CHAPTERI
IntheautumnmonthofSeptember，eighteenhundredandfifty-seven，whereinthesepresentsbeardate，twoidleapprentices，exhaustedbythelong，hotsummer，andthelong，hotworkithadbroughtwithit，ranawayfromtheiremployer。Theywereboundtoahighlymeritoriouslady（namedLiterature），offaircreditandrepute，though，itmustbeacknowledged，notquitesohighlyesteemedintheCityasshemightbe。Thisisthemoreremarkable，asthereisnothingagainsttherespectableladyinthatquarter，butquitethecontrary;herfamilyhavingrenderedeminentservicetomanyfamouscitizensofLondon。ItmaybesufficienttonameSirWilliamWalworth，LordMayorunderKingRichardII。，atthetimeofWatTyler’sinsurrection，andSirRichardWhittington：whichlatterdistinguishedmanandmagistratewasdoubtlessindebtedtothelady’sfamilyforthegiftofhiscelebratedcat。ThereisalsostrongreasontosupposethattheyrangtheHighgatebellsforhimwiththeirownhands。
Themisguidedyoungmenwhothusshirkedtheirdutytothemistressfromwhomtheyhadreceivedmanyfavours，wereactuatedbythelowideaofmakingaperfectlyidletrip，inanydirection。Theyhadnointentionofgoinganywhereinparticular;theywantedtoseenothing，theywantedtoknownothing，theywantedtolearnnothing，theywantedtodonothing。Theywantedonlytobeidle。Theytooktothemselves（afterHOGARTH），thenamesofMr。ThomasIdleandMr。
FrancisGoodchild;buttherewasnotamoralpintochoosebetweenthem，andtheywerebothidleinthelastdegree。
BetweenFrancisandThomas，however，therewasthisdifferenceofcharacter：Goodchildwaslaboriouslyidle，andwouldtakeuponhimselfanyamountofpainsandlabourtoassurehimselfthathewasidle;inshort，hadnobetterideaofidlenessthanthatitwasuselessindustry。ThomasIdle，ontheotherhand，wasanidleroftheunmixedIrishorNeapolitantype;apassiveidler，aborn-and-
bredidler，aconsistentidler，whopractisedwhathewouldhavepreachedifhehadnotbeentooidletopreach;aoneentireandperfectchrysoliteofidleness。
Thetwoidleapprenticesfoundthemselves，withinafewhoursoftheirescape，walkingdownintotheNorthofEngland，thatistosay，Thomaswaslyinginameadow，lookingattherailwaytrainsastheypassedoveradistantviaduct-whichwasHISideaofwalkingdownintotheNorth;whileFranciswaswalkingamiledueSouthagainsttime-whichwasHISideaofwalkingdownintotheNorth。
Inthemeantimethedaywaned，andthemilestonesremainedunconquered。
’Tom，’saidGoodchild，’thesunisgettinglow。Up，andletusgoforward！’
’Nay，’quothThomasIdle，’IhavenotdonewithAnnieLaurieyet。’
Andheproceededwiththatidlebutpopularballad，totheeffectthatforthebonnieyoungpersonofthatnamehewould’layhimdoonanddee’-equivalent，inprose，tolayhimdownanddie。
’Whatanassthatfellowwas！’criedGoodchild，withthebitteremphasisofcontempt。
’Whichfellow？’askedThomasIdle。
’Thefellowinyoursong。Layhimdoonanddee！Finelyhe’dshowoffbeforethegirlbydoingTHAT。Asniveller！Whycouldn’thegetup，andpunchsomebody’shead！’
’Whose？’askedThomasIdle。
’Anybody’s。Everybody’swouldbebetterthannobody’s！IfIfellintothatstateofmindaboutagirl，doyouthinkI’dlaymedoonanddee？No，sir，’proceededGoodchild，withadisparagingassumptionoftheScottishaccent，’I’dgetmeoopandpeetchintosomebody。Wouldn’tyou？’
’Iwouldn’thaveanythingtodowithher，’yawnedThomasIdle。
’WhyshouldItakethetrouble？’
’It’snotrouble，Tom，tofallinlove，’saidGoodchild，shakinghishead。
’It’stroubleenoughtofalloutofit，onceyou’reinit，’
retortedTom。’SoIkeepoutofitaltogether。Itwouldbebetterforyou，ifyoudidthesame。’
Mr。Goodchild，whoisalwaysinlovewithsomebody，andnotunfrequentlywithseveralobjectsatonce，madenoreply。Heheavedasighofthekindwhichistermedbythelowerorders’abellowser，’andthen，heavingMr。Idleonhisfeet（whowasnothalfsoheavyasthesigh），urgedhimnorthward。
Thesetwohadsenttheirpersonalbaggageonbytrain：onlyretainingeachaknapsack。Idlenowappliedhimselftoconstantlyregrettingthetrain，totrackingitthroughtheintricaciesofBradshaw’sGuide，andfindingoutwhereitisnow-andwherenow-
andwherenow-andtoaskingwhatwastheuseofwalking，whenyoucouldrideatsuchapaceasthat。Wasittoseethecountry？Ifthatwastheobject，lookatitoutofthecarriagewindows。Therewasagreatdealmoreofittobeseentherethanhere。Besides，whowantedtoseethecountry？Nobody。Andagain，whoeverdidwalk？Nobody。Fellowssetofftowalk，buttheyneverdidit。
Theycamebackandsaidtheydid，buttheydidn’t。Thenwhyshouldhewalk？Hewouldn’twalk。Hesworeitbythismilestone！
ItwasthefifthfromLondon，sofarhadtheypenetratedintotheNorth。Submittingtothepowerfulchainofargument，GoodchildproposedareturntotheMetropolis，andafallingbackuponEustonSquareTerminus。Thomasassentedwithalacrity，andsotheywalkeddownintotheNorthbythenextmorning’sexpress，andcarriedtheirknapsacksintheluggage-van。
Itwaslikeallotherexpresses，aseveryexpressisandmustbe。
Itborethroughtheharvestcountryasmelllikealargewashing-
day，andasharpissueofsteamasfromahugebrazentea-urn。Thegreatestpowerinnatureandartcombined，ityetglidedoverdangerousheightsinthesightofpeoplelookingupfromfieldsandroads，assmoothlyandunreallyasalightminiatureplaything。
Now，theengineshriekedinhystericsofsuchintensity，thatitseemeddesirablethatthemenwhohadherinchargeshouldholdherfeet，slapherhands，andbringherto;now，burrowedintotunnelswithastubbornandundemonstrativeenergysoconfusingthatthetrainseemedtobeflyingbackintoleaguesofdarkness。Here，werestationafterstation，swallowedupbytheexpresswithoutstopping;here，stationswhereitfireditselfinlikeavolleyofcannon-balls，swoopedawayfourcountry-peoplewithnosegays，andthreemenofbusinesswithportmanteaus，andfireditselfoffagain，bang，bang，bang！Atlongintervalswereuncomfortablerefreshment-rooms，mademoreuncomfortablebythescornofBeautytowardsBeast，thepublic（buttowhomsheneverrelented，asBeautydidinthestory，towardstheotherBeast），andwheresensitivestomachswerefed，withacontemptuoussharpnessoccasioningindigestion。Here，again，werestationswithnothinggoingbutabell，andwonderfulwoodenrazorssetaloftongreatposts，shavingtheair。Inthesefields，thehorses，sheep，andcattlewerewellusedtothethunderingmeteor，anddidn’tmind;inthose，theywereallsetscamperingtogether，andaherdofpigsscouredafterthem。Thepastoralcountrydarkened，becamecoaly，becamesmoky，becameinfernal，gotbetter，gotworse，improvedagain，grewrugged，turnedromantic;wasawood，astream，achainofhills，agorge，amoor，acathedraltown，afortifiedplace，awaste。Now，miserableblackdwellings，ablackcanal，andsickblacktowersofchimneys;now，atrimgarden，wheretheflowerswerebrightandfair;now，awildernessofhideousaltarsalla-
