……Yousee，Dick[heread]，Ioughttohavecutyou；butIfelttoocrazy——everythingseemssojollyathome，eventhisstuffyoldLondon。Ofcourse，Iwantedtotalktoyoubadly——thereareheapsofthingsonecan\'tsaybyletter——butIshouldhavebeensorryafterwards。Itoldmother。ShesaidIwasquiteright，butIdon\'tthinkshetookitin。Don\'tyoufeelthattheonlythingthatreallymattersistohaveanideal，andtokeepitsosafethatyoucanalwayslookforwardandfeelthatyouhavebeen——Ican\'texactlyexpressmymeaning。Sheltonlitacigaretteandfrowned。Itseemedtohimqueerthatsheshouldsetmorestorebyan\"ideal\"thanbythefactthattheyhadmetforthefirstandonlytimeinmanyweeks。
\"Isupposeshe\'sright，\"hethoughts——\"Isupposeshe\'sright。I
oughtnottohavetriedtospeaktoher!\"Asamatteroffact，hedidnotatallfeelthatshewasright。
CHAPTERXIII
AN\"ATHOME\"
OnTuesdaymorninghewanderedofftoPaddington，hopingforachanceviewofheronherwaydowntoHolmOaks；butthesenseoftheridiculous，onwhichhehadbeennurtured，wasstrongenoughtokeephimfromactuallyenteringthestationandlurkingaboutuntilshecame。WithapangofdisappointmentheretracedhisstepsfromPraedStreettothePark，andoncetheretriednofurthertowaylayher。
Hepaidaroundofcallsintheafternoon，mostlyonherrelations；
and，seekingoutAuntCharlotte，hedolorouslyrelatedhisencounterintheRow。Butshefoundit\"rathernice，\"andonhispressingherwithhisviews，shemurmuredthatitwas\"quiteromantic，don\'tyouknow。\"
\"Still，it\'sveryhard，\"saidShelton；andhewentawaydisconsolate。
Ashewasdressingfordinnerhiseyefellonacardannouncingthe\"athome\"ofoneofhisowncousins。Herhusbandwasacomposer，andhehadavagueideathathewouldfindatthehouseofacomposersomequiteunusuallyfreekindofatmosphere。Afterdiningattheclub，therefore，hesetoutforChelsea。Thepartywasheldinalargeroomontheground-floor，whichwasalreadycrowdedwithpeoplewhenSheltonentered。Theystoodorsataboutingroupswithsmilesfixedontheirlips，andthelightfromballoon-likelampsfellinpatchesontheirheadsandhandsandshoulders。Someonehadjustfinishedrenderingonthepianoacompositionofhisown。Anexpertcouldatoncehavepickedoutfromamongsttheapplaudingcompanythosewhoweremusiciansbyprofession，fortheireyessparkled，andacertainaciditypervadedtheirenthusiasm。Thisfreemasonryofprofessionalintoleranceflewfromonetotheotherlikeabreathofunanimity，andthefaintshruggingofshoulderswasasharmoniousasthoughoneofthehighwindowshadbeenopenedsuddenly，admittingadraughtofchillMayair。
Sheltonmadehiswayuptohiscousin——afragile，grey-hairedwomaninblackvelvetandVenetianlace，whosestarryeyesbeamedathim，untilherduties，afterthecustomofthesesocialgatherings，obligedhertobreakoffconversationjustasitbegantointeresthim。Hewaspassedontoanotherladywhowasalreadytalkingtotwogentlemen，and，theirvolubilitybeinggreaterthanhisown，hefellintothepositionofobserver。Insteadoftheprofoundquestionshehadsomehowexpectedtohearraised，everybodyseemedgossiping，orsearchingtheheartofsuchtopicsaswheretogothissummer，orhowtogetnewservants。Triflingwithcoffee-cups，theydissectedtheirfellowartistsinthesamewayashissocietyfriendsoftheothernighthaddissectedthefellow——\"smart\"；andthevarnishonthefloor，thepictures，andthepianowerereflectedonallthefacesaround。Sheltonmovedfromgrouptogroupdisconsolate。
Atall，imposingpersonstoodunderaJapaneseprintholdingthepalmofonehandoutspread；hisunwieldytrunkandthinlegswobbledinconcerttohisingratiatingvoice。
\"War，\"hewassaying，\"isnotnecessary。Warisnotnecessary。I
hopeImakemyselfclear。Warisnotnecessary；itdependsonnationality，butnationalityisnotnecessary。\"Heinclinedhisheadtooneside，\"Whydowehavenationality？Letusdoawaywithboundaries——letushavethewarfareofcommerce。IfIseeFrancelookingatBrighton\"——helaidhisheadupononeside，andbeamedatShelton，——\"whatdoIdo？DoIsay\'Handsoff\'？No。\'Takeit，\'
Isay——takeit!\'\"Hearchlysmiled。\"Butdoyouthinktheywould？\"
AndthesoftnessofhiscontoursfascinatedShelton。
\"Thesoldier，\"thepersonunderneaththeprintresumed，\"isnecessarilyonalowerplane——intellectually——oh，intellectually——
