\"Itisnotabitmoreperfunctorythanthepresentsystem，\"saidEgbert；\"IhaveonlythesameconventionallanguageofgratitudeatmydisposalwithwhichtothankdearoldColonelChuttleforhisperfectlydeliciousStilton，whichweshalldevourtothelastmorsel，andtheFroplinsonsfortheircalendar，whichweshallneverlookat。ColonelChuttleknowsthatwearegratefulfortheStilton，withouthavingtobetoldso，andtheFroplinsonsknowthatweareboredwiththeircalendar，whateverwemaysaytothecontrary，justasweknowthattheyareboredwiththebridge-markersinspiteoftheirwrittenassurancethattheythankedusforourcharminglittlegift。Whatismore，theColonelknowsthatevenifwehadtakenasuddenaversiontoStiltonorbeenforbiddenitbythedoctor，weshouldstillhavewrittenaletterofheartythanksaroundit。Soyouseethepresentsystemofacknowledgmentisjustasperfunctoryandconventionalasthecounterfoilbusinesswouldbe，onlytentimesmoretiresomeandbrain-racking。\"
\"YourplanwouldcertainlybringtheidealofaHappyChristmasastepnearerrealisation，\"saidJanetta。
\"Thereareexceptions，ofcourse，\"saidEgbert，\"peoplewhoreallytrytoinfuseabreathofrealityintotheirlettersofacknowledgment。AuntSusan，forinstance，whowrites：\'Thankyouverymuchfortheham；
notsuchagoodflavourastheoneyousentlastyear，whichitselfwasnotaparticularlygoodone。Hamsarenotwhattheyusedtobe。\'ItwouldbeapitytobedeprivedofherChristmascomments，butthatlosswouldbeswallowedupinthegeneralgain。\"
\"Meanwhile，\"saidJanetta，\"whatamItosaytotheFroplinsons？\"
THENAME-DAY
ADVENTURES，accordingtotheproverb，aretotheadventurous。Quiteasoftentheyaretothenon-
adventurous，totheretiring，totheconstitutionallytimid。JohnJamesAbblewayhadbeenendowedbyNaturewiththesortofdispositionthatinstinctivelyavoidsCarlistintrigues，slumcrusades，thetrackingofwoundedwildbeasts，andthemovingofhostileamendmentsatpoliticalmeetings。IfamaddogoraMadMullahhadcomehiswayhewouldhavesurrenderedthewaywithouthesitation。AtschoolhehadunwillinglyacquiredathoroughknowledgeoftheGermantongueoutofdeferencetotheplainly-expressedwishesofaforeign-languagesmaster，who，thoughhetaughtmodernsubjects，employedold-fashionedmethodsindrivinghislessonshome。ItwasthisenforcedfamiliaritywithanimportantcommerciallanguagewhichthrustAbblewayinlateryearsintostrangelandswhereadventureswerelesseasytoguardagainstthanintheorderedatmosphereofanEnglishcountrytown。ThefirmthatheworkedforsawfittosendhimonedayonaprosaicbusinesserrandtothefarcityofVienna，and，havingsenthimthere，continuedtokeephimthere，stillengagedinhumdrumaffairsofcommerce，butwiththepossibilitiesofromanceandadventure，orevenmisadventure，jostlingathiselbow。Aftertwoandahalfyearsofexile，however，JohnJamesAbblewayhadembarkedononlyonehazardousundertaking，andthatwasofanaturewhichwouldassuredlyhaveovertakenhimsoonerorlaterifhehadbeenleadingasheltered，stay-at-homeexistenceatDorkingorHuntingdon。HefellplacidlyinlovewithaplacidlylovableEnglishgirl，thesisterofoneofhiscommercialcolleagues，whowasimprovinghermindbyashorttriptoforeignparts，andinduecoursehewasformallyacceptedastheyoungmanshewasengagedto。
ThefurtherstepbywhichshewastobecomeMrs。JohnAbblewaywastotakeplaceatwelvemonthhenceinatownintheEnglishmidlands，bywhichtimethefirmthatemployedJohnJameswouldhavenofurtherneedforhispresenceintheAustriancapital。
ItwasearlyinApril，twomonthsaftertheinstallationofAbblewayastheyoungmanMissPenningwasengagedto，whenhereceivedaletterfromher，writtenfromVenice。Shewasstillperegrinatingunderthewingofherbrother，andasthelatter\'sbusinessarrangementswouldtakehimacrosstoFiumeforadayortwo，shehadconceivedtheideathatitwouldberatherjollyifJohncouldobtainleaveofabsenceandrundowntotheAdriaticcoasttomeetthem。Shehadlookeduptherouteonthemap，andthejourneydidnotappearlikelytobeexpensive。Betweenthelinesofhercommunicationtherelayahintthatifhereallycaredforher-
AbblewayobtainedleaveofabsenceandaddedajourneytoFiumetohislife\'sadventures。HeleftViennaonacold，cheerlessday。Theflowershopswerefullofspringblooms，andtheweeklyorgansofillustratedhumourwerefullofspringtopics，buttheskieswereheavywithcloudsthatlookedlikecotton-woolthathasbeenkeptoverlonginashopwindow。
\"Snowcomes，\"saidthetrainofficialtothestationofficials；andtheyagreedthatsnowwasabouttocome。
Anditcame，rapidly，plenteously。Thetrainhadnotbeenmorethananhouronitsjourneywhenthecotton-
woolcloudscommencedtodissolveinablindingdownpourofsnowflakes。Theforesttreesoneithersideofthelinewerespeedilycoatedwithaheavywhitemantle，thetelegraphwiresbecamethickglisteningropes，thelineitselfwasburiedmoreandmorecompletelyunderacarpetingofsnow，throughwhichthenotverypowerfulengineplougheditswaywithincreasingdifficulty。TheVienna-FiumelineisscarcelythebestequippedoftheAustrianStaterailways，andAbblewaybegantohaveseriousfearsforabreakdown。Thetrainhadsloweddowntoapainfulandprecariouscrawlandpresentlycametoahaltataspotwherethedriftingsnowhadaccumulatedinaformidablebarrier。Theenginemadeaspecialeffortandbrokethroughtheobstruction，butinthecourseofanothertwentyminutesitwasagainheldup。Theprocessofbreakingthroughwasrenewed，andthetraindoggedlyresumeditsway，encounteringandsurmountingfreshhindrancesatfrequentintervals。AfterastandstillofunusuallylongdurationinaparticularlydeepdriftthecompartmentinwhichAbblewaywassittinggaveahugejerkandalurch，andthenseemedtoremainstationary；
itundoubtedlywasnotmoving，andyethecouldhearthepuffingoftheengineandtheslowrumblingandjoltingofwheels。Thepuffingandrumblinggrewfainter，asthoughitweredyingawaythroughtheagencyofinterveningdistance。Abblewaysuddenlygaveventtoanexclamationofscandalisedalarm，openedthewindow，andpeeredoutintothesnowstorm。Theflakesperchedonhiseyelashesandblurredhisvision，buthesawenoughtohelphimtorealisewhathadhappened。Theenginehadmadeamightyplungethroughthedriftandhadgonemerrilyforward，lightenedoftheloadofitsrearcarriage，whosecouplinghadsnappedunderthestrain。
Abblewaywasalone，oralmostalone，withaderelictrailwaywaggon，intheheartofsomeStyrianorCroatianforest。Inthethird-classcompartmentnexttohisownherememberedtohaveseenapeasantwoman，whohadenteredthetrainatasmallwaysidestation。\"Withtheexceptionofthatwoman，\"heexclaimeddramaticallytohimself，\"thenearestlivingbeingsareprobablyapackofwolves。\"
