第8章

Mrs。Mandelattemptedadiversion。"HaveyouheardanyofourgreatNewYorkpreachersyet，Mrs。March?"

"No，Ihaven\'t，"Mrs。Marchadmitted；andshetriedtoimplybyhercandidtonethatsheintendedtobeginhearingthemtheverynextSunday。

"Thereareagreatmanythingshere，"saidConrad，"totakeyourthoughtsoffthepreachingthatyouhearinmostofthechurches。Ithinkthecityitselfispreachingthebestsermonallthetime。"

"Idon\'tknowthatIunderstandyou，"saidMarch。

Melaansweredforhim。"Oh，Conradhasgotalotofnotionsthatnobodycanunderstand。Yououghttoseethechurchhegoestowhenhedoesgo。

I\'daboutasliefgotoaCatholicchurchmyself；Idon\'tseeabito\'

difference。He\'sthegreatestcronywithoneoftheirpreachers；hedressesjustlikeapriest，andhesaysheisapriest。"Shelaughedforenjoymentofthefact，andherbrothercastdownhiseyes。

Mrs。March，inherturn，triedtotakefromitthepersonaltonewhichthetalkwasalwaysassuming。"Haveyoubeentothefallexhibition?"

sheaskedChristine；andthegirldrewherselfupoutoftheabstractionsheseemedsunkin。

"Theexhibition?"ShelookedatMrs。Mandel。

"ThepicturesoftheAcademy，youknow，"Mrs。Mandelexplained。

"WhereIwantedyoutogothedayyouhadyourdresstriedon，"

"No；wehaven\'tbeenyet。Isitgood?"ShehadturnedtoMrs。Marchagain。

"Ibelievethefallexhibitionsareneversogoodasthespringones。

Buttherearesomegoodpictures。"

"Idon\'tbelieveIcaremuchaboutpictures，"saidChristine。"Idon\'tunderstandthem。"

"Ah，that\'snoexcusefornotcaringaboutthem，"saidMarch，lightly。

"Thepaintersthemselvesdon\'t，halfthetime。"

Thegirllookedathimwiththatglanceatoncedefiantandappealing，insolentandanxious，whichhehadnoticedbefore，especiallywhenshestoleittowardhimselfandhiswifeduringhersister\'sbabble。InthelightofFulkerson\'shistoryofthefamily，itsoriginanditsambition，heinterpretedittomeanasenseofhersister\'sfollyandanignorantwilltooverridehisopinionofanythingincongruousinthemselvesandtheirsurroundings。Hesaidtohimselfthatshewasdeathlyproud——tooproudtotrytopalliateanything，butcapableofanythingthatwouldputothersunderherfeet。Hereyesseemedhopelesslytoquestionhiswife\'ssocialquality，andhefancied，withnotunkindlyinterest，theinexperiencedgirl\'sdoubtwhethertotreatthemwithmuchorlittlerespect。Helosthimselfinfanciesaboutherandherideals，necessarilysordid，ofherpossibilitiesofsuffering，ofthetriumphsanddisappointmentsbeforeher。Hersisterwouldacceptbothwithalightnessthatwouldkeepnotraceofeither；butinhertheywouldsinklastinglydeep。HecameoutofhisreverietofindMrs。Dryfoossayingtohim，inherhoarsevoice:

"Ithinkit\'sashame，someofthepictur\'sabodyseesinthewinders。

Theysaythere\'salawag\'instthemthings；andifthereis，Idon\'tunderstandwhythepolicedon\'ttakeupthemthatpaints\'em。Ihear182

tell，sinceIbeenhere，thatthere\'swomenthatgoestohavepictur\'stookfromthemthatwaybymenpainters。"ThepointseemedaimedatMarch，asifhewerepersonallyresponsibleforthescandal，anditfellwithasilencingeffectforthemoment。Nobodyseemedwillingtotakeitup，andMrs。Dryfooswenton，withanoldwoman\'sseverity:"Isaytheyoughttobealltarredandfeatheredandrodeonarail。They\'dbedrummedoutoftowninMoffitt。"

MissMelasaid，withacrowinglaugh:"Ishouldthinktheywould!Andtheywouldn\'tanybodygolownecktotheopera-housethere，either——notlowneckthewaytheydohere，anyway。"

"Andthatpackofworthlesshussies，"hermotherresumed，"thatcomeoutonthestage，andbeguntokick"

"Laws，mother!"thegirlshouted，"Ithoughtyousaidyouhadyoureyesshut!"

Allbutthesetwosimplercreatureswereabashedattheindecorumofsuggestinginwordsthecommonplacesofthetheatreandofart。

"Well，Idid，Mely，assoonasIcouldbelievemyeyes。Idon\'tknowwhatthey\'redoin\'inalltheirchurches，toletsuchthingsgoon，"saidtheoldwoman。"It\'sasinandashame，Ithink。Don\'tyou，Coonrod?"

