第8章
Mrs。Mandelattemptedadiversion。"HaveyouheardanyofourgreatNewYorkpreachersyet，Mrs。March?"
"No，Ihaven"t，"Mrs。Marchadmitted；andshetriedtoimplybyhercandidtonethatsheintendedtobeginhearingthemtheverynextSunday。
"Thereareagreatmanythingshere，"saidConrad，"totakeyourthoughtsoffthepreachingthatyouhearinmostofthechurches。Ithinkthecityitselfispreachingthebestsermonallthetime。"
"Idon"tknowthatIunderstandyou，"saidMarch。
Melaansweredforhim。"Oh，Conradhasgotalotofnotionsthatnobodycanunderstand。Yououghttoseethechurchhegoestowhenhedoesgo。
I"daboutasliefgotoaCatholicchurchmyself；Idon"tseeabito"
difference。He"sthegreatestcronywithoneoftheirpreachers；hedressesjustlikeapriest，andhesaysheisapriest。"Shelaughedforenjoymentofthefact，andherbrothercastdownhiseyes。
Mrs。March，inherturn，triedtotakefromitthepersonaltonewhichthetalkwasalwaysassuming。"Haveyoubeentothefallexhibition?"
sheaskedChristine；andthegirldrewherselfupoutoftheabstractionsheseemedsunkin。
"Theexhibition?"ShelookedatMrs。Mandel。
"ThepicturesoftheAcademy，youknow，"Mrs。Mandelexplained。
"WhereIwantedyoutogothedayyouhadyourdresstriedon，"
"No；wehaven"tbeenyet。Isitgood?"ShehadturnedtoMrs。Marchagain。
"Ibelievethefallexhibitionsareneversogoodasthespringones。
Buttherearesomegoodpictures。"
"Idon"tbelieveIcaremuchaboutpictures，"saidChristine。"Idon"tunderstandthem。"
"Ah，that"snoexcusefornotcaringaboutthem，"saidMarch，lightly。
"Thepaintersthemselvesdon"t，halfthetime。"
Thegirllookedathimwiththatglanceatoncedefiantandappealing，insolentandanxious，whichhehadnoticedbefore，especiallywhenshestoleittowardhimselfandhiswifeduringhersister"sbabble。InthelightofFulkerson"shistoryofthefamily，itsoriginanditsambition，heinterpretedittomeanasenseofhersister"sfollyandanignorantwilltooverridehisopinionofanythingincongruousinthemselvesandtheirsurroundings。Hesaidtohimselfthatshewasdeathlyproud——tooproudtotrytopalliateanything，butcapableofanythingthatwouldputothersunderherfeet。Hereyesseemedhopelesslytoquestionhiswife"ssocialquality，andhefancied，withnotunkindlyinterest，theinexperiencedgirl"sdoubtwhethertotreatthemwithmuchorlittlerespect。Helosthimselfinfanciesaboutherandherideals，necessarilysordid，ofherpossibilitiesofsuffering，ofthetriumphsanddisappointmentsbeforeher。Hersisterwouldacceptbothwithalightnessthatwouldkeepnotraceofeither；butinhertheywouldsinklastinglydeep。HecameoutofhisreverietofindMrs。Dryfoossayingtohim，inherhoarsevoice:
"Ithinkit"sashame，someofthepictur"sabodyseesinthewinders。
Theysaythere"salawag"instthemthings；andifthereis，Idon"tunderstandwhythepolicedon"ttakeupthemthatpaints"em。Ihear182
tell，sinceIbeenhere，thatthere"swomenthatgoestohavepictur"stookfromthemthatwaybymenpainters。"ThepointseemedaimedatMarch，asifhewerepersonallyresponsibleforthescandal，anditfellwithasilencingeffectforthemoment。Nobodyseemedwillingtotakeitup，andMrs。Dryfooswenton，withanoldwoman"sseverity:"Isaytheyoughttobealltarredandfeatheredandrodeonarail。They"dbedrummedoutoftowninMoffitt。"
MissMelasaid，withacrowinglaugh:"Ishouldthinktheywould!Andtheywouldn"tanybodygolownecktotheopera-housethere，either——notlowneckthewaytheydohere，anyway。"
"Andthatpackofworthlesshussies，"hermotherresumed，"thatcomeoutonthestage，andbeguntokick"
"Laws，mother!"thegirlshouted，"Ithoughtyousaidyouhadyoureyesshut!"
Allbutthesetwosimplercreatureswereabashedattheindecorumofsuggestinginwordsthecommonplacesofthetheatreandofart。
"Well，Idid，Mely，assoonasIcouldbelievemyeyes。Idon"tknowwhatthey"redoin"inalltheirchurches，toletsuchthingsgoon，"saidtheoldwoman。"It"sasinandashame，Ithink。Don"tyou，Coonrod?"