thanthephilanthropist。Hissufferingsarelessacute；heenjoysthecompensationsofadvertisement——youadmitthat？\"hebreathedpersuasively。\"Forinstance——Iamquiteimpersonal——Isuffer；butdoItalkaboutit？\"But，someonegazingathiswell-filledwaistcoat，heputhisthesisinanotherform:\"Ihaveoneacreandonecow，mybrotherhasoneacreandonecow:doIseektotakethemawayfromhim？\"
Sheltonhazarded，\"Perhapsyou\'reweakerthanyourbrother。\"
\"Come，come!Takethecaseofwomen:now，Iconsiderourmarriagelawsarebarbarous。\"
ForthefirsttimeSheltonconceivedrespectforthem；hemadeacomprehensivegesture，andedgedhimselfintotheconversationofanothergroup，forfearofhavingallhisprejudicesoverturned。
HereanIrishsculptor，standinginacurve，wassayingfuriously，\"Beesarenotbhumpkins，d——ntheirsowls!\"AScotchpainter，wholistenedwithacurlysmile，seemedtryingtocompromisethisproposition，whichappearedtohaverelationtothemiddleclasses；
andthoughagreeingwiththeIrishman，Sheltonfeltnervousoverhisdischargeofelectricity。NexttothemtwoAmericanladies，assembledunderthetentofhairbelongingtoawriterofsongs，werediscussingtheemotionsarousedinthembyWagner\'soperas。
\"Theyproduceastrangeconditionofaffairsinme，\"saidthethinnerone。
\"They\'rejustdivine，\"saidthefatter。
\"Idon\'tknowifyoucancallthefleshlylustsdivine，\"repliedthethinner，lookingintotheeyesofthewriterofthesongs。
Amidstallthehumofvoicesandthefumesofsmoke，asenseofformalitywashauntingShelton。SandwichedbetweenaDutchmanandaPrussianpoet，hecouldunderstandneitherofhisneighbours；so，assuminganintelligentexpression，hefelltothinkingthatanassemblageoffreespiritsisasmuchboundbytheconventionofexchangingtheirideasascommonplacepeoplearebytheconventionofhavingnoideastotrafficin。Hecouldnothelpwonderingwhether，inthebulk，theywerenotjustasdependentoneachotherastheinhabitantsofKensington；whether，likelocomotives，theycouldrunatallwithouttheseopportunitiesforblowingoffthesteam，andwhatwouldbeleftwhenthesteamhadallescaped。Somebodyceasedplayingtheviolin，andclosetohimagroupbegandiscussingethics。
Aspirationswereintheairallround，likealotofhungryghosts。
Herealisedthat，iftonguebegiventothem，theflavourvanishesfromideaswhichhauntthesoul。
Againtheviolinistplayed。
\"Cockgracious!\"saidthePrussianpoet，fallingintoEnglishasthefiddleceased:\"Colossal!\'Aber，wieeristgrossartig\'!\"
\"HaveyoureadthatthingofBesom\'s？\"askedshrillvoicebehind。
\"Oh，mydearfellow!toohorridforwords；heoughttobehanged!\"
\"Theman\'sdreadful，\"pursuedthevoice，shrillerthanever；\"nothingbutavolcaniceruptionwouldcurehim。\"
Sheltonturnedinalarmtolookattheauthorsofthesestatements。
Theyweretwomenofletterstalkingofathird。
\"\'C\'estungrandnaif，voussavez，\'\"saidthesecondspeaker。
\"Thesefellowsdon\'texist，\"resumedthefirst；hissmalleyesgleamedwithagreenlight，hiswholefacehadalookasifhegnawedhimself。Thoughnotamanofletters，Sheltoncouldnothelprecognisingfromthoseeyeswhatjoyitwastosaythosewords:
\"Thesefellowsdon\'texist!\"
\"PoorBesom!YouknowwhatMoultersaid……\"
Sheltonturnedaway，asifhehadbeentooclosetoonewhosehairsmeltofcantharides；and，lookingroundtheroom，hefrowned。Withtheexceptionofhiscousin，heseemedtheonlypersonthereofEnglishblood。Americans，Mesopotamians，Irish，Italians，Germans，Scotch，andRussians。Hewasnotcontemptuousofthemforbeingforeigners；itwassimplythatGodandtheclimatehadmadehimdifferentbyaskinorso。
ButatthispointhisconclusionsweredeniedaswillsometimeshappenbyhisintroductiontoanEnglishman——aMajorSomebody，who，withsmoothhairandblondmoustache，neateyesandneaterclothes，seemedalittleanxiousathisownpresencethere。Sheltontookalikingtohim，partlyfromafellow-feeling，andpartlybecauseofthegentlesmilewithwhichhewaslookingathiswife。Almostbeforehehadsaid\"Howdoyoudo？\"hewasplungedintoadiscussiononimperialism。
\"Admittingallthat，\"saidShelton，\"whatIhateisthehumbugwithwhichweprideourselvesonbenefitingthewholeworldbyourso-
calledcivilisingmethods。\"
Thesoldierturnedhisreasonableeyes。
\"Butisithumbug？\"
Sheltonsawhisargumentinperil。Ifwereallythoughtit，wasithumbug？Hereplied，however:
\"Whyshouldwe，asmallportionoftheworld\'spopulation，assumethatourstandardsaretheproperonesforeverykindofrace？Ifit\'snothumbug，it\'ssheerstupidity。\"
