Hethankedher，andaskedwhereaboutsthatplacewas。
“Youappeartowanttoknowagooddeal，“sheremarked。
ButMargarethadforbiddenhertobemysterious。ShetoldhimagainstherbetterjudgmentthatHowardsEndwasinHertfordshire。
“Isitavillage，please？“
“Village！It\'sMr。Wilcox\'sprivatehouse——atleast，it\'soneofthem。Mrs。Wilcoxkeepsherfurniturethere。
Hiltonisthevillage。“
“Yes。Andwhenwilltheybeback？“
“Mr。Schlegeldoesn\'tknow。Wecan\'tknoweverything，canwe？“Sheshuthimout，andwenttoattendtothetelephone，whichwasringingfuriously。
Heloiteredawayanothernightofagony。Confessiongrewmoredifficult。Assoonaspossiblehewenttobed。Hewatchedapatchofmoonlightcrosstheflooroftheirlodging，and，assometimeshappenswhenthemindisovertaxed，hefellasleepfortherestoftheroom，butkeptawakeforthepatchofmoonlight。Horrible！
Thenbeganoneofthosedisintegratingdialogues。Partofhimsaid:
“Whyhorrible？It\'sordinarylightfromtheroom。““Butitmoves。“
“Sodoesthemoon。““Butitisaclenchedfist。““Whynot？““Butitisgoingtotouchme。““Letit。“And，seemingtogathermotion，thepatchranuphisblanket。Presentlyabluesnakeappeared；thenanother，paralleltoit。“Istherelifeinthemoon？““Ofcourse。““ButI
thoughtitwasuninhabited。““NotbyTime，Death，Judgment，andthesmallersnakes。““Smallersnakes！“saidLeonardindignantlyandaloud。“Whatanotion！“Byarendingeffortofthewillhewoketherestoftheroomup。Jacky，thebed，theirfood，theirclothesonthechair，graduallyenteredhisconsciousness，andthehorrorvanishedoutwards，likearingthatisspreadingthroughwater。
“Isay，Jacky，I\'mgoingoutforabit。“
Shewasbreathingregularly。Thepatchoflightfellclearofthestripedblanket，andbegantocovertheshawlthatlayoverherfeet。Whyhadhebeenafraid？Hewenttothewindow，andsawthatthemoonwasdescendingthroughaclearsky。Hesawhervolcanoes，andthebrightexpansesthatagraciouserrorhasnamedseas。Theypaled，forthesun，whohadlitthemup，wascomingtolighttheearth。SeaofSerenity，SeaofTranquillity，OceanoftheLunarStorms，mergedintoonelucentdrop，itselftoslipintothesempiternaldawn。Andhehadbeenafraidofthemoon！
Hedressedamongthecontendinglights，andwentthroughhismoney。Itwasrunninglowagain，butenoughforareturntickettoHilton。AsitclinkedJackyopenedhereyes。
“Hullo，Len！Whatho，Len！“
“Whatho，Jacky！seeyouagainlater。“
Sheturnedoverandslept。
Thehousewasunlocked，theirlandlordbeingasalesmanatConventGarden。Leonardpassedoutandmadehiswaydowntothestation。Thetrain，thoughitdidnotstartforanhour，wasalreadydrawnupattheendoftheplatform，andhelaydowninitandslept。
Withthefirstjolthewasindaylight；theyhadleftthegatewaysofKing\'sCross，andwereunderbluesky。Tunnelsfollowed，andaftereachtheskygrewbluer，andfromtheembankmentatFinsburyParkhehadhisfirstsightofthesun。Itrolledalongbehindtheeasternsmokes——awheel，whosefellowwasthedescendingmoon——andasyetitseemedtheservantofthebluesky，notitslord。Hedozedagain。OverTewinWateritwasday。Totheleftfelltheshadowoftheembankmentanditsarches；totherightLeonardsawupintotheTewinWoodsandtowardsthechurch，withitswildlegendofimmortality。Sixforesttrees——thatisafact——growoutofoneofthegravesinTewinchurchyard。Thegrave\'soccupant——thatisthelegend——isanatheist，whodeclaredthatifGodexisted，sixforesttreeswouldgrowoutofhergrave。ThesethingsinHertfordshire；andfartherafieldlaythehouseofahermit——Mrs。
Wilcoxhadknownhim——whobarredhimselfup，andwroteprophecies，andgaveallhehadtothepoor。While，powderedinbetween，werethevillasofbusinessmen，whosawlifemoresteadily，thoughwiththesteadinessofthehalf-closedeye。Overallthesunwasstreaming，toallthebirdsweresinging，toalltheprimroseswereyellow，andthespeedwellblue，andthecountry，howevertheyinterpretedher，wasutteringhercryof“now。“ShedidnotfreeLeonardyet，andtheknifeplungeddeeperintohisheartasthetraindrewupatHilton。Butremorsehadbecomebeautiful。
Hiltonwasasleep，orattheearliest，breakfasting。
Leonardnoticedthecontrastwhenhesteppedoutofitintothecountry。
Heremenhadbeenupsincedawn。Theirhourswereruled，notbyaLondonoffice，butbythemovementsofthecropsandthesun。Thattheyweremenofthefinesttypeonlythesentimentalistcandeclare。
Buttheykepttothelifeofdaylight。TheyareEngland\'shope。
Clumsilytheycarryforwardthetorchofthesun，untilsuchtimeasthenationseesfittotakeitup。Halfclodhopper，halfboard-schoolprig，theycanstillthrowbacktoanoblerstock，andbreedyeomen。
