’Tain’toftenIgetabitoffreshair。\"
\"Doingwell？\"
\"Thebusiness，\"repliedHezekiah，\"isgoingupbyleapsandbounds—
—leapsandbounds。But，ofcourse，allthatmeansharderworkforme。It’sfromsixinthemorningtilltwelveo’clockatnight。\"
\"There’snothingIknowof，\"returnedSolomon，whowassomethingofapessimist，\"that’sgivenawayfreegratisfornothingexceptmisfortune。\"
\"Keepingyourselfuptothemarkain’ttooeasy，\"continuedHezekiah;\"andwhenitcomestootherfolks！play’salltheythinkof。Talkreligiontothem——why，theylaughatyou！Whattheworld’scomingto，Idon’tknow。How’stheprintingbusinessdoing？\"
\"Theprintingbusiness，\"respondedtheother，removinghispipeandspeakingsomewhatsadly，\"theprintingbusinesslookslikebeingabigthing。Capital，ofcourse，iswhathampersme——or，rather，thewantofit。ButJanet，she’scareful;shedon’twastemuch，Janetdon’t。\"
\"Now，withAnne，\"repliedHezekiah，\"it’salltheotherway——
pleasure，gaiety，adayatRoshervilleortheCrystalPalace——
anythingtowastemoney。\"
\"Ah！shewasalwaysfondofherbitoffun，\"rememberedSolomon。
\"Fun！\"retortedHezekiah。\"Ilikeabitoffunmyself。Butnotifyou’vegottopayforit。Where’sthefuninthat？\"
\"WhatIaskmyselfsometimes，\"saidSolomon，lookingstraightinfrontofhim，\"iswhatdowedoitfor？\"
\"Whatdowedowhatfor？\"
\"Worklikeblessedslaves，deprivingourselvesofallenjoyments。
What’sthesenseofit？What——\"
AvoicefromtheperambulatorbesidehimbrokethethreadofSolomonAppleyard’sdiscourse。ThesolesurvivingsonofHezekiahGrindley，seekingdistractionandfindingnone，hadcreptbackunperceived。Aperambulator！Athinghisexperiencetoldhimoutofwhichexcitementinsomeformoranothercouldgenerallybeobtained。Youworrieditandtookyourchance。Eitherithowled，inwhichcaseyouhadtorunforyourlife，followed——and，unfortunately，overtakenninetimesoutoften——byawhirlwindofvengeance;oritgurgled：inwhichcasetheheavenssmiledandhalosdescendedonyourhead。Ineithereventyouescapedthedeadlyennuithatistheresultofcontinuousvirtue。MasterGrindley，hisstarhavingpointedouttohimapeacock’sfeatherlyingontheground，had，withoneeyeuponhisunobservantparent，removedthecomplicatedcoveringsshelteringMissHelvetiaAppleyardfromtheworld，andanticipatingbyaquarterofacenturytheprimeenjoymentofBritishyouth，hadsettoworktoticklethatladyonthenose。MissHelvetiaAppleyardawakened，didpreciselywhatthetickledBritishmaidenofto—daymaybereliedupontodoundercorrespondingcircumstances：shefirstofalltookswiftandcomprehensivesurveyofthemalethingbehindthefeather。Hadhebeendispleasinginhereyes，shewould，onemayrelyuponit，haveantecededthebehaviourinsimilarcaseofherdescendantofto—day——thatistosay，haveexpressedresentmentinnouncertainterms。MasterNathanielGrindleyproving，however，tohertaste，thatwhichmighthavebeenconsideredimpertinencebecameacceptedasafitandproperformofintroduction。MissAppleyardsmiledgraciously——nay，further，intimateddesireformore。
\"Thatyouronlyone？\"askedthepaternalGrindley。
\"She’stheonlyone，\"repliedSolomon，speakingintoneslesspessimistic。
MissAppleyardhadwiththehelpofGrindleyjuniorwriggledherselfintoasittingposture。Grindleyjuniorcontinuedhisattentions，theladyindicatingbysignsthevariouspointsatwhichshewasmostsusceptible。
\"Prettypicturetheymaketogether，eh？\"suggestedHezekiahinawhispertohisfriend。
\"Neversawhertaketoanyonelikethatbefore，\"returnedSolomon，likewiseinawhisper。
Aneighbouringchurchclockchimedtwelve。SolomonAppleyard，knockingtheashesfromhispipe，arose。
\"Don’tknowanyreasonmyselfwhyweshouldn’tseealittlemoreofoneanotherthanwedo，\"suggestedGrindleysenior，shakinghands。
\"Giveusalook—uponeSundayafternoon，\"suggestedSolomon。
\"Bringtheyoungsterwithyou。\"
SolomonAppleyardandHezekiahGrindleyhadstartedlifewithinafewmonthsofoneanothersomefive—and—thirtyyearsbefore。
Likewisewithinafewhundredyardsofoneanother，Solomonathisfather’sbooksellingandprintingestablishmentontheeastsideoftheHighStreetofasmallYorkshiretown;Hezekiahathisfather’sgroceryshopuponthewestside，opposite。Bothhadmarriedfarmers’daughters。Solomon’snaturalbenttowardsgaietyFatehadcorrectedbydirectinghisaffectionstoapartnerinstinctwithYorkshireshrewdness;andwithshrewdnessgootherqualitiesthatmakeforsuccessratherthanforhappiness。Hezekiah，hadcircumstancesbeenequal，mighthavebeenhisfriend’srivalforJanet’scapableandsavinghand，hadnotsweet—tempered，laughingAnnieGlossop——directedbyProvidencetohermoralwelfare，onemustpresume——falleninlovewithhim。BetweenJane’svirtuesandAnnie’sthreehundredgoldensovereignsHezekiahhadnothesitatedamoment。Goldensovereignsweresolidfacts;wifelyvirtues，byaserious—mindedandstrong—willedhusband，couldbeinstilled——atallevents，light—heartednesssuppressed。Thetwomen，Hezekiahurgedbyhisownambition，Solomonbyhiswife’s，hadarrivedinLondonwithinayearofoneanother：Hezekiahtoopenagrocer’sshopinKensington，whichthosewhoshouldhaveknownassuredhimwasahopelessneighbourhood。ButHezekiahhadtheinstinctofthemoney—maker。Solomon，afterlookingabouthim，hadfixedupontheroomy，substantialhouseinNevill’sCourtasapromisingfoundationforaprinter’sbusiness。
Thatwastenyearsago。Thetwofriends，scorningdelights，livinglaboriousdays，hadseenbutlittleofoneanother。Light—heartedAnniehadbornetoherdourpartnertwochildrenwhohaddied。
NathanielGeorge，withthelucksupposedtowaitonnumberthree，hadlivedon，and，inheritingfortunatelythetemperamentofhismother，hadbroughtsunshineintothegloomyroomsabovetheshopinHighStreet，Kensington。Mrs。Grindley，grownweakandfretful，hadrestedfromherlabours。
Mrs。Appleyard’sguardianangel，prudentlikehisprotege，hadwaitedtillSolomon’sbusinesswaswellestablishedbeforedespatchingthestorktoNevill’sCourt，withalittlegirl。Laterhadsentaboy，who，notfindingthecloseairofSt。Dunstantohisliking，hadfoundhiswaybackagain;thuspassingoutofthisstoryandallothers。AndthereremainedtocarryonthelegendoftheGrindleysandtheAppleyardsonlyNathanielGeorge，nowagedfive，andJanetHelvetia，quiteabeginner，whotookliftseriously。
