第2章

"Itcangivemeup，too。"

"Oh，nonsense!Iguessthere\'snotmuchfearofthat。Now，IwantyoutotelegraphMr。Fulkerson，sothathe\'llfindthedespatchwaitingforhimwhenhegetstoNewYork。I\'lltakethewholeresponsibility，Basil，andI\'llriskalltheconsequences。"

III。

March\'sfacehadsoberedmoreandmoreasshefollowedonehopefulburstwithanother，andnowitexpressedapositivepain。Butheforcedasmileandsaid:"There\'salittleconditionattached。Wheredidyousupposeitwastobepublished?"

"Why，inBoston，ofcourse。Whereelseshoulditbepublished?"

Shelookedathimfortheintentionofhisquestionsosearchinglythathequitegaveuptheattempttobegayaboutit。"No，"hesaid，gravely，"it\'stobepublishedinNewYork。"

Shefellbackinherchair。"InNewYork?"Sheleanedforwardoverthetabletowardhim，asiftomakesurethatsheheardaright，andsaid，withallthekeenreproachthathecouldhaveexpected:"InNewYork，Basil!Oh，howcouldyouhaveletmegoon?"

Hehadasufficientlyruefulfaceinowning:"Ioughtn\'ttohavedoneit，butIgotstartedwrong。Icouldn\'thelpputtingthebestfoot，forwardatfirst——oraslongasthewholethingwasintheair。Ididn\'tknowthatyouwouldtakesomuchtothegeneralenterprise，orelseIshouldhavementionedtheNewYorkconditionatonce；but，ofcourse，thatputsanendtoit。"

"Oh，ofcourse，"sheassented，sadly。"WeCOULDN\'TgotoNewYork。"

"No，Iknowthat，"hesaid；andwiththisaperversedesiretotempthertotheimpossibilityawokeinhim，thoughhewasreallyquitecoldabouttheaffairhimselfnow。"FulkersonthoughtwecouldgetaniceflatinNewYorkforaboutwhattheinterestandtaxescametohere，andprovisionsarecheaper。ButIshouldrathernotexperimentatmytimeoflife。IfIcouldhavebeencaughtyounger，ImighthavebeeninuredtoNewYork，butIdon\'tbelieveIcouldstanditnow。"

"HowIhatetohaveyoutalkthatway，Basil!Youareyoungenoughtotryanything——anywhere；butyouknowIdon\'tlikeNewYork。Idon\'tapproveofit。It\'ssobig，andsohideous!OfcourseIshouldn\'tmindthat；butI\'vealwayslivedinBoston，andthechildrenwerebornandhavealltheirfriendshipsandassociationshere。"Sheadded，withthehelplessnessthatdiscreditedhergoodsenseanddidherinjustice，"IhavejustgotthembothintotheFridayafternoonclassatPapanti\'s，andyouknowhowdifficultthatis。"

Marchcouldnotfailtotakeadvantageofanoccasionlikethis。

"Well，thataloneoughttosettleit。Underthecircumstances，itwouldbeflyinginthefaceofProvidencetoleaveBoston。Themerefactofabrilliantopeninglikethatofferedmeon\'TheMicrobe，\'andthehalcyonfuturewhichFulkersonpromisesifwe\'llcometoNewYork，isasdustinthebalanceagainsttheadvantagesoftheFridayafternoonclass。"

"Basil，"sheappealed，solemnly，"haveIeverinterferedwithyourcareer?"

"Ineverhadanyforyoutointerferewith，mydear。"

"Basil!Haven\'tIalwayshadfaithinyou?Anddon\'tyousupposethatifIthoughtitwouldreallybeforyouradvancementIwouldgotoNewYorkoranywherewithyou?"

"No，mydear，Idon\'t，"heteased。"Ifitwouldbeformysalvation，yes，perhaps；butnotshortofthat；andIshouldhavetoprovebyacloudofwitnessesthatitwould。Idon\'tblameyou。Iwasn\'tborninBoston，butIunderstandhowyoufeel。Andreally，mydear，"headded，withoutirony，"IneverseriouslythoughtofaskingyoutogotoNewYork。IwasdazzledbyFulkerson\'soffer，I\'llownthat；buthischoiceofmeaseditorsappedmyconfidenceinhim。"

"Idon\'tliketohearyousaythat，Basil，"sheentreated。

"Well，ofcoursethereweremitigatingcircumstances。IcouldseethatFulkersonmeanttokeepthewhip-handhimself，andthatwasreassuring。

And，besides，iftheReciprocityLifeshouldhappennottowantmyservicesanylonger，itwouldn\'tbequitelikegivingupacertainty；

though，asamatterofbusiness，IletFulkersongetthatimpression；I

feltrathersneakingtodoit。Butiftheworstcomestotheworst，I

canlookaboutforsomethingtodoinBoston；and，anyhow，peopledon\'tstarveontwothousandayear，thoughit\'sconvenienttohavefive。Thefactis，I\'mtoooldtochangesoradically。Ifyoudon\'tlikemysayingthat，thenyouare，Isabel，andsoarethechildren。I\'venorighttotakethemfromthehomewe\'vemade，andtochangethewholecourseoftheirlives，unlessIcanassurethemofsomething，andIcan\'tassurethemofanything。Bostonisbigenoughforus，andit\'scertainlyprettierthanNewYork。IalwaysfeelalittleproudofhailingfromBoston；mypleasureintheplacemountsthefartherIgetawayfromit。

ButIdoappreciateit，mydear；I\'venomoredesiretoleaveitthanyouhave。Youmaybesurethatifyoudon\'twanttotakethechildrenoutoftheFridayafternoonclass，Idon\'twanttoleavemylibraryhere，andallthewaysI\'vegotsetin。We\'llkeepon。Verylikelythecompanywon\'tsupplantme，andifitdoes，andWatkinsgetstheplace，he\'llgivemeasubordinatepositionofsomesort。Cheerup，Isabel!IhaveputSatanandhisangel，Fulkerson，behindme，andit\'sallright。Let\'sgointothechildren。"

HecameroundthetabletoIsabel，whereshesatinagrowingdistraction，andliftedherbythewaistfromherchair。

Shesigheddeeply。"Shallwetellthechildrenaboutit?"