Atthechalkpitamotorpassedhim。Initwasanothertype，whomNaturefavours——theImperial。Healthy，everinmotion，ithopestoinherittheearth。Itbreedsasquicklyastheyeoman，andassoundly；strongisthetemptationtoacclaimitasasuper-yeoman，whocarrieshiscountry\'svirtueoverseas。ButtheImperialistisnotwhathethinksorseems。Heisadestroyer。
Hepreparesthewayforcosmopolitanism，andthoughhisambitionsmaybefulfilled，theearththatheinheritswillbegrey。
ToLeonard，intentonhisprivatesin，therecametheconvictionofinnategoodnesselsewhere。Itwasnottheoptimismwhichhehadbeentaughtatschool。Againandagainmustthedrumstap，andthegoblinsstalkovertheuniversebeforejoycanbepurgedofthesuperficial。Itwasratherparadoxical，andarosefromhissorrow。
Deathdestroysaman，buttheideaofdeathsaveshim——thatisthebestaccountofitthathasyetbeengiven。Squalorandtragedycanbeckontoallthatisgreatinus，andstrengthenthewingsoflove。Theycanbeckon；itisnotcertainthattheywill，fortheyarenotlove\'sservants。
Buttheycanbeckon，andtheknowledgeofthisincredibletruthcomfortedhim。
Asheapproachedthehouseallthoughtstopped。
Contradictorynotionsstoodsidebysideinhismind。Hewasterrifiedbuthappy，ashamed，buthaddonenosin。Heknewtheconfession:
“Mrs。Wilcox，Ihavedonewrong，“butsunrisehadrobbeditsmeaning，andhefeltratheronasupremeadventure。
Heenteredagarden，steadiedhimselfagainstamotor-carthathefoundinit，foundadooropenandenteredahouse。
Yes，itwouldbeveryeasy。Fromaroomtotheleftheheardvoices，Margaret\'samongstthem。Hisownnamewascalledaloud，andamanwhomhehadneverseensaid，“Oh，ishethere？Iamnotsurprised。
Inowthrashhimwithinaninchofhislife。“
“Mrs。Wilcox，“saidLeonard，“Ihavedonewrong。“
Themantookhimbythecollarandcried，“Bringmeastick。“Womenwerescreaming。Astick，verybright，descended。
Ithurthim，notwhereitdescended，butintheheart。Booksfelloverhiminashower。Nothinghadsense。
“Getsomewater，“commandedCharles，whohadallthroughkeptverycalm。“He\'sshamming。OfcourseIonlyusedtheblade。Here，carryhimoutintotheair。“
Thinkingthatheunderstoodthesethings，Margaretobeyedhim。TheylaidLeonard，whowasdead，onthegravel；Helenpouredwateroverhim。
“That\'senough，“saidCharles。
“Yes，murder\'senough，“saidMissAvery，comingoutofthehousewiththesword。Chapter42WhenCharlesleftDucieStreethehadcaughtthefirsttrainhome，buthadnoinklingofthenewestdevelopmentuntillateatnight。Thenhisfather，whohaddinedalone，sentforhim，andinverygravetonesinquiredforMargaret。
“Idon\'tknowwheresheis，pater，“saidCharles。
“Dollykeptbackdinnernearlyanhourforher。“
“Tellmewhenshecomesin。“
Anotherhourpassed。Theservantswenttobed，andCharlesvisitedhisfatheragain，toreceivefurtherinstructions。
Mrs。Wilcoxhadstillnotreturned。
“I\'llsitupforheraslateasyoulike，butshecanhardlybecoming。Isn\'tshestoppingwithhersisteratthehotel？“
“Perhaps，“saidMr。Wilcoxthoughtfully——“perhaps。“
“CanIdoanythingforyou，sir？“
“Nottonight，myboy。“
Mr。Wilcoxlikedbeingcalledsir。Heraisedhiseyesandgavehissonmoreopenalookoftendernessthanheusuallyventured。HesawCharlesaslittleboyandstrongmaninone。
Thoughhiswifehadprovedunstablehischildrenwerelefttohim。
AftermidnighthetappedonCharles\'sdoor。
“Ican\'tsleep，“hesaid。“Ihadbetterhaveatalkwithyouandgetitover。“
Hecomplainedoftheheat。Charlestookhimoutintothegarden，andtheypacedupanddownintheirdressing-gowns。
Charlesbecameveryquietasthestoryunrolled；hehadknownallalongthatMargaretwasasbadashersister。
“Shewillfeeldifferentlyinthemorning，“saidMr。Wilcox，whohadofcoursesaidnothingaboutMrs。Bast。“ButIcannotletthiskindofthingcontinuewithoutcomment。IammorallycertainthatsheiswithhersisteratHowardsEnd。Thehouseismine——and，Charles，itwillbeyours——andwhenIsaythatnooneistolivethere，Imeanthatnooneistolivethere。Iwon\'thaveit。“
Helookedangrilyatthemoon。“Tomymindthisquestionisconnectedwithsomethingfargreater，therightsofpropertyitself。“
“Undoubtedly，“saidCharles。
Mr。Wilcoxlinkedhisarminhisson\'s，butsomehowlikedhimlessashetoldhimmore。“Idon\'twantyoutoconcludethatmywifeandIhadanythingofthenatureofaquarrel。Shewasonlyover-wrought，aswhowouldnotbe？IshalldowhatIcanforHelen，butontheunderstandingthattheyclearoutofthehouseatonce。
Doyousee？Thatisasinequanon。“
“ThenateighttomorrowImaygoupinthecar？“
“Eightorearlier。Saythatyouareactingasmyrepresentative，and，ofcourse，usenoviolence，Charles。“
