第25章

MrKibblehadstaggeredup，withhislowerjawdropped，catchingPottersonbytheshoulder，andpointingtothehalf-door。Henowcriedout:\'Potterson！Look！Lookthere！\'Pottersonstartedup，startedback，andexclaimed:\'Heavendefendus，what\'sthat！\'

Bella\'shusbandsteppedbacktoBella，tookherinhisarms(forshewasterrifiedbytheunintelligibleterrorofthetwomen)，andshutthedoorofthelittleroom。Ahurryofvoicessucceeded，inwhichMrInspector\'svoicewasbusiest；itgraduallyslackenedandsank；

andMrInspectorreappeared。\'Sharp\'stheword，sir！\'hesaid，lookinginwithaknowingwink。\'We\'llgetyourladyoutatonce。\'

Immediately，Bellaandherhusbandwereunderthestars，makingtheirwayback，alone，tothevehicletheyhadkeptinwaiting。

Allthiswasmostextraordinary，andBellacouldmakenothingofitbutthatJohnwasintheright。Howintheright，andhowsuspectedofbeinginthewrong，shecouldnotdivine。SomevagueideathathehadneverreallyassumedthenameofHandford，andthattherewasaremarkablelikenessbetweenhimandthatmysteriousperson，washernearestapproachtoanydefiniteexplanation。ButJohnwastriumphant；thatmuchwasmadeapparent；andshecouldwaitfortherest。

WhenJohncamehometodinnernextday，hesaid，sittingdownonthesofabyBellaandbaby-Bella:\'Mydear，Ihaveapieceofnewstotellyou。IhavelefttheChinaHouse。\'

Asheseemedtolikehavingleftit，Bellatookitforgrantedthattherewasnomisfortuneinthecase。

\'Inaword，mylove，\'saidJohn，\'theChinaHouseisbrokenupandabolished。Thereisnosuchthinganymore。\'

\'Then，areyoualreadyinanotherHouse，John?\'

\'Yes，mydarling。Iaminanotherwayofbusiness。AndIamratherbetteroff。\'

Theinexhaustiblebabywasinstantlymadetocongratulatehim，andtosay，withappropriateactiononthepartofaverylimparmandaspeckledfist:\'Threecheers，ladiesandgemplemorums。

Hoo——ray！\'

\'Iamafraid，mylife，\'saidJohn，\'thatyouhavebecomeverymuchattachedtothiscottage?\'

\'AfraidIhave，John?OfcourseIhave。\'

\'ThereasonwhyIsaidafraid，\'returnedJohn，\'is，becausewemustmove。\'

\'OJohn！\'

\'Yes，mydear，wemustmove。Wemusthaveourhead-quartersinLondonnow。Inshort，there\'sadwelling-houserent-free，attachedtomynewposition，andwemustoccupyit。\'

\'That\'sagain，John。\'

\'Yes，mydear，itisundoubtedlyagain。\'

Hegaveheraveryblithelook，andaveryslylook。Whichoccasionedtheinexhaustiblebabytosquareathimwiththespeckledfists，anddemandinathreateningmannerwhathemeant?

\'Mylove，yousaiditwasagain，andIsaiditwasagain。Averyinnocentremark，surely。\'

\'Iwon\'t，\'saidtheinexhaustiblebaby，\'——allow——you——to——make——

game——of——my——venerable——Ma。\'Ateachdivisionadministeringasoftfacerwithoneofthespeckledfists。

Johnhavingstoopeddowntoreceivethesepunishingvisitations，Bellaaskedhim，woulditbenecessarytomovesoon?Whyyes，indeed(saidJohn)，hedidproposethattheyshouldmoveverysoon。Takingthefurniturewiththem，ofcourse?(saidBella)。

Why，no(saidJohn)，thefactwas，thatthehousewas——inasortofakindofaway——furnishedalready。

Theinexhaustiblebaby，hearingthis，resumedtheoffensive，andsaid:\'Butthere\'snonurseryforme，sir。Whatdoyoumean，marble-heartedparent?\'Towhichthemarble-heartedparentrejoinedthattherewasa——sortofakindofa——nursery，anditmightbe\'madetodo\'。\'Madetodo?\'returnedtheInexhaustible，administeringmorepunishment，\'whatdoyoutakemefor?\'AndwasthenturnedoveronitsbackinBella\'slap，andsmotheredwithkisses。

