Knightfeltuncomfortablywetandchilled，butglowingwithfervournevertheless。HefullyappreciatedElfride\'sgirlishdelicacyinrefusinghisescortinthemeagrehabilimentsshewore，yetfeltthatnecessaryabstractionofherselfforashorthalf-hourasamostgrievouslosstohim。
Hegatheredupherknottedandtwistedplumageoflinen，lace，andembroiderywork，andlaiditacrosshisarm。Henoticedonthegroundanenvelope，limpandwet。Inendeavouringtorestorethistoitspropershape，heloosenedfromtheenvelopeapieceofpaperithadcontained，whichwasseizedbythewindinfallingfromKnight\'shand。Itwasblowntotheright，blowntotheleft——
itfloatedtotheedgeofthecliffandoverthesea，whereitwashurledaloft。Ittwirledintheair，andthenflewbackoverhishead。
Knightfollowedthepaper，andsecuredit。Havingdoneso，helookedtodiscoverifithadbeenworthsecuring。
Thetroublesomesheetwasabanker\'sreceiptfortwohundredpounds，placedtothecreditofMissSwancourt，whichtheimpracticalgirlhadtotallyforgottenshecarriedwithher。
Knightfoldeditascarefullyasitsmoistconditionwouldallow，putitinhispocket，andfollowedElfride。
ChapterXXIII
\'Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot？\'
BythistimeStephenSmithhadsteppedoutuponthequayatCastleBoterel，andbreathedhisnativeair。
Adarkerskin，amorepronouncedmoustache，andanincipientbeard，werethechiefadditionsandchangesnoticeableinhisappearance。
Inspiteofthefallingrain，whichhadsomewhatlessened，hetookasmallvaliseinhishand，and，leavingtheremainderofhisluggageattheinn，ascendedthehillstowardsEastEndelstow。
Thisplacelayinavaleofitsown，furtherinlandthanthewestvillage，andthoughsonearit，hadlittleofphysicalfeatureincommonwiththelatter。EastEndelstowwasmorewoodedandfertile:itboastedofLordLuxellian\'smansionandpark，andwasfreefromthosebleakopenuplandswhichlentsuchanairofdesolationtothevicinageofthecoast——alwaysexceptingthesmallvalleyinwhichstoodthevicarageandMrs。Swancourt\'soldhouse，TheCrags。
Stephenhadarrivednearlyatthesummitoftheridgewhentherainagainincreaseditsvolume，and，lookingaboutfortemporaryshelter，heascendedasteeppathwhichpenetrateddensehazelbushesinthelowerpartofitscourse。Furtherupitemergeduponaledgeimmediatelyovertheturnpike-road，andshelteredbyanoverhangingfaceofrubblerock，withbushesabove。Forareasonofhisownhemadethisspothisrefugefromthestorm，andturninghisfacetotheleft，connedthelandscapeasabook。
HewasoverlookingthevalleycontainingElfride\'sresidence。
Fromthispointofobservationtheprospectexhibitedthepeculiarityofbeingeitherbrilliantforegroundorthesubduedtoneofdistance，asuddendipinthesurfaceofthecountryloweringoutofsightalltheintermediateprospect。Inapparentcontactwiththetreesandbushesgrowingclosebesidehimappearedthedistanttract，terminatedsuddenlybythebrinkoftheseriesofcliffswhichculminatedinthetallgiantwithoutaname——smallandunimportantasherebeheld。AleafonaboughatStephen\'selbowblottedoutawholehillinthecontrastingdistrictfaraway；agreenbunchofnutscoveredacompleteuplandthere，andthegreatcliffitselfwasoutviedbyapigmycraginthebankhardbyhim。Stephenhadlookeduponthesethingshundredsoftimesbeforeto-day，buthehadneverviewedthemwithsuchtendernessasnow。
Steppingforwardinthisdirectionyetalittlefurther，hecouldseethetowerofWestEndelstowChurch，beneathwhichhewastomeethisElfridethatnight。Andatthesametimehenoticed，comingoverthehillfromthecliffs，awhitespeckinmotion。Itseemedfirsttobeasea-gullflyinglow，butultimatelyprovedtobeahumanfigure，runningwithgreatrapidity。Theformflittedon，heedlessoftherainwhichhadcausedStephen\'shaltinthisplace，droppeddowntheheatheryhill，enteredthevale，andwasoutofsight。
Whilsthemeditateduponthemeaningofthisphenomenon，hewassurprisedtoseeswimintohiskenfromthesamepointofdepartureanothermovingspeck，asdifferentfromthefirstaswellcouldbe，insomuchthatitwasperceptibleonlybyitsblackness。Slowlyandregularlyittookthesamecourse，andtherewasnotmuchdoubtthatthiswastheformofaman。He，too，graduallydescendedfromtheupperlevels，andwaslostinthevalleybelow。
Therainhadbythistimeagainabated，andStephenreturnedtotheroad。Lookingahead，hesawtwomenandacart。Theyweresoonobscuredbytheinterventionofahighhedge。Justbeforetheyemergedagainheheardvoicesinconversation。
\'\'Amustsoonbeinthenaibourhood，too，ifsobehe\'sa-coming，\'
saidatenortongue，whichStepheninstantlyrecognizedasMartinCannister\'s。
\'\'Amust\'ab\'lieve，\'saidanothervoice——thatofStephen\'sfather。
Stephensteppedforward，andcamebeforethemfacetoface。HisfatherandMartinwerewalking，dressedintheirsecondbestsuits，andbesidethemrambledalongagrizzelhorseandbrightlypaintedspring-cart。
\'Allright，Mr。Cannister；here\'sthelostman!\'exclaimedyoungSmith，enteringatonceupontheoldstyleofgreeting。\'Father，hereIam。\'
