Then，standingbeforehimwithsuchanairofpatiententreatythathecouldnotchoosebutlookather，shesaid：
\"Ifyoushouldwantme，Iwillcomebackwillingly。Whenyoudidwantme，Iwasquitehappytocome；therewasnomeritinit。I
thinkyoumustbeafraid，that，nowyouaregettingwell，Imaybetroublesometoyou；butIshouldnothavebeen，indeed。Ishouldhavecomenolongerthanyourweaknessandconfinementlasted。Youowemenothing；butitisrightthatyoushoulddealasjustlybymeasifIwasalady—eventheveryladythatyoulove；andifyoususpectmeofmeanlymakingmuchofthelittleIhavetriedtodotocomfortyoursickroom，youdoyourselfmorewrongthaneveryoucandome。ThatiswhyIamsorry。ThatiswhyIamverysorry。\"
Ifshehadbeenaspassionateasshewasquiet，asindignantasshewascalm，asangryinherlookasshewasgentle，asloudoftoneasshewaslowandclear，shemighthaveleftnosenseofherdepartureintheroom，comparedwiththatwhichfelluponthelonelystudentwhenshewentaway。
Hewasgazingdrearilyupontheplacewhereshehadbeen，whenRedlawcameoutofhisconcealment，andcametothedoor。
\"Whensicknesslaysitshandonyouagain，\"hesaid，lookingfiercelybackathim，\"—mayitbesoon!—Diehere!Rothere!\"
\"Whathaveyoudone？\"returnedtheother，catchingathiscloak。
\"Whatchangehaveyouwroughtinme？Whatcursehaveyoubroughtuponme？GivemebackMYself!\"
\"Givemebackmyself!\"exclaimedRedlawlikeamadman。\"Iaminfected!Iaminfectious!Iamchargedwithpoisonformyownmind，andthemindsofallmankind。WhereIfeltinterest，compassion，sympathy，Iamturningintostone。Selfishnessandingratitudespringupinmyblightingfootsteps。IamonlysomuchlessbasethanthewretcheswhomImakeso，thatinthemomentoftheirtransformationIcanhatethem。\"
Ashespoke—theyoungmanstillholdingtohiscloak—hecasthimoff，andstruckhim：then，wildlyhurriedoutintothenightairwherethewindwasblowing，thesnowfalling，thecloud—driftsweepingon，themoondimlyshining；andwhere，blowinginthewind，fallingwiththesnow，driftingwiththeclouds，shininginthemoonlight，andheavilyloominginthedarkness，werethePhantom’swords，\"ThegiftthatIhavegiven，youshallgiveagain，gowhereyouwill!\"
Whitherhewent，heneitherknewnorcared，sothatheavoidedcompany。Thechangehefeltwithinhimmadethebusystreetsadesert，andhimselfadesert，andthemultitudearoundhim，intheirmanifoldendurancesandwaysoflife，amightywasteofsand，whichthewindstossedintounintelligibleheapsandmadearuinousconfusionof。ThosetracesinhisbreastwhichthePhantomhadtoldhimwould\"dieoutsoon，\"werenot，asyet，sofarupontheirwaytodeath，butthatheunderstoodenoughofwhathewas，andwhathemadeofothers，todesiretobealone。
Thisputitinhismind—hesuddenlybethoughthimself，ashewasgoingalong，oftheboywhohadrushedintohisroom。Andthenherecollected，thatofthosewithwhomhehadcommunicatedsincethePhantom’sdisappearance，thatboyalonehadshownnosignofbeingchanged。
Monstrousandodiousasthewildthingwastohim，hedeterminedtoseekitout，andproveifthiswerereallyso；andalsotoseekitwithanotherintention，whichcameintohisthoughtsatthesametime。
So，resolvingwithsomedifficultywherehewas，hedirectedhisstepsbacktotheoldcollege，andtothatpartofitwherethegeneralporchwas，andwhere，alone，thepavementwaswornbythetreadofthestudents’feet。
Thekeeper’shousestoodjustwithintheirongates，formingapartofthechiefquadrangle。Therewasalittlecloisteroutside，andfromthatshelteredplaceheknewhecouldlookinatthewindowoftheirordinaryroom，andseewhowaswithin。Theirongateswereshut，buthishandwasfamiliarwiththefastening，anddrawingitbackbythrustinginhiswristbetweenthebars，hepassedthroughsoftly，shutitagain，andcreptuptothewindow，crumblingthethincrustofsnowwithhisfeet。
Thefire，towhichhehaddirectedtheboylastnight，shiningbrightlythroughtheglass，madeanilluminatedplaceupontheground。Instinctivelyavoidingthis，andgoingroundit，helookedinatthewindow。Atfirst，hethoughtthattherewasnoonethere，andthattheblazewasreddeningonlytheoldbeamsintheceilingandthedarkwalls；butpeeringinmorenarrowly，hesawtheobjectofhissearchcoiledasleepbeforeitonthefloor。Hepassedquicklytothedoor，openedit，andwentin。
Thecreaturelayinsuchafieryheat，that，astheChemiststoopedtorousehim，itscorchedhishead。Sosoonashewastouched，theboy，nothalfawake，clutchinghisragstogetherwiththeinstinctofflightuponhim，halfrolledandhalfranintoadistantcorneroftheroom，where，heapedupontheground，hestruckhisfootouttodefendhimself。
\"Getup!\"saidtheChemist。\"Youhavenotforgottenme？\"
\"Youletmealone!\"returnedtheboy。\"Thisisthewoman’shouse—
notyours。\"
TheChemist’ssteadyeyecontrolledhimsomewhat，orinspiredhimwithenoughsubmissiontoberaiseduponhisfeet，andlookedat。
\"Whowashedthem，andputthosebandageswheretheywerebruisedandcracked？\"askedtheChemist，pointingtotheiralteredstate。
\"Thewomandid。\"
\"Andisitshewhohasmadeyoucleanerintheface，too？\"
\"Yes，thewoman。\"
Redlawaskedthesequestionstoattracthiseyestowardshimself，andwiththesameintentnowheldhimbythechin，andthrewhiswildhairback，thoughheloathedtotouchhim。Theboywatchedhiseyeskeenly，asifhethoughtitneedfultohisowndefence，notknowingwhathemightdonext；andRedlawcouldseewellthatnochangecameoverhim。
\"Wherearethey？\"heinquired。
\"Thewoman’sout。\"
\"Iknowsheis。Whereistheoldmanwiththewhitehair，andhisson？\"
\"Thewoman’shusband，d’yemean？\"inquiredtheboy。
\"Ay。Wherearethosetwo？\"
\"Out。Something’sthematter，somewhere。Theywerefetchedoutinahurry，andtoldmetostophere。\"
\"Comewithme，\"saidtheChemist，\"andI’llgiveyoumoney。\"
\"Comewhere？andhowmuchwillyougive？\"
\"I’llgiveyoumoreshillingsthanyoueversaw，andbringyoubacksoon。Doyouknowyourwaytowhereyoucamefrom？\"
\"Youletmego，\"returnedtheboy，suddenlytwistingoutofhisgrasp。\"I’mnotagoingtotakeyouthere。Letmebe，orI’llheavesomefireatyou!\"
Hewasdownbeforeit，andready，withhissavagelittlehand，toplucktheburningcoalsout。
WhattheChemisthadfelt，inobservingtheeffectofhischarmedinfluencestealingoverthosewithwhomhecameincontact，wasnotnearlyequaltothecoldvagueterrorwithwhichhesawthisbaby—
monsterputitatdefiance。Itchilledhisbloodtolookontheimmovableimpenetrablething，inthelikenessofachild，withitssharpmalignantfaceturneduptohis，anditsalmostinfanthand，readyatthebars。
\"Listen，boy!\"hesaid。\"Youshalltakemewhereyouplease，sothatyoutakemewherethepeopleareverymiserableorverywicked。Iwanttodothemgood，andnottoharmthem。Youshallhavemoney，asIhavetoldyou，andIwillbringyouback。Getup!
