Claralistenedtohimwithrestlesseyes，asifshewereexcitedandpleased；Dickknittedhisbrowandlookedstillmoreuncomfortable，butsaidnothing。Indeed，theoldmangradually，ashewarmedtohissubject，droppedhissneeringmanner，andbothspokeandlookedveryseriously。ButthegirlbrokeoutbeforeIcoulddelivermyselfoftheanswerIwasframing:
“Books，books！alwaysbooks，grandfather！Whenwillyouunderstandthatafterallitistheworldweliveinwhichinterestsus；theworldofwhichweareapartandwhichwecanneverlovetoomuch？
Look！“shesaud，throwingpopoenthecasementwiderandshowingusthewhitelightsparklingbetweentheblackshadowsofthemoonlitgarden，throughwhichranalittleshiverofthesummernight-wind，“look！
theseareourbooksthesedays！L——andthese，“shesaid，steppinglightlyuptothetwoloversandlayingahandoneachoftheirshoulders；“andtheguestthere，withhisoverseaknowledgeandexperience；——yes，andevenyou，grandfather“asmileranoverherfaceasshespoke，“withallyourgrumblingandwishingyourselfbackagaininthegoodolddays，——inwhich，asfarasIcanmakeoutk，aharmnlessandlazyoldmanlikeyouwouldeitherhaveprettynearlystarved，orhavehadtopaysoldiersandpeopletotakethefolk\'svictualsandclothesandhousesawayfromthembyforce。Yes，theseareourbooks；andifwewantmorek，canwenotfindworktodointhebeautifulbuildingsthatweraiseupalloverthecountryandIknowtherewasnothingliketheminpasttimes，whereinamancanputforthwhateverisinhim，andmakehishandssetforthhismindandhissoul。“
Shepausedalittle，andIformypartcouldnothelpstaringather，andthinkingthatifshewereabook，thepicturesinitweremostlovely。Thecolouriiiimantledinherdelicatesunburntcheeks；hergreyeyes，lightamidstthetanofherface，kindlylookedonusallasshespoke。Shepaused，andsaidagain:
“Asforyourbooks，theywerewellenoughfortimeswhenintelligentpeoplehadbutlittleelseinwhichtheycouldtakepleasure，andwhentheymustneedssupplementathesordidmiseriesoftheirownliveswithimaginationsofthelivesofotherpeople。ButIsayflatlythatinspiteofalltheirclevernessandvigour，andcapacityforstory-telling，thereissomethingloathsomeaboutthem。Someofthem，indeed，dohereandthereshowsomefeelingforthosewhomthehistory-bookscall`poor，\'andofthemiseryofwhoseliveswehavesomeinkling；butpresentlytheygiveitup，andtowardstheendofthestorywemustbecontentedtoseetheheroandheroinelivinghappilyinanislandofblissonotherpeople\'stroubles；andthatafteralongseriesofshamtroublesormostlyshamoftheirownmaking，illustratedbydrearyintrospectivenonsenseabouttheirfeelingsandaspirations，andalltherestofit；whiletheworldmusteventhenhavegoneonitsway，anddugandsewedandbakedandbuiltandcarpenteredroundabouttheseuseless——animals。“
“There！“saidtheoldman，revertingtohisdrysulkymanneragain。
“There\'seloquence！Isupposeyoulikeit？“
“Yes，“saisI，veryemphatically。
“Well，“saidhe，“nowthestormofeloquencehaslulledforalittle，suupposeyouanswermyquestion？:——thatis，ifyoulike，youknow，“quothhe，withasuddenaccessofcourtesy。
“Whatquestion>“saidI。ForImustconfessthatEllen\'sstrangeandalmostwildbeautyhadputitoutofmyhead。
Saidhe:“Firstofallexcusemycatechising，istherecompetitioninlife，aftertheoldkiind，inthecountrywhenceyoucome？“
“Yes，“saidI，“itistherulethere。“AndIwonderedasIspokewhatfreshcomplicationsIshouldgetintoasaresultofthisanswer。
“Questiontwo，“saidthecarle:“Areyounotonthewholemuchfreer，moreenergetic——inaword，healthierandhappier——forit？“
Ismiled。“YOuwouldn\'[ttalksoifyouhadanyideaofourlife。TomeyouseemhereasifyouwerelivinginheavencomparedwithusofthecountryfromwhichIcame。“
“Heaven？“saidhe:“youlikeheaven，doyou？“
“Yes，“saidI——snappishly，Iamafraid；forIwasbeginningrathertoresenthisformula。
“Well，IamfarfromsurethatIdo，“quothhe。“Ithinkonemaydomorewithone\'slifethansittingonadampcloudandsinginghymns。“
Iwasrathernettledbythisinconsequence，andsaid:“Well，neighbour，tobeshort，andwithoutusingmeteaphors，inthelandwhenceIcome，wherethecompetitionwhichproducedthoseliteraryworkswhichyouadmiresomuchisstilltherule，mostpeoplearethoroughlyunhappy；here，tomeatleast，mostpeopleseemthoroughlyhappy。“
“Nooffence，guest——nooffence，“saidhe；“butletmeaskyou；youlikethat，doyou？“
Hisformula，putwithsuchobstinatepersistence，madeusalllaughheartily；andeventheoldmanjoinedinthelaughteronthesly。
However，hewasbynomeansbeaten，andsaidpresently:
“FromallIcanhear，IshouldjudgethatayoungwomansobeautifulasmydearEllenyonderwouldhavebeenalady，astheycalleditintheoldtime，andwouldn\'thavehadtowearafewragsofsilkasshedoesnow，ortohavebrownedherselfinthesunasshehastodonow。
Whatdoyousaytothat，eh？“
HereClara，whohadbeenprettymuchsilenthitherto，struckin，andsaid:“Well，reallyIdon\'tthinkthatyouwouldhavemendedmatters，orthattheywantmending。Don\'tyouseethatsheisdresseddeliciouslyforthisbeautifulweather？Andasforthesun-burningofyourhay-fields，why，Ihopetopickupsomeofthatformyselfwhenwegetalittlehigheruptheriver。LookifIdon\'tneedalittlesunonmypastywhiteskin！“
AndshestrippedupthesleevefromherarmandlaiditbesideEllen\'swhowasnowsittingnexther。Tosaythetruth，itwasratheramusingtometoseeClaraputtingherselfforwardasatownbredfinelady，forshewasaswell-knitandclean-skinnedagirlasmightbemetwithanywhereatthebest。Dickstrokedthebeautifularmrathershyly，andpulleddownthesleeveagain，whilesheblushedathistouch；andtheoldmansaidlaughingly:“Well，Isupposeyou_do_likethat；don\'tyou？“
Ellenkissedhernewfriend，andweallsatsilentforalittle，tillshebrokeoutintoasweetshrillsong，andheldusallentrancedwiththewonderofherclearvoice；andtheoldgrumblersatlookingatherlovingly。Theotheryoungpeoplesangalsoinduetime；andthenEllenshowedustoourbedsinsmallcottagechambers，fragrantandcleanastheidealoftheoldpastoralpoets；andthepleasureoftheeveningquiteextinguishedmyfearofthelastnight，thatIshouldwakeupintheoldmiserableworldofworn-outpleasures，andhopesthatwerehalffears。
Chapter23
AnEarlyMorningByRunnymedeThoughtherewerenoroughnoisestowakeme，Icouldnotlielongabedthenextmorning，wheretheworldseemedsowellawake，and，despitetheoldgrumbler，sohappy；soIgotup，andfoundthat，earlyasitwas，someonehadbeenstirring，sinceallwastrimandinitsplaceinthelittleparlour，andthetablelaidforthemorningmeal。
Nobodywasafootinthehouseasthen，however，soIwentouta-doors，andafteraturnortworoundthesuper-abundantgarden，Iwandereddownoverthemeadowtotheriver-side，wherelayourboat，lookingquitefamiliarandfriendlytome。Iwalkedup-streamalittle，watchingthelightmistcurlingupfromtherivertillthesungainedpowertodrawitallaway；sawthebleakspecklingthewaterunderthewillowboughs，whencethetinyfliestheyfedonwerefallinginmyriads；heardthegreatchubsplashinghereandthereatsomebelatedmothorother，andfeltalmostbackagaininmyboyhood。ThenIwentbackagaintotheboat，andloiteredthereaminuteortwo，andthenwalkedslowlyupthemeadowtowardsthelittlehouse。Inotednowthattherewerefourmorehousesofaboutthesamesizeontheslopeawayfromtheriver。ThemeadowinwhichIwasgoingwasnotupforhay；
butarowofflake-hurdlesranuptheslopenotfarfrommeoneachside，andinthefieldsopartedofffromoursonthelefttheyweremakinghaybusilybynow，inthesimplefashionofthedayswhenIwasaboy。Myfeetturnedthatwayinstinctively，asIwantedtoseehowhaymakerslookedinthesenewandbettertimes，andalsoIratherexpectedtoseeEllenthere。Icametothehurdlesandstoodlookingoverintothehay-field，andwasclosetotheendofthelonglineofhaymakerswhowerespreadingthelowridgestodryoffthenightdes。
