PARTIItisagreatthingforaladwhenheisfirstturnedintotheindependenceoflodgings。IdonotthinkIeverwassosatisfiedandproudinmylifeaswhen，atseventeen，Isatedowninalittlethree-corneredroomaboveapastry-cook’sshopinthecountytownofEltham。Myfatherhadleftmethatafternoon，afterdeliveringhimselfofafewplainprecepts，stronglyexpressed，formyguidanceinthenewcourseoflifeonwhichIwasentering。
IwastobeaclerkundertheengineerwhohadundertakentomakethelittlebranchlinefromElthamtoHornby。Myfatherhadgotmethissituation，whichwasinapositionratherabovehisowninlife;orperhapsIshouldsay，abovethestationinwhichhewasbornandbred;forhewasraisinghimselfeveryyearinmen’sconsiderationandrespect。Hewasamechanicbytrade，buthehadsomeinventivegenius，andagreatdealofperseverance，andhaddevisedseveralvaluableimprovementsinrailwaymachinery。Hedidnotdothisforprofit，though，aswasreasonable，whatcameinthenaturalcourseofthingswasacceptable;heworkedouthisideas，because，ashesaid，’untilhecouldputthemintoshape，theyplaguedhimbynightandbyday。’Butthisisenoughaboutmydearfather;itisagoodthingforacountrywheretherearemanylikehim。HewasasturdyIndependentbydescentandconviction;andthisitwas，Ibelieve，whichmadehimplacemeinthelodgingsatthepastry-cook’s。Theshopwaskeptbythetwosistersofourministerathome;andthiswasconsideredasasortofsafeguardtomymorals，whenIwasturnedlooseuponthetemptationsofthecountytown，withasalaryofthirtypoundsayear。
Myfatherhadgivenuptwopreciousdays，andputonhisSundayclothes，inordertobringmetoEltham，andaccompanymefirsttotheoffice，tointroducemetomynewmaster（whowasundersomeobligationstomyfatherforasuggestion），andnexttotakemetocallontheIndependentministerofthelittlecongregationatEltham。Andthenheleftme;andthoughsorrytopartwithhim，Inowbegantotastewithrelishthepleasureofbeingmyownmaster。Iunpackedthehamperthatmymotherhadprovidedmewith，andsmeltthepotsofpreservewithallthedelightofapossessorwhomightbreakintotheircontentsatanytimehepleased。Ihandledandweighedinmyfancythehome-curedham，whichseemedtopromisemeinterminablefeasts;and，aboveall，therewasthefinesavourofknowingthatImighteatofthesedaintieswhenIliked，atmysolewill，notdependentonthepleasureofanyoneelse，howeverindulgent。Istowedmyeatablesawayinthelittlecornercupboard——thatroomwasallcorners，andeverythingwasplacedinacorner，thefire-place，thewindow，thecupboard;Imyselfseemedtobetheonlythinginthemiddle，andtherewashardlyroomforme。Thetablewasmadeofafoldingleafunderthewindow，andthewindowlookedoutuponthemarket-place;sothestudiesfortheprosecutionofwhichmyfatherhadbroughthimselftopayextraforasitting-roomforme，ranaconsiderablechanceofbeingdivertedfrombookstomenandwomen。
IwastohavemymealswiththetwoelderlyMissDawsonsinthelittleparlourbehindthethree-corneredshopdownstairs;mybreakfastsanddinnersatleast，for，asmyhoursinaneveningwerelikelytobeuncertain，myteaorsupperwastobeanindependentmeal。
Then，afterthisprideandsatisfaction，cameasenseofdesolation。
Ihadneverbeenfromhomebefore，andIwasanonlychild;andthoughmyfather’sspokenmaximhadbeen，’Sparetherod，andspoilthechild’，yet，unconsciously，hishearthadyearnedafterme，andhiswaystowardsmeweremoretenderthanheknew，orwouldhaveapprovedofinhimselfcouldhehaveknown。Mymother，whoneverprofessedsternness，wasfarmoreseverethanmyfather：perhapsmyboyishfaultsannoyedhermore;
forIremember，nowthatIhavewrittentheabovewords，howshepleadedformeonceinmyriperyears，whenIhadreallyoffendedagainstmyfather’ssenseofright。
ButIhavenothingtodowiththatnow。ItisaboutcousinPhillisthatIamgoingtowrite，andasyetIamfarenoughfromevensayingwhocousinPhilliswas。
ForsomemonthsafterIwassettledinEltham，thenewemploymentinwhichIwasengaged——thenewindependenceofmylife——occupiedallmythoughts。
Iwasatmydeskbyeighto’clock，hometodinneratone，backattheofficebytwo。Theafternoonworkwasmoreuncertainthanthemorning’s;itmightbethesame，oritmightbethatIhadtoaccompanyMrHoldsworth，themanagingengineer，tosomepointonthelinebetweenElthamandHornby。
ThisIalwaysenjoyed，becauseofthevariety，andbecauseofthecountrywetraversed（whichwasverywildandpretty），andbecauseIwasthrownintocompanionshipwithMrHoldsworth，whoheldthepositionofheroinmyboyishmind。Hewasayoungmanoffive-and-twentyorso，andwasinastationabovemine，bothbybirthandeducation;andhehadtravelledontheContinent，andworemustachiosandwhiskersofasomewhatforeignfashion。Iwasproudofbeingseenwithhim。Hewasreallyafinefellowinagoodnumberofways，andImighthavefallenintomuchworsehands。
EverySaturdayIwrotehome，tellingofmyweeklydoings——myfatherhadinsisteduponthis;buttherewassolittlevarietyinmylifethatIoftenfoundithardworktofillaletter。OnSundaysIwenttwicetochapel，upadarknarrowentry，toheardroninghymns，andlongprayers，andastilllongersermon，preachedtoasmallcongregation，ofwhichI
was，bynearlyascoreofyears，theyoungestmember。Occasionally，MrPeters，theminister，wouldaskmehometoteaafterthesecondservice。
Idreadedthehonour，forIusuallysateontheedgeofmychairalltheevening，andansweredsolemnquestions，putinadeepbassvoice，untilhouseholdprayer-timecame，ateighto’clock，whenMrsPeterscamein，smoothingdownherapron，andthemaid-of-all-workfollowed，andfirstasermon，andthenachapterwasread，andalongimpromptuprayerfollowed，tillsomeinstincttoldMrPetersthatsupper-timehadcome，andwerosefromourkneeswithhungerforourpredominantfeeling。Oversuppertheministerdidunbendalittleintooneortwoponderousjokes，asiftoshowmethatministersweremen，afterall。Andthenatteno’clockIwenthome，andenjoyedmylong-repressedyawnsinthethree-corneredroombeforegoingtobed。