Comequickly!\"Hemadeahastysteptowardsthedoor，afraidofherreturning。
\"Willyouletmewalkbymyself，andneverholdme，noryettouchme？\"saidtheboy，slowlywithdrawingthehandwithwhichhethreatened，andbeginningtogetup。
\"Iwill!\"
\"Andletmego，before，behind，oranywaysIlike？\"
\"Iwill!\"
\"Givemesomemoneyfirst，then，andgo。\"
TheChemistlaidafewshillings，onebyone，inhisextendedhand。
Tocountthemwasbeyondtheboy’sknowledge，buthesaid\"one，\"
everytime，andavariciouslylookedateachasitwasgiven，andatthedonor。Hehadnowheretoputthem，outofhishand，butinhismouth；andheputthemthere。
Redlawthenwrotewithhispencilonaleafofhispocket—book，thattheboywaswithhim；andlayingitonthetable，signedtohimtofollow。Keepinghisragstogether，asusual，theboycomplied，andwentoutwithhisbareheadandnakedfeetintothewinternight。
Preferringnottodepartbytheirongatebywhichhehadentered，wheretheywereindangerofmeetingherwhomhesoanxiouslyavoided，theChemistledtheway，throughsomeofthosepassagesamongwhichtheboyhadlosthimself，andbythatportionofthebuildingwherehelived，toasmalldoorofwhichhehadthekey。
Whentheygotintothestreet，hestoppedtoaskhisguide—whoinstantlyretreatedfromhim—ifheknewwheretheywere。
Thesavagethinglookedhereandthere，andatlength，noddinghishead，pointedinthedirectionhedesignedtotake。Redlawgoingonatonce，hefollowed，somethinglesssuspiciously；shiftinghismoneyfromhismouthintohishand，andbackagainintohismouth，andstealthilyrubbingitbrightuponhisshredsofdress，ashewentalong。
Threetimes，intheirprogress，theyweresidebyside。Threetimestheystopped，beingsidebyside。ThreetimestheChemistglanceddownathisface，andshudderedasitforceduponhimonereflection。
Thefirstoccasionwaswhentheywerecrossinganoldchurchyard，andRedlawstoppedamongthegraves，utterlyatalosshowtoconnectthemwithanytender，softening，orconsolatorythought。
Thesecondwas，whenthebreakingforthofthemooninducedhimtolookupattheHeavens，wherehesawherinherglory，surroundedbyahostofstarshestillknewbythenamesandhistorieswhichhumansciencehasappendedtothem；butwherehesawnothingelsehehadbeenwonttosee，feltnothinghehadbeenwonttofeel，inlookingupthere，onabrightnight。
Thethirdwaswhenhestoppedtolistentoaplaintivestrainofmusic，butcouldonlyhearatune，mademanifesttohimbythedrymechanismoftheinstrumentsandhisownears，withnoaddresstoanymysterywithinhim，withoutawhisperinitofthepast，orofthefuture，powerlessuponhimasthesoundoflastyear’srunningwater，ortherushingoflastyear’swind。
Ateachofthesethreetimes，hesawwithhorrorthat，inspiteofthevastintellectualdistancebetweenthem，andtheirbeingunlikeeachotherinallphysicalrespects，theexpressionontheboy’sfacewastheexpressiononhisown。
Theyjourneyedonforsometime—nowthroughsuchcrowdedplaces，thatheoftenlookedoverhisshoulderthinkinghehadlosthisguide，butgenerallyfindinghimwithinhisshadowonhisotherside；nowbywayssoquiet，thathecouldhavecountedhisshort，quick，nakedfootstepscomingonbehind—untiltheyarrivedataruinouscollectionofhouses，andtheboytouchedhimandstopped。
\"Inthere!\"hesaid，pointingoutonehousewheretherewereshatteredlightsinthewindows，andadimlanterninthedoorway，with\"LodgingsforTravellers\"paintedonit。
Redlawlookedabouthim；fromthehousestothewastepieceofgroundonwhichthehousesstood，orratherdidnotaltogethertumbledown，unfenced，undrained，unlighted，andborderedbyasluggishditch；fromthat，totheslopinglineofarches，partofsomeneighbouringviaductorbridgewithwhichitwassurrounded，andwhichlessenedgraduallytowardsthem，untilthelastbutonewasamerekennelforadog，thelastaplunderedlittleheapofbricks；fromthat，tothechild，closetohim，coweringandtremblingwiththecold，andlimpingononelittlefoot，whilehecoiledtheotherroundhislegtowarmit，yetstaringatallthesethingswiththatfrightfullikenessofexpressionsoapparentinhisface，thatRedlawstartedfromhim。
\"Inthere!\"saidtheboy，pointingoutthehouseagain。\"I’llwait。\"
\"Willtheyletmein？\"askedRedlaw。
\"Sayyou’readoctor，\"heansweredwithanod。\"There’splentyillhere。\"
Lookingbackonhiswaytothehouse—door，Redlawsawhimtrailhimselfuponthedustandcrawlwithintheshelterofthesmallestarch，asifhewerearat。Hehadnopityforthething，buthewasafraidofit；andwhenitlookedoutofitsdenathim，hehurriedtothehouseasaretreat。
\"Sorrow，wrong，andtrouble，\"saidtheChemist，withapainfuleffortatsomemoredistinctremembrance，\"atleasthauntthisplacedarkly。Hecandonoharm，whobringsforgetfulnessofsuchthingshere!\"
Withthesewords，hepushedtheyieldingdoor，andwentin。
Therewasawomansittingonthestairs，eitherasleeporforlorn，whoseheadwasbentdownonherhandsandknees。Asitwasnoteasytopasswithouttreadingonher，andasshewasperfectlyregardlessofhisnearapproach，hestopped，andtouchedherontheshoulder。Lookingup，sheshowedhimquiteayoungface，butonewhosebloomandpromisewereallsweptaway，asifthehaggardwintershouldunnaturallykillthespring。
Withlittleornoshowofconcernonhisaccount，shemovednearertothewalltoleavehimawiderpassage。
\"Whatareyou？\"saidRedlaw，pausing，withhishanduponthebrokenstair—rail。
\"WhatdoyouthinkIam？\"sheanswered，showinghimherfaceagain。
HelookedupontheruinedTempleofGod，solatelymade，sosoondisfigured；andsomething，whichwasnotcompassion—forthespringsinwhichatruecompassionforsuchmiserieshasitsrise，weredriedupinhisbreast—butwhichwasnearertoit，forthemoment，thananyfeelingthathadlatelystruggledintothedarkening，butnotyetwhollydarkened，nightofhismind—mingledatouchofsoftnesswithhisnextwords。
\"Iamcomeheretogiverelief，ifIcan，\"hesaid。\"Areyouthinkingofanywrong？\"
Shefrownedathim，andthenlaughed；andthenherlaughprolongeditselfintoashiveringsigh，asshedroppedherheadagain，andhidherfingersinherhair。
\"Areyouthinkingofawrong？\"heaskedoncemore。
\"Iamthinkingofmylife，\"shesaid，withamonetarylookathim。
