Born in Exile

At eleven in the morning (just as a heavy shower fell from the smoke-canopy above the roaring streets) the municipal authorities, educational dignitaries, and pro

e which had conferred humane distinction on the money-making Midland town. Beneath such a sky, orations were necessarily curtailed; but Sir Job had always been impatient of much talk. An interval of two or three hours dispersed the rain-clouds and bestowed such grace of sunshine as Kingsmill might at this season temperately desire; then, whilst the marble figu

had a countenance suggestive of engaging qualities-genial humour, mildness, a turn for meditation, perhaps for study. His attire was informal, as if he disliked abandoning the freedom of the country even when summoned to urban ceremonies. He wore a grey felt hat, and a light jacket which displayed the straightness of his shoulders. Mrs. Warricombe and her daughter were more fashio

and began to scrutinise carefully the sculptured lineaments. He was addressing certain critical remarks to his compa

no getting a decent seat, if you don't

sappoints me,' observe

sed amid free and joyous circumstances. It was the face of a young English plutocrat, with more of intellect than such visages are wont to betray; the native vigour of his temperament had probably assimilated something of the modern spirit. 'I'm glad,' he con

sar's privilege,' said Mr. Warricombe

e from the son, with

ame, Bu

ith that antiquated rubbish nowadays. You would despise it yourself,

his eyebrows in

ning called antiquated rubbish. Well

that of a familiar friend; he addressed young Warricombe and his sister by their Christian names, and inquired after certain younger members of the household. Mr

n, I have chanced on a ne

your kitchen gar

sent me a box of spe

yance the likelihood o

ing all the afternoon,' he said to his mother.

in,' said the lady, gl

ried the Professor, w

im to raise his voice above the suave, mellow note, touched with humour, which expressed a modest assurance. Mr Gale was distinguished by a blunter mo

none too advantageous; only on one of the highest rows of

wn to take his prizes,' observed the father. 'He must sit

n't!' urged his wi

fect me,' said Buc

he Chemistry, and those are what I care most a

not alone with the members of their classes, but with all the educated inhabitants of Kingsmill; and deservedly, for several of them bore names of wide recognition, and as a body they did honour to the institution which had won their services.

privilege, practically supporters of that mode of freedom which regards life as a remorseless conflict. Not a few of the young men (some of these the hardest and most successful workers) came from poor, middle-class homes, whence, but for Sir Job's foundation, they must have set forth into the world with no better equipment of knowledge than was supplied by some 'academy' of the old type: a glance distinguished such students from the well-dressed and well-fed offspring of Kingsmill plutocracy. The note of the assembly was something other than refinement; rather, its high standard of health, spirits, and comfort-the characteristic of Capitalism. Decent reverence for learning,

him. A native and, till of late, an inhabitant of Devon, he had come to reside on his property near Kingsmill because it seemed to him that the education of his children would be favoured by a removal thither. Two of his oldest frien

land drew their attention to such persons or p

e Professor of Greek. 'Watch him for a moment, and you'll see him glanc

red the girl, wit

s classes; some foolery about a second aorist. Thank goodness, I don't und

n the lower part of the amphitheatre, at the moment when all were hushed in anticipation of the Principal's address, Mr. Chilvers was

sovereign he's arranged it all. Look how he brandishes his arm to display his cuffs and gold links. N

murmured Mrs. Warricombe

everyone is saying,' replied her s

graceful, Buckland,

Warricombe, drily, 'we are all await

, brothers, uncles, aunts, and cousins to the fourth degree. Look at their eyes fondly fixed upon

s mother, with apprehensiv

n't he, Buckland?' asked the

der if he takes a dozen or two pr

nd Peak?' Mr. Warri

e widened her eyes, as if hearing were performed with those organs, and assumed the smile she would have worn had the speaker been addressing her in particular. Sidwell's blue eyes imitated the movement of her mother's, with a look of profound gravity which showed that she had

cular significance. In this the ninth year of its existence, Whitelaw College was flourishing in every possible way. Private beneficence had endowed it with new scholarships and exhibitions; the scheme of lectures had been extended; the number of its students steadily increased, and their successes in the field of examination had been notewo

girl-like, was excited to warmth of cheek and

,' replied the young man, thrustin

akable tremor for the announcement of the leading name, which might possibly be his own. A few words of comment prefaced the declaration:-never had it been the Pro

