Havingregardtothephenomenawearecompelledtoadmit，Ithinkitillogicaltodisbelieveanythingweareunabletodisprove。\"
\"Formypart，\"remarkedMacShaughnassy，\"IcanbelieveintheabilityofourspiritfriendstogivethequaintentertainmentscreditedtothemmucheasierthanIcanintheirdesiretodoso。\"
\"Youmean，\"addedJephson，\"thatyoucannotunderstandwhyaspirit，notcompelledaswearebytheexigenciesofsociety，shouldcaretospenditseveningscarryingonalabouredandchildishconversationwitharoomfullofabnormallyuninterestingpeople。\"
\"ThatispreciselywhatIcannotunderstand，\"MacShaughnassyagreed。
\"NorI，either，\"saidJephson。\"ButIwasthinkingofsomethingverydifferentaltogether。Supposeamandiedwiththedearestwishofhisheartunfulfilled，doyoubelievethathisspiritmighthavepowertoreturntoearthandcompletetheinterruptedwork？\"
\"Well，\"answeredMacShaughnassy，\"ifoneadmitsthepossibilityofspiritsretaininganyinterestintheaffairsofthisworldatall，itiscertainlymorereasonabletoimaginethemengageduponatasksuchasyousuggest，thantobelievethattheyoccupythemselveswiththeperformanceofmeredrawing—roomtricks。Butwhatareyouleadingupto？\"
\"Why，tothis，\"repliedJephson，seatinghimselfstraddle—leggedacrosshischair，andleaninghisarmsupontheback。\"IwastoldastorythismorningatthehospitalbyanoldFrenchdoctor。Theactualfactsarefewandsimple；allthatisknowncanbereadintheParispolicerecordsofsixty—twoyearsago。
\"Themostimportantpartofthecase，however，isthepartthatisnotknown，andthatneverwillbeknown。
\"Thestorybeginswithagreatwrongdonebyonemanuntoanotherman。WhatthewrongwasIdonotknow。Iaminclinedtothink，however，itwasconnectedwithawoman。Ithinkthat，becausehewhohadbeenwrongedhatedhimwhohadwrongedhimwithahatesuchasdoesnotoftenburninaman’sbrain，unlessitbefannedbythememoryofawoman’sbreath。
\"Stillthatisonlyconjecture，andthepointisimmaterial。Themanwhohaddonethewrongfled，andtheothermanfollowedhim。Itbecameapoint—to—pointrace，thefirstmanhavingtheadvantageofaday’sstart。Thecoursewasthewholeworld，andthestakeswerethefirstman’slife。
\"Travellerswerefewandfarbetweeninthosedays，andthismadethetraileasytofollow。Thefirstman，neverknowinghowfarorhowneartheotherwasbehindhim，andhopingnowandagainthathemighthavebaffledhim，wouldrestforawhile。Thesecondman，knowingalwaysjusthowfarthefirstonewasbeforehim，neverpaused，andthuseachdaythemanwhowasspurredbyHatedrewnearertothemanwhowasspurredbyFear。
\"Atthistowntheanswertothenever—variedquestionwouldbe：—
\"’Atseveno’clocklastevening，M’sieur。’
\"’Seven——ah；eighteenhours。Givemesomethingtoeat，quick，whilethehorsesarebeingputto。’
\"Atthenextthecalculationwouldbesixteenhours。
\"Passingalonelychalet，Monsieurputshisheadoutofthewindow：—
\"’Howlongsinceacarriagepassedthisway，withatall，fairmaninside？’
\"’Suchaonepassedearlythismorning，M’sieur。’
\"’Thanks，driveon，ahundredfrancsapieceifyouarethroughthepassbeforedaybreak。’
\"’Andwhatfordeadhorses，M’sieur？’
\"’Twicetheirvaluewhenliving。’
\"OnedaythemanwhowasriddenbyFearlookedup，andsawbeforehimtheopendoorofacathedral，and，passingin，kneltdownandprayed。Heprayedlongandfervently，formen，whentheyareinsorestraits，clutcheagerlyatthestrawsoffaith。Heprayedthathemightbeforgivenhissin，and，moreimportantstill，thathemightbepardonedtheconsequencesofhissin，andbedeliveredfromhisadversary；andafewchairsfromhim，facinghim，knelthisenemy，prayingalso。
\"Butthesecondman’sprayer，beingathanksgivingmerely，wasshort，sothatwhenthefirstmanraisedhiseyes，hesawthefaceofhisenemygazingathimacrossthechair—tops，withamockingsmileuponit。
\"Hemadenoattempttorise，butremainedkneeling，fascinatedbythelookofjoythatshoneoutoftheotherman’seyes。Andtheothermanmovedthehigh—backedchairsonebyone，andcametowardshimsoftly。
\"Then，justasthemanwhohadbeenwrongedstoodbesidethemanwhohadwrongedhim，fullofgladnessthathisopportunityhadcome，thereburstfromthecathedraltowerasuddenclashofbells，andtheman，whoseopportunityhadcome，brokehisheartandfellbackdead，withthatmockingsmilestillplayingroundhismouth。
\"Andsohelaythere。
’Thenthemanwhohaddonethewrongroseupandpassedout，praisingGod。
\"Whatbecameofthebodyoftheothermanisnotknown。Itwasthebodyofastrangerwhohaddiedsuddenlyinthecathedral。Therewasnonetoidentifyit，nonetoclaimit。
\"Yearspassedaway，andthesurvivorinthetragedybecameaworthyandusefulcitizen，andanotedmanofscience。
\"Inhislaboratoryweremanyobjectsnecessarytohiminhisresearches，and，prominentamongthem，stoodinacertaincornerahumanskeleton。Itwasaveryoldandmuch—mendedskeleton，andonedaythelong—expectedendarrived，andittumbledtopieces。
\"Thusitbecamenecessarytopurchaseanother。
\"Themanofsciencevisitedadealerhewellknew——alittleparchment—facedoldmanwhokeptadingyshop，wherenothingwaseversold，withintheshadowofthetowersofNotreDame。
\"Thelittleparchment—facedoldmanhadjusttheverythingthatMonsieurwanted——asingularlyfineandwell—proportioned’study。’
ItshouldbesentroundandsetupinMonsieur’slaboratorythatveryafternoon。
\"Thedealerwasasgoodashisword。WhenMonsieurenteredhislaboratorythatevening，thethingwasinitsplace。
\"Monsieurseatedhimselfinhishigh—backedchair，andtriedtocollecthisthoughts。ButMonsieur’sthoughtswereunruly，andinclinedtowander，andtowanderalwaysinonedirection。
\"Monsieuropenedalargevolumeandcommencedtoread。Hereadofamanwhohadwrongedanotherandfledfromhim，theothermanfollowing。Findinghimselfreadingthis，heclosedthebookangrily，andwentandstoodbythewindowandlookedout。Hesawbeforehimthesun—piercednaveofagreatcathedral，andonthestoneslayadeadmanwithamockingsmileuponhisface。
\"Cursinghimselfforafool，heturnedawaywithalaugh。Buthislaughwasshort—lived，foritseemedtohimthatsomethingelseintheroomwaslaughingalso。Strucksuddenlystill，withhisfeetgluedtotheground，hestoodlisteningforawhile：thensoughtwithstartingeyesthecornerfromwherethesoundhadseemedtocome。Butthewhitethingstandingtherewasonlygrinning。
\"Monsieurwipedthedampsweatfromhisheadandhands，andstoleout。
\"Foracoupleofdayshedidnotentertheroomagain。Onthethird，tellinghimselfthathisfearswerethoseofahystericalgirl，heopenedthedoorandwentin。Toshamehimself，hetookhislampinhishand，andcrossingovertothefarcornerwheretheskeletonstood，examinedit。Asetofbonesboughtforthreehundredfrancs。Washeachild，tobescaredbysuchabogey！