\'Allright，mysonny；andgladIbefor\'t!\'returnedJohnSmith，overjoyedtoseetheyoungman。\'Howbeye？Well，comealonghome，anddon\'tlet\'sbideouthereinthedamp。SuchweathermustbeterriblebadforayoungchapjustcomefromafierynationlikeIndy；hey，naibourCannister？\'
\'Trew，trew。Andaboutgettinghomehistraps？Boxes，monstrousbales，andnoblepackagesofforeigndescription，Imakenodoubt？\'
\'Hardlyallthat，\'saidStephenlaughing。
\'Webroughtthecart，maningtogorightontoCastleBoterelaforeyelanded，\'saidhisfather。\'\"Putinthehorse，\"saysMartin。\"Ay，\"saysI，\"sowewill；\"anddiditstraightway。Now，maybe，Martinhadbettergoonwi\'thecartforthethings，andyouandIwalkhome-along。\'
\'AndIshallbebacka\'mostassoonasyou。Peggyisaprettystepstill，thoughtimed\'begintotelluponherasupontheresto\'us。\'
StephentoldMartinwheretofindhisbaggage，andthencontinuedhisjourneyhomewardinthecompanyofhisfather。
\'Owingtoyourcomingadaysoonerthanwefirstexpected，\'saidJohn，\'you\'llfindusinaturkofamess，sir——\"sir，\"saysItomyownson!butye\'vegoneupso，Stephen。We\'vekilledthepigthismorningforye，thinkingye\'dbehungry，andgladofamorseloffreshmate。And\'awon\'tbecutuptillto-night。However，wecanmakeyeagoodsupperoffry，whichwillchawupwellwi\'adabo\'mustardandafewnicenewtaters，andadropofshillingaletowashitdown。Yourmotherhavescrubbedthehousethroughbecauseyewerecoming，anddustedallthechimmerfurniture，andboughtanewbasinandjugofatravellingcrockery-womanthatcametoourdoor，andscouredthecannel-sticks，andclanedthewinders!Ay，Idon\'tknowwhat\'aha\'n\'tadone。Neverweresuchasteer，\'ab\'lieve。\'
ConversationofthiskindandinquiriesofStephenforhismother\'swellbeingoccupiedthemfortheremainderofthejourney。
Whentheydrewneartheriver，andthecottagebehindit，theycouldhearthemaster-mason\'sclockstrikingoffthebygonehoursofthedayatintervalsofaquarterofaminute，duringwhichintervalsStephen\'simaginationreadilypicturedhismother\'sforefingerwanderingroundthedialincompanywiththeminute-
hand。
\'Theclockstoppedthismorning，andyourmotherinputtingenrightseemingly，\'saidhisfatherinanexplanatorytone；andtheywentupthegardentothedoor。
Whentheyhadentered，andStephenhaddutifullyandwarmlygreetedhismother——whoappearedinacottondressofadark-blueground，coveredbroadcastwithamultitudeofnewandfullmoons，stars，andplanets，withanoccasionaldashofacomet-likeaspecttodiversifythescene——thecrackleofcart-wheelswasheardoutside，andMartinCannisterstampedinatthedoorway，intheformofapairoflegsbeneathagreatbox，hisbodybeingnowherevisible。Whentheluggagehadbeenalltakendown，andStephenhadgoneupstairstochangehisclothes，Mrs。Smith\'smindseemedtorecoveralostthread。
\'Reallyourclockisnotworthapenny，\'shesaid，turningtoitandattemptingtostartthependulum。
\'Stoppedagain？\'inquiredMartinwithcommiseration。
\'Yes，sure，\'repliedMrs。Smith；andcontinuedafterthemannerofcertainmatrons，towhosetonguestheharmonyofasubjectwithacasualmoodisagreaterrecommendationthanitspertinencetotheoccasion，\'Johnwouldspendpoundsayearuponthejimcrackoldthing，ifhemight，inhavingitclaned，whenatthesametimeyoumaydoctorityourselfaswell。\"Theclock\'sstoppedagain，John，\"Isaytohim。\"Betterhaveenclaned，\"sayshe。There\'sfiveshillings。\"Thatclockgrindsagain，\"Isaytoen。\"Betterhaveenclaned，\"\'asaysagain。\"Thatclockstrikeswrong，John，\"
saysI。\"Betterhaveenclaned，\"hegoeson。ThewheelswouldhavebeenpolishedtoskeletonsbythistimeifIhadlistenedtoen，andIassureyouwecouldhaveboughtachainey-facedbeautywi\'thegoodmoneywe\'veflungawaytheselasttenyearsuponthisoldgreen-facedmortal。And，Martin，youmustbewet。Mysonisgoneuptochange。JohnisdamperthanIshouldliketobe，but\'acallsitnothing。SomeofMrs。Swancourt\'sservantshavebeenhere——theyraninoutoftherainwhengoingforawalk——andI
assureyouthestateoftheirbonnetswasfrightful。\'
\'How\'sthefolks？We\'vebeenovertoCastleBoterel，andwhatwi\'
runningandstoppingoutofthestorms，mypoorheadisbeyondeverything!fizz，fizzfizz；\'tisfryingo\'fishfrommorningtonight，\'saidacrackedvoiceinthedoorwayatthisinstant。
\'Lordso\'s，who\'sthat？\'saidMrs。Smith，inaprivateexclamation，andturningroundsawWilliamWorm，endeavouringtomakehimselflookpassingcivilandfriendlybyoverspreadinghisfacewithalargesmilethatseemedtohavenoconnectionwiththehumourhewasin。Behindhimstoodawomanabouttwicehissize，withalargeumbrellaoverherhead。ThiswasMrs。Worm，William\'swife。
\'Comein，William，\'saidJohnSmith。\'Wedon\'tkillapigeveryday。Andyou，likewise，Mrs。Worm。Imakeyewelcome。SinceyeleftParsonSwancourt，William，Idon\'tseemuchof\'ee。\'
\'No，fortotellthetruth，sinceItooktotheturn-pike-gateline，I\'vebeenoutbutlittle，comingtochurcho\'Sundaysnotbeingmydutynow，as\'twasinaparson\'sfamily，yousee。
However，ourboyisabletomindthegatenow，andIsaid，saysI，\"Barbara，let\'scallandseeJohnSmith。”\'
