第2章

"WEdon\'t，butHEdoes，"answeredtheyounggirl。"Heconsidersushissocialinferiors。But——hush!"

MintySharpehadjustenteredtheroom，andwasadvancingwithsmilingconfidencetowardsthetable。Mainwaringwasalittlestartled；hehadseenMintyinahollandsun-bonnetandturnedupskirtcrossingtheveranda，onlyamomentbefore；inthebriefinstantbetweenthedishing-upofdinneranditsactualannouncementshehadmanagedtochangeherdress，putonacleancollar，cuffs，andalargejetbrooch，andapplysomeodorousunguenttoherrebellioushair。Herface，guiltlessofpowderorcoldcream，wasstillshiningwiththehealthyperspirationofherlastlaborsasshepromptlytookthevacantchairbesideMainwaring。

"Don\'tmindme，folks，"shesaidcheerfully，restingherplumpelbowonthetable，andaddressingthecompanygenerally，butgazingwithfrankcuriosityintothefaceoftheyoungmanatherside。"Itwasakeenjump，Itellyer，togetoutofmyolddudsinterthese，andlookdecentinsideo\'fiveminutes。ButIreckonIain\'tkeptyerwaitin\'long——leastofallthisyersickstranger。

Butyou\'relookingpearterthanyoudid。You\'rewonderin\'likeeznotwhereIeversawyebefore？"shecontinued，laughing。"Well，I\'lltellyou。Lastweek!I\'dkemoveryeronachanceofseein\'

JennyBradley，andwhileIwasmeanderin\'downtheverandaIsawyoulyin\'backinyourchairbythewindowdrownedinsleep，likeababy。Lordy!Imouthevwonapairo\'gloves，butIreckonedyouwereLoo\'sgame，andnotmine。”

TheslightlyconstrainedlaughwhichwentroundthetableafterMissMinty\'sspeechwasduequiteasmuchtothefaintflushthathadaccentedMainwaring\'sownsmileastotheembarrassingremarkitself。Mrs。BradleyandMissMacyexchangedrapidglances。

Bradley，whoaloneretainedhiscomposure，withaslightflickerofamusementinthecornerofhiseyeandnostril，saidquickly:"Yousee，Mainwaring，hownaturestandsreadytohelpyourconvalescenceateveryturn。IfMissMintyhadonlyfollowedupherhealingopportunity，yourcurewouldhavebeencomplete。”

"Yemouthevleftsomeo\'thatprettytalkforHIMtosay，"saidMinty，takingupherknifeandforkwithaslightshrug，"andyouneedn\'tcallmeMISSMintyeither，jestbecausethere\'skempenypresent。”

"Ihopeyouwon\'tlookuponmeascompany，Minty，orIshallbeobligedtocallyou\'Miss\'too，"saidMainwaring，unexpectedlyregaininghisusualfrankness。

Bradley\'sfacebrightened；MissMintyraisedherblackeyesfromherplatewithstillbroaderappreciation。

"There\'snothin\'meanaboutthat，"shesaid，showingherwhiteteeth。"Well，what\'sYOURfirstname？"

"Notasprettyasyours，I\'mafraid。It\'sFrank。”

"Noitain\'t，it\'sFrancis!YoureckontobeSirFrancissomeday，"shesaidgravely。"Youcan\'tplayanyFrankoffonme。Youwouldn\'tdoitonHER，"sheadded，indicatingLouisewithherelbow。

Amomentoussilencefollowed。TheparticularformthatMinty\'svulgarityhadtakenhadnotbeenanticipatedbythetwootherwomen。Theyhad，notunreasonably，expectedsomeoriginalaudacityorgaucheriefromtheblacksmith\'sdaughter，whichmightastonishyetamusetheirguest，andcondoneforthesituationforceduponthem。Buttheywerenotpreparedforaplayfulnessthatinvolvedthemselvesinaridiculousindiscretion。Mrs。Bradley\'seyessoughtherhusband\'smeaningly；Louise\'sprettymouthhardened。

Luckilythecheerfulcauseofitsuddenlyjumpedupfromthetable，andsayingthatthestrangerwasstarving，insisteduponbringingadishfromtheothersideandhelpinghimherselfplentifully。

Mainwaringrosegallantlytotakethedishfromherhand，aslightscuffleensuedwhichendedintheyoungmanbeingforceddowninhischairbythepressureofMinty\'sstrongplumphandonhisshoulder。"There，"shesaid，"yekinmindyourdinnernow，andI

reckonwe\'llgivetheothersachancetochipintotheconversation，"

andatonceappliedherselftotheplatebeforeher。

Theconversationpresentlybecamegeneral，withtheexceptionthatMinty，moreorlessengrossedbyprofessionalanxietyinthequalityofthedinnerandoccasionalhurriedvisitstothekitchen，brieflyansweredthefewpoliteremarkswhichMainwaringfeltcalledupontoaddresstoher。Nevertheless，hewasconscious，malgreherrallyingallusionstoMissMacy，thathefeltnoneofthevagueyethalfpleasantanxietywithwhichLouisewasbeginningtoinspirehim。HefeltateaseinMinty\'spresence，andbelieved，rightlyorwrongly，thatsheunderstoodhimaswellasheunderstoodher。Andtherewerecertainlypointsincommonbetweenhistwohostessesandtheirhumblerthoughprouddependent。ThesocialevolutionofMrs。BradleyandLouiseMacyfromsomepreviousMintywasneitherremotenorcomplete；theself-sufficientindependence，ease，andquietself-assertionwerealikeineach。

