Whynot？resumedtheindignantmanager。NeitherDr。Middletonnoranydoctoruponearthshalltreatmewithinjustice。This，yousee，isastrokeatmeandmyparty，andIwon’tbearit。
Oh，youaremistaken！saidDeGrey，whowastheonlyonewhodaredtoopposereasontotheangryorator。Itcannotbeastrokeaimedat’youandyourparty，’forhedoesnotknowthatyouHAVEaparty。
I’llmakehimknowit，andI’llmakeYOUknowit，too，saidArcher。
BeforeIcamehereyoureignedalone，nowyourreignisover，Mr。DeGrey。Remembermymajoritythismorning，andyourtheatrelastnight。
Hehasrememberedit，saidFisher。Yousee，themomenthewasnottobeourmanager，weweretohavenotheatre，noplayhouse，noplays。Wemustallsitdownwithourhandsbeforeus——allfor’GOODREASONS’ofDr。
Middleton’s，whichhedoesnotvouchsafetotellus。
Iwon’tbegovernedbyanyman’sreasonsthathewon’ttellme，criedArcher。Hecannothavegoodreasons，orwhynottellthem？
Nonsense！saidDeGrey。WESHALLNOTSUSPECTHIMOFCAPRICE！
Whynot？
Becausewewhoknowhim，haveneverknownhimcapricious。
Perhapsnot。_I_knownothingabouthim，saidArcher。
No，saidDeGrey。forthatveryreason_I_speakwhodoknowhim。
Don’tbeinapassion，Archer。
Iwillbeinapassion。Iwon’tsubmittotyranny。Iwon’tbemadeafoolofbyafewsoftwords。Youdon’tknowme，DeGrey。I’llgothroughwithwhatI’vebegun。Iammanager，andIwillbemanager。andyoushallseemytheatrefinishedinspiteofyou，andMYpartytriumphant。
Party，repeatedDeGrey。Icannotimaginewhatisintheword’party’
thatseemstodriveyoumad。Weneverheardofpartiestillyoucameamongstus。
No。beforeIcame，Isay，nobodydaredopposeyou。butIdare。andI
tellyoutoyourface，takecareofme——awarmfriendandabitterenemyismymotto。
Iamnotyourenemy！Ibelieveyouareoutofyoursenses，Archer！
saidhe，laughing。
Outofmysenses！No。youaremyenemy！Areyounotmyrival？Didnotyouwinthepremium？Didnotyouwanttobemanager？Answerme，arenotyou，inoneword，aGreybeard？
YoucalledmeaGreybeard，butmynameisDeGrey，saidhe，stilllaughing。
Laughon！criedtheother，furiously。Come，ARCHERS，followme。WE
shalllaughby-and-by，Ipromiseyou。AtthedoorArcherwasstoppedbyMr。Chip。Oh，Mr。Chip，Iamorderedtodischargeyou。
Yes，sir。andhere’salittlebill——
Bill，Mr。Chip！why，youhavenotbeenatworkfortwohours！
Notmuchover，sir。butifyou’llpleasetolookintoit，you’llsee’tisforafewthingsyouordered。Thestuffisalllaidoutanddelivered。Thepaperandthefestoon-borderingforthedrawingroomsceneiscutout，andleftyAnderwithin。
YAnder，within！Iwishyouhadnotbeeninsuchaconfoundedhurry——
six-and-twentyshillings！criedhe。butIcan’tstaytotalkaboutitnow。I’lltellyou，Mr。Chip，saidArcher，loweringhisvoice，whatyoumustdoforme，mygoodfellow。
Then，drawingMr。Chipaside，hebeggedhimtopulldownsomeofthewoodworkwhichhadbeenputup，andtocutitintoacertainnumberofwoodenbars，ofwhichhegavehimthedimensions，withorderstoplacethemall，whenready，underahaystack，whichhepointedout。
Mr。Chipscrupledandhesitated，andbegantotalkofTHEDOCTOR。
Archerimmediatelybegantotalkofthebill，andthrowingdownaguineaandahalf，theconscientiouscarpenterpocketedthemoneydirectly，andmadehisbow。
Well，MasterArcher，saidhe，there’snorefusingyounothing。Youhavesuchawayoftalkingoneoutofit。Youmanagemejustlikeachild。
Ay，ay！saidArcher，knowingthathehadbeencheated，andyetproudofmanagingacarpenter，ay，ay！Iknowthewaytomanageeverybody。Letthethingsbereadyinanhour’stime，andhark’e！leaveyourtoolsbymistakebehindyou，andathousandoftwenty-pennynails。Asknoquestions，andkeepyourowncounsellikeawiseman。Offwithyou，andtakecareof’THEDOCTOR。’
Archers，Archers，totheArchers’tree！Followyourleader，criedhe，soundinghiswellknownwhistleasasignal。Hisfollowersgatheredroundhim，andhe，raisinghimselfuponthemountatthefootofthetree，countedhisnumbers，andthen，inavoicelowerthanusual，addressedthemthus：——Myfriends，isthereaGreybeardamongstus？Ifthereis，lethimwalkoffatonce，hehasmyfreeleave。Noonestirred。ThenweareallArchers，andwewillstandbyoneanother。
Joinhands，myfriends。Theyalljoinedhands。Promisemenottobetrayme，andIwillgoon。Iasknosecuritybutyourhonour。TheyallgavetheirhonourtobesecretandFAITHFUL，ashecalledit，andhewenton。Didyoueverhearofsuchathingasa’BARRINGOUT，’myfriends？Theyhadheardofsuchathing，buttheyhadonlyheardofit。
ArchergavethehistoryofaBarringOut，inwhichhehadbeenconcernedathisschool，inwhichtheboysstoodoutagainstthemaster，andgainedtheirpointatlast，whichwasaweek’smoreholidaysatEaster。*ButifWEshouldnotsucceed，saidthey，Dr。Middletonissosteady。henevergoesbackfromwhathehassaid。
Didyouevertrytopushhimback？Letusbesteadyandhe’lltremble。
Tyrantsalwaystremblewhen——
Oh，interruptedanumberofvoices。butheisnotatyrant——ishe？
Allschoolmastersaretyrants——arenotthey？repliedArcher。andisnotheaschoolmaster？
Tothislogictherewasnoanswer。but，stillreluctant，theyasked，WhattheyshouldGETbyaBarringOut？
Get！——everything！——whatwewant！——whichiseverythingtoladsofspirit——
victoryandliberty！Barhimouttillherepealshistyrannicallaw。
tillheletsusintoourowntheatreagain，ortillhetellsushis’GOOD
REASONS’againstit。
Butperhapshehasreasonsfornottellingus。
Impossible！criedArcher，that’sthewaywearealwaystobegovernedbyamaninawig，whosayshehasgoodreasons，andcan’ttellthem。
Areyoufools？Go！gobacktoDeGrey！IseeyouareallGreybeards。
Go！Whogoesfirst？NobodywouldgoFIRST。Iwillhavenothingtodowithye，ifyeareresolvedtobeslaves！Wewon’tbeslaves！theyallexclaimedatonce。Then，saidArcher，standoutintherightandbefree。
*[ThiscustomofBARRINGOUTwasverygeneralespeciallyinthenorthernpartsofEnglandduringthe17thand18thcenturies，andithasbeenfullydescribedbyBrandandotherantiquarianwriters。
Dr。JohnsonmentionsthatAddison，whileunderthetuitionofMr。Shaw，masteroftheLichfieldGrammarSchool，led，andsuccessfullyconducted，aplanforBARRINGOUThismaster。Adisorderlyprivilege，saysthedoctor，which，inhistime，prevailedintheprincipalseminariesofeducation。
IntheGentleman’sMagazineof1828，Dr。P。A。Nuttall，underthesignatureofII。A。N。，hasgivenaspiritedsketchofaBARRINGOUTattheOrmskirkGrammarSchool，whichhassincebeenrepublishedatlengththoughwithoutacknowledgment，bySirHenryEllis，inBohn’srecenteditionofBrand’sPopularAntiquities。Thisoperationtookplaceearlyinthepresentcentury，andisinterestingfromitsbeing，perhaps，thelastattemptonrecord，andalsofromthecircumstanceofthewriterhimselfhavingbeenoneofthejuvenileleadersinthedaringadventure，quorumparsmagnafuit，——Ed。]
THERIGHT。ItwouldhavetakenuptoomuchtimetoexaminewhatTHE
