第13章

"There，now，Iknowedyouwould，Coonrod。Now，fawther!"ThisappealwastomaketheoldmansaysomethinginrecognitionofConrad"ssacrifice。

"You"llalwaysfind，"hesaid，"thatit"sthoseofyourownhouseholdthathavethefirstclaimonyou。"

"That"sso，Coonrod，"urgedhismother。"It"sBibletruth。Yourfawtherain"taperfesser，buthealwaysdidreadhisBible。SearchtheScriptures。That"swhatitmeans。"

"Laws!"criedMely，"abodycansee，easyenoughfrommother，whereConrad"swantun"tobeapreachercomesfrom。Ishould"a"thoughtshe"d"a"wantedtobeenoneherself。"

"Letyourwomenkeepsilenceinthechurches，"saidtheoldwoman，solemnly。

"Thereyougoagain，mother!Iguessifyouwastosaythattosomeoftheladyministersnowadays，you"dgityourselfintotrouble。"Melalookedroundforapproval，andgurgledoutahoarselaugh。

IX。

TheDryfooseswentlatetoMrs。Horn"smusicale，inspiteofMrs。

Mandel"sadvice。Christinemadethedelay，bothbecauseshewishedtoshowMissVancethatshewas(not)anxious，andbecauseshehadsomevaguenotionofthedistinctionofarrivinglateatanysortofentertainment。Mrs。Mandelinsisteduponthedifferencebetweenthismusicaleandanordinaryreception；butChristineratherfancieddisturbingacompanythathadgotseated，andperhapsmakingpeopleriseandstand，whileshefoundherwaytoherplace，asshehadseenthem。

doforatardycomeratthetheatre。

Mela，whomshedidnotadmittoherreasonsorfeelingsalways，followedherwiththeservileadmirationshehadforallthatChristinedid；andshetookontrustassomehowsuccessfultheresultofChristine"sobstinacy，whentheywereallowedtostandagainstthewallatthebackoftheroomthroughthewholeofthelongpiecebegunjustbeforetheycamein。Therehadbeennoonetoreceivethem；afewpeople，intherearrowsofchairsnearthem，turnedtheirheadstoglanceatthem，andthenlookedawayagain。Melahadhermisgivings；butattheendofthepieceMissVancecameuptothematonce，andthenMelaknewthatshehadhereyesonthemallthetime，andthatChristinemusthavebeenright。

Christinesaidnothingabouttheircominglate，andsoMeladidnotmakeanyexcuse，andMissVanceseemedtoexpectnone。SheglancedwithasortofsurpriseatConrad，whenChristineintroducedhim；Meladidnotknowwhethershelikedtheirbringinghim，tillsheshookhandswithhim，andsaid:"Oh，Iamverygladindeed!Mr。DryfoosandIhavemetbefore。"Withoutexplainingwhereorwhen，sheledthemtoherauntandpresentedthem，andthensaid，"I"mgoingtoputyouwithsomefriendsofyours，"andquicklyseatedthemnexttheMarches。Melalikedthatwellenough；shethoughtshemighthavesomejokingwithMr。March，forallhiswifewassostiff；butthelookwhichChristineworeseemedtoforbid，provisionallyatleast，anysuchrecreation。Onherpart，ChristinewascoolwiththeMarches。ItwentthroughhermindthattheymusthavetoldMissVancetheyknewher；andperhapstheyhadboastedofherintimacy。SherelaxedalittletowardthemwhenshesawBeatonleaningagainstthewallattheendoftherownextMrs。March。ThensheconjecturedthathemighthavetoldMissVanceofheracquaintancewiththeMarches，andshebentforwardandnoddedtoMrs。MarchacrossConrad，Mela，andMr。March。Sheconceivedofhimasasortofhandofherfather"s，butshewaswillingtotakethemattheirapparentsocialvaluationforthetime。Sheleanedbackinherchair，anddidnotlookupatBeatonafterthefirstfurtiveglance，thoughshefelthiseyesonher。

Themusicbeganagainalmostatonce，beforeMelahadtimetomakeConradtellherwhereMissVancehadmethimbefore。Shewouldnothavemindedinterruptingthemusic；buteveryoneelseseemedsoattentive，evenChristine，thatshehadnotthecourage。Theconcertwentontoanendwithoutrealizingforhertheidealofpleasurewhichoneoughttofind。

insociety。Shewasnotexacting，butitseemedtohertherewereveryfewyoungmen，andwhenthemusicwasover，andtheiropportunitycametobesociable，theywerenotverysociable。Theywerenotintroduced，foronething；butitappearedtoMelathattheymighthavegotintroduced，iftheyhadanysense；shesawthemlookingather，andshewasgladshehaddressedsomuch；shewasdressedmorethananyotherladythere，andeitherbecauseshewasthemostdressedofanypersonthere，orbecauseithadgotaroundwhoherfatherwas，shefeltthatshehadmadeanimpressionontheyoungmen。Inhersatisfactionwiththis，andfromhergoodnature，shewascontentedtobeservedwithherrefreshmentsaftertheconcertbyMr。March，andtoremainjokingwithhim。Shewasatherease；sheletherhoarsevoiceoutinherlargestlaugh；sheaccusedhim，totheadmirationofthosenear，ofgettingherintoaperfectgale。Itappearedtoher，inherownpleasure，hermissiontoillustratetotherathersubduedpeopleaboutherwhatagoodtimereallywas，sothattheycouldhaveitiftheywantedit。HerjoywascrownedwhenMarchmodestlyprofessedhimselfunworthytomonopolizeher，andexplainedhowselfishhefeltintalkingtoayoungladywhenthereweresomanyyoungmendyingtodoso。

"Oh，pshaw，dyun"，yes!"criedMela，tastingtheirony。"IguessIseethem!"

Heaskedifhemightreallyintroduceafriendofhistoher，andshesaid，Well，yes，ifbethoughthecouldlivetogettoher；andMarchbroughtupamanwhomhethoughtveryyoungandMelathoughtveryold。

Hewasacontributorto"EveryOtherWeek，"andsoMarchknewhim；

hebelievedhimselfastudentofhumannatureinbehalfofliterature，andhenowsetaboutstudyingMela。Hetemptedhertoexpressheropiniononallpoints，andhelaughedsoamiablyattheboldnessandhumorousvigorofherideasthatshewasdelightedwithhim。SheaskedhimifhewasaNew-Yorkerbybirth；andshetoldhimshepitiedhim，whenhesaidhehadneverbeenWest。SheprofessedherselfperfectlysickofNewYork，andurgedhimtogotoMoffittifhewantedtoseeareallivetown。Hewonderedifitwoulddotoputherintoliteraturejustasshewas，withallherslangandbrag，buthedecidedthathewouldhavetosubdueheragreatdeal:hedidnotseehowhecouldreconcilethefactsofherconversationwiththefactsofherappearance:

herbeauty，hersplendorofdress，herapparentrighttobewhereshewas。Thesethingsperplexedhim；hewasafraidthegreatAmericannovel，iftrue，mustbeincredible。MelasaidheoughttohearhersistergoonaboutNewYorkwhentheyfirstcame；butshereckonedthatChristinewasgettingsoshecouldputupwithitalittlebetter，now。ShelookedsignificantlyacrosstheroomtotheplacewhereChristinewasnowtalkingwithBeaton；andthestudentofhumannatureasked，Wasshehere?