Thesuperiorpositionwasstilltoorecentandaccidentalforeithertoresentorcriticisequalitiesthatwerecommontoboth。

Atleast，thiswaswhathethoughtwhennotabandoninghimselftothegratificationofaconvalescentappetite；tothepresenceoftwoprettywomen，thesympathyofagenialfriend，thehealthyintoxicationofthewhitesunlightthatglanceduponthepinewalls，theviewsthatmirroredthemselvesintheopenwindows，andthepureatmosphereinwhichTheLookoutseemedtoswim。Wanderingbreezesofbalmandspicelightlystirredtheflowersonthetable，andseemedtofanhishairandforeheadwithsoftlyhealingbreath。

Lookingupinanintervalofsilence，hecaughtBradley\'sgrayeyesfixeduponhimwithasubduedlightofamusementandaffection，asofanelderbrotherregardingaschoolboy\'sboisterousappetiteatsomefeast。Mainwaringlaiddownhisknifeandforkwithalaughingcolor，touchedequallybyBradley\'sfraternalkindlinessandtheconsciousnessofhisgastronomicalpowers。

"Hangit，Bradley；lookhere!Iknowmyappetite\'sdisgraceful，butwhatcanafellowdo？Insuchair，withsuchviandsandsuchcompany!It\'slikethebeesgettingdrunkonHyblaandHymettus，youknow。I\'mnotresponsible!"

"It\'sthefirstsquaremealIbelieveyou\'vereallyeateninsixmonths，"saidBradley，gravely。"Ican\'tunderstandwhyyourdoctorallowedyoutorundownsodreadfully。”

"Ireckonyouain\'taskeerfulofyourself，youBritishers，ezus，"

saidMinty。"Lordy!Whythere\'sPopinvestsinmorepatentmedicinesinonedaythanyouhaveintwoweeks，andhe\'dmaketwoofyou。Mebbeyourfolksdon\'tlookafteryouenough。”

"I\'masplendidadvertisementofwhatYOURcareandyourmedicineshavedone，"saidMainwaring，gratefully，toMrs。Bradley；"andifyoueverwanttosetupa\'Cure\'here，I\'mreadywithaten-pagetestimonial。”

"Haveacare，Mainwaring，"saidBradley，laughing，"thattheladiesdon\'ttakeyouatyourword。LouiseandJennyhavebeendoingtheirbestforthelastyeartogetmetoacceptaflatteringofferfromaSacramentofirmtoputupahotelfortouristsonthesiteofTheLookout。Why，Ibelievethattheyhavealreadysecretlyintheirheartsconcoctedaflamingprospectusof\'UnrivalledScenery\'

and\'Health-givingAir，\'andarelookingforwardtoSaturdaynighthopsonthepiazza。”

"Haveyoureally，though？"saidMainwaring，gazingfromtheonetotheother。

"Weshouldcertainlyseemorecompanythanwedonow，andfeelalittlelessoutoftheworld，"saidLouise，candidly。"Therearenoneighborshere——ImeanthepeopleattheSummitarenot，"sheadded，withaslightglancetowardsMinty。

"AndMr。Bradleywouldfinditmoreprofitable——nottosaymoresuitabletoamanofhisposition——thanthiswretchedsaw-millandtimberbusiness，"saidMrs。Bradley，decidedly。

Mainwaringwasastounded；wasitpossibletheyconsidereditmoredignifiedforalawyertokeepahotelthanasaw-mill？Bradley，asifansweringwhatwaspassinginhismind，saidmischievously，"I\'mnotsure，exactly，whatmypositionis，mydear，andI\'mafraidI\'vedeclinedthehotelonbusinessprinciples。But，bytheway，Mainwaring，IfoundaletteratthemillthismorningfromMr。

Richardson。HeisabouttopayusthedistinguishedhonorofvisitingTheLookout，solelyonyouraccount，mydearfellow。”

"ButIwrotehimthatIwasmuchbetter，anditwasn\'tnecessaryforhimtocome，"saidMainwaring。

"Hemakesanexcuseofsomelawbusinesswithme。Isupposeheconsidersthemerefactofhistakingthetroubletocomehere，allthewayfromSanFrancisco，asufficienthonortojustifyanyabsenceofformalinvitation，"saidBradley，smiling。

"Buthe\'sonly——Imeanhe\'smyfather\'sbanker，"saidMainwaring，correctinghimself，"and——youdon\'tkeepahotel。”

"Notyet，"returnedBradley，withamischievousglanceatthetwowomen，"butTheLookoutiselastic，andIdaresaywecanmanagetoputhimup。”

Asilenceensued。Itseemedasifsomeshadow，ormomentarydarkeningofthebrilliantatmosphere；somefilmacrossthemirror-

likeexpanseoftheopenwindows，ormistydimmingoftheirwholesomelight，hadarisentotheirelevation。Mainwaringfeltthathewaslookingforwardwithunreasoningindignationanduneasinesstothisimpendinginterruptionoftheiridylliclife；

Mrs。BradleyandLouise，whohadbecomealittlemoreconstrainedandformalunderMinty\'sfreedom，werelesssympathetic；eventheirrepressibleMintyappearedabsorbedintheresponsibilitiesofthedinner。

Bradleyalonepreservedhisusualpatientgood-humor。"We\'lltakeourcoffeeontheveranda，andtheladieswilljoinusbyandby，Mainwaring；besides，Idon\'tknowthatIcanallowyou，asaninvalid，togoentirelythroughMinty\'sbountifulmenuatpresent。

Youshallhavethesweetsanothertime。”

Whentheywerealoneontheveranda，hesaid，betweenthepuffsofhisblackbrier-woodpipe，——apetaversionofMrs。Bradley，——"I

wonderhowRichardsonwillacceptMinty!"

