第2章

Theythentalkedaboutthestatues，concerningwhichitwasplainthatnothingwasknown。Butmyfathersoonbrokeinupontheirconversationwiththefirstinstalmentofquails，whichafewminuteshadsufficedtocook。

“Whatadeliciousbirdaquailis。”saidHanky。

“Landrail，Hanky，landrail。”saidtheotherreproachfully。

Havingfinishedthefirstbirdsinaveryfewminutestheyreturnedtothestatues。

“OldMrs。Nosnibor。”saidPanky，“saystheSunchildtoldhertheyweresymbolicoftentribeswhohadincurredthedispleasureofthesun，hisfather。”

Imakenocommentonmyfather’sfeelings。

“Ofthesun！hisfiddlesticks’ends。”retortedHanky。“Henevercalledthesunhisfather。Besides，fromallIhaveheardabouthim，Itakeithewasapreciousidiot。”

“OHanky，Hanky！youwillwreckthewholethingifyoueverallowyourselftotalkinthatway。”

“Youaremorelikelytowreckityourself，Panky，byneverdoingso。Peoplelikebeingdeceived，buttheylikealsotohaveaninklingoftheirowndeception，andyouneverinklethem。”

“TheQueen。”saidPanky，returningtothestatues，“stickstoitthat……“

“Herecomesanotherbird。”interruptedHanky；“nevermindabouttheQueen。”

Thebirdwassooneaten，whereonPankyagaintookuphisparableabouttheQueen。

“TheQueensaystheyareconnectedwiththecultoftheancientGoddessKiss-me-quick。”

“Whatiftheyare？ButtheQueenseesKiss-me-quickineverything。

Anotherquail，ifyouplease，Mr。Ranger。”

Myfatherbroughtupanotherbirdalmostdirectly。Silencewhileitwasbeingeaten。

“TalkingoftheSunchild。”saidPanky；“didyoueverseehim？“

“Neverseteyesonhim，andhopeInevershall。”

Andsoontillthelastbirdwaseaten。

“Fellow。”saidPanky，“fetchsomemorewood；thefireisnearlydead。”

“Icanfindnomore，sir。”saidmyfather，whowasafraidlestsomegenuinerangermightbeattractedbythelight，andwasdeterminedtoletitgooutassoonashehaddonecooking。

“Nevermind。”saidHanky，“themoonwillbeupsoon。”

“Andnow，Hanky。”saidPanky，“tellmewhatyouproposetosayonSunday。Isupposeyouhaveprettywellmadeupyourmindaboutitbythistime。”

“Prettynearly。Ishallkeepitmuchontheusuallines。IshalldwelluponthebenightedstatefromwhichtheSunchildrescuedus，andshallshowhowtheMusicalBanks，byatoncetakingupthemovement，havebeentheblessedmeansofitsnowalmostuniversalsuccess。IshalltalkabouttheimmortalglorysheduponSunch’stonbytheSun-child’sresidenceintheprison，andwindupwiththeSunchildEvidenceSociety，andanearnestappealforfundstoendowthecanonriesrequiredforthedueserviceofthetemple。”

“Temple！whattemple？“groanedmyfatherinwardly。

“Andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutthefourblackandwhitehorses？“

“Sticktothem，ofcourse——unlessImakethemsix。”

“Ireallydonotseewhytheymightnothavebeenhorses。”

“Idaresayyoudonot。”returnedtheotherdrily，“buttheywereblackandwhitestorks，andyouknowthataswellasIdo。Still，theyhavecaughton，andtheyareinthealtar-piece，prancingandcurvettingmagnificently，soIshalltrotthemout。”

“Altar-piece！Altar-piece！“againgroanedmyfatherinwardly。

Heneednothavegroaned，forwhenhecametoseetheso-calledaltar-piecehefoundthatthetableabovewhichitwasplacedhadnothingincommonwiththealtarinaChristianchurch。Itwasameretable，onwhichwereplacedtwobowlsfullofMusicalBankcoins；twocashiers，whosatoneithersideofit，dispensedafewofthesetoallcomers，whiletherewasaboxinfrontofitwhereinpeopledepositedcoinoftherealmaccordingtotheirwillorability。Theideaofsacrificewasnotcontemplated，andthepositionofthetable，aswellasthenamegiventoit，wasaninstanceofthewayinwhichtheErewhonianshadcaughtnamesandpracticesfrommyfather，withoutunderstandingwhattheyeitherwereormeant。So，again，whenProfessorHankyhadspokenofcanonries，hehadnonebutthevaguestideaofwhatacanonryis。

ImayaddfurtherthatasaboymyfatherhadhadhisBiblewelldrilledintohim，andneverforgotit。Hencebiblicalpassagesandexpressionshadbeenofteninhismouth，astheeffectofmereunconsciouscerebration。TheErewhonianshadcaughtmanyofthese，sometimescorruptingthemsothattheywerehardlyrecognizable。

Thingsthatherememberedhavingsaidwerecontinuallymeetinghimduringthefewdaysofhissecondvisit，anditshockedhimdeeplytomeetsomegrosstravestyofhisownwords，orofwordsmoresacredthanhisown，andyettobeunabletocorrectit。“I

wonder。”hesaidtome，“thatnoonehaseverhitonthisasapunishmentforthedamnedinHades。”

LetmenowreturntoProfessorHanky，whomIfearthatIhavelefttoolong。

“Andofcourse。”hecontinued，“IshallsayallsortsofprettythingsabouttheMayoress——forIsupposewemustnoteventhinkofherasYramnow。”

“TheMayoress。”repliedPanky，“isaverydangerouswoman；seehowshestoodoutaboutthewayinwhichtheSunchildhadwornhisclothesbeforetheygavehimthethenErewhoniandress。Besides，sheisascepticatheart，andsoisthatprecioussonofhers。”

“Shewasquiteright。”saidHanky，withsomethingofasnort。“Shebroughthimhisdinnerwhilehewasstillwearingtheclotheshecamein，andifmendonotnoticehowamanwearshisclothes，womendo。Besides，therearemanylivingwhosawhimwearthem。”

“Perhaps。”saidPanky，“butweshouldneverhavetalkedtheKingoverifwehadnothumouredhimonthispoint。Yramnearlywreckedusbyherobstinacy。Ifwehadnotfrightenedher，andifyourstudy，Hanky，hadnothappenedtohavebeenburned……“

“Come，come，Panky，nomoreofthat。”

“OfcourseIdonotdoubtthatitwasanaccident；neverthelessifyourstudyhadnotbeenaccidentallyburned，ontheverynighttheclotheswereentrustedtoyouforearnest，patient，careful，scientificinvestigation——andYramverynearlyburnedtoo——weshouldneverhavecarrieditthrough。SeewhatworkwehadtogettheKingtoallowthewayinwhichtheclotheswereworntobeamatterofopinion，notdogma。WhatapityitisthattheclotheswerenotburnedbeforetheKing’stailorhadcopiedthem。”

Hankylaughedheartilyenough。“Yes。”hesaid，“itwastouchandgo。Why，Iwonder，couldnottheQueenhaveputtheclothesonadummythatwouldshowbackfromfront？AssoonasitwasbroughtintothecouncilchambertheKingjumpedtoaconclusion，andwehadtobundlebothdummyandYramoutoftheroyalpresence，forneithershenortheKingwouldbudgeaninch。

EvenPankysmiled。“Whatcouldwedo？ThecommonpeoplealmostworshipYram；andsodoesherhusband，thoughherfair-hairedeldestsonwasbornbarelysevenmonthsaftermarriage。ThepeopleinthesepartsliketothinkthattheSunchild’sbloodisinthecountry，andyettheyswearthroughthickandthinthatheistheMayor’sdulybegottenoffspring——Faugh！Doyouthinktheywouldhavestoodhisbeingjobbedintotheranger-shipbyanyoneelsebutYram？“

Myfather’sfeelingsmaybeimagined，butIwillnothereinterrupttheProfessors。

“Well，well。”saidHanky；“formenmustrobandwomenmustjobsolongastheworldgoeson。IdidthebestIcould。TheKingwouldneverhaveembracedSunchildismifIhadnottoldhimhewasright；

then，whensatisfiedthatweagreedwithhim，heyieldedtopopularprejudiceandallowedthequestiontoremainopen。OneofhisRoyalProfessorswastoweartheclothesoneway，andtheothertheother。”

