CHAPTERTHEFIRST
ANNVERONICATALKSTOHERFATHER
Part1
OneWednesdayafternooninlateSeptember，AnnVeronicaStanleycamedownfromLondoninastateofsolemnexcitementandquiteresolvedtohavethingsoutwithherfatherthatveryevening。
Shehadtrembledonthevergeofsucharesolutionbefore，butthistimequitedefinitelyshemadeit。Acrisishadbeenreached，andshewasalmostgladithadbeenreached。Shemadeuphermindinthetrainhomethatitshouldbeadecisivecrisis。Itisforthatreasonthatthisnovelbeginswithherthere，andneitherearliernorlater，foritisthehistoryofthiscrisisanditsconsequencesthatthisnovelhastotell。
ShehadacompartmenttoherselfinthetrainfromLondontoMorningsidePark，andshesatwithbothherfeetontheseatinanattitudethatwouldcertainlyhavedistressedhermothertosee，andhorrifiedhergrandmotherbeyondmeasure；shesatwithherkneesuptoherchinandherhandsclaspedbeforethem，andshewassolostinthoughtthatshediscoveredwithastart，fromaletteredlamp，thatshewasatMorningsidePark，andthoughtshewasmovingoutofthestation，whereasshewasonlymovingin。\"Lord！\"shesaid。Shejumpedupatonce，caughtupaleatherclutchcontainingnotebooks，afattext-book，andachocolate-and-yellow-coveredpamphlet，andleapedneatlyfromthecarriage，onlytodiscoverthatthetrainwasslowingdownandthatshehadtotraversethefulllengthoftheplatformpastitagainastheresultofherprecipitation。\"Soldagain，\"sheremarked。\"Idiot！\"Sheragedinwardlywhileshewalkedalongwiththatairofself-containedserenitythatispropertoayoungladyofnearlytwo-and-twentyundertheeyeoftheworld。
Shewalkeddownthestationapproach，pasttheneat，obtrusiveofficesofthecoalmerchantandthehouseagent，andsotothewicket-gatebythebutcher’sshopthatledtothefieldpathtoherhome。Outsidethepost-officestoodano-hatted，blondyoungmaningrayflannels，whowaselaboratelyaffixingastamptoaletter。Atthesightofherhebecamerigidandasingularlybrightshadeofpink。Shemadeherselfserenelyunawareofhisexistence，thoughitmaybeitwashispresencethatsentherbythefielddetourinsteadofbythedirectpathuptheAvenue。
\"Umph！\"hesaid，andregardedhisletterdoubtfullybeforeconsigningittothepillar-box。\"Heregoes，\"hesaid。ThenhehoveredundecidedlyforsomesecondswithhishandsinhispocketsandhismouthpuckeredtoawhistlebeforeheturnedtogohomebytheAvenue。
AnnVeronicaforgothimassoonasshewasthroughthegate，andherfaceresumeditsexpressionofsternpreoccupation。\"It’seithernowornever，\"shesaidtoherself……
MorningsideParkwasasuburbthathadnotaltogether，aspeoplesay，comeoff。Itconsisted，likepre-RomanGaul，ofthreeparts。TherewasfirsttheAvenue，whichraninaconsciouslyelegantcurvefromtherailwaystationintoanundevelopedwildernessofagriculture，withbig，yellowbrickvillasoneitherside，andthentherewasthepavement，thelittleclumpofshopsaboutthepost-office，andundertherailwayarchwasacongestionofworkmen’sdwellings。TheroadfromSurbitonandEpsomranunderthearch，and，likeabrightfungoidgrowthintheditch，therewasnowappearingasortoffourthestateoflittlered-and-whiterough-castvillas，withmeretriciousgablesandverybrassywindow-blinds。BehindtheAvenuewasalittlehill，andaniron-fencedpathwentoverthecrestofthistoastileunderanelm-tree，andforkedthere，withonebranchgoingbackintotheAvenueagain。
\"It’seithernowornever，\"saidAnnVeronica，againascendingthisstile。\"MuchasIhaterows，I’veeithergottomakeastandorgiveinaltogether。\"
SheseatedherselfinalooseandeasyattitudeandsurveyedthebacksoftheAvenuehouses；thenhereyeswanderedtowherethenewred-and-whitevillaspeepedamongthetrees。Sheseemedtobemakingsomesortofinventory。\"YeGods！\"shesaidatlast。
\"WHATaplace！
\"Stuffyisn’tthewordforit。
\"Iwonderwhathetakesmefor？\"
Whenpresentlyshegotdownfromthestileacertainnoteofinternalconflict，atouchofdoubt，hadgonefromherwarm-tintedface。Shehadnowtheclearandtranquilexpressionofonewhosemindismadeup。Herbackhadstiffened，andherhazeleyeslookedsteadfastlyahead。
AssheapproachedthecorneroftheAvenuetheblond，no-hattedmaningrayflannelsappeared。Therewasacertainairofforcedfortuityinhismanner。Hesalutedawkwardly。\"Hello，Vee！\"hesaid。
\"Hello，Teddy！\"sheanswered。
Hehungvaguelyforamomentasshepassed。
ButitwasclearshewasinnomoodforTeddys。Herealizedthathewascommittedtothepathacrossthefields，anuninterestingwalkatthebestoftimes。
\"Oh，dammit！\"heremarked，\"dammit！\"withgreatbitternessashefacedit。
Part2
AnnVeronicaStanleywastwenty-oneandahalfyearsold。Shehadblackhair，fineeyebrows，andaclearcomplexion；andtheforcesthathadmodelledherfeatureshadlovedandlingeredattheirworkandmadethemsubtleandfine。Shewasslender，andsometimessheseemedtall，andwalkedandcarriedherselflightlyandjoyfullyasonewhocommonlyandhabituallyfeelswell，andsometimesshestoopedalittleandwaspreoccupied。Herlipscametogetherwithanexpressionbetweencontentmentandthefaintestshadowofasmile，hermannerwasoneofquietreserve，andbehindthismaskshewaswildlydiscontentedandeagerforfreedomandlife。
Shewantedtolive。Shewasvehementlyimpatient——shedidnotclearlyknowforwhat——todo，tobe，toexperience。Andexperiencewasslowincoming。Alltheworldaboutherseemedtobe——howcanoneputit？——inwrappers，likeahousewhenpeopleleaveitinthesummer。Theblindswerealldrawn，thesunlightkeptout，onecouldnottellwhatcolorsthesegrayswathingshid。Shewantedtoknow。Andtherewasnointimationwhateverthattheblindswouldevergouporthewindowsordoorsbeopened，orthechandeliers，thatseemedtopromisesuchablazeoffire，unveiledandfurnishedandlit。Dimsoulsflittedabouther，notonlyspeakingbutitwouldseemeventhinkinginundertones……
Duringherschooldays，especiallyherearlierschooldays，theworldhadbeenveryexplicitwithher，tellingherwhattodo，whatnottodo，givingherlessonstolearnandgamestoplayandinterestsofthemostsuitableandvariouskinds。Presentlyshewokeuptothefactthattherewasaconsiderablegroupofinterestscalledbeinginloveandgettingmarried，withcertainattractiveandamusingsubsidiarydevelopments，suchasflirtationand\"beinginterested\"inpeopleoftheoppositesex。
Sheapproachedthisfieldwithherusuallivelinessofapprehension。Buthereshemetwithacheck。Theseinterestsherworldpromptly，throughtheagencyofschoolmistresses，olderschool-mates，heraunt，andanumberofotherresponsibleandauthoritativepeople，assuredhershemustonnoaccountthinkabout。MissMoffatt，thehistoryandmoralinstructionmistress，wasparticularlyexplicituponthisscore，andtheyallagreedinindicatingcontemptandpityforgirlswhosemindsranonsuchmatters，andwhobetrayeditintheirconversationordressorbearing。Itwas，infact，agroupofinterestsquiteunlikeanyothergroup，peculiarandspecial，andonetobethoroughlyashamedof。Nevertheless，AnnVeronicafounditadifficultmatternottothinkofthesethings。Howeverhavingaconsiderableamountofpride，shedecidedshewoulddisavowtheseundesirabletopicsandkeephermindawayfromthemjustasfarasshecould，butitleftherattheendofherschooldayswiththatwrappedfeelingIhavedescribed，andratheratlooseends。