Aringatthedoorcutshortwhateveranswerhewasabouttodeliver。

"Ifit\'sgoingtobecompany，Coonrod，"saidhismother，makinganefforttorise，"IreckonIbettergoup-stairs。"

"It\'sMr。Fulkerson，Iguess，"saidConrad。"Hethoughthemightcome"；

andatthementionofthislightspiritMrs。Dryfoossankcontentedlybackinherchair，andarelaxationoftheirpainfultensionseemedtopassthroughthewholecompany。Conradwenttothedoorhimself(theserving-mantentatively，appearedsomeminuteslater)andletinFulkerson\'scheerfulvoicebeforehischeerfulperson。

"Ah，howdyedo，Conrad?Broughtourfriend，Mr。Beaton，withme，"thosewithinheardhimsay；andthen，afterasoundofputtingoffovercoats，theysawhimfillthedoorway，withhisfeetsetsquareandhisarmsakimbo。

IX。

"Ah!hello!hello!"Fulkersonsaid，inrecognitionoftheMarches。

"Regulargatheringoftheclans。Howareyou，Mrs。Dryfoos?Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Mandel，MissChristine，Mela，AuntHitty，andallthefolks?

Howyouwuz?"Heshookhandsgaylyallround，andtookachairnexttheoldlady，whosehandhekeptinhisown，andleftConradtointroduceBeaton。ButhewouldnotlettheshadowofBeaton\'ssolemnityfalluponthecompany。HebegantojokewithMrs。Dryfoos，andtomatchrheumatismswithher，andheincludedalltheladiesintherangeofappropriatepleasantries。"I\'vebroughtMr。Beatonalongto-night，andIwantyoutomakehimfeelathome，likeyoudome，Mrs。Dryfoos。

Hehasn\'tgotanyrheumatismtospeakof；buthisparentsliveinSyracuse，andhe\'sakindofanorphan，andwe\'vejustadoptedhimdownattheoffice。Whenyougoingtobringtheyoungladiesdownthere，Mrs。

Mandel，forachampagnelunch?Iwillhavesomehydro-Mela，andChristineit，heigh?How\'sthatforalittlestarter?Wedroppedinatyourplaceamoment，Mrs。March，andgavetheyoungfolksafewpointersabouttheirstudies。Mygoodness!itdoesmegoodtoseeaboylikethatofyours；business，fromthewordgo；andyourgirljustscoopsmyyouthfulaffections。She\'sabeauty，andIguessshe\'sgood，too。Well，well，whataworlditis!MissChristine，won\'tyoushowMr。Beatonthatsealringofyours?Heknowsaboutsuchthings，andIbroughthimheretoseeitasmuchasanything。It\'sanintaglioIbroughtfromtheotherside，"heexplainedtoMrs。March，"andIguessyou\'llliketolookatit。TriedtogiveittotheDryfoosfamily，andwhenIcouldn\'t，Isolditto\'em。BoundtoseeitonMissChristine\'shandsomehow!Holdon!

Lethimseeitwhereitbelongs，first!"

Hearrestedthegirlinthemotionshemadetotakeoffthering，andletherhavethepleasureofshowingherhandtothecompanywiththeringonit。Thenhelefthertohearthepainter\'swordsaboutit，whichhecontinuedtodeliverdissyllabicallyashestoodwithherunderagas-

jet，twistinghiselasticfigureandbendinghisheadoverthering。

"Well，Mely，child，"Fulkersonwenton，withanopentravestyofhermother\'shabitualaddress，"andhowareyougettingalong?Mrs。Mandelholdyouuptotheproprietiesprettystrictly?Well，that\'sright。

Youknowyou\'dberoamingalloverthepastureifshedidn\'t。"

Thegirlgurgledoutherpleasureinhisfunning，andeverybodytookhim。

onhisowngroundofprivilegedcharacter。Hebroughtthemalltogetherintheirfriendlinessforhimself，andbeforetheeveningwasoverhehadinspiredMrs。Mandeltohavethemservedwithcoffee，andhadmadeboththegirlsfeelthattheyhadfiguredbrilliantlyinsociety，andthattwoyoungmenhadbeendevotedtothem。

"Oh，Ithinkhe\'sjustaslovelyashecanlive!"saidMela，asshestoodamomentwithhersisteronthesceneofhertriumph，wheretheothershadleftthemafterthedepartureoftheirguests。

"Who?"askedChristine，deeply。Assheglanceddownatherring，hereyesburnedwithasoftenedfire。

ShehadallowedBeatontochangeithimselffromthefingerwhereshehadwornittothefingeronwhichhesaidsheoughttowearit。Shedidnotknowwhetheritwasrighttolethim，butshewasgladshehaddoneit。

"Who?Mr。Fulkerson，goosie-poosie!NotthatoldstuckupMr。Beatonofyours!"

"Heisproud，"assentedChristine，withathrobofexultation。

BeatonandFulkersonwenttotheElevatedstationwiththeMarches；butthepaintersaidhewasgoingtowalkhome，andFulkersonlethimgoalone。

"Onewayisenoughforme，"heexplained。"WhenIwalkup，Idon\'t。

walkdown。Bye-bye，myson!"HebegantalkingaboutBeatontotheMarchesastheyclimbedthestationstairstogether。"Thatfellowpuzzlesme。Idon\'tknowanybodythatIhavesuchadesiretokick，andatthesametimethatIwanttoflatterupsomuch。Affectyouthatway?"heaskedofMarch。

"Well，asfarasthekickinggoes，yes。"

"Andhowisitwithyou，Mrs。March?"

