第3章

Iknowyouwillgetonwellwithhim。Hehassuchagoodheart。Andhisattitudetowardyou，Basil，isbeautifulalways——sorespectful；ornotthatsomuchasappreciative。Yes，appreciative——that"stheword；Imustalwayskeepthatinmind。"

"It"squiteimportanttodoso，"saidMarch。

"Yes，"sheassented，seriously，"andwemustnotforgetjustwhatkindofflatwearegoingtolookfor。The"sinequanons"areanelevatorandsteamheat，notabovethethirdfloor，tobeginwith。Thenwemusteachhavearoom，andyoumusthaveyourstudyandImusthavemyparlor；andthetwogirlsmusteachhavearoom。Withthekitchenanddiningroom，howmanydoesthatmake?"

"Ten。"

"Ithoughteight。Well，nomatter。Youcanworkintheparlor，andrunintoyourbedroomwhenanybodycomes；andIcansitinmine，andthegirlsmustputupwithone，ifit"slargeandsunny，thoughI"vealwaysgiventhemtwoathome。Andthekitchenmustbesunny，sotheycansitinit。Andtheroomsmustallhaveoutsidelight。Audtherentmustnotbeovereighthundredforthewinter。Weonlygetathousandforourwholehouse，andwemustsavesomethingoutofthat，soastocovertheexpensesofmoving。Now，doyouthinkyoucanrememberallthat?"

"Notthehalfofit，"saidMarch。"Butyoucan；orifyouforgetathirdofit，Icancomeinwithmypartialhalfandmorethanmakeitup。"

Shehadbroughtherbonnetandsacquedown-stairswithher，andwastransferringthemfromthehatracktoherpersonwhileshetalked。Thefriendlydoor-boyletthemintothestreet，andtheclearOctobereveningairbrightenedhersothatasshetuckedherhandunderherhusband"sarmandbegantopullhimalongshesaid，"Ifwefindsomethingrightaway——

andwe"rejustaslikelytogettherightflatsoonaslate；it"sallalottery——wellgotothetheatresomewhere。"

Shehadamoment"spanicabouthavinglefttheagents"permitsonthetable，andafterrememberingthatshehadputthemintoherlittleshopping-bag，whereshekepthermoney(eachnotecrushedintoaroundwad)，andhadheftitonthehat-rack，whereitwouldcertainlybestolen，shefounditonherwrist。Shedidnotthinkthatveryfunny；

butafterafirstimpulsetoinculpateherhusband，shelethimlaugh，whiletheystoppedunderalampandsheheldthepermitshalfayardawaytoreadthenumbersonthem。

"Whereareyourglasses，Isabel?"

"Onthemantelinourroom，ofcourse。"

"Thenyououghttohavebroughtapairoftongs。"

"Iwouldn"tgetoffsecond-handjokes，Basil，"shesaid；and"Why，here!"

shecried，whirlingroundtothedoorbeforewhichtheyhadhalted，"thisistheverynumber。Well，Idobelieveit"sasign!"

Oneofthosecoloredmenwhosoftenthetradeofjanitorinmanyofthesmallerapartment-housesinNewYorkbythesweetnessoftheirracelettheMarchesin，or，rather，welcomedthemtothepossessionofthepremisesbythebowwithwhichheacknowledgedtheirpermit。Itwasalarge，oldmansioncutupintofiveorsixdwellings，butithadkeptsometraitsofitsformerdignity，whichpleasedpeopleoftheirsympathetictastes。Thedark-mahoganytrim，ofsufficientlyuglydesign，gavearichgloomtothehallway，whichwaswideandpavedwithmarble；

thecarpetedstairscurvedaloftthroughagenerousspace。

"Thereisnoelevator?"Mrs。Marchaskedofthejanitor。

Heanswered，"No，ma"am；onlytwoflightsup，"sowinninglythatshesaid，"Oh!"incourteousapology，andwhisperedtoherhusband，asshefollowedlightlyup，"We"lltakeit，Basil，ifit"sliketherest。"

"Ifit"slikehim，youmean。"

"Idon"twondertheywantedtoownthem，"shehurriedlyphilosophized。

"IfIhadsuchacreature，nothingbutdeathshouldpartus，andIshouldnomorethinkofgivinghimhisfreedom!"

"No；wecouldn"taffordit，"returnedherhusband。

Theapartmentwhichthejanitorunlockedforthem，andlitupfromthosechandeliersandbracketsofgiltbrassintheformofvinebunches，leaves，andtendrilsinwhichtheearlygas-fitterrealizedmostofhisconceptionsofbeauty，hadrathermoreoftheuglinessthanthedignityofthehall。Buttheroomswerelarge，andtheygroupedthemselvesinareminiscenceofthetimewhentheywerepartofadwellingthathaditscharm，itspathos，itsimpressiveness。Wheretheywerecutupintosmallerspaces，ithadbeendonewiththefranknesswithwhichaproudoldfamilyoffallenfortunespractisesitseconomies。Theroughpine~

floorsshowedablackborderoftack-headswherecarpetshadbeenliftedandputdownforgenerations；thewhitepaintwasyellowwithage；theapartmenthadlightatthefrontandattheback，andtwoorthreeroomshadglimpsesofthedaythroughsmallwindowsletintotheircorners；

anotheroneseemedliftinganappealingeyetoheaventhroughaglasscircleinitsceiling；therestmustdarkleinperpetualtwilight。Yetsomethingpleasedinitall，andMrs。Marchhadgonefartoadaptthedifferentroomstothemembersofherfamily，whenshesuddenlythought(andforhertothinkwastosay)，"Why，butthere"snosteamheat!"

