第2章

Thenhewentupstairstohiswifewithacupofteabecauseshe，wasill，andbecauseitoccurredtohim。 “I’vebroughttheeacupo’tea，lass，“hesaid。 “Well，youneedn’t，foryouknowIdon’tlikeit，“shereplied。 “Drinkitup;it’llpoptheeofftosleepagain。” Sheacceptedthetea。Itpleasedhimtoseehertakeit，andsipit。 “I’llbackmylifethere’snosugarin，“shesaid。 “Yi——there’sonebig’un，“hereplied，injured。 “It’sawonder，“shesaid，sippingagain。 Shehadawinsomefacewhenherhairwasloose。Helovedher，togrumbleathiminthismanner。Helookedatheragain，andwent，withoutanysortofleave-taking。Henevertookmorethantwoslices，ofbreadandbuttertoeatinthepit，soanappleoranorangewas，atreattohim。Healwayslikeditwhensheputoneoutforhim。 Hetiedascarfroundhisneck，putonhisgreat，heavyboots，hiscoat，withthebigpocket，thatcarriedhissnap-bagandhisbottleoftea，andwentforthintothefreshmorningair，closing，withoutlocking，thedoorbehindhim。Helovedtheearlymorning，andthewalkacross，thefields。Soheappearedatthepit-top，oftenwithastalk，fromthehedgebetweenhisteeth，whichhechewedalldaytokeep，hismouthmoist，downthemine，feelingquiteashappyaswhenhe，wasinthefield。 Later，whenthetimeforthebabygrewnearer，hewould，bustleroundinhisslovenlyfashion，pokingouttheashes，rubbingthefireplace，sweepingthehousebeforehewenttowork。 Then，feelingveryself-righteous，hewentupstairs。 “NowI’mcleanedupforthee：，tha’sno’casionsterstir，apegallday，butsitandreadthybooks。” Whichmadeherlaugh，inspiteofherindignation。 “Andthedinnercooksitself？”sheanswered。 “Eh，Iknownowtaboutth’dinner。” “You’dknowifthereweren’tany。” “Ay，’appenso，“heanswered，departing。 Whenshegotdownstairs，shewouldfindthehousetidy，butdirty。Shecouldnotrestuntilshehadthoroughlycleaned; soshewentdowntotheash-pitwithherdustpan。Mrs。Kirk，spyingher，wouldcontrivetohavetogotoherowncoal-placeat，thatminute。Then，acrossthewoodenfence，shewouldcall： “Soyoukeepwaggingon，then？” “Ay，“answeredMrs。Moreldeprecatingly。”There’snothing，elseforit。” “HaveyouseenHose？”calledaverysmallwomanfromacross，theroad。ItwasMrs。Anthony，ablack-haired，strangelittlebody，whoalwaysworeabrownvelvetdress，tightfitting。 “Ihaven’t，“saidMrs。Morel。 “Eh，Iwishhe’dcome。I’vegotacopperfulofclothes，an’ I’msureIheeredhisbell。” “Hark！，He’sattheend。” Thetwowomenlookeddownthealley。AttheendoftheBottoms，amanstoodinasortofold-fashionedtrap，bendingoverbundles，ofcream-colouredstuff;whileaclusterofwomenhelduptheir，armstohim，somewithbundles。Mrs。Anthonyherselfhadaheap，ofcreamy，undyedstockingshangingoverherarm。 “I’vedonetendozenthisweek，“shesaidproudlytoMrs。Morel。 “T-t-t！”wenttheother。”Idon’tknowhowyoucanfindtime。” “Eh！”saidMrs。Anthony。”Youcanfindtimeifyoumaketime。” “Idon’tknowhowyoudoit，“saidMrs。Morel。”Andhowmuch，shallyougetforthosemany？” “Tuppence-ha’pennyadozen，“repliedtheother。 “Well，“saidMrs。Morel。”I’dstarvebeforeI’dsitdown，andseamtwenty-fourstockingsfortwopenceha’penny。” “Oh，Idon’tknow，“saidMrs。Anthony。”Youcanripalong，with’em。” Hosewascomingalong，ringinghisbell。Womenwerewaitingat，theyard-endswiththeirseamedstockingshangingovertheirarms。 Theman，acommonfellow，madejokeswiththem，triedtoswindlethem，andbulliedthem。Mrs。Morelwentupheryarddisdainfully。 Itwasanunderstoodthingthatifonewomanwanted，herneighbour，sheshouldputthepokerinthefireandbangat，thebackofthefireplace，which，asthefireswerebacktoback，wouldmakeagreatnoiseintheadjoininghouse。Onemorning，Mrs。Kirk，mixingapudding，nearlystartedoutofherskinasshe，heardthethud，thud，inhergrate。Withherhandsallfloury，sherushedtothefence。 “Didyouknock，Mrs。Morel？” “Ifyouwouldn’tmind，Mrs。Kirk。” Mrs。Kirkclimbedontohercopper，gotoverthewall，ontoMrs。Morel’scopper，andranintoherneighbour。 “Eh，dear，howareyoufeeling？”shecriedinconcern。 “YoumightfetchMrs。Bower，“saidMrs。Morel。 Mrs。Kirkwentintotheyard，liftedupherstrong，shrillvoice，andcalled： “Ag-gie——Ag-gie！” ThesoundwasheardfromoneendoftheBottomstotheother。 AtlastAggiecamerunningup，andwassentforMrs。Bower，whilstMrs。Kirkleftherpuddingandstayedwithherneighbour。 Mrs。Morelwenttobed。Mrs。KirkhadAnnieandWilliam，fordinner。Mrs。Bower，fatandwaddling，bossedthehouse。 “Hashsomecoldmeatupforthemaster’sdinner，andmakehim，anapple-charlottepudding，“saidMrs。Morel。 “Hemaygowithoutpuddingthisday，“saidMrs。Bower。 Morelwasnotasaruleoneofthefirsttoappearatthebottom，ofthepit，readytocomeup。Somemenweretherebeforefouro’clock，whenthewhistleblewloose-all;butMorel，whosestall，apoorone，wasatthistimeaboutamileandahalfawayfromthebottom，workedusuallytillthefirstmatestopped，thenhefinishedalso。 Thisday，however，theminerwassickofthework。Attwoo’clock，helookedathiswatch，bythelightofthegreencandle——he，wasinasafeworking——andagainathalf-pasttwo。Hewashewing，atapieceofrockthatwasinthewayforthenextday’swork。 Ashesatonhisheels，orkneeled，givinghardblowswithhispick，“Uszza——uszza！”hewent。 “Shallterfinish，Sorry？”criedBarker，hisfellowbutty。 “Finish？，Niverwhiletheworldstands！”growledMorel。 Andhewentonstriking。Hewastired。 “It’saheart-breakingjob，“saidBarker。 ButMorelwastooexasperated，attheendofhistether，toanswer。Stillhestruckandhackedwithallhismight。 “Thamightaswellleaveit，Walter，“saidBarker。 “It’lldoto-morrow，withouttheehackin’thygutsout。” “I’lllaynob——fingeronthisto-morrow，Isr’el！”criedMorel。 “Oh，well，ifthawunna，somebodyelse’llha’eto，“saidIsrael。 ThenMorelcontinuedtostrike。 “Hey-upthere——LOOSE-A’！”criedthemen，leavingthenextstall。 Morelcontinuedtostrike。 “Tha’llhappencatchmeup，“saidBarker，departing。 Whenhehadgone，Morel，leftalone，feltsavage。Hehad，notfinishedhisjob。Hehadoverworkedhimselfintoafrenzy。 Rising，wetwithsweat，hethrewhistooldown，pulledonhiscoat，blewouthiscandle，tookhislamp，andwent。Downthemainroad，thelightsoftheothermenwentswinging。Therewasahollow，soundofmanyvoices。Itwasalong，heavytrampunderground。 Hesatatthebottomofthepit，wherethegreatdropsofwater，fellplash。Manycollierswerewaitingtheirturnstogoup，talkingnoisily。Morelgavehisanswersshortanddisagreeable。 “It’srainin’，Sorry，“saidoldGiles，whohadhadthenews，fromthetop。 Morelfoundonecomfort。Hehadhisoldumbrella，whichheloved，inthelampcabin。Atlasthetookhisstandonthechair，andwasatthetopinamoment。Thenhehandedinhislampandgot，hisumbrella，whichhehadboughtatanauctionforone-and-six。