Onthemorrow，asCharlesreturned，leavingLeonarddeaduponthegravel，itdidnotseemtohimthathehadusedviolence。
Deathwasduetoheartdisease。Hisstepmotherherselfhadsaidso，andevenMissAveryhadacknowledgedthatheonlyusedtheflatofthesword。Onhiswaythroughthevillageheinformedthepolice，whothankedhim，andsaidtheremustbeaninquest。Hefoundhisfatherinthegardenshadinghiseyesfromthesun。
“Ithasbeenprettyhorrible，“saidCharlesgravely。
“Theywerethere，andtheyhadthemanuptherewiththemtoo。“
“What——whatman？“
“Itoldyoulastnight。HisnamewasBast。“
“MyGod，isitpossible？“saidMr。Wilcox。
“Inyourmother\'shouse！Charles，inyourmother\'shouse！“
“Iknow，pater。ThatwaswhatIfelt。
Asamatteroffact，thereisnoneedtotroubleabouttheman。Hewasinthelaststagesofheartdisease，andjustbeforeIcouldshowhimwhatIthoughtofhimhewentoff。Thepoliceareseeingaboutitatthismoment。“
Mr。Wilcoxlistenedattentively。
“Igotupthere——oh，itcouldn\'thavebeenmorethanhalf-pastseven。TheAverywomanwaslightingafireforthem。
Theywerestillupstairs。Iwaitedinthedrawing-room。Wewereallmoderatelycivilandcollected，thoughIhadmysuspicions。
Igavethemyourmessage，andMrs。Wilcoxsaid，\'Ohyes，Isee；yes，\'inthatwayofhers。“
“Nothingelse？“
“Ipromisedtotellyou，\'withherlove，\'thatshewasgoingtoGermanywithhersisterthisevening。Thatwasallwehadtimefor。“
Mr。Wilcoxseemedrelieved。
“BecausebythenIsupposethemangottiredofhiding，forsuddenlyMrs。Wilcoxscreamedouthisname。Irecognizedit，andIwentforhiminthehall。WasIright，pater？Ithoughtthingsweregoingalittletoofar。“
“Right，mydearboy？Idon\'tknow。Butyouwouldhavebeennosonofmineifyouhadn\'t。Thendidhejust——just——crumpleupasyousaid？“Heshrunkfromthesimpleword。
“Hecaughtholdofthebookcase，whichcamedownoverhim。SoImerelyputthesworddownandcarriedhimintothegarden。Weallthoughthewasshamming。However，he\'sdeadrightenough。Awfulbusiness！“
“Sword？“criedhisfather，withanxietyinhisvoice。
“Whatsword？Whosesword？“
“Aswordoftheirs。“
“Whatwereyoudoingwithit？“
“Well，didn\'tyousee，pater，IhadtosnatchupthefirstthinghandyIhadn\'tariding-whiporstick。IcaughthimonceortwiceovertheshoulderswiththeflatoftheiroldGermansword。“
“Thenwhat？“
“Hepulledoverthebookcase，asIsaid，andfell，“
saidCharles，withasigh。Itwasnofundoingerrandsforhisfather，whowasneverquitesatisfied。
“Buttherealcausewasheartdisease？Ofthatyou\'resure？“
“Thatorafit。However，weshallhearmorethanenoughattheinquestonsuchunsavourytopics。“
Theywentintobreakfast。Charleshadarackingheadache，consequentonmotoringbeforefood。Hewasalsoanxiousaboutthefuture，reflectingthatthepolicemustdetainHelenandMargaretfortheinquestandferretthewholethingout。HesawhimselfobligedtoleaveHilton。Onecouldnotaffordtolivenearthesceneofascandal——itwasnotfaironone\'swife。Hiscomfortwasthatthepater\'seyeswereopenedatlast。Therewouldbeahorriblesmashup，andprobablyaseparationfromMargaret；thentheywouldallstartagain，moreastheyhadbeeninhismother\'stime。
“IthinkI\'llgoroundtothepolice-station，“saidhisfatherwhenbreakfastwasover。
“Whatfor？“criedDolly，whohadstillnotbeen“told。“
“Verywell，sir。Whichcarwillyouhave？“
“IthinkI\'llwalk。“
“It\'sagoodhalf-mile，“saidCharles，steppingintothegarden。“Thesun\'sveryhotforApril。Shan\'tItakeyouup，andthen，perhaps，alittlespinroundbyTewin？“
“YougoonasifIdidn\'tknowmyownmind，“saidMr。Wilcoxfretfully。Charleshardenedhismouth。“Youyoungfellows\'oneideaistogetintoamotor。Itellyou，Iwanttowalk:
I\'mveryfondofwalking。“
“Oh，allright；I\'maboutthehouseifyouwantmeforanything。Ithoughtofnotgoinguptotheofficetoday，ifthatisyourwish。“
“Itis，indeed，myboy，“saidMr。Wilcox，andlaidahandonhissleeve。
Charlesdidnotlikeit；hewasuneasyabouthisfather，whodidnotseemhimselfthismorning。Therewasapetulanttouchabouthim——morelikeawoman。Coulditbethathewasgrowingold？TheWilcoxeswerenotlackinginaffection；theyhaditroyally，buttheydidnotknowhowtouseit。Itwasthetalentinthenapkin，and，forawarm-heartedman，Charleshadconveyedverylittlejoy。
Ashewatchedhisfathershufflinguptheroad，hehadavagueregret——awishthatsomethinghadbeendifferentsomewhere——awishthoughhedidnotexpressitthusthathehadbeentaughttosay“I“inhisyouth。
HemeanttomakeupforMargaret\'sdefection，butknewthathisfatherhadbeenveryhappywithheruntilyesterday。Howhadshedoneit？
