Shelaughed，clearlynotatmycomplimentasIamsuresheneednothavedone，sinceitwasaverycommonplacefact，butatsomethingwhichwasstirringinhermind；andshestilllookedatmekindly，butwiththeabove-saidkeenlookinhereyes，andthenshesaid:
“Well，perhapsitisstrange，thoughIhaveagooddealtodoathome，whatwithlookingaftermyfather，anddealingwithtwoorthreeyoungmenwhohavetakenaspeciallikingtome，andallofwhomIcannotpleaseatonce。Butyou，dearneighbour；itseemstomestrangerthatyoushouldknowtheupperriver，thanthatIshouldnotknowit；for，asIunderstand，youhaveonlybeeninEnglandafewdays。Butperhapsyoumeanthatyouhavereadaboutitinbooks，andseenpicturesofit？——thoughthatdoesnotcometomucheither，“
“Truly，“saidI。“Besides，IhavenotreadanybooksabouttheThames:
itwasoneoftheminorstupiditiesofourtimethatnoonethoughtfittowriteadecentbookaboutwhatmayfairlybecalledouronlyEnglishriver。“
ThewordswerenosooneroutofmymouththanIsawthatIhadmadeanothermistake；andIfeltreallyannoyedwithmyself，asIdidnotwanttogointoalongexplanationjustthen，orbeginanotherseriesofOdysseanlies。Somehow，Ellenseemedtoseethis，andshetooknoadvantageofmyslip；herpiercinglookchangedintooneofmerefrankkindness，andshesaid:
“Well，anyhowIamgladthatIamtravellingthesewaterswithyou，sinceyouknowourriversowell，andIknowlittleofitpastPangbourne，foryoucantellmeallIwanttoknowaboutit。“Shepausedaminute，andthensaid:“YetyoumustunderstandthatthepartIdoknow，Iknowasthoroughlyasyoudo。IshouldbesorryforyoutothinkthatIamcarelessofathingsobeautifulandinterestingastheThames。“
Shesaidthisquiteearnestly，andwithanairofaffectionateappealtomewhichpleasedmeverymuch；butIcouldseethatshewasonlykeepingherdoubtsaboutmeforanothertime。
PresentlywecametoDay\'sLock，whereDickandhistwosittershadwaitedforus。Hewouldhavemegoashore，asiftoshowmesomethingwhichIhadneverseenbefore；andnothinglothIfollowedhim，Ellenbymyside，tothewell-rememberedDykes，andthelongchurchbeyondthem，whichwasstillusedforvariouspurposesbythegoodfolkofDorchester:where，bytheway，thevillageguest-housestillhadthesignoftheFleur-de-lucewhichitusedtobearinthedayswhenhospitalityhadtobeboughtandsold。Thistime，however，Imadenosignofallthisbeingfamiliartome:thoughaswesatforawhileonthemoundoftheDykeslookingupatSinodunanditsclear-cuttrench，anditssister_mamelon_ofWhittenham，IfeltsomewhatuncomfortableunderEllen\'sseriousattentivelook，whichalmostdrewfrommethecry，“Howlittleanythingischangedhere！“
WestoppedagainatAbington，which，likeWallingford，wasinawaybotholdandnewtome，sinceithadbeenliftedoutofitsnineteenth-centurydegradation，andotherwisewasaslittlealteredasmightbe。
SunsetwasintheskyasweskirtedOxfordbyOseney；westoppedaminuteortwohardbytheancientcastletoputHenryMorsomashore。
Itwasamatterofcoursethatsofarastheycouldbeseenfromtheriver，Imissednoneofthetowersandspiresofthatoncedon-beriddencity；butthemeadowsallroundwhich，whenIhadlastpassedthroughthem，weregettingdailymoreandmoresqualid，moreandmoreimpressedwiththesealofthe“stirandintellectuallifeofthenineteenthcentury，“werenolongerintellectual，buthadonceagainbecomeasbeautifulastheyshouldbe，andthelittlehillofHinksey，withtwoorthreeveryprettystonehousesnew-grownonitI
usethewordadvisedly；fortheyseemedtobelongtoitlookeddownhappilyonthefullstreamsandwavinggrass，greynow，butforthesunset，withitsfast-ripeningseeds。
Therailwayhavingdisappeared，andtherewiththevariouslevelbridgesoverthestreamsofThames，weweresoonthroughMedleyLockandinthewidewaterthatwashesPortMeadow，withitsnumerouspopulationofgeesenowisediminished；andIthoughtwithinteresthowitsnameandusehadsurvivedfromtheolderimperfectcommunalperiod，throughthetimeoftheconfusedstruggleandtyrannyoftherightsofproperty，intothepresentrestandhappinessofcompleteCommunism。
IwastakenashoreagainatGodstow，toseetheremainsoftheoldnunnery，prettynearlyinthesameconditionasIhadrememberedthem；
andfromthehighbridgeoverthecutcloseby，Icouldsee，eveninthetwilight，howbeautifulthelittlevillagewithitsgreystonehouseshadbecome；forwehadnowcomeintothestone-country，inwhicheveryhousemustbeeitherbuilt，wallsandroof，ofgreystoneorbeablotonthelandscape。
Westillrowedonafterthis，Ellentakingthescullsinmyboat；wepassedaweiralittlehigherup，andaboutthreemilesbeyonditcamebymoonlightagaintoalittletown，wherewesleptatahousethinlyinhabited，asitsfolkweremostlytentedinthehay-fields。
Chapter28
TheLittleRiverWestartedbeforesixo\'clockthenextmorning，aswewerestilltwenty-fivemilesfromourresting-place，andDickwantedtobetherebeforedusk。Thejourneywaspleasant，thoughtothosewhodonotknowtheupperThames，thereislittletosayaboutit。EllenandIwereoncemoretogetherinherboat，thoughDick，forfairness\'sake，wasforhavingmeinhis，andlettingthetwowomenscullthegreentoy。
Ellen，however，wouldnotallowthis，butclaimedmeastheinterestingpersonofthecompany。“Afterhavingcomesofar，“saidshe，“Iwillnotbeputoffwithacompanionwhowillalwaysbethinkingofsomebodyelsethanme:theguestistheonlypersonwhocanamusemeproperly。Imeanthatreally，“saidshe，turningtome，“andhavenotsaiditmerelyasaprettysaying。“
Clarablushedandlookedveryhappyatallthis；forIthinkuptothistimeshehadbeenratherfrightenedofEllen。AsformeIfeltyoungagain，andstrangehopesofmyyouthwereminglingwiththepleasureofthepresent；almostdestroyingit，andquickeningitintosomethinglikepain。
Aswepassedthroughtheshortandwindingreachesofthenowquicklylesseningstream，Ellensaid:“Howpleasantthislittleriveristome，whoamusedtoagreatwidewashofwater；italmostseemsasifweshallhavetostopateveryreach-end。IexpectbeforeIgethomethiseveningIshallhaverealisedwhatalittlecountryEnglandis，sincewecansosoongettotheendofitsbiggestriver。“
“Itisnotbig，“saidI，“butitispretty。“