He，stoodontheedgeofthepit-bankforamoment，lookingoutover，thefields;greyrainwasfalling。Thetrucksstoodfullofwet，brightcoal。Waterrandownthesidesofthewaggons，overthe，white“C。W。andCo。”。Colliers，walkingindifferenttotherain，werestreamingdownthelineandupthefield，agrey，dismalhost。 Morelputuphisumbrella，andtookpleasurefromthepepperingof，thedropsthereon。 AllalongtheroadtoBestwoodtheminerstramped，wetand，greyanddirty，buttheirredmouthstalkingwithanimation。 Morelalsowalkedwithagang，buthesaidnothing。Hefrowned，peevishlyashewent。ManymenpassedintothePrinceofWalesorinto，Ellen’s。Morel，feelingsufficientlydisagreeabletoresisttemptation，trudgedalongunderthedrippingtreesthatoverhungtheparkwall，anddownthemudofGreenhillLane。 Mrs。Morellayinbed，listeningtotherain，andthefeet，ofthecolliersfromMinton，theirvoices，andthebang，bangof，thegatesastheywentthroughthestileupthefield。 “There’ssomeherbbeerbehindthepantrydoor，“shesaid。 “Th’master’llwantadrink，ifhedoesn’tstop。” Buthewaslate，sosheconcludedhehadcalledforadrink，sinceitwasraining。Whatdidhecareaboutthechildorher？ Shewasveryillwhenherchildrenwereborn。 “Whatisit？”sheasked，feelingsicktodeath。 “Aboy。” Andshetookconsolationinthat。Thethoughtofbeingthe，motherofmenwaswarmingtoherheart。Shelookedatthechild。 Ithadblueeyes，andalotoffairhair，andwasbonny。 Herlovecameuphot，inspiteofeverything。Shehaditinbed，withher。 Morel，thinkingnothing，draggedhiswayupthegardenpath，wearilyandangrily。Heclosedhisumbrella，andstooditinthe，sink;thenheslutheredhisheavybootsintothekitchen。 Mrs。Bowerappearedintheinnerdoorway。 “Well，“shesaid，“she’saboutasbadasshecanbe。 It’saboychildt。” Theminergrunted，puthisemptysnap-bagandhistinbottle，onthedresser，wentbackintothesculleryandhunguphiscoat，thencameanddroppedintohischair。 “Hanyergotadrink？”heasked。 Thewomanwentintothepantry。Therewasheardthepop，ofacork。Shesetthemug，withalittle，disgustedrap，onthe，tablebeforeMorel。Hedrank，gasped，wipedhisbigmoustacheon，theendofhisscarf，drank，gasped，andlaybackinhischair。 Thewomanwouldnotspeaktohimagain。Shesethisdinnerbeforehim，andwentupstairs。 “Wasthatthemaster？”askedMrs。Morel。 “I’vegavehimhisdinner，“repliedMrs。Bower。 Afterhehadsatwithhisarmsonthetable——heresented，thefactthatMrs。Bowerputnoclothonforhim，andgavehim，alittleplate，insteadofafull-sizeddinner-plate——hebegan，toeat。Thefactthathiswifewasill，thathehadanotherboy，wasnothingtohimatthatmoment。Hewastootired;hewanted，hisdinner;hewantedtositwithhisarmslyingontheboard; hedidnotlikehavingMrs。Bowerabout。Thefirewastoosmall，topleasehim。 Afterhehadfinishedhismeal，hesatfortwentyminutes; thenhestokedupabigfire。Then，inhisstockingedfeet，hewentreluctantlyupstairs。Itwasastruggletofacehiswife，atthismoment，andhewastired。Hisfacewasblack，andsmeared，withsweat。Hissinglethaddriedagain，soakingthedirtin。 Hehadadirtywoollenscarfroundhisthroat。Sohestoodatthefoot，ofthebed。 “Well，howareter，then？”heasked。 “Is’llbeallright，“sheanswered。 “H’m！” Hestoodatalosswhattosaynext。Hewastired，andthis，botherwasratheranuisancetohim，andhedidn’tquiteknow，wherehewas。 “Alad，thasays，“hestammered。 Sheturneddownthesheetandshowedthechild。 “Blesshim！”hemurmured。Whichmadeherlaugh，becausehe，blessedbyrote——pretendingpaternalemotion，whichhedidnotfeel，justthen。 “Gonow，“shesaid。 “Iwill，mylass，“heanswered，turningaway。 Dismissed，hewantedtokissher，buthedarednot。Shehalf，wantedhimtokissher，butcouldnotbringherselftogiveanysign。 Sheonlybreathedfreelywhenhewasgoneoutoftheroomagain，leavingbehindhimafaintsmellofpit-dirt。 Mrs。MorelhadavisiteverydayfromtheCongregationalclergyman。 Mr。Heatonwasyoung，andverypoor。Hiswifehaddiedatthe，birthofhisfirstbaby，soheremainedaloneinthemanse。 HewasaBachelorofArtsofCambridge，veryshy，andnopreacher。 Mrs。Morelwasfondofhim，andhedependedonher。Forhours，hetalkedtoher，whenshewaswell。Hebecamethegod-parent，ofthechild。 OccasionallytheministerstayedtoteawithMrs。Morel。Thenshe，laidtheclothearly，gotoutherbestcups，withalittlegreenrim，andhopedMorelwouldnotcometoosoon;indeed，ifhestayedforapint，shewouldnotmindthisday。Shehadalwaystwodinnerstocook，becauseshebelievedchildrenshouldhavetheirchiefmealatmidday，whereasMorelneededhisatfiveo’clock。SoMr。Heatonwouldhold，thebaby，whilstMrs。Morelbeatupabatter-puddingorpeeled，thepotatoes，andhe，watchingherallthetime，woulddiscuss，hisnextsermon。Hisideaswerequaintandfantastic。Shebrought，himjudiciouslytoearth。ItwasadiscussionoftheweddingatCana。 “WhenHechangedthewaterintowineatCana，“hesaid，“thatisasymbolthattheordinarylife，eventheblood，ofthemarriedhusbandandwife，whichhadbeforebeenuninspired，likewater，becamefilledwiththeSpirit，andwasaswine，because，whenloveenters，thewholespiritualconstitutionofamanchanges，isfilledwiththeHolyGhost，andalmosthisformisaltered。” Mrs。Morelthoughttoherself： “Yes，poorfellow，hisyoungwifeisdead;thatiswhyhe，makeshisloveintotheHolyGhost。” Theywerehalfwaydowntheirfirstcupofteawhentheyheard，theslutherofpit-boots。 “Goodgracious！”exclaimedMrs。Morel，inspiteofherself。 Theministerlookedratherscared。Morelentered。Hewas，feelingrathersavage。Henoddeda“Howd’yerdo“totheclergyman，whorosetoshakehandswithhim。 “Nay，“saidMorel，showinghishand，“looktheeatit！ Thaniverwantstershakehandswi’ahandlikethat，doester？ There’stoomuchpick-haftandshovel-dirtonit。” Theministerflushedwithconfusion，andsatdownagain。 Mrs。Morelrose，carriedoutthesteamingsaucepan。Moreltookoff，hiscoat，draggedhisarmchairtotable，andsatdownheavily。 “Areyoutired？”askedtheclergyman。 “Tired？Ihamthat，“repliedMorel。”YOUdon’tknowwhatit，istobetired，asI’Mtired。” “No，“repliedtheclergyman。 “Why，lookyer’ere，“saidtheminer，showingtheshoulders，ofhissinglet。”It’sabitdrynow，butit’swetasaclout，withsweatevenyet。Feelit。” “Goodness！”criedMrs。Morel。”Mr。Heatondoesn’twanttofeel，yournastysinglet。” Theclergymanputouthishandgingerly。 “No，perhapshedoesn’t，“saidMorel;“butit’s，allcomeoutofme，whetherornot。An’iv’ryday，alikemysinglet’swringin’wet。’Aven’tyougot，adrink，Missis，foramanwhenhecomeshomebarkledupfromthepit？” “Youknowyoudrankallthebeer，“saidMrs。Morel，pouringout，histea。 “An’wastherenomoretobegot？”Turningtotheclergyman——“A mangetsthatcakedupwi’th’dust，youknow，——thatcloggedup，downacoal-mine，heNEEDSadrinkwhenhecomeshome。” “Iamsurehedoes，“saidtheclergyman。 “Butit’stentooneifthere’sowtforhim。” “There’swater——andthere’stea，“saidMrs。Morel。 “Water！，It’snotwateras’llclearhisthroat。” Hepouredoutasaucerfuloftea，blewit，andsuckeditup，throughhisgreatblackmoustache，sighingafterwards。Thenhe，pouredoutanothersaucerful，andstoodhiscuponthetable。 “Mycloth！”saidMrs。Morel，puttingitonaplate。 “AmanascomeshomeasIdo’stootiredtocareaboutcloths，“ saidMorel。 “Pity！”exclaimedhiswife，sarcastically。 Theroomwasfullofthesmellofmeatandvegetables，andpit-clothes。 Heleanedovertotheminister，hisgreatmoustachethrustforward，hismouthveryredinhisblackface。 “Mr。Heaton，“hesaid，“amanashasbeendowntheblack，holeallday，dingin’awayatacoal-face，yi，asightharder，thanthatwall——“ “Needn’tmakeamoanofit，“putinMrs。Morel。 Shehatedherhusbandbecause，wheneverhehadanaudience，hewhinedandplayedforsympathy。William，sittingnursing，thebaby，hatedhim，withaboy’shatredforfalsesentiment，andforthestupidtreatmentofhismother。Anniehadneverlikedhim; shemerelyavoidedhim。 Whentheministerhadgone，Mrs。Morellookedathercloth。 “Afinemess！”shesaid。 “Dos’tthinkI’mgoin’tositwi’myarmsdanglin’，costha’s，gotaparsonforteawi’thee？”hebawled。 Theywerebothangry，butshesaidnothing。Thebabybegan，tocry，andMrs。Morel，pickingupasaucepanfromthehearth，accidentallyknockedAnnieonthehead，whereuponthegirlbegan，towhine，andMoreltoshoutather。Inthemidstofthispandemonium，Williamlookedupatthebigglazedtextoverthemantelpiece，andreaddistinctly： “GodBlessOurHome！” WhereuponMrs。Morel，tryingtosoothethebaby，jumpedup，rushedathim，boxedhisears，saying： “WhatareYOUputtinginfor？” Andthenshesatdownandlaughed，tilltearsranover，hercheeks，whileWilliamkickedthestoolhehadbeensittingon，andMorelgrowled： “Icannaseewhatthereissomuchtolaughat。” Oneevening，directlyaftertheparson’svisit，feelingunable，tobearherselfafteranotherdisplayfromherhusband，shetook，Annieandthebabyandwentout。MorelhadkickedWilliam，andthemotherwouldneverforgivehim。 Shewentoverthesheep-bridgeandacrossacornerofthe，meadowtothecricket-ground。Themeadowsseemedonespaceofripe，eveninglight，whisperingwiththedistantmill-race。Shesat，onaseatunderthealdersinthecricket-ground，andfronted，theevening。Beforeher，levelandsolid，spreadthebiggreencricket-field，likethebedofaseaoflight。 Childrenplayedinthebluishshadowofthepavilion。Manyrooks，highup，camecawinghomeacrossthesoftly-wovensky。Theystooped，inalongcurvedownintothegoldenglow，concentrating，cawing，wheeling，likeblackflakesonaslowvortex，overatreeclump，thatmadeadarkbossamongthepasture。 Afewgentlemenwerepractising，andMrs。Morelcouldhear，thechockoftheball，andthevoicesofmensuddenlyroused; couldseethewhiteformsofmenshiftingsilentlyoverthegreen，uponwhichalreadytheundershadowsweresmouldering。Awayat，thegrange，onesideofthehaystackswaslitup，theothersides，blue-grey。Awaggonofsheavesrockedsmallacrossthemelting，yellowlight。 Thesunwasgoingdown。Everyopenevening，thehillsof，Derbyshirewereblazedoverwithredsunset。Mrs。Morelwatchedthesun，sinkfromtheglisteningsky，leavingasoftflower-blueoverhead，whilethewesternspacewentred，asifallthefirehadswumdownthere，leavingthebellcastflawlessblue。Themountain-ashberriesacross，thefieldstoodfierilyoutfromthedarkleaves，foramoment。 Afewshocksofcorninacornerofthefallowstoodupasifalive; sheimaginedthembowing;perhapshersonwouldbeaJoseph。 Intheeast，amirroredsunsetfloatedpinkoppositethewest’sscarlet。 Thebighaystacksonthehillside，thatbuttedintotheglare，wentcold。 WithMrs。Morelitwasoneofthosestillmomentswhenthe，smallfretsvanish，andthebeautyofthingsstandsout，andshe，hadthepeaceandthestrengthtoseeherself。Nowandagain，aswallowcutclosetoher。Nowandagain，Anniecameupwitha，handfulofalder-currants。Thebabywasrestlessonhismother’sknee，clamberingwithhishandsatthelight。 Mrs。Morellookeddownathim。Shehaddreadedthisbaby，likeacatastrophe，becauseofherfeelingforherhusband。 Andnowshefeltstrangelytowardstheinfant。Herheartwasheavy，becauseofthechild，almostasifitwereunhealthy，ormalformed。 Yetitseemedquitewell。Butshenoticedthepeculiarknitting，ofthebaby’sbrows，andthepeculiarheavinessofitseyes，asifitweretryingtounderstandsomethingthatwaspain。Shefelt，whenshelookedatherchild’sdark，broodingpupils，asifaburdenwere，onherheart。 “Helooksasifhewasthinkingaboutsomething——quitesorrowful，“ saidMrs。Kirk。 Suddenly，lookingathim，theheavyfeelingatthemother’sheart，meltedintopassionategrief。Shebowedoverhim，andafewtears，shookswiftlyoutofherveryheart。Thebabyliftedhisfingers。 “Mylamb！”shecriedsoftly。 Andatthatmomentshefelt，insomefarinnerplaceofhersoul，thatsheandherhusbandwereguilty。 Thebabywaslookingupather。Ithadblueeyeslikeherown，butitslookwasheavy，steady，asifithadrealisedsomething，thathadstunnedsomepointofitssoul。 Inherarmslaythedelicatebaby。Itsdeepblueeyes，alwayslookingupatherunblinking，seemedtodrawherinnermost，thoughtsoutofher。Shenolongerlovedherhusband;shehadnot，wantedthischildtocome，andthereitlayinherarmsandpulled，atherheart。Shefeltasifthenavelstringthathadconnected，itsfraillittlebodywithhershadnotbeenbroken。Awaveofhot，lovewentoverhertotheinfant。Shehelditclosetoherface，andbreast。Withallherforce，withallhersoulshewouldmakeup，toitforhavingbroughtitintotheworldunloved。Shewouldlove，itallthemorenowitwashere;carryitinherlove。Itsclear，knowingeyesgaveherpainandfear。Diditknowallabouther？ Whenitlayunderherheart，haditbeenlisteningthen？，Wasthere，areproachinthelook？，Shefeltthemarrowmeltinherbones，withfearandpain。 Oncemoreshewasawareofthesunlyingredontherim，ofthehillopposite。Shesuddenlyheldupthechildinherhands。 “Look！”shesaid。”Look，mypretty！” Shethrusttheinfantforwardtothecrimson，throbbingsun，almostwithrelief。Shesawhimlifthislittlefist。Thensheput，himtoherbosomagain，ashamedalmostofherimpulsetogivehim，backagainwhencehecame。 “Ifhelives，“shethoughttoherself，“whatwillbecome，ofhim——whatwillhebe？” Herheartwasanxious。 “IwillcallhimPaul，“shesaidsuddenly;sheknewnotwhy。 Afterawhileshewenthome。Afineshadowwasflungover，thedeepgreenmeadow，darkeningall。 Assheexpected，shefoundthehouseempty。ButMorelwas，homebyteno’clock，andthatday，atleast，endedpeacefully。 WalterMorelwas，atthistime，exceedinglyirritable。 Hisworkseemedtoexhausthim。Whenhecamehomehedidnotspeak，civillytoanybody。