第13章

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

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

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

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

"Letyourwomenkeepsilenceinthechurches，"saidtheoldwoman，solemnly。

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

IX。

TheDryfooseswentlatetoMrs。Horn\'smusicale，inspiteofMrs。

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

doforatardycomeratthetheatre。

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hewasacontributorto\'EveryOtherWeek，\'andsoMarchknewhim；

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

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

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

societysideofhercharacter，heractivityincharity，herspecialdevotiontotheworkamongthepoorontheEastSide，whichshepersonallyengagedin。

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

ButIsupposeshewouldwanttokillme，ifIwastospeaktohernow。"

Thestudentofhumannaturesaid，politely，"Oh，shallItakeyoutoher?"

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

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

heputonasad，reprovingairwithher，andgaveherthefeelingofbeingheldincheck。

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

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

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

"Itmighthavebeenthere，"Bectonsuggested。"Shegoesamongfriendlesspeopleeverywhere。"

"Maybethat\'sthereasonshecametoseeus!"saidChristine。

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

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

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

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

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

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

mustn\'ttrytosayhowmuch，"sheadded，withalookofdeepregardathim。

Conradblushedandstoodfoldinghisarmstightoverhisbreast，whilehissisterreceivedMargaret\'sconfessionwiththesuspicionwhichwasherfirstfeelinginregardtoanynewthing。Whatsheconcludedwasthatthisgirlwastryingtogetinwiththem，forreasonsofherown。

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

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

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

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

mustbidyougood-night。"

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

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

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

Theywereapparentlynottroubled。Melasaidoverhershouldertothestudentofhumannature，"ThenexttimeIseeyouI\'llgiveittoyouforwhatyousaidaboutMoffitt。"

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

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

"Oh，Iamveryglad，"shereplied，inhermurmur。

Oneoftheoldfriendsofthehousearchedhereyebrowsinsayinggood-

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

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

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

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

Only，IbelieveIwouldratherletsomeoneelsebeginwiththem。TheLeightonsdidn\'tcome?"

"Isentthemcards。Icouldn\'tcallagain。"

Mrs。Hornsighedalittle。"IsupposeMr。Dryfoosisoneofyourfellow-

philanthropists?"

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

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

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

"Oh，astothat，neitherofthemwasmuchabashed。DoyousupposeMr。Beatongavetheotheronesomehintsforthatquaintdressofhers?

Idon\'timaginethatblackandlaceisherowninvention。Sheseemstohavesomesortofstrangefascinationforhim。"

"She\'sverypicturesque，"Margaretexplained。"Andartistsseepointsinpeoplethattherestofusdon\'t。"

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

"Butheisn\'tbase，"retortedthegirl，withagenerousindignationthatmadeherauntsmile。

"Ohno；butifhefancieshersopicturesque，itdoesn\'tfollowthathewouldobjecttoherbeingrich。"

"ItwouldwithamanlikeMr。Beaton!"

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

"Heseemsaverykindperson，"saidMargaret。

"AndMr。Dryfoospayshissalary?"

"Idon\'tknowanythingaboutthat。Butthatwouldn\'tmakeanydifferencewithhim。"

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

TheMarcheswalkedhome，bothbecauseitwasnotfar，andbecausetheymustspareincarriagehireatanyrate。Assoonastheywereoutofthehouse，sheappliedapointofconsciencetohim。

"Idon\'tseehowyoucouldtalktothatgirlsolong，Basil，andmakeherlaughso。"

"Why，thereseemednooneelsetodoit，tillIthoughtofKendricks。"

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

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

"Doyoudenythatit\'strue，Basil?"

"Doyoubelievethatit\'strue，Isabel?"

"Nomatter。Butcouldyouexcuseitifitwere?"

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

"Yes，"sighedthewife，"I\'mafraidthatIshould。Buttellmethatyouwouldn\'t，Basil!"

"IcantellyouthatIwasn\'t。ButIsupposethatinarealexigency，IcouldtruckletotheproprietaryDryfoosesaswellasyou。"

"Ohno；youmustn\'t，dear!I\'mawoman，andI\'mdreadfullyafraid。Butyoumustalwaysbeaman，especiallywiththathorridoldMr。Dryfoos。

Promisemethatyou\'llneveryieldtheleastpointtohiminamatterofrightandwrong!"