and，Wouldsheintroducehim?Melasaidshewould，thefirstchanceshegot；andsheadded，Theywouldbemuchpleasedtohavehimcall。Shefeltherselftobehavingabeautifultime，andshegotdirectlyuponsuchintimatetermswiththestudentofhumannaturethatshelaughedwithhimaboutsomepeculiaritiesofhis，suchashisgoingsofarabouttoaskthingshewantedtoknowfromher；shesaidsheneverdidbelieveinbeatingaboutthebushmuch。ShehadnoticedthesamethinginMissVancewhenshecametocallthatday；andwhentheyoungmanownedthathecameratheragooddealtoMrs。Horn"shouse，sheaskedhim，Well，whatsortofagirlwasMissVance，anyway，andwheredidhesupposeshehadmetherbrother?Thestudentofhumannaturecouldnotsayastothis，andastoMissVancehejudgeditsafesttotreatofthenon-

societysideofhercharacter，heractivityincharity，herspecialdevotiontotheworkamongthepoorontheEastSide，whichshepersonallyengagedin。

"Oh，that"swhereConradgoes，too!"Melainterrupted。"I"llbetanythingthat"swhereshemethim。IwishtIcouldtellChristine!

ButIsupposeshewouldwanttokillme，ifIwastospeaktohernow。"

Thestudentofhumannaturesaid，politely，"Oh，shallItakeyoutoher?"

Melaanswered，"Iguessyoubetternot!"withalaughsosignificantthathecouldnothelphisinferencesconcerningbothChristine"sabsorptioninthepersonshewastalkingwithandthehabitualviolenceofhertemper。HemadenoteofhowMelahelplesslyspokeofallherfamilybytheirnames，asifhewerealreadyintimatewiththem；hefanciedthatifhecouldgetthatinskillfully，itwouldbeavaluablecolorinhisstudy；theEnglishlordwhomsheshouldastonishwithitbegantoformhimselfoutofthedramaticnebulosityinhismind，andtowhirlonadefiniteorbitinAmericansociety。ButhewaspuzzledtodecidewhetherMela"swillingnesstotakehimintoherconfidenceonshortnoticewastypicalorpersonal:thetraitofadaughterofthenatural-gasmillionaire，orafoibleofherown。

BeatontalkedwithChristinethegreaterpartoftheeveningthatwasleftaftertheconcert。Hewasverygrave，andtookthetoneofafatherlyfriend；hespokeguardedlyofthepeoplepresent，andmoderatedtheseverityofsomeofChristine"sjudgmentsoftheirlooksandcostumes。HedidthisoutofasortofunreasonedallegiancetoMargaret，whomhewasinthemoodofwishingtopleasebybeingverykindandgood，asshealwayswas。HehadthesensealsoofatoningbythisbehaviorforsomerecklessthingshehadsaidbeforethattoChristine；

heputonasad，reprovingairwithher，andgaveherthefeelingofbeingheldincheck。

Shechafedatit，andsaid，glancingatMargaretintalkwithherbrother，"Idon"tthinkMissVanceissoverypretty，doyou?"

"Ineverthinkwhethershe"sprettyornot，"saidBecton，withdreamy，affectation。"Sheismerelyperfect。Doessheknowyourbrother?"

"Soshesays。Ididn"tsupposeConradeverwentanywhere，excepttotenement-houses。"

"Itmighthavebeenthere，"Bectonsuggested。"Shegoesamongfriendlesspeopleeverywhere。"

"Maybethat"sthereasonshecametoseeus!"saidChristine。

Bectonlookedatherwithhissmoulderingeyes，andfeltthewishtosay，"Yes，itwasexactlythat，"butheonlyallowedhimselftodenythepossibilityofanysuchmotiveinthatcase。Headded:"Iamsogladyouknowher，MissDryfoos。InevermetMissVancewithoutfeelingmyselfbetterandtruer，somehow；orthewishtobeso。"

"Andyouthinkwemightbeimproved，too?"Christineretorted。"Well，Imustsayyou"renotveryflattering，Mr。Becton，anyway。"

Bectonwouldhavelikedtoanswerheraccordingtohercattishness，withagoodclawingsarcasmthatwouldleaveitssmartinherpride；buthewasbeinggood，andhecouldnotchangeallatonce。Besides，thegirl"sattitudeunderthesocialhonordoneherinterestedhim。Hewassureshehadneverbeeninsuchgoodcompanybefore，buthecouldseethatshewasnotintheleastaffectedbytheexperience。Hehadtoldherwhothispersonandthatwas；andhesawshehadunderstoodthatthenameswereofconsequence；butsheseemedtofeelherequalitywiththemall。

HerserenitywasnotobviouslyakintothesavagestoicisminwhichBeatonhidhisownconsciousnessofsocialinferiority；buthavingwonhiswayintheworldsofarbyhistalent，hispersonalquality，hedidnotconceivethesimplefactinhercase。Christinewasself-possessedbecauseshefeltthataknowledgeofherfather"sfortunehadgotaround，andshehadthepeacewhichmoneygivestoignorance；butBeatonattributedherpoisetoindifferencetosocialvalues。This，whileheinwardlysneeredatit，avengedhimuponhisowntookeensenseofthem，and，togetherwithhistemporaryallegiancetoMargaret"sgoodness，kepthimfromretaliatingChristine"svulgarity。Hesaid，"Idon"tseehowthatcouldbe，"andleftthequestionofflatterytosettleitself。

Thepeoplebegantogoaway，followingeachotheruptotakeleaveofMrs。Horn。Christinewatchedthemwithunconcern，andeitherbecauseshewouldnotbegovernedbythegeneralmovement，orbecauseshelikedbeingwithBeaton，gavenosignofgoing。Melawasstilltalkingtothestudentofhumannature，sendingoutherlaughindeepgurglesamidtheunimaginableconfidencesshewasmakinghimaboutherself，herfamily，thestaffof"EveryOtherWeek，"Mrs。Mandel，andthekindoflifetheyhadallledbeforeshecametothem。Hewasnotablinddevoteeofartforart"ssake，andthoughhefeltthatifonecouldportrayMelajustasshewasshewouldbetherichestpossiblematerial，hewasratherashamedtoknowsomeofthethingsshetoldhim；andhekeptlookinganxiouslyaboutforachanceofescape。ThecompanyhadreduceditselftotheDryfoosgroupsandsomefriendsofMrs。Horn"swhohadtherighttolinger，whenMargaretcrossedtheroomwithConradtoChristineandBeaton。

