第5章

Whentheyreachedthetown，myfatherwasrelievedatfindingthatMr。Balmyhadfriendsonwhomhewishedtocallbeforegoingtothetemple。Heaskedmyfathertocomewithhim，butmyfathersaidthathetoohadfriends，andwouldleavehimforthepresent，whilehopingtomeethimagainlaterintheday。Thetwo，therefore，shookhandswithgreateffusion，andwenttheirseveralways。Myfather’swaytookhimfirstintoaconfectioner’sshop，whereheboughtacoupleofSunchildbuns，whichheputintohispocket，andrefreshedhimselfwithabottleofSunchildcordialandwater。Allshopsexceptthosedealinginrefreshmentswereclosed，andthetownwasgailydecoratedwithflagsandflowers，oftenfestoonedintowordsoremblemsproperfortheoccasion。

Myfather，itbeingnowaquartertoeleven，madehiswaytowardsthetemple，andhisheartwascloudedwithcareashewalkedalong。

Notonlywashisheartclouded，buthisbrainalsowasoppressed，andhereeledsomuchonleavingtheconfectioner’sshop，thathehadtocatchholdofsomerailingstillthefaintnessandgiddinesslefthim。HeknewthefeelingtobethesameaswhathehadfeltontheFridayevening，buthehadnoideaofthecause，andassoonasthegiddinesslefthimhethoughttherewasnothingthematterwithhim。

Turningdownasidestreetthatledintothemainsquareofthetown，hefoundhimselfoppositethesouthendofthetemple，withitstwoloftytowersthatflankedtherichlydecoratedmainentrance。Iwillnotattempttodescribethearchitecture，formyfathercouldgivemelittleinformationonthispoint。Heonlysawthesouthfrontfortwoorthreeminutes，andwasnotimpressedbyit，saveinsofarasitwasrichlyornamented——evidentlyatgreatexpense——andverylarge。Evenifhehadhadalongerlook，IdoubtwhetherIshouldhavegotmoreoutofhim，forheknewnothingofarchitecture，andIfearhistestwhetherabuildingwasgoodorbad，waswhetheritlookedoldandweather-beatenorno。Nomatterwhatabuildingwas，ifitwasthreeorfourhundredyearsoldhelikedit，whereas，ifitwasnew，hewouldlooktonothingbutwhetheritkepttherainout。IndeedIhaveheardhimsaythatthemediaevalsculptureonsomeofourgreatcathedralsoftenonlypleasesusbecausetimeandweatherhavesettheirsealsuponit，andthatifwecouldseeitasitwaswhenitleftthemason’shands，weshouldfinditnobetterthanmuchthatisnowturnedoutintheEustonRoad。

Thegroundplanheregivenwillhelpthereadertounderstandthefewfollowingpagesmoreeasily。

a。Tablewithcashier’sseatoneitherside，andalms-boxinfront。Thepictureisexhibitedonascaffoldingbehindit。

b。Thereliquary。

c。ThePresident’schair。

d。Pulpitandlectern。

e。}

f。}Sidedoors。

g。}

h。}

i。Yram’sseat。

k。SeatsofGeorgeandtheSunchild。

o’Pillars。

A，B，C，D，E，F，G，H，blocksofseats。

I。Stepsleadingfromtheapsetothenave。

KandL。Towers。

M。Stepsandmainentrance。

N。Robing-room。

Thebuildingwasleduptobyaflightofsteps(M)，andonenteringitmyfatherfoundittoconsistofaspaciousnave，withtwoaislesandanapsewhichwasraisedsomethreefeetabovethenaveandaisles。Therewerenotransepts。Intheapsetherewasthetable(a)，withthetwobowlsofMusicalBankmoneymentionedonanearlierpage，asalsothealms-boxinfrontofit。

AtsomelittledistanceinfrontofthetablestoodthePresident’schair(c)，orImightalmostcallitthrone。Itwassoplacedthathisbackwouldbeturnedtowardsthetable，whichfactagainshewsthatthetablewasnotregardedashavinganygreatersanctitythantherestofthetemple。

Behindthetable，thepicturealreadyspokenofwasraisedaloft。

Therewasnoballoon；somecloudsthathungaboutthelowerpartofthechariotservedtoconcealthefactthatthepainterwasuncertainwhetheritoughttohavewheelsorno。Thehorseswerewithoutdriver，andmyfatherthoughtthatsomeoneoughttohavehadtheminhand，fortheywereinfartooexcitedastatetobeleftsafelytothemselves。Theyhadhardlyanyharness，butwhatlittletherewaswasenrichedwithgoldbosses。MymotherwasinErewhoniancostume，myfatherinEuropean，butheworehisclothesreversed。Bothheandmymotherseemedtobebowinggraciouslytoanunseencrowdbeneaththem，andinthedistance，nearthebottomofthepicture，wasafairlyaccuraterepresentationoftheSunch’stonnewtemple。Highup，ontherighthand，wasadisc，raisedandgilt，torepresentthesun；onit，inlowrelief，therewasanindicationofagorgeouspalace，inwhich，nodoubt，thesunwassupposedtolive；thoughhowtheymadeitalloutmyfathercouldnotconceive。

Ontherightofthetabletherewasareliquary(b)ofglass，muchadornedwithgold，ormoreprobablygilding，forgoldwassoscarceinErewhonthatgildingwouldbeasexpensiveasathinplateofgoldwouldbeinEurope：butthereisnoknowing。Thereliquarywasattachedtoaportablestandsomefivefeethigh，andinsideitwastherelicalreadyreferredto。Thecrowdwassogreatthatmyfathercouldnotgetnearenoughtoseewhatitcontained，butI

maysayhere，thatwhen，twodayslater，circumstancescompelledhimtohaveacloselookatit，hesawthatitconsistedofaboutadozenfinecoprolites，depositedbysomeantediluviancreatureorcreatures，which，whateverelsetheymayhavebeen，werecertainlynothorses。

Intheapsetherewereafewcrossbenches(GandH)oneitherside，withanopenspacebetweenthem，whichwaspartlyoccupiedbythePresident’sseatalreadymentioned。Thoseontheright，asonelookedtowardstheapse，werefortheManagersandCashiersoftheBank，whilethoseontheleftwerefortheirwivesanddaughters。

Inthecentreofthenave，onlyafewfeetinfrontofthestepsleadingtotheapse，wasahandsomepulpitandlectern(d)。Thepulpitwasraisedsomefeetabovetheground，andwassoroomythatthepreachercouldwalkaboutinit。Oneithersideofittherewerecrossbencheswithbacks(EandF)；thoseontherightwerereservedfortheMayor，civicfunctionaries，anddistinguishedvisitors，whilethoseontheleftwerefortheirwivesanddaughters。

Bencheswithbacks(A，B，C，D)wereplacedabouthalf-waydownbothnaveandaisles——thoseinthenavebeingdividedsoastoallowafreepassagebetweenthem。Therestofthetemplewasopenspace，aboutwhichpeoplemightwalkattheirwill。Thereweresidedoors(e，j，andf，h)attheupperandlowerendofeachaisle。Overthemainentrancewasagalleryinwhichsingerswereplaced。

Asmyfatherwasworminghiswayamongthecrowd，whichwasnowverydense，hewasstartledatfindinghimselftappedlightlyontheshoulder，andturningroundinalarmwasconfrontedbythebeamingfaceofGeorge。

“Howdoyoudo，ProfessorPanky？“saidtheyouth——whohaddecidedthustoaddresshim。“Whatareyoudoinghereamongthecommonpeople？Whyhaveyounottakenyourplaceinoneoftheseatsreservedforourdistinguishedvisitors？Iamafraidtheymustbeallfullbythistime，butIwillseewhatIcandoforyou。Comewithme。”

“Thankyou。”saidmyfather。Hisheartbeatsofastthatthiswasallhecouldsay，andhefollowedmeekasalamb。

Withsomedifficultythetwomadetheirwaytotheright-handcornerseatsofblockC，foreveryseatinthereservedblockwastaken。TheplaceswhichGeorgewantedformyfatherandforhimselfwerealreadyoccupiedbytwoyoungmenofabouteighteenandnineteen，bothofthemwell-grown，andofprepossessingappearance。Myfathersawbythetruncheonstheycarriedthattheywerespecialconstables，buthetooknonoticeofthis，forthereweremanyothersscatteredaboutthecrowd。Georgewhisperedafewwordstooneofthem，andtomyfather’ssurprisetheybothgaveuptheirseats，whichappearontheplanas(k)。

