第6章

Shouldwenotfirstsettle，notwhat，butwho，weshallallowtheprisonertobe，whenheisbroughtupto-morrowmorning？Settlethis，andtherestwillsettleitself。HehasdeclaredhimselftobetheSunchild，andwillprobablydosoagain。Iampreparedtoidentifyhim，soisDr。Downie，soisMrs。Humdrum，theinterpreter，anddoubtlessmyfather。Othersofknownrespectabilitywillalsodoso，andhismarksandmeasurementsaresuretocorrespondquitesufficiently。Thequestionis，whetherallthisistobeallowedtoappearonevidence，orwhetheritistobeestablished，asiteasilymay，ifwegiveourmindstoit，thatheisnottheSunchild。”

“Whateverelseheis。”saidHanky，“hemustnotbetheSunchild。

Hemust，ifthechargeofpoachingcannotbedropped，beapoacherandaforeigndevil。IwasdoubtlesstoohastywhenIsaidthatI

believedIrecognizedthemanasonewhohadmorethanoncedeclaredhimselftobetheSunchild——“

“But，Hanky。”interruptedPanky，“areyousurethatyoucansweartothisman’sbeingthemanwemetonThursdaynight？Weonlysawhimbyfirelight，andIdoubtwhetherIshouldfeeljustifiedinswearingtohim。”

“Well，well：onsecondthoughtsIamnotsure，Panky，butwhatyoumayberightafterall；itispossiblethathemaybewhatIsaidhewasinmysermon。”

“Irejoicetohearyousayso。”saidGeorge，“forinthiscasethechargeofpoachingwillfallthrough。Therewillbenoevidenceagainsttheprisoner。AndIrejoicealsotothinkthatIshallhavenothingtowarrantmeinbelievinghimtobeaforeigndevil。

ForifheisnottobetheSunchild，andnottobeyourpoacher，hebecomesameremonomaniac。Ifheapologisesforhavingmadeadisturbanceinthetemple，andpromisesnottooffendagain，afine，andafewdays’imprisonment，willmeetthecase，andhemaybedischarged。”

“Isee，Isee。”saidHankyveryangrily。“Youaredeterminedtogetthismanoffifyoucan。”

“Ishallact。”saidGeorge，“inaccordancewithswornevidence，andnototherwise。Choosewhetheryouwillhavetheprisonertobeyourpoacherorno：givemeyoursworndepositionsonewayortheother，andIshallknowhowtoact。Ifyoudeposeonoathtotheidentityoftheprisonerandyourpoacher，hewillbeconvictedandimprisoned。Astohisbeingaforeigndevil，ifheistheSunchild，ofcourseheisone；butotherwiseIcannotBlue-Poolhimevenwhenhissentenceisexpired，withouttestimonydeposedtomeonoathinprivate，thoughnoopentrialisrequired。Acaseforsuspicionwasmadeoutinmyhearinglastnight，butImusthavedepositionsonoathtoalltheleadingfactsbeforeIcandecidewhatmydutyis。Whatwillyouswearto？“

“Allthis。”saidHanky，inavoicehuskywithpassion，“shallbereportedtotheKing。”

“Iintendtoreporteverywordofit；butthatisnotthepoint：

thequestioniswhatyougentlemenwillswearto？“

“Verywell。Iwillsettleitthus。WewillswearthattheprisoneristhepoacherwemetonThursdaynight，andthatheisalsoaforeigndevil：hiswearingtheforbiddendress；hisforeignaccent；thefoot-trackswefoundinthesnow，asofonecomingoverfromtheotherside；hisobviousignoranceoftheAfforestingAct，asshownbyhishavinglitafireandmakingnoefforttoconcealhisquailstillourpermitshewedhimhisblunder；thecock-and-

bullstoryhetoldusaboutyourorders，andthatotherstoryabouthishavingkilledaforeigndevil——ifthesefactsdonotsatisfyyou，theywillsatisfytheKingthattheprisonerisaforeigndevilaswellasapoacher。”

“Someofthesefacts。”answeredGeorge，“arenewtome。Howdoyouknowthatthefoot-tracksweremadebytheprisoner？“

Pankybroughtouthisnote-bookandreadthedetailshehadnoted。

“Didyouexaminetheman’sboots？“

“Oneofthem，therightfoot；this，withthemeasurements，wasquiteenough。”

“Hardly。Pleasetolookatbothsolesofmyownboots；youwillfindthatthosetracksweremine。Iwillhavetheprisoner’sbootsexamined；inthemeantimeletmetellyouthatIwasupatthestatuesonThursdaymorning，walkedthreeorfourhundredyardsbeyondthem，overgroundwheretherewaslesssnow，returnedoverthesnow，andwenttwoorthreetimesroundthem，asitistheRanger’sdutytodoonceayearinordertoseethatnoneofthemarebeginningtolean。”

Heshowedthesolesofhisboots，andtheProfessorswereobligedtoadmitthatthetrackswerehis。Hecautionedthemastotherestofthepointsonwhichtheyrelied。Mighttheynotbeasmistaken，astheyhadjustprovedtobeaboutthetracks？Hecouldnot，however，stirthemfromstickingtoitthattherewasenoughevidencetoprovemyfathertobeaforeigndevil，anddeclaringtheirreadinesstodeposetothefactsonoath。IntheendHankyagainfiercelyaccusedhimoftryingtoshieldtheprisoner。

“Youarequiteright。”saidGeorge，“andyouwillseemyreasonsshortly。”

“Ihavenodoubt。”saidHankysignificantly，“thattheyaresuchaswouldweighwithanymanofordinaryfeeling。”

“Iunderstand，then。”saidGeorge，appearingtotakenonoticeofHanky’sinnuendo，“thatyouwillsweartothefactsasyouhaveabovestatedthem？“

“Certainly。”

“ThenkindlywaitwhileIwritethemontheformthatIhavebroughtwithme；theMayorcanadministertheoathandsignyourdepositions。Ishallthenbeabletoleaveyou，andproceedwithgettingupthecaseagainsttheprisoner。”

Sosaying，hewenttoawriting-tableinanotherpartoftheroom，andmadeoutthedepositions。

MeanwhiletheMayor，Mrs。Humdrum，andDr。Downie(whohadeachofthemmorethanoncevainlytriedtotakepartintheabovediscussion)conversedeagerlyinanundertoneamongthemselves。

Hankywasblindwithrage，forhehadasensethathewasgoingtobeoutwitted；theMayor，Yram，andMrs。HumdrumhadalreadyseenthatGeorgethoughthehadallthetrumpsinhisownhand，buttheydidnotknowmore。Dr。Downiewasfrightened，andPankysomuddledastobehorsdecombat。

GeorgenowrejoinedtheProfessors，andreadthedepositions：theMayoradministeredtheoathaccordingtoErewhoniancustom；theProfessorssignedwithoutaword，andGeorgethenhandedthedocumenttohisfathertocountersign。

TheMayorexaminedit，andalmostimmediatelysaid，“MydearGeorge，youhavemadeamistake；thesedepositionsareonaformreservedfordeponentswhoareonthepointofdeath。”

“Alas！“answeredGeorge，“thereisnohelpforit。Ididmyutmosttopreventtheirsigning。Iknewthatthosedepositionsweretheirowndeathwarrant，——andthatiswhy，thoughIwassatisfiedthattheprisonerisaforeigndevil，Ihadhopedtobeabletoshutmyeyes。Icannownolongerdoso，andastheinevitableconsequence，ImustBlue-PoolboththeProfessorsbeforemidnight。

Whatmanofordinaryfeelingwouldnotunderthesecircumstanceshavetriedtodissuadethemfromdeposingastheyhavedone？“

BythistimetheProfessorshadstartedtotheirfeet，andtherewasalookofhorrifiedastonishmentonthefacesofallpresent，savethatofGeorge，whoseemedquitehappy。

“Whatmonstrousabsurdityisthis？“shoutedHanky；“doyoumeantomurderus？“

“Certainlynot。ButyouhaveinsistedthatIshoulddomyduty，andImeantodoit。Yougentlemenhavenowbeenprovedtomysatisfactiontohavehadtrafficwithaforeigndevil；andundersection37oftheAfforestingAct，ImustatonceBlue-Poolanysuchpersonswithoutpublictrial。”

“Nonsense，nonsense，therewasnothingofthekindonourpermit，andasfortraffickingwiththisforeigndevil，wespoketohim，butweneitherboughtnorsold。WhereistheAct？“

“Here。Onyourpermityouwerereferredtocertainotherclausesnotsetouttherein，whichmightbeseenattheMayor’soffice。

Clause37isasfollows：-

“ItisfurthermoreenactedthatshouldanyofhisMajesty’ssubjectsbefound，afterexaminationbytheHeadRanger，tohavehadtrafficofanykindbywayofsaleorbarterwithanyforeigndevil，thesaidRanger，onbeingsatisfiedthatsuchtraffichastakenplace，shallforthwith，withorwithouttheassistanceofhisunder-rangers，conveysuchsubjectsofhisMajestytotheBluePool，bindthem，weightthem，andflingthemintoit，withouttheformalityofatrial，andshallreportthecircumstancesofthecasetohisMajesty。”