\"Heheldhislampupinfrontofthething’sgrinninghead。Theflameofthelampflickeredasthoughafaintbreathhadpassedoverit。
\"Themanexplainedthistohimselfbysayingthatthewallsofthehousewereoldandcracked，andthatthewindmightcreepinanywhere。Herepeatedthisexplanationtohimselfasherecrossedtheroom，walkingbackwards，withhiseyesfixedonthething。Whenhereachedhisdesk，hesatdownandgrippedthearmsofhischairtillhisfingersturnedwhite。
\"Hetriedtowork，buttheemptysocketsinthatgrinningheadseemedtobedrawinghimtowardsthem。Heroseandbattledwithhisinclinationtoflyscreamingfromtheroom。Glancingfearfullyabouthim，hiseyefelluponahighscreen，standingbeforethedoor。Hedraggeditforward，andplaceditbetweenhimselfandthething，sothathecouldnotseeit——noritseehim。Thenhesatdownagaintohiswork。Forawhileheforcedhimselftolookatthebookinfrontofhim，butatlast，unabletocontrolhimselfanylonger，hesufferedhiseyestofollowtheirownbent。
\"Itmayhavebeenanhallucination。Hemayhaveaccidentallyplacedthescreensoastofavoursuchanillusion。Butwhathesawwasabonyhandcomingroundthecornerofthescreen，and，withacry，hefelltothefloorinaswoon。
\"Thepeopleofthehousecamerunningin，andliftinghimup，carriedhimout，andlaidhimuponhisbed。Assoonasherecovered，hisfirstquestionwas，wherehadtheyfoundthething——
wherewasitwhentheyenteredtheroom？andwhentheytoldhimtheyhadseenitstandingwhereitalwaysstood，andhadgonedownintotheroomtolookagain，becauseofhisfrenziedentreaties，andreturnedtryingtohidetheirsmiles，helistenedtotheirtalkaboutoverwork，andthenecessityforchangeandrest，andsaidtheymightdowithhimastheywould。
\"Soformanymonthsthelaboratorydoorremainedlocked。Thentherecameachillautumneveningwhenthemanofscienceopeneditagain，andcloseditbehindhim。
\"Helightedhislamp，andgatheredhisinstrumentsandbooksaroundhim，andsatdownbeforetheminhishigh—backedchair。Andtheoldterrorreturnedtohim。
\"Butthistimehemeanttoconquerhimself。Hisnerveswerestrongernow，andhisbrainclearer；hewouldfighthisunreasoningfear。Hecrossedtothedoorandlockedhimselfin，andflungthekeytotheotherendoftheroom，whereitfellamongjarsandbottleswithanechoingclatter。
\"Lateron，hisoldhousekeeper，goingherfinalround，tappedathisdoorandwishedhimgood—night，aswashercustom。Shereceivednoresponse，atfirst，and，growingnervous，tappedlouderandcalledagain；andatlengthananswering’good—night’camebacktoher。
\"Shethoughtlittleaboutitatthetime，butafterwardssherememberedthatthevoicethathadrepliedtoherhadbeenstrangelygratingandmechanical。Tryingtodescribeit，shelikenedittosuchavoiceasshewouldimaginecomingfromastatue。
\"Nextmorninghisdoorremainedstilllocked。Itwasnounusualthingforhimtoworkallnightandfarintothenextday，sonoonethoughttobesurprised。When，however，eveningcame，andyethedidnotappear，hisservantsgatheredoutsidetheroomandwhispered，rememberingwhathadhappenedoncebefore。
\"Theylistened，butcouldhearnosound。Theyshookthedoorandcalledtohim，thenbeatwiththeirfistsuponthewoodenpanels。
Butstillnosoundcamefromtheroom。
\"Becomingalarmed，theydecidedtoburstopenthedoor，and，aftermanyblows，itgaveway，andtheycrowdedin。
Hesatboltuprightinhishigh—backedchair。Theythoughtatfirsthehaddiedinhissleep。Butwhentheydrewnearerandthelightfelluponhim，theysawthelividmarksofbonyfingersroundhisthroat；andinhiseyestherewasaterrorsuchasisnotoftenseeninhumaneyes。\"
Brownwasthefirsttobreakthesilencethatfollowed。HeaskedmeifIhadanybrandyonboard。Hesaidhefeltheshouldlikejustanipofbrandybeforegoingtobed。ThatisoneofthechiefcharmsofJephson’sstories：theyalwaysmakeyoufeelyouwantalittlebrandy。
CHAPTERVI
\"Cats，\"remarkedJephsontome，oneafternoon，aswesatinthepuntdiscussingtheplotofournovel，\"catsareanimalsforwhomI
entertainaverygreatrespect。CatsandNonconformistsseemtometheonlythingsinthisworldpossessedofapracticableworkingconscience。Watchacatdoingsomethingmeanandwrong——ifeveronegivesyouthechance；noticehowanxioussheisthatnobodyshouldseeherdoingit；andhowprompt，ifdetected，topretendthatshewasnotdoingit——thatshewasnoteventhinkingofdoingit——that，asamatteroffact，shewasjustabouttodosomethingelse，quitedifferent。Youmightalmostthinktheyhadasoul。
\"OnlythismorningIwaswatchingthattortoise—shellofyoursonthehouseboat。Shewascreepingalongtheroof，behindtheflower—
boxes，stalkingayoungthrushthathadpercheduponacoilofrope。
Murdergleamedfromhereye，assassinationlurkedineverytwitchingmuscleofherbody。Asshecrouchedtospring，Fate，foroncefavouringtheweak，directedherattentiontomyself，andshebecame，forthefirsttime，awareofmypresence。ItacteduponherasaheavenlyvisionuponaBiblicalcriminal。Inaninstantshewasachangedbeing。Thewickedbeast，goingaboutseekingwhomitmightdevour，hadvanished。Initsplacesatalong—tailed，furryangel，gazingupintotheskywithanexpressionthatwasone—thirdinnocenceandtwo—thirdsadmirationofthebeautiesofnature。Whatwasshedoingthere，didIwanttoknow？Why，couldInotsee，playingwithabitofearth。SurelyIwasnotsoevil—mindedastoimagineshewantedtokillthatdearlittlebird——Godblessit。
\"ThennoteanoldTom，slinkinghomeintheearlymorning，afteranightspentonaroofofbadrepute。Canyoupicturetoyourselfalivingcreaturelesseagertoattractattention？’Dearme，’youcanallbuthearitsayingtoitself，’I’dnoideaitwassolate；howtimedoesgowhenoneisenjoyingoneself。IdohopeIshan’tmeetanyoneIknow——veryawkward，it’sbeingsolight。’
\"Inthedistanceitseesapoliceman，andstopssuddenlywithintheshelterofashadow。’Nowwhat’shedoingthere，’itsays，’andclosetoourdoortoo？Ican’tgoinwhilehe’shangingabout。
He’ssuretoseeandrecogniseme；andhe’sjustthesortofmantotalktotheservants。’
\"Ithidesitselfbehindapostandwaits，peepingcautiouslyroundthecornerfromtimetotime。Thepoliceman，however，seemstohavetakenuphisresidenceatthatparticularspot，andthecatbecomesworriedandexcited。
\"’What’sthematterwiththefool？’itmuttersindignantly；’ishedead？Whydon’themoveon，he’salwaystellingotherpeopleto。
Stupidass。’
\"Justthenafar—offcryof’milk’isheard，andthecatstartsupinanagonyofalarm。’GreatScott，harkatthat！Why，everybodywillbedownbeforeIgetin。Well，Ican’thelpit。Imustchanceit。’
\"Heglancesroundathimself，andhesitates。’Iwouldn’tmindifI
didn’tlooksodirtyanduntidy，’hemuses；’peoplearesopronetothinkevilinthisworld。’
\"’Ah，well，’headds，givinghimselfashake，’there’snothingelseforit，ImustputmytrustinProvidence，it’spulledmethroughbefore：heregoes。’