blaze;now，thewatermeadowswiththeirfairyrings;now，themangypatchofunletbuildinggroundoutsidethestagnanttown，withthelargerringwheretheCircuswaslastweek。Thetemperaturechanged，thedialectchanged，thepeoplechanged，facesgotsharper，mannergotshorter，eyesgotshrewderandharder;yetallsoquickly，thatthespruceguardintheLondonuniformandsilverlace，hadnotyetrumpledhisshirt-collar，deliveredhalfthedispatchesinhisshinylittlepouch，orreadhisnewspaper。
Carlisle！IdleandGoodchildhadgottoCarlisle。Itlookedcongeniallyanddelightfullyidle。Somethinginthewayofpublicamusementhadhappenedlastmonth，andsomethingelsewasgoingtohappenbeforeChristmas;and，inthemeantimetherewasalectureonIndiaforthosewholikedit-whichIdleandGoodchilddidnot。
Likewise，bythosewholikedthem，therewereimpressionstobeboughtofallthevapidprints，goingandgone，andofnearlyallthevapidbooks。Forthosewhowantedtoputanythinginmissionaryboxes，hereweretheboxes。ForthosewhowantedtheReverendMr。Podgers（artist’sproofs，thirtyshillings），herewasMr。Podgerstoanyamount。Notlessgraciousandabundant，Mr。
Codgersalsoofthevineyard，butopposedtoMr。Podgers，brotherlytoothandnail。Here，wereguide-bookstotheneighbouringantiquities，andeketheLakecountry，inseveraldryandhuskysorts;here，manyphysicallyandmorallyimpossibleheadsofbothsexes，foryoungladiestocopy，intheexerciseoftheartofdrawing;here，further，alargeimpressionofMR。SPURGEON，solidastotheflesh，nottosayevensomethinggross。TheworkingyoungmenofCarlisleweredrawnup，withtheirhandsintheirpockets，acrossthepavements，fourandsixabreast，andappeared（muchtothesatisfactionofMr。Idle）tohavenothingelsetodo。
TheworkingandgrowingyoungwomenofCarlisle，fromtheageoftwelveupwards，promenadedthestreetsinthecooloftheevening，andralliedthesaidyoungmen。Sometimestheyoungmenralliedtheyoungwomen，asinthecaseofagroupgatheredroundanaccordion-player，fromamongwhomayoungmanadvancedbehindayoungwomanforwhomheappearedtohaveatenderness，andhintedtoherthathewasthereandplayful，bygivingher（heworeclogs）
akick。
Onmarketmorning，Carlislewokeupamazingly，andbecame（tothetwoIdleApprentices）disagreeablyandreproachfullybusy。Therewereitscattlemarket，itssheepmarket，anditspigmarketdownbytheriver，withraw-bonedandshock-headedRobRoyshidingtheirLowlanddressesbeneathheavyplaids，prowlinginandoutamongtheanimals，andflavouringtheairwithfumesofwhiskey。Therewasitscornmarketdownthemainstreet，withhumofchafferingoveropensacks。Therewasitsgeneralmarketinthestreettoo，withheatherbroomsonwhichthepurpleflowerstillflourished，andheatherbasketsprimitiveandfreshtobehold。Withwomentryingonclogsandcapsatopenstalls，and’Biblestalls’adjoining。
With’DoctorMantle’sDispensaryforthecureofallHumanMaladiesandnochargeforadvice，’andwithDoctorMantle’s’LaboratoryofMedical，Chemical，andBotanicalScience’-bothhealinginstitutionsestablishedononepairoftrestles，oneboard，andonesun-blind。WiththerenownedphrenologistfromLondon，beggingtobefavoured（atsixpenceeach）withthecompanyofclientsofbothsexes，towhom，onexaminationoftheirheads，hewouldmakerevelations’enablinghimorhertoknowthemselves。’Throughallthesebargainsandblessings，therecruiting-sergeantwatchfullyelbowedhisway，athreadofWarinthepeacefulskein。LikewiseonthewallswereprintedhintsthattheOxfordBluesmightnotbeindisposedtohearofafewfineactiveyoungmen;andthatwhereasthestandardofthatdistinguishedcorpsisfullsixfeet，’growingladsoffivefeeteleven’neednotabsolutelydespairofbeingaccepted。
ScentingthemorningairmorepleasantlythantheburiedmajestyofDenmarkdid，Messrs。IdleandGoodchildrodeawayfromCarlisleateighto’clockoneforenoon，boundforthevillageofHesket，Newmarket，somefourteenmilesdistant。Goodchild（whohadalreadybeguntodoubtwhetherhewasidle：ashiswayalwaysiswhenhehasnothingtodo）hadreadofacertainblackoldCumberlandhillormountain，calledCarrock，orCarrockFell;andhadarrivedattheconclusionthatitwouldbetheculminatingtriumphofIdlenesstoascendthesame。ThomasIdle，dwellingonthepainsinseparablefromthatachievement，hadexpressedthestrongestdoubtsoftheexpediency，andevenofthesanity，oftheenterprise;butGoodchildhadcarriedhispoint，andtheyrodeaway。
Uphillanddownhill，andtwistingtotheright，andtwistingtotheleft，andwitholdSkiddaw（whohasvauntedhimselfagreatdealmorethanhismeritsdeserve;butthatisratherthewayoftheLakecountry），dodgingtheapprenticesinapicturesqueandpleasantmanner。Good，weather-proof，warm，pleasanthouses，wellwhite-limed，scantilydottingtheroad。Cleanchildrencomingouttolook，carryingothercleanchildrenasbigasthemselves。
Harveststilllyingoutandmuchrainedupon;hereandthere，harveststillunreaped。Well-cultivatedgardensattachedtothecottages，withplentyofproduceforcedoutoftheirhardsoil。
Lonelynooks，andwild;butpeoplecanbeborn，andmarried，andburiedinsuchnooks，andcanliveandlove，andbeloved，thereaselsewhere，thankGod！（Mr。Goodchild’sremark。）By-and-by，thevillage。Black，coarse-stoned，rough-windowedhouses;somewithouterstaircases，likeSwisshouses;asinuousandstonygutterwindinguphillandroundthecorner，bywayofstreet。Allthechildrenrunningoutdirectly。Womenpausinginwashing，topeepfromdoorwaysandverylittlewindows。SuchweretheobservationsofMessrs。IdleandGoodchild，astheirconveyancestoppedatthevillageshoemaker’s。OldCarrockgloomeddownuponitallinaveryill-temperedstate;andrainwasbeginning。
ThevillageshoemakerdeclinedtohaveanythingtodowithCarrock。
NovisitorswentupCarrock。Novisitorscamethereatall。Aa’
theworldgangedawa’yon。ThedriverappealedtotheInnkeeper。