Therearenosuchthingsasfacts。Narrow—mindedfolk——surveyors，auctioneers，andsuchlike——wouldhaveinsistedthatthegardenbetweentheoldGeorgianhouseandNevill’sCourtwasastripoflandonehundredandeighteenfeetbyninety—two，containingalaburnumtree，sixlaurelbushes，andadwarfdeodora。ToNathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiaitwasthelandofThule，\"thefurthestboundariesofwhichnomanhasreached。\"OnrainySundayafternoonstheyplayedinthegreat，gloomypressroom，wheresilentogres，standingmotionless，stretchedoutironarmstoseizethemastheyran。ThenjustwhenNathanielGeorgewaseight，andJanetHelvetiafourandahalf，Hezekiahlaunchedthecelebrated\"Grindley’sSauce。\"Itaddedarelishtochopsandsteaks，transformedcoldmuttonintoaluxury，andswelledtheheadofHezekiahGrindley——whichwasbigenoughinallconscienceasitwas——andshrivelleduphislittlehardheart。TheGrindleysandtheAppleyardsvisitednomore。Asasensiblefellowoughttohaveseenforhimself，sothoughtHezekiah，theSaucehadalteredallthings。Thepossibilityofamarriagebetweentheirchildren，thingshavingremainedequal，mighthavebeenaprettyfancy;butthesonofthegreatGrindley，whosenameinthree—footlettersfacedtheworldfromeveryhoarding，wouldhavetolookhigherthanaprinter’sdaughter。Solomon，asuddenandvehementconverttotheprinciplesofmediaevalfeudalism，wouldratherseehisonlychild，granddaughteroftheauthorofTheHistoryofKettlewellandotherworks，deadandburiedthanmarriedtoagrocer’sson，eventhoughhemightinheritafortunemadeoutofpoisoningthepublicwithamixtureofmustardandsourbeer。ItwasmanyyearsbeforeNathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiametoneanotheragain，andwhentheydidtheyhadforgottenoneanother，HezekiahS。Grindley，ashort，stout，andpompousgentleman，satunderapalminthegorgeouslyfurnisheddrawing—roomofhisbighouseatNottingHill。Mrs。Grindley，athin，fadedwoman，thedespairofherdressmaker，satasneartothefireasitsmassiveandimposingcopperoutworkswouldpermit，andshivered。Grindleyjunior，afair—haired，well—shapedyouth，witheyesthattheothersexfoundattractive，leantwithhishandsinhispocketsagainstascrupulouslyrobedstatueofDiana，andappeareduncomfortable。
\"I’mmakingthemoney——makingithandoverfist。Allyou’llhavetodowillbetospendit，\"Grindleyseniorwasexplainingtohissonandheir。
\"I’lldothatallright，dad。\"
\"I’mnotsosureofit，\"washisfather’sopinion。\"You’vegottoproveyourselfworthytospendit。Don’tyouthinkIshallbecontenttohaveslavedalltheseyearsmerelytoprovideabrainlessyoungidiotwiththemeansofself—indulgence。Ileavemymoneytosomebodyworthyofme。Understand，sir？——somebodyworthyofme。\"
Mrs。Grindleycommencedasentence;Mr。Grindleyturnedhissmalleyesuponher。Thesentenceremainedunfinished。
\"Youwereabouttosaysomething，\"herhusbandremindedher。
Mrs。Grindleysaiditwasnothing。
\"Ifitisanythingworthhearing——ifitisanythingthatwillassistthediscussion，let’shaveit。\"Mr。Grindleywaited。\"Ifnot，ifyouyourselfdonotconsideritworthfinishing，whyhavebegunit？\"
Mr。Grindleyreturnedtohissonandheir。\"Youhaven’tdonetoowellatschool——infact，yourschoolcareerhasdisappointedme。\"
\"IknowI’mnotclever，\"Grindleyjuniorofferedasanexcuse。
\"Whynot？Whyaren’tyouclever？\"
Hissonandheirwasunabletoexplain。
\"Youaremyson——whyaren’tyouclever？It’slaziness，sir;sheerlaziness！\"
\"I’lltryanddobetteratOxford，sir——honourbrightIwill！\"
\"Youhadbetter，\"advisedhimhisfather;\"becauseIwarnyou，yourwholefuturedependsuponit。Youknowme。You’vegottobeacredittome，tobeworthyofthenameofGrindley——orthename，myboy，isallyou’llhave。\"
OldGrindleymeantit，andhissonknewthathemeantit。TheoldPuritanprinciplesandinstinctswerestrongintheoldgentleman——
formed，perhaps，thebetterpartofhim。Idlenesswasanabominationtohim;devotiontopleasure，otherthanthepleasureofmoney—making，agrievoussininhiseyes。GrindleyjuniorfullyintendedtodowellatOxford，andmighthavesucceeded。Inaccusinghimselfoflackofcleverness，hedidhimselfaninjustice。Hehadbrains，hehadenergy，hehadcharacter。Ourvirtuescanbeourstumbling—blocksaswellasourvices。YoungGrindleyhadoneadmirablevirtuethatneeds，aboveallothers，carefulcontrolling：hewasamiabilityitself。Beforethecharmandsweetnessofit，Oxfordsnobbishnesswentdown。TheSauce，againsttheearnestcounselofitsownadvertisement，wasforgotten;thepicklespassedby。ToescapethenaturalresultofhispopularitywouldhaveneededastrongerwillthanyoungGrindleypossessed。ForatimethetruestateofaffairswashiddenfromtheeyeofGrindleysenior。To\"slack\"itthisterm，withthefulldeterminationof\"swotting\"itthenext，isalwayseasy;thedifficultybeginningonlywiththenewterm。PossiblywithluckyoungGrindleymighthaveretrievedhispositionandcoveredupthetracesofhisfolly，butforanunfortunateaccident。Returningtocollegewithsomeotherchoicespiritsattwoo’clockinthemorning，itoccurredtoyoungGrindleythattroublemightbesavedallroundbycuttingoutapaneofglasswithadiamondringandenteringhisrooms，whichwereontheground—floor，bythewindow。That，inmistakeforhisown，heshouldhaveselectedthebedroomoftheCollegeRectorwasamisfortunethatmighthaveoccurredtoanyonewhohadcommencedtheeveningonchampagneandfinisheditonwhisky。YoungGrindley，havingbeenwarnedalreadytwicebefore，was\"sentdown。\"Andthen，ofcourse，thewholehistoryofthethreewastedyearscameout。OldGrindleyinhisstudychairhavingtalkedforhalfanhouratthetopofhisvoice，chose，partlybyreasonofphysicalnecessity，partlybyreasonofdormantdramaticinstinct，tospeakquietlyandslowly。
\"I’llgiveyouonechancemore，myboy，andoneonly。I’vetriedyouasagentleman——perhapsthatwasmymistake。NowI’lltryyouasagrocer。\"
\"Asawhat？\"