aped from Buc

passage towards the row of Professors. He was a young man of spare figure and unhealthy complexion, his age not easily conjectured. Embarrassment no doubt accounted for much of the awkwardness of his demeanour; but, under any circumstances, he must have appeared ungainly, for his long arms and legs had outgrown their garments, which were no fashionable specimens of tailoring. T

father. 'He must have crammed furiously for the

nd the reply was a look which eloquently expressed

combe.' A burst of acclamation, coming especially from that part of the amphitheatre where Whitelaw's nurslings had gathered in greatest numbers,

sh of shame on his ruddy countenance, he set forth to receive t

at all,' murmured Sidwell, who share

r father's reply. 'Buckland has

ith which the good-looking,

ook?' inquired

ic. Idiotic choice! They migh

did Mr. Peak,' Sidwell whispered

nce for a few minu

poon. Now we shall know who is strongest in second aorists. I shouldn't wonder if Pe

fessor's lips. Beginning with the competition for a special classical prize, Profess

pplied with brains, say what yo

d safely skirted the bounds of foppery, Mr. Chilvers discharged the duty he was conscious of owing to a multitude of kinsfolk, friends, admirers. You would have detected something clerical in the young man's air. It became the son of a popular clergyman, and gave promise of notable aptitude for the sacred career to which Bruno Leathwaite, as was well understood, already had designed himself. In matters sartorial he pr

Mrs. Warricombe. 'If he lives, h

gusted at the spectacle. Nor did he move when Profe

rst prize is taken by-Br

ak comes second,'

lish Language and Literature, in French, first sounded the name of Chilvers, whilst to the second award was invariably attached that of Peak. Mrs. Warricombe's delight expressed itself in every permissible way: on each occasion she exclaimed, 'How clever he is!' Sidwell cast frequent glances at

ts of his course. Peak has been taking up half-a-dozen extras, and they've done for him. I s

e made known, it was found that in each case the honour had fallen to a young man hitherto undistinguished. His name was John Edward Earwak

said Mr. Warricombe, turning to

e's only in one or two of my c

essay, 'Trades Unionism'. So it was probable that John

his confidence in the result was now clouded by a dread of the second prize-which indeed fell to him, the first being taken by a stude

have caught me here,' was his reply

Warricombe, and his son pursued it with hereditary aptitude. Sidwell and her mother exchanged a look of courageous hope; each felt co

hearty voice. 'As for the first two names on my list, I haven't felt justified in placing either before the othe

uckland first,' murmured M

out in alphabetical orde

ght that Buckland s

,' was the goo

a pique against Professor Gale, not so much owing to his having brack

y discussed in all educated circles. The work was anonymous, but a rumour which gained general currency attributed it to Professor Walsh. In the year 1874 an imputation of religious heresy was not lightly to be incurred by a Professor-even Professor of Physics-at an English college. There were many people in Kingsmill who considered that Mr. Walsh's delay in repudiating so grave a cha

!' exclaimed Buckland

some uneasiness. Mrs. Warr

The only one of the Professors

reputation. She hazarded only a brief examination of his

ther, emphatically. 'If I were going to b

eat a susurration was audible throughout the hall; bon

nucleus of vivacious intercourse formed at the spot where young Mr. Chilvers stood amid trophies of examinational prowess. When his numerous relatives had all shaken hands with him, and laughed, smiled, or smirked their felicitations, they made way for the press of eager acquaintances. His prize library was reverently surveyed, and many were t

alf-a-dozen fellow-students, among them John Earwaker, talked in his vicinity of the day's results. Peak's part in the gossip was small, and when he smiled it was in a forced, anxious way, with brief raising of his eyes. For a moment only was t

h Mrs. Warricombe would gladly have pushed forward to claim recognition, natural diffidence restrained her. Sidwell kept in the rear, risking now and then a glance of vivid curios

re, father, come and have a word with Peak; he look

companions, they reluctantly follow

length resolved to show an equal magnanimity. Peak and Earwaker were c

do you mean by getting

to as you,' returned the

came up with

ess will remove. Let us hope it signifies that you and Buckland will work through l

