(eBook PDF) College Physics: A Strategic

Approach 3rd Edition pdf download

https://ebooksecure.com/product/ebook-pdf-college-physics-a-
strategic-approach-3rd-edition/

Download more ebook from https://ebooksecure.com

We believe these products will be a great fit for you. Click
the link to download now, or visit ebooksecure.com
to discover even more!

College physics : a strategic approach 4th Edition

Stuart Field - eBook PDF

https://ebooksecure.com/download/college-physics-a-strategic-
approach-ebook-pdf/

(Original PDF) College Physics: A Strategic Approach

4th Edition by Randall D. Knight

http://ebooksecure.com/product/original-pdf-college-physics-a-
strategic-approach-4th-edition-by-randall-d-knight/

(eBook PDF) Physics For Scientists And Engineers: A

Strategic Approach With Modern Physics 3th

http://ebooksecure.com/product/ebook-pdf-physics-for-scientists-
and-engineers-a-strategic-approach-with-modern-physics-3th/

(eBook PDF) Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A

Strategic Approach with Modern Physics 4th Edition

http://ebooksecure.com/product/ebook-pdf-physics-for-scientists-
and-engineers-a-strategic-approach-with-modern-physics-4th-
edition/
(eBook PDF) Physics for Scientists and Engineers A
Strategic Approach 4th Global

http://ebooksecure.com/product/ebook-pdf-physics-for-scientists-
and-engineers-a-strategic-approach-4th-global/

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic

Approach with Modern Physics, 5th Edition, Global
Edition Randall Knight - eBook PDF

https://ebooksecure.com/download/physics-for-scientists-and-
engineers-a-strategic-approach-with-modern-physics-5th-edition-
global-edition-ebook-pdf/

(eBook PDF) College Physics 10th Global Edition

http://ebooksecure.com/product/ebook-pdf-college-physics-10th-
global-edition/

(eBook PDF) College Physics (with PhysicsNow) 7th

Edition

http://ebooksecure.com/product/ebook-pdf-college-physics-with-
physicsnow-7th-edition/

College Physics 11th Edition Raymond Serway - eBook PDF

https://ebooksecure.com/download/college-physics-ebook-pdf-2/
 Preface to the Instructor     vii

Instructor Supplements
Note ▶ For convenience, most instructor supplements ■ The Instructor’s Solutions Manual, written by Professor
can be downloaded from the “Instructor Resources” area of Larry Smith, Snow College, provides complete solutions
MasteringPhysics®. ◀ to all the end-of-chapter questions and problems. All
■ MasteringPhysics® is a powerful, yet simple, online solutions follow the Prepare/Solve/Assess problem-solving
homework, tutorial, and assessment system designed strategy used in the textbook for quantitative problems,
to improve student learning and results. Students benefit and Reason/Assess strategy for qualitative ones. The solu-
from wrong-answer specific feedback, hints, and a huge tions are available by chapter in Word and PDF format, are
variety of educationally effective content while unrivalled included on the Instructor’s Resource DVD, and can also
gradebook diagnostics allow an instructor to pinpoint the be downloaded from the Instructor Resource Center
weaknesses and misconceptions of their class. (www.pearsonhighered.com/educator).
NSF-sponsored published research (and subsequent ■ The Instructor’s Guide for College Physics: A Strategic
studies) show that MasteringPhysics has dramatic educa- Approach, a comprehensive and highly acclaimed
tional results. MasteringPhysics allows instructors to build resource, provides chapter-by-chapter creative ideas
wide-ranging homework assignments of just the right dif- and teaching tips for using College Physics: A Strate-
ficulty and length and provides them with efficient tools to gic Approach in your class. In addition, it contains an
analyze in unprecedented detail both class trends and the extensive review of what has been learned from phys-
work of any student. ics education research, and provides guidelines for using
■ The cross-platform Instructor’s Resource DVD (ISBN active-learning techniques in your classroom. Instructor
978-0-321-90725-7) provides invaluable and easy-to-use Guide chapters are provided in Word and PDF format,
resources for your class, organized by textbook chapter. are included on the Instructor’s Resource DVD, and can
The Instructor’s Solutions Manual and the Instructor’s also be downloaded from the Instructor Resource Center
Guide are provided in PDF format and as editable Word (www.pearsonhighered.com/educator).
files. Comprehensive Lecture Slides (with embedded class- ■ The Test Bank contains 4,000 high-quality problems,
room response system “Clicker” Questions) are provided with a range of multiple-choice and regular homework-
in PowerPoint, as well as high-quality versions of all the type questions. Test files are provided in both TestGen®
Prelecture Videos. In addition, all figures, photos, tables, (an easy-to-use, fully networkable program for creating
previews, and summaries from the textbook are given in and editing quizzes and exams) and Word format, and
JPEG format. All Problem-Solving Strategies, Math Rela- can also be downloaded from www.pearsonhighered.com/
tionships Boxes, Tactics Boxes, and Key Equations are educator. The Test Bank problems are also assignable via
provided in editable Word and JPEG format. MasteringPhysics.

Student Supplements
■ MasteringPhysics® is a powerful, yet simple, online ■ Pearson eText is available through MasteringPhysics,
homework, tutorial, and assessment system de- either automatically when MasteringPhysics is packaged
signed to improve student learning and results. Students with new books, or available as a purchased upgrade online.
benefit from wrong-answer specific feedback, hints, and a Allowing students access to the text wherever they have
huge variety of educationally effective content while unri- access to the Internet, Pearson eText comprises the full text,
valled gradebook diagnostics allow an instructor to pinpoint including figures that can be enlarged for better viewing.
the weaknesses and misconceptions of their class. The indi- Within eText, students are also able to pop up definitions
vidualized, 24/7 Socratic tutoring is recommended by 9 out and terms to help with vocabulary and the reading of the
of 10 students to their peers as the most effective and time- material. Students can also take notes in eText using the
efficient way to study. annotation feature at the top of each page.
■ The Student Workbook (Volume 1: Chapters 1–16 (ISBN ■ Over 140 Video Tutors about relevant
978-0-321-90886-5), Volume 2: Chapters 17–30 (978-0- demonstrations or problem-solving strategies
321-90887-2), or a package of both volumes (ISBN 978- play directly on a smartphone or tablet via
0-321-90724-0)) is a key component of College Physics: Class Video scannable QR codes in the printed book.
A Strategic Approach. The workbook bridges the gap These interactive videos are also viewable via
between textbook and homework problems by providing links within the Pearson eText and the Study Area of
students the opportunity to learn and practice skills prior to MasteringPhysics.
using those skills in quantitative end-of-chapter problems, ■ ActivPhysics OnlineTM applets and applet-based tuto-
much as a musician practices technique separately from rials, developed by education pioneers Professors Alan
performance pieces. Van Heuvelen and Paul D’Alessandris, are available in
viii    Preface to the Instructor

the Study Area of MasteringPhysics. Also provided are over ■ The Student Solutions Manuals, Chapters 1–16 (ISBN
70 PhET Simulations from the University of Colorado. 978-0-321-90884-1) and Chapters 17–30 (ISBN 978-0-
■ Pearson Tutor Services (www.pearsontutorservices.com) 321-90885-8), written by Professor Larry Smith, Snow
Each student’s subscription to MasteringPhysics also con- College, provide detailed solutions to more than half of
tains complimentary access to Pearson Tutor Services, the odd-numbered end-of-chapter problems. Following the
powered by Smarthinking, Inc. By logging in with their problem-solving strategy presented in the text, thorough
MasteringPhysics ID and password, they will be connected solutions are provided to carefully illustrate both the
to highly qualified e-instructors™ who provide additional, qualitative (Reason/Assess) and quantitative (Prepare/
interactive online tutoring on the major concepts of phys- Solve/Assess) steps in the problem-solving process.
ics. Some restrictions apply; offer subject to change.

Acknowledgments
We have relied upon conversations with and, especially, the Martha to be certain that one of us attends to all details, and
written publications of many members of the physics education on Alice’s tireless efforts and keen editorial eye as she helps
community. Those who may recognize their influence include us synthesize our visions into a coherent whole.
Arnold Arons, Uri Ganiel, Fred Goldberg, Ibrahim Halloun, Rose Kernan and the team at Nesbitt Graphics/Cenveo,
David Hestenes, Leonard Jossem, Jill Larkin, Priscilla Laws, copy editor Carol Reitz, and photo researcher Eric Schrader
John Mallinckrodt, Lillian McDermott and members of get much credit for making this complex project all come
the Physics Education Research Group at the University of together. In addition to the reviewers and classroom testers
Washington, Edward “Joe” Redish, Fred Reif, John Rigden, listed below, who gave invaluable feedback, we are particu-
Rachel Scherr, Bruce Sherwood, David Sokoloff, Ronald larly grateful to Charlie Hibbard for his close scrutiny of every
Thornton, Sheila Tobias, and Alan Van Heuleven. word, symbol, number, and figure.
We are very grateful to Larry Smith for the difficult task of
writing the Instructor Solutions Manual; to Scott Nutter for Randy Knight: I would like to thank my Cal Poly
writing out the Student Workbook answers; to Wayne Ander- colleagues, especially Matt Moelter, for many valuable con-
son, Jim Andrews, Nancy Beverly, David Cole, Karim Diff, versations and suggestions. I am endlessly grateful to my wife
Jim Dove, Marty Gelfand, Kathy Harper, Charlie Hibbard, Sally for her love, encouragement, and patience, and to our
Robert Lutz, Matt Moelter, Kandiah Manivannan, Ken Rob- many cats for nothing in particular other than being cats.
inson, and Cindy Schwarz-Rachmilowitz for their contribu-
tions to the end-of-chapter questions and problems; to Wayne Brian Jones: I would like to thank my fellow AAPT and
again for helping with the Test Bank questions; and to Steven PIRA members for their insight and ideas, the creative stu-
Vogel for his careful review of the biological content of many dents and colleagues who are my partners in the Little Shop
chapters and for helpful suggestions. of Physics, the students in my College Physics classes who
We especially want to thank our editor Becky Ruden, help me become a better teacher, and, most of all, my wife
development editor Alice Houston, project manager Martha Carol, my best friend and gentlest editor, whose love makes
Steele, and all the other staff at Pearson for their enthusiasm the journey worthwhile.
and hard work on this project. Having a diverse author team
Stuart Field: I would like to thank my wife Julie and my chil-
is one of the strengths of this book, but it has meant that we
dren, Sam and Ellen, for their love, support, and encouragement.
rely a great deal on Becky to help us keep to a single focus, on

Reviewers and Classroom Testers

Special thanks go to our third edition review panel: Taner Edis, Marty Gelfand, Jason
Harlow, Charlie Hibbard, Jeff Loats, Amy Pope, and Bruce Schumm.

David Aaron, South Dakota State University Michael Anderson, University of California—San Diego
Susmita Acharya, Cardinal Stritch University Steve Anderson, Montana Tech
Ugur Akgun, University of Iowa James Andrews, Youngstown State University
Ralph Alexander, University of Missouri—Rolla Charles Ardary, Edmond Community College
Kyle Altmann, Elon University Charles Bacon, Ferris State University
Donald Anderson, Ivy Tech John Barry, Houston Community College
 Preface to the Instructor     ix

David H. Berman, University of Northern Iowa James Heath, Austin Community College
Phillippe Binder, University of Hawaii—Hilo Zvonko Hlousek, California State University Long Beach
Jeff Bodart, Chipola College Greg Hood, Tidewater Community College
James Boger, Flathead Valley Community College Sebastian Hui, Florence-Darlington Technical College
Richard Bone, Florida International University Eric Hudson, The Pennsylvania State University
James Borgardt, Juniata College Joey Huston, Michigan State University
Daniela Bortoletto, Purdue University David Iadevaia, Pima Community College—East Campus
Don Bowen, Stephen F. Austin State University Fred Jarka, Stark State College
Asa Bradley, Spokane Falls Community College Ana Jofre, University of North Carolina—Charlotte
Elena Brewer, SUNY at Buffalo Daniel Jones, Georgia Tech
Dieter Brill, University of Maryland Erik Jensen, Chemeketa Community College
Hauke Busch, Augusta State University Todd Kalisik, Northern Illinois University
Kapila Castoldi, Oakland University Ju H. Kim, University of North Dakota
Raymond Chastain, Louisiana State University Armen Kocharian, California State University Northridge
Michael Cherney, Creighton University J. M. Kowalski, University of North Texas
Lee Chow, University of Central Florida Laird Kramer, Florida International University
Song Chung, William Paterson University Christopher Kulp, Eastern Kentucky University
Alice Churukian, Concordia College Richard Kurtz, Louisiana State University
Christopher M. Coffin, Oregon State University Kenneth Lande, University of Pennsylvania
John S. Colton, Brigham Young University Tiffany Landry, Folsom Lake College
Kristi Concannon, Kings College Todd Leif, Cloud County Community College
Teman Cooke, Georgia Perimeter College at Lawrenceville John Levin, University of Tennessee—Knoxville
Daniel J. Costantino, The Pennsylvania State University John Lindberg, Seattle Pacific University
Jesse Cude, Hartnell College Jeff Loats, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Melissa H. Dancy, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Rafael López-Mobilia, The University of Texas at San
Loretta Dauwe, University of Michigan—Flint Antonio
Mark Davenport, San Antonio College Robert W. Lutz, Drake University
Chad Davies, Gordon College Lloyd Makorowitz, SUNY Farmingdale
Lawrence Day, Utica College Colleen Marlow, Rhode Island College
Carlos Delgado, Community College of Southern Nevada Eric Martell, Millikin University
David Donovan, Northern Michigan University Mark Masters, Indiana University—Purdue
James Dove, Metropolitan State University of Denver John McClain, Temple College
Archana Dubey, University of Central Florida Denise Meeks, Pima Community College
Andrew Duffy, Boston University Henry Merrill, Fox Valley Technical College
Taner Edis, Truman State University Mike Meyer, Michigan Technological University
Ralph Edwards, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Karie Meyers, Pima Community College
Steve Ellis, University of Kentucky Tobias Moleski, Nashville State Tech
Paula Engelhardt, Tennessee Technical University April Moore, North Harris College
Davene Eryes, North Seattle Community College Gary Morris, Rice University
Gerard Fasel, Pepperdine University Krishna Mukherjee, Slippery Rock University
Luciano Fleischfresser, OSSM Autry Tech Charley Myles, Texas Tech University
Cynthia Galovich, University of Northern Colorado Meredith Newby, Clemson University
Bertram Gamory, Monroe Community College David Nice, Bryn Mawr
Sambandamurthy Ganapathy, SUNY at Buffalo Fred Olness, Southern Methodist University
Delena Gatch, Georgia Southern University Charles Oliver Overstreet, San Antonio College
Richard Gelderman, Western Kentucky University Paige Ouzts, Lander University
Martin Gelfand, Colorado State University Russell Palma, Minnesota State University—Mankato
Terry Golding, University of North Texas Richard Panek, Florida Gulf Coast University
Robert Gramer, Lake City Community College Joshua Phiri, Florence-Darling Technical College
William Gregg, Louisiana State University Iulia Podariu, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Paul Gresser, University of Maryland David Potter, Austin Community College
Robert Hagood, Washtenaw Community College Promod Pratap, University of North Carolina—Greensboro
Jason Harlow, University of Toronto Michael Pravica, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Heath Hatch, University of Massachusetts Earl Prohofsky, Purdue University
Carl Hayn, Santa Clara University Marilyn Rands, Lawrence Technological University
x    Preface to the Instructor