DinahandHannahDawson，sotheirnameswereputontheboardabovetheshop-door——IalwayscalledthemMissDawsonandMissHannah——consideredthesevisitsofminetoMrPetersasthegreatesthonourayoungmancouldhave;andevidentlythoughtthatifaftersuchprivileges，Ididnotworkoutmysalvation，IwasasortofmodernJudasIscariot。Onthecontrary，theyshooktheirheadsovermyintercoursewithMrHoldsworth。Hehadbeensokindtomeinmanyways，thatwhenIcutintomyham，Ihoveredoverthethoughtofaskinghimtoteainmyroom，moreespeciallyastheannualfairwasbeingheldinElthammarket-place，andthesightofthebooths，themerry-go-rounds，thewild-beastshows，andsuchcountrypomps，was（asIthoughtatseventeen）veryattractive。ButwhenIventuredtoalludetomywishinevendistantterms，MissHannahcaughtmeup，andspokeofthesinfulnessofsuchsights，andsomethingaboutwallowinginthemire，andthenvaultedintoFrance，andspokeevilofthenation，andallwhohadeversetfoottherein，till，seeingthatherangerwasconcentratingitselfintoapoint，andthatthatpointwasMrHoldsworth，Ithoughtitwouldbebettertofinishmybreakfast，andmakewhathasteIcouldoutofthesoundofhervoice。IratherwonderedafterwardstohearherandMissDawsoncountinguptheirweeklyprofitswithglee，andsayingthatapastry-cook’sshopinthecornerofthemarket-place，inElthamfairweek，wasnosuchbadthing。However，IneverventuredtoaskMrHoldsworthtomylodgings。
ThereisnotmuchtotellaboutthisfirstyearofmineatEltham。ButwhenIwasnearlynineteen，andbeginningtothinkofwhiskersonmyownaccount，IcametoknowcousinPhillis，whoseveryexistencehadbeenunknowntometillthen。MrHoldsworthandIhadbeenouttoHeathbridgeforaday，workinghard。HeathbridgewasnearHornby，forourlineofrailwaywasabovehalffinished。Ofcourse，aday’soutingwasagreatthingtotellaboutinmyweeklyletters;andIfelltodescribingthecountry——afaultIwasnotoftenguiltyof。Itoldmyfatherofthebogs，alloverwildmyrtleandsoftmoss，andshakinggroundoverwhichwehadtocarryourline;andhowMrHoldsworthandIhadgoneforourmid-daymeals——forwehadtostayherefortwodaysandanight——toaprettyvillagehardby，Heathbridgeproper;andhowIhopedweshouldoftenhavetogothere，fortheshaking，uncertaingroundwaspuzzlingourengineers——oneendofthelinegoingupassoonastheotherwasweighteddown。（Ihadnothoughtfortheshareholders’interests，asmaybeseen;wehadtomakeanewlineonfirmergroundbeforethejunctionrailwaywascompleted。）Itoldallthisatgreatlength，thankfultofillupmypaper。Byreturnletter，I
heardthatasecond-cousinofmymother’swasmarriedtotheIndependentministerofHornby，EbenezerHolmanbyname，andlivedatHeathbridgeproper;
theveryHeathbridgeIhaddescribed，orsomymotherbelieved，forshehadneverseenhercousinPhillisGreen，whowassomethingofanheiress（myfatherbelieved），beingherfather’sonlychild，andoldThomasGreenhadownedanestateofnearuponfiftyacres，whichmusthavecometohisdaughter。Mymother’sfeelingofkinshipseemedtohavebeenstronglystirredbythementionofHeathbridge;formyfathersaidshedesiredme，ifeverIwentthitheragain，tomakeinquiryfortheReverendEbenezerHolman;
andifindeedhelivedthere，IwasfurthertoaskifhehadnotmarriedonePhillisGreen;andifboththesequestionswereansweredintheaffirmative，IwastogoandintroducemyselfastheonlychildofMargaretManning，bornMoneypenny。IwasenragedatmyselfforhavingnamedHeathbridgeatall，whenIfoundwhatitwasdrawingdownuponme。OneIndependentminister，asIsaidtomyself，wasenoughforanyman;andhereIknew（thatistosay，IhadbeencatechizedonSabbathmorningsby）MrDawson，ourministerathome;andIhadhadtobeciviltooldPetersatEltham，andbehavemyselfforfivehoursrunningwheneverheaskedmetoteaathishouse;
andnow，justasIfeltthefreeairblowingaboutmeupatHeathbridge，Iwastoferretoutanotherminister，andIshouldperhapshavetobecatechizedbyhim，orelseaskedtoteaathishouse。Besides，Ididnotlikepushingmyselfuponstrangers，whoperhapshadneverheardofmymother’sname，andsuchanoddnameasitwas——Moneypenny;andiftheyhad，hadnevercaredmoreforherthanshehadforthem，apparently，untilthisunluckymentionofHeathbridge。
Still，Iwouldnotdisobeymyparentsinsuchatrifle，howeverirksomeitmightbe。SothenexttimeourbusinesstookmetoHeathbridge，andweweredininginthelittlesandedinn-parlour，ItooktheopportunityofMrHoldsworth’sbeingoutoftheroom，andaskedthequestionswhichIwasbiddentoaskoftherosy-cheekedmaid。Iwaseitherunintelligibleorshewasstupid;forshesaidshedidnotknow，butwouldaskmaster;
andofcoursethelandlordcameintounderstandwhatitwasIwantedtoknow;andIhadtobringoutallmystammeringinquiriesbeforeMrHoldsworth，whowouldneverhaveattendedtothem，Idaresay，ifIhadnotblushed，andblundered，andmadesuchafoolofmyself。
’Yes，’thelandlordsaid，’theHopeFarmwasinHeathbridgeproper，andtheowner’snamewasHolman，andhewasanIndependentminister，and，asfarasthelandlordcouldtell，hiswife’sChristiannamewasPhillis，anyhowhermaidennamewasGreen。’
’Relationsofyours？’askedMrHoldsworth。
’No，sir——onlymymother’ssecond-cousins。Yes，Isupposetheyarerelations。
ButIneversawtheminmylife。’
’TheHopeFarmisnotastone’sthrowfromhere，’saidtheofficiouslandlord，goingtothewindow。’Ifyoucarryyoureyeoveryonbedofhollyhocks，overthedamson-treesintheorchardyonder，youmayseeastackofqueer-likestonechimneys。ThemistheHopeFarmchimneys;it’sanoldplace，thoughHolmankeepsitingoodorder。’
MrHoldsworthhadrisenfromthetablewithmorepromptitudethanI
had，andwasstandingbythewindow，looking。Atthelandlord’slastwords，heturnedround，smiling，——’Itisnotoftenthatparsonsknowhowtokeeplandinorder，isit？’
’Begpardon，sir，butImustspeakasIfind;andMinisterHolman——wecalltheChurchclergymanhere\"parson，\"sir;hewouldbeabitjealousifheheardaDissentercalledparson——MinisterHolmanknowswhathe’saboutaswellase’erafarmerintheneighbourhood。Hegivesupfivedaysaweektohisownwork，andtwototheLord’s;anditisdifficulttosaywhichheworkshardestat。HespendsSaturdayandSundaya-writingsermonsanda-visitinghisflockatHornby;andatfiveo’clockonMondaymorninghe’llbeguidinghisploughintheHopeFarmyonderjustaswellasifhecouldneitherreadnorwrite。Butyourdinnerwillbegettingcold，gentlemen。’
Sowewentbacktotable。Afterawhile，MrHoldsworthbrokethesilence：——’IfIwereyou，Manning，I’dlookuptheserelationsofyours。Youcangoandseewhatthey’relikewhilewerewaitingforDobson’sestimates，andI’llsmokeacigarinthegardenmeanwhile。’
’Thankyou，sir。ButIdon’tknowthem，andIdon’tthinkIwanttoknowthem。’