TheInnkeeperhadtwomenworkinginthefields，andoneofthemshouldbecalledin，togoupCarrockasguide。Messrs。IdleandGoodchild，highlyapproving，enteredtheInnkeeper’shouse，todrinkwhiskeyandeatoatcake。
TheInnkeeperwasnotidleenough-wasnotidleatall，whichwasagreatfaultinhim-butwasafinespecimenofanorth-countryman，oranykindofman。Hehadaruddycheek，abrighteye，awell-knitframe，animmensehand，acheery，outspeakingvoice，andastraight，bright，broadlook。Hehadadrawing-room，too，upstairs，whichwasworthavisittotheCumberlandFells。（ThiswasMr。FrancisGoodchild’sopinion，inwhichMr。ThomasIdledidnotconcur。）
Theceilingofthisdrawing-roomwassocrossedandrecrossedbybeamsofunequallengths，radiatingfromacentre，inacorner，thatitlookedlikeabrokenstar-fish。Theroomwascomfortablyandsolidlyfurnishedwithgoodmahoganyandhorsehair。Ithadasnugfireside，andacoupleofwell-curtainedwindows，lookingoutuponthewildcountrybehindthehouse。Whatitmostdevelopedwas，anunexpectedtasteforlittleornamentsandnick-nacks，ofwhichitcontainedamostsurprisingnumber。Theywerenotveryvarious，consistingingreatpartofwaxenbabieswiththeirlimbsmoreorlessmutilated，appealingononelegtotheparentalaffectionsfromunderlittlecuppingglasses;but，UncleTomwasthere，incrockery，receivingtheologicalinstructionsfromMissEva，whogrewoutofhissidelikeawen，inanexceedinglyroughstateofprofilepropagandism。EngravingsofMr。Hunt’scountryboy，beforeandafterhispie，wereonthewall，dividedbyahighly-colourednauticalpiece，thesubjectofwhichhadallhercolours（andmore）flying，andwasmakinggreatwaythroughaseaofaregularpattern，likealady’scollar。Abenevolent，elderlygentlemanofthelastcentury，withapowderedhead，keptguard，inoilandvarnish，overamostperplexingpieceoffurnitureonatable;inappearancebetweenadrivingseatandanangularknife-
box，but，whenopened，amusicalinstrumentoftinklingwires，exactlylikeDavid’sharppackedfortravelling。Everythingbecameanick-nackinthiscuriousroom。Thecoppertea-kettle，burnisheduptothehighestpointofglory，tookhisstationonastandofhisownatthegreatestpossibledistancefromthefireplace，andsaid：’Byyourleave，notakettle，butabijou。’TheStaffordshire-warebutter-dishwiththecoveron，gotuponalittleroundoccasionaltableinawindow，withaworkedtop，andannounceditselftothetwochairsaccidentallyplacedthere，asanaidtopoliteconversation，agracefultrifleinchinatobechattedoverbycallers，astheyairilytrifledawaythevisitingmomentsofabutterflyexistence，inthatruggedoldvillageontheCumberlandFells。Theveryfootstoolcouldnotkeepthefloor，butgotuponasofa，andthere-fromproclaimeditself，inhighreliefofwhiteandliver-colouredwool，afavouritespanielcoiledupforrepose。Though，truly，inspiteofitsbrightglasseyes，thespanielwastheleastsuccessfulassumptioninthecollection：
beingperfectlyflat，anddismallysuggestiveofarecentmistakeinsittingdownonthepartofsomecorpulentmemberofthefamily。
Therewerebooks，too，inthisroom;booksonthetable，booksonthechimney-piece，booksinanopenpressinthecorner。Fieldingwasthere，andSmollettwasthere，andSteeleandAddisonwerethere，indispersedvolumes;andthereweretalesofthosewhogodowntotheseainships，forwindynights;andtherewasreallyachoiceofgoodbooksforrainydaysorfine。Itwassoverypleasanttoseethesethingsinsuchalonesomeby-place-soveryagreeabletofindtheseevidencesofataste，howeverhomely，thatwentbeyondthebeautifulcleanlinessandtrimnessofthehouse-
sofancifultoimaginewhatawonderaroommustbetothelittlechildrenborninthegloomyvillage-whatgrandimpressionsofitthoseofthemwhobecamewanderersovertheearthwouldcarryaway;
andhow，atdistantendsoftheworld，someoldvoyagerswoulddie，cherishingthebeliefthatthefinestapartmentknowntomenwasonceintheHesket-NewmarketInn，inrareoldCumberland-itwassuchacharminglylazypursuittoentertaintheseramblingthoughtsoverthechoiceoatcakeandthegenialwhiskey，thatMr。IdleandMr。Goodchildneveraskedthemselveshowitcametopassthatthemeninthefieldswereneverheardofmore，howthestalwartlandlordreplacedthemwithoutexplanation，howhisdog-cartcametobewaitingatthedoor，andhoweverythingwasarrangedwithouttheleastarrangementforclimbingtooldCarrock’sshoulders，andstandingonhishead。
Withoutawordofinquiry，therefore，theTwoIdleApprenticesdriftedoutresignedlyintoafine，soft，close，drowsy，penetratingrain;gotintothelandlord’slightdog-cart，andrattledoffthroughthevillageforthefootofCarrock。Thejourneyattheoutsetwasnotremarkable。TheCumberlandroadwentupanddownlikeallotherroads;theCumberlandcursburstoutfrombacksofcottagesandbarkedlikeothercurs，andtheCumberlandpeasantrystaredafterthedog-cartamazedly，aslongasitwasinsight，liketherestoftheirrace。Theapproachtothefootofthemountainresembledtheapproachestothefeetofmostothermountainsallovertheworld。Thecultivationgraduallyceased，thetreesgrewgraduallyrare，theroadbecamegraduallyrougher，andthesidesofthemountainlookedgraduallymoreandmorelofty，andmoreandmoredifficulttogetup。Thedog-cartwasleftatalonelyfarm-house。Thelandlordborrowedalargeumbrella，and，assuminginaninstantthecharacterofthemostcheerfulandadventurousofguides，ledthewaytotheascent。Mr。
Goodchildlookedeagerlyatthetopofthemountain，and，feelingapparentlythathewasnowgoingtobeverylazyindeed，shonealloverwonderfullytotheeye，undertheinfluenceofthecontentmentwithinandthemoisturewithout。OnlyinthebosomofMr。ThomasIdledidDespondencynowholdhergloomystate。Hekeptitasecret;buthewouldhavegivenaveryhandsomesum，whentheascentbegan，tohavebeenbackagainattheinn。ThesidesofCarrocklookedfearfullysteep，andthetopofCarrockwashiddeninmist。Therainwasfallingfasterandfaster。ThekneesofMr。
Idle-alwaysweakonwalkingexcursions-shiveredandshookwithfearanddamp。Thewetwasalreadypenetratingthroughtheyoungman’soutercoattoabrand-newshooting-jacket，forwhichhehadreluctantlypaidthelargesumoftwoguineasonleavingtown;hehadnostimulatingrefreshmentabouthimbutasmallpacketofclammygingerbreadnuts;hehadnobodytogivehimanarm，nobodytopushhimgentlybehind，nobodytopullhimuptenderlyinfront，nobodytospeaktowhoreallyfeltthedifficultiesoftheascent，thedampnessoftherain，thedensenessofthemist，andtheunutterablefollyofclimbing，undriven，upanysteepplaceintheworld，whenthereislevelgroundwithinreachtowalkoninstead。