Aringatthedoorcutshortwhateveranswerhewasabouttodeliver。
"Ifit"sgoingtobecompany，Coonrod，"saidhismother，makinganefforttorise，"IreckonIbettergoup-stairs。"
"It"sMr。Fulkerson，Iguess，"saidConrad。"Hethoughthemightcome"；
andatthementionofthislightspiritMrs。Dryfoossankcontentedlybackinherchair，andarelaxationoftheirpainfultensionseemedtopassthroughthewholecompany。Conradwenttothedoorhimself(theserving-mantentatively，appearedsomeminuteslater)andletinFulkerson"scheerfulvoicebeforehischeerfulperson。
"Ah，howdyedo，Conrad?Broughtourfriend，Mr。Beaton，withme，"thosewithinheardhimsay；andthen，afterasoundofputtingoffovercoats，theysawhimfillthedoorway，withhisfeetsetsquareandhisarmsakimbo。
IX。
"Ah!hello!hello!"Fulkersonsaid，inrecognitionoftheMarches。
"Regulargatheringoftheclans。Howareyou，Mrs。Dryfoos?Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Mandel，MissChristine，Mela，AuntHitty，andallthefolks?
Howyouwuz?"Heshookhandsgaylyallround，andtookachairnexttheoldlady，whosehandhekeptinhisown，andleftConradtointroduceBeaton。ButhewouldnotlettheshadowofBeaton"ssolemnityfalluponthecompany。HebegantojokewithMrs。Dryfoos，andtomatchrheumatismswithher，andheincludedalltheladiesintherangeofappropriatepleasantries。"I"vebroughtMr。Beatonalongto-night，andIwantyoutomakehimfeelathome，likeyoudome，Mrs。Dryfoos。
Hehasn"tgotanyrheumatismtospeakof；buthisparentsliveinSyracuse，andhe"sakindofanorphan，andwe"vejustadoptedhimdownattheoffice。Whenyougoingtobringtheyoungladiesdownthere，Mrs。
Mandel，forachampagnelunch?Iwillhavesomehydro-Mela，andChristineit，heigh?How"sthatforalittlestarter?Wedroppedinatyourplaceamoment，Mrs。March，andgavetheyoungfolksafewpointersabouttheirstudies。Mygoodness!itdoesmegoodtoseeaboylikethatofyours；business，fromthewordgo；andyourgirljustscoopsmyyouthfulaffections。She"sabeauty，andIguessshe"sgood，too。Well，well，whataworlditis!MissChristine，won"tyoushowMr。Beatonthatsealringofyours?Heknowsaboutsuchthings，andIbroughthimheretoseeitasmuchasanything。It"sanintaglioIbroughtfromtheotherside，"heexplainedtoMrs。March，"andIguessyou"llliketolookatit。TriedtogiveittotheDryfoosfamily，andwhenIcouldn"t，Isolditto"em。BoundtoseeitonMissChristine"shandsomehow!Holdon!
Lethimseeitwhereitbelongs，first!"
Hearrestedthegirlinthemotionshemadetotakeoffthering，andletherhavethepleasureofshowingherhandtothecompanywiththeringonit。Thenhelefthertohearthepainter"swordsaboutit，whichhecontinuedtodeliverdissyllabicallyashestoodwithherunderagas-
jet，twistinghiselasticfigureandbendinghisheadoverthering。
"Well，Mely，child，"Fulkersonwenton，withanopentravestyofhermother"shabitualaddress，"andhowareyougettingalong?Mrs。Mandelholdyouuptotheproprietiesprettystrictly?Well，that"sright。
Youknowyou"dberoamingalloverthepastureifshedidn"t。"
Thegirlgurgledoutherpleasureinhisfunning，andeverybodytookhim。
onhisowngroundofprivilegedcharacter。Hebroughtthemalltogetherintheirfriendlinessforhimself，andbeforetheeveningwasoverhehadinspiredMrs。Mandeltohavethemservedwithcoffee，andhadmadeboththegirlsfeelthattheyhadfiguredbrilliantlyinsociety，andthattwoyoungmenhadbeendevotedtothem。
"Oh，Ithinkhe"sjustaslovelyashecanlive!"saidMela，asshestoodamomentwithhersisteronthesceneofhertriumph，wheretheothershadleftthemafterthedepartureoftheirguests。
"Who?"askedChristine，deeply。Assheglanceddownatherring，hereyesburnedwithasoftenedfire。
ShehadallowedBeatontochangeithimselffromthefingerwhereshehadwornittothefingeronwhichhesaidsheoughttowearit。Shedidnotknowwhetheritwasrighttolethim，butshewasgladshehaddoneit。
"Who?Mr。Fulkerson，goosie-poosie!NotthatoldstuckupMr。Beatonofyours!"
"Heisproud，"assentedChristine，withathrobofexultation。
BeatonandFulkersonwenttotheElevatedstationwiththeMarches；butthepaintersaidhewasgoingtowalkhome，andFulkersonlethimgoalone。
"Onewayisenoughforme，"heexplained。"WhenIwalkup，Idon"t。
walkdown。Bye-bye，myson!"HebegantalkingaboutBeatontotheMarchesastheyclimbedthestationstairstogether。"Thatfellowpuzzlesme。Idon"tknowanybodythatIhavesuchadesiretokick，andatthesametimethatIwanttoflatterupsomuch。Affectyouthatway?"heaskedofMarch。
"Well，asfarasthekickinggoes，yes。"
"Andhowisitwithyou，Mrs。March?"