ThemajorityofthesewereyoungwomencladmuchlikeEllenlastnight，thoughnotmostlyinsilk，butinlightwoollenmostgailyembroideredinbrightcolours。Themeadowlookedlikeagigantictulip-bedbecauseofthem。Allhandswereworkingdeliberatelybutwellandsteadily，thoughtheywereasnoisywithmerrytalkasagroveofautumnstarlings。Halfadozenofthem，menandwomen，cameuptomeandshookhands，gavemetheseleofthemorning，andaskedafewquestionsastowhenceandwhither，andwishingmegoodluck，wentbacktotheirwork。Ellen，tomydisappointment，wasnotamongstthem，butpresentlyIsawalightfigurecomeoutofthehay-fieldhigheruptheslope，andmakeforourhouse；andthatwasEllen，holdingabasketinherhand。Butbeforeshehadcometothegardengate，outcameDickandClara，who，afteraminute\'spause，camedowntomeetme，leavingElleninthegarden；thenwethreewentdowntotheboat，talkingmeremorningprattle。Westayedtherealittle，Dickarrangingsomeofthemattersinher，forwehadonlytakenuptothehousesuchthingsaswethoughtthedewmightdamage；andthenwewenttowardthehouseagain；butwhenwecamenearthegarden，Dickstoppedusbylayingahandonmyarmandsaid:
“Justlookamoment。“
Ilooked，andoverthelowhedgesawEllen，shadinghereyesagainstthesunasshelookedtowardthehay-field，alightwindstirringinhertawnyhair，hereyeslikelightjewelsamidsthersunburntface，whichlookedasifthewarmthofthesunwereyetinit。
“Look，guest，“saidDick；“doesn\'titalllooklikeoneofthoseverystoriesoutofGrimmthatweweretalkingaboutupinBloomsbury？Herearewetwoloverswanderingaboutintheworld，andwehavecometoafairygarden，andthereistheveryfairyherselfamidstofit；I
wonderwhatshewilldoforus。“
SaidClarademurely，demurely，butnotstiffly:“Issheagoodfairy，Dick？“
“Oyes，“saidhe；“andaccordingtothecard，shewoulddobetter，ifitwerenotforthegnomeorwood-spirit，ourgrumblingfriendoflastnight。“
Welaughedatthis；andIsaid，“Ihopeyouseethatyouhaveleftmeoutofthetale。“
“Well，“saidhe，“that\'strue。Youhadbetterconsiderthatyouhavegotthecapofdarkness，andareseeingeverything，yourselfinvisible。“
Thattouchedmeonmyweaksideofnotfeelingsureofmypositioninthisbeautifulnewcountry；soinordernottomakemattersworst，I
heldmytongue，andweallwentintothegardenanduptothehousetogether。InoticedbythewaythatClaramustreallyratherhavefeltthecontrastbetweenherselfasatownmadamandthispieceofsummercountrythatwealladmiredso，forshehadratherdressedafterEllenthatmorningastothinnessandscantiness，andwentbarefootalso，exceptforlightsandals。
Theoldmangreeteduskindlyintheparlour，andsaid:“Well，guests，soyouhavebeenlookingabouttosearchintothenakednessoftheland:Isupposeyourillusionsoflastnighthavegivenwayabitbeforethemorninglight？Doyoustilllikeit，eh？“
“Verymuch，“saidI，doggedly；“itisoneoftheprettiestplacesonthelowerThames。“
“Oho！“saidhe；“soyouknowtheThames，doyou？“
Ireddened，forIsawDickandClaralookingatme，andscarcelyknewwhattosay。However，sinceIhadsaidinourearlyintercoursewithmyHammersmithfriendsthatIhadknownEppingForest，Ithoughtahastygeneralisationmightbebetterinavoidingcomplicationsthanadownrightlie；soIsaid:
“Ihavebeeninthiscountrybefore；andIhavebeenontheThamesinthosedays。“
“O，“saidtheoldman，eagerly，“soyouhavebeeninthiscountrybefore。Nowreally，don\'tyou_find_itapartfromalltheory，youknowmuchchangedfortheworse？“
“No，notatall，“saidI；“Ifinditmuchchangedforthebetter。“
“Ah，“quothhe，“Ifearthatyouhavebeenprejudicedbysometheoryoranother。However，ofcoursethetimewhenyouwereherebeforemusthavebeensonearourowndaysthatthedeteriorationmightnotbeverygreat:asthenwewere，ofcourse，livingunderthesamecustomsaswearenowIwasthinkingofearlierdaysthanthat。“
“Inshort，“saidClara，“youhave_theories_aboutthechangewhichhastakenplace。
“Ihavefactsaswell，“saidhe。“Lookhere！fromthishillyoucanseejustfourlittlehouses，includingthisone。Well，Iknowforcertainthatinoldtimes，eveninthesummer，whentheleaveswerethickest，youcouldseefromthesameplacesixquitebigandfinehouses；andhigherupthewater，gardenjoinedgardenrightuptoWindsor；andtherewerebighousesinallthegardens。Ah！Englandwasanimportantplaceinthosedays。“
Iwasgettingnettled，andsaid:“Whatyoumeanisthatyoude-cockneyisedtheplace，andsentthedamnedflunkiespacking，andthateverybodycanlivecomfortablyandhappily，andnotafewdamnedthievesonly，whowerecentresofvulgrarityandcorruptionwherevertheywere，andwho，astothislovelyriver，destroyeditsbeautymorally，andhadalmmostdestroyeditphysically，whentheywerethrownoutofit。“
Therewassilenceafterthisoutburst，whichforthelifeofmeI
couldnothelp，rememberinghowIhadsufferedfromcockneyismanditscauseonthosesamewatersofoldtime。Butatlasttheoldmansaid，quitecoolly:
“Mydearguest，Ireallydon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbyeithercockneys，orflunkies，orthievesordamned；orhowonlyafewpeoplecouldlivehappilyandcomfortablyinawealthycountry。AllIcanseeisthatyouareangry，andIfearwithme:soifyoulikewewillchangethesubject。“
Ithoughtthiskindandhospitableinhim，consideringhisobstinacyabouthistheory；andhastenedtosaythatIdidnotmeantobeangry，onlyemphatic。Hebowedgravely，andIthoughtthestormwasover，whensuddenlyEllenbrokein:
“Grandfather，ourguestisreticentfromcourtesy；butreallywhathehasinmindtosaytoyououghttobesaid；soasIknowprettywellwhatitis，Iwillsayitforhim；forasyouknnow，Ihavebeentaughtthesethingsbypeoplewho——“
“Yes，“saidtheoldman，“bythesageofBloomsbury，andothers。“
“O，“saidDick，“soyouknowmyoldkinsmanHammond？“
“Yes，“saidshe，“andotherpeopletoo，asmygrandfathersays，andtheyhavetaughtmethings:andthisistheupshotofit。Weliveinalittlehousenow，notbecausewehavenothinggrandertodothanworkinginthefields，butbecauseweplease；forifweliked，wecouldgoandliveinabighouseamongstpleasantcompanions。“
Grumbledtheoldman:“Justso！AsifIwouldliveamongstthoseconceitedfellows；allofthemlookingdownuponme！“
Shesmiledonhimkindly，butwentonasifhehadnotspoken。“Inthepasttimes，whenthosebighousesofwhichgrandfatherspeaksweresoplenty，we_must_havelivedinacottagewhetherwelikeditornot；
andthesaidcottage，insteadofhavinginiteverythingwewant，wouldhavebeenbareandempty。Weshouldnothavegotenoughtoeat；
ourclotheswouldhavebeenuglytolookat，dirtyandfrowsy。You，grandfather，havedonenohardworkforyearsnow，butwanderaboutandreadyourbooksandhavenothingtoworryyou；andasforme，I
workhardwhenIlikeit，becauseIlikeit，andthinkitdoesmegood，andknitsupmymuscles，andmakesmeprettiertolookat，andhealthierandhappier。Butinthosepastdaysyou，grandfather，wouldhavehadtoworkhardafteryouwereold；andwouldhavebeenalwaysafraidofhavingtobeshutupinakindofprisonwlongwithotheroldmen，half-starvedandwithoutamusement。Andasforme，Iamtwentyyearsold。Inthosedaysmymiddleagewouldbebeginningnow，andinafewyearsIshouldbepinched，thin，andhaggard，besetwithtroublesandmiseries，sothatnoonecouldhaveguessedthatIwasonceabeautifulgirl。“
“Isthiswhatyouhavehadinyourmind，guest？“saidshe，thetearsinhereyesatthoughtofthepastmiseriesofpeoplelikeherself。
“Yes，“saidI，muchmoved；“thatandmore。often——inmycountryIhaveseenthatwretchedchangeyouhavespokenof，fromthefreshhandsomecountrylasstothepoordraggle-tailedcountrywoman。“
Theoldmansatsilentforalittle，butpresentlyrecoveredhimselfandtookcomfortinhisoldphraseof“Well，youlikeitso，doyou？“
“Yes。“saidEllen，“Ilovelifebetterthandeath。“
“O，youdo，doyou？“saidhe。“Well，formypartIlikereadingagoodoldbookwithplentyoffuninit，likeThackeray\'s`VanityFair。\'Whydon\'tyouwritebookslikethatnow？AskthatquestionofyourBloomsburysage。“