ItafterwardstranspiredthatthesetwoyoungmenwereGeorge’sbrothers，whobyhisdesirehadtakentheseatssomehoursago，foritwasherethatGeorgehaddeterminedtoplacehimselfandmyfatherifhecouldfindhim。Hechosetheseplacesbecausetheywouldbenearenoughtolethismother(whowasati，inthemiddleofthefrontrowofblockE，totheleftofthepulpit)seemyfatherwithoutbeingsonearastoembarrasshim；hecouldalsoseeandbeseenbyHanky，andheareverywordofhissermon；butperhapshischiefreasonhadbeenthefactthattheywerenotfarfromtheside-doorattheupperendoftheright-handaisle，whiletherewasnobarriertointerruptrapidegressshouldthisprovenecessary。

Itwasnowhightimethattheyshouldsitdown，whichtheyaccordinglydid。Georgesatattheendofthebench，andthushadmyfatheronhisleft。Myfatherwasratheruncomfortableatseeingtheyoungmenwhomtheyhadturnedout，standingagainstacolumncloseby，butGeorgesaidthatthiswashowitwastobe，andtherewasnothingtobedonebuttosubmit。Theyoungmenseemedquitehappy，whichpuzzledmyfather，whoofcoursehadnoideathattheiractionwaspreconcerted。

PankywasinthefirstrowofblockF，sothatmyfathercouldnotseehisfaceexceptsometimeswhenheturnedround。HewassittingontheMayor’srighthand，whileDr。Downiewasonhisleft；helookedatmyfatheronceortwiceinapuzzledway，asthoughheoughttohaveknownhim，butmyfatherdidnotthinkherecognisedhim。HankywasstillwithPresidentGurgoyleandothersintherobing-room，N；Yramhadalreadytakenherseat：myfatherknewherinamoment，thoughhepretendednottodosowhenGeorgepointedherouttohim。Theireyesmetforasecond；Yramturnedhersquicklyaway，andmyfathercouldnotseeatraceofrecognitioninherface。Atnotimeduringthewholeceremonydidhecatchherlookingathimagain。

“Why，youstupidman。”shesaidtohimlateroninthedaywithaquick，kindlysmile，“Iwaslookingatyouallthetime。AssoonasthePresidentorHankybegantotalkaboutyouIknewyouwouldstareathim，andthenIcouldlook。AssoonastheyleftofftalkingaboutyouIknewyouwouldbelookingatme，unlessyouwenttosleep——andasIdidnotknowwhichyoumightbedoing，I

waitedtilltheybegantotalkaboutyouagain。”

Myfatherhadhardlytakennoteofhissurroundingswhenthechoirbegansinging，accompaniedbyafewfeebleflutesandlutes，orwhateverthenameoftheinstrumentshouldbe，butwithnoviolins，forheknewnothingoftheviolin，andhadnotbeenabletoteachtheErewhoniansanythingaboutit。Thevoiceswereallinunison，andthetunetheysangwasonewhichmyfatherhadtaughtYramtosing；buthecouldnotcatchthewords。

Assoonasthesingingbegan，aprocession，headedbythevenerableDr。Gurgoyle，PresidentoftheMusicalBanksoftheprovince，begantoissuefromtherobing-room，andmovetowardsthemiddleoftheapse。ThePresidentwassumptuouslydressed，butheworenomitre，noranythingtosuggestanEnglishorEuropeanBishop。TheVice-

President，HeadManager，Vice-Manager，andsomeCashiersoftheBank，nowrangedthemselvesoneithersideofhim，andformedanimpressivegroupastheystood，gorgeouslyarrayed，atthetopofthestepsleadingfromtheapsetothenave。Heretheywaitedtillthesingersleftoffsinging。

Whenthelitany，orhymn，orwhateveritshouldbecalled，wasover，theHeadManagerleftthePresident’ssideandcamedowntothelecterninthenave，whereheannouncedhimselfasabouttoreadsomepassagesfromtheSunchild’sSayings。Perhapsbecauseitwasthefirstdayoftheyearaccordingtotheirnewcalendar，thereadingbeganwiththefirstchapter，thewholeofwhichwasread。

Myfathertoldmethathequitewellrememberedhavingsaidthelastverse，whichhestillheldastrue；hardlyawordoftherestwaseverspokenbyhim，thoughherecognisedhisowninfluenceinalmostallofit。Thereaderpaused，withgoodeffect，foraboutfivesecondsbetweeneachparagraph，andreadslowlyandveryclearly。Thechapterwasasfollows：-

ThesearethewordsoftheSunchildaboutGodandman。Hesaid-

1。Godisthebaselessbasisofallthoughts，things，anddeeds。

2。SothatthosewhosaythatthereisaGod，lie，unlesstheyalsomeanthatthereisnoGod；andthosewhosaythatthereisnoGod，lie，unlesstheyalsomeanthatthereisaGod。

3。ItisverytruetosaythatmanismadeafterthelikenessofGod；andyetitisveryuntruetosaythis。

4。Godlivesandmovesineveryatomthroughouttheuniverse。

ThereforeitiswrongtothinkofHimas’Him’and’He，’saveasbytheclutchingofadrowningmanatastraw。

5。GodisGodtousonlysolongaswecannotseeHim。WhenweareneartoseeingHimHevanishes，andwebeholdNatureinHisstead。

6。WeapproachHimmostnearlywhenwethinkofHimasourexpressionforMan’shighestconception，ofgoodness，wisdom，andpower。ButwecannotrisetoHimabovethelevelofourownhighestselves。

7。WeremoveourselvesmostfarfromHimwhenweinvestHimwithhumanformandattributes。

8。Myfatherthesun，theearth，themoon，andallplanetsthatrollroundmyfather，aretoGodbutasasinglecellinourbodiestoourselves。

9。Heisasmuchabovemyfather，asmyfatherisabovemenandwomen。

10。TheuniverseisinstinctwiththemindofGod。ThemindofGodisinallthathasmindthroughoutallworlds。ThereisnoGodbuttheUniverse，andman，inthisworldisHisprophet。

11。God’sconsciouslife，nascent，sofarasthisworldisconcerned，intheinfusoria，adolescentinthehighermammals，approachesmaturityonthisearthinman。Alltheselivingbeingsaremembersoneofanother，andofGod。

12。Therefore，asmancannotlivewithoutGodintheworld，soneithercanGodliveinthisworldwithoutmankind。

13。IfwespeakillofGodinourignoranceitmaybeforgivenus；

butifwespeakillofHisHolySpiritindwellingingoodmenandwomenitmaynotbeforgivenus。”

TheHeadManagernowresumedhisplacebyPresidentGurgoyle’sside，andthePresidentinthenameofhisMajestytheKingdeclaredthetempletobeherebydedicatedtothecontemplationoftheSunchildandthebetterexpositionofhisteaching。Thiswasallthatwassaid。Thereliquarywasthenbroughtforwardandplacedatthetopofthestepsleadingfromtheapsetothenave；

buttheoriginalintentionofcarryingitroundthetemplewasabandonedforfearofaccidentsthroughthepressurerounditoftheenormousmultitudeswhowereassembled。Moresingingfollowedofasimplebutimpressivekind；duringthisIamafraidImustownthatmyfather，tiredwithhiswalk，droppedoffintoarefreshingslumber，fromwhichhedidnotwaketillGeorgenudgedhimandtoldhimnottosnore，justastheVice-ManagerwasgoingtowardsthelecterntoreadanotherchapteroftheSunchild’sSayings——whichwasasfollows：-

TheSunchildalsospoketousaparableabouttheunwisdomofthechildrenyetunborn，whothoughtheyknowsomuch，yetdonotknowasmuchastheythinktheydo。

Hesaid：-

“Theunbornhaveknowledgeofoneanothersolongastheyareunborn，andthiswithoutimpedimentfromwallsormaterialobstacles。Theunbornchildreninanycityformapopulationapart，whotalkwithoneanotherandtelleachotherabouttheirdevelopmentalprogress。