"No，ma"am，"thejanitoradmitted；"butdere"sgratesinmosto"derooms，anddere"sfurnaceheatindehalls。"

"That"strue，"sheadmitted，and，havingplacedherfamilyintheapartments，itwashardtogetthemoutagain。"Couldwemanage?"shereferredtoherhusband。

"Why，Ishouldn"tcareforthesteamheatif——Whatistherent?"hebrokeofftoaskthejanitor。

"Ninehundred，sir。"

Marchconcludedtohiswife，"Ifitwerefurnished。"

"Why，ofcourse!WhatcouldIhavebeenthinkingof?We"relookingforafurnishedflat，"sheexplainedtothejanitor，"andthiswassopleasantandhomelikethatIneverthoughtwhetheritwasfurnishedornot。"

Shesmileduponthejanitor，andheenteredintothejokeandchuckledsoamiablyatherflatteringoversightonthewaydown-stairsthatshesaid，asshepinchedherhusband"sarm，"Now，ifyoudon"tgivehimaquarterI"llneverspeaktoyouagain，Basil!"

"Iwouldhavegivenhalfadollarwillinglytogetyoubeyondhisglamour，"saidMarch，whentheyweresafelyonthepavementoutside。"

Ifithadn"tbeenformystrengthofcharacter，you"dhavetakenanunfurnishedflatwithoutheatandwithnoelevator，atninehundredayear，whenyouhadjustswornmetosteamheat，anelevator，furniture，andeighthundred。"

"Yes!HowcouldIhavelostmyheadsocompletely?"shesaid，withalenientamusementinheraberrationwhichshewasnotalwaysabletofeelinherhusband"s。

"Thenexttimeacoloredjanitoropensthedoortous，I"lltellhimtheapartmentdoesn"tsuitatthethreshold。It"stheonlywaytomanageyou，Isabel。"

"It"strue。Iaminlovewiththewholerace。Ineversawoneofthemthatdidn"thaveperfectlyangelicmanners。Ithinkweshallallbeblackinheaven——thatis，black-souled。"

"Thatisn"ttheusualtheory，"saidMarch。

"Well，perhapsnot，"sheassented。"Wherearewegoingnow?Ohyes，totheXenophon!"

Shepulledhimgaylyalongagain，andaftertheyhadwalkedablockdownandhalfablockovertheystoodbeforetheapartment-houseofthatname，whichwascutonthegas-lampsoneithersideoftheheavilyspiked，aesthetic-hingedblackdoor。Thetitterofanelectric-bellbroughtalarge，fatButtons，withastageeffectofbeingdressedtolooksmall，whosaidhewouldcallthejanitor，andtheywaitedinthedimlysplendid，copper-coloredinterior，admiringthewhorlsandwavesintowhichthewallpaintwascombed，tillthejanitorcameinhisgold-bandedcap，likeaContinentalporker。WhentheysaidtheywouldliketoseeMrs。GrosvenorGreen"sapartment，heownedhisinabilitytocopewiththeaffair，andsaidhemustsendforthesuperintendent；hewaseitherintheHerodotusortheThucydides，andwouldbethereinaminute。TheButtonsbroughthim——aYankeeofbrowbeatingpresenceinplainclothes——

almostbeforetheyhadtimetoexchangeafrightenedwhisperinrecognitionofthefactthattherecouldbenodoubtofthesteamheatandelevatorinthiscase。Halfstifledintheone，theymountedintheothereightstories，whiletheytriedtokeeptheirself-respectunderthegazeofthesuperintendent，whichtheyfeltwasclassingandassessingthemwithunfriendlyaccuracy。Theycouldnot，andtheyfalteredabashedatthethresholdofMrs。GrosvenorGreen"sapartment，whilethesuperintendentlitthegasinthegangwaythathecalledaprivatehall，andinthedrawing-roomandthesuccessionofchambersstretchingrearwardtothekitchen。Everythinghad，beendonebythearchitecttosavespace，andeverything，towasteitbyMrs。GrosvenorGreen。Shehadconformedtoalawforthenecessityofturningroundineachroom，andhadfolding-bedsinthechambers，buttherehersubordinationhadended，andwhereveryoumighthaveturnedroundshehadputagimcracksothatyouwouldknockitoverifyoudidturn。Theplacewasratherprettyandevenimposingatfirstglance，andittookseveraljointballotsforMarchandhiswifetomakesurethatwiththekitchentherewereonlysixrooms。Ateverydoorhungaportierefromlargeringsonabrassrod；everyshelfanddressing-caseandmantelwaslitteredwithgimcracks，andthecornersofthetinyroomswerecurtainedoff，andbehindtheseportieresswarmedmoregimcracks。ThefrontoftheuprightpianohadwhatMarchcalledashort-skirtedportiereonit，andthetopwascoveredwithvases，withdragoncandlesticksandwithJapfans，whichalsoexpandedthemselvesbatwiseonthewallsbetweentheetchingsandthewatercolors。Thefloorswerecoveredwithfilling，andthenrugsandthenskins；theeasy-chairsallhadtidies，ArmenianandTurkishandPersian；theloungesandsofashadembroideredcushionshiddenundertidies。

TheradiatorwasconcealedbyaJapscreen，andoverthetopofthissomeArabscarfswereflung。Therewasasuperabundanceofclocks。Chinapugsguardedthehearth；abrasssunflowersmiledfromthetopofeitherandiron，andabrasspeacockspreaditstailbeforetheminsideahighfiligreefender；ononesidewasacoalhodin"repousse"brass，andontheotherawroughtironwood-basket。SomeredJapanesebird-kiteswerestuckaboutinthenecksofspeltervases，acrimsonJapumbrellahungopenedbeneaththechandelier，andeachglobehadashadeofyellowsilk。

