Chapter 18

           Thereisnouseyourtellingmethatyouaregoingtobegood,"criedLordHenry,dippinghiswhitefingersintoaredcopperbowlfilledwithrose-water. "You’requiteperfect. Pray,don’tchange." 

           DorianGrayshookhishead. "No,Harry,Ihavedonetoomanydreadfulthingsinmylife. Iamnotgoingtodoanymore. Ibeganmygoodactionsyesterday." 

           "Wherewereyouyesterday?" 

           "Inthecountry,Harry. Iwasstayingatalittleinnbymyself." 

           "Mydearboy,"saidLordHenry,smiling,"anybodycanbegoodinthecountry. Therearenotemptationsthere. Thatisthereasonwhypeoplewholiveoutoftownaresoabsolutelyuncivilised. Civilisationisnotbyanymeansaneasythingtoattainto. Thereareonlytwowaysbywhichmancanreachit. Oneisbybeingcultured,theotherbybeingcorrupt. Countrypeoplehavenoopportunityofbeingeither,sotheystagnate." 

           "Cultureandcorruption,"echoedDorian. "Ihaveknownsomethingofboth. Itseemsterribletomenowthattheyshouldeverbefoundtogether. ForIhaveanewideal,Harry. Iamgoingtoalter. IthinkIhavealtered." 

           "Youhavenotyettoldmewhatyourgoodactionwas. Ordidyousayyouhaddonemorethanone? "askedhiscompanion,ashespiltintohisplatealittlecrimsonpyramidofseededstrawberries,andthroughaperforatedshell-shapedspoonsnowedwhitesugaruponthem. 

           "Icantellyou,Harry.ItisnotastoryIcouldtelltoanyoneelse. Isparedsomebody.