"Oh，Iwanttoflatterhimup。"

"No；really?Why?Holdon!I\'vegotthechange。"

FulkersonpushedMarchawayfromtheticket-officewindow；andmadethemhisguests，withtheinexorableAmericanhospitality，fortheridedown-

town。"Three!"hesaidtotheticket-seller；and，whenhehadwalkedthembeforehimoutontheplatformanddroppedhisticketsintotheurn，hepersistedinhisinquiry，"Why?"

"Why，becauseyoualwayswanttoflatterconceitedpeople，don\'tyou?"

Mrs。Marchanswered，withalaugh。

"Doyou?Yes，Iguessyoudo。YouthinkBeatonisconceited?"

"Well，slightly，Mr。Fulkerson。"

"Iguessyou\'repartlyright，"saidFulkerson，withasigh，sounaccountableinitsconnectionthattheyalllaughed。

"Anideal\'busted\'?"Marchsuggested。

"No，notthat，exactly，"saidFulkerson。"ButIhadanotionmaybeBeatonwasn\'tconceitedallthetime。"

"Oh!"Mrs。Marchexulted，"nobodycouldbesoconceitedallthetimeasMr。Beatonismostofthetime。Hemusthavemomentsofthedirestmodesty，whenhe\'dbequiteflattery-proof。"

"Yes，that\'swhatImean。Iguessthat\'swhatmakesmewanttokickhim。

He\'sleftcomplimentsonmyhandsthatnodecentmanwould。"

"Oh!that\'stragical，"saidMarch。

"Mr。Fulkerson，"Mrs。Marchbegan，withchangeofsubjectinhervoice，"whoisMrs。Mandel?"

"Who?Whatdoyouthinkofher?"herejoined。"I\'lltellyouaboutherwhenwegetinthecars。Lookatthatthing!Ain\'titbeautiful?"

Theyleanedoverthetrackandlookedupatthenextstation，wherethetrain，juststarting，throbbedouttheflame-shotsteamintothewhitemoonlight。

"ThemostbeautifulthinginNewYork——theonealwaysandcertainlybeautifulthinghere，"saidMarch；andhiswifesighed，"Yes，yes。"

Sheclungtohim，andremainedraptbythesighttillthetraindrewnear，andthenpulledhimbackinapanic。

"Well，thereain\'treallymuchtotellabouther，"Fulkersonresumedwhentheywereseatedinthecar。"She\'saninventionofmine。"

"Ofyours?"criedMrs。March。

"Ofcourse!"exclaimedherhusband。

"Yes——atleastinherpresentcapacity。Shesentmeastoryforthesyndicate，backinJulysometime，alongaboutthetimeIfirstmetoldDryfooshere。Itwasalittletoolongformypurpose，andIthoughtI

couldexplainbetterhowIwanteditcutinacallthanIcouldinaletter。ShegaveaBrooklynaddress，andIwenttoseeher。Ifoundher，"saidFulkerson，withavaguedefiance，"aperfectlady。Shewaslivingwithanauntoverthere；andshehadseenbetterdays，whenshewasagirl，andworseonesafterward。Idon\'tmeantosayherhusbandwasabadfellow；Iguesshewasprettygood；hewashermusic-teacher；

shemethiminGermany，andtheygotmarriedthere，andgotthroughherpropertybeforetheycameoverhere。Well，shedidn\'tstrikemelikeapersonthatcouldmakemuchheadwayinliterature。Herstorywaswellenough，butithadn\'tmuchsandinit；kindof-well，academic，youknow。

Itoldherso，andsheunderstood，andcriedalittle；butshedidthebestshecouldwiththething，andItookitandsyndicatedit。Shekindofstuckinmymind，andthefirsttimeIwenttoseetheDryfoosestheywerestoppingatasortoffamilyhotelthentilltheycouldfindahouse——"Fulkersonbrokeoffaltogether，andsaid，"Idon\'tknowasIknowjusthowtheDryfoosesstruckyou，Mrs。March?"

"Can\'tyouimagine?"sheanswered，withakindly，smile。

"Yes；butIdon\'tbelieveIcouldguesshowtheywouldhavestruckyoulastsummerwhenIfirstsawthem。My!ohmy!therewasthenativeearthforyou。Melyisaprettywildcoltnow，butyououghttohaveseenherbeforeshewasbrokentoharness。

AndChristine?EverseethatblackleopardtheygotupthereintheCentralPark?ThatwasChristine。Well，Isawwhattheywanted。Theyallsawit——nobodyisafoolinalldirections，andtheDryfoosesareintheirrightsensesagooddealofthetime。Well，tocutalongstoryshort，IgotMrs。Mandeltotake\'eminhand——theoldladyaswellasthegirls。Shewasabornlady，andalwayslivedlikeonetillshesawMandel；andthatsomethingacademicthatkilledherforawriterwasjusttheverythingforthem。Sheknowstheworldwellenoughtoknowjusthowmuchpolishtheycantakeon，andshedon\'ttrytoputonabitmore。

See?"