March，whenhehadrecoveredhisself-commandalittleinthepresenceoftheagglomeration，comfortedhimselfbycallingthebric-a-bracJamescracks，asifthiswastheirfullname。

Thedisrespecthewasabletoshowthewholeapartmentbymeansofthisjokestrengthenedhimtosayboldlytothesuperintendentthatitwasaltogethertoosmall；thenheaskedcarelesslywhattherentwas。

"Twohundredandfifty。"

TheMarchesgaveastart，andlookedateachother。

"Don"tyouthinkwecouldmakeitdo?"sheaskedhim，andhecouldseethatshehadmentallysavedfivehundreddollarsasthedifferencebetweentherentoftheirhouseandthatofthisflat。"Ithassomeveryprettyfeatures，andwecouldmanagetosqueezein，couldn"twe?"

"Youwon"tfindanotherfurnishedflatlikeitfornotwo-fiftyamonthinthewholecity，"thesuperintendentputin。

Theyexchangedglancesagain，andMarchsaid，carelessly，"It"stoosmall。"

"There"savacantflatintheHerodotusforeighteenhundredayear，andoneintheThucydidesforfifteen，"thesuperintendentsuggested，clickinghiskeystogetherastheysankdownintheelevator；"sevenroomsandbath。"

"Thankyou，"saidMarch；"we"relookingforafurnishedflat。"

Theyfeltthatthesuperintendentpartedfromthemwithrepressedsarcasm。

"Oh，Basil，doyouthinkwereallymadehimthinkitwasthesmallnessandnotthedearness?"

"No，butwesavedourself-respectintheattempt；andthat"sagreatdeal。"

"Ofcourse，Iwouldn"thavetakenit，anyway，withonlysixrooms，andsohighup。Butwhatprices!Now，wemustbeverycircumspectaboutthenextplace。"

Itwasajanitress，large，fat，withherarmswoundupinherapron，whoreceivedthemthere。Mrs。Marchgaveherasuccinctbutperfectstatementoftheirneeds。Shefailedtograspthenatureofthem，orfeignedtodoso。Sheshookherhead，andsaidthathersonwouldshowthemtheflat。Therewasaradiatorvisibleinthenarrowhall，andIsabeltacitlycompromisedonsteamheatwithoutanelevator，astheflatwasonlyoneflightup。Whenthesonappearedfrombelowwithasmallkerosenehand-lamp，itappearedthattheflatwasunfurnished，buttherewasnostoppinghimtillhehadshownitinallitsimpossibility。WhentheygotsafelyawayfromitandintothestreetMarchsaid:"Well，haveyouhadenoughforto-night，Isabel?Shallwegotothetheatrenow?"

"Notonanyaccount。IwanttoseethewholelistofflatsthatMr。

Fulkersonthoughtwouldbetheverythingforus。"Shelaughed，butwithacertainbitterness。

"You"llbecallinghimmyMr。Fulkersonnext，Isabel。"

"Ohno!"

Thefourthaddresswasafurnishedflatwithoutakitchen，inahousewithageneralrestaurant。Thefifthwasafurnishedhouse。Atthesixthapatheticwidowandherprettydaughterwantedtotakeafamilytoboard，andwouldgivethemaprivatetableataratewhichtheMarcheswouldhavethoughtlowinBoston。

Mrs。Marchcameawaytinglingwithcompassionfortheirevidentanxiety，andthispitynaturallysouredintoasenseofinjury。"Well，ImustsayIhavecompletelylostconfidenceinMr。Fulkerson"sjudgment。AnythingmoreutterlydifferentfromwhatItoldhimwewantedIcouldn"timagine。

Ifhedoesn"tmanageanybetterabouthisbusinessthanhehasdoneaboutthis，itwillbeaperfectfailure。"

"Well，well，let"shopehe"llbemorecircumspectaboutthat，"herhusbandreturned，withironicalpropitiation。"ButIdon"tthinkit"sFulkerson"sfaultaltogether。Perhapsit"sthehouse-agents"。They"reaveryillusorygeneration。Thereseemstobesomethinginthehumanhabitationthatcorruptsthenaturesofthosewhodealinit，tobuyorsellit，tohireorletit。Yougotoanagentandtellhimwhatkindofahouseyouwant。Hehasnosuchhouse，andhesendsyoutolookatsomethingaltogetherdifferent，uponthewell-ascertainedprinciplethatifyoucan"tgetwhatyouwantyouwilltakewhatyoucanget。Youdon"tsupposethe"party"thattookourhouseinBostonwaslookingforanysuchhouse?Hewaslookingforatotallydifferentkindofhouseinanotherpartofthetown。"

"Idon"tbelievethat!"hiswifebrokein。

"Well，nomatter。Butseewhatascandalousrentyouaskedforit。"

"Wedidn"tgetmuchmorethanhalf；and，besides，theagenttoldmetoaskfourteenhundred。"

"Oh，I"mnotblamingyou，Isabel。I"monlyanalyzingthehouse-agentandexoneratingFulkerson。"

"Well，Idon"tbelievehetoldthemjustwhatwewanted；and，atanyrate，I"mdonewithagents。TomorrowI"mgoingentirelybyadvertisements。"