Andrew Rex, University of Puget Sound Scott Thompson, Georgia Gwinnett College
Andrew Richter, Valparaiso University William Tireman, Northern Michigan University
William Robinson, North Carolina State University Negussie Tirfessa, Manchester Community College
Phyliss Salmons, Embry—Riddle Aeronautical University Rajive Tiwari, Belmont Abbey College
Michael Schaab, Maine Maritime Academy Herman Trivilino, College of the Mainland
Bruce Schumm, University of California, Santa Cruz Dmitri Tsybychev, Stony Brook University
Mizuho Schwalm, University of Minnesota Crookston Douglas Tussey, Pennsylvania State University
Cindy Schwarz, Vassar College Stephen Van Hook, Pennsylvania State University
Natalia Semushkhina, Shippensburg University Manuel Valera, Slippery Rocky University
Khazhgery (Jerry) Shakov, Tulane University Christos Valiotis, Antelope Valley College
Kathy Shan, University of Toledo James Vesenka, University of New England
Anwar Sheikh, Colorado Mesa University Stamatis Vokos, Seattle Pacific University
Bart Sheinberg, Houston Community College James Wanliss, Embry—Riddle Aeronautical University
Marllin Simon, Auburn University Henry Weigel, Arapahoe Community College
Kenneth Smith, Pennsylvania State University Luc T. Wille, Florida Atlantic University
Michael Smutko, Northwestern University Courtney Willis, University of Northern Colorado
Jon Son, Boston University Katherine Wu, University of Tampa
Noel Stanton, Kansas State University Ali Yazdi, Jefferson State Community College
Donna Stokes, University of Houston David Young, Louisiana State University
Chuck Stone, North Carolina A&T Hsiao-Ling Zhou, Georgia State University
Chun Fu Su, Mississippi State University Todd Zimmerman, University of Wisconsin—Stout
Jeffrey Sudol, West Chester University Ulrich Zurcher, Cleveland State University

Student Advisory Board for the Third Edition

Nathalia Alzate, Auburn University Rebecca Rogers, Auburn University
Hannah Chapman, Colorado State University Rashawn D. Simmons, Georgia State University
Rachel Eckert, California Polytechnic State University—San Mary-Catherin Skoulos, Stony Brook University
Luis Obispo Brittany Swiderski, Stony Brook University
Emily Garban, Colorado State University Jenna Tustin, Colorado State University
Tyrel Heckendorf, Georgia State University Aaron Vermeersch, Michigan State University
Alex Keifer, California Polytechnic State University—San Philip E. Weinberg, Michigan State University
Luis Obispo Keith Wood, Auburn University
Isaac Moore, The Pennsylvania State University Timothy Yuan, Stony Brook University
John Peter Polites, Georgia State University Andrew Zilavy, Colorado State University
Blair Porterfield, The Pennsylvania State University
Preface to the Student
The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible.
—Albert Einstein

If you are taking a course for which this book is assigned, you Like any subject, physics is best learned by doing. “Do-
probably aren’t a physics major or an engineering major. It’s ing physics” in this course means solving problems, apply-
likely that you aren’t majoring in a physical science. So why ing what you have learned to answer questions at the end
are you taking physics? of the chapter. When you are given a homework assignment,
It’s almost certain that you are taking physics because you you may find yourself tempted to simply solve the problems
are majoring in a discipline that requires it. Someone, some- by thumbing through the text looking for a formula that seems
where, has decided that it’s important for you to take this like it will work. This isn’t how to do physics; if it was, who-
course. And they are right. There is a lot you can learn from ever required you to take this course wouldn’t bother. The
physics, even if you don’t plan to be a physicist. We regularly folks who designed your major want you to learn to reason,
hear from doctors, physical therapists, biologists and others not to “plug and chug.” Whatever you end up studying or do-
that physics was one of the most interesting and valuable ing for a career, this ability will serve you well.
courses they took in college. How do you learn to reason in this way? There’s no single
So, what can you expect to learn in this course? Let’s start strategy for studying physics that will work for all students,
by talking about what physics is. Physics is a way of think- but we can make some suggestions that will certainly help:
ing about the physical aspects of nature. Physics is not about ■ Read each chapter before it is discussed in class. Class
“facts.” It’s far more focused on discovering relationships attendance is much more effective if you have prepared.
between facts and the patterns that exist in nature than on ■ Participate actively in class. Take notes, ask and answer
learning facts for their own sake. Our emphasis will be on questions, take part in discussion groups. There is ample
thinking and reasoning. We are going to look for patterns scientific evidence that active participation is far more
and relationships in nature, develop the logic that relates dif- effective for learning science than is passive listening.
ferent ideas, and search for the reasons why things happen ■ After class, go back for a careful rereading of the chap-
as they do. ter. In your second reading, pay close attention to the de-
The concepts and tails and the worked examples. Look for the logic behind
techniques you will each example, not just at what formula is being used.
learn will have a ■ Apply what you have learned to the homework prob-
wide application. In lems at the end of each chapter. By following the tech-
this text we have a niques of the worked examples, applying the tactics and
special emphasis on problem-solving strategies, you’ll learn how to apply the
applying physics to knowledge you are gaining.
understanding the ■ Form a study group with two or three classmates. There’s
living world. You’ll good evidence that students who study regularly with a group
use your understand- do better than the rugged individualists who try to go it alone.
ing of charges and
electric potential to And we have one final suggestion. As you read the book,
analyze the elec- take part in class, and work through problems, step back every
tric signal produced now and then to appreciate the big picture. You are going to
when your heart study topics that range from motions in the solar system to the
beats. You’ll learn electrical signals in the nervous system that let you tell your
how sharks can detect this signal to locate prey and, further, hand to turn the pages of this book. It’s a remarkable breadth
how and why this electric sensitivity seems to allow hammer- of topics and techniques that is based on a very compact set of
head sharks to detect magnetic fields, aiding navigation in the organizing principles.
open ocean. Now, let’s get down to work.

xi
Studying for and Taking
the MCAT Exam
If you are taking the College Physics course, there’s a good Several of the key features of the book will be useful for this,
chance that you are majoring in the biological sciences. including some that were explicitly designed with the MCAT
There’s also a good chance that you are preparing for a career exam in mind.
in the health professions, and so might well be required to take As you review the chapters:
the Medical College Admission Test, the MCAT exam.
■ Start with the Chapter Previews, which provide a “big pic-
The Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Sys-
ture” overview of the content. What are the major themes
tems section of the MCAT assesses your understanding of the
of each chapter?
concepts of this course by testing your ability to apply these
■ Look for the Synthesis boxes that bring together key con-
concepts to living systems. You will be expected to use what
cepts and equations. These show connections and high-
you’ve learned to analyze situations you’ve never seen before,
light differences that you should understand and be ready
making simplified but realistic models of the world. Your rea-
to apply.
soning skills will be just as important as your understanding
■ Go through each chapter and review the Stop to Think
of the universal laws of physics.
exercises. These are a good way to test your understanding
Structure of the MCAT Exam of the key concepts and techniques.
■ Each chapter closes with a passage problem that is
Most of the test consists of a series of passages of technical designed to be “MCAT-exam-like.” They’ll give you good
information followed by a series of questions based on each practice with the “read a passage, answer questions” struc-
passage, much like the passage problems at the end of each ture of the MCAT exam.
chapter in this book. Some details:
The passage problems are a good tool, but the passages usu-
■ The passages and the questions are always integrated. ally don’t integrate topics that span several chapters—a key
Understanding the passage and answering the questions feature of the MCAT exam. For integrated passages and prob-
will require you to use knowledge from several different lems, turn to the Part Summaries:
areas of physics.
■ Passages will generally be about topics for which you ■ For each Part Summary, read the One Step Beyond passage
do not have detailed knowledge. But, if you read care- and answer the associated questions.
fully, you’ll see that the treatment of the passage is based ■ After this, read the passages and answer the questions that end
on information you should know well. each Part Summary section. These passages and associated
■ The test assumes a basic level of background know- problems are—by design—very similar to the passages and
ledge. You’ll need to have facility with central themes and questions you’ll see on the actual MCAT exam.
major concepts, but you won’t need detailed knowledge of
any particular topic. Such detailed information, if needed, Taking the Test: Reading the Passage
will be provided in the passage. As you read each passage, you’ll need to interpret the infor-
■ You can’t use calculators on the test, so any math that mation presented and connect it with concepts you are famil-
you do will be reasonably simple. Quickly estimating an iar with, translating it into a form that makes sense based on
answer with ratio reasoning or a knowledge of the scale of your background.
physical quantities will be a useful skill. The next page shows a passage that was written to very
■ The answers to the questions are all designed to be closely match the style and substance of an actual MCAT
plausible. You can’t generally weed out the “bad” answers passage. Blue annotations highlight connections you should
with a quick inspection. make as you read. The passage describes a situation (the me-
■ The test is given online. Practicing with MasteringPhysics chanics and energetics of sled dogs) that you probably haven’t
will help you get used to this format. seen before. But the basic physics (friction, energy conver-
sion) are principles that you are familiar with, principles that
Preparing for the Test you have seen applied to related situations. When you read the
Because you have used this book as a tool for learning physics, passage, think about the underlying physics concepts and how
you should use it as a tool for reviewing for the MCAT exam. they apply to this case.

xii
 Studying for and Taking the MCAT Exam     xiii

Translating the Passage

As you read the passage, do some translation.
Connect the scenario to examples you've seen before,
translate given information into forms you are
familiar with, think about the basic physical
principles that apply.

As you read this part of the passage, think about the forces involved:
Passage X For a sled moving at a constant speed, there is no net force. The
downward weight force is equal to the upward normal force; the
For travel over snow, a sled with runners that slide forward pulling force must be equal to the friction force, which is
on snow is the best way to get around. Snow is acting opposite the sled’s motion. There are many problems like this
slippery, but there is still friction between runners in Chapter 5.
and the ground; the forward force required to pull a
sled at a constant speed might be 1/6 of the sled’s
weight.
Part of translating is converting given information into a more usual
or more useful form. This is really a statement about the coefficient
The pulling force might well come from a dog. In a of kinetic friction.
typical sled, the rope that the dog uses to pull
attaches at a slight angle, as in Figure 1. The pulling
force is the horizontal component of the tension in
the rope. The force applied to the sled is the tension force in the rope, which is
shown at an angle. The horizontal component is the pulling force;
you’re told this. There is a vertical component of the force as well.

u
In the data given here, and the description given above, the sled
moves at a constant speed—there is no mention of acceleration
anywhere in this passage. In such cases, the net force is zero and the
Figure 1
kinetic energy of the sled isn’t changing.

Sled dogs have great aerobic capacity; a 40 kg dog Notice that the key equation relating power, force and velocity is
can provide output power to pull with a 60 N force given to you. That’s to be expected. Any specific information,
at 2.2 m/s for hours. The output power is related to including equations, constants and other such details, will generally
force and velocity by P = F # v, so they can pull be given in the passage. The MCAT is a test of reasoning, not recall.
lighter loads at higher speeds.
The concepts of metabolic energy and energy output are treated in
Chapter 11. The details here match those in the chapter (as they
Doing 100 J of work means that a dog must should!); this corresponds to an efficiency of 25%. 400 J of energy
expend 400 J of metabolic energy. The difference is used by the body; 25% of this, 100 J, is the energy output. This
must be exhausted as heat; given the excellent means that 300 J is exhausted as heat.
insulation provided by a dog’s fur, this is mostly Chapter 12 discusses means of heat transfer: conduction,
via evaporation as it pants. At a typical body convection, radiation, evaporation. This paragraph gives biological
temperature, the evaporation of 1.0 l of water carries details about dogs that you can interpret as follows: A dog’s fur limits
away 240,000 J, so this is an effective means of transfer by conduction, convection and radiation; evaporation of
cooling. water by a panting dog must take up the slack.

The specific data for energy required to evaporate water is given. If

you need such information to answer questions, it will almost
certainly be provided. As we noted above, this is a test of
reasoning, not recall.

Figure MCAT-exam.1 Interpreting a passage.

xiv     Studying for and Taking the MCAT Exam

Taking the Test: Answering the Questions We know that the vertical motion of the ball is free fall;
so the vertical distance fallen by the ball in a time ∆t is
The passages on the MCAT exam seem complicated at first, but,
∆y = - 12gt 2. The time to fall 1.2 m is ∆t = 12(1.2 m)/g.
as we’ve seen, they are about basic concepts and central themes
Rather than complete this calculation, we estimate the re-
that you know well. The same is true of the questions; they aren’t
sults as follows: ∆t = 12.4/9.8 ≈ 11/4 = 1/2 = 0.5 s
as difficult as they may seem at first. As with the passage, you
During this free fall time, the horizontal motion is constant
should start by translating the questions, identifying the physical
at 2.0 m/s, so we expect the ball to land about 1 m away.
concepts that apply in each case. You then proceed by reasoning,
Our quick calculation shows us that the correct answer is
determining the solution to the question, using your understand-
choice C—no other answer is close.
ing of these basic concepts. The practical suggestions below are
■ For calculations using values in scientific notation, com-
followed by a detailed overview of the solutions to the questions
pute either the first digits or the exponents, not both.
based on the passage on the previous page.
In some cases, a quick calculation can tell you the correct
You Can Answer the Questions in Any Order leading digit, and that’s all you need to figure out the cor-
rect answer. In other cases, you’ll find possible answers
The questions test a range of skills and have a range of dif- with the same leading digit but very different exponents or
ficulties. Many questions will involve simple reading compre- decimal places. In this case, all you need is a simple order
hension; these are usually quite straightforward. Some require of magnitude estimate to decide on the right result.
sophisticated reasoning and (slightly) complex mathematical ■ Where possible, use your knowledge of the expected scale
manipulations. Start with the easy ones, ones that you can of physical quantities to quickly determine the correct
quickly solve. Save the more complex ones for later, and skip answer. For instance, suppose a question asks you to find the
them if time is short. photon energy for green light of wavelength 550 nm. Visible
light has photon energies of about 2 eV, or about 3 * 10-19 J,
Take Steps to Simplify or Eliminate and that might be enough information to allow you to pick
Calculations out the correct answer with no calculation.
You won’t be allowed to use a calculator on the exam, so ■ Beware of “distractors”, answers that you’ll get if you
any math that you do will be reasonably straightforward. To make common mistakes. For example, Question 4 on the
rapidly converge on a correct answer choice, there are some next page is about energy conversion. The dog is keeping
important “shortcuts” that you can take. the sled in motion, so it’s common for students to say that
the dog is converting chemical energy in its body into
■ Use ratio reasoning. What’s the relationship between the
kinetic energy. However, the kinetic energy isn’t changing.
variables involved in a question? You can use this to de-
The two answer choices that involve kinetic energy are
duce the answer with only a very simple calculation, as
common, but incorrect, choices. Be aware that the questions
we’ve seen many times in the book. For instance, suppose
are constructed to bring out such misconceptions and that
you are asked the following question:
these tempting, but wrong, answer choices will be provided.
A model rocket is powered by chemical fuel. A student
launches a rocket with a small engine containing 1.0 g of One Final Tip: Look at the Big Picture
combustible fuel. The rocket reaches a speed of 10 m/s.
The MCAT exam tests your ability to look at a technical pas-
The student then launches the rocket again, using an
sage about which you have some background knowledge and
engine with 4.0 g of fuel. If all other parameters of the
quickly get a sense of what it is saying, enough to answer
launch are kept the same, what final speed would you
questions about it. Keep this big picture in mind:
expect for this second trial?
■ Don’t get bogged down in technical details of the
This is an energy conversion problem: Chemical energy of particular situation. Focus on the basic physics.
the fuel is converted to kinetic energy of the rocket. Kinetic ■ Don’t spend too much time on any one question. If one
energy is related to the speed by K = 12 mv 2. The chemical question is taking too much time, make an educated guess
energy—and thus the kinetic energy—in the second trial is and move on.
increased by a factor of 4. Since K ∙ v 2, the speed must ■ Don’t get confused by details of notation or terminology.
increase by a factor of 2, to 20 m/s. For instance, different people use different symbols for
■ Simplify calculations by liberally rounding numbers.
physical variables; in this text we use the symbol K for
You can round off numbers to make calculations more kinetic energy; others use EK.
straightforward. Your final result will probably be close
enough to choose the correct answer from the list given. Finally, don’t forget the most important aspect of success on
For instance, suppose you are asked the following question: the MCAT exam: The best way to prepare for this or any test
is simply to understand the subject. As you prepare for the test,
A ball moving at 2.0 m/s rolls off edge of table that’s 1.2 m focus your energy on reviewing and refining your knowledge of
high. How far from the edge of the table does the ball land? central topics and techniques, and practice applying your know-
  A. 2 m B. 1.5 m C. 1 m D. 0.5 m ledge by solving problems like you’ll see on the actual MCAT.
 Studying for and Taking the MCAT Exam     xv

Translating Tips Reasoning

Look at the questions and think • Numerical choices are presented in order; that’s Think about the question and the
about the physics principles that the usual practice on the test. Estimate the size of range of possible answers, and
apply, how they connect to the answer, and think about where it falls. converge to a solution with as few
concepts you know and • For questions with sentences as choices, decide steps as possible—time is limited!
understand. on the solution before you look at the choices;
this will save time reading.