"Oh，Iwanttoflatterhimup。"
"No；really?Why?Holdon!I"vegotthechange。"
FulkersonpushedMarchawayfromtheticket-officewindow；andmadethemhisguests，withtheinexorableAmericanhospitality，fortheridedown-
town。"Three!"hesaidtotheticket-seller；and，whenhehadwalkedthembeforehimoutontheplatformanddroppedhisticketsintotheurn，hepersistedinhisinquiry，"Why?"
"Why，becauseyoualwayswanttoflatterconceitedpeople，don"tyou?"
Mrs。Marchanswered，withalaugh。
"Doyou?Yes，Iguessyoudo。YouthinkBeatonisconceited?"
"Well，slightly，Mr。Fulkerson。"
"Iguessyou"repartlyright，"saidFulkerson，withasigh，sounaccountableinitsconnectionthattheyalllaughed。
"Anideal"busted"?"Marchsuggested。
"No，notthat，exactly，"saidFulkerson。"ButIhadanotionmaybeBeatonwasn"tconceitedallthetime。"
"Oh!"Mrs。Marchexulted，"nobodycouldbesoconceitedallthetimeasMr。Beatonismostofthetime。Hemusthavemomentsofthedirestmodesty，whenhe"dbequiteflattery-proof。"
"Yes，that"swhatImean。Iguessthat"swhatmakesmewanttokickhim。
He"sleftcomplimentsonmyhandsthatnodecentmanwould。"
"Oh!that"stragical，"saidMarch。
"Mr。Fulkerson，"Mrs。Marchbegan，withchangeofsubjectinhervoice，"whoisMrs。Mandel?"
"Who?Whatdoyouthinkofher?"herejoined。"I"lltellyouaboutherwhenwegetinthecars。Lookatthatthing!Ain"titbeautiful?"
Theyleanedoverthetrackandlookedupatthenextstation，wherethetrain，juststarting，throbbedouttheflame-shotsteamintothewhitemoonlight。
"ThemostbeautifulthinginNewYork——theonealwaysandcertainlybeautifulthinghere，"saidMarch；andhiswifesighed，"Yes，yes。"
Sheclungtohim，andremainedraptbythesighttillthetraindrewnear，andthenpulledhimbackinapanic。
"Well，thereain"treallymuchtotellabouther，"Fulkersonresumedwhentheywereseatedinthecar。"She"saninventionofmine。"
"Ofyours?"criedMrs。March。
"Ofcourse!"exclaimedherhusband。
"Yes——atleastinherpresentcapacity。Shesentmeastoryforthesyndicate，backinJulysometime，alongaboutthetimeIfirstmetoldDryfooshere。Itwasalittletoolongformypurpose，andIthoughtI
couldexplainbetterhowIwanteditcutinacallthanIcouldinaletter。ShegaveaBrooklynaddress，andIwenttoseeher。Ifoundher，"saidFulkerson，withavaguedefiance，"aperfectlady。Shewaslivingwithanauntoverthere；andshehadseenbetterdays，whenshewasagirl，andworseonesafterward。Idon"tmeantosayherhusbandwasabadfellow；Iguesshewasprettygood；hewashermusic-teacher；
shemethiminGermany，andtheygotmarriedthere，andgotthroughherpropertybeforetheycameoverhere。Well，shedidn"tstrikemelikeapersonthatcouldmakemuchheadwayinliterature。Herstorywaswellenough，butithadn"tmuchsandinit；kindof-well，academic，youknow。
Itoldherso，andsheunderstood，andcriedalittle；butshedidthebestshecouldwiththething，andItookitandsyndicatedit。Shekindofstuckinmymind，andthefirsttimeIwenttoseetheDryfoosestheywerestoppingatasortoffamilyhotelthentilltheycouldfindahouse——"Fulkersonbrokeoffaltogether，andsaid，"Idon"tknowasIknowjusthowtheDryfoosesstruckyou，Mrs。March?"
"Can"tyouimagine?"sheanswered，withakindly，smile。
"Yes；butIdon"tbelieveIcouldguesshowtheywouldhavestruckyoulastsummerwhenIfirstsawthem。My!ohmy!therewasthenativeearthforyou。Melyisaprettywildcoltnow，butyououghttohaveseenherbeforeshewasbrokentoharness。
AndChristine?EverseethatblackleopardtheygotupthereintheCentralPark?ThatwasChristine。Well，Isawwhattheywanted。Theyallsawit——nobodyisafoolinalldirections，andtheDryfoosesareintheirrightsensesagooddealofthetime。Well，tocutalongstoryshort，IgotMrs。Mandeltotake"eminhand——theoldladyaswellasthegirls。Shewasabornlady，andalwayslivedlikeonetillshesawMandel；andthatsomethingacademicthatkilledherforawriterwasjusttheverythingforthem。Sheknowstheworldwellenoughtoknowjusthowmuchpolishtheycantakeon，andshedon"ttrytoputonabitmore。
See?"
