The Fixed Period

  CHAPTER IV.

  JACK NEVERBEND.

  Six months passed away, which, I must own to me was a period of greatdoubt and unhappiness, though it was relieved by certain momentsof triumph. Of course, as the time drew nearer, the question ofCrasweller's deposition became generally discussed by the public ofGladstonopolis. And so also did the loves of Abraham Grundle and EvaCrasweller. There were "Evaites" and "Abrahamites" in the community;for though the match had not yet been altogether broken, it was knownthat the two young people differed altogether on the question of theold man's deposition. It was said by the defendents of Grundle, whowere to be found for the most part among the young men and youngwomen, that Abraham was simply anxious to carry out the laws of hiscountry. It happened that, during this period, he was elected to avacant seat in the Assembly, so that, when the matter came on fordiscussion there, he was able to explain publicly his motives; andit must be owned that he did so with good words and with a certainamount of youthful eloquence. As for Eva, she was simply intent onpreserving the lees of her father's life, and had been heard toexpress an opinion that the college was "all humbug," and that peopleought to be allowed to live as long as it pleased God to let them.Of course she had with her the elderly ladies of the community, andamong them my own wife as the foremost. Mrs Neverbend had never madeherself prominent before in any public question; but on this sheseemed to entertain a very warm opinion. Whether this arose entirelyfrom her desire to promote Jack's welfare, or from a reflection thather own period of deposition was gradually becoming nearer, I nevercould quite make up my mind. She had, at any rate, ten years to run,and I never heard from her any expressed fear of,--departure. Shewas,--and is,--a brave, good woman, attached to her household duties,anxious for her husband's comfort, but beyond measure solicitous forall good things to befall that scapegrace Jack Neverbend, for whomshe thinks that nothing is sufficiently rich or sufficiently grand.Jack is a handsome boy, I grant, but that is about all that can besaid of him; and in this matter he has been diametrically opposed tohis father from first to last.

  It will be seen that, in such circumstances, none of these momentsof triumph to which I have alluded can have come to me within myown home. There Mrs Neverbend and Jack, and after a while Eva, sattogether in perpetual council against me. When these meetings firstbegan, Eva still acknowledged herself to be the promised bride ofAbraham Grundle. There were her own vows, and her parent's assent,and something perhaps of remaining love. But presently she whisperedto my wife that she could not but feel horror for the man who wasanxious to "murder her father;" and by-and-by she began to own thatshe thought Jack a fine fellow. We had a wonderful cricket club inGladstonopolis, and Britannula had challenged the English cricketersto come and play on the Little Christchurch ground, which theydeclared to be the only cricket ground as yet prepared on the faceof the earth which had all the accomplishments possible for the dueprosecution of the game. Now Jack, though very young, was captainof the club, and devoted much more of his time to that occupationthan to his more legitimate business as a merchant. Eva, who hadnot hitherto paid much attention to cricket, became on a suddenpassionately devoted to it; whereas Abraham Grundle, with asteadiness beyond his years, gave himself up more than ever to thebusiness of the Assembly, and expressed some contempt for the game,though he was no mean player.

  It had become necessary during this period to bring forward in theAssembly the whole question of the Fixed Period, as it was felt that,in the present state of public opinion, it would not be expedient tocarry out the established law without the increased sanction whichwould be given to it by a further vote in the House. Public opinionwould have forbidden us to deposit Crasweller without some suchfurther authority. Therefore it was deemed necessary that a questionshould be asked, in which Crasweller's name was not mentioned, butwhich might lead to some general debate. Young Grundle demanded onemorning whether it was the intention of the Government to see thatthe different clauses as to the new law respecting depositions wereat once carried out. "The House is aware, I believe," he said, "thatthe first operation will soon be needed." I may as well state herethat this was repeated to Eva, and that she pretended to take huff atsuch a question from her lover. It was most indecent, she said; andshe, after such words, must drop him for ever. It was not for somemonths after that, that she allowed Jack's name to be mentionedwith her own; but I was aware that it was partly settled betweenher and Jack and Mrs Neverbend. Grundle declared his intention ofproceeding against old Crasweller in reference to the breach ofcontract, according to the laws of Britannula; but that Jack's partydisregarded altogether. In telling this, however, I am advancing alittle beyond the point in my story to which I have as yet carried myreader.