\"Asagrocer，sir——g—r—o—c—e—r——grocer，amanwhostandsbehindacounterinawhiteapronandhisshirt—sleeves;whosellsteaandsugarandcandiedpeelandsuch—likethingstocustomers——oldladies，littlegirls;whorisesatsixinthemorning，takesdowntheshutters，sweepsouttheshop，cleansthewindows;whohashalfanhourforhisdinnerofcornedbeefandbread;whoputsuptheshuttersatteno’clockatnight，tidiesuptheshop，hashissupper，andgoestobed，feelinghisdayhasnotbeenwasted。I
meanttospareyou。Iwaswrong。YoushallgothroughthemillasIwentthroughit。Ifattheendoftwoyearsyou’vedonewellwithyourtime，learnedsomething——learnedtobeaman，atallevents——youcancometomeandthankme。\"
\"I’mafraid，sir，\"suggestedGrindleyjunior，whosehandsomefaceduringthelastfewminuteshadgrownverywhite，\"Imightnotmakeaverysatisfactorygrocer。Yousee，sir，I’vehadnoexperience。\"
\"Iamgladyouhavesomesense，\"returnedhisfatherdrily。\"Youarequiteright。Evenagrocer’sbusinessrequireslearning。Itwillcostmealittlemoney;butitwillbethelastIshalleverspenduponyou。Forthefirstyearyouwillhavetobeapprenticed，andIshallallowyousomethingtoliveon。ItshallbemorethanIhadatyourage——we’llsayapoundaweek。AfterthatIshallexpectyoutokeepyourself。\"
Grindleyseniorrose。\"Youneednotgivemeyouranswertilltheevening。Youareofage。Ihavenocontroloveryouunlessyouarewillingtoagree。Youcangomyway，oryoucangoyourown。\"
YoungGrindley，whohadinheritedagooddealofhisfather’sgrit，feltverymuchinclinedtogohisown;but，hamperedontheotherhandbythesweetnessofdispositionhehadinheritedfromhismother，wasunabletowithstandtheargumentofthatlady’stears，sothateveningacceptedoldGrindley’sterms，askingonlyasafavourthatthesceneofhisprobationmightbeinsomeout—of—the—
wayneighbourhoodwheretherewouldbelittlechanceofhisbeingmetbyoldfriends。
\"Ihavethoughtofallthat，\"answeredhisfather。\"Myobjectisn’ttohumiliateyoumorethanisnecessaryforyourgood。TheshopIhavealreadyselected，ontheassumptionthatyouwouldsubmit，isasquietandout—of—the—wayasyoucouldwish。ItisinaturningoffFetterLane，whereyou’llseefewotherpeoplethanprintersandcaretakers。You’lllodgewithawoman，aMrs。
Postwhistle，whoseemsaverysensibleperson。She’llboardyouandlodgeyou，andeverySaturdayyou’llreceiveapost—officeorderforsixshillings，outofwhichyou’llfindyourselfinclothes。Youcantakewithyousufficienttolastyouforthefirstsixmonths，butnomore。Attheendoftheyearyoucanchangeifyoulikeandgotoanothershop，ormakeyourownarrangementswithMrs。Postwhistle。Ifallissettled，yougothereto—morrow。Yougooutofthishouseto—morrowinanyevent。\"
Mrs。Postwhistlewasalarge，placidladyofphilosophictemperament。Hithertothelittlegrocer’sshopinRollsCourt，FetterLane，hadbeeneasyofmanagementbyherownunaidedefforts;buttheneighbourhoodwasrapidlychanging。Othergrocers’shopsweredisappearingonebyone，makingwayforhugeblocksofbuildings，wherehundredsofironpresses，singingdayandnight，spreadtotheearththesongoftheMightyPen。Therewerehourswhenthelittleshopcouldhardlyaccommodateitscrowdofcustomers。Mrs。Postwhistle，ofabulknottobemovedquickly，had，aftermatureconsideration，conqueringanaturaldisinclinationtochange，decidedtoseekassistance。
YoungGrindley，alightingfromafour—wheeledcabinFetterLane，marchedupthecourt，followedbyaweak—kneedwastrelstaggeringundertheweightofasmallbox。Inthedoorwayofthelittleshop，youngGrindleypausedandraisedhishat。
\"Mrs。Postwhistle？\"
Thelady，fromherchairbehindthecounter，roseslowly。
\"IamMr。NathanielGrindley，thenewassistant。\"
Theweak—kneedwastrelletfalltheboxwithathuduponthefloor。
Mrs。Postwhistlelookedhernewassistantupanddown。
\"Oh！\"saidMrs。Postwhistle。\"Well，Ishouldn’t’avefeltinstinctivelyitmustbeyou，notifI’d’adtopickyououtofacrowd。Butifyoutellmeso，why，Isupposeyouare。Comein。\"
Theweak—kneedwastrel，receivingtohisastonishmentashilling，departed。
Grindleyseniorhadselectedwisely。Mrs。Postwhistle’stheorywasthatalthoughveryfewpeopleinthisworldunderstoodtheirownbusiness，theyunderstooditbetterthananyoneelsecouldunderstanditforthem。Ifhandsome，well—educatedyounggentlemen，whogaveshillingstowastrels，felttheywantedtobecomesmartandcapablegrocers’assistants，thatwastheiraffair。Herbusinesswastoteachthemtheirwork，and，forherownsake，toseethattheydidit。Amonthwentby。Mrs。
Postwhistlefoundhernewassistanthard—working，willing，somewhatclumsy，butwithasmileandalaughthattransformedmistakes，forwhichanotherwouldhavebeensoundlyrated，intowelcomevariationsoftheday’smonotony。
\"Ifyouwerethesortofwomanthatcaredtomakeyourfortune，\"
saidoneWilliamClodd，anoldfriendofMrs。Postwhistle’s，youngGrindleyhavingdescendedintothecellartogrindcoffee，\"I’dtellyouwhattodo。Takeabun—shopsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofagirls’school，andputthatassistantofyoursinthewindow。You’ddoaroaringbusiness。\"
\"There’samysteryabout’im，\"saidMrs。Postwhistle。
\"Knowwhatitis？\"
\"IfIknewwhatitwas，Ishouldn’tbecallingitamystery，\"
repliedMrs。Postwhistle，whowasastylistinherway。
\"Howdidyougethim？Winhiminaraffle？\"
\"Jones，theagent，sent’imtomeallina’urry。AnassistantiswhatIreallywanted，notanapprentice;butthepremiumwasgood，andthereferenceseverythingonecoulddesire。\"
\"Grindley，Grindley，\"murmuredClodd。\"AnyrelationtotheSauce，Iwonder？\"
\"Abitmorewholesome，Ishouldsay，fromthelookofhim，\"thoughtMrs。Postwhistle。
Thequestionofapostofficetomeetitsgrowingneedhadlongbeenunderdiscussionbytheneighbourhood。Mrs。Postwhistlewasapproacheduponthesubject。Grindleyjunior，eagerforanythingthatmightbringvarietyintohisnew，crampedexistence，undertooktoqualifyhimself。
Withintwomonthsthearrangementswerecomplete。Grindleyjuniordividedhistimebetweendispensinggroceriesanddespatchingtelegramsandletters，andwasgratefulforthechange。