“Theyhavenoknowledge，andcannotevenconceivetheexistenceofanythingthatisnotsuchastheyarethemselves。Thosewhohavebeenbornaretothemwhatthedeadaretous。Theycanseenolifeinthem，andknownomoreaboutthemthantheydoofanystageintheirownpastdevelopmentotherthantheonethroughwhichtheyarepassingatthemoment。Theydonotevenknowthattheirmothersarealive——muchlessthattheirmotherswereonceastheynoware。Toanembryo，itsmotherissimplytheenvironment，andislookeduponmuchasourinorganicsurroundingsarebyourselves。

“Thegreatterroroftheirlivesisthefearofbirth，——thattheyshallhavetoleavetheonlythingthattheycanthinkofaslife，andenteruponadarkunknownwhichistothemtantamounttoannihilation。

“Some，indeed，amongthemhavemaintainedthatbirthisnotthedeathwhichtheycommonlydeemit，butthatthereisalifebeyondthewombofwhichtheyasyetknownothing，andwhichisamillionfoldmoretrulylifethananythingtheyhaveyetbeenableeventoimagine。Butthegreaternumbershaketheiryetunfashionedheadsandsaytheyhavenoevidenceforthisthatwillstandamoment’sexamination。

“’Nay，’answertheothers，’somuchwork，soelaborate，sowondrousasthatwhereonwearenowsobusilyengagedmusthaveapurpose，thoughthepurposeisbeyondourgrasp。’

“’Never，’replythefirstspeakers；’ourpleasureintheworkissufficientjustificationforit。Whohaseverpartakenofthislifeyouspeakof，andre-enteredintothewombtotellusofit？

Grantedthatsomefewhavepretendedtohavedonethis，buthowcompletelyhavetheirstoriesbrokendownwhensubjectedtothetestsofsobercriticism。No。Whenwearebornweareborn，andthereisanendofus。’

“Butinthehourofbirth，whentheycannolongerre-enterthewombandtelltheothers，Behold！theyfindthatitisnotso。”

Herethereaderagainclosedhisbookandresumedhisplaceintheapse。

CHAPTERXVI：PROFESSORHANKYPREACHESASERMON，INTHECOURSEOF

WHICHMYFATHERDECLARESHIMSELFTOBETHESUNCHILD

ProfessorHankythenwentupintothepulpit，richlybutsoberlyrobedinvestmentstheexactnatureofwhichIcannotdetermine。

Hiscarriagewasdignified，andtheharshlinesonhisfacegaveitastrongindividuality，which，thoughitdidnotattract，conveyedanimpressionofpowerthatcouldnotfailtointerest。Assoonashehadgivenattentiontimetofixitselfuponhim，hebeganhissermonwithouttextorpreliminarymatterofanykind，andapparentlywithoutnotes。

Hespokeclearlyandveryquietly，especiallyatthebeginning；heusedactionwheneveritcouldpointhismeaning，orgiveitlifeandcolour，buttherewasnoapproachtostaginessorevenoratoricaldisplay。Infact，hespokeasonewhomeantwhathewassaying，anddesiredthathishearersshouldaccepthismeaning，fullyconfidentinhisgoodfaith。Hisuseofpausewaseffective。

Aftertheword“mistake。”attheendoftheopeningsentence，hehelduphishalf-benthandandpausedforfullthreeseconds，lookingintentlyathisaudienceashedidso。Everyonefelttheideatobehereenouncedthatwastodominatethesermon。

Thesermon——somuchofitasIcanfindroomfor——wasasfollows：-

“Myfriends，lettherebenomistake。Atsuchatime，asthis，itiswellweshouldlookbackuponthepathbywhichwehavetravelled，andforwardtothegoaltowardswhichwearetending。

Asitwasnecessarythatthematerialfoundationsofthisbuildingshouldbesosurethatthereshallbenosubsidenceinthesuperstructure，soisitnotlessnecessarytoensurethatthereshallbenosubsidenceintheimmaterialstructurethatwehaveraisedinconsequenceoftheSunchild’ssojournamongus。

Therefore，myfriends，Iagainsay，’Lettherebenomistake。’

Eachstonethatgoestowardstheuprearingofthisvisiblefane，eachhumansoulthatdoesitspartinbuildingtheinvisibletempleofournationalfaith，isbearingwitnessto，andlendingitssupportto，thatwhichiseitherthetruthoftruths，orthebaselessfabricofadream。

“Myfriends，thisistheonlypossiblealternative。Heinwhosenamewearehereassembled，iseitherworthyofmorereverentialhonourthanwecaneverpayhim，orheisworthyofnomorehonourthananyotherhonourablemanamongourselves。Therecanbenohaltingbetweenthesetwoopinions。Thequestionofquestionsis，washethechildofthetutelarygodofthisworld——thesun，andisittothepalaceofthesunthathereturnedwhenheleftus，orwashe，assomeamongstusstilldonothesitatetomaintain，amereman，escapingbyunusualbutstrictlynaturalmeanstosomepartofthisearthwithwhichweareunacquainted。Myfriends，eitherweareonarightpathoronaverywrongone，andinamatterofsuchsupremeimportance——theremustbenomistake。

“IneednotremindthoseofyouwhoseprivilegeitistoliveinSunch’ston，ofthecharmattendantontheSunchild’spersonalpresenceandconversation，norofhisquicksympathy，hiskeenintellect，hisreadinesstoadapthimselftothecapacitiesofallthosewhocametoseehimwhilehewasinprison。Headoredchildren，anditwasonthemthatsomeofhismostconspicuousmiracleswereperformed。Manyatimewhenachildhadfallenandhurtitself，washeknowntomaketheplacewellbysimplykissingit。NorneedIrecalltoyourmindsthespotlesspurityofhislife——sospotlessthatnotonebreathofslanderhaseverdaredtovisitit。Iwasoneofthenotverymanywhohadtheprivilegeofbeingadmittedtotheinnercircleofhisfriendsduringthelaterweeksthathewasamongstus。Ilovedhimdearly，anditwilleverbetheproudestrecollectionofmylifethathedeignedtoreturnmenosmallmeasureofaffection。”

Myfather，furiousashewasatfindinghimselfdraggedintocomplicitywiththisman’simposture，couldnotresistasmileattheeffronterywithwhichheloweredhistonehere，andappearedunwillingtodwellonanincidentwhichhecouldnotrecallwithoutbeingaffectedalmosttotears，andmereallusiontowhich，hadinvolvedanapparentself-displaythatwasaboveallthingsrepugnanttohim。WhatadifferencebetweentheHankyofThursdayeveningwithits“neverseteyesonhimandhopeInevershall。”

andtheHankyofSundaymorning，whonowlookedasmodestasCleopatramighthavedonehadshebeenstandinggodmothertoalittleblue-eyedgirl——Bellerophon’sfirst-bornbaby。

Havingrecoveredfromhisnatural，butpromptlyrepressed，emotion，theProfessorcontinued：-

“Ineednotremindyouofthepurposeforwhichsomanyofus，fromsomanypartsofourkingdom，arehereassembled。Weknowwhatwehavecomehithertodo：wearecomeeachoneofustosignandsealbyhispresencethebondofhisassenttothosemomentouschanges，whichhavefoundtheirfirstgreatmaterialexpressioninthetemplethatyouseearoundyou。

“Youallknowhow，inaccordancewiththeexpressedwilloftheSunchild，thePresidentsandVice-PresidentsoftheMusicalBanksbeganassoonashehadleftustoexamine，patiently，carefully，earnestly，andwithoutbiasofanykind，firstlytheevidencesinsupportoftheSunchild’sclaimtobethesonofthetutelardeityofthisworld，andsecondlytheprecisenatureofhisinstructionsasregardsthefuturepositionandauthorityoftheMusicalBanks。

