The Hero

nly when every limb and every organ were infected. A new spirit had been in action, eating into the foundations of the national character; it worked through the masses of the great citi

h became timorous as a conquered nation, deprecating, apologetic; like frightened women, they ran to and fro, wringing their hands. Reserve, restraint, self-possession, were swept away ... And now we are frankly emotional; reeds tottering in the wind, our boast is that we are not even reeds that think; we cry out for idols. Who is there that will set up a golden ass that we may fall down and worship? We glory in our shame, in our swelling hearts, in

d known sober, equal-minded, and restrained, now seemed violently hysterical. James still shuddered, remembering the curate's allusions to his engagement; and he wondered that Mary, far from thinking them impertinent, had been vastly gratified. She seemed to take pleasure in publicl

to the utmost humiliation. And how could he offer her such an affront when she loved him devotedly? It was not vanity that made him think so, his mother had told him outright; and he saw it in every look o

m, and presently heard Mary'

e! Ja

and came d

ht to have gone to fetch Mary, instead

laughing; and then, looking at him, with

ling over his perplexity, and

not very strong yet, and I wa

go with her this morning, while

ing, Jamie; it will do

like it

alked fast, with long steps and firm carriage. James set himself to talk, asking her insignificant questions abou

slightly; "although I want to take you in to some

son in

on't want to make you conceited; but yo

ary had left James outside. But the good lady, since it was all in the way of nature, was not so asha

ee you!" cried Mary in

a married woman. You'll have to go

suffused in blushes, ho

ople propriety. Somehow the lower clas

s the

ly. Then, to turn the conversation: "She asked aft

now you had a young man

keep secrets in Primpton. And besi

t got a y

lau

ched before them in a sinuous line. A pleasant odour came from the adjoining fields, from the farm-yards, as they passed them; the larks soared singing with happy heart, while the sparrows chirruped in the hedges. The hawthorn was bursting into leaf, all bright and green, and here and there t

errily. "I shall never get through my round before

ee them some

essly with Mary, gossiping without purpose, they might end by understanding one another

to him with gr

lease you, Jamie. But even for

s fr

e right," he said. "It

cottage, and this tim

. "I'm so sorry for him; he's a

d, writhing with pain, his

ied Mary. "You poor thing! Who on ea

ughter

her; she ought

pillows very gently, smoothe

t, miss. The other is the

couldn't be comfortable with your head all

in in the man's face, an

er put them back in the old

know that the head ought

can't bear the

rtitude. Remember that God sends you pain in order to tr

sary torture, Mary," said James. "He

are always complaining. Really, you must permit

dark and grim, but

get these people to do anything in a rational way," she added to James. "It's perfectly he

was

rt Mary turned very red, staring in front of her with the fix

ith vexation, "he

is

an. He's been dreadfully rude to me,

all

he house, and asked to see me. He's not a gentleman, you know, and he was so rude! 'I've come to see you about Mrs. Gandy,' he said. 'I particularly ordered her not to take stimulants, and I find you've sent her down port.' 'I thought she wanted it,' I said. 'She told me that you had said she wasn't to touch anything, but I thought a little port would do her good.' Th

?' I said. Then what d'you think he did? He burst out laughing, and said: 'A bo

pressed

of port, and it's no business of yours how much it cost.' 'If you do,' he said, 'and anything happens, by God, I'll have you up for

ary, you a

ttage. It was some comfort to think that he wou

ip, and said he meant to thrash Dr. Higgins. He looked for him all the morning, but couldn't find him;

he could not help thinking Colonel Clibborn's resolution distinctly wise. Ho

. We all cut him; and I get eve

urmured

were blue and his mouth small, with the expression which young ladies, eighty years back, strove to acquire by repeating the words prune and prism. He had a fat, full voice, with unctuous modulations not entirely under his control, so that sometimes, unintentionally, he would utter the most commonplace remark in a tone fitted for a benediction. Mr. Dryland was possessed

"I had the pleasure of addressing a few words to you yesterday in my official capacity. Miss

ber quit

a guffaw. "Change for you-going round to the sick and needy of t

rather

nly a parson, you know. It wouldn't have been thought the correct thing." Mr. Dryland, from his superior height, beam

ly," put

re openly. I thought it a beautiful sight to see the noble tears coursing down your father's furrowed cheeks. Those few words of yours have won all our hear

not!" cr

courage is always modest. But it is our duty to see that it does not hide its light under

long?" asked James, l

ptain Parsons. My dear sir, I ass

kind of you

wonderful help in the parish. She has at heart the spiritual welfare of th

a very delightf

Dryland fatly, "that she ought to be the wife

cam

gs her daughter wears in church," she said. "I don't think it

replied the curate, unctuously. "It's so rare to find someon

alking home, and asked Mr. Dryland

lighted, if I'

hing significance f

to you about my

whom she taught sewing, respect for t

Parsons that you were an ang

" replied Mary, gravely.

eyes so that he looked exactly like a

filthy things; they pass their whole lives under the most disgusting conditions, and

he curate; "it makes m

u can want nothing better," s

appy under such circumstances. I want

l thing to do

rove them. I want them to

t you see them any more

humour of such a suggestion dawned upon her

ood of making them dissati

er, worthier; I want to make thei

it away. I haven't a golden crown to give you instead, but you're wicked to take pleasure in that sham thing.' They're just as comfortable, after their fashion, in a hovel as you i

ef thing in this world, J

? I thoug

," said Mr. Dryland, with a

in common with you? I hate all this interfering. For God's sake let us go our w

the poor high id

ht bread and cheese

aturedly, "I think you're talking

Clibborn has worked nobly a

and agrees with me. I know you mean well, Jamie; but I don't think you quit