\"THAT\'Sploombism\"saidmyunclecasually。
\"What？\"saidI。
\"Ploombism。AndtheotherdayIsawafoolofagirl，andwhatd\'youthink？She\'dgotabasinthathadn\'tbeenfired，acrackedpieceofbiscuititwas，upontheshelfoverherhead，justalloverglaze，killingglaze，man，andshewasputtingupherhandifyouplease，andeatingherdinneroutofit。Gotherdinnerinit！
\"Eatingherdinneroutofit，\"herepeatedinloudandbittertones，andpunchedmehardintheribs。
\"AndthentheycomestoTHAT——andgrumbles。AndthefoolsupinWestminsterwantyoutoputinfanshereandfansthere——theLongtonfoolshave……Andtheneatingtheirdinnersoutofitallthetime！\"……
Athighteathatnight——myunclewasstillholdingoutagainsteveningdinner——SibylandGertrudemadewhatwasevidentlyaconcerteddemandforamotorcar。
\"You\'vegotyourmother\'sbrougham，\"hesaid，that\'sgoodenoughforyou。\"ButheseemedshakenbythefactthatsomeBurslemrivalwaslaunchingoutwiththenewinvention。\"Hespoilshisgirls，\"heremarked。\"He\'safool，\"andbecamethoughtful。
Afterwardsheaskedmetocometohimintohisstudy；itwasaroomwithawriting-deskandfullofpiecesofearthenwareandsuchlikelitter，andwehadourgreatrowaboutCambridge。
\"Haveyouthoughtthingsover，Dick？\"hesaid。
\"IthinkI\'llgotoTrinity，Uncle，\"Isaidfirmly。\"IwanttogotoTrinity。Itisagreatcollege。\"
Hewasmanifestlychagrined。\"You\'reafool，\"hesaid。
Imadenoanswer。
\"You\'readamnedfool，\"hesaid。\"ButIsupposeyou\'vegottodoit。Youcouldhavecomehere——Thatdon\'tmatter，though，now……
You\'llhaveyourtimeandspendyourmoney，andbeapoorhalf-
starvedclergyman，muckingaboutwiththewomenallthedayandafraidtohaveoneofyourownever，oryou\'llbeaschoolmasterorsomesuchfoolfortherestofyourlife。Orsomenewspaperchap。
That\'swhatyou\'llgetfromCambridge。I\'mhalfamindnottoletyou。Eh？Morethanhalfamind……\"
\"You\'vegottodothethingyoucan，\"hesaid，afterapause，\"andlikelyit\'swhatyou\'refittedfor。\"
4
IpaidseveralshortvisitstoStaffordshireduringmyCambridgedays，andalwaystheserelationsofmineproducedthesameeffectofhardness。Myuncle\'sthoughtshadneitheratmospherenormystery。
Helivedinadifferentuniversefromthedreamsofscientificconstructionthatfilledmymind。HecouldaseasilyhaveunderstoodChinesepoetry。Hismotivesweremadeupofintenserivalrieswithothermenofhisclassandkind，afewvindictivehatesspringingfromrealandfanciedslights，ahabitofacquisitionthathadbecomeasecondnature，akeenlovebothofefficiencyanddisplayinhisownaffairs。Heseemedtometohavenosenseofthestate，nosenseandmuchlessanyloveofbeauty，nocharityandnosortofreligiousfeelingwhatever。Hehadstrongbodilyappetites，heateanddrankfreely，smokedagreatdeal，andoccasionallywascarriedoffbyhispassionsfora\"bitofaspree\"
toBirminghamorLiverpoolorManchester。Theindulgencesoftheseoccasionswereusuallyfollowedbyaperiodofreaction，whenhewasurgentforthesuppressionofnudityinthelocalArtGalleryandaharshandforcibleelevationofthesuperficialmoralsofthevalley。Andhespokeoftheladieswhoministeredtothedelightsofhisjolly-dogperiod，whenhespokeofthematall，bytheunprintablefeminineequivalent。Myaunthetreatedwithakindlycontemptandconsiderablefinancialgenerosity，buthisdaughterstorehisheart；hewassoproudofthem，sogladtofindthemmoneytospend，soresolvedtoownthem，soinstinctivelyjealousofeverymanwhocamenearthem。
Myunclehasbeenthecluetoagreatnumberofmenforme。Hewasanilluminatingextreme。Ihavelearntwhatnottoexpectfromthemthroughhim，andtocomprehendresentmentsanddangeroussuddenantagonismsIshouldhavefoundincomprehensibleintheirmorecomplexforms，ifIhadnotfirstseentheminhimintheirferalstate。
Withhissoftfelthatatthebackofhishead，hisratherheavy，rathermottledface，hisrationallythickbootsandslouchingtweed-
cladform，alittleround-shoulderedandveryobstinatelooking，hestrollsthroughallmyspeculationssuckinghisteethaudibly，andoccasionallythrowingoutashrewdaphorism，theintractableunavoidableoreofthenewcivilisation。
Essentiallyhewassimple。Generallyspeaking，hehatedanddespisedinequalmeasurewhateverseemedtosuggestthathepersonallywasnotthemostperfecthumanbeingconceivable。Hehatedalleducationafterfifteenbecausehehadhadnoeducationafterfifteen，hehatedallpeoplewhodidnothavehighteauntilhehimselfunderduressgaveuphightea，hehatedeverygameexceptfootball，whichhehadplayedandcouldjudge，hehatedallpeoplewhospokeforeignlanguagesbecauseheknewnolanguagebutStaffordshire，hehatedallforeignersbecausehewasEnglish，andallforeignwaysbecausetheywerenothisways。Alsohehatedparticularly，andinthisorder，Londoner\'s，Yorkshiremen，Scotch，WelchandIrish，becausetheywerenot\"reetStaffordshire，\"andhehatedallotherStaffordshiremenasinsufficiently\"reet。\"Hewantedtohaveallhisownwomeninviolate，andtofancyhehadacalluponeveryotherwomanintheworld。Hewantedtohavethebestcigarsandthebestbrandyintheworldtoconsumeorgiveawaymagnificently，andeveryoneelsetohaveinferiorones。Hisbilliardtablewasanextralargesize，speciallymadeandveryinconvenient。AndhehatedTradeUnionsbecausetheyinterferedwithhisautocraticdirectionofhisworks，andhisworkpeoplebecausetheywerenotobedientanduntiringmechanismstodohisbidding。Hewas，infact，averynaive，vigoroushumanbeing。Hewasaboutasmuchcivilised，aboutasmuchtamedtotheideasofcollectiveactionandmutualconsiderationasaCentralAfricannegro。
Therearehordesofsuchmenashethroughoutallthemodernindustrialworld。YouwillfindthesametypewiththeslightestmodificationsinthePasdeCalaisorRhenishPrussiaorNewJerseyorNorthItaly。NodoubtyouwouldfinditinNewJapan。Thesemenhaveraisedthemselvesupfromthegeneralmassofuntrained，uncultured，poorishpeopleinahardindustriousselfishstruggle。
Todriveotherstheyhavehadfirsttodrivethemselves。Theyhaveneveryethadoccasionnorleisuretothinkofthestateorsociallifeasawhole，andasfordreamsorbeauty，itwasaconditionofsurvivalthattheyshouldignoresuchcravings。Allthedistinctivequalitiesofmyunclecanbethoughtofasdictatedbyhisconditions；hissuccessandharshness，theextravagancesthatexpressedhisprideinmakingmoney，theuncongenialluxurythatsprangfromrivalry，andhisself-reliance，hiscontemptforbroadviews，hiscontemptforeverythingthathecouldnotunderstand。
Hisdaughtersweretheinevitablechildrenofhislife。Queergirlstheywere！Curiously\"spirited\"aspeoplephraseit，andcuriouslylimited。DuringmyCambridgedaysIwentdowntoStaffordshireseveraltimes。Myuncle，thoughhestillresentedmyrefusaltogointohisbusiness，wasalsoinhisoddwayproudofme。Iwashisnephewandpoorrelation，andyetthereIwas，ayounggentlemanlearningallsortsofunremunerativethingsinthegrandestmanner，\"Latinandmook，\"whilethesonsofhisneighhours，notnephewsmerely，butsons，stayedunpolishedintheirnativetown。EverytimeIwentdownIfoundextensivechangesandalteredrelations，andbeforeIhadsettleddowntothemoffIwentagain。Idon\'tthinkIwasonepersontothem；Iwasaseriesofvisitors。Thereisagulfofagesbetweenagauntschoolboyofsixteeninunbecomingmourningandtwovividlyself-consciousgirlsofeighteenandnineteen，butaCambridge\"man\"oftwoandtwentywithafirstandgoodtennisandagrowingsocialexperience，isafaircontemporaryfortwogirlsoftwenty-threeandtwenty-four。
