cousin phillis by gaskell, elizabeth cleghorn, 1810-1865

8/14/2019 Cousin Phillis by Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn, 1810-1865

1/75

TheProjectGutenbergEtextofCousinPhillisbyElizabethCleghornGaskell(#11inourseriesbyElizabethCleghornGaskell)

Copyrightlawsarechangingallovertheworld.BesuretocheckthecopyrightlawsforyourcountrybeforedistributingthisoranyotherProjectGutenbergfile.

Weencourageyoutokeepthisfile,exactlyasitis,onyourowndisk,therebykeepinganelectronicpathopenforfuturereaders.Pleasedonotremovethis.

Thisheadershouldbethefirstthingseenwhenanyonestartstoviewtheetext.Donotchangeoredititwithoutwrittenpermission.Thewordsarecarefullychosentoprovideuserswiththeinformationtheyneedtounderstandwhattheymayandmaynotdowiththeetext.

**WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts**

**EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971**

*****TheseEtextsArePreparedByThousandsofVolunteers!*****

InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetetexts,andfurtherinformation,isincludedbelow.Weneedyourdonations.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationisa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-6221541

Title:CousinPhillis

Author:ElizabethCleghornGaskell

ReleaseDate:July,2003[Etext#4268][Yes,wearemorethanoneyearaheadofschedule][ThisfilewasfirstpostedonDecember26,2001]

Edition:10

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ASCII

TheProjectGutenbergEtextofCousinPhillisbyElizabethCleghornGaskell******Thisfileshouldbenamedcphil10.txtorcphil10.zip******

CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,cphil11.txtVERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,cphil10a.txt

ThisetextwasproducedbyCharlesAldarondo.

ProjectGutenbergEtextsareoftencreatedfromseveralprintededitions,allofwhichareconfirmedasPublicDomainintheUSunlessacopyrightnoticeisincluded.Thus,weusuallydonotkeepetextsincompliancewithanyparticularpaperedition.


2/75

Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallouretextsoneyearinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,leavingtimeforbetterediting.Pleasebeencouragedtotellusaboutanyerrororcorrections,evenyearsaftertheofficialpublicationdate.

Pleasenoteneitherthislistingnoritscontentsarefinaltilmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.Apreliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.

Mostpeoplestartatoursitesat:http://gutenberg.netorhttp://promo.net/pg

TheseWebsitesincludeaward-winninginformationaboutProjectGutenberg,includinghowtodonate,howtohelpproduceournewetexts,andhowtosubscribetoouremailnewsletter(free!).

ThoseofyouwhowanttodownloadanyEtextbeforeannouncementcangettothemasfollows,andjustdownloadbydate.Thisis

alsoagoodwaytogettheminstantlyuponannouncement,astheindexesourcataloguersproduceobviouslytakeawhileafteranannouncementgoesoutintheProjectGutenbergNewsletter.

http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext03orftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext03

Or/etext02,01,00,99,98,97,96,95,94,93,92,92,91or90

Justsearchbythefirstfivelettersofthefilenameyouwant,asitappearsinourNewsletters.

InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)

Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thetimeittakesus,aratherconservativeestimate,isfiftyhourstogetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyrightsearchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.Ourprojectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifthevaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$2milliondollarsperhourin2001aswereleaseover50newEtextfilespermonth,or500moreEtextsin2000foratotalof4000+Iftheyreachjust1-2%oftheworld'spopulationthenthetotalshouldreachover300billionEtextsgivenawaybyyear'send.

TheGoalofProjectGutenbergistoGiveAwayOneTrillionEtextFilesbyDecember31,2001.[10,000x100,000,000=1Trillion]Thisistenthousandtitleseachtoonehundredmillionreaders,whichisonlyabout4%ofthepresentnumberofcomputerusers.

Atourrevisedratesofproduction,wewillreachonlyone-thirdofthatgoalbytheendof2001,orabout4,000Etexts.Weneedfunding,aswellascontinuedeffortsbyvolunteers,tomaintainorincreaseourproductionandreachourgoals.


3/75

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationhasbeencreatedtosecureafutureforProjectGutenbergintothenextmillennium.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!

AsofNovember,2001,contributionsarebeingsolicitedfrompeopleandorganizationsin:Alabama,Arkansas,Connecticut,Delaware,Florida,Georgia,Idaho,Illinois,Indiana,Iowa,Kansas,Kentucky,Louisiana,Maine,Michigan,Missouri,Montana,Nebraska,Nevada,NewJersey,NewMexico,NewYork,NorthCarolina,Oklahoma,Oregon,Pennsylvania,RhodeIsland,SouthCarolina,SouthDakota,Tennessee,Texas,Utah,Vermont,Virginia,Washington,WestVirginia,Wisconsin,andWyoming.

*InProgress

Wehavefiledinabout45statesnow,butthesearetheonlyonesthathaveresponded.

Astherequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.Pleasefeelfreetoasktocheckthestatusofyourstate.

Inanswertovariousquestionswehavereceivedonthis:

Weareconstantlyworkingonfinishingthepaperworktolegallyrequestdonationsinall50states.Ifyourstateisnotlistedandyouwouldliketoknowifwehaveaddeditsincethelistyouhave,justask.

Whilewecannotsolicitdonationsfrompeopleinstateswherewearenotyetregistered,weknowofnoprohibitionagainstacceptingdonationsfromdonorsinthesestateswhoapproachuswithanoffertodonate.

Internationaldonationsareaccepted,butwedon'tknowANYTHINGabouthowtomakethemtax-deductible,oreveniftheyCANbemade

deductible,anddon'thavethestafftohandleitevenifthereareways.

Alldonationsshouldbemadeto:

ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationPMB1131739UniversityAve.Oxford,MS38655-4109

Contactusifyouwanttoarrangeforawiretransferorpaymentmethodotherthanbycheckormoneyorder.

TheProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundationhasbeenapprovedbytheUSInternalRevenueServiceasa501(c)(3)organizationwithEIN[EmployeeIdentificationNumber]64-622154.Donationsaretax-deductibletothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.Asfundraisingrequirementsforotherstatesaremet,additionstothislistwillbemadeandfundraisingwillbeginintheadditionalstates.

Weneedyourdonationsmorethanever!


4/75

Youcangetuptodatedonationinformationat:

http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html

***

Ifyoucan'treachProjectGutenberg,youcanalwaysemaildirectlyto:

MichaelS.Hart

Prof.Hartwillanswerorforwardyourmessage.

Wewouldprefertosendyouinformationbyemail.

**TheLegalSmallPrint**

(ThreePages)

***START**THESMALLPRINT!**FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS**START***Whyisthis"SmallPrint!"statementhere?Youknow:lawyers.

Theytellusyoumightsueusifthereissomethingwrongwithyourcopyofthisetext,evenifyougotitforfreefromsomeoneotherthanus,andevenifwhat'swrongisnotourfault.So,amongotherthings,this"SmallPrint!"statementdisclaimsmostofourliabilitytoyou.Italsotellsyouhowyoumaydistributecopiesofthisetextifyouwantto.

*BEFORE!*YOUUSEORREADTHISETEXTByusingorreadinganypartofthisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,youindicatethatyouunderstand,agreetoandacceptthis"SmallPrint!"statement.Ifyoudonot,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforthisetextbysendingarequestwithin30daysofreceivingittotheperson

yougotitfrom.Ifyoureceivedthisetextonaphysicalmedium(suchasadisk),youmustreturnitwithyourrequest.

ABOUTPROJECTGUTENBERG-TMETEXTSThisPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext,likemostPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetexts,isa"publicdomain"workdistributedbyProfessorMichaelS.HartthroughtheProjectGutenbergAssociation(the"Project").Amongotherthings,thismeansthatnooneownsaUnitedStatescopyrightonorforthiswork,sotheProject(andyou!)cancopyanddistributeitintheUnitedStateswithoutpermissionandwithoutpayingcopyrightroyalties.Specialrules,setforthbelow,applyifyouwishtocopyanddistributethisetextunderthe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademark.

Pleasedonotusethe"PROJECTGUTENBERG"trademarktomarketanycommercialproductswithoutpermission.

Tocreatetheseetexts,theProjectexpendsconsiderableeffortstoidentify,transcribeandproofreadpublicdomainworks.Despitetheseefforts,theProject'setextsandanymediumtheymaybeonmaycontain"Defects".Amongotherthings,Defectsmaytaketheformofincomplete,inaccurateorcorruptdata,transcriptionerrors,acopyrightorother


5/75

intellectualpropertyinfringement,adefectiveordamageddiskorotheretextmedium,acomputervirus,orcomputercodesthatdamageorcannotbereadbyyourequipment.

LIMITEDWARRANTY;DISCLAIMEROFDAMAGESButforthe"RightofReplacementorRefund"describedbelow,[1]MichaelHartandtheFoundation(andanyotherpartyyoumayreceivethisetextfromasaPROJECTGUTENBERG-tmetext)disclaimsallliabilitytoyoufordamages,costsandexpenses,includinglegalfees,and[2]YOUHAVENOREMEDIESFORNEGLIGENCEORUNDERSTRICTLIABILITY,ORFORBREACHOFWARRANTYORCONTRACT,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOINDIRECT,CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEORINCIDENTALDAMAGES,EVENIFYOUGIVENOTICEOFTHEPOSSIBILITYOFSUCHDAMAGES.

IfyoudiscoveraDefectinthisetextwithin90daysofreceivingit,youcanreceivearefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforitbysendinganexplanatorynotewithinthattimetothepersonyoureceiveditfrom.Ifyoureceiveditonaphysicalmedium,youmustreturnitwithyournote,andsuchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouareplacementcopy.Ifyoureceiveditelectronically,suchpersonmaychoosetoalternativelygiveyouasecondopportunitytoreceiveitelectronically.

THISETEXTISOTHERWISEPROVIDEDTOYOU"AS-IS".NOOTHERWARRANTIESOFANYKIND,EXPRESSORIMPLIED,AREMADETOYOUASTOTHEETEXTORANYMEDIUMITMAYBEON,INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTOWARRANTIESOFMERCHANTABILITYORFITNESSFORAPARTICULARPURPOSE.

Somestatesdonotallowdisclaimersofimpliedwarrantiesortheexclusionorlimitationofconsequentialdamages,sotheabovedisclaimersandexclusionsmaynotapplytoyou,andyoumayhaveotherlegalrights.

INDEMNITY

YouwillindemnifyandholdMichaelHart,theFoundation,anditstrusteesandagents,andanyvolunteersassociatedwiththeproductionanddistributionofProjectGutenberg-tmtextsharmless,fromallliability,costandexpense,includinglegalfees,thatarisedirectlyorindirectlyfromanyofthefollowingthatyoudoorcause:[1]distributionofthisetext,[2]alteration,modification,oradditiontotheetext,or[3]anyDefect.

DISTRIBUTIONUNDER"PROJECTGUTENBERG-tm"Youmaydistributecopiesofthisetextelectronically,orbydisk,bookoranyothermediumifyoueitherdeletethis"SmallPrint!"andallotherreferencestoProjectGutenberg,

or:

[1]Onlygiveexactcopiesofit.Amongotherthings,thisrequiresthatyoudonotremove,alterormodifytheetextorthis"smallprint!"statement.Youmayhowever,ifyouwish,distributethisetextinmachinereadablebinary,compressed,mark-up,orproprietaryform,includinganyformresultingfromconversionbywordprocessingorhypertextsoftware,butonlysolongas*EITHER*:


6/75

[*]Theetext,whendisplayed,isclearlyreadable,anddoes*not*containcharactersotherthanthoseintendedbytheauthorofthework,althoughtilde(~),asterisk(*)andunderline(_)charactersmaybeusedtoconveypunctuationintendedbytheauthor,andadditionalcharactersmaybeusedtoindicatehypertextlinks;OR

[*]TheetextmaybereadilyconvertedbythereaderatnoexpenseintoplainASCII,EBCDICorequivalentformbytheprogramthatdisplaystheetext(asisthecase,forinstance,withmostwordprocessors);OR

[*]Youprovide,oragreetoalsoprovideonrequestatnoadditionalcost,feeorexpense,acopyoftheetextinitsoriginalplainASCIIform(orinEBCDICorotherequivalentproprietaryform).

[2]Honortheetextrefundandreplacementprovisionsofthis"SmallPrint!"statement.

[3]PayatrademarklicensefeetotheFoundationof20%ofthe

grossprofitsyouderivecalculatedusingthemethodyoualreadyusetocalculateyourapplicabletaxes.Ifyoudon'tderiveprofits,noroyaltyisdue.Royaltiesarepayableto"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation"the60daysfollowingeachdateyouprepare(orwerelegallyrequiredtoprepare)yourannual(orequivalentperiodic)taxreturn.Pleasecontactusbeforehandtoletusknowyourplansandtoworkoutthedetails.

WHATIFYOU*WANT*TOSENDMONEYEVENIFYOUDON'THAVETO?ProjectGutenbergisdedicatedtoincreasingthenumberofpublicdomainandlicensedworksthatcanbefreelydistributedinmachinereadableform.

TheProjectgratefullyacceptscontributionsofmoney,time,publicdomainmaterials,orroyaltyfreecopyrightlicenses.Moneyshouldbepaidtothe:"ProjectGutenbergLiteraryArchiveFoundation."