“Butweneverboughtanythingfromtheprisoner。Whatevidencecanyouhaveofthisbutthewordofaforeigndevilinsuchstraitsthathewouldsweartoanything？“

“Theprisonerhasnothingtodowithit。IamconvincedbythisreceiptinProfessorPanky’shandwritingwhichstatesthatheandyoujointlypurchasedhiskitfromtheprisoner，andalsothisbagofgoldnuggetsworthabout100poundsinsilver，fortheabsurdlysmallsumof4pounds，10s。insilver。IamfurtherconvincedbythishandkerchiefmarkedwithProfessorHanky’sname，inwhichwasfoundabrokenpacketofdriedleavesthatarenowatmyofficewiththerestoftheprisoner’skit。”

“Thenwewerewatchedanddogged。”saidHanky，“onThursdayevening。”

“That，sir。”repliedGeorge，“ismybusiness，notyours。”

HerePankylaidhisarmsonthetable，buriedhisheadinthem，andburstintotears。Everyoneseemedaghast，buttheMayor，Yram，andMrs。HumdrumsawthatGeorgewasenjoyingitallfartookeenlytobeserious。Dr。Downiewasstillfrightened(forGeorge’ssurfacemannerwasRhadamanthine)anddidhisutmosttoconsolePanky。Georgepoundedawayruthlesslyathiscase。

“Isaynothingaboutyourhavingboughtquailsfromtheprisonerandeatenthem。Asyoujustlyremarkedjustnow，thereisnoobjectinpreferringasmallerchargewhenonemustinflictthedeathpenaltyonamoreseriousone。Still，ProfessorHanky，thesearebonesofthequailsyouateasyousateoppositetheprisoneronthesideofthefirenearestSunch’ston；theseareProfessorPanky’sbones，withwhichIneednotdisturbhim。Thisisyourpermit，whichwasfoundupontheprisoner，andwhichtherecanbenodoubtyousoldhim，havingbeenbribedbytheofferofthenuggetsfor——“

“Monstrous，monstrous！Infamousfalsehood！Whowillbelievesuchachildishtrumpedupstory！“

“Who，sir，willbelieveanythingelse？Youwillhardlycontendthatyoudidnotknowthenuggetsweregold，andnoonewillbelieveyoumeanenoughtohavetriedtogetthispoorman’spropertyoutofhimforasong——youknowingitsvalue，andhenotknowingthesame。Noonewillbelievethatyoudidnotknowthemantobeaforeigndevil，orthathecouldhoodwinktwosuchlearnedProfessorssocleverlyastogettheirpermitoutofthem。

Obviouslyheseducedyouintosellinghimyourpermit，and——I

presumebecausehewantedalittleofourmoney——hemadeyoupayhimforhiskit。Iamsatisfiedthatyouhavenotonlyhadtrafficwithaforeigndevil，buttrafficofasingularlyatrociouskind，andthisbeingso，IshallBlue-PoolbothofyouassoonasIcangetyouuptothePoolitself。Thesoonerwestartthebetter。I

shallgagyou，anddriveyouupinaclosecarriageasfarastheroadgoes；fromthatpointyoucanwalkup，orbedraggedupasyoumayprefer，butyouwillprobablyfindwalkingmorecomfortable。”

“But。”saidHanky，“comewhatmay，Imustbeatthebanquet。Iamsetdowntospeak。”

“TheMayorwillexplainthatyouhavebeentakensomewhatsuddenlyunwell。”

HereYram，whohadbeentalkingquietlywithherhusband，Dr。

Downie，andMrs。Humdrum，motionedhersontosilence。

“Ifeared。”shesaid，“thatdifficultiesmightarise，thoughIdidnotforeseehowseriouslytheywouldaffectmyguests。LetMrs。

Humdrumonourside，andDr。DownieonthatoftheProfessors，gointothenextroomandtalkthematterquietlyover；letusthenseewhetherwecannotagreetobeboundbytheirdecision。Idonotdoubtbuttheywillfindsomemeansofavertinganycatastrophemoreserious——No，ProfessorHanky，thedoorsarelocked——thanalittleperjuryinwhichweshallallshareandsharealike。”

“Dowhatyoulike。”saidHanky，lookingforalltheworldlikearatcaughtinatrap。Ashespokeheseizedaknifefromthetable，whereonGeorgepulledapairofhandcuffsfromhispocketandslippedthemontohiswristsbeforehewellknewwhatwasbeingdonetohim。

“George。”saidtheMayor，“thisisgoingtoofar。DoyoumeantoBlue-PooltheProfessorsorno？“

“Notiftheywillcompromise。Iftheywillbereasonable，theywillnotbeBlue-Pooled；iftheythinktheycanhaveeverythingtheirownway，theeelswillbeatthembeforemorning。”

AvoicewasheardfromtheheadofPankywhichhehadburiedinhisarmsuponthetable。“Co-co-co-compromise。”itsaid；andtheeffectwassocomicthateveryoneexceptHankysmiled。MeanwhileYramhadconductedDr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumintoanadjoiningroom。

CHAPTERXX：MRS。HUMDRUMANDDR。DOWNIEPROPOSEACOMPROMISE，WHICH，AFTERANAMENDMENTBYGEORGE，ISCARRIEDNEM。CON。

Theyreturnedinabouttenminutes，andDr。DownieaskedMrs。

Humdrumtosaywhattheyhadagreedtorecommend。

“Wethink。”saidsheverydemurely，“thatthestrictcoursewouldbetodropthechargeofpoaching，andBlue-PoolboththeProfessorsandtheprisonerwithoutdelay。

“WealsothinkthattheproperthingwouldbetoplaceonrecordthattheprisoneristheSunchild——aboutwhichneitherDr。DownienorIhaveashadowofdoubt。

“Thesemeasuresweholdtobetheonlylegalones，butatthesametimewedonotrecommendthem。Wethinkitwouldoffendthepublicconscienceifitcametobeknown，asitcertainlywould，thattheSunchildwasviolentlykilled，ontheverydaythathadseenusdedicateatempleinhishonour，andperhapsattheveryhourwhenlaudatoryspeecheswerebeingmadeabouthimattheMayor’sbanquet；wethinkalsothatweshouldstrainagoodmanypointsratherthanBlue-PooltheProfessors。

“Nothingisperfect，andTruthmakeshermistakeslikeotherpeople；whenshegoeswrongandreducesherselftosuchanabsurdityasshehasheredone，thosewholovehermustsaveherfromherself，correcther，andrehabilitateher。

“Ourconclusion，therefore，isthis：-

“TheprisonermustrecantonoathhisstatementthatheistheSunchild。Theinterpretermustbesquared，orconvincedofhismistake。TheMayoress，Dr。Downie，I，andthegaoler(withtheinterpreterifwecanmanagehim)，mustdeposeonoaththattheprisonerisnotHiggs。ThismustbeourcontributiontotherehabilitationofTruth。

“TheProfessorsmustcontributeasfollows：TheymustswearthattheprisonerisnotthemantheymetwithquailsinhispossessiononThursdaynight。Theymustfurtherswearthattheyhaveoneorbothofthemknownhim，offandon，formanyyearspast，asamonomaniacwithSunchildismonthebrainbutotherwiseharmless。

Iftheywilldothis，noproceedingsaretobetakenagainstthem。

“TheMayor’scontributionshallbetoreprimandtheprisoner，andorderhimtorepeathisrecantationinthenewtemplebeforetheManagerandHeadCashier，andtoconfirmhisstatementonoathbykissingthereliquarycontainingthenewlyfoundrelic。

“TheRangerandtheMasteroftheGaolmustcontributethattheprisoner’smeasurements，andthemarksfoundonhisbody，negativeallpossibilityofhisidentitywiththeSunchild，andthatallthehaironthecoveredaswellastheuncoveredpartsofhisbodywasfoundtobejetblack。

“Weadvisefurtherthattheprisonershouldhavehisnuggetsandhiskitreturnedtohim，andthatthereceiptgivenbytheProfessorstogetherwithProfessorHanky’shandkerchiefbegivenbacktotheProfessors。

“Furthermore，seeingthatweshouldallofusliketohaveaquieteveningwiththeprisoner，weshouldpetitiontheMayorandMayoresstoaskhimtomeetallherepresentatdinnerto-morrowevening，afterhisdischarge，onthepleathatProfessorsHankyandPankyandDr。Downiemaygivehimcounsel，convincehimofhisfolly，andifpossiblefreehimhenceforthfromthemonomaniaunderwhichhenowsuffers。

“Theprisonershallgivehiswordofhonour，nevertoreturntoErewhon，nortoencourageanyofhiscountrymentodoso。AfterthedinnertowhichwehopetheMayoressWillinviteus，theRanger，ifthenightisfair，shallescorttheprisonerasfarasthestatues，whencehewillfindhisownwayhome。

“Thosewhoareinfavourofthiscompromiseholduptheirhands。”

TheMayorandYramhelduptheirs。“Willyouholdupyours，ProfessorHanky。”saidGeorge，“ifIreleaseyou？“