“Yes，“shesaid，“anddon\'tyoufinditdifficulttoimaginethetimeswhenthisprettycountrywastreatedbyitsfolkasifithadbeenanuglycharacterlesswaste，withnodelicatebeautytobeguarded，withnoheedtakenoftheeverfreshpleasureoftherecurringseasons，andchangefulweather，anddiversequalityofthesoil，andsoforth？Howcouldpeoplebesocrueltothemselves？“
“Andtoeachother，“saidI。Thenasuddenresolutiontookholdofme，andIsaid:“Dearneighbour，ImayaswelltellyouatoncethatI
finditeasiertoimagineallthatuglypastthanyoudo，becauseI
myselfhavebeenpartofit。Iseeboththatyouhavedivinedsomethingofthisinme；andalsoIthinkyouwillbelievemewhenI
tellyouofit，sothatIamgoingtohidenothingfromyouatall。“
Shewassilentalittle，andthenshesaid:“Myfriend，youhaveguessedrightaboutme；andtotellyouthetruthIhavefollowedyouupfromRunnymedeinorderthatImightaskyoumanyquestions，andbecauseIsawthatyouwerenotoneofus；andthatinterestedandpleasedme，andIwantedtomakeyouashappyasyoucouldbe。Tosaythetruth，therewasariskinit，“saidshe，blushing——“ImeanastoDickandClara；forImusttellyou，sincewearegoingtobesuchclosefriends，thatevenamongstus，wheretherearesomanybeautifulwomen，Ihaveoftentroubledmen\'smindsdisastrously。ThatisonereasonwhyIwaslivingalonewithmyfatherinthecottageatRunnymede。Butitdidnotansweronthatscore；forofcoursepeoplecamethere，astheplaceisnotadesert，andtheyseemedtofindmeallthemoreinterestingforlivingalonelikethat，andfelltomakingstoriesofmetothemselves——likeIknowyoudid，myfriend。
Well，letthatpass。Thisevening，orto-morrowmorning，Ishallmakeaproposaltoyoutodosomethingwhichwouldpleasemeverymuch，andIthinkwouldnothurtyou。“
Ibrokeineagerly，sayingthatIwoulddoanythingintheworldforher；forindeed，inspiteofmyyearsandthetooobvioussignsofthemthoughthatfeelingofrenewedyouthwasnotamerepassingsensation，Ithink——inspiteofmyyears，Isay，Ifeltaltogethertoohappyinthecompanyofthisdelightfulgirl，andwaspreparedtotakeherconfidencesformorethantheymeantperhaps。
Shelaughednow，butlookedverykindlyonme。“Well，“shesaid，“meantimeforthepresentwewillletitbe；forImustlookatthisnewcountrythatwearepassingthrough。Seehowtheriverhaschangedcharacteragain:itisbroadnow，andthereachesarelongandveryslow-running。Andlook，thereisaferry！“
Itoldherthenameofit，asIslowedofftoputtheferry-chainoverourheads；andonwewentpassingbyabankcladwithoaktreesonourlefthand，tillthestreamnarrowedagainanddeepenedandwerowedonbetweenwallsoftallreeds，whosepopulationofreedsparrowsandwarblersweredelighfullyrestless，twitteringandchucklingasthewashoftheboatsstirredthereedsfromthewaterupwardinthestill，hotmorning。
Shesmiledwithpleasure，andherlazyenjoymentofthenewsceneseemedtobringoutherbeautydoublyassheleanedbackamidstthecushions，thoughshewasfarfromlanguid；heridlenessbeingtheidlenessofaperson，strongandwell-knitbothinbodyandminddeliberatelyresting。
“Look！“shesaid，springingupsuddenlyfromherplacewithoutanyobviouseffort，andbalancingherselfwithexquisitegraceandease；
“lookatthebeautifuloldbridgeahead！“
“Ineedscarcelylookatthat，“saidI，notturningmyheadawayfromherbeauty。“Iknowwhatitis；though“withasmile“weusedtocallittheOldBridgetimeagone。“
Shelookedonmekindly，andsaid，“Howwellwegetonnowyouarenolongeronyourguardagainstme！“
Andshestoodlookingthoughtfullyatmestill，tillshehadtositdownaswepassedunderthemiddleoneoftherowoflittlepointedarchesoftheoldestbridgeacrosstheThames。
“Othebeautifulfields！“shesaid；“Ihadnoideaofthecharmofaverysmallriverlikethis。Thesmallnessofthescaleofeverything，theshortreaches，andthespeedychangeofthebanks，giveoneafeelingofgoingsomewhere，ofcomingtosomethingstrange，afeelingofadventurewhichIhavenotfeltinbiggerwaters。“
Ilookedatherdelightedly；forhervoice，sayingtheverythingthatIwasthinking，waslikeacaresstome。Shecaughtmyeyeandhercheeksreddenedundertheirtan，andshesaidsimply:
“Imusttellyou，myfriend，thatwhenmyfatherleavestheThamesthissummerhewilltakemeawaytoaplaceneartheRomanwallinCumberland；sothatthisvoyageofmineisfarewelltothesouth；ofcoursewithmygoodwillinaway；andyetIamsorryforit。Ihadn\'tthehearttotellDickyesterdaythatwewereasgoodasgonefromtheThames-side；butsomehowtoyouImustneedstellit。“
Shestoppedandseemedverythoughtfulforawile，andthensaid，smiling:
“ImustsaythatIdon\'tlikemovingaboutfromonehometoanother；
onegetssopleasantlyusedtoallthedetailofthelifeaboutone；
itfitssoharmoniouslyandhappilyintoone\'sownlife，thatbeginningagain，eveninasmallway，isakindofpain。ButIdaresayinthecountrywhichyoucomefrom，youwouldthinkthispettyandunadventurousandwouldthinktheworseofmeforit。“
Shesmiledatmecaressinglyasshespoke，andImadehastetoanswer:
“Ono，indeed；againyouechomyverythoughts。ButIhardlyexpectedtohearyouspeakso。IgatheredfromallIhaveheardthattherewasagreatdealofchangingofabodeamongstyouinthiscountry。“
“Well，“shesaid，“ofcoursepeoplearefreetomoveabout；butexceptforpleasure-parties，especiallyinharvestandhay-time，likethisofours，Idon\'tthinktheydosomuch。IadmitthatIalsohaveothermoodsthanthatofstay-at-home，asIhintedjustnow，andIshouldliketogowithyouallthroughthewestcountry——thinkingofnothing，“concludedshe，smiling。
“Ishouldhaveplentytothinkof，“saidI。
Chapter29
AResting-PlaceontheUpperThamesPresentlyataplacewheretheriverflowedroundaheadlandofthemeadows，westoppedawhileforrestandvictuals，andsettledourselvesonabeautifulbankwhichalmostreachedthedignityofahill-side:thewidemeadowsspreadbeforeus，andalreadythescythewasbusyamidstthehay。OnechangeInoticedamidstthequietbeautyofthefields——towit，thattheywereplantedwithtreeshereandthere，oftenfruit-trees，andthattherewasnoneoftheniggardlybegrudgingofspacetoahandsometreewhichIrememberedtoowell；
andthoughthewillowswereoftenpolledorshrowded，astheycallitinthecountryside，thiswasdonewithsomeregardtobeauty:Imeanthattherewasnopollingofrowsonrowssoastodestroythepleasantnessofhalfamileofcountry，butathoughtfulsequenceinthecutting，thatpreventedasuddenbarenessanywhere。Tobeshort，thefieldswereeverywheretreatedasagardenmadeforthepleasureaswellasthelivelihoodofall，asoldHammondtoldmewsthecase。
