第5章

"Well，ofcoursenot!Ididn"tmeanyouwere。ButIjusthappenedtotellhimwhatIwantedtogointowhenIcouldseemywaytoit，andhecaughtonofhisownaccord。Thefactis，"saidFulkerson，"IguessI"dbettermakeacleanbreastofit，nowI"matit，Dryfooswantedtogetsomethingforthatboyofhistodo。He"sinrailroadshimself，andhe"sinminesandotherthings，andhekeepsbusy，andhecan"tbeartohavehisboyhangingroundthehousedoingnothing，likeasifhewasagirl。

Itoldhimthatthegreatobjectofarichmanwastogethissonintojustthatfix，buthecouldn"tseemtoseeit，andtheboyhatedithimself。He"sgotagoodhead，andhewantedtostudyfortheministrywhentheywerealllivingtogetheroutonthefarm；buthisfatherhadtheold-fashionedideasaboutthat。Youknowtheyusedtothinkthatanysortofstuffwasgoodenoughtomakeapreacheroutof；buttheywantedthegoodtimberforbusiness；andsotheoldmanwouldn"tlethim。

You"llseethefellow；you"lllikehim；he"snofool，Icantellyou；andhe"sgoingtobeourpublisher，nominallyatfirstandactuallywhenI"vetaughthimtheropesalittle。"

XII。

FulkersonstoppedandlookedatMarch，whomhesawlapsingintoaserioussilence。Doubtlesshedivinedhisuneasinesswiththefactsthathadbeengivenhimtodigest。Hepulledouthiswatchandglancedatit。

"Seehere，howwouldyouliketogouptoForty-sixthstreetwithme，anddropinonoldDryfoos?Now"syourchance。He"sgoingWesttomorrow，andwon"tbebackforamonthorso。They"llallbegladtoseeyou，andyou"llunderstandthingsbetterwhenyou"veseenhimandhisfamily。I

can"texplain。"

Marchreflectedamoment。Thenhesaid，withawisdomthatsurprisedhim，forhewouldhavelikedtoyieldtotheimpulseofhiscuriosity:

"Perhapswe"dbetterwaittillMrs。Marchcomesdown，andletthingstaketheusualcourse。TheDryfoosladieswillwanttocallonherasthelast-comer，andifItreatedmyself"engarcon"now，andpaidthefirstvisit，itmightcomplicatematters。"

"Well，perhapsyou"reright，"saidFulkerson。"Idon"tknowmuchaboutthesethings，andIdon"tbelieveMaDryfoosdoes，either。"Hewasonhislegslightinganothercigarette。"Isupposethegirlsaregettingthemselvesupinetiquette，though。Well，then，let"shavealookatthe"EveryOtherWeek"building，andthen，ifyoulikeyourquartersthere，youcangoroundandcloseforMrs。Green"sflat。"

March"sdormantallegiancetohiswife"swisheshadbeenrousedbyhisdecisioninfavorofgoodsocialusage。"Idon"tthinkIshalltaketheflat，"hesaid。

"Well，don"trejectitwithoutgivingitanotherlook，anyway。Comeon!"

HehelpedMarchonwithhislightovercoat，andthelittlestirtheymadefortheirdeparturecaughtthenoticeoftheoldGerman；helookedupfromhisbeeratthem。Marchwasmorethaneverimpressedwithsomethingfamiliarinhisface。IncompensationforhisprudenceinregardtotheDryfooseshenowindulgedanimpulse。Hesteppedacrosstowheretheoldmansat，withhisbaldheadshininglikeivoryunderthegas-jet，andhisfinepatriarchallengthofbeardedmasktakingpicturesquelightsandshadows，andputouthishandtohim。

"Lindau!Isn"tthisMr。Lindau?"

Theoldmanliftedhimselfslowlytohisfeetwithmechanicalpoliteness，andcautiouslytookMarch"shand。"Yes，mynameisLindau，"hesaid，slowly，whilehescannedMarch"sface。Thenhebrokeintoalongcry。

"Ah-h-h-h-h，mydearpoy!mygongfriendt!my-my——IdtisPassilMarge，notzo?Ah，ha，ha，ha!HowgladtIamtozeeyou!Why，Iamgladt!Andyourememberdtme?YourememberSchiller，andGoethe，andUhland?AndIndianapolis?YoustilllifinIndianapolis?Itsheersmyhardttozeeyou。Butyouarelidtleoldt，too?Tventy-fiveyearsmakesadifference。Ah，Iamgladt!Dellme，idtisPassilMarge，notzo?"

HelookedanxiouslyintoMarch"sface，withagentlesmileofmixedhopeanddoubt，andMarchsaid:"Assureasit"sBertholdLindau，andIguessit"syou。Andyouremembertheoldtimes?YouwereasmuchofaboyasIwas，Lindau。AreyoulivinginNewYork?Doyourecollecthowyoutriedtoteachmetofence?Idon"tknowhowtothisday，Lindau。Howgoodyouwere，andhowpatient!Doyourememberhowweusedtositupinthelittleparlorbackofyourprinting-office，andreadDieRauberandDieTheilungderErdeandDieGlocke?AndMrs。Lindau?Isshewith——"

"Deadt——deadtlongago。RightafterIgothomefromthewar——tventyyearsago。Buttellme，youaremarried?Children?Yes!Goodt!Andhowoldtareyounow?"

"Itmakesmeseventeentoseeyou，Lindau，butI"vegotasonnearlyasold。"

"Ah，ha，ha!Goodt!Andwheredoyoulif?"

"Well，I"mjustcomingtoliveinNewYork，"Marchsaid，lookingoveratFulkerson，whohadbeenwatchinghisinterviewwiththeperfunctorysmileofsympathythatpeopleputonatthemeetingofoldfriends。"IwanttointroduceyoutomyfriendMr。Fulkerson。HeandIaregoingintoaliteraryenterprisehere。"

"Ah!zo?"saidtheoldman，withpoliteinterest。HetookFulkerson"sprofferedhand，andtheyallstoodtalkingafewmomentstogether。

ThenFulkersonsaid，withanotherlookathiswatch，"Well，March，we"rekeepingMr。Lindaufromhisdinner。"

"Dinner!"criedtheoldman。"Idt"sbetterthanbreadtandmeadttoseeMr。Marge!"

