CHAPTERII-MR。JAMESHARTHOUSE
THEGradgrindpartywantedassistanceincuttingthethroatsoftheGraces。Theywentaboutrecruiting；andwherecouldtheyenlistrecruitsmorehopefully，thanamongthefinegentlemenwho，havingfoundouteverythingtobeworthnothing，wereequallyreadyforanything？
Moreover，thehealthyspiritswhohadmountedtothissublimeheightwereattractivetomanyoftheGradgrindschool。Theylikedfinegentlemen；theypretendedthattheydidnot，buttheydid。
Theybecameexhaustedinimitationofthem；andtheyyaw-yawedintheirspeechlikethem；andtheyservedout，withanenervatedair，thelittlemouldyrationsofpoliticaleconomy，onwhichtheyregaledtheirdisciples。Thereneverbeforewasseenonearthsuchawonderfulhybridraceaswasthusproduced。
AmongthefinegentlemennotregularlybelongingtotheGradgrindschool，therewasoneofagoodfamilyandabetterappearance，withahappyturnofhumourwhichhadtoldimmenselywiththeHouseofCommonsontheoccasionofhisentertainingitwithhisandtheBoardofDirectorsviewofarailwayaccident，inwhichthemostcarefulofficerseverknown，employedbythemostliberalmanagerseverheardof，assistedbythefinestmechanicalcontrivanceseverdevised，thewholeinactiononthebestlineeverconstructed，hadkilledfivepeopleandwoundedthirty-two，byacasualtywithoutwhichtheexcellenceofthewholesystemwouldhavebeenpositivelyincomplete。Amongtheslainwasacow，andamongthescatteredarticlesunowned，awidow\'scap。AndthehonourablememberhadsotickledtheHousewhichhasadelicatesenseofhumourbyputtingthecaponthecow，thatitbecameimpatientofanyseriousreferencetotheCoroner\'sInquest，andbroughttherailwayoffwithCheersandLaughter。
Now，thisgentlemanhadayoungerbrotherofstillbetterappearancethanhimself，whohadtriedlifeasaCornetofDragoons，andfounditabore；andhadafterwardstrieditinthetrainofanEnglishministerabroad，andfounditabore；andhadthenstrolledtoJerusalem，andgotboredthere；andhadthengoneyachtingabouttheworld，andgotboredeverywhere。Towhomthishonourableandjocular，memberfraternallysaidoneday，\'Jem，there\'sagoodopeningamongthehardFactfellows，andtheywantmen。Iwonderyoudon\'tgoinforstatistics。\'Jem，rathertakenbythenoveltyoftheidea，andveryhardupforachange，wasasreadyto\'goin\'forstatisticsasforanythingelse。So，hewentin。Hecoachedhimselfupwithablue-bookortwo；andhisbrotherputitaboutamongthehardFactfellows，andsaid，\'Ifyouwanttobringin，foranyplace，ahandsomedogwhocanmakeyouadevilishgoodspeech，lookaftermybrotherJem，forhe\'syourman。\'Afterafewdashesinthepublicmeetingway，Mr。GradgrindandacouncilofpoliticalsagesapprovedofJem，anditwasresolvedtosendhimdowntoCoketown，tobecomeknownthereandintheneighbourhood。
HencetheletterJemhadlastnightshowntoMrs。Sparsit，whichMr。Bounderbynowheldinhishand；superscribed，\'JosiahBounderby，Esquire，Banker，Coketown。SpeciallytointroduceJamesHarthouse，Esquire。ThomasGradgrind。\'
WithinanhourofthereceiptofthisdispatchandMr。JamesHarthouse\'scard，Mr。BounderbyputonhishatandwentdowntotheHotel。TherehefoundMr。JamesHarthouselookingoutofwindow，inastateofmindsodisconsolate，thathewasalreadyhalf-
disposedto\'goin\'forsomethingelse。
\'Myname，sir，\'saidhisvisitor，\'isJosiahBounderby，ofCoketown。\'
Mr。JamesHarthousewasveryhappyindeedthoughhescarcelylookedsotohaveapleasurehehadlongexpected。
\'Coketown，sir，\'saidBounderby，obstinatelytakingachair，\'isnotthekindofplaceyouhavebeenaccustomedto。Therefore，ifyouwillallowme-orwhetheryouwillornot，forIamaplainman-I\'lltellyousomethingaboutitbeforewegoanyfurther。\'
Mr。Harthousewouldbecharmed。
\'Don\'tbetoosureofthat，\'saidBounderby。\'Idon\'tpromiseit。
Firstofall，youseeoursmoke。That\'smeatanddrinktous。
It\'sthehealthiestthingintheworldinallrespects，andparticularlyforthelungs。Ifyouareoneofthosewhowantustoconsumeit，Idifferfromyou。Wearenotgoingtowearthebottomsofourboilersoutanyfasterthanwewear\'emoutnow，forallthehumbuggingsentimentinGreatBritainandIreland。\'
Bywayof\'goingin\'tothefullestextent，Mr。Harthouserejoined，\'Mr。Bounderby，IassureyouIamentirelyandcompletelyofyourwayofthinking。Onconviction。\'
\'Iamgladtohearit，\'saidBounderby。\'Now，youhaveheardalotoftalkabouttheworkinourmills，nodoubt。Youhave？Verygood。I\'llstatethefactofittoyou。It\'sthepleasantestworkthereis，andit\'sthelightestworkthereis，andit\'sthebest-
paidworkthereis。Morethanthat，wecouldn\'timprovethemillsthemselves，unlesswelaiddownTurkeycarpetsonthefloors。
Whichwe\'renota-goingtodo。\'
\'Mr。Bounderby，perfectlyright。\'
\'Lastly，\'saidBounderby，\'astoourHands。There\'snotaHandinthistown，sir，man，woman，orchild，buthasoneultimateobjectinlife。Thatobjectis，tobefedonturtlesoupandvenisonwithagoldspoon。Now，they\'renota-going-noneof\'em-evertobefedonturtlesoupandvenisonwithagoldspoon。Andnowyouknowtheplace。\'
Mr。Harthouseprofessedhimselfinthehighestdegreeinstructedandrefreshed，bythiscondensedepitomeofthewholeCoketownquestion。
\'Why，yousee，\'repliedMr。Bounderby，\'itsuitsmydispositiontohaveafullunderstandingwithaman，particularlywithapublicman，whenImakehisacquaintance。Ihaveonlyonethingmoretosaytoyou，Mr。Harthouse，beforeassuringyouofthepleasurewithwhichIshallrespond，totheutmostofmypoorability，tomyfriendTomGradgrind\'sletterofintroduction。Youareamanoffamily。Don\'tyoudeceiveyourselfbysupposingforamomentthatIamamanoffamily。Iamabitofdirtyriff-raff，andagenuinescrapoftag，rag，andbobtail。\'
IfanythingcouldhaveexaltedJem\'sinterestinMr。Bounderby，itwouldhavebeenthisverycircumstance。Or，sohetoldhim。
\'Sonow，\'saidBounderby，\'wemayshakehandsonequalterms。I
say，equalterms，becausealthoughIknowwhatIam，andtheexactdepthofthegutterIhaveliftedmyselfoutof，betterthananymandoes，Iamasproudasyouare。Iamjustasproudasyouare。
Havingnowassertedmyindependenceinapropermanner，Imaycometohowdoyoufindyourself，andIhopeyou\'reprettywell。\'
Thebetter，Mr。Harthousegavehimtounderstandastheyshookhands，forthesalubriousairofCoketown。Mr。Bounderbyreceivedtheanswerwithfavour。
\'Perhapsyouknow，\'saidhe，\'orperhapsyoudon\'tknow，ImarriedTomGradgrind\'sdaughter。Ifyouhavenothingbettertodothantowalkuptownwithme，IshallbegladtointroduceyoutoTomGradgrind\'sdaughter。\'
\'Mr。Bounderby，\'saidJem，\'youanticipatemydearestwishes。\'