Onthisbankorbentofthehill，then，wehadourmiddaymeal；
somewhatearlyfordinner，ifthatmattered，butwehadbeenstirringearly:theslenderstreamoftheThameswindingbelowusbetweenthegardenofacountryIhavebeentellingof；afurlongfromuswasabeautifullittleisletbegrownwithgracefultrees；ontheslopeswestwardofuswasawoodofvariedgrowthoverhangingthenarrowmeadowonthesouthsideoftheriver；whiletothenorthwasawidestretchofmeadrisingverygraduallyfromtheriver\'sedge。A
delicatespireofanancientbuildingroseupfromoutofthetreesinthemiddledistance，withafewgreyhousesclusteredaboutit；whilenearertous，infactnothalfafurlongfromthewaterwasaquitemodernstonehouse——awidequadrangleofonestory，thebuildingsthatmadeitbeingquitelow。Therewasnogardenbetweenitandtheriver，nothingbutarowofpear-treesstillquiteyoungandslender；andthoughtheredidnotseemtobemuchornamentaboutit，ithadasortofnaturalelegance，likethatofthetreesthemselves。
AswesatlookingdownonallthisinthesweetJuneday，ratherhappythanmerry，Ellen，whosatnextme，herhandclaspedaboutoneknee，leanedsidewaystome，andsaidinalowvoicewhichDickandClaramighthavenotediftheyhadnotbeenbusyinhappywordlesslove-making:“Friend，inyourcountrywerethehousesofyourfield-labourersanythinglikethat？“
Isaid:“Well，atanyratethehousesofourrichmenwerenot；theyweremereblotsuponthefaceoftheland。“
“Ifindthathardtounderstand，“shesaid。“Icanseewhytheworkmen，whoweresooppressed，shouldnothavebeenabletoliveinbeautifulhouses；forittakestimeandleisure，andmindsnotover-burdenedwithcare，tomakebeautifuldwellings；andIquiteunderstandthatthesepoorpeoplewerenotallowedtoliveinsuchawayastohavethesetousnecessarygoodthings。Butwhytherichmenwhohadthetimeandtheleisureandthematerialsforbuilding，asitwouldbeinthiscase，shouldnothavehousedthemselveswell，I
donotunderstandasyet。Iknowwhatyouaresayingtome，“shesaid，lookingmefullintheeyesandblushing，“towitthattheirhousesandallbelongingtothemweregenerallyuglyandbase，unlesstheychancedtobeancientlikeyonderremnantofourforefathers\'work“
pointingtothespire；“thattheywere——letmesee；whatistheword？“
“Vulgar，“saidI。“Weusedtosay，“saidI，“thattheuglinessandvulgarityoftherichmen\'sdwellingswasanecessaryreflectionfromthesordidnessandbarenessoflifewhichtheyforceduponthepoorpeople。“
Sheknitherbrowsasinthought；thenturnedabrightenedfaceonme，asifshehadcaughttheidea，andsaid:“Yes，friend，Iseewhatyoumean。Wehavesometimes——thoseofuswholookintothesethings——talkedthisverymatterover；because，tosaythetruth，wehaveplentyofrecordoftheso-calledartsofthetimebeforeEqualityofLife；andtherearenotwantingpeoplewhosaythatthestateofthatsocietywasnotthecauseofallthatugliness；thattheywereuglyintheirlifebecausetheylikedtobe，andcouldhavehadbeautifulthingsaboutthemiftheyhadchosen；justasamanorabodyofmennowmay，iftheyplease，makethingsmoreorlessbeautiful——Stop！Iknowwhatyouaregoingtosay。“
“Doyou？“saidI，smiling，yetwithabeatingheart。
“Yes，“shesaid；“youareansweringme，teachingme，insomewayoranother，althoughyouhavenotspokenthewordsaloud。Youaregoingtosaythatintimesofinequalityitwasanessentialconditionofthelifeoftheserichmenthattheyshouldnotthemselvesmakewhattheywantedfortheadornmentoftheirlives，butshouldforcethosetomakethemwhomtheyforcedtolivepinchedandsordidlives；andthatasanecessaryconsequencethesordidnessandpinching，theuglybarrennessofthoseruinedlives，wereworkedupintotheadornmentofthelivesoftherich，andartdiedoutamongstmen？Wasthatwhatyouwouldsay，myfriend？“
“Yes，yes，“Isaid，lookingathereagerly；forshehadrisenandwasstandingontheedgeofthebent，thelightwindstirringherdaintyraiment，onehandlaidonherbosom，theotherarmstretcheddownwardandclenchedinherearnestness。
“Itistrue，“shesaid，“itistrue！Wehaveproveditistrue！“
Ithinkamidstmy——somethingmorethaninterestinher，andadmirationforher，Iwasbeginningtowonderhowitwouldallend。Ihadaglimmeringoffearofwhatmightfollow；ofanxietyastotheremedywhichthisnewagemightofferforthemissingofsomethingonemightsetone\'shearton。ButnowDickrosetohisfeetandcriedoutinhisheartymanner:“NeighbourEllen，areyouquarrelingwiththeguest，orareyouworryinghimtotellyouthingswhichhecannotproperlyexplaintoyourignorance？“
“Neither，dearneighbour，“shesaid。“IwassofarfromquarrelingwithhimthatIthinkIhavebeenmakinghimgoodfriendsbothwithhimselfandme。Isthatso，dearguest？“shesaid，lookingdownatmewithadelightfulsmileofconfidenceinbeingunderstood。
“Indeeditis，“saidI。
“Well，moreover，“shesaid，“Imustsayforhimthathehasexplainedhimselftomeverywellindeed，sothatIquiteunderstandhim。“
“Allright，“quothDick。“WhenIfirstseteyesonyouatRunnymedeI
knewthattherewassomethingwonderfulinyourkeennessofwits。I
don\'tsaythatasamereprettyspeechtopleaseyou，“saidhequickly，“butbecauseitistrue；anditmademewanttoseemoreofyou。But，come，weoughttobegoing；forwearenothalfway，andweoughttobeinwellbeforesunset。“
AndtherewithhetookClara\'shand，andledherdownthebent。ButEllenstoodthoughtfullylookingdownforalittle，andasItookherhandtofollowDick，sheturnedroundtomeandsaid:
“Youmighttellmeagreatdealandmakemanythingscleartome，ifyouwould。“
“Yes，“saidI，“Iamprettywellfitforthat，——andfornothingelse——anoldmanlikeme。“
Shedidnotnoticethebitternesswhich，whetherIlikeditornot，wasinmyvoiceasIspoke，butwenton:“Itisnotsomuchformyself；Ishouldbequitecontenttodreamaboutpasttimes，andifI
couldnotidealisethem，yetatleastidealisesomeofthepeoplewholivedinthem。ButIthinksometimespeoplearetoocarelessofthehistoryofthepast——tooapttoleaveitinthehandsofoldlearnedmenlikeHammond。Whoknows？happyasweare，timesmayalter；wemaybebittenwithsomeimpulsetowardschange，andmanythingsmayseemtoowonderfulforustoresist，tooexcitingnottocatchat，ifwedonotknowthattheyarebutphasesofwhathasbeenbefore；andwithalruinousdeceitful，andsordid。“