"No。What\'stheuse，now?"

"Therewouldn\'tbeany，"sheassented。Whentheyenteredthefamilyroom，wheretheboyandgirlsatoneithersideofthelampworkingoutthelessonsforMondaywhichtheyhadleftoverfromthedaybefore，sheasked，"Children，howwouldyouliketoliveinNewYork?"

Bellamadehastetogetinherwordfirst。"AndgiveuptheFridayafternoonclass?"shewailed。

Tomgrowledfromhisbook，withoutliftinghiseyes:"Ishouldn\'twanttogotoColumbia。Theyhaven\'tgotanydormitories，andyouhavetoboardroundanywhere。AreyougoingtoNewYork?"Henowdeignedtolookupathisfather。

"No，Tom。YouandBellahavedecidedmeagainstit。Yourperspectiveshowstheaffairinitstrueproportions。IhadanoffertogotoNewYork，butI\'verefusedit。"

IV

March\'sironyfellharmlessfromthechildren\'spreoccupationwiththeirownaffairs，butheknewthathiswifefeltit，andthisaddedtothebitternesswhichpromptedit。HeblamedherforlettingherprovincialnarrownesspreventhisacceptingFulkerson\'sofferquiteasmuchasifhehadotherwiseentirelywishedtoacceptit。Hisworld，likemostworlds，hadbeensuperficiallyadisappointment。Hewasnoricherthanatthebeginning，thoughinmarryinghehadgivenupsometastes，somepreferences，someaspirations，inthehopeofindulgingthemlater，withlargermeansandlargerleisure。Hiswifehadnoturgedhimtodoit；infact，herpride，asshesaid，wasinhisfitnessforthelifehehadrenounced；butshehadacquiesced，andtheyhadbeenveryhappytogether。

Thatistosay，theymadeuptheirquarrelsorignoredthem。

Theyoftenaccusedeachotherofbeingselfishandindifferent，butsheknewthathewouldalwayssacrificehimselfforherandthechildren；

andhe，onhispart，withmanygibesandmockeries，whollytrustedinher。Theyhadgrownpracticallytolerantofeachother\'sdisagreeabletraits；andthedangerthatreallythreatenedthemwasthattheyshouldgrowtoowellsatisfiedwiththemselves，ifnotwitheachother。Theywerenotsentimental，theywererathermatter-of-factintheirmotives；

buttheyhadbothasortofhumorousfondnessforsentimentality。Theylikedtoplaywiththeromantic，fromthesafevantage-groundoftheirrealpracticality，andtodivinethepoetryofthecommonplace。Theirpeculiarpointofviewseparatedthemfrommostotherpeople，withwhomtheirmeansofself-comparisonwerenotsogoodsincetheirmarriageasbefore。Thentheyhadtravelledandseenmuchoftheworld，andtheyhadformedtasteswhichtheyhadnotalwaysbeenabletoindulge，butofwhichtheyfeltthatthepossessionreflecteddistinctiononthem。Itenabledthemtolookdownuponthosewhowerewithoutsuchtastes；buttheywerenotill-natured，andsotheydidnotlookdownsomuchwithcontemptaswithamusement。Intheirunfashionableneighborhoodtheyhadthefameofbeingnotexclusiveprecisely，butverymuchwrappedupinthemselvesandtheirchildren。

Mrs。Marchwasreputedtobeverycultivated，andMr。Marchevenmoreso，amongthesimplerfolkaroundthem。Theirhousehadsomegoodpictures，whichheraunthadbroughthomefromEuropeinmoreaffluentdays，anditaboundedinbooksonwhichhespentmorethanheought。Theyhadbeautifieditineveryway，andhadunconsciouslytakencredittothemselvesforit。Theyfelt，withaglowalmostofvirtue，howperfectlyitfittedtheirlivesandtheirchildren\'s，andtheybelievedthatsomehowitexpressedtheircharacters——thatitwaslikethem。Theywentoutverylittle；sheremainedshutupinitsrefinement，workingthegoodofherown；andhewenttohisbusiness，andhurriedbacktoforgetit，anddreamhisdreamofintellectualachievementintheflatteringatmosphereofhersympathy。HecouldnotconcealfromhimselfthathisdividedlifewassomewhatlikeCharlesLamb\'s，andthereweretimeswhen，ashehadexpressedtoFulkerson，hebelievedthatitsdivisionwasfavorabletothefreshnessofhisinterestinliterature。Itcertainlykeptitahighprivilege，asacredrefuge。Nowandthenhewrotesomething，andgotitprintedafterlongdelays，andwhentheymetontheSt。LawrenceFulkersonhadsomeofMarch\'sversesinhispocket-book，whichhehadcutoutofastraynewspaperandcarriedaboutforyears，becausetheypleasedhisfancysomuch；theyformedanimmediatebondofunionbetweenthemenwhentheirauthorshipwastracedandowned，andthisgaveaprettycolorofromancetotheiracquaintance。But，forthemostpart，Marchwassatisfiedtoread。Hewasproudofreadingcritically，andhekeptinthecurrentofliteraryinterestsandcontroversies。Itallseemedtohim，andtohiswifeatsecond-hand，verymeritorious；hecouldnothelpcontrastinghislifeanditsinnerelegancewiththatofothermenwhohadnosuchresources。Hethoughtthathewasnotarrogantaboutit，becausehedidfulljusticetothegoodqualitiesofthoseotherpeople；

