第20章

Iain’tgoingtoblameanybody，butIhain’tgotverymuchconfidenceinRogers。AndItoldhimsolastnight。"

"Oh，don’ttalktomeaboutRogers！"hiswifebrokein。

"There’ssomethingagooddealmoreimportantthanRogersintheworld，andmoreimportantthanyourbusiness。

Itseemsasifyoucouldn’tthinkofanythingelse——thatandthenewhouse。DidyousupposeIwantedtoridesoastotalkRogerswithyou？"shedemanded，yieldingtothenecessityawifefeelsofmakingherhusbandpayforhersuffering，evenifhehasnotinflictedit。

"Ideclare————"

"Well，holdon，now！"saidLapham。"WhatDOyouwanttotalkabout？I’mlistening。"

Hiswifebegan，"Why，it’sjustthis，SilasLapham！"

andthenshebrokeofftosay，"Well，youmaywait，now——startingmewrong，whenit’shardenoughanyway。"

Laphamsilentlyturnedhiswhipoverandoverinhishandandwaited。

"Didyousuppose，"sheaskedatlast，"thatthatyoungCoreyhadbeencomingtoseeIrene？"

"Idon’tknowwhatIsupposed，"repliedLaphamsullenly。

"Youalwayssaidso。"Helookedsharplyatherunderhisloweringbrows。

"Well，hehasn’t，"saidMrs。Lapham；andsherepliedtothefrownthatblackenedonherhusband’sface。

"AndIcantellyouwhat，ifyoutakeitinthatwayI

shan’tspeakanotherword。"

"Who’stakin’itwhatway？"retortedLaphamsavagely。

"Whatareyoudrivin’at？"

"Iwantyoushouldpromisethatyou’llhearmeoutquietly。"

"I’llhearyououtifyou’llgivemeachance。Ihaven’tsaidawordyet。"

"Well，I’mnotgoingtohaveyouflyingintofortyfuries，andlookinglikeaperfectthunder—cloudattheverystart。

I’vehadtobearit，andyou’vegottobearittoo。"

"Well，letmehaveachanceatit，then。"

"It’snothingtoblameanybodyabout，asIcansee，andtheonlyquestionis，what’sthebestthingtodoaboutit。There’sonlyonethingwecando；forifhedon’tcareforthechild，nobodywantstomakehim。

Ifhehasn’tbeencomingtoseeher，hehasn’t，andthat’sallthereistoit。"

"No，itain’t！"exclaimedLapham。

"There！"protestedhiswife。

"Ifhehasn’tbeencomingtoseeher，whatHAShebeencomingfor？"

"He’sbeencomingtoseePen！"criedthewife。"NOW

areyousatisfied？"Hertoneimpliedthathehadbroughtitalluponthem；butatthesightoftheswiftpassionsworkinginhisfacetoaperfectcomprehensionofthewholetrouble，shefelltotrembling，andherbrokenvoicelostallthespuriousindignationshehadputintoit。

"OSilas！whatarewegoingtodoaboutit？I’mafraidit’llkillIrene。"

Laphampulledofftheloosedriving—glovefromhisrighthandwiththefingersofhisleft，inwhichthereinslay。

Hepasseditoverhisforehead，andthenflickedfromitthemoistureithadgatheredthere。Hecaughthisbreathonceortwice，likeamanwhomeditatesastrugglewithsuperiorforceandthenremainspassiveinitsgrasp。

Hiswifefelttheneedofcomfortinghim，asshehadfelttheneedofafflictinghim。"Idon’tsaybutwhatitcanbemadetocomeoutallrightintheend。AllIsayis，Idon’tseemywayclearyet。"

"WhatmakesyouthinkhelikesPen？"heaskedquietly。

"Hetoldhersolastnight，andshetoldmethismorning。

Washeattheofficeto—day？"

"Yes，hewasthere。Ihaven’tbeentheremuchmyself。

Hedidn’tsayanythingtome。DoesIreneknow？"

"No；Ilefthergettingreadytogooutshopping。

ShewantstogetapinliketheoneNannyCoreyhadon。"