WasitforthisthatThomashadleftLondon？London，wherethereareniceshortwalksinlevelpublicgardens，withbenchesofreposesetupatconvenientdistancesforwearytravellers-
London，whereruggedstoneishumanelypoundedintolittlelumpsfortheroad，andintelligentlyshapedintosmoothslabsforthepavement！No！itwasnotforthelaboriousascentofthecragsofCarrockthatIdlehadlefthisnativecity，andtravelledtoCumberland。Neverdidhefeelmoredisastrouslyconvincedthathehadcommittedaverygraveerrorinjudgmentthanwhenhefoundhimselfstandingintherainatthebottomofasteepmountain，andknewthattheresponsibilityrestedonhisweakshouldersofactuallygettingtothetopofit。
Thehonestlandlordwentfirst，thebeamingGoodchildfollowed，themournfulIdlebroughtuptherear。Fromtimetotime，thetwoforemostmembersoftheexpeditionchangedplacesintheorderofmarch;buttherearguardneveralteredhisposition。Upthemountainordownthemountain，inthewateroroutofit，overtherocks，throughthebogs，skirtingtheheather，Mr。ThomasIdlewasalwaysthelast，andwasalwaysthemanwhohadtobelookedafterandwaitedfor。Atfirsttheascentwasdelusivelyeasy，thesidesofthemountainslopedgradually，andthematerialofwhichtheywerecomposedwasasoftspongyturf，verytenderandpleasanttowalkupon。Afterahundredyardsorso，however，theverdantsceneandtheeasyslopedisappeared，andtherocksbegan。Notnoble，massiverocks，standingupright，keepingacertainregularityintheirpositions，andpossessing，nowandthen，flattopstositupon，butlittleirritating，comfortlessrocks，litteredaboutanyhow，byNature;treacherous，dishearteningrocksofallsortsofsmallshapesandsmallsizes，bruisersoftendertoesandtrippers-
upofwaveringfeet。Whentheseimpedimentswerepassed，heatherandsloughfollowed。Herethesteepnessoftheascentwasslightlymitigated;andheretheexploringpartyofthreeturnedroundtolookattheviewbelowthem。Thesceneofthemoorlandandthefieldswaslikeafeeblewater-colourdrawinghalfspongedout。
Themistwasdarkening，therainwasthickening，thetreesweredottedaboutlikespotsoffaintshadow，thedivision-lineswhichmappedoutthefieldswereallgettingblurredtogether，andthelonelyfarm-housewherethedog-carthadbeenleft，loomedspectralinthegreylightlikethelasthumandwellingattheendofthehabitableworld。Wasthisasightworthclimbingtosee？Surely-
surelynot！
Upagain-forthetopofCarrockisnotreachedyet。Theland-
lord，justasgood-temperedandobligingashewasatthebottomofthemountain。Mr。Goodchildbrighterintheeyesandrosierinthefacethanever;fullofcheerfulremarksandaptquotations;andwalkingwithaspringinessofstepwonderfultobehold。Mr。Idle，fartherandfartherintherear，withthewatersqueakinginthetoesofhisboots，withhistwo-guineashooting-jacketclingingdamplytohisachingsides，withhisovercoatsofullofrain，andstandingoutsopyramidicallystiff，inconsequence，fromhisshouldersdownwards，thathefeltasifhewaswalkinginagiganticextinguisher-thedespairingspiritwithinhimrepresentingbuttooaptlythecandlethathadjustbeenputout。
Upandupandupagain，tillaridgeisreachedandtheouteredgeofthemistonthesummitofCarrockisdarklyanddrizzinglynear。
Isthisthetop？No，nothinglikethetop。Itisanaggravatingpeculiarityofallmountains，that，althoughtheyhaveonlyonetopwhentheyareseen（astheyoughtalwaystobeseen）frombelow，theyturnouttohaveaperfecteruptionoffalsetopswheneverthetravellerissufficientlyill-advisedtogooutofhiswayforthepurposeofascendingthem。Carrockisbutatrumperylittlemountainoffifteenhundredfeet，anditpresumestohavefalsetops，andevenprecipices，asifitwereMontBlanc。Nomatter;
Goodchildenjoysit，andwillgoon;andIdle，whoisafraidofbeingleftbehindbyhimself，mustfollow。Onenteringtheedgeofthemist，thelandlordstops，andsayshehopesthatitwillnotgetanythicker。ItistwentyyearssincehelastascendedCarrock，anditisbarelypossible，ifthemistincreases，thatthepartymaybelostonthemountain。Goodchildhearsthisdreadfulintimation，andisnotintheleastimpressedbyit。Hemarchesforthetopthatisnevertobefound，asifhewastheWanderingJew，boundtogoonforever，indefianceofeverything。Thelandlordfaithfullyaccompanieshim。Thetwo，tothedimeyeofIdle，farbelow，lookintheexaggerativemist，likeapairoffriendlygiants，mountingthestepsofsomeinvisiblecastletogether。Upandup，andthendownalittle，andthenup，andthenalongastripoflevelground，andthenupagain。Thewind，awindunknowninthehappyvalley，blowskeenandstrong;therain-mistgetsimpenetrable;adrearylittlecairnofstonesappears。Thelandlordaddsonetotheheap，firstwalkingallroundthecairnasifhewereabouttoperformanincantation，thendroppingthestoneontothetopoftheheapwiththegestureofamagicianaddinganingredienttoacauldroninfullbubble。Goodchildsitsdownbythecairnasifitwashisstudy-tableathome;Idle，drenchedandpanting，standsupwithhisbacktothewind，ascertainsdistinctlythatthisisthetopatlast，looksroundwithallthelittlecuriositythatisleftinhim，andgets，inreturn，amagnificentviewof-Nothing！
Theeffectofthissublimespectacleonthemindsoftheexploringpartyisalittleinjuredbythenatureofthedirectconclusiontowhichthesightofitpoints-thesaidconclusionbeingthatthemountainmisthasactuallygatheredroundthem，asthelandlordfeareditwould。Itnowbecomesimperativelynecessarytosettletheexactsituationofthefarm-houseinthevalleyatwhichthedog-carthasbeenleft，beforethetravellersattempttodescend。
Whilethelandlordisendeavouringtomakethisdiscoveryinhisownway，Mr。Goodchildplungeshishandunderhiswetcoat，drawsoutalittleredmorocco-case，opensit，anddisplaystotheviewofhiscompanionsaneatpocket-compass。Thenorthisfound，thepointatwhichthefarm-houseissituatedissettled，andthedescentbegins。Afteralittledownwardwalking，Idle（behindasusual）seeshisfellow-travellersturnasidesharply-triestofollowthem-losestheminthemist-isshoutedafter，waitedfor，recovered-andthenfindsthatahalthasbeenordered，partlyonhisaccount，partlyforthepurposeofagainconsultingthecompass。