"Notifhe\'srightandI\'mwrong?"

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

"I\'llpromisetosubmitthepointtoyou，andletyoudotheyielding。

Asforme，Ishallbeadamant。NothingIlikebetter。"

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

"AndIneverdidlikemartyrsagreatdeal，"Marchinterposed。

"Iwonderhowtheycametobethere，"Mrs。Marchpursued，unmindfulofhisjoke。

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

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

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

"Well，Idon\'tknow。Weallrespectmoney。"

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

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

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

especiallyiftheirgainsaresudden——neverhave。Andthat\'sthekindofpeoplethatformournobility；there\'snousepretendingthatwehaven\'tanobility；wemightaswellpretendwehaven\'tfirst-classcarsinthepresenceofavestibuledPullman。Thosegirlshadnomoredoubtoftheirrighttobetherethaniftheyhadbeenduchesses:wethoughtitwasveryniceofMissVancetocomeandaskus，buttheydidn\'t；theyweren\'tafraid，ortheleastembarrassed；theywereperfectlynatural——likebornaristocrats。Andyoumaybesurethatiftheplutocracythatnowownsthecountryeverseesfittotakeontheoutwardsignsofanaristocracy——titles，andarms，andancestors——itwon\'tfalterfromanyinherentquestionofitsworth。Moneyprizesandhonorsitself，andifthereisanythingithasn\'tgot，itbelievesitcanbuyit。"

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

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

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

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

ChristinelistenedwithadreamypleasuretotheflatterieswithwhichMelapliedherinthehopeofsomereturninkind，andnotatallbecauseshefeltspitefullytowardMissVance，orinanywisewishedherill。

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

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

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

Butallthisdidnotadmittheideaofpossession，evenofaspiration。

Atthemosthisworshiponlysetherbeyondtheloveofothermenasfarasbeyondhisown。

EndAHazardofNewFortunesV4

ByWilliamDeanHowellsPARTFOURTH

NotlongafterLent，FulkersonsetbeforeDryfoosonedayhisschemeforadinnerincelebrationofthesuccessof\'EveryOtherWeek。\'Dryfooshadnevermeddledinanymannerwiththeconductoftheperiodical；

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

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

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

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

Thereitisinanutshell。ImightexpandandImightexpound，butthat\'sthesumandsubstanceofit。"

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

Theeditorleanedbackinhischair。"Idon\'tpretendtohaveMr。

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

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

"AmIgoingtocomeinanywhere?"theoldmaninterrupted。

"You\'regoingtocomeinattheheadoftheprocession!Wearegoingtostrikeeverythingthatisimaginativeandromanticinthenewspapersoulwithyouandyourhistoryandyourfancyforgoinginforthisthing。

Icanstartyouinaparagraphthatwilltravelthroughallthenewspapers，fromMainetoTexasandfromAlaskatoFlorida。Wehavehadallsortsofrichmenbackingupliteraryenterprises，butthenatural-

gasmaninliteratureisanewthing，andthecombinationofyourpicturesquepastandyouraestheticpresentissomethingthatwillknockoutthesympathiesoftheAmericanpublicthefirstround。Ifeel，"

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

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

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

shouldn\'tletanythingofthatsortgooutuncontradictedafterward。Butthereisn\'tanythinginthesetimesthatwouldgiveusbetterstandingwiththepublicthansomehintofthewayyoufeelaboutsuchthings。

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

"Iguess，"saidtheoldman，"wewillgetalongwithoutthecut。"

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

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

thatIexpectedhimtopaythetwohundred。"

