下载辰思小说免费APP
AdamsbycolleaguesinhisdepartmentatLambandCompany\'s。
AdamshadshownsomefeelingwhenAlicebegantourgeitsremovaltoobscurityinthe"upstairshall"；heevenresistedforseveraldaysaftershehadthe"Colosseum"chargedtohim，framedinoak，andsenttothehouse。Shecheeredhimup，ofcourse，whenhegaveway；andherheartnevermisgaveherthattheremightbeadoubtwhichofthetwopictureswasthemoredismaying。
Overthepictures，thevases，theoldbrownplushrocking-chairsandthestool，overthethreegiltchairs，overthenewchintz-coveredeasychairandthegrayveluresofa——overeverythingeverywhere，wasthefamiliarcoatingofsmokegrime。
Ithadworkedintoeveryfibreofthelacecurtains，dingyingthemtoanunpleasantgray；itlayonthewindow-sillsanditdimmedtheglasspanes；itcoveredthewalls，coveredtheceiling，andwassmeareddarkerandthickerinallcorners。Yetherewasnofaultofhousewifery；thecursecouldnotbelifted，astheingrainedsmudgespermanentontheoncewhitewoodworkproved。Thegrimewasperpetuallyrenewed；scrubbingonlygrounditin。
ThisparticularuglinesswassmallpartofAlice\'sdiscontent，forthoughthecoatinggrewalittledeepereachyearshewasusedtoit。Moreover，sheknewthatshewasnotlikelytofindanythingbetterinathousandmiles，solongasshekepttocities，andthatnoneofherfriends，howeveropulent，hadanyadvantageofherhere。Indeed，throughoutallthegreatsoft-coalcountry，peoplewhoconsiderthemselvescomparativelypoormayfindthisconsolation:cleanlinesshasbeenaddedtothevirtuesandbeatitudesthatmoneycannotbuy。
Alicebrightenedalittleasshewentforwardtothefrontdoor，andshebrightenedmorewhenthespringbreezemetherthere。
Thenalldepressionleftherasshewalkeddowntheshortbrickpathtothesidewalk，lookedupanddownthestreet，andsawhowbravelythemapleshade-trees，inspiteoftheblackpowdertheybreathed，wereflingingouttheirthousandsofyounggreenparticlesoverhead。
Sheturnednorth，treadingthenewlittleshadowsonthepavementbriskly，and，havingfinishedbuttoninghergloves，swungdownherMalaccastickfromunderherarmtoletittapamoreleisurelyaccompanimenttoherquick，shortstep。Shehadtostepquicklyifshewastogetanywhere；fortheclosenessofherskirt，inspiteofitslittlelength，permittednonaturalstride；butshewaspleasedtobeimpeded，thesebrevitiesformingpartofhershowoffashion。
Otherpedestriansfoundthemnotwithoutcharm，thoughapprovalmayhavebeenlackinghereandthere，andatthefirstcrossingAlicesufferedwhatshemighthaveaccountedanactualinjury，hadsheallowedherselftobesosensitive。Anelderlywomaninfussyblacksilkstoodthere，waitingforastreetcar；shewasallofaglobularmodelling，withafacepatternedlikeafrost-bittenpeach；andthattheapproachinggracefulnesswasuncongenialshenaivelymadetooevident。Herround，waneyesseemedrousedtobitterlifeastheyrosefromthecurvedhighheelsofthebuckledslipperstothetightlittleskirt，andthencewithstartledferocitytotheMalaccacane，whichplainlyappearedtoherasadecorationnotmoreastoundingthanitwasinsulting。
Perceivingthatthegirlwasbowingtoher，theglobularladyhurriedlymadeshifttoalterherinjuriousexpression。"Goodmorning，Mrs。Dowling，"Alicesaid，gravely。Mrs。DowlingreturnedthesalutationwithasmileasconvincinglybenevolentastheghastlysmileuponaSantaClausface；andthen，whileAlicepassedon，explodedtowardherasinglecompactedbreaththroughtightenedlips。
Thesoundwaseloquentlyaudible，thoughMrs。Dowlingremainedunawarethatinthisoranymannerwhatevershehadshedalightuponherthoughts；foritwasherlifelonginnocentconvictionthatotherpeoplesawheronlyasshewishedtobeseen，andheardfromheronlywhatsheintendedtobeheard。Athomeitwasalwaysherhusbandwhopulleddowntheshadesoftheirbedroomwindow。
Alicelookedseriousforafewmomentsafterthelittleencounter，thenfoundsomeconsolationinthebehaviourofagentlemanoffortyorsowhowascomingtowardher。LikeMrs。
Dowling，hehadbeguntoshowconsciousnessofAlice\'sapproachwhileshewasyetafaroff；buthistokenswereofakindpleasantertoher。HewaslikeMrs。Dowlingagain，however，inhisconceptionthatAlicewouldnotrealizethesignificanceofwhathedid。Hepassedhishandoverhisneck-scarftoseethatitlayneatlytohiscollar，smoothedalapelofhiscoat，andadjustedhishat，seemingtobepreoccupiedthewhilewithproblemsthatkepthiseyestothepavement；then，ashecamewithinafewfeetofher，helookedup，asinasurprisedrecognitionalmostdramatic，smiledwinningly，liftedhishatdecisively，andcarriedittothefullarm\'slength。