’Whatdidyouaskallthosequestionsfor，then？’saidhe，lookingquicklyupatme。Hehadnonotionofdoingorsayingthingswithoutapurpose。
Ididnotanswer，sohecontinued，——’Makeupyourmind，andgooffandseewhatthisfarmer-ministerislike，andcomebackandtellme——Ishouldliketohear。’
Iwassointhehabitofyieldingtohisauthority，orinfluence，thatIneverthoughtofresisting，butwentonmyerrand，thoughIrememberfeelingasifIwouldratherhavehadmyheadcutoff。Thelandlord，whohadevidentlytakenaninterestintheeventofourdiscussioninawaythatcountrylandlordshave，accompaniedmetothehouse-door，andgavemerepeateddirections，asifIwaslikelytomissmywayintwohundredyards。ButIlistenedtohim，forIwasgladofthedelay，toscrewupmycouragefortheeffortoffacingunknownpeopleandintroducingmyself。
Iwentalongthelane，Irecollect，switchingatallthetallerroadsideweeds，till，afteraturnortwo，IfoundmyselfcloseinfrontoftheHopeFarm。Therewasagardenbetweenthehouseandtheshady，grassylane;
Iafterwardsfoundthatthisgardenwascalledthecourt;perhapsbecausetherewasalowwallroundit，withanironrailingonthetopofthewall，andtwogreatgatesbetweenpillarscrownedwithstoneballsforastateentrancetotheflaggedpathleadinguptothefrontdoor。Itwasnotthehabitoftheplacetogoineitherbythesegreatgatesorbythefrontdoor;thegates，indeed，werelocked，asIfound，thoughthedoorstoodwideopen。Ihadtogoroundbyaside-pathlightlywornonabroadgrassyway，whichledpastthecourt-wall，pastahorse-mount，halfcoveredwithstone-cropandthelittlewildyellowfumitory，toanotherdoor——’thecurate’，asIfounditwastermedbythemasterofthehouse，whilethefrontdoor，’handsomeandallforshow’，wastermedthe’rector’。Iknockedwithmyhanduponthe’curate’door;atallgirl，aboutmyownage，asIthought，cameandopenedit，andstoodtheresilent，waitingtoknowmyerrand。
Iseehernow——cousinPhillis。Thewesteringsunshonefulluponher，andmadeaslantingstreamoflightintotheroomwithin。Shewasdressedindarkbluecottonofsomekind;uptoherthroat，downtoherwrists，withalittlefrillofthesamewhereverittouchedherwhiteskin。Andsuchawhiteskinasitwas！Ihaveneverseenthelike。Shehadlighthair，neareryellowthananyothercolour。Shelookedmesteadilyinthefacewithlarge，quieteyes，wondering，butuntroubledbythesightofastranger。
Ithoughtitoddthatsoold，sofull-grownasshewas，sheshouldwearapinaforeoverhergown。
BeforeIhadquitemadeupmymindwhattosayinreplytohermuteinquiryofwhatIwantedthere，awoman’svoicecalledout，’Whoisit，Phillis？Ifitisanyoneforbutter-milksendthemroundtothebackdoor。’
IthoughtIcouldratherspeaktotheownerofthatvoicethantothegirlbeforeme;soIpassedher，andstoodattheentranceofaroomhatinhand，forthisside-dooropenedstraightintothehallorhouse-placewherethefamilysatewhenworkwasdone。Therewasabrisklittlewomanoffortyorsoironingsomehugemuslincravatsunderthelightofalongvine-shadedcasementwindow。ShelookedatmedistrustfullytillIbegantospeak。’MynameisPaulManning，’saidI;butIsawshedidnotknowthename。’Mymother’snamewasMoneypenny，’saidI，——’MargaretMoneypenny。’
’AndshemarriedoneJohnManning，ofBirmingham，’saidMrsHolman，eagerly。’Andyou’llbeherson。Sitdown！Iamrightgladtoseeyou。
TothinkofyourbeingMargaret’sson！Why，shewasalmostachildnotsolongago。Well，tobesure，itisfive-and-twentyyearsago。Andwhatbringsyouintotheseparts？’
Shesatedownherself，asifoppressedbyhercuriosityastoallthefive-and-twentyyearsthathadpassedbysinceshehadseenmymother。
HerdaughterPhillistookupherknitting——alonggreyworstedman’sstocking，Iremember——andknittedawaywithoutlookingatherwork。Ifeltthatthesteadygazeofthosedeepgreyeyeswasuponme，thoughonce，whenIstealthilyraisedminetohers，shewasexaminingsomethingonthewallabovemyhead。
WhenIhadansweredallmycousinHolman’squestions，sheheavedalongbreath，andsaid，’TothinkofMargaretMoneypenny’sboybeinginourhouse！
Iwishtheministerwashere。Phillis，inwhatfieldisthyfatherto-day？’
’Inthefive-acre;theyarebeginningtocutthecorn。’
’He’llnotlikebeingsentfor，then，elseIshouldhavelikedyoutohaveseentheminister。Butthefive-acreisagoodstepoff。Youshallhaveaglassofwineandabitofcakebeforeyoustirfromthishouse，though。You’reboundtogo，yousay，orelsetheministercomesinmostlywhenthemenhavetheirfouro’clock。’
’Imustgo——Ioughttohavebeenoffbeforenow。’
’Here，then，Phillis，takethekeys。’Shegaveherdaughtersomewhispereddirections，andPhillislefttheroom。
’Sheismycousin，isshenot？’Iasked。Iknewshewas，butsomehowIwantedtotalkofher，anddidnotknowhowtobegin。
’Yes——PhillisHolman。Sheisouronlychild——now。’
Eitherfromthat’now’，orfromastrangemomentarywistfulnessinhereyes，Iknewthattherehadbeenmorechildren，whowerenowdead。
’HowoldiscousinPhillis？’saidI，scarcelyventuringonthenewname，itseemedtooprettilyfamiliarformetocallherbyit;butcousinHolmantooknonoticeofit，answeringstraighttothepurpose。
’SeventeenlastMay-day;buttheministerdoesnotliketohearmecallingitMay-day，’saidshe，checkingherselfwithalittleawe。’PhilliswasseventeenonthefirstdayofMaylast，’sherepeatedinanemendededition。
’AndIamnineteeninanothermonth，’thoughtI，tomyself;Idon’tknowwhy。
ThenPhilliscamein，carryingatraywithwineandcakeuponit。
’Wekeepahouse-servant，’saidcousinHolman，’butitischurningday，andsheisbusy。’Itwasmeantasalittleproudapologyforherdaughter’sbeingthehandmaiden。
’Ilikedoingit，mother，’saidPhillis，inhergrave，fullvoice。
IfeltasifIweresomebodyintheOldTestament——who，Icouldnotrecollect——beingservedandwaiteduponbythedaughterofthehost。WasIlikeAbraham’sservant，whenRebekahgavehimtodrinkatthewell？I
thoughtIsaachadnotgonethepleasantestwaytoworkinwinninghimawife。ButPhillisneverthoughtaboutsuchthings。Shewasastately，graciousyoungwoman，inthedressandwiththesimplicityofachild。
AsIhadbeentaught，Idranktothehealthofmynewfoundcousinandherhusband;andthenIventuredtonamemycousinPhilliswithalittlebowofmyheadtowardsher;butIwastooawkwardtolookandseehowshetookmycompliment。’Imustgonow，’saidI，rising。
Neitherofthewomenhadthoughtofsharinginthewine;cousinHolmanhadbrokenabitofcakeforform’ssake。