"Yes，Icansee，"saidMrs。March。
"Well，shetookholdatonce，asreadyasahospital-trainednurse；andthereain"tanythingreadieronthisplanet。Sherunsthewholeconcern，sociallyandeconomically，takesallthecareofhousekeepingofftheoldlady"shands，andgoesroundwiththegirls。By-the-bye，I"mgoingtotakemymealsatyourwidow"s，March，andConrad"sgoingtohavehislunchthere。I"msickofbrowsingabout。"
"Mr。March"swidow?"saidhiswife，lookingathimwithprovisionalseverity。
"Ihavenowidow，Isabel，"hesaid，"andneverexpecttohave，tillI
leaveyouintheenjoymentofmylife-insurance。IsupposeFulkersonmeanstheladywiththedaughterwhowantedtotakeustoboard。"
"Ohyes。Howaretheygettingon，Idowonder?"Mrs。MarchaskedofFulkerson。
"Well，they"vegotonefamilytoboard；butit"sasmallone。Iguessthey"llpullthrough。Theydidn"twanttotakeanydayboardersatfirst，thewidowsaid；Iguesstheyhavehadtocometoit。"
"Poorthings!"sighedMrs。March。"Ihopethey"llgobacktothecountry。"
"Well，Idon"tknow。Whenyou"veoncetastedNewYork——Youwouldn"tgobacktoBoston，wouldyou?"
"Instantly。"
Fulkersonlaughedoutatolerantincredulity。
X
Beatonlithispipewhenhefoundhimselfinhisroom，andsatdownbeforethedullfireinhisgratetothink。Itstruckhimtherewasadullfireinhisheartagreatdeallikeit；andheworkedoutafancifulanalogywiththecoals，stillalive，andtheashescreepingoverthem，andthedeadclayandcinders。Hefeltsickofhimself，sickofhislifeandofallhisworks。HewasangrywithFulkersonforhavinggothimintothatartdepartmentofhis，forhavingboughthimup；andhewasbitteratfatebecausehehadbeenobligedtousethemoneytopaysomepressingdebts，andhadnotbeenabletoreturnthecheckhisfatherhadsenthim。Hepitiedhispooroldfather；heachedwithcompassionforhim；andhesethisteethandsnarledwithcontemptthroughthemforhisownbaseness。Thiswasthekindofworlditwas；buthewashedhishandsofit。Thefaultwasinhumannature，andhereflectedwithpridethathehadatleastnotinventedhumannature；hehadnotsunksolowasthatyet。Thenotionamusedhim；hethoughthemightgetaSatanicepigramoutofitsomeway。Butinthemeantimethatgirl，thatwildanimal，shekeptvisibly，tangiblybeforehim；ifheputouthishandhemighttouchhers，hemightpasshisarmroundherwaist。InParis，inasetheknewthere，whataneffectshewouldbewiththatlookofhers，andthatbeauty，alloutofdrawing!Theywouldrecognizetheflamequalityinher。Heimaginedajokeaboutherbeingafieryspirit，ornymph，naiad，whatever，fromoneofhernativegas-wells。Hebegantosketchonabitofpaperfromthetableathiselbowvaguelinesthatveiledandrevealedalevel，dismallandscape，andavastflameagainstanemptysky，andashapeoutoftheflamethattookonalikenessandfloateddetachedfromit。Thesketchranuptheleftsideofthesheetandstretchedacrossit。Beatonlaughedout。PrettygoodtoletFulkersonhavethatforthecoverofhisfirstnumber!Inblackandreditwouldbeeffective；itwouldcatchtheeyefromthenews-stands。Hemadeamotiontothrowitonthefire，buthelditbackandsliditintothetable-drawer，andsmokedon。HesawthedummywiththeothersketchintheopendrawerwhichhehadbroughtawayfromFulkerson"sinthemorningandslippedinthere，andhetookitoutandlookedatit。Hemadesomecriticismsinlinewithhispencilonit，correctingthedrawinghereandthere，andthenherespecteditalittlemore，thoughhestillsmiledatthefemininequality——ayoungladyquality。
InspiteofhisexperiencethenighthecalledupontheLeightons，BeatoncouldnotbelievethatAlmanolongercaredforhim。Sheplayedathavingforgottenhimadmirably，butheknewthatafewmonthsbeforeshehadbeenverymindfulofhim。HeknewhehadneglectedthemsincetheycametoNewYork，wherehehadledthemtoexpectinterest，ifnotattention；buthewasusedtoneglectingpeople，andhewassomewhatlessusedtobeingpunishedforit——punishedandforgiven。HefeltthatAlmahadpunishedhimsothoroughlythatsheoughttohavebeensatisfiedwithherworkandtohaveforgivenhiminherheartafterward。Heborenoresentmentafterthefirsttinglingmomentswere-past；heratheradmiredherforit；andhewouldhavebeenreadytogobackhalfanhourlaterandacceptpardonandbeonthefootingoflastsummeragain。Evennowhedebatedwithhimselfwhetheritwastoolatetocall；but，decidedly，aquartertotenseemedlate。ThenextdayhedeterminednevertocallupontheLeightonsagain；buthehadnoreasonforthis；itmerelycameintoatransitoryschemeofconduct，ofretirementfromthesocietyofwomenaltogether；andafterdinnerhewentroundtoseethem。