hecongratulatedhimselfuponthedemocraticinstinctswhichenabledhimtodothis；andneitherhenorhiswifesupposedthattheywereselfishpersons。Onthecontrary，theywereverysympathetic；therewasnogoodcausethattheydidnotwishwell；theyhadagenerousscornofallkindsofnarrow-heartedness；ifithadevercomeintotheirwaytosacrificethemselvesforothers，theythoughttheywouldhavedoneso，buttheyneveraskedwhyithadnotcomeintheirway。Theywereverygentleandkind，evenwhenmostelusive；andtheytaughttheirchildrentoloatheallmannerofsocialcruelty。Marchwasofsowatchfulaconscienceinsomerespectsthathedeniedhimselfthepensivepleasureoflapsingintothemelancholyofunfulfilledaspirations；buthedidnotseethat，ifhehadabandonedthem，ithadbeenforwhathehelddearer；generallyhefeltasifhehadturnedfromthemwithahigh，altruisticaim。Thepracticalexpressionofhislifewasthatitwasenoughtoprovidewellforhisfamily；tohavecultivatedtastes，andtogratifythemtotheextentofhismeans；toberatherdistinguished，eveninthesimplificationofhisdesires。Hebelieved，andhiswifebelieved，thatifthetimeevercamewhenhereallywishedtomakeasacrificetothefulfilmentoftheaspirationssolongpostponed，shewouldbereadytojoinwithheartandhand。

Whenhewenttoherroomfromhislibrary，whereshelefthimthewholeeveningwiththechildren，hefoundherbeforetheglassthoughtfullyremovingthefirstdismantlingpinfromherbackhair。

"Ican\'thelpfeeling，"shegrievedintothemirror，"thatit\'sIwhokeepyoufromacceptingthatoffer。Iknowitis!IcouldgoWestwithyou，orintoanewcountry——anywhere；butNewYorkterrifiesme。Idon\'tlikeNewYork，Ineverdid；itdisheartensanddistractsme；Ican\'tfindmyselfinit；Ishouldn\'tknowhowtoshop。IknowI\'mfoolishandnarrowandprovincial，"shewenton，"butIcouldneverhaveanyinnerquietinNewYork；Icouldn\'tliveinthespiritthere。Isupposepeopledo。Itcan\'t，bethatallthesemillions——\'

"Oh，notsobadasthat!"Marchinterposed，laughing。"Therearen\'tquitetwo。"

"Ithoughttherewerefourorfive。Well，nomatter。YouseewhatIam，Basil。I\'mterriblylimited。Icouldn\'tmakemysympathiesgoroundtwomillionpeople；Ishouldbewretched。IsupposeI\'mstandinginthewayofyourhighestinterest，butIcan\'thelpit。Wetookeachotherforbetterorworse，andyoumusttrytobearwithme——"Shebrokeoffandbegantocry。

"Stopit!"shoutedMarch。"ItellyouInevercaredanythingforFulkerson\'sschemeorentertaineditseriously，andIshouldn\'tifhe\'dproposedtocarryitoutinBoston。"Thiswasnotquitetrue，butintheretrospectitseemedsufficientlysoforthepurposesofargument。

"Don\'tsayanotherwordaboutit。Thething\'sovernow，andIdon\'twanttothinkofitanymore。Wecouldn\'tchangeitsnatureifwetalkedallnight。ButIwantyoutounderstandthatitisn\'tyourlimitationsthatareintheway。It\'smine。Ishouldn\'thavethecouragetotakesuchaplace；Idon\'tthinkI\'mfitforit，andthat\'sthelongandshortofit。"

"Oh，youdon\'tknowhowithurtsmetohaveyousaythat，Basil。"

Thenextmorning，astheysattogetheratbreakfast，withoutthechildren，whomtheyletlielateonSunday，Mrs。Marchsaidtoherhusband，silentoverhisfish-ballsandbakedbeans:"WewillgotoNewYork。I\'vedecidedit。"

"Well，ittakestwotodecidethat，"Marchretorted。"WearenotgoingtoNewYork。"

"Yes，weare。I\'vethoughtitout。Now，listen。"

"Oh，I\'mwillingtolisten，"heconsented，airily。

"You\'vealwayswantedtogetoutoftheinsurancebusiness，andnowwiththatfearofbeingturnedoutwhichyouhaveyoumustn\'tneglectthisoffer。Isupposeithasitsrisks，butit\'sariskkeepingonasweare；

andperhapsyouwillmakeagreatsuccessofit。Idowantyoutotry，Basil。IfIcouldoncefeelthatyouhadfairlyseenwhatyoucoulddoinliterature，Ishoulddiehappy。"

"Notimmediatelyafter，Ihope，"hesuggested，takingthesecondcupofcoffeeshehadbeenpouringoutforhim。"AndBoston?"

"Weneedn\'tmakeacompletebreak。Wecankeepthisplaceforthepresent，anyway；wecouldletitforthewinter，andcomebackinthesummernextyear。ItwouldbechangeenoughfromNewYork。"

"FulkersonandIhadn\'tgotasfarastotalkofavacation。"

"Nomatter。ThechildrenandIcouldcome。Andifyoudidn\'tlikeNewYork，ortheenterprisefailed，youcouldgetintosomethinginBostonagain；andwehaveenoughtoliveontillyoudid。Yes，Basil，I\'mgoing。"

"Icanseebythewayyourchintremblesthatnothingcouldstopyou。

YoumaygotoNewYorkifyouwish，Isabel，butIshallstayhere。"

"Beserious，Basil。I\'minearnest。"

"Serious?IfIwereanymoreseriousIshouldshedtears。Come，mydear，Iknowwhatyoumean，andifIhadmyheartsetonthisthing——

Fulkersonalwayscallsit\'thisthing\'Iwouldcheerfullyacceptanysacrificeyoucouldmaketoit。ButI\'drathernotofferyouuponashrineIdon\'tfeelanyparticularfaithin。I\'mverycomfortablewhereIam；thatis，Iknowjustwherethepinchcomes，andifitcomesharder，why，I\'vegotusedtobearingthatkindofpinch。I\'mtoooldtochangepinches。"

"Now，thatdoesdecideme。"

"Itdecidesme，too。"

"Iwilltakealltheresponsibility，Basil，"shepleaded。

"Ohyes；butyou\'llhanditbacktomeassoonasyou\'vecarriedyourpointwithit。There\'snothingmeanaboutyou，Isabel，whereresponsibilityisconcerned。No；ifIdothisthing——Fulkersonagain?