\"Heassumesanaspectofchastenedsorrow，andtrotsalongwithademureandsaddenedstep。ItisevidenthewishestoconveytheideathathehasbeenoutallnightonworkconnectedwiththeVigilanceAssociation，andisnowreturninghomesickatheartbecauseofthesightsthathehasseen。
\"Hesquirmsin，unnoticed，throughawindow，andhasjusttimetogivehimselfahurriedlickdownbeforehehearsthecook’ssteponthestairs。Whensheentersthekitchenheiscurleduponthehearthrug，fastasleep。Theopeningoftheshuttersawakeshim。Herisesandcomesforward，yawningandstretchinghimself。
\"’Dearme，isitmorning，then？’hesaysdrowsily。’Heigh—ho！I’vehadsuchalovelysleep，cook；andsuchabeautifuldreamaboutpoormother。’
\"Cats！doyoucallthem？Why，theyareChristiansineverythingexceptthenumberoflegs。\"
\"Theycertainlyare，\"Iresponded，\"wonderfullycunninglittleanimals，anditisnotbytheirmoralandreligiousinstinctsalonethattheyaresocloselylinkedtoman；themarvellousabilitytheydisplayintakingcareof’numberone’isworthyofthehumanraceitself。Somefriendsofminehadacat，abigblackTom：theyhavegothalfofhimstill。Theyhadrearedhimfromakitten，and，intheirhomely，undemonstrativeway，theylikedhim。Therewasnothing，however，approachingpassiononeitherside。
\"OnedayaChinchillacametoliveintheneighbourhood，underthechargeofanelderlyspinster，andthetwocatsmetatagardenwallparty。
\"’Whatsortofdiggingshaveyougot？’askedtheChinchilla。
\"’Oh，prettyfair。’
\"’Nicepeople？’
\"’Yes，niceenough——aspeoplego。’
\"’Prettywilling？Lookafteryouwell，andallthatsortofthing？’
\"’Yes——ohyes。I’venofaulttofindwiththem。’
\"’What’sthevictualslike？’
\"’Oh，theusualthing，youknow，bonesandscraps，andabitofdog—
biscuitnowandthenforachange。’
\"’Bonesanddog—biscuits！Doyoumeantosayyoueatbones？’
\"’Yes，whenIcanget’em。Why，what’swrongaboutthem？’
\"’ShadeofEgyptianIsis，bonesanddog—biscuits！Don’tyouevergetanyspringchickens，orasardine，oralambcutlet？’
\"’Chickens！Sardines！Whatareyoutalkingabout？Whataresardines？’
\"’Whataresardines！Oh，mydearchild（theChinchillawasaladycat，andalwayscalledgentlemenfriendsalittleolderthanherself’dearchild’），thesepeopleofyoursaretreatingyoujustshamefully。Come，sitdownandtellmeallaboutit。Whatdotheygiveyoutosleepon？’
\"’Thefloor。’
\"’Ithoughtso；andskimmilkandwatertodrink，Isuppose？’
\"’ItISabitthin。’
\"’Icanquiteimagineit。Youmustleavethesepeople，mydear，atonce。’
\"’ButwhereamItogoto？’
\"’Anywhere。’
\"’Butwho’lltakemein？’
\"’Anybody，ifyougotherightwaytowork。HowmanytimesdoyouthinkI’vechangedmypeople？Seven！——andbetteredmyselfoneachoccasion。Why，doyouknowwhereIwasborn？Inapig—sty。Therewerethreeofus，motherandIandmylittlebrother。Motherwouldleaveuseveryevening，returninggenerallyjustasitwasgettinglight。Onemorningshedidnotcomeback。Wewaitedandwaited，butthedaypassedonandshedidnotreturn，andwegrewhungrierandhungrier，andatlastwelaydown，sidebyside，andcriedourselvestosleep。
\"’Intheevening，peepingthroughaholeinthedoor，wesawhercomingacrossthefield。Shewascrawlingveryslowly，withherbodyclosedownagainsttheground。Wecalledtoher，andsheansweredwithalow\"crroo\"；butshedidnothastenherpace。
\"’Shecreptinandrolledoveronherside，andwerantoher，forwewerealmoststarving。Welaylonguponherbreasts，andshelickedusoverandover。
\"’Idroppedasleepuponher，andinthenightIawoke，feelingcold。
Icreptclosertoher，butthatonlymademecolderstill，andshewaswetandclammywithadarkmoisturethatwasoozingfromherside。Ididnotknowwhatitwasatthattime，butIhavelearntsince。
\"’ThatwaswhenIcouldhardlyhavebeenfourweeksold，andfromthatdaytothisI’velookedaftermyself：you’vegottodothatinthisworld，mydear。Forawhile，Iandmybrotherlivedoninthatstyandkeptourselves。Itwasagrimstruggleatfirst，twobabiesfightingforlife；butwepulledthrough。Attheendofaboutthreemonths，wanderingfartherfromhomethanusual，Icameuponacottage，standinginthefields。Itlookedwarmandcosythroughtheopendoor，andIwentin：Ihavealwaysbeenblessedwithplentyofnerve。Somechildrenwereplayingroundthefire，andtheywelcomedmeandmademuchofme。Itwasanewsensationtome，andIstayedthere。Ithoughttheplaceapalaceatthetime。
\"’Imighthavegoneonthinkingsoifithadnotbeenthat，passingthroughthevillageoneday，Ihappenedtocatchsightofaroombehindashop。Therewasacarpetonthefloor，andarugbeforethefire。Ihadneverknowntillthenthatthereweresuchluxuriesintheworld。Ideterminedtomakethatshopmyhome，andIdidso。’
\"’Howdidyoumanageit？’askedtheblackcat，whowasgrowinginterested。
\"’Bythesimpleprocessofwalkinginandsittingdown。Mydearchild，cheek’sthe\"Opensesame\"toeverydoor。Thecatthatworksharddiesofstarvation，thecatthathasbrainsiskickeddownstairsforafool，andthecatthathasvirtueisdrownedforascamp；butthecatthathascheeksleepsonavelvetcushionanddinesoncreamandhorseflesh。Imarchedstraightinandrubbedmyselfagainsttheoldman’slegs。Heandhiswifewerequitetakenwithwhattheycalledmy\"trustfulness，\"andadoptedmewithenthusiasm。StrollingaboutthefieldsofaneveningIoftenusedtohearthechildrenofthecottagecallingmyname。Itwasweeksbeforetheygaveupseekingforme。Oneofthem，theyoungest，wouldsobherselftosleepofanight，thinkingthatIwasdead：
theywereaffectionatechildren。
\"’Iboardedwithmyshopkeepingfriendsfornearlyayear，andfromthemIwenttosomenewpeoplewhohadlatelycometotheneighbourhood，andwhopossessedareallyexcellentcook。IthinkI
couldhavebeenverysatisfiedwiththesepeople，but，unfortunately，theycamedownintheworld，andhadtogiveupthebighouseandthecook，andtakeacottage，andIdidnotcaretogobacktothatsortoflife。
\"’AccordinglyIlookedaboutforafreshopening。Therewasacuriousoldfellowwholivednotfaroff。Peoplesaidhewasrich，butnobodylikedhim。Hewasshapeddifferentlyfromothermen。I
turnedthematteroverinmymindforadayortwo，andthendeterminedtogivehimatrial。Beingalonelysortofman，hemightmakeafussoverme，andifnotIcouldgo。
\"’Mysurmiseprovedcorrect。IhaveneverbeenmorepettedthanI
wasby\"Toady，\"asthevillageboyshaddubbedhim。Mypresentguardianisfoolishenoughoverme，goodnessknows，butshehasotherties，while\"Toady\"hadnothingelsetolove，notevenhimself。HecouldhardlybelievehiseyesatfirstwhenIjumpeduponhiskneesandrubbedmyselfagainsthisuglyface。\"Why，Kitty，\"
hesaid，\"doyouknowyou’rethefirstlivingthingthathasevercometomeofitsownaccord。\"Thereweretearsinhisfunnylittleredeyesashesaidthat。
\"’Iremainedtwoyearswith\"Toady，\"andwasveryhappyindeed。