\'Butreally，Johndear，\'saidBella，flushedinquitealovelymannerbytheseexercises，\'willthenewhouse，justasitstands，doforbaby?That\'sthequestion。\'

\'Ifeltthattobethequestion，\'hereturned，\'andthereforeIarrangedthatyoushouldcomewithmeandlookatit，to-morrowmorning。\'

Appointmentmade，accordingly，forBellatogoupwithhimto-

morrowmorning；Johnkissed；andBelladelighted。

WhentheyreachedLondoninpursuanceoftheirlittleplan，theytookcoachanddrovewestward。Notonlydrovewestward，butdroveintothatparticularwestwarddivision，whichBellahadseenlastwhensheturnedherfacefromMrBoffin\'sdoor。Notonlydroveintothatparticulardivision，butdroveatlastintothatverystreet。Notonlydroveintothatverystreet，butstoppedatlastatthatveryhouse。

\'Johndear！\'criedBella，lookingoutofwindowinaflutter。\'Doyouseewhereweare?\'

\'Yes，mylove。Thecoachman\'squiteright。\'

Thehouse-doorwasopenedwithoutanyknockingorringing，andJohnpromptlyhelpedherout。Theservantwhostoodholdingthedoor，askednoquestionofJohn，neitherdidhegobeforethemorfollowthemastheywentstraightup-stairs。Itwasonlyherhusband\'sencirclingarm，urgingheron，thatpreventedBellafromstoppingatthefootofthestaircase。Astheyascended，itwasseentobetastefullyornamentedwithmostbeautifulflowers。

\'OJohn！\'saidBella，faintly。\'Whatdoesthismean?\'

\'Nothing，mydarling，nothing。Letusgoon。\'

Goingonalittlehigher，theycametoacharmingaviary，inwhichanumberoftropicalbirds，moregorgeousincolourthantheflowers，wereflyingabout；andamongthosebirdsweregoldandsilverfish，andmosses，andwater-lilies，andafountain，andallmannerofwonders。

\'OmydearJohn！\'saidBella。\'Whatdoesthismean?\'

\'Nothing，mydarling，nothing。Letusgoon。\'

Theywenton，untiltheycametoadoor。AsJohnputouthishandtoopenit，Bellacaughthishand。

\'Idon\'tknowwhatitmeans，butit\'stoomuchforme。Holdme，John，love。\'

Johncaughtherupinhisarm，andlightlydashedintotheroomwithher。

BeholdMrandMrsBoffin，beaming！BeholdMrsBoffinclappingherhandsinanecstacy，runningtoBellawithtearsofjoypouringdownhercomelyface，andfoldinghertoherbreast，withthewords:\'Mydearydeary，dearygirl，thatNoddyandmesawmarriedandcouldn\'twishjoyto，orsomuchasspeakto！Mydeary，deary，deary，wifeofJohnandmotherofhislittlechild！Mylovingloving，brightbright，PrettyPretty！Welcometoyourhouseandhome，mydeary！\'

Chapter13

SHOWINGHOWTHEGOLDENDUSTMANHELPEDTOSCATTERDUST

Inallthefirstbewildermentofherwonder，themostbewilderinglywonderfulthingtoBellawastheshiningcountenanceofMrBoffin。Thathiswifeshouldbejoyous，open-hearted，andgenial，orthatherfaceshouldexpresseveryqualitythatwaslargeandtrusting，andnoqualitythatwaslittleormean，wasaccordantwithBella\'sexperience。But，thathe，withaperfectlybeneficentairandaplumprosyface，shouldbestandingthere，lookingatherandJohn，likesomejovialgoodspirit，wasmarvellous。For，howhadhelookedwhenshelastsawhiminthatveryroom(itwastheroominwhichshehadgivenhimthatpieceofhermindatparting)，andwhathadbecomeofallthosecrookedlinesofsuspicion，avarice，anddistrust，thattwistedhisvisagethen?

