"The failure" did not seem unhappy, he walked across the field with a free and easy stride, whistling softly to himself, enjoying the beauties of nature, taking in everything at a glance, drinking deep of the many good things that mother earth provided for the entertainment of mankind. To look at him seemed to give a great denial to Sir Lester's remark. Failure was not written on his face, he was apparently3 an active, well bred, strong, able bodied young man, and yet Jack4 Redland was a failure, for he had done nothing to advance himself in life, and had tried his hand at many things without success. His brothers had done well in life, his two sisters had married rich men, and were more or less happy, according to the lot of such people. His father left him exactly two thousand pounds and he spent it in a year. How he had lived since that time no one knew, but he was always well dressed and never seemed in want of money.
As all the Redlands had done well in life, "the failure" stood out more conspicuously5. Had his many friends been questioned they would have endorsed6 Sir Lester's remarks concerning him.
His family concern this story in no wise, it is with him we have to deal. It suffices to say that his father was an old friend of Sir Lester Dyke's, who had a small estate in Sussex and a house at Brighton.
Jack Redland was a frequent visitor at The Downs, where he was always made welcome, despite his failures. Perhaps it was Winifred's championship of him had much to do with her father's partiality. She was his only child and he adored her. Sir Lester had just given Jack a few words of advice, administered in somewhat strong doses, in the hope that it would act as a tonic7 and brace8 him up to contemplate9 some decisive line of action that would obliterate10 past failures. The recipient11 of the tonic did not seem to be troubled by it. During the five-and-twenty years of his life he had accepted a vast amount of advice, which could not have been of the right sort, as it failed to produce any effect. Advice is cheap, much cheaper than practical assistance, and, therefore, easier to part with. Some people consider themselves born advisers12, they little know what bores they are. Jack was a difficult subject to bore, he was a patient listener, because he never showed in any way that his thoughts were elsewhere as his adviser13 rambled14 on in dreary15 discourse16. Maiden17 ladies of a certain age with grievances18, found him sympathetic; they thought it wonderful he possessed19 such a knowledge of the sex. Men with hobbies ran them hard at Jack's expense, but he did not mind it in the least. His temper was even, his outlook on life full of hope, and a blind belief in his lucky star, which advanced near to the borders of fatalism. He never doubted that he had been sent into the world to serve some useful purpose, but what it was he had been unable, up to now, to discover.
He did not consider himself a failure in the same light as others regarded him. Because he had tried several things and succeeded in none was not his fault, it was rather his misfortune, because he had not come across the right thing; when he did he felt sure of succeeding.
His education was of the ordinary kind. He went to a good private boarding school and when he left did not go to college, had he done so he would have been no better off. He played cricket well, was, in fact, much in request in the county team, he rode well, shot splendidly, played tennis, croquet, golf, or any other game that happened to be suggested, and Sir Lester said no fault could be found with anything he did in the way of sport. If he succeeded in these things why not in business? that was the question that as yet remained unanswered. He had plenty of energy, rode hard in the hunting field, was a qualified20 gentleman jockey, and had won many races. This was one source of income which he did not despise. All this was very well in its way, but for a young man without means it did not afford a very good prospect21 in life.
The Downs was within easy distance of Brighton, and Jack Redland often walked from the famous seaside resort to Sir Lester's and back. He did so because he liked walking, for he was never short of the choice of a mount, any of his Brighton friends were only too willing to oblige him when they found he improved the manners of their horses.
It was a beautiful day, towards the end of May, and the country was resplendent in living green. Myriads22 of primroses23 clustered under the trees, and peeped out from nooks and corners in the banks. The birds sang joyously24, heralding25 the coming of June, already teaching their young how to fly, in haste to be rid of them and rear more.
As he reached the bend round by the plantation26, he turned and waved his hat to Sir Lester and Winifred, the former shook his stick at him, which caused him to smile, the latter kissed her hand to him, which made him look serious.
He was very fond of Winifred, and he admired her father, whose friendship he greatly valued. He had known Winifred since she was a little girl, now she was eighteen, and fast developing into a lovely woman. Once he did not see her for a year or more, that was when she was at school, in France, and when he met her he wondered at the change in her. It was then he learned she was no longer a child and could not be teased and have her hair pulled with impunity27. She laughed at him when he spoke28 to her in such a different tone, and her bantering29 soon put him at his ease.
Out of sight of the house he sat down on a bank and idly pulled a buttonhole of primroses. His thoughts were with Sir Lester and Winifred, and he commenced to wonder whether the baronet was right when he told him it was entirely30 his own fault he did not get on in the world, and that it was high time he turned his mind and his hands to something useful. His numerous accomplishments31 had, so far, been of very little use to him. One of his sisters occasionally gave him a helping32 hand or he would have been in a very bad way indeed. At first he declined to accept money from her, but she overcame his reluctance33 by pointing out that she had no children, and had more money than she cared to spend upon herself.
"If you assure me it comes out of your private purse I will take it as a loan," he said, "but I will not accept a copper34 from Harry35, he's a prig."
"He is my husband," she replied, quietly, "and you must not call him names. He is very good to me, very liberal, and I have nothing to grumble36 about. Please take the money, Jack, and when you are short again do not be afraid to ask for more; I know you will repay it some day, if ever I require it."
This was, however, a most unsatisfactory way of living, and he had no desire to trespass37 upon her bounty38. What was he to do? The answer was difficult. He would be of no use in an office. As the manager of an estate he might find it a congenial employment, but he doubted his ability to succeed.
"Something is sure to turn up," he muttered, "but the right thing is a deuced long time in coming my way."