’Iwishtheministerhadbeenwithin，’saidhiswife，risingtoo。SecretlyIwasverygladhewasnot。Ididnottakekindlytoministersinthosedays，andIthoughthemustbeaparticularkindofman，byhisobjectingtothetermMay-day。ButbeforeIwent，cousinHolmanmademepromisethatIwouldcomebackontheSaturdayfollowingandspendSundaywiththem;
whenIshouldseesomethingof’theminister’。
’ComeonFriday，ifyoucan，’wereherlastwordsasshestoodatthecurate-door，shadinghereyesfromthesinkingsunwithherhand。
InsidethehousesatecousinPhillis，hergoldenhair，herdazzlingcomplexion，lightingupthecornerofthevine-shadowedroom。ShehadnotrisenwhenIbadehergood-by;shehadlookedatmestraightasshesaidhertranquilwordsoffarewell。
IfoundMrHoldsworthdownattheline，hardatworksuperintending。
AsSoonashehadapause，hesaid，’Well，Manning，whatarethenewcousinslike？Howdopreachingandfarmingseemtogetontogether？Iftheministerturnsouttobepracticalaswellasreverend，Ishallbegintorespecthim。’
Buthehardlyattendedtomyanswer，hewassomuchmoreoccupiedwithdirectinghiswork-people。Indeed，myanswerdidnotcomeveryreadily;
andthemostdistinctpartofitwasthementionoftheinvitationthathadbeengivenme。
’Oh，ofcourseyoucango——andonFriday，too，ifyoulike;thereisnoreasonwhynotthisweek;andyou’vedonealongspellofworkthistime，oldfellow。’
IthoughtthatIdidnotwanttogoonFriday;butwhenthedaycame，IfoundthatIshouldprefergoingtostayingaway，soIavailedmyselfofMrHoldsworth’spermission，andwentovertoHopeFarmsometimeintheafternoon，alittlelaterthanmylastvisit。Ifoundthe’curate’
opentoadmitthesoftSeptemberair，sotemperedbythewarmthofthesun，thatitwaswarmeroutofdoorsthanin，althoughthewoodenloglaysmoulderinginfrontofaheapofhotashesonthehearth。Thevine-leavesoverthewindowhadatingemoreyellow，theiredgeswerehereandtherescorchedandbrowned;therewasnoironingabout，andcousinHolmansatejustoutsidethehouse，mendingashirt。Philliswasatherknittingindoors：
itseemedasifshehadbeenatitalltheweek。Themanyspeckledfowlswerepeckingaboutinthefarmyardbeyond，andthemilk-cansglitteredwithbrightness，hungouttosweeten。Thecourtwassofullofflowersthattheycreptoutuponthelow-coveredwallandhorse-mount，andwereeventobefoundself-sownupontheturfthatborderedthepathtothebackofthehouse。IfanciedthatmySundaycoatwasscentedfordaysafterwardsbythebushesofsweetbriarandthefraxinellathatperfumedtheair。FromtimetotimecousinHolmanputherhandintoacoveredbasketatherfeet，andthrewhandsfulofcorndownforthepigeonsthatcooedandflutteredintheairaround，inexpectationofthistreat。
Ihadathoroughwelcomeassoonasshesawme。’Nowthisiskind——thisisrightdownfriendly，’shakingmyhandwarmly。’Phillis，yourcousinManningiscome！’
’CallmePaul，willyou？’saidI;’theycallmesoathome，andManningintheoffice。’
’Well，Paul，then。Yourroomisallreadyforyou，Paul，for，asIsaidtotheminister，\"I’llhaveitreadywhetherhecomesonFridayornot。\"
AndtheministersaidhemustgouptotheAshfieldwhetheryouweretocomeornot;buthewouldcomehomebetimestoseeifyouwerehere。I’llshowyoutoyourroom，andyoucanwashthedustoffabit。’
AfterIcamedown，Ithinkshedidnotquiteknowwhattodowithme;
orshemightthinkthatIwasdull;orshemighthaveworktodoinwhichIhinderedher;forshecalledPhillis，andbadeherputonherbonnet，andgowithmetotheAshfield，andfindfather。Sowesetoff，Iinalittleflutterofadesiretomakemyselfagreeable，butwishingthatmycompanionwerenotquitesotall;forshewasabovemeinheight。WhileIwaswonderinghowtobeginourconversation，shetookupthewords。
’Isuppose，cousinPaul，youhavetobeverybusyatyourworkalldaylongingeneral。’
’Yes，wehavetobeintheofficeathalf-pasteight;andwehaveanhourfordinner，andthenwegoatitagaintilleightornine。’
’Thenyouhavenotmuchtimeforreading。’
’No，’saidI，withasuddenconsciousnessthatIdidnotmakethemostofwhatleisureIhad。
’NomorehaveI。Fatheralwaysgetsanhourbeforegoinga-fieldinthemornings，butmotherdoesnotlikemetogetupsoearly。’
’MymotherisalwayswantingmetogetupearlierwhenIamathome。’
’Whattimedoyougetup？’
’Oh！——ah！——sometimeshalf-pastsix：notoftenthough;’forIrememberedonlytwicethatIhaddonesoduringthepastsummer。
Sheturnedherheadandlookedatme。
’Fatherisupatthree;andsowasmothertillshewasill。Ishouldliketobeupatfour。’
’Yourfatherupatthree！Why，whathashetodoatthathour？’
’Whathashenottodo？Hehashisprivateexerciseinhisownroom;
healwaysringsthegreatbellwhichcallsthementomilking;herousesupBetty，ourmaid;asoftenasnothegivesthehorsestheirfeedbeforethemanisup——forJem，whotakescareofthehorses，isanoldman;andfatherisalwayslothtodisturbhim;helooksatthecalves，andtheshoulders，heels，traces，chaff，andcornbeforethehorsesgoa-field;hehasoftentowhip-cordtheplough-whips;heseesthehogsfed;helooksintotheswill-tubs，andwriteshisordersforwhatiswantedforfoodformanandbeast;yes，andforfuel，too。Andthen，ifhehasabitoftimetospare，hecomesinandreadswithme——butonlyEnglish;wekeepLatinfortheevenings，thatwemayhavetimetoenjoyit;andthenhecallsinthementobreakfast，andcutstheboys’breadandcheese;andseestheirwoodenbottlesfilled，andsendsthemofftotheirwork;——andbythistimeitishalf-pastsix，andwehaveourbreakfast。Thereisfather，’sheexclaimed，pointingouttomeamaninhisshirt-sleeves，tallerbytheheadthantheothertwowithwhomhewasworking。Weonlysawhimthroughtheleavesoftheash-treesgrowinginthehedge，andIthoughtImustbeconfusingthefigures，ormistaken：thatmanstilllookedlikeaverypowerfullabourer，andhadnoneoftheprecisedemurenessofappearancewhichIhadalwaysimaginedwasthecharacteristicofaminister。ItwastheReverendEbenezerHolman，however。Hegaveusanodasweenteredthestubble-field;andIthinkhewouldhavecometomeetusbutthathewasinthemiddleofgivingsomedirectionstohismen。IcouldseethatPhilliswasbuiltmoreafterhistypethanhermother’s。He，likehisdaughter，waslargelymade，andofafair，ruddycomplexion，whereasherswasbrilliantanddelicate。
Hishairhadbeenyelloworsandy，butnowwasgrizzled。Yethisgreyhairsbetokenednofailureinstrength。Ineversawamorepowerfulman——deepchest，leanflanks，well-plantedhead。Bythistimewewerenearlyuptohim;andheinterruptedhimselfandsteppedforwards;holdingouthishandtome，butaddressingPhillis。