This is a question about the size of 1. What is the approximate coefficient of kinetic For an object on level ground, the
the friction force. You are told that friction for a sled on snow? normal force equals the weight force.
it takes a force that’s about 1/6 of If the sled is moving at a constant
A. 0.35
the sled’s weight to pull it forward speed, the pulling force equals the
B. 0.25
on snow. You can estimate the friction force. This implies that
C. 0.15
friction coefficient from this m = fk /n = fpull /w = 1/6. Two of the
D. 0.05
information. answer choices convert easily to
2. If a rope pulls at an angle, as in Figure 1, how fractions: 0.25 = 1/4; 0.05 = 1/20.
If the speed is constant, there is no will this affect the pulling force necessary to 1/6 is between these, so C must be
net force. We are told that the keep the sled moving at a constant speed? our choice. (Indeed, 1/6 = 0.167,
pulling force is the horizontal A. This will reduce the pulling force. so 0.15 is pretty close.)
component of the tension force, not B. This will not change the pulling force.
the tension force itself. Because C. This will increase the pulling force. A vertical component of the tension
there is no net force, this horizontal D. It will increase or decrease the pulling force, force will reduce the normal force,
component is equal to the friction depending on angle. reducing the friction force—and thus
force, which is directed backward. the pulling force.
So this is really a question about 3. A dog pulls a 40 kg sled at a maximum speed
the friction force. of 2 m/s. What is the maximum speed for an
Doubling the weight doubles the
80 kg sled?
normal force, which doubles the
We assume that the output A. 2 m/s friction force. This will double the
power is the same for the two B. 1.5 m/s necessary pulling force as well.
cases—this is implied in the C. 1.0 m/s Given the expression for power given
passage. D. 0.5 m/s in the passage, this means the
4. As a dog pulls a sled at constant speed, maximum speed will be halved.
This is a question about energy
transformation. For such chemical energy in the dog’s body is
questions, think about changes. converted to Choice B is correct, but A and C are
What forms of energy are clever distractors. It’s tempting to
A. kinetic energy choose an answer that includes kinetic
changing? We know that thermal B. thermal energy
energy is part of the picture energy. The sled is in motion, after all!
C. kinetic energy and thermal energy But don’t be swayed. The kinetic energy
because some of the chemical D. kinetic energy and potential energy
energy is converted to thermal isn’t changing, and friction to the sled
energy in the dog’s body. 5. A dog pulls a sled for a distance of 1.0 km at converts any energy the dog supplies
a speed of 1 m/s, requiring an energy output into thermal energy.
Increasing speed increases power, of 60,000 J. If the dog pulls the sled at 2 m/s,
as the passage told us. But the the necessary energy is Doubling the speed doubles
energy to pull the sled is not the A. 240,000 J the power, but it doesn’t change the
power, it’s the work, and we B. 120,000 J force; that’s fixed by friction. The
know that the work is W = F∆x. C. 60,000 J distance is the same as well, and so is
This is a question about work and D. 30,000 J the work done, the energy required.
energy, not about power. Since the speed doubles, it’s tempting
6. A dog uses 100,000 J of metabolic energy to think the energy doubles, though.
pulling a sled. How much energy must the This “obvious” but incorrect solution
The passage tells us that the dog
dog exhaust by panting? is one of the choices—expect such
uses 400 J of metabolic energy to
do 100 J of work. 300 J, or 75%, A. 100,000 J situations on the actual MCAT.
must be exhausted to the B. 75,000 J
environment. We can assume the C. 50,000 J If 75% of the energy must be exhausted
same efficiency here. D. 25,000 J to the environment, that’s 75,000 J.
Figure MCAT-exam.2 Answering the questions for the passage of Figure mcat-exam.1.

0321879724
Knight/Jones/Field
College Physics 3e
Pearson
8797231003
Fig FM_3
Pickup: New
Rolin Graphics
Real-World Applications

Applications of biological or medical interest are marked in the list below, including MCAT-style
Passage Problems. Other end-of-chapter problems of biological or medical interest are marked in
the chapter.

Chapter 1 Skydiver terminal speed 143 Part I Summary

Depth gauges 6 Traction 148 Dark matter 249
Accuracy of long jumps 11 Stopping distances 151 Animal athletes 250
Mars Climate Orbiter: unit error 14 Chapter 6 Drag on a paramecium 250
Navigating geese 21 Scottish heavy hammer throw 163 Diving falcon 251
Car cornering speed 166–167 Bending beams 251
Chapter 2
Crash cushions 39 Wings on Indy racers 167 Chapter 9
Animal acceleration 39 Banked racetrack turns 167 Ram skull adaptations 254, 260
Rocket launch 42–43, 47 Maximum walking speed 168 Optimizing frog jumps 257
Swan’s takeoff 44 How you sense “up” 170 Hedgehog spines 260
Chameleon tongues 46 Fast-spinning planets 171 Squid propulsion 268
Runway design 48 Centrifuges 171–172 Ice-skating spins 272–273
Braking distance 49 Human centrifuge 172 Hurricanes 273
A springbok’s pronk 52 Rotating space stations 174 Aerial firefighting 274
Cheetah vs. gazelle 54 Variable gravity 177
Walking on the moon 178 Chapter 10
Chapter 3 Hunting with a sling 180–181 Energy around us 284–285
Fish shape for lunging vs. Flywheel energy storage on the
veering 68 Chapter 7
Rotation of a compact disc 194 ISS 294
Designing speed-ski slopes 77 Why racing bike wheels are
Optimizing javelin throws 79 Clockwise clocks 194
Starting a bike 200 light 295
Dock jumping 82 Energy storage in the Achilles
Hollywood stunts 84 Designing wheelchair hand-
rims 200 tendon 297
Record-breaking frog jumps 88 Jumping locusts 307
Turning a capstan 202
Chapter 4 Golf putter moment of inertia 209 Crash helmets 306–307
Snake-necked turtle attack 97, 116 Rolling vs. sliding: ancient Runaway–truck ramps 309
Voyager and Newton’s first law 98 movers 214 Chapter 11
Seatbelts and Newton’s first law 99 Spinning a gyroscope 215–216 Kangaroo locomotion 318, 349
Scallop propulsion 105 Bunchberry petal release 223–224 Lightbulb efficiency 321
Feel the difference (inertia) 109
Race-car driver mass 110
Chapter 8 Energy in the body: inputs 322
Muscle forces 226 Calorie content of foods 323
Bullets and Newton’s third law 115
Finding the body’s center of Energy in the body: outputs 323
Rocket propulsion 116
gravity 229 Daily energy use for mammals
A mountain railway 117
Rollover safety for cars 231 and reptiles 325
Chapter 5 Balancing soda can 231 Energy and locomotion 326
Gliding frogs 125, 143 Human stability 232 Optical molasses 328
Jumping in an elevator 133 Elasticity of a golf ball 232 Refrigerators 335
Weightless astronauts 135 Bone strength 237–238 Reversible heat pumps 336
Anti-lock brakes 139 Elevator cable stretch 239 Entropy in biological systems 341
Standing on tiptoes 246 Efficiency of an automobile 342
xvi
 Real-World Applications    xvii

Part II Summary Weighing DNA 451–452 Colors of soap bubbles and oil
Order out of chaos 351 Car collision times 453 slicks 551
Squid propulsion 353 Animal locomotion 455 Laser range finding 557
Golf club collisions 353 Shock absorbers 456 The Blue Morpho 564

Chapter 12 Tidal resonance 457 Chapter 18

Infrared images 356, 387, 388 Musical glasses 458 Binoculars 575
Temperature in space 360 Hearing (resonance) 459 Snell’s window 575
Frost on Mars 361 Springboard diving 460 Optical fibers 576
Swim-bladder damage to caught Achilles tendon as a spring 469 Arthroscopic surgery 576
fish 363 Spider-web oscillations 469 Mirrored eyes (gigantocypris) 586
Tire gauges 364 Chapter 15 Supermarket mirrors 587
Diffusion in the lungs 365 Echolocation 470, 481, 499 Optical fiber imaging 592
Chinook winds 372 Frog wave-sensors 473 Mirages 599
Thermal expansion joints 373 Spider vibration sense 474 Chapter 19
Survival of aquatic life in Distance to a lightning strike 475 The Anableps “four-eyed”
winter 375 Range of hearing 481 fish 600, 604
Temperature lakes 376 Ultrasound imaging 482 A Nautilus eye 601
Frogs that survive freezing 377 Owl ears 485 Cameras 601–602
Keeping cool 379 Blue whale vocalization 486 The human eye 603
Penguin feathers 386 Hearing (cochlea hairs) 487 Seeing underwater 604
Heat transfer on earth 387 Solar surface waves 488 Near- and farsightedness 604
Breathing in cold air 388 Red shifts in astronomy 490 Forced perspective in movies 607
Ocean temperature 397 Wildlife tracking with weather Microscopes 608–610, 618
Chapter 13 radar 490 Telescopes above the
Submarine windows 402 Doppler blood flow meter 491 atmosphere 617
Pressure zones on weather Earthquake waves 492 Rainbows 613
maps 404 Chapter 16 Absorption of chlorophyll 614
Barometers 405 The Tacoma bridge standing Fixing the HST 615
Measuring blood pressure 406 wave 508 Optical and electron
Blood pressure in giraffes 407 String musical instruments 508 micrographs 617
Body-fat measurements 409 Microwave cold spots 509 Visual acuity for a kestrel 619
Floating icebergs and boats 410 Resonances of the ear canal 512 The blind spot 621
Hot-air balloons 412 Wind musical instruments 513 Surgical vision correction 625
Blood pressure and flow 414, 430 Speech and hearing 514
Airplane lift 417 Part V Summary
Vowels and formants 515
Prairie dog burrows 417 Scanning confocal
Saying “ah” 516
Measuring arterial pressure 418 microscopy 627
Active noise reduction 516
Cardiovascular disease 422 Horse vision 628
Controlling exhaust noise 520
Intravenous transfusions 423 Eye shine 628–629
The bat detector 521
Part III Summary
Dogs’ growls 522 Chapter 20
Harmonics and harmony 529 Gel electrophoresis 632, 654
Scales of living creatures 433
Perspiration 434 Bees picking up pollen 638
Part IV Summary
Weather balloons 434 Hydrogen bonds in DNA 641
Tsunamis 531
Passenger balloons 435 Separating sperm cells 642
Deep-water waves 532
Electrostatic precipitators 649
Attenuation of ultrasound 532
Chapter 14 Electric field of the heart 651
Measuring speed of sound 533
Gibbon brachiation 438, 455 Static protection 653
Heart rhythms 439 Chapter 17 Lightning rods 653
Metronomes 444 Iridescent feathers 536, 549 Electrolocation 653
Swaying buildings 447 DVD colors 547 Cathode-ray tubes 655–656
Measuring mass in space 450 Antireflection coatings 550 Flow cytometry 663
xviii    Real-World Applications

Chapter 21 Cyclotrons 782 Chapter 27

Electropotentials around the Electromagnetic flowmeters 783 Global Positioning Systems
brain 665 Electric motors 790 874, 890, 900
Cause of lightning 669, 701 Hard disk data storage 792 The Stanford Linear Accelerator
Membrane potential 670 Loudspeaker cone function 793 892
Medical linear accelerators 673 The velocity selector 801 Nuclear fission 899
Shark electroreceptors 682 Ocean potentials 802 Pion therapy 907
The electrocardiogram 684 The mass spectrometer 802 Chapter 28
Random-access memory 687
Electron microscopy 908
Camera flashes 690 Chapter 25 X-ray imaging 909
Defibrillators 690 Color vision in animals 808, 828 X-ray diffraction of DNA 911
Fusion in the sun 692 Shark navigation 807 Biological effects of UV 914
Generators 809 Frequencies for photosynthesis
Chapter 22 Dynamo flashlights 809
Percentage body-fat measurement 915
Credit card readers 814 Waves, photons and vision 918
702, 718–719
Magnetic braking 817 Transmission electron micro-
The electric torpedo ray 708
Transcranial magnetic scopes 921
Lightbulb filaments 711
stimulation 817 Scanning tunneling micros-
Testing drinking water 712
Radio transmission 818 copy 929
Impedance tomography 712
The solar furnace 820 Magnetic resonance imaging 930
Photoresistor night lights 713
Polarizers 821
Cooking hot dogs with Chapter 29
Polarization analysis 822
electricity 716 Spectroscopy 941
Honeybee navigation 823
Monitoring corrosion in power Colors of nebulae 942
Colors of glowing objects 827
lines 717 Sodium filters for telescopes 962
Infrared sensors in snakes 827
Lightbulb failure 726 Fluorescence 963
Astronomical images 829
Tethered satellite circuits 830 LASIK surgery 966
Chapter 23
Electromagnetic wave Compact fluorescent lighting 966
Electric fish 727, 762
penetration 838 Light-emitting diodes 974
Christmas-tree lights 733
Headlight wiring 735 Metal detectors 839
Chapter 30
Thermistors in measuring Bone scans 976
Chapter 26
devices 737 Measuring past earth
Transformers 843–845
Flashing bike light 742 temperature 977
Charging electric toothbrushes 845
Intermittent windshield Nuclear fusion in the sun 979
Power transmission 846
wipers 745 Nuclear power 980
Household wiring 847
Electricity in the nervous system Plutonium “batteries” 990
Electrical safety 849
745–751 Radiocarbon dating 991
The lightning crouch 850
Electrical nature of nerve and Gamma-ray medical steriliza-
GFI circuits 851, 860
muscle cells 745 tion 992
Laptop trackpads 852
Interpreting brain electrical Radiation dose from environmen-
Under-pavement car detectors 854
potentials 748 tal, medical sources 993
Cleaning up computer power 855
Soil moisture measurement 752 Nuclear medicine 993–994
Nuclear magnetic resonance 858
Cardiac defibrillators 761 Nuclear imaging, PET scans
Cell membrane resistance 866
994–996
Chapter 24 Halogen bulbs 867
Čerenkov radiation 1000
Magnetic resonance imaging Nuclear fission 1007
764, 776 Part VI Summary
Magnetotactic bacteria 769 The greenhouse effect 869 Part VII Summary
Magnetocardiograms 775 Taking X rays 870 Low-temperature physics 1009
The aurora 781 Wireless power transmission 871 Splitting the atom 1010
Detailed Contents