Alice\'sresponsewasallhecouldhaveasked。Thecaneinherrighthandstoppedshortinitsswing，whileherlefthandmovedinaprettygestureasifanimpulsecarriedittowardtheheart；
andshesmiled，withherunderlipcaughtsuddenlybetweenherteeth。Monthsagoshehadseenanactressusethissmileinaplay，anditcameperfectlytoAlicenow，withoutconsciousdirection，ithadbeensowellacquired；buttheprettyhand\'slittleimpulsetowardtheheartwasanoriginalbitallherown，onthespurofthemoment。
Thegentlemanwenton，passingfromherforwardvisionashereplacedhishat。OfhimselfhewasnothingtoAlice，exceptforthegraciouscircumstancethathehadshownstrongconsciousnessofaprettygirl。Hewasmiddle-aged，substantial，afamilyman，securelymarried；andAlicehadwithhimoneofthoselongacquaintancesthatneverbecomeemphasizedbysomuchasfiveminutesoftalk；yetforthisinconsequentmeetingshehadenactedalittlepartlikeafragmentinapantomimeofSpanishwooing。
Itwasnotforhim——noteventoimpresshim，exceptasamessenger。Alicewasherselfalmostunawareofherthought，whichwasoneoftherunningthousandsofherthoughtsthattooknodeliberateforminwords。Nevertheless，shehadit，anditwastheimpulseofallherprettybitsofpantomimewhenshemetotheracquaintanceswhomadetheirappreciationvisible，asthissubstantialgentlemandid。InAlice\'sunwordedthought，hewastobethusencouragedasinsomemeasureachampiontospeakwellofhertotheworld；butmorethanthis:hewastotellsomemagnificentunknownbachelorhowwonderful，howmysterious，shewas。
Shehastenedongravely，alittlestirredreciprocallywiththesupposedstirringsinthebreastofthatshadowyducalmate，whomustbesomewhere"waiting，"orperhapsalreadyseekingher；forshemoreoftenthoughtofherselfas"waiting"whilehesoughther；andsometimesthisviewofthingsbecamesodefinitethatitshapedintoamurmuronherlips。"Waiting。Justwaiting。"Andshemightadd，"Forhim!"Then，beingtwenty-two，shewasapttoconcludethemysticinterviewbylaughingatherself，thoughnotwithoutacontinuedwistfulness。
Shecametoagroupofsmallcolouredchildrenplayingwaywardlyinapuddleatthemouthofamuddyalley；andatsightofhertheygaveovertheirpastimeinordertostare。Shesmiledbrilliantlyuponthem，buttheyweretoostruckwithwondertocomprehendthatthemanifestationwasfriendly；andasAlicepickedherwayinalittledetourtokeepfromthemud，sheheardoneofthemsay，"Ladygotcane!Jeez\'!"
Sheknewthatmanycolouredchildrenuseimpietiesfamiliarly，andshewasnotstartled。Shewasdisturbed，however，byanunfavourablehintinthespeaker\'stone。Hewassix，probably，butthestingofacriticismisnotnecessarilyallayedbyknowledgeofitsignoblesource，andAlicehadalreadybeguntofeelaslightuneasinessabouthercane。Mrs。Dowling\'sstarehadbeenstrikinglyprojectedatit；otherwomenmorethanmerelyglanced，theirbrowsandlipscontractingimpulsively；andAlicewasawarethatoneortwoofthemfranklyhaltedassoonasshehadpassed。
Shehadseeninseveralmagazinespicturesofladieswithcanes，andonthataccountshehadboughtthisone，neverquestioningthatfashionisrecognized，evenintheprovinces，assoonasbeheld。Onthecontrary，thesestaringwomenobviouslyfailedtorealizethatwhattheywerebeingshownwasnotaneccentricoutburst，butthebrightharbingerofanillustriousmode。Alicehadappliedabitofartificialpigmenttoherlipsandcheeksbeforeshesetforththismorning；shedidnotneedit，havingareadycolourofherown，whichnowmountedhighwithannoyance。
Thenasplendidlyshiningclosedblackautomobile，withwindowsofpolishedglass，camesilentlydownthestreettowardher。
Withinit，asinaluxuriouslittleapartment，threecomelyladiesinmourningsatandgossiped；butwhentheysawAlicetheyclutchedoneanother。Theyinstantlyrecovered，bowingtohersolemnlyastheywereborneby，yetwerenotgonefromhersightsoswiftlybuttheedgeofhersideglancecaughtaflashofteethinmouthssuddenlyopened，andthedarkglistenofblackglovesagainclutchingtosharemirth。
ThecolourthatoutdidtherougeonAlice\'scheekextendeditsareaandgrewwarmerassherealizedhowalltoocordialhadbeenhernodandsmiletothesehumorousladies。Butintheiridentitylayasignificancecausingherasharpersmart，fortheywereofthefamilyofthatLamb，chiefofLambandCompany，whohademployedherfathersincebeforeshewasborn。
"Andknowhissalary!They\'dbeSUREtofindoutaboutthat!"