SeeingDick\'scheeksreddeningalittleatthissally，andnotingthatsilencefollowed，IthoughtIhadbetterdosomething。SoIsaid:“I
amonlytheguest，friends；butIknowyouwanttoshowmeyourriveratitsbest，sodon\'tyouthinkwehadbetterbemovingpresently，asitiscertainlygoingtobeahotday？“
Chapter24
UpTheThames:TheSecondDayTheywerenotslowtotakemyhint；andindeed，astothemeretimeofday，itwasbestforustobeoff，asitwaspastseveno\'clock，andthedaypromisedtobeveryhot。Sowegotupandwentdowntoourboat——Ellenthoughtfulandabstracted；theoldmanverykindandcourteous，asiftomakeupforhiscrabbednessofopinion。Clarawascheerfulandnatural，butalittlemoresubdued，Ithought；andsheatleastwasnotsorrytobegone，andoftenlookedshylyandtimidlyatEllenandherstrangewildbeauty。Sowegotintotheboat，Dicksayingashetookhisplace，“Well，it_is_afineday！“andtheoldmananswering，“What！youlikethat，doyou？“oncemore；andpresentlyDickwassendingthebowsswiftlythroughtheslowweed-checkedstream。Iturnedroundaswegotintomid-stream，andwavingmyhandtoourhosts，sawEllenleaningontheoldman\'sshoulder，andcaressinghishealthyapple-redcheek，andquiteakeenpangsmotemeasthoughthowIshouldneverseethebeautifulgirlagain。PresentlyIinsistedontakingthesculls，andIrowedagooddealthatday；
whichnodoubtaccountsforthefactthatwegotverylatetotheplacewhichDickhadaimedat。ClarawasparticularlyaffectionatetoDick，asInoticedfromtherowingthwart；butasforhim，hewasasfranklykindandmerryasever；andIwasgladtoseeit，asamanofhistemperamentcouldnothavetakenhercaressescheerfullyandwithoutembarrassmentifhehadbeenatallentangledbythefairyofourlastnight\'sabode。
Ineedsaylittleaboutthelovelyreachesoftheriverhere。IdulynotedthatabsenceofcockneyvillaswhichtheoldmanhadlamentedandIsawwithpleasurethatmyoldenemiesthe“Gothic“cast-ironbridgeshadbeenreplacedbyhandsomeoakandstoneones。Alsothebanksoftheforestthatwepassedthroughhadlosttheircourtlygame-keeperishtrimness，andwereaswildandbeautifulasneedbe，thoughthetreeswereclearlywellseento。Ithoughtitbest，inordertogetthemostdirectinformation，toplaytheinnocentaboutEtonandWindsor；butDickvolunteeredhisknowledgetomeaswelayinDatchetlockaboutthefirst。Quothhe:
“Upyonderaresomebeautifuloldbuildings，whichwerebuiltforagreatcollegeorteaching-placebyoneofthemediaevialkings——EdwardtheSixth，Ithink“Irathersmiledtomyselfathisrathernaturalblunder。“Hemeantpoorpeople\'ssonstobetaughttherewhatknowledgewasgoinginhisdays；butitwasamatterofcoursethatinthetimesofwhichyouseemtoknowsomuchtheyspoiltwhatevergoodtherewasinthefounder\'sintentions。Myoldkinsmansaysthattheytreatedtheminaverysimpleway，andinsteadofteachingpoormen\'ssonstoknowsomething，theytaughtrichmen\'ssonstoknownothing。
Itseemsfromwhathesaysthatitwasaplaceforthe`aristocracy\'ifyouknowwhatthatmeans；Ihavebeentolditsmeaningtogetridoftheirmalechildrenforagreatpartoftheyear。IdaresayoldHammondwouldgiveyouplentyofinformationindetailaboutit。“
“Whatisitusedfornow？“saidI。
“Well，“saidhe，“thebuildingswereagooddealspoiltbythelastfewgenerationsofaristocrats，whoseemtohavehadagreathatredagainstbeautaifuloldbuildings，andindeedallrecordsofpasthistory；butitisstilladelightfulplace。Ofcoursewecannotuseitquiteasthefounderintended，sinceourideasaboutteachingyoungpeoplearesochangedfromtheideasofhistime；soitisusednowasadwellingforpeopleengagedinlearning；andfolkfromroundaboutcomeandgettaughtthingsthattheywanttolearn；andthereisagreatlibrarythereofthebestbooks。SothatIdon\'tthinkthattheolddeadkingwouldbemuchhurtifheweretocometolifeandseewhatwearedoingthere。
“Well，“saidClara，laughing，“Ithinkhewouldmisstheboys。“
“Notalways，mydear，“saidDick，“forthereareoftenplentyofboysthere，whocometogettaught；andalso，“saidhe，smiling，“tolearnboatingandswimming。Iwishwecouldstopthere:butperhapswehadbetterdothatcomingdownthewater。“
Thelock-gatesopenedashespoke，andoutwewent，andon。AndasforWindsor，hesaidnothingtillIlayonmyoarsforIwasscullingtheninClewerreach，andlookingup，said，“Whatisallthatbuildingupthere？“
Saidhe:“There，IthoughtIwouldwaittillyouasked，yourself。ThatisWindsorCastle:thatalsoIthoughtIwouldkeepforyoutillwecomedownthewater。Itlooksfinefromhere，doesn\'tit？ButagreatdealofithasbeenbuiltorskinnedinthetimeoftheDegradation，andwewouldn\'tpullthebuildingadown，sincetheywerethere；justaswiththebuildingsoftheDungMarket。Youknow，ofcourse，thatitwasthepalaceofyouroldmediaevalkings，andwasusedlateronforthesamepurposebytheparliamentarycommercialsham-kings，asmyoldkinsmancallsthem。“
“Yes，“saidI，“Iknowallthat。Whatisitusedfornow？“
“Agreatmanypeoplelivethere，“saidhe，“as，withalldrawbacks，itisapleasantplace；thereisalsoawell-arrangedstoreofantiquitiesofvariouskindsthathaveseemedworthkeeping——amuseum，itwouldhavebeencalledinthetimesyouunderstandsowell。“
Idrewmyscullsthroughthewateratthatlastword，andpulledasifIwerefleeingfromthosetimeswhichIunderstoodsowellandweweresoongoinguptheoncesorelybe-cockneyedreachesoftheriveraboutMaidenhead，whichnowlookedaspleasantandenjoyableastheup-riverreaches。
Themorningwasnowgettingon，themorningofajewelofasummerday；oneofthosedayswhich，iftheywerecommonerintheseislands，wouldmakeourclimatethebestofallclimates，withoutdispute。A
lightwindblewfromthewest；thelittlecloudsthathadarisenataboutourbreakfasttimehadseemedtogethigherandhigherintheheavens；andinspiteoftheburningsunwenomorelongedforrainthanwefearedit。Burningasthesunwas，therewasafreshfeelingintheairthatalmostsetusa-longingfortherestofthehotafternoon，andthestretchofblossomingwheatseenfromtheshadowoftheboughs。Nooneunburdenedwithveryheavyanxietiescouldhavefeltotherwisethanhappythatmorning:anditmustbesaidthatwhateveranxietiesmightliebeneaththesurfaceofthings，wedidn\'tseemtocomeacrossanyofthem。
Wepassedbyseveralfieldswherehaymakingwasgoingon，butDick，andespeciallyClara，weresojealousofourup-riverfestivalthattheywouldnotallowmetohavemuchtosaytothem。Icouldonlynoticethatthepeopleinthefieldslookedstrongandhandsome，bothmenandwomen，andthatsofarfromtherebeinganyappearanceofsordidnessabouttheirattire，theyseemedtobedressedspeciallyfortheoccasion——lightly，ofcourse，butgailyandwithplentyofadornment。
Bothonthisdayaswellasyesterdaywehad，asyoumaythink，metandpassedandbeenpassedbymanycraftofonekindandanother。Themostpartofthesewerebeingrowedlikeourselves，orweresailing，inthesortofwaythatsailingismanagedontheupperreachesoftheriver；buteverynowandthenwecameonbarges，ladenwithhayorothercountryproduce，orcarryingbricks，lime，timber，andthelike，andtheseweregoingontheirwaywithoutanymeansofpropulsionvisibletome——justamanatthetiller，withoftenafriendortwolaughingandtalkingwithhim。Dick，seeingononeoccasionthisdaythatIwaslookingratherhardononeofthese，said“Thatisoneofourforce-barges；itisquiteaseasytoworkvehiclesbywaterasbyland。“
Iunderstoodprettywellthatthese“force-vehicles“hadtakentheplaceofouroldsteam-powercarrying；butItookgoodcarenottoaskanyquestionsaboutthem，asIknewwellenoughboththatIshouldneverbeabletounderstandhowtheywereworked，andthatinattemptingtodosoIshouldbetraymyself，orgetintosomecomplicationimpossibletoexplain；soImerelysaid，“Yes，ofcourse，Iunderstand。“