“Mywayofwearingthem。”saidPanky，“ismuchthemostconvenient。”

“Notabitofit，saidHankywarmly。OnthisthetwoProfessorsfellout，andthediscussiongrewsohotthatmyfatherinterferedbyadvisingthemnottotalksoloudlestanotherrangershouldhearthem。“Youknow。”hesaid，“thereareagoodmanylandrailboneslyingabout，anditmightbeawkward。”

TheProfessorshushedatonce。“Bytheway。”saidPanky，afterapause，“itisverystrangeaboutthosefootprintsinthesnow。Themanhadevidentlywalkedroundthestatuestwoorthreetimes，asthoughtheywerestrangetohim，andhehadcertainlycomefromtheotherside。”

“Itwasoneoftherangers。”saidHankyimpatiently，“whohadgonealittlebeyondthestatues，andcomebackagain。”

“Thenweshouldhaveseenhisfootprintsashewent。IamgladI

measuredthem。”

“Thereisnothinginit；butwhatwereyourmeasurements？“

“Eleveninchesbyfourandahalf；nailsonthesoles；onenailmissingontherightfootandtwoontheleft。”Then，turningtomyfatherquickly，hesaid，“Myman，allowmetohavealookatyourboots。”

“Nonsense，Panky，nonsense！“

Nowmyfatherbythistimewaswonderingwhetherheshouldnotsetuponthesetwomen，killthemifhecould，andmakethebestofhiswayback，buthehadstillacardtoplay。

“Certainly，sir。”saidhe，“butIshouldtellyouthattheyarenotmyboots。”

HetookoffhisrightbootandhandedittoPanky。

“Exactlyso！Eleveninchesbyfourandahalf，andonenailmissing。Andnow，Mr。Ranger，willyoubegoodenoughtoexplainhowyoubecamepossessedofthatboot。Youneednotshowmetheother。”Andhespokelikeanexaminerwhowasconfidentthathecouldfloorhisexamineeinvivavoce。

“Youknowourorders。”answeredmyfather，“youhaveseenthemonyourpermit。Imetoneofthoseforeigndevilsfromtheotherside，ofwhomwehavehadmorethanonelately；hecamefromoutofthecloudsthathanghigherup，andashehadnopermitandcouldnotspeakawordofourlanguage，Igrippedhim，flunghim，andstrangledhim。ThusfarIwasonlyobeyingorders，butseeinghowmuchbetterhisbootswerethanmine，andfindingthattheywouldfitme，Iresolvedtokeepthem。YoumaybesureIshouldnothavedonesoifIhadknowntherewassnowonthetopofthepass。”

“Hecouldnotinventthat。”saidHanky；“itisplainhehasnotbeenuptothestatues。”

Pankywasstaggered。“Andofcourse。”saidheironically，“youtooknothingfromthispoorwretchexcepthisboots。”

“Sir。”saidmyfather，“Iwillmakeacleanbreastofeverything。

Iflunghisbody，hisclothes，andmyownoldbootsintothepool；

butIkepthisblanket，somethingsheusedforcooking，andsomestrangestuffthatlookslikedriedleaves，aswellasasmallbagofsomethingwhichIbelieveisgold。IthoughtIcouldsellthelottosomedealerincuriositieswhowouldasknoquestions。”

“Andwhat，pray，haveyoudonewithallthesethings？“

“Theyarehere，sir。”Andashespokehedivedintothewood，returningwiththeblanket，billy，pannikin，tea，andthelittlebagofnuggets，whichhehadkeptaccessible。

“Thisisverystrange。”saidHanky，whowasbeginningtobeafraidofmyfatherwhenhelearnedthathesometimeskilledpeople。

HeretheProfessorstalkedhurriedlytooneanotherinatonguewhichmyfathercouldnotunderstand，butwhichhefeltsurewasthehypotheticallanguageofwhichhehasspokeninhisbook。

PresentlyHankysaidtomyfatherquitecivilly，“Andwhat，mygoodman，doyouproposetodowithallthesethings？Ishouldtellyouatoncethatwhatyoutaketobegoldisnothingofthekind；itisabasemetal，hardly，ifatall，worthmorethancopper。”

“Ihavehadenoughofthem；to-morrowmorningIshalltakethemwithmetotheBluePool，anddropthemintoit。”

“Itisapityyoushoulddothat。”saidHankymusingly：“thethingsareinterestingascuriosities，and——and——and——whatwillyoutakeforthem？“

“Icouldnotdoit，sir。”answeredmyfather。“Iwouldnotdoit，no，notfor——“andhenamedasumequivalenttoaboutfivepoundsofourmoney。ForhewantedErewhonianmoney，andthoughtitworthhiswhiletosacrificehistenpounds’worthofnuggetsinordertogetasupplyofcurrentcoin。

Hankytriedtobeathimdown，assuringhimthatnocuriositydealerwouldgivehalfasmuch，andmyfathersofaryieldedastotake4

pounds，10s。insilver，which，asIhavealreadyexplained，wouldnotbeworthmorethanhalfasovereigningold。Atthisfigureabargainwasstruck，andtheProfessorspaidupwithoutofferinghimasingleMusicalBankcoin。Theywantedtoincludethebootsinthepurchase，butheremyfatherstoodout。

Buthecouldnotstandoutasregardsanothermatter，whichcausedhimsomeanxiety。Pankyinsistedthatmyfathershouldgivethemareceiptforthemoney，andtherewasanaltercationbetweentheProfessorsonthispoint，muchlongerthanIcanherefindspacetogive。Hankyarguedthatareceiptwasuseless，inasmuchasitwouldberuintomyfatherevertorefertothesubjectagain。

Panky，however，wasanxious，notlestmyfathershouldagainclaimthemoney，but(thoughhedidnotsaysooutright)lestHankyshouldclaimthewholepurchaseashisown。InsotheendPanky，forawonder，carriedtheday，andareceiptwasdrawnuptotheeffectthattheundersignedacknowledgedtohavereceivedfromProfessorsHankyandPankythesumof4pounds，10s。(Itranslatetheamount)，asjointpurchasersofcertainpiecesofyellowore，ablanket，andsundryarticlesfoundwithoutanownerintheKing’spreserves。Thispaperwasdated，asthepermithadbeen，XIX。

xii。29。

Myfather，generallysoready，wasathiswits’endforaname，andcouldthinkofnonebutMr。Nosnibor’s。Happily，rememberingthatthisgentlemanhadalsobeencalledSenoj——anamecommonenoughinErewhon——hesignedhimselfSenoj，Under-ranger。”

Pankywasnowsatisfied。“Wewillputitinthebag。”hesaid，“withthepiecesofyellowore。”

“Putitwhereyoulike。”saidHankycontemptuously；andintothebagitwasput。

Whenallwasnowconcluded，myfatherlaughinglysaid，“Ifyouhavedealtunfairlybyme，Iforgiveyou。Mymottois，’Forgiveusourtrespasses，asweforgivethemthattrespassagainstus。’“

“Repeatthoselastwords。”saidPankyeagerly。Myfatherwasalarmedathismanner，butthoughtitsafertorepeatthem。

“Youhearthat，Hanky？Iamconvinced；Ihavenotanotherwordtosay。ThemanisatrueErewhonian；hehasourcorruptreadingoftheSunchild’sprayer。”

“Pleaseexplain。”

“Why，canyounotsee？“saidPanky，whowasbywayofbeinggreatatconjecturalemendations。“CanyounotseehowimpossibleitisfortheSunchild，oranyofthepeopletowhomhedeclared(aswenowknowprovisionally)thathebelonged，couldhavemadetheforgivenessofhisownsinsdependonthereadinesswithwhichheforgaveotherpeople？Nomaninhissenseswoulddreamofsuchathing。Itwouldbeaskingasupposedall-powerfulbeingnottoforgivehissinsatall，oratbesttoforgivethemimperfectly。

No；Yramgotitwrong。Shemistook’butdonot’for’aswe。’Thesoundofthewordsisverymuchalike；thecorrectreadingshouldobviouslybe，’Forgiveusourtrespasses，butdonotforgivethemthattrespassagainstus。’Thismakessense，andturnsanimpossibleprayerintoonethatgoesstraighttotheheartofeveryoneofus。”Then，turningtomyfather，hesaid，“Youcanseethis，myman，canyounot，assoonasitispointedouttoyou？“