Beforemakinghiswaytothethird-classcompartmenttoacquainthisfellow-travellerwiththeextentofthedisasterAbblewayhurriedlyponderedthequestionofthewoman\'snationality。HehadacquiredasmatteringofSlavonictonguesduringhisresidenceinVienna，andfeltcompetenttograpplewithseveralracialpossibilities。
\"IfsheisCroatorSerborBosniakIshallbeabletomakeherunderstand，\"hepromisedhimself。\"IfsheisMagyar，heavenhelpme！Weshallhavetoconverseentirelybysigns。\"
HeenteredthecarriageandmadehismomentousannouncementinthebestapproachtoCroatspeechthathecouldachieve。
\"Thetrainhasbrokenawayandleftus！\"
Thewomanshookherheadwithamovementthatmightbeintendedtoconveyresignationtothewillofheaven，butprobablymeantnoncomprehension。AbblewayrepeatedhisinformationwithvariationsofSlavonictonguesandgenerousdisplaysofpantomime。
\"Ah，\"saidthewomanatlastinGermandialect，\"thetrainhasgone？Weareleft。Ah，so。\"
SheseemedaboutasmuchinterestedasthoughAbblewayhadtoldhertheresultofthemunicipalelectionsinAmsterdam。
\"Theywillfindoutatsomestation，andwhenthelineisclearofsnowtheywillsendanengine。Ithappensthatwaysometimes。\"
\"Wemaybehereallnight！\"exclaimedAbbleway。
Thewomannoddedasthoughshethoughtitpossible。
\"Aretherewolvesintheseparts？\"askedAbblewayhurriedly。
\"Many，\"saidthewoman；\"justoutsidethisforestmyauntwasdevouredthreeyearsago，asshewascominghomefrommarket。Thehorseandayoungpigthatwasinthecartwereeatentoo。Thehorsewasaveryoldone，butitwasabeautifulyoungpig，oh，sofat。IcriedwhenI
heardthatitwastaken。Theysparenothing。\"
\"Theymayattackushere，\"saidAbblewaytremulously；\"theycouldeasilybreakin，thesecarriagesarelikematchwood。Wemaybothbedevoured。\"
\"You，perhaps，\"saidthewomancalmly；\"notme。\"
\"Whynotyou？\"demandedAbbleway。
\"ItisthedayofSaintMariaKleopha，myname-day。
Shewouldnotallowmetobeeatenbywolvesonherday。
Suchathingcouldnotbethoughtof。You，yes，butnotme。\"
Abblewaychangedthesubject。
\"Itisonlyafternoonnow；ifwearetobeleftheretillmorningweshallbestarving。\"
\"Ihaveheresomegoodeatables，\"saidthewomantranquilly；\"onmyfestivaldayitisnaturalthatI
shouldhaveprovisionwithme。Ihavefivegoodblood-
sausages；inthetownshopstheycosttwenty-fivehellereach。Thingsaredearinthetownshops。\"
\"Iwillgiveyoufiftyhellerapieceforacoupleofthem，\"saidAbblewaywithsomeenthusiasm。
\"Inarailwayaccidentthingsbecomeverydear，\"
saidthewoman；\"theseblood-sausagesarefourkronenapiece。\"
\"Fourkronen！\"exclaimedAbbleway；\"fourkronenforablood-sausage！\"
\"Youcannotgetthemanycheaperonthistrain，\"
saidthewoman，withrelentlesslogic，\"becausetherearen\'tanyotherstoget。InAgramyoucanbuythemcheaper，andinParadisenodoubttheywillbegiventousfornothing，butheretheycostfourkroneneach。I
haveasmallpieceofEmmenthalercheeseandahoney-cakeandapieceofbreadthatIcanletyouhave。Thatwillbeanotherthreekronen，elevenkroneninall。Thereisapieceofham，butthatIcannotletyouhaveonmyname-day。\"
Abblewaywonderedtohimselfwhatpriceshewouldhaveputontheham，andhurriedtopayhertheelevenkronenbeforeheremergencytariffexpandedintoafaminetariff。Ashewastakingpossessionofhismodeststoreofeatableshesuddenlyheardanoisewhichsethisheartthumpinginamiserablefeveroffear。\'Therewasascrapingandshufflingasofsomeanimaloranimalstryingtoclimbuptothefootboard。Inanothermoment，throughthesnow-encrustedglassofthecarriagewindow，hesawagauntprick-earedhead，withgapingjawandlollingtongueandgleamingteeth；asecondlateranotherheadshotup。
\"Therearehundredsofthem，\"whisperedAbbleway；
\"theyhavescentedus。Theywilltearthecarriagetopieces。Weshallbedevoured。\"
\"Notme，onmyname-day。TheholyMariaKleophawouldnotpermitit，\"saidthewomanwithprovokingcalm。
Theheadsdroppeddownfromthewindowandanuncannysilencefellonthebeleagueredcarriage。
Abblewayneithermovednorspoke。Perhapsthebruteshadnotclearlyseenorwindedthehumanoccupantsofthecarriage，andhadprowledawayonsomeothererrandofrapine。
Thelongtorture-ladenminutespassedslowlyaway。
\"Itgrowscold，\"saidthewomansuddenly，crossingovertothefarendofthecarriage，wheretheheadshadappeared。\"Theheatingapparatusdoesnotworkanylonger。See，overtherebeyondthetrees，thereisachimneywithsmokecomingfromit。Itisnotfar，andthesnowhasnearlystopped，Ishallfindapaththroughtheforesttothathousewiththechimney。\"
\"Butthewolves！\"exclaimedAbbleway；\"theymay-\"
\"Notonmyname-day，\"saidthewomanobstinately，andbeforehecouldstophershehadopenedthedoorandclimbeddownintothesnow。Amomentlaterhehidhisfaceinhishands；twogauntleanfiguresrusheduponherfromtheforest。Nodoubtshehadcourtedherfate，butAbblewayhadnowishtoseeahumanbeingtorntopiecesanddevouredbeforehiseyes。
Whenhelookedatlastanewsensationofscandalisedastonishmenttookpossessionofhim。HehadbeenstraitlybroughtupinasmallEnglishtown，andhewasnotpreparedtobethewitnessofamiracle。Thewolveswerenotdoinganythingworsetothewomanthandrenchherwithsnowastheygambolledroundher。
Ashort，joyousbarkrevealedthecluetothesituation。
\"Arethose-dogs？\"hecalledweakly。
\"MycousinKarl\'sdogs，yes，\"sheanswered；thatishisinn，overbeyondthetrees。Iknewitwasthere，butIdidnotwanttotakeyouthere；heisalwaysgraspingwithstrangers。However，itgrowstoocoldtoremaininthetrain。Ah，ah，seewhatcomes！\"
Awhistlesounded，andareliefenginemadeitsappearance，snortingitswaysulkilythroughthesnow。
AbblewaydidnothavetheopportunityforfindingoutwhetherKarlwasreallyavaricious。
THELUMBERROOM
THEchildrenweretobedriven，asaspecialtreat，tothesandsatJagborough。Nicholaswasnottobeoftheparty；hewasindisgrace。Onlythatmorninghehadrefusedtoeathiswholesomebread-and-milkontheseeminglyfrivolousgroundthattherewasafroginit。
Olderandwiserandbetterpeoplehadtoldhimthattherecouldnotpossiblybeafroginhisbread-and-milkandthathewasnottotalknonsense；hecontinued，nevertheless，totalkwhatseemedtheveriestnonsense，anddescribedwithmuchdetailthecolourationandmarkingsoftheallegedfrog。ThedramaticpartoftheincidentwasthattherereallywasafroginNicholas\'
basinofbread-and-milk；hehadputittherehimself，sohefeltentitledtoknowsomethingaboutit。Thesinoftakingafrogfromthegardenandputtingitintoabowlofwholesomebread-and-milkwasenlargedonatgreatlength，butthefactthatstoodoutclearestinthewholeaffair，asitpresenteditselftothemindofNicholas，wasthattheolder，wiser，andbetterpeoplehadbeenprovedtobeprofoundlyinerrorinmattersaboutwhichtheyhadexpressedtheutmostassurance。