Ifthefirewereratherlowhebulliedaboutthat; hegrumbledabouthisdinner;ifthechildrenmadeachatterhe，shoutedattheminawaythatmadetheirmother’sbloodboil，andmadethemhatehim。 OntheFriday，hewasnothomebyeleveno’clock。Thebaby，wasunwell，andwasrestless，cryingifhewereputdown。Mrs。Morel，tiredtodeath，andstillweak，wasscarcelyundercontrol。 “Iwishthenuisancewouldcome，“shesaidwearilytoherself。 Thechildatlastsankdowntosleepinherarms。Shewas，tootiredtocarryhimtothecradle。 “ButI’llsaynothing，whatevertimehecomes，“shesaid。 “Itonlyworksmeup;Iwon’tsayanything。ButIknowifhedoes，anythingit’llmakemybloodboil，“sheaddedtoherself。 Shesighed，hearinghimcoming，asifitweresomethingshe，couldnotbear。He，takinghisrevenge，wasnearlydrunk。Shekept，herheadbentoverthechildasheentered，notwishingtoseehim。 Butitwentthroughherlikeaflashofhotfirewhen，inpassing，helurchedagainstthedresser，settingthetinsrattling，andclutched，atthewhitepotknobsforsupport。Hehunguphishatandcoat，thenreturned，stoodgloweringfromadistanceather，asshesat，bowedoverthechild。 “Istherenothingtoeatinthehouse？”heasked，insolently，asiftoaservant。Incertainstagesofhisintoxicationhe，affectedtheclipped，mincingspeechofthetowns。Mrs。Morel，hatedhimmostinthiscondition。 “Youknowwhatthereisinthehouse，“shesaid，socoldly，itsoundedimpersonal。 Hestoodandglaredatherwithoutmovingamuscle。 “Iaskedacivilquestion，andIexpectacivilanswer，“ hesaidaffectedly。 “Andyougotit，“shesaid，stillignoringhim。 Hegloweredagain。Thenhecameunsteadilyforward。 Heleanedonthetablewithonehand，andwiththeotherjerked，atthetabledrawertogetaknifetocutbread。Thedrawerstuckbecausehe，pulledsideways。Inatemperhedraggedit，sothatitflew，outbodily，andspoons，forks，knives，ahundredmetallicthings，splashedwithaclatterandaclanguponthebrickfloor。 Thebabygavealittleconvulsedstart。 “Whatareyoudoing，clumsy，drunkenfool？”themothercried。 “Thenthashouldgettheflamin’thingthysen。Thashouldgetup，likeotherwomenhaveto，an’waitonaman。” “Waitonyou——waitonyou？”shecried。”Yes，Iseemyself。” “Yis，an’I’lllearntheetha’sgotto。WaitonME，yestha，sh’ltwaitonme——“ “Never，milord。I’dwaitonadogatthedoorfirst。” “What——what？” Hewastryingtofitinthedrawer。Atherlastspeech，beturnedround。Hisfacewascrimson，hiseyesbloodshot。 Hestaredatheronesilentsecondinthreat。 “P-h！”shewentquickly，incontempt。 Hejerkedatthedrawerinhisexcitement。Itfell，cutsharply，onhisshin，andonthereflexheflungitather。 Oneofthecornerscaughtherbrowastheshallowdrawer，crashedintothefireplace。Sheswayed，almostfellstunnedfrom，herchair。Toherverysoulshewassick;sheclaspedthechild，tightlytoherbosom。Afewmomentselapsed;then，withaneffort，shebroughtherselfto。Thebabywascryingplaintively。Herleft，browwasbleedingratherprofusely。Assheglanceddownatthechild，herbrainreeling，somedropsofbloodsoakedintoitswhiteshawl; butthebabywasatleastnothurt。Shebalancedherheadto，keepequilibrium，sothatthebloodranintohereye。 WalterMorelremainedashehadstood，leaningonthetablewith，onehand，lookingblank。Whenhewassufficientlysureofhisbalance，hewentacrosstoher，swayed，caughtholdofthebackofher，rocking-chair，almosttippingherout;thenleaningforwardoverher，andswayingashespoke，hesaid，inatoneofwonderingconcern： “Diditcatchthee？” Heswayedagain，asifhewouldpitchontothechild。 Withthecatastrophehehadlostallbalance。 “Goaway，“shesaid，strugglingtokeepherpresenceofmind。 Hehiccoughed。”Let’s——let’slookatit，“hesaid，hiccoughingagain。 “Goaway！”shecried。 “Lemme——lemmelookatit，lass。” Shesmelledhimofdrink，felttheunequalpullofhisswaying，grasponthebackofherrocking-chair。 “Goaway，“shesaid，andweaklyshepushedhimoff。 Hestood，uncertaininbalance，gazinguponher。Summoningall，herstrengthsherose，thebabyononearm。Byacrueleffortofwill，movingasifinsleep，shewentacrosstothescullery，whereshe，bathedhereyeforaminuteincoldwater;butshewastoodizzy。 Afraidlestsheshouldswoon，shereturnedtoherrocking-chair，tremblingineveryfibre。Byinstinct，shekeptthebabyclasped。 Morel，bothered，hadsucceededinpushingthedrawerback，intoitscavity，andwasonhisknees，groping，withnumbpaws，forthescatteredspoons。 Herbrowwasstillbleeding。PresentlyMorelgotupandcame，craninghisnecktowardsher。 “Whathasitdonetothee，lass？”heasked，inaverywretched，humbletone。 “Youcanseewhatit’sdone，“sheanswered。 Hestood，bendingforward，supportedonhishands，whichgrasped，hislegsjustabovetheknee。Hepeeredtolookatthewound。 Shedrewawayfromthethrustofhisfacewithitsgreatmoustache，avertingherownfaceasmuchaspossible。Ashelookedather，whowascoldandimpassiveasstone，withmouthshuttight，hesickenedwithfeeblenessandhopelessnessofspirit。 Hewasturningdrearilyaway，whenhesawadropofbloodfall，fromtheavertedwoundintothebaby’sfragile，glisteninghair。 Fascinated，hewatchedtheheavydarkdrophangintheglisteningcloud，andpulldownthegossamer。Anotherdropfell。Itwouldsoak，throughtothebaby’sscalp。Hewatched，fascinated，feelingit，soakin;then，finally，hismanhoodbroke。 “Whatofthischild？”wasallhiswifesaidtohim。 Butherlow，intensetonesbroughthisheadlower。Shesoftened： “Getmesomewaddingoutofthemiddledrawer，“shesaid。 Hestumbledawayveryobediently，presentlyreturningwitha，pad，whichshesingedbeforethefire，thenputonherforehead，asshesatwiththebabyonherlap。 “Nowthatcleanpit-scarf。” Againherummagedandfumbledinthedrawer，returningpresently，withared，narrowscarf。Shetookit，andwithtremblingfingers，proceededtobinditroundherhead。 “Letmetieitforthee，“hesaidhumbly。 “Icandoitmyself，“shereplied。Whenitwasdoneshe，wentupstairs，tellinghimtorakethefireandlockthedoor。 InthemorningMrs。Morelsaid： “Iknockedagainstthelatchofthecoal-place，whenI wasgettingarakerinthedark，becausethecandleblewout。” Hertwosmallchildrenlookedupatherwithwide，dismayedeyes。 Theysaidnothing，buttheirpartedlipsseemedtoexpressthe，unconscioustragedytheyfelt。 WalterMorellayinbednextdayuntilnearlydinner-time。He，didnotthinkofthepreviousevening’swork。Hescarcelythought，ofanything，buthewouldnotthinkofthat。Helayandsufferedlike，asulkingdog。Hehadhurthimselfmost;andhewasthemoredamaged，becausehewouldneversayawordtoher，orexpresshissorrow。 Hetriedtowriggleoutofit。”Itwasherownfault，“hesaid，tohimself。Nothing，however，couldpreventhisinnerconsciousness，inflictingonhimthepunishmentwhichateintohisspiritlikerust，andwhichhecouldonlyalleviatebydrinking。 