WhenevertheymentionedMakola’snametheyalwaysaddedtoitanopprobriousepithet。Iteasedtheirconscience。Makolagavehimselfahalf-holiday，andbathedhischildrenintheriver。NoonefromGobila’svillagescamenearthestationthatday。Noonecamethenextday，andthenext，norforawholeweek。Gobila’speoplemighthavebeendeadandburiedforanysignoflifetheygave。Buttheywereonlymourningforthosetheyhadlostbythewitchcraftofwhitemen，whohadbroughtwickedpeopleintotheircountry。Thewickedpeopleweregone，butfearremained。Fearalwaysremains。Amanmaydestroyeverythingwithinhimself，loveandhateandbelief，andevendoubt；
butaslongasheclingstolifehecannotdestroyfear：thefear，subtle，indestructible，andterrible，thatpervadeshisbeing；thattingeshisthoughts；thatlurksinhisheart；thatwatchesonhislipsthestruggleofhislastbreath。Inhisfear，themildoldGobilaofferedextrahumansacrificestoalltheEvilSpiritsthathadtakenpossessionofhiswhitefriends。Hisheartwasheavy。Somewarriorsspokeaboutburningandkilling，butthecautiousoldsavagedissuadedthem。Whocouldforeseethewoethosemysteriouscreatures，ifirritated，mightbring？Theyshouldbeleftalone。Perhapsintimetheywoulddisappearintotheearthasthefirstonehaddisappeared。
Hispeoplemustkeepawayfromthem，andhopeforthebest。
KayertsandCarlierdidnotdisappear，butremainedaboveonthisearth，that，somehow，theyfanciedhadbecomebiggerandveryempty。
Itwasnottheabsoluteanddumbsolitudeofthepostthatimpressedthemsomuchasaninarticulatefeelingthatsomethingfromwithinthemwasgone，somethingthatworkedfortheirsafety，andhadkeptthewildernessfrominterferingwiththeirhearts。Theimagesofhome；
thememoryofpeoplelikethem，ofmenthatthoughtandfeltastheyusedtothinkandfeel，recededintodistancesmadeindistinctbytheglareofuncloudedsunshine。Andoutofthegreatsilenceofthesurroundingwilderness，itsveryhopelessnessandsavageryseemedtoapproachthemnearer，todrawthemgently，tolookuponthem，toenvelopthemwithasolicitudeirresistible，familiar，anddisgusting。
Dayslengthenedintoweeks，thenintomonths。Gobila’speopledrummedandyelledtoeverynewmoon，asofyore，butkeptawayfromthestation。MakolaandCarliertriedonceinacanoetoopencommunications，butwerereceivedwithashowerofarrows，andhadtoflybacktothestationfordearlife。Thatattemptsetthecountryupanddowntheriverintoanuproarthatcouldbeverydistinctlyheardfordays。Thesteamerwaslate。Atfirsttheyspokeofdelayjauntily，thenanxiously，thengloomily。Thematterwasbecomingserious。Storeswererunningshort。Carliercasthislinesoffthebank，buttheriverwaslow，andthefishkeptoutinthestream。Theydarednotstrollfarawayfromthestationtoshoot。Moreover，therewasnogameintheimpenetrableforest。OnceCarliershotahippointheriver。Theyhadnoboattosecureit，anditsank。Whenitfloatedupitdriftedaway，andGobila’speoplesecuredthecarcase。Itwastheoccasionforanationalholiday，butCarlierhadafitofrageoveritandtalkedaboutthenecessityofexterminatingalltheniggersbeforethecountrycouldbemadehabitable。Kayertsmoonedaboutsilently；spenthourslookingattheportraitofhisMelie。Itrepresentedalittlegirlwithlongbleachedtressesandarathersourface。Hislegsweremuchswollen，andhecouldhardlywalk。Carlier，underminedbyfever，couldnotswaggeranymore，butkepttotteringabout，stillwithadevil-may-careair，asbecameamanwhorememberedhiscrackregiment。
Hehadbecomehoarse，sarcastic，andinclinedtosayunpleasantthings。Hecalledit\"beingfrankwithyou。\"Theyhadlongagoreckonedtheirpercentagesontrade，includinginthemthatlastdealof\"thisinfamousMakola。\"Theyhadalsoconcludednottosayanythingaboutit。Kayertshesitatedatfirst——wasafraidoftheDirector。
\"Hehasseenworsethingsdoneonthequiet，\"maintainedCarlier，withahoarselaugh。\"Trusthim！Hewon’tthankyouifyoublab。Heisnobetterthanyouorme。Whowilltalkifweholdourtongues？Thereisnobodyhere。\"
Thatwastherootofthetrouble！Therewasnobodythere；andbeinglefttherealonewiththeirweakness，theybecamedailymorelikeapairofaccomplicesthanlikeacoupleofdevotedfriends。Theyhadheardnothingfromhomeforeightmonths。Everyeveningtheysaid，\"To-morrowweshallseethesteamer。\"ButoneoftheCompany’ssteamershadbeenwrecked，andtheDirectorwasbusywiththeother，relievingverydistantandimportantstationsonthemainriver。Hethoughtthattheuselessstation，andtheuselessmen，couldwait。
MeantimeKayertsandCarlierlivedonriceboiledwithoutsalt，andcursedtheCompany，allAfrica，andthedaytheywereborn。Onemusthavelivedonsuchdiettodiscoverwhatghastlytroublethenecessityofswallowingone’sfoodmaybecome。Therewasliterallynothingelseinthestationbutriceandcoffee；theydrankthecoffeewithoutsugar。ThelastfifteenlumpsKayertshadsolemnlylockedawayinhisbox，togetherwithahalf-bottleofCognac，\"incaseofsickness，\"heexplained。Carlierapproved。\"Whenoneissick，\"hesaid，\"anylittleextralikethatischeering。\"
Theywaited。Rankgrassbegantosproutoverthecourtyard。Thebellneverrangnow。Dayspassed，silent，exasperating，andslow。Whenthetwomenspoke，theysnarled；andtheirsilenceswerebitter，asiftingedbythebitternessoftheirthoughts。
Onedayafteralunchofboiledrice，Carlierputdownhiscupuntasted，andsaid：\"Hangitall！Let’shaveadecentcupofcoffeeforonce。Bringoutthatsugar，Kayerts！\"
\"Forthesick，\"mutteredKayerts，withoutlookingup。
\"Forthesick，\"mockedCarlier。\"Bosh！……Well！Iamsick。\"
\"YouarenomoresickthanIam，andIgowithout，\"saidKayertsinapeacefultone。