VIII。

Mrs。MarchtookthevertebratewithhertotheViennaCoffee-House，wheretheywenttobreakfastnextmorning。ShemadeMarchbuyhertheHeraldandtheWorld，andsheaddedtoitsspinyconvolutionsfromthem。Shereadthenewadvertisementsaloudwithardorandwithfaithtobelievethattheapartmentsdescribedinthemwereeveryonetruthfullyrepresented，andthatanyoneofthemwasrichlyresponsivetotheirneeds。"Elegant，light，large，singleandoutsideflats"wereofferedwith"allimprovements——bath，ice-box，etc。"——fortwenty-fivetothirtydollarsamonth。Thecheapnesswasamazing。TheWagram，theEsmeralda，theJacinth，advertisedthemforfortydollarsandsixtydollars，"withsteamheatandelevator，"rentfreetillNovember。Others，attractivefromtheirairofconscientiousscruple，announced"first-classflats；

goodorder；reasonablerents。"TheHelenaaskedthereaderifshehadseenthe"cabinetfinish，hard-woodfloors，andfrescoedceilings"ofitsfifty-dollarflats；theAsteroidaffirmedthatsuchapartments，with"sixlightroomsandbath，porcelainwash-tubs，electricbells，andhall-boy，"

asitofferedforseventy-fivedollarswereunapproachedbycompetition。

Therewasasamenessinthejargonwhichtendedtoconfusion。Mrs。Marchgotseveralflatsonherlistwhichpromisedneithersteamheatnorelevators；sheforgotherselfsofarastoincludetwoorthreeasremotefromthedown-townregionofherchoiceasHarlem。Butaftershehadrejectedthesethenondescriptvertebratewasstillvoluminousenoughtosustainherbuoyanthopes。

Thewaiter，whorememberedthemfromyeartoyear，hadputthematawindowgivingaprettygoodsectionofBroadway，andbeforetheysetoutontheirsearchtheyhadamomentofreminiscence。TheyrecalledtheBroadwayoffive，often，oftwentyyearsago，swellingandroaringwithatideofgaylypaintedomnibusesandofpicturesquetrafficthatthehorsecarshavenowbanishedfromit。Thegrindoftheirwheelsandtheclashoftheirharshbellsimperfectlyfillthesilencethattheomnibuseshaveleft，andtheeyemissesthetumultuousperspectiveofformertimes。

TheywentoutandstoodforamomentbeforeGraceChurch，andlookeddownthestatelythoroughfare，andfounditnolongerimpressive，nolongercharacteristic。ItisstillBroadwayinname，butnowitislikeanyotherstreet。Youdonotnowtakeyourlifeinyourhandwhenyouattempttocrossit；theBroadwaypolicemanwhosupportedtheelbowoftimorousbeautyinthehollowofhiscotton-glovedpalmandguideditslittlefearfulbootsoverthecrossing，whilehearrestedthebillowyomnibusesoneithersidewithanimperiousglance，isgone，andallthatcertainprocessional，barbaricgayetyoftheplaceisgone。

"Palmyra，Baalbec，TimouroftheDesert，"saidMarch，voicingtheircommonfeelingofthechange。

Theyturnedandwentintothebeautifulchurch，andfoundthemselvesintimeforthematinservice。RaptfarfromNewYork，ifnotfromearth，inthedimrichnessofthepaintedlight，thehallowedmusictookthemwithsolemnecstasy；theaerial，aspiringGothicformsseemedtoliftthemheavenward。Theycameout，reluctant，intothedazzleandbustleofthestreet，withafeelingthattheyweretoogoodforit，whichtheyconfessedtoeachotherwithwhimsicalconsciousness。

"Butnomatterhowconsecratedwefeelnow，"hesaid，"wemustn"tforgetthatwewentintothechurchforpreciselythesamereasonthatwewenttotheViennaCaf?forbreakfast——togratifyanaestheticsense，torenewthefadedpleasureoftravelforamoment，togetbackintotheEuropeofouryouth。ItwasapurelyPaganimpulse，Isabel，andwe"dbetterownit。"

"Idon"tknow，"shereturned。"Ithinkwereduceourselvestothebarebonestoomuch。Iwishwedidn"talwaysrecognizethefactsaswedo。

SometimesIshouldliketoblinkthem。IshouldliketothinkIwasdevouterthanIam，andyoungerandprettier。"

"Betternot；youcouldn"tkeepitup。Honestyisthebestpolicyeveninsuchthings。"

"No；Idon"tlikeit，Basil。Ishouldratherwaittillthelastdayforsomeofmymotivestocometothetop。Iknowthey"realwaysmixed，butdoletmegivethemthebenefitofadoubtsometimes。"

"Well，well，haveityourownway，mydear。ButIprefernottolayupsomanydisagreeablesurprisesformyselfatthattime。"

Shewouldnotconsent。"IknowIamagooddealyoungerthanIwas。

IfeelquiteinthemoodofthatmorningwhenwewalkeddownBroadwayonourweddingjourney。Don"tyou?"