Thenhefellill，andstrangepeoplecametothehouse，andIwasneglected。\"Toady\"likedmetocomeupandlieuponthebed，wherehecouldstrokemewithhislong，thinhand，andatfirstIusedtodothis。Butasickmanisnotthebestofcompany，asyoucanimagine，andtheatmosphereofasickroomnottoohealthy，so，allthingsconsidered，Ifeltitwastimeformetomakeafreshmove。
\"’Ihadsomedifficultyingettingaway。\"Toady\"wasalwaysaskingforme，andtheytriedtokeepmewithhim：heseemedtolieeasierwhenIwasthere。Isucceededatlength，however，and，onceoutsidethedoor，Iputsufficientdistancebetweenmyselfandthehousetoensuremynotbeingcaptured，forIknew\"Toady\"solongashelivedwouldneverceasehopingtogetmeback。
\"’Wheretogo，Ididnotknow。Twoorthreehomeswereofferedme，butnoneofthemquitesuitedme。Atoneplace，whereIputupforaday，justtoseehowIlikedit，therewasadog；andatanother，whichwouldotherwisehavedoneadmirably，theykeptababy。
Whateveryoudo，neverstopatahousewheretheykeepababy。Ifachildpullsyourtailortiesapaperbagroundyourhead，youcangiveitoneforitselfandnobodyblamesyou。\"Well，serveyouright，\"theysaytotheyellingbrat，\"youshouldn’tteasethepoorthing。\"Butifyouresentababy’sholdingyoubythethroatandtryingtogougeoutyoureyewithawoodenladle，youarecalledaspitefulbeast，and\"shoo’d\"allroundthegarden。Ifpeoplekeepbabies，theydon’tkeepme；that’smyrule。
\"’Aftersamplingsomethreeorfourfamilies，Ifinallyfixeduponabanker。Offersmoreadvantageousfromaworldlypointofviewwereopentome。Icouldhavegonetoapublic—house，wherethevictualsweresimplyunlimited，andwherethebackdoorwasleftopenallnight。Butaboutthebanker’s（hewasalsoachurchwarden，andhiswifeneversmiledatanythinglessthanajokebythebishop）therewasanatmosphereofsolidrespectabilitythatIfeltwouldbecomfortingtomynature。Mydearchild，youwillcomeacrosscynicswhowillsneeratrespectability：don’tyoulistentothem。
Respectabilityisitsownreward——andaveryrealandpracticalreward。Itmaynotbringyoudaintydishesandsoftbeds，butitbringsyousomethingbetterandmorelasting。Itbringsyoutheconsciousnessthatyouarelivingtherightlife，thatyouaredoingtherightthing，that，sofarasearthlyingenuitycanfixit，youaregoingtotherightplace，andthatotherfolksain’t。Don’tyoueverletanyonesetyouagainstrespectability。It’sthemostsatisfyingthingIknowofinthisworld——andaboutthecheapest。
\"’Iwasnearlythreeyearswiththisfamily，andwassorrywhenI
hadtogo。IshouldneverhaveleftifIcouldhavehelpedit，butonedaysomethinghappenedatthebankwhichnecessitatedthebanker’stakingasuddenjourneytoSpain，and，afterthat，thehousebecameasomewhatunpleasantplacetolivein。Noisy，disagreeablepeoplewerecontinuallyknockingatthedoorandmakingrowsinthepassage；andatnightfolksthrewbricksatthewindows。
\"’Iwasinadelicatestateofhealthatthetime，andmynervescouldnotstandit。Isaidgood—byetothetown，andmakingmywaybackintothecountry，putupwithacountyfamily。
\"’Theyweregreatswells，butIshouldhavepreferredthemhadtheybeenmorehomely。Iamofanaffectionatedisposition，andIlikeeveryoneaboutmetoloveme。Theyweregoodenoughtomeintheirdistantway，buttheydidnottakemuchnoticeofme，andIsoongottiredoflavishingattentionsonpeoplethatneithervaluednorrespondedtothem。
\"’FromthesepeopleIwenttoaretiredpotatomerchant。Itwasasocialdescent，butarisesofarascomfortandappreciationwereconcerned。Theyappearedtobeanexceedinglynicefamily，andtobeextremelyfondofme。Isaythey\"appeared\"tobethesethings，becausethesequelprovedthattheywereneither。SixmonthsafterIhadcometothemtheywentawayandleftme。Theyneveraskedmetoaccompanythem。Theymadenoarrangementsformetostaybehind。
Theyevidentlydidnotcarewhatbecameofme。SuchegotisticalindifferencetotheclaimsoffriendshipIhadneverbeforemetwith。Itshookmyfaith——nevertoorobust——inhumannature。I
determinedthat，infuture，nooneshouldhavetheopportunityofdisappointingmytrustinthem。Iselectedmypresentmistressontherecommendationofagentlemanfriendofminewhohadformerlylivedwithher。Hesaidshewasanexcellentcaterer。Theonlyreasonhehadleftherwasthatsheexpectedhimtobeinatteneachnight，andthathourdidn’tfitinwithhisotherarrangements。
Itmadenodifferencetome——asamatteroffact，Idonotcareforthesemidnightreunionsthataresopopularamongstus。Therearealwaystoomanycatsforoneproperlytoenjoyoneself，andsoonerorlaterarowdyelementissuretocreepin。Iofferedmyselftoher，andsheacceptedmegratefully。ButIhaveneverlikedher，andnevershall。Sheisasillyoldwoman，andboresme。Sheis，however，devotedtome，and，unlesssomethingextraattractiveturnsup，Ishallsticktoher。
\"’That，mydear，isthestoryofmylife，sofarasithasgone。I
tellityoutoshowyouhoweasyitistobe\"takenin。\"Fixonyourhouse，andmewpiteouslyatthebackdoor。Whenitisopenedruninandrubyourselfagainstthefirstlegyoucomeacross。Rubhard，andlookupconfidingly。Nothinggetsroundhumanbeings，I
havenoticed，quickerthanconfidence。Theydon’tgetmuchofit，anditpleasesthem。Alwaysbeconfiding。Atthesametimebepreparedforemergencies。Ifyouarestilldoubtfulastoyourreception，tryandgetyourselfslightlywet。WhypeopleshouldpreferawetcattoadryoneIhaveneverbeenabletounderstand；
butthatawetcatispracticallysureofbeingtakeninandgushedover，whileadrycatisliabletohavethegardenhoseturneduponit，isanundoubtedfact。Also，ifyoucanpossiblymanageit，anditisofferedyou，eatabitofdrybread。TheHumanRaceisalwaysstirredtoitsdeepestdepthsbythesightofacateatingabitofdrybread。’
\"Myfriend’sblackTomprofitedbytheChinchilla’swisdom。A
catlesscouplehadlatelycometolivenextdoor。Hedeterminedtoadoptthemontrial。Accordingly，onthefirstrainyday，hewentoutsoonafterlunchandsatforfourhoursinanopenfield。Intheevening，soakedtotheskin，andfeelingprettyhungry，hewentmewingtotheirdoor。Oneofthemaidsopenedit，herushedunderherskirtsandrubbedhimselfagainstherlegs。Shescreamed，anddowncamethemasterandthemistresstoknowwhatwasthematter。
\"’It’sastraycat，mum，’saidthegirl。
\"’Turnitout，’saidthemaster。
\"’Ohno，don’t，’saidthemistress。
\"’Oh，poorthing，it’swet，’saidthehousemaid。
\"’Perhapsit’shungry，’saidthecook。
\"’Tryitwithabitofdrybread，’sneeredthemaster，whowroteforthenewspapers，andthoughthekneweverything。
\"Astalecrustwasproffered。Thecatateitgreedily，andafterwardsrubbedhimselfgratefullyagainsttheman’slighttrousers。
\"Thismadethemanashamedofhimself，likewiseofhistrousers。
’Oh，well，letitstopifitwantsto，’hesaid。
\"Sothecatwasmadecomfortable，andstayedon。