washerthought，coupledwithanotherbitteronetotheeffectthattheyhadprobablymadeinstantaneousfinancialestimatesofwhatsheworethoughcertainlyherwalking-stickhadmostfedtheirhilarity。
Shetuckeditunderherarm，notswingingitagain；andherbreathbecamequickandirregularasemotionbesether。Shehadbeenenjoyingherwalk，butwithinthespaceofthefewblocksshehadgonesinceshemetthesubstantialgentleman，shefoundthatmorethanthewalkwasspoiled:suddenlyherlifeseemedtobespoiled，too；thoughshedidnotviewtheruinwithcomplaisance。TheseLambwomenthoughtherandhercaneridiculous，didthey？shesaidtoherself。Thatwastheirparvenublood:tothinkbecauseagirl\'sfatherworkedfortheirgrandfathershehadnorighttoberatherstrikinginstyle，especiallywhenthestrikingWASherstyle。Probablyalltheothergirlsandwomenwouldagreewiththemandwouldlaughatherwhentheygottogether，and，whatmightbefatal，wouldtrytomakeallthementhinkherasillypretender。Menwerejustlikesheep，andnothingwaseasierthanforwomentosetupasshepherdsandpentheminafold。"Tokeepoutoutsiders，"Alicethought。"Andmake\'embelieveIAManoutsider。What\'stheuseofliving？"
Allseemedlostwhenatrimyoungmanappeared，stridingoutofacross-streetnotfarbeforeher，and，turningatthecorner，cametowardher。Visibly，heslackenedhisgaittolengthenthetimeofhisapproach，and，ashewasastrangertoher，nomotivecouldbeascribedtohimotherthanawishtohavealongertimetolookather。
Sheliftedaprettyhandtoapinatherthroat，bitherlip——notwiththesmile，butmysteriously——andatthelastinstantbeforehershadowtouchedthestranger，lethereyesgravelymeethis。
Amomentlater，havingarrivedbeforethehousewhichwasherdestination，shehaltedattheentrancetoadrivewayleadingthroughfinelawnstotheintentionallyimportantmansion。Itwasapleasantandimpressiveplacetobeseenentering，butAlicedidnotenteratonce。Shepaused，examiningatinybitofmortarwhichthemasonshadforgottentoscrapefromabrickinoneofthemassivegate-posts。Shefrownedatthistinydefacement，andwithanairofannoyancescrapeditaway，usingtheferruleofhercaneanactoffastidiousproprietorship。Ifanyonehadlookedbackoverhisshoulderhewouldnothavedoubtedthatshelivedthere。
Alicedidnotturntoseewhetheranythingofthesorthappenedornot，butshemayhavesurmisedthatitdid。Atallevents，itwaswithaninvigoratedstepthatsheleftthegatewaybehindherandwentcheerfullyupthedrivetothehouseofherfriendMildred。
CHAPTERIV
Adamshadarestlessmorning，andtowardnoonheaskedMissPerrytocallhisdaughter；hewishedtosaysomethingtoher。
"IthoughtIheardherleavingthehouseacoupleofhoursago——maybelonger，"thenursetoldhim。"I\'llgosee。"Andshereturnedfromthebrieferrand，herimpressionconfirmedbyinformationfromMrs。Adams。"Yes。ShewentuptoMissMildredPalmer\'stoseewhatshe\'sgoingtowearto-night。"
AdamslookedatMissPerrywearily，butremainedpassive，makingnoinquiries；forhewaslongaccustomedtowhatseemedtohimakindofjargonamongladies，whichbecamethemoreincomprehensiblewhentheytriedtoexplainit。Aman\'sbestcourse，hehadfound，wasjusttoletitgoassomuchsound。
Hissorrowfuleyesfollowedthenurseasshewentbacktoherrocking-chairbythewindow，andherplacidityshowedhimthattherewasnomysteryforherinthefactthatAlicewalkedtwomilestoasksosimpleaquestionwhentherewasatelephoneinthehouse。ObviouslyMissPerryalsocomprehendedwhyAlicethoughtitimportanttoknowwhatMildredmeanttowear。AdamsunderstoodwhyAliceshouldbeconcernedwithwhatsheherselfwore"tolookneatandtidyandatherbest，why，ofcourseshe\'dwantto，"hethought——butherealizedthatitwasforeverbeyondhimtounderstandwhytheclothingofotherpeoplehadlongsincebecomeanabsorbingpartofherlife。
Herexcursionthismorningwasnonovelty；shewascontinuallygoingtoseewhatMildredmeanttowear，orwhatsomeothergirlmeanttowear；andwhenAlicecamehomefromwhereverothergirlsorwomenhadbeengathered，shealwayshurriedtohermotherwithearnestdescriptionsoftheclothingshehadseen。Atsuchtimes，ifAdamswaspresent，hemightrecognize"organdie，"or"taffeta，"or"chiffon，"aswordsdefiningcertaintextiles，buttherestwastootechnicalforhim，andhewaslikeadismalboyatasermon，justwaitingforittogetitselffinished。Nottheleastofthemysterywashiswife\'sinterest:shewasalmostindifferentaboutherownclothes，andwhensheconsultedAliceaboutthemspokehurriedlyandwithanairofapology；butwhenAlicedescribedotherpeople\'sclothes，Mrs。Adamslistenedaseagerlyasthedaughtertalked。
