Sheltonstopped；thequestionseemedsovulgar——onemighthaveaskeditofagroom。
\"No，\"saidShelton，andhisanswersoundedlikeagroan。
\"Youknow，mydearoldDick，\"murmuredhismother，\"itseemsalittlemad。\"
\"Iknowitseemsmad。\"
\"Come!\"saidMrs。Shelton，takinghishandbetweenherown；\"youneverusedtobelikethis。\"
\"No，\"saidShelton，withalaugh；\"Ineverusedtobelikethis。\"
Mrs。SheltonsnuggledinherChudashawl。
\"Oh，\"shesaid，withcheerysympathy，\"Iknowexactlyhowyoufeel!\"
Shelton，holdinghishead，staredatthefire，whichplayedandbubbledlikehismother\'sface。
\"Butyou\'resofondofeachother，\"shebeganagain。\"Suchasweetgirl!\"
\"Youdon\'tunderstand，\"mutteredSheltongloomily；\"it\'snother——
it\'snothing——it\'s——myself!\"
Mrs。Sheltonagainseizedhishand，andthistimepressedittohersoft，warmcheek，thathadlosttheelasticityofyouth。
\"Oh!\"shecriedagain；\"Iunderstand。Iknowexactlywhatyou\'refeeling。\"ButSheltonsawfromthefixedbeaminhereyesthatshehadnotaninkling。Todohimjustice，hewasnotsofoolishastotrytogiveherone。Mrs。Sheltonsighed。\"Itwouldbesolovelyifyoucouldwakeupto-morrowandthinkdifferently。IfIwereyou，mydear，Iwouldhaveagoodlongwalk，andthenaTurkishbath；andthenIwouldjustwritetoher，andtellherallaboutit，andyou\'llseehowbeautifullyit\'llallcomestraight\"；andintheenthusiasmofadviceMrs。Sheltonrose，and，withafaintstretchofhertinyfigure，stillsoyoung，claspedherhandstogether。\"Nowdo，that\'sadearoldDick!You\'lljustseehowlovelyit\'llbe!\"Sheltonsmiled；hehadnotthehearttochaseawaythisvision。\"Andgivehermywarmestlove，andtellherI\'mlongingforthewedding。Come，now，mydearboy，promisemethat\'swhatyou\'lldo。\"
AndSheltonsaid:\"I\'llthinkaboutit。\"
Mrs。Sheltonhadtakenupherstandwithonefootonthefender，inspiteofhersciatica，。
\"Cheerup!\"shecried；hereyesbeamedasifintoxicatedbyhersympathy。
Wonderfulwoman!Theuncomplicatedoptimismthatcarriedherthroughgoodandillhadnotdescendedtoherson。
>Frompoletopolehehadbeenthrownthatday，fromtheFrenchbarber，whoseintellectacceptednothingwithoutcarping，andwhoselittlefingersworkedallday，tosavehimselffromdyingout，tohisownmother，whoseintellectacceptedanythingpresentedwithsufficientglow，butwho，untilshedied，wouldneverstirafinger。
WhenSheltonreachedhisrooms，hewrotetoAntonia:
Ican\'twaitaboutinLondonanylonger；IamgoingdowntoBidefordtostartawalkingtour。IshallworkmywaytoOxford，andstaytheretillImaycometoHolmOaks。Ishallsendyoumyaddress；dowriteasusual。
Hecollectedallthephotographshehadofher——amateurgroups，takenbyMrs。Dennant——andpackedtheminthepocketofhisshooting-
jacket。Therewasonewhereshewasstandingjustbelowherlittlebrother，whowaspercheduponawall。Inherhalf-closedeyes，roundthroat，andsoftlytiltedchin，therewassomethingcoolandwatchful，protectingtheragamuffinupaboveherhead。Thishekeptaparttobelookedatdaily，asamansayshisprayers。
PARTII
THECOUNTRY
CHAPTERXVI
THEINDIANCIVILIAN
Onemorningthen，aweeklater，SheltonfoundhimselfatthewallsofPrincetownPrison。
Hehadseenthislugubriousstonecagebefore。Butthemagicofhismorningwalkacrossthemoor，thesightofthepagantors，thesongsofthelastcuckoo，hadunpreparedhimforthatdrearybuilding。Heleftthestreet，and，enteringthefosse，beganacircuit，scanningthewallswithmorbidfascination。
This，then，wasthesystembywhichmenenforcedthewillofthemajority，anditwassuddenlyborneinonhimthatalltheideasandmaximswhichhisChristiancountrymenbelievedthemselvestobefulfillingdailywerestultifiedineverycelluleofthesocialhoneycomb。Suchteachingsas\"Hethatiswithoutsinamongstyou\"
hadbeenpronouncedunpracticalbypeersandjudges，bishops，statesmen，merchants，husbands——infact，byeverytrulyChristianpersoninthecountry。
\"Yes，\"thoughtShelton，asifhehadfoundoutsomethingnew，\"themoreChristianthenation，thelessithastodowiththeChristianspirit。\"
Societywasacharitableorganisation，givingnothingfornothing，littleforsixpence；anditwasonlyfearthatforcedittogiveatall!