Grindleyjunior’smindwasfixeduponthefashioningofacornucopiatoreceiveaquarterofapoundofmoist。Thecustomer，anextremelyyounglady，wasseekingtohastenhisoperationsbytappingincessantlywithapennyonthecounter。Itdidnothurryhim;itonlyworriedhim。Grindleyjuniorhadnotacquiredfacilityinthefashioningofcornucopias——thevertexwouldinvariablybecomeunrolledatthelastmoment，allowingthecontentstodribbleoutontothefloororcounter。Grindleyjuniorwassweet—temperedasarule，butwhenengageduponthefashioningofacornucopia，wasirritable。
\"Hurryup，oldman！\"urgedtheextremelyyounglady。\"I’vegotanotherappointmentinlessthanhalfanhour。\"
\"Oh，damnthething！\"saidGrindleyjunior，asthepaperforthefourthtimerevertedtoitsoriginalshape。
Anolderlady，standingbehindtheextremelyyoungladyandholdingatelegram—forminherhand，lookedindignant。
\"Temper，temper，\"remarkedtheextremelyyoungladyinreprovingtone。
Thefifthtimewasmoresuccessful。Theextremelyyoungladywentout，commentinguponthewasteoftimealwaysresultingwhenboyswereemployedtodotheworkofmen。Theolderlady，ahaughtyperson，handedacrosshertelegramwiththerequestthatitshouldbesentoffatonce。
Grindleyjuniortookhispencilfromhispocketandcommencedtocount。
\"Digniori，notdigniorus，\"commentedGrindleyjunior，correctingtheword，\"daturdigniori，dativesingular。\"Grindleyjunior，stillirritablefromthestrugglewiththecornucopia，spokesharply。
Thehaughtyladywithdrewhereyesfromaspotsometenmilesbeyondthebackoftheshop，wherehithertotheyhadbeenresting，andfixedthemforthefirsttimeuponGrindleyjunior。
\"Thankyou，\"saidthehaughtylady。
Grindleyjuniorlookedupandimmediately，tohisannoyance，feltthathewasblushing。Grindleyjuniorblushedeasily——itannoyedhimverymuch。
Thehaughtyyoungladyalsoblushed。Shedidnotoftenblush;whenshedid，shefeltangrywithherself。
\"Ashillingandapenny，\"demandedGrindleyjunior。
Thehaughtyyoungladycountedoutthemoneyanddeparted。
Grindleyjunior，peepingfrombehindatinofAbernethybiscuits，noticedthatasshepassedthewindowsheturnedandlookedback。
Shewasaverypretty，haughtylady。Grindleyjuniorratheradmireddark，levelbrowsandfinelycut，tremulouslips，especiallywhencombinedwithamassofsoft，brownhair，andaricholivecomplexionthatflushedandpaledasonelookedatit。
\"Mightsendthattelegramoffifyou’venothingelsetodo，andthere’snoparticularreasonforkeepingitback，\"suggestedMrs。
Postwhistle。
\"It’sonlyjustbeenhandedin，\"explainedGrindleyjunior，somewhathurt。
\"You’vebeenlookingatitforthelastfiveminutesbytheclock，\"
saidMrs。Postwhistle。
Grindleyjuniorsatdowntothemachine。ThenameandaddressofthesenderwasHelvetiaAppleyard，Nevill’sCourt。
Threedayspassed——singularlyemptydaystheyappearedtoGrindleyjunior。Onthefourth，HelvetiaAppleyardhadoccasiontodespatchanothertelegram——thistimeentirelyinEnglish。
\"One—and—fourpence，\"sighedGrindleyjunior。
MissAppleyarddrewforthherpurse。Theshopwasempty。
\"HowdidyoucometoknowLatin？\"inquiredMissAppleyardinquiteacasualtone。
\"Ipickedupalittleatschool。ItwasaphraseIhappenedtoremember，\"confessedGrindleyjunior，wonderingwhyheshouldbefeelingashamedofhimself。
\"Iamalwayssorry，\"saidMissAppleyard，\"whenIseeanyonecontentwiththelowerlifewhosetalentsmight，perhaps，fithimforthehigher。\"SomethingaboutthetoneandmannerofMissAppleyardremindedGrindleyjuniorofhisformerRector。Eachseemedtohavearrivedbydifferentroadsatthesamephilosophicalaloofnessfromtheworld，temperedbychastenedinterestinhumanphenomena。\"Wouldyouliketotrytoraiseyourself——toimproveyourself——toeducateyourself？\"
Anunseenlittlerogue，whowasenjoyinghimselfimmensely，whisperedtoGrindleyjuniortosaynothingbut\"Yes，\"heshould。
\"Willyouletmehelpyou？\"askedMissAppleyard。AndthesimpleandheartfeltgratitudewithwhichGrindleyjuniorclosedupontheofferprovedtoMissAppleyardhowtrueitisthattodogoodtoothersisthehighestjoy。
MissAppleyardhadcomepreparedforpossibleacceptance。\"Youhadbetterbeginwiththis，\"thoughtMissAppleyard。\"Ihavemarkedthepassagesthatyoushouldlearnbyheart。Makeanoteofanythingyoudonotunderstand，andIwillexplainittoyouwhen——
whennextIhappentobepassing。\"
Grindleyjuniortookthebook——Bell’sIntroductiontotheStudyoftheClassics，forUseofBeginners——andhelditbetweenbothhands。
Itspricewasninepence，butGrindleyjuniorappearedtoregarditasavolumeofgreatvalue。
\"Itwillbehardworkatfirst，\"MissAppleyardwarnedhim;\"butyoumustpersevere。Ihavetakenaninterestinyou;youmusttrynottodisappointme。\"
AndMissAppleyard，feelingallthesensationsofaHypatia，departed，takinglightwithherandforgettingtopayforthetelegram。MissAppleyardbelongedtotheclassthatyoungladieswhopridethemselvesonbeingtiresomelyignorantandfoolishsneeratas\"blue—stockings\";thatistosay，possessingbrains，shehadfeltthenecessityofusingthem。SolomonAppleyard，widower，asensibleoldgentleman，prosperingintheprintingbusiness，andseeingnonecessityforawomanregardingherselfasnothingbutadoll，asomewhatuninterestingplaythingthenewnessoncewornoff，thankfullyencouragedher。MissAppleyardhadreturnedfromGirtonwiseinmanythings，butnotinknowledgeoftheworld，whichknowledge，tooearlyacquired，doesnotalwaysmakeforgoodinyoungmanorwoman。Aseriouslittlevirgin，MissAppleyard’sambitionwastohelpthehumanrace。Whatmoreusefulworkcouldhavecometoherhandthantheraisingofthispoorbutintelligentyounggrocer’sassistantuntotheknowledgeandtheloveofhigherthings。ThatGrindleyjuniorhappenedtobeanexceedinglygood—
lookingandcharmingyounggrocer’sassistanthadnothingtodowiththematter，soMissAppleyardwouldhaveinformedyou。Inherownreasoningshewasconvincedthatherinterestinhimwouldhavebeenthesamehadhebeentheleastattractiveofhissex。Thattherecouldbedangerinsuchrelationshipneveroccurredtoher。
MissAppleyard，aconvincedRadical，couldnotconceivethepossibilityofagrocer’sassistantregardingthedaughterofawell—to—doprinterinanyotherlightthanthatofagraciouslycondescendingpatron。Thattherecouldbedangertoherself！youwouldhavebeensorryyouhadsuggestedtheidea。Theexpressionofloftyscornwouldhavemadeyoufeelyourselfcontemptible。