"Theretheygo!"hemutteredto-day，amomentafterheheardthefrontdoorclosing，asoundrecognizablethroughoutmostofthethinlybuilthouse。Alicehadjustreturned，andMrs。Adamscalledtoherfromtheupperhallway，notfarfromAdams\'sdoor。
"WhatdidsheSAY？"
"Shewassortofsnippyaboutit，"Alicereturned，ascendingthestairs。"Shegetsthatwaysometimes，andpretendedshehadn\'tmadeuphermind，butI\'mprettysureit\'llbethemaizeGeorgettewithMalinesflounces。"
"Didn\'tyousaysheworethatatthePattersons\'？"Mrs。Adamsinquired，asAlicearrivedatthetopofthestairs。"Anddidn\'tyoutellmesheworeitagainatthe——"
"Certainlynot，"Aliceinterrupted，ratherpetulantly。"She\'sneverwornitbutonce，andofcourseshewouldn\'twanttowearanythingto-nightthatpeoplehaveseenherinalot。"
MissPerryopenedthedoorofAdams\'sroomandsteppedout。
"Yourfatherwantstoknowifyou\'llcomeandseehimaminute，，MissAdams。"
"Pooroldthing!Ofcourse!"Aliceexclaimed，andwentquicklyintotheroom，MissPerryremainingoutside。"What\'sthematter，papa？Gettingawfulsickoflyingonhistiredoldback，I
expect。"
"I\'vehadkindofapoormorning，"Adamssaid，asshepattedhishandcomfortingly。"Ibeenthinking——"
"Didn\'tItellyounotto？"shecried，gaily。"Ofcourseyou\'llhavepoortimeswhenyougoanddojustexactlywhatIsayyoumustn\'t。Youstopthinkingthisveryminute!"
Hesmiledruefully，closinghiseyes；wassilentforamoment，thenaskedhertositbesidethebed。"IbeenthinkingofsomethingIwantedtosay，"headded。
"Whatlike，papa？"
"Well，it\'snothing——much，"hesaid，withsomethingdeprecatoryinhistone，asifhefeltvagueimpulsestowardbothhumourandapology。"IjustthoughtmaybeIoughtto\'vesaidmoretoyousometimeorotherabout——well，aboutthewaythingsARE，downatLambandCompany\'s，forinstance。"
"Now，papa!"Sheleanedforwardinthechairshehadtaken，andpretendedtoslaphishandcrossly。"Isn\'tthatexactlywhatI
saidyoucouldn\'tthinkonesinglethinkabouttillyougetALL
well？"
"Well——"hesaid，andwentonslowly，notlookingather，butattheceiling。"Ijustthoughtmaybeitwouldn\'tbeenanyharmifsometimeorotherItoldyousomethingaboutthewaytheysortofdependonmedownthere。"
"Whydon\'ttheyshowit，then？"sheasked，quickly。"That\'sjustwhatmamaandIhavebeenfeelingsomuch；theydon\'tappreciateyou。"
"Why，yes，theydo，"hesaid。"Yes，theydo。Theybeganh\'istingmysalarythesecondyearIwentinthere，andthey\'veh\'isteditalittleeverytwoyearsallthetimeI\'veworkedfor\'em。I\'vebeenheadofthesundriesdepartmentforsevenyearsnow，andIcouldhardlyhavemoreauthorityinthatdepartmentunlessIwasamemberofthefirmitself。"
"Well，whydon\'ttheymakeyouamemberofthefirm？That\'swhattheyoughtto\'vedone!Yes，andlongago!"
Adamslaughed，butsighedwithmoreheartinessthanhehadlaughed。"Theycallmetheir\'oldeststand-by\'downthere。"Helaughedagain，apologetically，asiftoexcusehimselffortakingalittleprideinthistitle。"Yes，sir；theysayI\'mtheir\'oldeststand-by\'；andIguesstheyknowtheycancountonmydepartment\'sturninginasgoodareportastheylookfor，attheendofeverymonth；buttheydon\'thavetotakeamanintothefirmtogethimtodomywork，dearie。"
"Butyousaidtheydependedonyou，papa。"
"Sotheydo；butofcoursenotso\'stheycouldn\'tgetalongwithoutme。"Hepaused，reflecting。"Idon\'tjustseemtoknowhowtoputit——ImeanhowtoputwhatIstartedouttosay。I
kindofwantedtotellyou——well，itseemsfunnytome，theselastfewyears，thewayyourmother\'stakentofeelingaboutit。
I\'dliketoseeabetterestablishedwholesaledrugbusinessthanLambandCompanythissidetheAlleghanies——Idon\'tsaybigger，I
saybetterestablished——andit\'skindoffunnyforamanthat\'sbeenwithabusinesslikethataslongasIhavetohearitcalleda\'hole。\'It\'skindoffunnywhenyouthink，yourself，you\'vedoneprettyfairlywellinabusinesslikethat，andthemenattheheadofitseemtothinkso，too，andputyoursalaryjustaboutashighasanybodycouldconsidercustomary——well，whatImean，Alice，it\'skindoffunnytohaveyourmotherthinkit\'smostlyjust——mostlyjustafailure，sotospeak。"
Hisvoicehadbecometremulousinspiteofhim；andthissignofweaknessandemotionhadsufficienteffectuponAlice。Shebentoverhimsuddenly，withherarmabouthimandhercheekagainsthis。"Poorpapa!"shemurmured。"Poorpapa!"