"Imustbegoing，anyway，"saidMarch。"ButImustseeyouagainsoon，Lindau。Wheredoyoulive?Iwantalongtalk。"

"AndI。Youwillfindmehereatdinner-time。"saidtheoldman。"Itisthebestplace"；andMarchfanciedhimreluctanttogiveanotheraddress。

Tocoverhisconsciousnessheanswered，gayly:"Then，it"s"aufwiedersehen"withus。Well!"

"Also!"Theoldmantookhishand，andmadeamechanicalmovementwithhismutilatedarm，asifhewouldhavetakenitinadoubleclasp。Helaughedathimself。"Iwantedtogifyoutheotherhandt，too，butI

gafeittoyourgountryagoodtwhileago。"

Tomycountry?"askedMarch，withasenseofpain，andyetlightly，asifitwereajokeoftheoldman"s。"Yourcountry，too，Lindau?"

Theoldmanturnedverygrave，andsaid，almostcoldly，"Whatgountryhassapoormangot，Mr。Marge?"

"Well，yououghttohaveashareintheoneyouhelpedtosaveforusrichmen，Lindau，"Marchreturned，stillhumoringthejoke。

Theoldmansmiledsadly，butmadenoanswerashesatdownagain。

"Seemstobealittlesoured，"saidFulkerson，astheywentdownthesteps。HewasoneofthoseAmericanswhosehabitualconceptionoflifeisunalloyedprosperity。Whenanyexperienceorobservationofhiswentcountertoithesuffered——somethinglikephysicalpain。HeeagerlyshruggedawaytheimpressionleftuponhisbuoyancybyLindau，andaddedtoMarch"scontinuedsilence，"WhatdidItellyouaboutmeetingeverymaninNewYorkthatyoueverknewbefore?"

IneverexpectedtomeatLindauintheworldagain，"saidMarch，moretohimselfthantoFulkerson。"Ihadanimpressionthathehadbeenkilledinthewar。Ialmostwishhehadbeen。"

"Oh，hello，now!"criedFulkerson。

Marchlaughed，butwentonsoberly:"Hewasamanpredestinedtoadversity，though。WhenIfirstknewhimoutinIndianapolishewasstarvingalongwithasickwifeandasicknewspaper。ItwasbeforetheGermanshadcomeovertotheRepublicansgenerally，butLindauwasfightingtheanti-slaverybattlejustasnaturallyatIndianapolisin1858ashefoughtbehindthebarricadesatBerlinin1848。Andyethewasalwayssuchagentlesoul!Andsogenerous!HetaughtmeGermanfortheloveofit；hewouldn"tspoilhispleasurebytakingacentfromme；

heseemedtogetenoughoutofmybeingyoungandenthusiastic，andoutofprophesyinggreatthingsforme。Iwonderwhatthepooroldfellowisdoinghere，withthatonehandofhis?"

"Notamassingavery"handsomepittance，"Iguess，asArtemusWardwouldsay，"saidFulkerson，gettingbacksomeofhislightness。"Therearelotsoftwo-handedfellowsinNewYorkthatarenotdoingmuchbetter，I

guess。MaybehegetssomewritingontheGermanpapers。"

"Ihopeso。He"soneofthemostaccomplishedmen!Heusedtobeasplendidmusician——pianist——andknowseightortenlanguages。"

"Well，it"sastonishing，"saidFulkerson，"howmuchlumberthoseGermanscancarryaroundintheirheadsalltheirlives，andneverworkitupintoanything。It"sapitytheycouldn"tdotheacquiring，andletouttheuseoftheirlearningtoafewbrightAmericans。Wecouldmakethingshum，ifwecouldarrange"emthatway。"

Hetalkedon，unheededbyMarch，whowentalonghalf-consciouslytormentedbyhislightnessinthepensivememoriesthemeetingwithLindauhadcalledup。Wasthisallthatsweet，unselfishnaturecouldcometo?WhatahomelessoldageatthatmeagreItaliantabled"hote，withthattallglassofbeerforahalf-hour"soblivion!Thatshabbydress，thatpatheticmutilation!Hemusthaveapension，twelvedollarsamonth，oreighteen，fromagratefulcountry。Butwhatelsedidheekeoutwith?

"Well，hereweare，"saidFulkerson，cheerily。HeranupthestepsbeforeMarch，andopenedthecarpenter"stemporaryvalveinthedoorframe，andledthewayintoadarknesssmellingsweetlyofunpaintedwood-workandnewlydriedplaster；theirfeatslippedonshavingsandgratedonsand。Hescratchedamatch，andfoundacandle，andthenwalkedaboutupanddownstairs，andlecturedontheadvantagesoftheplace。Hehadfittedupbachelorapartmentsforhimselfinthehouse，andsaidthathewasgoingtohaveaflattoletonthetopfloor。

"Ididn"tofferittoyoubecauseIsupposedyou"dbetooproudtoliveoveryourshop；andit"stoosmall，anyway；onlyfiverooms。"

"Yes，that"stoosmall，"saidMarch，shirkingtheotherpoint。

"Well，then，here"stheroomIintendforyouroffice，"saidFulkerson，showinghimintoalargebackparloroneflightup。"You"llhaveitquietfromthestreetnoiseshere，andyoucanbeathomeornot，asyouplease。There"llbeaboyonthestairstofindout。Now，yousee，thismakestheGrosvenorGreenflatpracticable，ifyouwantit。"

Marchfelttheforcesoffateclosingabouthimandpushinghimtoadecision。Hefeeblyfoughtthemofftillhecouldhaveanotherlookattheflat。Then，bakedandsubduedstillmorebytheunexpectedpresenceofMrs。GrosvenorGreenherself，whowasoccupyingitsoastobeabletoshowiteffectively，hetookit。Hewasawaremorethaneverofitsabsurdities；heknewthathiswifewouldneverceasetohateit；buthehadsufferedoneofthoseeclipsesoftheimaginationtowhichmenofhistemperamentaresubject，andintowhichhecouldseenofutureforhisdesires。Hefeltacomfortinirretrievablycommittinghimself，andexchangingtheburdenofindecisionfortheburdenofresponsibility。