ThepointindebateissettledasbeforebetweenGoodchildandthelandlord，andtheexpeditionmoveson，notdownthemountain，butmarchingstraightforwardroundtheslopeofit。ThedifficultyoffollowingthisnewrouteisacutelyfeltbyThomasIdle。Hefindsthehardshipofwalkingatallgreatlyincreasedbythefatigueofmovinghisfeetstraightforwardalongthesideofaslope，whentheirnaturaltendency，ateverystep，istoturnoffatarightangle，andgostraightdownthedeclivity。Letthereaderimaginehimselftobewalkingalongtheroofofabarn，insteadofupordownit，andhewillhaveanexactideaofthepedestriandifficultyinwhichthetravellershadnowinvolvedthemselves。IntenminutesmoreIdlewaslostinthedistanceagain，wasshoutedfor，waitedfor，recoveredasbefore;foundGoodchildrepeatinghisobservationofthecompass，andremonstratedwarmlyagainstthesidewayroutethathiscompanionspersistedinfollowing。ItappearedtotheuninstructedmindofThomasthatwhenthreemenwanttogettothebottomofamountain，theirbusinessistowalkdownit;andheputthisviewofthecase，notonlywithemphasis，butevenwithsomeirritability。Hewasansweredfromthescientificeminenceofthecompassonwhichhiscompanionsweremounted，thattherewasafrightfulchasmsomewherenearthefootofCarrock，calledTheBlackArches，intowhichthetravellersweresuretomarchinthemist，iftheyriskedcontinuingthedescentfromtheplacewheretheyhadnowhalted。Idlereceivedthisanswerwiththesilentrespectwhichwasduetothecommandersoftheexpedition，andfollowedalongtheroofofthebarn，orratherthesideofthemountain，reflectingupontheassurancewhichhereceivedonstartingagain，thattheobjectofthepartywasonlytogain’acertainpoint，’and，thishavenattained，tocontinuethedescentafterwardsuntilthefootofCarrockwasreached。
Thoughquiteunexceptionableasanabstractformofexpression，thephrase’acertainpoint’hasthedisadvantageofsoundingrathervaguelywhenitispronouncedonunknownground，underacanopyofmistmuchthickerthanaLondonfog。Nevertheless，afterthecompass，thisphrasewasallthecluethepartyhadtoholdby，andIdleclungtotheextremeendofitashopefullyashecould。
Moresidewaywalking，thickerandthickermist，allsortsofpointsreachedexceptthe’certainpoint;’thirdlossofIdle，thirdshoutsforhim，thirdrecoveryofhim，thirdconsultationofcompass。Mr。Goodchilddrawsittenderlyfromhispocket，andpreparestoadjustitonastone。Somethingfallsontheturf-itistheglass。Somethingelsedropsimmediatelyafter-itistheneedle。Thecompassisbroken，andtheexploringpartyislost！
ItisthepracticeoftheEnglishportionofthehumanracetoreceiveallgreatdisastersindeadsilence。Mr。Goodchildrestoredtheuselesscompasstohispocketwithoutsayingaword，Mr。Idlelookedatthelandlord，andthelandlordlookedatMr。
Idle。Therewasnothingforitnowbuttogoonblindfold，andtrusttothechapterofchances。Accordingly，thelosttravellersmovedforward，stillwalkingroundtheslopeofthemountain，stilldesperatelyresolvedtoavoidtheBlackArches，andtosucceedinreachingthe’certainpoint。’
Aquarterofanhourbroughtthemtothebrinkofaravine，atthebottomofwhichthereflowedamuddylittlestream。Hereanotherhaltwascalled，andanotherconsultationtookplace。Thelandlord，stillclingingpertinaciouslytotheideaofreachingthe’point，’votedforcrossingtheravine，andgoingonroundtheslopeofthemountain。Mr。Goodchild，tothegreatreliefofhisfellow-traveller，tookanotherviewofthecase，andbackedMr。
Idle’sproposaltodescendCarrockatonce，atanyhazard-theratherastherunningstreamwasasureguidetofollowfromthemountaintothevalley。Accordingly，thepartydescendedtotheruggedandstonybanksofthestream;andhereagainThomaslostgroundsadly，andfellfarbehindhistravellingcompanions。Notmuchmorethansixweekshadelapsedsincehehadsprainedoneofhisankles，andhebegantofeelthissameanklegettingratherweakwhenhefoundhimselfamongthestonesthatwerestrewnabouttherunningwater。Goodchildandthelandlordweregettingfartherandfartheraheadofhim。Hesawthemcrossthestreamanddisappearroundaprojectiononitsbanks。Heheardthemshoutthemomentafterasasignalthattheyhadhaltedandwerewaitingforhim。Answeringtheshout，hemendedhispace，crossedthestreamwheretheyhadcrossedit，andwaswithinonestepoftheoppositebank，whenhisfootslippedonawetstone，hisweakanklegaveatwistoutwards，ahot，rending，tearingpainranthroughitatthesamemoment，anddownfelltheidlestoftheTwoIdleApprentices，crippledinaninstant。
Thesituationwasnow，inplainterms，oneofabsolutedanger。
TherelayMr。Idlewrithingwithpain，therewasthemistasthickasever，therewasthelandlordascompletelylostasthestrangerswhomhewasconducting，andtherewasthecompassbrokeninGoodchild’spocket。ToleavethewretchedThomasonunknowngroundwasplainlyimpossible;andtogethimtowalkwithabadlysprainedankleseemedequallyoutofthequestion。However，Goodchild（broughtbackbyhiscryforhelp）bandagedtheanklewithapocket-handkerchief，andassistedbythelandlord，raisedthecrippledApprenticetohislegs，offeredhimashouldertoleanon，andexhortedhimforthesakeofthewholepartytotryifhecouldwalk。Thomas，assistedbytheshoulderononeside，andastickontheother，didtry，withwhatpainanddifficultythoseonlycanimaginewhohavesprainedanankleandhavehadtotreadonitafterwards。Atapaceadaptedtothefeeblehobblingofanewly-lamedman，thelostpartymovedon，perfectlyignorantwhethertheywereontherightsideofthemountainorthewrong，andequallyuncertainhowlongIdlewouldbeabletocontendwiththepaininhisankle，beforehegaveinaltogetherandfelldownagain，unabletostiranotherstep。
Slowlyandmoreslowly，astheclogofcrippledThomasweighedheavilyandmoreheavilyonthemarchoftheexpedition，thelosttravellersfollowedthewindingsofthestream，tilltheycametoafaintly-markedcart-track，branchingoffnearlyatrightangles，totheleft。Afteralittleconsultationitwasresolvedtofollowthisdimvestigeofaroadinthehopethatitmightleadtosomefarmorcottage，atwhichIdlecouldbeleftinsafety。Itwasnowgettingontowardstheafternoon，anditwasfastbecomingmorethandoubtfulwhethertheparty，delayedintheirprogressastheynowwere，mightnotbeovertakenbythedarknessbeforetherightroutewasfound，andbecondemnedtopassthenightonthemountain，withoutbitordroptocomfortthem，intheirwetclothes。