Ifyouareinterestedincontributingscanningequipmentorsoftwareorotheritems,pleasecontactMichaelHartat:[email protected]

[Portionsofthisheaderarecopyright(C)2001byMichaelS.HartandmaybereprintedonlywhentheseEtextsarefreeofallfees.][ProjectGutenbergisaTradeMarkandmaynotbeusedinanysales

ofProjectGutenbergEtextsorothermaterialsbetheyhardwareorsoftwareoranyotherrelatedproductwithoutexpresspermission.]

*ENDTHESMALLPRINT!FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS*Ver.10/04/01*END*

ThisetextwasproducedbyCharlesAldarondo.


7/75

CousinPhillisbyElizabethGaskell(1863)

PhilipHermongenesCalderon(1833-98)BrokenVows(1856)

PARTI

Itisagreatthingforaladwhenheisfirstturnedintotheindependenceoflodgings.IdonotthinkIeverwassosatisfiedandproudinmylifeaswhen,atseventeen,Isatedowninalittlethree-corneredroomaboveapastry-cook'sshopinthecountytownofEltham.Myfatherhadleftmethatafternoon,afterdeliveringhimselfofafewplainprecepts,stronglyexpressed,formyguidanceinthenewcourseoflifeonwhichIwasentering.IwastobeaclerkundertheengineerwhohadundertakentomakethelittlebranchlinefromElthamtoHornby.Myfatherhadgotmethissituation,whichwasinapositionratherabovehisowninlife;orperhapsIshouldsay,abovethestationinwhichhewasbornandbred;forhewasraisinghimselfeveryyearinmen'sconsiderationandrespect.Hewasamechanicbytrade,buthehadsomeinventivegenius,andagreatdealofperseverance,andhaddevisedseveralvaluableimprovementsin

railwaymachinery.Hedidnotdothisforprofit,though,aswasreasonable,whatcameinthenaturalcourseofthingswasacceptable;heworkedouthisideas,because,ashesaid,'untilhecouldputthemintoshape,theyplaguedhimbynightandbyday.'Butthisisenoughaboutmydearfather;itisagoodthingforacountrywheretherearemanylikehim.HewasasturdyIndependentbydescentandconviction;andthisitwas,Ibelieve,whichmadehimplacemeinthelodgingsatthepastry-cook's.Theshopwaskeptbythetwosistersofourministerathome;andthiswasconsideredasasortofsafeguardtomymorals,whenIwasturnedlooseuponthetemptationsofthecountytown,withasalaryofthirtypoundsayear.

Myfatherhadgivenuptwopreciousdays,andputonhisSundayclothes,inordertobringmetoEltham,andaccompanymefirsttotheoffice,tointroducemetomynewmaster(whowasundersomeobligationstomyfatherforasuggestion),andnexttotakemetocallontheIndependentministerofthelittlecongregationatEltham.Andthenheleftme;andthoughsorrytopartwithhim,Inowbegantotastewithrelishthepleasureofbeingmyownmaster.Iunpackedthehamperthatmymotherhadprovidedmewith,andsmeltthepotsofpreservewithallthedelightofapossessorwhomightbreakintotheircontentsatanytimehepleased.Ihandledandweighedinmyfancythehome-curedham,whichseemedtopromisemeinterminablefeasts;and,aboveall,therewasthefinesavourofknowingthatImighteatofthese

daintieswhenIliked,atmysolewill,notdependentonthepleasureofanyoneelse,howeverindulgent.Istowedmyeatablesawayinthelittlecornercupboard--thatroomwasallcorners,andeverythingwasplacedinacorner,thefire-place,thewindow,thecupboard;Imyselfseemedtobetheonlythinginthemiddle,andtherewashardlyroomforme.Thetablewasmadeofafoldingleafunderthewindow,andthewindowlookedoutuponthemarket-place;sothestudiesfortheprosecutionofwhichmyfatherhadbroughthimselftopayextraforasitting-roomforme,ranaconsiderablechanceofbeingdivertedfrombookstomen


8/75

andwomen.IwastohavemymealswiththetwoelderlyMissDawsonsinthelittleparlourbehindthethree-corneredshopdownstairs;mybreakfastsanddinnersatleast,for,asmyhoursinaneveningwerelikelytobeuncertain,myteaorsupperwastobeanindependentmeal.

Then,afterthisprideandsatisfaction,cameasenseofdesolation.Ihadneverbeenfromhomebefore,andIwasanonlychild;andthoughmyfather'sspokenmaximhadbeen,'Sparetherod,andspoilthechild',yet,unconsciously,hishearthadyearnedafterme,andhiswaystowardsmeweremoretenderthanheknew,orwouldhaveapprovedofinhimselfcouldhehaveknown.Mymother,whoneverprofessedsternness,wasfarmoreseverethanmyfather:perhapsmyboyishfaultsannoyedhermore;forIremember,nowthatIhavewrittentheabovewords,howshepleadedformeonceinmyriperyears,whenIhadreallyoffendedagainstmyfather'ssenseofright.

ButIhavenothingtodowiththatnow.ItisaboutcousinPhillisthatIamgoingtowrite,andasyetIamfarenoughfromevensayingwhocousinPhilliswas.

ForsomemonthsafterIwassettledinEltham,thenewemploymentinwhichIwasengaged--thenewindependenceofmylife--occupied

allmythoughts.Iwasatmydeskbyeighto'clock,hometodinneratone,backattheofficebytwo.Theafternoonworkwasmoreuncertainthanthemorning's;itmightbethesame,oritmightbethatIhadtoaccompanyMrHoldsworth,themanagingengineer,tosomepointonthelinebetweenElthamandHornby.ThisIalwaysenjoyed,becauseofthevariety,andbecauseofthecountrywetraversed(whichwasverywildandpretty),andbecauseIwasthrownintocompanionshipwithMrHoldsworth,whoheldthepositionofheroinmyboyishmind.Hewasayoungmanoffive-and-twentyorso,andwasinastationabovemine,bothbybirthandeducation;andhehadtravelledontheContinent,andworemustachiosandwhiskersofasomewhatforeignfashion.Iwasproudofbeingseenwithhim.Hewasreallyafinefellowin

agoodnumberofways,andImighthavefallenintomuchworsehands.

EverySaturdayIwrotehome,tellingofmyweeklydoings--myfatherhadinsisteduponthis;buttherewassolittlevarietyinmylifethatIoftenfoundithardworktofillaletter.OnSundaysIwenttwicetochapel,upadarknarrowentry,toheardroninghymns,andlongprayers,andastilllongersermon,preachedtoasmallcongregation,ofwhichIwas,bynearlyascoreofyears,theyoungestmember.Occasionally,MrPeters,theminister,wouldaskmehometoteaafterthesecondservice.Idreadedthehonour,forIusuallysateontheedgeofmychairalltheevening,andansweredsolemnquestions,putinadeep

bassvoice,untilhouseholdprayer-timecame,ateighto'clock,whenMrsPeterscamein,smoothingdownherapron,andthemaid-of-all-workfollowed,andfirstasermon,andthenachapterwasread,andalongimpromptuprayerfollowed,tillsomeinstincttoldMrPetersthatsupper-timehadcome,andwerosefromourkneeswithhungerforourpredominantfeeling.Oversuppertheministerdidunbendalittleintooneortwoponderousjokes,asiftoshowmethatministersweremen,afterall.Andthenatteno'clockIwenthome,andenjoyedmylong-repressedyawnsinthethree-corneredroombeforegoingtobed.Dinahand


9/75

HannahDawson,sotheirnameswereputontheboardabovetheshop-door--IalwayscalledthemMissDawsonandMissHannah--consideredthesevisitsofminetoMrPetersasthegreatesthonourayoungmancouldhave;andevidentlythoughtthatifaftersuchprivileges,Ididnotworkoutmysalvation,IwasasortofmodernJudasIscariot.Onthecontrary,theyshooktheirheadsovermyintercoursewithMrHoldsworth.Hehadbeensokindtomeinmanyways,thatwhenIcutintomyham,Ihoveredoverthethoughtofaskinghimtoteainmyroom,moreespeciallyastheannualfairwasbeingheldinElthammarket-place,andthesightofthebooths,themerry-go-rounds,thewild-beastshows,andsuchcountrypomps,was(asIthoughtatseventeen)veryattractive.ButwhenIventuredtoalludetomywishinevendistantterms,MissHannahcaughtmeup,andspokeofthesinfulnessofsuchsights,andsomethingaboutwallowinginthemire,andthenvaultedintoFrance,andspokeevilofthenation,andallwhohadeversetfoottherein,till,seeingthatherangerwasconcentratingitselfintoapoint,andthatthatpointwasMrHoldsworth,Ithoughtitwouldbebettertofinishmybreakfast,andmakewhathasteIcouldoutofthesoundofhervoice.IratherwonderedafterwardstohearherandMissDawsoncountinguptheirweeklyprofitswithglee,andsayingthatapastry-cook'sshopinthecornerofthemarket-place,inElthamfairweek,wasnosuchbadthing.

However,IneverventuredtoaskMrHoldsworthtomylodgings.

ThereisnotmuchtotellaboutthisfirstyearofmineatEltham.ButwhenIwasnearlynineteen,andbeginningtothinkofwhiskersonmyownaccount,IcametoknowcousinPhillis,whoseveryexistencehadbeenunknowntometillthen.MrHoldsworthandIhadbeenouttoHeathbridgeforaday,workinghard.HeathbridgewasnearHornby,forourlineofrailwaywasabovehalffinished.Ofcourse,aday'soutingwasagreatthingtotellaboutinmyweeklyletters;andIfelltodescribingthecountry--afaultIwasnotoftenguiltyof.Itoldmyfatherofthebogs,alloverwildmyrtleandsoftmoss,andshakinggroundoverwhichwehadtocarryourline;andhowMrHoldsworthandI

hadgoneforourmid-daymeals--forwehadtostayherefortwodaysandanight--toaprettyvillagehardby,Heathbridgeproper;andhowIhopedweshouldoftenhavetogothere,fortheshaking,uncertaingroundwaspuzzlingourengineers--oneendofthelinegoingupassoonastheotherwasweighteddown.(Ihadnothoughtfortheshareholders'interests,asmaybeseen;wehadtomakeanewlineonfirmergroundbeforethejunctionrailwaywascompleted.)Itoldallthisatgreatlength,thankfultofillupmypaper.Byreturnletter,Iheardthatasecond-cousinofmymother'swasmarriedtotheIndependentministerofHornby,EbenezerHolmanbyname,andlivedatHeathbridgeproper;theveryHeathbridgeIhaddescribed,orsomymotherbelieved,forshehadneverseenhercousinPhillis

Green,whowassomethingofanheiress(myfatherbelieved),beingherfather'sonlychild,andoldThomasGreenhadownedanestateofnearuponfiftyacres,whichmusthavecometohisdaughter.Mymother'sfeelingofkinshipseemedtohavebeenstronglystirredbythementionofHeathbridge;formyfathersaidshedesiredme,ifeverIwentthitheragain,tomakeinquiryfortheReverendEbenezerHolman;andifindeedhelivedthere,IwasfurthertoaskifhehadnotmarriedonePhillisGreen;andifboththesequestionswereansweredintheaffirmative,Iwastogoandintroducemyselfastheonlychild


10/75

ofMargaretManning,bornMoneypenny.IwasenragedatmyselfforhavingnamedHeathbridgeatall,whenIfoundwhatitwasdrawingdownuponme.OneIndependentminister,asIsaidtomyself,wasenoughforanyman;andhereIknew(thatistosay,IhadbeencatechizedonSabbathmorningsby)MrDawson,ourministerathome;andIhadhadtobeciviltooldPetersatEltham,andbehavemyselfforfivehoursrunningwheneverheaskedmetoteaathishouse;andnow,justasIfeltthefreeairblowingaboutmeupatHeathbridge,Iwastoferretoutanotherminister,andIshouldperhapshavetobecatechizedbyhim,orelseaskedtoteaathishouse.Besides,Ididnotlikepushingmyselfuponstrangers,whoperhapshadneverheardofmymother'sname,andsuchanoddnameasitwas--Moneypenny;andiftheyhad,hadnevercaredmoreforherthanshehadforthem,apparently,untilthisunluckymentionofHeathbridge.Still,Iwouldnotdisobeymyparentsinsuchatrifle,howeverirksomeitmightbe.SothenexttimeourbusinesstookmetoHeathbridge,andweweredininginthelittlesandedinn-parlour,ItooktheopportunityofMrHoldsworth'sbeingoutoftheroom,andaskedthequestionswhichIwasbiddentoaskoftherosy-cheekedmaid.Iwaseitherunintelligibleorshewasstupid;forshesaidshedidnotknow,butwouldaskmaster;andofcoursethelandlordcameintounderstandwhatitwasIwantedtoknow;andIhadtobringoutallmystammeringinquiriesbeforeMrHoldsworth,whowouldnever

haveattendedtothem,Idaresay,ifIhadnotblushed,andblundered,andmadesuchafoolofmyself.

'Yes,'thelandlordsaid,'theHopeFarmwasinHeathbridgeproper,andtheowner'snamewasHolman,andhewasanIndependentminister,and,asfarasthelandlordcouldtell,hiswife'sChristiannamewasPhillis,anyhowhermaidennamewasGreen.'

'Relationsofyours?'askedMrHoldsworth.

'No,sir--onlymymother'ssecond-cousins.Yes,Isupposetheyarerelations.ButIneversawtheminmylife.'

'TheHopeFarmisnotastone'sthrowfromhere,'saidtheofficiouslandlord,goingtothewindow.'Ifyoucarryyoureyeoveryonbedofhollyhocks,overthedamson-treesintheorchardyonder,youmayseeastackofqueer-likestonechimneys.ThemistheHopeFarmchimneys;it'sanoldplace,thoughHolmankeepsitingoodorder.'