Ican\'tgetawayfrom\'thisthing\'；it\'sominous——ImustdoitbecauseI

wanttodoit，andnotbecauseyouwishthatyouwantedmetodoit。

Iunderstandyourposition，Isabel，andthatyou\'rereallyactingfromagenerousimpulse，butthere\'snothingsoprecariousatourtimeoflifeasagenerousimpulse。Whenwewereyoungerwecouldstandit；wecouldgivewaytoitandtaketheconsequences。Butnowwecan\'tbearit。Wemustactfromcoldreasonevenintheardorofself-sacrifice。"

"Oh，asifyoudidthat!"hiswiferetorted。

"Isthatanycausewhyyoushouldn\'t?"Shecouldnotsaythatitwas，andhewentontriumphantly:

"No，Iwon\'ttakeyouawayfromtheonlysafeplaceontheplanetandplungeyouintothemostperilous，andthenhaveyousayinyourrevulsionoffeelingthatyouwereallagainstitfromthefirst，andyougavewaybecauseyousawIhadmyheartsetonit。"Hesupposedhewastreatingthematterhumorously，butinthissortofbanterbetweenhusbandandwifethereisalwaysmuchmorethanthejoking。Marchhadseensomeprettyfeminineinconsistenciesandtrepidationswhichoncecharmedhiminhiswifehardeningintotraitsofmiddle-agewhichwereverylikethoseoflessinterestingolderwomen。Thesightmovedhimwithakindofpathos，buthefelttheresulthinderingandvexatious。

Shenowretortedthatifhedidnotchoosetotakeheratherwordbeneednot，butthatwhateverhedidsheshouldhavenothingtoreproachherselfwith；and，atleast，hecouldnotsaythatshehadtrappedhimintoanything。

"Whatdoyoumeanbytrapping?"hedemanded。

"Idon\'tknowwhatyoucallit，"sheanswered；"butwhenyougetmetocommitmyselftoathingbyleavingoutthemostessentialpoint，Icallittrapping。"

"Iwonderyoustopattrapping，ifyouthinkIgotyoutofavorFulkerson\'sschemeandthensprungNewYorkonyou。Idon\'tsupposeyoudo，though。ButIguesswewon\'ttalkaboutitanymore。"

Hewentoutforalongwalk，andshewenttoherroom。Theylunchedsilentlytogetherinthepresenceoftheirchildren，whoknewthattheyhadbeenquarrelling，butwereeasilyindifferenttothefact，aschildrengettobeinsuchcases；naturedefendstheiryouth，andtheunhappinesswhichtheybeholddoesnotinfectthem。Intheevening，aftertheboyandgirlhadgonetobed，thefatherandmotherresumedtheirtalk。Hewouldhavelikedtotakeitupatthepointfromwhichitwanderedintohostilities，forhefeltitlamentablethatamatterwhichsoseriouslyconcernedthemshouldbeconfusedinthefumesofsenselessanger；andhewaswillingtomakeatacitacknowledgmentofhisownerrorbyrecurringtothequestion，butshewouldnotbecontentwiththis，andhehadtoconcedeexplicitlytoherweaknessthatshereallymeantitwhenshehadaskedhimtoacceptFulkerson\'soffer。Hesaidheknewthat；andhebegansoberlytotalkovertheirprospectsintheeventoftheirgoingtoNewYork。

"Oh，Iseeyouaregoing!"shetwitted。

"I\'mgoingtostay，"heanswered，"andletthemturnmeoutofmyagencyhere，"andinthisbitternesstheirtalkended。

V。

HiswifemadenoattempttorenewtheirtalkbeforeMarchwenttohisbusinessinthemorning，andtheypartedindryoffence。Theirexperiencewasthatthesethingsalwayscamerightofthemselvesatlast，andtheyusuallyletthem。Heknewthatshehadreallytriedtoconsenttoathingthatwasrepugnanttoher，andinhishearthegavehermorecreditfortheeffortthanhehadallowedheropenly。Sheknewthatshehadmadeitwiththereservationheaccusedherof，andthathehadarighttofeelsoreatwhatshecouldnothelp。Buthelefthertobroodoverhisingratitude，andshesufferedhimtogoheavyandunfriendedtomeetthechancesoftheday。HesaidtohimselfthatifshehadassentedcordiallytotheconditionsofFulkerson\'soffer，hewouldhavehadthecouragetotakealltheotherriskshimself，andwouldhavehadthesatisfactionofresigninghisplace。Asitwas，hemustwaittillhewasremoved；andhefiguredwithbitterpleasurethepainshewouldfeelwhenhecamehomesomedayandtoldherhehadbeensupplanted，afteritwastoolatetoclosewithFulkerson。