Hehadaperceptionthatshewasoneofmany，andthathesawthetypeofthousands，whenhesawher，droopingathisfeet。
\"Whatareyourparents？\"hedemanded。
\"Ihadagoodhomeonce。Myfatherwasagardener，faraway，inthecountry。\"
\"Ishedead？\"
\"He’sdeadtome。Allsuchthingsaredeadtome。Youagentleman，andnotknowthat!\"Sheraisedhereyesagain，andlaughedathim。
\"Girl!\"saidRedlaw，sternly，\"beforethisdeath，ofallsuchthings，wasbroughtabout，wastherenowrongdonetoyou？Inspiteofallthatyoucando，doesnoremembranceofwrongcleavetoyou？Aretherenottimesupontimeswhenitismiserytoyou？\"
Solittleofwhatwaswomanlywasleftinherappearance，thatnow，whensheburstintotears，hestoodamazed。Buthewasmoreamazed，andmuchdisquieted，tonotethatinherawakenedrecollectionofthiswrong，thefirsttraceofheroldhumanityandfrozentendernessappearedtoshowitself。
Hedrewalittleoff，andindoingso，observedthatherarmswereblack，herfacecut，andherbosombruised。
\"Whatbrutalhandhashurtyouso？\"heasked。
\"Myown。Ididitmyself!\"sheansweredquickly。
\"Itisimpossible。\"
\"I’llswearIdid!Hedidn’ttouchme。Ididittomyselfinapassion，andthrewmyselfdownhere。Hewasn’tnearme。Heneverlaidahanduponme!\"
Inthewhitedeterminationofherface，confrontinghimwiththisuntruth，hesawenoughofthelastperversionanddistortionofgoodsurvivinginthatmiserablebreast，tobestrickenwithremorsethathehadevercomenearher。
\"Sorrow，wrong，andtrouble!\"hemuttered，turninghisfearfulgazeaway。\"Allthatconnectsherwiththestatefromwhichshehasfallen，hasthoseroots!InthenameofGod，letmegoby!\"
Afraidtolookatheragain，afraidtotouchher，afraidtothinkofhavingsunderedthelastthreadbywhichshehelduponthemercyofHeaven，hegatheredhiscloakabouthim，andglidedswiftlyupthestairs。
Oppositetohim，onthelanding，wasadoor，whichstoodpartlyopen，andwhich，asheascended，amanwithacandleinhishand，cameforwardfromwithintoshut。Butthisman，onseeinghim，drewback，withmuchemotioninhismanner，and，asifbyasuddenimpulse，mentionedhisnamealoud。
Inthesurpriseofsucharecognitionthere，hestopped，endeavouringtorecollectthewanandstartledface。Hehadnotimetoconsiderit，for，tohisyetgreateramazement，oldPhilipcameoutoftheroom，andtookhimbythehand。
\"Mr。Redlaw，\"saidtheoldman，\"thisislikeyou，thisislikeyou，sir!youhaveheardofit，andhavecomeafterustorenderanyhelpyoucan。Ah，toolate，toolate!\"
Redlaw，withabewilderedlook，submittedtobeledintotheroom。
Amanlaythere，onatruckle—bed，andWilliamSwidgerstoodatthebedside。
\"Toolate!\"murmuredtheoldman，lookingwistfullyintotheChemist’sface；andthetearsstoledownhischeeks。
\"That’swhatIsay，father，\"interposedhissoninalowvoice。
\"That’swhereitis，exactly。Tokeepasquietaseverwecanwhilehe’sadozing，istheonlythingtodo。You’reright，father!\"
Redlawpausedatthebedside，andlookeddownonthefigurethatwasstretcheduponthemattress。Itwasthatofaman，whoshouldhavebeeninthevigourofhislife，butonwhomitwasnotlikelythesunwouldevershineagain。Thevicesofhisfortyorfiftyyears’careerhadsobrandedhim，that，incomparisonwiththeireffectsuponhisface，theheavyhandofTimeupontheoldman’sfacewhowatchedhimhadbeenmercifulandbeautifying。
\"Whoisthis？\"askedtheChemist，lookinground。
\"MysonGeorge，Mr。Redlaw，\"saidtheoldman，wringinghishands。
\"Myeldestson，George，whowasmorehismother’spridethanalltherest!\"
Redlaw’seyeswanderedfromtheoldman’sgreyhead，ashelaiditdownuponthebed，tothepersonwhohadrecognisedhim，andwhohadkeptaloof，intheremotestcorneroftheroom。Heseemedtobeabouthisownage；andalthoughheknewnosuchhopelessdecayandbrokenmanasheappearedtobe，therewassomethingintheturnofhisfigure，ashestoodwithhisbacktowardshim，andnowwentoutatthedoor，thatmadehimpasshishanduneasilyacrosshisbrow。
\"William，\"hesaidinagloomywhisper，\"whoisthatman？\"
\"Whyyousee，sir，\"returnedMr。William，\"that’swhatIsay，myself。Whyshouldamanevergoandgamble，andthelikeofthat，andlethimselfdowninchbyinchtillhecan’tlethimselfdownanylower!\"
\"HasHEdoneso？\"askedRedlaw，glancingafterhimwiththesameuneasyactionasbefore。
\"Justexactlythat，sir，\"returnedWilliamSwidger，\"asI’mtold。
Heknowsalittleaboutmedicine，sir，itseems；andhavingbeenwayfaringtowardsLondonwithmyunhappybrotherthatyouseehere，\"Mr。Williampassedhiscoat—sleeveacrosshiseyes，\"andbeinglodgingupstairsforthenight—whatIsay，yousee，isthatstrangecompanionscometogetherheresometimes—helookedintoattenduponhim，andcameforusathisrequest。Whatamournfulspectacle，sir!Butthat’swhereitis。It’senoughtokillmyfather!\"
Redlawlookedup，atthesewords，and，recallingwherehewasandwithwhom，andthespellhecarriedwithhim—whichhissurprisehadobscured—retiredalittle，hurriedly，debatingwithhimselfwhethertoshunthehousethatmoment，orremain。
Yieldingtoacertainsullendoggedness，whichitseemedtobeapartofhisconditiontostrugglewith，hearguedforremaining。
\"Wasitonlyyesterday，\"hesaid，\"whenIobservedthememoryofthisoldmantobeatissueofsorrowandtrouble，andshallIbeafraid，to—night，toshakeit？AresuchremembrancesasIcandriveaway，soprecioustothisdyingmanthatIneedfearforHIM？
No!I’llstayhere。\"
Buthestayedinfearandtremblingnonethelessforthesewords；
and，shroudedinhisblackcloakwithhisfaceturnedfromthem，stoodawayfromthebedside，listeningtowhattheysaid，asifhefelthimselfademonintheplace。
\"Father!\"murmuredthesickman，rallyingalittlefromstupor。
\"Myboy!MysonGeorge!\"saidoldPhilip。
\"Youspoke，justnow，ofmybeingmother’sfavourite，longago。
It’sadreadfulthingtothinknow，oflongago!\"
\"No，no，no；\"returnedtheoldman。\"Thinkofit。Don’tsayit’sdreadful。It’snotdreadfultome，myson。\"
\"Itcutsyoutotheheart，father。\"Fortheoldman’stearswerefallingonhim。
\"Yes，yes，\"saidPhilip，\"soitdoes；butitdoesmegood。It’saheavysorrowtothinkofthattime，butitdoesmegood，George。