\"Meanwhileitsownfamilywereseekingforithighandlow。Theyhadnotcaredovermuchforitwhiletheyhadhadit；nowitwasgone，theywereinconsolable。Inthelightofitsabsence，itappearedtothemtheonethingthathadmadetheplacehome。Theshadowsofsuspiciongatheredroundthecase。Thecat’sdisappearance，atfirstregardedasamystery，begantoassumetheshapeofacrime。Thewifeopenlyaccusedthehusbandofneverhavinglikedtheanimal，andmorethanhintedthatheandthegardenerbetweenthemcouldgiveatolerablytruthfulaccountofitslastmoments；aninsinuationthatthehusbandrepudiatedwithawarmththatonlyaddedcredencetotheoriginalsurmise。
\"Thebull—terrierwashadupandsearchinglyexamined。Fortunatelyforhim，hehadnothadasinglefightfortwowholedays。Hadanyrecenttracesofbloodbeendetecteduponhim，itwouldhavegonehardwithhim。
\"Thepersonwhosufferedmost，however，wastheyoungestboy。Threeweeksbefore，hehaddressedthecatindoll’sclothesandtakenitroundthegardenintheperambulator。Hehimselfhadforgottentheincident，butJustice，thoughtardy，wasonhistrack。Themisdeedwassuddenlyrememberedattheverymomentwhenunavailingregretforthelossofthefavouritewasatitsdeepest，sothattoboxhisearsandsendhim，thenandthere，straightofftobedwasfelttobeapositiverelief。
\"Attheendofafortnight，thecat，findinghehadnot，afterall，betteredhimself，cameback。Thefamilyweresosurprisedthatatfirsttheycouldnotbesurewhetherhewasfleshandblood，oraspiritcometocomfortthem。Afterwatchinghimeathalfapoundofrawsteak，theydecidedhewasmaterial，andcaughthimupandhuggedhimtotheirbosoms。Foraweektheyover—fedhimandmademuchofhim。Then，theexcitementcooling，hefoundhimselfdroppingbackintohisoldposition，anddidn’tlikeit，andwentnextdooragain。
\"Thenextdoorpeoplehadalsomissedhim，andtheylikewisegreetedhisreturnwithextravagantebullitionsofjoy。Thisgavethecatanidea。Hesawthathisgamewastoplaythetwofamiliesoffoneagainsttheother；whichhedid。Hespentanalternatefortnightwitheach，andlivedlikeafightingcock。Hisreturnwasalwaysgreetedwithenthusiasm，andeverymeanswereadoptedtoinducehimtostay。Hislittlewhimswerecarefullystudied，hisfavouritedisheskeptinconstantreadiness。
\"Thedestinationofhisgoingsleakedoutatlength，andthenthetwofamiliesquarrelledabouthimoverthefence。Myfriendaccusedthenewspapermanofhavingluredhimaway。Thenewspapermanretortedthatthepoorcreaturehadcometohisdoorwetandstarving，andaddedthathewouldbeashamedtokeepananimalmerelytoill—treatit。Theyhaveaquarrelabouthimtwiceaweekontheaverage。Itwillprobablycometoblowsoneofthesedays。\"
Jephsonappearedmuchsurprisedbythisstory。Heremainedthoughtfulandsilent。Iaskedhimifhewouldliketohearanymore，andasheofferednoactiveoppositionIwenton。（Maybehewasasleep；thatideadidnotoccurtomeatthetime。）
Itoldhimofmygrandmother’scat，who，afterlivingablamelesslifeforupwardsofelevenyears，andbringingupafamilyofsomethinglikesixty—six，notcountingthosethatdiedininfancyandthewater—butt，tooktodrinkinheroldage，andwasrunoverwhileinastateofintoxication（oh，thejusticeofit！）byabrewer’sdray。Ihavereadintemperancetractsthatnodumbanimalwilltouchadropofalcoholicliquor。Myadviceis，ifyouwishtokeepthemrespectable，don’tgivethemachancetogetatit。I
knewapony——Butnevermindhim；wearetalkingaboutmygrandmother’scat。
Aleakybeer—tapwasthecauseofherdownfall。Asaucerusedtobeplacedunderneathittocatchthedrippings。Onedaythecat，cominginthirsty，andfindingnothingelsetodrink，lappedupalittle，likedit，andlappedalittlemore，wentawayforhalfanhour，andcamebackandfinishedthesaucerful。Thensatdownbesideit，andwaitedforittofillagain。
Fromthatdaytillthehourshedied，Idon’tbelievethatcatwaseveroncequitesober。Herdaysshepassedinadrunkenstuporbeforethekitchenfire。Hernightsshespentinthebeercellar。
Mygrandmother，shockedandgrievedbeyondexpression，gaveupherbarrelandadoptedbottles。Thecat，thuscondemnedtoenforcedabstinence，meanderedaboutthehouseforadayandahalfinadisconsolate，quarrelsomemood。Thenshedisappeared，returningateleveno’clockastightasadrum。
Whereshewent，andhowshemanagedtoprocurethedrink，weneverdiscovered；butthesameprogrammewasrepeatedeveryday。Sometimeduringthemorningshewouldcontrivetoeludeourvigilanceandescape；andlateeveryeveningshewouldcomereelinghomeacrossthefieldsinaconditionthatIwillnotsullymypenbyattemptingtodescribe。
ItwasonSaturdaynightthatshemetthesadendtowhichIhavebeforealluded。Shemusthavebeenverydrunk，forthemantoldusthat，inconsequenceofthedarkness，andthefactthathishorsesweretired，hewasproceedingatlittlemorethanasnail’space。
Ithinkmygrandmotherwasratherrelievedthanotherwise。Shehadbeenveryfondofthecatatonetime，butitsrecentconducthadalienatedheraffection。Wechildrenburieditinthegardenunderthemulberrytree，buttheoldladyinsistedthatthereshouldbenotombstone，notevenamoundraised。Soitliesthere，unhonoured，inadrunkard’sgrave。
Ialsotoldhimofanothercatourfamilyhadoncepossessed。ShewasthemostmotherlythingIhaveeverknown。Shewasneverhappywithoutafamily。Indeed，Icannotrememberherwhenshehadn’tafamilyinonestageoranother。Shewasnotveryparticularwhatsortofafamilyitwas。Ifshecouldnothavekittens，thenshewouldcontentherselfwithpuppiesorrats。Anythingthatshecouldwashandfeedseemedtosatisfyher。Ibelieveshewouldhavebroughtupchickensifwehadentrustedthemtoher。
Allherbrainsmusthaveruntomotherliness，forshehadn’tmuchsense。Shecouldnevertellthedifferencebetweenherownchildrenandotherpeople’s。Shethoughteverythingyoungwasakitten。Weoncemixedupaspanielpuppythathadlostitsownmotheramongherprogeny。Ishallneverforgetherastonishmentwhenitfirstbarked。Sheboxedbothitsears，andthensatlookingdownatitwithanexpressionofindignantsorrowthatwasreallytouching。
\"You’regoingtobeacredittoyourmother，\"sheseemedtobesaying\"you’reanicecomforttoanyone’soldage，youare，makingarowlikethat。Andlookatyourearsfloppingalloveryourface。
Idon’tknowwhereyoupickupsuchways。\"
Hewasagoodlittledog。Hedidtrytomew，andhedidtrytowashhisfacewithhispaw，andtokeephistailstill，buthissuccesswasnotcommensuratewithhiswill。Idonotknowwhichwasthesaddertoreflectupon，hiseffortstobecomeacreditablekitten，orhisfoster—mother’sdespairofevermakinghimone。
Lateronwegaveherababysquirreltorear。Shewasnursingafamilyofherownatthetime，butsheadoptedhimwithenthusiasm，undertheimpressionthathewasanotherkitten，thoughshecouldnotquitemakeouthowshehadcometooverlookhim。Hesoonbecameherprimefavourite。Shelikedhiscolour，andtookamother’sprideinhistail。Whattroubledherwasthatitwouldcockupoverhishead。Shewouldholditdownwithonepaw，andlickitbythehalf—hourtogether，tryingtomakeitsetproperly。Butthemomentsheletitgoupitwouldcockagain。Ihaveheardhercrywithvexationbecauseofthis。
