Sons and Lovers

r went reddish, and then dark brown; his eyes were grey. He was a pale, quie

her people felt, particularly his mother. When she fretted he underst

er mother called her. But she was intensely fond of her second brother. So Paul was towed round at the heels of Annie, sharing her game. She raced wildly at lerky with the other young wild-cats of the Bottoms. A

h an antimacassar, to sleep. Then she forgot it. Meantime Paul must practise jumping off the sofa arm. So he jumped crash int

over. So long as Annie wept for the doll he sat helpless with misery. Her grief wore itself o

ce of Arabella," he s

hollow face, poured on a little paraffin, and set the whole thing alight. He watched with wicked satisfaction the drops of wax melt off the broken forehead of Arabella, and drop like sweat into th

Arabella," he said. "An' I'm g

e could say nothing. He seemed to hate the

the whole life of the family a misery. Paul never forgot coming home from the Band of Hope one Monday evening and finding his mother with her eye swollen and discoloured, his father standing

lenched. He waited until the children were silent,

u daren't do it

d on his son. William was bigger, but M

e o' thy chelp, my young jockey, an' I'll rattle m

his fist in an ugly, almost beast-lik

et and intense. "It 'ud

ady. A light came into his blue eyes, almost like a laugh. He watched his father. Another word, an

ce. "We've had enough for ONE night. And YOU," she sai

anced at

one to the children, I should like to know? But they're like yourself; you've p

poke. After a while he threw his bo

?" said William, when his father was up

your own fathe

ted William. "Cal

he is-a

let me settle him?

ried. "It hasn't

worse. Look at yourself. WHY

r it, so never think of

ren went to b

valley, which spread out like a convex cockle-shell, or a clamp-shell, before it. In front of the house was a huge old ash-t

e said. "It sen

d. Often Paul would wake up, after he had been asleep a long time, aware of thuds downstairs. Instantly he was wide awake. Then he heard the booming shouts of his father, come home nearly drunk, then the sharp replies of his mother, then the bang, bang of his father's fist on the table, and the nasty snarling shout as the man's voice got higher. And then the whole was drowned in a piercing medley of shrieks and cries from the great, wind-swept ash-tree. The children lay silent in suspense, waiting for

mp upstairs in his stockinged feet. Still they listened. Then at last, if the wind allowed, they heard the water of

the lonely lamp-post in the midst of the darkness. But they had one tight place of

As a boy he had a fer

ther die," he prayed very often. "Let him not be killed at pit,"

. On the hob the big black saucepan was simmering, the stew-jar was in the oven, ready for Morel's dinner.

ping, and were ready to go out to play. But if Morel had not come they faltered. The sense of his sitting in all his pit-dirt, drinking, after a long day's work, not coming home and eating and washing, but si

burned where the pits were. A few last colliers straggled up the dim field path. The lamplighter

hob the saucepan steamed; the dinner-plate lay waiting on the table. All the room was full of the sense of waiting, waiting for the man wh

ad come?"

id Mrs. Morel, cross with t

They shared the same anxiety. Presently Mr

black," she said;

hated his mother for suffering because

he said. "If he wants to stop and

rs. Morel. "You may

ldren were yet young, and depended on the breadwinner. William gave her the sense of relief, providing her at last w

ation in the room. The boy could not stand it any longer. He could not go out and play. So he ran in to Mrs. Inger, next door but one, for her to ta

in,

some time, when sudden

nd seeing if my mother

ful, and did not tell his friend w

imes came in chu

ime to come home,

yo' what time I come

d in the most brutal manner possible, and, when he had done, pushed all the po

re arms, and the face, dirty and inflamed, with a fleshy nose and thin, paltry brows, was turned sideways, asleep with

d, I'm tellin' thee, if tha does

llying fashion, usually at Annie, made

g had really taken place in them until it was told to their mother. But as soon as the father came in, everything stopped. He was like the scotch in the smooth, happ

dren to talk to him, but they could

to tell y

ition in a child's paper. Ev

omes in," said Mrs. Morel. "You know how be

d almost rather have forfeited the

mpetition, dad," he said.

oy? What sort o

g-about fam

the prize, then

s a

ind

ut b

m-

een the father and any other member of the family.