RIGHTwas。ArcherwasalwayssurethatTHERIGHTwaswhathispartychosetodo。thatis，whathechosetodohimself。andsuchistheinfluenceofnumbersuponeachother，inconqueringthefeelingsofshameandinconfusingthepowersofreasoning，thatinafewminutestherightwasforgotten，andeachsaidtohimself，Tobesure，Archerisaverycleverboy，andhecan’tbemistaken。or，tobesure，Townsendthinksso，andhewouldnotdoanythingtogetusintoascrape。or，tobesure，everybodywillagreetothisbutmyself，andIcan’tstandoutalone，tobepointedatasaGreybeardandaslave。Everybodythinksitisright，andeverybodycan’tbewrong。
Bysomeofthesearguments，whichpassedrapidlythroughthemindwithouthisbeingconsciousofthem，eachboydecided，anddeceivedhimself——whatnonewouldhavedonealone，nonescrupledtodoasaparty。Itwasdetermined，then，thatthereshouldbeaBarringOut。Thearrangementoftheaffairwaslefttotheirnewmanager，towhomtheyallpledgedimplicitobedience。Obedience，itseems，isnecessary，evenfromrebelstotheirringleaders。notreasonable，butimplicitobedience。
ScarcelyhadtheassemblyadjournedtotheBall-alley，whenFisher，withanimportantlengthofface，cameuptothemanager，anddesiredtospeakonewordtohim。Myadvicetoyou，Archer，is，todonothinginthistillwehaveconsulted，YOUKNOWWHO，aboutwhetherit’srightorwrong。
’YOUKNOWWHO！’Whomdoyoumean？Makehaste，anddon’tmakesomanyfaces，forI’minahurry。Whois’YOUKNOWWHO？’
Theoldwoman，saidFisher，gravely。thegipsy。
Youmayconsulttheoldwoman，saidArcher，burstingouta-laughing，aboutwhat’srightandwrong，ifyouplease。butnooldwomanshalldecideforme。
No。butyoudon’tTAKEme，saidFisher。youdon’tTAKEme。Byrightandwrong，Imeanluckyandunlucky。
Whatever_I_dowillbelucky，repliedArcher。Mygipsytoldyouthatalready。
Iknow，Iknow，saidFisher，andwhatshesaidaboutyourfriendsbeinglucky——thatwentagreatwaywithmany，addedhe，withasagaciousnodofhishead。IcantellyouTHAT——morethanyouthink。Doyouknow，saidhe，layingholdofArcher’sbutton，I’minthesecret。
Therearenineofushavecrookedourlittlefingersuponit，nottostirasteptillwegetheradvice。andshehasappointedmetomeetheraboutparticularbusinessofmyownateight。SoI’mtoconsultherandtobringheranswer。
Archerknewtoowellhowtogovernfools，toattempttoreasonwiththem。
and，insteadoflaughinganylongeratFisher’sridiculoussuperstition，hewasdeterminedtotakeadvantageofit。Heaffectedtobepersuadedofthewisdomofthemeasure。lookedathiswatch。urgedhimtobeexacttoamoment。conjuredhimtorememberexactlythewordsoftheoracle。
and，aboveallthings，todemandtheluckyhourandminutewhentheBarringOutshouldbegin。WiththeseinstructionsArcherputhiswatchintothesolemndupe’shand，andlefthimtocounttheseconds，tillthemomentofhisappointment，whilstheranoffhimselftopreparetheoracle。
Atalittlegatewhichlookedintoalane，throughwhichheguessedthatthegipsymustpass，hestationedhimself，sawher，gaveherhalfacrownandherinstructions，madehisescape，andgotbackunsuspectedtoFisher，whomhefoundintheattitudeinwhichhehadlefthim，watchingthemotionoftheminutehand。
Proudofhissecretcommission，Fisherslouchedhishat，heknewnotwhy，overhisface，andproceededtowardstheappointedspot。Tokeep，ashehadbeenchargedbyArcher，withintheletterofthelaw，hestoodBEHIND
theforbiddenbuilding，andwaitedsomeminutes。
Throughagapinthehedgetheoldwomanatlengthmadeherappearance，muffledup，andlookingcautiouslyabouther。There’snobodynearus！
saidFisher，andhebegantobealittleafraid。Whatanswer，saidhe，recollectinghimself，aboutmyLivy？
Lost！lost！lost！saidthegipsy，liftingupherhands。never，never，nevertobefound！Butnomatterforthatnow。thatisnotyourerrandto-night。notrickswithme。speaktomeofwhatisnextyourheart。
Fisher，astonished，puthishanduponhisheart，toldherallthatsheknewbefore，andreceivedtheanswersthatArcherhaddictated：ThattheArchersshouldbeluckyaslongastheystucktotheirmanager，andtooneanother。thattheBarringOutshouldendinwoe，ifnotbegunpreciselyastheclockshouldstrikenineonWednesdaynight。butifbeguninthatLUCKYmoment，andallobedienttotheirLUCKYleader，allshouldendwell。
Athought，aprovidentthought，nowstruckFisher。forevenhehadsomeforesightwherehisfavouritepassionwasconcerned。Pray，inourBarringOutshallwebestarved？
No，saidthegipsy，notifyoutrusttomeforfood，andifyougivememoneyenough。Silverwon’tdoforsomany。goldiswhatmustcrossmyhand。
Ihavenogold，saidFisher，andIdon’tknowwhatyoumeanby’somany。’I’monlytalkingofnumberone，youknow。Imusttakecareofthatfirst。
So，asFisherthoughtitwaspossiblethatArcher，cleverashewas，mightbedisappointedinhissupplies，hedeterminedtotakesecretmeasuresforhimself。HisAuntBarbara’sinterdictionhadshuthimoutoftheconfectioner’sshop。butheflatteredhimselfthathecouldoutwithisaunt。hethereforebeggedthegipsytoprocurehimtwelvebunsbyThursdaymorning，andbringthemsecretlytooneofthewindowsoftheschoolroom。
AsFisherdidnotproduceanymoneywhenhemadethisproposal，itwasatfirstabsolutelyrejected。butabribeatlengthconqueredhisdifficulties。andthebribewhichFisherfoundhimselfobligedtogive——
forhehadnopocketmoneyleftofhisown，hebeingasmuchRESTRICTED
inthatarticleasArcherwasINDULGED——thebribethathefoundhimselfobligedtogivetoquietthegipsywashalfacrown，whichArcherhadintrustedtohimtobuycandlesforthetheatre。Oh，thoughthetohimself。Archer’ssocarelessaboutmoney，hewillneverthinkofaskingmeforthehalf-crownagain。andnowhe’llwantnocandlesfortheTHEATRE。or，atanyrate，itwillbesometimefirst。andmaybe，AuntBarbaramaybegottogivemethatmuchatChristmas。then，iftheworstcomestotheworst，onecanpayArcher。Mymouthwatersforthebuns，andhave’emImustnow。
So，forthehopeoftwelvebuns，hesacrificedthemoneywhichhadbeenintrustedtohim。Thusthemeanestmotives，inmeanmindsoftenprompttothecommissionofthosegreatfaults，towhichoneshouldthinknothingbutsomeviolentpassioncouldhavetempted。
Theambassadorhavingthus，inhisopinion，concludedhisownandthepublicbusiness，returnedwellsatisfiedwiththeresult，afterreceivingthegipsy’sreiteratedpromisetotapTHREETIMESatthewindowonThursdaymorning。
ThedayappointedfortheBarringOutatlengtharrived。andArcher，assemblingtheconfederates，informedthem，thatallwaspreparedforcarryingtheirdesignintoexecution。thathenowdependedforsuccessupontheirpunctualityandcourage。Hehad，withinthelasttwohours，gotalltheirbarsreadytofastenthedoorsandwindowshuttersoftheschoolroom。hehad，withtheassistanceoftwoofthedayscholarswhowereoftheparty，sentintothetownforprovisions，athisownexpense，whichwouldmakeahandsomesupperforthatnight。hehadalsonegotiatedwithsomecousinsofhis，wholivedinthetown，foraconstantsupplyinfuture。Blessme，exclaimedArcher，suddenlystoppinginthisnarrationofhisservices，there’sonething，afterall，I’veforgot，weshallbeundonewithoutit。Fisher，praydidyoueverbuythecandlesfortheplayhouse？