Theworld，shediscovered，withthesemattersbarredhadnoparticularplaceforheratall，nothingforhertodo，exceptafunctionlessexistencevariedbycalls，tennis，selectednovels，walks，anddustinginherfather’shouse。Shethoughtstudywouldbebetter。Shewasaclevergirl，thebestofheryearintheHighSchool，andshemadeavaliantfightforSomervilleorNewnhambutherfatherhadmetandarguedwithaSomervillegirlatafriend’sdinner-tableandhethoughtthatsortofthingunsexedawoman。Hesaidsimplythathewantedhertoliveathome。Therewasacertainamountofdisputation，andmeanwhileshewentonatschool。TheycompromisedatlengthonthesciencecourseattheTredgoldWomen’sCollege——shehadalreadymatriculatedintoLondonUniversityfromschool——shecameofage，andshebickeredwithherauntforlatch-keyprivilegesonthestrengthofthatandherseasonticket。Shamefacedcuriositiesbegantocomebackintohermind，thinlydisguisedasliteratureandart。Shereadvoraciously，andpresently，becauseofheraunt’scensorship，shetooktosmugglinganybooksshethoughtmightbeprohibitedinsteadofbringingthemhomeopenly，andshewenttothetheatrewhenevershecouldproduceanacceptablefriendtoaccompanyher。Shepassedhergeneralscienceexaminationwithdoublehonorsandspecializedinscience。Shehappenedtohaveanacutesenseofformandunusualmentallucidity，andshefoundinbiology，andparticularlyincomparativeanatomy，averyconsiderableinterest，albeittheilluminationitcastuponherpersonallifewasnotaltogetherdirect。Shedissectedwell，andinayearshefoundherselfchafingatthelimitationsoftheladyB。Sc。whoretailedastoreoffadedlearningintheTredgoldlaboratory。Shehadalreadyrealizedthatthisinstructresswashopelesslywrongandfoggy——itisthetestofthegoodcomparativeanatomist——upontheskull。ShediscoveredadesiretoenterasastudentintheImperialCollegeatWestminster，whereRusselltaught，andgoonwithherworkatthefountain-head。
Shehadaskedaboutthatalready，andherfatherhadreplied，evasively:\"We’llhavetoseeaboutthat，littleVee；we’llhavetoseeaboutthat。\"InthatpostureofbeingseenaboutthematterhunguntilsheseemedcommittedtoanothersessionattheTredgoldCollege，andinthemeantimeasmallconflictaroseandbroughtthelatch-keyquestion，andinfactthequestionofAnnVeronica’spositiongenerally，toanacuteissue。
Inadditiontothevariousbusinessmen，solicitors，civilservants，andwidowladieswholivedintheMorningsideParkAvenue，therewasacertainfamilyofaliensympathiesandartisticquality，theWidgetts，withwhichAnnVeronicahadbecomeveryfriendly。Mr。Widgettwasajournalistandartcritic，addictedtoagreenish-graytweedsuitand\"art\"brownties；hesmokedcorncobpipesintheAvenueonSundaymorning，travelledthirdclasstoLondonbyunusualtrains，andopenlydespisedgolf。Heoccupiedoneofthesmallerhousesnearthestation。Hehadoneson，whohadbeenco-educated，andthreedaughterswithpeculiarlyjollyredhairthatAnnVeronicafoundadorable。TwoofthesehadbeenherparticularintimatesattheHighSchool，andhaddonemuchtosendhermindexploringbeyondthelimitsoftheavailableliteratureathome。Itwasacheerful，irresponsible，shamelesslyhard-upfamilyinthekeyoffadedgreenandflattenedpurple，andthegirlswentonfromtheHighSchooltotheFaddenArtSchoolandabright，eventfullifeofartstudentdances，Socialistmeetings，theatregalleries，talkingaboutwork，andeven，atintervals，work；andeverandagaintheydrewAnnVeronicafromhersoundpersistentindustryintothecircleoftheseexperiences。TheyhadaskedhertocometothefirstofthetwogreatannualFaddenDances，theOctoberone，andAnnVeronicahadacceptedwithenthusiasm。Andnowherfathersaidshemustnotgo。
Hehad\"puthisfootdown，\"andsaidshemustnotgo。
GoinginvolvedtwothingsthatallAnnVeronica’stacthadbeenineffectualtoconcealfromherauntandfather。Herusualdignifiedreservehadavailedhernothing。OnepointwasthatshewastowearfancydressinthelikenessofaCorsair’sbride，andtheotherwasthatshewastospendwhatevervestigesofthenightremainedafterthedancewasoverinLondonwiththeWidgettgirlsandaselectpartyin\"quiteadecentlittlehotel\"
nearFitzroySquare。
\"But，mydear！\"saidAnnVeronica’saunt。
\"Yousee，\"saidAnnVeronica，withtheairofonewhosharesadifficulty，\"I’vepromisedtogo。Ididn’trealize——Idon’tseehowIcangetoutofitnow。\"
Thenitwasherfatherissuedhisultimatum。Hehadconveyedittoher，notverbally，butbymeansofaletter，whichseemedtoherasingularlyignoblemethodofprohibition。\"Hecouldn’tlookmeinthefaceandsayit，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Butofcourseit’saunt’sdoingreally。\"
AndthusitwasthatasAnnVeronicanearedthegatesofhome，shesaidtoherself:\"I’llhaveitoutwithhimsomehow。I’llhaveitoutwithhim。Andifhewon’t——\"
Butshedidnotgiveevenunspokenwordstothealternativeatthattime。
Part3
AnnVeronica’sfatherwasasolicitorwithagooddealofcompanybusiness:alean，trustworthy，worried-looking，neuralgic，clean-shavenmanoffifty-three，withahardmouth，asharpnose，iron-grayhair，grayeyes，gold-framedglasses，andasmall，circularbaldnessatthecrownofhishead。HisnamewasPeter。
Hehadhadfivechildrenatirregularintervals，ofwhomAnnVeronicawastheyoungest，sothatasaparenthecametoherperhapsalittlepractisedandjadedandinattentive；andhecalledherhis\"littleVee，\"andpattedherunexpectedlyanddisconcertingly，andtreatedherpromiscuouslyasofanyagebetweenelevenandeight-and-twenty。TheCityworriedhimagooddeal，andwhatenergyhehadleftoverhespentpartlyingolf，agamehetreatedveryseriously，andpartlyinthepracticesofmicroscopicpetrography。
He\"wentin\"formicroscopyintheunphilosophicalVictorianmannerashis\"hobby。\"Abirthdaypresentofamicroscopehadturnedhismindtotechnicalmicroscopywhenhewaseighteen，andachancefriendshipwithaHolbornmicroscopedealerhadconfirmedthatbent。Hehadremarkablyskilfulfingersandaloveofdetailedprocesses，andhehadbecomeoneofthemostdexterousamateurmakersofrocksectionsintheworld。Hespentagooddealmoremoneyandtimethanhecouldafforduponthelittleroomatthetopofthehouse，inproducingnewlapidaryapparatusandnewmicroscopicaccessoriesandinrubbingdownslicesofrocktoatransparentthinnessandmountingtheminabeautifulanddignifiedmanner。Hedidit，hesaid，\"todistracthismind。\"HischiefsuccessesheexhibitedtotheLowndeanMicroscopicalSociety，wheretheirhightechnicalmeritneverfailedtoexciteadmiration。Theirscientificvaluewaslessconsiderable，sincehechoserocksentirelywithaviewtotheirdifficultyofhandlingortheirattractivenessatconversazioneswhendone。Hehadagreatcontemptforthesectionsthe\"theorizers\"produced。Theyprovedallsortsofthingsperhaps，buttheywerethick，unequal，pitifulpiecesofwork。Yetanindiscriminating，wrong-headedworldgavesuchfellowsallsortsofdistinctions……