\'Iamsorrytohearyerporeheadissobadstill。\'
\'Ay，Iassureyouthatfryingo\'fishisgoingonfornightsanddays。And，youknow，sometimes\'tisn\'tonlyfish，butrasherso\'
baconandinions。Ay，Icanhearthefatpopandfizzasnateralaslife；can\'tI，Barbara？\'
Mrs。Worm，whohadbeenallthistimeengagedinclosingherumbrella，corroboratedthisstatement，andnow，comingindoors，showedherselftobeawide-faced，comfortable-lookingwoman，withawartuponhercheek，bearingasmalltuftofhairinitscentre。
\'Haveyeevertriedanythingtocureyernoise，MaisterWorm？\'
inquiredMartinCannister。
\'Ohay；blessye，I\'vetriedeverything。Ay，Providenceisamercifulman，andIhavehopedHe\'dhavefounditoutbythistime，livingsomanyyearsinaparson\'sfamily，too，asIhave，but\'adon\'tseemtorelieveme。Ay，Ibeapoorwamblingman，andlife\'saminto\'trouble!\'
\'True，mournfultrue，WilliamWorm。\'Tisso。Theworldwantslookingto，or\'tisallsixesandsevenswi\'us。\'
\'Takeyourthingsoff，Mrs。Worm，\'saidMrs。Smith。\'Weberatherinamuddle，totellthetruth，formysonisjustdroppedinfromIndyadaysoonerthanweexpected，andthepig-killeriscomingpresentlytocutup。\'
Mrs。BarbaraWorm，notwishingtotakeanymeanadvantageofpersonsinamuddlebyobservingthem，removedherbonnetandmantlewitheyesfixedupontheflowersintheplotoutsidethedoor。
\'Whatbeautifultiger-lilies!\'saidMrs。Worm。
\'Yes，theybeverywell，butsuchatroubletomeonaccountofthechildrenthatcomehere。Theywillgoeatingtheberriesonthestem，andcall\'emcurrants。Tastewi\'junivalsisquitefancy，really。\'
\'Andyoursnapdragonslookasfierceasever。\'
\'Well，really，\'answeredMrs。Smith，enteringdidacticallyintothesubject，\'theyaremorelikeChristiansthanflowers。Buttheymakeupwellenoughwi\'therest，anddon\'trequiremuchtending。Andthesamecanbesaido\'thesemiller\'swheels。\'TisaflowerIlikeverymuch，thoughsosimple。Johnsayshenevercaresabouttheflowerso\'\'em，butmenhavenoeyeforanythingneat。Hesayshisfavouriteflowerisacauliflower。AndI
assureyouItrembleinthespringtime，for\'tisperfectmurder。\'
\'Youdon\'tsayso，Mrs。Smith!\'
\'Johndigsroundtheroots，youknow。Ingoeshisblunderingspade，throughroots，bulbs，everythingthathasn\'tgotagoodshowaboveground，turning\'emupcutalltoslices。OnlytheverylastfallIwenttomovesometulips，whenIfoundeverybulbupsidedown，andthestemscrookedround。Hehadturned\'emoverinthespring，andthecunningcreatureshadsoonfoundthatheavenwasnotwhereitusedtobe。\'
\'What\'sthatlong-favouredflowerunderthehedge？\'
\'They？OLord，theyarethehorridJacob\'sladders!Insteadofpraising\'em，Ibemadwi\'\'emforbeingsoreadytobidewheretheyarenotwanted。Theybeverywellintheirway，butIdonotcareforthingsthatneglectwon\'tkill。DowhatIwill，dig，drag，scrap，pull，Igettoomanyof\'em。Ichoptheroots:upthey\'llcome，treblestrong。Throw\'emoverhedge；therethey\'llgrow，staringmeinthefacelikeahungrydogdrivenaway，andcreepbackagaininaweekortwothesameasbefore。\'TisJacob\'sladderhere，Jacob\'sladderthere，andplant\'emwherenothingintheworldwillgrow，yougetcrowdsof\'eminamonthortwo。Johnmadeanewmanuremixenlastsummer，andhesaid，\"Maria，nowifyou\'vegotanyflowersorsuchlike，thatyoudon\'twant，youmayplant\'emroundmymixensoastohideitabit，though\'tisnotlikelyanythingofmuchvaluewillgrowthere。”I
thought，\"There\'sthemJacob\'sladders；I\'llputthemthere，sincetheycan\'tdoharminsuchaplace；\"andIplantedtheJacob\'sladderssureenough。Theygrowed，andtheygrowed，inthemixenandoutofthemixen，alloverthelitter，coveringitquiteup。
WhenJohnwantedtouseitaboutthegarden，\'asaid，\"NationseizethemJacob\'sladdersofyours，Maria!They\'veeatthegoodnessoutofeverymorselofmymanure，sothat\'tisnobetterthansanditself!\"Sureenoughthehungrymortalshad。\'Tismybeliefthatinthesecretsoulso\'\'em，Jacob\'sladdersbeweeds，andnotflowersatall，ifthetruthwasknown。\'
RobertLickpan，pig-killerandcarrier，arrivedatthismoment。
Thefattedanimalhanginginthebackkitchenwascleftdownthemiddleofitsbackbone，Mrs。Smithbeingmeanwhileengagedincookingsupper。
Betweenthecuttingandchopping，alewashandedround，andWormandthepig-killerlistenedtoJohnSmith\'sdescriptionofthemeetingwithStephen，witheyesblanklyfixeduponthetable-
cloth，inorderthatnothingintheexternalworldshouldinterrupttheireffortstoconjureupthescenecorrectly。
Stephencamedownstairsinthemiddleofthestory，andafterthelittleinterruptionoccasionedbyhisentranceandwelcome，thenarrativewasagaincontinued，preciselyasifhehadnotbeenthereatall，andwastoldinclusivelytohim，astosomebodywhoknewnothingaboutthematter。
\'\"Ay，\"Isaid，asIcatchedsighto\'enthroughthebrimbles，\"that\'sthelad，forId\'knowenbyhisgrand-father\'swalk；\"for\'astappedoutlikepoorfatherforalltheworld。Stilltherewasatoucho\'thefriskythatsetmewondering。\'Agotcloser，andIsaid，\"That\'sthelad，forId\'knowenbyhiscarryingablackcaselikeatravellingman。”Still，aroadiscommontoalltheworld，andtherebemoretravellingmenthanone。ButIkeptmyeyecocked，andIsaidtoMartin，\"\'Tistheboy，now，forId\'