Preface to the Instructor iv chapter 3 Vectors and Motion in Two

Preface to the Student xi Dimensions 64
Studying for and Taking the MCAT xii
3.1 Using Vectors 65
Real-World Applications xvi
3.2 Using Vectors on Motion Diagrams 67
3.3 Coordinate Systems and Vector
Part I Force and Motion Components 71
3.4 Motion on a Ramp 75
OVERVIEW Why Things Change 1
3.5 Relative Motion 78
3.6 Motion in Two Dimensions:
Projectile Motion 80
3.7 Projectile Motion: Solving Problems 82
3.8 Motion in Two Dimensions:
Circular Motion 85
Summary 89
Questions and Problems 90

chapter 4 Forces and Newton’s Laws

of Motion 97
chapter 1 Representing Motion 2 4.1 Motion and Force 98
1.1 Motion: A First Look 3 4.2 A Short Catalog of Forces 101
1.2 Position and Time: Putting Numbers 4.3 Identifying Forces 105
on Nature 5 4.4 What Do Forces Do? 107
1.3 Velocity 8 4.5 Newton’s Second Law 109
1.4 A Sense of Scale: Significant Figures, 4.6 Free-Body Diagrams 112
Scientific Notation, and Units 11 4.7 Newton’s Third Law 114
1.5 Vectors and Motion: A First Look 16 Summary 118
1.6 Where Do We Go From Here? 20 Questions and Problems 119
Summary 22
Questions and Problems 23 5
chapter Applying Newton’s Laws 125
5.1 Equilibrium 126
chapter 2 Motion in One Dimension 28 5.2 Dynamics and Newton’s Second
2.1 Describing Motion 29 Law 129
2.2 Uniform Motion 33 5.3 Mass and Weight 132
2.3 Instantaneous Velocity 36 5.4 Normal Forces 135
2.4 Acceleration 38 5.5 Friction 137
2.5 Motion with Constant Acceleration 42 5.6 Drag 142
2.6 Solving One-Dimensional Motion 5.7 Interacting Objects 145
Problems 45 5.8 Ropes and Pulleys 147
2.7 Free Fall 49 Summary 152
Summary 55 Questions and Problems 153
Questions and Problems 56

xix
xx    Detailed Contents

Part II Conservation Laws

OVERVIEW Why Some Things Stay the Same 253

chapter 6 Circular Motion, Orbits,

and Gravity 160
6.1 Uniform Circular Motion 161
6.2 Dynamics of Uniform Circular
Motion 163
6.3 Apparent Forces in Circular Motion 169
6.4 Circular Orbits and Weightlessness 172
6.5 Newton’s Law of Gravity 175
6.6 Gravity and Orbits 178
Summary 182
Questions and Problems 183
chapter 9 Momentum 254
7 9.1 Impulse 255
chapter Rotational Motion 189
9.2 Momentum and the Impulse-
7.1 Describing Circular and Rotational
Momentum Theorem 256
Motion 190 9.3 Solving Impulse and Momentum
7.2 The Rotation of a Rigid Body 195 Problems 260
7.3 Torque 198 9.4 Conservation of Momentum 262
7.4 Gravitational Torque and the
9.5 Inelastic Collisions 268
Center of Gravity 203 9.6 Momentum and Collisions in Two
7.5 Rotational Dynamics and Moment
Dimensions 269
of Inertia 206 9.7 Angular Momentum 270
7.6 Using Newton’s Second Law for
Summary 275
Rotation 210 Questions and Problems 276
7.7 Rolling Motion 213
Summary 217
chapter10 Energy and Work 283
Questions and Problems 218
10.1 The Basic Energy Model 284
10.2 Work 288
chapter 8 Equilibrium and Elasticity 225
10.3 Kinetic Energy 292
8.1 Torque and Static Equilibrium 226 10.4 Potential Energy 295
8.2 Stability and Balance 230 10.5 Thermal Energy 298
8.3 Springs and Hooke’s Law 232 10.6 Using the Law of Conservation
8.4 Stretching and Compressing of Energy 300
Materials 235 10.7 Energy in Collisions 304
Summary 240 10.8 Power 307
Questions and Problems 241 Summary 310
Questions and Problems 311
Part I Summary Force and Motion 248
One Step Beyond Dark Matter and the Structure
of the Universe 249
Part I Problems 250
 Detailed Contents    xxi

chapter 11 Using Energy 318 chapter 13 Fluids 398

11.1 Transforming Energy 319 13.1 Fluids and Density 399
11.2 Energy in the Body 322 13.2 Pressure 400
11.3 Temperature, Thermal Energy 13.3 Measuring and Using Pressure 404
and Heat 327 13.4 Buoyancy 407
11.4 The First Law of Thermodynamics 330 13.5 Fluids in Motion 412
11.5 Heat Engines 332 13.6 Fluid Dynamics 415
11.6 Heat Pumps, Refrigerators, 13.7 Viscosity and Poiseuille’s Equation 420
and Air Conditioners 335 Summary 424
11.7 Entropy and the Second Law Questions and Problems 425
of Thermodynamics 339
11.8 Systems, Energy, and Entropy 340 Part III Summary Properties of Matter 432
Summary 343 ONE STEP BEYOND Size and Life 433
Questions and Problems 344 PART II PROBLEMS 434

Part II Summary Conservation Laws 350

ONE STEP BEYOND Order Out of Chaos 351 Part IV Oscillations and Waves
Part II Problems 352
OVERVIEW Motion That Repeats Again and Again 437

Part III Properties of Matter

OVERVIEW Beyond the Particle Model 355

chapter 14 Oscillations 438

14.1 Equilibrium and Oscillation 439
14.2 Linear Restoring Forces and
Simple Harmonic Motion 441
14.3 Describing Simple Harmonic Motion 443
14.4 Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion 448
14.5 Pendulum Motion 453
14.6 Damped Oscillations 455
14.7 Driven Oscillations and Resonance 457
Summary 462
Questions and Problems 463
chapter 12 Thermal Properties of Matter 356
12.1 The Atomic Model of Matter 357 chapter 15 Traveling Waves and Sound 470
12.2 The Atomic Model of an Ideal Gas 359 15.1 The Wave Model 471
12.3 Ideal-Gases Processes 366 15.2 Traveling Waves 472
12.4 Thermal Expansion 373 15.3 Graphical and Mathematical
12.5 Specific Heat and Heat Descriptions of Waves 476
of Transformation 375 15.4 Sound and Light Waves 480
12.6 Calorimetry 379 15.5 Energy and Intensity 483
12.7 Specific Heats of Gases 381 15.6 Loudness of Sound 485
12.8 Heat Transfer 383 15.7 The Doppler Effect and Shock Waves 488
Summary 389 Summary 493
Questions and Problems 390 Questions and Problems 494
xxii    Detailed Contents

chapter 16 Superposition and Standing 18.6 Image Formation with Spherical

Waves 500
Mirrors 584
18.7 The Thin-Lens Equation 588
16.1 The Principle of Superposition 501
Summary 593
16.2 Standing Waves 502
Questions and Problems 594
16.3 Standing Waves on a String 504
16.4 Standing Sound Waves 509
16.5 Speech and Hearing 514 chapter 19 Optical Instruments 600
16.6 The Interference of Waves from 19.1 The Camera 601
Two Sources 516 19.2 The Human Eye 603
16.7 Beats 520 19.3 The Magnifier 606
Summary 523 19.4 The Microscope 608
Questions and Problems 524 19.5 The Telescope 610
19.6 Color and Dispersion 611
Part IV Summary Oscillations and Waves 530 19.7 Resolution of Optical Instruments 614
ONE STEP BEYOND Waves in the Earth and the Ocean 531 Summary 620
PART IV PROBLEMS 532 Questions and Problems 621

Part V Summary Optics 626

Part V Optics ONE STEP BEYOND Scanning Confocal Microscopy 627
PART V PROBLEMS 628
OVERVIEW Light is a Wave 535

Part VI Electricity and Magnetism

OVERVIEW Charges, Currents, and Fields 631

chapter 20 Electric Fields and Forces 632

20.1 Charges and Forces 633
20.2 Charges, Atoms, and Molecules 639
20.3 Coulomb’s Law 641
20.4 The Concept of the Electric Field 645
20.5 Applications of the Electric Field 648
20.6 Conductors and Electric Fields 652
20.7 Forces and Torques in Electric Fields 654
chapter 17 Wave Optics 536 Summary 657
17.1 What is Light? 537 Questions and Problems 658
17.2 The Interference of Light 540
17.3 The Diffraction Grating 544 chapter 21 Electrical Potential 665
17.4 Thin-Film Interference 548 21.1 Electric Potential Energy
17.5 Single-Slit Diffraction 552 and the Electric Potential 666
17.6 Circular-Aperture Diffraction 555 21.2 Sources of Electric Potential 668
Summary 558 21.3 Electric Potential and Conservation
Questions and Problems 559 of Energy 670
21.4 Calculating The Electric Potential 674
chapter 18 Ray Optics 565 21.5 Connecting Potential and Field 681
18.1 The Ray Model of Light 566 21.6 The Electrocardiogram 684
18.2 Reflection 569 21.7 Capacitance and Capacitors 685
18.3 Refraction 571 21.8 Energy and Capacitors 689
18.4 Image Formation by Refraction 576 Summary 693
18.5 Thin Lenses: Ray Tracing 577 Questions and Problems 694
 Detailed Contents    xxiii

24.3 Electric Currents Also Create

Magnetic Fields 770
24.4 Calculating the Magnetic Field
Due to a Current 773
24.5 Magnetic Fields Exert Forces
on Moving Charges 777
24.6 Magnetic Fields Exert Forces
on Currents 783
24.7 Magnetic Fields Exert Torques
on Dipoles 787
24.8 Magnets and Magnetic
Materials 790
Summary 794
Questions and Problems 795

chapter 25 Electromagnetic Induction

and Electromagnetic
Waves 804
22 Current and Resistance 25.1 Induced Currents 805
chapter 702
25.2 Motional emf 806
22.1 A Model of Current 703
25.3 Magnetic Flux 809
22.2 Defining and Describing Current 705
25.4 Faraday’s Law 814
22.3 Batteries and emf 707
25.5 Electromagnetic Waves 817
22.4 Connecting Potential and Current 708
25.6 The Photon Model of
22.5 Ohm’s Law and Resistor Circuits 712
Electromagnetic Waves 823
22.6 Energy and Power 716
25.7 The Electromagnetic Spectrum 825
Summary 720
Summary 831
Questions and Problems 721
Questions and Problems 832
chapter23 Circuits 727 chapter 26 AC Electricity 840
23.1 Circuit Elements and Diagrams 728
26.1 Alternating Current 841
23.2 Kirchhoff’s Laws 729
26.2 AC Electricity and
23.3 Series and Parallel Circuits 732
Transformers 843
23.4 Measuring Voltage and Current 736
26.3 Household Electricity 847
23.5 More Complex Circuits 737
26.4 Biological Effects and Electrical
23.6 Capacitors in Parallel and
Safety 849
Series 740
26.5 Capacitor Circuits 851
23.7 RC Circuits 742
26.6 Inductors and Inductor
23.8 Electricity in the Nervous
Circuits 853
System 745
26.7 Oscillation Circuits 856
Summary 753
Summary 861
Questions and Problems 754
Questions and Problems 862
chapter24 Magnetic Fields and Part VI Summary Electricity and Magnetism 868
Forces 764 ONE STEP BEYOND The Greenhouse Effect
24.1 Magnetism 765 and Global Warming 869
24.2 The Magnetic Field 766 PART VI PROBLEMS 870
xxiv    Detailed Contents

Part VII Modern Physics chapter 29 Atoms and Molecules 940

29.1 Spectroscopy 941
OVERVIEW New Ways of Looking at the World 873
29.2 Atoms 943
29.3 Bohr’s Model of Atomic
Quantization 946
29.4 The Bohr Hydrogen Atom 948
29.5 The Quantum-Mechanical
Hydrogen Atom 954
29.6 Multielectron Atoms 956
29.7 Excited States and Spectra 959
29.8 Molecules 962
29.9 Stimulated Emission and Lasers 964
Summary 968
Questions and Problems 969