Hereadbutlittle，andthatchieflyhealthylightfictionwithchromatictitles，TheRedSword，TheBlackHelmet，ThePurpleRobe，alsoinorder\"todistracthismind。\"Hereaditinwinterintheeveningafterdinner，andAnnVeronicaassociateditwithatendencytomonopolizethelamp，andtospreadaverywornpairofdappledfawn-skinslippersacrossthefender。Shewonderedoccasionallywhyhismindneededsomuchdistraction。HisfavoritenewspaperwastheTimes，whichhebeganatbreakfastinthemorningoftenwithmanifestirritation，andcarriedofftofinishinthetrain，leavingnootherpaperathome。
ItoccurredtoAnnVeronicaoncethatshehadknownhimwhenhewasyounger，butdayhadfollowedday，andeachhadlargelyobliteratedtheimpressionofitspredecessor。Butshecertainlyrememberedthatwhenshewasalittlegirlhesometimesworetennisflannels，andalsorodeabicycleverydexterouslyinthroughthegatestothefrontdoor。Andinthosedays，too，heusedtohelphermotherwithhergardening，andhoveraboutherwhileshestoodontheladderandhammeredcreeperstothescullerywall。
IthadbeenAnnVeronica’slotastheyoungestchildtoliveinahomethatbecamelessanimatedandvariousasshegrewup。Hermotherhaddiedwhenshewasthirteen，hertwomucholdersistershadmarriedoff——onesubmissively，oneinsubordinately；hertwobrothershadgoneoutintotheworldwellaheadofher，andsoshehadmadewhatshecouldofherfather。Buthewasnotafatheronecouldmakemuchof。
Hisideasaboutgirlsandwomenwereofasentimentalandmodestquality；theywerecreatures，hethought，eithertoobadforamodernvocabulary，andthenfrequentlymostundesirablydesirable，ortoopureandgoodforlife。Hemadethissimpleclassificationofalargeandvarioussextotheexclusionofallintermediatekinds；heheldthatthetwoclasseshadtobekeptaparteveninthoughtandremotefromoneanother。Womenaremadelikethepotter’svessels——eitherforworshiporcontumely，andarewithalfragilevessels。Hehadneverwanteddaughters。
Eachtimeadaughterhadbeenborntohimhehadconcealedhischagrinwithgreattendernessandeffusionfromhiswife，andhadswornunwontedlyandwithpassionatesincerityinthebathroom。
Hewasamanlyman，freefromanystrongmaternalstrain，andhehadlovedhisdark-eyed，daintybright-colored，andactivelittlewifewitharealveinofpassioninhissentiment。Buthehadalwaysfelthehadneverallowedhimselftothinkofitthatthepromptitudeoftheirfamilywasalittleindelicateofher，andinasenseanintrusion。Hehad，however，plannedbrilliantcareersforhistwosons，and，withacertainhumanamountofwarpinganddelay，theywerepursuingthese。OnewasintheIndianCivilServiceandoneintherapidlydevelopingmotorbusiness。Thedaughters，hehadhoped，wouldbetheirmother’scare。
Hehadnoideasaboutdaughters。Theyhappentoaman。
Ofcoursealittledaughterisadelightfulthingenough。Itrunsaboutgayly，itromps，itisbrightandpretty，ithasenormousquantitiesofsofthairandmorepowerofexpressingaffectionthanitsbrothers。Itisalovelylittleappendagetothemotherwhosmilesoverit，anditdoesthingsquaintlylikeher，gestureswithherverygestures。ItmakeswonderfulsentencesthatyoucanrepeatintheCityandaregoodenoughforPunch。
Youcallitalotofnicknames——\"Babs\"and\"Bibs\"and\"Viddles\"
and\"Vee\"；youwhackatitplayfully，anditwhacksyouback。Itlovestositonyourknee。Allthatisjollyandasitshouldbe。
Butalittledaughterisonethingandadaughterquiteanother。
ThereonecomestoarelationshipthatMr。Stanleyhadneverthoughtout。Whenhefoundhimselfthinkingaboutit，itupsethimsothatheatonceresortedtodistraction。Thechromaticfictionwithwhichherelievedhismindglancedbutslightlyatthisaspectoflife，andneverwithanyqualityofguidance。Itsheroesneverhaddaughters，theyborrowedotherpeople’s。Theonefault，indeed，ofthisschooloffictionforhimwasthatithadratheralightwaywithparentalrights。Hisinstinctwasinthedirectionofconsideringhisdaughtershisabsoluteproperty，boundtoobeyhim，histogiveawayorhistokeeptobeacomfortinhisdecliningyearsjustashethoughtfit。Aboutthisconceptionofownershipheperceivedanddesiredacertainsentimentalglamour，helikedeverythingproperlydressed，butitremainedownership。Ownershipseemedonlyareasonablereturnforthecaresandexpensesofadaughter’supbringing。Daughterswerenotlikesons。Heperceived，however，thatboththenovelshereadandtheworldhelivedindiscountenancedtheseassumptions。Nothingelsewasputintheirplace，andtheyremainedsottovoce，asitwere，inhismind。Thenewandtheoldcancelledout；hisdaughtersbecamequasi-independentdependents——whichisabsurd。Onemarriedashewishedandoneagainsthiswishes，andnowherewasAnnVeronica，hislittleVee，discontentedwithherbeautiful，safe，andshelteringhome，goingaboutwithhatlessfriendstoSocialistmeetingsandart-classdances，anddisplayingadispositiontocarryherscientificambitionstounwomanlylengths。Sheseemedtothinkhewasmerelythepaymaster，handingoverthemeansofherfreedom。AndnowsheinsistedthatsheMUSTleavethechastenedsecurityoftheTredgoldWomen’sCollegeforRussell’sunbridledclasses，andwantedtogotofancydressdancesinpiratecostumeandspendtheresidueofthenightwithWidgett’sramshacklegirlsinsomeindescribablehotelinSoho！
Hehaddonehisbestnottothinkaboutheratall，butthesituationandhissisterhadbecomealtogethertoourgent。HehadfinallyputasideTheLilacSunbonnet，goneintohisstudy，litthegasfire，andwrittentheletterthathadbroughttheseunsatisfactoryrelationstoahead。
Part4
MYDEARVEE，hewrote。
Thesedaughters！Hegnawedhispenandreflected，torethesheetup，andbeganagain。
\"MYDEARVERONICA，——YouraunttellsmeyouhaveinvolvedyourselfinsomearrangementwiththeWidgettgirlsaboutaFancyDressBallinLondon。Igatheryouwishtogoupinsomefantasticget-up，wrappedaboutinyouroperacloak，andthatafterthefestivitiesyouproposetostaywiththesefriendsofyours，andwithoutanyolderpeopleinyourparty，atanhotel。NowIamsorrytocrossyouinanythingyouhavesetyourheartupon，butIregrettosay——\"
\"H’m，\"hereflected，andcrossedoutthelastfourwords。
\"——butthiscannotbe。\"
\"No，\"hesaid，andtriedagain:\"butImusttellyouquitedefinitelythatIfeelittobemydutytoforbidanysuchexploit。\"
\"Damn！\"heremarkedatthedefacedletter；and，takingafreshsheet，herecopiedwhathehadwritten。Acertainirritationcreptintohismannerashedidso。
\"Iregretthatyoushouldeverhaveproposedit，\"hewenton。