"OmyLord！"groanedLapham。

"It’sbeenPenfromthestart，Iguess，oralmostfromthestart。Idon’tsaybutwhathewasattractedsomebyIreneattheveryfirst；butIguessit’sbeenPeneversincehesawher；andwe’vetakenupwithanotion，andblindedourselveswithit。TimeandagainI’vehadmydoubtswhetherhecaredforIreneany；butIdeclaretogoodness，whenhekeptcoming，IneverhardlythoughtofPen，andIcouldn’thelpbelievingatlastheDIDcareforIrene。DiditeverstrikeyouhemightbeafterPen？"

"No。Itookwhatyousaid。Isupposedyouknew。"

"Doyoublameme，Silas？"sheaskedtimidly。

"No。What’stheuseofblaming？Wedon’teitherofuswantanythingbutthechildren’sgood。What’sitallofitfor，ifitain’tforthat？That’swhatwe’vebothslavedforallourlives。"

"Yes，Iknow。PlentyofpeopleLOSEtheirchildren，"

shesuggested。

"Yes，butthatdon’tcomfortmeany。Ineverwasonetofeelgoodbecauseanothermanfeltbad。Howwouldyouhavelikeditifsomeonehadtakencomfortbecausehisboylivedwhenoursdied？No，Ican’tdoit。Andthisisworsethandeath，someways。Thatcomesanditgoes；butthislooksasifitwasoneofthosethingsthathadcometostay。

ThewayIlookatit，thereain’tanyhopeforanybody。

Supposewedon’twantPentohavehim；willthathelpIreneany，ifhedon’twanther？Supposewedon’twanttolethimhaveeither；doesthathelpeither！"

"Youtalk，"exclaimedMrs。Lapham，"asifoursaywasgoingtosettleit。DoyousupposethatPenelopeLaphamisagirltotakeupwithafellowthathersisterisinlovewith，andthatshealwaysthoughtwasinlovewithhersister，andgooffandbehappywithhim？

Don’tyoubelievebutwhatitwouldcomebacktoher，aslongasshebreathedthebreathoflife，howshe’dteasedherabouthim，asI’veheardPenteaseIrene，andhelpedtomakeherthinkhewasinlovewithher，byshowingthatshethoughtsoherself？It’sridiculous！"

Laphamseemedquitebeatendownbythisargument。

Hishugeheadhungforwardoverhisbreast；thereinslaylooseinhismovelesshand；themaretookherownway。

Atlastheliftedhisfaceandshuthisheavyjaws。

"Well？"quaveredhiswife。

"Well，"heanswered，"ifhewantsher，andshewantshim，Idon’tseewhatthat’sgottodowithit。"Helookedstraightforward，andnotathiswife。

Shelaidherhandsonthereins。"Now，youstoprighthere，SilasLapham！IfIthoughtthat——ifIreallybelievedyoucouldbewillingtobreakthatpoorchild’sheart，andletPendisgraceherselfbymarryingamanthathadasgoodaskilledhersister，justbecauseyouwantedBromfieldCorey’ssonforason—in—law————"

Laphamturnedhisfacenow，andgaveheralook。

"YouhadbetterNOTbelievethat，Persis！Getup！"

hecalledtothemare，withoutglancingather，andshesprangforward。"Iseeyou’vegotpastbeinganyusetoyourselfonthissubject。"

"Hello！"shoutedavoiceinfrontofhim。"Wherethedevilyougoin’to？"

"DoyouwanttoKILLsomebody！"shriekedhiswife。

Therewasalightcrash，andthemarerecoiledherlength，andseparatedtheirwheelsfromthoseoftheopenbuggyinfrontwhichLaphamhaddriveninto。Hemadehisexcusestotheoccupant；andtheaccidentrelievedthetensionoftheirfeelings，andleftthemfarfromthepointofmutualinjurywhichtheyhadreachedintheircommontroubleandtheirunselfishwillfortheirchildren’sgood。

ItwasLaphamwhoresumedthetalk。"I’mafraidwecan’teitherofusseethisthingintherightlight。

We’retooneartoit。IwishtotheLordtherewassomebodytotalktoaboutit。"

"Yes，"saidhiswife；"butthereain’tanybody。"

"Well，Idunno，"suggestedLapham，afteramoment；

"whynottalktotheministerofyourchurch？Maybehecouldseesomewayoutofit。"

Mrs。Laphamshookherheadhopelessly。"Itwouldn’tdo。

I’venevertakenupmyconnectionwiththechurch，andI

don’tfeelasifI’dgotanyclaimonhim。"