Aswewentslowlydowntowardtheboatsshesaidagain:“Notformyselfalone，dearfriend；Ishallhavechildren；perhapsbeforetheendagoodmany；——Ihopeso。AndthoughofcourseIcannotforceanyspecialkindofknowledgeuponthem，yet，myfriend，Icannothelpbutthinkingthatjustastheymightbelikemeinbody，soImightimpressuponthemsomepartofmywaysofthinking；thatis，indeed，someoftheessentialpartofmyself；thatpartwhichwasnotmeremoods，createdbymattersandeventsroundaboutme。Whatdoyouthink？“
OfonethingIwassure，thatherbeautyandkindnessandeagernesscombined，forcedmetothinkasshedid，whenshewasnotearnestlylayingherselfopentoreceivemythoughts。Isaid，whatatthetimewastrue，thatIthoughtitmostimportant；andpresentlystoodentrancedbythewonderofhergraceasshesteppedintothelightboatandheldoutherhandtome。AndsoonwewentuptheThamesstill——orwhither？
Chapter30
TheJourney\'sEndOnwewent。Inspiteofmynew-bornexcitementaboutEllen，andmygatheringfearofwhereitwouldlandmeIcouldnothelptakingabundantinterestintheconditionoftheriveranditsbanks；allthemoreassheneverseemedwearyofthechangingpicture，butlookedateveryyardofflowerybankandgurglingeddywiththesameaffectionateinterestwhichImyselfoncehadsofully，asIusedtothink，andperhapshadnotaltogetherlosteveninthisstrangelychangedsocietywithallitswonders。Ellenseemeddelightedwithmypleasureatthis，that，ortheotherpieceofcarefulnessindealingwiththeriver:thenursingofprettycorners；theingenuityindealingwithdifficultiesofwater-engineeringsothatthemostobviouslyusefulworkslookedbeautifulandnaturalalso。Allthis，I
say，pleasedmehugely，andshewaspleasedatmypleasure——butratherpuzzledtoo。
“Youseemastonished，“shesaid，justafterwehadpassedamill*
whichspannedallthestreamsavethewaterwayfortraffic，butwhichwasasbeautifulinitswayasaGothiccathedral——“youseemastonishedatthisbeingsopleasanttolookat。“
*IshouldhavesaidthatallalongtheThamestherewereabundanceofmillsusedforvariouspurposes；noneofwhichwereinanydegreeunsightly，andmanystrikinglybeautiful；andthegardensaboutthemmarvelsofloveliness。
“Yes，“Isaid，“inawayIam；thoughIdon\'tseewhyitshouldnotbe。“
“Ah！“shesaid，lookingatmeadmiringly，yetwithalurkingsmileinherface，“youknowallaboutthehistoryofthepast。Weretheynotalwayscarefulaboutthislittlestreamwhichnowaddssomuchpleasantnesstothecountryside？Itwouldalwaysbeeasytomanagethislittleriver。Ah！Iforgot，though，“shesaid，ashereyecaughtmine，“inthedayswearethinkingofpleasurewaswhollyneglectedinsuchmatters。Buthowdidtheymanagetheriverinthedaysthatyou——“Livedinwaswhatshewasgoingtosay；butcorrectingherself，said:“inthedaysofwhichyouhaverecord？“
“They_mis_managedit，“quothI。“Uptothefirsthalfofthenineteenthcentury，whenitwasstillmoreorlessofahighwayforthecountrypeople，somecarewastakenoftheriveranditsbanks；
andthoughIdon\'tsupposeanyonetroubledhimselfaboutitsaspect，yetitwastrimandbeautiful。Butwhentherailways——ofwhichnodoubtyouhaveheard——cameintopower，theywouldnotallowthepeopleofthecountrytouseeitherthenaturalorartificialwaterways，ofwhichthelattertherewereagreatmany。Isupposewhenwegethigherupweshallseeoneofthese；averyimportantone，whichoneoftheserailwaysentirelyclosedtothepublic，sothattheymightforcepeopletosendtheirgoodsbytheirprivateroad，andsotaxthemasheavilyastheycould。“
Ellenlaughedheartily。“Well，“，shesaid，“thatisnotstatedclearlyenoughinourhistory-books，anditisworthknowing。Butcertainlythepeopleofthosedaysmusthavebeenacuriouslylazyset。Wearenoteitherfidgetyorquarrelsomenow，butifanyonetriedsuchapieceoffollyonus，weshouldusethesaidwaterways，whoevergainsayedus:surelythatwouldbesimpleenough。However，Irememberothercasesofthisstupidity:whenIwasontheRhinetwoyearsago，Iremembertheyshowedusruinsofoldcastles，which，accordingtowhatweheard，musthavebeenmadeforprettymuchthesamepurposeastherailwayswere。ButIaminterruptingyourhistoryoftheriver:
praygoon。“
“Itisbothshortandstupidenough，“saidI。“Theriverhavinglostitspracticalorcommercialvalue——thatisbeingofnousetomakemoneyof——“
Shenodded。“Iunderstandwhatthatqueerphrasemeans，“saidshe。“Goon！“
“Well，itwasutterlyneglectedtillatlastitbecameanuisance——“
“Yes，“quothEllen，“Iunderstand:liketherailwaysandtherobberbaronknights。Yes？“
“Sothentheyturnedthemakeshiftbusinessontoit，andhandeditovertoabodyupinLondon，whofromtimetotime，inordertoshowthattheyhadsomethingtodo，didsomedamagehereandthere，——cutdowntrees，destroyingthebanksthereby；dredgedtheriverwhereitwasnotneededalways，andthrewthedredglingsonthefieldssoastospoilthem；andsoforth。Butforthemostparttheypractised`masterlyinactivity，\'asitwasthencalled——thatis，theydrewtheirsalaries，andletthingsalone。“
“Drewtheirsalaries，“shesaid。“Iknowthatmeansthattheywereallowedtotakeanextralotofotherpeople\'sgoodsfordoingnothing。Andifthathadbeenall，itreallymighthavebeenworthwhiletoletthemdoso，ifyoucouldn\'tfindanyotherwayofkeepingthemquiet；butitseemstomethatbeingsopaid，theycouldnothelpdoingsomething，andthatsomethingwasboundtobemischief，——because，“saidshe，kindlingwithsuddenanger，“thewholebusinesswasfoundedonliesandfalsepretensions。Idon\'tmeanonlythoseriver-guardians，butallthosemaster-peopleIhavereadof。“
“Yes，“saidI，“howhappyyouaretohavegotoutoftheparsimonyofoppression！“
“Whydoyousigh？“shesaid，kindlyandsomewhatanxiously。“Youseemtothinkthatitwillnotlast？“
“Itwilllastforyou，“quothI。
“Butwhynotforyou？“saidshe。“Surelyitisforalltheworld；andifyourcountryissomewhatbackward，itwillcomeintolinebeforelong。Or，“shesaidquickly，“areyouthinkingthatyoumustsoongobackagain？IwillmakemyproposalwhichItoldyouofatonce，andsoperhapsputanendtoyouranxiety。Iwasgoingtoproposethatyoushouldlivewithuswherewearegoing。Ifeelquiteoldfriendswithyou，andshouldbesorrytoloseyou。“Thenshesmiledonme，andsaid:“Doyouknow，Ibegintosuspectyouofwantingtonurseashamsorrow，liketheridiculouscharactersinsomeofthosequeeroldnovelsthatIhavecomeacrossnowandthen。“