knowenbythewoldtwirlo\'thestickandthefamilystep。”Then\'acomecloser，anda\'said，\"Allright。”Icouldsweartoenthen。\'
Stephen\'spersonalappearancewasnextcriticised。
\'Hed\'lookadealthinnerinface，surely，thanwhenIseedenattheparson\'s，andneverknoweden，ifye\'llbelieveme，\'saidMartin。
\'Ay，there，\'saidanother，withoutremovinghiseyesfromStephen\'sface，\'Ishouldha\'knowedenanywhere。\'Tishisfather\'snosetoaT。\'
\'Ithasbeenoftenremarked，\'saidStephenmodestly。
\'Andhe\'scertainlytaller，\'saidMartin，lettinghisglancerunoverStephen\'sformfrombottomtotop。
\'Iwasthinking\'awasexactlythesameheight，\'Wormreplied。
\'Blessthysoul，that\'sbecausehe\'sbiggerroundlikewise。\'AndtheunitedeyesallmovedtoStephen\'swaist。
\'Ibeapoorwamblingman，butIcanmakeallowances，\'saidWilliamWorm。\'Ah，sure，andhowhecameasastrangerandpilgrimtoParsonSwancourt\'sthattime，notasoulknowingenaftersomanyyears!Ay，life\'sastrangepicter，Stephen:butI
supposeImustsaySirtoye？\'
\'Oh，itisnotnecessaryatpresent，\'Stephenreplied，thoughmentallyresolvingtoavoidthevicinityofthatfamiliarfriendassoonashehadmadepretensionstothehandofElfride。
\'Ah，well，\'saidWormmusingly，\'somewouldhavelookedfornolessthanaSir。There\'sasightofdifferenceinpeople。\'
\'Andinpigslikewise，\'observedJohnSmith，lookingatthehalvedcarcassofhisown。
RobertLickpan，thepig-killer，hereseemedcalledupontoenterthelistsofconversation。
\'Yes，they\'vegottheirparticularnatersgood-now，\'heremarkedinitially。\'Many\'stherum-temperedpigI\'veknowed。\'
\'Idon\'tdoubtit，MasterLickpan，\'answeredMartin，inatoneexpressingthathisconvictions，nolessthangoodmanners，demandedthereply。
\'Yes，\'continuedthepig-killer，asoneaccustomedtobeheard。
\'OnethatIknowedwasdeafanddumb，andwecouldn\'tmakeoutwhatwasthematterwi\'thepig。\'Awouldeatwellenoughwhen\'aseedthetrough，butwhenhisbackwasturned，youmighta-rattledthebucketallday，thepoorsoulneverheardye。Yecouldplaytricksuponenbehindhisback，anda\'wouldn\'tfinditoutnoquickerthanpoordeafGrammerCates。Buta\'fattedwell，andI
neverseedapigopenbetterwhena\'waskilled，and\'awasverytendereating，very；asprettyabitofmateaseveryousee；youcouldsuckthatmatethroughaquill。
\'AndanotherIknowed，\'resumedthekiller，afterquietlylettingapintofalerundownhisthroatofitsownaccord，andsettingdownthecupwithmathematicalexactnessuponthespotfromwhichhehadraisedit——\'anotherwentoutofhismind。\'
\'Howverymournful!\'murmuredMrs。Worm。
\'Ay，poorthing，\'adid!AscleanoutofhismindasthecleverestChristiancouldgo。Inearlylife\'awasverymelancholy，andneverseemedahopefulpigbynomeans。\'TwasAndrewStainer\'spig——that\'swhosepig\'twas。\'
\'Icanmindthepigwellenough，\'attestedJohnSmith。
\'Andaprettylittleporker\'awas。AndyouallknowFarmerBuckle\'ssort？Everyjacko\'emsufferfromtherheumatismtothisday，owingtoadampstytheylivedinwhentheywerestriplings，as\'twere。\'
\'Well，nowwe\'llweigh，\'saidJohn。
\'Ifsobehewerenotsofine，we\'dweighenwhole:butasheis，we\'lltakeasideatatime。John，youcanmindmyoldjoke，ey？\'
\'Idoso；though\'twasagoodfewyearsagoIfirsthearden。\'
\'Yes，\'saidLickpan，\'thatthereoldfamiliarjokehavebeeninourfamilyforgenerations，Imaysay。Myfatherusedthatjokeregularatpig-killingsformorethanfiveandfortyyears——thetimehefollowedthecalling。And\'atoldmethat\'ahaditfromhisfatherwhenhewasquiteachiel，whomadeuseo\'enjustthesameateverykillingmoreorless；andpig-killingswerepig-
killingsinthosedays。\'
\'Trewlytheywere。\'
\'I\'veneverheardthejoke，\'saidMrs。Smithtentatively。
\'NorI，\'chimedinMrs。Worm，who，beingtheonlyotherladyintheroom，feltboundbythelawsofcourtesytofeellikeMrs。
Smithineverything。
\'Surely，surelyyouhave，\'saidthekiller，lookingscepticallyatthebenightedfemales。\'However，\'tisn\'tmuch——Idon\'twishtosayitis。Itcommenceslikethis:\"Bobwilltelltheweightofyourpig，\'ab\'lieve，\"saysI。ThecongregationofneighboursthinkImanemysonBob，naturally；butthesecretisthatImanethebobo\'thesteelyard。Ha，ha，ha!\'
\'Haw，haw，haw!\'laughedMartinCannister，whohadheardtheexplanationofthisstrikingstoryforthehundredthtime。
\'Huh，huh，huh!\'laughedJohnSmith，whohadhearditforthethousandth。
\'Hee，hee，hee!\'laughedWilliamWorm，whohadneverhearditatall，butwasafraidtosayso。
\'Thygrandfather，Robert，musthavebeenawide-awakechaptomakethatstory，\'saidMartinCannister，subsidingtoaplacidaspectofdelightedcriticism。
\'Hehadahead，byallaccount。And，yousee，asthefirst-bornoftheLickpanshaveallbeenRoberts，they\'veallbeenBobs，sothestorywashandeddowntothepresentday。\'
\'PoorJoseph，yoursecondboy，willneverbeabletobringitoutincompany，whichisratherunfortunate，\'saidMrs。Wormthoughtfully。