Onedayaneighbouringcatcametoseeher，andthesquirrelwasclearlythesubjectoftheirtalk。
\"It’sagoodcolour，\"saidthefriend，lookingcriticallyatthesupposedkitten，whowassittinguponhishaunchescombinghiswhiskers，andsayingtheonlytruthfullypleasantthingabouthimthatshecouldthinkof。
\"He’salovelycolour，\"exclaimedourcatproudly。
\"Idon’tlikehislegsmuch，\"remarkedthefriend。
\"No，\"respondedhismotherthoughtfully，\"you’rerightthere。Hislegsarehisweakpoint。Ican’tsayIthinkmuchofhislegsmyself。\"
\"Maybethey’llfilloutlateron，\"suggestedthefriend，kindly。
\"Oh，Ihopeso，\"repliedthemother，regaininghermomentarilydashedcheerfulness。\"Ohyes，they’llcomeallrightintime。Andthenlookathistail。Now，honestly，didyoueverseeakittenwithafinertail？\"
\"Yes，it’sagoodtail，\"assentedtheother；\"butwhydoyoudoitupoverhishead？\"
\"Idon’t，\"answeredourcat。\"Itgoesthatway。Ican’tmakeitout。Isupposeitwillcomestraightashegetsolder。\"
\"Itwillbeawkwardifitdon’t，\"saidthefriend。
\"Oh，butI’msureitwill，\"repliedourcat。\"Imustlickitmore。
It’satailthatwantsagooddealoflicking，youcanseethat。\"
Andforhoursthatafternoon，aftertheothercathadgone，shesattrimmingit；and，attheend，whensheliftedherpawoffit，anditflewbackagainlikeasteelspringoverthesquirrel’shead，shesatandgazedatitwithfeelingsthatonlythoseamongmyreaderswhohavebeenmothersthemselveswillbeabletocomprehend。
\"WhathaveIdone，\"sheseemedtosay——\"whathaveIdonethatthistroubleshouldcomeuponme？\"
Jephsonrousedhimselfonmycompletionofthisanecdoteandsatup。
\"Youandyourfriendsappeartohavebeenthepossessorsofsomeveryremarkablecats，\"heobserved。
\"Yes，\"Ianswered，\"ourfamilyhasbeensingularlyfortunateinitscats。\"
\"Singularlyso，\"agreedJephson；\"IhavenevermetbutonemanfromwhomIhaveheardmorewonderfulcattalkthan，atonetimeoranother，Ihavefromyou。\"
\"Oh，\"Isaid，not，perhapswithoutatouchofjealousyinmyvoice，\"andwhowashe？\"
\"Hewasaseafaringman，\"repliedJephson。\"ImethimonaHampsteadtram，andwediscussedthesubjectofanimalsagacity。
\"’Yes，sir，’hesaid，’monkeysiscute。I’vecomeacrossmonkeysascouldgivepointstooneortwolubbersI’vesailedunder；andelephantsisprettyspry，ifyoucanbelieveallthat’stoldof’em。
I’veheardsometalltalesaboutelephants。And，ofcourse，dogshastheirheadsscrewedonallright：Idon’tsayastheyain’t。
ButwhatIdosayis：thatforstraightfor’ard，level—headedreasoning，givemecats。Yousee，sir，adog，hethinksapowerfuldealofaman——neverwassuchacutethingasaman，inadog’sopinion；andhetakesgoodcarethateverybodyknowsit。Naturallyenough，wesaysadogisthemostintellectualanimalthereis。Nowacat，she’sgotherownopinionabouthumanbeings。Shedon’tsaymuch，butyoucantellenoughtomakeyouanxiousnottohearthewholeofit。Theconsequenceis，wesaysacat’sgotnointelligence。That’swhereweletourprejudicesteerourjudgmentwrong。Inamatterofplaincommonsense，thereain’tacatlivingascouldn’ttaketheleesideofadogandflyroundhim。Now，haveyouevernoticedadogattheendofachain，tryingtokillacatasissittingwashingherfacethree—quartersofaninchoutofhisreach？Ofcourseyouhave。Well，who’sgotthesenseoutofthosetwo？Thecatknowsthatitain’tinthenatureofsteelchainstostretch。Thedog，whoought，you’dthink，toknowadurnedsightmoreabout’emthanshedoes，issuretheywillifyouonlybarkloudenough。
\"’Thenagain，haveyoueverbeenmademadbycatsscreechinginthenight，andjumpedoutofbedandopenedthewindowandyelledatthem？Didtheyeverbudgeaninchforthat，thoughyoushriekedloudenoughtoskeerthedead，andwavedyourarmsaboutlikeamaninaplay？Notthey。They’veturnedandlookedatyou，that’sall。
\"Yellaway，oldman，\"they’vesaid，\"weliketohearyou：themorethemerrier。\"Thenwhathaveyoudone？Why，you’vesnatchedupahair—brush，oraboot，oracandlestick，andmadeasifyou’dthrowitatthem。They’veseenyourattitude，they’veseenthethinginyourhand，buttheyain’tmovedapoint。Theyknewasyouweren’tgoingtochuckvaluablepropertyoutofwindowwiththechanceofgettingitlostorspoiled。They’vegotsensethemselves，andtheygiveyoucreditforhavingsome。Ifyoudon’tbelievethat’sthereason，youtryshowingthemalumpofcoal，orhalfabrick，nexttime——somethingastheyknowyouWILLthrow。Beforeyou’rereadytoheaveit，therewon’tbeacatwithinaim。
\"’Thenastojudgmentandknowledgeoftheworld，whydogsarebabiesto’em。Haveyouevertriedtellingayarnbeforeacat，sir？’
\"Irepliedthatcatshadoftenbeenpresentduringanecdotalrecitalsofmine，butthat，hitherto，Ihadpaidnoparticularattentiontotheirdemeanour。
\"’Ah，well，youtakeanopportunityofdoingsooneday，sir，’
answeredtheoldfellow；’it’sworththeexperiment。Ifyou’retellingastorybeforeacat，andshedon’tgetuneasyduringanypartofthenarrative，youcanreckonyou’vegotholdofathingasitwillbesafeforyoutotelltotheLordChiefJusticeofEngland。
\"’I’vegotamessmate，’hecontinued；’WilliamCooleyishisname。
WecallhimTruthfulBilly。He’sasgoodaseamanasevertrodquarter—deck；butwhenhegetsspinningyarnsheain’tthesortofmanasIcouldadviseyoutorelyupon。Well，Billy，he’sgotadog，andI’veseenhimsitandtellyarnsbeforethatdogthatwouldmakeacatsquirmoutofitsskin，andthatdog’staken’eminandbelieved’em。Onenight，upathisoldwoman’s，Billtoldusayarnbythesideofwhichsaltjunktwovoyagesoldwouldpassforspringchicken。Iwatchedthedog，toseehowhewouldtakeit。Helistenedtoitfrombeginningtoendwithcockedears，andneversomuchasblinked。Everynowandthenhewouldlookroundwithanexpressionofastonishmentordelightthatseemedtosay：
\"Wonderful，isn’tit！\"\"Dearme，justthinkofit！\"\"Didyouever！\"\"Well，ifthatdon’tbeateverything！\"Hewasachuckle—
headeddog；youcouldhavetoldhimanything。
\"’ItirritatedmethatBillshouldhavesuchananimalabouthimtoencouragehim，andwhenhehadfinishedIsaidtohim，\"Iwishyou’dtellthatyarnroundatmyquartersoneevening。\"
\"’Why？’saidBill。
\"’Oh，it’sjustafancyofmine，’Isays。Ididn’ttellhimIwaswantingmyoldcattohearit。
\"’Oh，allright，’saysBill，’youremindme。’Helovedyarning，Billydid。