MrHoldsworthhadrisenfromthetablewithmorepromptitudethanIhad,andwasstandingbythewindow,looking.Atthelandlord'slastwords,heturnedround,smiling,--'Itisnotoftenthatparsonsknowhowtokeeplandinorder,isit?'

'Begpardon,sir,butImustspeakasIfind;andMinisterHolman--wecalltheChurchclergymanhere"parson,"sir;hewouldbeabitjealousifheheardaDissentercalledparson--MinisterHolmanknowswhathe'saboutaswellase'erafarmerintheneighbourhood.Hegivesupfivedaysaweektohisownwork,andtwototheLord's;anditisdifficulttosaywhichheworkshardestat.HespendsSaturdayandSundaya-writingsermonsanda-visitinghisflockatHornby;andatfiveo'clockonMondaymorninghe'llbeguidinghisploughintheHopeFarmyonderjustaswellasifhecouldneitherreadnorwrite.Butyourdinner


11/75

willbegettingcold,gentlemen.'

Sowewentbacktotable.Afterawhile,MrHoldsworthbrokethesilence:--'IfIwereyou,Manning,I'dlookuptheserelationsofyours.Youcangoandseewhatthey'relikewhilewerewaitingforDobson'sestimates,andI'llsmokeacigarinthegardenmeanwhile.'

'Thankyou,sir.ButIdon'tknowthem,andIdon'tthinkIwanttoknowthem.'

'Whatdidyouaskallthosequestionsfor,then?'saidhe,lookingquicklyupatme.Hehadnonotionofdoingorsayingthingswithoutapurpose.Ididnotanswer,sohecontinued,--'Makeupyourmind,andgooffandseewhatthisfarmer-ministerislike,andcomebackandtellme--Ishouldliketohear.'

Iwassointhehabitofyieldingtohisauthority,orinfluence,thatIneverthoughtofresisting,butwentonmyerrand,thoughIrememberfeelingasifIwouldratherhavehadmyheadcutoff.Thelandlord,whohadevidentlytakenaninterestintheeventofourdiscussioninawaythatcountrylandlordshave,accompaniedmetothehouse-door,andgavemerepeateddirections,asifI

waslikelytomissmywayintwohundredyards.ButIlistenedtohim,forIwasgladofthedelay,toscrewupmycouragefortheeffortoffacingunknownpeopleandintroducingmyself.Iwentalongthelane,Irecollect,switchingatallthetallerroadsideweeds,till,afteraturnortwo,IfoundmyselfcloseinfrontoftheHopeFarm.Therewasagardenbetweenthehouseandtheshady,grassylane;Iafterwardsfoundthatthisgardenwascalledthecourt;perhapsbecausetherewasalowwallroundit,withanironrailingonthetopofthewall,andtwogreatgatesbetweenpillarscrownedwithstoneballsforastateentrancetotheflaggedpathleadinguptothefrontdoor.Itwasnotthehabitoftheplacetogoineitherbythesegreatgatesorbythefrontdoor;thegates,indeed,werelocked,asIfound,though

thedoorstoodwideopen.Ihadtogoroundbyaside-pathlightlywornonabroadgrassyway,whichledpastthecourt-wall,pastahorse-mount,halfcoveredwithstone-cropandthelittlewildyellowfumitory,toanotherdoor--'thecurate',asIfounditwastermedbythemasterofthehouse,whilethefrontdoor,'handsomeandallforshow',wastermedthe'rector'.Iknockedwithmyhanduponthe'curate'door;atallgirl,aboutmyownage,asIthought,cameandopenedit,andstoodtheresilent,waitingtoknowmyerrand.Iseehernow--cousinPhillis.Thewesteringsunshonefulluponher,andmadeaslantingstreamoflightintotheroomwithin.Shewasdressedindarkbluecottonofsomekind;uptoherthroat,downtoherwrists,withalittlefrillofthesamewhereverittouchedherwhiteskin.And

suchawhiteskinasitwas!Ihaveneverseenthelike.Shehadlighthair,neareryellowthananyothercolour.Shelookedmesteadilyinthefacewithlarge,quieteyes,wondering,butuntroubledbythesightofastranger.Ithoughtitoddthatsoold,sofull-grownasshewas,sheshouldwearapinaforeoverhergown.

BeforeIhadquitemadeupmymindwhattosayinreplytohermuteinquiryofwhatIwantedthere,awoman'svoicecalledout,'Whoisit,Phillis?Ifitisanyoneforbutter-milksendthem


12/75

roundtothebackdoor.'

IthoughtIcouldratherspeaktotheownerofthatvoicethantothegirlbeforeme;soIpassedher,andstoodattheentranceofaroomhatinhand,forthisside-dooropenedstraightintothehallorhouse-placewherethefamilysatewhenworkwasdone.Therewasabrisklittlewomanoffortyorsoironingsomehugemuslincravatsunderthelightofalongvine-shadedcasementwindow.ShelookedatmedistrustfullytillIbegantospeak.'MynameisPaulManning,'saidI;butIsawshedidnotknowthename.'Mymother'snamewasMoneypenny,'saidI,--'MargaretMoneypenny.'

'AndshemarriedoneJohnManning,ofBirmingham,'saidMrsHolman,eagerly.

'Andyou'llbeherson.Sitdown!Iamrightgladtoseeyou.TothinkofyourbeingMargaret'sson!Why,shewasalmostachildnotsolongago.Well,tobesure,itisfive-and-twentyyearsago.Andwhatbringsyouintotheseparts?'

Shesatedownherself,asifoppressedbyhercuriosityastoallthefive-and-twentyyearsthathadpassedbysinceshehadseenmymother.HerdaughterPhillistookupherknitting--alonggrey

worstedman'sstocking,Iremember--andknittedawaywithoutlookingatherwork.Ifeltthatthesteadygazeofthosedeepgreyeyeswasuponme,thoughonce,whenIstealthilyraisedminetohers,shewasexaminingsomethingonthewallabovemyhead.

WhenIhadansweredallmycousinHolman'squestions,sheheavedalongbreath,andsaid,'TothinkofMargaretMoneypenny'sboybeinginourhouse!Iwishtheministerwashere.Phillis,inwhatfieldisthyfatherto-day?'

'Inthefive-acre;theyarebeginningtocutthecorn.'

'He'llnotlikebeingsentfor,then,elseIshouldhaveliked

youtohaveseentheminister.Butthefive-acreisagoodstepoff.Youshallhaveaglassofwineandabitofcakebeforeyoustirfromthishouse,though.You'reboundtogo,yousay,orelsetheministercomesinmostlywhenthemenhavetheirfouro'clock.'

'Imustgo--Ioughttohavebeenoffbeforenow.'

'Here,then,Phillis,takethekeys.'Shegaveherdaughtersomewhispereddirections,andPhillislefttheroom.

'Sheismycousin,isshenot?'Iasked.Iknewshewas,butsomehowIwantedtotalkofher,anddidnotknowhowtobegin.

'Yes--PhillisHolman.Sheisouronlychild--now.'

Eitherfromthat'now',orfromastrangemomentarywistfulnessinhereyes,Iknewthattherehadbeenmorechildren,whowerenowdead.

'HowoldiscousinPhillis?'saidI,scarcelyventuringonthenewname,itseemedtooprettilyfamiliarformetocallherbyit;butcousinHolmantooknonoticeofit,answeringstraightto


13/75

thepurpose.

'SeventeenlastMay-day;buttheministerdoesnotliketohearmecallingitMay-day,'saidshe,checkingherselfwithalittleawe.'PhilliswasseventeenonthefirstdayofMaylast,'sherepeatedinanemendededition.

'AndIamnineteeninanothermonth,'thoughtI,tomyself;Idon'tknowwhy.ThenPhilliscamein,carryingatraywithwineandcakeuponit.

'Wekeepahouse-servant,'saidcousinHolman,'butitischurningday,andsheisbusy.'Itwasmeantasalittleproudapologyforherdaughter'sbeingthehandmaiden.

'Ilikedoingit,mother,'saidPhillis,inhergrave,fullvoice.

IfeltasifIweresomebodyintheOldTestament--who,Icouldnotrecollect--beingservedandwaiteduponbythedaughterofthehost.WasIlikeAbraham'sservant,whenRebekahgavehimtodrinkatthewell?IthoughtIsaachadnotgonethepleasantestwaytoworkinwinninghimawife.ButPhillisneverthoughtaboutsuchthings.Shewasastately,graciousyoungwoman,in

thedressandwiththesimplicityofachild.

AsIhadbeentaught,Idranktothehealthofmynewfoundcousinandherhusband;andthenIventuredtonamemycousinPhilliswithalittlebowofmyheadtowardsher;butIwastooawkwardtolookandseehowshetookmycompliment.'Imustgonow,'saidI,rising.

Neitherofthewomenhadthoughtofsharinginthewine;cousinHolmanhadbrokenabitofcakeforform'ssake.

'Iwishtheministerhadbeenwithin,'saidhiswife,risingtoo.SecretlyIwasverygladhewasnot.Ididnottakekindlyto

ministersinthosedays,andIthoughthemustbeaparticularkindofman,byhisobjectingtothetermMay-day.ButbeforeIwent,cousinHolmanmademepromisethatIwouldcomebackontheSaturdayfollowingandspendSundaywiththem;whenIshouldseesomethingof'theminister'.

'ComeonFriday,ifyoucan,'wereherlastwordsasshestoodatthecurate-door,shadinghereyesfromthesinkingsunwithherhand.InsidethehousesatecousinPhillis,hergoldenhair,herdazzlingcomplexion,lightingupthecornerofthevine-shadowedroom.ShehadnotrisenwhenIbadehergood-by;shehadlookedatmestraightasshesaidhertranquilwordsoffarewell.

IfoundMrHoldsworthdownattheline,hardatworksuperintending.AsSoonashehadapause,hesaid,'Well,Manning,whatarethenewcousinslike?Howdopreachingandfarmingseemtogetontogether?Iftheministerturnsouttobepracticalaswellasreverend,Ishallbegintorespecthim.'

Buthehardlyattendedtomyanswer,hewassomuchmoreoccupiedwithdirectinghiswork-people.Indeed,myanswerdidnotcomeveryreadily;andthemostdistinctpartofitwasthementionoftheinvitationthathadbeengivenme.


14/75

'Oh,ofcourseyoucango--andonFriday,too,ifyoulike;thereisnoreasonwhynotthisweek;andyou'vedonealongspellofworkthistime,oldfellow.'IthoughtthatIdidnotwanttogoonFriday;butwhenthedaycame,IfoundthatIshouldprefergoingtostayingaway,soIavailedmyselfofMrHoldsworth'spermission,andwentovertoHopeFarmsometimeintheafternoon,alittlelaterthanmylastvisit.Ifoundthe'curate'opentoadmitthesoftSeptemberair,sotemperedbythewarmthofthesun,thatitwaswarmeroutofdoorsthanin,althoughthewoodenloglaysmoulderinginfrontofaheapofhotashesonthehearth.Thevine-leavesoverthewindowhadatingemoreyellow,theiredgeswerehereandtherescorchedandbrowned;therewasnoironingabout,andcousinHolmansatejustoutsidethehouse,mendingashirt.Philliswasatherknittingindoors:itseemedasifshehadbeenatitalltheweek.Themanyspeckledfowlswerepeckingaboutinthefarmyardbeyond,andthemilk-cansglitteredwithbrightness,hungouttosweeten.Thecourtwassofullofflowersthattheycreptoutuponthelow-coveredwallandhorse-mount,andwereeventobefoundself-sownupontheturfthatborderedthepathtothebackofthehouse.IfanciedthatmySundaycoatwasscentedfordaysafterwardsbythebushesofsweetbriarandthefraxinellathatperfumedtheair.FromtimetotimecousinHolmanputherhand

intoacoveredbasketatherfeet,andthrewhandsfulofcorndownforthepigeonsthatcooedandflutteredintheairaround,inexpectationofthistreat.

Ihadathoroughwelcomeassoonasshesawme.'Nowthisiskind--thisisrightdownfriendly,'shakingmyhandwarmly.'Phillis,yourcousinManningiscome!'

'CallmePaul,willyou?'saidI;'theycallmesoathome,andManningintheoffice.'

'Well,Paul,then.Yourroomisallreadyforyou,Paul,for,asIsaidtotheminister,"I'llhaveitreadywhetherhecomeson

Fridayornot."AndtheministersaidhemustgouptotheAshfieldwhetheryouweretocomeornot;buthewouldcomehomebetimestoseeifyouwerehere.I'llshowyoutoyourroom,andyoucanwashthedustoffabit.'

AfterIcamedown,Ithinkshedidnotquiteknowwhattodowithme;orshemightthinkthatIwasdull;orshemighthaveworktodoinwhichIhinderedher;forshecalledPhillis,andbadeherputonherbonnet,andgowithmetotheAshfield,andfindfather.Sowesetoff,Iinalittleflutterofadesiretomakemyselfagreeable,butwishingthatmycompanionwerenotquitesotall;forshewasabovemeinheight.WhileIwaswonderinghowtobeginourconversation,shetookupthewords.

'Isuppose,cousinPaul,youhavetobeverybusyatyourworkalldaylongingeneral.'

'Yes,wehavetobeintheofficeathalf-pasteight;andwehaveanhourfordinner,andthenwegoatitagaintilleightornine.'