\"Come！outwiththatsugar，youstingyoldslave-dealer。\"
Kayertslookedupquickly。Carlierwassmilingwithmarkedinsolence。
AndsuddenlyitseemedtoKayertsthathehadneverseenthatmanbefore。Whowashe？Heknewnothingabouthim。Whatwashecapableof？
Therewasasurprisingflashofviolentemotionwithinhim，asifinthepresenceofsomethingundreamt-of，dangerous，andfinal。Buthemanagedtopronouncewithcomposure——
\"Thatjokeisinverybadtaste。Don’trepeatit。\"
\"Joke！\"saidCarlier，hitchinghimselfforwardonhisseat。\"Iamhungry——Iamsick——Idon’tjoke！Ihatehypocrites。Youareahypocrite。Youareaslave-dealer。Iamaslave-dealer。There’snothingbutslave-dealersinthiscursedcountry。Imeantohavesugarinmycoffeeto-day，anyhow！\"
\"Iforbidyoutospeaktomeinthatway，\"saidKayertswithafairshowofresolution。
\"You！——What？\"shoutedCarlier，jumpingup。
Kayertsstoodupalso。\"Iamyourchief，\"hebegan，tryingtomastertheshakinessofhisvoice。
\"What？\"yelledtheother。\"Who’schief？There’snochiefhere。There’snothinghere：there’snothingbutyouandI。Fetchthesugar——youpot-belliedass。\"
\"Holdyourtongue。Gooutofthisroom，\"screamedKayerts。\"Idismissyou——youscoundrel！\"
Carlierswungastool。Allatoncehelookeddangerouslyinearnest。
\"Youflabby，good-for-nothingcivilian——takethat！\"hehowled。
Kayertsdroppedunderthetable，andthestoolstruckthegrassinnerwalloftheroom。Then，asCarlierwastryingtoupsetthetable，Kayertsindesperationmadeablindrush，headlow，likeacorneredpigwoulddo，andover-turninghisfriend，boltedalongtheverandah，andintohisroom。Helockedthedoor，snatchedhisrevolver，andstoodpanting。InlessthanaminuteCarlierwaskickingatthedoorfuriously，howling，\"Ifyoudon’tbringoutthatsugar，Iwillshootyouatsight，likeadog。Nowthen——one——two——three。Youwon’t？I
willshowyouwho’sthemaster。\"
Kayertsthoughtthedoorwouldfallin，andscrambledthroughthesquareholethatservedforawindowinhisroom。Therewasthenthewholebreadthofthehousebetweenthem。Buttheotherwasapparentlynotstrongenoughtobreakinthedoor，andKayertsheardhimrunninground。Thenhealsobegantorunlaboriouslyonhisswollenlegs。Heranasquicklyashecould，graspingtherevolver，andunableyettounderstandwhatwashappeningtohim。HesawinsuccessionMakola’shouse，thestore，theriver，theravine，andthelowbushes；andhesawallthosethingsagainasheranforthesecondtimeroundthehouse。Thenagaintheyflashedpasthim。Thatmorninghecouldnothavewalkedayardwithoutagroan。
Andnowheran。Heranfastenoughtokeepoutofsightoftheotherman。
Thenas，weakanddesperate，hethought，\"BeforeIfinishthenextroundIshalldie，\"heheardtheothermanstumbleheavily，thenstop。
Hestoppedalso。HehadthebackandCarlierthefrontofthehouse，asbefore。Heheardhimdropintoachaircursing，andsuddenlyhisownlegsgaveway，andhesliddownintoasittingposturewithhisbacktothewall。Hismouthwasasdryasacinder，andhisfacewaswetwithperspiration——andtears。Whatwasitallabout？Hethoughtitmustbeahorribleillusion；hethoughthewasdreaming；hethoughthewasgoingmad！Afterawhilehecollectedhissenses。Whatdidtheyquarrelabout？Thatsugar！Howabsurd！Hewouldgiveittohim——didn’twantithimself。Andhebeganscramblingtohisfeetwithasuddenfeelingofsecurity。Butbeforehehadfairlystoodupright，acommonsensereflectionoccurredtohimanddrovehimbackintodespair。Hethought：\"IfIgivewaynowtothatbruteofasoldier，hewillbeginthishorroragainto-morrow——andthedayafter——everyday——raiseotherpretensions，trampleonme，tortureme，makemehisslave——andIwillbelost！Lost！Thesteamermaynotcomefordays——maynevercome。\"Heshooksothathehadtositdownontheflooragain。Heshiveredforlornly。Hefelthecouldnot，wouldnotmoveanymore。Hewascompletelydistractedbythesuddenperceptionthatthepositionwaswithoutissue——thatdeathandlifehadinamomentbecomeequallydifficultandterrible。
Allatonceheheardtheotherpushhischairback；andheleapedtohisfeetwithextremefacility。Helistenedandgotconfused。Mustrunagain！Rightorleft？Heheardfootsteps。Hedartedtotheleft，graspinghisrevolver，andattheverysameinstant，asitseemedtohim，theycameintoviolentcollision。Bothshoutedwithsurprise。A
loudexplosiontookplacebetweenthem；aroarofredfire，thicksmoke；andKayerts，deafenedandblinded，rushedbackthinking：\"Iamhit——it’sallover。\"Heexpectedtheothertocomeround——togloatoverhisagony。Hecaughtholdofanuprightoftheroof——\"Allover！\"
Thenheheardacrashingfallontheothersideofthehouse，asifsomebodyhadtumbledheadlongoverachair——thensilence。Nothingmorehappened。Hedidnotdie。Onlyhisshoulderfeltasifithadbeenbadlywrenched，andhehadlosthisrevolver。Hewasdisarmedandhelpless！Hewaitedforhisfate。Theothermanmadenosound。Itwasastratagem。Hewasstalkinghimnow！Alongwhatside？Perhapshewastakingaimthisveryminute！
Afterafewmomentsofanagonyfrightfulandabsurd，hedecidedtogoandmeethisdoom。Hewaspreparedforeverysurrender。Heturnedthecorner，steadyinghimselfwithonehandonthewall；madeafewpaces，andnearlyswooned。Hehadseenonthefloor，protrudingpasttheothercorner，apairofturned-upfeet。Apairofwhitenakedfeetinredslippers。Hefeltdeadlysick，andstoodforatimeinprofounddarkness。ThenMakolaappearedbeforehim，sayingquietly：\"Comealong，Mr。Kayerts。Heisdead。\"Heburstintotearsofgratitude；aloud，sobbingfitofcrying。AfteratimehefoundhimselfsittinginachairandlookingatCarlier，wholaystretchedonhisback。Makolawaskneelingoverthebody。