Theywentoutwithoutfurtherdiscourse；andMr。Bounderbypilotedthenewacquaintancewhosostronglycontrastedwithhim，totheprivateredbrickdwelling，withtheblackoutsideshutters，thegreeninsideblinds，andtheblackstreetdoorupthetwowhitesteps。Inthedrawing-roomofwhichmansion，therepresentlyenteredtothemthemostremarkablegirlMr。JamesHarthousehadeverseen。Shewassoconstrained，andyetsocareless；soreserved，andyetsowatchful；socoldandproud，andyetsosensitivelyashamedofherhusband\'sbraggarthumility-fromwhichsheshrunkasifeveryexampleofitwereacutorablow；thatitwasquiteanewsensationtoobserveher。Infaceshewasnolessremarkablethaninmanner。Herfeatureswerehandsome；buttheirnaturalplaywassolockedup，thatitseemedimpossibletoguessattheirgenuineexpression。Utterlyindifferent，perfectlyself-
reliant，neverataloss，andyetneveratherease，withherfigureincompanywiththemthere，andhermindapparentlyquitealone-itwasofnouse\'goingin\'yetawhiletocomprehendthisgirl，forshebaffledallpenetration。
Fromthemistressofthehouse，thevisitorglancedtothehouseitself。Therewasnomutesignofawomanintheroom。Nogracefullittleadornment，nofancifullittledevice，howevertrivial，anywhereexpressedherinfluence。Cheerlessandcomfortless，boastfullyanddoggedlyrich，theretheroomstaredatitspresentoccupants，unsoftenedandunrelievedbytheleasttraceofanywomanlyoccupation。AsMr。Bounderbystoodinthemidstofhishouseholdgods，sothoseunrelentingdivinitiesoccupiedtheirplacesaroundMr。Bounderby，andtheywereworthyofoneanother，andwellmatched。
\'This，sir，\'saidBounderby，\'ismywife，Mrs。Bounderby:TomGradgrind\'seldestdaughter。Loo，Mr。JamesHarthouse。Mr。
Harthousehasjoinedyourfather\'smuster-roll。IfheisnotTornGradgrind\'scolleaguebeforelong，Ibelieveweshallatleasthearofhiminconnexionwithoneofourneighbouringtowns。Youobserve，Mr。Harthouse，thatmywifeismyjunior。Idon\'tknowwhatshesawinmetomarryme，butshesawsomethinginme，I
suppose，orshewouldn\'thavemarriedme。Shehaslotsofexpensiveknowledge，sir，politicalandotherwise。Ifyouwanttocramforanything，IshouldbetroubledtorecommendyoutoabetteradviserthanLooBounderby。\'
Toamoreagreeableadviser，oronefromwhomhewouldbemorelikelytolearn，Mr。Harthousecouldneverberecommended。
\'Come！\'saidhishost。\'Ifyou\'reinthecomplimentaryline，you\'llgetonhere，foryou\'llmeetwithnocompetition。Ihaveneverbeeninthewayoflearningcomplimentsmyself，andIdon\'tprofesstounderstandtheartofpaying\'em。Infact，despise\'em。
But，yourbringing-upwasdifferentfrommine；minewasarealthing，byGeorge！You\'reagentleman，andIdon\'tpretendtobeone。IamJosiahBounderbyofCoketown，andthat\'senoughforme。
However，thoughIamnotinfluencedbymannersandstation，LooBounderbymaybe。Shehadn\'tmyadvantages-disadvantagesyouwouldcall\'em，butIcall\'emadvantages-soyou\'llnotwasteyourpower，Idaresay。\'
\'Mr。Bounderby，\'saidJem，turningwithasmiletoLouisa，\'isanobleanimalinacomparativelynaturalstate，quitefreefromtheharnessinwhichaconventionalhacklikemyselfworks。\'
\'YourespectMr。Bounderbyverymuch，\'shequietlyreturned。\'Itisnaturalthatyoushould。\'
Hewasdisgracefullythrownout，foragentlemanwhohadseensomuchoftheworld，andthought，\'Now，howamItotakethis？\'
\'Youaregoingtodevoteyourself，asIgatherfromwhatMr。
Bounderbyhassaid，totheserviceofyourcountry。Youhavemadeupyourmind，\'saidLouisa，stillstandingbeforehimwhereshehadfirststopped-inallthesingularcontrarietyofherself-
possession，andherbeingobviouslyveryillatease-\'toshowthenationthewayoutofallitsdifficulties。\'
\'Mrs。Bounderby，\'hereturned，laughing，\'uponmyhonour，no。I
willmakenosuchpretencetoyou。Ihaveseenalittle，hereandthere，upanddown；Ihavefounditalltobeveryworthless，aseverybodyhas，andassomeconfesstheyhave，andsomedonot；andIamgoinginforyourrespectedfather\'sopinions-reallybecauseIhavenochoiceofopinions，andmayaswellbackthemasanythingelse。\'
\'Haveyounoneofyourown？\'askedLouisa。
\'Ihavenotsomuchastheslightestpredilectionleft。IassureyouIattachnottheleastimportancetoanyopinions。TheresultofthevarietiesofboredomIhaveundergone，isaconvictionunlessconvictionistooindustriousawordforthelazysentimentIentertainonthesubject，thatanysetofideaswilldojustasmuchgoodasanyotherset，andjustasmuchharmasanyotherset。
There\'sanEnglishfamilywithacharmingItalianmotto。Whatwillbe，willbe。It\'stheonlytruthgoing！\'
Thisviciousassumptionofhonestyindishonesty-avicesodangerous，sodeadly，andsocommon-seemed，heobserved，alittletoimpressherinhisfavour。Hefolloweduptheadvantage，bysayinginhispleasantestmanner:amannertowhichshemightattachasmuchoraslittlemeaningasshepleased:\'Thesidethatcanproveanythinginalineofunits，tens，hundreds，andthousands，Mrs。Bounderby，seemstometoaffordthemostfun，andtogiveamanthebestchance。IamquiteasmuchattachedtoitasifIbelievedit。Iamquitereadytogoinforit，tothesameextentasifIbelievedit。AndwhatmorecouldIpossiblydo，ifIdidbelieveit！\'
\'Youareasingularpolitician，\'saidLouisa。
\'Pardonme；Ihavenoteventhatmerit。Wearethelargestpartyinthestate，Iassureyou，Mrs。Bounderby，ifweallfelloutofouradoptedranksandwerereviewedtogether。\'
Mr。Bounderby，whohadbeenindangerofburstinginsilence，interposedherewithaprojectforpostponingthefamilydinnertillhalf-pastsix，andtakingMr。JamesHarthouseinthemeantimeonaroundofvisitstothevotingandinterestingnotabilitiesofCoketownanditsvicinity。Theroundofvisitswasmade；andMr。
JamesHarthouse，withadiscreetuseofhisbluecoaching，cameofftriumphantly，thoughwithaconsiderableaccessionofboredom。
Intheevening，hefoundthedinner-tablelaidforfour，buttheysatdownonlythree。ItwasanappropriateoccasionforMr。
Bounderbytodiscusstheflavourofthehap\'orthofstewedeelshehadpurchasedinthestreetsateightyearsold；andalsooftheinferiorwater，speciallyusedforlayingthedust，withwhichhehadwasheddownthatrepast。Helikewiseentertainedhisguestoverthesoupandfish，withthecalculationthatheBounderby
hadeateninhisyouthatleastthreehorsesundertheguiseofpoloniesandsaveloys。Theserecitals，Jem，inalanguidmanner，receivedwith\'charming！\'everynowandthen；andtheyprobablywouldhavedecidedhimto\'goin\'forJerusalemagainto-morrowmorning，hadhebeenlesscuriousrespectingLouisa。
\'Istherenothing，\'hethought，glancingatherasshesatattheheadofthetable，whereheryouthfulfigure，smallandslight，butverygraceful，lookedasprettyasitlookedmisplaced；\'istherenothingthatwillmovethatface？\'
Yes！ByJupiter，therewassomething，andhereitwas，inanunexpectedshape。Tomappeared。Shechangedasthedooropened，andbrokeintoabeamingsmile。