in the evening, he cobbled the boots or mended the kettle or his pit-bottle. Then he always wanted several attendants, and

had whole periods, months, almost years, of friction and nasty temper. Then sometimes he was

road-out

as shoved about against the nose of the soldering-iron, while the room was full of a scent of burnt resin and hot tin, and Morel was silent and intent for a minute. He always sang when he mended boots because of t

h at the bottom of each piece. He always had a beautifully sharp knife that could cut a straw clean without hurting it. Then he set in the middle of the table a heap of gunpowder, a little pile of black grains upon the white-scrubbed board. He made and trimmed the straws while Paul and Annie rifle

dad!" h

is second son. Paul popped the fuse into the powder-tin, ready for the morning, when Mo

his father, would lean on the

bout down

rel lov

-we call 'im Taffy," he would

telling a story. He made

not very high. Well, he comes i' th' stall

'what art sneezin' for?

he slives up an' shoves 'i

ant, Taff?

s he?" Arthur

bit o' bacca

ld go on interminably,

es it was

went to put my coat on at snap-time, what

theer!'

in time ter get

d you k

nuisance. The place

do they

n' eat your snap, if you'll let 'em-no matter where yo' hing y

s went to bed very early, often before the children. There was nothing remaining for him to

in the hands of the colliers tramping by outside, going to take the nine o'clock shift. They listened to the voices of the men, imagined them dipping down into the dark valley. Sometimes they

ong; so this was another reason for his mother's difference in feeling for him. One

with YOU?" his mo

g," he

ate no

r, you're not going

" he

t's

to the small, restless noise the boy made in his throat as she worked. Again rose in her heart the old, almost weary feeling towards him. She had never expected him to live.

heat. Her still face, with the mouth closed tight from suffering and disillusion and self-denial, and her nose the smallest bit on one side, and her blue eyes so young, quick, and warm, made his heart contract with love. When she was quiet, so, she looked brave and rich with life,

arm in the ruddy firelight. Paul loved the way she crouched and put her head on one side. Her movements were light and quick. It was always a pleasure to watch her. Nothing she ever did,

pricks. He loved the evenings, after eight o'clock, when the light was put out, and he could watch the fire-flames spring over the d

sickroom. He was always very gentle if anyone wer

my darlin'?" Mo

my mothe

e clothes. Do you want anything?

thing. But how l

ng, my

moment or two. He felt his son did not want him. Then

' for thee; how lon

, good gracious! Tel

to sleep," the father r

ER to come," in

off till you come," M

nd do stop shouting downstairs

rouched before the bedroom

e won't be l

tion. His father's presence seemed to aggravate all his sick impatience.

ght, my

plied, turning round

y and peace of soul, the utter comfort from the touch of the other, knits the sleep, so that it takes the body and soul completely in its healing.

cattering their hay on the trodden yellow snow; watch the miners troop home-small, black figures trai

swallows, then were gone, and a drop of water was crawling down the glass. The snowflakes whirled round the corner of the

shrooms, hunting through the wet grass, from which the larks were rising, for the white-skinned, wonderful naked bodies crouched secretly in the green. And if they got half a pound th

coppices and woods and old quarries, so long as a blackberry was to be found, every week-end going on their search. In that region of mining villages blackberries became a comparative rarity. But Paul

he lads came in, late, and tired to dea

n't any, so we went over Misk Hi

d into th

e fine ones!"

wo pounds-isn't the

ed the

answered

pray. He always brought her one

curious tone, of a woma

ome home to her empty-handed. She never realised this, whilst he was young. She wa

made a companion of Paul. The latter was unconsciously jealous of his broth

rnings of each stall were put down to the chief butty, as contractor, and he divided the wages again, either in the public-house or in his own home. So that the children could fetch the money, school closed early on Friday afternoons. Each of the Morel children-William

eat all round, against the wall. Here sat the colliers in their pit-dirt. They had come up early. The women and children usually loitered about on the red gravel paths. Paul always examined the grass border, and the big grass ban

Mr. Braithwaite and his clerk, Mr. Winterbottom. Mr. Braithwaite was large, somewhat of the stern patriarch in appearance, having a rather thin white beard. He was usually muffled in an enormous silk neckerchief, and right up to the hot summer a huge fire burned in the open grate. No

wo children, and usually a dog. Paul was quite small, so it was often his fate to be jammed behind the legs of