“Yes。”saidHankywithagrufflaugh，whereonGeorgereleasedhimandheheldupbothhishands。

Pankydidnotholduphis，whereonHankysaid，“Holdupyourhands，Panky，can’tyou？Wearereallyverywelloutofit。”

Panky，hardlyliftinghishead，sobbedout，“Ithinkweoughttohaveourf-f-fo-fo-fourpoundstenreturnedtous。”

“Iamafraid，sir。”saidGeorge，“thattheprisonermusthavespentthegreaterpartofthismoney。”

Everyonesmiled，indeeditwasallGeorgecoulddotopreventhimselffromlaughingoutright。TheMayorbroughtouthispurse，countedthemoney，andhandeditgood-humouredlytoPanky，whogratefullyreceivedit，andsaidhewoulddivideitwithHanky。Hethenhelduphishands，“But。”headded，turningtohisbrotherProfessor，“solongasIlive，Hanky，Iwillnevergooutanywhereagainwithyou。”

GeorgethenturnedtoHankyandsaid，“IamafraidImustnowtroubleyouandProfessorPankytodeposeonoathtothefactswhichMrs。HumdrumandDr。Downieproposeyoushouldsweartoinopencourtto-morrow。Iknewyouwoulddoso，andhavebroughtanordinaryform，dulyfilledup，whichdeclaresthattheprisonerisnotthepoacheryoumetonThursday；andalso，thathehasbeenlongknowntobothofyouasaharmlessmonomaniac。”

Ashespokehebroughtoutdepositionstotheaboveeffectwhichhehadjustwritteninhisoffice；heshewedtheProfessorsthattheformwasthistimeaninnocentone，whereontheymadenodemurtosigningandswearinginthepresenceoftheMayor，whoattested。

“Theformerdepositions。”saidHanky，“hadbetterbedestroyedatonce。”

“That。”saidGeorge，“mayhardlybe，butsolongasyousticktowhatyouhavejustswornto，theywillnotbeusedagainstyou。”

Hankyscowled，butknewthathewaspowerlessandsaidnomore。

***

Theknowledgeofwhatensueddidnotreachmefrommyfather。

Georgeandhismother，seeinghowillhelooked，andwhatashocktheeventsofthelastfewdayshadgivenhim，resolvedthatheshouldnotknowoftheriskthatGeorgewasabouttorun；theythereforesaidnothingtohimaboutit。WhatIshallnowtell，I

learnedontheoccasionalreadyreferredtowhenIhadthehappinesstomeetGeorge。Iaminsomedoubtwhetheritismorefitlytoldhere，orwhenIcometotheinterviewbetweenhimandme；onthewhole，however，Isupposechronologicalorderisleastoutragedbydealingwithithere。

AssoonastheProfessorshadsignedtheseconddepositions，Georgesaid，“Ihavenotyetheldupmyhands，butIwillholdthemupifMrs。HumdrumandDr。DowniewillapproveofwhatIpropose。Theircompromisedoesnotgofarenough，forswearaswemay，itissuretogetnoisedabroad，withtheusualexaggerations，thattheSunchildhasbeenhere，andthathehasbeenspiritedawayeitherbyus，orbythesunhisfather。Foronepersonwhomweknowofashavingidentifiedhim，therewillbefive，ofwhomweknownothing，andwhomwecannotsquare。ReportswillreachtheKingsoonerorlater，andIshallbesentfor。MeanwhiletheProfessorswillbelivinginfearofintrigueonmypart，andI，howeverunreasonably，shallfearthelikeontheirs。Thisshouldnotbe。Imean，therefore，onthedayfollowingmyreturnfromescortingtheprisoner，tosetoutforthecapital，seetheKing，andmakeacleanbreastofthewholematter。TothisendImusthavethenuggets，theprisoner’skit，hisreceipt，ProfessorHanky’shandkerchief，and，ofcourse，thetwodepositionsjustsworntobytheProfessors。IhopeandthinkthattheKingwillpardonusallround；butwhateverhemaydoIshalltellhimeverything。”

Hankywasupinarmsatonce。“Sheermadness。”heexclaimed。YramandtheMayorlookedanxious；Dr。DownieeyedGeorgeasthoughheweresomecuriouscreature，whichheheardofbuthadneverseen，andwasratherdisposedtolike。Mrs。Humdrumnoddedherheadapprovingly。

“Quiteright，George。”saidshe，“tellhisMajestyeverything。”

Dr。Downiethensaid，“Yourson，Mayoress，isaverysensiblefellow。Iwillgowithhim，andwiththeProfessors——fortheyhadbettercometoo：eachwillhearwhattheothersays，andwewilltellthetruth，thewholetruth，andnothingbutthetruth。Iam，asyouknow，apersonagrataatCourt；IwillsaythatIadvisedyourson’saction。TheKinghaslikedhimeversincehewasaboy，andIamnotmuchafraidaboutwhathewilldo。Inpublic，nodoubtwehadbetterhushthingsup，butinprivatetheKingmustbetold。”

Hankyfoughthardforsometime，butGeorgetoldhimthatitdidnotmatterwhetherheagreedorno。“Youcancome。”hesaid，“orstopaway，justasyouplease。Ifyoucome，youcanhearandspeak；ifyoudonot，youwillnothear，butthesetwodepositionswillspeakforyou。Pleaseyourself。”

“Verywell。”hesaidatlast，“Isupposewehadbettergo。”

Everyonehavingnowunderstoodwhathisorherpartwastobe，Yramsaidtheyhadbettershakehandsallroundandtakeacoupleofhours’restbeforegettingreadyforthebanquet。GeorgesaidthattheProfessorsdidnotshakehandswithhimverycordially，butthefarcewasgonethrough。Whenthehand-shakingwasover，Dr。DownieandMrs。Humdrumleftthehouse，andtheProfessorsretiredgrumpilytotheirownroom。

IwillsayherethatnoharmhappenedeithertoGeorgeortheProfessorsinconsequenceofhishavingtoldtheKing，butwillreserveparticularsformyconcludingchapter。

CHAPTERXXI：YRAM，ONGETTINGRIDOFHERGUESTS，GOESTOTHE

PRISONTOSEEMYFATHER

Yramdidnottaketheadviceshehadgivenherguests，butsetaboutpreparingabasketofthebestcolddaintiesshecouldfind，includingabottleofchoicewinethatsheknewmyfatherwouldlike；thusloadedshewenttothegaol，whichsheenteredbyherfather’sprivateentrance。

Itwasnowabouthalf-pastfour，sothatmuchmoremusthavebeensaidanddoneafterluncheonattheMayor’sthaneverreachedmyfather。Thewonderisthathewasabletocollectsomuch。He，poorman，assoonasGeorgelefthim，flunghimselfontothebedthatwasinhiscellandlaytherewakeful，butnotunquiet，tillnearthetimewhenYramreachedthegaol。

Theoldgaolercametotellhimthatshehadcomeandwouldbegladtoseehim；muchashedreadedthemeetingtherewasnoavoidingit，andinafewminutesYramstoodbeforehim。

Bothwereagitated，butYrambetrayedlessofwhatshefeltthanmyfather。Hecouldonlybowhisheadandcoverhisfacewithhishands。Yramsaid，“Weareoldfriends；takeyourhandsfromyourfaceandletmeseeyou。There！Thatiswell。”

Shetookhisrighthandbetweenbothhers，lookedathimwitheyesfullofkindness，andsaidsoftly-

“Youarenotmuchchanged，butyoulookhaggard，worn，andill；I

amuneasyaboutyou。Remember，youareamongfriends，whowillseethatnoharmbefallsyou。Thereisalookinyoureyesthatfrightensme。”

Asshespokeshetookthewineoutofherbasket，andpouredhimoutaglass，butrathertogivehimsomelittlethingtodistracthisattention，thanbecausesheexpectedhimtodrinkit——whichhecouldnotdo。

Sheneveraskedhimwhetherhefoundheraltered，orturnedtheconversationeversuchalittleontoherself；allwasforhim；tosootheandcomforthim，notinwordsalone，butinlook，manner，andvoice。Myfatherknewthathecouldthankherbestbycontrollinghimself，andlettinghimselfbesoothedandcomforted——

atanyratesofarashecouldseemtobe。

Uptothistimetheyhadbeenstanding，butnowYram，seeingmyfathercalmer，said，“Enough，letussitdown。”

Sosayingsheseatedherselfatoneendofthesmalltablethatwasinthecell，andmotionedmyfathertositoppositetoher。“Thelighthurtsyou？“shesaid，forthesunwascomingintotheroom。

“Changeplaceswithme，Iamasunworshipper。No，wecanmovethetable，andwecanthenseeeachotherbetter。”

Thisdone，shesaid，stillverysoftly，“Andnowtellmewhatitisallabout。Whyhaveyoucomehere？“

“Tellmefirst。”saidmyfather，“whatbefellyouafterIhadbeentakenaway。Whydidyounotsendmewordwhenyoufoundwhathadhappened？orcomeafterme？YouknowIshouldhavemarriedyouatonce，unlesstheyboundmeinfetters。”

“Iknowyouwould；butyourememberMrs。Humdrum？Yes，Iseeyoudo。Itoldhereverything；itwasshewhosavedme。Wethoughtofyou，butshesawthatitwouldnotdo。AsIwastomarryMr。