\"Yousaidtherecouldn\'tpossiblybeafroginmybread-and-milk；thereWASafroginmybread-and-milk，\"
herepeated，withtheinsistenceofaskilledtacticianwhodoesnotintendtoshiftfromfavourableground。
Sohisboy-cousinandgirl-cousinandhisquiteuninterestingyoungerbrotherweretobetakentoJagboroughsandsthatafternoonandhewastostayathome。Hiscousins\'aunt，whoinsisted，byanunwarrantedstretchofimagination，instylingherselfhisauntalso，hadhastilyinventedtheJagboroughexpeditioninordertoimpressonNicholasthedelightsthathehadjustlyforfeitedbyhisdisgracefulconductatthebreakfast-
table。Itwasherhabit，wheneveroneofthechildrenfellfromgrace，toimprovisesomethingofafestivalnaturefromwhichtheoffenderwouldberigorouslydebarred；ifallthechildrensinnedcollectivelytheyweresuddenlyinformedofacircusinaneighbouringtown，acircusofunrivalledmeritanduncountedelephants，towhich，butfortheirdepravity，theywouldhavebeentakenthatveryday。
AfewdecenttearswerelookedforonthepartofNicholaswhenthemomentforthedepartureoftheexpeditionarrived。Asamatteroffact，however，allthecryingwasdonebyhisgirl-cousin，whoscrapedherkneeratherpainfullyagainstthestepofthecarriageasshewasscramblingin。
\"Howshedidhowl，\"saidNicholascheerfully，asthepartydroveoffwithoutanyoftheelationofhighspiritsthatshouldhavecharacterisedit。
\"She\'llsoongetoverthat，\"saidtheSOI-DISANT
aunt；\"itwillbeagloriousafternoonforracingaboutoverthosebeautifulsands。Howtheywillenjoythemselves！\"
\"Bobbywon\'tenjoyhimselfmuch，andhewon\'tracemucheither，\"saidNicholaswithagrimchuckle；hisbootsarehurtinghim。They\'retootight。\"
\"Whydidn\'thetellmetheywerehurting？\"askedtheauntwithsomeasperity。
\"Hetoldyoutwice，butyouweren\'tlistening。Youoftendon\'tlistenwhenwetellyouimportantthings。\"
\"Youarenottogointothegooseberrygarden，\"saidtheaunt，changingthesubject。
\"Whynot？\"demandedNicholas。
\"Becauseyouareindisgrace，\"saidtheauntloftily。
Nicholasdidnotadmittheflawlessnessofthereasoning；hefeltperfectlycapableofbeingindisgraceandinagooseberrygardenatthesamemoment。Hisfacetookonanexpressionofconsiderableobstinacy。Itwascleartohisauntthathewasdeterminedtogetintothegooseberrygarden，\"only，\"assheremarkedtoherself，\"becauseIhavetoldhimheisnotto。\"
Nowthegooseberrygardenhadtwodoorsbywhichitmightbeentered，andonceasmallpersonlikeNicholascouldslipintherehecouldeffectuallydisappearfromviewamidthemaskinggrowthofartichokes，raspberrycanes，andfruitbushes。Theaunthadmanyotherthingstodothatafternoon，butshespentanhourortwointrivialgardeningoperationsamongflowerbedsandshrubberies，whenceshecouldkeepawatchfuleyeonthetwodoorsthatledtotheforbiddenparadise。Shewasawomanoffewideas，withimmensepowersofconcentration。
Nicholasmadeoneortwosortiesintothefrontgarden，wrigglinghiswaywithobviousstealthofpurposetowardsoneorotherofthedoors，butneverableforamomenttoevadetheaunt\'swatchfuleye。Asamatteroffact，hehadnointentionoftryingtogetintothegooseberrygarden，butitwasextremelyconvenientforhimthathisauntshouldbelievethathehad；itwasabeliefthatwouldkeepheronself-imposedsentry-dutyforthegreaterpartoftheafternoon。HavingthoroughlyconfirmedandfortifiedhersuspicionsNicholasslippedbackintothehouseandrapidlyputintoexecutionaplanofactionthathadlonggerminatedinhisbrain。Bystandingonachairinthelibraryonecouldreachashelfonwhichreposedafat，important-lookingkey。Thekeywasasimportantasitlooked；itwastheinstrumentwhichkeptthemysteriesofthelumber-roomsecurefromunauthorisedintrusion，whichopenedawayonlyforauntsandsuch-likeprivilegedpersons。Nicholashadnothadmuchexperienceoftheartoffittingkeysintokeyholesandturninglocks，butforsomedayspasthehadpractisedwiththekeyoftheschoolroomdoor；hedidnotbelieveintrustingtoomuchtoluckandaccident。Thekeyturnedstifflyinthelock，butitturned。Thedooropened，andNicholaswasinanunknownland，comparedwithwhichthegooseberrygardenwasastaledelight，amerematerialpleasure。
OftenandoftenNicholashadpicturedtohimselfwhatthelumber-roommightbelike，thatregionthatwassocarefullysealedfromyouthfuleyesandconcerningwhichnoquestionswereeveranswered。Itcameuptohisexpectations。Inthefirstplaceitwaslargeanddimlylit，onehighwindowopeningontotheforbiddengardenbeingitsonlysourceofillumination。Inthesecondplaceitwasastorehouseofunimaginedtreasures。Theaunt-by-assertionwasoneofthosepeoplewhothinkthatthingsspoilbyuseandconsignthemtodustanddampbywayofpreservingthem。SuchpartsofthehouseasNicholasknewbestwereratherbareandcheerless，butheretherewerewonderfulthingsfortheeyetofeaston。
Firstandforemosttherewasapieceofframedtapestrythatwasevidentlymeanttobeafire-screen。ToNicholasitwasaliving，breathingstory；hesatdownonarollofIndianhangings，glowinginwonderfulcoloursbeneathalayerofdust，andtookinallthedetailsofthetapestrypicture。Aman，dressedinthehuntingcostumeofsomeremoteperiod，hadjusttransfixedastagwithanarrow；itcouldnothavebeenadifficultshotbecausethestagwasonlyoneortwopacesawayfromhim；
inthethickly-growingvegetationthatthepicturesuggesteditwouldnothavebeendifficulttocreepuptoafeedingstag，andthetwospotteddogsthatwerespringingforwardtojoininthechasehadevidentlybeentrainedtokeeptoheeltillthearrowwasdischarged。
Thatpartofthepicturewassimple，ifinteresting，butdidthehuntsmansee，whatNicholassaw，thatfourgallopingwolveswerecominginhisdirectionthroughthewood？Theremightbemorethanfourofthemhiddenbehindthetrees，andinanycasewouldthemanandhisdogsbeabletocopewiththefourwolvesiftheymadeanattack？Themanhadonlytwoarrowsleftinhisquiver，andhemightmisswithoneorbothofthem；alloneknewabouthisskillinshootingwasthathecouldhitalargestagataridiculouslyshortrange。Nicholassatformanygoldenminutesrevolvingthepossibilitiesofthescene；hewasinclinedtothinkthatthereweremorethanfourwolvesandthatthemanandhisdogswereinatightcorner。