"Yes，Icansee，"saidMrs。March。

"Well，shetookholdatonce，asreadyasahospital-trainednurse；andthereain\'tanythingreadieronthisplanet。Sherunsthewholeconcern，sociallyandeconomically，takesallthecareofhousekeepingofftheoldlady\'shands，andgoesroundwiththegirls。By-the-bye，I\'mgoingtotakemymealsatyourwidow\'s，March，andConrad\'sgoingtohavehislunchthere。I\'msickofbrowsingabout。"

"Mr。March\'swidow?"saidhiswife，lookingathimwithprovisionalseverity。

"Ihavenowidow，Isabel，"hesaid，"andneverexpecttohave，tillI

leaveyouintheenjoymentofmylife-insurance。IsupposeFulkersonmeanstheladywiththedaughterwhowantedtotakeustoboard。"

"Ohyes。Howaretheygettingon，Idowonder?"Mrs。MarchaskedofFulkerson。

"Well，they\'vegotonefamilytoboard；butit\'sasmallone。Iguessthey\'llpullthrough。Theydidn\'twanttotakeanydayboardersatfirst，thewidowsaid；Iguesstheyhavehadtocometoit。"

"Poorthings!"sighedMrs。March。"Ihopethey\'llgobacktothecountry。"

"Well，Idon\'tknow。Whenyou\'veoncetastedNewYork——Youwouldn\'tgobacktoBoston，wouldyou?"

"Instantly。"

Fulkersonlaughedoutatolerantincredulity。

X

Beatonlithispipewhenhefoundhimselfinhisroom，andsatdownbeforethedullfireinhisgratetothink。Itstruckhimtherewasadullfireinhisheartagreatdeallikeit；andheworkedoutafancifulanalogywiththecoals，stillalive，andtheashescreepingoverthem，andthedeadclayandcinders。Hefeltsickofhimself，sickofhislifeandofallhisworks。HewasangrywithFulkersonforhavinggothimintothatartdepartmentofhis，forhavingboughthimup；andhewasbitteratfatebecausehehadbeenobligedtousethemoneytopaysomepressingdebts，andhadnotbeenabletoreturnthecheckhisfatherhadsenthim。Hepitiedhispooroldfather；heachedwithcompassionforhim；andhesethisteethandsnarledwithcontemptthroughthemforhisownbaseness。Thiswasthekindofworlditwas；buthewashedhishandsofit。Thefaultwasinhumannature，andhereflectedwithpridethathehadatleastnotinventedhumannature；hehadnotsunksolowasthatyet。Thenotionamusedhim；hethoughthemightgetaSatanicepigramoutofitsomeway。Butinthemeantimethatgirl，thatwildanimal，shekeptvisibly，tangiblybeforehim；ifheputouthishandhemighttouchhers，hemightpasshisarmroundherwaist。InParis，inasetheknewthere，whataneffectshewouldbewiththatlookofhers，andthatbeauty，alloutofdrawing!Theywouldrecognizetheflamequalityinher。Heimaginedajokeaboutherbeingafieryspirit，ornymph，naiad，whatever，fromoneofhernativegas-wells。Hebegantosketchonabitofpaperfromthetableathiselbowvaguelinesthatveiledandrevealedalevel，dismallandscape，andavastflameagainstanemptysky，andashapeoutoftheflamethattookonalikenessandfloateddetachedfromit。Thesketchranuptheleftsideofthesheetandstretchedacrossit。Beatonlaughedout。PrettygoodtoletFulkersonhavethatforthecoverofhisfirstnumber!Inblackandreditwouldbeeffective；itwouldcatchtheeyefromthenews-stands。Hemadeamotiontothrowitonthefire，buthelditbackandsliditintothetable-drawer，andsmokedon。HesawthedummywiththeothersketchintheopendrawerwhichhehadbroughtawayfromFulkerson\'sinthemorningandslippedinthere，andhetookitoutandlookedatit。Hemadesomecriticismsinlinewithhispencilonit，correctingthedrawinghereandthere，andthenherespecteditalittlemore，thoughhestillsmiledatthefemininequality——ayoungladyquality。

InspiteofhisexperiencethenighthecalledupontheLeightons，BeatoncouldnotbelievethatAlmanolongercaredforhim。Sheplayedathavingforgottenhimadmirably，butheknewthatafewmonthsbeforeshehadbeenverymindfulofhim。HeknewhehadneglectedthemsincetheycametoNewYork，wherehehadledthemtoexpectinterest，ifnotattention；buthewasusedtoneglectingpeople，andhewassomewhatlessusedtobeingpunishedforit——punishedandforgiven。HefeltthatAlmahadpunishedhimsothoroughlythatsheoughttohavebeensatisfiedwithherworkandtohaveforgivenhiminherheartafterward。Heborenoresentmentafterthefirsttinglingmomentswere-past；heratheradmiredherforit；andhewouldhavebeenreadytogobackhalfanhourlaterandacceptpardonandbeonthefootingoflastsummeragain。Evennowhedebatedwithhimselfwhetheritwastoolatetocall；but，decidedly，aquartertotenseemedlate。ThenextdayhedeterminednevertocallupontheLeightonsagain；buthehadnoreasonforthis；itmerelycameintoatransitoryschemeofconduct，ofretirementfromthesocietyofwomenaltogether；andafterdinnerhewentroundtoseethem。