Strong，themoreyouwerelostsightofthebetter，butwithGeorgeeverwithmeIhavenotbeenabletoforgetyou。Imighthavebeenveryhappywithyou，butIcouldnothavebeenhappierthanIhavebeeneversincethatshortdreadfultimewasover。Georgemusttellyoutherest。Icannotdoso。Alliswell。Ilovemyhusbandwithmywholeheartandsoul，andhelovesmewithhis。Asbetweenhimandme，heknowseverything；Georgeishisson，notyours；wehavesettleditso，thoughwebothknowotherwise；asbetweenyouandme，forthisonehour，here，thereisnouseinpretendingthatyouarenotGeorge’sfather。IhavesaidallI

needsay。Now，tellmewhatIaskedyou——Whyareyouhere？“

“Ifear。”saidmyfather，setatrestbythesweetnessofYram’svoiceandmanner——hetoldmehehadneverseenanyonetocomparewithherexceptmymother——“Ifear，todoasmuchharmnowasIdidbefore，andwithaslittlewishtodoanyharmatall。”

Hethentoldherallthatthereaderknows，andexplainedhowhehadthoughthecouldhavegoneaboutthecountryasapeasant，andseenhowsheherselfhadfared，withouther，oranyone，evensuspectingthathewasinthecountry。

“Yousayyourwifeisdead，andthatsheleftyouwithason——ishelikeGeorge？“

“Inmindanddisposition，wonderfully；inappearance，no；heisdarkandtakesafterhismother，andthoughheishandsome，heisnotsogood-lookingasGeorge。”

“Noone。”saidGeorge’smother，“everwas，oreverwillbe，andheisasgoodashelooks。”

“Ishouldnothavebelievedyouifyouhadsaidhewasnot。”

“Thatisright。Iamgladyouareproudofhim。Heirradiatesthelivesofeveryoneofus。”

“Andthemereknowledgethatheexistswillirradiatetherestofmine。”

“Longmayitdoso。Letusnowtalkaboutthismorning——didyoumeantodeclareyourself？“

“IdonotknowwhatImeant；whatImostcaredaboutwasthedoingwhatIthoughtGeorgewouldwishtoseehisfatherdo。”

“Youdidthat；buthesayshetoldyounottosaywhoyouwere。”

“Sohedid，butIknewwhathewouldthinkright。Hewasuppermostinmythoughtsallthetime。”

Yramsmiled，andsaid，“Georgeisadangerousperson；youwerebothofyouveryfoolish；oneasbadastheother。”

“Idonotknow。Idonotknowanything。Itisbeyondme；butIamatpeaceaboutit，andhopeIshalldothelikeagainto-morrowbeforetheMayor。”

“Iheartilyhopeyouwilldonothingofthekind。Georgetellsmeyouhavepromisedhimtobegoodandtodoaswebidyou。”

“SoIwill；buthewillnottellmetosaythatIamnotwhatI

am。”

“Yes，hewill，andIwilltellyouwhy。IfwepermityoutobeHiggstheSunchild，hemusteitherthrowhisownfatherintotheBluePool——whichhewillnotdo——orrungreatriskofbeingthrownintoithimself，fornothavingBlue-Pooledaforeigner。Iamafraidweshallhavetomakeyoudoagooddealthatneitheryounorweshalllike。”

Shethentoldhimbrieflyofwhathadpassedafterluncheonatherhouse，andwhatithadbeensettledtodo，leavingGeorgetotellthedetailswhileescortinghimtowardsthestatuesonthefollowingevening。Shesaidthateveryonewouldbesocompletelyineveryoneelse’spowerthattherewasnofearofanyone’sturningtraitor。ButshesaidnothingaboutGeorge’sintentionofsettingoutforthecapitalonWednesdaymorningtotellthewholestorytotheKing。

“Now。”shesaid，whenshehadtoldhimasmuchaswasnecessary，“begood，anddoasyousaidyouwould。”

“Iwill。Iwilldenymyself，notonce，nortwice，butasoftenasisnecessary。Iwillkissthereliquary，andwhenImeetHankyandPankyatyourtable，Iwillbeswornbrothertothem——solong，thatis，asGeorgeisoutofhearing；forIcannotliewelltothemwhenheislistening。”

“Ohyes，youcan。Hewillunderstandallaboutit；heenjoysfalsehoodaswellaswealldo，andhasthenicestsenseofwhentolieandwhennottodoso。”

“Whatgiftcanbemoreinvaluable？“

Myfather，knowingthathemightnothaveanotherchanceofseeingYramalone，nowchangedtheconversation。

“Ihavesomething。”hesaid，“forGeorge，buthemustknownothingaboutittillafterIamgone。”

Ashespoke，hetookfromhispocketstheninesmallbagsofnuggetsthatremainedtohim。

“Butthis。”saidYram，“beinggold，isalargesum：canyouindeedspareit，anddoyoureallywishGeorgetohaveitall？“

“Ishallbeveryunhappyifhedoesnot，buthemustknownothingaboutittillIamoutofErewhon。”

Myfatherthenexplainedtoherthathewasnowveryrich，andwouldhavebroughttentimesasmuch，ifhehadknownofGeorge’sexistence。“Then。”saidYram，musing，“ifyouarerich，Iacceptandthankyouheartilyonhisbehalf。Icanseeareasonforhisnotknowingwhatyouaregivinghimatpresent，butitistoolongtotell。”

Thereasonwas，thatifGeorgeknewofthisgoldbeforehesawtheKing，hewouldbesuretotellhimofit，andtheKingmightclaimit，forGeorgewouldneverexplainthatitwasagiftfromfathertoson；whereasiftheKinghadoncepardonedhim，hewouldnotbesosqueamishastoopenupthewholethingagainwithapostscripttohisconfession。Butofthisshesaidnotaword。

Myfatherthentoldheroftheboxofsovereignsthathehadleftinhissaddle-bags。“Theyarecoined。”hesaid，“andGeorgewillhavetomeltthemdown，buthewillfindsomewayofdoingthis。

Theywillbeworthrathermorethantheseninebagsofnuggets。”

“Thedifficultywillbetogethimtogodownandfetchthem，foritisagainsthisoathtogofarbeyondthestatues。Ifyoucouldbetakenfaintandsayyouwantedhelp，hewouldseeyoutoyourcampinggroundwithoutaword，buthewouldbeangryifhefoundhehadbeentrickedintobreakinghisoathinorderthatmoneymightbegivenhim。Itwouldneverdo。Besides，therewouldnotbetime，forhemustbebackhereonTuesdaynight。No；ifhebreakshisoathhemustdoitwithhiseyesopen——andhewilldoitlateron——orIwillgoandfetchthemoneyforhimmyself。Heisinlovewithagrand-daughterofMrs。Humdrum’s，andthissum，togetherwithwhatyouarenowleavingwithme，willmakehimawell-to-doman。IhavealwaysbeenunhappyabouthishavinganyoftheMayor’smoney，andhissalarywasnotquiteenoughforhimtomarryon。WhatcanIsaytothankyou？“

“Tellme，please，aboutMrs。Humdrum’sgrand-daughter。YoulikeherasawifeforGeorge？“

“Absolutely。Sheisjustsuchanotherashergrandmothermusthavebeen。SheandGeorgehavebeenswornloverseversincehewasten，andsheeight。Theonlydrawbackisthathermother，Mrs。

Humdrum’sseconddaughter，marriedforlove，andtherearemanychildren，sothattherewillbenomoneywithher；butwhatyouareleavingwillmakeeverythingquiteeasy，forhewillsellthegoldatonce。Iamsogladaboutit。”

“CanyouaskMrs。Humdrumtobringhergrand-daughterwithherto-

morrowevening？“

“Iamafraidnot，forweshallwanttotalkfreelyatdinner，andshemustnotknowthatyouaretheSunchild；sheshallcometomyhouseintheafternoonandyoucanseeherthen。Youwillbequitehappyabouther，butofcourseshemustnotknowthatyouareherfather-in-lawthatistobe。”

“Onethingmore。AsGeorgemustknownothingaboutthesovereigns，ImusttellyouhowIwillhidethem。Theyareinasilverbox，whichIwillbindtotheboughofsometreeclosetomycamp；orifIcanfindatreewithaholeinitIwilldroptheboxintothehole。Hecannotmissmycamp；hehasonlytofollowthestreamthatrunsdownfromthepasstillitgetsnearalargeriver，andonasmalltriangularpatchofflatground，hewillseetheashesofmycampfire，afewyardsawayfromthestreamonhisrighthandashedescends。InwhatevertreeImayhidethebox，Iwillstrewwoodashesforsomeyardsinastraightlinetowardsit。Iwillthenlightanotherfireunderneath，andblazethetreewithaknifethatIhaveleftatmycampingground。Heissuretofindit。”

Yramagainthankedhim，andthenmyfather，tochangetheconversation，askedwhethershethoughtthatGeorgereallywouldhaveBlue-PooledtheProfessors。

“Thereisnoknowing。”saidYram。“Heisthegentlestcreaturelivingtillsomegreatprovocationrouseshim，andIneversawhimhateanddespiseanyoneashedoestheProfessors。Muchofwhathesaidwasmerelyputon，forheknewtheProfessorsmustyield。