Abeautifulsmile。Mr。JamesHarthousemightnothavethoughtsomuchofit，butthathehadwonderedsolongatherimpassiveface。
Sheputoutherhand-aprettylittlesofthand；andherfingerscloseduponherbrother\'s，asifshewouldhavecarriedthemtoherlips。
\'Ay，ay？\'thoughtthevisitor。\'Thiswhelpistheonlycreatureshecaresfor。So，so！\'
Thewhelpwaspresented，andtookhischair。Theappellationwasnotflattering，butnotunmerited。
\'WhenIwasyourage，youngTom，\'saidBounderby，\'Iwaspunctual，orIgotnodinner！\'
\'Whenyouweremyage，\'resumedTom，\'youhadn\'tawrongbalancetogetright，andhadn\'ttodressafterwards。\'
\'Nevermindthatnow，\'saidBounderby。
\'Well，then，\'grumbledTom。\'Don\'tbeginwithme。\'
\'Mrs。Bounderby，\'saidHarthouse，perfectlyhearingthisunder-
strainasitwenton；\'yourbrother\'sfaceisquitefamiliartome。
CanIhaveseenhimabroad？Oratsomepublicschool，perhaps？\'
\'No，\'sheresumed，quiteinterested，\'hehasneverbeenabroadyet，andwaseducatedhere，athome。Tom，love，IamtellingMr。
Harthousethatheneversawyouabroad。\'
\'Nosuchluck，sir，\'saidTom。
Therewaslittleenoughinhimtobrightenherface，forhewasasullenyoungfellow，andungraciousinhismannereventoher。Somuchthegreatermusthavebeenthesolitudeofherheart，andherneedofsomeoneonwhomtobestowit。\'Somuchthemoreisthiswhelptheonlycreatureshehasevercaredfor，\'thoughtMr。JamesHarthouse，turningitoverandover。\'Somuchthemore。Somuchthemore。\'
Bothinhissister\'spresence，andaftershehadlefttheroom，thewhelptooknopainstohidehiscontemptforMr。Bounderby，wheneverhecouldindulgeitwithouttheobservationofthatindependentman，bymakingwryfaces，orshuttingoneeye。Withoutrespondingtothesetelegraphiccommunications，Mr。Harthouseencouragedhimmuchinthecourseoftheevening，andshowedanunusuallikingforhim。Atlast，whenherosetoreturntohishotel，andwasalittledoubtfulwhetherheknewthewaybynight，thewhelpimmediatelyprofferedhisservicesasguide，andturnedoutwithhimtoescorthimthither。
CHAPTERIII-THEWHELP
ITwasveryremarkablethatayounggentlemanwhohadbeenbroughtupunderonecontinuoussystemofunnaturalrestraint，shouldbeahypocrite；butitwascertainlythecasewithTom。Itwasverystrangethatayounggentlemanwhohadneverbeenlefttohisownguidanceforfiveconsecutiveminutes，shouldbeincapableatlastofgoverninghimself；butsoitwaswithTom。Itwasaltogetherunaccountablethatayounggentlemanwhoseimaginationhadbeenstrangledinhiscradle，shouldbestillinconveniencedbyitsghostintheformofgrovellingsensualities；butsuchamonster，beyondalldoubt，wasTom。
\'Doyousmoke？\'askedMr。JamesHarthouse，whentheycametothehotel。
\'Ibelieveyou！\'saidTom。
HecoulddonolessthanaskTomup；andTomcoulddonolessthangoup。Whatwithacoolingdrinkadaptedtotheweather，butnotsoweakascool；andwhatwithararertobaccothanwastobeboughtinthoseparts；Tomwassooninahighlyfreeandeasystateathisendofthesofa，andmorethaneverdisposedtoadmirehisnewfriendattheotherend。
Tomblewhissmokeaside，afterhehadbeensmokingalittlewhile，andtookanobservationofhisfriend。\'Hedon\'tseemtocareabouthisdress，\'thoughtTom，\'andyethowcapitallyhedoesit。
Whataneasyswellheis！\'
Mr。JamesHarthouse，happeningtocatchTom\'seye，remarkedthathedranknothing，andfilledhisglasswithhisownnegligenthand。
\'Thank\'ee，\'saidTom。\'Thank\'ee。Well，Mr。Harthouse，IhopeyouhavehadaboutadoseofoldBounderbyto-night。\'Tomsaidthiswithoneeyeshutupagain，andlookingoverhisglassknowingly，athisentertainer。
\'Averygoodfellowindeed！\'returnedMr。JamesHarthouse。
\'Youthinkso，don\'tyou？\'saidTom。Andshutuphiseyeagain。
Mr。JamesHarthousesmiled；andrisingfromhisendofthesofa，andloungingwithhisbackagainstthechimney-piece，sothathestoodbeforetheemptyfire-grateashesmoked，infrontofTomandlookingdownathim，observed:
\'Whatacomicalbrother-in-lawyouare！\'
\'Whatacomicalbrother-in-lawoldBounderbyis，Ithinkyoumean，\'
saidTom。
\'Youareapieceofcaustic，Tom，\'retortedMr。JamesHarthouse。
Therewassomethingsoveryagreeableinbeingsointimatewithsuchawaistcoat；inbeingcalledTom，insuchanintimateway，bysuchavoice；inbeingonsuchoff-handtermssosoon，withsuchapairofwhiskers；thatTomwasuncommonlypleasedwithhimself。
\'Oh！Idon\'tcareforoldBounderby，\'saidhe，\'ifyoumeanthat。
IhavealwayscalledoldBounderbybythesamenamewhenIhavetalkedabouthim，andIhavealwaysthoughtofhiminthesameway。
Iamnotgoingtobegintobepolitenow，aboutoldBounderby。Itwouldberatherlateintheday。\'
\'Don\'tmindme，\'returnedJames；\'buttakecarewhenhiswifeisby，youknow。\'
\'Hiswife？\'saidTom。\'MysisterLoo？Oyes！\'Andhelaughed，andtookalittlemoreofthecoolingdrink。
JamesHarthousecontinuedtoloungeinthesameplaceandattitude，smokinghiscigarinhisowneasyway，andlookingpleasantlyatthewhelp，asifheknewhimselftobeakindofagreeabledemonwhohadonlytohoveroverhim，andhemustgiveuphiswholesoulifrequired。Itcertainlydidseemthatthewhelpyieldedtothisinfluence。Helookedathiscompanionsneakingly，helookedathimadmiringly，helookedathimboldly，andputuponelegonthesofa。
\'MysisterLoo？\'saidTom。\'ShenevercaredforoldBounderby。\'
\'That\'sthepasttense，Tom，\'returnedMr。JamesHarthouse，strikingtheashfromhiscigarwithhislittlefinger。\'Weareinthepresenttense，now。\'
\'Verbneuter，nottocare。Indicativemood，presenttense。Firstpersonsingular，Idonotcare；secondpersonsingular，thoudostnotcare；thirdpersonsingular，shedoesnotcare，\'returnedTom。
\'Good！Veryquaint！\'saidhisfriend。\'Thoughyoudon\'tmeanit。\'
\'ButIdomeanit，\'criedTom。\'Uponmyhonour！Why，youwon\'ttellme，Mr。Harthouse，thatyoureallysupposemysisterLoodoescareforoldBounderby。\'
\'Mydearfellow，\'returnedtheother，\'whatamIboundtosuppose，whenIfindtwomarriedpeoplelivinginharmonyandhappiness？\'
Tomhadbythistimegotbothhislegsonthesofa。Ifhissecondleghadnotbeenalreadytherewhenhewascalledadearfellow，hewouldhaveputitupatthatgreatstageoftheconversation。
Feelingitnecessarytodosomethingthen，hestretchedhimselfoutatgreaterlength，and，recliningwiththebackofhisheadontheendofthesofa，andsmokingwithaninfiniteassumptionofnegligence，turnedhiscommonface，andnottoosobereyes，towardsthefacelookingdownuponhimsocarelesslyyetsopotently。
\'Youknowourgovernor，Mr。Harthouse，\'saidTom，\'andtherefore，youneedn\'tbesurprisedthatLoomarriedoldBounderby。Sheneverhadalover，andthegovernorproposedoldBounderby，andshetookhim。\'
\'Verydutifulinyourinterestingsister，\'saidMr。JamesHarthouse。
\'Yes，butshewouldn\'thavebeenasdutiful，anditwouldnothavecomeoffaseasily，\'returnedthewhelp，\'ifithadn\'tbeenforme。\'