No，tobesure，repliedFisher，extremelyfrightened。youknowyoudon’twantcandlesfortheplayhousenow。
Notfortheplayhouse，butfortheBarringOut。Weshallbeinthedark，man。Youmustrunthisminute，run。
Forcandles？saidFisher，confused。howmany？——whatsort？
Stupidity！exclaimedArcher，youareaprettyfellowatadeadlift！
Lendmeapencilandabitofpaper，do。I’llwritedownwhatIwantmyself！Well，whatareyoufumblingfor？
Formoney！saidFisher，colouring。
Money，man！Didn’tIgiveyouhalfacrowntheotherday？
Yes，repliedFisher，stammering。butIwasn’tsurethatthatmightbeenough。
Enough！yes，tobesureitwill。Idon’tknowwhatyouareAT。
Nothing，nothing，saidFisher，here，writeuponthis，then，saidFisher，puttingapieceofpaperintoArcher’shand，uponwhichArcherwrotehisorders。Away，away！criedhe。
AwaywentFisher。Hereturned。butnotuntilaconsiderabletimeafterwards。Theywereatsupperwhenhereturned。Fisheralwayscomesinatsupper-time，observedoneoftheGreybeards，carelessly。
Well，andwouldyouhavehimcomeinAFTERsupper-time？saidTownsend，whoalwayssuppliedhispartywithreadywit。
I’vegotthecandles，whisperedFisherashepassedbyArchertohisplace。
Andthetinder-box？saidArcher。
Yes。IgotbackfrommyAuntBarbaraunderpretencethatImuststudyforrepetitiondayanhourlaterto-night。SoIgotleave。Wasnotthatclever？
AduncealwaysthinksitclevertocheatevenbySOBERLIES。HowMr。
Fisherprocuredthecandlesandthetinderboxwithoutmoney，andwithoutcredit，weshalldiscoverfurtheron。
Archerandhisassociateshadagreedtostaythelastintheschoolroom。
andassoonastheGreybeardsweregoneouttobed，he，asthesignal，wastoshutandlockonedoor，Townsendtheother。Athirdconspiratorwastostrikealight，incasetheyshouldnotbeabletosecureacandle。Afourthwastotakechargeofthecandleassoonaslighted。
andalltherestweretoruntotheirbars，whichweresecretedinaroom。thentofixthemtothecommonfasteningbarsofthewindow，inthemannerinwhichtheyhadbeenpreviouslyinstructedbythemanager。Thuseachhadhispartassigned，andeachwaswarnedthatthesuccessofthewholedependedupontheirorderandpunctuality。
Orderandpunctuality，itappears，arenecessaryeveninaBarringOut。
andevenrebellionmusthaveitslaws。
Thelongexpectedmomentatlengtharrived。DeGreyandhisfriends，unconsciousofwhatwasgoingforward，walkedoutoftheschoolroomasusualatbedtime。Theclockbegantostrikenine。TherewasoneGreybeardleftintheroom，whowaspackingupsomeofhisbooks，whichhadbeenleftaboutbyaccident。Itisimpossibletodescribetheimpatiencewithwhichhewaswatched，especiallybyFisher，andtheninewhodependeduponthegipsyoracle。
Whenhehadgotallhisbookstogetherunderhisarm，heletoneofthemfall。andwhilsthestoopedtopickitup，Archergavethesignal。Thedoorswereshut，locked，anddouble-lockedinaninstant。Alightwasstruckandeachrantohispost。Thebarswereallinthesamemomentputuptothewindows，andArcher，whenhehadtriedthemall，andseenthattheyweresecure，gavealoudHuzza！——inwhichhewasjoinedbyallthepartymostmanfully——byallbutthepoorGreybeard，who，thepictureofastonishment，stoodstockstillinthemidstofthemwithhisbooksunderhisarm。atwhichspectacleTownsend，whoenjoyedtheFROLIC
ofthefraymorethananythingelse，burstintoanimmoderatefitoflaughter。So，mylittleGreybeard，saidhe，holdingacandlefullinhiseyes，whatthinkyouofallthis？——Howcameyouamongstthewickedones？
Idon’tknow，indeed，saidthelittleboy，verygravely：youshutmeupamongstyou。Won’tyouletmeout？
Letyouout！No，no，mylittleGreybeard，saidArcher，catchingholdofhim，anddragginghimtothewindowbars。Lookyehere——touchthese——
putyourhandtothem——pull，push，kick——putalittlespiritintoit，man——kicklikeanArcher，ifyoucan。awaywithye。It’sapitythatthekingoftheGreybeardsisnotheretoadmireme。Ishouldliketoshowhimourfortifications。Butcome，mymerrymenall，nowtothefeast。
Outwiththetableintothemiddleoftheroom。Goodcheer，myjollyArchers！I’myourmanager！
Townsend，delightedwiththebustle，rubbedhishands，andcaperedabouttheroom，whilstthepreparationsforthefeastwerehurriedforward。
Fourcandles！——Fourcandlesonthetable。Let’shavethingsinstylewhenweareaboutit，Mr。Manager，criedTownsend。Places！——Places！
There’snothinglikeafairscramble，myboys。Leteveryonetakecareofhimself。Hallo！Greybeard，I’veknockedGreybearddownhereinthescuffle。Getupagain，mylad，andseealittlelife。
No，no，criedFisher，hesha’n’tSUPwithus。
No，no，criedthemanager，heshan’tLIVEwithus。aGreybeardisnotfitcompanyforArchers。
No，no，criedTownsend，evilcommunicationcorruptsgoodmanners。
Sowithoneunanimoushisstheyhuntedthepoorlittlegentleboyintoacorner。andhavingpenthimupwithbenches，Fisheropenedhisbooksforhim，whichhethoughtthegreatestmortification，andsetupacandlebesidehim——There，nowhelookslikeaGreybeardasheis！criedthey。
Tellmewhat’stheLatinforcoldroastbeef？saidFisher，exultingly，andtheyreturnedtotheirfeast。
Longandloudtheyrevelled。Theyhadafewbottlesofcider。Givemethecorkscrew，thecidersha’n’tbekepttillit’ssour，criedTownsend，inanswertothemanager，who，whenhebeheldtheprovisionsvanishingwithsurprisingrapidity，begantofearforthemorrow。Hangto-
morrow！criedTownsend，letGreybeardsthinkofto-morrow。Mr。Manager，here’syourgoodhealth。
TheArchersallstoodupastheircupswerefilledtodrinkthehealthoftheirchiefwithauniversalcheer。Butatthemomentthatthecupswereattheirlips，andasArcherbowedtothankthecompany，asuddenshowerfromaboveastonishedthewholeassembly。Theylookedup，andbeheldtheroseofawatering-engine，whoselongneckappearedthroughatrapdoorintheceiling。Yourgoodhealth，Mr。Manager！saidavoice，whichwasknowntobethegardener’s。andinthemidstoftheirsurpriseanddismaythecandlesweresuddenlyextinguished。thetrap-doorshutdown。andtheywereleftinutterdarkness。
TheDEVIL！saidArcher。
Don’tswear，Mr。Manager，saidthesamevoicefromtheceiling，Iheareverywordyousay。
Mercyuponus！exclaimedFisher。Theclock，addedhe，whispering，musthavebeenwrong，forithadnotdonestrikingwhenwebegan。Only，youremember，Archer，ithadjustdonebeforeyouhaddonelockingyourdoor。
Holdyourtongue，blockhead！saidArcher。Well，boys！wereyeneverinthedarkbefore？Youarenotafraidofashowerofrain，Ihope。Isanybodydrowned？
No，saidthey，withafaintlaugh，butwhatshallwedohereinthedarkallnightlong，andalldayto-morrow？Wecan’tunbartheshutters。
It’sawonderNOBODYeverthoughtofthetrap-door！saidTownsend。