Hearing footsteps in the lane he looked up and saw a gypsy woman, with a basket on her arm, filled with bunches of primroses. She was young, and not ill looking. Many of her tribe wandered about the Sussex lanes, and he merely regarded her with ordinary interest. She saw him through the hedge, and stopped.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"Money, my child is ill," she said.
"Where is your husband?"
"I do not know, I do not care. He has left me, but I have the child. He is in Brighton, he will die if I cannot get money, I must have it."
"I am sorry for you," he said. "Money is scarce with me, but I can let you have a few shillings."
"God bless you, kind gentleman."
It occurred to him her story might be untrue, and he looked at her suspiciously. She saw his glance, and with the quickness of her race knew why he hesitated.
"I have told you the truth, my child is very ill, he is all I have in the world."
He pushed his way through the hedge, and stood before her. She looked into his face with sad, black eyes, in which there was no boldness.
"Here is five shillings for you, I am as badly off as yourself for money."
She curtseyed as she accepted it, and said:
"You do not look like a poor man."
"I am; I am a failure," he said, smiling.
She shook her head.
"Your turn will come. May I look at your hand?"
He laughed again as he said:
"I have no faith in fortune telling."
"I do not wish to tell your fortune, I can read your hand if you will let me."
He held out his hand, and for some minutes she regarded it silently. They made a picturesque40 group under the budding trees, with the birds peeping down and twittering in surprise, and the primroses glistening41 all around.
"There are riches in store for you, there are dangers to be met with in a far off land. You will live long but there are years of strife42 before you. It is a good hand, the lines are true, it is not the hand of a man who will fail when the time comes."
He was interested, although he did not believe her story.
"Then there is no luck in store for me in England?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"None until you return," she replied.
"And where must I go? To what land must I journey to gain these riches?"
"That I cannot tell, you must trust to fate."
"I am not likely to leave England."
"You will, and before long."
"You speak positively43."
"I am sure of what I say."
"You are going to Brighton, it is a long walk. Go to Hassocks, that will be nearer; here is another half-crown, you can take the train from there."
He did not wait for her thanks, but struck out across country, he knew his way well.
The five or six miles to Brighton were nothing to him, and he arrived there in time for dinner.
He had modest apartments in the Old Steyne overlooking the gardens, in a very quiet house where there were no other lodgers44, and his modest requirements were easily met.
He preferred to live at Brighton, probably because it was within easy distance of Sir Lester Dyke's residence, and he had many opportunities of seeing Winifred. He walked to Hove in the evening, and sat down in a quiet spot overlooking the sea. His meeting with the gypsy woman impressed him more than he imagined. It was curious she should be coming down the lane as he rested there, he did not remember having met any gypsies so near The Downs before. Sir Lester had a decided45 objection to them, called them poachers, and worse names, and would have none of them on his land, or in the lanes if he could help it. The woman seemed superior to the majority of her class, and he believed her story about the child.
The sound of the sea, the swish of the incoming tide influenced him and he wondered if the woman's words would come true and that he might possibly find riches in a foreign land. He cared very little for money for himself, but there were possibilities attaching to the possession of it that he cared for very much indeed. Again he saw Sir Lester shaking his stick, and Winifred kissing her hand. The stick was to urge him on, the kiss to call him back.
England; what ties were there to hold him here? He had never contemplated46 the prospect of leaving his homeland until the gypsy woman had spoken; he saw in her words the hand of fate, in which he placed his trust.
The sea breeze fanned his face, the music of the waves fascinated him as they had never done before, they called to him and he felt inclined to place faith in their summons. The sun sank, the air grew chilly47, but still he sat on watching the lights of the fishing smacks48 as they appeared, one by one, out at sea.
Surely it was time for him to bestir himself, do something to earn his living, instead of idling along in pleasurable ease, if not affluence49.
He had read of men who had gone out to far distant countries and come back rich. They braved dangers and privations, why should not he, had he less courage? He thought not.
He walked along the parade, still wondering if the gypsy's words would come true. That depended upon himself, he could at any rate give them a chance by going abroad.
He meant to consult Sir Lester Dyke and hear what he had to say, his advice would at any rate be worth listening to. Then there was Winifred, how would she take it, would it grieve her much to lose her old playmate?
He felt the wrench51 on his side would be severe. The girl was more to him than he imagined, the mere39 thought of leaving her had roused other sentiments; during his absence she might marry, and on his return home find her the mother of children. He had no right to expect anything else, not even to ask her to wait for him, because he had no prospects52 in life, no home to offer her, was not even certain of making one. Sir Lester liked him, but would resent, and properly so, any approach to his daughter on such a subject.
If he went abroad he must risk everything, even the chance of finding Winifred still at home with her father on his return. Of one thing he was certain, if he left England he would not come back a failure.
该作者的其它作品
《A Lad of Mettle》
该作者的其它作品
《A Lad of Mettle》
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1
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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dyke
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| n.堤，水坝，排水沟 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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6
endorsed
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| vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品 | |
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7
tonic
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| n./adj.滋补品，补药，强身的，健体的 | |
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brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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9
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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obliterate
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| v.擦去，涂抹，去掉...痕迹，消失，除去 | |
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11
recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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12
advisers
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| 顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授 | |
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adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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14
rambled
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的过去式和过去分词 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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15
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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primroses
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| n.报春花( primrose的名词复数 )；淡黄色；追求享乐（招至恶果） | |
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24
joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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25
heralding
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| v.预示( herald的现在分词 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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26
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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28
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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29
bantering
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| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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30
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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32
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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35
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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36
grumble
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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37
trespass
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| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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39
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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40
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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41
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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42
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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43
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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44
lodgers
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| n.房客，租住者( lodger的名词复数 ) | |
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45
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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46
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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47
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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48
smacks
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| 掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌 | |
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49
affluence
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| n.充裕，富足 | |
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50
lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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51
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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52
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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