’Well，mylass，thisiscousinManning，Isuppose。Waitaminute，youngman，andI’llputonmycoat，andgiveyouadecorousandformalwelcome。
But——NedHall，thereoughttobeawater-furrowacrossthisland：it’sanasty，stiff，clayey，daubybitofground，andthouandImustfallto，comenextMonday——Ibegyourpardon，cousinManning——andthere’soldJem’scottagewantsabitofthatch;youcandothatjobtomorrowwhileIambusy。’Then，suddenlychangingthetoneofhisdeepbassvoicetoanoddsuggestionofchapelsandpreachers，headded。’Now，Iwillgiveoutthepsalm，\"Comeallharmonioustongues\"，tobesungto\"MountEphraim\"tune。’
Heliftedhisspadeinhishand，andbegantobeattimewithit;thetwolabourersseemedtoknowbothwordsandmusic，thoughIdidnot;andsodidPhillis：herrichvoicefollowedherfather’sashesetthetune;
andthemencameinwithmoreuncertainty，butstillharmoniously。Phillislookedatmeonceortwicewithalittlesurpriseatmysilence;butI
didnotknowthewords。Therewefivestood，bareheaded，exceptingPhillis，inthetawnystubble-field，fromwhichalltheshocksofcornhadnotyetbeencarried——adarkwoodononeside，wherethewoodpigeonswerecooing;
bluedistanceseenthroughtheash-treesontheother。Somehow，IthinkthatifIhadknownthewords，andcouldhavesung，mythroatwouldhavebeenchokedupbythefeelingoftheunaccustomedscene。
Thehymnwasended，andthemenhaddrawnoffbeforeIcouldstir。I
sawtheministerbeginningtoputonhiscoat，andlookingatmewithfriendlyinspectioninhisgaze，beforeIcouldrousemyself。
’Idaresayyourailwaygentlemendon’twindupthedaywithsingingapsalmtogether，’saidhe;’butitisnotabadpractice——notabadpractice。
Wehavehaditabitearlierto-dayforhospitality’ssake——that’sall。’
Ihadnothingparticulartosaytothis，thoughIwasthinkingagreatdeal。FromtimetotimeIstolealookatmycompanion。Hiscoatwasblack，andsowashiswaistcoat;neckclothhehadnone，hisstrongfullthroatbeingbareabovethesnow-whiteshirt。Heworedrab-colouredknee-breeches，greyworstedstockings（IthoughtIknewthemaker），andstrong-nailedshoes。Hecarriedhishatinhishand，asifhelikedtofeelthecomingbreezeliftinghishair。Afterawhile，Isawthatthefathertookholdofthedaughter’shand，andso，theyholdingeachother，wentalongtowardshome。Wehadtocrossalane。Initweretwolittlechildren，onelyingproneonthegrassinapassionofcrying，theotherstandingstockstill，withitsfingerinitsmouth，thelargetearsslowlyrollingdownitscheeksforsympathy。Thecauseoftheirdistresswasevident;therewasabrokenbrownpitcher，andalittlepoolofspiltmilkontheroad。
’Hollo！Hollo！What’sallthis？’saidtheminister。’why，whathaveyoubeenabout，Tommy，’liftingthelittlepetticoatedlad，whowaslyingsobbing，withonevigorousarm。Tommylookedathimwithsurpriseinhisroundeyes，butnoaffright——theywereevidentlyoldacquaintances。
’Mammy’sjug！’saidhe，atlast，beginningtocryafresh。
’Well！andwillcryingpiecemammy’sjug，orpickupspiltmilk？Howdidyoumanageit，Tommy？’
’He’（jerkinghisheadattheother）’andmewasrunningraces。’
’Tommysaidhecouldbeatme，’putintheother。
’Now，Iwonderwhatwillmakeyoutwosillyladsmind，andnotrunracesagainwithapitcherofmilkbetweenyou，’saidtheminister，asifmusing。
’Imightflogyou，andsosavemammythetrouble;forIdaresayshe’lldoitifIdon’t。’Thefreshburstofwhimperingfrombothshowedtheprobabilityofthis。’OrImighttakeyoutotheHopeFarm，andgiveyousomemoremilk;butthenyou’dberunningracesagain，andmymilkwouldfollowthattotheground，andmakeanotherwhitepool。Ithinkthefloggingwouldbebest——don’tyou？’
’Wewouldneverrunracesnomore，’saidtheelderofthetwo。
’Thenyou’dnotbeboys;you’dbeangels。’
’No，weshouldn’t。’
’Whynot？’
Theylookedintoeachother’seyesforananswertothispuzzlingquestion。
Atlength，onesaid，’Angelsisdeadfolk。’
’Come;we’llnotgettoodeepintotheology。Whatdoyouthinkofmylendingyouatincanwithalidtocarrythemilkhomein？Thatwouldnotbreak，atanyrate;thoughIwouldnotanswerforthemilknotspillingifyouranraces。That’sit！’
Hehaddroppedhisdaughter’shand，andnowheldouteachofhistothelittlefellows。PhillisandIfollowed，andlistenedtotheprattlewhichtheminister’scompanionsnowpouredouttohim，andwhichhewasevidentlyenjoying。Atacertainpoint，therewasasuddenburstofthetawny，ruddy-eveninglandscape。TheministerturnedroundandquotedalineortwoofLatin。
’It’swonderful，’saidhe，’howexactlyVirgilhashittheenduringepithets，nearlytwothousandyearsago，andinItaly;andyethowitdescribestoaTwhatisnowlyingbeforeusintheparishofHeathbridge，county————，England。’
’Idaresayitdoes，’saidI，allaglowwithshame，forIhadforgottenthelittleLatinIeverknew。
TheministershiftedhiseyestoPhillis’sface;itmutelygavehimbackthesympatheticappreciationthatI，inmyignorance，couldnotbestow。
’Oh！thisisworsethanthecatechism，’thoughtI;’thatwasonlyrememberingwords。’
’Phillis，lass，thoumustgohomewiththeselads，andtelltheirmotherallabouttheraceandthemilk。Mammymustalwaysknowthetruth，’nowspeakingtothechildren。’Andtellher，too，frommethatIhavegotthebestbirchrodintheparish;andthatifsheeverthinksherchildrenwantafloggingshemustbringthemtome，and，ifIthinktheydeserveit，I’llgiveitthembetterthanshecan。’SoPhillisledthechildrentowardsthedairy，somewhereinthebackyard，andIfollowedtheministerinthroughthe’curate’intothehouse-place。
’Theirmother，’saidhe，’isabitofavixen，andapttopunishherchildrenwithoutrhymeorreason。Itrytokeeptheparishrodaswellastheparishbull。’
Hesatedowninthethree-corneredchairbythefire-side，andlookedaroundtheemptyroom。