  Then there arose a debate upon the whole principle of the measure,which was carried on with great warmth. I, as President, of coursetook no part in it; but, in accordance with our constitution, I heardit all from the chair which I usually occupied at the Speaker's righthand. The arguments on which the greatest stress was laid tended toshow that the Fixed Period had been carried chiefly with a view torelieving the miseries of the old. And it was conclusively shownthat, in a very great majority of cases, life beyond sixty-eight wasall vanity and vexation of spirit. That other argument as to thecostliness of old men to the state was for the present dropped. Hadyou listened to young Grundle, insisting with all the vehemenceof youth on the absolute wretchedness to which the aged had beencondemned by the absence of any such law,--had you heard the miseriesof rheumatism, gout, stone, and general debility pictured in theeloquent words of five-and-twenty,--you would have felt that allwho could lend themselves to perpetuate such a state of things mustbe guilty of fiendish cruelty. He really rose to a great heightof parliamentary excellence, and altogether carried with him theyounger, and luckily the greater, part of the House. There was reallynothing to be said on the other side, except a repetition of theprejudices of the Old World. But, alas! so strong are the weaknessesof the world, that prejudice can always vanquish truth by the merestrength of its battalions. Not till it had been proved and re-provedten times over, was it understood that the sun could not have stoodstill upon Gideon. Crasweller, who was a member, and who tookhis seat during these debates without venturing to speak, merelywhispered to his neighbour that the heartless greedy fellow wasunwilling to wait for the wools of Little Christchurch.

  Three divisions were made on the debate, and thrice did theFixed-Periodists beat the old party by a majority of fifteen in aHouse consisting of eighty-five members. So strong was the feelingin the empire, that only two members were absent, and the numberremained the same during the whole week of the debate. This, I didthink, was a triumph; and I felt that the old country, which hadreally nothing on earth to do with the matter, could not interferewith an opinion expressed so strongly. My heart throbbed withpleasureable emotion as I heard that old age, which I was myselfapproaching, depicted in terms which made its impotence trulyconspicuous,--till I felt that, had it been proposed to deposit allof us who had reached the age of fifty-eight, I really think thatI should joyfully have given my assent to such a measure, and havewalked off at once and deposited myself in the college.

  But it was only at such moments that I was allowed to experience thisfeeling of triumph. I was encountered not only in my own house but insociety generally, and on the very streets of Gladstonopolis, by theexpression of an opinion that Crasweller would not be made to retireto the college at his Fixed Period. "What on earth is there to hinderit?" I said once to my old friend Ruggles. Ruggles was now somewhatover sixty, and was an agent in the town for country wool-growers.He took no part in politics; and though he had never agreed tothe principle of the Fixed Period, had not interested himself inopposition to it. He was a man whom I regarded as indifferent tolength of life, but one who would, upon the whole, rather face suchlot as Nature might intend for him, than seek to improve it by anynew reform.

  "Eva Crasweller will hinder it," said Ruggles.

  "Eva is a mere child. Do you suppo
se that her opinion will be allowedto interrupt the laws of the whole community, and oppose the progressof civilisation?"

  "Her feelings will," said Ruggles. "Who's to stand a daughterinterceding for the life of her father?"

  "One man cannot, but eighty-five can do so."

  "The eighty-five will be to the community just what the one would beto the eighty-five. I am not saying anything about your law. I amnot expressing an opinion whether it would be good or bad. I shouldlike to live out my own time, though I acknowledge that you Assemblymen have on your shoulders the responsibility of deciding whether Ishall do so or not. You could lead me away and deposit me without anytrouble, because I am not popular. But the people are beginning totalk about Eva Crasweller and Abraham Grundle, and I tell you thatall the volunteers you have in Britannula will not suffice to takethe old man to the college, and to keep him there till you havepolished him off. He would be deposited again at Little Christchurchin triumph, and the college would be left a wreck behind him."