Thetemptermerelyliftedhiseyebrows；butthewhelpwasobligedtogoon。
\'Ipersuadedher，\'hesaid，withanedifyingairofsuperiority。
\'IwasstuckintooldBounderby\'sbankwhereIneverwantedtobe，andIknewIshouldgetintoscrapesthere，ifsheputoldBounderby\'spipeout；soItoldhermywishes，andshecameintothem。Shewoulddoanythingforme。Itwasverygameofher，wasn\'tit？\'
\'Itwascharming，Tom！\'
\'Notthatitwasaltogethersoimportanttoherasitwastome，\'
continuedTomcoolly，\'becausemylibertyandcomfort，andperhapsmygettingon，dependedonit；andshehadnootherlover，andstayingathomewaslikestayinginjail-especiallywhenIwasgone。Itwasn\'tasifshegaveupanotherloverforoldBounderby；
butstillitwasagoodthinginher。\'
\'Perfectlydelightful。Andshegetsonsoplacidly。\'
\'Oh，\'returnedTom，withcontemptuouspatronage，\'she\'saregulargirl。Agirlcangetonanywhere。Shehassettleddowntothelife，andshedon\'tmind。Itdoesjustaswellasanother。
Besides，thoughLooisagirl，she\'snotacommonsortofgirl。
Shecanshutherselfupwithinherself，andthink-asIhaveoftenknownhersitandwatchthefire-foranhouratastretch。\'
\'Ay，ay？Hasresourcesofherown，\'saidHarthouse，smokingquietly。
\'Notsomuchofthatasyoumaysuppose，\'returnedTom；\'forourgovernorhadhercrammedwithallsortsofdrybonesandsawdust。
It\'shissystem。\'
\'Formedhisdaughteronhisownmodel？\'suggestedHarthouse。
\'Hisdaughter？Ah！andeverybodyelse。Why，heformedMethatway！\'saidTom。
\'Impossible！\'
\'Hedid，though，\'saidTom，shakinghishead。\'Imeantosay，Mr。
Harthouse，thatwhenIfirstlefthomeandwenttooldBounderby\'s，Iwasasflatasawarming-pan，andknewnomoreaboutlife，thananyoysterdoes。\'
\'Come，Tom！Icanhardlybelievethat。Ajoke\'sajoke。\'
\'Uponmysoul！\'saidthewhelp。\'Iamserious；Iamindeed！\'Hesmokedwithgreatgravityanddignityforalittlewhile，andthenadded，inahighlycomplacenttone，\'Oh！Ihavepickedupalittlesince。Idon\'tdenythat。ButIhavedoneitmyself；nothankstothegovernor。\'
\'Andyourintelligentsister？\'
\'Myintelligentsisterisaboutwhereshewas。Sheusedtocomplaintomethatshehadnothingtofallbackupon，thatgirlsusuallyfallbackupon；andIdon\'tseehowsheistohavegotoverthatsince。Butshedon\'tmind，\'hesagaciouslyadded，puffingathiscigaragain。\'Girlscanalwaysgeton，somehow。\'
\'CallingattheBankyesterdayevening，forMr。Bounderby\'saddress，Ifoundanancientladythere，whoseemstoentertaingreatadmirationforyoursister，\'observedMr。JamesHarthouse，throwingawaythelastsmallremnantofthecigarhehadnowsmokedout。
\'MotherSparsit！\'saidTom。\'What！youhaveseenheralready，haveyou？\'
Hisfriendnodded。Tomtookhiscigaroutofhismouth，toshutuphiseyewhichhadgrownratherunmanageablewiththegreaterexpression，andtotaphisnoseseveraltimeswithhisfinger。
\'MotherSparsit\'sfeelingforLooismorethanadmiration，Ishouldthink，\'saidTom。\'Sayaffectionanddevotion。MotherSparsitneversethercapatBounderbywhenhewasabachelor。Ohno！\'
Thesewerethelastwordsspokenbythewhelp，beforeagiddydrowsinesscameuponhim，followedbycompleteoblivion。Hewasrousedfromthelatterstatebyanuneasydreamofbeingstirredupwithaboot，andalsoofavoicesaying:\'Come，it\'slate。Beoff！\'
\'Well！\'hesaid，scramblingfromthesofa。\'Imusttakemyleaveofyouthough。Isay。Yoursisverygoodtobacco。Butit\'stoomild。\'
\'Yes，it\'stoomild，\'returnedhisentertainer。
\'It\'s-it\'sridiculouslymild，\'saidTom。\'Where\'sthedoor！
Goodnight！\'
\'Hehadanotherodddreamofbeingtakenbyawaiterthroughamist，which，aftergivinghimsometroubleanddifficulty，resolveditselfintothemainstreet，inwhichhestoodalone。Hethenwalkedhomeprettyeasily，thoughnotyetfreefromanimpressionofthepresenceandinfluenceofhisnewfriend-asifhewereloungingsomewhereintheair，inthesamenegligentattitude，regardinghimwiththesamelook。
Thewhelpwenthome，andwenttobed。Ifhehadhadanysenseofwhathehaddonethatnight，andhadbeenlessofawhelpandmoreofabrother，hemighthaveturnedshortontheroad，mighthavegonedowntotheill-smellingriverthatwasdyedblack，mighthavegonetobedinitforgoodandall，andhavecurtainedhisheadforeverwithitsfilthywaters。
CHAPTERIV-MENANDBROTHERS
\'OH，myfriends，thedown-troddenoperativesofCoketown！Oh，myfriendsandfellow-countrymen，theslavesofaniron-handedandagrindingdespotism！Oh，myfriendsandfellow-sufferers，andfellow-workmen，andfellow-men！Itellyouthatthehouriscome，whenwemustrallyroundoneanotherasOneunitedpower，andcrumbleintodusttheoppressorsthattoolonghavebattenedupontheplunderofourfamilies，uponthesweatofourbrows，uponthelabourofourhands，uponthestrengthofoursinews，upontheGod-
createdgloriousrightsofHumanity，andupontheholyandeternalprivilegesofBrotherhood！\'
\'Good！\'\'Hear，hear，hear！\'\'Hurrah！\'andothercries，aroseinmanyvoicesfromvariouspartsofthedenselycrowdedandsuffocatinglycloseHall，inwhichtheorator，perchedonastage，deliveredhimselfofthisandwhatotherfrothandfumehehadinhim。Hehaddeclaimedhimselfintoaviolentheat，andwasashoarseashewashot。Bydintofroaringatthetopofhisvoiceunderaflaringgaslight，clenchinghisfists，knittinghisbrows，settinghisteeth，andpoundingwithhisarms，hehadtakensomuchoutofhimselfbythistime，thathewasbroughttoastop，andcalledforaglassofwater。
Ashestoodthere，tryingtoquenchhisfieryfacewithhisdrinkofwater，thecomparisonbetweentheoratorandthecrowdofattentivefacesturnedtowardshim，wasextremelytohisdisadvantage。JudginghimbyNature\'sevidence，hewasabovethemassinverylittlebutthestageonwhichhestood。Inmanygreatrespectshewasessentiallybelowthem。Hewasnotsohonest，hewasnotsomanly，hewasnotsogood-humoured；hesubstitutedcunningfortheirsimplicity，andpassionfortheirsafesolidsense。Anill-made，high-shoulderedman，withloweringbrows，andhisfeaturescrushedintoanhabituallysourexpression，hecontrastedmostunfavourably，eveninhismongreldress，withthegreatbodyofhishearersintheirplainworkingclothes。Strangeasitalwaysistoconsideranyassemblyintheactofsubmissivelyresigningitselftothedrearinessofsomecomplacentperson，lordorcommoner，whomthree-fourthsofitcould，bynohumanmeans，raiseoutofthesloughofinanitytotheirownintellectuallevel，itwasparticularlystrange，anditwasevenparticularlyaffecting，toseethiscrowdofearnestfaces，whosehonestyinthemainnocompetentobserverfreefrombiascoulddoubt，soagitatedbysuchaleader。
Good！Hear，hear！Hurrah！Theeagernessbothofattentionandintention，exhibitedinallthecountenances，madethemamostimpressivesight。Therewasnocarelessness，nolanguor，noidlecuriosity；noneofthemanyshadesofindifferencetobeseeninallotherassemblies，visibleforonemomentthere。Thateverymanfelthisconditiontobe，somehoworother，worsethanitmightbe；