"No，no，"hesaid。"Ididn\'tmeananythingtotroubleyou。I
justthought——"Hehesitated。"Ijustwondered——Ithoughtmaybeitwouldn\'tbeanyharmifIsaidsomethingabouthowthingsAREdownthere。Igottothinkingmaybeyoudidn\'tunderstandit\'saprettygoodplace。They\'refinepeopletoworkfor；andthey\'vealwaysseemedtothinksomethingofme；——thewaytheytookWalteron，forinstance，soonasIasked\'em，lastyear。Don\'tyouthinkthatlookedagooddealasiftheythoughtsomethingofme，Alice？"
"Yes，papa，"shesaid，notmoving。
"Andthework\'srightpleasant，"hewenton。"Mightyniceboysinourdepartment，Alice。Well，theyareinallthedepartments，forthatmatter。Wehaveagooddealoffundowntheresomedays。"
Sheliftedherhead。"Morethanyoudoathome\'somedays，\'I
expect，papa!"shesaid。
Heprotestedfeebly。"Now，Ididn\'tmeanthat——Ididn\'twanttotroubleyou——"
Shelookedathimthroughwinkingeyelashes。"I\'msorryIcalledita\'hole，\'papa。"
"No，no，"heprotested，gently。"Itwasyourmothersaidthat。"
"No。Idid，too。"
"Well，ifyoudid，itwasonlybecauseyou\'dheardher。"
Sheshookherhead，thenkissedhim。"I\'mgoingtotalktoher，"
shesaid，androsedecisively。
Butatthis，herfather\'stroubledvoicebecamequicklylouder:
"Youbetterletheralone。Ijustwantedtohavealittletalkwithyou。Ididn\'tmeantostartany——yourmotherwon\'t——"
"Now，papa!"Alicespokecheerfullyagain，andsmileduponhim。
"Iwantyoutoquitworrying!Everything\'sgoingtobeallrightandnobody\'sgoingtobotheryouanymoreaboutanything。You\'llsee!"
Shecarriedhersmileoutintothehall，butaftershehadclosedthedoorherfacewasallpity；andhermother，waitingforherintheoppositeroom，spokesympathetically。
"What\'sthematter，Alice？Whatdidhesaythat\'supsetyou？"
"Waitaminute，mama。"Alicefoundahandkerchief，useditforeyesandsuffusednose，gulped，thensuddenlyanddesolatelysatuponthebed。"Poor，poor，POORpapa!"shewhispered。
"Why？"Mrs。Adamsinquired，mildly。"What\'sthematterwithhim？Sometimesyouactasifheweren\'tgettingwell。What\'shebeentalkingabout？"
"Mama——well，IthinkI\'mprettyselfish。Oh，Ido!"
"Didhesayyouwere？"
"Papa？No，indeed!WhatImeanis，maybewe\'rebothalittleselfishtotrytomakehimgooutandhuntaroundforsomethingnew。"
Mrs。Adamslookedthoughtful。"Oh，that\'swhathewasupto!"
"Mama，Ithinkweoughttogiveitup。Ididn\'tdreamithadreallyhurthim。"
"Well，doesn\'thehurtus？"
"NeverthatIknowof，mama。"
"Idon\'tmeanbySAYINGthings，"Mrs。Adamsexplained，impatiently。"Therearemorewaysthanthatofhurtingpeople。
Whenamanstickstoasalarythatdoesn\'tprovideforhisfamily，isn\'tthathurtingthem？"
"Oh，it\'provides\'foruswellenough，mama。Wehavewhatweneed——ifIweren\'tsoextravagant。Oh，_I_knowIam!"
Butatthisadmissionhermothercriedoutsharply。
"\'Extravagant!\'Youhaven\'tonetenthofwhattheothergirlsyougowithhave。AndyouCAN\'Thavewhatyououghttoaslongashedoesn\'tgetoutofthathorribleplace。Itprovidesbarefoodandshelterforus，butwhat\'sthat？"
"Idon\'tthinkweoughttotryanymoretochangehim。"
"Youdon\'t？"Mrs。Adamscameandstoodbeforeher。"Listen，Alice:yourfather\'sasleep；that\'shistrouble，andhe\'sgottobewakedup。Hedoesn\'tknowthatthingshavechanged。WhenyouandWalterwerelittlechildrenwedidhaveenough——atleastitseemedtobeaboutasmuchasmostofthepeopleweknew。Butthetownisn\'twhatitwasinthosedays，andtimesaren\'twhattheywerethen，andthesefearfulPRICESaren\'ttheoldprices。
Everythingelsebutyourfatherhaschanged，andallthetimehe\'sstoodstill。Hedoesn\'tknowit；hethinksbecausethey\'vegivenhimahundreddollarsmoreeverytwoyearshe\'squiteaprosperousman!AndhethinksthatbecausehischildrencosthimmorethanheandIcostourparentshegivesthem——enough!"