Thecart-trackgrewfainterandfainter，untilitwaswashedoutaltogetherbyanotherlittlestream，dark，turbulent，andrapid。
Thelandlordsuggested，judgingbythecolourofthewater，thatitmustbeflowingfromoneoftheleadminesintheneighbourhoodofCarrock;andthetravellersaccordinglykeptbythestreamforalittlewhile，inthehopeofpossiblywanderingtowardshelpinthatway。Afterwalkingforwardabouttwohundredyards，theycameuponamineindeed，butamine，exhaustedandabandoned;adismal，ruinousplace，withnothingbutthewreckofitsworksandbuildingslefttospeakforit。Here，therewereafewsheepfeeding。Thelandlordlookedatthemearnestly，thoughtherecognisedthemarksonthem-thenthoughthedidnot-finallygaveupthesheepindespair-andwalkedonjustasignorantofthewhereaboutsofthepartyasever。
Themarchinthedark，literallyaswellasmetaphoricallyinthedark，hadnowbeencontinuedforthree-quartersofanhourfromthetimewhenthecrippledApprenticehadmetwithhisaccident。Mr。
Idle，withallthewilltoconquerthepaininhisankle，andtohobbleon，foundthepowerrapidlyfailinghim，andfeltthatanothertenminutesatmostwouldfindhimattheendofhislastphysicalresources。Hehadjustmadeuphismindonthispoint，andwasabouttocommunicatethedismalresultofhisreflectionstohiscompanions，whenthemistsuddenlybrightened，andbeguntoliftstraightahead。Inanotherminute，thelandlord，whowasinadvance，proclaimedthathesawatree。Beforelong，othertreesappeared-thenacottage-thenahousebeyondthecottage，andafamiliarlineofroadrisingbehindit。Lastofall，Carrockitselfloomeddarklyintoview，farawaytotherighthand。Thepartyhadnotonlygotdownthemountainwithoutknowinghow，buthadwanderedawayfromitinthemist，withoutknowingwhy-away，fardownontheverymoorbywhichtheyhadapproachedthebaseofCarrockthatmorning。
Thehappyliftingofthemist，andthestillhappierdiscoverythatthetravellershadgropedtheirway，thoughbyaveryroundaboutdirection，towithinamileorsoofthepartofthevalleyinwhichthefarm-housewassituated，restoredMr。Idle’ssinkingspiritsandreanimatedhisfailingstrength。Whilethelandlordranofftogetthedog-cart，ThomaswasassistedbyGoodchildtothecottagewhichhadbeenthefirstbuildingseenwhenthedarknessbrightened，andwasproppedupagainstthegardenwall，likeanartist’slayfigurewaitingtobeforwarded，untilthedog-
cartshouldarrivefromthefarm-housebelow。Induetime-andaverylongtimeitseemedtoMr。Idle-therattleofwheelswasheard，andthecrippledApprenticewasliftedintotheseat。Asthedog-cartwasdrivenbacktotheinn，thelandlordrelatedananecdotewhichhehadjustheardatthefarm-house，ofanunhappymanwhohadbeenlost，likehistwoguestsandhimself，onCarrock;
whohadpassedthenighttherealone;whohadbeenfoundthenextmorning，’scaredandstarved;’andwhoneverwentoutafterwards，exceptonhiswaytothegrave。Mr。Idleheardthissadstory，andderivedatleastoneusefulimpressionfromit。Badasthepaininhisanklewas，hecontrivedtobearitpatiently，forhefeltgratefulthataworseaccidenthadnotbefallenhiminthewildsofCarrock。
CHAPTERII
Thedog-cart，withMr。ThomasIdleandhisankleonthehangingseatbehind，Mr。FrancisGoodchildandtheInnkeeperinfront，andtheraininspoutsandsplasheseverywhere，madethebestofitswaybacktothelittleinn;thebrokenmoorcountrylookinglikemilesuponmilesofPre-Adamitesop，ortheruinsofsomeenormousjorumofantediluviantoast-and-water。Thetreesdripped;theeavesofthescatteredcottagesdripped;thebarrenstonewallsdividingtheland，dripped;theyelpingdogsdripped;cartsandwaggonsunderill-roofedpenthouses，dripped;melancholycocksandhensperchingontheirshafts，orseekingshelterunderneaththem，dripped;Mr。Goodchilddripped;ThomasIdledripped;theInn-keeperdripped;themaredripped;thevastcurtainsofmistandcloudpassedbeforetheshadowyformsofthehills，streamedwaterastheyweredrawnacrossthelandscape。Downsuchsteeppitchesthatthemareseemedtobetrottingonherhead，andupsuchsteeppitchesthatsheseemedtohaveasupplementaryleginhertail，thedog-cartjoltedandtiltedbacktothevillage。Itwastoowetforthewomentolookout，itwastoowetevenforthechildrentolookout;allthedoorsandwindowswereclosed，andtheonlysignoflifeormotionwasintherain-puncturedpuddles。
WhiskeyandoiltoThomasIdle’sankle，andwhiskeywithoutoiltoFrancisGoodchild’sstomach，producedanagreeablechangeinthesystemsofboth;soothingMr。Idle’spain，whichwassharpbefore，andsweeteningMr。Goodchild’stemper，whichwassweetbefore。
Portmanteausbeingthenopenedandclotheschanged，Mr。Goodchild，throughhavingnochangeofoutergarmentsbutbroadclothandvelvet，suddenlybecameamagnificentportentintheInnkeeper’shouse，ashiningfrontispiecetothefashionsforthemonth，andafrightfulanomalyintheCumberlandvillage。
Greatlyashamedofhissplendidappearance，theconsciousGoodchildquencheditasmuchaspossible，intheshadowofThomasIdle’sankle，andinacornerofthelittlecoveredcarriagethatstartedwiththemforWigton-amostdesirablecarriageforanycountry，exceptforitshavingaflatroofandnosides;whichcausedtheplumpsofrainaccumulatingontherooftoplayvigorousgamesofbagatelleintotheinterioralltheway，andtoscoreimmensely。
ItwascomfortabletoseehowthepeoplecomingbackinopencartsfromWigtonmarketmadenomoreoftherainthanifitweresunshine;howtheWigtonpolicemantakingacountrywalkofhalf-a-
dozenmiles（apparentlyforpleasure），inresplendentuniform，acceptedsaturationashisnormalstate;howclerksandschoolmastersinblack，loiteredalongtheroadwithoutumbrellas，gettingvarnishedateverystep;howtheCumberlandgirls，comingouttolookaftertheCumberlandcows，shooktherainfromtheireyelashesandlaugheditaway;andhowtheraincontinuedtofalluponall，asitonlydoesfallinhillcountries。
Wigtonmarketwasover，anditsbareboothsweresmokingwithrainalldownthestreet。Mr。ThomasIdle，melodramaticallycarriedtotheinn’sfirstfloor，andlaiduponthreechairs（heshouldhavehadthesofa，iftherehadbeenone），Mr。GoodchildwenttothewindowtotakeanobservationofWigton，andreportwhathesawtohisdisabledcompanion。
’BrotherFrancis，brotherFrancis，’criedThomasIdle，’Whatdoyouseefromtheturret？’