Myfathersaidthathesawitnow，buthadalwaysheardthewordsashehadhimselfspokenthem。

“Ofcourseyouhave，mygoodfellow，anditisbecauseofthisthatIknowtheynevercanhavereachedyouexceptfromanErewhoniansource。”

Hankysmiled，——snorted，andmutteredinanundertone，“Ishallbegintothinkthatthisfellowisaforeigndevilafterall。”

“Andnow，gentlemen。”saidmyfather，“themoonisrisen。Imustbeafterthequailsatday-break；Iwillthereforegototheranger’sshelter“(ashelter，bytheway，whichexistedonlyinmyfather’sinvention)，“andgetacoupleofhours’sleep，soastobebothclosetothequail-ground；andfreshforrunning。Youaresoneartheboundaryofthepreservesthatyouwillnotwantyourpermitfurther；noonewillmeetyou，andshouldanyonedoso，youneedonlygiveyournamesandsaythatyouhavemadeamistake。

Youwillhavetogiveitupto-morrowattheRanger’soffice；itwillsaveyoutroubleifIcollectitnow，andgiveitupwhenI

delivermyquails。

“Asregardsthecuriosities，hidethemasyoubestcanoutsidethelimits。Irecommendyoutocarrythematonceoutoftheforest，andrestbeyondthelimitsratherthanhere。Youcanthenrecoverthemwhenever，andinwhateverway，youmayfindconvenient。ButI

hopeyouwillsaynothingaboutanyforeigndevil’shavingcomeoverontothisside。Anywhispertothiseffectunsettlespeople’sminds，andtheyaretoomuchunsettledalready；henceourorderstokillanyonefromoverthereatonce，andtotellnoonebuttheHeadRanger。Iwasforcedbyyou，gentlemen，todisobeytheseordersinself-defence；ImusttrustyourgenerositytokeepwhatIhavetoldyousecret。Ishall，ofcourse，reportittotheHeadRanger。Andnow，ifyouthinkproper，youcangivemeupyourpermit。”

AllthiswassoplausiblethattheProfessorsgaveuptheirpermitwithoutawordbutthanks。Theybundledtheircuriositieshurriedlyinto“thepoorforeigndevil’s“blanket，reservingamorecarefulpackingtilltheywereoutofthepreserves。Theywishedmyfatheraverygoodnight，andallsuccesswithhisquailsinthemorning；theythankedhimagainforthecarehehadtakenoftheminthematterofthelandrails，andPankyevenwentsofarastogivehimafewMusicalBankcoins，whichhegratefullyaccepted。

TheythenstartedoffinthedirectionofSunch’ston。

Myfathergathereduptheremainingquails，someofwhichhemeanttoeatinthemorning，whiletheothershewouldthrowawayassoonashecouldfindasafeplace。Heturnedtowardsthemountains，butbeforehehadgoneadozenyardsheheardavoice，whichherecognisedasPanky’s，shoutingafterhim，andsaying-

“MindyoudonotforgetthetruereadingoftheSunchild’sprayer。”

“Youareanoldfool。”shoutedmyfatherinEnglish，knowingthathecouldhardlybeheard，stilllessunderstood，andthankfultorelievehisfeelings。

CHAPTERV：MYFATHERMEETSASON，OFWHOSEEXISTENCEHEWAS

IGNORANT；ANDSTRIKESABARGAINWITHHIM

Theincidentsrecordedinthetwolastchaptershadoccupiedabouttwohours，sothatitwasnearlymidnightbeforemyfathercouldbegintoretracehisstepsandmaketowardsthecampthathehadleftthatmorning。Thiswasnecessary，forhecouldnotgoanyfurtherinacostumethathenowknewtobeforbidden。Atthishournorangerwaslikelytomeethimbeforehereachedthestatues，andbymakingapushforithecouldreturnintimetocrossthelimitsofthepreservesbeforetheProfessors’permithadexpired。Ifchallenged，hemustbrazenitoutthathewasoneorotherofthepersonsthereinnamed。

Fatiguedthoughhewas，hereachedthestatuesasnearashecouldguess，ataboutthreeinthemorning。Whatlittlewindtherehadbeenwaswarm，sothatthetracks，whichtheProfessorsmusthaveseenshortlyafterhehadmadethem，haddisappeared。Thestatueslookedveryweirdinthemoonlightbuttheywerenotchanting。

Whileascending，hepiecedtogethertheinformationhehadpickedupfromtheProfessors。Plainly，theSunchild，orchildofthesun，wasnoneotherthanhimself，andthenewnameofColdharbourwasdoubtlessintendedtocommemoratethefactthatthiswasthefirsttownhehadreachedinErewhon。Plainly，also，hewassupposedtobeofsuperhumanorigin——hisflightintheballoonhavingbeennotunnaturallybelievedtobemiraculous。TheErewhonianshadforcenturiesbeeneffacingallknowledgeoftheirformerculture；archaeologists，indeed，couldstillgleanalittlefrommuseums，andfromvolumeshardtocomeby，andstillhardertounderstand；butarchaeologistswerefew，andeventhoughtheyhadmaderesearches(whichtheymayormaynothavedone)，theirlabourshadneverreachedthemasses。Whatwonder，then，thatthemushroomspawnofmyth，everpresentinanatmospherehighlychargedwithignorance，hadgerminatedinasoilsofavourablypreparedforitsreception？

Hesawitallnow。ItwastwentyyearsnextSundaysinceheandmymotherhadeloped。ThatwasthemeaningofXIX。xii。29。Theyhadmadeanewera，datingfromthedayofhisreturntothepalaceofthesunwithabridewhowasdoubtlesstounitetheErewhoniannaturewiththatofthesun。TheNewYear，then，woulddatefromSunday，December7，whichwouldthereforebecomeXX。i。1。TheThursday，nownearlyifnotquiteover，beingonlytwodaysdistantfromtheendofamonthofthirty-onedays，whichwasalsothelastoftheyear，wouldbeXIX。xii。29，asontheProfessors’permit。

Ishouldliketoexplainherewhatwillappearmoreclearlyonalaterpage——Imean，thattheErewhonians，accordingtotheirnewsystem，donotbelievethesuntobeagodexceptasregardsthisworldandhisotherplanets。Myfatherhadtoldthemalittleaboutastronomy，andhadassuredthemthatallthefixedstarsweresunslikeourown，withplanetsrevolvingroundthem，whichwereprobablytenantedbyintelligentlivingbeings，howeverunliketheymightbetoourselves。Fromthistheyevolvedthetheorythatthesunwastherulerofthisplanetarysystem，andthathemustbepersonified，astheyhadpersonifiedtheair-god，thegodsoftimeandspace，hope，justice，andtheotherdeitiesmentionedinmyfather’sbook。Theyretaintheiroldbeliefintheactualexistenceofthesegods，buttheynowmakethemallsubordinatetothesun。ThenearestapproachtheymaketoourownconceptionofGodistosaythatHeistheruleroverallthesunsthroughouttheuniverse——thesunsbeingtoHimmuchasourplanetsandtheirdenizensaretoourownsun。TheydenythatHetakesmoreinterestinonesunanditssystemthaninanother。AllthesunswiththeirattendantplanetsaresupposedtobeequallyHischildren，andHedeputestoeachsunthesupervisionandprotectionofitsownsystem。Hencetheysaythatthoughwemaypraytotheair-god，&c。，andeventothesun，wemustnotpraytoGod。WemaybethankfultoHimforwatchingoverthesuns，butwemustnotgofurther。

Goingbacktomyfather’sreflections，heperceivedthattheErewhonianshadnotonlyadoptedourcalendar，ashehadrepeatedlyexplainedittotheNosnibors，buthadtakenourweekaswell，andweremakingSundayahighday，justaswedo。NextSunday，incommemorationofthetwentiethyearafterhisascent，theywereabouttodedicateatempletohim；inthistherewastobeapictureshowinghimselfandhisearthlybrideontheirheavenwardjourney，inachariotdrawnbyfourblackandwhitehorses——which，however，ProfessorHankyhadpositivelyaffirmedtohavebeenonlystorks。