thateverymanconsidereditincumbentonhimtojointherest，towardsthemakingofitbetter；thateverymanfelthisonlyhopetobeinhisallyinghimselftothecomradesbywhomhewassurrounded；andthatinthisbelief，rightorwrongunhappilywrongthen，thewholeofthatcrowdweregravely，deeply，faithfullyinearnest；musthavebeenasplaintoanyonewhochosetoseewhatwasthere，asthebarebeamsoftheroofandthewhitenedbrickwalls。Norcouldanysuchspectatorfailtoknowinhisownbreast，thatthesemen，throughtheirverydelusions，showedgreatqualities，susceptibleofbeingturnedtothehappiestandbestaccount；andthattopretendonthestrengthofsweepingaxioms，howsoevercutanddriedthattheywentastraywhollywithoutcause，andoftheirownirrationalwills，wastopretendthattherecouldbesmokewithoutfire，deathwithoutbirth，harvestwithoutseed，anythingoreverythingproducedfromnothing。
Theoratorhavingrefreshedhimself，wipedhiscorrugatedforeheadfromlefttorightseveraltimeswithhishandkerchieffoldedintoapad，andconcentratedallhisrevivedforces，inasneerofgreatdisdainandbitterness。
\'Butoh，myfriendsandbrothers！Oh，menandEnglishmen，thedown-troddenoperativesofCoketown！Whatshallwesayofthatman-thatworking-man，thatIshouldfinditnecessarysotolibelthegloriousname-who，beingpracticallyandwellacquaintedwiththegrievancesandwrongsofyou，theinjuredpithandmarrowofthisland，andhavingheardyou，withanobleandmajesticunanimitythatwillmakeTyrantstremble，resolvefortosubscribetothefundsoftheUnitedAggregateTribunal，andtoabidebytheinjunctionsissuedbythatbodyforyourbenefit，whatevertheymaybe-what，Iaskyou，willyousayofthatworking-man，sincesuchImustacknowledgehimtobe，who，atsuchatime，desertshispost，andsellshisflag；who，atsuchatime，turnsatraitorandacravenandarecreant，who，atsuchatime，isnotashamedtomaketoyouthedastardlyandhumiliatingavowalthathewillholdhimselfaloof，andwillnotbeoneofthoseassociatedinthegallantstandforFreedomandforRight？\'
Theassemblywasdividedatthispoint。Thereweresomegroansandhisses，butthegeneralsenseofhonourwasmuchtoostrongforthecondemnationofamanunheard。\'Besureyou\'reright，Slackbridge！\'\'Puthimup！\'\'Let\'shearhim！\'Suchthingsweresaidonmanysides。Finally，onestrongvoicecalledout，\'Isthemanheer？Iftheman\'sheer，Slackbridge，let\'shearthemanhimseln，\'steado\'yo。\'Whichwasreceivedwitharoundofapplause。
Slackbridge，theorator，lookedabouthimwithawitheringsmile；
and，holdingouthisrighthandatarm\'slengthasthemannerofallSlackbridgesis，tostillthethunderingsea，waiteduntiltherewasaprofoundsilence。
\'Oh，myfriendsandfellow-men！\'saidSlackbridgethen，shakinghisheadwithviolentscorn，\'Idonotwonderthatyou，theprostratesonsoflabour，areincredulousoftheexistenceofsuchaman。
Buthewhosoldhisbirthrightforamessofpottageexisted，andJudasIscariotexisted，andCastlereaghexisted，andthismanexists！\'
Here，abriefpressandconfusionnearthestage，endedinthemanhimselfstandingattheorator\'ssidebeforetheconcourse。Hewaspaleandalittlemovedintheface-hislipsespeciallyshowedit；buthestoodquiet，withhislefthandathischin，waitingtobeheard。Therewasachairmantoregulatetheproceedings，andthisfunctionarynowtookthecaseintohisownhands。
\'Myfriends，\'saidhe，\'byvirtueo\'myofficeasyourpresident，I
askeso\'ourfriendSlackbridge，whomaybealittleoverhetterinthisbusiness，totakehisseat，whilesthismanStephenBlackpoolisheern。YouallknowthismanStephenBlackpool。Youknowhimawlungo\'hismisfort\'ns，andhisgoodname。\'
Withthat，thechairmanshookhimfranklybythehand，andsatdownagain。Slackbridgelikewisesatdown，wipinghishotforehead-
alwaysfromlefttoright，andneverthereverseway。
\'Myfriends，\'Stephenbegan，inthemidstofadeadcalm；\'Iha\'
hedwhat\'sbeenspok\'no\'me，and\'tislicklythatIshan\'tmendit。ButI\'dlieferyou\'dhearnthetruthconcerninmyseln，fromylipsthanfroonnyotherman\'s，thoughInevercud\'nspeakaforesomonny，wi\'outbeinmoydertandmuddled。\'
Slackbridgeshookhisheadasifhewouldshakeitoff，inhisbitterness。
\'I\'mth\'onesingleHandinBounderby\'smill，o\'a\'thementheer，asdon\'tcoominwi\'th\'proposedreg\'lations。Icannacoominwi\'
\'em。Myfriends，Idoubttheirdoin\'yoonnygood。Lickerthey\'lldoyohurt。\'
Slackbridgelaughed，foldedhisarms，andfrownedsarcastically。
\'But\'tan\'tsommuchforthatasIstandsout。Ifthatwereaw，I\'dcoominwi\'th\'rest。ButIha\'myreasons-mine，yosee-
forbeinghindered；noton\'ynow，butawlus-awlus-lifelong！\'
Slackbridgejumpedupandstoodbesidehim，gnashingandtearing。
\'Oh，myfriends，whatbutthisdidItellyou？Oh，myfellow-
countrymen，whatwarningbutthisdidIgiveyou？Andhowshowsthisrecreantconductinamanonwhomunequallawsareknowntohavefallenheavy？Oh，youEnglishmen，Iaskyouhowdoesthissubornationshowinoneofyourselves，whoisthusconsentingtohisownundoingandtoyours，andtoyourchildren\'sandyourchildren\'schildren\'s？\'
Therewassomeapplause，andsomecryingofShameupontheman；butthegreaterpartoftheaudiencewerequiet。TheylookedatStephen\'swornface，renderedmorepatheticbythehomelyemotionsitevinced；and，inthekindnessoftheirnature，theyweremoresorrythanindignant。
\'\'TisthisDelegate\'stradefort\'speak，\'saidStephen，\'an\'he\'spaidfor\'t，an\'heknowshiswork。Lethimkeepto\'t。LethimgivenoheedtowhatIhahad\'ntobear。That\'snotforhim。
That\'snotfornobbodybutme。\'
Therewasapropriety，nottosayadignityinthesewords，thatmadethehearersyetmorequietandattentive。Thesamestrongvoicecalledout，\'Slackbridge，letthemanbeheern，andhowdtheetongue！\'Thentheplacewaswonderfullystill。
\'Mybrothers，\'saidStephen，whoselowvoicewasdistinctlyheard，\'andmyfellow-workmen-forthatyoaretome，thoughnot，asI
knowson，tothisdelegatehere-Ihabutawordtosen，andI
couldsennommoreifIwastospeaktillStrikeo\'day。Iknowweel，awwhat\'saforeme。Iknowweelthatyoawresolvetohanommoreadowi\'amanwhoisnotwi\'yointhismatther。IknowweelthatifIwasalyinparishti\'th\'road，yo\'dfeelitrighttopassmeby，asaforrennerandstranger。WhatIhagetn，Imunmakth\'beston。\'
\'StephenBlackpool，\'saidthechairman，rising，\'thinkon\'tagen。
Thinkon\'tonceagen，lad，aforethou\'rtshunnedbyawowdfriends。\'
Therewasanuniversalmurmurtothesameeffect，thoughnomanarticulatedaword。EveryeyewasfixedonStephen\'sface。Torepentofhisdetermination，wouldbetotakealoadfromalltheirminds。Helookedaroundhim，andknewthatitwasso。Notagrainofangerwiththemwasinhisheart；heknewthem，farbelowtheirsurfaceweaknessesandmisconceptions，asnoonebuttheirfellow-