  This view of the case was peculiarly distressing to me. As thechief magistrate of the community, nothing is so abhorrent to me asrebellion. Of a populace that are not law-abiding, nothing but evilcan be predicted; whereas a people who will obey the laws cannot butbe prosperous. It grieved me greatly to be told that the inhabitantsof Gladstonopolis would rise in tumult and destroy the college merelyto favour the views of a pretty girl. Was there any honour, or worseagain, could there be any utility, in being the President of arepublic in which such things could happen? I left my friend Rugglesin the street, and passed on to the executive hall in a very painfulframe of mind.

  When there, tidings reached me of a much sadder nature. At the verymoment at which I had been talking with Ruggles in the street on thesubject, a meeting had been held in the market-place with the expresspurpose of putting down the Fixed Period; and who had been the chieforator on the occasion but Jack Neverbend! My own son had taken uponhimself this new work of public speechifying in direct opposition tohis own father! And I had reason to believe that he was instigatedto do so by my own wife! "Your son, sir, has been addressing themultitude about the Fixed Period, and they say that it has been quitebeautiful to hear him." It was thus that the matter was told me byone of the clerks in my office, and I own that I did receive someslight pleasure at finding that Jack could do something beyondcricket. But it became immediately necessary to take steps tostop the evil, and I was the more bound to do so because the onlydelinquent named to me was my own son.

  "If it be so," I said aloud in the office, "Jack Neverbend shallsleep this night in prison." But it did not occur to me at the momentthat it would be necessary I should have formal evidence that Jackwas conspiring against the laws before I could send him to jail. Ihad no more power over him in that respect than on any one else. HadI declared that he should be sent to bed without his supper, I shouldhave expressed myself better both as a father and a magistrate.

  I went home, and on entering the house the first person that I sawwas Eva. Now, as this matter went on, I became full of wrath withmy son, and with my wife, and with poor old Crasweller; but I nevercould bring myself to be angry with Eva. There was a coaxing, sweet,feminine way with her which overcame all opposition. And I hadalready begun to regard her as my daughter-in-law, and to loveher dearly in that position, although there were moments in whichJack's impudence and new spirit of opposition almost tempted me todisinherit him.

  "Eva," I said, "what is this that I hear of a public meeting in thestreets?"

  "Oh, Mr Neverbend," she said, taking me by the arm, "there are onlya few boys who are talking about papa." Through all the noises andtumults of these times there was an evident determination to speakof Jack as a boy. Everything that he did and all that he said weremerely the efflux of his high spirits as a schoolboy. Eva alwaysspoke of him as a kind of younger brother. And yet I soon found thatthe one opponent whom I had most to fear in Britannula was my ownson.

  "But why," I asked, "should these foolish boys discuss the seriousquestion respecting your dear father in the public street?"

  "They don't want to have him--deposited," she said, almost sobbing asshe spoke.

  "But, my dear," I began, determined to teach her the whole theory ofthe Fixed Period with all its advantages from first to last.

  But she interrupted me at once. "Oh, Mr Neverbend, I know what a goodthing it is--to talk about. I have no doubt the world will be a greatdeal the better for it. And if all the papas had been deposited forthe last five hundred years, I don't suppose that I should care somuch about it. But to be the first that ever it happened to in allthe world! Why should papa be the first? You ought to begin with someweak, crotchety, poor old cripple, who would be a great deal betterout of the way. But papa is in excellent health, and has all his witsabout him a great deal better than Mr Grundle. He manages everythingat Little Christchurch, and manages it very well."

  "But, my dear--" I was going to explain to her that in a questionof such enormous public interest as this of the Fixed Period itwas impossible to consider the merits of individual cases. But sheinterrupted me again before I could get out a word.

  "Oh, Mr Neverbend, they'll never be able to do it, and I'm afraidthat then you'll be vexed."