Amotor-carappeared，Ithinkinmysecondvisit，abottle-greenaffairthatopenedbehind，haddarkpurplecushions，andwascontrolledmysteriouslybyamaninshinyblackcostumeandaflatcap。Thehighteahadbeenshiftedtosevenandrechristeneddinner，butmyunclewouldnotdressnorconsenttohavewine；andafteronepainfulexperiment，Igathered，andascene，heputhisfootdownandprohibitedanybuthigh-neckeddresses。
\"Daddy\'sperfectlyimpossible，\"Sybiltoldme。
Thefoothaddescendedvehemently！\"Myowndaughters！\"hehadsaid，\"dresseduplike——\"——andhadarrestedhimselfandfumbledanddecidedtosay——\"actresses，andshowin\'theirfatarmsforeveryfooltostareat！\"Norwouldhehaveanypeopleinvitedtodinner。
Hedidn\'t，hehadexplained，wantstrangerspokingaboutinhishousewhenhecamehometired。Sosuchcallingasoccurredwentonduringhisabsenceintheafternoon。
Oneofthepeculiaritiesofthelifeoftheseascendantfamiliesoftheindustrialclasstowhichwealthhascome，isitstremendousinsulations。TherewerenocustomsofintercourseintheFiveTowns。Alltheisolatedprosperitiesofthedistrictsprangfromeconomising，harddrivenhomes，inwhichtherewasneithertimenormeansforhospitality。Socialintercoursecentredverylargelyuponthechurchorchapel，andthechapelswerebetteratbringingpeopletogetherthantheEstablishmenttowhichmycousinsbelonged。Theirchiefoutlettothewiderworldlaythereforethroughtheacquaintancestheyhadformedatschool，andthroughtwomuchlessprosperousfamiliesofrelationswholivedatLongtonandHanley。A
numberofgossipingfriendshipswitholdschoolmateswere\"keptup，\"andmycousinswould\"spendtheafternoon\"orevenspendthedaywiththese；suchoccasionsledtootherencountersandinterlacedwiththefurtivecorrespondencesandsnatchedmeetingsthatformedtheemotionalthreadoftheirlives。Whenthebilliardtablehadbeennew，myunclehadtakentoaskinginafewapprovedfriendsforanoccasionalgame，butmostlythebilliard-roomwasforgloryandthegirls。Bothofthemplayedverywell。Theynever，sofarasIknow，dinedout，andwhenatlastafterbitterdomesticconflictstheybegantogotodances，theywentwiththequaveringconnivanceofmyaunt，andchangedintoballfrocksatfriends\'
housesontheway。Therewasatennisclubthatformedaconvenientafternoonrendezvous，andIrecallthatintheperiodofmyearliervisitstheyoungbloodsofthedistrictfoundmuchsatisfactionintakinggirlsfordrivesindog-cartsandsuchlikehigh-wheeledvehicles，adispositionthatdiedintangledtandemsattheapparitionofmotor-car\'s。
Myauntandunclehadconceivednoplansinlifefortheirdaughtersatall。Intheundifferentiatedindustrialcommunityfromwhichtheyhadsprung，girlsgotmarriedsomehow，anditdidnotoccurtothemthattheconcentrationofpropertythathadmadethemwealthy，hadcuttheirchildrenofffromthegeneralsocialseainwhichtheirownawkwardmeetinghadoccurred，withoutnecessarilyopeninganyotherworldinexchange。Myunclewastoomuchoccupiedwiththeworksandhisbusinessaffairsandhisprivatevicestophilosophiseabouthisgirls；hewantedthemjusttokeepgirls，preferablyaboutsixteen，andtobeasortofanimatedflowersandmakehomebrightandbegiventhings。Hewasirritatedthattheywouldnotremainatthis，andstillmoreirritatedthattheyfailedtosuppressaltogethertheirnaturalinterestinyoungmen。Thetandemswouldbesteeredbyweirdanddeviousroutestoevadethebarechanceofhisbloodshoteye。Myauntseemedtohavenoideaswhateveraboutwhatwaslikelytohappentoherchildren。Shehadindeednoideasaboutanything；shetookherhusbandandthedaysastheycame。
Icanseenowthepatheticdifficultyofmycousins\'positioninlife；theabsenceofanyguidanceorinstructionorprovisionfortheirdevelopment。Theysupplementedthesilencesofhomebytheconversationofschoolfellowsandthesuggestionsofpopularfiction。Theyhadtomakewhattheycouldoutoflifewithsuchhintsasthese。Thechurchwasfartoomodesttoofferthemanyadvice。Itwasobtrudeduponmyminduponmyfirstvisitthattheywerebothcarryingoncorrespondencesandhavinglittlefurtivepassingsandseeingsandmeetingswiththemysteriousownersofcertaininitials，S。andL。K。，and，ifIrememberrightly，\"theR。
N。\"brothersandcousins，Isuppose，oftheirfriends。Thesamethingwasgoingon，withacertainintensification，atmynextvisit，exceptingonlythattheinitialsweredifferent。ButwhenI
cameagaintheirmethodswerematurerorIwasnolongeranegligiblequantity，andthenotesandtheinitialswerenolongerflauntedquitesoopenlyinmyface。
Mycousinshadworkeditoutfromtheindicationsoftheiruniversethattheendoflifeistohavea\"goodtime。\"Theyusedthephrase。Thatandthedrivesindog-cartswereonlythefirstofendlesspointsofresemblancebetweenthemandthecommonersortofAmericangirl。WhensomeyearsagoIpaidmyfirstandonlyvisittoAmericaIseemedtorecovermycousins\'atmosphereassoonasI
enteredthetrainatEuston。Therewerethreegirlsinmycompartmentsuppliedwithhugedecoratedcasesofsweets，andbeingseenoffbyacompanyoffriends，noisilyarchandeageraboutthe\"steamerletters\"theywouldgetatLiverpool；theyweretheverysoul-sistersofmycousins。Thechiefelementsofagoodtime，asmycousinsjudgedit，asthesecountlessthousandsofrichyoungwomenjudgeit，areapettyeventfulness，laughter，andtofeelthatyouarelookingwellandattractingattention。Shoppingisoneofitsleadingjoys。Youbuythings，clothesandtrinketsforyourselfandpresentsforyourfriends。Presentsalwaysseemedtobeflyingaboutinthatcircle；flowersandboxesofsweetswerecommoncurrency。Mycousinswerealwaysgettingandgiving，myunclecaressedthemwithparcelsandcheques。TheykissedhimandheexudedsovereignsasastrokedAPHISexudeshoney。ItwaslikethenewlanguageoftheAcademyofLagadotome，andIneverlearnthowtoexpressmyselfinit，fornatureandtrainingmakemefeelencumberedtoreceivepresentsandembarrassedingivingthem。Butthen，likemyfather，Ihateanddistrustpossessions。
OfthequalityoftheirprivateimaginationIneverlearntanything；
Isupposeitfollowedthelinesofthefictiontheyreadandwasromanticandsentimental。Sofarasmarriagewent，themarriedstateseemedatonceveryattractiveanddreadfullyserioustothem，composedinequalmeasureofbecomingimportantandbecomingold。I
don\'tknowwhattheythoughtaboutchildren。Idoubtiftheythoughtaboutthematall。Itwasverysecretiftheydid。
Asforthepooranddingypeopleallaboutthem，mycousinswerealwaysreadytotakepartinaCharitableBazaar。Theywereunawareofanyeconomiccorrelationoftheirownprosperityandthatcircumambientpoverty，andtheyknewofTradeUnionssimplyasdisagreeableexternalthingsthatupsetmyuncle\'stemper。Theyknewofnothingwronginsociallifeatallexceptthattherewere\"Agitators。\"Itsurprisedthemalittle，Ithink，thatAgitatorswerenotmoredrasticallyputdown。Buttheyhadasortofinstinctivedreadofsocialdiscussionasofsomethingthatmightbreachthehappinessoftheirignorance……
5
MycousinsdidmorethanillustrateMarxforme；theyalsoundertookastageofmyemotionaleducation。Theirmethodinthatasineverythingelsewasextremelysimple，butittookmyinexperiencebysurprise。
ItmusthavebeenonmythirdvisitthatSybiltookmeinhand。
HithertoIseemedtohaveseenheronlyinprofile，butnowshebecamealmostcompletelyfullface，manifestlyregardedmewiththosevioleteyesofhers。ShepassedmethingsIneededatbreakfast——itwasthefirstmorningofmyvisit——beforeIaskedforthem。
Whenyoungmenarelookedatbyprettycousins，theybecomeintenselyawareofthosecousins。ItseemedtomethatIhadalwaysadmiredSybil\'seyesverygreatly，andthattherewassomethinginhertemperamentcongenialtomine。ItwasoddIhadnotnoteditonmypreviousvisits。