Thetrap-doorhadindeedescapedthemanager’sobservation。Asthehousewasnewtohim，andtheceilingbeingnewlywhite-washed，theopeningwasscarcelyperceptible。Vexedtobeout-generalled，andstillmorevexedtohaveitremarked，Archerpouredforthavolleyofincoherentexclamationsandreproachesagainstthosewhowerethussosoondiscouragedbyatrifle。andgropingforthetinder-box，heaskedifanythingcouldbeeasierthantostrikealightagain。*Thelightappeared。Butatthemomentthatitmadethetinder-boxvisible，anothershowerfromabove，aimed，andaimedexactly，atthetinder-box，drencheditwithwater，andrenderedittotallyunfitforfurtherservice。Archerinafurydashedittotheground。Andnowforthefirsttimehefeltwhatitwastobetheunsuccessfulheadofaparty。Heheardinhisturnthemurmursofadiscontented，changeablepopulace。andrecollectingallhisbarsandbolts，andingeniouscontrivances，hewasmoreprovokedattheirblaminghimforthisoneonlyoversightthanhewasgrievedatthedisasteritself。
*Lucifermatcheswerethenunknown——Ed。
Oh，myhairisallwet！criedone，dolefully。
Wringit，then，saidArcher。
Myhand’scutwithyourbrokenglass，criedanother。
Glass！criedathird。mercy！istherebrokenglass？andit’sallabout，Isuppose，amongstthesupper。andIhadbutonebitofbreadallthetime。
Bread！criedArcher。eatifyouwantit。Here’sapiecehere，andnoglassnearit。
It’sallwet，andIdon’tlikedrybreadbyitself。that’snofeast。
Heigh-day！What，nothingbutmoaningandgrumbling！IfthesearethejoysofaBarringOut，criedTownsend，I’dratherbesnuginmybed。I
expectedthatweshouldhavesatuptilltwelveo’clock，talking，andlaughing，andsinging。
Soyoumaystill。whathindersyou？saidArcher。Sing，andwe’lljoinyou，andIshouldbegladthosefellowsoverheadheardussinging。
Begin，Townsend——
’Comenow，allyesocialPowers，Spreadyourinfluenceo’erus’——
Orelse——
’Rule，Britannia！Britanniarulesthewaves！
Britonsneverwillbeslaves。’
Nothingcanbemoremelancholythanforcedmerriment。Invaintheyroaredinchorus。Invaintheytriedtoappeargay。Itwouldnotdo。
Thevoicesdiedaway，anddroppedoffonebyone。Theyhadeachprovidedhimselfwithagreat-coattosleepupon。butnow，inthedark，therewasapeevishscramblingcontestforthecoats，andhalfthecompany，inverybadhumour，stretchedthemselvesuponthebenchesforthenight。
Thereisgreatpleasureinbearinganythingthathastheappearanceofhardshipaslongasthereisanyglorytobeacquiredbyit：butwhenpeoplefeelthemselvesfoiled，thereisnofurtherpleasureinendurance。
andif，intheirmisfortune，thereisanymixtureoftheridiculous，themotivesforheroismareimmediatelydestroyed。Dr。Middletonhadprobablyconsideredthisinthechoicehemadeofhisfirstattack。
Archer，whohadspentthenightasamanwhohadthecaresofgovernmentuponhisshoulders，roseearlyinthemorning，whilsteverybodyelsewasfastasleep。Inthenighthehadresolvedtheaffairofthetrap-door，andanewdangerhadalarmedhim。Itwaspossiblethattheenemymightdescenduponthemthroughthetrap-door。Theroomhadbeenbuilthightoadmitafreecirculationofair。Itwastwentyfeet，sothatitwasinvaintothinkofreachingtothetrap-door。
Assoonasthedaylightappeared，Archerrosesoftly，thathemightRECONNOITRE，anddevisesomemethodofguardingagainstthisnewdanger。
Luckilytherewereroundholesinthetopofthewindow-shutters，whichadmittedsufficientlightforhimtoworkby。Theremainsofthesoakedfeast，wetcandles，andbrokenglassspreadoverthetableinthemiddleoftheroom，lookedratherdismalthismorning。
’AprettysetoffellowsIhavetomanage！saidArcher，contemplatingthegroupofsleepersbeforehim。Itiswelltheyhavesomebodytothinkforthem。NowifIwanted——which，thankgoodness，Idon’t——butifIdidwanttocallacabinetcounciltomyassistance，whomcouldIpitchupon？notthisstupidsnorer，whoisdreamingofgipsies，ifheisdreamingofanything，continuedArcher，ashelookedintoFisher’sopenmouth。Thisnextchapisquickenough。but，then，heissofondofhavingeverythinghisownway。Andthiscurlpatedmonkey，whoisgrinninginhissleep，isalltongueandnobrains。Herearebrains，thoughnobodywouldthinkit，inthislump，saidhe，lookingatafat，rolledup，heavybreathingsleeper。butwhatsignifybrainstosuchalazydog？ImightkickhimformyfootballthishalfhourbeforeI
shouldgethimawake。Thislankjawedharlequinbesidehimisahandyfellow，tobesure。but，then，ifhehashands，hehasnohead——andhe’dbeafraidofhisownshadowtoo，bythislight，heissuchacoward！AndTownsend，why，hehaspunsinplenty。but，whenthere’sanyworktobedone，he’stheworstfellowtobenearoneintheworld——hecandonothingbutlaughathisownpuns。Thispoorlittlefellowthatwehuntedintothecornerhasmoresensethanallofthemputtogether。butthenheisaGreybeard。
Thusspeculatedthechiefofapartyuponhissleepingfriends。Andhowdidithappenthatheshouldbesoambitioustopleaseandgovernthisset，when，foreachindividualofwhichitwascomposed，hefeltsuchsupremecontempt？HehadformedthemintoaPARTY，hadgiventhemaname，andhewasattheirhead。Ifthesebenotgoodreasons，nonebettercanbeassignedforArcher’sconduct。
Iwishyecouldallsleepon，saidhe。butImustwakenye，thoughyouwillbeonlyinmyway。Thesoundofmyhammeringmustwakenthem。soI
mayaswelldothethinghandsomely，andflattersomeofthembypretendingtoasktheiradvice。
Accordingly，hepulledtwoorthreetowakenthem。Come，Townsend，waken，myboy！Here’ssomediversionforyou——up！up！
Diversion！criedTownsend。I’myourman！I’mup——UPTOANYTHING。
So，underthenameofDIVERSION，ArchersetTownsendtoworkatfouro’clockinthemorning。Theyhadnails，afewtools，andseveralspars，stillleftfromthewreckoftheplayhouse。These，byArcher’sdirections，theysharpenedatoneend，andnailedthemtotheendsofseveralforms。
Allhandswerenowcalledtoclearawaythesupperthings，toerecttheseformsperpendicularlyunderthetrap-door。andwiththeassistanceofafewbraces，achevaux-de-frisewasformed，uponwhichnobodycouldventuretodescend。Atthefarthestendoftheroomtheylikewiseformedapenthouseofthetables，underwhichtheyproposedtobreakfast，securefromthepeltingstorm，ifitshouldagainassailthemthroughthetrap-
door。Theycrowdedunderthepenthouseassoonasitwasready，andtheiradmirationofitsingenuitypaidtheworkmenforthejob。
Lord！Ishallliketoseethegardener’sphizthroughthetrap-door，whenhebeholdsthespikesunderhim！criedTownsend。Nowforbreakfast！
Ay，nowforbreakfast，saidArcher，lookingathiswatch。pasteighto’clock，andmytownboysnotcome！Idon’tunderstandthis！
Archerhadexpectedaconstantsupplyofprovisionsfromtwoboyswholivedinthetown，whowerecousinsofhis，andwhohadpromisedtocomeeveryday，andputfoodinatacertainholeinthewall，inwhichaventilatorusuallyturned。ThisventilatorArcherhadtakendown，andhadcontriveditsothatitcouldbeeasilyremovedandreplacedatpleasure。but，uponexamination，itwasnowperceivedthattheholehadbeennewlystoppedupbyanironback，whichitwasimpossibletopenetrateorremove。
Itnevercameintomyheadthatanybodywouldeverhavethoughtoftheventilatorbutmyself！exclaimedArcher，ingreatperplexity。Helistenedandwaitedforhiscousins。butnocousinscame，andatalatehourthecompanywereobligedtobreakfastuponthescatteredfragmentsofthelastnight’sfeast。Thatfeasthadbeenspreadwithsuchimprudentprofusion，thatlittlenowremainedtosatisfythehungryguests。