  "My dear, if the law be--"

  "Oh yes, the law is a very beautiful thing; but what's the good oflaws if they cannot be carried out? There's Jack there;--of coursehe is only a boy, but he swears that all the executive, and all theAssembly, and all the volunteers in Britannula, shan't lead my papainto that beastly college."

  "Beastly! My dear, you cannot have seen the college. It is perfectlybeautiful."

  "That's only what Jack says. It's Jack that calls it beastly. Ofcourse he's not much of a man as yet, but he is your own son. And Ido think, that for an earnest spirit about a thing, Jack is a veryfine fellow."

  "Abraham Grundle, you know, is just as warm on the other side."

  "I hate Abraham Grundle. I don't want ever to hear his name again.I understand very well what it is that Abraham Grundle is after. Henever cared a straw for me; nor I much for him, if you come to that."

  "But you are contracted."

  "If you think that I am going to marry a man because our names havebeen written down in a book together, you are very much mistaken. Heis a nasty mean fellow, and I will never speak to him again as longas I live. He would deposit papa this very moment if he had thepower. Whereas Jack is determined to stand up for him as long as hehas got a tongue to shout or hands to fight." These were terriblewords, but I had heard the same sentiment myself from Jack's ownlips. "Of course Jack is nothing to me," she continued, with thathalf sob which had become habitual to her whenever she was forced tospeak of her father's deposition. "He is only a boy, but we all knowthat he could thrash Abraham Grundle at once. And to my thinking heis much more fit to be a member of the Assembly."

  As she would not hear a word that I said to her, and was only intenton expressing the warmth of her own feelings, I allowed her to goher way, and retired to the privacy of my own library. There Iendeavoured to console myself as best I might by thinking of thebrilliant nature of Jack's prospects. He himself was over head andears in love with Eva, and it was clear to me that Eva was nearlyas fond of him. And then the sly rogue had found the certain way toobtain old Crasweller's consent. Grundle had thought that if he couldonce see his father-in-law deposited, he would have nothing to do butto walk into Little Christchurch as master. That was the accusationgenerally made against him in Gladstonopolis. But Jack, who did not,as far as I could see, care a straw for humanity in the matter, hadvehemently taken the side of the Anti-Fixed-Periodists as the safestway to get the father's consent. There was a contract of marriage,no doubt, and Grundle would be entitled to take a quarter of thefather's possessions if he could prove that the contract had beenbroken. Such was the law of Britannula on the subject. But not ashilling had as yet been claimed by any man under that law. AndCrasweller no doubt concluded that Grundle would be unwilling to bearthe odium
of being the first. And there were clauses in the law whichwould make it very difficult for him to prove the validity of thecontract. It had been already asserted by many that a girl couldnot be expected to marry the man who had endeavoured to destroy herfather; and although in my mind there could be no doubt that AbrahamGrundle had only done his duty as a senator, there was no knowingwhat view of the case a jury might take in Gladstonopolis. And then,if the worst came to the worst, Crasweller would resign a fourth ofhis property almost without a pang, and Jack would content himself inmaking the meanness of Grundle conspicuous to his fellow-citizens.