Buttherewereotherobjectsofdelightandinterestclaiminghisinstantattention：therewerequainttwistedcandlesticksintheshapeofsnakes，andateapotfashionedlikeachinaduck，outofwhoseopenbeaktheteawassupposedtocome。Howdullandshapelessthenurseryteapotseemedincomparison！Andtherewasacarvedsandal-woodboxpackedtightwitharomaticcottonwool，andbetweenthelayersofcottonwoolwerelittlebrassfigures，hump-neckedbulls，andpeacocksandgoblins，delightfultoseeandtohandle。Lesspromisinginappearancewasalargesquarebookwithplainblackcovers；Nicholaspeepedintoit，and，behold，itwasfullofcolouredpicturesofbirds。Andsuchbirds！Inthegarden，andinthelaneswhenhewentforawalk，Nicholascameacrossafewbirds，ofwhichthelargestwereanoccasionalmagpieorwood-pigeon；herewereheronsandbustards，kites，toucans，tiger-bitterns，brushturkeys，ibises，goldenpheasants，awholeportraitgalleryofundreamed-ofcreatures。Andashewasadmiringthecolouringofthemandarinduckandassigningalife-historytoit，thevoiceofhisauntinshrillvociferationofhisnamecamefromthegooseberrygardenwithout。Shehadgrownsuspiciousathislongdisappearance，andhadleapttotheconclusionthathehadclimbedoverthewallbehindtheshelteringscreenofthelilacbushes；shewasnowengagedinenergeticandratherhopelesssearchforhimamongtheartichokesandraspberrycanes。
\"Nicholas，Nicholas！\"shescreamed，\"youaretocomeoutofthisatonce。It\'snousetryingtohidethere；I
canseeyouallthetime。\"
Itwasprobablythefirsttimefortwentyyearsthatanyonehadsmiledinthatlumber-room。
PresentlytheangryrepetitionsofNicholas\'namegavewaytoashriek，andacryforsomebodytocomequickly。Nicholasshutthebook，restoreditcarefullytoitsplaceinacorner，andshooksomedustfromaneighbouringpileofnewspapersoverit。Thenhecreptfromtheroom，lockedthedoor，andreplacedthekeyexactlywherehehadfoundit。Hisauntwasstillcallinghisnamewhenhesaunteredintothefrontgarden。
\"Who\'scalling？\"heasked。
\"Me，\"cametheanswerfromtheothersideofthewall；\"didn\'tyouhearme？I\'vebeenlookingforyouinthegooseberrygarden，andI\'veslippedintotherain-
watertank。Luckilythere\'snowaterinit，butthesidesareslipperyandIcan\'tgetout。Fetchthelittleladderfromunderthecherrytree-\"
\"IwastoldIwasn\'ttogointothegooseberrygarden，\"saidNicholaspromptly。
\"Itoldyounotto，andnowItellyouthatyoumay，\"camethevoicefromtherain-watertank，ratherimpatiently。
\"Yourvoicedoesn\'tsoundlikeaunt\'s，\"objectedNicholas；\"youmaybetheEvilOnetemptingmetobedisobedient。AuntoftentellsmethattheEvilOnetemptsmeandthatIalwaysyield。ThistimeI\'mnotgoingtoyield。\"
\"Don\'ttalknonsense，\"saidtheprisonerinthetank；\"goandfetchtheladder。\"
\"Willtherebestrawberryjamfortea？\"askedNicholasinnocently。
\"Certainlytherewillbe，\"saidtheaunt，privatelyresolvingthatNicholasshouldhavenoneofit。
\"NowIknowthatyouaretheEvilOneandnotaunt，\"
shoutedNicholasgleefully；\"whenweaskedauntforstrawberryjamyesterdayshesaidtherewasn\'tany。I
knowtherearefourjarsofitinthestorecupboard，becauseIlooked，andofcourseyouknowit\'sthere，butshedoesn\'t，becauseshesaidtherewasn\'tany。Oh，Devil，youHAVEsoldyourself！\"
TherewasanunusualsenseofluxuryinbeingabletotalktoanauntasthoughonewastalkingtotheEvilOne，butNicholasknew，withchildishdiscernment，thatsuchluxurieswerenottobeover-indulgedin。Hewalkednoisilyaway，anditwasakitchenmaid，insearchofparsley，whoeventuallyrescuedtheauntfromtherain-
watertank。
Teathateveningwaspartakenofinafearsomesilence。ThetidehadbeenatitshighestwhenthechildrenhadarrivedatJagboroughCove，sotherehadbeennosandstoplayon-acircumstancethattheaunthadoverlookedinthehasteoforganisingherpunitiveexpedition。ThetightnessofBobby\'sbootshadhaddisastrouseffectonhistemperthewholeoftheafternoon，andaltogetherthechildrencouldnothavebeensaidtohaveenjoyedthemselves。Theauntmaintainedthefrozenmutenessofonewhohassufferedundignifiedandunmeriteddetentioninarain-watertankforthirty-fiveminutes。AsforNicholas，he，too，wassilent，intheabsorptionofonewhohasmuchtothinkabout；itwasjustpossible，heconsidered，thatthehuntsmanwouldescapewithhishoundswhilethewolvesfeastedonthestrickenstag。
FUR
\"YOUlookworried，dear，\"saidEleanor。
\"Iamworried，\"admittedSuzanne；\"notworriedexactly，butanxious。Yousee，mybirthdayhappensnextweek-\"
\"Youluckyperson，\"interruptedEleanor；\"mybirthdaydoesn\'tcometilltheendofMarch。\"
\"Well，oldBertramKneyghtisoverinEnglandjustnowfromtheArgentine。He\'sakindofdistantcousinofmymother\'s，andsoenormouslyrichthatwe\'veneverlettherelationshipdropoutofsight。Evenifwedon\'tseehimorhearfromhimforyearsheisalwaysCousinBertramwhenhedoesturnup。Ican\'tsayhe\'severbeenofmuchsolidusetous，butyesterdaythesubjectofmybirthdaycroppedup，andheaskedmetolethimknowwhatIwantedforapresent。\"
\"NowIunderstandtheanxiety，\"observedEleanor。
\"Asarulewhenoneisconfrontedwithaproblemlikethat，\"saidSuzanne，\"allone\'sideasvanish；onedoesn\'tseemtohaveadesireintheworld。NowitsohappensthatIhavebeenverykeenonalittleDresdenfigurethatIsawsomewhereinKensington；aboutthirty-
sixshillings，quitebeyondmymeans。Iwasverynearlydescribingthefigure，andgivingBertramtheaddressoftheshop。Andthenitsuddenlystruckmethatthirty-sixshillingswassucharidiculouslyinadequatesumforamanofhisimmensewealthtospendonabirthdaypresent。
Hecouldgivethirty-sixpoundsaseasilyasyouorI
couldbuyabunchofviolets。Idon\'twanttobegreedy，ofcourse，butIdon\'tlikebeingwasteful。\"
\"Thequestionis，\"saidEleanor，\"whatarehisideasastopresent-giving？Someofthewealthiestpeoplehavecuriouslycrampedviewsonthatsubject。Whenpeoplegrowgraduallyrichtheirrequirementsandstandardoflivingexpandinproportion，whiletheirpresent-givinginstinctsoftenremainintheundevelopedconditionoftheirearlierdays。Somethingshowyandnot-too-
expensiveinashopistheironlyconceptionoftheidealgift。Thatiswhyevenquitegoodshopshavetheircountersandwindowscrowdedwiththingsworthaboutfourshillingsthatlookasiftheymightbeworthseven-and-
six，andarepricedattenshillingsandlabelledseasonablegifts。\'\"
\"Iknow，\"saidSuzanne；\"thatiswhyitissoriskytobevaguewhenoneisgivingindicationsofone\'swants。NowifIsaytohim：\'IamgoingouttoDavosthiswinter，soanythinginthetravellinglinewouldbeacceptable，\'hemightgivemeadressing-bagwithgold-
mountedfittings，but，ontheotherhand，hemightgivemeBaedeker\'sSwitzerland，or`SkiingwithoutTears，\'orsomethingofthatsort。\"
\"Hewouldbemorelikelytosay：\'She\'llbegoingtolotsofdances，afanwillbesuretobeuseful。\'\"
\"Yes，andI\'vegottonsoffans，soyouseewherethedangerandanxietylies。NowifthereisonethingmorethananotherthatIreallyurgentlywantitisfurs。