MissAppleyard’sjudgmentofmankindwasjustified;nomorepromisingpupilcouldhavebeenselected。ItwasreallymarvelloustheprogressmadebyGrindleyjunior，underthetutelageofHelvetiaAppleyard。Hisearnestness，hisenthusiasm，itquitetouchedtheheartofHelvetiaAppleyard。Thereweremanypoints，itistrue，thatpuzzledGrindleyjunior。Eachtimethelistofthemgrewlonger。ButwhenHelvetiaAppleyardexplainedthem，allbecameclear。Shemarvelledherselfatherownwisdom，thatinamomentmadedarknessluminoustothisyoungman;hisraptattentionwhileshetalked，itwasmostencouraging。Theboymustsurelybeagenius。Tothinkthatbutforherintuitionhemighthaveremainedwastedinagrocer’sshop！Torescuesuchagemfromoblivion，topolishit，wassurelythedutyofaconscientiousHypatia。Twovisits——threevisitsaweektothelittleshopinRollsCourtwerequiteinadequate，somanypassagestherewererequiringelucidation。Londoninearlymorningbecametheirclassroom：thegreat，wide，empty，silentstreets;themist—
curtainedparks，thesilencebrokenonlybytheblackbirds’amorouswhistle，thethrushes’invitationtodelight;theoldgardens，hiddenbehindnarrowways。NathanielGeorgeandJanetHelvetiawouldrestuponaseat，nolivingcreaturewithinsight，saveperhapsapassingpolicemanorsomedissipatedcat。JanetHelvetiawouldexpound。NathanielGeorge，hisfineeyesfixedonhers，seemednevertotireofdrinkinginherwisdom。
ThereweretimeswhenJanetHelvetia，toreassureherselfastothemaidenlycorrectnessofherbehaviour，hadtorecallquiteforciblythefactthatshewasthedaughterofSolomonAppleyard，ownerofthebigprintingestablishment;andheasimplegrocer。Oneday，raisedalittleinthesocialscale，thankstoher，NathanielGeorgewouldmarrysomeoneinhisownrankoflife。ReflectinguponthefutureofNathanielGeorge，JanetHelvetiacouldnotescapeashadeofsadness。ItwasdifficulttoimaginepreciselythewifeshewouldhavechosenforNathanielGeorge。Shehopedhewoulddonothingfoolish。Risingyoungmensooftenmarrywivesthathamperratherthanhelpthem。
OneSundaymorninginlateautumn，theywalkedandtalkedintheshadygardenofLincoln’sInn。Greektheythoughtitwastheyhadbeentalking;asamatteroffact，amucholderlanguage。Ayounggardenerwaswateringflowers，andastheypassedhimhegrinned。
Itwasnotanoffensivegrin，ratherasympatheticgrin;butMissAppleyarddidn’tlikebeinggrinnedat。Whatwastheretogrinat？
Herpersonalappearance？somegaucherieinherdress？Impossible。
NoladyinallSt。Dunstanwasevermoreprecise。Sheglancedathercompanion：aclean—looking，well—groomed，well—dressedyouth。
SuddenlyitoccurredtoMissAppleyardthatsheandGrindleyjuniorwereholdingeachother’shand。MissAppleyardwasjustlyindignant。
\"Howdareyou！\"saidMissAppleyard。\"Iamexceedinglyangrywithyou。Howdareyou！\"
Theoliveskinwasscarlet。Thereweretearsinthehazeleyes。
\"Leavemethisminute！\"commandedMissAppleyard。
Insteadofwhich，Grindleyjuniorseizedbothherhands。
\"Iloveyou！Iadoreyou！Iworshipyou！\"pouredforthyoungGrindley，forgetfulofallMissAppleyardhadevertoldhimconcerningthefollyoftautology。
\"Youhadnoright，\"saidMissAppleyard。
\"Icouldn’thelpit，\"pleadedyoungGrindley。\"Andthatisn’ttheworst。\"
MissAppleyardpaledvisibly。Foragrocer’sassistanttodaretofallinlovewithher，especiallyafterallthetroubleshehadtakenwithhim！Whatcouldbeworse？
\"I’mnotagrocer，\"continuedyoungGrindley，deeplyconsciousofcrime。\"Imean，notarealgrocer。\"
AndGrindleyjuniorthenandtheremadeacleanbreastofthewholesad，terribletaleofshamelessdeceit，practisedbythegreatestvillaintheworldhadeverproduced，uponthenoblestandmostbeautifulmaidenthateverturnedgrimLondontownintoafairycityofenchantedways。
NotatfirstcouldMissAppleyardentirelygraspit;nottillhourslater，whenshesataloneinherownroom，where，fortunatelyforhimself，Grindleyjuniorwasnot，didthewholeforceandmeaningofthethingcomehometoher。Itwasalargeroom，takinguphalfofthetopstoryofthebigGeorgianhouseinNevill’sCourt;butevenasitwas，MissAppleyardfeltcramped。
\"Forayear——fornearlyawholeyear，\"saidMissAppleyard，addressingthebustofWilliamShakespeare，\"haveIbeenslavingmylifeout，teachinghimelementaryLatinandthefirstfivebooksofEuclid！\"
Asithasbeenremarked，itwasfortunateforGrindleyjuniorhewasoutofreach。ThebustofWilliamShakespearemaintaineditsirritatingaspectofbenignphilosophy。
\"IsupposeIshould，\"musedMissAppleyard，\"ifhehadtoldmeatfirst——asheoughttohavetoldme——ofcourseIshouldnaturallyhavehadnothingmoretodowithhim。Isuppose，\"musedMissAppleyard，\"amaninlove，ifheisreallyinlove，doesn’tquiteknowwhathe’sdoing。Isupposeoneoughttomakeallowances。
But，oh！whenIthinkofit——\"
AndthenGrindleyjunior’sguardianangelmustsurelyhaveslippedintotheroom，forMissAppleyard，irritatedbeyondenduranceatthephilosophicalindifferenceofthebustofWilliamShakespeare，turnedawayfromit，andasshedidso，caughtsightofherselfinthelooking—glass。MissAppleyardapproachedtheglassalittlenearer。Awoman’shairisneverquiteasitshouldbe。MissAppleyard，standingbeforetheglass，began，sheknewnotwhy，tofindreasonsexcusingGrindleyjunior。Afterall，wasnotforgivenessanexcellentthinginwoman？Noneofusarequiteperfect。TheguardianangelofGrindleyjuniorseizedtheopportunity。
ThateveningSolomonAppleyardsatuprightinhischair，feelingconfused。Sofarashecouldunderstandit，acertainyoungman，agrocer’sassistant，butnotagrocer’sassistant——butthat，ofcourse，wasnothisfault，hisfatherbeinganoldbrute——hadbehavedmostabominably;butnot，onreflection，asbadlyashemighthavedone，andhadactedonthewholeveryhonourably，takingintoconsiderationthefactthatonesupposedhecouldhardlyhelpit。Helvetiawas，ofcourse，veryindignantwithhim，butontheotherhand，didnotquiteseewhatelseshecouldhavedone，shebeingnotatallsurewhethershereallycaredforhimorwhethershedidn’t;thateverythinghadbeenquiteproperandwouldnothavehappenedifshehadknownit;thateverythingwasherfault，exceptmostthings，whichweren’t;butthatofthetwosheblamedherselfentirely，seeingthatshecouldnothaveguessedanythingofthekind。Anddidhe，SolomonAppleyard，thinkthatsheoughttobeveryangryandnevermarryanybodyelse，orwasshejustifiedinoverlookingitandengagingherselftotheonlymanshefeltshecouldeverlove？