Bysomedishonesttrick，nodoubt——buthow？
Mr。Wilcoxreappearedateleven，lookingverytired。
TherewastobeaninquestonLeonard\'s\'bodytomorrow，andthepolicerequiredhissontoattend。
“Iexpectedthat，“saidCharles。“Ishallnaturallybethemostimportantwitnessthere。“Chapter43OutoftheturmoilandhorrorthathadbegunwithAuntJuley\'sillnessandwasnoteventoendwithLeonard\'sdeath，itseemedimpossibletoMargaretthathealthylifeshouldre-emerge。Eventssucceededinalogical，yetsenseless，train。Peoplelosttheirhumanity，andtookvaluesasarbitraryasthoseinapackofplaying-cards。ItwasnaturalthatHenryshoulddothisandcauseHelentodothat，andthenthinkherwrongfordoingit；naturalthatsheherselfshouldthinkhimwrong；naturalthatLeonardshouldwanttoknowhowHelenwas，andcome，andCharlesbeangrywithhimforcoming——natural，butunreal。Inthisjangleofcausesandeffectswhathadbecomeoftheirtrueselves？HereLeonardlaydeadinthegarden，fromnaturalcauses；yetlifewasadeep，deepriver，deathabluesky，lifewasahouse，deathawispofhay，aflower，atower，lifeanddeathwereanythingandeverything，exceptthisorderedinsanity，wherethekingtakesthequeen，andtheacetheking。Ah，no；therewasbeautyandadventurebehind，suchasthemanatherfeethadyearnedfor；therewashopethissideofthegrave；thereweretruerrelationshipsbeyondthelimitsthatfetterusnow。Asaprisonerlooksupandseesstarsbeckoning，soshe，fromtheturmoilandhorrorofthosedays，caughtglimpsesofthedivinerwheels。
AndHelen，dumbwithfright，buttryingtokeepcalmforthechild\'ssake，andMissAvery，calm，butmurmuringtenderly，“Nooneevertoldtheladhe\'llhaveachild“——theyalsoremindedherthathorrorisnottheend。Towhatultimateharmonywetendshedidnotknow，butthereseemedgreatchancethatachildwouldbebornintotheworld，totakethegreatchancesofbeautyandadventurethattheworldoffers。Shemovedthroughthesunlitgarden，gatheringnarcissi，crimson-eyedandwhite。Therewasnothingelsetobedone；thetimefortelegramsandangerwasover，anditseemedwisestthatthehandsofLeonardshouldbefoldedonhisbreastandbefilledwithflowers。
Herewasthefather；leaveitatthat。LetSqualorbeturnedintoTragedy，whoseeyesarethestars，andwhosehandsholdthesunsetandthedawn。
Andeventheinfluxofofficials，eventhereturnofthedoctor，vulgarandacute，couldnotshakeherbeliefintheeternityofbeauty。Scienceexplainedpeople，butcouldnotunderstandthem。
Afterlongcenturiesamongthebonesandmusclesitmightbeadvancingtoknowledgeofthenerves，butthiswouldnevergiveunderstanding。
OnecouldopenthehearttoMr。Mansbridgeandhissortwithoutdiscoveringitssecretstothem，fortheywantedeverythingdowninblackandwhite，andblackandwhitewasexactlywhattheywereleftwith。
TheyquestionedhercloselyaboutCharles。
Sheneversuspectedwhy。Deathhadcome，andthedoctoragreedthatitwasduetoheartdisease。Theyaskedtoseeherfather\'ssword。
SheexplainedthatCharles\'sangerwasnatural，butmistaken。MiserablequestionsaboutLeonardfollowed，allofwhichsheansweredunfalteringly。
ThenbacktoCharlesagain。“NodoubtMr。Wilcoxmayhaveinduceddeath，“shesaid；“butifitwasn\'tonethingitwouldhavebeenanother，asyouyourselvesknow。“Atlasttheythankedher，andtooktheswordandthebodydowntoHilton。Shebegantopickupthebooksfromthefloor。
Helenhadgonetothefarm。Itwasthebestplaceforher，sinceshehadtowaitfortheinquest。Though，asifthingswerenothardenough，Madgeandherhusbandhadraisedtrouble；
theydidnotseewhytheyshouldreceivetheoffscouringsofHowardsEnd。
And，ofcourse，theywereright。Thewholeworldwasgoingtoberight，andamplyavengeanybravetalkagainsttheconventions。“Nothingmatters，“theSchlegelshadsaidinthepast，“exceptone\'sself-respectandthatofone\'sfriends。“Whenthetimecame，otherthingsmatteredterribly。
However，Madgehadyielded，andHelenwasassuredofpeaceforonedayandnight，andtomorrowshewouldreturntoGermany。
Asforherself，shedeterminedtogotoo。
NomessagecamefromHenry；perhapsheexpectedhertoapologize。
Nowthatshehadtimetothinkoverherowntragedy，shewasunrepentant。
Sheneitherforgavehimforhisbehaviournorwishedtoforgivehim。
Herspeechtohimseemedperfect。Shewouldnothavealteredaword。
Ithadtobeutteredonceinalife，toadjustthelopsidednessoftheworld。Itwasspokennotonlytoherhusband，buttothousandsofmenlikehim——aprotestagainsttheinnerdarknessinhighplacesthatcomeswithacommercialage。Thoughhewouldbuilduphislifewithouthers，shecouldnotapologize。Hehadrefusedtoconnect，ontheclearestissuethatcanbelaidbeforeaman，andtheirlovemusttaketheconsequences。