"Idon"tknow，"saidFulkerson，astheywalkedbacktohishoteltogether，"butyoumightfixitupwiththatlonewidowandherprettydaughtertotakepartoftheirhousehere。"Heseemedtoberemindedofitbythefactofpassingthehouse，andMarchlookedupatitsdarkfront。Hecouldnothavetoldexactlywhybefeltapangofremorseatthesight，anddoubtlessitwasmoreregretforhavingtakentheGrosvenorGreenflatthanfornothavingtakenthewidow"srooms。Still，hecouldnotforgetherwistfulnesswhenhiswifeandhewerelookingatthem，andherdisappointmentwhentheydecidedagainstthem。Hehadtoyed，in，hisafter-talktoMrs。March，withasortofhypotheticalobligationtheyhadtomodifytheirplanssoastomeetthewidow"swantofjustsuchafamilyastheirs；theyhadbothsaidwhatablessingitwouldbetoher，andwhatapitytheycouldnotdoit；buttheyhaddecidedverydistinctlythattheycouldnot。Nowitseemedtohimthattheymight；andheaskedhimselfwhetherhehadnotactuallydepartedasmuchfromtheiridealasifhehadtakenboardwiththewidow。Suddenlyitseemedtohimthathiswifeaskedhimthis，too。

"Ireckon，"saidFulkerson，"thatshecouldhavearrangedtogiveyouyourmealsinyourrooms，anditwouldhavecometoaboutthesamethingashousekeeping。"

"Nosortofboardingcanbethesameashouse-keeping，"saidMarch。

"Iwantmylittlegirltohavetherunofakitchen，andIwantthewholefamilytohavethemoraleffectofhousekeeping。It"sdemoralizingtoboard，ineveryway；itisn"tahome，ifanybodyelsetakesthecareofitoffyourhands。"

"Well，Isupposeso，"Fulkersonassented；butMarch"swordshadahollowringtohimself，andinhisownmindhebegantoretaliatehisdissatisfactionuponFulkerson。

Hepartedfromhimontheusualtermsoutwardly，buthefeltobscurelyabusedbyFulkersoninregardtotheDryfooses，fatherandson。HedidnotknowbutFulkersonhadtakenanadvantageofhiminallowinghimtocommithimselftotheirenterprisewithoutfullyandfranklytellinghimwhoandwhathisbackerwas；heperceivedthatwithyoungDryfoosasthepublisherandFulkersonasthegeneraldirectorofthepapertheremightbeverylittleplayforhisownideasofitsconduct。Perhapsitwasthehurttohisvanityinvolvedbytherecognitionofthisfactthatmadehimforgethowlittlechoicehereallyhadinthematter，andhow，sincehehadnotacceptedtheoffertoedittheinsurancepaper，nothingremainedforhimbuttoclosewithFulkerson。InthismomentofsuspicionandresentmentheaccusedFulkersonofhasteninghisdecisioninregardtotheGrosvenorGreenapartment；henowrefusedtoconsideritadecision，andsaidtohimselfthatifhefeltdisposedtodosohewouldsendMrs。

Greenanotereversingitinthemorning。Butheputitallofftillmorningwithhisclothes，whenhewenttobed，heputoffeventhinkingwhathiswifewouldsay；hecastFulkersonandhisconstructivetreacheryoutofhismind，too，andinvitedintoitsomepensivereveriesofthepast，whenhestillstoodatthepartingoftheways，andcouldtakethispathorthat。Inhismiddlelifethiswasnotpossible；hemustfollowthepathchosenlong，ago，wherever，itled。Hewasnotmasterofhimself，asheonceseemed，buttheservantofthoseheloved；ifhecoulddowhatheliked，perhapshemightrenouncethiswholeNewYorkenterprise，andgooffsomewhereoutofthereachofcare；buthecouldnotdowhatheliked，thatwasveryclear。InthepathosofthisconvictionhedweltcompassionatelyuponthethoughtofpooroldLindau；

heresolvedtomakehimacceptahandsomesumofmoney——morethanhecouldspare，somethingthathewouldfeelthelossof——inpaymentofthelessonsinGermanandfencinggivensolongago。Attheusualrateforsuchlessons，hisdebt，withinterestfortwenty-oddyears，wouldrunveryfarintothehundreds。Toofar，heperceived，forhiswife"sjoyousapproval；hedeterminednottoaddtheinterest；orhebelievedthatLindauwouldrefusetheinterest；heputafinespeechinhismouth，makinghimdoso；andafterthathegotLindauemploymenton"EveryOtherWeek，"andtookcareofhimtillhedied。

ThroughallhismelancholyandmunificencehewasawareofsordidanxietiesforhavingtakentheGrosvenorGreenapartment。Thesebegantoassumevisible，tangibleshapesashedrowsed，andtobecamepersonalentities，fromwhichhewoke，withlittlestarts，toarealizationoftheirtruenature，andthensuddenlyfellfastasleep。

Intheaccomplishmentoftheeventswhichhisreverieplayedwith，therewasmuchthatretroactivelystampeditwithprophecy，butmuchalsothatwasbetterthanheforboded。HefoundthatwithregardtotheGrosvenorGreenapartmenthehadnotallowedforhiswife"swillingnesstogetanysortofroofoverherheadagainaftertheremovalfromtheiroldhome，orforthealleviationsthatgrowupthroughmerecustom。Thepracticalworkingsoftheapartmentwerenotsobad；ithaditsgoodpoints，andafterthefirstsensationofoppressioninittheybegantofeeltheconvenienceofitsarrangement。Theywereatthattimeoflifewhenpeoplefirstturntotheirchildren"sopinionwithdeference，and，inthelossofkeennessintheirownlikesanddislikes，consulttheyoungpreferenceswhicharestillsosensitive。ItwentfartoreconcileMrs。

Marchtotheapartmentthatherchildrenwerepleasedwithitsnovelty；

whenthisworeoffforthem，shehadherselfbeguntofinditmuchmoreeasilymanageablethanahouse。Aftershehadputawayseveralbarrelsofgimcracks，andfoldedupscreensandrugsandskins，andcarriedthemallofftothelittledarkstore-roomwhichtheflatdeveloped，sheperceivedatoncearoominessandcozinessinitunsuspectedbefore。