"Ohyes。ButIknowI"mnotyounger；I"monlyprettier。"

Shelaughedforpleasureinhisjoke，andalsoforunconsciousjoyinthegayNewYorkweather，inwhichtherewasno"arrierepensee"oftheeastwind。TheyhadcrossedBroadway，andwerewalkingovertoWashingtonSquare，intheregionofwhichtheynowhopedtoplacethemselves。The"primotenore"statueofGaribaldihadalreadytakenpossessionoftheplaceinthenameofLatinprogress，andtheymetItalianfaces，Frenchfaces，Spanishfaces，astheystrolledovertheasphaltwalks，underthethinningshadowsoftheautumn-strickensycamores。TheymetthefamiliarpicturesqueraggednessofSouthernEuropewiththeoldkindlyillusionthatsomehowitexistedfortheirappreciation，andthatitfoundadequatecompensationforpovertyinthis。MarchthoughthesufficientlyexpressedhistacitsympathyinsittingdownononeoftheironbencheswithhiswifeandlettingalittleNeapolitanputasuperfluousshineonhisboots，whiletheirdesultorycommentwanderedwithequalesteemtotheold-fashionedAmericanrespectabilitywhichkeepsthenorthsideofthesquareinvastmansionsofredbrick，andtheinternationalshabbinesswhichhasinvadedthesouthernborder，andbrokenitupintolodging-houses，shops，beer-gardens，andstudios。

Theynoticedthesignofanapartmenttoletonthenorthside，andassoonasthelittlebootblackcouldbeboughtofftheywentovertolookatit。Thejanitormetthematthedoorandexaminedthem。Thenhesaid，asifstillindoubt，"Ithastenrooms，andtherentistwenty-

eighthundreddollars。"

"Itwouldn"tdo，then，"Marchreplied，andlefthimtodividetheresponsibilitybetweenthepaucityoftheroomsandtheenormityoftherentashebestmight。Buttheirself-lovehadreceivedawound，andtheyquestionedeachotherwhatitwasintheirappearancemadehimdoubttheirabilitytopaysomuch。

"Ofcourse，wedon"tlooklikeNew-Yorkers，"sighedMrs。March，"andwe"vewalkedthroughtheSquare。ThatmightbeasifwehadwalkedalongtheParkStreetmallintheCommonbeforewecameoutonBeacon。Doyousupposehecouldhaveseenyougettingyourbootsblackedinthatway?"

"It"suselesstoask，"saidMarch。"ButInevercanrecoverfromthisblow。"

"Oh，pshaw!YouknowyouhatesuchthingsasbadlyasIdo。Itwasveryimpertinentofhim。"

"Letusgobackand"ecraserl"infame"bypayinghimayear"srentinadvanceandtakingimmediatepossession。Nothingelsecansoothemywoundedfeelings。Youwerenothavingyourbootsblacked:whyshouldn"thehavesupposedyouwereaNew-Yorker，andIacountrycousin?"

"Theyalwaysknow。Don"tyourememberMrs。Williams"sgoingtoaFifthAvenuemillinerinaWorthdress，andthewoman"saskingherinstantlywhathotelsheshouldsendherhatto?"

"Yes；thesethingsdriveonetodespair。Idon"twonderthebodiesofsomanygenteelstrangersarefoundinthewatersaroundNewYork。Shallwetrythesouthside，mydear?orhadwebettergobacktoourroomsandrestawhile?"

Mrs。Marchhadoutthevertebrate，andwasconsultingoneofitsglitteringribsandglancingupfromitatahousebeforewhichtheystood。"Yes，it"sthenumber；butdotheycallthisbeingreadyOctoberfirst?"Thelittleareainfrontofthebasementwasheapedwithamixtureofmortar，bricks，laths，andshavingsfromtheinterior；thebrownstonestepstothefrontdoorweresimilarlybestrewn；thedoorwayshowedthehalf-open，roughpinecarpenter"ssketchofanunfinishedhouse；thesashlesswindowsofeverystoryshowedtheactivityofworkmenwithin；theclatterofhammersandthehissofsawscameouttothemfromeveryopening。

"TheymaycallitOctoberfirst，"saidMarch，"becauseit"stoolatetocontradictthem。Butthey"dbetternotcallitDecemberfirstinmypresence；I"llletthemsayJanuaryfirst，atapinch。"

"Wewillgoinandlookatit，anyway，"saidhiswife；andheadmiredhow，whenshewasoncewithin，shebeganprovisionallytosettlethefamilyineachoftheseveralfloorswiththefemaleinstinctfordomiciliationwhichneverfailedher。Shehadthehelpofthelandlord，whowaspresenttourgeforwardtheworkmenapparently；helentahopefulfancytothesolutionofallherquestions。TogetherfromunderhisinfluenceMarchhadtorepresentthattheplacewasdampfromundriedplastering，andthatifshestayedshewouldprobablybedownwiththatNewYorkpneumoniawhichvisitingBostoniansarealwaysdyingof。Oncesafelyonthepavementoutside，sherealizedthattheapartmentwasnotonlyunfinished，butunfurnished，andhadneithersteamheatnorelevator。"ButIthoughtwehadbetterlookateverything，"sheexplained。

"Yes，butnottakeeverything。IfIhadn"tpulledyouawayfromtherebymainforceyou"dhavenotonlydiedofNewYorkpneumoniaonthespot，butyou"dhavehadusallsettledtherebeforeweknewwhatwewereabout。"

"Well，that"swhatIcan"thelp，Basil。It"stheonlywayIcanrealizewhetheritwilldoforus。Ihavetodramatizethewholething。"

Shegotadealofpleasureaswellasexcitementoutofthis，andhehadtoownthattheprocessofsettinguphousekeepinginsomanydifferentplaceswasnotonlyentertaining，buttended，throughassociationwiththeirfirstbeginningsinhousekeeping，torestoretheimageoftheirearlymarrieddaysandtomakethemyoungagain。

