Claralookedatherloverclosely。Therewassomethinginhim，shehated，asortofdetachedcriticismofherself，acoldness，whichmadeherwoman’ssoulhardenagainsthim。
“Andwhatareyougoingtodo？”sheasked。
“How？”
“AboutBaxter。”
“There’snothingtodo，isthere？”hereplied。
“Youcanfighthimifyouhaveto，Isuppose？”shesaid。
“No;Ihaven’ttheleastsenseofthe’fist’。It’sfunny。
Withmostmenthere’stheinstincttoclenchthefistandhit。
It’snotsowithme。Ishouldwantaknifeorapistolorsomething，tofightwith。”
“Thenyou’dbettercarrysomething，“shesaid。
“Nay，“helaughed;“I’mnotdaggeroso。”
“Buthe’lldosomethingtoyou。Youdon’tknowhim。”
“Allright，“hesaid，“we’llsee。”
“Andyou’lllethim？”
“Perhaps，ifIcan’thelpit。”
“Andifhekillsyou？”shesaid。
“Ishouldbesorry，forhissakeandmine。”
Clarawassilentforamoment。
“YouDOmakemeangry！”sheexclaimed。
“That’snothingafresh，“helaughed。
“Butwhyareyousosilly？，Youdon’tknowhim。”
“Anddon’twant。”
“Yes，butyou’renotgoingtoletamandoashelikeswithyou？”
“WhatmustIdo？”hereplied，laughing。
“Ishouldcarryarevolver，“shesaid。”I’msurehe’sdangerous。”
“Imightblowmyfingersoff，“hesaid。
“No;butwon’tyou？”shepleaded。
“No。”
“Notanything？”
“No。”
“Andyou’llleavehimto——？”
“Yes。”
“Youareafool！”
“Fact！”
Shesetherteethwithanger。
“IcouldSHAKEyou！”shecried，tremblingwithpassion。
“Why？”
“LetamanlikeHIMdoashelikeswithyou。”
“Youcangobacktohimifhetriumphs，“hesaid。
“Doyouwantmetohateyou？”sheasked。
“Well，Ionlytellyou，“hesaid。
“AndYOUsayyouLOVEme！”sheexclaimed，lowandindignant。
“OughtItoslayhimtopleaseyou？”hesaid。”ButifIdid，seewhataholdhe’dhaveoverme。”
“DoyouthinkI’mafool！”sheexclaimed。
“Notatall。Butyoudon’tunderstandme，mydear。”
Therewasapausebetweenthem。
“ButyououghtNOTtoexposeyourself，“shepleaded。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。
“’Themaninrighteousnessarrayed，Thepureandblamelessliver，NeedsnotthekeenToledoblade，Norvenom-freightedquiver，’“
hequoted。
Shelookedathimsearchingly。
“IwishIcouldunderstandyou，“shesaid。
“There’ssimplynothingtounderstand，“helaughed。
Shebowedherhead，brooding。
HedidnotseeDawesforseveraldays;thenonemorningashe，ranupstairsfromtheSpiralroomhealmostcollidedwiththeburly，metal-worker。
“Whatthe——！”criedthesmith。
“Sorry！”saidPaul，andpassedon。
“SORRY！”sneeredDawes。
Paulwhistledlightly，“PutMeamongtheGirls“。
“I’llstopyourwhistle，myjockey！”hesaid。
Theothertooknonotice。
“You’regoin’toanswerforthatjoboftheothernight。”
Paulwenttohisdeskinhiscorner，andturnedovertheleaves，oftheledger。
“GoandtellFannyIwantorder097，quick！”hesaidtohisboy。
Dawesstoodinthedoorway，tallandthreatening，lookingat，thetopoftheyoungman’shead。
“Sixandfive’selevenandseven’sone-and-six，“Pauladdedaloud。
“An’youhear，doyou！”saidDawes。
“FIVEANDNINEPENCE！”Hewroteafigure。”What’sthat？”
hesaid。
“I’mgoingtoshowyouwhatitis，“saidthesmith。
Theotherwentonaddingthefiguresaloud。
“Yercrawlin’little——，yerdaresn’tfacemeproper！”
Paulquicklysnatchedtheheavyruler。Dawesstarted。
Theyoungmanruledsomelinesinhisledger。Theelderman，wasinfuriated。
“ButwaittillIlightonyou，nomatterwhereitis，I’llsettleyourhashforabit，yerlittleswine！”
“Allright，“saidPaul。
Atthatthesmithstartedheavilyfromthedoorway。Justthen，awhistlepipedshrilly。Paulwenttothespeaking-tube。
“Yes！”hesaid，andhelistened。”Er——yes！”Helistened，thenhelaughed。”I’llcomedowndirectly。I’vegotavisitor，justnow。”
DawesknewfromhistonethathehadbeenspeakingtoClara。
Hesteppedforward。
“Yerlittledevil！”hesaid。”I’llvisitoryou，insideof，twominutes！，ThinkI’mgoin’tohaveYOUwhipperty-snappin’round？”
Theotherclerksinthewarehouselookedup。Paul’soffice-boy，appeared，holdingsomewhitearticle。
“Fannysaysyoucouldhavehaditlastnightifyou’dlet，herknow，“hesaid。
“Allright，“answeredPaul，lookingatthestocking。
“Getitoff。”，Dawesstoodfrustrated，helplesswithrage。
Morelturnedround。
“Excusemeaminute，“hesaidtoDawes，andhewouldhave，rundownstairs。
“ByGod，I’llstopyourgallop！”shoutedthesmith，seizinghim，bythearm。Heturnedquickly。
“Hey！，Hey！”criedtheoffice-boy，alarmed。
ThomasJordanstartedoutofhislittleglassoffice，andcame，runningdowntheroom。
“What’sa-matter，what’sa-matter？”hesaid，inhisoldman’s，sharpvoice。
“I’mjustgoin’tersettlethislittle——，that’sall，“
saidDawesdesperately。
“Whatdoyoumean？”snappedThomasJordan。
“WhatIsay，“saidDawes，buthehungfire。
Morelwasleaningagainstthecounter，ashamed，half-grinning。
“What’sitallabout？”snappedThomasJordan。
“Couldn’tsay，“saidPaul，shakinghisheadandshrugging，hisshoulders。
“Couldn’tyer，couldn’tyer！”criedDawes，thrustingforward，hishandsome，furiousface，andsquaringhisfist。
“Haveyoufinished？”criedtheoldman，strutting。”Getoff，aboutyourbusiness，anddon’tcomeheretipsyinthemorning。”
Dawesturnedhisbigframeslowlyuponhim。
“Tipsy！”hesaid。”Who’stipsy？，I’mnomoretipsythan，YOUare！”
“We’veheardthatsongbefore，“snappedtheoldman。”Nowyou，getoff，anddon’tbelongaboutit。Comin’HEREwithyourrowdying。”
Thesmithlookeddowncontemptuouslyonhisemployer。
Hishands，large，andgrimy，andyetwellshapedforhislabour，workedrestlessly。PaulrememberedtheywerethehandsofClara’s，husband，andaflashofhatewentthroughhim。
“Getoutbeforeyou’returnedout！”snappedThomasJordan。
“Why，who’llturnmeout？”saidDawes，beginningtosneer。
Mr。Jordanstarted，marcheduptothesmith，wavinghimoff，thrustinghisstoutlittlefigureattheman，saying：
“Getoffmypremises——getoff！”
HeseizedandtwitchedDawes’sarm。
“Comeoff！”saidthesmith，andwithajerkoftheelbowhe，sentthelittlemanufacturerstaggeringbackwards。