Then，whenpeoplebegantocall，shehadapleasure，asuperiority，insayingthatitwasafurnishedapartment，andindisclaimingallresponsibilityfortheupholsteryanddecoration。IfMarchwasby，shealwaysexplainedthatitwasMr。March"sfancy，andamiablylaugheditoffwithhercallersasamannisheccentricity。Nobodyreallyseemedtothinkitotherwisethanpretty；andthisagainwasatriumphforMrs。

March，becauseitshowedhowinferiortheNewYorktastewastotheBostontasteinsuchmatters。

Marchsubmittedsilentlytohispunishment，andlaughedwithherbeforecompanyathisowneccentricity。Shehadbeensopreoccupiedwiththeadjustmentofthefamilytoitsnewquartersandcircumstancesthatthetimepassedforlayinghismisgivings，iftheyweremisgivings，aboutFulkersonbeforeher，andwhenanoccasioncameforexpressingthemtheyhadthemselvespassedintheanxietiesofgettingforwardthefirstnumberof"EveryOtherWeek。"Hekeptthesefromher，too，andthebusinessthatbroughtthemtoNewYorkhadapparentlydroppedintoabeyancebeforethequestionsofdomesticeconomythatpresentedandabsentedthemselves。Marchknewhiswifetobeawomanofgoodmindandinperfectsympathywithhim，butheunderstoodthelimitationsofherperspective；andifhewasnottoowise，hewastooexperiencedtointrudeuponitanyaffairsofhistillherownwerereducedtotherightorderandproportion。ItwouldhavebeenfollytotalktoherofFulkerson"sconjecturableuncandorwhileshewasindoubtwhetherhercookwouldlikethekitchen，orhertwoservantswouldconsenttoroomtogether；andtillitwasdecidedwhatschoolTomshouldgoto，andwhetherBellashouldhavelessonsathomeornot，therelationwhichMarchwastobeartotheDryfooses，asownerandpublisher，wasnottobediscussedwithhiswife。Hemightdragitin，buthewasawarethatwithherminddistractedbymoreimmediateinterestshecouldnotgetfromherthatjudgment，thatreasoneddivination，whichherelieduponsomuch。

Shewouldtry，shewoulddoherbest，buttheresultwouldbeaviewcloudedanddiscoloredbytheeffortshemustmake。

Heputthewholematterby，andgavehimselftothedetailsoftheworkbeforehim。Inthishefoundnotonlyescape，butreassurance，foritbecamemoreandmoreapparentthatwhateverwasnominallythestructureofthebusiness，amanofhisqualificationsandhisinstinctscouldnothaveaninsignificantplaceinit。Hehadalsotheconsolationoflikinghiswork，andofgettinganinstantgraspofitthatgrewconstantlyfirmerandcloser。Thejoyofknowingthathehadnotmadeamistakewasgreat。Ingivingreintoambitionslongforborneheseemedtogetbacktotheyouthwhenhehadindulgedthemfirst；andafterhalfalifetimepassedinpursuitsalientohisnature，hewasfeelingtheserenehappinessofbeingmatedthroughhisworktohisearlylove。Fromtheoutsidethespectaclemighthavehaditspathos，anditisnoteasytojustifysuchanexperimentashehadmadeathistimeoflife，exceptuponthegroundwhereherestedfromitsconsideration——thegroundofnecessity。

Hisworkwasmoreinhisthoughtsthanhimself，however；andasthetimeforthepublicationofthefirstnumberofhisperiodicalcamenearer，hiscaresallcentreduponit。Withoutfixinganydate，Fulkersonhadannouncedit，andpushedhisannouncementswiththeshamelessvigorofabornadvertiser。Heworkedhisinterestwiththepresstotheutmost，andparagraphsofavarietythatdidcredittohisingenuitywereafloateverywhere。Someofthemwerespeciouslyunfavorableintone；theycriticisedandevenridiculedtheprinciplesonwhichthenewdepartureinliteraryjournalismwasbased。Othersdefendedit；othersyetdeniedthatthisrumoredprinciplewasreallytheprinciple。Allcontributedtomaketalk。Allproceededfromthesamefertileinvention。

MarchobservedwithadegreeofmortificationthatthetalkwasverylittleofitintheNewYorkpress；therethereferencestothenovelenterprisewereslightandcold。ButFulkersonsaid:"Don"tmindthat，oldman。It"sthewholecountrythatmakesorbreaksathinglikethis；

NewYorkhasverylittletodowithit。Nowifitwereaplay，itwouldbedifferent。NewYorkdoesmakeorbreakaplay；butitdoesn"tmakeorbreakabook；itdoesn"tmakeorbreakamagazine。ThegreatmassofthereadersareoutsideofNewYork，andtheruraldistrictsarewhatwehavegottogofor。Theydon"treadmuchinNewYork；theywrite，andtalkaboutwhatthey"vewritten。Don"tyouworry。"

TherumorofFulkerson"sconnectionwiththeenterpriseaccompaniedmanyoftheparagraphs，andhewasabletostayMarch"sthirstforemploymentbyturningovertohimfromdaytodayheapsofthemanuscriptswhichbegantopourinfromhisoldsyndicatewriters，aswellasfromadventurousvolunteersalloverthecountry。WiththeseinhandMarchbeganpracticallytoplanthefirstnumber，andtoconcreteageneralschemefromthematerialandtheexperiencetheyfurnished。Theyhadintendedtoissuethefirstnumberwiththenewyear，andifithadbeenanaffairofliteraturealone，itwouldhavebeenveryeasy；butitwastheartlegtheylimpedon，asFulkersonphrasedit。Theyhadnotmerelytodealwiththequestionofspecificillustrationsforthisarticleorthat，buttodecidethewholecharacteroftheirillustrations，andfirstofalltogetadesignforacoverwhichshouldbothensnaretheheedlessandcaptivatethefastidious。ThesethingsdidnotcomeproperlywithinMarch"sprovince——thathadbeenclearlyunderstood——andforawhileFulkersontriedtoruntheartleghimself。Thephrasewasagainhis，butitwassimplertomakethephrasethantoruntheleg。Thedifficultgeneration，atoncestiff-backedandslippery，withwhichhehadtodointhisendeavor，reducedevensobuoyantanoptimisttodespair，andafterwastingsomevaluableweeksintryingtoworktheartistshimself，hedeterminedtogetanartisttoworkthem。Butwhatartist?Itcouldnotbeamanwithfixedreputationandafollowing:hewouldbetoocostly，andwouldhavetoomanyenemiesamonghisbrethren，evenifhewouldconsenttoundertakethejob。Fulkersonhadamaninmind，anartist，too，whowouldhavebeentheverythingifhehadbeenthethingatall。