chapter 30 Nuclear Physics 975

chapter 27 Relativity 874 30.1 Nuclear Structure 976
27.1 Relativity: What’s It All About? 875 30.2 Nuclear Stability 978
27.2 Galilean Relativity 875 30.3 Forces and Energy in the Nucleus 981
27.3 Einstein’s Principle of Relativity 878 30.4 Radiation and Radioactivity 982
27.4 Events and Measurements 881 30.5 Nuclear Decay and Half-Lives 987
27.5 The Relativity of Simultaneity 884 30.6 Medical Applications of Nuclear
27.6 Time Dilation 886 Physics 992
27.7 Length Contraction 891 30.7 The Ultimate Building Blocks of
27.8 Velocities of Objects Matter 997
in Special Relativity 894 Summary 1001
27.9 Relativistic Momentum 895 Questions and Problems 1002
27.10 Relativistic Energy 897
Summary 901 Part VII Summary Modern Physics 1008
Questions and Problems 902 ONE STEP BEYOND The Physics of Very Cold Atoms 1009
PART VII PROBLEMS 1010
chapter 28 Quantum Physics 908
28.1 X Rays and X-Ray Diffraction 909
Appendix A Mathematics Review A-1
28.2 The Photoelectric Effect 911
Appendix B Periodic Table of the Elements A-3
28.3 Photons 917
Appendix C Video Resources A-4
28.4 Matter Waves 919
Appendix D Atomic and Nuclear Data A-6
28.5 Energy Is Quantized 922
Answers to Odd-Numbered Problems A-9
28.6 Energy Levels and Quantum Jumps 924
Credits C-1
28.7 The Uncertainty Principle 927
Index I-1
28.8 Applications and Implications
of Quantum Theory 929
Summary 932
Questions and Problems 933
Discovering Diverse Content Through
Random Scribd Documents
 CHAPTER XIV.
The letter which Lady Piercey had received, and which quickened so
instantaneously her determination that Gervase should be gratified in his
desire to visit London, did not seem at the first glance to have anything to
do with that question. It was a letter from Gerald Piercey, asking to be
allowed to come on a visit of two or three days to see his relations at
Greyshott. Now, Gerald Piercey was, after Gervase, the heir-at-law—or
rather he was the son of the old and infirm gentleman who was the heir-at-
law. He was a soldier who had distinguished himself in India, and got rapid
promotion, so that he had several letters already tacked to his name, and
was in every way a contrast to the unfortunate who stood between him and
the honours of the house. It was natural, and I think it was excusable, that
poor Lady Piercey should hate this successful and highly esteemed person.
To be sure, he was much older than Gervase—a man of forty, so that there
was, as she said indignantly, no comparison! and she herself was not old
enough (or at least, so she said) to have had a son of the Colonel’s age. But
these circumstances, which should have lessened the sense of rivalry, only
made it greater, for even if Gervase had not been a Softy, he would never
have been a man of so much importance as this cousin of the younger
branch who had made himself known and noted in the world by his own
personal character and deserts. Colonel Piercey had not been at Greyshott
since he was a youth setting out in life, when he had paid his relations a
hasty and not very agreeable visit. Gervase was then a silly little boy; but
there are many silly little boys who grow up into tolerable young men; and
his parents, at least, had by no means made up their minds to the fact of his
inferiority. But Gerald, a young man who had just joined his regiment and
was full of the elation and pleasure in life which is never greater than in
these circumstances, who resembled the family portraits and knew all about
the family history, and who looked so entirely the part of heir of the house,
awoke a causeless enmity even in the jovial breast of Sir Giles, then a
robust fox-hunter, master of the hounds, chairman of quarter sessions, and
everything that a country gentleman should be. Poor little Gervase was
nothing beside him, naturally! for Gervase was but a child, however clever
he had been. But this thought did not heal the painful impression, the shock
of a sensation too keen almost to be borne. All the neighbours were
delighted with Gerald. What a fine young fellow! what a promising young
man! what a pity it was—— and the visitors gave a glance aside at poor
little Gervase, already, poor child, the Softy among all his childish
companions. They did not utter that last half-formed regret, but Sir Giles
and his wife perceived it on their lips, in their thoughts, and hated Gerald,
which was wrong, no doubt, but very natural and almost pardonable, from a
parent’s point of view.
And here he was coming back! a guest whom they could not refuse, a
credit to the family, a distinguished relation, while Gervase was what he
was. But Gerald Piercey should not, Lady Piercey resolved, see Gervase as
he was,—not for the world! He was coming, no doubt, to spy out the
nakedness of the land—but what he should find would only be an account
of her son enjoying himself in London, seeing life, doing as other young
men did. If Gerald was a colonel and a C.B., Gervase should bear the aspect
of a young man about town—a man of fashion, going everywhere; a man
who had no occasion to go to India to distinguish himself, having a good
estate and a baronetcy behind him at home. To keep up this fiction would be
easy if Gervase were but absent. It would be impossible, alas! to do it in his
presence. Lady Piercey exerted herself during that day, in a way she had not
been known to do before for years. She wrote a long letter, bending over it,
and working all the lines of her mouth like a schoolboy. It was labour dire
and weary woe, for a woman who had long given up any exertion of the
kind for herself. But in this case she would not trust even Margaret. And
then she had Gervase’s drawers emptied, and his clothes brought to her to
make a survey. They were not fashionable clothes by any means; Lady
Piercey, though she was not much used to men of fashion, and knew
nothing of what “was worn” at the time, yet knew and remembered enough
to feel that Gervase in these garments would by no means bear the aspect of
a young man about town. But he would do very well in the Gregson world
in Bloomsbury; everybody who saw him there would know that he was
young Mr. Piercey of Greyshott, Sir Giles’ only son. This is the sort of fact
that covers a multitude of sins, even in clothes. And in Bloomsbury the first
fashions were not likely to be worn. He would pass muster very well there,
but not—not before the eyes of Gerald Piercey, the colonel, the C.B., the
cousin and heir. “You don’t see why I should be in such a hurry,” said Lady
Piercey, with one of those glances which only want the power, not the
desire, to kill. “I know, then, and that’s enough, Gervase, my boy. You’ll
remember to be very good and please your poor father and me, now we’ve
consented to give you this great treat, and let you go.”
“Oh, yes,” said Gervase, with a laugh; “I’ll remember, mother. I sha’n’t
be let go wrong, you take your oath of that.”
“What does he mean by not being let? You’ve told him about Gregson,
Meg! Well, my dear, you know that is the only comfort I have. You’ll be
met at the station, and you’ll find your nice rooms ready; and very lucky
you are, Gervase, to find so good a person to take care of you. Do
everything he tells you; mind, he knows all about you; and he’ll always lead
you the right road, as you say.”
Gervase, staring open-mouthed at his mother, burst into a great laugh.
He was astonished at her apparent knowledge of the companion who would
not let him go wrong, but the confusion of the pronoun daunted him a little.
Did she think it was old Hewitt that was going with him? He had enough of
cunning to ask no questions, but laughed with a great roar of satisfaction
mingled with wonderment. Lady Piercey put up her hands to her ears.
“Don’t make such a noise,” she said. “You laugh like your father,
Gervase, and you’re too young to roar like that. You must try to behave very
nicely, too, and don’t roar the roof off a London house with your laughing.
And don’t make a noise in company, Gervase. We put up with everything
here because we’re so fond of you; but in town, though they’ll be fond of
you, it makes a difference, not being used to you from your cradle. You
must remember all I taught you about manners when you were a little boy.”
“Oh, mother, don’t you be afraid; my manners will be well looked after,
too. I sha’n’t dare to open my mouth,” said Gervase, with another laugh.
“Well, I believe they are very particular,” said Lady Piercey, with a still
more bewildering change of pronouns. “And, Gervase, there’s young ladies
there: mind that you are very nice and civil to them, but don’t go any further
than you can draw back.”
“Oh, I’ll be kept safe from the young ladies, you take your oath of that!”
he cried, with another shout of a laugh.
“For goodness gracious sake,” cried Lady Piercey, “take him away!—
Meg, can’t you take him away and give him a good talking to? You have no
nerves, and I’m nothing but a bundle of ’em. That laugh of his goes up to
the crown of my head and down to the soles of my feet. Take him off, and
let me look over his things in peace. And mind, Gervase, you’ve to listen to
what Meg says to you, just the same as if I were speaking myself; for she
knows about men, having married one, and she can give you a deal of good
advice. Go out to the beech avenue, and then I can see you from my
window, and make sure that you are paying attention to what she says.”
When Gervase was safely outside with his patient cousin, whose part in
all these proceedings was so laborious and uninterrupted, though she was
not permitted to do much more than look on—he plucked off his hat and
flung it up into the air in triumph, executing at the same time a sort of dance
upon the gravel.
“Does she mean what she says, Meg? and how has she heard of it? and
what has made her give in? Lord! what will some folks say when they know
that it’s all with her will?”
“What is it you are going to do, Gervase? and what do you mean by
‘some folks’?” Margaret cried.
The Softy looked at her for a moment irresolute, doubtful, it would
seem, what he should reply; and then he laughed again, more loudly than
ever, and said: “Shouldn’t you like to know?”
“Yes, I should like to know. I do not believe that they know at all what
you mean. You are too cunning for them. You are going to take some step
——”
“More than one—many steps. I’m going to London to see all that’s
going on—to see life. I told ’em so; and instead of looking curious like you,
mother, don’t you see, she knows all about it, and wants me to do it.
Mother’s a trump! She is that fond of me, she will do whatever I say.”
“The thing is, what are you going to do, Gervase? What do you mean by
seeing life?”
He laughed longer than ever, and gave her a nudge with his arm. “Oh,
get along, Meg!” he said,—“you know.”
“No, Gervase; tell me. You have always been a good boy—you are not
going to do any harm?”
“I never heard it was any harm; it’s what everybody does, and rejoicings
about it, and bells ringing, and all that. Don’t you tell—I’m going—— No;
I said I wouldn’t say a word, and I won’t. You’ll know when I come back.”
 “Gervase, you frighten me very much—you wouldn’t deceive your
father and mother that love you so.” She drew a long breath of alarm; then
added with relief: “But if he is met at the station and taken care of——”
“That’s it,” said Gervase. “I’m going to be met at the station, and
everything done for me. I’ll never be left to myself any more. I’m not very
good at taking care of myself, Meg.”
“No,” she cried; “that is quite true. I am so glad you feel that, Gervase.
Then you won’t be rebellious, but do what your mother wishes, and what
her friend tells you. It will make her so happy.”
“Her friend! Who’s her friend?” said Gervase; and then the peal of his
laughter arose once more. “I like my own friend best; but my friend and my
mother’s friend being just the same, don’t you see?”
“Are they the same?” said Mrs. Osborne, thoroughly perplexed.
“There ain’t two of them that are going to meet me at the station? No?
then there’s only one. And mother’s a trump, and I’ll do everything I’m
told, and never be without some one to guide me all my life. And to stand
up for me—for I am put upon, Meg, though you don’t seem to see it. I am;
and made a jest of; and no money in my pocket; never given my proper
place. Meg, how much is mamma going to give me for my pocket-money
while I’m away?”
“I can’t tell you, Gervase. There will be your travelling money, and
probably she will send the rest to—— to be given you when you are in
town.”
“I ought to have it now in my own pocket,” said Gervase, with a cloud
upon his brow. “Do you think a man can go like a man to London town, and
no money? They are mad if they think that. Lend us something, Meg—
you’ve got a little, and no need to spend it; with everything given you that
heart can wish. Why, you never spend a penny! And I’ll pay it all back
when I come to my own.”
“I have nothing,” she said, faltering. To tell what was not strictly true,
and to refuse what her cousin asked, were things equally dreadful to
Margaret—and it was a relief to her when Lady Piercey’s window was
jerked open by a rapid hand, and the old lady’s head appeared suddenly
thrust out.
“You’re not talking to him, Meg; you’re letting him talk to you. Don’t let
us have more of that. You’re there to give him good advice, and that’s what
we expect of you. Don’t you hear?” And the window was snapt with
another emphatic jerk.
“Gervase, I am to advise you,” said Margaret, trembling, though the
situation was ludicrous enough, and she might have laughed had the case
been other than her own. The watchful eye upon her from the window, the
totally unadvisable young man by her side, were not, however, ludicrous
but dreadful to Margaret. Her sense of humour was obscured by the piteous
facts of the case: the young man entirely insensible to any reason, and his
mother, who had never lost her primitive faith that if some one only “talked
to him,” Gervase would be just as sensible as other men. “But how can I
advise you? I am troubled about what you are going to do. I hope you will
not do anything to grieve them, Gervase. They are old people——”
“Yes,” said Gervase, with a nod and a look of wisdom; “they are pretty
old.”
“They are old people,” said Margaret, “and they have a great many
things to put up with: they have illnesses and weakness—and they have
anxiety about you.”
“They needn’t trouble their heads about me. I’ve got some one to look
after me. She said it wasn’t I,” cried Gervase with a chuckle.
“That is while you are in London; but they think of you all day long, and
are always thinking of you. You will not do anything to grieve them,
Gervase, while you are away?”
“How can I when I’m going to be looked after all the time, and
somebody to meet me at the station?” cried Gervase, with his loud laugh.
Lady Piercey was very anxious afterwards to know what advice
Margaret had given to her son. The “things” had all been looked over and
packed; and it took Lady Piercey a long time to consider what money she
could trust her son with when he went away. She had intended at first to
send some one with him to pay his railway ticket, and to send what he
would want in London to Dr. Gregson. But then, what if an accident
happened? what if Gregson failed to meet him, or appropriated the money?
which was a thing always on the cards with so poor a man, the old lady
thought. It could not be that the heir of Greyshott, Sir Giles’ son, should
leave his home penniless. She took out her cash-box, for she was the
manager of everything, and had all the money interests of Greyshott in her
hands—and took from it a five-pound note, over which she mused and
pondered long, weighing it in her hand as if that were the way of judging.
Then she put it back, and took out a ten-pound note. Ten pounds is a great
deal of money. Much good as well as much harm can be done with ten
pounds. It is such a large sum of money that, if you trust a man with that,
you may trust him with more. She took out another—wavering, hesitating
—now disposed to put it back, now laying it with the other, poising them
both in her hands. Finally, with a quick sigh, she shut up the cash-box
sharply and suddenly, and gave it to Parsons to be put back in the cabinet,
where it usually dwelt; and folding up the notes, directed her niece to put
them in an envelope. “Twenty pounds!” she said, with a gasp. Her two
supporters had been present during all this process, and Parsons was exactly
aware how much money was to be trusted in the pockets of the Softy, and
thought it excessive. Lady Piercey sat by grimly, and looked on while the
money was enclosed in the envelope, and then she turned briskly to her
companion. “You had a long talk, Meg,” she said; “and I suppose you gave
him a great deal of advice. You ought to know, you that had as husband an
officer, for they are always in the heat of everything. What advice did you
give to my boy?”
 CHAPTER XV.
Colonel Piercey arrived next day in the afternoon, Gervase having
gone away in a state of the most uproarious spirits in the morning. Margaret
had been made to accompany him to the railway, to see that his ticket was
taken properly, and that he got the right train, and was not too late so as to
miss it, or too early so as to be lingering about the station; in which latter
circumstance it seemed quite possible to his mother that “that girl” might
become aware that her prey was slipping from her fingers, and appear upon
the scene to recover him. She might save herself the trouble, Lady Piercey
thought, for the boy’s brain was full of London, and a country lass was not
likely to get much hold of him; but still, it’s best to be on the safe side. No
suggestion of Patty’s real intentions had occurred to any one; not even in
the Seven Thorns, where they suspected much less than at Greyshott. In the
little inn it was supposed that the Softy had been, after all, too clever for
her, and had got clean away; and in the Manor it was also believed that he
had escaped from her vulgar attractions. He had got London in his blood, he
was thinking of how to enjoy himself as much as he was capable of
thinking of anything, and the Rev. Gregson would take care of that, his
mother reflected with a grim smile. And to have him safely away,
transferred to some one else’s responsibility, no longer for the moment a
trouble to any one belonging to him, filled Greyshott in general, and his
parents in particular, with a heavenly calm. The only one who was not
perfectly at ease was Mrs. Osborne, who endeavoured in vain to make out
what he meant by many of his broken expressions. Margaret was sure that
Gervase meant something which was not suspected by his family: but she,
too, believed that he had somehow cut himself adrift from Patty, and that
whatever his meaning was, in that quarter he was safe; which showed that
though she was very different from the rest of the household, her mind,
even when awakened into some anxiety and alarm, had little more insight
than theirs.
She was met upon the road by Osy and his nurse, and the little boy was
delighted to be lifted into the carriage, an unusual privilege. His chatter was
sweet to his mother’s ears. It delivered her for the moment from those
anxieties which were not hers, which she was compelled to share without
any right to them; without being permitted any real interest. Osy was her
refuge, the safeguard of her individuality as a living woman with concerns