Idonotlikehiseverhavingtothrowanyoneintothathorridplace，nomoredoeshe，buttheRangershipisexactlythesortofthingtosuithim，andtheopeningwastoogoodtolose。Imustnowleaveyou，andgetreadyfortheMayor’sbanquet。Weshallmeetagainto-morrowevening。TryandeatwhatIhavebroughtyouinthisbasket。Ihopeyouwilllikethewine。”Sheputoutherhand，whichmyfathertook，andinanothermomentshewasgone，forshesawalookinhisfaceasthoughhewouldfainhaveaskedhertolethimoncemorepresshislipstohers。Hadhedonethis，withoutthinkingaboutit，itislikelyenoughshewouldnothavebeenillpleased。Butwhocansay？

Fortherestoftheeveningmyfatherwasleftverymuchtohisownnottoocomfortablereflections。Hespentpartofitinpostingupthenotesfromwhich，aswellasfromhisownmouth，mystoryisingreatparttaken。ThegoodthingsthatYramhadleftwithhim，andhispipe，whichshehadtoldhimhemightsmokequitefreely，occupiedanotherpart，andbyteno’clockhewenttobed。

CHAPTERXXII：MAINLYOCCUPIEDWITHAVERACIOUSEXTRACTFROMA

SUNCH’STONIANJOURNAL

Whilemyfatherwasthuswilingawaythehoursinhiscell，thewholetownwasbeingilluminatedinhishonour，andnotmorethanacoupleofhundredyardsoff，attheMayor’sbanquet，hewasbeingextolledasasuperhumanbeing。

Thebanquet，whichwasatthetownhall，wasindeedaverybrilliantaffair，butthelittlespacethatisleftmeforbidsmysayingmorethanthatHankymadewhatwasconsideredthespeechoftheevening，andbetrayednosignofilleffectsfromthebadquarterofanhourwhichhehadspentsorecently。NotatracewastobeseenofanydesireonhisparttochangehistoneasregardsSunchildism——as，forexample，tominimizetheimportanceoftherelic，ortoremindhishearersthatthoughthechariotandhorseshadundoubtedlycomedownfromtheskyandcarriedawaymyfatherandmother，yetthattheearlierstageoftheascenthadbeenmadeinaballoon。Italmostseemed，soGeorgetoldmyfather，asthoughhehadresolvedthathewouldspeaklies，alllies，andnothingbutlies。

Panky，whowasalsotohavespoken，wasexcusedbytheMayoronthegroundthatthegreatheatandtheexcitementoftheday’sproceedingshadquiterobbedhimofhisvoice。

Dr。Downiehadajumpingcatbeforehismentalvision。Hespokequietlyandsensibly，dwellingchieflyonthebenefitsthathadalreadyaccruedtothekingdomthroughtheabolitionoftheedictsagainstmachinery，andthegreatdevelopmentswhichheforesawasprobableinthenearfuture。HehelduptheSunchild’sexample，andhisethicalteaching，totheimitationandadmirationofhishearers，buthesaidnothingaboutthemiraculouselementinmyfather’scareer，onwhichhedeclaredthathisfriendProfessorHankyhadalreadysoeloquentlyenlargedastomakefurtherallusiontoitsuperfluous。

Thereaderknowswhatwastohappenonthefollowingmorning。TheprogrammeconcertedattheMayor’swasstrictlyadheredto。Thefollowingaccount，however，whichappearedintheSunch’stonbi-

weeklynewspapertwodaysaftermyfatherhadleft，wasgivenmebyGeorgeayearlater，ontheoccasionofthatinterviewtowhichI

havealreadymorethanoncereferred。Therewereotheraccountsinotherpapers，buttheoneIamgivingdepartstheleastwidelyfromthefacts。Itran：-

“THECLOSEOFADISAGREEABLEINCIDENT——OurreaderswillrememberthatonSundaylastduringthesolemninaugurationofthetemplenowdedicatedtotheSunchild，anindividualonthefrontbenchofthosesetapartforthepublicsuddenlyinterruptedProfessorHanky’seloquentsermonbydeclaringhimselftobetheSunchild，andsayingthathehadcomedownfromthesuntosanctifybyhispresencethegloriousfanewhichthepietyofourfellow-citizensandothershaserectedinhishonour。

“WildrumoursobtainedcredencethroughoutthecongregationtotheeffectthatthispersonwasnoneotherthantheSunchildhimself，andinspiteofthefactthathiscomplexionandthecolourofhishairshowedthistobeimpossible，morethanonepersonwascarriedawaybytheexcitementofthemoment，andbysomefewpointsofresemblancebetweenthestrangerandtheSunchild。Undertheinfluenceofthisbelief，theywerepreparingtogivehimthehonourwhichtheysupposedjustlyduetohim，whentothesurpriseofeveryonehewastakenintocustodybythedeservedlypopularRangeroftheKing’spreserves，andinthecourseoftheafternoonitbecamegenerallyknownthathehadbeenarrestedonthechargeofbeingoneofagangofpoacherswhohavebeenknownforsometimepasttobemakingmuchhavocamongthequailsonthepreserves。

“Thisoffence，atalltimesdeploredbythosewhodesirethathisMajestyshouldenjoygoodsportwhenhehonoursuswithavisit，isdoublydeplorableduringtheseasonwhen，onthehigherpartsofthepreserves，theyoungbirdsarenotyetabletoshiftforthemselves；theRanger，therefore，isindefatigableinhiseffortstobreakupthegang，andwiththisendinview，forthelastfortnighthasbeenoutnightanddayontheremotersectionsoftheforest——littlesuspectingthatthemarauderswouldventuresonearSunch’stonasitnowseemstheyhavedone。Itistohisextremeanxietytodetectandpunishthesemiscreantsthatwemustascribethearrestofaman，who，howeverfoolish，andindeedguilty，heisinotherrespects，isinnocentoftheparticularcrimeimputedtohim。Thecircumstancesthatledtohisarresthavereachedusfromanexceptionallywell-informedsource，andareasfollows：-

“Ourdistinguishedguests，ProfessorsHankyandPanky，bothofthemjustlycelebratedarchaeologists，hadavailedthemselvesoftheopportunityaffordedthembytheirvisittoSunch’ston，toinspectthemysteriousstatuesattheheadofthestreamthatcomesdownnearthiscity，andwhichhavehithertobaffledallthosewhohavetriedtoascertaintheirdateandpurpose。

“OntheirdescentafterafatiguingdaytheProfessorswerebenighted，andlosttheirway。Seeingthelightofasmallfireamongsometreesnearthem，theymadetowardsit，hopingtobedirectedrightly，andfoundaman，respectablydressed，sittingbythefirewithseveralbraceofquailsbesidehim，someofthemplucked。Believingthatinspiteofhisappearance，whichwouldnothaveledthemtosupposethathewasapoacher，hemustunquestionablybeone，theyhurriedlyenquiredtheirway，intendingtoleavehimassoonastheyhadgottheiranswer；he，however，attackedthem，ormadeasthoughhewoulddoso，andsaidhewouldshowthemawaywhichtheyshouldbeinnofearoflosing，whereonProfessorHanky，withawell-directedblow，felledhimtotheground。ThetwoProfessors，fearingthatotherpoachersmightcometohisassistance，madeoffasnearlyastheycouldguessinthedirectionofSunch’ston。Whentheyhadgoneamileortwoonwardathaphazard，theysatdownunderalargetree，andwaitedtilldaybegantobreak；theythenresumedtheirjourney，andbeforelongstruckapathwhichledthemtoaspotfromwhichtheycouldseethetowersofthenewtemple。

“Fatiguedthoughtheywere，theywaitedbeforetakingtherestofwhichtheystoodmuchinneed，tilltheyhadreportedtheiradventureattheRanger’soffice。TheRangerwasstilloutonthepreserves，butimmediatelyonhisreturnonSaturdaymorninghereadthedescriptionofthepoacher’sappearanceanddress，aboutwhichlast，however，theonlyremarkablefeaturewasthatitwasbetterthanapoachermightbeexpectedtopossess，andgaveanairofrespectabilitytothewearerthatmighteasilydisarmsuspicion。

“TheRangermadeenquiriesatalltheinnsinSunch’ston，andatlengthsucceededinhearingofastrangerwhoappearedtocorrespondwiththepoacherwhomtheProfessorshadseen；butthemanhadalreadyleft，andthoughtheRangerdidhisbesttotracehimhedidnotsucceed。OnSundaymorning，however，heobservedtheprisoner，andfoundthatheansweredthedescriptiongivenbytheProfessors；hethereforearrestedhimquietlyinthetemple，buttoldhimthatheshouldnottakehimtoprisontilltheservicewasover。Themansaidhewouldcomequietlyinasmuchasheshouldeasilybeabletoprovehisinnocence。Inthemeantime，however，heprofessedtheutmostanxietytohearProfessorHanky’ssermon，whichhesaidhebelievedwouldconcernhimnearly。TheRangerpaidnoattentiontothis，andwasasmuchastoundedastherestofthecongregationwere，whenimmediatelyafteroneofProfessorHanky’smosteloquentpassages，themanstartedupanddeclaredhimselftobetheSunchild。OnthistheRangertookhimawayatonce，andfortheman’sownprotectionhurriedhimofftoprison。