Heaskedfortheladies，andtheyallthreereceivedhim，Almanotwithoutasurprisethatintimateditselftohim，andhermotherwithnoappreciablerelenting；MissWoodburn，withtheneedleworkwhichshefoundeasiertobevolubleoverthanabook，expressedinherwelcomeaneutralitybothcordialtoBeatonandloyaltoAlma。

"Isitsnowingoutdo\'s?"sheasked，briskly，afterthegreetingsweretransacted。"Mahgoodness!"shesaid，inanswertohisapparentsurpriseatthequestion。"AhmahghtaswellhavestayedintheSoath，forallthewinterAhhaveseeninNewYorkyet。"

"Wedon\'toftenhavesnowmuchbeforeNew-Year\'s，"saidBeaton。

"MissWoodburniswildforarealNorthernwinter，"Mrs。Leightonexplained。

"TheothahnaghtAhwokeupandlookedoatofthewindowandsawalltheroofscoveredwithsnow，anditturnedoattobenothingbutmoonlaght。

Ahwasneversodisappointedinmahlahfe，"saidMissWoodburn。

"Ifyou\'llcometoSt。Barnabynextsummer，youshallhaveallthewinteryouwant，"saidAlma。

"Ican\'tletyouslanderSt。Barnabyinthatway，"saidBeaton，withtheairofwishingtobeunderstoodasmeaningmorethanhesaid。

"Yes?"returnedAlma，coolly。"Ididn\'tknowyouweresofondoftheclimate。"

"Ineverthinkofitasaclimate。It\'salandscape。Itdoesn\'tmatterwhetherit\'shotorcold。"

"Withthethermometertwentybelow，you\'dfindthatitmattered，"Almapersisted。

"IsthatthewayyoufeelaboutSt。Barnaby，too，Mrs。Leighton?"Beatonasked，withaffecteddesolation。

"Ishallbegladenoughtogobackinthesummer，"Mrs。Leightonconceded。

"AndIshouldbegladtogonow，"saidBeaton，lookingatAlma。Hehadthedummyof\'EveryOtherWeek\'inhishand，andhesawAlma\'seyeswanderingtowarditwheneverheglancedather。"IshouldbegladtogoanywheretogetoutofajobI\'veundertaken，"hecontinued，toMrs。

Leighton。"They\'regoingtostartsomesortofanewillustratedmagazine，andthey\'vegotmeinfortheirartdepartment。I\'mnotfitforit；I\'dliketorunaway。Don\'tyouwanttoadvisemealittle，Mrs。

Leighton?YouknowhowmuchIvalueyourtaste，andI\'dliketohaveyoulookatthedesignforthecoverofthefirstnumber:they\'regoingtohaveadifferentoneforeverynumber。Idon\'tknowwhetheryou\'llagreewithme，butIthinkthisisrathernice。"

Hefacedthedummyround，andthenlaiditonthetablebeforeMrs。

Leighton，pushingsomeofherworkasidetomakeroomforitandstandingoverherwhileshebentforwardtolookatit。

Almakeptherplace，awayfromthetable。

"Mahgoodness!Ho\'exciting!"saidMissWoodburn。"Mayanybodylook?"

"Everybody，"saidBeaton。

"Well，isn\'titperfectlychoming!"MissWoodburnexclaimed。"Comeandlookatthis，MissLeighton，"shecalledtoAlma，whoreluctantlyapproached。

Whatlinesarethese?"Mrs。Leightonasked，pointingtoBeaton\'spencilscratches。

"They\'resuggestionsofmodifications，"hereplied。

"Idon\'tthinktheyimproveitmuch。Whatdoyouthink，Alma?"

"Oh，Idon\'tknow，"saidthegirl，constraininghervoicetoaneffectofindifferenceandglancingcarelesslydownatthesketch。"Thedesignmightbeimproved；butIdon\'tthinkthosesuggestionswoulddoit。"

"They\'remine，"saidBeaton，fixinghiseyesuponherwithabeautifulsaddreaminessthatheknewhecouldputintothem；hespokewithadreamyremotenessoftone——hiswind-harpstop，Wetmorecalledit。

"Isupposedso，"saidAlma，calmly。

"Oh，mahgoodness!"criedMissWoodburn。"Isthatthewayyouawtuststalktoeachothah?Well，Ah\'mgladAh\'mnotanawtust——unlessIcoulddoallthetalking。"

"Artistscannottellafib，"Almasaid，"orevenactone，"andshelaughedinBeaton\'supturnedface。

Hedidnotunbendhisdreamygaze。"You\'requiteright。Thesuggestionsarestupid。"

AlmaturnedtoMissWoodburn:"Youhear?Evenwhenwespeakofourownwork。"

"Ahnevahhoadanythinglahkeit!"