Heaskedfortheladies，andtheyallthreereceivedhim，Almanotwithoutasurprisethatintimateditselftohim，andhermotherwithnoappreciablerelenting；MissWoodburn，withtheneedleworkwhichshefoundeasiertobevolubleoverthanabook，expressedinherwelcomeaneutralitybothcordialtoBeatonandloyaltoAlma。
"Isitsnowingoutdo"s?"sheasked，briskly，afterthegreetingsweretransacted。"Mahgoodness!"shesaid，inanswertohisapparentsurpriseatthequestion。"AhmahghtaswellhavestayedintheSoath，forallthewinterAhhaveseeninNewYorkyet。"
"Wedon"toftenhavesnowmuchbeforeNew-Year"s，"saidBeaton。
"MissWoodburniswildforarealNorthernwinter，"Mrs。Leightonexplained。
"TheothahnaghtAhwokeupandlookedoatofthewindowandsawalltheroofscoveredwithsnow，anditturnedoattobenothingbutmoonlaght。
Ahwasneversodisappointedinmahlahfe，"saidMissWoodburn。
"Ifyou"llcometoSt。Barnabynextsummer，youshallhaveallthewinteryouwant，"saidAlma。
"Ican"tletyouslanderSt。Barnabyinthatway，"saidBeaton，withtheairofwishingtobeunderstoodasmeaningmorethanhesaid。
"Yes?"returnedAlma，coolly。"Ididn"tknowyouweresofondoftheclimate。"
"Ineverthinkofitasaclimate。It"salandscape。Itdoesn"tmatterwhetherit"shotorcold。"
"Withthethermometertwentybelow，you"dfindthatitmattered，"Almapersisted。
"IsthatthewayyoufeelaboutSt。Barnaby，too，Mrs。Leighton?"Beatonasked，withaffecteddesolation。
"Ishallbegladenoughtogobackinthesummer，"Mrs。Leightonconceded。
"AndIshouldbegladtogonow，"saidBeaton，lookingatAlma。Hehadthedummyof"EveryOtherWeek"inhishand，andhesawAlma"seyeswanderingtowarditwheneverheglancedather。"IshouldbegladtogoanywheretogetoutofajobI"veundertaken，"hecontinued，toMrs。
Leighton。"They"regoingtostartsomesortofanewillustratedmagazine，andthey"vegotmeinfortheirartdepartment。I"mnotfitforit；I"dliketorunaway。Don"tyouwanttoadvisemealittle，Mrs。
Leighton?YouknowhowmuchIvalueyourtaste，andI"dliketohaveyoulookatthedesignforthecoverofthefirstnumber:they"regoingtohaveadifferentoneforeverynumber。Idon"tknowwhetheryou"llagreewithme，butIthinkthisisrathernice。"
Hefacedthedummyround，andthenlaiditonthetablebeforeMrs。
Leighton，pushingsomeofherworkasidetomakeroomforitandstandingoverherwhileshebentforwardtolookatit。
Almakeptherplace，awayfromthetable。
"Mahgoodness!Ho"exciting!"saidMissWoodburn。"Mayanybodylook?"
"Everybody，"saidBeaton。
"Well，isn"titperfectlychoming!"MissWoodburnexclaimed。"Comeandlookatthis，MissLeighton，"shecalledtoAlma，whoreluctantlyapproached。
Whatlinesarethese?"Mrs。Leightonasked，pointingtoBeaton"spencilscratches。
"They"resuggestionsofmodifications，"hereplied。
"Idon"tthinktheyimproveitmuch。Whatdoyouthink，Alma?"
"Oh，Idon"tknow，"saidthegirl，constraininghervoicetoaneffectofindifferenceandglancingcarelesslydownatthesketch。"Thedesignmightbeimproved；butIdon"tthinkthosesuggestionswoulddoit。"
"They"remine，"saidBeaton，fixinghiseyesuponherwithabeautifulsaddreaminessthatheknewhecouldputintothem；hespokewithadreamyremotenessoftone——hiswind-harpstop，Wetmorecalledit。
"Isupposedso，"saidAlma，calmly。
"Oh，mahgoodness!"criedMissWoodburn。"Isthatthewayyouawtuststalktoeachothah?Well，Ah"mgladAh"mnotanawtust——unlessIcoulddoallthetalking。"
"Artistscannottellafib，"Almasaid，"orevenactone，"andshelaughedinBeaton"supturnedface。
Hedidnotunbendhisdreamygaze。"You"requiteright。Thesuggestionsarestupid。"
AlmaturnedtoMissWoodburn:"Youhear?Evenwhenwespeakofourownwork。"
"Ahnevahhoadanythinglahkeit!"