No，therewasnothingmoretobedone。Theyhadtriednottogoovertheprecipicebutperhapsthefallwasinevitable。
Anditcomfortedhertothinkthatthefuturewascertainlyinevitable:
causeandeffectwouldgojanglingforwardtosomegoaldoubtless，buttononethatshecouldimagine。Atsuchmomentsthesoulretireswithin，tofloatuponthebosomofadeeperstream，andhascommunionwiththedead，andseestheworld\'sglorynotdiminished，butdifferentinkindtowhatshehassupposed。Shealtersherfocusuntiltrivialthingsareblurred。Margarethadbeentendingthiswayallthewinter。
Leonard\'sdeathbroughthertothegoal。Alas！thatHenryshouldfade，awayasrealityemerged，andonlyherloveforhimshouldremainclear，stampedwithhisimagelikethecameoswerescueoutofdreams。
Withunfalteringeyeshetracedhisfuture。
Hewouldsoonpresentahealthymindtotheworldagain，andwhatdidheortheworldcareifhewasrottenatthecore？Hewouldgrowintoarich，jollyoldman，attimesalittlesentimentalaboutwomen，butemptyinghisglasswithanyone。Tenaciousofpower，hewouldkeepCharlesandtherestdependent，andretirefrombusinessreluctantlyandatanadvancedage。Hewouldsettledown——thoughshecouldnotrealizethis。InhereyesHenrywasalwaysmovingandcausingotherstomove，untiltheendsoftheearthmet。Butintimehemustgettootiredtomove，andsettledown。Whatnext？Theinevitableword。
ThereleaseofthesoultoitsappropriateHeaven。
Wouldtheymeetinit？Margaretbelievedinimmortalityforherself。Aneternalfuturehadalwaysseemednaturaltoher。AndHenrybelievedinitforhimself。Yet，wouldtheymeetagain？Aretherenotratherendlesslevelsbeyondthegrave，asthetheorythathehadcensuredteaches？Andhislevel，whetherhigherorlower，coulditpossiblybethesameashers？
Thusgravelymeditating，shewassummonedbyhim。
HesentupCraneinthemotor。Otherservantspassedlikewater，butthechauffeurremained，thoughimpertinentanddisloyal。MargaretdislikedCrane，andheknewit。
“IsitthekeysthatMr。Wilcoxwants？“sheasked。
“Hedidn\'tsay，madam。“
“Youhaven\'tanynoteforme？“
“Hedidn\'tsay，madam。“
Afteramoment\'sthoughtshelockedupHowardsEnd。
Itwaspitiabletoseeinitthestirringsofwarmththatwouldbequenchedforever。Sherakedoutthefirethatwasblazinginthekitchen，andspreadthecoalsinthegravelledyard。Sheclosedthewindowsanddrewthecurtains。Henrywouldprobablyselltheplacenow。
Shewasdeterminednottosparehim，fornothingnewhadhappenedasfarastheywereconcerned。Hermoodmightneverhavealteredfromyesterdayevening。HewasstandingalittleoutsideCharles\'sgate，andmotionedthecartostop。Whenhiswifegotouthesaidhoarsely:“Iprefertodiscussthingswithyououtside。“
“Itwillbemoreappropriateintheroad，Iamafraid，“
saidMargaret。“Didyougetmymessage？“
“Whatabout？“
“IamgoingtoGermanywithmysister。ImusttellyounowthatIshallmakeitmypermanenthome。Ourtalklastnightwasmoreimportantthanyouhaverealized。Iamunabletoforgiveyouandamleavingyou。“
“Iamextremelytired，“saidHenry，ininjuredtones。
“Ihavebeenwalkingaboutallthemorning，andwishtositdown。“
“Certainly，ifyouwillconsenttositonthegrass。“
TheGreatNorthRoadshouldhavebeenborderedallitslengthwithglebe。Henry\'skindhadfilchedmostofit。
Shemovedtothescrapopposite，whereinweretheSixHills。Theysatdownonthefartherside，sothattheycouldnotbeseenbyCharlesorDolly。
“Hereareyourkeys，“saidMargaret。Shetossedthemtowardshim。Theyfellonthesunlitslopeofgrass，andhedidnotpickthemup。
“Ihavesomethingtotellyou，“hesaidgently。
Sheknewthissuperficialgentleness，thisconfessionofhastiness，thatwasonlyintendedtoenhanceheradmirationofthemale。
“Idon\'twanttohearit，“shereplied。“Mysisterisgoingtobeill。Mylifeisgoingtobewithhernow。
Wemustmanagetobuildupsomething，sheandIandherchild。“
“Whereareyougoing？“
“Munich。Westartaftertheinquest，ifsheisnottooill。“
“Aftertheinquest？“
“Yes。“
“Haveyourealizedwhattheverdictattheinquestwillbe？“
“Yes，heartdisease。“
“No，mydear；manslaughter。“
Margaretdroveherfingersthroughthegrass。
Thehillbeneathhermovedasifitwasalive。
“Manslaughter，“repeatedMr。Wilcox。“Charlesmaygotoprison。Idarenottellhim。Idon\'tknowwhattodo——whattodo。I\'mbroken——I\'mended。“
Nosuddenwarmtharoseinher。Shedidnotseethattobreakhimwasheronlyhope。Shedidnotenfoldthesuffererinherarms。Butallthroughthatdayandthenextanewlifebegantomove。Theverdictwasbroughtin。Charleswascommittedfortrial。Itwasagainstallreasonthatheshouldbepunished，butthelaw，beingmadeinhisimage，sentencedhimtothreeyears\'imprisonment。