\"’Nextnightbutoneheslingshimselfupinmycabin，andIdoesso。Nothingloth，offhestarts。Therewasabouthalf—a—dozenofusstretchedround，andthecatwassittingbeforethefirefussingitselfup。BeforeBillhadgotfairlyunderweigh，shestopswashingandlooksupatme，puzzledlike，asmuchastosay，\"Whathavewegothere，amissionary？\"Isignalledtohertokeepquiet，andBillwentonwithhisyarn。Whenhegottothepartaboutthesharks，sheturneddeliberatelyroundandlookedathim。Itellyoutherewasanexpressionofdisgustonthatcat’sfaceasmighthavemadeatravellingCheapJackfeelashamedofhimself。Itwasthathuman，Igiveyoumyword，sir，Iforgotforthemomentasthepooranimalcouldn’tspeak。Icouldseethewordsthatwereonitslips：
\"Whydon’tyoutellusyouswallowedtheanchor？\"andIsatontenter—hooks，fearingeachinstantthatshewouldsaythemaloud。
ItwasarelieftomewhensheturnedherbackonBill。
\"’Forafewminutesshesatverystill，andseemedtobewrestlingwithherselflike。Ineversawacatmoresetoncontrollingitsfeelings，orthatseemedtosuffermoreinsilence。Itmademyheartachetowatchit。
\"’AtlastBillcametothepointwhereheandthecaptainbetween’emholdtheshark’smouthopenwhilethecabin—boydivesinheadforemost，andfetchesup，undigested，thegoldwatchandchainasthebo’sunwasa—wearingwhenhefelloverboard；andatthattheoldcatgiv’dascreech，androlledoveronhersidewithherlegsintheair。
\"’Ithoughtatfirstthepoorthingwasdead，butsheralliedafterabit，anditseemedasthoughshehadbracedherselfuptohearthethingout。
\"’Butalittlefurtheron，Billgottoomuchforheragain，andthistimesheownedherselfbeat。Sheroseupandlookedroundatus：
\"You’llexcuseme，gentlemen，\"shesaid——leastwaysthatiswhatshesaidiflooksgoforanything——\"maybeyou’reusedtothissortofrubbish，anditdon’tgetonyournerves。Withmeit’sdifferent。
IguessI’veheardasmuchofthisfool’stalkasmyconstitutionwillstand，andifit’sallthesametoyouI’llgetoutsidebeforeI’msick。\"
\"’Withthatshewalkeduptothedoor，andIopeneditforher，andshewentout。
\"’Youcan’tfoolacatwithtalksameasyoucanadog。’\"
CHAPTERVII
Doesmaneverreform？Balzacsayshedoesn’t。Sofarasmyexperiencegoes，itagreeswiththatofBalzac——afacttheadmirersofthatauthorareatlibertytomakewhatuseoftheyplease。
WhenIwasyoungandaccustomedtotakemyviewsoflifefrompeoplewhowereolderthanmyself，andwhoknewbetter，sotheysaid，I
usedtobelievethathedid。Examplesof\"reformedcharacters\"werefrequentlypointedouttome——indeed，ourvillage，situateafewmilesfromasmallseaporttown，seemedtobepeculiarlyrichinsuch。Theywere，fromallaccounts，includingtheirown，personswhohadformerlybehavedwithquiteunnecessarydepravity，andwho，atthetimeIknewthem，appearedtobegoingtoequallyobjectionablelengthsintheoppositedirection。Theyinvariablybelongedtooneoftwoclasses，thelow—spiritedortheaggressivelyunpleasant。Theysaid，andIbelieved，thattheywerehappy；butI
couldnothelpreflectinghowverysadtheymusthavebeenbeforetheywerehappy。
Oneofthem，asmall，meek—eyedoldmanwithapipingvoice，hadbeenexceptionallywildinhisyouth。WhathadbeenhisspecialvillainyIcouldneverdiscover。Peoplerespondedtomyinquiriesbysayingthathehadbeen\"Oh，generallybad，\"andincreasedmylongingfordetailbyaddingthatlittleboysoughtnottowanttoknowaboutsuchthings。FromtheirtoneandmannerIassumedthathemusthavebeenapirateattheveryleast，andregardedhimwithawe，notunmingledwithsecretadmiration。
Whateveritwas，hehadbeensavedfromitbyhiswife，abonyladyofunprepossessingappearance，butirreproachableviews。
Onedayhecalledatourhouseforsomepurposeorother，and，beingleftalonewithhimforafewminutes，Itooktheopportunityofinterviewinghimpersonallyonthesubject。
\"Youwereverywickedonce，weren’tyou？\"Isaid，seekingbyemphasisonthe\"once\"tomitigatewhatIfeltmightbethedisagreeablenatureofthequestion。
Tomyintensesurprise，agleamofshamefulglorylituphiswizenedface，andasoundwhichItriedtothinkasigh，butwhichsoundedlikeachuckle，escapedhislips。
\"Ay，\"hereplied；\"I’vebeenabitofaspankerinmytime。\"
Theterm\"spanker\"insuchconnectionpuzzledme。Ihadbeenhithertoledtoregardaspankerasaneminentlyconscientiousperson，especiallywheretheshort—comingsofotherpeoplewereconcerned；apersonwholabouredforthegoodofothers。Thatthewordcouldalsobeemployedtodesignateasinfulpartywasarevelationtome。
\"Butyouaregoodnow，aren’tyou？\"Icontinued，dismissingfurtherreflectionupontheetymologyof\"spanker\"toamorefittingoccasion。
\"Ay，ay，\"heanswered，hiscountenanceresumingitscustomaryaspectofresignedmelancholy。\"Ibeabrandpluckedfromtheburning，I
be。Therebeantmuchwrongwi’DeaconSawyers，now。\"
\"Anditwasyourwifethatmadeyougood，wasn’tit？\"Ipersisted，determined，nowthatIhadstartedthisinvestigation，toobtainconfirmationatfirsthandonallpoints。
Atthementionofhiswifehisfeaturesbecamesuddenlytransformed。
Glancinghurriedlyround，tomakesure，apparently，thatnoonebutmyselfwaswithinhearing，heleanedacrossandhissedthesewordsintomyear——Ihaveneverforgottenthem，therewasaringofsuchevidentsincerityaboutthem—
\"I’dliketoskinher，I’dliketoskinheralive。\"
Itstruckme，eveninthelightofmythenlimitedjudgment，asanunregeneratewish；andthusearlymyfaithinthepossibilityofman’sreformationreceivedthefirstofthosemanyblowsthathaveresultedinshatteringit。
Nature，whetherhumanorotherwise，wasnotmadetobereformed。
Youcandevelop，youcancheck，butyoucannotalterit。
Youcantakeasmalltigerandtrainittositonahearthrug，andtolapmilk，andsolongasyouprovideitwithhearthrugstolieonandsufficientmilktodrink，itwillpurrandbehavelikeanaffectionatedomesticpet。Butitisatiger，withallatiger’sinstincts，anditsprogenytotheendofalltimewillbetigers。
Inthesameway，youcantakeanapeanddevelopitthroughafewthousandgenerationsuntilitlosesitstailandbecomesanaltogethersuperiorape。Youcangoondevelopingitthroughstillafewmorethousandsofgenerationsuntilitgatherstoitselfoutofthewastevapoursofeternityanintellectandasoul，bytheaidofwhichitisenabledtokeeptheoriginalapishnaturemoreorlessundercontrol。
Buttheapeisstillthere，andalwayswillbe，andeverynowandagain，whenConstableCivilisationturnshisbackforamoment，asduring\"SpanishFuries，\"or\"Septembermassacres，\"orWesternmobrule，itcreepsoutandbitesandtearsatquiveringflesh，orplungesitshairyarmselbowdeepinblood，ordancesroundaburningnigger。
Iknewamanonce——or，rather，Iknewofaman——whowasaconfirmeddrunkard。Hebecameandcontinuedadrunkard，notthroughweakness，butthroughwill。Whenhisfriendsremonstratedwithhim，hetoldthemtomindtheirownbusiness，andtolethimmindhis。Ifhesawanyreasonfornotgettingdrunkhewouldgiveitup。Meanwhilehelikedgettingdrunk，andhemeanttogetdrunkasoftenaspossible。
Hewentaboutitdeliberately，anddiditthoroughly。Fornearlytenyears，soitwasreported，heneverwenttobedsober。Thismaybeanexaggeration——itwouldbeasingularreportwereitnot——butitcanberelieduponassufficientlytruthfulforallpracticalpurposes。