Hefeltasifhehadnottheinitiativetogetup，ortosayaword，ortomove，butcouldonlylielikealog。Moreover，hehadhimself，violentpainsinthehead。ItwasSaturday。Towardsnoonherose，cuthimselffoodinthepantry，ateitwithhisheaddropped，thenpulledonhisboots，andwentout，toreturnatthreeo’clock，slightlytipsyandrelieved;thenoncemorestraighttobed。 Heroseagainatsixintheevening，hadteaandwentstraightout。 Sundaywasthesame：，bedtillnoon，thePalmerstonArmstill，2。30，dinner，andbed;scarcelyawordspoken。WhenMrs。Morel，wentupstairs，towardsfouro’clock，toputonherSundaydress，hewasfastasleep。Shewouldhavefeltsorryforhim，ifhe，hadoncesaid，“Wife，I’msorry。”，Butno;heinsistedtohimself，itwasherfault。Andsohebrokehimself。Soshemerelyleft，himalone。Therewasthisdeadlockofpassionbetweenthem，andshewasstronger。 Thefamilybegantea。Sundaywastheonlydaywhenallsat，downtomealstogether。 “Isn’tmyfathergoingtogetup？”askedWilliam。 “Lethimlie，“themotherreplied。 Therewasafeelingofmiseryoverallthehouse。Thechildren，breathedtheairthatwaspoisoned，andtheyfeltdreary。Theywere，ratherdisconsolate，didnotknowwhattodo，whattoplayat。 ImmediatelyMorelwokehegotstraightoutofbed。Thatwas，characteristicofhimallhislife。Hewasallforactivity。 Theprostratedinactivityoftwomorningswasstiflinghim。 Itwasnearsixo’clockwhenhegotdown。Thistimeheentered，withouthesitation，hiswincingsensitivenesshavinghardenedagain。 Hedidnotcareanylongerwhatthefamilythoughtorfelt。 Thetea-thingswereonthetable。Williamwasreadingaloud，from“TheChild’sOwn“Annielisteningandaskingeternally“why？” Bothchildrenhushedintosilenceastheyheardtheapproaching，thudoftheirfather’sstockingedfeet，andshrankasheentered。 Yethewasusuallyindulgenttothem。 Morelmadethemealalone，brutally。Heateanddrank，morenoisilythanhehadneed。Noonespoketohim。Thefamily，lifewithdrew，shrankaway，andbecamehushedasheentered。 Buthecarednolongerabouthisalienation。 Immediatelyhehadfinishedteaherosewithalacritytogoout。 Itwasthisalacrity，thishastetobegone，whichsosickened，Mrs。Morel。Assheheardhimsousingheartilyincoldwater，heardtheeagerscratchofthesteelcombonthesideofthebowl，ashewettedhishair，sheclosedhereyesindisgust。Ashebentover，lacinghisboots，therewasacertainvulgargustoinhismovement，thatdividedhimfromthereserved，watchfulrestofthefamily。 Healwaysranawayfromthebattlewithhimself。Eveninhisown，heart’sprivacy，heexcusedhimself，saying，“Ifshehadn’tsaid，so-and-so，itwouldneverhavehappened。Sheaskedforwhatshe’sgot。” Thechildrenwaitedinrestraintduringhispreparations。Whenhe，hadgone，theysighedwithrelief。 Heclosedthedoorbehindhim，andwasglad。Itwasa，rainyevening。ThePalmerstonwouldbethecosier。Hehastened，forwardinanticipation。AlltheslateroofsoftheBottomsshone，blackwithwet。Theroads，alwaysdarkwithcoal-dust，werefull，ofblackishmud。Hehastenedalong。ThePalmerstonwindowsweresteamed，over。Thepassagewaspaddledwithwetfeet。Buttheairwaswarm，iffoul，andfullofthesoundofvoicesandthesmellofbeer，andsmoke。 “Whatsholltha’e，Walter？”criedavoice，assoonasMorel，appearedinthedoorway。 “Oh，Jim，mylad，wheriverhastheesprungfrae？” Themenmadeaseatforhim，andtookhiminwarmly。Hewasglad。 Inaminuteortwotheyhadthawedallresponsibilityoutofhim，allshame，alltrouble，andhewasclearasabellforajollynight。 OntheWednesdayfollowing，Morelwaspenniless。Hedreaded，hiswife。Havinghurther，hehatedher。Hedidnotknowwhatto，dowithhimselfthatevening，havingnoteventwopencewithwhich，togotothePalmerston，andbeingalreadyratherdeeplyindebt。 So，whilehiswifewasdownthegardenwiththechild，hehunted，inthetopdrawerofthedresserwhereshekeptherpurse，foundit，andlookedinside。Itcontainedahalf-crown，twohalfpennies，andasixpence。Sohetookthesixpence，putthepursecarefullyback，andwentout。 Thenextday，whenshewantedtopaythegreengrocer，shelooked，inthepurseforhersixpence，andherheartsanktohershoes。 Thenshesatdownandthought：，“WASthereasixpence？，Ihadn’t，spentit，hadI？，AndIhadn’tleftitanywhereelse？” Shewasmuchputabout。Shehuntedroundeverywhereforit。 And，asshesought，theconvictioncameintoherheartthather，husbandhadtakenit。Whatshehadinherpursewasallthemoney，shepossessed。Butthatheshouldsneakitfromherthuswasunbearable。 Hehaddonesotwicebefore。Thefirsttimeshehadnotaccusedhim，andattheweek-endhehadputtheshillingagainintoherpurse。 Sothatwashowshehadknownhehadtakenit。Thesecondtimehe，hadnotpaidback。 Thistimeshefeltitwastoomuch。Whenhehadhadhisdinner—— hecamehomeearlythatday——shesaidtohimcoldly： “Didyoutakesixpenceoutofmypurselastnight？” “Me！”hesaid，lookingupinanoffendedway。”No，Ididna！ Iniverclappedeyesonyourpurse。” Butshecoulddetectthelie。 “Why，youknowyoudid，“shesaidquietly。 “ItellyouIdidna，“heshouted。”Yeratmeagain，areyer？ I’vehadaboutenoughon’t。” “SoyoufilchsixpenceoutofmypursewhileI’mtaking，theclothesin。” “I’llmayyerpayforthis，“hesaid，pushingbackhis，chairindesperation。Hebustledandgotwashed，thenwent，determinedlyupstairs。Presentlyhecamedowndressed，andwithabigbundleinablue-checked，enormoushandkerchief。 “Andnow，“hesaid，“you’llseemeagainwhenyoudo。” “It’llbebeforeIwantto，“shereplied;andatthathemarched，outofthehousewithhisbundle。Shesattremblingslightly，butherheartbrimmingwithcontempt。Whatwouldshedoifhewent，tosomeotherpit，obtainedwork，andgotinwithanotherwoman？ Butsheknewhimtoowell——hecouldn’t。Shewasdeadsureofhim。 Neverthelessherheartwasgnawedinsideher。 “Where’smydad？”saidWilliam，cominginfromschool。 “Hesayshe’srunaway，“repliedthemother。 “Whereto？” “Eh，Idon’tknow。He’stakenabundleinthebluehandkerchief，andsayshe’snotcomingback。” “Whatshallwedo？”criedtheboy。 “Eh，nevertrouble，hewon’tgofar。” “Butifhedoesn’tcomeback，“wailedAnnie。 AndsheandWilliamretiredtothesofaandwept。Mrs。Morel，satandlaughed。 “Youpairofgabeys！”sheexclaimed。”You’llseehimbefore，thenight’sout。” Butthechildrenwerenottobeconsoled。Twilightcameon。 Mrs。Morelgrewanxiousfromveryweariness。Onepartofhersaid，itwouldbearelieftoseethelastofhim;anotherpartfretted，becauseofkeepingthechildren;andinsideher，asyet，shecould，notquitelethimgo。Atthebottom，sheknewverywellhecould，NOTgo。 Whenshewentdowntothecoal-placeattheendofthegarden，however，shefeltsomethingbehindthedoor。Soshelooked。 Andthereinthedarklaythebigbluebundle。Shesatonapiece，ofcoalandlaughed。