labourercould。
\'Ihathowton\'t，aboveabit，sir。Isimplycannacoomin。I
mungoth\'wayaslaysaforeme。Imuntakmyleaveo\'awheer。\'
Hemadeasortofreverencetothembyholdinguphisarms，andstoodforthemomentinthatattitude；notspeakinguntiltheyslowlydroppedathissides。
\'Monny\'sthepleasantwordassoomheerhasspok\'nwi\'me；monny\'sthefaceIseeheer，asIfirstseenwhenIwereyoongandlighterheart\'nthannow。Iha\'neverhadnofratchafore，sineverIwereborn，wi\'anyo\'mylike；GonnowsIha\'nonenowthat\'so\'mymakin\'。Yo\'llca\'metraitorandthat-yoImeant\'say，\'
addressingSlackbridge，\'but\'tiseasiertoca\'thanmak\'out。Soletbe。\'
Hehadmovedawayapaceortwotocomedownfromtheplatform，whenherememberedsomethinghehadnotsaid，andreturnedagain。
\'Haply，\'hesaid，turninghisfurrowedfaceslowlyabout，thathemightasitwereindividuallyaddressthewholeaudience，thosebothnearanddistant；\'haply，whenthisquestionhasbeentak\'nupanddiscoosed，there\'llbeathreattoturnoutifI\'mlettoworkamongyo。IhopeIshalldieereeversuchatimecooms，andI
shallworksolitaryamongyounlessitcooms-truly，Imundo\'t，myfriends；nottobraveyo，buttolive。Ihanobbutworktoliveby；andwheerevercanIgo，IwhohaworkedsinIwerenoheighthataw，inCoketownheer？Imak\'nocomplaintso\'beinturnedtothewa\'，o\'beinoutcastenandoverlookenfrothistimeforrard，buthopeIshallbelettowork。Ifthereisanyrightformeataw，myfriends，Ithink\'tisthat。\'
Notawordwasspoken。Notasoundwasaudibleinthebuilding，buttheslightrustleofmenmovingalittleapart，allalongthecentreoftheroom，toopenameansofpassingout，tothemanwithwhomtheyhadallboundthemselvestorenouncecompanionship。
Lookingatnoone，andgoinghiswaywithalowlysteadinessuponhimthatassertednothingandsoughtnothing，OldStephen，withallhistroublesonhishead，leftthescene。
ThenSlackbridge，whohadkepthisoratoricalarmextendedduringthegoingout，asifhewererepressingwithinfinitesolicitudeandbyawonderfulmoralpowerthevehementpassionsofthemultitude，appliedhimselftoraisingtheirspirits。HadnottheRomanBrutus，oh，myBritishcountrymen，condemnedhissontodeath；andhadnottheSpartanmothers，ohmysoontobevictoriousfriends，driventheirflyingchildrenonthepointsoftheirenemies\'swords？ThenwasitnotthesacreddutyofthemenofCoketown，withforefathersbeforethem，anadmiringworldincompanywiththem，andaposteritytocomeafterthem，tohurlouttraitorsfromthetentstheyhadpitchedinasacredandaGod-likecause？ThewindsofheavenansweredYes；andboreYes，east，west，north，andsouth。AndconsequentlythreecheersfortheUnitedAggregateTribunal！
Slackbridgeactedasfugleman，andgavethetime。Themultitudeofdoubtfulfacesalittleconscience-strickenbrightenedatthesound，andtookitup。Privatefeelingmustyieldtothecommoncause。Hurrah！Theroofyetvibratedwiththecheering，whentheassemblydispersed。
ThuseasilydidStephenBlackpoolfallintotheloneliestoflives，thelifeofsolitudeamongafamiliarcrowd。Thestrangerinthelandwholooksintotenthousandfacesforsomeansweringlookandneverfindsit，isincheeringsocietyascomparedwithhimwhopassestenavertedfacesdaily，thatwereoncethecountenancesoffriends。SuchexperiencewastobeStephen\'snow，ineverywakingmomentofhislife；athiswork，onhiswaytoitandfromit，athisdoor，athiswindow，everywhere。Bygeneralconsent，theyevenavoidedthatsideofthestreetonwhichhehabituallywalked；andleftit，ofalltheworkingmen，tohimonly。
Hehadbeenformanyyears，aquietsilentman，associatingbutlittlewithothermen，andusedtocompanionshipwithhisownthoughts。Hehadneverknownbeforethestrengthofthewantinhisheartforthefrequentrecognitionofanod，alook，aword；ortheimmenseamountofreliefthathadbeenpouredintoitbydropsthroughsuchsmallmeans。Itwasevenharderthanhecouldhavebelievedpossible，toseparateinhisownconsciencehisabandonmentbyallhisfellowsfromabaselesssenseofshameanddisgrace。
Thefirstfourdaysofhisenduranceweredayssolongandheavy，thathebegantobeappalledbytheprospectbeforehim。NotonlydidheseenoRachaelallthetime，butheavoidedeverychanceofseeingher；for，althoughheknewthattheprohibitiondidnotyetformallyextendtothewomenworkinginthefactories，hefoundthatsomeofthemwithwhomhewasacquaintedwerechangedtohim，andhefearedtotryothers，anddreadedthatRachaelmightbeevensingledoutfromtherestifshewereseeninhiscompany。So，hehadbeenquitealoneduringthefourdays，andhadspokentonoone，when，ashewasleavinghisworkatnight，ayoungmanofaverylightcomplexionaccostedhiminthestreet。
\'Yourname\'sBlackpool，ain\'tit？\'saidtheyoungman。
Stephencolouredtofindhimselfwithhishatinhishand，inhisgratitudeforbeingspokento，orinthesuddennessofit，orboth。
Hemadeafeintofadjustingthelining，andsaid，\'Yes。\'
\'YouaretheHandtheyhavesenttoCoventry，Imean？\'saidBitzer，theverylightyoungmaninquestion。
Stephenanswered\'Yes，\'again。
\'Isupposedso，fromtheirallappearingtokeepawayfromyou。
Mr。Bounderbywantstospeaktoyou。Youknowhishouse，don\'tyou？\'
Stephensaid\'Yes，\'again。
\'Thengostraightupthere，willyou？\'saidBitzer。\'You\'reexpected，andhaveonlytotelltheservantit\'syou。IbelongtotheBank；so，ifyougostraightupwithoutmeIwassenttofetchyou，you\'llsavemeawalk。\'
Stephen，whosewayhadbeeninthecontrarydirection，turnedabout，andbetookhimselfasindutybound，totheredbrickcastleofthegiantBounderby。
CHAPTERV-MENANDMASTERS
\'WELL，Stephen，\'saidBounderby，inhiswindymanner，\'what\'sthisIhear？Whathavethesepestsoftheearthbeendoingtoyou？
Comein，andspeakup。\'
Itwasintothedrawing-roomthathewasthusbidden。Atea-tablewassetout；andMr。Bounderby\'syoungwife，andherbrother，andagreatgentlemanfromLondon，werepresent。TowhomStephenmadehisobeisance，closingthedoorandstandingnearit，withhishatinhishand。
\'ThisisthemanIwastellingyouabout，Harthouse，\'saidMr。
Bounderby。Thegentlemanheaddressed，whowastalkingtoMrs。
Bounderbyonthesofa，gotup，sayinginanindolentway，\'Ohreally？\'anddawdledtothehearthrugwhereMr。Bounderbystood。
\'Now，\'saidBounderby，\'speakup！\'
Afterthefourdayshehadpassed，thisaddressfellrudelyanddiscordantlyonStephen\'sear。Besidesbeingaroughhandlingofhiswoundedmind，itseemedtoassumethathereallywastheself-
interesteddeserterhehadbeencalled。
\'Whatwereit，sir，\'saidStephen，\'asyowerepleasedtowantwi\'
me？\'
\'Why，Ihavetoldyou，\'returnedBounderby。\'Speakuplikeaman，sinceyouareaman，andtellusaboutyourselfandthisCombination。\'