"IfIcan，IthinkheMUST，"returnedMainwaring，dryly。"ByJove，itwillbegreatfuntoseehim；but"——hestoppedandhesitated——"I

don\'tknowabouttheladies。Idon\'tthink，youknow，thatthey\'llstandMintyagainbeforeanotherstranger。”

Bradleyglancedquicklyattheyoungman；theireyesmet，andtheybothjoinedinasuperiorand，Ifear，disloyalsmile。AfterapauseBradley，asifinaspiritoffurtherconfidence，tookhispipefromhismouthandpointedtotheblueabyssbeforethem。

"Lookatthatprofundity，Mainwaring，andthinkofiteverbeingbulliedandoverawedbyalongveranda-loadofgaping，patronizingtourists，andtheidioticflirtingfemalesoftheirspecies。Thinkofalotofover-dressedcreaturesfloutingthosesevereoutlinesanddeep-toneddistanceswithfripperyandgarishness。Youknowhowyouhavebeenlulledtosleepbythatdelicious，indefinite，far-offmurmurofthecanyonatnight——thinkofitbeingbrokenbyacrazywaltzoramonotonousgerman——bytheclatterofwaitersandthepopofchampagnecorks。Andyet，bythunder，thosewomenarecapableoflikingbothandfindingnodiscordinthem!"

"Dancingain\'thalfbad，youknow，"saidMainwaring，conscientiously，"ifachap\'sgotthewindtodoit；andallAmericans，especiallythewomen，dancebetterthanwedo。ButIsay，Bradley，tohearyoutalk，afellowwouldn\'tsuspectyouwereasbigaVandalasanybody，withabeastly，howlingsaw-millintheheartoftheprimevalforest。ByJove，youquitebowledmeoverthatfirstdaywemet，whenyoupoppedyourheadoutofthatdeliriumtremensshakingmill，liketheverygeniusofdestructiveimprovement。”

"ButthatwasFIGHTINGNature，notpatronizingher；andit\'sabusinessthatpays。ThatremindsmethatImustgobacktoit，"

saidBradley，risingandknockingtheashesfromhispipe。

"NotAFTERdinner，surely!"saidMainwaring，insurprise。"Comenow，that\'stoomuchliketheboltingYankeeofthetravellers\'

books。”

"There\'saheavyruntogetthroughtonight。We\'reworkingagainsttime，"returnedBradley。Evenwhilespeakinghehadvanishedwithinthehouse，returnedquickly——havingreplacedhisdarksuitbyjeantrouserstuckedinheavyboots，andaredflannelshirtoverhisstarchedwhiteone——and，noddinggaylytoMainwaring，steppedfromthelowerendoftheveranda。"Thebeggaractuallylookspleasedtogo，"saidMainwaringtohimselfinwonderment。

"Oh!Jim，"saidMrs。Bradley，appearingatthedoor。

"Yes，"saidBradley，faintly，fromthebushes。

"Minty\'sready。Youmighttakeherhome。”

"Allright。I\'llwait。”

"IhopeIhaven\'tfrightenedMissSharpeaway，"saidMainwaring。

"Sheisn\'tgoing，surely？"

"Onlytogetsomebetterclothes，onaccountofcompany。I\'mafraidyouaregivingheragooddealoftrouble，Mr。Mainwaring，"

saidMrs。Bradley，laughing。

"Shewishedmetosaygood-bytoyouforher，asshecouldn\'tcomeontheverandainheroldshawlandsun-bonnet，"addedLouise，whohadjoinedthem。"Whatdoyoureallythinkofher，Mr。Mainwaring？

Icallherquitepretty，attimes。Don\'tyou？"

Mainwaringknewnotwhattosay。Hecouldnotunderstandwhytheycouldhaveanyspecialinterestinthegirl，orcaretoknowwhathe，aperfectstranger，thoughtofher。Heavoidedadirectreply，however，byplayfullywonderinghowMrs。BradleycouldsubjectherhusbandtoMissMinty\'sundividedfascinations。

"Oh，Jimalwaystakesherhome——ifit\'sintheevening。Hegetsalongwiththesepeoplebetterthanwedo，"returnedMrs。Bradley，dryly。"But，"sheadded，withareturnofherpiquantQuaker-likecoquettishness，"Jimsayswearetodevoteourselvestoyouto-

night——inretaliation，Isuppose。Wearetoamuseyou，andnotletyougetexcited；andyouaretobesenttobedearly。”

Itistobefearedthattheselatterwiseprecautions——invaluableforalldefencelessandenfeebledhumanity——werenotcarriedout:

anditwaslatewhenMainwaringeventuallyretired，withbrightenedeyesandasomewhatacceleratedpulse。Fortheladies，whohadquiteregainedthatkindlyequanimitywhichMintyhadrudelyinterrupted，hadalsoaddedadelicateandconfidentialsympathyintheirrelationswithMainwaring，——asofpeoplewhohadsufferedincommon，——andheexperiencedthesetenderattentionsattheirhandswhichanytwowomenareemboldenedbyeachother\'ssavingpresencetoshowanysinglememberofoursex。Indeed，hehardlyknewifhissatisfactionwasthemorecompletewhenMrs。Bradley，withdrawingforafewmoments，lefthimaloneontheverandawithLouiseandthevast，omnipotentnight。

