Місіс Деллоуей

           “Ithasflowered,”thegardenermighthavesaid,hadheopenedthedoor;hadhecomein,thatistosay,anynightaboutthistime,andfoundhimwriting;foundhimtearinguphiswriting;foundhimfinishingamasterpieceatthreeo’clockinthemorningandrunningouttopacethestreets,andvisitingchurches,andfastingoneday,drinkinganother,devouringShakespeare,Darwin,TheHistoryofCivilisation,andBernardShaw.

           Somethingwasup,Mr.Brewerknew;Mr.Brewer,managingclerkatSibleysandArrowsmiths,auctioneers,valuers,landandestateagents;somethingwasup,hethought,and,beingpaternalwithhisyoungmen,andthinkingveryhighlyofSmith’sabilities,andprophesyingthathewould,intenorfifteenyears,succeedtotheleatherarm-chairintheinnerroomundertheskylightwiththedeed-boxesroundhim,“ifhekeepshishealth,”saidMr.Brewer,andthatwasthedanger—helookedweakly;advisedfootball,invitedhimtosupperandwasseeinghiswaytoconsiderrecommendingariseofsalary,whensomethinghappenedwhichthrewoutmanyofMr.Brewer’scalculations,tookawayhisablestyoungfellows,andeventually,sopryingandinsidiouswerethefingersoftheEuropeanWar,smashedaplastercastofCeres,ploughedaholeinthegeraniumbeds,andutterlyruinedthecook’snervesatMr.Brewer’sestablishmentatMuswellHill.

           Septimuswasoneofthefirsttovolunteer.