Hetookaseatonawall，andbegantowatchawarderwhowasslowlyparingalastyear\'sapple。Theexpressionofhisface，thewayhestoodwithhissolidlegsapart，hisheadpokedforwardandhislowerjawthrustout，allmadehimaperfectpillarofSociety。HewasundisturbedbyShelton\'sscrutiny，watchingtherindcoildownbelowtheapple；untilinaspringingspiralitfellonthepathandcollapsedlikeatoysnake。Hetookabite；histeethwerejagged；
andhismouthimmense。Itwasobviousthatheconsideredhimselfamostsuperiorman。Sheltonfrowned，gotdownslowly，fromthewall，andproceededonhisway。
Alittlefurtherdownthehillhestoppedagaintowatchagroupofconvictsinafield。Theyseemedtobedancinginaslowandsadcotillon，whilebehindthehedgeoneverysidewerewardersarmedwithguns。Justsuchasight，substitutingspearscouldhavebeenseeninRomantimes。
Whilehethusstoodlooking，aman，walking，rapidly，stoppedbesidehim，andaskedhowmanymilesitwastoExeter。Hisroundvisage；
andlong，browneyes，slidingaboutbeneaththeir，brows，hiscroppedhairandshortneck，seemedfamiliar。
\"YournameisCrocker，i5n\'tit？\"。
\"Why!it\'stheBird!\"exclaimedthetraveller；puttingouthishand。\"Haven\'tseenyousincewebothwentdown。\"
Sheltonreturnedhishandgrip。Crockerhadlivedabovehisheadatcollege，andoftenkepthim，sleeplesshalfthenightbyplayingonthehautboy。
\"Wherehaveyousprungfrom？\"
\"India。Gotmylongleave。Isay，areyougoingthisway？Let\'sgotogether。\"
Theywent，andveryfast；fasterandfastereveryminute。
\"Whereareyougoingatthispace？\"askedShelton。
\"London。\"
\"Oh!onlyasfarasLondon？\"
\"I\'vesetmyselftodoitinaweek。\"
\"Areyouintraining？\"
\"No。\"
\"You\'llkillyourself。\"
Crockeransweredwithachuckle。
Sheltonnotedwithalarmtheexpressionofhiseye；therewasasortofstubbornaspirationinit。\"Stillanidealist!\"hethought；
\"poorfellow!\"\"Well，\"heinquired，\"whatsortofatimehaveyouhadinIndia？\"
\"Oh，\"saidtheIndiancivilianabsently，\"I\'ve，hadtheplague。\"
\"GoodGod!\"
Crockersmiled，andadded:
\"Caughtitonfamineduty。\"
\"Isee，\"saidShelton；\"plagueandfamine!Isupposeyoufellowsreallythinkyou\'redoinggoodoutthere？\"
Hiscompanionlookedathimsurprised，thenansweredmodestly:
\"Wegetverygoodscrews。\"
\"That\'sthegreatthing，\"respondedShelton。
Afteramoment\'ssilence，Crocker，lookingstraightbeforehim，asked:
\"Don\'tyouthinkwearedoinggood？\"
\"I\'mnotanauthority；but，asamatteroffact，Idon\'t。\"
Crockerseemeddisconcerted。
\"Why？\"hebluntlyasked。
Sheltonwasnotanxioustoexplainhisviews，andhedidnotreply。
Hisfriendrepeated:
\"Whydon\'tyouthinkwe\'redoinggoodinIndia？\"
\"Well，\"saidSheltongruffly，\"howcanprogressbeimposedonnationsfromoutside？\"
TheIndiancivilian，glancingatSheltoninanaffectionateanddoubtfulway，replied:
\"Youhaven\'tchangedabit，oldchap。\"
\"No，no，\"saidShelton；\"you\'renotgoingtogetoutofitthatway。
Givemeasingleexampleofanation，oranindividual，forthatmatter，who\'severdoneanygoodwithouthavingworkeduptoitfromwithin。\"
Crocker，grunting，muttered，\"Evils。\"
\"That\'sit，\"saidShelton；\"wetakepeoplesentirelydifferentfromourown，andstoptheirnaturaldevelopmentbysubstitutingacivilisationgrownforourownuse。Suppose，lookingatatropicalferninahothouse，youweretosay:\'Thisheat\'sunhealthyforme；
thereforeitmustbebadforthefern，I\'lltakeitupandplantitoutsideinthefreshair。\'\"
\"DoyouknowthatmeansgivingupIndia？\"saidtheIndiancivilianshrewdly。
\"Idon\'tsaythat；buttotalkaboutdoinggoodtoIndiais——h\'m!\"
Crockerknittedhisbrows，tryingtoseethepointofviewhisfriendwasshowinghim。
\"Come，now!ShouldwegoonadministeringIndiaifitweredeadloss？No。Well，totalkaboutadministeringthecountryforthepurposeofpocketingmoneyiscynical，andthere\'sgenerallysometruthincynicism；buttotalkabouttheadministrationofacountrybywhichweprofit，asifitwereagreatandgoodthing，iscant。
Ihityouinthewindforthebenefitofmyself——allright:lawofnature；buttosayitdoesyougoodatthesametimeisbeyondme。\"
\"No，no，\"returnedCrocker，graveandanxious；\"youcan\'tpersuademethatwe\'renotdoinggood。\"
\"Waitabit。It\'sallaquestionofhorizons；youlookatitfromtooclose。Putthehorizonfurtherback。YouhitIndiainthewind，andsayit\'svirtuous。Well，nowlet\'sseewhathappens。Eitherthewindnevercomesback，andIndiagaspstoanuntimelydeath，orthewinddoescomeback，andinthepantofreactionyourblow——that\'stosayyourlabour——islost，morallylostlabourthatyoumighthavespentwhereitwouldn\'thavebeenlost。\"