HereIinterruptedmyfather。“Butwerethere。”Isaid，“anystorks？“

“Yes。”heanswered。“AssoonasIheardHanky’swordsIrememberedthataflightofsomefourorfiveofthelargestorkssocommoninErewhonduringthesummermonthshadbeenwheelinghighaloftinoneofthoseaerialdancesthatsomuchdelightthem。Ihadquiteforgottenit，butitcamebacktomeatoncethatthesecreatures，attracteddoubtlessbywhattheytooktobeanunknownkindofbird，swoopeddowntowardstheballoonandcircledrounditlikesomanysatellitestoaheavenlybody。Iwasfearfullesttheyshouldstrikeatitwiththeirlongandformidablebeaks，inwhichcaseallwouldhavebeensoonover；eithertheywereafraid，ortheyhadsatisfiedtheircuriosity——atanyrate，theyletusalone；buttheykeptwithustillwewerewellawayfromthecapital。Strange，howcompletelythisincidenthadescapedme。”

Ireturntomyfather’sthoughtsashemadehiswaybacktohisoldcamp。

AsforthereversedpositionofProfessorPanky’sclothes，herememberedhavinggivenhisownoldonestotheQueen，andhavingthoughtthatshemighthavegotabetterdummyonwhichtodisplaythemthantheheadlessscarecrow，which，however，hesupposedwasallherladies-in-waitingcouldlaytheirhandsonatthemoment。

Ifthatdummyhadneverbeenreplaced，itwasperhapsnotverystrangethattheKingcouldnotatthefirstglancetellbackfromfront，andifhedidnotguessrightatfirst，therewaslittlechanceofhischanging，forhisfirstideaswereapttobehislast。Buthemustfindoutmoreaboutthis。

Thenhowaboutthewatch？Hadtheirviewsaboutmachineryalsochanged？Orwasthereanexceptionmadeaboutanymachinethathehadhimselfcarried？

Yramtoo。Shemusthavebeenmarriednotlongaftersheandhehadparted。SoshewasnowwifetotheMayor，andwasevidentlyabletohavethingsprettymuchherownwayinSunch’ston，ashesupposedhemustnowcallit。Thankheavenshewasprosperous！Itwasinterestingtoknowthatshewasatheartasceptic，aswasalsoherlight-hairedson，nowHeadRanger。Andthatson？Justtwentyyearsofage！Bornsevenmonthsaftermarriage！ThentheMayordoubtlesshadlighthairtoo；butwhydidnotthosewretchessayinwhichmonthYramwasmarried？Ifshehadmarriedsoonafterhehadleft，thiswaswhyhehadnotbeensentfororwrittento。

Prayheavenitwasso。Asforcurrentgossip，peoplewouldtalk，andiftheladwaswellbegotten，whatcoulditmattertothemwhosesonhewas？“But。”thoughtmyfather，“IamgladIdidnotmeethimonmywaydown。Ihadratherhavebeenkilledbysomeoneelse。”

HankyandPankyagain。HerememberedBridgefordasthetownwheretheCollegesofUnreasonhadbeenmostrife；hehadvisitedit，buthehadforgottenthatitwascalled“Thecityofthepeoplewhoareabovesuspicion。”ItsProfessorswereevidentlygoingtomusteringreatforceonSunday；iftwoofthemhadrobbedhim，hecouldforgivethem，fortheinformationhehadgleanedfromthemhadfurnishedhimwithapiedaterre。Moreover，hehadgotasmuchErewhonianmoneyasheshouldwant，forhehadresolvedtoretracehisstepsimmediatelyafterseeingthetemplededicatedtohimself。

Heknewthedangerheshouldruninreturningoverthepreserveswithoutapermit，buthiscuriositywassogreatthatheresolvedtoriskit。

Soonafterhehadpassedthestatueshebegantodescend，anditbeingnowbroadday，hedidsobyleapsandbounds，forthegroundwasnotprecipitous。Hereachedhisoldcampsoonafterfive——

this，atanyrate，wasthehouratwhichhesethiswatchonfindingthatithadrundownduringhisabsence。Therewasnownoreasonwhyheshouldnottakeitwithhim，soheputitinhispocket。Theparrotshadattackedhissaddle-bags，saddle，andbridle，astheyweresuretodo，buttheyhadnotgotinsidethebags。HetookouthisEnglishclothesandputthemon——stowinghisbagsofgoldinvariouspockets，butkeepinghisErewhonianmoneyintheonethatwasmostaccessible。HeputhisErewhoniandressbackintothesaddle-bags，intendingtokeepitasacuriosity；healsorefreshedthedyeuponhishands，face，andhair；helithimselfafire，madetea，cookedandatetwobraceofquails，whichhehadpluckedwhilewalkingsoastosavetime，andthenflunghimselfontothegroundtosnatchanhour’sverynecessaryrest。

Whenhewokehefoundhehadslepttwohours，notone，whichwasperhapsaswell，andbyeighthebegantoreascendthepass。

Hereachedthestatuesaboutnoon，forheallowedhimselfnotamoment’srest。Thistimetherewasastiffishwind，andtheywerechantinglustily。Hepassedthemwithallspeed，andhadnearlyreachedtheplacewherehehadcaughtthequails，whenhesawamaninadresswhichheguessedatoncetobearanger’s，butwhich，strangelyenough，seeingthathewasintheKing’semploy，wasnotreversed。Myfather’sheartbeatfast；hegotouthispermitandhelditopeninhishand，thenwithasmilingfacehewenttowardstheRanger，whowasstandinghisground。

“IbelieveyouaretheHeadRanger。”saidmyfather，whosawthathewasstillsmooth-facedandhadlighthair。“IamProfessorPanky，andhereismypermit。MybrotherProfessorhasbeenpreventedfromcomingwithme，and，asyousee，Iamalone。”

MyfatherhadprofessedtopasshimselfoffasPanky，forhehadrathergatheredthatHankywasthebetterknownmanofthetwo。

Whiletheyouthwasscrutinisingthepermit，evidentlywithsuspicion，myfathertookstockofhim，andsawhisownpastselfinhimtooplainly——knowingallheknew——todoubtwhosesonhewas。

Hehadthegreatestdifficultyinhidinghisemotion，fortheladwasindeedoneofwhomanyfathermightbeproud。Helongedtobeabletoembracehimandclaimhimforwhathewas，butthis，ashewellknew，mightnotbe。Thetearsagainwelledintohiseyeswhenhetoldmeofthestrugglewithhimselfthathehadthenhad。

“Don’tbejealous，mydearestboy。”hesaidtome。“IloveyouquiteasdearlyasIlovehim，orbetter，buthewassprunguponmesosuddenly，anddazzledmewithhiscomelydebonairface，sofullofyouth，andhealth，andfrankness。Didyouseehim，hewouldgostraighttoyourheart，forheiswonderfullylikeyouinspiteofyourtakingsomuchafteryourpoormother。”

Iwasnotjealous；onthecontrary，Ilongedtoseethisyouth，andfindinhimsuchabrotherasIhadoftenwishedtohave。Butletmereturntomyfather’sstory。

Theyoungman，afterexaminingthepermit，declaredittobeinform，andreturnedittomyfather，butheeyedhimwithpolitedisfavour。

“Isuppose。”hesaid，“youhavecomeup，assomanyaredoing，fromBridgefordandalloverthecountry，tothededicationonSunday。”

“Yes。”saidmyfather。“Blessme！“headded，“whatawindyouhaveuphere！Howitmakesone’seyeswater，tobesure；“buthespokewithacluckinhisthroatwhichnowindthatblowscancause。

“Haveyoumetanysuspiciouscharactersbetweenhereandthestatues？“askedtheyouth。“Icameacrosstheashesofafirelowerdown；therehadbeenthreemensittingforsometimeroundit，andtheyhadallbeeneatingquails。Herearesomeofthebonesandfeathers，whichIshallkeep。Theyhadnotbeengonemorethanacoupleofhours，fortheasheswerestillwarm；theyaregettingbolderandbolder——whowouldhavethoughttheywoulddaretolightafire？Isupposeyouhavenotmetanyone；butifyouhaveseenasingleperson，letmeknow。”

Myfathersaidquitetrulythathehadmetnoone。Hethenlaughinglyaskedhowtheyouthhadbeenabletodiscoverasmuchashehad。