Ireallyhadalmostbeguntosuspectitmyself，butIrefusedtoadmitsomuch；soIsighednomorebutfelltogivingmydelightfulcompanionwhatlittlepiecesofhistoryIknewabouttheriveranditsborderlands；andthetimepassedpleasantlyenough；andbetweenthetwoofusshewasabetterscullerthanIwas，andseemedquitetirelesswekeptupfairlywellwithDick，hotastheafternoonwas，andswallowedupthewayatagreatrate。Atlastwepassedunderanotherancientbridge；andthroughmeadowsborderedatfirstwithhugeelm-treesmingledwithsweetchestnutofyoungerbutveryelegantgrowth；andthemeadowswidenedoutsomuchthatitseemedasifthetreesmustnowbeonthebentsonly，oraboutthehousesexceptforthegrowthofwillowsontheimmediatebanks；sothatthewidestretchofgrasswaslittlebrokenhere。Dickgotverymuchexcitednow，andoftenstoodupintheboattocryouttousthatthiswassuchandsuchafieldandsoforth；andwecaughtfireathisenthusiasmforthehay-fieldanditsharvest，andpulledourbest。
Atlastwewerepassingthroughareachoftheriverwhereonthesideofthetowing-pathwasahighishbankwithathickwhisperingbedofreedsbeforeit，andontheothersideahigherbank，clothedwithwillowsthatdippedintothestreamandcrownedbyancientelm-trees，wesawbrightfigurescomingalongclosetothebank，asiftheywerelookingforsomething；as，indeed，theywere，andwe——thatis，Dickandhiscompany——werewhattheywerelookingfor。Dicklayonhisoars，andwefollowedhisexample。Hegaveajoyousshouttothepeopleonthebank，whichwasechoedbackfromitinmanyvoices，deepandsweetlyshrill；fortherewereaboveadozenpersons，bothmen，women，andchildren。Atallhandsomewoman，withblackwavyhairanddeep-setgreyeyes，cameforwardonthebankandwavedherhandgracefullytous，andsaid:
“Dick，myfriend，wehavealmosthadtowaitforyou？Whatexcusehaveyoutomakeforyourslavishpunctuality？Whydidn\'tyoutakeusbysurprise，andcomeyesterday？“
“O，“saidDick，withanalmostimperceptiblejerkofhisheadtowardourboat，“wedidn；twanttocometooquicklyupthewater；thereissomuchtoseeforthosewhohavenotbeenupherebefore。“
“True，true，“saidthestatelylady，forstatelyisthewordthatmustbeusedforher；“andwewantthemtogettoknowthewetwayfromtheeastthoroughlywell，sincetheymustoftenuseitnow。Butcomeashoreatonce，Dick，andyou，dearneighbours；thereisabreakinthereedsandagoodlanding-placejustroundthecorner。Wecancarryupyourthings，orsendsomeoftheladsafterthem。“
“No，no，“saidDick；“itiseasiergoingbywater，thoughitisbutastep。Besides，Iwanttobringmyfriendheretotheproperplace。WewillgoontotheFord；andyoucantalktousfromthebankaswepaddlealong。“
Hepulledhisscullsthroughthewater，andonwewent，turningasharpangleandgoingnorthalittle。Presentlywesawbeforeusabankofelm-trees，whichtoldusofahouseamidstthem，thoughlookedinvainforthegreywallsthatIexpectedtoseethere。Aswewent，thefolkonthebanktalkedindeed，minglingtheirkindvoiceswiththecuckoo\'ssong，thesweetstrongwhistleoftheblackbirdsandtheceaselessnoteofthecorn-crakeashecreptthroughthelonggrassofthemowing-field；whencecamethewavesoffragrancefromthefloweringcloveramidstoftheripegrass。
Inafewminuteswehadpassedthroughadeepeddyingpoolintothesharpstreamthatranfromtheford，andbeachedourcraftonatinystrandoflimestone-gravel，andsteppedashoreintothearmsofourup-riverfriend，ourjourneydone。
Idisentangledmyselffromthemerrythrong，andmountingonthecart-roadthatranalongtheriversomefeetabovethewater，Ilookedroundaboutme。Therivercamedownthroughawidemeadowonmyleft，whichwasgreynowwiththeripenedseedinggrasses；thegleamingwaterwaslostpresentlybyaturnofthebank，butoverthemeadowI
couldseethemingledgablesofabuildingwhereIknewthelockmustbe，andwhichnowseemedtocombineamillwithit。Alowwoodedridgeboundedtheriver-plaintothesouthandsouth-east，whencewehadcome，andafewlowhouseslayaboutitsfeetandupitsslope。I
turnedalittletomyright，andthroughthehawthornspraysandlongshootsofthewildrosescouldseetheflatcountryspreadingoutfarawayunderthesunofthecalmevening，tillsomethingthatmightbecalledhillswithalookofsheep-pasturesaboutthemboundeditwithasoftblueline。Beforeme，theelm-boughsstillhidmostofwhathousestheremightbeinthisriver-sidedwellingofmen；buttotherightofthecart-roadafewgreybuildingsofthesimplestkindshowedhereandthere。
ThereIstoodinadreamymood，andrubbedmyeyesasifIwerenotwhollyawake，andhalfexpectedtoseethegay-cladcompanyofbeautifulmenandwomenchangetotwoorthreespindle-leggedback-bowedmenandhaggard，hollow-eyed，ill-favouredwomen，whoonceworedownthesoilofthislandwiththeirheavyhopelessfeet，fromdaytoday，andseasontoseason，andyeartoyear。Butnochangecameasyet，andmyheartswelledwithjoyasIthoughtofallthebeautifulgreyvillages，fromtherivertotheplaintotheuplands，whichIcouldpicturetomyselfsowell，allpeoplednowwiththishappyandlovelyfolk，whohadcastawayrichesandattainedtowealth。
Chapter31
AnOldHouseAmongstNewFolkAsIstoodthereEllendetachedherselffromourhappyfriendswhostillstoodonthelittlestrandandcameuptome。Shetookmebythehand，andsaidsoftly，“Takemeontothehouseatonce；weneednotwaitfortheothers:Ihadrathernot。“
