第5章

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

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

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

XII。

FulkersonstoppedandlookedatMarch，whomhesawlapsingintoaserioussilence。Doubtlesshedivinedhisuneasinesswiththefactsthathadbeengivenhimtodigest。Hepulledouthiswatchandglancedatit。

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

can\'texplain。"

Marchreflectedamoment。Thenhesaid，withawisdomthatsurprisedhim，forhewouldhavelikedtoyieldtotheimpulseofhiscuriosity:

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

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

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

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

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

"Lindau!Isn\'tthisMr。Lindau?"

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

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

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

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

"Itmakesmeseventeentoseeyou，Lindau，butI\'vegotasonnearlyasold。"

"Ah，ha，ha!Goodt!Andwheredoyoulif?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

gafeittoyourgountryagoodtwhileago。"

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

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

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

Theoldmansmiledsadly，butmadenoanswerashesatdownagain。

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

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

"Oh，hello，now!"criedFulkerson。

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

heseemedtogetenoughoutofmybeingyoungandenthusiastic，andoutofprophesyinggreatthingsforme。Iwonderwhatthepooroldfellowisdoinghere，withthatonehandofhis?"

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

guess。MaybehegetssomewritingontheGermanpapers。"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Nosortofboardingcanbethesameashouse-keeping，"saidMarch。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marchtotheapartmentthatherchildrenwerepleasedwithitsnovelty；

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

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

March，becauseitshowedhowinferiortheNewYorktastewastotheBostontasteinsuchmatters。

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

Shewouldtry，shewoulddoherbest，buttheresultwouldbeaviewcloudedanddiscoloredbytheeffortshemustmake。

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

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

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

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

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

Hehadtalentenough，andhissortoftalentwouldreachroundthewholesituation，but，asFulkersonsaid，hewasasmanykindsofanassashewaskindsofanartist。

EndAHazardofNewFortunesV2

ByWilliamDeanHowellsPARTSECOND

I。

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

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

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

"TheMessengersaysthey\'vehadasprinklingofsnow。"

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

Thewidowsighedasmothersdowhofeelthecontrasttheirexperienceopposestothehopefulrecklessnessofsuchtalkasthis。"Wemayhaveaworsewinterhere，"shesaid，darkly。

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

"AndhowwouldyougettoFlorida?"demandedhermother，severely。

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

"Iamnotblue，Alma。ButIcannotendurethis——thishopefulnessofyours。"

"Why?Whatharmdoesitdo?"

"Harm?"echoedthemother。

Pendingtheeffortshemustmakeinsaying，thegirlcutin:"Yes，harm。

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

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

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

Thenotionofshuttingupisanexigencyoftheroundedperiod。Thefactis，ofcourse，thatAlmaLeightonwasnotshutupinanysensewhatever。

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

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

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

TherewerenologicalbreaksinthechainoftheirreasoningfrompastsuccesswithboardersinSt。BarnabytofuturesuccesswithboardersinNewYork。Ofcoursetheoutlaywasmuchgreater。Therentofthefurnishedhousetheyhadtakenwassuchthatiftheyfailedtheirexperimentwouldbelittlelessthanruinous。

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

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

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

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

Mrs。Leightonbentforwardoverhersewingtolookatit。"You\'vegottheman\'sfaceratherweak。"

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

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

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

"Idon\'tseeanythingtoher。What\'sshedoing?"

"Oh，justbeingmadeloveto，Isuppose。"

"She\'sperfectlyinsipid!"

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

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

andhe\'dtakeyourpencilandbegintodraw——\'Ishouldgiveheralittlemore——Ah?\'\'Yes，Iseethedifference。\'\'Youseethedifference?\'

Andhe\'dgoofftosomeoneelse，andyou\'dknowthatyou\'dbeendoingthewishy-washiestthingintheworld，thoughhehadn\'tspokenawordofcriticism，andcouldn\'t。Buthewouldn\'thavenoticedtheexpressionatall；he\'dhaveshownyouwhereyourdrawingwasbad。Hedoesn\'tcareforwhathecallstheliteratureofathing；hesaysthatwilltakecareofitselfifthedrawing\'sgood。Hedoesn\'tlikemydoingthesechicthings；butI\'mgoingtokeepitup，forIthinkit\'sthenearestwaytoillustrating。"