Itwentonallday，andcontinuedfarintothenight，untilitwastoolatetogotothetheatre，toolatetodoanythingbuttumbleintobedandsimultaneouslyfallasleep。Theygroanedovertheirreiterateddisappointments，buttheycouldnotdenythattheinterestwasunfailing，andthattheygotagreatdealoffunoutofitall。NothingcouldabateMrs。March"sfaithinheradvertisements。Oneofthemsenthertoaflatoftenroomswhichpromisedtobethesolutionofalltheirdifficulties；

itprovedtobeoveralivery-stable，aliquorstore，andamilliner"sshop，noneofthefirstfashion。AnotherledthemfarintooldGreenwichVillagetoanapartment-house，whichsherefusedtoenterbehindasmallgirlwithaloafofbreadunderonearmandaquartcanofmilkundertheother。

Intheirsearchtheywereobliged，asMarchcomplained，totheacquisitionofuselessinformationinadegreeunequalledintheirexperience。Theycametoexcelinthesadknowledgeofthelineatwhichrespectabilitydistinguishesitselffromshabbiness。Flatteringadvertisementstookthemtonumbersofhugeapartment-houseschieflydistinguishablefromtenement-housesbytheabsenceoffire-escapesontheirfacades，tillMrs。Marchrefusedtostopatanydoorwherethereweremorethansixbell-ratchetsandspeaking-tubesoneitherhand。

Beforethemiddleoftheafternoonshedecidedagainstratchetsaltogether，andconfinedherselftoknobs，neatlysetinthedoor-trim。

HerhusbandwasstillsunkinthesuperstitionthatyoucanliveanywhereyoulikeinNewYork，andhewouldhavepausedatsomeplaceswhereherquickereyecaughtthefatalsignof"Modes"intheground-floorwindows。

Shefoundthattherewasaneastandwestlinebeyondwhichtheycouldnotgoiftheywishedtokeeptheirself-respect，andthatwithintheregiontowhichtheyhadrestrictedthemselvestherewasachoiceofstreets。AtfirstalltheNewYorkstreetslookedtothemill-paved，dirty，andrepulsive；thegeneralinfamyimparteditselfintheircasualimpressiontostreetsinnowiseguilty。Buttheybegantonoticethatsomestreetswerequietandclean，and，thoughneversoquietandcleanasBostonstreets，thattheyworeanairofencouragingreform，andsuggestedafutureofgreaterandgreaterdomesticity。Wholeblocksofthesedowntowncross-streetsseemedtohavebeenredeemedfromdecay，andeveninthemidstofsqualoradwellinghereandtherehadbeenseized，paintedadullredastoitsbrick-work，andaglossyblackastoitswood-work，andwithabrightbrassbell-pullanddoor-knobandalargebrassplateforitskey-holeescutcheon，hadbeenendowedwithaneffectofpurityandpridewhichremoveditsshabbyneighborhoodfarfromit。

Someofthesehouseswerequitesmall，andimaginablywithintheirmeans；

but，asMarchsaid，somebodyseemedalwaystobelivingtherehimself，andthefactthatnoneofthemwastorentkeptMrs。Marchtruetoheridealofafiat。NothingpreventeditsrealizationsomuchasitsdifferencefromtheNewYorkidealofaflat，whichwasinflexiblysevenroomsandabath。Oneortworoomsmightbeatthefront，therestcrookedandcorneredbackwardthroughincreasingandthendecreasingdarknesstilltheyreachedalightbedroomorkitchenattherear。

Itmightbetheoneortheother，butitwasalwaystheseventhroomwiththebath；orif，assometimeshappened，itwastheeighth，itwassoafterhavingcountedthebathasone；inthiscasethejanitorsaidyoualwayscountedthebathasone。Iftheflatswereadvertisedashaving"alllightrooms，"heexplainedthatanyroomwithawindowgivingintotheopenairofacourtorshaftwascountedalightroom。

TheMarchestriedtomakeoutwhyitwasthattheseflatsweregomuchmorerepulsivethantheapartmentswhicheveryonelivedinabroad；buttheycouldonlydosouponthesuppositionthatintheirEuropeandaystheyweretooyoung，toohappy，toofullofthefuture，tonoticewhetherroomswereinsideoroutside，lightordark，bigorlittle，highorlow。

"Nowwe"reimprisonedinthepresent，"hesaid，"andwehavetomaketheworstofit。"

Intheirdespairhehadaninspiration，whichshedeclaredworthyofhim:

itwastotaketwosmallflats，offourorfiveroomsandabath，andliveinboth。Theytriedthisinagreatmanyplaces，buttheynevercouldgettwoflatsofthekindonthesamefloorwheretherewassteamheatandanelevator。Atoneplacetheyalmostdidit。Theyhadresignedthemselvestothehumilityoftheneighborhood，totheprevalenceofmodistesandlivery-stablemen(theyseemtoconsortmuchinNewYork)，tothegarbageintheguttersandthelitterofpaperinthestreets，tothefalteringslatsinthesurroundingwindow-shuttersandthecrumbledbrownstonestepsandsills，whenitturnedoutthatoneoftheapartmentshadbeentakenbetweentwovisitstheymade。Thentheonlycombinationleftopentothemwasofaground-floorflattotherightandathird-floorflattotheleft。

Stilltheykeptthisinspirationinreserveforuseatthefirstopportunity。Inthemeantimetherewereseveralflatswhichtheythoughttheycouldalmostmakedo:notablyonewheretheycouldgetanextraservant"sroominthebasementfourflightsdown，andanotherwheretheycouldgetitintherooffiveflightsup。Atthefirstthejanitorwasrespectfulandenthusiastic；atthesecondhehadaneffectofironicalpessimism。Whentheytrembledonthevergeoftakinghisapartment，hepointedoutaspotinthekalsominingoftheparlorceiling，andgratuitouslysaid，Nowsuchathingasthatheshouldnotagreetoputinshapeunlesstheytooktheapartmentforatermofyears。