Isimplyhaven\'tany。I\'mtoldthatDavosisfullofRussians，andtheyaresuretowearthemostlovelysablesandthings。Tobeamongpeoplewhoaresmotheredinfurswhenonehasn\'tanyoneselfmakesonewanttobreakmostoftheCommandments。\"
\"Ifit\'sfursthatyou\'reoutfor，\"saidEleanor，\"youwillhavetosuperintendthechoiceoftheminperson。Youcan\'tbesurethatyourcousinknowsthedifferencebetweensilver-foxandordinarysquirrel。\"
\"Therearesomeheavenlysilver-foxstolesatGoliathandMastodon\'s，\"saidSuzanne，withasigh；\"ifI
couldonlyinveigleBertramintotheirbuildingandtakehimforastrollthroughthefurdepartment！\"
\"Helivessomewherenearthere，doesn\'the？\"saidEleanor。\"Doyouknowwhathishabitsare？Doeshetakeawalkatanyparticulartimeofday？\"
\"Heusuallywalksdowntohisclubaboutthreeo\'clock，ifit\'safineday。ThattakeshimrightpastGoliathandMastodon\'s。\"
\"Letustwomeethimaccidentallyatthestreetcornerto-morrow，\"saidEleanor；\"wecanwalkalittlewaywithhim，andwithluckweoughttobeabletoside-
trackhimintotheshop。Youcansayyouwanttogetahair-netorsomething。Whenwe\'resafelythereIcansay：\'Iwishyou\'dtellmewhatyouwantforyourbirthday。\'Thenyou\'llhaveeverythingreadytohand-
therichcousin，thefurdepartment，andthetopicofbirthdaypresents。\"
\"It\'sagreatidea，\"saidSuzanne；\"youreallyareabrick。Comeroundto-morrowattwentytothree；don\'tbelate，wemustcarryoutourambushtotheminute。\"
Atafewminutestothreethenextafternoonthefur-trapperswalkedwarilytowardstheselectedcorner。
IntheneardistancerosethecolossalpileofMessrs。
GoliathandMastodon\'sfamedestablishment。Theafternoonwasbrilliantlyfine，exactlythesortofweathertotemptagentlemanofadvancingyearsintothediscreetexerciseofaleisurelywalk。
\"Isay，dear，Iwishyou\'ddosomethingformethisevening，\"saidEleanortohercompanion；\"justdropinafterdinneronsomepretextorother，andstayontomakeafourthatbridgewithAdelaandtheaunts。
OtherwiseIshallhavetoplay，andHarryScarisbrookeisgoingtocomeinunexpectedlyaboutnine-fifteen，andI
particularlywanttobefreetotalktohimwhiletheothersareplaying。\"
\"Sorry，mydear，nocando，\"saidSuzanne；\"ordinarybridgeatthreepenceahundred，withsuchdreadfullyslowplayersasyouraunts，boresmetotears。Inearlygotosleepoverit。\"
\"ButImostparticularlywantanopportunitytotalkwithHarry，\"urgedEleanor，anangryglintcomingintohereyes。
\"Sorry，anythingtooblige，butnotthat，\"saidSuzannecheerfully；thesacrificesoffriendshipwerebeautifulinhereyesaslongasshewasnotaskedtomakethem。
Eleanorsaidnothingfurtheronthesubject，butthecornersofhermouthrearrangedthemselves。
\"There\'sourman！\"exclaimedSuzannesuddenly；
\"hurry！\"
Mr。BertramKneyghtgreetedhiscousinandherfriendwithgenuineheartiness，andreadilyacceptedtheirinvitationtoexplorethecrowdedmartthatstoodtemptinglyattheirelbow。Theplate-glassdoorsswungopenandthetrioplungedbravelyintothejostlingthrongofbuyersandloiterers。
\"Isitalwaysasfullasthis？\"askedBertramofEleanor。
\"Moreorless，andautumnsalesareonjustnow，\"
shereplied。
Suzanne，inheranxietytopilothercousintothedesiredhavenofthefurdepartment，wasusuallyafewpacesaheadoftheothers，comingbacktothemnowandtheniftheylingeredforamomentatsomeattractivecounter，withthenervoussolicitudeofaparentrookencouragingitsyoungonesontheirfirstflyingexpedition。
\"It\'sSuzanne\'sbirthdayonWednesdaynext，\"
confidedEleanortoBertramKneyghtatamomentwhenSuzannehadleftthemunusuallyfarbehind；\"mybirthdaycomesthedaybefore，sowearebothonthelook-outforsomethingtogiveeachother。\"
\"Ah，\"saidBertram。\"Now，perhapsyoucanadvisemeonthatverypoint。IwanttogiveSuzannesomething，andIhaven\'ttheleastideawhatshewants。\"
\"She\'sratheraproblem，\"saidEleanor。\"Sheseemstohaveeverythingonecanthinkof，luckygirl。Afanisalwaysuseful；she\'llbegoingtoalotofdancesatDavosthiswinter。Yes，Ishouldthinkafanwouldpleasehermorethananything。Afterourbirthdaysareoverweinspecteachother\'smusterofpresents，andI
alwaysfeeldreadfullyhumble。Shegetssuchnicethings，andIneverhaveanythingworthshowing。Yousee，noneofmyrelationsoranyofthepeoplewhogivemepresentsareatallwelloff，soIcan\'texpectthemtodoanythingmorethanjustrememberthedaywithsomelittletrifle。Twoyearsagoanuncleonmymother\'ssideofthefamily，whohadcomeintoasmalllegacy，promisedmeasilver-foxstoleformybirthday。Ican\'ttellyouhowexcitedIwasaboutit，howIpicturedmyselfshowingitofftoallmyfriendsandenemies。
Thenjustatthatmomenthiswifedied，and，ofcourse，poorman，hecouldnotbeexpectedtothinkofbirthdaypresentsatsuchatime。Hehaslivedabroadeversince，andInevergotmyfur。Doyouknow，tothisdayIcanscarcelylookatasilver-foxpeltinashopwindoworroundanyone\'sneckwithoutfeelingreadytoburstintotears。IsupposeifIhadn\'thadtheprospectofgettingoneIshouldn\'tfeelthatway。Look，thereisthefancounter，onyourleft；youcaneasilyslipawayinthecrowd。Getherasniceaoneasyoucansee-sheissuchadear，deargirl。\"
\"Hullo，IthoughtIhadlostyou，\"saidSuzanne，makingherwaythroughanobstructiveknotofshoppers。
\"WhereisBertram？\"
\"Igotseparatedfromhimlongago。Ithoughthewasonaheadwithyou，\"saidEleanor。\"Weshallneverfindhiminthiscrush。\"
Whichturnedouttobeatrueprediction。
\"Allourtroubleandforethoughtthrownaway，\"saidSuzannesulkily，whentheyhadpushedtheirwayfruitlesslythroughhalfadozendepartments。
\"Ican\'tthinkwhyyoudidn\'tgrabhimbythearm，\"
saidEleanor；\"IwouldhaveifI\'dknownhimlonger，butI\'donlyjustbeenintroduced。It\'snearlyfournow，we\'dbetterhavetea。\"
SomedayslaterSuzannerangEleanoruponthetelephone。
\"Thankyouverymuchforthephotographframe。ItwasjustwhatIwanted。Verygoodofyou。Isay，doyouknowwhatthatKneyghtpersonhasgivenme？Justwhatyousaidhewould-awretchedfan。What？Ohyes，quiteagoodenoughfaninitsway，butstill……\"
\"Youmustcomeandseewhathe\'sgivenme，\"cameinEleanor\'svoiceoverthe\'phone。
\"You！Whyshouldhegiveyouanything？\"
\"Yourcousinappearstobeoneofthoserarepeopleofwealthwhotakeapleasureingivinggoodpresents，\"
camethereply。
\"Iwonderedwhyhewassoanxioustoknowwhereshelived，\"snappedSuzannetoherselfassherangoff。
Acloudhasarisenbetweenthefriendshipsofthetwoyoungwomen；asfarasEleanorisconcernedthecloudhasasilver-foxlining。
THEPHILANTHROPISTANDTHEHAPPYCAT
JOCANTHABESSBURYwasinthemoodtobeserenelyandgraciouslyhappy。Herworldwasapleasantplace，anditwaswearingoneofitspleasantestaspects。Gregoryhadmanagedtogethomeforahurriedlunchandasmokeafterwardsinthelittlesnuggery；thelunchhadbeenagoodone，andtherewasjusttimetodojusticetothecoffeeandcigarettes。Bothwereexcellentintheirway，andGregorywas，inhisway，anexcellenthusband。