“Therewerethreewell-markedforms，andthreeseparatelotsofquailboneshiddenintheashes。Onemanhaddonealltheplucking。Thisisstrange，butIdaresayIshallgetatitlater。”

AfteralittlefurtherconversationtheRangersaidhewasnowgoingdowntoSunch’ston，and，thoughsomewhatcurtly，proposedthatheandmyfathershouldwalktogether。

“Byallmeans。”answeredmyfather。

“Beforetheyhadgonemorethanafewhundredyardshiscompanionsaid，“Ifyouwillcomewithmealittletotheleft，IcanshowyoutheBluePool。”

Toavoidtheprecipitousgroundoverwhichthestreamherefell，theyhaddivergedtotheright，wheretheyhadfoundasmootherdescent；returningnowtothestream，whichwasabouttoenteronalevelstretchforsomedistance，theyfoundthemselvesonthebrinkofarockybasin，ofnogreatsize，butveryblue，andevidentlydeep。

“This。”saidtheRanger，“iswhereourorderstellustoflinganyforeigndevilwhocomesoverfromtheotherside。IhaveonlybeenHeadRangeraboutninemonths，andhavenotyethadtofacethishorridduty；but。”andherehesmiled，“whenIfirstcaughtsightofyouIthoughtIshouldhavetomakeabeginning。IwasverygladwhenIsawyouhadapermit。”

“Andhowmanyskeletonsdoyousupposearelyingatthebottomofthispool？“

“Ibelievenotmorethansevenoreightinall。Therewerethreeorfourabouteighteenyearsago，andaboutthesamenumberoflateyears；onemanwasflunghereonlyaboutthreemonthsbeforeIwasappointed。Ihavethefulllist，withdates，downinmyoffice，buttherangersneverletpeopleinSunch’stonknowwhentheyhaveBlue-Pooledanyone；itwouldunsettlemen’sminds，andsomeofthemwouldbecominguphereinthedarktodragthepool，andseewhethertheycouldfindanythingonthebody。”

Myfatherwasgladtoturnawayfromthismostrepulsiveplace。

Afteratimehesaid，“AndwhatdoyougoodpeoplehereaboutsthinkofnextSunday’sgranddoings？“

BearinginmindwhathehadgleanedfromtheProfessorsabouttheRanger’sopinions，myfathergaveaslightlyironicalturntohispronunciationofthewords“granddoings。”Theyouthglancedathimwithaquickpenetrativelook，andlaughedashesaid，“Thedoingswillbegrandenough。”

“Whatafinetempletheyhavebuilt。”saidmyfather。“Ihavenotyetseenthepicture，buttheysaythefourblackandwhitehorsesaremagnificentlypainted。IsawtheSunchildascend，butIsawnohorsesinthesky，noranythinglikehorses。”

Theyouthwasmuchinterested。“Didyoureallyseehimascend？“heasked；“andwhat，pray，doyouthinkitallwas？“

“Whateveritwas，therewerenohorses。”

“Buttheremusthavebeen，for，asyouofcourseknow，theyhavelatelyfoundsomedroppingsfromoneofthem，whichhavebeenmiraculouslypreserved，andtheyaregoingtoshowthemnextSundayinagoldreliquary。”

“Iknow。”saidmyfather，who，however，waslearningthefactforthefirsttime。“Ihavenotyetseenthispreciousrelic，butI

thinktheymighthavefoundsomethinglessunpleasant。”

“Perhapstheywouldiftheycould。”repliedtheyouth，laughing，“buttherewasnothingelsethatthehorsescouldleave。Itisonlyanumberofcuriouslyroundedstones，andnotatalllikewhattheysayitis。”

“Well，well。”continuedmyfather，“butrelicornorelic，therearemanywho，whiletheyfullyrecognisethevalueoftheSunchild’steaching，dislikethesecockandbullstoriesasblasphemyagainstGod’smostblessedgiftofreason。TherearemanyinBridgefordwhohatethisstoryofthehorses。”

Theyouthwasnowquitereassured。“Sotherearehere，sir。”hesaidwarmly，“andwhohatetheSunchildtoo。Ifthereissuchahellasheusedtotalkabouttomymother，wedoubtnotbutthathewillbecastintoitsdeepestfires。Seehowhehasturnedusallupsidedown。Butwedarenotsaywhatwethink。ThereisnocourageleftinErewhon。”

Thenwaxingcalmerhesaid，“ItisyouBridgefordpeopleandyourMusicalBanksthathavedoneitall。TheMusicalBankManagerssawthatthepeoplewerefallingawayfromthem。FindingthatthevulgarbelievedthisforeigndevilHiggs——forhegavethisnametomymotherwhenhewasinprison——findingthat——ButyouknowallthisaswellasIdo。HowcanyouBridgefordProfessorspretendtobelieveaboutthesehorses，andabouttheSunchild’sbeingsontothesun，whenallthetimeyouknowthereisnotruthinit？“

“Myson——forconsideringthedifferenceinouragesImaybeallowedtocallyouso——weatBridgefordaremuchlikeyouatSunch’ston；wedarenotalwayssaywhatwethink。Norwoulditbewisetodoso，whenweshouldnotbelistenedto。Thisfiremustburnitselfout，forithasgotsuchholdthatnothingcaneitherstayorturnit。EventhoughHiggshimselfweretoreturnandtellitfromthehouse-topsthathewasamortal——ay，andaverycommonone——hewouldbekilled，butnotbelieved。”

“Lethimcome；lethimshowhimself，speakoutanddie，ifthepeoplechoosetokillhim。InthatcaseIwouldforgivehim，accepthimformyfather，assillypeoplesometimessayheis，andhonourhimtomydyingday。”

“Wouldthatbeabargain？“saidmyfather，smilinginspiteofemotionsostrongthathecouldhardlybringthewordsoutofhismouth。

“Yes，itwould。”saidtheyouthdoggedly。

“Thenletmeshakehandswithyouonhisbehalf，andletuschangetheconversation。”

Hetookmyfather’shand，doubtfullyandsomewhatdisdainfully，buthedidnotrefuseit。

CHAPTERVI：FURTHERCONVERSATIONBETWEENFATHERANDSON——THE

PROFESSORS’HOARD

Itisonethingtodesireaconversationtobechanged，andanothertochangeit。Aftersomelittlesilencemyfathersaid，“AndmayI

askwhatnameyourmothergaveyou？“

“Myname。”heanswered，laughing，“isGeorge，andIwishitweresomeother，foritisthefirstnameofthatarch-impostorHiggs。

IhateitasIhatethemanwhoownedit。”

Myfathersaidnothing，buthehidhisfaceinhishands。

“Sir。”saidtheother，“Ifearyouareinsomedistress。”

“Youremindme。”repliedmyfather，“ofasonwhowasstolenfrommewhenhewasachild。Isearchedforhim，duringmanyyears，andatlastfellinwithhimbyaccident，tofindhimalltheheartoffathercouldwish。Butalas！hedidnottakekindlytomeasItohim，andaftertwodaysheleftme；norshallIeveragainseehim。”

“Then，sir，hadInotbetterleaveyou？“

“No，staywithmetillyourroadtakesyouelsewhere；forthoughI

cannotseemyson，youaresolikehimthatIcouldalmostfancyheiswithme。Andnow——forIshallshownomoreweakness——yousayyourmotherknewtheSunchild，asIamusedtocallhim。Tellmewhatkindofamanshefoundhim。”

“Shelikedhimwellenoughinspiteofhisbeingalittlesilly。

Shedoesnotbelieveheevercalledhimselfchildofthesun。Heusedtosayhehadafatherinheaventowhomheprayed，andwhocouldhearhim；buthesaidthatallofus，mymotherasmuchashe，havethisunseenfather。Mymotherdoesnotbelievehemeantdoingusanyharm，butonlythathewantedtogethimselfandMrs。

Nosnibor’syoungerdaughteroutofthecountry。Asfortherehavingbeenanythingsupernaturalabouttheballoon，shewillhavenoneofit；shesaysthatitwassomemachinewhichheknewhowtomake，butwhichwehavelosttheartofmaking，aswehaveofmanyanother。

“Thisiswhatshesaysamongstourselves，butinpublicsheconfirmsallthattheMusicalBankManagerssayabouthim。Sheisafraidofthem。Youknow，perhaps，thatProfessorHanky，whosenameIseeonyourpermit，triedtoburnheralive？“