Hehadtalentenough，andhissortoftalentwouldreachroundthewholesituation，but，asFulkersonsaid，hewasasmanykindsofanassashewaskindsofanartist。

EndAHazardofNewFortunesV2

ByWilliamDeanHowellsPARTSECOND

I。

TheeveningwhenMarchclosedwithMrs。Green"sreducedoffer，anddecidedtotakeherapartment，thewidowwhoselodgingshehadrejectedsatwithherdaughterinanupperroomatthebackofherhouse。Intheshadedglowofthedrop-lightshewassewing，andthegirlwasdrawingatthesametable。Fromtimetotime，astheytalked，thegirlliftedherheadandtilteditalittleononesidesoastogetsomedesiredeffectofherwork。

"It"samercythecoldweatherholdsoff，"saidthemother。"Weshouldhavetolightthefurnace，unlesswewantedtoscareeverybodyawaywithacoldhouse；andIdon"tknowwhowouldtakecareofit，orwhatwouldbecomeofus，everyway。"

"Theyseemtohavebeenscaredawayfromahousethatwasn"tcold，"saidthegirl。"Perhapstheymightlikeacoldone。Butit"stooearlyforcoldyet。It"sonlyjustinthebeginningofNovember。"

"TheMessengersaysthey"vehadasprinklingofsnow。"

"Ohyes，atSt。Barnaby!Idon"tknowwhentheydon"thavesprinklingsofsnowthere。I"mawfullygladwehaven"tgotthatwinterbeforeus。"

Thewidowsighedasmothersdowhofeelthecontrasttheirexperienceopposestothehopefulrecklessnessofsuchtalkasthis。"Wemayhaveaworsewinterhere，"shesaid，darkly。

"ThenIcouldn"tstandit，"saidthegirl，"andIshouldgoinforlightingouttoFloridadouble-quick。"

"AndhowwouldyougettoFlorida?"demandedhermother，severely。

"Oh，bytheusualconveyancePullmanvestibuledtrain，Isuppose。Whatmakesyousoblue，mamma?"Thegirlwasallthetimesketchingaway，rubbingout，liftingherheadfortheeffect，andthenbendingitoverherworkagainwithoutlookingathermother。

"Iamnotblue，Alma。ButIcannotendurethis——thishopefulnessofyours。"

"Why?Whatharmdoesitdo?"

"Harm?"echoedthemother。

Pendingtheeffortshemustmakeinsaying，thegirlcutin:"Yes，harm。

You"vekeptyourdespairdustedoffandreadyforuseataninstant"snoticeeversincewecame，andwhatgoodhasitdone?I"mgoingtokeeponhopingtothebitterend。That"swhatpapadid。"

ItwaswhattheRev。ArchibaldLeightonhaddonewithalltheconsumptive"sbuoyancy。Themorninghediedhetoldthemthatnowhehadturnedthepointandwasreallygoingtogetwell。Thecheerfulnesswasnotonlyinhisdisease，butinhistemperament。Itsexcesswasalwaysalittleagainsthiminhischurchwork，andMrs。Leightonwasrightenoughinfeelingthatifithadnotbeenfortheballastofherinstinctivedespondencyhewouldhavemadeshipwreckofsuchsmallchancesofprosperityasbefellhiminlife。Itwasnotfromhimthathisdaughtergothertalent，thoughhehadleftherhistemperamentintactofhiswidow"slegalthirds。Hewasoneofthosemenofwhomthecountrypeoplesaywhenheisgonethatthewomangetsalongbetterwithouthim。Mrs。

Leightonhadlongekedouttheirincomebytakingasummerboarderortwo，asagreatfavor，intoherfamily；andwhenthegreaterneedcame，shefranklygaveupherhousetothesummer-folks(astheycalltheminthecountry)，andmanageditfortheircomfortfromthesmallquarterofitinwhichsheshutherselfupwithherdaughter。

Thenotionofshuttingupisanexigencyoftheroundedperiod。Thefactis，ofcourse，thatAlmaLeightonwasnotshutupinanysensewhatever。

Shewasthepervadinglight，ifnotforce，ofthehouse。Shewasagoodcook，andshemanagedthekitchenwiththehelpofanIrishgirl，whilehermotherlookedaftertherestofthehousekeeping。Butshewasnotsystematic；shehadinspirationbutnotdiscipline，andhermothermournedmoreoverthedayswhenAlmaleftthewholedinnertotheIrishgirlthansherejoicedinthosewhenoneofAlma"sgreatthoughtstookforminachicken-pieofincomparablesavororinamatchlesspudding。

Theoff-dayscamewhenherartisticnaturewasexpressingitselfincharcoal，forshedrewtotheadmirationofallamongtheladyboarderswhocouldnotdraw。Theothershadtheirreserves；theyreadilyconcededthatAlmahadgenius，buttheyweresuresheneededinstruction。Ontheotherhand，theywerenotsoradicalastoagreewiththeoldpainterwhocameeverysummertopainttheelmsoftheSt。Barnabymeadows。Hecontendedthatsheneededtobeamaninordertoamounttoanything；butinthistheoryhewasopposedbyanauthority，ofhisownsex，whomtheladysketchersbelievedtospeakwithmoreimpartialityinamatterconcerningthemasmuchasAlmaLeighton。Hesaidthatinstructionwoulddo，andhewasnotonly，youngerandhandsomer，buthewasfresherfromtheschoolsthanoldHarrington，who，eventheladysketcherscouldsee，paintedinanobsolescentmanner。HisnamewasBeaton——AngusBeaton；buthewasnotScotch，ornotmoreScotchthanMaryQueenofScotswas。HisfatherwasaScotchman，butBeatonwasborninSyracuse，NewYork，andithadtakenonlythreeyearsinParistoobliteratemanytracesofnativeandancestralmannerinhim。Heworehisblackbeardcutshorterthanhismustache，andalittlepointed；hestoodwithhisshoulderswellthrownbackandwithalateralcurveofhispersonwhenhetalkedaboutart，whichwouldalonehavecarriedconvictionevenifhehadnothadathick，darkbangcomingalmosttothebrowsofhismobilegrayeyes，andhadnotspokenEnglishwithquick，staccatoimpulses，soastogiveittheeffectofepigrammaticandsententiousFrench。OneoftheladiessaidthatyoualwaysthoughtofhimashavingspokenFrenchafteritwasover，andaccusedherselfofwronginnotbeingabletofeelafraidofhim。Noneoftheladieswasafraidofhim，thoughtheycouldnotbelievethathewasreallysodeferentialtotheirworkasheseemed；andtheyknew，whenhewouldnotcriticiseMr。Harrington"swork，thathewasjustactingfromprinciple。