Beforeanyonecouldhelphim，ThomasJordanhadcollided，withtheflimsyspring-door。Ithadgivenway，andlethimcrash，downthehalf-dozenstepsintoFanny’sroom。Therewasasecond，ofamazement;thenmenandgirlswererunning。Dawesstoodamoment，lookingbitterlyonthescene，thenhetookhisdeparture。
ThomasJordanwasshakenandbraised，nototherwisehurt。
Hewas，however，besidehimselfwithrage。HedismissedDawesfrom，hisemployment，andsummonedhimforassault。
AtthetrialPaulMorelhadtogiveevidence。Askedhow，thetroublebegan，hesaid：
“DawestookoccasiontoinsultMrs。DawesandmebecauseI
accompaniedhertothetheatreoneevening;thenIthrewsomebeer，athim，andhewantedhisrevenge。”
“Cherchezlafemme！”smiledthemagistrate。
ThecasewasdismissedafterthemagistratehadtoldDaweshe，thoughthimaskunk。
“Yougavethecaseaway，“snappedMr。JordantoPaul。
“Idon’tthinkIdid，“repliedthelatter。”Besides，you，didn’treallywantaconviction，didyou？”
“WhatdoyouthinkItookthecaseupfor？”
“Well，“saidPaul，“I’msorryifIsaidthewrongthing。”
Clarawasalsoveryangry。
“WhyneedMYnamehavebeendraggedin？”shesaid。
“Betterspeakitopenlythanleaveittobewhispered。”
“Therewasnoneedforanythingatall，“shedeclared。
“Wearenonethepoorer，“hesaidindifferently。
“YOUmaynotbe，“shesaid。
“Andyou？”heasked。
“Ineedneverhavebeenmentioned。”
“I’msorry，“hesaid;buthedidnotsoundsorry。
Hetoldhimselfeasily：，“Shewillcomeround。”，Andshedid。
HetoldhismotheraboutthefallofMr。Jordanandthetrial，ofDawes。Mrs。Morelwatchedhimclosely。
“Andwhatdoyouthinkofitall？”sheaskedhim。
“Ithinkhe’safool，“hesaid。
Buthewasveryuncomfortable，nevertheless。
“Haveyoueverconsideredwhereitwillend？”hismothersaid。
“No，“heanswered;“thingsworkoutofthemselves。”
“Theydo，inawayonedoesn’tlike，asarule，“saidhismother。
“Andthenonehastoputupwiththem，“hesaid。
“You’llfindyou’renotasgoodat’puttingup’asyouimagine，“
shesaid。
Hewentonworkingrapidlyathisdesign。
“DoyoueveraskHERopinion？”shesaidatlength。
“Whatof？”
“Ofyou，andthewholething。”
“Idon’tcarewhatheropinionofmeis。She’sfearfully，inlovewithme，butit’snotverydeep。”
“Butquiteasdeepasyourfeelingforher。”
Helookedupathismothercuriously。
“Yes，“hesaid。”Youknow，mother，Ithinktheremustbe，somethingthematterwithme，thatICAN’Tlove。Whenshe’sthere，asarule，IDOloveher。Sometimes，whenIseeherjustasTHEWOMAN，Iloveher，mother;butthen，whenshetalksandcriticises，Ioftendon’tlistentoher。”
“Yetshe’sasmuchsenseasMiriam。”
“Perhaps;andIloveherbetterthanMiriam。ButWHYdon’t，theyholdme？”
Thelastquestionwasalmostalamentation。Hismother，turnedawayherface，satlookingacrosstheroom，veryquiet，grave，withsomethingofrenunciation。
“Butyouwouldn’twanttomarryClara？”shesaid。
“No;atfirstperhapsIwould。Butwhy——whydon’tIwanttomarry，heroranybody？，IfeelsometimesasifIwrongedmywomen，mother。”
“Howwrongedthem，myson？”
“Idon’tknow。”
Hewentonpaintingratherdespairingly;hehadtouched，thequickofthetrouble。
“Andasforwantingtomarry，“saidhismother，“there’splenty，oftimeyet。”
“Butno，mother。IevenloveClara，andIdidMiriam;buttoGIVE
myselftotheminmarriageIcouldn’t。Icouldn’tbelongtothem。
TheyseemtowantME，andIcan’tevergiveitthem。”
“Youhaven’tmettherightwoman。”
“AndInevershallmeettherightwomanwhileyoulive，“
hesaid。
Shewasveryquiet。Nowshebegantofeelagaintired，asifsheweredone。
“We’llsee，myson，“sheanswered。
Thefeelingthatthingsweregoinginacirclemadehimmad。
Clarawas，indeed，passionatelyinlovewithhim，andhewithher，asfaraspassionwent。Inthedaytimeheforgotheragooddeal。
Shewasworkinginthesamebuilding，buthewasnotawareofit。
Hewasbusy，andherexistencewasofnomattertohim。Butallthe，timeshewasinherSpiralroomshehadasensethathewasupstairs，aphysicalsenseofhispersoninthesamebuilding。Everysecond，sheexpectedhimtocomethroughthedoor，andwhenhecameit，wasashocktoher。Buthewasoftenshortandoffhandwithher。
Hegaveherhisdirectionsinanofficialmanner，keepingheratbay。
Withwhatwitsshehadleftshelistenedtohim。Shedarednot，misunderstandorfailtoremember，butitwasacrueltytoher。
Shewantedtotouchhischest。Sheknewexactlyhowhisbreastwas，shapenunderthewaistcoat，andshewantedtotouchit。Itmaddened，hertohearhismechanicalvoicegivingordersaboutthework。
Shewantedtobreakthroughtheshamofit，smashthetrivialcoating，ofbusinesswhichcoveredhimwithhardness，getatthemanagain;
butshewasafraid，andbeforeshecouldfeelonetouchofhiswarmthhe，wasgone，andsheachedagain。
Heknewthatshewasdrearyeveryeveningshedidnotseehim，sohegaveheragooddealofhistime。Thedayswereoften，amiserytoher，buttheeveningsandthenightswereusually，ablisstothemboth。Thentheyweresilent。Forhoursthey，sattogether，orwalkedtogetherinthedark，andtalkedonly，afew，almostmeaninglesswords。Buthehadherhandinhis，andherbosomleftitswarmthinhischest，makinghimfeelwhole。
Oneeveningtheywerewalkingdownbythecanal，andsomethingwastroublinghim。Sheknewshehadnotgothim。
Allthetimehewhistledsoftlyandpersistentlytohimself。
Shelistened，feelingshecouldlearnmorefromhiswhistlingthan，fromhisspeech。Itwasasaddissatisfiedtune——atunethatmade，herfeelhewouldnotstaywithher。Shewalkedoninsilence。
Whentheycametotheswingbridgehesatdownonthegreatpole，lookingatthestarsinthewater。Hewasalongwayfromher。
Shehadbeenthinking。
“WillyoualwaysstayatJordan’s？”sheasked。
“No，“heansweredwithoutreflecting。”No;Is’llleave，Nottinghamandgoabroad——soon。”
“Goabroad！，Whatfor？”
“Idunno！，Ifeelrestless。”
“Butwhatshallyoudo？”
“Ishallhavetogetsomesteadydesigningwork，andsomesort，ofsaleformypicturesfirst，“hesaid。”Iamgraduallymaking，myway。IknowIam。”
“Andwhendoyouthinkyou’llgo？”