Hemeditated，andbegananewparagraph。
\"Thefactofitis，andthisabsurdprojectofyoursonlybringsittoahead，youhavebeguntogetholdofsomeveryqueerideasaboutwhatayoungladyinyourpositionmayormaynotventuretodo。Idonotthinkyouquiteunderstandmyidealsorwhatisbecomingasbetweenfatheranddaughter。Yourattitudetome——\"
Hefellintoabrownstudy。Itwassodifficulttoputprecisely。
\"——andyouraunt——\"
Foratimehesearchedforthemotjuste。Thenhewenton:
\"——and，indeed，tomostoftheestablishedthingsinlifeis，frankly，unsatisfactory。Youarerestless，aggressive，criticalwithallthecrudeunthinkingcriticismofyouth。YouhavenograspupontheessentialfactsoflifeIprayGodyounevermay，andinyourrashignoranceyouarepreparedtodashintopositionsthatmayendinlifelongregret。Thelifeofayounggirlissetaboutwithprowlingpitfalls。\"
HewasarrestedforamomentbyanindistinctpictureofVeronicareadingthislastsentence。Buthewasnowtoodeeplymovedtotraceacertainunsatisfactorinesstoitssourceinamixtureofmetaphors。\"Well，\"hesaid，argumentatively，\"itIS。That’sallaboutit。It’stimesheknew。\"
\"Thelifeofayounggirlissetaboutwithprowlingpitfalls，fromwhichshemustbeshieldedatallcosts。\"
Hislipstightened，andhefrownedwithsolemnresolution。
\"SolongasIamyourfather，solongasyourlifeisentrustedtomycare，Ifeelboundbyeveryobligationtousemyauthoritytocheckthisodddispositionofyourstowardextravagantenterprises。Adaywillcomewhenyouwillthankme。Itisnot，mydearVeronica，thatIthinkthereisanyharminyou；thereisnot。Butagirlissoilednotonlybyevilbutbytheproximityofevil，andareputationforrashnessmaydoherasseriousaninjuryasreallyreprehensibleconduct。SodopleasebelievethatinthismatterIamactingforthebest。\"
Hesignedhisnameandreflected。Thenheopenedthestudydoorandcalled\"Mollie！\"andreturnedtoassumeanattitudeofauthorityonthehearthrug，beforetheblueflamesandorangeglowofthegasfire。
Hissisterappeared。
Shewasdressedinoneofthosecomplicateddressesthatarealllaceandworkandconfusedpatterningsofblackandpurpleandcreamaboutthebody，andshewasinmanywaysayoungerfeminineversionofthesamethemeashimself。Shehadthesamesharpnose——which，indeed，onlyAnnVeronica，ofallthefamily，hadescaped。Shecarriedherselfwell，whereasherbrotherslouched，andtherewasacertainaristocraticdignityaboutherthatshehadacquiredthroughherlongengagementtoacurateoffamily，ascionoftheWiltshireEdmondshaws。Hehaddiedbeforetheymarried，andwhenherbrotherbecameawidowershehadcometohisassistanceandtakenovermuchofthecareofhisyoungestdaughter。Butfromthefirstherratherold-fashionedconceptionoflifehadjarredwiththesuburbanatmosphere，theHighSchoolspiritandthememoriesofthelightandlittleMrs。Stanley，whosefamilyhadbeenbyanyreckoninginconsiderable——tousethekindliestterm。MissStanleyhaddeterminedfromtheoutsettohavethewarmestaffectionforheryoungestnieceandtobeasecondmotherinherlife——asecondandabetterone；butshehadfoundmuchtobattlewith，andtherewasmuchinherselfthatAnnVeronicafailedtounderstand。Shecameinnowwithanairofreservedsolicitude。
Mr。Stanleypointedtotheletterwithapipehehaddrawnfromhisjacketpocket。\"Whatdoyouthinkofthat？\"heasked。
Shetookitupinhermany-ringedhandsandreaditjudicially。
Hefilledhispipeslowly。
\"Yes，\"shesaidatlast，\"itisfirmandaffectionate。\"
\"Icouldhavesaidmore。\"
\"Youseemtohavesaidjustwhathadtobesaid。Itseemstomeexactlywhatiswanted。Shereallymustnotgotothataffair。\"
Shepaused，andhewaitedforhertospeak。
\"Idon’tthinkshequiteseestheharmofthosepeopleorthesortoflifetowhichtheywoulddrawher，\"shesaid。\"Theywouldspoileverychance。\"
\"Shehaschances？\"hesaid，helpingherout。
\"Sheisanextremelyattractivegirl，\"shesaid；andadded，\"tosomepeople。Ofcourse，onedoesn’tliketotalkaboutthingsuntiltherearethingstotalkabout。\"
\"Allthemorereasonwhysheshouldn’tgetherselftalkedabout。\"
\"ThatisexactlywhatIfeel。\"
Mr。Stanleytooktheletterandstoodwithitinhishandthoughtfullyforatime。\"I’dgiveanything，\"heremarked，\"toseeourlittleVeehappilyandcomfortablymarried。\"
Hegavethenotetotheparlormaidthenextmorninginaninadvertent，casualmannerjustashewasleavingthehousetocatchhisLondontrain。WhenAnnVeronicagotitshehadatfirstawild，fantasticideathatitcontainedatip。
Part5
AnnVeronica’sresolvetohavethingsoutwithherfatherwasnotaccomplishedwithoutdifficulty。
HewasnotduefromtheCityuntilaboutsix，andsoshewentandplayedBadmintonwiththeWidgettgirlsuntildinner-time。Theatmosphereatdinnerwasnotpropitious。Herauntwasblandlyamiableaboveacertaintremulousundertow，andtalkedasiftoacalleraboutthealarmingspreadofmarigoldsthatsummerattheendofthegarden，asortofYellowPeriltoallthesmallerhardyannuals，whileherfatherbroughtsomepaperstotableandpresentedhimselfaspreoccupiedwiththem。\"Itreallyseemsasifweshallhavetoputdownmarigoldsaltogethernextyear，\"
AuntMollyrepeatedthreetimes，\"anddoawaywithmarguerites。
Theyseedbeyondallreason。\"Elizabeth，theparlormaid，keptcomingintohandvegetableswheneverthereseemedachanceofAnnVeronicaaskingforaninterview。DirectlydinnerwasoverMr。Stanley，havingpretendedtolingertosmoke，fledsuddenlyup-stairstopetrography，andwhenVeronicatappedheansweredthroughthelockeddoor，\"Goaway，Vee！I’mbusy，\"andmadealapidary’swheelbuzzloudly。
Breakfast，too，wasanimpossibleoccasion。HereadtheTimeswithanunusuallypassionateintentness，andthendeclaredsuddenlyfortheearlierofthetwotrainsheused。
\"I’llcometothestation，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Imayaswellcomeupbythistrain。\"
\"Imayhavetorun，\"saidherfather，withanappealtohiswatch。
\"I’llrun，too，\"shevolunteered。
Insteadofwhichtheywalkedsharply……
\"Isay，daddy，\"shebegan，andwassuddenlyshortofbreath。
\"Ifit’saboutthatdanceproject，\"hesaid，\"it’snogood，Veronica。I’vemadeupmymind。\"
\"You’llmakemelookafoolbeforeallmyfriends。\"
\"Youshouldn’thavemadeanengagementuntilyou’dconsultedyouraunt。\"
\"IthoughtIwasoldenough，\"shegasped，betweenlaughterandcrying。
Herfather’sstepquickenedtoatrot。\"Iwon’thaveyouquarrellingandcryingintheAvenue，\"hesaid。\"Stopit！……
Ifyou’vegotanythingtosay，youmustsayittoyouraunt——\"
\"Butlookhere，daddy！\"
HeflappedtheTimesatherwithanimperiousgesture。
\"It’ssettled。You’renottogo。You’reNOTtogo。\"
\"Butit’saboutotherthings。\"
\"Idon’tcare。Thisisn’ttheplace。\"
\"ThenmayIcometothestudyto-night——afterdinner？\"
\"I’m——BUSY！\"
\"It’simportant。IfIcan’ttalkanywhereelse——IDOwantanunderstanding。\"