Everytimeshesawit，sofatandyet，soignominious，slunkintoitscornerinthedark，withitsends，floppinglikedejectedearsfromtheknots，shelaughedagain。 Shewasrelieved。 Mrs。Morelsatwaiting。Hehadnotanymoney，sheknew，soifhestoppedhewasrunningupabill。Shewasverytiredofhim—— tiredtodeath。Hehadnoteventhecouragetocarryhisbundle，beyondtheyard-end。 Asshemeditated，ataboutnineo’clock，heopenedthedoor，andcamein，slinking，andyetsulky。Shesaidnotaword。 Hetookoffhiscoat，andslunktohisarmchair，wherehebegan，totakeoffhisboots。 “You’dbetterfetchyourbundlebeforeyoutakeyourbootsoff，“ shesaidquietly。 “YoumaythankyourstarsI’vecomebackto-night，“hesaid，lookingupfromunderhisdroppedhead，sulkily，tryingtobeimpressive。 “Why，whereshouldyouhavegone？，Youdaren’tevengetyour，parcelthroughtheyard-end，“shesaid。 Helookedsuchafoolshewasnotevenangrywithhim。 Hecontinuedtotakehisbootsoffandprepareforbed。 “Idon’tknowwhat’sinyourbluehandkerchief，“shesaid。 “Butifyouleaveitthechildrenshallfetchitinthemorning。” Whereuponhegotupandwentoutofthehouse，returningpresently，andcrossingthekitchenwithavertedface，hurryingupstairs。 AsMrs。Morelsawhimslinkquicklythroughtheinnerdoorway，holdinghisbundle，shelaughedtoherself：，butherheartwasbitter，becauseshehadlovedhim。 CHAPTERIII THECASTINGOFFOFMOREL——THETAKINGONOFWILLIAM DURINGthenextweekMorel’stemperwasalmostunbearable。 Likeallminers，hewasagreatloverofmedicines，which，strangelyenough，hewouldoftenpayforhimself。 “Youmungetmeadropo’laxyvitral，“hesaid。”It’sa，winderaswecannaha’easupi’th’’ouse。” SoMrs。Morelboughthimelixirofvitriol，hisfavourite，firstmedicine。Andhemadehimselfajugofwormwoodtea。Hehad，hangingintheatticgreatbunchesofdriedherbs： wormwood，rue，horehound，elderflowers，parsley-purt，marshmallow，hyssop，dandelion，andcentaury。Usuallytherewasajugof，oneorotherdecoctionstandingonthehob，fromwhichhedranklargely。 “Grand！”hesaid，smackinghislipsafterwormwood。”Grand！” Andheexhortedthechildrentotry。 “It’sbetterthananyofyourteaoryourcocoastews，“hevowed。 Buttheywerenottobetempted。 Thistime，however，neitherpillsnorvitriolnorallhisherbs，wouldshiftthe“nastypeensinhishead“。Hewassickeningforan，attackofaninflammationofthebrain。Hehadneverbeenwellsince，hissleepingonthegroundwhenhewentwithJerrytoNottingham。 Sincethenhehaddrunkandstormed。Nowhefellseriouslyill，andMrs。Morelhadhimtonurse。Hewasoneoftheworst，patientsimaginable。But，inspiteofall，andputtingasidethe，factthathewasbreadwinner，sheneverquitewantedhimtodie。 Stilltherewasonepartofherwantedhimforherself。 Theneighbourswereverygoodtoher：，occasionallysome，hadthechildrenintomeals，occasionallysomewoulddothe，downstairsworkforher，onewouldmindthebabyforaday。 Butitwasagreatdrag，nevertheless。Itwasnoteveryday，theneighbourshelped。Thenshehadnursingofbabyandhusband，cleaningandcooking，everythingtodo。Shewasquitewornout，butshedidwhatwaswantedofher。 Andthemoneywasjustsufficient。Shehadseventeen，shillingsaweekfromclubs，andeveryFridayBarkerandtheother，buttyputbyaportionofthestall’sprofitsforMorel’swife。 Andtheneighboursmadebroths，andgaveeggs，andsuchinvalids’ trifles。Iftheyhadnothelpedhersogenerouslyinthosetimes，Mrs。Morelwouldneverhavepulledthrough，withoutincurring，debtsthatwouldhavedraggedherdown。 Theweekspassed。Morel，almostagainsthope，grewbetter。 Hehadafineconstitution，sothat，onceonthemend，hewentstraight，forwardtorecovery。Soonhewaspotteringaboutdownstairs。 Duringhisillnesshiswifehadspoilthimalittle。Nowhewanted，hertocontinue。Heoftenputhisbandtohishead，pulleddown，thecomersofhismouth，andshammedpainshedidnotfeel。 Buttherewasnodeceivingher。Atfirstshemerelysmiledtoherself。 Thenshescoldedhimsharply。 “Goodness，man，don’tbesolachrymose。” Thatwoundedhimslightly，butstillhecontinuedtofeignsickness。 “Iwouldn’tbesuchamardybaby，“saidthewifeshortly。 Thenhewasindignant，andcursedunderhisbreath，likeaboy。 Hewasforcedtoresumeanormaltone，andtoceasetowhine。 Nevertheless，therewasastateofpeaceinthehouseforsometime。 Mrs。Morelwasmoretolerantofhim，andhe，dependingonheralmost，likeachild，wasratherhappy。Neitherknewthatshewasmoretolerant，becauseshelovedhimless。Uptillthistime，inspiteofall，hehadbeenherhusbandandherman。Shehadfeltthat，moreorless，whathedidtohimselfhedidtoher。Herlivingdependedonhim。 Thereweremany，manystagesintheebbingofherloveforhim，butitwasalwaysebbing。 Now，withthebirthofthisthirdbaby，herselfnolongerset，towardshim，helplessly，butwaslikeatidethatscarcelyrose，standingofffromhim。Afterthisshescarcelydesiredhim。 And，standingmorealooffromhim，notfeelinghimsomuchpart，ofherself，butmerelypartofhercircumstances，shedidnotmind，somuchwhathedid，couldleavehimalone。 Therewasthehalt，thewistfulnessabouttheensuingyear，whichislikeautumninaman’slife。Hiswifewascastinghimoff，halfregretfully，butrelentlessly;castinghimoffandturning，nowforloveandlifetothechildren。Henceforwardhewasmore，orlessahusk。Andhehimselfacquiesced，assomanymendo，yieldingtheirplacetotheirchildren。 Duringhisrecuperation，whenitwasreallyoverbetweenthem，bothmadeanefforttocomebacksomewhattotheoldrelationship，ofthefirstmonthsoftheirmarriage。Hesatathomeand，whenthechildrenwereinbed，andshewassewing——shedidallher，sewingbyhand，madeallshirtsandchildren’sclothing——hewould，readtoherfromthenewspaper，slowlypronouncinganddelivering，thewordslikeamanpitchingquoits。Oftenshehurriedhimon，givinghimaphraseinanticipation。Andthenhetookherwordshumbly。 Thesilencesbetweenthemwerepeculiar。Therewouldbe，theswift，slight“cluck“ofherneedle，thesharp“pop“ofhis，lipsasheletoutthesmoke，thewarmth，thesizzleonthebars，ashespatinthefire。ThenherthoughtsturnedtoWilliam。 Alreadyhewasgettingabigboy。Alreadyhewastopoftheclass，andthemastersaidhewasthesmartestladintheschool。 Shesawhimaman，young，fullofvigour，makingtheworldglow，againforher。 AndMorelsittingthere，quitealone，andhavingnothing，tothinkabout，wouldbefeelingvaguelyuncomfortable。Hissoul，wouldreachoutinitsblindwaytoherandfindhergone。 Hefeltasortofemptiness，almostlikeavacuuminhissoul。 Hewasunsettledandrestless。Soonhecouldnotlivein，thatatmosphere，andheaffectedhiswife。Bothfeltanoppression，ontheirbreathingwhentheywerelefttogetherforsometime。 Thenhewenttobedandshesettleddowntoenjoyherselfalone，working，thinking，living。 