ThenHenry\'sfortressgaveway。Hecouldbearnoonebuthiswife，heshambleduptoMargaretafterwardsandaskedhertodowhatshecouldwithhim。Shedidwhatseemedeasiest——shetookhimdowntorecruitatHowardsEnd。Chapter44Tom\'sfatherwascuttingthebigmeadow。Hepassedagainandagainamidwhirringbladesandsweetodoursofgrass，encompassingwithnarrowingcirclesthesacredcentreofthefield。TomwasnegotiatingwithHelen。
“Ihaven\'tanyidea，“shereplied。“Doyousupposebabymay，Meg？“
Margaretputdownherworkandregardedthemabsently。
“Whatwasthat？“sheasked。
“Tomwantstoknowwhetherbabyisoldenoughtoplaywithhay？“
“Ihaven\'ttheleastnotion，“answeredMargaret，andtookupherworkagain。
“Now，Tom，babyisnottostand；heisnottolieonhisface；heisnottoliesothathisheadwags；heisnottobeteasedortickled；andheisnottobecutintotwoormorepiecesbythecutter。
Willyoubeascarefulasallthat？“
Tomheldouthisarms。
“Thatchildisawonderfulnursemaid，“remarkedMargaret。
“Heisfondofbaby。That\'swhyhedoesit！“
wasHelen\'sanswer。They\'regoingtobelifelongfriends。“
“Startingattheagesofsixandone？“
“Ofcourse。ItwillbeagreatthingforTom。“
“Itmaybeagreaterthingforbaby。“
Fourteenmonthshadpassed，butMargaretstillstoppedatHowardsEnd。Nobetterplanhadoccurredtoher。Themeadowwasbeingrecut，thegreatredpoppieswerereopeninginthegarden。
Julywouldfollowwiththelittleredpoppiesamongthewheat，Augustwiththecuttingofthewheat。Theselittleeventswouldbecomepartofheryearafteryear。Everysummershewouldfearlestthewellshouldgiveout，everywinterlestthepipesshouldfreeze；everywesterlygalemightblowthewych-elmdownandbringtheendofallthings，andsoshecouldnotreadortalkduringawesterlygale。Theairwastranquilnow。SheandhersisterweresittingontheremainsofEvie\'smockery，wherethelawnmergedintothefield。
“Whatatimetheyallare！“saidHelen。“Whatcantheybedoinginside？“Margaret，whowasgrowinglesstalkative，madenoanswer。Thenoiseofthecuttercameintermittently，likethebreakingofwaves。Closebythemamanwaspreparingtoscytheoutoneofthedell-holes。
“IwishHenrywasouttoenjoythis，“saidHelen。
“Thislovelyweatherandtobeshutupinthehouse！It\'sveryhard。“
“Ithastobe，“saidMargaret。“Thehay-feverishischiefobjectionagainstlivinghere，buthethinksitworthwhile。“
“Meg，isorisn\'theill？Ican\'tmakeout。“
“Notill。Eternallytired。Hehasworkedveryhardallhislife，andnoticednothing。Thosearethepeoplewhocollapsewhentheydonoticeathing。“
“Isupposeheworriesdreadfullyabouthispartofthetangle。“
“Dreadfully。ThatiswhyIwishDollyhadnotcome，too，today。Still，hewantedthemalltocome。Ithastobe。“
“Whydoeshewantthem？“
Margaretdidnotanswer。
“Meg，mayItellyousomething？IlikeHenry。“
“You\'dbeoddifyoudidn\'t，“saidMargaret。
“Iusen\'tto。“
“Usen\'t！“Sheloweredhereyesamomenttotheblackabyssofthepast。Theyhadcrossedit，alwaysexceptingLeonardandCharles。Theywerebuildingupanewlife，obscure，yetgildedwithtranquillity。Leonardwasdead；Charleshadtwoyearsmoreinprison。Oneusen\'talwaystoseeclearlybeforethattime。
Itwasdifferentnow。
“IlikeHenrybecausehedoesworry。“
“Andhelikesyoubecauseyoudon\'t。“
Helensighed。Sheseemedhumiliated，andburiedherfaceinherhands。Afteratimeshesaid:“Abovelove，“atransitionlessabruptthanitappeared。
Margaretneverstoppedworking。
“Imeanawoman\'sloveforaman。IsupposedIshouldhangmylifeontothatonce，andwasdrivenupanddownandaboutasifsomethingwasworryingthroughme。Buteverythingispeacefulnow；Iseemcured。ThatHerrFö；rstmeister，whomFriedakeepswritingabout，mustbeanoblecharacter，buthedoesn\'tseethatIshallnevermarryhimoranyone。Itisn\'tshameormistrustofmyself。
Isimplycouldn\'t。I\'mended。Iusedtobesodreamyaboutaman\'sloveasagirl，andthinkthatforgoodorevillovemustbethegreatthing。Butithasn\'tbeen；ithasbeenitselfadream。
Doyouagree？“
“Idonotagree。Idonot。“
“IoughttorememberLeonardasmylover，“saidHelen，steppingdownintothefield。“Itemptedhim，andkilledhimanditissurelytheleastIcando。IwouldliketothrowoutallmyhearttoLeonardonsuchanafternoonasthis。ButIcannot。
Itisnogoodpretending。Iamforgettinghim。“Hereyesfilledwithtears。“Hownothingseemstomatch——how，mydarling，myprecious——“
Shebrokeoff。“Tommy！“
“Yes，please？“