IhadamindtosaythatIdidnotknowthewaythither，andthattheriver-sidedwellersshouldlead；butalmostwithoutmywillmyfeetmovedonalongtheroadtheyknew。Theraisedwayledusintoalittlefieldboundedbyabackwateroftheriverononeside；ontherighthandwecouldseeaclusterofsmallhousesandbarns，newandold，andbeforeusagreystonebarnandawallpartlyovergrownwithivy，overwhichafewgreygablesshowed。Thevillageroadendedintheshallowoftheaforesaidbackwater。Wecrossedtheroad，andagainalmostwithoutmywillmyhandraisedthelatchofadoorinthewall，andwestoodpresentlyonastonepathwhichleduptotheoldhousetowhichfateintheshapeofDickhadsostrangelybroughtmeinthisnewworldofmen。Mycompaniongaveasighofpleasedsurpriseandenjoyment；nordidIwonder，forthegardenbetweenthewallandthehousewasredolentoftheJuneflowers，andtheroseswererollingoveroneanotherwiththatdelicioussuper-abundanceofsmallwell-tendedgardenswhichatfirstsighttakesawayallthoughtfromthebeholdersavethatofbeauty。Theblackbirdsweresingingtheirloudest，thedoveswerecooingontheroof-ridge，therooksinthehighelms-treesbeyondweregarrulousamongtheyoungleaves，andtheswiftswheeledwhiningaboutthegables。Andthehouseitselfwasafitguardianforallthebeautyofthisheartofsummer。
OnceagainEllenechoedmythoughtsasshesaid:“Yes，friend，thisiswhatIcameoutfortosee；thismany-gabledoldhousebuiltbythesimplestofcountry-folkofthelong-pasttimes，regardlessofalltheturmoilthatwasgoingonincitiesandcourts，islovelystillamidstallthebeautywhichtheselatterdayshavecreated；andIdonotwonderatourfriendstendingitcarefullyandmakingmuchofit。Itseemstomeasifithadwaitedforthesehappydays，andheldinitthegatheredcrumbsofhappinessoftheconfusedandturbulentpast。“
Sheledmeupclosetothehouse，andlaidhershapelysun-brownedhandandarmonthelichenedwallasiftoembraceitandcriedout，“Ome！Ome！HowIlovetheearth，andtheseasons，andweather，andallthingsthatdealwithit，andallthatgrowsoutofit，——asthishasdone！“
Icouldnotanswerher，orsayaword。Herexultationandpleasureweresokeenandexquisite，andherbeauty，sodelicate，yetsointerfusedwithenergy，expresseditsofully，thatanyaddedwordwouldhavebeencommonplaceandfutile。Idreadedlesttheothersshouldcomeinsuddenlyandbreakthespellshehadcastaboutme；butwestoodthereawhilebythecornerofthebiggableofthehouse，andnoonecame。Iheardthemerryvoicessomewayoffpresently，andknewthattheyweregoingalongtherivertothegreatmeadowontheothersideofthehouseandgarden。
Wedrewbackalittle，andlookedupatthehouse:thedoorandthewindowswereopentothefragrantsun-curedair；fromtheupperwindow-sillshungfestoonsofflowersinhonourofthefestival，asiftheotherssharedinthelovefortheoldhouse。
“Comein，“saidEllen。“Ihopenothingwillspoilitinside；butI
don\'tthinkitwill。Come！wemustgobackpresentlytotheothers。
Theyhavegoneontothetentspitchedforthehaymakers——thehousewouldnotholdatitheofthefolk，Iamsure。“
Sheledmetothedoor，murmuringlittleaboveherbreathasshedidso，“Theearthandthegrowthofitandthelifeofit！IfIcouldbutsayorshowhowIloveit！“
Wewentin，andfoundnosoulinanyroomaswewanderedfromroomtoroom，——fromtherose-coveredporchtothestrangeandquaintgarretsamongstthegreattimbersoftheroof，whereofoldtimethetillersandherdsmenofthemanorslept，butwhicha-nightsseemednow，bythesmallsizeofthebeds，andthelitterofuselessanddisregardedmatters——bunchesofdryingflowers，feathersofbirds，shellsofstarlings\'eggs，caddiswormsinmugs，andthelike——seemedtobeinhabitedforthetimebychildren。
Everywheretherewasbutlittlefurniture，andthatonlythemostnecessary，andofthesimplestforms。TheextravagantloveofornamentwhichIhadnotedinthispeopleelsewhereseemedheretohavegivenplacetothefeelingthatthehouseitselfanditsassociationswastheornamentofthecountrylifeamidstwhichithadbeenleftstrandedfromoldtimes，andthattore-ornamentitwouldbuttakeawayitsuseasapieceofnaturalbeauty。
WesatdownatlastinaroomoverthewallwhichEllenhadcaressed，andwhichwasstillhungwitholdtapestry，originallyofnoartisticvalue，butnowfadedintopleasantgreytoneswhichharmonisedthoroughlywellwiththequietoftheplace，andwhichwouldhavebeenillsupplantedbybrighterandmorestrikingdecoration。
IaskedafewrandomquestionsofEllenaswesatthere，butscarcelylistenedtoheranswersandpresentlybecamesilent，andthenscarceconsciousofanything，butthatIwasthereinthatoldroom，thedovescrooningfromtheroofsofthebarnanddovecotbeyondthewindowoppositetome。
MythoughtreturnedtomeafterwhatIthinkwasbutaminuteortwo，butwhich，asinavividdream，seemedasifithadlastedalongtime，whenIsawEllensitting，lookingallthefulleroflifeandpleasureanddesirefromthecontrastwiththegreyfadedtapestrywithitsfutiledesign，whichwasnowonlybearablebecauseithadgrownsofaintandfeeble。
Shelookedatmekindly，butasifshereadmethroughandthrough。
Shesaid:“Youhavebegunagainyournever-endingcontrastbetweenthepastandthispresent。Isthatnotso？“
“True，“saidI。“Iwasthinkingofwhatyou，withyourcapacityandintelligence，joinedtoyourloveofpleasure，andyourimpatienceofunreasonablerestraint——ofwhatyouwouldhavebeeninthatpast。Andevennow，whenalliswonandhasbeenforalongtime，myheartissickenedwiththinkingofallthewasteoflifethathasgoneonforsomanyyears！“
“Somanycenturies，“shesaid，“somanyages！“
“True，“Isaid；“tootrue，“andsatsilentagain。
Sheroseupandsaid:“Come，Imustnotletyougooffintoadreamagainsosoon。Ifwemustloseyou，Iwantyoutoseeallthatyoucanseefirstbeforeyougobackagain。“
“Loseme？“Isaid——“gobackagain？AmInottogouptotheNorthwithyou？Whatdoyoumean？“
Shesmiledsomewhatsadly，andsaid:“Notyet；wewillnottalkofthatyet。Only，whatwereyouthinkingofjustnow？“
Isaidfalteringly:“Iwassayingtomyself，Thepast，thepresent？
Shouldshenothavesaidthecontrastofthepresentwiththefuture:
ofblinddespairwithhope？“
“Iknewit，“shesaid。Thenshecaughtmyhandandsaidexcitedly，“Comewhilethereisyettime！Come！“andsheledmeoutoftheroom；
andasweweregoingdownstairsandoutofthehouseintothegardenbyalittlesidedoorwhichopenedoutofacuriouslobby，shesaidinacalmvoice，asifshewishedmetoforgethersuddennervousness:
“Come！weoughttojointheothersbeforetheycomeinherelookingforus。Andletmetellyou，myfriend，thatIcanseeyouaretooapttofallintodreamymusing:nodoubtbecauseyouarenotyetusedtoourlifeofreposeamidstofenergy；ofworkwhichispleasureandpleasurewhichiswork。“
Shepausedalittle，andaswecameoutintothelovelygardenagain，shesaid:“Myfriend，youweresayingthatyouwonderedwhatIshouldhavebeenifIhadlivedinthosepastdaysofturmoilandoppression。