Meanwhileanotherinfantwascoming，fruitofthislittlepeace，andtendernessbetweentheseparatingparents。Paulwasseventeen，monthsoldwhenthenewbabywasborn。Hewasthenaplump，palechild，quiet，withheavyblueeyes，andstillthepeculiar，slightknittingofthebrows。Thelastchildwasalsoaboy，fairandbonny。Mrs。Morelwassorrywhensheknewshewaswithchild，bothforeconomicreasonsandbecauseshedidnotloveherhusband; butnotforthesakeoftheinfant。 TheycalledthebabyArthur。Hewasverypretty，witha，mopofgoldcurls，andhelovedhisfatherfromthefirst。 Mrs。Morelwasgladthischildlovedthefather。Hearingthe，miner’sfootsteps，thebabywouldputuphisarmsandcrow。 AndifMorelwereinagoodtemper，hecalledbackimmediately，inhishearty，mellowvoice： “Whatthen，mybeauty？，Ish’llcometotheeinaminute。” Andassoonashehadtakenoffhispit-coat，Mrs。Morelwould，putanapronroundthechild，andgivehimtohisfather。 “Whatasighttheladlooks！”shewouldexclaimsometimes，takingbackthebaby，thatwassmuttedonthefacefromhisfather’s，kissesandplay。ThenMorellaughedjoyfully。 “He’salittlecollier，blesshisbito’mutton！”heexclaimed。 Andthesewerethehappymomentsofherlifenow，whenthe，childrenincludedthefatherinherheart。 MeanwhileWilliamgrewbiggerandstrongerandmoreactive，whilePaul，alwaysratherdelicateandquiet，gotslimmer，andtrottedafterhismotherlikehershadow。Hewasusuallyactive，andinterested，butsometimeshewouldhavefitsofdepression。 Thenthemotherwouldfindtheboyofthreeorfourcryingon，thesofa。 “What’sthematter？”sheasked，andgotnoanswer。 “What’sthematter？”sheinsisted，gettingcross。 “Idon’tknow，“sobbedthechild。 Soshetriedtoreasonhimoutofit，ortoamusehim，butwithouteffect。Itmadeherfeelbesideherself。Thenthefather，alwaysimpatient，wouldjumpfromhischairandshout： “Ifhedoesn’tstop，I’llsmackhimtillhedoes。” “You’lldonothingofthesort，“saidthemothercoldly。 Andthenshecarriedthechildintotheyard，plumpedhimintohis，littlechair，andsaid：，“Nowcrythere，Misery！” Andthenabutterflyontherhubarb-leavesperhapscaughthiseye，oratlasthecriedhimselftosleep。Thesefitswerenotoften，buttheycausedashadowinMrs。Morel’sheart，andhertreatment，ofPaulwasdifferentfromthatoftheotherchildren。 Suddenlyonemorningasshewaslookingdownthealley，oftheBottomsforthebarm-man，sheheardavoicecallingher。 ItwasthethinlittleMrs。Anthonyinbrownvelvet。 “Here，Mrs。Morel，IwanttotellyouaboutyourWillie。” “Oh，doyou？”repliedMrs。Morel。”Why，what’sthematter？” “Aladasgets’oldofanotheran’ripshisclothesoff’n，’isback，“Mrs。Anthonysaid，“wantsshowingsomething。” “YourAlfred’sasoldasmyWilliam，“saidMrs。Morel。 “’Appen’eis，butthatdoesn’tgivehimarighttogethold，oftheboy’scollar，an’fairripitcleanoffhisback。” “Well，“saidMrs。Morel，“Idon’tthrashmychildren，andevenifIdid，Ishouldwanttoheartheirsideofthetale。” “They’dhappenbeabitbetteriftheydidgetagoodhiding，“ retortedMrs。Anthony。”Whenitcomesterrippin’alad’sclean，collaroff’n’isbacka-purpose——“ “I’msurehedidn’tdoitonpurpose，“saidMrs。Morel。 “Makemealiar！”shoutedMrs。Anthony。 Mrs。Morelmovedawayandclosedhergate。Herhandtrembled，assheheldhermugofbarm。 “ButIs’llletyourmesterknow，“Mrs。Anthonycriedafterher。 Atdinner-time，whenWilliamhadfinishedhismealandwanted，tobeoffagain——hewasthenelevenyearsold——hismothersaidtohim： “WhatdidyoutearAlfredAnthony’scollarfor？” “WhendidItearhiscollar？” “Idon’tknowwhen，buthismothersaysyoudid。” “Why——itwasyesterday——an’itwastorna’ready。” “Butyoutoreitmore。” “Well，I’dgotacobbleras’adlickedseventeen——an’ AlfyAnt’ny’esays： ’Adaman’Evean’pinch-me，Wentdowntoarivertobade。 Adaman’Evegotdrownded，Whodoyerthinkgotsaved？’ An’soIsays：，’Oh，Pinch-YOU，’an’soIpinched’im，an’ ’ewasmad，an’sohesnatchedmycobbleran’runoffwithit。 An’soIrunafter’im，an’whenIwasgettin’holdof’im，’edodged，an’itripped’iscollar。ButIgotmycobbler——“ Hepulledfromhispocketablackoldhorse-chestnuthangingon，astring。Thisoldcobblerhad“cobbled“——hitandsmashed——seventeen，othercobblersonsimilarstrings。Sotheboywasproudofhisveteran。 “Well，“saidMrs。Morel，“youknowyou’vegotnorighttorip，hiscollar。” “Well，ourmother！”heanswered。”Inevermeanttr’adoneit——an’ itwason’yanoldindirrubbercollaraswastorna’ready。” “Nexttime，“saidhismother，“YOUbemorecareful。 Ishouldn’tlikeitifyoucamehomewithyourcollartornoff。” “Idon’tcare，ourmother;Ineverdidita-purpose。” Theboywasrathermiserableatbeingreprimanded。 “No——well，youbemorecareful。” Williamfledaway，gladtobeexonerated。AndMrs。Morel，whohatedanybotherwiththeneighbours，thoughtshewouldexplain，toMrs。Anthony，andthebusinesswouldbeover。 ButthateveningMorelcameinfromthepitlookingverysour。 Hestoodinthekitchenandglaredround，butdidnotspeakfor，someminutes。Then： “Wheer’sthatWilly？”heasked。 “WhatdoyouwantHIMfor？”askedMrs。Morel，whohadguessed。 “I’lllet’imknowwhenIgethim，“saidMorel，banginghis，pit-bottleontothedresser。 “IsupposeMrs。Anthony’sgotholdofyouandbeenyarning，toyouaboutAlfy’scollar，“saidMrs。Morel，rathersneering。 “Nivermindwho’sgotholdofme，“saidMorel。”WhenIget，holdof’IMI’llmakehisbonesrattle。” “It’sapoortale，“saidMrs。Morel，“thatyou’resoready，tosidewithanysnipeyvixenwholikestocometellingtales，againstyourownchildren。” “I’lllearn’im！”saidMorel。”Itnonematterstomewhose，lad’eis;’e’snonegoin’rippin’an’tearin’aboutjustashe’s，amind。” “’Rippingandtearingabout！’“repeatedMrs。Morel。 “HewasrunningafterthatAlfy，who’dtakenhiscobbler，andhe，accidentallygotholdofhiscollar，becausetheotherdodged——as，anAnthonywould。” “Iknow！”shoutedMorelthreateningly。 “Youwould，beforeyou’retold，“repliedhiswifebitingly。 “Niveryoumind，“stormedMorel。”Iknowmybusiness。” “That’smorethandoubtful，“saidMrs。Morel，“supposingsome，loud-mouthedcreaturehadbeengettingyoutothrashyourownchildren。” “Iknow，“repeatedMorel。 Andhesaidnomore，butsatandnursedhisbadtemper。 SuddenlyWilliamranin，saying： “CanIhavemytea，mother？” “Thacanha’emorethanthat！”shoutedMorel。 “Holdyournoise，man，“saidMrs。Morel;“anddon’tlook，soridiculous。” “He’lllookridiculousbeforeI’vedonewi’him！”shoutedMorel，risingfromhischairandglaringathisson。 William，whowasatallladforhisyears，butverysensitive，hadgonepale，andwaslookinginasortofhorrorathisfather。 “Goout！”Mrs。Morelcommandedherson。 Williamhadnotthewittomove。SuddenlyMorelclenched，hisfist，andcrouched。 “I’llGI’Ehim’goout’！”heshoutedlikeaninsanething。 “What！”criedMrs。Morel，pantingwithrage。”