Oh，thinkofittoo，thinkofittoo，andyourheartwillbesoftenedmoreandmore!Where’smysonWilliam？William，myboy，yourmotherlovedhimdearlytothelast，andwithherlatestbreathsaid，’TellhimIforgavehim，blessedhim，andprayedforhim。’Thosewereherwordstome。Ihaveneverforgottenthem，andI’meighty—seven!\"
\"Father!\"saidthemanuponthebed，\"Iamdying，Iknow。Iamsofargone，thatIcanhardlyspeak，evenofwhatmymindmostrunson。Isthereanyhopeformebeyondthisbed？\"
\"Thereishope，\"returnedtheoldman，\"forallwhoaresoftenedandpenitent。Thereishopeforallsuch。Oh!\"heexclaimed，claspinghishandsandlookingup，\"Iwasthankful，onlyyesterday，thatIcouldrememberthisunhappysonwhenhewasaninnocentchild。Butwhatacomfortitis，now，tothinkthatevenGodhimselfhasthatremembranceofhim!\"
Redlawspreadhishandsuponhisface，andshrank，likeamurderer。
\"Ah!\"feeblymoanedthemanuponthebed。\"Thewastesincethen，thewasteoflifesincethen!\"
\"Buthewasachildonce，\"saidtheoldman。\"Heplayedwithchildren。Beforehelaydownonhisbedatnight，andfellintohisguiltlessrest，hesaidhisprayersathispoormother’sknee。
Ihaveseenhimdoit，manyatime；andseenherlayhisheaduponherbreast，andkisshim。Sorrowfulasitwastoherandme，tothinkofthis，whenhewentsowrong，andwhenourhopesandplansforhimwereallbroken，thisgavehimstillaholduponus，thatnothingelsecouldhavegiven。Oh，Father，somuchbetterthanthefathersuponearth!Oh，Father，somuchmoreafflictedbytheerrorsofThychildren!takethiswandererback!Notasheis，butashewasthen，lethimcrytoThee，ashehassooftenseemedtocrytous!\"
Astheoldmanlifteduphistremblinghands，theson，forwhomhemadethesupplication，laidhissinkingheadagainsthimforsupportandcomfort，asifhewereindeedthechildofwhomhespoke。
Whendidmanevertremble，asRedlawtrembled，inthesilencethatensued!Heknewitmustcomeuponthem，knewthatitwascomingfast。
\"Mytimeisveryshort，mybreathisshorter，\"saidthesickman，supportinghimselfononearm，andwiththeothergropingintheair，\"andIrememberthereissomethingonmymindconcerningthemanwhowasherejustnow，FatherandWilliam—wait!—istherereallyanythinginblack，outthere？\"
\"Yes，yes，itisreal，\"saidhisagedfather。
\"Isitaman？\"
\"WhatIsaymyself，George，\"interposedhisbrother，bendingkindlyoverhim。\"It’sMr。Redlaw。\"
\"IthoughtIhaddreamedofhim。Askhimtocomehere。\"
TheChemist，whiterthanthedyingman，appearedbeforehim。
Obedienttothemotionofhishand，hesatuponthebed。
\"Ithasbeensorippedup，to—night，sir，\"saidthesickman，layinghishanduponhisheart，withalookinwhichthemute，imploringagonyofhisconditionwasconcentrated，\"bythesightofmypooroldfather，andthethoughtofallthetroubleIhavebeenthecauseof，andallthewrongandsorrowlyingatmydoor，that—
\"
Wasittheextremitytowhichhehadcome，orwasitthedawningofanotherchange，thatmadehimstop？
\"—thatwhatICANdoright，withmymindrunningonsomuch，sofast，I’lltrytodo。Therewasanothermanhere。Didyouseehim？\"
Redlawcouldnotreplybyanyword；forwhenhesawthatfatalsignheknewsowellnow，ofthewanderinghandupontheforehead，hisvoicediedathislips。Buthemadesomeindicationofassent。
\"Heispenniless，hungry，anddestitute。Heiscompletelybeatendown，andhasnoresourceatall。Lookafterhim!Losenotime!
Iknowhehasitinhismindtokillhimself。\"
Itwasworking。Itwasonhisface。Hisfacewaschanging，hardening，deepeninginallitsshades，andlosingallitssorrow。
\"Don’tyouremember？Don’tyouknowhim？\"hepursued。
Heshuthisfaceoutforamoment，withthehandthatagainwanderedoverhisforehead，andthenitloweredonRedlaw，reckless，ruffianly，andcallous。
\"Why，d—nyou!\"hesaid，scowlinground，\"whathaveyoubeendoingtomehere!Ihavelivedbold，andImeantodiebold。TotheDevilwithyou!\"
Andsolaydownuponhisbed，andputhisarmsup，overhisheadandears，asresolutefromthattimetokeepoutallaccess，andtodieinhisindifference。
IfRedlawhadbeenstruckbylightning，itcouldnothavestruckhimfromthebedsidewithamoretremendousshock。Buttheoldman，whohadleftthebedwhilehissonwasspeakingtohim，nowreturning，avoideditquicklylikewise，andwithabhorrence。
\"Where’smyboyWilliam？\"saidtheoldmanhurriedly。\"William，comeawayfromhere。We’llgohome。\"
\"Home，father!\"returnedWilliam。\"Areyougoingtoleaveyourownson？\"
\"Where’smyownson？\"repliedtheoldman。
\"Where？why，there!\"
\"That’snosonofmine，\"saidPhilip，tremblingwithresentment。
\"Nosuchwretchasthat，hasanyclaimonme。Mychildrenarepleasanttolookat，andtheywaituponme，andgetmymeatanddrinkready，andareusefultome。I’vearighttoit!I’meighty—seven!\"
\"You’reoldenoughtobenoolder，\"mutteredWilliam，lookingathimgrudgingly，withhishandsinhispockets。\"Idon’tknowwhatgoodyouare，myself。Wecouldhaveadealmorepleasurewithoutyou。\"
\"MYson，Mr。Redlaw!\"saidtheoldman。\"MYson，too!TheboytalkingtomeofMYson!Why，whathasheeverdonetogivemeanypleasure，Ishouldliketoknow？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyouhaveeverdonetogiveMEanypleasure，\"
saidWilliam，sulkily。
\"Letmethink，\"saidtheoldman。\"ForhowmanyChristmastimesrunning，haveIsatinmywarmplace，andneverhadtocomeoutinthecoldnightair；andhavemadegoodcheer，withoutbeingdisturbedbyanysuchuncomfortable，wretchedsightashimthere？
Isittwenty，William？\"
\"Nigherforty，itseems，\"hemuttered。\"Why，whenIlookatmyfather，sir，andcometothinkofit，\"addressingRedlaw，withanimpatienceandirritationthatwerequitenew，\"I’mwhippedifI
canseeanythinginhimbutacalendarofeversomanyyearsofeatinganddrinking，andmakinghimselfcomfortable，overandoveragain。\"
\"I—I’meighty—seven，\"saidtheoldman，ramblingon，childishlyandweakly，\"andIdon’tknowasIeverwasmuchputoutbyanything。I’mnotgoingtobeginnow，becauseofwhathecallsmyson。He’snotmyson。I’vehadapowerofpleasanttimes。I
recollectonce—noIdon’t—no，it’sbrokenoff。Itwassomethingaboutagameofcricketandafriendofmine，butit’ssomehowbrokenoff。Iwonderwhohewas—IsupposeIlikedhim？
AndIwonderwhatbecameofhim—Isupposehedied？ButIdon’tknow。AndIdon’tcare，neither；Idon’tcareabit。\"