\"Isthisyourrevolver？\"askedMakola，gettingup。
\"Yes，\"saidKayerts；thenheaddedveryquickly，\"Heranaftermetoshootme——yousaw！\"
\"Yes，Isaw，\"saidMakola。\"Thereisonlyonerevolver；where’shis？\"
\"Don’tknow，\"whisperedKayertsinavoicethathadbecomesuddenlyveryfaint。
\"Iwillgoandlookforit，\"saidtheother，gently。Hemadetheroundalongtheverandah，whileKayertssatstillandlookedatthecorpse。
Makolacamebackempty-handed，stoodindeepthought，thensteppedquietlyintothedeadman’sroom，andcameoutdirectlywitharevolver，whichheheldupbeforeKayerts。Kayertsshuthiseyes。
Everythingwasgoinground。Hefoundlifemoreterribleanddifficultthandeath。Hehadshotanunarmedman。
Aftermeditatingforawhile，Makolasaidsoftly，pointingatthedeadmanwholaytherewithhisrighteyeblownout——
\"Hediedoffever。\"Kayertslookedathimwithastonystare。\"Yes，\"
repeatedMakola，thoughtfully，steppingoverthecorpse，\"Ithinkhediedoffever。Buryhimto-morrow。\"
Andhewentawayslowlytohisexpectantwife，leavingthetwowhitemenaloneontheverandah。
Nightcame，andKayertssatunmovingonhischair。Hesatquietasifhehadtakenadoseofopium。Theviolenceoftheemotionshehadpassedthroughproducedafeelingofexhaustedserenity。Hehadplumbedinoneshortafternoonthedepthsofhorroranddespair，andnowfoundreposeintheconvictionthatlifehadnomoresecretsforhim：neitherhaddeath！Hesatbythecorpsethinking；thinkingveryactively，thinkingverynewthoughts。Heseemedtohavebrokenloosefromhimselfaltogether。Hisoldthoughts，convictions，likesanddislikes，thingsherespectedandthingsheabhorred，appearedintheirtruelightatlast！Appearedcontemptibleandchildish，falseandridiculous。Herevelledinhisnewwisdomwhilehesatbythemanhehadkilled。Hearguedwithhimselfaboutallthingsunderheavenwiththatkindofwrong-headedluciditywhichmaybeobservedinsomelunatics。Incidentallyhereflectedthatthefellowdeadtherehadbeenanoxiousbeastanyway；thatmendiedeverydayinthousands；
perhapsinhundredsofthousands——whocouldtell？——andthatinthenumber，thatonedeathcouldnotpossiblymakeanydifference；
couldn’thaveanyimportance，atleasttoathinkingcreature。He，Kayerts，wasathinkingcreature。Hehadbeenallhislife，tillthatmoment，abelieverinalotofnonsenseliketherestofmankind——whoarefools；butnowhethought！Heknew！Hewasatpeace；hewasfamiliarwiththehighestwisdom！Thenhetriedtoimaginehimselfdead，andCarliersittinginhischairwatchinghim；andhisattemptmetwithsuchunexpectedsuccess，thatinaveryfewmomentshebecamenotatallsurewhowasdeadandwhowasalive。Thisextraordinaryachievementofhisfancystartledhim，however，andbyacleverandtimelyeffortofmindhesavedhimselfjustintimefrombecomingCarlier。Hisheartthumped，andhefelthotalloveratthethoughtofthatdanger。Carlier！Whatabeastlything！Tocomposehisnowdisturbednerves——andnowonder！——hetriedtowhistlealittle。Then，suddenly，hefellasleep，orthoughthehadslept；butatanyratetherewasafog，andsomebodyhadwhistledinthefog。
Hestoodup。Thedayhadcome，andaheavymisthaddescendedupontheland：themistpenetrating，enveloping，andsilent；themorningmistoftropicallands；themistthatclingsandkills；themistwhiteanddeadly，immaculateandpoisonous。Hestoodup，sawthebody，andthrewhisarmsabovehisheadwithacrylikethatofamanwho，wakingfromatrance，findshimselfimmuredforeverinatomb。\"Help！……MyGod！\"
Ashriekinhuman，vibratingandsudden，piercedlikeasharpdartthewhiteshroudofthatlandofsorrow。Threeshort，impatientscreechesfollowed，andthen，foratime，thefog-wreathsrolledon，undisturbed，throughaformidablesilence。Thenmanymoreshrieks，rapidandpiercing，liketheyellsofsomeexasperatedandruthlesscreature，renttheair。ProgresswascallingtoKayertsfromtheriver。Progressandcivilizationandallthevirtues。Societywascallingtoitsaccomplishedchildtocome，tobetakencareof，tobeinstructed，tobejudged，tobecondemned；itcalledhimtoreturntothatrubbishheapfromwhichhehadwanderedaway，sothatjusticecouldbedone。
Kayertsheardandunderstood。Hestumbledoutoftheverandah，leavingtheothermanquitealoneforthefirsttimesincetheyhadbeenthrowntheretogether。Hegropedhiswaythroughthefog，callinginhisignoranceupontheinvisibleheaventoundoitswork。Makolaflittedbyinthemist，shoutingasheran——
\"Steamer！Steamer！Theycan’tsee。Theywhistleforthestation。Igoringthebell。Godowntothelanding，sir。Iring。\"
Hedisappeared。Kayertsstoodstill。Helookedupwards；thefogrolledlowoverhishead。Helookedroundlikeamanwhohaslosthisway；
andhesawadarksmudge，across-shapedstain，upontheshiftingpurityofthemist。Ashebegantostumbletowardsit，thestationbellranginatumultuouspealitsanswertotheimpatientclamourofthesteamer。
TheManagingDirectoroftheGreatCivilizingCompany（sinceweknowthatcivilizationfollowstrade）landedfirst，andincontinentlylostsightofthesteamer。Thefogdownbytheriverwasexceedinglydense；
above，atthestation，thebellrangunceasingandbrazen。
TheDirectorshoutedloudlytothesteamer：
\"Thereisnobodydowntomeetus；theremaybesomethingwrong，thoughtheyareringing。Youhadbettercome，too！\"
Andhebegantotoilupthesteepbank。Thecaptainandtheengine-driveroftheboatfollowedbehind。Astheyscrambledupthefogthinned，andtheycouldseetheirDirectoragoodwayahead。
Suddenlytheysawhimstartforward，callingtothemoverhisshoulder：——\"Run！Runtothehouse！I’vefoundoneofthem。Run，lookfortheother！\"