“Idon’tknow。Ishallhardlygoforlong，whilethere’s，mymother。”
“Youcouldn’tleaveher？”
“Notforlong。”
Shelookedatthestarsintheblackwater。Theylayvery，whiteandstaring。Itwasanagonytoknowhewouldleaveher，butitwasalmostanagonytohavehimnearher。
“Andifyoumadeanicelotofmoney，whatwouldyoudo？”
sheasked。
“GosomewhereinaprettyhousenearLondonwithmymother。”
“Isee。”
Therewasalongpause。
“Icouldstillcomeandseeyou，“hesaid。”Idon’tknow。
Don’taskmewhatIshoulddo;Idon’tknow。”
Therewasasilence。Thestarsshudderedandbrokeupon，thewater。Therecameabreathofwind。Hewentsuddenlytoher，andputhishandonhershoulder。
“Don’taskmeanythingaboutthefuture，“hesaidmiserably。
“Idon’tknowanything。Bewithmenow，willyou，nomatterwhat，itis？”
Andshetookhiminherarms。Afterall，shewasamarriedwoman，andshehadnorighteventowhathegaveher。Heneededherbadly。
Shehadhiminherarms，andhewasmiserable。Withherwarmthshe，foldedhimover，consoledhim，lovedhim。Shewouldletthemoment，standforitself。
Afteramomentheliftedhisheadasifhewantedtospeak。
“Clara，“hesaid，struggling。
Shecaughthimpassionatelytoher，pressedhisheaddownonher，breastwithherhand。Shecouldnotbearthesufferinginhisvoice。
Shewasafraidinhersoul。Hemighthaveanythingofher——anything;
butshedidnotwanttoKNOW。Shefeltshecouldnotbearit。
Shewantedhimtobesootheduponher——soothed。Shestoodclaspinghim，andcaressinghim，andhewassomethingunknowntoher——something，almostuncanny。Shewantedtosoothehimintoforgetfulness。
Andsoonthestrugglewentdowninhissoul，andheforgot。
ButthenClarawasnotthereforhim，onlyawoman，warm，somethinghe，lovedandalmostworshipped，thereinthedark。ButitwasnotClara，andshesubmittedtohim。Thenakedhungerandinevitability，ofhislovingher，somethingstrongandblindandruthless，initsprimitiveness，madethehouralmostterribletoher。
Sheknewhowstarkandalonehewas，andshefeltitwasgreat，thathecametoher;andshetookhimsimplybecausehisneedwas，biggereitherthanherorhim，andhersoulwasstillwithinher。
Shedidthisforhiminhisneed，evenifhelefther，forshe，lovedhim。
Allthewhilethepeewitswerescreaminginthefield。
Whenhecameto，hewonderedwhatwasnearhiseyes，curvingand，strongwithlifeinthedark，andwhatvoiceitwasspeaking。
Thenherealiseditwasthegrass，andthepeewitwascalling。
ThewarmthwasClara’sbreathingheaving。Heliftedhishead，andlookedintohereyes。Theyweredarkandshiningandstrange，lifewildatthesourcestaringintohislife，strangertohim，yetmeetinghim;andheputhisfacedownonherthroat，afraid。
Whatwasshe？，Astrong，strange，wildlife，thatbreathedwithhis，inthedarknessthroughthishour。Itwasallsomuchbiggerthan，themselvesthathewashushed。Theyhadmet，andincludedintheir，meetingthethrustofthemanifoldgrassstems，thecryofthepeewit，thewheelofthestars。
Whentheystooduptheysawotherloversstealingdownthe，oppositehedge。Itseemednaturaltheywerethere;thenight，containedthem。
Andaftersuchaneveningtheybothwereverystill，havingknown，theimmensityofpassion。Theyfeltsmall，half-afraid，childish，andwondering，likeAdamandEvewhentheylosttheirinnocence，andrealisedthemagnificenceofthepowerwhichdrove，themoutofParadiseandacrossthegreatnightandthegreatday，ofhumanity。Itwasforeachofthemaninitiationandasatisfaction。
Toknowtheirownnothingness，toknowthetremendouslivingflood，whichcarriedthemalways，gavethemrestwithinthemselves。
Ifsogreatamagnificentpowercouldoverwhelmthem，identifythem，altogetherwithitself，sothattheyknewtheywereonlygrainsin，thetremendousheavethatliftedeverygrassbladeitslittleheight，andeverytree，andlivingthing，thenwhyfretaboutthemselves？
Theycouldletthemselvesbecarriedbylife，andtheyfeltasort，ofpeaceeachintheother。Therewasaverificationwhichtheyhad，hadtogether。Nothingcouldnullifyit，nothingcouldtakeitaway;
itwasalmosttheirbeliefinlife。
ButClarawasnotsatisfied。Somethinggreatwasthere，sheknew;somethinggreatenvelopedher。Butitdidnotkeepher。
Inthemorningitwasnotthesame。TheyhadKNOWN，butshe，couldnotkeepthemoment。Shewanteditagain;shewanted，somethingpermanent。Shehadnotrealisedfully。Shethought，itwashewhomshewanted。Hewasnotsafetoher。Thisthat，hadbeenbetweenthemmightneverbeagain;hemightleaveher。
Shehadnotgothim;shewasnotsatisfied。Shehadbeenthere，butshehadnotgrippedthe——thesomething——sheknewnotwhat——whichshe，wasmadtohave。
Inthemorninghehadconsiderablepeace，andwashappy，inhimself。Itseemedalmostasifhehadknownthebaptismof，fireinpassion，anditlefthimatrest。ButitwasnotClara。
Itwassomethingthathappenedbecauseofher，butitwasnother。
Theywerescarcelyanynearereachother。Itwasasiftheyhadbeen，blindagentsofagreatforce。
Whenshesawhimthatdayatthefactoryherheartmeltedlike，adropoffire。Itwashisbody，hisbrows。Thedropoffiregrew，moreintenseinherbreast;shemustholdhim。Buthe，veryquiet，verysubduedthismorning，wentongivinghisinstruction。Shefollowed，himintothedark，uglybasement，andliftedherarmstohim。
Hekissedher，andtheintensityofpassionbegantoburnhimagain。
Somebodywasatthedoor。Heranupstairs;shereturnedtoherroom，movingasifinatrance。
Afterthatthefireslowlywentdown。Hefeltmoreandmorethat，hisexperiencehadbeenimpersonal，andnotClara。Helovedher。
Therewasabigtenderness，asafterastrongemotionthey，hadknowntogether;butitwasnotshewhocouldkeephissoulsteady。
Hehadwantedhertobesomethingshecouldnotbe。
Andshewasmadwithdesireofhim。Shecouldnotsee，himwithouttouchinghim。Inthefactory，ashetalkedtoher，aboutSpiralhose，sheranherhandsecretlyalonghisside。