. Braithwaite. Then Mrs. Holliday steppe

-John

Braithwaite, large and irascible,

wer!" he

," said

aid glossy Mr. Winterbottom, peering over the counter

ome!" said Mr. Braithwaite, in

ly," pipe

keep off the drink," pro

his foot through yer," said

rge and important cashier l

!" he called, qu

an important share

eat. He was pushed against the chimney-piece. His calves were

!" came the r

Paul, small

r repeated, his finger and thumb

nd could not or would not shout. The backs of the men o

Where is he?

en eyes. He pointed at the fireplace. The colliers

" said Mr. W

t to the

delicate and pretty movement, picked up a little ten-pound column of gold, and plumped it beside the silver. The gold slid in a bright stream over the paper. The cashier fi

six," said Mr

ount. He pushed forward some lo

k you've given me?" a

ut said nothing. He had

got a tongue

and pushed forward

u to count at the Bo

bra an' French,

' impidence,"

ers he got his money into the bag and slid out. He su

ere some gold and some white fowls pecking under the apple trees of an orchard. The colliers were walking home in a stream. The boy went

not yet come. Mrs. Wharmby, the landlady, knew him. His g

he peculiar half-scornful, half-patronising voice of

ing out their money-in a corner; others came in. They all glanced at the boy without s

o his son. "Have you bested me? Sh

holists, and he would have suffered more in drinking a

ing his clear, fierce morality. Paul went home, glowering. He entered the house silentl

on her in a fury,

o the office any

mother asked in surprise. His

ng any more,

ll, tell you

s bun as if

ot going to fe

can go; they'd be glad enough o

stly went in buying birthday presents; but

, then!" he said.

is mother. "But you nee

e, and I'm not going any more. Mr. Braithwaite dro

u won't go any more

pale, his eyes dark and furious. His mother m

front of me, so's I ca

u've only to ASK

om says, 'What do they teac

Morel, "that is a fact-neither manners n

ness made her heart ache. And sometimes the fury in his eyes rouse

he cheque?"

and six stoppages," replied the boy. "It's a good we

, and could call him to account if he gave her short money.

and bake. He loved to stop in and draw or read; he was very fond of drawing. Annie always "g

as full of women, the streets packed with men. It was amazing to see so many men everywhere in the streets. Mrs. Morel usually quarrelled with her lace woman, sympathised with her fruit man-who was a gabey, but his wife was a bad 'un-laughed

uch that little d

pence

nk y

rket-place without it. Again she went by where the pots lay coldly on

black costume. Her bonnet was in its thi

lored, "don't wear tha

replied the mother tartly. "A

had had flowers; now was reduced

n," said Paul. "Couldn't

Mrs. Morel, and she tied the strings of

, the pot man, had an uncomfortable feeling, as if th

nt it for

rdened; but then she stoo

ve it,"

aid. "Yer'd better spit in it, like y

im the fivepence

aid. "You wouldn't let me have it f

ou may count yerself lucky if you ca

d times, and good,

They were friends. She dare now

est so-triumphant, tired, laden with parcels, feeling rich in spirit. He

, smiling at him

ded!" he exclaimed, p

t brazen Annie said she'

ing bag and her pac

ne?" she asked,

he replied. "You needn't lo

en door. "You know what a wretch I've said h

't y

to her. She took off h

-well, it's everybody's cry alike no

d ME," s

nd he let me have-how much do yo

ts rag of newspaper, and s

e!" sai

ogether gloatin

owers on thing

ght of the teapo

three," s

epen

t enough

'd been extravagant, I couldn't afford any more. And

and the two comforted each other from

tewed fruit in

r a jelly," sa

s and lettu

ead," she said, her v

e oven; tapped th

he said, givi

pped i

r bag. "Oh, and I'm a wicked, extravag

avagance. She unfolded another lump of newspaper and

n'orth!"