"Ifhe’sanythingofaman，oranythingofapreacher，youHAVEgotaclaimonhim，"urgedLapham；andhespoiledhisargumentbyadding，"I’vecontributedenoughMONEY

tohischurch。"

"Oh，that’snothing，"saidMrs。Lapham。"Iain’twellenoughacquaintedwithDr。Langworthy，orelseI’mTOOwell。No；ifIwastoaskanyone，Ishouldwanttoaskatotalstranger。Butwhat’stheuse，Si？Nobodycouldmakeusseeitanydifferentfromwhatitis，andIdon’tknowasIshouldwanttheyshould。"

Itblottedoutthetenderbeautyoftheday，andweigheddowntheirheartsevermoreheavilywithinthem。

Theyceasedtotalkofitahundredtimes，andstillcamebacktoit。Theydroveonandon。Itbegantobelate。

"Iguesswebettergoback，Si，"saidhiswife；

andasheturnedwithoutspeaking，shepulledherveildownandbegantocrysoftlybehindit，withlowlittlebrokensobs。

Laphamstartedthemareupanddroveswiftlyhomeward。

Atlasthiswifestoppedcryingandbegantryingtofindherpocket。"Here，takemine，Persis，"hesaidkindly，offeringherhishandkerchief，andshetookitanddriedhereyeswithit。"Therewasoneofthosefellowstheretheothernight，"hespokeagain，whenhiswifeleanedbackagainstthecushionsinpeacefuldespair，"thatI

likedthelooksofaboutaswellasanymanIeversaw。

Iguesshewasaprettygoodman。ItwasthatMr。Sewell。"

Helookedathiswife，butshedidnotsayanything。

"Persis，"heresumed，"Ican’tbeartogobackwithnothingsettledinourminds。Ican’tbeartoletyou。"

"Wemust，Si，"returnedhiswife，withgentlegratitude。

Laphamgroaned。"Wheredoeshelive？"sheasked。

"OnBolingbrokeStreet。Hegavemehisnumber。"

"Well，itwouldn’tdoanygood。Whatcouldhesaytous？"

"Oh，Idon’tknowashecouldsayanything，"saidLaphamhopelessly；

andneitherofthemsaidanythingmoretilltheycrossedtheMilldamandfoundthemselvesbetweentherowsofcityhouses。"

"Don’tdrivepastthenewhouse，Si，"pleadedhiswife。

"Icouldn’tbeartoseeit。Drive——driveupBolingbrokeStreet。

WemightaswellseewhereheDOESlive。"

"Well，"saidLapham。Hedrovealongslowly。

"That’stheplace，"hesaidfinally，stoppingthemareandpointingwithhiswhip。

"Itwouldn’tdoanygood，"saidhiswife，inatonewhichheunderstoodaswellasheunderstoodherwords。

Heturnedthemareuptothecurbstone。

"Youtakethereinsaminute，"hesaid，handingthemtohiswife。

Hegotdownandrangthebell，andwaitedtillthedooropened；

thenhecamebackandliftedhiswifeout。"He’sin，"

hesaid。

Hegotthehitching—weightfromunderthebuggy—seatandmadeitfasttothemare’sbit。

"Doyouthinkshe’llstandwiththat？"askedMrs。Lapham。

"Iguessso。Ifshedon’t，nomatter。"

"Ain’tyouafraidshe’lltakecold，"shepersisted，tryingtomakedelay。

"Lether！"saidLapham。Hetookhiswife’stremblinghandunderhisarm，anddrewhertothedoor。

"He’llthinkwe’recrazy，"shemurmuredinherbrokenpride。

"Well，weARE，"saidLapham。"Tellhimwe’dliketoseehimaloneawhile，"hesaidtothegirlwhowasholdingthedoorajarforhim，andsheshowedhimintothereception—room，whichhadbeentheProtestantconfessionalformanyburdenedsoulsbeforetheirtime，coming，astheydid，withthebeliefthattheywereboweddownwiththeonlymiseryliketheirsintheuniverse；foreachoneofusmustsufferlongtohimselfbeforehecanlearnthatheisbutoneinagreatcommunityofwretchednesswhichhasbeenpitilesslyrepeatingitselffromthefoundationoftheworld。

Theywereasloathtotouchtheirtroublewhentheministercameinasifitweretheirdisgrace；butLaphamdidsoatlast，and，withasimpledignitywhichhehadwantedinhisbunglingandapologeticapproaches，helaidtheaffairclearlybeforetheminister’scompassionateandreverenteye。