Inhisdrowsychuckling，andtheshakingofhishead，heputhishandsintohiswaistcoatpockets。Inoneofthemhefoundabitofholly（leftthere，probablylastnight），whichhenowtookout，andlookedat。
\"Berries，eh？\"saidtheoldman。\"Ah!It’sapitythey’renotgoodtoeat。Irecollect，whenIwasalittlechapaboutashighasthat，andoutawalkingwith—letmesee—whowasIoutawalkingwith？—no，Idon’trememberhowthatwas。Idon’trememberasIeverwalkedwithanyoneparticular，orcaredforanyone，oranyoneforme。Berries，eh？There’sgoodcheerwhenthere’sberries。Well；Ioughttohavemyshareofit，andtobewaitedon，andkeptwarmandcomfortable；forI’meighty—seven，andapooroldman。I’meigh—ty—seven。Eigh—ty—seven!\"
Thedrivelling，pitiablemannerinwhich，asherepeatedthis，henibbledattheleaves，andspatthemorselsout；thecold，uninterestedeyewithwhichhisyoungestson（sochanged）regardedhim；thedeterminedapathywithwhichhiseldestsonlayhardenedinhissin；impressedthemselvesnomoreonRedlaw’sobservation，—
forhebrokehiswayfromthespottowhichhisfeetseemedtohavebeenfixed，andranoutofthehouse。
Hisguidecamecrawlingforthfromhisplaceofrefuge，andwasreadyforhimbeforehereachedthearches。
\"Backtothewoman’s？\"heinquired。
\"Back，quickly!\"answeredRedlaw。\"Stopnowhereontheway!\"
Forashortdistancetheboywentonbefore；buttheirreturnwasmorelikeaflightthanawalk，anditwasasmuchashisbarefeetcoulddo，tokeeppacewiththeChemist’srapidstrides。Shrinkingfromallwhopassed，shroudedinhiscloak，andkeepingitdrawncloselyabouthim，asthoughthereweremortalcontagioninanyflutteringtouchofhisgarments，hemadenopauseuntiltheyreachedthedoorbywhichtheyhadcomeout。Heunlockeditwithhiskey，wentin，accompaniedbytheboy，andhastenedthroughthedarkpassagestohisownchamber。
Theboywatchedhimashemadethedoorfast，andwithdrewbehindthetable，whenhelookedround。
\"Come!\"hesaid。\"Don’tyoutouchme!You’venotbroughtmeheretotakemymoneyaway。\"
Redlawthrewsomemoreupontheground。Heflunghisbodyonitimmediately，asiftohideitfromhim，lestthesightofitshouldtempthimtoreclaimit；andnotuntilhesawhimseatedbyhislamp，withhisfacehiddeninhishands，beganfurtivelytopickitup。Whenhehaddoneso，hecreptnearthefire，and，sittingdowninagreatchairbeforeit，tookfromhisbreastsomebrokenscrapsoffood，andfelltomunching，andtostaringattheblaze，andnowandthentoglancingathisshillings，whichhekeptclenchedupinabunch，inonehand。
\"Andthis，\"saidRedlaw，gazingonhimwithincreasedrepugnanceandfear，\"istheonlyonecompanionIhaveleftonearth!\"
Howlongitwasbeforehewasarousedfromhiscontemplationofthiscreature，whomhedreadedso—whetherhalf—an—hour，orhalfthenight—heknewnot。Butthestillnessoftheroomwasbrokenbytheboy（whomhehadseenlistening）startingup，andrunningtowardsthedoor。
\"Here’sthewomancoming!\"heexclaimed。
TheChemiststoppedhimonhisway，atthemomentwhensheknocked。
\"Letmegotoher，willyou？\"saidtheboy。
\"Notnow，\"returnedtheChemist。\"Stayhere。Nobodymustpassinoroutoftheroomnow。Who’sthat？\"
\"It’sI，sir，\"criedMilly。\"Pray，sir，letmein!\"
\"No!notfortheworld!\"hesaid。
\"Mr。Redlaw，Mr。Redlaw，pray，sir，letmein。\"
\"Whatisthematter？\"hesaid，holdingtheboy。
\"Themiserablemanyousaw，isworse，andnothingIcansaywillwakehimfromhisterribleinfatuation。William’sfatherhasturnedchildishinamoment，Williamhimselfischanged。Theshockhasbeentoosuddenforhim；Icannotunderstandhim；heisnotlikehimself。Oh，Mr。Redlaw，prayadviseme，helpme!\"
\"No!No!No!\"heanswered。
\"Mr。Redlaw!Dearsir!Georgehasbeenmuttering，inhisdoze，aboutthemanyousawthere，who，hefears，willkillhimself。\"
\"Betterheshoulddoit，thancomenearme!\"
\"Hesays，inhiswandering，thatyouknowhim；thathewasyourfriendonce，longago；thatheistheruinedfatherofastudenthere—mymindmisgivesme，oftheyounggentlemanwhohasbeenill。Whatistobedone？Howishetobefollowed？Howishetobesaved？Mr。Redlaw，pray，oh，pray，adviseme!Helpme!\"
Allthistimeheheldtheboy，whowashalf—madtopasshim，andletherin。
\"Phantoms!Punishersofimpiousthoughts!\"criedRedlaw，gazingroundinanguish，\"lookuponme!Fromthedarknessofmymind，lettheglimmeringofcontritionthatIknowisthere，shineupandshowmymisery!InthematerialworldasIhavelongtaught，nothingcanbespared；nosteporatominthewondrousstructurecouldbelost，withoutablankbeingmadeinthegreatuniverse。I
know，now，thatitisthesamewithgoodandevil，happinessandsorrow，inthememoriesofmen。Pityme!Relieveme!\"
Therewasnoresponse，buther\"Helpme，helpme，letmein!\"andtheboy’sstrugglingtogettoher。
\"Shadowofmyself!Spiritofmydarkerhours!\"criedRedlaw，indistraction，\"comeback，andhauntmedayandnight，buttakethisgiftaway!Or，ifitmuststillrestwithme，deprivemeofthedreadfulpowerofgivingittoothers。UndowhatIhavedone。
Leavemebenighted，butrestorethedaytothosewhomIhavecursed。AsIhavesparedthiswomanfromthefirst，andasIneverwillgoforthagain，butwilldiehere，withnohandtotendme，savethiscreature’swhoisproofagainstme，—hearme!\"
Theonlyreplystillwas，theboystrugglingtogettoher，whileheheldhimback；andthecry，increasinginitsenergy，\"Help!letmein。Hewasyourfriendonce，howshallhebefollowed，howshallhebesaved？Theyareallchanged，thereisnooneelsetohelpme，pray，pray，letmein!\"
CHAPTERIII—TheGiftReversedNIGHTwasstillheavyinthesky。Onopenplains，fromhill—tops，andfromthedecksofsolitaryshipsatsea，adistantlow—lyingline，thatpromisedby—and—bytochangetolight，wasvisibleinthedimhorizon；butitspromisewasremoteanddoubtful，andthemoonwasstrivingwiththenight—cloudsbusily。
TheshadowsuponRedlaw’smindsucceededthickandfasttooneanother，andobscureditslightasthenight—cloudshoveredbetweenthemoonandearth，andkeptthelatterveiledindarkness。Fitfulanduncertainastheshadowswhichthenight—cloudscast，weretheirconcealmentsfromhim，andimperfectrevelationstohim；and，likethenight—cloudsstill，iftheclearlightbrokeforthforamoment，itwasonlythattheymightsweepoverit，andmakethedarknessdeeperthanbefore。