Hehadfoundoneofthem！Andevenhe，themanofvariedandstartlingexperience，wassomewhatdiscomposedbythemannerofthisfinding。
Hestoodandfumbledinhispockets（foraknife）whilehefacedKayerts，whowashangingbyaleatherstrapfromthecross。Hehadevidentlyclimbedthegrave，whichwashighandnarrow，andaftertyingtheendofthestraptothearm，hadswunghimselfoff。Histoeswereonlyacoupleofinchesabovetheground；hisarmshungstifflydown；heseemedtobestandingrigidlyatattention，butwithonepurplecheekplayfullyposedontheshoulder。And，irreverently，hewasputtingoutaswollentongueathisManagingDirector。
THERETURN
TheinnercircletrainfromtheCityrushedimpetuouslyoutofablackholeandpulledupwithadiscordant，grindingracketinthesmirchedtwilightofaWest-Endstation。Alineofdoorsflewopenandalotofmensteppedoutheadlong。Theyhadhighhats，healthypalefaces，darkovercoatsandshinyboots；theyheldintheirglovedhandsthinumbrellasandhastilyfoldedeveningpapersthatresembledstiff，dirtyragsofgreenish，pinkish，orwhitishcolour。AlvanHerveysteppedoutwiththerest，asmoulderingcigarbetweenhisteeth。A
disregardedlittlewomaninrustyblack，withbotharmsfullofparcels，ranalongindistress，boltedsuddenlyintoathird-classcompartmentandthetrainwenton。Theslammingofcarriagedoorsburstoutsharpandspitefullikeafusillade；anicydraughtmingledwithacridfumessweptthewholelengthoftheplatformandmadeatotteringoldman，wrappeduptohisearsinawoollencomforter，stopshortinthemovingthrongtocoughviolentlyoverhisstick。Noonesparedhimaglance。
AlvanHerveypassedthroughtheticketgate。Betweenthebarewallsofasordidstaircasemenclamberedrapidly；theirbacksappearedalike——almostasiftheyhadbeenwearingauniform；theirindifferentfaceswerevariedbutsomehowsuggestedkinship，likethefacesofabandofbrotherswhothroughprudence，dignity，disgust，orforesightwouldresolutelyignoreeachother；andtheireyes，quickorslow；
theireyesgazingupthedustysteps；theireyesbrown，black，gray，blue，hadallthesamestare，concentratedandempty，satisfiedandunthinking。
Outsidethebigdoorwayofthestreettheyscatteredinalldirections，walkingawayfastfromoneanotherwiththehurriedairofmenfleeingfromsomethingcompromising；fromfamiliarityorconfidences；fromsomethingsuspectedandconcealed——liketruthorpestilence。AlvanHerveyhesitated，standingaloneinthedoorwayforamoment；thendecidedtowalkhome。
Hestrodefirmly。Amistyrainsettledlikesilverydustonclothes，onmoustaches；wettedthefaces，varnishedtheflagstones，darkenedthewalls，drippedfromumbrellas。Andhemovedonintherainwithcarelessserenity，withthetranquileaseofsomeonesuccessfulanddisdainful，verysureofhimself——amanwithlotsofmoneyandfriends。Hewastall，wellset-up，good-lookingandhealthy；andhisclearpalefacehadunderitscommonplacerefinementthatslighttingeofoverbearingbrutalitywhichisgivenbythepossessionofonlypartlydifficultaccomplishments；byexcellingingames，orintheartofmakingmoney；bytheeasymasteryoveranimalsandoverneedymen。
Hewasgoinghomemuchearlierthanusual，straightfromtheCityandwithoutcallingathisclub。Heconsideredhimselfwellconnected，welleducatedandintelligent。Whodoesn’t？Buthisconnections，educationandintelligencewerestrictlyonaparwiththoseofthemenwithwhomhedidbusinessoramusedhimself。Hehadmarriedfiveyearsago。Atthetimeallhisacquaintanceshadsaidhewasverymuchinlove；andhehadsaidsohimself，frankly，becauseitisverywellunderstoodthateverymanfallsinloveonceinhislife——unlesshiswifedies，whenitmaybequitepraiseworthytofallinloveagain。
Thegirlwashealthy，tall，fair，andinhisopinionwaswellconnected，welleducatedandintelligent。Shewasalsointenselyboredwithherhomewhere，asifpackedinatightbox，herindividuality——
ofwhichshewasveryconscious——hadnoplay。Shestrodelikeagrenadier，wasstronganduprightlikeanobelisk，hadabeautifulface，acandidbrow，pureeyes，andnotathoughtofherowninherhead。Hesurrenderedquicklytoallthosecharms，andsheappearedtohimsounquestionablyoftherightsortthathedidnothesitateforamomenttodeclarehimselfinlove。Underthecoverofthatsacredandpoeticalfictionhedesiredhermasterfully，forvariousreasons；butprincipallyforthesatisfactionofhavinghisownway。Hewasverydullandsolemnaboutit——fornoearthlyreason，unlesstoconcealhisfeelings——whichisaneminentlyproperthingtodo。Nobody，however，wouldhavebeenshockedhadheneglectedthatduty，forthefeelingheexperiencedreallywasalonging——alongingstrongerandalittlemorecomplexnodoubt，butnomorereprehensibleinitsnaturethanahungryman’sappetiteforhisdinner。
Aftertheirmarriagetheybusiedthemselves，withmarkedsuccess，inenlargingthecircleoftheiracquaintance。Thirtypeopleknewthembysight；twentymorewithsmilingdemonstrationstoleratedtheiroccasionalpresencewithinhospitablethresholds；atleastfiftyothersbecameawareoftheirexistence。Theymovedintheirenlargedworldamongstperfectlydelightfulmenandwomenwhofearedemotion，enthusiasm，orfailure，morethanfire，war，ormortaldisease；whotoleratedonlythecommonestformulasofcommonestthoughts，andrecognizedonlyprofitablefacts。Itwasanextremelycharmingsphere，theabodeofallthevirtues，wherenothingisrealizedandwherealljoysandsorrowsarecautiouslytoneddownintopleasuresandannoyances。Inthatsereneregion，then，wherenoblesentimentsarecultivatedinsufficientprofusiontoconcealthepitilessmaterialismofthoughtsandaspirationsAlvanHerveyandhiswifespentfiveyearsofprudentblissuncloudedbyanydoubtastothemoralproprietyoftheirexistence。She，togiveherindividualityfairplay，tookupallmannerofphilanthropicworkandbecameamemberofvariousrescuingandreformingsocietiespatronizedorpresidedoverbyladiesoftitle。Hetookanactiveinterestinpolitics；andhavingmetquitebychancealiteraryman——whoneverthelesswasrelatedtoanearl——hewasinducedtofinanceamoribundsocietypaper。Itwasasemi-political，andwhollyscandalouspublication，redeemedbyexcessivedulness；andasitwasutterlyfaithless，asitcontainednonewthought，asitneverbyanychancehadaflashofwit，satire，orindignationinitspages，hejudgeditrespectableenough，atfirstsight。Afterwards，whenitpaid，hepromptlyperceivedthatuponthewholeitwasavirtuousundertaking。