HesparedCorey’sname，buthedidnotpretendthatitwasnothimselfandhiswifeandtheirdaughterswhowereconcerned。

"Idon’tknowasI’vegotanyrighttotroubleyouwiththisthing，"hesaid，inthemomentwhileSewellsatponderingthecase，"andIdon’tknowasI’vegotanywarrantfordoingit。But，asItoldmywifehere，therewassomethingaboutyou——Idon’tknowwhetheritwasanythingyouSAIDexactly——thatmademefeelasifyoucouldhelpus。IguessIdidn’tsaysomuchasthattoher；

butthat’sthewayIfelt。Andhereweare。Andifitain’tallright"

"Surely，"saidSewell，"it’sallright。Ithankyouforcoming——fortrustingyourtroubletome。Atimecomestoeveryoneofuswhenwecan’thelpourselves，andthenwemustgetotherstohelpus。Ifpeopleturntomeatsuchatime，IfeelsurethatIwasputintotheworldforsomething——ifnothingmorethantogivemypity，mysympathy。"

Thebrotherlywords，soplain，sosincere，hadawelcomeinthemthatthesepooroutcastsofsorrowcouldnotdoubt。

"Yes，"saidLaphamhuskily，andhiswifebegantowipethetearsagainunderherveil。

Sewellremainedsilent，andtheywaitedtillheshouldspeak。

"Wecanbeofusetooneanotherhere，becausewecanalwaysbewiserforsomeoneelsethanwecanforourselves。

Wecanseeanother’ssinsanderrorsinamoremercifullight——andthatisalwaysafairerlight——thanwecanourown；

andwecanlookmoresanelyatothers’afflictions。"

HehadaddressedthesewordstoLapham；nowheturnedtohiswife。"Ifsomeonehadcometoyou，Mrs。Lapham，injustthisperplexity，whatwouldyouhavethought？"

"Idon’tknowasIunderstandyou，"falteredMrs。Lapham。

Sewellrepeatedhiswords，andadded，"Imean，whatdoyouthinksomeoneelseoughttodoinyourplace？"

"Wasthereeveranypoorcreaturesinsuchastraitbefore？"

sheasked，withpatheticincredulity。

"There’snonewtroubleunderthesun，"saidtheminister。

"Oh，ifitwasanyoneelse，Ishouldsay——Ishouldsay——Why，ofcourse！Ishouldsaythattheirdutywastolet————"

Shepaused。

"Onesufferinsteadofthree，ifnoneistoblame？"

suggestedSewell。"That’ssense，andthat’sjustice。

It’stheeconomyofpainwhichnaturallysuggestsitself，andwhichwouldinsistuponitself，ifwewerenotallpervertedbytraditionswhicharethefigmentoftheshallowestsentimentality。Tellme，Mrs。Lapham，didn’tthiscomeintoyourmindwhenyoufirstlearnedhowmattersstood？"

"Why，yes，itflashedacrossme。ButIdidn’tthinkitcouldberight。"

"Andhowwasitwithyou，Mr。Lapham？"

"Why，that’swhatIthought，ofcourse。ButIdidn’tseemyway————"

"No，"criedtheminister，"weareallblinded，weareallweakenedbyafalseidealofself—sacrifice。Itwrapsusroundwithitsmeshes，andwecan’tfightourwayoutofit。

Mrs。Lapham，whatmadeyoufeelthatitmightbebetterforthreetosufferthanone？"

"Why，shedidherself。Iknowshewoulddiesoonerthantakehimawayfromher。"

"Isupposedso！"criedtheministerbitterly。"Andyetsheisasensiblegirl，yourdaughter？"

"Shehasmorecommon—sense————"

"Ofcourse！Butinsuchacasewesomehowthinkitmustbewrongtouseourcommon—sense。Idon’tknowwherethisfalseidealcomesfrom，unlessitcomesfromthenovelsthatbefoolanddebauchalmosteveryintelligenceinsomedegree。Itcertainlydoesn’tcomefromChristianity，whichinstantlyrepudiatesitwhenconfrontedwithit。