Without，therewasaprofoundandsolemnhushupontheancientpileofbuilding，anditsbuttressesandanglesmadedarkshapesofmysteryupontheground，whichnowseemedtoretireintothesmoothwhitesnowandnowseemedtocomeoutofit，asthemoon’spathwasmoreorlessbeset。Within，theChemist’sroomwasindistinctandmurky，bythelightoftheexpiringlamp；aghostlysilencehadsucceededtotheknockingandthevoiceoutside；nothingwasaudiblebut，nowandthen，alowsoundamongthewhitenedashesofthefire，asofitsyieldingupitslastbreath。Beforeitonthegroundtheboylayfastasleep。Inhischair，theChemistsat，ashehadsattheresincethecallingathisdoorhadceased—likeamanturnedtostone。
Atsuchatime，theChristmasmusichehadheardbefore，begantoplay。Helistenedtoitatfirst，ashehadlistenedinthechurch—yard；butpresently—itplayingstill，andbeingbornetowardshimonthenightair，inalow，sweet，melancholystrain—
herose，andstoodstretchinghishandsabouthim，asifthereweresomefriendapproachingwithinhisreach，onwhomhisdesolatetouchmightrest，yetdonoharm。Ashedidthis，hisfacebecamelessfixedandwondering；agentletremblingcameuponhim；andatlasthiseyesfilledwithtears，andheputhishandsbeforethem，andboweddownhishead。
Hismemoryofsorrow，wrong，andtrouble，hadnotcomebacktohim；
heknewthatitwasnotrestored；hehadnopassingbelieforhopethatitwas。Butsomedumbstirwithinhimmadehimcapable，again，ofbeingmovedbywhatwashidden，afaroff，inthemusic。
Ifitwereonlythatittoldhimsorrowfullythevalueofwhathehadlost，hethankedHeavenforitwithaferventgratitude。
Asthelastchorddieduponhisear，heraisedhisheadtolistentoitslingeringvibration。Beyondtheboy，sothathissleepingfigurelayatitsfeet，thePhantomstood，immovableandsilent，withitseyesuponhim。
Ghastlyitwas，asithadeverbeen，butnotsocruelandrelentlessinitsaspect—orhethoughtorhopedso，ashelookeduponittrembling。Itwasnotalone，butinitsshadowyhanditheldanotherhand。
Andwhosewasthat？WastheformthatstoodbesideitindeedMilly’s，orbuthershadeandpicture？Thequietheadwasbentalittle，ashermannerwas，andhereyeswerelookingdown，asifinpity，onthesleepingchild。Aradiantlightfellonherface，butdidnottouchthePhantom；for，thoughclosebesideher，itwasdarkandcolourlessasever。
\"Spectre!\"saidtheChemist，newlytroubledashelooked，\"Ihavenotbeenstubbornorpresumptuousinrespectofher。Oh，donotbringherhere。Sparemethat!\"
\"Thisisbutashadow，\"saidthePhantom；\"whenthemorningshinesseekouttherealitywhoseimageIpresentbeforeyou。\"
\"Isitmyinexorabledoomtodoso？\"criedtheChemist。
\"Itis，\"repliedthePhantom。
\"Todestroyherpeace，hergoodness；tomakeherwhatIammyself，andwhatIhavemadeofothers!\"
\"Ihavesaidseekherout，\"returnedthePhantom。\"Ihavesaidnomore。\"
\"Oh，tellme，\"exclaimedRedlaw，catchingatthehopewhichhefanciedmightliehiddeninthewords。\"CanIundowhatIhavedone？\"
\"No，\"returnedthePhantom。
\"Idonotaskforrestorationtomyself，\"saidRedlaw。\"WhatI
abandoned，Iabandonedofmyownfreewill，andhavejustlylost。
ButforthosetowhomIhavetransferredthefatalgift；whoneversoughtit；whounknowinglyreceivedacurseofwhichtheyhadnowarning，andwhichtheyhadnopowertoshun；canIdonothing？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidthePhantom。
\"IfIcannot，cananyone？\"
ThePhantom，standinglikeastatue，keptitsgazeuponhimforawhile；thenturneditsheadsuddenly，andlookedupontheshadowatitsside。
\"Ah!Canshe？\"criedRedlaw，stilllookingupontheshade。
ThePhantomreleasedthehandithadretainedtillnow，andsoftlyraiseditsownwithagestureofdismissal。Uponthat，hershadow，stillpreservingthesameattitude，begantomoveormeltaway。
\"Stay，\"criedRedlawwithanearnestnesstowhichhecouldnotgiveenoughexpression。\"Foramoment!Asanactofmercy!Iknowthatsomechangefelluponme，whenthosesoundswereintheairjustnow。Tellme，haveIlostthepowerofharmingher？MayIgonearherwithoutdread？Oh，lethergivemeanysignofhope!\"
ThePhantomlookedupontheshadeashedid—notathim—andgavenoanswer。
\"Atleast，saythis—hasshe，henceforth，theconsciousnessofanypowertosetrightwhatIhavedone？\"
\"Shehasnot，\"thePhantomanswered。
\"Hasshethepowerbestowedonherwithouttheconsciousness？\"
Thephantomanswered：\"Seekherout。\"
Andhershadowslowlyvanished。
Theywerefacetofaceagain，andlookingoneachother，asintentlyandawfullyasatthetimeofthebestowalofthegift，acrosstheboywhostilllayonthegroundbetweenthem，atthePhantom’sfeet。
\"Terribleinstructor，\"saidtheChemist，sinkingonhiskneebeforeit，inanattitudeofsupplication，\"bywhomIwasrenounced，butbywhomIamrevisited（inwhich，andinwhosemilderaspect，I
wouldfainbelieveIhaveagleamofhope），Iwillobeywithoutinquiry，prayingthatthecryIhavesentupintheanguishofmysoulhasbeen，orwillbe，heard，inbehalfofthosewhomIhaveinjuredbeyondhumanreparation。Butthereisonething—\"
\"Youspeaktomeofwhatislyinghere，\"thephantominterposed，andpointedwithitsfingertotheboy。
\"Ido，\"returnedtheChemist。\"YouknowwhatIwouldask。Whyhasthischildalonebeenproofagainstmyinfluence，andwhy，why，haveIdetectedinitsthoughtsaterriblecompanionshipwithmine？\"
\"This，\"saidthePhantom，pointingtotheboy，\"isthelast，completestillustrationofahumancreature，utterlybereftofsuchremembrancesasyouhaveyieldedup。Nosofteningmemoryofsorrow，wrong，ortroubleentershere，becausethiswretchedmortalfromhisbirthhasbeenabandonedtoaworseconditionthanthebeasts，andhas，withinhisknowledge，noonecontrast，nohumanisingtouch，tomakeagrainofsuchamemoryspringupinhishardenedbreast。Allwithinthisdesolatecreatureisbarrenwilderness。Allwithinthemanbereftofwhatyouhaveresigned，isthesamebarrenwilderness。Woetosuchaman!Woe，tenfold，tothenationthatshallcountitsmonsterssuchasthis，lyinghere，byhundredsandbythousands!\"
Redlawshrank，appalled，fromwhatheheard。