“Myfriends，itiseasytounderstandwhytheSunchildshouldhavegivenustheseinstructions。Withthatforesightwhichisthespecialcharacteristicofdivine，ascomparedwithhuman，wisdom，hedesiredthattheevidencesinsupportofhissuperhumancharactershouldbecollected，sifted，andplacedonrecord，beforeanythingwaseitherlostthroughthedeathofthosewhocouldalonesubstantiateit，orundulysuppliedthroughtheenthusiasmofover-

zealousvisionaries。Thegreateranytruemiraclehasbeen，themorecertainlywillfalseonesaccreteroundit；here，then，wefindtheexplanationofthecommandtheSunchildgavetoustogather，verify，andrecord，thefactsofhissojournhereinErewhon。Foraboveallthingshehelditnecessarytoensurethatthereshouldbeneithermistake，norevenpossibilityofmistake。

“Considerforamomentwhatdifferencesofopinionwouldinfalliblyhavearisen，iftheevidencesforthemiraculouscharacteroftheSunchild’smissionhadbeenconflicting——iftheyhadrestedonversionseachclaimingtobeequallyauthoritative，buteachhopelesslyirreconcilableonvitalpointswitheverysingleother。

Whatwouldfuturegenerationshavesaidinanswertothosewhobadethemflingallhumanexperiencetothewinds，onthestrengthofrecordswrittentheyknewnotcertainlybywhom，norhowlongafterthemarvelsthattheyrecorded，andofwhichallthatcouldbecertainlysaidwasthatnotwoofthemtoldthesamestory？

“WhothatbelieveseitherinGodorman——whowithanyself-respect，orrespectforthegiftofreasonwithwhichGodhadendowedhim，eitherwould，orcould，believethatachariotandfourhorseshadcomedownfromheaven，andgonebackagainwithhumanorquasi-

humanoccupants，unlesstheevidencesforthefactleftnoloopholeforescape？Ifasingleloopholewerelefthim，hewouldbeunpardonable，notfordisbelievingthestory，butforbelievingit。

ThesinagainstGodwouldlienotinwantoffaith，butinfaith。

“Myfriends，therearetwosinsinmattersofbelief。Thereisthatofbelievingontoolittleevidence，andthatofrequiringtoomuchbeforeweareconvinced。Theguiltofthelatterisincurred，alas！bynotafewamongstusatthepresentday，butifthetestimonytothetruthofthewondrouseventsofaithfullydepictedonthepicturethatconfrontsyouhadbeenlesscontemporaneous，lessauthoritative，lessunanimous，futuregenerations——anditisforthemthatweshouldnowprovide——wouldbeguiltyofthefirst-

named，andnotlessheinoussiniftheybelievedatall。

“Smallwonder，then，thattheSunchild，havingcomeamongstusforouradvantage，nothisown，wouldnotpermithisbeneficentdesignstobeendangeredbythediscrepancies，mythicaldevelopments，idiosyncracies，andahundredotherdefectsinevitablyattendantonamateurandirresponsiblerecording。Smallwonder，then，thatheshouldhavechosentheofficialsoftheMusicalBanks，fromthePresidentsandVice-Presidentsdownwardstobetheauthoritativeexponentsofhisteaching，thedepositariesofhistraditions，andhisrepresentativeshereonearthtillheshallagainseefittovisitus。Forhewillcome。Nayitisevenpossiblethathemaybehereamongstusatthisverymoment，disguisedsothatnonemayknowhim，andintentonlyonwatchingourdevotiontowardshim。Ifthisbeso，letmeimplorehim，inthenameofthesunhisfather，torevealhimself。”

NowHankyhadalreadygivenmyfathermorethanonelookthathadmadehimuneasy。HehadevidentlyrecognisedhimasthesupposedrangeroflastThursdayevening。Twicehehadrunhiseyelikeasearchlightoverthefrontbenchesoppositetohim，andwhenthebeamhadreachedmyfathertherehadbeennomoresearching。ItwasbeginningtodawnuponmyfatherthatGeorgemighthavediscoveredthathewasnotProfessorPanky；wasitforthisreasonthatthesetwoyoungspecialconstables，thoughtheygaveuptheirplaces，stillkeptsoclosetohim？WasGeorgeonlywaitinghisopportunitytoarresthim——notofcourseevensuspectingwhohewas——butasaforeigndevilwhohadtriedtopasshimselfoffasProfessorPanky？HadthisbeenthemeaningofhishavingfollowedhimtoFairmead？AndshouldhehavetobethrownintotheBluePoolbyGeorgeafterall？“Itwouldserveme。”saidhetohimself，“richlyright。”

Thesefearswhichhadbeentakingshapeforsomefewminuteswereturnedalmosttocertaintiesbythehalf-contemptuousglanceHankythrewtowardshimasheutteredwhatwasobviouslyintendedasachallenge。Hesawthatallwasover，andwasstartingtohisfeettodeclarehimself，andthusfallintothetrapthatHankywaslayingforhim，whenGeorgegrippedhimtightlybythekneeandwhispered，“Don’t——youareingreatdanger。”Andhesmiledkindlyashespoke。

Myfathersankbackdumbfounded。“Youknowme？“hewhisperedinreply。

“Perfectly。SodoesHanky，sodoesmymother；saynomore。”andheagainsmiled。

George，asmyfatherafterwardslearned，hadhopedthathewouldrevealhimself，andhaddeterminedinspiteofhismother’sinstructions，togivehimanopportunityofdoingso。Itwasforthisreasonthathehadnotarrestedhimquietly，ashecouldverywellhavedone，beforetheservicebegan。Hewishedtodiscoverwhatmannerofmanhisfatherwas，andwasquitehappyassoonashesawthathewouldhavespokenoutifhehadnotbeenchecked。

HehadnotyetcaughtHanky’smotiveintryingtogoadmyfather，butonseeingthathewastryingtodothis，heknewthatatrapwasbeinglaid，andthatmyfathermustnotbeallowedtospeak。

Almostimmediately，however，heperceivedthatwhilehiseyeshadbeenturnedonHanky，twoburlyvergershadwormedtheirwaythroughthecrowdandtakentheirstandclosetohistwobrothers。

Thenheunderstood，andunderstoodalsohowtofrustrate。

Asformyfather，George’sascendancyoverhim——quitefeltbyGeorge——wassoabsolutethathecouldthinkofnothingnowbuttheexceedinggreatjoyoffindinghisfearsgroundless，andofdeliveringhimselfuptohisson’sguidanceintheassurancethatthevoidinhisheartwasfilled，andthathiswagernotonlywouldbeheldaswon，butwasbeingalreadypaid。Howtheyhadfoundout，whyhewasnottospeakashewouldassuredlyhavedone——forhewasinawhiteheatoffury——whatdiditallmatternowthathehadfoundthatwhichhehadfearedheshouldfailtofind？HegaveGeorgeapuzzledsmile，andcomposedhimselfasbesthecouldtohearthecontinuationofHanky’ssermon，whichwasasfollows：-

“WhocouldtheSunchildhavechosen，eventhoughhehadbeengiftedwithnomorethanhumansagacity，butthebodyofmenwhomheselected？ItbecomesmebutilltospeaksowarmlyinfavourofthatbodyofwhomIamtheleastworthymember，butwhatotheristhereinErewhonsoaboveallsuspicionofslovenliness，self-

seeking，preconceivedbias，orbadfaith？IftherewasonesetofqualitiesmoreessentialthananotherfortheconductoftheinvestigationsentrustedtousbytheSunchild，itwasthosethatturnonmeeknessandfreedomfromallspiritualpride。IbelieveI

cansayquitetrulythatthesearethequalitiesforwhichBridgefordismoreespeciallyrenowned。ThereadinessofherProfessorstolearnevenfromthosewhoatfirstsightmayseemleastabletoinstructthem——thegentlenesswithwhichtheycorrectanopponentiftheyfeelitincumbentuponthemtodoso，thepromptitudewithwhichtheyacknowledgeerrorwhenitispointedouttothemandquitapositionnomatterhowdeeplytheyhavebeencommittedtoit，atthefirstmomentinwhichtheyseethattheycannotholditrighteously，theirdelicatesenseofhonour，theirutterimmunityfromwhattheSunchildusedtocalllog-rollingorintrigue，thescornwithwhichtheyregardanythinglikehittingbelowthebelt——theseIbelieveImaytrulysayarethevirtuesforwhichBridgefordispre-eminentlyrenowned。”