Forawhiletheysatsilent，inthemidstoftheprofoundandmeasurelesscalm。Lookingdownuponthedimmoonlitabyssattheirfeet，theythemselvesseemedapartofthisnightthatarchedaboveit；thehalf-risenmoonappearedtolingerlongenoughattheirsidetoenwrapandsuffusethemwithitsglory；afewbrightstarsquietlyringedthemselvesaroundthem，andlookedwonderinglyintotheleveloftheirownshiningeyes。Forsomevagueyearningtohumanityseemedtodrawthisdarkandpassionlessvoidtowardsthem。ThevastprotectingmaternityofNatureleanthushedandbreathlessoverthesolitude。Warmcurrentsofairroseoccasionallyfromthevalley，whichonemighthavebelievedweresighsfromitsfullandoverflowingbreast，oragratefulcoolnessswepttheircheeksandhairwhenthetranquilheightsaroundthemweremovedtoslowlyrespond。Odorsfrominvisiblebayandlaurelsometimesfilledtheair；theincenseofsomerareandremotercultivatedmeadowbeyondtheirken，orthestronggerminatingbreathofleaguesofwildoats，thathadyellowedtheuplandbyday。Inthesilenceandshadow，theirvoicestookuponthemselves，almostwithouttheirvolition，afar-offconfidentialmurmur，withintervalsofmeaningsilence——ratherasiftheirthoughtshadspokenforthemselves，andtheyhadstoppedwonderinglytolisten。

Theytalkedatfirstvaguelytothisdiscreetaudienceofspaceanddarkness，andthen，growingbolder，spoketoeachotherandofthemselves。Investedbytheinfinitegravityofnature，theyhadnofearofhumanridiculetorestraintheiryouthfulconceitortheextravaganceoftheirunimportantconfessions。Theytalkedoftheirtastes，oftheirhabits，oftheirfriendsandacquaintances。

Theysettledsomepointsofdoctrine，duty，andetiquette，withthesweetseriousnessofyouthanditsall-powerfulconvictions。Thelisteningvineswouldhaverecognizednoflirtationorlove-makingintheiranimatedbutimportantconfidences；yetwhenMrs。Bradleyreappearedtowarntheinvalidthatitwastimetoseekhiscouch，theybothcoughedslightlyinthenervousconsciousnessofsomeunaccustomedqualityintheirvoices，andasenseofinterruptionfarbeyondtheirownortheinnocentintruder\'sken。

"Well？"saidMrs。Bradley，inthesitting-roomasMainwaring\'sstepsretreateddownthepassagetohisroom。

"Well，"saidLouisewithaslightyawn，leaningherprettyshoulderslanguidlyagainstthedoor-post，assheshadedhermoonlight-accustomedeyesfromthevulgarbrilliancyofMrs。

Bradley\'sbedroomcandle。"Well——oh，hetalkedagreatdealabout\'hispeople\'ashecalledthem，andItalkedaboutus。He\'sverynice。Youknowinsomethingshe\'sreallylikeaboy。”

"Helooksmuchbetter。”

"Yes；butheisfarfromstrongyet。”

Meantime，Mainwaringhadnootherconfidantofhisimpressionsthanhisownthoughts。Mingledwithhisexaltation，whichwasthemoreseductivethatithadnowell-definedfoundationforexisting，andimpliednofutureresponsibility，wasarecurrenceofhisuneasinessattheimpendingvisitofRichardsonthenextday。Strangelyenough，ithadincreasedunderthestimulusoftheevening。Justashewasreallygettingonwiththefamily，hefeltsurethatthisvisitorwouldimportsomeforeignelementintotheirfamiliarity，asMintyhaddone。Itwaspossibletheywouldnotlikehim:nowherememberedtherewasreallysomethingostentatiouslyBritishandinsularaboutthisRichardson——somethingtheywouldlikelyresent。

Whycouldn\'tthisfellowhavecomelater——orevenbefore？Beforewhat？Butherehefellasleep，andalmostinstantlyslippedfromthisverandaintheSierras，sixthousandmilesaway，toanancientterrace，overgrownwithmossandtradition，thatoverlookedthesedategloryofanEnglishpark。Herehefoundhimself，restrictedpainfullybyhisinconsistentnight-clothes，endeavoringtoimpresshismotherandsisterswiththesingularvirtuesandexcellencesofhisAmericanhostandhostesses——virtuesandexcellencesthathehimselfwasbeginningtofeelconscioushadbecomemoreorlessapocryphalinthatatmosphere。Heheardhismother\'svoicesayingseverely，"Whenyoulearn，Francis，torespecttheopinionsandprejudicesofyourfamilyenoughtopreventyourappearingbeforetheminthisuncivilizedaboriginalcostume，wewilllistentowhatyouhavetosayofthefriendswhosehabitsyouseemtohaveadopted；"andhewasfranticallyindignantthathiseffortstoconvincethemthathisnegligencewasapersonaloversight，andnotaCaliforniancustom，wereutterlyfutile。ButeventhenthisvisionwasbrushedawaybythebewilderingsweepofLouise\'sprettyskirtacrossthedreamypicture，andherdelicatefeaturesandsoftly-fringedeyesremainedthelasttoslipfromhisfadingconsciousness。