“Thankheaven！“thoughtmyfather，“thatIamPanky；“butaloudhesaid，“Oh，horrible！horrible！IcannotbelievethisevenofHanky。”

“Hedeniesit，andwesaywebelievehim；hewasmostkindandattentivetomymotherduringalltherestofherstayinBridgeford。Heandshepartedexcellentfriends，butIknowwhatshethinks。IshallbesuretoseehimwhileheisinSunch’ston，Ishallhavetobeciviltohimbutitmakesmesicktothinkofit。”

“Whenshallyouseehim？“saidmyfather，whowasalarmedatlearningthatHankyandtheRangerwerelikelytomeet。WhocouldtellbutthathemightseePankytoo？

“Ihavebeenawayfromhomeafortnight，andshallnotbebacktilllateonSaturdaynight。IdonotsupposeIshallseehimbeforeSunday。”

“Thatwilldo。”thoughtmyfather，whoatthatmomentdeemedthatnothingwouldmattertohimmuchwhenSundaywasover。Then，turningtotheRanger，hesaid，“Igather，then，thatyourmotherdoesnotthinksobadlyoftheSunchildafterall？“

“Shelaughsathimsometimes，butifanyofusboysandgirlssayawordagainsthimwegetsnappedupdirectly。Mymotherturnseveryoneroundherfinger。HerwordislawinSunch’ston；everyoneobeysher；shehasfacedmorethanonemob，andquelledthemwhenmyfathercouldnotdoso。”

“Icanbelieveallyousayofher。Whatotherchildrenhasshebesidesyourself？“

“Wearefoursons，ofwhomtheyoungestisnowfourteen，andthreedaughters。”

“Mayallhealthandhappinessattendherandyou，andallofyou，henceforthandforever。”andmyfatherinvoluntarilybaredhisheadashespoke。

“Sir。”saidtheyouth，impressedbythefervencyofmyfather’smanner，“Ithankyou，butyoudonottalkasBridgefordProfessorsgenerallydo，sofarasIhaveseenorheardthem。Whydoyouwishusallwellsoveryheartily？IsitbecauseyouthinkIamlikeyourson，oristheresomeotherreason？“

“Itisnotmysonalonethatyouresemble。”saidmyfathertremulously，forheknewhewasgoingtoofar。Hecarrieditoffbyadding，“Youresembleallwholovetruthandhatelies，asI

do。”

“Then，sir。”saidtheyouthgravely，“youmuchbelieyourreputation。AndnowImustleaveyouforanotherpartofthepreserves，whereIthinkitlikelythatlastnight’spoachersmaynowbe，andwhereIshallpassthenightinwatchingforthem。Youmaywantyourpermitforafewmilesfurther，soIwillnottakeit。NeitherneedyougiveitupatSunch’ston。Itisdated，andwillbeuselessafterthisevening。”

Withthishestrodeoffintotheforest，bowingpolitelybutsomewhatcoldly，andwithoutencouragingmyfather’shalfprofferedhand。

Myfatherturnedsadandunsatisfiedaway。

“Itservesmeright。”hesaidtohimself；“heoughtnevertohavebeenmyson；andyet，ifsuchmencanbebroughtbyhookorbycrookintotheworld，surelytheworldshouldnotaskquestionsaboutthebringing。Howcheerlesseverythinglooksnowthathehasleftme。”

***

Bythistimeitwasthreeo’clock，andinanotherfewminutesmyfathercameupontheashesofthefirebesidewhichheandtheProfessorshadsuppedontheprecedingevening。Itwasonlysomeeighteenhourssincetheyhadcomeuponhim，andyetwhatanageitseemed！ItwaswelltheRangerhadlefthim，forthoughmyfather，ofcourse，wouldhaveknownnothingabouteitherfireorpoachers，itmighthaveledtofurtherfalsehood，andbythistimehehadbecomeexhausted——nottosay，forthetimebeing，sickofliesaltogether。

Hetrudgedslowlyon，withoutmeetingasoul，untilhecameuponsomestonesthatevidentlymarkedthelimitsofthepreserves。

Whenhehadgotamileorsobeyondthese，hestruckanarrowandnotmuchfrequentedpath，whichhewassurewouldleadhimtowardsSunch’ston，andsoonafterwards，seeingahugeoldchestnuttreesomethirtyorfortyyardsfromthepathitself，hemadetowardsitandflunghimselfonthegroundbeneathitsbranches。Therewereabundantsignsthathewasnearingfarmlandsandhomesteads，buttherewasnooneabout，andifanyonesawhimtherewasnothinginhisappearancetoarousesuspicion。

Hedetermined，therefore，torestheretillhungershouldwakehim，anddrivehimintoSunch’ston，which，however，hedidnotwishtoreachtillduskifhecouldhelpit。Hemeanttobuyavaliseandafewtoilettenecessariesbeforetheshopsshouldclose，andthenengageabedroomattheleastfrequentedinnhecouldfindthatlookedfairlycleanandcomfortable。

Heslepttillnearlysix，andonwakinggatheredhisthoughtstogether。Hecouldnotshakehisnewlyfoundsonfromoutofthem，buttherewasnogoodindwellinguponhimnow，andheturnedhisthoughtstotheProfessors。How，hewondered，weretheygettingon，andwhathadtheydonewiththethingstheyhadboughtfromhim？

“Howdelightfulitwouldbe。”hesaidtohimself，“ifIcouldfindwheretheyhavehiddentheirhoard，andhideitsomewhereelse。”

HetriedtoprojecthismindintothoseoftheProfessors，asthoughtheywereateamofstrayingbullockswhoseprobableactionhemustdeterminebeforehesetouttolookforthem。

Onreflection，heconcludedthatthehiddenpropertywasnotlikelytobefarfromthespotonwhichhenowwas。TheProfessorswouldwaittilltheyhadgotsomewaydowntowardsSunch’ston，soastohavereadieraccesstotheirpropertywhentheywantedtoremoveit；butwhentheycameuponapathandothersignsthatinhabiteddwellingscouldnotbefardistant，theywouldbegintolookoutforahiding-place。Andtheywouldtakeprettywellthefirstthatcame。“Why，blessmyheart。”heexclaimed，“thistreeishollow；I

wonderwhether——“andonlookinguphesawaninnocentlittlestripoftheverytoughfibrousleafcommonlyusedwhilegreenasstring，orevenrope，bytheErewhonians。TheplantthatmakesthisleafissoliketheubiquitousNewZealandPhormiumtenax，orflax，asitistherecalled，thatIshallspeakofitasflaxinfuture，asindeedIhavealreadydonewithoutexplanationonanearlierpage；

forthisplantgrowsonbothsidesofthegreatrange。Thepieceofflax，then，whichmyfathercaughtsightofwasfastened，atnogreatheightfromtheground，roundthebranchofastrongsuckerthathadgrownfromtherootsofthechestnuttree，andgoingthenceforacoupleoffeetorsotowardstheplacewheretheparenttreebecamehollow，itdisappearedintothecavitybelow。

Myfatherhadlittledifficultyinswarmingthesuckertillhereachedtheboughontowhichtheflaxwastied，andsoonfoundhimselfhaulingupsomethingfromthebottomofthetree。Inlesstimethanittakestotellthetalehesawhisownfamiliarredblanketbegintoshowabovethebrokenedgeofthehollow，andinanothersecondtherewasaclinkum-clankumasthebundlefellupontheground。Thiswascausedbythebillyandthepannikin，whichwerewrappedinsidetheblanket。Asfortheblanket，ithadbeentiedtightlyatbothends，aswellasatseveralpointsbetween，andmyfatherinwardlycomplimentedtheProfessorsontheneatnesswithwhichtheyhadpackedandhiddentheirpurchase。“But。”hesaidtohimselfwithalaugh，“Ithinkoneofthemmusthavegotontheother’sbacktoreachthatbough。”

“Ofcourse。”thoughthe，“theywillhavetakenthenuggetswiththem。”Andyethehadseemedtohearadumpingaswellasaclinkum-clankum。Heundidtheblanket，carefullyuntyingeveryknotandkeepingtheflax。Whenhehadunrolledit，hefoundtohisverypleasurablesurprisethatthepannikinwasinsidethebilly，andthenuggetswiththereceiptinsidethepannikin。Thepapercontainingtheteahavingbeentorn，waswrappedupinahandkerchiefmarkedwithHanky’sname。