\'\'Awon\'t。Yes，grandferwasacleverchap，asyesay；butI
knowedacleverer。\'TwasmyuncleLevi。UncleLevimadeasnuff-
boxthatshouldbeapuzzletohisfriendstoopen。Heusedtohandenroundatweddingparties，christenings，funerals，andinotherjollycompany，andlet\'emtrytheirskill。Thisextraordinarysnuff-boxhadaspringbehindthatwouldpushinandout——ahingewhereseemedtobethecover；aslideattheend，ascrewinfront，andknobsandqueernotcheseverywhere。Onemanwouldtrythespring，anotherwouldtrythescrew，anotherwouldtrytheslide；buttryastheywould，theboxwouldn\'topen。Andtheycouldn\'topenen，andtheydidn\'topenen。Nowwhatmightyouthinkwasthesecretofthatbox？\'
Allputonanexpressionthattheirunitedthoughtswereinadequatetotheoccasion。
\'Whytheboxwouldn\'topenatall。\'Aweremadenottoopen，andyemighthavetriedtilltheendofRevelations，\'twouldhavebeenasnaught，fortheboxweregluedallround。\'
\'Averydeepmantohavemadesuchabox。\'
\'Yes。\'TwaslikeuncleLeviallover。\'
\'\'Twas。Icanmindthemanverywell。TallestmaneverIseed。\'
\'\'Awasso。Heneversleptuponabedsteadafterhegrowedupahardboy-chap——nevercouldgetonelongenough。When\'alivedinthatlittlesmallhousebythepond，heusedtohavetoleaveopenhischamberdooreverynightatgoingtohisbed，andlethisfeetpokeoutuponthelanding。\'
\'He\'sdeadandgonenow，nevertheless，poorman，asweallshall，\'
observedWorm，tofillthepausewhichfollowedtheconclusionofRobertLickpan\'sspeech。
TheweighingandcuttingupwaspursuedamidananimateddiscourseonStephen\'stravels；andatthefinish，thefirst-fruitsoftheday\'sslaughter，friedinonions，werethenturnedfromthepanintoadishonthetable，eachpiecesteamingandhissingtillitreachedtheirverymouths。
Itmustbeownedthatthegentlemanlysonofthehouselookedratheroutofplaceinthecourseofthisoperation。Norwashismindquitephilosophicenoughtoallowhimtobecomfortablewiththeseold-establishedpersons，hisfather\'sfriends。Hehadneverlivedlongathome——scarcelyatallsincehischildhood。ThepresenceofWilliamWormwasthemostawkwardfeatureofthecase，for，thoughWormhadleftthehouseofMr。Swancourt，thebeinghand-in-glovewithaci-devantservitorremindedStephentooforciblyofthevicar\'sclassificationofhimselfbeforehewentfromEngland。Mrs。Smithwasconsciousofthedefectinherarrangementswhichhadbroughtabouttheundesiredconjunction。
ShespoketoStephenprivately。
\'Iamabovehavingsuchpeoplehere，Stephen；butwhatcouldIdo？
Andyourfatherissoroughinhisnaturethathe\'smoremixedupwiththemthanneedbe。\'
\'Nevermind，mother，\'saidStephen；\'I\'llputupwithitnow。\'
\'Whenweleavemylord\'sservice，andgetfurtherupthecountry——
asIhopeweshallsoon——itwillbedifferent。Weshallbeamongfreshpeople，andinalargerhouse，andshallkeepourselvesupabit，Ihope。\'
\'IsMissSwancourtathome，doyouknow？\'Stepheninquired\'Yes，yourfathersawherthismorning。\'
\'Doyouoftenseeher？\'
\'Scarcelyever。Mr。Glim，thecurate，callsoccasionally，buttheSwancourtsdon\'tcomeintothevillagenowanymorethantodrivethroughit。Theydineatmylord\'softenerthantheyused。Ah，here\'sanotewasbroughtthismorningforyoubyaboy。\'
Stepheneagerlytookthenoteandopenedit，hismotherwatchinghim。HereadwhatElfridehadwrittenandsentbeforeshestartedforthecliffthatafternoon:
\'Yes；Iwillmeetyouinthechurchatnineto-night——E。S。\'
\'Idon\'tknow，Stephen，\'hismothersaidmeaningly，\'whe\'ryoustillthinkaboutMissElfride，butifIwereyouIwouldn\'tconcernabouther。TheysaythatnoneofoldMrs。Swancourt\'smoneywillcometoherstep-daughter。\'
\'Iseetheeveninghasturnedoutfine；Iamgoingoutforalittlewhiletolookroundtheplace，\'hesaid，evadingthedirectquery。\'ProbablybythetimeIreturnourvisitorswillbegone，andwe\'llhaveamoreconfidentialtalk。\'
ChapterXXIV
\'Breeze，bird，andflowerconfessthehour。\'
Therainhadceasedsincethesunset，butitwasacloudynight；
andthelightofthemoon，softenedanddispersedbyitsmistyveil，wasdistributedoverthelandinpalegray。
AdarkfiguresteppedfromthedoorwayofJohnSmith\'sriver-sidecottage，andstroderapidlytowardsWestEndelstowwithalightfootstep。Soonascendingfromthelowerlevelsheturnedacorner，followedacart-track，andsawthetowerofthechurchhewasinquestofdistinctlyshapedforthagainstthesky。Inlessthanhalfanhourfromthetimeofstartingheswunghimselfoverthechurchyardstile。
Thewildirregularenclosurewasasmuchaseveranintegralpartoftheoldhill。Thegrasswasstilllong，thegraveswereshapedpreciselyaspassingyearschosetoalterthemfromtheirorthodoxformaslaiddownbyMartinCannister，andbyStephen\'sowngrandfatherbeforehim。
AsoundspedintotheairfromthedirectioninwhichCastleBoterellay。Itwasthestrikingofthechurchclock，distinctinthestillatmosphereasifithadcomefromthetowerhardby，which，wraptinitssolitarysilentness，gaveoutnosuchsoundsoflife。