Hefoundaletteronhisdeskfromthesecretary，"Dictated，"intypewriting，whichbrieflyinformedhimthatMr。Hubbell，theInspectorofAgencies，wouldbeinBostononWednesday，andwouldcallathisofficeduringtheforenoon。Theletterwasnotdifferentintonefrommanythathehadformerlyreceived；butthevisitannouncedwasoutoftheusualorder，andMarchbelievedhereadhisfateinit。Duringtheeighteenyearsofhisconnectionwithit——firstasasubordinateintheBostonoffice，andfinallyasitsgeneralagentthere——hehadseenagoodmanychangesintheReciprocity；presidents，vice-presidents，actuaries，andgeneralagentshadcomeandgone，buttherehadalwaysseemedtobearecognitionofhisefficiency，oratleastsufficiency，andtherehadneverbeenanymanneroftrouble，noquestionofaccounts，noapparentdissatisfactionwithhismanagement，untillatterly，whentherehadbeguntocomefromheadquarterssomesuggestionsofenterpriseincertainways，whichgavehimhisfirstsuspicionsofhisclerkWatkins\'swillingnesstosucceedhim；theyembodiedsomeofWatkins\'sideas。ThethingsproposedseemedtoMarchundignified，andevenvulgar；hehadneverthoughthimselfwantinginenergy，thoughprobablyhehadleftthebusinesstotakeitsowncourseintheoldlinesmorethanherealized。Thingshadalwaysgonesosmoothlythathehadsometimesfanciedapeculiarregardforhiminthemanagement，whichhehadtheweaknesstoattributetoanappreciationofwhatheoccasionallydidinliterature，thoughinsanermomentshefelthowimpossiblethiswas。BeyondareferencefromMr。

HubbelltosomepieceofMarch\'swhichhadhappenedtomeethiseye，nooneinthemanagementevergaveasignofconsciousnessthattheirservicewasadornedbyanobscureliteraryman；andMr。HubbellhimselfhadtheeffectofregardingtheexcursionsofMarch\'spenasasortofjoke，andofwinkingatthem；ashemighthavewinkedifonceinawayhehadfoundhimalittlethegayerfordining。

Marchworethroughthedaygloomily，buthehaditonhisconsciencenottoshowanyresentmenttowardWatkins，whomhesuspectedofwishingtosupplanthim，andevenofworkingtodoso。Throughthisself-denialhereachedabettermindconcerninghiswife。Hedeterminednottomakehersufferneedlessly，iftheworstcametotheworst；shewouldsufferenough，atthebest，andtilltheworstcamehewouldspareher，andnotsayanythingabouttheletterhehadgot。

Butwhentheymet，herfirstglancedivinedthatsomethinghadhappened，andherfirstquestionfrustratedhisgenerousintention。Hehadtotellherabouttheletter。Shewouldnotallowthatithadanysignificance，butshewishedhimtomakeanendofhisanxietiesandforestallwhateveritmightportendbyresigninghisplaceatonce。ShesaidshewasquitereadytogotoNewYork；shehadbeenthinkingitallover，andnowshereallywantedtogo。Heanswered，soberly，thathehadthoughtitover，too；andhedidnotwishtoleaveBoston，wherehehadlivedsolong，ortryanewwayoflifeifhecouldhelpit。Heinsistedthathewasquiteselfishinthis；intheirconcessionstheirquarrelvanished；theyagreedthatwhateverhappenedwouldbeforthebest；andthenextdaybewenttohisofficefortifiedforanyevent。

Hisdestiny，iftragical，presenteditselfwithanaspectwhichhemighthavefoundcomicifithadbeenanother\'sdestiny。Mr。HubbellbroughtMarch\'sremoval，softenedintheguiseofapromotion。ThemanagementatNewYork，itappeared，hadacteduponasuggestionofMr。Hubbell\'s，andnowauthorizedhimtoofferMarchtheeditorshipofthemonthlypaperpublishedintheinterestofthecompany；hisofficewouldincludetheauthorshipofcircularsandleafletsinbehalfoflife-insurance，andwouldgiveplaytotheliterarytalentwhichMr。Hubbellhadbroughttotheattentionofthemanagement；hissalarywouldbenearlyasmuchasatpresent，buttheworkwouldnottakehiswholetime，andinaplacelikeNewYorkhecouldgetagreatdealofoutsidewriting，whichtheywouldnotobjecttohisdoing。

Mr。HubbellseemedsosureofhisacceptanceofaplaceineverywaycongenialtoamanofliterarytastesthatMarchwasafterwardsorryhedismissedthepropositionwithobviousirony，andhadneedlesslyhurtHubbell\'sfeelings；butMrs。Marchhadnosuchregrets。Shewasonlyafraidthathehadnotmadehisrejectioncontemptuousenough。

"Andnow，"shesaid，"telegraphMr。Fulkerson，andwewillgoatonce。"

"IsupposeIcouldstillgetWatkins\'sformerplace，"Marchsuggested。

"Never!"sheretorted。"Telegraphinstantly!"

TheywereonlyafraidnowthatFulkersonmighthavechangedhismind，andtheyhadawretcheddayinwhichtheyheardnothingfromhim。ItendedwithhisansweringMarch\'stelegraminperson。Theyweresogladofhiscoming，andsotouchedbyhissatisfactionwithhisbargain，thattheylaidallthefactsofthecasebeforehim。HeenteredfullyintoMarch\'ssenseofthejokelatentinMr。Hubbell\'sproposition，andhetriedtomakeMrs。Marchbelievethathesharedherresentmentoftheindignityofferedherhusband。

Marchmadeashowofwillingnesstoreleasehiminviewofthechangedsituation，sayingthatheheldhimtonothing。Fulkersonlaughed，andaskedhimhowsoonhethoughthecouldcomeontoNewYork。HerefusedtoreopenthequestionofMarch\'sfitnesswithhim；hesaidthey，hadgoneintothatthoroughly，butherecurredtoitwithMrs。March，andconfirmedherbeliefinhisgoodsenseonallpoints。Shehadbeenfromthefirstmomentdefiantlyconfidentofherhusband\'sability，buttillshehadtalkedthematteroverwithFulkersonshewassecretlynotsureofit；or，atleast，shewasnotsurethatMarchwasnotrightindistrustinghimself。Whensheclearlyunderstood，now，whatFulkersonintended，shehadnolongeradoubt。Heexplainedhowtheenterprisedifferedfromothers，andhowheneededforitsdirectionamanwhocombinedgeneralbusinessexperienceandbusinessideaswithaloveforthethingandanaturalaptnessforit。Hedidnotwantayoungman，andyethewantedyouth——itsfreshness，itszest——suchasMarchwouldfeelinathinghecouldputhiswholeheartinto。Hewouldnotruninruts，likeanoldfellowwhohadgothackneyed；hewouldnothaveanyhobbies；