Aheadofthemwalkedagentlemanwhomitwasevidenttheymustattheirpresentpaceveryspeedilyovertake。ItwasRamage，theoccupantofthebighouseattheendoftheAvenue。HehadrecentlymadeMr。Stanley’sacquaintanceinthetrainandshownhimoneortwotriflingcivilities。Hewasanoutsidebrokerandtheproprietorofafinancialnewspaper；hehadcomeupveryrapidlyinthelastfewyears，andMr。Stanleyadmiredanddetestedhiminalmostequalmeasure。Itwasintolerabletothinkthathemightoverhearwordsandphrases。Mr。Stanley’spaceslackened。
\"You’venorighttobadgermelikethis，Veronica，\"hesaid。\"I
can’tseewhatpossiblebenefitcancomeofdiscussingthingsthataresettled。Ifyouwantadvice，yourauntistheperson。
However，ifyoumustairyouropinions——\"
\"To-night，then，daddy！\"
Hemadeanangrybutconceivablyanassentingnoise，andthenRamageglancedbackandstopped，salutedelaborately，andwaitedforthemtocomeup。Hewasasquare-facedmanofnearlyfifty，withiron-grayhairamobile，clean-shavenmouthandratherprotuberantblackeyesthatnowscrutinizedAnnVeronica。HedressedratherafterthefashionoftheWestEndthantheCity，andaffectedaculturedurbanitythatsomehowdisconcertedandalwaysannoyedAnnVeronica’sfatherextremely。Hedidnotplaygolf，buttookhisexerciseonhorseback，whichwasalsounsympathetic。
\"StuffythesetreesmaketheAvenue，\"saidMr。Stanleyastheydrewalongside，toaccountforhisownruffledandheatedexpression。\"Theyoughttohavebeenloppedinthespring。\"
\"There’splentyoftime，\"saidRamage。\"IsMissStanleycomingupwithus？\"
\"Igosecond，\"shesaid，\"andchangeatWimbledon。\"
\"We’llallgosecond，\"saidRamage，\"ifwemay？\"
Mr。Stanleywantedtoobjectstrongly，butashecouldnotimmediatelythinkhowtoputit，hecontentedhimselfwithagrunt，andthemotionwascarried。\"How’sMrs。Ramage？\"heasked。
\"Verymuchasusual，\"saidRamage。\"Shefindslyingupsomuchveryirksome。But，yousee，sheHAStolieup。\"
Thetopicofhisinvalidwifeboredhim，andheturnedatoncetoAnnVeronica。\"AndwhereareYOUgoing？\"hesaid。\"Areyougoingonagainthiswinterwiththatscientificworkofyours？
It’saninstanceofheredity，Isuppose。\"ForamomentMr。
StanleyalmostlikedRamage。\"You’reabiologist，aren’tyou？\"
Hebegantotalkofhisownimpressionsofbiologyasacommonplacemagazinereaderwhohadtogetwhathecouldfromthemonthlyreviews，andwasgladtomeetwithanyinformationfromnearerthefountainhead。Inalittlewhileheandsheweretalkingquiteeasilyandagreeably。Theywentontalkinginthetrain——itseemedtoherfatheraslightwantofdeferencetohim——andhelistenedandpretendedtoreadtheTimes。HewasstruckdisagreeablybyRamage’sairofgallantconsiderationandAnnVeronica’sself-possessedanswers。Thesethingsdidnotharmonizewithhisconceptionoftheforthcomingifunavoidable
interview。Afterall，itcametohimsuddenlyasaharshdiscoverythatshemightbeinasenseregardedasgrownup。Hewasamanwhoinallthingsclassifiedwithoutnuance，andforhimtherewereinthematterofagejusttwofeminineclassesandnomore——girlsandwomen。Thedistinctionlaychieflyintherighttopattheirheads。Butherewasagirl——shemustbeagirl，sinceshewashisdaughterandpat-able——imitatingthewomanquiteremarkablyandcleverly。Heresumedhislistening。
Shewasdiscussingoneofthosemodernadvancedplayswitharemarkable，withanextraordinary，confidence。
\"Hislove-making，\"sheremarked，\"struckmeasunconvincing。Heseemedtoonoisy。\"
Thefullsignificanceofherwordsdidnotinstantlyappeartohim。Thenitdawned。Goodheavens！Shewasdiscussinglove-making。Foratimeheheardnomore，andstaredwithstonyeyesataBook-WarproclamationinleadedtypethatfilledhalfacolumnoftheTimesthatday。Couldsheunderstandwhatshewastalkingabout？Luckilyitwasasecond-classcarriageandtheordinaryfellow-travellerswerenotthere。Everybody，hefelt，mustbelisteningbehindtheirpapers。
Ofcourse，girlsrepeatphrasesandopinionsofwhichtheycannotpossiblyunderstandthemeaning。Butamiddle-agedmanlikeRamageoughttoknowbetterthantodrawoutagirl，thedaughterofafriendandneighbor……
Well，afterall，heseemedtobeturningthesubject。\"Broddickisaheavyman，\"hewassaying，\"andthemaininterestoftheplaywastheembezzlement。\"ThankHeaven！Mr。Stanleyallowedhispapertodropalittle，andscrutinizedthehatsandbrowsoftheirthreefellow-travellers。
TheyreachedWimbledon，andRamagewhippedouttohandMissStanleytotheplatformasthoughshehadbeenaduchess，andshedescendedasthoughsuchattentionsfrommiddle-aged，butstillgallant，merchantswereamatterofcourse。Then，asRamagereadjustedhimselfinacorner，heremarked:\"Theseyoungpeopleshootup，Stanley。ItseemsonlyyesterdaythatshewasrunningdowntheAvenue，allhairandlegs。\"
Mr。Stanleyregardedhimthroughhisglasseswithsomethingapproachinganimosity。
\"Nowshe’sallhatandideas，\"hesaid，withanairofhumor。
\"Sheseemsanunusuallyclevergirl，\"saidRamage。
Mr。Stanleyregardedhisneighbor’sclean-shavenfacealmostwarily。\"I’mnotsurewhetherwedon’tratheroverdoallthishighereducation，\"hesaid，withaneffectofconveyingprofoundmeanings。
Part6
Hebecamequitesure，byasortofaccumulationofreflection，asthedayworeon。Hefoundhisyoungestdaughterintrusiveinhisthoughtsallthroughthemorning，andstillmoresointheafternoon。Hesawheryoungandgracefulbackasshedescendedfromthecarriage，severelyignoringhim，andrecalledaglimpsehehadofherface，brightandserene，ashistrainranoutofWimbledon。Herecalledwithexasperatingperplexityherclear，matter-of-facttoneasshetalkedaboutlove-makingbeingunconvincing。Hewasreallyveryproudofher，andextraordinarilyangryandresentfulattheinnocentandaudaciousself-reliancethatseemedtointimatehersenseofabsoluteindependenceofhim，herabsolutesecuritywithouthim。Afterall，sheonlyLOOKEDawoman。Shewasrashandignorant，absolutelyinexperienced。Absolutely。Hebegantothinkofspeeches，veryfirm，explicitspeeches，hewouldmake。
HelunchedintheLegalClubinChanceryLane，andmetOgilvy。
Daughterswereintheairthatday。Ogilvywasfullofaclient’stroubleinthatmatter，agraveandeventragictrouble。Hetoldsomeoftheparticulars。
\"Curiouscase，\"saidOgilvy，butteringhisbreadandcuttingitupinawayhehad。\"Curiouscase——andsetsonethinking。\"
Heresumed，afteramouthful:\"Hereisagirlofsixteenorseventeen，seventeenandahalftobeexact，runningabout，asonemightsay，inLondon。Schoolgirl。HerfamilyaresolidWestEndpeople，Kensingtonpeople。Father——dead。Shegoesoutandcomeshome。AfterwardgoesontoOxford。Twenty-one，twenty-two。
Whydoesn’tshemarry？Plentyofmoneyunderherfather’swill。
Charminggirl。\"
HeconsumedIrishstewforsomemoments。
\"Marriedalready，\"hesaid，withhismouthfull。\"Shopman。\"
\"GoodGod！\"saidMr。Stanley。
\"Good-lookingrascalshemetatWorthing。Veryromanticandallthat。Hefixedit。\"
\"But——\"