TheProfessorwentontosayagreatdealmoreaboutthefitnessofBridgefordandtheMusicalBankmanagersforthetaskimposedonthembytheSunchild，butheremyfather’sattentionflagged——nor，onlookingattheverbatimreportofthesermonthatappearednextmorningintheleadingSunch’stonjournal，doIseereasontoreproduceHanky’swordsonthishead。Itwasalltoshewthattherehadbeennopossibilityofmistake。

MeanwhileGeorgewaswritingonascrapofpaperasthoughhewastakingnotesofthesermon。Presentlyheslippedthisintomyfather’shand。Itran：-

“Youseethosevergersstandingnearmybrothers，whogaveuptheirseatstous。Hankytriedtogoadyouintospeakingthattheymightarrestyou，andgetyouintotheBankprisons。Ifyoufallintotheirhandsyouarelost。ImustarrestyouinstantlyonachargeofpoachingontheKing’spreserves，andmakeyoumyprisoner。LetthosevergerscatchsightofthewarrantwhichIshallnowgiveyou。Readitandreturnittome。Comewithmequietlyafterservice。Ithinkyouhadbetternotrevealyourselfatall。”

Assoonashehadgivenmyfathertimetoreadtheforegoing，Georgetookawarrantoutofhispocket。Myfatherpretendedtoreaditandreturnedit。Georgethenlaidhishandonhisshoulder，andinanundertonearrestedhim。Hethenwroteonanotherscrapofpaperandpasseditontotheelderofhistwobrothers。Itwastotheeffectthathehadnowarrestedmyfather，andthatifthevergersattemptedinanywaytointerferebetweenhimandhisprisoner，hisbrothersweretoarrestbothofthem，which，asspecialconstables，theyhadpowertodo。

YramhadnotedHanky’sattempttogoadmyfather，andhadnotbeenpreparedforhisstealingamarchuponherbytryingtogetmyfatherarrestedbyMusicalBankofficials，ratherthanbyherson。

Ontheprecedingeveningthislastplanhadbeenarrangedon；andsheknewnothingofthenotethatHankyhadsentanhourortwolatertotheManagerofthetemple——thesubstanceofwhichthereadercansufficientlyguess。WhenshehadheardHanky’swordsandsawthevergers，shewasforafewminutesseriouslyalarmed，butshewasreassuredwhenshesawGeorgegivemyfatherthewarrant，andhertwosonsevidentlyexplainingthepositiontothevergers。

Hankyhadbythistimechangedhistheme，andwaswarninghishearersofthedangersthatwouldfollowonthelegalizationofthemedicalprofession，andtherepealoftheedictsagainstmachines。

Spaceforbidsmetogivehispictureofthehorribletorturesthatfuturegenerationswouldbeputtobymedicalmen，ifthesewerenotdulykeptincheckbytheinfluenceoftheMusicalBanks；thehorrorsoftheinquisitioninthemiddleagesarenothingtowhathedepictedascertaintoensueifmedicalmenwereevertohavemuchmoneyattheircommand。TheonlypeopleinwhosehandsmoneymightbetrustedsafelywerethosewhopresidedovertheMusicalBanks。Thistiradewasfollowedbyonenotlessalarmingaboutthegrowthofmaterialistictendenciesamongtheartisansemployedintheproductionofmechanicalinventions。Myfather，thoughhiseyeshadbeensomewhatopenedbythesecondofthetwoprocessionshehadseenonhiswaytoSunch’ston，wasnotpreparedtofindthatinspiteofthesuperficiallyalmostuniversalacceptanceofthenewfaith，therewasapowerful，anditwouldseemgrowing，undercurrentofscepticism，withadesiretoreducehisescapewithmymothertoapurelynaturaloccurence。

“Itisnotenough。”saidHanky，“thattheSunchildshouldhaveensuredthepreparationofauthoritativeevidenceofhissupernaturalcharacter。Theevidenceshappilyexistinoverwhelmingstrength，buttheymustbebroughthometomindsthatasyethavestubbornlyrefusedtoreceivethem。Duringthelastfiveyearstherehasbeenanenormousincreaseinthenumberofthosewhoseoccupationinthemanufactureofmachinesinclinesthemtoamaterialisticexplanationevenofthemostobviouslymiraculousevents，andthegrowthofthisclassinourmidstconstituted，andstillconstitutes，agravedangertothestate。

“ItwastomeetthisthatthesocietywasformedonbehalfofwhichIappealfearlesslytoyourgenerosity。Itiscalled，asmostofyoudoubtlessknow，theSunchildEvidenceSociety；andhisMajestytheKinggraciouslyconsentedtobecomeitsPatron。Thissocietynotonlycollectsadditionalevidences——indeeditisentirelyduetoitslaboursthatthepreciousrelicnowinthistemplewasdiscovered——butitisitsbeneficentpurposetolaythosethathavebeenauthoritativelyinvestigatedbeforemenwho，iflefttothemselves，wouldeitherneglectthemaltogether，orworsestillrejectthem。

“Forthefirstyearortwotheeffortsofthesocietymetwithbutlittlesuccessamongthoseforwhosebenefittheyweremoreparticularlyintended，butduringthepresentyeartheworkingclassesinsomecitiesandtowns(stimulatedverymuchbythelecturesofmyillustriousfriendProfessorPanky)haveshewnamostremarkableandzealousinterestinSunchildevidences，andhaveformedthemselvesintolocalbranchesforthestudyanddefenceofSunchildtruth。

“Yetinspiteofallthisneed——ofallthispatientlabourandreallyverygratifyingsuccess——thesubscriptionstothesocietynolongerfurnishitwithitsformerverymodestincome——anincomewhichisdeplorablyinsufficientiftheorganizationistobekepteffective，andtheworkadequatelyperformed。Inspiteofthemostrigideconomy，thecommitteehavebeencompelledtopartwithaconsiderableportionoftheirsmallreservefund(providedbyalegacy)totideoverdifficulties。Butthismethodofbalancingexpenditureandincomeisveryunsatisfactory，andcannotbelongcontinued。

“Iamledtopleadforthesocietywithespecialinsistenceatthepresenttime，inasmuchasmorethanoneofthosewhoseunblemishedlifehasmadethemfittingrecipientsofsuchasignalfavour，haverecentlyhadvisionsinformingthemthattheSunchildwillagainshortlyvisitus。Weknownotwhenhewillcome，butwhenhecomes，myfriends，lethimnotfindusunmindfulof，norungratefulfor，theinestimableserviceshehasrenderedus。Forcomehesurelywill。Eitherinwinter，whattimeicicleshangbythewallandmilkcomesfrozenhomeinthepail——orinsummerwhendaysareattheirlongestandthemowinggrassisabout——therewillbeanhour，eitheratmorn，oreve，orinthemiddleday，whenhewillagainsurelycome。Mayitbeminetobeamongthosewhoarethenpresenttoreceivehim。”

Hereheagainglaredatmyfather，whosebloodwasboiling。Georgehadnotpositivelyforbiddenhimtospeakout；hethereforesprangtohisfeet，“Youlyinghound。”hecried，“IamtheSunchild，andyouknowit。”

George，whoknewthathehadmyfatherinhisownhands，madenoattempttostophim，andwasdelightedthatheshouldhavedeclaredhimselfthoughhehadfeltithisdutytotellhimnottodoso。

Yramturnedpale。Hankyroaredout，“Tearhiminpieces——leavenotasinglelimbonhisbody。Takehimoutandburnhimalive。”Thevergersmadeadashforhim——butGeorge’sbrothersseizedthem。

ThecrowdseemedforamomentinclinedtodoasHankybadethem，butYramrosefromherplace，andheldupherhandasonewhoclaimedattention。SheadvancedtowardsGeorgeandmyfatherasunconcernedlyasthoughsheweremerelywalkingoutofchurch，butshestillheldherhanduplifted。Alleyeswereturnedonher，aswellasonGeorgeandmyfather，andtheicycalmofherself-

possessionchilledthosewhowereinclinedforthemomenttotakeHanky’swordsliterally。Therewasnotatraceofflusterinhergait，action，orwords，asshesaid-

“Myfriends，thistemple，andthisday，mustnotbeprofanedwithblood。Mysonwilltakethispoormadmantotheprison。Lethimbejudgedandpunishedaccordingtolaw。Makeroom，thatheandmysonmaypass。”