\'One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine。\'Stephencarefullycountedthestrokes，thoughhewellknewtheirnumberbeforehand。Nineo\'clock。ItwasthehourElfridehadherselfnamedasthemostconvenientformeetinghim。
Stephenstoodatthedooroftheporchandlistened。Hecouldhaveheardthesoftestbreathingofanypersonwithintheporch；
nobodywasthere。Hewentinsidethedoorway，satdownuponthestonebench，andwaitedwithabeatingheart。
Thefaintsoundsheardonlyaccentuatedthesilence。Therisingandfallingofthesea，farawayalongthecoast，wasthemostimportant。Aminorsoundwasthescurrofadistantnight-hawk。
Amongtheminutestwhereallwereminutewerethelightsettlementofgossamerfragmentsfloatingintheair，atoadhumblylabouringalongthroughthegrassneartheentrance，thecrackleofadeadleafwhichawormwasendeavouringtopullintotheearth，awaftofair，gettingnearerandnearer，andexpiringathisfeetundertheburdenofawingedseed。
Amongallthesesoftsoundscamenottheonlysoftsoundhecaredtohear——thefootfallofElfride。
ForawholequarterofanhourStephensatthusintent，withoutmovingamuscle。Attheendofthattimehewalkedtothewestfrontofthechurch。Turningthecornerofthetower，awhiteformstaredhimintheface。Hestartedback，andrecoveredhimself。ItwasthetombofyoungfarmerJethway，lookingstillasfreshandasnewaswhenitwasfirsterected，thewhitestoneinwhichitwashewnhavingasingularweirdnessamidthedarkblueslabsfromlocalquarries，ofwhichthewholeremaininggravestoneswereformed。
HethoughtofthenightwhenhehadsatthereonwithElfrideashiscompanion，andwellrememberedhisregretthatshehadreceived，evenunwillingly，earlierhomagethanhisown。Buthispresenttangibleanxietyreducedsuchafeelingtosentimentalnonsenseincomparison；andhestrolledonoverthegravestotheborderofthechurchyard，whenceinthedaytimecouldbeclearlyseenthevicarageandthepresentresidenceoftheSwancourts。Nofootstepwasdiscernibleuponthepathupthehill，butalightwasshiningfromawindowinthelast-namedhouse。
Stephenknewtherecouldbenomistakeaboutthetimeorplace，andnodifficultyaboutkeepingtheengagement。Hewaitedyetlonger，passingfromimpatienceintoamoodwhichfailedtotakeanyaccountofthelapseoftime。HewasawakenedfromhisreveriebyCastleBoterelclock。
One，two，three，four，five，six，seven，eight，nine，TEN。
Onelittlefallofthehammerinadditiontothenumberithadbeensharppleasuretohear，andwhatadifferencetohim!
Heleftthechurchyardonthesideoppositetohispointofentrance，andwentdownthehill。Slowlyhedrewnearthegateofherhouse。Thishesoftlyopened，andwalkedupthegraveldrivetothedoor。Herehepausedforseveralminutes。
Attheexpirationofthattimethemurmuredspeechofamanlyvoicecameouttohisearsthroughanopenwindowbehindthecornerofthehouse。Thiswasrespondedtobyaclearsoftlaugh。
ItwasthelaughofElfride。
Stephenwasconsciousofagnawingpainathisheart。Heretreatedashehadcome。Therearedisappointmentswhichwringus，andtherearethosewhichinflictawoundwhosemarkwebeartoourgraves。Sucharesokeenthatnofuturegratificationofthesamedesirecaneverobliteratethem:theybecomeregisteredasapermanentlossofhappiness。SuchaonewasStephen\'snow:
thecrowningaureolaofthedreamhadbeenthemeetingherebystealth；andifElfridehadcometohimonlytenminutesafterhehadturnedaway，thedisappointmentwouldhavebeenrecognizablestill。
Whentheyoungmanreachedhomehefoundtherealetterwhichhadarrivedinhisabsence。Believingittocontainsomereasonforhernon-appearance，yetunabletoimagineonethatcouldjustifyher，hehastilytoreopentheenvelope。
ThepapercontainednotawordfromElfride。Itwasthedeposit-
noteforhistwohundredpounds。Onthebackwastheformofacheque，andthisshehadfilledupwiththesamesum，payabletothebearer。
Stephenwasconfounded。Heattemptedtodivinehermotive。
Consideringhowlimitedwashisknowledgeofherlateractions，heguessedrathershrewdlythat，betweenthetimeofhersendingthenoteinthemorningandtheevening\'ssilentrefusalofhisgift，somethinghadoccurredwhichhadcausedatotalchangeinherattitudetowardshim。
Heknewnotwhattodo。Itseemedabsurdnowtogotoherfathernextmorning，ashehadpurposed，andaskforanengagementwithher，apossibilityimpendingallthewhilethatElfrideherselfwouldnotbeonhisside。Onlyonecourserecommendeditselfaswise。Towaitandseewhatthedayswouldbringforth；togoandexecutehiscommissionsinBirmingham；thentoreturn，learnifanythinghadhappened，andtrywhatameetingmightdo；perhapshersurpriseathisbackwardnesswouldbringherforwardtoshowlatentwarmthasdecidedlyasinoldtimes。
ThisactofpatiencewasinkeepingonlywiththenatureofamanpreciselyofStephen\'sconstitution。Ninemenoutoftenwouldperhapshaverushedoff，gotintoherpresence，byfairmeansorfoul，andprovokedacatastropheofsomesort。Possiblyforthebetter，probablyfortheworse。
HestartedforBirminghamthenextmorning。Aday\'sdelaywouldhavemadenodifference；buthecouldnotrestuntilhehadbegunandendedtheprogrammeproposedtohimself。Bodilyactivitywillsometimestakethestingoutofanxietyascompletelyasassuranceitself。