Themoonrosehigherandhigherabovethesleepinghouseandsoftlybreathingcanyon。Therewasnothingtomartheidyllicreposeofthelandscape；onlythegrowinglightofthelasttwohourshadbroughtoutinthefareasternhorizonadimwhitepeak，thatgleamedfaintlyamongthestars，likeabridalcouchspreadbetweenthehillsfringedwithfadingnuptialtorches。Noonewouldhavebelievedthatbehindthatimpenetrableshadowtothewest，intheheartoftheforest，thethrobbingsaw-millofJamesBradleywasevenatthatmomenteatingitsdestructivewaythroughtheconservedgrowthofNatureandcenturies，andthattherefinedproprietorofhouseandgreenwood，withtheglowofhisfurnacefiresonhisredshirt，andhisalert，intelligenteyes，wasthegenieofthatdevastation，andthetoilingleaderoftheshadowy，toilingfiguresaroundhim。

CHAPTERIII。

AmidthebeautyofthemostuncultivatedanduntroddenwildernesstherearecertainlocalitieswherethemeanerandmerecommonprocessesofNaturetakeuponthemselvesadegradinglikenesstotheslovenly，wasteful，andimprovidentprocessesofman。Theunrecordedland-slipdisintegratingawholehillsidewillnotonlylaybarethedelicateframeworkofstrataanddeposittothevulgareye，buthurlintothevalleyadebrissomonstrousandunlovelyastoshameeventhehideousruinsleftbydynamite，hydraulic，orpickandshovel；anoverflownandforgottenwoodlandtorrentwillleaveinsomeremotehollowadisturbedandungracefulchaosofinextricablelogs，branches，rock，andsoilthatwillrivaltheunsavorydetailsofsomewreckedorabandonedsettlement。Oflessermagnitudeandimportance，therearecertainnaturaldust-

heaps，sinks，andcesspools，wheretheelementshavecollectedthecast-off，broken，andfrayeddisjectaofwoodandfield——thesweepingsofthesylvanhousehold。ItwasremarkablethatNature，sokindlyconsiderateofmerehumanruins，madenoattempttocoverupordisguisethesemonumentsofherownmortality:nograssgrewovertheunsightlylandslides，nomossorivyclothedthestrippedandbleachedskeletonsofoverthrownbranchandtree；thedeadleavesandwitheredhusksrottedintheiropengraveuncrossedbyvineandcreeper。Eventheanimals，exceptthelowerorganizations，shunnedthosehauntsofdecayandruin。

ItwasscarcelyahundredyardsfromoneofthosedrearyreceptaclesthatMr。BradleyhadtakenleaveofMissMintySharpe。

Thecabinoccupiedbyherfather，herself，andayoungerbrotherstood，infact，ontheveryedgeofthelittlehollow，whichwaspartlyfilledwithdecayedwood，leaves，anddisplacementsofthecrumblingbank，withthecoaldustandasheswhichMr。Sharpehadaddedfromhisforge，thatstoodafewpacesdistantatthecornerofacross-road。Theoccupantsofthecabinhadalsocontributedtothehollowtherefuseoftheirhouseholdinbrokenboxes，earthenware，tincans，andcast-offclothing；anditisnotimprobablethatthesiteofthecabinwaschosenwithreferencetothisconvenientdisposalofuselessandencumberingimpedimenta。

Itwastruethatthelocalityofferedlittlechoiceinthewayofbeauty。Anoutcropofbrowngranite——aportentofhigheraltitudes——extendedaquarterofamilefromthenearestfringeofdwarflaureland"brush"inonedirection；intheotheranadvancedfileofBradley\'swoodshadsufferedfromsomelong-forgottenfire，andstillraiseditsblackenedmastsandbrokenstumpsoverthescorchedandaridsoil，sweptofolderunderbrushandverdure。Ontheothersideoftheroadadarkravine，tangledwithbriersandhauntedatnightbyowlsandwildcats，struggledwearilyon，untilblunderingatlastupontheedgeoftheGreatCanyon，itslippedandlostitselfforeverinasinglefurrowofthosemightyflanks。

WhenBradleyhadonceaskedSharpewhyhehadnotbuilthishouseintheravine，theblacksmithhadreplied:"ThatuntiltheLordhadappointedhistime，hereckonedtokeephisheadabovegroundandthefoundationsthereof。”Howbeit，theravine，orthe"run，"asitwaslocallyknown，wasMinty\'sonlySaturdayafternoonresortforrecreationorberries。"Itwas，"shehadexplained，"pow\'fulsoothin\'，andsolitary。”

Sheenteredthehouse——arude，squarebuildingofunpaintedboards——

containingasitting-room，akitchen，andtwobedrooms。Aglanceattheserooms，whichwereplainlyfurnished，andwhosecanvas-

coloredwallswereadornedwithgorgeousagriculturalimplementcirculars，patentmedicinecalendars，withpolytintedchromosandcheaply-illuminatedScripturaltexts，showedherthatacertainneatnessandorderhadbeenpreservedduringherabsence；and，findingthehouseempty，shecrossedthebarrenandblackenedinterveningspacebetweenthebackdoorandherfather\'sforge，andenteredtheopenshed。Thelightwasfadingfromthesky；buttheglowoftheforgelitupthedustyroadbeforeit，andaccentedtheblacknessoftherockyledgebeyond。Asmallcurly-headedboy，bearingasingularlikenesstoasmudgedandblackenedcrayondrawingofMinty，wasmechanicallyblowingthebellowsandobviouslyintentuponsomethingelse；whileherfather——apowerfullybuiltman，withaquaintlydissatisfiedexpressionofcountenance——waswithequalwantofinterestmechanicallyhammeringatahorseshoe。

WithoutnoticingMinty\'sadvent，helazilybrokeintoaquerulousdrawlingchantofsomevaguereligiouscharacter:

"Otur-ren，sinner；tur-ren。

FortheLordbidsyouturn——ah!