MrsBoffinseatedBellaonthelargeottoman，andseatedherselfbesideher，andJohnherhusbandseatedhimselfontheothersideofher，andMrBoffinstoodbeamingateveryoneandeverythinghecouldsee，withsurpassingjollityandenjoyment。MrsBoffinwasthentakenwithalaughingfitofclappingherhands，andclappingherknees，androckingherselftoandfro，andthenwithanotherlaughingfitofembracingBella，androckinghertoandfro——bothfits，ofconsiderableduration。

\'Oldlady，oldlady，\'saidMrBoffin，atlength；\'ifyoudon\'tbeginsomebodyelsemust。\'

\'I\'magoingtobegin，Noddy，mydear，\'returnedMrsBoffin。\'Onlyitisn\'teasyforapersontoknowwheretobegin，whenapersonisinthisstateofdelightandhappiness。Bella，mydear。Tellme，who\'sthis?\'

\'Whoisthis?\'repeatedBella。\'Myhusband。\'

\'Ah！Buttellmehisname，deary！\'criedMrsBoffin。

\'Rokesmith。\'

\'No，itain\'t！\'criedMrsBoffin，clappingherhands，andshakingherhead。\'Notabitofit。\'

\'Handfordthen，\'suggestedBella。

\'No，itain\'t！\'criedMrsBoffin，againclappingherhandsandshakingherhead。\'Notabitofit。\'

\'Atleast，hisnameisJohn，Isuppose?\'saidBella。

\'Ah！Ishouldthinkso，deary！\'criedMrsBoffin。\'Ishouldhopeso！

ManyandmanyisthetimeIhavecalledhimbyhisnameofJohn。

Butwhat\'shisothername，histrueothername?Giveaguess，mypretty！\'

\'Ican\'tguess，\'saidBella，turningherpalefacefromonetoanother。

\'Icould，\'criedMrsBoffin，\'andwhat\'smore，Idid！Ifoundhimout，allinaflashasImaysay，onenight。Didn\'tI，Noddy?\'

\'Ay！Thattheoldladydid！\'saidMrBoffin，withstoutprideinthecircumstance。

\'Harkeetome，deary，\'pursuedMrsBoffin，takingBella\'shandsbetweenherown，andgentlybeatingonthemfromtimetotime。\'ItwasafteraparticularnightwhenJohnhadbeendisappointed——ashethought——inhisaffections。ItwasafteranightwhenJohnhadmadeanoffertoacertainyounglady，andthecertainyoungladyhadrefusedit。Itwasafteraparticularnight，whenhefelthimselfcast-away-like，andhadmadeuphismindtogoseekhisfortune。

Itwastheverynextnight。MyNoddywantedapaperoutofhisSecretary\'sroom，andIsaystoNoddy，“Iamgoingbythedoor，andI\'llaskhimforit。”Itappedathisdoor，andhedidn\'thearme。

Ilookedin，andsawhimasittinglonelybyhisfire，broodingoverit。Hechancedtolookupwithapleasedkindofsmileinmycompanywhenhesawme，andtheninasinglemomenteverygrainofthegunpowderthathadbeenlyingsprinkledthickabouthimeversinceIfirstseteyesuponhimasamanattheBower，tookfire！ToomanyatimehadIseenhimsittinglonely，whenhewasapoorchild，tobepitied，heartandhand！ToomanyatimehadIseenhiminneedofbeingbrightenedupwithacomfortingword！Toomanyandtoomanyatimetobemistaken，whenthatglimpseofhimcomeatlast！No，no！Ijustmakesouttocry，“I

knowyounow！You\'reJohn！“AndhecatchesmeasIdrops——Sowhat，\'saysMrsBoffin，breakingoffintherushofherspeechtosmilemostradiantly，\'mightyouthinkbythistimethatyourhusband\'snamewas，dear?\'

\'Not，\'returnedBella，withquiveringlips；\'notHarmon?That\'snotpossible?\'

\'Don\'ttremble。Whynotpossible，deary，whensomanythingsarepossible?\'demandedMrsBoffin，inasoothingtone。

