret。“
Theformulawasincredible，butitmustsoonbeprintedandsent，andthoughWickhamPlaceneednotcompetewithOniton，itmustfeeditsguestsproperly，andprovidethemwithsufficientchairs。Herweddingwouldeitherberamshacklyorbourgeois——shehopedthelatter。Suchanaffairasthepresent，stagedwithadeftnessthatwasalmostbeautiful，laybeyondherpowersandthoseofherfriends。
ThelowrichpurrofaGreatWesternexpressisnottheworstbackgroundforconversation，andthejourneypassedpleasantlyenough。Nothingcouldhaveexceededthekindnessofthetwomen。
Theyraisedwindowsforsomeladies，andloweredthemforothers，theyrangthebellfortheservant，theyidentifiedthecollegesasthetrainslippedpastOxford，theycaughtbooksorbag-pursesintheactoftumblingontothefloor。Yettherewasnothingfinickyabouttheirpoliteness:
ithadthePublicSchooltouch，and，thoughsedulous，wasvirile。
MorebattlesthanWaterloohavebeenwononourplaying-fields，andMargaretbowedtoacharmofwhichshedidnotwhollyapprove，andsaidnothingwhentheOxfordcollegeswereidentifiedwrongly。“MaleandfemalecreatedHethem“；thejourneytoShrewsburyconfirmedthisquestionablestatement，andthelongglasssaloon，thatmovedsoeasilyandfeltsocomfortable，becameaforcing-housefortheideaofsex。
AtShrewsburycamefreshair。Margaretwasallforsight-seeing，andwhiletheotherswerefinishingtheirteaattheRaven，sheannexedamotorandhurriedovertheastonishingcity。
HerchauffeurwasnotthefaithfulCrane，butanItalian，whodearlylovedmakingherlate。Charles，watchinhand，thoughwithalevelbrow，wasstandinginfrontofthehotelwhentheyreturned。Itwasperfectlyallright，hetoldher；shewasbynomeansthelast。Andthenhedivedintothecoffee-room，andsheheardhimsay，“ForGod\'ssake，hurrythewomenup；weshallneverbeoff，“andAlbertFussellreply，“NotI；
I\'vedonemyshare，“andColonelFussellopinethattheladiesweregettingthemselvesuptokill。PresentlyMyra(Mrs。Warrington\'sdaughter)
appeared，andasshewashiscousin，Charlesblewherupalittle:shehadbeenchanginghersmarttravelinghatforasmartmotorhat。
ThenMrs。Warringtonherself，leadingthequietchild；thetwoAnglo-Indianladieswerealwayslast。Maids，courier，heavyluggage，hadalreadygoneonbyabranch-linetoastationnearerOniton，buttherewerefivehat-boxesandfourdressing-bagstobepacked，andfivedust-cloakstobeputon，andtobeputoffatthelastmoment，becauseCharlesdeclaredthemnotnecessary。Themenpresidedovereverythingwithunfailinggood-humour。Byhalf-pastfivethepartywasready，andwentoutofShrewsburybytheWelshBridge。
ShropshirehadnotthereticenceofHertfordshire。
Thoughrobbedofhalfitsmagicbyswiftmovement，itstillconveyedthesenseofhills。TheywerenearingthebuttressesthatforcetheSeverneasternandmakeitanEnglishstream，andthesun，sinkingovertheSentinelsofWales，wasstraightintheireyes。Havingpickedupanotherguest，theyturnedsouthward，avoidingthegreatermountains，butconsciousofanoccasionalsummit，roundedandmild，whosecolouringdifferedinqualityfromthatofthelowerearth，andwhosecontoursalteredmoreslowly。
Quietmysterieswereinprogressbehindthosetossinghorizons:theWest，asever，wasretreatingwithsomesecretwhichmaynotbeworththediscovery，butwhichnopracticalmanwilleverdiscover。
TheyspokeofTariffReform。
Mrs。WarringtonwasjustbackfromtheColonies。
LikemanyothercriticsofEmpire，hermouthhadbeenstoppedwithfood，andshecouldonlyexclaimatthehospitalitywithwhichshehadbeenreceived，andwarntheMotherCountryagainsttriflingwithyoungTitans。“Theythreatentocutthepainter，“shecried，“andwhereshallwebethen？
MissSchlegel，you\'llundertaketokeepHenrysoundaboutTariffReform？
Itisourlasthope。“
Margaretplayfullyconfessedherselfontheotherside，andtheybegantoquotefromtheirrespectivehand-bookswhilethemotorcarriedthemdeepintothehills。Curiousthesewere，ratherthanimpressive，fortheiroutlineslackedbeauty，andthepinkfields——ontheirsummitssuggestedthehandkerchiefsofagiantspreadouttodry。
Anoccasionaloutcropofrock，anoccasionalwood，anoccasional“forest，“