'Thenyouhavenotmuchtimeforreading.'


15/75

'No,'saidI,withasuddenconsciousnessthatIdidnotmakethemostofwhatleisureIhad.

'NomorehaveI.Fatheralwaysgetsanhourbeforegoinga-fieldinthemornings,butmotherdoesnotlikemetogetupsoearly.'

'MymotherisalwayswantingmetogetupearlierwhenIamathome.'

'Whattimedoyougetup?'

'Oh!--ah!--sometimeshalf-pastsix:notoftenthough;'forIrememberedonlytwicethatIhaddonesoduringthepastsummer.

Sheturnedherheadandlookedatme.

'Fatherisupatthree;andsowasmothertillshewasill.Ishouldliketobeupatfour.'

'Yourfatherupatthree!Why,whathashetodoatthathour?'

'Whathashenottodo?Hehashisprivateexerciseinhisownroom;healwaysringsthegreatbellwhichcallsthementomilking;herousesupBetty,ourmaid;asoftenasnothegives

thehorsestheirfeedbeforethemanisup--forJem,whotakescareofthehorses,isanoldman;andfatherisalwayslothtodisturbhim;helooksatthecalves,andtheshoulders,heels,traces,chaff,andcornbeforethehorsesgoa-field;hehasoftentowhip-cordtheplough-whips;heseesthehogsfed;helooksintotheswill-tubs,andwriteshisordersforwhatiswantedforfoodformanandbeast;yes,andforfuel,too.Andthen,ifhehasabitoftimetospare,hecomesinandreadswithme--butonlyEnglish;wekeepLatinfortheevenings,thatwemayhavetimetoenjoyit;andthenhecallsinthementobreakfast,andcutstheboys'breadandcheese;andseestheirwoodenbottlesfilled,andsendsthemofftotheirwork;--andbythistimeitishalf-pastsix,andwehaveourbreakfast.There

isfather,'sheexclaimed,pointingouttomeamaninhisshirt-sleeves,tallerbytheheadthantheothertwowithwhomhewasworking.Weonlysawhimthroughtheleavesoftheash-treesgrowinginthehedge,andIthoughtImustbeconfusingthefigures,ormistaken:thatmanstilllookedlikeaverypowerfullabourer,andhadnoneoftheprecisedemurenessofappearancewhichIhadalwaysimaginedwasthecharacteristicofaminister.ItwastheReverendEbenezerHolman,however.Hegaveusanodasweenteredthestubble-field;andIthinkhewouldhavecometomeetusbutthathewasinthemiddleofgivingsomedirectionstohismen.IcouldseethatPhilliswasbuiltmoreafterhistypethanhermother's.He,likehisdaughter,waslargelymade,andofafair,ruddycomplexion,whereasherswasbrilliantand

delicate.Hishairhadbeenyelloworsandy,butnowwasgrizzled.Yethisgreyhairsbetokenednofailureinstrength.Ineversawamorepowerfulman--deepchest,leanflanks,well-plantedhead.Bythistimewewerenearlyuptohim;andheinterruptedhimselfandsteppedforwards;holdingouthishandtome,butaddressingPhillis.

'Well,mylass,thisiscousinManning,Isuppose.Waitaminute,youngman,andI'llputonmycoat,andgiveyouadecorousandformalwelcome.But--NedHall,thereoughttobeawater-furrow


16/75

acrossthisland:it'sanasty,stiff,clayey,daubybitofground,andthouandImustfallto,comenextMonday--Ibegyourpardon,cousinManning--andthere'soldJem'scottagewantsabitofthatch;youcandothatjobtomorrowwhileIambusy.'Then,suddenlychangingthetoneofhisdeepbassvoicetoanoddsuggestionofchapelsandpreachers,headded.'Now,Iwillgiveoutthepsalm,"Comeallharmonioustongues",tobesungto"MountEphraim"tune.'

Heliftedhisspadeinhishand,andbegantobeattimewithit;thetwolabourersseemedtoknowbothwordsandmusic,thoughIdidnot;andsodidPhillis:herrichvoicefollowedherfather'sashesetthetune;andthemencameinwithmoreuncertainty,butstillharmoniously.Phillislookedatmeonceortwicewithalittlesurpriseatmysilence;butIdidnotknowthewords.Therewefivestood,bareheaded,exceptingPhillis,inthetawnystubble-field,fromwhichalltheshocksofcornhadnotyetbeencarried--adarkwoodononeside,wherethewoodpigeonswerecooing;bluedistanceseenthroughtheash-treesontheother.Somehow,IthinkthatifIhadknownthewords,andcouldhavesung,mythroatwouldhavebeenchokedupbythefeelingoftheunaccustomedscene.

Thehymnwasended,andthemenhaddrawnoffbeforeIcould

stir.Isawtheministerbeginningtoputonhiscoat,andlookingatmewithfriendlyinspectioninhisgaze,beforeIcouldrousemyself.

'Idaresayyourailwaygentlemendon'twindupthedaywithsingingapsalmtogether,'saidhe;'butitisnotabadpractice--notabadpractice.Wehavehaditabitearlierto-dayforhospitality'ssake--that'sall.'

Ihadnothingparticulartosaytothis,thoughIwasthinkingagreatdeal.FromtimetotimeIstolealookatmycompanion.Hiscoatwasblack,andsowashiswaistcoat;neckclothhehadnone,hisstrongfullthroatbeingbareabovethesnow-whiteshirt.He

woredrab-colouredknee-breeches,greyworstedstockings(IthoughtIknewthemaker),andstrong-nailedshoes.Hecarriedhishatinhishand,asifhelikedtofeelthecomingbreezeliftinghishair.Afterawhile,Isawthatthefathertookholdofthedaughter'shand,andso,theyholdingeachother,wentalongtowardshome.Wehadtocrossalane.Initweretwolittlechildren,onelyingproneonthegrassinapassionofcrying,theotherstandingstockstill,withitsfingerinitsmouth,thelargetearsslowlyrollingdownitscheeksforsympathy.Thecauseoftheirdistresswasevident;therewasabrokenbrownpitcher,andalittlepoolofspiltmilkontheroad.

'Hollo!Hollo!What'sallthis?'saidtheminister.'why,what

haveyoubeenabout,Tommy,'liftingthelittlepetticoatedlad,whowaslyingsobbing,withonevigorousarm.Tommylookedathimwithsurpriseinhisroundeyes,butnoaffright--theywereevidentlyoldacquaintances.

'Mammy'sjug!'saidhe,atlast,beginningtocryafresh.

'Well!andwillcryingpiecemammy'sjug,orpickupspiltmilk?Howdidyoumanageit,Tommy?'


17/75

'He'(jerkinghisheadattheother)'andmewasrunningraces.'

'Tommysaidhecouldbeatme,'putintheother.

'Now,Iwonderwhatwillmakeyoutwosillyladsmind,andnotrunracesagainwithapitcherofmilkbetweenyou,'saidtheminister,asifmusing.'Imightflogyou,andsosavemammythetrouble;forIdaresayshe'lldoitifIdon't.'Thefreshburstofwhimperingfrombothshowedtheprobabilityofthis.

'OrImighttakeyoutotheHopeFarm,andgiveyousomemoremilk;butthenyou'dberunningracesagain,andmymilkwouldfollowthattotheground,andmakeanotherwhitepool.Ithinkthefloggingwouldbebest--don'tyou?'

'Wewouldneverrunracesnomore,'saidtheelderofthetwo.

'Thenyou'dnotbeboys;you'dbeangels.'

'No,weshouldn't.'

'Whynot?'

Theylookedintoeachother'seyesforananswertothispuzzling

question.Atlength,onesaid,'Angelsisdeadfolk.'

'Come;we'llnotgettoodeepintotheology.Whatdoyouthinkofmylendingyouatincanwithalidtocarrythemilkhomein?Thatwouldnotbreak,atanyrate;thoughIwouldnotanswerforthemilknotspillingifyouranraces.That'sit!'

Hehaddroppedhisdaughter'shand,andnowheldouteachofhistothelittlefellows.PhillisandIfollowed,andlistenedtotheprattlewhichtheminister'scompanionsnowpouredouttohim,andwhichhewasevidentlyenjoying.Atacertainpoint,therewasasuddenburstofthetawny,ruddy-eveninglandscape.TheministerturnedroundandquotedalineortwoofLatin.

'It'swonderful,'saidhe,'howexactlyVirgilhashittheenduringepithets,nearlytwothousandyearsago,andinItaly;andyethowitdescribestoaTwhatisnowlyingbeforeusintheparishofHeathbridge,county----,England.'

'Idaresayitdoes,'saidI,allaglowwithshame,forIhadforgottenthelittleLatinIeverknew.

TheministershiftedhiseyestoPhillis'sface;itmutelygavehimbackthesympatheticappreciationthatI,inmyignorance,couldnotbestow.

'Oh!thisisworsethanthecatechism,'thoughtI;'thatwasonlyrememberingwords.'

'Phillis,lass,thoumustgohomewiththeselads,andtelltheirmotherallabouttheraceandthemilk.Mammymustalwaysknowthetruth,'nowspeakingtothechildren.'Andtellher,too,frommethatIhavegotthebestbirchrodintheparish;andthatifsheeverthinksherchildrenwantafloggingshemustbringthemtome,and,ifIthinktheydeserveit,I'llgiveitthembetterthanshecan.'SoPhillisledthechildrentowards


18/75

thedairy,somewhereinthebackyard,andIfollowedtheministerinthroughthe'curate'intothehouse-place.'Theirmother,'saidhe,'isabitofavixen,andapttopunishherchildrenwithoutrhymeorreason.Itrytokeeptheparishrodaswellastheparishbull.'

Hesatedowninthethree-corneredchairbythefire-side,andlookedaroundtheemptyroom.

'Where'sthemissus?'saidhetohimself.Butshewastherehome--byalook,byatouch,nothingmore--assoonassheinaminute;itwasherregularplantogivehimhiswelcomecouldafterhisreturn,andhehadmissedhernow.Regardlessofmypresence,hewentovertheday'sdoingstoher;andthen,gettingup,hesaidhemustgoandmakehimself'reverend',andthatthenwewouldhaveacupofteaintheparlour.Theparlourwasalargeroomwithtwocasementedwindowsontheothersideofthebroadflaggedpassageleadingfromtherector-doortothewidestaircase,withitsshallow,polishedoakensteps,onwhichnocarpetwaseverlaid.Theparlour-floorwascoveredinthemiddlebyahome-madecarpetingofneedleworkandlist.OneortwoquaintfamilypicturesoftheHolmanfamilyhungroundthewalls;thefire-grateandironsweremuchornamentedwithbrass;andonatableagainstthewallbetweenthewindows,agreatbeau-potof

flowerswasplaceduponthefoliovolumesofMatthewHenry'sBible.Itwasacomplimenttometousethisroom,andItriedtobegratefulforit;butweneverhadourmealsthereafterthatfirstday,andIwasgladofit;forthelargehouse-place,livingroom,dining-room,whicheveryoumightliketocallit,wastwiceascomfortableandcheerful.Therewasaruginfrontofthegreatlargefire-place,andanovenbythegrate,andacrook,withthekettlehangingfromit,overthebrightwood-fire;everythingthatoughttobeblackandPolishedinthatroomwasblackandPolished;andtheflags,andwindow-curtains,andsuchthingsasweretobewhiteandclean,werejustspotlessintheirpurity.Oppositetothefire-place,extendingthewholelengthoftheroom,wasanoakenshovel-board,withtheright

inclineforaskilfulplayertosendtheweightsintotheprescribedspace.Therewerebasketsofwhiteworkabout,andasmallshelfofbookshungagainstthewall,booksusedforreading,andnotforproppingupabeau-potofflowers.ItookdownoneortwoofthosebooksoncewhenIwasleftaloneinthehouse-placeonthefirstevening--Virgil,Caesar,aGreekgrammar--oh,dear!ah,me!andPhillisHolman'snameineachofthem!Ishutthemup,andputthembackintheirplaces,andwalkedasfarawayfromthebookshelfasIcould.Yes,andIgavemycousinPhillisawideberth,asthoughshewassittingatherworkquietlyenough,andherhairwaslookingmoregolden,herdarkeyelasheslonger,herroundpillarofathroatwhiterthanever.Wehaddonetea,andwehadreturnedintothehouse-place

thattheministermightsmokehispipewithoutfearofcontaminatingthedrabdamaskwindow-curtainsoftheparlour.Hehadmadehimself'reverend'byputtingononeofthevoluminouswhitemuslinneckclothsthatIhadseencousinHolmanironingthatfirstvisitIhadpaidtotheHopeFarm,andbymakingoneortwootherunimportantchangesinhisdress.Hesatelookingsteadilyatme,butwhetherhesawmeornotIcannottell.AtthetimeIfanciedthathedid,andwasgaugingmeinsomeunknownfashioninhissecretmind.Everynowandthenhetookhispipeoutofhismouth,knockedouttheashes,andaskedme


19/75

somefreshquestion.Aslongastheserelatedtomyacquirementsormyreading,Ishuffleduneasilyanddidnotknowwhattoanswer.By-and-byhegotroundtothemorepracticalsubjectofrailroads,andonthisIwasmoreathome.Ireallyhadtakenaninterestinmywork;norwouldMrHoldsworth,indeed,havekeptmeinhisemploymentifIhadnotgivenmymindaswellasmytimetoit;andIwas,besides,fullofthedifficultieswhichbesetusjustthen,owingtoournotbeingabletofindasteadybottomontheHeathbridgemoss,overwhichwewishedtocarryourline.Inthemidstofallmyeagernessinspeakingaboutthis,Icouldnothelpbeingstruckwiththeextremepertinenceofhisquestions.Idonotmeanthathedidnotshowignoranceofmanyofthedetailsofengineering:thatwastohavebeenexpected;butonthepremiseshehadgotholdof;hethoughtclearlyandreasonedlogically.Phillis--solikehimasshewasbothinbodyandmind--keptstoppingatherworkandlookingatme,tryingtofullyunderstandallthatIsaid.Ifeltshedid;andperhapsitmademetakemorepainsinusingclearexpressions,andarrangingmywords,thanIotherwiseshould.