Thesoldier，withouttakinghishandsoutofhispockets，butbyaforwardmovementofhisfaceshowingthathewasbothsincereandjust，re-replied:
\"Well，itmustbeagoodsortofstupidity；itmakesusthenationthatweare。\"
Sheltonfeltdazed。Theconversationbuzzedaroundhim；heheardthesmilingprophetsaying，\"Altruism，altruism，\"andinhisvoiceasomethingseemedtomurmur，\"Oh，IdosohopeImakeagoodimpression!\"
Helookedatthesoldier\'sclear-cutheadwithitswell-openedeyes，thetinycrow\'s-feetattheircorners，theconventionalmoustache；heenviedthecertaintyoftheconvictionslyingunderthatwell-partedhair。
\"IwouldratherweweremenfirstandthenEnglishmen，\"hemuttered；
\"Ithinkit\'sallasortofnationalillusion，andIcan\'tstandillusions。\"
\"Ifyoucometothat，\"saidthesoldier，\"theworldlivesbyillusions。Imean，ifyoulookathistory，you\'llseethatthecreationofillusionshasalwaysbeenherbusiness，don\'tyouknow。\"
ThisSheltonwasunabletodeny。
\"So，\"continuedthesoldierwhowasevidentlyahighlycultivatedman，\"ifyouadmitthatmovement，labour，progress，andallthathavebeenproperlygiventobuildinguptheseillusions，that——er——infact，they\'rewhatyoumightcall——er——theoutcomeoftheworld\'screscendo，\"herushedhisvoiceoverthisphraseasifashamedofit——\"whydoyouwanttodestroythem？\"
Sheltonthoughtamoment，then，squeezinghisbodywithhisfoldedarms，replied:
\"Thepasthasmadeuswhatweare，ofcourse，andcannotbedestroyed；buthowaboutthefuture？It\'ssurelytimetoletinair。Cathedralsareveryfine，andeverybodylikesthesmellofincense；butwhenthey\'vebeenforcenturieswithoutventilationyouknowwhattheatmospheregetslike。\"
Thesoldiersmiled。
\"Byyourownadmission，\"hesaid，\"you\'llonlybecreatingafreshsetofillusions。\"
\"Yes，\"answeredShelton，\"butatalleventsthey\'llbethehonestnecessitiesofthepresent。\"
Thepupilsofthesoldier\'seyescontracted；heevidentlyfelttheconversationslippingintogeneralities；heanswered:
\"Ican\'tseehowthinkingsmallbeerofourselvesisgoingtodousanygood!\"
An\"AtHome\"
Sheltonfeltindangerofbeingthoughtunpracticalingivingventtotheremark:
\"Onemusttrustone\'sreason；InevercanpersuademyselfthatI
believeinwhatIdon\'t。\"
Aminutelater，withacordialhandshake，thesoldierleft，andSheltonwatchedhiscourteousfigureshepherdinghiswifeaway。
\"Dick，mayIintroduceyoutoMr。WilfridCurly？\"saidhiscousin\'svoicebehind，andhefoundhishandbeingdiffidentlyshakenbyafresh-cheekedyouthwithadome-likeforehead，whowassayingnervously:
\"Howdoyoudo？Yes，Iamverywell，thankyou!\"
Henowrememberedthatwhenhehadfirstcomeinhehadwatchedthisyouth，whohadbeenstandinginacornerindulginghimselfinprivatesmiles。Hehadanuncommonlook，asthoughhewereinlovewithlife——asthoughheregardeditasacreaturetowhomonecouldputquestionstotheveryend——interesting，humorous，earnestquestions。
Helookeddiffident，andamiable，andindependent，andhe，too，wasevidentlyEnglish。
\"Areyougoodatargument？\"saidShelton，atalossforaremark。
Theyouthsmiled，blushed，and，puttingbackhishair，replied:
\"Yes——no——Idon\'tknow；Ithinkmybraindoesn\'tworkfastenoughforargument。Youknowhowmanymotionsofthebrain-cellsgotoeachremark。It\'sawfullyinteresting\"；and，bendingfromthewaistinamathematicalposition，heextendedthepalmofonehand，andstartedtoexplain。
Sheltonstaredattheyouth\'shand，athisfrownsandthetapshegavehisforeheadwhilehefoundtheexpressionofhismeaning；hewasintenselyinterested。Theyouthbrokeoff，lookedathiswatch，and，blushingbrightly，said:
\"I\'mafraidIhavetogo；Ihavetobeatthe\'Den\'beforeeleven。\"
\"Imustbeoff，too，\"saidShelton。Makingtheiradieuxtogether，theysoughttheirhatsandcoats。
CHAPTERXIV
THENIGHTCLUB
\"MayIask，\"saidShelton，asheandtheyouthcameoutintothechillystreet，\"Whatitisyoucallthe\'Den\'？\"
Hiscompanionsmilinglyanswered:
\"Oh，thenightclub。Wetakeitinturns。Thursdayismynight。
Wouldyouliketocome？Youseealotoftypes。It\'sonlyroundthecorner。\"
Sheltondigestedamomentarydoubt，andanswered:
\"Yes，immensely。\"
Theyreachedthecornerhouseinanangleofa，dismalstreet，throughtheopendoorofwhichtwomenhadjustgonein。Following，theyascendedsomewooden，fresh-washedstairs，andenteredalargeboardedroomsmellingofsawdust，gas，stalecoffee，andoldclothes。