\'Wi\'yorpardon，sir，\'saidStephenBlackpool，\'Iha\'nowttosenaboutit。\'
Mr。Bounderby，whowasalwaysmoreorlesslikeaWind，findingsomethinginhiswayhere，begantoblowatitdirectly。
\'Now，lookhere，Harthouse，\'saidhe，\'here\'saspecimenof\'em。
Whenthismanwashereoncebefore，Iwarnedthismanagainstthemischievousstrangerswhoarealwaysabout-andwhooughttobehangedwherevertheyarefound-andItoldthismanthathewasgoinginthewrongdirection。Now，wouldyoubelieveit，thatalthoughtheyhaveputthismarkuponhim，heissuchaslavetothemstill，thathe\'safraidtoopenhislipsaboutthem？\'
\'IsedasIhadnowttosen，sir；notasIwasfearfo\'o\'openin\'
mylips。\'
\'Yousaid！Ah！Iknowwhatyousaid；morethanthat，Iknowwhatyoumean，yousee。Notalwaysthesamething，bytheLordHarry！
Quitedifferentthings。Youhadbettertellusatonce，thatthatfellowSlackbridgeisnotinthetown，stirringupthepeopletomutiny；andthatheisnotaregularqualifiedleaderofthepeople:thatis，amostconfoundedscoundrel。Youhadbettertellussoatonce；youcan\'tdeceiveme。Youwanttotellusso。Whydon\'tyou？\'
\'I\'massooaryasyo，sir，whenthepeople\'sleadersisbad，\'saidStephen，shakinghishead。\'Theytakssuchasoffers。Haply\'tisna\'thesma\'esto\'theirmisfortunswhentheycangetnobetter。\'
Thewindbegantogetboisterous。
\'Now，you\'llthinkthisprettywell，Harthouse，\'saidMr。
Bounderby。\'You\'llthinkthistolerablystrong。You\'llsay，uponmysoulthisisatidyspecimenofwhatmyfriendshavetodealwith；butthisisnothing，sir！Youshallhearmeaskthismanaquestion。Pray，Mr。Blackpool\'-windspringingupveryfast-
\'mayItakethelibertyofaskingyouhowithappensthatyourefusedtobeinthisCombination？\'
\'How\'thappens？\'
\'Ah！\'saidMr。Bounderby，withhisthumbsinthearmsofhiscoat，andjerkinghisheadandshuttinghiseyesinconfidencewiththeoppositewall:\'howithappens。\'
\'I\'dleefernotcoomto\'t，sir；butsinyouputth\'question-an\'
notwant\'nt\'beill-manner\'n-I\'llanswer。Ihapassedapromess。\'
\'Nottome，youknow，\'saidBounderby。Gustyweatherwithdeceitfulcalms。Onenowprevailing。
\'Ono，sir。Nottoyo。\'
\'Asforme，anyconsiderationformehashadjustnothingatalltodowithit，\'saidBounderby，stillinconfidencewiththewall。
\'IfonlyJosiahBounderbyofCoketownhadbeeninquestion，youwouldhavejoinedandmadenobonesaboutit？\'
\'Whyyes，sir。\'Tistrue。\'
\'Thoughheknows，\'saidMr。Bounderby，nowblowingagale，\'thatthereareasetofrascalsandrebelswhomtransportationistoogoodfor！Now，Mr。Harthouse，youhavebeenknockingaboutintheworldsometime。Didyouevermeetwithanythinglikethatmanoutofthisblessedcountry？\'AndMr。Bounderbypointedhimoutforinspection，withanangryfinger。
\'Nay，ma\'am，\'saidStephenBlackpool，staunchlyprotestingagainstthewordsthathadbeenused，andinstinctivelyaddressinghimselftoLouisa，afterglancingatherface。\'Notrebels，noryetrascals。Nowto\'th\'kind，ma\'am，nowto\'th\'kind。They\'venotdoonmeakindness，ma\'am，asIknowandfeel。Butthere\'snotadozenmenamoong\'em，ma\'am-adozen？Notsix-butwhatbelievesashehasdoonhisdutybytherestandbyhimseln。GodforbidasI，thatha\'known，andhad\'nexperienceo\'thesemenawmylife-
I，thatha\'ett\'nan\'droonkenwi\'\'em，an\'seet\'nwi\'\'em，andtoil\'nwi\'\'em，andlov\'n\'em，shouldfailfurtostanby\'emwi\'
thetruth，let\'emha\'doontomewhattheymay！\'
Hespokewiththeruggedearnestnessofhisplaceandcharacter-
deepenedperhapsbyaproudconsciousnessthathewasfaithfultohisclassunderalltheirmistrust；buthefullyrememberedwherehewas，anddidnotevenraisehisvoice。
\'No，ma\'am，no。They\'retruetooneanother，faithfo\'tooneanother，\'fectionatetooneanother，e\'entodeath。Bepooramoong\'em，besickamoong\'em，grieveamoong\'emforonnyo\'th\'monnycausesthatcarriesgrieftothepoorman\'sdoor，an\'they\'llbetenderwi\'yo，gentlewi\'yo，comfortablewi\'yo，Chrisenwi\'yo。
Besureo\'that，ma\'am。They\'dberiventobits，ereeverthey\'dbedifferent。\'
\'Inshort，\'saidMr。Bounderby，\'it\'sbecausetheyaresofullofvirtuesthattheyhaveturnedyouadrift。Gothroughwithitwhileyouareaboutit。Outwithit。\'
\'How\'tis，ma\'am，\'resumedStephen，appearingstilltofindhisnaturalrefugeinLouisa\'sface，\'thatwhatisbestinusfok，seemstoturnusmosttotroublean\'misfort\'nan\'mistake，I
dunno。But\'tisso。Iknow\'tis，asIknowtheheavensisovermeahintthesmoke。We\'repatienttoo，an\'wantsingeneraltodoright。An\'Icannathinkthefawtisawwi\'us。\'
\'Now，myfriend，\'saidMr。Bounderby，whomhecouldnothaveexasperatedmore，quiteunconsciousofitthoughhewas，thanbyseemingtoappealtoanyoneelse，\'ifyouwillfavourmewithyourattentionforhalfaminute，Ishouldliketohaveawordortwowithyou。Yousaidjustnow，thatyouhadnothingtotellusaboutthisbusiness。Youarequitesureofthatbeforewegoanyfurther。\'
\'Sir，Iamsureon\'t。\'
\'Here\'sagentlemanfromLondonpresent，\'Mr。BounderbymadeabackhandedpointatMr。JamesHarthousewithhisthumb，\'aParliamentgentleman。Ishouldlikehimtohearashortbitofdialoguebetweenyouandme，insteadoftakingthesubstanceofit-forIknowpreciouswell，beforehand，whatitwillbe；nobodyknowsbetterthanIdo，takenotice！-insteadofreceivingitontrustfrommymouth。\'
StephenbenthisheadtothegentlemanfromLondon，andshowedarathermoretroubledmindthanusual。Heturnedhiseyesinvoluntarilytohisformerrefuge，butatalookfromthatquarterexpressivethoughinstantaneoushesettledthemonMr。
Bounderby\'sface。
\'Now，whatdoyoucomplainof？\'askedMr。Bounderby。
\'Iha\'notcoomhere，sir，\'Stephenremindedhim，\'tocomplain。I
coomforthatIweresentfor。\'
\'What，\'repeatedMr。Bounderby，foldinghisarms，\'doyoupeople，inageneralway，complainof？\'
Stephenlookedathimwithsomelittleirresolutionforamoment，andthenseemedtomakeuphismind。
\'Sir，Iwerenevergoodatshowino\'t，thoughIhahad\'nmyshareinfeelingo\'t。\'Deedweareinamuddle，sir。Lookroundtown-
sorichas\'tis-andseethenumberso\'peopleashasbeenbroughtenintobeinheer，furtoweave，an\'tocard，an\'topieceoutalivin\'，awthesameoneway，somehows，\'twixttheircradlesandtheirgraves。Lookhowwelive，an\'wheerwelive，an\'inwhatnumbers，an\'bywhatchances，andwi\'whatsameness；andlookhowthemillsisawlusagoin，andhowtheyneverworksusnonighertoonydis\'antobject-ceptinawlus，Death。Lookhowyouconsidersofus，andwritesofus，andtalksofus，andgoesupwi\'yordeputationstoSecretarieso\'State\'boutus，andhowyoareawlusright，andhowweareawluswrong，andneverhad\'nnoreasoninussineverwewereborn。Lookhowthishagrowenan\'growen，sir，biggeran\'bigger，broaderan\'broader，harderan\'harder，froyeartoyear，frogenerationuntogeneration。Whocanlookon\'t，sir，andfairlytellaman\'tisnotamuddle？\'