'SheshallseeIknowsomethingworthknowing,thoughitmayn'tbeherdead-and-gonelanguages,'thoughtI.

'Isee,'saidtheminister,atlength.'Iunderstanditall.

You'veaclear,goodheadofyourown,mylad,--choosehowyoucamebyit.'

'Frommyfather,'saidI,proudly.'Haveyounotheardofhisdiscoveryofanewmethodofshunting?ItwasintheGazette.Itwaspatented.IthoughteveryonehadheardofManning'spatentwinch.'

'Wedon'tknowwhoinventedthealphabet,'saidhe,halfsmiling,andtakinguphispipe.

'No,Idaresaynot,sir,'repliedI,halfoffended;'that'ssolongago.'Puff--puff--puff.

'Butyourfathermustbeanotableman.Iheardofhimoncebefore;anditisnotmanyaonefiftymilesawaywhosefamereachesHeathbridge.'

'Myfatherisanotableman,sir.Itisnotmethatsaysso;itisMrHoldsworth,and--andeverybody.'

'Heisrighttostandupforhisfather,'saidcousinHolman,asifshewerepleadingforme.

Ichafedinwardly,thinkingthatmyfatherneedednoonetostandupforhim.Hewasmansufficientforhimself.

'Yes--heisright,'saidtheminister,placidly.'Right,becauseitcomesfromhisheart--right,too,asIbelieve,inpointoffact.Elsethereismanyayoungcockerelthatwillstanduponadunghillandcrowabouthisfather,bywayofmakinghisownplumagetoshine.Ishouldliketoknowthyfather,'hewenton,turningstraighttome,withakindly,franklookinhiseyes.

ButIwasvexed,andwouldtakenonotice.Presently,havingfinishedhispipe,hegotupandlefttheroom.Phillisputher


20/75

workhastilydown,andwentafterhim.Inaminuteortwoshereturned,andsatedownagain.Notlongafter,andbeforeIhadquiterecoveredmygoodtemper,heopenedthedooroutofwhichhehadpassed,andcalledtometocometohim.Iwentacrossanarrowstonepassageintoastrange,many-corneredroom,nottenfeetinarea,partstudy,partcountinghouse,lookingintothefarm-yard;withadesktositat,adesktostandat,aSpittoon,asetofshelveswitholddivinitybooksuponthem;another,smaller,filledwithbooksonfarriery,farming,manures,andsuchsubjects,withpiecesofpapercontainingmemorandastuckagainstthewhitewashedwallswithwafers,nails,pins,anythingthatcamereadiesttohand;aboxofcarpenter'stoolsonthefloor,andsomemanuscriptsinshort-handonthedesk.

Heturnedround,halflaughing.'ThatfoolishgirlofminethinksIhavevexedyou'--puttinghislarge,powerfulhandonmyshoulder.'"Nay,"saysI,"kindlymeantiskidneytaken"--isitnotso?'

'Itwasnotquite,sir,'repliedI,vanquishedbyhismanner;'butitshallbeinfuture.'

'Come,that'sright.YouandIshallbefriends.Indeed,it'snotmanyaoneIwouldbringinhere.ButIwasreadingabookthis

morning,andIcouldnotmakeitout;itisabookthatwasleftherebymistakeoneday;IhadsubscribedtoBrotherRobinson'ssermons;andIwasgladtoseethisinsteadofthem,forsermonsthoughtheybe,they're...well,nevermind!Itook'emboth,andmademyoldcoatdoabitlonger;butall'sfishthatcomestomynet.Ihavefewerbooksthanleisuretoreadthem,andIhaveaprodigiousbigappetite.Hereitis.'

Itwasavolumeofstiffmechanics,involvingmanytechnicalterms,andsomeratherdeepmathematics.Theselast,whichwouldhavepuzzledme,seemedeasyenoughtohim;allthathewantedwastheexplanationsofthetechnicalwords,whichIcouldeasilygive.

Whilehewaslookingthroughthebooktofindtheplaceswherehehadbeenpuzzled,mywanderingeyecaughtonsomeofthepapersonthewall,andIcouldnothelpreadingone,whichhasstuckbymeeversince.Atfirst,itseemedakindofweeklydiary;butthenIsawthatthesevendayswereportionedoutforspecialprayersandintercessions:Mondayforhisfamily,Tuesdayforenemies,WednesdayfortheIndependentchurches,Thursdayforallotherchurches,Fridayforpersonsafflicted,Saturdayforhisownsoul,Sundayforallwanderersandsinners,thattheymightbebroughthometothefold.

Wewerecalledbackintothehouse-placetohavesupper.Adoor

openingintothekitchenwasopened;andallstoodupinbothrooms,whiletheminister,tall,large,onehandrestingonthespreadtable,theotherliftedup,said,inthedeepvoicethatwouldhavebeenloudhaditnotbeensofullandrich,butwithoutthepeculiaraccentortwangthatIbelieveisconsidereddevoutbysomepeople,'Whetherweeatordrink,orwhatsoeverwedo,letusdoalltothegloryofGod.'

Thesupperwasanimmensemeat-pie.Weofthehouse-placewerehelpedfirst;thentheministerhitthehandleofhisbuck-horn


21/75

carving-knifeonthetableonce,andsaid,--

'Nowornever,'whichmeant,didanyofuswantanymore;andwhenwehadalldeclined,eitherbysilenceorbywords,heknockedtwicewithhisknifeonthetable,andBettycameinthroughtheopendoor,andcarriedoffthegreatdishtothekitchen,whereanoldmanandayoungone,andahelp-girl,wereawaitingtheirmeal.

'Shutthedoor,ifyouwill,'saidtheministertoBetty.

'That'sinhonourofyou,'saidcousinHolman,inatoneofsatisfaction,asthedoorwasshut.'whenwe'venostrangerwithus,theministerissofondofkeepingthedoorOpen,andtalkingtothemenandmaids,justasmuchastoPhillisandme.

'Itbringsusalltogetherlikeahouseholdjustbeforewemeetasahouseholdinprayer,'saidhe,inexplanation.'Buttogobacktowhatweweretalkingabout--canyoutellmeofanysimplebookondynamicsthatIcouldputinmypocket,andstudyalittleatleisuretimesintheday?'

'Leisuretimes,father?'saidPhillis,withanearerapproachtoasmilethanIhadyetseenonherface.

'Yes;leisuretimes,daughter.Thereismanyanoddminutelostinwaitingforotherfolk;andnowthatrailroadsarecomingsonearus,itbehovesustoknowsomethingaboutthem.'

Ithoughtofhisowndescriptionofhis'prodigiousbigappetite'forlearning.Andhehadagoodappetiteofhisownforthemorematerialvictualbeforehim.ButIsaw,orfanciedIsaw,thathehadsomeruleforhimselfinthematterbothoffoodanddrink.

Assoonassupperwasdonethehouseholdassembledforprayer.Itwasalongimpromptueveningprayer;anditwouldhaveseemeddesultoryenoughhadInothadaglimpseofthekindofdaythat

precededit,andsobeenabletofindacluetothethoughtsthatprecededthedisjointedutterances;forhekepttherekneelingdowninthecentreofacircle,hiseyesshut,hisoutstretchedhandspressedpalmtopalm--sometimeswithalongpauseofsilencewasanythingelsehewishedto'laybeforetheLord!(tousehisownexpression)--beforeheconcludedwiththeblessing.Heprayedforthecattleandlivecreatures,rathertomysurprise;formyattentionhadbeguntowander,tillitwasrecalledbythefamiliarwords.

AndhereImustnotforgettonameanoddincidentattheconclusionoftheprayer,andbeforewehadrisenfromourknees(indeedbeforeBettywaswellawake,forshemadeapracticeof

havingasoundnap,herwearyheadlyingonherstalwartarms);theminister,stillkneelinginourmidst,butwithhiseyeswideopen,andhisarmsdroppedbyhisside,spoketotheelderman,whoturnedroundonhiskneestoattend.'John,didstseethatDaisyhadherwarmmashto-night;forwemustnotneglectthemeans,John--twoquartsofgruel,aspoonfulofginger,andagillofbeer--thepoorbeastneedsit,andIfearitslippedOutofmymindtotellthee;andherewasIaskingablessingandneglectingthemeans,whichisamockery,'saidhe,droppinghisvoice.Beforewewenttobedhetoldmeheshouldseelittleor


22/75

nothingmoreofmeduringmyvisit,whichwastoendonSundayevening,ashealwaysgaveupbothSaturdayandSabbathtohisworkintheministry.IrememberedthatthelandlordattheinnhadtoldmethisonthedaywhenIfirstinquiredaboutthesenewrelationsofmine;andIdidnotdisliketheopportunitywhichIsawwouldbeaffordedmeofbecomingmoreacquaintedwithcousinHolmanandPhillis,thoughIearnestlyhopedthatthelatterwouldnotattackmeonthesubjectofthedeadlanguages.

Iwenttobed,anddreamedthatIwasastallascousinPhillis,andhadasuddenandmiraculousgrowthofwhisker,andastillmoremiraculousacquaintancewithLatinandGreek.Alas!Iwakenedupstillashort,beardlesslad,with'tempusfugit'formysoleremembranceofthelittleLatinIhadoncelearnt.WhileIwasdressing,abrightthoughtcameoverme:IcouldquestioncousinPhillis,insteadofherquestioningme,andsomanagetokeepthechoiceofthesubjectsofconversationinmyownpower.

Earlyasitwas,everyonehadbreakfasted,andmybasinofbreadandmilkwasputontheoven-toptoawaitmycomingdown.Everyonewasgoneabouttheirwork.Thefirsttocomeintothehouse-placewasPhilliswithabasketofeggs.Faithfultomyresolution,Iasked,--

'Whatarethose?'

Shelookedatmeforamoment,andthensaidgravely,--

'Potatoes!'

'No!theyarenot,'saidI.'Theyareeggs.Whatdoyoumeanbysayingtheyarepotatoes?'

'Whatdoyoumeanbyaskingmewhattheywere,whentheywereplaintobeseen?'retortedshe.

Wewerebothgettingalittleangrywitheachother.

'Idon'tknow.Iwantedtobegintotalktoyou;andIwasafraidyouwouldtalktomeaboutbooksasyoudidyesterday.Ihavenotreadmuch;andyouandtheministerhavereadsomuch.'

'Ihavenot,'saidshe.'Butyouareourguest;andmothersaysImustmakeitpleasanttoyou.Wewon'ttalkofbooks.Whatmustwetalkabout?'

'Idon'tknow.Howoldareyou?'

'SeventeenlastMay.Howoldareyou?'

'Iamnineteen.Olderthanyoubynearlytwoyears,'saidI,drawingmyselfuptomyfullheight.

'Ishouldnothavethoughtyouwereabovesixteen,'shereplied,asquietlyasifshewerenotsayingthemostprovokingthingshepossiblycould.Thencameapause.

'Whatareyougoingtodonow?'askedI.

'Ishouldbedustingthebed-chambers;butmothersaidIhad


23/75

betterstayandmakeitpleasanttoyou,'saidshe,alittleplaintively,asifdustingroomswasfartheeasiesttask.

'Willyoutakemetoseethelive-stock?Ilikeanimals,thoughIdon'tknowmuchaboutthem.'

'Oh,doyou?Iamsoglad!Iwasafraidyouwouldnotlikeanimals,asyoudidnotlikebooks.'

Iwonderedwhyshesaidthis.Ithinkitwasbecauseshehadbeguntofancyallourtastesmustbedissimilar.Wewenttogetherallthroughthefarm-yard;wefedthepoultry,shekneelingdownwithherpinaforefullofcornandmeal,andtemptingthelittletimid,downychickensuponit,muchtotheanxietyofthefussyruffledhen,theirmother.Shecalledtothepigeons,whofluttereddownatthesoundofhervoice.SheandIexaminedthegreatsleekcart-horses;sympathizedinourdislikeofpigs;fedthecalves;coaxedthesickcow,Daisy;andadmiredtheothersoutatpasture;andcamebacktiredandhungryanddirtyatdinner-time,havingquiteforgottenthatthereweresuchthingsasdeadlanguages,andconsequentlycapitalfriends.