"Andthedesignitself?"Beatonpersisted。

"Oh，I\'mnotanarteditor，"Almaanswered，withalaughofexultantevasion。

Atall，dark，grave-lookingmanoffifty，withaswarthyfaceandiron-

graymustacheandimperialandgoatee，enteredtheroom。Beatonknewthetype；hehadbeenthroughVirginiasketchingforoneoftheillustratedpapers，andhehadseensuchmeninRichmond。MissWoodburnhardlyneededtosay，"MayAhintroduceyoutomahfathaw，Co\'nelWoodburn，Mr。

Beaton?"

Themenshookhands，andColonelWoodburnsaid，inthatsoft，gentle，slowSouthernvoicewithoutourNortherncontractions:"Iamverygladtomeetyou，sir；happytomakeyo\'acquaintance。Donotmove，madam，"hesaidtoMrs。Leighton，whomadeadeprecatorymotiontolethimpasstothechairbeyondher；"Icanfindmyway。"Hebowedabulkthatdidnotlenditselfreadilytothedevotion，andpickeduptheballofyarnshehadletdropoutofherlapinhalfrising。"Yo\'worsteds，madam。"

"Yarn，yarn，ColonelWoodburn!"Almashouted。"You\'requiteincorrigible。Aspadeisaspade!"

"Butsometimesitisatrump，mydearyounglady，"saidtheColonel，withunabatedgallantry；"andwhenyo\'mothahusesyarn，itisworsteds。ButIrespectworstedsevenunderthenameofyarn:ourladies——myownmothahandsistahs——hadtoknitthesockswewore——allwecouldgetinthewoe。"

"Yes，andaftahthewoe，"hisdaughterputin。"Theknittinghasnotstoppedyetinsomeplaces。HaveyoubeenmuchintheSoath，Mr。Beaton?"

Beatonexplainedjusthowmuch。

"Well，sir，"saidtheColonel，"thenyouhaveseenacountrymakinggiganticstrugglestoretrieveitslosses，sir。TheSouthisadvancingwithenormousstrides，sir。"

"Toofastforsomeofustokeepup，"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleaside。"ThepaceinCharlottesboagispofectlykilling，andwehadtodropoatintoaslowplacelikeNewYork。"

"TheprogressintheSouthismaterialnow，"saidtheColonel；"andthoseofuswhoseinterestsareinanotherdirectionfindourselves——isolated——isolated，sir。TheintellectualcentresarestillintheNo\'th，sir；

thegreatcitiesdrawthementalactivityofthecountrytothem，sir。

NecessarilyNewYorkisthemetropolis。"

"Oh，everythingcomeshere，"saidBeaton，impatientoftheelder\'sponderosity。AnothersortofmanwouldhavesympathizedwiththeSoutherner\'swillingnesstotalkofhimself，andledhimontospeakofhisplansandideals。ButthesortofmanthatBeatonwascouldnotdothis；heputupthedummyintothewrapperhehadletdroponthefloorbesidehim，andtieditroundwithstringwhileColonelWoodburnwastalking。HegottohisfeetwiththewordshespokeandofferedMrs。

Leightonhishand。

"Mustyougo?"sheasked，insurprise。

"Iamonmywaytoareception，"hesaid。Shehadnoticedthathewasineveningdress；andnowshefeltthevaguehurtthatpeopleinvitednowherefeelinthepresenceofthosewhoaregoingsomewhere。Shedidnotfeelitforherself，butforherdaughter；andsheknewAlmawouldnothaveletherfeelitifshecouldhavepreventedit。ButAlmahadlefttheroomforamoment，andshetacitlyindulgedthissenseofinjuryinherbehalf。

"Pleasesaygood-nighttoMissLeightonforme，"Beatoncontinued。HebowedtoMissWoodburn，"Goodnight，MissWoodburn，"andtoherfather，bluntly，"Goodnight。"

"Good-night，sir，"saidtheColonel，withasortofseveresuavity。

"Oh，isn\'thechoming!"MissWoodburnwhisperedtoMrs。LeightonwhenBeatonlefttheroom。

Almaspoketohiminthehallwithout。"Youknewthatwasmydesign，Mr。

Beaton。Whydidyoubringit?"

"Why?"Helookedatheringloomyhesitation。

Thenhesaid:"Youknowwhy。Iwishedtotalkitoverwithyou，toserveyou，pleaseyou，getbackyourgoodopinion。ButI\'vedoneneithertheonenortheother；I\'vemadeamessofthewholething。"

Almainterruptedhim。"Hasitbeenaccepted?"

"Itwillbeaccepted，ifyouwillletit。"

"Letit?"shelaughed。"Ishallbedelighted。"Shesawhimswayedalittletowardher。"It\'samatterofbusiness，isn\'tit?"