"I"msoglad，MissDryfoos，tofindthatIwasnotquiteastrangertoyouallwhenIventuredtocall，theotherday。YourbrotherandIareratheroldacquaintances，thoughIneverknewwhohewasbefore。Idon"tknowjusthowtosaywemetwhereheisvaluedsomuch。IsupposeI

mustn"ttrytosayhowmuch，"sheadded，withalookofdeepregardathim。

Conradblushedandstoodfoldinghisarmstightoverhisbreast，whilehissisterreceivedMargaret"sconfessionwiththesuspicionwhichwasherfirstfeelinginregardtoanynewthing。Whatsheconcludedwasthatthisgirlwastryingtogetinwiththem，forreasonsofherown。

Shesaid:"Yes；it"sthefirstIeverheardofhisknowingyou。He"ssomuchtakenupwithhismeetings，hedidn"twanttocometo-night。"

Margaretdrewinherlipbeforesheanswered，withoutapparentresentmentoftheawkwardnessorungraciousness，whichevershefoundit:"Idon"twonder!Youbecomesoabsorbedinsuchworkthatyouthinknothingelseisworthwhile。ButI"mgladMr。Dryfooscouldcomewithyou；I"msogladyoucouldallcome；Iknewyouwouldenjoythemusic。Dositdown——"

"No，"saidChristine，bluntly；"wemustbegoing。Mela!"shecalledout，"come!"

ThelastgroupaboutMrs。Hornlookedround，butChristineadvanceduponthemundismayed，andtookthehandMrs。Hornpromptlygaveher。"Well，I

mustbidyougood-night。"

"Oh，good-night，"murmuredtheelderlady。"Soverykindofyoutocome。"

"I"vehadthebestkindofatime，"saidMela，cordially。"Ihain"tlaughedsomuch，Idon"tknowwhen。"

"Oh，I"mgladyouenjoyedit，"saidMrs。Horn，inthesamepolitemurmurshehadusedwithChristine；butshesaidnothingtoeithersisteraboutanyfuturemeeting。

Theywereapparentlynottroubled。Melasaidoverhershouldertothestudentofhumannature，"ThenexttimeIseeyouI"llgiveittoyouforwhatyousaidaboutMoffitt。"

Margaretmadesomeentreatingpacesafterthem，butshedidnotsucceedincoveringtheretreatofthesistersagainstcriticalconjecture。ShecouldonlysaytoConrad，asifrecurringtothesubject，"Ihopewecangetourfriendstoplayforussomenight。Iknowitisn"tanyrealhelp，butsuchthingstakethepoorcreaturesoutofthemselvesforthetimebeing，don"tyouthink?"

"Ohyes，"heanswered。"They"regoodinthatway。"HeturnedbackhesitatinglytoMrs。Horn，andsaid，withablush，"Ithankyouforahappyevening。"

"Oh，Iamveryglad，"shereplied，inhermurmur。

Oneoftheoldfriendsofthehousearchedhereyebrowsinsayinggood-

night，andofferedthetwoyoungmenremainingseatshomeinhercarriage。Beatongloomilyrefused，andshekeptherselffromaskingthestudentofhumannature，tillshehadgothimintohercarriage，"WhatisMoffitt，andwhatdidyousayaboutit?"

"Nowyousee，Margaret，"saidMrs。Horn，withbatedtriumph，whenthepeoplewereallgone。

"Yes，Isee，"thegirlconsented。"Fromonepointofview，ofcourseit"sbeenafailure。Idon"tthinkwe"vegivenMissDryfoosapleasure，butperhapsnobodycould。Andatleastwe"vegivenhertheopportunityofenjoyingherself。"

"Suchpeople，"saidMrs。Horn，philosophically，"peoplewiththeirmoney，mustofcoursebereceivedsoonerorlater。Youcan"tkeepthemout。

Only，IbelieveIwouldratherletsomeoneelsebeginwiththem。TheLeightonsdidn"tcome?"

"Isentthemcards。Icouldn"tcallagain。"

Mrs。Hornsighedalittle。"IsupposeMr。Dryfoosisoneofyourfellow-

philanthropists?"

"He"soneoftheworkers，"saidMargaret。"ImethimseveraltimesattheHall，butIonlyknewhisfirstname。Ithinkhe"sagreatfriendofFatherBenedict；heseemsdevotedtothework。Don"tyouthinkhelooksgood?"

"Very，"saidMrs。Horn，withacolorofcensureinherassent。"Theyoungergirlseemedmoreamiablethanhersister。Butwhatmanners!"

"Dreadful!"saidMargaret，withknitbrows，andapursedmouthofhumoroussuffering。"Butsheappearedtofeelverymuchathome。"

"Oh，astothat，neitherofthemwasmuchabashed。DoyousupposeMr。Beatongavetheotheronesomehintsforthatquaintdressofhers?

Idon"timaginethatblackandlaceisherowninvention。Sheseemstohavesomesortofstrangefascinationforhim。"

"She"sverypicturesque，"Margaretexplained。"Andartistsseepointsinpeoplethattherestofusdon"t。"

"Coulditbehermoney?"Mrs。Horninsinuated。"Hemustbeverypoor。"

"Butheisn"tbase，"retortedthegirl，withagenerousindignationthatmadeherauntsmile。

"Ohno；butifhefancieshersopicturesque，itdoesn"tfollowthathewouldobjecttoherbeingrich。"

"ItwouldwithamanlikeMr。Beaton!"

"Youareanidealist，Margaret。IsupposeyourMr。MarchhassomedisinterestedmotiveinpayingcourttoMissMela——Pamela，Isuppose，ishername。Hetalkedtoherlongerthanherliteraturewouldhavelasted。"

"Heseemsaverykindperson，"saidMargaret。

"AndMr。Dryfoospayshissalary?"

"Idon"tknowanythingaboutthat。Butthatwouldn"tmakeanydifferencewithhim。"

Mrs。Hornlaughedoutatthissecurity；butshewasnotdispleasedbythenoblenesswhichitcamefrom。ShelikedMargarettobehigh-minded，andwasreallynotdistressedbyanygoodthatwasinher。

TheMarcheswalkedhome，bothbecauseitwasnotfar，andbecausetheymustspareincarriagehireatanyrate。Assoonastheywereoutofthehouse，sheappliedapointofconsciencetohim。

"Idon"tseehowyoucouldtalktothatgirlsolong，Basil，andmakeherlaughso。"

"Why，thereseemednooneelsetodoit，tillIthoughtofKendricks。"

"Yes，butIkeptthinking，Nowhe"spleasanttoherbecausehethinksit"stohisinterest。Ifshehadnorelationto"EveryOtherWeek，"hewouldn"twastehistimeonher。"

"Isabel，"Marchcomplained，"Iwishyouwouldn"tthinkofmeinhe，him，andhis；Ineverpersonalizeyouinmythoughts:youremainalwaysavagueunindividualizedessence，notquitewithoutformandvoid，butnounlessandpronounless。Icallthatamuchmorebeautifulmentalattitudetowardtheobjectofone"saffections。Butifyoumustheandhimandhismeinyourthoughts，Iwishyou"dhavemorekindlythoughtsofme。"

"Doyoudenythatit"strue，Basil?"