hewouldnothaveanyfriendsoranyenemies。Besides，hewouldhavetomeetpeople，andMarchwasamanthatpeopletookto；sheknewthatherself；hehadakindofcharm。Theeditorialmanagementwasgoingtobekeptinthebackground，asfarasthepublicwasconcerned；thepublicwastosupposethatthethingranitself。Fulkersondidnotcareforagreatliteraryreputationinhiseditor——heimpliedthatMarchhadaveryprettylittleone。Atthesametimetherelationsbetweenthecontributorsandthemanagementweretobemuchmore，intimatethanusual。Fulkersonfelthispersonaldisqualificationforworkingthethingsocially，andhecounteduponMr。Marchforthat；thatwastosay，hecounteduponMrs。March。

Sheprotestedhemustnotcountuponher；butitbynomeansdisabledFulkerson\'sjudgmentinherviewthatMarchreallyseemedmorethananythingelseafancyofhis。Hehadbeenafancyofhers；andthesortofaffectionaterespectwithwhichFulkersonspokeofhimlaidforeversomedoubtshehadofthefinenessofFulkerson\'smannersandreconciledhertothegraphicslanginessofhisspeech。

Theaffairwasnowirretrievable，butshegaveherapprovaltoitassuperblyasifitweresubmittedinitsinception。Only，Mr。FulkersonmustnotsupposesheshouldeverlikeNewYork。Shewouldnotdeceivehimonthatpoint。Shenevershouldlikeit。Shedidnotconceal，either，thatshedidnotliketakingthechildrenoutoftheFridayafternoonclass；andshedidnotbelievethatTomwouldeverbereconciledtogoingtoColumbia。ShetookcouragefromFulkerson\'ssuggestionthatitwaspossibleforTomtocometoHarvardevenfromNewYork；andsheheapedhimwithquestionsconcerningthedomiciliationofthefamilyinthatcity。Hetriedtoknowsomethingaboutthematter，andhesucceededinseeminginterestedinpointsnecessarilyindifferenttohim。

VI。

Intheuprootingandtransplantingoftheirhomethatfollowed，Mrs。

Marchoftentrembledbeforedistantproblemsandpossiblecontingencies，butshewasnevertroubledbypresentdifficulties。Shekeptupwithtirelessenergy；andinthemomentsofdejectionandmisgivingwhichharassedherhusbandsheremaineddauntless，andputheartintohimwhenhehadlostitaltogether。

Shearrangedtoleavethechildreninthehousewiththeservants，whileshewentonwithMarchtolookupadwellingofsomesortinNewYork。

Itmadehimsicktothinkofit；and，whenitcametothepoint，hewouldratherhavegivenupthewholeenterprise。Shehadtonervehimtoit，torepresentmorethanoncethatnowtheyhadnochoicebuttomakethisexperiment。Everydetailofpartingwasanguishtohim。Hegotconsolationoutofthenotionoflettingthehousefurnishedforthewinter；thatimpliedtheirreturntoit，butitcosthimpangsofthekeenestmiserytoadvertiseit；and，whenatenantwasactuallyfound，itwasallhecoulddotogivehimthelease。Hetriedhiswife\'sloveandpatienceasamanmusttowhomthefutureiseasyinthemassbutterribleasittranslatesitselfpiecemealintothepresent。Heexperiencedremorseinthepresenceofinanimatethingshewasgoingtoleaveasiftheyhadsensiblyreproachedhim，andananticipativehomesicknessthatseemedtostophisheart。Againandagainhiswifehadtomakehimreflectthathisdepressionwasnotprophetic。

Sheconvincedhimofwhathealreadyknew，andpersuadedhimagainsthisknowledgethathecouldbekeepinganeyeoutforsomethingtotakeholdofinBostoniftheycouldnotstandNewYork。Sheendedbytellinghimthatitwastoobadtomakehercomforthiminatrialthatwasreallysomuchmoreatrialtoher。ShehadtosupporthiminalastaccessofdespairontheirwaytotheAlbanydepotthemorningtheystartedtoNewYork；butwhenthefinaldetailshadbeendealtwith，theticketsbought，thetrunkschecked，andthehandbagshungupintheircar，andthefuturehadmasseditselfagainatasafedistanceandwassevenhoursandtwohundredmilesaway，hisspiritsbegantoriseandherstosink。Hewouldhavebeenwillingtocelebratethetaste，thedomesticrefinement，oftheladies\'waiting-roominthedepot，wheretheyhadspentaquarterofanhourbeforethetrainstarted。Hesaidhedidnotbelievetherewasanotherstationintheworldwheremahoganyrocking-chairswereprovided；

thatthedull-redwarmthofthewallswasascozyasaneveninglamp，andthathealwayshopedtoseeafirekindledonthatvasthearthandunderthataestheticmantel，buthesupposednowhenevershould。Hesaiditwasallverydifferentfromthattunnel，theoldAlbanydepot，wheretheyhadwaitedthemorningtheywenttoNewYorkwhentheywerestartingontheirweddingjourney。

"Themorning，Basil!"criedhiswife。"Wewentatnight；andweweregoingtotaketheboat，butitstormedso!"Shegavehimaglanceofsuchreproachthathecouldnotansweranything，andnowsheaskedhimwhetherhesupposedtheircookandsecondgirlwouldbecontentedwithoneofthosedarkholeswheretheyputgirlstosleepinNewYorkflats，andwhatsheshoulddoifMargaret，especially，lefther。HeventuredtosuggestthatMargaretwouldprobablylikethecity；but，ifsheleft，therewereplentyofothergirlstobehadinNewYork。Sherepliedthattherewerenoneshecouldtrust，andthatsheknewMargaretwouldnotstay。Heaskedherwhyshetookher，then——whyshedidnotgiveherupatonce；andsheansweredthatitwouldbeinhumantogiveherupjustintheedgeofthewinter。Shehadpromisedtokeepher；andMargaretwaspleasedwiththenotionofgoingtoNewYork，whereshehadacousin。