Well，IthinkIhavestudiedthehistoryofthemtoknowprettywell。
Ishouldhavebeenoneofthepoor，formyfatherwhenhewasworkingwasameretillerofthesoil。Well，Icouldnothavebornethat；
thereforemybeautyandclevernessandbrightness“shespokewithnoblushorsimperoffalseshame“wouldhavebeensoldtorichmen，andmylifewouldhavebeenwastedindeed；forIknowenoughofthattoknowthatIshouldhavehadnochoice，nopowerofwillovermylife；
andthatIshouldneverhaveboughtpleasurefromtherichmen，orevenopportunityofaction，wherebyImighthavewonsometrueexcitement。Ishouldhavewreckedandwastedinonewayoranother，eitherbypenuryorbyluxury。Isitnotso？“
“Indeeditis，“saidI。
Shewasgoingtosaysomethingelse，whenalittlegateinthefence，whichledintoasmallelm-shadedfield，wasopened，andDickcamewithhastycheerfulnessupthegardenpath，andwaspresentlystandingbetweenus，ahandlaidontheshoulderofeach。Hesaid:“Well，neighbours，Ithoughtyoutwowouldliketoseetheoldhousequietlywithoutacrowdinit。Isn\'titajewelofahouseafteritskind？
Well，comealong，foritisgettingtowardsdinner-time。Perhapsyou，guest，wouldlikeaswimbeforewesitdowntowhatIfancywillbeaprettylongfeast？“
“Yes，“Isaid，“Ishouldlikethat。“
“Well，good-byeforthepresent，neighbourEllen，“saidDick。“HerecomesClaratotakecareofyou，asIfancysheismoreathomeamongstourfriendshere。“
Claracameoutofthefieldsashespoke；andwithonelookatEllenI
turnedandwentwithDick，doubting，ifImustsaythetruthwhetherI
shouldseeheragain。
Chapter32
TheFeast\'sBeginning——TheEndDickbroughtmeatonceintothelittlefieldwhich，asIhadseenfromthegarden，wascoveredwithgaily-colouredtentsarrangedinorderlylanes，aboutwhichweresittingandlyinginthegrasssomefiftyorsixtymen，women，andchildren，allofthemintheheightofgoodtemperandenjoyment——withtheirholidaymoodon，sotosay。
“Youarethinkingthatwedon\'tmakeagreatshowastonumbers，“saidDick；“butyoumustrememberthatweshallhavemoreto-morrow；
becauseinthishaymakingworkthereisroomforagreatmanypeoplewhoarenotover-skilledincountrymatters:andtherearemanywholeadsedentarylives，whomitwouldbeunkindtodepriveoftheirpleasureinthehay-field——scientificmenandclosestudentsgenerally:sothattheskilledworkmen，outsidethosewhoarewantedasmowers，andforemenofthehaymaking，standaside，andtakealittledownrightrest，whichyouknowisgoodforthem，whethertheylikeitornot:orelsetheygotoothercountrysides，asIamdoinghere。Yousee，thescientificmenandhistorians，andstudentsgenerally，willnotbewantedtillwearefairlyinthemidstoftedding，whichofcoursewillnotbetillthedayafterto-morrow。“
Withthathebroughtmeoutofthelittlefieldontoakindofcausewayabovetheriversidemeadow，andthenceturningtotheleftontoapaththroughthemowinggrass，whichwasthickandverytall，ledontillwecametotheriverabovetheweiranditsmill。Therewehadadelightfulswiminthebroadpieceofwaterabovethelock，wheretheriverlookedmuchbiggerthanitsnaturalsizefromitsbeingdammedupbytheweir。
“Nowweareinafitmoodfordinner，“saidDick，whenwehaddressedandweregoingthroughthegrassagain；“andcertainlyofallthecheerfulmealsintheyear，thisoneofhayselisthecheerfullest；
notevenexceptingthecorn-harvestfeast；forthentheyearisbeginningtofail，andonecannothelphavingafeelingbehindallthegaiety，ofthecomingofthedarkdays，andtheshornfieldsandemptygardens；andthespringisalmosttoofarofftolookforwardto。Itis，then，intheautumn，whenonealmostbelievesindeath。“
“Howstrangelyyoutalk，“saidI，“ofsuchaconstantlyrecurringandconsequentlycommonplacematterasthesequenceoftheseasons。“Andindeedthesepeoplewerelikechildrenaboutsuchthings，andhadwhatseemedtomeaquiteexaggeratedinterestintheweather，afineday，adarknight，orabrilliantone，andthelike。
“Strangely？“saidhe。“Isitstrangetosympathisewiththeyearanditsgainsandlosses？“
“Atanyrate，“saidI，“ifyoulookuponthecourseoftheyearasabeautifulandinterestingdrama，whichiswhatIthinkyoudo，youshouldbeasmuchpleasedandinterestedwiththewinteranditstroubleandpainaswiththiswonderfulsummerluxury。“
“AndamInot？“saidDick，ratherwarmly；“onlyIcan\'tlookuponitasifIweresittinginatheatreseeingtheplaygoingonbeforeme，myselftakingnopartofit。Itisdifficult，“saidhe，smilinggood-humouredly，“foranon-literarymanlikemetoexplainmyselfproperly，likethatdeargirlEllenwould；butImeanthatIampartofitall，andfeelthepainwaswellasthepleasureinmyownperson。Itisnotdoneformebysomebodyelse，merelythatImayeatanddrinkandsleep；butImyselfdomyshareofit。“
Inhiswayalso，asElleninhers，IcouldseethatDickhadthatpassionateloveoftheearthwhichwascommontobutfewpeopleatleast，inthedaysIknew；inwhichtheprevailingfeelingamongstintellectualpersonswasakindofsourdistasteforthechangingdramaoftheyear，forthelifeofearthanditsdealingswithmen。
Indeed，inthosedaysitwasthoughtpoeticandimaginativetolookuponlifeasathingtobeborne，ratherthanenjoyed。
SoImusedtillDick\'slaughbroughtmebackintotheOxfordshirehay-fields。“Onethingseemsstrangetome，“saidhe——“thatImustneedstroublemyselfaboutthewinteranditsscantiness，inthemidstofthesummerabundance。Ifithadn\'thappenedtomebefore，Ishouldhavethoughtitwasyourdoing，guest；thatyouhadthrownakindofevilcharmoverme。Now，youknow，“saidhe，suddenly，“that\'sonlyajoke，soyoumustn\'ttakeittoheart。“
“Allright，“saidI；“Idon\'t。“YetIdidfeelsomewhatuneasyathiswords，afterall。
Wecrossedthecausewaythistime，anddidnotturnbacktothehouse，butwentalongapathbesideafieldofwheatnowalmostreadytoblossom。Isaid:“Wedonotdineinthehouseorgarden，then？forI
canseethatthehousesaremostlyverysmall。“
“Yes，“saidDick，“youareright，theyaresmallinthiscountryside:
therearesomanygoodoldhousesleft，thatpeopledwellagooddealinsuchsmalldetachedhouses。Astoourdinner，wearegoingtohaveourfeastinthechurch。Iwish，foryoursake，itwereasbigandhandsomeasthatoftheoldRomantowntothewest，ortheforesttowntothenorth；*but，however，itwillholdusall；andthoughitisalittlething，itisbeautifulinitsway。“