Thentherecameadaywhenhedidseeareasonfornotgettingdrunk。Hesignednopledge，hetooknooath。Hesaid，\"Iwillnevertouchanotherdropofdrink，\"andfortwenty—sixyearshekepthisword。
Attheendofthattimeacombinationofcircumstancesoccurredthatmadelifetroublesometohim，sothathedesiredtoberidofitaltogether。Hewasamanaccustomed，whenhedesiredathingwithinhisreach，tostretchouthishandandtakeit。Hereviewedthecasecalmly，anddecidedtocommitsuicide。
Ifthethingweretobedoneatall，itwouldbebest，forreasonsthatifsetforthwouldmakethisalongstory，thatitshouldbedonethatverynight，and，ifpossible，beforeeleveno’clock，whichwastheearliesthouracertainpersoncouldarrivefromacertainplace。
Itwasthenfourintheafternoon。Heattendedtosomenecessarybusiness，andwrotesomenecessaryletters。Thisoccupiedhimuntilseven。Hethencalledacabanddrovetoasmallhotelinthesuburbs，engagedaprivateroom，andorderedupmaterialsforthemakingoftheparticularpunchthathadbeenthelastbeveragehehadgotdrunkon，six—and—twentyyearsago。
Forthreehourshesattheredrinkingsteadily，withhiswatchbeforehim。Athalf—pasttenherangthebell，paidhisbill，camehome，andcuthisthroat。
Foraquarterofacenturypeoplehadbeencallingthatmana\"reformedcharacter。\"Hischaracterhadnotreformedonejot。Thecravingfordrinkhadneverdied。Fortwenty—sixyearshehad，beingagreatman，helditgrippedbythethroat。Whenallthingsbecameamatterofindifferencetohim，heloosenedhisgrasp，andtheevilinstinctroseupwithinhimasstrongonthedayhediedasonthedayheforceditdown。
Thatisallamancando，prayforstrengthtocrushdowntheevilthatisinhim，andtokeepithelddowndayafterday。Ineverhearwashytalkabout\"changedcharacters\"and\"reformednatures\"
butIthinkofasermonIonceheardataWesleyanrevivalistmeetingintheBlackCountry。
\"Ah！myfriends，we’veallofusgotthedevilinsideus。I’vegothim，you’vegothim，\"criedthepreacher——hewasanoldman，withlongwhitehairandbeard，andwild，fightingeyes。Mostofthepreacherswhocame\"reviving，\"asitwascalled，throughthatdistrict，hadthoseeyes。Someofthemneeded\"reviving\"
themselves，inquiteanothersense，beforetheygotclearoutofit。
Iamspeakingnowofmorethanthirtyyearsago。
\"Ah！soushave——soushave，\"cametheresponse。
\"Andyoucarn’tgetridofhim，\"continuedthespeaker。
\"Notofoursel’s，\"ejaculatedaferventvoiceattheendoftheroom，\"buttheLordwillhelpus。\"
Theoldpreacherturnedonhimalmostfiercely：—
\"Butth’Lordwoan’t，\"heshouted；\"doan’t’eereckononthat，lad。
Ye’vegothiman’ye’vegottakeephim。Yecarn’tgetridofhim。
Th’Lorddoan’tmean’eeto。\"
Heretherebrokeforthmurmursofangrydisapproval，buttheoldfellowwenton，unheeding：—
\"Itarn’tgoodfor’eetogetridofhim。Ye’vejustgottohughimtight。Doan’tlethimgo。Holdhimfast，and——LAMINTOHIM。I
tell’eeit’sgood，healthyChristianexercise。\"
Wehadbeendiscussingthesubjectwithreferencetoourhero。IthadbeensuggestedbyBrownasanunhackneyedidea，andonelendingitself，therefore，tocomparativefreshnessoftreatment，thatourheroshouldbeathorough—pacedscamp。
Jephsonsecondedtheproposal，forthereasonthatitwouldthebetterenableustoaccomplishartisticwork。Hewasofopinionthatweshouldbemoresureofourgroundindrawingavillainthaninattemptingtoportrayagoodman。
MacShaughnassythirded（ifImaycoinwhathasoftenappearedtometobeamuch—neededword）themotionwithardour。Hewastired，hesaid，ofthecrystal—hearted，noble—thinkingyoungmanoffiction。
Besides，itmadebadreadingforthe\"youngperson。\"Itgaveherfalseideas，andmadeherdissatisfiedwithmankindashereallyis。
And，thereupon，helaunchedforthandsketchedushisideaofahero，withreferencetowhomIcanonlysaythatIshouldnotliketomeethimonadarknight。
Brown，ouroneearnestmember，beggedustobereasonable，andremindedus，notforthefirsttime，andnot，perhaps，altogetherunnecessarily，thatthesemeetingswereforthepurposeofdiscussingbusiness，notoftalkingnonsense。
Thusadjured，weattackedthesubjectconscientiously。
Brown’sideawasthatthemanshouldbeanout—and—outblackguard，untilaboutthemiddleofthebook，whensomeeventshouldtranspirethatwouldhavetheeffectofcompletelyreforminghim。ThisnaturallybroughtthediscussiondowntothequestionwithwhichI
havecommencedthischapter：Doesmaneverreform？Iarguedinthenegative，andgavethereasonsformydisbeliefmuchasIhavesetthemforthhere。MacShaughnassy，ontheotherhand，contendedthathedid，andinstancedthecaseofhimself——amanwho，inhisearlydays，soheasserted，hadbeenascatterbrained，impracticableperson，entirelywithoutstability。
Imaintainedthatthiswasmerelyanexampleofenormouswill—powerenablingamantoovercomeandrisesuperiortothedefectsofcharacterwithwhichnaturehadhandicappedhim。
\"Myopinionofyou，\"Isaid，\"isthatyouarenaturallyahopelesslyirresponsible，well—meaningass。But，\"Icontinuedquickly，seeinghishandreachingouttowardsacompleteShakespeareinonevolumethatlayuponthepiano，\"yourmentalcapabilitiesareofsuchextraordinarypowerthatyoucandisguisethisfact，andmakeyourselfappearamanofsenseandwisdom。\"
BrownagreedwithmethatinMacShaughnassy’scasetracesoftheformerdispositionwereclearlyapparent，butpleadedthattheillustrationwasanunfortunateone，andthatitoughtnottohaveweightinthediscussion。
\"Seriouslyspeaking，\"saidhe，\"don’tyouthinkthattherearesomeexperiencesgreatenoughtobreakupandre—formaman’snature？\"
\"Tobreakup，\"Ireplied，\"yes；buttore—form，no。Passingthroughagreatexperiencemayshatteraman，oritmaystrengthenaman，justaspassingthroughafurnacemaymeltorpurifymetal，butnofurnaceeverlituponthisearthcanchangeabarofgoldintoabaroflead，orabarofleadintooneofgold。\"
IaskedJephsonwhathethought。Hedidnotconsiderthebarofgoldsimileagoodone。Heheldthataman’scharacterwasnotanimmutableelement。Helikenedittoadrug——poisonorelixir——
compoundedbyeachmanforhimselffromthepharmacopoeiaofallthingsknowntolifeandtime，andsawnoimpossibility，thoughsomeimprobability，intheglassbeingflungasideandafreshdraughtpreparedwithpainandlabour。
\"Well，\"Isaid，\"letusputthecasepractically；didyoueverknowaman’scharactertochange？\"
\"Yes，\"heanswered，\"Ididknowamanwhosecharacterseemedtometobecompletelychangedbyanexperiencethathappenedtohim。Itmay，asyousay，onlyhavebeenthathewasshattered，orthatthelessonmayhavetaughthimtokeephisnaturaldispositioneverundercontrol。Theresult，inanycase，wasstriking。\"
Weaskedhimtogiveusthehistoryofthecase，andhedidso。