“Down，conscience，down！“heexclaimedashetransferredthenuggets，receipt，andhandkerchieftohisownpocket。“Eyeofmysoulthatyouare！ifyouoffendmeImustpluckyouout。”Hisconsciencefearedhimandsaidnothing。Asforthetea，heleftitinitstornpaper。

Hethenputthebilly，pannikin，andtea，backagaininsidetheblanket，whichhetiedneatlyup，tiefortiewiththeProfessor’sownflax，leavingnosignofanydisturbance。Heagainswarmedthesucker，tillhereachedtheboughtowhichtheblanketanditscontentshadbeenmadefast，andhavingattachedthebundle，hedroppeditbackintothehollowofthetree。Hedideverythingquiteleisurely，fortheProfessorswouldbesuretowaittillnightfallbeforecomingtofetchtheirpropertyaway。

“IfItakenothingbutthenuggets。”heargued，“eachoftheProfessorswillsuspecttheotherofhavingconjuredthemintohisownpocketwhilethebundlewasbeingmadeup。Asforthehandkerchief，theymustthinkwhattheylike；butitwillpuzzleHankytoknowwhyPankyshouldhavebeensoanxiousforareceipt，ifhemeantstealingthenuggets。Letthemmuddleitouttheirownway。”

Reflectingfurther，heconcluded，perhapsrightly，thattheyhadleftthenuggetswherehehadfoundthem，becauseneithercouldtrusttheothernottofilchafew，ifhehadtheminhisownpossession，andtheycouldnotmakeanicedivisionwithoutapairofscales。“Atanyrate。”hesaidtohimself，“therewillbeaprettyquarrelwhentheyfindthemgone。”

Thuscharitablydidhebroodoverthingsthatwerenottohappen。

ThediscoveryoftheProfessors’hoardhadrefreshedhimalmostasmuchashissleephaddone，anditbeingnowpastseven，helithispipe——which，however，hesmokedasfurtivelyashehaddonewhenhewasaboyatschool，forheknewnotwhethersmokinghadyetbecomeanErewhonianvirtueorno——andwalkedbrisklyontowardsSunch’ston。

CHAPTERVII：SIGNSOFTHENEWORDEROFTHINGSCATCHMYFATHER’S

EYEONEVERYSIDE

Hehadnotgonefarbeforeaturninthepath——nowrapidlywidening——showedhimtwohightowers，seeminglysometwomilesoff；

thesehefeltsuremustbeatSunch’ston，hethereforesteppedout，lestheshouldfindtheshopsshutbeforehegotthere。

Onhisformervisithehadseenlittleofthetown，forhewasinprisonduringhiswholestay。HehadhadaglimpseofitonbeingbroughttherebythepeopleofthevillagewherehehadspenthisfirstnightinErewhon——avillagewhichhehadseenatsomelittledistanceonhisrighthand，butwhichitwouldhavebeenoutofhiswaytovisit，evenifhehadwishedtodoso；andhehadseentheMuseumofoldmachines，butonleavingtheprisonhehadbeenblindfolded。Neverthelesshefeltsurethatifthetowershadbeenthereheshouldhaveseenthem，andrightlyguessedthattheymustbelongtothetemplewhichwastobededicatedtohimselfonSunday。

Whenhehadpassedthroughthesuburbshefoundhimselfinthemainstreet。Spacewillnotallowmetodwellonmorethanafewofthethingswhichcaughthiseye，andassuredhimthatthechangeinErewhonianhabitsandopinionshadbeenevenmorecataclysmicthanhehadalreadydivined。ThefirstimportantbuildingthathecametoproclaimeditselfastheCollegeofSpiritualAthletics，andinthewindowofashopthatwasevidentlyaffiliatedtothecollegehesawanannouncementthatmoraltry-your-strengths，suitableforeverykindofordinarytemptation，wouldbeprovidedontheshortestnotice。Someofthosethataimedatthemorecommonkindsoftemptationwerekeptinstock，buttheseconsistedchieflyoftrialstothetemper。Ondropping，forexample，apennyintoaslot，youcouldhaveajetoffinepepper，flour，orbrickdust，whicheveryoumightprefer，thrownontoyourface，andthusdiscoverwhetheryourcomposurestoodinneedoffurtherdevelopmentorno。Myfathergatheredthisfromthewritingthatwaspastedontothetry-your-strength，buthehadnotimetogoinsidetheshopandtesteitherthemachineorhisowntemper。

Othertemptationstoirritabilityrequiredtheagencyoflivingpeople，oratanyratelivingbeings。Cryingchildren，screamingparrots，aspitefulmonkey，mightbehiredonridiculouslyeasyterms。Hesawoneadvertisement，nicelyframed，whichranasfollows：-

“Mrs。Tantrums，Nagger，certificatedbytheCollegeofSpiritualAthletics。Termsforordinarynagging，twoshillingsandsixpenceperhour。Hystericsextra。”

Thenfollowedaseriesoftestimonials——forexample：-

“DearMrs。Tantrums，——Ihaveforyearsbeentorturedwithahusbandofunusuallypeevish，irritabletemper，whomademylifesointolerablethatIsometimesansweredhiminawaythatledtohisusingpersonalviolencetowardsme。Aftertakingacourseoftwelvesittingsfromyou，Ifoundmyhusband’stempercomparativelyangelic，andwehaveeversincelivedtogetherincompleteharmony。”

Anotherwasfromahusband：-

“Mr——presentshiscomplimentstoMrs。Tantrums，andbegstoassureherthatherextraspecialhystericshavesofarsurpassedanythinghiswifecando，astorenderhimcalloustothoseattackswhichhehadformerlyfoundsodistressing。”

Thereweremanyothersofalikepurport，buttimedidnotpermitmyfathertodomorethanglanceatthem。Hecontentedhimselfwiththetwofollowing，ofwhichthefirstran：-

“Hedidtryitatlast。Alittlecorrectionoftherightkindtakenattherightmomentisinvaluable。Nomoreswearing。Nomorebadlanguageofanykind。Alamb-liketemperensuredinabouttwentyminutes，byasingledoseofoneofourspiritualindigestiontabloids。Incasesofallthemoreordinarymoralailments，fromsimplelying，tohomicidalmania，incasesagainoftendencytohatred，malice，anduncharitableness；ofatrophyorhypertrophyoftheconscience，ofcostivenessordiarrhoeaofthesympatheticinstincts，&c。，&c。，ourspiritualindigestiontabloidswillaffordunfailingandimmediaterelief。

“N。B——AbottleortwoofourSunchildCordialwillassisttheoperationofthetabloids。”

ThesecondandlastthatIcangivewasasfollows：-

“Allelseisuseless。Ifyouwishtobeasocialsuccess，makeyourselfagoodlistener。Thereisnoshortcuttothis。Awould-

belistenermustlearntherudimentsofhisartandgothroughthemilllikeotherpeople。Ifhewoulddevelopapowerofsufferingfoolsgladly，hemustbeginbysufferingthemwithoutthegladness。

ProfessorProser，ex-straightener，certificatedbore，pragmaticorcoruscating，withorwithoutanecdotes，attendspupilsattheirownhouses。Termsmoderate。

“Mrs。Proser，whosesuccessasaprofessionalmind-dresserissowell-knownthatlengthenedadvertisementisunnecessary，preparesladiesorgentlemenwithappropriateremarkstobemadeatdinner-

partiesorat-homes。Mrs。P。keepsherselfwelluptodatewithallthelatestscandals。”

“Poor，poor，straighteners！“saidmyfathertohimself。“Alas！

thatitshouldhavebeenmyfatetoruinyou——forIsupposeyouroccupationisgone。”

TearinghimselfawayfromtheCollegeofSpiritualAthleticsanditsaffiliatedshop，hepassedonafewdoors，onlytofindhimselflookinginatwhatwasneithermorenorlessthanachemist’sshop。

Inthewindowtherewereadvertisementswhichshowedthatthepracticeofmedicinewasnowlegal，butmyfathercouldnotstaytocopyasingleoneofthefantasticannouncementsthatahurriedglancerevealedtohim。