Youshall，nottouchhimforHERtelling，youshallnot！” “ShonnaI？”shoutedMorel。”ShonnaI？” And，glaringattheboy，heranforward。Mrs。Morelsprang，inbetweenthem，withherfistlifted。 “Don’tyouDARE！”shecried。 “What！”heshouted，baffledforthemoment。”What！” Shespunroundtoherson。 “GOoutofthehouse！”shecommandedhiminfury。 Theboy，asifhypnotisedbyher，turnedsuddenlyandwasgone。 Morelrushedtothedoor，butwastoolate。Hereturned，paleunder，hispit-dirtwithfury。Butnowhiswifewasfullyroused。 “Onlydare！”shesaidinaloud，ringingvoice。”Onlydare，milord，tolayafingeronthatchild！，You’llregretitforever。” Hewasafraidofher。Inatoweringrage，hesatdown。 Whenthechildrenwereoldenoughtobeleft，Mrs。Morel，joinedtheWomen’sGuild。Itwasalittleclubofwomenattached，totheCo-operativeWholesaleSociety，whichmetonMondaynight，inthelongroomoverthegroceryshopoftheBestwood“Co-op“。The，womenweresupposedtodiscussthebenefitstobederivedfrom，co-operation，andothersocialquestions。SometimesMrs。Morel，readapaper。Itseemedqueertothechildrentoseetheirmother，whowasalwaysbusyaboutthehouse，sittingwritinginher，rapidfashion，thinking，referringtobooks，andwritingagain。 Theyfeltforheronsuchoccasionsthedeepestrespect。 ButtheylovedtheGuild。Itwastheonlythingtowhichthey，didnotgrudgetheirmother——andthatpartlybecausesheenjoyedit，partlybecauseofthetreatstheyderivedfromit。TheGuild，wascalledbysomehostilehusbands，whofoundtheirwivesgetting，tooindependent，the“clat-fart“shop——thatis，thegossip-shop。It，istrue，fromoffthebasisoftheGuild，thewomencouldlookat，theirhomes，attheconditionsoftheirownlives，andfindfault。 Sothecolliersfoundtheirwomenhadanewstandardoftheirown，ratherdisconcerting。Andalso，Mrs。Morelalwayshadalotofnews，onMondaynights，sothatthechildrenlikedWilliamtobeinwhen，theirmothercamehome，becauseshetoldhimthings。 Then，whentheladwasthirteen，shegothimajobin，the“Co-op。”，office。Hewasaverycleverboy，frank，withrather，roughfeaturesandrealvikingblueeyes。 “Whatdostwantterma’eastool-harsedJackon’imfor？” saidMorel。”Allhe’lldoistowearhisbritchesbehindoutan’ earnnowt。What’s’estartin’wi’？” “Itdoesn’tmatterwhathe’sstartingwith，“saidMrs。Morel。 “Itwouldna！，Put’imi’th’pitweme，an’’ellearnaeasy，tenshillin’awikfromth’start。Butsixshillin’wearin’histruck-end，outonastool’sbetterthantenshillin’i’th’pitwi’me，Iknow。” “HeisNOTgoinginthepit，“saidMrs。Morel，“andthere’s，anendofit。” “Itworgoodenoughforme，butit’snongoodenoughfor’im。” “Ifyourmotherputyouinthepitattwelve，it’snoreason，whyIshoulddothesamewithmylad。” “Twelve！，Itworasightaforethat！” “Wheneveritwas，“saidMrs。Morel。 Shewasveryproudofherson。Hewenttothenightschool，andlearnedshorthand，sothatbythetimehewassixteenhewas，thebestshorthandclerkandbook-keeperontheplace，exceptone。 Thenhetaughtinthenightschools。Buthewassofierythatonly，hisgood-natureandhissizeprotectedhim。 Allthethingsthatmendo——thedecentthings——Williamdid。 Hecouldrunlikethewind。Whenhewastwelvehewonafirst，prizeinarace;aninkstandofglass，shapedlikeananvil。 Itstoodproudlyonthedresser，andgaveMrs。Morelakeenpleasure。 Theboyonlyranforher。Heflewhomewithhisanvil，breathless，witha“Look，mother！”Thatwasthefirstrealtributetoherself。 Shetookitlikeaqueen。 “Howpretty！”sheexclaimed。 Thenhebegantogetambitious。Hegaveallhismoneyto，hismother。Whenheearnedfourteenshillingsaweek，shegavehim，backtwoforhimself，and，asheneverdrank，hefelthimselfrich。 HewentaboutwiththebourgeoisofBestwood。Thetownletcontained，nothinghigherthantheclergyman。Thencamethebankmanager，thenthedoctors，thenthetradespeople，andafterthatthehosts，ofcolliers。Willambegantoconsortwiththesonsofthechemist，theschoolmaster，andthetradesmen。Heplayedbilliardsin，theMechanics’Hall。Alsohedanced——thisinspiteofhismother。 AllthelifethatBestwoodofferedheenjoyed，fromthesixpenny-hops，downChurchStreet，tosportsandbilliards。 Paulwastreatedtodazzlingdescriptionsofallkindsof，flower-likeladies，mostofwhomlivedlikecutbloomsinWilliam’s，heartforabrieffortnight。 Occasionallysomeflamewouldcomeinpursuitofhererrant，swain。Mrs。Morelwouldfindastrangegirlatthedoor，andimmediatelyshesniffedtheair。 “IsMr。Morelin？”thedamselwouldaskappealingly。 “Myhusbandisathome，“Mrs。Morelreplied。 “I——ImeanYOUNGMr。Morel，“repeatedthemaidenpainfully。 “Whichone？，Thereareseveral。” Whereuponmuchblushingandstammeringfromthefairone。 “I——ImetMr。Morel——atRipley，“sheexplained。 “Oh——atadance！” “Yes。” “Idon’tapproveofthegirlsmysonmeetsatdances。 AndheisNOTathome。” Thenhecamehomeangrywithhismotherforhavingturnedthe，girlawaysorudely。Hewasacareless，yeteager-lookingfellow，whowalkedwithlongstrides，sometimesfrowning，oftenwithhiscap，pushedjollilytothebackofhishead。Nowhecameinfrowning。 Hethrewhiscapontothesofa，andtookhisstrongjawinhishand，andglareddownathismother。Shewassmall，withherhair，takenstraightbackfromherforehead。Shehadaquietair，ofauthority，andyetofrarewarmth。Knowinghersonwasangry，shetrembledinwardly。 “Didaladycallformeyesterday，mother？”heasked。 “Idon’tknowaboutalady。Therewasagirlcame。” “Andwhydidn’tyoutellme？” “BecauseIforgot，simply。” Hefumedalittle。 “Agood-lookinggirl——seemedalady？” “Ididn’tlookather。” “Bigbrowneyes？” “IdidNOTlook。Andtellyourgirls，myson，thatwhenthey’re，runningafteryou，they’renottocomeandaskyourmotherforyou。 Tellthemthat——brazenbaggagesyoumeetatdancing-classes。” “I’msureshewasanicegirl。” “AndI’msureshewasn’t。” Thereendedthealtercation。Overthedancingtherewasagreat，strifebetweenthemotherandtheson。Thegrievancereachedits，heightwhenWilliamsaidhewasgoingtoHucknallTorkard——considered，alowtown——toafancy-dressball。HewastobeaHighlander。 Therewasadresshecouldhire，whichoneofhisfriends，hadhad，andwhichfittedhimperfectly。TheHighlandsuitcamehome。 Mrs。Morelreceiveditcoldlyandwouldnotunpackit。 “Mysuitcome？”criedWilliam。 “There’saparcelinthefrontroom。” Herushedinandcutthestring。 “Howdoyoufancyyoursoninthis！”hesaid，enraptured，showingherthesuit。 “YouknowIdon’twanttofancyyouinit。” Ontheeveningofthedance，whenhehadcomehometodress，Mrs。Morelputonhercoatandbonnet。 “Aren’tyougoingtostopandseeme，mother？”heasked。 “No;Idon’twanttoseeyou，“shereplied。 Shewasratherpale，andherfacewasclosedandhard。 Shewasafraidofherson’sgoingthesamewayashisfather。 Hehesitatedamoment，andhisheartstoodstillwithanxiety。