and sentiments of her own. To put her arms round him, to hear the sound of
his little babbling voice, was enough at first; and then she awoke with a
start to the consciousness that Osy was saying something in which there
was not only meaning, but a significance of a most alarming kind
—“Movver, Movver!” the little boy had been saying, calling her attention,
which was so satisfied with him, that it was scarcely open to what he said.
He beat upon her knee with his little fist, then climbed up on the seat and
seized her by the chin—a favourite mode he had of demanding to be
listened to: “Movver! has Cousin Gervase don to be marrwed? Where has
he don to be marrwed—tell me; tell me, Movver!”
Mrs. Osborne started with a sudden perception of what he meant at last.
“Osy, you must not be so silly; Gervase has gone to London to see all the
fine things—the shops, don’t you remember? and the theatres, and the
beautiful horses, and the beautiful ladies in the park.”
“Yes, I wemember; there was one beau’ful lady with an organ, that
singed in the street. But you said I couldn’t marrwey her, I was too little.
Will Cousin Gervase marrwey a lady like that?”
“Hush, child! he is not going to marry at all.”
“Oh yes, yes, Movver! for he telled me. He made me dive him my big
silver penny that Uncle Giles dave me, and he said, ‘I’m doing to be
marrwed, Osy.’ I dave it to him for a wedding present, like you dave Miss
Dohnson your silver bells.”
“Osy, don’t say such things! It is nurse that has put this nonsense into
your head.”
“ ’Tisn’t nurse, and ’tisn’t nonsense, Movver!” cried the child with
indignation. “Will he bring home the beau’ful lady, or will he do away with
her, and live in another place? I hope he will go and live in another place.”
“Osy, this is all an invention, my little boy. You must be dreaming. Don’t
say such things before any one, or you will make Uncle Giles and Aunt
Piercey very unhappy. It is one of your little stories that you make up.”
“It isn’t no story, Movver! I never make up stories about Cousin
Gervase; and he tooked my big silver penny, and then I dave it him for a
wedding present; for he said ‘I’m doing to be marrwed.’ He did; he did—
Movver! I hope he’ll do away and live in another house. I dave it to him,”
said Osy, with a little moisture on his eyelashes. “But he tooked it first. It
was my big, big, silver penny, that is worth a great lot. I hope——”
“Hush, Osy: don’t you know, my little boy, that Cousin Gervase is to his
mother what you are to me? She would not like him to go away.”
“I heard Uncle Giles say, ‘T’ank God, we’ve dot a little time to breathe,’
and Aunt Piercey dave a great, great, big puff, and sat down as if she was
t’ankful, too. It is only you, Movver, that looks sad.”
“Osy, did you ever hear of the little pitchers that have long ears?”
“I know what it means, too,” said the child. “It means me; but I tan’t
help it when people say fings. Movver, are you fond of Cousin Gervase,
that you looks like that? like you were doing to cry?”
Was she fond of Gervase, poor boy? Margaret could not even claim that
excuse for being sad. Was she fond of any of the people by whom she was
surrounded, who held her in subjection? At least, she was terribly perturbed
by the cloud that hung over them—the possible trouble that was about to
befall them. Poor Gervase was not very much to build hopes or wishes
upon, but he was all they had; and if it were possible that he was meditating
any such steps, what a terrible blow for his father and mother!—a stroke
which they would feel to the bottom of their hearts. For himself, was it,
indeed, so sad? Was it not, perhaps, the best thing he could do? Her mind
went over the possibilities as by a lightning flash. Patty—if it was Patty—if
there was anything in it—was probably the best wife he could get. She was
energetic and determined; she would take care of him for her own sake. And
who else would marry the Softy? Margaret’s mind leapt on further to
possible results, and to a sudden perception that little Osy, had he ever had
any chance of succession, would be hopelessly set aside by this step, and
the only possible reward of her own slavery be swept from her horizon.
This forced itself upon her, through the crowd of other thoughts, with a chill
to her heart. But what chance had Osy ever had? And who could put any
confidence in the statement of Gervase to the child? Perhaps it was only
“his fun.” The little theft of the money was nothing remarkable; for
Gervase, who never had any money, was always on the look-out for
unconsidered trifles, which he borrowed eagerly. Perhaps this was all.
Perhaps the half-witted young man meant nothing but a joke—one of his
kind of jokes—for why should he have betrayed himself to little Osy? On
the other hand, there were those allusions to some one who was to meet
him, which he had laughed at so boisterously, and which she could not
imagine referred to Dr. Gregson. Margaret’s bewilderment grew greater the
more she thought.
“Osy,” she said, as they turned up the avenue, “you must forget all this,
for it is nonsense.”
“About my big, big, silver penny?” said the child, the water now
standing in his eyes; for the more he thought of his loss, which he had
carried off in childish pride with a high hand at first, the more Osy felt it. “It
is not nonsense, Movver,” he said, “for it is true.”
“About what Cousin Gervase said? It was very wrong of him, but that is
not true, Osy. He must have said it for a joke. Don’t say anything. Promise
me, dear! Not a word.”
“Not to you, Movver?” said the little boy, two big tears dropping from
his eyes; “for I tan’t, tan’t bear to lose my silver penny, and I would not
mind if it was a wedding present. I want my silver penny back!”
“We’ll find you another one, dear, that will be just as good.”
“But it won’t be my own one, and I want my own one,” Osy said. He
was still sobbing with long-drawn childish reverberation of woe when they
got to the door; but there he took a great resolution. “I’ll fink it was a
wedding present,” he cried, “and then I sha’n’t mind. I’ll fink he is going to
be marrwed, and I’ll never say a word, because nobody knows but me.”
This valorous resolve exercised a great control, and yet was very hard to
keep up during the long afternoon which followed. It rained in the later part
of the day, and Sir Giles could not go out, so that Osy, restored to all the
privileges which had been a little curtailed during Gervase’s temporary
reign, became once more a leading member of the party. And how often that
important secret came bursting to the little fellow’s lips! But he kept his
word, like a gentleman. Margaret heard him singing it to himself as he
capered about the room on Sir Giles’ stick, “Doing to be marrwed, doing to
be marrwed,” which relieved his mind without betraying his knowledge. It
even attracted Sir Giles’ attention, who called to him to know what he was
singing.
“It’s a silly rhyme he has just picked up,” said Margaret, interposing,
which was a thing the old people did not like.
“He can tell me himself,” said Sir Giles; “he’s quite clever enough.”
 “No, it isn’t a silly rhyme,” said little Osy; “it’s me myself, that am a
gweat prince riding upon a noble steed, and I’m doing to be marrwed—I’m
doing to be marrwed!”
“And who’s the bride, Osy; who’s the bride?” said Sir Giles, in high
good humour.
“It is a beau’ful lady in London that singed in the streets, with a big
napkin on her head. But Movver said I was too little to marrwey her. I’m a
man now, and a soldier and a gweat, gweat knight; and I can marrwey any
one I please.”
“That’s the thing!” said old Sir Giles; “don’t you be tied to your
mother’s apron-strings, my boy. The ladies always want to rule over us
men, don’t they? and some of us must make a stand, you know.” The old
gentleman laughed at his joke till he cried, the old lady sitting grimly by.
But she, too, smiled upon the little rebel: “You’ll not find him such an easy
one to guide when he grows up, Meg,” she said, nodding her head. “He’s
got the Piercey temper, for all it’s so amusing now. It ain’t amusing when
they grow up,” said Lady Piercey, shaking her head. But she, too,
encouraged Osy to defy his mother. He was a pretty sight careering round
the dim library like a stray sunbeam, his little laughing face flushed with
play and praise. Had the child been clever enough to invent that little
fiction, innocent baby as he looked?—or had he really forgotten, as children
will, and believed himself the hero of his little song? But this was one of the
mysteries that seven years can hide from everybody as well as seventy, and
Margaret could not tell. Now that Gervase was gone the boy seemed to fall
into his place again, the darling of everybody, the centre of all their
thoughts. And who could tell what might happen? Osy was not the next in
succession, but he was not far out of the line. Margaret tried to put all such
thoughts out of her mind, but it was difficult to do so, with the sight of
Osy’s triumph and sway over them—two old people who were so fond of
him and could do so much for him—before their eyes.
There came a moment, however, no further off than that evening, when
every furtive hope of this description died at a blow out of Margaret
Osborne’s heart. It was not that Osy was less admired and petted, or that he
had offended or transgressed in any way. It was simply the arrival at
Greyshott of Colonel Gerald Piercey that had this effect. It was she who met
him first as he came into the hall, springing down from the dogcart that had
brought him from the station, and at the first glance her heart had died
within her. Not that there was anything alarming in his aspect. He had
attained, with his forty years, to an air of distinction which Margaret did not
remember in him; and a look of command, of easy superiority, of the habit
of being obeyed. This habit is curiously impressive to those who do not
possess it. The very sound of his step as he came in was enough. Not a man
to lose anything on which his hand had once closed, not one to risk or
relinquish his rights, whatever they might be. Osy, by the side of this man!
Her hopes, which had never ventured to put themselves into words, died on
the moment a natural death. She advanced to meet the stranger, as in duty
bound, being the only valid member of the family, and said, holding out her
hand with a smile which she felt to be apologetic: “You are welcome to
Greyshott, Cousin Gerald. My uncle and aunt are neither of them very well,
and Gervase is from home. You don’t remember me. I am Margaret
Osborne, your cousin, too.”
“I remember you,” he said, “very well; but pardon me if I did not
remember your face. I fear that is a bad compliment for a lady.”
“Not at all,” she said; “a good compliment: for I am more, I hope, than
my face.”
He did not understand the look she gave him, a wondering look with an
appeal in it. Would he be good to Osy? Margaret felt as if this man were
coming in like a conqueror—sweeping all the old, and feeble, and foolish of
the house away before him, that he might step in and reign. He, on his side,
had no such thought. He had come to pay a duty visit, moved thereto by his
father. He had not been at Greyshott for many years; he remembered little,
and thought less, of Gervase, who had been a child on his previous visit.
That he should ever be master of the place, or sweep anybody away, was far
from his thoughts. He followed into the library the slim, serious figure of
this middle-aged woman in a black gown, horrified to think that this was
Meg Piercey, the lively girl of his recollection. This Meg Piercey! It was
true that he remembered her very well, a madcap of a girl, ready for any
mischief; but this was certainly not the face he remembered, the young,
daring, buoyant figure. It might have wounded Margaret, accustomed as she
was to be considered as nobody, if she had been aware of the consternation
with which he regarded her. A middle-aged woman! though not so old by a
good many years as himself, who was still conscious of being young.
 The visit, however, began very successfully. As he had no arrière
pensée, he was quite at his ease with the old people whom he neither meant
to sweep away nor to succeed. He received, quite naturally, the long and
elaborate apologies of Lady Piercey in respect to her son.
“Gervase will be very sorry to miss you, Gerald,—he’s in town; there is
not much to amuse a young man in the country at this season of the year.
He’s not fond of garden parties and so forth, the only things that are going
on, and not many of them yet. He prefers town. Perhaps it isn’t to be
wondered at. We have all liked to see a little life in our day.”
What “life” could it have been that Lady Piercey in her day had liked to
see? the new-comer asked himself, with an involuntary smile. But he took
the explanation with the easiest good humour, thinking no evil.
“Lucky fellow!” he said; “he has the best of it. I was out in India all my
young time, and saw only a very different kind of life.”
“Come,” said Sir Giles, “you amuse yourselves pretty well out there.
Don’t give yourself airs, Gerald.”
“Oh, yes; we amuse ourselves more or less,” he said, with a pleasant
laugh. “Enough to make us envy a young swell like Gervase, who, I
suppose, has all the world at his feet and nothing to do.”
There was a strange pause in the room; a sort of furtive look between the
ladies; a sound—he could not tell what—from Sir Giles. Colonel Piercey
had a faint comprehension that he had, as he said to himself, put his foot in
it. What had he said that was not the right thing to say? He caught
Margaret’s eye, and there was a warning in it, a sort of appeal; but he had
not an idea what its meaning was.
“I am sure,” said Lady Piercey, with a voice out of which she vainly
endeavoured to keep the little break and whimper which was habitual to her
when she was moved, “my boy might have all the world at his feet—if he
was that kind, Gerald. But he’s not that kind; he’s of a different sort. He
takes things in a—— in a kind of philosophical way.”
“Humph!” said Sir Giles, pushing back his chair. “Meg, Gerald will not
mind if I have my backgammon. I’m an old fogey, you see, my boy, with
long days to get through, and not able to get out. I’m past amusement. I
only kill the time as well as I can now.”
“I’m very fond of a game of backgammon, too, Uncle Giles.”
 “Are you, boy? why, that’s something like. Meg, I’ll give you a holiday.
Ladies are very nice, but they never know the rules of a game,” the
ungrateful old gentleman said.
 CHAPTER XVI.
That evening in the library at Greyshott was the most cheerful that had
been known for a long time; Colonel Piercey made himself thoroughly at
home. He behaved to the old people as if they had been the most genial
friends of his youth. He told them stories of India and his experiences there.
He played backgammon with Sir Giles, and let him win the game as
cleverly as Dunning did, and with more grace. He admired Lady Piercey’s
work and suggested a change in the shading, at which both she and Parsons
exclaimed with delight that it would make all the difference! He was
delightful to everybody except Margaret, of whom he took very little notice,
which was a strange thing in so apparently chivalrous and kind a man,
seeing in what a subject condition she was kept, how much required of her,
and so little accorded to her, in the strange family party of which the two
servants formed an almost unfailing part. Margaret felt herself left out in the
cold with a completeness which surprised her, much as she was accustomed
to the feeling that she was of no account. She had no desire that Gerald
Piercey should pity her; but it was curious to see how he ignored her, never
turning even a look her way, addressing her only when necessity required. It
has always been a theory of mine that there exists between persons of
opposite sexes who are no longer to be classed within the lines of youth,
middle-aged people, or inclining that way, a repulsion instead of an
attraction. A young man tolerates a girl even when she does not please him,
because she is a woman; but a man of forty or so dislikes his contemporary
on this account; is impatient of her; feels her society a burden, almost an
affront to him. He calls her old, and he calls himself young; perhaps that has
something to do with it. Colonel Piercey was not shabby enough to
entertain consciously any such feeling; but he shared it unconsciously with
many other men. He thought the less of her for accepting that position, for
submitting to be the souffre-douleur of the household. He suspected her,
instinctively, of having designs of—he knew not what kind,—of being
underhand, of plotting her own advantage somehow, to the harm of the two
old tyrants who exacted so much from her. Would she continue to hold such
a place, to expose herself to so much harsh treatment, if it were not for
some end of her own? It was true that he could not make out what that end
would be; that there should be any possibility of the child (who was
delightful) supplanting or succeeding Gervase, was not an idea that ever
entered his mind. Gervase was a young man of whom he knew nothing,
whom he supposed to be like other young men. And, after Gervase came the
old General, Gerald Piercey’s father, and himself. There was no possibility
of any intruder in that place. He supposed that it was their money she must
be after—to get them to leave all they could to her. Meg Piercey! the girl
whom he could not help remembering still, who was not in the least like
this pale person: to think that years and poverty should have brought that
bright creature to this!
“I almost wonder, Gerald,” said Lady Piercey, as she sat among her silks
with an air of ease diffused over all the surroundings, working a little by
turns and pausing to watch benignantly the process of the backgammon,
—“I almost wonder that you did not meet my boy at the station. His train
would come in just before yours left, and I have been thinking since then
that you might have met. He was to meet an old friend, an excellent old
clergyman, with whom he was to spend a few days. Though he is full of
spirit, my Gervase is very fond of all his old friends.”
“Humph!” said Sir Giles; but that was only perhaps because at that
moment he made an injudicious move.
“I should not have known him had I met him,” said the Colonel,
carefully making a move more injudicious still, to the delight of Sir Giles;
“you forget he was only a child when I was here. I saw an old clergyman
roaming about, looking into all the carriages: was that your friend, I
wonder? He had found no one up to that time.”
“You sent Gregson after him then, my lady?” said Sir Giles; “though I
said it wasn’t fair.”
“Why Sir Giles says it wasn’t fair is this, Gerald,” said Lady Piercey;
“and you can judge between us. He thought because the boy was going to
enjoy himself he shouldn’t be troubled with old friends; but I thought a
good judicious old clergyman, that had known him from his cradle, couldn’t
be in any one’s way.”
“I see your point of view,” said Colonel Gerald, “but I think for my part I
agree with Uncle Giles. At Gervase’s age I should have thought the old
clergyman a bore.”
 “Ah! but my Gervase is one in a thousand,” Lady Piercey said, nodding
her head and pursing up her lips.
“I saw another group at the station that amused me,” said Gerald: “a