\"Thereisnot，\"saidthePhantom，\"oneofthese—notone—butsowsaharvestthatmankindMUSTreap。Fromeveryseedofevilinthisboy，afieldofruinisgrownthatshallbegatheredin，andgarneredup，andsownagaininmanyplacesintheworld，untilregionsareoverspreadwithwickednessenoughtoraisethewatersofanotherDeluge。Openandunpunishedmurderinacity’sstreetswouldbelessguiltyinitsdailytoleration，thanonesuchspectacleasthis。\"
Itseemedtolookdownupontheboyinhissleep。Redlaw，too，lookeddownuponhimwithanewemotion。
\"Thereisnotafather，\"saidthePhantom，\"bywhosesideinhisdailyorhisnightlywalk，thesecreaturespass；thereisnotamotheramongalltheranksoflovingmothersinthisland；thereisnoonerisenfromthestateofchildhood，butshallberesponsibleinhisorherdegreeforthisenormity。Thereisnotacountrythroughouttheearthonwhichitwouldnotbringacurse。Thereisnoreligionuponearththatitwouldnotdeny；thereisnopeopleuponearthitwouldnotputtoshame。\"
TheChemistclaspedhishands，andlooked，withtremblingfearandpity，fromthesleepingboytothePhantom，standingabovehimwithhisfingerpointingdown。
\"Behold，Isay，\"pursuedtheSpectre，\"theperfecttypeofwhatitwasyourchoicetobe。Yourinfluenceispowerlesshere，becausefromthischild’sbosomyoucanbanishnothing。Histhoughtshavebeenin’terriblecompanionship’withyours，becauseyouhavegonedowntohisunnaturallevel。Heisthegrowthofman’sindifference；youarethegrowthofman’spresumption。ThebeneficentdesignofHeavenis，ineachcase，overthrown，andfromthetwopolesoftheimmaterialworldyoucometogether。\"
TheChemiststoopeduponthegroundbesidetheboy，and，withthesamekindofcompassionforhimthathenowfeltforhimself，coveredhimasheslept，andnolongershrankfromhimwithabhorrenceorindifference。
Soon，now，thedistantlineonthehorizonbrightened，thedarknessfaded，thesunroseredandglorious，andthechimneystacksandgablesoftheancientbuildinggleamedintheclearair，whichturnedthesmokeandvapourofthecityintoacloudofgold。Theverysun—dialinhisshadycorner，wherethewindwasusedtospinwithsuchunwindyconstancy，shookoffthefinerparticlesofsnowthathadaccumulatedonhisdulloldfaceinthenight，andlookedoutatthelittlewhitewreathseddyingroundandroundhim。
Doubtlesssomeblindgropingofthemorningmadeitswaydownintotheforgottencryptsocoldandearthy，wheretheNormanarcheswerehalfburiedintheground，andstirredthedullsapinthelazyvegetationhangingtothewalls，andquickenedtheslowprincipleoflifewithinthelittleworldofwonderfulanddelicatecreationwhichexistedthere，withsomefaintknowledgethatthesunwasup。
TheTetterbyswereup，anddoing。Mr。Tetterbytookdowntheshuttersoftheshop，and，stripbystrip，revealedthetreasuresofthewindowtotheeyes，soproofagainsttheirseductions，ofJerusalemBuildings。Adolphushadbeenoutsolongalready，thathewashalfwayonto\"MorningPepper。\"FivesmallTetterbys，whosetenroundeyesweremuchinflamedbysoapandfriction，wereinthetorturesofacoolwashinthebackkitchen；Mrs。Tetterbypresiding。Johnny，whowaspushedandhustledthroughhistoiletwithgreatrapiditywhenMolochchancedtobeinanexactingframeofmind（whichwasalwaysthecase），staggeredupanddownwithhischargebeforetheshopdoor，undergreaterdifficultiesthanusual；
theweightofMolochbeingmuchincreasedbyacomplicationofdefencesagainstthecold，composedofknittedworsted—work，andformingacompletesuitofchain—armour，withahead—pieceandbluegaiters。
Itwasapeculiarityofthisbabytobealwayscuttingteeth。
Whethertheynevercame，orwhethertheycameandwentawayagain，isnotinevidence；butithadcertainlycutenough，ontheshowingofMrs。Tetterby，tomakeahandsomedentalprovisionforthesignoftheBullandMouth。Allsortsofobjectswereimpressedfortherubbingofitsgums，notwithstandingthatitalwayscarried，danglingatitswaist（whichwasimmediatelyunderitschin），abonering，largeenoughtohaverepresentedtherosaryofayoungnun。Knife—handles，umbrella—tops，theheadsofwalking—sticksselectedfromthestock，thefingersofthefamilyingeneral，butespeciallyofJohnny，nutmeg—graters，crusts，thehandlesofdoors，andthecoolknobsonthetopsofpokers，wereamongthecommonestinstrumentsindiscriminatelyappliedforthisbaby’srelief。Theamountofelectricitythatmusthavebeenrubbedoutofitinaweek，isnottobecalculated。StillMrs。Tetterbyalwayssaid\"itwascomingthrough，andthenthechildwouldbeherself；\"andstillitneverdidcomethrough，andthechildcontinuedtobesomebodyelse。
ThetempersofthelittleTetterbyshadsadlychangedwithafewhours。Mr。andMrs。Tetterbythemselveswerenotmorealteredthantheiroffspring。Usuallytheywereanunselfish，good—natured，yieldinglittlerace，sharingshortcommonswhenithappened（whichwasprettyoften）contentedlyandevengenerously，andtakingagreatdealofenjoymentoutofaverylittlemeat。Buttheywerefightingnow，notonlyforthesoapandwater，butevenforthebreakfastwhichwasyetinperspective。ThehandofeverylittleTetterbywasagainsttheotherlittleTetterbys；andevenJohnny’shand—thepatient，much—enduring，anddevotedJohnny—roseagainstthebaby!Yes，Mrs。Tetterby，goingtothedoorbymereaccident，sawhimviciouslypickoutaweakplaceinthesuitofarmourwhereaslapwouldtell，andslapthatblessedchild。
Mrs。Tetterbyhadhimintotheparlourbythecollar，inthatsameflashoftime，andrepaidhimtheassaultwithusurythereto。
\"Youbrute，youmurderinglittleboy，\"saidMrs。Tetterby。\"Hadyouthehearttodoit？\"
\"Whydon’therteethcomethrough，then，\"retortedJohnny，inaloudrebelliousvoice，\"insteadofbotheringme？Howwouldyoulikeityourself？\"
\"Likeit，sir!\"saidMrs。Tetterby，relievinghimofhisdishonouredload。
\"Yes，likeit，\"saidJohnny。\"Howwouldyou？Notatall。Ifyouwasme，you’dgoforasoldier。Iwill，too。Therean’tnobabiesintheArmy。\"
Mr。Tetterby，whohadarriveduponthesceneofaction，rubbedhischinthoughtfully，insteadofcorrectingtherebel，andseemedratherstruckbythisviewofamilitarylife。
\"IwishIwasintheArmymyself，ifthechild’sintheright，\"