Wewalkedroundthegardensomewhenthatmorning，andtalkedaboutCambridge。Sheaskedquitealotofquestionsaboutmyworkandmyambitions。ShesaidshehadalwaysfeltsureIwasclever。
Theconversationlanguishedalittle，andwepickedsomeflowersforthehouse。ThensheaskedifIcouldrun。Iconcededhervariousstartsandweracedupanddownthemiddlegardenpath。Then，alittlebreathless，wewentintothenewtwenty-fiveguineasummer-
houseattheendoftheherbaceousborder。
Wesatsidebyside，pleasantlyhiddenfromthehouse，andshebecameanxiousaboutherhair，whichwasslightlyandprettilydisarranged，andaskedmetohelpherwiththeadjustmentofahairpin。Ihadneverinmylifebeensonearthesoftcurlyhairandthedaintyeyebrowandeyelidandwarmsoftcheekofagirl，andIwasstirred——
Itstirsmenowtorecallit。
Ibecameabattlegroundofimpulsesandinhibitions。
\"Thankyou，\"saidmycousin，andmovedalittleawayfromme。
Shebegantotalkaboutfriendship，andlostherthreadandforgotthelittleelectricstressbetweenusinarathermeanderinganalysisofherprincipalgirlfriends。
Butafterwardssheresumedherpurpose。
Iwenttobedthatnightwithonepropostionovershadowingeverythingelseinmymind，namely，thatkissingmycousinSybilwasadifficult，butnotimpossible，achievement。Idonotrecallanyshadowofadoubtwhetheronthewholeitwasworthdoing。Thethinghadcomeintomyexistence，disturbingandinterruptingitsflowexactlyasafeverdoes。Sybilhadinfectedmewithherself。
Thenextdaymatterscametoacrisisinthelittleupstairssitting-roomwhichhadbeenassignedmeasastudyduringmyvisit。
Iwasworkingupthere，orrathertryingtoworkinspiteoftheoutrageouscaperingofsomeveryprimitiveelementsinmybrain，whenshecameuptome，underatransparentpretextoflookingforabook。
Iturnedroundandthengotupatthesightofher。Iquiteforgetwhatourconversationwasabout，butIknowsheledmetobelieveI
mightkissher。ThenwhenIattemptedtodososheavertedherface。
\"HowCOULDyou？\"shesaid；\"Ididn\'tmeanthat！\"
Thatremainedthestateofourrelationsfortwodays。IdevelopedagrowingirritationwithandresentmentagainstcousinSybil，combinedwithanintensedesiretogetthatkissforwhichI
hungeredandthirsted。CousinSybilwentaboutinthehappypersuasionthatIwasmadlyinlovewithher，andhergame，sofarasshewasconcerned，wasplayedandwon。Itwasn\'tuntilIhadfrettedfortwodaysthatIrealisedthatIwasbeingusedforthecommonestformofexcitementpossibletoacommonplacegirl；thatdozensperhapsofyoungmenhadplayedthepartofTantalusatcousinSybil\'slips。Iwalkedaboutmyroomatnights，damningherandcallingherbytermswhichonthewholesheratherdeserved，whileSybilwenttosleeppitying\"pooroldDick！\"
\"Damnit！\"Isaid，\"IWILLbeequalwithyou。\"
ButIneverdidequalisethedisadvantage，andperhapsit\'saswell，forIfancythatsortofrevengecutsbothpeopletoomuchforarationalmantoseekit……
\"Whyaremensosilly？\"saidcousinSybilnextmorning，wrigglingbackwithdown-bentheadtoreleaseherselffromwhatshouldhavebeenacompellingembrace。
\"Confoundit！\"Isaidwithaflashofclearvision。\"YouSTARTED
thisgame。\"
\"Oh！\"
Shestoodbackagainstahedgeofroses，alittleflushedandexcitedandinterested，andreadyforthedelightfuldefensiveifI
shouldrenewmyattack。
\"Beastlyhotforscuffling，\"Isaid，whitewithanger。\"Idon\'tknowwhetherI\'msokeenonkissingyou，Sybil，afterall。Ijustthoughtyouwantedmeto。\"
Icouldhavewhippedher，andmyvoicestungmorethanmywords。
Oureyesmet；arealhatredinhersleapinguptomeetmine。
\"Let\'splaytennis，\"Isaid，afteramoment\'spause。
\"No，\"sheansweredshortly，\"I\'mgoingindoors。\"
\"Verywell。\"
AndthatendedtheaffairwithSybil。
IwasstillinthefullglareofthisdisillusionmentwhenGertrudeawokefromsomepreoccupationtoaninterestinmyexistence。Shedevelopedadispositiontotouchmyhandbyaccident，andletherfingersrestincontactwithitforamoment，——shehadpleasantsofthands；——shebegantodriftintosummerhouseswithme，toletherarmresttrustfullyagainstmine，toaskquestionsaboutCambridge。
TheyweremuchthesamequestionsthatSybilhadasked。ButI
controlledmyselfandmaintainedaprofileofintelligentandentirelycivilindifferencetoherblandishments。
WhatGertrudemadeofitcameoutoneeveninginsometalk——Iforgetaboutwhat——withSybil。
\"Oh，Dick！\"saidGertrudealittleimpatiently，\"Dick\'sPi。\"
AndIneverdisillusionedherbyanysubsequentlevityfromthistheoryofmyinnateandvirginalpiety。
6
ItwasagainstthisharshandcrudeStaffordshirebackgroundthatI
thinkImusthaveseenMargaretforthefirsttime。IsayIthinkbecauseitisquitepossiblethatwehadpassedeachotherinthestreetsofCambridge，nodoubtwiththataffectationofmutualdisregardwhichwasoncecustomarybetweenundergraduatesandNewnhamgirls。ButifthatwassoIhadnotednothingoftheslendergraciousnessthatshoneoutsopleasinglyagainstthebleakermidlandsurroundings。
Shewasayoungerschoolfellowofmycousins\'，andthestep-daughterofSeddon，aprominentsolicitorofBurslem。Shewasnotonlynotinmycousins\'generationbutnotintheirset，shewasoneofasmallhardworkinggroupwhokeptimmaculatenote-books，anddidasmuchasishumanlypossibleofthatinsensatepileofwrittenworkthattheGirls\'PublicSchoolmovementhasinflicteduponschool-
girls。ShereallylearntFrenchandGermanadmirablyandthoroughly，shegotasfarinmathematicsasanunflinchingindustrycancarryanyonewithnogreatnaturalaptitude，andshewentuptoBennettHall，Newnham，aftertheusualconflictwithherfamily，toworkfortheHistoryTripos。
Thereinherthirdyearshemadeherselfthoroughlyillthroughoverwork，soillthatshehadtogiveupNewnhamaltogetherandgoabroadwithherstepmother。Shemadeherselfill，assomanygirlsdointhoseuniversitycolleges，throughthebadnessofherhomeandschooltraining。Shethoughtstudymustneedsbeahardstrainingofthemind。Sheworriedherwork，shegaveherselfnoleisuretoseeitasawhole，shefeltherselfnotmakingheadwayandshecuthergamesandexerciseinordertoincreaseherhoursoftoil，andworkedintothenight。Shecarriedaknackoflaboriousthoroughnessintotheblindalleysandinessentialsofhersubject。
Itdidn\'tneedthebadnessofthefoodforwhichBennettHalliscelebratedandtheremarkabledietaryofnocturnalcocoa，cakesandsoftbiscuitswithwhichthegirlshavesupplementedit，toensurehercollapse。Hermotherbroughtherhome，frettinganddistressed，andthenfindingherhopelesslyunhappyathome，tookherandherhalf-brother，aratherailingyoungsteroftenwhodiedthreeyearslater，forajourneytoItaly。
ItalydidmuchtoassuageMargaret\'schagrin。Ithinkallthreeofthemhadaverygoodtimethere。AthomeMr。Seddon，herstep-
father，playedthepartofawell-meaningblightbyreasonofthemoodsthatarosefromnervousdyspepsia。TheywenttoFlorence，equippedwithvariousintroductionsandmuchsoundadvicefromsympatheticCambridgefriends，andhavingacquiredaneaseinItalythere，wentontoSiena，Orvieto，andatlastRome。Theyreturned，ifIrememberrightly，byPisa，Genoa，MilanandParis。Sixmonthsormoretheyhadhadabroad，andnowMargaretwasbackinBurslem，inhealthagainandconsciouslyaverycivilisedperson。
Newideaswereabroad，itwasMaytimeandaspringofabundantflowers——daffodilswereparticularlygoodthatyear——andMrs。Seddoncelebratedherreturnbygivinganafternoonreceptionatshortnotice，withtheclearintentionoflettingeveryoneoutintothegardeniftheweatherheld。