“ProfessorHankywassomuchshockedatsuchoutrageousconduct，thatforthemomenthefailedtorecognisetheoffender；afterafewseconds，however，hegraspedthesituation，andknewhimtobeonewhoonpreviousoccasions，nearBridgeford，haddonewhathewasnowdoing。ItseemsthatheisnotoriousintheneighbourhoodofBridgeford，asamonomaniacwhoissodeeplyimpressedwiththebeautyoftheSunchild’scharacter——andwepresumealsoofhisown——

astobelievethatheishimselftheSunchild。

“Recoveringalmostinstantlyfromtheshocktheinterruptionhadgivenhim，thelearnedProfessorcalmedhishearersbyacquaintingthemwiththefactsofthecase，andcontinuedhissermontothedelightofallwhoheardit。Weshouldsay，however，thatthegentlemanwhotwentyyearsagoinstructedtheSunchildintheErewhonianlanguage，wassostruckwithsomefewpointsofresemblancebetweenthestranger，andhisformerpupil，thatheacclaimedhim，andwasremovedforciblybythevergers。

“OnMondaymorningtheprisonerwasbroughtupbeforetheMayor。

Wecannotsaywhetheritwasthesoberingeffectofprisonwalls，orwhetherhehadbeendrinkingbeforeheenteredthetemple，andhadnowhadtimeenoughtorecoverhimself——atanyrateforsomereasonorotherhewasabjectlypenitentwhenhiscasecameonforhearing。Thechargeofpoachingwasfirstgoneinto，butwasimmediatelydisposedofbytheevidenceofthetwoProfessors，whostatedthattheprisonerborenoresemblancetothepoachertheyhadseen，savethathewasaboutthesameheightandage，andwasrespectablydressed。

“ThechargeofdisturbingthecongregationbydeclaringhimselftheSunchildwasthenproceededwith，andunnecessaryasitmayappeartobe，itwasthoughtadvisabletopreventallpossibilityoftheman’sassertionbeingacceptedbytheignorantastrue，atsomelaterdate，whenthosewhocouldproveitsfalsehoodwerenolongerliving。Theprisoner，therefore，wasremovedtohiscell，andtheremeasuredbytheMasteroftheGaol，andtheRangerinthepresenceoftheMayor，whoattestedtheaccuracyofthemeasurements。NotonesingleoneofthemcorrespondedwiththoserecordedoftheSunchildhimself，andafewmarkssuchasmoles，andpermanentscarsontheSunchild’sbodywerenotfoundontheprisoner’s。Furthermoretheprisonerwasshaggy-breasted，withmuchcoarsejetblackhaironthefore-armsandfromthekneesdownwards，whereastheSunchildhadlittlehairsaveonhishead，andwhatlittletherewas，wasfine，andverylightincolour。

“Confrontedwiththesediscrepancies，thegentlemanwhohadtaughttheSunchildourlanguagewasconvincedofhismistake，thoughhestillmaintainedthattherewassomesuperficiallikenessbetweenhisformerpupilandtheprisoner。HerehewasconfirmedbytheMasteroftheGaol，theMayoress，Mrs。Humdrum，andProfessorsHankyandPanky，whoallofthemcouldseewhattheinterpretermeant，butdeniedthattheprisonercouldbemistakenfortheSunchildformorethanafewseconds。Nodoubttheprisoner’sunhappydelusionhasbeenfostered，ifnotentirelycaused，byhishavingbeenrepeatedlytoldthathewasliketheSunchild。ThecelebratedDr。Downie，whowellrememberstheSunchild，wasalsoexamined，andgavehisevidencewithsomuchconvincingdetailastomakeitunnecessarytocallfurtherwitnesses。

“IthavingbeenthusonceforallofficiallyandauthoritativelyplacedonrecordthattheprisonerwasnottheSunchild，ProfessorsHankyandPankythenidentifiedhimasawellknownmonomaniaconthesubjectofSunchildism，whoinotherrespectswasharmless。Wewithholdhisnameandplaceofabode，outofconsiderationforthewellknownandhighlyrespectablefamilytowhichhebelongs。Theprisoneradmittedwithmuchcontritionthathehadmadeadisturbanceinthetemple，butpleadedthathehadbeencarriedawaybytheeloquenceofProfessorHanky；hepromisedtoavoidalllikeoffenceinfuture，andthrewhimselfonthemercyofthecourt。

“TheMayor，unwillingthatSunday’smemorableceremonyshouldbetheoccasionofaseriouspunishmenttoanyofthosewhotookpartinit，reprimandedtheprisonerinafewseverebutnotunkindlywords，inflictedafineoffortyshillings，andorderedthattheprisonershouldbetakendirectlytothetemple，whereheshouldconfesshisfollytotheManagerandHeadCashier，andconfirmhiswordsbykissingthereliquaryinwhichthenewlyfoundrelichasbeenplaced。Theprisonerbeingunabletopaythefine，someoftheladiesandgentlemenincourtkindlyraisedtheamountamongstthem，inpityforthepoorcreature’sobviouscontrition，ratherthanseehimsenttoprisonforamonthindefaultofpayment。

“Theprisonerwasthenconductedtothetemple，followedbyaconsiderablenumberofpeople。Strangetosay，inspiteoftheoverwhelmingevidencethattheyhadjustheard，somefewamongthefollowers，whoseloveofthemarvellousoverpoweredtheirreason，stillmaintainedthattheprisonerwastheSunchild。Nothingcouldbemoredecorousthantheprisoner’sbehaviourwhen，afterhearingtherecantationthatwasreadouttohimbytheManager，hesignedthedocumentwithhisnameandaddress，whichweagainwithhold，andkissedthereliquaryinconfirmationofhiswords。

“TheMayorthendeclaredtheprisonertobeatliberty。Whenhehaddonesohesaid，’Istronglyurgeyoutoplaceyourselfundermyprotectionforthepresent，thatyoumaybefreedfromtheimpertinentfollyandcuriosityofsomewhoseinfatuationmightleadyoufromthatbettermindtowhichIbelieveyouarenowhappilyrestored。Iwishyoutoremainforsomefewhourssecludedintheprivacyofmyownstudy，whereDr。DownieandthetwoexcellentProfessorswilladministerthatghostlycounseltoyou，whichwillbelikelytoprotectyoufromanyreturnofyourunhappydelusion。’

“Themanhumblybowedassent，andwastakenbytheMayor’syoungersonstotheMayor’sownhouse，wherehewasdulycaredfor。Aboutmidnight，whenallwasquiet，hewasconductedtotheoutskirtsofthetowntowardsClearwater，andfurnishedwithenoughmoneytoprovideforhismorepressingnecessitiestillhecouldreachsomerelativeswhoresidethreeorfourdays’walkdownontheroadtowardsthecapital。HedesiredthemanwhoaccompaniedhimtorepeattotheMayorhisheartfeltthanksfortheforbearanceandgenerositywithwhichhehadbeentreated。Theremembranceofthis，hesaid，shouldbeeverpresentwithhim，andhewasconfidentwouldprotecthimifhisunhappymonomaniashewedanysignsofreturning。

“Letusnow，however，remindourreadersthatthepoacherwhothreatenedProfessorsHankyandPanky’slifeonThursdayeveninglastisstillatlarge。Heisevidentlyamanofdesperatecharacter，anditistobehopedthatourfellow-citizenswillgiveimmediateinformationattheRanger’sofficeiftheyseeanystrangerintheneighbourhoodofthepreserveswhomtheymayhavereasonablegroundsforsuspecting。

“P。S——Asweareonthepointofgoingtopresswelearnthatadangerouslunatic，whohasbeenforsomeyearsconfinedintheClearwaterasylum，succeededinescapingonthenightofWednesdaylast，anditissurmisedwithmuchprobability，thatthiswasthemanwhothreatenedthetwoProfessorsonThursdayevening。Hisbeingalone，hishavingdaredtolightafire，probablytocookquailswhichhehadbeendriventokillfromstressofhunger，therespectabilityofhisdress，andthefurywithwhichhewouldhaveattackedthetwoProfessorssingle-handed，butforProfessorHanky’spresenceofmindingivinghimaknock-downblow，allpointinthedirectionofthinkingthathewasnotruepoacher，but，whatisevenmoredangerous——amadmanatlarge。Wehavenotreceivedanyparticularsastotheman’sappearance，northeclotheshewaswearing，butwehavelittledoubtthatthesewillconfirmthesurmisetowhichwenowgivepublicity。Ifitiscorrectitbecomesdoublyincumbentonallourfellow-citizenstobebothonthewatch，andontheirguard。

“Wemayaddthatthemanwasfullybelievedtohavetakenthedirectiontowardsthecapital；hencenoattemptsweremadetolookforhimintheneighbourhoodofSunch’ston，untilnewsofthethreatenedattackontheProfessorsledthekeeperoftheasylumtofeelconfidentthathehadhithertobeenonawrongscent。”