Itwasfurnishedwithabagatelleboard，twoorthreewoodentables，somewoodenforms，andawoodenbookcase。Seatedonthesewoodenchairs，orstandingup，wereyouths，andoldermenoftheworkingclass，whoseemedtoSheltontobepeculiarlydejected。Onewasreading，oneagainstthewallwasdrinkingcoffeewithadisillusionedair，twowereplayingchess，andagroupoffourmadeaceaselessclatterwiththebagatelle。
Alittlemaninadarksuit，withapaleface，thinlips，anddeep-
set，black-encircledeyes，whowasobviouslyincharge，cameupwithananaemicsmile。
\"You\'reratherlate，\"hesaidtoCurly，and，lookingasceticallyatShelton，asked，withoutwaitingforanintroduction:\"Doyouplaychess？There\'syoungSmithwantsagame。\"
Ayouthwithawoodenface，alreadyseatedbeforeafly-blownchess-
board，askedhimdrearilyifhewouldhaveblackorwhite。Sheltontookwhite；hewasoppressedbythevirtuousodourofthisroom。
Thelittlemanwiththedeepblueeyescameup，stoodinanuneasyattitude，andwatched:
\"Yourplay\'simproving，youngSmith，\"hesaid；\"Ishouldthinkyou\'dbeabletogiveBanksaknight。\"HiseyesrestedonShelton，fanaticalanddreary；hismonotonousvoicewassufferingandnasal；
hewascontinuallysuckinginhislips，asthoughdeterminedtosubdue\'theflesh。\"Youshouldcomehereoften，\"hesaidtoShelton，asthelatterreceivedcheckmate；\"you\'dgetsomegoodpractice。
We\'veseveralveryfairplayers。You\'renotasgoodasJonesorBartholomew，\"headdedtoShelton\'sopponent，asthoughhefeltitadutytoputthelatterinhisplace。\"Yououghttocomehereoften，\"
herepeatedtoShelton；\"wehavealotofverygoodyoungfellows\"；
and，withatouchofcomplacence，heglancedaroundthedismalroom。
\"Therearenotsomanyheretonightasusual。WhereareToombsandBody？\"
Shelton，too，lookedanxiouslyaround。HecouldnothelpfeelingsympathywithToombsandBody。
\"They\'regettingslack，I\'mafraid，\"saidthelittledeep-eyedman。
\"Ourprincipleistoamuseeveryone。Excusemeaminute；IseethatCarpenterisdoingnothing。\"Hecrossedovertothemanwhohadbeendrinkingcoffee，butSheltonhadbarelytimetoglanceathisopponentandtrytothinkofaremark，beforethelittlemanwasback。\"Doyouknowanythingaboutastronomy？\"heaskedofShelton。
\"Wehaveseveralveryinterestedinastronomy；ifyoucouldtalktothemalittleitwouldhelp。\"
Sheltonmadeamotionofalarm。
\"Please-no，\"saidhe；\"I——\"
\"Iwishyou\'dcomesometimesonWednesdays；wehavemostinterestingtalks，andaserviceafterwards。We\'realwaysanxioustogetnewblood\"；andhiseyessearchedShelton\'sbrown，rathertough-lookingface，asthoughtryingtoseehowmuchbloodtherewasinit。\"YoungCurlysaysyou\'vejustbeenaroundtheworld；youcoulddescribeyourtravels。\"
\"MayIask，\"saidShelton，\"howyourclubismadeup？\"
Againalookofcomplacency，andblessedassuagement，visitedthelittleman。
\"Oh，\"hesaid，\"wetakeanybody，unlessthere\'sanythingagainstthem。TheDaySocietyseestothat。Ofcourse，weshouldn\'ttakeanyoneiftheyweretoreportagainstthem。Yououghttocometoourcommitteemeetings；they\'reonMondaysatseven。Thewomen\'sside，too——\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidShelton；\"you\'reverykind——\"
\"Weshouldbepleased，\"saidthelittleman；andhisfaceseemedtosuffermorethanever。\"They\'remostlyyoungfellowshereto-night，butwehavemarriedmen，too。Ofcourse，we\'reverycarefulaboutthat，\"headdedhastily，asthoughhemighthaveinjuredShelton\'sprejudices——\"that，anddrink，andanythingcriminal，youknow。\"
\"Anddoyougivepecuniaryassistance，too？\"
\"Ohyes，\"repliedthelittleman；\"ifyouweretocometoourcommitteemeetingsyouwouldseeforyourself。Everythingismostcarefullygoneinto；weendeavourtosiftthewheatfromthechaff。\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidShelton，\"youfindagreatdealofchaff？\"
Thelittlemansmiledasufferingsmile。Thetwangofhistonelessvoicesoundedatrifleshriller。
\"Iwasobligedtorefuseamanto-day——amanandawoman，quiteyoungpeople，withthreesmallchildren。Hewasillandoutofwork；butoninquirywefoundthattheywerenotmanandwife。\"
Therewasaslightpause；thelittleman\'seyeswerefastenedonhisnails，and，withanappearanceofenjoyment，hebegantobitethem。
Shelton\'sfacehadgrownatriflered。
\"Andwhatbecomesofthewomanandthechildreninacaselikethat？\"
hesaid。
Thelittleman\'seyesbegantosmoulder。
\"Wemakeapointofnotencouragingsin，ofcourse。Excusemeaminute；Iseethey\'vefinishedbagatelle。\"