\'Hewaskilled，\'gaspedBella。

\'Thoughttobe，\'saidMrsBoffin。\'ButifeverJohnHarmondrewthebreathoflifeonearth，thatiscertainlyJohnHarmon\'sarmroundyourwaistnow，mypretty。IfeverJohnHarmonhadawifeonearth，thatwifeiscertainlyyou。IfeverJohnHarmonandhiswifehadachildonearth，thatchildiscertainlythis。\'

Byamaster-strokeofsecretarrangement，theinexhaustiblebabyhereappearedatthedoor，suspendedinmid-airbyinvisibleagency。MrsBoffin，plungingatit，broughtittoBella\'slap，wherebothMrsandMrBoffin(asthesayingis)\'tookitoutof\'theInexhaustibleinashowerofcaresses。ItwasonlythistimelyappearancethatkeptBellafromswooning。This，andherhusband\'searnestnessinexplainingfurthertoherhowithadcometopassthathehadbeensupposedtobeslain，andhadevenbeensuspectedofhisownmurder；also，howhehadputapiousfrauduponherwhichhadpreyeduponhismind，asthetimeforitsdisclosureapproached，lestshemightnotmakefullallowancefortheobjectwithwhichithadoriginated，andinwhichithadfullydeveloped。

\'Butblessye，mybeauty！\'criedMrsBoflin，takinghimupshortatthispoint，withanotherheartyclapofherhands。\'Itwasn\'tJohnonlythatwasinit。Wewasallofusinit。\'

\'Idon\'t，\'saidBella，lookingvacantlyfromonetoanother，\'yetunderstand——\'

\'Ofcourseyoudon\'t，mydeary，\'exclaimedMrsBoffin。\'Howcanyoutillyou\'retold！SonowIamagoingtotellyou。Soyouputyourtwohandsbetweenmytwohandsagain，\'criedthecomfortablecreature，embracingher，\'withthatblessedlittlepicterlyingonyourlap，andyoushallbetoldallthestory。Now，I\'magoingtotellthestory。Once，twice，threetimes，andthehorsesisoff。Heretheygo！WhenIcriesoutthatnight，“Iknowyounow，you\'reJohn！“——whichwasmyexactwords；wasn\'tthey，John?\'

\'Yourexactwords，\'saidJohn，layinghishandonhers。

\'That\'saverygoodarrangement，\'criedMrsBoffin。\'Keepitthere，John。Andaswewasallofusinit，Noddyyoucomeandlayyoursatopofhis，andwewon\'tbreakthepiletillthestory\'sdone。\'

MrBoffinhitchedupachair，andaddedhisbroadbrownrighthandtotheheap。

\'That\'scapital！\'saidMrsBoffin，givingitakiss。\'Seemsquiteafamilybuilding；don\'tit?Butthehorsesisoff。Well！WhenI

criesoutthatnight，“Iknowyounow！you\'reJohn！“Johncatchesofme，itistrue；butIain\'talightweight，blessye，andhe\'sforcedtoletmedown。Noddy，hehearsanoise，andinhetrots，andassoonasIanywayscomestomyselfIcallstohim，“Noddy，wellI

mightsayasIdidsay，thatnightattheBower，fortheLordbethankfulthisisJohn！“Onwhichhegivesaheave，anddownhegoeslikewise，withhisheadunderthewriting-table。Thisbringsmeroundcomfortable，andthatbringshimroundcomfortable，andthenJohnandhimandmeweallfallacryingforjoy。\'

\'Yes！Theycryforjoy，mydarling，\'herhusbandstruckin。\'Youunderstand?Thesetwo，whomIcometolifetodisappointanddispossess，cryforjoy！\'