TheSeddonshadabigoldfarmhousemodifiedtomodernideasofcomfortontheroadouttowardsMisterton，withanorchardthathadbeenratherpleasantlysubduedfromusetoornament。Ithadrichblossomingcherryandappletrees。Largepatchesofgrassfullofnoddingyellowtrumpetshadbeenleftamidstthenottoopreciselymowngrass，whichwasasitweregrasspathwithanoccasionallapseintolawnorglade。AndMargaret，hatless，withthefairhairaboveherthin，delicatelypinkfaceverysimplydone，cametomeetourrathertooconsciouslydressedparty，——wehadcomeinthemotorfourstrong，withmyauntingreysilk。Margaretworeasoftflowingfloweredbluedressofdiaphanousmaterial，allunconnectedwiththefashionandtiedwithprettyribbons，likeaslenderer，unbountifulPrimavera。
ItwasoneofthoseMaydaysthatapethelightandheatofsummer，andIrememberdisconnectedlyquiteanumberofbrightlylitfiguresandgroupswalkingabout，andawhitegatebetweenorchardandgardenandalargelawnwithanoaktreeandaredGeorgianhousewithaverandahandopenFrenchwindows，throughwhichtheteadrinkinghadcomeoutuponthemoss-edgedflagstonesevenasMrs。
Seddonhadplanned。
Thepartywasalmostentirelyfeminineexceptforalittlecuratewithalargehead，agoodvoiceandaradiantmanner，whowasobviouslyattractedbyMargaret，andtwoorthreeyounghusbandsstillsufficientlyaddictedtotheirwivestoaccompanythem。OneofthemIrecallasaquiteromanticfigurewithabundantblondcurlyhaironwhichwaspoisedagreyfelthatencircledbyarefinedblackband。Hewore，moreover，alooserichshotsilktieofredandpurple，alongfrockcoat，greytrousersandbrownshoes，andpresentlyheremovedhishatandcarrieditinonehand。Thereweretwotennis-playingyouthsbesidesmyself。Therewasalsoonefatherwiththreedaughtersinanxiouscontrol，afatheroftheoldschoolscarcelyhalfbrokenin，reluctant，rebelliousandconsciouslyandconscientiously\"reetStaffordshire。\"Thedaughterswereallalerttosuppressthepossibleplungings，theundesirablehumorousimpulsesofthisalmostferalguest。Theynippedhisverygesturesinthebud。Therestofthepeopleweremainlymotherswithdaughters——daughtersofallages，andascatteringofaunts，andtherewasatendencytoclotting，partieskepttogetherandregardedpartiessuspiciously。Mr。Seddonwasinhiding，Ithink，allthetime，thoughnotformallyabsent。
MatterscentredupontheteainthelongroomoftheFrenchwindows，wherefourtrimmaidswenttoandfrobusilybetweenthehouseandtheclumpsofpeopleseatedorstandingbeforeit；andtennisandcroquetwereintermittentlyvisibleandaudiblebeyondabankofrockworkrichwiththespikesandcupsandbellsofhighspring。
Mrs。Seddonpresidedattheteaurn，andMargaretpartlyassistedandpartlytalkedtomeandmycousinSibyl——Gertrudehadfoundadisusedandfadedinitialandwaspartneringhimattennisinastateofgentlerevival——whiletheirmotherexercisedadividedchaperonagefromaseatnearMrs。Seddon。Thelittlecurate，stirringapartiallyemptycupoftea，mingledwithourparty，andpreluded，Iremember，everyobservationhemadebyavigorousresumptionofstirring。
WetalkedofCambridge，andMargaretkeptustoit。ThecuratewasaSelwynmanandhadtakenapassdegreeintheology，butMargarethadcometoGaylord\'slecturersinTrinityforatermbeforeherbreakdown，andunderstoodthesedifferences。Shehadtheeagernessofanexiletoheartheoldfamiliarnamesofplacesandpersonalities。WecappedfamiliaranecdotesandwereenthusiasticaboutKings\'ChapelandtheBacks，andthecurate，addressinghimselfmoreparticularlytoSibyl，toldalongconfusedstoryillustrativeofhisdispositiontorecklessdevilryofapure-
mindedkindlysortaboutupsettingtwocanoesquiteneedlesslyonthewaytoGrantchester。
IcanstillseeMargaretasIsawherthatafternoon，seeherfreshfairface，withthelittleobliquityoftheupperlip，andherbrowalwaysslightlyknitted，andhermannerasofonebreathlesslyshybutdetermined。Shehadratheropenblueeyes，andshespokeinanevenmusicalvoicewiththegentlestofstressesandtheghostofalisp。Anditwastrue，shegathered，thatCambridgestillexisted。
\"IwenttoGrantchester，\"shesaid，\"lastyear，andhadteaundertheapple-blossom。Ididn\'tthinkthenIshouldhavetocomedown。\"
Itwasthatstartedthecurateuponhisanecdote。
\"I\'veseenalotofpictures，andlearntalotaboutthem——atthePittiandtheBrera，——theBreraiswonderful——wonderfulplaces，——butitisn\'tlikerealstudy，\"shewassayingpresently……\"Weboughtbalesofphotographs，\"shesaid。
Ithoughtthebalesalittleoutofkeeping。
Butfair-hairedandquitesimplyandyetgraciouslyandfancifullydressed，talkingofartandbeautifulthingsandabeautifulland，andwithsomuchmanifestregretforlearningdenied，sheseemedadifferentkindofbeingaltogetherfrommysmart，hard，high-
coloured，black-hairedandresolutelyhattedcousin；sheseemedtranslucentbesideGertrude。Eventhelittletwistanddroopofherslenderbodywasagracetome。
IlikedherfromthemomentIsawher，andsetmyselftointerestandpleaseheraswellasIknewhow。
WerecalledacaseofraggingthathadrustledtheshrubsofNewnham，andthenChrisRobinson\'svisit——hehadgivenatalktoBennettHallalso——andourimpressionofhim。
\"Hedisappointedme，too，\"saidMargaret。
IwasmovedtotellMargaretsomethingofmyownviewsinthematterofsocialprogress，andshelistened——oh！withakindofurgedattention，andherbrowalittlemoreknitted，veryearnestly。Thelittlecuratedesistedfromtheappendicesandrefuseheapsandgeneraldebrisofhisstory，andmadehimselflookveryalertandintelligent。
\"WedidalotofthatwhenIwasupintheeighties，\"hesaid。\"I\'mgladImperialismhasn\'tswampedyoufellowsaltogether。\"
Gertrude，lookingbrightandconfident，cametojoinourtalkfromtheshrubbery；theinitial，alittleflushedandevidentlyinastateofrefreshedrelationship，camewithher，andacheerfulladyinpinkandmoreparticularlydistinguishedbyapinkbonnetjoinedourlittlegroup。Gertrudehadbeensippingadmirationandwasnotdisposedtoplayapassivepartinthetalk。
\"Socialism！\"shecried，catchingtheword。\"It\'swellPaisn\'there。HehasFitswhenpeopletalkofsocialism。Fits！\"
Theinitiallaughedinageneralkindofway。
ThecuratesaidtherewassocialismANDsocialism，andlookedatMargarettogaugewhetherhehadbeentooboldinthisutterance。
Butshewasall，heperceived，forbroad-mindness，andhestirredhimselfandincidentallyhisteatostillmoreliberalityofexpression。Hesaidthestateofthepoorwasappalling，simplyappalling；thatthereweretimeswhenhewantedtoshatterthewholesystem，\"only，\"hesaid，turningtomeappealingly，\"Whathavewegottoputinitsplace？\"
\"Thethingthatexistsisalwaysthemoreevidentalternative，\"I
said。
Thelittlecuratelookedatitforamoment。\"Precisely，\"hesaidexplosively，andturnedstirringandwithhisheadalittleononeside，tohearwhatMargaretwassaying。
Margaretwassaying，withaswiftblushandaneffectofdaring，thatshehadnodoubtshewasasocialist。
\"Andwearingagoldchain！\"saidGertrude，\"Anddrinkingoutofeggshell！Ilikethat！\"
IcametoMargaret\'srescue。\"Itdoesn\'tfollowthatbecauseone\'sasocialistoneoughttodressinsackclothandashes。\"
Theinitialcoloureddeeply，andhavingsecuredmyattentionbyproddingmeslightlywiththewristofthehandthatheldhisteacup，clearedhisthroatandsuggestedthat\"oneoughttobeconsistent。\"
Iperceivedwewereembarkeduponadiscussionoftheelements。Webegananinterestinglittlewrangleoneofthosecrudediscussionsofgeneralideasthataredeartotheheartofyouth。IandMargaretsupportedoneanotherassocialists，GertrudeandSybilandtheinitialmaintainedananti-socialistposition，thecurateattemptedacross-benchpositionwithanairofintendingtocomedownuponuspresentlywithacastingvote。Heremindedusofanumberofusefulprinciplestoooftenoverlookedinargument，thatinabigquestionlikethistherewasmuchtobesaidonbothsides，thatifeveryonedidhisorherdutytoeveryoneaboutthemtherewouldbenodifficultywithsocialproblemsatall，thatoverandaboveallenactmentsweneededmoralchangesinpeoplethemselves。