"Thenperhapsshe\'llbepleasedwiththenotionofstaying，"hesaid。

"Oh，muchyouknowaboutit!"sheretorted；and，inviewofthehypotheticaldifficultyandhiswantofsympathy，shefellintoagloom，fromwhichsherousedherselfatlastbydeclaringthat，iftherewasnothingelseintheflattheytook，thereshouldbealightkitchenandabright，sunnybedroomforMargaret。Heexpressedthebeliefthattheycouldeasilyfindsuchaflatasthat，andshedenouncedhisfataloptimism，whichbuoyedhimupintheabsenceofanundertakingandlethimdropintothedepthsofdespairinitspresence。

Heownedthisdefectoftemperament，buthesaidthatitcompensatedtheoppositeinhercharacter。"Isupposethat\'soneofthechiefusesofmarriage；peoplesupplementoneanother，andformaprettyfairsortofhumanbeingtogether。Theonlydrawbacktothetheoryisthatunmarriedpeopleseemeachascompleteandwholeasamarriedpair。"

Sherefusedtobeamused；sheturnedherfacetothewindowandputherhandkerchiefupunderherveil。

Itwasnottillthedining-carwasattachedtotheirtrainthattheywerebothabletoescapeforanhourintothecare-freemoodoftheirearliertravels，whentheyweresoeasilytakenoutofthemselves。Thetimehadbeenwhentheycouldhavefoundenoughintheconjecturalfortunesandcharactersoftheirfellow-passengerstooccupythem。Thisphaseoftheiryouthhadlastedlong，andtheworldwasstillfullofnoveltyandinterestforthem；butitrequiredallthecharmofthedining-carnowtolaytheanxietiesthatbesetthem。Itwassopotentforthemoment，however，thattheycouldtakeanobjectiveviewattheirsittingcozilydowntheretogether，asiftheyhadonlythemselvesintheworld。Theywonderedwhatthechildrenweredoing，thechildrenwhopossessedthemsointenselywhenpresent，andnow，byafantasticoperationofabsence，seemedalmostnon-existents。Theytriedtobehomesickforthem，butfailed；theyrecognizedwithcomfortableself-abhorrencethatthiswasterrible，butownedafascinationinbeingalone；atthesametime，theycouldnotimaginehowpeoplefeltwhoneverhadanychildren。Theycontrastedtheluxuryofdiningthatway，witheveryadvantageexceptabandofmusic，andtheoldwayofrushingouttosnatchafearfuljoyatthelunch-countersoftheWorcesierandSpringfieldandNewHavenstations。TheyhadnotgoneoftentoNewYorksincetheirweddingjourney，buttheyhadgoneoftenenoughtohavenotedthechangefromthelunch-countertothelunch-basketbroughtinthetrain，fromwhichyoucouldsubsistwithmoreeaseanddignity，butseemeddestinedtoasuperabundanceofpickles，whateveryouordered。

Theythoughtwellofthemselvesnowthattheycouldbebothcriticalandtolerantofflavorsnotverysharplydistinguishedfromoneanotherintheirdinner，andtheylingeredovertheircoffeeandwatchedtheautumnlandscapethroughthewindows。

"Notquitesoloudapatternofcalicothisyear，"hesaid，withpatronizingforbearancetowardthepaintedwoodlandswhirlingby。

"Doyouseehowtheforegroundnextthetrainrushesfromusandthebackgroundkeepsaheadofus，whilethemiddledistanceseemsstationary?

Idon\'tthinkIevernoticedthateffectbefore。Thereoughttobesomethingliteraryinit:retreatingpastandadvancingfutureanddeceitfullypermanentpresent——somethinglikethat?"

Hiswifebrushedsomecrumbsfromherlapbeforerising。"Yes。Youmustn\'twasteanyoftheseideasnow。"

"Ohno；itwouldbemoneyoutofFulkerson\'spocket。"

VII。

Theywenttoaquiethotelfardown-town，andtookasmallapartmentwhichtheythoughttheycouldeasilyaffordforthedayortwotheyneedspendinlookingupafurnishedflat。TheywereusedtostayingatthishotelwhentheycameonforalittleoutinginNewYork，aftersomerigidwinterinBoston，atthetimeofthespringexhibitions。Theywererememberedtherefromyeartoyear；thecoloredcall-boys，whoneverseemedtogetanyolder，smileduponthem，andtheclerkcalledMarchbynameevenbeforeheregistered。HeaskedifMrs。Marchwerewithhim，andsaidthenhesupposedtheywouldwanttheirusualquarters；andinamomenttheyweredomesticatedinafarinteriorthatseemedtohavebeenwaitingfortheminaclean，quiet，patientdisoccupationeversincetheyleftittwoyearsbefore。Thelittleparlor，withitsgiltpaperandebonizedfurniture，wasthelightestoftherooms，butitwasnotverylightatnoondaywithoutthegas，whichthebell-boynowflaredupforthem。Theuproarofthecitycametoitinasoothingmurmur，andtheytookpossessionofitspeaceandcomfortwithopencelebration。Afterall，theyagreed，therewasnoplaceintheworldsodelightfulasahotelapartmentlikethat；theboastedcharmsofhomewerenothingtoit；

andthenthemagicofitsbeingalwaysthere，readyforanyone，everyone，justasifitwereforsomeonealone:itwasliketheexperienceofanArabianNightsherocometrueforalltherace。

"Oh，whycan\'twealwaysstayhere，justwetwo!"Mrs。Marchsighedtoherhusband，ashecameoutofhisroomrubbinghisfaceredwiththetowel，whileshestudiedanewarrangementofherbonnetandhandbagonthemantel。

"Andignorethepast?I\'mwilling。I\'venodoubtthatthechildrencouldgetonperfectlywellwithoutus，andcouldfindsomelotintheschemeofProvidencethatwouldreallybejustaswellforthem。"

"Yes；orcouldcontrivesomehownevertohaveexisted。Ishouldinsistuponthat。Iftheyare，don\'tyouseethatwecouldn\'twishthemnottobe?"