young country-fellow with something of the look of a gentleman, and a girl
all clad in gorgeous apparel, who had not in the least the look of a lady.
They got out of the train arm-in-arm, he holding her just as if he feared she
might run away—which was the last thing I should say she had any
intention of doing. Is there any hobereau about here with a taste for rustic
beauties? They were newly married, I should think, or going to be married.
He, in a loud state of delight, and she—— I should think she had made a
good stroke of business, that little girl.”
“I don’t know of any name like Hobero,” said Lady Piercey; “but there
are a great many stations between this and London. I dare say they didn’t
come from hereabouts at all. Girls of that class are dreadful. They dress so
that you don’t know what kind they are—neither flesh nor fish nor red
herring, as the proverb is—and their manners—but they haven’t got any.
They think nothing is too good for them.”
“The woman in this case, I should say, knew very well that the young
fellow was too good for her, but had no thought of giving him up. And he
was wild with delight, a silly sort of fellow—not all there.” Colonel
Piercey’s looks were bent unconsciously as he spoke upon the writing-table
which stood behind Sir Giles’ chair, and on which some photographs were
arranged; and from the partial darkness there suddenly shone out upon him,
from the whiteness of a large vignette, a face which he recognised. He
cried, “Hallo!” in spite of himself as it seemed, and then, with a sudden
start, looked at Margaret. She had grown pale, and as he looked at her she
grew red, and lifted a warning finger. The Colonel sank back upon his seat
with a consternation he could scarcely disguise.
“What’s the matter, Gerald?” said Sir Giles, who was arranging steadily
upon the board the black and white men for another game.
“Only the sight of that old cabinet which I remember so well,” cried the
soldier, with a curious tone in his voice. “It used to be one of our favourite
puzzles to find out the secret drawers. When Mrs. Osborne was Miss
Piercey,” he continued, to give him an excuse for looking towards her
again. Margaret had bent her head over her work. Was that what it meant?
he asked himself. Was this designing woman in the secret? Was this her
plan to harm her cousin, and get him into trouble with his parents? His face
grew stern as he looked at her. He thought there was guilt in every line of
her attitude. She could not face him, or give any account of the meaning in
her eyes.
“Ay, it’s a queer old thing,” said Sir Giles; “many a one has tried his wits
at it, and had to give up. It’s very different from your modern things.”
“You should see my Gervase at it,” said Lady Piercey. “He pulls out one
drawer after another, as if he had made it all. I never could fathom it for my
part, though I have sat opposite to it in this chair for five-and-thirty years.
But Gervase has it all at his fingers’ ends.”
“Pooh! he’s known it all his life,” said Sir Giles. “Gerald, my fine fellow,
we’ve just time for another before I go to bed.”
“Surely, Uncle,” said Gerald; but it seemed to him that he had become
all at once conscious of another game that was being played; a tragic game,
with hearts and lives instead of bits of ivory—a hapless young fellow in the
hands of two women, one of whom he had been made to believe he loved,
in order to carry out the schemes of the other who was planning and
scheming behind backs to deprive him of his natural rights. Imagination
made a great leap to attain to such a fully developed theory, but it did so
with a spring. Colonel Piercey thought that the presence of this woman,
pale, self-restrained, bearing every humiliation, was accounted for now.
“Why did Gerald Piercey look at you so, Meg?” asked Lady Piercey. She
had said she felt tired, and risen and said good night earlier than usual,
seizing her niece’s arm, not waiting till Parsons should come at her ordinary
hour. She was fatigued with all the strain about Gervase; getting him off at
the right hour, and getting all his “things” in order; and making out that new
wonderful character for him to dazzle the visitor. She had a right indeed to
be tired, having gone through so much that was exciting, and succeeded in
everything, especially the last of her efforts. “Why did he look at you and
talk that nonsense about the old cabinet? Something had come into his
head.”
“I supposed he thought, Aunt, of the time when we used to make fun
over it, and ask all the visitors to find it out.”
“Perhaps he did,” said the old lady; “but though he looked at you that
once, you needn’t expect that he’s going to pay attention to you, Meg. He
thinks you’re dreadfully gone off. I saw that as soon as he came into the
room. You can see it in a moment from the way a man turns his head.”
“I don’t doubt that he is quite right,” said Margaret, with a little spirit.
“Oh, yes; he’s right enough. You’re a very different girl from what you
used to be,” said Lady Piercey. “But you don’t like to hear it, Meg; for you
don’t give me half the support you generally do. I don’t feel your arm at all.
It is as if I had nothing to lean on. I wish Parsons was here.”
“Will you sit down for a moment and rest, and I will call Parsons?”
“Why should I rest—— between the library and the stairs? I want to get
to my room; I want to get to bed. What—— what are you standing there for,
not giving me your arm? I’ll—— I’ll be on my nose—— if you don’t mind.
Give me—— your arm, Meg. Meg!” The old lady gave a dull cry, and
moved her left arm about as if groping for some support, though the other
was clasped strongly in that of Margaret, who was holding up her aunt’s
large wavering person with all the might she had. As she cried out for help,
Lady Piercey sank down like a tower falling, dragging her companion with
her; yet turning a last look of reproach upon her, and moving her lips, from
which no sound came, with what seemed like upbraiding. There was a rush
from all quarters at Margaret’s cry. Parsons and Dunning came flying,
wiping their mouths, from the merry supper-table, where they had been
discussing Mr. Gervase—and the other servants, in a crowd, and Gerald
Piercey from the room they had just left. Margaret had disengaged herself
as best she could from the fallen mass of flesh, and had got Lady Piercey’s
head upon her shoulder, from which that large pallid countenance looked
forth with wide open eyes, with a strange stare in them, some living
consciousness mingling with the stony look of the soul in prison. Except
that stare, and a movement of the lips, which were unable to articulate, and
a slight flicker of movement in the left hand, still groping, as it seemed, for
something to clutch at, she was like a woman made of stone.
And all in a moment, without any warning; without a sign that any one
understood! Parsons, wailing, said that she wasn’t surprised. Her lady had
done a deal too much getting Mr. Gervase off; she had been worried and
troubled about him, poor dear innocent! She hadn’t slept a wink for two
nights, groaning and turning in her bed. “But, for goodness gracious sake!”
cried Parsons, “some one go back to master, or we’ll have him on our ’ands,
too. Mrs. Osborne, Lord bless you! go to master. You can’t be no use here;
we knows what to do—Dunning and me knows what to do. Go back to Sir
Giles—go back to Sir Giles! or we won’t answer for none of their lives!”
“Cousin Gerald, go to my uncle. Tell him she’s a little faint. I will come
directly and back you up, as soon as they can lift her. Go!” cried Margaret,
with a severity that was not, perhaps, untouched, even at this dreadful
moment, by a consciousness of the opinion he was supposed to have formed
of her. It was as if she had stamped her foot at him, as she half-sat, half-lay,
partially crushed by the fall of the old lady’s heavy body, with the great
death-like face surmounted by the red ribbons of the cap laid upon her
breast. Those red ribbons haunted several minds for a long time after; they
seemed to have become, somehow, the most tragic feature of the scene.
Colonel Piercey was not a man to interfere with a business that was not
his. He saw that the attendants knew what they were about, and left them
without another word.
Sir Giles was fuming a little over the interruption to his game. “What’s
the matter?” he said, testily. “You shouldn’t go and leave a game unfinished
for some commotion among the women. You don’t know ’em as well as I
do. Come along, come along; you’ve almost made me forget my last move.
What did Meg Osborne cry out for, eh? My old lady is sharp on her
sometimes. She must have given her a stinger that time; but Meg isn’t the
girl to cry out.”
“It was a—— stumble, I think,” said the Colonel.
“Ay, ay! something of that kind. I know ’em, Gerald. I’m not easily put
out. Come along and finish the game.”
Margaret came in, some time after, looking very pale. She went behind
her uncle’s chair, and put her hand on his shoulder, “May I wheel you to
your room, Uncle, if your game’s over, instead of Dunning? He asked me to
tell you he was coming directly, and that it was time for you to go to bed.”
“Confound Dunning,” cried Sir Giles, in his big rumbling voice. “I’m
game to go on as long as Frank here will play. I’ve not had such a night for
ever so long. He’s a good player, but not good enough to beat me,” he said,
with a muffled long odd laugh that reverberated in repeated rolls like
thunder.
The Colonel looked up at her to get his instructions. He did not like her,
and yet he recognised in her the authority of the moment. And Margaret no
longer tried to conciliate him, as at first, but issued forth her orders with a
kind of sternness. “Let me wheel your chair, sir,” he said; “you’ll give me
my revenge to-morrow? Three games out of four!—is that what you call
entertaining a stranger, to beat him all along the line the first night?”
Sir Giles laughed loud and long in those rumbling, long-drawn peals. His
laugh was like the red ribbons, and pointed the sudden tragedy. “You shall
have your revenge,” he said; “and plenty of it—plenty of it! You shall cry
off before I will. I love a good game. If it wasn’t for a good game, now and
then, I don’t know what would become of me. As for Meg, she’s not worth
naming; and my boy, Gervase, did his best, poor chap; but between you and
me, Gerald, whatever my lady says, my boy Gervase—poor chap, poor
chap!” Here the old gentleman’s laughter broke down as usual in the
weakness of a sudden sob or two. “He’s not what I should like to see him,
my poor boy Gervase,” he cried.
He was taken to his room after a while, and soothed into cheerfulness,
and had his drink compounded for him by Margaret, till Dunning came,
pale, too, and excited, whispering to Mrs. Osborne that the doctor was to
come directly, and that there was no change, before he approached his
master, with whom, a few minutes afterwards, he was heard talking, and
even laughing, by the Colonel, who remained in the library, pacing up and
down with the painful embarrassment of a stranger in a new house, in the
midst of a family tragedy, but not knowing what part he had to play in it, or
where he should go, or what he should do. Margaret had left him without
even a good-night, to return to the room upstairs, where Lady Piercey lay
motionless and staring, with the red ribbons still crowning her awful brow.
 CHAPTER XVII.
And where was Gervase? His mother lay in the same condition all the
next day. There was little hope that she would ever come out of it. The
doctor said calmly that it was what he had looked for, for a long time. There
had been “a stroke” before, though it was slight and had not been talked
about; but Parsons knew very well what he was afraid of, and should have
kept her mistress from excitement. Parsons, too, allowed that she knew it
might come at any time. But Lord! a thing that may come at any time, you
don’t ever think it’s going to come now, Parsons said; and who was she to
control her lady as was the head of everything? It was allowed on all sides
that to control Lady Piercey would have been a difficult thing indeed,
especially where anything about Gervase was concerned.
“Spoiled the boy from the beginning, that was what she always did,”
said Sir Giles, mumbling. “I’d have kept a stronger hand over him, Gerald;
but what could I do, with his mother making it all up to him, as soon as my
back was turned?”
Colonel Piercey heard a great deal about Gervase that he had never been
intended to hear. Lady Piercey’s fiction, which she had made up so
elaborately about the young man of fashion, crumbled all to pieces, poor
lady; while one after another made their confidences to him. The only one
who said nothing was Margaret. She was overwhelmed with occupation; all
the charge of the house, which Lady Piercey had kept in her own hands,
falling suddenly upon her shoulders, and without any co-operation from the
much-indulged old servants, who were all servile to their imperious
mistress, but very insubordinate to any government but hers. It became a
serious matter, however, as the days passed by, and the old lady remained
like a soul in prison, unable to move or to speak, yet staring with ever
watchful eyes at the door, looking, they all felt, for some one who did not
come. Where was Gervase? There was more telegraphing at Greyshott than
there ever had been since such a thing was possible. Mr. Gregson replied to
say that he had not found Gervase at the train, and had not seen him, news
which brought everything to a standstill. Where, then, had he gone? They
had no address to send to, no clue by which he might be traced out. He had
disappeared altogether, nobody could tell where. Colonel Piercey’s first
impulse had been to leave the distracted family, thus thrown into the depths
of domestic distress, but Sir Giles clung to him with piteous helplessness,
imploring him not to go.
“After my boy Gervase, there’s nobody but you,” he cried, “and he’s
away, God knows where, and whom should I have to hold on by if you were
to go too? There’s Meg, to be sure: but she’s got enough to do with my lady.
Stay, Gerald, stay, for goodness’ sake. I’ve nobody, nobody, on my side of
the house but you; and if anything were to happen,” cried the poor old
gentleman, breaking down, “who have I to give orders, or to see to things? I
don’t know what is to become of me if you won’t stay.”
“I’ll stay, of course, Uncle Giles, if I can be of any use,” said Colonel
Piercey.
“God bless you, my lad!” cried Sir Giles, now ready to sob for
satisfaction, as he had before been for trouble. “Now I can face things, if
I’ve you to stand by me.”
The household in general took heart when it was known he was to stay.
“Oh! Colonel Piercey, if you’d but look up Mr. Gervase for my lady?—
she can’t neither die nor get better till she sees her boy,” said the weeping
Parsons; and “Colonel Piercey, Sir,” said Dunning, “Sir Giles do look to
you so, as he never looked to any gentleman before. I’ll get him to do
whatever’s right and good for him if so be as he knows you’re here.” Thus,
both master and servants seized upon him. And yet what could he do? He
could not go out and search for Gervase whom he had never seen, knowing
absolutely nothing of his cousin’s haunts, nor of the people among whom he
was likely to be. And he could not consult the servants on this point. There
was but one person who could give him information, and she kept out of his
way.
On the evening of the second day, however, Margaret came into the
library after Sir Giles had been wheeled off to bed. It happened that Colonel
Piercey was standing before the writing-table, examining that very
photograph which he had discovered with such surprise, and which had
made him break off so quickly in his story on the night when Lady Piercey
was taken ill. She came suddenly up to him where he stood with the
photograph, and laid her hand on his arm. He had not heard her step, and
started, almost dropping it in his surprise. “Mrs. Osborne!” he exclaimed.
 “You are looking at Gervase’s picture? Cousin Gerald, help us if you
can. I don’t know how much or how little she feels, but it is Gervase my
aunt is lying looking for—Gervase, who doesn’t know she is ill even if he
had the thought. Was it him you saw with—with the woman? I have not
liked to ask you, but I can’t put it off any longer. Was it Gervase? Oh! for
pity’s sake, speak!”
“How should I know,” he said, “if you don’t know?”
“Know? I! What way have I of knowing? You saw him, or you seemed
to think you did.”
“It was only for a moment. I had never seen him before; I might be
mistaken. It seemed to me that it was the same kind of face. But how can I
speak on the glimpse of a moment? I might be quite wrong.”
“You are very cautious,” she cried at last, “oh, very cautious!—though it
is a matter of life and death. Won’t you help us, then, or can’t you help us?
If this is so, it might give a clue. There is a girl—who has disappeared also,
I have just found out. Oh! Cousin Gerald, you know what he is?—you must
have heard enough to know: not a madman, nor even an imbecile, yet not
like other people. He might be imposed upon—he might be carried away.
There was something strange about him before he went. He said things
which I could not understand. But they suspected nothing.”
“Was it not your duty,” said Gerald Piercey, almost sternly, “to tell them
—if they suspected nothing, as you say?”
“You speak to me very strangely,” she said with a forced smile; “as if I
were in the wrong, anyhow. What could I tell them? That I was uneasy, and
not satisfied? My aunt would have asked what did it matter if I were
satisfied or not?—and Uncle Giles!” She stopped, and resumed in a
different tone, “And the girl has gone up to London from the Seven Thorns
—so far as I can make out, on the same day.”
“What sort of a girl?”
Margaret described her as well as she was able.
“I cannot give you many details. I think she is pretty: brown hair and
eyes, very neat and nice in her dress, though my aunt thinks it beyond her
station. I think, on the whole, a nice-looking girl—not tall.”
“The description would answer most young women that one sees.”
 “It is possible—there is nothing remarkable. She looks clever and
watchful, and a little defiant. But I did not mean you to go into the streets to
look for Patty. I thought you might see whether my description agreed.”
“Mrs. Osborne, perhaps you will tell me what you suppose to have
happened, and what there is that I can do.”
“If we are to be on such formal terms,” said Margaret, colouring deeply,
“yes, Colonel Piercey, I will tell you. I suppose, or rather, I fear, that
Gervase may have gone away with Patty Hewitt. She is quite a respectable
girl. She would not compromise herself; therefore——”
“You think he has married her?”
“I think most likely she must have married him—or intends to do it. But
that takes time. They could not have banns called, or other arrangements
made——”
“They could have a special licence.”
“Ah! but that costs money. They would not have money, either of them. I
have been trying to make inquiries quietly. But time is passing, and his poor
mother! It would be better to consent to anything,” said Margaret, “than to
have her die without seeing him; and perhaps if he were found, the pressure
on the brain might relax. No, I don’t know if that is possible; I am no
doctor. I only want to satisfy her. She is his mother! Whatever he is, he is