Theapartmentwasunfurnished，andtheyrecurredtothefactthattheywantedafurnishedapartment，andmadetheirescape。Thissavedtheminseveralotherextremities；butshortofextremitytheycouldnotkeeptheirdifferentrequirementsinmind，andwerealwaysabouttodecidewithoutregardtosomeoneofthem。

Theywenttoseveralplacestwicewithoutintending:oncetothatold-

fashionedhousewiththepleasantcoloredjanitor，andwanderedallovertheapartmentagainwithahauntingsenseoffamiliarity，andthenrecognizedthejanitorandlaughed；andtothathousewiththepatheticwidowandtheprettydaughterwhowishedtotakethemtoboard。Theystayedtoexcusetheirblunder，andeasilycamebythefactthatthemotherhadtakenthehousethatthegirlmighthaveahomewhileshewasinNewYorkstudyingart，andtheyhopedtopaytheirwaybytakingboarders。Herdaughterwasatherclassnow，themotherconcluded；andtheyencouragedhertobelievethatitcouldonlybeafewdaystilltherestofherschemewasrealized。

"Idaresaywecouldbeperfectlycomfortablethere，"Marchsuggestedwhentheyhadgotaway。"Nowifweweretrulyhumanewewouldmodifyourdesirestomeettheirneedsandendthissickeningsearch，wouldn"twe?"

"Yes，butwe"renottrulyhumane，"hiswifeanswered，"oratleastnotinthatsense。Youknowyouhateboarding；andifwewentthereIshouldhavethemonmysympathiesthewholetime。"

"Isee。Andthenyouwouldtakeitoutofme。"

"ThenIshouldtakeitoutofyou。Andifyouaregoingtobesoweak，Basil，andleteverylittlethingworkuponyouinthatway，you"dbetternotcometoNewYork。You"llseeenoughmiseryhere。"

"Well，don"ttakethatsuperiortonewithme，asifIwereachildthathaditsmindsetonanundesirabletoy，Isabel。"

"Ah，don"tyousupposeit"sbecauseyouaresuchachildinsomerespectsthatIlikeyou，dear?"shedemanded，withoutrelenting。

"ButIdon"tfindsomuchmiseryinNewYork。Idon"tsupposethere"sanymoresufferingheretothepopulationthanthereisinthecountry。

Andthey"resogayaboutitall。Ithinktheoutwardaspectoftheplaceandthehilarityoftheskyandairmustgetintothepeople"sblood。

Theweatherissimplyunapproachable；andIdon"tcareifitistheugliestplaceintheworld，asyousay。Isupposeitis。Itshrieksandyellswithuglinesshereandtherebutitneverlosesitsspirits。Thatwidowisfromthecountry。Whenshe"sbeenayearinNewYorkshe"llbeasgay——asgayasanLroad。"HecelebratedasatisfactiontheybothhadintheLroads。"Theykillthestreetsandavenues，butatleasttheypartiallyhidethem，andthatissomecomfort；andtheydotriumphovertheirprostrateformswithasavageexultationthatisintoxicating。

ThosebendsintheLthatyougetinthecornerofWashingtonSquare，orjustbelowtheCooperInstitute——they"rethegayestthingsintheworld。

Perfectlyatrocious，ofcourse，butincomparablypicturesque!Andthewholecityisso，"saidMarch，"orelsetheLwouldneverhavegotbuilthere。NewYorkmaybesplendidlygayorsqualidlygay；but，princeorpauper，it"sgayalways。"

"Yes，gayistheword，"sheadmitted，withasigh。"Butfrantic。

Ican"tgetusedtoit。Theyforgetdeath，Basil；theyforgetdeathinNewYork。"

"Well，Idon"tknowthatI"veeverfoundmuchadvantageinrememberingit。"

"Don"tsaysuchathing，dearest。"

Hecouldseethatshehadgottotheendofhernervousstrengthforthepresent，andheproposedthattheyshouldtaketheElevatedroadasfarasitwouldcarrythemintothecountry，andshakeofftheirnightmareofflat-huntingforanhourortwo；butherconsciencewouldnotlether。

SheconvictedhimoflevityequaltothatoftheNew-Yorkersinproposingsuchathing；andtheydraggedthroughtheday。Shewastootiredtocarefordinner，andinthenightshehadadreamfromwhichshewokeherselfwithacrythatrousedhim，too。Itwassomethingaboutthechildrenatfirst，whomtheyhadtalkedofwistfullybeforefallingasleep，andthenitwasofahideousthingwithtwosquareeyesandaseriesofsectionsgrowingdarkerandthenlighter，tillthetailofthemonstrousarticulatewasquiteluminousagain。Sheshudderedatthevaguedescriptionshewasabletogive；butheasked，"Diditoffertobiteyou?"