e themselves into ladies' affections: his exterior was against him, and he seemed too conscious of his disadvantages in that particular. Mrs. Warricombe found it difficult to shape a few civil phrases for the acceptance of the saturnine student. Sidwell, repelled and in a measure alarmed by his bilious countenance, could do no more tha

ressing the question to his rival. 'Or do y

,' replied Peak,

t Thornhaw when you are up again for the examinat

ble to come, thank you,'

oice came to

od luck, old fellow! If we don't see each other again

emote, Mrs. Warricombe ejaculated

oung man I never met! He seems

her husband; adding to himself, 'and

y Bruno Chilvers; her husband and Sidwell pressed after. Buckland, with an exclamati

in all, some of them massive), and his wish was to make arrangements for their removal. Gaz

ould pack and send th

ke to tell the porter to take care of them for the present,

did not often receive kindnesses. Before long he was free to leave the Col

y, will you?' said the literary prizeman. 'I

vy you that five

authors I don't possess inste

nd an ill-fitting head; he walked with excessive strides and swung his thin arm nervously. Probably he was the elder of the two, and he looked twenty. For Peak's disadvantages of person, his studious bashfulness and poverty of attire were ma

bout Walsh?' the latter in

his shoulders,

Have

were-evidently discussing him. I hea

, and he exclaimed

g up before the crowd of fools and seeing their fear of me! But I couldn't keep it

. He sympathised with it, but had an unyouthf

revile another because they think differently about the origin of the universe? Couldn't you roar with laughter when you've thought over it for a moment? "You be

the highway, when a voice very unlike those that were wont to sound within the academic p

ise me, I dessay, and I couldn't be sure as it was you till I'd 'ed a good squint at ye

but at the same time had a certain ingenuousness, a self-absorbed energy and simplicity, which saved it from being wholly repellent; the brow was narrow, the eyes small and bright, and the coarse lips half hid themselves under a struggling reddish growth. In these lineaments lurked a family resemblance

d, in a thick, abrupt voice, addressing E

s hand and, without

rsued Godwin's relative, looking at a cluste

the student, his eyes on the grou

o walk me over the show. Bu

rticular to see. I think the le

stands there?-th

law, founder o

you a-goin' 'ome t

es

b. It's a long time since we'ed a talk together. I come over from Twybridge this mornin'; slep' there last night, and saw yer mother an' Oliver. They cou

emed to be a formal procession; it consisted of Bruno Chilvers, su

ngs with me, uncle,' said the yo

odwin, bo-oy. And I 'ave a reason for wa

dwin moved across the broad street to the place of refreshment which his uncle had indicated, and whither Earwaker had preceded them. It was a pastry-cook's,

id, leading to a side entran

t you

ct with interest upon all he saw. The upper room was empty; a long table exhibited knives and forks, but there were no signs of active business. Andrew pulled a

inquired Andrew, as he st

then, f

rom your show

s a better pla

live at the Colli

e's no re

plyce where they can 'ev a

urther into the town

like that opposyte, there'd ought to be a medium-sized Spiers & Pond at this 'e

nterrogative. He looked at the speaker; and Andrew, in the manner of one accustomed to regard life as a game of cunning, first winked with each eye, then extended one cheek with the

' a bit-see? I'm runnin' round an' keepin' my heyes open understand? Thoughts I, now, if I could come acrosst a nicet little openin', somethink in the rest'rant line, that's what 'ud sewt me jes

r mind. In his self-satisfaction he exhibited a gross cordiality which might

o learn all he could concerning the state of the business and the disposition of its proprietors. His nephew, meanwhile, stung to the core with shame, kept apa

d. 'If there ain't a openin' 'ere, then I never see one. Godwin, bo-oy,

ertain-I

tay till you've passed the top st

't made up my m

' 'ere for another twe

do yo

it close by, me an' you might come to an understandin'-see? It might be

on his palate. Of a sudden, when the bilious gloom of his countenance foretold any

!" Everything tip-top, mind; respectable business, Godwin; no

louded with bitter misery. A strange indifference seemed to have come upon him, and whilst

wonder if you see me over at Twybridge again before long. I was to remember your awnt and your cousin Jowey to you. You wouldn't know

civility required. The elder man, however, was unaffected by this reticence, and when at length his nephew pleaded an engagement as excuse for leave-taking h