Shefollowedhimoutintothebasementforaquickkiss;hereyes，alwaysmuteandyearning，fullofunrestrainedpassion，shekept，fixedonhis。Hewasafraidofher，lestsheshouldtooflagrantly，giveherselfawaybeforetheothergirls。Sheinvariablywaited，forhimatdinnertimeforhimtoembraceherbeforeshewent。
Hefeltasifshewerehelpless，almostaburdentohim，andit，irritatedhim。
“Butwhatdoyoualwayswanttobekissingandembracingfor？”
hesaid。”Surelythere’satimeforeverything。”
Shelookedupathim，andthehatecameintohereyes。
“DOIalwayswanttobekissingyou？”shesaid。
“Always，evenifIcometoaskyouaboutthework。Idon’t，wantanythingtodowithlovewhenI’matwork。Work’swork——“
“Andwhatislove？”sheasked。”Hasittohavespecialhours？”
“Yes;outofworkhours。”
“Andyou’llregulateitaccordingtoMr。Jordan’sclosingtime？”
“Yes;andaccordingtothefreedomfrombusinessofanysort。”
“Itisonlytoexistinsparetime？”
“That’sall，andnotalwaysthen——notthekissingsortoflove。”
“Andthat’sallyouthinkofit？”
“It’squiteenough。”
“I’mgladyouthinkso。”
Andshewascoldtohimforsometime——shehatedhim;andwhile，shewascoldandcontemptuous，hewasuneasytillshehadforgiven，himagain。Butwhentheystartedafreshtheywerenotanynearer。
Hekeptherbecauseheneversatisfiedher。
Inthespringtheywenttogethertotheseaside。Theyhadrooms，atalittlecottagenearTheddlethorpe，andlivedasmanandwife。
Mrs。Radfordsometimeswentwiththem。
ItwasknowninNottinghamthatPaulMorelandMrs。Dawes，weregoingtogether，butasnothingwasveryobvious，andClara，alwaysasolitaryperson，andheseemedsosimpleandinnocent，itdidnotmakemuchdifference。
HelovedtheLincolnshirecoast，andshelovedthesea。
Intheearlymorningtheyoftenwentouttogethertobathe。
Thegreyofthedawn，thefar，desolatereachesofthefenland，smittenwithwinter，thesea-meadowsrankwithherbage，werestark，enoughtorejoicehissoul。Astheysteppedontothehighroadfrom，theirplankbridge，andlookedroundattheendlessmonotonyoflevels，thelandalittledarkerthanthesky，theseasoundingsmallbeyond，thesandhills，hisheartfilledstrongwiththesweepingrelentlessness，oflife。Shelovedhimthen。Hewassolitaryandstrong，andhiseyes，hadabeautifullight。
Theyshudderedwithcold;thenheracedherdowntheroadto，thegreenturfbridge。Shecouldrunwell。Hercoloursooncame，herthroatwasbare，hereyesshone。Helovedherforbeingso，luxuriouslyheavy，andyetsoquick。Himselfwaslight;shewent，withabeautifulrush。Theygrewwarm，andwalkedhandinhand。
Aflushcameintothesky，thewanmoon，half-waydown，thewest，sankintoinsignificance。Ontheshadowylandthings，begantotakelife，plantswithgreatleavesbecamedistinct。
Theycamethroughapassinthebig，coldsandhillsontothebeach。
Thelongwasteofforeshorelaymoaningunderthedawnandthesea;
theoceanwasaflatdarkstripwithawhiteedge。Overthegloomy，seatheskygrewred。Quicklythefirespreadamongtheclouds，andscatteredthem。Crimsonburnedtoorange，orangetodullgold，andinagoldenglitterthesuncameup，dribblingfierilyoverthe，wavesinlittlesplashes，asifsomeonehadgonealongandthelight，hadspilledfromherpailasshewalked。
Thebreakersrandowntheshoreinlong，hoarsestrokes。
Tinyseagulls，likespecksofspray，wheeledabovethelineofsurf。
Theircryingseemedlargerthanthey。Farawaythecoastreachedout，andmeltedintothemorning，thetussockysandhillsseemedtosink，toalevelwiththebeach。Mablethorpewastinyontheirright。
Theyhadalonethespaceofallthislevelshore，thesea，andthe，upcomingsun，thefaintnoiseofthewaters，thesharpcryingof，thegulls。
Theyhadawarmhollowinthesandhillswherethewinddid，notcome。Hestoodlookingouttosea。
“It’sveryfine，“hesaid。
“Nowdon’tgetsentimental，“shesaid。
Itirritatedhertoseehimstandinggazingatthesea，likea，solitaryandpoeticperson。Helaughed。Shequicklyundressed。
“Therearesomefinewavesthismorning，“shesaidtriumphantly。
Shewasabetterswimmerthanhe;hestoodidlywatchingher。
“Aren’tyoucoming？”shesaid。
“Inaminute，“heanswered。
Shewaswhiteandvelvetskinned，withheavyshoulders。
Alittlewind，comingfromthesea，blewacrossherbodyandruffled，herhair。
Themorningwasofalovelylimpidgoldcolour。Veilsofshadow，seemedtobedriftingawayonthenorthandthesouth。Clarastood，shrinkingslightlyfromthetouchofthewind，twistingherhair。
Thesea-grassrosebehindthewhitestrippedwoman。Sheglanced，atthesea，thenlookedathim。Hewaswatchingherwithdarkeyes，whichshelovedandcouldnotunderstand。Shehuggedherbreasts，betweenherarms，cringing，laughing：
“Oo，itwillbesocold！”shesaid。
Hebentforwardandkissedher，heldhersuddenlyclose，andkissedheragain。Shestoodwaiting。Helookedintohereyes，thenawayatthepalesands。
“Go，then！”hesaidquietly。
Sheflungherarmsroundhisneck，drewhimagainsther，kissedhimpassionately，andwent，saying：
“Butyou’llcomein？”
“Inaminute。”
Shewentploddingheavilyoverthesandthatwassoftasvelvet。
He，onthesandhills，watchedthegreatpalecoastenvelopher。
Shegrewsmaller，lostproportion，seemedonlylikealargewhite，birdtoilingforward。
“Notmuchmorethanabigwhitepebbleonthebeach，notmuch，morethanaclotoffoambeingblownandrolledoverthesand，“
hesaidtohimself。
Sheseemedtomoveveryslowlyacrossthevastsoundingshore。
Ashewatched，helosther。Shewasdazzledoutofsightby，thesunshine。Againhesawher，themerestwhitespeckmoving，againstthewhite，mutteringsea-edge。
“Lookhowlittlesheis！”hesaidtohimself。”She’slostlike，agrainofsandinthebeach——justaconcentratedspeckblownalong，atinywhitefoam-bubble，almostnothingamongthemorning。
Whydoessheabsorbme？”
Themorningwasaltogetheruninterrupted：，shewasgonein，thewater。Farandwidethebeach，thesandhillswiththeirbluemarrain，theshiningwater，glowedtogetherinimmense，unbrokensolitude。