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

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

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

"Doesn\'tthatfactseemtopointtoapostponementtilltheygetback，sometimeinOctober，"Marchsuggested，"No，no!"saidFulkerson，"youdon\'tcatchontothebusinessendofthisthing，myfriends。You\'reproceedingonsomethingliketheoldexplodedideathatthedemandcreatesthesupply，wheneverybodyknows，ifhe\'swatchedthecourseofmodernevents，thatit\'sjustasapttobetheotherway。Icontendthatwe\'vegotarealsubstantialsuccesstocelebratenow；butevenifwehadn\'t，thecelebrationwoulddomorethananythingelsetocreatethesuccess，ifwegotitproperlybeforethepublic。Peoplewillsay:Thosefellowsarenotfools；theywouldn\'tgoandrejoiceovertheirmagazineunlesstheyhadgotabigthinginit。

AndthestateoffeelingweshouldproduceinthepublicmindwouldmakeaboomofperfectlyunprecedentedgrandeurforE。O。W。Heigh?"

Helookedsunnilyfromonetotheotherinsuccession。TheelderDryfoossaid，withhischinonthetopofhisstick，"IreckonthoseLittleNeckclamswillkeep。"

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

"Thesmallerthebetter，"saidtheoldman。

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

"Idon\'tunderstand，"saidDryfoos。

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

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

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

Fulkerson\'sadvertisingorgie。"

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

Marchlaughedathisimpudence，butathearthewasashamedofFulkersonforproposingtomakeuseofDryfoosandhishouseinthatway。

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

Theoldmanrosetoputanendtotheinterview。Heonlyrepeated，"Iguessthoseclamswillkeeptillfall。"

ButFulkersonwasapparentlysatisfiedwiththeprogresshehadmade；andwhenhejoinedMarchforthestrollhomewardafterofficehours，hewasabletodetachhismindfromthesubject，asifcontenttoleaveit。

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

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

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

"Youweregraduallyleadingupto\'EveryOtherWeek\'，somehow。"

"No，sir；Iwasn\'t。IwasjustthinkingwhatadifferentcreatureaMassachusettsmanisfromaVirginian，AndyetIsupposethey\'rebothaspureEnglishstockasyou\'llgetanywhereinAmerica。Marsh，IthinkColonelWoodburn\'spaperisgoingtomakeahit。"

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

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

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

Fulkersonsmiledinapprovalofthejoke，andonlysaid:"Iwishyoucouldmeetthecolonelintheprivacyofthedomesticcircle，March。

You\'dlikehim。He\'sasplendidoldfellow；regulartype。Talkaboutspring!

Yououghttoseethewidow\'slittlebackyardthesedays。Youknowthatglassgalleryjustbeyondthedining-room?Thosegirlshavegotthepot-

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

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

"NotsomuchaswithMissWoodburn\'sfather。"

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

"Ishouldlikethatbetter，Ibelieve，"saidMarch。

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

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

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

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

"Reporterspresent?"

"No，no!Nothingofthatkind；perfectlysincereanddisinterestedenjoyment。"

"Oh，afewhandbillstobescatteredaround:"BuyEveryOtherWeek，"

Lookoutforthenextnumberof\'EveryOtherWeek，\'\'EveryOtherWeekatallthenews-stands。\'Well，I\'lltalkitoverwithMrs。March。I

supposethere\'snogreathurry。"

MarchtoldhiswifeoftheidyllicmoodinwhichhehadleftFulkersonatthewidow\'sdoor，andshesaidhemustbeinlove。

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

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

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

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

"Ishouldthinkshemighthaveusefortheminthatfamily，poorthing!"

saidMrs。March。

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

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

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

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

"Theyoughtn\'ttohaveofferedusanincreasedrent；theyhavetakenanadvantageofus。"

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

"Hadyou?Thisisasurprise。"

"Everythingisasurprisetoyou，Basil，whenithappens。"

"True；Ikeeptheworldfresh，thatway。"

"Itwouldn\'thavebeenanychangetogofromonecitytoanotherforthesummer。WemightaswellhavestayedinNewYork。"

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

"Nonsense!Youknowwecouldn\'tspendthesummerinNewYork。"

"IknowIcould。"

"Whatstuff!Youcouldn\'tmanage。"

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

couldkeephouse，andhecoulddinewithmehere。"

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

"Oh，weshouldbeonlytoogladtohaveyoujoinus，"saidMarch，playingwithfire。

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

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