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conclusive： a court of law could have desired no better。
The fact being patent； the next thing was to grapple with it； and my
mind was fully occupied during the sermon。 There was really nothing
unfair or unbrotherly in my attitude。 A philosophic affection such as
mine own； which clashed with nothing； was （I held） permissible； but the
volcanic passions in which Edward indulged about once a quarter were a
serious interference with business。 To make matters worse； next week
there was a circus coming to the neighbourhood； to which we had all been
strictly forbidden to go； and without Edward no visit in contempt of law
and orders could be successfully brought off。 I had sounded him as to
the circus on our way to church； and he had replied briefly that the very
thought of a clown made him sick。 Morbidity could no further go。 But
the sermon came to an end without any line of conduct having suggested
itself； and I walked home in some depression； feeling sadly that Venus was
in the ascendant and in direful opposition； while Aurigathe circus star
drooped declinant； perilously near the horizon。
By the irony of fate； Aunt Eliza； of all people； turned out to be the Dea
ex machina： which thing fell out in this wise。 It was that lady's
obnoxious practice to issue forth； of a Sunday afternoon； on a visit of state
to such farmers and cottagers as dwelt at hand； on which occasion she was
wont to hale a reluctant boy along with her； from the mixed motives of
propriety and his soul's health。 Much cudgelling of brains； I suppose；
had on that particular day made me torpid and unwary。 Anyhow； when a
victim came to be sought for； I fell an easy prey； while the others fled
scatheless and whooping。 Our first visit was to the Larkins。 Here
ceremonial might be viewed in its finest flower； and we conducted
ourselves； like Queen Elizabeth when she trod the measure； 〃high and
disposedly。〃 In the low； oak…panelled parlour； cake and currant wine
were set forth； and after courtesies and compliments exchanged； Aunt
Eliza； greatly condescending； talked the fashions with Mrs Larkin； while
the farmer and I； perspiring with the unusual effort； exchanged remarks on
the mutability of the weather and the steady fall in the price of corn。
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（Who would have thought； to hear us； that only two short days ago we had
confronted each other on either side of a hedge；I triumphant； provocative；
derisive； he flushed； wroth； cracking his whip； and volleying forth
profanity？
So powerful is all…subduing ceremony！） Sabina the while； demurely
seated with a Pilgrim's Progress on her knee； and apparently absorbed in a
brightly coloured presentment of 〃Apollyon Straddling Right across the
Way；〃 eyed me at times with shy interest； but repelled all Aunt Eliza's
advances with a frigid politeness for which I could not sufficiently admire
her。
〃It's surprising to me；〃 I heard my aunt remark presently； 〃how my
eldest nephew； Edward； despises little girls。 I heard him tell Charlotte
the other day that he wished he could exchange her for a pair of Japanese
guinea…pigs。 It made the poor child cry。 Boys are so heartless！〃 （I
saw Sabina stiffen as she sat； and her tip…tilted nose twitched scornfully。）
〃Now this boy here〃 （my soul descended into my very boots。 Could the
woman have intercepted any of my amorous glances at the baker's wife？）
〃Now this boy；〃 my aunt went on； 〃is more human altogether。 Only
yesterday he took his sister to the baker's shop； and spent his only penny
buying her sweets。 I thought it showed such a nice disposition。 I wish
Edward were more like him！〃
I breathed again。 It was unnecessary to explain my real motives for
that visit to the baker's。 Sabina's face softened； and her contemptuous
nose descended from its altitude of scorn； she gave me one shy glance of
kindness； and then concentrated her attention upon Mercy knocking at the
Wicket Gate。 I felt awfully mean as regarded Edward； but what could I
do？ I was in Gaza； gagged and bound； the Philistines hemmed me in。
The same evening the storm burst； the bolt fell； andto continue the
metaphorthe atmosphere grew serene and clear once more。 The
evening service was shorter than usual； the vicar； as he ascended the pulpit
steps； having dropped two pages out of his sermon…case；unperceived by
any but ourselves； either at the moment or subsequently when the hiatus
was reached； so as we joyfully shuffled out I whispered Edward that by
racing home at top speed we should make time to assume our bows and
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The Golden Age
arrows （laid aside for the day） and play at Indians and buffaloes with Aunt
Eliza's fowlsalready strolling roostwards； regardless of their doom
before that sedately stepping lady could return。 Edward hung at the door；
wavering； the suggestion had unhallowed charms。
At that moment Sabina issued primly forth； and； seeing Edward； put
out her tongue at him in the most exasperating manner conceivable； then
passed on her way； her shoulders rigid； her dainty head held high。 A man
can stand very much in the cause of love： poverty； aunts； rivals； barriers of
every sort；all these only serve to fan the flame。 But personal ridicule is
a shaft that reaches the very vitals。 Edward led the race home at a speed
which one of Ballantyne's heroes might have equalled but never surpassed；
and that evening the Indians dispersed Aunt Eliza's fowls over several
square miles of country； so that the tale of them remaineth incomplete unto
this day。 Edward himself； cheering wildly； pursued the big Cochin…China
cock till the bird sank gasping under the drawing…room window； whereat
its mistress stood petrified； and after supper； in the shrubbery； smoked a
half…consumed cigar he had picked up in the road； and declared to an awe…
stricken audience his final； his immitigable； resolve to go into the army。
The crisis was past； and Edward was saved！ 。 。 。 And yet 。 。 。 sunt