CHAPTERXXIII：MYFATHERISESCORTEDTOTHEMAYOR’SHOUSE，ANDIS

INTRODUCEDTOAFUTUREDAUGHTER-IN-LAW

MyfathersaidhewasfollowedtotheMayor’shousebyagoodmanypeople，whomtheMayor’ssonsinvaintriedtogetridof。OneortwoofthesestillpersistedinsayinghewastheSunchild——whereonanothersaid，“Buthishairisblack。”

“Yes。”wastheanswer，“butamancandyehishair，canhenot？

lookathisblueeyesandhiseye-lashes？“

MyfatherwasdoubtingwhetherheoughtnottoagaindenyhisidentityoutofloyaltytotheMayorandYram，whenGeorge’snextbrothersaid，“Paynoattentiontothem，butstepoutasfastasyoucan。”Thissettledthematter，andinafewminutestheywereattheMayor’s，wheretheyoungmentookhimintothestudy；theeldersaidwithasmile，“Weshouldliketostayandtalktoyou，butmymothersaidwewerenottodoso。”Whereontheylefthimmuchtohisregret，buthegatheredrightlythattheyhadnotbeenofficiallytoldwhohewas，andweretobelefttothinkwhattheyliked，atanyrateforthepresent。

InafewminutestheMayorentered，andgoingstraightuptomyfathershookhimcordiallybythehand。

“Ihavebroughtyouthismorning’spaper。”saidhe。“YouwillfindafullreportofProfessorHanky’ssermon，andofthespeechesatlastnight’sbanquet。Youseetheypassoveryourlittleinterruptionwithhardlyaword，butIdaresaytheywillhavemadeuptheirmindsaboutitallbyThursday’sissue。”

Helaughedasheproducedthepaper——whichmyfatherbroughthomewithhim，andwithoutwhichIshouldnothavebeenabletoreportHanky’ssermonasfullyasIhavedone。Butmyfathercouldnotletthingspassoverthuslightly。

“Ithankyou。”hesaid，“butIhavemuchmoretothankyoufor，andknownothowtodoit。”

“Canyounottrustmetotakeeverythingassaid？“

“Yes，butIcannottrustmyselfnottobehauntedifIdonotsay——

oratanyratetrytosay——somepartofwhatIoughttosay。”

“Verywell；thenIwillsaysomethingmyself。Ihaveasmalljoke，theonlyoneIevermade，whichIinflictperiodicallyuponmywife。You，andIsupposeGeorge，aretheonlytwootherpeopleintheworldtowhomitcaneverbetold；letmesee，then，ifI

cannotbreaktheicewithit。Itisthis。Somemenhavetwinsons；Georgeinthistopsyturveyworldofourshastwinfathers——

youbyluck，andmebycunning。Iseeyousmile；givemeyourhand。”

MyfathertooktheMayor’shandbetweenbothhisown。“HadIbeeninyourplace。”hesaid，“IshouldbegladtohopethatImighthavedoneasyoudid。”

“AndI。”saidtheMayor，morereadilythanmighthavebeenexpectedofhim，“fearthatifIhadbeeninyours——Ishouldhavemadeittheproperthingforyoutodo。There！Theiceiswellbroken，andnowforbusiness。Youwilllunchwithus，anddineintheevening。Ihavegivenitoutthatyouareofgoodfamily，sothereisnothingoddinthis。AtlunchyouwillnotbetheSunchild，formyyoungerchildrenwillbethere；atdinnerallpresentwillknowwhoyouare，soweshallbefreeassoonastheservantsareoutoftheroom。

“Iamsorry，butImustsendyouawaywithGeorgeassoonasthestreetsareempty——sayatmidnight——fortheexcitementistoogreattoallowofyourstayinglonger。Wemustkeepyourrugandthethingsyoucookwith，butmywifewillfindyouwhatwillserveyourturn。Thereisnomoon，soyouandGeorgewillcampoutassoonasyougetwellontothepreserves；theweatherishot，andyouwillneitherofyoutakeanyharm。To-morrowbymid-dayyouwillbeatthestatues，whereGeorgemustbidyougood-bye，forhemustbeatSunch’stonto-morrownight。Youwilldoubtlessgetsafelyhome；IwishwithallmyheartthatIcouldhearofyourhavingdoneso，butthis，Ifear，maynotbe。”

“Sobeit。”repliedmyfather，“butthereissomethingIshouldyetsay。TheMayoresshasnodoubttoldyouofsomegold，coinedanduncoined，thatIamleavingforGeorge。ShewillalsohavetoldyouthatIamrich；thisbeingso，Ishouldhavebroughthimmuchmore，ifIhadknownthattherewasanysuchperson。Youhaveotherchildren；ifyouleavehimanything，youwillbetakingitawayfromyourownfleshandblood；ifyouleavehimnothing，itwillbeasluruponhim。Imustthereforesendyouenoughgold，toprovideforGeorgeasyourotherchildrenwillbeprovidedfor；youcansettleituponhimatonce，andmakeitclearthatthesettlementisinsteadofprovisionforhimbywill。ThedifficultyisinthegettingthegoldintoErewhon，anduntilitisactuallyhere，hemustknownothingaboutit。”

Ihavenospaceforthediscussionthatfollowed。IntheenditwassettledthatGeorgewastohave2000poundsingold，whichtheMayordeclaredtobetoomuch，andmyfathertoolittle。Both，however，wereagreedthatErewhonwouldbeforelongbecompelledtoenterintorelationswithforeigncountries，inwhichcasethevalueofgoldwoulddeclinesomuchastomake2000poundsworthlittlemorethanitwouldbeinEngland。TheMayorproposedtobuylandwithit，whichhewouldhandovertoGeorgeasagiftfromhimself，andthismyfatheratonceaccededto。Allsortsofquestionssuchaswilloccurtothereaderwereraisedandsettled，butImustbeghimtobecontentwithknowingthateverythingwasarrangedwiththegoodsensethattwosuchmenweresuretobringtobearuponit。

ThegettingthegoldintoErewhonwastobemanagedthus。Georgewastoknownothing，butapromisewastobegotfromhimthatatnoononthefollowingNewYear’sday，orwhateverdaymightbeagreedupon，hewouldbeatthestatues，whereeithermyfatherormyselfwouldmeethim，spendacoupleofhourswithhim，andthenreturn。WhoevermetGeorgewastobringthegoldasthoughitwerefortheMayor，andGeorgecouldbetrustedtobehumanenoughtobringitdown，whenhesawthatitwouldbeleftwhereitwasifhedidnotdoso。

“Hewillkickagooddeal。”saidtheMayor，“atfirst，buthewillcomeroundintheend。”

Luncheonwasnowannounced。Myfatherwasfeelingfaintandill；

morethanonceduringtheforenoonhehadhadareturnofthestrangegiddinessandmomentarylossofmemorywhichhadalreadytwiceattackedhim，buthehadrecoveredineachcasesoquicklythatnoonehadseenhewasunwell。He，poorman，didnotyetknowwhatseriousbrainexhaustiontheseattacksbetokened，andfindinghimselfinhisusualhealthassoonastheypassedaway，setthemdownassimplyeffectsoffatigueandundueexcitement。

Georgedidnotlunchwiththeothers。Yramexplainedthathehadtodrawupareportwhichwouldoccupyhimtilldinnertime。Herthreeothersons，andherthreelovelydaughters，werethere。Myfatherwasdelightedwithallofthem，fortheymadefriendswithhimatonce。Hehadfearedthathewouldhavebeendisgracedintheireyes，byhishavingjustcomefromprison，butwhatevertheymayhavethought，notraceofanythingbutalittleengagingtimidityonthegirls’partwastobeseen。Thetwoelderboys——orratheryoungmen，fortheyseemedfullygrown，though，likeGeorge，notyetbearded——treatedhimasalreadyanoldacquaintance，whiletheyoungest，aladoffourteen，walkedstraightuptohim，putouthishand，andsaid，“Howdoyoudo，sir？“withaprettyblushthatwentstraighttomyfather’sheart。

“Theseboys。”hesaidtoYramaside，“whohavenothingtoblushfor——seehowthebloodmantlesintotheiryoungcheeks，whileI，whoshouldblushatbeingspokentobythem，cannotdoso。”

“Donottalknonsense。”saidYram，withmockseverity。

Butitwasnononsensetomypoorfather。Hewasawedatthegoodnessandbeautywithwhichhefoundhimselfsurrounded。Histhoughtsweretoofullofwhathadbeen，whatwas，andwhatwasyettobe，tolethimdevotehimselftotheseyoungpeopleashewoulddearlyhavelikedtodo。Hecouldonlylookatthem，wonderatthem，fallinlovewiththem，andthankheaventhatGeorgehadbeenbroughtupinsuchahousehold。

Whenluncheonwasover，Yramsaid，“Iwillnowsendyoutoaroomwhereyoucanliedownandgotosleepforafewhours。Youwillbeoutlateto-night，andhadbetterrestwhileyoucan。Doyourememberthedrinkyoutaughtustomakeofcornparchedandground？Youusedtosayyoulikedit。Acupshallbebroughttoyourroomataboutfive，foryoumusttryandsleeptillthen。Ifyounoticealittleboxonthedressing-tableofyourroom，youwillopenitornoasyoulike。Abouthalf-pastfivetherewillbeavisitor，whosenameyoucanguess，butIshallnotletherstaylongwithyou。Herecomestheservanttotakeyoutoyourroom。”