PARTII

CousinHolmangavemetheweeklycountynewspapertoreadaloudtoher,whileshemendedstockingsoutofahighpiled-upbasket,Phillishelpinghermother.Ireadandread,unregardfulofthewordsIwasuttering,thinkingofallmannerofotherthings;ofthebrightcolourofPhillis'shair,astheafternoonsunfellonherbendinghead;ofthesilenceofthehouse,whichenabledmetohearthedoubletickoftheoldclockwhichstoodhalf-wayupthestairs;ofthevarietyofinarticulatenoiseswhichcousinHolmanmadewhileIread,toshowhersympathy,wonder,orhorroratthenewspaperintelligence.ThetranquilmonotonyofthathourmademefeelasifIhadlivedforever,andshouldliveforever

droningoutparagraphsinthatwarmsunnyroom,withmytwoquiethearers,andthecurled-uppussycatsleepingonthehearth-rug,andtheclockonthehouse-stairsperpetuallyclickingoutthepassageofthemoments.By-and-byBettytheservantcametothedoorintothekitchen,andmadeasigntoPhillis,whoputherhalf-mendedstockingdown,andwentawaytothekitchenwithoutaword.LookingatcousinHolmanaminuteortwoafterwards,Isawthatshehaddroppedherchinuponherbreast,andhadfallenfastasleep.Iputthenewspaperdown,andwasnearlyfollowingherexample,whenawaftofairfromsomeunseensource,slightlyopenedthedoorofcommunicationwiththekitchen,thatPhillismusthaveleftunfastened;andIsawpartofherfigureasshesatebythedresser,peelingappleswithquickdexterityof

finger,butwithrepeatedturningsofherheadtowardssomebooklyingonthedresserbyher.Isoftlyrose,andassoftlywentintothekitchen,andlookedoverhershoulder;beforeshewasawareofmyneighbourhood,Ihadseenthatthebookwasinalanguageunknowntome,andtherunningtitlewasL'Inferno.JustasIwasmakingouttherelationshipofthiswordto'infernal',shestartedandturnedround,and,asifcontinuingherthoughtasshespoke,shesighedout,--

'Oh!itissodifficult!Canyouhelpme?'puttingherfinger


24/75

belowaline.

'Me!I!Idon'tevenknowwhatlanguageitisin!'

'Don'tyouseeitisDante?'shereplied,almostpetulantly;shedidsowanthelp.

'Italian,then?'saidI,dubiously;forIwasnotquitesure.

'Yes.AndIdosowanttomakeitout.Fathercanhelpmealittle,forheknowsLatin;butthenhehassolittletime.'

'Youhavenotmuch,Ishouldthink,ifyouhaveoftentotryanddotwothingsatonce,asyouaredoingnow.

'Oh!that'snothing!Fatherboughtaheapofoldbookscheap.AndIknewsomethingaboutDantebefore;andIhavealwayslikedVirgilsomuch.Paringapplesisnothing,ifIcouldonlymakeoutthisoldItalian.Iwishyouknewit.'

'IwishIdid,'saidI,movedbyherimpetuosityoftone.'If,now,onlyMrHoldsworthwerehere;hecanspeakItalianlikeanything,Ibelieve.'

'WhoisMrHoldsworth?'saidPhillis,lookingup.

'Oh,he'sourheadengineer.He'saregularfirst-ratefellow!Hecandoanything;'myhero-worshipandmyprideinmychiefallcomingintoplay.Besides,ifIwasnotcleverandbook-learnedmyself,itwassomethingtobelongtosomeonewhowas.

'HowisitthathespeaksItalian?'askedPhillis.

'HehadtomakearailwaythroughPiedmont,whichisinItaly,Ibelieve;andhehadtotalktoalltheworkmeninItalian;andIhaveheardhimsaythatfornearlytwoyearshehadonlyItalianbookstoreadinthequeeroutlandishplaceshewasin.'

'Oh,dear!'saidPhillis;'Iwish--'andthenshestopped.Iwasnotquitesurewhethertosaythenextthingthatcameintomymind;butIsaidit.

'CouldIaskhimanythingaboutyourbook,oryourdifficulties?'

Shewassilentforaminuteorso,andthenshemadereply,--

'No!Ithinknot.Thankyouverymuch,though.Icangenerallypuzzleathingoutintime.Andthen,perhaps,Irememberitbetterthanifsomeonehadhelpedme.I'llputitawaynow,andyoumustmoveoff,forI'vegottomakethepasteforthepies;

wealwayshaveacolddinneronSabbaths.'

'ButImaystayandhelpyou,mayn'tI?'

'Oh,yes;notthatyoucanhelpatall,butIliketohaveyouwithme.'Iwasbothflatteredandannoyedatthisstraightforwardavowal.Iwaspleasedthatshelikedme;butIwasyoungcoxcombenoughtohavewishedtoplaythelover,andIwasquitewiseenoughtoperceivethatifshehadanyideaofthekindinherheadshewouldneverhavespokenoutsofrankly.I


25/75

comfortedmyselfimmediately,however,byfindingoutthatthegrapesweresour.Agreattallgirlinapinafore,halfaheadtallerthanIwas,readingbooksthatIhadneverheardof,andtalkingaboutthemtoo,asoffarmoreinterestthananymerepersonalsubjects;thatwasthelastdayonwhichIeverthoughtofmydearcousinPhillisasthepossiblemistressofmyheartandlife.Butwewereallthegreaterfriendsforthisideabeingutterlyputawayandburiedoutofsight.

LateintheeveningtheministercamehomefromHornby.Hehadbeencallingonthedifferentmembersofhisflock;andunsatisfactoryworkithadprovedtohim,itseemedfromthefragmentsthatdroppedoutofhisthoughtsintohistalk.

'Idon'tseethemen;theyareallattheirbusiness,theirshops,ortheirwarehouses;theyoughttobethere.Ihavenofaulttofindwiththem;onlyifapastor'steachingorwordsofadmonitionaregoodforanything,theyareneededbythemenasmuchasbythewomen.'

'Cannotyougoandseethemintheirplacesofbusiness,andremindthemoftheirChristianprivilegesandduties,minister?'askedcousinHolman,whoevidentlythoughtthatherhusband'swordscouldneverbeoutofplace.

'No!'saidhe,shakinghishead.'Ijudgethembymyself.Iftherearecloudsinthesky,andIamgettinginthehayjustreadyforloading,andrainsuretocomeinthenight,IshouldlookilluponbrotherRobinsonifhecameintothefieldtospeakaboutseriousthings.'

'But,atanyrate,father,youdogoodtothewomen,andperhapstheyrepeatwhatyouhavesaidtothemtotheirhusbandsandchildren?'

'Itistobehopedtheydo,forIcannotreachthemendirectly;butthewomenareapttotarrybeforecomingtome,toputon

ribbonsandgauds;asiftheycouldhearthemessageIbeartothembestintheirsmartclothes.MrsDobsonto-day--Phillis,Iamthankfulthoudostnotcareforthevanitiesofdress!'Phillisreddenedalittleasshesaid,inalowhumblevoice,--

'ButIdo,father,I'mafraid.IoftenwishIcouldwearpretty-colouredribbonsroundmythroatlikethesquire'sdaughters.'

'It'sbutnatural,minister!'saidhiswife;'I'mnotabovelikingasilkgownbetterthanacottononemyself!'

'Theloveofdressisatemptationandasnare,'saidhe,

gravely.'Thetrueadornmentisameekandquietspirit.And,wife,'saidhe,asasuddenthoughtcrossedhismind,'inthatmatterI,too,havesinned.Iwantedtoaskyou,couldwenotsleepinthegreyroom,insteadofourown?'

'Sleepinthegreyroom?--changeourroomatthistimeo'day?'cousinHolmanasked,indismay.

'Yes,'saidhe.'Itwouldsavemefromadailytemptationtoanger.Lookatmychin!'hecontinued;'Icutitthismorning--I


26/75

cutitonWednesdaywhenIwasshaving;IdonotknowhowmanytimesIhavecutitoflate,andallfromimpatienceatseeingTimothyCooperathisworkintheyard.'

'He'sadownrightlazytyke!'saidcousinHolman.'He'snotworthhiswage.There'sbutlittlehecando,andwhathecando,hedoesbadly.'

'True,'saidtheminister.'Heisbut,sotospeak,ahalf-wit;andyethehasgotawifeandchildren.'

'Moreshameforhim!'

'Butthatispastchange.AndifIturnhimoff;nooneelsewilltakehimon.YetIcannothelpwatchinghimofamorningashegoessaunteringabouthisworkintheyard;andIwatch,andIwatch,tilltheoldAdamrisesstrongwithinmeathislazyways,andsomeday,Iamafraid,Ishallgodownandsendhimabouthisbusiness--letalonethewayinwhichhemakesmecutmyselfwhileIamshaving--andthenhiswifeandchildrenwillstarve.Iwishwecouldmovetothegreyroom.'

IdonotremembermuchmoreofmyfirstvisittotheHopeFarm.WewenttochapelinHeathbridge,slowlyanddecorouslywalking

alongthelanes,ruddyandtawnywiththecolouringofthecomingautumn.Theministerwalkedalittlebeforeus,hishandsbehindhisback,hisheadbentdown,thinkingaboutthediscoursetobedeliveredtohispeople,cousinHolmansaid;andwespokelowandquietly,inordernottointerrupthisthoughts.ButIcouldnothelpnoticingtherespectfulgreetingswhichhereceivedfrombothrichandpooraswewentalong;greetingswhichheacknowledgedwithakindlywaveofhishand,butwithnowordsofreply.Aswedrewnearthetown,IcouldseesomeoftheyoungfellowswemetcastadmiringlooksonPhillis;andthatmademelooktoo.Shehadonawhitegown,andashortblacksilkcloak,accordingtothefashionoftheday.Astrawbonnetwithbrownribbonstrings;thatwasall.Butwhatherdresswantedin

colour,hersweetbonnyfacehad.Thewalkmadehercheeksbloomliketherose;theverywhitesofhereyeshadabluetingeinthem,andherdarkeyelashesbroughtoutthedepthoftheblueeyesthemselves.Heryellowhairwasputawayasstraightasitsnaturalcurlinesswouldallow.Ifshedidnotperceivetheadmirationsheexcited,IamsurecousinHolmandid;forshelookedasfierceandasproudaseverherquietfacecouldlook,guardinghertreasure,andyetgladtoperceivethatotherscouldseethatitwasatreasure.ThatafternoonIhadtoreturntoElthamtobereadyforthenextday'swork.Ifoundoutafterwardsthattheministerandhisfamilywereall'exercisedinspirit,'astowhethertheydidwellinaskingmetorepeatmyvisitsattheHopeFarm,seeingthatofnecessityImustreturn

toElthamontheSabbath-day.However,theydidgoonaskingme,andIwentonvisitingthem,whenevermyotherengagementspermittedme,MrHoldsworthbeinginthiscase,asinall,akindandindulgentfriend.Nordidmynewacquaintancesousthimfrommystrongregardandadmiration.Ihadroominmyheartforall,Iamhappytosay,andasfarasIcanremember,Ikeptpraisingeachtotheotherinamannerwhich,ifIhadbeenanolderman,livingmoreamongstpeopleoftheworld,Ishouldhavethoughtunwise,aswellasalittleridiculous.Itwasunwise,certainly,asitwasalmostsuretocausedisappointmentifevertheydid


27/75

becomeacquainted;andperhapsitwasridiculous,thoughIdonotthinkweanyofusthoughtitsoatthetime.TheministerusedtolistentomyaccountsofMrHoldsworth'smanyaccomplishmentsandvariousadventuresintravelwiththetruestinterest,andmostkindlygoodfaith;andMrHoldsworthinreturnlikedtohearaboutmyvisitstothefarm,anddescriptionofmycousin'slifethere--likedit,Imean,asmuchashelikedanythingthatwasmerelynarrative,withoutleadingtoaction.

SoIwenttothefarmcertainly,onanaverage,onceamonthduringthatautumn;thecourseoflifetherewassopeacefulandquiet,thatIcanonlyrememberonesmallevent,andthatwasonethatIthinkItookmorenoticeofthananyoneelse:Phillisleftoffwearingthepinaforesthathadalwaysbeensoobnoxioustome;Idonotknowwhytheywerebanished,butononeofmyvisitsIfoundthemreplacedbyprettylinenapronsinthemorning,andablacksilkoneintheafternoon.Andthebluecottongownbecameabrownstuffoneaswinterdrewon;thissoundslikesomebookIonceread,inwhichamigrationfromthebluebedtothebrownwasspokenofasagreatfamilyevent.

TowardsChristmasmydearfathercametoseeme,andtoconsultMrHoldsworthabouttheimprovementwhichhassincebeenknownas'Manning'sdrivingwheel'.MrHoldsworth,asIthinkIhave

beforesaid,hadaverygreatregardformyfather,whohadbeenemployedinthesamegreatmachine-shopinwhichMrHoldsworthhadservedhisapprenticeship;andheandmyfatherhadmanymutualjokesaboutoneofthesegentlemen-apprenticeswhousedtosetabouthissmith'sworkinwhitewash-leathergloves,forfearofspoilinghishands.MrHoldsworthoftenspoketomeaboutmyfatherashavingthesamekindofgeniusformechanicalinventionasthatofGeorgeStephenson,andmyfatherhadcomeovernowtoconsulthimaboutseveralimprovements,aswellasanofferofpartnership.Itwasagreatpleasuretometoseethemutualregardofthesetwomen.MrHoldsworth,young,handsome,keen,well-dressed,anobjectofadmirationtoalltheyouthofEltham;myfather,inhisdecentbutunfashionableSundayclothes,his

plain,sensiblefacefullofhardlines,themarksoftoilandthought,--hishands,blackenedbeyondthepowerofsoapandwaterbyyearsoflabourinthefoundry;speakingastrongNortherndialect,whileMrHoldsworthhadalongsoftdrawlinhisvoice,asmanyoftheSouthernershave,andwasreckonedinElthamtogivehimselfairs.