Itpavedthewayofhisambition；andheenjoyedalsothespecialkindofimportancehederivedfromthisconnectionwithwhatheimaginedtobeliterature。
Thisconnectionstillfurtherenlargedtheirworld。Menwhowroteordrewprettilyforthepubliccameattimestotheirhouse，andhiseditorcameveryoften。Hethoughthimratheranassbecausehehadsuchbigfrontteeth（theproperthingistohavesmall，eventeeth）
andworehishairatriflelongerthanmostmendo。However，somedukesweartheirhairlong，andthefellowindubitablyknewhisbusiness。Theworstwasthathisgravity，thoughperfectlyportentous，couldnotbetrusted。Hesat，elegantandbulky，inthedrawing-room，theheadofhisstickhoveringinfrontofhisbigteeth，andtalkedforhourswithathick-lippedsmile（hesaidnothingthatcouldbeconsideredobjectionableandnotquitethething）talkedinanunusualmanner——notobviouslyirritatingly。Hisforeheadwastoolofty——unusuallyso——andunderittherewasastraightnose，lostbetweenthehairlesscheeks，thatinasmoothcurveranintoachinshapedliketheendofasnow-shoe。Andinthisfacethatresembledthefaceofafatandfiendishlyknowingbabythereglitteredapairofclever，peering，unbelievingblackeyes。Hewroteversestoo。
Ratheranass。Butthebandofmenwhotrailedattheskirtsofhismonumentalfrock-coatseemedtoperceivewonderfulthingsinwhathesaid。AlvanHerveyputitdowntoaffectation。Thoseartistchaps，uponthewhole，weresoaffected。Still，allthiswashighlyproper——veryusefultohim——andhiswifeseemedtolikeit——asifshealsohadderivedsomedistinctandsecretadvantagefromthisintellectualconnection。Shereceivedhermixedanddecorousguestswithakindoftall，ponderousgrace，peculiarlyherownandwhichawakenedinthemindofintimidatedstrangersincongruousandimproperreminiscencesofanelephant，agiraffe，agazelle；ofagothictower——ofanovergrownangel。HerThursdayswerebecomingfamousintheirworld；andtheirworldgrewsteadily，annexingstreetafterstreet。ItincludedalsoSomebody’sGardens，aCrescent——acoupleofSquares。
ThusAlvanHerveyandhiswifeforfiveprosperousyearslivedbythesideofoneanother。Intimetheycametoknoweachothersufficientlywellforallthepracticalpurposesofsuchanexistence，buttheywerenomorecapableofrealintimacythantwoanimalsfeedingatthesamemanger，underthesameroof，inaluxuriousstable。Hislongingwasappeasedandbecameahabit；andshehadherdesire——thedesiretogetawayfromunderthepaternalroof，toassertherindividuality，tomoveinherownset（somuchsmarterthantheparentalone）；tohaveahomeofherown，andherownshareoftheworld’srespect，envy，andapplause。Theyunderstoodeachotherwarily，tacitly，likeapairofcautiousconspiratorsinaprofitableplot；becausetheywerebothunabletolookatafact，asentiment，aprinciple，orabeliefotherwisethaninthelightoftheirowndignity，oftheirownglorification，oftheirownadvantage。Theyskimmedoverthesurfaceoflifehandinhand，inapureandfrostyatmosphere——liketwoskilfulskaterscuttingfiguresonthickicefortheadmirationofthebeholders，anddisdainfullyignoringthehiddenstream，thestreamrestlessanddark；thestreamoflife，profoundandunfrozen。
AlvanHerveyturnedtwicetotheleft，oncetotheright，walkedalongtwosidesofasquare，inthemiddleofwhichgroupsoftame-lookingtreesstoodinrespectablecaptivitybehindironrailings，andrangathisdoor。Aparlourmaidopened。Afadofhiswife’s，this，tohaveonlywomenservants。Thatgirl，whileshetookhishatandovercoat，saidsomethingwhichmadehimlookathiswatch。Itwasfiveo’clock，andhiswifenotathome。Therewasnothingunusualinthat。Hesaid，\"No；notea，\"andwentupstairs。
Heascendedwithoutfootfalls。Brassrodsglimmeredalluptheredcarpet。Onthefirst-floorlandingamarblewoman，decentlycoveredfromnecktoinstepwithstonedraperies，advancedarowoflifelesstoestotheedgeofthepedestal，andthrustoutblindlyarigidwhitearmholdingaclusteroflights。Hehadartistictastes——athome。
Heavycurtainscaughtback，halfconcealeddarkcorners。Ontherich，stampedpaperofthewallshungsketches，water-colours，engravings。
Histastesweredistinctlyartistic。Oldchurchtowerspeepedabovegreenmassesoffoliage；thehillswerepurple，thesandsyellow，theseassunny，theskiesblue。Ayoungladysprawledwithdreamyeyesinamooredboat，incompanyofalunchbasket，achampagnebottle，andanenamouredmaninablazer。Bare-leggedboysflirtedsweetlywithraggedmaidens，sleptonstonesteps，gambolledwithdogs。A
patheticallyleangirlflattenedagainstablankwall，turnedupexpiringeyesandtenderedaflowerforsale；while，nearby，thelargephotographsofsomefamousandmutilatedbas-reliefsseemedtorepresentamassacreturnedintostone。