Archer，whowellknewtheeffectwhichtheapprehensionofascarcitywouldhaveuponhisassociates，dideverythingthatcouldbedonebyaboldcountenanceandreiteratedassertionstopersuadethemthathiscousinswouldcertainlycomeatlastandthatthesupplieswereonlydelayed。Thedelay，however，wasalarming。
Fisheraloneheardthemanager’scalculationsandsawthepublicfearsunmoved。Secretlyrejoicinginhisownwisdom，hewalkedfromwindowtowindow，slilylisteningforthegipsy’ssignal。Thereitis！criedhewithmorejoysparklinginhiseyesthanhadeverenlightenedthembefore。Comethisway，Archer。butdon’ttellanybody。Hark！doyehearthosethreetapsatthewindow？Thisistheoldwomanwithtwelvebunsforme。I’llgiveyouonewholeoneforyourself，ifyouwillunbarthewindowforme。
Unbarthewindow！interruptedArcher。no，thatIwon’t，foryouorthegipsyeither。butIhaveheardenoughtogetyourbunswithoutthat。Butstay。thereissomethingofmoreconsequencethanyourtwelvebuns。I
mustthinkforyeall，Isee，regularly。
Sohesummonedacouncil，andproposedthateveryoneshouldsubscribe，andtrustthesubscriptiontothegipsy，topurchaseafreshsupplyofprovisions。Archerlaiddownaguineaofhisownmoneyforhissubscription。atwhichsightallthecompanyclappedtheirhands，andhispopularityrosetoahighpitchwiththeirrenewedhopesofplenty。Now，havingmadealistoftheirwants，theyfoldedthemoneyinthepaper，putitintoabag，whichArchertiedtoalongstring，and，havingbrokenthepaneofglassbehindtheroundholeinthewindow-shutter，heletdownthebagtothegipsy。Shepromisedtobepunctual，andhavingfilledthebagwithFisher’stwelvebuns，theyweredrawnupintriumph，andeverybodyanticipatedthepleasurewithwhichtheyshouldseethesamebagdrawnupatdinner-time。Thebunswerealittlesqueezedinbeingdrawnthroughtheholeinthewindow-shutter。butArcherimmediatelysawedoutapieceoftheshutter，andbrokethecorrespondingpanesineachoftheotherwindows，topreventsuspicion，andtomakeitappearthattheyhadallbeenbrokentoadmitair。
Whatapitythatsomuchingenuityshouldhavebeenemployedtonopurpose！
ItmayhavesurprisedtheintelligentreaderthatthegipsywassopunctualtoherpromisetoFisher，butwemustrecollectthatherapparentintegritywasonlycunning。shewaspunctualthatshemightbeemployedagain，thatshemightbeintrustedwiththecontributionwhich，sheforesaw，mustberaisedamongstthefamishinggarrison。Nosoonerhadshereceivedthemoneythanherendwasgained。
Dinner-timecame。itstruckthree，four，five，six。Theylistenedwithhungryears，butnosignalwasheard。Themorninghadbeenverylong，andArcherhadinvaintriedtodissuadethemfromdevouringtheremainderoftheprovisionsbeforetheyweresureofafreshsupply。Andnowthosewhohadbeenthemostconfidentwerethemostimpatientoftheirdisappointment。
Archer，inthedivisionofthefood，hadattempted，bythemostscrupulousexactness，tocontentthepublic，andhewasbothastonishedandprovokedtoperceivethathisimpartialitywasimpeached。Sodifferentlydopeoplejudgeindifferentsituations！Hewasthefirstpersontoaccusehismasterofinjustice，andtheleastcapableofbearingsuchanimputationuponhimselffromothers。Henowexperiencedsomeofthejoysofpower，andthedelightofmanagingunreasonablenumbers。
HavenotIdoneeverythingIcouldtopleaseyou？HavenotIspentmymoneytobuyyoufood？HavenotIdividedthelastmorselwithyou？I
havenottastedonemouthfultoday！DidnotIsettoworkforyouatsunrise？DidnotIlieawakeallnightforyou？HavenotIhadallthelabour，andalltheanxiety？LookroundandseeMYcontrivances，MY
work，MYgenerosity！And，afterall，youthinkmeatyrant，becauseI
wantyoutohavecommonsense。IsnotthisbunwhichIholdinmyhandmyown？DidnotIearnitbymyowningenuityfromthatselfishdunce
pointingtoFisher，whocouldneverhavegottenoneofhistwelvebuns，ifIhadnotshownhimhow？Elevenofthemhehaseatensincemorningforhisownshare，withoutofferinganyoneamorsel。butIscorntoeatevenwhatisjustlymyown，whenIseesomanyhungrycreatureslongingforit。Iwasnotgoingtotouchthislastmorselmyself。I
onlybeggedyoutokeepittillsupper-time，whenperhapsyou’llwantitmore，andTownsend，whocan’tbeartheslightestthingthatcrosseshisownwhims，andwhothinksthere’snothinginthisworldtobemindedbuthisowndiversion，callsmeaTYRANT。Youallofyoupromisedtoobeyme。ThefirstthingIaskyoutodoforyourowngood，andwhen，ifyouhadcommonsense，youmustknowIcanwantnothingbutyourgood，yourebelagainstme。Traitors！fools！ungratefulfools！
Archerwalkedupanddown，unabletocommandhisemotion，whilst，forthemoment，thediscontentedmultitudewassilenced。
Here，saidhe，strikinghishanduponthelittleboy’sshoulder，here’stheonlyoneamongstyouwhohasnotutteredonewordofreproachorcomplaint，andhehashadbutonebitofbread——abitthatIgavehimmyselfthisday。Here！saidhe，snatchingthebun，whichnobodyhaddaredtotouch，takeit——it’smine——Igiveittoyou，thoughyouareaGreybeard。youdeserveit。Eatit，andbeanArcher。Youshallbemycaptain。willyou？saidhe，liftinghimupinhisarmabovetherest。
Ilikeyounow，saidthelittleboy，courageously。butIloveDeGreybetter。hehasalwaysbeenmyfriend，andheadvisedmenevertocallmyselfanyofthosenames，ArcherorGreybeard。soIwon’t。ThoughIamshutinhere，Ihavenothingtodowithit。IloveDr。Middleton。hewasneverunjusttoME，andIdaresaythathehasverygoodreasons，asDeGreysaid，forforbiddingustogointothathouse。Besides，it’shisown。
Insteadofadmiringthegoodsenseandsteadinessofthislittlelad，ArchersufferedTownsendtosnatchtheuntastedbunoutofhishands。Heflungitataholeinthewindow，butitfellback。TheArchersscrambledforit，andFisherateit。
Archersawthis，andwassensiblethathehadnotdonehandsomelyinsufferingit。Afewmomentsagohehadadmiredhisowngenerosity，andthoughhehadfelttheinjusticeofothers，hehadnotaccusedhimselfofany。Heturnedawayfromthelittleboy，andsittingdownatoneendofthetable，hidhisfaceinhishands。Hecontinuedimmovableinthispostureforsometime。
Lord！saidTownsend。itwasanexcellentjoke！
Pooh！saidFisher。whatafool，tothinksomuchaboutabun！
Nevermind，Mr。Archer，ifyouarethinkingaboutme，saidthelittleboy，tryinggentlytopullhishandsfromhisface。
Archerstoopeddown，andliftedhimupuponthetable，atwhichsightthepartisanssetupageneralhiss。Hehasforsakenus！Hedesertshisparty！HewantstobeaGreybeard！Afterhehasgotusallintothisscrape，hewillleaveus！
Iamnotgoingtoleaveyou，criedArcher。Nooneshalleveraccusemeofdesertingmyparty。I’llstickbytheArchers，rightorwrong，I
tellyou，tothelastmoment。Butthislittlefellow——takeitasyouplease，mutinyifyouwill，andthrowmeoutofthewindow。Callmetraitor！coward！Greybeard！——thislittlefellowisworthyouallputtogether，andI’llstandbyhimagainstanyonewhodarestolayafingeruponhim。andthenextmorseloffoodthatIseeshallbehis。Touchhimwhodares！