TheymayormaynothaveknownthedeferencewithwhichhetreatedAlma"swork；butthegirlherselffeltthathisabrupt，impersonalcommentrecognizedherasarealsisterinart。HetoldhersheoughttocometoNewYork，anddrawintheLeague，orgetintosomepainter"sprivateclass；anditwasthesenseofdutythusappealedtowhichfinallyresultedinthehazardousexperimentsheandhermotherwerenowmaking。

TherewerenologicalbreaksinthechainoftheirreasoningfrompastsuccesswithboardersinSt。BarnabytofuturesuccesswithboardersinNewYork。Ofcoursetheoutlaywasmuchgreater。Therentofthefurnishedhousetheyhadtakenwassuchthatiftheyfailedtheirexperimentwouldbelittlelessthanruinous。

Buttheywerenotgoingtofail；thatwaswhatAlmacontended，withahardycouragethathermothersometimesfeltalmostinvitedfailure，ifitdidnotdeserveit。Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhobelievethatifyoudreadharmenoughitislesslikelytohappen。Sheactedonthissuperstitionasifitwereareligion。

"Ifithadnotbeenformydespair，asyoucallit，Alma，"sheanswered，"Idon"tknowwhereweshouldhavebeennow。"

"IsupposeweshouldhavebeeninSt。Barnaby，"saidthegirl。"Andifit"sworsetobeinNewYork，youseewhatyourdespair"sdone，mamma。

Butwhat"stheuse?Youmeantwell，andIdon"tblameyou。Youcan"texpectevendespairtocomeoutalwaysjustthewayyouwantit。Perhapsyou"veusedtoomuchofit。"Thegirllaughed，andMrs。Leightonlaughed，too。Likeeveryoneelse，shewasnotmerelyaprevailingmood，aspeopleareapttobeinbooks，butwasanirregularlyspheroidalcharacter，withsurfacesthatcaughtthedifferentlightsofcircumstanceandreflectedthem。Almagotupandtookaposebeforethemirror，whichshethentransferredtohersketch。Theroomwaspinnedaboutwithothersketches，whichshowedwithfantasticindistinctnessintheshadedgaslight。Almaheldupthedrawing。"Howdoyoulikeit?"

Mrs。Leightonbentforwardoverhersewingtolookatit。"You"vegottheman"sfaceratherweak。"

"Yes，that"sso。EitherIseeallthehiddenweaknessthat"sinmen"snatures，andbringittothesurfaceintheirfigures，orelseIputmyownweaknessintothem。Eitherway，it"sadrawbacktotheirpresentingatrulymanlyappearance。AslongasIhaveoneofthemiserableobjectsbeforeme，Icandrawhim；butassoonashisback"sturnedIgettoputtingladiesintomen"sclothes。Ishouldthinkyou"dbescandalized，mamma，ifyouwereareallyfeminineperson。Itmustbeyourdespairthathelpsyoutobearup。Butwhat"sthematterwiththeyoungladyinyounglady"sclothes?Anydustonher?"

"Whatexpressions!"saidMrs。Leighton。"Really，Alma，forarefinedgirlyouarethemostunrefined!"

"Goon——aboutthegirlinthepicture!"saidAlma，slightlyknockinghermotherontheshoulder，asshestoodoverher。

"Idon"tseeanythingtoher。What"sshedoing?"

"Oh，justbeingmadeloveto，Isuppose。"

"She"sperfectlyinsipid!"

"You"reawfullyarticulate，mamma!Now，ifMr。Wetmoreweretocriticisethatpicturehe"ddrawacirclerounditintheair，andlookatitthroughthat，andtilthisheadfirstononesideandthenontheother，andthenlookatyou，asifyouwereafigureinit，andthencollapseawhile，andmoanalittleandgasp，"Isn"tyouryoungladyalittletoo-

too——"andthenhe"dtrytogetthewordoutofyou，andgroanandsuffersomemore；andyou"dsay，"Sheis，rather，"andthatwouldgivehimcourage，andhe"dsay，"Idon"tmeanthatshe"ssovery——""Ofcoursenot。""Youunderstand?""Perfectly。Iseeitmyself，now。""Well，then"——

andhe"dtakeyourpencilandbegintodraw——"Ishouldgiveheralittlemore——Ah?""Yes，Iseethedifference。""Youseethedifference?"

Andhe"dgoofftosomeoneelse，andyou"dknowthatyou"dbeendoingthewishy-washiestthingintheworld，thoughhehadn"tspokenawordofcriticism，andcouldn"t。Buthewouldn"thavenoticedtheexpressionatall；he"dhaveshownyouwhereyourdrawingwasbad。Hedoesn"tcareforwhathecallstheliteratureofathing；hesaysthatwilltakecareofitselfifthedrawing"sgood。Hedoesn"tlikemydoingthesechicthings；butI"mgoingtokeepitup，forIthinkit"sthenearestwaytoillustrating。"

Shetookhersketchandpinnedituponthedoor。

"AndhasMr。Beatonbeenabout，yet?"askedhermother。

"No，"saidthegirl，withherbackstillturned；andsheadded，"Ibelievehe"sinNewYork；Mr。Wetmore"sseenhim。"

"It"salittlestrangehedoesn"tcall。"

"Itwouldbeifhewerenotanartist。Butartistsneverdoanythinglikeotherpeople。Hewasonhisgoodbehaviorwhilehewaswithus，andhe"sagreatdealmoreconventionalthanmostofthem；butevenhecan"tkeepitup。That"swhatmakesmereallythinkthatwomencanneveramounttoanythinginart。Theykeepalltheirappointments，andfulfilalltheirdutiesjustasiftheydidn"tknowanythingaboutart。Well，mostofthemdon"t。We"vegotthatnewmodelto-day。"

"Whatnewmodel?"