\"Aren\'tyouanImperialist？\"askedCrocker，genuinelyconcerned。
\"Imaybe，butIkeepmymouthshutaboutthebenefitswe\'reconferringuponotherpeople。\"
\"Thenyoucan\'tbelieveinabstractright，orjustice？\"
\"WhatonearthhaveourideasofjusticeorrightgottodowithIndia？\"
\"IfIthoughtasyoudo，\"sighedtheunhappyCrocker，\"Ishouldbealladrift。\"
\"Quiteso。Wealwaysthinkourstandardsbestforthewholeworld。
It\'sacapitalbeliefforus。Readthespeechesofourpublicmen。
Doesn\'titstrikeyouasamazinghowsuretheyareofbeingintheright？It\'ssocharmingtobenefityourselfandothersatthesametime，though，whenyoucometothinkofit，oneman\'smeatisusuallyanother\'spoison。Lookatnature。ButinEnglandweneverlookatnature——there\'snonecessity。Ournationalpointofviewhasfilledourpockets，that\'sallthatmatters。\"
\"Isay，oldchap，that\'sawfullybitter，\"saidCrocker，withasortofwonderingsadness。
\"It\'senoughtomakeanyonebitterthewaywePhariseeswaxfat，andatthesametimegiveourselvesthemoralairsofaballoon。
Imuststickapininsometimes，justtohearthegasescape。\"
Sheltonwassurprisedathisownheat，andforsomestrangereasonthoughtofAntonia——surely，shewasnotaPharisee。
Hiscompanionstrodealong，andSheltonfeltsorryforthesignsoftroubleonhisface。
\"Tofillyourpockets，\"saidCrocker，\"isn\'tthemainthing。Onehasjustgottodothingswithoutthinkingofwhywedothem。\"
\"Doyoueverseetheothersidetoanyquestion？\"askedShelton。
\"Isupposenot。Youalwaysbegintoactbeforeyoustopthinking，don\'tyou？\"
Crockergrinned。
\"He\'saPharisee，too，\"thoughtShelton，\"withoutaPharisee\'spride。
Queerthingthat!\"
Afterwalkingsomedistance，asifthinkingdeeply，Crockerchuckledout:
\"You\'renotconsistent；yououghttobeinfavourofgivingupIndia。\"
Sheltonsmileduneasily。
\"Whyshouldn\'twefillourpockets？Ionlyobjecttothehumbugthatwetalk。\"
TheIndiancivilianputhishandshylythroughhisarm。
\"IfIthoughtlikeyou，\"hesaid，\"Icouldn\'tstayanotherdayinIndia。\"
AndtothisSheltonmadenoreply。
Thewindhadnowbeguntodrop，andsomethingofthemorning\'smagicwasstealingagainuponthemoor。Theywerenearingtheoutskirtfieldsofcultivation。Itwaspastfivewhen，droppingfromthelevelofthetors，theycameintothesunnyvaleofMonkland。
\"Theysay，\"saidCrocker，readingfromhisguide-book——\"theysaythisplaceoccupiesapositionofuniqueisolation。\"
Thetwotravellers，intranquilsolitude，tooktheirseatsunderanoldlime-treeonthevillagegreen。Thesmokeoftheirpipes，thesleepyair，thewarmthfromthebakedground，theconstanthum，madeSheltondrowsy。
\"Doyouremember，\"hiscompanionasked，\"those\'jaws\'youusedtohavewithBusgateandoldHalidomeinmyroomsonSundayevenings？
HowisoldHalidome？\"
\"Married，\"repliedShelton。
Crockersighed。\"Andareyou？\"heasked。
\"Notyet，\"saidSheltongrimly；\"I\'m——engaged。\"
Crockertookholdofhisarmabovetheelbow，and，squeezingit，hegrunted。Sheltonhadnotreceivedcongratulationsthatpleasedhimmore；therewasthespiceofenvyinthem。
\"IshouldliketogetmarriedwhileI\'mhome，\"saidthecivilianafteralongpause。Hislegswerestretchedapart，throwingshadowsonthegreen，hishandsdeepthrustintohispockets，hisheadalittletooneside。Anabsent-mindedsmileplayedroundhismouth。
Thesunhadsunkbehindator，butthewarmthkeptrisingfromtheground，andthesweet-briaronacottagebathedthemwithitsspicyperfume。Fromtheconverginglanesfigurespassednowandthen，loungedby，staringatthestrangers，gossipingamongstthemselves，andvanishedintothecottagesthatheadedtheincline。Aclockstruckseven，androundtheshadylime-treeachaferorsomeheavyinsectcommenceditsboomingrushes。Allwasmarvellouslysaneandslumbrous。Thesoftair，thedrawlingvoices，theshapesandmurmurs，therisingsmellofwood-smokefromfresh-kindledfires——
werefullofthespiritofsecurityandofhome。Theoutsideworldwasfarindeed。Typicalofsomeislandnationwasthisnestofrefuge——wheremengrewquietlytall，fattened，andwithoutfussdroppedofftheirperches；wherecontentmentflourished，assunflowersflourishedinthesun。
Crocker\'scapslippedoff；hewasnodding，andSheltonlookedathim。
>Fromamanorhouseinsomesuchvillagehehadissued；tooneofathousandsuchhomeshewouldfindhiswayatlast，untouchedbythestruggleswithfaminesorwithplagues，uninfectedinhisfibre，hisprejudices，andhisprinciples，unchangedbycontactwithstrangepeoples，newconditions，oddfeelings，orqueerpointsofview!