’Where’sthemissus？’saidhetohimself。Butshewastherehome——byalook，byatouch，nothingmore——assoonassheinaminute;itwasherregularplantogivehimhiswelcomecouldafterhisreturn，andhehadmissedhernow。Regardlessofmypresence，hewentovertheday’sdoingstoher;andthen，gettingup，hesaidhemustgoandmakehimself’reverend’，andthatthenwewouldhaveacupofteaintheparlour。Theparlourwasalargeroomwithtwocasementedwindowsontheothersideofthebroadflaggedpassageleadingfromtherector-doortothewidestaircase，withitsshallow，polishedoakensteps，onwhichnocarpetwaseverlaid。Theparlour-floorwascoveredinthemiddlebyahome-madecarpetingofneedleworkandlist。OneortwoquaintfamilypicturesoftheHolmanfamilyhungroundthewalls;thefire-grateandironsweremuchornamentedwithbrass;andonatableagainstthewallbetweenthewindows，agreatbeau-potofflowerswasplaceduponthefoliovolumesofMatthewHenry’sBible。Itwasacomplimenttometousethisroom，andItriedtobegratefulforit;butweneverhadourmealsthereafterthatfirstday，andIwasgladofit;forthelargehouse-place，livingroom，dining-room，whicheveryoumightliketocallit，wastwiceascomfortableandcheerful。Therewasaruginfrontofthegreatlargefire-place，andanovenbythegrate，andacrook，withthekettlehangingfromit，overthebrightwood-fire;everythingthatoughttobeblackandPolishedinthatroomwasblackandPolished;andtheflags，andwindow-curtains，andsuchthingsasweretobewhiteandclean，werejustspotlessintheirpurity。Oppositetothefire-place，extendingthewholelengthoftheroom，wasanoakenshovel-board，withtherightinclineforaskilfulplayertosendtheweightsintotheprescribedspace。Therewerebasketsofwhiteworkabout，andasmallshelfofbookshungagainstthewall，booksusedforreading，andnotforproppingupabeau-potofflowers。ItookdownoneortwoofthosebooksoncewhenIwasleftaloneinthehouse-placeonthefirstevening——Virgil，Caesar，aGreekgrammar——oh，dear！ah，me！andPhillisHolman’snameineachofthem！Ishutthemup，andputthembackintheirplaces，andwalkedasfarawayfromthebookshelfasIcould。Yes，andIgavemycousinPhillisawideberth，asthoughshewassittingatherworkquietlyenough，andherhairwaslookingmoregolden，herdarkeyelasheslonger，herroundpillarofathroatwhiterthanever。Wehaddonetea，andwehadreturnedintothehouse-placethattheministermightsmokehispipewithoutfearofcontaminatingthedrabdamaskwindow-curtainsoftheparlour。Hehadmadehimself’reverend’byputtingononeofthevoluminouswhitemuslinneckclothsthatIhadseencousinHolmanironingthatfirstvisitIhadpaidtotheHopeFarm，andbymakingoneortwootherunimportantchangesinhisdress。Hesatelookingsteadilyatme，butwhetherhesawmeornotIcannottell。AtthetimeIfanciedthathedid，andwasgaugingmeinsomeunknownfashioninhissecretmind。Everynowandthenhetookhispipeoutofhismouth，knockedouttheashes，andaskedmesomefreshquestion。Aslongastheserelatedtomyacquirementsormyreading，I
shuffleduneasilyanddidnotknowwhattoanswer。By-and-byhegotroundtothemorepracticalsubjectofrailroads，andonthisIwasmoreathome。
Ireallyhadtakenaninterestinmywork;norwouldMrHoldsworth，indeed，havekeptmeinhisemploymentifIhadnotgivenmymindaswellasmytimetoit;andIwas，besides，fullofthedifficultieswhichbesetusjustthen，owingtoournotbeingabletofindasteadybottomontheHeathbridgemoss，overwhichwewishedtocarryourline。Inthemidstofallmyeagernessinspeakingaboutthis，Icouldnothelpbeingstruckwiththeextremepertinenceofhisquestions。Idonotmeanthathedidnotshowignoranceofmanyofthedetailsofengineering：thatwastohavebeenexpected;
butonthepremiseshehadgotholdof;hethoughtclearlyandreasonedlogically。Phillis——solikehimasshewasbothinbodyandmind——keptstoppingatherworkandlookingatme，tryingtofullyunderstandallthatIsaid。Ifeltshedid;andperhapsitmademetakemorepainsinusingclearexpressions，andarrangingmywords，thanIotherwiseshould。
’SheshallseeIknowsomethingworthknowing，thoughitmayn’tbeherdead-and-gonelanguages，’thoughtI。
’Isee，’saidtheminister，atlength。’Iunderstanditall。You’veaclear，goodheadofyourown，mylad，——choosehowyoucamebyit。’
’Frommyfather，’saidI，proudly。’Haveyounotheardofhisdiscoveryofanewmethodofshunting？ItwasintheGazette。Itwaspatented。
IthoughteveryonehadheardofManning’spatentwinch。’
’Wedon’tknowwhoinventedthealphabet，’saidhe，halfsmiling，andtakinguphispipe。
’No，Idaresaynot，sir，’repliedI，halfoffended;’that’ssolongago。’
Puff——puff——puff。
’Butyourfathermustbeanotableman。Iheardofhimoncebefore;
anditisnotmanyaonefiftymilesawaywhosefamereachesHeathbridge。’
’Myfatherisanotableman，sir。Itisnotmethatsaysso;itisMrHoldsworth，and——andeverybody。’
’Heisrighttostandupforhisfather，’saidcousinHolman，asifshewerepleadingforme。
Ichafedinwardly，thinkingthatmyfatherneedednoonetostandupforhim。Hewasmansufficientforhimself。
’Yes——heisright，’saidtheminister，placidly。’Right，becauseitcomesfromhisheart——right，too，asIbelieve，inpointoffact。Elsethereismanyayoungcockerelthatwillstanduponadunghillandcrowabouthisfather，bywayofmakinghisownplumagetoshine。Ishouldliketoknowthyfather，’hewenton，turningstraighttome，withakindly，franklookinhiseyes。
ButIwasvexed，andwouldtakenonotice。Presently，havingfinishedhispipe，hegotupandlefttheroom。Phillisputherworkhastilydown，andwentafterhim。Inaminuteortwoshereturned，andsatedownagain。
Notlongafter，andbeforeIhadquiterecoveredmygoodtemper，heopenedthedooroutofwhichhehadpassed，andcalledtometocometohim。I
wentacrossanarrowstonepassageintoastrange，many-corneredroom，nottenfeetinarea，partstudy，partcountinghouse，lookingintothefarm-yard;withadesktositat，adesktostandat，aSpittoon，asetofshelveswitholddivinitybooksuponthem;another，smaller，filledwithbooksonfarriery，farming，manures，andsuchsubjects，withpiecesofpapercontainingmemorandastuckagainstthewhitewashedwallswithwafers，nails，pins，anythingthatcamereadiesttohand;aboxofcarpenter’stoolsonthefloor，andsomemanuscriptsinshort-handonthedesk。
Heturnedround，halflaughing。’ThatfoolishgirlofminethinksI
havevexedyou’——puttinghislarge，powerfulhandonmyshoulder。’\"Nay，\"
saysI，\"kindlymeantiskidneytaken\"——isitnotso？’
’Itwasnotquite，sir，’repliedI，vanquishedbyhismanner;’butitshallbeinfuture。’
’Come，that’sright。YouandIshallbefriends。Indeed，it’snotmanyaoneIwouldbringinhere。ButIwasreadingabookthismorning，andIcouldnotmakeitout;itisabookthatwasleftherebymistakeoneday;IhadsubscribedtoBrotherRobinson’ssermons;andIwasgladtoseethisinsteadofthem，forsermonsthoughtheybe，they’re……well，nevermind！Itook’emboth，andmademyoldcoatdoabitlonger;butall’sfishthatcomestomynet。Ihavefewerbooksthanleisuretoreadthem，andIhaveaprodigiousbigappetite。Hereitis。’