’Isee，’saidBrotherFrancis，’whatIhopeandbelievetobeoneofthemostdismalplaceseverseenbyeyes。Iseethehouseswiththeirroofsofdullblack，theirstainedfronts，andtheirdark-
rimmedwindows，lookingasiftheywereallinmourning。Aseverylittlepuffofwindcomesdownthestreet，Iseeaperfecttrainofrainletoffalongthewoodenstallsinthemarket-placeandexplodedagainstme。IseeaverybiggaslampinthecentrewhichIknow，byasecretinstinct，willnotbelightedto-night。Iseeapump，withatrivetunderneathitsspoutwhereontostandthevesselsthatarebroughttobefilledwithwater。Iseeamancometopump，andhepumpsveryhard，butnowaterfollows，andhestrollsemptyaway。’
’BrotherFrancis，brotherFrancis，’criedThomasIdle，’whatmoredoyouseefromtheturret，besidesthemanandthepump，andthetrivetandthehousesallinmourningandtherain？’
’Isee，’saidBrotherFrancis，’one，two，three，four，five，linen-
drapers’shopsinfrontofme。Iseealinen-draper’sshopnextdoortotheright-andtherearefivemorelinen-drapers’shopsdownthecornertotheleft。Elevenhomicidallinen-drapers’shopswithinashortstone’sthrow，eachwithitshandsatthethroatsofalltherest！Overthesmallfirst-floorofoneoftheselinen-
drapers’shopsappearsthewonderfulinscription，BANK。’
’BrotherFrancis，brotherFrancis，’criedThomasIdle，’whatmoredoyouseefromtheturret，besidestheelevenhomicidallinen-
drapers’shops，andthewonderfulinscription，\"Bank，\"-onthesmallfirst-floor，andthemanandthepumpandthetrivetandthehousesallinmourningandtherain？’
’Isee，’saidBrotherFrancis，’thedepositoryforChristianKnowledge，andthroughthedarkvapourIthinkIagainmakeoutMr。
Spurgeonloomingheavily。HerMajestytheQueen，Godblessher，printedincolours，IamsureIsee。IseetheILLUSTRATEDLONDON
NEWSofseveralyearsago，andIseeasweetmeatshop-whichtheproprietorcallsa\"SaltWarehouse\"-withonesmallfemalechildinacottonbonnetlookinginontip-toe，obliviousofrain。AndI
seeawatchmaker’swithonlythreegreatpalewatchesofadullmetalhanginginhiswindow，eachinaseparatepane。’
’BrotherFrancis，brotherFrancis，’criedThomasIdle，’whatmoredoyouseeofWigton，besidestheseobjects，andthemanandthepumpandthetrivetandthehousesallinmourningandtherain？’
’Iseenothingmore，’saidBrotherFrancis，’andthereisnothingmoretosee，exceptthecurlpaperbillofthetheatre，whichwasopenedandshutlastweek（themanager’sfamilyplayedalltheparts），andtheshort，square，chinkyomnibusthatgoestotherailway，andleadstoorattlingalifeoverthestonestoholdtogetherlong。Oyes！Now，Iseetwomenwiththeirhandsintheirpocketsandtheirbackstowardsme。’
’BrotherFrancis，brotherFrancis，’criedThomasIdle，’whatdoyoumakeoutfromtheturret，oftheexpressionofthetwomenwiththeirhandsintheirpocketsandtheirbackstowardsyou？’
’Theyaremysteriousmen，’saidBrotherFrancis，’withinscrutablebacks。Theykeeptheirbackstowardsmewithpersistency。Ifoneturnsaninchinanydirection，theotherturnsaninchinthesamedirection，andnomore。Theyturnverystiffly，onaverylittlepivot，inthemiddleofthemarket-place。Theirappearanceispartlyofamining，partlyofaploughing，partlyofastable，character。Theyarelookingatnothing-veryhard。Theirbacksareslouched，andtheirlegsarecurvedwithmuchstandingabout。
Theirpocketsarelooseanddog’s-eared，onaccountoftheirhandsbeingalwaysinthem。Theystandtoberainedupon，withoutanymovementofimpatienceordissatisfaction，andtheykeepsoclosetogetherthatanelbowofeachjostlesanelbowoftheother，buttheyneverspeak。Theyspitattimes，butspeaknot。Iseeitgrowingdarkeranddarker，andstillIseethem，solevisiblepopulationoftheplace，standingtoberaineduponwiththeirbackstowardsme，andlookingatnothingveryhard。’
’BrotherFrancis，brotherFrancis，’criedThomasIdle，’beforeyoudrawdowntheblindoftheturretandcomeintohaveyourheadscorchedbythehotgas，seeifyoucan，andimparttome，somethingoftheexpressionofthosetwoamazingmen。’
’Themurkyshadows，’saidFrancisGoodchild，’aregatheringfast;
andthewingsofevening，andthewingsofcoal，arefoldingoverWigton。Still，theylookatnothingveryhard，withtheirbackstowardsme。Ah！Now，theyturn，andIsee-’
’BrotherFrancis，brotherFrancis，’criedThomasIdle，’tellmequicklywhatyouseeofthetwomenofWigton！’
’Isee，’saidFrancisGoodchild，’thattheyhavenoexpressionatall。Andnowthetowngoestosleep，undazzledbythelargeunlightedlampinthemarket-place;andletnomanwakeit。’
Atthecloseofthenextday’sjourney，Mr。ThomasIdle’sanklebecamemuchswollenandinflamed。Therearereasonswhichwillpresentlyexplainthemselvesfornotpubliclyindicatingtheexactdirectioninwhichthatjourneylay，ortheplaceinwhichitended。Itwasalongday’sshakingofThomasIdleovertheroughroads，andalongday’sgettingoutandgoingonbeforethehorses，andfagginguphills，andscouringdownhills，onthepartofMr。
Goodchild，whointhefatiguesofsuchlabourscongratulatedhimselfonattainingahighpointofidleness。Itwasatalittletown，stillinCumberland，thattheyhaltedforthenight-averylittletown，withthepurpleandbrownmoorcloseuponitsonestreet;acuriouslittleancientmarket-crosssetupinthemidstofit;andthetownitselflookingmuchasifitwereacollectionofgreatstonespiledonendbytheDruidslongago，whichafewreclusepeoplehadsincehollowedoutforhabitations。
’Isthereadoctorhere？’askedMr。Goodchild，onhisknee，ofthemotherlylandladyofthelittleInn：stoppinginhisexaminationofMr。Idle’sankle，withtheaidofacandle。
’Ey，myword！’saidthelandlady，glancingdoubtfullyattheankleforherself;’there’sDoctorSpeddie。’
’IsheagoodDoctor？’
’Ey！’saidthelandlady，’Ica’himso。A’coomsefthernaedoctorthatIken。Mairnorwhich，a’sjustTHEdoctorheer。’
’Doyouthinkheisathome？’
Herreplywas，’Gangawa’，Jock，andbringhim。’
Jock，awhite-headedboy，who，underpretenceofstirringupsomebaysaltinabasinofwaterforthelavingofthisunfortunateankle，hadgreatlyenjoyedhimselfforthelasttenminutesinsplashingthecarpet，setoffpromptly。AveryfewminuteshadelapsedwhenheshowedtheDoctorin，bytumblingagainstthedoorbeforehimandburstingitopenwithhishead。
’Gently，Jock，gently，’saidtheDoctorasheadvancedwithaquietstep。’Gentlemen，agoodevening。Iamsorrythatmypresenceisrequiredhere。Aslightaccident，Ihope？Aslipandafall？
Yes，yes，yes。Carrock，indeed？Hah！Doesthatpainyou，sir？