Otur-ren，sinner；tur-ren。

Whywillyoudie？"

Themusicalaccentadapteditselftothemonotonousfallofthesledge-hammer；andateveryrepetitionoftheword"turn"hesuitedtheactiontothewordbyturningthehorseshoewiththeironinhislefthand。Aslightgruntattheendofeverystroke，andthesimultaneousrepetitionof"turn"seemedtoofferhimamusementandrelief。Minty，withoutspeaking，crossedtheshop，andadministeredasoundboxonherbrother\'sear。"Takethat，andletmeketchyouagenlayin\'lowwhenmyback\'sturned，toputonyourstorepants。”

"Theothershadfetchedawayinthelaig，"saidtheboy，opposingakneeandelbowatacuteangletofurtherattack。

"Youjestgetandchange\'em，"saidMinty。

ThesuddencollapseofthebellowsbrokeinuponthesoothingrefrainofMr。Sharpe，andcausedhimtoturnalso。

"It\'sMinty，"hesaid，replacingthehorseshoeonthecoals，andsettinghispowerfularmsandthesledgeontheanvilwithanexaggeratedexpressionofweariness。

"Yes；it\'sme，"saidMinty，"andCreationknowsit\'stimeIDID

come，tokeepthatboyfromruinin\'uswithhisairsandconceits。”

"Didyebringoveranyo\'thatfevermixter？"

"No。Bradleysezyou\'reloadingyerselfupwithsomucho\'thatbitterbark——kuininetheycallitoverthere——thatyou\'lllifttheruffoffyourheadnext。Heallowsyeain\'tgotnoague；it\'sjestwindanddyspepsy。Hesezyer\'sstrongezahoss。”

"Bradley，"saidSharpe，layingasidehissledgewithanaggrievedmannerwhichwas，however，ascomplacentashisfatigueanddiscontent，"ezoneofthemnat\'ralbornfinikinskunksezI

despise。Ireckonhebegantogivep\'intstohisparentswhenhewasaboutknee-hightoRichelieuthere。He\'sonthemconfidentialtermswithhisselfandtheAlmightythathereckonshekenrunasaw-millandaman\'sinsidesatthesametimewithonehandtiedbehindhim。Andthisfinikinisuptohisconceit:hewantedtotellmethatthatyerhandybrushdumpoutsideourshantywasunhealthy。Giveamanwithfrillslikethathisownwayandhe\'dbeasprinklingodorcologneandpeppermintalloverthecountry。”

"Hesetyourshoulderaswellasanydoctor，"saidMinty。

"That\'sbone-settin\'，andanat\'ralgift，"returnedSharpe，astriumphantlyashishabitualdepressionwouldadmit；"itain\'tconceitandfinikingotouto\'books!Well，"headded，afterapause，"wot\'shappened？"

Minty\'sfaceslightlychanged。"Nothin\'；Ikembacktogetsomethings，"shesaidshortly，movingaway。

"AndyesawHIM？"

"Ye-e-s，"drawledMinty，carelessly，stillretreating。

"Bixbywasalonghereaboutnoon。Hesaysthestrangerwassuthin\'

highandmightyinhisowncountry，andthem\'Friscomillionairesarequitesweetonhim。Whereareyegoin\'？"

"Inthehouse。”

"Well，lookyer，Minty。Nowthatyou\'rehere，yemightgetupabatcho\'hotbiscuitforsupper。Dinnerwasthatpromiscousandexperimentalto-day，alongo\'Richelieu\'snat\'ralfoolin\'，thatI

thinkIcouldgitoutsideofalittlesuthin\'now，ifonlytopropupakindofinnardsinkin\'thattakesme。Yekentellmethenewsatsupper。”

Later，however，whenMr。Sharpehadquittedhisforgeforthenightand，seatedathisdomesticboard，was，withadismalpresentimentoffutureindigestion，voraciouslyabsorbinghisfavoritemealofhotsaleratusbiscuitsswimminginbutter，hehadapparentlyforgottenhiscuriosityconcerningMainwaringandsettledhimselftoacomplainingchronicleoftheday\'smishaps。"Nat\'rally，havin\'anextraloto\'workonhandandnotimeforfoolin\'，whatdoesthatorneryRichelieugetupanddothismornin\'？Yeknowthemridiklusspecimensthathe\'sbeenchippin\'outerthatledgethattheyearthslippedfromdowntherun，andlitterin\'upthewholeshantywith\'em。Well，darnmyskin!ifhedidn\'trunaheapof\'em，mixedupwithcoal，unbeknownedtome，intheforge，tomakewhathecalleda\'fireessay\'of\'em。Nat\'rally，Icouldn\'tgetablessedironhot，anddidn\'tknowwhathadgoneofthefire，orthecoaleither，fortwohours，tillIstoppedworkandrakedoutthecoal。Thatcomesfromhishangin\'roundthatsaw-millinthewoods，andlistenin\'toBradley\'shigh-falutin\'talkaboutrocksandstrataandsich。”