“Baby\'snottotryandstand——There\'ssomethingwantinginme。IseeyoulovingHenry，andunderstandinghimbetterdaily，andIknowthatdeathwouldn\'tpartyouintheleast。ButI——Isitsomeawfulappalling，criminaldefect？“
Margaretsilencedher。Shesaid:“Itisonlythatpeoplearefarmoredifferentthanispretended。Allovertheworldmenandwomenareworryingbecausetheycannotdevelopastheyaresupposedtodevelop。Hereandtheretheyhavethematterout，anditcomfortsthem。Don\'tfretyourself，Helen。Developwhatyouhave；loveyourchild。Idonotlovechildren。Iamthankfultohavenone。Icanplaywiththeirbeautyandcharm，butthatisall——nothingreal，notonescrapofwhatthereoughttobe。Andothers——othersgofartherstill，andmoveoutsidehumanityaltogether。Aplace，aswellasaperson，maycatchtheglow。Don\'tyouseethatallthisleadstocomfortintheend？Itispartofthebattleagainstsameness。
Differences——eternaldifferences，plantedbyGodinasinglefamily，sothattheremayalwaysbecolour；sorrowperhaps，butcolourinthedailygrey。ThenIcan\'thaveyouworryingaboutLeonard。Don\'tdraginthepersonalwhenitwillnotcome。Forgethim。“
“Yes，yes，butwhathasLeonardgotoutoflife？“
“Perhapsanadventure。“
“Isthatenough？“
“Notforus。Butforhim。“
Helentookupabunchofgrass。Shelookedatthesorrel，andtheredandwhiteandyellowclover，andthequakergrass，andthedaisies，andthebentsthatcomposedit。Sheraisedittoherface。
“Isitsweeteningyet？“askedMargaret。
“No，onlywithered。“
“Itwillsweetentomorrow。“
Helensmiled。“Oh，Meg，youareaperson，“
shesaid。“Thinkoftheracketandtorturethistimelastyear。
ButnowIcouldn\'tstopunhappyifItried。Whatachange——andallthroughyou！“
“Oh，wemerelysettleddown。YouandHenrylearnttounderstandoneanotherandtoforgive，allthroughtheautumnandthewinter。“
“Yes，butwhosettledusdown？“
Margaretdidnotreply。Thescythinghadbegun，andshetookoffherpince-neztowatchit。
“You！“criedHelen。“Youdiditall，sweetest，thoughyou\'retoostupidtosee。Livingherewasyourplan——Iwantedyou；hewantedyou；andeveryonesaiditwasimpossible，butyouknew。
Justthinkofourliveswithoutyou，Meg——IandbabywithMonica，revoltingbytheory，hehandedaboutfromDollytoEvie。Butyoupickedupthepieces，andmadeusahome。Can\'titstrikeyou——evenforamoment——thatyourlifehasbeenheroic？Can\'tyourememberthetwomonthsafterCharles\'sarrest，whenyoubegantoact，anddidall？“
“Youwerebothillatthetime，“saidMargaret。
“Ididtheobviousthings。Ihadtwoinvalidstonurse。Herewasahouse，readyfurnishedandempty。Itwasobvious。Ididn\'tknowmyselfitwouldturnintoapermanenthome。NodoubtIhavedonealittletowardsstraighteningthetangle，butthingsthatIcan\'tphrasehavehelpedme。“
“Ihopeitwillbepermanent，“saidHelen，driftingawaytootherthoughts。
“Ithinkso。TherearemomentswhenIfeelHowardsEndpeculiarlyourown。“
“Allthesame，London\'screeping。“
Shepointedoverthemeadow——overeightorninemeadows，butattheendofthemwasaredrust。
“YouseethatinSurreyandevenHampshirenow，“
shecontinued。“IcanseeitfromthePurbeckDowns。AndLondonisonlypartofsomethingelse，I\'mafraid。Life\'sgoingtobemelteddown，allovertheworld。“
Margaretknewthathersisterspoketruly。
HowardsEnd，Oniton，thePurbeckDowns，theOderberge，wereallsurvivals，andthemelting-potwasbeingpreparedforthem。Logically，theyhadnorighttobealive。One\'shopewasintheweaknessoflogic。
Weretheypossiblytheearthbeatingtime？
“Becauseathingisgoingstrongnow，itneednotgostrongforever，“shesaid。“Thiscrazeformotionhasonlysetinduringthelasthundredyears。Itmaybefollowedbyacivilizationthatwon\'tbeamovement，becauseitwillrestontheearth。Allthesignsareagainstitnow，butIcan\'thelphoping，andveryearlyinthemorninginthegardenIfeelthatourhouseisthefutureaswellasthepast。“
Theyturnedandlookedatit。Theirownmemoriescoloureditnow，forHelen\'schildhadbeenborninthecentralroomofthenine。ThenMargaretsaid，“Oh，takecare——！“forsomethingmovedbehindthewindowofthehall，andthedooropened。
“Theconclave\'sbreakingatlast。I\'llgo。“
ItwasPaul。
Helenretreatedwiththechildrenfarintothefield。
Friendlyvoicesgreetedher。Margaretrose，toencounteramanwithaheavyblackmoustache。
“Myfatherhasaskedforyou，“hesaidwithhostility。
Shetookherworkandfollowedhim。
“Wehavebeentalkingbusiness，“hecontinued，“butIdaresayyouknewallaboutitbeforehand。“
“Yes，Idid。“
Clumsyofmovement——forhehadspentallhislifeinthesaddle——Pauldrovehisfootagainstthepaintofthefrontdoor。