  And now I must confess that, as I sat alone in my library, I didhesitate for an hour as to my future conduct. Might it not be betterfor me to abandon altogether the Fixed Period and all its glories?Even in Britannula the world might be too strong for me. Should Inot take the good things that were offered, and allow Jack to marryhis wife and be happy in his own way? In my very heart I loved himquite as well as did his mother, and thought that he was the finestyoung fellow that Britannula had produced. And if this kind of thingwent on, it might be that I should be driven to quarrel with himaltogether, and to have him punished under the law, like some oldRoman of old. And I must confess that my relations with Mrs Neverbendmade me very unfit to ape the Roman _paterfamilias_. She neverinterfered with public business, but she had a way of talking abouthousehold matters in which she was always victorious. Looking back asI did at this moment on the past, it seemed to me that she and Jack,who were the two persons I loved best in the world, had been theenemies who had always successfully conspired against me. "Do havedone with your Fixed Period and nonsense," she had said to me onlyyesterday. "It's all very well for the Assembly; but when you cometo killing poor Mr Crasweller in real life, it is quite out of thequestion." And then, when I began to explain to her at length theimmense importance of the subject, she only remarked that that woulddo very well for the Assembly. Should I abandon it all, take the goodthings with which God had provided me, and retire into private life?I had two sides to my character, and could see myself sitting inluxurious comfort amidst the furniture of Crasweller's verandahwhile Eva and her children were around, and Jack was standing witha cigar in his mouth outside laying down the law for the cricketersat Gladstonopolis. "Were not better done as others use," I said tomyself over and over again as I sat there wearied with this contest,and thinking of the much more frightful agony I should be called uponto endure when the time had actually come for the departure of oldCrasweller.

  And then again if I should fail! For half an hour or so I did fearthat I should fail. I had been always a most popular magistrate, butnow, it seemed, had come the time in which all my popularity must beabandoned. Jack, who was quick enough at understanding the aspect ofthings, had already begun to ask the people whether they would seetheir old friend Crasweller murdered in cold blood. It was a dreadfulword, but I was assured that he had used it. How would it be when thetime even for depositing had come, and an attempt was made to leadthe old man up through the streets of Gladstonopolis? Should I havestrength of character to perform the task in opposition to the loudlyexpressed wishes of the inhabitants, and to march him along protectedby a strong body of volunteers? And how would it be if the volunteersthemselves refused to act on the side of law and order? Should I notabsolutely fail; and would it not afterwards be told of me that, asPresident, I had broken down in an attempt to carry out the projectwith which my name had been so long associated?

  As I sat there alone I had almost determined to yield. But suddenlythere came upon me a memory of Socrates, of Galileo, of Hampden, andof Washington. What great things had these men done by constancy,in opposition to the wills and prejudices of the outside world! Howtriumphant they now appeared to have been in fighting against theenormous odds which power had brought against them! And how pleasantnow were the very sounds of their names to all who loved theirfellow-creatures! In some moments of private thought, anxious aswere now my own, they too must have doubted. They must have askedthemselves the question, whether they were strong enough to carrytheir great reforms against the world. But in these very moments thenecessary strength had been given to them. It must have been that,when almost despairing, they had been comforted by an inner truth,and had been all but inspired to trust with confidence in theircause. They, too, had been weak, and had trembled, and had almostfeared. But they had found in their own hearts that on which theycould rely. Had they been less sorely pressed than was I now at thispresent moment? Had not they believed and trusted and been confident?As I thought of it, I became aware that it was not only necessary fora man to imagine new truths, but to be able to endure, and to suffer,and to bring them to maturity. And how often before a truth wasbrought to maturity must it be necessary that he who had imaginedit, and seen it, and planned it, must give his very life for it,and all in vain? But not perhaps all in vain as far as the worldwas concerned; but only in vain in regard to the feelings andknowledge of the man himself. In struggling for the welfare of hisfellow-creatures, a man must dare to endure to be obliterated,--mustbe content to go down unheard of,--or, worse still, ridiculed, andperhaps abused by all,--in order that something afterwards may remainof those changes which he has been enabled to see, but not to carryout. How many things are requisite to true greatness! But, firstof all, is required that self-negation which is able to plan newblessings, although certain that those blessings will be accounted ascurses by the world at large.

  Then I got up, and as I walked about the room I declared to myselfaloud my purpose. Though I might perish in the attempt, I wouldcertainly endeavour to carry out the doctrine of the Fixed Period.Though the people might be against me, and regard me as theirenemy,--that people for whose welfare I had done it all,--stillI would persevere, even though I might be destined to fall in theattempt. Though the wife of my bosom and the son of my loins shouldturn against me, and embitter my last moments by their enmity, stillwould I persevere. When they came to speak of the vices and thevirtues of President Neverbend,--to tell of his weakness and hisstrength,--it should never be said of him that he had been deterredby fear of the people from carrying out the great measure which hehad projected solely for their benefit.