Itwasavolumeofstiffmechanics，involvingmanytechnicalterms，andsomeratherdeepmathematics。Theselast，whichwouldhavepuzzledme，seemedeasyenoughtohim;allthathewantedwastheexplanationsofthetechnicalwords，whichIcouldeasilygive。
Whilehewaslookingthroughthebooktofindtheplaceswherehehadbeenpuzzled，mywanderingeyecaughtonsomeofthepapersonthewall，andIcouldnothelpreadingone，whichhasstuckbymeeversince。Atfirst，itseemedakindofweeklydiary;butthenIsawthatthesevendayswereportionedoutforspecialprayersandintercessions：Mondayforhisfamily，Tuesdayforenemies，WednesdayfortheIndependentchurches，Thursdayforallotherchurches，Fridayforpersonsafflicted，Saturdayforhisownsoul，Sundayforallwanderersandsinners，thattheymightbebroughthometothefold。
Wewerecalledbackintothehouse-placetohavesupper。Adooropeningintothekitchenwasopened;andallstoodupinbothrooms，whiletheminister，tall，large，onehandrestingonthespreadtable，theotherliftedup，said，inthedeepvoicethatwouldhavebeenloudhaditnotbeensofullandrich，butwithoutthepeculiaraccentortwangthatI
believeisconsidereddevoutbysomepeople，’Whetherweeatordrink，orwhatsoeverwedo，letusdoalltothegloryofGod。’
Thesupperwasanimmensemeat-pie。Weofthehouse-placewerehelpedfirst;thentheministerhitthehandleofhisbuck-horncarving-knifeonthetableonce，andsaid，——
’Nowornever，’whichmeant，didanyofuswantanymore;andwhenwehadalldeclined，eitherbysilenceorbywords，heknockedtwicewithhisknifeonthetable，andBettycameinthroughtheopendoor，andcarriedoffthegreatdishtothekitchen，whereanoldmanandayoungone，andahelp-girl，wereawaitingtheirmeal。
’Shutthedoor，ifyouwill，’saidtheministertoBetty。
’That’sinhonourofyou，’saidcousinHolman，inatoneofsatisfaction，asthedoorwasshut。’whenwe’venostrangerwithus，theministerissofondofkeepingthedoorOpen，andtalkingtothemenandmaids，justasmuchastoPhillisandme。
’Itbringsusalltogetherlikeahouseholdjustbeforewemeetasahouseholdinprayer，’saidhe，inexplanation。’Buttogobacktowhatweweretalkingabout——canyoutellmeofanysimplebookondynamicsthatIcouldputinmypocket，andstudyalittleatleisuretimesintheday？’
’Leisuretimes，father？’saidPhillis，withanearerapproachtoasmilethanIhadyetseenonherface。
’Yes;leisuretimes，daughter。Thereismanyanoddminutelostinwaitingforotherfolk;andnowthatrailroadsarecomingsonearus，itbehovesustoknowsomethingaboutthem。’
Ithoughtofhisowndescriptionofhis’prodigiousbigappetite’forlearning。Andhehadagoodappetiteofhisownforthemorematerialvictualbeforehim。ButIsaw，orfanciedIsaw，thathehadsomeruleforhimselfinthematterbothoffoodanddrink。
Assoonassupperwasdonethehouseholdassembledforprayer。Itwasalongimpromptueveningprayer;anditwouldhaveseemeddesultoryenoughhadInothadaglimpseofthekindofdaythatprecededit，andsobeenabletofindacluetothethoughtsthatprecededthedisjointedutterances;
forhekepttherekneelingdowninthecentreofacircle，hiseyesshut，hisoutstretchedhandspressedpalmtopalm——sometimeswithalongpauseofsilencewasanythingelsehewishedto’laybeforetheLord！（tousehisownexpression）——beforeheconcludedwiththeblessing。Heprayedforthecattleandlivecreatures，rathertomysurprise;formyattentionhadbeguntowander，tillitwasrecalledbythefamiliarwords。
AndhereImustnotforgettonameanoddincidentattheconclusionoftheprayer，andbeforewehadrisenfromourknees（indeedbeforeBettywaswellawake，forshemadeapracticeofhavingasoundnap，herwearyheadlyingonherstalwartarms）;theminister，stillkneelinginourmidst，butwithhiseyeswideopen，andhisarmsdroppedbyhisside，spoketotheelderman，whoturnedroundonhiskneestoattend。’John，didstseethatDaisyhadherwarmmashto-night;forwemustnotneglectthemeans，John——twoquartsofgruel，aspoonfulofginger，andagillofbeer——thepoorbeastneedsit，andIfearitslippedOutofmymindtotellthee;
andherewasIaskingablessingandneglectingthemeans，whichisamockery，’
saidhe，droppinghisvoice。
Beforewewenttobedhetoldmeheshouldseelittleornothingmoreofmeduringmyvisit，whichwastoendonSundayevening，ashealwaysgaveupbothSaturdayandSabbathtohisworkintheministry。IrememberedthatthelandlordattheinnhadtoldmethisonthedaywhenIfirstInquiredaboutthesenewrelationsofmine;andIdidnotdisliketheopportunitywhichIsawwouldbeaffordedmeofbecomingmoreacquaintedwithcousinHolmanandPhillis，thoughIearnestlyhopedthatthelatterwouldnotattackmeonthesubjectofthedeadlanguages。
Iwenttobed，anddreamedthatIwasastallascousinPhillis，andhadasuddenandmiraculousgrowthofwhisker，andastillmoremiraculousacquaintancewithLatinandGreek。Alas！Iwakenedupstillashort，beardlesslad，with’tempusfugit’formysoleremembranceofthelittleLatinIhadoncelearnt。WhileIwasdressing，abrightthoughtcameoverme：
IcouldquestioncousinPhillis，insteadofherquestioningme，andsomanagetokeepthechoiceofthesubjectsofconversationinmyownpower。
Earlyasitwas，everyonehadbreakfasted，andmybasinofbreadandmilkwasputontheoven-toptoawaitmycomingdown。Everyonewasgoneabouttheirwork。Thefirsttocomeintothehouse-placewasPhilliswithabasketofeggs。Faithfultomyresolution，Iasked，——
’Whatarethose？’
Shelookedatmeforamoment，andthensaidgravely，——
’Potatoes！’
’No！theyarenot，’saidI。’Theyareeggs。Whatdoyoumeanbysayingtheyarepotatoes？’
’Whatdoyoumeanbyaskingmewhattheywere，whentheywereplaintobeseen？’retortedshe。
Wewerebothgettingalittleangrywitheachother。
’Idon’tknow。Iwantedtobegintotalktoyou;andIwasafraidyouwouldtalktomeaboutbooksasyoudidyesterday。Ihavenotreadmuch;
andyouandtheministerhavereadsomuch。’
’Ihavenot，’saidshe。’Butyouareourguest;andmothersaysImustmakeitpleasanttoyou。Wewon’ttalkofbooks。Whatmustwetalkabout？’
’Idon’tknow。Howoldareyou？’
’SeventeenlastMay。Howoldareyou？’
’Iamnineteen。Olderthanyoubynearlytwoyears，’saidI，drawingmyselfuptomyfullheight。
’Ishouldnothavethoughtyouwereabovesixteen，’shereplied，asquietlyasifshewerenotsayingthemostprovokingthingshepossiblycould。Thencameapause。