"Doyoubelievethatit"strue，Isabel?"

"Nomatter。Butcouldyouexcuseitifitwere?"

"Ah，Iseeyou"dhavebeencapableofitinmy，place，andyou"reashamed。"

"Yes，"sighedthewife，"I"mafraidthatIshould。Buttellmethatyouwouldn"t，Basil!"

"IcantellyouthatIwasn"t。ButIsupposethatinarealexigency，IcouldtruckletotheproprietaryDryfoosesaswellasyou。"

"Ohno；youmustn"t，dear!I"mawoman，andI"mdreadfullyafraid。Butyoumustalwaysbeaman，especiallywiththathorridoldMr。Dryfoos。

Promisemethatyou"llneveryieldtheleastpointtohiminamatterofrightandwrong!"

"Notifhe"srightandI"mwrong?"

"Don"ttrifle，dear!YouknowwhatImean。Willyoupromise?"

"I"llpromisetosubmitthepointtoyou，andletyoudotheyielding。

Asforme，Ishallbeadamant。NothingIlikebetter。"

"They"redreadful，eventhatpoor，goodyoungfellow，who"ssodifferentfromalltherest；he"sawful，too，becauseyoufeelthathe"samartyrtothem。"

"AndIneverdidlikemartyrsagreatdeal，"Marchinterposed。

"Iwonderhowtheycametobethere，"Mrs。Marchpursued，unmindfulofhisjoke。

"ThatisexactlywhatseemedtobepuzzlingMissMelaaboutus。Sheasked，andIexplainedaswellasIcould；andthenshetoldmethatMissVancehadcometocallonthemandinvitedthem；andfirsttheydidn"tknowhowtheycouldcometilltheythoughtofmakingConradbringthem。

Butshedidn"tsaywhyMissVancecalledonthem。Mr。Dryfoosdoesn"temployheron"EveryOtherWeek。"ButIsupposeshehasherownvilelittlemotive。"

"Itcan"tbetheirmoney；itcan"tbe!"sighedMrs。March。

"Well，Idon"tknow。Weallrespectmoney。"

"Yes，butMissVance"spositionissosecure。Sheneedn"tpaycourttothosestupid，vulgarpeople。"

"Well，let"sconsoleourselveswiththebeliefthatshewould，ifsheneeded。SuchpeopleastheDryfoosesaretherawmaterialofgoodsociety。Itisn"tmadeupofrefinedormeritoriouspeople——professorsandlitterateurs，ministersandmusicians，andtheirfamilies。Allthefashionablepeoplethereto-nightwereliketheDryfoosesagenerationortwoago。Idaresaythematerialworksupfasternow，andinaseasonortwoyouwon"tknowtheDryfoosesfromtheotherplutocrats。THEYwill——

alittlebetterthantheydonow；they"llseeadifference，butnothingradical，nothingpainful。Peoplewhogetupintheworldbyservicetoothers——throughletters，orart，orscience——mayhavetheirmodestlittlemisgivingsastotheirsocialvalue，butpeoplethatrisebymoney——

especiallyiftheirgainsaresudden——neverhave。Andthat"sthekindofpeoplethatformournobility；there"snousepretendingthatwehaven"tanobility；wemightaswellpretendwehaven"tfirst-classcarsinthepresenceofavestibuledPullman。Thosegirlshadnomoredoubtoftheirrighttobetherethaniftheyhadbeenduchesses:wethoughtitwasveryniceofMissVancetocomeandaskus，buttheydidn"t；theyweren"tafraid，ortheleastembarrassed；theywereperfectlynatural——likebornaristocrats。Andyoumaybesurethatiftheplutocracythatnowownsthecountryeverseesfittotakeontheoutwardsignsofanaristocracy——titles，andarms，andancestors——itwon"tfalterfromanyinherentquestionofitsworth。Moneyprizesandhonorsitself，andifthereisanythingithasn"tgot，itbelievesitcanbuyit。"

Well，Basil，"saidhiswife，"Ihopeyouwon"tgetinfectedwithLindau"sideasofrichpeople。Someofthemareverygoodandkind。"

"Whodeniesthat?NotevenLindauhimself。It"sallright。Andthegreatthingisthattheevening"senjoymentisover。I"vegotmysocietysmileoff，andI"mradiantlyhappy。Goonwithyourlittlepessimisticdiatribes，Isabel；youcan"tspoilmypleasure。"

"Icouldsee，"saidMela，assheandChristinedrovehometogether，"thatshewasasjealousasshecouldbe，allthetimeyouwastalkun"toMr。

Beaton。Shepretendedtobetalkun"toConrad，butshekep"hereyeonyouprettyclose，Icantellyou。Ibetshejustgotustheretoseehowhimandyouwouldacttogether。AndIreckonshewassatisfied。He"sdeadgoneonyou，Chris。"

ChristinelistenedwithadreamypleasuretotheflatterieswithwhichMelapliedherinthehopeofsomereturninkind，andnotatallbecauseshefeltspitefullytowardMissVance，orinanywisewishedherill。

"Whowasthatfellowwithyousolong?"askedChristine。"Isupposeyouturnedyourselfinsideouttohim，likeyoualwaysdo。"

Melawastransportedbythecruelingratitude。"It"salie!Ididn"ttellhimasinglething。"

Conradwalkedhome，choosingtodosobecausehedidnotwishtohearhissisters"talkoftheevening，andbecausetherewasatumultinhisspiritwhichhewishedtolethaveitsway。Inhislifewithitssinglepurpose，defeatedbystrongerwillsthanhisown，andnowstrugglingpartiallytofulfilitselfinactsofdevotiontoothers，thethoughtofwomenhadenteredscarcelymorethaninthatofachild。Hisidealswereofavirginalvagueness；faces，voices，gestureshadfilledhisfancyattimes，butalmostpassionately；andthesensationthathenowindulgedwasakindofworship，ardent，butreverentandexalted。Thebrutalexperiencesoftheworldmakeusforgetthattherearesuchnaturesinit，andthattheyseemtocomeupoutofthelowlyearthaswellasdownfromthehighheaven。Intheheartofthismanwellontowardthirtytherehadneverbeenleftthestainofabasethought；notthatsuggestionandconjecturehadnotvisitedhim，butthathehadnotentertainedthem，orinany-wisemadethemhis。InaCatholicageandcountry，hewouldhavebeenoneofthosemonkswhoaresaintedafterdeathfortheangelicpurityoftheirlives，andwhosenamesareinvokedbybelieversinmomentsoftrial，likeSanLuigiGonzaga。Ashenowwalkedalongthinking，withalover"sbeatifiedsmileonhisface，ofhowMargaretVancehadspokenandlooked，hedramatizedscenesinwhichbeapprovedhimselftoherbyactsofgoodnessandunselfishness，anddiedtopleaseherforthesakeofothers。Hemadeherpraisehimforthem，tohisface，whenhedisclaimedtheirmerit，andafterhisdeath，whenhe