Helooked，ofcourse，atnothing，ascendedanotherflightofstairsandwentstraightintothedressingroom。Abronzedragonnailedbythetailtoabracketwrithedawayfromthewallincalmconvolutions，andheld，betweentheconventionalfuryofitsjaws，acrudegasflamethatresembledabutterfly。Theroomwasempty，ofcourse；but，ashesteppedin，itbecamefilledallatoncewithastirofmanypeople；
becausethestripsofglassonthedoorsofwardrobesandhiswife’slargepier-glassreflectedhimfromheadtofoot，andmultipliedhisimageintoacrowdofgentlemanlyandslavishimitators，whoweredressedexactlylikehimself；hadthesamerestrainedandraregestures；whomovedwhenhemoved，stoodstillwithhiminanobsequiousimmobility，andhadjustsuchappearancesoflifeandfeelingashethoughtitdignifiedandsafeforanymantomanifest。
Andlikerealpeoplewhoareslavesofcommonthoughts，thatarenoteventheirown，theyaffectedashadowyindependencebythesuperficialvarietyoftheirmovements。Theymovedtogetherwithhim；
buttheyeitheradvancedtomeethim，orwalkedawayfromhim；theyappeared，disappeared；theyseemedtododgebehindwalnutfurniture，tobeseenagain，farwithinthepolishedpanes，steppingaboutdistinctandunrealintheconvincingillusionofaroom。Andlikethemenherespectedtheycouldbetrustedtodonothingindividual，original，orstartling——nothingunforeseenandnothingimproper。
Hemovedforatimeaimlesslyinthatgoodcompany，hummingapopularbutrefinedtune，andthinkingvaguelyofabusinessletterfromabroad，whichhadtobeansweredonthemorrowwithcautiousprevarication。Then，ashewalkedtowardsawardrobe，hesawappearingathisback，inthehighmirror，thecornerofhiswife’sdressing-
table，andamongsttheglitterofsilver-mountedobjectsonit，thesquarewhitepatchofanenvelope。Itwassuchanunusualthingtobeseentherethathespunroundalmostbeforeherealizedhissurprise；
andalltheshammenabouthimpivotedontheirheels；allappearedsurprised；andallmovedrapidlytowardsenvelopesondressing-tables。
Herecognizedhiswife’shandwritingandsawthattheenvelopewasaddressedtohimself。Hemuttered，\"Howveryodd，\"andfeltannoyed。
Apartfromanyoddactionbeingessentiallyanindecentthinginitself，thefactofhiswifeindulginginitmadeitdoublyoffensive。
Thatsheshouldwritetohimatall，whensheknewhewouldbehomefordinner，wasperfectlyridiculous；butthatsheshouldleaveitlikethis——inevidenceforchancediscovery——struckhimassooutrageousthat，thinkingofit，heexperiencedsuddenlyastaggeringsenseofinsecurity，anabsurdandbizarreflashofanotionthatthehousehadmovedalittleunderhisfeet。Hetoretheenvelopeopen，glancedattheletter，andsatdowninachairnearby。
Heheldthepaperbeforehiseyesandlookedathalfadozenlinesscrawledonthepage，whilehewasstunnedbyanoisemeaninglessandviolent，liketheclashofgongsorthebeatingofdrums；agreataimlessuproarthat，inamanner，preventedhimfromhearinghimselfthinkandmadehismindanabsoluteblank。Thisabsurdanddistractingtumultseemedtooozeoutofthewrittenwords，toissuefrombetweenhisveryfingersthattrembled，holdingthepaper。Andsuddenlyhedroppedtheletterasthoughithadbeensomethinghot，orvenomous，orfilthy；andrushingtothewindowwiththeunreflectingprecipitationofamananxioustoraiseanalarmoffireormurder，hethrewitupandputhisheadout。
Achillgustofwind，wanderingthroughthedampandsootyobscurityoverthewasteofroofsandchimney-pots，touchedhisfacewithaclammyflick。Hesawanillimitabledarkness，inwhichstoodablackjumbleofwalls，and，betweenthem，themanyrowsofgaslightsstretchedfarawayinlonglines，likestrung-upbeadsoffire。A
sinisterloomasofahiddenconflagrationlitupfaintlyfrombelowthemist，fallinguponabillowyandmotionlessseaoftilesandbricks。Attherattleoftheopenedwindowtheworldseemedtoleapoutofthenightandconfronthim，whilefloatinguptohisearstherecameasoundvastandfaint；thedeepmutterofsomethingimmenseandalive。Itpenetratedhimwithafeelingofdismayandhegaspedsilently。Fromthecab-standinthesquarecamedistincthoarsevoicesandajeeringlaughwhichsoundedominouslyharshandcruel。Itsoundedthreatening。Hedrewhisheadin，asifbeforeanaimedblow，andflungthewindowdownquickly。Hemadeafewsteps，stumbledagainstachair，andwithagreateffort，pulledhimselftogethertolayholdofacertainthoughtthatwaswhizzingaboutlooseinhishead。
Hegotitatlast，aftermoreexertionthanheexpected；hewasflushedandpuffedalittleasthoughhehadbeencatchingitwithhishands，buthismentalholdonitwasweak，soweakthathejudgeditnecessarytorepeatitaloud——tohearitspokenfirmly——inordertoinsureaperfectmeasureofpossession。Buthewasunwillingtohearhisownvoice——tohearanysoundwhatever——owingtoavaguebelief，shapingitselfslowlywithinhim，thatsolitudeandsilencearethegreatestfelicitiesofmankind。Thenextmomentitdawneduponhimthattheyareperfectlyunattainable——thatfacesmustbeseen，wordsspoken，thoughtsheard。Allthewords——allthethoughts！
Hesaidverydistinctly，andlookingatthecarpet，\"She’sgone。\"
Itwasterrible——notthefactbutthewords；thewordschargedwiththeshadowymightofameaning，thatseemedtopossessthetremendouspowertocallFatedownupontheearth，likethosestrangeandappallingwordsthatsometimesareheardinsleep。Theyvibratedroundhiminametallicatmosphere，inaspacethathadthehardnessofironandtheresonanceofabellofbronze。Lookingdownbetweenthetoesofhisbootsheseemedtolistenthoughtfullytotherecedingwaveofsound；tothewavespreadingoutinawideningcircle，embracingstreets，roofs，church-steeples，fields——andtravellingaway，wideningendlessly，far，veryfar，wherehecouldnothear——wherehecouldnotimagineanything——where……