Thechaferbuzzedagainsthisshoulder，gatheredflightagain，andboomedaway。Crockerrousedhimself，and，turninghisamiableface，joggedShelton\'sarm。
\"Whatareyouthinkingabout，Bird？\"heasked。
CHAPTERXVII
APARSON
Sheltoncontinuedtotravelwithhiscollegefriend，andonWednesdaynight，fourdaysafterjoiningcompany，theyreachedthevillageofDowdenhame。Alldaylongtheroadhadlainthroughpastureland，withthickgreenhedgesandheavilyfeatheredelms。Onceortwicetheyhadbrokenthemonotonybyastretchalongthetowing-pathofacanal，which，chokedwithwater-lilyplantsandshiningweeds，broodedsluggishlybesidethefields。Nature，inoneofherironicmoods，hadcastagreyandiron-hardcloakoverallthecountry\'sblandluxuriance。Fromdawntilldarknessfelltherehadbeennomovementinthesteelydistantsky；acoldwindruffedinthehedge-
tops，andsentshiversthroughthebranchesoftheelms。Thecattle，dappled，pied，orbay，orwhite，continuedgrazingwithanairofgrumblingattheirbirthright。InameadowclosetothecanalSheltonsawfivemagpies，andaboutfiveo\'clocktherainbegan，asteady，coldly-sneeringrain，whichCrocker，lookingatthesky，declaredwasgoingtobeoverinaminute。Butitwasnotoverinaminute；theyweresoondrenched。Sheltonwastired，anditannoyedhimverymuchthathiscompanion，whowasalsotired，shouldgrowmorecheerful。HisthoughtskeptharpinguponFerrand:\"Thismustbesomethinglikewhathedescribedtome，trampingonandonwhenyou\'redead-beat，untilyoucancadgeupsupperandabed。\"AndsulkilyhekeptonploughingthroughthemudwithglancesattheexasperatingCrocker，whohadskinnedoneheelandwaslimpinghorribly。Itsuddenlycamehometohimthatlifeforthreequartersoftheworldmeantphysicalexhaustioneveryday，withoutapossibilityofalternative，andthatassoonas，forsomecausebeyondcontrol，theyfailedthustoexhaustthemselves，theywerereducedtobegorstarve。\"Andthenwe，whodon\'tknowthemeaningofthewordexhaustion，callthem\'idlescamps，\'\"hesaidaloud。
ItwaspastnineanddarkwhentheyreachedDowdenhame。Thestreetyieldednoaccommodation，andwhiledebatingwheretogotheypassedthechurch，withasquaretower，andnexttoitahousewhichwascertainlytheparsonage。
\"Suppose，\"saidCrocker，leaningonhisarmsuponthegate，\"weaskhimwheretogo\"；and，withoutwaitingforShelton\'sanswer，herangthebell。
Thedoorwasopenedbytheparson，abloodlessandclean-shavenman，whosehollowcheeksandbonyhandssuggestedaperpetualstruggle。
Asceticallybenevolentwerehisgreyeyes；apaleandghostlysmileplayedonthecurvesofhisthinlips。
\"WhatcanIdoforyou？\"heasked。\"Inn？yes，there\'stheBlueChequers，butI\'mafraidyou\'llfinditshut。They\'reearlypeople，I\'mgladtosay\"；andhiseyesseemedtomuseovertheproperfoldforthesedampsheep。\"AreyouOxfordmen，byanychance？\"heasked，asifthatmightthrowsomelightuponthematter。
\"OfMary\'s？Really!I\'mofPaul\'smyself。Ladyman——BillingtonLadyman；youmightremembermyyoungestbrother。Icouldgiveyouaroomhereifyoucouldmanagewithoutsheets。Myhousekeeperhastwodays\'holiday；she\'sfoolishlytakenthekeys。\"
Sheltonacceptedgladly，feelingthattheintonationintheparson\'svoicewasnecessaryuntohiscalling，andthathedidnotwanttopatronise。
\"You\'rehungry，Iexpect，afteryourtramp。I\'mverymuchafraidthere\'s——er——nothinginthehousebutbread；Icouldboilyouwater；
hotlemonadeisbetterthannothing。
Conductingthemintothekitchen，hemadeafire，andputakettleontoboil；then，afterleavingthemtoshedtheirsoakingclothes，returnedwithancient，greenishcoats，somecarpetslippers，andsomeblankets。Wrappedinthese，andcarryingtheirglasses，thetravellersfollowedtothestudy，where，bydoubtfullamp-light，heseemed，frombooksuponthetable，tohavebeenworkingathissermon。
\"We\'regivingyoualotoftrouble，\"saidShelton，\"it\'sreallyverygoodofyou。\"
\"Notatall，\"theparsonanswered；I\'monlygrievedthehouseisempty。\"
Itwasatrulydismalcontrasttothefatnessofthelandtheyhadbeenpassingthrough，andtheparson\'svoiceissuingfrombloodlesslips，althoughcomplacent，waspathetic。Itwaspeculiar，thatvoiceofhis，seemingtoindicateanintimateacquaintanceshipwithwhatwasfatandfine，toconveycontemptforthevulgarneedofmoney，whileallthetimehiseyes——thosewatery，asceticeyes——asplainasspeechtheysaid，\"Oh，toknowwhatitmustbeliketohaveapoundortwotosparejustonceayear，orso!\"