Butallthisdidnotadmittheideaofpossession，evenofaspiration。

Atthemosthisworshiponlysetherbeyondtheloveofothermenasfarasbeyondhisown。

EndAHazardofNewFortunesV4

ByWilliamDeanHowellsPARTFOURTH

NotlongafterLent，FulkersonsetbeforeDryfoosonedayhisschemeforadinnerincelebrationofthesuccessof"EveryOtherWeek。"Dryfooshadnevermeddledinanymannerwiththeconductoftheperiodical；

butFulkersoneasilysawthathewasproudofhisrelationtoit，andheproceededuponthetheorythathewouldbewillingtohavethisrelationknown:Onthedayswhenhehadbeenluckyinstocks，hewasapttodropinattheofficeonEleventhStreet，onhiswayup-town，andlistentoFulkerson"stalk。HewasongoodenoughtermswithMarch，whorevisedhisfirstimpressionsoftheman，buttheyhadnotmuchtosaytoeachother，anditseemedtoMarchthatDryfooswasevenalittleafraidofhim，asofapieceofmechanismhehadacquired，butdidnotquiteunderstand；helefttheworkingofittoFulkerson，whonodoubtbraggedofitsufficiently。Theoldmanseemedtohaveaslittletosaytohisson；heshuthimselfupwithFulkerson，wheretheotherscouldhearthemanagerbeginandgoonwithanunstintedflowoftalkabout"EveryOtherWeek；"forFulkersonnevertalkedofanythingelseifhecouldhelpit，andwasalwaysbringingtheconversationbacktoitifitstrayed:

Thedayhespokeofthedinnerheroseandcalledfromhisdoor:"March，Isay，comedownhereaminute，willyou?Conrad，Iwantyou，too。"

Theeditorandthepublisherfoundthemanagerandtheproprietorseatedonoppositesidesofthetable。"It"saboutthosefuneralbakedmeats，youknow，"Fulkersonexplained，"andIwastryingtogiveMr。Dryfoossomeideaofwhatwewantedtodo。Thatis，whatIwantedtodo，"hecontinued，turningfromMarchtoDryfoos。"March，here，isopposedtoit，ofcourse。He"dliketopublish"EveryOtherWeek"onthesly；keepitoutofthepapers，andoffthenewsstands；he"samodestBostonpetunia，andheshrinksfrompublicity；butIamnotthatkindofherbmyself，andIwantallthepublicitywecanget——beg，borrow，orsteal——

forthisthing。Isaythatyoucan"tworkthesacredritesofhospitalityinabettercause，andwhatIproposeisalittledinnerforthepurposeofrecognizingthehitwe"vemadewiththisthing。Myideawastostrikeyouforthenecessaryfunds，anddothethingonahandsomescale。Thetermlittledinnerisamerefigureofspeech。Alittledinnerwouldn"tmakeabigtalk，andwhatwewantisthebigtalk，atpresent，ifwedon"tlayupacent。MynotionwasthatprettysoonafterLent，now，wheneverybodyisfeelingjustright，weshouldbegintosendoutourparagraphs，affirmative，negative，andexplanatory，andalongaboutthefirstofMayweshouldsitdownaboutahundredstrong，themostdistinguishedpeopleinthecountry，andsolemnizeourtriumph。

Thereitisinanutshell。ImightexpandandImightexpound，butthat"sthesumandsubstanceofit。"

Fulkersonstopped，andranhiseyeseagerlyoverthefacesofhisthreelisteners，oneaftertheother。MarchwasalittlesurprisedwhenDryfoosturnedtohim，butthatreferenceofthequestionseemedtogiveFulkersonparticularpleasure:"Whatdoyouthink，Mr。March?"

Theeditorleanedbackinhischair。"Idon"tpretendtohaveMr。

Fulkerson"sgeniusforadvertising；butitseemstomealittleearlyyet。Wemightcelebratelaterwhenwe"vegotmoretocelebrate。Atpresentwe"reapleasingnovelty，ratherthanafixedfact。"

"Ah，youdon"tgettheidea!"saidFulkerson。"Whatwewanttodowiththisdinneristofixthefact。"

"AmIgoingtocomeinanywhere?"theoldmaninterrupted。

"You"regoingtocomeinattheheadoftheprocession!Wearegoingtostrikeeverythingthatisimaginativeandromanticinthenewspapersoulwithyouandyourhistoryandyourfancyforgoinginforthisthing。

Icanstartyouinaparagraphthatwilltravelthroughallthenewspapers，fromMainetoTexasandfromAlaskatoFlorida。Wehavehadallsortsofrichmenbackingupliteraryenterprises，butthenatural-

gasmaninliteratureisanewthing，andthecombinationofyourpicturesquepastandyouraestheticpresentissomethingthatwillknockoutthesympathiesoftheAmericanpublicthefirstround。Ifeel，"

saidFulkerson，withatremorofpathosinhisvoice，"that"EveryOtherWeek"isatadisadvantagebeforethepublicaslongasit"ssupposedtobemyenterprise，myidea。AsfarasI"mknownatall，I"mknownsimplyasasyndicateman，andnobodyinthepressbelievesthatI"vegotthemoneytorunthethingonagrandscale；asuspicionofinsolvencymustattachtoitsoonerorlater，andthefellowsonthepresswillworkupthatimpression，soonerorlater，ifwedon"tgivethemsomethingelsetoworkup。Now，assoonasIbegintogiveitawaytothecorrespondentsthatyou"reinit，withyouruntoldmillions——that，infact，itwasyourideafromthestart，thatyouoriginatedittogivefullplaytothehumanitariantendenciesofConradhere，who"salwayshadthesetheoriesofco-operation，andlongedtorealizethemforthebenefitofourstrugglingyoungwritersandartists——"

MarchhadlistenedwithgrowingamusementtothemingledburlesqueandearnestofFulkerson"sself-sacrificingimpudence，andwithwonderastohowfarDryfooswasconsentingtohispreposterousproposition，whenConradbrokeout:"Mr。Fulkerson，Icouldnotallowyoutodothat。Itwouldnotbetrue；Ididnotwishtobehere；and——andwhatIthink——whatIwishtodo——thatissomethingIwillnotletanyoneputmeinafalsepositionabout。No!"Thebloodrushedintotheyoungman"sgentleface，andhemethisfather"sglancewithdefiance。

DryfoosturnedfromhimtoFulkersonwithoutspeaking，andFulkersonsaid，caressingly:"Why，ofcourse，Coonrod!Iknowhowyoufeel，andI

shouldn"tletanythingofthatsortgooutuncontradictedafterward。Butthereisn"tanythinginthesetimesthatwouldgiveusbetterstandingwiththepublicthansomehintofthewayyoufeelaboutsuchthings。