\"And——withthat……ass，\"hesaidagainwithoutstirringintheleast。Andtherewasnothingbuthumiliation。Nothingelse。Hecouldderivenomoralsolacefromanyaspectofthesituation，whichradiatedpainonlyoneveryside。Pain。Whatkindofpain？Itoccurredtohimthatheoughttobeheart-broken；butinanexceedinglyshortmomentheperceivedthathissufferingwasnothingofsotriflinganddignifiedakind。Itwasaltogetheramoreseriousmatter，andpartookratherofthenatureofthosesubtleandcruelfeelingswhichareawakenedbyakickorahorse-whipping。
Hefeltverysick——physicallysick——asthoughhehadbittenthroughsomethingnauseous。Life，thattoawell-orderedmindshouldbeamatterofcongratulation，appearedtohim，forasecondorso，perfectlyintolerable。Hepickedupthepaperathisfeet，andsatdownwiththewishtothinkitout，tounderstandwhyhiswife——hiswife！——shouldleavehim，shouldthrowawayrespect，comfort，peace，decency，positionthrowawayeverythingfornothing！Hesethimselftothinkoutthehiddenlogicofheraction——amentalundertakingfitfortheleisurehoursofamadhouse，thoughhecouldn’tseeit。Andhethoughtofhiswifeineveryrelationexcepttheonlyfundamentalone。
Hethoughtofherasawell-bredgirl，asawife，asaculturedperson，asthemistressofahouse，asalady；butheneverforamomentthoughtofhersimplyasawoman。
Thenafreshwave，aragingwaveofhumiliation，sweptthroughhismind，andleftnothingtherebutapersonalsenseofundeservedabasement。Whyshouldhebemixedupwithsuchahorridexposure！Itannihilatedalltheadvantagesofhiswell-orderedpast，byatrutheffectiveandunjustlikeacalumny——andthepastwaswasted。Itsfailurewasdisclosed——adistinctfailure，onhispart，tosee，toguard，tounderstand。Itcouldnotbedenied；itcouldnotbeexplainedaway，hustledoutofsight。Hecouldnotsitonitandlooksolemn。Now——ifshehadonlydied！
Ifshehadonlydied！Hewasdriventoenvysucharespectablebereavement，andonesoperfectlyfreefromanytaintofmisfortunethatevenhisbestfriendorhisbestenemywouldnothavefelttheslightestthrillofexultation。Noonewouldhavecared。Hesoughtcomfortinclingingtothecontemplationoftheonlyfactoflifethattheresoluteeffortsofmankindhadneverfailedtodisguiseintheclatterandglamourofphrases。Andnothinglendsitselfmoretoliesthandeath。Ifshehadonlydied！Certainwordswouldhavebeensaidtohiminasadtone，andhe，withproperfortitude，wouldhavemadeappropriateanswers。Therewereprecedentsforsuchanoccasion。Andnoonewouldhavecared。Ifshehadonlydied！Thepromises，theterrors，thehopesofeternity，aretheconcernofthecorruptdead；
buttheobvioussweetnessoflifebelongstoliving，healthymen。Andlifewashisconcern：thatsaneandgratifyingexistenceuntroubledbytoomuchloveorbytoomuchregret。Shehadinterferedwithit；shehaddefacedit。Andsuddenlyitoccurredtohimhemusthavebeenmadtomarry。Itwastoomuchinthenatureofgivingyourselfaway，ofwearing——ifforamoment——yourheartonyoursleeve。Buteveryonemarried。Wasallmankindmad！
Intheshockofthatstartlingthoughthelookedup，andsawtotheleft，totheright，infront，mensittingfaroffinchairsandlookingathimwithwildeyes——emissariesofadistractedmankindintrudingtospyuponhispainandhishumiliation。Itwasnottobeborne。Herosequickly，andtheothersjumpedup，too，onallsides。
Hestoodstillinthemiddleoftheroomasifdiscouragedbytheirvigilance。Noescape！Hefeltsomethingakintodespair。Everybodymustknow。Theservantsmustknowto-night。Hegroundhisteeth……
Andhehadnevernoticed，neverguessedanything。Everyonewillknow。
Hethought：\"Thewoman’samonster，buteverybodywillthinkmeafool\"；andstandingstillinthemidstofseverewalnut-woodfurniture，hefeltsuchatempestofanguishwithinhimthatheseemedtoseehimselfrollingonthecarpet，beatinghisheadagainstthewall。Hewasdisgustedwithhimself，withtheloathsomerushofemotionbreakingthroughallthereservesthatguardedhismanhood。
Somethingunknown，witheringandpoisonous，hadenteredhislife，passednearhim，touchedhim，andhewasdeteriorating。Hewasappalled。Whatwasit？Shewasgone。Why？Hisheadwasreadytoburstwiththeendeavourtounderstandheractandhissubtlehorrorofit。
Everythingwaschanged。Why？Onlyawomangone，afterall；andyethehadavision，avisionquickanddistinctasadream：thevisionofeverythinghehadthoughtindestructibleandsafeintheworldcrashingdownabouthim，likesolidwallsdobeforethefiercebreathofahurricane。Hestared，shakingineverylimb，whilehefeltthedestructivebreath，themysteriousbreath，thebreathofpassion，stirtheprofoundpeaceofthehouse。Helookedroundinfear。Yes。
Crimemaybeforgiven；uncalculatingsacrifice，blindtrust，burningfaith，otherfollies，maybeturnedtoaccount；suffering，deathitself，maywithagrinorafrownbeexplainedaway；butpassionistheunpardonableandsecretinfamyofourhearts，athingtocurse，tohideandtodeny；ashamelessandforlornthingthattramplesuponthesmilingpromises，thattearsofftheplacidmask，thatstripsthebodyoflife。Andithadcometohim！Ithadlaiditsuncleanhanduponthespotlessdraperiesofhisexistence，andhehadtofaceitalonewithalltheworldlookingon。Alltheworld！Andhethoughtthateventhebaresuspicionofsuchanadversarywithinhishousecarriedwithitataintandacondemnation。Heputbothhishandsoutasiftowardoffthereproachofadefilingtruth；and，instantly，theappalledconclaveofunrealmen，standingaboutmutelybeyondtheclearlustreofmirrors，madeathimthesamegestureofrejectionandhorror。