Yourdaughterbelieves，inspiteofhercommon—sense，thatsheoughttomakeherselfandthemanwholovesherunhappy，inordertoassurethelife—longwretchednessofhersister，whomhedoesn’tlove，simplybecausehersistersawhimandfanciedhimfirst！AndI’msorrytosaythatninety—nineyoungpeopleoutofahundred——oh，ninehundredandninety—nineoutofathousand！——wouldconsiderthatnobleandbeautifulandheroic；whereasyouknowatthebottomofyourheartsthatitwouldbefoolishandcruelandrevolting。Youknowwhatmarriageis！Andwhatitmustbewithoutloveonbothsides。"

Theministerhadgrownquiteheatedandredintheface。

"Iloseallpatience！"hewentonvehemently。"Thispoorchildofyourshassomehowbeenbroughttobelievethatitwillkillhersisterifhersisterdoesnothavewhatdoesnotbelongtoher，andwhatitisnotinthepowerofalltheworld，oranysoulintheworld，togiveher。

Hersisterwillsuffer——yes，keenly！——inheartandinpride；butshewillnotdie。Youwillsuffertoo，inyourtendernessforher；butyoumustdoyourduty。

Youmusthelphertogiveup。Youwouldbeguiltyifyoudidless。Keepclearlyinmindthatyouaredoingright，andtheonlypossiblegood。AndGodbewithyou！"

XIX。

HEtalkedsense，Persis，"saidLaphamgently，ashemountedtohiswife’ssideinthebuggyanddroveslowlyhomewardthroughthedusk。

"Yes，hetalkedsense，"sheadmitted。Butsheaddedbitterly，"Iguess，ifhehadittoDO！Oh，he’sright，andit’sgottobedone。Thereain’tanyotherwayforit。

It’ssense；and，yes，it’sjustice。"Theywalkedtotheirdooraftertheyleftthehorseattheliverystablearoundthecorner，whereLaphamkeptit。"IwantyoushouldsendIreneuptoourroomassoonaswegetin，Silas。"

"Why，ain’tyougoingtohaveanysupperfirst？"

falteredLaphamwithhislatch—keyinthelock。

"No。Ican’tloseaminute。IfIdo，Ishan’tdoitatall。"

"Lookhere，Persis，"saidherhusbandtenderly，"letmedothisthing。"

"Oh，YOU！"saidhiswife，withawoman’scompassionatescornforaman’shelplessnessinsuchacase。"Sendherrightup。AndIshallfeel————"Shestoppedtosparehim。

Thensheopenedthedoor，andranuptoherroomwithoutwaitingtospeaktoIrene，whohadcomeintothehallatthesoundofherfather’skeyinthedoor。

"Iguessyourmotherwantstoseeyouupstairs，"

saidLapham，lookingaway。

Hermotherturnedroundandfacedthegirl’swonderinglookasIreneenteredthechamber，socloseuponherthatshehadnotyethadtimetolayoffherbonnet；

shestoodwithherwrapsstillonherarm。

"Irene！"shesaidharshly，"thereissomethingyouhavegottobear。It’samistakewe’veallmade。

Hedon’tcareanythingforyou。Heneverdid。HetoldPensolastnight。Hecaresforher。"

Thesentenceshadfallenlikeblows。Butthegirlhadtakenthemwithoutflinching。Shestoodupimmovable，butthedelicaterose—lightofhercomplexionwentoutandlefthercolourless。Shedidnotoffertospeak。

"Whydon’tyousaysomething？"criedhermother。

"Doyouwanttokillme，Irene？"

"WhyshouldIwanttohurtyou，mamma？"thegirlrepliedsteadily，butinanalienvoice。"There’snothingtosay。

IwanttoseePenaminute。"

Sheturnedandlefttheroom。Asshemountedthestairsthatledtoherownandhersister’sroomsonthefloorabove，hermotherhelplesslyfollowed。Irenewentfirsttoherownroomatthefrontofthehouse，andthencameoutleavingthedooropenandthegasflaringbehindher。

Themothercouldseethatshehadtumbledmanythingsoutofthedrawersofherbureauuponthemarbletop。

Shepassedhermother，whereshestoodintheentry。

"Youcancometoo，ifyouwantto，mamma，"shesaid。

SheopenedPenelope’sdoorwithoutknocking，andwentin。

Penelopesatatthewindow，asinthemorning。

Irenedidnotgotoher；butshewentandlaidagoldhair—pinonherbureau，andsaid，withoutlookingather，"There’sapinthatIgotto—day，becauseitwaslikehissister’s。Itwon’tbecomeadarkpersonsowell，butyoucanhaveit。"