  Comforted by this resolve, I went into Mrs Neverbend's parlour,where I found her son Jack sitting with her. They had evidently beentalking about Jack's speech in the market-place; and I could see thatthe young orator's brow was still flushed with the triumph of themoment. "Father," said he, immediately, "you will never be able todeposit old Crasweller. People won't let you do it."

  "The people of Britannula," I said, "will never interfere to preventtheir magistrate from acting in accordance with the law."

  "Bother!" said Mrs Neverbend. When my wife said "bother," it was, Iwas aware, of no use to argue with her. Indeed, Mrs Neverbend is alady upon whom argument is for the most part thrown away. She formsher opinion from the things around her, and is, in regard to domesticlife, and to her neighbours, and to the conduct of people with whomshe lives, almost invariably right. She has a quick insight, and anaffectionate heart, which together keep her from going astray. Sheknows how to do good, and when to do it. But to abstract argument,and to political truth, she is wilfully blind. I felt it to benecessary that I should select this opportunity for making Jackunderstand that I would not fear his opposition; but I own that Icould have wished that Mrs Neverbend had not been present on theoccasion.

  "Won't they?" said Jack. "That's just what I fancy they will do."

  "Do you mean to say that it is what you wish them to do,--that youthink it right that they should do it?"

  "I don't think Crasweller ought to be deposited, if you mean that,father."

  "Not though the law requires it?" This I said in a tone of authority."Have you formed any idea in your own mind of the subjection to thelaw which is demanded from all good citizens? Have you ever bethoughtyourself that the law should be in all things--"

  "Oh, Mr President, pray do not make a speech here," said my wife. "Ishall never un
derstand it, and I do not think that Jack is much wiserthan I am."

  "I do not know what you mean by a speech, Sarah." My wife's name isSarah. "But it is necessary that Jack should be instructed that he,at any rate, must obey the law. He is my son, and, as such, it isessentially necessary that he should be amenable to it. The lawdemands--"

  "You can't do it, and there's an end of it," said Mrs Neverbend."You and all your laws will never be able to put an end to poor MrCrasweller,--and it would be a great shame if you did. You don't seeit; but the feeling here in the city is becoming very strong. Thepeople won't have it; and I must say that it is only rational thatJack should be on the same side. He is a man now, and has a right tohis own opinion as well as another."

  "Jack," said I, with much solemnity, "do you value your father'sblessing?"

  "Well; sir, yes," said he. "A blessing, I suppose, means something ofan allowance paid quarterly."

  I turned away my face that he might not see the smile which I feltwas involuntarily creeping across it. "Sir," said I, "a father'sblessing has much more than a pecuniary value. It includes that kindof relation between a parent and his son without which life would bea burden to me, and, I should think, very grievous to you also."

  "Of course I hope that you and I may always be on good terms."

  I was obliged to take this admission for what it was worth. "If youwish to remain on good terms with me," said I, "you must not opposeme in public when I am acting as a public magistrate."

  "Is he to see Mr Crasweller murdered before his very eyes, and to saynothing about it?" said Mrs Neverbend.

  Of all terms in the language there was none so offensive to me asthat odious word when used in reference to the ceremony which I hadintended to be so gracious and alluring. "Sarah," said I, turningupon her in my anger, "that is a very improper word, and one whichyou should not tempt the boy to use, especially in my presence."

  "English is English, Mr President," she said. She always called me"Mr President" when she intended to oppose me.

  "You might as well say that a man was murdered when he is--is--killedin battle." I had been about to say "executed," but I stopped myself.Men are not executed in Britannula.

  "No. He is fighting his country's battle and dies gloriously."

  "He has his leg shot off, or his arm, and is too frequently left toperish miserably on the ground. Here every comfort will be providedfor him, so that he may depart from this world without a pang, when,in the course of years, he shall have lived beyond the period atwhich he can work and be useful."