"ButWalter——"Alicefaltered。"Walterdoesn\'tcosthimanythingatallanymore。"Andsheconcluded，inastrickenvoice，"It\'sall——me!"
"Whyshouldn\'titbe？"hermothercried。"You\'reyoung——you\'rejustatthetimewhenyourlifeshouldbefullestofgoodthingsandhappiness。Yetwhatdoyouget？"
Alice\'slipquivered；shewasnotunsusceptibletosuchanappeal，butshecontrivedthesemblanceofaprotest。"Idon\'thavesuchabadtimenotagoodDEALofthetime，anyhow。I\'vegotagoodMANYofthethingsothergirlshave——"
"Youhave？"Mrs。Adamswaspiteouslysatirical。"Isupposeyou\'vegotalimousinetogotothatdanceto-night？Isupposeyou\'veonlygottocallafloristandtellhimtosendyousomeorchids？Isupposeyou\'ve——"
ButAliceinterruptedthislist。Apparentlyinasingleinstantallemotionlefther，andshebecamebusinesslike，asoneinthemidstoftriflesremindedofreallyseriousmatters。Shegotupfromthebedandwenttothedooroftheclosetwhereshekeptherdresses。"Oh，seehere，"shesaid，briskly。"I\'vedecidedtowearmywhiteorgandieifyoucouldputinanewliningforme。I\'mafraidit\'lltakeyounearlyallafternoon。"
Shebroughtforththedress，displayedituponthebed，andMrs。
Adamsexamineditattentively。
"Doyouthinkyoucouldgetitdone，mama？"
"Idon\'tseewhynot，"Mrs。Adamsanswered，passingathoughtfulhandoverthefabric。"Itoughtn\'ttotakemorethanfourorfivehours。"
"It\'sashametohaveyousitatthemachinethatlong，"Alicesaid，absently，adding，"AndI\'msureweoughttoletpapaalone。
Let\'sjustgiveitup，mama。"
Mrs。Adamscontinuedherthoughtfulexaminationofthedress。
"Didyoubuythechiffonandribbon，Alice？"
"Yes。I\'msureweoughtn\'ttotalktohimaboutitanymore，mama。"
"Well，we\'llsee。"
"Let\'sbothagreethatwe\'llNEVERsayanothersinglewordtohimaboutit，"saidAlice。"It\'llbeagreatdealbetterifwejustlethimmakeuphismindforhimself。"
CHAPTERV
Withthis，havingmoreimmediatelypracticalquestionsbeforethem，theydroppedthesubject，tobendtheirentireattentionuponthedress；andwhenthelunch-gongsoundeddownstairsAlicewasstillsketchingrepairsandalterations。Shecontinuedtosketchthem，notheedingthesummons。
"Isupposewe\'dbettergodowntolunch，"Mrs。Adamssaid，absently。"She\'satthegongagain。"Inaminute，mama。Nowaboutthesleeves——"Andshewentonwithherplanning。
Unfortunatelythegongwasinexpressiveofthemoodofthepersonwhobeatuponit。Itconsistedofthreelittlemetalbowlsuponastring；theywereunequalinsize，and，uponbeingtappedwithapaddedstick，gaveforthvibrationsalmostmusicallypleasant。
ItwasAlicewhohadsubstitutedthiscontrivanceforthebrass"dinner-bell"inusethroughoutherchildhood；andneithershenortheothersofherfamilyrealizedthatthesubstitutionofsweetersoundshadmadethelifeofthathouseholdmoredifficult。Inspiteofdismayingincreasesinwages，theAdamsesstillstrovetokeepacook；and，astheywereunabletopaythehigherratesdemandedbyagoodone，whattheyusuallyhadwasawhimsicalcolouredwomanofnomadicimpulses。Inthehandsofsuchapersontheold-fashioned"dinner-bell"wassatisfying；
lifecouldinstantlybemadeintolerableforanyonedawdlingonhiswaytoameal；thebellwascapableofeverydesirableprofanityandleftnothingbottledupinthebreastoftheringer。Butthechamois-coveredstickmightwhackuponAlice\'slittleChinesebowlsforaconsiderablelengthoftimeandproducenogreateffectofurgencyuponahearer，noranyothereffect，exceptfuryinthecook。Theironicalimpossibilityofexpressingindignationotherwisethanbysoundsofgentleharmonyprovedexasperating；thecookwasapttobecomesurcharged，sothatexplosiveresignations，neverrare，weresomewhatmorefrequentaftertheintroductionofthegong。