WewentashoreatBisham，wheretheremainsoftheoldAbbeyandtheElizabethanhousethathadbeenaddedtothemyetremained，nonetheworseformanyyearsofcarefulandappreciativehabitation。Thefolkoftheplace，however，weremostlyinthefieldsthatday，bothmenandwomen；sowemetonlytwooldmenthere，andayoungeronewhohadstayedathometogetonwithsomeliterarywork，whichIimagineweconsiderablyinterrupted。YetIalsothinkthatthehard-workingmanwhoreceiveduswasnotverysorryfortheinterruption。Anyhow，hekeptonpressingustostayoverandoveragain，tillatlastwedidnotgetawaytillthecooloftheevening。
However，thatmatteredlittletous；thenightswerelight，forthemoonwasshininginherthirdquarter，anditwasallonetoDickwhetherhesculledorsatquietintheboat:sowewentawayagreatpace。TheeveningsunshonebrightontheremainsoftheoldbuildingsatMedmenham；closebesidewhicharoseanirregularpileofbuildingwhichDicktolduswasaverypleasanthouse；andtherewereplentyofhousesvisibleonthewidemeadowsopposite，underthehill；for，asitseemsthatthebeautyofHurleyhadcompelledpeopletobuildandlivethereagooddeal。ThesunverylowdownshowedusHenleylittlealteredinoutwardaspectfromwhatIrememberedit。ActualdaylightfailedusaswepassedthroughthelovelyreachesofWargraveandShiplake；butthemoonrosebehinduspresently。IshouldliketohaveseenwithmyeyeswhatsuccesstheneworderofthingshadhadingettingridofthesprawlingmesswithwhichcommercialismhadlitteredthebanksofthewidestreamaboutReadingandCaversham:
certainlyeverythingsmelttoodeliciouslyintheearlynightfortheretobeanyoftheoldcarelesssordidnessofso-calledmanufacture；andinanswertomyquestionastowhatsortofaplaceReadingwas，Dickanswered:
“O，anicetownenoughinitsway；mostlyrebuiltwithinthelasthundredyears；andthereareagoodmanyhouses，asyoucanseebythelightsjustdownunderthehillsyonder。Infact，itisoneofthemostpopulousplacesontheThamesroundabouthere。Keepupyourspirits，guest！weareclosetoourjounrney\'sendforthenight。I
oughttoaskyourpardonfornotstoppingatoneofthehouseshereorhigherup；butafriendwhoislivinginaverypleasanthouseintheMaple-Durhammeads，particularlywantedmeandClaratocomeandseehimonourwayuptheThames；andIthoughtyouwouldn\'tmindthisbitofnighttravelling。“
Heneednothaveadjuredmetokeepupmyspirits，whichwereashighaspossible；thoughthestrangenessandexcitementofthehappyandquietlifewhichIsaweverywherearoundmewas，itistrue，alittlewearingoff，yetadeepcontent，asdifferentaspossiblefromlanguidacquiescence，wastakingitsplace，andIwas，asitwere，reallynew-born。
WelandedpresentlyjustwhereIrememberedtherivermakinganelbowtothenorthtowardstheancienthouseoftheBlunts；withthewidemeadowsspreadingontheright-handside，andontheleftthelonglineofbeautifultreesoverhangingthewater。Aswegotoutoftheboat，IsaidtoDick:
“Isittheoldhousewearegoingto？“
“No，“hesaid，“thoughthatisstandingstillingreenoldage，andiswellinhabited。Isee，bytheway，thatyouknowyourThameswell。ButmyfriendWalterAllen，whoaskedmetostophere，livesinahouse，notverybig，whichhasbeenbuiltherelately，becausethesemeadowsaresomuchliked，especiallyinsummer，thattherewasgettingtoberathertoomuchoftentingintheopenfield；sotheparisheshereabout，whoratherobjectedtothat，builtthreehousesbetweenthisandCaversham，andquitealargeoneatBasildon，alittlehigherup。
Look，yonderarethelightsofWalterAllen\'shouse！“
Sowewalkedoverthegrassofthemeadowsunderafloodofmoonlight，andsooncametothehouse，whichwaslowandbuiltaroundaquadranglebigenoughtogetplentyofsunshineinit。WalterAllen，Dick\'sfriend，wasleaningagainstthejambofthedoorwaywaitingforus，andtookusintothehallwithoutoverplusofwords。Therewerenotmanypeopleinit，assomeofthedwellerstherewereawayatthehaymakingintheneighbourhood，andsome，asWaltertoldus，werewanderingaboutthemeadowenjoyingthebeautifulmoonlitnight。
Dick\'sfriendlookedtobeamanofaboutforty；tall，black-haired，verykind-lookingandthoughtful；butrathertomysurprisetherewasashadeofmelancholyonhisface，andheseemedalittleabstractedandinattentivetoourchat，inspiteofobviouseffortstolisten。
Dicklookedonhimfromtimetotime，andseemedtroubled；andatlasthesaid:“Isay，oldfellow，ifthereisanythingthematterwhichwedidn\'tknowofwhenyouwrotetome，don\'tyouthinkyouhadbettertellusaboutitatonce？orelseweshallthinkwehavecomeatanunluckytime，andarenotquitewanted。“
Walterturnedred，andseemedtohavesomedifficultyinrestraininghistears，butsaidatlast:“Ofcourseeverybodyhereisverygladtoseeyou，Dick，andyourfriends；butitistruethatwearenotatourbest，inspiteofthefineweatherandtheglorioushay-crop。Wehavehadadeathhere。“
SaidDick:“Well，youshouldgetoverthat，neighbour:suchthingsmustbe。“
“Yes，“waltersaid，“butthiswasadeathbyviolence，anditseemslikelytoleadtoatleastonemore；andsomehowitmakesusfeelrathershyofoneanother；andtosaythetruth，thatisonereasonwhytherearesofewofushereto-night。“
“Tellusthestory，Walter，“saidDick；“perhapstellingitwillhelpyoutoshakeoffyoursadness。“
SaidWalter:“Well，Iwill；andIwillmakeitshortenough，thoughI
daresayitmightbespunoutintoalongone，asusedtobedonewithsuchsubjectsintheoldnovels。Thereisaverycharminggirlherewhomwealllike，andwhomsomeofusdomorethanlike；andsheverynaturallylikedoneofusbetterthananybodyelse。AndanotherofusIwon\'tnamehimgotfairlybittenwithlove-madness，andusedtogoaboutmakinghimselfasunpleasantashecould——notofmaliceprepense，ofcourse；sothatthegirl，wholikedhimwellenoughatfirst，thoughshedidn\'tlovehim，beganfairlytodislikehim。ofcourse，thoseofuswhoknewhimbest——myselfamongstothers——advisedhimtogoaway，ashewasmakingmattersworseandworseforhimselfeveryday。Well，hewouldn\'ttakeouradvicethatalso，Isuppose，wasamatterofcourse，sowehadtotellhimthathe_must_go，ortheinevitablesendingtoCoventrywouldfollow；forhisindividualtroublehadsoovermasteredhimthatwefeltthat_we_mustgoifhedidnot。“
“Hetookthatbetterthanweexpected，whensomethingorother——aninterviewwiththegirl，Ithink，andsomehotwordswiththesuccessfulloverfollowingcloseuponit——threwhimquiteoffhisbalance；andhegotholdofanaxeandfelluponhisrivalwhentherewasnooneby；andinthestrugglethatfollowedthemanattackedhithimanunluckyblowandkilledhim。Andnowtheslayerinhisturnissoupsetthatheissoupsetthatheisliketokillhimself；andifhedoes，thegirlwilldoasmuch，Ifear。Andallthiswecouldnomorehelpthantheearthquakeoftheyearbeforelast。“
“Itisveryunhappy，“saidDick；“butsincethemanisdead，andcannotbebroughtbacktolifeagain，andsincetheslayerhadnomaliceinhim，Icannotforthelifeofmeseewhyheshouldn\'tgetoveritbeforelong。Besides，itwastherightmanthatwaskilledandnotthewrong。Whyshouldamanbroodoveramereaccidentforever？
Andthegirl？“
“Astoher，“saidWalter，“thewholethingseemstohaveinspiredherwithterrorratherthangrief。Whatyousayaboutthemanistrue，oritshouldbe；butthen，yousee，theexcitementandjealousythatwasthepreludetothistragedyhadmadeanevilandfeverishelementabouthim，fromwhichhedoesnotseemabletoescape。However，wehaveadvisedhimtogoaway——infact，tocrosstheseas；butheisinsuchastatethatIdonotthinkitwillfalltomylottodoso；
whichisscarcelyacheerfuloutlookforme。“
“O，youwillfindacertainkindofinterestinit，“saidDick。“Andofcoursehe_must_soonlookupontheaffairfromareasonablepointofviewsoonerorlater。“
“Well，atanyrate，“quothWalter，“nowthatIhaveeasedmymindbymakingyouuncomfortable，letushaveanendofthesubjectforthepresent。AreyougoingtotakeyourguesttoOxford？“