Everythingintheroomhadbeenboughtforcheapness；noluxurieswerethere，andnecessariesnotenough。Itwasbleakandbare；theceilingcracked，thewall-paperdiscoloured，andthosebooks——prim，shiningbooks，fat-backed，witharmsstampedonthem——glaredinthesurroundingbarrenness。
\"Mypredecessor，\"saidtheparson，\"playedratherhavocwiththehouse。Thepoorfellowhadadreadfulstruggle，Iwastold。Youcan，unfortunately，expectnothingelsethesedays，whenlivingshavecomedownsoterriblyinvalue!Hewasamarriedman——largefamily!\"
Crocker，whohaddrunkhissteaminglemonade，wassmilingandalreadynoddinginhischair；withhisblackgarmentbuttonedcloselyroundhisthroat，hislonglegsrolledupinablanket，andstretchedtowardsthefeebleflameofthenewly-lightedfire，hehadaratherpatchyair。Shelton，ontheotherhand，hadlosthisfeelingoffatigue；thestrangenessoftheplacewasstimulatinghisbrain；hekeptstealingglancesatthescantinessaround；theroom，theparson，thefurniture，theveryfire，allgavehimthefeelingcausedbyseeinglegsthathaveoutgrowntheirtrousers。Buttherewassomethingunderlyingthatleannessofthelandscape，somethingsuperiorandacademic，whichdefiedallsympathy。Itwaspurenervousnesswhichmadehimsay:
\"Ah!whydotheyhavesuchfamilies？\"
Afaintredmountedtotheparson\'scheeks；itsappearancetherewasstartling，andCrockerchuckled，asasleepymanwillchucklewhofeelsboundtoshowthatheisnotasleep。
\"It\'sveryunfortunate，\"murmuredtheparson，\"certainly，inmanycases。\"
Sheltonwouldnowhavechangedthesubject，butatthismomenttheunhappyCrockersnored。Beingamanofaction，hehadgonetosleep。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidSheltonhurriedly，ashesawtheparson\'seyebrowsrisingatthesound，\"almostwhatyoumightcallwrong。\"
\"Dearme，buthowcanitbewrong？\"
Sheltonnowfeltthathemustjustifyhissayingsomehow。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"hesaid，\"onlyonehearsofsuchalotofcases——
clergymen\'sfamilies；I\'vetwounclesofmyown，who——\"
Anewexpressiongatheredontheparson\'sface；hismouthhadtightened，andhischinrecededslightly。\"Why，he\'slikeamule!\"
thoughtShelton。Hiseyes，too，hadgrownharder，greyer，andmoreparroty。Sheltonnolongerlikedhisface。
\"PerhapsyouandI，\"theparsonsaid，\"wouldnotunderstandeachotheronsuchmatters。\"
AndSheltonfeltashamed。
\"Ishouldliketoaskyouaquestioninturn，however，\"theparsonsaid，asifdesirousofmeetingSheltononhislowground:\"Howdoyoujustifymarriageifitisnottofollowthelawsofnature？\"
\"IcanonlytellyouwhatIpersonallyfeel。\"
\"Mydearsir，youforgetthatawoman\'schiefdelightisinhermotherhood。\"
\"Ishouldhavethoughtitapleasurelikelytopallwithtoomuchrepetition。Motherhoodismotherhood，whetherofoneorofadozen。\"
\"I\'mafraid，\"repliedtheparson，withimpatience，thoughstillkeepingonhisguest\'slowground，\"yourtheoriesarenotcalculatedtopopulatetheworld。\"
\"HaveyoueverlivedinLondon？\"Sheltonasked。\"Italwaysmakesmefeeladoubtwhetherwehaveanyrighttohavechildrenatall。\"
\"Surely，\"saidtheparsonwithwonderfulrestraint，andthejointsofhisfingerscrackedwiththegriphehaduponhischair，\"youareleavingoutdutytowardsthecountry；nationalgrowthisparamount!\"
\"Therearetwowaysoflookingatthat。Itdependsonwhatyouwantyourcountrytobecome。\"
\"Ididn\'tknow，\"saidtheparson——fanaticismnowhadcreptintohissmile——\"therecouldbeanydoubtonsuchasubject。\"
ThemoreSheltonfeltthatcommandswerebeinggivenhim，themorecontroversialhenaturallybecame——apartfromthemeritsofthissubject，towhichhehadhardlyevergiventhought。
\"IdaresayI\'mwrong，\"hesaid，fasteninghiseyesontheblanketinwhichhislegswerewrapped；\"butitseemstomeatleastanopenquestionwhetherit\'sbetterforthecountrytobesowellpopulatedastobequiteincapableofsupportingitself。\"-
\"Surely，\"saidtheparson，whosefaceregaineditspallor，\"you\'renotaLittleEnglander？\"
OnSheltonthisphrasehadamysteriouseffect。Resistinganimpulsetodiscoverwhathereallywas，heansweredhastily:
\"OfcourseI\'mnot!\"
Theparsonfolloweduphistriumph，and，shiftingthegroundofthediscussionfromShelton\'stohisown，hegravelysaid:
\"Surelyyoumustseethatyourtheoryisfoundedinimmorality。Itis，ifImaysayso，extravagant，evenwicked。\"
ButShelton，sufferingfromirritationathisowndishonesty，repliedwithheat:
\"Whynotsayatonce，sir，\'hysterical，unhealthy\'？Anyopinionwhichgoescontrarytothatofthemajorityisalwayscalledso，I
believe。\"
\"Well，\"returnedtheparson，whoseeyesseemedtryingtobindSheltontohiswill，\"Imustsayyourideasdoseemtomebothextravagantandunhealthy。Thepropagationofchildrenisenjoinedofmarriage。\"
Sheltonbowedabovehisblanket，buttheparsondidnotsmile。
\"Weliveinverydangeroustimes，\"hesaid，\"anditgrievesmewhenamanofyourstandingpanderstothesenotions。\"
\"Those，\"saidShelton，\"whomtheshoedoesn\'tpinchmakethisruleofmorality，andthrustitontosuchastheshoedoespinch。\"
\"Therulewasnevermade，\"saidtheparson；\"itwasgivenus。\"
\"Oh!\"saidShelton，\"Ibegyourpardon。\"Hewasindangerofforgettingthedelicatepositionhewasin。\"Hewantstoramhisnotionsdownmythroat，\"hethought；anditseemedtohimthattheparson\'sfacehadgrownmorelikeamule\'s，hisaccentmoresuperior，hiseyesmoredictatorial:Toberightinthisargumentseemednowofgreatimportance，whereas，intruth，itwasofnoimportancewhatsoever。Thatwhich，however，wasimportantwasthefactthatinnothingcouldtheyeverhaveagreed。
ButCrockerhadsuddenlyceasedtosnore；hisheadhadfallensothatapeculiarwhistlingaroseinstead。BothSheltonandtheparsonlookedathim，andthesightsoberedthem。
\"Yourfriendseemsverytired，\"saidtheparson。
Sheltonforgotallhisannoyance，forhishostseemedsuddenlypathetic，withthosebaggygarments，hollowcheeks，andtheslightlyreddenednosethatcomesfromnotimbibingquiteenough。Akindfellow，afterall!
Thekindfellowrose，and，puttinghishandsbehindhisback，placedhimselfbeforetheblackeningfire。Wholecenturiesofauthoritystoodbehindhim。Itwasanaccidentthatthemantelpiecewaschippedandrusty，thefire-ironsbentandworn，hislinenfrayedaboutthecuffs。
\"Idon\'twishtodictate，\"saidhe，\"butwhereitseemstomethatyouarewhollywronginthatyourideasfosterinwomenthoselaxviewsofthefamilylifethataresoprevalentinSocietynowadays。\"
ThoughtsofAntoniawithhercandideyes，thetouchoffrecklingonherpink-whiteskin，thefairhairgatheredback，sprangupinShelton，andthatword——\"lax\"seemedridiculous。AndthewomenhewaswonttoseedraggingaboutthestreetsofLondonwithtwoorthreesmallchildren，Womenbentbeneaththeweightofbabiesthattheycouldnotleave，womengoingtoworkwithbabiesstillunborn，anaemic-lookingwomen，impecuniousmothersinhisownclass，withtwelveorfourteenchildren，allthevictimsofthesanctityofmarriage，andagaintheword\"lax\"seemedtoberidiculous。
\"Wearenotputintotheworldtoexerciseourwits，\"——mutteredShelton。
\"Ourwantonwills，\"theparsonsaidseverely。
\"That，sir，mayhavebeenallrightforthelastgeneration，thecountryismorecrowdednow。Ican\'tseewhyweshouldn\'tdecideitforourselves。\"
\"Suchaviewofmorality，\"saidtheparson，lookingdownatCrockerwithaghostlysmile，\"tomeisunintelligible。\"
Cracker\'swhistlinggrewintoneandinvariety。
\"WhatIhate，\"saidShelton，\"isthewaywemendecidewhatwomenaretobear，andthencallthemimmoral，decadent，orwhatyouwill，iftheydon\'tfallinwithourviews。\"
\"Mr。Shelton，\"saidtheparson，\"IthinkwemaysafelyleaveitinthehandsofGod。\"
Sheltonwassilent。
\"Thequestionsofmorality，\"saidtheparsonpromptly，\"havealwayslainthroughGodinthehandsofmen，notwomen。Wearethereasonablesex。\"
Sheltonstubbornlyreplied\"We\'recertainlythegreaterhumbugs，ifthat\'sthesame。\"
\"Thisistoobad，\"exclaimedtheparsonwithsomeheat。
\"I\'msorry，sir；buthowcanyouexpectwomennowadaystohavethesameviewsasourgrandmothers？Wemen，byourcommercialenterprise，havebroughtaboutadifferentstateofthings；yet，forthesakeofourowncomfort，wetrytokeepwomenwheretheywere。
It\'salwaysthosemenwhoaremostkeenabouttheircomfort\"——andinhisheatthesarcasmofusingtheword\"comfort\"inthatroomwaslostonhim——\"whoaresoreadytoaccusewomenofdesertingtheoldmorality。\"
