Chapter 14

           WalkingtochurchacertainSundaymorning,IhadlittleMilesatmysideandhissister,inadvanceofusandatMrs.Grose’s,wellinsight.Itwasacrisp,clearday,thefirstofitsorderforsometime;thenighthadbroughtatouchoffrost,andtheautumnair,brightandsharp,madethechurchbellsalmostgay.ItwasanoddaccidentofthoughtthatIshouldhavehappenedatsuchamomenttobeparticularlyandverygratefullystruckwiththeobedienceofmylittlecharges.Whydidtheyneverresentmyinexorable,myperpetualsociety?SomethingorotherhadbroughtnearerhometomethatIhadallbutpinnedtheboytomyshawlandthat,inthewayourcompanionsweremarshaledbeforeme,Imighthaveappearedtoprovideagainstsomedangerofrebellion.Iwaslikeagaolerwithaneyetopossiblesurprisesandescapes.Butallthisbelonged—Imeantheirmagnificentlittlesurrender—justtothespecialarrayofthefactsthatweremostabysmal.TurnedoutforSundaybyhisuncle’stailor,whohadhadafreehandandanotionofprettywaistcoatsandofhisgrandlittleair,Miles’swholetitletoindependence,therightsofhissexandsituation,weresostampeduponhimthatifhehadsuddenlystruckforfreedomIshouldhavehadnothingtosay.IwasbythestrangestofchanceswonderinghowIshouldmeethimwhentherevolutionunmistakablyoccurred.IcallitarevolutionbecauseInowseehow,withthewordhespoke,thecurtainroseonthelastactofmydreadfuldrama,andthecatastrophewasprecipitated.