Bellalookedathimconfusedly，andlookedagainatMrsBoffin\'sradiantface。

\'That\'sright，mydear，don\'tyoumindhim，\'saidMrsBoffin，\'sticktome。Well！Thenwesitsdown，graduallygetscool，andholdsaconfabulation。John，hetellsushowheisdespairinginhismindonaccountsofacertainfairyoungperson，andhow，ifIhadn\'tfoundhimout，hewasgoingawaytoseekhisfortunefarandwide，andhadfullymeantnevertocometolife，buttoleavethepropertyasourwrongfulinheritanceforeverandaday。AtwhichyouneverseeamansofrightenedasmyNoddywas。Fortothinkthatheshouldhavecomeintothepropertywrongful，howeverinnocent，and——morethanthat——mighthavegoneonkeepingittohisdyingday，turnedhimwhiterthanchalk。\'

\'Andyoutoo，\'saidMrBoffin。

\'Don\'tyoumindhim，neither，mydeary，\'resumedMrsBoffin；

\'sticktome。Thisbringsupaconfabulationregardingthecertainfairyoungperson；whenNoddyhegivesitashisopinionthatsheisadearycreetur。“Shemaybealeetlespoilt，andnat\'rallyspoilt，“

hesays，“bycircumstances，butthat\'sonlythesurface，andIlaymylife，“hesays，“thatshe\'sthetruegoldengoldatheart。”

\'Sodidyou，\'saidMrBoffin。

\'Don\'tyoumindhimasinglemorsel，mydear，\'proceededMrsBoffin，\'butsticktome。ThensaysJohn，O，ifhecouldbutproveso！Thenwebothofusupsandsays，thatminute，“Proveso！“\'

Withastart，BelladirectedahurriedglancetowardsMrBoffin。

But，hewassittingthoughtfullysmilingatthatbroadbrownhandofhis，andeitherdidn\'tseeit，orwouldtakenonoticeofit。

\'“Proveit，John！“wesays，\'repeatedMrsBoffin。\'“Proveitandovercomeyourdoubtswithtriumph，andbehappyforthefirsttimeinyourlife，andfortherestofyourlife。”ThisputsJohninastate，tobesure。Thenwesays，“Whatwillcontentyou?Ifshewastostandupforyouwhenyouwasslighted，ifshewastoshowherselfofagenerousmindwhenyouwasoppressed，ifshewastobetruesttoyouwhenyouwaspoorestandfriendliest，andallthisagainstherownseeminginterest，howwouldthatdo?““Do?“saysJohn，“itwouldraisemetotheskies。”“Then，“saysmyNoddy，“makeyourpreparationsfortheascent，John，itbeingmyfirmbeliefthatupyougo！“\'

BellacaughtMrBoffin\'stwinklingeyeforhalfaninstant；buthegotitawayfromher，andrestoredittohisbroadbrownhand。

\'Fromthefirst，youwasalwaysaspecialfavouriteofNoddy\'s，\'saidMrsBoffin，shakingherhead。\'Oyouwere！AndifIhadbeeninclinedtobejealous，Idon\'tknowwhatImightn\'thavedonetoyou。ButasIwasn\'t——why，mybeauty，\'withaheartylaughandanembrace，\'Imadeyouaspecialfavouriteofmyowntoo。Butthehorsesiscomingroundthecorner。Well！ThensaysmyNoddy，shakinghissidestillhewasfittomake\'emacheagain:“Lookoutforbeingslightedandoppressed，John，forifeveramanhadahardmaster，youshallfindmefromthispresenttimetobesuchtoyou。Andthenhebegan！\'criedMrsBoffin，inanecstacyofadmiration。\'Lordblessyou，thenhebegan！AndhowheDID

begin；didn\'the！\'

Bellalookedhalffrightened，andyethalflaughed。

\'But，blessyou，\'pursuedMrsBoffin，\'ifyoucouldhaveseenhimofanight，atthattimeofit！Thewayhe\'dsitandchuckleoverhimself！Thewayhe\'dsay“I\'vebeenaregularbrownbearto-day，“

andtakehimselfinhisarmsandhughimselfatthethoughtsofthebrutehehadpretended。Buteverynighthesaystome:“Betterandbetter，oldlady。Whatdidwesayofher?She\'llcomethroughit，thetruegoldengold。This\'llbethehappiestpieceofworkweeverdone。”Andthenhe\'dsay，“I\'llbeagrislieroldgrowlerto-

morrow！“andlaugh，hewould，tillJohnandmewasoftenforcedtoslaphisback，andbringitoutofhiswindpipeswithalittlewater。\'