"Ohyes；Iseeyourpoint；it\'ssimplyincontrovertible。"

Shelaughedandsaid:"Well，atanyrate，ifwecan\'tfindaflattosuituswecanallcrowdintothesethreeroomssomehow，forthewinter，andthenbrowseaboutformeals。Bytheweekwecouldgetthemmuchcheaper；

andwecouldsaveontheeating，astheydoinEurope。Oronsomethingelse。"

"Somethingelse，probably，"saidMarch。"Butwewon\'ttakethisapartmenttilltheidealfurnishedflatwinksoutaltogether。Weshallnothaveanytrouble。WecaneasilyfindsomeonewhoisgoingSouthforthewinterandwillbegladtogiveuptheirflat\'totherightparty\'atanominalrent。That\'smynotion。That\'swhattheEvansesdidonewinterwhentheycameonhereinFebruary。Allbutthenominalityoftherent。"

"Yes，andwecouldpayaverygoodrentandstillsavesomethingonlettingourhouse。YoucansettleyourselvesinahundreddifferentwaysinNewYork，thatisonemeritoftheplace。Butifeverythingelsefails，wecancomebacktothis。Iwantyoutotaketherefusalofit，Basil。Andwe\'llcommencelookingthisveryeveningassoonaswe\'vehaddinner。IcutalotofthingsoutoftheHeraldaswecameon。

Seehere!"

Shetookalongstripofpaperoutofherhand-bagwithminuteadvertisementspinnedtransverselyuponit，andformingtheeffectofsomeglitteringnondescriptvertebrate。

"Lookssomethinglikethesea-serpent，"saidMarch，dryinghishandsonthetowel，whileheglancedupanddownthelist。"Butwesha\'n\'thaveanytrouble。I\'venodoubttherearehalfadozenthingstherethatwilldo。Youhaven\'tgoneup-town?Becausewemustbenearthe\'EveryOtherWeek\'office。"

"No；butIwishMr。Fulkersonhadn\'tcalleditthat!Italwaysmakesonethinkof\'jamyesterdayandjamtomorrow，butneverjamto-day，\'in\'ThroughtheLooking-Glass。\'They\'reallinthisregion。"

Theywerestillattheirtable，besidealowwindow，wheresomesortofnever-bloomingshrubsymmetricallybalanceditselfinalargepot，withaleaftotherightandaleaftotheleftandaspearupthemiddle，whenFulkersoncamesteppingsquare-footedlyoverthethickdining-roomcarpet。Hewaggedintheairagayhandofsalutationatsightofthem，andofrepressionwhentheyofferedtorisetomeethim；then，withanapparentsimultaneityofactionhegaveahandtoeach，pulledupachairfromthenexttable，puthishatandstickonthefloorbesideit，andseatedhimself。

"Well，you\'veburnedyourshipsbehindyou，sureenough，"hesaid，beaminghissatisfactionuponthemfromeyesandteeth。

"Theshipsareburned，"saidMarch，"thoughI\'mnotsurewealonedidit。Buthereweare，lookingforshelter，andalittleanxiousaboutthedispositionofthenatives。"

"Oh，they\'reanawfulpeaceablelot，"saidFulkerson。"I\'vebeenroundamongthecaciquesalittle，andIthinkI\'vegottwoorthreeplacesthatwilljustsuityou，Mrs。March。Howdidyouleavethechildren?"

"Oh，howkindofyou!Verywell，andveryproudtobeleftinchargeofthesmokingwrecks。"

Fulkersonnaturallypaidnoattentiontowhatshesaid，beingbutsecondarilyinterestedinthechildrenatthebest。"Herearesomethingsrightinthisneighborhood，withingunshotoftheoffice，andifyouwantyoucangoandlookatthemto-night；theagentsgavemehouseswherethepeoplewouldbein。"

"Wewillgoandlookattheminstantly，"saidMrs。March。"Or，assoonasyou\'vehadcoffeewithus。"

"Neverdo，"Fulkersonreplied。Hegathereduphishatandstick。"JustrushedintosayHello，andgottorunrightawayagain。Itellyou，March，thingsarehumming。I\'mafterthosefellowswithasharpstickallthewhiletokeepthemfromloafingonmyhouse，andatthesametimeI\'mjustbubblingoverwithideasabout\'TheLoneHand——wishwecouldcallitthat!——thatIwanttotalkupwithyou。"

"Well，cometobreakfast，"saidMrs。March，cordially。

"No；theideaswillkeeptillyou\'vesecuredyourlodgeinthisvastwilderness。Good-bye。"

"You\'reasniceasyoucanbe，Mr。Fulkerson，"shesaid，"tokeepusinmindwhenyouhavesomuchtooccupyyou。"

"Iwouldn\'thaveanythingtooccupymeifIhadn\'tkeptyouinmind，Mrs。

March，"saidFulkerson，goingoffuponasgoodaspeechashecouldapparentlyhopetomake。

"Why，Basil，"saidMrs。March，whenhewasgone，"he\'scharming!。

Butnowwemustn\'tloseaninstant。Let\'sseewheretheplacesare。"

Sheranoverthehalf-dozenagents\'permits。"Capital-first-rate-theverything-everyone。Well，Iconsiderourselvessettled!Wecangobacktothechildrento-morrowifwelike，thoughIratherthinkIshouldliketostayoveranotherdayandgetalittlerestedforthefinalpullingupthat\'sgottocome。Butthissimplifieseverythingenormously，andMr。Fulkersonisasthoughtfulandassweetashecanbe。