“Whatisshe，afterall？”hesaidtohimself。”Here’sthe，seacoastmorning，bigandpermanentandbeautiful;thereisshe，fretting，alwaysunsatisfied，andtemporaryasabubbleoffoam。
Whatdoesshemeantome，afterall？，Sherepresentssomething，likeabubbleoffoamrepresentsthesea。Butwhatisshe？
It’snotherIcarefor。”
Then，startledbyhisownunconsciousthoughts，thatseemed，tospeaksodistinctlythatallthemorningcouldhear，heundressed，andranquicklydownthesands。Shewaswatchingforhim。Herarm，flasheduptohim，sheheavedonawave，subsided，hershoulders，inapoolofliquidsilver。Hejumpedthroughthebreakers，andinamomentherhandwasonhisshoulder。
Hewasapoorswimmer，andcouldnotstaylonginthewater。
Sheplayedroundhimintriumph，sportingwithhersuperiority，whichhebegrudgedher。Thesunshinestooddeepandfineonthewater。
Theylaughedintheseaforaminuteortwo，thenracedeachotherback，tothesandhills。
Whentheyweredryingthemselves，pantingheavily，hewatchedherlaughing，breathlessface，herbrightshoulders，herbreaststhatswayedandmadehimfrightenedassherubbedthem，andhethoughtagain：
“Butsheismagnificent，andevenbiggerthanthemorning，andthesea。Isshe——？Isshe——“
She，seeinghisdarkeyesfixedonher，brokeofffromher，dryingwithalaugh。
“Whatareyoulookingat？”shesaid。
“You，“heanswered，laughing。
Hereyesmethis，andinamomenthewaskissing，herwhite“goose-fleshed“shoulder，andthinking：
“Whatisshe？，Whatisshe？”
Shelovedhiminthemorning。Therewassomethingdetached，hard，andelementalabouthiskissesthen，asifhewereonly，consciousofhisownwill，notintheleastofherandherwantinghim。
Laterinthedayhewentoutsketching。
“You，“hesaidtoher，“gowithyourmothertoSutton。
Iamsodull。”
Shestoodandlookedathim。Heknewshewantedtocome，withhim，buthepreferredtobealone。Shemadehimfeelimprisoned，whenshewasthere，asifhecouldnotgetafreedeepbreath，asifthereweresomethingontopofhim。Shefelthisdesire，tobefreeofher。
Intheeveninghecamebacktoher。Theywalkeddowntheshore，inthedarkness，thensatforawhileintheshelterofthesandhills。
“Itseems，“shesaid，astheystaredoverthedarknessofthesea，wherenolightwastobeseen——“itseemedasifyouonlylovedme，atnight——asifyoudidn’tlovemeinthedaytime。”
Heranthecoldsandthroughhisfingers，feelingguilty，undertheaccusation。
“Thenightisfreetoyou，“hereplied。”InthedaytimeI
wanttobebymyself。”
“Butwhy？”shesaid。”Why，evennow，whenweareonthis，shortholiday？”
“Idon’tknow。Love-makingstiflesmeinthedaytime。”
“Butitneedn’tbealwayslove-making，“shesaid。
“Italwaysis，“heanswered，“whenyouandIaretogether。”
Shesatfeelingverybitter。
“Doyoueverwanttomarryme？”heaskedcuriously。
“Doyoume？”shereplied。
“Yes，yes;Ishouldlikeustohavechildren，“heansweredslowly。
Shesatwithherheadbent，fingeringthesand。
“Butyoudon’treallywantadivorcefromBaxter，doyou？”
hesaid。
Itwassomeminutesbeforeshereplied。
“No，“shesaid，verydeliberately;“Idon’tthinkIdo。”
“Why？”
“Idon’tknow。”
“Doyoufeelasifyoubelongedtohim？”
“No;Idon’tthinkso。”
“What，then？”
“Ithinkhebelongstome，“shereplied。
Hewassilentforsomeminutes，listeningtothewindblowing，overthehoarse，darksea。
“AndyouneverreallyintendedtobelongtoME？”hesaid。
“Yes，Idobelongtoyou，“sheanswered。
“No，“hesaid;“becauseyoudon’twanttobedivorced。”
Itwasaknottheycouldnotuntie，sotheyleftit，tookwhat，theycouldget，andwhattheycouldnotattaintheyignored。
“IconsideryoutreatedBaxterrottenly，“hesaidanothertime。
Hehalf-expectedClaratoanswerhim，ashismotherwould：
“Youconsideryourownaffairs，anddon’tknowsomuchabout，otherpeople’s。”，Butshetookhimseriously，almosttohisownsurprise。
“Why？”shesaid。
“Isupposeyouthoughthewasalilyofthevalley，andso，youputhiminanappropriatepot，andtendedhimaccording。
Youmadeupyourmindhewasalilyofthevalleyanditwasno，goodhisbeingacow-parsnip。Youwouldn’thaveit。”
“Icertainlyneverimaginedhimalilyofthevalley。”
“Youimaginedhimsomethinghewasn’t。That’sjustwhatawomanis。
Shethinkssheknowswhat’sgoodforaman，andshe’sgoingtosee，hegetsit;andnomatterifhe’sstarving，hemaysitandwhistle，forwhatheneeds，whileshe’sgothim，andisgivinghimwhat’s，goodforhim。”
“Andwhatareyoudoing？”sheasked。
“I’mthinkingwhattuneIshallwhistle，“helaughed。
Andinsteadofboxinghisears，sheconsideredhiminearnest。
“YouthinkIwanttogiveyouwhat’sgoodforyou？”sheasked。
“Ihopeso;butloveshouldgiveasenseoffreedom，notofprison。Miriammademefeeltieduplikeadonkeytoastake。
Imustfeedonherpatch，andnowhereelse。It’ssickening！”
“AndwouldYOUletaWOMANdoasshelikes？”
“Yes;I’llseethatshelikestoloveme。Ifshedoesn’t——well，Idon’tholdher。”
“Ifyouwereaswonderfulasyousay——，“repliedClara。
“IshouldbethemarvelIam，“helaughed。
Therewasasilenceinwhichtheyhatedeachother，thoughtheylaughed。
“Love’sadoginamanger，“hesaid。
“Andwhichofusisthedog？”sheasked。
“Ohwell，you，ofcourse。”
Sotherewentonabattlebetweenthem。Sheknewsheneverfully，hadhim。Somepart，bigandvitalinhim，shehadnoholdover;
nordidsheevertrytogetit，oreventorealisewhatitwas。
AndheknewinsomewaythatsheheldherselfstillasMrs。Dawes。
ShedidnotloveDawes，neverhadlovedhim;butshebelievedhe，lovedher，atleastdependedonher。Shefeltacertainsurety，abouthimthatsheneverfeltwithPaulMorel。Herpassion，fortheyoungmanhadfilledhersoul，givenheracertain，satisfaction，easedherofherself-mistrust，herdoubt。
Whateverelseshewas，shewasinwardlyassured。Itwasalmost，asifshehadgainedHERSELF，andstoodnowdistinctandcomplete。
Shehadreceivedherconfirmation;butsheneverbelievedthather，lifebelongedtoPaulMorel，norhistoher。Theywouldseparate，intheend，andtherestofherlifewouldbeanacheafterhim。