MrBoffin，withhisfacebentoverhisheavyhand，madenosound，butrolledhisshoulderswhenthusreferredto，asifhewerevastlyenjoyinghimself。

\'Andso，mygoodandpretty，\'pursuedMrsBoffin，\'youwasmarried，andtherewaswehidupinthechurch-organbythishusbandofyours；forhewouldn\'tletusoutwithitthen，aswasfirstmeant。“No，“hesays，“she\'ssounselfishandcontented，thatIcan\'taffordtoberichyet。Imustwaitalittlelonger。”Then，whenbabywasexpected，hesays，“Sheissuchacheerful，glorioushousewifethatIcan\'taffordtoberichyet。Imustwaitalittlelonger。”Thenwhenbabywasborn，hesays，“Sheissomuchbetterthansheeverwas，thatIcan\'taffordtoberichyet。Imustwaitalittlelonger。”Andsohegoesonandon，tillIsaysoutright，“Now，John，ifyoudon\'tfixatimeforsettingherupinherownhouseandhome，andlettinguswalkoutofit，I\'llturnInformer。”

Thenhesayshe\'llonlywaittotriumphbeyondwhatweeverthoughtpossible，andtoshowhertousbetterthanevenweeversupposed；andhesays，“Sheshallseemeundersuspicionofhavingmurderedmyself，andYOUshallseehowtrustingandhowtrueshe\'llbe。”Well！Noddyandmeagreedtothat，andhewasright，andhereyouare，andthehorsesisin，andthestoryisdone，andGodblessyoumyBeauty，andGodblessusall！\'

Thepileofhandsdispersed，andBellaandMrsBoffintookagoodlonghugofoneanother:totheapparentperiloftheinexhaustiblebaby，lyingstaringinBella\'slap。

\'ButISthestorydone?\'saidBella，pondering。\'Istherenomoreofit?\'

\'Whatmoreofitshouldtherebe，deary?\'returnedMrsBoffin，fullofglee。

\'Areyousureyouhaveleftnothingoutofit?\'askedBella。

\'Idon\'tthinkIhave，\'saidMrsBoffin，archly。

\'Johndear，\'saidBella，\'you\'reagoodnurse；willyoupleaseholdbaby?\'HavingdepositedtheInexhaustibleinhisarmswiththosewords，BellalookedhardatMrBoffin，whohadmovedtoatablewherehewasleaninghisheaduponhishandwithhisfaceturnedaway，and，quietlysettlingherselfonherkneesathisside，anddrawingonearmoverhisshoulder，said:\'PleaseIbegyourpardon，andImadeasmallmistakeofawordwhenItookleaveofyoulast。PleaseIthinkyouarebetter(notworse)thanHopkins，better(notworse)thanDancer，better(notworse)thanBlackberryJones，better(notworse)thananyofthem！Pleasesomethingmore！\'criedBella，withanexultantringinglaughasshestruggledwithhimandforcedhimtoturnhisdelightedfacetohers。\'PleaseIhavefoundoutsomethingnotyetmentioned。PleaseIdon\'tbelieveyouareahard-heartedmiseratall，andpleaseIdon\'tbelieveyoueverforonesingleminutewere！\'

Atthis，MrsBoffinfairlyscreamedwithrapture，andsatbeatingherfeetuponthefloor，clappingherhands，andbobbingherselfbackwardsandforwards，likeadementedmemberofsomeMandarin\'sfamily。

\'O，Iunderstandyounow，sir！\'criedBella。\'Iwantneitheryounoranyoneelsetotellmetherestofthestory。IcantellittoYOU，now，ifyouwouldliketohearit。\'

\'Canyou，mydear?\'saidMrBoffin。\'Tellitthen。\'

\'What?\'criedBella，holdinghimprisonerbythecoatwithbothhands。\'Whenyousawwhatagreedylittlewretchyouwerethepatronof，youdeterminedtoshowherhowmuchmisusedandmisprizedrichescoulddo，andoftenhaddone，tospoilpeople；didyou?Notcaringwhatshethough