"Purely。Good-night。"

WhenAlmareturnedtotheroom，ColonelWoodburnwassayingtoMrs。

Leighton:"Idonotcontendthatitisimpossible，madam，butitisverydifficultinathoroughlycommercializedsociety，likeyours，tohavethefeelingsofagentleman。Howcanabusinessman，whoseprosperity，whoseearthlysalvation，necessarilyliesintheadversityofsomeoneelse，bedelicateandchivalrous，orevenhonest?IfwecouldhavehadtimetoperfectoursystemattheSouth，toeliminatewhatwasevilanddevelopwhatwasgoodinit，weshouldhavehadaperfectsystem。Butthevirusofcommercialismwasinus，too；itforbadeustomakethebestofadivineinstitution，andtemptedustomaketheworst。Nowthecurseisonthewholecountry；thedollaristhemeasureofeveryvalue，thestampofeverysuccess。Whatdoesnotsellisafailure；andwhatsellssucceeds。"

"Thehobbyisoat，mahdeah，"saidMissWoodburn，inanaudibleasidetoAlma。

"Wereyouspeakingofme，ColonelWoodburn?"Almaasked。

"Surelynot，mydearyounglady。"

"Buthe\'sbeensayingthatawtustsarejustasgreedyaboatmoneyasanybody，"saidhisdaughter。

"Thelawofcommercialismisoneverythinginacommercialsociety，"theColonelexplained，softeningthetoneinwhichhisconvictionswerepresented。"Thefinalrewardofartismoney，andnotthepleasureofcreating。"

"Perhapstheywouldbewillingtotakeitalloatinthatifothahpeoplewouldletthempaytheirbillsinthepleasureofcreating，"hisdaughterteased。

"Theyarehelpless，likealltherest，"saidherfather，withthesamedeferencetoherastootherwomen。"Idonotblamethem。"

"Oh，mahgoodness!Didn\'tyousay，sir，thatMr。Beatonhadbadmanners?"

Almarelievedaconfusionwhichheseemedtofeelinreferencetoher。

"Badmanners?Hehasnomanners!Thatis，whenhe\'shimself。Hehasprettygoodoneswhenhe\'ssomebodyelse。"

MissWoodburnbegan，"Oh，mah-"andthenstoppedherself。Alma\'smotherlookedatherwithdistressedquestion，butthegirlseemedperfectlycoolandcontented；andshegavehermindprovisionallytoapointsuggestedbyColonelWoodburn\'stalk。

"Still，Ican\'tbelieveitwasrighttoholdpeopleinslavery，towhipthemandsellthem。Itneverdidseemrighttome，"sheadded，inapologyforherextremesentimentstothegentlenessofheradversary。

"Iquiteagreewithyou，madam，"saidtheColonel。"Thoseweretheabusesoftheinstitution。ButifwehadnotbeenvitiatedontheonehandandthreatenedontheotherbythespiritofcommercialismfromtheNorth——andfromEurope，too——thoseabusescouldhavebeeneliminated，andtheinstitutiondevelopedinthedirectionofthemildpatriarchalismofthedivineintention。"TheColonelhitchedhischair，whichfiguredahobbycareeringuponitshindlegs，alittletowardMrs。Leightonandthegirlsapproachedtheirheadsandbegantowhisper；theyfelldeferentiallysilentwhentheColonelpausedinhisargument，andwentonagainwhenhewenton。

AtlasttheyheardMrs。Leightonsaying，"Andhaveyouheardfromthepublishersaboutyourbookyet?"

ThenMissWoodburncutin，beforeherfathercouldanswer:"Thecoaseofcommercialismisonthat，too。Theyaretrahingtofahndoatwhethahitwillpay。"

"Andtheyareright-quiteright，"saidtheColonel。"Thereisnolongeranyothercriterion；andevenaworkthatattacksthesystemmustbesubmittedtothetestsofthesystem。"

"Thesystemwon\'tacceptdestructiononanyothahtomes，"saidMissWoodburn，demurely。

XI。

Atthereception，wheretwomeninliverystoodasidetolethimpassuptheoutsidestepsofthehouse，andtwomorehelpedhimoffwithhisovercoatindoors，andafifthmiscalledhisnameintothedrawing-room，theSyracusestone-cutter\'ssonmetthenieceofMrs。Horn，andbeganatoncetotellherabouthiseveningattheDryfooses\'。Hewasinverygoodspirits，forsofarashecouldhavebeenelatedordepressedbyhispartingwithAlmaLeightonhehadbeenelated；shehadnottreatedhisimpudencewiththecontemptthathefeltitdeserved；shemuststillbefondofhim；andthewarmsenseofthis，byoperationofanobscurebutwell-recognizedlawofthemasculinebeing，disposedhimtoberatherfondofMissVance。Shewasaslendergirl，whosesemi-aestheticdressflowedaboutherwithanaccentuationofherlongforms，andredeemedthemfromcensurebytheveryfranknesswithwhichitconfessedthem；