*CirencesterandBurfordhemusthavemeant。
Thiswassomewhatnewtome，thisdinnerinachurch，andIthoughtofthechurch-alesoftheMiddleAges；butIsaidnothing，andpresentlywecameoutintotheroadwhichranthroughthevillage。Dicklookedupanddownit，andseeingonlytwostragglinggroupsbeforeus，said:
“Itseemsasifwemustbesomewhatlate；theyareallgoneon；andtheywillbesuretomakeapointofwaitingforyou，astheguestofguests，sinceyoucomefromsofar。“
Hehastenedashespoke，andIkeptupwithhim，andpresentlywecametoalittleavenueoflime-treeswhichledusstraighttothechurchporch，fromwhoseopendoorcamethesoundofcheerfulvoicesandlaughter，andvariedmerriment。
“Yes，“saidDick，“it\'sthecoolestplaceforonething，thishotevening。Comealong；theywillgegladtoseeyou。“
Indeed，inspiteofmybath，Ifelttheweathermoresultryandoppressivethanonanydayofourjourneyyet。
Wewentintothechurch，whichwasasimplelittlebuildingwithonelittleaisledividedfromthenavebythreeroundedarches，achancel，andaratherroomytranseptforsosmallabuilding，thewindowsmostlyofthegracefulOxfordshirefourteenth-centurytype。Therewasnomodernarchitecturaldecorationinit；itlooked，indeed，asifnonehadbeenattemptedsincethePuritanswhitewashedthemediaevalsaintsandhistoriesonthewall。Itwas，however，gailydressedupforthislatter-dayfestival，withfestoonsofflowersfromarchtoarchandgreatpitchersofflowersstandingaboutonthefloor；whileunderthewestwindoehungtwocrossscythes，theirbladespolishedwhite，andgleamingfromoutoftheflowersthatwreathedthem。Butitsbestornamentwasthecrowdofhandsome，happy-lookingmenandwomenthatweresetdowntotable，andwho，withtheirbrightfacesandrichhairovertheirgayholidayraiment，looked，asthePersianpoetputsit，likeabedoftulipsinthesun。Thoughthechurchwasasmallone，therewasplentyofroom；forasmallchurchmakesabiggishhouse；andonthiseveningtherewasnoneedtosetcrosstablesalongthetransepts；thoughdoubtlessthesewouldbewantednextday，whenthelearnedmenofwhomDickhasbeenspeakingshouldbecometotaketheirmorehumblepartinthehaymaking。
Istoodonthethresholdwiththeexpectantsmileonmyfaceofamanwhoisgoingtotakepartinafestivitywhichheisreallypreparedtoenjoy。Dick，standingbyme，waslookingroundthecompanywithanairofproprietorshipinthem，Ithought。OppositemesatClaraandEllen，withDick\'splaceopenbetweenthem:theyweresmiling，buttheirbeautifulfaceswereeachturnedtowardstheneighboursoneitherside，whoweretalkingtothem，andtheydidnotseemtoseeme。IturnedtoDick，expectinghimtoleadmeforward，andheturnedhisfacetome；butstrangetosay，thoughitwasassmilingandcheerfulasever，itmadenoresponsetomyglance——nay，heseemedtotakenoheedatallofmypresence，andInoticedthatnoneofthecompanylookedatme。Apangshotthroughme，asofsomedisasterlongexpectedandsuddenlyrealised。Dickmovedonalittlewithoutawordtome。Iwasnotthreeyardsfromthetwowomenwho，thoughtheyhadbeenmycompanionsforsuchashorttime，hadreally，asIthought，becomemyfriends。Clara\'sfacewasturnedfulluponmenow，butshealsodidnotseemtoseeme，thoughIknowIwastryingtocatchhereyewithanappealinglook。IturnedtoEllen，andshe_did_seemtorecognisemeforaninstant；butherbrightfaceturnedsaddirectly，andsheshookherheadwithamournfullook，andthenextmomentallconsciousnessofmypresencehadfadedfromherface。
Ifeltlonelyandsickatheartpastthepowerofwordstodescribe。I
hungaboutaminutelonger，andthenturnedandwentoutoftheporchagainandthroughthelime-avenueintotheroadwhileblackbirdssangtheirstrongestfromthebushesaboutmeinthehotJuneevening。
OncemorewithoutanyconsciouseffortofwillIsetmyfacetowardtheoldhousebytheford，butasIturnedroundthecornerwhichledtotheremainsofthevillagecross，Icameuponafigurestrangelycontrastingwiththejoyous，beautifulpeopleIhadleftbehindinthechurch。Itwasamanwholookedold，butwhomIknewfromhabit，nowhalf-forgotten，wasreallynotmuchmorethanfifty。Hisfacewasrugged，andgrimedratherthandirty；hiseyesdullandbleared；hisbodybent，hiscalvesthinandspindly，hisfeetdraggingandlimping。
Hisclothingwasamixtureofdirtandragslongover-familiartome。
AsIpassedhimhetouchedhishatwithsomerealgoodwillandcourtesy，andmuchservility。
Inexpressiblyshocked，Ihurriedpasthimandhastenedalongtheroadthatledtotheriverandthelowerendofthevillage；butsuddenlyI
sawasitwereablackcloudrollingalongtomeetme，likeanightmareofmychildishdays；andforawhileIwasconsciousofnothingelsethanbeinginthedark，andwhetherIwaswalking，orsitting，orlyingdown，Icouldnottell。
IlayinmybedinmyhouseatdingyHammersmiththinkingaboutitall；andtryingtoconsiderifIwasoverwhelmedwithdespairatfindingIhadbeendreamingadream；andstrangetosay，IfoundthatIwasnotsodespairing。
Orindeed_was_itadream？Ifso，whywasIsoconsciousallalongthatIwasreallyseeingallthatnewlifefromtheoutside，stillwrappedupintheprejudices，theanxietiesthedistrustofthistimeofdoubtandstruggle？
Allalong，thoughthosefriendsweresorealtome，IhadbeenfeelingasifIhadnobusinessamongstthem:asthoughthetimewouldcomewhentheywouldrejectme，andsay，asEllen\'slastmournfullookseemedtosay，“No，itwillnotdo；youcannotbeofus；youbelongsoentirelytotheunhappinessofthepastthatourhappinessevenwouldwearyyou。Gobackagain，nowyouhaveseenus，andyouroutwardeyeshavelearnedthatinspiteofalltheinfalliblemaximsofyourdaythereisyetatimeofrestinstorefortheworld，whenmasteryhaschangedintofellowship——butnotbefore。Gobackagain，then，andwhileyouliveyouwillseeallroundyoupeopleengagedinmakingothersliveliveswhicharenottheirown，whiletheythemselvescarenothingfortheirownreallives——menwhohatelifethoughtheyfeardeath。Gobackandbethehappierforhavingseenus，forhavingaddedalittlehopetoyourstruggle。Goonlivingwhileyoumay，striving，withwhatsoeverpainandlabourneedsmustbe，tobuilduplittlebylittlethenewdayoffellowship，andrest，andhappiness。“
Yes，surely！andifotherscanseeitasIhaveseenit，thenitmaybecalledavisionratherthanadream。
THEEND