MycousinGertrudewasadifficultcontroversialisttomanage，beingunconsciousofinconsistencyinstatementandabsolutelyimpervioustoreply。Herstandpointwasessentiallymaterialistic；shedidn\'tseewhysheshouldn\'thaveagoodtimebecauseotherpeopledidn\'t；
theywouldhaveagoodtime，shewassure，ifshedidn\'t。Shesaidthatifwedidgiveupeverythingwehadtootherpeople，theywouldn\'tverylikelyknowwhattodowithit。Sheaskedifweweresofondofwork-people，whywedidn\'tgoandliveamongthem，andexpressedtheinflexiblepersuasionthatifweHADsocialism，everythingwouldbejustthesameagainintenyears\'time。Shealsothrewuponustheimputationofingratitudeforabeautifulworldbysayingthatsofarasshewasconcernedshedidn\'twanttoupseteverything。Shewascontentedwiththingsastheywere，thankyou。
ThediscussionledinsomewaythatIdon\'tintheleastrecallnow，andpossiblybyabrupttransitions，toacroquetfoursomeinwhichMargaretinvolvedthecuratewithoutinvolvingherself，andthenstoodbesidemeontheedgeofthelawnwhiletheothersplayed。Wewatchedsilentlyforamoment。
\"IHATEthatsortofview，\"shesaidsuddenlyinaconfidentialundertone，withherdelicatepinkflushreturning。
\"It\'swantofimagination，\"Isaid。
\"Tothinkwearejusttoenjoyourselves，\"shewenton；\"justtogoondressingandplayingandhavingmealsandspendingmoney！\"Sheseemedtobereferringnotsimplytomycousins，buttothewholeworldofindustryandpropertyaboutus。\"Butwhatisonetodo？\"
sheasked。\"IdowishIhadnothadtocomedown。It\'sallsopointlesshere。Thereseemstobenothinggoingforward，noideas，nodreams。NoonehereseemstofeelquitewhatIfeel，thesortofneedthereisforMEANINGinthings。Ihatethingswithoutmeaning。\"
\"Don\'tyoudo——localwork？\"
\"IsupposeIshall。IsupposeImustfindsomething。Doyouthink——
ifoneweretoattemptsomesortofpropaganda？\"
\"Couldyou——？\"Ibeganalittledoubtfully。
\"IsupposeIcouldn\'t，\"sheanswered，afterathoughtfulmoment。\"I
supposeitwouldcometonothing。AndyetIfeelthereissomuchtobedonefortheworld，somuchoneoughttobedoing……I
wanttodosomethingfortheworld。\"
Icanseehernowasshestoodtherewithherbrowsnearlyfrowning，herblueeyeslookingbeforeher，hermouthalmostpetulant。\"Onefeelsthattherearesomanythingsgoingon——outofone\'sreach，\"
shesaid。
Iwentbackinthemotor-carwithmymindfullofher，thequalityofdelicatediscontent，thesuggestionofexile。Evenakindofweaknessinherwassympathetic。Shetoldtremendouslyagainstherbackground。Shewas，Isay，likeaprotestingbluefloweruponacinderheap。Itiscurious，too，howsheconnectsandmingleswiththefuriousquarrelIhadwithmyunclethatveryevening。Thatcameabsurdly。IndirectlyMargaretwasresponsible。Mymindwasrunningonideasshehadrevivedandquestionsshehadsetclamouring，andquiteinadvertentlyinmyattempttofindsolutionsItalkedsoastooutragehisprofoundestfeelings……
7
Whatapreposterousshindythatwas！
Isatwithhiminthesmoking-room，propoundingwhatIconsideredtobethemostindisputableandnon-contentiouspropositionsconceivable——until，tomyinfiniteamazement，heexplodedandcalledmea\"damnedyoungpuppy。\"
Itwasseismic。
\"Tremendouslyinterestingtime，\"Isaid，\"justinthebeginningofmakingacivilisation。\"
\"Ah！\"hesaid，withanavertedface，andnodded，leaningforwardoverhiscigar。
Ihadnottheremotestthoughtofannoyinghim。
\"Monstrousmuddleofthingswehavegot，\"Isaid，\"jumbledstreets，uglypopulation，uglyfactories——\"
\"You\'ddoasightbetterifyouhadtodowithit，\"saidmyuncle，regardingmeaskance。
\"Notme。Butaworldthathadacollectiveplanandknewwhereitmeanttobegoingwoulddoasightbetter，anyhow。We\'reallswimminginafloodofill-calculatedchances——\"
\"You\'llbemakingoutIorganisedthatbusinessdownthere——bychance——next，\"saidmyuncle，hisvoicethickwithchallenge。
IwentonasthoughIwasbackinTrinity。
\"There\'salotofchanceinthemakingofallgreatbusinesses，\"I
said。
MyuncleremarkedthatthatshowedhowmuchIknewaboutbusinesses。
Ifchancemadebusinesses，whywasitthathealwayssucceededandgrewwhilethosefoolsAckroydandSonsalwaystooksecondplace？
HeshowedadispositiontotelltheglorioushistoryofhowonceAckroyd\'sovershadowedhim，andhownowhecouldbuyupAckroyd\'sthreetimesover。ButIwantedtogetoutwhatwasinmymind。
\"Oh！\"Isaid，\"asbetweenmanandmanandbusinessandbusiness，someofcoursegetthepullbythisqualityorthat——butit\'sforcesquiteoutsidetheindividualcasethatmakethebigpartofanysuccessundermodernconditions。YOUneverinventedpottery，noranyprocessinpotterythatmattersarapinyourworks；itwasn\'tYOURforesightthatjoinedallEnglandupwithrailwaysandmadeitpossibletoorganiseproductiononanaltogetherdifferentscale。
Youreallyattheutmostcan\'ttakecreditformuchmorethanbeingthesortofmanwhohappenedtofitwhathappenedtobetherequirementsofthetime，andwhohappenedtobeinapositiontotakeadvantageofthem——\"
Itwasthenmyunclecriedoutandcalledmeadamnedyoungpuppy，andbecameinvolvedinsomeunexpectedtroubleofhisown。
Iwokeupasitwerefrommyanalysisofthesituationtodiscoverhimbentoverasplendidspittoon，cursingincoherently，retchingalittle，andspittingouttheendofhiscigarwhichhehadbittenoffinhislastattemptatself-control，andwithalfullypreparedassoonashehadclearedforactiontogivemejustallthatheconsideredtobethecontentsofhismindupontheconditionofmine。
Well，whyshouldn\'tItalkmymindtohim？He\'dneverhadanoutsideviewofhimselfforyears，andIresolvedtostanduptohim。Wewentatithammerandtongs！ItbecameclearthathesupposedmetobeaSocialist，azealous，embitteredhaterofallownership——andalsoaneducatedmanofthevilest，mostpretentiouslysuperiordescription。HisprincipalgrievancewasthatIthoughtIkneweverything；tothatherecurredagainandagain……
WehadbeenmaintaininganarmedtrucewitheachothersincemyresolvetogouptoCambridge，andnowwehadoutallthathadaccumulatedbetweenus。Therehadbeenstupendousaccumulations……
Theparticularthingswesaidanddidinthatbawlmgencountermatternothingatallinthisstory。Ican\'tnowestimatehownearwecametofisticuffs。Itendedwithmysaying，afterapungentreminderofbenefitsconferredandremembered，thatIdidn\'twanttostayanotherhourinhishouse。Iwentupstairs，inastateofpuerilefury，topackandgoofftotheRailwayHotel，whilehe，withironicalcivility，telephonedforacab。
\"Goodriddance！\"shoutedmyuncle，seeingmeoffintothenight。
Onthefaceofitourrowwaspreposterous，buttheunderlyingrealityofourquarrelwastheessentialantagonism，itseemedtome，inallhumanaffairs，theantagonismbetweenideasandtheestablishedmethod，thatistosay，betweenideasandtheruleofthumb。TheworldIhateistherule-of-thumbworld，thethingIandmykindofpeopleexistforprimarilyistobattlewiththat，toannoyit，disarrangeit，reconstructit。Wequestioneverything，disturbanythingthatcannotgiveaclearjustificationtoourquestioning，becausewebelieveinherentlythatoursenseofdisorderimpliesthepossibilityofabetterorder。Ofcoursewearedetestable。Myunclewasofthatothervastermasswhoaccepteverythingforthethingitseemstobe，hateenquiryandanalysisasatramphateswashing，dreadandresistchange，opposeexperiment，despisescience。Theworldisourbattleground；andallhistory，allliteraturethatmatters，allscience，dealswiththisconflictofthethingthatisandthespeculative\"if\"thatwilldestroyit。