Onthisshesmiled，andturnedsomewhathurriedlyaway。

Myfatheronreachinghisroomwenttothedressing-table，wherehesawasmallunpretendingbox，whichheimmediatelyopened。Onthetopwasapaperwiththewords，“Look——saynothing——forget。”

Beneaththiswassomecottonwool，andthen——thetwobuttonsandthelockofhisownhair，thathehadgivenYramwhenhesaidgood-

byetoher。

TheghostofthelockthatYramhadthengivenhim，rosefromthedead，andsmotehimaswithawhipacrosstheface。Onwhatdust-

heaphaditnotbeenthrownhowmanylongyearsago？Thenshehadneverforgottenhim？tohavebeenrememberedalltheseyearsbysuchawomanasthat，andnevertohaveheededit——nevertohavefoundoutwhatshewasthoughhehadseenherdayafterdayformonths。Ah！butshewasthenstillbudding。Thatwasnoexcuse。

Ifaloveablewoman——aye，oranywoman——haslovedaman，eventhoughhecannotmarryher，orevenwishtodoso，atanyratelethimnotforgether——andhehadforgottenYramascompletelyuntilthelastfewdays，asthoughhehadneverseenher。Hetookherlittlemissive，andunder“Look。”hewrote，“Ihave；“under“Saynothing。”“Iwill；“under“forget。”“never。”“AndInevershall。”

hesaidtohimself，ashereplacedtheboxuponthetable。Hethenlaydowntorestuponthebed，buthecouldgetnosleep。

Whentheservantbroughthimhisimitationcoffee——animitationsosuccessfulthatYrammadehimapacketofittoreplacetheteathathemustleavebehindhim——heroseandpresentlycamedownstairsintothedrawing-room，wherehefoundYramandMrs。

Humdrum’sgrand-daughter，ofwhomIwillsaynothing，forIhaveneverseenher，andknownothingabouther，exceptthatmyfatherfoundherasweet-lookinggirl，ofgracefulfigureandveryattractiveexpression。Hewasquitehappyabouther，butshewastooyoungandshytomakeitpossibleforhimtodomorethanadmireherappearance，andtakeYram’swordforitthatshewasasgoodasshelooked。

CHAPTERXXIV：AFTERDINNER，DR。DOWNIEANDTHEPROFESSORSWOULDBE

GLADTOKNOWWHATISTOBEDONEABOUTSUNCHILDISM

ItwasaboutsixwhenGeorge’sfianceeleftthehouse，andassoonasshehaddoneso，Yrambegantoseeabouttherugandthebestsubstitutesshecouldfindforthebillyandpannikin。ShehadabasketpackedwithallthatmyfatherandGeorgewouldwanttoeatanddrinkwhileonthepreserves，andenoughofeverything，exceptmeat，tokeepmyfathergoingtillhecouldreachtheshepherd’shutofwhichIhavealreadyspoken。Meatwouldnotkeep，andmyfathercouldgetplentyofflappers——i。e。ducksthatcannotyetfly——whenhewasontheriver-beddownbelow。

Theabovepreparationshadnotbeenmadeverylong，beforeMrs。

Humdrumarrived，followedpresentlybyDr。DownieandinduecoursebytheProfessors，whowerestillstayinginthehouse。MyfatherrememberedMrs。Humdrum’sgoodhonestface，butcouldnotbringDr。

DownietohisrecollectiontilltheDoctortoldhimwhenandwheretheyhadmet，andthenhecouldonlyveryuncertainlyrecallhim，thoughhevowedthathecouldnowdosoperfectlywell。

“Atanyrate。”saidHanky，advancingtowardshimwithhisbestBridgefordmanner，“youwillnothaveforgottenmeetingmybrotherProfessorandmyself。”

“Ithasbeenratheraforgettingsortofamorning。”saidmyfatherdemurely，“butIcanrememberthatmuch，andamdelightedtorenewmyacquaintancewithbothofyou。”

AshespokeheshookhandswithbothProfessors。

Georgewasalittlelate，butwhenhecame，dinnerwasannounced。

MyfathersatonYram’sright-hand，Dr。Downieonherleft。Georgewasnextmyfather，withMrs。Humdrumoppositetohim。TheProfessorssatoneoneithersideoftheMayor。Duringdinnertheconversationturnedalmostentirelyonmyfather’sflight，hisnarrowescapefromdrowning，andhisadventuresonhisreturntoEngland；abouttheselastmyfatherwasveryreticent，forhesaidnothingabouthisbook，andantedatedhisaccessionofwealthbysomefifteenyears，butashewalkeduptowardsthestatueswithGeorgehetoldhimeverything。

Myfatherrepeatedlytriedtoturntheconversationfromhimself，butMrs。HumdrumandYramwantedtoknowaboutNnaHaras，astheypersistedincallingmymother——howsheenduredherterribleexperiencesintheballoon，whensheandmyfatherweremarried，allaboutmyunworthyself，andEnglandgenerally。NomatterhowoftenhebegantoaskquestionsabouttheNosniborsandotheroldacquaintances，boththeladiessoonwentbacktohisownadventures。Hesucceeded，however，inlearningthatMr。Nosniborwasdead，andZulora，anoldmaidofthemostunattractivekind，whohadpersistentlyrefusedtoacceptSunchildism，whileMrs。

Nosniborwastherecipientofhonourshardlyinferiortothoseconferredbythepeopleatlargeonmyfatherandmother，withwhom，indeed，shebelievedherselftohavefrequentinterviewsbywayofvisionaryrevelations。SointolerableweretheserevelationstoZulora，thataseparateestablishmenthadbeenprovidedforher。Georgesaidtomyfatherquietly——“DoyouknowI

begintothinkthatZuloramustberatheraniceperson。”

“Perhaps。”saidmyfathergrimly，“butmywifeandIdidnotfinditout。”

Whentheladieslefttheroom，Dr。DownietookYram’sseat，andHankyDr。Downie’s；theMayortookMrs。Humdrum’s，leavingmyfather，George，andPanky，intheiroldplaces。Almostimmediately，Dr。Downiesaid，“Andnow，Mr，Higgs，tellus，asamanoftheworld，whatwearetodoaboutSunchildism？“

Myfathersmiledatthis。“Youknow，mydearsir，aswellasIdo，thattheproperthingwouldbetoputmebackinprison，andkeepmetheretillyoucansendmedowntothecapital。Youshouldeatyouroathsofthismorning，asIwouldeatmine；telleveryoneherewhoIam；letthemseethatmyhairhasbeendyed；getallwhoknewmewhenIwasherebeforetocomeandseeme；appointanunimpeachablecommitteetoexaminetherecordofmymarksandmeasurements，andcompareitwiththoseofmyownbody。YoushouldletmebeseenineverytownatwhichIlodgedonmywaydown，andtellpeoplethatyouhadmadeamistake。Whenyougettothecapital，handmeovertotheKing’stendermerciesandsaythatouroathswereonlytakenthismorningtopreventafermentinthetown。Iwillplaymypartverywillingly。TheKingcanonlykillme，andIshoulddielikeagentleman。”

“Theywillnotdoit。”saidGeorgequietlytomyfather，“andIamgladofit。”

Hewasright。“This。”saidDr。Downie，“isacounselofperfection。Thingshavegonetoofar，andwearefleshandblood。

WhatwouldthosewhoinyourcountrycomenearesttousMusicalBankManagersdo，iftheyfoundtheyhadmadesuchamistakeaswehave，anddarednotownit？“

“Donotaskme。”saidmyfather；“thestoryistoolong，andtooterrible。”

“Atanyrate，then，telluswhatyouwouldhaveusdothatiswithinourreach。”

“Ihavedoneyouharmenough，andifIpreach，aslikelyasnotI

shalldomore。”

Seeing，however，thatDr。Downiewasanxioustohearwhathethought，myfathersaid-

“ThenImusttellyou。Ourreligionsetsbeforeusanidealwhichweallcordiallyaccept，butitalsotellsusofmarvelslikeyourchariotandhorses，whichwemostofusreject。Ourbestteachersinsistontheideal，andkeepthemarvelsinthebackground。Iftheycouldsayoutrightthatouragehasoutgrownthem，theywouldsayso，butthistheymaynotdo；neverthelesstheycontrivetolettheiropinionsbesufficientlywellknown，andtheirhearersarecontentwiththis。

“Wehaveotherswhotakeaverydifferentcourse，butoftheseI

willnotspeak。Roughly，then，ifyoucannotabolishmealtogether，makemeapegonwhichtohangallyourownbestethicalandspiritualconceptions。Ifyouwilldothis，andwriggleoutofthatwretchedrelic，withthatnotlesswretchedpicture——ifyouwillmakemeouttobemuchbetterandablerthanI

was，orevershallbe，Sunchildismmayserveyourturnformanyalongyeartocome。Otherwiseitwilltumbleaboutyourheadsbeforeyouthinkitwill。