Butatanyrate，sheknewnow，shewassureofherself。Andthe，samecouldalmostbesaidofhim。Togethertheyhadreceived，thebaptismoflife，eachthroughtheother;butnowtheirmissions，wereseparate。Wherehewantedtogoshecouldnotcomewithhim。
Theywouldhavetopartsoonerorlater。Eveniftheymarried，andwerefaithfultoeachother，stillhewouldhavetoleaveher，goonalone，andshewouldonlyhavetoattendtohimwhenhe，camehome。Butitwasnotpossible。Eachwantedamatetogoside，bysidewith。
ClarahadgonetolivewithhermotheruponMapperleyPlains。
Oneevening，asPaulandshewerewalkingalongWoodboroughRoad，theymetDawes。Morelknewsomethingaboutthebearingofthe，manapproaching，buthewasabsorbedinhisthinkingatthemoment，sothatonlyhisartist’seyewatchedtheformofthestranger。
ThenhesuddenlyturnedtoClarawithalaugh，andputhishandon，hershoulder，saying，laughing：
“Butwewalksidebyside，andyetI’minLondonarguing，withanimaginaryOrpen;andwhereareyou？”
AtthatinstantDawespassed，almosttouchingMorel。
Theyoungmanglanced，sawthedarkbrowneyesburning，fullofhate，andyettired。
“Whowasthat？”heaskedofClara。
“ItwasBaxter，“shereplied。
Paultookhishandfromhershoulderandglancedround;
thenhesawagaindistinctlytheman’sformasitapproachedhim。
Dawesstillwalkederect，withhisfineshouldersflungback，andhis，facelifted;buttherewasafurtivelookinhiseyesthatgave，onetheimpressionhewastryingtogetunnoticedpasteveryperson，hemet，glancingsuspiciouslytoseewhattheythoughtofhim。
Andhishandsseemedtobewantingtohide。Heworeoldclothes，thetrousersweretornattheknee，andthehandkerchieftiedround，histhroatwasdirty;buthiscapwasstilldefiantlyoveroneeye。
Asshesawhim，Clarafeltguilty。Therewasatirednessanddespair，onhisfacethatmadeherhatehim，becauseithurther。
“Helooksshady，“saidPaul。
Butthenoteofpityinhisvoicereproachedher，andmade，herfeelhard。
“Histruecommonnesscomesout，“sheanswered。
“Doyouhatehim？”heasked。
“Youtalk，“shesaid，“aboutthecrueltyofwomen;Iwishyou，knewthecrueltyofmenintheirbruteforce。Theysimplydon’t，knowthatthewomanexists。”
“Don’tI？”hesaid。
“No，“sheanswered。
“Don’tIknowyouexist？”
“AboutMEyouknownothing，“shesaidbitterly——“aboutME！”
“NomorethanBaxterknew？”heasked。
“Perhapsnotasmuch。”
Hefeltpuzzled，andhelpless，andangry。Thereshewalked，unknowntohim，thoughtheyhadbeenthroughsuchexperiencetogether。
“ButyouknowMEprettywell，“hesaid。
Shedidnotanswer。
“DidyouknowBaxteraswellasyouknowme？”heasked。
“Hewouldn’tletme，“shesaid。
“AndIhaveletyouknowme？”
“It’swhatmenWON’Tletyoudo。Theywon’tletyouget，reallyneartothem，“shesaid。
“Andhaven’tIletyou？”
“Yes，“sheansweredslowly;“butyou’venevercomeneartome。
Youcan’tcomeoutofyourself，youcan’t。Baxtercoulddothatbetter，thanyou。”
Hewalkedonpondering。Hewasangrywithherforprefering，Baxtertohim。
“YoubegintovalueBaxternowyou’venotgothim，“hesaid。
“No;Icanonlyseewherehewasdifferentfromyou。”
Buthefeltshehadagrudgeagainsthim。
Oneevening，astheywerecominghomeoverthefields，shestartledhimbyasking：
“Doyouthinkit’sworthit——the——thesexpart？”
“Theactofloving，itself？”
“Yes;isitworthanythingtoyou？”
“Buthowcanyouseparateit？”hesaid。”It’stheculmination，ofeverything。Allourintimacyculminatesthen。”
“Notforme，“shesaid。
Hewassilent。Aflashofhateforhercameup。Afterall，shewasdissatisfiedwithhim，eventhere，wherehethoughtthey，fulfilledeachother。Buthebelievedhertooimplicitly。
“Ifeel，“shecontinuedslowly，“asifIhadn’tgotyou，asifallofyouweren’tthere，andasifitweren’tMEyouweretaking——“
“Who，then？”
“Somethingjustforyourself。Ithasbeenfine，sothatI
daren’tthinkofit。ButisitMEyouwant，orisitIT？”
Heagainfeltguilty。DidheleaveClaraoutofcount，andtakesimplywomen？，Buthethoughtthatwassplittingahair。
“WhenIhadBaxter，actuallyhadhim，thenIDIDfeelasifI
hadallofhim，“shesaid。
“Anditwasbetter？”heasked。
“Yes，yes;itwasmorewhole。Idon’tsayyouhaven’tgiven，memorethanheevergaveme。”
“Orcouldgiveyou。”
“Yes，perhaps;butyou’venevergivenmeyourself。”
Heknittedhisbrowsangrily。
“IfIstarttomakelovetoyou，“hesaid，“Ijustgolike，aleafdownthewind。”
“Andleavemeoutofcount，“shesaid。
“Andthenisitnothingtoyou？”heasked，almostrigid，withchagrin。
“It’ssomething;andsometimesyouhavecarriedmeaway——right，away——Iknow——and——Ireverenceyouforit——but——“
“Don’t’but’me，“hesaid，kissingherquickly，asafireran，throughhim。
Shesubmitted，andwassilent。
Itwastrueashesaid。Asarule，whenhestartedlove-making，theemotionwasstrongenoughtocarrywithiteverything——reason，soul，blood——inagreatsweep，liketheTrentcarriesbodilyitsback-swirls，andintertwinings，noiselessly。Graduallythelittlecriticisms，thelittlesensations，werelost，thoughtalsowent，everythingborne，alonginoneflood。Hebecame，notamanwithamind，buta，greatinstinct。Hishandswerelikecreatures，living;hislimbs，hisbody，werealllifeandconsciousness，subjecttonowillofhis，butlivinginthemselves。Justashewas，soitseemedthevigorous，wintrystarswerestrongalsowithlife。Heandtheystruckwith，thesamepulseoffire，andthesamejoyofstrengthwhichheld，thebracken-frondstiffnearhiseyesheldhisownbodyfirm。
Itwasasifhe，andthestars，andthedarkherbage，andClara，werelickedupinanimmensetongueofflame，whichtoreonwards，andupwards。Everythingrushedalonginlivingbesidehim;
everythingwasstill，perfectinitself，alongwithhim。
Thiswonderfulstillnessineachthinginitself，whileitwasbeing，bornealonginaveryecstasyofliving，seemedthehighestpoint，ofbliss。