"ButBradleydon\'tgoacentonminin\'，Pop，"saidMinty。"Hesezthewoodsisgoodenoughforhim；andthere\'smillionstobemadewhentherailroadcomesalong，andtimber\'swanted。”

"Butuntilthenhe\'sgottokeephisself，topaywages，andkeepthemillrunnin\'。Onlessit\'s，ezBixbysays，thathehopestogetthatEnglishmantoropeinsomeo\'them\'Friscofriendsofhistotakeahand。Yedidn\'thaveanyo\'thatkindo\'talk，didye？"

"No；notTHATkindo\'talk，"saidMinty。

"NotTHATkindo\'talk!"repeatedherfatherwithaggrievedcuriosity，"Wotkind，then？"

"Well，"saidMinty，liftingherblackeyestoherfather\'s；"I

ain\'tnoaccount，andyouain\'tnoaccounteither。Youain\'tgotnocollegeeducation，ain\'tgotnofriendsin\'Frisco，andain\'tgotnohigh-tonedstyle；Ican\'tplaythepianner，jabberFrench，norgetFrenchdresses。Weain\'tgotnofancy\'Shallet，\'astheycallit，withafirst-classviewofnothing；butonlyashantyondryrock。But，aforeI\'Dtakeadvantageofalazy，gawkyboy——foritain\'tanythingelse，thoughhe\'sgoodmeanin\'enough——thathappenedtofallsickinMYhouse，andcoaxandcossethim，andwraphiminwhitecotton，andmotherhim，andsisterhim，andAuntSukeyhim，andalmostdry-nusshimgin\'rally，jisttogethimsweetonmeandonmine，andtaketheinsidetrackofothers——I\'DbeanInjin!Andifyou\'dallowit，Pop，you\'dbewussnoranigger!"

"Sho!"saidherfather，kindlingwiththatintensegratificationwithwhichthemalereceivesanyintimationofalienfeminineweakness。"Itain\'tthat，Minty，Iwanterknow!"

"It\'sjistthat，Pop；andIezgoodezlet\'emknowIseedit。I

ain\'tafool，ifsomefolksdodroptheireyesandpertendtowipethelaughoutoftheirnoseswithahandkerchiefwhenIletouttospeak。Imayn\'tbegoodenoughkempany——"

"Lookyer，Minty，"interruptedtheblacksmith，sternly，halfrisingfromhisseatwitheverytraceofhisformerweaknessvanishedfromhishardsetface；"doyoumeantosaythattheyputonairstoye——

toMYdarter？"

"No，"saidMintyquickly；"themendidn\'t；anddon\'tyou，aman，mixyourselfupwithwomen\'smeannesses。Ikenmanage\'em，Pop，withonehand。”

Mr。Sharpelookedathisdaughter\'sflashingblackeyes。PerhapsanuneasyrecollectionofthelateMrs。Sharpe\'sremarkablecapacityinthatrespectcheckedhisfurtherrage。

"No。WotIwassayin\'，"resumedMinty，"ezthatImayn\'tbethoughtbyothersgoodenoughtokeepkempanywithbaronettsezistobe——thoughbaronettsmightn\'tobject——butIain\'tmeanenoughtotrytostealawaysomeolewoman\'sdarlingboyinEngland，orsnatchsomelikelyyoungEnglishgirl\'sbigbrotherouterthefamilywithoutsayin\'byyourleave。How\'dyoulikeitifRichelieuwasgrowedup，andwenttosea，——anditwouldbelikehispeartness，——

andhefellsickinsomeforeignland，andsomeprincessorotherskyulgedHIMunderhandawayfromus？"

Probablyowingtotheaffairofthespecimens，theelderSharpedidnotseemtoregardthepossiblemesallianceofRichelieuwithextraordinarydisfavor。"Thatboyisconceitedenoughwithhairileandfineclothesforanything，"hesaidplaintively。"Butdidn\'tthatLouiseMacyhevafelleralready——thatCaptainGreyson？

Wot\'sgoneo\'him？"

"That\'sit，"saidMinty:"hekingooutinthewoodsandwhistlenow。Butallthesame，shecouldhitchhiminagainatanytimeiftheotherstrangerkickedoverthetraces。That\'sthestyleoverthereatTheLookout。Thereain\'tezmuchheartinthemtwowomenputtogetherezwouldmakeagreengalflushupplayin\'forfeits。

It\'sallintheirbreed，Pop。Loveain\'tgoingtospiletheirappetitesandcomplexions，give\'emnose-bleed，norputadropo\'

waterintotheireyesinalltheirnaturalborndays。That\'swotmakesmemad。EfIthoughtthatLoocaredabitforthatchildI

wouldn\'tmind；I\'djustadvisehertomakehimgetupandget——packhisdudsouto\'camp，andgohomeandnotcomebackuntilhehadawrittenpermitfromhismother，ortheotherbaronetinoffice。”

"Lookssorterefsomeoneorterinterfere，"saidtheblacksmith，reflectively。"\'Tain\'texacklyacaseforavigilancecommittee，tho\'it\'saginpublicmorals，thissorterkidnappin\'o\'strangers。

LooksezifitmightbringthecountryintodiscreditinEngland。”