Nodoubt，itdoes。Itisthegreatconnectingligamenthere，yousee，thathasbeenbadlystrained。Timeandrest，sir！Theyareoftentherecipeingreatercases，’withaslightsigh，’andoftentherecipeinsmall。Icansendalotiontorelieveyou，butwemustleavethecuretotimeandrest。’
Thishesaid，holdingIdle’sfootonhiskneebetweenhistwohands，ashesatoveragainsthim。Hehadtouchedittenderlyandskilfullyinexplanationofwhathesaid，and，whenhiscarefulexaminationwascompleted，softlyreturnedittoitsformerhorizontalpositiononachair。
Hespokewithalittleirresolutionwheneverhebegan，butafterwardsfluently。Hewasatall，thin，large-boned，oldgentleman，withanappearanceatfirstsightofbeinghard-
featured;but，atasecondglance，themildexpressionofhisfaceandsomeparticulartouchesofsweetnessandpatienceabouthismouth，correctedthisimpressionandassignedhislongprofessionalrides，bydayandnight，inthebleakhill-weather，asthetruecauseofthatappearance。Hestoopedverylittle，thoughpastseventyandverygrey。Hisdresswasmorelikethatofaclergymanthanacountrydoctor，beingaplainblacksuit，andaplainwhiteneck-kerchieftiedbehindlikeaband。Hisblackwastheworseforwear，andthereweredarnsinhiscoat，andhislinenwasalittlefrayedatthehemsandedges。Hemighthavebeenpoor-itwaslikelyenoughinthatout-of-the-wayspot-orhemighthavebeenalittleself-forgetfulandeccentric。Anyonecouldhaveseendirectly，thathehadneitherwifenorchildathome。Hehadascholarlyairwithhim，andthatkindofconsideratehumanitytowardsotherswhichclaimedagentleconsiderationforhimself。
Mr。Goodchildmadethisstudyofhimwhilehewasexaminingthelimb，andashelaiditdown。Mr。Goodchildwishestoaddthatheconsidersitaverygoodlikeness。
Itcameoutinthecourseofalittleconversation，thatDoctorSpeddiewasacquaintedwithsomefriendsofThomasIdle’s，andhad，whenayoungman，passedsomeyearsinThomasIdle’sbirthplaceontheothersideofEngland。Certainidlelabours，thefruitofMr。
Goodchild’sapprenticeship，alsohappenedtobewellknowntohim。
ThelazytravellerswerethusplacedonamoreintimatefootingwiththeDoctorthanthecasualcircumstancesofthemeetingwouldofthemselveshaveestablished;andwhenDoctorSpeddierosetogohome，remarkingthathewouldsendhisassistantwiththelotion，FrancisGoodchildsaidthatwasunnecessary，for，bytheDoctor’sleave，hewouldaccompanyhim，andbringitback。（Havingdonenothingtofatiguehimselfforafullquarterofanhour，Francisbegantofearthathewasnotinastateofidleness。）
DoctorSpeddiepolitelyassentedtothepropositionofFrancisGoodchild，’asitwouldgivehimthepleasureofenjoyingafewmoreminutesofMr。Goodchild’ssocietythanhecouldotherwisehavehopedfor，’andtheywentouttogetherintothevillagestreet。Therainhadnearlyceased，thecloudshadbrokenbeforeacoolwindfromthenorth-east，andstarswereshiningfromthepeacefulheightsbeyondthem。
DoctorSpeddie’shousewasthelasthouseintheplace。Beyondit，laythemoor，alldarkandlonesome。Thewindmoanedinalow，dull，shiveringmannerroundthelittlegarden，likeahouselesscreaturethatknewthewinterwascoming。Itwasexceedinglywildandsolitary。’Roses，’saidtheDoctor，whenGoodchildtouchedsomewetleavesoverhangingthestoneporch;’buttheygetcuttopieces。’
TheDoctoropenedthedoorwithakeyhecarried，andledthewayintoalowbutprettyamplehallwithroomsoneitherside。Thedoorofoneofthesestoodopen，andtheDoctorenteredit，withawordofwelcometohisguest。It，too，wasalowroom，halfsurgeryandhalfparlour，withshelvesofbooksandbottlesagainstthewalls，whichwereofaverydarkhue。Therewasafireinthegrate，thenightbeingdampandchill。Leaningagainstthechimney-piecelookingdownintoit，stoodtheDoctor’sAssistant。
Amanofamostremarkableappearance。MucholderthanMr。
Goodchildhadexpected，forhewasatleasttwo-and-fifty;but，thatwasnothing。Whatwasstartlinginhimwashisremarkablepaleness。Hislargeblackeyes，hissunkencheeks，hislongandheavyiron-greyhair，hiswastedhands，andeventheattenuationofhisfigure，wereatfirstforgotteninhisextraordinarypallor。
Therewasnovestigeofcolourintheman。Whenheturnedhisface，FrancisGoodchildstartedasifastonefigurehadlookedroundathim。
’Mr。Lorn，’saidtheDoctor。’Mr。Goodchild。’
TheAssistant，inadistraughtway-asifhehadforgottensomething-asifhehadforgotteneverything，eventohisownnameandhimself-acknowledgedthevisitor’spresence，andsteppedfurtherbackintotheshadowofthewallbehindhim。But，hewassopalethathisfacestoodoutinreliefagainthedarkwall，andreallycouldnotbehiddenso。
’Mr。Goodchild’sfriendhasmetwithaccident，Lorn，’saidDoctorSpeddie。’Wewantthelotionforabadsprain。’
Apause。
’Mydearfellow，youaremorethanusuallyabsentto-night。Thelotionforabadsprain。’
’Ah！yes！Directly。’
Hewasevidentlyrelievedtoturnaway，andtotakehiswhitefaceandhiswildeyestoatableinarecessamongthebottles。But，thoughhestoodthere，compoundingthelotionwithhisbacktowardsthem，Goodchildcouldnot，formanymoments，withdrawhisgazefromtheman。Whenheatlengthdidso，hefoundtheDoctorobservinghim，withsometroubleinhisface。’Heisabsent，’explainedtheDoctor，inalowvoice。’Alwaysabsent。Veryabsent。’
’Isheill？’
’No，notill。’
’Unhappy？’
’Ihavemysuspicionsthathewas，’assentedtheDoctor，’once。’
FrancisGoodchildcouldnotbutobservethattheDoctoraccompaniedthesewordswithabenignantandprotectingglanceattheirsubject，inwhichtherewasmuchoftheexpressionwithwhichanattachedfathermighthavelookedataheavilyafflictedson。Yet，thattheywerenotfatherandsonmusthavebeenplaintomosteyes。TheAssistant，ontheotherhand，turningpresentlytoasktheDoctorsomequestion，lookedathimwithawansmileasifhewerehiswholerelianceandsustainmentinlife。
ItwasinvainfortheDoctorinhiseasy-chair，totrytoleadthemindofMr。Goodchildintheoppositeeasy-chair，awayfromwhatwasbeforehim。LetMr。GoodchilddowhathewouldtofollowtheDoctor，hiseyesandthoughtsrevertedtotheAssistant。TheDoctorsoonperceivedit，and，afterfallingsilent，andmusinginalittleperplexity，said：
’Lorn！’
’MydearDoctor。’
’WouldyougototheInn，andapplythatlotion？Youwillshowthebestwayofapplyingit，farbetterthanMr。Goodchildcan。’
’Withpleasure。’
TheAssistanttookhishat，andpassedlikeashadowtothedoor。
’Lorn！’saidtheDoctor，callingafterhim。
Hereturned。