treelessandbrown，allhintedatwildnesstofollow，butthemaincolourwasanagriculturalgreen。Theairgrewcooler；theyhadsurmountedthelastgradient，andOnitonlaybelowthemwithitschurch，itsradiatinghouses，itscastle，itsriver-girtpeninsula。Closetothecastlewasagreymansion，unintellectualbutkindly，stretchingwithitsgroundsacrossthepeninsula\'sneck——thesortofmansionthatwasbuiltalloverEnglandinthebeginningofthelastcentury，whilearchitecturewasstillanexpressionofthenationalcharacter。ThatwastheGrange，remarkedAlbert，overhisshoulder，andthenhejammedthebrakeon，andthemotorsloweddownandstopped。“I\'msorry，“saidhe，turninground。
“Doyoumindgettingout——bythedoorontheright？Steadyon！“
“What\'shappened？“askedMrs。Warrington。
Thenthecarbehindthemdrewup，andthevoiceofCharleswasheardsaying:“Getoutthewomenatonce。“Therewasaconcourseofmales，andMargaretandhercompanionswerehustledoutandreceivedintothesecondcar。Whathadhappened？Asitstartedoffagain，thedoorofacottageopened，andagirlscreamedwildlyatthem。
“Whatisit？“theladiescried。
Charlesdrovethemahundredyardswithoutspeaking。
Thenhesaid:“It\'sallright。Yourcarjusttouchedadog。“
“Butstop！“criedMargaret，horrified。
“Itdidn\'thurthim。“
“Didn\'treallyhurthim？“askedMyra。
“No。“
“Dopleasestop！“saidMargaret，leaningforward。Shewasstandingupinthecar，theotheroccupantsholdingherkneestosteadyher。“Iwanttogoback，please。“
Charlestooknonotice。
“We\'veleftMr。Fussellbehind，“saidanother；“andAngelo，andCrane。“
“Yes，butnowoman。“
“Iexpectalittleof“——Mrs。Warringtonscratchedherpalm——“willbemoretothepointthanoneofus！“
“Theinsurancecompanyseestothat，“remarkedCharles，“andAlbertwilldothetalking。“
“Iwanttogoback，though，Isay！“repeatedMargaret，gettingangry。
Charlestooknonotice。Themotor，loadedwithrefugees，continuedtotravelveryslowlydownthehill。“Themenarethere，“chorusedtheothers。“Menwillseetoit。“
“Themencan\'tseetoit。Oh，thisisridiculous！Charles，Iaskyoutostop。“
“Stopping\'snogood，“drawledCharles。
“Isn\'tit？“saidMargaret，andjumpedstraightoutofthecar。
Shefellonherknees，cuthergloves，shookherhatoverherear。Criesofalarmfollowedher。“You\'vehurtyourself，“exclaimedCharles，jumpingafterher。
“OfcourseI\'vehurtmyself！“sheretorted。
“MayIaskwhat——“
“There\'snothingtoask，“saidMargaret。
“Yourhand\'sbleeding。“
“Iknow。“
“I\'minforafrightfulrowfromthepater。“
“Youshouldhavethoughtofthatsooner，Charles。“
Charleshadneverbeeninsuchapositionbefore。
Itwasawomaninrevoltwhowashobblingawayfromhim，andthesightwastoostrangetoleaveanyroomforanger。Herecoveredhimselfwhentheotherscaughtthemup:theirsortheunderstood。Hecommandedthemtogoback。
AlbertFussellwasseenwalkingtowardsthem。
“It\'sallright！“hecalled。“Itwasn\'tadog，itwasacat。“
“There！“exclaimedCharlestriumphantly。“It\'sonlyarottencat。
“Gotroominyourcarforalittleun？IcutassoonasIsawitwasn\'tadog；thechauffeursaretacklingthegirl。“
ButMargaretwalkedforwardsteadily。Whyshouldthechauffeurstacklethegirl？Ladiesshelteringbehindmen，menshelteringbehindservants——thewholesystem\'swrong，andshemustchallengeit。
“MissSchlegel！\'Ponmyword，you\'vehurtyourhand。“
“I\'mjustgoingtosee，“saidMargaret。“Don\'tyouwait，Mr。Fussell。“
Thesecondmotorcameroundthecorner。“ltisallright，madam，“saidCraneinhisturn。Hehadtakentocallinghermadam。
“What\'sallright？Thecat？“
“Yes，madam。Thegirlwillreceivecompensationforit。“
“Shewasaveryrudagirla，“saidAngelofromthethirdmotorthoughtfully。
“Wouldn\'tyouhavebeenrude？“
TheItalianspreadouthishands，implyingthathehadnotthoughtofrudeness，butwouldproduceitifitpleasedher。
Thesituationbecameabsurd。ThegentlemenwereagainbuzzingroundMissSchlegelwithoffersofassistance，andLadyEdserbegantobindupherhand。Sheyielded，apologizingslightly，andwasledbacktothecar，andsoonthelandscaperesumeditsmotion，thelonelycottagedisappeared，thecastleswelledonitscushionofturf，andtheyhadarrived。