\'Ofcourse，\'saidMr。Bounderby。\'Nowperhapsyou\'llletthegentlemanknow，howyouwouldsetthismuddleasyou\'resofondofcallingittorights。\'
\'Idonno，sir。Icannabeexpectento\'t。\'Tisnotmeasshouldbelookentoforthat，sir。\'Tisthemasisputowerme，andowerawtherestofus。Whatdotheytakuponthemseln，sir，ifnottodo\'t？\'
\'I\'lltellyousomethingtowardsit，atanyrate，\'returnedMr。
Bounderby。\'WewillmakeanexampleofhalfadozenSlackbridges。
We\'llindicttheblackguardsforfelony，andget\'emshippedofftopenalsettlements。\'
Stephengravelyshookhishead。
\'Don\'ttellmewewon\'t，man，\'saidMr。Bounderby，bythistimeblowingahurricane，\'becausewewill，Itellyou！\'
\'Sir，\'returnedStephen，withthequietconfidenceofabsolutecertainty，\'ifyowast\'takahundredSlackbridges-awasthereis，andawthenumbertentimestowd-an\'wast\'sew\'emupinseparatesacks，an\'sink\'eminthedeepestoceanasweremadeereeverdrylandcoomtobe，yo\'dleavethemuddlejustwheer\'tis。
Mischeevousstrangers！\'saidStephen，withananxioussmile；\'whenhawenotheern，Iamsure，sineverwecancalltomind，o\'th\'
mischeevousstrangers！\'Tisnotbythemthetrouble\'smade，sir。
\'Tisnotwi\'them\'tcommences。Ihanofavourfor\'em-Ihanoreasontofavour\'em-but\'tishopelessanduselesstodreamo\'
takinthemfrotheirtrade，\'steado\'takintheirtradefrothem！
Awthat\'snowaboutmeinthisroomwereheeraforeIcoom，an\'
willbeheerwhenIamgone。Putthatclockaboardashipan\'packitofftoNorfolkIsland，an\'thetimewillgoonjustthesame。
So\'tiswi\'Slackbridgeeverybit。\'
Revertingforamomenttohisformerrefuge，heobservedacautionarymovementofhereyestowardsthedoor。Steppingback，heputhishanduponthelock。Buthehadnotspokenoutofhisownwillanddesire；andhefeltitinhisheartanoblereturnforhislateinjurioustreatmenttobefaithfultothelasttothosewhohadrepudiatedhim。Hestayedtofinishwhatwasinhismind。
\'Sir，Icanna，wi\'mylittlelearningan\'mycommonway，tellthegenelmanwhatwillbetterawthis-thoughsomeworkingmeno\'thistowncould，abovemypowers-butIcantellhimwhatIknowwillneverdo\'t。Thestronghandwillneverdo\'t。Vict\'ryandtriumphwillneverdo\'t。Agreeingfurtomakonesideunnat\'rallyawlusandforeverright，andtoothersideunnat\'rallyawlusandforeverwrong，willnever，neverdo\'t。Noryetlettinalonewillneverdo\'t。Letthousandsuponthousandsalone，awleadingthelikelivesandawfaw\'enintothelikemuddle，andtheywillbeasone，andyowillbeasanoother，wi\'ablackunpassableworldbetwixtyo，justaslongorshortatimeassich-likemiserycanlast。Notdrawinnightofok，wi\'kindnessandpatiencean\'cheeryways，thatsodrawsnightooneanotherintheirmonnytroubles，andsocherishesoneanotherintheirdistresseswi\'whattheyneedthemseln-like，Ihumblybelieve，asnopeoplethegenelmanhaseeninawhistravelscanbeat-willneverdo\'ttillth\'Sunturnst\'ice。Mosto\'aw，rating\'emassomuchPower，andreg\'latin\'emasiftheywasfiguresinasoom，ormachines:
wi\'outlovesandlikens，wi\'outmemoriesandinclinations，wi\'outsoulstowearyandsoulstohope-whenawgoesquiet，dragginonwi\'\'emasifthey\'dnowto\'th\'kind，andwhenawgoesonquiet，reproachin\'emfortheirwanto\'sitchhumanlyfeelinsintheirdealinswi\'yo-thiswillneverdo\'t，sir，tillGod\'sworkisonmade。\'
Stephenstoodwiththeopendoorinhishand，waitingtoknowifanythingmorewereexpectedofhim。
\'Juststopamoment，\'saidMr。Bounderby，excessivelyredintheface。\'Itoldyou，thelasttimeyouwereherewithagrievance，thatyouhadbetterturnaboutandcomeoutofthat。AndIalsotoldyou，ifyouremember，thatIwasuptothegoldspoonlook-
out。\'
\'Iwerenotupto\'tmyseln，sir；Idoassureyo。\'
\'Nowit\'scleartome，\'saidMr。Bounderby，\'thatyouareoneofthosechapswhohavealwaysgotagrievance。Andyougoabout，sowingitandraisingcrops。That\'sthebusinessofyourlife，myfriend。\'
Stephenshookhishead，mutelyprotestingthatindeedhehadotherbusinesstodoforhislife。
\'Youaresuchawaspish，raspish，ill-conditionedchap，yousee，\'
saidMr。Bounderby，\'thatevenyourownUnion，themenwhoknowyoubest，willhavenothingtodowithyou。Ineverthoughtthosefellowscouldberightinanything；butItellyouwhat！Isofargoalongwiththemforanovelty，thatI\'llhavenothingtodowithyoueither。\'
Stephenraisedhiseyesquicklytohisface。
\'Youcanfinishoffwhatyou\'reat，\'saidMr。Bounderby，withameaningnod，\'andthengoelsewhere。\'
\'Sir，yoknowweel，\'saidStephenexpressively，\'thatifIcannagetworkwi\'yo，Icannagetitelsewheer。\'
Thereplywas，\'WhatIknow，Iknow；andwhatyouknow，youknow。
Ihavenomoretosayaboutit。\'
StephenglancedatLouisaagain，buthereyeswereraisedtohisnomore；therefore，withasigh，andsaying，barelyabovehisbreath，\'Heavenhelpusawinthisworld！\'hedeparted。
CHAPTERVI-FADINGAWAY
ITwasfallingdarkwhenStephencameoutofMr。Bounderby\'shouse。
Theshadowsofnighthadgatheredsofast，thathedidnotlookabouthimwhenheclosedthedoor，butploddedstraightalongthestreet。Nothingwasfurtherfromhisthoughtsthanthecuriousoldwomanhehadencounteredonhispreviousvisittothesamehouse，whenheheardastepbehindhimthatheknew，andturning，sawherinRachael\'scompany。
HesawRachaelfirst，ashehadheardheronly。
\'Ah，Rachael，mydear！Missus，thouwi\'her！\'
\'Well，andnowyouaresurprisedtobesure，andwithreasonImustsay，\'theoldwomanreturned。\'HereIamagain，yousee。\'
\'Buthowwi\'Rachael？\'saidStephen，fallingintotheirstep，walkingbetweenthem，andlookingfromtheonetotheother。
\'Why，IcometobewiththisgoodlassprettymuchasIcametobewithyou，\'saidtheoldwoman，cheerfully，takingthereplyuponherself。\'Myvisitingtimeislaterthisyearthanusual，forI
havebeenrathertroubledwithshortnessofbreath，andsoputitofftilltheweatherwasfineandwarm。ForthesamereasonI
don\'tmakeallmyjourneyinoneday，butdivideitintotwodays，andgetabedto-nightattheTravellers\'CoffeeHousedownbytherailroadanicecleanhouse，andgobackParliamentary，atsixinthemorning。Well，butwhathasthistodowiththisgoodlass，saysyou？I\'mgoingtotellyou。IhaveheardofMr。Bounderbybeingmarried。Ireaditinthepaper，whereitlookedgrand-oh，itlookedfine！\'theoldwomandweltonitwithstrangeenthusiasm:
\'andIwanttoseehiswife。Ihaveneverseenheryet。Now，ifyou\'llbelieveme，shehasn\'tcomeoutofthathousesincenoonto-
day。Sonottogiveheruptooeasily，Iwaswaitingabout，alittlelastbitmore，whenIpassedclosetothisgoodlasstwoorthreetimes；andherfacebeingsofriendlyIspoketoher，andshespoketome。There！\'saidtheoldwomantoStephen，\'youcanmakealltherestoutforyourselfnow，adealshorterthanIcan，I
daresay！\'