\"Heleftheralone。Pureromanticnonsenseonherpart。Sheercalculationonhis。WentuptoSomersetHousetoexaminethewillbeforehedidit。Yes。Niceposition。\"
\"Shedoesn’tcareforhimnow？\"
\"Notabit。Whatagirlofsixteencaresforishairandahighcolorandmoonlightandatenorvoice。Isupposemostofourdaughterswouldmarryorgan-grindersiftheyhadachance——atthatage。Mysonwantedtomarryawomanofthirtyinatobacconist’sshop。Onlyason’sanotherstory。Wefixedthat。
Well，that’sthesituation。Mypeopledon’tknowwhattodo。
Can’tfaceascandal。Can’taskthegenttogoabroadandcondoneabigamy。Hemisstatedherageandaddress；butyoucan’tgethomeonhimforathinglikethat……Thereyouare！Girlspoiltforlife。MakesonewanttogobacktotheOrientalsystem！\"
Mr。Stanleypouredwine。\"DamnedRascal！\"hesaid。\"Isn’tthereabrothertokickhim？\"
\"Meresatisfaction，\"reflectedOgilvy。\"Meresensuality。I
ratherthinktheyhavekickedhim，fromthetoneofsomeoftheletters。Nice，ofcourse。Butitdoesn’talterthesituation。\"
\"It’stheseRascals，\"saidMr。Stanley，andpaused。
\"Alwayshasbeen，\"saidOgilvy。\"Ourinterestliesinheadingthemoff。\"
\"Therewasatimewhengirlsdidn’tgettheseextravagantideas。\"
\"LydiaLanguish，forexample。Anyhow，theydidn’trunaboutsomuch。\"
\"Yes。That’saboutthebeginning。It’sthesedamnednovels。Allthistorrentofmisleading，spuriousstuffthatpoursfromthepress。Theseshamidealsandadvancednotions。WomenwhoDids，andallthatkindofthing……\"
Ogilvyreflected。\"Thisgirl——she’sreallyaverycharming，frankperson——hadhadherimaginationfired，soshetoldme，byaschoolperformanceofRomeoandJuliet。\"
Mr。Stanleydecidedtotreatthatasirrelevant。\"ThereoughttobeaCensorshipofBooks。Wewantitbadlyatthepresenttime。
EvenWITHtheCensorshipofPlaysthere’shardlyadecentthingtowhichamancantakehiswifeanddaughters，acreepingtaintofsuggestioneverywhere。Whatwoulditbewithoutthatsafeguard？\"
Ogilvypursuedhisowntopic。\"I’minclinedtothink，Stanley，myselfthatasamatteroffactitwastheexpurgatedRomeoandJulietdidthemischief。Ifouryoungpersonhadn’thadthenursepartcutout，eh？Shemighthaveknownmoreanddoneless。
Iwascuriousaboutthat。Alltheyleftitwasthemoonandstars。Andthebalconyand’MyRomeo！’\"
\"Shakespeareisaltogetherdifferentfromthemodernstuff。
Altogetherdifferent。I’mnotdiscussingShakespeare。Idon’twanttoBowdlerizeShakespeare。I’mnotthatsortIquiteagree。
Butthismodernmiasma——\"
Mr。Stanleytookmustardsavagely。
\"Well，wewon’tgointoShakespeare，\"saidOgilvy\"Whatinterestsmeisthatouryoungwomennowadaysarerunningaboutasfreeasairpractically，withregistryofficesandallsortsofaccommodationroundthecorner。Nothingtochecktheirproceedingsbutadeclininghabitoftellingthetruthandthelimitationsoftheirimaginations。Andinthatrespecttheystiruponeanother。Notmyaffair，ofcourse，butIthinkweoughttoteachthemmoreorrestrainthemmore。Oneortheother。
They’retoofreefortheirinnocenceortooinnocentfortheirfreedom。That’smypoint。Areyougoingtohaveanyapple-tart，Stanley？Theapple-tart’sbeenverygoodlately——verygood！\"
Part7
AttheendofdinnerthateveningAnnVeronicabegan:\"Father！\"
Herfatherlookedatheroverhisglassesandspokewithgravedeliberation；\"Ifthereisanythingyouwanttosaytome，\"hesaid，\"youmustsayitinthestudy。Iamgoingtosmokealittlehere，andthenIshallgotothestudy。Idon’tseewhatyoucanhavetosay。Ishouldhavethoughtmynoteclearedupeverything。TherearesomepapersIhavetolookthroughto-night——importantpapers。\"
\"Iwon’tkeepyouverylong，daddy，\"saidAnnVeronica。
\"Idon’tsee，Mollie，\"heremarked，takingacigarfromtheboxonthetableashissisteranddaughterrose，\"whyyouandVeeshouldn’tdiscussthislittleaffair——whateveritis——withoutbotheringme。\"
Itwasthefirsttimethiscontroversyhadbecometriangular，forallthreeofthemwereshybyhabit。
Hestoppedinmid-sentence，andAnnVeronicaopenedthedoorforheraunt。Theairwasthickwithfeelings。Herauntwentoutoftheroomwithdignityandarustle，andup-stairstothefastnessofherownroom。Sheagreedentirelywithherbrother。Itdistressedandconfusedherthatthegirlshouldnotcometoher。
Itseemedtoshowawantofaffection，tobeadeliberateandunmeriteddisregard，tojustifythereprisalofbeinghurt。
WhenAnnVeronicacameintothestudyshefoundeveryevidenceofacarefullyforeseengroupingaboutthegasfire。Botharm-chairshadbeenmovedalittlesoastofaceeachotheroneithersideofthefender，andinthecircularglowofthegreen-shadedlamptherelay，conspicuouslywaiting，athickbundleofblueandwhitepaperstiedwithpinktape。Herfatherheldsomeprinteddocumentinhishand，andappearednottoobserveherentry。\"Sitdown，\"hesaid，andperused——\"perused\"
isthewordforit——forsomemoments。Thenheputthepaperby。
\"Andwhatisitallabout，Veronica？\"heasked，withadeliberatenoteofirony，lookingatheralittlequizzicallyoverhisglasses。
AnnVeronicalookedbrightandalittleelated，andshedisregardedherfather’sinvitationtobeseated。Shestoodonthematinstead，andlookeddownonhim。\"Lookhere，daddy，\"shesaid，inatoneofgreatreasonableness，\"IMUSTgotothatdance，youknow。\"
Herfather’sironydeepened。\"Why？\"heasked，suavely。
Heranswerwasnotquiteready。\"Well，becauseIdon’tseeanyreasonwhyIshouldn’t。\"
\"YouseeIdo。\"
\"Whyshouldn’tIgo？\"
\"Itisn’tasuitableplace；itisn’tasuitablegathering。\"
\"But，daddy，whatdoyouknowoftheplaceandthegathering？\"
\"Andit’sentirelyoutoforder；itisn’tright，itisn’tcorrect；it’simpossibleforyoutostayinanhotelinLondon——theideaispreposterous。Ican’timaginewhatpossessedyou，Veronica。\"
Heputhisheadononeside，pulleddownthecornersofhismouth，andlookedatheroverhisglasses。
\"Butwhyisitpreposterous？\"askedAnnVeronica，andfiddledwithapipeonthemantel。
\"Surely！\"heremarked，withanexpressionofworriedappeal。
\"Yousee，daddy，Idon’tthinkitISpreposterous。That’sreallywhatIwanttodiscuss。Itcomestothis——amItobetrustedtotakecareofmyself，oramInot？\"
\"Tojudgefromthisproposalofyours，Ishouldsaynot。\"
\"IthinkIam。\"
\"Aslongasyouremainundermyroof——\"hebegan，andpaused。
\"YouaregoingtotreatmeasthoughIwasn’t。Well，Idon’tthinkthat’sfair。\"
\"Yourideasoffairness——\"heremarked，anddiscontinuedthatsentence。\"Mydeargirl，\"hesaid，inatoneofpatientreasonableness，\"youareamerechild。Youknownothingoflife，nothingofitsdangers，nothingofitspossibilities。Youthinkeverythingisharmlessandsimple，andsoforth。Itisn’t。Itisn’t。That’swhereyougowrong。Insomethings，inmanythings，youmusttrusttoyourelders，tothosewhoknowmoreoflifethanyoudo。YourauntandIhavediscussedallthismatter。Thereitis。Youcan’tgo。\"
Theconversationhungforamoment。AnnVeronicatriedtokeepholdofacomplicatedsituationandnotloseherhead。Shehadturnedroundsideways，soastolookdownintothefire。