ThecommandingairwithwhichArcherspokeandlooked，andthebeliefthatthelittleboydeservedhisprotection，silencedthecrowd。Butthestormwasonlyhushed。
Nosoundofmerrimentwasnowtobeheard——nobattledoreandshuttlecock——
noball，nomarbles。Somesatinacorner，whisperingtheirwishesthatArcherwouldunbarthedoors，andgiveup。Others，stretchingtheirarms，andgapingastheysaunteredupanddowntheroom，wishedforair，orfood，orwater。Fisherandhisnine，whohadsuchfirmdependenceuponthegipsy，nowgavethemselvesuptoutterdespair。Itwaseighto’clock，growingdarkeranddarkereveryminute，andnocandles，nolightcouldtheyhave。Theprospectofanotherlongdarknightmadethemstillmorediscontented。
Townsend，attheheadoftheyawners，andFisher，attheheadofthehungrymalcontents，gatheredroundArcherandthefewyetunconqueredspirits，demandingHowlonghemeanttokeeptheminthisdarkdungeon？
andwhetherheexpectedthattheyshouldstarvethemselvesforhissake？
TheideaofGIVINGUPwasmoreintolerabletoArcherthanalltherest。
Hesawthatthemajority，hisownconvincingargument，wasagainsthim。
Hewasthereforeobligedtocondescendtotheartsofpersuasion。Heflatteredsomewithhopesoffoodfromthetownboys。Someheremindedoftheirpromises。othershepraisedforformerprowess。andothersheshamedbytherepetitionoftheirhighvauntsinthebeginningofthebusiness。
ItwasatlengthresolvedthatatalleventstheyWOULDHOLDOUT。Withthisdeterminationtheystretchedthemselvesagaintosleep，forthesecondnight，inweakandwearyobstinacy。
Archersleptlongerandmoresoundlythanusualthenextmorning，andwhenheawoke，hefoundhishandstiedbehindhim！Threeorfourboyshadjustgotholdofhisfeet，whichtheypresseddown，whilstthetremblinghandsofFisherwerefasteningthecordroundthem。
Withalltheforcewhichragecouldinspire，ArcherstruggledandroaredtoHISARCHERS！——hisfriends，hisparty——forhelpagainstthetraitors。
Butallkeptaloof。Townsend，inparticular，stoodlaughingandlookingon。Ibegyourpardon，Archer，butreallyyoulooksodroll。Allaliveandkicking！Don’tbeangry。I’msoweak，Icannothelplaughingtoday。
Thepackthreadcracked。Hishandsarefree！He’sloose！criedtheleastoftheboys，andranaway，whilstArcherleapedup，andseizingholdofFisherwithapowerfulgrasp，sternlydemandedWhathemeantbythis？
Askmyparty，saidFisher，terrified。theysetmeon。askmyparty。
Yourparty！criedArcher，withalookofineffablecontempt。youreptile！——YOURparty？CansuchathingasYOUhaveaparty？
Tobesure！saidFisher，settlinghiscollar，whichArcherinhissurprisehadletgo。tobesure！Whynot？Anymanwhochoosesitmayhaveapartyaswellasyourself，Isuppose。IhavenineFishermen。
Atthesewords，spokenwithmuchsullenimportance，Archer，inspiteofhisvexation，couldnothelplaughing。Fishermen！criedhe，FISHERMEN！
AndwhynotFishermenaswellasArchers？criedthey。Onepartyisjustasgoodasanother。itisonlyaquestionwhichcangettheupperhand。andwehadyourhandstiedjustnow。
That’sright，Townsend，saidArcher，laughon，myboy！Friendorfoe，it’sallthesametoyou。Iknowhowtovalueyourfriendshipnow。Youareamightygoodfellowwhenthesunshines。butletastormcome，andhowyouslinkaway！
Atthisinstant，ArcherfeltthedifferencebetweenAGOODCOMPANIONandagoodfriend，adifferencewhichsomepeopledonotdiscovertilllateinlife。
HaveInofriend？——norealfriendamongstyouall？Andcouldyestandby，andseemyhandstiedbehindmelikeathief’s？Whatsignifiessuchaparty——allmute？
Wewantsomethingtoeat，answeredtheFishermen。WhatsignifiesSUCH
aparty，indeed？andSUCHamanager，whocandonothingforone？
Andhave_I_donenothing？
Don’tlet’shearanymoreprosing，saidFisher。wearetoomanyforyou。I’veadvisedmyparty，ifthey’veamindnottobestarved，togiveyouupfortheringleader，asyouwere。andDr。Middletonwillnotletusalloff，Idaresay。So，dependinguponthesullensilenceoftheassembly，heagainapproachedArcherwithacord。AcryofNo，no，no！
Don’ttiehim，wasfeeblyraised。
Archerstoodstill，butthemomentFishertouchedhimheknockedhimdowntotheground，andturningtotherest，witheyessparklingwithindignation，Archers！criedhe。Avoiceatthisinstantwasheardatthedoor。ItwasDeGrey’svoice。Ihavegotalargebasketofprovisionsforyourbreakfast。Ageneralshoutofjoywassentforthbythevoraciouspublic。Breakfast！Provisions！Alargebasket！DeGreyforever！Huzza！
DeGreypromised，uponhishonour，thatifhewouldunbarthedoornobodyshouldcomeinwithhim，andnoadvantageshouldbetakenofthem。ThispromisewasenoughevenforArcher。Iwilllethimin，saidhe，myself。forI’msurehe’llneverbreakhisword。Hepulledawaythebar。thedooropened，andhavingbargainedforthelibertyofMelson，thelittleboy，whohadbeenshutinbymistake，DeGreyenteredwithhisbasketofprovisions，whenhelockedandbarredthedoorinstantly。
Joyandgratitudesparkledineveryfacewhenheunpackedhisbasket，andspreadthetablewithaplentifulbreakfast。Ahundredquestionswereaskedhimatonce。Eatfirst，saidhe，andwewilltalkafterwards。
Thisbusinesswasquicklydespatchedbythosewhohadnottastedfoodforalongwhile。Theircuriosityincreasedastheirhungerdiminished。
Whosentusbreakfast？DoesDr。Middletonknow？werequestionsreiteratedfromeverymouth。
Hedoesknow，answeredDeGrey。andthefirstthingIhavetotellyouis，thatIamyourfellow-prisoner。Iamtostayheretillyougiveup。
ThiswastheonlyconditiononwhichDr。Middletonwouldallowmetobringyoufood，andhewillallownomore。
Everyonelookedattheemptybasket。ButArcher，inwhomhalfvanquishedpartyspiritrevivedwiththestrengthhehadgotfromhisbreakfast，brokeintoexclamationsinpraiseofDeGrey’smagnanimity，ashenowimaginedthatDeGreyhadbecomeoneofthemselves。
Andyouwilljoinus，willyou？That’sanoblefellow！
No，answeredDeGrey，calmly。butIhopetopersuade，orrathertoconvinceyou，thatyououghttojoinme。
Youwouldhavefounditnohardtasktohavepersuadedorconvincedus，whicheveryoupleased，saidTownsend，ifyouhadappealedtoArchersfasting。butArchersfeastingarequiteotheranimals。EvenCaesarhimself，afterbreakfast，isquiteanotherthing！addedhe，pointingtoArcher。
Youmayspeakforyourself，Mr。Townsend，repliedtheinsultedhero，butnotforme，orforArchersingeneral，ifyouplease。WeunbarredthedooruponthefaithofDeGrey’spromise——THATwasnotgivingup。
Anditwouldhavebeenjustasdifficult，Ipromiseyou，topersuadeorconvincemeeitherthatIshouldgiveupagainstmyhonourbeforebreakfastasafter。
Thisspiritedspeechwasapplaudedbymany，whohadnowforgottenthefeelingsoffamine。NotsoFisher，whosememorywasuponthisoccasionverydistinct。
Whatnonsense，andtheoratorpausedforasynonymousexpression，butnonewasathand。Whatnonsenseand——nonsenseishere！Why，don’tyourememberthatdinner-time，andsupper-timeandbreakfast-timewillcomeagain？Sowhatsignifiesmouthingaboutpersuadingandconvincing？Wewillnotgothroughagainwhatwedidyesterday！Honourmenohonour。I