"TheoneMr。WetmorewastellingusabouttheoldGerman；he"ssplendid。

He"sgotthemostbeautifulhead；justliketheoldmasters"things。HeusedtobeHumphreyWilliams"smodelforhisBiblical-pieces；butsincehe"sdead，theoldmanhardlygetsanythingtodo。Mr。Wetmoresaysthereisn"tanybodyintheBiblethatWilliamsdidn"tpainthimas。

He"stheLawandtheProphetsinallhisOldTestamentpictures，andhe"sJoseph，Peter，JudasIscariot，andtheScribesandPhariseesintheNew。"

"It"sagoodthingpeopledon"tknowhowartistswork，orsomeofthemostsacredpictureswouldhavenoinfluence，"saidMrs。Leighton。

"Why，ofcoursenot!"criedthegirl。"Andtheinfluenceisthelastthingapainterthinksof——orsupposeshethinksof。Whatheknowshe"sanxiousaboutisthedrawingandthecolor。Butpeoplewillneverunderstandhowsimpleartistsare。WhenIreflectwhatacomplexandsophisticatedbeingIam，I"mafraidIcannevercometoanythinginart。

OrIshouldbeifIhadn"tgenius。"

"DoyouthinkMr。Beatonisverysimple?"askedMrs。Leighton。

"Mr。Wetmoredoesn"tthinkhe"sverymuchofanartist。Hethinkshetalkstoowell。Theybelievethatifamancanexpresshimselfclearlyhecan"tpaint。"

"Andwhatdoyoubelieve?"

"Oh，Icanexpressmyself，too。"

Themotherseemedtobesatisfiedwiththisevasion。Afterawhileshesaid，"Ipresumehewillcallwhenhegetssettled。"

Thegirlmadenoanswertothis。"Oneofthegirlssaysthatoldmodelisaneducatedman。Hewasinthewar，andlostahand。Doesn"titseemapityforsuchamantohavetosittoaclassofaffectedgeeselikeusasamodel?Ideclareitmakesmesick。Andweshallkeephimaweek，andpayhimsixorsevendollarsfortheuseofhisgrandoldhead，andthenwhatwillhedo?ThelasttimehewasregularlyemployedwaswhenMr。MacewasworkingathisDamascusMassacre。ThenhewantedsomanyArabsheiksandChristianeldersthathekeptoldMr。Lindausteadilyemployedforsixmonths。Nowhehastopickupoddjobswherehecan。"

"Isupposehehashispension，"saidMrs。Leighton。

"No；oneofthegirls"——thatwasthewayAlmaalwaysdescribedherfellow-students——"sayshehasnopension。Hedidn"tapplyforitforalongtime，andthentherewasahitchaboutit，anditwassomethinged——vetoed，Ibelieveshesaid。"

"Whovetoedit?"askedMrs。Leighton，withsomecuriosityabouttheprocess，whichsheheldinreserve。

"Idon"tknow-whoevervetoesthings。IwonderwhatMr。Wetmoredoesthinkofus——hisclass。Wemustseemperfectlycrazy。Thereisn"toneofusreallyknowswhatshe"sdoingitfor，orwhatsheexpectstohappenwhenshe"sdoneit。Isupposeeveryonethinksshehasgenius。IknowtheNebraskawidowdoes，forshesaysthatunlessyouhavegeniusitisn"ttheleastuse。Everybody"spuzzledtoknowwhatshedoeswithherbabywhenshe"satwork——whethershegivesitsoothingsyrup。IwonderhowMr。Wetmorecankeepfromlaughinginourfaces。Iknowhedoesbehindourbacks。"

Mrs。Leighton"smindwanderedbacktoanotherpoint。"ThenifhesaysMr。Beatoncan"tpaint，Ipresumehedoesn"trespecthimverymuch。"

"Oh，heneversaidhecouldn"tpaint。ButIknowhethinksso。Hesayshe"sanexcellentcritic。"

"Alma，"hermothersaid，withtheeffectofbreakingoff，"whatdoyousupposeisthereasonhehasn"tbeennearus?"

"Why，Idon"tknow，mamma，exceptthatitwouldhavebeennaturalforanotherpersontocome，andhe"sanartistatleast，artistenoughforthat。"

"Thatdoesn"taccountforitaltogether。HewasveryniceatSt。

Barnaby，andseemedsointerestedinyou——yourwork。"

"PlentyofpeoplewereniceatSt。Barnaby。ThatrichMrs。Horncouldn"tcontainherjoywhensheheardwewerecomingtoNewYork，butshehasn"tpouredinuponusagreatdealsincewegothere。"

"Butthat"sdifferent。She"sveryfashionable，andshe"stakenupwithherownset。ButMr。Beaton"soneofourkind。"

"Thankyou。Papawasn"tquiteatombstone-cutter，mamma。"

"Thatmakesitallthehardertobear。Hecan"tbeashamedofus。

Perhapshedoesn"tknowwhereweare。"

"Doyouwishtosendhimyourcard，mamma?"Thegirlflushedandtoweredinscornoftheidea。

"Why，no，Alma，"returnedhermother。

"Well，then，"saidAlma。

ButMrs。Leightonwasnotsoeasilyquelled。ShehadgothermindonMr。

Beaton，andshecouldnotdetachitatonce。Besides，shewasoneofthosewomen(theyarecommonerthanthesamesortofmen)whomitdoesnotpaintotakeouttheirmostintimatethoughtsandexaminetheminthelightofotherpeople"sopinions。"ButIdon"tseehowhecanbehaveso。

Hemustknowthat——"

"Thatwhat，mamma?"demandedthegirl。

"Thatheinfluencedusagreatdealincoming——"

"Hedidn"t。Ifhedaredtopresumetothinksuchathing——"

"Now，Alma，"saidhermother，withtheclingingpersistenceofsuchnatures，"youknowhedid。Andit"snouseforyoutopretendthatwedidn"tcountuponhimin——ineveryway。Youmaynothavenoticedhisattentions，andIdon"tsayyoudid，butotherscertainlydid；andImustsaythatIdidn"texpecthewoulddropusso。"

"Dropus!"criedAlma，inafury。"Oh!"