\"Yousee，father，\"shesaid，\"itisn’tonlythisaffairofthedance。Iwanttogotothatbecauseit’sanewexperience，becauseIthinkitwillbeinterestingandgivemeaviewofthings。YousayIknownothing。That’sprobablytrue。ButhowamItoknowofthings？\"
\"SomethingsIhopeyoumayneverknow，\"hesaid。
\"I’mnotsosure。Iwanttoknow——justasmuchasIcan。\"
\"Tut！\"hesaid，fuming，andputouthishandtothepapersinthepinktape。
\"Well，Ido。It’sjustthatIwanttosay。Iwanttobeahumanbeing；Iwanttolearnaboutthingsandknowaboutthings，andnottobeprotectedassomethingtoopreciousforlife，coopedupinonenarrowlittlecorner。\"
\"Coopedup！\"hecried。\"DidIstandinthewayofyourgoingtocollege？HaveIeverpreventedyougoingaboutatanyreasonablehour？You’vegotabicycle！\"
\"H’m！\"saidAnnVeronica，andthenwenton\"Iwanttobetakenseriously。Agirl——atmyage——isgrown-up。IwanttogoonwithmyUniversityworkunderproperconditions，nowthatI’vedonetheIntermediate。Itisn’tasthoughIhaven’tdonewell。I’venevermuffedanexam。yet。Roddymuffedtwo……\"
Herfatherinterrupted。\"Nowlookhere，Veronica，letusbeplainwitheachother。YouarenotgoingtothatinfidelRussell’sclasses。YouarenotgoinganywherebuttotheTredgoldCollege。I’vethoughtthatout，andyoumustmakeupyourmindtoit。Allsortsofconsiderationscomein。Whileyouliveinmyhouseyoumustfollowmyideas。Youarewrongevenaboutthatman’sscientificpositionandhisstandardofwork。
TherearemenintheLowndeanwholaughathim——simplylaughathim。AndIhaveseenworkbyhispupilsmyselfthatstruckmeasbeing——well，nextdoortoshameful。There’sstories，too，abouthisdemonstrator，CapesSomethingorother。Thekindofmanwhoisn’tcontentwithhisscience，andwritesarticlesinthemonthlyreviews。Anyhow，thereitis:YOUARENOTGOINGTHERE。\"
Thegirlreceivedthisintimationinsilence。butthefacethatlookeddownuponthegasfiretookanexpressionofobstinacythatbroughtoutahithertolatentresemblancebetweenparentandchild。Whenshespoke，herlipstwitched。
\"ThenIsupposewhenIhavegraduatedIamtocomehome？\"
\"Itseemsthenaturalcourse\"
\"Anddonothing？\"
\"Thereareplentyofthingsagirlcanfindtodoathome。\"
\"Untilsomeonetakespityonmeandmarriesme？\"
Heraisedhiseyebrowsinmildappeal。Hisfoottappedimpatiently，andhetookupthepapers。
\"Lookhere，father，\"shesaid，withachangeinhervoice，\"supposeIwon’tstandit？\"
Heregardedherasthoughthiswasanewidea。
\"Suppose，forexample，Igotothisdance？\"
\"Youwon’t。\"
\"Well\"——herbreathfailedherforamoment。\"Howwouldyoupreventit？\"sheasked。
\"ButIhaveforbiddenit！\"hesaid，raisinghisvoice。
\"Yes，Iknow。ButsupposeIgo？\"
\"Now，Veronica！No，no。Thiswon’tdo。Understandme！I
forbidit。Idonotwanttohearfromyoueventhethreatofdisobedience。\"Hespokeloudly。\"Thethingisforbidden！\"
\"Iamreadytogiveupanythingthatyoushowtobewrong。\"
\"YouwillgiveupanythingIwishyoutogiveup。\"
Theystaredateachotherthroughapause，andbothfaceswereflushedandobstinate。
Shewastryingbysomewonderful，secret，andmotionlessgymnasticstorestrainhertears。Butwhenshespokeherlipsquivered，andtheycame。\"Imeantogotothatdance！\"sheblubbered。\"Imeantogotothatdance！Imeanttoreasonwithyou，butyouwon’treason。You’redogmatic。\"
Atthesightofhertearshisexpressionchangedtoaminglingoftriumphandconcern。Hestoodup，apparentlyintendingtoputanarmabouther，butshesteppedbackfromhimquickly。Sheproducedahandkerchief，andwithonesweepofthisandasimultaneousgulphadabolishedherfitofweeping。Hisvoicenowhadlostitsironies。
\"Now，Veronica，\"hepleaded，\"Veronica，thisismostunreasonable。Allwedoisforyourgood。NeitheryourauntnorIhaveanyotherthoughtbutwhatisbestforyou。\"
\"Onlyyouwon’tletmelive。Onlyyouwon’tletmeexist！\"
Mr。Stanleylostpatience。Hebulliedfrankly。
\"Whatnonsenseisthis？Whatraving！Mydearchild，youDO
live，youDOexist！Youhavethishome。Youhavefriends，acquaintances，socialstanding，brothersandsisters，everyadvantage！Insteadofwhich，youwanttogotosomemixedclassesorotherandcutuprabbitsanddanceaboutatnightsinwildcostumeswithcasualartstudentfriendsandGodknowswho。
That——thatisn’tliving！Youarebesideyourself。Youdon’tknowwhatyouasknorwhatyousay。Youhaveneitherreasonnorlogic。Iamsorrytoseemtohurtyou，butallIsayisforyourgood。YouMUSTnot，youSHALLnotgo。OnthisIamresolved。I
putmyfootdownlike——likeadamant。Andatimewillcome，Veronica，markmywords，atimewillcomewhenyouwillblessmeformyfirmnessto-night。Itgoestomyhearttodisappointyou，butthisthingmustnotbe。\"
Hesidledtowardher，butsherecoiledfromhim，leavinghiminpossessionofthehearth-rug。
\"Well，\"shesaid，\"good-night，father。\"
\"What！\"heasked；\"notakiss？\"
Sheaffectednottohear。
Thedoorclosedsoftlyuponher。Foralongtimeheremainedstandingbeforethefire，staringatthesituation。Thenhesatdownandfilledhispipeslowlyandthoughtfully……
\"Idon’tseewhatelseIcouldhavesaid，\"heremarked。
CHAPTERTHESECOND
ANNVERONICAGATHERSPOINTSOFVIEW
Part1
\"AreyoucomingtotheFaddenDance，AnnVeronica？\"askedConstanceWidgett。
AnnVeronicaconsideredheranswer。\"Imeanto，\"shereplied。
\"Youaremakingyourdress？\"
\"Suchasitis。\"
TheywereintheelderWidgettgirl’sbedroom；Hettywaslaidup，shesaid，withasprainedankle，andamiscellaneouspartywasgossipingawayhertedium。Itwasalarge，littered，self-forgetfulapartment，decoratedwithunframedcharcoalsketchesbyvariousincipientmasters；andanopenbookcase，surmountedbyplastercastsandthehalfofahumanskull，displayedanoddmiscellanyofbooks——ShawandSwinburne，TomJones，FabianEssays，PopeandDumas，cheekbyjowl。ConstanceWidgett’sabundantcopper-redhairwasbentdownoversomedimlyremunerativework——stencillingincolorsuponrough，whitematerial——atakitchentableshehaddraggedup-stairsforthepurpose，whileonherbedtherewasseatedaslenderladyofthirtyorsoinadingygreendress，whomConstancehadintroducedwithawaveofherhandasMissMiniver。MissMiniverlookedoutontheworldthroughlargeemotionalblueeyesthatwerefurthermagnifiedbytheglassesshewore，andhernosewaspinchedandpink，andhermouthwaswhimsicallypetulant。Herglassesmovedquicklyasherglancetravelledfromfacetoface。
Sheseemedburstingwiththedesiretotalk，andwatchingforheropportunity。Onherlapelwasanivorybutton，bearingthewords\"VotesforWomen。\"AnnVeronicasatatthefootofthesufferer’sbed，whileTeddyWidgett，beingsomethingofanathlete，occupiedtheonlybed-roomchair——adecadentpiece，essentiallyatripodandlargelyaformality——andsmokedcigarettes，andtriedtoconcealthefactthathewaslookingallthetimeatAnnVeronica’seyebrows。TeddywasthehatlessyoungmanwhohadturnedAnnVeronicaasidefromtheAvenuetwodaysbefore。Hewasthejuniorofbothhissisters，co-educatedandmuchbrokenintofemininesociety。Abowlofroses，justbroughtbyAnnVeronica，adornedthecommunaldressing-table，andAnnVeronicawasparticularlytriminpreparationforacallshewastomakewithherauntlaterintheafternoon。