Mrs。Adamstookthisincreasedfrequencytobeonlyanothermanifestationoftheinexplicablenewdifficultiesthatbesetallhousekeeping。Youpaidacookdoublewhatyouhadpaidoneafewyearsbefore；andthecookknewhalfasmuchofcookery，andhadnogratitude。Themoreyougavethesepeople，itseemed，theworsetheybehaved——aconditionnottoberemediedbysimplygivingthemless，becauseyoucouldn\'tevengettheworstunlessyoupaidherwhatshedemanded。Nevertheless，Mrs。Adamsremainedfitfullyanoptimistinthematter。Broughtupbyhermothertospeakofafemalecookas"thegirl，"shehadbeeninstructedbyAlicetodropthatdefinitioninfavourofonenotanimprovementinaccuracy:"themaid。"Almostalways，duringthefirstdayorsoaftereverycookcame，Mrs。Adamswouldsay，atintervals，withanairoftriumph:"Ibelieve——ofcourseit\'salittlesoontobesure——butIdoreallybelievethisnewmaidisthetreasurewe\'vebeenlookingforsolong!"MuchinthesamewaythatAlicedreamedofamysteriousperfectmateforwhomshe"waited，"hermotherhadafairytheorythathiddensomewhereintheuniversetherewasthetreasure，theperfect"maid，"whowouldcomeandcookintheAdamses\'kitchen，notfourdaysorfourweeks，butforever。
Thepresentincumbentwasnotshe。Alice，profoundlyinterestedherself，kepthermotherlikewisesopreoccupiedwiththedressthattheywerebutvaguelyconsciousofthegong\'ssoftwarnings，thoughthesewererepeatedandprotractedunusually。Finallythesoundofaheartyvoice，independentandenraged，reachedthepair。Itcamefromthehallbelow。
"Isaysgoo\'-BYE!"itcalled。"Da\'ssall!"
Thenthefrontdoorslammed。
"Why，what——"Mrs。Adamsbegan。
Theywentdownhurriedlytofindout。MissPerryinformedthem。
"Icouldn\'tmakeherlistentoreason，"shesaid。"Sherangthegongfourorfivetimesandgottotalkingtoherself；andthenshewentuptoherroomandpackedherbag。Itoldhershehadnobusinesstogooutthefrontdoor，anyhow。"
Mrs。Adamstookthenewsphilosophically。"IthoughtshehadsomethinglikethatinhereyewhenIpaidherthismorning，andI\'mnotsurprised。Well，wewon\'tletMr。Adamsknowanything\'sthemattertillIgetanewone。"
Theyluncheduponwhatthelateincumbenthadleftchillingonthetable，andthenMrs。Adamspreparedtowashthedishes；shewould"havethemdoneinajiffy，"shesaid，cheerfully。ButitwasAlicewhowashedthedishes。
"IDON\'Tliketohaveyoudothat，Alice，"hermotherprotested，followingherintothekitchen。"Itroughensthehands，andwhenagirlhashandslikeyours——"
"Iknow，mama。"Alicelookedtroubled，butshookherhead。"Itcan\'tbehelpedthistime；you\'llneedeveryminutetogetthatdressdone。"
Mrs。Adamswentawaylamenting，whileAlice，noexpert，begantosplashtheplatesandcupsandsaucersinthewarmwater。Afterawhile，assheworked，hereyesgrewdreamy:shewasmakinglittlegay-colouredpicturesofherself，unfoundedpropheciesofhowshewouldlookandwhatwouldhappentoherthatevening。
Shesawherself，charminganddemure，wearingafluffyidealizationofthedresshermothernowdeterminedlystruggledwithupstairs；shesawherselfframedinagarlandedarchway，theentrancetoaballroom，andsawthepeopleontheshiningfloorturningdramaticallytolookather；thenfromallpointsarushofyoungmenshoutingfordanceswithher；andsheconstructedasuperbstranger，tall，dark，masterfullysmiling，whoswungheroutoftheclamouringgroupasthemusicbegan。Shesawherselfdancingwithhim，sawthehalf-troubledsmileshewouldgivehim；
andsheaccuratelysmiledthatsmileassherinsedtheknivesandforks。
Thesehopefulfragmentsofdramawerenottoberealized，sheknew；butsheplayedthattheyweretrue，andwentoncreatingthem。Inallofthemsheworeorcarriedflowers——hermother\'ssorrowforherinthisdetailbutmadeitthemoreimportant——
andshesawherselfglamorouswithorchids；discardedtheseforanarmfuloflong-stemmed，heavyroses；tossedthemawayforagreatbouquetofwhitecamellias；andsowandereddownalengtheninghothousegalleryoffloralbeauty，allcostlyandbeyondherreachexceptinsuchawistfulday-dream。Anduponherpresentwholehorizon，thoughshesearcheditearnestly，shecoulddiscovernofigureofasenderofflowers。
Outofherfanciesthedesireforflowerstowearthatnightemergeddefinitelyandbecamepoignant；shebegantofeelthatitmightbeparticularlyimportanttohavethem。"Thismightbethenight!"Shewasstillattheagetodreamthatthenightofanydancemaybethevitalpointindestiny。Nomatterhowcommonplaceordisappointingotherdancenightshavebeenthisonemaybringthegreatmeeting。Theunknownmagnificomaybethere。