Hehurriedoff，andinamomenttheclackofbagatellebeganagain。
Hehimselfwasplayingwithacoldandspuriousenergy，runningaftertheballsandexhortingtheotherplayers，uponwhomawoodenacquiescenceseemedtofall。
Sheltoncrossedtheroom，andwentuptoyoungCurly。Hewassittingonabench，smilingtohimselfhisprivatesmiles。
\"Areyoustayingheremuchlonger？\"Sheltonasked。
YoungCurlyrosewithnervoushaste。
\"I\'mafraid，\"hesaid，\"there\'snobodyveryinterestinghereto-
night。\"
\"Oh，notatall!\"saidShelton；\"onthecontrary。OnlyI\'vehadarathertiringday，andsomehowIdon\'tfeeluptothestandardhere。\"
Hisnewacquaintancesmiled。
\"Oh，really!doyouthink——thatis——\"
Buthehadnottimetofinishbeforetheclackofbagatelleballsceased，andthevoiceofthelittledeep-eyedmanwasheardsaying:
\"Anybodywhowantsabookwillputhisnamedown。Therewillbetheusualprayer-meetingonWednesdaynext。Willyouallgoquietly？
Iamgoingtoturnthelightsout。\"
Onegas-jetvanished，andtheremainingjetflaredsuddenly。Byitsharderglarethewoodenroomlookedhardertoo，anddisenchanting。
Thefiguresofitsoccupantsbeganfilingthroughthedoor。Thelittlemanwasleftinthecentreoftheroom，hisdeepeyessmoulderinguponthebacksoftheretreatingmembers，histhumbandfingerraisedtotheturncockofthemetre。
\"Doyouknowthispart？\"askedyoungCurlyastheyemergedintothestreet。\"It\'sreallyjolly；oneofthedarkestbitsinLondon——itisreally。Ifyoucare，Icantakeyouthroughanawfullydangerousplacewherethepolicenevergo。\"HeseemedsoanxiousforthehonourthatSheltonwasloathtodisappointhim。\"Icomehereprettyoften，\"hewenton，astheyascendedasortofalleyramblingdarklybetweenawallandrowofhouses。
\"Why？\"askedShelton；\"itdoesn\'tsmelltoonice。\"
Theyoungmanthrewuphisnoseandsniffed，asifeagertoaddanynewscentthatmightbeabouttohisknowledgeoflife。
\"No，that\'soneofthereasons，youknow，\"hesaid；\"onemustfindout。Thedarknessisjolly，too；anythingmighthappenhere。Lastweektherewasamurder；there\'salwaysthechanceofone。\"
Sheltonstared；butthechargeofmorbidnesswouldnotlieagainstthisfresh-cheekedstripling。
\"There\'sasplendiddrainjusthere，\"hisguideresumed；\"thepeoplearedyinglikefliesoftyphoidinthosethreehouses\"；andunderthefirstlightheturnedhisgrave，cherubicfacetoindicatethehouses。\"IfwewereintheEastEnd，Icouldshowyouotherplacesquiteasgood。There\'sacoffee-stallkeeperinonethatknowsallthethievesinLondon；he\'sasplendidtype，but，\"headded，lookingalittleanxiouslyatShelton，\"itmightn\'tbesafeforyou。Withmeit\'sdifferent；they\'rebeginningtoknowme。I\'venothingtotake，yousee。\"
\"I\'mafraiditcan\'tbeto-night，\"saidShelton；\"Imustgetback。\"
\"DoyoumindifIwalkwithyou？It\'ssojollynowthestarsareout。\"
\"Delighted，\"saidShelton；\"doyouoftengotothatclub？\"
Hiscompanionraisedhishat，andranhisfingersthroughhishair。
\"They\'rerathertoohigh-classforme，\"hesaid。\"Iliketogowhereyoucanseepeopleeat——schooltreats，orsomewhereinthecountry。Itdoesonegoodtoseethemeat。Theydon\'tgetenough，yousee，asarule，tomakebone；it\'sallusedupforbrainandmuscle。Therearesomeplacesinthewinterwheretheygivethembreadandcocoa；Iliketogotothose。\"
\"Iwentonce，\"saidShelton，\"butIfeltashamedforputtingmynosein。\"
\"Oh，theydon\'tmind；mostofthemarehalf-deadwithcold，youknow。
Youseesplendidtypes；lotsofdipsomaniacs……It\'susefultome，\"hewentonastheypassedapolice-station，\"towalkaboutatnight；onecantakesomuchmorenotice。IhadajollynightlastweekinHydePark；achancetostudyhumannaturethere。\"
\"Anddoyoufinditinteresting？\"askedShelton。
Hiscompanionsmiled。
\"Awfully，\"hereplied；\"Isawafellowpickthreepockets。\"
\"Whatdidyoudo？\"
\"Ihadajollytalkwithhim。\"
Sheltonthoughtofthelittledeep-eyedman；whomadeapointofnotencouragingsin。
\"HewasoneoftheprofessionalsfromNottingHill，youknow；toldmehislife。Neverhadachance，ofcourse。ThemostinterestingpartwastellinghimI\'dseenhimpickthreepockets——likecreepingintoacave，whenyoucan\'ttellwhat\'sinside。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Heshowedmewhathe\'dgot——onlyfivepencehalfpenny。\"
\"Andwhatbecameofyourfriend？\"askedShelton。
\"Oh，wentoff；hehadasplendidlylowforehead。\"
TheyhadreachedShelton\'srooms。