"Andthedesignitself?"Beatonpersisted。
"Oh，I"mnotanarteditor，"Almaanswered，withalaughofexultantevasion。
Atall，dark，grave-lookingmanoffifty，withaswarthyfaceandiron-
graymustacheandimperialandgoatee，enteredtheroom。Beatonknewthetype；hehadbeenthroughVirginiasketchingforoneoftheillustratedpapers，andhehadseensuchmeninRichmond。MissWoodburnhardlyneededtosay，"MayAhintroduceyoutomahfathaw，Co"nelWoodburn，Mr。
Beaton?"
Themenshookhands，andColonelWoodburnsaid，inthatsoft，gentle，slowSouthernvoicewithoutourNortherncontractions:"Iamverygladtomeetyou，sir；happytomakeyo"acquaintance。Donotmove，madam，"hesaidtoMrs。Leighton，whomadeadeprecatorymotiontolethimpasstothechairbeyondher；"Icanfindmyway。"Hebowedabulkthatdidnotlenditselfreadilytothedevotion，andpickeduptheballofyarnshehadletdropoutofherlapinhalfrising。"Yo"worsteds，madam。"
"Yarn，yarn，ColonelWoodburn!"Almashouted。"You"requiteincorrigible。Aspadeisaspade!"
"Butsometimesitisatrump，mydearyounglady，"saidtheColonel，withunabatedgallantry；"andwhenyo"mothahusesyarn，itisworsteds。ButIrespectworstedsevenunderthenameofyarn:ourladies——myownmothahandsistahs——hadtoknitthesockswewore——allwecouldgetinthewoe。"
"Yes，andaftahthewoe，"hisdaughterputin。"Theknittinghasnotstoppedyetinsomeplaces。HaveyoubeenmuchintheSoath，Mr。Beaton?"
Beatonexplainedjusthowmuch。
"Well，sir，"saidtheColonel，"thenyouhaveseenacountrymakinggiganticstrugglestoretrieveitslosses，sir。TheSouthisadvancingwithenormousstrides，sir。"
"Toofastforsomeofustokeepup，"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleaside。"ThepaceinCharlottesboagispofectlykilling，andwehadtodropoatintoaslowplacelikeNewYork。"
"TheprogressintheSouthismaterialnow，"saidtheColonel；"andthoseofuswhoseinterestsareinanotherdirectionfindourselves——isolated——isolated，sir。TheintellectualcentresarestillintheNo"th，sir；
thegreatcitiesdrawthementalactivityofthecountrytothem，sir。
NecessarilyNewYorkisthemetropolis。"
"Oh，everythingcomeshere，"saidBeaton，impatientoftheelder"sponderosity。AnothersortofmanwouldhavesympathizedwiththeSoutherner"swillingnesstotalkofhimself，andledhimontospeakofhisplansandideals。ButthesortofmanthatBeatonwascouldnotdothis；heputupthedummyintothewrapperhehadletdroponthefloorbesidehim，andtieditroundwithstringwhileColonelWoodburnwastalking。HegottohisfeetwiththewordshespokeandofferedMrs。
Leightonhishand。
"Mustyougo?"sheasked，insurprise。
"Iamonmywaytoareception，"hesaid。Shehadnoticedthathewasineveningdress；andnowshefeltthevaguehurtthatpeopleinvitednowherefeelinthepresenceofthosewhoaregoingsomewhere。Shedidnotfeelitforherself，butforherdaughter；andsheknewAlmawouldnothaveletherfeelitifshecouldhavepreventedit。ButAlmahadlefttheroomforamoment，andshetacitlyindulgedthissenseofinjuryinherbehalf。
"Pleasesaygood-nighttoMissLeightonforme，"Beatoncontinued。HebowedtoMissWoodburn，"Goodnight，MissWoodburn，"andtoherfather，bluntly，"Goodnight。"
"Good-night，sir，"saidtheColonel，withasortofseveresuavity。
"Oh，isn"thechoming!"MissWoodburnwhisperedtoMrs。LeightonwhenBeatonlefttheroom。
Almaspoketohiminthehallwithout。"Youknewthatwasmydesign，Mr。
Beaton。Whydidyoubringit?"
"Why?"Helookedatheringloomyhesitation。
Thenhesaid:"Youknowwhy。Iwishedtotalkitoverwithyou，toserveyou，pleaseyou，getbackyourgoodopinion。ButI"vedoneneithertheonenortheother；I"vemadeamessofthewholething。"
Almainterruptedhim。"Hasitbeenaccepted?"
"Itwillbeaccepted，ifyouwillletit。"
"Letit?"shelaughed。"Ishallbedelighted。"Shesawhimswayedalittletowardher。"It"samatterofbusiness，isn"tit?"