\"Youmustn’tthink，Dad，thatImeanttodeceiveyou。Ishouldhavetoldyouatthebeginning——youknowIwould——ifithadn’tallhappenedsosuddenly。\"
\"Letmesee，\"saidSolomonAppleyard，\"didyoutellmehisname，ordidn’tyou？\"
\"Nathaniel，\"saidMissAppleyard。\"Didn’tImentionit？\"
\"Don’thappentoknowhissurname，doyou，\"inquiredherfather。
\"Grindley，\"explainedMissAppleyard——\"thesonofGrindley，theSauceman。\"
MissAppleyardexperiencedoneofthesurprisesofherlife。Neverbeforetoherrecollectionhadherfatherthwartedasinglewishofherlife。Awidowerforthelasttwelveyears，hischiefdelighthadbeentohumourher。Hisvoice，ashepassionatelysworethatneverwithhisconsentshouldhisdaughtermarrythesonofHezekiahGrindley，soundedstrangetoher。Pleadings，eventears，forthefirsttimeinherlifeprovedfruitless。
Herewasaprettykettleoffish！ThatGrindleyjuniorshoulddefyhisownparent，riskpossiblythelossofhisinheritance，hadseemedtobothanotimproperproceeding。WhenNathanielGeorgehadsaidwithfineenthusiasm：\"Lethimkeephismoneyifhewill;
I’llmakemyownway;thereisn’tenoughmoneyintheworldtopayforlosingyou！\"JanetHelvetia，thoughshehadexpresseddisapprovalofsuchunfilialattitude，hadinsecretsympathised。
Butforhertodisregardthewishesofherowndotingfatherwasnottobethoughtof。Whatwastobedone？
PerhapsonePeterHope，residinginGoughSquarehardby，mighthelpyoungfolksinsoredilemmawithwisecounsel。PeterHope，editorandpartproprietorofGoodHumour，onepennyweekly，wasmuchesteemedbySolomonAppleyard，printerandpublisherofaforesaidpaper。
\"Agoodfellow，oldHope，\"Solomonwouldoftenimpressuponhismanagingclerk。\"Don’tworryhimmorethanyoucanhelp;thingswillimprove。Wecantrusthim。\"
PeterHopesatathisdesk，facingMissAppleyard。Grindleyjuniorsatonthecushionedseatbeneaththemiddlewindow。GoodHumour’ssub—editorstoodbeforethefire，herhandsbehindherback。
ThecaseappearedtoPeterHopetobeoneofexceedingdifficulty。
\"Ofcourse，\"explainedMissAppleyard，\"Ishallnevermarrywithoutmyfather’sconsent。\"
PeterHopethoughttheresolutionmostproper。
\"Ontheotherhand，\"continuedMissAppleyard，\"nothingshallinducemetomarryamanIdonotlove。\"MissAppleyardthoughttheprobabilitieswerethatshewouldendbybecomingafemalemissionary。
PeterHope’sexperiencehadledhimtotheconclusionthatyoungpeoplesometimeschangedtheirmind。
TheopinionoftheHouse，clearlythoughsilentlyexpressed，wasthatPeterHope’sexperience，asregardedthisparticularcase，countedfornothing。
\"IshallgostraighttotheGovernor，\"explainedGrindleyjunior，\"andtellhimthatIconsidermyselfengagedforlifetoMissAppleyard。Iknowwhatwillhappen——Iknowthesortofideahehasgotintohishead。Hewilldisownme，andIshallgoofftoAfrica。\"
PeterHopewasunabletoseehowGrindleyjunior’sdisappearanceintothewildsofAfricawasgoingtoassistthematterunderdiscussion。
Grindleyjunior’sviewwasthatthewildsofAfricawouldaffordafittingbackgroundtothepassingawayofablightedexistence。
PeterHopehadasuspicionthatGrindleyjuniorhadforthemomentpartedcompanywiththatsweetreasonablenessthatotherwise，soPeterHopefeltsure，wasGrindleyjunior’sguidingstar。
\"Imeanit，sir，\"reassertedGrindleyjunior。\"Iam——\"Grindleyjuniorwasabouttoadd\"welleducated\";butdiviningthateducationwasatopicnotpleasingatthemomenttotheearsofHelvetiaAppleyard，hadtactenoughtosubstitute\"notafool。I
canearnmyownliving;andIshouldliketogetaway。\"
\"Itseemstome——\"saidthesub—editor。
\"Now，Tommy——ImeanJane，\"warnedherPeterHope。HealwayscalledherJaneincompany，unlesshewasexcited。\"Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay。Iwon’thaveit。\"
\"Iwasonlygoingtosay——\"urgedthesub—editorintoneofonesufferinginjustice。
\"Iquiteknowwhatyouweregoingtosay，\"retortedPeterhotly。
\"Icanseeitbyyourchin。Youaregoingtotaketheirpart——andsuggesttheiractingundutifullytowardstheirparents。\"
\"Iwasn’t，\"returnedthesub—editor。\"Iwasonly——\"
\"Youwere，\"persistedPeter。\"Ioughtnottohaveallowedyoutobepresent。Imighthaveknownyouwouldinterfere。\"
\"——goingtosayweareinwantofsomehelpintheoffice。Youknowweare。AndthatifMr。Grindleywouldbecontentwithasmallsalary——\"
\"Smallsalarybehanged！\"snarledPeter。
\"——therewouldbenoneedforhisgoingtoAfrica。\"
\"Andhowwouldthathelpus？\"demandedPeter。\"Eveniftheboywereso——soheadstrong，sounfilialastodefyhisfather，whohasworkedforhimalltheseyears，howwouldthatremovetheobstacleofMr。Appleyard’srefusal？\"
\"Why，don’tyousee——\"explainedthesub—editor。
\"No，Idon’t，\"snappedPeter。
\"If，onhisdeclaringtohisfatherthatnothingwilleverinducehimtomarryanyotherwomanbutMissAppleyard，hisfatherdisownshim，ashethinksitlikely——\"
\"Adeadcert！\"wasGrindleyjunior’sconviction。
\"Verywell;heisnolongeroldGrindley’sson，andwhatpossibleobjectioncanMr。Appleyardhavetohimthen？\"
PeterHopearoseandexpoundedatlengthandinsuitablelanguagethefollyanduselessnessofthescheme。
ButwhatchancehadeverthewisdomofAgeagainsttheenthusiasmofYouth，reachingforitsobject。PoorPeter，expostulating，wassweptintotheconspiracy。GrindleyjuniorthenextmorningstoodbeforehisfatherintheprivateofficeinHighHolborn。
\"Iamsorry，sir，\"saidGrindleyjunior，\"ifIhaveprovedadisappointmenttoyou。\"
\"Damnyoursympathy！\"saidGrindleysenior。\"Keepittillyouareaskedforit。\"
\"Ihopewepartfriends，sir，\"saidGrindleyjunior，holdingouthishand。
\"Whydoyouirateme？\"askedGrindleysenior。\"Ihavethoughtofnothingbutyouthesefive—and—twentyyears。\"
\"Idon’t，sir，\"answeredGrindleyjunior。\"Ican’tsayIloveyou。
Itdidnotseemtomeyou——youwantedit。ButIlikeyou，sir，andIrespectyou。And——andI’msorrytohavetohurtyou，sir。\"
\"Andyouaredeterminedtogiveupallyourprospects，allthemoney，forthesakeofthis——thisgirl？\"
\"Itdoesn’tseemlikegivingupanything，sir，\"repliedGrindleyjunior，simply。