Althoughmostofmyfather'sleisuretimewasoccupiedwithconversationsaboutthebusinessIhavementioned,hefeltthatheoughtnottoleaveElthamwithoutgoingtopayhisrespectstotherelationswhohadbeensokindtohisson.SoheandIranuponanenginealongtheincompletelineasfarasHeathbridge,andwent,byinvitation,tospendadayatthefarm.

Itwasoddandyetpleasanttometoperceivehowthesetwomen,eachhavingleduptothispointsuchtotallydissimilarlives,seemedtocometogetherbyinstinct,afteronequietstraightlookintoeachother'sfaces.Myfatherwasathin,wirymanoffivefootseven;theministerwasabroad-shouldered,fresh-colouredmanofsixfootone;theywereneitherofthemgreattalkersingeneral--perhapstheministerthemostso--buttheyspokemuchtoeachother.Myfatherwentintothefieldswiththeminister;IthinkIseehimnow,withhishandsbehind


28/75

hisback,listeningintentlytoallexplanationsoftillage,andthedifferentprocessesoffarming;occasionallytakingupanimplement,asifunconsciously,andexaminingitwithacriticaleye,andnowandthenaskingaquestion,whichIcouldseewasconsideredaspertinentbyhiscompanion.Thenwereturnedtolookatthecattle,housedandbeddedinexpectationofthesnow-stormhangingblackonthewesternhorizon,andmyfatherlearnedthepointsofacowwithasmuchattentionasifhemeanttoturnfarmer.Hehadhislittlebookthatheusedformechanicalmemorandaandmeasurementsinhispocket,andhetookitouttowritedown'straightback',smallmuzzle','deepbarrel',andIknownotwhatelse,underthehead'cow'.Hewasverycriticalonaturnip-cuttingmachine,theclumsinessofwhichfirstincitedhimtotalk;andwhenwewentintothehousehesatethinkingandquietforabit,whilePhillisandhermothermadethelastpreparationsfortea,withalittleunheededapologyfromcousinHolman,becausewewerenotsittinginthebestparlour,whichshethoughtmightbechillyonsocoldanight.Iwantednothingbetterthantheblazing,cracklingfirethatsentaglowoverallthehouse-place,andwarmedthesnowyflagsunderourfeettilltheyseemedtohavemoreheatthanthecrimsonrugrightinfrontofthefire.Aftertea,asPhillisandIweretalkingtogetherveryhappily,IheardanirrepressibleexclamationfromcousinHolman,--

'Whateveristhemanabout!'

Andonlookinground,Isawmyfathertakingastraightburningstickoutofthefire,and,afterwaitingforaminute,andexaminingthecharredendtoseeifitwasfittedforhispurpose,hewenttothehard-wooddresser,scouredtothelastpitchofwhitenessandcleanliness,andbegandrawingwiththestick;thebestsubstituteforchalkorcharcoalwithinhisreach,forhispocket-bookpencilwasnotstrongorboldenoughforhispurpose.Whenhehaddone,hebegantoexplainhisnewmodelofaturnip-cuttingmachinetotheminister,whohadbeenwatchinghiminsilenceallthetime.CousinHolmanhad,inthe

meantime,takenadusteroutofadrawer,and,underpretenceofbeingasmuchinterestedasherhusbandinthedrawing,wassecretlytryingonanoutsidemarkhoweasilyitwouldcomeoff,andwhetheritwouldleaveherdresseraswhiteasbefore.ThenPhilliswassentforthebookondynamicsaboutwhichIhadbeenconsultedduringmyfirstvisit,andmyfatherhadtoexplainmanydifficulties,whichhedidinlanguageasclearashismind,makingdrawingswithhisstickwherevertheywereneededasillustrations,theministersittingwithhismassiveheadrestingonhishands,hiselbowsonthetable,almostunconsciousofPhillis,leaningoverandlisteninggreedily,withherhandonhisshoulder,suckingininformationlikeherfather'sowndaughter.IwasrathersorryforcousinHolman;Ihadbeenso

onceortwicebefore;fordowhatshewould,shewascompletelyunableeventounderstandthepleasureherhusbandanddaughtertookinintellectualpursuits,muchlesstocareintheleastherselfforthepursuitsthemselves,andwasthusunavoidablythrownoutofsomeoftheirinterests.Ihadonceortwicethoughtshewasalittlejealousofherownchild,asafittercompanionforherhusbandthanshewasherself;andIfanciedtheministerhimselfwasawareofthisfeeling,forIhadnoticedanoccasionalsuddenchangeofsubject,andatendernessofappealinhisvoiceashespoketoher,whichalwaysmadeherlook


29/75

contentedandpeacefulagain.IdonotthinkthatPhilliseverperceivedtheselittleshadows;inthefirstplace,shehadsuchcompletereverenceforherparentsthatshelistenedtothembothasiftheyhadbeenStPeterandStPaul;andbesides,shewasalwaystoomuchengrossedwithanymatterinhandtothinkaboutotherpeople'smannersandlooks.

ThisnightIcouldsee,thoughshedidnot,howmuchshewaswinningonmyfather.Sheaskedafewquestionswhichshowedthatshehadfollowedhisexplanationsuptothatpoint;possibly,too,herunusualbeautymighthavesomethingtodowithhisfavourableimpressionofher;buthemadenoscrupleofexpressinghisadmirationofhertoherfatherandmotherinherabsencefromtheroom;andfromthateveningIdateaprojectofhiswhichcameouttomeadayortwoafterwards,aswesateinmylittlethree-corneredroominEltham.'Paul,'hebegan,'Ineverthoughttobearichman;butIthinkit'scominguponme.Somefolkaremakingadealofmynewmachine(callingitbyitstechnicalname),andEllison,oftheBoroughGreenWorks,hasgonesofarastoaskmetobehispartner.'

'MrEllisontheJustice!--wholivesinKingStreet?why,hedriveshiscarriage!'saidI,doubting,yetexultant.

'Ay,lad,JohnEllison.Butthat'snosignthatIshalldrivemycarriage.ThoughIshouldliketosavethymotherwalking,forshe'snotsoyoungasshewas.Butthat'salongwayoff;anyhow.IreckonIshouldstartwithathirdprofit.Itmightbesevenhundred,oritmightbemore.Ishouldliketohavethepowertoworkoutsomefancieso'mine.Icareforthatmuchmorethanforth'brass.AndEllisonhasnolads;andbynaturethebusinesswouldcometotheeincourseo'time.Ellison'slassesarebutbitso'things,andarenotliketocomebyhusbandsjustyet;andwhentheydo,maybethey'llnotbeinthemechanicalline.Itwillbeanopeningforthee,lad,ifthouartsteady.Thou'rtnotgreatshakes,Iknow,inth'inventingline;butmanyaonegetsonbetterwithouthavingfanciesforsomethinghedoesnotsee

andneverhasseen.I'mrightdowngladtoseethatmother'scousinsaresuchuncommonfolkforsenseandgoodness.Ihavetakentheministertomyheartlikeabrother;andsheisawomanlyquietsortofabody.AndI'lltellyoufrank,Paul,itwillbeahappydayformeifeveryoucancomeandtellmethatPhillisHolmanisliketobemydaughter.Ithinkifthatlasshadnotapenny,shewouldbethemakingofaman;andshe'llhaveyonhouseandlands,andyoumaybehermatchyetinfortuneifallgoeswell.'

Iwasgrowingasredasfire;Ididnotknowwhattosay,andyetIwantedtosaysomething;buttheideaofhavingawifeofmyownatsomefutureday,thoughithadoftenfloatedaboutinmy

ownhead,soundedsostrangewhenitwasthusfirstspokenaboutbymyfather.Hesawmyconfusion,andhalfsmilingsaid,--

'Well,lad,whatdostsaytotheoldfather'splans?Thouartbutyoung,tobesure;butwhenIwasthyage,Iwouldha'givenmyrighthandifImightha'thoughtofthechanceofweddingthelassIcaredfor--'

'Mymother?'askedI,alittlestruckbythechangeofhistoneofvoice.


30/75

'No!notthymother.Thymotherisaverygoodwoman--nonebetter.No!thelassIcaredforatnineteenne'erknewhowIlovedher,andayearortwoafterandshewasdead,andne'erknew.Ithinkshewouldha'beengladtoha'knownit,poorMolly;butIhadtoleavetheplacewherewelivedfortotrytoearnmybreadandImeanttocomebackbutbeforeeverIdid,shewasdeadandgone:Iha'nevergonetheresince.ButifyoufancyPhillisHolman,andcangethertofancyyou,mylad,itshallgodifferentwithyou,Paul,towhatitdidwithyourfather.'

Itookcounselwithmyselfveryrapidly,andIcametoaclearconclusion.'Father,'saidI,'ifIfanciedPhilliseversomuch,shewouldneverfancyme.IlikeherasmuchasIcouldlikeasister;andshelikesmeasifIwereherbrother--heryoungerbrother.'

Icouldseemyfather'scountenancefallalittle.

'Youseeshe'ssoclevershe'smorelikeamanthanawoman--sheknowsLatinandGreek.'

'She'dforget'em,ifshe'dahousefulofchildren,'wasmyfather'scommentonthis.

'Butsheknowsmanyathingbesides,andiswiseaswellaslearned;shehasbeensomuchwithherfather.Shewouldneverthinkmuchofme,andIshouldlikemywifetothinkadealofherhusband.'

'Itisnotjustbook-learningorthewantofitasmakesawifethinkmuchorlittleofherhusband,'repliedmyfather,evidentlyunwillingtogiveupaprojectwhichhadtakendeeprootinhismind.'It'sasomethingIdon'trightlyknowhowtocallit--ifhe'smanly,andsensible,andstraightforward;andIreckonyou'rethat,myboy.'

'Idon'tthinkIshouldliketohaveawifetallerthanIam,father,'saidI,smiling;hesmiledtoo,butnotheartily.

'Well,'saidhe,afterapause.'It'sbutafewdaysI'vebeenthinkingofit,butI'dgotasfondofmynotionasifithadbeenanewengineasI'dbeenplanningout.Here'sourPaul,thinksItomyself,agoodsensiblebreedo'lad,ashasnevervexedortroubledhismotherorme;withagoodbusinessopeningoutbeforehim,agenineteen,notsobad-looking,thoughperhapsnottocallhandsome,andhere'shiscousin,nottoonearcousin,butjustnice,asonemaysay;agedseventeen,goodandtrue,andwellbroughtuptoworkwithherhandsaswellasherhead;ascholar--butthatcan'tbehelped,andismorehermisfortune

thanherfault,seeingsheistheonlychildofscholar--andasIsaidafore,onceshe'sawifeandashe'llforgetitall,I'llbebound--withagoodfortuneinlandandhousewhenitshallpleasetheLordtotakeherparentstohimself;witheyeslikepoorMolly'sforbeauty,acolourthatcomesandgoesonamilk-whiteskin,andasprettyamouth--,

'Why,MrManning,whatfairladyareyoudescribing?'askedMrHoldsworth,whohadcomequicklyandsuddenlyuponourtete-a-tete,andhadcaughtmyfather'slastwordsasheentered


31/75

theroom.BothmyfatherandIfeltratherabashed;itwassuchanoddsubjectforustobetalkingabout;butmyfather,likeastraightforwardsimplemanashewas,spokeoutthetruth.

'I'vebeentellingPaulofEllison'soffer,andsayinghowgoodanopeningitmadeforhim--'

'IwishI'dasgood,'saidMrHoldsworth.'Buthasthebusinessa"prettymouth"?

'You'realwayssofullofyourjoking,MrHoldsworth,'saidmyfather.'IwasgoingtosaythatifheandhiscousinPhillisHolmanlikedtomakeitupbetweenthem,Iwouldputnospokeinthewheel.'

'PhillisHolman!'saidMrHoldsworth.'Isshethedaughteroftheminister-farmeroutatHeathbridge?HaveIbeenhelpingonthecourseoftruelovebylettingyougotheresooften?Iknewnothingofit.'

'Thereisnothingtoknow,'saidI,moreannoyedthanIchosetoshow.'Thereisnomoretrueloveinthecasethanmaybebetweenthefirstbrotherandsisteryoumaychoosetomeet.Ihavebeentellingfathershewouldneverthinkofme;she'sagreatdeal

tallerandcleverer;andI'dratherbetallerandmorelearnedthanmywifewhenIhaveone.'

'Anditisshe,then,thathastheprettymouthyourfatherspokeabout?Ishouldthinkthatwouldbeanantidotetotheclevernessandlearning.ButIoughttoapologizeforbreakinginuponyourlastnight;Icameuponbusinesstoyourfather.'

Andthenheandmyfatherbegantotalkaboutmanythingsthathadnointerestformejustthen,andIbegantogooveragainmyconversationwithmyfather.ThemoreIthoughtaboutit,themoreIfeltthatIhadspokentrulyaboutmyfeelingstowardsPhillisHolman.Ilovedherdearlyasasister,butIcouldnever

fancyherasmywife.StilllesscouldIthinkofherever--yes,condescending,thatistheword--condescendingtomarryme.IwasrousedfromareverieonwhatIshouldlikemypossiblewifetobe,byhearingmyfather'swarmpraiseoftheminister,asamostunusualcharacter;howtheyhadgotbackfromthediameterofdriving-wheelstothesubjectoftheHolmansIcouldnevertell;butIsawthatmyfather'sweightypraiseswereexcitingsomecuriosityinMrHoldsworth'smind;indeed,hesaid,almostinavoiceofreproach,--

'Why,Paul,younevertoldmewhatkindofafellowthisminister-cousinofyourswas!'