Jocantharathersuspectedherselfofmakinghimaverycharmingwife，andmorethansuspectedherselfofhavingafirst-ratedressmaker。
\"Idon\'tsupposeamorethoroughlycontentedpersonalityistobefoundinallChelsea，\"observedJocanthainallusiontoherself；\"exceptperhapsAttab，\"
shecontinued，glancingtowardsthelargetabby-markedcatthatlayinconsiderableeaseinacornerofthedivan。\"Heliesthere，purringanddreaming，shiftinghislimbsnowandtheninanecstasyofcushionedcomfort。Heseemstheincarnationofeverythingsoftandsilkyandvelvety，withoutasharpedgeinhiscomposition，adreamerwhosephilosophyissleepandletsleep；andthen，aseveningdrawson，hegoesoutintothegardenwitharedglintinhiseyesandslaysadrowsysparrow。\"
\"Aseverypairofsparrowshatchesouttenormoreyoungonesintheyear，whiletheirfoodsupplyremainsstationary，itisjustaswellthattheAttabsofthecommunityshouldhavethatideaofhowtopassanamusingafternoon，\"saidGregory。Havingdeliveredhimselfofthissagecommenthelitanothercigarette，badeJocanthaaplayfullyaffectionategood-bye，anddepartedintotheouterworld。
\"Remember，dinner\'saweebitearlierto-night，aswe\'regoingtotheHaymarket，\"shecalledafterhim。
Lefttoherself，Jocanthacontinuedtheprocessoflookingatherlifewithplacid，introspectiveeyes。Ifshehadnoteverythingshewantedinthisworld，atleastshewasverywellpleasedwithwhatshehadgot。Shewasverywellpleased，forinstance，withthesnuggery，whichcontrivedsomehowtobecosyanddaintyandexpensiveallatonce。Theporcelainwasrareandbeautiful，theChineseenamelstookonwonderfultintsinthefirelight，therugsandhangingsledtheeyethroughsumptuousharmoniesofcolouring。Itwasaroominwhichonemighthavesuitablyentertainedanambassadororanarchbishop，butitwasalsoaroominwhichonecouldcutoutpicturesforascrap-bookwithoutfeelingthatonewasscandalisingthedeitiesoftheplacewithone\'slitter。
Andaswiththesnuggery，sowiththerestofthehouse，andaswiththehouse，sowiththeotherdepartmentsofJocantha\'slife；shereallyhadgoodreasonforbeingoneofthemostcontentedwomeninChelsea。
Frombeinginamoodofsimmeringsatisfactionwithherlotshepassedtothephaseofbeinggenerouslycommiseratingforthosethousandsaroundherwhoselivesandcircumstancesweredull，cheap，pleasureless，andempty。Workgirls，shopassistantsandsoforth，theclassthathaveneitherthehappy-go-luckyfreedomofthepoornortheleisuredfreedomoftherich，camespeciallywithintherangeofhersympathy。Itwassadtothinkthattherewereyoungpeoplewho，afteralongday\'swork，hadtositaloneinchill，drearybedroomsbecausetheycouldnotaffordthepriceofacupofcoffeeandasandwichinarestaurant，stilllessashillingforatheatregallery。
Jocantha\'smindwasstilldwellingonthisthemewhenshestartedforthonanafternooncampaignofdesultoryshopping；itwouldberatheracomfortingthing，shetoldherself，ifshecoulddosomething，onthespurofthemoment，tobringagleamofpleasureandinterestintothelifeofevenoneortwowistful-
hearted，empty-pocketedworkers；itwouldaddagooddealtohersenseofenjoymentatthetheatrethatnight。Shewouldgettwouppercircleticketsforapopularplay，makeherwayintosomecheaptea-shop，andpresenttheticketstothefirstcoupleofinterestingworkgirlswithwhomshecouldcasuallydropintoconversation。Shecouldexplainmattersbysayingthatshewasunabletousetheticketsherselfanddidnotwantthemtobewasted，and，ontheotherhand，didnotwantthetroubleofsendingthemback。Onfurtherreflectionshedecidedthatitmightbebettertogetonlyoneticketandgiveittosomelonely-lookinggirlsittingeatingherfrugalmealbyherself；thegirlmightscrapeacquaintancewithhernext-seatneighbouratthetheatreandlaythefoundationsofalastingfriendship。
WiththeFairyGodmotherimpulsestronguponher，Jocanthamarchedintoaticketagencyandselectedwithimmensecareanuppercircleseatforthe\"YellowPeacock，\"aplaythatwasattractingaconsiderableamountofdiscussionandcriticism。Thenshewentforthinsearchofatea-shopandphilanthropicadventure，ataboutthesametimethatAttabsaunteredintothegardenwithamindattunedtosparrowstalking。InacornerofanA。B。C。shopshefoundanunoccupiedtable，whereatshepromptlyinstalledherself，impelledbythefactthatatthenexttablewassittingayounggirl，ratherplainoffeature，withtired，listlesseyes，andageneralairofuncomplainingforlornness。Herdresswasofpoormaterial，butaimedatbeinginthefashion，herhairwaspretty，andhercomplexionbad；shewasfinishingamodestmealofteaandscone，andshewasnotverydifferentinherwayfromthousandsofothergirlswhowerefinishing，orbeginning，orcontinuingtheirteasinLondontea-shopsatthatexactmoment。Theoddswereenormouslyinfavourofthesuppositionthatshehadneverseenthe\"YellowPeacock\"；obviouslyshesuppliedexcellentmaterialforJocantha\'sfirstexperimentinhaphazardbenefaction。
Jocanthaorderedsometeaandamuffin，andthenturnedafriendlyscrutinyonherneighbourwithaviewtocatchinghereye。Atthatprecisemomentthegirl\'sfacelitupwithsuddenpleasure，hereyessparkled，aflushcameintohercheeks，andshelookedalmostpretty。
Ayoungman，whomshegreetedwithanaffectionate\"Hullo，Bertie，\"cameuptohertableandtookhisseatinachairfacingher。Jocanthalookedhardatthenew-
comer；hewasinappearanceafewyearsyoungerthanherself，verymuchbetterlookingthanGregory，ratherbetterlooking，infact，thananyoftheyoungmenofherset。Sheguessedhimtobeawell-manneredyoungclerkinsomewholesalewarehouse，existingandamusinghimselfasbesthemightonatinysalary，andcommandingaholidayofabouttwoweeksintheyear。Hewasaware，ofcourse，ofhisgoodlooks，butwiththeshyself-
consciousnessoftheAnglo-Saxon，nottheblatantcomplacencyoftheLatinorSemite。Hewasobviouslyontermsoffriendlyintimacywiththegirlhewastalkingto，probablytheyweredriftingtowardsaformalengagement。Jocanthapicturedtheboy\'shome，inarathernarrowcircle，withatiresomemotherwhoalwayswantedtoknowhowandwherehespenthisevenings。Hewouldexchangethathumdrumthraldominduecourseforahomeofhisown，dominatedbyachronicscarcityofpounds，shillings，andpence，andadearthofmostofthethingsthatmadelifeattractiveorcomfortable。
Jocanthafeltextremelysorryforhim。Shewonderedifhehadseenthe\"YellowPeacock\"；theoddswereenormouslyinfavourofthesuppositionthathehadnot。