Then，turningtomyfather，shesaid，“GoquietlywiththeRanger。”

Havingsospoken，shereturnedtoherseatasunconcernedlyasshehadleftit。

Hankyforatimecontinuedtofoamatthemouthandroarout，“Tearhimtopieces！burnhimalive！“butwhenhesawthattherewasnofurtherhopeofgettingthepeopletoobeyhim，hecollapsedontoaseatinhispulpit，moppedhisbaldhead，andconsoledhimselfwithagreatpinchofapowderwhichcorrespondsverycloselytoourownsnuff。

Georgeledmyfatheroutbythesidedooratthenorthendofthewesternaisle；thepeopleeyedhimintently，butmadewayforhimwithoutdemonstration。Onevoicealonewasheardtocryout，“Yes，heistheSunchild！“Myfatherglancedatthespeaker，andsawthathewastheinterpreterwhohadtaughthimtheErewhonianlanguagewhenhewasinprison。

George，seeingaspecialconstablecloseby，toldhimtobidhisbrothersreleasethevergers，andletthemarresttheinterpreter——

thisthevergers，foiledastheyhadbeeninthematterofmyfather’sarrest，wereverygladtodo。Sothepoorinterpreter，tohisdismay，waslodgedatonceinoneoftheBankprison-cells，wherehecoulddonofurtherharm。

CHAPTERXVII：GEORGETAKESHISFATHERTOPRISON，ANDTHEREOBTAINS

SOMEUSEFULINFORMATION

BythistimeGeorgehadgotmyfatherintotheopensquare，wherehewassurprisedtofindthatalargebonfirehadbeenmadeandlighted。Therehadbeennothingofthekindanhourbefore；thewood，therefore，musthavebeenpiledandlightedwhilepeoplehadbeeninchurch。Hehadnotimeatthemomenttoenquirewhythishadbeendone，butlateronhediscoveredthatontheSundaymorningtheManagerofthenewtemplehadobtainedleavefromtheMayortohavethewoodpiledinthesquare，representingthatthiswasProfessorHanky’scontributiontothefestivitiesoftheday。

Therehad，itseemed，beennointentionoflightingituntilnightfall；butithadaccidentallycaughtfirethroughthecarelessnessofaworkman，muchaboutthetimewhenHankybegantopreach。Nooneforamomentbelievedthattherehadbeenanysinisterintention，orthatProfessorHankywhenheurgedthecrowdtoburnmyfatheralive，evenknewthattherewasapileofwoodinthesquareatall——muchlessthatithadbeenlighted——forhecouldhardlyhavesupposedthatthewoodhadbeengottogethersosoon。

NeverthelessbothGeorgeandmyfather，whentheyknewallthathadpassed，congratulatedthemselvesonthefactthatmyfatherhadnotfallenintothehandsofthevergers，whowouldprobablyhavetriedtoutilisetheaccidentalfire，thoughinnocaseisitlikelytheywouldhavesucceeded。

Assoonastheywereinsidethegaol，theoldMasterrecognisedmyfather。“Blessmyheart——what？Youhere，again，Mr。Higgs？Why，Ithoughtyouwereinthepalaceofthesunyourfather。”

“IwishIwas。”answeredmyfather，shakinghandswithhim，buthecouldsaynomore。

“Youareassafehereasifyouwere。”saidGeorgelaughing，“andsafer。”Thenturningtohisgrandfather，hesaid，“YouhavetherecordofMr。Higgs’smarksandmeasurements？Iknowyouhave：

takehimtohisoldcell；itisthebestintheprison；andthenpleasebringmetherecord。”

TheoldmantookGeorgeandmyfathertothecellwhichhehadoccupiedtwentyyearsearlier——butIcannotstaytodescribehisfeelingsonfindinghimselfagainwithinit。Themomenthisgrandfather’sbackwasturned，Georgesaidtomyfather，“Andnowshakehandsalsowithyourson。”

Ashespokehetookmyfather’shandandpresseditwarmlybetweenbothhisown。

“Thenyouknowyouaremyson。”saidmyfatherassteadilyasthestrongemotionthatmasteredhimwouldpermit。

“Certainly。”

“ButyoudidnotknowthiswhenIwaswalkingwithyouonFriday？“

“Ofcoursenot。IthoughtyouwereProfessorPanky；ifIhadnottakenyouforoneofthetwopersonsnamedinyourpermit，Ishouldhavequestionedyouclosely，andprobablyendedbythrowingyouintotheBluePool。”Heshudderedashesaidthis。

“ButyouknewwhoIwaswhenyoucalledmePankyinthetemple？“

“Quiteso。MymothertoldmeeverythingonFridayevening。”

“AndthatiswhyyoutriedtofindmeatFairmead？“

“Yes，butwhereintheworldwereyou？“

“IwasinsidetheMusicalBankofthetown，restingandreading。”

Georgelaughed，andsaid，“Onpurposetohide？“

“Ohno；purechance。ButonFridayevening？HowcouldyourmotherhavefoundoutbythattimethatIwasinErewhon？AmIonmyheadormyheels？“

“Onyourheels，myfather，whichshalltakeyoubacktoyourowncountryassoonaswecangetyououtofthis。”

“WhathaveIdonetodeservesomuchgoodwill？Ihavedoneyounothingbutharm？“Againhewasquiteovercome。

Georgepattedhimgentlyonthehand，andsaid，“Youmadeabetandyouwonit。Duringtheveryshorttimethatwecanbetogether，youshallbepaidinfull，andmayheavenprotectusboth。”

Assoonasmyfathercouldspeakhesaid，“ButhowdidyourmotherfindoutthatIwasinErewhon？“

“HankyandPankywerediningwithher，andtheytoldhersomethingsthatshethoughtstrange。Shecross-questionedthem，puttwoandtwotogether，learnedthatyouhadgottheirpermitoutofthem，sawthatyouintendedtoreturnonFriday，andconcludedthatyouwouldbesleepinginSunch’ston。Shesentforme，toldmeall，bademescourSunch’stontofindyou，intendingthatyoushouldbeatonceescortedsafelyoverthepreservesbyme。Ifoundyourinn，butyouhadgivenustheslip。ItriedfirstFairmeadandthenClearwater，butdidnotfindyoutillthismorning。Forreasonstoolongtorepeat，mymotherwarnedHankyandPankythatyouwouldbeinthetemple；whereonHankytriedtogetyouintohisclutches。Happilyhefailed，butifIhadknownwhathewasdoingIshouldhavearrestedyoubeforetheservice。Ioughttohavedonethis，butIwantedyoutowinyourwager，andIshallgetyousafelyawayinspiteofthem。MymotherwillnotlikemyhavingletyouhearHanky’ssermonanddeclareyourself。”

“YouhalftoldmenottosaywhoIwas。”

“Yes，butIwasdelightedwhenyoudisobeyedme。”

“Ididitverybadly。Ineverrisetogreatoccasions，Ialwaysfalltothem，butthesethingsmustcomeastheycome。”

“Youdiditaswellasitcouldbedone，andgoodwillcomeofit。”

“Andnow。”hecontinued，“describeexactlyallthatpassedbetweenyouandtheProfessors。OnwhichsideofPankydidHankysit，anddidtheysitnorthandsouthoreastandwest？Howdidyouget——ohyes，Iknowthat——youtoldthemitwouldbeofnofurtherusetothem。Tellmeallelseyoucan。”

MyfathersaidthattheProfessorsweresittingprettywelleastandwest，sothatHanky，whowasontheeastside，nearestthemountains，hadPanky，whowasontheSunch’stonside，onhisrighthand。Georgemadeanoteofthis。Myfatherthentoldwhatthereaderalreadyknows，butwhenhecametothemeasurementoftheboots，Georgesaid，“Takeyourbootsoff。”andbegantakingoffhisown。“Footforfoot。”saidhe，“wearenotfatherandson，butbrothers。Yourswillfitme；theyarelesswornthanmine，butI

daresayyouwillnotmindthat。”

OnthisGeorgeexabundanticautelaknockedanailoutoftherightbootthathehadbeenwearingandchangedbootswithmyfather；buthethoughtitmoreplausiblenottoknockoutexactlythesamenailthatwasmissingonmyfather’sboot。Whenthechangewasmade，eachfound——orsaidhefound——theother’sbootsquitecomfortable。