'Idon'tknowthatIfoundout,sir,'saidI.'ButifIhad,Idon'tthinkyou'dhavelistenedtome,asyouhavedonetomyfather.'

'No!mostlikelynot,oldfellow,'repliedMrHoldsworth,laughing.AndagainandafreshIsawwhatahandsomepleasantclearfacehiswas;andthoughthiseveningIhadbeenabitputoutwithhim--throughhissuddencoming,andhishavingheardmyfather'sopen-heartedconfidence--myheroresumedallhisempireovermebyhisbrightmerrylaugh.


32/75

Andifhehadnotresumedhisoldplacethatnight,hewouldhavedonesothenextday,when,aftermyfather'sdeparture,MrHoldsworthspokeabouthimwithsuchjustrespectforhischaracter,suchungrudgingadmirationofhisgreatmechanicalgenius,thatIwascompelledtosay,almostunawares,--

'Thankyou,sir.Iamverymuchobligedtoyou.'

'Oh,you'renotatall.Iamonlyspeakingthetruth.Here'saBirminghamworkman,self-educated,onemaysay--havingneverassociatedwithstimulatingminds,orhadwhatadvantagestravelandcontactwiththeworldmaybesupposedtoafford--workingouthisownthoughtsintosteelandiron,makingascientificnameforhimself--afortune,ifitpleaseshimtoworkformoney--andkeepinghissinglenessofheart,hisperfectsimplicityofmanner;itputsmeoutofpatiencetothinkofmyexpensiveschooling,mytravelshitherandthither,myheapsofscientificbooks,andIhavedonenothingtospeakof.Butit'sevidentlygoodblood;there'sthatMrHolman,thatcousinofyours,madeofthesamestuff'

'Buthe'sonlycousinbecausehemarriedmymother'ssecondcousin,'saidI.

'Thatknocksaprettytheoryonthehead,andtwiceover,too.IshouldliketomakeHolman'sacquaintance.'

'IamsuretheywouldbesogladtoseeyouatHopeFarm,'saidI,eagerly.'Infact,they'veaskedmetobringyouseveraltimes:onlyIthoughtyouwouldfinditdull.'

'Notatall.Ican'tgoyetthough,evenifyoudogetmeaninvitation;forthe----Companywantmetogotothe----Valley,andlookoverthegroundabitforthem,toseeifitwoulddoforabranchline;it'sajobwhichmaytakemeawayforsometime;butIshallbebackwardsandforwards,andyou're

quiteuptodoingwhatisneededinmyabsence;theonlyworkthatmaybebeyondyouiskeepingoldJevonsfromdrinking.'Hewentongivingmedirectionsaboutthemanagementofthemenemployedontheline,andnomorewassaidthen,orforseveralmonths,abouthisgoingtoRopeFarm.Hewentoffinto----Valley,adarkovershadoweddale,wherethesunseemedtosetbehindthehillsbeforefouro'clockonmidsummerafternoon.Perhapsitwasthisthatbroughtontheattackoflowfeverwhichhehadsoonafterthebeginningofthenewyear;hewasveryillformanyweeks,almostmanymonths;amarriedsister--hisonlyrelation,Ithink--camedownfromLondontonursehim,andIwentovertohimwhenIcould,toseehim,andgivehim'masculinenews,'ashecalledit;reportsoftheprogressoftheline,

which,Iamgladtosay,Iwasabletocarryoninhisabsence,intheslowgradualwaywhichsuitedthecompanybest,whiletradewasinalanguidstate,andmoneydearinthemarket.Ofcourse,withthisoccupationformyscantyleisure,IdidnotoftengoovertoHopeFarm.WheneverIdidgo,Imetwithathoroughwelcome;andmanyinquiriesweremadeastoHoldsworth'sillness,andtheprogressofhisrecovery.

Atlength,inJuneIthinkitwas,hewassufficientlyrecoveredtocomebacktohislodgingsatEltham,andresumepartatleast


33/75

ofhiswork.Hissister,MrsRobinson,hadbeenobligedtoleavehimsomeweeksbefore,owingtosomeepidemicamongstherownchildren.AslongasIhadseenMrHoldsworthintheroomsatthelittleinnatHensleydale,whereIhadbeenaccustomedtolookuponhimasaninvalid,Ihadnotbeenawareofthevisibleshakehisfeverhadgiventohishealth.But,oncebackintheoldlodgings,whereIhadalwaysseenhimsobuoyant,eloquent,decided,andvigorousinformerdays,myspiritssankatthechangeinonewhomIhadalwaysregardedwithastrongfeelingofadmiringaffection.Hesankintosilenceanddespondencyaftertheleastexertion;heseemedasifhecouldnotmakeuphismindtoanyaction,orelsethat,whenitwasmadeup,helackedstrengthtocarryouthispurpose.Ofcourse,itwasbutthenaturalstateofslowconvalescence,aftersosharpanillness;but,atthetime,Ididnotknowthis,andperhapsIrepresentedhisstateasmoreseriousthanitwastomykindrelationsatHopeFarm;who,intheirgrave,simple,eagerway,immediatelythoughtoftheonlyhelptheycouldgive.

'Bringhimouthere,'saidtheminister.'Ourairhereisgoodtoaproverb;theJunedaysarefine;hemayloiterawayhistimeinthehay-field,andthesweetsmellswillbeabalminthemselves--betterthanphysic.'

'And,'saidcousinHolman,scarcelywaitingforherhusbandtofinishhissentence,'tellhimthereisnewmilkandfresheggstobehadfortheasking;it'sluckyDaisyhasjustcalved,forhermilkisalwaysasgoodasothercows'cream;andthereistheplaidroomwiththemorningsunallstreamingin.'Phillissaidnothing,butlookedasmuchinterestedintheprojectasanyone.Itookituponmyself.Iwantedthemtoseehim;himtoknowthem.IproposedittohimwhenIgothome.Hewastoolanguidaftertheday'sfatigue,tobewillingtomakethelittleexertionofgoingamongststrangers;anddisappointedmebyalmostdecliningtoaccepttheinvitationIbrought.Thenextmorningitwasdifferent;heapologizedforhisungraciousnessofthenightbefore;andtoldmethathewouldgetallthingsin

train,soastobereadytogooutwithmetoHopeFarmonthefollowingSaturday.

'Foryoumustgowithme,Manning,'saidhe;'Iusedtobeasimpudentafellowasneedbe,andratherlikedgoingamongststrangers,andmakingmyway;butsincemyillnessIamalmostlikeagirl,andturnhotandcoldwithshyness,astheydo,Ifancy.'

Soitwasfixed.WeweretogoouttoHopeFarmonSaturdayafternoon;anditwasalsounderstoodthatiftheairandthelifesuitedMrHoldsworth,hewastoremainthereforaweekortendays,doingwhatworkhecouldatthatendoftheline,while

ItookhisplaceatElthamtothebestofmyability.Igrewalittlenervous,asthetimedrewnear,andwonderedhowthebrilliantHoldsworthwouldagreewiththequietquaintfamilyoftheminister;howtheywouldlikehim,andmanyofhishalf-foreignways.Itriedtopreparehim,bytellinghimfromtimetotimelittlethingsaboutthegoings-onatHopeFarm.

'Manning,'saidhe,'Iseeyoudon'tthinkIamhalfgoodenoughforyourfriends.Outwithit,man.'


34/75

'No,'Ireplied,boldly.'Ithinkyouaregood;butIdon'tknowifyouarequiteoftheirkindofgoodness.'

'Andyou'vefoundoutalreadythatthereisgreaterchanceofdisagreementbetweentwo"kindsofgoodness",eachhavingitsownideaofright,thanbetweenagivengoodnessandamoderatedegreeofnaughtiness--whichlastoftenarisesfromanindifferencetoright?'

'Idon'tknow.Ithinkyou'retalkingmetaphysics,andIamsurethatisbadforyou.'

'"Whenamantalkstoyouinawaythatyoudon'tunderstandaboutathingwhichhedoesnotunderstand,them'smetaphysics."Youremembertheclown'sdefinition,don'tyou,Manning?'

'No,Idon't,'saidI.'ButwhatIdounderstandis,thatyoumustgotobed;andtellmeatwhattimewemuststarttomorrow,thatImaygotoHepworth,andgetthoseletterswrittenweweretalkingaboutthismorning.'

'Waittillto-morrow,andletusseewhatthedayislike,'heanswered,withsuchlanguidindecisionasshowedmehewasover-fatigued.SoIwentmyway.Themorrowwasblueandsunny,

andbeautiful;theveryperfectionofanearlysummer'sday.MrHoldsworthwasallImpatiencetobeoffintothecountry;morninghadbroughtbackhisfreshnessandstrength,andconsequenteagernesstobedoing.Iwasafraidweweregoingtomycousin'sfarmrathertooearly,beforetheywouldexpectus;butwhatcouldIdowithsucharestlessvehementmanasHoldsworthwasthatmorning?WecamedownupontheHopeFarmbeforethedewwasoffthegrassontheshadysideofthelane;thegreathouse-dogwasloose,baskinginthesun,neartheclosedsidedoor.Iwassurprisedatthisdoorbeingshut,forallsummerlongitwasopenfrommorningtonight;butitwasonlyonlatch.Iopenedit,Roverwatchingmewithhalf-suspicious,half-trustfuleyes.Theroomwasempty.

'Idon'tknowwheretheycanbe,'saidI.'ButcomeinandsitdownwhileIgoandlookforthem.Youmustbetired.'

'NotI.Thissweetbalmyairislikeathousandtonics.Besides,thisroomishot,andsmellsofthosepungentwood-ashes.Whatarewetodo?'

'Goroundtothekitchen.Bettywilltelluswheretheyare.'Sowewentroundintothefarmyard,Roveraccompanyingusoutofagravesenseofduty.Bettywaswashingouthermilk-pansinthecoldbubblingspring-waterthatconstantlytrickledinandoutofastonetrough.Insuchweatherasthismostofherkitchen-work

wasdoneoutofdoors.

'Eh,dear!'saidshe,'theministerandmissusisawayatHornby!Theyne'erthoughtofyourcomingsobetimes!Themissushadsomeerrandstodo,andshethoughtasshe'dwalkwiththeministerandbebackbydinner-time.'

'Didnottheyexpectustodinner?'saidI.

'Well,theydid,andtheydidnot,asImaysay.Missussaidto


35/75

methecoldlambwoulddowellenoughifyoudidnotcome;andifyoudidIwastoputonachickenandsomebacontoboil;andI'llgodoitnow,foritishardtoboilbaconenough.'

'AndisPhillisgone,too?'MrHoldsworthwasmakingfriendswithRover.

'No!She'sjustsomewhereabout.Ireckonyou'llfindherinthekitchen-garden,gettingpeas.

'Letusgothere,'saidHolsworth,suddenlyleavingoffhisplaywiththedog.SoIledthewayintothekitchen-garden.Itwasinthefirstpromiseofasummerprofuseinvegetablesandfruits.Perhapsitwasnotsomuchcaredforasotherpartsoftheproperty;butitwasmoreattendedtothanmostkitchen-gardensbelongingtofarm-houses.Therewerebordersofflowersalongeachsideofthegravelwalks;andtherewasanoldshelteringwailonthenorthsidecoveredwithtolerablychoicefruit-trees;therewasaslopedowntothefish-pondattheend,wherethereweregreatstrawberry-beds;andraspberry-bushesandrose-bushesgrewwherevertherewasaspace;itseemedachancewhichhadbeenplanted.Longrowsofpeasstretchedatrightanglesfromthemainwalk,andIsawPhillisstoopingdownamongthem,beforeshesawus.Assoonassheheardourcranchingstepsonthe

gravel,shestoodup,andshadinghereyesfromthesun,recognizedus.Shewasquitestillforamoment,andthencameslowlytowardsus,blushingalittlefromevidentshyness.IhadneverseenPhillisshybefore.

'ThisisMrHoldsworth,Phillis,'saidI,assoonasIhadshakenhandswithher.Sheglancedupathim,andthenlookeddown,moreflushedthaneverathisgrandformalityoftakinghishatoffandbowing;suchmannershadneverbeenseenatHopeFarmbefore.

'Fatherandmotherareout.Theywillbesosorry;youdidnotwrite,Paul,asyousaidyouwould.'

'Itwasmyfault,'saidHoldsworth,understandingwhatshemeantaswellasifshehadputitmorefullyintowords.'Ihavenotyetgivenupalltheprivilegesofaninvalid;oneofwhichisindecision.Lastnight,whenyourcousinaskedmeatwhattimeweweretostart,Ireallycouldnotmakeupmymind.'

Phillisseemedasifshecouldnotmakeuphermindastowhattodowithus.Itriedtohelpher,--

'Haveyoufinishedgettingpeas?'takingholdofthehalf-filledbasketshewasunconsciouslyholdinginherhand;'ormaywestayandhelpyou?'

'Ifyouwould.Butperhapsitwilltireyou,sir?'addedshe,speakingnowtoHoldsworth.

'Notabit,'saidhe.'Itwillcarrymebacktwentyyearsinmylife,whenIusedtogatherpeasinmygrandfather'sgarden.IsupposeImayeatafewasIgoalong?'

'Certainly,sir.Butifyouwenttothestrawberry-bedsyouwouldfindsomestrawberriesripe,andPaulcanshowyouwheretheyare.'


36/75

'Iamafraidyoudistrustme.IcanassureyouIknowtheexactfulnessatwhichpeasshouldbegathered

cousin phillis by gaskell, elizabeth cleghorn, 1810-1865

Documents