nobodycouldhavesaidthatMargaretVancewastootall。Herprettylittlehead，whichshehadaneffectofchoosingtohavelittleinthesamespiritofjudiciousdefiance，hadagooddealofreadinginit；shewasproudtoknowliteraryandartisticfashionsaswellassocietyfashions。ShelikedbeingsingledoutbyanexteriordistinctionsoobviousasBeaton\'s，andshelistenedwithsympatheticinteresttohisaccountofthosepeople。Hegavetheirnaturalhistoryrealitybydrawinguponhisown；hereconstructedtheirplebeianpastfromtheexperiencesofhischildhoodandhisyouthofthepre-Parisianperiod；

andhehadapangofsuicidaljoyininsultingtheirignoranceoftheworld。

"Whatdifferentkindsofpeopleyoumeet!"saidthegirlatlast，withanenvioussigh。Herreadinghadenlargedtheboundsofherimagination，ifnotherknowledge；thenovelsnowadaysdealtsomuchwithverycommonpeople，andmadethemseemsoverymuchmoreworthwhilethanthepeopleonemet。

ShesaidsomethinglikethistoBeaton。Heanswered:"YoucanmeetthepeopleI\'mtalkingofveryeasily，ifyouwanttotakethetrouble。

It\'swhattheycametoNewYorkfor。Ifancyit\'sthegreatambitionoftheirlivestobemet。"

"Ohyes，"saidMissVance，fashionably，andlookeddown；thenshelookedupandsaid，intellectually:"Don\'tyouthinkit\'sagreatpity?Howmuchbetterforthemtohavestayedwheretheywereandwhattheywere!"

"Thenyoucouldneverhavehadanychanceofmeetingthem，"saidBeaton。

"Idon\'tsupposeyouintendtogoouttothegascountry?"

"No，"saidMissVance，amused。"NotthatIshouldn\'tliketogo。"

"Whatadaringspirit!Yououghttobeonthestaffof\'EveryOtherWeek，\'"saidBeaton。

"Thestaff-EveryOtherWeek?Whatisit?"

"Themissinglink；thelong-feltwantofatiebetweentheArtsandtheDollars。"Beatongaveheraverypicturesque，averydramaticsketchofthetheory，thepurpose，andthepersonnelofthenewenterprise。

MissVanceunderstoodtoolittleaboutbusinessofanykindtoknowhowitdifferedfromotherenterprisesofitssort。Shethoughtitwasdelightful；shethoughtBeatonmustbegladtobepartofit，thoughhehadrepresentedhimselfsobored，soinjured，byFulkerson\'sinsistinguponhavinghim。"Andisitasecret?Isitathingnottobespokenof?"

"\'Tutt\'altro\'!Fulkersonwillbeenrapturedtohaveitspokenofinsociety。Hewouldpayanyreasonablebillfortheadvertisement。"

"Whatadelightfulcreature!Tellhimitshallallbespentincharity。"

"Hewouldlikethat。Hewouldgettwoparagraphsoutofthefact，andyournamewouldgointothe\'LiteraryNotes\'ofallthenewspapers。"

"Oh，butIshouldn\'twantmynameused!"criedthegirl，halfhorrifiedintofancyingthesituationreal。

"Thenyou\'dbetternotsayanythingabout\'EveryOtherWeek\'。Fulkersonispreternaturallyunscrupulous。"

Marchbegantothinksotoo，attimes。Hewasperpetuallysuggestingchangesinthemake-upofthefirstnumber，withaviewtoitsgreatervividnessofeffect。Onedayhecameandsaid:"Thisthingisn\'tgoingtohaveanysortofgetupandhowlaboutit，unlessyouhaveapaperinthefirstnumbergoingforBevans\'snovels。BettergetMaxwelltodoit。"

"Why，IthoughtyoulikedBevans\'snovels?"

"SoIdid；butwherethegoodof\'EveryOtherWeek\'isconcernedIamaRomanfather。ThepopulargagistoabuseBevans，andMaxwellisthemantodoit。Therehasn\'tbeenanewmagazinestartedforthelastthreeyearsthathasn\'thadanarticlefromMaxwellinitsfirstnumbercuttingBevansalltopieces。Ifpeopledon\'tseeit，they\'llthink\'EveryOtherWeek\'issomeoldthing。"

MarchdidnotknowwhetherFulkersonwasjokingornot。Hesuggested，"Perhapsthey\'llthinkit\'sanoldthingiftheydoseeit。"

"Well，getsomebodyelse，then；orelsegetMaxwelltowriteunderanassumedname。Or——Iforgot!He\'llbeanonymousunderoursystem，anyway。Nowthereain\'tamorepopularracketforustoworkinthatfirstnumberthanagood，swingingattackonBevans。Peoplereadhisbooksandquarrelover\'em，andthecriticsareallagainsthim，andaregularflaying，withsaltandvinegarrubbedinafterward，willtellmorewithpeoplewholikegoodold-fashionedfictionthananythingelse。

IlikeBevans\'sthings，but，dadburnit!whenitcomestothatfirstnumber，I\'dofferupanybody。"

"Whatanimmorallittlewretchyouare，Fulkerson!"saidMarch，withalaugh。