saidMrs。Tetterby，lookingatherhusband，\"forIhavenopeaceofmylifehere。I’maslave—aVirginiaslave：\"someindistinctassociationwiththeirweakdescentonthetobaccotradeperhapssuggestedthisaggravatedexpressiontoMrs。Tetterby。\"Ineverhaveaholiday，oranypleasureatall，fromyear’sendtoyear’send!Why，Lordblessandsavethechild，\"saidMrs。Tetterby，shakingthebabywithanirritabilityhardlysuitedtosopiousanaspiration，\"what’sthematterwithhernow？\"
Notbeingabletodiscover，andnotrenderingthesubjectmuchclearerbyshakingit，Mrs。Tetterbyputthebabyawayinacradle，and，foldingherarms，satrockingitangrilywithherfoot。
\"Howyoustandthere，’Dolphus，\"saidMrs。Tetterbytoherhusband。
\"Whydon’tyoudosomething？\"
\"BecauseIdon’tcareaboutdoinganything，\"Mr。Tetterbyreplied。
\"IamsureIdon’t，\"saidMrs。Tetterby。
\"I’lltakemyoathIdon’t，\"saidMr。Tetterby。
AdiversionarosehereamongJohnnyandhisfiveyoungerbrothers，who，inpreparingthefamilybreakfasttable，hadfallentoskirmishingforthetemporarypossessionoftheloaf，andwerebuffetingoneanotherwithgreatheartiness；thesmallestboyofall，withprecociousdiscretion，hoveringoutsidetheknotofcombatants，andharassingtheirlegs。Intothemidstofthisfray，Mr。andMrs。Tetterbybothprecipitatedthemselveswithgreatardour，asifsuchgroundweretheonlygroundonwhichtheycouldnowagree；andhaving，withnovisibleremainsoftheirlatesoft—
heartedness，laidaboutthemwithoutanylenity，anddonemuchexecution，resumedtheirformerrelativepositions。
\"Youhadbetterreadyourpaperthandonothingatall，\"saidMrs。
Tetterby。
\"What’stheretoreadinapaper？\"returnedMr。Tetterby，withexcessivediscontent。
\"What？\"saidMrs。Tetterby。\"Police。\"
\"It’snothingtome，\"saidTetterby。\"WhatdoIcarewhatpeopledo，oraredoneto？\"
\"Suicides，\"suggestedMrs。Tetterby。
\"Nobusinessofmine，\"repliedherhusband。
\"Births，deaths，andmarriages，arethosenothingtoyou？\"saidMrs。Tetterby。
\"Ifthebirthswerealloverforgood，andallto—day；andthedeathswerealltobegintocomeoffto—morrow；Idon’tseewhyitshouldinterestme，tillIthoughtitwasacomingtomyturn，\"
grumbledTetterby。\"Astomarriages，I’vedoneitmyself。IknowquiteenoughaboutTHEM。\"
Tojudgefromthedissatisfiedexpressionofherfaceandmanner，Mrs。Tetterbyappearedtoentertainthesameopinionsasherhusband；butsheopposedhim，nevertheless，forthegratificationofquarrellingwithhim。
\"Oh，you’reaconsistentman，\"saidMrs。Tetterby，\"an’tyou？You，withthescreenofyourownmakingthere，madeofnothingelsebutbitsofnewspapers，whichyousitandreadtothechildrenbythehalf—hourtogether!\"
\"Sayusedto，ifyouplease，\"returnedherhusband。\"Youwon’tfindmedoingsoanymore。I’mwisernow。\"
\"Bah!wiser，indeed!\"saidMrs。Tetterby。\"Areyoubetter？\"
ThequestionsoundedsomediscordantnoteinMr。Tetterby’sbreast。
Heruminateddejectedly，andpassedhishandacrossandacrosshisforehead。
\"Better!\"murmuredMr。Tetterby。\"Idon’tknowasanyofusarebetter，orhappiereither。Better，isit？\"
Heturnedtothescreen，andtracedaboutitwithhisfinger，untilhefoundacertainparagraphofwhichhewasinquest。
\"Thisusedtobeoneofthefamilyfavourites，Irecollect，\"saidTetterby，inaforlornandstupidway，\"andusedtodrawtearsfromthechildren，andmake’emgood，iftherewasanylittlebickeringordiscontentamong’em，nexttothestoryoftherobinredbreastsinthewood。’Melancholycaseofdestitution。Yesterdayasmallman，withababyinhisarms，andsurroundedbyhalf—a—dozenraggedlittleones，ofvariousagesbetweentenandtwo，thewholeofwhomwereevidentlyinafamishingcondition，appearedbeforetheworthymagistrate，andmadethefollowingrecital：’—Ha!Idon’tunderstandit，I’msure，\"saidTetterby；\"Idon’tseewhatithasgottodowithus。\"
\"Howoldandshabbyhelooks，\"saidMrs。Tetterby，watchinghim。
\"Ineversawsuchachangeinaman。Ah!dearme，dearme，dearme，itwasasacrifice!\"
\"Whatwasasacrifice？\"herhusbandsourlyinquired。
Mrs。Tetterbyshookherhead；andwithoutreplyinginwords，raisedacompletesea—stormaboutthebaby，byherviolentagitationofthecradle。
\"Ifyoumeanyourmarriagewasasacrifice，mygoodwoman—\"saidherhusband。
\"IDOmeanit\"saidhiswife。
\"Why，thenImeantosay，\"pursuedMr。Tetterby，assulkilyandsurlilyasshe，\"thattherearetwosidestothataffair；andthatIwasthesacrifice；andthatIwishthesacrificehadn’tbeenaccepted。\"
\"Iwishithadn’t，Tetterby，withallmyheartandsoulIdoassureyou，\"saidhiswife。\"Youcan’twishitmorethanIdo，Tetterby。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatIsawinher，\"mutteredthenewsman，\"I’msure；
—certainly，ifIsawanything，it’snottherenow。Iwasthinkingso，lastnight，aftersupper，bythefire。She’sfat，she’sageing，shewon’tbearcomparisonwithmostotherwomen。\"
\"He’scommon—looking，hehasnoairwithhim，he’ssmall，he’sbeginningtostoopandhe’sgettingbald，\"mutteredMrs。Tetterby。
\"ImusthavebeenhalfoutofmymindwhenIdidit，\"mutteredMr。
Tetterby。
\"Mysensesmusthaveforsookme。That’stheonlywayinwhichI
canexplainittomyself，\"saidMrs。Tetterbywithelaboration。
Inthismoodtheysatdowntobreakfast。ThelittleTetterbyswerenothabituatedtoregardthatmealinthelightofasedentaryoccupation，butdiscusseditasadanceortrot；ratherresemblingasavageceremony，intheoccasionallyshrillwhoops，andbrandishingsofbreadandbutter，withwhichitwasaccompanied，aswellasintheintricatefilingsoffintothestreetandbackagain，andthehoppingsupanddownthedoor—steps，whichwereincidentaltotheperformance。Inthepresentinstance，thecontentionsbetweentheseTetterbychildrenforthemilk—and—waterjug，commontoall，whichstooduponthetable，presentedsolamentableaninstanceofangrypassionsrisenveryhighindeed，thatitwasanoutrageonthememoryofDr。Watts。ItwasnotuntilMr。Tetterbyhaddriventhewholeherdoutatthefrontdoor，thatamoment’speacewassecured；andeventhatwasbrokenbythediscoverythatJohnnyhadsurreptitiouslycomeback，andwasatthatinstantchokinginthejuglikeaventriloquist，inhisindecentandrapacioushaste。