Myfatherallthetimefeltasthoughhewereabasketgiventoadog。Thedoghadgothim，wasproudofhim，andnoonemusttrytotakehimaway。ThepromptitudewithwhichGeorgetooktohim，theobviouspleasurehehadin“running“him，hisquickjudgement，vergingasitshouldtowardsrashness，hisconfidencethatmyfathertrustedhimwithoutreserve，theconvictionofperfectopennessthatwasconveyedbythewayinwhichhiseyesneverbudgedfrommyfather’swhenhespoketohim，hisgenial，kindly，manner，perfectphysicalhealth，andtheairhehadofbeingonthebestpossibletermswithhimselfandeveryoneelse——thecombinationofallthissoovermasteredmypoorfather(whoindeedhadbeensufficientlymasteredbeforehehadbeenfiveminutesinGeorge’scompany)thatheresignedhimselfasgratefullytobeingabasket，asGeorgehadcheerfullyundertakenthetaskofcarryinghim。

InpassingImaysaythatGeorgecouldnevergethisownbootsbackagain，thoughhetriedmorethanoncetodoso。Myfatheralwaysmadesomeexcuse。TheyweretheonlymementoofGeorgethathebroughthomewithhim；Iwonderthathedidnotaskforalockofhishair，buthedidnot。Hehadthebootsputagainstawallinhisbedroom，wherehecouldseethemfromhisbed，andduringhisillness，whileconsciousnessyetremainedwithhim，Isawhiseyescontinuallyturntowardsthem。George，infact，dominatedhimaslongasanythinginthisworldcoulddoso。NordoIwonder；onthecontrary，Ilovehismemorythebetter；forItoo，aswillappearlater，haveseenGeorge，andwhateverlittlejealousyImayhavefelt，vanishedonmyfindinghimalmostinstantaneouslygainthesameascendancyovermehisbrother，thathehadgainedoverhisandmyfather。Butofthisnomoreatpresent。LetmereturntothegaolinSunch’ston。

“Tellmemore。”saidGeorge，“abouttheProfessors。”

Myfathertoldhimaboutthenuggets，thesaleofhiskit，thereceipthehadgivenforthemoney，andhowhehadgotthenuggetsbackfromatree，thepositionofwhichhedescribed。

“Iknowthetree；haveyougotthenuggetshere？“

“Heretheyare，withthereceipt，andthepockethandkerchiefmarkedwithHanky’sname。Thepockethandkerchiefwasfoundwrappedroundsomedriedleavesthatwecalltea，butIhavenotgotthesewithme。”AshespokehegaveeverythingtoGeorge，whoshowedtheutmostdelightingettingpossessionofthem。

“Isupposetheblanketandtherestofthekitarestillinthetree？“

“UnlessHankyandPankyhavegotthemaway，orsomeonehasfoundthem。”

“Thisisnotlikely。Iwillnowgotomyoffice，butIwillcomebackveryshortly。Mygrandfathershallbringyousomethingtoeatatonce。Iwilltellhimtosendenoughfortwo“——whichheaccordinglydid。

Onreachingtheoffice，hetoldhisnextbrother(whomhehadmadeanunder-ranger)togotothetreehedescribed，andbringbackthebundleheshouldfindconcealedtherein。“Youcangothereandback。”hesaid，“inanhourandahalf，andIshallwantthebundlebythattime。”

Thebrother，whosenameIneverrightlycaught，setoutatonce。

Assoonashewasgone，Georgetookfromadrawerthefeathersandbonesofquails，thathehadshownmyfatheronthemorningwhenhemethim。Hedividedtheminhalf，andmadethemintotwobundles，oneofwhichhedocketed，“Bonesofquailseaten，XIX。xii。29，byProfessorHanky，P。O。W。W。，&c。”AndhelabelledPanky’squailbonesinlikefashion。

Havingdonethis，hereturnedtothegaol，butonhiswayhelookedinattheMayor’s，andleftanotesayingthatheshouldbeatthegaol，whereanymessagewouldreachhim，butthathedidnotwishtomeetProfessorsHankyandPankyforanothercoupleofhours。Itwasnowabouthalf-pasttwelve，andhecaughtsightofacrowdcomingquietlyoutofthetemple，wherebyheknewthatHankywouldsoonbeattheMayor’shouse。

DinnerwasbroughtinalmostatthemomentwhenGeorgereturnedtothegaol。AssoonasitwasoverGeorgesaid：-

“AreyouquitesureyouhavemadenomistakeaboutthewayinwhichyougotthepermitoutoftheProfessors？“

“Quitesure。Itoldthemtheywouldnotwantit，andsaidIcouldsavethemtroubleiftheygaveitme。TheyneversuspectedwhyI

wantedit。WheredoyouthinkImaybemistaken？“

“Yousoldyournuggetsforratherlessthanatwentiethpartoftheirvalue，andyouthrewinsomecuriosities，thatwouldhavefetchedabouthalfasmuchasyougotforthenuggets。Yousayyoudidthisbecauseyouwantedmoneytokeepyougoingtillyoucouldsellsomeofyournuggets。Thissoundswellatfirst，butthesacrificeistoogreattobeplausiblewhenconsidered。Itlooksmorelikeacaseofgoodhonestmanlystraightforwardcorruption。”

“Butsurelyyoubelieveme？“

“OfcourseIdo。Ibelieveeverysyllablethatcomesfromyourmouth，butIshallnotbeabletomakeoutthatthestorywasasitwasnot，unlessIamquitecertainwhatitreallywas。”

“ItwasexactlyasIhavetoldyou。”

“Thatisenough。Andnow，mayItellmymotherthatyouwillputyourselfinher，andtheMayor’s，andmy，hands，andwilldowhateverwetellyou？“

“Iwillbeobedienceitself——butyouwillnotaskmetodoanythingthatwillmakeyourmotheroryouthinklesswellofme？“

“Ifwetellyouwhatyouaretodo，weshallnotthinkanytheworseofyoufordoingit。ThenImaysaytomymotherthatyouwillbegoodandgivenotrouble——noteventhoughwebidyoushakehandswithHankyandPanky？“

“Iwillembracethemandkissthemonbothcheeks，ifyouandshetellmetodoso。ButwhatabouttheMayor？“

“Hehasknowneverything，andcondonedeverything，theselasttwentyyears。Hewillleaveeverythingtomymotherandme。”

“ShallIhavetoseehim？“

“Certainly。Youmustbebroughtupbeforehimto-morrowmorning。”

“HowcanIlookhimintheface？“

“Asyouwouldme，oranyoneelse。Itisunderstoodamongusthatnothinghappened。Thingsmayhavelookedasthoughtheyhadhappened，buttheydidnothappen。”

“Andyouarenotyetquitetwenty？“

“No，butIamsontomymother——and。”headded，“toonewhocanstretchapointortwointhewayofhonestyaswellasotherpeople。”

Havingsaidthiswithalaugh，heagaintookmyfather’shandbetweenbothhis，andwentbacktohisoffice——wherehesethimselftothinkoutthecourseheintendedtotakewhendealingwiththeProfessors。

CHAPTERXVIII：YRAMINVITESDR。DOWNIEANDMRS。HUMDRUMTO

LUNCHEON——APASSAGEATARMSBETWEENHERANDHANKYISAMICABLY

ARRANGED

Thedisturbancecausedbymyfather’soutbreakwasquicklysuppressed，forGeorgegothimoutofthetemplealmostimmediately；itwasbruitedabout，however，thattheSunchildhadcomedownfromthepalaceofthesun，buthaddisappearedassoonasanyonehadtriedtotouchhim。InvaindidHankytrytoputfreshlifeintohissermon；itsbackhadbeenbroken，andlargenumbersleftthechurchtoseewhattheycouldhearoutside，orfailinginformation，todiscoursemorefreelywithoneanother。