ChapterXXV
\'Mineownfamiliarfriend。\'
DuringthesedaysofabsenceStephenlivedunderalternateconditions。Wheneverhisemotionswereactive，hewasinagony。
Wheneverhewasnotinagony，thebusinessinhandhaddrivenoutofhismindbysheerforcealldeepreflectiononthesubjectofElfrideandlove。
Bythetimehetookhisreturnjourneyattheweek\'send，Stephenhadverynearlyworkedhimselfuptoanintentiontocallandseeherfacetoface。Onthisoccasionalsoheadoptedhisfavouriteroute——bythelittlesummersteamerfromBristoltoCastleBoterel；thetimesavedbyspeedontherailwaybeingwastedatjunctions，andinfollowingadeviouscourse。
ItwasabrightsilenteveningatthebeginningofSeptemberwhenSmithagainsetfootinthelittletown。Hefeltinclinedtolingerawhileuponthequaybeforeascendingthehills，havingformedaromanticintentiontogohomebywayofherhouse，yetnotwishingtowanderinitsneighbourhoodtilltheeveningshadesshouldsufficientlyscreenhimfromobservation。
Andthuswaitingfornight\'snearerapproach，hewatchedtheplacidscene，overwhichthepaleluminosityofthewestcastasorrowfulmonochrome，thatbecameslowlyembrownedbythedusk。A
starappeared，andanother，andanother。Theysparkledamidtheyardsandriggingofthetwocoalbrigslyingalangside，asiftheyhadbeentinylampssuspendedintheropes。Themastsrockedsleepilytotheinfinitesimalfluxofthetide，whichcluckedandgurgledwithidleregularityinnooksandholesoftheharbourwall。
Thetwilightwasnowquitepronouncedenoughforhispurpose；andas，rathersadatheart，hewasabouttomoveon，alittleboatcontainingtwopersonsglidedupthemiddleoftheharbourwiththelightnessofashadow。Theboatcameoppositehim，passedon，andtouchedthelanding-stepsatthefurtherend。Oneofitsoccupantswasaman，asStephenhadknownbytheeasystrokeoftheoars。Whenthepairascendedthesteps，andcameintogreaterprominence，hewasenabledtodiscernthatthesecondpersonagewasawoman；alsothatsheworeawhitedecoration——apparentlyafeather——inherhatorbonnet，whichspotofwhitewastheonlydistinctlyvisibleportionofherclothing。
Stephenremainedamomentintheirrear，andtheypassedon，whenhepursuedhiswayalso，andsoonforgotthecircumstance。Havingcrossedabridge，forsakenthehighroad，andenteredthefootpathwhichledupthevaletoWestEndelstow，heheardalittlewicketclicksoftlytogethersomeyardsahead。BythetimethatStephenhadreachedthewicketandpassedit，heheardanotherclickofpreciselythesamenaturefromanothergateyetfurtheron。
Clearlysomepersonorpersonswereprecedinghimalongthepath，theirfootstepsbeingrenderednoiselessbythesoftcarpetofturf。Stephennowwalkedalittlequicker，andperceivedtwoforms。Oneofthemborealoftthewhitefeatherhehadnoticedinthewoman\'shatonthequay:theywerethecouplehehadseenintheboat。Stephendroppedalittlefurthertotherear。
Fromthebottomofthevalley，alongwhichthepathhadhithertolain，besidethemarginofthetricklingstreamlet，anotherpathnowdiverged，andascendedtheslopeoftheleft-handhill。ThisfootwayledonlytotheresidenceofMrs。Swancourtandacottageortwoinitsvicinity。Nograsscoveredthisdivergingpathinportionsofitslength，andStephenwasremindedthatthepairinfrontofhimhadtakenthisroutebytheoccasionalrattleofloosestonesundertheirfeet。Stephenclimbedinthesamedirection，butforsomeundefinedreasonhetrodmoresoftlythandidthoseprecedinghim。Hismindwasunconsciouslyinexerciseuponwhomthewomanmightbe——whetheravisitortoTheCrags，aservant，orElfride。Heputittohimselfyetmoreforcibly；
couldtheladybeElfride？Apossiblereasonforherunaccountablefailuretokeeptheappointmentwithhimreturnedwithpainfulforce。
Theyenteredthegroundsofthehousebythesidewicket，whencethepath，nowwideandwelltrimmed，woundfantasticallythroughtheshrubberytoanoctagonalpavilioncalledtheBelvedere，byreasonofthecomprehensiveviewovertheadjacentdistrictthatitsgreenseatsafforded。Thepathpassedthiserectionandwentontothehouseaswellastothegardener\'scottageontheotherside，stragglingthencetoEastEndelstow；sothatStephenfeltnohesitationinenteringapromenadewhichcouldscarcelybecalledprivate。
Hefanciedthatheheardthegateopenandswingtogetheragainbehindhim。Turning，hesawnobody。
Thepeopleoftheboatcametothesummer-house。Oneofthemspoke。
\'Iamafraidweshallgetascoldingforbeingsolate。\'
Stepheninstantlyrecognisedthefamiliarvoice，richerandfullernowthanitusedtobe。\'Elfride!\'hewhisperedtohimself，andheldfastbyasapling，tosteadyhimselfundertheagitationherpresencecausedhim。Hisheartswervedfromitsbeat；heshunnedreceivingthemeaninghesought。
\'Abreezeisrisingagain；howtheashtreerustles!\'saidElfride。\'Don\'tyouhearit？Iwonderwhatthetimeis。\'
Stephenrelinquishedthesapling。
Iwillgetalightandtellyou。Stepintothesummer-house；theairisquietthere。\'
Thecadenceofthatvoice——itspeculiarityseemedtocomehometohimlikethatofsomenotesofthenorthernbirdsonhisreturntohisnativeclime，asanoldnaturalthingrenewed，yetnotparticularlynoticedasnaturalbeforethatrenewal。