“Why，ofcoursewemustpassthroughit，“saidDick，smiling，“aswearegoingintotheupperwaters:butIthoughtthatwewouldn\'tstopthere，orweshallbebelatedastothehaymakingupourway。SoOxfordandmylearnedlectureonitallgotatsecond-handfrommyoldkinsman，mustwaittillwecomedownthewaterafortnighthence。“
Ilistenedtothisstorywithmuchsurprise，andcouldnothelpwonderingatfirstthatthemanwhohadslaintheotherhadnotbeenputincustodytillitcouldbeprovedthathekilledhisrivalinself-defenceonly。However，themoreIthoughtofittheplaineritgrewtomethatnoamountofexaminationofwitnesses，whohadwitnessednothingbuttheill-bloodbetweenthetworivals，wouldhavedoneanythingtoclearupthecase。Icouldnothelpthinking，also，thattheremorseofthishomicidegavepointtowhatoldHammersmithhadsaidtomeaboutthewayinwhichthisstrangepeopledealtwithwhatIhadbeenusedtohearcalledcrimes。Truly，theremorsewasexaggerated；butitwasquiteclearthattheslayertookthewholeconsequencesoftheactuponhimself，anddidnotexpectsocietytowhite-washhimbypunishinghim。Ihadnofearanylongerthat“thesacrednessofhumanlife“waslikelytosufferamongstmyfriendsfromtheabsenceofgallowsandprison。
Chapter25
TheThirdDayontheThamesAswewentdowntotheboatnextmorning，Waltercouldnotkeepoffthesubjectoflastnight，thoughhewasmorehopefulthanhehadbeenthen，andseemedtothinkthatiftheunluckyhomicidecouldnotbegottogoover-sea，hemightatanyrategoandlivesomewhereintheneighbourhoodprettymuchbyhimself；atanyrate，thatwaswhathehimselfhadproposed。ToDickandImustsaytomealso，thisseemedastrangeremedy；andDicksaidasmuch。Quothhe:
“FriendWalter，don\'tsetthemanbroodingonthetragedybylettinghimlivealone。Thatwillonlystrengthenhisideathathehadcommittedacrime，andyouwillhavehimkillinghimselfingoodearnest。“
SaidClara:“Idon\'tknow。IfImaysaywhatIthinkofit，itisthathehadbetterhavehisfillofgloomnow，and，sotosay，wakeuppresentlytoseehowlittleneedtherehasbeenforit；andthenhewilllivehappilyafterwards。Asforhiskillinghimself，youneednotbeafraidofthat；for，fromallyoutellme，heisreallyverymuchinlovewiththewoman；andtospeakplainly，untilhisloveissatisfied，hewillnotonlysticktolifeastightlyashecan，butwillalsomakethemostofeveryeventofhislife——will，sotosay，hughimselfupinit；andIthinkthatthisistherealexplanationofhistakingthewholematterwithsuchanexcessoftragedy。“
Walterlookedthoughtful，andsaid:“Well，youmayberight；andperhapsweshouldhavetreateditallmorelightly:butyousee，guest“turningtome，“suchthingshappensoseldom，thatwhentheydohappen，wecannothelpbeingmuchtakenupwithit。Fortherest，weareallinclinedtoexcuseourpoorfriendformakingussounhappy，onthegroundthathedoesitoutofanexaggeratedrespectforhumanlifeandhappiness。Well，Iwillsaynomoreaboutit；onlythis:willyougivemeacastup-stream，asIwanttolookafteralonelyhabitationforthepoorfellow，sincehewillhaveitsoandI
hearthatthereisonewhichwouldsuitusverywellonthedownsbeyondStreatley；soifyouwillputmeashorethereIwillwalkupthehillandlooktoit。“
“Isthehouseinquestionempty？“saidI。
“No，“saidWalter，“butthemanwholivestherewillgooutofit，ofcourse，whenhehearsthatwewantit。Yousee，wethinkthatthefreshairofthedownsandtheveryemptinessofthelandscapewilldoourfriendgood。“
“Yes，“saidClara，smiling，“andhewillnotbesofarfromhisbelovedthattheycannoteasilymeetiftheyhaveamindto——astheycertainlywill。“
Thistalkhadbroughtusdowntotheboat，andwewerepresentlyafloatonthebeautifulbroadstream，Dickdrivingtheprowswiftlythroughthewindlesswateroftheearlysummermorning，foritwasnotyetsixo\'clock。Wewereatthelockinaverylittletime；andaswelayrisingandrisingonthein-comingwater，Icouldnothelpwonderingthatmyoldfriendthepound-lock，andthatoftheverysimplestandmostruralkind，shouldholditsplacethere；soIsaid:
“Ihavebeenwondering，aswepassedlockafterlock，thatyoupeople，soprosperousasyouare，andespeciallysinceyouaresoanxiousforpleasantworktodo，havenotinventedsomethingwhichwouldgetridofthisclumsybusinessofgoingupstairsbymeansoftheserudecontrivances。“
Dicklaughed。“Mydearfriend，“saidhe，“aslongaswaterhastheclumsyhabitofrunningdown-hill，Ifearwemusthumouritbygoingupstairswhenwehaveourfacesturnedfromthesea。AndreallyI
don\'tseewhyyoushouldfallfoulofMaple-Durhamlock，whichIthinkaveryprettyplace。“
Therewasnodoubtaboutthelatterassertion，Ithought，asIlookeduupattheoverhangingboughsofthegreattrees，withthesuncomingglitteringthroughtheleaves，andlistenedtothesongofthesummerblackbirdsasitmingledwiththesoundofthebackwaternearus。SonotbeingabletosaywhyIwantedthelocksaway——which，indeed，I
didn\'twantatall——Iheldmypeace。ButWaltersaid:
“Yousee，guest，thisisnotanageofinventions。Thelastepochdidallthatforus，andwearenowcontenttousesuchofitsinventionsaswefindhandyandleavingthosealonewhichwedon\'twant。I
believe，asamatteroffact，thatsometimeagoIcan\'tgiveyouadatesomeelaboratemachinerywasusedforthelocks，thoughpeopledidnotgosofarastrytomakewaterrunuphill。Howeveritwastroublesome，Isuppose，andthesimplehatches，andthegates，withabigcounterpoisingbeam，werefoundtoanswereverypurpose，andwereeasilymendedwhenwantedwithmaterialalwaystohand:soheretheyare，asyousee。“
“Besides，“saidDick，“thiskindoflockispretty，asyousee；andI
can\'thelpthinkingthatyourmachine-lock，windinguplikeawatch，wouldhavebeenuglyandwouldhavespoiledthelookoftheriver:andthatissurelyreasonenoughforkeepingsuchlocksasthese。
Good-bye，oldfellow！“saidhetothelock，ashepushedusoutthroughthenowopengatesbyavigorousstrokeoftheboat-hook。“Mayyoulivelong，andhaveyourgreenoldagerenewedforever！“
Onwewent；andthewaterhadthefamiliaraspecttomeofthedaysbeforePangbournehadbeenthoroughlyde-cockneyfied，asIhaveseenit。ItPangbournewasdistinctlyavillagestill——_i。e。_adefinitegroupofhouses，andasprettyasmightbe。Thebeech-woodsstillcoveredthehillthatroseaboveBasildon；buttheflatfieldsbeneaththemweremuchmorepopulousthanIrememberedthem，astherewerefivelargehousesinsight，verycarefullydesignedsoasnottohurtthecharacterofthecountry。Downonthegreenlipoftheriver，justwherethewaterturnstowardtheGoringandStreatleyreacheswerehalfadozengirlsplayingaboutonthegrass。Theyhailedusaswewereaboutpassingthem，astheynotedweweretravellers，andwestoppedaminutetotalkwiththem。Theyhadbeenbathing，andwerelightcladandbarefooted，andwereboundforthemeadowsontheBerkshireside，wherethehaymakinghadbegun，andwerepassingthetimemerrilyenoughtilltheBerkshirefolkcameintheirpunttofetchthem。Atfirstnothingwouldcontentthembutwemustgowiththemintothehay-field，andbreakfastwiththem；butDickputforwardhistheoryofbeginningthehay-harvesthigherupthewater，andnotspoilingmypleasurethereinbygivingmeatasteofitelsewhere，andtheygavewaythoughunwillingly。InrevengetheyaskedmeagreatmanyquestionsaboutthecountryIcamefromandthemannersoflifethere，whichIfoundratherpuzzlingtoanswer；anddoubtlesswhatanswersIdidgivewerepuzzlingenoughtothem。Inoticedbothwiththeseprettygirlsandwitheverybodyelsewemet，thatindefaultofseriousnews，suchaswehadheardatMaple-Durham，theywereeagertodiscussallthelittledetailsoflife；theweather，thehay-crop，thelastnewhouse，theplentyorlackofsuchandsuchbirds，andsoon；
andtheytalkedofthesethingsnotinafatuousandconventionalway，butastaking，Isay，realinterestinthem。Moreover，Ifoundthatthewomenknewasmuchaboutallthesethingsasthemen:couldnameaflower，andknewitsqualities；couldtellyouthehabitatofsuchandsuchbirdsandfish，andthelike。