ButthatiswhyIdidnotseeMargaretSeddonagainforfiveyears。
CHAPTERTHESECOND
MARGARETINLONDON
1
Iwastwenty-sevenwhenImetMargaretagain，andtheinterveningfiveyearshadbeenyearsofvigorousactivityforme，ifnotofveryremarkablegrowth。WhenIsawheragain，Icouldcountmyselfagrownman。Ithink，indeed，IcountedmyselfmorecompletelygrownthanIwas。Atanyrate，byallordinarystandards，Ihad\"goton\"verywell，andmyideas，iftheyhadnotchangedverygreatly，hadbecomemuchmoredefiniteandmyambitionsclearerandbolder。
IhadlongsinceabandonedmyfellowshipandcometoLondon。Ihadpublishedtwobooksthathadbeentalkedabout，writtenseveralarticles，andestablishedaregularrelationshipwiththeWEEKLY
REVIEWandtheEVENINGGAZETTE。IwasamemberoftheEightyClubandlearningtoadaptthestyleoftheCambridgeUniontolargeruses。TheLondonworldhadopenedouttomeveryreadily。Ihaddevelopedapleasantvarietyofsocialconnections。IhadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。Evesham，whohadbeenattractedbymyNEWRULER，andwhotalkedaboutitandme，andsodidaverygreatdealtomakeawayformeintothecompanyofprominentandamusingpeople。I
dinedoutquitefrequently。TheglitterandinterestofgoodLondondinnerpartiesbecameacommonexperience。Ilikedthesortofconversationonegotatthemextremely，thelittleglowofduologuesburningupintomoregeneraldiscussions，theclosing-inofthemenafterthegoingofthewomen，thesage，substantialmasculinegossiping，thelaterresumptionofeffectivetalkwithsomepleasantwoman，graciouslyatherbest。Ihadawiderangeofhouses；
Cambridgehadlinkedmetooneortwocorrelatedsetsofartisticandliterarypeople，andmybooksandMr。Eveshamandopenedtomethebigvagueworldof\"society。\"Iwasn\'taggressivenorparticularlysnobbishnortroublesome，sometimesItalkedwell，andifIhadnothinginterestingtosayIsaidaslittleaspossible，andIhadayouthfulgravityofmannerthatwaslikedbyhostesses。
AndtheothersideofmynaturethatfirstflaredthroughthecoverofrestraintsatLocarno，thattoohadhadopportunitytodevelopalongthelineLondonrenderspracticable。Ihadhadmyexperiencesandsecretsandadventuresamongthatfringeofill-matedorerraticordiscreditedwomentheLondonworldpossesses。Thethinghadlongagoceasedtobeamatterofmagicormystery，andhadbecomeaquestionofappetitesandexcitement，andamongotherthingstheexcitementofnotbeingfoundout。
Iwriteratherdoubtfullyofmygrowingduringthisperiod。IndeedIfindithardtojudgewhetherIcansaythatIgrewatallinanyrealsenseoftheword，betweenthreeandtwentyandtwenty-seven。
Itseemstomenowtohavebeenratheraphaseofrealisationandclarification。Allthebroadlinesofmythoughtwerelaiddown，I
amsure，bythedateofmyLocarnoadventure，butinthosefiveyearsIdiscussedthingsoverandoveragainwithmyselfandothers，filledoutwithconcretefactformsIhadatfirstapprehendedsketchilyandconversationally，measuredmypowersagainstmyidealsandtheforcesintheworldaboutme。Itwasevidentthatmanymennobetterthanmyselfandwithnogreateradvantagesthanminehadraisedthemselvestoinfluentialandevendecisivepositionsintheworldsofpoliticsandthought。Iwasgatheringtheconfidenceandknowledgenecessarytoattacktheworldinthelargemanner；IfoundIcouldwrite，andthatpeoplewouldletmewriteifIchose，asonehavingauthorityandnotasthescribes。SociallyandpoliticallyandintellectuallyIknewmyselfforanhonestman，andthatquitewithoutanydeliberationonmypartthisshowedandmadethingseasyforme。Peopletrustedmygoodfaithfromthebeginning——forallthatIcamefromnowhereandhadnobetterpositionthananyadventurer。
Butthegrowthprocesswasarrested，Iwasnothingbiggerattwenty-
seventhanattwenty-two，howevermuchsanerandstronger，andanyonelookingcloselyintomymindduringthatperiodmightwellhaveimaginedgrowthfinishedaltogether。ItisparticularlyevidenttomenowthatIcamenonearertoanyunderstandingofwomenduringthattime。ThatLocarnoaffairwasinfinitelymoretomethanIhadsupposed。Itendedsomething——nippedsomethinginthebudperhaps——
tookmeatastridefromavague，fine，ignorant，closedworldofemotiontointrigueandaperfectlydefiniteandlimitedsensuality。
Itendedmyyouth，andforatimeitpreventedmymanhood。Ihadneveryetevenpeepedatthesweetest，profoundestthingintheworld，theheartandmeaningofagirl，ordreamtwithanyqualityofrealityofawifeoranysuchthingasafriendamongwomanhood。
Myvagueanticipationofsuchthingsinlifehadvanishedaltogether。Iturnedawayfromtheirpossibility。ItseemedtomeIknewwhathadtobeknownaboutwomankind。Iwantedtoworkhard，togetontoapositioninwhichIcoulddevelopandforwardmyconstructiveprojects。Women，Ithought，hadnothingtodowiththat。ItseemedclearIcouldnotmarryforsomeyears；Iwasattractivetocertaintypesofwomen，Ihadvanityenoughtogivemeanagreeableconfidenceinlove-making，andIwentaboutseekingaconvenientmistressquitedeliberately，someonewhoshouldservemypurposeandsayintheend，likethatkindlyfirstmistressofmine，\"I\'vedoneyounoharm，\"andsoreleaseme。ItseemedtheonlywisewayofdisposingofurgenciesthatmightotherwiseentangleandwreckthecareerIwasintentupon。
Idon\'tapologisefor，ordefendmymentalandmoralphases。SoitwasIappraisedlifeandpreparedtotakeit，andsoitisathousandambitiousmenseeitto-day……
Fortherestthesefiveyearswereaperiodofdefinition。Mypoliticalconceptionswereperfectlyplainandhonest。Ihadoneconstantdesirerulingmythoughts。ImeanttoleaveEnglandandtheempirebetterorderedthanIfoundit，toorganiseanddiscipline，tobuildupaconstructiveandcontrollingStateoutofmyworld\'sconfusions。Wehad，Isaw，tosuffuseeducationwithpublicintention，todevelopanewbetter-livinggenerationwithacollectivisthabitofthought，tolinknowchaoticactivitiesineveryhumanaffair，andparticularlytocatchthatescaped，world-
making，world-ruining，dangerousthing，industrialandfinancialenterprise，andbringitbacktotheserviceofthegeneralgood。I
hadthenthepreciseimagethatstillservesmeasasymbolforallIwishtobringabout，theimageofanengineerbuildingalockinaswellingtorrent——withwaterpressureashisonlysourceofpower。
Mythoughtsandactswerehabituallyturnedtothatenterprise；itgaveshapeanddirectiontoallmylife。Theproblemthatmostengagedmymindduringthoseyearswasthepracticalandpersonalproblemofjustwheretoapplymyselftoservethisalmostinnatepurpose。HowwasI，achildofthisconfusion，strugglingupwardthroughtheconfusion，totakeholdofthings？Somewherebetweenpoliticsandliteraturemygripmustneedsbefound，butwhere？
AlwaysIseemtohavebeenlookingforthatinthoseopeningyears，anddisregardingeverythingelsetodiscoverit。
2
TheBaileys，underwhoseauspicesImetMargaretagain，wereinthesharpestcontrastwiththenarrowindustrialismoftheStaffordshireworld。Theywereindeedattheotherextremeofthescale，twoactiveself-centredpeople，excessivelydevotedtothepublicservice。ItwasnaturalIshouldgravitatetothem，fortheyseemedtostandforthematurer，moredisciplined，betterinformedexpressionofallIwasthenurgenttoattempttodo。Thebulkoftheirfriendswerepoliticiansorpublicofficials，theydescribedthemselvesaspublicists——avagueyetsufficientlysignificantterm。
TheylivedandworkedinahardlittlehouseinChambersStreet，Westminster，andmadeacentreforquiteanastonishingamountofpoliticalandsocialactivity。