"Purely。Good-night。"
WhenAlmareturnedtotheroom，ColonelWoodburnwassayingtoMrs。
Leighton:"Idonotcontendthatitisimpossible，madam，butitisverydifficultinathoroughlycommercializedsociety，likeyours，tohavethefeelingsofagentleman。Howcanabusinessman，whoseprosperity，whoseearthlysalvation，necessarilyliesintheadversityofsomeoneelse，bedelicateandchivalrous，orevenhonest?IfwecouldhavehadtimetoperfectoursystemattheSouth，toeliminatewhatwasevilanddevelopwhatwasgoodinit，weshouldhavehadaperfectsystem。Butthevirusofcommercialismwasinus，too；itforbadeustomakethebestofadivineinstitution，andtemptedustomaketheworst。Nowthecurseisonthewholecountry；thedollaristhemeasureofeveryvalue，thestampofeverysuccess。Whatdoesnotsellisafailure；andwhatsellssucceeds。"
"Thehobbyisoat，mahdeah，"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleasidetoAlma。
"Wereyouspeakingofme，ColonelWoodburn?"Almaasked。
"Surelynot，mydearyounglady。"
"Buthe"sbeensayingthatawtustsarejustasgreedyaboatmoneyasanybody，"saidhisdaughter。
"Thelawofcommercialismisoneverythinginacommercialsociety，"theColonelexplained，softeningthetoneinwhichhisconvictionswerepresented。"Thefinalrewardofartismoney，andnotthepleasureofcreating。"
"Perhapstheywouldbewillingtotakeitalloatinthatifothahpeoplewouldletthempaytheirbillsinthepleasureofcreating，"hisdaughterteased。
"Theyarehelpless，likealltherest，"saidherfather，withthesamedeferencetoherastootherwomen。"Idonotblamethem。"
"Oh，mahgoodness!Didn"tyousay，sir，thatMr。Beatonhadbadmanners?"
Almarelievedaconfusionwhichheseemedtofeelinreferencetoher。
"Badmanners?Hehasnomanners!Thatis，whenhe"shimself。Hehasprettygoodoneswhenhe"ssomebodyelse。"
MissWoodburnbegan，"Oh，mah-"andthenstoppedherself。Alma"smotherlookedatherwithdistressedquestion，butthegirlseemedperfectlycoolandcontented；andshegavehermindprovisionallytoapointsuggestedbyColonelWoodburn"stalk。
"Still，Ican"tbelieveitwasrighttoholdpeopleinslavery，towhipthemandsellthem。Itneverdidseemrighttome，"sheadded，inapologyforherextremesentimentstothegentlenessofheradversary。
"Iquiteagreewithyou，madam，"saidtheColonel。"Thoseweretheabusesoftheinstitution。ButifwehadnotbeenvitiatedontheonehandandthreatenedontheotherbythespiritofcommercialismfromtheNorth——andfromEurope，too——thoseabusescouldhavebeeneliminated，andtheinstitutiondevelopedinthedirectionofthemildpatriarchalismofthedivineintention。"TheColonelhitchedhischair，whichfiguredahobbycareeringuponitshindlegs，alittletowardMrs。Leightonandthegirlsapproachedtheirheadsandbegantowhisper；theyfelldeferentiallysilentwhentheColonelpausedinhisargument，andwentonagainwhenhewenton。
AtlasttheyheardMrs。Leightonsaying，"Andhaveyouheardfromthepublishersaboutyourbookyet?"
ThenMissWoodburncutin，beforeherfathercouldanswer:"Thecoaseofcommercialismisonthat，too。Theyaretrahingtofahndoatwhethahitwillpay。"
"Andtheyareright-quiteright，"saidtheColonel。"Thereisnolongeranyothercriterion；andevenaworkthatattacksthesystemmustbesubmittedtothetestsofthesystem。"
"Thesystemwon"tacceptdestructiononanyothahtomes，"saidMissWoodburn，demurely。
XI。
Atthereception，wheretwomeninliverystoodasidetolethimpassuptheoutsidestepsofthehouse，andtwomorehelpedhimoffwithhisovercoatindoors，andafifthmiscalledhisnameintothedrawing-room，theSyracusestone-cutter"ssonmetthenieceofMrs。Horn，andbeganatoncetotellherabouthiseveningattheDryfooses"。Hewasinverygoodspirits，forsofarashecouldhavebeenelatedordepressedbyhispartingwithAlmaLeightonhehadbeenelated；shehadnottreatedhisimpudencewiththecontemptthathefeltitdeserved；shemuststillbefondofhim；andthewarmsenseofthis，byoperationofanobscurebutwell-recognizedlawofthemasculinebeing，disposedhimtoberatherfondofMissVance。Shewasaslendergirl，whosesemi-aestheticdressflowedaboutherwithanaccentuationofherlongforms，andredeemedthemfromcensurebytheveryfranknesswithwhichitconfessedthem；