Theparsonquiveredwithimpatientirony。
\"Oldmorality!newmorality!\"hesaid。\"Thesearestrangewords。\"
\"Forgiveme，\"explainedShelton；\"we\'retalkingofworkingmorality，Iimagine。There\'snotamaninamillionfittotalkoftruemorality。\"
Theeyesofhishostcontracted。
\"Ithink，\"hesaid——andhisvoicesoundedasifhehadpincheditintheendeavourtoimpresshislistener——\"thatanywell-educatedmanwhohonestlytriestoservehisGodhastherighthumbly——Isayhumbly——toclaimmorality。\"
Sheltonwasonthepointofsayingsomethingbitter，butcheckedhimself。\"HereamI，\"thoughthe，\"tryingtogetthelastword，likeanoldwoman。\"
Atthismomenttherewasheardapiteousmewing；theparsonwenttowardsthedoor。
\"Excusemeamoment；I\'mafraidthat\'soneofmycatsoutinthewet。\"Hereturnedaminutelaterwithawetcatinhisarms。\"Theywillgetout，\"hesaidtoShelton，withasmileonhisthinface，suffusedbystooping。Andabsentlyhestrokedthedrippingcat，whileadropofwetranoffhisnose。\"Poorpussy，poorpussy!\"Thesoundofthat\"Poorpussy!\"likenothinghumaninitscrackedsuperiority，thesoftnessofthatsmile，likethesmileofgentlenessitself，hauntedSheltontillhefellasleep。
CHAPTERXVIII
ACADEMIC
ThelastsunlightwasplayingontheroofswhenthetravellersenteredthatHighStreetgraveandholytoallOxfordmen。ThespirithoveringabovethespireswasasdifferentfromitsconcretionsintheircapsandgownsaseverthespiritofChristwasfromchurchdogmas。
\"ShallwegointoGrinnings\'？\"askedShelton，astheypassedtheclub。
Buteachlookedathisclothes，fortwoelegantyoungmeninflannelsuitswerecomingout。
\"Yougo，\"saidCrocker，withasmirk。
Sheltonshookhishead。Neverbeforehadhefeltsuchloveforthisoldcity。Itwasgonenowfromouthislife，buteverythingaboutitseemedsogoodandfine；evenitsexclusiveairwasnotignoble。
Clothedinthecalmofhistory，thegoldenwebofglorioustradition，radiantwiththealchemyofmemories，itbewitchedhimliketheperfumeofawoman\'sdress。Attheentranceofacollegetheyglancedinatthecoolgreypatchofstonebeyond，andthescarletofawindowflowerbox——secluded，mysteriouslycalm——anarrowvisionofthesacredpast。Paleandtrencher-capped，ayouthwithpimplyfaceandrandomnose，grabbingathisclovengown，wasgazingatthenoticeboard。Thecollegeporter——largeman，fresh-faced，andsmall-
mouthed——stoodathislodgedoorinafrankanddeferentialattitude。
Animageofroutine，helookedlikeoneengagedtogiveadecorousairtomultitudesofpecadilloes。Hisblueeyesrestedonthetravellers。\"Idon\'tknowyou，sirs，butifyouwanttospeakI
shallbegladtoheartheobservationsyoumayhavetomake，\"theyseemedtosay。
Againstthewallreposedabicyclewithtennis-racquetbuckledtoitshandle。Abull-dogbitch，workinghersnoutfromsidetoside，wassnufflinghorribly；thegreatiron-studdeddoortowhichherchainwasfastenedstayedimmovable。Throughthisnarrowmouth，humanmetalhadbeenpouredforcenturies——poured，moulded，givenback。
\"Comealong，\"saidShelton。
TheynowenteredtheBishop\'sHead，andhadtheirdinnerintheroomwhereSheltonhadgivenhisDerbydinnertofour-and-twentywell-bredyouths；herewasthepictureoftheracehorsethatthewineglass，thrownbyoneofthem，hadmissedwhenithitthewaiter；andthere，servingCrockerwithanchovysauce，wastheverywaiter。Whentheyhadfinished，Sheltonfelttheolddesiretorisewithdifficultyfromthetable；theoldlongingtopatrolthestreetswitharmhookedinsomeotherarm；theoldeagernesstodareanddosomethingheroic——andunlawful；theoldsensethathewasoftheforestset，intheforestcollege，oftheforestcountryinthefinestworld。Thestreets，allgraveandmellowinthesunset，seemedtoapplaudthisafter-dinnerstroll；theentrancequadofhisoldcollege——spaciouslymajestic，monasticallymodern，foryearstheheartofhisuniverse，thefocusofwhathadgonebeforeitinhislife，castingtheshadowofitsgreywallsoverallthathadcomeafter-broughthimasenseofrestfromconflict，andtrustinhisownimportantsafety。Thegarden-gate，whoseloftyspikeshehadsooftencrownedwithemptywater-bottles，failedtorousehim。Norwhentheypassedthestaircasewherehehadflungalegoflambatsomeindelicatedisturbingtutor，didhefeelremorse。Highonthatstaircaseweretheroomsinwhichhehadcrammedforhisdegree，uponthesystembywhichthescholarsimmersonthefireofcramming，boilsoveratthemomentofexamination，andisextinctforeverafter。Hiscoach\'sfacerecurredtohim，amanwiththrustingeyes，whoreeledoffknowledgealltheweek，anddisappearedtotownonSundays。