Heglancedvainlyhereandthere，likeamanlookingindesperationforaweaponorforahidingplace，andunderstoodatlastthathewasdisarmedandcorneredbytheenemythat，withoutanysqueamishness，wouldstrikesoastolayopenhisheart。Hecouldgethelpnowhere，oreventakecounselwithhimself，becauseinthesuddenshockofherdesertionthesentimentswhichheknewthatinfidelitytohisbringingup，tohisprejudicesandhissurroundings，heoughttoexperience，weresomixedupwiththenoveltyofrealfeelings，offundamentalfeelingsthatknownothingofcreed，class，oreducation，thathewasunabletodistinguishclearlybetweenwhatisandwhatoughttobe；betweentheinexcusabletruthandthevalidpretences。
Andheknewinstinctivelythattruthwouldbeofnousetohim。Somekindofconcealmentseemedanecessitybecauseonecannotexplain。Ofcoursenot！Whowouldlisten？Onehadsimplytobewithoutstainandwithoutreproachtokeepone’splaceintheforefrontoflife。
Hesaidtohimself，\"ImustgetoveritthebestIcan，\"andbegantowalkupanddowntheroom。Whatnext？Whatoughttobedone？Hethought：\"Iwilltravel——noIwon’t。Ishallfaceitout。\"Andafterthatresolvehewasgreatlycheeredbythereflectionthatitwouldbeamuteandaneasyparttoplay，fornoonewouldbelikelytoconversewithhimabouttheabominableconductof——thatwoman。Hearguedtohimselfthatdecentpeople——andheknewnoothers——didnotcaretotalkaboutsuchindelicateaffairs。Shehadgoneoff——withthatunhealthy，fatassofajournalist。Why？Hehadbeenallahusbandoughttobe。Hehadgivenheragoodposition——shesharedhisprospects——hehadtreatedherinvariablywithgreatconsideration。Hereviewedhisconductwithakindofdismalpride。Ithadbeenirreproachable。Then，why？Forlove？Profanation！Therecouldbenolovethere。Ashamefulimpulseofpassion。Yes，passion。Hisownwife！
GoodGod！……Andtheindelicateaspectofhisdomesticmisfortunestruckhimwithsuchshamethat，nextmoment，hecaughthimselfintheactofponderingabsurdlyoverthenotionwhetheritwouldnotbemoredignifiedforhimtoinduceageneralbeliefthathehadbeeninthehabitofbeatinghiswife。Somefellowsdo……andanythingwouldbebetterthanthefilthyfact；foritwasclearhehadlivedwiththerootofitforfiveyears——anditwastooshameful。Anything！
Anything！Brutality……Buthegaveitupdirectly，andbegantothinkoftheDivorceCourt。Itdidnotpresentitselftohim，notwithstandinghisrespectforlawandusage，asaproperrefugefordignifiedgrief。Itappearedratherasanuncleanandsinistercavernwheremenandwomenarehaledbyadversefatetowritheridiculouslyinthepresenceofuncompromisingtruth。Itshouldnotbeallowed。
Thatwoman！Five……years……marriedfiveyears……andnevertoseeanything。Nottotheverylastday……nottillshecoollywentoff。Andhepicturedtohimselfallthepeopleheknewengagedinspeculatingastowhetherallthattimehehadbeenblind，foolish，orinfatuated。Whatawoman！Blind！……Notatall。Couldaclean-mindedmanimaginesuchdepravity？Evidentlynot。Hedrewafreebreath。Thatwastheattitudetotake；itwasdignifiedenough；itgavehimtheadvantage，andhecouldnothelpperceivingthatitwasmoral。Heyearnedunaffectedlytoseemorality（inhisperson）
triumphantbeforetheworld。Astohershewouldbeforgotten。Letherbeforgotten——buriedinoblivion——lost！Noonewouldallude……
Refinedpeople——andeverymanandwomanheknewcouldbesodescribed——had，ofcourse，ahorrorofsuchtopics。Hadthey？Oh，yes。
Noonewouldalludetoher……inhishearing。Hestampedhisfoot，toretheletteracross，thenagainandagain。Thethoughtofsympathizingfriendsexcitedinhimafuryofmistrust。Heflungdownthesmallbitsofpaper。Theysettled，flutteringathisfeet，andlookedverywhiteonthedarkcarpet，likeascatteredhandfulofsnow-flakes。
Thisfitofhotangerwassucceededbyasuddensadness，bythedarkeningpassageofathoughtthatranoverthescorchedsurfaceofhisheart，likeuponabarrenplain，andafterafiercerassaultofsunrays，themelancholyandcoolingshadowofacloud。Herealizedthathehadhadashock——notaviolentorrendingblow，thatcanbeseen，resisted，returned，forgotten，butathrust，insidiousandpenetrating，thathadstirredallthosefeelings，concealedandcruel，whichtheartsofthedevil，thefearsofmankind——God’sinfinitecompassion，perhaps——keepchaineddeepdownintheinscrutabletwilightofourbreasts。Adarkcurtainseemedtorisebeforehim，andforlessthanasecondhelookeduponthemysteriousuniverseofmoralsuffering。Asalandscapeisseencomplete，andvast，andvivid，underaflashoflightning，sohecouldseedisclosedinamomentalltheimmensityofpainthatcanbecontainedinoneshortmomentofhumanthought。Thenthecurtainfellagain，buthisrapidvisionleftinAlvanHervey’smindatrailofinvinciblesadness，asenseoflossandbittersolitude，asthoughhehadbeenrobbedandexiled。Foramomentheceasedtobeamemberofsocietywithaposition，acareer，andanameattachedtoallthis，likeadescriptivelabelofsomecomplicatedcompound。Hewasasimplehumanbeingremovedfromthedelightfulworldofcrescentsandsquares。Hestoodalone，nakedandafraid，likethefirstmanonthefirstdayofevil。Thereareinlifeevents，contacts，glimpses，thatseembrutallytobringallthepasttoaclose。Thereisashockandacrash，asofagateflungtobehindonebytheperfidioushandoffate。Goandseekanotherparadise，foolorsage。Thereisamomentofdumbdismay，andthewanderingsmustbeginagain；thepainfulexplainingawayoffacts，thefeverishrakingupofillusions，thecultivationofafreshcropofliesinthesweatofone’sbrow，tosustainlife，tomakeitsupportable，tomakeitfair，soastohandintacttoanothergenerationofblindwanderersthecharminglegendofaheartlesscountry，ofapromisedland，allflowersandblessings。