TheyenteredtheBelvedere。Inthelowerpartitwasformedofclosewood-worknailedcrosswise，andhadopeningsintheupperbywayofwindows。
Thescratchofastrikinglightwasheard，andabrightglowradiatedfromtheinteriorofthebuilding。Thelightgavebirthtodancingleaf-shadows，stem-shadows，lustrousstreaks，dots，sparkles，andthreadsofsilversheenofallimaginablevarietyandtransience。Itawakenedgnats，whichflewtowardsit，revealedshinygossamerthreads，disturbedearthworms。Stephengavebutlittleattentiontothesephenomena，andlesstime。Hesawinthesummer-houseastronglyilluminatedpicture。
First，thefaceofhisfriendandpreceptorHenryKnight，betweenwhomandhimselfanestrangementhadarisen，notfromanydefinitecausesbeyondthoseofabsence，increasingage，anddivergingsympathies。
Next，hisbrightparticularstar，Elfride。ThefaceofElfridewasmorewomanlythanwhenshehadcalledherselfhis，butasclearandhealthyasever。Herplenteoustwinesofbeautifulhairwerelookingmuchasusual，withtheexceptionofaslightmodificationintheirarrangementindeferencetothechangesoffashion。
Theirtwoforeheadswereclosetogether，almosttouching，andbothwerelookingdown。Elfridewasholdingherwatch，Knightwasholdingthelightwithonehand，hisleftarmbeingroundherwaist。PartofthescenereachedStephen\'seyesthroughthehorizontalbarsofwoodwork，whichcrossedtheirformsliketheribsofaskeleton。
Knight\'sarmstolestillfurtherroundthewaistofElfride。
\'Itishalf-pasteight，\'shesaidinalowvoice，whichhadapeculiarmusicinit，seeminglybornofathrillofpleasureatthenewproofthatshewasbeloved。
Theflamedwindleddown，diedaway，andallwaswrappedinadarknesstowhichthegloombeforetheilluminationborenocomparisoninapparentdensity。Stephen，shatteredinspiritandsicktohisheart\'scentre，turnedaway。Inturning，hesawashadowyoutlinebehindthesummer-houseontheotherside。Hiseyesgrewaccustomedtothedarkness。Wastheformahumanform，orwasitanopaquebushofjuniper？
Theloversarose，brushedagainstthelaurestines，andpursuedtheirwaytothehouse。Theindistinctfigurehadmoved，andnowpassedacrossSmith\'sfront。Socompletelyenvelopedwastheperson，thatitwasimpossibletodiscernhimorheranymorethanasashape。Theshapeglidednoiselesslyon。
Stephensteppedforward，fearinganymischiefwasintendedtotheothertwo。\'Whoareyou？\'hesaid。
\'NevermindwhoIam，\'answeredaweakwhisperfromtheenvelopingfolds。\'WHATIam，mayshebe!PerhapsIknewwell——ah，sowell!——
ayouthwhoseplaceyoutook，ashetherenowtakesyours。Willyouletherbreakyourheart，andbringyoutoanuntimelygrave，asshedidtheonebeforeyou？\'
\'YouareMrs。Jethway，Ithink。Whatdoyoudohere？Andwhydoyoutalksowildly？\'
\'Becausemyheartisdesolate，andnobodycaresaboutit。Mayhersbesothatbroughttroubleuponme!\'
\'Silence!\'saidStephen，staunchtoElfrideinspiteofhimself\'Shewouldharmnobodywilfully，neverwouldshe!Howdoyoucomehere？\'
\'Isawthetwocomingupthepath，andwantedtolearnifshewerenotoneofthem。CanIhelpdislikingherifIthinkofthepast？
CanIhelpwatchingherifIremembermyboy？CanIhelpill-
wishingherifIwell-wishhim？\'
Thebowedformwenton，passedthroughthewicket，andwasenvelopedbytheshadowsofthefield。
StephenhadheardthatMrs。Jethway，sincethedeathofherson，hadbecomeacrazed，forlornwoman；andbestowingapityingthoughtuponher，hedismissedherfanciedwrongsfromhismind，butnothercondemnationofElfride\'sfaithlessness。Thatenteredintoandmingledwiththesensationshisnewexperiencehadbegotten。Thetaletoldbythelittlescenehehadwitnessedranparallelwiththeunhappywoman\'sopinion，which，howeverbaselessitmighthavebeenantecedently，hadbecometrueenoughasregardedhimself。
Aslowweightofdespair，asdistinctfromaviolentparoxysmasstarvationfromamortalshot，filledhimandwrunghimbodyandsoul。Thediscoveryhadnotbeenaltogetherunexpected，forthroughouthisanxietyofthelastfewdayssincethenightinthechurchyard，hehadbeeninclinedtoconstruetheuncertaintyunfavourablyforhimself。Hishopesforthebesthadbeenbutperiodicinterruptionstoachronicfearoftheworst。
Astrangeconcomitantofhismiserywasthesingularityofitsform。ThathisrivalshouldbeKnight，whomonceuponatimehehadadoredasamanisveryrarelyadoredbyanotherinmoderntimes，andwhomhelovednow，addeddeprecationtosorrow，andcynicismtoboth。HenryKnight，whosepraiseshehadsofrequentlytrumpetedinherears，ofwhomshehadactuallybeenjealous，lestsheherselfshouldbelessenedinStephen\'sloveonaccountofhim，hadprobablywonherthemoreeasilybyreasonofthoseverypraiseswhichhehadonlyceasedtoutterbyhercommand。Shehadruledhimlikeaqueeninthatmatter，asinallothers。Stephencouldtellbyhermanner，briefashadbeenhisobservationofit，andbyherwords，fewastheywere，thatherpositionwasfardifferentwithKnight。Thatshelookedupatandadoredhernewloverfrombelowhispedestal，wasevenmoreperceptiblethanthatshehadsmileddownuponStephenfromaheightabovehim。