EAP!" h

't afford it THIS

vely!"

o pure joy. "Paul, look at this yellow one

to sniff. "And smells that ni

e back with the flannel, an

him now he's

aimed, brimful

young things. So the few were more united. Boys and girls played together, the girls joining in the fig

very dark, and at the end the whole great night opened out, in a hollow, with a little tangle of lights below where Minton pit lay, and another far away opposite for Selby. The farthest tiny lights seemed to stretch out the darkness for ever. The children looked anxiously down the road at the one lamp-post, which stood at the e

lins an' your Anni

n't k

ey set up a game round the lamp-post, till the others

In front, another wide, dark way opened over the hill brow. Occasionally somebody came out of this way an

and Eddie Dakin to back him up. Then the six would fight, hate with a fury of hatred, and flee home in terror. Paul never forgot, after one of these fierce internecine fights, seeing a big red moon lift itself up, slowly, between the waste road over the hilltop, steadily, like a great bird. And he

e made of Sp

are mad

ing on eve

myself

they had the feel of wild creatures singing. It stirred the mother; and she understood wh

summer evenings the women would stand against the field fence, gossiping, facing the west, watching the sunsets

the hill. She saw at once they were colliers. Then she waited, a tall, thin, shrew-faced woman, standing on the hill brow, almost like a menace to the poor colliers who were toiling up. It was only eleven o'clo

knocked off?"

an, m

y letn yer goo," sh

t," replie

're flig to come u

going up her yard, spied Mrs. Mor

s knocked off, mi

n!" exclaimed Mrs

just seed J

r shoe-leather," said Mrs. Morel. A

gain. Morel hated to go back. He loved the sunny morning. But he h

is time!" exclaimed h

it, woman?

done half en

took with me," he bawled pathetic

their father eating with his dinner the two thick slices of rat

ing his snap for n

olled at me if I di

ry!" exclai

avagant mortal as you lot, with your waste. If I drop a bit of b

it," said Paul. "It

ther," said Morel. "Dirty or not dirty, I

ice and pay for it out of you

t I?" he

He wrote a good deal to his mother, telling her all his life, how he made friends, and was exchanging lessons with a Frenchman, how he enjoyed London. His mother felt again he was remaining to her just as when he was at hom

avagance in the larder. Mrs. Morel made a big and magnificent cake. Then, feeling queenly, she showed Paul how to blanch almonds. He skinned the long nuts reverently, counting them all, to see not one was lost. It was said that eg

mother! Isn'

it on his nose, the

aste it," sai

sing bunch of berried holly hung with bright and glittering things, spun slowly over Mrs. Morel's head as she trimmed her little tarts in the kitchen. A great fire roared. There was a scent of cooked pastry. He was due at seven o'clock, but he would be late. The three children had gone to meet him.

e's coming?" Morel as

half-past six," she

e here at ten

ifferently. But she hoped, by expecting him late, to bring him ea

said. "You're like

tin' him summat t' eat r

ty of time,"

urning crossly in his chair. She began to clear her t

d main line, two miles from home. They waited one hour. A train came-he was not t

come," said Paul to Annie, wh

ie. "You be quiet-h

ared of broaching any man, let alone one in a peaked cap, to dare to ask. The three children could scarcely go into the waiting-room for

half late," said A

Annie, "it's

! It seemed the utter-most of distance. They thought anything might happen if one came from London. Th

ating hearts. A great train, bound for Manchester, drew up. Two doors opened, and from one of them, William. They flew to him. He handed parcels to them che

ed, everything was ready. Mrs. Morel put on her black apron. She was wearing her

el. "It's an ho

ildren waitin

na ha' come in

hristmas Eve they

a cold, raw wind. And all that space of night from London home! Mrs. Morel suffered. The slight c

ound of voices, and a

cried Morel

ed. There was a rush and a patter of feet, the door burst open. William

r!" h

y!" sh

sped him and kissed him. Then she withd

w late

d, turning to his f

men shoo

, my

eyes w

'd niver be com

me!" exclai

turned round

ll," she said pr

ed. "I should thin

He looked round at the evergreens and the kissing bunch,

s not different!" he

ddenly sprang forward, picked a tart from th

e such a parish oven!"

the pale handle. She kept it to her dying day, and would have lost anything rather than that. Everybody had something gorgeous, and besides, there were pounds of unknown sweets: Tur

in slices, and then turne

er the suffering had been. There were parties, there were rejoicings. People came in to see William, to see wha

e. Morel went to bed in misery, and Mrs. Morel felt as if she were numbed b

, my boy. You may never have a chance again, and I should love to think of you cruising there in the Mediterranean almost better than to have you at home." But William came home for his fortnight's holiday. Not e