\"Willyoucomein，\"saidthelatter，\"andhaveadrink？\"
Theyouthsmiled，blushed，andshookhishead。
\"No，thankyou，\"hesaid；\"IhavetowalktoWhitechapel。I\'mlivingonporridgenow；splendidstuffformakingbone。Igenerallyliveonporridgeforaweekattheendofeverymonth。It\'sthebestdietifyou\'rehardup\"；oncemoreblushingandsmiling，hewasgone。
Sheltonwentupstairsandsatdownonhisbed。Hefeltalittlemiserable。Sittingthere，slowlypullingouttheendsofhiswhitetie，disconsolate，hehadavisionofAntoniawithhergazefixedwonderinglyonhim。Andthiswonderofherscameasarevelation——
justasthatmorning，when，lookingfromhiswindow，hehadseenapasser-bystopsuddenlyandscratchhisleg；andithadcomeuponhiminaflashthatthatmanhadthoughtsandfeelingsofhisown。HewouldneverknowwhatAntoniareallyfeltandthought。\"TillIsawheratthestation，Ididn\'tknowhowmuchIlovedherorhowlittleIknewher\"；and，sighingdeeply，hehurriedintobed。
CHAPTERXV
POLETOPOLE
ThewaitinginLondonforJulytocomewasdailymoreunbearabletoShelton，andifithadnotbeenforFerrand，whostillcametobreakfast，hewouldhavedesertedtheMetropolis。OnJunefirstthelatterpresentedhimselfratherlaterthanwashiscustom，andannouncedthat，throughafriend，hehadheardofapositionasinterpretertoanhotelatFolkestone。
\"IfIhadmoneytofacethefirstnecessities，hesaid，swiftlyturningoveracollectionofsmearedpaperswithhisyellowfingers，asifsearchingforhisownidentity，\"I\'dleavetoday。ThisLondonblackensmyspirit。\"
\"Areyoucertaintogetthisplace，\"askedShelton。
\"Ithinkso，\"theyoungforeignerreplied；\"I\'vegotsomegoodenoughrecommendations。\"
Sheltoncouldnothelpadubiousglanceatthepapersinhishand。A
hurtlookpassedontoFerrand\'scurlylipsbeneathhisnascentredmoustache。
\"Youmeanthattohavefalsepapersisasbadastheft。No，no；I
shallneverbeathief——I\'vehadtoomanyopportunities，\"saidhe，withprideandbitterness。\"That\'snotinmycharacter。Ineverdoharmtoanyone。This\"——hetouchedthepapers——\"isnotdelicate，butitdoesharmtonoone。Ifyouhavenomoneyyoumusthavepapers；
theystandbetweenyouandstarvation。Society，hasanexcellenteyeforthehelpless——itnevertreadsonpeopleunlessthey\'rereallydown。\"HelookedatShelton。
\"You\'vemademewhatIam，amongstyou，\"heseemedtosay；，\"nowputupwithme!\"
\"Buttherearealwaystheworkhouses，\"Sheltonremarkedatlast。
\"Workhouses!\"returnedFerrand；\"certainlythereare——regularpalaces:Iwilltellyouonething:I\'veneverbeeninplacessodiscouragingasyourworkhouses；theytakeone\'sveryheartout。\"
\"Ialwaysunderstood，\"saidSheltoncoldly；\"thatoursystemwasbetterthanthatofothercountries。\"
Ferrandleanedoverinhischair，anelbowonhisknee，hisfavouriteattitudewhenparticularlycertainofhispoint。
\"Wellhereplied，\"it\'salwayspermissibletothinkwellofyourowncountry。But，frankly，I\'vecomeoutofthoseplacesherewithlittlestrengthandnoheartatall，andIcantellyouwhy。\"Hislipslosttheirbitterness，andhebecameanartistexpressingtheresultofhisexperience。\"Youspendyourmoneyfreely，youhavefinebuildings，self-respectingofficers，butyoulackthespiritofhospitality。Thereasonisplain；youhaveahorroroftheneedy。
Youinviteus——andwhenwecomeyoutreatusjustlyenough，butasifwewerenumbers，criminals，beneathcontempt——asifwehadinflictedapersonalinjuryonyou；andwhenwegetoutagain，wearenaturallydegraded。\"
Sheltonbithislips。
\"Howmuchmoneywillyouwantforyourticket，andtomakeastart？\"
heasked。
ThenervousgestureescapingFerrandatthisjuncturebetrayedhowfarthemostindependentthinkersaredependentwhentheyhavenomoneyintheirpockets。HetookthenotethatSheltonprofferedhim。
\"Athousandthanks，\"saidhe；\"Ishallneverforgetwhatyouhavedoneforme\"；andSheltoncouldnothelpfeelingthattherewastrueemotionbehindhistitteroffarewell。
HestoodatthewindowwatchingFerrandstartintotheworldagain；
thenlookedbackathisowncomfortableroom，withthenumberofthingsthathadaccumulatedsomehow——thephotographsofcountlessfriends，theoldarm-chairs，thestockofcolouredpipes。Intohimrestlessnesshadpassedwiththefarewellclaspoftheforeigner\'sdamphand。TowaitaboutinLondonwasunbearable。