Nodoubtshehaddisgracedherself。ButshefelttheirwholejourneyfromLondonhadbeenunreal。Theyhadnopartwiththeearthanditsemotions。Theyweredust，andastink，andcosmopolitanchatter，andthegirlwhosecathadbeenkilledhadlivedmoredeeplythanthey。
“Oh，Henry，“sheexclaimed，“Ihavebeensonaughty，“
forshehaddecidedtotakeupthisline。“Weranoveracat。
Charlestoldmenottojumpout，butIwould，andlook！“Sheheldoutherbandagedhand。“YourpoorMegwentsuchaflop。“
Mr。Wilcoxlookedbewildered。Ineveningdress，hewasstandingtowelcomehisguestsinthehall。
“Thinkingitwasadog，“addedMrs。Warrington。
“Ah，adog\'sacompanion！“saidColonelFussell。
“Adog\'llrememberyou。“
“Haveyouhurtyourself，Margaret？“
“Nottospeakabout；andit\'smylefthand。“
“Well，hurryupandchange。“
Sheobeyed，asdidtheothers。Mr。Wilcoxthenturnedtohisson。
“Now，Charles，what\'shappened？“
Charleswasabsolutelyhonest。Hedescribedwhathebelievedtohavehappened。Alberthadflattenedoutacat，andMissSchlegelhadlosthernerve，asanywomanmight。Shehadbeengotsafelyintotheothercar，butwhenitwasinmotionhadleaptout——again，inspiteofallthattheycouldsay。Afterwalkingalittleontheroad，shehadcalmeddownandhadsaidthatshewassorry。
Hisfatheracceptedthisexplanation，andneitherknewthatMargarethadartfullypreparedthewayforit。Itfittedintoowellwiththeirviewoffemininenature。Inthesmoking-room，afterdinner，theColonelputforwardtheviewthatMissSchlegelhadjumpeditoutofdevilry。
Wellherememberedasayoungman，intheharbourofGibraltaronce，howagirl——ahandsomegirl，too——hadjumpedoverboardforabet。Hecouldseehernow，andalltheladsoverboardafterher。ButCharlesandMr。WilcoxagreeditwasmuchmoreprobablynervesinMissSchlegel\'scase。Charleswasdepressed。Thatwomanhadatongue。
Shewouldbringworsedisgraceonhisfatherbeforeshehaddonewiththem。
Hestrolledoutontothecastlemoundtothinkthematterover。
Theeveningwasexquisite。Onthreesidesofhimalittleriverwhispered，fullofmessagesfromthewest；abovehisheadtheruinsmadepatternsagainstthesky。Hecarefullyreviewedtheirdealingswiththisfamily，untilhefittedHelen，andMargaret，andAuntJuleyintoanorderlyconspiracy。
Paternityhadmadehimsuspicious。Hehadtwochildrentolookafter，andmorecoming，anddaybydaytheyseemedlesslikelytogrowuprichmen。“Itisallverywell，“hereflected，“thepatersayingthathewillbejusttoall，butonecan\'tbejustindefinitely。Moneyisn\'telastic。What\'stohappenifEviehasafamily？And，cometothat，somaythepater。There\'llnotbeenoughtogoround，forthere\'snonecomingin，eitherthroughDollyorPercy。It\'sdamnable！“
HelookedenviouslyattheGrange，whosewindowspouredlightandlaughter。
Firstandlast，thisweddingwouldcostaprettypenny。Twoladieswerestrollingupanddownthegardenterrace，andasthesyllables“Imperialism“
werewaftedtohisears，heguessedthatoneofthemwashisaunt。
Shemighthavehelpedhim，ifshetoohadnothadafamilytoprovidefor。
“Everyoneforhimself，“herepeated——amaximwhichhadcheeredhiminthepast，butwhichranggrimlyenoughamongtheruinsofOniton。
Helackedhisfather\'sabilityinbusiness，andsohadaneverhigherregardformoney；unlesshecouldinheritplenty，hefearedtoleavehischildrenpoor。
Ashesatthinking，oneoftheladieslefttheterraceandwalkedintothemeadow；herecognizedherasMargaretbythewhitebandagethatgleamedonherarm，andputouthiscigar，lestthegleamshouldbetrayhim。Sheclimbedupthemoundinzigzags，andattimesstoopeddown，asifshewasstrokingtheturf。Itsoundsabsolutelyincredible，butforamomentCharlesthoughtthatshewasinlovewithhim，andhadcomeouttotempthim。Charlesbelievedintemptresses，whoareindeedthestrongman\'snecessarycomplement，andhavingnosenseofhumour，hecouldnotpurgehimselfofthethoughtbyasmile。
Margaret，whowasengagedtohisfather，andhissister\'swedding-guest，keptonherwaywithoutnoticinghim，andheadmittedthathehadwrongedheronthispoint。Butwhatwasshedoing？Whywasshestumblingaboutamongsttherubbleandcatchingherdressinbramblesandburrs？
Assheedgedroundthekeep，shemusthavegottoleewardandsmelthiscigar-smoke，forsheexclaimed，“Hullo！Who\'sthat？“
Charlesmadenoanswer。