Itwasalsoplainhere，asfromtheshopalreadymorefullydescribed，thattheedictsagainstmachineshadbeenrepealed，fortherewerephysicaltry-your-strengths，asintheothershoptherehadbeenmoralones，andsuchmachinesundertheoldlawwouldnothavebeentoleratedforamoment。

Myfathermadehispurchasesjustasthelastshopswereclosing。

Henoticedthatalmostallofthemwerefullofarticleslabelled“Dedication。”TherewasDedicationgingerbread，stampedwithamouldedrepresentationofthenewtemple；therewereDedicationsyrups，Dedicationpocket-handkerchiefs，alsoshewingthetemple，andinonecornergivingahighlyidealisedportraitofmyfatherhimself。Thechariotandthehorsesfiguredlargely，andintheconfectioners’shopsthereweremodelsofthenewlydiscoveredrelic——made，somyfatherthought，withalittleheapofcherriesorstrawberries，smotheredinchocolate。Outsideonetailor’sshophesawaflaringadvertisementwhichcanonlybetranslated，“TryourDedicationtrousers，pricetenshillingsandsixpence。”

Presentlyhepassedthenewtemple，butitwastoodarkforhimtodomorethanseethatitwasavastfane，andmusthavecostanuntoldamountofmoney。Ateveryturnhefoundhimselfmoreandmoreshocked，asherealisedmoreandmorefullythemischiefhehadalreadyoccasioned，andthecertaintythatthiswassmallascomparedwiththatwhichwouldgrowuphereafter。

“What。”hesaidtome，verycoherentlyandquietly，“wasItodo？

Ihadstruckabargainwiththatdearfellow，thoughheknewnotwhatImeant，totheeffectthatIshouldtrytoundotheharmI

haddone，bystandingupbeforethepeopleonSundayandsayingwhoIwas。True，theywouldnotbelieveme。Theywouldlookatmyhairandseeitblack，whereasitshouldbeverylight。Onthistheywouldlooknofurther，butverylikelytearmeinpiecesthenandthere。Supposethattheauthoritiesheldapost-mortemexamination，andthatmanywhoknewme(letalonethatallmymeasurementsandmarkswererecordedtwentyyearsago)identifiedthebodyasmine：wouldthoseinpoweradmitthatIwastheSunchild？Notthey。TheinterestsvestedinmybeingnowinthepalaceofthesunaretoogreattoallowofmyhavingbeentorntopiecesinSunch’ston，nomatterhowtrulyIhadbeentorn；thewholethingwouldbehushedup，andtheutmostthatcouldcomeofitwouldbeaheresywhichwouldintimebecrushed。

“Ontheotherhand，whatbusinesshaveIwith’wouldbe’or’wouldnotbe？’ShouldInotspeakout，comewhatmay，whenIseeawholepeoplebeingledastraybythosewhoaremerelyexploitingthemfortheirownends？ThoughIcoulddobutlittle，oughtInottodothatlittle？Whatdidthatgoodfellow’sinstinct——sostraightfromheaven，sotrue，sohealthy——tellhim？Whatdidmyowninstinctanswer？Whatwouldtheconscienceofanyhonourablemananswer？Whocandoubt？

“Andyet，istherenotreason？andisitnotGod-givenasmuchasinstinct？Irememberhavingheardanantheminmyyoungdays，’O

whereshallwisdombefound？thedeepsaithitisnotinme。’Asthesingerskeptonrepeatingthequestion，Ikeptonsayingsorrowfullytomyself——’Ah，where，where，where？’andwhenthetriumphantanswercame，’ThefearoftheLord，thatiswisdom，andtodepartfromevilisunderstanding，’Ishrunkashamedintomyselffornothavingforeseenit。Inlaterlife，whenIhavetriedtousethisanswerasalightbywhichIcouldwalk，Ifounditservedbuttotheraisingofanotherquestion，’WhatisthefearoftheLord，andwhatisevilinthisparticularcase？’Andmyeasymethodwithspiritualdilemmasprovedtobebutacaseofignotumperignotius。

“IfSatanhimselfisattimestransformedintoanangeloflight，arenotangelsoflightsometimestransformedintothelikenessofSatan？Ifthedevilisnotsoblackasheispainted，isGodalwayssowhite？Andistherenotanotherplaceinwhichitissaid，’ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom，’asthoughitwerenotthelastworduponthesubject？Ifamanshouldnotdoevilthatgoodmaycome，soneithershouldhedogoodthatevilmaycome；andthoughitweregoodformetospeakout，shouldInotdobetterbyrefraining？

“Suchwerethelawlessanduncertainthoughtsthattorturedmeverycruelly，sothatIdidwhatIhadnotdoneformanyalongyear——I

prayedforguidance。’ShewmeThywill，OLord，’Icriedingreatdistress，’andstrengthenmetodoitwhenThouhastshewnitme。’

Buttherewasnoanswer。Instincttoremeonewayandreasonanother。WhereonIsettledthatIwouldobeythereasonwithwhichGodhadendowedme，unlesstheinstinctHehadalsogivenmeshouldthrashitoutofme。Icouldgetnofurtherthanthis，thattheLordhathmercyonwhomHewillhavemercy，andwhomHewillethHehardeneth；andagainIprayedthatImightbeamongthoseonwhomHewouldshewHismercy。

“ThiswasthestrongestinternalconflictthatIeverremembertohavefelt，anditwasattheendofitthatIperceivedthefirst，butasyetveryfaint，symptomsofthatsicknessfromwhichIshallnotrecover。Whetherthisbeatokenofmercyorno，myFatherwhichisinheavenknows，butIknownot。”

Fromwhatmyfatherafterwardstoldme，Idonotthinktheabovereflectionshadengrossedhimformorethanthreeorfourminutes；

thegiddinesswhichhadforsomesecondscompelledhimtolayholdofthefirstthinghecouldcatchatinordertoavoidfalling，passedawaywithoutleavingatracebehindit，andhispathseemedtobecomecomfortablyclearbeforehim。Hesettleditthattheproperthingtodowouldbetobuysomefood，startbackatoncewhilehispermitwasstillvalid，helphimselftothepropertywhichhehadsoldtheProfessors，leavingtheErewhonianstowrestleastheybestmightwiththelotthatithadpleasedHeaventosendthem。

This，however，wastooheroicacourse。Hewastired，andwantedanight’srestinabed；hewashungry，andwantedasubstantialmeal；hewascurious，moreover，toseethetemplededicatedtohimself，andhearHanky’ssermon；therewasalsothisfurtherdifficulty，heshouldhavetotakewhathehadsoldtheProfessorswithoutreturningthemtheir4pounds，10s。，forhecouldnotdowithouthisblanket，&c。；andevenifheleftabagofnuggetsmadefasttothesucker，hemusteitherplaceitwhereitcouldbeseensoeasilythatitwouldverylikelygetstolen，orhideitsocleverlythattheProfessorswouldneverfindit。HethereforecompromisedbyconcludingthathewouldsupandsleepinSunch’ston，getthroughthemorrowashebestcouldwithoutattractingattention，deepenthestainonhisfaceandhair，andrelyonthechangesomadeinhisappearancetopreventhisbeingrecognisedatthededicationofthetemple。Hewoulddonothingtodisillusionthepeople——todothiswouldonlybemakingbadworse。

Assoonastheservicewasover，hewouldsetouttowardsthepreserves，and，whenitwaswelldark，makeforthestatues。HehopedthatonsuchagreatdaytherangersmightbemanyoftheminSunch’ston；iftherewereanyabout，hemusttrustthemoonlessnightandhisownquickeyesandearstogethimthroughthepreservessafely。

Theshopswerebythistimeclosed，butthekeepersofafewstallsweretryingbylamplighttosellthewarestheyhadnotyetgotridof。Oneofthesewasabookstall，and，runninghiseyeoversomeofthevolumes，myfathersawoneentitled-

“TheSayingsoftheSunchildduringhisstayinErewhon，towhichisaddedatrueaccountofhisreturntothepalaceofthesunwithhisErewhonianbride。ThisistheonlyversionauthorisedbythePresidentsandVice-PresidentsoftheMusicalBanks；allotherversionsbeingimperfectandinaccurate——Bridgeford，XVIII。，150

pp。8vo。Price3s。