Mrs。Wilcoxgavealittlecryofannoyance。Shedidnotlikeanythingscratched；shestoppedinthehalltotakeDolly\'sboaandglovesoutofavase。
Herhusbandwaslyinginagreatleatherchairinthedining-room，andbyhisside，holdinghishandratherostentatiously，wasEvie。Dolly，dressedinpurple，satnearthewindow。Theroomwasalittledarkandairless；theywereobligedtokeepitlikethisuntilthecartingofthehay。Margaretjoinedthefamilywithoutspeaking；thefiveofthemhadmetalreadyattea，andsheknewquitewellwhatwasgoingtobesaid。Aversetowastinghertime，shewentonsewing。Theclockstrucksix。
“Isthisgoingtosuiteveryone？“saidHenryinawearyvoice。Heusedtheoldphrases，buttheireffectwasunexpectedandshadowy。“BecauseIdon\'twantyouallcomingherelateronandcomplainingthatIhavebeenunfair。“
“It\'sapparentlygottosuitus，“saidPaul。
“Ibegyourpardon，myboy。Youhaveonlytospeak，andIwillleavethehousetoyouinstead。“
Paulfrownedill-temperedly，andbeganscratchingathisarm。“AsI\'vegivenuptheoutdoorlifethatsuitedme，andIhavecomehometolookafterthebusiness，it\'snogoodmysettlingdownhere，“hesaidatlast。“It\'snotreallythecountry，andit\'snotthetown。“
“Verywell。Doesmyarrangementsuityou，Evie？“
“Ofcourse，Father。“
“Andyou，Dolly？“
Dollyraisedherfadedlittleface，whichsorrowcouldwitherbutnotsteady。“Perfectlysplendidly，“shesaid。
“IthoughtCharleswanteditfortheboys，butlasttimeIsawhimhesaidno，becausewecannotpossiblyliveinthispartofEnglandagain。
Charlessaysweoughttochangeourname，butIcannotthinkwhatto，forWilcoxjustsuitsCharlesandme，andIcan\'tthinkofanyothername。“
Therewasageneralsilence。Dollylookednervouslyround，fearingthatshehadbeeninappropriate。Paulcontinuedtoscratchhisarm。
“ThenIleaveHowardsEndtomywifeabsolutely，“
saidHenry。“Andleteveryoneunderstandthat；andafterIamdeadlettherebenojealousyandnosurprise。“
Margaretdidnotanswer。Therewassomethinguncannyinhertriumph。She，whohadneverexpectedtoconqueranyone，hadchargedstraightthroughtheseWilcoxesandbrokenuptheirlives。
“Inconsequence，Ileavemywifenomoney，“saidHenry。“Thatisherownwish。Allthatshewouldhavehadwillbedividedamongyou。Iamalsogivingyouagreatdealinmylifetime，sothatyoumaybeindependentofme。Thatisherwish，too。
Shealsoisgivingawayagreatdealofmoney。Sheintendstodiminishherincomebyhalfduringthenexttenyears；sheintendswhenshediestoleavethehousetoher——tohernephew，downinthefield。Isallthatclear？Doeseveryoneunderstand？“
Paulrosetohisfeet。Hewasaccustomedtonatives，andaverylittleshookhimoutoftheEnglishman。Feelingmanlyandcynical，hesaid:“Downinthefield？Oh，come！I
thinkwemighthavehadthewholeestablishment，piccaninniesincluded。“
Mrs。Cahillwhispered:“Don\'t，Paul。Youpromisedyou\'dtakecare。“Feelingawomanoftheworld，sheroseandpreparedtotakeherleave。
Herfatherkissedher。“Good-bye，oldgirl，“
hesaid；“don\'tyouworryaboutme。“
“Good-bye，Dad。“
ThenitwasDolly\'sturn。Anxioustocontribute，shelaughednervously，andsaid:“Good-bye，Mr。Wilcox。ItdoesseemcuriousthatMrs。WilcoxshouldhaveleftMargaretHowardsEnd，andyetshegetit，afterall。“
FromEviecameasharply-drawnbreath。“Good-bye，“
shesaidtoMargaret，andkissedher。
Andagainandagainfelltheword，liketheebbofadyingsea。
“Good-bye。“
“Good-bye，Dolly。“
“Solong，Father。“
“Good-bye，myboy；alwaystakecareofyourself。“
“Good-bye，Mrs。Wilcox。“
“Good-bye。
Margaretsawtheirvisitorstothegate。Thenshereturnedtoherhusbandandlaidherheadinhishands。Hewaspitiablytired。ButDolly\'sremarkhadinterestedher。Atlastshesaid:“Couldyoutellme，Henry，whatwasthataboutMrs。WilcoxhavingleftmeHowardsEnd？“
Tranquillyhereplied:“Yes，shedid。Butthatisaveryoldstory。Whenshewasillandyouweresokindtohershewantedtomakeyousomereturn，and，notbeingherselfatthetime，scribbled\'HowardsEnd\'onapieceofpaper。Iwentintoitthoroughly，and，asitwasclearlyfanciful，Isetitaside，littleknowingwhatmyMargaretwouldbetomeinthefuture。“
Margaretwassilent。Somethingshookherlifeinitsinmostrecesses，andsheshivered。
“Ididn\'tdowrong，didI？“heasked，bendingdown。
“Youdidn\'t，darling。Nothinghasbeendonewrong。“
Fromthegardencamelaughter。“Heretheyareatlast！“exclaimedHenry，disengaginghimselfwithasmile。
Helenrushedintothegloom，holdingTombyonehandandcarryingherbabyontheother。Therewereshoutsofinfectiousjoy。
“Thefield\'scut！“Helencriedexcitedly——“thebigmeadow！We\'veseentotheveryend，andit\'llbesuchacropofhayasnever！“Weybridge，1908-1910。
TheEnd