’Whatareyougoingtodonow？’askedI。
’Ishouldbedustingthebed-chambers;butmothersaidIhadbetterstayandmakeitpleasanttoyou，’saidshe，alittleplaintively，asifdustingroomswasfartheeasiesttask。
’Willyoutakemetoseethelive-stock？Ilikeanimals，thoughIdon’tknowmuchaboutthem。’
’Oh，doyou？Iamsoglad！Iwasafraidyouwouldnotlikeanimals，asyoudidnotlikebooks。’
Iwonderedwhyshesaidthis。Ithinkitwasbecauseshehadbeguntofancyallourtastesmustbedissimilar。Wewenttogetherallthroughthefarm-yard;wefedthepoultry，shekneelingdownwithherpinaforefullofcornandmeal，andtemptingthelittletimid，downychickensuponit，muchtotheanxietyofthefussyruffledhen，theirmother。Shecalledtothepigeons，whofluttereddownatthesoundofhervoice。SheandI
examinedthegreatsleekcart-horses;sympathizedinourdislikeofpigs;
fedthecalves;coaxedthesickcow，Daisy;andadmiredtheothersoutatpasture;andcamebacktiredandhungryanddirtyatdinner-time，havingquiteforgottenthatthereweresuchthingsasdeadlanguages，andconsequentlycapitalfriends。PARTIICousinHolmangavemetheweeklycountynewspapertoreadaloudtoher，whileshemendedstockingsoutofahighpiled-upbasket，Phillishelpinghermother。Ireadandread，unregardfulofthewordsIwasuttering，thinkingofallmannerofotherthings;ofthebrightcolourofPhillis’shair，astheafternoonsunfellonherbendinghead;ofthesilenceofthehouse，whichenabledmetohearthedoubletickoftheoldclockwhichstoodhalf-wayupthestairs;ofthevarietyofinarticulatenoiseswhichcousinHolmanmadewhileIread，toshowhersympathy，wonder，orhorroratthenewspaperintelligence。ThetranquilmonotonyofthathourmademefeelasifIhadlivedforever，andshouldliveforeverdroningoutparagraphsinthatwarmsunnyroom）withmytwoquiethearers，andthecurled-uppussycatsleepingonthehearth-rug，andtheclockonthehouse-stairsperpetuallyclickingoutthepassageofthemoments。By-and-byBettytheservantcametothedoorintothekitchen，andmadeasigntoPhillis，whoputherhalf-mendedstockingdown，andwentawaytothekitchenwithoutaword。LookingatcousinHolmanaminuteortwoafterwards，Isawthatshehaddroppedherchinuponherbreast，andhadfallenfastasleep。Iputthenewspaperdown，andwasnearlyfollowingherexample，whenawaftofairfromsomeunseensource，slightlyopenedthedoorofcommunicationwiththekitchen，thatPhillismusthaveleftunfastened;andIsawpartofherfigureasshesatebythedresser，peelingappleswithquickdexterityoffinger，butwithrepeatedturningsofherheadtowardssomebooklyingonthedresserbyher。Isoftlyrose，andassoftlywentintothekitchen，andlookedoverhershoulder;beforeshewasawareofmyneighbourhood，Ihadseenthatthebookwasinalanguageunknowntome，andtherunningtitlewasL’Inferno。JustasIwasmakingouttherelationshipofthiswordto’infernal’，shestartedandturnedround，and，asifcontinuingherthoughtasshespoke，shesighedout，——
’Oh！itissodifficult！Canyouhelpme？’puttingherfingerbelowaline。
’Me！I！Idon’tevenknowwhatlanguageitisin！’
’Don’tyouseeitisDante？’shereplied，almostpetulantly;shedidsowanthelp。
’Italian，then？’saidI，dubiously;forIwasnotquitesure。
’Yes。AndIdosowanttomakeitout。Fathercanhelpmealittle，forheknowsLatin;butthenhehassolittletime。’
’Youhavenotmuch，Ishouldthink，ifyouhaveoftentotryanddotwothingsatonce，asyouaredoingnow。
’Oh！that’snothing！Fatherboughtaheapofoldbookscheap。AndI
knewsomethingaboutDantebefore;andIhavealwayslikedVirgilsomuch。
Paringapplesisnothing，ifIcouldonlymakeoutthisoldItalian。I
wishyouknewit。’
’IwishIdid，’saidI，movedbyherimpetuosityoftone。’If，now，onlyMrHoldsworthwerehere;hecanspeakItalianlikeanything，Ibelieve。’
’WhoisMrHoldsworth？’saidPhillis，lookingup。
’Oh，he’sourheadengineer。He’saregularfirst-ratefellow！Hecandoanything;’myhero-worshipandmyprideinmychiefallcomingintoplay。Besides，ifIwasnotcleverandbook-learnedmyself，itwassomethingtobelongtosomeonewhowas。
’HowisitthathespeaksItalian？’askedPhillis。
’HehadtomakearailwaythroughPiedmont，whichisinItaly，Ibelieve;
andhehadtotalktoalltheworkmeninItalian;andIhaveheardhimsaythatfornearlytwoyearshehadonlyItalianbookstoreadinthequeeroutlandishplaceshewasin。’
’Oh，dear！’saidPhillis;’Iwish——’andthenshestopped。Iwasnotquitesurewhethertosaythenextthingthatcameintomymind;butI
saidit。
’CouldIaskhimanythingaboutyourbook，oryourdifficulties？’
Shewassilentforaminuteorso，andthenshemadereply，——
’No！Ithinknot。Thankyouverymuch，though。Icangenerallypuzzleathingoutintime。Andthen，perhaps，Irememberitbetterthanifsomeonehadhelpedme。I’llputitawaynow，andyoumustmoveoff，forI’vegottomakethepasteforthepies;wealwayshaveacolddinneronSabbaths。’
’ButImaystayandhelpyou，mayn’tI？’
’Oh，yes;notthatyoucanhelpatall，butIliketohaveyouwithme。’
Iwasbothflatteredandannoyedatthisstraightforwardavowal。Iwaspleasedthatshelikedme;butIwasyoungcoxcombenoughtohavewishedtoplaythelover，andIwasquitewiseenoughtoperceivethatifshehadanyideaofthekindinherheadshewouldneverhavespokenoutsofrankly。Icomfortedmyselfimmediately，however，byfindingoutthatthegrapesweresour。Agreattallgirlinapinafore，halfaheadtallerthanIwas，readingbooksthatIhadneverheardof，andtalkingaboutthemtoo，asoffarmoreinterestthananymerepersonalsubjects;thatwasthelastdayonwhichIeverthoughtofmydearcousinPhillisasthepossiblemistressofmyheartandlife。Butwewereallthegreaterfriendsforthisideabeingutterlyputawayandburiedoutofsight。
LateintheeveningtheministercamehomefromHornby。Hehadbeencallingonthedifferentmembersofhisflock;andunsatisfactoryworkithadprovedtohim，itseemedfromthefragmentsthatdroppedoutofhisthoughtsintohistalk。
’Idon’tseethemen;theyareallattheirbusiness，theirshops，ortheirwarehouses;theyoughttobethere。Ihavenofaulttofindwiththem;onlyifapastor’steachingorwordsofadmonitionaregoodforanything，theyareneededbythemenasmuchasbythewomen。’
’Cannotyougoandseethemintheirplacesofbusiness，andremindthemoftheirChristianprivilegesandduties，minister？’askedcousinHolman，whoevidentlythoughtthatherhusband’swordscouldneverbeoutofplace。