"Yes，dropus，Alma。Hemustknowwhereweare。Ofcourse，Mr。

Wetmore"sspokentohimaboutyou，andit"sashamethathehasn"tbeennearus。Ishouldhavethoughtcommongratitude，commondecency，wouldhavebroughthimafter——afterallwedidforhim。"

"Wedidnothingforhim——nothing!Hepaidhisboard，andthatendedit。"

"No，itdidn"t，Alma。Youknowwhatheusedtosay——aboutitsbeinglikehome，andallthat；andImustsaythatafterhisattentionstoyou，andallthethingsyoutoldmehesaid，Iexpectedsomethingverydif——"

Asharppealofthedoor-bellthrilledthroughthehouse，andasifthepullofthebell-wirehadtwitchedhertoherfeet，Mrs。Leightonsprangupandgrappledwithherdaughterintheircommonterror。

Theybothglaredattheclockandmadesurethatitwasfiveminutesafternine。Thentheyabandonedthemselvessomemomentstotheunrestrictedplayoftheirapprehensions。

II。

"Why，Alma，"whisperedthemother，"whointheworldcanitbeatthistimeofnight?Youdon"tsupposehe——"

"Well，I"mnotgoingtothedoor，anyhow，mother，Idon"tcarewhoitis；

and，ofcourse，hewouldn"tbesuchagooseastocomeatthishour。"

Sheputonalookofmiserabletrepidation，andshrankbackfromthedoor，whilethehumofthebelldiedaway，inthehall。

"Whatshallwedo?"askedMrs。Leighton，helplessly。

"Lethimgoaway——whoevertheyare，"saidAlma。

Anotherandmoreperemptoryringforbadethemrefugeinthissimpleexpedient。

"Oh，dear!whatshallwedo?Perhapsit"sadespatch。"

TheconjecturemovedAlmatonomorethanarigidstare。"Ishallnotgo，"shesaid。Athirdringmoreinsistentthantheothersfollowed，andshesaid:"Yougoahead，mamma，andI"llcomebehindtoscreamifit"sanybody。Wecanlookthroughtheside-lightsatthedoorfirst。"

Mrs。Leightonfearfullyledthewayfromthebackchamberwheretheybadbeensitting，andslowlydescendedthestairs。Almacamebehindandturnedupthehallgas-jetwithasuddenflashthatmadethembothjumpalittle。Thegasinsiderendereditmoredifficulttotellwhowasonthethreshold，butMrs。Leightondecidedfromatimorouspeepthroughthescrimsthatitwasaladyandgentleman。Somethinginthisdistributionofsexemboldenedher；shetookherlifeinherhand，andopenedthedoor。

Theladyspoke。"DoesMrs。Leightonliveheah?"shesaid，inarich，throatyvoice；andshefeignedareferencetotheagent"spermitsheheldinherhand。

"Yes，"saidMrs。Leighton；shemechanicallyoccupiedthedoorway，whileAlmaalreadyquiveredbehindherwithimpatienceofherimpoliteness。

"Oh，"saidthelady，whobegantoappearmoreandmoreayounglady，"Ahdidn"tknowbutAhhadmistakenthehoase。Ahsupposeit"sratherlatetoseetheapawtments，andAhmostaskyoutopawdonus。"Sheputthistentatively，withadelicatelygrowingrecognitionofMrs。Leightonastheladyofthehouse，andahumorousintelligenceofthesituationintheglanceshethrewAlmaoverhermother"sshoulder。"Ah"mafraidwemosthavefrightenedyou。"

"Oh，notatall，"saidAlma；andatthesametimehermothersaid，"Willyouwalkin，please?"

ThegentlemanpromptlyremovedhishatandmadetheLeightonsaninclusivebow。"Youaweverykind，madam，andIamsorryforthetroubleweawegivingyou。"Hewastallandsevere-looking，withagray，trooperishmustacheandiron-grayhair，and，asAlmadecided，iron-grayeyes。Hisdaughterwasshort，plump，andfresh-colored，withaneffectoflivelinessthatdidnotallexpressitselfinherbroad-vowelled，ratherformalspeech，withitsoddvaluationsofsomeoftheauxiliaryverbs，anditstotalelisionofthecanineletter。

"WeawefromtheSoath，"shesaid，"andwearrivedthismawning，butwegotthiscyahdfromthebrokahjustbefo"dinnah，andsoweawerathahlate。"

"Notatall；it"sonlynineo"clock，"saidMrs。Leighton。Shelookedupfromthecardtheyoungladyhadgivenher，andexplained，"Wehaven"tgotinourservantsyet，andwehadtoanswerthebellourselves，and——"

"Youwerefrightened，ofcoase，"saidtheyounglady，caressingly。

Thegentlemansaidtheyoughtnottohavecomesolate，andheofferedsomeformalapologies。

"Weshouldhavebeenjustasmuchscaredanytimeafterfiveo"clock，"

Almasaidtothesympatheticintelligenceinthegirl"sface。

Shelaughedout。"Ofcoase!Ahwouldhavemyhawtinmymoathalldaylong，too，ifAhwaslivinginabighoasealone。"

Amomentofstiffnessfollowed；Mrs。Leightonwouldhavelikedtowithdrawfromtheintimacyofthesituation，butshedidnotknowhow。

Itwasverywellforthesepeopletoassumetobewhattheypretended；

but，shereflectedtoolate，shehadnoproofofitexcepttheagent"spermit。Theywereallstandinginthehalltogether，andsheprolongedtheawkwardpausewhilesheexaminedthepermit。"YouareMr。Woodburn?"

sheasked，inawaythatAlmafeltimpliedhemightnotbe。

"Yes，madam；fromCharlottesboag，Virginia，"heanswered，withtheslightumbrageamanshowswhenthestrangecashierturnshischeckoverandquestionshimbeforecashingit。

Almawrithedinternally，butoutwardlyremainedsubordinate；sheexaminedtheothergirl"sdress，anddecidedinasuperficialconsciousnessthatshehadmadeherownbonnet。

"Ishallbegladtoshowyoumyrooms，"saidMrs。Leighton，withanirrelevantsigh。"YoumustexcusetheirbeingnotjustasIshouldwishthem。We"rehardlysettledyet。"