Alicewasalmostunawareofherownreveriesinwhichthisbeingappeared——reveriesoftensotransitorythattheydevelopedandpassedinafewseconds。Andinsomeofthemthebeingwasnotwhollyastranger；thereweremomentswhenheseemedtobecomposedofrecognizablefragmentsofyoungmensheknew——asmileshehadliked，fromone；thefigureofanother，thehairofanother——andsometimesshethoughthemightbeconcealed，sotosay，withinthepersonofanactualacquaintance，someoneshehadneversuspectedofbeingtherightseekerforher，someonewhohadneversuspectedthatitwasshewho"waited"forhim。
Anythingmightrevealthemtoeachother:alook，aturnofthehead，asingularword——perhapssomeflowersuponherbreastorinherhand。
Shewipedthedishesslowly，concludingtheoperationbydroppingasaucerupontheflooranddreamilysweepingthefragmentsunderthestove。Shesighedandreplacedthebroomnearawindow，lettingherglancewanderoverthesmallyardoutside。Thegrass，repulsivelybesootedtothecolourofcoal-smokeallwinter，hadlatelycometolifeagainandnowsparkledwithgreen，inthemidstofwhichatinyshotofbluesuddenlyfixedherabsenteyes。Theyremaineduponitforseveralmoments，becominglessabsent。
Itwasaviolet。
Aliceranupstairs，putonherhat，wentoutdoorsandbegantosearchouttheviolets。Shefoundtwenty-two，abrightomen——sincethenumberwasthatofheryears——butnotenoughviolets。Therewerenomore；shehadransackedeveryfootoftheyard。
Shelookeddubiouslyatthelittlebunchinherhand，glancedatthelawnnextdoor，whichofferednofavourableprospect；thenwentthoughtfullyintothehouse，lefthertwenty-twovioletsinabowlofwater，andcamequicklyoutagain，herbrowmarkedwithafrownofdecision。Shewenttoatrolley-lineandtookacartotheoutskirtsofthecitywhereanewparkhadbeenopened。
Heresheresumedhersearch，butitwasnotaneasilyrewardedone，andforanhourafterherarrivalshefoundnoviolets。Shewalkedconscientiouslyoverthewholestretchofmeadow，hereyesrovingdiscontentedly；therewasneverabluedotinthegroomedexpanse；butatlast，asshecamenearthebordersofanoldgroveoftrees，leftuntouchedbythemunicipallandscapers，thelittleflowersappeared，andshebegantogatherthem。Shepickedthemcarefully，looseningtheearthroundeachtinyplant，soastobringtherootsupwithit，thatitmightlivethelonger；andshehadbroughtanapkin，whichshedrenchedatahydrant，andkeptlooselywrappedaboutthestemsofhercollection。
Theturfwastoodampforhertokneel；sheworkedpatiently，stoopingfromthewaist；andwhenshegothomeinadrizzleofrainatfiveo\'clockherkneesweretremulouswithstrain，herbackached，andshewastiredallover，butshehadthreehundredviolets。HermothermoanedwhenAliceshowedthemtoher，fragrantinabasinofwater。
"Oh，youPOORchild!Tothinkofyourhavingto:worksohardtogetthingsthatothergirlsonlyneed；lifttheirlittlefingersfor!"
"Nevermind，"saidAlice，huskily。"I\'vegot\'emandIAMgoingtohaveagoodtimeto-night!"
"You\'vejustgotto!"Mrs。Adamsagreed，intenselysympathetic。
"TheLordknowsyoudeserveto，afterpickingalltheseviolets，poorthing，andHewouldn\'tbemeanenoughtokeepyoufromit。
ImayhavetogetdinnerbeforeIfinishthedress，butIcangetitdoneinafewminutesafterward，andit\'sgoingtolookrightpretty。Don\'tyouworryaboutTHAT!Andwithalltheselovelyviolets——"
"Iwonder——"Alicebegan，paused，thenwenton，fragmentarily:
"Isuppose——well，Iwonder——doyousupposeitwouldhavebeenbetterpolicytohavetoldWalterbefore——"
"No，"saidhermother。"Itwouldonlyhavegivenhimlongertogrumble。"
"Buthemight——"
"Don\'tworry，"Mrs。Adamsreassuredher。"He\'llbealittlecross，buthewon\'tbestubborn；justletmetalktohimanddon\'tyousayanythingatall，nomatterwhatHEsays。"
ThesereferencestoWalterconcernedsomenecessarymanoeuvreswhichtookplaceatdinner，andwereconductedbythemother，Alicehavingacceptedheradvicetositinsilence。Mrs。Adamsbeganbylaughingcheerfully。"IwonderhowmuchlongerittookmetocookthisdinnerthanitdoesWaltertoeatit？"shesaid。
"Don\'tgobble，child!There\'snohurry。"
IncontactwithhisownfamilyWalterwasnosquandererofwords。