  "But look at Mr Crasweller, father. Who is more useful than he is?"

  Nothing had been more unlucky to me as the promoter of the FixedPeriod than the peculiar healthiness and general sanity of him whowas by chance to be our first martyr. It might have been possibleto make Jack understand that a rule which had been found to beapplicable to the world at large was not fitted for some peculiarindividual, but it was quite impossible to bring this home to themind of Mrs Neverbend. I must, I felt, choose some other opportunityfor expounding that side of the argument. I would at the presentmoment take a leaf out of my wife's book and go straight to mypurpose. "I tell you what it is, young man," said I; "I do not intendto be thwarted by you in carrying on the great reform to which Ihave devoted my life. If you cannot hold your tongue at the presentmoment, and abstain from making public addresses in the market-place,you shall go out of Britannula. It is well that you should travel andsee something of the world before you commence the trade of publicorator. Now I think of it, the Alpine Club from Sydney are to be inNew Zealand this summer, and it will suit you very well to go andclimb up Mount Earnshawe and see all the beauties of nature insteadof talking nonsense here in Gladstonopolis."

  "Oh, father, I should like nothing better," cried Jack,enthusiastically.

  "Nonsense," said Mrs Neverbend; "are you going to send the poor boyto break his neck among the glaciers? Don't you remember that DickArdwinkle was lost there a year or two ago, and came to his death ina most frightful manner?"

  "That was before I was born," said Jack, "or at any rate very shortlyafterwards. And they hadn't then invented the new patent steelclimbing arms. Since they came up, no one has ever been lost amongthe glaciers."

  "You had better prepare then to go," said I, thinking that the ideaof getting rid of Jack in this manner was very happy.

  "But, father," said he, "of course I can't stir a step till after thegreat cricket-match."

  "You must give up cricket for this time. So good an opportunity forvisiting the New Zealand mountains may never come again."

  "Give up the match!" he exclaimed. "Why, the English sixteen arecoming here on purpose to play us, and swear that they'll beat us bymeans of the new catapult. But I know that our steam-bowler will beattheir catapult hollow. At any rate I cannot stir from here till afterthe match is over. I've got to arrange everything myself. Besides,they do count something on my spring-batting. I should be regardedas absolutely a traitor to my country if I were to leave Britannulawhile this is going on. The young Marquis of Marylebone, theirleader, is to stay at our house; and the vessel bringing them will bedue here about eleven o'clock next Wednesday."

  "Eleven o'clock next Wednesday," said I, in surprise. I had notas yet heard of this match, nor of the coming of our aristocraticvisitor.

  "They won't be above thirty minutes late at the outside. They leftthe Land's End three weeks ago last Tuesday at two, and London athalf-past ten. We have had three or four water telegrams from themsince they started, and they hadn't then lost ten minutes on thejourney. Of course I must be at home to receive the Marquis ofMarylebone."

  All this set me thinking about many things. It was true that at sucha moment I could not use my parental authority to send Jack out ofthe island. To such an extent had the childish amusements of youthbeen carried, as to give to them all the importance of politics andsocial science. What I had heard about this cricket-match had gonein at one ear and come out at the other; but now that it was broughthome to me, I was aware that all my authority would not serve tobanish Jack till it was over. Not only would he not obey me, but hewould be supported in his disobedience by even the elders of thecommunity. But perhaps the worst feature of it all was the arrivaljust now at Gladstonopolis of a crowd of educated Englishmen. WhenI say educated I mean prejudiced. They would be Englishmen withno ideas beyond those current in the last century, and would bealtogether deaf to the wisdom of the Fixed Period. I saw at a glancethat I must wait till they should have taken their departure, andpostpone all further discussion on the subject as far as might bepossible till Gladstonopolis should have been left to her naturalquiescence after the disturbance of the cricket. "Very well," saidI, leaving the room. "Then it may come to pass that you will never beable to visit the wonderful glories of Mount Earnshawe."

  "Plenty of time for that," said Jack, as I shut the door.