AnnVeronicadecidedtobemoreexplicit。\"I’vebeen，\"shesaid，\"forbiddentocome。\"
\"Hul-LO！\"saidHetty，turningherheadonthepillow；andTeddyremarkedwithprofoundemotion，\"MyGod！\"
\"Yes，\"saidAnnVeronica，\"andthatcomplicatesthesituation。\"
\"Auntie？\"askedConstance，whowasconversantwithAnnVeronica’saffairs。
\"No！Myfather。It’s——it’saseriousprohibition。\"
\"Why？\"askedHetty。
\"That’sthepoint。Iaskedhimwhy，andhehadn’tareason。\"
\"YOUASKEDYOURFATHERFORAREASON！\"saidMissMiniver，withgreatintensity。
\"Yes。Itriedtohaveitoutwithhim，buthewouldn’thaveitout。\"AnnVeronicareflectedforaninstant\"That’swhyIthinkIoughttocome。\"
\"Youaskedyourfatherforareason！\"MissMiniverrepeated。
\"WealwayshavethingsoutwithOURfather，poordear！\"saidHetty。\"He’sgotalmosttolikeit。\"
\"Men，\"saidMissMiniver，\"NEVERhaveareason。Never！Andtheydon’tknowit！Theyhavenoideaofit。It’soneoftheirworsttraits，oneoftheirveryworst。\"
\"ButIsay，Vee，\"saidConstance，\"ifyoucomeandyouareforbiddentocomethere’llbethedeuceofarow。\"
AnnVeronicawasdecidingforfurtherconfidences。Hersituationwasperplexingherverymuch，andtheWidgettatmospherewaslaxandsympathetic，andprovocativeofdiscussion。\"Itisn’tonlythedance，\"shesaid。
\"There’stheclasses，\"saidConstance，thewell-informed。
\"There’sthewholesituation。ApparentlyI’mnottoexistyet。
I’mnottostudy，I’mnottogrow。I’vegottostayathomeandremaininastateofsuspendedanimation。\"
\"DUSTING！\"saidMissMiniver，inasepulchralvoice。
\"Untilyoumarry，Vee，\"saidHetty。
\"Well，Idon’tfeellikestandingit。\"
\"Thousandsofwomenhavemarriedmerelyforfreedom，\"saidMissMiniver。\"Thousands！Ugh！Andfounditaworseslavery。\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidConstance，stencillingawayatbrightpinkpetals，\"it’sourlot。Butit’sverybeastly。\"
\"What’sourlot？\"askedhersister。
\"Slavery！Downtroddenness！WhenIthinkofitIfeelalloverbootmarks——men’sboots。Wehideitbravely，butsoitis。
Damn！I’vesplashed。\"
MissMiniver’smannerbecameimpressive。SheaddressedAnnVeronicawithanairofconveyinggreatopensecretstoher。\"Asthingsareatpresent，\"shesaid，\"itistrue。Weliveunderman-madeinstitutions，andthatiswhattheyamountto。Everygirlintheworldpractically，exceptafewofuswhoteachortype-write，andthenwe’reunderpaidandsweated——it’sdreadfultothinkhowwearesweated！\"Shehadlosthergeneralization，whateveritwas。Shehungforamoment，andthenwenton，conclusively，\"UntilwehavethevotethatishowthingsWILL
be。\"
\"I’mallforthevote，\"saidTeddy。
\"IsupposeagirlMUSTbeunderpaidandsweated，\"saidAnnVeronica。\"Isupposethere’snowayofgettingadecentincome——independently。\"
\"WomenhavepracticallyNOeconomicfreedom，\"saidMissMiniver，\"becausetheyhavenopoliticalfreedom。Menhaveseentothat。
Theoneprofession，theonedecentprofession，Imean，forawoman——exceptthestage——isteaching，andtherewetrampleononeanother。Everywhereelse——thelaw，medicine，theStockExchange——prejudicebarsus。\"
\"There’sart，\"saidAnnVeronica，\"andwriting。\"
\"Everyonehasn’ttheGift。Eventhereawomannevergetsafairchance。Menareagainsther。Whatevershedoesisminimized。
Allthebestnovelshavebeenwrittenbywomen，andyetseehowmensneerattheladynoveliststill！There’sonlyonewaytogetonforawoman，andthatistopleasemen。Thatiswhattheythinkwearefor！\"
\"We’rebeasts，\"saidTeddy。\"Beasts！\"
ButMissMinivertooknonoticeofhisadmission。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidMissMiniver——shewentoninaregularlyundulatingvoice——\"weDOpleasemen。Wehavethatgift。Wecanseeroundthemandbehindthemandthroughthem，andmostofususethatknowledge，inthesilentwaywehave，forourgreatends。Notallofus，butsomeofus。Toomany。Iwonderwhatmenwouldsayifwethrewthemaskaside——ifwereallytoldthemwhatWEthoughtofthem，reallyshowedthemwhatWEwere。\"A
flushofexcitementcreptintohercheeks。
\"Maternity，\"shesaid，\"hasbeenourundoing。\"
Fromthatsheopenedoutintoalong，confusedemphaticdiscourseonthepositionofwomen，fullofwonderfulstatements，whileConstanceworkedatherstencillingandAnnVeronicaandHettylistened，andTeddycontributedsympatheticnoisesandconsumedcheapcigarettes。Asshetalkedshemadeweaklittlegestureswithherhands，andshethrustherfaceforwardfromherbentshoulders；andshepeeredsometimesatAnnVeronicaandsometimesataphotographoftheAxenstrasse，nearFluelen，thathunguponthewall。AnnVeronicawatchedherface，vaguelysympathizingwithher，vaguelydislikingherphysicalinsufficiencyandherconvulsivemovements，andthefineeyebrowswereknitwithafaintperplexity。Essentiallythetalkwasamixtureoffragmentsofsentencesheard，ofpassagesread，orargumentsindicatedratherthanstated，andallofitwasservedinasauceofstrangeenthusiasm，thinyetintense。AnnVeronicahadhadsometrainingattheTredgoldCollegeindisentanglingthreadsfromconfusedstatements，andshehadacuriouspersuasionthatinallthisfluentmuddletherewassomething——somethingreal，somethingthatsignified。Butitwasveryhardtofollow。Shedidnotunderstandthenoteofhostilitytomenthatranthroughitall，thebittervindictivenessthatlitMissMiniver’scheeksandeyes，thesenseofsomeatlastinsupportablewrongslowlyaccumulated。Shehadnoinklingofthatinsupportablewrong。
\"Wearethespecies，\"saidMissMiniver，\"menareonlyincidents。
Theygivethemselvesairs，butsoitis。Inallthespeciesofanimalsthefemalesaremoreimportantthanthemales；themaleshavetopleasethem。Lookatthecock’sfeathers，lookatthecompetitionthereiseverywhere，exceptamonghumans。Thestagsandoxenandthingsallhavetofightforus，everywhere。Onlyinmanisthemalemadethemostimportant。Andthathappensthroughourmaternity；it’sourveryimportancethatdegradesus。
Whileweweremindingthechildrentheystoleourrightsandliberties。Thechildrenmadeusslaves，andthementookadvantageofit。It’s——Mrs。Shalfordsays——theaccidentalconqueringtheessential。Originallyinthefirstanimalstherewerenomales，noneatall。Ithasbeenproved。Thentheyappearamongthelowerthings\"——shemademeticulousgesturestofigurethescaleoflife；sheseemedtobeholdingupspecimens，andpeeringthroughherglassesatthem——\"amongcrustaceansandthings，justaslittlecreatures，eversoinferiortothefemales。Merehangerson。Thingsyouwouldlaughat。Andamonghumanbeings，too，womentobeginwithweretherulersandleaders；theyownedalltheproperty，theyinventedallthearts。