Hetookhishat，and，heedlessofdirection，walkedtowardstheriver。Itwasaclear，brightday，withableakwinddrivingshowersbeforeit。DuringoneofsuchSheltonfoundhimselfinLittleBlankStreet。\"IwonderhowthatlittleFrenchmanthatIsawisgettingon!\"hethought。Onafinedayhewouldprobablyhavepassedbyontheotherside；henowenteredandtappeduponthewicket。
No。3LittleBlankStreethadabatednothingofitsstone-flaggeddreariness；thesameblowsywomanansweredhisinquiry。Yes，Carolanwasalwaysin；youcouldnevercatchhimout——seemedafraidtogointothestreet!TohercallthelittleFrenchmanmadehisappearanceaspunctuallyasifhehadbeentherabbitofaconjurer。
Hisfacewasasyellowasaguinea。
\"Ah!it\'syou，monsieur!\"hesaid。
\"Yes，\"saidShelton；\"andhowareyou？\"
\"It\'sfivedayssinceIcameoutofhospital，\"mutteredthelittleFrenchman，tappingonhischest；\"acrisisofthisbadatmosphere。
Ilivehere，shutupinabox；itdoesmeharm，beingfromtheSouth。
Ifthere\'sanythingIcandoforyou，monsieur，itwillgivemepleasure。\"
\"Nothing，\"repliedShelton，\"Iwasjustpassing，andthoughtIshouldliketohearhowyouweregettingon。\"
\"Comeintothekitchen，——monsieur，thereisnobodyinthere。\'Brr!
Ilfaitunfroidetonnant\'!\"
\"Whatsortofcustomershaveyoujustnow？\"askedShelton，astheypassedintothekitchen。
\"Alwaysthesameclientele，\"repliedthelittleman；\"notsonumerous，ofcourse，itbeingsummer。\"
\"Couldn\'tyoufindanythingbetterthanthistodo？\"
Thebarber\'scrow\'s-feetradiatedirony。
\"WhenIfirstcametoLondon，\"saidhe，\"Isecuredanengagementatoneofyourpublicinstitutions。Ithoughtmyfortunemade。_
Imagine，monsieur，inthatsacredplaceIwasobligedtoshaveattherateoftenapenny!Here，it\'strue，theydon\'tpaymehalfthetime；butwhenI\'mpaid，I\'mpaid。Inthis，climate，andbeing\'poitrinaire\'，onedoesn\'tmakeexperiments。Ishallfinishmydayshere。Haveyouseenthatyoungmanwhointerestedyou？There\'sanother!Hehasspirit，asIhadonce——\'ilfaitdelaphilosophie\'，asIdo——andyouwillsee，monsieur，itwillfinishhim。Inthisworldwhatyouwantistohavenospirit。Spiritruinsyou。\"
Sheltonlookedsidewaysatthelittlemanwithhissardonic，yellow，half-deadface，andtheincongruityoftheword\"spirit\"inhismouthstruckhimsosharplythathesmiledasmilewithmorepityinitthananyburstoftears。
\"Shallwe\'sitdown？\"hesaid，offeringacigarette。
\"Merci，monsieur，itisalwaysapleasuretosmokeagoodcigarette。
Youremember，thatoldactorwhogaveyouaJeremiad？Well，he\'sdead。Iwastheonlyoneathisbedside；\'unvraidrole\'。Hewasanotherwhohadspirit。Andyouwi11see，monsieur，thatyoungmaninwhomyoutakeaninterest，he\'lldieinahospital，orinsome。
holeorother，orevenonthehighroad；havingclosedhiseyesoncetoooftensomecoldnight；andallbecausehehassomethinginhimwhichwillnotacceptthingsastheyare，believingalwaysthattheyshouldbebetter。\'Iln\'yariensdeplustragique\'!\"
\"Accordingtoyou，then，\"saidShelton——andtheconversationseemedtohimofasuddentohavetakentoopersonalaturn——\"rebellionofanysortisfatal。\"
\"Ah!\"repliedthelittleman，withtheeagernessofonewhoseidealitistositundertheawningofacaf？andtalklifeupsidedown，\"youposemeagreatproblemthere!Ifonemakesrebellion；itisalwaysprobablethatonewilldonogoodtoanyoneandharmone\'sself。Thelawofthemajorityarrangesthat。ButIwoulddrawyourattentiontothis\"——andhepaused；asifitwerearealdiscoverytoblowsmokethroughhisnose——\"ifyourebelitisinalllikelihoodbecauseyouareforcedbyyournaturetorebel；thisisoneofthemostcertainthingsinlife。Inanycase，itisnecessarytoavoidfallingbetweentwostools——whichisunpardonable，\"heendedwithcomplacence。
Sheltonthoughthehadneverseenamanwholookedmorecompletelyasifhehadfallenbetweentwostools，andhehadinspirationenoughtofeelthatthelittlebarber\'sintellectualrebellionandtheactionlogicallyrequiredbyithadnomorethanabowingacquaintanceship。
\"Bynature，\"wentonthelittleman，\"Iamanoptimist；itisinconsequenceofthisthatInowmakepessimism。Ihavealwayshadideals；seeingmyselfcutofffromthemforever，Imustcomplain；tocomplain，monsieur，isverysweet!\"
Sheltonwonderedwhattheseidealshadbeen，buthadnoanswerready；
sohenodded，andagainheldouthiscigarettes，for，likeatrueSoutherner，thelittlemanhadthrownthefirstaway，halfsmoked。
\"Thegreatestpleasureinlife，\"continuedtheFrenchman，withabow，\"istotalkalittletoabeingwhoiscapableofunderstandingyou。
Atpresentwehavenoonehere，nowthatthatoldactor\'sdead。Ah!