more to her than any one else in the world.”
“She does not seem very kind to you, that you should think so much of
that.”
“Who said she was not kind to me? You take a great deal upon yourself,
Colonel Piercey, to be a distant cousin!”
“I am the next-of-kin,” he said. “I’d like to protect these poor old people
—and it is my duty—from any plot there may be against them.”
“Plot—against them?” She stared at him for a moment with eyes that
dilated with astonishment. Then she shook her head.
“I don’t know what you mean,” she said. “If you will not help, I must do
what I can by myself. And you are free on your side to inquire, and I hope
will do it, and take such steps as may seem to you good. The thing now is to
find Gervase for his mother. At another moment,” said Margaret, raising her
head, “you will perhaps explain to me what you mean by this tone—
towards me.”
 She turned her back upon him without another word, and walked away,
leaving Colonel Piercey not very comfortable. He asked himself uneasily
what right he had to suspect her?—what he suspected her of?—as he stood
and watched her crossing the hall. It was a sign of the agitation in the house,
that all the doors seemed to stand open, the centre of the family existence
having shifted somehow from the principal rooms downstairs to some
unseen room above, where the mistress of the house lay. What did he
suspect Meg Piercey of? What had he against her? When he asked himself
this, it appeared that all he had against her was that she was a dependent, a
widow, a middle-aged person—one of those wrecks which encumber the
shores of life, which ought to have gone down, or to be broken up, not to
strew the margins of existence with unnecessary and incapable things,
making demands upon feeling and sympathy which might be much better
expended elsewhere. Colonel Piercey was not a hard man by nature: he
was, in fact, rather too open to the claims of charity, and had expended too
much, not too little, upon widows and orphans in his day. But it had stirred
up all the angry elements in his nature to see Meg Piercey in that condition
which was not natural to her. She ought to have died long ago along with
her husband, or she ought to have a position of her own: to see her here in
that posture of dependence, in that black gown, with that child, living, as he
said to himself harshly, upon charity, and accepting all the penalties, was
more than he could bear. There is a great deal to be said for the Suttee,
though a humanitarian government has put an end to it. It is so much more
dignified for a woman. To a man of fine feelings, it is a painful thing to see
how a person whose natural rôle is that of a princess, a dispenser of help to
others, should come down herself into the rank of the beggar, because of the
death of, probably, a very inferior being to whom she was married. It
degraded her altogether in the scale of being. A princess has noble qualities,
large aims, and stands above the crowd—a dependant does quite the
reverse. Scheming and plotting are the natural breath of the latter; and that a
woman should let herself come down to that wilfully, rather than die and be
done with it, which would be so much more natural and dignified! Colonel
Piercey was aware that his thoughts were very fantastic, and yet this is how
they were—he could not help himself. He was angry with Margaret. It was
not the place she was born to; a sort of Abigail about the backstairs, existing
by the caprice of a disagreeable old woman. Oh, no! it was not a thing that a
man could put up with. And, of course, she must have sunk to the level of
her kind.
This was why he suspected her. The question remained, What did he
suspect her of? And this was still more difficult to answer. Such a woman,
of course, would live by sowing mischief in a family; by hurting in the most
effectual way the superiors who kept her down, and were so little
considerate of her. And their son was the way in which she could most
effectively do this. Gerald Piercey had various thoughts rising in his mind
about this young man, who probably was not at all fit to hold the family
property and succeed Sir Giles in its honours. There was one point of view
from which Colonel Piercey could not forget that he himself was the next-
of-kin—that which made him, in his own eyes, the champion of Gervase—
his determined defender against every assault. Perhaps the very strength of
this feeling might push him beyond what was right and just; but it would be
in the way of supporting and protecting his weak-minded cousin. That was
a point upon which, naturally, he could have no doubt. If Meg Piercey was
against him, it was Gerald Piercey’s part to defend him. But the means were
a little doubtful. He was not clear whether Meg was helping Gervase to
marry unsuitably, to spite his parents, or whether her intention was to
prevent this marriage, in order to deprive him of his happiness and the
natural protection which the support of a clever wife might afford to the
half-witted young man. Thus, he had a difficult part to play; having first to
find out what Margaret’s scope and meaning was, and then to set himself to
defeat it. He had been but three days in the house, and what a tangled web
he was involved in!—to be the Providence of all these people, old and
young, whom he knew so little, yet was so closely connected with; and to
defeat the evil genius, the enemy in the guise of a friend, whom he alone
was clear-sighted enough to divine. But she puzzled him all the same. She
had looks that were not those of a deceiver; and when she had raised her
head and told him that at another moment she would demand an
explanation of what his tone meant, something like a shade of alarm passed
through the soldier’s mind. He would not have been alarmed, you may be
sure, if Margaret had threatened him with a champion, as in the older days.
Bois-Guilbert was not afraid of Ivanhoe. But, when it is the woman herself
who asks an explanation, and his objections have to be stated in full words,
to her alone, facing him for herself, that is a different matter. It may well
make a man look pale.
 CHAPTER XVIII.
The next morning after this, Gerald Piercey found himself in the front of
the Seven Thorns. He had not known what it was: whether a hamlet, or a
farm, or what he actually found it to be, a roadside inn. The aspect of the
place was more attractive than usual. It was lying full in the morning
sunshine; a great country waggon, with its white covering, and fine,
heavily-built, but well-groomed horses, standing before the door,
concentrating the light in its great hood. One of the horses was white, which
made it a still more shining object in the midst of the red-brown road. The
old thorns were full in the sunshine, which softened their shabby antiquity,
and made the gnarled roots and twisted branches picturesque. The long, low
fabric of the house was bathed in the same light, which pervaded the whole
atmosphere with a purifying and embellishing touch. The west side, looking
over the walled garden, which extended for some distance along the road,
though in the shade, showed a row of open windows, at which white
curtains fluttered, giving an air of inhabitation to that usually-closed-up
portion of the place. The visitor felt, as he looked at it, that it was not a
mere village public-house, that its decadence might have a story, and that it
was possible that the daughter of such a house might not, after all, be a
mere rustic coquette, or, perhaps, so bad a match for the half-witted
Gervase. Colonel Piercey had never once thought of himself as the possible
heir of Greyshott; he did not feel that he had any interest in keeping
Gervase from marrying, and though it was intolerable that the heir of the
Pierceys should marry a barmaid, his feelings softened as he looked at the
old country inn, with its look of long-establishment. Probably there was a
farm connected with it; perhaps there was a certain pride of family here,
too, and the daughter of the house was kept apart from the drinking and the
wayside guests. Meg Piercey might have divined that the young woman
was really the best match that Gervase could hope for, and this might be the
cause of her opposition. (He forgot that he had supposed it likely that Meg
might be bringing the match about for her own private ends, one hypothesis
being just as likely as another.) With this idea he approached slowly, and
took his seat upon the bench that stood under the window of the parlour.
The roads between Greyshott and the Seven Thorns were dry and dusty, and
his boots were white enough to warrant the idea that he was a pedestrian
reposing himself, naturally, at the place of refreshment on the roadside.
The landlord came to the door with the waggoner, when Colonel Piercey
had established himself there, and his aspect could not be said to be quite
equal to that of his house. Hewitt had a red nose and a watery eye. His
appearance did not inspire respect. He was holding the waggoner by the
breast of his smock, and holding forth, duly emphasising his discourse by
the gesture of the other hand, in which he held a pipe.
“You just ’old by me,” he was saying, “look’ee, Jack; and I’ll ’old by
you, I will. The ’ay’s a good crop; nobody can’t say nothing again that. But
there’s rain a-coming, and Providence, ’e knows what’ll come of it all in the
end. It ain’t what’s grow’d in the fields as is to be trusted to, but what’s safe
in the stacks; and there’s a deal o’ difference between one and the other.
Look’ee here! you ’old by me, and I’ll ’old by you. And I can’t speak no
fairer. I’ve calcilated all round, I ’ave—me and Patty, my girl, as is that
good at figures; and if it’s got in safe, all as I’ve got to say is, that this ’ere
will be a dashed uncommon yeer.”
“It’s mostly the way,” said the waggoner, “I’ll allow, with them dry
Junes. The weather can’t ’old up not for ever.”
“Nor won’t,” said old Hewitt, with assurance; “it stands to reason. Ain’t
this a variable climate or ain’t it not? And a drop o’ rain we ’aven’t seen not
for three weeks and more. Then we’ll ’ave a wet July. You see yourself
when I knocked the glass ’ow it went down. And that,” he added,
triumphantly, waving his pipe in the air, “is what settles the price of the
’ay.”
“I shouldn’t wonder if you was right, master,” said the waggoner, getting
under weigh.
Gerald Piercey sat and watched the big horses straining their great flanks
to the work, setting the heavy waggon in motion, with pleasure in the sight
which diverted him for a moment from his chief object of interest. Coming
straight from India and the fine and slender-limbed creatures which are the
patricians of their kind, the great, patient, phlegmatic English cart-horse
filled him with admiration. The big feathered hoofs, the immense strain of
those gigantic hind-quarters, the steady calm of the rustic, reflected with a
greater and more dignified impassiveness in the face of his beast, was very
attractive and interesting to him.
 “Fine horses, these,” he said, half to Hewitt at the door, half to the
waggoner, who grinned with a slow shamefacedness, as if it were himself
who was being praised.
“Ay, sir,” said Hewitt, “and well took care of, as ever beasts was. Jack
Mason there—though I say it as shouldn’t—is awfull good to his team.”
“And why shouldn’t you say it?” said Colonel Piercey. “It’s clear
enough.”
“He’s a relation, that young man is, and it’s a country saying, sir, as you
shouldn’t speak up for your own. But I ain’t one as pays much ’eed to that,
for, says I, you knows them that belong to you better nor any one else does.
There’s my girl Patty, now; there ain’t one like her betwixt Guildford and
Portsmouth, and who knows it as well as me?”
“That’s a very satisfactory state of things,” said the visitor, “and, of
course, you must know best. But I fear you won’t be able to keep Miss
Patty long to yourself if she’s like that.”
At this Patty’s father began to laugh a slow, inward laugh. “There’s ’eaps
o’ fellows after ’er, like bees after a ’oney ’ive. But, Lord bless you! she
don’t think nothing o’ them. She’s not one as would take up with a country
’Odge. She’s blood in her veins, has my girl. We’ve been at the Seven
Thorns, off and on, for I don’t know ’ow many ’undred years: more time,”
said Hewitt, waving his pipe vaguely towards Greyshott, “than them folks
’as been at the ’All.”
“Ah, indeed! That’s the Pierceys, I suppose?”
“And a proud set they be. But ’Ewitts was ’ere before ’em, only they
won’t acknowledge it. I’ve ’eard my sister Patience, ’as ’ad a terrible
tongue of ’er own, tell Sir Giles so to his face. ’E was young then, and
father couldn’t keep ’im out o’ this ’ouse. After Patience, to be sure; but he
was a terrible cautious one, was Sir Giles, and it never come to nought.”
The landlord laughed with a sharp hee-hee-hee. “I reckon,” he said, “it runs
in the blood.”
“What runs in the blood?”
“I don’t know, sir,” said the innkeeper, pausing suddenly, “if you’ve
called for anything? I can’t trust neither to maid nor man to attend to the
customers now Patty’s away.”
 “If you have cider, I should like a bottle, and perhaps you’ll help me to
drink it,” said Colonel Piercey. “I’m sorry to hear that Miss Patty’s away.”
“In London,” said Hewitt; “but only for a bit. She ’as a ’ead, that chit
’as! Them rooms along there, end o’ the ’ouse, ’asn’t been lived in not for
years and years. She says to me, she does, ‘Father, let’s clear ’em out, and
maybe we’ll find a lodger.’ I was agin it at first. ‘What’ll you do with a
lodger? There ain’t but very little to be made o’ that,’ I says. ‘They don’t
come down to the parlour to drink, that sort doesn’t, and they’re more
trouble nor they’re worth.’ ‘You leave it to me, father,’ she says. And, if
you’ll believe it, she’s found folks for them rooms already! New-married
folks, she says, as will spend their money free. And coming in a week, for
the rest of the summer or more. That’s Patty’s way!” cried the landlord,
smiting his thigh. “Strike while it’s ’ot, that’s ’er way! Your good ’ealth, sir,
and many of ’em. It ain’t my brewing, that cider. I gets it from Devonshire,
and I think, begging your pardon, sir, as it’s ’eady stuff.”
“But how,” said Colonel Piercey, “will you manage with your visitors,
when your daughter is away?”
“Oh, bless you, sir, she’s a-coming with ’em, she says in her letter, if not
before. Patty knows well I ain’t the one for lodgers. I sits in my own
parlour, and I don’t mind a drop to drink friendly-like with e’er a man as is
thirsty, or to see a set of ’orses put up in my stables, or that; but Richard
’Ewitt of the Seven Thorns ain’t one to beck and bow afore folks as thinks
themselves gentry, and maybe ain’t not ’alf as good as ’er and me. No, sir; I
wasn’t made, nor was my father afore me made, for the likes of that.”
“It is very good of you, I’m sure, Mr. Hewitt, to sit for half an hour with
me, who may be nobody, as you say.”
“Don’t mention it, sir,” said Hewitt, with a wave of the pipe which he
still carried like a banner in his hand: “I ’ope I knows a gentleman when I
sees one; and as I said, I sits at my own door and I takes a friendly drop
with any man as is thirsty. That ain’t the same as bowing and scraping, and
taking folks’s orders, as is nothing to me.”
“And Miss Patty, you say, is in London? London’s a big word: is she east
or west, or——”
“It’s funny,” said Hewitt, “the interest that’s took in my Patty since she’s
been away. There’s been Sally Ferrett, the nurse up at Greyshott, asking and
asking, where is she, and when did she go, and when she’s coming back? I
caught her getting it all out of ’Lizabeth the girl. What day did she go, and
what train, and so forth? ’Lizabeth’s a gaby. She just says ‘Yes, Miss,’ and
‘No, Miss,’ to a wench like that, as is only a servant like herself. I give it
’em well, and I give Miss her answer. ‘What’s their concern up at Greyshott
with where my Patty is?”
“That’s true,” said Colonel Piercey, “and what is my concern? You are
quite right, Mr. Hewitt.”
“Oh, yours, sir? that’s different: you ask out o’ pure idleness, you do, to
make conversation; I understand that. But between you and me I couldn’t
answer ’em, not if I wanted to. For my Patty is one as can take very good
care of ’erself, and she don’t give me no address. She’ll be back with them
young folks, or maybe, afore ’em, next week, and that’s all as I want to
know. I wants her then, for I’ll not have nothing to do with ’em, and
’Lizabeth, she’s a gaby, and not to be trusted. Lodgers in my opinion is
more trouble than they’re any good. So Patty will manage them herself, or
they don’t come here.”
“The family at Greyshott takes an interest in your daughter, I presume,
from what you say,” said Colonel Piercey.
Upon this Hewitt laughed low and long, and winked over and over again
with his watery eye. “There’s one of ’em as does,” he said. “Oh, there’s one
of ’em as does! If so be as you know the family, sir, you’ll know the young
gentleman. Don’t you know Mr. Gervase?—eh, not the young ’un, sir, as is
Sir Giles’s heir? Oh, Lord, if you don’t know him you don’t know
Greyshott Manor, nor what’s going on there.”
“I have never seen the young gentleman,” said Gerald; “I believe he is
not very often at home.”
“I don’t know about ’ome, but ’e’s ’ere as often as ’e can be. ’E’d be ’ere
mornin’, noon, and night if I’d ’a put up with it; but I see ’im, what ’e was
after, and I’ll not ’ave my girl talked about, not for the best Piercey as ever
trod in shoe-leather. And ’e ain’t the best, oh, not by a long chalk ’e ain’t.
Sir Giles is dreadful pulled down with the rheumatics and that, but ’e was a
man as was something like a man. Lord bless you, sir, this poor creature,
’e’s a Softy, and ’e’ll never be no more.”
“What do you mean by a Softy?” said Gerald, quickly; then he added
with a sensation of shame, “Never mind, I don’t want you to tell me. Don’t
you think you should be a little more careful what you say, when a young
man like this comes to your house?”
“What should I be careful for?” said Hewitt; “I ain’t noways beholdin’ to
the Pierceys. They ain’t my landlords, ain’t the Piercey’s, though they give
themselves airs with their Lords o’ the Manor, and all that. Hewitts of the
Seven Thorns is as good as the Pierceys, and not beholdin’ to them, not for
the worth of a brass fardin—oh, no! And I wouldn’t have the Softy about
my house, a fool as opens ’is mouth and laughs in your face if you say a
sensible word to ’im; not for me! Richard Hewitt’s not a-going to think
twice what he says for a fool like ’im. Softy’s ’is name and Softy’s ’is
nature: ask any man in the village who the Softy is, and they’ll soon tell
you. Lord, it don’t matter a bit what I say.”
“Still, I suppose,” said Colonel Piercey, feeling a little nettled in spite of
himself, “it is, after all, the first family in the neighbourhood.”
“First family be dashed,” cried Hewitt; “I’m as good a family as any of
’em. And I don’t care that, no, not that,” he cried, snapping his fingers, “for
the Pierceys, if they was kings and queens, which they ain’t, nor no such
big folks after all. Old Sir Giles, he’s most gone off his head with
rheumatics and things; and my lady, they do say, she ’ave ’ad a stroke, and
serve her right for her pride and her pryin’. And Mr. Gervase, he’s a Softy,
and that’s all that’s to be said. They ain’t much for a first family when you
knows all the rights and the wrongs of it,” Hewitt said.