Thegirlhadfinishedherteaandwouldshortlybegoingbacktoherwork；whentheboywasaloneitwouldbequiteeasyforJocanthatosay：\"Myhusbandhasmadeotherarrangementsformethisevening；wouldyoucaretomakeuseofthisticket，whichwouldotherwisebewasted？\"Thenshecouldcomethereagainoneafternoonfortea，and，ifshesawhim，askhimhowhelikedtheplay。Ifhewasaniceboyandimprovedonacquaintancehecouldbegivenmoretheatretickets，andperhapsaskedtocomeoneSundaytoteaatChelsea。Jocanthamadeuphermindthathewouldimproveonacquaintance，andthatGregorywouldlikehim，andthattheFairyGodmotherbusinesswouldprovefarmoreentertainingthanshehadoriginallyanticipated。Theboywasdistinctlypresentable；heknewhowtobrushhishair，whichwaspossiblyanimitativefaculty；heknewwhatcolouroftiesuitedhim，whichmightbeintuition；hewasexactlythetypethatJocanthaadmired，whichofcoursewasaccident。
Altogethershewasratherpleasedwhenthegirllookedattheclockandbadeafriendlybuthurriedfarewelltohercompanion。Bertienodded\"good-bye，\"gulpeddownamouthfuloftea，andthenproducedfromhisovercoatpocketapaper-coveredbook，bearingthetitle\"SepoyandSahib，ataleofthegreatMutiny。\"
Thelawsoftea-shopetiquetteforbidthatyoushouldoffertheatreticketstoastrangerwithouthavingfirstcaughtthestranger\'seye。Itisevenbetterifyoucanasktohaveasugarbasinpassedtoyou，havingpreviouslyconcealedthefactthatyouhavealargeandwell-filledsugarbasinonyourowntable；thisisnotdifficulttomanage，astheprintedmenuisgenerallynearlyaslargeasthetable，andcanbemadetostandonend。Jocanthasettoworkhopefully；shehadalongandratherhigh-pitcheddiscussionwiththewaitressconcerningallegeddefectsinanaltogetherblamelessmuffin，shemadeloudandplaintiveinquiriesaboutthetubeservicetosomeimpossiblyremotesuburb，shetalkedwithbrilliantinsinceritytothetea-shopkitten，andasalastresortsheupsetamilk-jugandsworeatitdaintily。Altogethersheattractedagooddealofattention，butneverforamomentdidsheattracttheattentionoftheboywiththebeautifully-brushedhair，whowassomethousandsofmilesawayinthebakingplainsofHindostan，amiddesertedbungalows，seethingbazaars，andriotousbarracksquares，listeningtothethrobbingoftom-tomsandthedistantrattleofmusketry。
JocanthawentbacktoherhouseinChelsea，whichstruckherforthefirsttimeaslookingdullandover-
furnished。ShehadaresentfulconvictionthatGregorywouldbeuninterestingatdinner，andthattheplaywouldbestupidafterdinner。OnthewholeherframeofmindshowedamarkeddivergencefromthepurringcomplacencyofAttab，whowasagaincurledupinhiscornerofthedivanwithagreatpeaceradiatingfromeverycurveofhisbody。
Butthenhehadkilledhissparrow。
ONAPPROVAL
OFallthegenuineBohemianswhostrayedfromtimetotimeintothewould-beBohemiancircleoftheRestaurantNuremberg，OwlStreet，Soho，nonewasmoreinterestingandmoreelusivethanGebhardKnopfschrank。
Hehadnofriends，andthoughhetreatedalltherestaurantfrequentersasacquaintancesheneverseemedtowishtocarrytheacquaintanceshipbeyondthedoorthatledintoOwlStreetandtheouterworld。Hedealtwiththemallratherasamarketwomanmightdealwithchancepassers-by，exhibitingherwaresandchatteringabouttheweatherandtheslacknessofbusiness，occasionallyaboutrheumatism，butnevershowingadesiretopenetrateintotheirdailylivesortodissecttheirambitions。
Hewasunderstoodtobelongtoafamilyofpeasantfarmers，somewhereinPomerania；sometwoyearsago，accordingtoallthatwasknownofhim，hehadabandonedthelaboursandresponsibilitiesofswinetendingandgooserearingtotryhisfortuneasanartistinLondon。
\"WhyLondonandnotParisorMunich？\"hehadbeenaskedbythecurious。
Well，therewasashipthatleftStolpmundeforLondontwiceamonth，thatcarriedfewpassengers，butcarriedthemcheaply；therailwayfarestoMunichorPariswerenotcheap。ThusitwasthathecametoselectLondonasthesceneofhisgreatadventure。
ThequestionthathadlongandseriouslyagitatedthefrequentersoftheNurembergwaswhetherthisgoose-
boymigrantwasreallyasoul-drivengenius，spreadinghiswingstothelight，ormerelyanenterprisingyoungmanwhofanciedhecouldpaintandwaspardonablyanxioustoescapefromthemonotonyofryebreaddietandthesandy，swine-bestrewnplainsofPomerania。Therewasreasonablegroundfordoubtandcaution；theartisticgroupsthatforegatheredatthelittlerestaurantcontainedsomanyyoungwomenwithshorthairandsomanyyoungmenwithlonghair，whosupposedthemselvestobeabnormallygiftedinthedomainofmusic，poetry，painting，orstagecraft，withlittleornothingtosupportthesupposition，thataself-announcedgeniusofanysortintheirmidstwasinevitablysuspect。Ontheotherhand，therewastheever-imminentdangerofentertaining，andsnubbing，anangelunawares。TherehadbeenthelamentablecaseofSledonti，thedramaticpoet，whohadbeenbelittledandcold-shoulderedintheOwlStreethallofjudgment，andhadbeenafterwardshailedasamastersingerbytheGrandDukeConstantineConstantinovitch-\"themosteducatedoftheRomanoffs，\"
accordingtoSylviaStrubble，whospokeratherasonewhokneweveryindividualmemberoftheRussianimperialfamily；asamatteroffact，sheknewanewspapercorrespondent，ayoungmanwhoateBORTSCHwiththeairofhavinginventedit。Sledonti\'s\"PoemsofDeathandPassion\"werenowbeingsoldbythethousandinsevenEuropeanlanguages，andwereabouttobetranslatedintoSyrian，acircumstancewhichmadethediscerningcriticsoftheNurembergrathershyofmaturingtheirfuturejudgmentstoorapidlyandtooirrevocably。
AsregardsKnopfschrank\'swork，theydidnotlackopportunityforinspectingandappraisingit。Howeverresolutelyhemightholdhimselfalooffromthesociallifeofhisrestaurantacquaintances，hewasnotmindedtohidehisartisticperformancesfromtheirinquiringgaze。Everyevening，ornearlyeveryevening，ataboutseveno\'clock，hewouldmakehisappearance，sithimselfdownathisaccustomedtable，throwabulkyblackportfolioontothechairoppositehim，nodroundindiscriminatelyathisfellow-guests，andcommencetheseriousbusinessofeatinganddrinking。Whenthecoffeestagewasreachedhewouldlightacigarette，drawtheportfolioovertohim，andbegintorummageamongitscontents。Withslowdeliberationhewouldselectafewofhismorerecentstudiesandsketches，andsilentlypassthemroundfromtabletotable，payingespecialattentiontoanynewdinerswhomightbepresent。Onthebackofeachsketchwasmarkedinplainfigurestheannouncement\"Pricetenshillings。\"
Ifhisworkwasnotobviouslystampedwiththehall-