Itisalmoststrangewhatadifferencethisintelligencemadeinmyesimateofthecountrylifeofthatday；foritusedtobesaidinpasttimes，andonthewholetruly，thatoutsidetheirdailyworkcountrypeopleknewlittleofthecountry，andatleastcouldtellyounothingaboutit；whileherewerethesepeopleaseageraboutallthegoingsoninthefieldsandwoodsanddownsasiftheyhadbeenCockneysnewlyescapedfromthetyrannyofbricksandmortar。
Imaymentionasadetailworthnotingthatnotonlydidthereseemtobeagreatmanymorebirdsaboutofthenon-predatorykinds，buttheirenemiesthebirdsofpreywerealsocommoner。AkitehungoverourheadsaswepassedMedmenhamyesterday；magpieswerequitecommoninthehedgerow；Isawseveralsparrow-hawks，andIthinkamerlin；andnowjustaswewerepassingtheprettybridgewhichhadtakentheplaceofBasildonrailway-bridge，acoupleofravenscroakedaboveourboat，astheysailedoftothehighergroundofthedowns。Iconcludedfromallthisthatthedaysofthegameskeeperwereover，anddidnotevenneedtoaskDickaquestionaboutit。
Chapter26
TheObstinateRefusersBeforewepartedfromthesegirlswesawtwosturdyyoungmenandawomanputtingofffromtheBerkshireshore，andthenDickbethoughthimofalittlebanterofthegirls，andaskedthemhowitwasthattherewasnobodyofthemalekindtogowiththemacrossthewater，andwheretheirboatsweregoneto。Saidone，theyoungestoftheparty:“O，theyhavegotthebigpunttoleadstonefromupthewater。“
“Whodoyoumeanby`they，\'dearchild？“saidDick。
Saidanoldergirl，laughing:“Youhadbettergoandseethem。Lookthere，“andshepointednorth-west，“don\'tyouseethebuildinggoingonthere？“
“Yes，“saidDick，“andIamrathersurprisedatthistimeoftheyear；
whyaretheynothaymakingwithyou？“
Thegirlsalllaughedatthis，andbeforetheirlaughwasover，theBerkshireboathadrunontothegrassandthegirlssteppedinlightly，stillsniggering，whilethenewcomersgaveustheseleoftheday。Butbeforetheywereunderwayagain，thetallgirlsaid:“Excuseusforlaughing，dearneighbours，butwehavehadsomefriendlybickeringwiththebuildersupyonder，andaswehavenotimetotellyouthestory，youhadbettergoandaskthem:theywillbegladtoseeyou——ifyoudon\'thindertheirwork。“
Theyalllaughedagainatthat，andwavedusaprettyfarewellasthepunterssetthemovertowardtheothershore，andleftusstandingonthebankbesideourboat。
“Letusgoandseethem，“saidClara；“thatis，ifyouarenotinahurrytogettoStreatley，Walter？“
“Okno，“saidWalteer，“Ishallbegladoftheexcusetohavealittlemoreofyourcompany。“
Sowelefttheboatmooredthere，andwentonuptheslowslopeofthehill；butIsaidtoDickontheway，beingsomewhatmystified:“Whatwasallthatlaughingabout？Whatwasthejoke？“
“Icanguessprettywell，“saidDickk；“someofthemuptherehavegotapieceofworkwhichintereststhem，andtheywon\'tgotothehaymaking，whichdoesn\'tmatteratall，becausethereareplentyofpeopletodosucheasy-hardworkasthat；only，sincehaymakingisaregularfestival，theneighboursfinditamusingtojeergood-humouredlyatthem。“
“Isee，“saidI，“muchasinDickens\'stimesomeyoungpeopleweresowrappedupintheirworkthattheywouldn\'tkeepChristmas。“
“Justso，“saidDick，“onlythesepeopleneednotbeyoungeither。“
“Butwhatdidyoumeanbyeasy-hardwork？“saidI。
QuothDick:“DidIsaythat？Imeanworkthattriesthemusclesandhardensthemandsendsyoupleasantlywearytobed，butwhichisn\'ttryinginotherways:doesn\'tharrassyouinshort。Suchworkisalwayspleasantifyoudon\'toverdoit。Only，mindyou，goodmowingrequiressomelittleskill。I\'maprettygoodmower。“
Thistalkbroughtusuptothehousethatwasa-building，notalargeone，whichstoodattheendofabeautifulorchardsurroundedbyanoldstonewall。
“Oyes，Isee，“saidDick；“Iremember，abeautifulplaceforahouse:
butastarvelingofanineteenthcenturyhousestoodthere:Iamgladtheyarere-building:it\'sallstonetoo，thoughitneednothavebeeninthispartofthecountry:myword，though，theyaremakinganeatjobofit:butIwouldn\'thavemadeitallashlar。“
WalterandClarawerealreadytalkingtoatallmancladinhismason\'sblouse，wholookedaboutforty，butwas，Idaresay，older，whohadhismalletandchiselinhand；therewereatworkintheshedandonthescaffoldabouthalfadozenmenandtwowomen，blouse-cladlikethecarles，whileaveryprettywomanwhowasnotintheworkbutwasdressedinanelegantsuitofbluelinencamesaunteringuptouswithherknittinginherhand。Shewelcomedusandsaid，smiling:“SoyouarecomeupfromthewatertoseetheObstinateRefusers:whereareyougoinghaymaking，neighbours“
“O，rightupaboveOxford，cq。saidDick；“itisratheralatecountry。
ButwhatsharehaveyougotwiththeRefusers，prettyneighbour？“
Saidshe，withalaugh:“O，Iamtheluckyonewhodoesn\'twanttowork；thoughsometimesIgetit，forIserveasamodeltoMistressPhilippatherewhenshewantsone:sheisourheadcarver；comeandseeher。“
Sheledusuptothedooroftheunfinishedhouse，wherearatherlittlewomanwasworkingwithmalletandchiselonthewallnearby。
Sheseemedveryintentonwhatshewasdoing，anddidnotturnroundwhenwecameup；butatallerwoman，quiteagirlsheseemed，whowasatworknearby，hadalreadyknockedoff，andwasstandinglookingfromClaratoDickwithdelightedeyes。Noneoftheotherspaidmuchheedtous。
Theblue-cladgirllaidherhandonthecarver\'sshoulderandsaid:
“Now，Philippa，ifyougobbleupyourworklikethat，youwillsoonhavenonetodoandwhatwillbecomeofyouthen？“
Thecarverturnedroundhurriedlyandshowedusthefaceofawomanoffortyorsosheseemed，andsaidratherpettishly，butinasweetvoice:
“Don\'ttalknonsense，Kate，anddon\'tinterruptmeifyoucanhelpit。“Shestoppedshortwhenshesawus，thenwentonwiththekindofsmileofwelcomewhichneverfailedus。“Thankyouforcomingtoseeus，neighbours；butIamsurethatyouwon\'tthinkmeunkindifIgoonwithmywork，especiallywhenItellyouthatIwasillandunabletodoanythingallthroughiAprilandMay；andthisopenairandthesunandtheworktogether，andmyfeelingwellagaintoo，makeameredelightofeveryhourtome；andexcuseme，Imustgoon。“
Shefelltoworkaccordinglyonacarvinginlowreliefofflowersandfigures，buttalkedonamidsthermalletstrokes:“Yousee，weallthinkthistheprettiestplaceforahouseupanddownthesereaches；
andthesitehasbeensolongencumberedwithanunworthyone，thatwemasonsweredeterminedtopayofffateanddestinyforonce，andbuildtheprettiesthousewecouldcompasshere——andso——andso——“
Hereshelapsedintomerecarving，butthetallforemancameupandsaid:“Yes，neighbours，thatisit:soitisgoingtobeallashlarbecausewewanttocarveakindofwreathofflowersandfiguresallroundit；andwehavebeenmuchhinderedbyonethingorother——
Philippa\'sillnessamongstothers，——andthoughwecouldhavemanagedourwreathwithouther——“
“Couldyou，though？“grumbledthelast-namedfromthefaceofthewall。
“Well，atanyrate，sheisourbestcarver，anditwouldnothavebeenkindtobeginthecarvingwithouther。Soyousee，“saidhe，lookingatDickandme，“wereallycouldn\'tgohaymaking，couldwe，neighbours？Butyousee，wearegettingonsofastnowwiththissplendidweather，thatIthinkwemaywellspareaweekortendaysatwheat-harvestandwon\'twegoat_that_workthen！Comedownthentotheacresthatlienorthandbywestatourbacksandyoushallseegoodharvesters，neighbours。“
“Hurrah，foragoodbrag！“calledavoicefromthescaffoldaboveus；
“ourforemanthinksthataneasierjobthanputtingonestoneonanother！“
Therewasagenerallaughatthissally，inwhichthetallformanjoined；andwiththatwesawaladbringingoutalittletableintotheshadowofthestone-shed，whichhesetdownthere，andthengoingback，cameoutagainwiththeinevitablebigwickeredflaskandtallglasses，whereontheforemanledusuptodueseatsonblocksofstone，andsaid:
“Well，neighbours，drinktomybragcomingtrue，orIshallthinkyoudon\'tbelieveme！Upthere！“saidhe，hailingthescaffold，“areyoucomingdownforaglass？“Threeoftheworkmencamerunningdowntheladderasmenwithgood“buildinglegs“willdo；buttheothersdidn\'tanswerexceptthejokerifhemustsobecalled，whocalledoutwithoutturninground:“Excuseme，neighbours，fornotgettingdown。I