Theypassedtheirtutor\'sstaircase。
\"IwonderiflittleTurlwouldrememberus？\"saidCrocker；\"Ishouldliketoseehim。Shallwegoandlookhimup？\"
\"LittleTurl？\"saidSheltondreamily。
Mounting，theyknockeduponasoliddoor。
\"Comein，\"saidthevoiceofSleepitself。
Alittlemanwithapinkfaceandlargeredearswassittinginafatpinkchair，asifhehadbeengrownthere。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"heaskedofthem，blinking。
\"Don\'tyouknowme，sir？\"
\"Godblessme!Crocker，isn\'tit？Ididn\'trecogniseyouwithabeard。\"
Crocker，whohadnotbeenshavedsincestartingonhistravels，chuckledfeebly。
\"YourememberShelton，sir？\"hesaid。
\"Shelton？Ohyes!Howdoyoudo，Shelton？Sitdown；takeacigar\"；
and，crossinghisfatlittlelegs，thelittlegentlemanlookedthemupanddownwithdrowsyinterest，aswhoshouldsay，\"Now，after，allyouknow，whycomeandwakemeuplikethis？\"
SheltonandCrockertooktwootherchairs；theytooseemedthinking，\"Yes，whydidwecomeandwakehimuplikethis？\"AndShelton，whocouldnottellthereasonwhy，tookrefugeinthesmokeofhiscigar。
ThepanelledwallswerehungwithprintsofcelebratedGreekremains；
thesoft，thickcarpetonthefloorwasgratefultohistiredfeet；
thebacksofmanybooksgleamedrichlyinthelightoftheoillamps；
thecultureandtobaccosmokestoleonhissenses；hebutvaguelycomprehendedCrocker\'samiabletalk，vaguelytheanswersofhislittlehost，whoseface，blinkingbehindthebowlofhishugemeerschaumpipe，hadsuchaqueerresemblancetoamoon。Thedoorwasopened，andatallcreature，whoseeyeswerelargeandbrown，whosefacewasrosyandironical，enteredwithamanlystride。
\"Oh!\"hesaid，lookingroundhimwithhischinalittleintheair，\"amIintruding，Turl？\"
Thelittlehost，blinkingmorethanever，murmured，\"Notatall，Berryman——takeapew!\"
ThevisitorcalledBerrymansatdown，andgazedupatthewallwithhisfineeyes。
Sheltonhadafaintremembranceofthisdon，andbowed；butthenew-
comersatsmiling，anddidnotnoticethesalute。
\"TrimmerandWasherarecominground，\"hesaid，andashespokethedooropenedtoadmitthesegentlemen。Ofthesameheight，butdifferentappearance，theirmannerwasfaintlyjocular，faintlysupercilious，asiftheytoleratedeverything。TheonewhosenamewasTrimmerhadpatchesofredonhislargecheek-bones，andonhischeeksabluishtint。Hislipswereratherfull，sothathehadalikenesstoaspider。Washer，whowasthinandpale，woreanintellectualsmile。
Thelittlefathostmovedthehandthatheldthemeerschaum。
\"Crocker，Shelton，\"hesaid。
Anawkwardsilencefollowed。Sheltontriedtorousetheculturedportionofhiswits；butthesensethatnothingwouldbetreatedseriouslyparalysedhisfaculties；hestayedsilent，staringattheglowingtipofhiscigar。Itseemedtohimunfairtohaveintrudedonthesegentlemenwithoutitshavingbeenmadequitecleartothembeforehandwhoandwhathewas；herosetotakehisleave，butWasherhadbeguntospeak。
\"MadameBovary!\"hesaidquizzically，readingthetitleofthebookonthelittlefatman\'sbookrest；and，holdingitclosertohisboiled-lookingeyes，herepeated，asthoughitwereajoke，\"MadameBovary!\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，Turl，thatyoucanstandthatstuff？\"saidBerryman。
Asmighthavebeenexpected，thiscelebratednovel\'snamehadgalvanisedhimintolife；hestrolledovertothebookcase，tookdownabook，openedit，andbegantoread，wanderinginadesultorywayabouttheroom。
\"Ha!Berryman，\"saidaconciliatoryvoicebehind——itcamefromTrimmer，whohadsethisbackagainstthehearth，andgraspedwitheitherhandafistfulofhisgown——\"thebook\'saclassic!\"
\"Classic!\"exclaimedBerryman，transfixingSheltonwithhiseyes；
\"thefellowoughttohavebeenhorsewhippedforwritingsuchputridity!\"
AfeelingofhostilityinstantlysprangupinShelton；helookedathislittlehost，who，however，merelyblinked。
\"Berrymanonlymeans，\"explainsWasher，acertainmaliceinhissmile，\"thattheauthorisn\'toneofhisparticularpets。\"