Willersleytookmethereoneevening。Theplacewasalmostpretentiouslymatter-of-factandunassuming。Thenarrowpassage-
hall，paperedwithsomeancientyellowishpaper，grainedtoimitatewood，waschokedwithhatsandcloaksandanoccasionalfemininewrap。MotionedratherthanannouncedbyatallScotchservantwoman，theonlydomesticIeverrememberseeingthere，wemadeourwayupanarrowstaircasepasttheopendoorofasmallstudypackedwithblue-books，todiscoverAltioraBaileyreceivingbeforethefireplaceinherdrawing-room。Shewasatallcommandingfigure，splendidbutalittleuntidyinblacksilkandredbeads，withdarkeyesthathadnodepths，withaclearhardvoicethathadanalmostvisibleprominence，aquilinefeaturesandstraightblackhairthatwasapttogetastray，thatwasnowastrayliketheheadfeathersofaneagleinagale。Shestoodwithherhandsbehindherback，andtalkedinahightenorofaprojectedTownPlanningBillwithBlupp，whowaspracticallyinthosedaysthesecretaryofthelocalGovernmentBoard。Averyshortbroadmanwiththickearsandfatwhitehandswrithingintertwinedbehindhim，stoodwithhisbacktous，eagertobarkinterruptionsintoAltiora\'sdiscourse。Aslendergirlinpaleblue，manifestlyayoungpoliticalwife，stoodwithonefootonthefenderlisteningwithanexpressionofentirelypuzzledpropitiation。Atallsandy-beardedbishopwiththeexpressionofamaninatrancecompletedthiscentralgroup。
Theroomwasoneofthoselongapartmentsoncedividedbyfoldingdoors，andreachingfrombacktofront，thatarecommonuponthefirstfloorsofLondonhouses。Itswallswerehungwithtwoorthreeindifferentwatercolours，therewasscarcelyanyfurniturebutasofaorsoandachair，andthefloor，severelycarpetedwithmatting，wascrowdedwithacuriousmedleyofpeople，menpredominating。Severalwereineveningdress，butmosthadthemorninggarbofthepolitician；thewomenwereeitherseverelyrationalorradiantlymagnificent。WillersleypointedouttomethewifeoftheSecretaryofStateforWar，andIrecognisedtheDuchessofClynes，whoatthattimecultivatedintellectuality。Ilookedround，identifyingafacehereorthere，andsteppingbacktrodonsomeone\'stoe，andturnedtofinditbelongedtotheRightHon。G。
B。Mottisham，deartothePUNCHcaricaturists。Hereceivedmyapologywiththatintentionalcharmthatisoneofhismostdelightfultraits，andresumedhisdiscussion。BesidehimwasEsmeerofTrinity，whomIhadnotseensincemyCambridgedays……
Willersleyfoundanex-memberoftheSchoolBoardforwhomhehadaffinities，andleftmetoexchangeexperiencesandcommentsuponthecompanywithEsmeer。Esmeerwasstilladon；buthewasnibbling，hesaid，atcertainnegotiationswiththeTIMESthatmightbringhimdowntoLondon。HewantedtocometoLondon。\"WepeepatthingsfromCambridge，\"hesaid。
\"Thissortofthing，\"Isaid，\"makesLondonnecessary。It\'stheoddestgathering。\"
\"Everyonecomeshere，\"saidEsmeer。\"Mostlywehatethemlikepoison——jealousy——andlittleirritations——Altioracanbeahorrorattimes——butweHAVEtocome。\"
\"Thingsarebeingdone？\"
\"Oh！——nodoubtofit。It\'soneofthepartsoftheBritishmachinery——thatdoesn\'tshow……Butnobodyelsecoulddoit。
\"Twopeople，\"saidEsmeer，\"who\'veplannedtobeapower——inanoriginalway。AndbyJove！they\'vedoneit！\"
IdidnotforsometimepickoutOscarBailey，andthenEsmeershowedhimtomeinelaboratelyconfidentialtalkinacornerwithadistinguished-lookingstrangerwearingaribbon。Oscarhadnoneofthefineappearanceofhiswife；hewasashortsturdyfigurewitharoundedprotrudingabdomenandacuriousbroad，flattened，clean-
shavenfacethatseemednearlyallforehead。HewasofAnglo-
Hungarianextraction，andIhavealwaysfanciedsomethingMongolianinhistype。Hepeeredupwithreddishswollen-lookingeyesovergilt-edgedglassesthatweredividedhorizontallyintoportionsofdifferentrefractivepower，andhetalkinginaningratiatingundertone，withbusythinlips，aneagerlispandnervousmovementsofthehand。
PeoplesaythatthirtyyearsbeforeatOxfordhewasalmostexactlythesameeager，cleverlittlemanhewaswhenIfirstmethim。HehadcomeuptoBalliolbristlingwithextraordinarydegreesandprizescapturnedinprovincialandIrishandScotchuniversities——
andhadmadeanameforhimselfasthemostformidabledealerinexactfacttherhetoriciansoftheUnionhadeverhadtoencounter。
FromOxfordhehadgoneontoapositionintheHigherDivisionoftheCivilService，IthinkintheWarOffice，andhadspeedilymadeaplaceforhimselfasapoliticaljournalist。Hewasaparticularlyneatcontroversialist，andveryfullofpoliticalandsociologicalideas。Hehadaquiteastoundingmemoryforfactsandamasteryofdetailedanalysis，andthetimeaffordedscopeforthesegifts。Thelatereightieswerefullofpolitico-socialdiscussion，andhebecameaprominentnameuponthecontentslistoftheNINETEENTHCENTURY，theFORTNIGHTLYandCONTEMPORARYchieflyasahalfsympatheticbutfrequentlyverydamagingcriticofthesocialismofthatperiod。Hewontheimmenserespectofeveryonespeciallyinterestedinsocialandpoliticalquestions，hesoonachievedthelimiteddistinctionthatisawardedsuchcapacity，andatthatIthinkhewouldhaveremainedfortherestofhislifeifhehadnotencounteredAltiora。
ButAltioraMacvitiewasanaltogetherexceptionalwoman，anextraordinarymixtureofqualities，theonewomanintheworldwhocouldmakesomethingmoreoutofBaileythanthat。Shehadmuchofthevigourandhandsomenessofaslenderimpudentyoungman，andanunscrupulousnessaltogetherfeminine。Shewasoneofthosewomenwhoarewaitingin——whatistheword？——muliebrity。Shehadcourageandinitiativeandaphilosophicalwayofhandlingquestions，andshecouldbeboredbyregularworklikeaman。Shewasentirelyunfittedforhersex\'ssphere。Shewasneitheruncertain，coynorhardtoplease，andaltogethertoostimulatingandaggressiveforanygentleman\'shoursofease。Hercookerywouldhavebeenaboutassketchyasherhandwriting，whichwasgenerallyquiteillegible，andshewouldhavemade，Ifeelsure，ashockingbadnurse。Yetyoumustn\'timagineshewasaninelegantorunbeautifulwoman，andsheisinconceivabletomeinhighcollarsoranysortofmasculinegarment。Buthersoulwasbony，andatthebaseofherwasavanitygauntandgreedy！Whenshewasn\'tinastateofpersonaluntidinessthatwaspartlyaprotestagainstthewasteofhoursexactedbythetoiletandpartlyanaturaldisinclination，shehadagypsysplendourofblackandredandsilverallherown。AndsomewhenintheearlyninetiesshemetandmarriedBailey。
Iknowverylittleaboutherearlyyears。ShewastheonlydaughterofSirDeightonMacvitie，whoappliedtheiodoformprocesstocotton，andonlyhissubsequentunfortunateattemptstobecomeaCottonKingpreventedherbeingaveryrichwoman。Asitwasshehadatolerableindependence。Shecameintoprominenceasoneofthemoreableofthelittleshoalofyoungwomenwhowereledintopolitico-philanthropicactivitiesbytheinfluenceoftheearliernovelsofMrs。HumphryWard——theMarcellacrop。Shewent\"slumming\"withdistinguishedvigour，whichwasquiteusualinthosedays——andreturnedfromherexperiencesasanamateurflowergirlwithclearandoriginalviewsabouttheproblem——whichisandalwayshadbeenunusual。Shehadnotmarried，Isupposebecauseherstandardswerehigh，andmenarecowardsandwithaninstinctiveappetiteformuliebrity。Shehadkepthouseforherfatherbyspeakingoccasionallytothehousekeeper，butlerandcookhermotherhadlefther，andgatheringthemostinterestingdinnerpartiesshecould，andhadmarriedofffourorphanniecesinaharshandsuccessfulmanner。Afterherfather\'ssmashanddeathshecameoutasawriteruponsocialquestionsandascathingcriticoftheCharityOrganisationSociety，andshewasthreeandthirtyandalittleatlooseendswhenshemetOscarBailey，sotospeak，intheCONTEMPORARYREVIEW。Thelurkingwomaninhernaturewasfascinatedbytheeaseandprecisionwithwhichthelittlemanrolledoverallsortsofimportantandauthoritativepeople，shewasthefirsttodiscoverasortofimaginativebignessinhisstillgrowingmind，theforeheadperhapscarriedhimoffphysically，andshetookoccasiontomeetandsubjugatehim，and，sosoonashehadsufficientlyrecoveredfromhisabjecthumilityandacertainpanicatherattentions，marryhim。