\"Itisn’tsomuchasIthoughtitwasgoingtobe，\"saidtheoldman，afterapause。\"Perhapsitisforthebest。Imighthavebeenmoreobstinateifthingshadbeengoingallright。TheLordhaschastenedme。\"
\"Isn’tthebusinessdoingwell，Dad？\"askedtheyoungman，withsorrowinhisvoice。
\"What’sitgottodowithyou？\"snappedhisfather。\"You’vecutyourselfadriftfromit。YouleavemenowIamgoingdown。\"
Grindleyjunior，notknowingwhattosay，puthisarmsroundthelittleoldman。
AndinthiswayTommy’sbrilliantschemefellthroughandcametonaught。Instead，oldGrindleyvisitedonceagainthebighouseinNevill’sCourt，andremainedlongclosetedwitholdSolomonintheofficeonthesecondfloor。ItwaslateintheeveningwhenSolomonopenedthedoorandcalledupstairstoJanetHelvetiatocomedown。
\"Iusedtoknowyoulongago，\"saidHezekiahGrindley，rising。
\"Youwerequitealittlegirlthen。\"
Later，thetroublesomeSaucedisappearedentirely，cutoutbynewerflavours。Grindleyjuniorstudiedtheprintingbusiness。ItalmostseemedasifoldAppleyardhadbeenwaitingbutforthis。
Somesixmonthslatertheyfoundhimdeadinhiscounting—house。
GrindleyjuniorbecametheprinterandpublisherofGoodHumour。
STORYTHEFOURTH：MissRamsbothamgivesherServicesToregardMissRamsbothamasamarriageablequantitywouldhaveoccurredtofewmen。EndowedbyNaturewitheveryfemininequalitycalculatedtoinspireliking，shehad，ontheotherhand，beendisinheritedofeveryattributecalculatedtoexcitepassion。Anuglywomanhasforsomemenanattraction;theproofiseverpresenttooureyes。MissRamsbothamwasplainbutpleasantlooking。Large，healthyinmindandbody，capable，self—reliant，andcheerful，blessedwithahappydispositiontogetherwithakeensenseofhumour，therewasaboutherabsolutelynothingfortendernesstolayholdof。Anidealwife，shewasanimpossiblesweetheart。Everymanwasherfriend。Thesuggestionthatanymancouldbeherloversheherselfwouldhavegreetedwithaclear，ringinglaugh。
Notthatsheheldloveindespite;forsuchfollyshewaspossessedoffartoomuchsoundsense。\"Tohavesomebodyinlovewithyou——
somebodystrongandgood，\"soshewouldconfesstoherfewcloseintimates，adreamyexpressioncloudingforaninstantherbroad，sunnyface，\"why，itmustbejustlovely！\"ForMissRamsbothamwaspronetoAmericanphraseology，andhadevenbeenatsomepains，duringasixmonths’journeythroughtheStates（whithershehadbeencommissionedbyaconscientioustradejournalseekingreliableinformationconcerningtheconditionoffemaletextileworkers）toacquireaslightbutdecidedAmericanaccent。Itwasheroneaffectation，butassumed，asonemightfeelcertain，forapracticalandlegitimateobject。
\"Youcanhavenoconception，\"shewouldexplain，laughing，\"whatahelpIfindit。’I’m’Muriken’isthe’CivisRomanussum’ofthemodernwoman’sworld。Itopenseverydoortous。IfIringthebellandsay，’Oh，ifyouplease，IhavecometointerviewMr。So—
and—Soforsuch—and—suchapaper，’thefootmanlooksthroughmeattheoppositesideofthestreet，andtellsmetowaitinthehallwhileheinquiresifMr。So—and—Sowillseemeornot。ButifI
say，’That’smykeerd，youngman。YoutellyourmasterMissRamsbothamiswaitingforhimintheshowroom，andwilltakeitrealkindifhe’lljustbustlehimself，’thepoorfellowwalksbackwardstillhestumblesagainstthebottomstair，andmygentlemancomesdownwithprofuseapologiesforhavingkeptmewaitingthreeminutesandahalf。
\"’Andtobeinlovewithsomeone，\"shewouldcontinue，\"someonegreatthatonecouldlookuptoandhonourandworship——someonethatwouldfillone’swholelife，makeitbeautiful，makeeverydayworthliving，Ithinkthatwouldbebetterstill。Toworkmerelyforone’sself，tothinkmerelyforone’sself，itissomuchlessinteresting。\"
Then，atsomesuchpointoftheargument，MissRamsbothamwouldjumpupfromherchairandshakeherselfindignantly。
\"Why，whatnonsenseI’mtalking，\"shewouldtellherself，andherlisteners。\"Imakeaveryfairincome，haveahostoffriends，andenjoyeveryhourofmylife。Ishouldliketohavebeenprettyorhandsome，ofcourse;butnoonecanhaveallthegoodthingsofthisworld，andIhavemybrains。Atonetime，perhaps，yes;butnow——no，honestlyIwouldnotchangemyself。\"
MissRamsbothamwassorrythatnomanhadeverfalleninlovewithher，butthatshecouldunderstand。
\"Itisquitecleartome。\"Soshehadonceunburdenedherselftoherbosomfriend。\"Manforthepurposesoftheracehasbeengiventwokindsoflove，betweenwhich，accordingtohisopportunitiesandtemperament，heisfreetochoose：hecanfalldownuponhiskneesandadorephysicalbeauty（forNatureignoresentirelyourmentalside），orhecantakedelightincirclingwithhisprotectingarmtheweakandhelpless。Now，Imakenoappealtoeitherinstinct。Ipossessneitherthecharmnorbeautytoattract——\"
\"Beauty，\"remindedherthebosomfriend，consolingly，\"dwellsinthebeholder’seye。\"
\"Mydear，\"cheerfullyrepliedMissRamsbotham，\"itwouldhavetobeaneyeoftherangeandcapacitySamWellerfranklyowneduptonotpossessing——apatentdouble—millionmagnifying，capableofseeingthroughadealboardandroundthecornersortofeye——todetectanybeautyinme。AndIammuchtoobigandsensibleforanymannotafoolevertothinkofwantingtotakecareofme。
\"Ibelieve，\"rememberedMissRamsbotham，\"ifitdoesnotsoundlikeidleboasting，Imighthavehadahusband，ofakind，ifFatehadnotcompelledmetosavehislife。ImethimoneyearatHuyst，asmall，quietwatering—placeontheDutchcoast。Hewouldwalkalwayshalfastepbehindme，regardingmeoutofthecornerofhiseyequiteapprovinglyattimes。Hewasawidower——agoodlittleman，devotedtohisthreecharmingchildren。Theytookanimmensefancytome，andIreallythinkIcouldhavegotonwithhim。Iamveryadaptable，asyouknow。Butitwasnottobe。Hegotoutofhisdepthonemorning，andunfortunatelytherewasnoonewithindistancebutmyselfwhocouldswim。Iknewwhattheresultwouldbe。YourememberLabiche’scomedy，LesVoyagedeMonsieurPerrichon？Ofcourse，everymanhateshavinghadhislifesaved，afteritisover;andyoucanimaginehowhemusthatehavingitsavedbyawoman。ButwhatwasItodo？Ineithercasehewouldbelosttome，whetherIlethimdrownorwhetherIrescuedhim。
So，asitreallymadenodifference，Irescuedhim。Hewasverygrateful，andleftthenextmorning。