Shetookhersketchandpinnedituponthedoor。

"AndhasMr。Beatonbeenabout，yet?"askedhermother。

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

"It\'salittlestrangehedoesn\'tcall。"

"Itwouldbeifhewerenotanartist。Butartistsneverdoanythinglikeotherpeople。Hewasonhisgoodbehaviorwhilehewaswithus，andhe\'sagreatdealmoreconventionalthanmostofthem；butevenhecan\'tkeepitup。That\'swhatmakesmereallythinkthatwomencanneveramounttoanythinginart。Theykeepalltheirappointments，andfulfilalltheirdutiesjustasiftheydidn\'tknowanythingaboutart。Well，mostofthemdon\'t。We\'vegotthatnewmodelto-day。"

"Whatnewmodel?"

"TheoneMr。WetmorewastellingusabouttheoldGerman；he\'ssplendid。

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

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

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

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

OrIshouldbeifIhadn\'tgenius。"

"DoyouthinkMr。Beatonisverysimple?"askedMrs。Leighton。

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

"Andwhatdoyoubelieve?"

"Oh，Icanexpressmyself，too。"

Themotherseemedtobesatisfiedwiththisevasion。Afterawhileshesaid，"Ipresumehewillcallwhenhegetssettled。"

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

"Isupposehehashispension，"saidMrs。Leighton。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Thatdoesn\'taccountforitaltogether。HewasveryniceatSt。

Barnaby，andseemedsointerestedinyou——yourwork。"

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

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

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

"Thatmakesitallthehardertobear。Hecan\'tbeashamedofus。

Perhapshedoesn\'tknowwhereweare。"

"Doyouwishtosendhimyourcard，mamma?"Thegirlflushedandtoweredinscornoftheidea。

"Why，no，Alma，"returnedhermother。

"Well，then，"saidAlma。

ButMrs。Leightonwasnotsoeasilyquelled。ShehadgothermindonMr。

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

Hemustknowthat——"

"Thatwhat，mamma?"demandedthegirl。

"Thatheinfluencedusagreatdealincoming——"

"Hedidn\'t。Ifhedaredtopresumetothinksuchathing——"

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

"Dropus!"criedAlma，inafury。"Oh!"

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

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

"Wedidnothingforhim——nothing!Hepaidhisboard，andthatendedit。"

"No，itdidn\'t，Alma。Youknowwhatheusedtosay——aboutitsbeinglikehome，andallthat；andImustsaythatafterhisattentionstoyou，andallthethingsyoutoldmehesaid，Iexpectedsomethingverydif——"

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

Theybothglaredattheclockandmadesurethatitwasfiveminutesafternine。Thentheyabandonedthemselvessomemomentstotheunrestrictedplayoftheirapprehensions。

II。

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

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

and，ofcourse，hewouldn\'tbesuchagooseastocomeatthishour。"

Sheputonalookofmiserabletrepidation，andshrankbackfromthedoor，whilethehumofthebelldiedaway，inthehall。

"Whatshallwedo?"askedMrs。Leighton，helplessly。

"Lethimgoaway——whoevertheyare，"saidAlma。

Anotherandmoreperemptoryringforbadethemrefugeinthissimpleexpedient。

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Youwerefrightened，ofcoase，"saidtheyounglady，caressingly。

Thegentlemansaidtheyoughtnottohavecomesolate，andheofferedsomeformalapologies。

"Weshouldhavebeenjustasmuchscaredanytimeafterfiveo\'clock，"

Almasaidtothesympatheticintelligenceinthegirl\'sface。

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

Amomentofstiffnessfollowed；Mrs。Leightonwouldhavelikedtowithdrawfromtheintimacyofthesituation，butshedidnotknowhow。

Itwasverywellforthesepeopletoassumetobewhattheypretended；

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

sheasked，inawaythatAlmafeltimpliedhemightnotbe。

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

Almawrithedinternally，butoutwardlyremainedsubordinate；sheexaminedtheothergirl\'sdress，anddecidedinasuperficialconsciousnessthatshehadmadeherownbonnet。

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