ThishadopenedanewphaseinthelivesofBaileyandherself。Thetwosupplementedeachothertoanextraordinaryextent。Theirsubsequentcareerwas，Ithink，almostentirelyherinvention。Shewasaggressive，imaginative，andhadagreatcapacityforideas，whilehewasalmostdestituteofinitiative，andcoulddonothingwithideasexceptrememberanddiscussthem。Shewas，ifnotexact，atleastindolent，withastrongdispositiontosaveenergybysketching——evenherhandwritingshowedthat——whilehewasinexhaustiblyindustriouswitharelentlessinvariablecaligraphythatgrewlargerandclearerastheyearspassedby。Shehadaconsiderablepowerofcharming；shecouldbejustasnicetopeople——
andincidentallyjustasnasty——asshewantedtobe。Hewasalwaysjustthesame，alittleconfidentialandSOTTOVOCE，artlesslyrudeandegoisticinanundignifiedway。Shehadconsiderablesocialexperience，goodsocialconnections，andconsiderablesocialambition，whilehehadnoneofthesethings。Shesawinaflashheropportunitytoredeemhisdefects，usehispowers，anddolarge，novel，ratherstartlingthings。Sheranhim。Hermarriage，whichshockedherfriendsandrelationsbeyondmeasure——foratimetheywouldonlyspeakofBaileyas\"thatgnome\"——wasastrokeofgenius，andforthwiththeyproceededtomakethemselvesthemostformidableanddistinguishedcoupleconceivable。P。B。P。，sheboasted，wasengravedinsidetheirweddingrings，ProBonoPublico，andshemeantittobenoidlethreat。Shehaddiscoveredveryearlythatthelastthinginfluentialpeoplewilldoistowork。Everythingintheirlivestendstomakethemdependentuponasupplyofconfidentlyadministereddetail。Theirbusinessiswiththewindowandnotthestockbehind，andintheendtheyaredependentuponthestockbehindforwhatgoesintothewindow。ShelinkedwiththatthefactthatBaileyhadamindasorderlyasamuseum，andaninvinciblepoweroverdetail。Shesawthatiftwopeopletookthenecessarypainstoknowthefactsofgovernmentandadministrationwithprecision，togathertogetherknowledgethatwasdispersedandconfused，tobeabletosaypreciselywhathadtobedoneandwhatavoidedinthiseventualityorthat，theywouldnecessarilybecomeacentreofreferenceforallsortsoflegislativeproposalsandpoliticalexpedients，andshewentunhesitatinglyuponthat。
Bailey，underhervigorousdirection，threwuphispostintheCivilServiceandabandonedsporadiccontroversies，andtheydevotedthemselvestotheelaborationandrealisationofthiscentreofpublicinformationshehadconceivedastheirrole。Theysetouttostudythemethodsandorganisationandrealitiesofgovernmentinthemostelaboratemanner。Theydidtheworkasnoonehadeverhithertodreamtofdoingit。Theyplannedtheresearchonathoroughlysatisfyingscale，andarrangedtheirlivesalmostentirelyforit。TheytookthathouseinChambersStreetandfurnisheditwithsevereeconomy，theydiscoveredthatScotchdomesticwhoisdestinedtobetheguardianandtyrantoftheirdecliningyears，andtheysettowork。Theirfirstbook，\"ThePermanentOfficial，\"fillsthreeplumpvolumes，andtookthemandtheirtwosecretariesupwardsoffouryearstodo。Itisanamazinglygoodbook，anenduringachievement。Inahundreddirectionsthehistoryandtheadministrativetreatmentofthepublicservicewasclarifiedforalltime……
Theyworkedregularlyeverymorningfromninetotwelve，theylunchedlightlybutseverely，intheafternoonthey\"tookexercise\"
orBaileyattendedmeetingsoftheLondonSchoolBoard，onwhichheserved，hesaid，forthepurposesofstudy——healsobecamearailwaydirectorforthesameend。InthelateafternoonAltiorawasathometovariouscallers，andintheeveningcamedinnerorareceptionorboth。
Herdinnersandgatheringswereaveryimportantfeatureintheirscheme。Shegottogetherallsortsofinterestingpeopleinoraboutthepublicservice，shemixedtheobscurelyefficientwiththeill-instructedfamousandtherudderlessrich，gottogetherinoneroommoreofthefactorsinourstrangejumbleofapubliclifethanhadevermeteasilybefore。Shefedthemwithashamelessausteritythatkepttheconversationbrilliant，onasoup，aplainfish，andmuttonorboiledfowlandmilkpudding，withnothingtodrinkbutwhiskyandsoda，andhotandcoldwater，andmilkandlemonade。
Everybodywassoonverygladindeedtocometothat。Sheboastedhowlittleherhousekeepingcosther，andsoughtconstantlyforfresheconomiesthatwouldenableher，shesaid，tosustainanadditionalprivatesecretary。SecretariesweretheBaileys\'oneextravagance，theylovedtothinkofsearchesgoingonintheBritishMuseum，andlettersbeingclearedupandprecismadeoverhead，whiletheysatinthelittlestudyandworkedtogether，Baileywithaclockworkindustry，andAltiorainsplendidflashesbetweenintervalsofcigarettesandmeditation。\"Allefficientpubliccareers，\"saidAltiora，\"consistintheproperdirectionofsecretaries。\"
\"IfeverythinggoeswellIshallhaveanothersecretarynextyear，\"
Altioratoldme。\"IwishIcouldrefusepeopledinnernapkins。
Imaginewhatitmeansinwashing！Idaremostthings……Butasitis，theystandalotofhardshiphere。\"
\"There\'ssomethingofthemiserinboththesepeople，\"saidEsmeer，andthethingwasperfectlytrue。For，afterall，themiserisnothingmorethanamanwhoeitherthroughwantofimaginationorwantofsuggestionmisappliestoabaseuseanaturalpowerofconcentrationupononeend。Theconcentrationitselfisneithergoodnorevil，butapowerthatcanbeusedineitherway。AndtheBaileysgatheredandreinvestedusuriouslynotmoney，butknowledgeoftheutmostvalueinhumanaffairs。Theyproducedaneffectofhavingfoundthemselves——completely。Oneenviedthemattimesextraordinarily。Iwasattracted，Iwasdazzled——andatthesametimetherewassomethingaboutBailey\'sbigwrinkledforehead，hislispingbroadmouth，thegesturesofhishandsandanuncivilpreoccupationIcouldnotendure……
3
Theireffectuponmewasfromtheoutsetveryconsiderable。
BothofthemfoundoccasiononthatfirstvisitofminetotalktomeaboutmypublishedwritingsandparticularlyaboutmythenjustpublishedbookTHENEWRULER，whichhadinterestedthemverymuch。
ItfellinindeedsocloselywiththeirownwayofthinkingthatI
doubtiftheyeverunderstoodhowindependentlyIhadarrivedatmyconclusions。Itwastheirweaknesstoclaimexcessively。Thatirritation，however，camelater。Wediscoveredeachotherimmensely；foratimeitproducedatremendoussenseofkindredandcooperation。
Altiora，Iremember，maintainedthatthereexistedagreatarmyofsuchconstructive-mindedpeopleasourselves——asyetundiscoveredbyoneanother。
\"It\'slikeboringatunnelthroughamountain，\"saidOscar，\"andpresentlyhearingthetappingoftheworkersfromtheotherend。\"
\"Ifyoudidn\'tknowofthembeforehand，\"Isaid，\"itmightbearatherbadlyjoinedtunnel。\"
\"Exactly，\"saidAltiorawithahighnote，\"andthat\'swhyweallwanttofindouteachother……\"
Theydidn\'ttalklikethatonourfirstencounter，buttheyurgedmetolunchwiththemnextday，andthenitwaswewentintothings。A
womanFactoryInspectorandtheEducationalMinisterforNewBankslandandhiswifewerealsothere，butIdon\'tremembertheymadeanycontributiontotheconversation。TheBaileyssawtothat。
Theykeptonatmeinanurgentlitigiousway。