don’tunderstandit。I’dratherbefloggedatonce，asIhavebeenmany’sthegoodtimeforalessthing。Isay，we’dbetterallbefloggedatonce，whichmustbetheendofitsoonerorlater，thanwaitheretobewithoutdinner，breakfast，andsupper，allonlybecauseMr。Archerwon’tgiveupbecauseofhishonourandnonsense！
ManyprudentfacesamongsttheFishermenseemedtodeliberateatthecloseofthisoration，inwhichtheargumentswerebroughtsohometoeachman’sbusinessandbosom。
But，saidDeGrey，whenweyield，Ihopeitwillnotbemerelytogetourdinner，gentlemen。Whenweyield，Archer——
Don’taddressyourselftome，interruptedArcher，strugglingwithhispride。youhavenofurtheroccasiontotrytowinme。Ihavenopower，noparty，yousee！AndnowIfindthatIhavenofriends，Idon’tcarewhatbecomesofmyself。IsupposeI’mtobegivenupasaringleader。
Here’sthisFisher，andapartyofhisFishermen，weregoingtotiemehandandfoot，ifIhadnotknockedhimdown，justasyoucametothedoor，DeGrey。andnowperhapsyouwilljoinFisher’spartyagainstme。
DeGreywasgoingtoassurehimthathehadnointentionofjoininganyparty，whenasuddenchangeappearedonArcher’scountenance。Silence！
criedArcher，inanimperioustone，andtherewassilence。Someonewasheardtowhistlethebeginningofatune，thatwasperfectlynewtoeverybodypresent，excepttoArcher，whoimmediatelywhistledtheconclusion。There！criedhe，lookingatDeGrey，withtriumph。that’samethodofholdingsecretcorrespondencewhilstaprisoner，whichI
learnedfrom’RichardCoeurdeLion。’Iknowhowtomakeuseofeverything。Hallo！friend！areyouthereatlast？criedhe，goingtotheventilator。
Yes，butwearebarredouthere。
Roundtothewindowthen，andfillourbag。We’llletitdown，mylad，inatrice。barmeoutwhocan！
Archerletdownthebagwithalltheexpeditionofjoy，anditwasfilledwithalltheexpeditionoffear。Pullaway！makehaste，forHeaven’ssake！saidthevoicefromwithout。thegardenerwillcomefromdinner，else，andweshallbecaught。Hemountedguardallyesterdayattheventilator。andthoughIwatchedandwatchedtillitwasdarkerthanpitch，Icouldnotgetnearyou。Idon’tknowwhathastakenhimoutofthewaynow。Makehaste，pullaway！Theheavybagwassoonpulledup。
Haveyouanymore？saidArcher。
Yes，plenty。Letdownquick！I’vegotthetailor’sbagfull，whichisthreetimesaslargeasyours，andI’vechangedclotheswiththetailor’sboy。sonobodytooknoticeofmeasIcamedownthestreet。
There’smyowncousin！exclaimedArcher，there’sanoblefellow！
there’smyowncousin，Iacknowledge。Fillthebag，then。Severaltimesthebagdescendedandascended。andateveryunladingofthecrane，freshacclamationswereheard。
Ihavenomore！atlengththeboywiththetailor’sbagcried。
Offwithyou，then。we’veenough，andthankyou。
Adelightfulreviewwasnowmadeoftheirtreasure。Busyhandsarrangedandsortedtheheterogeneousmass。Archer，intheheightofhisglory，lookedon，theacknowledgedmasterofthewhole。Townsend，who，inhisprosperityasinadversity，sawandenjoyedthecomicfoiblesofhisfriends，pushedDeGrey，whowaslookingonwithamoregood-naturedandmorethoughtfulair。Friend，saidhe，youlooklikeagreatphilosopher，andArcheragreathero。
Andyou，Townsend，saidArcher，maylooklikeawit，ifyouwill。butyouwillneverbeahero。
No，no，repliedTownsend。witswereneverheroes，becausetheyarewits。Youareoutofyourwits，andthereforemaysetupforahero。
Laugh，andwelcome。I’mnotatyrant。Idon’twanttorestrainanybody’swit。butIcannotsayIadmirepuns。
NorI，either，saidthetimeservingFisher，sidlinguptothemanager，andpickingtheiceoffapieceofplum-cake，norIeither。Ihatepuns。
IcanneverunderstandTownsend’sPUNS。Besides，anybodycanmakepuns。
andonedoesn’twantwit，either，atalltimes。forinstance，whenoneisgoingtosettleaboutdinner，orbusinessofconsequence。Blessusall，Archer！continuedhe，withsuddenfamiliarity。WHATASIGHTOFGOOD
THINGSAREHERE！I’msurewearemuchobligedtoyouandyourcousin。I
neverthoughthe’dhavecome。Why，nowwecanholdoutaslongasyouplease。Letussee，saidhe，dividingtheprovisionsuponthetable。
wecanholdoutto-day，andallto-morrow，andpartofnextday，maybe。
Why，nowwemaydefythedoctorandtheGreybeards。Thedoctorwillsurelygiveuptous。for，yousee，heknowsnothingofallthis，andhe’llthinkwearestarvingallthiswhile。andhe’dbeafraid，yousee，toletusstarvequite，inreality，forthreewholedays，becauseofwhatwouldbesaidinthetown。MyAuntBarbara，forone，wouldbeATHIM
longbeforethattimewasout。andbesides，youknow，inthatcase，he’dbehangedformurder，whichisquiteanotherthing，inlaw，fromaBARRINGOUT，youknow。
Archerhadnotgiventothisharanguealltheattentionwhichitdeserved，forhiseyewasfixeduponDeGrey。WhatisDeGreythinkingof？heasked，impatiently。
Iamthinking，saidDeGrey，thatDr。MiddletonmustbelievethatI
havebetrayedhisconfidenceinme。Thegardenerwasorderedawayfromhiswatch-postforonehalf-hourwhenIwasadmitted。Thishalf-hourthegardenerhasmadenearlyahour。IneverwouldhavecomenearyouifI
hadforeseenallthis。Dr。Middletontrustedme，andnowhewillrepentofhisconfidenceinme。
DeGrey！criedArcher，withenergy，heshallnotrepentofhisconfidenceinyou——norshallyourepentofcomingamongstus。Youshallfindthatwehavesomehonouraswellasyourself，andIwilltakecareofyourhonourasifitweremyOWN！
Hey-day！interruptedTownsend。areheroesallowedtochangesides，pray？AnddoesthechiefoftheArchersstandtalkingsentimenttothechiefoftheGreybeards？Inthemiddleofhisownpartytoo！
Party！repeatedArcher，disdainfully。Ihavedonewithparties！Iseewhatpartiesaremadeof！Ihavefeltthewantofafriend，andIamdeterminedtomakeoneifIcan。
Thatyoumaydo，saidDeGrey，stretchingouthishand。
Unbarthedoors！unbarthewindows！exclaimedArcher。Awaywithallthesethings！IgiveupforDeGrey’ssake。Heshallnotlosehiscreditonmyaccount。
No，saidDeGrey，youshallnotgiveupformysake。
Well，then，I’llgiveuptodowhatisHONOURABLE，saidArcher。
WhynottodowhatisREASONABLE？saidDeGrey。
REASONABLE！Oh，thefirstthingthatamanofspiritshouldthinkofis，whatisHONOURABLE。
ButhowwillhefindoutWHATIShonourable，unlesshecanreason？
repliedDeGrey。
Oh，saidArcher，hisownfeelingsalwaystellhimwhatishonourable。
HavenotYOURFEELINGS，askedDeGrey，changedwithinthesefewhours？
Yes，withcircumstances，repliedArcher。butrightorwrong，aslongasIthinkithonourabletodosoandso，I’msatisfied。
Butyoucannotthinkanythinghonourable，orthecontrary，observedDeGrey，withoutreasoning。andastowhatyoucallfeeling，it’sonlyaquicksortofreasoning。
Thequicker，thebetter，saidArcher。
Perhapsnot，saidDeGrey。Weareapttoreasonbestwhenwearenotinquitesogreatahurry。
But，saidArcher，wehavenotalwaystimeenoughtoreasonATFIRST。
Youmust，however，acknowledge，repliedDeGrey，smiling，thatnomanbutafoolthinksithonourabletobeinthewrongATLAST。Isitnot，therefore，besttobeginbyreasoningtofindouttherightATFIRST？