Thepublicsexpectstobeinterested，andnothingwouldinterestitmorethantobetoldthatthesuccessof"EveryOtherWeek"sprangfromthefirstapplicationoftheprincipleofLiveandletLivetoaliteraryenterprise。Itwouldlookparticularlywell，comingfromyouandyourfather，butifyouobject，wecanleavethatpartout；thoughifyouapproveoftheprincipleIdon"tseewhyyouneedobject。Themainthingistoletthepublicknowthatitowesthisthingtotheliberalandenlightenedspiritofoneoftheforemostcapitalistsofthecountry；andthathispurposesarenotlikelytobebetrayedinthehandsofhisson，Ishouldgetalittlecutmadefromaphotographofyourfather，andsupplyitgratiswiththeparagraphs。"

"Iguess，"saidtheoldman，"wewillgetalongwithoutthecut。"

Fulkersonlaughed。"Well，well!Haveityourownway，Butthesightofyourfaceinthepatentoutsidesofthecountrypresswouldbeworthhalfadozensubscribersineveryschooldistrictthroughoutthelengthandbreadthofthisfairland。"

Therewasafellow，"Dryfoosexplained，inanasidetoMarch，"thatwasgettingupahistoryofMoffitt，andheaskedmetolethimputasteelengravingofmein。Hesaidagoodmanyprominentcitizensweregoingtohavetheirsin，andhispricewasahundredandfiftydollars。ItoldhimIcouldn"tletminegoforlessthantwohundred，andwhenhesaidhecouldgivemeasplendidplateforthatmoney，IsaidIshouldwantitcash，Youneversawafellowmoreastonishedwhenhegotitthroughhim。

thatIexpectedhimtopaythetwohundred。"

Fulkersonlaughedinkeenappreciationofthejoke。"Well，sir，Iguess"EveryOtherWeek"willpayyouthatmuch。Butifyouwon"tsellatanyprice，allright；wemusttrytoworryalongwithoutthelightofyourcountenanceon，theposters，butwegottohaveitforthebanquet。"

"Idon"tseemtofeelveryhungry，yet，"saidtheyoldman，dryly。

"Oh，"l"appeitvientenmangeant"，asourFrenchfriendssay。You"llbehungryenoughwhenyouseethepreliminaryLittleNeckclam。It"stoolateforoysters。"

"Doesn"tthatfactseemtopointtoapostponementtilltheygetback，sometimeinOctober，"Marchsuggested，"No，no!"saidFulkerson，"youdon"tcatchontothebusinessendofthisthing，myfriends。You"reproceedingonsomethingliketheoldexplodedideathatthedemandcreatesthesupply，wheneverybodyknows，ifhe"swatchedthecourseofmodernevents，thatit"sjustasapttobetheotherway。Icontendthatwe"vegotarealsubstantialsuccesstocelebratenow；butevenifwehadn"t，thecelebrationwoulddomorethananythingelsetocreatethesuccess，ifwegotitproperlybeforethepublic。Peoplewillsay:Thosefellowsarenotfools；theywouldn"tgoandrejoiceovertheirmagazineunlesstheyhadgotabigthinginit。

AndthestateoffeelingweshouldproduceinthepublicmindwouldmakeaboomofperfectlyunprecedentedgrandeurforE。O。W。Heigh?"

Helookedsunnilyfromonetotheotherinsuccession。TheelderDryfoossaid，withhischinonthetopofhisstick，"IreckonthoseLittleNeckclamswillkeep。"

"Well，justasyousay，"Fulkersoncheerfullyassented。"Iunderstandyoutoagreetothegeneralprincipleofalittledinner?"

"Thesmallerthebetter，"saidtheoldman。

"Well，Isayalittledinnerbecausetheideaofthatseemstocoverthecase，evenifwevarytheplanalittle。Ihadthoughtofareception，maybe，thatwouldincludetheladycontributorsandartists，andthewivesanddaughtersoftheothercontributors。Thatwouldgiveusthechancetoringinalotofsocietycorrespondentsandgetthethingwrittenupinfirst-classshape。By-the-way!"criedFulkerson，slappinghimselfontheleg，"whynothavethedinnerandthereceptionboth?"

"Idon"tunderstand，"saidDryfoos。

"Why，haveaselectlittledinnerfortenortwentychoicespiritsofthemalepersuasion，andthen，aboutteno"clock，throwopenyourpalatialdrawing-roomsandadmitthefemalestochampagne，salads，andices。Itistheverything!Come!"

"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Mr。March?"askedDryfoos，onwhosesocialinexperienceFulkerson"swordsprojectednoveryintelligibleimage，andwhoperhapshopedforsomemorelight。

"It"sabeautifulvision，"saidMarch，"andifitwilltakemoretimetorealizeitIthinkIapprove。IapproveofanythingthatwilldelayMr。

Fulkerson"sadvertisingorgie。"

"Then，"Fulkersonpursued，"wecouldhavethepleasureofMissChristineandMissMela"scompany；andmaybeMrs。Dryfooswouldlookinonusinthecourseoftheevening。There"snohurry，asMr。Marchsuggests，ifwecangivethethingthisshape。Iwillcheerfullyadopttheideaofmyhonorablecolleague。"

Marchlaughedathisimpudence，butathearthewasashamedofFulkersonforproposingtomakeuseofDryfoosandhishouseinthatway。

Hefanciedsomethingappealinginthelookthattheoldmanturnedonhim，andsomethingindignantinConrad"sflush；butprobablythiswasonlyhisfancy。Hereflectedthatneitherofthemcouldfeelitaspeopleofmoreworldlyknowledgewould，andheconsoledhimselfwiththefactthatFulkersonwasreallynotsuchacharlatanasheseemed。ButitwentthroughhismindthatthiswasastrangeendforallDryfoos"smoney-makingtocometo；andhephilosophicallyacceptedthefactofhisownhumblefortuneswhenhereflectedhowlittlehismoneycouldbuyforsuchaman。ItwasanhonorableusethatFulkersonwasputtingittoin"EveryOtherWeek；"itmightbefarmorecreditablyspentonsuchanenterprisethanonhorses，orwines，orwomen，theusualresourcesofthebruterich；andifitweretobelost，itmightbetterbelostthatwaythaninstocks。HekeptasmilingfaceturnedtoDryfooswhiletheseirreverentconsiderationsoccupiedhim，andhardenedhisheartagainstfatherandsonandtheirpossibleemotions。

Theoldmanrosetoputanendtotheinterview。Heonlyrepeated，"Iguessthoseclamswillkeeptillfall。"

ButFulkersonwasapparentlysatisfiedwiththeprogresshehadmade；andwhenhejoinedMarchforthestrollhomewardafterofficehours，hewasabletodetachhismindfromthesubject，asifcontenttoleaveit。