\"Itismydestiny。Nomanhaseverfalleninlovewithme，andnomaneverwill。IusedtoworrymyselfaboutitwhenIwasyounger。
AsachildIhuggedtomybosomforyearsanobservationIhadoverheardanauntofminewhispertomymotheroneafternoonastheysatknittingandtalking，notthinkingIwaslistening。’Younevercantell，’murmuredmyaunt，keepinghereyescarefullyfixeduponherneedles;’childrenchangeso。Ihaveknowntheplainestgirlsgrowupintoquitebeautifulwomen。IshouldnotworryaboutitifIwereyou——notyetawhile。’Mymotherwasnotatallabad—
lookingwoman，andmyfatherwasdecidedlyhandsome;sothereseemednoreasonwhyIshouldnothope。IpicturedmyselftheuglyducklingofAndersen’sfairy—tale，andeverymorningonwakingI
wouldrunstraighttomyglassandtrytopersuademyselfthatthefeathersoftheswanwerebeginningatlasttoshowthemselves。\"
MissRamsbothamlaughed，agenuinelaughofamusement，forofself—
pitynotatracewasnowremainingtoher。
\"LaterIpluckedhopeagain，\"continuedMissRamsbothamherconfession，\"fromthereadingofacertainschooloffictionmorepopulartwentyyearsagothannow。Intheseromancestheheroinewasneverwhatyouwouldcallbeautiful，unlessincommonwiththeheroyouhappenedtopossessexceptionalpowersofobservation。
Butshewasbetterthanthat，shewasgood。IdonotregardastimewastedthehoursIspentstudyingthisquaintliterature。Ithelpedme，Iamsure，toformhabitsthathavesincebeenofservicetome。Imadeapoint，whenanyyoungmanvisitorhappenedtobestayingwithus，ofrisingexceptionallyearlyinthemorning，sothatIalwaysappearedatthebreakfast—tablefresh，cheerful，andcarefullydressed，with，whenpossible，adew—
besprinkledflowerinmyhairtoprovethatIhadalreadybeenoutinthegarden。Theeffort，asfarastheyoungmanvisitorwasconcerned，wasalwaysthrownaway;asageneralrule，hecamedownlatehimself，andgenerallytoodrowsytonoticeanythingmuch。
Butitwasexcellentpracticeforme。Iwakenowatseveno’clockasamatterofcourse，whatevertimeIgotobed。Imademyowndressesandmostofourcakes，andtookcaretoleteverybodyknowit。ThoughIsayitwhoshouldnot，Iplayandsingratherwell。
Icertainlywasneverafool。Ihadnolittlebrothersandsisterstowhomtobeexceptionallydevoted，butIhadmycousinsaboutthehouseasmuchaspossible，anddamagedtheircharacters，ifanything，byover—indulgence。Mydear，itnevercaughtevenacurate！Iamnotoneofthosewomentorundownmen;Ithinkthemdelightfulcreatures，andinageneralwayIfindthemveryintelligent。Butwheretheirheartsareconcerneditisthegirlwiththefrizzyhair，whowantstwopeopletohelpheroverthestile，thatistheirideaofanangel。Nomancouldfallinlovewithme;hecouldn’tifhetried。ThatIcanunderstand;but\"——
MissRamsbothamsunkhervoicetoamoreconfidentialtone——\"whatI
cannotunderstandisthatIhaveneverfalleninlovewithanyman，becauseIlikethemall。\"
\"Youhavegiventheexplanationyourself，\"suggestedthebosomfriend——oneSusanFossett，the\"AuntEmma\"ofTheLadies’Journal，anicewoman，buttalkative。\"Youaretoosensible。\"
MissRamsbothamshookherhead，\"Ishouldjustlovetofallinlove。WhenIthinkaboutit，Ifeelquiteashamedofmyselffornothavingdoneso。\"
Whetheritwasthisidea，namely，thatitwasherduty，orwhetheritwasthatpassioncametoher，unsought，somewhatlateinlife，andthereforeallthestronger，sheherselfwouldperhapshavebeenunabletodeclare。Certainonlyitisthatatoverthirtyyearsofagethisclever，sensible，clear—seeingwomanfelltosighingandblushing，startingandstammeringatthesoundingofaname，asthoughforalltheworldshehadbeenalove—sickgirlinherteens。
SusanFossett，herbosomfriend，broughtthestrangetidingstoBohemiaonefoggyNovemberafternoon，heropportunitybeingatea—
partygivenbyPeterHopetocommemoratethebirthdayofhisadopteddaughterandsub—editor，JaneHelen，commonlycalledTommy。
TheactualdateofTommy’sbirthdaywasknownonlytothegods;butoutoftheLondonmisttowifeless，childlessPetershehadcometheeveningofacertainNovembertheeighteenth，andthereforebyPeterandhisfriendsNovembertheeighteenthhadbeenmarkeduponthecalendarasadayonwhichtheyshouldrejoicetogether。
\"Itisboundtoleakoutsoonerorlater，\"SusanFossettwasconvinced，\"soImayaswelltellyou：thatgabyMaryRamsbothamhasgotherselfengaged。\"
\"Nonsense！\"wasPeterHope’sinvoluntaryejaculation。
\"PreciselywhatImeantotellhertheverynexttimeIseeher，\"
addedSusan。
\"Whoto？\"demandedTommy。
\"Youmean’towhom。’Thepreepositiongovernstheobjectivecase，\"
correctedherJamesDouglasMcTear，commonlycalled\"TheWeeLaddie，\"whohimselfwroteEnglishbetterthanhespokeit。
\"Imeant’towhom，’\"explainedTommy。
\"Yedidnasayit，\"persistedtheWeeLaddie。
\"Idon’tknowtowhom，\"repliedMissRamsbotham’sbosomfriend，sippingteaandbreathingindignation。\"Tosomethingidioticandincongruousthatwillmakeherlifeamiserytoher。\"
Somerville，thebriefless，heldthatintheabsenceofalldatasuchconclusionwasunjustifiable。
\"Ifithadbeentoanythingsensible，\"wasMissFossett’sopinion，\"shewouldnothavekeptmeinthedarkaboutit，tospringituponmelikeabombshell。I’veneverhadsomuchasahintfromheruntilIreceivedthisabsurdscrawlanhourago。\"
MissFossettproducedfromherbagaletterwritteninpencil。
\"Therecanbenoharminyourhearingit，\"wasMissFossett’sexcuse;\"itwillgiveyouanideaofthestateofthepoorthing’smind。\"
Thetea—drinkerslefttheircupsandgatheredroundher。\"DearSusan，\"readMissFossett，\"Ishallnotbeabletobewithyouto—
morrow。Pleasegetmeoutofitnicely。Ican’trememberatthemomentwhatitis。You’llbesurprisedtohearthatI’mENGAGED——
tobemarried，Imean，IcanhardlyREALISEit。IhardlyseemtoknowwhereIam。HavejustmadeupmymindtorundowntoYorkshireandseegrandmamma。ImustdoSOMETHING。ImustTALKtoSOMEBODYand——forgiveme，dear——butyouAREsosensible，andjustnow——wellIdon’tFEELsensible。WilltellyouallaboutitwhenI
seeyou——nextweek，perhaps。YoumustTRYtolikehim。HeisSO
handsomeandREALLYclever——inhisownway。Don’tscoldme。I
neverthoughtitpossiblethatANYONEcouldbesohappy。It’squiteadifferentsortofhappinesstoANYothersortofhappiness。