markofgenius，atanyrateitwasremarkableforitschoiceofanunusualandunvaryingtheme。Hispicturesalwaysrepresentedsomewell-knownstreetorpublicplaceinLondon，fallenintodecayanddenudedofitshumanpopulation，intheplaceofwhichthereroamedawildfauna，which，fromitswealthofexoticspecies，musthaveoriginallyescapedfromZoologicalGardensandtravellingbeastshows。\"Giraffesdrinkingatthefountainpools，TrafalgarSquare，\"wasoneofthemostnotableandcharacteristicofhisstudies，whileevenmoresensationalwasthegruesomepictureof\"VulturesattackingdyingcamelinUpperBerkeleyStreet。\"Therewerealsophotographsofthelargecanvasonwhichhehadbeenengagedforsomemonths，andwhichhewasnowendeavouringtoselltosomeenterprisingdealeroradventurousamateur。Thesubjectwas\"HyaenasasleepinEustonStation，\"acompositionthatleftnothingtobedesiredinthewayofsuggestingunfathomeddepthsofdesolation。
\"Ofcourseitmaybeimmenselyclever，itmaybesomethingepoch-makingintherealmofart，\"saidSylviaStrubbletoherownparticularcircleoflisteners，\"but，ontheotherhand，itmaybemerelymad。Onemustn\'tpaytoomuchattentiontothecommercialaspectofthecase，ofcourse，butstill，ifsomedealerwouldmakeabidforthathyaenapicture，orevenforsomeofthesketches，weshouldknowbetterhowtoplacethemanandhiswork。\"
\"Wemayallbecursingourselvesoneofthesedays，\"
saidMrs。Nougat-Jones，\"fornothavingboughtuphisentireportfolioofsketches。Atthesametime，whenthereissomuchrealtalentgoingabout，onedoesnotfeellikeplankingdowntenshillingsforwhatlookslikeabitofwhimsicaloddity。Nowthatpicturethatheshoweduslastweek，\'Sand-grouseroostingontheAlbertMemorial，\'wasveryimpressive，andofcourseIcouldseetherewasgoodworkmanshipinitandbreadthoftreatment；butitdidn\'tintheleastconveytheAlbertMemorialtome，andSirJamesBeanquesttellsmethatsand-grousedon\'troost，theysleepontheground。\"
WhatevertalentorgeniusthePomeranianartistmightpossess，itcertainlyfailedtoreceivecommercialsanction。Theportfolioremainedbulkywithunsoldsketches，andthe\"EustonSiesta，\"asthewitsoftheNurembergnicknamedthelargecanvas，wasstillinthemarket。Theoutwardandvisiblesignsoffinancialembarrassmentbegantobenoticeable；thehalf-bottleofcheapclaretatdinner-timegavewaytoasmallglassoflager，andthisinturnwasdisplacedbywater。Theone-
and-sixpennysetdinnerrecededfromaneverydayeventtoaSundayextravagance；onordinarydaystheartistcontentedhimselfwithasevenpennyomeletteandsomebreadandcheese，andtherewereeveningswhenhedidnotputinanappearanceatall。OntherareoccasionswhenhespokeofhisownaffairsitwasobservedthathebegantotalkmoreaboutPomeraniaandlessaboutthegreatworldofart。
\"Itisabusytimetherenowwithus，\"hesaidwistfully；\"theschwinesaredrivenoutintothefieldsafterharvest，andmustbelookedafter。IcouldbehelpingtolookafterifIwasthere。Hereitisdifficulttolive；artisnotappreciate。\"
\"Whydon\'tyougohomeonavisit？\"someoneaskedtactfully。
\"Ah，itcostmoney！ThereistheshippassagetoStolpmunde，andthereismoneythatIoweatmylodgings。
EvenhereIoweafewschillings。IfIcouldsellsomeofmysketches-\"
\"Perhaps，\"suggestedMrs。Nougat-Jones，\"ifyouweretoofferthemforalittleless，someofuswouldbegladtobuyafew。Tenshillingsisalwaysaconsideration，youknow，topeoplewhoarenotoverwelloff。Perhapsifyouweretoasksixorsevenshillings-\"
Onceapeasant，alwaysapeasant。Themeresuggestionofabargaintobestruckbroughtatwinkleofawakenedalertnessintotheartist\'seyes，andhardenedthelinesofhismouth。
\"Nineschillingninepenceeach，\"hesnapped，andseemeddisappointedthatMrs。Nougat-Jonesdidnotpursuethesubjectfurther。Hehadevidentlyexpectedhertooffersevenandfourpence。
Theweeksspedby，andKnopfschrankcamemorerarelytotherestaurantinOwlStreet，whilehismealsonthoseoccasionsbecamemoreandmoremeagre。Andthencameatriumphalday，whenheappearedearlyintheeveninginahighstateofelation，andorderedanelaboratemealthatscarcelystoppedshortofbeingabanquet。Theordinaryresourcesofthekitchenweresupplementedbyanimporteddishofsmokedgoosebreast，aPomeraniandelicacythatwasluckilyprocurableatafirmofDELIKATESSEN
merchantsinCoventryStreet，whilealong-neckedbottleofRhinewinegaveafinishingtouchoffestivityandgoodcheertothecrowdedtable。
\"Hehasevidentlysoldhismasterpiece，\"whisperedSylviaStrubbletoMrs。Nougat-Jones，whohadcomeinlate。
\"Whohasboughtit？\"shewhisperedback。
\"Don\'tknow；hehasn\'tsaidanythingyet，butitmustbesomeAmerican。Doyousee，hehasgotalittleAmericanflagonthedessertdish，andhehasputpenniesinthemusicboxthreetimes，oncetoplaythe\'Star-
spangledBanner，\'thenaSousamarch，andthenthe\'Star-
spangledBanner\'again。ItmustbeanAmericanmillionaire，andhe\'sevidentlygotaverybigpriceforit；he\'sjustbeamingandchucklingwithsatisfaction。\"
\"Wemustaskhimwhohasboughtit，\"saidMrs。
Nougat-Jones。
\"Hush！no，don\'t。Let\'sbuysomeofhissketches，quick，beforewearesupposedtoknowthathe\'sfamous；
otherwisehe\'llbedoublingtheprices。Iamsogladhe\'shadasuccessatlast。Ialwaysbelievedinhim，youknow。\"
ForthesumoftenshillingseachMissStrubbleacquiredthedrawingsofthecameldyinginUpperBerkeleyStreetandofthegiraffesquenchingtheirthirstinTrafalgarSquare；atthesamepriceMrs。
Nougat-Jonessecuredthestudyofroostingsand-grouse。
Amoreambitiouspicture，\"WolvesandwapitifightingonthestepsoftheAthenaeumClub，\"foundapurchaseratfifteenshillings。
\"Andnowwhatareyourplans？\"askedayoungmanwhocontributedoccasionalparagraphstoanartisticweekly。
\"IgobacktoStolpmundeassoonastheshipsails，\"
saidtheartist，\"andIdonotreturn。Never。\"
\"Butyourwork？Yourcareeraspainter？\"
\"Ah，thereisnossinginit。Onestarves。Tillto-
dayIhavesoldnotoneofmysketches。To-nightyouhaveboughtafew，becauseIamgoingawayfromyou，butatothertimes，notone。\"
\"ButhasnotsomeAmerican-？\"
\"Ah，therichAmerican，\"chuckledtheartist。\"Godbethanked。Hedashhiscarrightintoourherdofschwinesastheywerebeingdrivenouttothefields。
Manyofourbestschwineshekilled，buthepaidalldamages。Hepaidperhapsmorethantheywereworth，manytimesmorethantheywouldhavefetchedinthemarketafteramonthoffattening，buthewasinahurrytogetontoDantzig。
Whenoneisinahurryonemustpaywhatoneisasked。GodbethankedforrichAmericans，whoarealwaysinahurrytogetsomewhereelse。Myfatherandmother，theyhavenowsoplentyofmoney；theysendmesometopaymydebtsandcomehome。IstartonMondayforStolpmundeandIdonotcomeback。Never。\"
\"Butyourpicture，thehyaenas？\"
\"Nogood。ItistoobigtocarrytoStolpmunde。I
burnit。\"
Intimehewillbeforgotten，butatpresentKnopfschrankisalmostassoreasubjectasSledontiwithsomeofthefrequentersoftheNurembergRestaurant，OwlStreet，Soho。