mustgeton:myworkisnotsuperintending，likethegaffer\'syonder；
but，youfellows，sendusupaglasstodrinkthehaymakers\'health。“
Ofcourse，Philippawouldnotturnawayfromherbelovedwork；buttheotherwomanservercame；sheturnedouttobePhilippa\'sdaughterbutwasatallstronggirl，black-hairedandgypsey-likeoffaceandcuriouslysolemnofmanner。Therestgatheredroundusandclinkedglasses，andthemenonthescaffoldturnedaboutanddranktoourhealths；butthebusylittlewomanbythedoorwouldhavenoneofitallbutonlyshruggedhershoulderswhenherdaughtercameuptoherandtouchedher。
SoweshookhandsandturnedourbacksontheObstinateRefusers，wentdowntheslopetoourboat，andbeforewehadgonemanystepsheardthefulltuneoftinklingtrowelsminglewiththehummingofthebeesandthesingingofthelarksabovethelittleplainofBasildon。
Chapter27
TheUpperWatersWesetWalterashoreontheBerkshireside，amidstallthebeautiesofStreatley，andsowentourwaysintowhatoncewouldhavebeenthedeepercountryunderthefoot-hillsoftheWhiteHorse；andthoughthecontrastbetweenhalf-cockneyfiedandwhollyunsophisticatedcountryexistednolonger，afeelingofexultationrosewithinmeasitusedtodoatsightofthefamiliarandstillunchangedhillsoftheBerkshirerange。
WestoppedatWallingfordforourmiddaymeal；ofcourse，allsignsofsqualorandpovertyhaddisappearedfromthestreetsoftheancienttown，andmanyuglyhouseshadbeentakendownandmanyprettynewonesbuilt，butIthoughtitcurious，thatthetownstilllookedliketheoldplaceIrememberedsowell；forindeeditlookedlikethatoughttohavelooked。
Atdinnerwefellinwithanold，butverybrightandintelligentman，whoseemedinacountrywaytobeanothereditionofoldHammond。HehadanextraordinarydetailedknowledgeoftheancienthistoryofthecountrysidefromthetimeofAlfredtothedaysoftheParliamentaryWars，manyeventsofwhich，asyoumayknow，wereenactedroundaboutWallingford。But，whatwasmoreinterestingtous，hehaddetailedrecordoftheperiodofthechangetothepresentstateofthings，andtoldusagreatdealaboutit，andespeciallyofthatexodusofthepeoplefromthetowntothecountry，andthegradualrecoverybythetown-bredpeopleononeside，andthecountry-bredpeopleontheother，ofthoseartsoflifewhichtheyhadeachlost；whichloss，ashetoldushadatonetimegonesofarthatnotonlywasitimpossibletofindacarpenterorasmithinavillageorasmallcountrytown，butthatpeopleinsuchplaceshadevenforgottenhowtobakebread，andthatatWallingford，forinstance，thebreadcamedownwiththenewspapersbyanearlytrainfromLondon，workedinsomeway，theexplanationofwhichIcouldnotunderstand。Hetoldusalsothatthetownspeoplewhocameintothecountryusedtopickuptheagriculturalartsbycarefullywatchingthewayinwhichthemachinesworked，gatheringanideaofhandicraftfrommachinery；becauseatthattimealmosteverythingwasdonebyelaboratemachinesusedquiteunintelligentlybythelabourers。Ontheotherhand，theoldmenamongstthelabourersmanagedtoteachtheyoungeronesgraduallyalittleartisanship，suchastheuseofthesawandtheplane，theworkofthesmithy，andsoforth；foroncemorebythattimeitwasasmuchas——orrather，morethan——amancoulddotofixanashpoletoarakebyhandiwork；sothatitwouldtakeamachineworthathousandpounds，agroupofworkmen，andahalfaday\'stravelling，todofiveshillings\'worthofwork。Heshowedus，amongotherthings，anaccountofacertainvillagecouncilwhowereworkinghardatallthisbusiness；andtherecordoftheirintenseearnestnessingettingtothebottomofsomematterwhichintimepastwouldhavebeenthoughtquitetrivial，as，forexample，thedueproportionsofalkaliandoilforsoap-makingforthevillagewash，ortheexactheatofthewaterintowhichalegofmuttonshouldbeplungedforboiling——allthisjoinedtotheutterabsenceofanythinglikethepartyfeeling，whicheveninavillageassemblywouldcertainlyhavemadeitsappearanceinanearlierepoch，wasveryamusing，andatthesametimeinstructive。
Thisoldman，whosenamewasHenryMorsom，tookus，afterourmealandarest，intoabiggishhallwhichcontainedalargecollectionofarticlesofmanufactureandartfromthelastdaysofthemachineperiodtothatday；andhewentoverthemwithus，andexplainedthemwithgreatcare。Theyalsowereveryinteresting，showingthetransitionfromthemake-shiftworkofthemachineswhichwasataboutitsworstalittleaftertheCivilWarbeforetoldofintothefirstyearsofthenewhandicraftperiod。Ofcourse，therewasmuchoverlappingoftheperiods:andatfirstthenewhandiworkcameinveryslowly。
“Youmustremember，“saidtheoldantiquary，“thatthehandicraftwasnottheresultofwhatusedtobecalledmaterialnecessity:onthecontrary，bythattimethemachineshadbeensomuchimprovedthatalmostallnecessaryworkmighthavebeendonebythem:andindeedmanypeopleatthattime，andbeforeit，usedtothinkthatmachinerywouldentirelysupersedehandicraft；whichcertainly，onthefaceofit，seemedmorethanlikely。Buttherewasanotheropinion，farlesslogical，prevalentamongsttherichpeoplebeforethedaysoffreedom，whichdidnotdieoutatonceafterthatepochhadbegun。Thisopinion，whichfromallIcanlearnseemedasnaturalthen，asitseemsabsurdnow，was，thatwhiletheordinarydailyworkoftheworldwouldbedoneentirelybyautomaticmachinery，theenergiesofthemoreintelligentpartofmankindwouldbesetfreetofollowthehigherformsofthearts，aswellasscienceandthestudyofhistory。
Itwasstrange，wasitnot，thattheyshouldthusignorethataspirationaftercompleteequalitywhichwenowrecogniseasthebondofallhappyhumansociety？“
Ididnotanswer，butthoughtthemore。Dicklookedthoughtful，andsaid:
“Strange，neighbour？Well，Idon\'tknow。Ihaveoftenheardmyoldkinsmansaytheoneaimofallpeoplebeforeourtimewastoavoidwork，oratleasttheythoughtitwas；soofcoursetheworkwhichtheirdailylife_forced_themtodo，seemedmorelikeworkthanthatwhichthey_seemed_tochooseforthemselves。“
“Trueenough，“saidMorsom。“Anyhow，theysoonbegantofindouttheirmistake，andthatonlyslavesandslave-holderscouldlivesolelybysettingmachinesgoing。“
Clarabrokeinhere，flushingalittleasshespoke:“Wasnottheirmistakeoncemorebredofthelifeofslaverythattheyhadbeenliving？——alifewhichwasalwayslookinguponeverything，exceptmankind，animateandinanimate——\'nature，\'aspeopleusedtocallit——asonething，andmankindasanother。Itwasnaturaltopeoplethinkinginthisway，thattheyshouldtrytomake\'nature\'theirslave，sincetheythought\'nature\'wassomethingoutsidethem。“
“Surely，“saidMorsom；“andtheywerepuzzledastowhattodo，tilltheyfoundthefeelingagainstamechanicallife，whichhadbegunbeforetheGreatChangeamongstpeoplewhohadleisuretothinkofsuchthings，wasspreadinginsensibly；tillatlastundertheguiseofpleasurethatwasnotsupposedtobework，workthatwaspleasurebegantopushoutthemechanicaltoil，whichtheyhadoncehopedatthebesttoreducetonarrowlimitsindeed，butnevertogetridof；
andwhich，moreover，theyfoundtheycouldnotlimitastheyhadhopedtodo。“
“Whendidthisnewrevolutiongatherhead？“saidI。
“Inthehalf-centurythatfollowedtheGreatChange，“saidMorsom，“itbegantobenoteworthy；machineaftermachinewasquietlydroppedundertheexcusethatmachinescouldnotproduceworksofart，andthatworksofartweremoreandmorecalledfor。Lookhere，“hesaid，“herearesomeoftheworksofthattime——roughandunskilfulinhandiwork，butsolidandshowingsomesenseofpleasureinthemaking。“
“Theyareverycurious，“saidI，takingupapieceofpotteryfromamongstthespecimenswhichtheantiquarywasshowingus；“notabitliketheworkofeithersavagesorbarbarians，andyetwithwhatwouldoncehavebeencalledahatredofcivilisationimpresseduponthem。“