Hankydidhisbesttoquiethishearerswhenhefoundthathecouldnotinfuriatethem，——

“Thispoorman。”hesaid，“isalreadyknowntome，asoneofthosewhohavedeludedthemselvesintobelievingthattheyaretheSunchild。Ihaveknownofhissodeclaringhimself，morethanonce，intheneighbourhoodofBridgeford，andothershavenotinfrequentlydonethesame；Ididnotatfirstrecognizehim，andregretthattheshockofhorrorhiswordsoccasionedmeshouldhavepromptedmetosuggestviolenceagainsthim。Letthisunfortunateaffairpassfromyourminds，andletmeagainurgeuponyoutheclaimsoftheSunchildEvidenceSociety。”

TheaudienceonhearingthattheyweretobetoldmoreabouttheSunchildEvidenceSocietymeltedawayevenmorerapidlythanbefore，andthesermonfizzledouttoanignominiousendquiteunworthyofitsoccasion。

Abouthalf-pasttwelve，theserviceended，andHankywenttotherobing-roomtotakeoffhisvestments。Yram，theMayor，andPanky，waitedforhimatthedooroppositetothatthroughwhichmyfatherhadbeentaken；whilewaiting，Yramscribbledofftwonotesinpencil，onetoDr。Downie，andanothertoMrs。Humdrum，beggingthemtocometolunchatonce——foritwouldbeoneo’clockbeforetheycouldreachtheMayor’s。ShegavethesenotestotheMayor，andbadehimbringboththeinvitedguestsalongwithhim。

TheMayorleftjustasHankywascomingtowardsher。“This，Mayoress。”hesaidwithsomeasperity，“isaveryseriousbusiness。

Ithasruinedmycollection。Halfthepeopleleftthetemplewithoutgivinganythingatall。Youseem。”headdedinatonethesignificanceofwhichcouldnotbemistaken，“tobeveryfond，Mayoress，ofthisMr。Higgs。”

“Yes。”saidYram，“Iam；Ialwayslikedhim，andIamsorryforhim；butheisnotthepersonIammostsorryforatthismoment——

he，poorman，isnotgoingtobehorsewhippedwithinthenexttwentyminutes。”Andshespokethe“he“initalics。

“Idonotunderstandyou，Mayoress。”

“Myhusbandwillexplain，assoonasIhaveseenhim。”

“Hanky。”saidPanky，“youmustwithdraw，andapologiseatonce。”

Hankywasnotslowtodothis，andwhenhehaddisavowedeverything，withdrawneverything，apologisedforeverything，andeatenhumblepietoYram’ssatisfaction，shesmiledgraciously，andheldoutherhand，whichHankywasobligedtotake。

“Andnow，Professor。”shesaid，“letmereturntoyourremarkthatthisisaveryseriousbusiness，andletmealsoclaimawoman’sprivilegeofbeinglistenedtowhenevershechoosestospeak。I

propose，then，thatwesaynothingfurtheraboutthismattertillafterluncheon。IhaveaskedDr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumtojoinus——“

“WhyMrs。Humdrum？“interruptedHankynonetoopleasantly，forhewasstillfuriousabouttheduelthathadjusttakenplacebetweenhimselfandhishostess。

“MydearProfessor。”saidYramgood-humouredly，“praysayallyouhavetosayandIwillcontinue。”

Hankywassilent。

“Ihaveasked。”resumedYram，“Dr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumtojoin，us，andafterluncheonwecandiscussthesituationornoasyoumaythinkproper。Tillthenletussaynomore。Luncheonwillbeoverbytwoo’clockorsoonafter，andthebanquetwillnotbegintillseven，soweshallhaveplentyoftime。”

Hankylookedblackandsaidnothing。AsforPankyhewasmorallyinastateofcollapse，anddidnotcount。

HardlyhadtheyreachedtheMayor’shousewhentheMayoralsoarrivedwithDr。DownieandMrs。Humdrum，bothofwhomhadseenandrecognisedmyfatherinspiteofhishavingdyedhishair。Dr。

DowniehadmethimatsupperinMr。Thims’sroomswhenhehadvisitedBridgeford，andnaturallyenoughhadobservedhimclosely。

Mrs。Humdrum，asIhavealreadysaid，hadseenhimmorethanoncewhenhewasinprison。SheandDr。Downieweretalkingearnestlyoverthestrangereappearanceofonewhomtheyhadbelievedlongsincedead，butYramimposedonthemthesamesilencethatshehadalreadyimposedontheProfessors。

“ProfessorHanky。”saidshetoMrs。Humdrum，inHanky’shearing，“isalittlealarmedatmyhavingaskedyoutojoinoursecretconclave。Heisnotmarried，anddoesnotknowhowwellawomancanholdhertonguewhenshechooses。Ishouldhavetoldyouallthatpassed，forImeantofollowyouradvice，soIthoughtyouhadbetterheareverythingyourself。”

Hankystilllookedblack，buthesaidnothing。Luncheonwaspromptlyserved，anddonejusticetoinspiteofmuchpreoccupation；forifthereisonethingthatgivesabetterappetitethananother，itisaSundaymorning’sservicewithacharitysermontofollow。Astheguestsmightnottalkonthesubjecttheywantedtotalkabout，andwereinnohumourtospeakofanythingelse，theygavetheirwholeattentiontothegoodthingsthatwerebeforethem，withoutsomuchasathoughtaboutreservingthemselvesfortheevening’sbanquet。Nevertheless，whenluncheonwasover，theProfessorswereinnomoregenial，manageable，stateofmindthantheyhadbeenwhenitbegan。

Whentheservantshadlefttheroom，YramsaidtoHanky，“Yousawtheprisoner，andhewasthemanyoumetonThursdaynight？“

“Certainly，hewaswearingtheforbiddendressandhehadmanyquailsinhispossession。Thereisnodoubtalsothathewasaforeigndevil。”

Atthispoint，itbeingnownearlyhalf-pasttwo，Georgecamein，andtookaseatnexttoMrs。Humdrum——betweenherandhismother——

whoofcoursesatattheheadofthetablewiththeMayoroppositetoher。OnonesideofthetablesattheProfessors，andontheotherDr。Downie，Mrs。Humdrum，andGeorge，whohadheardthelastfewwordsthatHankyhadspoken。

CHAPTERXIX：ACOUNCILISHELDATTHEMAYOR’S，INTHECOURSEOF

WHICHGEORGETURNSTHETABLESONTHEPROFESSORS

“Nowwho。”saidYram，“isthisunfortunatecreaturetobe，whenheisbroughtupto-morrowmorning，onthechargeofpoaching？“

“Itisnotnecessary。”saidHankyseverely，“thatheshouldbebroughtupforpoaching。Heisaforeigndevil，andassuchyoursonisboundtoflinghimwithouttrialintotheBluePool。Whybringasmallerchargewhenyoumustinflictthedeathpenaltyonamoreseriousone？IhavealreadytoldyouthatIshallfeelitmydutytoreportthematteratheadquarters，unlessIamsatisfiedthatthedeathpenaltyhasbeeninflicted。”

“Ofcourse。”saidGeorge，“wemustallofusdoourduty，andI

shallnotshrinkfrommine——butIhavearrestedthismanonachargeofpoaching，andmustgivemyreasons；thecasecannotbedropped，anditmustbeheardinpublic。AmI，oramInot，tohavethesworndepositionsofbothyougentlementothefactthattheprisoneristhemanyousawwithquailsinhispossession？Ifyoucandeposetothishewillbeconvicted，fortherecanbenodoubthekilledthebirdshimself。Theleastpenaltymyfathercaninflictistwelvemonths’imprisonmentwithhardlabour；andhemustundergothissentencebeforeIcanBlue-Poolhim。

“Thencomesthequestionwhetherornoheisaforeigndevil。I

maydecidethisinprivate，butImusthavedepositionsonoathbeforeIdoso，andatpresentIhavenothingbuthearsay。PerhapsyougentlemencangivemetheevidenceIshallrequire，butthecaseisoneofsuchimportancethatweretheprisonerprovedneversoclearlytobeaforeigndevil，IshouldnotBlue-PoolhimtillI

hadtakentheKing’spleasureconcerninghim。Ishallrejoice，therefore，ifyougentlemencanhelpmetosustainthechargeofpoaching，andthusgivemelegalstanding-groundfordeferringactionwhichtheKingmightregret，andwhichoncetakencannotberecalled。”

HereYraminterposed。“Thesepoints。”shesaid，“aredetails。