therewasamanwhowasrebellionincarnate!Hemaderebellionasothermenmakemoney，\'c\'etaitsonmetier\'；whenhewasnolongercapableofactiverevolution，hemadeitgettingdrunk。AtthelastthiswashisonlywayofprotestingagainstSociety。Aninterestingpersonality，\'jeleregrettebeaucoup\'。But，asyousee，hediedingreatdistress，withoutasoultowavehimfarewell，becauseasyoucanwellunderstand，monsieur，Idon\'tcountmyself。Hedieddrunk。
\'C\'etaitunhomme\'!\"
Sheltonhadcontinuedstaringkindlyatthelittleman；thebarberaddedhastily:
\"It\'sdifficulttomakeanendlikethatonehasmomentsofweakness。\"
\"Yes，\"assentedShelton，\"onehasindeed。\"
Thelittlebarberlookedathimwithcynicaldiscretion。
\"Oh!\"hesaid，\"it\'stothedestitutethatsuchthingsareimportant。Whenonehasmoney，allthesematters——\"
Heshruggedhisshoulders。Asmilehadlodgedamongsthiscrow\'s-
feet；hewavedhishandasthoughtoendthesubject。
AsenseofhavingbeenexposedcameoverShelton。
\"Youthink，then，\"saidhe，\"thatdiscontentispeculiartothedestitute？\"
\"Monsieur，\"repliedthelittlebarber，\"aplutocratknowstoowellthatifhemixesinthat\'galere\'there\'snotadoginthestreetsmorelostthanhe。\"
Sheltonrose。
\"Therainisover。Ihopeyou\'llsoonbebetter；perhapsyou\'llacceptthisinmemoryofthatoldactor，\"andheslippedasovereignintothelittleFrenchman\'shand。
Thelatterbowed。
\"Wheneveryouarepassing，monsieur，\"hesaideagerly，\"Ishallbecharmedtoseeyou。\"
AndSheltonwalkedaway。\"\'Notadoginthestreetsmorelost，\'\"
thoughthe；\"nowwhatdidhemeanbythat？\"
Somethingofthat\"lostdog\"feelinghadgrippedhisspirit。Anothermonthofwaitingwouldkillallthesavourofanticipation，mightevenkillhislove。Intheexcitementofhissensesandhisnerves，causedbythisstrainofwaiting，everythingseemedtoovivid；allwasbeyondlifesize；likeArt——whosetruths；toostrongfordailyuse，arethus，unpopularwithhealthypeople。Aswillthe，bones；inawornface，thespiritunderlyingthingshadreachedthesurface；
themeannessandintolerablemeasureofhardfacts，weretooapparent。Somecravingforhelp，someinstinct，drovehimintoKensington，forhefoundhimselfbeforehis，mother\'shouse。
Providenceseemedbentonflinginghimfrompoletopole。
Mrs。Sheltonwasintown；and，thoughitwasthefirstofJune，satwarmingherfeetbeforeafire；herface，withitspleasantcolour，wascrow\'s-footedlikethelittlebarber\'s，butfromoptimism，notrebellion。She，smiledwhenshesawherson；andthewrinklesroundhereyestwinkled，withvitality。
\"Well，mydearboy，\"shesaid，\"it\'slovelytoseeyou。Andhowisthatsweetgirl？\"
\"Verywell，thankyou，\"repliedShelton。
\"Shemustbesuchadear!\"
\"Mother，\"stammeredShelton，\"Imustgiveitup。\"
\"Giveitup？MydearDick，givewhatup？Youlookquiteworried。
Comeandsitdown，andhaveacosychat。Cheerup!\"AndMrs。
Shelton；withherheadaskew，gazedathersonquiteirrepressibly。
Mother，\"saidShelton，who，confrontedbyheroptimism，hadnever，sincehistimeoftrialbegan，feltsowretchedlydejected，\"Ican\'tgoonwaitingaboutlikethis。\"
\"Mydearboy，whatisthematter？\"；
\"Everythingiswrong!
\"Wrong？\"criedMrs。Shelton。\"Come，tellmeall，aboutit!\"
ButShelton，shookhishead。
\"Yousurelyhavenothadaquarrel——\"
Mrs。