"No。Thatwasthemostfrightfulthingaboutit；ithadnomouth。"

Marchlaughed。"Why，mydear，itwasnothingbutaharmlessNewYorkflat——sevenroomsandabath。"

"Ireallybelieveitwas，"sheconsented，recognizinganarchitecturalresemblance，andshefellasleepagain，andwokerenewedfortheworkbeforethem。

IX。

Theirhouse-huntingnolongerhadnovelty，butitstillhadinterest；andtheyvariedtheirdaybytakingacoupe，byrenouncingadvertisements，andbyrevertingtoagents。Someoftheseinducedthemtoconsidertheideaoffurnishedhouses；andMrs。MarchlearnedtoleranceforFulkersonbyacceptingpermitstovisitflatsandhouseswhichhadnoneofthequalificationsshedesiredineither，andwereasfarbeyondhermeansastheywereoutoftheregiontowhichshehadgeographicallyrestrictedherself。Theylookedatthree-thousandandfour-thousanddollarapartments，andrejectedthemforonereasonoranotherwhichhadnothingtodowiththerent；thehighertherentwas，themorecriticaltheywereoftheslipperyinlaidfloorsandthearrangementoftherichlydecoratedrooms。Theyneverknewwhethertheyhaddeceivedthejanitorornot；astheycameinacoupe，theyhopedtheyhad。

TheydroveaccidentallythroughonestreetthatseemedgayerintheperspectivethananLroad。Thefire-escapes，withtheirlightironbalconiesandladdersofiron，decoratedtheloftyhousefronts；theroadwayandsidewalksanddoor-stepsswarmedwithchildren；women"sheadsseemedtoshowateverywindow。Inthebasements，overwhichflightsofhighstonestepsledtothetenements，weregreen-grocers"shopsaboundingincabbages，andprovisionstoresrunningchieflytobaconandsausages，andcobblers"andtinners"shops，andthelike，inproportiontothesmallneedsofapoorneighborhood。Ashbarrelslinedthesidewalks，andgarbageheapsfilledthegutters；teamsofalltradesstoodidlyabout；apeddlerofcheapfruiturgedhiscartthroughthestreet，andmixedhiscrywiththejoyousscreamsandshoutsofthechildrenandthescoldingandgossipingvoicesofthewomen；theburlybluebulkofapolicemandefineditselfatthecorner；adrunkardzigzaggeddownthesidewalktowardhim。Itwasnottheabodeoftheextremestpoverty，butofapovertyashopelessasanyintheworld，transmittingitselffromgenerationtogeneration，andestablishingconditionsofpermanencytowhichhumanlifeadjustsitselfasitdoestothoseofsomeincurabledisease，likeleprosy。

ThetimehadbeenwhentheMarcheswouldhavetakenapurelyaestheticviewofthefactsastheyglimpsedtheminthisstreetoftenement-

houses；whentheywouldhavecontentedthemselveswithsayingthatitwasaspicturesqueasastreetinNaplesorFlorence，andwithwonderingwhynobodycametopaintit；theywouldhavethoughttheyweresufficientlyseriousaboutitinblamingtheartistsfortheirfailuretoappreciateit，andgoingabroadforthepicturesquewhentheyhadithereundertheirnoses。Itwastothenosethatthestreetmadeoneofitsstrongestappeals，andMrs。Marchpulledupherwindowofthecoupe。

"Whydoeshetakeusthroughsuchadisgustingstreet?"shedemanded，withanexasperationofwhichherhusbanddivinedtheorigin。

"Thisdrivermaybeaphilanthropistindisguise，"heanswered，withdreamyirony，"andmaywantustothinkaboutthepeoplewhoarenotmerelycarriedthroughthisstreetinacoupe，buthavetospendtheirwholelivesinit，winterandsummer，withnohopesofdrivingoutofit，exceptinahearse。Imustsaytheydon"tseemtomindit。Ihaven"tseenajolliercrowdanywhereinNewYork。Theyseemtohaveforgottendeathalittlemorecompletelythananyoftheirfellow-citizens，Isabel。

AndIwonderwhattheythinkofus，makingthisgorgeousprogressthroughtheirmidst。Isupposetheythinkwe"rerich，andhateus——iftheyhaterichpeople；theydon"tlookasiftheyhatedanybody。Shouldwebeaspatientastheyarewiththeirdiscomfort?Idon"tbelievethere"ssteamheatoranelevatorinthewholeblock。Sevenroomsandabathwouldbemorethanthelargestandgenteelestfamilywouldknowwhattodowith。

Theywouldn"tknowwhattodowiththebath，anyway。"

Hismonologueseemedtointeresthiswifeapartfromthesatiricalpointithadforthemselves。"YououghttogetMr。FulkersontoletyouworksomeoftheseNewYorksightsupforEveryOtherWeek，Basil；youcoulddothemverynicely。"

"Yes；I"vethoughtofthat。Butdon"tlet"sleavethepersonalground。

Doesn"titmakeyoufeelrathersmallandotherwiseunworthywhenyouseethekindofstreetthesefellow-beingsofyourslivein，andthenthinkhowparticularyouareaboutlocalityandthenumberofbellpulls?

Idon"tseeevenratchetsandspeaking-tubesatthesedoors。"Hecranedhisneckoutofthewindowforabetterlook，andthechildrenofdiscomfortcheeredhim，outofsheergoodfeelingandhighspirits。

"Ididn"tknowIwassopopular。Perhapsit"sarecognitionofmyhumanesentiments。"

"Oh，it"sveryeasytohavehumanesentiments，andtosatirizeourselvesforwantingeightroomsandabathinagoodneighborhood，whenweseehowthesewretchedcreatureslive，"saidhiswife。"Butifwesharedallwehavewiththem，andthensettleddownamongthem，whatgoodwoulditdo?"

"Nottheleastintheworld。Itmighthelpusforthemoment，butitwouldn"tkeepthewolffromtheirdoorsforaweek；andthentheywouldgoonjustasbefore，onlytheywouldn"tbeonsuchgoodtermswiththewolf。Theonlywayforthemistokeepupanunbrokenintimacywiththewolf；thentheycanmanagehimsomehow。Idon"tknowhow，andI"mafraidIdon"twantto。Wouldn"tyouliketohavethisfellowdriveusroundamongthehallsofpridesomewhereforalittlewhile?FifthAvenueorMadison，up-town?"