"ThisisaboutthebestpartoftheyearinNewYork，"hesaid；Insomeoftheareasthegrasshadsprouted，andthetenderyoungfoliagehadlooseneditselffrozethebudsonasidewalktreehereandthere；thesoftairwasfullofspring，andthedelicatesky，faraloof，hadthelookitneverwearsatanyotherseason。"Itain"tatimeofyeartocomplainmuchof，anywhere；butIdon"twantanythingbetterthanthemonthofMayinNewYork。FartherSouthit"stoohot，andI"vebeeninBostoninMaywhenthateastwindofyoursmadeeverynerveinmybodygetupandhowl。Ireckontheweatherhasagooddealtodowiththelocaltemperament。ThereasonaNewYorkmantakeslifesoeasilywithallhisrushisthathisclimatedon"tworryhim。ButaBostonmanmustberaspedthewholewhilebytheedgeinhisair。Thataccountsforhissharpness；andwhenhe"slivedthroughtwenty-fiveorthirtyBostonMays，hegetstothinkingthatProvidencehassomeparticularuseforhim，orhewouldn"thavesurvived，andthatmakeshimconceited。See?"

"Isee，"saidMarch。"ButIdon"tknowhowyou"regoingtoworkthatideaintoanadvertisement，exactly。"

"Oh，pahaw，now，March!Youdon"tthinkI"vegotthatonthebrainallthetime?"

"Youweregraduallyleadingupto"EveryOtherWeek"，somehow。"

"No，sir；Iwasn"t。IwasjustthinkingwhatadifferentcreatureaMassachusettsmanisfromaVirginian，AndyetIsupposethey"rebothaspureEnglishstockasyou"llgetanywhereinAmerica。Marsh，IthinkColonelWoodburn"spaperisgoingtomakeahit。"

"You"vegotthere!Whenitknocksdownthesaleaboutone-half，Ishallknowit"smadeahit。"

"I"mnotafraid，"saidFulkerson。"Thatthingisgoingtoattractattention。It"swellwritten——youcantakethepomposityoutofit，hereandthereandit"snovel。Ourpeoplelikeaboldstrike，andit"sgoingtoshakethemuptremendouslytohaveserfdomadvocatedonhighmoralgroundsastheonlysolutionofthelaborproblem。Yousee，inthefirstplace，hegoesfortheirsympathiesbythewayheportraystheactualrelationsofcapitalandlabor；heshowshowthingshavegottogofrombadtoworse，andthenhetrotsouthislittleoldhobby，andprovesthatifslaveryhadnotbeeninterferedwith，itwouldhaveperfecteditselfintheinterestofhumanity。Hemakesaprettystrongpleaforit。"

Marchthrewbackhisheadandlaughed。"He"sconvertedyou!Iswear，Fulkerson，ifwehadacceptedandpaidforanarticleadvocatingcannibalismastheonlyresourceforgettingridofthesuperfluouspoor，you"dbegintobelieveinit。"

Fulkersonsmiledinapprovalofthejoke，andonlysaid:"Iwishyoucouldmeetthecolonelintheprivacyofthedomesticcircle，March。

You"dlikehim。He"sasplendidoldfellow；regulartype。Talkaboutspring!

Yououghttoseethewidow"slittlebackyardthesedays。Youknowthatglassgalleryjustbeyondthedining-room?Thosegirlshavegotthepot-

plantsoutofthat，andalotmore，andthey"veturnedtheedgesofthatbackyard，alongthefence，intoaregularbower；they"vegotsweetpeasplanted，andnasturtiums，andweshallbeinablazeofgloryaboutthebeginningofJune。Funtosee"emworkinthegarden，andthebirdbossingthejobinhiscageunderthecherry-tree。Havetokeepthemiddleoftheyardfortheclothesline，butsixdaysintheweekit"salawn，andIgooveritwithamowermyself。March，thereain"tanythinglikeahome，isthere?Dearlittlecotofyourown，heigh?Itellyou，March，whenIgettopushingthatmowerround，andthecolonelissmokinghiscigarinthegallery，andthosegirlsarepotteringovertheflowers，oneofthesesofteveningsafterdinner，Ifeellikeahumanbeing。Yes，Ido。IstruckitrichwhenIconcludedtotakemymealsatthewidow"s。

ForeightdollarsaweekIgetgoodboard，refinedsociety，andalltheadvantagesofaChristianhome。By-the-way，you"veneverhadmuchtalkwithMissWoodburn，haveyou，March?"

"NotsomuchaswithMissWoodburn"sfather。"

"Well，heisratherapttoscooptheconversation。Imustdrawhisfire，sometime，whenyouandMrs。Marcharearound，andgetyouachancewithMissWoodburn。"

"Ishouldlikethatbetter，Ibelieve，"saidMarch。

"Well，Ishouldn"twonderifyoudid。Curious，butMissWoodburnisn"tatallyourideaofaSoutherngirl。She"sgotlotsofgo；she"sneveridleaminute；shekeepstheoldgentlemaninfirst-classshape，andshedon"tbelieveabitintheslaverysolutionofthelaborproblem；saysshe"sgladit"sgone，andifit"sanythingliketheeffectsofit，she"sgladitwentbeforehertime。No，sir，she"sasfullofsnapastheliveliestkindofaNortherngirl。NoneofthatsunnySouthernlanguoryoureadabout。"

"IsupposethetypicalSoutherner，likethetypicalanythingelse，isprettydifficulttofind，"saidMarch。"ButperhapsMissWoodburnrepresentsthenewSouth。Themodernconditionsmustbeproducingamoderntype。"

"Well，that"swhatsheandthecolonelbothsay。Theysaythereain"tanythingleftofthatWalterScottdignityandchivalryintherisinggeneration；takestoomuchtime。Yououghttoseehersketchtheold-

school，high-and-mightymanners，astheysurviveamongsomeoftheantiquesinCharlottesburg。Ifthatthingcouldbeputuponthestageitwouldbeakillingsuccess。Makestheoldgentlemanlaughinspiteofhimself。Buthe"sasproudofherasPunch，anyway。Whydon"tyouandMrs。Marchcomeroundoftener?Lookhere!Howwoulditdotohavealittleexcursion，somewhere，afterthespringfairlygetsinitswork?"

"Reporterspresent?"