“Yes，“saidMorsom，“Youmustnotlookfordelicacythere:inthatperiodyoucouldonlyhavegotthatfromamanwhowaspracticallyaslave。Butnow，yousee，“saidhe，leadingmeonalittle，“wehavelearnedthetrickofhandicraft，andhaveaddedtheutmostrefinementofworkmanshiptothefreedomoffancyandimagination。“
Ilooked，andwonderedindeedatthedeftnessandabundanceofbeautyoftheworkofmenwhohadatlastlearnedtoacceptlifeitselfasapleasure，andthesatisfactionofthecommonneedsofmankindandthepreparationforthem，asworkfitforthebestoftherace。Imusedsilently；butatlastIsaid:
“Whatistocomeafterthis？“
Theoldmanlaughed。“Idon\'tknow，“saidhe；“wewillmeetitwhenitcomes。“
“Meanwhile，“quothDick，“wehavegottomeettherestofourday\'sjourney；sooutintothestreetanddowntothestrand！Willyoucomeaturnwithus，neighbour？Ourfriendisgreedyofyourstories。“
“IwillgoasfarasOxfordwithyou，“saidhe；“IwantabookortwooutoftheBodleianLibrary。Isupposeyouwillsleepintheoldcity？“
“No，“saidDick，“wearegoinghigherup；thehayiswaitingusthere，youknow。“
Morsomnodded，andweallwentintothestreettogether，andgotintotheboatalittleabovethetownbridge。ButjustasDickwasgettingthescullsintotherowlocks，thebowsofanotherboatcamethrustingthroughthelowarch。Evenatfirstsightitwasagaylittlecraftindeed——brightgreen，andpaintedoverwithelegantlydrawnflowers。
Asitclearedthearch，afigureasbrightandgay-cladastheboatroseupinit；aslimgirldressedinlightbluesilkthatflutteredinthedraughtywindofthebridge。IthoughtIknewthefigure，andsureenough，assheturnedherheadtous，andshowedherbeautifulface，IsawwithjoythatitwasnoneotherthanthefairygodmotherfromtheabundantgardenonRunnymede——Ellen，towit。
Weallstoppedtoreceiveher。Dickroseintheboatandcriedoutagenialgoodmorrow；ItriedtobeasgenialasDick，butfailed；Clarawavedadelicatehandtoher；andMorsomnoddedandlookedonwithinterest。AstoEllen，thebeautifulbrownofherfacewasdeepenedbyaflush，asshebroughtthegunwaleofherboatalongsideours，andsaid:
“Yousee，neighbours，IhadsomedoubtifyouwouldallthreecomebackpastRunnymede，orifyoudid，whetheryouwouldstopthere；andbesides，Iamnotsurewhetherwe——myfatherandI——shallnotbeawayinaweekortwo，forhewantstoseeabrotherofhisinthenorthcountry，andIshouldnotlikehimtogowithoutme。SoIthoughtI
mightneverseeyouagain，andthatseemeduncomfortabletome，and——andsoIcameafteryou。“
“Well，“saidDick，“Iamsureweareallverygladofthat；althoughyoumaybesurethatasforClaraandme，weshouldhavemadeapointofcomingtoseeyou，andofcomingthesecondtime，ifwehadfoundyouawayatfirst。But，dearneighbour，thereyouarealoneintheboat，andyouhavebeenscullingprettyhard，Ishouldthink，andmightfindalittlequietsittingpleasant；sowehadbetterpartourcompanyintotwo。“
“Yes，“saidEllen，“Ithoughtyouwoulddothat，soIhavebroughtarudderformyboat:willyouhelpmetoshipit，please？“
AndshewentaftinherboatandpushedalongoursidetillshehadbroughtthesternclosetoDick\'shand。Hekneltdowninourboatandsheinhers，andtheusualfumblingtookplaceoverhangingtherudderonitshooks；for，asyoumayimagine，nochangehadtakenplaceinthearrangementofsuchanunimportantmatterastherudderofapleasureboat。Asthetwobeautifulyoungfacesbentovertherudder，theyseemedtometobeveryclosetogether，andthoughitlastedonlyamoment，asortofpangshotthroughmeasIlookedon。Clarasatinherplaceanddidnotlookround，butpresentlyshesaid，withjusttheleaststiffnessinhertone:
“Howshallwedivide？Won\'tyougointoEllen\'sboat，Dick，since，withoutoffencetoourguest，youarethebettersculler？“
Dickstoodupandlaidhishandonhershoulder，andsaid:“No，no；letGuesttrywhathecando——heoughttobegettingintotrainingnow。
Besides，weareinnohurry:wearenotgoingfaraboveOxford；andevenifwearebenighted，weshallhavethemoon，whichwillgiveusnothingworseofnightthanagreyerday“
“Besides，“saidI，“Imaymanagetodoalittlemorewithmyscullingthanmerelykeepingtheboatfromdriftingdown-stream。“
Theyalllaughedatthis，asifithadbeenaverygoodjoke；andI
thoughtthatEllen\'slaugh，evenamongsttheothers，wasoneofthepleasantestsoundsIhadeverheard。
Tobeshort，Igotintothenew-comeboat，notalittleelated，andtakingthesculls，settoworktoshowoffalittle。For——mustIsayi？——Ifeltasifeventhathappyworldweremadehappierformybeingsonearthisstrangegirl；althoughImustsaythatofallpersonsI
hadseeninthatworldrenewed，shewasthemostunfamiliartome，themostunlikewhatIcouldhavethoughof。Clara，forinstance，beautifulandbrightasshewas，wasnotunlikea_very_pleasantandunaffectedyounglady；andtheothergirlsalsoseemednothingmorethanspecimensofverymuchimprovedtypeswhichIhadknowninothertimes。Butthisgirlwasnotonlybeautifulwithabeautyquitedifferentfromthatof“ayounglady，“butwasinallwayssostrangelyinteresting；sothatIkeptwonderingwhatshewouldsayordonexttosurpriseandpleaseme。Not，indeed，thattherewasanythingstartlinginwhatsheactuallysaidordid；butitwasalldoneinanewway，andalwayswiththatindefinableinterestandpleasureoflife，whichIhadnoticedmoreorlessineverybody，butwhichinherwasmoremarkedandmorecharmingthaninanyoneelsethatIhadseen。
Weweresoonunderwayandgoingatafairpacethroughthebeautifulreachesoftheriver，betweenBensingtonandDorchester。Itwasnowaboutthemiddleoftheafternoon，warmratherthanhot，andquitewindless；thecloudshighupandlight，pearlywhite，andgleaming，softenedbythesun\'sburning，butdidnothidethepaleblueinmostplaces，thoughtheyseemedtogiveitheightandconsistency；thesky，inshort，lookedreallylikeavault，aspoetshavesometeimescalledit，andnotlikemerelimitlessair，butavaultsovastandfulloflightthatitdidnotinanywayoppressthespirits。ItwasthesortofafternoonthatTennysonmusthavebeenthinkingabout，whenhesaidoftheLotos-Eaters\'landthatitwasalandwhereitwasalwaysafternoon。
EllenleanedbackinthesternandseemedtoenjoyherselfthoroughlyIcouldseethatshewasreallylookingatthingsandletnothingescapeher，andasIwatchedher，anuncomfortablefeelingthatshehadbeenalittletouchedbyloveofthedeft，ready，andhandsomeDick，andthatshehadbeenconstrainedtofollowusbecauseofit，fadedoutofmymind；sinceifithadbeenso，shesurelycouldnothavebeensoexcitedlypleased，evenwiththebeautifulsceneswewerepassingthrough。Forsometimeshedidnotsaymuch，butatlast，aswehadpassedunderShillingfordBridgenewbuilt，butsomewhatonitsoldlines，shebademeholdtheboatwhileshehadagoodlookatthelandscapethroughthegracefularch。Thensheturnedabouttomeandsaid:
“IdonotknowwhethertobesorryorgladthatthisisthefirsttimethatIhavebeeninthesereaches。Itistruethatitisagreatpleasuretoseeallthisforthefirsttime；；butifIhadhadayearortwoofmemoryofit，howsweetlyitwouldallhavemingledwithmylife，wakingordreaming！IamsogladDickhasbeenpullingslowly，soastolingeroutthetimehere。Howdoyoufeelaboutyourfirstvisittothesewaters？“
Idonotsupposeshemeantatrapforme，butanyhowIfellintoit，andsaid:“Myfirstvisit！Itisnotmyfirstvisitbymanyatime。I
knowthesereacheswell；indeed，ImaysaythatIknoweveryyardoftheThamesfromHammersmithtoCricklade。“
Isawthecomplicationsthatmightfollow，ashereyesfixedminewithacuriouslookinthem，thatIhadseenbeforeatRunnymede，whenI
hadsaidsomethingwhichmadeitdifficultforotherstounderstandmypresentpositionamongstthesepeople。Ireddened，andsaid，inordertocovermymistake:“Iwonderyouhaveneverbeenupsohighasthis，sinceyouliveontheThames，andmoreoverrowsowellthatitwouldbenogreatlabourtoyou。Letalone，“quothI，insinuatingly，“thatanybodywouldbegladtorowyou。“