Tobesure，saidArcher。
Anddidyoureasonwithyourselfatfirst？AnddidyoufindoutthatitwasrighttobarDr。Middletonoutofhisownschoolroom，becausehedesiredyounottogointooneofhisownhouses？
No，repliedArcher。butIshouldneverhavethoughtofheadingaBarringOut，ifhehadnotshownpartiality。andifyouhadflownintoapassionwithmeopenlyatonceforpullingdownyourscenery，whichwouldhavebeenquitenatural，andnothavegoneslilyandforbidusthehouseoutofrevenge，therewouldhavebeennoneofthiswork。
Why，saidDeGrey，shouldyoususpectmeofsuchameanaction，whenyouhaveneverseenorknownmedoanythingmean，andwheninthisinstanceyouhavenoproofs？
Willyougivemeyourwordandhonournow，DeGrey，beforeeverybodyhere，thatyoudidnotdowhatIsuspected？
Idoassureyou，uponmyhonour，Inever，indirectly，spoketoDr。
Middletonabouttheplayhouse。
Then，saidArcher，I’masgladasifIhadfoundathousandpounds！
Nowyouaremyfriendindeed。
AndDr。Middleton——whyshouldyoususpecthimwithoutreasonanymorethanme？
Astothat，saidArcher，heisyourfriend，andyouarerighttodefendhim。andIwon’tsayanotherwordagainsthim。Willthatsatisfyyou？
Notquite。
Notquite！Then，indeedyouareunreasonable！
No，repliedDeGrey。forIdon’twishyoutoyieldoutoffriendshiptome，anymorethantohonour。Ifyouyieldtoreason，youwillbegovernedbyreasonanothertime。
Well。butthendon’ttriumphoverme，becauseyouhavethebestsideoftheargument。
NotI！HowcanI？saidDeGrey。fornowyouareonTHEBESTSIDEaswellasmyself，arenotyou？Sowemaytriumphtogether。
Youareagoodfriend！saidArcher。andwithgreateagernesshepulleddownthefortifications，whilsteveryhandassisted。Theroomwasrestoredtoorderinafewminutes——theshutterswerethrownopen，thecheerfullightletin。Thewindowswerethrownup，andthefirstfeelingofthefreshairwasdelightful。Thegreenplaygoundopenedbeforethem，andthehopesofexerciseandlibertybrightenedthecountenancesofthesevoluntaryprisoners。
But，alas！theywerenotyetatliberty。TheideaofDr。Middleton，andthedreadofhisvengeance，smotetheirhearts。Whentherebelshadsentanambassadorwiththeirsurrender，theystoodinpaleandsilentsuspense，waitingfortheirdoom。
Ah！saidFisher，lookingupatthebrokenpanesinthewindows，thedoctorwillthinkthemostofTHAT——he’llneverforgiveusforthat。
Hush！herehecomes！Hissteadystepwasheardapproachingnearerandnearer。Archerthrewopenthedoor，andDr。Middletonentered。Fisherinstantlyfellonhisknees。
Itisnodelighttometoseepeopleontheirknees。Standup，Mr。
Fisher。Ihopeyouareallconsciousthatyouhavedonewrong？
Sir，saidArcher，theyareconsciousthattheyhavedonewrong，andsoamI。Iamtheringleader。Punishmeasyouthinkproper。Isubmit。
Yourpunishments——yourvengeanceoughttofallonmealone！
Sir，saidDr。Middleton，calmly，Iperceivethatwhateverelseyoumayhavelearnedinthecourseofyoureducation，youhavenotbeentaughtthemeaningofthewordpunishment。Punishmentandvengeancedonotwithusmeanthesamething。PUNISHMENTispaingiven，withthereasonablehopeofpreventingthoseonwhomitisinflictedfromdoing，INFUTURE，whatwillhurtthemselvesorothers。VENGEANCEneverlookstotheFUTURE，butistheexpressionofangerforaninjurythatispast。I
feelnoanger。youhavedonemenoinjury。
Heremanyofthelittleboyslookedtimidlyuptothewindows。Yes，I
seethatyouhavebrokenmywindows。thatisasmallevil。
Oh，sir！Howgood！Howmerciful！exclaimedthosewhohadbeenmostpanic-struck。Heforgivesus！
Stay，resumedDr。Middleton。Icannotforgiveyou。Ishallneverrevenge，butitismydutytopunish。Youhaverebelledagainstthejustauthoritywhichisnecessarytoconductandgovernyouwhilstyouhavenotsufficientreasontogovernandconductyourselves。Withoutobediencetothelaws，addedhe，turningtoArcher，asmen，youcannotbesufferedinsociety。You，sir，thinkyourselfaman，Iobserve。andyouthinkitthepartofamannottosubmittothewillofanother。I
havenopleasureinmakingothers，whethermenorchildren，submittomyWILL。butmyreasonandexperiencearesuperiortoyours。Yourparentsatleastthinkso，ortheywouldnothaveintrustedmewiththecareofyoureducation。Aslongastheydointrustyoutomycare，andaslongasIhaveanyhopesofmakingyouwiserandbetterbypunishment，Ishallsteadilyinflictit，wheneverIjudgeittobenecessary，andIjudgeittobenecessaryNOW。Thisisalongsermon，Mr。Archer，notpreachedtoshowmyowneloquence，buttoconvinceyourunderstanding。Now，astoyourpunishment！
Nameit，sir，saidArcher。whateveritis，Iwillcheerfullysubmittoit。
Nameityourself，saidDr。Middleton，andshowmethatyounowunderstandthenatureofpunishment。
Archer，proudtobetreatedlikeareasonablecreature，andsorrythathehadbehavedlikeafoolishschoolboy，wassilentforsometime，butatlengthreplied，Thathewouldrathernotnamehisownpunishment。Herepeated，however，thathetrustedheshouldbearitwell，whateveritmightbe。
Ishall，then，saidDr。Middleton，depriveyou，fortwomonths，ofpocket-money，asyouhavehadtoomuch，andhavemadeabaduseofit。
Sir，saidArcher，Ibroughtfiveguineaswithmetoschool。ThisguineaisallthatIhaveleft。
Dr。MiddletonreceivedtheguineawhichArcherofferedhimwithalookofapprobation，andtoldhimthatitshouldbeappliedtotherepairsoftheschoolroom。Therestoftheboyswaitedinsilenceforthedoctor’ssentenceagainstthem，butnotwiththoselooksofabjectfearwithwhichboysusuallyexpectthesentenceofaschoolmaster。
Youshallreturnfromtheplayground，allofyou，saidDr。Middleton，onequarterofanhoursooner，fortwomonthstocome，thantherestofyourcompanions。Abellshallringattheappointedtime。Igiveyouanopportunityofrecoveringmyconfidencebyyourpunctuality。
Oh，sir！wewillcometheinstant，theveryinstantthebellrings。youshallhaveconfidenceinus，criedthey，eagerly。
Ideserveyourconfidence，Ihope，saidDr。Middleton。foritismyfirstwishtomakeyouallhappy。Youdonotknowthepainthatithascostmetodepriveyouoffoodforsomanyhours。
Heretheboys，withoneaccord，rantotheplacewheretheyhaddepositedtheirlastsupplies。Archerdeliveredthemuptothedoctor，proudtoshowthattheywerenotreducedtoobediencemerelybynecessity。
Thereason，resumedDr。Middleton，havingnowreturnedtotheusualbenignityofhismanner——thereasonwhyIdesiredthatnoneofyoushouldgotothatbuilding，pointingoutofthewindow，wasthis：——I
hadbeeninformedthatagangofgipsieshadslepttherethenightbeforeIspoketoyou，oneofwhomwasdangerouslyillofaputridfever。Ididnotchoosetomentionmyreasontoyouoryourfriends。Ihavehadtheplacecleaned，andyoumayreturntoitwhenyouplease。Thegipsieswereyesterdayremovedfromthetown。
DeGrey，youwereintheright，whisperedArcher，anditwasIthatwasUNJUST。
Theoldwoman，continuedthedoctor，whomyouemployedtobuyfood，hasescapedthefever，butshehasnotescapedagaol，whithershewassentyesterday，forhavingdefraudedyouofyourmoney。