nobodycouldhavesaidthatMargaretVancewastootall。Herprettylittlehead，whichshehadaneffectofchoosingtohavelittleinthesamespiritofjudiciousdefiance，hadagooddealofreadinginit；shewasproudtoknowliteraryandartisticfashionsaswellassocietyfashions。ShelikedbeingsingledoutbyanexteriordistinctionsoobviousasBeaton"s，andshelistenedwithsympatheticinteresttohisaccountofthosepeople。Hegavetheirnaturalhistoryrealitybydrawinguponhisown；hereconstructedtheirplebeianpastfromtheexperiencesofhischildhoodandhisyouthofthepre-Parisianperiod；
andhehadapangofsuicidaljoyininsultingtheirignoranceoftheworld。
"Whatdifferentkindsofpeopleyoumeet!"saidthegirlatlast，withanenvioussigh。Herreadinghadenlargedtheboundsofherimagination，ifnotherknowledge；thenovelsnowadaysdealtsomuchwithverycommonpeople，andmadethemseemsoverymuchmoreworthwhilethanthepeopleonemet。
ShesaidsomethinglikethistoBeaton。Heanswered:"YoucanmeetthepeopleI"mtalkingofveryeasily，ifyouwanttotakethetrouble。
It"swhattheycametoNewYorkfor。Ifancyit"sthegreatambitionoftheirlivestobemet。"
"Ohyes，"saidMissVance，fashionably，andlookeddown；thenshelookedupandsaid，intellectually:"Don"tyouthinkit"sagreatpity?Howmuchbetterforthemtohavestayedwheretheywereandwhattheywere!"
"Thenyoucouldneverhavehadanychanceofmeetingthem，"saidBeaton。
"Idon"tsupposeyouintendtogoouttothegascountry?"
"No，"saidMissVance，amused。"NotthatIshouldn"tliketogo。"
"Whatadaringspirit!Yououghttobeonthestaffof"EveryOtherWeek，""saidBeaton。
"Thestaff-EveryOtherWeek?Whatisit?"
"Themissinglink；thelong-feltwantofatiebetweentheArtsandtheDollars。"Beatongaveheraverypicturesque，averydramaticsketchofthetheory，thepurpose，andthepersonnelofthenewenterprise。
MissVanceunderstoodtoolittleaboutbusinessofanykindtoknowhowitdifferedfromotherenterprisesofitssort。Shethoughtitwasdelightful；shethoughtBeatonmustbegladtobepartofit，thoughhehadrepresentedhimselfsobored，soinjured，byFulkerson"sinsistinguponhavinghim。"Andisitasecret?Isitathingnottobespokenof?"
""Tutt"altro"!Fulkersonwillbeenrapturedtohaveitspokenofinsociety。Hewouldpayanyreasonablebillfortheadvertisement。"
"Whatadelightfulcreature!Tellhimitshallallbespentincharity。"
"Hewouldlikethat。Hewouldgettwoparagraphsoutofthefact，andyournamewouldgointothe"LiteraryNotes"ofallthenewspapers。"
"Oh，butIshouldn"twantmynameused!"criedthegirl，halfhorrifiedintofancyingthesituationreal。
"Thenyou"dbetternotsayanythingabout"EveryOtherWeek"。Fulkersonispreternaturallyunscrupulous。"
Marchbegantothinksotoo，attimes。Hewasperpetuallysuggestingchangesinthemake-upofthefirstnumber，withaviewtoitsgreatervividnessofeffect。Onedayhecameandsaid:"Thisthingisn"tgoingtohaveanysortofgetupandhowlaboutit，unlessyouhaveapaperinthefirstnumbergoingforBevans"snovels。BettergetMaxwelltodoit。"
"Why，IthoughtyoulikedBevans"snovels?"
"SoIdid；butwherethegoodof"EveryOtherWeek"isconcernedIamaRomanfather。ThepopulargagistoabuseBevans，andMaxwellisthemantodoit。Therehasn"tbeenanewmagazinestartedforthelastthreeyearsthathasn"thadanarticlefromMaxwellinitsfirstnumbercuttingBevansalltopieces。Ifpeopledon"tseeit，they"llthink"EveryOtherWeek"issomeoldthing。"
MarchdidnotknowwhetherFulkersonwasjokingornot。Hesuggested，"Perhapsthey"llthinkit"sanoldthingiftheydoseeit。"
"Well，getsomebodyelse，then；orelsegetMaxwelltowriteunderanassumedname。Or——Iforgot!He"llbeanonymousunderoursystem，anyway。Nowthereain"tamorepopularracketforustoworkinthatfirstnumberthanagood，swingingattackonBevans。Peoplereadhisbooksandquarrelover"em，andthecriticsareallagainsthim，andaregularflaying，withsaltandvinegarrubbedinafterward，willtellmorewithpeoplewholikegoodold-fashionedfictionthananythingelse。
IlikeBevans"sthings，but，dadburnit!whenitcomestothatfirstnumber，I"dofferupanybody。"
"Whatanimmorallittlewretchyouare，Fulkerson!"saidMarch，withalaugh。