AndClaraknewthisheldhimtoher，soshetrustedaltogether，tothepassion。It，however，failedherveryoften。Theydid，notoftenreachagaintheheightofthatoncewhenthepeewits，hadcalled。Gradually，somemechanicaleffortspoilttheirloving，or，whentheyhadsplendidmoments，theyhadthemseparately，andnotsosatisfactorily。Sooftenheseemedmerelytoberunning，onalone;oftentheyrealisedithadbeenafailure，notwhatthey，hadwanted。Helefther，knowingTHATeveninghadonlymade，alittlesplitbetweenthem。Theirlovinggrewmoremechanical，withoutthemarvellousglamour。Graduallytheybegantointroduce，novelties，togetbacksomeofthefeelingofsatisfaction。
Theywouldbeverynear，almostdangerouslyneartotheriver，sothattheblackwaterrannotfarfromhisface，anditgave，alittlethrill;ortheylovedsometimesinalittlehollowbelow，thefenceofthepathwherepeoplewerepassingoccasionally，ontheedgeofthetown，andtheyheardfootstepscoming，almostfelt，thevibrationofthetread，andtheyheardwhatthepassersby，said——strangelittlethingsthatwereneverintendedtobeheard。
Andafterwardseachofthemwasratherashamed，andthesethings，causedadistancebetweenthetwoofthem。Hebegantodespiseher，alittle，asifshehadmeritedit！
OnenighthelefthertogotoDaybrookStationoverthefields。
Itwasverydark，withanattemptatsnow，althoughthespring，wassofaradvanced。Morelhadnotmuchtime;heplungedforward。
Thetownceasesalmostabruptlyontheedgeofasteephollow;therethe，houseswiththeiryellowlightsstandupagainstthedarkness。Hewent，overthestile，anddroppedquicklyintothehollowofthefields。
UndertheorchardonewarmwindowshoneinSwinesheadFarm。
Paulglancedround。Behind，thehousesstoodonthebrimofthedip，blackagainstthesky，likewildbeastsglaringcuriouslywith，yelloweyesdownintothedarkness。Itwasthetownthatseemed，savageanduncouth，glaringonthecloudsatthebackofhim。
Somecreaturestirredunderthewillowsofthefarmpond。Itwastoo，darktodistinguishanything。
Hewascloseuptothenextstilebeforehesawadarkshape，leaningagainstit。Themanmovedaside。
“Good-evening！”hesaid。
“Good-evening！”Morelanswered，notnoticing。
“PaulMorel？”saidtheman。
ThenheknewitwasDawes。Themanstoppedhisway。
“I’vegotyer，haveI？”hesaidawkwardly。
“Ishallmissmytrain，“saidPaul。
HecouldseenothingofDawes’sface。Theman’steethseemed，tochatterashetalked。
“You’regoingtogetitfrommenow，“saidDawes。
Morelattemptedtomoveforward;theothermansteppedinfront，ofhim。
“Areyergoin’totakethattop-coatoff，“hesaid，“orare，yougoin’toliedowntoit？”
Paulwasafraidthemanwasmad。
“But，“hesaid，“Idon’tknowhowtofight。”
“Allright，then，“answeredDawes，andbeforetheyoungerman，knewwherehewas，hewasstaggeringbackwardsfromablowacross，theface。
Thewholenightwentblack。Hetoreoffhisovercoatandcoat，dodgingablow，andflungthegarmentsoverDawes。Thelatter，sworesavagely。Morel，inhisshirt-sleeves，wasnowalertand，furious。Hefelthiswholebodyunsheathitselflikeaclaw。
Hecouldnotfight，sohewouldusehiswits。Theothermanbecame，moredistincttohim;hecouldseeparticularlytheshirt-breast。
DawesstumbledoverPaul’scoats，thencamerushingforward。
Theyoungman’smouthwasbleeding。Itwastheotherman’smouth，hewasdyingtogetat，andthedesirewasanguishinitsstrength。
Hesteppedquicklythroughthestile，andasDaweswascomingthrough，afterhim，likeaflashhegotablowinovertheother’smouth。
Heshiveredwithpleasure。Dawesadvancedslowly，spitting。Paul，wasafraid;hemovedroundtogettothestileagain。Suddenly，from，outofnowhere，cameagreatblowagainsthisear，thatsenthim，fallinghelplessbackwards。HeheardDawes’sheavypanting，likeawildbeast’s，thencameakickontheknee，givinghim，suchagonythathegotupand，quiteblind，leaptcleanunderhis，enemy’sguard。Hefeltblowsandkicks，buttheydidnothurt。
Hehungontothebiggermanlikeawildcat，tillatlastDawesfell，withacrash，losinghispresenceofmind。Paulwentdownwithhim。
Pureinstinctbroughthishandstotheman’sneck，andbeforeDawes，infrenzyandagony，couldwrenchhimfree，hehadgothisfists，twistedinthescarfandhisknucklesduginthethroatofthe，otherman。Hewasapureinstinct，withoutreasonorfeeling。
Hisbody，hardandwonderfulinitself，cleavedagainstthe，strugglingbodyoftheotherman;notamuscleinhimrelaxed。
Hewasquiteunconscious，onlyhisbodyhadtakenuponitselftokill，thisotherman。Forhimself，hehadneitherfeelingnorreason。
Helaypressedhardagainsthisadversary，hisbodyadjustingitself，toitsonepurepurposeofchokingtheotherman，resistingexactly，attherightmoment，withexactlytherightamountofstrength，thestrugglesoftheother，silent，intent，unchanging，gradually，pressingitsknucklesdeeper，feelingthestrugglesoftheother，bodybecomewilderandmorefrenzied。Tighterandtightergrew，hisbody，likeascrewthatisgraduallyincreasinginpressure，tillsomethingbreaks。
Thensuddenlyherelaxed，fullofwonderandmisgiving。
Daweshadbeenyielding。Morelfelthisbodyflamewithpain，asherealisedwhathewasdoing;hewasallbewildered。
Dawes’sstrugglessuddenlyrenewedthemselvesinafuriousspasm。
Paul’shandswerewrenched，tornoutofthescarfinwhichthey，wereknotted，andhewasflungaway，helpless。Heheardthehorrid，soundoftheother’sgasping，buthelaystunned;then，stilldazed，hefelttheblowsoftheother’sfeet，andlostconsciousness。
Dawes，gruntingwithpainlikeabeast，waskickingtheprostrate，bodyofhisrival。Suddenlythewhistleofthetrainshrieked，twofieldsaway。Heturnedroundandglaredsuspiciously。
Whatwascoming？，Hesawthelightsofthetraindrawacrosshisvision。
Itseemedtohimpeoplewereapproaching。Hemadeoffacrossthe，fieldintoNottingham，anddimlyinhisconsciousnessashewent，hefeltonhisfoottheplacewherehisboothadknockedagainst，oneofthelad’sbones。Theknockseemedtore-echoinsidehim;
hehurriedtogetawayfromit。
Morelgraduallycametohimself。Heknewwherehewasand，whathadhappened，buthedidnotwanttomove。Helaystill，withtinybitsofsnowticklinghisface。Itwaspleasant，toliequite，quitestill。Thetimepassed。Itwasthebits，ofsnowthatkeptrousinghimwhenhedidnotwanttoberoused。