ShestuckascrapofpaperinthesideofPenelope’smirror。

"There’sthataccountofMr。Stanton’sranch。You’llwanttoreadit，Ipresume。"

Shelaidawitheredboutonniereonthebureaubesidethepin。

"There’shisbutton—holebouquet。Heleftitbyhisplate，andIstoleit。"

Shehadapine—shavingfantasticallytiedupwithaknotofribbon，inherhand。Shehelditamoment；then，lookingdeliberatelyatPenelope，shewentuptoher，anddroppeditinherlapwithoutaword。Sheturned，and，advancingafewsteps，totteredandseemedabouttofall。

Hermothersprangforwardwithanimploringcry，"O’Rene，’Rene，’Rene！"

Irenerecoveredherselfbeforehermothercouldreachher。

"Don’ttouchme，"shesaidicily。"Mamma，I’mgoingtoputonmythings。Iwantpapatowalkwithme。

I’mchokinghere。"

"I——Ican’tletyougoout，Irene，child，"beganhermother。

"You’vegotto，"repliedthegirl。"Tellpapatahurryhissupper。"

"Opoorsoul！Hedoesn’twantanysupper。HEknowsittoo。"

"Idon’twanttotalkaboutthat。Tellhimtogetready。"

Sheleftthemoncemore。

Mrs。LaphamturnedahaplessglanceuponPenelope。

"Goandtellhim，mother，"saidthegirl。"Iwould，ifIcould。Ifshecanwalk，lether。It’stheonlythingforher。"Shesatstill；shedidnotevenbrushtothefloorthefantasticthingthatlayinherlap，andthatsentupfaintlytheodourofthesachetpowderwithwhichIrenelikedtoperfumeherboxes。

Laphamwentoutwiththeunhappychild，andbegantotalkwithher，crazily，incoherently，enough。

Shemercifullystoppedhim。"Don’ttalk，papa。Idon’twantanyoneshouldtalkwithme。"

Heobeyed，andtheywalkedsilentlyonandon。IntheiraimlesscoursetheyreachedthenewhouseonthewatersideofBeacon，andshemadehimstop，andstoodlookingupatit。Thescaffoldingwhichhadsolongdefacedthefrontwasgone，andinthelightofthegas—lampbeforeitallthearchitecturalbeautyofthefacadewassuggested，andmuchofthefinelyfeltdetailwasrevealed。Seymourhadprettynearlysatisfiedhimselfinthatrichfacade；

certainlyLaphamhadnotstintedhimofthemeans。

"Well，"saidthegirl，"Ishallneverliveinit，"

andshebegantowalkon。

Lapham’ssoreheartwentdown，ashelumberedheavilyafterher。"Ohyes，youwill，Irene。You’llhavelotsofgoodtimesthereyet。"

"No，"sheanswered，andsaidnothingmoreaboutit。

Theyhadnottalkedoftheirtroubleatall，andtheydidnotspeakofitnow。Laphamunderstoodthatshewastryingtowalkherselfweary，andhewasgladtoholdhispeaceandletherhaveherway。Shehaltedhimoncemorebeforetheredandyellowlightsofanapothecary’swindow。

"Isn’ttheresomethingtheygiveyoutomakeyousleep？"

sheaskedvaguely。"I’vegottosleepto—night！"

Laphamtrembled。"Iguessyoudon’twantanything，Irene。"

"Yes，Ido！Getmesomething！"sheretortedwilfully。

"Ifyoudon’t，Ishalldie。IMUSTsleep。"

Theywentin，andLaphamaskedforsomethingtomakeanervouspersonsleep。Irenestoodporingovertheshow—casefullofbrushesandtrinkets，whiletheapothecaryputupthebromide，whichheguessedwouldbeaboutthebestthing。

Shedidnotshowanyemotion；herfacewaslikeastone，whileherfather’sexpressedtheanguishofhissympathy。

Helookedasifhehadnotsleptforaweek；hisfateyelidsdroopedoverhisglassyeyes，andhischeeksandthroathungflaccid。Hestartedastheapothecary’scatstolesmoothlyupandrubbeditselfagainsthisleg；

anditwastohimthatthemansaid，"Youwanttotakeatable—spoonfulofthat，aslongasyou’reawake。