"Well，don\'tYOUgoandinterfereandhavin\'folkssayezmynosewasputouto\'jintoverthere，"saidMinty，curtly。"There\'sanotherEnglishmancomin\'upfrom\'Friscotoseehimto-morrow。Efheain\'tscoopedupbyJennyBradleyhe\'llguessthere\'saniggerinthefencesomewhere。Butthere，Pop，letitdrop。It\'sabadaig，anyway，"sheconcluded，risingfromthetable，andpassingherhandsdownherfrockandhershapelyhips，asiftowipeofffurthercontaminationofthesubject。"Where\'sRichelieuagin？"

"Saidhedidn\'twantsupper，andlikeeznothe\'sgoneovertoseethatfammerlyattheSummit。There\'salittlegirltharhe\'ssparkin\'，abouthisownage。”

"Hisownage!"saidMinty，indignantly。"Why，she\'sdoublethat，ifshe\'saday。Well——ifheain\'tthetriflinest，conceitednestlittlelimbthatevergrew!I\'dliketoknowwherehegotitfrom——

itwasn\'tmar\'sstyle。”

Mr。Sharpesmileddarkly。Richelieu\'sprecociousgallantryevidentlywasnotconsideredasgratuitousashisexperimentalmetallurgy。Butashiseyesfollowedhisdaughter\'swholesome，Phyllis-likefigure，anewideatookpossessionofhim:needlesstosay，however，itwasinthelineofanotherpersonalaggrievement，albeitittooktheformofreligiousreflection。

"It\'scurous，Minty，wot\'sforeordained，andwotain\'t。Now，yer\'soneofthemhighandmightyfellows，aftertheLord，ezcomesmeanderin\'aroundhere，anddropsoff——ezfurezIkinhear——inakindo\'faintatthefirsthousehekemsto，andistakeninandlodgedandsumptuouslyfed；and，nat\'rally，theygetstheirrewardforit。Nowwot\'stohevkeptthatyoungfellerfromcomingHERE

anddroppin\'downinmyforge，orinthisveryroom，andYOUatendin\'him，andjistlayin\'overthemfolksatTheLookout？"

"Wot\'sgotholdo\'ye，Pop？Don\'tItellyehehadalettertoJimBradley？"saidMinty，quickly，withanangryflashofcolorinhercheek。

"Thatain\'tit，"saidSharpeconfidently；"it\'scosheWALKED。

Nat\'rally，you\'dthinkhe\'dRIDE，beinghighandmighty，andthat\'swhere，eztheparsonwilltellye，wot\'smerelyfi-niteandhumanwisdomerrs!Efthatfellerhadridden，he\'dhavehadtocomebythisyerroad，andbythisyerforge，andstopaspelllikeanyother。Butitwasforeordainedthatheshouldwalk，jestcositwasn\'tgenerallykalkilatedandreckonedon。So，YOUhadnoshow。”

Foramoment，Mintyseemedstruckwithherfather\'soriginaltheory。Butwithavigorousshakeofhershouldersshethrewitoff。Hereyesdarkened。

"Ireckonyouain\'tthinking，Pop——"shebegan。

"Iwasonlysayin\'itwascurous，"berejoinedquietly。

Nevertheless，afterapause，herose，coughed，andgoinguptotheyounggirl，assheleanedoverthedresser，benthispowerfularmaroundher，and，drawingherandtheplateshewasholdingagainsthisbreast，laidhisbeardedcheekforaninstantsoftlyuponherrebellioushead。"It\'sallright，Minty，"hesaid；"ain\'tit，pet？"Minty\'seyelidsclosedgentlyunderthefamiliarpressure。

"Wot\'sthatinyourhair，Minty？"hesaidtactfully，breakinganembarrassingpause。

"Bar\'sgrease，father，"murmuredMinty，inachild\'svoice——thegrown-upwoman，underthatmagictouch，havinglapsedagainintoherfather\'smotherlesschargeoftenyearsbefore。

"It\'spow\'fulsoothin\'，andpretty，"saidherfather。

"Imadeitmyself——doyouwantsome？"askedMinty。

"Notnow，girl!"Foramomenttheyslightlyrockedeachotherinthatattitude——themandexterously，thewomanwithinfinitetenderness——andthentheyseparated。

Latethatnight，afterRichelieuhadreturned，andherfatherwrestledinhisfitfulsleepwiththeremorseofhisguiltyindulgenceatsupper，Mintyremainedaloneinherroom，hardatwork，surroundedbythecontentsofoneofhermother\'strunksandthefragmentsofcertainripped-upandnewly-turneddresses。ForMintyhadconceivedtheboldideaofalteringoneofhermother\'sgownstothefashionofacertainfascinatingfrockwornbyLouiseMacy。Itwaslatewhenherself-imposedtaskwascompleted。Withanervoustrepidationthatwasnoveltoher，Mintybegantodisrobeherselfpreparatorytotryingonhernewcreation。Thelightofatallowcandleandalargeswinginglantern，borrowedfromherfather\'sforge，fellshylyonhermilkyneckandshoulders，andshoneinhersparklingeyes，asshestoodbeforeherlargestmirror——thelongglazeddoorofakitchenclockwhichshehadplaceduponherchestofdrawers。HadpoorMintybeencontentwiththefull，free，andgoddess-likeoutlinesthatitreflected，shewouldhavebeensparedherimpendingdisappointment。For，alas!