Atlasthiswillclickedintoaction。
“Imustn’tliehere，“hesaid;“it’ssilly。”
Butstillhedidnotmove。
“IsaidIwasgoingtogetup，“herepeated。”Whydon’tI？”
Andstillitwassometimebeforehehadsufficientlypulled，himselftogethertostir;thengraduallyhegotup。Painmadehim，sickanddazed，buthisbrainwasclear。Reeling，hegropedfor，hiscoatsandgotthemon，buttoninghisovercoatuptohisears。
Itwassometimebeforehefoundhiscap。Hedidnotknowwhetherhis，facewasstillbleeding。Walkingblindly，everystepmakinghimsick，withpain，hewentbacktothepondandwashedhisfaceandhands。
Theicywaterhurt，buthelpedtobringhimbacktohimself。
Hecrawledbackupthehilltothetram。Hewantedtogettohis，mother——hemustgettohismother——thatwashisblindintention。
Hecoveredhisfaceasmuchashecould，andstruggledsicklyalong。
Continuallythegroundseemedtofallawayfromhimashewalked，andhefelthimselfdroppingwithasickeningfeelingintospace;so，likeanightmare，hegotthroughwiththejourneyhome。
Everybodywasinbed。Helookedathimself。Hisfacewas，discolouredandsmearedwithblood，almostlikeadeadman’sface。
Hewashedit，andwenttobed。Thenightwentbyindelirium。
Inthemorninghefoundhismotherlookingathim。Herblueeyes——they，wereallhewantedtosee。Shewasthere;hewasinherhands。
“It’snotmuch，mother，“hesaid。”ItwasBaxterDawes。”
“Tellmewhereithurtsyou，“shesaidquietly。
“Idon’tknow——myshoulder。Sayitwasabicycleaccident，mother。”
Hecouldnotmovehisarm。PresentlyMinnie，thelittleservant，cameupstairswithsometea。
“Yourmother’snearlyfrightenedmeoutofmywits——faintedaway，“
shesaid。
Hefelthecouldnotbearit。Hismothernursedhim;hetold，heraboutit。
“AndnowIshouldhavedonewiththemall，“shesaidquietly。
“Iwill，mother。”
Shecoveredhimup。
“Anddon’tthinkaboutit，“shesaid——“onlytrytogotosleep。
Thedoctorwon’tbeheretilleleven。”
Hehadadislocatedshoulder，andtheseconddayacutebronchitis，setin。Hismotherwaspaleasdeathnow，andverythin。Shewould，sitandlookathim，thenawayintospace。Therewassomething，betweenthemthatneitherdaredmention。Claracametoseehim。
Afterwardshesaidtohismother：
“Shemakesmetired，mother。”
“Yes;Iwishshewouldn’tcome，“Mrs。Morelreplied。
AnotherdayMiriamcame，butsheseemedalmostlikeastranger，tohim。
“Youknow，Idon’tcareaboutthem，mother，“hesaid。
“I’mafraidyoudon’t，myson，“sherepliedsadly。
Itwasgivenouteverywherethatitwasabicycleaccident。
Soonhewasabletogotoworkagain，butnowtherewasaconstant，sicknessandgnawingathisheart。HewenttoClara，butthereseemed，asitwere，nobodythere。Hecouldnotwork。Heandhismother，seemedalmosttoavoideachother。Therewassomesecretbetween，themwhichtheycouldnotbear。Hewasnotawareofit。Heonly，knewthathislifeseemedunbalanced，asifitweregoingtosmash，intopieces。
Claradidnotknowwhatwasthematterwithhim。
Sherealisedthatheseemedunawareofher。Evenwhenhecame，toherheseemedunawareofher;alwayshewassomewhereelse。
Shefeltshewasclutchingforhim，andhewassomewhereelse。
Ittorturedher，andsoshetorturedhim。Foramonthatatime，shekepthimatarm’slength。Healmosthatedher，andwasdriven，toherinspiteofhimself。Hewentmostlyintothecompanyofmen，wasalwaysattheGeorgeortheWhiteHorse。Hismotherwasill，distant，quiet，shadowy。Hewasterrifiedofsomething;hedared，notlookather。Hereyesseemedtogrowdarker，herfacemorewaxen;
stillshedraggedaboutatherwork。
AtWhitsuntidehesaidhewouldgotoBlackpoolforfour，dayswithhisfriendNewton。Thelatterwasabig，jollyfellow，withatouchofthebounderabouthim。Paulsaidhismothermustgo，toSheffieldtostayaweekwithAnnie，wholivedthere。Perhapsthe，changewoulddohergood。Mrs。Morelwasattendingawoman’sdoctor，inNottingham。Hesaidherheartandherdigestionwerewrong。
SheconsentedtogotoSheffield，thoughshedidnotwantto;
butnowshewoulddoeverythinghersonwishedofher。Paulsaid，hewouldcomeforheronthefifthday，andstayalsoinSheffield，tilltheholidaywasup。Itwasagreed。
ThetwoyoungmensetoffgailyforBlackpool。Mrs。Morelwas，quitelivelyasPaulkissedherandlefther。Onceatthestation，heforgoteverything。Fourdayswereclear——notananxiety，notathought。Thetwoyoungmensimplyenjoyedthemselves。
Paulwaslikeanotherman。Noneofhimselfremained——noClara，noMiriam，nomotherthatfrettedhim。Hewrotetothemall，andlongletterstohismother;buttheywerejollylettersthat，madeherlaugh。Hewashavingagoodtime，asyoungfellowswill，inaplacelikeBlackpool。Andunderneathitallwasashadow，forher。
Paulwasverygay，excitedatthethoughtofstayingwithhis，motherinSheffield。Newtonwastospendthedaywiththem。
Theirtrainwaslate。Joking，laughing，withtheirpipesbetween，theirteeth，theyoungmenswungtheirbagsontothetram-car。Paul，hadboughthismotheralittlecollarofreallacethathewanted，toseeherwear，sothathecouldteaseheraboutit。
Annielivedinanicehouse，andhadalittlemaid。Paulran，gailyupthesteps。Heexpectedhismotherlaughinginthehall，butitwasAnniewhoopenedtohim。Sheseemeddistanttohim。
Hestoodasecondindismay。Annielethimkisshercheek。
“Ismymotherill？”hesaid。
“Yes;she’snotverywell。Don’tupsether。”
“Issheinbed？”
“Yes。”
Andthenthequeerfeelingwentoverhim，asifallthesunshine，hadgoneoutofhim，anditwasallshadow。Hedroppedthebag，andranupstairs。Hesitating，heopenedthedoor。Hismother，satupinbed，wearingadressing-gownofold-rosecolour。
Shelookedathimalmostasifshewereashamedofherself，pleadingtohim，humble。Hesawtheashylookabouther。
“Mother！”hesaid。
“Ithoughtyouwerenevercoming，“sheansweredgaily。
Butheonlyfellonhiskneesatthebedside，andburied，hisfaceinthebedclothes，cryinginagony，andsaying：
“Mother——mother——mother！”