"No，no!Nothingofthatkind；perfectlysincereanddisinterestedenjoyment。"

"Oh，afewhandbillstobescatteredaround:"BuyEveryOtherWeek，"

Lookoutforthenextnumberof"EveryOtherWeek，""EveryOtherWeekatallthenews-stands。"Well，I"lltalkitoverwithMrs。March。I

supposethere"snogreathurry。"

MarchtoldhiswifeoftheidyllicmoodinwhichhehadleftFulkersonatthewidow"sdoor，andshesaidhemustbeinlove。

"Why，ofcourse!IwonderIdidn"tthinkofthat。ButFulkersonissuchanimpartialadmirerofthewholesexthatyoucan"tthinkofhislikingonemorethananother。Idon"tknowthatheshowedanyunjustpartiality，though，inhistalkof"thosegirls，"ashecalledthem。

AndIalwaysratherfanciedthatMrs。Mandel——he"sdonesomuchforher，youknow；andsheissuchawell-balanced，well-preservedperson，andsolady-likeandcorrect——"

"Fulkersonhadthewordforher:academic。She"severythingthatinstructionanddisciplinecanmakeofawoman；butIshouldn"tthinktheycouldmakeenoughofhertobeinlovewith。"

"Well，Idon"tknow。Theacademichasitscharm。TherearemoodsinwhichIcouldimaginemyselfinlovewithanacademicperson。Thatregularityofline；thatreasonedstrictnessofcontour；thatneatnessofpose；thatslightlyconventionalbutharmoniousgroupingoftheemotionsandmorals——youcanseehowitwouldhaveitscharm，theWedgwoodinhumannature?IwonderwhereMrs。Mandelkeepsherurnandherwillow。"

"Ishouldthinkshemighthaveusefortheminthatfamily，poorthing!"

saidMrs。March。

"Ah，thatremindsme，"saidherhusband，"thatwehadanothertalkwiththeoldgentleman，thisafternoon，aboutFulkerson"sliterary，artistic，andadvertisingorgie，andit"spostponedtillOctober。"

"Thelaterthebetter，Ishouldthink，"saidMrs:March，whodidnotreallythinkaboutitatall，butwhomthedatefixedforitcausedtothinkoftheinterveningtime。"Wehavegottoconsiderwhatwewilldoaboutthesummer，beforelong，Basil。"

"Oh，notyet，notyet，"hepleaded；withthatman"swillingnesstoabideinthepresent，whichissotryingtoawoman。"It"sonlytheendofApril。"

"ItwillbetheendofJunebeforeweknow。AndthesepeoplewantingtheBostonhouseanotheryearcomplicatesit。Wecan"tspendthesummerthere，asweplanned。"

"Theyoughtn"ttohaveofferedusanincreasedrent；theyhavetakenanadvantageofus。"

"Idon"tknowthatitmatters，"saidMrs。March。"Ihaddecidednottogothere。"

"Hadyou?Thisisasurprise。"

"Everythingisasurprisetoyou，Basil，whenithappens。"

"True；Ikeeptheworldfresh，thatway。"

"Itwouldn"thavebeenanychangetogofromonecitytoanotherforthesummer。WemightaswellhavestayedinNewYork。"

"Yes，Iwishwehadstayed，"saidMarch，idlyhumoringaconceptionoftheaccomplishedfact。"Mrs。Greenwouldhaveletushavethegimcrackeryverycheapforthesummermonths；andwecouldhavemadeallsortsofnicelittleexcursionsandtripsoffandbeentwiceaswellasifwehadspentthesummeraway。"

"Nonsense!Youknowwecouldn"tspendthesummerinNewYork。"

"IknowIcould。"

"Whatstuff!Youcouldn"tmanage。"

"Ohyes，Icould。IcouldtakemymealsatFulkerson"swidow"s；oratMaroni"s，withpooroldLindau:he"sgottodiningthereagain。Or，I

couldkeephouse，andhecoulddinewithmehere。"

TherewasateasinglookinMarch"seyes，andhebrokeintoalaugh，atthefirmnesswithwhichhiswifesaid:"Ithinkifthereistobeanyhousekeeping，Iwillstay，too；andhelptolookafterit。Iwouldtrynotintrudeuponyouandyourguest。"

"Oh，weshouldbeonlytoogladtohaveyoujoinus，"saidMarch，playingwithfire。

"Verywell，then，IwishyouwouldtakehimofftoMaroni"s，thenexttimehecomestodinehere!"criedhiswife。

TheexperimentofmakingMarch"soldfriendfreeofhishousehadnotgivenherallthepleasurethatsokindathingoughttohaveaffordedsogoodawoman。ShereceivedLindauatfirstwithrobustbenevolence，andthehighresolvenottoletanyofhislittlepeculiaritiesalienateherfromasenseofhisclaimuponhersympathyandgratitude，notonlyasamanwhohadbeensogenerouslyfondofherhusbandinhisyouth，butaherowhohadsufferedforhercountry。Hertheorywasthathismutilationmustnotbeignored，butmustbekeptinmindasamonumentofhissacrifice，andshefortifiedBellawiththisconception，sothatthechildbravelysatnexthismaimedarmattableandhelpedhimtodisheshecouldnotreach，andcutuphismeatforhim。AsforMrs。Marchherself，thethoughtofhismutilationmadeheralittlefaint；shewasnotwithoutabewilderedresentmentofitspresenceasasortofoppression。ShedidnotlikehisdrinkingsomuchofMarch"sbeer，either；itwasnoharm，butitwassomehowunworthy，outofcharacterwithaheroofthewar。ButwhatshereallycouldnotreconcileherselftowastheviolenceofLindau"ssentimentsconcerningthewholepoliticalandsocialfabric。Shedidnotfeelsurethatheshouldbeallowedtosaysuchthingsbeforethechildren，whohadbeennurturedinthefaithofBunkerHillandAppomattox，asthebeginningandtheendofallpossibleprogressinhumanrights。Asawomanshewasnaturallyanaristocrat，butasanAmericanshewastheoreticallyademocrat；anditastounded，italarmedher，tohearAmericandemocracydenouncedasashufflingevasion。ShehadnevercaredmuchfortheUnitedStatesSenate，butshedoubtedifsheoughttositbywhenitwasrailedatasarichman"sclub。Itshockedhertobetoldthattherichandpoorwerenotequalbeforethelawinacountrywherejusticemustbepaidforateverystepinfeesandcosts，orwhereapoormanmustgotowarinhisownperson，andarichmanmighthiresomeonetogoinhis。Mrs。MarchfeltthatthisrebelliousmindinLindaureallysomehowoutlawedhimfromsympathy，andretroactivelyundidhispastsufferingforthecountry:shehadalwaysparticularlyvaluedthatprovisionofthelaw，becauseinforecastingallthepossiblemischancesthatmightbefallherownson，shehadbeencomfortedbythethoughtthatifthereeverwasanotherwar，andTomweredrafted，hisfathercouldbuyhimasubstitute。Comparedwithsuchblasphemyasthis，Lindau"sdeclarationthattherewasnotequalityofopportunityinAmerica，andthatfullyone-halfthepeopleweredebarredtheirrighttothepursuitofhappinessbythehopelessconditionsoftheirlives，wasflatteringpraise。Shecouldnotlistentosuchthingsinsilence，though，anditdidnothelpmatterswhenLindaumetherargumentswithfactsandreasonswhichshefeltshewasmerelynotsufficientlyinstructedtocombat，andhewasnotquitegentlemanlytourge。"Iamafraidfortheeffectonthechildren，"shesaidtoherhusband。"Suchperfectlydistortedideas——Tomwillberuinedbythem。"